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 72
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Protestant Episcopal church, to which her hus- hand and children also belonged. She was an early member of the Rochester Female Charitable Society.
Mrs. Fay died August 20, 1906, at 64 South Washington street, which since the completion of the residence in 1860 has been the family home and is little changed though it has sheltered three generations and been the birthplace of two. The garden in the rear remains as when laid out so long ago, its pathis edged with old-fashioned flowers and shrubs. The place is occupied by their youngest and only surviving child, Stephen Clark Fay, his wife and child, Sumner Doane Fay, the only grandchild.
SAMUEL SLOAN.
Rochester's greatness as a business center is af- tributable in large measure to citizens who came here about the middle of the nineteenth century and wrought along lines of development and im- provement, working for the general good as well as for individual prosperity. To this class be- longed Samuel Sloan, and his advancement in the business world was attributable not so much to his possession of unusual qualities as to his unfaltering exercise of the powers and talents which were his. He was at the time of his death president of the Mechanics Savings Bank and also at the head of an extensive wholesale business, dealing in plumbers', steamfitters' and engineers' supplies.
A native of the north of Ireland, Samuel Sloan was born near Belfast, in 1828, and was a son of Timothy Sloan. He acquired his education in his native country and when a young man of twenty years sought the broader business oppor- tunities of the new world, crossing the Atlantic to the United States in 1848. Soon after his ar- rival in New York city be secured a position in the first wholesale dry-goods house on Broadway and there engaged in the Australian shipping busi- ness. He remained in New York until it be- came necessary for him in the interests of the firm to go to Melbourne, Australia, where he remained for six years.
In 1860 Mr. Sloan again came to this country and almost immediately established his home in Rochester, where he engaged in the steam and gas fitting business in partnership with R. E. Sher- lock, the firm style of Sherlock & Sloan being as- sumed. This connection was continued with int- tual pleasure and profit until the death of Mr. Sherlock twenty years later, when Mr. Sloan be- came the sole proprietor. The business had been developed into a wholesale concern for the sale of
plumbers', steam fitters' and engineers' supplies und the trade had constantly increased until the volume of business annually transacted was rep- resented by large figures. The house, too, had always been known for its straightforward methods and the policy thus inaugurated at an early day has always been maintained.
Extending his efforts to other fields, Mr. Sloan became a prominent factor in financial circles and as president of the Mechanics Savings Bank and a director in the Genesee Valley Trust Com- pany was thus identified with the business inter- ests of the city up to the time of his demise, which occurred September 1, 1903.
In the religious and benevolent life of his city, Mr. Sloan always took a prominent part and his deeds of unassuming charity and words of kind- lv counsel and encouragement are treasured in the memory of many. For more than thirty years he was an elder in the Central Presbyterian church and was closely identified with its development and progress. He was one of the board of di- rectors of the Rochester City Hospital and also one of the original trustees of the Reynolds Li- brary and in the welfare of both institutions he always displayed a deep interest.
Mr. Sloan was first married in 1865 to Miss Mary Eveline Vosburgh, of Lima, New York, whose death occurred in 1882, leaving one son, William E. Sloan, who has succeeded him as the head of the large business which he built up. His second wife, Mrs. Hanna Curtis Jones, of Owego, New York, to whom he was married in 1885. died in 1897.
In all that pertained to municipal progress in varied lines and which contributed to a city's growth, prosperity, improvement and normal de- velopment, Mr. Sloan's influence was actively felt and he was over ready to give both his personal services and his financial assistance toward fur- thering the material and moral welfare of the city of his adoption. As a business man he made a record which any man might be proud to possess. for mpon a very meager foundation of capital Possessed upon his arrival in America, he built a goodly fortune and at the same time maintained an honored name.
CHARLES C. MEYER.
Although born across the water, Mr. Mever has spent the greater part of his life in Rochester and l:is career is identified with the history of this city, where he has acquired a competence and where he is an honored and respected citizen. He may well be termed one of the founders of the city, for he has been the promoter of many of
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its leading business enterprises. He has earned for himself au enviable reputation as a careful business man and in his present connection, as in former business undertakings, he has through his prompt and honorable methorly won the deserved and unbounded confidence of his fellowmen.
