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 30
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RALPH TUNIS COE.
Early in life Ralph Tunis Coe became deeply interested in mechanical pursuits, in which he found a congenial field, for the exercise of his ability, and gradually in- creasing the scope of his operations as the years have passed, he has at length become widely known throughout the Genesee country as a heating and ventilating engineer of broad experience and superior ability. Rochester numbers Mr. Coe among its foremost business men and with the exception of about ten years he has made his home within the borders of the Empire state. He was born in Medina, New York, November 29, 1882, and is a son of Frank L. and Lillian G. (Bates) Coe, who are also natives of this state. The father was born in Yates Center and the mother's birth occurred at Adams Basin. For many years Frank L. Coe engaged in farming near Medina and now lives retired in the village. Mr. and Mrs. Coe have become the parents of three children: Ivan B. (Blower Systems Corporation), and Ralph Tunis, both residents of Rochester; and C. Le Roy, auditor of plants for the General Motors Company, whose home is in Detroit, Michigan.
Ralph Tunis Coe obtained his education in the public schools of Buffalo, New York, and first became an employe of the Buffalo Forge Company, in whose service he remained for nine years, becoming an expert mechanic. He then tendered his resigna- tion and went to Detroit, Michigan, with the American Blower Company, and later organized the Canadian Sirocco Company, Limited, erecting a plant in Windsor, Canada, on the opposite side of the Detroit river. Mr. Coe served as manager of the business for three years, building up a large industry. On the expiration of that period he came to Rochester and established the R. T. Coe Companies, heating and ventilating engineers. The firm has been awarded many important contracts and operates throughout western New York, occupying a position of leadership in the field in which it specializes. Mr. Coe has thoroughly studied every question bearing upon the business, so that he is prepared to meet every contingency, and his plans are well formulated and promptly executed.
In Buffalo, New York, November 29, 1904, Mr. Coe was united in marriage to Miss Ruth G. Mansfield, a daughter of the late Charles C. Mansfield of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Coe have two children: Fay Elizabeth, who was born in Detroit, Mich- igan, April 5, 1908, and is a member of the senior class of the West high school of Rochester; and Ada Bethine, who was born in Detroit April 16, 1911, and is a senior
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in the Madison Junior high school and editor of the school magazine. Both are active members of the Children of the American Revolution.
Mr. Coe is a member of the Warren C. Hubbard Lodge of Masons and has taken Hamilton Chapter and the Knights Templar degree in the York Rite, while in the Scottish Rite he has attained the thirty-second degree, and is a Damascus Temple Shriner. He is identified with the Rochester Engineering Society and the American Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers and is a. past president of the Western New York Chapter of the latter organization. He is also connected with the Na- tional Association of Stationary Engineers, the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, the Washington Club, the Ad Club, the Rochester Yacht Club and the Automobile Club of this city, and is likewise a Rotarian. His religious affiliations are with the West- minster Presbyterian church. He is a self-made man whose advancement in life has been achieved by following well defined lines of action, and is deserving of high commendation for the intelligent manner in which he has adapted his inherent talents to the utilization of his opportunities. His residence is at No. 235 Chili avenue, corner of Rugby avenue.
HENRY PHILLIP NEUN.
Henry Phillip Neun, a lifelong resident and leading citizen of Rochester, long occupied an enviable position in business circles as proprietor of the paper box manu- factory conducted under his name and was also prominently identified with a num- ber of other important industries of the city. He was born May 30, 1869, and had reached the age of fifty-three years when called to his final rest on September 24, 1922. His parents were John and Dorothea (Schubert) Neun, both of whom were natives of Bavaria, Germany. They came to the United States in 1854, locating in Rochester, New York. The father was engaged in the manufacture of patent medi- cines as a chemist for ten years. At the end of that period he accepted a position as foreman in a perfume manufactory, with which he was connected for thirteen years. He then began the manufacture of paper boxes on a small scale in 1880, under the name of John Neun. He was alone in business until 1889, when he admitted his son, Henry Phillip, to partnership, and business was then conducted under the firm style of John Neun & Son until 1894, when he retired and turned the business over to his son. Under the able management of both father and son this enterprise steadily grew until it became one of the most important industries of the city, employ- ment being furnished to about two hundred and twenty-five persons. The plant is located at Nos. 131-141 North Water street, is a four-story building with a basement and contains forty-seven thousand square feet of floor space. The product of the factory finds a ready market in all parts of the United States. John Neun, the founder of this enterprise, spent his last years in ease and quiet, enjoying the fruits of his former toil. Both he and his wife were highly respected and esteemed by all who knew them. He gave his political support to the democratic party and was a prominent member of Germania Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of which he was a past master, and also belonged to Hamilton Chapter, R. A. M.
