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 66
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In April, 1904, Judge Hebbard was united in marriage to Miss Bessie M. Camp- bell, of New York city. Their daughter, Bessie Margaret, in company with Eric Vance, had the distinction of unveiling "Constitution Rock" in the Park square oppo- site Convention Hall and also unveiled the tablet at the Lincoln-Alliance Bank com- memorating the visit of Lafayette to Rochester.
A lifelong republican, Judge Hebbard was active in the party councils. James L. Hotchkiss, republican leader, declared that Rochester lost a judge and lawyer of
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highest personal standards in the passing of Mr. Hebbard. His interests were broad. He was a member of the Brick Presbyterian church and for a number of years con- ducted the boys' work at the First Presbyterian church. After becoming affiliated with the Brick church he was an active member of the Men's Class. Fraternally he was a prominent Mason, belonging to Genesee Falls Lodge, No. 507, A. F. & A. M., of which he was past master; Hamilton Chapter, R. A. M .; and Monroe Commandery, K. T. He was a past steward of the Grand Lodge of Masons of New York state and was likewise identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias. Judge Hebbard held membership in the Rochester Historical Society and the Rochester Chamber of Commerce. He was one of the vice presidents of the Rochester Humane Society and a member of the Rochester Bar Association and the Burroughs-Audubon Club. Judge Hebbard was a kindly man, quite of the Harding type, having no unfriendly feeling for anyone and always ready to help those who needed assistance. Unostentatious and modest, he was what is often of more conse- quence-a good man.
The following editorial appeared in the Herald: "Though long illness had to some extent prepared his friends for the approaching end of their association with him, the sudden passing of Delbert C. Hebbard shocked and saddened them. A whole- some spirit, a kindly and understanding intelligence, a shoulder good to lean upon, were gone. In his twenty years' service on the city court bench he never became conspicuous. He did not aspire to higher power, nor ever directed his ambition toward a merely ornamental position in the public eye. The conscientious discharge of his arduous duties as a judge amply satisfied him and he gave to it unstintedly the application of a well informed, penetrating and temperate mind. On the occasion when he presided in the criminal branch of his court, the prisoners who appeared before him were sure to obtain a sympathetic hearing and a just decision, which if adverse he tempered with such mercy as his legal conscience would allow. Attorneys esteemed it a pleasure to plead before him. He was patient with the young and untried, was never arrogant, disdained to employ sarcasm, and when he found it necessary to admonish or rebuke did it quietly and took no joy in it. Judge Hebbard had in large measure the qualities of head and heart that make and endear a gentle- man. His death was a real loss to his city as well as to his family and friends."
Resolutions on the death of City Judge Delbert C. Hebbard were adopted at a special meeting of the Rochester Bar Association at the courthouse on August 22, 1923. The committee on resolutions, composed of Robert Averill, Special County Judge Frederick L. Dutcher, James L. Hotchkiss, Harry Otis Poole, Edward Lynn and Philetus Chamberlain, reported the following resolution, which was adopted unanimously :
"Delbert Campbell Hebbard, for nearly twenty years a judge of one of our most . important tribunals, died suddenly in the city of Rochester, on the 20th of August, 1923. He was born at Le Roy on the 14th of October, 1865, of colonial and Scotch ancestry. His early youth was spent upon a farm and he acquired his preliminary education in the public schools. He graduated from the Geneseo Normal School in the class of 1890 and for about three years thereafter was engaged in educational work preparatory to his commencing the study of law. For the latter purpose he came to the city of Rochester and entered the office of the Hon. Selden S. Brown, as a law student. After completing the required course of study he was admitted to the bar and began the practice of law in the city of Rochester, where his entire professional and judicial life was to be spent. For many years he practiced in partnership with Edwin C. Smith and for a number of years served as a United States commissioner for this district. He was elected in 1903 a judge of the former municipal court, which was subsequently superseded by the present city court. He served continuously as a judge of these two courts down to the time of his death. Judge Hebbard was essentially a public man and for over a quarter of a century had a useful part in the affairs of this community. Originally of a powerful physique and great vitality, he was further blessed with broad sympathies and great common sense. He never spared himself. By hard study he became a well read lawyer and an able judge and both in private practice and on the bench gave to his clients and to the public the best that was in him, and undoubtedly thereby hurried his untimely end. His other interests were broad and liberal. He was active in church and humanitarian work. He delved deeply into the treasures of history. He was a man among men in political, fraternal and civic affairs. Perhaps the thing about Judge Hebbard most noticeable to his fellow members of the bar was the trust which his mere presence seemed to inspire. To meet him was to trust him. Naturally in his professional and judicial life he had occasions to differ with many, but we doubt
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if his perfect honesty or sincerity of purpose was ever questioned. Although an aggressive lawyer, at times a strong partisan in politics and for years an absolutely fearless judge, we doubt if he has left a single personal enemy behind him. The untimely death of Judge Hebbard is an irreparable loss to the bar of Monroe county and the state of New York; and the Rochester Bar Association sincerely mourns his departure."