Mr. Meyer was born in Germany January 8, 1831, a son of Andrew and Frederica ( Winter) Meyer, the latter a native of Leopold-Haven. The father was a shipbuilder by trade and in July. 1836, emigrated with his family, consisting of wife, four sons and four daughters, from Baden to the United States. The trip across the Atlantic required forty-nine days and after reaching Al- bany, New York, they made their way by canal to Rochester, where they landed in the evening and on account of being unable to secure hotel ac- rommodations for the night were obliged to sleep on beds out of doors. The father continued his work at boatbuilding after his arrival in this city and here spent his remaining days, his death oc- curring in 1861.
Charles C. Mover is one of four sons, his brothers being Frederick, Philip and John, all of whom learned the boatbuilder's trade under the direction of the father. Our subject was a little Ind of five years when he accompanied the family to the new world und in the schools of Rochester he acquired his education. After learning his trade he and his three brothers engaged in the boatbuilding business und nt one time owned all the boatvards in the city with the exception of one. In 1861 he was engaged in a business of this char- acter on Meigs street near the bridge, building can- al boats of regular size -- ninety-seven feet in length and eighteen feet in width, to draw six feet of water. He had in his employ a large number of men, and continued the enterprise with great sne- cess until 1882, when he discontinued the enter- prise and engaged in the real-estate business. He had previously purchased five acres of land near the canal, this being worth five hundred dollars per acre, which he used for his boatyards until the time he discontinued that enterprise. He then built a number of houses on this irnet and has sold off many of these but still owns several. In 1865 he erecied a large brick house, two stories in height, which at that time was considered one of the best houses in the city. He is still operating in real es- tate and his long connection with the business en- ables him to readily place the right value upon property. He has ever been watchful of all the de- tails of his business and of all indications pointing toward prosperity and from the beginning of his business has rapidly developed until he is today numbered among the substantial men of this city. In addition to his real-estate interests he also at one time was engaged in the operation of n saw- mill but is now giving his entire time and atten- tion to his property interests.
In 1833 Mr. Meyer was united in marriage to Miss Phillopeno Damm and unto them were born one sou and four daughters: Mrs. Amelia C. Herzberger; Edward C., a resident of Oregon ; Mrs. Elizabeth Gordon of Boston; and Mrs. W. C. Taylor and another daughter, both deceased. Mr. Meyer was again married January 9, 1890, his second union being with Miss Susan R. Arnold. and after her death he married her sister, Miss Ida S. Arnold, on the 26th of February, 1895.
Aside from his business interests Mr. Meyer has found time to devote to public affairs, hav- ing served for five ternis as supervisor. while for one terin he acted as alderman of the seventh ward of Rochester. In his fraternal relations he is identified with the Masonic body, and he is a charter member of the Church of the Reformation. to which he has ever been a liberal contributor. Few men are more prominent or more widely known in business circles in Rochester than Mr. Meyer, for from an early period in its development he has been identified with the business and indus- trial life of the city and through capable man- agement and close appliention has worked his way upward until he now occupies a place among the substantial and well-to-do citizens of Roch- ester, his adopted city.
PHILIP H. YAWMAN.
Rochester, with its pulsating industrial activi- ties, its excellent shipping facilities and the va- rious advantages derived because of its favorable situation near the Canadian border as well as in regard to trade interests in the United States, is continually drawing to it important business con- cerns, and its native citizens, recognizing all of these elements for success, have also been among the founders of some of the most successful enter- prises here. To the latter class belongs Philip H. Yawman, president of the Yawman & Erbe Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of office specialties.
He was born in Rochester, September 1. 1839. and was educated in the schools of this city and of Scottsville, to which place his family removed in his youth. His father, Nicholas Yawman, was born in Schmidtweiler, Lorraine, in 1816, and came to America with his father and four brothers in the year 1832. He was a cooper hv trade and for some years was connected with industrial life in Rochester, but is now deceased. His wife, Mrs. Anna (Gorman) Yawman, died during the in- fancy of her son Philip. Two nneles of our sub- jeet are yet living: John Yawman, residing in Scottsville at the venerable age of eighty-eight years : and Philip Yawman, of Rochester, eighty-
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PHILIP H. YAWMAN.
