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 44
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In the acquirement of an education Henry Lewis Marsh attended the grade and high schools of his native city and subsequently continued his studies in the high school at Sutton, Quebec, Canada. After putting aside his textbooks he was identified with the grocery business in Providence, Rhode Island, until 1906, when he came to Rochester, New York, and organized the Genesee Provision Company, of which he has remained at the head. He here began business in a small way on South avenue and later took over the building of Henry R. East, which he remodeled for his own pur- poses, now having a modern and up-to-date establishment. The business of the Genesee Provision Company has grown to extensive and profitable proportions under his capable direction and excellent management. Mr. Marsh is also a director of the Rochester Motor Terminal, Incorporated.
On the 1st of January, 1901, in Providence, Rhode Island, Mr. Marsh was united in marriage to Lillie G. Wood, daughter of Fred A. Wood and a representative of a prominent family of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Marsh are the parents of two children: Henry Frederick, who was born in Providence, Rhode Island, in March, 1903, and is a student in the University of Pennsylvania; and Florence Rockwood, who was born in Rochester, New York, in October, 1914, and is attending public school in this city.
Mr. Marsh is the president of the Brighton and Penfield Civic Association. Fra- ternally he is identified with all bodies of the Masonic order, in which he has attained the honorary thirty-third degree. He is past master of Rochester Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; past high priest of Ionic Chapter, R. A. M .: past commander of Cyrene Com- mandery, K. T .; first lieutenant commander of Rochester Consistory, A. & A. S. R .; past potentate of Damascus Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S .: and past monarch of Lalla Rookh Grotto, M. O. V. P. E. R. He is a director of the Masonic Temple Association
HENRY L. MARSH
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and a member of its building committee. Mr. Marsh also belongs to the Chamber of Commerce, the Retail Merchants Association, the Automobile Club of Rochester, the Oak Hill Country Club, the Masonic Club and the Monroe Golf Club, being a director of the last named. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in Christ Epis- copal church, in which he is serving as vestryman. Mr. Marsh has long been num- bered among the representative merchants and progressive business men of his adopted city and the material prosperity which he now enjoys is attributable entirely to his own efforts, representing the fit utilization of his time, talents and opportunities. He resides in Brighton, and his residence "Knowlwood" is one of the most attractive of Rochester's suburban homes.
LESTER C. BROWNELL.
There are few occupations in life in which a legal education will not be found advantageous, and this is especially true of large business undertakings, in which knowledge of the law confers tremendous additional worth on men in executive posi- tions. Lester C. Brownell, the efficient treasurer of the Allen & Bailey Tag Company, of Caledonia, Livingston county, New York, is primarily a lawyer and secondarily a treasurer, while his competency in the latter capacity is enhanced by his attainments as a member of the bar.
Lester C. Brownell was born in Caledonia, on August 8, 1881, the son of Finley P. and Emma W. (Warner) Brownell. His early education was acquired in the grade and high schools, after which he took the course in the Albany Law School, at Albany, New York, and for eight years afterward was in general practice in Caledonia. In 1915 Mr. Brownell became associated with the Allen & Bailey Tag Company and is now treasurer of the organization.
Mr. Brownell was married in 1904, to Bertha J. Baker of Caledonia. He is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, of the United Presbyterian church, and of the republican party.
CHARLES McLOUTH, JR.
Charles McLouth, Jr., an attorney at law associated with the well known firm of Sutherland & Dwyer of Rochester, is following in the professional footsteps of his distinguished father, the late Hon. Charles McLouth.
A native of Wayne county, New York, Judge McLouth commenced the practice of law in Palmyra in 1858, shortly after being admitted to the bar, and was soon recognized as an attorney of unusual ability and force. For more than half a century he was one of the leaders before the Wayne county bar, and his practice extended to all the courts under the supreme court of the United States. He was very prominent in state and local politics as one of the democratic leaders. Judge McLouth served his fellow citizens conscientiously and well as president of the village and as president of the board of education for the Palmyra Classical Union School, of which he was a member for forty-four years continuously. For nineteen years he was president of the Custodial Asylum in Newark. He was president of the Palmyra Gas Company and for a long time director in the First National Bank of that village. He was appointed county judge by Governor Hoffman in 1869, to serve out the unexpired term of Judge Cowles. Throughout a long and useful life he was active in all that con- cerns Palmyra and proved himself a man of high standards and conduct in every civic relation. Judge McLouth died in 1917, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary A. Stuart, is still living. She is a native daughter of the Empire state, where she has lived all of her life. There were four children in the McLouth family, all of whom are living. Charles McLouth, Jr., is the second child and the only son.
