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 60
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On the 7th of February, 1904, Richard Gors- line was married to Miss Elizabeth Agnes Hickey, a daughter of Jeremiah and Margaret (Griffin) Hickey. They have one son, Richard Thomas Gorsline. Mr. Gorsline is a member of the Brick church, while Mrs. Gorsline is a communicant of St. Patrick's cathedral. He also belongs to the Rochester Athletic Club. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, but he has neither time nor inclination for official or political life even if his business interests would permit him to enter it. His influence, however, is felt as a strong, steady, moving force in the social, moral and industrial movements of the community. His record reflects credit upon a family name which through ninety vears has been an untarnished one in connection with the business interests of Roch- ester.
MERRITT A. CLEVELAND.
Prominent among the business men of Brock- port is Merritt A. Cleveland, whose family have for years been closely identified with the history of the country as engineers, contractors of rail- roads, canals and other public works. He was born at East Houndsfield, Jefferson county, New York, and is one of a family of six children, of whom four are still living. His father, Philander Cleveland, was also a native of Jefferson county, his ancestors being among the pioneers of the Black river valley. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Mercy Richardson and was a daughter of Stephen Richardson.
During his boyhood Merritt A. Cleveland at- tended the common and private schools at East Houndsfield, Brownville and Dexter and was also a student in the Watertown high school. In 1870 he became associated with the engineering corps
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M. A. CLEVELAND.
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
of the Carthage, Watertown & Sackett's Harbor Railroad and later was appointed division engin- eer of the Lake Ontario Shore Railroad. In 1873, as engineer, he took charge of the construction of the Kingston & Pembroke Railroad, in Canada, and the following year, as a member of the firm of Hunter & Cleveland, completed the Lake Shore Railroad. The year 1817 the firm of Hunter & Cleveland was changed to Hunter, Murray & Cleveland, who engaged in the construction of the locks and works at Port Colborne, Welland, Port Dallhousie and other points along the route until the completion of the Welland canal. In fact, the firm were among the largest contractors in that enormous work. They also built a portion of the Murray canal connecting the bay of Quintie with Lake Ontario, and engaged in deepening and im- proving many of the harhors along the lakes. In 1883-4 the firm of Warren & Cleveland built the Pittsburg, Cleveland & Toledo Railroad in Penn- sylvania and Ohio, which is now a part of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad system. In 1888 the firm of Murray & Cleveland entered into contract with the Dominion government to build the Gal- lops canal around the Gallops Rapids, which is a portion of the system of canals to make the St. Lawrence river navigable for large vessels. Since then Mr. Cleveland has been continuously en- gaged in improving the St. Lawrence route for the Dominion.
In 1845 Mr. Cleveland married Miss Ellen E. Smith, a daughter of Oril Smith, of Sodus, New York, and to them were born four children: Milo, Helen, Harold and Florence. Since 1884 the family have made their home in Brockport. Mr. Cleveland has ever been watchful of every detail of his business and all indications pointing toward prosperity. He has gained wealth, but it was not alone the goal for which he was striving, for he belongs to that class of representative American citizens who promote the general prosperity while advancing individual interests.
ISAAC SHERMAN CLARKE.
Isaac Sherman Clarke was born in Rochester, January 21, 1856, a son of Freeman Clarke. who is mentioned at length on another page of this work. After acquiring his preliminary education in private schools he spent one year in the Uni- versity of Rochester and afterward attended the School of Mines in New York city and the Uni- versities of Heidelberg and Berlin, Germany.
Mr. Clarke was married in 1892 to Miss Jane A. Vance, a daughter of John Vance, of Roches- ter. Although a resident of his native city, Mr. Clarke for a number of years has spent most of his time in travel, having in company with his
wife visited almost every portion of the globe. He is a member of the Genesee Valley Club and other social organizations of Rochester.
THOMAS H. DOBSON.
Thomas H. Dobson, the pioneer druggist of Brockport, was born in the town of Vienna. Oneida county. New York, January 11. 1852. He was a son of Hiram and Eleanor (Dickinson ) Dobson, both natives of Greene county, New York. The father was a merchant and farmer who in 1875 came to Brockport, where he and his wife both lived and died. They were the parents of one son and three daughters, all of whom are now living.
