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 75
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PERCY BRUCE DUTTON.
Percy Bruce Dutton, who conducts a large fire insurance business in Rochester, was born August 4, 1874. His father, Deloss H. Dutton, who died in 1901 and had been in the nursery business all his life, came from Penfield, New York, shortly before the birth of his son. He was a descendant in the maternal line from the late Daniel Penfield, founder of the town of Penfield, and in the paternal from Jesse Dutton, one of three brothers who came from England late in the eighteenth century. The mother of the subject of this sketch, was Ellen M. Townsend, of St. Louis, Missouri, of American parentage.
Mr. Dutton received his first education at pub- lic school No. 20 of Rochester, continued his studies to the Rochester Free Academy, from which he was regularly graduated. He then completed a commercial course in the Rochester Business Uni- versity, after which he pursued a four years' course at the University of Rochester. Coincident with his college course, he for a time taught com- mercial subjects in the evening high school. Through broad and liberal education, he has pre- pared himself for a career of noble attainment and the fulfillment of his obligation toward his fellow- man, as well as for life's practical duties and re- sponsibilities.
Mr. Dutton's business life may be said to have begun with his entering the insurance line with the firm of Milton Clark & Company, of Rochester, in a position of trust and responsibility, where he continued for two years. Since then, and for the past ten years, he has been in the fire insur- ance business in this city on his own account. Besides the representation of many strong and re- liable companies for the city he is also the com- panies' state manager, their offices for New York state being in this city. In the conduct of his business, Mr. Dutton commands a rare com- bination of enterprise and conservatism, coupled with a keen sense of honor and justice and his suc- cess lies in a wise foresight, a quick perception of
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means to ends, with an indefatigable zeal to ac- complish the matter undertaken.
Mr. Dutton is prominently identified with vari- ous business, social, fraternal and religious or- ganizations. He is a member of the National Fire Protection Association, the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, the Rochester Credit Men's Associa- tion, the Rochester Yacht Club, the Masonic Club of Rochester, the Delta Upsilon college fraternity, Genesee Falls lodge, F. & A. M., Rochester con- sistory, of Scottish rite Masons, and of Grace Methodist church. While never a candidate for public office, he has always voted the republican ticket.
PURDY A. FOWLER.
Purdy A. Fowler, of the furniture manufactur- ing firm of the Langslow-Fowler Company, was born on a farm in Yorktown, Westchester county, New York, December 27, 1851. His parents, Hi- ram Fowler and Mary (Goetschius) Fowler, were farming people, natives of Westchester and of Rockland counties, respectively. The subject of this review is a descendant of the Fowlers and Drakes of Westchester county, New York, who are mentioned prominently in the documentary his- tory of the state of New York. In other histories of Westchester county are given the genealogical records and much of interest concerning the early Drakes who settled there in 1663, being descended from John Drake, who came from England in 1606 and located in Windsor county in 1630. John Fowler, the grandfather, married Elizabeth Drake, and they left two daughters and two sons, the lat- ter being Nathaniel and Hiram Fowler. Eliza- beth Drake was the daughter of Dr. Nathaniel and Jane Ann Drake, the latter a daughter of Frances Purdy and Jeremiah Drake, who served in the Revolutionary war and was a vestryman in St. Peter's Episcopal church. Dr. Drake was the son of Lieutenant Gilbert Drake, one of the Rev- olutionary heroes, who was a judge in 1778 and a delegate from Westchester county to the conven- tion which met at Kingston, Ulster county, to frame the constitution, April 20, 1777. Colonel Gilbert Drake married Ruth Tompkins. The early Drakes and Fowlers are buried in Eastchester and Cortlandville cemeteries in Westchester county, New York.
When Purdy A. Fowler was four years of age the parents removed with their family to Peekskill, New York, and in the public schools of that plaee he pursued his education, passing through succes- sive grades until he was graduated in 1866. After leaving school he accepted a position in the village store, where he remained for two years and then
learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for five years. His next step in the business world was as traveling salesman for a Boston furniture manufactory, which he represented upon the road from Boston to San Francisco, continuing in that position until he came to Rochester and entered into partnership with H. A. and S. C. Langslow of this city, for the manufacture of furniture. They began business on the 1st of December, 1885, under the firm style of the Langslow-Fowler Com- pany, and have so continued to the present time, covering a period of more than twenty-two years. The business has been developed along substantial and satisfactory lines, the trade constantly in- creasing in extent and importance until the output is now very large, while shipments are made to various sections of the country. Advancement has been made by the house in keeping with the trend of modern progress in trade circles and the output has always showed advanced styles, while for durability and perfection of finish it is unex- celled.
