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 43
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JOHN D. LYNN
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high position in the legal fraternity. He is generally recognized as one of the fore- most lawyers in this section of the state.
When he was but thirty-one Mr. Lynn became county judge for Monroe county, New York, and the title "Judge", by which he is frequently addressed, has clung to him ever since. Later he was appointed to the far more important position of United States district attorney for the western district of this state. Still later President Wilson appointed him United States marshal for western New York, a position that he filled for two successive terms. Early in 1924 Judge Lynn resigned from office to make way for the new republican appointee. This course was made necessary by the political policy in vogue in America of the party in power awarding the political appointments to its own members. Although a lifelong democrat Judge Lynn is regarded by representative people of various political affiliations as a capable, conscientious and efficient public official and his retirement from office is to be re- gretted as one of the many instances that lay the "spoils system" open to severe criticism.
The problems that arose during Judge Lynn's term of office were unique in many instances. In the period that intervened between his coming into office and the entrance of the country into the World war, the new marshal was deeply concerned with cases involving the violation of our neutrality. After the declaration of war, the marshal had charge of and responsibility for practically all war activities of the government in his district.
Since his retirement to private life Judge Lynn has resumed the practice of law in connection with the well-known firm of Lynn Brothers. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association and one of the founders of the Rochester City Bar Association. For the past thirty-three years he has been a trustee of Genesee Wesleyan Seminary. He belongs to many fraternal and social organizations.
In 1885 Judge Lynn was married to Miss Minnie Taylor, daughter of George Taylor of Rochester. Mrs. Lynn died in 1898, leaving, besides her husband, three children: George Taylor Lynn, a well-known attorney of Rochester and an associate of his father in the legal practice; Maurice G. Lynn, also a Rochester attorney; and Miss Joan Lynn, who resides with her father. Upon Judge Lynn's retirement from public office he was given a banquet by the citizens of Rochester, arranged and attended by representatives of every class and condition of the city's active life. In size and enthusiasm it was said to be the greatest thing of the kind in the city's history.
CHARLES ZIMMERLI.
Rochester is justifiably proud of her native sons, whose loyalty and public spirit have become proverbial, and in their capable hands the future of the city is assured. In this classification belongs Charles Zimmerli, whose career has been marked by continuous progress. He has obtained his objective in the business world and has reared as a monument to his enterprise and industry one of the largest office furniture houses in this country. He was born in Rochester, on the 9th of January, 1876, and his parents, Rudolph and Rose Walchli Zimmerli, were natives of Switzerland. Rudolph Zimmerli migrated to the United States in 1855, locating in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he made his home for ten years, fighting in the Confederate army, during the Civil war. He returned to Switzerland after the war, in 1865, and married Rose Walchli. They lived in Switzerland until 1875 and subsequently they came to the New World, settling in Rochester, where he followed the trade of blacksmith for a number of years. He passed away in this city. The mother is living.
Charles Zimmerli attended the public schools until he reached the age of thirteen and then began earning his own livelihood, securing work with the Vetter Desk Company of Rochester. He remained with that firm for eighteen years, rising steadily in its service, and eventually became advertising manager. He next entered the employ of the Art Metal Construction Company, which he represented as a traveling salesman for nine years, and during that period gained a comprehensive understand- ing of the industry. In 1917 his ambition prompted him to establish a business of his own and the venture proved a notable success, developing with remarkable rapid- ity under the able guidance of its founder, until it has now assumed very extensive proportions. It is conducted under the name of the Zimmerli Business Furniture Corporation and Mr. Zimmerli serves as its president and treasurer, while he also
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acts as secretary of the Rochester Cabinet Company, Incorporated, which is likewise a prosperous and growing concern.
In Rochester, on June 10, 1903, Mr. Zimmerli was married to Miss Sadie Holyer, a daughter of Thomas and Jennie Holyer. Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerli have two chil- dren: Irma H. and Kenneth A. Zimmerli, twins, born February 14, 1910, in this city. Mr. Zimmerli is a Knights Templar Mason and Shriner and is also a member of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, the Kiwanis Club and the Automobile Club of this city. He well deserves the title of "self-made man", for he became a wage earner at an early age, and his record is a highly creditable one, proving what may be ac- complished by hard work and perseverance, when guided by sound judgment and keen business insight.
