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 14
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93
Mr. Gallery has taken an active part in public affairs in the town of Gates, where he makes his home. For a number of years he has there discharged the duties devolving upon him as overseer of the poor and he has also served as a member of the Gates school board and in several other positions of honor and trust. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the United Presbyterian church, while fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order. He also belongs to the Masonic Club, to the Ad Club and to the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, while he is also secretary of the Rochester Coal Merchants Association.
HON. EDSON W. HAMN.
In the course of a long and distinguished legal career Hon. Edson W. Hamn of Lyons, Wayne county, has justly earned the reputation of being one of the foremost criminal lawyers of Wayne county and western New York. Mr. Hamn has been practicing in Lyons for more than thirty-five years, during which he has been promi- nent in both professional and political life. Born in Sharon Springs, New York, Sep- tember 18, 1863, he is the son of Peter A. and Catherine (Ottman) Hamn, both of whom were natives of the Empire state. His father was a farmer by occupation and lived the greater part of his life near Sharon Springs, where he was married and where his children were subsequently born. Of a family of nine children, seven sons and two daughters, Edson W. was the sixth in the order of birth. Only four members of this large family are living, three sons and one daughter, and the parents are also deceased.
Edson W. Hamn obtained his early education in the public schools of Macedon and the Macedon Academy and later attended the Albany State Normal school. He earned the money to pay for the most of his higher education by teaching school, an occupa- tion that afforded him opportunities for study. In 1880 he entered the law offices of S. K. & B. C. Williams of Newark, where he was permitted to use the library for the study of law during his spare moments and after office hours. Then, too, he learned a great deal about his chosen profession in performing the duties assigned to him in this office, one of which was to help prepare some legal publications for the press. Mr. Hamn went to Washington, D. C., in 1882, to work in the office of the clerk of the supreme court as a representative of the Lawyers Cooperative Company of Roches- ter. While he was there he seized upon the unusual advantages our capital city offers ambitious young people for obtaining an education while they are earning a living, and graduated from the National University in 1884, with the LL. B. degree. He followed this with a graduate course in the fields that were of greatest interest to him.
Upon his return to Newark the young man entered the law office of Judge Luther M. Norton and was admitted to the bar at Buffalo in 1887. He then formed a partner- ship with Judge Norton which lasted for a year. In January, 1888, Mr. Hamn came to Lyons as attorney for the Lyons National Bank and at the same time established himself in a general legal practice under his own name, and continued uninterruptedly until 1908, when he formed a partnership with Clyde W. Knapp. This partnership continued for nine years, when Mr. Knapp was elected county judge, since which time he has continued practice in his own name. In addition to his very important law practice Mr. Hamn finds time to devote to other interests, among which should be mentioned the Lyons Cold Storage Company, which he represents as secretary.
Throughout the state Mr. Hamn is perhaps almost as well known by the laity for his public work, as for his professional accomplishments. As one of the leading republicans in Lyons he has represented his district in many state conventions. For four years, 1907, 1908, 1909 and 1910, he served in the state assembly at Albany and during that time was a member of the legislative state highway and public service commissions. He was a member of the legal advisory board of his district during the World war and devoted a great deal of his time and talent to the strenuous work of this body.
A few years after taking up his residence in Lyons-on June 24, 1892-Mr. Hamn
HON EDSON W. HAMN
125
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
was married. He has two daughters, Helen and Katherine. The older daughter is now Mrs. William D. Kitchell of Geneva, whose husband is interested in the automo- bile business of that city; the younger daughter lives at home. Mr. Hamn is a member of Grace Episcopal church of Lyons, in which he has been a vestryman for the past twenty-eight years, and is now the oldest member of the vestry in point of length of service. Fraternally he is identified with Humanity Lodge of the Masonic order in Lyons and with the local lodge of Elks.
CHARLES T. LEMEN.
Charles T. Lemen, superintendent of the mechanical department of the F. A. Owen Publishing Company, has long been identified with the business, and his labors have been an essential element in the development of this large and important organization, which has contributed materially to Dansville's commercial growth and prosperity. He is widely and favorably known in this community, in which his life has been passed, and was born January 28, 1869, a son of Archibald H. and Frances (Atwood) Lemen, both of whom are deceased.
