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 19
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. Connor is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Mount Morris and is serving as one of its trustees. He is also an influential factor in politi- cal affairs and for six years was a member of the State Central committee of the republican party, while for ten years he served as chairman of the county committee of Livingston county. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and belongs to the Rochester Chamber of Commerce. He stands high in financial circles of Livingston county and among his fellow practitioners is recognized as a lawyer of high attainments, who respects the unwritten ethics of the profession.
CHARLES D. NEWTON.
For twenty-five years the leading trial lawyer of the Seventh Judicial District of New York was the distinction Mr. Newton had achieved when he was elected, in 1918, by the people of the state of New York, to become their attorney-general.
Charles D. Newton was born in Birdsall, Allegany county, New York, on May 25, 1861, the son of Daniel and Polly Ann (Brundage) Newton. Mr. Newton spent his early life in that section of the state, receiving his preliminary education at the Friend- ship Academy at Friendship, New York. After finishing his academic course at the Geneseo State Normal School, Mr. Newton entered the University of Michigan, where he was graduated from the law department in 1890. Returning from the University of Michigan, Mr. Newton entered the law office of General James Wood at Geneseo and later became a member of the law firm of Hubbard, Coyne & Newton. Through several legal associations and wide and varied practice in the western part of New York state, Mr. Newton has always maintained his home at No. 18 Wadsworth street, in the village of Geneseo.
Actively interested in politics all of his life, Mr. Newton never held public office-
JOHN F. CONNOR
179
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
until 1914, when the people of Livingston county saw in his candidacy an opportunity for representation in the state senate, a body in which Livingston county had had no representative for forty-two years. Accepting the demands of his friends Mr. Newton opposed Steuben county's candidate and was nominated and elected state senator from the Forty-third Senatorial District.
Mr. Newton's ability and experience were soon appreciated when in his first year at Albany he received the signal and unique honor of being named chairman of the committee on codes, one of the most important committees in the state senate. Reelected in 1916 by a large majority Mr. Newton ended his four years in the state senate with an enviable record, having supported and personally sponsored many important bills. He drafted the Sabotage Bill, passed in 1918, providing a penalty for destruction of war materials; supported legislation for a State Guard after the National Guard had gone into the Federal service; urged patriotic instruction in the schools; voted for a state census of man power and military resources and actively supported all legislation designed to assist the men in the military service.
Mr. Newton's four years in the state senate had brought state-wide recognition as a patriotic man possessing unusual legal training and ability and he was chosen by the state republicans to become their candidate for the office of attorney-general. The ticket upon which he ran was composed of men all of whom had already served the state in the offices which they were then seeking but in spite of that Mr. Newton was nominated and elected even though the head of the ticket was defeated.
Charles D. Newton served the state as attorney-general for four years, having the distinction when reelected in 1920 of carrying every county in the state and every borough in Greater New York. At the head of the world's largest law office Mr. Newton's achievements were many, some of which will ever be a monument to his services there. Feeling that the attorney-general's office was the peoples' law office, he prepared the office for state service and all public matters, large or small through- out the state, were accepted and handled there. The Court of Claims' Calendar, where thousands of live actions were pending, was completely cleaned up and brought down to date, thus saving the state of New York many thousands of dollars.
Mr. Newton is now actively engaged in the practice of law, throughout the state, having law offices in the village of Geneseo and in the city of New York, as well as being interested in several large corporations within this state and the state of Florida.
Mr. Newton was married to Nellie A. E. Durfee of Wyoming, New York, on August 10, 1887, and their five children are: Mary Adele, wife of Lockwood F. Youngs of Detroit, Michigan; Elizabeth, wife of T. Jerome Gilmore of York, New York; Dorothy Durfee, wife of Donald M. Campbell of Detroit, Michigan; George Durfee, who served as a lieutenant in the Three Hundred and Eighth Machine Gun Battalion, Seventy-eighth Division, being gassed in the Argonne on October 16, 1918. After being discharged he finished his course at the University of Rochester, as well as the Harvard Law School, and is now in his father's law office at Geneseo. He was married to Miss Nora C. Dexter of Batavia on October 27, 1923; and Josephine, now at home in Geneseo.
