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 69
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96
Mr. Cartter was married to Miss Ada J. Dewey, a daughter of George Dewey, an extensive farmer of Genesee county. He became a member of the Masonic lodge in early manhood and for a long time was associated with the craft. In politics he is a republican. mnuch interested in the political questions and situation of the country. He repre-
sents old and prominent families of Monroe county and stands for progress along all those lines which contribute to general improvement and the up- building of this portion of the state.
BISHOP B. J. McQUAID.
The story of the Catholic church in the city of Rochester has been told at length elsewhere. It was in Rochester's earliest days a religious factor und at present it presents a superb organization and great possibilities for civic and moral good. In the development of Catholicity the principal honor is due to Bernard John McQuaid. Unlike the earliest prelates of the Catholic church, Bishop McQuaid is an American. Hle was born in the city of New York on the 15th of December, 1823. As a bov he lived in New Jersey and in his father's honse the Catholics of New Jersey held their first religious service. When a mere lad of fourteen he was sent to school to Canada, and for several years remained in a classical school at Chambly. Returning to New York, he entered upon his ecclesiastical studies at St. John's Ford- ham. There he completed his theologieal course, and was raised to the priesthood in the old Mott street cathedral on the 16th of January, 1848.
His first work in the ministry was in and about Madison, New Jersey. In 1853, when James Roosevelt Bayley was made first Bishop of New- ark, the young Father McQuaid was called to the rectorship of the new cathedral and made ricar general. Two great institutions, which re- main in glory even to our time, owe their existence and their permanence to the efforts and the wis- dom of Bishop McQuaid. Seton Hall College and Seminary and St. Elizabeth's College for Young Ladies. The latter school is also the head- quarters of the great teaching order of the Sisters of Charity of New Jersey, which was established back in the '50s. under the direction of Dr. Me- Quaid. In 1868 he was created bishop of Rochester and consecrated in the New York cathedral by Archbishop, afterward Cardinal MeCloskey on the 12th of July. For upwards of forty years Bishop McQuaid has been closely identified with the religious and civic growth of our city, and there is no Catholic institution here which does not owe its development. if not its origin, to his zeal and foresight. He has heen particularly interested in the promotion of Christian education, and has written largely on this subject. In the early 'TOs he lectured throughout the United States on the education of the masses from the Catholic standpoint, and those lectures have been pub- Jished in a volume entitled "Christian Free Schools."
Digitized by Google
BISHOP B. J. McQUAID.
Dlg zed by Google
Digliced by Google
- --- -
503
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
The crowning work of his administration has been the erection of St. Andrew's Preparatory Senonary under the shadow of the cathedral, and St. Bernard's Seminary for higher theological studies, situated on Charlotte boulevard. The Bishop has been Inrgely interested in the public and private charities of this section and particular- ly has be shown zeal in providing spiritual assist- ance to the imnates of the public institutions. He bas been a member of the park board from its inception and has been second to none in aiding the park work. At the age of eighty-four years he is still hale and hearty and gives promise of many years of added usefulness.
COLONEL CALEB HOPKINS.
Colonel Caleb Hopkins, whose life history forms an integral factor in the annals of Monroe county, was connected with many events which shaped the policy and mokled the destiny of this part of the Hate. Ile was born in 1220 and died January 14, 1818, at the age of forty-seven years, three years before the cunnty of Monroe was organized. Ile was a son of Jours Hopkins and a grandson of Ebenezer Hopkins who removed from Comeeticut to Pittsford, Vermont. Both the father and grand- father were farmers. James Hopkins had two sons, Caleb and James, and two daughters : Rhoda. the wife of Elisha Hopkins, Jr., and Susanna, the wife of Elijah Kirkham.
Colonel Hopkins of this review was married. prohally in 195, to Dorothy Malwe, a daughter of Jacobus Mabre, who came to western New York alemit 1791. Her death occurred August 20, 1847, when she had reached the advanced age of seventy- nine years. Both she and her husband lie buried in the cemetery a mile south of the village of Pitts- ford and beside them are the remains of their three children : C'larissa, James and Marvin.
The life history of Colonel Hopkins, covering a period of forty seven years, was in many respects a notable one. In 1291 he started from Pittsford, Rutland county, Vermont, for western New York in company with General Jonathan Fassett, and on reaching the Mohawk valley they were joined by Jacobus Maber. They settled in the wilderness of what was Ontario county. General Fassett caused a plot to be surveyed for a village nearly opposite Tryonstown on Irondequoit ereck but the village never materialized and, becoming disap- pointed and disemtraged, he returned to Vermont, leaving Colonel Hopkins in charge of his extensive Innd purchase.