I. SEYMOUR COPELAND.
One of the best known newspaper men of New York was the late I. Seymour Cope- land of Elmira. He was a man widely respected in his chosen profession, universally loved by those who knew him, and looked upon by his readers as a singularly gifted writer. He had many friends, as he well deserved to have, for he was kindly, sym- pathetic, deeply religious and, withal, a man of rare accomplishment. His journalistic career was notable and uniformly successful. As an editorial writer he was without superior and his efforts created a distinct impression upon the history of the papers with which he was identified. In his personal life his influence covered many things, many spheres of activity, and whatever he was associated with was invariably benefited. He was born December 30, 1849, in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, and died February 6, 1919, in Lemon City, Florida, where he had gone to spend the winter months. His parents were John and Harriet (Fairman) Copeland.
I. Seymour Copeland obtained his early education in the town where has was born and here also had his first employment. He came to Elmira in August, 1866, and here became associated with his uncles, the late Charles and Seymour Fairman, for many years editors and publishers of the Elmira Advertiser. Mr. Copeland learned the rudiments of the printing trade in the job printing department of this newspaper and later entered the press room. From here he was promoted to the position of foreman of the composing room and soon afterward assumed an editorial position, in which he achieved noteworthy success through a long career. A host of readers throughout southern New York remember with pleasure his "Pad and Pencil" column which ap- peared weekly for many years and which was a true reflection of the personality and ability of the writer.
In 1881 Mr. Copeland, in company with the late John B. Briggs, organized and published The Elmira Sunday Tidings. This newspaper was published for several years from the office located in the basement of the old Advertiser building, corner of Lake and Market streets. On May 24, 1888, with his brother-in-law, the late James F. Woodford, Mr. Copeland launched the Elmira Evening Star, a pioneer penny news- paper, which was first published on a small scale from an office located on the south side of West Water street, west of Main. The paper proved to be very popular and the plant was moved to more spacious quarters at the corner of Nicks street and Exchange place, where the publication was continued until the consolidation of the Star, and the Gazette and Free Press in 1907. The consolidated corporation erected the present building at Baldwin and Market streets. Mr. Copeland was elected president of the company, which position he held until his death. He did not content himself with merely an executive place on the newspaper, but gave his hardest effort toward build- ing up the principles and the content of his publication. The character and editorial excellence of The Star-Gazette is largely attributable to the solid theories of this accomplished journalist. In the writing of obituaries Mr. Copeland was especially gifted. He had the ability to create articles in this vein which were prose poems; they were artistic bits of composition which have rarely been excelled in the history of journalism.
In his private life, Mr. Copeland was a simple, home loving man and his greatest pleasure was in the hours he spent with his devoted helpmate and children. He was married in 1874 to Miss Nancy Woodford, who survives him. Two children were born to them: A daughter, who died in infancy; and Dr. Woodford J. Copeland, who is mentioned on a subsequent page of this volume.
I. Seymour Copeland was a deeply religious man, and he practiced the religious principles which were guiding influences in his life. He was a devoted member of
A. Sigman Copeland
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The Park church and it is a fitting thing to record that in 1924 his widow and son presented this church with a set of tower chimes as a tribute to his memory. Mr. Copeland was a stanch man in politics and fearless in his views. He was also a mem- ber of all the Masonic bodies and the Elks, and belonged to numerous clubs and societies.
CARL H. HENNRICH.
Carl H. Hennrich is a typical young business man of the present age-alert, enter- prising, purposeful-and his ability is bringing him rapidly to the front in insurance circles of Rochester, his native city. He was born January 23, 1893, a son of August and Johanna (Krause) Hennrich. The father was long identified with mechanical pursuits and passed away in Rochester, on August 13, 1917, but the mother is still a resident of the city. They had a family of seven children: Herman C., who is asso- ciated in business with Carl H .; Minnie, Marie, Clara and Martha, all of whom reside in this city; Irving, deceased; and Carl H. of this review.
