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 87
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It was by his elder brothers that Hosea Rogers was reared and during much of his life he was connected with the sea either in a direct or indi- rect way. At the age of fifteen years he went as # sailor upon the great lakes and for ten years followed that life. rising through all the grades
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to the position of master of a vessel. His brothers built and ran the first vessel plying between Rochester and Chicago and of this craft he had charge as captain in 1834. In his youth there were no steam tugs to tow vessels in windless waters and it was seldom a vessel could sail up and down the Genesee river without assistance from the shore. The first vessels. therefore, on the river were towed up and down the stream by men who walked in the Indian path, but in time cattle took the place of the men on the tow path. Mr. Rogers many a time walked over the trail with the vessel's cable over his shoulder and he lived to see the wonderful development in navigation. Abont 1825 his brothers built the schooner Jean- nette at Carthage landing, and it was one of the first vessels to pass from Lake Ontario into Lake Erie in the spring of 1830, Mr. Rogers then being before the mast. In 1831 his brothers built the Aurora Borealis, of which he became captain in the spring of 1832. He was afterward in com- mand of the Indiana and in the fall of 1833 tonk charge of the John Grant. these two vessels also being owned by his brothers.
In talking of those days Mr. Rogers once said : "In the fall of 1833 I took charge of the John Grant and I shall never forget my last voyage that senson. We came down from Toronto the 12th of November in a pretty heavy gule which carried away my spanker boom; in the afternoon I ran into Charlotte for repairs. Happening to meet my brother Diodat on the pier he immediate- ly put in a new spar and I left port about sun- down with a fair wind, which soon, began to in- crease. By ten o'clock we had our hatches bat- tened down and every loose thing on deck was swept overboard. The gale became terrifie and we hardly expected to outlive it. Suddenly there was a cry that the heavens were falling as the great dome ahove us was filled with shooting stars. We had no intimation of the auroral display and coming as it did at an hour when every nerve was strained and every sense alive to the dangers of the elements. the scene was particularly impres- sive. The shower lasted several hours, if I re- member correctly. but at no instance during its occurrence did I dare cease my vigilance and the exercise of my greatest skill to keep the vessel in her course. We battled with the elements and watched the unprecedented fall of stars until the morning of the 13th when daylight ended the wonderful display." Captain Rogers also made an early trip to Chicago by way of the lakes from Buffalo, landing there when the western metrop- olis was a frontier town. old Fort Dearborn still commanding the month of the creek, while In- dians were as numerous as white people. In 1836. Captain Rogers purchased a farm of eighty-five seres in what is now the town of Irondegnoit and in that year was married and soffled on his farm.
which remained his home from that time until his death. Later he sailed for two years, but re- turned home to take charge of his farm.
Soon after locating thereon he became interested in the building of sailing vessels, for which busi- ness his long experience upon the lake well fitted him, as he had gained a thorough knowledge of all kinds of sailing craft as well as the laws that governed inland sailors. When he entered the field of boat building he was therefore well qual- ified to meet the requirements of the times and he built in all fourteen vessels, some at Charlotte and others in Ohio and Michigan. During all of these years, however, he continued to operate his farm. The Captain was also actively identified with the business interests of Rochester until the Ist of January, 1902. In 1896 he became inter- ested in the Phelps & Rogers Lumber Company on Warehouse street, which does an extensive busi- hess. This company was incorporated in 1901 with Captain Rogers as president, and he filled that position for one year or until the 1st of January. 1902, when he resigned, although he continued his connection with the company up to the time of his demise. He also owned the site occupied by the himberyard and had other busi- ness and residence property in the city. I'p to the Inst he possessed great strength of both body and mind and in connection with the operation of his farin attended to collecting his rents and other business in the city.
