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 56
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Saxon B. Gavitt attended the Lyons Union School and completed his education in
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the Phillips Exeter Academy at Andover, Massachusetts, from which he was grad- uated with the class of 1903. He then entered his grandfather's bank, which was first conducted by the firm of Gavitt & Murdock, and later the junior member retired, selling his stock to his partner. The institution was founded in 1866 by S. B. Gavitt, who remained at its head until his death, which occurred shortly after the reorgani- zation of the bank as a national bank in 1904. His son, William S. Gavitt, then as- sumed the duties of president, ably guiding the destiny of the institution for fourteen years, and until the time of his death all of the stock in the bank was held by mem- bers of the family. The building in which the business is conducted was erected in 1838 for the old Bank of Lyons, and is owned by the family. Mr. Gavitt served for some time as cashier of the bank and since 1921 has filled the office of president. The executive ability, the inflexible will and indomitable perseverance which enabled the grandfather to lay the foundation of the business and foster its early growth, were qualities inherited in full measure by Mr. Gavitt, who has proven an able financier, displaying mature judgment and keen powers of discernment in directing the opera- tions of the bank. The other officers are: G. J. Gavitt, first vice president; I. G. Mirick, second vice president; G. H. Milem, cashier, and V. Knittel, assistant cashier. The bank is capitalized at sixty thousand dollars and its deposits amount to nearly one and one-half million. Since its conversion into a national bank its resources have increased fivefold. It is the largest bank in Lyons and one of the strongest moneyed institutions in Wayne county, for it was built upon the enduring foundation of integrity and honor.
In April, 1907, Mr. Gavitt was united in marriage to Miss Eleanor Green, a daughter of George M. Green of Syracuse, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Gavitt have two sons: Saxon B., Jr., and William S. Mr. Gavitt is a republican in politics and takes the interest of a good citizen in public affairs but has never sought office as a reward for party fealty. He is connected with the New York State and American Bankers Associations and the institution of which he is the head is a member of the Federal Reserve System. He is a citizen of worth to his community and measures up to the highest standards in every relation of life.
EMMA LUDWIG SWEET.
A college graduate and a woman of gracious manner and charming personality, Mrs. Emma Ludwig Sweet has in recent years devoted her efforts to the novel task of helping others to enjoy themselves-a field of activity in which she has been very successful-and is now serving as director of social activities for guests of the Roches- ter and Seneca Hotels. She is also the possessor of marked musical talent and her reputation as an entertainer is more than local. She is a native of Scranton, Penn- sylvania, and a daughter of Oscar and Freda Ludwig, the former of whom was a well known druggist of that city.
Emma Ludwig was graduated from the Scranton high school and was married in that city on November 9, 1901, to Willis D. Sweet, and has two children: Alma Lud- wig, who is a violinist of ability and is one of the instructors at the Conservatory of Music in Ithaca, New York; and Willis D., Jr., who is engaged in the automobile business in Binghamton, this state.
Mrs. Sweet has always taken a keen interest in music and is a talented artist. She was soloist at the Presbyterian church in Dunmore, Pennsylvania, and has also appeared in concerts as a pianist. She organized a ladies' orchestra, composed of members of the Mothers Club and Parent-Teacher Association, and served as its director, furnishing the entire program for many organizations of a civic and chari- table nature and also for social gatherings. Inmates of the Binghamton Almshouse were the first objects of her attention. For them Mrs. Sweet obtained various en- tertainments to vary the routine of institution life, and encouraged by her success, she began assisting young people in her home city in arranging social affairs. High school fraternities welcomed her suggestions in arranging dances, receptions and other events, and the Follies of 1920, presented by a cast of high school students for the benefit of the cafeteria fund, was a distinct success from both an artistic and financial point of view. Then the Parents Club, affiliated with the Rotary Club, the Recreation Club, the Chamber of Commerce and other organizations of which she was a member, enlisted her talents. At a Christmas party given by the members of the St. Johns Avenue Parent-Teacher Club, Mrs. Sweet was one of the chief enter- tainers, and in the guise of Santa Claus distributed three barrels and three boxes of
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clothing and toys to the poor families in the country districts. She has been the mov- ing spirit in many beautiful entertainments and organized the Recreation Club, formed for the purpose of lightening the burdens and brightening the lives of those in unfortunate circumstances. She arranged a unique Hallowe'en party for the Zonta Club and aided in raising funds for the American Legion, the Red Cross and the state camp of Girl Scouts, also assisting in promoting the sale of Liberty bonds, Thrift Stamps, etc., during the World War. Her charitable work has been done gratu- itously and she has received many letters expressing appreciation of her untiring efforts and altruistic labors. Mrs. Sweet's noteworthy success in arranging enter- tainments attracted the notice of Lewis N. Wiggins, manager of the United Hotels Company, who tendered her the post of director of social activities for the Hotels Seneca and Rochester, and this affords her ample scope for the exercise of her ver- satile talents and creative powers.
