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 18
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The court of appeals, which was sitting at Saratoga at the time of Judge Gardi- ner's death, paid to his memory an unusual token of respect by adjourning. On this occasion Chief Judge Ruger said of him: "He has worthily filled many of the highest offices in the state, and ceased to be so employed only by his own desire. Engaged in the public service at a time when his associates were among the most distinguished for learning and ability, he was always regarded as the peer of any. It was his peculiar distinction that he should have maintained, for so long a time, his seclusion from public affairs in the face of the urgent demands often made by the public for his return. It is now over a quarter of a century since I had the honor of making Judge Gardiner's acquaintance, and although he was then in the possession of unclouded and unimpaired mental and physical powers, he had announced his permanent retirement from all public employment. His calm, judicial temper, combined with great integrity, learning and strong common sense, made him almost invaluable in the performance of the duties of a judicial arbiter, and enabled him to give almost universal satisfaction in the settlement of legal controversies. The high position held by him in public estimation, as well as his position as a member of the original court of appeals, render it eminently proper that the mournful occasion of his death should be com- memorated in the records of this court."
At the meeting of the bar of Monroe county, held at the courthouse in Rochester, on June 7, 1883, the committee presented the following memorial: "Judge Gardiner's death removes the man who had won the highest judicial reputation of any member of the bar of this county. While many now dead have been eminent, and while many now living are so, all united in conceding to Judge Gardiner the highest place.
"His judicial qualities are so familiar to all that they need no long analysis; but it is not undue praise to say that they were not only high, but extraordinary. For over fifty years his chief work has been to dispense an even-handed justice. In all that long period from early manhood to extreme age he showed the clearest perception of facts, an acquaintance with the whole body of the fundamental principles of the law, and the ability to apply them to any questions before him, however tangled or confused. He brought to all cases the light of a clear intellect. Judge Gardiner possessed, perhaps, as perfectly as one can possess, the things which ancient wisdom has told us make man's lot the best it can be, a sound mind in a sound body. His mind was sound, free from bias, free from over-refinements, from intellectual twists, from legal subtleties, free from all prejudice. His half century of decisions show how truly the best law is the best sense, that the man who applies a clear judgment to enforce what seems common sense and common equity is the best judge of all. We all know how this clear mind was accompanied by a body of remarkable strength, a body so strong that to the end of a very long life his mind kept its vigor undiminished.
"Judge Gardiner's judicial fame is a part of the history of the state, and his deci- sions form a part of the decided law of the land: but to those who lived with him he will be remembered, not only as a great judge, but quite as much as the pleasant,
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genial, kindly man. His temper was always cheerful. His wit was always ready. He had a kindly word for old lawyers and for young lawyers. He liked a pleasant chat with every friend. He had a shrewd and humorous remark to enliven and give point to the decision of the dullest case. Everybody liked Judge Gardiner, and those who knew him well had a strong personal affection for the sagacious, well-balanced, upright, kindly pleasant man. He liked to talk with his friends, and all were his friends. He liked the wholesome work of outdoor life, and pitched his hay and tended his farm long past the age when most men attend to anything. His old age was the ideal old age, work to the end, with his mind unimpaired, with no gloom of an approaching end affecting his cheerfulness or happiness, spending his days in the home he loved so well and with the respect and affection of his fellowmen."
