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 52
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Leonard Samuel Whittier obtained his early education in Indianapolis, Indiana, attended high school in Elmira and later Mercersburg Academy in Pennsylvania, from which latter institution he was graduated in 1902 with honors. Returning immediately to Elmira, he entered the employ of the Eclipse Machine Company as office boy and thence he progressed through the various departments of the business until, in due course of time, he became secretary and treasurer of the company. In this position Mr. Whittier displayed marked executive powers and contributed sub- stantially to the success of the company. His official connection with the Eclipse Machine Company was terminated by his resignation in June, 1924, when he retired from this active business association in order to devote his entire attention to his private interests.
On June 26, 1907, Mr. Whittier was united in marriage to Miss Florence Riedinger, a native of Elmira and the daughter of Philip F. and Alice Riedinger. Their only child, David Lane Whittier (II), was born April 16, 1908, and died March 10, 1919. The political support of Mr. Whittier is given to the republican party, while his
Lowany A. Wheat
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religious affiliation is with the Park Congregational church. He is a director of the Y. M C. A., a trustee of the Elmira Savings Bank, a member of the City Club of Elmira, of which he has served as president, and of the Elmira Golf and Country Club.
PHILIP I. BRUST.
Philip I. Brust, serving as postmaster of Medina by appointment of ex-President Harding, is making a most commendable record in this capacity and is also an active factor in business circles of the city as an associate of his father in the Brust Tail- oring Company. He was born in Germany, on the 31st of January, 1878, his parents being Nicholas and Barbara (Oswald) Brust, who left that country to establish their home in the United States. The father has long been successfully engaged in the tailoring and men's furnishing business in Medina, New York, in partnership with his son Philip and is numbered among the substantial, representative and respected citizens of the community. The mother departed this life in Medina on the 22d of December, 1923.
Philip I. Brust obtained his education in the grammar and high schools of Medina, where he embarked in the tailoring business on attaining his majority. He has been associated with his father in the conduct of the Brust Tailoring Com- pany during the past quarter of a century and in this connection has developed a business of extensive and gratifying proportions. Both father and son have gained an enviable reputation for expert ability in their chosen line, and the prosperity which has come to them is indeed well merited.
On the 27th of June, 1901, in Medina, Mr. Brust was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ryan, daughter of Patrick and Mary Ryan of that place. Their children are ten in number, namely: Grace M., Harold, Loretta, Edwin, Alfred, Robert, Gertrude, Geraldine, John and Anna.
Mr. Brust is a republican in politics and a very active worker in the local ranks of the party, manifesting keen interest in the various departments of civic govern- ment. He has been chosen committeeman many times and he made a splendid record as a member of the board of aldermen from 1907 until 1910, being the youngest man ever elected to the latter position. On the 6th of April, 1922, he was appointed post- master of Medina by ex-President Harding for a four-year term and has since discharged the duties of this position with marked efficiency and dispatch. Mr. Brust is a communicant of St. Mary's Roman Catholic church and fraternally is identified with the Knights of Columbus. Outdoor life constitutes his favorite form of recreation. Medina counts him among her energetic, progressive and public- spirited citizens as well as substantial business men.
FRED LE VALLEY.
Fred Le Valley, who has built up one of the largest wholesale plumbing establish- ments in western New York, has been engaged in this line of business for fifty-two years. He was born October 14, 1855, and comes of French lineage. His ancestors were Huguenots and left France because of religious persecution. One branch of the family was established in the United States and another in Canada, but its repre- sentatives in the New World are not numerous. Mr. Le Valley's parents were Na- thaniel L. and Julia (Decker) Le Valley, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Orange county, New York. They came to Elmira late in the '40s and the father was first engaged in railroad work. Subsequently he entered the employ of Booth, Dounce & Rose, hardware merchants, and for several years was in the service of that firm. He was a republican in politics but never sought public office. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Le Valley, two of whom survive: Fred of this re- view, and Mrs. E. J. Stokes, who is a resident of Buffalo, New York.
