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 79
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first-class homes cheaply, easily and safely by a monthly payment amounting to no more than the reasonable rent rate for the property. Under its carefully worked out system, instead of paying rent the householder is enabled to make regular installments in purchase of the property while occupying it, which becomes his own absolutely without incumbrance in a stated period. The company builds or buys to suit the individual de- sire of the contract holder. The company further promotes home owning by assuming and dis- charging burdensome mortgages for members, substituting new terms of indebtedness therefor that are not hurdensome but make it easy for the mortgager to quickly pay off the ineumbrance. The business has been greatly promoted by the fact that the officers of the company are men of broad practical experience in lines of construction and outfitting buildings. As stated, Mr. Albright. long well known as a contractor, is president. The treasurer is John Barnett, who for some years has been engaged in heating, ventilating and metal contracting in Rochester. The vire presidents are Charles Smith, a builder, and Dr. Frederick R. Smith. James S, Quicke, a real-estate dealer, is the secretary of the company, with Robert G. Holden as auditor. Thus the company is officered by men well known in business eireles in the city and from the beginning the new enterprise has prospered through the co-operation of mien well trained in various avenues of business activity bearing upon the construction and equipment of buildings. Mr. Albright has become well known in commercial circles and his example shows what intelligence and prabity may accomplish in the way of success in life.
LEVI HEY.
Although born neross the water Levi Hey, iu the years of his residence in Rochester, borame recognized as a successful and enterprising husi- ness man of this city. He was born in Yorkshire. England, in 1832, acquired his education in that country and when twenty-one years of age crossed the Atlantic, for he had heard favorable reports concerning the opportunities and advantages of the new world and resolved to use some of these possibilities for his own betterment. He arrived in America in 1858, and for ten years, or until 1868, was engaged in the flour business in Phila- delphia. He then came to Rochester and began dealing in rags and paper. He followed that busi- ness for many years and won success, building up an extensive enterprise. He started alone on Cen- ter street and later bought property on State street, where the business is now located. After a
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E. I .. ALBRIGHT.
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time he employed George R. Coates as bookkeeper and John Bennett as assistant bookkeeper, with E. C. Hazan as salesman. Mr. Hey continued at the head of the business for some years but at length left the three gentlemen mentioned in charge, while he retired. In the meantime he had become associated with Mr. Mason in the conduct of a business on State street, as jobbers and re- tailers of stoves, tinware, etc., under the firm name of Levi Hey & Company. This business is still continued, being now nuder the firm name of Beul- nett & Mason.
In 1868 Mr. Hey was married to Miss Martha Pearson, of Philadelphia, and in 1869 he pur- chased the property at. No. 1-13 Fulton avenue, where his widow vet resides. He also built several houses in the city and his real-estate operations added not a little to his income. He exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and meas- ures of the republican party but was never an office sceker. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity, in which he attained the Knight Templar degree, and at one time he was a member of the Gentle- men's Driving Club of Rochester but he was pre- eminently a home man and at his own fireside spent the greater part of his time outside of bnsi- ness hours. In his business life he manifested such close application and keen discernment that he left the ranks of the many and stood among the successful few, He had a spirit of resolution that enabled him to overcome all difficulties and ob- stacles and work his way steadily upward and thus he left his widow in very comfortable financial circumstances, when, on the 15th of September, 1905, he was called from this life. He had never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world, for here he had found good Insiness opportunities, which he improved with the result that his labors were rewarded with snecess.
GEORGE ARNOLDT.