WILLIAM H. PILLOW.
William H. Pillow, president and treasurer of the Corning Laundry Co. of Corning, was born in Rochester, New York, June 21, 1865, the son of William H. Pillow, Sr., and Almira (Donaldson) Pillow. He is of English descent on his father's side and Scottish on his mother's side. After attending the public schools of Rochester he entered the employ of May Brothers, nurserymen, and later became cashier for Chase Brothers, another nursery firm, holding this position for five years. From 1900 to 1907 he worked for the A. T. Hagen Company, manufacturers of laundry machinery and then came to Corning and bought out the Hickey laundry and organized a stock company under the name of the Corning Laundry Co. E. F. Pillow is vice president and K. O. Pillow is secretary of this concern. The business has grown with the years, under Mr. Pillow's careful management, and now serves the community well and in turn enjoys a large patronage.
William H. Pillow takes a lively interest in public affairs. He is a member of Painted Post Masonic Lodge No. 117; Corning Chapter, No. 190, R. A. M .; Corning Consistory; and Kalurah Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Binghamton, and of the Ro- tary Club. He is a republican in politics and was alderman in Corning from 1919 to
180
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
1923. He is a great lover of sports and especially hunting and fishing, being President of the Corning Fish and Game Club. Mr. Pillow was formerly Measurer of the Rochester Yacht Club and he has been active in that organization. He keeps up a fine cottage on Keuka Lake where he loves to spend a holiday away from business cares. Mr. Pillow was president of the Corning Business Men's Association when the Cham- ber of Commerce was organized, and he took an active part in its organization.
Mr. Pillow was married on June 10, 1891, to Kathryn Ocumpaugh of Rochester, New York, and they have five children: Edith G., Estelle O. (now Mrs. Edwin T. Janks of Painted Post), Helen M., Marion E., and Kathryn L. Mr. Pillow has had a busy life and has known the value of hard work but through his ability and upright adherence to principle, has made a success in things worth while-a happy home, numerous friends and a flourishing business.
WILLIAM FREDERICK SCHWARTZ.
William Frederick Schwartz, engaged in the sheet metal and roofing business in Rochester, has wisely profited by the opportunities afforded in his native city, which he considers a most desirable place of residence, and his success is the merited reward of concentrated effort, directed along useful lines. He was born July 11, 1880, and is a son of John Carl and Minnie (Heidemann) Schwartz, both natives of Germany. As young people they immigrated to the United States, settling in Rochester, and for several years the father was associated in business with George Thompson. Subsequently he was appointed foreman of the Rochester public market and filled that position until January 1, 1923, ably fulfilling the trust reposed in him. He is now living retired in Rochester but the mother passed away in this city in November, 1922.
William Frederick Schwartz' public school training was supplemented by home study, and his knowledge of the sheet metal and roofing business was gained in the employ of C. W. Trotter and John S. McConnell of Rochester, in whose service he remained for eighteen years. In February, 1921, he started out for himself, meeting with success in the venture, and is now conducting a prosperous business, developed by careful management and well matured plans. The business is operated under the name of William F. Schwartz & Son and is a close corporation. Mr. Schwartz is president of the business and in his chosen line of work has acquired the skill which results from years of experience and unremitting application. On the 5th of January, 1899, Mr. Schwartz was married to Miss Magdalena Kessler, a daughter of Anton and Margaret Kessler, members of a prominent family of Rochester. To Mr. and Mrs. Schwartz has been born a son: William J. Schwartz, whose natal year was November 21, 1900. He completed a high school course and is now a member of the firm organized by his father. In 1923 he was married to Miss Helen Sullivan, also a native of this city. Mr. Schwartz is a member of the Master Sheet Metal Workers Association of Rochester and the local builders Exchange. He supports every project for civic betterment, and merits and receives the respect of his fellowmen, for high principles have guided him in every relation of life. His residence is at No. 135 Keller street.
MYRON WESLEY GREENE.