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six years of age. There are also three surviving brothers and two sisters.
After attending the public schools Philip H. Yawman joined his father in the cooperage busi- ness ih Scottsville and subsequently learned the machinist's trade. In 1880 he entered into part- nership with Gustave Erbe, a mathematical instru- ment maker. They began the manufacture of microscopes, at first employing only five work- men, but gradually they enlarged and extended the scope of their business, first to include the manufacture of novelties and later the manu- facture of office devices for the old Clegg, Weg- man, Schlicht & Fiehl Company, which was later change to the Office Specialty Company. Eventu- ally the firm of Yawman & Erbe bought out the latter company and then sold out their metal working business to the Art Metal Construction Company, of Jamestown, in which they are still, however, financially interested. Business was be- gun in 1880 on Exchange street, followed by a removal to what is now South uvenue to secure enlarged quarters, and in 1885 to the present loca- tion on St. Paul street. They own their building here and have a most thoroughly equipped plant, supplied with all the modern machinery for the production of the manufactured product. Their output is sold throughout the United States, also in Mexico, Canada, South America, the Australian colonies, Great Britain and various points in Europe. From the beginning the trade has con- stantly grown and the firm now enjoys a business which is indicative of the spirit of enterprise and progress which characterizes is founders and pro- moters.
In 1863, Mr. Yawman married Miss Mary C. Webber, who was born in Rochester in 1839, and unlo this union nine children have been born, as follows: Cecelia M., Mrs. Marie Antoinette Haf- ener, Mrs. Julia A. Heislein, Mrs. Cora Y. Hahn, Aloysia, Eugenia, Josepha, Francis J. and Victor.
BYRON H. BACON.
Byron H. Bacon, who established and conduet- ed a substantial productive industry of Rochester and continued an active and honored factor in business life in the city until his death, was a na- tive of Leroy, New York, and after acquiring a good education was engaged in the furniture bnsi- ness in his native town for a number of years. In 1891 he began the manufacture of medicines which were placed upon the market under the name of the Byron H. Bacon medicines. His output included, as the principal remedies, the Celery King and Dr. Otto's Cough medicines which were sold by agents and advertising wagons
all over the country, covering nearly every state in the Union, with main others at No. 187 West avenne in Rochester, Mr. Bacon gave nine years of his life to the conduct of this business which grew in volume until it had reached extensive and profitable proportions. The business is still carried on under the name of the Bacon Medicine Company and employment is now furnished to thirty people in Rochester.
Mr. Bacon was married to Miss Amelia Echlin, of Leroy, New York, who was born in Canada. and they became the parents of three sons: Harold A .; Goodell Weles; and Ronald Henry. Mr. Ba- con was a man of domestic tastes, devoted to his family, and found his greatest pleasure at his own fireside. Ile considered no personal sacri- fice on his part too great if it would promote the welfare and happiness of his wife and chil- dren and he was a man who was well liked and respected by all. His widow lias since become Mrs. Van Dusen and she resides at No. 42 Ox- ford street, where she owns a beautiful home, her three sons being still with her.
WILLIAM EMMERT MILES.
William Emmert Miles, decensed, was for many years during an active business career a resident of Rochester, his native city. He was born in 1830 and acquired his education in the common schools while spending his boyhood days in the home of his parents, William and Catherine ( Em- mert) Miles, who at an early day in the develop- ment of western New York settled at Victor. Later they removed to Maryland, establishing their home at the birthplace of the father.
William E. Miles left school at the age of six- teen years and entered business life in the employ of his brother, who was a contractor. Before he had attained his majority, eager to see the world and attracted by the discovery of gold in Califor- nia, he made his way to that state in 1849, sail- ing around Cape Horn. He remained in Cali- fornia for some time and soon after his arrival took advantage of the opportunities that offered for work at his trade. He secured immediate em- ployment and only a brief period had passed when he started out in business for himself, becoming one of the foremost contractors of that day in the locality in which he lived. Many important con- tracis were awarded him, including one of the building of the state house at Olympia, Washing- ton, which is still standing. He continued to en- gage in contracting and gold mining on the coast for about sixteen years and met with creditahle success in these undertakings.