CHARLES WOOD BINGHAM.
Immediately after completing his education in the grade and high schools of Mount Morris, Livingston county, New York, Mr. Bingham entered the banking business owned by his father and uncle. He was then eighteen years old, and is now president of the Bingham State Bank at Mount Morris, the institution being the outgrowth of the business his father founded. Charles Wood Bingham was born on July 1, 1859, at Mount Morris, the son of Charles L. and Charlotte (Wood) Bingham.
Charles L. Bingham was born in Mount Morris on April 25, 1827, and died on October 29, 1892. He was the youngest son of Dr. Charles Bingham, who moved to Livingston county from Connecticut in an early day. Charles L. Bingham had a common school education and began work when sixteen years old as a school teacher, afterward becoming a private tutor. While teaching he studied law and soon after coming of age was admitted to the bar. He then formed a partnership with Judge George Hastings, which terminated upon the death of the latter in 1866. Mr. Bingham abandoned the law in 1869 and with his brother Lucius C. and Sears E. Brace, entered into the banking business, under the name of Bingham Brothers & Brace. This firm was dissolved after seven years, Mr. Brace retiring and Bingham Brothers continuing the business. Eight years afterward Charles Wood Bingham, the only surviving son of Charles L., entered the firm, and in 1889 Lucius C. Bing- ham's death left the father and son as the survivors in the business. Charles L. Bingham was married to Charlotte Wood of Columbus, Ohio, in 1857. Three children were born to them, of whom Charles Wood Bingham is the only survivor.
The banking business was incorporated in February, 1915, under the title of the Bingham State Bank, with a capital stock, as before, of fifty thousand dollars. Charles Wood Bingham is president, B. E. Brophel vice president, Frank E. Van Dorn cashier, and William E. Morrow, assistant cashier.
Charles Wood Bingham was married on November 5, 1895, to May Scales, of Reedsville, North Carolina. Four children have been born to them, three of whom survive, Helen, Sally and Barbara. Mr. Bingham is a member of the Masonic order, in religion is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church, and in his political views is a democrat.
RAYMOND A. TURNBULL, M. D.
Dr. Raymond A. Turnbull, physician and surgeon, has practiced for nearly two decades in Elmira, his native city. He was born August 29, 1880, a son of William P. and Janie (Gaut) Turnbull, the former a native of St. Lawrence county, this state, and the latter of Cincinnati, Ohio. They were married in St. Lawrence county and came to Elmira in 1875. The father was a successful shoe manufacturer and devoted his life to that business. Fraternally he was a Mason and he gave his political support to the republican party. He was a Presbyterian in religious faith and active in the work of the church. He passed away in 1884, at which time he was serving as president of the Young Men's Christian Association of Elmira. He is survived by the mother, who still makes her home in the city. They were the parents of two sons: Raymond A., of this review; and William A., a major in the United States army and a resident of Washington, D. C.
Raymond A. Turnbull supplemented his public school training by study in Cornell University at Ithaca, New York, and afterward entered the Buffalo Medical School, from which he was graduated with the class of 1904. In the same year he began his professional career in Elmira as a general practitioner and was thus engaged until 1916, when he went to the Mexican border as a captain in the Medical Corps. He was there stationed for three months and on his return to Elmira en- listed for service in the World war. He joined the One Hundred and Seventh Infantry, which was attached to the Twenty-Seventh Division, and spent a year in
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military service in the United States and a similar period in France. He was pro- moted to the rank of major while in that country and in April, 1919, received his honorable discharge.
