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 15
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The following tribute was paid him by the Rev. A. W. Beavan, D. D .: "Mr. Wetmore was one of the highest grade Christian gentlemen it has been my privilege to meet. While retiring by nature, he combined in himself those elements of honor and integrity.as well as broad-minded citizenship, which enabled him to make splendid use of his ability and his resources. His money was always his servant and never his master. and the scores of causes and hundreds of people in the city that have been blessed by his kindly, unostentatious benefactions will be a monument to him greater than could ever be reared in granite. The meeting of the men's classes at the hour of the Sunday school at the church was given over to memorial services in his honor. Many of his associates in the church paid him high and warm tribute."
CHARLES FREDERICK BULLARD.
One of the pioneer business firms of Elmira is that of the Doane & Jones Lumber Company,of which Charles Frederick Bullard is secretary and treasurer, and from the time of its organization until the present-a period of thirty years-he has worked untiringly to promote the growth of the concern, which owes much of its prosperity to his well-directed efforts. He was born in Chautauqua county, New York, June 25, 1866, a son of Almon B. and Sarah A. (Caldwell) Bullard, both of whom were natives of Vermont. The former was born in 1815 and the latter in 1827. They were married in the Green Mountain state and came to Elmira in 1867, establishing their home at the corner of Walnut and West Water streets, where they resided until called to their final rest. Mrs. Bullard passed away in 1910 and her husband's death occurred in 1905. He was a dealer in leather and success attended his business activities. He was well read and supported all worthy civic projects but was never an aspirant for
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public office. Previous to the formation of the republican party he was a whig and subsequently became a strong prohibitionist. He was a member of the First Baptist church of Elmira and served as one of its deacons. His father, John Bullard, was a native of Vermont and of English lineage. The American progenitor of the family made the voyage to the New World in 1632 and was numbered among the earliest settlers of the colony of Massachusetts. The maternal grandfather, Jesse W. Cald- well, was born in Vermont and died at the advanced age of ninety-three years. The immigrant ancestor of the Caldwell family migrated from Londonderry, Ireland, to America and became one of the pioneers of New Hampshire. Charles Frederick Bul- lard is the only surviving member of a family of three children. He attended the Free Academy of Elmira and his higher education was received in the University of Rochester, from which he was graduated in 1890. He was one of the organizers of the Doane & Jones Lumber Company, which was formed January 1, 1893, and has since been secretary and treasurer of the firm. Since its inception the business has grown steadily, keeping pace with the development of the city, and it now ranks with the largest in Elmira. Mr. Bullard is deeply interested in the lumber industry, of which he has made a close study, and his business receives his undivided attention.
On April 23, 1902, Mr. Bullard was married to Miss Elizabeth Campbell of Spring- field, Massachusetts. They have become the parents of three children: Charles, a student at Cornell University; Polly, who graduated in June, 1924, from the Abbot Academy at Andover, Massachusetts, and expects to enter Smith College in the fall of 1924; and Donald, who is attending the public schools. Mr. Bullard is a consistent and helpful member of the First Baptist church and gives his political support to the candidates of the republican party, while his social nature finds expression in his connection with the Century and Country Clubs. He is one of the directors of the Thatcher Manufacturing Company of Elmira.
THOMAS W. FINUCANE.
Thomas W. Finucane, treasurer of the Thomas W. Finucane Corporation and active in the control of important real estate, mining, banking and transportation interests, is a prominent Rochester capitalist whose record of undaunted effort and ultimate triumph may well serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others. His birth occurred in Rome, Oneida county, New York, on the 15th of July, 1854, his parents being John and Mary (Moran) Finucane, both of whom were natives of County Clare, Ireland. Emigrating to the United States soon after their mar- riage, they located first at Troy, New York, and in 1845 took up their abode in Rome, this state, where they resided until 1855. In that year they removed to Holley, New York, where they spent the remainder of their lives. John Finucane was a car- penter by trade. To him and his wife were born seven children, of whom but two survive: Thomas W., of this review; and Mrs. Margaret Sullivan, a resident of Holley, New York.
