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 80
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Since the publication of the first edition of the Mannal, in 1884, Mr. Osgoodby has published sev- eral other works upon the subject, inchiding his well-known Speed-Book, a Dictionary of twenty thousand engraved word-forms, a Compendium, an entire law report in engraved shorthand, with key. for practice use, the Theory and Practice of Phrase-Writing, the Word-Book, and various en- graved reading books. Perhaps the most unique of his publications is a shorthand edition of The Great Moon Hoax, by Richard Adams Locke, the original publication of which in the New York Sun. in 1833, was the real foundation of the pros- perous career of that well-known journal.
The system of phonography published by Mr. Osgoodby is now widely known and used, and the commendations which it has received from eminent stenographers are highly creditable to its indus- trions anthor. Many of the best stenographers of the older school have adopted it, and it has come to be acknowledged as one of the standard sys- tems. its great popularity is all the more striking from the fact that scores of new systems have ap- peared and disappeared since its first. publication, while the demand for this system is so constant as to necessitate the publication of new editions near- ly every year. The system has been the result of very many years of practical work in the most difficult and exacting field-law reporting-and it is probable that no system has ever been issued, not excepting even that of Pitman, which has under- gone more thorough and exhaustive experiment in actual work.
Mr. Osgoodby's notes in his every-day work are wonderfully clear and distinct, and almost equal to engraved outlines. So distinct and legible is his system that his court reports are all tran- scribed directly withont dictation, by copyists who have no knowledge of the cases reported except from the reading of the notes, and it frequently happens that when there is an nmisual accumula- tion of such work in his office, advanced pupils
from the local school of shorthand are called in to assist in the transcription. Perhaps this fact is the most significant of all, as showing the perfect legibility of the system.
Mr. Osgoodby has contributed many articles of value to the various shorthand journals, and was one of the writers of papers read at the recent world's congress of stenographers, his paper- Legibility in Shorthand-being contained in the published transactions.
EVELYN BALDWIN, M. D.
Dr. Evelyn Baldwin, successfully engaged in the practice of medicine in Rochester for the past fourteen years, and now acting as president of the Blackwell Medical Society, was born at Wells- ville, Allegany county, New York, a daughter of William A. and Minerva I. ( Hamilton) Baldwin, the former a native of Ithaca, New York, and the latter of Tompkins county, this state. The father was a little lad of but three years when he was taken to Seneca county, and he there remained until he had attained the age of twenty-two years. During his lifetime he was an active business man, connected with various enterprises, first as a whole- sale grocer and later as a retail grocer. He was likewise engaged in the tannery business and for two years was proprietor of a dry-goods store in Hornellsville, New York. For twenty years prior to his demise, however, he conducted a private bank. In 1894 he removed from Wellsville to Rochester, but survived for only a short period. passing away in March, 1895. While his resi- dence in this city was of short duration, yet he gained many warm friends, who still cherish his memory. His widow still survives and makes her home in this city with the Doctor.
Dr. Baldwin is one of two children born of the father's marriage, her brother being Herbert E., who is a druggist, engaged in business at the cor- ner of Reynolds and Adams streets, in this city. Dr. Baldwin attended the schools of Riverside and the high school of Rochester. Later she en- tered Vassar College, from which she was gradu- ated in 1883. Deciding upon the practice of medi- eine as a life work, she then entered the New York Woman's Medical College of New York city, now a part of Cornell Medical College, from which she was graduated in 1892. In July of the same year she came to Rochester, where for six months she was engaged in practice with her aunt, Dr. Frances F. Hamilton, with office on Jefferson avenue. She now practices alone, however, having a well equipped office at 476 West avenue, and makes a specialty of obstetrics. She is an ambitious stu- dent and her skill and ability have been demon- strated in the successful handling of a number of
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complex medical problems. She holds member- ship in various medical societies, including the Blackwell Medical Society, of which she is now acting as president, Monroe County Medical So- ciety, the Academy of Medicine and of the Wo- man's State Medieal Society, which has recently been organized. Her practice is already large and is constantly increasing. She keeps in touch with the advancement that is being made by the medi- cal fraternity through research and investigation. She has been connected with the City Hospital and in this connection for several years did effi- cient service. She occupies a beautiful home in this eity and her mother resides with her.