William F. Cogswell was selected by the members of the Monroe County Bar to deliver an address on the occasion of Judge Gardiner's death and said in conclu- sion: "He was a sincere friend of true progress in all departments of human affairs. * * He was a man of great humor, with which his conversation sparkled, and which he sometimes could not restrain in his formal writings. But it was a humor gentle and playful, like Addison's, and not stunning and wounding like the wit of Swift. * * He was a reading man, conversant with English literature, and * particularly fond of history, fiction and poetry. He delighted in the study of the history of the campaigns of great soldiers, especially of Napoleon, whom he admired, among his especial favorites. *
not only as a soldier, but as a statesman. Dickens, Scott and Shakespeare were * * In politics he was a strict construction, hard money, state rights democrat. He cordially supported General Jackson and Mr. Ben- ton in their war upon the United States bank, and in what was known at that time as the controversy between hard and paper money. Although he was not troubled with any question as to the right of the nation to maintain its integrity by holding the seceding states to their allegiance by force, he was alarmed at the tendencies to centralization, the fruit of the War of the Rebellion and its sequences. He was a man of religious conviction as well as religious sentiment. His religion was that of the head as well as of the heart. For fifty years and upward he was a member of one church, and never of but one. In that church, for many years after his retirement from public life, he was in the habit of gathering about him his Bible class, consisting of men, most of them young, where questions of Biblical criticism and religious philosophy were discussed. He was a man not dwarfed by proximity, but one whom the nearer you approached and the closer you came in contact with, the larger he seemed. To those who knew him best he always seemed to have a great reserve force. He was careless of his fame. His nature was such as to require the stimulus of conflict to bring out its full development. * *
* His life was a healthful influence in the community where it was spent. We saw him for twenty-eight years as a private citizen, going in and out among us, taking a sufficiently active interest in the affairs of the community, lending his great aid, in an inconspicuous way, in the admin- istration of justice, growing more and more into our affection and our reverence, until at last, without decay, without prolonged invalidism, he gave up his task and his life. Of him it may be truly said, what has been pronounced the highest panegyric, 'The world was the better for his having lived in it'."
In 1831 Judge Gardiner was married to Miss Mary Selkrigg, of Scottish descent. Their children were a son and a daughter, Charles A. and Celeste M.
CHARLES E. FOOTE.
Wherever large construction projects are under way in recent years the concrete mixer fixes the attention of beholders, doing without effort work that would other- wise require scores of men, besides cheapening the cost of construction both in labor saved and speeding up operations. Most of these economical machines are manu- factured at Nunda, Livingston county, New York, where Charles E. Foote, presi- dent of The Foote Company, Incorporated, resides, and where the big plant that builds the mixers is located. Mr. Foote was born in Mount Morris, Livingston county, on February 9, 1858, the son of Norman and Emily (Jarrod) Foote, both of whom are deceased.
Charles E. Foote obtained his education in the grade and high schools, and then for a time engaged in farming, but left the farm to embark in the business of manu- facturing windmills. He traveled in New England in the interest of his business in 1902 and 1903, and then went into the cement walk contracting business at Nunda,
CHARLES E. FOOTE
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during which time he established the shop for making a mixing machine for concrete. Mr. Foote operated this shop for about eight years, and in 1903 organized a com- pany with his brother, Chester P. Foote, which later was made a stock company. The business was first incorporated on April 21, 1916, but this organization was dis- solved and the company reincorporated on April 18, 1918. The modern plant was constructed in 1914. The Foote Company, Incorporated, is capitalized at one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, employs one hundred and fifty hands, and its product is shipped all over the United States and sold through dealers.
Mr. Foote was married in 1902, to Sadie M. McCurdy, and they have a daughter: Onnolee Foote. Mr. Foote attends the Presbyterian church, in his political views is in accord with the republican party, and fraternally is affiliated with the Masonic order.
EARL F. COLBORN.
Earl F. Colborn, a conspicuous figure in commercial circles of Rochester, has achieved noteworthy success in the life insurance business and his influence is strong and far-reaching. He was born in Shandon, Butler county, Ohio, June 15, 1886, a son of Frank and Emma (Hiatt) Colborn, the latter a native of Indiana. The father was born in the Buckeye state and became an educator, successfully following that profes- sion for a number of years. Subsequently he was appointed postmaster of Shandon and filled that office to the time of his death.
