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 89
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Mr. Curtice is a member of various clubs and social organizations, among them the Goneser Valley Club, the Rochester Whist Club, the Coun- try Chib of Rochester and the Oak Hill Country Club. Deeply interested in the welfare and com- mercial development of Rochester, he has been a member of the Chamber of Commerce since its
organization, and he is also a director of the Na- tional Bank of Rochester and of the Fidelity Trust Company. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, and he is identified with the Sons of the American Revolution.
Such, in brief, is the life history of E. N. Cur- tice, a man remarkable in the breadth of his wis- dom, his indefatigable energy and his fertility of resource. One of the prominent characteristics of his successful business career is that his vision has never been bounded by the exigencies of the moment, but has covered as well the possibilities and opportunities of the future. This has led him into extensive undertakings, bringing him into marked prominence in industrial and commercial circles. A man of unswerving integrity and honor, one who has a perfect appreciation of the higher ethics of life, he has gained and retained the con- fidence and respect of his fellowmen and is dis- tinctively one of the leading citizens, not only of Rochester, but of the Empire state, with whose interests he has been identified throughout his entire career.
FRANK M. GOFF.
Frank M. Goff, a successful practitioner at the Rochester bar, was born in Spencerport, which is still the place of his residence, his natal day be- ing December 22. 1851. He is descended from one of the old American families founded in this country in early colonial days by William Goff, who crossed the Atlantic to the new world in 1662. He was one of the signers of the deatlı warrant of Charles I., king of England. The Goff family was established in Monroe county, New York, abont 1812, Roswell Goff coming from western Connecticut to the Empire state. Henry H. Goff, the father of our subject, was born in Henrietta, Monme county, and having arrived at years of maturity, he wedded Sarah E. Wright, a representative of a family that was also estab- lished in Monroe county in the early part of the nineteemb century. In the maternal fine Mr. Goff is also descended from the Allen family to which belonged Colonel Ethan Allen, the gallant soldier of the Revolutionary war who captured Fort Ti- conderoga and commanded his Green Mountain Boys in a number of victories. Henry HI, Goff was a farmer and in his later days engaged in dealing in produce. In early manhood he had followed school teaching to some extent and had served as school commissioner. He was the first or second teacher in the Western House of Refuge. now the State Industrial school. He was recog-
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nized throughout western New York as a promi- nent and influential citizen and he passed away in August, 1904, respected and honored by all who knew him. For several years he had survived his wife, who died in 1898. Their family numbered two sons, of whom the younger, Burton H., is now a retired produce dealer.
Frank M. Goff was reared upon the home farm and after attending the district schools became a student in the normal school at Brockport, from which he was graduated in 1870. He then entered the Rochester University, where he spent two years, and he was afterward a student in Bryant & Stratton Business College. He thus received thorough preliminary training and in 1873 he took up the study of law, heing admitted to the bar in 1876. In that year he began the practice of his profession in Rochester, where he has since remained, securing a large and distinctively rep- resentative clientage. He is careful and thorough in the preparation of his cases and presents his cause with clearness and force, never failing to impress his hearers and seldom failing to win the verdict desired. His close reasoning, his com- prehensive knowledge of the principles of juris- prudence and his devotion to his clientx' interests are the strong characteristics of his professional career.
Mr. Goff was married to Miss Clara B. Brown, of Spencerport. New York, and they have two children : Louise Loomis and William F. Mr. Goff is a member of the Historical Society and of the Society of the Genesce. He belongs also to the Rochester Whist Club and is a Scottish Rite Ma- son and a member of the Masonic club. A genial, social nature has gained him many friends and he is much esteemed in the community where almost his entire life has been passed.
GEORGE CASBURN.
