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 81
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ions of value on all commercial questions. He was ing movements which resulted not only to the a member of the committee on engrossed bills and benefit of the individual but also of the city. on privileges and elections. In the assembly he was an active working member, a fearless defender of what he believed to be right, and his course in behalf of the best interests of the sinte won him the gratitude and respect of people throughout New York. Entirely unsolicited by him, he re- ceived the appointment of collector of the port of Geneser and in 1868-9 filled that position with the same faithfulness which ever marked his offi- cial career.
At his death in 1823 he left a widow and five children, the former a daughter of Richard Gors- line, while the latter were Cornelius R., Clifford W., Frank G., Julia L. and Charles B. The eldest son, James W., who had been engaged in the lumber business for a number of years and was a member of the common conneil of Buffalo. died in Erie, Pennsylvania, a month before the iether.
Cornelius R. Parsons was only three years old when brought to Rochester and from that time his life history was interwoven with the city's develop- ment along all those lines which promote munici- pal virtne, which strive after publie progress and which advance the welfare of the individual. In his boyhood he was a publie-school student and afterward attended Vosburg's Academy, which had been established by John R. Vosburg for the pur- pose of preparing pupils for mercantile pursuits. Later he joined his father in the Inmber trade and was active in the growth of a very extensive busi- ness. His trade had largely increased and the business which was at first confined to -western New York had extended not only to the important American markets but also to Great Britain, to which country he sent large exports of lumber. He had a mill near the upper falls of Rochester and other manufacturing establishments, so that the details of purchase, manufacture, sale and export required unceasing attention at widely separated points. The lumber was mostly obtained from the forests of Canada and the father largely spent his time there, leaving his son, Cornelius R. Parsons. to superintend the important and varied interests of the firm in Rochester. After his father's death he continued the business, with which he had grown familiar in all of its departments, consid- ering no detail too trivial for his attention, while at the same time capably directing its most im- portant affairs. The qualities of close application and unflagging industry, combined with his keen foresight and sound business judgment, enabled him not only to control an enterprise of gigantic proportions but also to extend and enlarge this end therefore he amassed a fortune, but his kindly and helpful nature was never warped therehy and the most envions could not grudge him his pros- perity an generons was he with his means in aid-
The same qualities of thoroughuess, mastery and progressiveness which characterized Mr. Parsons in his business life were also manifest in his official service and made his labors of the utmost value to Rochester. He entered public life when only twenty-five years of age, being elected in 1867 to represent the fourteenth ward in the city council, where he served so capably that his first term was followed by re-election. He was chosen by the conneil to act as its presiding officer and his promptness, accuracy and knowledge of parliamen- tury law as displayed in his rulings won him high encomimus from those who have the city's welfare at heart. He was later again elected alderman and chosen presiding officer in 18:0 and on the expira- tion of his term his colleagues expressed their ap- preciation of his services hy a valued testimonial. As an office holder he studied closely the situation into which his official prerogative brought him into rounecfion and in all things he was actuated by a strong sense of duty and a fervent desire for the welfare of the municipality. His record was so honorable and his services so valuable that in 1876 he was elected by his party as chief executive of Rochester and was six times re-elected, so that his incumbeney covered a period of fourteen years.
Abraham Lincoln said: "You can fool all of the people some of the time, and some of the peo- ple all of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time." This statement finds ex- emplification in no place so largely as it does in politics. History relates incidents of where un- worthy men have secured office, but when the pub- lie becomes cognizant of the fact of their unworth- thess their political death is assured. and there- fore no higher testimonial of capability and faith- fulness can be given than the fact that one is re- tained in a public office to which he is called by the vote of his fellowmen. It was the highest trilite which Rochester could pay to Mr. Parsons and his worth. The duties of the office were sine- ente, for Rochester had become a city of much commercial and industrial importance. bringing about the intricate and complex problems of gor- ernment which always arise with the city's growth and development of its varied interests. He took up the work, however, with the same spirit of de- termination that always marked him in his busi- ness life. He made it his first duty to thoroughly arquaint himself with the situation, studying out its possibilities and all the time working toward the ideal by the use of the practical means at hand. His warth had already been proven in the city conneil. In the higher position which came to him of broader opportunities he put forth his efforts so effectively that not only every department of the city's service was benefited thereby but the general progress and welfare were advanced nnd
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every avenue of life indirectly felt the stimulus of his labors and purposes.