In German- American circles in Rochester there was no man who held a higher position in public regard or exerted a stronger influence in behalf of those things which work for good citizenship than did George Arnoult. He departed this life on the 14th of April. 1893. hut his memory is vet cher- ished by many who knew him. A native of Ger- inany, he was born in Heidelberg. October 15. 1820, and was descended from an old family of high social standing that had long held official position in the fatherland. His early associations were mainly with cultured people and his home training was of a nature that indmed his mind with high principles. At his birth the father was an officer in the department of forestry, having
charge of the district of Heidelberg. He desired that his son should have excellent educational privileges and when George Arnohit had mastered the branches of learning taught in the preparatory schools he became a student in the University of Heidelberg at the age of eighteen years. Subse- quently he went to Carlsruhe, where as a pupil in the polytechnic school he studied civil engineering, preparatory to making it a life work. He was graduated with honors and soon afterward ob- tained a position in the government service, being employed in the survey and construction of the sections of railroad between Heidelberg and Man- heim, and Heidelberg and Frankfort.
The intense political feeling in Germany toward the middle of the mneteenth century led to a marked epoch in the history of that country, cul- minating in the events of the year 1848, which have become historic. Throwing himself into the struggle with all the strength of his impulsive" nature, Mr. Arnoldt became secretary of the demo- eratie association of Heidelberg, was one of the envoys of the Storm petition to Carilsruhe, was a commissioner of war, received a commission in the engineer department, oversaw the building of the fortifications in the Oldenwald and on the line of the Neckar and Main. and participated in one battle, or skirmish. With the downfall of the revolution it was impossible for those prominent in the movement to remain in Germany and Frederick Hecknr. Frederick Kapp, Carl Schurz and other distinguished revolutionists, including Mr. Arnoldt, flod to America.
Arriving in New York in 1850, George Arnoklt spent one year in the metropolis, after which he came to Rochester and secured employment with the nursery firm of Ellwanger & Barry. A few months later he entered the service of the state in the office of the division engineer of the Erie canal nt Rochester and his superior qualifications in that direction enabled him to maintain his posi- tion through twenty-seven years of political change or nntil declining health forced him to retire from netive business. His fidelity to the interests of the position was above question and his capability was comtinnally manifest in the excellence of his work and the methods which he pursned. During his connection with the canal department he was an associate and friend of George D. Stillson. General E. S. Parker and other civil engineers who later acquired distinction in the state and l'nite:) States service. For many years Mr. Ar- noldt was also associated with the brewing inter- ests of Rochester. having in 1852 become a stock- hohler in the Bartholomay Brewing Company, of which he acted as secretary from the date of its organization until the plant and business were sold to the syndicate May 29. 1889.
In the year 1852 Mr. Arnoldt was married to Miss Theresa Ochling. to whom he had plighted
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his troth in Heidelberg ere crossing the Atlantic to the new world. Their eldest son, Richard, was Jost on Lake Ontario, November 18, 1879, in a frightful storm that destroyed the fleet under his command and rendered him famous as a hero. The younger son, Julius W., also a brilliant scholar and civil engineer of high standing. died in No- vember, 1891. The daughters are Mrs. Herman Behn and Mrs. Joanne A. Koch.
Mr. Arnoldt took little active part in politics after coming to America. A local paper said of him: "His life was a quiet round of congenial duties, and he was content to seek pleasure in the companionships of home rather than in the turmoil and unrest of political strife. With advancing years came abundant means for the gratification of high artistic and literary tastes and the ever pres- ent desire to share with friends the benefits of his industry. He was a just and honorable man, prond of his good name and family, and above all, proud of the country of his adoption. Prominent in the circles of German society, he has left many friends who will long bear his memory in their hearts, and believe that the world is better for the existence of such men us George Arnoldt." While always bear- ing the strongest love for his native land, he had the deepest attachment for America and when he crossed the water it was to become an American citizen whose first interest should be his adopted country. In a quiet way he gave his support to every movement for the public good and was greatly interested in all these things which are a matter of civic virtue and of civic pride.
REV. JOHN J. BRESNIHAN.
