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 63
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fancy groceries and he always kept the best the markets afforded. His well selected line of goods, his reasonable prices and his efforts to please his patrona secured him a large trade and he continued in the business, enjoying gratifying success year after year, until 1894, when with a handsome com- petence he retired to enjoy his remaining days in qniet and ease.
In 1855 Mr. Bullinger was married, in Roches- ter, to Miss Margaret Kuhn, who was born in Ger- many and died in this city in February, 1893. They were the parents of eight children, of whom five are now living: Henry J., of this city ; Mary and Sophia, at home; George J., also of Roches- ter: and John B., now living in Carthage, New York. The children were all reared and educated in Rochester, Mr. Bullinger putting forth strenn- ous effort to give them a good start in life. In 1888 he built a fine home in the city where he now resides. In politics he is an independent democrat, frequently supporting the democracy yet not con- sidering himself bound by party ties. He is a charter member of the Knights of St. John and the family are communicants of St. Joseph's church. Socially they are widely and favorably known. Mr. Bullinger, although now seventy- eight years of age, is still a hale and hearty man and, looking hack over the past, he feels that he reed not regret in the least his determination to seek a home in the United States, for here ho found the business opportunities he songht, which, by the way, are always open to ambitions, energetic voung men. He used his advantages to the best of his ability and gradually advanced until he won a place among the substantial residents of his adopted city.
WALTER B. DUFFY. .
For more than two-thirds of a century the name of Duffy has been found on the record of Roches- ter's active and successful business men. It is doubtful if in recent years any resident of the city has done more for its commercial develop- ment and for its progress along other lines than has Walter B. Duffy, vice president of the National Bank of Rochester, president of the New York & Kentucky Company, president of the American Fruit Product Company and director of the Ger- man Insurance Company the Rochester Trust and Safe Deposit Company and the Pfandler Company. These and many other business enterprises owe their success in appreciable measure to the marked enterprise, executive force and keen discrimina- tion of Walter B. Duffy.
Born in Canada on the Sth of Angust, 1810, he was little more than a year old at the time of the
removal of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Duffy, to Rochester. His early education was acquired in public school No. 6 and subsequently he spent two years as a student in St. Hyacinth College near Montreal, Canada. Returning to Rochester, he again became a pupil in the pub- lie schools and in 1856 he went to Toronto, where he devoted two years to study in St. Michael's College. Returning to Rochester he entered upon his business career at the age of seventeen years in his father's store and continued with him until 1868, when he purchased the business. In the development of the enterprise Mr. Duffy has displayed the most modern and progressive methods. He has employed a system of advertis- ing that Is made Duffy whiskey known through- out the length and breadth of the land. This in- troduction to public attention, combined with the high standard of excellence always maintainel in the product, has resulted in the development of one of Rochester's most extensive and profitable productive industries. Not alone has Mr. Duffy confined his attention to one line. On the con- trary he has been watchful of business oppor- tunities and has utilized the advantages which are offered in the business world. He is par- ticularly prominent in financial circles, having been president of the Flour City Bank until its consolidation with the Commercial Bank und the German American Bank into the National Bank of Rochester, of which he is now the vice presi- dent. He is, moreover, a director of the Roches- ter Trust and Safe Deposit Company and of the German Insurance Company. He was a prime factor in the organization of the New York & Kentucky Company in 1900 and since that time has been its president. He is also the chief officer of the American Fruit Product Company, organ- ized in 1904. and is a director of the Pfaudler Company. He was the builder and owner of the National Theater and the principal factor in build- ing and financing the new Hotel Rochester. He was also the prime factor in the organization of the firm of Duffy & MeInnerny, owners of Roch- ester's largest department store and other exten- sive financial and commercial interests. Complex business problems are to him easy of solution he- canse of his watchfulness of every detail bear- ing upon ultimate results, because of his marked ability in co-ordinating forces and because of the remliners with which he formulates and executes his plans.
