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 46
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WILLIAM L. BENNETT.
William L. Bennett, active in the real estate and insurance field as sole owner of the business conducted under the name of Arnold & Bennett in Medina, has had a busy public and business life and is widely recognized as one of the influential residents of the city. He has also manifested keen interest in community problems and is especially helpful in boys' work and in the betterment of conditions for the young people. He was born in Eagle Harbor, Orleans county, New York, on the 4th of July, 1865, his parents being William H. and Nancy (Walters) Bennett. The father, who emigrated to America from Devonshire, England, about 1850, was active in the milling and cooperage business in western New York for more than six decades. He had attained the venerable age of ninety years when he departed this life in 1921.
In the acquirement of an education William L. Bennett attended the grammar and high schools of East Bloomfield, New York, whence he came to Medina and was here employed as clerk in a clothing and furniture store for nine years. He next became proprietor of the Broadway Hat Store, which he sold ten years later when he went to Albany to assume the duties of a clerk in the state senate. Following his return to Medina he filled the position of postmaster by appointment for one year. On the expiration of that period, in 1913, he purchased the insurance business of Willis Buckle, Incorporated, in association with C. H. Arnold, and for ten years they worked together, developing the enterprise to its present extensive and profitable proportions. In 1923 Mr. Bennett purchased the interest of his partner but still retains the firm name of Arnold & Bennett. The business has grown steadily until it ranks among the foremost of its kind in this section of the state.
Mr. Bennett has been twice married. On the 20th of March, 1889, in East Bloom- field, he was married to Margaret Bridgland and they became the parents of a daugh- ter: Edith May, who is the wife of Frank P. Cartwright of Washington, D. C., a secretary to Herbert Hoover. On the 20th of March, 1894, in Eagle Harbor, New York, Mr. Bennett was again married, his second union being with Augusta A.
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Mosher, and they are the parents of two children: Elma Ruth, who is the wife of David G. Crosby of Lyndonville, New York; and W. Hollis Bennett, who is with the General Motors Company in Detroit, Michigan.
Mr. Bennett gives his political support to the republican party and is widely recognized as a loyal and public-spirited citizen who withholds his aid from no move- ment nor measure instituted to promote the general welfare. He made an excellent record as town clerk, which position he filled from 1896 until 1906, covering a period of ten years. Mr. Bennett has been a director of the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion for twenty years. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the First Metho- dist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as chairman of the finance committee. He likewise belongs to the Medina Ad Club, the Rotary Social Culture Club and the City Club. High and honorable principles have actuated him in all relations of life and his fellow citizens attest his sterling worth.
DENTON S. ROBINSON.
A veteran of the bar, at which he has practiced law for almost a half century, respected by the profession for his high ideals and profound legal knowledge, esteemed by his fellow citizens for his unselfish devotion to the betterment of the community, D. S. Robinson, attorney, of Nunda, Livingston county, New York, can look backward on his record with the pardonable pride of honorable achievement. He was born at West Sparta, Livingston county, New York, on June 2, 1854, the son of Levi and Desdemona (Denton) Robinson. Both parents were natives of New York, the father of Saratoga, and a farmer of English descent, and the mother a native of Ossian. The mother died in 1883 and the father passed away in 1892. They were the parents of twelve children.
Denton S. Robinson was educated in the grade and high schools, after which he began reading law in the office of F. C. Peck, and was admitted to the bar in 1878. He remained with Mr. Peck for three or four years after his admission to the bar and then practiced alone until he was joined by his son, Denton D. Robinson. In his political views Mr. Robinson is aligned with the republican party, has been president of the village of Nunda, and a trust fund examiner for the state comptroller's office. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His religious convictions find their expression in the Universalist church.
Mr. Robinson was married on August 30, 1879, to Emily C. Hunt, daughter of T. Dwight Hunt, a Presbyterian clergyman who built the first Protestant church in San Francisco, California, and published the first newspaper there, the Examiner. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Robinson: Gertrude M .; Elizabeth M .; Max B., head of the engineering department in the University of Evansville, Indiana; and Denton D., associated with his father at Nunda. A sketch of him appears else- where in this work. Mrs. Robinson passed away on October 17, 1922.