Charles T. Lemen attended the district schools and completed his education in the Dansville Seminary. He has always been connected with the printing business, learn- ing the trade in the plant of the Dansville Breeze, where he was employed for twelve years, and during that time set the first type for The Normal Instructor, an educa- tional journal now published by the F. A. Owen Publishing Company. In 1900 Mr. Lemen took charge of the typesetting department of the firm and has since been in its service. Years of experience have well qualified him for the responsible office which he now fills and under his expert supervision the work done in the printing department constitutes the highest degree of efficiency in the "art preservative."
On December 22, 1892, Mr. Lemen was united in marriage to Miss May L. Van Scoper of Dansville, and they have become the parents of nine children: Clifford J., a veteran of the World war, who went overseas as a corporal of the One Hundred and Sixth Artillery, Twenty-seventh Division, and remained with the American Expedi- tionary Force for twelve months; Clinton D .; James Archibald, whose military experience covers service with the Fourteenth Cavalry in Texas during the period of the war; Irma May, who is the wife of William Cowdrick, Jr., of Dansville; and Charles Tom, Minerva Ruth, Harry B., Richard M. and Leon Lewis, who are yet at home.
Mr. Lemen is allied with the democratic party and loyally supports all projects for the general good. He is a consistent member of the Presbyterian church and fraternally is identified with the Masonic order. He has always endeavored to dis- charge his duty according to the best of his ability and is known as a man of the utmost reliability, thoroughly dependable in every relation and every emergency.
EDWIN CLAIRE BARKMAN.
Edwin Claire Barkman, an able attorney of Watkins, Schuyler county, New York, was born September 24, 1885, in Monterey, New York, the son of Edgar and Minnie (Coye) Barkman and his father was a lawyer before him. Edgar Barkman was the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (De Long) Barkman the former coming from Frederick, Maryland, when a boy and settling in the town of Monterey, where he was a farmer. Edgar Barkman was born in 1845 and read law with Judge Ben Woodward in 1876. He was in Avon, New York, for several years and then moved to Schuyler county, where he practiced until the year of his death-1917.
Edwin Claire Barkman, inspired by his father's example, early decided to follow the profession of so many leaders of our country, and after attending the North Side high school of Corning, New York, he entered Syracuse Law School, winning his LL. B. in 1909, and being admitted to the bar the next year. He immediately opened an office in Watkins and has practiced there ever since, with increasing success. He is now justice of the peace, and served two terms as district attorney, holding that responsible office from 1914 to 1922. In his public service he proved as faithful as in dealing with his private clients and his record has been very commendable.
On August 13, 1910, Mr. Barkman was married to Genevieve Schubmehl of Bing-
126
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
hamton, New York, and they have one child: Edwin Charles, born November 30, 1920. Mr. Barkman is a Mason, belongs to Chequaga Tribe of Red Men, the Schuyler County Bar Association, and in politics is a republican. He attends the Presbyterian church.
GEORGE RILEY FULLER.
George Riley Fuller, president of the Rochester Telephone Corporation, is an influential factor in commercial, industrial and financial circles of the city as an executive in numerous business enterprises, including the George R. Fuller Company, which he established forty-eight years ago. His record as a business man and citizen, unspotted and stainless, is in harmony with that of an honorable and honored ancestry. His birth occurred at Massena, St. Lawrence county, New York, on the 7th of April, 1850, his parents being Wyman M. and Olive (Densmore) Fuller, both of whom were natives of Vermont. His grandparents in the maternal line were William and Olive (Nichols) Densmore, the latter a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Soule) Nichols. The parents of Mrs. Sarah (Soule) Nichols were Ebenezer and Susannah (Cramer) Soule and her paternal grandparents Ben and Sarah (Standish) Soule. Mrs. Sarah (Standish) Soule was a daughter of Alexander and Sarah (Alden) Standish, the former being a son of Miles and Barbara Standish and the latter a daughter of John and Priscilla (Mullen) Alden. It will thus be seen that the line dates back to the first American colonists. Caleb Fuller, the paternal grandfather of George R. Fuller, was born June 24, 1770, and passed away November 23, 1835. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Lydia Howard and whose birth occurred March 8, 1770, was called to her final rest on the 22d of April, 1842. Their family numbered ten children, as follows: Lydia, whose natal day was March 8, 1794; Jonathan, born March 13, 1796; Hannah, born November 10, 1797; Martha, born December 22, 1799; Alma, born Febru- ary 28, 1802; Philo, born July 31, 18 -; Caleb (II), born September 28, 1807; Candace, born June 17, 1809; Benjamin, born March 28, 1811; and Wyman M. whose birth occurred March 28, 1814.
