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 51
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Reared in Rochester, Edwin Perrin Wilson completed his education in the Roch- ester Free Academy and from the days of his boyhood, in association with his father and brothers, has given his attention to the expanding business of the great floral establishment which thus has been built up in Rochester, his best energies having been devoted to the development of that business along modern lines and in keeping with the constantly growing demand for the choice products of the Wilson greeneries. Mr. Wilson is a member of the American Florists Association and of the Rochester Floral Society and in the affairs of these bodies has long taken an earnest interest, helpful in many ways in promoting the common interests of the florists, not only of his home com- munity but of the country in general, and has been one of the leaders in the popular movement which has brought the catchy phrase "Say it with flowers" into common use throughout the country. Mr. Wilson is an active and influential member of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce and is also a member of the locally influential Rotary Club. He is a Knights Templar and Royal Arch Mason and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine and has for many years taken a warm interest in Masonic affairs. He and his family are members of Asbury Methodist Episcopal church in Rochester.
On June 17, 1896, in Rochester, Mr. E. P. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Lillie E. Thomas, daughter of William Thomas, also a member of one of the old families of Rochester. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have a very pleasant home at No. 136 Edgerton avenue. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have four children: Helen, Edwin Thomas, Ruth and Herbert Wilson, the latter of whom, born in 1908, is now (1925) completing his work in the East high school; Miss Helen, born in 1900, was graduated from the East high school and is now attending the Eastman School of Music; Edwin Thomas, born in 1902, also was graduated from the East high school and now is associated with his father in the floral business. On August 27, 1924, he was married to Miss Helen Metcalf, daughter of George Metcalf of Boston; Miss Ruth, born in 1904, is now a student at the Mechanics Institute.
JUDGE WILLIAM CHARLES KOHLMETZ.
With postgraduate experience in the school of public affairs, Judge William Charles Kohlmetz is ably presiding over the city court of Rochester, criminal branch, and his career as a public official has been distinguished by fidelity to duty, high ideals of service and a comprehensive grasp of every problem presented for his solution. He is one of the city's native sons, and was born January 13, 1873, of the marriage of William T. Kohlmetz and Genevieve Krieg, who migrated from the Old World to the New, becoming residents of Rochester. The father was a tailor by trade and death terminated his activities in 1906. The mother passed away in December, 1921.
William Charles Kohlmetz attended the public schools and the Free Academy, afterward becoming a student in the University of Rochester, from which he was graduated in 1895, with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. He read law in the offices of H. G. Pierce and C. D. Kiehel and in 1897 was admitted to the bar. He began the practice of law in the same year in association with R. L. Saunders, maintaining offices in the E. & B. building, and later formed a partnership with Horace McGuire, while subsequently he was joined by Judge Westbury. His identifi- cation with public affairs dates from 1896, when he was chosen school commissioner for the seventeenth ward, acting in that capacity during 1896-97. In 1914 he was elected a member of the common council from the fifth ward and filled that position for two years. He was appointed police justice March 14, 1917, and in the fall of the same year was elected to that office for a term of six years. In 1919 the police and municipal courts were consolidated and in 1921 he was elected judge of the city court. Countless cases have been brought before him, involving all of the ills that the life of a city presents, and blessed with a human warmth born of contact with the people, Judge Kohlmetz possesses the poise, the breadth of mind and the instinctive
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love of justice that make him a natural arbiter of human differences-a judge in all that the term implies.
In fraternal affairs Judge Kohlmetz has taken a very active and prominent part. He is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and in 1921 was grand master for the state of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He stands high in Masonry and is a charter member of Zetland Lodge, No. 951, F. & A. M., of which he has served as master. He is a Knight Templar, is presiding officer of the Rose Croix Chapter of the Scottish Rite, and has received the honorary thirty-third degree. He is also a Noble of the Mystic Shrine and a member of the Protectives, a volunteer fire company. The Chamber of Commerce also numbers him among its valued members and his social nature finds expression in his connection with the Rochester Yacht Club, the Oak Hill Country Club, the Rochester Automob le Club, the Masonic Club and the Washington Club, while along professional lines he is affiliated with the Rochester Bar Association. He is also a member of Delta Upsilon fraternity. He is industrious, honest and fearless and has never violated a trust. Judge Kohlmetz has strongly impressed his individuality upon the history of his city and has won the respect of the entire community. His residence is at No. 55 Huntington park.
