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 61
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resident of California; Henry M., who died in Denver, Colorado, in 1883; and Clarence S., who married Edith Barry, of St. Louis, Missouri, and lives in Chicago.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Nettleton was blessed with two daughters, Ruth S. and Emily B., who are with their mother at the family resi- dence, at No. 12 Tremont street. This is the old Biden homestead and it was here that the death of Henry S. Nettleton occurred on the 26th of July, 1898, when he had reached the age of almost fifty-one years. He was a member of the Central church and his life was honorable and upright in all of its relations. He was just in his business dealings, considerate of the opinions of others in private life, while in his home he was a devoted husband and father, putting forth every effort in his power to enhance the happiness and promote the welfare of his wife and children.
JOHN M. MCGRATH.
John M. McGrath is well known in manufactur- ing and commercial circles, being connected with various business interests. He was born in Clyde, New York, on the 19th of February, 1869, and is of Irish lineage, his parents being James and Katherine (O'Keefe) McGrath, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The father came to the United States in 1862 and for many years was actively and successfully engaged in farming in Wayne county, New York, but died about four years ago, while his wife passed away six years ago. They were both communicants of the Catho- lic church.
John M. McGrath, in early boyhood, was sent to the district schools and after mastering the ele- mentary branches of English learning continued his studies in the high school at Clyde, New York, and in Underhill's Business Institute, being thus well qualified by commercial training for the active duties of business life. In. 1895 he entered the employ of Michael Doyle & Company as book- keeper and his efficiency and trustworthiness won ready and merited recognition in promotion. He is now office manager and treasurer of the com- pany and has further extended his efforts into other lines, being secretary and treasurer of the Rochester, Charlotte & Manitou Railway Com- pany ; secretary and assistant treasurer of the Mo- hawk Condensed Milk Company; and secretary and treasurer of the Albion Cider & Vinegar Company. He readily recognizes opportunities, judges correctly of the value of a business enter- prise and its possible outcome and has thus entered upon a successful career. His business interests, too, are of such a character as advance the general
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welfare while promoting individual prosperity, and thus his worth as a citizen is widely acknowledged.
Mr. McGrath was married, at the age of thirty- one years, to Miss Bernice M. Brown, a daughter of Byron Brown, of Lyons, and they have one daughter, Dorothy. Mr. McGrath belongs to the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, his mem- bership being in lodge No. 24, and he is also a communicant of the Catholic church. He owns his own home at No. 14 Phelps avenue and is pleasantly situated in life, belonging to that class of representative American men who have found in existing business conditions the opportunities they have sought and who have molded oppor- tunities to their own ends with the result that they have benefited individually and at the same time have won the admiration and respect of their fellowmen.
GEORGE BUDD DRESSER.
George Budd Dresser, one of the most promi- nent representatives of the brokerage business in Rochester, was born December 19, 1860, in this city and from a humble position has advanced through close application, unremitting diligence and keen business sagacity until he is largely con- sidered authority upon the question of investment and values. His father, Jonathan Dresser, was well known in Rochester in an early day, being one of the first to operate a line of packet boats with the opening of the canal. He was also a well known detective. The mother was Mrs. Maria L. (Build ) Dresser.
Having acquired his elementary education in the city schools, George B. Dresser entered busi- ness life as a messenger boy in the employ of the Western Union Telegraph Company in 1873. It was a logical step to the mastery of telegraphy and, having become an efficient operator, he was em- ployed by the old Rochester & State Line Railroad Company, which is now the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg Railroad. and New York Central Rail- road Company and afterward went to New York in the employ of the Western Union. Subse- quently he became connected with the United Press and with his well developed characteristic of thoroughly mastering everything which he under- took and taking a forward step whenever possible, he became connected with the brokerage business. He returned to Rochester in 1890 to establish a brokerage office here and has since continued in this line.