In 1868 was celebrated the marriage of Walter B. Duffy and Miss Theresa O'Dea. They had nine children, five sons and four daughters: Dr. Ed- ward F. Duffy, a resident of Yonkers, New York : Claude, who died in infancy : Mary Theresa ; Wal- ter J .: Agnes A .: James P. B .: Harriett Jane Catherine, twin sister of James: G. Paul: and Constance Josephine. The mother died in 1884
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WALTER B. DUFFY.
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and in 1892, in London, England, Mr. Duffy wedded Miss Loretta Putnam.
He is a communicant of the Catholic church and has done as much as any man in recent years for the improvement of Rochester. He is eminently practical and his plans for the city and its welfare have resulted in tangible im- provement. He has been characterized as a "big brained, big hearted, courteous gentleman." Much of his time has been in recent years devoted to the betterment of conditions among the poorer classes and at all times he manifests a philanthropic spirit that gives ready response to a call for needed aid from individual, organizations or municipality. Rochester acknowledges her indebtedness to him along many lines.
W. H. MURRAY.
W. H. Murray, who is engaged in the conduct of a livery and sale stable and likewise does a dray- ing business in Pittsford, is a native son of New York, his birth having ocenrred in Henrietta, Monroe county. in 1867, a son of Stephen and Martha ( Hirsh ) Murray. The mother was born in Rochester and during her girlhood she and her mother had charge of the toll gate on the Fast Henrietta road for a number of years. The father settled on a farm in Henrietta at a very early day and there carried on agricultural pursuits through- out a long period.
The son aegnired his education in the common schools of his district and during the period of his boyhood and youth assisted his father in the opera- tion of the home farm. He is now in possession of a well improved tract of thirty-six acres in Hen- rietta, and on this he made his home for many years, during which time he cultivated the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and the sale of his prodnets each year added materially to his finan- cial resources. About a year ago, however, he abandoned his farming pursuits and took up his ahode in Pittsford. where be established a livery and sale stable and this venture is proving a sue- cess. He keeps on hand horses and vehicles for public hire and in addition buys and sells horses. He buys horses in the western states and ships them in carload lots to his home in the east. where he disposes of them at a good profit. He likewise condnets a draving business in connection with his stable and in this has built up a gond trade.
In 1898 Mr. Murray was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Speigel, who was born in Pittsford. a daughter of Thomas Speigel. a carriage-maker by trade. Their marriage has been blessed with two interesting little daughters. Louise S. and Florence, aged respectively five and three years
Mr. Murray is identified with the blue lodge of Masons. He is an active and energetic business man, possessing natural ability, and though he has conducted his business enterprise in this village for only a short period he is already meeting with marked snecess, being numbered among the sub- stantial citizens of Pittsford.
JOHN WILLIAM HANNAN.
Among those who have departed this life and yet have left the impress of their individuality for good upon the city of Rochester is numbered John W. Hannan whose activities touched many lines of life. Hle figured in political circles here, in busi- ness and in fraternal interests. In all these rela- tions his course commanded for him uniform con- fidence and good will. He was born in Perinton, Monroe county, New York, September 19, 1812, and was but six years of age when brought to Rochester by his parents, Cyrus and Frances Han- nan. The father is now deceased. The mother, prior to her marriage to Cyrus Hannan, was Miss Frances Hubbard, daughter of a prominent physi- cian in Connecticut. On the death of Mr. Hannan she became the wife of George W. Polley who has likewise passed away. She is still living and makes her home with her daughter-in-law. Mrs. John W. Hannan. at No. 123 Rutgers street.
In his boyhood days John W. Hannan went to Albany. New York. In early manhood he wedded Miss Mary E. Hunmmel of Kingston, New York, and they had one daughter, Frances, who became the wife of Joseph Hull Smith, Jr., of Rochester. by whom she has two danghters, Elizabeth and Virginia.
Politically Mr. Hannan was a republican and took a most active interest in the work and growth of his party, laboring earnestly and actively for its interests. His worth and ability were recognized in his selection for various offices. In 1865 he was appointed superintendent of documents in the state senate and filled that position for ten years. He was government ganger for eight years and was sheriff of Monroe county, New York. for two terms, being first elected in 1881 and again in 1893. In all of these positions his duties were discharged in prompt and able manner, so that over the record of his official carrer there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. Mr. Hannan was also proprietor of the National Hotel of Rochester for six years and thus further promoted his acquaint- ance and popularity, for he gained many friends while in the hotel business. In fact he was recog- nized as a prominent resident of Rochester and en- joved in full measure the respect of all who knew him. He attained high rank in Masonry, becoming a member of the consistory in the Scottish Rite.
