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 66
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1886 removed to Rochester, becoming one of the organizers of the present great hardware house of which he is now president. It was first con- ducted under the name of Weaver, Palmer & Rich- mond as a partnership, but the business was in- corporated in 1900 as Weaver, Palmer & Rich- mond. This is one of the largest wholesale hardware establishments of Rochester and western New York. Magnificent salesrooms, storage and offices have been recently fitted up on Exchange street and the business is being developed along the most progressive lines. The business policy of the house, too, is one which inspires confidence and the reputation of the company is a most un- assailable one. The extent of the business makes it a most important factor in the commercial life of Rochester, contributing to the business activity upon which the city's greatness is founded.
His activity, however, has reached to various other fields in which the public has been either a direct or indirect beneficiary. He has served as supervisor of the twelfth ward of the city for six years, and in November, 1907, was re-elected by the largest plurality of any candidate on the re- publican ticket, a fact indicative of his personal popularity and of the excellent service which he rendered during the previous six years of his in- cumbency. His deep and sincere interest in the moral development of the city is indicated by his membership and activity in the Asbury Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has now served as treasurer for twelve years. He has been adjutant of the One Hundred and Tenth Battalion and aide to General Brinker, has for two terms served as a director of the Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Rochester Club. He belongs to Yonnondio lodge, F. & A. M., and in former days was secretary of the Union lodge of Masons at Elmira for twelve years. He is a past high priest of Elmira chapter, R. A. M., but now affiliates with Hamilton chapter of Rochester and is a member of the consistory of Corning, New York, of Lalla Rookh grotto of Rochester, and of Dam- ascus Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise sword bearer in Monroe commandery, K. T., and is a member of the Masonic Club. He also be- longs to the Rochester Whist Club, of which he is now serving as president.
In 1870 Mr. Palmer was married to Miss Fran- ces Elizabeth Weaver, a daughter of E. K. Weaver, of Elmira. Mrs. Palmer died six years ago, leav- ing two children : Elizabeth ; and Carl, who is at- tending Rochester University.
Mr. Palmer is one of Rochester's most active men. He is a contributor to every worthy charity and a champion of every public movement for the general good. In manner he is unassuming and entirely free from ostentation, but possesses a charming personality and unfeigned cordiality which have gained for him a host of warm friends.
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Not the good that comes to us but the good that comes to the world through us is the measure of our success, and so judged Mr. Palmer is one of the most successful of men, for his energy and ac- tivity have touched various interests that are fac- tors in the sum total of the world's progress. Broad-minded, looking at life from no narrow or contracted standpoint, he faithfully performs his daily duties as he understands them, nor concen- trates his energies alone upon those interests which contribute merely to individual success, but takes cognizance of those opportunities for con- tributing to advancement in social, political and moral lines.
THOMAS B. DUNN.
Thomas B. Dunn, member of the state senate from Rochester, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, but from early boyhood has been a resi- dent of Rochester, the family removing to this city in 1857. Educated in the public schools, he passed through successive grades until, put- ting aside his text-books, he entered business life, wherein he has met with excellent suc- cess. He is a man of marked executive force and keen business perception and his efforts have been so discerningly directed along well defined lines of labor that they have become permanent and important features in Rochester's commer- cial activity. He seems to have accomplished in any one point of his career the possibilities of ac- complishment at that point. For a number of years he has been engaged in the manufacture of perfumes and Sen Sen products, a business that has extended rapidly, until it is largely known throughout the civilized world, agencies having been established in Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Mos- cow, Buenos Ayres and Mexico City, while for ten years past an office and shipping point has been maintained in London. The products of the Dunn plant are sold in nearly two thousand jobbing centers throughout the civilized world and the money for all the sales comes to Roch- ester, where nearly two hundred persons are em- ployed at salaries aggregating about three thou- sand dollars a week. The business of which Mr. Dunn is the founder and head is not and never has been connected with any trust. On the con- trary, it may be termed an individual enterprise, its development and growth being due to the carefully directed labors and business foresight of its founder. He has not confined his attention alone, however, to one line, but has become finan- cially interested in various other important busi- ness concerns of the city, and his judgment and activity are much desired as a co-operating force
in the conduct of different commercial and indus- trial interests.
