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 81
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ceived the honorary degree of LL.D. from Colby College.
In 1894 he was elected a member of the fifty- fourth congress as a republican, representing the thirteenth district of New York; in 1896 was re- elected to the Fifty-fifth congress by an increased vote but deelined to be a candidate for renomina- tion in 1898.
In the summer of 1899, on account of the great- ly impaired health of Mrs. Shannon, a journey was made to Aachen, Germany, in the hope that some benefit would be derived from a special remedy there employed, which had been strongly recommended by a friend at Washington who had suffered from the same nervous disorder and been fully restored to health.
The result was so encouraging that the visit was repeated in 1900, and arrangements for a third visit in 1901 were already made when Mrs. Shannon suddenly fell ill at her home in Wash- ington, and, though not dangerously so at first, rapidly sank and passed away on the evening of March 1, 1901, having been seriously ill but a few days. It was a painless, peaceful close of a noble life. As she breathed her last her face suddenly lit up with a heavenly smile, as though already greeting, in that better world, the dear ones who had gone before. Her life had been one long record of good deeds done for others-a noble Christian character, whose generous heart ever re- sponded to the wants of the suffering and the . unfortunate. So it is not to be wondered at that her death was regarded by many as a distinct public loss, and especially in that community which had been the home of her childhood.
The following sketch of Mrs. Shannon's life and services appeared in the "Commercial Adver- tiser." of New York, March 4, 1901.
"Martha A. Shannon, who died on March 1, in Washington, D. C., was the wife of Richard Cutts Shannon, formerly of the diplomatie service under Presidents Grant and Harrison and from 1895 to 1899 the representative in congress from the Thirteenth Congressional District of this city. Mrs. Shannon was a cousin of the late Henry F. Spaulding, former president of the Central Trust Company, and, in first marriage, wife of the late Charles B. Greenough, founder and first president of the Botanical Garden Railroad Company of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. While residing in Rio, Mrs. Greenough won the affection and admiration of all who knew of the courage and self-sacrifice with which she remained in that city during the yellow fever epidemic, nursing and caring for the sick, strangers as well as members of her own family. Her generosity and high sense of honor were displayed in recent years when she twice paid in full the debts of the John H. Kingsbury Bank of Brockport, New York. There was no obligation of any kind upon Mrs. Shannon to
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meet the bank's debts, but because it had become insolvent under the administration of a kinsman she was unwilling that any loss should come to those who had trusted the institution with which cne of her family had been connected, and, there- fore, paid voluntarily nearly a quarter of a mil- lion dollars to settle the bank's liabilities in full. In recognition of this action, which attracted wide-spread attention at the time, three hundred residents of Brockport united in presenting to Mrs. Shannon, as the benefactress of that com- munity, a loving-cup with an autographic me- morial. Mrs. Shannon was a communicant of the Church of the Heavenly Rest in this city, and in an unobtrusive way a liberal contributor to all of the city's charities. She has left a memory and example dear to all who had the pleasure to know her aud appreciate her ever-ready sympathy and generosity."
The first failure of the John H. Kingsbury Bank referred to above occurred in 1892, while Mrs. Shannon was absent in Central America with her husband, then serving as the United States minister. The following letter received from Mrs. Mary J. Holmes, the authoress, long a resident of Brockport, most graphically recounts the story of this disastrous failure and emphasizes the noble act of Mrs. Shannon in coming to the re- lief of the town:
"Brown Cottage, Brockport, New York, May 20, 1892.