Wyman M. and Olive (Densmore) Fuller, the parents of George Riley Fuller, came to New York about 1846 and located in St. Lawrence county, the father becoming prominently identified with the life of the community in various ways. He taught school for a time, was a pioneer settler of Norwood, acceptably filled the office of justice of the peace and for many years served as postmaster by appointment of President James Buchanan. He died in the year 1884.
George R. Fuller received his educational training as a public school pupil at Norwood, New York, and though not instructed in his youth in the higher branches of learning, he has constantly augumented his knowledge through reading and investi- gation until he has become a man of wide general information and has gained an enviable position in the business world. After putting aside his textbooks he became an employe of the Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg Railroad Company, now a part of the New York Central system. ably discharging the various duties assigned him. He mastered telegraph operating between the years 1868 and 1870 and was then sent to the general offices at Watertown, New York, where he was assigned to the auditing department and eventually became traveling auditor. In 1876 he severed his connection with railroad service and came to Rochester, here embarking in business on his own account by purchasing the interests of a concern engaged in the manufacture of artificial limbs. Of this he is still at the head. The enterprise prospered beyond his fondest dreams and is now conducted under the style of the George R. Fuller Company, with manufacturing branches at Rochester, Buffalo, Philadelphia and Boston. Mr. Fuller is the president of this important concern, which was incorporated in 1896, and is now nation-wide in its scope.
It was in 1898 that Mr. Fuller became one of the organizers and the first secretary and treasurer of the Rochester Telephone Company, assuming in addition the duties of general manager in the following year. During the years 1905, 1906 and 1907 he had charge of the interests of the Independent Telephone Company in western and central New York. On the 1st of August, 1921, the Rochester Telephone Company was merged with the New York Telephone Company, forming the Rochester Telephone Corporation, of which Mr. Fuller has since served as president and director. He is likewise president and director of the Reserve Mortgage Bond Company, president of the State Telephone Association, director of the United States Independent Telephone Association, and financially interested in numerous other small enterprises. His con- nection with any undertaking insures a prosperous outcome of the same, for it is in
?
GEORGE R. FULLER
129
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
his nature to carry forward to successful completion anything with which he is asso- ciated. He has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a careful man of business and in his dealings is known for his prompt and honorable methods, which have won him the deserved and unbounded confidence of his fellowmen.
On the 3d of June, 1885, in Rochester, Mr. Fuller was united in marriage to Miss Helen Gregg, daughter of Mahlon Gregg and representative of a prominent family. They have become the parents of two children: George Gregg Fuller, a native of Rochester and a graduate of Yale University, who since 1920 has been American vice consul at Christiana and Trondhjem, Norway, Malmo, Sweden, Reval Esthonia, Jerusalem, Palestine and is now opening a new American Consulate at Bushire, Persia. His sister, Mrs. David M. Hough, is a native and resident of Rochester and the mother of one child, Helen Hough, who was born in this city in 1920 and is the pride and joy of her grandparents.
Mr. Fuller has never been active in politics nor held public office. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Third Presbyterian church, and for numerous terms he has served as a trustee. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Valley Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and he likewise has membership connection with the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, the Rochester Historical Society, the Society of Genesee, the Sons of the American Revolution, the Rochester Club, the Rochester Automobile Club, the Genesee Valley Club, the Old Colony Club and the Rochester Ad Club. He enjoys the esteem of many friends and fully deserves the honor that is accorded the fortunate individual who has fought and won in the great battle of life. Gifted with a keen business insight and a broad grasp of affairs, Mr. Fuller has had a career of unusual activity and of notable success. The elements were happily blended in the rounding out of his nature, for he unites the refinements of life with the sterner qualities of manhood, and his labors have been manifestly resultant.