Thomas W. Finucane, who was the fourth in order of birth in the family, began his education in the district schools of Orleans county and later continued his studies at Holley, this state. After putting aside his textbooks he worked on a farm in Orleans county, receiving a very small wage during the summer months, while in the winter season he was given only his board as remuneration for his services. When sixteen years of age he secured a position as apprentice in the office of the Holley Standard, being thus employed until 1874, when he went to Charlotte, New York, and there became an apprentice to the carpenter's trade in the service of Francis T. Downing, with whom he continued until 1879. Three years before, in 1876, he had come to Rochester with Mr. Downing, under whose direction he thoroughly acquainted himself with the building trade and with carpenter contract work. In the winter of 1879 work of this kind was not plentiful and he therefore sought and obtained a posi- tion with the Hayden Furniture Company. Prospects were far from bright, however, and he had about decided to return to Holley in 1880, when an incident changed the course of his life. A well known Rochester woman asked him to remain in this city long enough to remodel the interior of her home, and he accomplished this in such a satisfactory manner that a number of other people requested his services. Mr. Finucane soon found it necessary to employ a number of men to assist him and from that time forward his success was an assured fact. From 1880 until 1902, covering a period of twenty-two years, he was constantly employed on contract work, erecting numerous homes as well as public and office structures that remain as
This W. Dimeque
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monuments to his ability as a builder. In 1902 he turned over his contracting busi- ness to others and organized the Independent Telephone Company, of which he served as president until 1906. In the meantime Mr. Finucane had acquired large realty hold- ings and he largely devoted his time to the development of his interests along this line. His investments were not confined to Rochester, for he became an extensive stock- holder and officer in mining concerns of Ontario, Canada. In association with several others he purchased the Mckinley-Darragh mine at Cobalt, a large silver producer. He is a director of the Dome Mines, Limited, a successful Canadian gold mine. His advice and counsel have been sought in the successful control of various important corporate interests. He is a trustee of the Rochester Savings Bank, one of the organizers of the Security Trust Company of Rochester, a director of the Lincoln- Alliance Bank, a director of the Union Trust Company, a director and officer of the General Railway Signal Company of Rochester, the Great Lakes Transportation Company and the Rochester Railway & Light Company and is treasurer of the Thomas W. Finucane Corporation.
On the 19th of February, 1879, Mr. Finucane was married to Miss Mary Down- ing, a daughter of Francis T. Downing. Mrs. Finucane passed away in 1910. She was the mother of four sons and two daughters, as follows: May, born in 1880, became the wife of Arthur J. Mahon and died in 1908, leaving two daughters, Marjorie F. and Ruth I; Thomas R. was born in 1881 and resides in Rochester, his native city. He is vice president and assistant treasurer of the Thomas W. Finucane Corporation and is connected with mining interests as an official of the Dome Mines Company of Ontario, Canada; Laura Anna Finucane was born in 1883, and died in 1896; John J., born in Rochester in 1884, is secretary of the Thomas W. Finucane Corporation. He has five children, Kathleen, Thomas W. (II), Daniel B., Margaret and Anne; Bernard Emmett Finucane, born in Rochester in 1887, is president of the Thomas W. Finucane Corporation and secretary and treasurer of the Rochester Electrical Supply Company. He has two children, Frederick Thomas and Mary Josephine; Richard G. Finucane, who was born in this city in 1891, is manager of the Thomas W. Finucane Corporation. He has two children, Dorothy and Patricia.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. T. W. Finucane has given his political support to the democratic party. In 1896 he was chosen a member of the board of health of Rochester and in that capacity made an excellent record. He is a fourth degree Knight of Columbus, also belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and has further membership connection with the Genesee Valley Club, the Rochester Club and the Rochester Country Club. In 1893 Mr. Finucane built his home at No. 20 Portsmouth Terrace, where he has since resided. From 1885 until 1893 he had lived at No. 75 Culver Park. The subjective and objective forces of life are in him well balanced, making him cognizant of his own capabilities and powers, while at the same time he thoroughly understands his opportunities and his obligations. To make his native talents subserve the demands which conditions of society impose at the present time, is the purpose of his life, and by reason of the mature judg- ment which characterizes his efforts at all times, he stands today as a splendid rep- resentative of the prominent realtor and capitalist to whom business is but one phase of life, and does not exclude his active participation in and support of the other vital interests which go to make up human existence.