Captain Rogers was married, in October, 183 ;. to Miss Polly Van Dusen, who died January 25, 1871, and on the 1st of May, 1873, he wedded Miss Mary J. Lyon. of Albion, New York, who departed this life May 25, 1815. He was again married February 2, 18:6, his third union being with Miss Asenath Scholfeld, of Port Colborne. Canada, whose grandparents came originally from England. Her grandfather, John Schoffeld, was a farmer by ocenpation and a veteran of the war of 1812. He died in 1866. Her father. James Scholfell, was collector of Port Colborne, Omario. for thirty-three consecutive years and died in 1889. Unto Captain Rogers and his third wife were born five children: Polly M., at home; Wil- liam H., of the Genesee lumberyard, who married Carrie D. Rollison and lives in Rochester : Imnella .A., Ezra S. and Alida J .. all at home.
Captain Rogers was a democrat in his political views. The family hold membership in the Presbyterian church and the Captain's father was dencon of the first church of that denomination in this locality, it being located in that section of the city which was then called Carthage. The death of Captain Rogers occurred on the 14th of December. 1904, when he had reached the very venerable age of ninety-two years. He was one of the first white children born in Rochester and in faet the city of today had at that time no ex-
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istence, although the present boundary limits in- clude the site of his birthplace. He lived to wit- ness almost the entire growth and development of the city and for years figured as one of its prominent, influential and honored business men and residents. He had no aspiration for office Ent he did everything in his power to promote general growth and progress and his was a most useful and honorable life, winning for him the high regard, trust and good will of all with whom he came in contact. In fact his life history is in- scperably interwoven with the history of Roches- ter and the development of Monroe county and no work of this character would be complete with- out an extended mention of him. He was one of the city's fathers and builders, acquainted with the story of its progress-an active factor in its growth. He possessed a strong nature, a kindly spirit, and his life was actuated by high, manly principles, and when he was called from this earth Rochester mourned the loss of one of its most valued and representative men.
AUGUST J. MAY.
August J. May, who for two years has been deputy collector of internal revenue at Rochester, was born in the old eleventh ward, now the twen- tieth ward, of this city, on the 30th of August, 1863. His parents were Adam and Rosa ( Eis- man) May, both of whom were natives of Ger- many, the former born in Baden and the Intter in Bavaria. Coming to America in early life, however, they were married in this country. After reaching the new world Adam May engaged in blacksmithing but in his later years carried on the grocery business. He is now deceased but the mother still survives. In the family were three sons and two daughters.
August J. May has spent his entire life in Rochester and in St. Peter's and Paul's parish school he acquired his education. In early life he learned blacksmithing and followed that trade for ten years in the employ of James Cunning- ham, Son & Company. He afterward became con- nected with merchandising as a member of the firin of Wick & May, proprietors of a grocery and restaurant. They conducted the business for ten vears, after which Mr. May purchased his part- ner's interest and carried on the business for seven years alone at the corner of Jay and Child streets. He prospered as a merchant, having a good patronage and thereby winning a gratifying mensure of success. For the past two years he has been deputy collector of internal revenue and has proved most faithful in the office. Other offi-
cial service has been promptly executed by him. In 1900 he was elected alderman of the twentieth ward and was re-elected in 1902 and again in 1906, so that he is now serving for the third term. He is a stalwart champion of republican principles, being in thorough sympathy with the policy and the platform of the party.
Mr. May was married on the 15th of October, 1902, to Miss Louise Bush, and they have two children: John A. and Lauretta. The family Lome is at No. 398 Brown street.
JOHN J. McINERNEY.
John J. MeInerney is one of the more recent additions to the Rochester bar but has already built up a very enviable practice and the profes- sion and the public alike acknowledge his worth and legal power. He was born at Salamanca, New York, June 10, 1873, his parents being Michael Garry and Ellen Kane MeInerney, both of whom were natives of Ireland, whence they came to the United States about 1856, settling first in Brook- lvn. Subsequently they removed to Salamanca and the father, who is a blacksmith by trade, is now serving as city blacksmith in Rochester, having come to this city in 1885.
