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 38
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Mr. Sconfietti was knighted by the King of Italy in 1917 with the order of the Crown of Italy for services during the recent war. A worthy exemplar of the teach- ings and purposes of the Masonic fraternity, he belongs to Damascus Temple of the Mystic Shrine and is also a member of the Genesee Valley Club, the Rochester Cham- ber of Commerce and the Rochester Automobile Club. He is known as a business man of the highest integrity and ability and during the period of his residence in Rochester his estimable traits of character have drawn to him a large circle of friends.
CHARLES NEWTON HOOD.
Charles Newton Hood of Medina has had a varied career as newspaper man, author, lecturer, theatre manager and insurance man. His life has been an interesting one, not confined to the boundaries of his own district by any means, and yet he has always manifested a lively interest in the advancement of his home county and has never been too busy to give of his time and efforts for the good of Medina. The Genesee country is great because of this loyalty in her sons-a real devotion to public service and a willingness of the best talent to participate effectively in community affairs. Mr. Hood has been editor of the Medina Daily Journal, but again we find him an authority on European travel, the author of two popular books on the subject, and a contributor to many nationally known magazines. He was born in Albion, Orleans county, New York, on the 14th of October, 1863, his parents being John Newton and Mary Jane (Pratt) Hood. His paternal grandfather, John Hood, was a pioneer settler of Orleans county, this state, while his great-grandfather, Joseph Hood of Pennsylvania, served as an ensign in the army of General George Washington.
Charles Newton Hood pursued his education in common and private schools and as a student in the Rochester Business College, while subsequently he further aug- mented his knowledge by work in newspaper offices, which offer broad intellectual training to the ambitious young man. He first secured employment as an operator in the yardmaster's office of the New York Central Railroad at Suspension Bridge, New York, and later engaged for a time in the retail business in association with J. N. Hood. His subsequent business connections have brought him experience as a news- paper correspondent, theatre manager, lecturer and farm manager. He edited the Medina Daily Journal from 1909 until 1915 and helped make that paper the successful institution it is today.
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In the field of literature Mr. Hood has gained more than local renown, some of his early contributions appearing in such well known publications as Puck, Youth's Companion, St. Nicholas, Lippincott's and also in other magazines. His two economic guidebooks, "Europe On Four Dollars A Day" and "Europe, The Second Trail", went through many editions. Mr. Hood has written for newspapers and magazines for a long period and has read his own poems and sketches on numerous public platforms. Though he has not yet laid aside the pen, the major portion of his time today is demanded by his insurance business in Medina and the management of the fruit farms comprising the Hunt estate.
On the 1st of December, 1890, in Medina, Mr. Hood was married to Mary Katherine Hunt, daughter of Aaron B. Hunt. Mr. and Mrs. Hood have two children: Dorothy, who is a private school teacher; and Robert Newton, of Medina, who in 1922 wedded Miss Lillian Macfarlane of Cleveland, and they have one son, Charles Newton Hood (II).
Mr. Hood gives his political support to the republican party and is widely rec- ognized as a public-spirited and enterprising citizen whose influence is at all times exerted in behalf of community progress and upbuilding. He made an excellent record as a member of the Medina board of trustees from 1894 until 1903 and as a member of the board of education from 1910 until 1919, serving as president the last year. He is also vice president of the Medina Savings and Loan Association. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in St. John's Episcopal church, in which he is a warden and licensed lay reader, and he also belongs to the Alert Club.
PERRY C. EUCHNER.
Perry C. Euchner, president of the Livingston County Trust Company, at Geneseo, New York, was born in Machias, Cattaraugus county, New York, on the 11th of April, 1892.
Mr. Euchner graduated from Cornell University in 1915, and came to Geneseo as secretary of the newly organized Livingston County Trust Company. In 1921 he was made president of the institution and has remained its executive head. Among his other financial connections, Mr. Euchner is a director of the Livonia State Bank, Livonia, New York, the Springwater State Bank, Springwater, New York, and the Genesee River National Bank at Mount Morris, New York.
