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 64
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
Peter A. Vay supplemented his parochial school training by a course of study in the Rochester Free Academy, from which he was graduated at the age of eighteen years. On the 19th of August, 1879, he entered the Flour City National Bank of Rochester in the capacity of messenger and with the passing years was promoted from one position to another of increasing responsibility, until on January 2, 1894, he was made assistant cashier, while on November 11, 1898, he became cashier of the institu- tion. On January 1, 1906, the Flour City National Bank was merged with the German- American Bank into the National Bank of Rochester, which latter institution on May 1, 1906, absorbed the Commercial Bank and became the Lincoln National Bank, of which Mr. Vay was assistant cashier until appointed cashier on December 26, 1906. He was made a director on January 12, 1909, and on January 26, 1910, was elected
PETER A. VAY
653
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
vice president. On December 1, 1920, the Lincoln National and the Alliance Banks were merged into the Lincoln-Alliance Bank, since which time Mr. Vay has been one of the vice presidents, and manager of the Lincoln office at No. 33 Exchange street. Mr. Vay's long experience has made him thoroughly familiar with every phase of the banking business, and it is doubtful if there is another man living in Rochester who has known personally so many of the city's big financial men during the past forty years or more. At the New York State Bankers convention held in Montreal, Canada, in 1924, Mr. Vay was elected president of the state bank section of that organization. He is likewise a director of the Lisk Manufacturing Company of Canandaigua, New York, and of the Reed Manufacturing Company of Newark, this state.
In June, 1884, in Rochester, Mr. Vay was united in marriage to Miss Martha Kirsch, daughter of Arius and Gertrude Kirsch, representing a well known and promi- nent family of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Vay have four daughters and a son, all of them natives and residents of this city: Mrs. John A. Griffin, who is the mother of three children, Margaret, John and Mary; Mrs. Charles H. Hebing, who has five chil- dren, Marion, Florence, Charles, Ruth and Jane; Mrs. Harold E. Stonebraker, the wife of a prominent patent attorney of Rochester and the mother of two children, Vay S. and Daniel; Mrs. Edward W. Krieg; and Arthur L., who wedded Miss Ruth Mutschler.
Mr. Vay is a stanch republican in politics and fraternally is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Columbus, in which he has attained the fourth degree. He is a trustee of St. Peter and St. Paul Roman Catholic church and also of the Elizabeth Guild House, St. Patrick's Girls Orphan Asylum and Aquinas Institute. He has membership connection with the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, the Rochester Club and the Washington Club and well deserves recognition among Rochester's well known citizens and men of sterling worth. Mr. Vay's resi- dence is at No. 73 Kenwood avenue.
K. M. DAVIES.
Every successful business enterprise adds to the stability, material development and financial standing of the community in which it is operated, and to the initiative spirit and administrative powers of K. M. Davies the village of Williamson is largely indebted for its growth and prosperity. He is engaged in the canning business, an industry that has been one of the chief factors in the upbuilding of western New York, and in seeking a market for his output he directs commerce to the town, at the same time furnishing a means of livelihood to many of its residents. He was born in Alloway, New Jersey, November 2, 1873, a son of John K. and Mary (Mulford) Davies, who are also natives of that place, and each has reached the seventy-eighth milestone on life's journey. The father was born in Ohio and subsequently became a resident of New Jersey, removing from that state to New York. He operated a cannery for many years and success rewarded his labors. Mr. and Mrs. Davies were married in Alloway, New Jersey, and became the parents of two sons, K. M. and Edgar.
K. M. Davies obtained his education in the public schools of New Jersey and Penn- sylvania and when a young man of twenty-one embarked in business for himself, establishing a cannery at Sharptown, New Jersey. In 1900 he went to Fairport, New York, and for four years was connected with the Howard Thomas Company. During this period he built a canning plant at Williamson and began operations here in 1902, under the firm style of the K. M. Davies Company. The plant was destroyed by fire in 1916 and was immediately replaced by a modern, well equipped cannery, erected at a cost of four hundred thousand dollars. The business has been incor- porated and Mr. Davies is filling the offices of secretary, treasurer and manager. He has a highly specialized knowledge of the business, which he has made his lifework, and his executive ability is indicated by the success of the undertaking. The firm cans both fruit and vegetables, and also operates a cold storage plant, and its employes are all obtained in Williamson. In purity, excellence and flavor the products of the com- pany are unsurpassed and its output is shipped to many parts of the country.
