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 65
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Harry R. Drake received his education in the grammar and high schools of his native place. He early entered mercantile pursuits and established a modest grocery business in Newark, which he conducted for a number of years. During a part of this time he also operated a wagon, purchasing produce from the farmers in the vicinity. It was from the latter business that he evolved the idea of making butter trays of paper and he became interested in their manufacture. Beginning in 1895 in a very small way, the business soon developed to include the manufacture of paper boxes and in that line it has grown to its present proportions. In 1906 the factory was moved from Newark to Palmyra, so that the source of supply would be nearer the field of demand, the Palmyra packing plants at that time using almost the entire output of the industry. With the solid foundation of ability, integrity and industry Mr. Drake continued the expansion of his industrial enterprise and in 1913 incorporated the busi- ness under its present name. He became president thereof and so continued until his death, though in later years, because of poor health, the burden of the business was borne by his sons, who have always closely followed the policy inaugurated by their father, the firm ever enjoying an unassailable reputation for reliability and fair dealing. Harry R. Drake & Sons, Incorporated, have a modern factory in Palmyra, well equipped for the making of set-up paper boxes, and they also own two large warehouses. Theirs is the only industry of the kind between Rochester and Syracuse and they ship their output to almost every state in the Union. While the factory is in Palmyra, the residence of the members of the firm has always been in Newark, and at present two of the sons, Albert R. and Charles H., are holding important public office, the first named being a member of the municipal board and the latter president of the village.
Harry R. Drake was a republican in politics and served on the board of village trustees when the present city hall was erected. He was a past master of Newark Lodge, No. 83, F. & A. M., and a most enthusiastic member of that fraternity. He was also affiliated with Newark Chapter, No. 117, R. A. M .; Zenobia Commandery, No. 41, K. T., at Palmyra; and Newark Lodge, No. 1249, B. P. O. E. He was a most active member of the Methodist church, very regular in his attendance, and for many years served as president of the board of trustees.
He was married (first) in 1869, to Mary E. Mumford, who died in 1873. She was the mother of a daughter, Frances, who is the widow of L. G. Baldwin and resides in Newark. Mr. Drake was married in 1879, to Mary A. Towlerton, who survives him, as do their three sons: Albert R., Charles H. and J. Le Roy.
A contemporary writer said of Mr. Drake: "Of kindly disposition, his friends were numbered by his acquaintances. While devoting himself earnestly to his manu- facturing business, he still found time to lend his moral, financial and physical sup- port to every movement of civic progress and betterment. *
* His untimely death was a shock to those in the community who had worked with him for so many
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years and learned to think of him as a brother with a true spirit of brotherly love for his fellowmen. His devotion to his family is exemplified in the success of his manu- facturing business under his sons' active direction." Said another writer: "Harry Drake was one of the exemplary men of the village. Devoted to his family, generous to his children, neighbors and friends, few men in Newark have lived a better life than Harry Drake. He has been one of the pillars of the Methodist church and one of its most liberal contributors for many years. As his business grew in late years, he has given much of the responsibility to his sons, so that he has been more free to do many things that he loved to do. He has been a good Samaritan among his circle of friends, offering succor to the poor and the needy as often as the opportunity presented itself. Mr. Drake had the courage of his convictions and could always be counted upon to stand with the righteous forces who happened to be working for any good and noble cause. During the years when the temperance local option campaigns were vigorously fought, Mr. Drake was one of the strongest men in his support for temperance. Newark can ill afford to lose him, but his splendid life and the linea- ments of his whole character will live on and on as a constant source of help and comfort to his bereaved family and hosts of friends." Mr. Drake passed away Octo- ber 9, 1921.
GEORGE A. PERSONIUS.