Mr. Euchner was married, in 1921, to Miss Katharine Adams of Geneseo. He was appointed captain of Troop M, First Cavalry, New York National Guard at Geneseo, on May 1, 1920.
JOHN FRANKLIN MYERS, M. D.
Dr. John Franklin Myers, a surgeon of broad experience, practicing in Sodus, his native town, is the founder and head of the largest hospital in Wayne county, and his skill has brought him more than local prominence. He was born March 20, 1861, a son of John W. and Frances A. (Hallett) Myers, both of whom were natives of Wayne county. They were members of old pioneer families of this locality, the mother's uncle being the first white settler in Wolcott. The father was a marble cutter and engaged in that business in Sodus, also following the occupation of farming. Mr. and Mrs. Myers were the parents of four sons and a daughter, but one of the sons is deceased. The subject of this review is the fourth in order of birth.
The elementary education of John Franklin Myers was obtained in the public schools of Sodus and his professional training was received in the Columbia Medical College of New York city, from which he was graduated with the class of 1887. For thirty-seven years he has practiced in Sodus, constantly broadening the scope of his activities, and his professional labors have been attended by gratifying results. He took postgraduate courses in New York city in 1898 and has since given the greater part of his attention to surgical work, in which he has developed expert ability. In 1900 he established the Myers Hospital, which has been in continuous operation for nearly a quarter of a century and is the oldest institution of the kind in Wayne county. It has fifty beds and is thoroughly modern, being well equipped for the treatment of patients. The hospital contains bacterial and X-ray laboratories, a diet kitchen and special dressing rooms and ranks with the best institutions of the
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kind in this part of the state. Dr. Myers has performed a large number of major operations and through practical experience has gained the skill that brings to his work the utmost possibility of accuracy in results.
In April, 1893, Dr. Myers was married to Miss Jennie Buerman and they have two children: Franklin Linwood and Norma R. The son received the Master of Arts degree from the University of Rochester and in 1922 was graduated from the medical department of Columbia University. He assists his father in the hospital, taking charge of surgical cases, and is making rapid progress in his profession. The daughter was awarded the degree of Bachelor of Arts by Wells College, after which she took a course in the Post Graduate Medical College, New York, and is now connected with the Rochester board of health.
During the World war Dr. Myers volunteered for service but the armistice was signed before he was called. He is an expresident of the Wayne County Medical Society and for twelve years was secretary of the Seventh District Medical Society. He also belongs to the New York State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He was a member of the school board for twelve years and has also rendered valuable service to his community in the capacity of health officer. Dr. Myers is identified with the Masonic order and his political support is given to the democratic party. He is an elder in the Presbyterian church and a consistent follower of its teachings. He is a man of high purposes and ideals and ranks with the leading surgeons of this section of the state.
WILLIAM SIMEON DAVENPORT.
William Simeon Davenport, the founder and head of the Davenport Machine Tool Company, Incorporated, one of the important industries of Rochester, comes from a family noted for mechanical ingenuity, his uncle, Thomas Davenport, of Brandon, Ver- mont, being the inventor and builder of the first electric motor in this country and probably the first one in the world. The United States patent granted to him for this invention is No. 132 and the date of its issuance is February 25, 1837. William Simeon Davenport was born in Williamstown, Vermont, March 14, 1861, a son of Rice and Susan (Lyon) Davenport. The father was a native of the same town and devoted his life to the occupation of farming. The mother was born in Brandon, Vermont.
William Simeon Davenport obtained his education in the public schools of Williams- town, Vermont, and his first mechanical training was gained while an employe of the Fairbanks Scale Company of St. Johnsbury, Vermont, with which he was identified for six years. After that he spent a year with the Standard Scale Company of Rome, Georgia, but desirous of a higher grade of work he became connected with the Brown & Sharpe Manufacturing Company of Providence, Rhode Island, first as a machinist, later as a foreman, and finally as a designing engineer, remaining with that well known company for twelve years. Ambitious to serve in a wider field of usefulness, and urged by clock manufacturers to design special machinery for making certain parts of clocks, he designed machinery especially adapted for this class of work and removed to New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he had his machines built under con- tract by the Morse Twist Drill & Machine Company of that city.
