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 54
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93
On June 27, 1903, in Rochester, Mr. Stabel was married to Miss Lillie Kuder, a daughter of Christian Kuder, a prominent resident of the city. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Stabel are: Mildred, who was born in 1905 and is a graduate of Nazareth Academy; Cyrilla, who was born in 1907, completed a course in Nazareth Academy in 1924 and is now a student at D'Youville College, Buffalo, New York; and Gerald F., born in 1912, who is a pupil in a parochial school.
552
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
Mr. Stabel is a Roman Catholic in religious faith and has taken the third degree in the Knights of Columbus. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and is deeply interested in its plans to further the industrial development of the city. Being a man of strong purpose, determined will and indefatigable energy, he has "made good" and is well intrenched in popular confidence and esteem by reason of his steadfast integrity, his progressive methods and his civic loyalty. His residence is on Thatcher road, Irondequoit.
CHARLES FRANK HALLICK.
Among the citizens of foreign birth who have found and utilized the opportunities for business advancement in Rochester is numbered Charles Frank Hallick, whose enterprise and ability have resulted in the development of an important productive in- dustry which he is successfully directing. He was born in Budapest, Hungary, May 10, 1887, a son of Emanuel and Eva (Hollosy) Hallick, the former of whom was numbered among the leading merchants of that city. Both parents are deceased. Six of their children are living: Frederick, Joseph, Alexander, Albert, Charles F. and Mrs. G. E. Edelkraut.
In the acquirement of an education Charles Frank Hallick attended the schools of Budapest and Nurnberg, afterward becoming a student in the Polytechnic Insti- tute of Berlin, from which he was graduated in 1911, subsequently winning the degree of Mechanical Engineer from that school. He was employed successively by the Sammens & Halske Manufacturing Company, the Ludwig & Lowe Manufacturing Company, the Fritz Werner Company, the Bergman Electric Company, the General Electric Company and the Vereinigte Machine Gesellschaft at Nurnberg, gaining valuable practical experience and becoming an expert mechanic. In 1914, when a young man of twenty-seven, Mr. Hallick responded to the lure of the New World and has since been a resident of the Empire state. He first worked for the firm of Bausch & Lomb in the capacity of instrument maker, later becoming a tool and die maker for the North East Electric Company and the Eastman Kodak Company of Rochester. After severing his connection with the last named corporation he became an inspector for the North East Electric Company, with which he remained until 1918, and then established a business of his own, forming the Precise Manufacturing Company. Four years later he organized the Liberty Tool & Die Corporation, and since its inception the business has grown rapidly under the able management of Mr. Hallick. He is serving as president and secretary of the firm and successfully supervises the labors of from forty-five to seventy-five employes. Among his custom- ers today are some of the most prominent manufacturers in the country, whose re- quirements are most exacting and afford a fine tribute to the high character of Mr. Hallick's product.
On the 24th of December, 1916, Mr. Hallick was married to Miss Margaret L. Toth, of Trenton, New Jersey, and they have a son: Charles F. Jr., who was born November 1, 1922. Mr. Hallick is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and also belongs to the Automobile Club, while his fraternal connections are with the Loyal Order of Moose, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Masonic or- der. A man of high character and marked business ability, he has been a construc- tive force in Rochester's industrial progress, and is recognized as one of its most loyal, public-spirited and valuable citizens. Mr. Hallick's residence is at No. 56 Hopper terrace, Lakedale.
LESLIE D. CLUTE.
One of the most prominent of the younger generation of business men in Elmira is Leslie D. Clute, president of the L. D. Clute Motor Company, dealers in Ford products. He has developed the organization of which he is the executive head into one of the leading concerns of its kind in western New York, typifying in every particular the splendid efficiency and successful activity of the vast manufactory which it represents. He was born in Corning, Steuben county, New York, September 25, 1891, the elder of the two sons of Frank L. and Louise (Saks) Clute. Frank L. Clute was a native of Corning, the youngest son in one of that city's oldest families. His wife was born in Wales, of German and Welsh extraction, and came to this country in her childhood. Frank L. Clute was the proprietor of book stores in Corn-
R. D. Clute
555
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
ing and Elmira for a number of years and later engaged in the leaf tobacco busi- ness, now being president of W. H. Ralyea & Company. He is a trustee of the Elmira Savings Bank and of the First Presbyterian church, also a member of a number of Elmira clubs and organizations. Mr. and Mrs. Clute are the parents of two sons: Leslie D .; and Howard H., who is the dealer for the Dodge Brothers motor cars in Elmira.