Thomas H. Dobson was reared on his father's farm and was educated in the public schools. He spent one winter in a drug store in Cleveland, New York, owned by his brother, who, when he sold out to Dr. David T. Wyborn, had it under- stood that young Mr. Dobson was to remain in charge of the store. This experience gave him a practical education in the business, so that in the fall of 1816, when he came to Brockport, he pur- chased the drug store of T. A. Frye, a business in which he continued for nineteen years. In July, 1905, he bought both the business and the build- ing of George Tozier and has since conducted this business at the present site, where he carries a full line of drugs and drug supplies. His patrons know they can depend upon the quality of all he sells.
Mr. Dobson has never neglected his business but he has always had time to devote to his civic duties. That Brockport appreciates him is evi- denced by their making him president of the vil- lage for one term and a member of the board of trustees for two terms, but his reputation and ability have extended beyond Brockport and he has been honored with the appointment as one of the board of managers of the New York State Normal School.
On April 30, 1884, Mr. Dobson was married to Miss Marie W. Gardner, of Holland Patent. New York, who was the daughter of the Rev. Henry V. Gardner and Mary (Foote) Gardner. Two brothers of Mrs. Dobson, Charles H. and George E., were prominent ministers of the Episcopal church. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dobson: Harold J., Eleanor, George and Rodney.
Mr. Dobson has been a life long member of the Masonic fraternity. In religion he is a communi- cant of St. Luke's church, where for more than twenty years he has been a trusted officer. He early determined on his choice of a profession and has stuck to it with good natured inflexibility. He
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is a living example of what can be accomplished by that process if honesty and reliability are back of it. America is proud of such sons as Mr. Dob- son, for they are the men who are making the most of those opportunities which this grand country offers to all its young men.
FREDERICK A. BROTSCH.
Frederick A. Brotsch is a contractor, who in his business life has done much to improve the city of his residence and his nativity, for he was born in Rochester, April 9, 1854. He is a son of Victor and Elizabeth (Schpanlehauer) Brotsch, both of whom were natives of Switzerland. Com- ing to America in the year 1851, they settled in Rochester, where the father made his home until his death in 1885, but the wife passed away many years before. He was a mason contractor and thus the name of Brotsch has been long associated with building operations and the substantial improve- ment of the city. The family numbered six chil- dren, but only two are living, Charles U. and Frederick A.
In the public schools of Rochester Frederick A. Brotsch acquired his education, and in his boy- hood days began learning the mason's and build- er's trade with his father. He thoroughly mas- tered the business in every detail, becoming an expert workman and has continued in this line throughout the succeeding years, being now one of the leading contractors of the city. He opened and improved Monroe avenue, which has been the largest contract let by the city, and for eleven years he was chief inspector of public works in Rochester, during which time he had charge of the building of such public improvements as the Court street bridge, the Andrew street bridge and other works of public construction, which were completed at a cost of nine million dollars in work alone. Main street was also improved under his supervision. Many large and important con- tracts have been awarded Mr. Brotsch and at the present time he has under execution a large con- tract for the state. He has also been interested in developing the northeast portion of the city, hav- ing now erected more than forty buildings on lots that only a short time ago were farm land belonging to the George H. Thompson tract. He enjoys a peculiar distinction as a prime factor in the mammoth operations of the past twenty years or so. He entered upon his varied duties with ad- mirable equipment, being a practical builder. He was "to the manner born," going to his trade in his youth under the capable mastership of his father and carrying out his projects with such in- dustry that he is credited with the erection of
several hundred buildings in the city in addition to the work of a public nature that he has exe- cuted.
In 1872 Mr. Brotsch was married to Miss Lucy F. Randall, of Rochester, and they have six living children, Frederick A., Ada Mary E., Martha, Raymond C., Louis H. and Elba. Mr. Brotsch is a member of all the Masonic bodies, including Genesee Falls lodge, No. 507, A. F. & A. M .; Doric council, R. & S. M .; Hamilton chapter, R. A. M .; Cyrene commandery, K. T .; Rochester consistory, S. P. R. S .; and Damascus Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a valued member of the Brick Layers, Masters and Stone Masons' Union. His fraternal relations also include the Knights of Pythias and the Court of Rochester, the Foresters and Wa-Hoo Tribe of Red Men. Thoroughness, prompt attention and close applica- tion constitute the salient features of a business career which has gained him prominence and pros- perity as a builder of Rochester.