Mr. Fowler was married March 7, 1875, at Cold Springs, Putnam county, New York, to Miss Sarah Schultz, and they have two daughters and a son, Mayme, Carrie and Purdy H. Fowler. The last named married Grace Goodrich, of Pulteney, New York. Two daughters, Edna and Lily, died at the ages of seven and three years respectively.
Mr. Fowler gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has always been a stalwart advocate of its principles without being an aspir- ant for public honors and offices. He belongs to Genesee Falls lodge, No. 507, A. F. & A. M .; Hamilton chapter, R. A. M .; Monroe commandery, K. T. ; the Mystic Shrine ; and the Veiled Proph- ets. He is also connected with the Rochester and the Algonquin Clubs, and for one year was presi- dent of the Commercial Club of Rochester. Such is his standing in business circles that he is classed among the prominent representatives of industrial interests and in the marts of trade his name indi- cates enterprise and successful management, his business career having gained him this desirable reputation.
THOMAS C. WILSON.
As a nurseryman Thomas C. Wilson lias a wide reputation not only in New York but in other states as well, for he is a pioneer in this business, having since 1852 conducted a nursery in Brighton. He began business on a very small scale, having at first but five acres devoted to nursery stock but that his business has now reached mammoth pro- portions is indicated by the fact that he has grad- ually added to his possessions until he today shares a tract of one hundred acres devoted to the rais-
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
ing of fruit and shade trees as well as all kinds of nursery stock. He conducts a wholesale business and is accounted one of the enterprising citizens of Monroe county.
Mr. Wilson was born in Scotland, the year of his birth being 1827. He was a little lad of five years, when, in 1833, his father, George Wilson, emigrated with his family to the United States and located on a farm in Monroe county, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for a time. How- ever, he survived his emigration for only a brief period and his wife was then left with the care of their seven children and the management of the home farm.
The son remained with his mother during the period of his boyhood and youth and ably assisted her in the operation of the farm in connection with other brothers. Foreseeing the future of the nursery business in this section, he embarked in this business in 1852, securing at first five acres of land, which he planted to various kinds of fruit and shade trees. He met with success from the beginning and as opportunity offered he added more land to his original purchase and now owns his share of one hundred acres, which is devoted entirely to horticultural interests, and also rents land for the same purpose. He keeps on hand a good supply of all kinds of fruit trees as well as shade trees, his stock being of the best varieties. He has built up an extensive business and is now one of the largest fruit-growers of this state. He has thorough knowledge of the best methods of carrying on an enterprise of this character and his honorable and reliable dealing commends him to the confidence and good will of all with whom he is associated either in business or social circles.
Mr. Wilson's study of the political questions of the day has led him to give stalwart support to the principles of democracy, while his religious faith is indicated by his support of the Presby- terian church. In 1883 he erected a fine residence in Brighton, containing thirteen rooms, and here he is comfortably situated, enjoying the esteem of all and the friendship of many with whom he comes in contact.
GEORGE N. SAEGMULLER.
Although a resident of Rochester for but a brief period. George N. Saegmuller has gained dis- tinctive recognition as one of the leading manu- facturers not only of this city but of the country, having shown a marked capacity for the success- ful conduct of affairs of great breadth. He is to- day a partner in one of the most successful and extensive productive industries of the city-the Bausch, Lomb, Saegmuller Company.
A native of Germany, he was born in Bavaria, on the 12th of February, 1848, and is a son of John L. and Babette (Bertholdt) Saegmuller, who were likewise natives of that country.