Charles McLouth, Jr., attended the Palmyra high school and was graduated from Hamilton College with the A. B. degree, in the class of 1916. He graduated valedicto- rian of his class and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa society. He prepared for his professional career at Albany Law School and was admitted to practice in March, 1920. The practice of his profession was begun in the offices of Sutherland & Dwyer of Rochester, where he has remained to the present day. This association has given the young man valuable experience. Moreover, he has won the confidence of his
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associates by his open, fair-minded approach to all questions, his painstaking mastery of the facts in each case and his sound common sense. He is a member of the Roches- ter and the Wayne County Bar Associations.
While his business takes him to Rochester every day, Mr. McLouth has continued to make his home in Palmyra, and takes a keen interest in the life of that community. He is a Mason, belonging to the lodge, chapter, council and commandery of Palmyra and at present is holding offices in the commandery and chapter. He is an Episcopalian in his religious faith and a vestryman in Zion church.
During the World war Mr. McLouth entered the United States military service as a private in the Fourth Officers' Training School and was stationed at Camp Devens, Massachusetts; Camp Taylor, Kentucky, and Camp Jackson, South Carolina. He was commissioned second lieutenant in the Third F. A. R. D., and was honorably discharged from the army at Camp Jackson, with the rank of second lieutenant, after eight and a half months of active service.
THE REV. MICHAEL C. WALL.
One of the largest religious congregations in Avon, Livingston county, New York, is that of St. Agnes Roman Catholic church, of which Father Wall is the pastor. The parish of St. Agnes was organized in 1853, when the old Baptist church was bought by Father Maguire, the structure being afterward rebuilt and enlarged.
Michael C. Wall was born in the province of Ontario, Canada, on September 9, 1871, the son of William and Mary (Kenefick) Wall. His early education was acquired in the parochial schools of the province, and afterward at St. Andrew's, Rochester; St. Joseph's, Troy; and St. Bernard's, Rochester, the three latter schools being located in New York state. Father Wall was ordained priest on June 12, 1897, and his first assignment was as assistant pastor at the Holy Family church in Auburn, New York, where he remained for one year and five months. He then in succession was pastor of parishes at Stanley, Rushville, Horsehead, Elmira Heights and Dansville, all in New York state. He was at St. Patrick's in Dansville until 1921, and on July 6 of that year moved to Avon and assumed charge of the parish of St. Agnes. The first rector of St. Agnes church was Father Maguire, in 1853, the pastors in succession after him being Fathers O'Brien, Quigley, Bradley, O'Keefe, Hendrick, Curran, Dougherty, Owen, Farron, Darcy and Wall. The brick church was erected in 1869 and in 1923 underwent extensive remodeling under Father Wall's direction. The parochial school, erected in 1908, has two hundred and sixty-five pupils, and is under the charge of the Sisters of St. Joseph. There is a fine parish house, of Colonial style, which was bought from Captain Macy, and this also has been remodeled by Father Wall.
RICHARD E. WHITE.
Richard E. White, the period of whose active identification with the Rochester bar covers nearly a half century, may without invidious distinction be termed one of the most able and successful attorneys of this city. His birth occurred in Mans- field, Massachusetts, on the 12th of June, 1848, his parents being Ephraim H. and Phoebe J. (Smith) White, who were also natives of that state. It was in the year 1855 that the family came to the state of New York, locating at Halls Corner in Wheatland, where the father engaged in mechanical pursuits throughout the remainder of his life.