The latter was only twenty-one years of age when he settled in this region. Ile was made of the stern stuff demanded of the pioneers and the
obstacles to be met in a new country only made him more persistent. In 1:91 he built the first log dwelling in the present town of Penfield. It was a large substantial structure, containing several rooms, and later many friends and strangers were there entertained. lle also cleared and sowed the first land which was cultivated in the town. Not- ing that the population was increasing much faster in the vicinity of Stonetown than in his own neighborhood. Colonel Hopkins moved to a point near there about the year 1800 and erected a house about a half mile south of the present village of Pittsford. He became one of the prominent and active business men of the locality and for several years was engaged in mercantile pursuits in the village with Dr. A. G. Smith, Nathan Nye and John Acer, while at the smue time he was inter- ested in milling and in supervising his several farms. In 1809 he was elected supervisor of the town of Boyle and in the same year was appointed hy President Madison United States collector of rustoms for the port of Genesce, becoming the wond incumbent in the office. lle was reap- pointed at the end of four years and served until May, 1817. He also held the office of inspector of customs during the same time and his principal deputy was Jonathan Child, afterward the first mayor of Rochester. During two years of the time he was United States collector he acted by appoint- ment of Governor Tompkins as bridge commis- sioner for Ontario county, with Zachens Colby of Genesee county in building the first bridge across the Genesee river below Avon.
While in office Caleb Hopkins did not confine his attention entirely tu civil pursnits. When the war of 1812 was declared he was prompt to serve his country in the field and became an active and etlicient officer on the Niagara frontier. Governor George Clinton had commissioned him as a lien- tenant of militia in 1804 and Governor Morgan Lewis had made him major in 1807. His further promotions were to lieutenant colonel in 1812 and colonel in 1813, both of these being signed by Gov- ernor Tompkins. He was in several battles and skirmishes and once received a wound in the shoulder. In one emergency General Peter B. Porter placed him in command of a band of In- dian warriors and evidemer is not lacking that he handled them skilfully. He received letters of acknowledgement from General Porter and when he resigned his commission Governor Tompkins wrote him a letter expressing deep regret that anch a course was necessary and also "tendering an ac- know ledgement of his approbation and gratitude." On the 22d day of March, 1816, Governor Tomp- kins Fad issued to Colonel Hopkins a commission as brigadier general by brevet for gallant service during the war. In 1814 the town of Smallwood was divided into Brighton and Pittsford, the latter
Digitized by Google
504
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
being named by Colonel Hopkins in honor of his latter part of 1899. His advancement in the busi- birthplace in Vermont. About the time the war closed in 1815 he bought the present large home- stead farm in the southwestern part of the town of Pittsford and built the house now owned and oc- cupied by his grandson, Jared W. Hopkins, and formerly by his son, Marvin Hopkins. After the war he was awarded several contracts for carrying the United States mail in western New York and Ohio. In 1815 he was employed for some time with his friend, Colonel Philetus Swift, of Phelps, as commissioner for making alterations in the state road, now known as the Ridge road.
In 1816 Colonel Hopkins interested himself in the Genesee Manufacturing Company, which was the first manufacturing company in Rochester- ville. He was a member of the general assembly of New York in 1816 and 1817 and served upon the committee on military affairs. There is in possession of his grandson a fine oil painting of Colonel Hopkins, painted when he was a member of the legislature. It shows an intellectual and attractive fare, indicative of strong character, not dissimilar to those of some of bis eminent ances- tors. He was a lineal descendant of John Hop- kins, who came from England and settled in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1643 and two years later moved to Hartford, Connectient. To his branch of the family tree belonged the celebrated divines, Dr. Samuel Hopkins, Dr. Timothy Hop- kins and Dr. Mark Hopkins, The life of Caleb Hopkins was not long, but a man of his intelli- gence, enterprise and public spirit could not fail to leave an impress on the age in which he lived and the record left by him in civil and military affairs is a source of just pride to his descendants.
ABRAM J. KATZ.
Abram J. Katz has figured prominently in mer- cantile and financial circles in Rochester for more than a quarter of a century. A native of this eity, he was born in 1853 and is a son of Joseph Katz, who in early life left Germany, his native land, and sought larger business opportunities in the new world. Settling in Rochester, he became con- nected with the oil business and spent his remain- ing duys in this city, passing away in 1901.