George Casburn, the owner of valuable farming property in the town of Greece, where he is exten- sively engaged in carrying on agricultural and horticultural pursuits, was born in Burwell, Cam- bridgeshire, England, February 12, 1845, his parents being Ambrose and Mary (Dyson) Cas- burn," hoth of whom were natives of Cambridge- shire, England. The father, a farmer hy occupa- tion, was a successful business man and accumu- lated a good property following his arrival in the new world. He died in 1897 at the age of seventy- two years, while his widow still survives, her home being in Carthage. Hancock county, Illinois, where on the 5th of July. 1907. she celebrated the eighty- first anniversary of her birth. In the family were seven children: George. of this review ; Alfred.
of Illinois; Mrs. Ann Boardman, of Michigan; Mrs. Rebecca Burling, living near Ferris, in Han- cock county, Illinois: Mrs. Sarah Atkins, also of Hancock county; Robert, a practicing physician of Carthage, Illinois; and Mrs. Martha Camp, of Carthage.
When eight years of age George Casburn came to the new world in company with his mother and three other children of the family, the father hav- ing crossed the Atlantic a year and a half before. They made their way direct to Rochester and the family home was established in Penfield town- ship. George Casburn remained upon his fath- er's farm there for about twelve years and in the fall in which he attained his majority he went to Ohio, where he lived for two years. On the ex- piration of that period he removed to Illinois, where he resided with his father's family for six years, after which he returned to Greece town- ship, Monroe county. For thirty-two years he has lived in this township, and for fifteen years has made his home on his present farmn. He is now the owner of two ex- cellent farms in the township, having sixty-five acres in the home place and seventy-six acres in another tract. Both farms are located on the Ridge road and are excellent properties, returning a gratifying income to the owner. He likewise has five acres on the Ridge road adjoining Kodak Park, npon which are six dwellings just outside the city limits, five of these houses having been built by Mr. Casburn. His own home is an at- tractive residence, and there is a large barn, forty by eighty feet, which he built. There are likewise two smaller barns on the place. Most of the im- provements have been made by Mr. Casburn, who is conducting his place as a fruit farm, having seven acres in red English currants and six acres in gooseberries, beside pears, plums and prunes. He also has a six-acre apple orchard and, in fact. his is one of the fine fruit farms of this portion of the state, which is noted throughout the coun- try as a splendid horticultural district. Upon his other farm he has a large evaporator and has owned one in Orleans county for nineteen years. In fact, he has been engaged in evaporating ap- ples for twenty-six seasons, being one of the pion- eers in this business.
In 1880 Mr. Casburn was married to Miss Mary Nordrmm, who was born in Norway in De- cember. 1852, and came to the United States in early childhood with her parents, Egbert and Mary Nordrum, also natives of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Casburn have three daughters and a son : Nellie. Martha. Alfred G. and Grace. The eldest dangh- ter is the wife of Clarence Bushrow. of Greece townshin, who is living on her father's other farm on the Ridge road, and they have two sons, George and Norman.
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GEORGE CASBURN.
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Mr. Casburn is a member of the Greece Grange. Ahnost his entire life has been spent in Monroc county and during the greater part of the time he has been connected with agricultural and horticul- tural pursuits. He has made a close study of these lines of business and his labors have brought him the gratifying measure of prosperity which he is now enjoying.
REV. WILLIAM R. TAYLOR, D. D.
Rev. William R. Taylor, pastor of the Brick church at Rochester since 1888, is recognized as one of the ablest divines of the Presbyterian inin- istry and the worthy successor of the distin- guished men who have preceded him in his pres- ent connection. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 28, 1856. He early decided to enter the ministry, for his paternal ancestors for five generations were ministers and the influence of the family has been of no re- stricted order in the moral development of various localities. His father, the Rev. W. J. R. Taylor, D. D., served several important churches, was see- retary of the American Bible Society from 1862 to 1868-Civil war and reconstruction period, and at the time of his death was corresponding serre- tary of the American Sabbath Union. One of his brothers, Rev. Livingston L. Taylor, is now pas- tor of the Congregational church in Canandaigua, New York. Another brother, the Rev. Graham Taylor, D. D., is professor of Christian Sociology in the Chicago Congregational Theological Semi- nary, and is the founder and warden of Chicago Commons, an influential social settlement.