FRANK K. COOK.
Frank K. Cook, a highly respected member of the Livingston county bar, has engaged in practice at Geneseo for more than a quarter of a century and his legal acumen has brought his prominently before the public. He was born in Wheatland, Monroe county, New York, on April 22, 1872, and is one of six children in the family of Thomas and Elizabeth (Heffernan) Cook, both of whom are deceased.
After completing a course in the high school at Scottsville, New York, Mr. Cook entered the Geneseo Normal School and was graduated with the class of 1895. He then began the study of law in the office of Charles D. Newton, a well known attorney of Geneseo, and having mastered the principles of jurisprudence, was admitted to the bar in 1898. He opened an office in Geneseo, where he has since practiced law independently, and the court records bear evidence of his power as an attorney. His clientele has constantly increased and his law business is now of a most important character. His mind is analytical and logical in its trend and in his presentation of a case he is always fortified by a thorough understanding of the legal principles applicable thereto. His professional prestige led to his selection for public office and for six years he served as district attorney of Livingston county. He was appointed deputy attorney-general of the state and held that position for eight years. He has always been loyal to any trust reposed in him and his integrity has never been open to question.
On the 22d of August, 1900, Mr. Cook was married to Miss Jane Simons of Genesco, and they have a son, Francis S., who is now a resident of Pittsburgh, Penn- sylvania. Mr. Cook is a republican in politics and his professional connections are with the Livingston County and New York State Bar Associations. He holds to high standards of professional service and ranks with the foremost attorneys of Livingston county.
CHARLES M. TOMPKINS.
Charles M. Tompkins is classed with those enterprising men to whom Wellsville is: indebted for its industrial progress and for many years was prominently identified with the milling business, but is now focusing his efforts upon oil development work, with which he has been connected for the past thirty-one years. He was born in. Dansville, New York, March 8, 1873, a son of Joseph B. and Katherine M. (Kelly) Tompkins, who were married December 23, 1857. The mother was born October 25, 1836, and died July 4, 1914, at the age of seventy-eight years. The father was born in Lincolnshire, England, April 24, 1827, and was a boy of eight when his parents came to the United States. They settled in Albion, New York, and there he was reared and educated. For a number of years he was employed in mills in Black Rock, Rochester and Dansville, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the business, and then en- tered the industrial world on his own account, establishing a mill in Dansville. Later he transferred the scene of his activities to Perkinsville, New York, where he re- mained for seven years, resuming his milling operations in Dansville on the expiration
JOSEPH B. TOMPKINS
CHARLES M. TOMPKINS
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of that period. The year 1887 witnessed Mr. Tompkins' arrival in Wellsville. He rented the James Swift mill, which he operated for five years as a member of the firm of Tompkins & Wolverton, when the junior member retired, and the style of J. B. Tompkins & Son was then adopted. The business was conducted under that name until December 1, 1923, when the mill was sold. Mr. Tompkins was a business man of high standing and a citizen of worth. He passed away July 24, 1903, in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was an earnest and helpful member. He was a democrat with independent views and his fraternal relations were with the Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
His son, Charles M. Tompkins, attended the grammar schools of Dansville and the Wellsville high school, afterward completing a course in the Bryant & Stratton Business College at Buffalo, New York. In 1892, when nineteen years of age, he became a member of the firm of J. B. Tompkins & Son and was associated with his father in the milling industry until the latter's death. The business was sold De- cember 1, 1923. On May 1, 1924, Mr. Tompkins resumed ownership of the mill which he had sold to R. A. Hardy, and continues to operate it under the policy established by J. B. Tompkins & Son. Mr. Tompkins has devoted some time to the oil industry, which he entered in 1893, securing land near Allentown, New York. He has inherited his father's keen discernment and administrative powers and derives a good income from his investments.