Richard E. White supplemented his public school education by a course of study in Fulton Seminary and subsequently attended the State Normal and Training School at Brockport, New York, after which he took up educational work in the schools of Monroe and Livingston counties. This claimed his attention for five years, on the expiration of which period he began reading law in the office of Joseph A. Stull and later with Oscar Craig. Admitted to the bar in June, 1875, the city of Rochester has remained the scene of his professional activities throughout the intervening period to the present and a most gratifying practice has been accorded him in recognition of his pronounced ability and broad legal learning. For seven years he was associated with the Hon. George A. Benton, who was later a justice of the supreme court of the state. An excellent presence, an earnest, dignified manner, marked strength of char- acter, a thorough grasp of the law and the ability accurately to apply its principles,
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REV. MICHAEL C. WALL
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are factors in Mr. White's effectiveness as an advocate. He has membership connec- tion with the Rochester Bar Association, of which he was president in 1912, and the New York State Bar Association, and aside from his professional interests is director of a number of local industrial enterprises.
On the 25th of October, 1877, in Rochester, Mr. White was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth M. Lacy of Scottsville, Monroe county, daughter of Dr. William G. Lacy, a prominent physician. Mr. and Mrs. White have two sons: Ernest L., born in Rochester, where he still makes his home, is assistant in the office of the city treasurer and is also engaged in the insurance business. He is married and has three children, Elizabeth Chapin, Carolyn G. and Ernestine Lacy White; R. Walter White, the other son, is also a native of Rochester, is connected with the Cooperative Law Publishing Company of this city, and is married and has one child, Barbara Elizabeth.
Richard E. White and his family are members of the First Presbyterian church, in which he is an elder, and in the work of which he takes an active and helpful interest. He had previously belonged to St. Peter's church of that denomination, in which he served as an elder for over forty years. His life is exemplary in all respects and he has ever supported those interests which are calculated to uplift and benefit humanity, while his own high moral worth is deserving of all commendation. For almost a half century he has been actively connected with a profession which has im- portant bearing upon the progress and stable prosperity of any section or community and one which has long been considered as conserving public welfare by furthering the ends of justice and maintaining individual rights.
EARLE T. MILLIGAN.
Earle T. Milligan, an enterprising merchant of Dansville, is the proprietor of one of the leading drug stores of the village, and his success has resulted from thorough preparation for his chosen line of work and unremitting application. He was born in York, Livingston county, November 21, 1889, a son of Archibald S. and Mary (Shan- non) Milligan, both of whom are deceased. After completing his high school course Mr. Milligan became a student at the University of Buffalo, from which he was graduated in 1915, winning the degree of Ph. G. For one and a half years he was connected with the Minckler Drug Company of Geneseo and then spent a similar period in the employ of the Leadley Drug Company of Batavia. He next became man- ager of the E. W. Simmons store at Brockport, New York, filling that position until October, 1920, when he located in Dansville. He purchased the drug business of James R. Wright and has since conducted the store, specializing in the Rexall products. He has a thorough understanding of the practical as well as the scientific phases of the business and has built up a good trade by earnest, systematic effort, progressive methods and close conformity to the principles of truth and honesty.
On October 1, 1912, Mr. Milligan was married to Miss Ruth Hooks of Retsof, Livingston county, and they have two children: Earle John and Barbara Alma. Mr. Milligan is a member of the Dansville Board of Trade, the Merchants Council and the Protectives. He is also a Rotarian and a Mason and his political allegiance is given to the republican party, while his religious views are in accord with the tenets of the Presbyterian church. He has thoroughly allied his interests with those of Dansville and works for the success of every project which has for its object the improvement and advancement of his community. He is a young man of progressive ideas who possesses that ambitious spirit which is the complement of industry, and his well- directed efforts have carried him steadily toward the goal of success.
GEORGE M. VELIE.
George M. Velie, who has been an active representative of the legal profession in Watkins during the past twenty-three years, was elected judge of the county, sur- rogate and juvenile courts in the fall of 1918 and has since ably discharged the duties of this important judicial office. He was born in the town of Hector, Schuyler county, New York, on the 30th of May, 1874, his parents being John W. and Lydia (Mathews) Velie. The father, who was born in Steuben county, New York, in 1828, was a success- ful agriculturist who resided for a half century in Schuyler county and who departed this life in 1915. The mother, whose natal year was 1840, passed away in 1921.
