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 77
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The maternal grandfather of George L. Miner was Edwin Avery, a well known merchant of Genoa, who lived to an advanced age and was the son of Daniel Avery, who visited the present site of Aurora, New York, bought lands, and was the principal founder of that village. He was a member of the twelfth, thirteenth and fourteenth congresses. He was the first man to vote for the resolution declaring war with Great Britain (war of 1812), and the only man to so vote in the New York delegation, and was a captain in that war. His father, Ensign Daniel Avery, was killed at Fort Griswold, September 6, 1781, when Benedict Arnold's army in thirty-two ships landed and at- tacked New London and Groton, Connecticut, and massacred most of the garrison. In this battle fourteen Avery women were made widows. Edwin Avery married Julia T. Collins, of Hartford, Con- necticut, who passed away at the age of eighty- eight. There were eight children in their family.
George L. Miner spent his boyhood days on his father's farm and received a common-school educa- tion : his business education began as a clerk at the age of fifteen years in a dry-goods and general
store at Genoa, New York. The next few years his time was divided between the farm and store, until 1881, when he came to Rochester, New York, entering the employ of A. S. Mann & Company, and later he was with Burke, FitzSimons, Hone & Company, until the summer of 1885, when the death of his mother neces- sitated his return to Genoa. In 1887 he formed a mercantile partnership with J. H. Smith, of Genoa, selling his interest to him a year later.
Mr. Miner in the spring of 1893 removed to St. Louis, Missouri, expecting to engage in busi- ness, but owing to the unsettled financial condi- tions which prevailed during that year decided to return east, locating in Rochester and engaging in the bicycle business in partnership with A. J. Fisk, under the firm name of The Miner & Fisk Com- pany, located at No. 40 East avenue, in the Cut- Jer building. Three years later he sold out his interest and opened a store at Clinton avenue south, corner of Court street, conducting a general bicycle and motorcycle business.
On December 15, 1887, Mr. Miner married Miss Minnie C. Root, of Ithaca, New York, a daughter of Horace and Mary (Leet) Root. There are three daughters of this union, Vera Elizabeth, Margaret Root and Dorothy Avery, the only son, Avery Lawrence, dying in infancy.
Mr. Miner's success in his present business is due to an attractive store, well organized forces, persistency of purpose, and fair and honorable dealing. He is a member of Yonnondio lodge of Masons, No. 163, of Rochester, the Masonic Club, and the Chamber of Commerce.
GILBERT ELWOOD MOSHER.
Gilbert Elwood Mosher, of 231 Alexander street, Rochester, was born in Salisbury Center, New York, his natal year being 1873. His parents were Alva and Julia A. (Gifford) Mosher, the former born in Oppenheim, Fulton county, New York, in 1848, and the latter a native of Mohawk, New York. Alva Mosher acquired his education in the place of his nativity, resided subsequently for some years in Salisbury Center and about 1886 came to Rochester, where he established his home, while as a traveling salesman he spent much time upon the road. The family numbers three sons, including Frank E. Mosher, a resident of Springfield, Ohio, and Marvin E. Mosher, liv- ing at No. 32 Avondale street, Rochester.
Gilbert Elwood Mosher has been a resident of this city since 1891, in which year he accepted a position with the Eastman Kodak Company, with which he was connected for a year. He then en-
GEORGE L. MINER.
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
tered into business relations with the Rochester Optical & Camera Company, with which he was as- sociated for seven years, or until December, 1899. In January, 1900, he became one of the prime factors in the organization of the Century Cam- era Company, conducting the business until 1903, when they sold out to the Eastman Kodak Com- pany. Mr. Mosher was secretary of the former and, according to an agreement with the latter, continned to act in that capacity in the manage- ment of the business that had been built up by the Century Camera Company until 1906, when he withdrew from active management but retained his stock interest.
Mr. Mosher possesses the qualities which ren- der him popular in social circles and is a valued member of the Rochester, the Rochester Athletic, the Oak Hill Country, the Algonquin and the Ma- sonic Clubs, and also affiliates with the Masonic lodge. He belongs to the Lake Avenue Baptist church and gives his political support to the republican party.
