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 53
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FRANK EASTWOOD VAN DORN.
Close to forty years of service with the same banking institution is the record back of Frank Eastwood Van Dorn, cashier of the Bingham State Bank at Mount Morris, Livingston county, New York. He was born at Lindenville, Ogle county, Illinois, on May 26, 1868, the son of John and Mary Lucretia (Eastwood) Van Dorn.
Frank Eastwood Van Dorn acquired his education entirely in the public schools, his boyhood being passed in Pennsylvania and then on a farm in Livingston county, New York, from the time he was thirteen until he was seventeen years old. At that age, and on December 14, 1885, Mr. Van Dorn began work with the banking house now known as the Bingham State Bank, then conducted by Charles L. and Lucius C. Bingham, brothers. His first employment was that of bookkeeper, and in 1893 he be- came a partner in the business. At the time the business was incorporated in 1915 Mr. Van Dorn became cashier of the bank, having filled all the intermediate positions successfully during his many years with the institution. Mr. Van Dorn is chairman of Group No. 2 of the New York State Bankers Association, and is also on the execu- tive committee of the Association of State Banks.
Mr. Van Dorn was married on June 22, 1898, to Mary Frances Seymour of Mount Morris. Two children have been born to them: Elizabeth, now a student in Wells College, at Aurora, New York, and Madeline, a student at Wellesley College, at Wellesley, Massachusetts. In his political opinions Mr. Van Dorn is a republican, and in his religious convictions a member of the Protestant Episcopal church. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masonic order.
HENRY GRAHAM.
Henry Graham, one of Wellsville's progressive young business men, has advanced steadily through the medium of his own efforts and now occupies an influential posi- tion in industrial circles of this locality. He was born July 25, 1887, in Gold, Penn- sylvania. His grandfather, Patrick J. Graham, was a native of Glasgow, Scotland, who followed the cooper's trade in western New York. His death occurred in Febru- ary, 1897. He had married Adelaide Bixby and their son, James H. Graham, was born in Avon, New York, in November, 1848. He served an apprenticeship to the tanner's trade and subsequently, in association with James Thornton, engaged in the manu- facture of leather. On the 17th of November, 1872, he was married to Miss Catherine Kane and they became the parents of Henry Graham. He spent the greater portion of his life in Wellsville and died in September, 1894, at the age of forty-five.
Henry Graham's parents moved to Wellsville in 1891, where his education was completed in the Wellsville high school. For a time he was employed in a drug store and later became rate clerk in the Wellsville offices of the Erie Railroad. He remained in the service of that corporation until July 10, 1916, when he became a member of the Wellsville Upholstering Company, and since January, 1917, has dis- charged the duties of secretary and director, in which connections he is contributing materially toward the expansion of the business. It was founded in 1898 by Frank W. Gent, who is president of the company, and A. L. Foster acts as vice president,
HENRY GRAHAM
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while F. X. Barker is serving as treasurer. The business was incorporated in 1910 and ranks with the largest of the kind in this section of the state.
On the 27th of April, 1915, Mr. Graham was married to Miss Elizabeth Trahey of Wellsville, a daughter of George and Katherine (Byrnes) Trahey. Mr. and Mrs. Graham have five children: James Henry, who was born January 20, 1916; Mary Georgia, born December 7, 1917; Louis Edward, born February 27, 1920; Martha Colleen, born October 19, 1922; and Elizabeth Frances, born August 18, 1924.
Mr. Graham is a Catholic in religious faith and is a faithful communicant of the Church of the Immaculate Conception. He is a member of the board of education, a director of the Wellsville Red Cross Society, a Knight of Columbus, a member of the Lyceum Society, the Elks, the Rotary Club, the Wellsville Country Club, and the Wellsville Chamber of Commerce. He is prominent in the organizations of a civic nature and serves as president of the Rotary Club. He has lent the weight of his influence to every worthy public project and his integrity, enterprise and ability are qualities which have earned for him the confidence, respect and goodwill of his fellowmen.
FREDERICK M. LOEWENGUTH.