Earl F. Colborn was graduated from the Shandon high school and was afterward a teacher in the rural districts of Butler county, Ohio, devoting two years to that work. He then matriculated in Miami University, from which he received the A. B. degree in 1907, and in 1908 the University of Cincinnati conferred upon him the degree of A. M. While attending the latter institution he specialized in the history of the Ohio valley and held the Colonial Dames fellowship in Ohio valley history. From 1908-1910 he was a student at the University of Chicago, where he held fellowships in both sociology and history. He then returned to the University of Miami and for four and a half years was a member of its faculty, filling the chair of history and government. In December, 1915, Mr. Colburn came to Rochester and adopted a com- mercial career, becoming a salesman for the Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Com- pany. He was made junior partner in the local agency in February, 1916, and took over the general agency August 1, 1918. On the 1st of March, 1924, he acquired the Syracuse agency for the same company and now operates both agencies under the style of The Earl F. Colborn Agencies. His business extends over nineteen counties and twenty-five salesmen are under his supervision. In the control of his affairs he displays keen sagacity and a high order of executive ability and his rapid rise in the business indicates that he has entered a congenial field of labor, for which he is exceptionally well qualified.
On December 23, 1911, in Waltham, Massachusetts, Mr. Colborn was married to Miss Hazel Brackett, a daughter of L. S. and Mary (Ellis) Brackett of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Colborn have become the parents of three children: Robert B., who was born in Oxford, Ohio, October 13, 1912; Theodore R., who was born in that town on the 8th of November, 1914; and Beatrice, born in Rochester, August 26, 1917.
Mr. Colborn is affiliated with the Third Presbyterian church of Rochester. He is a blue lodge Mason and belongs to the Sigma Chi, Phi Beta Kappa and Tau Kappa Alpha fraternities. He is also connected with the Ad, Automobile and Optimist Clubs of Rochester and his civic spirit finds expression in his membership in the Chamber of Commerce. A man of liberal culture and superior intellectual powers, Mr. Colborn views life from a broad standpoint and all with whom he has been associated speak of him in terms of high regard. His residence is at No. 94 Westland avenue, Home Acres, Rochester.
JOHN J. BOLTON.
Like the majority of Elmira's leading business men, John J. Bolton began his commercial career in a humble capacity. He is now at the head of a large automobile business and holds a prominent position in the field in which he is operating. He was born in this city in 1874 and his parents, Patrick and Bridget (Guthrie) Bolton, were natives of Ireland. The former was born in Limerick and the latter in County
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Clare. They were married in Binghamton, New York, in 1870 and reared a family of ten children, six of whom survive. The father was formerly an iron puddler and is still living in Elmira, having attained the age of seventy-six years, while the mother has reached the seventy-third milestone on life's journey. They are members of St. Patrick's Catholic church and in politics Mr. Bolton maintains an independent course. His father, James Bolton, always remained in Ireland, his native country, and the maternal grandfather, Andrew Guthrie, was also a lifelong resident of the Emerald isle.
In the acquirement of an education John J. Bolton attended grammar school and the Elmira Free Academy and his first position was that of messenger boy. He next learned telegraphy and was later employed in a broker's office. He was connected with the brokerage business in Elmira for a quarter of a century and his attention has since been given to the automobile business. In 1915 he organized the Bolton Motor Company, which has been incorporated, and acts as its president, while M. E. McElligott is filling the offices of vice president and treasurer. Mr. Bolton was at first a distributor of Lincoln cars in Elmira and for three years sold the Hudson and Essex machines. He now deals exclusively in the Chevrolet car.
On May 19, 1897, Mr. Bolton was married to Miss Jane L. Flaherty, a native of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and two children have been born to them: Genevieve, who obtained her education in Nazareth Academy at Rochester and was for a time in Elmira College, is now employed in her father's office as secretary; and John, a student in the Elmira Free Academy. Mr. and Mrs. Bolton are faithful communicants of the Catholic church of SS. Peter and Paul and he is also connected with the Knights of Columbus, of which he was grand knight. He served as state commander of the Order of Alhambra, and is also identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is liberal in his political views and supports the candidate whom he con- siders best qualified for office, regardless of party issues. Mr. Bolton enjoys golf and is frequently seen on the links of the Elmira Country Club, of which he is a popular member.
ROBERT MATHEWS.
