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 94
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Christ, Brick and Westminster churches and many other fine structures. John F. Montgomery was also n native of Rochester and for years fig- ured as one of its most prominent contractors and builders. He died in the year 1900. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Agnes Logan, was a native of York, New York, and the members of the family are W. J., George E., Charles H., J. Frederick and Estelle M., all living in this city.
The other son of the family is Gordon S. Mont- gomery of this review, who, after acquiring his more specifically literary education, sindied archi- teeture in the office of Peabody & Stearns in Bos- ton, then the largest architectural firm in the country. He remained there in 1888 and 1889 and in the following year returned to Rochester, be- coming secretary of the John F. Montgomery Company, builders, in which connection he re- mained until his father's death. He then began contracting on his own account but after a year opened his present business as a mechanical en- gineer and architect with offices in the Ellwanger and Barry bnihling. His comprehensive study and broad practical experience have gained him pre- eminence in both lines and the gratifying success which he is now enjoying is the best evidence of his capability and business worth.
In the city where his entire life has been passed Mr. Montgomery is popular and has gained many friends. He is a member of the Rochester Ath- letie Club and also of the Brick ( Presbyterian ) «Imreh. In politics he is a republican and while not a politician in the sense of office seeking he is interested in good government and a clean munic- ipal administration. To this end he stands for reform and progress and his influence is ever given on the side of right, truth and improvement.
PROFESSOR G. H. WALDEN.
Professor George Henry Walden. principal of public school No. 10 in Rochester, has gained more than local note in educational circles. He was born in Sonth Columbia, Herkimer county, New York, May 13, 1855, and when five years of age went to Otsego county with his parents, William P. and Mary J. (Casaday) Walden, both of whom were natives of New York, born in Otsego and in Herkimer counties, respectively. Their family numbered two children, the daughter, who is the younger, being Mrs. Wheeler L. Bush, of Roches- ter.
Professor Walden's parents were poor but hon- est, hard-working people and, owing to a lack of financial resources, were unable to give their children educational advantages bevond those of- fered by the district schools. Following the re-
moval of the family to Otsego county they settled near Cooperstown, where Professor Walden ac- quired his early education aud an ample training at farm labor. For several summers he was em- ployed at farm labor and thus earned money enough to enable him to acquire a better educa- tion, which he was ambitious to do. He eagerly availed himselt of advantages which came to him in that direction and has been an earnest, close and discriminating student throughout his entire life. He taught his first district school in the autumn of 1872, when seventeen years of age. Re- moving to Steuben county, New York, in 1825, he was there employed at farm labor during the summer months and followed teaching in the dis- triet schools in the winter. It was in this way he earned the money for a higher education, whereby he prepared for college but did not enter. He was for two winters a teacher in Otsego county, where he "boarded 'round," and for one winter followed the same method in Steuben county, go- ing from house to house each week. He carried his books with him and studied by himself until he lind qualified for entrance into a higher edu- cational institution. Having spent thirteen weeks as a pupil in the high school at Bath, he entered the Rochester Free Academy in the fall of 1877 and was graduated in the spring of 1878, having done three years' work in one. Not having the means with which to pursue a college course, he then took up the work of teaching. He had pre- vionsly been employed as teacher in the village school at Springwater for two years. After his graduation from Rochester academy he taught school at Honcove, Ontario county, where he re- mained from 18:8 until he came to Rochester in 1883. His ability was gaining him constaut recog- nition and in the latter year he received ap- pointment to the position of principal of pub- Jic school No. 17, entering upon his duties in September, 1883. A vear later he was transferred to public school No. 9, and after two years was appointed principal of school No. 10, where he has remained for the past twenty-one years. No higher testimonial of his efficiency and recognized ability could be given than the fact that he has so long been retained here.
For many years Professor Walden has been in- terested in and attended various state and other educational associations. He was the first presid- ing officer at the convention of grammar school principals of the state of New York held in Syra- euse fifteen years ago, and for nine years he was a member of the executive committee of the New York State Teachers' Association. At one time he was a member of the Academy of Science at Rochester.