CHARLES H. STEARNS.
Although one of the more recent, Charles H. Stearns is also one of the valuable additions to business circles in Rochester, where he has made his home since 1903, being now connected with its manufacturing interests. He was born in Corning, New York, April 26, 1875. His father, Amos C. Stearns, died in Corning in 1879. In his family were three children, two sons and one daughter.
Charles H. Stearns pursued his preparatory course in Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachu- setts, and afterward attended Hobart College at Geneva, New York, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1896. He then en- tered business life in connection with the conduct of a telephone industry at Geneva, building a tel- ephone exchange at that place. He was thus en- gaged at the time of the outbreak of the war with Spain, and putting aside business and personal considerations he offered his services to the gov- ernment, enlisting in the Third Regiment of New York Volunteers. He spent one year in the serv- ice and when the war was over received an honor- able discharge.
On his return home Mr. Stearns went to Idaho, where he engaged in mining gold, meeting with excellent success in his operations in the gold fields of the northwest. In 1903 he came to Rochester and turned his attention to manufac- turing interests in this city, and is still connected with several productive industries of Rochester.
On the 28th of November, 1906, Mr. Stearns was married to Miss Harriet Rose Barry, daughter of William C. Barry. Mr. Stearns is a member of the Genesee Valley Club, the Friars Club, and of the Rochester Country Club. He also belongs to St. Luke's church of Rochester and is interested in much that pertains to the development and progress of the city. His business life has been actuated by laudable ambition, by the utilization of his opportunities and by judicious investment and careful management. He is now well known in manufacturing circles in Rochester and is prov- ing a force in its commercial and industrial activ- ity.
CHARLES LEWIS BARTON.
Charles Lewis Barton, assistsant cashier of the Alliance Bank, was born in Rochester in 1869, a son of James and Mary J. Barton, the former a grocer of this city. He was educated in the pub- lic schools and his business life has been one of close connection with Rochester's interests. There is no department of commerce perhaps in which advancement depends so largely upon individual merit and personal fidelity as in banking, in which connection Mr. Barton has worked his wav upward until he now occupies a responsible and important position in connection with the Alli- ance Bank. He was married June 5, 1907, to Miss Georgia Mills, and in the city where his en- tire life has been passed is well known socially.
FREDERICK P. SALISBURY.
Frederick P. Salisbury, who was the junior member of the firm of Pierce & Salisbury, prac- ticing at the bar of Rochester, was a native of the Empire state, his birth having occurred in Mur- ray, Orleans county, on the 4th of December, 1878. His parents were J. Willard and Ida E. (Prosser) Salisbury, both of whom were natives of Michigan. The father, a real-estate broker, died on the 18th of June, 1906, while his widow now resides in Rochester.
Mr. Salisbury of this review acquired his col- legiate education in the University of Rochester, from which he was graduated in the class of 1902 with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. His choice of a profession resulted in the selection of the law, and preparatory to its practice he entered the Law School at Albany, New York, from which he was graduated in 1904 with the degree of Bach- elor of Law, while the following year the degree of Master of Law was conferred upon him. In
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
the former year he was admitted to the bar and for one year he practiced in New York city, after which lie came to Rochester. He was a member of the firm of Pierce & Salisbury, who rapidly won recognition as able practitioners, their prac- tice steadily increasing in volume and importance.
Mr. Salisbury died July 7, 1907. He was a member of the Rochester Bar Association and of several social organizations. He was connected with the Delta Upsilon, the Society of the Gen- see, the New York Alumni Association and the Rochester Whist Club. He was likewise a mem- ber of St. Andrews' Brotherhood and the Broth- eerhood of St. Paul.
MICHAEL H. FITZSIMONS.
Michael H. FitzSimons, who for many years was one of the prominent real-estate owners in Roch- ester, and, during the "70s and '80s was a leader in its municipal government, was born in Castle- iown, County Meath, Ireland, on the 27th of July, 1838.
