USA > New York > Monroe County > Rochester > History of Rochester and Monroe county, New York, from the earliest historic times to the beginning of 1907 > Part 60
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COLONEL NATHANIEL THOMPSON.
Colonel Nathaniel Thompson, who has been closely connected with the military, political and business history of Rochester, is one of its oldest citizens in years and also in connection with the interests of the city. His birth occurred in Johns- town, New York, in 1820, and since 1825 he has lived in Rochester, being brought to this city by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Thompson, at a time when there was a population of only about one thousand. The father built a home on East Main street near where Colonel Thompson now re- sides. It was the first dwelling on this street, and beyond this point the street did not extend. There was a forest of various kinds of timber, including chestnut trees, and Colonel Thompson frequently gathered chestnuts in a district that is now built up with substantial business blocks and beautiful
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residences. The father owned large tracts of land upon which Rochester now stands and was a lead- ing and influential resident of the city at that early day. In association with his son Nathaniel he carried on a boat-building business for about twenty-five years and he figured in connection with other prominent interests of the community. He acted as counmissioner of Mount Hope cemetery from 1818 until 1850, during the great cholera epidemie, and at all times he gave his co-operation to many movements for the public good. After a residence of forty-five years in Rochester, his death occurred on the 30th of January, 1870, at which time he was seventy years of age. In the family were three sons and two daughters, but Colonel Thompson is the ouly one now living. The others were George IL., William, Mrs. Mary B. Ellison and Mrs. Maria Copeland of Rochester. The first named was for many years a contractor of this city and was connnissioner of Mount Hope cemetery from 1829 until 1884, while in 18;2 he was a member of the board of public works. In the line of his business he was closely associated with the improvement and development of the city. He built the river bridge at this place, also the Monroe County bank building. the Central rail- road shop and all of the track between Rochester and Buffalo along the line of the road. lle also had the contract of Kimball's tobacco factory, the Elwood block, Smith & Perkins' store building, the roundhouses in East Rochester and many other substantial structures of the city. In fact he was the most prominent contractor of Rochester dur- ing his time. He was for some years in partner- ship with Jerry S. Copeland, and it was this firm tui built the river bridge, a notable structure on account of the engineering skill manifest.
Follo ving his association with his father in the boat-building business, Colonel Thompson was col- lector of canal tolls for six years and was deputy collector for the part of Genesee under James H. Kelly, Thomas Parsons and Colonel William N. Emerson. Later he was in the real-estate business in connection with Henry L. Fish for ten years, but retired about 1890. He was esteemed in busi- ness circles as a man of energy, reliability and executive force, qualities which were manifest as well in the discharge of his official duties.
Colonel Thompson was, moreover, prominently and widely known in connection with the military history of the city. He joined the Rochester U'nion Grays in June, 1840, and was a member of that organization until 1860. lle was the fourth captain of his company and held every office in the corps save that of corporal. His company was attached to the Fifty-fourth Regiment of the New York National Guard. In 1853 he was commissioned first lieutenant by Governor Seymour; captain, March 10, 1857, by Governor King: major. in 1864, by Governor Morgan, who re-appointed him
in 1864 ; was appointed colonel in 1875 by John A. Dix; was commissioned lieutenant of the seventh division by Governor S. J. Tilden in 1875; and re- appointed by Governor A. B. Cornell in 1880. The Rochester Union Grays was organized in 1838 and today there are but three or four ot the charter members living. On the 3d of December, 1855, they organized a Veteran Corps. Colonel Thompson continued his connection with the State Militia until 1865, thus making an exceptionally long record of military service.
In 1846 he was united in marriage to Miss Julia A. Harvey, of Rochester, a daughter of Rich- ard Harvey, an early settler here. They long traveled life's journey together. but were separated by the death of the wife in June, 1905. Of their three children James R., the second, died in 1876. The daughters are Mrs. Sarah L. Curtis and Mrs. Julia 1 .. Newton. The former is the wife of Engene T. Curtis at the I'nion office in this city, and the Intter is the wife of Charles 1., Newton, who is manager for the Bell Telephone Company in Rochester. The Colonel has two grandchildren, Gurney Thompson Curtis and Joseph Curtis, and also two great grandchildren, Edward Peck Curtis and Helen Curtis, the children of Gurney T. Cur- tis.
