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 29
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Chauncey B. Hammond was a pupil in the district school near his home and continued his studies in the high school at Elmira. His first position was that of clerk in a coal office and his salary was five dollars per week. He next became private secretary to his uncle, Jacob L. Greatsinger, president of the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company, and for six years he was employed in that capacity. On the expira- tion of that period he returned to the Chemung Valley with his uncle, who built the Elmira, Corning & Waverly Electric Railway in 1909, and has since been con- nected with the line. He now acts as general agent for the company, with headquart- ers in Elmira.
On June 24, 1914, Mr. Hammond was married to Miss Louise Phillips, one of Elmira's native daughters and member of a well known family of the city. They are affiliated with Trinity Episcopal church and in politics Mr. Hammond is a re- publican. He is connected with the York and Scottish Rites in Masonry and holds office in the Grand Chapter. He has served as presiding officer of all the York Rite bodies and also belongs to the Shrine and Grotto. He is a Rotarian and the nature of his recreation is indicated by his membership in the Elmira Golf & Country Club. Mr. Hammond resides near Elmira on the old homestead, which is owned by his mother.
B. FRANK CULVER.
The door of opportunity is ever open to the alert, and the ratio of progress of each individual is in direct proportion to his enterprise and ability. Along the line of constructive effort B. Frank Culver has directed his activities and in the fullness of time he has reaped the rich harvest of his labors and also the aftermath. He is the founder and head of the largest engraving business in this section of the country and Rochester numbers him among its substantial business men and valuable citizens. He was born in Medina, New York, March 9, 1872, a son of William E. and Addie (Sabin) Culver of Newark, New York. The father engaged in the printing business and established the Fairport Herald, making it one of the best papers in that section of the state. He was a trenchant, forceful writer and made the Herald the champion of every movement destined to prove of benefit to his community and commonwealth. He continued to conduct the paper until his death. The mother has also passed away.
B. Frank Culver attended the public schools of Fairport until he reached the age of fifteen and then became an employe in his father's office, with which he was connected for a year. He next entered the United States Naval Academy at Annap- olis, but after two years of hard study decided to abandon the career of a naval officer and went to Louisville, Kentucky, where he spent three years, having charge of the stockroom of the R. L. Stevens Shoe Company. On the expiration of that period Mr. Culver came to Rochester and secured a position in the mechanical depart- ment of the Democrat-Chronicle. He remained in the service of that paper for three years and then organized the Culver Engraving Company, beginning with a small capital and gradually extending the scope of his operations until he has outdistanced many of his competitors in the field. He has a splendidly equipped plant and no job is too large for the firm to handle. It does all of the engraving for the Demo- crat-Chronicle, in addition to a large volume of outside business, and the work turned out by the firm is first-class in every particular. Mr. Culver is president and treas- urer of the company and his administrative powers enable him to conduct the business on the most efficient basis, eliminating all unnecessary waste.
On the 14th of February, 1900, Mr. Culver was united in marriage to Miss Bertha H. Anderson of Rochester, and they have become the parents of four children: Ruth, now Mrs. George Hafner; William E., Virginia and Leah, all of whom are natives of Rochester. Mr. Culver is an Elk and a Knights Templar Mason. He has taken the thirty-second degree in the consistory and is also a Shriner. He is a member of the Shrine Club, the Rochester Automobile and Ad Clubs, and also belongs to the Chamber of Commerce, the Royal Order of Jesters and the Sons of Veterans. He gives his political support to the republican party and has never sought to evade the
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duties and obligations of life, discharging the former promptly and efficiently and meeting the latter in the fullest degree. His residence is at No. 171 Brooks avenue, where he built a home in 1903.
MONROE D. BAKER.
