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 76
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Mr. Miller made an excellent record in con- neetion with the public interests of the city. He was especially well known in military circles. Having a fondness for the life of a soldier, he helped organize the Rochester German Grenadiers and was made captain of the organization in 1840. A few years later it became part of the Fifty- fourth Regiment. At the time of the draft riots in New York Captain Miller's company was called into action, a request being sent from New York to have the Rochester company go to that city to restore order. At Albany the company was ordered to proceed no further and for a long time was stationed at the capital to protect the public buildings, which were threatened. When the National Guard of New York state was being re- organized in 18;3. Captain Miller was made a captain of the cavalry and two years later was commissioned a lieutenant colonel. Mr. Miller was also a volunteer fireman, belonging to the first hook and ladder company of Rochester.
His political allegiance was given to the democ- raey and for five terms he represented his ward on the board of supervisors, being first elected in 18;6, again in 1885 and once more in 1886. His official duties were discharged with a sense of conscientious obligation that showed his loval interest in the welfare and progress of the city. Mr. Miller was also an exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he attained the Knight Templar degree. He Imilt the residence where his widow and children now reside-a comt- modions and beautiful home at No. 416 Lake avenue. They also have a nice summer home on Keuka lake, where they spend the warm months,
The death of Mr. Miller occurred on the 11th of April, 1906, and was the occasion of deep and unfeigned regret, for he had long been recognized as a prominent business man, much interested in the upbuilding of Rochester. For over fifty years he lad figured in its commercial circles and in connection with many public events. He was, moreover, a splendid type of the self-made man who is not only the architect but the builder of his own fortunes. He early started ont in life on his own account and faced difficulties and obstacles which would be utterly disheartening to many, Imt he possessed a strong, resolute spirit and as the years passed by he so improved his opportunities and utilized his advantages that he made for himself a prominent place in the busi- ness world.
WILLIAM B. MILLER.
William B. Miller, who devotes his time and energies to farming and stock-raising in Chili township, was born in Gates, Monroe county, New York, March 18. 1853. His parents were Ran- som and Fannie (Warner) Miller, the latter a sister of Judge Warner's father. . The paternal grandfather, Eli Miller, came from Connectient to Rochester when the prosent city contained only me house. Since that time the family has been identified with the development of the county in varions phases of its growth and activity. Eli Miller bore his share in the work of reclaiming this district for the purposes of civilization. He settled where the Monroe county poor honse now stands, owning and operating a farm there, his time and energies being given to geueral agri- cultural pursuits until his life's labors were ended in death. He married Miss Polly Loomis and to them were born five children, three sons and two daughters, all of whom have now passed away.
Ransom Miller, father of William B. Miller, was born on the site of the Monroe county poor honse at what was then the oll family home- stead and spent his boyhood and youth in this part of the state, the educational privileges afforded him being those offered by the common schools. Having arrived at years of maturity. he married Fannie Warner, and they reared six sons and a daughter. Ransom Miller spent most of his life in Gates but his last years were passed in Rochester.
William B. Miller began his edneation in the public schools of Gates and afterward attended the Williams Business University. He has spent his life as a fammer and in association with his brother. Milton M. Miller, he bought a tract of
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land of one hundred and sixty acres in the center of Chili township. This he cultivated for a mun- ber of years but eventually sold that property and in 1891 came to his present place of residence. This he has greatly improved and now hus one of the finest farin properties in the township. His landed possessions aggregate two hundred and sixteen meres and he carries on general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of the rais- ing of thoroughbred Shropshire sheep and Poland China hogs, all registered, some of which have been imported from England. His opinions are largely regarded as authority on the matter of sheep- raising and he is well known as a representative of the live-stock interests of the county.
In 1884 Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Ida 3. Voke, who was from Chili township and was a daughter of William Voke, who came to Monroe county from near Portsmouth, Eng- land, crossing the Atlantic with his parents in 15333. Ilis father was Edward Voke. a ship- builder, who, coming to the new world, estab- lished his residence in what was then the town of Rochester with little indication of the advan- tages of the city, Unto Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been born two sons and a daughter: William R., who was born in April. 1885, and is at home: Lotta A., who was born March 12, 1887: and Alfred V., born in September, 1889.