In 1906 Mr. Davies was married to Miss Mary Schaap, a daughter of Peter Schaap. Mr. and Mrs. Davies have two adopted children: Hazel I. and Doris M. Mr. Davies is a republican in his political views but has never sought office as a reward for party fealty. He is a Knights Templar Mason and a Shriner, and has
34-Vol. 1IT
654
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
also attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. His commercial transac- tions have at all times balanced up with the principles of truth and honor and in win- ning success he has also gained the respect, confidence and goodwill of his fellow- men.
GEORGE WELCH LOOMIS.
The death of a man of versatile talents, notable achievement and high character is always a distinct loss to a community. Such a man was George Welch Loomis, scholar, linguist, theologian and financier, who passed away in Rochester, November 8, 1922, when sixty-nine years of age. His intellectual nature was finely attuned and his life in its various phases stood the test of intimate knowledge and of close asso- ciation.
George Welch Loomis was born in Wilmington, Delaware, November 24, 1852, a son of George and Eva (Smith) Loomis, and during his childhood went with his parents to Meadville, Pennsylvania. Soon afterward his father became president of Allegheny College, which the son entered when a boy of twelve, and was graduated with the class of 1871, while in his seventeenth year. While attending that institution he joined Delta Tau Delta fraternity and in 1874 won his Master's degree. He was a brilliant scholar and at the age of eighteen was chosen vice president of Beaver Col- lege. Mr. Loomis spent several years abroad, specializing in the study of languages, and in 1874, soon after his return to the United States, matriculated in the Drew Theological Seminary, from which he was graduated in 1877. He was ordained a min- ister of the Methodist church and filled pastorates in Niagara Falls, Bolivar and Rochester, ably promoting the ecclesiastical interests under his charge. He retired from the ministry, having decided to enter the financial field, and for a few years was engaged in the banking and mortgage business at Corning, Iowa. He was suc- cessful in the venture and afterward lived practically retired until his death.
Upon his return to Rochester, Mr. Loomis was married to Miss Celeste Gardiner, a daughter of Addison Gardiner, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. Loomis is survived by his widow and a daughter, Celeste, the wife of Nelson P. Sanford of Rochester.
Mr. Loomis was a member of the Frank R. Lawrence Lodge of Masons; Monroe Commandery, K. T., and Rochester Consistory, A. & A. S. R., in which he attained the thirty-second degree. He was one of the Sons of the American Revolution and a member of the Genesee Valley Club. For many years he was president of Highland Hospital and also served the local Humane Society in a similar capacity. He was a good citizen and lent the weight of his influence to every worthy public project. Studious by nature, Mr. Loomis was a gentleman of rare mental endowments and his memory is cherished by all who came within the sphere of his influence.
BURTON C. MEEKER.
For twenty-eight years Elmira has numbered Burton C. Meeker among its citi- zens. He has won noteworthy success in the educational field and has made the Meeker Business Institute one of the best commercial colleges in this section of the state-a credit to the city and its founder. He was born in Owasco, Cayuga county, New York, July 11, 1871, a son of the Rev. Henry and Celestia (Dailey) Meeker, who were also natives of the Empire state. The father was born in 1826 and death ter- minated his labors in 1906. He was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church and a strong advocate of the temperance cause. The mother was born in 1829 and her demise occurred in 1907. There were two sons in their family: Ernest, a farmer re- siding in Smithfield, Pennsylvania; and Burton C., of this review.
Burton C. Meeker is self-educated and deserves much credit for what he has ac- complished in life. He completed a course in Cazenovia Seminary and afterward be- came a student in Syracuse University, which he attended for a year. He came to Elmira in 1896, when a young man of twenty-five, and at that time there were three business schools in the city, all of which he acquired. He now operates but one, the Meeker Business Institute, which was incorporated in July, 1923. He is filling the office of president and J. S. Kellogg acts as treasurer, while E. R. Brown is serving as secretary. The school has an enrollment of one hundred and eighty pupils and
655
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
there is usually a waiting list. The Institute is second to none in the character and thoroughness of its instruction and has the largest membership of any school in the state situated in a city the size of Elmira.