Henry P. Neun, whose name introduces this review, supplemented his public school education by a course of study in the Rochester Free Academy. As above stated, he succeeded his father in the ownership and control of the Neun paper box manufactory and continued its proprietor throughout the remainder of his life, the business steadily expanding under his capable management. During the period of the World war the company manufactured corrugated liners for hand grenades for the United States army, also corrugated work for the naval, medical and quarter- master departments, fulfilling its contract for two carloads daily. Mr. Neun did not. confine his attention wholly to the paper box industry, but became identified with a number of other business enterprises. He was president of the MacMillan Litho- graph Company and also had a large floral business and was president of the Rochester Marshmallow Company, manufacturing chocolates, marshmallows, gum and jellies. The products of the company, which was organized in 1897 and incorporated the fol- lowing year, are sold all over the eastern, middle and southern states. Mr. Neun was likewise at the head of the McLean-Ward Fibre Case Company and enjoyed an enviable reputation as one of Rochester's most wide-awake and energetic business men whose success was due entirely to his own well-directed efforts.
In 1891 Mr. Neun was united in marriage to Miss Grace Levis, a daughter of George Levis. Mr. and Mrs. Neun became the parents of eight children, namely:
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Dora Estelle; Elsie G .; Eva M .; John H., vice president and treasurer of the H. P. Neun Company, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work; Margaret; Harriet; Harold; and Hiram.
Politically Mr. Neun was a stalwart advocate of the democratic party. He was a worthy exemplar of the teachings and purposes of the Masonic fraternity, belong- ing to Yonnondio Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Hamilton Chapter, R. A. M .; Monroe Com- mandery, K. T., of which he was past commander; and Damascus Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and was also identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He likewise held member- ship in the Rochester Chamber of Commerce. By untiring industry and sound judgment he won merited success in all his undertakings, and was in all respects worthy of the high regard in which he was held by his fellowmen. In his demise Rochester sustained the loss of one of its influential, enterprising and progressive citizens, his friends a cherished companion and his family a devoted husband and father.
GEORGE N. CROSBY.
In each community death is ever taking his toll from the living and there ar lessons in every completed life-lessons of benefit to all. George N. Crosby, late of Rochester, was one of those men whose lives are object lessons to the youth of our land, for he was thrown upon his own resources at a very early age and out of the struggle with adverse circumstances and misfortunes which would have proved overwhelming to the average individual, he rose to a commanding position in the business world, while his commercial integrity ever remained unsullied. He passed away at the Clifton Springs Sanitarium, Clifton Springs, New York, on October 23, 1923, at the ripe old age of eighty-three years, and the character of the work which he accomplished and the position which he occupied in the hearts of his fellow citizens, were evidenced by the deep and widespread regret which followed his demise. Honor was the keystone of his character and his public spirit was evidenced by both word and deed.