Professor Walden was married in this city, in October. 1880, to Miss Kate Edith Brewer, a
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daughter of the late Charles Brewer, and unto them were born two children. Their daughter, Edith Louise, died in August, 1891, at the age of seven years. The son is George IL., Jr.
Professor Walden is greatly interested in muni- cipal affairs, manifesting a public-spirited devo- 'of that locality would be connected by a fine in- tion to the general good. He keeps well informed terurban system. He died at the very venerable age of ninety-eight years, while his wife, Mrs. Amelia Tripp, died when seventy-two years of age. They had six sons and four daughters. on political questions and issues of the day and is an independent republican. For many years he has been a member of the Brick church and sinre 1587 has been teacher of the Dr. Shaw bible class in the Sunday-school, Dr. Shaw having chosen him as his successor in that work. About six years ago he was elected an elder of the church and has since acted in that enpacitv. He is a gentleman of scholarly attainments and his rer- ord is notable by reason of the fact that, deprived of many of the advantages which most boys en- joy in youth, he has attained to bis present posi- tion by reason of his inherent force of character. his commendable ambition, his strong purpose and his unfaltering industry. For many years he has been recognized as a strong moving force in in- tellectual and moral progress in Rochester.
CLAIR C. HARPER.
Clair C. Harper, secretary and treasurer of the Traders' Box & Lumber Company, at No. 1040 Jay street, is thus closely associated with the industrial interests of Rochester and his name is largely recognized as a synonym for enterprise and capable management. He was born in North Tonawanda, New York, July 9, 1873, his parents being Charles G. and Jerusha A. (Tripp) Harper, who were also natives of the Empire state. The father was a carpenter and contractor and in De- cember. 1905, came to Rochester, where he died en Easter Sunday, the 31st of March, 190%, at the age of sixty-five years. His wife survives him and makes her home with her son, Clair C. Harper, their only child. She is a devoted mem- ber of the Methodist church, to which her hus- band also belonged.
The uncestry of the family can be traced back to a more remote period. The paternal grand- father, George Harper, was a native of England and served as a captain in the English army. In an early day he became a resident of Lockport, New York, where he conducted a farm, and when in middle life he was accidentally killed in the woods. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Schuyler, passed away when well advanced in vears. Their only son was Charles Harper. father of our subject, The maternal grandfather was Henry Tripp, who was born in Pennsylvania and was of German descent. He, too, was a farmer
by occupation and became one of the pioneer set- tlers of Niagara county. He lived there when only a trail existed between his home and Tona- wanda, for as yet no roads had been laid out and the most far-sighted did not dream that the towns
Clair C. Harper was reared in North Tona- wanda and attended the public schools there. He was graduated from the graded schools, after which he began work in the Iminber business as tally boy. Later he served as shipper and subse- quently he took up the study of stenography and bookkeeping to better qualify himself for the practical and onerous duties of a business career. He was with Smith, Fassett & Company for fif- teen years and with them purchased his present business. being now secretary aud treasurer of the Traders' Box & Lumber Company at No. 1040 Jav street. They manufacture all kinds of wonden boxes and conduct a retail lumber busi- ness, emploving from fifty to sixty people. The enterprise has been constantly developed along safe. substantial lines and Mr. Harper certainly has the distinction of being what the public calls a self-made man. His advancement has been gradual and has been gained by his own persist- ent efforts. The mastery of every task assigned hin, strong purpose in carrying forward Imsiness interests and the development of his latent powers have brought to him the measure of success which he is now enjoying.
(in the 22d of July. 1591. Mr. Harper was mar- ried to Miss Nellie Treat. a daughter of Henry and Susan ( Becker) Treat. There are two sons of this marriage. Harold I., and Floyd T. Mr. and Mrs. Harper are consistent and faithful men- bers of the Methodist church and Mr. Harper be- longs to the Royal Arcanum, while his political faith is that of the republican party. Judging correctly of the weight and value of character, realizing the force of industry and perseverance. he has throughout an active and honorable life gained not only a gratifying measure of financial success, but also the confidence and good will of those with whom he has been associated in a business wav.