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George M. Velie received a high school education in Watkins and continued his studies in the Cook Academy at Montour Falls, New York. He obtained his specific training for a professional career as a student in the Albany Law School, from which he was graduated with the degree of LL. B. in 1901. The same year he was admitted to the bar and then entered upon the practice of his chosen calling in Watkins, where he soon built up a good clientage. For six years he filled the office of district attorney, making a most commendable record in that connection. He was elected judge of the county, surrogate and juvenile courts in the fall of 1918 and has thus remained on the bench through the intervening period to the present time. His decisions indicate strong mentality, careful analysis, a thorough knowledge of the law and an unbiased judgment. The judge on the bench fails more frequently, perhaps, from a deficiency in that broadmindedness which not only comprehends the details of a situation quickly and that insures a complete self-control under even the most exasperating conditions than from any other cause; and the judge who makes a success in the discharge of his multitudinous delicate duties is a man of well rounded character, finely balanced mind and of splendid intellectual attainments. That Judge Velie is regarded as such a jurist is a uniformly accepted fact.
In 1904 Judge Velie was united in marriage to Miss Jessie A. Clarke of Canan- daigua, Ontario county, New York. He gives his political support to the republican party and in religious faith is a Presbyterian, while fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order, belonging to the blue lodge at Watkins. Along strictly profes- sional lines he has membership connection with the Schuyler County Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association, and he has been unanimously elected a member of the Broome County Bar Association. He has long enjoyed an enviable reputation as a representative jurist and highly respected citizen of Schuyler county, within the borders of which his life has been spent.
LYELL TOWER HALLETT.
Lyell Tower Hallett, manager of the Rochester plant of the Beech-Nut Packing Company, has had a long and successful connection with that nationally-known in- dustrial corporation. He came to this city a little more than a decade ago to supervise the construction of the plant conducted here by that company, and since its comple- tion has remained in charge of its operation and management. He was born in Whitman, Massachusetts, August 20, 1880, a son of Wellington Lyell and Mary Jane (Tower) Hallett, both natives and lifelong residents of the Bay state. They now reside in Brookline, Massachusetts, where the father is still active in business affairs as president of the W. L. Hallett Transfer Company.
Lyell Tower Hallett obtained his early education in the schools of Rockland, Massachusetts, and graduated from the English high school of Boston. His first position after completing his school course was with the Beech-Nut Packing Com- pany at Canajoharie, New York. Beginning in a subordinate position, the young man displayed initiative and ambition that attracted the favorable notice of his superiors and he was given the opportunity to advance as rapidly as his merits deserved. Even- tually he rose to the office of manager of the Canajoharie plant, which is the home plant of the Beech-Nut Company.
It was in March, 1913, that Mr. Hallett came to Rochester to take charge of the erection of a branch plant for his firm. In this plant today jams, jellies and condi- ments of all kinds are being prepared and canned by the Beech-Nut corporation. It is one of the most up-to-date establishments of its kind in the country and is equipped with every known device for handling food products in a sanitary and efficient manner. Indeed, it has become one of the show places of Rochester, which is visited by hun- dreds of people every season. During the height of the canning and preserving season this large factory with its acres of floor space presents a long-remembered sight to those who are unfamiliar with canning as it is done commercially, and the manage- ment of the company extends every courtesy to visitors who wish to see how the good things that adorn their winter dining tables are prepared for distribution. When the plant is working at full capacity over five hundred people, many of them women and girls, are employed sorting and looking over the fruits and vegetables as they come in from the fields and orchards, operating the various machines used in the process of cooking, canning and labelling the products, and packing them for shipment. In the "off season" things are quieted down a bit and a staff of only about one hundred employes is carried over until the next busy season. In addition to being the executive
LYELL T. HALLETT
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head of the Rochester plant Mr. Hallett is also a member of the board of directors of the Beech-Nut Packing Company, which is now a ten-million-dollar corporation.
On June 25, 1902, Mr. Hallett was married in Canajoharie, New York, to Miss Bertha Virginia Lipe, a daughter of Ephraim and Eliza (Wood) Lipe. Mr. and Mrs. Hallett have a son and a daughter: Walter Wellington Hallett, born May 11, 1906, at Canajoharie, who graduated from Cascadilla Preparatory School of Ithaca, New York, class of 1924, and is now a student at Cornell University at Ithaca; and Florence Elizabeth Hallett, born March 3, 1908, also at Canajoharie, who is a student at Dana Hall of Wellesley, Massachusetts.