Still higher official honors awaited Mr. Parsons in his election to the state senate in the fall of 1891. He represented the largest district in the commonwealth and again he received the endorse ment of public opinion in re-election in 1893, and in 1895 received the increased majorities of his home ward-the twelfth-in Rochester, giving him alone a plurality of nine hundred and three at the latter election. In 1896 he was appointed chair- man of the committee on commerce and naviga- tion and was a member of the committees on in- surance, railroads and public education. Again he was called to the same office by popular suffrage in 1898 and during the session of 1899 was ap- pointed chairman of the committee on insurance und was a member of the committee on railroads, commerce, navigation and public education. In 1900 he was elected for a fourth term and during the following session was made chairman of the insurance committee and placed on the former committees. Mr. Parsons left the impress of his individuality upon the deliberations of that body and its work and at his death, which ocenrred Jan- wary 30, 1901, the senate issued a handsome me- morial volume of about fifty pages, containing a fine steel portrait of Mr. Parsons. This volume was called Proceedings of the Senate and Assom- bly of the State of New York on the Life, Charac- ter and Public Service of Cornelins R. Parsons and henring date, Albany, February 18, 1901. The committee having in charge the preparation and publication was composed of Timothy E. Elsworth, William W. Armstrong, George P. Malby. Thomas F. Grady and John F. Ahearn. In this work were proceedings at the New York Legislative Report- ers' Association upon the death of the Hon. Cor- pelins R. Parsons, There was a special meeting Feld in the capitol. Jannary 13, 1901, to take ac- tion upon the death of the senator from the forty- third district. nt which the president responded and several of the correspondents spoke feelingly of his life in general, his genial personality and lovable disposition, as well as his amiability and undeviating courtesy. his kindness of heart, his solicitude for the welfare and interests of others.
Fortunate in his home life. Mr. Parsons was most happily married on the 6th of October, 1864, to Miss Frances M. Whitbeck, a daughter of Dr. John F. Whitbeck, a distinguished physician of Rochester. Three children came to them, but the only son. Warner Parsons, died in the spring of 1879. The daughter, Mabel W., became the wife of G. C. Cochrane, of Rochester, and they are the parents of three children: Craig Parsons, Cor- nelins Rice Parsons and Jean. Ethel M .. the younger danghter. is the wife of Frank Clinton Trotter, of the firm of C. W. Trotter & Sons. manufacturers of refrigerators.
Theirs was a most beautiful home life, in which mutual forbearance, kindliness and love were the dominant features. Although so active in business and public affairs, Mr. Parsons' interests centered in his home and his greatest happiness was found at his own fireside. He held membership in St. Peter's Presbyterian church, of which Mrs. Par- sons is also a member, and he was one of its trus- tres. He gave freely of his means to its support but did not consider his obligation ended there and labored as earnestly for its upbuilding and the extension of its influence. He lived a life in con- sistent harmony with his professions and he also manifested the beneficent spirit upon which is founded the Masonic and Odd Fellows societies, with which he affiliated. He was very active in advancing the work of the Semi-Centennial Cele- bration, held in Rochester, June 9 and 10. 1884. In a brief and pertinent address he opened the Literary exercises on the former day and he deliv- ered the address of welcome to Governor Cleve- land and his staff and other guests at the reception on the second day. He also proposed the various toasts at the banquet held in Powers Hotel. In the performance of these duties he secured the un- qualified approval of his fellow citizens, who rec- ognized that much of the success that made the celebration an important event in Rochester's his- tory was due to him. He was no orator in the sense of appearing frequently before the public as a speaker and yet when he did so he never failed to elicit the attention and awaken the interest of those who heard him. He presented his subject in an interesting. entertaining and instructive marmer, showing his thorough, understanding of it and his friends were again and again surprised Lx the breadth of his wisdom, the depth of his knowledge. He was a student, but not a hook worm. He believed that knowledge was not valua- ble for itself alone but for the use to which it could be put in the world's work. He therefore made it a purpose to master every subject which claimed bis attention and he displayed most com- prehensive understanding of those subjects bear- ing upon municipal interests and business life und upon the great sociological and economic ques- tions of the country.
One of the strongest traits of character as mani- fest by Mr. Parsons was his love of children and on Sundays there would always be a crowd upon his porch or in his home to listen to his stories and enjoy his genial good nature. He possessed a genial disposition and he had, as a noted lecturer bas expressed it, reached the high humor in being able to see the comicality of his own situation. In other words, he enjoyed a joke upon himself as well as unon his companions and his humor was ever of the most kindly character, being accompa- nied by no cutting sarcasm or keen, hurtful wit. In fact consideration for the feelings of others
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was one of his strong characteristics and was mani- jest in a ready sympathy in the joys and sorrows of those around him. Such was his personal popu- larity and such his personal magnetism that his ap- pearance to address the people was the signal for tuninltuous enthusiasm. His was a sturdy Ameri- ean character and a stalwart patriotism and he had the strongest attachment for the free institu- tions of this land, being ever ready to make any personal sacrifice for their preservation. While undoubtedly he was not without that honorable ambition which is so powerful and useful as an incentive to activity in public affairs, he re- garded the pursuits of private life as being in themselves abundantly worthy of his best efforts. llis was a noble character. one of the subordin- ates of personal ambition to do good and sought rather the benefit of others than the aggrandize- ment of self. Endowed by nature with high intel- lectual qualities to each were added the embel- lishment and discipline of culture his was a most attractive personality.