On the 20th of September, 1899, Mr. Tompkins was married to Miss H. Pearl Stoup and they have become the parents of a son: Ralph M., who was born August 16, 1906, and is now attending the Wellsville high school. Mr. Tompkins is not bound by the narrow ties of partisanship and votes according to the dictates of his judgment, regarding the qualifications of a candidate as a matter of paramount importance. He is identified with the Masonic fraternity and belongs to the Shrine at Buffalo. He is a member of the Wellsville Country Club and a Congregationalist in religious faith. He is a worthy son of an honored sire and the respect which is uniformly accorded him is well deserved.
THE DIVEN FAMILY.
Among the names inscribed on the pages of Elmira's history none shines with a brighter luster than that of Diven. The members of this family have projected a force that has been of far-reaching extent and importance and most beneficial in its results. Their influence has been strongly felt in the legal profession, in the legis- lative halls of the state and nation, and in transportation, educational, military and civic affairs. The American progenitor of the family was Alexander Diven, who was a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, and a son of John Diven, who was born in 1752. Alexander Diven came to the New World with his wife, Margaret Diven, of English lineage, and settled in the Cumberland valley. He proved his loyalty to his adopted country by service in the Revolutionary war and was with Washington at Valley Forge. He was preparing to return home on the expiration of his term of en- listment and many of his comrades had made similar plans but were persuaded by General Washington to remain in the service. Mr. Diven remained in the Con- tinental army until the siege of Yorktown and in 1799 settled in the district now known as Watkins, New York. He cleared and developed a farm and was the first postmaster of the community. It was there that his son, General Alexander S. Diven, was born February 10, 1809.
Alexander S. Diven obtained his higher education in Penn Yan Academy and at Ovid, New York. When a young man of twenty-one he came to Elmira and began the study of law in the office of Hiram Gray, also teaching school during that period. He spent some time in the office of Fletcher Haight at Rochester, New York, and afterward was connected with the county clerk's office at Owego, this state. He was admitted to the bar in Angelica, Allegany county, New York, and there followed his profession for eleven years, serving for five years of that period as district attorney of Allegany county. In 1842 he was chosen a director of the New York & Erie Railroad Company but declined to serve. The next year, however, he was persuaded to attend a meeting of the board of directors in New York city and became much interested in the project. He went before the state legislature and owing to his influence a bill was passed favor- ing the construction of the road. He remained with the corporation for many years, acting as its attorney until 1865. He drafted the first issue of bonds and during the building of the line served as commissioner of construction. In 1845 he returned to
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Elmira, forming the law firm of Diven, Hathaway & Woods, and continued to make his home in the city until his demise.
Mr. Diven was one of the founders of the republican party and a leader of public thought and opinion. He served in the state senate in 1858-59 and was a member of the thirty-seventh congress, serving from 1861 until 1863, during which period he aided in organizing the One Hundred and Seventh New York Volunteer Infantry. He was a brave and gallant officer and served with distinction throughout the cam- paign in Virginia during 1862 and 1863, as shown in the records of the Civil war. He was commissioned colonel after the battle of Antietam and led his men on the bloody field of Chancellorsville. In 1863 he was made assistant adjutant general with the rank of major and placed in charge of the rendezvous of troops at Elmira. Soon after- ward he was brevetted brigadier general and assigned to special duty as assistant provost marshal general, with headquarters at Elmira, his command including the whole of western New York.
Many important public utilities owe their origin and subsequent development to General Diven. He was largely instrumental in the construction of the Elmira and Williamsport Road, now a part of the Northern Central, and established the water- works plant in Elmira. He was retained as counsel by a number of railroads and became widely known as a corporation lawyer. He was an eloquent orator and in wealth of language and felicity of illustration few surpassed him. His mind was well stored with information on all subjects and his address on Abraham Lincoln, delivered in Wisner Park in April, 1865, left a lasting impression upon the minds of his audi- ence. He was actively identified with the management of the Elmira College for Women and was one of the influential members of the Presbyterian church. In 1834 he was married to Miss Amanda Beers, who was born in Elmira, October 22, 1811, a daughter of John and Keziah Beers.