HENRY F. MOGLACHLIN.
The ability to discriminate between essentials and non-essentials is the rarest accomplishment of genius and one of the strongest forces of a suc- cessful business career. It is this which has made Henry F. McGlachlin a recognized force in com- mercial circles. As secretary of Warner's Safe Cure Company he displays the executive energy and business ability necessary to the control of a business extending throughout the world. One of Rochester's native sons, he has always made this city his home, save that for six years he was a resident of Chicago.
His parents were Henry F. and Beulah (Fay) McGlachlin, both of whom were natives of New York. They lived in Rochester, where the father was engaged in the iron business and assisted in the construction of the old aqueduct. He figured quite prominently in industrial circles here during the middle of the nineteenth century and died in 1868 at the age of fifty-two years. His wife long survived him, passing away in 1904 at the age of eighty years. They were Baptists in re- ligious faith and were much esteemed by their many acquaintances. Their family numbered three sons and two daughters, but the daughters both died in infancy. One son, Ambrose C. Mc- Glachlin, is a business man of Rochester. At the time of the Civil war the father was a member of the Fiftieth Engineer Corps and thus rendered valuable aid to the Union cause.
Henry F. McGlachlin was a student in the pub- lie schools of Rochester, passing through suc- cessive grades until he had completed the high-
F. A. BROTSCH.
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school course by graduation. When twenty-four years of age he was appointed executive clerk on the staff of Governor Samuel J. Tilden and spent five years in Albany. This gave him a valuable experience and a good knowledge of law. He held the office of deputy city treasurer for five years and was western manager of the Sill Stove Works for five years, with headquarters at Chi- cago. On the expiration of that period he became connected with Warner's Safe Cure Company as secretary and has since then been retained in this position. The business was established in 1877 by H. H. Warner, and in 1890 was sold to an Eng- lish syndicate. They have houses in various parts of the world, the home office being in London, while the principal houses outside of London and Rochester are located in Melbourne, Australia, and Frankfort-on-the-Main in Germany.
CHAUNCEY B. WOODWORTH.
Few men at the close of an earthly pilgrimage covering more than four score years are so uni- formly respected and honored as was Chauncey B. Woodworth. Human nature is so prone to err. so fallible in its judgment and so hasty in ac- tion, that its intents and purposes are apt often to be misunderstood or misconstrued by fellow travelers on the journey of life. Chauncey B. Woodworth, however, possessed in large measure those qualities which ever command respect and confidence. In all of his relations he was guided not only by a sense of justice but by the higher attribute of mercy. He looked for the best in others and he found it. He believed in progress and worked toward that end. While holding high ideals, his methods were practical and business interests, the city's welfare and private concerns profited by his labors and were upbuilded through his activity.
The Woodworth family, of which he was a representative, was established iu New England in colonial days. Chauncey B. Woodworth was born in South Coventry, Tolland county, Connecticut, February 25, 1819. Four months later Spencer Woodworth started with his family for western New York and as this was prior to the era of railroad transportation he journeyed in one of the large covered wagons so familiar in those days. On the 9th of June, 1819, they arrived at the tavern of Oliver Culver in Brighton and there spent the night. The following day was entirely consumed in reaching their new home in the town of Gates about a mile and a half west of the city of Rochester. The road was indicated by blazed trees, for much of the countryside was covered with a dense forest growth.