Robert Mathews, merchant and philanthropist, belonged to that honorable class of men in whom every city takes particular pride-men who by force of character, indomitable perseverence and steadfastness of purpose, joined to natural ability, have earned the right to the distinctive title of "self-made," a title which the American public holds in the highest honor. He was one of the pioneer hardware dealers of Rochester, continuing his operations in that field of activity for more than a half century, and among his business associates and those whom he met in other walks of life his high sense of honor, courteous manner and genial, kindly nature made him universally esteemed. He was born in Grenard, Ireland, July 5, 1842, and was the eldest son and second in order of birth in a family of six children. He was three years of age when his parents, John and Bridget (O'Reilly) Mathews, left the Emerald isle and came to the United States. They established their home in Brooklyn, New York, and the father entered the employ of the city.
Robert Mathews attended public and private schools of Brooklyn and always regretted the fact that circumstances prevented him from acquiring a college educa- tion. This lack was not noticeable in the man of mature years, as throughout his life he was a great student, a close reader, a ready reasoner, and was informed beyond many college men on topics of public interest as well as subjects purely cul- tural. As a charter member of the Fortnightly Club he wrote papers of value and literary merit, while he also prepared monographs for private distribution, choosing for his themes economics, political and ethical subjects, especially in their applica- tion to the maintenance of a sound business relationship.
Mr. Mathews became interested in the hardware business in early life and started his career with the Russell & Erwin Manufacturing Company of New York city. In 1868 he came to Rochester and in association with Arthur S. Hamilton founded the hardware business that was conducted for many years under the name of Hamilton & Mathews and is still in operation. Its original site was in Exchange street and in 1901 the style of Mathews & Boucher was adopted. Under the expert guid- ance of its founder the business constantly expanded and is today a splendid type of the city's commercial life-a live, substantial, progressive concern, ever keeping pace with the constantly changing conditions of modern commerce and a fitting
Sincerely yours Roll. Mathews
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example of the possibilities of this section if utilized intelligently and to their fullest extent. There is no similar house in the city that enjoys more advantageous trade relations and certainly none which offers more substantial inducements to patronage. Mr. Mathews was guided by the Golden Rule in his mercantile transactions and his spoken word was considered as binding as his written agreement. He was active in the management of the enterprise until his death, and on January 12, 1918, was the guest of honor at a dinner given at the Hotel Rochester by the employes of the firm, to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of his identification with the business and also as a token of their regard for Mr. Mathews, who delivered a brief address. One of the souvenirs of the occasion was a tastily arranged menu in the shape of a picture frame, with Mr. Mathew's photograph in the center. At the bottom was quoted:
"Honor and reverence and the good repute
That follows faithful service as its fruit, Be unto him, whom living, we salute."
Of the fifty-four employes present at the dinner, thirty-eight had been with the firm for more than fifteen years, and their loyalty and fidelity has constituted one of the most valuable assets of the company.
On June 17, 1873, Mr. Mathews was married to Miss Elizabeth Gibson Mathews, whose family was not related to that of her husband. Her father, Dr. Moses M. Math- ews, came to Rochester in 1844 and was one of the earliest homeopathic physicians of western New York. Death called Mr. Robert Mathews on the 31st of May, 1921. The funeral service was conducted by Bishop David L. Ferris, assisted by the Rev. Lewis G. Morris, rector of Christ church, and many of Rochester's leading citizens were present to pay their last tribute to the memory of one who held a high and enduring place in their regard. Mr. Mathews is survived by his widow, also by a brother, and three nieces-Mrs. Warren C. Daly of Rochester, Mrs. W. G. Broadhurst of Hacken- sack, New Jersey; and Miss May Mathews of New York city.