Mrs. Dresser was in her maidenhood Miss Har- riet Fenton Giles and the two children of the family are J. Kenneth and Beulalı Dresser. Polit- ically Mr. Dresser is a republican and is well
known in Masonic circles, belonging to Ionic chap- ier, R. A. M .; Cyrene commandery, K. T .; Cor- inthian Temple and the Masonic Club. He is also a member of the Rochester Yacht Club, the Ro- chester Club and the Rochester Stock Exchange, and he is accounted "one of the first business men of Rochester." His genial temperament has made him popular, while he enjoys the confidence of his fellowmen by reason of his straightforward business principles.
FRANK E. REED.
Frank E. Reed is at the head of the firm of Frank E. Reed & Company, glass manufacturers, at No. 380 Plymouth avenue in Rochester, New York, and his has been a successful business ca- reer, characterized by constant advancement as the result of business qualities which have been developed from close application, earnest study and persistent purpose. He was born in Mem- phis, New York, January 19, 1851. His father, William Reed, was a native of Washington county, New York, and followed the occupation of farm- ing as a life work. He married Charlotte Burch, of Memphis, New York, and both are now de- ceased. Of the three brothers and three sisters of Frank E. Reed, only two sisters are now living.
In Baldwinsville Free Academy Frank Reed ac- quired his education and then started in business life as a clerk in a general store in Baldwinsville, New York, where he remained for three years. Desirous of making advancement, he embraced the opportunity of becoming a traveling salesman and remained on the road for seven years, first as representative for H. H. Warner & Company, of Rochester, and afterwards for William S. Kim- ball & Company, the great tobacco firm of this city. He next engaged in business on his own account, manufacturing glass bottles, and in this connection is at the head of a large and impor- tant industry of Rochester. It is the only business of the kind in the city and furnishes employ- ment to one hundred and fifty people. Its out- put is large and is being constantly increased to meet the growing demand of the trade. The business methods he pursnes are in keeping with the spirit that prevails in modern business life and excellence characterizes every department of the factory.
In 1873 Mr. Reed was married to Martha M. Toll, of Baldwinsville, New York, and unto them have been horn three children: Otis D., who has charge of the office force of the Defender Photo- graph Supply Company, of Rochester; Arthur F., in business with his father; and Fred E., who is manager in his father's office.
FRANK E. REED.
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
Mr. Reed is a member of Frank R. Lawrence lodge, No. 797, A. F. & A. M .; Hamilton chap- ter. R. A. M .; Rochester consistory; Damascus Temple of the Mystic Shrine; and Lalla Rookh Grotto. The sons are also Masons, belonging to Frank R. Lawrence lodge. Mr. Reed is a mem- ber of the Rochester Whist Club and has been honored with its presidency. In politics he is an ardent republican, but seeking no office. Through his own efforts he has become a well read man, through his enterprise has won success in business and through his fidelity to applied principles has commanded the respect and confidence of all with whom he has been associated.
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WILLIAM DEININGER.
William Deininger, of the firm of Deininger Brothers, bakers and confectioners, of Rochester, has in his native city gained an enviable position in business circles. He was born here on the 15th of August, 1861, a son of Frederick L. and Christina (Koch) Deininger. His paternal grand- father, William Deininger, died in Germany at the venerable age of ninety-two years, and his wife passed away when well advanced in years. Fred- erick L. Deininger, one of their four sons, was born in Germany and throughout his life followed the bakery business, having learned his trade in his native country. He came to America when sixteen years of age, and locating in Rochester, sought and secured employment in the Jacob Howe bakery, where he remained for six years. With the capital he managed to save from his earnings he then embarked in business on his own account, establishing what became one of the leading bakery enterprises of the city. He was active in its conduct and management until 1888, when he was succeeded by his four sons, who now conduct the business under the name of Deininger Brothers. At the time of his death he was the oldest baker in years of continuous connection with the trade in the city. He passed away in 1902, at the age of seventy-five years and is still survived by his widow, who is seventy-three years of age. They were connected with the Evangelical Association in religious faith. Mrs. Deininger was a daughter of Frederick Koch, also a baker, who came to Rochester at an early day, after having spent two years in Canada. Here he carried on a bakery business, remaining a resident of the city for many years, or until his death, which occurred when he was eighty-five years of age. His family numbered three sons and a daughter: Frederick Koch (now spelled Cook) ; Louis C .; Christina now Mrs. Deininger; and one son who died in the Civil war. The surviving members of the family of Frederick and Christina Deininger are: Louisa
B., the wife of August G. Reinhardt, of Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania; William, Henry E., Louis C. and Frederick C. J., all partners in the busi- ness.