HENRY J. ROWERDINK.
Among the young men of Rochester who hold a strong position in the esteem of its citizens is numbered Henry J. Rowerdink, a member of an old and highly re- spected family of this community. He is successfully directing the business founded by his father, a dealer in automobile accessories, and has amply proved that he came to the office through innate fitness and ability, as well as by right of inheritance. He is one of Rochester's loyal sons and was born December 24, 1884. His parents, William H. and Mary (DePotter) Rowerdink, were also natives of the city. The father was a dealer .in wagons and harness and later embarked in the automobile accessories business, in which he was very successful, gaining a position of leadership in that field of activity. He passed away January 9, 1923, when sixty-four years of age, and is survived by the mother. They had a family of two children: Henry J. and Mrs. Mayme Layman, both residents of the city.
Henry J. Rowerdink supplemented his public school training by a course of study in the Rochester Free Academy and was graduated with the class of 1905. He then devoted his efforts to the mastery of the details of the automobile accessories business established by his father and subsequently was admitted to a partnership therein,
HENRY J. ROWERDINK
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at which time the firm name of W. H. Rowerdink & Son was adopted. Since January, 1923, he has been president of the company and the enterprising spirit, the inflexible will and the executive ability which enabled the father to lay the foundation of the business and foster its early growth were qualities inherited in full measure by the son, who is continuing the undertaking along modern lines. He is planning to in- crease its scope, being watchful of every new avenue opened in the natural ramifica- tions of the trade, and the business now furnishes employment to about fifty persons, ranking with the largest of the kind in western New York.
Mr. Rowerdink was married January 6, 1918, in Rochester, to Miss Ethel Wilcox, a daughter of H. R. Wilcox, a prominent resident of the city. Mr. and Mrs. Rowerdink have a son, William H., whose birth occurred in 1919. Mr. Rowerdink is a consistent member of the Central Presbyterian church and along fraternal lines is connected with the Masonic order, belonging to the commandery, and he is a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He is one of the energetic members of the Chamber of Commerce and for the past ten years has served as a director of the Rochester Automobile Club. He is also identified with the Rochester Club, the Oak Hill Country Club and the local Ath- letic Club. He is an enthusiastic and zealous supporter of the resources and advan- tages of his city and is held in high regard by those who have known him from boyhood to the present time, for his life will bear the test of intimate knowledge and close association. Mr. Rowerdink's residence is at No. 19 Windemere road.
WILLIAM T. JONES, M. D.
Dr. William T. Jones, who has practiced his profession in Horseheads for the past fourteen years, was born in Ulysses, Tompkins county, New York, October 12, 1867, and his parents, Tertellus and Catherine Maria (Thompson) Jones, were also natives of the Empire state. The father was an agriculturist and resided in Tomp- kins county until 1919, when he removed to the middle west, settling in Wisconsin. He was allied with the republican party and took the interest of a good citizen in public affairs, serving for three years as supervisor of Infield township. He was identified with the Masonic order and a member of the Methodist church, with which the mother is affiliated. She still lives in Wisconsin but Mr. Jones passed away in November, 1923. Two sons were born to them, William T. of this review; and Minor S., the latter a hardware merchant in business in the Badger state. Tertellus Jones, Sr., the paternal grandfather, was born in the state of New York and in 1849 joined the rush of gold seekers to California, but died en route. The maternal grandfather, William Thompson, was a native of Connecticut and became one of the pioneer set- tlers of the Empire state.
William T. Jones attended the district school near his father's farm and received his high school training in Ithaca, New York. He next became a medical student at the University of Buffalo and was graduated with the class of 1891. He first located in Odessa, New York, where he spent two years, and then removed to Alpine, where he followed his profession for eighteen years. In 1910 he opened an office in Horseheads.
On December 19, 1894, Dr. Jones was married to Miss Charlotte L. Fowler, who was born in Mecklenburg, Schuyler county, New York, and completed her studies in the high school in Watkins, this state. They have a family of two children: Minor F., who is employed by the Eclipse Company of Elmira Heights; and Marjorie M., at home. The parents are members of the Presbyterian church and the Doctor gives his political support to the republican party. He is a Scottish Rite Mason and his professional relations are with the Elmira Academy of Medicine, the Chemung County and New York State Medical Societies, and the American Medical Association.
