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 68
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The Darrin family is not only historic in the Genesee country but has a proud lineage in America. The original Darrin settled in Guilford, Connecticut, and the Knapp family settled in Watertown, Massachusetts. There were two brothers, Nich- olas and Joshua. The latter was one of the commissioners appointed to make a treaty with the Indians-a treaty never broken. . Another ancestor was with General Wolf when he captured Quebec in 1759, and another Darrin served in the War of the Revolution. Delmar M. Darrin has thirteen ancestors who came to America before 1660, four of them being from Holland. His grandfather, Ira Darrin, married Mar- garet Knapp in Elmira, New York, and in this city David Darrin, Delmar Darrin's father, was born.
Delmar M. Darrin is a member of the Steuben County Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association and the American Bar Association. He also belongs to the Sons of the American Revolution. He is warden of the Episcopal church of Addi- son and was a vestryman for many years (since 1884) before he succeeded his father as warden in 1897. He is president of the Addison Library Association and is the only survivor of the three men who founded the library. He was a member of the board of education of Addison for twenty-three years and its president for two years. He has lived a long, useful, successful life and has hosts of friends in Steuben county and New York state.
WINFIELD A. HOLCOMB.
While the efforts of the merchant and the manufacturer take more tangible form in direct results, the labors of no individual more closely affect the welfare of a community than do those of the teacher, whose instruction leaves an ineffaceable impress upon the minds of the young, constituting a guiding force in later life. Winfield A. Holcomb, principal of the Geneseo Normal School, has devoted his life to the dissemination of knowledge and holds to high standards in his profession, progress being his watchword. He was born January 23, 1862, at Norwich, New York, a son of Robert A. and Abigail A. (Johnson) Holcomb, the former of whom passed away in 1910, but the latter survives and has reached the venerable age of eighty-four years.
Winfield A. Holcomb attended the rural schools of New York and the high school at Ripley, afterward taking a classical course at the Fredonia State Normal School. He was graduated from that institution in June, 1886, and his studies there were supplemented by additional college work in Greek, mathematics and science. His career as an educator covers a period of thirty-eight years and his first position was that of principal of the Ripley high school. He was thus engaged for four and a half years, resigning January 1, 1891. He then became school commissioner for the second district of Chautauqua county and filled that office for fifteen years, con- stituting five terms. He was elected for the sixth term, but resigned to accept an appointment in the state department of education as inspector of high schools under Commissioner A. S. Draper. For seventeen years he was connected with that depart- ment and during half of that period was also special inspector of training schools and training classes, while during the last two years he was in charge of high school inspection and teacher certification. In September, 1922, he came to Geneseo to open the Normal School and in November of the same year was appointed principal. He brought to this important office broad experience as an educator and ability of a high order and under his capable administration the institution is making notable progress.
On the 6th of August, 1890, Mr. Holcomb was united in marriage to Miss Catherine C. Lombard of Ripley, and five children were born to them: Ruth L. and Catherine E., twins, the latter of whom died in 1916; Albert W., a graduate of Colgate College and now a resident of Albany, New York; Frederick B., who is a student at that college; and Edward L., who is in the employ of the Livingston County Trust Company at Geneseo.
Mr. Holcomb is a Presbyterian in religious faith and his political support is given to the republican party. He is a member of the National Education Associa- tion and the Department of Superintendence of that organization, the State Teachers
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Association, the State Superintendents Association and the Normal School Council. Along social and fraternal lines he is connected with the Geneseo and Wadsworth Clubs and the Masonic order. He keeps in touch with the most advanced thought of the day along educational lines and occupies a position of distinction in his chosen profession.
F. E. STORMS.
Reared in the school of hard work, F. E. Storms, president of the Citizens Na- tional Bank of Hornell, New York, has great respect for all workers and makes it his creed to believe that all good citizens are equal. His own life has been an example of what intelligent application can do. He was born in Hornell, July 5, 1874, the son of William H. and Emma H. (Banford) Storms. His father was a native of Bradford, Pennsylvania, and his mother of Bath, New York.