Having decided to devote his life to the minis- try, Dr. Taylor began preparations for his chosen life work as a student in Rutgers College, at New Brunswick, New Jersey, of which his father, grandfather and great grandfather had been trns- tees. In 1876 he was graduated with highest honors, and the degree of Bachelor of Arts was conferred upon him. Immediately afterward he entered the theological seminary of the Reformed church at New Brunswick, where he pursued a three years' course and was graduated in the class of 1879. He was then ordained by the New Bruns- wick classis of the Reformed Church and almost immediately after he accepted # call from the church at Franklin Park, New Jersey -a church which had had but six pastors in the first one hun- dred and seventy-five years of its history. There Dr. Tavlor remained for five years or until 1884, when he took charge of the First Reformed Church of Philadelphia. In the meantime his labors as a pastor and his eloquence as a preacher were win-
ning him a constantly growing reputation and in 1888 he was called to the pastorate of the Brick Church in Rochester as the successor of the widely known and greatly beloved Dr. James B. Shaw. It was on the 13th of March, 1825, at a meeting held in a wooden building on State street, that the congregation, later known as the Brick Church, was organized. Its first house of worship was erreted and -ready for occupancy October 1, 1828. In 1858, the congregation having greatly in- creased, an addition was made to the original church and in 1859 it was determined to build a new structure. The cornerstone of the new church was laid July 3, 1860, and it was dedicated on the 30th of June, 1861. The pastors who have been stationed at the church are Rev. William James, 1826-1831: Rev. William Wisner, D. D., 1831-5; Rev. George Beecher, 1837-40; Rev. James B. Shaw, 1840-87 ; and Rev. William R. Taylor since 1888. The church was rebuilt in 1892-3 at a cost of seventy-five thousand dollars and has a member- ship of two thousand, two hundred and two re- ported to the last General Assembly, and among the Presbyterian clmurches is the fourth in size in the United States. The Sunday-school member- ship is over seventeen hundred and is distinguished as having a home department of over two hun- dred members. Besides Dr. Taylor, there are two assistant pastors and a parish deaconess. The of- fice work of the church requires all the time of two expert clerks.
In January, 1888, Dr. Taylor was married to Miss Annie B. Spear, a daughter of James Spear, of Philadelphia, at which time he was pastor of the First Reforined Church of that city. On the second Sabbath after his marriage he began his labors ns pastor in Rochester. He is a deep thinker and logical reasoner and his serions ap- peal to the intellect as well as to the emotions. That he is one of the most popular ministers of Rochester is indicated by the fact that the house of worship is taxed to its capacity at both morn- ing and evening services. His thought is elassi- cal; he speaks in the language of the people. He uses no manuscript but addresses his hearers in the most direct and straightforward manner, present- ing his thoughts with a clearness and force that never fail to command attention and in the great majority of cases leaves strong impress upon his auditors. His church is remarkably well organ- ized and has enjoyed a steady growth at the rate of about one hundred and twenty-five members a vear. Dr. Taylor is deeply interested in the ques- tions of Christian sociology and under his guid- ance the Brick church is pressing forward along the lines wisely opened to the so-called Institu- tional church. This recognition of the three-fold nature of man and the possibilities for harmon- ious development along these lines has been a most
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helpful factor in the church work and is one of he removed to Rochester and in 1843 he pur- the progressive signs of the times.
The Brick Church is probably unique among Presbyterian Churches in having a board of dea- conesses, sixteen in number. The parish is divided into sixteen districts, one elder and a deaconess being assigned to the care of each district. The church edifice has been lately rebuilt after a fire on the 11th day of June, 1903, which destroyed all but the walls. It was rededicated November 27, 1904, the entire property now being worth two hundred thousand dollars. The strength of its membership, the careful organization that has been effected along all working lines and the zeal and enthusiasm of the pastor and many of its members have made the Brick Church one of the strongest forces for Christian development not only in Rochester but in the entire country, for in its various departments of activity it reaches out through its financial and personal assistance to many parts of the world.
Dr. Taylor is an ex-president of the New York State Christian Endeavor Society, a director of Auburn Theological Seminary, a trustee of the Rochester University, and Reynolds Library. He is a man of great personal magnetism, full of sin- cere earnestness and kindliness, of public spirit, of broad charity and of deep love for humanity. He is popular with the people, young and old, rich and poor, and he wins respect and love alike from all classes.