WILLIAM H. SOURS.
William H. Sours, proprietor of the Newport House and grounds at frondequoit Bay, is thus in control of one of the finest and most popular sum- mer resorts in this part of the state and in this connection ha- a wide acquaintance, while his Inisiness is conducted along such practical and enterprising lines that he is meeting with well merited prosperity. Mr. Sours is a native of Trondequoit township, where he was born in January, 1851. His father. Frederick Sours, was one of the oldest settlers of the township, to which he removed from Scottsville, New York. The family was founded in Monroe county in pioneer days and has since been represented here. The father engaged in farming in frondequoit town- ship and there reared his family of seven children. five of whom are yet living, all being residents of Rochester with the exception of the subject of this review.
William H. Sours was reared at the old home- stead and pursned a publie-school education. Since 1881 he has been proprietor of the Newport House and now owns the hotel, ten cotinges and twenty acres of ground, constituting one of the most beautiful resorts on Irondequoit Bay. Hle purchased the place from the estate of Henry Walzer, who had previously bought it from James Vinton, of the Irondequoit Wine Company. In an early day it was an old sawmill property, which bore little resemblance to the fine and well im- proved resort seen here today. His unele. Henry Walzer, hegan the improvement of the property and established the summer resort. Mr. Sours. however, has added many modern improve- ments since he purchased it in 1881. The original property was four and a half acres of land but Mr. Sours has since added to this until he now has twenty acres. When Henry Walzer owned the place he was in partnership with three brothers but finally bought out their interests and con-
ducted the resort alone until he disposed of it to his nephew, Mr. Sours, in 1881. He has built all of the cottages here and has also built three launches, which are fifty feet long and carry from fifty to sixty passengers. They are used in making trips between Glen Haven and Sea Breeze and are of much convenience and benefit to the summer touriste who sojourn on Irondequoit Bay. The club house of the Rochester Canoe Club is also situated on ground belonging to Mr. Sours and he is. moreover. interested in business at No. 100 Main street West, Rochester, is a member of the firm of Ryan & Sours.
In November, 1905, Mr. Sours was united in marriage to Mrs. Nellie E. Frost of Monroe conn- ty. Hle is a member of the Masonie fraternity und has attained the Knight Templar degree in the commandery. His political allegiance is given to the democracy and he is much interested in its work and growth. He served as supervisor for eight years from Irondequoit township and for one term was chairman of the board. The con- sensus of public opinion concerning him is alto- gether favorable and he. moreover, deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, justly merit- ing the proud American title of a self-made man, for all that he possesses has come to him through his own labors. The Newport House, of which he is proprietor, is very popular and has a liberal patronage, owing to the earnest effort that he puts forth to please his patrons and make the resort a incel in its way.
GEORGE W. ALLEN.
George W. Allen, now deceased, is remembered by many of the older residents of Rochester, for he was one of its pioneers. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and as a hoy went to Cooperstown, where he remained until the year 1846, when he took up his ahode in Rochester. He remained here for a number of years and during that time be- came well known, for he was a man of many sier- ling qualities, which gained for him warm and lasting friendships. He is perhaps better known in Monroe county as proprietor of the Sea Breeze Hotel, at Sea Breeze, New York. Locating there at an early day he was instrumental in much of the upbuilding and development of that place. He built the Sea Breeze Hotel. which he conducted until 1883. the year of his death, and during the thirty-three years of his connection therewith he became widely known both locally and among the traveling public. He was a genial proprietor. neg- leetful of nothing that would add to the comfort of his guests and his hotel ranked favorably with
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those of many a larger place. He supported re- publican principles and fraternally was a Mason.
Mr. Allen was married to Miss Letsie Bennett, who was born at Cooperstown, and the only child of this marriage is Mrs. Elizabeth Brewer, the widow of George E. Brewer, und a resident of Rochester.