Mr. Dunn has ever been deeply interested in Rochester's development along business lines and did effective work in this connection during his two years' presidency in the Rochester Chamber of Commerce. He is also a director of the Gen- esee Valley Trust Company and Mechanics Sav- ings Bank. He belongs to the Rochester Club, the Rochester Athletic Club, the Country Club, the Rochester Yacht Club and the Genesee Valley Club. His popularity in these organizations finds root in his sincere cordiality, unfailing courtesy and good nature. He is interested, too, in those movements which have for their object the ameli- oration of the hard conditions of life for the un- fortunate. He is now serving as one of the board of managers of the State Industrial School and on the board of trustees of the Rochester Orphan Asylum. His prominence in the state and his wide acquaintance is indicated by the fact that he was chosen, as a representative citizen, to act as chief commissioner and president of the New York state commission to the Jamestown Ter-Centen- nial Exposition.
He is a new factor in politics, for until recently he has never figured to any extent in political cir- cles, but his efforts as a man and citizen, his rec- ord in business life and in connection with munici- pal affairs, led to his selection as the nominee of the republicans of the forty-fifth senatorial district and his subsequent election. He did not seek the nomination, but was the unanimous choice of every delegate to the convention. He is spoken of as one of the best known men in Rochester, and has a wide and favorable acquaintance not only in the city but largely throughout the state.
PATRICK BARRY.
Patrick Barry was the son of an Irish farmer and was born near the city of Belfast, Ireland, in 1816. He received a liberal education and at the age of eighteen became a teacher in one of the Irish national schools. After having taught two years he resigned and resolved to make the United States his future home and country. Accordingly in 1836, he came to New York and shortly after his arrival was offered a clerkship by the Princes, celebrated nurserymen of the period, at Flushing, Long Island, which he accepted. He remained with them for four years, during which time he acquired a practical knowledge of the nursery busi- ness. In 1840 he removed to Rochester and in July of that year formed a partnership with George Ellwanger, which continued to the time of his demise. The firm of Ellwanger & Barry, established, upon seven acres of ground as a be-
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ginning, what are now of vast extent and world- wide fame. "The Mount Hope Nurseries"-trans- planted in every state and territory of the Union and in foreign lands-have made the impress of Patrick Barry's genius upon the face of the earth. His industry was one of genuine production of wealth from the soil. Its creations from nature have, in their fruits and flowers, and trees and shrubs, ministered to those senses of man whose gratification refines life and makes it enjoyable ; and it is a pleasure to know that it was duly re- warded by a rich return.
While building up this great industry Mr. Barry acted well many other parts. His pen was not idle. To the instruction and influence flowing from it is horticulture much indebted for its ad- vancement during sixty years in this country. Fol- lowing many miscellaneous contributions to the literature of that particular field, Mr. Barry, in 1852, published his first popular work, "The Fruit Garden." The edition was soon exhausted and an- other and larger one followed in 1855. In 1852 "The Horticulturist" passed from the hands of Luther Tucker into those of James Vick, and was removed from Albany to Rochester in order that the lamented Downing, drowned in the "Henry Clay" disaster on the Hudson river, might be succeeded in its editorial chair by Mr. Barry, who conducted it several years and until its purchase by the Messrs. Smith of Philadelphia. Mr. Barry's chief and most valuable work, however, was his "Catalogne of the American Pomological Society," which is the accepted guide of American fruit growers and is regarded as standard authority throughout the world. But outside of the nursery and the sanctum Mr. Barry was no less busily and usefully engaged. Regular in habit and methodi- cal in action, he was enabled to perform duties as varied in character as they were successful in result.
