USA > New York > Monroe County > Rochester > History of Rochester and Monroe county, New York, from the earliest historic times to the beginning of 1907, Vol. II > Part 59
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JOHN F. ZIMMER.
1
John F. Zimmer, president of the Wolcott Dis- tilling Company, with offices at No. 96 Clarissa street, in Rochester, was born in Wisconsin on the 25th of December, 1857. In early boyhood, however, he was brought to Rochester and began his education in the public schools, where he passed through successive grades until he had gained a good knowledge of the common branches of English learning. He afterward attended the Rochester Business Institute and he entered busi- ness life in a clerical position in the office of the Wolcott Company. Steadily working his way up- ward, he became a partner in the concern. He has been with the company for twenty-eight years
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and is now its president, successfully controlling and managing its interests. This business was established in 182: by E. Pherus and for years was carried on by A. F. and G. P. Wolcott. At a later date A. F. Wolcott retired and G. P. Wol- cott was joined by J. E. Wolcott, but sometime afterward the former retired, J. E. Wolcott re- maining in charge for several years. In the meantime Mr. Zimmer had become an employe and ultimately joined Mr. Wolcott as a partner in the condnet of the business, Mr. Wolcott remain- ing active in its ownership and management un- til 1900, when he retired and a stock company was formed under the laws of the state of New York. It was incorporated as the Wolcott Distill- ing Company, with John F. Zimmer as president and at the head of the enterprise he has since re- mained, having in the meantime gained an inti- mate and thorough knowledge of the business in principle and detail, so that he is well qualified to manage its affairs, enlarge its scope and place its products upon the market. The company has a liberal patronage and for years the business has been a successful industry. The distillery is well equipped with the latest improved machinery and the excellence of its product insures a large de- mand from the public.
Mr. Zimmer was married on the 17th of June, 1885, to Miss Emma Linn. He is well known in Masonic circles, having taken the degrees of the lodge, chapter and commanderv and also crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise a charter member of the Commercial Travelers and of the Roches- ter Mutual Benefit Association. He is of that type of business men who are constantly on the outlook for methods whereby the interests of the city may be advanced and his cooperation has been unstintedly given to furthering many progressive publie movements.
J. S. SABINE.
As proprieter of the Flower City Carting Com- pany, J. S. Sabine has built np an extensive and lucrative business in Rochester, where he has made his home for the past fourteen years, and is now numbered among the enterprising and wide- awake business men. Mr. Sabine was born across the border in Canada, September 20, 1873, and was a youth of about fourteen years when he came to the Empire state. He located in Roches- ter abont fourteen years ago, and was first em- ployed by the Rochester Carting Company, with whom he remained for three years. During this period he gained a thorough knowledge of the business and also acquired a sum of money suffi-
cient to enable him to establish a business of this character on his own account. He is now at the head of the Flower City Carting Company and has by hard work and close application built up a large trade. He does carting on contract for J. Hinds & Company, H. B. Graves, Rowerdink & Company, the Rochester Improvement Company and other large firms, besides doing a general carting and moving business. He is alert and enterprising and although still a young man has gained a prominent place among the business men of this city.
Mr. Sabine gives his political support to the republican party and his fraternal relations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Red Men. Although born across the border he is loyal to his adopted city and the future doubtless holds in store for him greater success.
FREDERICK C. URSPRUNG.
It is a noticeable fact that the young men are rapidly forging to the front in the business world and many evidences of this are found in Roches- ter. Frederick C. Ursprung is a leading manu- facturer of the city in which his birth occurred on the 11th of Jannary, 1877. Today he is engaged in making paper boxes at No. 197 State street and is controlling a growing business,
His parents are Jacob J. and Margaretta (Zim- mer) Ursprung, both of whom were natives of Germany. The grandfather, Jacob Ursprung, was also born in that country and both he and his wife passed away in old age. Their family nnm- bered six children. George Zimmer, the maternal grandfather of Frederick C. Ursprung, was a butcher of Germany and on coming to this conn- try settled in Rochester, where he continued in the same line of business for a number of years. He afterward became connected with the German Fire Insurance Company as a stockholder. He died at the age of eighty-three years, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Gertrude Weit- zel, still survives. Mr. Zimmer was one of the founders of the Salem Lutheran church of Roches- ter and was much interested in its work and devel- opment. Their family numbered four sons and three daughters.
