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 42
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
On the 11th of June, 1891, Mr. Gorsline was married to Miss Hattie D. Dewey, a daughter of Judge Hiram Dewey, prominent in Jefferson county and founder of the Agricultural Fire Insurance Company. Mr. and Mrs. Gorsline have two sons and a daughter, all born in Rochester: The eldest, Ralph Dewey, was born in December, 1894. He attended the public schools and the Staunton Military Academy and is now assistant manager of the plant at Hutchins, Pennsylvania. During the progress of the World war he enlisted in the United States Hospital Corps and spent one year in France, being assigned to duty at Base Hospital No. 19. He married Miss Laura Brigham, who is also a native of this city; the daughter, Sarah D. Gorsline, was born in 1902 and since her graduation from high school has engaged in the study of economics and hotel management; Alvin H. Gorsline, the younger son, was born in 1906 and completed his high school course in 1924.
Ralph H. Gorsline is a member of the Rochester Club, the Rochester Automobile Club and the Nittany Country Club of Center county, Pennsylvania. He also belongs to Zeta Psi, a fraternity of Cornell University, and in Masonry he has attained the thirty-second degree. Mr. Gorsline may well be termed a man of affairs, for he is successfully controlling important business interests and occupies a central place on the stage of action in Rochester. His residence is at No. 80 Berkeley street in Rochester, New York.
PHILANDER A. MOTT.
Though a decade and a half has passed since Philander A. Mott departed this life, he is remembered by many residents of Ontario county as a leading citizen and prominent business man of Phelps, where he made his home for a period of fifty-eight years. He was nearing the eightieth milestone on life's journey when called to his final rest on the 6th of March, 1909. He was born in Chatham, Columbia county, New York, March 14, 1829. In the year 1851 his parents, Philander and Mary Ann (Baker) Mott, removed from Chatham to Phelps, New York. His sister, Antoinette L., became the wife of Orren Gifford and the mother of three children, Mary, George
Milunder
Mary J. Mott
HOME OF PHILANDER MOTT, PHELPS, N. Y.
C
RESIDENCE OF MISS ALICE L. MOTT, CANANDAIGUA, N. Y.
429
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
Mott and Helen. Mrs. Gifford died at the early age of thirty. The Mott family is believed to have been of French refugee origin, and the name has been common from early times in County Essex, England, and on Long Island and in Westchester and other counties of New York, in America. Members of the family moved from France to England, where they held lands as early as 1375. The crest and arms which are held by the Motts in America were granted in 1615.
The early life of Philander A. Mott was spent at the home of his ancestors on the banks of the Hudson, and as a young man of twenty-two years he accompanied his father to Ontario county and settled in the town of Phelps. By his keen insight and remarkable business ability, coupled as it was with an ever broadening knowl- edge of affairs and a judgment that seldom erred, Mr. Mott added steadily to his estate and amassed a large and varied property, which, with the large business connec- tions he formed in the course of his career, made him a well known man, not only in neighboring cities but also throughout the state. He was noted and pointed out for his habit of looking out personally after all the smallest details of his business, and as an example of one whose wealth had been created by old-fashioned, rugged business principles and conserved by his simple life, good health and temperate frugal habits. His success was all the greater because it was achieved in a small community, where , business opportunities were not plentiful and, had his opportunities been greater, those who knew him say that he would have more than held his own with the ablest American financiers. Mr. Mott was a republican in politics.
In 1856 Mr. Mott was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Brush, who was born in Fenner, New York, December 26, 1836, the daughter of Miles Phillips and Lydia Adeline (Ray) Brush. Mr. and Mrs. Mott became the parents of five children, as follows: George P., who wedded Miss Carrie Vosburgh and has three children, George Everett, Hazel and Ethel; Alice L., residing in Canandaigua, where she enjoys an extensive and favorable acquaintance; Mary G .; Emma, the wife of Abraham Garlock of Newark, New York, and the mother of two children, Alice M. and Mott A .; and Antoinette, who is the wife of Lyndon E. Adams of Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, and has one son, George M. Mrs. Mott, the mother of these children, passed away on May 5, 1905.
EDWIN J. CARPENTER.
