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 95
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HENRY STONE DRAPER.
Henry Stone Draper, deceased, was a represen- tative of one of the old and respected pioneer families of Rochester, while his ancestry, both in its lineal and collateral branches, has been con- nected with American interests from the earliest period in the colonization of the new world. The birth of Mr. Draper occurred on a farm which is now the site of the House of Refuge in Roches- ter. his natal day being February 8. 1821. The history of the Draper family in America dates back to an early period in the seventeenth century. The grandfather of our subject was Captain Simeon Draper of Massachusetts and his father was Henry Draper. William B. Draper, the oldest brother of Henry Draper, set up the first telegraph system in Japan, while John Stone Draper set up the first telegraph system between Chicago and Mil- wankce. Henry Draper, the father of our subject. became a resident of Rochester when it was a small and unimportant town upon the frontier of west- min New York, and secured land which he devoted to farming. He died here in the year 1841, leav- ing his son, Henry Stone Draper, and a brother to conduct the farm. Mr. Draper of this review continued to live upon the farm and carry on general agricultural pursuits for a time, but later sold the property and went to Canada, where he was engaged in the Inmber business for a numl- her of years. Upon his return to Rochester he engaged in the nursery business as salesman. For several years prior to his death, however, he was an invalid.
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On the 20th of April. 1853, Henry Stone Draper was married to Miss Emeline Barnes, who was born in Greece, Monroe county, New York, daughter of Timothy Barnes, one of the pioneers of this county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Draper were horn four children, but only one is now living. Herbert Stone Draper, of Rochester, who is mar- ried and has three children. The father was a very domestic man and lived a quiet life, his inter- ests centering in his home and family. His po- litical views were in accord with the principles of the republican party, which he always supported at the polls, and he was a member of St. Peter's church in Rochester. His death ocenrred in 1886 and the community thus lost a valued citi- zen, who, though he did not figure to any extent in public life. nevertheless belonged to that class who nphold the local status and moral stability of a community.
JOHN E. MINER.
John F. Miner was born in Clarkson, April 9. 1836. His father, Hiram Miner, was a native of Littleton, New Hampshire, who came to Monroe county. New York, in 1824, bringing his young wife, Mehitable Martin, also from Littlelon, and a few necessities for housekeeping and settled in the western part of the town of Sweden. In 1831 he removed to Clarkson, locating on the farm which is now owned by his youngest son John E. A part of the farm belonged to Hiram T. Miner. another son, who passed away in 1881. There were besides these two sons four daughters born to Mr. Miner, one of whom was Mrs. Abigail Miller, of Brockport, who died in 1904. The par- ents celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary. which was one of the happiest events in their lives and one in which their children and grand- children participated. It is said that for every joy there is a sorrow and we find it true in this case, for soon after this happy event the mother passed away in the year 1875. Three years later Mr. Miner married Mrs. Marietta Butler, of Brockport, who died in August, 1893, about three months previous to his death. He was a man thoroughly interested in agriculture. Politically he was a stalwart republican and was a man hou- ored and loved by all who knew him. An earnest Christian worker, he was always ready with heart and hand lo aid in the causes of religion and edu- cation. For sixty-five years he served as trustee for the Methodist Episcopal church in Brockport and was chairman of the board for forty-five years. He passed away in 1892 in his ninety- second year.
John E. Miner, the subject of this sketch, re- ceived his early education in the public schools
and in the practical training which he gained npon his father's farm. Most fortunate in being able to be so intimately associated with a father of such a character, the boy made the most of his ambitions and grew to manhood with the purest thoughts and the best motives in his every act. Not only did he build a noble character but he acquired a knowledge of agriculture and by the practical training on the farm became proficient in its every detail. So valuable were his services thai his father found it necessary to keep him at home where the young man did all in his power to add to the value of the farm which in time he- enme his.