FRANK NICHOLAS BRAYER.
Frank Nicholas Brayer has for more than twenty years been at the head of an important industrial enterprise of Rochester as president and general manager of the Co-operative Foundry Company, manufacturers of Red Cross stoves, ranges and furnaces. A native son of Rochester, he was born on the 26th of March, 1855, his parents being Nicholas and Elizabeth (Begy) Brayer, both natives of Europe. The latter came to this country at the age of sixteen and the former when a boy of ten, and they were married in Rochester on October 21, 1851. Nicholas Brayer, the father of Frank N. Brayer of this review, was born on the 20th of October, 1829, in Lorraine, at that time a French province, and in 1867 was one of the principal organizers of the Co-operative Foundry Company, of which he became president. He was a man of exceptional business sagacity and administrative power, which enabled him to place the industry upon a strong and enduring foundation, and suc- cessfully guided its destiny for many years, remaining as head of the concern to the time of his death. He was also a director of the German Insurance Company of Rochester and likewise found time for participation in civic affairs, serving as super- visor for the eighth ward. He was a Catholic in religious faith. He passed away on May 11, 1901, honored and respected by all who knew him. To him and his wife, who was called to her final rest in 1906, were born ten children, but John F., Edward J. and Mrs. Ida M. Staud are deceased. Those living are: Frank Nicholas, George H., Elizabeth, Emma, Margaret, Mrs. Otillia K. Berna and Mrs. Bertha B. Staud.
Frank Nicholas Brayer, whose name introduces this sketch supplemented his public school education by a course of study in the Rochester Business Institute and after putting aside his textbooks became associated with his father in the foundry busi- ness. He began work in the shop as an apprentice to the moulder's trade, which he followed for a period of seven years. He had become thoroughly familiar with the business in all its branches when in 1901 he succeeded his father as president of the Co-operative Foundry Company, in which position of executive control he has continued to the present time, his associate officers being as follows: Arthur Nicholas Brayer, secretary and treasurer; and Walter G. Brayer, superintendent. The busi- ness of the Co-operative Foundry Company was first conducted in what is now the down-town section of Rochester and later removed to a large tract of land purchased in the Lincoln Park district, where the present excellent plant was built. The com-
130
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
pany started with a capitalization of twenty-five thousand dollars, which has been increased to six hundred thousand dollars, and about three hundred workers are employed in the foundry, which manufactures the famous Red Cross products, used in civilized countries throughout the world. The firm is a pioneer in this field, in which it has long maintained a position of leadership, and has one of the largest and best equipped plants of the kind in the United States. The name Red Cross is known to millions of women who use kitchen ranges. The gas range, equipped with the oven heat control, enables the housewife to cook and bake with a certainty of results hith- erto regarded as impossible. The Red Cross Copco Enamel ranges have been per- fected after years of scientific research and experimentation and the firm also makes the well known Red Cross Ajax and Empire furnaces, which are widely used. Effi- ciency and durability are combined with art in the manufacture of Co-operative products and from father to son the principles of the founder have been handed down, resulting in a reputation which places these products in the front rank of heat- ing and cooking equipment for the home. The process of quality giving in Red Cross products starts with the purchase of materials. The manufacturers strive to obtain the very best. The raw materials are then transformed into the finished product by skilled artisans. Moth the materials, before the manufacturing processes are begun, and the finished article, before it is placed on the market, are carefully inspected, for it is the policy of the company that everything must be as nearly perfect as it is humanly possible to make it. Among his other business interests Frank N. Brayer is a director of the Simpson-Walther Lens Company. He was one of the organizers and a charter member of the American Foundrymen's Association, organized in 1896.