The future holds promise of professional prominence for Edwin J. Carpenter, an able and well known young attorney of Corning, his native town. Born on the 29th of August, 1897, he is the only son of Dr. Edwin J. and Helen L. (Abel) Carpenter. His paternal grandfather, Uri Carpenter, married a daughter of Edwin Merchant, who took up a large tract of land from the government in the Genesee country. Dr. Edwin J. Carpenter, the father of E. J. Carpenter of this review, was born on the 1st of July, 1864, and taught school for some years prior to taking up the study of medicine in the University of Buffalo. Throughout the remainder of his life he was successfully engaged in practice as a physician and surgeon of Corning, where he passed away on the 19th of November, 1919. His widow has been a member of the republican county committee since the time women were granted the right of franchise.
Edwin J. Carpenter pursued a high school course in Corning and in 1914 en- tered Cornell University, having won a scholarship in that institution. On the 11th of April, 1917, he enlisted in the United States navy for service in the World war. He was stationed in Newport, Rhode Island, and took instruction in the Massa- chusetts Institute of Technology, while subsequently he was transferred to the Naval Aviation Division and instructed in flying at Chatham, Massachusetts. On the 21st of November, 1918, he was mustered out. He then resumed his studies in Cornell University, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1918, while two years later the same institution conferred upon him the degree of LL. B. upon the completion of a course in its law department. Admitted to the bar in July, 1920, he entered upon the active work of his chosen profession in Corning in association with H. A. Heminway, with whom he remained for two years. On the expiration of that period, in May, 1922, he opened an office in Corning, where he has since practiced independently and has been accorded a growing clientage that has already connected him with considerable important litigation.
An active worker in the local ranks of the republican party, Mr. Carpenter is widely recognized as a loyal, public-spirited and progressive citizen whose efforts are
430
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
earnestly exerted in behalf of the general welfare. He made an excellent record as a member of the general assembly of New York in the year 1922, fully justifying the confidence and support of his constituents. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the First Congregational church of Corning, of which he is a trustee. His sterling integrity is a quality known and appreciated, while his genial manner has won for him a host of friends.
ROSS MEACHAM LOVELL.
Ross Meacham Lovell, prominent representative of the Elmira bar and member of the law firm of Stanchfield, Collin, Lovell & Sayles, is descended from one of the oldest families in this country. This family was founded in America in 1635 by Robert Lovell, who was born in Somersetshire, England, in 1595. He was a de- scendant of Robert, Lord of Ivery in Normandy, whose father, Roger, was cupbearer to William the Conqueror and whose grandson, Baron William Lovell, was the first Lord of Cary, County of Somerset, England, where he established an estate soon after the conquest. Ross M. Lovell was born in Marathon, Cortland county, New York, September 25, 1871, a son of Ransom M. and Dorcas Eliza (Meacham) Lovell, also natives of that town, in which they were married. The father was born in 1823 and passed away in 1907, at the age of eighty-four years. He was a farmer in Cortland county during his entire life. The mother was born in 1835, a daughter of Eleazer Meacham and granddaughter of Isaac Meacham. She survives her husband. Six children were born to Ransom and Dorcas E. Lovell, four of whom are living, and Ross M. is the youngest member of the family.
Ross Meacham Lovell attended Marathon Academy in his youth and obtained his higher education at Cornell University, from which latter institution he was graduated in 1893, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. While in Cornell he made a special study of history and political science. Taking up his residence in Elmira, he studied law in the office of Reynolds, Stanchfield & Collin and in 1898 was admitted to the bar. In the same year he became a partner of the firm, which is now known as Stanchfield, Collin, Lovell & Sayles, and which is considered one of the leading law firms of western New York. Mr. Lovell has charge of the trial work of his firm and in this field has been notably successful.
In 1915 Mr. Lovell was married to Mrs. Isabella Reynolds Campbell, who was born in Hornell, New York, and completed her education in a school for girls at Rochester, New York. Mr. Lovell's family consists of his wife and stepdaughter, Catherine Louise, born October 18, 1908; and John, born March 23, 1916; Robert, born December 13, 1917; James, born February 21, 1919; and Mary, born December 26, 1921.