George N. Crosby was born at Great Bend, New York, February 27, 1841, soon after the removal of the family to that state. His parents were pioneers of Maine and when not yet seven years of age he was left an orphan. He secured work on a neighboring farm and as soon as he was able to shift for himself he started for Richville, in St. Lawrence county. He made the journey on foot and as he passed through Antwerp, the largest town he had ever seen, he stopped to put on his shoes, which had been slung over his shoulder. He walked slowly through the village and resolved that he would some day return and make his home in that beautiful place. He obtained work in a tannery at Richville and was there employed until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted in the Union army, becoming a bugler. After two years of military life he contracted camp fever and was left for dead by the roadside. Finally, however, he staggered on to his command and was invalided out of the service. After his recovery he followed his trade as a journeyman, spend- ing some time in Manchester, New Hampshire, and subsequently returned to Rich- ville, New York. In 1871 he established his home in Antwerp and for twenty years operated a tannery in that town, building up a flourishing business. He employed about twenty men and at the height of his prosperity the unexpected failure of a large eastern bank, heavily interested in leather, forced into bankruptcy several of the great leather houses, and they in turn carried down with them many of the com- paratively small tanneries, including that owned by Mr. Crosby. At the age of fifty years he found himself not only without resources, but with heavy debts. Coming to Rochester he secured a location for his business on Mount Hope avenue and began life anew, courageously facing the future. He began a series of experiments in tan- ning horse and cattle hides with the hair on, for manufacture into garments, rugs and robes, doing all of the labor himself, while Mrs. Crosby conducted the business. Suc- cess attended his efforts and about 1903 he organized the Crosby Frisian Fur Company and began to gather about him the department heads who remained with him until his death. Those intimately associated with Mr. Crosby in building up the com- pany were: Alvin Metz, a director; Robert Shellard, secretary; Miss Frances Streb, office manager; and George T. Duncan and Frank T. Adams, in charge, respectively, of the taxidermy and coat departments. Within a short time after its formation the company moved out of the Mount Hope avenue house, making the first of four subsequent changes to larger quarters, and starting with heavy hides, Mr. Crosby
enerowhy
Pauline I Crosby.
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added various branches, including fine furs, leather and taxidermy. It was charac- teristic of Mr. Crosby that when he again became prosperous he returned to Antwerp and discharged all of his obligations, paying his creditors eight per cent interest, although his debts were not legally binding. He studied conditions, methods and oppor- tunities, realizing that simple processes are those which win results, and his plans were the outcome of hard thinking. He kept his hand steadily upon the helm of his business, manifesting at all times strong executive power, and gradually extended the scope of his operations until he had evolved one of the largest industries of the kind in the country, utilizing the services of one hundred employes.
Business formed but one phase of Mr. Crosby's life, for his was a many-sided development. He was well trained in music, being keenly appreciative of its beauties, and as a young man organized an orchestra still famous in the annals of the north country. He was studious by nature and a self-educated man, whose first lessons were learned by the light of a log fire, while later he became a pupil in a school at Natural Bridge, New York, which he attended until he reached the age of fifteen. As an expression of his affection for Antwerp, Mr. Crosby decided to present the village with a library, offering to build and endow the institution, with the provision that the taxpayers were to contribute the sum of four hundred dollars each year for its maintenance. The conditions were complied with and the library was erected on the site of the old Foster House, at a cost of about eighteen thousand dollars. It has been liberally endowed and was dedicated in July, 1919. In the planning of the library Mr. and Mrs. Crosby were aided by their life-long friends, Senator and Mrs. Willard F. Augsbury of Jefferson county, New York. The Crosby Library is a great asset to Antwerp and an attractively designed building which follows the Flemish style of architecture, as the founders of the village were natives of that section of Belgium. Mr. Crosby enjoyed reading and was well informed on many subject. He devoted much time to the study of advertising and his views on the subject commanded respect both in Rochester and elsewhere.
Mr. Crosby was twice married. His first wife was Miss Mary White of Richville, whom he married early in his business career. Her demise occurred in Antwerp. In 1888 he was united in marriage to Miss Pauline Houston of Manchester, New Hamp- shire, who survives him. Mr. Crosby was a Unitarian in religious belief and along fraternal lines was identified with the Masonic order, belonging to Genesee Valley Falls Lodge, No. 507, F. & A. M. Through his connection with the Grand Army of the Republic he renewed old associations with the "Boys in Blue" and his name also appeared on the membership rolls of the Chamber of Commerce, the Rochester Ad Club and the Oak Hill Country Club. He was a man of great perseverance and industry, with exceptional force of character. His career was as an open book which all might read and his biography is written in the communities in which he lived- in the hearts of those who knew him. Rev. F. A. Kimberly said of Mr. Crosby: "I feel I would be false to the church and to the people if I did not speak a few words on one who was so loved in the community. There is something beautiful in a church when there is a similarity to the home circle. There are times when the heart goes back to the old home church. Such I feel sure has been the relation- ship of our friend of years ago. He loved one church and loved it to the end. He was one who loved his fellowmen, a stable and law-abiding citizen and patriot. We think of him as one who stands out by himself. There are some jewels which require a setting to show their beauty, but there are others which shine alone. He was one of them."