On June 17, 1903 Dr. Turnbull was married to Eleanor Rae Haskin, a native of Elmira and a daughter of Frank Haskin, a salesman. Dr. and Mrs. Turnbull have four children: Henry, Norman, Robert and Elizabeth. The parents are members of the Episcopal church and in politics Dr. Turnbull is a republican. He has served for one term as coroner, and he is now a member of the board of water commissioners. Fraternally he is a Mason and his professional connections are with the Chemung County and New York State Medical Societies and the American Medical Association. He belongs to the American Legion and is also a member of the Cold Brook Club, the Elmira Golf & Country Club and the City Club.
ISAAC A. CHAPELL.
Isaac A. Chapell, principal of the high school of Honeoye Falls, Monroe county, New York, is a native of the Empire state, born in the village of Byron, Genesee county. His elementary education was acquired in the common schools. He then entered the Elba high school and after completing the course in that institution be- came a student at the Geneseo Normal School, where he was graduated in 1914. The next year he received the degree of B. S. from Cornell University. In the fall of 1915 he began his career as an educator as principal of the Gainesville high school, in Wyoming county.
In common with thousands of other young men, Mr. Chapell's peaceable occupa- tion was interrupted by the World war. In the spring of 1917 he entered the army and became a student in the Officers' Training School at Madison Barracks, Sacket Harbor, New York, where he graduated with the rank of second lieutenant. He then attended the Artillery School at Camp Dix, in New Jersey, until transferred to the school at Camp Jackson, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he was made instructor in gun- nery and served in that capacity until the close of the war. He was mustered out at Camp Kearney, San Diego, California, as first lieutenant, and returned to New York. In the fall of 1919 Mr. Chapell resumed teaching as principal of the Newark high school, in Wayne county. The following year he came to Honeoye Falls as principal of the high school and has since occupied that position. His success as a teacher is no doubt due to the fact that he thoroughly prepared himself for his work before entering upon his duties as pedagogue. He is recognized as one of the progressive educators of western New York.
Mr. Chapell was married on August 20, 1921, in Byron, New York, to Miss Marian F. Babbage of that place, and they have one daughter: Marjorie Louise. Mr. Chapell is a Master Mason and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, but has never been especially prominent in lodge work.
HENRY WELLINGTON RATHBONE.
One of the foremost business men and manufacturers of Chemung county during the last generation was Henry Wellington Rathbone, the first of the illustrious fam- ily of that name to become established in the county. In finance, in railroad and coal activities, in manufacturing and in citizenship he was a successful leader, a man with large ideas and ambitions and the necessary courage of initiative to see them through. He was born August 14, 1813, in Oxford, Chenango county, New York, a son of General Ransom Rathbone. The father was of genuine New England stock and was born in Connecticut, April 9, 1780.
Henry Wellington Rathbone received his education in the schools of his birth- place and in Oxford Academy. Very early in his life he exhibited a decided talent for manufacturing and for several years he operated paper mills near Oxford. In 1859 he became a resident of Steuben county, New York, and there, in Rathboneville, was soon engaged in extensive business operations. For a period of twenty years he retained his connection here with mercantile, lumber and milling enterprises.
In 1858 Mr. Rathbone came to Elmira, and in company with others organized the Elmira Rolling Mill Company, which enterprise gave promise of making the city the steel center of the east. Unfortunately, however, a strike in 1880 caused the plant
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to be shut down and it was never reopened. In addition to these projects Mr. Rath- bone was a director of banks and a consummate financier. His death occurred on September 29, 1891.
On July 14, 1846, Mr. Rathbone was married to Sarah Elizabeth Bailey of New York city, a daughter of Captain James Bailey of the United States army. To Mr. and Mrs. Rathbone were born three children, namely: Mary Bailey, who was the wife of John A. Reynolds; William Henry Rathbone, and James Bailey Rathbone.
JAMES BAILEY RATHBONE.
The history of Elmira contains no prouder name than that of Rathbone and one of the most notable representatives of this family was the late James Bailey Rath- bone, equally well known as a business man, a financier and a philanthropist. He possessed those characteristics which not only assured him material success in life, but endeared him to a host of friends. In the social circles of his community he was a leader and in civic affairs he was always vitally and actively interested. Extremely liberal by nature, he was at the same time astute and wise in his business judg- ment as indicated by the success which was his in the management of large proper- ties left to his care.