After three very successful years of business he removed to Springfield, Massa- chusetts, and fitted up a shop in which was built the first Multiple Spindle Automatic Screw Machine, which is the chief product of the present company. The business de- pression of 1907 coming on, he accepted an attractive offer made by the Morse Twist Drill & Machine Company to return to New Bedford and continued the building of machines on that basis. In 1919, while seeking a new location to establish his busi- ness, Mr. Davenport was attracted to Rochester for various reasons, which included superior shipping facilities, accessibility to the trade and a most desirable place to live. He and his associates organized the present business of the Davenport Machine Tool Company, Incorporated, occupying a modern and finely equipped plant located at No. 167 Ames street and employing about one hundred men.
In Providence, Rhode Island, on April 12, 1893, Mr. Davenport was married to Miss Edith E. Hatch, a daughter of Warren A. and Helen M. (Benton) Hatch. Mrs. Dav- enport was born in Livonia, New York, and comes from one of the colonial families of New England. She is the author and publisher of a genealogical work entitled: "David Benton and Nancy Pitts". Mr. Davenport is a member of the First Methodist Epis- copal church and is one of its trustees. He is a member of the Rochester Machine
H. Davenport.
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Industries, the Chamber of Commerce, the local Automobile Club and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. The fit utilization of his talents has resulted in a distinct contribution to the machinery world, wherein his activities have brought him to a most creditable position as well as one of prominence. The elements were hap- ยท pily blended in the rounding out of his nature, for he unites the refinements of life with the sterner qualities of manhood and his efforts are resultant factors in what- ever he has undertaken. Mr. Davenport's residence is at No. 1555 Highland avenue.
LEO B. SMITH.
For thirty-seven years the name of Smith has figured conspicuously in com- mercial circles of Elmira in connection with the undertaking business, and the work begun by his father is now being continued by Leo B. Smith, in his funeral home at No. 410 W. Church St. He was born in Cortland, New York, on January 1, 1887, of the marriage of Fred E. Smith and Minnie J. Boyce, the latter a native of Wellsburg, this state. The former was born in Cortland and subsequently joined his father in the undertaking business at Cincinnatus, New York. He located in Elmira in 1887 and was numbered among the pioneer morticians of the city. He was highly esteemed by all with whom he was associated and built up a large business, remaining at its head until his death, which occurred in 1921. He was identified with the Masonic order and cast his ballot for the candidates of the republican party.
Leo B. Smith was the only child in the family. His parents came to Elmira soon after his birth and he attended the city schools and the Free Academy. He con- tinued his studies in the University of Syracuse, from which he was graduated in 1910, and in the following year entered the undertaking business with his father, under whom he received thorough instruction and valuable advice. After the death of its founder Mr. Smith continued the business independently until 1923, when he formed a partnership with Albert W. Fudge, who became junior member of the firm. Mr. Smith completed a course in the Renouard School of Embalming and displays marked executive ability in the administration of the business, closely adhering to the high standards upon which it was founded. In the quality of its service the firm is unsurpassed and the fact that it has had charge of the funeral rites of such notable men as Samuel L. Clemens, Thomas K. Beecher, J. Sloat Fas- sett, John B. Stanchfield and General Liscum, establishes its prestige.
On October 12, 1915, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Florence Blystone, a daughter of Walter I. Blystone, a manufacturer of mattresses. Mrs. Smith was born in Jamestown, New York, and was there educated. The children of this union are Martha Jane and Philip Blystone Smith. In his political views Mr. Smith is a republican and along social and fraternal lines he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Golf and Country, Century and Rotary Clubs of Elmira.
JAMES DUANE CARSON.
After an active and honorable business career, during which he was uniformly successful and amassed a competency, James Duane Carson of Avon, Livingston county, New York, lived retired to the time of his death, which occurred on the 2d of May, 1924, when he was in the seventy-fifth year of his age. He was born in Rochester, New York, on December 28, 1850, the son of William and Mary A. (McKim) Carson, who were well known in the business and social life of the city.