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Ile athiliated with Genesce Falls lodge, A. F. & A. M., Monroe commandery, K. T., Rochester con- sistory, S. P. R. S., and Damascus Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He was also a member of Central lodge, No. 666, I. O. O. F., and the Knights of Pythias fraternity. He belonged to the Rochester Club and the Rochester Whist Club. He had due regard for the social amenities of life and pos- sresed that warm-hearted, genial nature which not only wins friends but has the power of retaining them. His death occurred July 31, 1905.
HENRY J. PECK.
Henry J. Peck, at present residing at 557 East avenne, was born on Elmwood avenue in 1839, and is the son of Hiram Peck, one of the early pioneers of the town who came here in 1812 aud settled on Elmwood avenue in the place which is now owned by his son. When Hiram Peck came to this coun- try he was obliged to make the trip on horseback from Stockbridge, Massachusetts, his native home. He became a prominent agriculturist and in poli- ties was a supporter of the whigs. His wife was Martha Donnelly, who was born in Rome, New York, and by her he had five children, only one of whom survives, Henry J. Peck. This family occu- pied a prominent position in business, society and church.
Henry J. Peck received his preliminary educa- tion in private schools, supplementing it by a course at Clover Street Seminary. He early be- came associated with his father and assisted him in making all the improvements on the farm. As a reward for his labors he is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres on Elmwood avenue and Winion road in Brighton, and owns one hundred acres of splendid orchard. In 1834 he entered the nursery business on his farm in a small way, but now employs some twenty men and by his energy and enterprise has enlarged his business to grati- fying proportions. His office is with Chase Brothers, one of the largest horticultural establish- ments in the world, of which he is vice president, but his nursery business is entirely independent.
In 1868 he was united in marriage in Brighton to Amelia S. Hart, who was born in Brighton and is a daughter of Samuel Hart who came to this county with his father in 1820. Their children Are: George H., living at Binghamton, Now York : Harry C., who is in the roofing business; Robert C .; and S. Ernest, who lives at home and 18 associated with his father in business.
Mr. Peck has always been a prominent and honored citizen here and when Brighton was but a village served as its president. At the time the village was annexed by the city he was elected
alderman of the twenty-first ward and has since served as the same. His political affiliations have been with the republican party and he has always taken an active part in promoting its interests, lle is a member of the Masonic lodge, of the Rochester Whist Club and the Genesce Whist Club. He is a member of the Brighton Presbyterian church, having served as trustee for ten years, and is also president of the Brighton Cemetery Association. The fact that Mr. Peek built his home at 557 East avenue thirty-three years ago will give us some idea of the length of time he has been interested in the city. During all these years he has taken part in every movement that promoted the inter- est and growth of his home town. No organization of which he is a member ever seeks his help in vain. At the age of sixty-eight he is still hale and hearty and enjoys the splendid health which comes from a life well spent.
WILLIAM HILL.
A well improved truet of land of twenty-five acres, which is devoted to gardening pursuits, and on which stands a good country residence and sub- stantial ontbuildings, pleasantly situated within one mile of Rochester, is the home of William Hill, who is a native son of Irondequoit township, where he still makes his home. Ile was born here in 1859, a son of William and Mary ( Kingsley) Hill, both of whom were natives of England. The father was born in 1827, and the year 1849 wit. nessed his arrival in Monroe county, at which time he located on a farm in Irondequoit township when this section was new aud undeveloped. He de- veloped and improved a tract of land, erected a nice home and also carried on gardening. His death occurred in April, 1889, but the widow still resides on the old homestead, at the age of seventy- eight years. Of the eight children born of the father's marriage, five still survive, namely: Wil- liam, of this review; John, who resides in New York city; Mrs. Martha Pengelly, a resident of Riga township; Mrs. Mary Hallaner, who resides on Hudson avenue, in Irondequoit township; and Mrs. Sarah Killick, the widow of William Killick, who resides with her mother.