For more than twenty years he was president of the Western New York Horticultural Society, which is the most prosperous and important of its kind in the United States. He was president of the New York State Agricultural Society and a member of the board of control of the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station. At times he filled offices of importance to the local community, such as alderman of the city and supervisor of the county and as frequently declined the tender of others. The Flour City National Bank, of which Mr. Barry was president and of which he was also a director nearly from the outset, was one of the largest and most prosperous of financial institutions of western New York. Besides the Flour City National Bank, Mr. Barry was promi- nently identified with many other important en- terprises of Rochester, filling such positions as president of the Mechanics' Savings Bank, presi-
dent of the Rochester City & Brighton Rail- road Company, president of the Powers Hotel Company, president of the Rochester Gas Com- pany, a trustee of the Rochester Trust & Safe De- posit Company, member of the commission ap- pointed by the legislature to supervise the eleva- tion of the Central Railroad track through the city, etc., etc. He aided largely in building up the central business property of Rochester, of which he was a considerable owner, and in de- veloping the valuable water power of the lower falls of the Genesee river, connected with which he had large interests.
In all his walks Patrick Barry was an upright man-a model of industry, integrity and honor. No one in the city where he lived his busy and eventful life was held in higher esteem by his fel- low citizens ; and the life of no man in Rochester furnished a better example or stronger incentive to the youth of the present day who would make for themselves a spotless name and achieve endur- ing fame.
Mr. Barry married in 1847, Harriet Huestis, a native of Richfield, Otsego county, New York. Eight children were born of this union, six sons and two daughters. Five sons and one daughter, the oldest, have passed away; the oldest son and the youngest daughter are living. Mr. Barry died June 23, 1890, and while fruit growing remains an industry of the country his memory will be cherished as the promoter of valnable knowledge along this line. In his home city, where he was widely known, he had a very large circle of friends, and his own life was an exemplification of the Emersonian philosophy that "the way to win a friend is to be one."
GEORGE E. KINGSLEY.
A well improved farm of seventy-four acres, sit- nated in Pittsford township, is the home of George E. Kingsley and the property has been in posses- sion of the family for more than ninety years. having been located by N. Kingsley, an uncle of Daniel Kingsley, father of our subject, who came to this state from New England at a very early day, the family home being established in Mendon. Daniel Kingsley wedded Maria Brown, who was born in Henrietta and by her marriage became the mother of five children. The father gave his po- litical support to the republican party and took an active part in public affairs, serving as road commissioner and supervisor of his township. His death occurred in 1886. He and his wife were numbered among the worthy pioneer settlers of Monroe county. When the father arrived in this section of the state the work of developing new
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land seemed a long and strenuous task, but he possessed a resolute purpose and strong determina- tion and in due time developed a good property, which today stands as a monument to his life of thrift and energy.
George E. Kingsley was born in 1855, on the farm which is yet his home, and in the work of cul- tivating the land he performed an active and help- ful part. He received his education in the country schools near his father's home. Since coming into possession of the homestead farm Mr. Kingsley has added many improvements to the place, including the erection of a modern country residence, which was built about five years ago. He has also set out an orchard and shade and ornamental trees and made the property one of the attractive farms of this section of the state. In addition to culti- vating cereals best adapted to soil and climate he has also been engaged in the dairy business, and this is proving a gratifying source of income to him. He is practical and enterprising in carry- ing on his work and the success which has come to him is well merited. He was also engaged in the nursery business for fourteen years.
Mr. Kingsley was married in 1885 to Miss Mary Spellman, who was born in Pittsford, and by her marriage she has become the mother of two sons and a daughter, Ernest, George and Frances. The father gives his political support to the re- publican party and has served as school trustee and school clerk, the cause of education ever find- ing in him a warm and stalwart friend. He has continued the work of agricultural progress which was here instituted by his father and is today numbered among the substantial residents of Mon- roe county. Both he and his wife have a wide and favorable acquaintance in their home locality, for here their entire lives have been passed and their friends, who are many, have been won by reason of the many sterling traits of character which they possess.