William' Deininger has spent his entire life in Rochester and was a student in the public and parochial schools in early youth, while later he attended the Rochester Business University. As a boy he worked with his father in the bakery when not busy with his text-books, and after his education was completed continued in that line. In 1888 he and his three brothers became their father's successors in the business and they now have the largest bakery and confectionery estab- lishment in the city, employing ninety people. The extent of the enterprise which they are con- ducting is proof of the excellence of their product and a liberal patronage is accorded them. They turn out twenty-two thousand loaves of bread daily, and also are extensive manufacturers of crackers. In connection with his other business interests Mr. Deininger is well known in financial circles, being vice president of the National Bank of Commerce and a director in the Genesee Valley Trust Company.
On the 23d of September, 1889, William Dein- inger was married to Miss Lucy S. Stehler, a daughter of George and Barbara (Hoelzer) Steh- ler. They have one daughter, Elma L. The par- ents are members of the Salem church on Franklin street and Mr. Deininger belongs to the Royal Arcanum. He is a republican in politics, much interested in the success of his party and is now serving as commissioner of the public market in Rochester. His home is at No. 457 Alexander street and in social as well as in business life he has won an enviable name, having gained many friends by reason of an upright life, which is in- dicated in the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood.
JOHN F. DAILEY.
Business ability many times descends from father to son and if the son does his duty he car- ries business farther even than his father. It is thus that the generations progress. John F. Dailey, one of the largest dealers in grain and wool of Rochester, well exemplified this theory. He was born in the town of Sweden, Monroe county, New York, January 2, 1876, and was the son of William Dailey of Brockport, whose sketch appears in another part of this volume.
John F. Dailey was educated in the public and parochial schools and the Brockport Academy. After leaving school he was employed by his father
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
until the year 1898, when they formed a partner- ship which continued until 1905. At this time he branched out for himself in Brockport, continuing there for one year. after which he moved his busi- ness to Rochester, locating in his present offices in the Ellwanger and Barry building. Mr. Dailey has built up a business of which he may well be prond, for he buys from dealers all over the coun- try and sells to consumers in every part of the United States. He conducts a number of eleva- tors throughout the state of New York and is considered one of the young successful business men of Rochester. To both politics and citizen- ship he has given the same earnest and conscien- tious attention and support which has made his business so great a success. He was a member of the Brockport board of trustees, to which he was elected in 1902 and in which he served one term. In 1904 he was a candidate for president of the village of Brockport, but after a most hotly con- tested election was defeated by only four votes. He had a majority of three hundred to overcome and felt proud of the fact that he made so close a race. Since 1902 he has been a delegate to every state democratic convention and in 1904 was a delegate to the democratic national convention held at St. Louis. He has always taken an active interest in all the political affairs of this party.
On August 30, 1898, he was united in marriage to Miss Frances I. Murray, a daughter of William and Ellen Murray, of Rochester, New York. To this union were born three children: William M .. John F., Jr., and Alan Augustine. Throughout his business career John F. Dailey has always been spoken of in terms of admiration and respect. His life has been so varied in its activity, so honorable in its purposes, that it has become an integral part of the history of the city.
WILLIAM K. MARTIN.
William K. Martin, a representative of the farming interests of the town of Henrietta, was born in this part of the county on the 11th of October, 1842. His father, Elijah Ward Martin, was a native of Sand Lake, Rensselaer county, New York, born on the 18th of May, 1805, but in early childhood became a resident of Henrietta. Having arrived at years of maturity, he wedded Miss Hannah B. Gorton, a daughter of the Rev. Thomas Gorton, the wedding being celebrated in 1832, and unto them were born nine children. For some time the father carried on teaming and thus provided for the support of his family. He died March 5, 1870.
William K. Martin was a young lad at the time of the removal of the family to the town of IIen- rietta, where he acquired his early education. He
afterward attended the Carey Collegiate Seminary and thus completed his school life. During the periods of vacation and after he had finished his education he worked at home, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. After living in the town of Henrietta for some years he sold his property there and removed to Genesee county in 1870.
