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 66
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ADOLPH LIST.
Adolph List is the owner of a well improved tract of land of five acres, situated on West boule- vard, in Irondequoit, and is here engaged in rais- ing vegetables and fruits for the city markets. He was born in Rochester, October 12, 1858, a son of John List, who at an early day emigrated to Am- erica from Germany and located in Rochester. His first employment in this city was at digging the canal at fifty cents per day and he was soon after- ward employed in the yards of the New York Cen- tral Railroad, working on engines. He was ein- ployed by this company for a quarter of a century, having in the meantime acquired a good property in the city. Upon severing his connection with that firm he traded his town property for twenty- eight acres of land in Trondeqnoit township, and taking up his abode thercon he planted fifteen acres to grapes, the fruit being used in the manu- facture of wine. He also gave a part of his time and attention to gardening. As a firm believer in the principles and policy of the democratic party he took an active interest in local political affairs. Of his six children, five still survive: George, Louis and Adolph. all of Irondequoit township; Louise, the wife of HI. Shannon, a resident of Rochester : and Matilda. the wife of Charles Lee, also of Rochester. The father passed away in 1892, hav-
ing for a long period survived his wife, who passed away in the year 1867.
Adolph List was reared and educated in Roches- fer and has always followed gardening in order to provide for himself and family. In 1892 he pur- chased his present property and located thereon. He has made many improvements upon the place and has made it one of the valuable farms of this section of the county. He has here five acres of ground, on which he raises choice fruits and vege- tables. The family are pleasantly situated in a comfortable residence and there is also another house on the place.
Mr. List was united in marriage to Miss Delia Camping, of Rochester, a daughter of Garrett Camping. Their marriage has been blessed with two sons and a daughter : George, a young man of twenty-two years; Grace, seventeen years of age; and Chester, a youth of twelve.
Mr. List has allied himself with the republican party and his fellow townsmen recognizing his worth and ability have called him to fill some pub- lic offices. He served as collector for two years and has also served as a member of the town board. Both he and his wife are charter members of the Grange, and he is also identified with the Knights of the Maccabees. His wife holds membership with the Second Baptist church. They are people of the highest respectability and worth and Mr. List possesses many of the sterling qualities so characteristic of his German ancestry and through determination of purpose and capable business management has steadily worked his way upward until he has come to be numbered among the sub- stantial citizens of Irondequoit township.
CORNELIUS A. NICHOLS.
Cornelius A. Nichols has since 1887 served as postmaster at Chili Center, New York, where he is also prominent as a merchant, carrying all kinds of farm implements, fertilizers, coal, produce and apples. Mr. Nichols is a native son of Chili Center, his birth having here occurred May 20, 1858, being a son of Job and Catherine (Haines) Nichols, both of whom were natives of Oxford- shire, England. The father emigrated to the new world in 1850, locating on a farm of thirty acres in Chili Center, and was here engaged in business as a farmer and gardener. Of the eight children of the family only three now survive: Cornelius, of this review; Henry, who resides in Chili town- ship; and Jason, a resident of Coldwater, New York.
Cornelius A. Nichols was educated in the pub- lie schools of Chili Center and began to make his own way in the world at the early age of four-
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teen years. He was variously employed until 1876, when he began work as a painter, having in the meantime learned the trade. In this con- nection he did an extensive business in general painting as well as carriage and sign painting, and he had several men in his employ. In 1886 he opened a store, which he has since conducted, car- rying a full line of agricultural implements as well as fertilizers, coal, produce and apples. He has built up a large patronage in these vari- cus commodities by reason of his straightforward business methods and his reasonable prices. He bas also since 188? served as the efficient post- master at this place, the duties of the office being conducted in prompt and able manner. Mr. Nich- ols owns a fine store building and warehouses besides three acres of ground and in the np- building and development of his home locality he has ever taken a deep and active interest.
Mr. Nichols was united in marriage to Miss Fannie M. Smith, a native of Livingsion county, this state, and a daughter of Henry Sinith. Their marriage was celebrated in 1880 and has been blessed with two sons and a daughter, Cornelius A., Jr., James Craig and Ruby E., all still under the parental roof.