William Hill pursued his studies in the common schools of Irondequoit and during the period of his boyhood and youth assisted his father in carry- ing on his work as a gardener. Upon starting out in life on his own responsibility he chose the orch- pation to which he had been reared, for from hit father he had received practical training in the cultivation and care of vegetables, so that he was enabled to carry on his work in a successful man- ner. He secured a tract of land comprising twen-
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ty-five neres, on which he has made many improve- ments, including a good home and outbuildings and thoroughly equipped with all the accessories necessary in carrying on work of this character. The products of his farm find a ready sale on the city markets, for his vegetables are of excellent size and quality.
Mr. Hill was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Peacock, a daughter of John Peacock, a farmer of Greece township, and a native of England. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Hill has been blessed with a daughter and four sons, as follows: Elvie Frances, who at the age of fourteen years is a student in the Union school; Avery William; Wilbor Everett; Almond Warren : and Harvey George.
Mr. Hill advocates the principles and policy of democracy and since 1897 has served as assessor of his township. His fraternal relations are with the Knights of the Maccabees and the Grange, while his religions faith is indicated by his mem- bership in the North Avenue Methodist Episcopal church. Quiet and unassuming in manner, he is nevertheless a loyal and public-spirited citizen, who is deserving of the high regard in which he is uniformly held.
PETER A. BLOSSOM.
Peter A. Blossom, editor and publisher of the Republic, of Brockport, is descentled from an an- cestry distinctively American both in its lineal and collateral branches. He traces the fine back to Peter Blossom, who came to western New York from Vermont about a century ago. He was in the sixth generation from Thomas Blossom, one of the leaders of the Pilgrim church at Leyden and later the first deacon of the church of Plymouth, Massachusetts, after the little colony had sailed from the old world to the new in order to establish homes in a region where they might worship after the dictates of their own consciences.
The parents of Peter A. Blossom are William R. and Gertrude ( Ketcham) Blossom, the former a retired farmer. The subject of this review was born in East Hamlin, New York, June 22, 1868. He pursued classical courses of study and was graduated from the Broekpor: Normal School in 1889 and the University of Rochester with the class of 1895. While attending the latter fie be- came a member of the college fraternity-Theta Delta Chi. Immediately after the completion of his university course he began teaching, which pro- fession he followed until 1898, when he turned his attention to the field of journalism and has since been engaged in newspaper work. The Republic, of which he became proprietor, was then a four- page, eight-column folio and is not an eight-page.
seven-colmiun quarto, having been twice enlarged. It has a good advertising patronuge and large cir- culation and has been improved according to the modern ideas of newspaper publication, being now an excellent journal. It is republican in politics, Mr. Blossom stanchly supporting the principles of the party through its columns.
On the 4th of August, 1896, in Manning, New York, Mr. Blossom was married to Miss Zetta G. Evarts, of a prominent family of Orleans county, and they have one son, Evarts M. Blossom. The parents are members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Blossom affiliates with the Masonic fra- ternity. His interest in and devotion to common- nity affairs is indicated by the active co-operation which he gives to many publie movements, aside from his endorsement of these in the columns of the Republic.
LOUIS BROOKS CARPENTER.
Among the honored dead of Monroe county is numbered Louis Brooks Carpenter, who passed away May 30, 1906. He was born on a farm in Chili township, December 8, 1850, and there spent his entire life, his widow still residing on the farm, which comprises one hundred and eighty acres of well improved and valuable land. Ilis father, John Henry Carpenter, was a native of Pittsford, Monroe county, and at an early day settled on the farm in Chili township, where he built a good country residence and developed a good farm.
Louis Brooks Carpenter was reared on the farm on which he spent his entire life and acquired his education in the district schools of the neighbor- hood. During the period of his boyhood and vonth he assisted his father in the operation of the home farm and after attaining manhood continued to carry on the work there which had been insti- tuted by the father. Hle had a fine farm of one hundred and eighty acres and was there engaged in general agricultural pursuits throughout a long period. He was an active, energetic man and accumulated a goodly competence, so that at his death he left his family in comfortable financial circumstances.