Abram J. Katz obtained his education in Rochester and entered commercial life in 1822 in connection with the clothiers' supply business, con- tinning in that line with constantly growing suc- cess until 1890, when the firm of Stein, Bloch & Company was incorporated, with Mr. Katz as treasurer. His ability in financing the concern was a salient feature in its success and he re- mained as treasurer of the corporation until the
ness world has been continuous and rapid and he Ins well varned for himself a place as a repre- sentative business man of Rochester. At every point in his career he seems to have accomplished the possibilities at that point and so successful has he been in the management of his business affairs that his judgment in commercial and financial cir- eles is considered thoroughly sound and reliable. In 1893 he assisted in organizing the Alliance Bank, of which he has since been a director. He was also one of the organizers of the Fidelity Trust Company and from the beginning has served as one of its trustees. Both of these institutions have been successful from the start and are now important factors in Rochester's financial circles.
In the fraternal life of the city Mr. Katz is also active, holding membership in Valley lodge, No. 109, A. F. & A. M., of which he is a past master. He is likewise a member of Hamilton chapter, R. A. M .. and Horie council, R. & S. M. As one of the organizers of the Eureka t'luh he has taken an active part in its interests und for a number of years has been its popular president. Realizing fully individual obligation, Mr. Kutz has given considerable time and attention to charitable work and his efforts in this direction have been a tangi- ble asset of several organizations. He is now pres- ident of the Jewish Orphan Asylum Association, organized for the purpose of caring for the Jewish orphans of Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo. He is likewise president of the United Jewish Chari- ties, to the work of which he devotes considerable time, and in many ways he is most kindly remem- hered for his timely and generous assistance.
Mr. Katz has built for himself a beautiful resi- dence at No. 315 East avenue, where his large cir- cle of friends always find a cordial welcome and generous hospitality. Mr. Katz is a representative American of the type that contributes liberally of both time and money to the betterment of local in- terests. He has not selfishly concentrated lis ener- gies upon the building up of his own fortune to the exclusion of humananitarian interests, but on the contrary, with a heart easily touched by any tale of sorrow or distress, he has Imbored for the amelioration of hard conditions of life for others, and in social and charitable circles in the city is a well known figure.
STEPHEN B. TITUS.
Stephen B. Titus is engaged in farming and gar- dening on a valuable tract of twenty-two acres, sit- unted in Troudequoit township, this constituting his father's old homestead property. The paternal
Dia zed by Google
505
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
great-grandfather of our subject was Benjamin Titus, while the grandfather also bore the name of Stephen B. Titus. He removed from Hudson, New York, to Canada, where he followed black- smithing for three years, subsequent to which time he returned to the Empire state and took up his abode in Scottaville, where he remained for a time and then came to Irondequoit township, purchas- ing one hundred acres of land at six dollars per acre, for this was at an early period in the devel- opment of this section of the state. He cleared his land of trees and stumps and eventually made it a well improved property. At one time he was the owner of two hundred acres of land. He wedded Mary Whitney, of Hudson, this state, and they reared a family of four children, but only one is now living-Mrs. George Cooper. The father of our subject bore the name of George W. Titus, and was born in Canada. Hle was a youth of fourteen years when he accompanied his parents on their re- moval to Irondequoit township, and was here reared and educated in the district schools. After waching years of maturity he was wedded to Miss Sophia Oyler, a daughter of Sammel P. and Sophia (Robson) Oyler, both of whom were natives of London, England, where the father served for twenty years as postmaster und was descended from a very prominent family of that country. He settled in Irondequoit township in 1840, leas- ing a tract of land adjoining that of Mr. Titus. He spent his last years in Indiana, however, and there passed away. Of the eight children born in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel P'. Oyler only two are now living, the mother of our subject be- ing one of the number.
Stephen B. Titus was born on the place which is yet his home, January 21. 1849, and is the sec- ond in order of birth in a family of six children, of whom three survive. The record is as follows: Mrs. Julia Hagaman, who resides in Livonia, New 'York, and is the mother of three children; Stephen B., of this review ; Jennie and Samuel, both deceased; Frank, who lives on Ridge road, is married and has two children ; and Emily Eugenia, the widow of Adelbert Titus. The father of this family passed away June 12, 1891, and was one of the most prominent pioneer residents of Monroe county. The mother, however, is still living and makes her home on the farm with our subject. Al- though she has now reached the advanced age of eighty-two years, she is still very active and retains her mental faculties to a remarkable degree. When the family located here this was a wild and unde- veloped region, wild animals still roaming at will through the forests, while Indians were quite as numerous as the white settlers. In the course of years, however, these conditions were changed and this district now ranks with the foremost sections of the east. Mrs. Titus had a brother, Samuel P. Ovler, who was a colonel in the war of the Rebel-
lion, and was also a very prominent attorney of Indianapolis, Indiana, but is now deceased.