ROLAND O. ROBERTS.
Roland O. Roberts, general manager at Rochester for the firm of Weed & Com- pany, possesses all of the qualities which make for success in the business world, and proven ability has placed him in the responsible office which he now fills. He was born in Pike, New York, September 10, 1884, and is a son of John and Belle (Wheat) Roberts, also natives of the Empire state, in which they have always resided. As a young man the father embarked in merchandising at Pultneyville, Wayne county,
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where he engaged in business for ten years, and then located in Rochester, but two years later removed to Addison. He returned to Rochester in 1905 and has since made his home in this city.
His son, Roland O. Roberts, attended school at Pultneyville and the high school at Addison, New York, afterward becoming a student in the Mechanics Institute at Rochester, in which he completed a two-year course. His initial business experience was obtained with Weed & Company of Buffalo, the largest hardware house in New York state, in whose service he has always remained, and his ability and fidelity to duty were soon rewarded by promotion. He eventually became traveling representa- tive for the firm, acting in that capacity from 1908 until 1913, and Rochester was included in his territory. He was in charge of sales from 1913 to 1917, has been general manager since February, 1917, and was elected a director in 1923. He is thoroughly devoted to the interests of the firm and a large volume of business attests his zeal, enterprise and executive force.
On the 15th of June, 1911, Mr. Roberts was united in marriage to Miss May Surdam of Rochester, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Surdam of this city. Mr. Roberts is a consistent member of the Asbury Methodist Episcopal church and in politics casts his ballot for the candidates of the republican party. He is serving on the investors' protective committee of the Chamber of Commerce and the mem- bership committee of the Retail Merchants Bureau. He was honored with the presi- dency of the Kiwanis Club of Rochester in 1923 and belongs to the local Automobile Club. Mr. Roberts has steadily progressed through concentrated effort and the exer- cise of the qualities of patience and perseverance. He has the enthusiasm for Roches- ter characteristic of its citizens and his genuine personal worth has established him high in public regard. His residence is at No. 36 Harlem street.
FRANK HENRY PHELPS.
The death of a man of progressive ideas, of substantial achievement and public spirit is always a distinct loss to a community. Such a citizen was Frank Henry Phelps, who was long numbered among the leaders of the lumber industry in Roches- ter and passed away in this city on the 27th of August, 1920. His was a successful career in the highest sense of the term and his integrity in business affairs, his civic loyalty, his fidelity in friendship and his devotion to the ties of home and family were characteristics which won for him the enduring regard of all with whom he was associated. He was a native of Canada, born in Merritton, in the province of Ontario, July 18, 1861, and his parents were Philander and Eleanor (Bradley) Phelps, the former a successful business man.
Frank Henry Phelps was reared and educated in his native province, attending the public schools of St. Catharines, and first worked for the firm of Orson & Noah, who had large lumber interests in Canada. Mr. Phelps remained in their employ until 1888, becoming thoroughly conversant with the business, and then crossed the border into the United States. On coming to Rochester he engaged in the lumber business, first becoming connected with the firm of Atwater, Armstrong & Clarke, with which he remained until the partnership was dissolved. In 1896 he was joined by the late Hosea Rogers, who became the junior partner in the business, and this relationship was continued until 1901, when E. O. Fletcher purchased the interest of Mr. Rogers. The business was conducted under the firm style of Phelps & Fletcher until 1917, when Mr. Fletcher retired, and the name was then changed to that of F. H. Phelps, Incor- porated. The offices of president and treasurer were filled by Mr. Phelps and in addition to the sale of lumber the firm also engaged in the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds. Under the expert management of its founder the business grew steadily, becoming one of the largest industries of the kind in the city.