Their son, George Miles Diven, was born in Angelica, New York, August 28, 1835, and was one of a family of eight children. He attended Elmira Academy, and a pri- vate school at Geneva, New York, afterward entering Hamilton College, from which he was graduated with honors in 1857. He studied law in his father's office and was admitted to the bar in 1862. For a number of years he was in partnership with his father and later became a member of the firm of Diven & Redfield. He was local attorney for the Northern Central and Lehigh Valley Railroads and gained high standing in his profession. He was equally successful in business affairs and was a leading spirit in the promotion and construction of the Elmira State Line Railway, now the Tioga branch of the Erie system. He was one of the founders of the rolling mills and acted as manager of the waterworks plant. He rehabilitated the business of the La France Manufacturing Company, placing it upon a solid financial basis, and was a director of the Erie Railroad Company and the Erie Sleeping Car Com- pany. In 1872 he was chosen one of the trustees of Hamilton College and for five terms was president of the Elmira Board of Education, in which connection he did much to improve the public school system of the city. He was classed with the fore- most lawyers of the state and in 1890-91 served as president of the New York State Bar Association. His life was one of great activity and usefulness and closed on the 3d of February, 1909, when he was seventy-four years of age. On June 3, 1863, he had married Miss Lucy M. Brown of Clinton, New York ,and they became the parents of six children, two of whom survive: Louis, a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Alexander S. The latter was the third in order of birth and his biographical record follows.
ALEXANDER S. DIVEN.
For three generations members of the Diven family have engaged in the practice of law in Elmira and Alexander S. Diven is ably sustaining the traditions of an honored name, for the general public as well as the profession accord him rank with the leading attorneys of the city. His parents, George M. and Lucy (Brown) Diven, were married in Clinton, New York, in 1863, and six children were born to them. Four have passed away and those now living are Alexander S. of this review; and Louis. The latter resides in Philadelphia and is connected with the Babcock & Wilcox Manufacturing Company. The mother was born in Clinton, New York, in 1833 and died in 1888, at the age of fifty-five. The father was born in Allegany county, New York, in 1835, and attended a private school in Geneva, this state. He graduated from Hamilton College in 1857 and also studied law there, and was
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admitted to the bar in 1861. He began the practice of law in Elmira, forming a partnership with his father, and successfully followed his profession until his death, which occurred on February 3, 1909, when he had reached the age of seventy-four years. He was an able exponent of his profession and numbered among his clients many large corporations. He was a republican in his political views and for many years was president of the board of education, rendering valuable service to the city in that connection. He was a member of the Chi Psi fraternity and his life was guided by the teachings of the Presbyterian church.
Alexander S. Diven received a liberal education, attending the public schools of Elmira, the Phillips Exeter Academy at Exeter, New Hampshire, and in 1894 was graduated from Yale University. He also completed a course in the Cornell Law School, and in 1898 was admitted to the bar. He began his professional career in association with his father and their business was conducted in the same office in which the grandfather had practiced law. Mr. Diven specializes in corporation law, of which he has made a close study, and is local attorney for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, for which his father and grandfather were also counsel. He is well versed in all branches of the law and prepares his cases with thoroughness, precision and skill, while in their presentation he is clear, logical and convincing. He has a large clientele and is one of the trustees of the Elmira Savings Bank, the Arnot-Ogden Memorial Hospital and the Arnot Art Gallery.
In 1900 Mr. Diven was married to Miss Mabel Booth, a sister of Dr. Arthur W. Booth. Mr. and Mrs. Diven have two children: Irving Booth, a student at Yale University; and Lucy, who is attending high school. Mr. Diven is allied with the re- publican party and has served as a member of the board of education, of which he was president at one time. He is now a member of the Newtown Battlefield Com- mission and belongs to the City and Country Clubs and the Psi Upsilon fraternity. In religious faith he is a Congregationalist, being affiliated with the Park church of Elmira.
JOHN WEIDER.
Rochester has no citizen more loyal than John Weider, who has found in his native city excellent opportunities for advancement and through their wise ultiliza- tion he has become the possessor of a substantial competence. For forty-five years he has continuously engaged in the harness business and as a pioneer in this field of activity he has become widely and favorably known. He was born February 26, 1860, and his parents, Phillip and Mary (Hartman) Weider, were natives of Germany. They were married in Rochester and the father became a mechanic in the employ of the C. J. Hayden Company. In 1873 he opened a grocery store and for about twenty-two years successfully engaged in that business. In 1895 he was appointed United States customs collector for the port of Rochester and filled that position until his death, which occurred in 1900. The mother passed away in 1884, when fifty-eight years of age. Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Weider two are living, John and George J. Weider, both residents of this city.