CHARLES S. GIBBS.
Charles S. Gibbs was born in Rochester, New York, October 21, 1863. He attended the gram- mar schools, but at the age of twelve years was obliged to begin work. This did not deter him from pursuing his studies, for he attended night school and has since by his own reading and ob- servation acquired a good general education. His first work was for the old firm of A. V. Smith & Company, who were engaged in the harness busi- ness. He was first employed as an errand boy, and it would be well for the modern youth to take heed and learn the secret of his advancement. This errand boy was so alert and active in the interests of his employers that he remained but a short time
in this subordinate position. From that time he was always busy and actively engaged in promot- ing the best interests of the firm, so that in 1897 he succeeded to the business. He has broadened its trade and now employs eight men. In his store may be found everything for the equipment of the horse and stable from low priced goods to the very best goods to be found anywhere, fine hand- made harness especially.
Mr. Gibbs belongs to the Masonic order, being a member of Corinthian Temple lodge, No. 9. He is president of the National Harness Manu- facturers Association and was formerly a member of the Eighth Separate Company of the National Guard. He is independent in politics and in re- ligion is a Baptist, being trustee of the Lake Ave- nue Baptist church.
Rochester is proud of men like Mr. Gibbs. It is upon their sterling characters that its prosperity rests. He has worked his own way from humble beginnings and is today respected and esteemed by a wide circle of friends.
THOMAS J. MITCHELL.
Thomas J. Mitchell enjoys peculiar distinction as a prime factor in many of the substantial struc- tures of Despatch, being here engaged in carpen- tering and contracting, and in this connection many of the buildings which are here seen stand as monuments to his skill and enterprise. Mr. Mitchell was born in Canada, in 1862, and was there educated, completing the high-school course. When a young man of twenty years he learned the carpenters' trade and has since been engaged in this line of work. He helped to erect many of the buildings for the Columbian Exposition in Chicago and also assisted in the building of the drainage canal in that city. On the 31st of May, 1897, Mr. Mitchell located in Despatch, and here erected a small residence, in which he made his home for three years. He immediately engaged in contracting, and in this connection has built up an extensive and profitable business. He erected three of the churches, the schoolhouse, the Eyer block, the oil works and many other public struc- tures as well as private residences. His skill and ability in this line of activity are widely recognized and in business circles he has won the high regard of all with whom he has dealings, for he is ever faithful in the discharge of his business obliga- tions, and is true to the terms of a contract.
Mr. Mitchell was married in Canada, in 1896, the lady of his choice being Miss Jessie Ewing. Their marriage has been blessed with two sons, Walter Leland, who was born September 24, 1898, and was the first male child born in the village of Despatch; and Andrew William, whose birth oc-
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curred July 17, 1903. Mr. Mitchell gives his political support to the republican party and aside from his business interests finds time to devote to public affairs, having been elected and served as the first president of his home village. He also served as a member of the school board and be- longed to that body at the time of the erection of the new school building. His fraternal rela- tions are with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows.
His life has been one of contiunous activity, which has been rewarded with a gratifying meas- ure of success and today he is numbered among the substantial citizens of Despatch. He is thor- oughly interested in the welfare of this place and is ever ready to lend his aid and co-operation to every movement calculated to benefit this section of the country or advance its wonderful develop- ment. In everything he is eminently practical, and this has been manifest not only in his business undertakings, but also in social and private life.
EGBERT R. CAMPBELL.