F. E. Storms attended the public and high schools of Hornell, and following this worked in different stores for a few years, learning the fundamentals of business. He enlisted for service in the war with Spain and served as quartermaster sergeant in Company K, Third New York Volunteer Infantry at Camps Black, Alger and Meade. In 1902 he was appointed bookkeeper of the Hornell water department and also served as cashier. In 1908 he entered the banking business, becoming bookkeeper in the Bank of Steuben, and four years he later became assistant cashier. On Septem- ber 30, 1915, he became associated with the Citizens National Bank of Hornell as cashier and in January, 1923, became president of that institution. Worthy of note is the fact that when he joined the bank's forces in 1915 the deposits were only a little over a half million dollars, and on May 1, 1924, they had increased to more than two million, three hundred thousand. This increase of four hundred and sixty per cent is considered one of the most remarkable banking achievements in New York state.
Mr. Storms was married on June 15, 1912, to Carrie S. Strack, and they have two children: Charles W. and Robert. Mr. Storms is a Mason, being affiliated with Hornellsville Lodge, No. 331, F. & A. M .; Steuben Chapter, No. 101, R. A. M .; Hor- nellsville Council, No. 35, R. & S. M .; DeMolay Commandery, No. 22, Hornell; and Damascus Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Rochester. He is also a member of the Elks, the Hornell Country Club and the Automobile Club.
THOMAS M. LOSIE.
Thomas M. Losie, one of the leading attorneys and business men of Elmira, was born in Elmira, September 28, 1877, a son of Thomas M. and Jeannette (Craig) Losie, the former of whom was born in Whitney, Ontario, Canada, while the latter was born near Skaneateles, New York. They were married in Elmira in 1861 and became the parents of ten children, five of whom grew to maturity, and three are now living. Thomas M. was the ninth in order of birth. The father was a tinsmith and in 1867 established a roofing business in Elmira. He operated it successfully for many years and the business is now owned by Thomas M. Losie of this review. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Losie, Sr., were members of the Baptist church and active workers in its behalf. Thomas M. Losie, Sr., was identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and his political support was given to the republican party. He was a son of Abraham Losie, who was born in Connecticut.
He came of Huguenot stock and followed the trade of a blacksmith. Some of the family were explorers and were among the first settlers in Canada. One, Abraham Losie, was charged with treason because he participated in the Canadian rebellion and many who bore the name of Mathews, the family name of Mr. Losie's paternal grand- mother, were soldiers and officers in the British army. The maternal grandfather, Robert Craig, was a native of Scotland and a woolen manufacturer. He established a mill in Elmira and during the Civil war manufactured blankets for the federal government.
Thomas M. Losie graduated from the Elmira high school and then entered Cornell University, which in 1898 conferred upon him the degree of LL. B. He was admitted to the bar before he reached the age of twenty-one, but was not sworn in until three months later. He has engaged in general practice in Elmira for a period of twenty-six years and during this time has successfully handled many important
F. E. STORMS
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law cases. He is identified with several business enterprises but devotes most of his time to his profession.
In 1903 Mr. Losie was married to Miss Gertrude Jennison, also a native of Elmira, and they have become the parents of three children: Jeannette, a senior in high school; and Thomas M., Jr., and Margaret, who are also attending school. Mr. Losie is an adherent of the republican party and has been clerk of the surrogate court, also serving at one time as deputy collector of internal revenue. He belongs to the State Bar Association and is a Baptist in religious faith. He is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is a York Rite Mason. He served as master of Ivy Lodge, F. & A. M., in 1910 and in 1924 was elected a representative of the Imperial Council of the Mystic Shrine. For many years he has been secretary of the Masonic board of trustees.
CLAIRE COUNTRYMAN BATEMAN.