At the usual age John J. Melnerney entered the public schools of his native city and there passedl through successive grades until reaching the eighth grade. He put aside his text-books at the age of thirteen years and learned the machinist's trade, which he followed for about eight years in the employ of the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg. the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western and the New York Central Railroad Companies, leaving the lat- ter railroad after having assumed entire charge of the mechanical repair department of locomotives from seven p. m. until six a. m. He then turned his attention to the field of newspaper work, be- coming a reporter on the Rochester Herald and the Union and Advertiser. Subsequently he ac- cepted the position of executive clerk for Mayor George A. Carnaban, thus serving from 1900 until 1902. In October, 1902, he went to Albany, New York, ak legislative correspondent for the Union and Advertiser and while there he also attended the Albany Law School. After completing a shor- ough course under the direction of that institution be passed the bar examination on the 13th of January, 1903, and was admitted to the bar in March of the same year.
In April following Mr. Melnerney openedl an office in Rochester and has built up a very fine practice. No dreary novitiate awaited him. He soon gained a liberal clientage, and although yet a
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young man he has had a varied experience in the conrts, and has gained a standing which many an older practitioner might well envy. He is, more- over, a self-made man and deserves great credit for what he has accomplished. He acquired his own education, supplying the funds necessary for tuition and other expenses by his own labor. He was ambitions and energetic and allowed no obsta- cle to brook his path that could be overcome by honorable and determined effort. He entered upon the practice of law with Charles B. Bechtold, un- der the firm name of MeInerney & Bechtold, the partnership being dissolved. however, in Septem- Ter, 1904, when Mr. Bechtold became assistant district attorney, since which time Mr. MeInerney has been alone.
He is a member of the Rochester Bar Associa- tion and has a social, genial unture, which makes him a favorite in various elub and fraternal or- ganizations. He is now vice commodore of the Rochester Yacht Club and also affiliates with the Elks and with the Knights of Columbus.
JOHN WATERSTREET.
John Waterstreet, proprietor of a hotel in the village of Walker, was born in Rochester on the 8th of March, 1870. His father, William Water- street, was a native of Germany, born in 1840. He was married in Rochester in 1866 to Miss Caroline Baase, whose birth occurred in Germany in 1817. ffe commenced business life in this country with pick and shovel, working on the streets, und was employed in that munner for about three years, but he possessed courage and laudable ambition and used every opportunity to secure advancement in the business world. Re- moving to the town of Hamlin, he was employed at farm labor for about three years and on the expiration of that period he took up his abode in Kendall, Orleans county, New York, where he purchased a farm, but the venture did not prove financially successful, and after two years he be- gan working a farm on the shares, being thus en- gaged in the town of Hamlin through the sue- ceeding three years. He afterward operated another farm on shares in the town of Kendall for two years and the succeeding three years were spent upon still another place. From there he removed to the town of Gaines, where he lived for one vear, and next located on the John Pratt farm in the town of Carlton, where he lived for one year. Four years were spent by him on the Cur- rier farm, after which he removed to the Phillips farm, which he purchased in 1890. There he resided until 1906, when he sold the property,
bought a house in the village of Two Bridges, Carlton, and is now located there. He met with heavy losses in 1901 by the destruction of his barn by fire, losing horses, stock, tools, and, in fact, nearly all of the contents of his barn. How- ever, by his perseverance and diligence as the years have gone by he has met with a fair measure of prosperity that now enables him to live retired. Unto him and his wife were born eight children.
Of this family, John Waterstreet was reared in much the usual manner of fann lads of the period. He attended the public schools as oppor- tunity offered, but early had to start ont in life on his own account. When he began farming for himself he settled on the Simmons farm in the . town of Hamlin and from there removed to the Kelso farm on the state road, where he lived for two years. On the expiration of that period he sold the property and began working by the month as a farm hand on the place which he had formerly cultivated for six years before his marriage. He afterward located in Walker in the hotel business on the 8th of October, 1903, and after two years thus passed he went to live in the home of his wife's parents, where he spent the winter. In the following spring he bought 3 home in the village, where he lived until the spring of 1907, when he purchased the hotel at Walker which he is now conducting, making it a ereditable hostelry, which is well patronized and brings to the owner a goodly income.