Mrs. Sweet is a stanch republican in politics and worked earnestly for the elec- tion of Senator Hinman and the success of the party. She is a member of the First Presbyterian church of Binghamton and also belongs to the Kings Daughters and the Silver Cross Society. She is connected with the Rotary Club, the Recreation Club, the Civic Club, and is an honorary member of the Mothers Club of Binghamton. She possesses the true spirit of Christianity, and selfishness is an element utterly foreign to her nature. She has found that "It is more blessed to give than to receive", and her life has been fraught with much good to others.
GEORGE YOUNG WEBSTER.
George Young Webster, one of the best known members of the Rochester bar and for more than fifteen years county attorney of Monroe county, was born in Vineland, New Jersey, on the 30th of March, 1878, his parents being Charles M. and Ella (Young) Webster, both of whom were natives of the state of New York. At the time of the outbreak of the Civil war the father was among the first to respond to Presi- dent Lincoln's call for volunteers, enlisting as a member of Company A, Third New York Cavalry. He served from the beginning until the close of hostilities, held the rank of sergeant and was fortunate in that he was never wounded and was never absent from duty. Charles M. Webster was successfully engaged in the general pro- duce commission business in Rochester and in Philadelphia for many years and for a time resided in Virginia. He was active along that line until his demise, which occurred in Rochester in 1915. To him and his wife, who still resides in this city, were born two sons: S. B., living in Tonawanda, New York; and George Young, of this review.
George Young Webster began his education in a log schoolhouse in Albemarle county, Virginia, and subsequently became a grammar school pupil in Parma, New York. Following his graduation from the Rochester Free Academy as a member of the class of 1897 he matriculated in the University of Rochester, which in 1901 con- ferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of Arts. During his university career Mr. Webster took an active interest in athletics, was captain of the varsity baseball team for three years and as a member of the track team held for some time the state championship in hurdle racing. Having decided to fit himself for a professional career, he read law in the office of McGuire & Wood, well known Rochester attorneys, and on passing the state bar examination was admitted to practice in 1903. Two years later he was appointed supervisor of the tenth ward, enjoying the distinction of being the youngest man in the state who had been chosen for that position up to that time. That his service in this connection was eminently satisfactory is indicated in the fact that he was reelected successively until 1909, when he declined to hold the office any longer. It was in 1909 that he was elected county attorney, in which capacity he has served continuously since by reappointment and has made a record of which he may well be proud. He holds membership in the Rochester Bar Association, the Monroe County Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association and the Amer- ican Bar Association. Aside from his professional activity Mr. Webster is interested in a number of corporations. He is president of the Special Realty Company; secre- tary of the Wagner Motor Car Company; vice president of the George J. Gillies Corporation; vice president of the Hilton Telephone Company; secretary of the National Fire Escape Corporation; and a director of the Cooper Electric Corporation.
On the 1st of June, 1905, in Rochester, Mr. Webster was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Lendon Boddy, daughter of Charles Boddy and representative of a promi-
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nent family of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Webster were the first graduates of the Uni- versity of Rochester to be married. They have one daughter, Virginia L.
In his fraternal connections Mr. Webster is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Zetland Lodge, No. 951, F. & A. M .; Rochester Consistory, A. A. S. R .; and Damascus Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is likewise identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Greek letter fraternity Delta Upsilon. Appreciative of the social amenities of life, he is a member of the Rochester Yacht Club, the Washington Club, the Rochester Ad Club and the Automobile Club of Rochester. Mr. Webster is also connected with the Rochester Chamber of Commerce and the Rochester Historical Society, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lake Avenue Baptist church. His professional career covers a period of over twenty-two years and has been marked by continued advancement and has gained him rank with the leading lawyers of this city.
WALTER BENJAMIN SANDERS.
Editor and owner of the Nunda News, published at Nunda, Livingston county, Mr. Sanders is an active force in the affairs of his community. He was born in Nunda, on April 11, 1878, the son of Chauncey K. and Harriet (Tousey) Sanders, both of whom are deceased. They were the parents of three children: Walter Benjamin, Mrs. Frank S. Thomas of Rochester, New York, and Chauncey K., Jr.