JOHN B. HAMILTON.
Monroe county has been signally favored in the class of men who have occupied her public offices, for usually they have been citizens of pro- gressive spirit and high ideals, who have been most faithful in the discharge of their duties, To this
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C. C. HARPER.
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class belongs John B. Hamilton, and the efficiency of his service is indicated by the fact that by re- election he has been continued in the office of county treasurer since 1893, or for a period of thirteen years. A native of Avon, Livingston coun- ty, New York, he was born January 10, 1843, his parents being James and Grace (Nairn) Hamil- ton, who were of Scotch descent. The father was a farmer by ocenpation and lived and died in Livingston county, New York, after emigrating to the new world. fle was married, however, in Scotland and immediately afterward came to America, crossing the Atlantic in 1831. Unto him and his wife were born seven children, four sons and three daughters: William, a resident of Caledonia, New York; John B. ; Jeanette; Grace; Margaret; and two sons who have passed away. James and Alexander.
John B. Hamilton was reared upon the home farm and attended the country schools, He after- ward became a student in the Quackenbach Colle- giate Institute of New York city and later spent one year in the west. Returning to Livingston county, he resumed farming and was thus iden- tified with agricultural pursuits until 1872, when he went to West Rush, Monroe county, New York, where he was engaged in farming and also in the produce business, while for thirty-three years he was agent at that point for the New York Cen- tral Railroad Company. After serving for a third of a century he resigned. He had been a most capable and trustworthy employe and had the en- tire confidence of the corporation which he repre- sented as well as the good will of the patrons of the road which he served.
Mr. Hamilton has long been recognized as one prominent in republican politics in Monroe county. In 1858 he was a delegate to the national conven- tion at Chicago which nominated Benjamin Harri- son for the presidency, and he regards that as one of the most interesting experiences of his life. For thirty years he has figured in political circles and has attended a number of state conventions. He was appointed as a delegate to the Columbia Ex- position in 1893 in the Creel industries. The same year he was elected to the office of county treas- urer and has been re-elected continuously since, so that he has served in the position for thirteen con- secutive years. He is recognized as a public-spir- ited citizen and one whose devotion to the general good is characterized by active co-operation in many movements which have had direct bearing upon the welfare and progress of the city.
Mr. Hamilton was married to Miss Catherine MeMillan and has two living children, Francis and J. McMillan, both in business in New York city. Mr. Hamilton belongs to the Masonic fra- teruity, to the Genesee Valley Club, to the Roches- ter Club. to the Whist Club and to the Knights of Pythias lodge-associations which indicate much
of his genial, kindly nature and his benevolent spirit. He has always enjoyed in full the esteem and confidence of those with whom he has come in contart and well deserves mention in this vol- ume as u representative citizen of Monroe county.
JAMES L. HOTCHKISS.
On the roll of officials in Monroe county ap- pears the name of James I .. Hotchkiss, who is now serving as county clerk. One of the native sons of the Empire state, his birth occurred in Naples, Ontario county, May 1, 1857, his parents being Levi and Anna (Dwight) Hotchkiss. The father was a merchant in his early days and later was insurance adjuster. He held several miuor offices in early life and in 1868 he removed to Rochester to spend his remaining days his death occurring in 1885. His widow still survives him and is yet a resident of Rochester.
James L. Hotchkiss was educated in the pub- lie schools, the Rochester Free Academy and the University of Rochester, in which he completed the scientific course, being graduated in 1879. He then studied law with George and Thomas Raines and was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1883. Ile continued with Raines Brothers for a few years and then began the practice of law on his own account, remaining an active member of the bar until 1903, when he was elected to his present office on the republican ticket and took charge of the same in January, 1904. He served so capably that he was re-elected in the fall of 1905, so that he is the present incumbent. He has long been recognized as a prominent worker in republican ranks and is now chairman of the republican general committee of Monroe county, acting in that capacity since January, 1901. Mr. Hotchkiss has taken a very active interest in poli- tirs, both local and national, since 1900, and was a delegate to the national convention at Chicago in 1904. while in 1902, 1904 and 1906 he was a delegate to the state conventions of New York. Although he entered upon active political work only seven years ago he has in this time become one of the best known party lenders in the state and has done mich in late years to shape the re- publican policy and to promote the interests of the party.