George N. Saegmuller was reared in the father- land and attended the technical school at Erlangen and graduated from the polytechnic school at Nu- remberg. In accordance with the laws of the country he rendered military service as a member of the regular army, serving as one year volunteer in the 14th regiment at Nuremberg. Having ac- quainted himself with mechanical engineering he afterward spent four years with Thomas Cook & Son in England, who was one of the most eminent instrument makers of that time. In 1870 he came to America, locating first in Washington, D. C., where he lived for thirty-five years. He there was associated for a time with Wurdemann and was later in charge of the instrument division of the United States coast survey, during which time he began the manufacture of astronomical and en- gineering instruments under the firm name of Fauth & Company. For years he obtained the optical parts for his instruments from Bausch & Lomb Optical Company, with whom his relations were always most cordial. Hampered in his ef- forts to expand his business by the limitations imposed by the city and by lack of manufactur- ing facilities available there, in 1905 he came to Rochester, removing his factory here and form- ing with the members of the Bausch & Lomb Op- tical Company, a new corporation known as the Bausch, Lomb, Saegmuller Company. They manu- facture all kinds of astronomical and engineering instruments which they send to all parts of the world.
At the present writing the Bausch, Lomb, Saeg- muller Company have become an integral part of the Bausch & Lomb Optical Company, in which association they are joined by the Carl Zeiss Works, of Jena, Germany. This association ex- tends to one another the benefits of their busi- ness organizations, scientific developments, formu- læ, shop methods and experience and is formed for the purpose of giving to the scientific world optical apparatus of the greatest perfection at- tainable. The association went into effect Janu- ary 1. 1908.
On the 29th of April, 1874, Mr. Saegmuller was married to Miss Marie Jane Vandenburgh, a daughter of Gilbert and Sarah (Van Hoes) Vandenburgh. They have three sons: John Leon- hardt, Frederick Bertholdt and George Marshall.
Mr. Saegmuller is the inventor of many instru- ments and has made many improvements upon existing ones. To engineers he is perhaps best known from the Saegmuller patent solar attach- ment for engineering transits, by means of which the astronomical meridian can be obtained with an accuracy before undreamed of. He invented
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the stardials or finding circles for use on astronomi- cal telescopes, the governor for chronographs, which has come into universal use, and also con- structed a machine for grinding fine levels auto- matically. Professor Ferrel of the United States coast survey conceived the idea of a tide predicting machine which Mr. Saegmuller constructed in an ingenious manner. This apparatus still does duty in the department. At the suggestion of Admiral, then Captain Sampson, he developed the telescopic sights which, now in general use by the United States navy, have enabled our gunners to make such remarkable records in marksmanship.
Liberal educational advantages brought him the broad and comprehensive knowledge of the great scientific principles which underlie his present business interests. Prompted by laudable ambi- tion he has made gradual advancement and each forward step has brought him a wider outlook and enlarged opportunities until he stands today as one of the most distinguished representatives of his department of manufacturing enterprise.
RUFUS ADAMS SIBLEY.
Rufus Adams Sibley, of the Sibley, Lindsay & Curr Company, importers, jobbers and retailers of dry goods and department store merchandise, was born in Spencer, Massachusetts, December 3, 1841, his parents being Brigham and Adaline ( Adams) Sibley. The ancestry is traced back to the early settlers of Massachusetts and through the ties of kinship the subject of this review is connected with the Sibley, Adams, Livermore, Green, Putnam, Drury, Bemis, Guilford, MacClure, Brewer and other families. In the acquirement of his education he passed through consecutive grades in the public and high schools of Spencer and afterward taught school for two terms in his native town. He was a clerk and bookkeeper for five years in Spencer, Massachusetts, and in Boston a bookkeeper for three years. In 1868 he became a partner in the organization of the firm of Sibley, Lindsay & Curr and has continued with this house, the busi- ness having been incorporated as the Sibley, Lindsay & Curr Company and Granite Building Company, their property including the Granite building and the real estate on Main street East between North Clinton and North streets in Roch- ester.
Mr. Sibley has never held nor desired a political office. He has, however, been president of the board of trustees of the University of Rochester and president of board of trustees of Rochester City Hospital, president of Rochester Chamber of Commerce, trustee of Deaf Mute Institute, vice president of the Rochester Savings Bank, trustee
of the Security Trust Company, has been and is associated with many interests having direct bear- ing upon the welfare, progress and prosperity of the community. He is a vestryman in St. Paul's Episcopal church.