Jacob J. Ursprung, the father of Frederick C. Ursprung, was a machinist of Germany and came to America when about twenty years of age. He followed his trade in Rochester for some time and afterward conducted a grocery business for a num- ber of years, becoming proprietor of one of the largest establishments of that character in the city. He died when thirty-five years of age in the faith of the Lutheran church, of which he was a devoted
FREDERICK C. URSPRUNG.
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
member and to which his wife also belonged. Fol- lowing the death of her first husband she married his brother, Henry Ursprung. By the first union there were three children: Frederick C .; Ida L., who died at the age of sixteen years; and George H., who is foreman of the box factory. There are two daughters of the second marriage, Florence E. and Marguerite C.
Frederick C. Ursprung has spent his entire life in Rochester and was a student in the public schools and in the Free Academy. He then began clerking in a grocery store and in 1892 entered the employ of Louis Sachs, a paper box manufac- turer. Thoroughly acquainting himself with the business in every department as he worked his way upward through successive promotions, in Decem- ber, 1906, he purchased the plant and has since carried on business on his own account. He is engaged in the manufacture of paper boxes of all kinds and employs twenty people in the conduct of the business.
On the 25th of September, 1901, Mr. Ursprung was married to Miss Mame Armstrong, a daughter of Luman and Maria Armstrong. They have two sons, George Elliott and Carl Frederick, and the family home is at No. 45 Hudson avenue, adjoin- ing the house in which Mr. Ursprung was born. He votes with the republican party and in the community he is recognized as a young man of good business and executive ability and with a bright future before him.
LOUIS ERNST.
Patriotism, benevolence and business enterprise and integrity were numbered among the chief characteristics of Louis Ernst, and these qualities were so combined that he stood as "a man among men," honored by all who knew him and enjoyed the warm personal regard of those with whom he came into close contact through business, offi- cial or social relations.
As his name indicates, he was of German line- age, born in Zinsheim, near Baden Baden, July 19, 1825. The removal of the parents with their family to the new world in 1831, and the estab- lishment of a home on a farm on the river road about four miles south of Rochester, in the town of Brighton, enabled Mr. Ernst to enjoy the priv- ileges and advantages which were derived from the outdoor life of the farm, with its freedom and possibilities for strong physical development-a splendid preparation for practical, responsible and onerous duties in later life. His educational priv- ileges were only those afforded by the public schools, but the strength of his character was such that without special advantages at the outset of
his career he gained for himself an honored name and won a most gratifying measure of success. His initial step into business life was as a salesman for John Wegman, a shoe merchant of Rochester, and in 1845 he became a clerk in the hardware store of D. R. Barton, with whom he remained for cleven years, thus acquiring an intimate and thor- ough knowledge of a line of business that later claimed his attention for a long period. From his earnings he saved the capital that enabled him to embark in business on his own account in 1856, when he formed a partnership with Ferdinand Seifried, under the firm style of Ernst & Seifried, and the house soon secured a liberal patronage. In 1869 Mr. Ernst disposed of his interest to his partner and opened another store, which he con- ducted alone until 1880, when he admitted his eldest son, Louis J. Ernst, to a partnership under the firm style of Louis Ernst & Son. Business was conducted in this way until 1891, when a stock company was formed, with Louis Ernst as president, while the other officers and stockholders were his sons and daughters. Mr. Ernst continued financially interested in the business until his death. He also figured prominently in other im- portant business enterprises. In 1869 he became trustee of the East Side Savings Bank and was thus associated with the institution until his de- mise. He also assisted in its organization. He was chosen a member of the directorate of the German American Bank, on its organization in 1875, and in the same year was elected president of the Rochester German Insurance Company, of which he had been one of the organizers. The following year he was again elected to the presi- dency, and, declining to serve longer in that ca- pacity after the close of his second term, he was elected vice president. He served as one of its directors from its organization until his life's labors were ended. A connection of forty-seven years with the hardware trade of Rochester had made him the oldest and most widely known mer- chant in his line in the city.
