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 90
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WILLIAM H. WILSON.
William H. Wilson, a dealer in second hand boilers and machinery in Rochester, is numbered among those who have crossed the border from Canada to enjoy the better opportunities to be had in this country, with its livelier business com- petition and advancement more quickly secured. lle was born in Melancthon, Ontario, Canada, April 7, 1875, his parents being James C. and Catherine ( Hamilton) Wilson.
His father was a native of Pittsburg. Pennsyl- vania, born September 8, 1838, while the moth- er's birth occurred January 10, 1844, in White- hall. New York. Mr. Wilson was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, his parents having emne to America from the north of Ireland in 1832, at which time they located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The grandfather, Hugh Wilson, was a weaver by trade and from 1832 until 1847 he spent his time be- tween Philadelphia and Pittsburg. In the latter year be removed to Canada, where he took up land and engaged in farming. There he raised sheep and spun and wove the wool into cloth, while his sons looked after the task of cultivating and devel- oning the fields. He remained a resident of Can- ada until his death and his son. James C. Wilson. was reared in the Dominion from his ninth year. There he engaged in farming until 1893, when he returned to the United States, settling in Roch- ester. In 1900, however, he again went to Can- ada and took up land at Saskatchewan in north- western Canada. He was the founder of and
named the town of Willow Brook and was identi- fied with its interests until the Ist of June, 1905, when he again came to Rochester, where he is now living a retired life. He holds membership in the Advent Christian church. Of his family of six children all are yet living, namely: Edl- ward, of Jasper, New York; Robert, of Assini- boia, Canada; Myra, who is superintendent of the Mechanics' Institute in New York city; Jen- nie, who is associated with her sister Myra in that work; William H., of this review; and Stella May, the wife of Theodore Allen, of Buffalo, New York.
William H. Wilson was a student in the com- mon schools of Canada and his youth was spent in his parents' home. In the fall of 1893 he came to Rochester and secured a position with Levi Hay, a dealer in junk, under whose direction he acquainted himself with all the branches of the junk business, and in the fall of 1900 he en- gaged in business for himself. The knowledge that he had previously gained soon put him in the front in this department of commercial activ- ity and he has built up an extensive business in the dismantling of abandoned factories and as a dealer in second hand boilers and all kinds of machinery. He is also a stockholder in the Cone- sus Lake Creamery Company, manufacturers of condensed milk.
On the 26th of November. 1902. Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Royer. a native of Germany and a danghter of Adam and Eve Royer. The father died in Germany but the mother afterward rame to the United States with ber two children, Mrs. Wilson being at that time twelve vears of age. The family home was estah- lished in Rochester.
Mr. Wilson is a member of John G. Klink lodge. I. O. O. F., and of Rochester lodge. No. 660. A. F. & A. M He has also taken various degrees of the Scottish rite in Rochester, and in his political views he is a stalwart republican He has gained a goodly measure of success and is now well known in his line of business. his enterprise and strong purpose being the salient features which have won his prosperity,
COLONEL SAMUEL PARKER MOUL.THROP.
Few men are more widely or prominently known in connection with the work of public in- struction in the state of New York than Colonel Samuel Parker Moulthrop. now principal of the Washington grammar school No. 26. in Rochester. He was born in the territory of Wisconsin. about four miles from the present site of Oshkosh, on the 14th of May. 1848. His ancestry is traced
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WILLIAM H. WILSON.
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back to Matthew Moulthrop, who came to Massa- chusetts with Winthrop in 1630 and in 1636 re- moved to East Haven, Connecticut, where some of his descendants now live. There is no lack of a patriotic ancestry behind him. He is de- scended from five soldiers of the Revolution, in- cluding Samuel Parker, his great-great-grand- father, Samuel Parker second, his great-grand- father. Matthias Lanckton, a great-grandfather, Matthew Moulthrop and Asa Williams. Samuel Parker, the first, was at the surrender of Corn- wallis at Yorktown, while his son, Samuel Parker second, was at the surrender of Burgoyne at Sara- toga, and Matthias Lanckton spent the winter with Washington at Valley Forge, where the army suffered untold hardships from inadequate cloth- ing and supplies. Samuel Parker second became the founder of the family in western New York, settling in Monroe county in 1808.