In his political views Mr. Lovell has always followed an independent course. His professional connections are with the Chemung County, Cornell, New York State and American Bar Associations, and the Association of the Bar of the City of New York. He is a trustee of the Supreme Court Library at Elmira, which office he has filled for a number of years. He was one of the founders of the Quill & Dagger Society of Cornell University, and he also belongs to the alumni association of that institution. In addition to the above Mr. Lovell is a member of the Elmira City, Golf and Country Clubs, and the Fort Orange Club of Albany, New York.
FRANK H. JOHANTGEN.
When his bank needed a cashier a few years ago the president mentally reviewed the young and prosperous business men of the town and finally selected one for the vacant position. That explains why Frank H. Johantgen is cashier of the Citizens Bank of Dansville, Livingston county, New York, and is also proprietor of a large clothing business in the town, of which a brother is the active manager. His birth occurred in Dansville, on the 6th of May, 1872, his parents being Nicholas and Louise (Didas) Johantgen. The firm of Johantgen Brothers, merchants, of Dansville, of which he is a member, had its inception in the spring of 1856 under the name of Foster & Puffer. Nicholas Johantgen, father of Frank H. Johantgen, began with this concern as a clerk on September 1, 1859, and in 1873 became a partner of
431
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
J. F. Brayton, who had succeeded the original firm in 1861. A decade later Nicholas Johantgen purchased the interest of Mr. Brayton and continued the business until 1896, when he was succeeded by his sons, Charles G., Frank H., Fred W. and Nicholas, Jr. Nicholas Johantgen, who passed away August 12, 1916, when seventy- four years of age, is survived by his widow and by ten of their eleven children. The son, Charles G., was called to his final rest in 1913. Fred W. now conducts a store at Perry, New York. Louis C., a younger brother, has been admitted to the firm of Johantgen Brothers.
Frank H. Johantgen, whose name introduces this review, supplemented his grade and high school education by a course of study in Canisius College of Buffalo, New York, from which institution he was graduated in 1890, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. His first employment was in the manufacture of shirts and over- alls with the Dansville Shirt & Overall Company, with which he remained for a few years, or until 1896, when he embarked in the clothing business, succeeding his father, who had retired. Mr. Johantgen entered the Citizens Bank as cashier in 1916, on the personal solicitation of President Frank Fielder, and has fully justified the wisdom of the latter's selection.
On the 20th of April, 1896, Mr. Johantgen was united in marriage to Miss Anna Nagel. Three children have been born to them, namely: James, who is a medical student in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, class of 1925; Helen, who was graduated from Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio, in 1924, with the degree of A. B .; and Richard. Politically Mr. Johantgen is a democrat and has served as town clerk. He is a devout communicant of St. Mary's Roman Catholic church in Dansville and fraternally is identified with the Knights of Columbus. A lifelong resident of Dans- ville, he enjoys an extensive and favorable acquaintance in the town and has long been numbered among its successful and representative citizens.
KENNETH CASTLE TOWNSON.
Kenneth Castle Townson is one of Rochester's loyal sons, and that he is an exceptionally capable and energetic young business man is demonstrated by the fact that he has been chosen director of the city's largest department store. He was born July 8, 1889, and his parents were Andrew J. and Marie A. (Castle) Townson, the former a native of Carlyle, England, and the latter of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The father was a boy of eight when the family came to the United States and at the age of twelve he became a wage earner, entering the department store now conducted by the Sibley, Lindsay & Curr Company. He remained with that firm until his death and rose from the position of cash boy through the various departments of the business, at length becoming secretary and treasurer. He was highly esteemed by his associates in the business and by all with whom he came into contact, for he was a man of exemplary character and substantial worth. He passed away on the 16th of February, 1920, and is survived by the mother. Four sons were born to them: Douglas C., president of the firm of Curtis Brothers; Harold C., secretary of the Stecher Lithographing Company; Kenneth Castle of this review; and Andrew J., who is attending school. All are residents of this city.
Kenneth Castle Townson completed a course in the East high school and finished his education in the University of Rochester. Since entering the business world he has been identified with the Sibley, Lindsay & Curr Company, and in recognition of his conscientious efforts and devotion to their interests he was steadily advanced as his experience and value increased. He is well qualified for the responsibilities which now devolve upon him and displays mature judgment and keen sagacity in solving the many problems which are constantly arising in connection with his duties.