When he was nine years of age his parents re- moved to this country, and in 1847 he became a resident of Rochester, where he thereafter con- tinuously resided for sixty years, until his death. He attended old school No. 3 and later, in part- nership with his brother, the late General Charles FitzSimons, of Chicago, conducted a marble and monument business on State street, near Center street, which location was destined to be the cen- ter of his life's activities. At the outbreak of the Civil war his brother Charles organized a com- pany of cavalry, and with it left for the front, leaving Michael the sole proprietor of the marble business, which he continued until 1876, when he disposed of it and thereafter devoted his attention to purchasing and developing real estate in the same vicinity. He had a great capacity and lik- ing for constructive feats and in the erection of his several buildings and factories he was his own contractor.
Mr. FitzSimons always from his early days took a deep interest in all things literary and intellec- tual, having a special liking for philosophical sub- jects. Before he was thirty he was a member of the board of trustees of the Rochester Athenaeum during the war period, when among the great events of the year in Rochester were the lectures given in old Corinthian Hall under the auspices of that organization by Wendell Phillips, George William Curtis and others of the most prominent men of the time. He also served one or two terms as president of the Athenaeum and presided at the lectures, an honor that was much coveted.
Much of his leisure time was devoted to a close study of Shakespeare, and he was an enthusiastic member of the Rochester Shakespeare Club from the time of its organization by Dr. Holland, about 1865, until his death. At the club readings Mr. FitzSimons gave evidence of much histrionic abil- ity, and he could recite the entire part of the lead- ing characters, such as Macbeth, Hamlet and Brn- tus.
Mr. FitzSimons also had a political career that was strenuons on account of his uncompromising efforts in behalf of a clean city government. In 1875 he was elected school commissioner from the second ward for a two-year term, and during his second year was chosen by his associates as presi- dent of the board of education. He was then elected alderman and represented the second ward in the common council from 1877 to 1881, when he resigned. As chairman of the finance commit- tee of the council, which then performed the du- ties now assigned to the comptroller of the city, he rendered most valuable services to the taxpay- ers and gained such distinction because of his un- tiring and rigid examination of all claims present- ed against the city that he was nominated by the democratic and good government parties for the office of mayor, but he was defeated by the repub- lican candidate, C. R. Parsons.
In 1869 Mr. FitzSimons was married to Miss Caroline Seeley Leary, danghter of the late Dan- iel and Caroline W. Leary, and unto them were horn nine children. In 1877 the Crittenden home- stead at the corner of Oak and Erie streets was purchased by Mr. FitzSimons, where he resided until 1904, when he removed to 565 Lake avenne, where he resided at his death, which occurred on the 23d of March, 1907. His interment took place in the family lot in Riverside cemetery. His wife and eight children survived him.
I. GRIDLEY SCRANTOM.
I. Gridley Scrantom, vice-president of the Hay- den Company of Rochester since 1887, having the general management of the factories and sales department in this city. was here born on the 14th of March, 1850. His father, Elbert Scran- tom, was a pioneer and prominent miller, who established his home in Rochester in 1812. E. Henry Scrantom, a brother of our subject, who died March 1, 1905, was a well-known business man of this city, having been senior member of the firm of Scrantom, Wetmore & Company, book sellers, for many years.
At the usual age I. Gridley Scrantom entered the public schools, continuing his education in successive grades until he entered business life as
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
a clerk in the employ of The Hayden Company of Rochester. His fidelity and capability won him continuous promotion and the recognition of his executive force and capable management led to his selection for the important task of establish- ing in New York city in 1887 a branch of the business which has now become the main office. After remaining there for eighteen years, suc- cessfully controlling and developing the enter- prise, Mr. Scrantom returned to Rochester in 1904 to assume the general management of the fac- tories and sales department here. He has been vice-president of the company since 1887. Under his control are two hundred men engaged in the manufacture of high-grade furniture, interior woodwork, trimmings, decorations and draperies, for which they find a market throughout the United States. In his business life he has largely displayed that initiative spirit which formulates plans whereby a business is made known to the public and a patronage secured. He has wrought along modern lines of progress and the substan- tial results which have accrned attest the merit of his methods.