Mr. Waterstreet was married on the 6th of July, 1898, to Miss Emma Maierhoffer, a daugh- ter of Marcus and Minnie ( Wagner) Maierhoffer, both of whom were natives of Germany, born June 21, 1836, and April 18, 1842, respectively. They were married in llamlin in 1878 and Mrs. Waterstreet is their only child. Mr. Maierhoffer came to this country in early manhood and worked as a laborer, his first employment being on the railroad. Ile was afterward employed at farm labor by the month and during the first year of his married life he was in the employ of Joseph Graubman. Later he operated a farmi on shares for several years, after which he removed to East Hamlin and continued the cultivation of one form for twelve years. He spent the suc- cerding three years on the Simmons farm, and after his daughter Emina becaine the wife of John Waterstreet he sold his farm to Mr. Waterstreet and removed to Walker, where he purchased a residence and has since made his home. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Waterstreet have been born two children: Alfred, February 4, 1900; and Carl, Angust 27. 1902, the former being now a pupil in the district schools.
In his political views Mr. Waterstreet is a stal- wart republican, who keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, but has never sought or desired office. His religious views are
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JOHN WATERSTREET.
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in harmony with the doctrines of the German Lutheran church, his membership being in Ham- lin. Having spent his entire life in this county. he has a wide acqnaimance, and proof of his hon- orable career is found in the fact that many of his stanches friends are those who have known bim from his boyhood.
WILLIS E. WOODBURY.
Willis E. Woodbury, one of the most prosper- ons and prominent merchants of Rochester, con- trolling thirteen stores, ten of which are located in this city, was born June 23, 1852. His father, D. A. Woodbury, was a manufacturing engineer, who founded and conducted a business under the name of the Woodbury Engine Company. He is a native of Vermont and, although he continued in active business for many years in Rochester, is now living retired. In early manhood he wedded Minerva C. Boughton, a native of the state of New York, and unto them were born four children but three have passed away.
Willis E. Woodbury, entering the public schools at the usnal age, passed through successive grades until he became a high-school student. Early in his business career he made his way to Colorado and was connected with mining interests at Lead- ville. He spent five years in the west, from 1877 until 1882, when he returned to Rochester, since which time he has been closely associated with the grocery irade. Ile has stores in Elmira, Ba- tavia and Geneva, with ten different establish- ments in Rochester, making nn aggregate of thir- teen retail grocery houses which are owned by Mr. Woodhury and conducted under his immediate supervision and direction. His executive ability. and excellent management have brought to these concerns a large degree of success. The safe, con- servative policy which he inaugurated commends itself to the judgment of the public and has se- cured to him a patronage which makes the volume of trade transacted over his eounters of vast im- portance and magnitude. He has thus contributed largely to the commercial prosperity of the city as well as to his individual success. Moreover, he is a director of the Genesee Valley Trust Com- pany, and is vice president of the Upton Cold Storage Company.
Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Wood- bury was married in 1884 to Miss Mamie Chris- tian and they have two daughters. The family residence is a beautiful home at No. 344 Lake ave- nue. Mr. Woodbury is very popular socially and is a valued member of a number of the leading clubs of the city, including the Genesee Valley C'inb, the
Columbia Racket Club and the Rochester Whist Club. He likewise belongs to the Country Club of Brighton, the Transportation Club of New York and to the Founders & Patriots Club of New York. He holds membership in the Lake Avenue Baptist church and in politics is a repub- lican with somewhat independent tendencies, re- garding the capability of the candidate rather than party affiliation at local elections. Of genial, so- cial nature, the circle of his friends is constantly widening, while his business interests are contin- ually being extended in scope and importance. Hle stands as a splendid type of the young men of America -alert, enterprising and progressive, rec- ognizing advantages and utilizing possibilities not alone for his own advancement but also for the welfare and npbuilding of the city.
THOMAS McMILLAN.
Thomas McMillan, who is engaged in the gro- cery business and has figured prominently in local political eireles in Rochester. has spent his entire life in this city, where his birth occurred on the 26th of September, 1846. His parents were Thomas and Janet ( MeLain) McMillan, both of whom were natives of Scotland. "They were mar- ried, however, in New York city, and came to Rochesier on a packet boat about 1842. The father was a miller by trade and followed that pursuit in Rochester, but he died in this city dur- ing the jufancy of his son Thomas, who was the younger of two children, the daughter being Auna. now the wife of F. E. Brownell, of Vernon, New York.