The parents of Colonel Moulthrop were Mat- thias Nelson and Clarissa I. (Parker) Moulthrop, both natives of New York. Their family num- bered but two sons, the younger being Edwin N. Moulthrop, a retired farmer living at Batavia, . New York.
Colonel Moulthrop of this review was reared in Wisconsin amid pioneer scenes and environments, spending his early boyhood on a farm among the Indians, who then inhabited the middle west. In 1859 the parents returned to the Empire state, settling in Genesee county, New York. Colonel Moulthrop began his education in the public schools and afterward attended the Carey Col- legiate Institute. He began teaching when twenty years of age and has since followed that profes- sion with the exception of a few months. Through his own labors he provided the expenses necessary for his collegiate work. His first two years of teaching were spent in a country school, during which time he "hoarded round" among the schol- ars. He was afterward a teacher in Batavia and in 1876 was elected principal of the school in the House of Refuge of Rochester, now the State In- dustrial School. While acting in that capacity he was chosen to the principalship of grammar school No. 17. in Rochester, and continued at the head of both institutions for about a year. Suhse- quently he was elected deputy superintendent and principal of the schools of the State Industrial School and continued to act in that capacity until the latter part of the year 1887. at which time he was elected principal of the Washington gram- mar school, of which he has since been in charge. His work as a public educator has been most successful. He organizes the school work most thoroughly, is constantly alert in searching out new and improved methods and has successfully in- stalled many new ideas of his own inception, the value of which time has proven.
His entire life work has been of a most beneficial character. In 1886 he was appointed civil service commissioner of the city under Mayor Parsons and continned in that position under Mayors Car- roll, Aldrich, Lewis, Curran and Warner, cov- ering a period of twelve years. He was likewise chairman of the board of civil service commis- sioners of the city for four years, and in 1899 and 1900 was president of the New York State Gram- mar School Principals' Association. He was like- wise president of the Rochester Teachers' Relief Association for five terms. He has been a member of the executive committee of the State Grammar School Principals' Association for four years and was president of the Rochester Teachers' Associa- tion in 1896-7, and for sixteen years was prin- cipal of an evening school in Rochester. In the year 1906 there were registered in both day and evening schools three thousand six hundred and ciglity-one pupils under the direction of ninety-two teachers. In all of his school work Colonel Moul- throp has been most progressive. He has done much to advance the cause of public education, in- spiring others with his own zeal and interest in the work and standing for the adoption of new and improved methods which will promote the value of public-school edneation and make it of greater practical use as a preparation for life's duties. He has written much upon the subject and his public addresses upon school teaching have carried weight and influence with them. He is also the author of Iroquois, a vohune treating of that tribe of the red men, and he has closely studied the Indian problem, assisting in its solu- tion by aiding many Indians to obtain positions in the business world and to become good law- abiding citizens.
In 1823 Colonel Moulthrop was married to Miss Mary Raymond, of Elba, Genesce county, New York, and they have two children : Harry, a civil engineer of Rochester; and Mary A., who is a junior in the University of Rochester.
Colonel Monlthrop has figured also in military as well as in educational circles. In 1892 he was elected commander of Mcclellan's corps and has since served in that position, covering a period of fifteen years. He was a lieutenant colonel of the First School Regiment organized in Rochester in 1890, and in 1896 he received the commission of colonel on the staff of General Wood. Since 1870 he has been an exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the Knight Templar degree, and he is a charter member of Corinthian Temple lodge, No. 805, F. & A. M., which he called to order at its first meeting. In 1893-4 he was commander of Monroe comman- dery. No. 12. K. T. In politics he is a pro- nounced democrat, unfaltering in his advocacy of the party and its principles. He is fearless in
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defense of his honest convictions at all times and this has been one of the salient characteristics of his life, winning for him the respect and admira- tion of even those who do not endorse his views. Progress and patriotism might be termed the key- note of his character, for these qualities have been manifest in every phase of a busy, active and use- ful life.
HON. DELBERT C. HEBBARD.