Colonel Thompson exercises his right of fran- chise in support of the democracy and cast his first presidential ballot for James K. Polk. He was over- scer of the poor in Rochester during 1882 and 1883 and in all of the offices which he has held he has discharged his duties with marked capability and with conscientious regard for the obligations that devolve upon him. In 1846 he built the home which he now occupies and which is still one of the good residences on East Main street. At that time he paid five hundred dollars for the lot. He has been offered twenty-five thousand dollars for it but has refused to sell at that price. Colonel Thompson is a man of eighty-seven years, but looks more like a man of sixty. He walks erect, his eye is bright and his mind is as clear as that of most men of forty or fifty years. He is justly numbered among the honored pioneers and lending citizens of Rochester, where he has now lived for eighty- two years. His is an honorable record of a con- scientious man, who by his upright life has won the confidence of all with whom he has come in contact. although the snows of many winters have whitened his hair, he has the vigor of a much younger man, and in spirit and interests seems yet in his prime. Old age is not necessarily a synonym of weakness or inactivity. It need not suggest as a matter of course want of occupation or helpless- ness, There is an old age that is a benediction to all that comes in contact with it, that gives out of its rich stores of learning and experience and grows stronger intellectually and spiritnally as the years pass. Such is the life of Colonel Thompson-an
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encouragement to his associates and an example well worthy of emulation to the young. Perhaps no resident of the city has more intimate knowl- edge from personal experience of its history, his memory forming a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present.
CHAUNCEY PORTER.
Chauncey Porter is now practically living re- tired in a pleasant home one mile north of Hud- son street, Irondequoit, in Irondequoit township. which has been his place of residence since 1882. Mr. Porter is a native son of Monroe county, his birth having occurred near Riga, in 1858, a son of William H. and Phoebe ( Howard) Por- ter, both of whom were natives of England. The father engaged in business as a farmer and gardener throughout his entire business career, being located in various sections of the county, first in Riga, later in Irondequoit and then in Gates, where his death occurred March 15, 1907, while his widow still survives and yet mukes her home in the latter place. The father gave his political allegiance to the democratic party and was well known throughout the county as a man of reliability and genuine worth. His family numbered seven children, of whom the subject of this review is the eldest. The others are: Mrs. Sarah Ravten, Mrs. Mary Daggs, Charles and Mrs. Hattie Hess, all of whom reside in Ironde- quoit ; Alfred, a resident of Gates; and Mrs. Phoebe Yarker, who makes her home in Greece township.
Chauncey Porter accompanied his parents on their removal from Riga to Irondequoit and in the latter place acquired his education in the common schools. Upon starting out in life for himself he engaged in gardening. which he has followed throughont bis active career. In 1882 be purchased his present place of fifteen acres. situated one mile north of Rochester, in Ironde- quoit township. When it came into his posses- sion there were no improvements but he erected a good residence, barns and other buildings for car- rying on his work, these including six hothouses, four of which are one hundred and twelve feet long, while two are twenty feet wide and one hundred and twenty feet in length. He also has two hundred hotbed frames. The place is well equipped for carrying on a business of this char- deter and it is one of the best improved and most attractive country homes in Monroe county. Al- though Mr. Porter still makes his home on his farm he is now practically living retired, leaving the actual work to his son and a brother-in-law.
Mr. Porter chose as a companion and help- mate for the journey of life Miss Susie E. Fisher,
of Parma, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Fisher. The father is now deceased but the mother resides in Irondequoit. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Porter has been blessed with a son and daughter : Charles F., a young man of twenty- two years, who was educated in the public schools of Rochester and the Rochester Business Institute, and is now managing his father's business inter- esta ; und Aura M., who at the age of fifteen years is a student in the East high school of Rochester.