Mr. Carpenter was twice married. Hle first wedded Miss Emma Wooster and to them were horn a daughter and son: Mary M., the wife of Richmond Bangs, a resident of Churchville. New York: and John H., a resident of Chili. After losing his first wife Mr. Carpenter was married again, his second nnion being with Libbie L. Trott, who was horn in Rochester, a daughter of Julins Trott. a native of Germany, and a sister of Trott Brothers, monument dealers of Rochester. This marriage was blessed with one son. Lonis B.,
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who was born July 23, 1892. Mrs. Carpenter is a member of the Monroe Avenue Methodist church at Rochester.
Mr. Carpenter was a democrat in principle and policy and for eight years served as supervisor, while for many years he also served as trustee and assessor. Ile had attained a high degree in Ma- sonry, belonging to the Mystic Shrine. During his lifetime he performed many acts of charity in helping others whom he deemed deserving and his many excellent traits of character commanded for him the high respect and esteem of all, so that his death was the occasion of deep regret to his many friends, for, having spent his entire life in Chili township he was widely aud favorably known.
WILLIAM EASTWOOD.
The name of Eastwood has long figured in con- mercin! circles in Rochester and he whose name introduces this review is today the president of the William Eastwood & Son Company, conduct- ing an extensive shoe business. For a half century he has been known in mercantile life here, bearing always an nuassailable reputation for business in- tegrity as well as enterprise. He was born in Liverpool, England, September 14, 1838.
His father, Joseph Eastwood, was a merchant and, coming to the United States in 1840 with his family, established his home in Rochester, where he died in 1851.' His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Myett, passed away in 1846. The family numbered eight children, of whom two song are living. the brother of our sub- ject being Albert C. Eastwood, a traveling sales- man who makes his home in Rochester.
William Eastwood was only eight years of age at the time of his mother's death and was a yonth of but thirteen when left an orphan. His educa- tion was acquired in the public schools of Roches- ter but after the death of his father he started out in life on his own account, being first em- ployed by Ralph Coatsworth, a grocer doing busi- ness at Exchange and Spring streets and after- ward in the Stillson block on East Main and Franklin streets.
On the 1st of March, 1858, Mr. Eastwood en- tered the employ of P. Bigelow Company, retail shoe merchants at No. 22 State street. There he became thoroughly acquainted with the shoe trade, which porved a congenial ocenpation, and he laler purchased an interest in the Imisiness, becoming a partner in 1861. Three years later he became sole owner and so continued from 1864 until 1888, when his son Albert Bigelow Eastwood was ad- mitted to an interest. In 1899 the business was incorporated under the firm style of William East-
wood & Son, the officers being William Eastwood, president ; Albert B. Eastwood, treasurer; and John H. Pierce, secretary. The enterprise has had a gradual and healthful growth until the business has assumed extensive proportions, being one of the leading commercial concerns of the city. In its enlargement and development Mr. Eastwood has wrought along modern business lines, has watched all indications pointing to success and has been notably prompt and reliable in conducting the interests of the trade.
In 1859 was celebrated the marriage of William Eastwood and Miss Ellen C. Bigelow, a daughter of Paine Bigelow, und they have one son, Albert Bigelow Eastwood, now general manager of the business.
Mr. Eastwood was one of the original members of Company A of the Boys in Blue und bis social nature finds scope through his membership in the Genesee Valley Club and the Country Club. He also belongs to Younondio lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Ionic chapter, R. A. M .; and Cyrene commandery, K. T., while religiously he is now connected with St. Paul's Episcopal church, though he was for- merly a communicant of St. Luke's church. of which he served as vestryman for twenty years. In politics he is a republican but not so strictly partisan that he does not dare to cast an inde- pendeut local ballot. He is in hearty sympathy with the world's progress, has kept in touch with the best thinking men of the age and in Rochester he has stood for all those things which are a mat- ter of civic virtue and eivie pride and which tend to promote the intellectual and moral progress of the community. He has been a resident of Roches- ter for more than two-thirds of a century and as the years have gone by has demonstrated his right to be classed with the foremost citizens of Monroe county.
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