Mr. Miller votes with the republican party but has no desire for office. preferring to concentrate his time and energies upon his business affairs, in which he is meeting with signal sureess.
LEWIS S. BROOKS.
Lewis S. Brooks, now living in well earned case in Fairport, was in former years largely con- nerted with the mining of cual and with general agricultural pursuits. lhe is one of Montre county's native sons, his birth having ocenrred in Penfield on the 13th of April. 1853. His father. Garry Brooks, was born July 5. 1806, in New Milford, Connecticut, and his parent-, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Brooks, were also natives of that state. The family is of English lineage and was founded in America by Thomas Brooks, who on coming from England settled in Connectiont. The town of Brookfield was named in his honor and he there preached in the Presbyterian church for a half century. Ile was a graduate of the theo- logical department of Yale College of the class of 1754. His son, Samuel Brooks, was a soldier of the Revolution under Generals Washington and Lafayette, being with the latter at Yorktown. He afterward followed carpentering throughont
his active business life and died at the advanced age of ninety-six years.
Garry Brooks was reared and educated in Con- nerticut and learned the tailor's trade in Litch- field, that state. In 1826 he joined his parents in Monroe county, New York, and after living for some time in the town of Penfield removed to Fairport, where he still lives -- a centenarian. He married Emuma Chauncey, daughter of John Channeev. of Connecticut, and of their four chil- dren three are living : Fannie, Lewis and Emna, all of Fairport. Garry Brooks is a republican and in religions faith a Congregationalist. He takes an active part in the evangelistic and school work of the elmirch and has contributed largely to the support of Oberlin College, conducted under the anspices of that denomination. While living in the town of Penfield he joined with others in building Penfield Academy and has ever been a most stalwart friend of the schools.
Lewis S. Brooks spent his youth on his father's farin in Penfield and was a lad of fourteen years at the time of the removal of the family to Fair- port. His public school education was supple- mented by study in Eastman's Business College of Poughkeepsie. New York.
In early manhond Lewis Brooks wedded Miss Mary MeMillan. the ceremony being performed at the home of her uncle, Jesse B. Hannan. They later removed to Ilinois, where they resided from 188; until 1889, Mr. Brooks being regarded as one of the substantial business men of Smithboro and that portion of the state. For a number of years he was there interested in the mining of coal, being vice president of the Smithhoro Prospecting & Mining Company, which operated a large tract of coal lands, having contracts for the coal used by the Vandalia system hiring the superinten- dency of the lute Colonel Hill. However, through inch of his life he has given his time and energies to stock-raising and farming and for the purpose of engaging in the former he owns the Prospect View farm, comprising three hundred and seventy arres of the finest land in the state. He was one of the charter members of the State Horticul- tural Society of New York and has always felt a deep interest in everything pertaining to advance- ment in farming and fruit-growing lines. In later years he has transacted his father's business as well as looking after his own properties and has displayed great executive ability and keen dis- crimination in the work.
U'nto Mr. and Mrs. Brooks have been born nine children. Chauncey Garry, who now resides on his father's farm neur Pittsford, married Cora Hunt, a daughter of William Hunt and a native of Brunchport, Yates county, New York. Unto this marriage have been born two sons, Garry and William. Fannie F. is a graduate of Wells College of the class of 1902, where she won the degree of
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Master of Arts and also obtained a degree from Trinity College at Durham, North Carolina, and is now a teacher in the high school at Rochester. Jesse L., a former student in the Fairport high school and a graduate of Eastman's Business Col- lege, is now connected with the Rochester electric light plant. Emmia S., who pursued a classical course in the Fairport high school and after her graduation took a post graduate course there and also attended Elmira College, is now the wife of J. Hunter Black of Geneseo, New York, at present surrogate clerk and now pursuing a course in law. On the occasion of their marriage fonr gen- erations of the family were present, including her grandfather, then one hundred years of age. Ethel M. was educated in the Fairport high school aud resides at home. J. Willard is a student in the high school. Earl V. is a student in the Rochester Business University. Mary I. is at- tending the Mrs. Hake Preparatory School in Rochester. Harold S. died at the age of two years.