Carl H. Hennrich was a pupil in the grammar schools and high school and also attended the Mechanics Institute of Rochester. After completing his course he became a draughtsman. In 1912 his initiative spirit prompted him to enter the insurance business, and in 1915 he opened an insurance office in Rochester. He has met with encouraging success and is well informed on matters pertaining to the business, in which he takes a keen interest.
On the 27th of June, 1917, Mr. Hennrich was married to Miss Louise M. Martin, a native of Rochester and a daughter of Vitus Martin of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Hennrich have a son: Warren C. Hennrich, who was born September 18, 1921. Dur- ing the progress of the World war Mr. Hennrich enlisted in the United States army. He has always discharged to the best of his ability the duties and obligations of life and measures up to the full standard of American manhood and citizenship.
FLOYD M. SHOEMAKER.
Floyd M. Shoemaker, prominent in industrial circles of the city of Elmira, was born in Dundee, New York, in 1872, a son of J. Monroe and Delia (Benedict) Shoe- maker, who are mentioned more particularly in the sketch of Guy W. Shoemaker, to be found elsewhere in this volume.
Floyd M. Shoemaker attended the public schools of Elmira and also had the benefit of training in St. John's Military Academy at Manlius, New York, from which he was graduated in 1890, when eighteen years of age. His first experience along business lines was gained in the Second National Bank of Elmira, of which he be- came head bookkeeper, and for three years he was connected with that financial insti- tution. Two years were spent in the employ of the Standard Oil Company and he then aided in organizing the Hygeia Refrigerating Company, of which he was made general manager. He is now its president and under his able direction an extensive business has been developed. Since 1919 he has been the executive head of the Frostilla Com- pany, which was founded in 1872 by Clay W. Holmes. The Hygeia Refrigerating Com- pany is one of Elmira's large industries. Its cold storage warehouses and ice plant are the largest in the interior of the state. This company has a large plant in Elmira and another in Toronto, Canada. The firm is represented in the United States by approximately fifty traveling salesmen, by twenty-six in Canada, and fifty in other countries. The sales offices are situated in New York city. Frostilla lotion for the skin is one of the best and most popular preparations of the kind on the market and no industry in the city has brought to it a greater degree of prestige. The business has been in continuous operation for fifty-two years and its success is due to the fact that the master formula of integrity and reliability has ever remained unchanged. Mr. Shoemaker is a director of the Chemung County Building & Loan Association and is financially interested in many of Elmira's successful enterprises.
On June 6, 1895, Mr. Shoemaker was married to Miss Flora"L. Holmes, a daugh- ter of Clay W. Holmes, who was one of the foremost business men of Elmira. Mr. and Mrs. Shoemaker have become the parents of four children, of whom M. Holmes is the oldest. He was born March 4, 1896, and received his higher education in Lafayette College at Easton, Pennsylvania. He was a member of the Naval Reserve for a year and went overseas with the "Suicide" Division. He earned an officer's commission
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at Pelham Bay Training Station. He is now a member of the Frostilla Company. The other children are: Guy S. and Clayton S., twins, born in 1898; and Lois S., the wife of Dudley Olcott (III). Mr. Olcott is the son of a prominent banker of western New York and owns a large stock farm in the vicinity of Corning. All of Mr. Shoe- maker's children are married and he has three grandsons.
Mr. and Mrs. Shoemaker are active in the First Baptist church, where Mrs. Snoe- maker is one of the trustees. Mr. Shoemaker gives his political support to the re- publican party and belongs to the Ivy Lodge of Masons. He is also a member of the Elmira Country Club, Elmira City Club and the Engineers Club of New York city. Mr. Shoemaker has served as a member of the New York State Commission on Farms and Markets by appointment of Governor Whitman, has been president of the New York State Cold Storage Association, and during the World war was a member of Hoover's cold storage advisory committee.
JOHN BALL.