Leslie D. Clute obtained his education in the public schools of Elmira, graduat- ing from No. 11 school and the Free Academy. He supplemented this training with a four-year course at Cornell University, which he won as a scholarship by com- petitive examination. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Cornell, with the class of 1913. During his collegiate course he was very active in the social life of the institution and in athletics, in the latter activity having been known as one of the few Cornell men ever to have been captain of two varsity teams. Mr. Clute yet retains his interest in athletics at his Alma Mater and is a graduate member of the Cornell Athletic Council. During his course he was a member of the Psi Upsilon fraternity and a number of honorary societies.
After completing his education Mr. Clute's first employment was with the Rem- ington Typewriter Company in Syracuse, New York, which connection he retained for about eighteen months. He then became affiliated with the American La France Fire Engine Company, with which he remained until the year 1916. At this time he resigned for the purpose of organizing the L. D. Clute Motor Company, to repre- sent the Ford Motor Company in this section. Since its inception this company has grown to be one of the largest of its kind in western New York, a development which has kept pace with the remarkable expansion of the whole automobile industry. Largely to the energetic and wise management of Mr. Clute this company is indebted for its present rank. In point of efficient selling, in service to the public, and in modern methods throughout, the company is without superior. In addition to his attention to his individual business Mr. Clute has been actively interested in every movement for the benefit of the automobile trade and motor car owners. For four years he has been president of the Elmira Automobile Merchants Association and secretary of the Empire State Automobile Merchants Association. He is also president of the Mer- chants Acceptance Corporation, a director of the Merchants National Bank, and is the organizer and president of the Strathmont Realty Company, which purchased half of the estate of the late J. Sloat Fassett. This beautiful tract is now being developed into Elmira's only park residential section, restricted to the better class of homes.
On June 15, 1916, Mr. Clute was united in marriage to Miss Gladys Gridley, a member of one of the pioneer families of Elmira and a daughter of Charles H. Grid- ley, for many years a prominent hardware merchant of the city. Mr. and Mrs. Clute have two children, namely: William, born March 18, 1918; and Mary, born March 8, 1922. Mr. Clute's strong support of civic projects is indicated by the fact that he is a director of the Rotary Club, the Country Club and the Chamber of Com- merce, and is a member of the City Club. He gives his political support to the republican party and both he and his wife are consistent members of the Park Congregational church.
MATTHIAS HOLLENBACK WELLES.
A progressive spirit, guided and controlled by discretion and sound judgment, has brought Matthias H. Welles a desirable measure of prosperity and his activities in connection with the leaf tobacco business have stimulated commercial development in Big Flats and throughout the Chemung valley. He was born in the village in No- vember, 1881, a son of George M. and Mary (Fassett) Welles, the latter a native of Elmira. The former was born in Wyalusing, Pennsylvania, and as a boy came to Chemung county with his father. He resides on a farm near Big Flats and has many friends in this locality, in which the greater part of his life has been spent. He is identified with the Masonic order and his religious views are in harmony with the doctrines of the Presbyterian church. He supports the men and measures of the re- publican party and has served as town supervisor. Mrs. Welles passed away on the 18th of May, 1922. She was the mother of six children, four of whom survive: Mat- thias Hollenback of this review; George Edward, whose home is in Riverside, Cali- fornia; J. Sloat, who follows the occupation of farming; and Emily, the wife of John Hammond of Flint, Michigan.
556
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
Matthias Hollenback Welles pursued his studies in Big Flats and Elmira and completed his education in Cornell University, from which he was graduated in 1904. He worked as a machinist for four years and in 1909 joined Charles A. Lowe in the leaf tobacco business, an association that has since been continued. The business is operated under the style of Lowe & Welles, and the firm has outdistanced many of its competitors, maintaining a position of leadership in this field. It has two ware- houses in Big Flats and ships tobacco to many parts of the United States.