Hon. Delbert C. Hebbard, attorney at law of Rochester and judge of the municipal court, was born in Leroy, Genesee county, New York, Or- tober 14, 1865, his parents being Lewis B. and Margaret (Campbell) Hebbard, the former a na- tive of Connecticut and the latter of Caledonia, Livingston county, New York. The ancestry in the paternal line was represented in the patriot army of the Revolutionary war, while the Camp- bell family claimed several of the soldiers of the Civil war. Lewis B. Hebbard came to New York with his parents when ouly seven years of age, the family home being established in Genesee county, where he lived and died upon a farm. He was prominent and respected in his community and servedl'as assessor of his town for about twenty years. also filling other minor offices.
The boyhood days of Judge Hebbard were quietly pa-sed upon the home farm. In his youth he attended the country schools and was after- ward graduated from Genesco Normal School with the class of 1890. Ile later engaged in teaching for three years, also taught two years before his graduation. In 1893 he came to Rochester to take up the study of law in the office and under the direction of the Hon. Selden S. Brown. He con- tinued his reading until he had successfully passed the required examination, which secured his ad- mission to the bar in 1896. He then entered upon the active practice of law and has steadily worked his way upward, gaining recognition as one of the strong and able practitioners in Rochester. He prepares his cases with great thoroughness and care and in his presentation of a canse shows a mind trained in the severest school of reasoning. Hle was ITnited States commissioner for three years, appointed by Judge Hazel, and in Novem- ber. 1903. he was elected judge of the municipal court for a term of six years, so that he is the present incumbent in the office. His course on the bench is distinguished by all that marked his record as a man and lawyer, including unswerv- ing fidelity and a masterful grasp of every prob- Jem that has been presented for solution.
On the 22d of April, 1904. Judge Hubbard was married to Miss Bessie M. Campbell and they are
well known in the social circles of the city. The Judge is a prominent Mason, belonging to Gene- see Falls lodge, No, 507, A. F. & A. M .; Hamilton chapter. R. A. M .; and Mouroe commanoerv. K. T. le likewise belongs to the Masonic Club, to the Elks lodge and the Knights of Pythias fra- ternity. In community affairs he is interested to the extent of giving hearty co-operation to many movements for the general good and for oue year he was principal of the Truant school here. He stands for all that is upright and just in man's relations to his fellowmen and in a profession where shecess depends upon individual merit and close application he has won ereditable standing.
JOHN FERRIS ALDEN.
Fortunate is the man who has back of him an ancestry honorable and distinguished, and happy is he if his lines of life are cast in harmony there- with. The name of Alden has been one of the most honored and prominent that Inns figured on the pages of history since Jolin Alden. a direct" enrestor of our subject, came to America in the Mayflower and the romantic story of his courtship herame a matter of history. John F. Alden is a worthy scion of his race and yet he has not de- pended upon the aid of a proud family name to guin him distinction and success in the business work. Individual merit, close application and unfaltering diligence have proven the foundation stones upon which he has reared the superstruc- ture of his present business prominence and suc- (+88. He is connected with the American Bridge Company, with offices at No. 301 Powers block, and has to his credit some of the finest bridges and structural iron work of the country.