For a quarter of a century George A. Personius has maintained a photographic studio in Elmira and his familiarity with every phase of the art supplements his appreciation of beauty of form, color and grouping. His work is of a most artistic character, displaying the latest improvements in photography, and the years have brought him well deserved prosperity. His activities have not been narrowed to busi- ness operations, however, for he has given unreservedly of his powers toward civic advancement, and is widely known because of his public service, which has been of a most valuable character. He was born in Catlin, New York, October 12, 1873, and represents one of the pioneer families of Chemung county. His parents, Lucius M. and Anna (Rosenkrans) Personius, were also natives of this county and the father followed the occupation of farming as a life work. He was an honored veteran of the Civil war, in which he served for three years as a member of Company L, Thirtieth Illinois Infantry, and participated in eight notable battles. For two months he was incarcerated in Andersonville prison and his death resulted from the hardships and privations which he endured while in the service. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and gave his political support to the republican party, while his life was governed by the teachings of the Baptist church. He was the father of four children, three of whom survive: Edwin, a successful carpenter and contractor resid- ing in Miami, Florida; Fred J., who is also a contractor and builder, and George A., of this review. The paternal grandfather, John Personius, was also a native of Che- mung county and devoted his life to the development of its rich agricultural re- sources. For generations the family has been noted for its loyalty, patriotism and public spirit. William Personius fought for American independence as a soldier in the Continental army and was given a tract of land near Ithaca, New York. At the close of the conflict he settled on the property, a portion of which is still owned by the family. He also fought in the War of 1812, in which three of his sons likewise par- ticipated, and thirty-six members of the Personius family served in the Civil war-a remarkable record of valor and devotion to country.
George A. Personius received his education in country schools and began life on a farm. The art of photography made strong appeal to him and at the age of twenty- one he obtained employment in a studio, working for six months without pay. Being keenly interested in the work, he readily mastered the technical phases of the busi- ness, and on November 4, 1899, opened a small studio at No. 137 East Water street, Elmira. He is now the owner of the substantial stone building at No. 269 Baldwin street, in which his business is located and is regarded as the leading photographer of the city. His work bespeaks expert skill and careful study and he has met with gratifying success from both a commercial and artistic standpoint.
Mr. Personius enlists his talents as readily for the public weal as for his own aggrandizement and the welfare and progress of his city is a matter in which he takes much personal pride. He served for a time as police commissioner and was chairman of the Near East drive, in which connection he was instrumental in rais- ing the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars by popular subscription. He is a director
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of the Children's Reconstruction Home, which owes its existence chiefly to his untir- ing efforts. The other officers are: Burton C. Meeker, president; Dr. J. Lee Kinner, vice president; Martin H. Murphy, treasurer; and Halsey Sayles, secretary. The Home building was the residence of Colonel David C. Robinson, also his father, Lucius Robinson, a former governor of the state and is located on one of Elmira's best resi- dential streets, surrounded by spacious lawns, rearranged under the direction of a landscape architect. It was purchased and equipped by members of the local Rotary Club and has all the advantages and comforts of a real home. The institution was established for the purpose of correcting, as far as possible, physical defects of chil- dren and is under the advice and consent of the State Board of Charities. An expert dietitian is in attendance and each child has the proper food needed for his particular case, together with daily baths and treatment. The Home has excellent school privi- leges, ranging from the kindergarten upwards and including an academic course un- der the direction of Harvey O. Hutchinson, superintendent of public schools.
In 1900 Mr. Personius was united in marriage to Miss Mary Roloson who was born in Millport, New York. There she attended the public schools, continuing her studies at Montour Falls, this state, and after completing her education followed the profession of teaching until her marriage. Mr. Personius has attained the Knights Templar degree in Masonry. He belongs to the Masonic, Century and Rotary Clubs and of the last named organization was president in 1921-22.
CHARLES WESLEY WOOLEVER.
Although he has passed the seventy-fifth milestone on life's journey Charles Wesley Woolever is still in full possession of his mental and physical powers and for nearly a half century has been engaged in the drug business in Dansville, which num- bers him among its pioneer merchants and self-made men. He was born in Mount Morris, Livingston county, New York, July 2, 1848, a son of John and Tamzen (Groff) Woolever, and received a public school education. He began to earn his own livelihood at the age of fifteen, becoming a clerk in a hardware store, and two years later secured a position in the drug store of which James Yeomans was the proprietor. He was in Dansville during 1871 and then started for the Pacific Coast region, spending six years in the west. He returned to Dansville in 1879 and purchased the drug business conducted by the firm of Hamilton & Parmelee. He is one of the best known drug- gists in Dansville and has been in the same location for forty-five years. He has es- tablished an enviable reputation for reliability and straightforward dealing and his patronage has increased steadily from year to year.