In 1895 Mr. Meeker was married to Miss Vina Eddy, who was born in Thurston, New York, and received her early education in the country schools, afterward taking a commercial course in Elmira. They are the parents of a daughter: Genevra Rose, aged eleven years. They are members of the First Baptist church and Mr. Meeker is a York Rite Mason. He also belongs to the Grotto and his political support is given to the republican party. He is a Rotarian and has been vice president and treasurer of the local club. His time is equally distributed between his business and his duties as president of the board of directors of the Children's Reconstruction Home, sponsored by the Rotary Club. He is working earnestly and effectively in behalf of this worthy institution, which was founded for the purpose of correcting by scientific treatment physical defects in children. The Home is thoroughly equipped for work of this character and Miss Nelda King acts as its superintendent.
WILLIAM A. WHEELER.
Bench and bar speak and think highly of William A. Wheeler, attorney, of Avon, Livingston county, New York, where for twenty years he has been engaged in the practice of law and has built up an extensive clientele. He was born at Geneseo, Livingston county, on November 18, 1876, the son of Nathan and Mary R. (Hurd) Wheeler, who are now living on a three-hundred-acre farm in Livingston county. W. A. Wheeler of this review was one of their six children, the others being daughters. William A. Wheeler acquired his early education in the grade and high schools and the Geneseo Normal School, after which he taught school for one year and was principal of the Springwater high school. He began his preparation for the legal pro- fession in the spring of 1900, reading law in the office of Judge William Carter and Judge Edwin A. Nash, at Avon, remaining there until the death of these judges. He was admitted to practice in the spring of 1903 and has since been engaged in general practice, of recent years being associated with Edward A. Noble. For six years, 1914 to 1920, Mr. Wheeler served as district attorney of Livingston county.
Mr. Wheeler was married on November 28, 1907, to Gertrude Owen of Henrietta, Monroe county, New York. He is a member of the principal bar associations, a re- publican in his political views, and his religious connections is with the Presbyterian church. Fraternally Mr. Wheeler is affiliated with the Masonic order. During the World war he was an active worker in the American Protective League, a secret service organization.
ANTHONY HENRY McGREAL.
The name of Anthony Henry McGreal is written high on the roll of Rochester's honored dead and his untimely demise, which occurred on the 22d of February, 1924, when he was fifty-three years of age, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he was a broad-gauged man whose life was an example of rare beneficence. Like "the good gray poet" he was a firm believer in the brotherhood of man and many were the good deeds which he quietly performed, so that his memory is enshrined in the hearts of all who knew him.
Anthony Henry McGreal was born June 13, 1870, in Macedon, New York, a son of James and Anna (Gannon) McGreal, both of whom were natives of Ireland. As young people they immigrated to the United States, settling in Macedon, where they purchased a farm, and resided upon that property until their family of eight chil- dren reached years of maturity. The surviving children are: James and Martin McGreal, Mrs. Mary McGarry and Mrs. Owen B. Daley.
Anthony Henry McGreal attended the public schools of his native town until he reached the age of twelve and then came to Rochester, joining his brothers, Lawrence and John, who had previously located in the city. They had opened a grocery store at the corner of St. Paul and Gorham streets and later moved to the intersection of North and Franklin streets. Subsequently they embarked in the wholesale liquor and tobacco business, purchasing a building at East Main and Swan streets, later locating at No. 31 East avenue, which is now occupied by the Music Lovers Shop. The Mc-
656
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
Greal Brothers Company built up a large trade and remained in the liquor business until the passage of the Volstead act, when they sold their stock. A. H. McGreal then purchased the Eggleston Hotel, which he conducted for a number of years, afterward operating the Grand View Beach Hotel. He was also owner of a cigar store on South avenue and Ely street for a time and in 1919 entered the insurance business. He pur- chased the Aetna building in 1922 and there maintained an insurance office until death terminated his activities. He was resourceful, sagacious and energetic and his busi- ness methods were characterized by the progressive spirit of the age, while his in- tegrity was ever above question.
On the 25th of June, 1903, Mr. McGreal was united in marriage to Miss Mary Louise Fitzgerald and they became the parents of four children: Clarence J., Austin J., Anthony G. and Mary Louise.