For more than a half century the name of Baker has figured prominently in business circles of Morris and the work begun by the father has been continued by the son, Monroe D. Baker, who is worthily sustaining the traditions of the family. He was born in Nelson, Madison county, New York, January 25, 1859, and his parents, Anson M. and Cecelia (Dana) Baker, were also natives of that county, the latter being a daughter of Federal Dana. Anson Monroe Baker was born in 1830 and in 1868 established his home in Mount Morris, where he spent the remainder of his life. He embarked in the carriage and implement business, in which he was very successful, and also followed surveying. His demise occurred on the 29th of Septem- ber, 1910, when he had reached the age of eighty years. He stood high in business circles of the community and was a man of substantial worth, honor and integrity being the keynote of his character.
Monroe D. Baker was a boy of nine when his parents settled in Mount Morris and here he attended the public schools, afterward becoming a student at the Geneseo Normal School, from which he was graduated with the class of 1881. Later he entered the University of Michigan, which awarded him the A. B. degree in 1886, and on his return to Mount Morris he formed a partnership with his father. The business is still operated under the firm name of A. M. Baker & Son and is one of the oldest and largest enterprises of the kind in this part of the county. Mr. Baker learned surveying with his father, and by practice and study has become one of the well known civil engineers and land surveyors of western New York, being a licensed professional engineer and surveyor of the state of New York.
In 1895 Monroe D. Baker was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte A. Goode of Mount Morris, and their personal qualities are such as inspire strong and enduring friendship. Mr. Baker attends the Episcopal church and his political support is given to the republican party. He is keenly interested in everything that touches the welfare of his community but has never aspired to public office, preferring to remain in the background, and possesses many sterling traits of character, as his fellow citizens attest.
LEMUEL A. JEFFREYS.
Lemuel A. Jeffreys, one of the oldest and most prominent funeral directors of Rochester, was called to the home beyond on March 24, 1917, the day prior to his sixty-fifth birthday. He was born on the 25th of March, 1852, and received his edu- cation in the public schools and the Saterlee Collegiate Institute of the city. Follow- ing his graduation, he became associated with the Jeffreys' undertaking business, which was established on State street in 1854, becoming manager in a short time and finally president and treasurer of the leading undertaking establishment of Rochester, under the style of The L. A. Jeffreys Company, Incorporated, and remain- ing the head of the corporation until his demise.
The following tribute to Mr. Jeffreys by Algernon S. Crapsey, dated St. Louis, Missouri, April 7, 1917, was sent to the editor of the Rochester Democrat and Chron- icle: "It is with a deep sense of personal loss that I read in your columns of the death of Lemuel A. Jeffreys. Associated with him for many years in the conduct of services for the dead, I came to have for him a feeling of admiration and a reverence such as few men in my experience have commanded. In the delicate duties devolving upon him, Mr. Jeffreys was guided by a tender heart and fine sensibilities. He was never professional, but always human. One had never to wince at any word or action of his. As he was in his public so was he in his private life, a gentleman always, considerate, kind, courteous. I should do violence to my own feelings and wound the heart of my wife if I did not thus publicly express our gratitude to Mr. Jeffreys for the comfort he gave us in the times of our bereavement."
Mr. Jeffreys served on the New York state board of embalming examiners and was appointed a commissioner of Mount Hope cemetery by George Aldridge. The following resolutions were adopted at a special meeting of the Mount Hope cemetery
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commission when the news of Mr. Jeffreys' demise was received: "It is with a pro- found sense of personal sorrow that the remaining commissioners of Mount Hope cemetery meet to pay tribute to our late colleague, Lemuel A. Jeffreys, who has been suddenly called away. For the past five years he had guarded the city's interest and served the lot owners with untiring faithfulness, zeal and watchfulness, giving of his time and thought, and no man was ever better fitted to fill the position, he having been in close touch with Mount Hope cemetery for the past fifty years, his business keeping him in almost daily contact, and he took great pride in that fact. He was prompt in his attendance at every meeting for the time he served as a commissioner, kind and courteous to his associate commissioners and just to all the employes en- gaged in carrying on the work. It is the desire of his fellow commissioners to place upon their records this evidence of their sorrow and their loss. We extend to his family our warmest sympathy."