Fred Le Valley received a public school education and at the age of sixteen be- came an apprentice in a plumbing establishment. He was four years in learning the trade and worked as a journeyman for several years, during which period he saved as much as possible from his earnings, being ambitious to establish a business of his own. In 1884 he became a member of the firm of Krowl & Le Valley, which was later known as Le Valley & Jenkins. The business is now conducted under the style of Le Valley McLe d Kinkaid & Company. The company has been incorporated and is capitalized
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for five hundred thousand dollars. The Elmira property is valued at one hundred thousand dollars and the firm makes shipments to all sections of New York and Penn- sylvania and to other eastern states, and has established a branch at Schenectady, New York, its holdings in that city being valued at fifty thousand dollars. The firm employs fifteen traveling salesmen, one of whom is Mr. Le Valley's son, who lives at Middletown, New York, and has charge of the territory in that locality. Fred Le Val- ley is vice president of the firm. The business represents the labor of a lifetime, and having earned a period of leisure, Mr. Le Valley has transferred the burden of his responsibilities to younger shoulders, although he still supervises the operation of the business, which stands as an imposing monument to his powers of organization and administration and his progressive spirit.
On July 6, 1882, Mr. Le Valley was married to Miss Ella A. Porter, who was born in Catawissa, Pennsylvania, and received her education in Elmira. She is a daughter of Charles Porter, an expert cabinetmaker, who came to this city several years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Le Valley have a son, Arthur McLeod, who, as mentioned above, is con- nected with the business established by his father. Mrs. Le Valley is an active mem- ber of the Hedding Methodist Episcopal church of Elmira and her husband is an Episcopalian in religious faith. He is identified with the Masonic order and belongs to the lodge, chapter, council, commandery, Shrine and Grotto. He is also a member of the Masonic Club and votes the republican ticket.
FRANK THOMPSON ELLISON.
With Rochester's growth and progress the name of Ellison has long been closely and prominently associated, and Frank Thompson Ellison, who represents the third generation of the family in the city, is contributing his quota toward its development through his real estate operations. He was born February 14, 1853, a son of Samuel Buell and Mary (Thompson) Ellison, the former a native of Orange county, New York, and the latter of Rochester. The paternal grandfather was one of the pioneer settlers of the Flower city, in which he established his home in 1822, more than a century ago. His son, Nathaniel B. Ellison, was active in business and civic affairs and filled several public offices of trust and responsibility. He was one of the early school com- missioners of Rochester and aided materially in promoting its educational progress.
In the acquirement of an education Frank Thompson Ellison attended public and private schools of the city of Rochester. He completed a course in Satterlee's Insti- tute and in 1873 was graduated from the University of Rochester, winning the A. B. degree. He then became bookkeeper in the establishment of Ellison & Stoddard, of which his father was the head, and filled that position for five years. He next studied for church journalism and entered Drew Theological Seminary at Madison, New Jer- sey, but after a few years of intensive study and doing some service for his denomina- tion as a layman, his health failed. He spent some time in travel and after his re- covery organized a company for the manufacture of fertilizer. Among other business men in Buffalo associated with Mr. Ellison was Mr. Alfred Schoellkopf. For twelve years Mr. Ellison successfully conducted that industry and then withdrew from the business. He has since been engaged in the development and operation of real estate and is president of the Rochester Investors Company, Incorporated, and vice president of the Millham Realty Company, Incorporated. In addition to his connection with these corporations he is interested in realty on his personal account. Several of the buildings occupied by some of Rochester's leading merchants on Main street, East, East avenue, Clinton street, Water street, and South avenue, have been erected by Mr. Ellison.