"Dear Mrs. Shannon :
"If you never do another good act in your life you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are immortalized in the minds of our citizens as a great-hearted, generous woman, who has done what few women would do. When your cable- gram to Mr. Holmes reached Brockport it found the town full of discouraged people, some of whom had lost every dollar they had in the world; -while in the household in which you are most in- terested a shadow almost like the shadow of death was bursting over its inmates. The trouble was so widespread-reaching out beyond the actual losers -that the whole place felt crippled. But when the cablegram came the tidings spread like wild- fire, making the people wild with joy. Some laughed ; some cried; some ran down the street in on direction, some in another, to tell the glad
news. Telegrams were sent to distant friends who had lost. Your name was in every mouth ; and had you been here I don't know but you would have been taken up bodily and carried through the town. Some talked of ringing the bells and having a bonfire in your honor; while those you love best and on whom the load pressed most heav- ily felt that the sun was shining again and took courage. We feel as if we had been struck by two
cyclones,-one of which knocked us flat, while the other put us on our feet again; and they fol- lowed each other in such rapid succession that we have as yet scarcely recovered our breath. As assignee and preferred creditor, Mr. Holmes would not have lost; but he sympathized deeply with those who would and with your family, to whom you could have done no greater good than you have by stemming the tide of bitterness which was increasing, rather than diminishing, as time went on. It is a life worth living to do what you have done, by carrying gladness to so many homes. And many a prayer has gone up that God would bless you as you deserve. Nor do we forget Mr. Shannon, who we feel was quite as willing to help us as yourself. And if we could make you hear we would give three cheers for Mr. and Mrs. Shannon. God bless you both, and keep you in good health and bring you back to us in safety very soon. MARY J. HOLMES."
The following article referring to the death of Mrs. Shannon appeared in the "Rio News," an English newspaper, published in Rio de Janeiro, April 16, 1901:
"We deeply regret the death at her home in Washington, D. C., on March 1st, of Mrs. Martha A. Shannon, wife of the Hon. Richard. Cutts Shan- non, for many years a resident of this city.
"Mrs. Shannon will be better known to the older residents of this city as the wife of Mr. Charles B. Greenough, the grantee, builder and for many years president of the Botanical Garden tramway line. She was married to Mr. Green- ough in 1852 at the age of nineteen, and some years later they came to Brazil and resided in this city for twelve or fifteen years. Mr. Greenough died in 1880, leaving a large fortune to his wife and one son. The latter died the same year, leav- ing his mother sole heir to a fortune which en- abled her to indulge a generously charitable dis- position to the fullest extent. She was married to Mr. R. C. Shannon, who had been one of Mr. Greenough's most efficient lieutenants, on Septem- ber 19, 1887. She was an appreciative and help- ful companion to Mr. Shannon in his professional and public career, both at home and abroad, and her loss will be an irreparable one to him.
"Mrs. Shannon was very nearly sixty-eight years of age. She was buried at Brockport, New York, the home of her youth, where she had always been held in the highest esteem and affection. Mr. Shannon will have the fullest sympathy of his friends here in Rio de Janeiro."
Mrs. Shannon in her will made most generous provision for her husband, grandson, and other surviving relatives of her family, and after di- recting the payment of legacies to certain friends who had ever been devoted to her and to whom she was greatly attached, provided that the bulk of her estate should ultimately go to charitv.
CHARLES B. GREENOUGH.
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By the terms of the fifth article of the will the title to the homestead at Brockport, New York, passed to Mr. Shannon, who after making con- siderable changes and additions to the property, took up his permanent residence there in 1903.
Among the bequests made in her will was one te St. Luke's church, of Brockport, New York, which she was accustomed to attend when visit- ing her old home, and which included in its mem- bership not only her beloved sister, Phoebe, and other relatives, but many dear friends whom she had known from childhoo:l.
CHARLES BACKUS GREENOUGH.
Charles Backus Greenough, a descendant of Robert Greenough, who came from England in 1675 and settled in Rowley, Massachusetts, was born at Westhaven, Vermont, June 29, 1824, the only son of Ezra. Greenough and Lucy Caroline Ormes, who a few years after their marriage moved to Brockport, New York, where they con- tinued to reside until their death. Here their son passed the early years of his boyhood until he, as he himself said, "left home to earn his own living." Although never enjoying robust health he had an ambitious and resolute spirit which, coupled with fidelity to his employers' interests, never failed to win success in whatever he was engaged.
He was married, January 15, 1852, to Martha Ann Spaulding, the daughter of Silas and Rhoda (Scoville) Spaulding, of Clarkson, New York, and thereafter resided for a number of years in New York city, while employed in the express and railway service.