Following in his father's political footsteps Mr. Porter supports the men and measures of the democratic party and has taken a deep and active interest in local political affairs. His worth and ability having been acknowledged by his fellow towusinen, he has for three termis served as excise commissioner and for nine years acted as justice of the peace. In the fall of 1906 he was elected supervisor and is the present incumbent in that position. His fraternal relations are with the Maccabees and the Grange, the hall of the latter being located near the home of our subject. Mr. Porter is a man of intelligence and excellent busi- ness ability, aud the success which he today enjoys is dne entirely to his own lahors and determina- tion, for through his own economy and well di- rected labors he has accumulated the competence that now enables him to lay aside the more ardu- ous duties of a business life. He is today nnin- bered among the substantial citizens of this com- mmunity, where he is held in high regard and esteen.
JAMES MANN.
James Mann is actively connected with a pro- fession which has important bearing upon the progress and stable prosperity of any section or community and one which has long been con- sidered as conserving the public welfare by fur- thering the ends of justice and maintaining indi- vidual rights. James Mann, of the firm of Mat- son & Mann, attorneys at law of Brockport, was born in this village. June 27, 18:8. His parents are Dr. William B. and Sophronia E. (Clark) Mann, both natives of Orleans county, New York.
James Mann pursued his early education in the public schools and later was graduated from the Brockport State Normal School. He then took up the study of law with Willis A. Matson, now assistant district attorney. So carefully did he pursue his studies of this profession that he was admitted to the bar November 12. 1901, and in January of the following year began the practice of law. From that time his clientage has con- stantly grown in volume and importance. He is a member of the Rochester .Bar Association. Fra-
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fernally he is connected with the Royal Arch Masons.
On May 30, 1906, James Mann was married to Miss Carrie Phillips, a daughter of Charles Addison Phillips of Rochester. They have one son, William Barrow, born April 1, 1907. Mr. Mann is a communicant of St. Luke's Episcopal church.
FREDERICK COOK.
Frederick Cook, who at the age of fourteen years was thrown upon his own resources, the parental home being broken up by the death of the father, attained through the inherent force of his own character, his strong determination and his close application to the duties that devolved upon him distinction and honors in his adopted land. The penniless boy of fourteen became one of the most successful business men of the Em- pire state, served as secretary of state of New York and would undoubtedly have gained guber- natorial honors had he not declined. The multi-
plicity and extent of his business interests also - for him a position on the Buffalo & Rochester made him one of the best known men of the state, while his activity extended to those con- cerne which touch the general interests of so- ciety in lines of progress, in social and benevolent interests.
The specific and distinctive office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave the perpetual record establishing his char- acter by the consensus of opinion on the part of his fellowmen. Throughout Rochester and the state Frederick Cook is spoken of in terms of admiration and respect. His life was so varied in its scope, so honorable in its purposes, so far- reaching and beneficial in its effects that it became an integral part of the history of Rochester and of the commonwealth. He cxerted an immeasur- able influence on the city of his residence; in business life as a financier and promoter of ex- tensive industrial and commercial enterprises; in social circles hy reason of a charming personality and unfeigned cordiality; in politics by reason of his publie spirit and devotion to the general good as well as his comprehensive understanding of the questions affecting state and national wel- fare; and in those departments of activity which ameliorate hard conditions of life for the unfor- tunate by his benevolence and his liberality.
