USA > New York > Genesee County > History of the Genesee country (western New York) comprising the counties of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Schuyler, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates, Volume III > Part 11
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CHARLES H. BABCOCK.
Charles H. Babcock, who had passed the seventy-second milestone on life's jour- ney when called to his final rest on the 16th of December, 1920, was a worthy scion of a family that has been represented in the Genesee country since the close of the Revolutionary war. He was long and prominently identified with business interests in Rochester as a member of the wholesale and retail coal firm of H. H. Babcock & Company, which had been founded by his father, was also serving as president of the Lincoln National Bank at the time of its consolidation with the Alliance Bank and acted as a member of the state forestry commission under four different gover- nors. His birth occurred in East Rush, Monroe county, New York, on the 4th of November, 1848, his parents being Henry H. and Maria (Markham) Babcock. He was a direct descendant of James Babcock, who settled in Rhode Island in 1642 and who was the founder of the family in Brighton, New York. James Babcock, who was born in Essex county, England, in 1612, died in 1679, in the town of Westerly, Rhode Island, leaving a family of children. He was a man of influence in the com- munity in which he lived, as the colonial records of Rhode Island testify. His first wife, Mrs. Sarah Babcock, passed away in 1665, leaving a family of four children. By his second wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Babcock, he had three children.
John Babcock of the second generation, born in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, in 1644, married Mary Lawton of the same place. He was very prominent in public affairs, being the largest landowner of his generation. He was a soldier in King Philip's war, volunteered his services in the Connecticut militia and participated in the great swamp fight. For his services in this war he was given a large tract of land by the colony of Connecticut. He served in the colonial legislature for several years and held many positions of public responsibility. He died in Westerly, Rhode Island, in 1685, leaving a family of ten children. A large amount of his vast landed interests is still in the possession of his descendants.
Captain James Babcock of the third generation was born in Westerly, Rhode Island, in 1663, and died there January 17, 1736 or 7. He married Elizabeth Saunders in 1687. She died March 3, 1730, in the sixty-ninth year of her age, leaving seven children. He married, second, Content Maxon, July 7, 1731, by whom he had three children. James Babcock was captain of a military company in Westerly. He was a very prominent man, being town treasurer, and town councilman for several years. He served in the legislature of the colony of Rhode Island during the years 1701, 1706, 1707, 1708, 1709 and 1716. It is recorded in the Colonial Records of Rhode Island that he was the wealthiest man of his generation and was as generous and kind as he was rich. In his long will, which he drew up and wrote himself, it is noticed he left a large legacy to his church, which was the Seventh Day Baptist.
James Babcock, Jr., of the fourth generation, was born in Westerly, Rhode Island, December 23, 1688. He died in Stonington, Connecticut, April 9, 1731. On June 12, 1706, he married Sarah Vose of Milton, Massachusetts. She was born in Milton, August 30, 1684, and died in North Stonington, Connecticut, December 25, 1758. Mr. Babcock was but forty-three years of age at the time of his demise. He left a family of ten children. The old homestead of himself and his wife is still standing. James Babcock, Jr., seems to have been his father's favorite child. He was not only a very upright Christian man, but was prominent in his community and very highly respected by all who knew him.
Isaiah Babcock, of the fifth generation, was born in North Stonington, Connecti- cut, January 29, 1719. He married Elizabeth Plumb, daughter of George and Prudence Plumb of Stonington, Connecticut. Their family of eight sons and two daughters were all born in Stonington and Voluntown, Connecticut. Mr. Babcock with his family, excepting the eldest son, removed to Partridge (now Hinsdale and Peru), Berk- shire county, Massachusetts, in the year 1772. He was a very prominent man in Massachusetts, being elected to the committee on safety, March 1, 1779, and is so recorded in the town records of Partridgefield, now found in the town clerk's office
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of the town of Peru. Seven of his eight sons served in the Colonial army in the War of the Revolution and are officially recorded in the war department at Washing- ton. When sixty-eight years of age Isaiah Babcock was with his seven sons in the battle of Yorktown and assisted in the capture of Lord Cornwallis. The town records of Partridgefield demonstrate his prominence and popularity in public affairs. It is noticed the large and progressive church of Hinsdale, Massachusetts, known as the First Congregational church, was founded at the residence of his son, John Babcock, and that his wife, Elizabeth (Plumb) Babcock, and daughter-in-law, Eunice Babcock, were among the first twenty-three members of this church. In 1795, with all of his family except his two sons, John and Elias, he removed to Otsego county, New York, where they founded a town and named it Partridgefield, after the place they came from. Here Isaiah Babcock spent the remainder of his life, residing with his son, Colonel Samuel Babcock, in the latter's home, located in what is now known as the town of Worcester. In this house the first Masonic lodge of Otsego county was organized. Mr. Babcock died in this dwelling on the 5th of October, 1814, when more than ninety-five years of age, having for a decade survived his wife, who there passed away October 4, 1804.