Mr. Townson is a director of the Rochester Dispensary and other worthy civic enterprises, being ever ready to lend the weight of his influence to projects for the good of his community. He is serving as president of the Rochester Polo Club, which owes its present standing largely to his enthusiastic and untiring efforts in its behalf. The team is composed of about ten players, all of whom are expert horsemen, and has won many trophies. Mr. Townson has long been identified with the New York National Guard and his activities in this connection have gained him state- wide prominence. He served in the Three Hundred and Tenth Cavalry and the Fifty-eighth Field Artillery during the World war and is at present commander of the Second Squadron, One Hundred and First Cavalry, sparing no effort to bring this squadron up to its present high standing among the cavalry units of the country.
432
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
Mr. Townson was married June 25, 1913, in Rochester, to Miss Elizabeth Mulli- gan, a daughter of Dr. Edward Mulligan, a well known physician of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Townson have two sons, Edward W. Townson and Andrew J. Townson (II). The former was born August 7, 1914, and the latter March 15, 1917, and both are natives of this city. Mr. Townson is a member of the Rochester Chamber of Com- merce and is connected with the Young Men's Christian Association, the Rochester Country Club, and Delta Epsilon, a college fraternity. He is essentially a member of the class of doers, thoroughly imbued with the progressive spirit of the age, and possesses those qualities which invariably pave the way to a successful career in any vocation, while his genuine personal worth has established him high in public regard. His residence is at No. 60 Argyle street.
HON. JOHN A. BARHITE.
Judge John A. Barhite was born in the city of Auburn, New York, June 11, 1857. On his father's side he came of sturdy Dutch ancestry, the family being among the early Dutch settlers along the Hudson river, the name originally being Barhydt. His mother was Sara Stanton of Herkimer county, who was of Revolutionary ancestry.
John A. Barhite prepared for college at the famous old Canadaigua Academy, and entered the University of Rochester in the fall of 1877, graduating with highest honors in the class of 1881. After graduating from college he studied law in the office of Theodore Bacon, at that time one of the leading lawyers of the state. He was admitted to the bar in 1883 and became one of the most brilliant lawyers in the state. His clientele was extensive and of important character. He was known among the profession for the wide research and provident care with which he pre- pared his cases. At no time was his reading confined to the limitations of the ques- tions. He was at all times an indefatigible student, looking beyond every contingency, and providing not alone for the expected but for the unexpected, which perhaps hap- pens more frequently in the courts than elsewhere. He had an enviable practice.
He was a member of the Constitutional convention of 1894, being instrumental in having numerous sections relating to the judiciary of the state accepted. He served on several of the constitution committees, one of which apportioned the senatorial districts of the state and it was through his influence that Monroe county's one district was divided into two districts. He was also attorney of for the special col- lectors of the important supplemental tax for the construction of the west side sewer.
Judge Barhite was elected special county judge in the year 1906 and continued in office until 1917, when he resigned and was appointed public service commissioner. In his long service on the bench his rulings were reversed by the higher courts only three times, showing the soundness of his remarkable legal knowledge.
Judge Barhite was twice married, his first wife being Augusta Coleman, who died in 1894. His second wife was Mayme Eleanore Kelley, to whom he was married on November 18, 1908. He had three sons: Augustus Coleman Barhite, John Kelley Barhite and Robert Stanton Barhite. Judge Barhite passed way April 2, 1924, after an illness of about five months. A resident of Rochester from the time he entered the University of Rochester as a student, he was held in highest esteem by all who came into contact with him either in a business or social manner. The following editorial appeared in the Rochester Times-Union at the time of his demise:
"Through the death of John A. Barhite, former public service commissioner, Rochester and the state lost a citizen who made a record as a capable administrator. Judge Barhite, as he was known through having long been a special county judge, was a man of sound judgment, knowledge of the law and administrative capacity. Opinions differ regarding policy, but always it is necessary to find men who will make decisions, assume responsibility, do the work. Judge Barhite was conservative in his thinking and policy, energetic and effective in action, in private practice and his long career in public office was an honorable, reliable counselor and useful servant of the public."