The life record of Mr. Cook covered the period between December 2, 1833, and February 17, 1905. He was born at Wildbad, a noted watering-place in the famous Black Forest district of Germany. The father hoped to give his son excellent educa- tional privileges and sent him to one of the best
schools of the whole neighborhood, expecting even- tually to allow him to attend college, but the death of the father in 1816 completely frustrated this plan and Frederick Cook, then a lad of fourteen years, was obliged to provide for his own living. The family home was broken up and with no ad- vantages of wealth or influential friends to aid him he started out to win life's battles. He possess- ed a courageous, determined spirit and when but fifteen years of age came to the new world to try his fortunes. He had a married sister residing in Buffalo, New York, at that time and made his way to her home. His youth had been passed in a country where all boys must learn a trade and according to this rule, with which he had been familiar, Frederick Cook resolved to acquaint himself with shoemaking. He did not find it congenial, however, and soon afterward secured employment with a butcher in Batavia, New York. where his close application and fidelity soon won recognition. His ability gained the attention of D. W. Tomlinson, the president of the bank of Batavia, who was also extensively interested in railroads and because of Mr. Cook's knowledge of the German language Mr. Tomlinson procured Railroad. whence he was soon promoted to the position of conductor on an immigrant train on the Niagara Falls division of the Central Hudson road. In this enpacity he aided many an immi- grant from Germany in looking for a home and the corporation which he served, appreciating his services, soon made him a passenger conductor. He remained with the road for about twenty years, severing his connection on the Ist of Jan- uary, 1872. That he enjoyed to the fullest degree the friendship, regard and confidence of his fel- low employes and the patrons of the road was manifest by a gift from them of an elaborate set of solid silver plate.
One of the salient features of Mr. Cook's suc- cessful business carcer was his ability to recognize an opportunity. When once he believed in the possibility for successful accomplishment he util- ized the advantage to the utmost and thus the scope of his activity was continually enlarged until he was known as one of the foremost rep- resentatives of commercial and financial interests in western New York. While In the railroad ser- vice he had become intimately acquainted with George M. Pullman, and when the latter organ- ized the Pullman Palace Car Company Mr. Cook invested the greater part of his accumulated earn- ings in that enterprise, the prosperous history of which is known to the world. Thereby he laid the foundation of his wealth. In 1852 he took up his abode in Rochester, and not only became closely associated with its business history, but also with its political life, but of the latter we will speak later on. He became closely connected with many
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FREDERICK COOK.
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enterprises that largely promoted the commercial activity and consequent prosperity of Rochester, at the same time adding to his business success. In 1874 he was chosen vice president of the Bartholomay Brewing Company, which was or- ganized in that year with a capital of two hun- dred and fifty thousand dollars. From the be- ginning until 1889 he served as vice president and was then elected president. His activity, however, was not confined to one or even a few lines, but embraced manifold business interests. On the 12th of January, 1876, he was elected president of the Rochester German Insurance Company, as a successor of Colonel Louis Ernst. and so continued until his demise. On the 13th of January, 1877. he was elected president of the Rochester Driving Park Association, and under his capable management its financial interests were advanced from the lowest. to the highest degree. On the 16th of May. 1878, he was ap- pointed one of the commissioners of Mount Hope cemetery and continuously served in that office, and was chairman of the board from that time until his demise. Hise name became promi- nently known in banking circles, for in the fall of 1880 he was made a trustee of the Rochester Savings Bank and later chosen one of its vice presidents. On the 25th of March. 1882, he was elected president of the Bank of Rochester, the predecessor of the German-American Bank, and remained at the head of the institution until his life's labors were ended. In February, 1887. he was chosen to the presidency of the Rochester Title & Guarantee Company and upon the death of J. Lee Judson he was unanimously elected presi- dent of the Rochester Gas & Electric Company of Rochester. He was also president of the Roches- ter Railway Company. the Rochester Telephone Company and the Ohmer Faire Register Company. His career seems almost phenomenal and yet there was not in his business life an esoteric phase. His path was never strewn with the wreck of other men's fortunes, his whole course heing marked by business integrity and probitv. his sucress resulting from his close application. his keen discernment and his able management.