Mr. Sibley was married in 1870 to Miss Martha Haven, a daughter of the Rev. John Haven, of Charlton, Massachusetts. She died in 1883, leav- ing one son, Dr. Edward R. Sibley. Mr. Sibley afterward married Elizabeth Sibley Conkey, by whom he has two children, Elizabeth Adams and John Russell Sibley.
WILLIAM JOHN TRIMBLE.
- William John Trimble, assistant cashier and paying teller in the Traders National Bank of Rochester, is one of the enterprising business men of the city, who has crossed the border from Can- ada to enjoy the business advantages of this coun- try with its livelier competition and advancement more quickly secured. A native of Napanee, On- tario, he was born on the 5th of March, 1863, and is of Irish lineage. His father, Thomas Trimble, was born in Ireland, came to the new world at an early day and was extensively engaged in dealing in live-stock. He married Keziah Mary Taylor. whose family are engaged in the brewing business in Trenton, Ontario. William John Trimble has five brothers: Frank E., who is engaged in the live-stock business at Picton, Ontario: Richard H., a wholesale clothier of Toronto: Thomas A., who is with Gage Brothers, a wholesale millinery company at Chicago; Frederick J .. who is en- gaged in the real-estate business in Chicago; and George M. Trimble, a dealer in patent medicines in the same city. There were also four half- brothers and one half-sister.
At the usual age William John Trimble began his education, pursuing his studies in the public and high schools at Napanee, spending three years as a high-school student. On leaving school he entered the law office of Deroche & Madden at Napanee, the former a member of parliament. Under their direction he continued his studies for two and a half years, but left the law office to enter the Merchants Bank of Canada in 1882. He has since been connected with banking inter- ests, acting as bookkeeper for one year and as teller for your years in his native country. From 1887 until 1889 he was in Albany and in the lat- ter year he came to Rochester, where he entered the Traders National Bank of Rochester as gen- eral utility man. In 1895 he became general book- keeper and in 1899 was made receiving teller, act- ing in that capacity until 1903, when he was ap- pointed paying teller. While in that position he
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
was made assistant cashier and holds the two po- sitions at the present time. Moreover, he has ex- tended his efforts into other fields of activity and his counsel and judgment have been influencing factors in the successful conduct of various busi- ness interests. He is secretary-treasurer of the G. Clay Cox Piano Company, secretary of the Profit & Loan Association; treasurer of the Park Avenue Loan Association ; secretary of group No. 2, New York State Bankers' Association; secre- tary of the Pulver Chocolate & Chicle Manufac- turing Company; and resident director of the United States Fidelity & Casualty Company. His business capacity is so widely acknowledged that his co-operation is largely sought and he has made a creditable name in commercial and financial circles.
Mr. Trimble was married in 1886 to Miss Anna Jane Tracy, of Rochester, a sister of Alderman Tracy, who for thirty years served as a member of the city council, which her father, Jeremiah Tracy, was an old settler of Rochester, coming here in 1830 and engaged in manufacture of mineral waters.
In politics Mr. Trimble is independent, while socially he is connected with the Knights of Co- lumbus and the Union Club. He is very fond of all outdoor sports, including fishing, boating and driving, and bowling is also a favorite pastime with him. He is popular in social circles, but is still better known in business circles and is a favorite among business men in Rochester by rea- son of a genial disposition and his unassailable integrity in commercial transactions. He is now accounted one of the prominent men of Rochester and the record is one which others may well envy because of the fact that he started out without special family or pecuniary advantages to assist him and has won his success through the weight of his character, his ready adaptability and his excellent business qualifications.
WILLIAM F. MAIER.
William F. Maier, who is engaged in the under- taking business in Rochester, his native city, was born January 26, 1869, and is one of the seven children of Louis W. Maier, for many years a prominent and well known resident of Monroe countv. He completed his education as a high- school student in Rochester and afterward joined his father in business at No. 150 Clinton avenue North. Upon the father's death he and his brother Edward J. succeeded to the business, which they are now successfully conducting. The latter is a graduate of the Concsius College of Buffalo. He was married in 1899 to Miss Elizabeth Reichert, of this city, and they have three children.