Claire Countryman Bateman, one of Dansville's enterprising business men, has been identified with the automobile trade for several years, and every step he has made toward a successful career has been in the right direction. He was born in Cameron, Steuben county, New York, April 1, 1879, and is one of the three children in the family of Charles A. and Margaret E. (Countryman) Bateman, the former now a resident of Dansville.
After completing a course in the public schools Claire C. Bateman became a student at the Geneseo Normal School and his education was completed in the Uni- versity of Syracuse, from which he was graduated with the class of 1904, winning the degree of Bachelor of Science. He was employed as a traveling salesman for ten years and in 1914 embarked in the automobile business in Rochester. In 1915 he returned to Scottsburg with his father, who was then engaged in mercantile pur- suits, and since 1916 he has been a resident of Dansville. In April of that year he opened his present salesrooms on Main street and now has the local agency for the Dodge Brothers car. He sells a large number of machines each year and is numbered among the leading automobile dealers of this district. He has had broad experience in the business and keeps in close touch with all new developments in the automobile trade.
On December 22, 1915, Mr. Bateman was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Harris of Penfield, New York, and since coming to Dansville they have made many friends. Mr. Bateman is president of the Rotary club, and along fraternal lines is identified with the Masonic order. His political views coincide with the platform and principles of the republican party and in religious faith he is a Presbyterian. He has thoroughly identified his interests with those of his community, loyally supporting all projects for the general good, and has earned the reward of the honest, upright citizen- the respect and confidence of his fellowmen.
JOHN JOSEPH McINERNEY.
John Joseph McInerney, lawyer and lawmaker, has been numbered among the able attorneys of Rochester for more than two decades and during the years 1909 and 1910 represented his district in the state assembly. His birth occurred at Sala- manca, Cattaraugus county, New York, on the 10th of June, 1873, his parents being Michael Garry and Ellen (Kane) McInerney, both of whom were natives of Ireland, whence they came to the United States about 1856, settling first in Brooklyn. Subse- quently they removed to Salamanca, while the year 1885 witnessed their arrival in Rochester, where the father served as city blacksmith. His mother is living, but his father has passed away.
At the usual age John Joseph McInerney entered the public schools of his native city and there passed through successive grades to the eighth. He put aside his textbooks at the age of thirteen years and learned the machinist's trade, which he followed for about eight years in the employ of the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh, the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western and the New York Central Railroad Com- panies, leaving the latter railroad after having assumed entire charge of the mechan- ica! repair department of locomotives from 7:00 p. m. until 6:00 a. m. He then turned his attention to the field of newspaper work, becoming a reporter on the
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Rochester Herald and the Union and Advertiser. Subsequently he accepted the position of executive clerk for Mayor George A. Carnahan, thus serving from 1900 until 1902. In October, 1902, he went to Albany, New York, as legislative corre- spondent for the Union and Advertiser and while there he also attended the Albany Law School. After completing a thorough course under the direction of that insti- tution he passed the bar examination on the 13th of January, 1903, and was ad- mitted to the bar in March of the same year. In April following Mr. McInerney opened an office in Rochester and through the intervening period of twenty-one years has been accorded a most enviable practice. No dreary novitiate awaited him. He soon gained a liberal clientage that has connected him with much important litigation and has won high standing in the professional ranks of his adopted city. He supplied the funds necessary for tuition and other expenses of his education by his own labor. He was ambitious and energetic and allowed no obstacle to brook his path that could be overcome by honorable and determined effort. He entered upon the practice of law with Charles B. Bechtold, under the firm name of McInerney & Bechtold. Since the partnership was dissolved Mr. McInerney has been alone. In addition to his professional activities he is financially interested in several corporations as a director.