On the 28th of February, 1907, Mr. Hotchkiss was married to Leah Leach, a daughter of William J. Leach. He is well known socially and in club life, being now a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon, a Greek letter fraternity, also of the Rochester Yacht Club, the Rochester Club. the Oak Hill Country Club, the Gonesee Valley Golf Club, the Rochester Auto Club and the Society of the
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Genesee, He likewise belongs to the Historical Society and to the bar associations of the county and the state. He has long been greatly interested in horses and is a member and officer of several driving clubs. He takes an active interest in all athletic and manly outdoor sports and in this way finds needed rest and recreation from the cares of official and professional life. He still retains his law office as a partner of Andrew E. Tuck, but his time and energies are naturally largely occupied by his duties as county clerk.
CAPTAIN GEORGE W. RUGGLES.
A country can claim but one ruler, and the men who attain prominence in political circles are few, but the field of business is limitless and there is always room at the top. Captain Ruggles is numbered among those who have gained distinc- tion in the line of a chosen calling. He became known throughout the country as a builder of canoes, several of which have been prize winners in international contests, but he regards as his greatest achievement the invention of the Ruggles rotary snow plow, now used throughout the United States and Canada, wherever heavy snow's fall.
Mr. Ruggles was born in Gaines, Orleans conn- tv. New York. November 24. 1837. His father, Martin Ruggles, also u native of the Empire state, was a millwright and inventor. He married Nancy Lane, a native of Victor, New York, and they be- came the parents of two sons and four daughters, all of whom are yet living.
Captain Ruggles of this review resided at the place of his nativity until his sixteenth year, when his parents removed to Kendall, Orleans connty, where he remained until 1866. On the 20th of November of that year-his marriage day-he came to Charlotte, where he has since resided. Ilis boyhood was spent on the form and at work with his father at the millwright's trade. He also sailed on Lake Ontario to some extent and became thoroughly interested in the subject of navigation and in all kinds of fresh water craft. After remov- ing to Charlotte he bonght an interest in the schooner H. M. Ballou and for five or six years was connected with her as a sailor as well as part own- er. He then cold his interest, and entering the em- ploy of the Rochester and Charlotte Iron Com- pany. he sailed a barge for that firm for four or five years, In August, 1872. he bought the tug Jasen Parker, the first tug owned at Charlotte. In this he was associated with Captain Newcomb. After four years he sold his interest in that vessel and in company with A. G. Yotes bought the tug
Oneida, which he operated for about four years. Hle then ran the steamer Charlotte for two seasons and the City of Rochester for four years, which ended his life as a sailor.
Captain Ruggles then turned his attention to canoe building, his first finished product in this contertion being the Safronia for F. F. Andrews of Rochester, who wished to compete in the Ameri- can Cunoe Association meet held at Grindstone Island in 1884. This was the first canoe covered with smooth skin built and owned by the associa- tion, and the excellent part which she played in the meet revolutionized canoe building and brought Captain Ruggles a number of orders for canoes of similar construction. The next racing canne he built was the Eclipse, for Reginald Blake, of the Brooklyn Canne Club, in 1888. It won first place in the trial races for the defense of the cup for the International Canoe Club. It was there- fore chosen to race and defend the cup against Walter Stewart of England. The Eclipse took the first three pennants and won. This brought Cap- tain Ruggles a world-wide reputation and he was looked upon and recognized as the greatest canoe builder in the workl. The Glenwood, which de- fended the same cup for the New York Canoe Club, was also built by Captain Ruggles. He con- tinued in canoe building for about eight years and among his products, in addition to the Eclipse, were the Ina, Beta, Glenwood and Pioneer. It will thus be seen that he has given to the world some of its best racing canoes which have won fame for the country, In 1892 Captain Ruggles built his first rotary snow plow and took out the first patent on the 4th of July, 1893. This plow is now used wherever heavy snow falls in the United States and Canada. It was first put into operation on the Charlotte and Rochester electric line in the winter of 1892, at which time it was pushed by a car. The processes were very crude hut Captain Ruggles has continued the work of improvement and the snow plow is now a self- propeller. After a time he let out the manufac- ture to the Peckham Manufacturing Company, of Kingston, New York, who now turn out about twenty-five of these snow plows each fall. It would le too expensive for suburban electric lines to operate in winter without this device for remov- ing snow, and thus he has given to the world an invention of great and lasting value. He is now applying for a patent on an air motor for cooling enrs, the motor being on top of the car and re- quiring very little room, the speed of the car mak- ing wind that runs the fan that is placed inside. He is also working on other inventions and his skill and ingenuity have gained him recognition as a prominent inventor.