Frederick M. Loewenguth is a member of one of the old and highly respected families of Rochester and a native son whose record is a credit to his community. He was born April 18, 1886, and his parents were Louis E. and Emma Loewenguth, of whom an extended account is given elsewhere in this volume. Frederick M. Loew- enguth attended the public and parochial schools, graduated from the Mechanics In- stitute of Rochester, after which he spent two and a half years abroad, studying decorative art in London and other large cities of Europe. On his return to the United States Mr. Loewenguth began his career as an art decorator and successfully engaged in that work until 1916, when he became associated with his father in business. He has since been vice president of the Loewenguth, Dineen & Hock Insur- ance Company, of which he is also the manager, and is likewise a director of the Home Builders Cooperative Savings & Loan Association. In the management of his affairs he brings to bear the keen sagacity and executive force which characterized his father and his work sustains the high reputation which has always been borne by the family. During the World war Mr. Loewenguth designed and superintended the Home Lands Stage exhibit in Rochester.
On the 5th of October, 1916, Mr. Loewenguth was united in marriage to Miss Irene O'Brien, a daughter of David and Carolyn O'Brien, prominent residents of this city. Mr. Loewenguth is a member of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce and the Art and Yacht Clubs of this city, while his religious views are in accord with the doc- trines of the Roman Catholic church. He is punctilious in the discharge of his civic duties, and that he is a young man of sterling integrity and genuine worth is indicated by the high esteem in which he is held by those among whom his life has been passed. His residence is at No. 71 Magee avenue.
JOSEPH WALLACE BUCK.
The blood of Scotch and English ancestry flows in the veins of Joseph Wallace Buck, who comes of Revolutionary war stock and in both the paternal and maternal lines represents old and highly respected families of the East. He is ably following in the professional footsteps of his father and is rapidly coming to the front in legal circles of Elmira, his native city. He was born May 7, 1891, and his parents were George W. and Grace (Campbell) Buck, the former of whom was born in Sugar Hill, near Watkins, Schuyler county, New York, and the latter a native of Nelson, Tioga county, Pennsylvania. They were married in the Keystone state and reared a family of three children: Joseph Wallace of this review; Jerome C., who was born in 1899 and was graduated from Princeton University with the class of 1923; and Ruth C., who is the wife of William H. Mandeville, the oldest son of Hubert Carpenter Mande- ville, a prominent attorney of Elmira, of the firm of Mandeville & Personius. Mrs. Buck was born in July, 1865, and her great-grandfather was a member of the Camp- bell clan of Argyle, Scotland, and was the founder of the family in America, migrat- ing to the New World in 1802. George W. Buck was born March 24, 1849, and died April 24, 1911, at the age of sixty-two. The American progenitor of the Buck family
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made the voyage from England to this country in the middle of the seventeenth cen- tury and settled in Connecticut. Mr. Buck's great-great-grandfather, David Han- more, ancestor in the paternal line, was a soldier in the Continental army and par- ticipated in the battle of Newtown in 1779. George W. Buck attended Alfred University and in 1879 came to Elmira, taking up the study of law in the office of Rock- well & Collin. He was admitted to the bar in 1881 and successfully followed his pro- fession in this city until his death, ranking with its most able attorneys.
Joseph Wallace Buck obtained his preliminary education in the public schools of Elmira and the Free Academy, afterward matriculating in Princeton University, from which he was graduated in 1913, with the degree of Litt. B. He studied law in the office of Herendeen & Mandeville and was admitted to the bar in July, 1917. He spe- cializes in tax law, of which he has made a close study, and since 1914 has been associated with the present firm of Mandeville & Personius, or its predecessors. Mr. Buck has a thorough understanding of the fundamental principles of jurisprudence and is also identified with several business corporations, which he represents either in the capacity of an officer or director.
On October 25, 1920, in Elmira, Mr. Buck was married to Marjorie Ball Eldredge, daughter of Edward O. Eldredge, and Cornelius Royce Eldredge. Mrs. Buck was born May 27, 1900, in Owego, New York, of English lineage. The family was founded in this country early in the eighteenth century and was among the first to settle in Tioga county, New York. Ancestors of Mrs. Buck in both the paternal and maternal lines were soldiers in the Revolutionary war. Mr. and Mrs. Buck have two sons: George Wallace, who was born on the 5th of January, 1922; and Joseph Campbell, born June 27, 1923. Mr. Buck is a member of the Park Congregational church of El- mira and his political support is given to the men and measures of the republican party.
EDWARD HALL CHAPIN.