It was while so employed that his attention was first directed to the very profitable character of street railroad enterprises in our large cities. A franchise for the establishment of one of these roads in the city of Rio de Janeiro had been granted by the government of Brazil in 1858, but had proved a failure in the hands of English man- agers, and the owners of the franchise, after this failure, sought in vain for years to find some one who would be willing to work it, even upon his own terms. In 1865. through Mr. Camancho, a . native of Venezuela, then residing in New York city, the franchise was brought to the notice of Mr. Greenough who, associated with other gentle- men of his acquaintance, agreed to purchase it if, upon a visit to Rio de Janeiro and a personal in- vestigation, matters were found to be as repre- sented.
As a result of that investigation the franchise was acquired, the Botanical Garden Railroad Company was organized under the laws of the
state of New York and Mr. Greenough was chosen its first president, with full authority to construct and operate the road For this pur- pose he transferred his residence to Rio de Janeiro and for the next twelve years remained there with his family most of the time. In the work of construction there was much opposition from cer- tain local interests in Rio, and there were the usual protracted delays incident to the establish- ment of new enterprises in South American coun- tries. But the company was finally permitted to begin work and on the 9th day of October, 1868. the first part of the line was completed and opened to traffic. The success of the enterprise was immediate and so profitable that attempts were frequently made to establish a rival road, but without result. However, roads leading to other parts of the city were constructed and the develop- ment of the suburbs was very rapid in consequence.
Mr. Greenough, who was thus the pioneer in the introduction of street-railways in South America, made a great financial success of this company which he established at Rio de Janeiro.
It has been said that the man who makes two blades of grass grow where only one grew before is a public benefactor. To no one could this say- ing be more fittingly applied than to Mr. Green- ougli. He did not win success at the expense and ruin of his fellows, as is too often the case. On the contrary, through his beneficent work pros- perity came to hundreds and thousands of others. Lands in the suburbs of that great city which be- fore were of little use became very valuable; the revenues of the municipality were largely in- creased through greater returns from the tax on real estate; the public health was improved through changes effected in the customs and hab- its of the people; and so, as a result of all this ('harles B. Greenough is today regarded in Rio de Janeiro as a public benefactor. Indeed, he was so acclaimed in terms, in October, 1904, on the thirty-fifth anniversary of the opening of his road. On that occasion a great celebration was held at Rio, in which the whole community participated and not only speakers in their addresses but writers in the columns of the press vied with each other in paying eloquent and impressive trib- utes to his memory.
The splendid work thus accomplished by an American citizen in the material development of the Brazilian capital was brought to the attention of the government at Washington and our con- suls and ministers at Rio de Janeiro often had oc- casion to allude to it in their dispatches and publications.
The following references to Mr. Greenough and his enterprise are taken from a work entitled "Politics and Pen Pictures," by Hon. Henry W. Hilliard, who was the minister of the United States to Brazil from 1879 to 1881:
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"There are several street car lines in Rio, which contribute much to the comfort of the people of that great city. From the central part of the city the suburbs extend for miles in several di- rections, and its five hundred thousand inhab- itants enjoy the increased facilities for traveling. Of these the Botanical Garden Railroad is by far the finest and most important. Through the cen- tral part of the city, beginning at the Ouvidor, its finest street, it extends through the aristocratic quarter, Botafogo, to the magnificent Botanical Gardens, and to the suburb beyond them. This great tramway, one of the finest in the world, was constructed by a company organized by Mr. C. B. Greenough, of the state of New York, who pos- sessed both capital and enterprise. His plan, when first submitted to the wealthy men of Rio, seemed to be impracticable, and he was able to enlist but few capitalists in its support. But soon after the completion of the road its success was such as to place its stock high in the market; and in the course of a year or two it was quoted at such a rate as to make its holders unwilling to part with it.
"Mr. Greenough was an extraordinary man; his person, manners, and intellect were all fine, and his integrity was perfect. Unfortunately, the cli- mate of Rio was not favorable to his health, and he said to me: 'I must quit breathing this hot air.' Mrs. Greenough, a noble woman, of en- gaging manners, and full of character, cheered him, and shared all the dangers of a residence at Rio with him to the last.