The news of the death of Mr. Parsons brought with it a sense of personal loss and bereavement to the great majority of Rochester's citizens. It was feli among his business associates who had come to recognize in combination with his keen insight, his strong purpose, his unfaltering integ- rity : it was felt in politienl circles where no charge was made against him of corruption or dishon- esty but where all knew him to be an open foe, standing for a certain course of action which he believed to be right and most conducive to the gen- eral good; it was felt among the policemen of Rochester, who since his service as police com- missioner knew him to be a friend, working for their best interests: it was deeply felt in club life and social circles but most of all in his home, for the best traits of his character were ever reserved for his own fireside.
Perhaps no better summary of the life and char- aeter of Mr. Parsons could be given than in the presentation of the following memorial: "The I'nion League Club, deeply regretting its loss or- casioned by the death of its highly valued mem- her. llon. Cornelius R. Parsons, does hereby humbly express its sincere sorrow and extend its heartfelt sympathy to his bereaved family. The wise counsel, fatherly kindness and material assistance received from the lamented senator will ever be treasured by this organization. As a pub- lie servant his superior judgment and keen per- coptibility, coupled with purity of purpose and nobility of action, challenges comparison. A grand- er combination of the various elements essential to success in life is rarely found so harmoniously and effectively assimilated in one person as found expression in the every day life of Cornelins R. Parsons, He had courage and fortitude and per- severance beyond the majority of mankind, while
the current of his actions was pervaded by an un- ceasing flow of courtesy. gentility and deferential demeanor that won him the esteem and confidence of all with whom he had intercourse. As a citi- zen his whole life has been an exemplary career of purified refinement, moral and religious rectitude worthy the emulation of all persons desirous of rising in the scale of human excellence. Living, he was an important factor in the development of human industry, intelligence and all the better elements of progressive civilization; dying, he leaves an unbroken, unblemished record of spot- less integrity chiseled into imperishable existence by the industry of his own head and hands and the rretitude of his own heart. But amid all his business activity he curried his home in his heart. and unto his cherished family cireles he sacredly ventered the sunshine of his heart's best affer- tion. Ile was true to his country, true to his party and true to himself. But the good man is gone! And a profound regret for the public los- is the proverbial expression, while the gentle tear of recollection finds easy access down many a hardy check mmsed to such a visitor : 'If eternal happiness be the reward of tenderest love, unoh- trusive action and kindliest charity, blessed be the spirit which onee animated the earthly form of Cornelius R. Parsons." "
JAMES MALCOMB.
The history of official service in Rochester would he incomplete without mention of James Mal- comb, who for fifty-one years was identified with the Rochester fire department but retired in April, 1902. His is a record for faithful and capable service scarcely parallelled, nud few indeed in the history of the entire country have so long occupied a similar position. When the machinery of government moves along smoothly and without friction, when each department is under the super- vision of one well qualified to handle the business connected therewith, the general public gives little thought to the men who are in office. It is only when dishonesty and corruption are discovered that the public becomes nroused but the impor- tance of the service of a trustworthy and capable official cannot be over-estimated and to an extent realized by few. The city is indebted to Mr. Mal- comb for his constant watchfulness and fidelity in the office of chief engineer in the fire depart- ment, which he so capably filled.
A native of Ireland, he was born in the year 1831 and was brought to America by his parents when a small boy, the family home being estab- lished in Canada, where the father died soon after-
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JAMES MALCOMB.
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ward, leaving the mother with a family of small children. She crossed the border into the United States, settling at Rochester, where she spent her remaining days, her death occurring about 1891, when she was seventy-six years of age. Mr. Mal- comb has lived on Manhattan street for a half century and has therefore witnessed ahnost the entire growth of this section of the city which has now become a populous district. He lived with his mother until her death, caring for her in her de- clining years. He entered business life as an ein- ploye in the factory of H. M. Curtis, where he remained for some time. At the same time he was a member of the volunteer fire department but re- ceived no compensation for his services as the pay department had not yet been established. In the position of hoseman he worked steadily up- ward and in 1866 was appointed assistant engineer, serving in that capacity for eighteen years. He was chief of the fire department for ten years and during that time, in 1894, he was presented with a most beautiful gold badge. Those who are familiar with the fire department testify to his unfaltering and able service, and throughout the years he has enjoyed the confidence of all with whom he has thus been associated.
Mr. Malcomb is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge, of which he has been a representative since about 1876. He is also a member of the Society of Exempt Firemen. In his political views he is a republican. He is now living in well earned re- tirement at No. 85 Manhattan street and is re- spected and esteemed by all who know him. He is thoroughly familiar with the history of the city from pioneer times to the present and has a wide acquaintance among many prominent and well known residents here.