In St. Catharines, Canada, on June 1, 1882, Mr. Phelps was united in marriage to Miss Minnie E. Rawlinson, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Wright) Rawlinson. Mr. and Mrs. Phelps became the parents of six children: Nellie Elizabeth, who is now the wife of Carl Johonnot of Rochester; Harry Mortimer; Edna, who became the wife of Joseph Thomas Murray and died, leaving two children, Robert Phelps and Elizabeth Phelps Murray; Lucie, who is the wife of Paul Keating and the mother of a daughter, Jane Elizabeth; Ethel, who married Lamonte Dodgson and has a son, LaMonte, Jr .; and Frank Henry Phelps, Jr., who married Bettie Thompson.
During the World war Mr. Phelps was an indefatigable worker in the Home Guard and also aided in promoting the sale of Liberty bonds, and Thrift Stamps.
Istheeps
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He attended the First Baptist church of Rochester and was an adherent of the re- publican party. He served as president of the Builders & Traders Exchange and became a director of the New York State Retail Lumber Dealers Association and the Rochester Automobile Club, also acting as vice president of the Chamber of Com- merce. He was a prominent Mason, belonging to Corinthian Lodge, F. & A. M .; Ionic Chapter, R. A. M .; Cyrene Commandery, K. T .; Rochester Consistory, A. & A. S. R., in which he attained the thirty-second degree; and Damascus Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He never wrought an injury to another and possessed the sincere affection of all with whom he was associated.
VIRGIL B. TUPPER.
Virgil B. Tupper, regarded as one of the able young lawyers of the Southern Tier, is engaged in general practice at Corning, where he was born on the 29th of September, 1892, his parents being Benjamin S. and Katherine (Rose) Tupper. The family has been represented in western New York since the year 1840.
Virgil B. Tupper attended the Corning Free Academy and then entered upon specific preparation for a professional career as a student in the law department of the University of Michigan, from which institution he was graduated in 1914. Fol- lowing his return to Corning he served as a member of the board of public works for two years and subsequently was associated in law practice with James O. Sebring for five years. He next became a partner of Thomas F. Rogers but at the end of a year began practicing independently and has thus continued to the present time. Mr. Tupper has won for himself an enviable reputation both as an advocate and counselor and is accorded a lucrative clientage in recognition of his marked ability along these lines. He is an alert, enterprising and energetic young man, who has utilized to the full his time, talents and opportunities, and his ability and determina- tion are carrying him steadily forward in his profession.
On the 29th of June, 1921, Mr. Tupper was united in marriage to Miss Hazel Bundy of Elmira, New York. He is an Episcopalian in religious faith and fraternally is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and with the Greek letter society known as Delta Chi, which he joined while a college student. A democrat in politics, he is an active worker in the local ranks of the party. For recreation he turns to hunting and other manly outdoor sports, but the demands made upon him in his professional capacity leave him comparatively little leisure for indulgence therein.
CHARLES REED PULFORD.
Activity along real estate and building lines is an unmistakable indication of the spirit of enterprise in a city and the efforts of the men operating in these fields are a most potent and far-reaching element in the development and growth of a com- munity. To this useful class of citizens belongs Charles Reed Pulford, who is follow- ing in the business footsteps of his father, and his work sustains the high reputation which the family has always borne in contracting circles of Elmira, as well as in other lines of endeavor. He is one of the city's native sons and was born December 30, 1880. His parents were Charles A. and Harriet L. (Reed) Pulford, the former of whom was born in Homer, Cortland county, New York, and the latter in Elmira. The father was a successful contractor and many examples of his skill and handiwork are to be found in the city. He was a leader in local politics and for twelve years was chairman of the republican county committee. He served as commissioner of public works and was also called to the office of county clerk of Chemung county. Mr. and Mrs. Pulford were influential members of the First Baptist church of Elmira and he. was a representative of the Masonic order. Three sons were born to them: Charles: Reed of this review; Frank D., who is engaged in the wholesale paper business in this. city; and Samuel A., city attorney of Elmira and also a forceful figure in business. circles of this locality.
Charles Reed Pulford received his higher education in the University of Syracuse and gained a thorough understanding of the contracting business while in the employ of his father, who had organized the Pulford & Dempsey Company in 1885. Later the business was incorporated under the name of the Pulford & Dempsey Construction Company and the father remained at its head until his death, which occurred in 1918.