John Wieder obtained his education in one of the parochial schools of Rochester and first worked for the C. J. Hayden Company. For four years he was in the employ of the Union Advertiser and then served an apprenticeship to the harness- maker's trade under Frederick Worley. In 1879 he started in business for himself, opening a harness store at the corner of Griffith and South St. Paul streets, and remained at that location for fifteen years. In 1894 he removed to his present address at No. 24 Spring street, where he has a large stock, handling "everything for the horse." He specializes in repairing harness and collars on short notice and employs five skilled workmen, whose labors he closely supervises, never allowing an imperfect article to leave his establishment. He has a full line of imported and domestic rid- ing equipment, in addition to horse blankets, whips, bridles and harness hardware, and sells to both the wholesale and retail trades. He has established an unassailable reputation for business integrity and reliability and is a recognized leader in the line in which he specializes. Mr. Weider believes that the horse will soon replace the automobile in many branches of business and a survey of his stock is convincing proof of the firmness of his convictions.
On the 22d of June, 1882, Mr. Weider was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Boltz, a daughter of Fred Boltz of Rochester and five children were born to them: Bertha, deceased; Anna, who is now Mrs. Hoffman; Frederick J., who married Miss Katherine Sullivan, and has a family of three children, John, Frederick and Betty;
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Irene, who resides with her parents; and Phillip F., who is associated with his father in business.
In religious faith Mr. Weider is a Roman Catholic. He has taken the fourth de- gree in the Knights of Columbus and is also identified with the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks. He is a self-made man, deserving of all the praise which the term implies, and a life of rightly directed industry has been crowned by successful achievement.
EDWARD A. NOBLE.
Except for four years spent at Rochester, New York, where he was engaged in the practice of law and was office attorney of the legal aid society there, the pro- fessional career of Edward A. Noble, attorney, has been passed entirely in Avon, Livingston county, New York, where he is associated in the practice of law with Wil- liam A. Wheeler, and where he has been police justice since 1915. He was born at Avon on October 29, 1886, the son of George D. and Julia A. (Sullivan) Noble, both natives of Livingston county, where the father is living.
Edward A. Noble, after completing his education in the grade and high schools, started to read law with Judge William Carter at Avon, and continued his reading with Carnahan, Adams, Jameson & Pierce of Rochester, New York. He was admitted to the bar in September, 1911, and has since been engaged in general practice. After his four years in Rochester, Mr. Noble returned to Avon, where he has remained.
Mr. Noble was married on June 4, 1917, to Claribel M. Hogmire. The two sons born to them are: Edward and John. Mr. Noble is a member of the Livingston County Bar Association and the American Bar Association and of the Knights of Col- umbus. In his political views he is in accord with the democratic party, and in his re- ligious convictions is a member of the Roman Catholic church.
LEONARD SAMUEL WHITTIER.
Leonard Samuel Whittier, former secretary and treasurer of the Eclipse Machine Company, is numbered among the younger business men of Elmira, where he resides. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, June 16, 1883, a son of David Lane and Mary (Wishard) Whittier, the former a native of Hallowell, Maine, and the latter of Rush- ville, Illinois. David Lane Whittier devoted his life to manufacturing interests and established the Eclipse Bicycle Company at Indianapolis, Indiana. Subsequently he transferred his business operations to Elmira, New York, and formed the Eclipse Machine Company, of which he became president. He remained at the head of this company until his demise and under his able administration the business prospered and came to rank with the larger manufacturing institutions of the city. He gave his political support to the republican party and was an earnest, helpful member of the Park Congregational church, with which his wife is also affiliated. Death terminated the labors of David L. Whittier on April 15, 1914, when he had reached the age of seventy-five years. His widow is still a resident of Elmira. They were the parents of four children, namely: Mrs. Georgia W. Crosley of Indianapolis, Indiana; Leonard Samuel; Mrs. Florence W. Parsons of Evanston, Illinois; and Mrs. Helen W. Brim of Columbus, Ohio.
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