Edward H. Chapin, special representative of the Southern Wheel Company, In- corporated, is a well known representative of industrial interests in Rochester. He is a native of Rochester and was born July 10, 1867, a son of Charles Hall and Mary Elizabeth (Kidd) Chapin. Moses Chapin the grandfather of Edward H. Chapin, was the first county judge of Monroe county, and the ancestral history is traced to Deacon Samuel Chapin who came from England and settled in Massachusetts between 1635 and 1640.
Charles Hall Chapin was born in Rochester, January 6, 1830, and in the maternal line was descended from Timothy Dwight, an early president of Yale College. Early in his business career, in the '50s, Charles Hall Chapin became manager of William Kidd & Company, car wheel makers, of Rochester, afterwards conducted under the firm style of Chapin & Terry. He entered the field of banking in 1871 as one of the organizers of the banking house of Kidd & Chapin, of which he had entire charge. In 1875 this was merged into the Bank of Rochester of which Mr. Chapin became president, acting in that capacity until his death. He was a man of resourcefu) business ability and his sound judgment and keen business discernment were con- sidered valuable assets in the successful control of various business interests. In 1877 he organized the Rochester Car Wheel Works, which were established by William Kidd, and it became one of the most important industrial concerns of the city. He was also vice president of the Charlotte Iron Works and a trustee of the Roberts Iron Works of Kingston, Canada.
In 1854 Charles Hall Chapin was married to Miss Mary Elizabeth Kidd, a daugh- ter of William Kidd, and to them were born the following children: William Kidd, who is deceased; Charles Terry, chairman of the board and treasurer of the Chapin- Owen Company, Incorporated, of Rochester; Mrs. William E. Marcus, living in Mont- clair, New Jersey; Edward Hall of this review; and Eleanor B., who died in 1881, in Florence, Italy. The death of Charles Hall Chapin occurred on the 16th of March, 1882, and thus passed from the stage of earthly activities one who had contributed in large measure to Rochester's substantial growth and improvement. His wife, Mrs. Mary Elizabeth (Kidd) Chapin, had reached the age of eighty-five years when she passed away in Rochester on the 27th of November, 1918.
Edward Hall Chapin, whose name introduces this review obtained his early educa- tion in School No. 3 in Rochester and after leaving school No. 3 he traveled in Europe a year, waiting to enter St. Paul's School, Concord, New Hampshire, which he attended for three years, under the Rev. Dr. Henry Coit. Subsequently he pursued a special
EDWARD H. CHAPIN
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course in Cornell University as a member of the class of 1889. Following his gradua- tion he made his way westward to Colorado, near Colorado Springs, where he engaged in ranching for two years, on the expiration of which period he purchased an interest in the Electric Railway Journal. After a time devoted to newspaper work he dis- posed of his interests in the east and returned to his home in Rochester. Here he became identified with the Standard Oil Company of New York but in 1899 severed his connection therewith to assume the duties of secretary of the Rochester Car Wheel Works. In 1903 the Rochester Car Wheel Works was merged with other companies into the National Car Wheel Company, of which Mr. Chapin became vice president and member of the board of directors. In February, 1924, the National Car Wheel Company was taken over by the American Brake Shoe & Foundry Com- pany, which now owns about sixty odd plants in various sections of the United States and Canada. On January 1, 1925, the National Car Wheel Company was merged into the Southern Wheel Company, with general offices in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, both being subsidiaries of the American Brake Shoe & Foundry Company. Mr. Chapin was retired from executive participation and made special representative of the South- ern Wheel Company, subject to call, with headquarters at the company's Rochester plant.
On the 28th of April, 1892, in Geneseo, New York, Mr. Chapin was united in marriage to Miss Louise Beach, daughter of Charles O. and Cornelia Elizabeth (Doty) Beach. Mr. Beach was formerly a prominent dry goods merchant. He passed away many years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Chapin are the parents of a daughter, Mrs. Charles Hopkins, who was born February 15, 1893, in Rochester, where she received her education. She is the mother of two children: Elizabeth Louise Hopkins, who was born in Rochester, May 30, 1919; and Barbara Hopkins, born in Rochester, on the 22nd of August, 1922.
Mr. Chapin is a member of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce and also belongs to the Automobile and Cornell Clubs of Rochester, the Engineers Club of New York, the Cornell Club of New York city, the New York Railway Club and the Central Railway Club of Buffalo. Resourcefulness and enterprise have brought him steadily to the front in business circles of Rochester and his is a well ordered, upright life that commands for him the respect and confidence of all with whom he has come in contact. Since June, 1911, Mr. Chapin has resided in Geneseo, Living- ston county, New York.