In Buffalo, Nw York, in 1904, Mr. Ellison was married to Miss Madeline Ross, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Ross. Mr. and Mrs. Ellison have a daughter: Helen Mary Ellison, Mr. Ellison's activities and interests not only cover a wide scope but have been no inconsiderable contribution to Rochester's upbuilding, showing him to be a man of broad views and well-rounded development. He is a member of the John- son & Seymour Race Commission and also belongs to the Monroe County Farm Bu- reau, the Rochester Historical Society, the Chamber of Commerce, the Rochester Country Club, the Southern Pines Golf Club, the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity, and the Rochester Chapter of the Empire State Society of the Sons of the American Revolu- tion. Mr. Ellison has taken an active interest in politics and in 1912 was a candidate for state senator on the progressive ticket. In sustaining the benevolent institutions of the community Mr. Ellison has not failed to do his part. He never loses an oppor-
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tunity to exploit the resources and attractions of Rochester, whose progress is a mat- ter in which he is vitally interested, and his record sustains the high reputation which members of the Ellison family have always borne. He has had a career of unusual activity and of notable success. The elements were happily blended in the rounding out of his nature, for he unites the refinements of life with the sterner qualities of manhood, and his labors have been manifestly resultant. Mr. Ellison built his home at No. 2327 East avenue, Brighton, in 1910, and has since resided there.
LOUIS E. LOEWENGUTH.
The life record of Louis E. Loewenguth constituted a fine example of manliness and industry and closed on the 5th of September, 1923, when he had reached the age of sixty-seven years. For more than a half century he had been a resident of Rochester and his death was deeply mourned by a large circle of friends, for he was the pos- sessor of many admirable traits of character. He came to the city a poor boy and through the force of his personality and the strength of his mental endowments rose to a position of leadership in local insurance circles, demonstrating what may be ac- complished when one has the courage to dare and to do.
Louis E. Loewenguth was born in New York city, December 20, 1855, and his parents, George and Theresa (Wolf) Loewenguth, immigrated from Alsace-Lorraine to the United States, establishing their home in New York city. There Louis E. attended the public schools and after becoming a wage earner continued his studies in night schools. He first worked for a cotton broker of New York city and when about fourteen years of age came to Rochester in search of an opportunity for advancement. He secured a position as office boy in the establishment of James Elwood, under whom he gained a comprehensive understanding of the insurance business. Mr. Loewenguth found the work congenial and readily mastered the duties assigned him. As time passed he assumed heavier responsibilities and eventually became special agent and adjuster. Meanwhile he had been saving as much as possible from his earnings, and having profited by his experience, was prepared to establish a business of his own in 1903. The venture proved a success and the business was subsequently incorporated under the name of Loewenguth, Dineen & Hock, Incorporated. Mr. Loewenguth served as its president until his death and by untiring effort and wise management built up one of the largest insurance firms in the city. He was scrupulously honorable in all of his business transactions and his was a successful career in the highest sense of the term.
Mr. Loewenguth was united in marriage to Miss Emma Krieg who survives him and is still a resident of Rochester. They were the parents of two children: Frederick M., who is vice president of the business founded by his father; and Alice E., who was born June 10, 1890, and was married to E. B. Dineen, treasurer of the firm of Loewenguth, Dineen & Hock, Incorporated. Mr. Loewenguth was a communicant of the Catholic church and its teachings guided him in the relations of daily life. He was a Knight of Columbus and served on the board of fire underwriters of Rochester. He had the welfare of his city deeply at heart and his influence was a strong factor for good in his community. For the last thirteen years of his life his residence was at No. 30 Magee avenue.
HON. GEORGE S. JOHNSON.
For more than a century members of the Johnson family have contributed their share toward the upbuilding and progress of Wayne county, and the enterprising spirit which animated his forebears found expression in the life of Hon. George S. Johnson. He was long numbered among the leading merchants of Palmyra, while his name also figured prominently in public affairs, and at the time of his death, on October 11, 1924, he was serving for the second term as a member of the state assem- bly. He was born in Palmyra in 1853 and his parents were William R. and Lucy (Wilson) Johnson, the latter a native of Wayne county. They were married in Palmyra and of their family of six children one son and a daughter are living. The Johnson family was founded in Wayne county in 1798, and previous to that year its representatives had resided in the state of Rhode Island. William R. Johnson was born in Palmyra in 1817 and his life was devoted to agricultural pursuits.