On the 13th of March, 1872, Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Flora S. Martin, and unto them have been born a son and daughter, Ward R., who assists in the operation of the home farm; and Emma L., now the wife of Manard Perry, who has charge of the farm.
Mr. Martin is a member of Batavia lodge, No. 475, A. F. & A. M., and gives his political alle- giance to the democracy. He has many times been asked to run for the office of assessor but has al- ways refused. With his family he attends the Christian church at Rush and is interested in the material, intellectual and moral progress of his community. His time and energies are largely devoted to general farming interests and he is now the owner of eighty-seven acres of land, which he has brought under a high state of cultivation and which indicates his careful supervision in its fine appearance, which is proof of his practical and progressive methods.
CHRISTOPHER C. WERNER.
Christopher C. Werner, who since his admis- sion to the bar in 1885 has been engaged in the practice of law in Rochester, has made an en- viable record as one whose individual merit and ability have won for him a gratifying clientage and the esteem of his fellow practitioners. native of Buffalo, he was born on the 27th of November, 1859, his parents being William and Agnes (Koch) Werner, both of whom were born in the vicinity of Stuttgart, Germany. They were married, however, in this country and established their home in Buffalo, New York. The father was a cooper by trade and followed that pursuit in Buffalo where both he and his wife passed away. In their family were four children: Hon. William E., judge of the court of appeals of Albany, New York; Louise, wife of John Steinmiller, of Buf- falo; Lena, widow of Carl Betz; and Christo- pher C.
The last named was educated in the common schools and in a German private school of Buf- falo and began the study of law when twenty- one years of age, in the office of his brother, Judge William E. Werner, in Rochester. He was ad- mitted to the bar in Buffalo on the 7th of Janu- ary, 1885, and began practice with his brother under the firm style of Werner & Werner, which
C. C. WERNER.
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
partnership was continued until the 1st of Janu- ary, 1895, when William E. Werner was elevated to the judgeship of the supreme court. The firm then became Werner & Harris, the junior partner having previously been a student in the office of Werner & Werner. From the beginning the firm has enjoyed a large practice and it is now num- bered among the leading law partnerships of the city. It is a theory of the law that the counsel who practice are to aid the court in the ad- ministration of justice. Mr. Werner has been careful to conform his practice to a high standard of professional ethics, never seeking to lead the court astray in a matter of fact or law. He gives to his clients the service of his best talents and broad learning but never forgets that there are certain things due to the court, to his own self- respect and above all to justice and a righteous administration of law which neither the zeal of the advocate nor the pleasure of success permits him to disregard.
Mr. Werner is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, in which he has attained the Knight Templar degree, and also belongs to the Rochester Club and to the Rochester Bar Association. Pleas- antly situated in his home life he was married on the 16th of November, 1887, to Miss Anna Van Marter, a native of Lyons, New York, and they have two danghters: Jean A. and Catharine.
GARRETT D. VAN REYPEN.
Garrett D. Van Reypen, of Holland Dutch an- cestry, was born in 1860 at Jersey City Heights and is the only son of Isaac Z. and Lucy (Wad- dington) Van Reypen. His early days were spent in his native city, where he attended the public schools from which he was graduated. Energetic and full of life, he was anxious to work, finding his first employment with L. M. Bates & Company, wholesale dry-goods merchants. His next position was with the Kelly Publishing Com- pany, for whom he opened the Rochester office. He subsequently became connected with E. Gately & Company, dealers in household specialties, a business in which he became so interested that lie started out in that line for himself and is now conducting a household furnishing and general merchandise business.
Mr. Van Reypen was married in Jersey City in 1878 to Laura S. Voorhees. Her father is the Rev. Arthur J. L. Voorhees, a learned Methodist minister who is very active in church work. To this union have been born five sons and four daughters. Mr. Van Reypen is a Mason and is also a member of the Improved Order of Red Men ; and of the Independent Order of Foresters.