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In that year Charles R. Pulford took over the business, of which he has since been the president, and his brother, Samuel A. Pulford, acts as secretary. They are engaged in general construction work and have about seventy employes. They have erected many buildings in Elmira and this section of Chemung county and no detail of their work is ever slighted. Their buildings are substantially constructed and attractive in de- sign, representing the best in workmanship and material.
On October 8, 1920, Mr. Pulford was united in marriage to Miss Mildred A. Bal- lard, a native of Troy, Pennsylvania, and they have a wide acquaintance in the city. They are Baptists in religious faith and Mr. Pulford is allied with the republican party. For two terms he was a member of the city council. He belongs to the Union Lodge of Masons, to the Masonic, City, Century and Cold Brook Clubs, and Psi Upsilon, a college fraternity.
ST. PATRICK'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
Catholicism in Mount Morris had its beginning in 1838, when Father Maguire came to the village and first administered to the organizers of St. Patrick's church. Later other priests came from Buffalo, Rochester, Lima, Portageville and Dansville and on these occasions services were usually held in private houses, among them the home of John Toole in Damonsville, the residence of Thomas Sloan on Conkey street, that of Keron Ryan on Hopkins street, and James Hart's dwelling, situated on the Flats. The early settlers of the village arrived here during the construction of the Genesee Valley canal and as work on that project progressed in the direction of Tuscarora, then known as Brushville, a small church was erected there on ground donated by Judge Carroll of Groveland. When operations on the canal ceased, services at Tuscarora were discontinued, as the members returned to Mount Morris in 1842, and the little church was afterward torn down. It was not rebuilt until 1851 and during the intervening period of nine years services were again held in private houses, in the old schoolhouse and in Green's Hall. Among the priests who came occasionally were the Rev. Bernard O'Reilly of Rochester, who afterward became Bishop of Hartford and died at sea on his return from Europe in 1856; Father O'Con- nor of Buffalo; Father Maguire of Lima; Father Edward O'Flaherty and Father Charles Tierney of Dansville; Fathers McEvoy, Barker and Carroll of Rochester; Fathers Dolan and Moore of Portage; and Fathers McKenna, Murphy and Shehan of either Buffalo or Rochester.
Under Father Maguire the first church was built on the site now occupied by the parsonage and facing Chapel street. It was a very small structure and was after- ward enlarged on two or three occasions to meet the demands of a growing mem- bership. Rev. James Ryan, who came here in 1857, was the first resident priest in Mount Morris. Owing to his poor health and an extensive mission, which included several of the neighboring towns, Rev. J. Z. Kunz assisted him for a short time. Father Ryan remained only a year and was succeeded by the Rev. Bernard McCool, assisted at various times by Father John Vahey and R. Stack. The Rev. Richard J. Story succeeded Father McCool as pastor and he remained for four years. In 1862 his place was taken by the Rev. Daniel Moore, who was followed by the Rev. Edward McGowan in March, 1866. In 1869 his duties were assumed by the Rev. David O'Brien and during his term of service the house and lot on the corner of Chapel and Stanley streets, adjoining the church, were purchased from James Conkey. The old church was moved back and converted into a barn. The house, which stood on the corner, was moved to the site formerly occupied by the church and enlarged. On the corner lot was erected the new church, a structure forty by one-hundred feet in dimensions with a tower one hundred and thirty-eight feet in height. The building was constructed of brick, the Gothic style of architecture being chosen, and represented an expendi- ture of thirty thousand dollars. The corner-stone was laid on Thursday, in the month of October, 1869, and the church was dedicated Thursday, December 18, 1873, by the Right Rev. B. J. McQuaid. Father O'Brien was called to other fields of labor about March 1, 1874, and his successor, the Rev. M. M. Meagher, remained a little over a year. The next priest, the Rev. J. J. Donnelly, was appointed pastor of the Catholic churches at Mount Morris, Geneseo and Nunda, August 1, 1875, and held that charge until the summer of 1882. The parish was then assigned to the Rev. James H. Day, who was stationed at Mount Morris from May 1, 1893, until March, 1909, when he was sent to the Holy Rosary church at Rochester. He was succeeded by the Rev. A. E. Breen, D. D., who had been an instructor in St. Bernard's Seminary at Rochester.
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