It was on the 6th of June, 1895, that William F. Maier was united in marriage to Miss Lula Michael, of Rochester, and unto them have been born five children. The brothers are both men of well known business ability and are thoroughly maintaining the excellent reputation which has been borne by the house since its establishment in 1872. The mother still survives and is yet finan- cially interested in the business. The sons, too, are not unmindful of the excellent example set them by their father in charitable and benevo- lent work and have not withheld their aid from many worthy public movements.
ARTHUR WARREN.
Arthur Warren, serving at the present writing as county attorney of Monroe county, has made an excellent record as an official and at the same time has done an important public service as an advocate of good roads, in which connection he is well known throughout the state. He was born in Granville, Pennsylvania, March 12, 1865, his parents being Ward and Helen (Lilley) Warren, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a farmer by occupation and thus pro- vided for his family. The Warrens were among the first settlers of Sullivan county, Pennsylvania, and the first white child born in that county was a Warren. Ward Warren served his country as a soldier in the Civil war and his brothers were also loyal supporters of the Union during that strife.
Arthur Warren supplemented his early educa- tion by a course in Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, New York, and took up the study of law in the office and under the direction of Myron T. Blv. He was afterward with the firm of Harris & Harris, while his last perceptor was C. C. Davy. Following his admission to the bar in 1891 he has since been engaged in practice in Rochester and has made steady progress toward the goal of success, giving practical demonstration of his power and ability as an attorney by the skillful manner in which he handles important litigated interests. In his early practice he was a partner of Andrew Ludolph and for two years was asso- ciated with D. Curtis Gano, who had been a stu- dent in his office. He continues in the general practice of law and at the same time is serving as county attorney. He has figured quite promi- nently in political circles in Monroe county, rep- resenting the nineteenth ward as general commit- teeman and was twice elected to the office of su- pervisor from the same ward, resigning in order to accept the position of county attorney in No- vember, 1903. He is careful in his analysis, clear and logical in his reasoning and correct in his
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deductions, and as the years have gone by he has won recognition from the profession as well as from the public, being now accorded a place with the prominent lawyers of the Monroe county bar.
On the 8th of October, 1891, Mr. Warren was married to Miss Jessie V. Deal, of Lima, New York, and unto them have been born two chil- dren, Maxwell Ward and Marion Lillian, aged re- spectively twelve and six years. Mr. Warren is a member of Yonnondio lodge, F. & A. M .; Ionic chapter, R. A. M .; and Cyrene commandery, K. T. He also belongs to the Masonic Club, of which he is a director ; the Elks lodge ; the Knights of Pythias fraternity; and the Independent Or- der of Foresters, while in the more strictly social organizations he is also known, being connected with the Rochester Athletic Club and the Genesee Valley Golf Club, being president of the latter at the present time. He is likewise a member of the Rochester Bar Association and of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, in which connection he has manifested a spirit of progress and of patriot- ism that has resulted most beneficially for the city. He has taken an active part in the good roads movement and has been instrumental in se- curing legislation toward this end. For the past six years he has been on the executive committee of fifteen and a member of its legislative com- mittee. He has lectured before farmers' insti- tutes and good roads conventions throughout the state and has agitated this question, bringing its possibilities before the public with the result that his efforts have been most effective and New York has benefited by his labors.
ANDREW V. SMITH.
There has been perhaps no single business in- terest that has developed so rapidly and proved so directly beneficial in its far-reaching influences as that of insurance. Among its representatives in Rochester is Andrew V. Smith, who has devel- oped a large clientage. He is one of Monroe county's native sons, having been born in Clark- son, August 28, 1840. His father, Garrett Smith, was also a native of Clarkson, while the grand- father, Aaron G. Smith. was a native of New Jersey. The great-grandfather, Garrett Smith, was of Holland Dutch stock and was either born on this side of the water or was brought to Amer- ica when quite young. He served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war and a pension was granted him in recognition of his aid to the colonies as late as 1834, but he died a month later. His son, Aaron G. Smith, was a veteran of the war of 1812 and in early life became a resident of Monroe county, New York, where he engaged in farming
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