Rev. John J. Bresnihan, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul's congregation nt Churchville, is one of the strong and able representatives of Catholicism in this part of Monroe county. He was born in Auburn, New York, in 1869, his parents being Hugh and Ellen ( MeAuliffe) Bresnihan, who were natives of County Kerry, Ireland. Coming to Amerien, the father was for fifty years employed by the New York Central Railroad Company and as a mark of appreciation for long and faithful service Mr. Bresnihan was eventually placed on the company's pension list. He spent the last three years of his life with his son, Father Bresni- han, in Churchville and such was the esteem in which he was held here that all business honses were closed on the morning of his funeral. His remains were interred in St. Joseph's cemetery in Auburn, New York. He had been married before leaving the Emerald isle and came to the new world in 1854.
Father Bresuihan is the only surviving mein- ber of a family of seven children. He remained in Auburn, New York, until ordained to the priest- hood in 1896. He began his education in the parochial schools and was graduated from the Auburn high school with the class of 1887. Hav- ing spent the winter of 1887 in Florida, he entered St. Andrew's Preparatory Seminary at Rochester in the fall of 1888, completing his course there by gradnation in 1891. He next entered St. Joseph's Provincial Seminary at Troy, New York, and was graduated in philosophy at the end of two years. In 1893, the year in which St. Bernard's Seminary of Rochester was opened, he become one of its sindents and therein completed n course of the- ology and science in 1896. after which he was ordained to the priesthood hy Rt. Rev. B. J. Mc- Quaid, bishop of the diocese. He was then as- signed as assistant rector to St. Bridget's church in Rochester under the Rev. T. A. Hendrick, who has since been made bishop of Cebu in the Philip- pine Islands, After three years at St. Bridget's, Father Bresnihan was appointed to the rectorship of St. Vincent de Paul's at Churchville, where he has remained since 1900.
In the intervening years he has made exten- sive improvements in the church and the grounds. consisting of interior decorations, new altars. slatnary and stations of the eross, ammounting to four thousand dollars. Many improvements have been made on the parsonage and grounds and in fact the grounds are considered the most attractive in Churchville, this being admitted by all. One of the interesting and notable events in the history of the church ocenrred on the 4th of January, 1902, when was burned the mortgage that for some years had rested on the beautiful parochial residence. This indicated the liquidation of a debt of eight hundred and seventy-one and a half dollars in the form of a mortgage held by the Rochester Savings Bank. A large concourse of people that night gathered in Assembly Hall and Father Bresnihan addressed the audience, giving a resume of the most important events in the history of the parish. Ilis predecessor, Father Curran, during a pastor- ate of seventeen years had erected the handsome church edifice and residence and when Father Bresnihan took charge there was an indebtedness on the Churchville property of nineteen hundred dollars. Ile resolutely undertook the task of clear- ing this nway and has done so, in addition to mak- ing all of the improvements named. In addition to carrying on his work in Churchville he is also pastor of St. Fechan's church in Chili, where ser- vices are held each Sunday and he has also been instrumental in clearing off a small indebtedness there besides making many alterations.
Father Bresnihan is a man of strong in- fellectuality and broad learning and has done excellent work for the spiritual up-
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building of his congregation as well as in the improvement of its property interests here. He has the good will of all classes, being uniformly held in high esteem by his non-Catholic neighbors as well as his own parishioners. He is broad- minded and generous and is ever striving to culti- vate in his own life those virtues which he would have others cherish and with a heart filled with charity for all he is everywhere respected and loved. Aside from his work as pastor of the church he is frequently called upon to deliver sermons else- where on special occasions and to conduct the exercises of spiritual retreats. He possesses splen- did oratorical power and has frequently been lis- tened to with close attention by audiences whom he has addressed upon subjects other than those connected with his denominational work.