On June 28, 1876, Mr. Woolever was united in marriage to Miss Mary Durr and they have become the parents of six children: Sophie, who is the wife of Alonzo H. Welch of Dansville; Minerva, deceased; Jane, the widow of Edwin A. Hall; Mae, who married Arthur H. Davies and resides in New Jersey; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Sireno F. Adams of Dansville; and Frances, who assists in operating the drug store.
Mr. Woolever is an active factor in every movement looking toward the accom- plishment of real and practical good and his service on the board of education covers a period of ten years, while he has also filled the office of town clerk, making a highly creditable record in each connection. He is allied with the democratic party and at- tends the Presbyterian church. His life has been rightly lived, and no citizen of Dansville enjoys in greater degree the respect and esteem of his fellowmen.
ARTHUR H. NORTON.
Arthur H. Norton, a well known educator of Yates county, is the president of Keuka College at Keuka Park, which he organized as a college for women, and which he has developed in three years into a thriving and prosperous institution. He was born in Hartford, Washington county, New York, on the 9th of December, 1870, his parents being Lyman Norton and Cynthia (Gates) Norton, the former of New England stock. Among his ancestors were those who participated in the Revo- lutionary war. As a young man Mr. Norton taught three winters in the district schools of Washington county, which forms the background of his later life.
In the acquirement of an education Arthur H. Norton attended the Troy Confer- ence Academy of Poultney, Vermont, and later continued his studies in Syracuse
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University, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1899. In 1913 he received the degree of Master of Arts from Colgate University, while two years later Syracuse University conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Pedagogy. He gained his initial experience in the educational field as an instructor in Mexico, Oswego county, New York, where he remained from 1899 until 1904, while during the succeeding seven years he served as principal of Cook Academy at Mon- tour Falls, this state. From 1911 until 1919 he taught in the department of mathe- matics and astronomy in Elmira College, of which institution he was vice president for four years of that period. It was in 1919 that Mr. Norton became president of Keuka College, a new Baptist educational institution for women. Under his admin- istration the school has grown to such an extent that the erection of a large new dormitory has been found necessary. During two years of travel Mr. Norton studied the management of various women's colleges, and his remarkable success in building up the Keuka Park institution is the outcome of long experience as an educator com- bined with thorough understanding of his chosen field of labor.
In 1902 Mr. Norton was united in marriage to Mrs. Susan Perlet Hurd of Mexico, New York, daughter of Frederick and Susan Perlet. Mr. and Mrs. Norton are the parents of two daughters: Ruth, who is a member of the class of 1925 of Keuka College; and Mary, a student in Penn Yan Academy. The World war found Mr. Norton overseas as a Y. M. C. A. secretary with the One Hundred and First Engineers of the Twenty-sixth Division. He is an honorary member of Company B, One Hun- dred and First Engineers.
Mr. Norton usually gives his political support to the democratic party where national questions and issues are concerned, but at local elections he casts an inde- pendent ballot. He is a firm believer in the cause of prohibition, is a consistent member of the Baptist church and is vice president of the Baptist State convention. He is a Royal Arch Mason, belongs to the Masonic Club and is likewise a member of Psi Upsilon fraternity, of the Yankee Division Club of Boston and of the Rotary Club of Penn Yan. Actuated by high principles and worthy motives in every relation of life, he has won and retained the confidence and affection of a large circle of friends.
WILLIAM H. GREENHOW.
William H. Greenhow, editor and publisher of the Hornell Tribune-Times for many years, was an important factor in the public life of Hornell during that time. His death in 1918 was a shock to the community which had known him as a private citizen and in that strange "fatherly" capacity which an editor has in a smaller city. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 13, 1845. The family moved about considerably during his boyhood but finally settled in Hornell. His father, John Greenhow, originally came from "the Lake country" in England, where he was a friend of William Wordsworth, the great poet. The Greenhows had a literary bent and in 1873 John Greenhow purchased The Hornell Tribune and formed the firm of John Greenhow & Son. The paper was named for Greeley's famous New York Trib- une, and was brought to Hornell by a Mr. Hough in 1850, who sold it to Mr. Schaef- ยท fer, who in turn sold it to John Greenhow. Some years after the Greenhows purchased the Tribune they also bought the Times, calling the consolidated paper the Tribune- Times. When John Greenhow died, his son, William, assumed full charge and con- ducted it until the time of his death.