The home of the family is a large and attractive residence, splendidly situated on a natural build- ing site, commanding a fine view of the village and presided over by Mrs. Brooks, who is a most accomplished and charming hostess. Mr. Brooks is an earnest advocate of republican principles and while in Illinois served on the county re- publican central committee and wielded a wide influence in county and state polities. In 1882 he became a member of the Presbyterian church at Greenville, Illinois, but there is no church of that denomination in Fairport, so he attends and supports other denominations here. He is a Chris- tian gentleman of high principles and genuine personal worth and throughout his entire life he has ever endeavored to do unto others as he would have them do unto him. He recognizes the fact that Christianity is not a matter of Sunday ob- servance but of daily living, and this truth he manifests in all his relations with his fellowmen, being ever just, considerate and kindly.
HOMER H. WOODWARD.
Homer H. Woodward, attorney at law of Rochester, was born in Fairfax, Vermont, Jan- arv 20, 1831, his parents being Joseph and Lucy (Wilmorth) Woodward. The father was a native of Franklin, Massachusetts, and the mother of Vermont. With his family he came to New York by way of the Eric canal in 1834. shortly after that waterway had been opened. A location was made at Victor, Ontario county, but after two years a removal was made to East Rush, Monroe county, New York, where Joseph Woodward pur-
chased a bouse, in which he lived until his death in 1863.
Homer HI. Woodward attended in the schools of East Rush, and was a student in the academy at East Henrietta in the winter previous to coming to Rochester in the spring of 1844, when a youth of thirteen years, after which he attended the old high school of which Chester Dewey was principal. He boarded in the family of Henry F. Rochester the first year and in the family of the widow of Nathaniel Rochester, who died in December, 1845. Mr. Woodward attended the high school during a part of four years and in the winter of 1849 he began teaching school, when in his nineteenth year. He was the principal of the Mumford school and in 1852, when but twenty-one years of age, he became principal of the Union school at Honeoye Falls. He then went to Batavia, New York, where he entered upon the study of law and where he also taught a private school for a few years, thus providing for his expenses while pur- sning his law course.
Admitted to the bar at Batavia, New York, in 1856, Mr. Woodward came to Rochester in 1858 and opened an office, since which time he has en- gaged in the practice of his profession in this city. Ile is now one of the oldest members of the Rochester har and from the beginning has main- tained a foremost place in the ranks of the legal fraternity. He served as school commissioner in Genesee county before coming to Rochester, but has here given his entire time and attention to lis profession. In February, 1867, he commenced action for Elihu H. Grover, plaintiff, against John Morrissey, John A. Morris, William C. France, Richard France, Charles H. Murray, Zachariah E. Simmons, William L. Simmons, Jacob Bausch, David L. Reed and Benjamin Wood, who were carrying on the business of selling lottery tickets under a statute which gave to each purchaser the right to cover double the amount that he paid for the ticket. The case was tried before James L. Angle, referee, in 1875, and Mr. Woodward recov- ered a judgment February 15, 1875, for twelve thousand two hundred and ninety-six dollars and seventy-two cents damage and six hundred and two dollars and forty-mine eents costs. This was one of the most notable cases ever tried in the courts of Monroe county, extending over a period of seven years. The defendants appealed the ense and it was argueil in the court of appeals in 1878, where the judgment was affirmed. It was col- leeted in New York and Mr. Woodward sued the hail, and on the 15th of April, 1880, received from Deputy Sheriff Dennett sixteen thousand three hundred and thirteen dollars and twenty-one cents. Thus the case extended over a period of thirteen venrs and resulted in a total recovery of seventeen thousand six hundred dollars. The result was that the defendants left the state of New York.
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H. H. WOODWARD.
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Mr. Woodward conducted the case with the utmost skill and legal finesse. He has tried many notable cases before the courts, in which his thorough un- derstanding of the law and correct application of its principles has been displayed. He is recognized as an attorney of wide erudition and his ability and skill have long been acknowledged in the lib- eral and distinctively representative clientage which has been accorded him. Courts and juries listen to him with attention and he has won many of the most notable forensic victories in the courts of the district.