On the 3d of June, 1874, Mr. Scrantom was married to Miss Kate G. Quinby, a daughter of General I. F. Quinby, a graduate of West Point, a brevet general of the Civil war and later pro- fessor of mathematics in the University of Roch- ester. Mr. and Mrs. Scranton have two sons: I. Elbert, who is connected with the New York of- fice of The Hayden Company ; and De Hart G., a student in the University of Rochester. The fan- ily attend Christ Episcopal church, and Mr. Scrantom's membership relations also include the Genesee Valley Club. His forceful character has overthrown the obstacles which fate always im- poses in the path of business, enabling him to" reach the goal of success,
HENRY C. LOMB.
Henry C. Lomb, the younger son Henry Lomb, was born near New York city in 1872, and at- tended public schools Nos. 15 and 10 in Rochester. and the old Rochester Free Academy. In 1889 he entered the University of Rochester, remaining there for two years and later he went to Cornell, graduating in the class of 1894. He specialized there in physics and mathematics and on going to Europe continued his work along these lines at Berlin, Munich and Vienna, devoting himself particularly to the field of optics.
Of studious habits and scholarly attainments, Mr. Lomb impresses one by his dignified bearing and reserved manner. He has a facile pen and has contributed to scientific magazines and written
monographs as follows : On Refraction at a Toric Surface; on the Theory of Cemented Doublets; On the Theory of Abbe's Spherometer; Optics of the Field Glass.
THE SECURITY BUILDING COMPANY.
The Security Building Company, with offices at No. 1005-6 German Insurance Building in Roch- ester, was organized and incorporated under the laws of the state in October, 1902. Its officers are: Edmund L. Albright, president : Charles Smith and Dr. Frederick R. Smith, vice presi- dents ; John Barnett, treasurer; James S. Quicke, secretary ; and R. G. Holden, auditor. The offi- cers and directors of the company are well known in the business and professional life of Rochester, the president being a mason contractor, the treas- urer a heating, ventilating and metal contractor and the secretary a real-estate dealer, while Charles Smith is a builder and R. G .Holden, the cashier of the James Cunningham Sons Company. Those who handle the funds of the company are bonded with the Aetna Indemnity Company of Hartford, Connecticut. The business is somewhat unique in character and is founded npon plans made to meet conditions found in the business world today. The object of the company is to assist its contract holders in procuring homes for themselves by a co-operative plan that is simple and equitable, en- abling the wage earner and the man without capi- tal to procure a home for himself within a rea- sonable length of time and pay for it with the money that would otherwise go for rent. At the end of a few years a member is thus in possession of a home of his own free of incumbrances. This company has but one class of investors. The speculator does not enter its ranks, for all who take contracts in the company do so for the pur- pose of owning a home. Moreover, all residences are erected upon a cash basis and thus much money is saved. The plan of the company pro- vides that one wishing to obtain a home must pay twenty per cent or one-fifth of the face value of the contract before the house is built or purchased, and should a contract mature before one-fifth has been paid the member still has the privilege of making up the deficiency to twenty per cent, either in a single payment or by regular monthly pay- ments. This accomplished, the company builds or buys a home as is desired, or pays off a mortgage. This is followed by the payment on the part of a member of nine dollars and eighteen cents per month for each thousand dollars which the com- pany invests and of this amount seven dollars and fifty cents applies each month upon the loan, leaving the small sum of a dollar and sixty-eight cents per month as interest for the loan upon each
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
thousand dollars. In less than twelve years from the date of the contract the home is therefore paid for. The money paid to the company by its mem- bers is invested in homes or in first mortgages on homes, which makes the security offered by the company the very best. The money as it is re- ceived is immediately invested in homes and thus the investment fund is constantly growing, en- abling the company to decrease the time between the granting of loans.
The business of this company is being con- ducted by practical men who are otherwise prov- ing their capability in the conduct of successful interests. Safe and conservative methods have been constantly employed and from the beginning the Security Building Company has enjoyed a constantly increasing patronage and at the same time has been of inestimable value to its members. The building operations are by no means confined to Rochester but are carried on in all parts of the country. The business will fully measure up to a high standard of upright dealing and within the five years of its existence has become one of the substantial and valuable corporations of the city.
WILMOT CASTLE.