The honest, sturdy, aristocratic character of the Holland Dutch have always formed a prominent element in our cosmopolitan population. Diffi- culties vanish before these brave, determined people. Floods, war and other disasters have no terror for them, and the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch is no exception but is a worthy representative of the people from whom he is descended.
JOSEPH WALZER.
Joseph Walzer, born March 1, 1836, in Ironde- quoit, is the son of John Walzer, a native of France, where he served as a soldier under Bona- parte. In 1826 he came to the United States and bought one hundred acres of land in this county which he planted and cultivated. He was twice married and reared a family of six children.
The subject of this sketch acquired his early education in the public schools, while his physical training came through working in the fields. At one time he followed the tide of emigration into western Texas and Montana, where he engaged in gold mining. With the exception of the year spent in that business he has lived most of his life in Irondequoit, where he was early engaged in farming, dairying and fruit-growing. He has fifteen acres of peaches, nine of apples, and farms one hundred and eighty acres, besides caring for thirty-five cows. He bought a part of his present place in 1864 and steadily added to his first pur- chase. He now owns a beautiful home, which he built and which is comfortable in every particular. He has acquired much more than a competency and feels that he can still afford more luxuries if he desires them. On that account he does not feel obliged to labor as he has done in the past years, but he is in good health and enjoys helping the boys on his farm.
Mr. Walzer married Isabelle Whipple, the daughter of J. D. Whipple. This worthy couple have reared a family of fourteen children who are all living: Charles, a citizen of Rochester; Clara, who is at home; Joseph Edward, Marsh, and Irma, who is the wife of Bert Twitchell, all living in Rochester; Jessie, the wife of Delos Stanton ; Mor- ris and Everett, of Irondequoit; Percy, who is in Oregon; Harvey, at home; Lee, a citizen of Ro- chester ; Eugene, who is living at home; Hollis, of Rochester ; and Winifred, who is at home.
Mr. Walzer is at present assessor of Ironde- quoit. He belongs to the State Grange and in his political affiliations is independent. Not many men who attain his age are as sturdy and hearty as he. We feel when we meet an old gentleman of his physique and health that his life has been temperate, devoted to the welfare and interests of
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
his family, honest and upright, because in this life he has lived longer than the average man and though the stress and stir of business has been all about him, he has moved quietly and calmly along lines which have brought him his desired hopes.
EDWARD C. GUTLAND.
Edward C. Gutland was born in Rochester, August 23, 1874, the only son of Charles F. and Clara Gutland. The father, a native of Germany and a tanner by occuption, died in the year 1901. The public schools of Rochester afforded Edward C. Gutland his educational privileges, and he en- tered business life as an errand boy for a local paper box concern, where he learned the trade, becoming acquainted with the business in prin- ciple and detail. He remained with the concern for six years, when his thorough and comprehen- sive knowledge enabled him to establish a paper box manufacturing business on his own account on attaining his majority. He continued in busi- ness for six years and then consolidated with the Alderman & Fairchild Company, the firm now being known as Alderman, Fairchild & Gutland Company, of which Mr. Gutland is vice president. The business is in a prosperous condition, having been developed along safe, substantial lines, with due regard to the law of supply and demand, and the company sustains a high reputation for con- mercial integrity and close conformity to the ethics of mercantile life.
Mr. Gutland was married in 1902 to Miss Louise Erbach, of Rochester. Both he and his wife are members of the Church of Reformation, while Mr. Gutland is a member of Valley lodge, F. & A. M. and of the Rochester Club.
RICHARD WHALEN.
Richard Whalen, the oldest tobacco manufact- urer now in business in this state, is the president of the Whalen Tobacco Company. He was also one of the pioneers of this city, having been born here January 16, 1829. Ilis father was John Whalen and his mother Julia ( Fitzgerald) Wha- len, both natives of Ireland. The larger oppor- tunities which America offered attracted them to its shores in the year 1824. Rochester was then a small village but here Mr. and Mrs. Whalen settled, having purchased property on Allen street, the oldest street in the city. It will be interesting to those who have known the history of Rochester from its early inception to learn that Mr. Whalen helped to build the old Genesee Valley canal. He was a man who always made himself useful, a trait
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