In 1908 Mr. Welles was married to Miss Edith Minier, who was born in Big Flats and is a daughter of Samuel A. and Clara (Carpenter) Minier, the former a pioneer merchant of the village. The children of this union are: Eleanor and Mary Louise. The parents are members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Welles is one of its trustees. He casts his ballot for the candidates of the republican party and has filled the office of justice of the peace. He is a Mason and is also identified with the Improved Order of Red Men.
JOHN J. CRAIG.
Farming and the dry goods business have been the only occupations of John J. Craig, who, now an octogenarian, is living retired at Nunda, Livingston county, New York. He was born in East Sparta, the son of James Taylor and Betsy (Carney) Craig, on March 10, 1843, who are mentioned at length in the sketch of John J. Craig's brother, William Craig, published elsewhere in this history.
John J. Craig obtained his education in the district schools, and while still a boy was already a farmer, taking possession of a farm when but seventeen years old and conducting it for the following eight years. He taught district school for twelve winters in Livingston and Allegany counties. He operated a mill at Canaseraga in 1871, and in 1872, with his brother James, was in the dry goods business in the same town. After two years at Canaseraga, Mr. Craig bought the old farm and remained on it until 1915, when he retired and moved to Nunda to live.
In his political views Mr. Craig is a republican and held the office of assessor for a number of years. In his religious convictions he is a member of the Presbyterian church and served for many years as chairman of board of trustees. He is a bachelor.
GEORGE ELLSWORTH WOODCOCK.
Among the well known, popular, progressive and influential citizens of Rochester is George Ellsworth Woodcock, who occupies a prominent position in industrial circles of the city as vice president of the Sherwood Shoe Company. The business of shoe manufacturing has claimed his attention during his entire career and he is thoroughly familiar with every phase of the industry. He was born in Springfield, Otsego county, New York, on the 1st of February, 1862, his parents being Philip R. and Roby Jane (Pierce) Woodcock, who were lifelong residents of the Empire state. The father was a native of Canajoharie, Montgomery county, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Philip R. Woodcock became the parents of four children, three of whom survive; Charles D., a resident of Geneva, New York; Mrs. Mary L. Newton, who lives in China; and George Ellsworth of this sketch.
In the acquirement of an education George Ellsworth Woodcock attended public and private schools of Rochester and also spent some time as a student in Satterlee Institute. After putting aside his textbooks he entered the employ of the Utz & Dunn Company in a clerical capacity and as he demonstrated his efficiency and fidelity was promoted from one position to another of increasing importance and responsibility, until he had risen to the place of general manager. During the period of his connection with the Utz & Dunn Company, which covered a quarter century, he became thoroughly acquainted with the shoe manufacturing business in principle and detail, for there was no part of the work which he had not personally performed. He was therefore well qualified for his new duties when he became officially identified with the Sherwood Shoe Company in the capacity of vice president, and his efforts have since constituted a valuable factor in the steady expansion and continued success of this extensive manufacturing enterprise. A contemporary biographer said of him: "There has been nothing startling in his career, which has manifested, however, an unfaltering fidelity to duty through the usual routine of business, as day after
GEORGE E. WOODCOCK
559
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
day he has carried on his work. His persistency of purpose is one of the strongest elements in his prosperity and its lack has caused a large per centage of the failures in the business world. Mr. Woodcock seems to have realized fully the value of industry and perseverance, and it is upon these characteristics as a foundation that he has builded his success."
On the 10th of November, 1886, in Rochester, Mr. Woodcock was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth R. Busch, daughter of Charles and Mary Busch and representative of a prominent Rochester family. Mr. and Mrs. Woodcock have one daughter: Olive L., the wife of W. C. Clifford, was born and educated in this city. She has become the mother of a son, Elsworth R. Clifford, a splendid specimen of boyhood, who met a tragic death, being drowned while bathing. As the lad was an expert swimmer it is believed that he struck his head in diving and thus was unable to save himself. Mr. and Mrs. Woodcock make their home at No. 305 Bar- rington street in Rochester, where the circle of their fields is a wide one. Fraternally Mr. Woodcock is identified with the Masonic order, belonging to Valley Lodge No. 109, A. F. & A. M., to Rochester Consistory, A. & A. S. R., and to Damascus Temple of the Mystic Shrine. His name is likewise on the membership rolls of the Masonic Club of Rochester, the Monroe Golf Club, the Rochester Club and the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, of which he has been one of the trustees for a number of years. His political support is given to the republican party. He has never sought to figure prominently in public affairs but has always been loyal to duty, honest and faithful in every relation of life, and his record is, therefore, one well worthy of emulation. -
WILLIAM L. OSTROM.