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
With a desire to return to his native city Mr. Walter Howard, of Rochester; Bertha L. Potter Miles gave up business interests in the west and and Frederick T. Potter, of Fairport. came again to Rochester, where he established a large factory for the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds, his business interest in California hav- ing brought him the capital that enabled him to thus become connected with the productive indus- tries of Monroe county. He was first located on Acqueduet street, where he remained until his buildings were destroyed by fire, when he, with a brother, bought land and built a factory on Water street. There he continued in business, and as the years passed his patronage increased, reaching extensive proportions. He was actively engaged in business up to within a few months of his death, which occurred in 1899. His business life was one of honor and integrity and the record contained no esoteric phase. His methods were always open and above board and he won his sue- cess by reason of the excellence of his output and also owing to the fact that his business integrity was combined with unflagging enterprise and dili- gence.
In 1823 Mr. Miles was married to Miss Cora Booth, who was born in 1847, a daughter of Ezra B. and Hannah L. (Alworth) Booth, the former a native of Vermont. Her maternal grandparents came to Rochester at an early day from their home in Dutchess county, New York. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Miles, of whom three died in infancy. The others are: Edward B., who is a graduate of the Dental College at Baltimore and now practicing his profession; Catharine L., at home; and Mrs. Ruth H. Witherspoon, of Roch- ester.
Mr. Miles was a stalwart democrat, and though he never sought the honors or the offices of that party, he always gave his assistance to it in every campaign. Like all who walk through life on a higher plane than the great majority of his fel- lows, his companionship was select rather than large, but the many who looked up to and re- spected him realized as fully as did the few who were near him that a true man had lived and passed on.
ALFRED BENEDICT POTTER.
Alfred Benedict Potter was born in Pittsford, New York, February 16, 1833, and was the young- est son of the late Henry S. Potter, of Pitisford and Rochester. Removing to the latter city when a young boy, he lived there until 1864, when he married Hulda A. Thaver, of Lakeside, New York. Mr. Potter and his wife then located in Fairport, where he resided until his death, which occurred at Potter place, August 11, 1896. He is survived by his wife and three children: Mrs.
Mr. Potter was one of the substantial and prom- inent men of Fairport and was an active factor in all church work, much of his time and influence being used in that direction. A most liberal and public-spirited citizen, he sustained intimate rela- tions with all business, educational and spiritual work, his life characterized by progress in all those directions. He was found as a wise counselor and an earnest and efficient worker whose influence, like the widening circles of the sea, will ever be felt in the community. None could have other than sincere respect for the courteous, large- hearted man, so stanch to defend and maintain what he believed to be right and so ready to re- spond to every good cause that called for assist- ance. His sweet, unostentatious, gentle manner won him friends on every side. To know him was to respect and honor him. It is said that snecess is not measured by the good that comes to us but by the good that comes to the world through us. Viewed in this light, Alfred Benedict Potter was a most successful man. He seemed to know just when and how to put forth his efforts to accom- plish the results desired, and his aim was always toward progress and betterment. He gave much thought to those conditions of life which indicate the trend of the world, and the weight of his influence was ever on the side of reform and im- provement. A memorial tablet to his memory has been placed in the Methodist Episcopal church, which is a fitting and appropriate remembrance of the life of Alfred Benedict Potter.
MARK DEAN KNOWLTON.
Mark Dean Knowlton, deceased, whose inventive genius and executive ability in business largely revolutionized the trade of paper box machinery, was born October 5, 1840, at Milford, New Hamp- shire, his parents being Samuel Dean and Nancy J. (Shattuck) Knowlton. His father was a shoe- maker and retail dealer in shoes. The son ac- quired his early education in the common schools of Milford and afterward attended the Milford Academy to the age of sixteen years, when he put aside his text-books and went to Nashua, New Hampshire, to learn the trade of blacksmithing and carriage manufacturing.