FRANK A. MASELLI.
Frank A. Maselli, a general contractor of Rochester, was born in Pescolanciano, Italy, on the 15th of April, 1855. His parents were Domenico and Giacomina (Carosella) Maselli, both deceased. He acquired his education in the schools of his rative city.
After remaining in business with his father for some time beneath the sunny skies of old Italy, Frank A. Maselli came to the new world in 1880 and immediately entered upon active con- rection with the contractor's business here. His patronage has been chiefly in railroad and public works contracting and has called him to all parts of the United States. He took up his abode at Rochester in 1905 and since that time has been engaged on the construction of the portion of the barge canal near this city. His contracts have been
of a large and important character, demanding a comprehensive knowledge of the scientific princi- ples which underlie mechanical engineering, com- bined with a practical experience. He has now been engaged in the contracting business for twenty-six years and is recognized as one of the most. promi- rent representatives in his line. He has done con- siderable work in the west for the Union Pacific and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Companies. He also took a contract near Steuben- ville, Ohio, for the Wabash road, consisting of over two million cubic yards, and recently com- pleted for the Western Allegheny near New Castle, Pennsylvania, a large job. He now has under way sixteen miles of grading for the Lake Erie & Pittsburg branch of the Lake Shore Railroad in Ohio. This is difficult road construction and the contract is such a one as is only awarded where the utinost confidence is had in superior ability and executive force. Mr. Maselli also has recently taken a contract for the construction of three and one-quarter miles of the new state harge canal through a very level country just west of Roches- ter and east of the junction of the old canal. Two and a half miles are in a heavy rock cut running from twelve to thirty-six feet deep and covered with a layer of earth from two to twelve fret deep. On account of the large rock excavation involved -one million three hundred and fifty-six thou- sand cubic vards-this contract was selected as one of the first to be let to test the practicability of completing the canal within the one hundred and one million appropriation. The contract was let in Mav, 1905, and actual construction was begun on the 19th of June of that year. The barge contract is a part of the sixty mile level from Lockport to Rochester, requires no locks, having only one-tenth total change of elevation of grade. New conditions faced Mr. Maselli in the building of the canal but he has proved himself adequate to every de- mand made upon him. His broad scientific know !- edge has been brought to bear in the practical construction. For a mile near the west end of the contract the rock proved to be too soft for channeling and other plans had to be instituted in order to meet this condition. Special machinery has been contrived for the work and in building this canal Mr. Maselli is achieving an engineering fent which is uwakening the attention and ad- miration of expert engineers and contractors throughont the entire country and in foreign lands as well. In addition to his contracting interesta Mr. Maselli is a director of the National Bank of Commerce.
Mr. Maselli has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Rosa Andrews of Erie, Pennsylvania, and after her death wedded Mary Hill of Rich- mond, Indiana. He has two children, a son and daughter. Fraternally Mr. Maselli is connected with the Odd Fellows, the Elks and with several
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Italian societies and is a member of the Rochester Club. In his religious faith he is a Catholic and in political belief is a republican, being a stal- wart advocate of the principles of that party, al- though he has never sought nor desired office. He feels that he made no mistake in leaving his native country and seeking a home in the new world, for here he has found excellent business opportunities and as the years have gone by has gained an enviable position as a general contrac- tor. He has long since left the ranks of the many to stand among the successful few, his ability and energy carrying him far beyond the average con- tractor and gaining for him business of import- ance and magnitude.
DAYTON SAMUEL MORGAN.
Dayton Samuel Morgan was born in the town of Ogden, Monroe county, New York, November 19. 1819, and died in Brockport, this county, April 9, 1890. He was the sixth in descent from James Morgan, the first American ancestor of the family, who was born in Wales, in 1607, and with two younger brothers, John and Miles, sailed from their native country and arrived in Boston, Mas- sachusetts, in April, 1637. John, the next young- er brother, was a high churchman, and, disliking the austerity of the Puritans, left Boston in dis- gust for more congenial society and settled in Virginia. Miles, the youngest brother, who was born in 1615, soon after arrival associated himself with a party of which Colonel William Pyncheon was the head and founded the settlement of Springfield, Massachusetts.
James Morgan, the first American ancestor, finally located in the settlement of Pequot, which by an act of the general court or colonial assembly at Hartford, March 11, 1657, was named "New London, in memory of ye renowned city of Lon- don," making his final abode on the east side of the Thames river, in what has since been named the town of Groton. He was one of the townsmen or selecimen for several years, and one of the first deputies sent from New London plantations to the general court at Hartford, May session, in 1657, and was nine times afterward chosen a men- ber of that grave and important assembly, the last in 1670. His associates and compeers composing the general court or colonial assembly in Mav. 1857, when he was first chosen, as shown by the family records, were:
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