Mr. Woodward was married in October, 1862. to Miss Mary F. Granger, a native of Troy, New York, and unto them were born three sons and two daughters: Mrs. Nellie E. Brigham, William P., Granger A., Henry V. and Mabel HI. The young- cst sen is a clerk of the supreme court of Roches- ter. The wife and mother died in May, 1903, and her death was the occasion of deep regret to many friends as well as her immediate family.
Mr. Woodward is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity and an exemplary representative of the craff. He is penetrative and practical, qualities which have been evidenced in his profe -- ional ca- roer. He seems to see readily to the center of things and from the center to the ciremuference. He looks upon the world from no false position; he has no untried standards. He is a man of strong convictions, quick to discern the right and unfaltering in maintaining his position. He stands as a man among men in his successes and his broad and liberal views and in the principles which govern his conduct, and association with him means pleasure, expansion and elevation.
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GEORGE B. SMITIL.
Various important industries and business in- dertnkings have felt the stimulus of the aid, co- operation and wise counsel of George B. Smith, who at this writing is living retired at the vener- able age of ninety years. Hle enme to Rochester in 1833 and few have longer resided in the city, his memory going back to the time when it was a small town of little industrial and commercial import- ance. He has seen the extension of its borders io accommodate its growth and has witnessed its de- velopment into a business center, with ramifying interests reaching out in all directions and bear- ing no little influence upon trade conditions at large.
Mr. Smith is a native of Burlington, Vermont, born on the Ist of June. 1817. His father, Peter B. Smith, died before the removal of the son to
the Empire state. In one of the old-time log school houses of Vermont George B. Smith acquired his «dneation and in the winter of 1833-34 he and George B. Harris carried papers for his brother, Sydney Smith, who was at that time publishing a paper in Rochester. This brother was the first police justice of the city and in other ways was prominently connected with public interests.
In the spring of 1831 George B. Smith seenred a clerkship with John B. Dewey, working for four dollars per month and boarding him- self. lle continued in that employ until the spring of 1537, when he removed to Michigan. but after eighteen months spent in the Wolverine state he returned to Roches- ter. Hle then elerked for David Moody until 1812, when, in connection with I. E. Gould, he bought out the Moody grocery store and the firm of Smith & Gonld continued business for eighteen years. Throughont this period his financial resources were muereasing by means of a constantly enlarging trade. Ou retiring from the grocery business Mr. Smith turned his attention to the coal trade, in which he became a partner of John B. Dewey. h.ter, however, selling out to the firm of Dewey & Davi -. He then became a member of the firm of Smith & Roberts, wholesale dealers in coal, and they developed a business of extensive proportions, in which connection they built the Genesee docks on the river to facilitate shipping. They did an extensive shipping business to Chicago by way of the lakes under the firm style of H. C. Roberts & Co., and when Mr. Smith's connection had con- tinned in this enterprise for some years he retired and became connected with the operation of a blast fornace. He was director and president of a company engaged in the manufacture of pig iron, Int finally sold out about 1902. During his active iife, in 1880. he was one of the promoters of the Ray Railroad, hecame one of its first directors, and was later vice president, but subsequently the road was sold to a syndicate. His business interests were ever of such a character as contributed to general progress and upbuilding as well as to in- dividna! sucress, and he did much to further the interests and welfare of the city, his co-operation being never sought in vain in behalf of Rochester.
Mr. Smith was married in carly manhood to Miss Caroline A. Broome, a native of Connecticut and a daughter of Horatio Gates Broome. It was in honor of her grandfather and his brother, Sam- uel and John Broome, that the county of Broome. New York, was named. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith were born a son and daughter: Heury B., who is row in the coal business at No. 39 Fitzhugh street : and Mary IS., who is with her father. The son served as a soldier of the Civil war and now draws a pension in recognition of the aid which he rendered the government. The wife and mother. Mrs. Caroline Smith, died in October 1906, when
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nearly ninety years of age, and thus death termi- nated a happy married relation, which continued for over sixty-two years.