Myron Wesley Greene, banker, municipal bond merchant, executor and trustee of estates, with an established reputation for ability and efficiency in fiduciary capa- cities, was born in Rush, Monroe county, New York, November 26, 1864, a son of Ira W. and Hester Ann (Ruliffson) Greene. In both the paternal and maternal lines Myron W. Greene comes from old and prominent families. His maternal line is traced back to Laurens Ruliffson Copenhagen, Denmark, Europe, 1689, while his paternal line is traced to John Greene, who settled in Quidnessett, Rhode Island, in 1639, and was the American progenitor of the family. He was a descendant of Sir Henry Greene, lord chief justice of England. The line of descent is through his son, also named John; his son John, who married Ann Hill; their son Nathan, who mar- ried Huldah Bowen; their son Jabez, who married Abigail Wilcox; their son Nathan, who married Mariah Greene, a descendant of John Greene of Warwick, to which line General Nathanael Greene belonged. Nathan Greene was grandfather to Myron
MYRON W. GREENE
183
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
Wesley Greene. In the War of the Revolution Samuel Greene of Rhode Island, sent eight sons into the conflict, a record no one else ever equalled, and Joseph Greene of New York, volunteer, twelve years old, was the youngest soldier of the same war. The Greene family so closely identified with the early history of Rhode Island, has enjoyed more state and civic honors than any other family within its borders, there being more Greenes in the state than of any other name whatever. Mr. Greene's father, Ira W. Greene (1832-1905), for a long period conducted business as a farmer and propagator of new field seeds, dealer in livestock, coal and produce, was in Eagle Bank, Rochester, New York, 1850 to 1853, which merged into the Traders National Bank and whose father was one of the first stockholders. He married Hester Ann Ruliffson (1835-1866). He was a man of distinguished presence and commanding in- fluence in politics and religious affairs. For twenty-five years he served as super- intendent of the Sunday school and president of the board of trustees of the Rush Methodist Episcopal church. He was the first lay secretary of the Genesee confer- ence of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Myron Wesley Greene was graduated at the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary of Lima, New York, in 1887. He became an active member of the Genesee Lyceum So- ciety and later became president of the board of trustees. He is treasurer of the Alumni Gymnasium Association of the Seminary and was president of the Alumni Association from 1910 to 1915. His interest in the seminary was further evidenced by the fact that he maintained a scholarship prize, given to members of the Lyceum Society for public speaking. In 1887 he entered Syracuse University, where he pur- sued a scientific course, and the following year matriculated at Williams College in the class of 1890.
Upon the completion of his education Mr. Greene entered the Bank of Honeoye Falls, New York, where he remained until 1892, when he became connected with the Rochester Trust & Safe Deposit Company, and for two years while there acted as settling clerk in the clearing house, during which time he gained a reputation for accuracy unequaled, never having made a single error. With that company he con- tinued until 1899. He then established on his own account a private banking and investment business, dealing in government and municipal bonds, and as a financier has won a reputation for keen discernment and sound judgment.
Mr. Greene was one of the organizers and charter members of the Investment Bankers Association of North America in 1912; a member of the Zeta Psi fraternity of North America, of which he was grand officer in 1909-10, during which time he visited nearly all important colleges in United States and Canada, presiding at the international convention in San Francisco in 1910, and in every state in the Union; from coast to coast twice, through the United States and Canada, also Bermuda, Porto Rico and Cuba, traveling upwards of forty thousand miles, and delivering numerous public addresses; one of the organizers and president of the Zeta Psi Alumni Association of Rochester, New York, since the date of its organization in 1905. He was president of the Ruliffson-Wells Family Association, 1914-1915; vice president of the Greene Family Association, 1913 to 1915, and president since 1923; vice president of the Williams College Alumni Association of Rochester, New York, since 1913 and president-1925; author, Greene Family Genealogy, 1639-1891; director, National Casket Company, 1920-1921. He is a republican in politics and a Presby- terian in religious belief. His clubs are: Rochester and International Rotary; Zeta Psi (New York); Williams College (New York); and he is also a member of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce. He belongs to the Frank R. Lawrence Lodge, No. 797, F. & A. M., and Hamilton Chapter, No. 62, Royal Arch Masons. He is a worthy representative of an honored family, patriotic in his devotion to American in- terests, and loyal in his support of those measures and movements which he deems beneficial to the city, government or nation. 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 efforts have been resultant factors in about everything he has undertaken. Mr. Greene's biography has been published in Who's Who in America, 1922-1925; in National Cyclopedia of American Biography, 1914; History of Monroe County, New York, 1908. His connection with the banking interests of Rochester is the continuation of a long and honorable identification with such inter- ests that the Greene name has had for nearly three-quarters of a century.