Thomas McMillan, on attaining the usual age, was sent as a pupil to the public schools, wherein he mastered those branches of learning that quali- fed him for life's practical and responsible duties. He entered upon a business career as a clerk in a grocery store on State street and in 1860, in com- pany with his mother, he purchased a grocery store on the same street. Together they were owners of the business until the mother's death in 1869, since which time Mr. McMillan has been alone in business. Ile is undoubtedly one of the oldest grocers in years of continuous connection with the trade in Rochester, having for almost a half century heen a representative of this line of merchandising, while for forty-seven years he has been owner of a grocery store. In 1874 he came to his present location at No. 180 Plymouth ave- nue and a number of his patrons have been with him throughout this entire time. He is, however, continually gaining new customers and his trade is constantly growing, so that for many years his business has been very profitable and he is ac-
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counted one of the leading grocers of this section of the city. His store is neat and tasteful in its arrangement, is well equipped with modern ap- pointments and he carries a large line of staple and fancy groceries.
In 1873 Mr. McMillan was married to Miss Ella R. Andrews, a native of Rochester and a daugh- ter of Adna and Jane (Higgins) Andrews, who were natives of New England. The Andrews are descended from Mayflower ancestry. Unto Mr. and Mrs. MeMillun have been horn four children : Martin F., who ocenpies a clerical position in the postotfice; Harriet, at home; George, engaged in the practice of law in Rochester; and Grace, also at home.
Since age conferred upon him the right of fran- chise Mr. MeMillan has been n stalwart republi- can and has exerted considerable inthience in local politienl eireles, where his worth and ability have been recognized in his election for various public offices. In 1823 he was a member of the board of supervisors, thus representing the ninth ward for one year, after which he removed to the third ward. In 1880 he was elected a member of the board of eduention, in which capacity he re- mained for eight years, and during that time he furthered many progressive measures for the de- velopment of the school system of the city. Dur- ing the succeeding eight years he was further con- nected with municipal interests as a memimer of the city council and in 1896-7 he served on the executive board, while for the past three years he has been market commissioner. His official duties have ever been discharged with a sense of conscien- tious obligation, as well as with marked capabil- ity, and over his public and private life there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.
HENRY E. SHAFFER.
Within the last half century America has dem- onstrated her right to the leadership of the world in the rrahn of invention. At first, by the bril- lianey of her achievements, she won the attention of the old countries, then commanded a respect which rapidly developed into wondering admira- tion. Though she cannot cope with the old coun- tries in fine arts, Europe has acknowledged her pre- eminence in science and useful invention. She has given to the world unexcelled labor-saving and cost-reducing machinery, rapid transit and the means of close and immediate communication, Her inventions have largely revolutionized the trade not only of the United States but of all countries. Henry E. Shaffer is one who has contributed to this result. Inventor and manufacturer, he has spent forty years in Rochester, during which
period he has given to the publie a number of use- ful devices. Ite was born in Dutchess county, New York, June 18, 1824, but when only six months old was taken to Oneida county, this state, by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Zachariah Shaffer. The father in his early days was a carpenter and wag- ommaker who possessed considerable mechanical ingenuity and skill but in later years followed farming.
Henry E. Shaffer was educated in Oneida county and entered business life as proprietor of a country store, which he conducted for several years and during that time made several thousand dollars. He then went to Home, New York, with M. B. Foote, and entered the jobbing business, in which he continued for four years. The year prior to his removal to Rome the firm sold two hundred and fifty thousand dollars worth of stock and four years later their sales amounted to one million, one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. On leaving Rome Mr. Shaffer came to Rochester and went into the manufacturing business, manu- facturing u fruit jar which he patented. This un- dertaking proved successful in an eminent degree and as his prosperity increased Mr. Shaffer pur- chased n large amount of real-estate. Throughout the years his inventive genius has found play, and among the products of his brain and hand are acetylene gas burners. He is now at work upon a new invention-a new burner for acetylene lampe-and he has patented many other inven- tions. He is a very netive mun with keen, alert mind, few men of his years showing the mental vigor and unabating energy which he displays.
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