In 1859 Mr. Miner married Miss L. Adelle Glidden, a daughter of Smith Glidden, of Claren- don, Orleans county, New York, and they have one daughter, Charlotte H., who is a graduate of the Brockport Normal School and is now a teacher in East Orange, New Jersey. The family have a beau- tifnl home in Brockport, which Mr. Miner pur- chased in 1902. His farm is well equipped and excellently kept up, so that it yields abundant crops each year. He is successful because he is sure of his methods, fanning with him being no experiment. Added to this he has a pride in keep- ing up the old home which is very dear to him. In politics he is a republican and has efficiently filled several positions of trust and responsibility in the town. He is a pleasant, genial gentleman and he and his estimable wife have many warm friends throughout the county.
WILLIS P. ANDERSON.
Willis P. Anderson is secretary of the J. H. Smith Company, of Rochester, which was incor- porated in 1891. To this position he has attained by reason of the possession of those traits of char- acter which are recognized as forces in social cir- cles-close application, keen discernment and landable ambition. A native of New York, he was born in Carlion, Orleans county, on the 15th of June, 1874, and came to Rochester in 1892. when a young man of eighteen years. He entered busi- ness life here as a railway man in the offices of the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg Railroad. where he remained for eleven years, and each forward step which he made in his business career brought him a broader outlook and enlarged opportunities. In 1903 he came to his present position as secre- tary of the J. H. Smith Company, of which J. H. Smith is president, A. G. Richardson, vice presi- dent, and W. H. Stont, treasurer. The company has for sixteen years been engaged in the manu- facture of soda fountain supplies and syrups, and
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HIRAM MINER.
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is the only company doing an exclusive business of this kind in the United States. The manufac- tured product under the name of the Tene Fruit Syrups is shipped extensively and in fact the busi- ness is the largest of the kind in the country. They occupy extensive buildings owned by the company at the junction of East Main and the New York Central Railroad and have one hun- dred and fifty thousand square feet of floor space. Three hundred people are employed in the fac- tory and there are twenty traveling men on the road. The product is also handled by jobbers and
the business has not only become national, but embraces some export trade as well. As secretary of the company during the past four years Mr. Anderson has contributed in no small degree to its success, lle is a young man in whom the spirit of determination and energy is a salient charac- teristic and his life is in keeping with the tendency of the times in the development of extensive en- terprises. The initiative spirit is strong within him and the company has not followed in the old and beaten paths, but has manifested the spirit of the pioneer in seeking out new methods and pro- viding new avenues for the growth and extension of their trade.
Mr. Anderson is well known in Masonic cir- cles, belonging to Frank R. Lawrence lodge, No. 797. A. F. & A. M., of which he is now master; to Hamilton chapter, R. A. M .; and to the con- sistory, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish rite,
GUILFORD ROBBINS ADAMS.
Few can attain military or political prominence, for the honors and awards of office are not many, but the field of business is limitless and the op- portunity for advancement is hampered only by the qualities of the individual. ' Not in place, in cirenmstance or environment is found the incas- ure of success-it lies rather in the recognition and improvement of opportunity, combined with au unflagging industry and perseverance, without which the highest results are never attained. Rec- ognizing these facts. Guilford Robbins Adams, of No. 14 Seneca Parkway, has made an excellent record in the business workl. having since 1896 figured as a partner in the firm of Samnel Sloan & Company, wholesale dealers in plumbers' and stenmfitters' supplies,
Mr. Adams was born at Lowville, New York, May 28, 1862. He was edneated in the Rochester public schools and in Beaver College at Beaver, Pennsylvania. His parents were Dr. Ira and
Sophia (Lattimer) Adams. The father lost his life in an epidemic of typhoid at Lowville during the period of the Civil war, when his son Guilford was but six months old. The latter, having ac- quired a literary education, entered business life as a salesman in the dry-goods store of Sibley, Lindsay & Cnrr, where he remained in 1879 and 1880. The following year he entered the employ of Sammel Sloan, plumber and steain fitter, and there he gradually worked his way upward, gain- ing recognition by his fidelity, ability and trust- worthiness in snecessive promotions. Eventually he became buyer for the house and upon the re- organization of the firm under the name of Samuel Sloan & Company, in 1896, he became a partner. The business address is No. 62, 69 and 71 Ex- change street. The continuity of growth, as seen in the firm's history, indicates that the business is based upon sound, reliable principles and that the house sustains an unassailable reputation. The trade has constantly increased in keeping with the growth of the city, the firm enjoying a very liberal and Incrative patronage.