TRACY C. SWAN, M. D.
After a career of some years in the field of chemistry, in which he made a not- able success and filled some important positions that added considerable fame to his name, Tracy C. Swan abandoned chemistry for medicine, obtained his degree of M. D., and located at Livonia, Livingston county, New York, where in the short time that has elapsed since his arrival he has built up a considerable practice. If his suc- cess as a medical practitioner equals that of his days in chemistry, there is little doubt that Dr. Swan will soon rank among the county's leading physicians. He was born on August 13, 1889, in Skinners Eddy, Pennsylvania, the son of Preston J. and Issa- dora L. (Brown) Swan. The father of the Doctor was a merchant by occupation and was born in New York state, but moved to Skinners Eddy and passed most of his life in that section.
Tracy C. Swan received his early education in the public schools of Pennsylvania and the high school at Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, after which he attended Syracuse
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University, Syracuse, New York, from which he received the degree of B. S. in chemistry and was graduated in the class of 1912. After his graduation Mr. Swan became connected with the Du Pont Powder Company as a chemist and for three months was engaged in research and experimental work. He then left the Du Ponts and joined the Eastman Kodak organization, still being employed in experimental work, and remained with the Eastman company until 1915. when he became experi- mental chemist for the Rochester Button Company, Rochester, New York, and remained with the latter company until January 1, 1917. He then became teacher of chemistry at Syracuse University and also continued his research work. He began the study of medicine in the fall of 1917, while continuing to act as chemistry instruc- tor at the University of Syracuse, and also enlisted in the Medical Reserve Corps for World war duty, but was allowed to remain at the university. In December, 1917, Mr. Swan was transferred to the Students Army Training Corps and was discharged in December, 1918. He at once resumed his medical studies at Syracuse University and was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1921.
On July 21, 1921, Dr. Swan entered the Rochester General Hospital as an interne and remained there until October, 1922, when he located in Livonia and began the practice of his profession, without specializing in any particular branch. The Doctor is a member of the Alpha Kappa Kappa medical fraternity and honorary member of the Alpha Omega Alpha medical fraternity. Dr. Swan was married on June 12, 1915, at Avon, New York, to Frances Louise House, daughter of Truman M. and Marilla House of Avon. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Swan: Willard Jud- son, born June 29, 1919; and Frances Arlene, born February 26, 1922. The Doctor's only hobbies are chemical and medical research work.
In his religious associations Dr. Swan is a member of the First Methodist Epis- copal church of Livonia, and in his political convictions is a republican. He is health officer of Livonia, and is a member of the Monroe County and the New York State Medical Societies and of the American Medical Association. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order, affiliating with Corinthian Temple Lodge, No. 805, F. & A. M., at Rochester; Livonia Chapter, No. 311, R. A. M .; Rochester Con- sistory; and Damascus Temple of the Mystic Shrine.
JUDGE GERALD B. FLUHRER.
Judge Gerald B. Fluhrer, until his death county judge of Orleans county, an attorney of Albion and a member of the firm of Fluhrer & Reed, lawyers of eminence in western New York, was appointed by Governor Smith to fill the vacancy occa- sioned by the death of Judge Fred L. Downs in May, 1919, and the citizens reelected him for a six-year term in the same year. He was not only an able official and attorney, but he was a public-spirited and influential man in the county and stood in high repute in all circles. He was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on the 30th of March, 1878, his parents being the Rev. Charles and Eliza (Bishop) Fluhrer. After filling the pastorate of All Souls Universalist church in Grand Rapids for a number of years, Rev. Charles Fluhrer, D. D., accepted a call as the first pastor of Pullman Memorial church in Albion, New York, to which place he came with his family in 1894. He continued to occupy the pulpit of this church to the time of his death, which occurred in 1901, and his efforts constituted a potent force in the moral growth of the community.