Isaiah Babcock, Jr., of the sixth generation, was born in Stonington, Connecticut, April 27, 1741. On the 19th of May, 1763, he married Elizabeth Douglas of Stoning- ton, who died December 13, 1768, leaving a family of three daughters. On the 9th of August, 1770, he was again married, his second union being with Freelove Briggs of Voluntown, Connecticut. She was born January 20, 1743, and died May 7, 1831, leaving a family of five sons and one daughter. Her ancestors were prominent in the early wars. After his second marriage Mr. Babcock removed with his family to the town of New Fairfield, Connecticut, and later to Windham, Greene county, New York, where he died January 18, 1827.
Isaac Babcock, of the sixth generation, was born in New Fairfield, Connecticut, December 9, 1776. He married Elizabeth Wilbur of the town of Milan, Dutchess county, New York. They had a family of twelve children, nine of whom grew to maturity. Mrs. Babcock was the daughter of Jeptha and Elizabeth (Mosher) Wilbur, who were members of the orthodox Society of Friends. She died at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Cornell, in Rochester, New York, November 28, 1880, aged ninety-seven years and three months. Mr. Babcock removed with his family from Milan to the town of Rensselaerville, Albany county, New York, where he engaged in manufacturing. From there he removed to Monroe county, New York, making his home with his son, Henry H. Babcock, in the town of Greece, where he died April 21, 1853. He was the original inventor of the steel hoe and an improved grain cradle.
As above stated, the Babcock family was established in western New York follow- ing the close of the Revolutionary war, different representatives thereof settling in the towns of Brighton, Greece and Rush. Henry H. Babcock, the father of Charles H. Babcock, resided in the towns of East Rush, Charlotte and Rochester, respectively. It was about the year 1870, in Rochester, that he founded the coal business which still bears his name and which at his demise was being conducted by himself and his son, Charles H.
Charles H. Babcock was a district school pupil in Charlotte until twelve years of age and subsequently continued his studies in the Satterlee school, a private insti- tution of Rochester. After putting aside his textbooks he became associated with his father in the coal business, which claimed his attention throughout the remainder of his active career and in which he met with a gratifying degree of success. His brother, Edwin Babcock, became a partner in the concern following the death of the father, while at his demise Edwin Babcock was succeeded by Albert E. May, who is now at the head of the firm of H. H. Babcock & Company, wholesale dealers in the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company's Scranton coal. The company first maintained offices in the Smith Arcade in Rochester, later moved to the Powers block and is now located in the Wilder building. Charles H. Babcock was a man of varied interests aside from the business in which he was directly concerned and was active in the control of numerous important corporations. He became a director of the old Fidelity Trust Company and at the time of his death was a director of the new Lincoln-Alliance Bank. He was for years one of the directors of the old Commer- cial Bank. of which he was acting as president at the time of its merger.
Mr. Babcock was twice married. In 1875 he wedded Miss Linda Bronson of Rochester, who departed this life in April, 1893. Seven years later Mr. Babcock was again married, his second union being with Miss Edith Holden of New York, daughter of E. R. and Emeline T. (Forman) Holden, the former vice president of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad.