The experiences of the frontier fell to the lot of Chauncey B. Woodworth, who aided in farm work when not busy with his text-books in the public schools. Lessons of industry and enter- prise were early impressed upon his mind and he came to realize, too, at a tender age that char- acter is worth more than riches. The principle thus inculcated remained one of the motive forces in his life throughout his remaining days. He first became known to the business world as pro- prietor of a little grocery store at the corner of East Main and St. Paul streets on the present site of the Granite block, conducting his store until about 1841, when, seeing opportunity for broadening the scope of his business, he disposed of his stock of groceries and purchased a farm in Irondequoit, upon. which he built a large saw- mill. There he engaged in the manufacture of humber for a number of years, finding a ready market for his product in Rochester's building operations. Constantly watchful of opportuni- ties for advancement, he built the Crystal Palace block on Main street in 1853, associated with Jones & Osborn, and at a later period removed to No. 41 South Washington street. About the mid- dle of the nineteenth century he began the manu- facture of perfumes and extracts, continuing alone in business until 1856, when Reuben A. Bunnell was admitted to a partnership. They enlarged the scope of their activity by adding a glass manufactory to their plant and in that de- partment a good trade was soon built up, for the well known and irreproachable reputation of the house was a guarantee for the new factory. The firm of Woodworth & Bunnell continued for three years and Mr. Woodworth then purchased his partner's interest. continuing alone in business until he admitted his eldest son, Chauncey C. Woodworth. The extensive manufacturing indus- try which has since been conducted under the Woodworth name grew from small beginnings and developed along legitimate lines of trade, winning its patronage by reason of the excellence of its products and the honorable business methods fol- lowed in its conduct. Had Chauncey B. Wood- worth accomplished nothing else in the business world save the development of this industry he would be entitled to recognition as one of the prominent business men of the city. The scope of his business, however, covered many other im- portant concerns. He readily recognized oppor- tunity and made the most of these advantages, each forward step in his career winning him a broader outlook. He figured for many years as one of the best known financiers of Rochester, be- coming a trustee of the Mechanics Savings Bank, while from 1864 until 1895 he was a director of the Flower City National Bank, and during much of that period served as its vice president. He was also vice president and one of the founders
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of the Rochester Trust & Safe Deposit Company, spent in vain. While it is doubtful if he ever and the present extensive street railway system weighed a single act in the scale of public policy there nevertheless came to him as a logical se- quence the trust and high esteem of all. of the city is largely the outgrowth of his enter- prise and business capacity. In 1868, when the Rochester City & Brighton Railroad Company's property and franchise was sold under a mortgage foreclosure, Mr. Woodworth, in company with Mr. Ellwanger and Mr. Barry, purchased it entire. In co-operation with the board of directors he re- ANDREW LUDOLPH. organized the company, extended its tracks and other facilities and promoted its efficiency until there are few cities in the country more thoroughly and satisfactorily equipped with street car accom- modations than Rochester.
Aside from business interests which redounded to his own financial benefit, Mr. Woodworth took a most active and helpful part in the city's pro- gress, becoming a co-operant factor in all those movements which tended to promote municipal advancement or which wrought along lines of civic virtue and of civic pride. Many public interests felt the stimulus of his labor and profited by his sound judgment, which on more than one occasion was accepted as conclusive. The only public office that he ever filled was that of sheriff of Monroe county, to which he was elected on the whig ticket in 1852. He had no taste for political life even if his business interests would have permitted him to enter it, though he held many important rela- tions to the public interest through the enterprises he conducted, for in all of them the public was a large indirect beneficiary. His influence, how- ever, was a strong, steady, moving force in social, moral and industrial movements of the commu- nity. Deeply and helpfully interested in the cause of education, he served as one of the trustees of the Rochester Theological Seminary. For a third of a century he was one of the trustees of the Second Baptist church of the city and during almost that entire period was a member of the church.