"Mr. Greenough returned to the United States and resided for a time in Color do, hoping that its fine climate would restore his health; but not recovering his strength, he decided to go to Europe. Accompanied by Mrs. Greenough, he went to Paris and took a house in the Boulevard Hauss- mann, fitting it up in accordance with their tastes. He was for a time benefited by this agree- able residence, but did not recover his failing strength. Returning from an evening drive he was fatigued, and, reclining on a sofa, died sud- denly and painlessly. It was a peaceful close of a noble life."
His Excellency, Joaquin Nabuco, the present (1907) Brazilian ambassador to the United States, was also personally acquainted with Mr. Green- ough during his residence in Rio de Janeiro and was a witness to the beneficent results of his work. Having been invited to pay a visit to Brockport, New York, the old home and last resting place of the founder and first president of the Botanical Garden Railroad Company, he did so on the 23d of February, 1907, when, at a luncheon and re- ception given in his honor and attended by the village officials, the ambassador delivered an elo- quent address, in the course of which he thus re- ferred to Mr. Greenough :
"The city of Rio de Janeiro owes to this veritable pioneer one of its greatest improvements. Gas lighting was the first important change that came to our old colonial life; but that occurred in the time of our fathers. The introduction of street railroads was the chief improvement during my time. Our life, both public and private, was en- tirely changed by this adoption of a cheaper and more rapid transit. Indeed, it may be said that the great material improvements which have transformed the city in recent years are only de- velopments of the work initiated by your distin- guished countryman. For this reason the name of Greenough will ever be associated with that of our beautiful capital, and will have a place in its history by the side of Viscount de Mauá, Dr. Passos and others who have contributed so much to its embellishment and growth. I deem myself fortunate to have had the opportunity, through the kindness of my friend, Mr. Shannon, to pay this well merited tribute to Mr. Greenough here in his own home, where he was known by all and where his memory is so fondly cherished."
Mr. Greenough died at Paris, January 3, 1880, leaving beside his widow an only son, Charles Ed- ward Greenough, who did not long survive him, dying in New York city, October 22, 1880, at the age of twenty-seven.
On September 19, 1887, Mrs. Greenongh was married to Mr. Richard Cutts Shannon, of New York city, who was for many years the confidential adviser and aid of Mr. Greenough, and the firm friend of all his family. For the next fourteen vears Mr. and Mrs. Shannon continued to reside in New York city, where Mr. Shannon was twice elected a representative in congress. After Mrs. Shannon's death, which occurred at Washington, D. C., March 1, 1901, Mr. Shannon established his permanent residence at Brockport, New York, where he still resides.
JOHN C. WOODBURY.
John C. Woodbury, president of the Woodbury Whip Company of Rochester, his native city, was born on the 25th of August, 1859, and was edu- .cated in the public and private schools here. His parents were Edmund F. and Frances (Holyland) Woodbury. The father, a native of Baltimore, Vermont, on his removal to this city established the whip factory in connection with his brother Eugene, and later the firm of Woodbury & Strong, Henry A. Strong being admitted to a partnership. Having completed his education, John C. Wood- bury was taken into the firm in 1880, and in 1893, when the business was incorporated under the name of the Woodbury Whip Company, he was
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elected president, in which position ne has since continued. He is vice president of the American Fruit Product Company, a director of the Alliance Bank, and also a director of the Duffy-MeInner- ney department store. He has thus made judi- cious investment in various profitable enterprises, and is recognized as one of the strong business men of the city, whose progressiveness is tempered by a safe conservatism and whose advance has been made along lines of modern business develop- ment, whereby each opportunity is used to its full value, while maximum result is reached at mini- mum expenditure of time and labor. The business policy of the house in its relation to employes and patrons is equally honorable, and through many years the Woodbury Whip Company has enjoyed a continuously prosperous existence.