James Bailey Rathbone was born in Rathboneville, Steuben county, New York, October 31, 1851, the son of Henry Wellington and Sarah Elizabeth (Bailey) Rath- bone. His early education was received in the schools of Elmira, whence he had moved with his father in 1858, and his first work was done with the Elmira Rolling Mills. He became connected with the Chemung Canal Bank in 1879 first, and in 1904 became vice president of the institution. He assumed the presidency of this bank in 1918, succeeding Ray Tompkins, and continued successfully in this capacity until his death on November 23, 1919. Finance was his natural vocation and it was a business in which he was eminently qualified to attain the rank which he did. Upon the death of Matthias H. Arnot in 1910 he was one of two named as executors of the extensive Arnot properties.
In civic affairs James Bailey Rathbone invariably assumed a leading role. He was interested in the Arnot-Ogden Memorial Hospital and was one of the managers of the Arnot Art Gallery. He was a member of the city cemetery association, the Chamber of Commerce and the Business Men's Association. He was one of the founders and a charter meniber of both the City Club and the Country Club. He was also identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His religious life was guided by the teaching's of the Episcopal church. He was liberal in his political views and pursued an independent course.
On January 2, 1879, James B. Rathbone was married to Miss Harriet Arnot, a daughter of John Arnot, Jr., and Harriet (Tuttle) Arnot. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rathbone, namely: Anne Elizabeth, who died in infancy; Elizabeth, wife of Alexander D. Falck of Elmira; John Arnot, president of the Arnot Realty Corporation; and Mary Catherine, wife of Arthur Lewis Hoffman of Elmira. Mrs. James B. Rathbone was a native of Elmira, born here March 22, 1859. Her death occurred on May 3. 1919.
JOHN ARNOT RATHBONE.
In both the paternal and maternal lines John Arnot Rathbone is descended from old and notable families of Elmira, long identified with the city's financial growth and development and leaders in civic affairs. He is a worthy scion of his race, ably sustaining the traditions of an honored name. His operations in the real estate field have been essential elements in city building as well as a source of in- dividual success. He was born in Elmira, April 26, 1886, a son of James Bailey and Harriet (Arnot) Rathbone, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work. In the ac- quirement of an education, John Arnot Rathbone attended the public and private schools of Elmira and afterward matriculated in Phillips Andover Academy at Andover, Massachusetts. He was graduated from that institution with the class of 1906 and then went abroad, spending a year in Europe. In 1908 he entered the employ of the Chemung Canal Trust Company, with which he was connected for ten years, eventually becoming assistant receiving teller. He left the institution to
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enter the Arnot Realty Company, a holding company for the estates of the Arnot and Rathbone families. In 1919, following his mother's death, Mr. Rathbone became the executive head of this firm. He has wisely administered the interests under his charge and his judgment in business matters has proved to be sound and practical.
On June 26, 1909, Mr. Rathbone was united in marriage to Miss Gracia Gan- nett, who was born near Atlanta, New York, and attended the public schools of that locality, completing her studies in Ithaca, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Rath- bone are rearing two adopted children: Gracia and John Arnot, Jr.
Mr. Rathbone is non-partisan in his political views. For ten years he has been a member of the board of managers of the State Hospital for the Insane, which is located in Binghamton, New York. He was chosen for this position by Governor Glynn and has since been reappointed by both Governor Whitman and Governor Smith. He is a director of the Chemung Canal Trust Company, a member of the board of trustees of the Arnot Art Gallery; also a member and treasurer of the board of trustees of the Arnot-Ogden Memorial Hospital. Mr. Rathbone is an influ- ential member of Grace Episcopal church and for over seven years has been one of its vestrymen. He is a Mason and belongs to St. Omer's Commandery No. 19, K. T.
JOHN ARNOT, SR.
The career of John Arnot, Sr., is one closely allied with a period of unusual growth and development in Elmira and the story of his life is, in many respects, a record of service and loyalty to the community which he chose for his home. He was a financier of repute, an executive of proved ability, and a citizen who contributed materially to community affairs. His start in life was that of a poor boy, but his ambition was limitless. Consequently while yet a young man he had won his success. During his life he was intimately associated with many business projects which have become permanent in Elmira. The name of Arnot has become indelibly impressed upon the social and civic structure of Elmira and whenever and wherever the his- tory of the city is written the name of Arnot will be oft repeated.