William L. Ostrom, editor and publisher of the Olean (New York) Evening Herald, is a newspaper man of more than thirty years experience, and has had man- agement of the Evening Herald since the beginning of 1894. He was born in Nas- sau, Rensselaer county, June 16, 1862, his parents being Lyman Ostrom and Eliza- beth (Smith) Ostrom. His father, a Christian man of profound convictions and a farmer, was killed in the Civil war, while William was still under two years of age. Shortly thereafter his mother, with her only son, returned to Trumansburg, Tomp- kins county, where they resided until after her son was married in May, 1887, to Miss Katherine Grace Campbell of Ithaca, New York. At that time Mr. Ostrom was employed by Gregg & Company, manufacturers of mowers, reapers and other farm machinery, the company employing about two hundred and fifty men. He worked there nearly seven years and left when the company announced in 1888 that it was forced to close its doors because of unavoidable business conditions. At that time Mr. Ostrom was in full charge of the collection department for the company through- out the United States.
Immediately upon severing his connections with Gregg & Company, Mr. Ostrom secured a position with the Warder, Bushnell & Glessner Company of Chicago, ex- tensive manufacturers of farm machinery, having at that time a capitalization of four million dollars and after a month's trial he was placed in charge of desperate claims, a position of considerable responsibility, requiring an intimate knowledge of the collection laws of practically every state in the Union.
The latter part of 1893 he corresponded at length with his brother-in-law, Her- bert D. Sibley of Olean, New York, and this correspondence resulted in his purchasing, in January, 1894, a half interest in the Olean Herald, an established and successful daily newspaper.
Early in 1902 the firm was incorporated under the name of the Olean Herald Company, and Herbert D. Sibley was made president and treasurer and William L. Ostrom, vice president and secretary. In the spring of 1915 Herbert D. Sibley was appointed postmaster and the following year, or in 1916, Mr. Sibley sold his interest in the Herald building and Olean Herald Company to Mr. Ostrom.
In January, 1917, during a heavy western gale at 3:30 o'clock in the morning, when the thermometer registered fifteen degrees below zero, the Herald building and plant were practically destroyed by fire. That year, therefore, required a double duty from Mr. Ostrom, that of continuing to publish a daily newspaper at No. 213 North Union street, and undertaking to erect a new modern four-story structure on the site of the burned building. The new building, with Buffalo litholite front and fully equipped with the latest in Mergenthaler linotypes, Keystone steel imposing stones, Chandler and Price presses, etc., was occupied the following October.
560
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
A word as to the operations and policy of the Herald : It has always been con- sistently democratic but has never supported any candidate known to be other than honorable and progressive. It enjoys the distinction of receiving the full leased wire service of the Associated Press, universally acknowledged to be the largest and finest news-gathering concern in the world. Its news features are distinctively exclusive and always the finest in the market.
The Olean Evening Herald is at present printed from a Hoe Web perfecting straight line sixteen-page press, with full electrical connections throughout. It is thoroughly modern in all of its appointments, as well as its policy and general man- agement.
Late in April, 1923, through overwork, Mr. Ostrom suffered a relatively slight paralytic stroke which, however, compelled him to relinquish his business obliga- tions for several months. He is again undertaking certain duties but is not assum- ing full arduous management as before his serious illness. The responsibilities of the business are being capably looked after by his two sons, Merle C. and Selden W. The former is now in charge of the mechanical and telegraphic branches and his younger son, Selden W., looks after finances and the collection department connected with circulation.