James Duane Carson acquired his education in the public schools of Rochester and located in Avon in 1872, when a young man of about twenty-two. The following year he became associated with Dr. Cyrus Allen in the conduct of the old "Avon Cure" on Wadsworth street, one of the famous Avon health resorts. A few years later, larger quarters being necessary, they purchased property on East Main street, which they greatly improved and operated with marked success under the name of Allen & Carson Sanitarium. They also established a private banking business, which they successfully conducted with their other interests for a quarter century, when the partnership was dissolved.
In January, 1897, Mr. Carson left Avon and located in Rochester, became one of the organizers of the McFarlin Clothing Company of that city, was secretary and treasurer of the company for six years, and then retired. Subsequently he went
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to St. Petersburg, Florida, where he developed a beautiful and successful orange grove, of which he later disposed. This property, cut into building lots, is now a choice section of the residential district of that popular winter resort. Returning north, he again took up his abode in Avon, where he erected a handsome residence on Genesee street, laid out attractive grounds and became deeply interested in the cultivation of choice flowers. During the remainder of his life Mr. Carson was not actively identified with any business undertaking.
On the 7th of January, 1874, Mr. Carson was married to Kate L. Whipple of Brockport, and they became the parents of a son and a daughter. The former, James D., Jr., a merchant at Avon, was married to Harriet Schnoor of New Baltimore, Michigan, and they have two children, Catharine and Jean; Clara is the wife of John L. Westfall of Avon, and they have four children, Helen, John, Mary and Duane.
Mr. Carson was a republican in politics and was prominent in the Masonic order. He was made a Mason in Yonnondio Lodge at Rochester, was a member of Ionic Chapter, R. A. M., Cyrene Commandery, K. T., Damascus Temple, Mystic Shrine, and was for years Avon representative of the Illustrious Potentate of Damas- cus Temple. He served for a period as senior grand deacon of the state body under Grand Master William A. Brodie, and his exceptional proficiency in the workings and teachings of Masonry made his services ever in demand at affairs of this order. He united with the Brick Presbyterian church in Rochester in 1866 and remained a member thereof until his death. In Avon he was actively connected with the Central Presbyterian church and for years was director of the choir. He was fond of music, had a splendid voice and took an active part in local musical affairs. During the World war Mr. Carson was chairman of the Avon branch of the American Red Cross and was an active worker in its behalf. A contemporary writer said of him: "James D. Carson was a man admired by all who knew him. He came to Avon and worked with a generation that was instrumental in building up the new Avon. His talent and his services were ever at the command of any worthy enterprise. Those who knew him best speak most highly of his personality, his character and the goodness of his heart. He has gone, but his name is woven in with the history of Avon insti- tutions, and his memory will long be cherished."
JULIUS E. HANSEN.
A comparatively new comer to Rochester automotive circles is Julius E. Hansen, who heads the local Packard agency as president and treasurer of the Packard Rochester Motors, Incorporated. He was born in Odense Denmark, on April 30, 1889, and when about a year old was brought to America by his parents, Olaf and Marie (Murk) Hansen, who settled in Anita, Iowa. There the father engaged in the general mercantile business. In addition to his father and mother who still reside in Anita, Mr. Hansen has a brother and a sister living there-Maurice Claude Hansen and Mrs. Nels Johnson. After going through the successive grades of the Anita schools and graduating from the local high school Mr. Hansen entered the office of Walter E. Haynes of that city, with the purpose of preparing for the legal profession. For four years he read law under Mr. Haynes' direction and acquired a knowledge of the subject that has stood him in good stead in his business operations in later years. But he also came to the conclusion that as a life work the law did not offer him sufficient attrac- tions. He left his Blackstone, therefore, to go to Omaha, Nebraska, to take a posi- tion in the traffic department of the Nickel Plate & Lackawanna Railroad. Four years later he was given the office of the general agent at Des Moines, Iowa, where he was located for seven years.