On the 11th of November, 1911, in Rochester, Mr. McInerney was united in mar- riage to Miss Florence M. McRoden and they have become the parents of three children: John J., Jr., Kevin and Brendan. The family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church, while fraternally Mr. McInerney is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Columbus. It was during his three years' incumbency as grand knight of Rochester Council that a twelve- story clubhouse was erected at a cost of one million, six hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
During the period of the World war Mr. McInerney acted as chairman of the Monroe County Four-Minute Men. He has been chosen vice president of the Harding Memorial and is widely recognized as a patriotic and public-spirited citizen whose aid can ever be counted upon in the promotion of projects looking toward advance- ment and progress. His record as a public official covers service as secretary to the mayor of Rochester and as state assemblyman in 1909 and 1910, during which period he gave thoughtful and earnest consideration to the many vital questions which came up for settlement in the legislature. Mr. McInerney has a social, genial nature which makes him a favorite in various club and fraternal organizations. He was made vice commodore of the Rochester Yacht Club, is a trustee of the Rochester Tennis Club, a member of Oak Hill Country Club, and is a director of the Automobile Club of Rochester. Along strictly professional lines he is connected with the Rochester Bar Association, and he is president of the Rural Life Publishing Company. Mr. McInerney's home, "Killarney," is on East avenue, in Rochester.
GEORGE HENRY SPRING.
George Henry Spring, one of the well known financial executives of Elmira, was born in Laceyville, Pennsylvania, March 31, 1853, a son of T. D. and Polly (Lacey) Spring, the latter a lifelong resident of that village. The father was born in Maine, April 15, 1811, and served an apprenticeship to the harness-making trade, which he followed for a number of years, also conducting a shoe-making shop. He was the pioneer druggist of Laceyville and was engaged in that business at the time of his death. His political support was given to the democratic party and both he and his wife were members of the Baptist church. He was deeply interested in all worthy civic projects and at one time served as justice of the peace in Laceyville. He died in October, 1866, when fifty-five years of age. His wife was born July 20, 1817, and passed away in 1861. They were the parents of ten children, three of whom survive: Mrs. Lydia Stone, a widow, who has reached the age of seventy-eight and resides in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania; Mrs. Theodore Smith, also a widow, aged seventy-five, residing in Montrose, Pennsylvania; and George Henry.
As George Henry Spring's parents died during his childhood, many of the advan- tages enjoyed by the American boy were denied him. His education was necessarily limited, but he improved the opportunities he had and the study and reading he did were so thoroughly assimilated that they were of lasting benefit to him in later years. Mr. Spring first learned the harness-making trade, which he followed for ten years in Laceyville. Upon the expiration of that period he secured an agency from the Singer
GEORGE H. SPRING
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Sewing Machine Company, which he represented in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, in 1880, later going to Bath, New York, and in 1886 he came to Elmira. During this time he sold eight thousand machines, which established a record which has never been equaled in this territory.
In 1887 Mr. Spring turned to the insurance business, in which he was again successful. In 1892 he sold over one million dollars worth of insurance. He originated disability insurance at a meeting of the insurance board in Chicago in 1893 and wrote the first policy of that type in the state on Doctor Henry of Elmira, who is still a resident of the city. For seventeen years Mr. Spring was identified with the Fidelity Mutual Life Insurance Company.
After severing his connection with this company, Mr. Spring devoted his atten- tion to the management of his extensive realty interests in Elmira. Since its organi- zation he has been one of the directors of the Elmira Savings & Loan Association, of which he is now secretary and treasurer, having succeeded H. M. Clark in these offices. He has been of material influence in promoting the growth and success of this insti- tution. The rapid growth of the business of the association is indicated by the fact that in January, 1919, its assets amounted to four hundred and eighty-six thousand dollars, while they now (1924) total one million, four hundred thousand dollars.