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In his political views Mr. Babcock was a stanch republican. In 1895, when the laws of the state were said to be in sore need of revision, Governor Levi P. Morton made him a member of the forest, fish and game commission and he entered into this work with enthusiasm. He systematized the production and shipping of spawn and young fish for stocking waters in the state, carrying on this work until their produc- tion was greatly increased. So ably did he discharge his duties in this connection that when Governor Morton retired and Governor Black took office, Mr. Babcock was made a member of the forest preserve board, organized with the power to purchase land in the Adirondacks for the state. While this board existed a large tract of forest was reclaimed in the Adirondacks, very largely through Mr. Babcock's efforts. He continued to serve on this board through the administration of Governor Roose- velt and into that of Governor Odell, resigning in 1903. His services were performed with faithfulness and a close regard for the best interests of the public. Having been successful in his own business, he brought business principles to bear in the affairs of the state. A sportsman who found agreeable diversion in the open, Mr. Babcock maintained a lodge in the Adirondacks for a number of years but disposed of this about 1910 and purchased a winter home in Beaufort, South Carolina. He was one of the founders and a charter member of the military organization known as the Boys in Blue and during the period of the World war took an active part in all the Liberty Loan drives. Fraternally he was well known as a Knights Templar Mason, holding membership in Frank R. Lawrence Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and in the Mystic Shrine. He attended the Brick church and was a popular member of the Country Club, the Genesee Valley Club and the Caledonia Fishing Club, while at one time he was likewise connected with the Oak Hill Club. It was said of Mr. Babcock that no poor person ever came into his presence without receiving some assistance, for he feared that if he refused help because the applicant might be unworthy, he might some time fail to help the man who was deserving. His memory will ever be cherished in the hearts of many who knew him.
SAMUEL NELSON SAWYER.
Hon. Samuel Nelson Sawyer, justice of the supreme court of New York, now serving his second term in that distinguished position, has long been a prominent citizen and leading lawyer of Palmyra, his birthplace and lifelong home. He was born on the 6th of October, 1858, and is the son of Samuel W. Sawyer, who in his lifetime served Palmyra ably as president of the village, assessor of the town and village trustee. The father was a native of the Empire state and a canal and build- ing contractor by occupation. Justice Sawyer's mother was Miss Hannah Nelson before her marriage to Samuel W. Sawyer. While she was born in Michigan she, too, came from a family that was originally identified with this state. The marriage of Samuel Nelson Sawyer's parents was celebrated in Albion, Michigan, in 1844, and two children were born to them, of whom the present jurist is the younger. His only sister, Isabel A. Sawyer, died in October, 1920, at the age of seventy.
Samuel Nelson Sawyer was educated in the Palmyra Classical Union School and Phillips Andover Academy of Andover, Massachusetts, graduating from this famous school for boys in the class of 1877. He prepared for the bar at the Albany Law School, where he completed the course in 1883 and was awarded the Bachelor of Laws degree. Returning to his home city the young man at once entered upon the practice of his chosen profession, in partnership with David S. Aldrich, with whom he continued until the first of the year 1889, when he began to practice alone. In 1893 he again entered into a legal partnership, this time with George S. Tinklepaugh, a well known lawyer of Palmyra, and this relationship lasted until January 1, 1898. He continued in his professional activities until 1907, in the latter part of which year Governor Charles Evans Hughes, secretary of state in the Harding-Coolidge administration, appointed him justice of the supreme court of New York to fill out an unexpired term of office. That fall he was elected to the bench for the full term and in the elections of 1921 was again the choice of the people for that high office, so that Justice Sawyer is now serving his second full term as justice of the supreme court. The fact that Mr. Hughes, himself a brilliant lawyer and formerly a justice of the supreme court of the United States, chose Mr. Sawyer for this extremely important and responsible position, is an impressive evidence of his high standing in legal circles and his eminent ability as a lawyer. It is not to be wondered at that
SAMUEL N. SAWYER
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Palmyra points to him with pride as one of her most distinguished citizens and native sons.
Justice Sawyer's elevation to the bench of the supreme court was not his maiden appearance in official life. Indeed, practically ever since he began to practice he has been more or less actively connected with public affairs in his own community. His first office was that of clerk of the village, which position he held from 1884 to April, 1893, when he became president of the village. Meanwhile, on January 1, 1889, he took up the duties of the office of district attorney for Wayne county and by their performance proved his capacity for hard work, his legal skill and his strength of character. From January 1, 1898, to October 12, 1907, he served as county judge and judge of the surrogate court. Justice Sawyer is a member of the republican party and has run for all his elective offices as its candidate.