JAMES O. SEBRING.
Attorney James O. Sebring, one of the most active men in New York state, has for many years been a leader of the democratic forces in Corning, New York, and the people's champion at all times. Risen from humblest beginnings, he has always aided the poor man and fought for civic justice, square dealing and righteous conduct. His career has been marked with many hardships and disappointments, especially in earlier years, and all he possesses has been gained by hard work, honest effort and tireless persistency. He was born November 4, 1860, the day on which Abraham Lincoln was elected president of the United States. He was born in Pulteney, Steu- ben county, New York.
James O. Sebring attended the district schools of Pulteney and higher school at Prattsburg. He was largely self-educated and it was a struggle covering years to obtain this education. But he persisted, teaching school when still very young an ] aiding his father on the farm. He saved the money to take a law course and then gave his savings to his father and continued to work and teach and study law on the side. He was finally admitted to the bar at Buffalo in June, 1885, passing the examination with the highest marks of any of the candidates, many of whom were college graduates.
Mr. Sebring started his practice in Hammondsport, and was there for ten years, building up the largest practice ever established there. He came to Corning in 1895, and has lived there ever since. For fifteen years he was in partnership with Warren J. Cheney and the firm of Sebring & King existed for several years, but he is now practicing alone.
Mr. Sebring was for years a democrat and has been active in local politics. Three times his friends urged him to make the race for mayor of Corning but on each occasion some of the strange foibles which make political history so uncertain have prevented his election. Mr. Sebring is now an independent republican, having run for
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mayor as one the second time, as a democrat the first time and as a republican the third time. In his last campaign he made a gallant fight for tax reduction, prohibi- tion enforcement and for saving the town's famous memorial, the Erastus Corning Clock Tower, the pride of the city. His stand on this question attracted so much favorable attention that the tower was saved but a democratic landslide kept him from office, having been defeated by the narrow margin of forty votes. He has been dele- gate to many state conventions.
In all the campaigns Mr. Sebring has been strong for the rule of the people and in his legal work he has donated thousands of dollars worth of service to the needy. However, his business has been so large that he has acquired a comfortable small fortune and he has one of the finest homes in the Genesee country.
Mr. Sebring was married on August 29, 1889, to Mary A. Bushnell of Bath. They have no children. He is a member of the Elks and the Odd Fellows. His chief interest has always been in his work and in the public good and his recreation is- more work.
ISAAC ALLISON.
Isaac Allison has successfully followed his profession in Elmira for more than two decades. He was born in Canisteo, Steuben county, New York, August 1, 1876, and his parents, Mortimer and Jane (Davis) Allison, were also natives of that county, in which their lives were spent. The father was a prominent banker of Can- isteo and a man of high character and sterling integrity. He was a member of the Presbyterian church and faithfully followed its teachings. He was allied with the democratic party and served as postmaster of Canisteo. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Allison, four of whom are living.
Isaac Allison is the youngest member of the family. He attended the Canisteo Academy and afterward became a student at Cornell University, from which he received the A. B. degree. In 1903 his Alma Mater conferred upon him the degree of LL. B. and in June of that year he entered upon his professional career in Elmira. He was first associated in practice with W. A. Turnbull and later formed a partner- ship with Erwin J. Baldwin, with whom he has continued. The firm of Baldwin & Allison has been accorded a liberal clientele and stands high in legal circles of the city.
On the 22d of June, 1905, Mr. Allison was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Harris, who was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. Mr. Allison is a democrat in politics; is a member of the Episcopal church and serves as one of its vestrymen; is identified with the Masonic fraternity; and belongs to the City and Country Clubs.
JOSEPH STIEGLER.