In politics Mr. Nichols is a republican and for. six years served as supervisor, while for eleven years he filled the office of town clerk. Fraternally he belongs to the Red Men and the Knights of the Maccabees and is also identified with the Grange, of which there is a membership of two hundred and twenty-five. He belongs to the Bap- tist church at Chili Center. Mr. Nichols is truly a self-made man. for, starting out in life at an early age, dependent upon his own resources, he has gradually worked his way upward until he has gained that snecess which is ever the sure re- ward of diligence, perseverance and industry, while as a public official, as a business man and as a pri- vate citizen he enjoys the good will and high es- teem of all with whom he is brought in contact.
JARED W. HOPKINS.
Jared W. Hopkins, engaged in farming and the dairy business, is the owner of a well improved farm of one hundred and seventy-two acres eom- prised in the home place and he likewise owns an additional tract of one hundred acres, which he lenses. His land is located near Pittsford, which is his postoffice address. He was born on a farm near this city, Angust 11. 1857, and comes of Eng- lish ancestry, the family having been established in America by John Hopkins, who came in 1634 from Coventry. England, and settled in Cam- bridge, Massachusetts. Caleb Hopkins, the pater-
nal grandfather of our subject, was an early settler of Monroe county and was colonel of the Fifty- second Regiment of militia, where he achieved distinction as a brave and gallant soldier. Marvin Hopkins, the father, was born October 26, 1803, and in 1830 he was united in marriage to Miss Jane Phelps, who was born in Pittsford, November 13, 1813, and died November 22, 1898, having for a long period survived her husband, who passed away December 19, 1867. As a supporter of democracy he was prominent in its local ranks and by his fellow townsmen he was frequently called to fill positions of public trust and honor, serving at vari- ous times as supervisor. In the family of Marvin and Jane (Phelps) Hopkins were eight children, of whom seven still survive: James, a resident of Cedarhurst, New York; Clarissa M., who first wedded Lyman M. Barker, and after his death be- came the wife of Orlando Austin, of Williamson; Dorothy P., the wife of Charles W. Rogers, of Pittsford; Robert M., a resident of Lockport; George; Chauncey I., of Ohio; and Jared W., of this review. The third member of the family, Mary, died in infancy.
Jared W. Hopkins, the youngest member of his father's family, was reared in much the usual man- ner of farm lads, assisting in the operation of the homestead property during the period of his boyhood and vonth, while his education was ac- quired in the Pittsford and Lima schools. After completing his education he assumed the manage- ment of the home farm, being then a youth of eighteen years, and agricultural pursuits have con- tinned to be his occupation to the present time. There is comprised in the home place a tract of one hundred and seventy-two acres and he has added many improvements thereto in the way of good and substantial outbuildings, including a siło. In connection with his agricultural interests he likewise conducts a dairy business, keeping on hand twenty-five cows. Mr. Hopkins is a practical and progressive man in his labors and keeps every- thing about his place in good condition. He has set out an orchard on his place comprising three hundred apple trees. In addition to the home property he also owns a tract of one hundred acres, which he rents, and in 1906. in company with Mr. Schoen he purchased of Julian Gear one hundred and seventy-two acres of land, which they expect to lav out in town lots. He is also associated with others in the Monrne Road Building Company, the company having been organized for the purpose of building state roads. ele .. his partners in the busi- ness being Charles G. Schoen and A. J. Rockwood.
On the Ist of February, 1893. Mr. Hopkins was united in marriage to Miss Lettie May Nve, who was born in Pittsford, a daughter of Alvin E. Nye, an early settler of this locality, being engaged in the farming and nursery business. The home of
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Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins has been blessed with four children, Irving Nye, Phelps A., Delora and Jane E., aged respectively twelve, nine, six and five years.
Mr. Hopkins formerly allied himself with the democratic party but for the past eight years has supported the men and measures of the republican party. For five years he served as assessor and in the fall of 1903 was elected supervisor. The fam- ily are communicants of the Presbyterian church. Monroe county numbers him among her most sub- stantial and honored citizens, for his career has ever been characterized by high and manly prin- ciples which have commanded the respect of all with whom he is associated whether in business, public or social life.