George S. Johnson attended the Union School of Palmyra and completed his edu-
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cation in the Rochester Free Academy. He taught school for eight years in Wayne county and for a year was an instructor in the Palmyra high school. In 1881 he with- drew from the educational field and turned his attention to commercial affairs, open- ing a retail shoe store in Palmyra in connection with John E. Schofield. This rela- tionship was maintained until 1883, when Mr. Johnson was joined by Albert S. Rogers, with whom he was associated until the latter's death in 1911. In that year Edgar Congdon, formerly a clerk in the store, was admitted to a partnership in the business, which has since been conducted under the firm style of Johnson & Congdon. The firm is retailers of boots, shoes, trunks and ladies' hosiery and the business is one of the oldest in the town. It has been in existence for forty-three years and no mer- cantile firm of Palmyra enjoys a higher reputation for integrity and reliability. Mr. Johnson possessed a highly specialized knowledge of the business in which he was en- gaged and occupied a position of leadership in his chosen line of activity.
Business, however, formed but one phase of his life and he always evinced that earnest desire to promote the welfare and progress of his community and that spirit of devotion to the general good which are embodied in the highest ideals of citizen- ship. He was chiefly responsible for the children's camp, a philanthropic project, which was started in 1921. It was established for the care of tubercular children and is situated near Lake Ontario. Sixty cases have been treated in the camp, which has received the official endorsement of the state and county. It is operated by the Wayne County Tuberculosis Association, of which the Rev. J. L. Cann of Ontario, is the president, and until his death Mr. Johnson was treasurer of the organization, which is performing work of inestimable value. For two terms Mr. Johnson was president of the village of Palmyra and for three terms he discharged the duties of supervisor. He was chosen to represent Wayne county in the state assembly and endorsement of his able, conscientious work as a member of that body resulted in his re-election. He aided in securing the passage of much constructive legislation and his support of a measure was an indication of his firm belief in its value as a factor in good government. During the World war he was chairman of the first Liberty Loan committee in Palmyra and also acted as one of the Four-Minute speakers.
Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Mary Foster, who was a daugh- ter of L. H. Foster of Palmyra. She died in 1913, at the age of fifty-three. Having no children of their own, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson reared an adopted daughter, Mar- jorie, who is now the wife of Harold Eibler and resides in Palmyra. Mr. Johnson was a member of the Masonic lodge of Palmyra and the Chamber of Commerce, while his religious views were in accord with the doctrines of the Presbyterian church, with which he was affiliated. He had passed the Psalmist's allotted span of threescore years and ten and both mentally and physically was still in his prime, for he had wisely conserved his powers. His life was a long, active and useful one, fraught with much good, and he earned as his reward the confidence, esteem and admira- tion of his fellowmen.
FREDERICK L. HEUGHES.
Frederick L. Heughes, a leading figure in Rochester's industrial circles, is recog- nized as one of the most prominent men in western New York in his field of activity, which is the designing and fabricating of structural steel and iron work for build- ings. He is the pioneer in this industry, for it was forty-six years ago that he established. what has become the largest structural steel and iron works in Rochester, his native city. He was born on the 24th of March, 1850, his parents being William and Anna (Evans) Heughes. The father, who was successfully engaged in the printing business in Rochester for many years, passed away in San Francisco, Cali- fornia. The mother departed this life in Rochester.
In the acquirement of an education Frederick L. Heughes attended the public schools and Rochester Free Academy. On putting aside his textbooks he entered his father's shop to learn the printer's trade, which claimed his attention for a time. He soon abandoned this, however, to enter the architectural iron works of William H. Cheney at the old plant on South avenue, where he remained from 1871 until 1878 and worked his way upward from the position of bookkeeper to that of general manager. It was in the latter year that he embarked in business on his own account, establishing the first structural iron and fireproof building industry in western New York, where during the next quarter of a century he was practically the only repre- sentative of this industry. He did his first important work as contractor for structural
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steel work in erecting the steel framework for additional roofs on the Powers block in 1879, and subsequently the steel contracts for the Powers Hotel, the county court house, the Wilder block, the Chamber of Commerce building, the Granite building, the Masonic Temple, and others too numerous to mention, that are monuments to his ability.