Mr. Jeffreys was a member of the old Polly Ann Fire Company, was chosen president of the Rochester Active Hose Company in 1879 and was likewise connected with the Volunteer Firemen's Association. His political support was given to the republican party and fraternally he was identified with the Masonic order, belonging to Yonnondio Lodge, No. 163, F. & A. M .; Hamilton Chapter, No. 62, R. A. M .; Monroe Commandery, No. 12, K. T .; Rochester Consistory, A. & A. S. R .; and Damascus Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. While he never sought nor held office in any of the organizations, he was an earnest worker in the interest of the fraternity. He was one of the original members of the famous drill corps of Monroe Commandery. Charity played an important part in the life of "Lem" Jeffreys, as he was known to his intimate friends. He was instrumental in aiding many young men to get a start in life, and many business men of today owe their success to the assistance re- ceived from him. The following is an excerpt from a review of his career, which appeared in a local publication at the time of his death: "Mr. Jeffreys was always of a quiet nature but was always foremost in any charitable work and active in the civic life of Rochester. He had a cheery disposition and made many warm friends in and about the city. One of the outstanding figures among his closer friendships was the late Colonel William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill), who never made a trip to Rochester that he did not make it the occasion of renewing this close friendship."
On the 24th of April, 1912, Mr. Jeffreys was united in marriage to Martha Dyson Hawley, who survives him and makes her home at No. 30 Chestnut street in Roches- ter, in which city the circle of her friends is an extensive one.
JOHN PALMER DAY.
John Palmer Day, district sales manager for the National City Company, with headquarters in Rochester, has filled this responsible office for the past ten years, and his business career has been marked by continuous progress, for thoroughness and devotion to duty are his salient characteristics. He was born in Brooklyn, Connecti- cut, April 20, 1884, and his parents, Albert P. and Helen M. (Palmer) Day, were also born in that state. The father is a native of Brooklyn, while the mother's birth occurred in Canterbury. The latter is deceased. Albert P. Day is president of the Riverside Trust Company of Hartford, Connecticut, of which he was one of the founders, and he also has important industrial interests in that city, being a man of large affairs and keen business discernment.
John Palmer Day completed his education in the Hartford high school and sub- sequently embarked in the coal business as a wholesale and retail merchant. For three years he conducted the business and after disposing of the undertaking he became connected with a Wall street brokerage house, with which he remained for a few years. He next entered the service of the brokerage firm of Spencer, Trask & Company as their traveling representative in the Genesee valley and became a resident of Rochester in 1912. He remained with that house until 1914, when he assumed the duties of his present office, and the success which has since attended the activities of the National City Company in the Genesee valley is eloquent of his capacity for such service. They are investment bankers and Mr. Day's connection with the firm has resulted advantageously to the company, for his broad experience in financial affairs is supplemented by executive force and mature judgment.
In Rochester, on April 7, 1918, Mr. Day was married to Miss Catherine Curtis, who was born in 1893 and is a daughter of Wendell J. and Margaret B. (Robey) Curtis. Her father is secretary and treasurer of the Mechanics Savings Bank of
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Rochester, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Day have become the parents of two children: Margaret Helen, who was born January 6, 1919; and John Palmer, Jr., born January 5, 1921. Both are natives of this city.
Mr. Day is identified with the Ad Club of Rochester and is chairman of one of its committees. His civic spirit finds expression in his membership in the Rochester . Chamber of Commerce and for a year he served as chairman of the entertainment committee. He is also connected with the Rochester Historical Society and the Roches- ter Country Club and his religious views are in accord with the doctrines of the Unitarian church. In the varied responsibilities of life Mr. Day has acquitted him- self with dignity, fidelity and honor and has won as his reward the approbation and esteem of his fellowmen.
JOHN H. BURKE, M. D.
Dr. John H. Burke has won a well-merited reputation as an able, conscientious physician and for two decades has successfully followed his profession in Dans- ville. He was born in Belfast, Allegany county, New York, December 18, 1883, and is a son of James E. and Elizabeth (O'Mara) Burke, who are also natives of the Empire state. Seven children were born to them, three sons and four daughters, of whom one son and one daughter have passed away.