Mr. William H. Greenhow was married on June 23, 1888, to Miss Helen Stephens, the adopted daughter of Obadiah and Emily Stephens of Canisteo. Mr. and Mrs. Greenhow became parents of one daughter: Olive M. When Mr. Greenhow died Mrs. Greenhow and her daughter, now Mrs. Olive G. Buisch, decided to retain the paper, and Mrs. Buisch has succeeded, being the only woman publisher of a daily in New York state. Mr. Greenhow's neice, Miss Mabel Wombough, is editor. The paper was for years a democratic organ but has recently become independent in politics. A new plant was erected in the year 1924. William H. Greenhow was an able newspaper man and was admired for the vigorous editorials which he wrote and for his general ability to produce a first-class newspaper.
William H. Greenhow was postmaster at Hornell for four years, being appointed by President Cleveland in 1886. He was founder of the New York State Associated Dailies, and always a factor for the betterment of newspapers. He was a director of the Citizens National Bank and the First National Bank of Hornell. Mr. Greenhow was a self-educated man but became a great leader and student. He was deaf from
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infancy but despite this handicap succeeded where many others would fail. His record in the community stands unassailed, and he left a heritage to his family in which the goodwill of hundreds of friends was the mighty asset.
RANSOME TEDROWE LEWIS.
Ransome Tedrowe Lewis, a civil engineer of broad experience and marked tech- nical ability, is well known in business and professional circles of Elmira as local manager of the American Bridge Company, and for twenty-two years has held this responsible position. He is one of the foremost in all worthy public projects and is an effective exponent of all that makes for loyal and progressive citizenship. He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, January 22, 1868, a son of Dr. George W. and Sarah (Tedrowe) Lewis, who were married September 3, 1865, in the Hoosier capital. They had a family of four children, all of whom are deceased except Ransome T. The mother was born near Batavia, Ohio, and now resides in Elmira with her son, having reached the venerable age of eighty years (1924). The father has passed away. He was a native of Indiana and served for four years in the Civil war. He was a member of Company G, Seventieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded at the battle of Resaca, Georgia. Upon recovery from his wounds he was transferred to the hospital service and after receiving his discharge completed a course in the Indiana State Medical College. He opened an office in Indianapolis, but practiced only two years when death terminated his activities. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and gave his political allegiance to the republican party.
Ransome Tedrowe Lewis obtained his early education in the public schools of his native city and afterward became a student in the engineering department of Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana, from which he was graduated in 1888. His first work was in the maintenance-of-way department of the Pittsburgh, Chicago, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad and for two years he was with that corporation, his headquarters being in Pittsburgh. He next became inspector for the firm of G. W. G. Ferris & Company, engineers and inspectors, and remained with them until 1896, when he went to Cleveland, Ohio, as inspector and engineer for the Osborne Engineering Company. In 1899 he was placed in charge of their Philadelphia office, inspecting all of the work done by the concern in that district, and later acted as chief inspector for the New York Central Railroad Company. Subsequently he returned to the Phila- delphia office of the Osborne Engineering Company, with which he continued until October, 1901, and then entered the plant of the American Bridge Company in Athens, Pennsylvania, as plant manager. He was made manager of its Elmira plant in Feb- ruary, 1902, and has since been retained in this position. He is faithful to the interests intrusted to his charge and is one of the most capable and trustworthy representatives of the corporation.
On the 21st of March, 1894, Mr. Lewis was married to Miss Etta Lucia Hilliard of Warsaw, Indiana, who attended Purdue University. They have two children: Joseph H. and Kathleen M. The former entered the service of his country during the World war and was appointed an instructor at Camp Zachary Taylor, holding the rank of first lieutenant of artillery. He was graduated from the department of chemical engineering at Purdue University in 1918 and is now with the Dwight P. Robinson Company, Incorporated, power development engineers of New York city. He married Florence Meyers of Washington, D. C., and is the father of two children, Polly Anna and Jane Meyers; the daughter, Kathleen, was graduated from Elmira College in June, 1923, completed a course in dietetics at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, in June, 1924, and is now assistant in the School of Dietetics at this famous institution.