Mr. Alden was born in Cohoes, New York, March 19, 1852, son of Sidney Alden, and a rep- resentative in the eighth generation of the de- scendants of John Alden. He prepared for col- lege at private schools in Albany and continued his education in the Rensselaer Polytechnic Insti- Inte of Troy, New York, from which he graduated in the class of 1822. He entered business life as a civil engineer, well qualified for the business of wrought-iron and steel-bridge mannfacture. Following his gralnation he accepted a position as assistant engineer on the construction of a bridge on the New York Central Railroad, being built over the Hudson at Albany. He became a resident of Rochester on the Ist of January. 1875. acting as assistant engineer at the Leighton Bridge & Tron Works. In 1878 he herame chief engineer and a member of the firm. Two years later. in 1880. he entered into partnership with Moritz Lassig of Chicago, under the firm style of Alden & Lassig. They leased the plant of the Leighton Bridge &
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Iron Works in Rochester, and conducted the busi- ness for five years. During that period they also established a bridge and iron mannfactory in Chi- cago under the style of Alden & Lassig. When their partnership had continued for five years they dissolved their business connection, each one re- taining the interests in his respective city. Mr. Alden reorganized his business under the name of the Rochester Bridge & Iron Works and was sole proprietor from 1885 to 1901. In the latter year he sold out to the American Bridge Company, with which he is now connected. He has built many miles of iron and steel bridges, especially for railroads. These include many notable struc- tures displaying a thorough understanding of the great mechanical principles upon which the work rests. In this connection he has operated from Portland, Maine, to Portland, Oregon, and along the principal railroads of the United States. Evi- dences of his business enterprise and the im- portance of the contracts awarded may be seen in the elevated railroad work in New York city; the bridge over the Columbia river at Pasco, Wash- ington ; two large viadnets at Los Angeles, Cal- ifornia; upper Suspension bridge at Niagara Falls: the tower and iron elevator on the western house of parliament at Ottawa, Canada; and much of the iron work at St. Paul and Chicago, including iron and steel work at the World's Co- Inmbian Exposition and many great railroad bridges in various parts of the country. Mr. Alden is probably unsurpassed in the number of designs he has furnished and the amount of structural work in steel and iron building he has superin- tended.
His prominence in the profession is indicated by the fact that his opinions are largely received as authority by those who are connected with him in the same line of business activity. He is, more- over, a valued member of the Rensselaer Society of Civil Engineers and has been third vice presi- dent of the American Association of Civil En- gineers. He is likewise connected with the Cham- ber of Commerce of Rochester and the Alden Kindred of America. He is a director of the Traders National Bank and the Geneste Valley Trust Company, both of Rochester, and president of the Rochester Securities Company, of Roches- ter, so that his name figures prominently in finan- cial as well as industrial circles. One of the most prominent characteristics of his successful 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 indus- trial and financial eireles.
Mr. Alden was married in 1885 to Miss Mary F. Bogue, of Brooklyn, New York. His many friends find him a most social, genial gentleman
and his life record is that of a man who by the unwavering force of his character, his ready adaptation to opportunities and his laudable am- bition has risen to distinction in that field of labor which he has made his life work.
WILLIAM J. BAKER.
Among the younger members practicing at the Rochester bar, with a record which many an older lawyer might well envy, is William J. Baker, who was born in this city October 9, 1875. His parents ure Charles S. and Jennie E. ( Yerkes) Baker, the father a native of Churchville, Monroe county, New York, and the mother of Lima, Livingston county, New York. The paternal grandfather, James Baker, settled in Monroe county at a very early day and carried on the business of carriage manufacturing. His son, Charles S. Baker, studied for the bar, was admitted to practice, and for many years was a learned and able lawyer of Rochester. He acquired his education in the Wes- leyan Seminary and in the University of Syracuse, and following his admission to the bar in this city practiced here continually until his death, which occurred April 21, 1902. His comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence, his able interpretation of the law and his high sense of professional honor combined to make him a strong attorney. He was also a recognized leader in public life, served as a member of the board of education of Rochester, was a member of the board of supervisors and represented his district in the state legislature in both the house and the senate, while from 1883 until 1891 he was a inen- ber of congress and took an active part in the work of framing national laws.
William J. Baker was edneated in the public schools of Rochester and Washington, D. C., also at Bordentown (New Jersey ) Military Institute, the University of Rochester, where he pursued a special course, and in Hale's Scientific School of Rochester. In 1889, npon examination before the supreme court, he was admitted to the bar and immediately afterward began practice, joining his father in a partnership which was continued until the latter's death. Mr. Baker then became a part- ner of Dr. Frederic Remington. which connec- tion was discontinued in 1906, since which time Mr. Baker has been alone. He has long since demonstrated his ability to cope with intricate legal problems and is recognized as a formidable adversary in the courts. While he is always cour- teous to his opponents and the witnesses, he pre- sents his own cause with great force. being strong in argument. while his deductions follow in logical sequence. He has served for two terms as a meni-
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ber of the common council of Rochester, and is in- Crouch brothers purchased Mr. Craig's interest terested in all municipal- affairs.