The early education of Walter Benjamin Sanders was gained in the grade and high schools of Nunda, after passing through which he attended the Fort Plain Military Academy. Upon leaving the latter institution Mr. Sanders passed a year in New York city, then returned to Nunda, and in December, 1898, succeeded his father as proprietor of the Nunda News. The News was established by Chauncey K. Sanders in October, 1859, and was the first permanent newspaper in the village. Until the issue of November 19, 1859, the paper was printed by Mr. Sanders' brother, in the office of the Dansville Herald, of which he was then publisher, and in which office Chauncey K. Sanders had been employed for two years, the year prior having been employed in the office of the Geneseo Democrat. Since Walter B. Sanders has been in control he has developed the circulation of the News to the largest list of all cash paid-in-advance subscribers of any paper in the county. The paper is issued weekly and has a large job printing plant attached. Mr. Sanders served in 1921 as president of the New York State Press Association. He also conducts the largest real estate agency between Rochester and Olean, and handles investments, mortgages, rentals and estates.
On June 5, 1901, Mr. Sanders was married to Georgia Rowell of Nunda. They are the parents of two children: Donald Rowell and Georgia Louise. Mr. Sanders is a republican in his political views, and in religion a member of the Universalist church. During the World war Mr. Sanders served as chairman of the First, Second, Third and Fourth Liberty Loan campaigns and also served as secretary of the Livingston County Home Defense committee, of which Major William A. Wadsworth was chairman.
JAMES ANNIN.
Every disciple of Izaak Walton will be interested in knowing that the oldest pri- vate fish hatchery in the United States, and also the most famous, is owned and operated by James Annin & Sons, of Caledonia, Livingston county, New York. The life of the senior member of the firm has been devoted to pisciculture, and he has scored some notable triumphs in his specialty. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on July 23, 1850, the son of James and Priscilla (Keith) Annin. When he was two years old his parents moved to Le Roy, Genesee county, New York, and there a few years later the boy received his education. When twenty-two years old, in 1872, Mr. Annin directed his attention to fish culture and established a fish hatchery at Cale- donia, locating the plant on the Campbell farm, on the west side of the famous Caledonia Spring Creek. Today this plant is the oldest private fish hatchery in the United States. Mr. Annin's specialty is trout of all species, and private preserves in this country and abroad have been stocked from the Annin hatcheries. In 1880 Mr. Annin made an exhibit of trout eggs and fish hatching apparatus with the Fish-
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eries Association of Germany, in connection with the World's fair held at Berlin in that year. For this he received a diploma of honor from the International Fisheries Association of Berlin. In 1892 Mr. Annin performed the difficult and important feat of carrying adult black bass to the Amherst Estate in England, for stocking the waters on the estate. He obtained his supply of fish from Lake Erie, at Sandusky, Ohio, and shipped overseas in cans, iced, accomplishing what had heretofore been con- sidered impossible. While in England, Mr. Annin was entertained by the nobility in recognition of his work. From 1895 to 1900 Mr. Annin was superintendent of all the New York state fish hatcheries, and is now the oldest member of the American Fisheries Society.
Mr. Annin was married in January, 1877, to Jeannette Campbell of Caledonia. Their four children are: James C., an electrical engineer in Caledonia; Harry K., associated with his father in the fish hatcheries; Marguerite, wife of Howard Sin- clair, a Livingston county farmer, and Howard, also associated with his father. Howard was a member of the Seventy-seventh Division during the World war and holds a second lieutenant's commission in the Officers' Reserve Corps. Mrs. James Annin's religious connection is with the Presbyterian church, of which he is an elder, trustee and treasurer.
Joseph Annin, a native of Scotland, moved to Le Roy from Cayuga county, New York, in 1808, and had five children. His eldest son, William Le Roy Annin, was the first male child born in Le Roy after the. town. received its name. The fourth son, James, father of the fish hatching expert, was born in Le Roy in 1828, and in 1848 was married to Priscilla Keith of Boston. Peter Campbell, Mrs. Annin's grandfather, acquired from the Pulteney Estate in 1799 a large tract of land, later resided upon by the Campbell and Annin families. The first religious services ever held in the town of Caledonia were held in the Campbell home, and in 1802 the assembled neighbors organized themselves into a religious and civil society.
FRANK E. LUNN.