On all matters pertaining to grain and produce, large quantities of which are produced in the surrounding country, the word and opinion of John Ball of Cale- donia, Livingston county, New York, is regarded as the last and highest authority. Handling grain and produce has been the sole occupation of his adult years, and he has built up and successfully manages an extremely large business in these essentials. He was born at Caledonia, on September 21, 1855, the son of Terence and Mary (McGee) Ball, both now deceased.
John Ball acquired his education in the district public schools, after which he went to work, and since that time has always been engaged in the milling business. He started in 1887 with F. P. Brownell, and was with him for a year, and then with his brother Thomas, who died on August 14, 1903. Mr. Ball is now associated with F. J. O'Brien.
Mr. Ball was married on November 6, 1889, to Helen Cain of Caledonia. Six children have been born to them: Joseph, John, Anna, Donald, Ida and Margaret. Politically Mr. Ball is a democrat, takes an interest in local affairs, and has been town assessor and village trustee. In religion he is a member of the Roman Catholic church.
HERMAN RUSSELL.
Herman Russell, vice president and general manager of the Rochester Gas & Electric Company, is one of the well known public utility executives of the country. For almost twenty years he has been prominently identified with Rochester's largest utility corporation and in his various capacities, which have carried additional respon- sibilities, he has been a resultant factor in its growth and development. He was born in Manistee, Michigan, September 21, 1878, a son of Edwin and Fannie Lincoln (Hopkins) Russell, both of whom were natives of Cattaraugus county, New York. The father went to Michigan in 1870, returning to New York a few years later, and after his marriage he took his bride to the Wolverine state, where he spent the re- mainder of his life. For a time he taught school in Michigan and later embarked in the lumber business, with which he was identified for many years. He is survived by his widow, who still resides on the old homestead in Manistee.
Herman Russell attended the public schools of his native city. His higher educa- tion was received in the University of Michigan, from which he won the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1898, and two years later that institution conferred upon him the Master's degree. He was the first holder of the Michigan Gas Association fellow- ship at the university in 1900. For two and a half years he was employed in the engineering department of the Detroit Gas Company and then accepted an offer from the San Francisco Gas Company, with which he remained from 1903 until 1905, in- clusive. Mr. Russell was next with the gas company of Cincinnati, Ohio, and on December 1, 1906, assumed the duties of assistant superintendent of the gas plant of the Rochester Gas & Electric Company. He was rapidly advanced, becoming superintendent in the following year, then assistant manager, and is now serving as general manager and vice president of the company, of which he is likewise a director. His life work has been in the public utility field, where he has achieved a most creditable success.
HERMAN RUSSELL
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Mr. Russell was married in Cincinnati, Ohio, on December 21, 1905, to Miss Nellie Amelia Fortune, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Fortune of Detroit, Michigan, the former of whom is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Russell have a son and daughter, both of whom were born in Rochester: Edwin Fortune and Frances Anne. Appreciative of the social amenities of life Mr. Russell is a member of the Rochester Club; the Wash- ington Club; the Oak Hill Country Club, of which he is secretary; the Rochester Athletic Club; the Y. M. C. A .; and the Rochester Automobile Club. He is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce. In his professional and technical affiliations he is a member of the Michigan, Empire State and American Gas Associations and the National Electric Light Association, and his political support is given to the repub- lican party. Mr. Russell's career has been one largely shaped by himself. He has forged ahead solely upon his own efforts and talents and his advancement has come as the recognition of work well done and his capacity for assuming greater burdens and responsibilities.
CHARLES FREDERIC HOWE.
A large percentage of Rochester's leading business men are native sons whose enterprise and initiative have been essential factors in city building, and in this classification belongs Charles Frederic Howe, a successful realtor. He was born March 4, 1881, and represents one of the oldest families of the city. His parents were Michael and Mary (Ragan) Howe, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Rochester. In early life the father came to Rochester and subsequently entered the employ of the local gas company, with which he was connected for about forty years, holding the responsible position of superintendent for a considerable period. His death occurred on the 3d of November, 1902, and the mother passed away March 16, 1914. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Howe was situated next door to that of the founder of Rochester and for sixty-eight years they lived in that dwelling, while their resi- dence on that street-South Washington street-covered a period of seventy-eight years. They were largely familiar with many of the events which have shaped its history and enjoyed the esteem of many friends.