Gerald B. Fluhrer began his education as a public school pupil in his native city and there continued his studies until sixteen years of age, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Albion. Here he attended high school, while his further training was acquired in Cornell University, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1901. In preparation for a profes- sional career he then matriculated in the Buffalo Law School, which in 1903 conferred upon him the degree of LL. B. He was admitted to the bar in 1904 and during the past two decades was successfully engaged in general law practice in Albion. Since the year 1910 he had been a member of the firm of Fluhrer & Reed, which is accorded a very extensive clientage. As above stated, he was filling a six-year term as county judge of Orleans county and was making a splendid record on the bench, when death claimed him on the 20th of March, 1925.
On the 25th of May, 1922, in Buffalo, New York, Judge Fluhrer was united in marriage to Mrs. Lillian S. Keown. Fraternally he was master of Renovation Lodge, No. 97, F. & A. M .; and past exalted ruler of Albion Lodge, No. 1006, B. P. O. E.
JUDGE GERALD B. FLUHRER
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He was also a member of the Alert Club of Medina. He was very active in the work of the Pullman Memorial church and was a member of its board of trustees. Judge Fluhrer loved his chosen calling and the administration of justice. In addition to his professional duties he served as director of the Citizens National Bank of Albion. He was one of the most popular officials in Orleans county, and his sudden death caused deep regret among a host of friends. He was a generous, courteous and upright man, was associated closely with many of the undertakings of civic interest and for the benefit of his community, and his influence was far-reaching and uplifting.
WILLIAM EUGENE DE MELT.
William Eugene De Melt, who has been continuously engaged in educational work since his graduation as a college student, has done splendid service as superintendent of the schools of Penn Yan through the past eight years. He was born in Medway, Greene county, New York, on June 2, 1872, his parents being William E. and Jennie C. (Fisher) De Melt. The father, who was born in 1843 and who devoted his atten- tion to farming throughout his active business career, is now a resident of Amster- dam, Montgomery county, New York.
William Eugene De Melt received his preparatory education in Greenville Academy of Greenville, New York, and subsequently entered Bucknell University of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy in 1906, while in the following year the same institution conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts. He began his career as an educator as principal of a Philadelphia high school, being thus engaged for four years, after which he spent six years as principal of the Penn Yan Academy of Penn Yan, New York. During the past eight years he has filled the position of superintendent of schools in Penn Yan and in this capacity has made a most creditable as well as commendable record, maintaining high standards of education and greatly improving the school system. Mr. De Melt is a member of the State Teachers Association, the New York State Council of Superintendents and the Finger Lakes Council.
In 1898 Mr. De Melt was united in marriage to Miss Ella E. Blood of Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania, and they have one son: William E., Jr., whose natal day was August 27, 1919. At the polls Mr. De Melt supports the men and measures of the democratic party, in the principles of which he is a firm believer. He is a Baptist in religious faith and a worthy exemplar of the teachings and purposes of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the blue lodge, chapter and commandery. He cooperates in all those forces which make for the advancement of civic and personal standards and is a man of high purposes and ideals, who well merits the confidence and esteem which are uniformly accorded him.
HENRY BUSH.
Henry Bush, attorney at law, is practicing in Horseheads, his native town, and has also been active in the field of public service. The family is widely and favorably known in this section of Chemung county and its members have won success in both the legal and medical professions. Mr. Bush was born June 6, 1886, a son of Dr. Robert Porter and Laretta (Ludlow) Bush, the latter a native of Penn Yan, New York. The father was born in Branchport, New York, and defended the Union cause in the Civil war. On April 19, 1861, he joined the Twelfth New York Volunteer Infantry and on the expiration of his term of service he reenlisted, becoming captain of the One Hundred and Eighty-fifth New York Infantry. He was later commis- sioned major and after his release from military duty began the study of medicine, preparing for his profession in Bellevue Hospital of New York city and in the Univer- sity of Buffalo. In 1874 he opened an office in Horseheads, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 1923. He was one of the pioner physicians of the village and an able exponent of his profession. He was a leader in the ranks of the democratic party and bore the highest reputation, being known as "Honest Bob Bush." He also left the impress of his individuality upon the legislative history of the state, serving for thirteen terms as a member of the general assembly, of which he was speaker for a term. He was a Royal Arch Mason and aided in organizing the chapter at Horseheads. He was its first high priest and was also connected
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with the York Rite. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and his life was guided by the teachings of the Presbyterian church. Mr. and Mrs. Bush were married at Penn Yan in 1870 and became the parents of nine children, seven of whom are living.