In order to serve his business as contractor for structural steel for fire-proof buildings, he organized a separate company, the F. L. Heughes & Company, Archi- tectural Iron Works, and these companies were merged and incorporated in 1908 as "F. L. Heughes & Company, Incorporated," engineers and contractors of structural steel for fire-proof buildings, who have erected many steel frame buildings in the city and state, including the Eastman school and theatre, and have grown and expanded to their present proportions from the enterprise he established in 1878. The prosperity which has come to Mr. Heughes is the merited reward of industry and perseverance, combined with executive ability.
Frederick L. Heughes is the father of four children, three sons and a daughter, namely: Walter L., president of F. L. Heughes & Company, Incorporated; Benja- min A., treasurer of F. L. Heughes & Company, Incorporated; Herbert F., of Rochester; and Celeste M., of Rochester. In fraternal circles Mr. Heughes is known as a Knights Templar Mason and Noble of the Mystic Shrine and he also belongs to the Rochester Club. A lifelong resident of Rochester, he enjoys an extensive and favorable acquaintance in the city and has for many years occupied a foremost position in the industrial field.
SMITH O'BRIEN.
Smith O'Brien, one of the well known members of the Rochester bar, where he has practiced for more than twenty years, enjoys the reputation of being an able and suc- cessful attorney. He was born in Mendon, New York, December 10, 1875, a son of Thomas and Norah (Lynn) O'Brien, the former a native of County Tipperary, Ire- land, and the latter of Marshall, Calhoun county, Michigan. When a young man of twenty the father came to the United States and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is yet living but the mother died during the childhood of Smith O'Brien of this re- view. They had a family of three sons: Smith and William E., both residents of Rochester; and Michael, whose home is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Smith O'Brien obtained his early education in the Union school at Fairport, New York, and later attended the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary. He was a member of the class of 1901 of the University of Rochester, and began the study of law in the office of Judge John D. Lynn. Mr. O'Brien was admitted to the bar in 1904 and has since engaged in the general practice of law in Rochester. He has steadily advanced in his profession and has been connected with some of the most important litigation coming before the courts of Monroe county. He is associated with Joseph McSweeney in the firm of O'Brien & McSweeney, and both the character and extent of the firm's clientele attest its high professional standing.
On September 12, 1908, Mr. O'Brien was married to Miss Marie Coyne, a daugh- ter of William and Elizabeth Coyne of Mendon, New York. Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien have five sons: William Smith, who was born in 1912; Robert Emmett, born in 1914; James Coyne, born in 1916; John Lynn, born in 1920; and Thomas Joseph, born in 1923. Mr. O'Brien is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church and a member of the Rochester Bar Association. He has always conformed his practice to the high- est ethics of the profession and gives his undivided attention to his chosen life work. Mr. O'Brien's residence is at No. 183 Wellington avenue.
WILLIAM B. BUNDY.
With efficiency as his watchword, William B. Bundy has made continuous prog- ress toward the goal of success, and that he has "arrived" is evident from the office which he is now filling-that of treasurer of the F. A. Owen Publishing Company, in which connection he is an important factor in the management of a business of exten- sive proportions. He was born December 12, 1866, in Alpena, Michigan, and his parents were Fulton and Phoebe Elizabeth (Burrows) Bundy.
William B. Bundy received a public school education and became an employe in a
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bank at Wellsville, New York, afterward going to Andover, this state, where he re- mained until 1905. Subsequently he was identified with the banking business in Indiana and Oklahoma and in 1916 became associated with the F. A. Owen Publishing Company, with which he has since been connected. He is well qualified for the office of treasurer, owing to his long experience as a financier, and his business associates defer to his judgment in matters of importance.
On September 10, 1890, Mr. Bundy was united in marriage to Miss Margaret M. Leonard of West Union, New York, and during the period of their residence in Dans- ville they have made many friends. Mr. Bundy has thoroughly allied his interests with those of the town and is serving as president of the board of trade. He attends the Presbyterian church and is a republican in politics; while his fraternal relations are with the Masonic order and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is an alert, energetic and aggressive business man, able to cope with modern commercial conditions, and enjoys an enviable reputation for business integrity and sagacity.
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