On the 12th of April, 1898, Mr. Baker was united in marriage to Miss Marian Olive Bradley, a daughter of Charles S. Bradley. His member- ship relations include the Theta Delta Tuu, the Theta Nu Epsilon and the Delta Kappa Epsilon, college fraternities. He likewise belongs to the Rochester Whist Clnh and the Rochester Yacht ('lub and a social nature renders him a favorite among his many friends in the city of his nativity.
CHARLES H. CROUCHI.
The name of Crouch has long lwen associated with the lumber trade of Rochester and he whose name introduces this review is now senior mem- ber of the Crouch & Beahan Company, extensive dealers in lumber and coal. One of the city's native sons, he was born November t, 1857. His father, Charles T. Cronch, figured for many years as one of the largest lumber dealers of western New York. He, too, was born in Rochester during its days of villagehood, his birth occurring May 25, 1899. The family is of English lineage and was established in America by William Crouch, the grandfather of our subject, who came from England to the new world about 1822. He was for many years engaged in building operations in Rochester, where he died November 19, 1812. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Har- rison, was born July 11, 1800, and died July 16, 1895. In their family wore six children, of whom Charles T. Cronch was the fifth. Having attended the public schools of Rochester, he engaged in teaming when a young man, and. eagerly em- bracing his opportunities for business advance- ment, he began the manufacture of lumber in 1857 in connection with his brother George W. under the firm style of G. W. & C. T. Cronch. They continned the business for about four years and in 1862 became interested in the coal trude. In 1868 they formed a partnership with George Bent- ley, of Rochester, and Samuel R. Hart, of Brigh- ton, and under the firm style of G. W. Crouch & t'ompany comuneneed the manufacture of lumber on C'ronch island, where they erected a large saw- mill. Two years later the Crouch brothers pur- chased the interest of Mr. Hart and when another two years had passed Mr. Bentley retired, at which time the firm style of G. W. & C. T. Prouch wus assumed. The admission of H. Il. Craig to a partnership in 1875 led to the formation of the firm of Craig & Crouches and aside from the oper- ation of the sawmill they established a large whole- sale and retail Inmber business on Griffith street, which way continued by them until 1830, when the
and mihmitted George W., Jr., and Frank P. Crouch, sons of G. W. Crouch, and Charles H. Crouch, son of C. T. Crouch, into the firm under the style of G. W. & C. T. Crouch & Sons. The new firm continued the manufacture of lumber and its sale for about three years, when George W. Crunch, Jr., withdrew. In 1887 Charles T. and Charles H. Crouch sold their interests in both establishments to G. W. and F. P. Cronch and then organized the firm of C. T. Crouch & Son for the establishment of a wholesale and retail lumber business on West street near Lyell avenue. From the beginning the new enterprise prospered and the trade soon became extensive. They also operated a large sash and blind factory and plan- ing mill. handling from eight to ten million fert of luniber nunually, and employing on an average of thirty-five and forty workmen. This becaire one of the best known lumber firms of western New York and for many years C. T. Crouch was connected with the business but in his latest years lived retired.
His political allegiance was given to the de- mocracy and for two years he represented the twelfth ward in the city council. Political hon- ors and emoluments, however, had no attraction for him and he preferred to do his public service as a private citizen. In all matters of public prog- ress he was deeply interested and gave his co- operation to many movements for the general good. In Masonry he attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish rite, his membership being with Valley lodge, A. F. & A. M. ; Hamilton chap- ter, R. A. M .; Monroe commandery, K. T .: Doric council and the Scottish rite bodies. He also belonged to the Avelard Club of Rochester.
C. T. Crouch was married in 1851 to Miss Susan Streeter, a daughter of Thomas Streeter of Rochester. They became the parents of five chil- dren : Mary H., the wife of Sidney R. Ireland, of Chicago; Delia E., the wife of George H. Looknp, of Marion, Wayne county, New York; Charles H .; Rhoda E., the wife of Henry H. Turner ; and Nel- lie S., the wife of C. C. Benhan. The death of the husband and father occurred July 28, 1898. He was for years one of the most prominent business men of the city in which his entire life, covering ahnost seventy years, was passed. His name ever stood as a synonym for business integrity and re- liability and his enterprise, capable management and unfaltering energy constituted the basis upon which he builded his prosperity.
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