During the World war Ransome T. Lewis was active in promoting the success of the Red Cross, Liberty Loan and other campaigns, also served as chairman of the Forgings and Stampings Group of Region Six, War Resources committee. He is allied with the republican party and wields much influence in furthering civic advance- ment. He has served on the Elmira board of education and also takes a keen interest in the Boy Scout movement. He was president of Elmira Council, Boy Scouts of America, for eight years and upon his resignation in 1924, was made president emeri- tus of this council. He is an earnest worker for the Y. M. C. A., having aided mate- rially in securing funds for the new home of the last-named organization in Elmira. He is a York and Scottish Rite Mason, also belongs to the Shrine and the Grotto. He is a member of the Masonic Club, the Century Club, the Elmira Country Club and
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the Rotary Club. He is an elder in the First Presbyterian church of Elmira, to which congregation his wife and children belong, Mrs. Lewis being particularly active in church work. Mr. Lewis is connected with the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Society for Testing Materials, the American Academy of Science and the National Geographic Society.
HON. DELBERT CAMPBELL HEBBARD.
Hon. Delbert Campbell Hebbard, for more than a quarter of a century an active member of the Rochester bar and for nearly two decades judge of the municipal court, was long prominent in civic and fraternal affairs of this city. He was in the fifty-eighth year of his age when death terminated his career on the 20th of August, 1923, his birth having occurred on a farm in the town of Le Roy, Genesee county, New York, October 14, 1865. His parents were Lewis B. and Margaret Burnham (Campbell) Hebbard, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of Caledonia, Livingston county, New York. The ancestry in the paternal line was represented in the patriot army of the Revolutionary war, while the Campbell family claimed sev- eral of the soldiers of the Civil war. On his father's side Judge Hebbard was a direct descendant in the eighth generation from Governor Bradford of Massachusetts and was eligible to join the Mayflower Society. On his mother's side he was a mem- ber of prominent Scottish descendants who were connected with the most important clans. Lewis B. Hebbard, father of D. C. Hebbard, came to New York with his par- ents when only seven years of age, the family home being established in Genesee county, where he lived and died on a farm. He was prominent and respected in his community and served as assessor of his town for about twenty years, also filling other minor offices. The four surviving children of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis B. Hebbard are: Donald D., a resident of Rochester; Catherine, living in Le Roy, New York; Mrs. Hamilton Vallance of Caledonia, this state; and Mrs. Manford J. Dewey of Oneida, New York.
The boyhood days of Delbert C. Hebbard were quietly passed on the home farm. In his youth he attended the district schools in Genesee county and was afterward graduated from the Geneseo Normal School, with the class of 1890. He had been engaged in teaching for two years prior to his graduation, and during the three years preceding his arrival in Rochester in 1893 he taught at the Union School at Mumford, as its principal. On coming to this city he took up the study of law in the office and under the direction of Surrogate Selden S. Brown, continuing his reading until he had successfully passed the required examination, which secured his admission to the bar in 1896. From the start he was a successful attorney and his ability won many law- suits. He prepared his cases with great thoroughness and care and in his presenta- tion of a cause showed a mind trained in the severest school of reasoning. About four years prior to his death he dissolved his partnership with United States Com- missioner Edwin C. Smith, with whom he had maintained offices in the Powers build- ing. As a representative of the legal profession he had steadily worked his way upward, gaining recognition as one of the strong and able practitioners in Rochester. By appointment of Judge Hazel he was United States commissioner for three years and in November, 1903, was elected judge of the municipal court for a term of six years, in which capacity he served through three complete terms. He was elected for a fourth term of six years that began on January 1, 1922, and would have expired on December 31, 1927. His course on the bench was distinguished by all that marked his record as a man and lawyer, including unswerving fidelity and a masterful grasp of every problem that was presented for solution. In a review of his life which ap- peared in a local publication at the time of his demise, Judge Hebbard was character- ized as a man of quiet, gentlemanly demeanor who was popular with members of the legal fraternity and with his fellow judges. High tribute to Judge Hebbard as a man and lawyer was paid by City Court Judge Joseph M. Feeley, who expressed the sentiment of the other members of the court.
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