Mr. Crosby was buried at Antwerp, New York, and as evidence of the high regard and great respect, business houses and the schools were closed for his funeral. The school children attended in a body to pay respect to him.
JOHN RATHBUN VAN CAMPEN.
John Rathbun Van Campen, one of the most successful insurance men of Elmira, his native city, was born April 9, 1867, a son of Samuel R. and Mary (Rathbun) Van Campen, who were married in Elmira, on June 30, 1863. The former was born in Allegany, New York, and the latter in Scipio, this state. The father was one of the leading financiers of Elmira and served a number of years as president of the First National Bank, to which he brought added prestige and power. He was con- nected with the Masonic order and gave his political support to the republican party. Mr. and Mrs. Van Campen were members of the Presbyterian church and its teachings
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guided them in the daily relations of life. They had two sons: Samuel R., Jr., a well known attorney of Elmira; and John Rathbun of this review. The paternal grandfather was Hiram Van Campen and the maternal grandfather, John T. Rathbun, was one of the early settlers of Scipio. One of the ancestors of John R. Van Campen was Major Moses Van Campen, noted soldier and member of the famous Sullivan Expedition against the Indians.
John Rathbun Van Campen spent a year as a student in the College of the City of New York and resided in the eastern metropolis until he reached the age of twenty-one, there receiving his education. His initial experience along business lines was gained with the Bradstreet Commercial Agency and he was later employed by the American Trust Company. After severing his relationship with the latter cor- poration, he returned to Elmira and. entered the service of the Second National Bank, with which he was connected for a number of years. In 1902 he turned his attention to the insurance business, in which he has been engaged for a period of twenty-two years, acquiring a highly specialized knowledge of the subject. He has the local agency for ten companies and deals in fire and liability insurance. His business is one of the oldest and largest in this line in the city and has endured because it was established upon the basis of honorable, straightforward dealing-a principle from which he has never deviated.
On the 31st of May, 1898, Mr. Van Campen was married to Miss Jessie Rogers, who was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, and completed her education in Elmira College. They have become the parents of two daughters: Mary Elizabeth and Clara Rogers. The latter completed a course in Elmira Free Academy and is now the wife of Charles Henry Fletcher, a chemical engineer, a graduate of Cornell College and now assistant manager for Parke, Davis & Company, well known drug manu- facturers of Detroit, Michigan. The elder daughter attended the Elmira Free Academy for three years, afterward spent two years as a student in the Baldwin School, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and a similar period in Elmira College. She was married July 8, 1924, to Franklin J. Cassada of Houston, Texas.
Mrs. Van Campen is active in the social life of the city and serves as president of the Wednesday Morning Club. She is a member of Trinity Episcopal church, with which her husband is also affiliated. In politics Mr. Van Campen is a republican, is one of the energetic members of the Elmira Chamber of Commerce and belongs to the Insurance Club and the Elmira Golf & Country Club.
JAMES P. B. DUFFY.
James P. B. Duffy, representing an old and honored family of Rochester, has been identified with the legal profession here during the past two decades and is a member of the firm of McLean, Duffy & Kaelber. He is also connected with many business interests of the city. He was born in Rochester, New York, on the 25th of November, 1878, his parents being Walter Bernard and Teresa Helena (O'Dea) Duffy. A more extended mention of Walter Bernard Duffy will be found elsewhere in this work.
James P. B. Duffy, whose name introduces this article attended the Cathedral and the Nazareth Hall parochial schools and the Rochester Free Academy, after which he became a student in Georgetown University of Washington, D. C., from which he was graduated in the class of 1901, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then entered the Harvard Law School and was graduated in June, 1904, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. In the fall of the same year he was admitted to the bar and was associated with the firm of Perkins & Havens until its dissolution in March, 1907. Mr. Duffy then formed a partnership with James Breck Perkins and Joseph McLean, under the firm name of Perkins, Duffy & McLean, which existed as one of the leading firms of Rochester until the demise of Mr. Perkins in March, 1910. It has been succeeded by the firm of McLean, Duffy & Kaelber. Mr. Duffy is active in the field of business as president of the Fitzhugh Land & Building Corpora- tion, the Duffy-Powers Company and as vice president of the Lafayette Hotel Com- pany. He is a director of the New National Bank of Rochester.