Mr. McGreal was a Roman Catholic in religious faith and a faithful communicant of the Church of the Blessed Sacrament. He was also identified with the Knights of Columbus, the Order of the Alhambra, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Foresters of America, the Rochester Club, the Chamber of Commerce and the Hotel Men's Association of New York State. He was allied with the republican party but never aspired to public office. An astute business man, he possessed a strong and forceful personality, yet withal was modest, gentle, kind and sympathetic-a rare combination of qualities found only in the largest and finest natures. He delighted in rendering service to others but practiced a charity that sedulously avoided the gaze of the world, for he was thoroughly genuine, with a disposition to which all pre- tense was foreign. One of the most companionable of men, Mr. McGreal drew his friends from all walks of life, and of him it was truthfully said:
"None knew him but to love him, None named him but to praise."
M. DOYLE MARKS.
One of America's industrial leaders has said: "Experience is the harvest of life, and every harvest is the result of a sowing." M. Doyle Marks has sown wisely and well, and his life has been a succession of harvests. At an early age he displayed that spirit of self-reliance and enterprise which is one of the fundamentals of success and his record affords a striking example of notable achievement through individual effort. He has become well known in mercantile circles of Elmira, building up the largest music store between New York city and Buffalo.
Mr. M. Doyle Marks was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania, December 21, 1869, a son of Jacob C. and Elnora (Rodkey) Marks and is of Holland-Welsh parentage. He at- tended the public schools of Renovo, Pennsylvania, and later took a course in the Erie Commercial College. At the age of twelve he began providing for his own livelihood, entering the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as hammer boy, then in the office of the motive power department. He remained with that corporation until 1890, during which time he also studied the common school subjects and music, di- rected a concert band, and played professional baseball with the railroad team. In the spring of 1890 he established a newspaper in Montoursville, Pennsylvania, devoted a year to journalism, then sold out. He returned to Renovo, bought a grocery store, and remained until May 22, 1893, when he engaged himself to the firm of D. S. Andrus & Company, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, as traveling piano salesman. In 1898 he came to Elmira as branch store manager for D. S. Andrus & Company. He filled that position until 1905, when he purchased a quarter interest in the business, and in 1914 became sole owner, changing the name to that of the M. Doyle Marks Company, of which he has since been the president and general manager. He owns the building in which the business is conducted-a substantial structure, situated at Nos. 309-311 East Water street. It is thirty-six by one hundred feet in dimensions and four stories in height. In order to secure additional floor space Mr. Marks has also leased a building and likewise operates a branch store at No. 105 North Aurora street in Ithaca, New York, of which he is the owner. He has incorporated the business. which furnishes employment to forty-six persons, and his sales in the two establishments amounts to a half million dollars annually. The company carries a complete line of band and orchestra instruments, piano lamps, music cabinets, piano and silver polishes, brief cases and music bags, also repairs all kinds of musical instruments and rents, tunes, moves and stores pianos. An entire floor is used for exhibiting grand pianos and the institution is a complete music house. The firm has the exclusive local agency
m. Doyle Marks
659
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
for the world's leading pianos, reproducing pianos and talking machines and fur- nishes a complete equipment for brass bands and orchestras. It maintains the larg- est sheet music and player roll libraries between New York and Buffalo and has in stock, duplicates of every Victor and Edison record made. The business was estab- lished in 1860 and sixty-four years of honest dealing stand back of every transaction of the house. The firm utilizes the one price system and throughout the years of its existence has constantly adhered to the principle that public service is a public trust, ever realizing the fact that the confidence of thousands of loyal patrons is its most val- uable asset. Mr. Marks has an expert understanding of the music business, to which he has given years of careful study, and that he is an executive of exceptional ability is demonstrated by the remarkable success of the house. His salary as a piano sales- man amounted to fifty dollars a month and his rapidly developing powers have car- ried him into the field of large enterprises and ever-widening opportunities. He is also a director of the Merchants National Bank, acting president and director of the Elmira Savings & Loan Association, and president of the Glenora Harmonica Com- pany.