The Wilmot Castle Company, incorporated in 1903 but having a continuous existence since 1883, is conducting the most extensive business in the line of manufacturing sterilizers and bacterio- logical apparatus in America. This enterprise had its origin in the fertile brain and executive ability of Wilmot Castle, who is still at its head and in business circles has won a creditable name and position. He was born in Pottsville, Pennsyl- vania, February ?, 1855, the eldest son of the Rev. John Harvard and Marie Antoinette (Arnold) Castle. His father was a Baptist clergyman, recognized as one of the most eminent divines of that denomination in Philadelphia and after- ward in Canada. At the time of his death he was the president of the Toronto Baptist College. He removed from Philadelphia to Canada with his family in the year 1873 and exerted a wide in- fluence upon the intellectual and moral develop- ment of the communities in which he lived. His widow, who still survives him, is a daughter of the late William E. Arnold, a prominent real- estate dealer of Rochester, for whom Arnold park was named.
Wilmot Castle in his boyhood was a student in the Courtland Saunders Military Academy and also in Professor Hastings Military Academy, both of Philadelphia. Accompanying the family on their removal to Canada in 1873, when he was eighteen years of age, he secured a position in
the Canadian Bank of Commerce in Toronto, where he remained for ten years, but thinking to enjoy better business opportunities across the bor- der where the field is broader and advancement is more quickly secured, he came to Rochester in 1883 and began the manufacture of sheet metal specialties under the firm name of Wilmot Castle & Company. This business has been developed until they are now the largest manufacturers of sterilizers and bacteriological apparatus in the United States. These articles are specialties of the firm and the company now enjoys a very ex -. tensive domestic and export trade. The business was incorporated in 1903 as the Wilmot Castle Company. In 1906 they purchased several lots on St. Paul street and the Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg branch of the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad and erected a thoroughly modern manufacturing plant, specially adapted for their business, and into which they moved in 1907. The manufacturing is all conducted on one floor, which has a saw tooth roof for light. A second story extends one hundred and twenty feet across the front of the building, in which are located spacious offices, a printing plant and em- ployes' lunchroom. A producer gas plant fur- nishes power and electricity for lighting, as well as gas for soldering fires and heating water in the nickeling room. The house sustains an unassail- able reputation for the excellency of its products and the reliability of its methods.
In 1889 Mr. Castle was married to Miss Mary W. Quinby, of Morristown, New Jersey, and to them have been born three sons: Harvard De Hart, who was born June 1, 1887, and is now taking a scientific course at the University of Rochester ; Wilmot Vail, born July 29, 1889; and John Harvard, born March 27, 1893.
Mr. Castle is a trustee of the Chamber of Com- merce and the Mechanics Savings Bank and is treasurer of the Rochester Baptist Home. He is a member of the Rochester Yacht and the Roches- ter Auto Clubs and is an enthusiastic motor boat owner, finding through the means thus afforded needed rest and relaxation from the strenuous cares of an active business career. For several years he has been a trustee of the Park Avenue Baptist church and at no time is he neglectful of his duties in this relation nor of his obligations of citizenship. His home is at 456 Oxford street.
WILLIAM D. HAYES.
William D. Hayes, general manager of the Travelers' Insurance Company, of Rochester, in which connection he has secured a large clientele, was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, July 12, 1857. He was educated at the Normal School
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
of Pottsdam, and after putting aside his text- books he went to California, where he speut four vears in the mercantile and mining business. Upon his return to the Empire state he settled at Al- bany and was assistant manager for the Aetna Insurance Company for four years, while in 1890 he came to Rochester as manager of the Travel- ers' Insurance Company and has since occupied this position. He has thoroughly acquainted him- self with the insurance business in principle and detail and has increased the business of this of- fice from a small beginning until it has developed into one of the most important offices outside of the city of New York, having a number of agen- cies throughout western New York which are under his supervision. He occupies offices in the Granite building, one of the best office buildings in the city.
Mr. Hayes is a member of the Rochester Club and of the Oak Hill Country Club. He was mar- ried May 15, 1883, to Miss Nellie M. Hale of Norwood, St. Lawrence county, New York. They have one of the beautiful residences in Roch- ester, located at Willow Pond on East ave- nue, and its gracious hospitality makes it the cen- ter of a cultured society circle.
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