After completing his high school course Charles Frederic Howe matriculated in the University of Rochester and was graduated with the class of 1905. He was first connected with the Rochester Gas Company, of which he was made assistant chief clerk, and resigned his position in 1910 to enter the real estate business in association with William E. Morgan, who became the junior member of the firm. In the inter- vening period the business has grown steadily and their operations are now conducted on a large scale. They have greatly enhanced the value of property in those sections of the city in which they have been active, and rank with the leading real estate firms of Rochester.
Mr. Howe is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church and has taken the third degree in the Knights of Columbus. He is a member of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, the local real estate board, and the Theta Chi fraternity. He also belongs to the Rochester Club, the Automobile Club of this city and the Genesee Valley Golf Club. Mr. Howe is enthusiastic in exploiting Rochester's resources and advantages and is recognized as a sagacious, farsighted business man whose word is to be relied upon, and a progressive, public-spirited citizen.
EDWARD E. DOTY.
To a very large extent the prosperity of western New York is dependent upon its farms, the product of which must be shipped and converted into cash before the farmers can pay their bills and necessary running expenses. This is a task the farmer cannot do himself without a grievous loss of time, while his unfamiliarity with market prices and the best time for shipping often would result in serious loss. Mr. Doty has spent his life in marketing the farmers produce, assuring them of the best prices, protecting them against unscrupulous dealers, and has been a potent factor in the agricultural prosperity of the section where his operations are conducted. His firm is known all over western New York, and bears the highest reputation among the farmers for its reliability and absolutely square and honest methods. He is the president of Belden & Company, Incorporated, of Geneseo, Livingston county, New York, and is a
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leading citizen in the affairs of the community aside from the business of his firm. He was born in Hamlin, Monroe county, New York, on July 1, 1862, the son and only child of George W. and Phoebe B. (Whipple) Doty.
Edward E. Doty acquired his education in the public schools of the county and ended with a course in the Brockport Normal School. He began his work in Geneseo when he was nineteen years old and is now president of Belden & Company, Incor- porated, distributors of grain and produce. The firm was organized in 1897, and the territory in which it operates covers all of western New York. Shipments are made to all the principal market centers, in which the firm has its agents, who assure the best prices and also prompt collections. Mr. Doty has large financial interests in Livingston county besides his business. He is vice president of the Livingston County Trust Company and president of the Springwater State Bank, both institutions being of the most substantial and prosperous character.
Outside of business matters Mr. Doty takes an active interest in the affairs of Geneseo, and has been a member of the local board of the Geneseo Normal School for a number of years, and president of the village for several years. In his political views Mr. Doty is a republican, and in his religious convictions a Presbyterian and one of the trustees of the Presbyterian church in Geneseo. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masonic order, is a past master of Geneseo Lodge, No. 214, F. & A. M., and one of its trustees. During the World war Mr. Doty was chairman of the War Stamp drive in Livingston county, the county being one of five in the state to fulfill its quota, which was nine hundred thousand dollars.
Mr. Doty was married in 1887, to Mary M. McIntyre. They had four children: Lawrence E., Harold A., Kenneth M. and Robert L. Harold and Kenneth served in the World war, the former in the artillery and the latter as first lieutenant in the infantry. Both went overseas and Kenneth was wounded in action. Mrs. Doty passed away in 1920. Mr. Doty was later married to Mrs. Metta Gray Lent of Batavia, New York.
HENRY LEWIS MARSH.
Henry Lewis Marsh is well known in Rochester's business circles as president of the Genesee Provision Company, Incorporated, which he organized in 1906, and in fraternal life is a thirty-third degree Mason. He was born in Richford, Vermont, on the 3d of May, 1872, his parents being Amos and Catharine (Rock) Marsh, both natives of the state of New York. Removing to Vermont, they spent the remainder of their lives in the Green Mountain state, where the father devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits. Their family numbered twelve children, of whom five survive, as follows: Henry L., of this review; Amos, Mrs. Carrie Sheppard, Matilda and Melina.
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