REV. NELSON MILLARD, D. D.
Rev. Nelson Millard, well known in Rochester as a minister of the gospel, his reputation, how- ever, being by no means limited by the confines of the city or even of the state, was born in Delhi. Delaware county, New York, on the 2d of October, 1834, his parents being William and Anna (Loomis) Millard, now of New York but of Con- nectient ancestry. His father was twice married and had six children by the first marriage and five by the second, Dr. Millard being the youngest of the eleven and the only one now living. Hle pre- pared for college at Delaware Academy in his native town and afterward matriculated in Union College, from which he was graduated in 1853 on the completion of a classical course, winning the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Three years later the Master of Arts degree was conferred upon him. For one year after his graduation he taught in a boys' private school. He then returned to Union College as tutor for four years. Having deter- mined upon the ministry as a life work, he at- tended Princeton Theological Seminary for one year and afterward the Union Theological Semin- ary in New York, from which he was gra luated in 1860. The succeeding year and a half were spent in study and travel in Europe and thus he supplemented his theological course. Upon his return to his native land he was offered the profes- sorship of logic and rhetoric in Union College. but preferred to enter the ministry and accepted the pastorate of the First Presbyterian church at Montelair, New Jersey, where he remained for five years. He was then called to Chicago, where he continned in ministerial work for a year and a half.
On leaving that city Dr. Millard was married to Miss Alice Isabelle Bovd, of Montelair, New Jersey. In 1869 he became pastor of the Second
Presbyterian church of Peekskill, New York, and in 1812 he accepted a call from the First Presby- terian church at Syracuse, New York, where he remained until 1884. He was then established in the pastorate of the Broadway Congregational church of Norwich, Connecticut, and in 1887 came to Rochester as pastor of the First Presby- terian church of this city. Such were his labors for thirteen years and both as pastor and preacher he gained favor and popularity, being recognized as one of the strongest ministers of the city, his intellectual force and keen discernment, combined with his earnest purpose, making him one of the leading representatives of the Christian ministry in this city. Since his retirement from the pastor- ate of the First Presbyterian church, which is one of the strongest congregations of western New York, he has occupied much of his time in supply- ing churches in various parts of the state and in New York city, together with other points in the east and in the west. His writings are quite voluminous and have appeared in many leading papers. He has preached before the faculty and students of Cornell University, Vassar College, Hamilton College, Elmira College and Auburn Seminary and has delivered baccalaureate and other addresses at his alma mater and in other institutions of learning. The honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by I'nion College in 1874. Writing in 1884, Alfred Neven. D. D., L.L. D., in the Presbyterian Ency- clopedia, said: "Dr. Millard, by original taste and tendency, is especially fond of intellectual philosophy. At the same time the controlling in- thenees of his life have been eminently practical, aiming at constant effectiveness in the way of moral and spiritual results. As a consequence of the combination of these two tendencies, aided by a bright imagination and a ready talent for felicit- ons illustration, his preaching (which is without manuscript) has been vigorously intellectual, deal- ing with principles and roots of doctrine and yet practical and steadily frnitful, being popular in the sense that the common people have heard him gladly." In 1903. Dr. Millard took an extended trip through the Orient and on the way visited the Madeira Islands, Gibraltar, Spain, Malta, Algiers. Greece, Constantinople, Palestine and Ezvpt, and on his return home he visited Italy and France.
In 1905. Dr. Millard, having after long and careful deliberation come to the conclusion that his theological views were radically different from those embodied in the Westminster Confession of Faith, which is the standard creed of the Presby- terian church, withdrew from that church and has since occupied the position of an independent dergvman. Dr. Millard has two children : Ernest Boyd, who was born December 11. 1871, and is now a successful practicing attorney of Rochester :
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REV. NELSON MILLARD.
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and Ethel Florence, born December 29, 1883. Mrs. Millard, who was a lady of many strong, well defined and commendable traits of character and a great belpmate to her husband, died on the 15th of May, 1896.
JOHN F. W. WHITBECK, M. D.