Joseph Stiegler, one of Dansville's leading merchants and substantial business men, is a representative of that type of well-bred foreign-born American citizen whose inherited tendencies of industry, enterprise and integrity have added so largely to the development and prosperity of our nation, and his loyalty and public spirit have been demonstrated on many occasions. He is a native of Alsace-Lorraine and was born under the Tri-Color, on the 13th of September, 1866, a son of George and Fran- cesca (Wendling) Stiegler, both of whom are deceased. When a young man of twenty-five he responded to the lure of the New World and arrived in New York city on August 24, 1891. He spent a year in Buffalo, where he learned the shoemaker's trade, and on August 5, 1892, allied his interests with those of Dansville. He secured a position in the Blum shoe factory, where he was employed for nine years, and hav- ing carefully saved his earnings, was then able to establish a business of his own, opening a repair shop. Mr. Stiegler prospered in his undertaking and decided to broaden the scope of his activities, becoming the proprietor of his present estab- lishment on Main street. He carries a large and well assorted stock of the finest grade of footwear and his is the leading shoe store in Dansville. He has an expert knowledge of the business, gained from years of practical experience, and has also directed his efforts into other channels, being president of the Retail Merchants Council, which has likewise profited by his executive ability and excellent judgment.
Mr. Stiegler's civic spirit is of that vital and forceful kind which finds its best expression in public activities and his worth to his community is widely acknowl- edged. The existence of the Dansville General Hospital is due to his efforts and to
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those of William Maloney, Frederick A. Owen, Frank Blum, Dr. Fred R. Driesbach, John Kramer and William H. Miller, who were instrumental in raising the funds for its establishment three years ago. The sum of one hundred thousand dollars was se- cured by subscription for its equipment, remodeling, etc., and Mr. Stiegler is now serving as president of the hospital, which is a municipal institution but was form- erly conducted as a private hospital. In 1916 his fellow citizens called him to the office of mayor of Dansville, which he filled most acceptably until 1923, securing for the town many needed improvements and working at all times for its best interests. Whatever touches the welfare of his community is to him a matter of deep concern and during the World war he gave further proof of his loyalty, working through the secret service to guard against injury to the local manufacturing enterprises.
On the 10th of January, 1893, Mr. Stiegler was married to Mrs. Katharine Ger- ber, who died December 21, 1911. Mr. Stiegler was married to Miss Elizabeth Gobel of New York city, on October 15, 1913. He is a faithful communicant of St. Mary's Roman Catholic church of Dansville and gives his political support to the republican party. The record of Joseph Stiegler is the story of a man whose talents have been used for the benefit of Dansville and its citizens and constitutes an example well worthy of imitation, indicating the possibilities that lie before the individual and demonstrating what may be accomplished when effort and ambition combine.
JOSEPH M. STABEL.
The business interests of Rochester are important and varied, offering splendid opportunities for advancement to the man of ambition and enterprise. Competition in the different lines of business, however, is exceedingly keen and only those pos- sessed of more than ordinary ability have won the full measure of success. In this classification belongs Joseph M. Stabel, whose life record is the story of earnest en- deavor, marked by an orderly progression that has brought him at length to a field of broad influence and usefulness as the executive head of the Octo Engineering Com- pany of Rochester, of which he was one of the founders. He was born in Buffalo, New York, September 29, 1874, a son of Philip and Johanna (Siefried) Stabel, both of whom were natives of Germany. In early life they immigrated to the United States, settling in Buffalo, New York, where they resided until called to their final rest. The father engaged in the manufacture of bricks and prospered in his under- taking, being honest, capable and industrious. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stabel: John, Frank, Michael, Joseph M., Mrs. Mary Thum and Mrs. Minnie Sippel.
In the acquirement of an education Joseph M. Stabel attended St. Mary's pa- rochial school in Buffalo, New York, continuing his studies in the public schools, and his initial experience along mechanical lines was gained in the Queen City Engineer- ing Works. He afterward secured a responsible position with the Winchester Repeat- ing Arms Company in New Haven, Connecticut, and was next employed by the New Haven Clock Company. After severing his relations with that corporation Mr. Stabel became associated with the Stanley Instrument Company of Great Barrington, Massachusetts, and subsequently returned to New York state, locating in Rochester. He entered the service of the Stromberg-Carlson Telephone Manufacturing Company and was placed in charge of the tool room. He remained with that concern for nine years and in 1913 aided în forming the Octo Engineering Company, which is com- posed of eight members. They started on a small scale and their stock was listed at a very low figure during the formative period in the history of the firm. While the business has grown slowly, it has never retrograded and today the affairs of the company are in a very prosperous condition. A share of its stock is worth one thou- sand dollars and the success of the business is due to the wise management and ag- gressive methods of its executive officers, also to the harmonious cooperation of the employes, whose work is performed under the most favorable conditions. Mr. Stabel is president and treasurer of the corporation and this well organized and efficiently operated industry reflects his enterprising spirit and administrative power.
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