On the 20th of November. 1866, Captain Rug- gles was married to Miss Ellen Bliss, a native of Kendall, New York, and a daughter of Edwin
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and Mary (Seymour) Bliss, and a direct descend- ant of Miles Standish.
Cuptain Ruggles has, at intervals, for twenty years been connected with the village government of Charlotte and was president of the village in 1895. He gave to it a public-spirited and pro- gressive administration and his efforts in its he- half have been beneficial and far-reaching. With three exceptions he is the oldest resident of Char- lotte in years of continuons connection with the city, having lived here for more than four decades. His fame, however, has gone abroad throughout the land in connection with what he has accom- plished along industrial lines, and as an inventor. fle is now a member of the American Canne As- sociation and is well known in club circles in New York city, where he has been the guest of honor at various receptions. He is to the canne world what Burgess and Herreshoff were to the yacht world, and those at all interested in canoeing are familiar with his name. He has made four racing cannes for Everett TI. Burney, of Springfield, Massachusetts, the inventor and manufacturer of Barney & Berry skates who is the wealthiest citi- zen of Springfield and a warm personal friend of Captain Ruggles, who has had inany outings with him. The Captain also belongs to the Interna- tional Congress of Inventors, while fraternally and socially he is connected with the Genesee Falls lodge, A. F. & A. M., and the Rochester Whist Chib.
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REV. ANDREW J. GRAHAM.
Rev. Andrew J. Graham, rector of Christ church. Rochester, since 1901, and well known as a representative of the Episcopal ministry. was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on the 31st of March, 1855, his parents being Ezra B. and Bertha (Tay- lor) Graham. The father was a native of Dundee, Scotland, and the paternal ancestry is traced to the Black Donglass. while the maternal line gors back to Germanv.
Study in the common schools of Ohio was the initial step which Rev. Mr. Graham made toward securing an edneation. He continued his studies in the high school at Painesville, Ohio, and in Ne- braska College in Nebraska, where his more spe- cific literary and classical knowledge was acquired. Determining upon entrance to the priesthood, he prepared for holy orders as a student in the Sea- bury Divinity School, from which he was gradu- ated in June. 1881. His pastorates have been but four in number, as his able work for the church has always led to long retention in any ecclesi- astieal position to which he has been called. He was rector of Holy Trinity church at Minneapolis
from 1881 until 1894 and during the succeeding two years was nt St. Mark's in Washington, D. C. In 1896 he accepted a call from Christ church at Indianapolis, Indiana, where he remained until 1901, since which time he has been rector of Christ church in Rochester, where he has now re- mained for seven years. Thoroughly versed in the doctrines of the church, in the broadest truths of religion and in the great questions which affect the sociological and economic conditions of the country, Rev. Mr. Graham is well qualified to serve as a guide to his people and has inspired his parishioners with much of the zenl, consecre- tion and energy which he brings to his Christian duties.
In 18;2 Rev. Mr. Graham joined the Masonic fraternity and has served as chaplain and prelate at various places. He was married in New York city, in 1898, in the Church of the Holy Com- munion, to Miss Margaret Lyon, and to them has has been born one daughter, Helen May Graham.
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