Mr. Brewer was a native of Brighton, New York, and was a representative of an old family of that place. He supported the men and measures of the democratic party and his fraternal relations were with the Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His death occurred in 1900, in Rochester, where he was widely and favorably known, for his strong and salient characteristics were such as endeared him to all who came within the close circle of his friendship, while wherever he was known he was respected and honored. His widow is a resident of Rochester and made her home with her mother, until the latter's death. She has one son. Allen M .. who is now a student in the East high school and thev ocenpy a beanti- ful home at No. 25 Rowley street. Mrs. Brewer is a gentle, kindly woman, who has gained many warm personal friends during her long residence in this city.
THE LAWYERS CO-OPERATIVE PUBLISH- ING COMPANY.
This company was organized in 1982 in Newark, Wayne county, New York, in the law office of Mr. James E. Briggs, who was its first president. . \s- sociated with Mr. Briggs in his law work were Mr. Ernest Hitchcock, a young lawyer, who was made secretary of the company, and Mr. William II. Briggs, who became treasurer, which office he still holds. Mr. Hitchcock remained in the com- pany only a short time, his interest being pur- chased by Mr. E. R. Andrews of this city, for many years one of the foremost printers of west- ern New York, and who had from the first done the printing of the company.
The want felt in the office of a set of reports of the United States supreme court, and their in- ability to buy it at a reasonable price first sug- gested to these men the idea of publishing a re- print of these reports. The price at that time of a set of United States supreme court reports was from six hundred to eight hundred dollars for the set of one hundred and five volimes.
The question was discussed in the office as to why. if classic English literature could be re- printed and sold for such comparatively low prices. the same could not be done with standard sets of law books. One difficulty, of course, was small and uncertain sales and heavy selling expenses. These
lawyers overcame this by asking the co-operation of the bar. They made a proposition to the bar that if they secured orders in advance to such an extent as to make it practicable, they would pub- lish a complete edition of the United States su- preme court reports for one dollar a volume, putting four volumes in a book, or the set as it then stood for ahout one hundred dollars. The idea proved to be a taking one and it received prompt and cordial response. A large advance subscription list was readily seenred, and the scheme was at once put on a practical footing and was carried out to the entire satisfaction of its supporters. The response was so cordial that the projectors were able to do more than they had proposed. They made books that were better me- chanically and included complete annotation. They increased the price accordingly to new subscribers to one dollar and twenty-five cents per volume, or tive dollars a hook, at which price the set, the "Law-Ed" is still sold. There are more sets of this edition in use now than of all other editions of the reports combined. Later on tike editions of the New York common law and the New York chancery reports were taken up and pushed to sue- cessful completion, and in accordance with the company's uniform plan, the permanent value of cach set was greatly enhanced by extensive edi- torial work.
Professional pride, in the earlier work, was primarily responsible for a policy which time has proved to have been simply good business and which has dominated all subsequent work. viz. : to add to the permanent value of each set by udding the best and most useful editorial matter available and to the greatest extent that current sales will permit. To this policy and their consequent marked superiority is due the fact that this com- pany's four principal sets of reports are today in use to a greater extent than all other similar sets in the market.
From this beginning has grown the present cor- poration of five hundred thousand dollars capital, with home office in Rochester, and branches in New York, Chicago, and several other of the lead- ing cities and ranking as one of the two or three largest law publishing and book selling houses in the world. Some idea of the size of this business and its importance to Rochester may be had from the fact that in 1906 the company paid for the one item of salaries and lahor between three hun- dred and fifty and four hundred thousand dollars.
The company was forced to move to Rochester in 1885 in order to be near their printers and binders. Their first quarters were in the Hill bnihling at 17 Main street East, where they occu- pied very modest offices. These they soon outgrew. moving in 1891 to the Cox building in St. Paul street, where they took the whole top floor, adding to it a few years later a whole floor in an adjoin
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ing building. In 1902 in order to get additional space, which the growth of the business made necessary, and to get under the same roof as their printers and binders, another move was made, this time to the Acqueduct building on Butts place at the head of Graves street, where they occupy the three upper floors.