Subsequently he had an opportunity to pur- chase a paper box manufactory, and while he was totally unacquainted with the business he availed himself of the chance offered and his rendy adapta- bility, which was always one of his strong char- acteristics, enabled him soon to thoroughly ac-
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quaint himself with the business in principle and detail. This step was the initial one in the path of progress that eventually made him one of the best known paper manufacturers of the east. For a time he was located in Worcester, Massachu- setts, and in 1866 he disposed of his business in- terests in Nashua and removed westward to Chi- eago, where he continued in the paper box manu- facturing business until the great Chicago fire, in which he lost practically all that he had. At a time when despair with many overshadowed courage and determination Mr. Knowlton with resolute spirit faced the situation and with nota- ble energy set to work not only to retrieve his lost possessions but also to assist others. At that time he and his family were living at South Evanston. where, by the way, he held the only public office in his career-that of justice of the peace. While Mr. Knowlton's business was consumed in the flames, his home still remained to him, and he did much toward assisting others who had lost their homes as well as their business interests. Following the fire he located on the west side, where he resumed operations in paper box manu- facturing, but again he was burned out and once more practically lost all. Afterward he joined the W. C. Ritchie Company. He soon huilt up a good trade and success attended his efforts. While associated with that firm he gave much of his time toward completing the invention of his machine for paper box manufacture, on which he had been working. At length he completed the machine and placed upon the market an in- vention which later revolutionized the entire trade.
In March, 1892. Mr. Knowlton disposed of his Insiness interests in Chicago and came to Roch- ester, where, under the firm name of Knowlton & Beade, he started the manufacture of machinery for making paper boxes. This connection con- tinned until May, 1904. when Mr. Knowlton bought out his partner's interest and continued under the style of M. D. Knowlton Company. Being a man of great inventive genins, he patented a number of appliances and machinery all used in paper box making, and was widely known as an inventor of great ability, largely giving his time to the business, which was later organized as a stock company. From the beginning it proved a profitable undertaking, reaching large and impor- tant proportions. His danghter, Miss Annie Dean Knowlton, possesses remarkable business powers and executive ability and with her brother she was named as executrix of the estate. The brother, Fred Kirk Knowlton, is now the vice president of the company. Mr. Knowlton was also the prin- cipal owner of the stock of the Auburn Ball Bear- ing Company. This still constitutes a part of the estate, and the business is practically managed by Miss Knowlton with her brother's assistance.
On the 5th of October, 1864, Mark D. Knowl- ton was married to Miss Abbie E. Currier, a daughter of Alfred and Abbie (Worchester) Cur- rier, of Massachusetts, her father being a railroad man. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Knowlton were born four daughters and a son: Annie Dean, Grace E., Hattie Gertrude, Fred Kirk and Ola. The son pursned his education at Purdue University and Columbia College, and married Elizabeth Kent Stonc.
The officers of the company are now M. D. Knowlton, president ; Fred Kirk Knowlton, vice president ; Annie Dean Knowlton, treasurer; and Mrs. F. K. Knowlton, secretary. The business has developed eightfold since it was organized in Rochester and employment is now furnished to over one hundred operatives in the factory. It has been marked by no decline since the death of the father, owing to the marked executive ability and keen business discernment of his daughter, who had been so closely associated with him in its conduct.
Mr. Knowlton was a man of fine personal ap- pearance, as well as of marked strength of char- acter and intellectual ability. He was a repub- lican but was never active in politics. He served as one of the trustees in the Central Presbyterian church. to which he belonged. Without special advantages at the outset of his career and in the face of two disastrous fires Mr. Knowlton as the architect of his own fortunes builded wisely and well, gaining not only success but also an hon- ored name by reason of the straightforward busi- ness principles which he ever followed. The fam- ily are also members of the Central Presbyterian church. The mother and daughters reside at No. 6 Granger place, where they have a fine residence. Miss Annie Dean Knowlton greatly resembles her father in personal appearance as well as in the splendid business qualities which he displayed. Mr. Knowlton was very devoted to his family. being pre-eminently a home man, and while his loss was felt in business, church and social circles, it came with greatest force to the members of his own household, to whom he was ever a devoted husband and father.
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