Mr. Hansen left the railroad to became associated with the Packard Motor Car Company in 1917, as assistant manager of truck sales. During the year he held that position he made such an excellent record that he was sent to the New York city national sales office and was also put in charge of the government work. After about three years of experience in New York city Mr. Hansen went to Kansas City, Missouri, as general manager of the Packard branch in that city, where he remained for the ensuing eight months. On the 1st of February, 1923, he took over the man- agement of the Packard branch at Rochester and set about reorganizing the com- pany. The new organization, of which he is the president and treasurer, is known as the Packard Rochester Motors, Incorporated. The Packard car is too well known to need any special mention in this place. Its reputation, alone, is a guarantee of ability for anyone officially connected with its manufacturing and sales organizations.
JULIUS E. HANSEN
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Mr. Hansen's long and important connection wtih the Packard company fully estab- lishes his rank as an automobile man of the first rank. In Rochester his experience and ability in this field have been quickly recognized by his business associates, who have elected him vice president of the Auto Dealers Association.
In Omaha, on the 2d of October, 1907, Mr. Hansen was married to Miss Grace Wrenn, who comes from a prominent Roanoke, Virginia, family and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Wrenn. Mr. Hansen is a member of the Kansas City, Hill Crest and Kansas City Auto Clubs of Kansas City. Since coming to Rochester he has been invited to become a member of the Kiwanis Club of this city. Much credit is due Mr. Hansen for his achievements in the business world, for he has forged ahead unaided by money or influence, relying solely upon his own efforts and talents. His advancements have come as the recognition of work well done and his capacity for assuming greater burdens and responsibilities.
HAROLD L. JONES.
Harold L. Jones, president of the Tracey-Jones Lumber Company of Hornell is a descendant, and a worthy one, of one of the oldest families in America. He was born in Rogersville, New York, and his family brought him with them to Hornell while he was still quite young. He received his education in the Hornell public schools. In 1891 he started to work for the McConnell Manufacturing Company and during the twenty-five years he was employed by that firm, he established a reputation as a business man and a capable, farseeing executive. Fifteen years of this quarter century Mr. Jones was treasurer of the company. In 1913 he and W. A. Tracy, an- other old-time trusted employe of the McConnell company, formed a partnership under the name of Tracy & Jones and engaged in the lumber and coal business. In 1920 this firm was incorporated and has grown to be one of the leading businesses of the county. Mr. Tracy died in March, 1923, and Mr. Jones has been president of the firm since that time.
Harold L. Jones was a son of Major and Jennie (Everingham) Jones, the family being among the Genesee country pioneers and one of the oldest in this country. Mr. Jones' great-great-great-grandfather built one of the first log cabins in this section of the state, on the road between Hornell and Dansville. The family originally came from Wales, and three generations of them have lived in America.
Harold L. Jones was married on June 1, 1908, to Miss Nina Rawson, and they have three children: Lewis, Helen and Elsie. The Rawsons are also one of the old families of this part of the state. They settled near Belmont, and Mrs. Jones' father was the founder of the machine works which developed into the Clarke Brothers Company. Mr. Jones is interested in the Masonic fraternity, of which he is a mem- ber, is active in the Episcopal church and has a "special fondness" for the thorough- bred horse. He is treasurer of the Flood Abatement commission and a republican in politics.
HON. HOVEY E. COPLEY.
Hon. Hovey E. Copley, member of the New York general assembly, has devoted much of his life to public service and ranks with those men whose careers have been conspicuously useful to their fellow citizens. He represents one of the old and promi- nent families of Chemung county and has always resided within its borders. He has made his home in Lowman for several years and is highly esteemed in his community and state. He was born in Chemung, New York, May 2, 1869, a son of Major John G. and Sarah F. (Everett) Copley, the latter also a native of that town. The father was born in Elmira and also figured prominently in public affairs, discharging the duties of county clerk for two terms, while he subsequently filled the office of school commissioner. He served throughout the Civil war, gallantly defending the Union cause, and lost an arm at the battle of Bull Run. He was identified with the Masonic order and his life was governed by the teachings of the Presbyterian church, of which his wife was also a member. They were the parents of two children: Hovey E. of this review; and Frances, who married Fred Orcutt of Elmira, head of the H. C. Spaulding Lumber Company.
Hovey E. Copley was educated in the Elmira Free Academy and subsequently entered the employ of General Charles J. Langdon, a coal dealer, remaining in his
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