The "Co-opa," as they are familiarly known to the bar, have possessed from the beginning a dis- tinct advantage over the "old line" law book houses in their professional origin and composition. This has put them in the closest touch with the prac- tical needs of the working lawyer, and taught them how best to supply those needs.
The average law book house, particularly in the publication of text books, must depend for the most part for its publications on the manuscript presented by lawyers who. in the intervals of prac- tice, or because they have not the practice, have taken up the preparation of a text-book. It is generally a first and often an only effort, and necessarily crude and incomplete, although it may be the result of most painstaking and conscientious labor.
The "Co-ops" policy is to take up only such work as, with their facilities a large national sale may be looked for, such a sale as will warrant putting in the best possible work upon the prepara- tion. Then they have that work done by their own editors who, devoting their lives to this class of work, after years of training can assure a result in thoroughness, accuracy and completeness not to be equaled by any other means. This policy has made their leading publication, the Lawyers Re- ports Annotated, the foremost set of law books in the United States, with a circulation never before reached by any set of reports. This circulation made it possible to announce, in the spring of 1906, L. R. A., New Series, which further ex- emplifies the "Co-op" idea of co-operation with the bar. While keeping all the great features of I. R. A., much was added in sizc of voluines, an- notation and volumes per year, but at a reduction in price.
The officers and directorate is at the present eon- stituted as follows: President, William B. Hale: vice-president, John B. Bryan : secretary, Burdette A. Rich; treasurer, William H. Briggs.
EDWARD R. PAYNTER.
Prominent among the business men of Webster is Edward R. Paynter, who for more than a dec- alle has been identified with the history of the city as a representative of one of its most im- portant business interests-the Monroe Manufac- turing Company, manufacturers of caskets and
undertakers' supplies, of which he is proprietor. He is a man of keen discrimination and sound judgment, and his executive ability and excellent inanagement have brought to the concern with which he is connected a large degrec of success.
Mr. Paynter is a native son of the Empire state, his birth having occurred in Cattaraugus county, September 28, 1862, a son of John E. and Eliza- beth (Burton) Paynter, likewise natives of New York. The father was a farmer by occupation.
The son was reared to farm life, giving his father the benefit of his services during the period of his boyhood and youth, at which time he ac- quired an intimate knowledge of the best nicthods of carrying on agricultural interests, while in the district schools near his father's home he obtained his education. He remained under the parental roof until his eighteenth year, when, starting out upon an independent career, he chose commercial pursuits, believing that line of activity would prove more congenial to him than the work of the agri- eulturist. Accordingly, he sought and secured eni- ployment in the woolen mills at Arcade, being thus engaged for two years, subsequent to which time he returned to the home farin and assumed the management of the property for several years.
Eventually the farin was disposed of and Mr. Paynter went to Franklinville, where for six years he was employed in a canning factory. On the ex- piration of that period he entered the employ of a firm that was engaged in the manufacture of cas- kets, and there learned casket trimming, being in the employ of others in this capacity for several years. About twelve years ago he came to Web- ster and for a time was in the employ of the Web- ster Casket Company, but this firm soon afterward failed in business and Mr. Paynter then decided to start an enterprise of this character on his own account. He then organized the Monroe Manu- facturing Company. of which he is now the sole owner, manufacturing caskets and undertakers' supplies. In 1899 he erected a large building on the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad. This building is forty-five by one hundred and twenty feet and two stories in height. The plant is equipped with the latest improved ma- chinery necessary for the manufacture of cas- kets and casket supplies. He also manufactures rough boxes, handles, robes, linings, em- balmers' supplies, etc., and has in his employ twenty men, the output of his factory being shipped throughout eight different states, three salesmen spending their time upon the road in looking after the trade. He also ships through three jobbing houses and does a large and re- munerative business, amounting to more than a hundred thousand dollars annually. The success of the enterprise is due in no small measure to the efficient and capable management of Mr. Paynter, who not only has intimate knowledge of a busi-
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EDWARD R. PAYNTER.
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ness of this character, but possesses the ability to to those who were associated with him in any walk direct the labors of those in his employ. of life.