On the 15th of June, 1880, in Rochester, Mr. Brayer was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Weis, daughter of John Weis. Mr. and Mrs. Brayer have eight chil- dren, all of whom reside in Rochester: Agnes, who was born in Rochester, is now the wife of Anthony J. Miller; Lillian, who was also born in Rochester, is the wife of Charles M. Ehrstein; Ida is the wife of Edward A. Miller; Elsie is the wife of Edward M. Lorscheider; Gertrude is the wife of Charles G. Fox, Jr .; Arthur Nicho- las, who was born in Rochester and is the secretary and treasurer of the Co-operative Foundry Company, was married to Miss Eleanor Schmidt of Rochester and has a daughter, Patricia, who was born in Rochester; Walter G., who was born in Rochester, is the superintendent of the Co-operative Foundry Company. He was a non-commis- sioned officer in the United States navy during the World war, acting as ensign in the transport service. He was married to Miss Adelaide Schaefer of Rochester and has a daughter, Virginia, born in Rochester; Franklin C., a native of Rochester, is like- wise connected with the Co-operative Foundry Company. He was married to Miss Evaritta O'Brien of Rochester and has two sons, Franklin C., Jr., and Robert, both born in Rochester.
Mr. Brayer is a trustee of SS. Peter and Paul's Catholic church and a third de- gree member of the Knights of Columbus. He also belongs to the Rochester Chamber of Commerce and to the Rochester Club and is a prominent and highly respected resi- dent of the city where for years he has been numbered among the strong and capable business men.
GEORGE MELANCTHON WETMORE.
George Melancthon Wetmore was one of the foremost members of that select company of men who have made Rochester what it is today-a great manufacturing center and a city noted for its cultural advantages and high moral standards. As president of the Shinola Company he developed an industry of national scope and importance, and his influence was equally effective and beneficial in civic and religious affairs. The moral force of his character entered into the very fiber of the city's life, and his death on the 10th of June, 1923, was an irreparable loss to the community whose welfare and prestige were his inspiration, his dearest and most cherished desire.
George Melancthon Wetmore was born in Gate township, New York, August 31, 1858, and received his early education in the public schools of Rochester, later attending Dr. Dinan's Military School and the Rochester Business Institute. At the age of eighteen he entered the shoe polish business, which he made his life work, and his keen intelligence and ready adaptability soon made him master of its details. He was industrious and capable and rose rapidly in the business world, eventually
133
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
becoming vice president of the American Chemical Manufacturing & Mining Com- pany, which he served in that capacity for about twenty years. Upon the organiza- tion of the Shinola Company, Mr. Wetmore became its president and under his able administration the business grew rapidly, taking its place with the largest industries of the kind in the world. He originated the formula for Shinola, which is now a nationally known product, and carefully superintended its manufacture. He kept in close touch with every department of the business, upon which he left the indelible impress of his personality, and was also vice president of the Monroe Novelty Com- pany, which operates in conjunction with the Shinola corporation, and he likewise served as a director of the F. F. Dudley Company. For twenty years he was the executive head of the Shinola Company, winning the respect and cooperation of his employes and business associates by his unfailing courtesy and consideration, and the confidence and trust of the general public by his high principles and strict honesty.
In September, 1878, Mr. Wetmore was married to Miss Sarah Killip, and four children were born to them: Grace Octavia, the eldest, became the wife of Robert P. Levis, a prominent attorney of New York city, and died in 1907, leaving a son, Robert Wetmore Levis; Raymond Clarke Wetmore was born in 1880 and his life was terminated at the early age of seventeen years; Helen Margaret, who is the wife of Joseph C. Beaven; and Dorothy Eleanore Wetmore.
Mr. Wetmore was connected with the Washington Club and was one of the influential members of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce and a trustee of the Rochester Theological Seminary. He was an exemplary representative of the Masonic order, belonging to Corinthian Lodge, F. & A. M .; Monroe Commandery, K. T .; and in the Scottish Rite Consistory he attained the thirty-second degree, while he was also a Noble of Damascus Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He was a zealous member of the Lake Avenue Baptist church and served for many years on its board of trustees. He was a member of the building committee at the time the present church edifice was erected. He was generous to an exceptional degree, giving liberally both of his time and means to every worthy cause. Even in the days before his financial posi- tion became established he never forgot to lay aside a substantial percentage of his earnings for the promotion of church and philanthropic work. His was an inspiring example of a well balanced, well ordered life. In business affairs his ability and sound judgment were unquestioned and they were coupled with a strict sense of honor and justice that commanded both respect and success. In private life he was ever kindly and sympathetic. His home life was particularly appealing and all that was best in his nature was reflected in the simple, though beautiful and restful place which he called "home."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.