Doctor John F. W. Whitbeck, one of Rochester's most prominent physicians, was born at Lima, Livingston county, New York, in November, 1844, His parents were John F. and Elizabeth (Ward) Whitbeck, the former born in Herkimer county, New York, while the latter was also a native of the Empire state. The father engaged in the practice of medicine after being graduated from the Fair- field Medical School and also from the University of Pennsylvania. He practiced in Livingston county and later in Rochester, where he followed his profession for over forty years. He was ac- corded a very liberal patronage und was quite snc- cessful in his chosen field of labor. He died in December, 1880, at the age of sixty-eight years, and his death was the occasion of deep and wide- spread regret among the many friends whom he had won during the long years of his residence in Rochester.
Doctor Whitbeck of this review was one of five children, three of whom are vet living. He was educated in the public schools of Rochester, being graduated from the old Rochester high school in the class of 1863 and from the Rochester Univer- sity in 1867. He determined to engage in the practice of medicine as a life work and to this end became a student in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania. He completed his course there in 1870, after which he spent three years abroad. During most of that time he was in Germany and pursued special courses in sur- gery and gynecology under some of the most re- nowned members of the medical fraternity of that land. Thus splendidly qualified for his profession, he returned to Rochester in 18:3. opened an office and began practice. He is well versed in every department of the medical science and engages in general practice, but makes a specialty of surgery and gynecology. He is now a member of the snr- gical staff of the Rochester City Hospital and dur- ing Governor Flower's administration he was a member of the state board of health. He has been a frequent and valued contributor to various medi- cal journals and has written many papers for the different medical societies to which he belongs, He . holds membership with the American Medical As- sociation, the Medical Society of the State of New York, the Monroe County Medical Society and the Rochester Academy of Medicine, while of the Rochester Pathologieal Society he is an honor-
ary member. In 1892 he established a hospital on Park avenue, which he conducted until 1904. He stands prominent among the many successful phy- sicians of the city, and indeed his reputation has extended throughout the state.
Doctor Whitbeck was married to Miss Fannie A. Van Husan, of Detroit, Michigan, and they had two sons: Brainerd II., who is a graduate of Har- vard College and also of the Columbia Medical Col- lege of New York, in which city he is now practic- ing, is married and has one son; Caleb Van Husan, also a graduate of Harvard College and the pub- lisher of a newspaper at Hackensack, New Jersey, is married, resides in New York and has one son.
Doctor Whitbeck has erected a beautiful home at 322 East avenue, Rochester, the plan having been made by W. H. Miller, an architect of Ithaca. It is one of the finest residences of the city and is the scene of many a delightful social function.
Doctor Whitbeck belongs to the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity in Rochester, is a member of the Genesee Valley Club and also of the Country Club of Rochester. He has a very wide acquaint- ance and is prominent socially. Ilis attention, however, is chiefly given to his practice, which is very extensive and important, and in a calling where advancement depends entirely upon indi- vidual merit he has gained a place among the lending physicians of the city.
GEORGE R. CRAM.
George R. Cram is conducting a livery and boarding stable on Brighton street, in Rochester, where he has won a gratifying measure of success through the capable management of his business interests. He was born on a farm in Sweden town- ship, in 1850, a son of H. G. and Sarah ( Frohalk) Cram. The father came by team and wagon from New Hampshire to Monroe county and settled on a farm in Sweden township. He pur- chased a tract comprising three hundred and fifty acres of land and for a long period was snecess- fully engaged in carrying on agricultural pursuits. He was assessor of the township for a number of years and his death there occurred in 1883, when he had reached the advanced age of seventy-three years.
George R. Cram was reared to farm life, assist- ing his father in the operation of his extensive landed possessions, while during the winter months he acquired his early education in the common schools and later received more advanced training in Lima Seininnry. He remained with his father on the home farm until thirty-six years of age and then engaged in business on his own account as a wholesale dealer in flour, his business being con- ducted in the old Sibley block, in Rochester. Ile
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carried on that enterprise for eight years and fif- teen years ago purchased the boarding stable of Anthony Cole on Brighton street. In connection with this he alw carries on a livery business, keeping on hand eight horses and a number of vehicles and he employs three men to assist him in his work.