On the 23d of October, 1887, Mr. Paynter was married to Miss Anna Montgomery, who was born in Cattarangus county, New York, in the town of Farmersville, a daughter of James and Catherine (Cusack) Montgomery, who later became residents of Franklinville, where their marriage was cele- brated. Their marriage has been blessed with two children : Lila, who was born in Frauklinville, September 2, 1890; and Merle, born in that place on the 12th of Angust, 1892. The family occupy a beautiful home, which was erected in 1904, and which is modern in its equipments and accessories and comprises eleven rooms.
Mr. Paynter gives his political support to the republican party, and both he undl his wife are identified with the Baptist church. His fraternal relations are with the Maccabers, and he is also a member of the Blue lodge and chapter of the Ma- sonic body. At the present time he is serving as a trustee of the village, hut his business interests give him little time for public office. He has through his own industry and perseverance worked his wny upward from the humble position of an employe to one of affluence. for he now controls one of the important and prosperous business en- terprises not ouly of his home city but of Mon- roe county.
HON. CORNELIU'S R. PARSONS.
So varied in its phases and so broad in its use- fulness and in its netivities was the life of Cor- nelins R. Parsons in its relations to Rochester and his fellowmen that words seem inadequate to tell the story of what he accomplished and to what an extent the city is indebted to him. He served as its chief executive for fourteen consecutive years- a record scarcely equalled in the history of the country, and as such he stood for progress, reform and improvement. His business life was also marked by steady advancement and in him there was a consecration to labor which is one of the ideals toward which the leaders of the world are striving. In all things he was guided by high pur- poses and lofty principles and characterized by a conscientious performance of the task that Iny nearest to his heart. Whatever he found to do he did with his might and the honor which men paid him and the respect in which he was uniformly held were the freewill offerings of an enlightened people. Rochester honors him as one whose record reflected credit and honor upon the city. Fearless in conduct and stainless in reputation his memory remains as a benediction to all who knew him and should serve as an inspiration for years to come
Mr. Parsons was a native of the Empire state, having been born in York, Livingston county, on the 221 of May, 1512, und was a son of the Hon. Thomas Parsons, who was a native of Berkshire, Enghind. The father received somewhat meager lucational privileges and at an early age began carning his livelihood as a shepherd, but the ele- mental strength of his character was soon mani- fest and his strong nature gave promise of future accomplishnems. In 1832, when eighteen years of age, he determined to seek the broader oppor- tunities of the new world and crossing the Atlantic he located in the rich valley of the Genesce, where he at once sought employment and for four years worked as a farm hand in Wheatland, Monroe county, where he ireived the munificent salary of seven dollars per month. In 1836 he became con- nected with the business activity of Rochester and was employed in various ways, in all of which he indiented un adaptability and trustworthiness. He was not only industrions bnt frugal and gradually Required some capital, so that he at length was able to avail himself of the facilities for engaging in the lumber trade offered by the district on both sides of Lake Ontario. His business along that line gradually expanded until he became one of the most extensive merchants and exporters in this part of the country, procuring supplies, especially of oak and other heavy timber from land which he purchased from time to time and which was large- ly located in C'anach.
His extensive business interests drew public at- tention to Thomas Parsons, and that he possessed qualifientions that fitted him for office and for leadership in political circles was evident. c- cordingly, in 1851. he was elected on the demo- eratie ticket to the office of alderman from the sixth ward of Rochester, and in 1853 and again in 1857 he represented the tenth ward in the city council. In 1858 he became a member of the state legislature and was the originator of the pro rata railroad freight bill, designed to compel the rail- road companies to curry freight for local shippers as low. proportionately to distance, as the rates charged to citizens of other states. This caused much opposition in railroad circles but the meas- ure was zealonsly advorated by Mr. Parsons and the bill was engrossed for a third reading and only failed for want of time. I'nder the agitation of the grievance thus begun and continued by others in after years these discriminations were essen- tially modified. Disagreeing with his party on the national questions he sustained the administration of President Lincoln and in 1865 wns elected by the republicans to the state senate by a large ma- jority. As a member of the ennal committee he carefully fostered the waterways of the state and bis mercantile experience rendered his opin-
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