Mr. Greene was married April 27, 1900, to Nancy Laura, daughter of George W. Lancaster of Leadville, Colorado. His large number of children (as American families are found at the present time) have claimed a large part of his time and attention, with hope of rearing the next generation which might prove an improvement on the previous one or the opportunity of so shaping or projecting into the lives of those for
184
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
whom he is directly responsible, those ideals which have been formed from the ex- perience of a lifetime and which he deems the greatest work in which man is privi- leged to engage. The measure of success is best expressed by the results thus far obtained, the first aim being the laying of a strong physical foundation upon which to rear a mental and moral structure.
His eldest, Lancaster Myron Greene, born February 21, 1901, being six feet, two, having graduated from preparatory school in a student body of two thousand, was chosen by the faculty as standard-bearer based upon scholarship and character; won a state scholarship and a silver cup in his freshman year at Williams College, Massachusetts, awarded by the faculty for excellency in scholarship and athletic im- provement; graduated in the class of 1923; now in the investment banking business, Wall street, New York city; Norvin Ruliffson Greene, born September 13, 1902, height six feet, one, graduated from the same preparatory school, under the same conditions, one year after, also as standard-bearer; won a state scholarship; was editor-in-chief of the school publication, having a circulation upwards of two thou- sand; graduate of Williams College, Massachusetts, class of 1924. During his senior year in college he edited and published an illustrated book descriptive of Williams- town and the Mohawk trail, which was copyrighted and from which a substantial sum of money was derived, sufficient to enable him to begin his business career without further assistance and the unused balance he carefully invested in securities. He is now in the investment banking business, Wall street district, New York city; Zeta Priscilla Greene, born March 2, 1904, entered Smith College, Northampton, Massachu- setts class of 1926; now in the University of Colorado, also graduated from the same preparatory school with the highest honors, having tied for the Vassar Cup: Nathan Ira Greene, born March 6, 1906, height six feet, two, was business manager of the preparatory school paper at the age of sixteen, which exceeded its previous record in point of circulation and advertising space taken under his personal solicitation and which publication won a silver cup in Eastern States Interscholastic Press Associa- tion convention held in Ithaca, New York, in 1922. He was awarded the "Yale Cup" voted by his class associates in a student body of twenty-five hundred, based on scholarship and character and having done the most for the school in its various ac- tivities during his four years in the high school. He entered Bowdoin College, Bruns- wick, Maine, class of 1928; only freshman member of the College Glee Club; Myron W. Greene (II), born November 1, 1911, now in junior high school, bids fair to equal his brothers. Mr. Greene's residence is at No. 256 Dartmouth street, Rochester, New York.
HON. JOHN BEACH ABBOTT.
The oldest practicing member of the bar of Livingston county is Hon. John B. Abbott of Geneseo and Rochester, New York. He was born at Dansville, Livingston county, New York, on December 31, 1854, a son of A. J. and Mary (Beach) Abbott. His father, Adoniram Judson Abbott, was born in Leicester, Livingston county, New York, when that was a town of Genesee county, on October 28, 1819, he was a leading lawyer of Livingston county for nearly fifty years and died there on April 8, 1898.
Judge Abbott's paternal grandfather, Calvin Danielson Abbott, was a resident of Leicester, Livingston county, when the county was formed in 1821 and for some years before and after that date. He was born at Brimfield, Massachusetts, on Janu- ary 26, 1785, and died at Bedford, Ohio, on March 31, 1871. He worked as a carpenter on the first Livingston county court house and jail; he participated in the engagements on the western frontier of New York in the War of 1812, as a soldier from Genesee county.