Egbert R. Campbell is an enterprising farmer of Clarkson township, owning a valuable property comprising one hundred twenty-seven and a half acres, which was once owned by his uncle, Am- brose Sanford, who was a native of Columbia county, New York. The grandfather married Arabella G. Booge, the daughter of Rev. Aaron J. Booge, chaplain under General Jackson, the Booge family tracing their descent from John Booge, who came to New York from Glasgow in 1680. The father, Egbert H. Campbell, was born in Albany county, New York, November 18, 1818. He was a wagonmaker by trade and for some time was in the employ of James Gould, at Albany, New York. In 1840 he took up his abode in Brockport, New York, where for three years he was engaged in the wagon business on his own account. On the expiration of that period, or in 1843, thinking agricultural pursuits would be more congenial to him, he engaged in farming in Monroe county and in 1846 took up his abode on the farm which is now owned by Mrs. S. J. T. Bush, niece of E. R. Campbell, located in Hamlin, then a part of Clark- son township. There he carried on farming inter- ests until the time of his death, which occurred in 1891, when he had reached the age of eighty-two years. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Susan A. Sanford, was born in Columbia county, New York, in 1820, while her death occurred in 1890. She was a daughter of Ambrose and Lucretia (Perry) Sanford, farming people of Columbia county.
Egbert R. Campbell is the only son of his fath- er's family, his sister being Lucy V., the widow of
James Chappell, and now a resident of Rochester. The son was born in the house which is now his home. He acquired his early education in the dis- trict schools of Clarkson township and pursued his more advanced studies in Brockport Institute, while later he received his business training in Eastman's Commercial College at Rochester, thus acquiring a good general and business education which has enabled him in later years to carry on his business affairs in a very successful manner. He was reared to the occupation of farming, as- sisting his father in the various tasks connected with the operation of the old homestead. Upon entering business life on his own account he en- tered the employ of the Osburn Reaper Company, of Auburn, New York, as traveling salesman, be- ing thus engaged for four years, but in 1882 once more resumed farming operations, taking up his abode on the Maple Terrace farm, situated one mile west of the village of Clarkson. This has continued to be his place of residence to the pres- ent time. It is located on the old stage road and is an attractive and well kept property comprising one hundred and twenty-seven and a half acres, and he has also owned other farm property, but has disposed of this and now retains possession only of his home place. He is here engaged in raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, and through the wise judgment which he exercises in the cultivation of his fields he annually harvests good crops.
Mr. Campbell was married to Miss Josie Com- stock, who was born in Orleans county, New York, in 1851, a daughter of Arnold and Phoebe Com- stock, farming people of that county. Mrs. Camp- bell was called from this life in 1881, when but thirty years of age.
Mr. Campbell votes for the men of the republi- can party. He was a member of the high school board for one term. In 1895 he was connected with the state canal department, thus serving until the 1st of March of the present year, when he resigned. He is identified with the Masonic lodge at Brockport. He has ever discharged his business and private affairs with marked ability and fair- ness, for he is a most loyal and public-spirited citi- zen. He is prominent among his associates not only for the success which he has attained, but also for his honorable and straightforward methods in all business transactions.
CHARLES T. CHAPIN.
Charles T. Chapin, special representative of the National Car Wheel Company of Rochester, his native city, was born February 24, 1861. His father was Charles Hall Chapin and his grand-
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father was Moses Chapin, the first county judge of Monroe county, while the ancestral history is traced back to Deacon Samuel Chapin, who crossed the Atlantic from England to Massachu- setts between 1635 and 1640. Charles Hall Chap- in was born in Rochester, January 6, 1830, and in the maternal line was descended from Timothy Dwight, an early president of Yale College.
Early in his business career Charles Hall Chapin became manager of the Kidd Iron Works of Rochester, conducted under the firm style of Chapin & Terry. He entered the field of banking in 1871 as one of the organizers of the banking house of Kidd & Chapin, of which he had entire charge. In 1875 this was merged into the Bank of Rochester, of which Mr. Chapin became presi- dent, acting in that capacity until his death. He was a man of resourceful business ability and his sound judgment and keen business discernment were considered valuable assets in the successful control of various business interests. In 1877 he organized the Rochester Car Wheel Works, which were established by William Kidd, and it became one of the most important industrial concerns of the city. He was also vice president of the Char- lotte Iron Works and a trustee of the Roberts Iron Works, of Kingston, Canada.
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