Stephen B. Titus was educated in the common schools and was reared to the occupation of farm- ing, to which he has always devoted his energies. In 1883 a fine country residence was erected on the place by the father and in this he and his mother are now comfortably situated, while he de- votes the twenty-two acres which constitute the farm to general agricultural pursuits and garden- ing.
Mr. Titus supports the men and measures of the democratic party and, like his father, takes an active interest in local political affairs. For nine years he has acted as assessor and is also a member of the Grange. Aside from his farming interests he is likewise financially interested in the Ironde- quoit Coal & Supply Company. Having spent his entire life in Irondequoit township he is well known in this and surrounding districts and as a representative of an old and prominent pioneer family deserves mention in this volume.
PIERSON BRITTAN HULETT.
Pierson Brittan Hulett, deceased, was at one time an active member of the Rochester bar. He was born in Brighton, Monroe county, New York, No- vember 17. 1837, his parents being John and El- mira (Loder) Hulett, who came to this country from Salem, Connectient. The son was educated in the common schools and at Brighton and fol- lowed the acquirement of his literary knowledge by the study of law, which he pursned with Hon. W. Dean Shuart, of Rochester, as his preceptor. In December, 1858. he was admitted to the bar, hav- ing just passed his twenty-first birthday. He lo- cated for practice in Rochester and alinost from the beginning enjoyed a liberal clientage, which grew in importance as the years passed by until his name figured in connection with many of the most prominent cases tried in the courts of his district. From the Ist of January, 1874, until the 1st of January, 1880, he served as special county judge of Monroe county and upon the bench made a most ereditable record by the fairness and im- partiality of his decisions and his correct applica- tion of legal principles to the points in issue. In 1887 Everett O. Gibbs became a law student in the office of Judge Ifulett and following his admission to the bar in 1893 he was admitted to partnership by Mr. Hulett, which relation continned until the death of the senior partner, since which time Mr. Gibbs has been alone. Judge Hulett had been a partner of Vincent M. Smith from 1884 until 1886, in which year Mr. Smith died, after which Judge Hulett remained alone until he formed the
Digi iz bo by Google
50G
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
partnership with Mr. Gibbs. He was a lawyer of wide crudition, who prepared his cases with great thoroughness and care and presented his cause with clear and cogent reasoning, careful analysis and logical dednetions.
In 1863 Judge Huleit was married to Miss Georgiana A. Budd, of Greece, Monroe county, New York, a daughter of Daniel Budd, who came to Monroe county at an early day and followed farming for many years hnt is now living retired. In his political views the Judge was a democrat und always took a deep interest in politics, believ- ing the principles of the party most conducive to good goverment. lle was a thirty-second degree Mason and also a member of the Knights of Pyth- ias fraternity. He belonged to the Men's Club of St. Paul's church, attended its services and was one of its liberal supporters, His wife also holds membership in that church. In the year 1901 Judge Hulett was called from this life and his demise was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. A resident of Monroe county throughout his entire life and a practitioner at Rochester from his admission to the bar, his record wus well known to his fellow citizens and investigation into his history but brightened his fame and gained him warmer esteem. Ilis devotion to his clients' in- terests was proverbial and his fidelity to his friends was equally pronounced. Added to his natural intellectual furce was a genial spirit and kindly purpose that made him well liked wherever he was known and most of all where he was best known. Mrs. Hulett still resides in Rochester, making her home at No, 16 Vick Park A.
DANIEL B. MURPHY.
Daniel B. Murphy, working without ostentation or display for the benefit of mankind and the improvement of varions conditions detrimental to the welfare of one or more classes, has come to be recognized as one of the most practical reform- ers of the commitry. In Rochester he is known ns an enterprising man and successful merchant, being a member of the firm of Burke, FitzSimons, Ilone & Company, hut elsewhere in the state and throughout the nation, he is known as one whose labors are largely netnated by the spirit of humanitarianism. and never hy a desire for publicity or honors.
Mr. Murphy is a son of Manrice and Anastasia Murphy, and was born at Bombay, Franklin conn- ty. New York. July 23, 1848. He has one brother and one sister. with whom he shared parental training and care. In early youth he attended the village school and worked on his father's farin, and later was a student in the State Nor-
mal School at Potsdam, New York, Subsequent ; to this time he taught in different district schools of Franklin county for five winters, the summer seasons being devoted to agricultural labors. He next became principal of St. Mary's school, af Dunkirk, New York, for the years 1871, 1872 and 1823, and during the succeeding two years was principal of the cathedral schools of this city.