In 1848 Mr. Ernst was united in marriage to Miss Barbara Hettinger, and they became the parents of three sons and four daughters, Louis J., Edward J., Charles B., Cora M., Louisa J., Helen E. and Mary D. Throughout his entire life Mr. Ernst's interest centered in his family, and he accounted no personal sacrifice on his part too great if it would promote the welfare and happiness of his wife and children.
An interesting chapter in his life history con- cerns the excellent military record which he made. In 1849 he became a member of the State Militia and rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel of the Fifty-fourth Regiment in 1860, serving in that capacity for two years. In 1862 he was a member of the war committee, instrumental in organizing the One Hundred and Eighth and One Hundred
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
and Fortieth New York Regiments for service at the front in defense of the Union, as well as other small organizations in Monroe county. When urgently solicited to take command of the One Hundred and Fortieth Regiment he declined. but later, owing to strong entreaty, he accepted the position of lieutenant colonel provided an officer already in service, who had had a military educa- tion. would become colonel, and to the superior position P. II. O'Rourke, a graduate of West Point. was appointed. Colonel O'Rourke was then at the front and remained there, so that the active work of organizing the regiment and conducting the troops to the front devolved upon Lieutenant- Colonel Ernst. In fact, he commanded the regi- ment nearly all of the time he was in the service, Colonel O'Rourke being frequently detailed as I rigadier general. He saw active duty at Fred- ricksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, and when his superior officer was killed in the last named engagement, he was unanimously elected colonel by the officers of the regiment, but declined the honor in favor of Colonel George Ryan, a graduate of West Point, as his business interests at home required his immediate attention, and upon the acceptance of his resignation Mr. Ernst returned to Rochester. He always figured more or less prominently in public affairs and wielded a wide influence that was helpfully felt in many matters pertaining to general improvement and advancement. In 1869 he was appointed by Gov- ernor Reuben E. Fenton as one of the managers
of the Western House of Refuge, now the State Industrial School at Rochester, which position he filled with marked ability until 1885, when he re- signed. He was a member of the memorial com- mittee, having charge of the erection of the sol- diers' monument and was serving as commander of the Veteran Brigade at the time of his death.
In his political views Mr. Ernst was ever an earnest democrat, and from 1860 until 1864 served as supervisor and alderman from the tenth ward. Many times he was urged to accept official prefer- ment and again and again his name was brought before the convention as a nominee without his solicitation or knowledge, but he always declined to serve other than in the positions mentioned. He was a prominent member of St. Joseph's church from the time of its establishment until his death, and charitable and benevolent projects found in him a liberal supporter. He found his greatest happiness in aiding his fellowmen and no tale of sorrow or distress was heard by him un- moved, while his sympathy found tangible evidence in generous aid to those who needed assistance. It is probable that he never weighed a single act of his life in the scale of public policy and he was at all times modest, unassuming and unostenta- tious, delighting in the honors which came to his friends, vet never seeking to figure in any public
light himself. He died suddenly at his home in Rochester, April 3, 1892, but while the sands of his life have run out his influence yet remains and his memory is cherished by those who knew Lim.
ASA B. STONE.
Asa B. Stone is one of the more recent additions to the business circles of Rochester, having made his home here only since 1901. He was born in Massachusetts, in February, 1843, a son of John Stone, of Lynn, that state. In his youth he bene- fited by the excellent public-school system of Mas- sachusetts, and after he had acquired a knowledge of the branches of learning taught through public instruction he began learning the shoemaker's trade. This he followed until 1862, when the Mc- Kay machine was placed upon the market. This put a stop to bench work, as the machine came into universal use and Mr. Stone at that time learned to operate different machines. Soon after he went upon the road selling machines, which he intro- duced largely to the trade and for a long period he was in the business as a traveling salesman. In 1901 he came to Rochester and embarked in busi- ness on Andrew street for John D. Young & Son. Here he has since been located in the management of this enterprise and a spirit of energy and de- termination are enabling him to win a goodly measure of success.