John Arnot, Sr., was born in Perthshire, Scotland, September 25, 1793. In 1801 the Arnot family sailed across the Atlantic to America and settled near Albany, New York, whence John Arnot, Sr., drove to Elmira by way of the Susquehanna val- ley in 1817. During his residence in the eastern part of the state Mr. Arnot had attracted the attention and favor of Egbert Egberts, a prominent merchant of Albany, and to this man Mr. Arnot was indebted for his start in the mercantile business. In 1819 Mr. Egberts assisted him to establish his business on Water street, just below Fox street, in a building formerly occupied by Lyman Covell. Within a few years Mr. Arnot had sufficiently established himself to be able to buy out the interests of his benefactor.
During the year 1831 Stephen Tuttle, father-in-law of John Arnot, Sr., in asso- ciation with Robert and Lyman Covell, constructed a brick building on the corner of Lake and Water streets. In this building Mr. Arnot, in association with Mr. Tuttle, started business which was continued for several years. Mr. Tuttle retired eventually and Mr. Arnot continued alone until 1841, when he sold out to the firm of Partridge & Hill. During the ten years he was in business at this location Mr. Arnot had also built a foundry on Lake street and in 1834 brought to Elmira the first steam engine ever in the city. In addition to this enterprise he became extensively inter- ested in real estate and in the organization of the Chemung Canal Bank, the pre- decessor of the present Chemung Canal Trust Company. In 1841 he was elected cashier of this institution and in 1842 became president. In 1848, associated with Constant Cook, John Magee and Charles Cook, Mr. Arnot was of invaluable assist- ance to the Erie Railroad in building to Elmira from Binghamton, also from Elmira to Corning. He was later made a director in the railroad company. In 1854 he was elected president of the company building the Junction canal. Mr. Arnot was an able financier of the highest reputation and in all was a broad-minded, public-spirited citizen. He was at one time in control of the local gas works and carried on exten- sive mining interests. He was a member of the Elmira board of education from 1859 until 1865 and in 1858 was the democratic nominee for congressman from his district, but was defeated at the polls by a very small majority. Prior to the organi- zation of the republican party Mr. Arnot had been a whig, but after the above named event he supported the principles of the democrats.
In the winter of 1823 John Arnot, Sr., was married to Miss Harriet Tuttle, a
JOHN ARNOT, SR.
John Ornot Rathbone
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daughter of Stephen and Mary Ann (McKerachan) Tuttle. To Mr. and Mrs. Arnot were born three sons and two daughters, namely: Stephen Tuttle Arnot, for many years a prominent politician, member of the Elmira council, mayor in 1883, who died November 18, 1884, at the age of fifty-six years; John Arnot, Jr., whose life story is upon another page; Marianna, the eldest daughter, was the wife of William B. Ogden, one of the founders of the city of Chicago, and its first mayor; Fanny, the youngest daughter, was the wife of G. G. Havens, of New York city, and Mat- th'as Hollenback Arnot was the third son.
The death of John Arnot, Sr., occurred November 17, 1873, at the age of eighty y ars and in his passing Elmira lost one of the most useful and prominent citizens in her history. His wife passed away on December 6, 1877.
JOHN ARNOT, JR.
Prominent in financial circles, political life, and known widely as a business man of rare ability, was John Arnot, Jr., of Elmira, the son of John and Harriet (Tut- tle) Arnot. He was one of the foremost men of Elmira and his name is inseparably associated with the early history of the city. He took a notable part in public affairs and on several cecasions was honored with public office by the people, a trust which he always fulfilled with credit to himself. He proved himself a statesman of the first rank and during his national legislative career was instrumental in framing legislation which has proved of much value to the nation.
John Arnot. Jr., was born March 11, 1831, the second son and fourth child of the parents named above. He received his early education in the private schools of Elmira and completed his scholastic training at Yale University. For a time he was associated with the banking interests in New York city. In the year 1852 he assumed the duties of cashier of the Chemung Canal Bank of Elmira and filled this office for many years. His active connection with this institution was severed only by his death on November 20, 1886, the indirect result of an unfortunate accident which occurred two years previously. In October, 1884, while opening the doors of the vault of the bank one morning there occurred an explosion of gases which had ac- cumulated therein. Mr. Arnot was severely injured and never fully recovered from the accident.
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