Mr. Adams is an enthusiastic Mason. in thor- ough sympathy with the teachings of the craft. his membership being with Rochester lodge, F. & A. M .; Hamilton chapter, R. A. M .: Dorie coun- cil. R. & S. M. ; Monroe commandery, K. T .; and Damaseus Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He like- wise belongs to the Masonic Club and is very prominent socially, being a valued member of the Rochester Whist, Rochester Yacht and Oak Hill Country Clubs. He is a member of the Ashury Methodist Episcopal church and in politics is a republican. His is a well rounded character. rec- ognizing the duties of citizenship. the amenities of social life and the obligations of man to his fel- lowmen. He is prominent among the energetic. far-seeing and successful business men of western New York and his life history most happily illus- trates what may he attained by faithful and con- tinued effort in carrying ont an honest purpose.
EDWIN GEORGE MUNN. M. D.
Dr. Edwin George Munn was in The first half of the nineteenth century an able and distin- guished physician of Monroe county and is vet remembered by many of the older settlers as a cit- izen of worth and value as well as a physician of ability. He was born in Munson, Massachusetts. on the 8th of May. 1804, and with his parents removed to Lerov. New York. Having completed his literary education, he studied medicine under the direction of Mr. Stephen O. Alma and after- ward attended lectures at Philadelphia. He lo- cated for practice in Scottsville about 1828, mak-
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ing a specialty of diseases of the eye, and through- out his remaining days he practiced as an octlist, gaining considerable fame in this direction. In 1837 he removed to Rochester, where he opened an office, continuing in business there up to the time of his death. A liberal patronage was ac- corded him and he kept in touch with the ad- vanrement that was made by the medical fra- ternity. In May, 1843, he established his home in Gates township. although still maintaining his office in Rochester, and his remaining days were spent at his country place. He purchased here one hundred and twenty-five acres of land, to which his widow has since added until the estate now comprises one hundred and fifty-five acres Dr. Munn continued his professional duties up to the time of his demise, which occurred on the 12th of December, 1817. He was a man of strong intellectual force, of kindly spirit and generous disposition and was greatly esteemed in the com- munity where he lived by reason of his many excellent traits of character.
Following her husband's death Mrs. Munn con- ducted the farm for three years, after which her brother, John I .. Pixley, took charge, operating the farm for her. He lived for a half century with Mrs. Munn.
It was on the 28th of October, 1834, that Aristine Pixley gave her hand in marriage to Dr. Munn. She was born in Kirkland, Oneida county. New York. October 29, 1817, and came to Monroe county with her parents when but a year old, the family settling in Chili. She was a daughter of William and Abigail ( Lewis) Pixley who were born, reared and married near Stratford, Con- nectient. The mother, whose birth occurred Feb- ruary 12, 1784, died in 1822, while the father, who was born May 30, 1:84, departed this life June 20. 1853. They were the parents of eight chil- dren namely: Ann Jeannette; Eliza ; John Lewis. who lived with Mrs. Munn for abont fifty years; Martha Cornelia; Benjamin Franklin : Aristine. who is the only surviving member of the family : Jane; and Abbie. Unto Dr. and Mrs. Munn were born three children, but the eldest died in in- fancy in 1842. Frances Emily is the deceased wife of Reuben L. Field. mentioned elsewhere in this volnine. Dr. John P. Munn is a physician and surgeon of New York city and has two chil- dren, Aristine Pixley and James Buell.
Mrs. Munn is most remarkably well preserved and at the age of ninety years is mentally and physically as bright and active as most ladies of half her years. The writer found her sewing with No. 300 thread in a No. 12 needle. Her faculties are unimpaired, her eyesight and hearing good, and she says she feels as well as she did at thirty years. A lady of natural culture and refinement, she has for a long period been a factor in the
social life of the community. Her granddaughter, Frances Munn Field, has lived with her since her infancy and the household is a most attractive one to their many friends. Few, if any, residents of Monroe county have longer resided within its borders and Mrs. Munn's memory today forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present. She can remember a time when several of the thriving towns and vil- lages of the county were not yet laid out and when Rochester was a small place. Many changes have been made in the condition and ways of living and through it all Mrs. Munn has kept in touch with the universal progress.