HON. THOMAS HARVEY EDDY.
Ilon. Thomas Harvey Eddy, deceased, was a well known resident of Greece township, who was closely associated with agricultureal and other business interests and was also prominent in pub- lic life, heing at one time the representative of his district in the state legislature. His birth oc- curred on the 4th of October, 1852, on the farm in the town of Greece which long continued his place of abode. He was descended from English ancestry in both the paternal and maternal lines, representing families that were established in America during the colonial epoch of the history of this country. The progenitor of the Eddy family in the new world settled in Massachusetts and many of his descendants became prominent and influential citizens. Frederick Bushnell, one of the ancestors, was well known as a large land- owner at Charlotte in the middle of the nineteenth century and at one time was president of one of the early banks of Rochester.
Thomas Eddy, father of our subject, was a na- tive of Pennsylvania, born near Harrisburg, on the 14th of October, 1802. When a young man
chased the farm in the town of Greece, which he- came the property of his son and namesake. It was about this time that he was married to Phebe Lyons, a daughter of Isaac Lyons of Rochester, and a native of Balston, Saratoga county, New York, born March 10, 1810. After residing for some years upon the farm they re- moved to Lake avenue in Rochester, where both died, the death of 'Thomas Eddy occurring March 31, 1886, while his wife passed away September 1, 1892. She was descended from one of the old families of Westchester county, New York, that was established in America before the Revolution- ary war and during the struggle for independence the federal government used the buildings owned by the family, General Lafayette making his head- quarters there for a time. Both Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Eddy were prominent members of the Presbyterian church under the pastorate of Dr. Shaw and did everything in their power to ad- vance its growth and upbuilding. They had four children: Frances S., Edmond L., Luther B. and Thomas H.
The last named is indebted to the public schools of Rochester for the early education he acquired, while later he attended Carpenter's Collegiate In- stitute and also Williams Commercial College. When he had finished his education he returned to his boyhood's home and from that time until his demise resided continuously on the old homestead farm, occupying the house in which he was born. His attention was given to general agricultural interests and he was also connected with other lines of business. Whatever he undertook proved successful by reason of his capable management, untiring diligence and perseverance. He was widely recognized as a leading agriculturist of his community and the improvements which he placed upon the homestead made it one of the most at- tractive and beautiful country places in western New York. He always kept in touch with pro- gressive agriculture and his well directed labors made him a successful business man.
Moreover, Mr. Eddy found time to co-operate in movements for the general good and did not a lit- tle to mold publie thought and action in his com- munity. He was recognized as one of the local leaders of his party. being a stalwart republican, and in 1890 and again in 1891 he represented his town on the county board of supervisors, where he served faithfully and acceptably. Still higher political honors awaited him, however, for in 1895 he was nominated and elected to represent the northwestern district of Monroe county in the state legislature. His public career was at all times above reproach, for in his public service he was actuated by a spirit of fidelity and loyalty that was above question. He held friendship inviola-
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ble, publie office as a sacred trust, and in business life was equally reliable.
On the 29th of June, 1882, in the Church of the Transfiguration in New York city, was celebrated the marriage which united the destinies of Thomas H. Eddy and Mrs. Adelgonde Mckenzie Smith, a dangliter of Hon. Donald Mckenzie, and they had four children: Frances L., Thomas H., Adel- gonde C. and Donnie L.
It will be interesting in this connection to note something of the history of her father, who was one of the most prominent men of his day, figur- ing actively in connection with the development of the northwest. He died on the 20th of Janu- ary, 1851, at the age of sixty-eight years. In commenting upon his demise a local paper said : "It is not our design to attempt biographical notice of the deceased. Volumes would be required to do the subject justice. His life was full of wild adventure, romantic scenes and thrilling incidents. Washington Irving in his Astoria has in his own happy style narrated a few of these incidents but he did great, although undoubtedly undesigned, injustice to Mr. Mckenzie in the mention of a cer- tain important transaction. It was to Mr. Mc- Kenzie and to him alone that Mr. Astor was in- debted for all that was saved from the ruin which treason wrought.