Mr. Ostrom has never held public office, preferring to direct his energies from the editor's chair. Nevertheless, his advice and judgment have been instrumental in matters affecting the life of Olean and vicinity. He is a Scottish Rite Mason.
Merle C. Ostrom, the elder son, is a graduate printer. He was born in Chicago, in 1889, and received a high school education in Olean. He thoroughly understands and manages the mechanical and telegraphic departments. He is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason. He possesses considerable musical ability and is bass in the First Presbyterian church choir. He was married in 1912, to Miss Frances Es- telle Severn, and they have two daughters: Cora Elizabeth and Ruth Katherine.
Selden W. Ostrom was born in Olean, in 1898. He attended Olean high school and spent three years at Cornell University. He is a member of the Sigma Phi Epsi- lon fraternity. He was married to Miss Constance Murdock of Olean, and they have one son, Donald Murdock. He is also a charter member of the Olean Bachelor Club and is tenor soloist in the First Presbyterian church. As stated, his energies are directed toward the financial part of the business and also to circulation collections.
FREDERICK J. ODENBACH.
It is doubtful if there is a better known man in Rochester than Frederick J. Odenbach, president and treasurer of the Odenbach Company; and it is certain that there is none, outside of public life, who has a wider acquaintanceship throughout the Genesee country. For over twenty years he has been identified with the business life of this city, and the growth and development of the interests with which he has been so closely connected represent one of the outstanding achievements in the business history of Rochester during that period. He was born in this city, October 27, 1881, the eldest son of Frederick and Lucy (Kondolf) Odenbach, both of whom were lifelong residents of Rochester. The father was first connected with the foundry business, later opened a small refreshment store at the corner of Child and Jay streets, which in reality was the initial connection of the family with a business that has had such a remarkable outgrowth. Later additions to the business included sev- eral locations in Rochester and in 1900 the place at No. 112 State street was opened, which in those days was one of the best known and most popular in the city.
In 1904 Frederick J. Odenbach became a partner with his father and from that time has been a big factor in the development of the business. In 1909 they opened the Hofbrau on South avenue, of which a contemporaneous writer has said: "The restaurant became an immediate success. Rochester liked it and they like this tall clean-cut young man who greeted them with a smile and saw to it that they were given just the right amount of service to make them comfortable, but not pestered. Neighboring towns quickly began to contribute their quota of patrons and the busi- ness grew. The capacity of the restaurant was doubled and 'Odenbach's' became a Rochester Institution."
In 1912 the business was incorporated as the Odenbach Company and the other brothers were taken in. the officers of the corporation being: Frederick Odenbach, president; Frederick J. Odenbach, vice president and treasurer; Charles P. Odenbach, secretary. In 1913 the Odenbach Company leased the Hayward Hotel on South
FREDERICK J. ODENBACH
563
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
Clinton and made extensive alterations in the property, being planned, arranged and operated as a high class hotel. It at once sprang into favor and popularity. In 1919 the company opened its first Coffee Shoppe, on South Clinton, which was a great success from the beginning.
In 1919 occurred the death of the father, Frederick Odenbach, at the age of sixty-six. He was twice married, his first wife, Miss Lucy Kondolf, being the mother of his four sons: Frederick J., Matthew P., Charles P. and John H. His second wife, who is yet living, was formerly Miss Estella Shale.
Frederick J. Odenbach succeeded his father as president, Matthew P. Odenbach becoming vice president and Charles P. Odenbach, secretary. The continued growth of the business warranted expansion that was hardly good judgment to make on a leasehold, so in 1922 the Odenbach Company purchased the fee of the Hayward Hotel, also that of the Whitcomb Hotel of two hundred and fifty rooms, adjoining. These purchases comprise one of the most desirable pieces of downtown business property in the city. In 1923 they began remodeling these properties to provide for the most extensive and elaborate improvement yet carried out by the Odenbach Com- pany. This involved an expenditure of over two hundred thousand dollars and resulted in the establishing of the new Coffee Shoppe, one of the finest of its kind in the country and certainly one of Rochester's show places. This was thrown open to the public on December 17, 1923, and over twenty-thousand people inspected this magnificent establishment on the opening day, and upwards of five thousand have been served daily since then.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.