Mr. Stone is very prominent in Masonry. He is in fact an exemplary representative of the craft and one who has taken almost every degree of the order in its various branches. He is in hearty sympathy with its principles and its beneficent spirit and in his life demonstrates his understand- ing of the obligations it imposes because of a be- lief in the brotherhood of man.
CLARK GRAY, JR.
Clark Gray is the owner of a portion of the old Gray homestead in Penfield township, Monroe county, and represents one of the old pioneer fami- lies of this section of the state, his paternal grand- father having been one of the county's first set- tlers. Clark Gray was born in Penfield township, a son of Clark Gray, Sr., who came to Penfield from Salem, New York, in 1825, and built up a commercial enterprise in Penfield, conducting this for a short time, after which he disposed of his commercial interests and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty-three acres in Penfield township. He cleared and developed the land and
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
eventually made it a well improved property, con- ducting the same until his death in 1865. He was three times married, his first union being with Miss Samantha Graves, who was born in Penfield, her father being one of the first settlers of this locality. This marriage was blessed with four children : David; Clark, of this review; Mrs. Sa- rah Ann Spear; and Mrs. Mary J. Watkins. His second union was with Anna Kennedy, and they had one daughter, Hattie E., while for his third wife he chose Atlanta Watkins.
As above stated, Clark Gray was born in Pen- field township, the year of his birth being 183 ?. He pursued his studies in the common schools and in the seminary at Lima, New York. After completing his education he returned home and engaged in teaching school for several terms, sub- sequent to which time he engaged in farming, this being the occupation to which as a boy he was reared. Following the death of his father he came into possession of half of the homestead farm, and. locating thereon, he has since conducted the same with gratifying success. He has continued the work of improvement which was here begun by the father, has set out eight acres to apples and two acres to pears and other small fruits, and now has a well improved and valuable farm. He is engaged in raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, and each year harvests abundant crops as a reward for the care and labor he be- stows upon the fields.
Mr. Gray was married in Penfield, in 1861, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary L. Starring, a daughter of Robert Starring, whose father, John Starring, settled in Brighton at a very early date in the history of its development. This marriage was blessed with five children, three sons and two daughters, namely: Mrs. Mary C. Mandeville; Robert C., of Fairport, New York: Frank L., a resident of Rochester: Bertha B., the wife of E. G. Frost; and Charles W. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in 1884, and two years later, in 1886, the father was again married, his second union being with Mary J. Scribner, of Penfield, a daughter of Philo and Syllena (Hatch) Scribner. Her paternal grandfather, Ebenezer Scribner, settled on a farm in Penfield township in 1817, having removed to this place with ox- teams. He cleared and developed a farm, which lias been in possession of the family to the present time. Philo Scribner died in 1879.
Mr. Gray is a republican in politics. His re- ligious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist church at Webster, while since 1867 he has been identified with the Masonic order. As a native son of Penfield township Mr. Gray is well known, for here throughout a long period he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, continuing the work of development and improvement which was begun by the grandfather and later carried on
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by the father. As a pioneer family they are well known, for they have long been associated with the development and progress which has been made in this section of the state and the subject of this sketch bears an untarnished name, for he is everywhere known for his reliable and straight- forward dealings in connection with his fellow- men.
RICHARD GORSLINE.
Richard Gorsline, of the Gorsline & Swan Con- struction Company, with offices in the Powers building, began his life record in Rochester on the 25th of October, 1880, and is a representative of one of the oldest families of the city. The name of Gorsline has figured in connection with the business development and upbuilding of Roches- ter for almost a century, the family having been founded here by the grandfather of our subject, who was of French extraction and resided for some years in East Bloomfield, New York, whence he came to Rochester in 1816. He was a builder and many costly and substantial structures still standing bear evidence of his architectural skill and ability. He assisted in constructing the pon- derous stone aqueduct which crossed the Genesee river and revived, by its solid masonry and grace- ful arches, recollections of the old time bridges over more classic streams. He was a typical spec- imen of the race from which he sprang, being sprightly and vivacious and possessing the artistic temperament in a marked degree, as well as a fine physique and great capacity for hard work. He died in 1870 at an advanced age, while his wife, Mrs. Aurelia (Rice) Gorsline, died seven years later. For some years prior to his death he was elder in Dr. Shaw's Presbyterian church of Roch- ester and his name heads those inscribed on the memorial slab to the founders of that church.