In 18;7 Mr. Cram was united in marriage to Miss Sophin Dewey, who was born in Sweden township, a daughter of Jesse Dewey, an enrly settler of that section, where he is engaged in farming.
Mr. Cram gives his political support to the re- publican party and in his business affairs is meet- ing with gratifying snecess, for he is a man of good business ability and one who studies the de- mands of the traveling public as well as the local trade. In his work he is eminently practical and this has been manifest not only in his business ventures but also in social and private life.
C. W. TROTTER & SONS.
This name at once suggests a power in many- facturing circles in Monroe county, for at the head of the Birin of C. W. Trotter & Sons, manufacturers of refrigerators, furnaces and ranges, is C. W. Trotter, who is a distinguished type of a self-made man. The sons, like the father, are progressive, far-sighted nud sagacious, and thus, continually guarding the business, it now takes leadership among the prominent manufacturing enterprises not only of Rochester but of the state of New York.
(. W. Trotter was born in Belfast, Ireland, in 1838, and comes of Scotch and Irish descent. He is a son of Charles W. Trotter, who on coming to this country settled in Cleveland, Ohio: The son was educated in the common schools and also pur- sned his studies in a night school. He came to Rochester in 1854, when a youth of sixteen years, and began learning the tinuing and sheet iron ousi- ness of Alfred Wright, who was the proprietor of one of the most prominent enterprises of this char- acter in the city. In 1872 he began the mann- facture of refrigerators, furnaces and ranges on Exchange street, under the firm name of 'Trotter & Stone, his partner being George Stone. The business was thus conducted for a decade, when. in 1882. Mr. Trotler purchased his partner's interest and has since admitted his two sons, the business now being conducted under the name of C. W. Trotter & Sons. They are engaged in the maun- facture of refrigerators, furnaces and ranges ano their trade has been built up until it has now reached extensive proportions, the products of the factory being sold throughout the city and they
also ship to all the prominent cities of this and other states. Justice has ever been maintained in the relations of the members of the firm to their employes and many of those who began with them at the commencement of their career are still in their service, one nmin Irving been continuonsly in the employ of Mr. Trotter for the past thirty-three years. The business is carried on in accordance with the most straightforward and honorable meth- ods, and this has secured to the company a patron- age which makes their volume of trade of great importance.
C. W. Trotter was married in this city in Miss Jennie Stanley, who is of English descent. Their marringe has been blessed with two sons and a daughter: Harry 1 .. , who wedded Miss Grace El- well. of Rochester, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. D. Elwell, hy whom he hus a son. Charles Elwell: Frunk C., who wedded Miss Ethel Parsons, of Rochester, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius R. Parsons; and Charlotte, the wife of Dr. L. M. Bonnell, a native of Seranton, Pennsylvania, and now a resident of Detroit, Michigan. The sons are associated with their father in business and are young men of ability and enterprise, inheriting many of the sterling characteristics of their father.
(. W. Trotter is a republican, and is serving as one of the trustees of the Industrial School and of the Chamber of Commerce. Prominent in social circles, he is a member of the Whist Club, while the suns belong to the Rochester and other chibs. Mr. Trotter is truly a self-made man, for starting out in life withont the assistance of others and with but, a fair education, he has through his ex- cellent management and close application attained a foremost place in manufacturing circles in Ro- chester.
PHINEHAS FORD.
For forty years Phinchas Ford was a factor in the business life of Rochester und thns he well merits the rest which is vonchenfed to him. Since ISSS he has lived retired, his home being now at No. 122 Lake avcane. Ho came to Rochester in 1847 from Batavia, New York, where he was born in April, 1828, His father, Phinehus Ford, Sr .. removed to Batavia from Connecticut and spent his remaining days there, devoting his life to farming. Upon the home farm the son war reared and the common schools afforded him his educa- tional privileges. He was a young man of about nineleen vears when he came to this city and hegan learning the jeweler's trade with the firm of Stan- ton & Brother. He spent four years in that way. during which time he gained a thorough knowledge of the business in principle and detail, after which
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