Tiring of teaching and thinking to find a commercial career more congenial, Mr. Murphy In 1825 entered the employ of Burke, FitzSimons, Hone & Company as an entry clerk. His ability and fidelity soon won promotion and he became head bookkeeper. In 1886 he was given an interest in the business and on January 1. 1891. he was made n full partner. In his business life he is practical and energetic, readily mastering the problems that come to him in this connection and contributing largely to the success of the house.
Mayor Cutler of Rochester recently appointed Mr. Murphy a member of the reorganization com- mittee of the United States Independent Telephone Company, which was capitalized at fifty million dollars and bonded at fifteen million dollars. This large plant met with financial disaster, and a com- mittee consisting of Daniel B. Murphy, Walter B. Duffy, and Harol P. Brewster was appointed to reorganize and place the same on a paying basis, or dispose of it in the interest of the bondholders and stockholders. Mr. Murphy is president of the In- dividual Underwriters' Association of the United States, whose financial responsibility exceeds that of the Bank of England.
Mr. Murphy is now a member of Corpus Christi Catholic church, after having been a trustee of the t'athelic cathedral for a nmber of years. He is independem in politics and has been mentioned several times as a candidate for mayor of Roches- ter by both parties but has declined to run. It has been the public recognition of his deep in- terest in community affairs and his practical and effective methods in dealing with problems bearing upwoon municipal reform and progress that has led both parties to desire his service in the position of chief executive of Rochester. His membership relations along social lines connect him with the Fortnightly Cinb, the Genesee Valley Club and the Oak Hill Golf ('Inb.
The depth of his nature. his philanthropie spir- it and his kindly interest in all humanity are manifest in the active work he has done to amel- iorate certain hard conditions of life and to bring about needed reform in other lines. He has been one of the managers of Craig Colony for Epilep- ties at Sonven. New York, since 1898-a stafe institution which at the present time cares for over twelve hundred patients. He is president of the New York State Conference of Charities and Correction, composed of eighteen state charitable
Digitized by Google
DANIEL B. MURPHY.
Dig zed by Google
Ighzed by Google
509
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
institutions and fourteen state hospitals and also all other semi-public and private charitable insti- tutions of the state. Every year delegates from all over the state meet to confer and in 1907 there were eight hundred and thirty-seven dele- gates, full quota, present. Mr. Murphy delivered an address at the convention at Albany, which awakened wide-spread attention, In speaking of this, the Albany Press Knickerbocker said, "Daniel B. Murphy gave some facts in relation to the treatment of consumptives that should set Gov- ernor Hughes thinking." In this connection, in his annual address, Mr. Murphy said, "I desire to register here an emphatic protest against the cruel, if not criminal, negligence of our state in caring for its indigent consumptive wards. It is well understood that this dread disease, consump- tion, is more deadly than war, but modern science has demonstrated that it can not only be control- led, but that it is a preventable and curable dis- ease. We are at times much concerned at the devastating plagues that visit distant lands, but we are apparently indifferent to the fact that the scourge of the great White Plague is ever at our doors. Not less than fourteen thousand of its unfortunate victims march annually in solemn tread to the grave; or, to be exact, the official rec- ord shows that there were fourteen thousand one hundred and fifty-nine deaths in 1904, four- teen thousand and sixty-one in 1905 and fourteen thousand and twenty-seven in 1906. Commission- er Porter of the department of public health of this state, in an address before the conference of sanitary officers of the state abont a year ago, stated : 'More deaths ocenr from tuberculosis than from typhoid fever, diptheria, whooping cough, measles, scarlet fever and smallpox combined.' It is also estimated by this official that this disease causes two hundred thousand deaths annually in the United States; this exceeds the average an- nual deaths of both armies during the four years of our Civil war. That sad conflict closed over forty-two years ago, and there is still mourning in the land, and a pension roll of one-hundred forty- one million, four hundred sixty-four thousand, five hundred and twenty-two dollars and ninety cents. attesting the destruction of human life nearly half a century ago. What are we, as a state, doing to avert this terrible sacrifice of human life? It is gratifying to note that some of our large cities have already awakened to a realization of their re- sponsibilities and are now conducting suitable hospitals for the care of a limited number of in- cipient and advanced cases of tuberculosis. It is well that the work of prevention and cure is now taken up. but it would have been better if some activity in this direction had been manifested vears ago in compliance with the repented demands of this conference. It is a matter of record that each of the preceding conferences rang out the
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.