Mr. and Mrs. Mathews lived in one of the old landmarks of Rochester. John Crombie, a grocer engaged in business on State street, built the house about 1850, moving into it from his former home at No. 18 Kent street. The house was pur- chased in 1863 by Judge William C. Rowley, who lived there for only a short time, and in 1866 it became the property of Owen Gaffney, who rented the place in 1882 to a Mrs. Gould. She made it her home until 1896 and the house was vacant until 1898, when it became the residence of Mrs. Lucy V. Chappell and her two daughters, who conducted a private school there for two years. In 1900 the Mechanics Institute sought to acquire the land at No. 96 Spring street, on which stood the home of Robert Mathews, as a part of the site of the present Eastman building, and Mr. and Mrs. Mathews agreed to part with the property on condition that they could find another home in the third ward, preferably on Spring street. Previous to her marriage Mrs. Mathews had lived in the house at the northeast corner of Spring and South Fitz- hugh streets and had gone to the home at No. 96 Spring street when thirteen years old. She was therefore delighted when her husband was able to secure the residence at No. 135 Spring street. The exterior of the building has been changed very little but Mr. Mathews spent over ten thousand dollars in remodeling and improving the interior of the house, in which his widow still retains her residence.
In his early manhood Mr. Mathews was a member of a local rowing club. He was an expert swimmer and delighted in horseback riding and bicycling, making a tour through Great Britain on his wheel in 1896. He greatly enjoyed traveling, and in company with Mrs. Mathews had visited points of interest in three continents. He tramped over nine passes in the Alps, to the crater of Vesuvius, crossed several glaciers and the Mer de Glace. Always fond of outdoor recreation, he became an enthusiastic golf player in the latter years of his life, and invariably, when weather permitted, spent his afternoons on the links. He was connected with Christ Epis- copal church of Rochester and maintained an independent attitude in politics, placing the qualifications of a candidate above all other considerations, and standing at all times for reform, progress and improvement in public affairs. Of Mr. Mathews' per- sonal characteristics the most dominant was undoubtedly his pure-mindedness. He was generous, sympathetic, kindly, courteous, gentle, and optimistic in the face of difficulties. He was happy and jolly, eager for fun, even at his own expense; enjoyed telling a good story and was ever ready to hear one. As is natural with a man of his genial nature, the number of his friends was coincident with that of his acquaintances. He was never engaged in public life to the extent of holding office, although he was very much interested in local philanthropic work. He was several times elected to directorates in city hospitals, banks, charitable institutions, etc., but always declined, preferring to serve quietly, in his own way. He was a member
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of the Genesee Valley Club, the Fortnightly Club, the Rochester Country Club and the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Mathews had a kindly philosophy and belonged to that class of men who radiate sunshine and happiness. By application to his daily duties, by the constant burnishing of his mind against both tasks and thought, he retained the spirit and zest of youth, maintaining to the close of the chapter a poise and confidence that enabled him to extract from life the real essence of living.
JOHN F. CONNOR.
John F. Connor, an able member of the Livingston county bar, has practiced continuously in Mount Morris for a period of thirty-six years, winning noteworthy success by the systematic application of his knowledge to the profession of his choice, and while devoted to the interests of his clients, he never forgets that he owes a still higher allegiance to the majesty of the law.
John F. Connor was born in Le Roy, Genesee county, New York, November 5, 1861, a son of Thomas and Catherine Connor. He qualified for educational work in the Geneseo Normal School, from which he was graduated in 1883. He devoted three years to that profession, acting as principal of the high school at Tottenville, New York, from 1883 until 1886, and during that period also studied law. In 1887 the University of Michigan conferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of Laws and in the following year he began his professional career in Mount Morris, where he has since resided. He has built up a large and lucrative practice, for he possesses a comprehensive knowledge of the law and displays marked skill in its exposition. He is powerful in forensic combat, possessing the oratorical ability which is a distinguish- ing characteristic of those of Celtic ancestry, and has won many verdicts favorable to the interests of his clients. He served as district attorney of Livingston county from January, 1903, until January, 1909, making a highly creditable record as a public prosecutor. He has been equally successful in financial affairs. He was vice presi- dent of the Genesee River National Bank at Mount Morris until January, 1925, when he was elected president, and he is a director of the Livingston County Trust Company.
At Tottenville, Staten Island, New York, on the 30th of July, 1890. Mr. Connor was married to Miss Rilla W. La Forge, a daughter of William T. and Rillie La Forge. To Mr. and Mrs. Connor was born a daughter: Margaret L. Connor, who died at the age of fifteen years.
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