J. MILLER KELLY.
J. Miller Kelly, now deceased, was a prominent politician and business man of Rochester, but while in these connections he influenced public thought and action and contributed to the city's prosperity, it was the kindly and generous spirit of the man that made him so uniformly respected and loved and causes his memory to be cherished by all who knew him. He was born on Lyell ave- line, in Rochester, July 13, 1854, and died Feb- ruary 14, 1905. He was the son of Peter and Catherine Miller, and adopted son of James Kelly, who educated him and gave him his first start in life. His early education was supplemented by study in the Rochester high school and Free Acad- emy and he entered business circles as office boy in the lamp works of James Kelly, working his way steadily upward through successive positions until he acquired an interest in the business. He was afterward engaged in the retail hat business on Main street, continuing in that line for two years, when he was elected president of the Stand- ard Brewery and continued in the active manage- ment of that enterprise until his death. He was also a director of the German Insurance Company and from his varied business interests derived a most desirable income. He was a thorough busi- ness man. of excellent executive force and enter- prise and his carefully managed interests won him prominence and success in commercial circles.
Mr. Kelly was also well known in political cir- eles as a supporter of democratic principles and his efforts in behalf of the party were far-reaching and beneficial. He served as alderman from the fif- teenth ward from 1877 until 1905, or for a period of twenty-eight years-a record unparalleled in the history of the city-and several times he was president pro tem of the council and for two terms
its president. He was interested in all that per- tained to the city's improvement and upbuilding and was the champion of all those measures which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. He therefore exercised his official prerogatives in be- half of municipal advancement and made a most excellent record in public service, his course winning him high enconiums.
On the 23d of October, 1883, Mr. Kelly was married to Miss Lena Daws, a danghter of Mathew and Catherine ( Miller) Daws, of Roches- ter, who are still living, the father being now eighty-five years of age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kelly were born three children : Mabel, who was graduated in June, 1907, from Livingston Park Seminary ; Hattie Irene, who died at the age of fifteen months; and Elsie Augusta, who died at the age of five weeks. Mrs. Kelly and her daugli- ter occupy a beautiful home at the corner of Lyell and Cameron streets, which was built by Mr. Kelly in 1883. It was always a great delight to him to provide liberally for his family and he did everything in his power to promote their comfort and happiness. He was a man of most kindly and sympathetic spirit and was greatly interested in charities. The poor indeed found in him a friend and his benevolences were large yet he gave entirely without ostentation or display and in fact sought to follow the scriptural injunction not to let the left hand know what the right hand doeth. He belonged to the Catholic church and to the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association. He was also connected with the Rochester Club, with the Red Men and the Elke and in the early years of his residence in Rochester was a member of the Volunteer Firemen's Association. Viewed from any standpoint, his life record presented many creditable phases. An energetic and capable busi- ness man, he won success; an astute political leader with a statesman's grasp of affairs, he wrought along lines for the city's greatest good ; and his broad humanitarian spirit was constantly manifest in helpful ways to those less fortunate than himself.
JOHN HINDERLAND.
John Hinderland is one of the worthy citizens that Germany has furnished to Monroe county, his birth having occurred in Mecklenburg in 1818, and he was a young man of twenty years, when in 1868 he accompanied his father, Joseph Hinder- land, to this country, the family home being estah- lished in Pittsford, where the father passed away in 1881.
Upon arriving in Monroe county, John Hinder- land sought and secured employment on a farın, working by the month. He possessed a strong
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determination and great energy and after several years' labor he managed to save capital sufficient to justify the purchase of land and in 1880 he purchased a tract of land of John Eckler, con- stituting lifty neres situated in Pittsford township. He had been married in 1819 to Miss Phehe Foreman, a daughter of Fred Foreman, an early settler of Henrietta, Monroe county. Following his marriage he took his bride to his farm and there they began their domestic life. Through their combined efforts in course of time they accu- mulated the competence which enabled them to add needed improvements to their place. In 1892 they erected a fine country residence and three years later built a good barn. Mr. Hinderland also improved the place with a good orchard and carried on the work of tilling the soil. He has been very successful in his work and now has a well improved property, which classes him among the substantial citizens of this section of Monroe county.
He gives his political support to the republican party. lle and his family hold membership in the German Lutheran church, and he was a liberal contributor toward the erection of the new house of worship. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hin- derland has been blessed with three daughters, Mrs. Mina Startup, Laura and Cora. Mrs. Hin- derland lived in Brighton when, in 1865, the Genesee river went over the binks and flooded the county for miles. For four days the family -- father, mother and three children-were unable to leave the log house in which they lived.