WILLEY HENRY ALMY.
Willey Henry Almy, managing real-estate agent of Rochester and one whose marked business en- terprise and round judgment are widely recog. nized, was horn in this city, May 15, 1858, on the present site of the Liberty building at the corner of Ehn and East Main streets, then the old home- stead of Nehemiah Osburn, his maternal grand- father, who resided there for over a half century. Mr. Osburn was one of the pioneers of the city, arriving in 1821 from Scipio, Cayuga county, New York, He spent his first night in Rochester at the Blossom Honse. Distinction, honor and pros- perity awaited him. but the future was not re- vealed that night to the young man who, almost penniless, had come there to seek business oppor- tunities that would lead him from his limited financial condition to one of greater opulence, nor did he that night dream that within a few years he would purchase the property whereon stood the Blossom House and erect there the old Osburn House, which for many years was probably the best known hotel in western New York. He be- came very prominent in the business world of Rochester, acquiring a considerable fortune before his death, which occurred in 1823. His memory is cherished by those who knew him as one of the most charitable and public-spirited men in the city's history, to whom his friends continually went for counsel and assistance, receiving from him each according to his individual needs. Mr. Osburn was descended from an old New England family, his grandfather having fought for Amer- ican independence in the Revolutionary war, while his father was a soldier of the war of 1812. His daughter, Mary Elizabeth Osburn, became the wife of Phillip Greene Almy and the mother of Willey Henry Almy. Phillip G. Ahny was born in Au- burn, New York, in 1818, and was of French Huguenot descent. The earliest member of the family of whom there is an authentic record left
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France to escape the danger of conscription and was later a follower of William the Conqueror. The ancestor of the American branch of the fan- ily was William Ahny, who was born at Benendin parish in Kent county, England, in 1601, and in company with John Winthrop, John Elliott and Isane Johnson came to America in 1629. He made two return trips to England and after the latter brought his wife Audrey, his daughter An- nis and son Christopher to America, settling at Sagus, near Lyun, Massachusetts. Later he re- moved to Portsmouth, Rhode Island, becoming prominent in the publie life of that city and holding many offices of trust. His eldest son, Christopher Almy, was the father of William Almy and the grandfather of Job Almy. The last named had a son, Thomas Alny, who was born in 1728 and when a young man journeyed ou foot to western New York, settling at the present site of Interlaken, between Cayuga and Seneca lakes. There he married and reared his family, including Dr. Job Almy, who was born in 1782 and died in 1854. He was a prominent physician of the pioneer days and was the father of Phillip Greene Almy. The representatives of the family are very numerous in the New England states and have been prominent factors in the history of that sec- tion. Several of the name were identified as offi- eers or soldiers with the Revolutionary war and in every generation have been those who have held conspicuous places in the business, political and social world of their respective communities. Phil- lip Greene Almy was for many years a well known druggist of Rochester, being located for a quarter of a century at the corner of St. Paul and East Main strecis. He died in 1873, his wife surviving until January 21, 1897.
Willey Henry Almy was the third of a family of three children, his brother being Elmer Engene Aliny, of Rochester, while the sister, Sarah Louise, is the wife of Franklin J. Stewart of this city. In the public schools W. II. Alny acquired his educa- tion, after which he was employed as bookkeeper in the office of Williams & Hoyt, shoe manufactur- era, for seven years. He then became secretary and treasurer of the Rochester Hosiery Company, in which he was financially interested, acting in that capacity from 1887 until 1893, at which time he assumed the management of the Osburn and Filon estates. The Osburn estate was closed up sometime ago, but he still manages the Filon estate and many others of importance, being known in business circles of the city as managing real-estate agent.
On the 23d of April, 1887, Mr. Almy was mar- ried to Miss Jessie L. Start, daughter of Hartwell Start of Rochester, an engineer for the New York Central Railroad Company. They have four sons: Charles O., Herbert E., Phillip G. and Hartwell
S. Three years ago Mr. Alny erected an elegant residence at Brighton in the midst of a beautiful park and gardens covering eighteen acres. In the erertion of his new home he has included a valua- ble relic of the old homestead built by Nehemiah Osbarn, his grandfather, over sixty years ago. This is a heavy oaken door and pillars, exquisitely carved by an amateur by the name of Le Bray, who carved the massive wooden ox which adorned the facade of the old city market.