Mr. Hallett is a director and trustee of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, a member of the board of governors of the Rochester Club and the Oak Hill Country Club, and holds membership in the Rochester Yacht and Genesee Valley Clubs. He likewise belongs to Frank R. Lawrence Lodge, F. & A. M., Monroe Commandery, K. T., and Damascus Temple of the Mystic Shrine. It can be readily seen from the foregoing brief account of Mr. Hallett's career that he has made his own way up from the ranks, and that to him alone belongs the credit for whatever worth while he has accomplished. He is an excellent type of that class of citizens who are a valuable acquisition to any community, as is fully attested by the high position ac- corded him not only among Rochester's representative business men but in all such circles as he cares. to mingle. Mr. Hallett's residence "Wellington", is one of the attractive homes on East avenue, Brighton.
ALFRED HART.
The qualities of business leadership are in a substantial degree the possession of Alfred Hart, whose stores are to be found in every section of Rochester, and he has aided materially in pushing forward the wheels of progress in the city. His activities have not been narrowed to business operations and his name also figures prominently in civic and philanthropic affairs. He was born in Oswego, New York, September 25, 1873, a son of Moses and Jessie (Mosely) Hart, the former a native of Germany and the latter of London, England. They migrated to the United States and the father embarked in the grocery business in Rochester, in which connection he became widely and favorably known. For thirty years he was continuously engaged in that business and success rewarded his well-directed efforts. He passed away in Rochester in 1910. The mother is still living in the city. Three sons were born to them: Leo, who is president of the large printing establishment which bears his name; Ephraim, also a prominent citizen of Rochester; and Alfred of this review.
Alfred Hart supplemented his public school training by a course in the Rochester Business Institute and then obtained a clerical position with the Sibley, Lindsay & Curr Company, later assuming the duties of bookkeeper. After a long term of faith- ful service he severed his connection with the firm and joined his brother in organizing the Leo Hart Company. They were associated in the printing business for five years and on the expiration of that period Alfred Hart withdrew from the firm and estab- lished his first grocery store. Encouraged by the success of the venture, he gradually extended the scope of his operations .until he is now the owner of a chain of fifty- three "serve-self" groceries in Rochester, being sole proprietor of the business, which stands as a monument to his enterprise, industry and executive ability. His commer- cial transactions have always balanced up with the principles of truth and honesty and he has built up one of the largest mercantile organizations of this character in western New York.
Outside of his business Mr. Hart's interest centers in the Jewish Children's Home, of which he is the president, and is now serving for the fourth term in that office. This is one of the leading charitable institutions of Rochester and during the year 1923 it cared for an average of fifty-eight children a month. Mr. Hart has secured a notable degree of efficiency in the management of the Home, which has also derived much benefit from the cooperation of the Mothers, Big Brothers and Sisters Clubs and the synagogues of the city. A. D. Joffee has been made life honorary president of the Home. The other officers are: William Markin and Mrs. Bessie Andoursky, vice presidents; Jacob H. Goldstein, treasurer; Hyman Kolke, secretary; and A. Ber- gash, Frederick Bieger, Dr. Frank E. Cross, Harry Eber, Nathan Kaplan, Maxwell Posner, Alexander Karz, Nathaniel Natapew, Jacob Robfogel, Morris Rosenbloom and K. Wolin, trustees.
In Rochester, on May 17, 1910, Mr. Hart was married to Miss Ida Rubens, a
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daughter of Bernard Rubens, and they have three children: Ruth Helen, who was born in 1917 and is attending the public schools; Betty Jane, whose birth occurred in 1919; and Marjorie Esther, born in 1920. All are natives of this city. Mr. Hart is a member of the Rochester Museum of Art and also belongs to the Automobile Club of this city. He has made his life count as a strong force for good, and in contemplat- ing his career it is worthy of note that great cities are built, large institutions are founded and national progress is furthered by men of this type. His residence is at No. 26 Homer street.
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