After completing a course in the public schools John H. Burke attended the Genesee Valley Seminary, and his medical training was received in the University of Buffalo, from which he received the M. D. degree in 1904. He devoted a year to hospital work in Buffalo and began his independent professional career in Dansville, where he has since resided, with office at No. 241 Main street. He has never lost the attitude of a student toward his profession and in 1918 spent some time in the New York Post Graduate Hospital, while in 1920 he took a course at the Roosevelt Hospital of that city. He is a specialist in diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat and has successfully treated many cases of that nature, his skill being attested by the large practice accorded him.
On August 9, 1905, Dr. Burke was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Heck- man and they have become the parents of six children: Charles, John, James, William, Paul and Elizabeth. The Doctor is a communicant of St. Patrick's Catholic church and is also a Knight of Columbus. He gives his political support to the republican party and his professional connections are with the Livingston County and New York State Medical Societies and the American Medical Association. He is keenly interested in the scientific and humanitarian phases of his work and with progress as his watchword he has constantly advanced in the field of professional service.
HARVEY WILBUR GRAVES.
The permanence and growth of a business is measured by its usefulness and the character of service it gives. For thirty-five years the H. B. Graves Company has stood for all that is highest and best in the ideals of merchandising, and steady progress decade after decade is proof of the quality of service rendered as well as the essential nature of its functions.
Harvey Baker Graves was born May 4, 1855, near Saratoga Springs, New York, a son of Horatio and Betsy (Mason) Graves, and he received a public school educa- tion. He is the executive head of the H. B. Graves Company, which owes its inception and growth to his powers of organization and administration, and he also serves as president of the Sunny Isles Ocean Beach Company of Miami, Florida. A man of broad vision, advanced ideas and philanthropic nature, he established a profit-sharing system with his employes in 1901, being among the first to adopt this plan, which has since been followed by the foremost business men of the country with the most satisfactory results. Mr. Graves is a leader in enterprises for civic betterment and acts as vice president of the First Ward Improvement Association, while his name also appears on the directorate of the Highland Hospital. He is conscientious in the discharge of his moral obligations and is one of the trustees of the Westminster Presbyterian church. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and was formerly a director of that organization, the Rochester Historical Society, the Ad Club, the Rochester Club and the American Civic Association. Having passed the sixty-ninth
DR. JOHN H. BURKE
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milestone on life's journey, Mr. Graves is enjoying a well earned period of leisure, although he still supervises his business interests, and spends the winter months either in California or Florida. On November 29, 1879, he was married to Miss Charlotte A. Bosworth of Bergen, New York, and they became the parents of eight children, four of whom are living: Harvey Wilbur of this review; Emma L .; Frances, who is the wife of William R. Lakeman; and Ruth E.
Harvey Wilbur Graves was born in Rochester, October 30, 1885, and received his elementary training in the public schools and afterward attended the University of Rochester, completing his education in Dartmouth College, from which he was graduated in 1909. Under the able guidance of his father he gained a comprehensive knowledge of the furniture trade and is now serving as secretary and manager of the business, to the success of which he has contributed in notable measure.
This business was founded in 1889 by Harvey B. Graves and was first located on upper State street, about opposite the present site of the car barns. The building was five stories in height, sixteen and two-thirds feet wide and about ninety feet deep. At the end of the first year the frontage was increased threefold by the addition of two stores from the Hayden building on the north. At the close of the third year the business was moved down the street near the four corners, occupying the Sage property at Nos. 116-118 State street. A year later two additional floors were rented in the adjoining Potter building and another year developed the need of ware- house room for stock storage, which was obtained by the purchase of the brick build- ing at Nos. 68-72 Mill street, still used by the company as warehouse No. 1.