Frank E. Lunn, who is successfully engaged in the retail lumber business in Wells- ville, has developed an extensive and profitable trade as a dealer in building materials of all kinds and also in coal. He was born in Shinglehouse township, Potter county, Pennsylvania, on the 18th of July, 1877, his parents being Simon and Caroline V. (Press) Lunn. The father, who was born in Tioga, Pennsylvania, in 1849, took up his abode in Shinglehouse, that state, when a young man of twenty years. Throughout his active business career he devoted his attention to contracting and jobbing interests and also to general agricultural pursuits.
In the acquirement of an education Frank E. Lunn attended the district schools of Mckean county, Pennsylvania: On leaving the Keystone state he made his way to Pikeville, Allegany county, New York, where he engaged in cutting timber and jobbing logs to sawmills. It was in 1905 that he began the manufacture of lumber, cutting timber on a farm which he had purchased and also on adjacent land. Sub- sequently he bought two mills of his own and during the past several years he . has engaged in sawing operations throughout the vicinity. In the spring of 1911 he came to Wellsville, where he embarked in the retail lumber trade and has since handled building materials of all kinds and for the past year has been an extensive dealer in coal. His early identification with the lumber business, from 1905 to 1921, was largely in supplying needs of barn builders and lumber for oil contractors. In 1921 the present policy of conducting business was established. In this connection he has developed an enterprise of large proportions and has gained an enviable reputation as one of the thoroughly reliable, progressive and prosperous business men of the community. He is also a director of the Central Petroleum & Refining Company of Bowling Green, Kentucky.
In early manhood Mr. Lunn was united in marriage to Miss Edna R. Ruth of Alma, New York, daughter of John Ruth: Mr. and Mrs. Lunn have become the parents of six children: Agnes Inez, who is a graduate of the Wellsville high school and is now attending Alfred University of Alfred. New York; Frieda, who is deceased; Arlonine, a graduate of the Wellsville high school and a student in Alfred University; Ruth, who received the highest marks in her class at the Wellsville high school for four years prior to her graduation in 1924; Ralph E .. a student in the Wellsville high school: and Gladvs, who is an eighth grade pupil.
Mr. Lunn has made a most creditable record in the position of village trustee
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of Wellsville, in which capacity he has served for eight years. He is a worthy exemplar of the teachings and purposes of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the lodge and the chapter at Wellsville; to the commandery at Hornell, and to the consistory at Corning, this state. He is likewise identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Rebekahs. His course has been an upright and honorable one in every relation of life, commending him to the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has been associated.
FREDERICK STUART COUCHMAN.
Enshrined in the hearts of all who knew him is the memory of Frederick Stuart Couchman, whose name is written high on the roll of Rochester's honored dead. In the country's hour of need he stepped forth for national service and gave in his own person a living example of the highest ideals of American manhood and patriotism. In civic and business affairs he displayed the same fidelity to duty which character- ized his military service and his record was an unblemished one, commanding for him the unqualified respect and admiration of his fellowmen. Death terminated his career on the 17th of November, 1921, when he was forty-seven years of age. His life was short, but eminently successful and complete.
Frederick Stuart Couchman was born in Cobourg, in the province of Ontario, Canada, January 3, 1874, a son of Walter and Lena (McLeod) Couchman, and he obtained his education in the public schools of his native land. When about fifteen years of age he came to Rochester and served an apprenticeship to the tailor's trade, obtaining employment with one of the large clothing concerns of the city. Subse- quently he worked for various clothing manufacturers, gaining a thorough under- standing of the business, and about 1900 entered the service of the firm of Louis Holtz & Son, with which he remained for eighteen years, acting as its eastern repre- sentative. In 1919 he organized the Couchman Clothing Company, securing a loca- tion at No. 135 Main street, East, in Rochester, and became president and general manager of the firm. He brought to the conduct of his affairs an expert knowledge of the business, acquired from years of practical experience, and ably directed the undertaking until January 1, 1920, when he sold the business, having been elected sheriff of Monroe county, which office he was holding at the time of his death. He filled other positions of trust and responsibility and at all times was animated by an unselfish spirit of devotion to the general good. He was a stanch republican in his political views. In the fall of 1910 he was elected supervisor of the sixth ward and served for five consecutive terms. He won the election as sheriff by an enormous plu- rality. He also acted as chairman of the board of supervisors, chairman of the building commission, and as president of the Monroe County Supervisors and the Supervisors Association.