In the public schools of Horseheads, Henry Bush mastered the elementary branches of learning and later matriculated in the Albany Law School, from which he was graduated in 1910. In September of that year he was admitted to the bar and in 1912 and 1913 was connected with the county clerk's office. He was clerk of the surrogate court from 1914 until March 31, 1923, and in April of the latter year formed a law partnership with Frank S. Bentley, with whom he is now asso- ciated. They are well versed in the minutiae of the law and important litigated inter- ests have been intrusted to their care. Mr. Bush is also a director of the First National Bank of Horseheads and his legal learning and counsel are valued highly by the officials of that institution.
On June 24, 1915, Mr. Bush was married to Miss Martha Hoffman Holbert, a native of Horseheads and a daughter of J. Sayer Holbert, a pioneer in its develop- ment. For several years he served as cashier of the First National Bank and subse- quently engaged in the creamery business. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Bush are: Theodora Holbert, who was born June 13, 1919; and William Henry, born November 12, 1923.
The parents are members of the Presbyterian church and in politics Mr. Bush is a democrat. He has never neglected the duties of citizenship and is now serving on the board of education, while during the World war he was chief clerk of the Chemung County Draft Board. He is identified with the Masonic order, belonging to Horse- heads Lodge, No. 364, F. & A. M., of which he is a past master. He is high priest of the chapter and is also a member of the commandery, consistory and Shrine.
DR. JOHN FRANKLIN FORBES.
While the efforts of the nierchant and the manufacturer take a more tangible form in direct results, the labors of perhaps no other individual more closely effect the welfare of a community than those of the teacher, whose instruction leaves an ineffaceable impression upon the minds of the young, constituting a guiding force in after life. Dr. John Franklin Forbes had devoted his life to the study and dissemina- tion of knowledge and his professional career has been marked by continuous progress. He has established an enviable reputation as an educator, and as president and owner of the Rochester Business Institute he has been largly responsible for the success of the college, which has been in continuous existence for a period of sixty-one years -a record that proves the quality of its service and the extent of its usefulness. He was born in Middlesex, Yates county, New York, June 13, 1853, and his parents, Rev. Merrill and Maria (Palmer) Forbes were also natives of that state. The mother was born in Sodus, Wayne county, December 17, 1828, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Palmer, prominent residents of that city, and her demise occurred in Wyoming, New York, when she was eighty-one years of age. She was a woman of keen intel- lect, inspiring her children with a love for knowledge and truth-an earnest worker and leader in the churches of which her husband was pastor. For many years she played the organ, sang in the choir and taught the older members of the Sunday school-a great reader, deeply interested in all the subjects her sons taught and in all the questions of the day up to the time of her death, passing away suddenly of pneumonia, after an illness of three days.
The grandfather, Philo Forbes, was born in Vermont, January 28, 1785, and died July 12, 1821. He married Nancy Johnson, born March 8, 1787, and died March 2, 1861. Attracted by the iron ore at Ontario, New York, Philo Forbes moved there and had an iron foundry. He and his wife were parents of eight children, three daughters and five sons-the youngest, Michael and Merrill, were twins. Three of these sons were Baptist ministers-Philo of Vaesar, Michigan; Michael and Merrill. Michael and Merrill were born in Fort Ann, New York, June 2, 1820. Merrill died November 22, 1884. Converted at an early age, with his twin brother Michael he entered Madi- son University, class of 1847. Ill health compelled him to relinquish the regular course of study, so with shorter preparation than he hoped, he went out to his work. He was ordained in the Baptist church in Sodus, New York, served as pastor with the churches in Bethel, Marion, Walworth, Middlesex, Prattsburg, Fairport, Medina, Shelby, Wyoming, South Alabama, Ira, Napoli and East Randolph, keeping his home
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