Judge Abbott's paternal great-grandfather, Henry Abbott, was born at Brimfield, Massachusetts, in 1749, and died there on July 31, 1797. He served eight months in the Continental army of the Revolution in 1775. He was at Ticonderoga with that army in March, 1777, and served with it for three years from that date. In January and February, 1787, he was with the Massachusetts troops opposing Henry Shay at Springfield, Massachusetts, in Shay's Rebellion. Shay subsequently died and was buried in the town of Sparta, Livingston county, New York.
John Beach Abbott began his education in the public schools of Livingston county, continued at the Geneseo Academy and the State Normal School and finished at the University of Rochester. After leaving the University, Judge Abbott returned to Geneseo and began his training for the legal profession by reading law in the office of his father. He was admitted to the bar in 1880 and has practiced ever since at
HON. JOHN B. ABBOTT
187
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
Geneseo and Rochester. At Rochester, Judge Abbott is associated with Harlan W. Rippey, under the firm name of Abbott & Rippey. The firm enjoys an excellent gen- eral practice in that city, while Judge Abbott also maintains an office at Geneseo.
Judge Abbott was appointed county judge and surrogate of Livingston county by Governor Glynn in 1914, to fill a vacancy occasioned by the death of Judge William Carter, and he served for a short time, until his successor was elected. In addition to his law practice he is the editor and president of the Livingston Democrat, a weekly paper published at Geneseo, and has been for thirty-eight years.
Judge Abbott was married on August 29, 1878, to Louisa M. Schmitz of Le Roy, New York. Judge Abbott is a member of the Livingston County Bar Association, of which he has been president for fifteen years and also of the New York State Bar Association and the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. He has been president of the Board of Education of the Union Free School of his village for more than twenty years and a member of the local board of the Geneseo State Normal School for the last five years. He is a democrat in politics and has been three times the candidate of his party for justice of the supreme court of the state of New York.
WILLIAM J. MACFARLANE.
William J. MacFarlane, Canandaigua's popular mayor, is giving to the city a progressive and businesslike administration characterized by many measures of advancement and reform. His private business interests are those of a successful theater owner, and it was in September, 1921, that he organized a stock company known as Canandaigua Theaters, Incorporated. He was born in the province of Ontario, Canada, on the 28th of May, 1883, his parents being James and Mary C. (Dodds) MacFarlane, who are widely known and respected residents of Canandaigua.
William J. MacFarlane attended the grammar and high schools in the acquire- ment of an education and after putting aside his textbooks secured a position as a bank clerk in Canandaigua. Subsequently he turned his attention to the book and stationery business, which claimed his time and energies for sixteen years. On the expiration of that period he became identified with the motion picture business by forming a partnership with his father, with whom he was associated until Septem- ber, 1921. At that date he organized a stock company known as Canandaigua Theaters, Incorporated. The Playhouse of Canandaigua, built by Mr. MacFarlane, is one of the most modern and attractive motion picture theaters of western New York. Mr. MacFarlane is affiliated with the Associated Theaters, Incorporated, of East Rochester, New York.
In 1910 Mr. MacFarlane was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Wheaton of Canandaigua, who has appeared in concert work as an accomplished musician. Mr. and Mrs. MacFarlane are the parents of two children: Elsie K. and Jean M. The religious faith of Mr. MacFarlane is that of the Congregational church, while frater- nally he is known as a Knights Templar Mason and he has crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has membership in the Rotary Club, of which he is musical director. As an instrumentalist of high rank he has gained most favorable recogni- tion. As mayor of Canandaigua he is laboring most earnestly to direct public senti- ment in behalf of general progress and advancement, endeavoring at every step to meet the city's growing needs.
WILL S. TRIMMER, M. D.
There were many difficulties to be overcome before he could obtain a medical education, so Will S. Trimmer, when a young man, set himself the task of surmounting them. Difficulties only spur him to greater efforts. He gained the education and is one of the leading physicians of Livonia, Livingston county, New York, where he applies to disease the methods that obtained his education, and the more difficult the case appears the more determined Dr. Trimmer is to overcome it. He has been suc- cessful so often when the issue seemed hopeless that he has today one of the largest practices in the village and a reputation that has carried his name to far distances. He was born on June 6, 1861, at Honeoye, New York, the son of William H. and Emme- line (Gould) Trimmer. The Trimmers are of German origin, the grandfather of the
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.