Mr. Couchman was an aide on the staff of Governor Whitman of New York during both administrations of that executive, and his career in the New York National Guard covered a period of more than twenty-three years, during which he served in practically every capacity, from private to acting colonel of his regi- ment. His successive promotions to the rank of major, which he held at the time of his honorable discharge from service at the close of the World war, were won through merit and unfaltering devotion to duty, and the honors which were accorded him were well deserved. He received his first military training with the Rochester City Cadets and during the year 1894 was a noncommissioned officer in that organiza- tion. On June 4, 1895, he enlisted as a private in Company A, Third Infantry, at that time known as the Eighth Separate Company of the New York National Guard. He received his first promotion on July 1, 1897, when he became lance corporal, and on January 17, 1898, was promoted to corporal. On May 1, 1898, at the outbreak of the Spanish-American war, Major Couchman volunteered for active service in that campaign and was on duty at Camp Black from May 2 until May 17, when he was mustered into the Regular army, joining Company A, Third Regiment of New York Volunteers, on the 17th of May, 1898. On November 30 of that year he was hon- orably discharged from the United States service and then returned to the New York National Guard. On May 10, 1900, he was made sergeant of Company A and was honorably discharged January 6, 1902, in order that he might accept a com- mission as second lieutenant of his company. On April 28, 1902, he was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant and on March 12, 1906, was commissioned captain of Company A. He served continuously with his company until November, 1920,
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when he was made a major, and Major Arthur T. Smith, at that time first lieuten- ant of the old Eighth Separate Company, took his place as captain of Company A.
Following his promotion to the rank of commanding officer of the Third Bat- talion, Third Infantry, New York National Guard, the regiment was ordered to the Mexican border, leaving in June, 1916, and returning in October of the same year. Throughout the period which the regiment spent in training at Camp Whitman, Dutchess county, New York, and while stationed in Texas, Major Couchman won the respect and admiration of both his associate officers and the enlisted personnel of the Third Battalion. Although a strict disciplinarian, he had the rare quality of tact, regarding his men as human beings and not as mere cogs in the military machine of which he ultimately became a director. He was able to obtain the maximum amount of service from his men with the least expenditure of effort and was one . of the most popular officers of the regiment.
When the United States entered the World war Major Couchman was mustered into active service with the Third Infantry, New York National Guard, at the state armory on April 13, 1917, and when the regiment left Rochester for Camp Wads- worth, Spartanburg, South Carolina, he accompanied it as the commanding officer of the Third Battalion. He retained this command after the regiment was reorgan- ized at Spartanburg and was renamed the One Hundred and Eighth Infantry. It was attached to the Twenty-seventh Division and sailed from Camp Merritt, on May 8, 1918, reaching France on the 18th of that month. After his arrival in that country Major Couchman was placed in command of the First Battalion of the One Hundred and Eighth Infantry, Twenty-seventh Division, and soon afterward be- came acting commanding officer of his regiment, in the absence of Brigadier General Edgar S. Jennings, who was then colonel of the One Hundred and Eighth Infantry, for a time Major Couchman attended the Officers Training School at Langues, France, rejoining his command at Bouboret woods. His overseas service was marked by the same distinction which characterized his previous record. During the engagement at St. Souplet, in which the One Hundred and Eighth Infantry participated, he was gassed while directing the advance of the First Battalion and despite the fact that the poisonous fumes which he had inhaled were causing him extreme discomfort, . he remained with the battalion until the close of the engagement. The battalion was brigaded with the English, in the Dickenbusch sector, and was later ordered to the front line at Abelles. After a rest at Viliers Faucon it was ordered to participate in the drive against the Hindenburg line, which continued from September 25 until October 10, 1918. At this critical period Major Couchman called for fifty volunteers to wade the river and capture a strong German position and his entire battalion offered to undertake this perilous expedition. After the smashing of the Hindenburg line Major Couchman pushed ahead with the remnant of his regiment under his immediate command and distinguished himself in further advances ordered by General O. Ryan. The following is a list of the battles and skirmishes in which Major Couchman participated: East Poperinghe Line, July 9-August 20, 1918; Dicken- busch sector, Belgium, August 21-30, 1918; Tierstradt Ridge, Belgium, August 31-September 1, 1918; Hindenberg Line (Bony), September 28-30, 1918; La Salle river (St. Souplet), October 17, 1918; Joue de Mer Ridge (Arbor Guemon), October 18, 1918; St. Maurice river, October 19-20, 1918.
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