Mr. Hinterland has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in America, for here he has eagerly availed himself of every oppor- tunity which has presented itself and although he began life in his adopted country in the humble capacity of a farm hand, he hus steadily worked his way upward until he is now in possession of a good home, and is surrounded by. many warm friends who esteem him for his genuine personal worth.
WILLIAM W. OSGOODBY.
William W. Osgoodby, whose fame as an author of shorthanad text-hooks and as an inventor of improvements in the art of shorthand writing is world-wide, has filled the position of stenographer for the seventh judicial district of New York for forty-five years. throughout which period he has been a resident of Rochester. In fact, he is a native son of this city. His birth having here or- curred in April. 1834. Ilis original business was printing, but as early as 1853 he did considerable shorthand work for the Rochester press. In 1856
he became a shorthand reporter for the Detroit Daily Advertiser during the Fremont campaign and reported many of the speeches of the dis- tinguished men of that day, including such polit- ien) leaders as Lincoln, Wells, Chase, Chandler and others on the republican side and of Ca-s, Breckenridge, Bright, Dickinson and other demo- cratic leaders. Later he was engaged in report- ing the lectures delivered before the Detroit Young Men's Society for the daily papers of that city. llis work on the press continued until 1860, and during those years he was the official stenographer of the Michigan house of representatives.
It was also during that period that Mr. Os- goodby was married, in 1857, to Miss Electa L. Irwin, with whom he has now traveled life's jour- ney for half a century. Their only son, Harry E. Osgoodby, died August 16, 1884, in his twenty- fourth year. Their daughters are Mrs. Charles S. Stair, of Rochester, and Mrs. Alfred L. Fraser, of Yonkers, New York.
In 1859, MIr, Osgoodby was tendered an appoint- ment as stenographer in congress, through the friendly interest of Mr. Chandler, but he declined it, having determined to enter the practice of law. Upon his return to New York he was admitted to the Far and began practice at Hornelleville. But it seems that he was born to be a reporter rather than a lawyer. for he received the appointment as stenographer of the seventh judicial district carly in 1862. immediately after The passage of the law authorizing such appointments. From that date until now he has held that position and performed the duties of The office, making a continuous term of service of over forty-five years. During the first nine years of his term Mr. Osgoodby also held the appointment of official stenographer for the sixth judicial district, reporting the courts of Justices Mason, Balcom, the elder Parker, and Murray, and he is well and favorably remembered by the older members of the bar of that district.
Upon the organization of the New York State Stenographers' Association, Mr. Osgoodhy was elected president, and he has since served another term in the same capacity. He has also been for- eign associale of the Shorthand Society of London.
Mr. Osgoodby is. however, much more widely known because of his published works on short- hand than from his official work as a stenographer. In 18:2 he began the publication of his Phonetic Shorthand. A page of his notes, embodying many of the new features now contained in his system of shorthand. having been published In fac-simile in a shorthand magazine, he immediately received letters of inquiry concerning it. from all direc- tions, and uhthough he had no idea of improving the system then in use except for his own use. he was obliged to issue a sheet describing his own ex- pedients, for use in replying to such letters. . \]-
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though constantly urged by many well-known stell- ographers to publish the system in the form of a text-book, he steadily declined, until the year 1884, when he finally yielded to solicitation, and issued the first edition of his Phonetic Shorthand Manual. Twelve editions of this Manual have been published. By an improved method of en- graving, the new edition will be by far the most handsomely illustrated work upon the subject ever issued. We have had the privilege of examining some of the proof sheets of the new plates, and they are certainly the finest specimens of short- hand engraving we have ever seen, for, while pre- serving all the features of written shorthand, and exhibiting none of the stiffness of shorthand as usually engraved, the utmost accuracy of outline and neatless and elegance of form are retained.
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