Most pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Woodworth was married January 5, 1851, to Miss Martha Jane Smith, a daughter of Clark Smith, of Boston, Massachusetts. They became the parents of five children, three of whom were sons, Chaun- cey C., Frank E. and Harry S., who, like their father, became prominent factors in the business life of Rochester. The life record of Chauncey B. Woodworth was ended February 22, 1901. An upright and conscientious business man, he well merited his prosperity ; a citizen of public spirit he gained the respect and good will of all and in his life record leaves a splendid example of honorable manhood, one who in this age of intense commercialism kept his life unsullied by the methods that are too often in vogue in an attempt to secure wealth. He proved that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously and that time devoted to the public service is not
Andrew Ludolph, clerk of the surrogate court. was born in Rochester, New York, on the 16th of May, 1864, his parents being John and Anna (Bachman) Ludolph, who were natives of Swit- zerland. The parents came to Rochester in the '50s and resided here until called to their final rest. In their family were eight children, six of whom are living, namely: John S .; Lucy, the wife of James Strickland; Edward A .; Frank J .; Andrew ; and Elizabeth, the wife of John Mabus. The father was a farmer by occupation. He died during the infancy of his son Andrew, who was reared to farm life and acquired his education in public school No. 15, of Rochester. He continued to reside upon a farm until twenty-three years of age but thinking to find other pursuits more con- genial and profitable, he determined upon a pro- fessional career and to this end began preparation for the bar as a law student in the office of Sat- terlee & Yeoman, attorneys. He was then ad- mitted to the bar in October, 1891, and for two years was in the corporation counsel's office as managing clerk, gaining thereby a valuable and varied experience. On the expiration of that period he entered upon the active practice of law and subsequently formed a partnership with Ar- thur Warren, the present county attorney. This relation was maintained for three years, after which Mr. Indolph was alone in practice until appointed clerk of the surrogate court in 1902, which position he has now filled most acceptably for five years. He belongs to the Rochester Bar Association and is one of the best known attor- neys of Monroe county.
In 1891 was celebrated the marriage of Andrew Ludolph and Miss Kittie C. Cramer, of Roches- ter. They have two sons, George C. and Richard B. Mr. Ludolph belongs to the Knights of Pyth- ias fraternity and to Yonnondio lodge, No. 163, A. F. & A. M. He was for several years prom- inently connected with the Rochester Athletic Club and he now belongs to the Rochester Yacht Club. In youth a poor farm boy, working his way through school and also providing for his own support while pursuing his law studies, he has made gradual advancement in a calling where success depends entirely upon individual merit. The obstacles and difficulties in his path seemed to be to him a stimulus for renewed effort and with resolute purpose he pushed forward until he
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had gained the necessary educational qualifica- tions for practice at the bar. He has since been a close and discriminating student of principles of law and has made a record in practice that many an older attorney might well envy.
HENRY J. NETTLETON.
Henry J. Nettleton, connected at different times with commercial, industrial and agricultural in- terests, made his home for many years in Roches- ter, and was a native son of Monroe county, his birth having occurred in Scottsville, on the 14th of August, 1837. Although almost ten years have come and gone since he departed this life, he is yet remembered by many as a citizen whose ac- tivity in business was equalled by his progressive spirit in relation to public affairs and by his de- votion to all those interests tending to advance the moral development of the community. His edu- cation was acquired in the common schools of his native village and he remained a resident of New York until about twenty-three years of age, when he went westward to California, where he estab- lished a hardware store in 1860. He spent several years on the Pacific coast, and in 1869 came to Rochester, where he was engaged in the forward- ing business for a number of years in connection with his father. He subsequently purchased a farm, to the development and improvement of which he devoted his time and energies throughout his remaining days. In all of his business life he manifested keen discernment that recognizes op- portunities and utilizes advantages. Desirous of success he put forth every effort to attain it along honorable lines and was thus enabled to leave his family in comfortable financial circumstances.
Mr. Nettleton was married in 1862 to Miss Fannie Biden, a daughter of John Biden, and a granddaughter of George J. Biden, who was a native of Guilford, England. Coming to America, he settled in Rochester in 1820, and was the first contractor and builder of the city. Here he con- tinued his residence until he passed away at the home of his son, at No. 12 Tremont street. John Biden, the father of Mrs. Nettleton, was born in Rochester and became proprietor of the first lum- heryard of the city. Later he was engaged in the paper business and thus contributed to the com- mercial development of western New York. The name of Biden figured prominently for many years in association with trade circles here during the first half of the nineteenth century. John Biden, however, passed away at a comparatively early age, his death occurring on the 21st of January, 1853. He had five children, of whom two are daughters-Mrs. Frances Nettleton and Mrs. Emily Proctor. The sons are: Charles F., now a
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