In addition to his legal work and public duties Justice Sawyer is a director and vice president of the Wayne County Journal, a weekly publication, and has held a similar office in the Dealers Steam Packing Company ever since its organization in 1905. He is very well known, both locally and throughout the state, as a thirty-third degree Mason and a valuable member of that fraternity. He is past master of Palmyra Lodge, No. 248, A. & F. M .; past high priest of Palmyra Eagle Chapter, No. 79, R. A. M .; past master of Palmyra Council, R. & S. M .; past commander of Zenobia Commandery, No. 41, Knights Templars of Palmyra; a member of Lalla Rookh Grotto, No. 3, Rochester; a Noble of Damascus Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Rochester; a member of Rochester Consistory, A. & A. S. R .; and past grand master of the Grand Lodge of Masons of New York. He received his thirty-third degree in Masonry in September of 1909. Justice Sawyer is a member of the vestry of Zion Protestant Episcopal church of Palmyra and his clubs are the Masonic and National Republican Clubs of New York city and the Genesee Valley Club of Rochester.
The marriage of Samuel N. Sawyer to Miss Augusta W. Webster, daughter of the Rev. John G. Webster, rector of the Episcopal church at Greenbush, New York, occurred at the home of the bride's parents on the 20th of October, 1885. To Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer were born three daughters: Charlotte Louise, wife of Ralph E. Sessions, the present postmaster of Palmyra; Florence Isabel, who died in 1904, at the age of fifteen; and Mary Nelson Sawyer, an instructor in domestic science in the public schools of Lakewood, New Jersey.
CHARLES W. SELOVER, M. D.
Dr. Charles W. Selover is a prominent physician of Canandaigua who opened an office here following the close of the World war, during which he had rendered valuable service to the government in his professional capacity. He was born in Elmira, Chemung county, New York, on the 16th of October, 1881, his parents being Frank E. and Amelia J. (Hunt) Selover, the former now deceased. The family left Elmira when Charles W. was two years of age.
In the acquirement of an education Charles W. Selover attended Franklin Academy of Prattsburg, New York, and the high school at Trumansburg, Tompkins county, this state. His professional training was received in the University of Buffalo, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1904. After spending a year at the German Deaconess Hospital as interne he began the private practice of medicine and surgery in Stanley, Ontario county, where he became well established in the profession and had been located for a period of twelve years when the United States entered the World war. He at once offered his services to his country, spent four months at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis, Indiana, and then became camp surgeon at Camp Alexander, New Port News, Virginia, where he continued for seven- teen months. He received a major's commission and is now a major in the medical section of the Officers Reserve Corps.
When peace had been restored in Europe by the signing of the armistice, Dr. Selover came to Canandaigua, where he has remained to the present time and has been accorded a practice of large proportions. He is a member of the staff of the Thompson Memorial Hospital and also serves as superintendent of the Ontario County Tubercular Sanitarium. He belongs to the New York State Medical Society, the American Medical Association and the National Tuberculosis Association.
On the 16th of August, 1905, Dr. Selover was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Carson Hill of Stanley, New York. They have two children: Charles Willard and Margaret E. Dr. Selover gives his political support to the republican party, while
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his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Episcopal church, of which he is a vestryman. He is also a member of the Rotary Club and in Masonic circles is known as a Knights Templar Mason and Shriner. Dr. Selover holds to the highest professional ethics and is accorded the esteem of his colleagues and fellow citizens.
HARRY JAMES BAREHAM.
Harry James Bareham, one of the well known and popular public officials of Rochester, as well as one of the city's representative business men, was appointed to his present position as commissioner of public safety on the 1st of January, 1922. His birth occurred at Palmyra, New York, on the 3d of March, 1876, his parents being Henry and Ellen M. (Randall) Bareham. The father, a native of Rochester, was a stone and brick mason by trade and for a number of years was connected with H. H. Edgerton, contractor, of this city. He passed away here in 1899. He is survived by his widow, who was born in England but came to America in her girlhood.