The home which Mr. Smith occupies was pur- chased by him a number of years ago. He is still a very active man and his mental alertness is re- markable. He can remember as if but yesterday seeing General Lafayette in Vermont when the French marquis was visiting this country. In poli- tics he is a stalwart republican. In his business life has been manifest much of the spirit of the initiative. Many men seem capable of carrying out ideas and plans formulated by others, but not in instituting new measures or enterprises. Mr. Smith, however, has established a number of busi- ness interests which have proven profitable and is one to whom Rochester owes not a little for its present commercial prosperity. In all of his un- dertakings he has been eminently practical, and, moreover, sustains an unassailable reputation as one whose probity has ever been above question.
OSCAR CRAIG.
In the history of the legal profession in Roches- ter mention should be made of Oscar Craig, now deceased, who was a prominent attorney of that. city for many years, continuing in the active prac- tice of law here from 1859 until his demise, which occurred on the 2d of January, 1894. He was one of the native sons of the Empire state, his birth having occurred in Medina, Orleans county, New York, November 14, 1836. His parents were Jo- seph and Elizabeth (Herring) Craig, and after their marriage they resided in Medina, New York, for several years, the father being engaged in gen- eral merchandising there. He afterward brought his family to Monroe county, New York, and re- sided on a tract of land near the town of Brock- port, where he engaged in farming until his death. His wife has also passed away.
Oscar Craig pursued a public school education at Medina until he was seventeen years of age. A careful consideration of the various avenues of life cpen to young men led him to determine upon the profession of law as a life work and he went to Schenectady, New York, where he entered upon the study of law in the Union College. He spent two years as a student there and graduated with the class of 1856. after which he returned to Me- dina and continued a student in the law office of Mr. Servous at that place for a short time. He was likewise a student in the law office of Mr. Parker in Buffalo for three years and the fact that he had an uncle in Rochester influenced him to become a resident of this city in 1859. Here he concluded bis course with Judge Strong and entered upon the practice of his profession.
Mr. Craig was married in 1861 to Miss Helen M. Chatfield, of New York City, a daughter of Levi S. Chatfield, who was also a prominent at- torney and resided for several years in Otsego county, after which he removed to New York city. Prior to that time he was made attorney general for the state and acted in that capacity for four years. He resided in New York city for several years, after which he retired from active practice, making his home in Elizabeth, New York, until called to his final rest in 1884.
When Mr. Craig came to Rochester he opened a law office and engaged in practice with Judge Strong for a time. Because of impaired health he then left the city for a few months and upon his return opened an office in the Powers building, where he practiced for a few years, He then be- came attorney for the Monroe County Savings Bank and moved his office to that building and was the local representative of that institution for several years. He was the attorney who drew up the bill for the transfer of the inmates of the poor house to the state hospital. He had an extensive clientage which connected him with litigation of a prominent and important character and at the bar he displayed a wide and thorough familiarity with the principles of jurisprudence in various de- partments. He was ever an earnest worker, neg- lecting none of the various duties which fall to a lawyer in the preparation of a case in the office er in the presentation of his case before the cour. He was regarded as a safe counselor and able de- fender of litigated interests and for many years was accorded a prominent position at the Roches- ter bar.
Mr. Craig was also a factor in public life and was especially concerned with those interests which worked for the welfare and upbuilding of the city and the advancement of beneficial and charitable movements. He was well known in philanthropic circles and was a member of the state board of charities, of which he served as president for four- teen years, receiving appointment to the board from Governor Cornell and acting as its president at the time of his death. He did not associate him- self with any political party, but gave his support where he believed the best interests of the city de- manded it. Both he and his wife were faithful and consistent members of the First Presbyterian church, in the work of which he took an active and helpful part, serving for some time as elder. His life was honorable, his actions manly and sin- cere, his ideals high and his principles commended him to the unqualified respect of all with whom he came in contact, so that his name is honorably en- rolled upon the list of Rochester's prominent dead. He died at his home at No. 33 South Washing- ton street, where Mrs. Craig still resides. It was built in 1816 and is one of the oldest residences of the city-a landmark which for more than nine-
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