In 1883 John C. Woodbury was married to Miss Alice Motley and they have one child. His social relations extend to the Genesee Valley, the Oak Hill Country and the Rochester Country Clubs, the Transportation Club of New York, the Westfield Club of Westfield, Massachusetts, and other social organizations. He is likewise a mem- ber of the Founders and Patriots Society, the American Numismatic and Archaeological So- ciety. He is a vestryman of St. Paul's church, and in politics is republican. He is helpful in the church, popular in his fraternal relations, but is perhaps even better known in commercial and manufacturing circles, where he has made a most creditable name.
WESLEY CROUCH.
Wesley Crouch, for thirty years engaged in the hotel business and well known as proprietor of the Osburn House, Rochester, is a native of Perry, Wyoming county, New York, and a son of Hiram and Anna Crouch, the former a farmer by occu- pation. The Crouch family is of English lineage and the grandfather of our subject was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. In the maternal line he is descended from William Carver, brother of John Carver, who was one of the historic band of Pilgrims who crossed the Atlantic in the May- flower in 1620.
Wesley Crouch attended successively Middle- bury Academy at Wyoming, New York, Phillips Academy at Andover, Massachusetts, and the University of Rochester. completing his education in the last named institution by graduation with the class of 1863. In early manhood he was en- gaged in the oil business in Pennsylvania as a producer, having put down over forty oil wells in the development of the great oil district in that section of the country. For thirty years, however, he has been engaged in the hotel business and is a
prominent representative of this field of activity. He has been proprietor of the Osburn House for one year and has made it one of the leading hos- telries of Rochester. His long experience has given him intimate knowledge of the business in all of its details and of the demands of the public in regard to entertainment of this character, and he is therefore well qualified to meet the wishes of the traveling public, conducting a hostelry which is well worthy the liberal patronage accorded it.
In 1863 Mr. Crouch was married to Miss Susie Allen, of Rochester, and they have a son and daughter: Mortimer B., who married a Miss Keeler; and Anna B. Crouch. In all of his busi- ness career Mr. Crouch has manifested a spirit of enterprise and progression. Realizing the truth of the old Greek adage, "Earn thy reward-the gods give naught to sloth," he has persistently la- bored for the success which is his and investiga- tion into his work will show the employment of methods which have ever been straightforward and honorable, neither requiring nor seeking dis- guise.
WILLIAM H. COOLEY.
William H. Cooley, well known throughout the city as the successful patent solicitor and mechan- ical and electrical expert, was born in Brockport, New York, June 22, 1852. The family had for generations settled around what is now Brock- port. The great-great-grandfather, great-grand- father and great-grandmother of our subject are buried in the East Sweden cemetery, while the grandfather, grandmother, father and mother are laid to rest in the Brockport cemetery. They were all long-lived, many of them living to the age of eighty and ninety years. The grandfather and the father, Levi, Jr., were both contractors, the latter being the architect for the original building of the State Normal School at Brockport. The father died of typhoid fever when a young man. The mother, Elizabeth Mabel (Story) Cooley, a near relative of the late Judge Story, was a well known musician, who died in 1894. Three of the five children born to this union died in infancy. The two living are B. Frank Cooley, now con- nected with Brown's Business College in Brook- lyn, New York, and William H. Cooley.
William H. Cooley was educated in the State Normal School of Brockport. At the time of his father's death he was studying in the University of Rochester, but was obliged before completing the course to leave in order to close his father's business, a task which took several years. Dur- ing this time he pursued the study of law, and, although he has never taken the examination for admission to the bar, he could have taken it and
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been admitted. He is so well posted in legal matters that he can settle many questions at law as well as the best attorneys. Having won as a boy in an important case of a patent that was pending in Washington he became so interested in the law pertaining thereto that he concluded to devote his energies to the special practice of pat- ent law. His offices are in the Powers building, and he has built up a large and ever-increasing clientage. He is also an inventor and expert on mechanical and electrical appliances, having some forty or fifty inventions, many of which he has patented and are now in use. So efficient is his service in this business that he is often called to New York city, Washington, D. C., and else- where as an expert in his special field.
On December 11, 1888, occurred his marriage to Miss Augusta H. Harrison, a native of Ontario. He is a member of the International Inventors' Congress and the Society of the Genesee and the Rochester Chamber of Commerce.
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