Mr. Almy is a member of the Sons of the Amer- ican Revolution, en attendant of St. Mark's Epis- copal church and a republican in his political views. He has always preferred the society of his family to publie and club life, but those who come within the closer circle of his friendship find in him a most congenial companion.
REV. LOUIS COPE WASHBURN.
Rev. Louis Cope Washburn, for many years prominently associated with Christian work in Rochester as rector of St. Paul's Protestant Epis- copal church, and since February, 1907, rector of the historic parish of Christ church of Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania, was born January 25, 1860, in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, where his father, Rev. Daniel Washburn, was then rector. The boyhood days of the son were there passed and he pursued a preparatory course at St. Stephen's College at Anandale. He further pursued a classical course in Trinity College at Hartford, Connecticut, where he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and in 1883 the degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him. In the Berkeley Di- vinity School at Middleton, Connecticut, he pur- sned a three years' course under Rt. Rev. John Williams and, having thus qualified for holy or- ders, he was ordained a deacon by Bishop Howe of Central, Pennsylvania, in the cathedral at Read- ing, that state, June 13, 1884.
Two days later he assumed charge of St. Peter's Episcopal church at Hazleton, Pennsylvania. It was then a struggling parish in the coal regions. The membership was small and the communicants were poor in this world's goods, but during his pastorate the annuity of the church increased from six hundred dollars to forty-six hundred dol- lars, the house of worship was rebuilt, being nearly donhled in size, and a mission church was estab- lished and paid for at Weatherly. In fact, every department of the church work was carried on most earnestly and enthusiastically and splendid results were obtained. On the 2d of July, 1885, Mr Washburn was raised to the priesthood by Rev. U. S. Rulison, and in December, 1887, St. Paul's church in Rochester offered him its rector-
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ship. He began his work here on the Ist of July, 1858, and for nearly eight years he remained as rector of St. Paul's at the old location. Dur- ing that period he greatly sueceeded in reducing the church debt and doing other important work. In 1895 he resigned the rectorship and was elect- ed first arch deacon of Rochester, in which ec- «lesiastical position he remained for nine years, being chosen for four term of three years each, but he declined to serve when last elected. Ile was an aggressive worker in that position for nine years, doing most excellent service for the church. In 1896, Hobart College conferred upon him the hon- o:ary degree of D. D. In 1901 he was active in raising thirty thousand dollars to build the Cox Memorial Hall at Hobart College. In 1903 he was elected a member of the general board of managers of the Foreign and Domestic Missionary Society of the Episcopal church and in 1904 he was chosen a delegate to the general convention of the diocese to serve for a three years' term. He is vice president of the board of trustees of the Church Home, which raised eleven thousand dol- lars with which to erect a chapel and cottage. Rev. Washburn wa- also one of the committee, to- gether with Hiram Sibley and Craig Powers, in the building of the new chapel and church home.
The year 1905 was spent by him and his family in Europe, after which he returned to Rochester, and in February. 1901. he was elected rector of the historic parish of Christ church at Philadel- phia. His labors in the various communities where he has lived have been of great effect in promoting moral development and progress. He has never been denied the full harvest nor the aftermath and as the years have gone by the work of the church and of Christian education have been greatly pro- moted through his effective, zealous labors. He has attained distinguished ecclesiastical honors and is widely recognized as one of the ablest di- vines of the Episcopal ministry.
RICHARD E. WHITE.
Richard E. White, for thirty-two years a practi- tioner of Inw at Rochester, was born in Mansfield, Massachusetts. June 12. 1818. his parents being Ephriam aud Phoche J. (Smith) White, who were natives of the old Bay state. The father was a mechanic. The son, Richard E., acquired his early education in the public schools and at the normal school at Brockport, New York, and he began the study of law with Joseph A. Stull, being admitted to the bar in June, 1875. He immediately began the practice of his profession in Rochester, where he has since remained. For seven years he was associated with the Hon. George A. Benton, now
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