On September 11, 1900, Mr. Marks was married to Miss Mary Elizabeth Weale, who was born in Caton, New York, and educated in Elmira. They are the parents of a son, Kenneth, who was born March 8, 1902, and is now a student at Cornell Uni- versity. Mr. and Mrs. Marks are members of the Park Congregational church and he has been president of the Men's Own Church Club. He is republican in politics. He has a beautiful home in Glenora, New York, and there the family spend the summer months. He holds to high ideals in relation to the duties of citizenship and is now serving his second term as water commissioner. For five years he was the executive head of the Humane Society and has also been president of the Southern Tier Baseball Club and the Rotary Club. He was president of the Century Club for six years and has also served the Business Men's Association, the Elmira Automobile Club and the Young Men's Christian Association in that capacity. Mr. Marks is active in fraternal affairs. He has taken the degrees of the York and Scottish Rites and belongs to Kalurah Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is monarch of Cashmere Grotto, No. 11, M. O. V. P. E. R., and is likewise connected with the Order of Eagles, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows He is a member of the City Club, the Country Club, the Masonic Club and the Chamber of Commerce. He is a trustee of Elmira College, and of Cook Academy at Montour Falls, New York. He is past president of the Elmira Symphony Orchestra, and is on the execu- tive committee of the Boy Scouts. He was city chairman for drives which raised four hundred thousand dollars for the Y. M. C. A. and three hundred thousand dollars for Elmira College.
AUSTIN W. ERWIN.
Having been tried in various public offices of importance and responsibility and having proved competent and trustworthy in each, Austin W. Erwin, attorney at law, of Geneseo, Livingston county, New York, now fills the responsible position of dis- trict attorney of Livingston county, being elected to the office on the republican ticket on November 6, 1923. As a practicing lawyer Mr. Erwin had shown himself well versed in the law and had built up a comfortable practice, while his standing in the legal fraternity was of the highest character. He was born at West Sparta, Liv- ingston county, New York, on April 26, 1887, the son of Thomas C. and Susanna (McTarnagham) Erwin. His mother is a widow, the father having died in 1906.
Austin W. Erwin was educated in the grade and high school of Geneseo and took the classical course at the Geneseo Normal School, graduating from the latter in 1909. While at the Normal School he was president of his class and also manager of the baseball team. After his graduation Mr. Erwin began to read law in the office of Judge Lockwood R. Doty, and in 1912 took a special course in trial law at Columbia University, New York, where he was president of the student's association of the University. He continued to study law until March 10, 1914, when he was admitted to practice at the bar. Mr. Erwin remained in the office of Judge Doty until 1915, when he opened an office of his own and has been in general practice ever since. From 1910 until 1918 Mr. Erwin was a justice of the peace in Geneseo, and then re- signed. He was appointed supervisor of the town in 1918 and has been reelected twice, serving as chairman of the board in 1922-23.
Mr. Erwin was married on September 9, 1916, to Ruth L., daughter of Remer D. and Emily (Hallock) Chase of Rochester, New York, who moved to Rochester in 1912
660
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
from East Bloomfield, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Erwin have two children: Austin W., born September 22, 1918, and Jean Louise, born March 1, 1921. Mr. Erwin is a member of the Livingston County Bar Association and fraternally is affiliated with the Masonic order, being a past master of Geneseo Lodge No. 214, F. & A. M .; and belongs to New York Chapter R. A. M., Mount Morris, New York, and to the consist- ory at Rochester. In his religious associations Mr. Erwin is a member of the Presby- terian church, is chairman of the division board of the twentieth division of the New York State Sunday School Association, and in December, 1923, was elected president of the board of directors of the Western New York Summer School of Christian Edu- cation. During the World war he was a Four-Minute Man, a member of the legal advisory board, and an official participant in the Liberty Loan and Red Cross drives.
HARRY R. DRAKE.
Seldom a community is called upon to witness the passing of an individual whose death occasioned more widespread feeling of sorrow than that of Harry R. Drake of Newark, Wayne county. Christian gentleman, ideal husband and father, successful self-made business man, and active in all movements for the general good, his mem- ory is cherished not only by a devoted family, but a wide circle of acquaintances as well. Mr. Drake was at the time of his death, president of Harry R. Drake & Sons, Incorporated, manufacturers of paper boxes in Palmyra, New York, and was one of the prominent figures in his line of business in the country. He was born in Newark, New York, April 20, 1851, son of Le Roy and Eliza D. (Lamoreaux) Drake.
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.