Harry James Bareham supplemented his public school education by a course of study in the Rochester Free Academy and in entering upon his business career be- gan learning the plumbing trade in the service of F. Dumond & Son. He was a young man of twenty-nine years when in 1905, feeling that his capital and experience justi- fied such a step, he embarked in the plumbing and heating business on his own account. His interests in this connection have steadily grown and developed, being represented now by his connection as a member of the firm of Natt, Bareham & McFarland, Incorporated, of which he is secretary and treasurer. This corporation is among the foremost firms of Rochester in the plumbing and heating business. He is also at the head of the publishing house of Bareham & Saunders, at No. 360 Main street, East.
On the 26th of September, 1899, in Rochester, Mr. Bareham was united in mar- riage to Miss Emma A. Hynes, daughter of Michael and Mary Hynes of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Bareham's three children are all natives of Rochester: Harry Warren, who was born in 1904 and is a high school student; Carolyn Emily, whose natal year was 1905 and who is attending William Smith College of Geneva, New York; and John William, whose birth occurred in 1913.
In public affairs of this city Mr. Bareham has taken an active and helpful part. For two successive terms following his election in June, 1917, he served as alder- man of the sixteenth ward and in August, 1920, he was chosen president of the com- mon council. On the 1st of January, 1922, he was appointed to the position of com- missioner of public safety for the city of Rochester and in this capacity is making a most creditable and commendable record. During the period of the World war he was a member of the War Service Corps in the sixteenth ward and acted as cap- tain of a team in the Liberty Bond drives. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church and he is also a worthy exemplar of the teachings and purposes of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Genesee Valley Lodge, No. 507, F. & A. M .; Rochester Con- sistory, A. & A. S. R .; and Damascus Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He likewise joined Tippecanoe Lodge, No. 629, I. O. O. F., and Court Flower City, No. 336, I. O. F., while his appreciation for the social amenities of life is indicated in his membership connection with the Rochester, Washington, Elks, Masonic, Rochester Auto and Oak Hill Country Clubs. Mr. Bareham also belongs to the Rotary Club and to the Rochester Chamber of Commerce. A stanch republican and an active worker for the party's success, he is one of its advisors and counsellors in Monroe county. Fidelity to duty is one of his outstanding characteristics and he is recognized as a man of resolute purpose and marked strength of character, whose success represents the fit utilization of his innate powers and talents.
CHARLES H. OTT, M. D.
Prominent among the younger physicians of Elmira is Dr. Charles H. Ott, who has made a special study of the diseases of children. Although his residence in Elmira covers but a few years, he has become well established in his chosen profession. He was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, November 15, 1891, and is a son of Dr. Charles H. and Eliza (Goodman) Ott, also natives of the Keystone state, in which their mar- riage occurred. The father received his higher education in the University of Penn-
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HARRY J. BAREHAM
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sylvania and the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia and became surgeon in chief at the Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, Pennsylvania. Dr. and Mrs. Ott were active members of the Presbyterian church and in politics he was a republican. He was a Knights Templar Mason and also belonged to the Shrine. There were five children in the family, three of whom are living: Mrs. Marian Munson of Westfield, New York; Charles H. of this review; and Henry, a student in Cornell University at Ithaca.
Charles H. Ott received his preliminary training in the public schools of Pennsyl- vania and in 1914 received the B. Sc. degree from Cornell University. He prepared for his profession in the Jefferson Medical College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1919, and began practice in the coal mines of West Virginia. He opened an office in Elmira in 1920. He is a member of the staff of St. Joseph's Hospital and specializes in pediatrics, being well informed on everything relating to that branch of medical science. On November 15, 1918, while a student at the Jefferson Medical College, he joined the Medical Corps and was stationed in Philadelphia. His term of service covered thirteen months and on December 19, 1919, he was released from military duty.
On the 25th of July, 1920, Dr. Ott was married to Miss Leona Kollhoff, who was born, reared and educated in Philadelphia. They have a daughter: Julia Elizabeth. They are members of the First Presbyterian church and the Doctor belongs to the Elmira Golf & Country Club and the Century Club, while his professional connections are with the Elmira Academy of Medicine, and the Chemung County and New York State Medical Societies.
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