"The deceased was born in Scotland, June 15, 1783. In March, 1801, he left the paternal man- sion to carve out for himself his own fortunes, receiving for his patrimony a mother's prayers and a mother's blessing. Thus when only about seventeen years of age he was thrown upon his own resources and soon showed himself equal to the trial. He crossed the Atlantic to Canada and joined the Northwest Company, with which he continned in the fur trade for eight years. Within that period his health partially gave way under the severe privations to which he was subjected, and he revisited his native land. When his health was restored he returned to his field of duty abont 1809 and became one of the partners with John Jacob Astor in establishing the fur trade west of the Rocky mountains. In company with Mr. Hunt of St. Louis, Mr. Mckenzie made the over- land route to the mouth of the Columbia, thus traversing the continent from ocean to ocean-a trip then rarely attempted and full of peril. He continued there until the surrender of Astoria to the British by MeDongal during the war with Eng- land. As he could not avert that catastrophe he bent all his energies to save the uttermost from the wreck and, converting everything possible into available funds. he carried them safely on his per- son through a mighty wilderness and a hostile country and caused them to be delivered into the hands of Mr. Astor. After the restoration of peace he exerted himself to secure for the United States the exclusive trade of Oregon, but after a long ne-
gotiation with Mr. Astor and through him with Messrs. Madison, Gallatin and other leading indi- viduals in and out of office the matter was aban- doned, and Mr. Mckenzie, in March, 1821, joined the Hudson Bay Company. He was immediately appointed one of the council and chief factor.
"In August, 1825, he was married to Adelgonde Humbert and was shortly afterward appointed gov- ernor. At this time he resided at Fort Gary in the Red River settlement, where he continued to live until 1832 in active and prosperous business, in which he amassed a large fortune. In August of the following year he came to reside in Mayville, where the residue of his life was spent. 'He leaves thirteen children surviving him by his second, and one by his former wife. He was a good citizen, an honest man, a kind, confiding husband and an affectionate and indulgent father. All mourn his departure and honor his memory."
Mrs. Mckenzie survived her husband until May 6, 1882, when she died at her home in Mayville at the age of seventy-four years and eleven months. She was born of French parentage in Renan, Switzerland, June 6, 1807, and went with her parents to British America in 1820. On the 18th of Angust, 1825, she became the wife of Mr. Mc- Kenzie. She was a woman of great physical power and endurance and her mental qualities were of the highest order. On the death of her hus- hand she accepted the position of executrix of his large estate and proved herself to he possessed of a high degree of executive ability.
REV. WILLIAM KESSEL.
The period of Father Kessel's connection with the Catholic priesthood covers almost a quarter of a century and since 1895 he has been pastor of St. Joseph's, one of the largest Catholic churches of Rochester. His life record began in Germany, on the 23d of September, 1853, and he was a youth in his fourteenth year when in January, 1867, he accompanied his parents, Philip and Sophia (Steinhauser) Kessel, to the United States. His father and mother were also born in Germany and their family numbered three chil- dren. They located first in Buffalo, New York, and Rev. Kessel attended the parochial schools of that city. In 1873 he continued his education in Ilchester, Maryland, spending ten years at that place in work preparatory to taking his orders. He pursued both his literary and theological studies at the College of the Order of Redemp- torist, completing the course in 1883, and on the 22d of September of that year he was ordained to the priesthood.
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Father Kessel's first pastoral work was in con- nection with the Holy Redeemer church in New York city, where he remained until 1893. He was then appointed to St. Boniface church in Philadel- phia, where he continued for a year and a half, when he was given charge of the St. James parish in Baltimore, Maryland. He came thence to his present parish and has since continued pastor of St. Joseph's church, which has a very large mem- bership and is one of the strong Catholic churches of the city, being a potent influence in the re- ligious development of this part of Rochester. In the parish are five hundred families and at the school, which is conducted in connection there- with by the sisters of Notre Dame, there are more than three hundred and fifty pupils. In connec- tion with the schools there is a commercial course which has proved quite a success. Those who know Father Kessel best speak in terms of warm praise concerning his kind and genial manner. He has the entire confidence, respect and love of the people of his parish and the good will of those of other denominations.
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