Distinguished honors came to Mr. Cook in his political life. If other men who have control of mammoth industrial and commercial enterprises realized that they owe a duty to their country and would enter into politics, the welfare of the nation would be greatly augmented. for what the country needs is men in charge of its affairs who have keen foresight, business sagacity and sound judgment. The democratic party gained a valuable accession to its ranks when ' Mr. Cook became one of its stalwart supporters. The first political office he ever filled was that of excise commissioner of Rochester, to which he was ap- pointed by Mayor John Lutes, on the 20th of
April, 18:0, but on account of ill health he re- signed in 1872, and with his family made an extended tour over Europe. In the autumn of 1873, however, upon his return to Rochester, he once more took his place in the democratie ranks ta labor carnesily and effectively for his party's growth and progress. When nominated for mayor he ran far ahead of his ticket, although Rochester is acknowledged a republican stronghold. On the 19th of April, 18;2, Governor Hoffman appointed him judge advocate with the rank of colonel of the Seventh Division of the New York State Na- tional Guards, and on the 29th of July, 1875. he was appointed by Governor Tilden, assistant ad- jutant general and chief of staff of the same divi- sion, but he resigned November 24, 187;, on de- count of the pressure of his private business af- fairs. In 1836 he went as delegate to the demo- cratie national convention at St. Louis when Sam- nel J. Tilden was nominated for the presidency and in 1880 he officiated in a similar capacity at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he served as vice presi- deut, representing the state of New York. In the spring of 1880 he was called to perform an important service in behalf of his adopted city. being one of the fourteen citizens appointed as a commission on behalf of Rochester to guard the public interests during the work of elevating the New York Central Railroad tracks inside the corporate limits. Polities engrossed a large share of his attention and he was regarded by his party as one of its best and strongest representatives. In 1885 he was nominated for the position of secretary of state and after a strong canvass and an exciting campaign, he was elected by a ma- jority of more than fourtren thousand over Colo- nel Anson S. Wood. In this important office within the gift of the people. be served so accept- ably that in 1887, at Saratoga, he was renomi- nated and was re-elected over Colonel Frederick Grant by a plurality of seventeen thousand six hundred and seventy-seven, the highest given to any candidate on the democratie ticket. On the Ist of January. 1890. after declining a renomi- nation as secretary of state, he retired pernin- bently to private life and from that time until his death devoted his attention wholly to the care of bis large and varied business interests. On the 31st of December. 1889, just before his re- tirement, Governor Hill, on behalf of himself and other state officers, presented Mr. Cook with a rostly watch with chime attachments, while the clerical force of the office gave him a much prized collection of photographs, representing the cmt- ployes during his two terms of four years' service. The party. however. still further honored him, when in the state convention of 1894 he was ur- gently solicited by a large majority of the party leaders to accept the nomination for governor of New York but he declined to become a candidate.
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The probability was that he would have been elected had be accepted the nomination, for Fred- erick Cook was honored throughout New York and sustained a high reputation for political in- tegrity and lofty patriotism, as well as of marked ability.
In 1853 Mr. Cook was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Yaky, of Rome, New York, who died in 1864. The following year he married Miss Barbara Agne. His one daughter is now the wife of Augustus Masters MacDonell and is the mother of one son, Frederick Cook Mac- Donell.
Mr. Cook was one of the distinguished Masons of the city, belonging to the blue lodge, chapter, commandery and to the consistory, having at- tained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish rite. He was likewise a member of the Rochester Maennerchor, which was organized in 1854 and of which he served as president in 1874-5. On the 24th of February, 1882, he became a member of the Liederkranz. Ile was also a member of the Rochester Historical Society, the Genesee Val- ley Club, the Rochester Club, the Country Club, and the Rochester Yacht Club, but it would he almost impossible to enumerate his connection with the many organizations which he repre- sented. He was made an honorary member of Selve Citizens Corps, Eighth Separate Company, N. G. S. N. Y., January 8, 1887, and of the Al- bany Excelsior Corps, January 26. 1888, In February, 1893, he presented to leissner Post. No. 106, G. A. R., a handsomely bound memorial record hook, one of the finest works of the kind in existence.
Along all lines of humanitarian action which tend to ameliorate the conditions of human life, Mr. Cook wes a factor. In February, 1882, he was appointed by Governor Alonzo B. Cornell, a manager of the Western House of Refuge and was re-appointed by Governor Cleveland in 1883, while on the 29th of September, 1885, he was elected secretary and treasurer of that institution. In 1887 he was chosen a life member of the New York State Agricultural Society and on the 19th. in the conduct of a general store at Cayuga and
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