In October, 1905, Mr. Duffy was appointed a member of the school board to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Dr. George G. Carroll, and although a democrat he was elected to the same position in November of that year on the republican ticket. Through the intervening period of nineteen years he has remained con- tinuously in the position of school commissioner, having been elected to that office
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five successive times for terms of four years each. Mr. Duffy is one of the trustees of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce. He has always taken a great interest in athletics and outdoor sports and had the honor of rowing on the Georgetown Varsity crew at Poughkeepsie in the years 1900 and 1901 and the Harvard Varsity crew at New London in 1903 and 1904. During the period of the World war he was connected with the home service section of the Red Cross for Rochester and Monroe county. A Catholic in religious belief, he is a communicant of St. Patrick's cathedral and one of its two lay trustees. He holds membership in the Rochester Bar Associa- tion and along more strictly social lines he is connected with the Genesee Valley Club, the Country Club, the Oak Hill Country Club, the University Club, the Rochester Athletic Club, the Georgetown Club of Rochester, the Harvard Club of Rochester and the Harvard Varsity Club of Boston.
WALTER JULIUS BEECHER.
Walter Julius Beecher, vice president of the F. A. Owen Publishing Company of Dansville, is classed with those substantial business men who are the bone and sinew of the community, and through the medium of his own efforts has achieved the notable measure of success which he now enjoys. He is a native son of New York and repre- sents one of the old and highly respected families of the east. In 1806 his paternal grandfather, Parson Beecher, removed from Naugatuck, Connecticut, to Chenango county, New York, and there purchased two hundred acres of land. He then returned to Naugatuck, and in January, 1808, was married to Margaret Porter. He was descended from the old Puritan family of Beechers, founded in New Haven, Connecti- cut, in colonial days, and his wife was also a member of one of the first families of that commonwealth. Her father, Truman Porter, was a major in the Revolutionary war and also served in the Connecticut assembly. In 1807 Parson Beecher returned to Chenango county and after clearing his land built thereon a good substantial house. In the spring of 1809 he brought his family to the new home. His eldest son, Julius Porter Beecher, was born in Naugatuck, October 24, 1808, and was married to Sarah Ann Stewart, who was a native of Greenwich, Washington county, New York. He was a farmer and drover and made numerous trips to Ohio, going through the South- ern Tier of counties in New York. In 1859 he became a resident of Wellsville, Alle- gany county, New York, and there spent the remainder of his life, engaging in the lumber business and also becoming connected with the milling industry. He died in 1887 and his wife passed away in 1891. Their son, Walter Julius of this review, was born in Coventry, Chenango county, September 16, 1855, and was four years old when his parents moved to Wellsville.
Walter Julius Beecher attended public and private schools in Coventry, and after- ward entered the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, being a student at that institu- tion during the first year of its existence. In 1873 he returned to Wellsville and entered the office of the Times, where he learned the printer's trade. In 1874 that paper was consolidated with the Allegany County Reporter and Mr. Beecher was given an office in the newly organized company, and was engaged largely in editorial work. In January, 1883, in association with William J. Glenn, he purchased The Patriot, a newspaper published in Cuba, New York, and for four years he was con- nected with that enterprise. For a time Mr. Beecher was interested in the insur_ ance business and in 1892 he came to Dansville to take charge of the advertising department of the E. M. Parmelee Medical Company. In November, 1896, he entered the employ of the Teachers Improvement Company, at that time publishers of The Normal Instructor, and in November, 1898, purchased an interest in the firm, with which he has since been connected. The business is now conducted under the name of the F. A. Owen Publishing Company and is housed in a substantial building which is of brick and stone and covers three acres, constituting one of the most modern and best equipped publishing plants in the country. It was founded by Frederick A. Owen, who is president of the company, and Mr. Beecher is filling the office of vice president, and is in charge of the editorial work. He has had broad experience in the publishing business and for a quarter of a century has been instrumental in pro- moting the growth and development of this extensive undertaking.
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