In January, 1899, the Field buildings at State, Market and Mill streets were purchased and a fifth story was added. A new Sturdevant heating plant, a new plumbing system and new elevators were installed. One of the innovations included in the remodeling of these substantial buildings was the interior light court, which is still one of the attractive and decorative features of the building. With the need for more storage space, developed by the rapid growth of the business, a large rein- forced concrete warehouse on lots adjoining warehouse No. 1 was erected in 1909. This is known as warehouse No. 2. With the erection of this building, receiving, shipping and service workrooms were transferred from the main store building, so that this building is now devoted entirely to the display and sale of home furnishings, with the exception of the small space occupied by the offices on the rear main floor.
The present store building contains over sixty-eight thousand square feet of floor display space, which makes it one of the largest furniture stores in the country. A remarkable feature of this display is that there are practically no two pieces alike shown in the store building. All duplicate stock is carried in one of the three ad- joining warehouses on Mill street, which now house this important end of the business.
One of the decorative features of the Graves store is that built around the rear light court of the fifth floor. This section with its white colonial columns, arches, clinging vines and decorative palms and flowers has been aptly called "Summerland." During the warm weather all kinds of summer and garden furniture is displayed here. In the fall and winter season the equally attractive indoor wicker, willow and fiber furniture with its gay upholstering, is displayed in this attractive space.
The Graves store has become a sort of permanent Better Homes Exposition for residents of Rochester and western New York, with its two attractive suites of furnished rooms. These rooms are open to the inspection of visitors at all times. With the frequent changes made in their furnishing they are always a reliable index to what is new and correct in home furnishings. In June, 1914, the business was incorporated with the following officers: Harvey B. Graves, president; Ralph B. Southgate, vice president; H. Wilbur Graves, secretary; and Perry S. Smith, treasurer.
The Graves store was one of the first in Rochester to inaugurate a profit-sharing plan with employes. Each employe who has been with the concern two years or more participates in this profit-sharing plan. A sick and death benefit fund is also main- tained, which gives half pay during disability from sickness or accident. All mem- bers share in this without any payment on their part. Group life insurance is also carried for the benefit of the employes, and all under sixty years af age receive a policy for five hundred dollars after the first four months of continuous service. This is automatically increased one hundred dollars each year for the next five years of continuous service.
The growth and success of the business may be largely accounted for in the principles of service and square dealing which were well set forth by the president, Harvey B. Graves, in a talk at one of the recent annual dinners for the employes. Mr. Graves said: "Guiding principles have much to do with the growth and success
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of any business. We all appreciate that our ideals have never been fully realized and that standards will change from period to period, as we may enlarge our vision of the possibilities of a store in attaining the highest degree of success and usefulness. Service rendered is the measure of success for every business, as well as for every individual. Our constant aim has been and shall be to perfect our service to the com- munity. Every member of our organization has his or her part in this achievement. "Every business transaction, to be successful, must be to the mutual advantage of all who have part in it. Our customer is our client. We must study his interest and serve it with the greatest courtesy and most painstaking, intelligent effort. 'Many a mickle makes a muckle' is a proverb as applicable to business as to the household. Untiring effort to see that every detail of work is perfectly performed and that all waste of time and material and unnecessary expense is avoided, lies at the foundation of success.
"Let us in the future hold to and endeavor to improve upon all that has helped in the building up of this business. May the spirit and atmosphere of our store breathe good fellowship and friendly cooperation, for the good of our individual progress, the increasing welfare of the business and the interest of the public whom we serve."
On June 23, 1913, H. Wilbur Graves was married to Miss Margaret C. Malloy, a daughter of John F. Malloy, a prominent citizen of Rochester. The children of this union are four in number, namely: Ruth Elizabeth, who was born April 8, 1914; Marjorie Ann, whose birth occurred June 11, 1915; Jean Eleanor, born October 10, 1916; and Dorothy Charlotte, whose natal day was July 7, 1918.
Mr. Graves is president of the Retail Furniture Dealers Association of Rochester and a director of the American Retail Furniture Dealers Association and the American Homes Bureau. He is also a director of the Rochester Better Business Bureau. He is a member of the Rochester Ad Club, the Automobile Club, the Old Colony Club and the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Mr. Graves is a Presbyterian and has membership relations with Westminster church of that denomination.
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