The following is an excerpt from the resolutions of respect adopted by the Roches- ter Bar Association when Judge Barhite, one of its honored members, passed away: "It was the fortune of Judge Barhite to have as clients many of the large and varied interests in this community. In every case he was faithful to the interest of his client and brought to bear upon the problems that were involved, rare
...
JUDGE JOHN A. BARHITE
436
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
ized the banking firm of Campbell Brothers. Later the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Campbell organized the Farmers and Mechanics Bank, and was cashier of this institution until 1911, when it was organized as a state bank and he became president. He took pride in the confidence imposed in the bank and its methods, his conservative judgment was relied upon, and depositors came from far and near to deal with the bank. He was secretive in his charities, but they were many and while he enjoyed being called "a hardheaded banker" he was always aiding those who needed it, without fanfare or publicity. He was the dean of bankers in the county and his personal integrity was never questioned by rivals, enemies or friends.
When he was only twenty-one Mr. Campbell ran for county treasurer on the democratic ticket and later served as village treasurer. He was a member of the Democratic State committee for several years and in 1891 was elected state comp- troller and served two years under Governor Flower. He was the youngest Comp- troller elected in New York but handled the difficult duties of this office with efficiency and dispatch. He attended the democratic convention in Chicago in 1892 when Cleveland was nominated and worked hard for the great democrat, who gained the presidency. He was chairman of the Democratic State committee in 1900 and went to the national convention once more. All his life he has been a liberal giver of time, thought and financial aid to the party.
Mr. Campbell secured the state fish hatchery at Cold Springs and helped bring the state roads through northern Steuben county. As trustee of the New York State Soldiers Home for many years his sympathies were always with the veterans and during his trusteeship the board consisted almost entirely of veterans and he aided them in many ways. Fraternally he was a member of Steuben Lodge, No. 112, A. F. & A. M. and had taken several higher degrees. He was an organizer of the Steuben Club, member of the Hornell Elks, of the Corning Club and for many years a member of the Manhattan Club of New York city. He was a devoted follower of the art of fishing and many a fine catch of brook trout graced local tables after Frank Campbell returned with rod and reel.
He was married in 1879, to Mary Louise, daughter of the late Warren W. Wilson, of Bath. Mrs. Campbell died in 1914. They were parents of one son: Wilson R. Campbell, who is vice president of his father's bank, president of the village of Bath, president of the board of trustees of the New York State Sailors and Soldiers Home, was the organizer and first president of the Bath Rotary Club and secretary-treasurer of the Empire State Abstract Corporation.
Mr. Campbell's influence on the life of Bath was far-reaching and his greatest. memorial is the tribute of the many who knew him and his methods, and it is generally conceded that he contributed more to the town's growth and welfare than any other one individual.
JOHN D. LYNN.
Among the men who are prominent in the public life of the Genesee country no one has a more distinguished and creditable record than John D. Lynn of Rochester, former United States marshal for western New York and a leading member of the New York bar. Born in Ontario county, New York, in the town of Bloomfield, on April 12, 1857, he is the son of Maurice and Jane (Groves) Lynn. The mother, who passed away in Rochester on the 2d of November, 1923, at the venerable age of ninety-two, was born in County Kerry, Ireland, July 29, 1831. As a girl she came to Rochester with her mother and made this city her home until her marriage on No- vember 1, 1852, when she moved to Michigan with her husband. Maurice Lynn was also a native of the Emerald isle and had come to the United States in early life. The young couple returned to New York state before long, however, settling in East. Bloomfield and later in Mendon, where they lived until the death of the husband in 1892, at the age of seventy-three. They were the parents of ten children, six of whom are living: Mrs. John Grimm, Emma M. Lynn, John D., William F., and Edward B. Lynn, all of Rochester; and Thomas M. Lynn of Gates.
John D. Lynn, the third child in the family, attended school in Lima, New York, and graduated from Genesee Wesleyan Seminary in the class of 1878, after having completed the academic course offered by that institution. Immediately after leaving college he took up the study of law and three years later was admitted to legal practice before the bar of New York. A highly successful career in his chosen pro- fession, extending over a period of forty-two years, entitles "Judge" Lynn to his
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.