William Henry Gorsline, father of our subject, was born in Rochester, July 12, 1829, and was educated in the public schools, which he attended to the age of fourteen, when he became his fath- er's assistant in building operations. He inherit- ed his father's artistic temperament in architec- tural lines and became one of the most prominent builders of the city. Among the fine structures which stand as monuments to his skill are the University of Rochester. the Rochester Theological Seminary, Rockefeller Hall, the high school, the city hall, the arsenal, the Rochester Savings Bank, Powers commercial building, Powers Hotel, War- ner's fireproof building. the Cunningham carriage factory, the First Presbyterian church, the Cen- tral church, the Brick church, the Jewish syna- gogue. the Grant building. and many others, which
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
include fine business blocks and private resi- dences. A striking evidence of the confidence re- posed in the integrity of Mr. Gorsline is afforded by the fact that all the payments made by Mr. Powers for his splendid hotel, which was finished eleven months from the day of commencement, passed through his hands. Mr. Gorsline always faithfully fulfilled his part of every contract and was always found true to every trust reposed in him. Whatever he undertook he carried forward to successful completion, and in business affairs was always found prompt and thoroughly reliable. The larger the contract the more it seemed to de- velop his capabilities, and, even though some- times threatened with loss, he never relaxed his efforts to make his work as perfect as all his great skill and all modern appliances and inventions would permit. In 1874 he became a partner of Ira L. Otis in the manufacture of salt-glazed pipe, and founded what became one of the most important industries of the kind in the country, making extensive shipments from their retail yards in New York city to all parts of the world. The success of this enterprise was largely due to the inventive genius of Mr. Gorsline. He was also president of the Rochester Sewer Pipe Company and the Buffalo Sewer Pipe Company, and was a heavy stockholder in the Rochester Brick & Tile Company. He was one of the directors of the Flower City Hotel Company and a trustee of the East Side Savings Bank. He became a charter member of the Chamber of Commerce, served on its first board of trustees in 1887 and was contin- uously upon its important committees. He was for two years president of the Builders Exchange and served on the boards of arbitration in labor matters.
In community affairs William H. Gorsline was deeply interested and did much to further public progress and improvement. He belonged to and was elder in the Brick Presbyterian church and was greatly interested in its work. In 1857 he married Miss Sarah Parker, by whom he had five children : Russell A., Walter P., Ralph H., Philip and Carrie. In 1876 Mr. Gorsline wedded Miss Margaret Hawley Howe, also a na- tive of Rochester, as was her father, who. at one time conducted the old Howe bakery. Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Gorsline had two sons, William H. and Richard, who are still living. The father died in 1901. at the age of seventy-two years, and his wife still survives. In politics he was a re- publican and he attained the thirty-second degree in Masonry.
Richard Gorsline, whose name introduces this record, has spent his entire life in Rochester and has fully sustained the unassailable reputation of the family for business activity, enterprise and in- tegrity. In his youth he attended private schools and passed his examination from the Borden
school for Cornell, but was prevented from attend- ing college by his father's ill health. As a boy he worked with his father in the sewer pipe fac- tory and in the fall of 1901, subsequent to his father's demise, he formed a company under the style of Gorsline, Swan & Rice for contracting and building. Mr. Rice died in the winter of 1895-6, since which time the business has been conducted as the Gorsline & Swan Construction Company, building contractors. Through many decades the name of Gorsline has figured in con- nection with building interests in Rochester. The work begun by the grandfather was carried on by the father and has been taken up by the son, who is now one of the prominent general contractors of the city, his business interests having reached ex- tensive proportions. He is also vice president and director of the Rochester Sewer Pipe Company.
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