On December 10, 1878, George H. Spring was married to Miss Elizabeth Smith, also a native of Laceyville, Pennsylvania, and they became the parents of four chil- dren, three of whom survive: T. Dwight, who is connected with the Toledo Whole- sale Tobacco Company; George L., who is a draftsman residing in Detroit, Michigan, and who drew the plan of the first carburetor used on the Fordson tractor; and Annette, who is the wife of Dr. R. O. Gregory. Mrs. Spring passed away on January 13, 1888. On October 23, 1895, Mr. Spring was married to Miss Clara Barbour, who was born in Elmira. Mr. and Mrs. Spring are members of the First Baptist church and the former has served on the board of trustees. Mr. Spring is a republican in politics, but has never sought office. He is a York Rite Mason and also belongs to the Shrine and the Grotto. His activities in the Masonic fraternity through the work accomplished by the Committee of Twelve, as chairman of the Masonic Carnival in 1903 and in time used in rebuilding the temple after the fire, stand as a memorial to his Masonic work. He was one of the executive committee of the Masonic board of trustees of the Masonic temple at the time of its rebuilding.
ASHER MINER WELLMAN.
Natural gas, for use in industry as well as for domestic purposes, is one of the essentials of modern progress, and is a material factor in the prosperity of any community which enjoys an adequate supply. Gas supplies power, the heat required in many manufacturing processes, and its consumption in homes, in spite of the com- petition of electricity for lighting, grows continually for cooking, heating, etc. Asher Miner Wellman of Caledonia, Livingston county, New York, is at the head of the gas companies which supply his home town and contiguous territory. He early recognized the fact that volume production means cheaper production, and has steadily stimu- lated the use of gas, to the benefit of the consumers as well as the producer. He was born in Friendship, Allegany county, New York, on November 13, 1866, the son of Abijah J .. (now deceased) and Kate (Miner) Wellman, both natives of New York state. They were the parents of five children, four of whom are living.
Asher Miner Wellman received his education at Friendship Academy, from which he went to the Hopkins Grammar School at New Haven, Connecticut, where he was graduated in 1884 and then entered Yale University. From Yale he received the degree of A. B. and graduated in the class of 1888. On Mr. Wellman's return to Friendship he became cashier of the First National Bank of the town, filling the position from 1889 until 1892, when he became president of the bank and held the office until 1915. Mr. Wellman moved to Caledonia in July, 1913, and in partnership with T. B. Crary purchased the Tri-County Natural Gas Company and the Caledonia Natural Gas Company. He is now president of both companies, and also a director of the Stacy Candy Company of Rochester, New York. He takes an active interest in politics as a republican, and has been assistant clerk of the state senate since 1915. He began as index clerk in 1901, then was journal clerk, and since 1901 has served continuously in the senate desk, except during the years 1911 to 1914.
Mr. Wel'man was married on June 28, 1893, to Hattie P. Baldwin of Saxtons River, Vermont. Three children have been born to them: Kathryn I., Laura B. and
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Harriet L. Fraternally Mr. Wellman is a Knight Templar and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, and also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His re- ligious connection is with the Baptist church.
WILLIAM H. MUNSON.
William H. Munson, district attorney of Orleans county since January 1, 1918, was born in Medina, New York, on the 3d of May, 1886, the son of Dr. Edward and Lillian (Smith) Munson. His father, a native of Penn Yan, New York, was gradu- ated from Hobart College of Geneva, this state, and then entered Columbia Uni- versity, from which institution he received the degree of M. D. He is engaged in practice in Medina.
William H. Munson attended the Medina high school prior to his matriculation in Cornell University, which conferred upon him the degree of LL. B. at his gradua- tion in 1910. He was admitted to the bar at Rochester in September of the same year and began practice in association with T. A. Kirby in Albion, New York, where he thus remained for one year. Appointed by Hon. Isaac S. Signor, clerk of the surrogate's court of Orleans county, he served in this office under Judge Signor and Judge Fred L. Downs, from September 1, 1911, until December 31, 1917. In the fall of the latter year he was elected district attorney, in which capacity he is still serving very acceptably, now filling his third term. He gives his political support to the republican party and along strictly professional lines has membership connection with the Orleans County Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association.
On the 25th of November, 1909, Mr. Munson was united in marriage to Miss Frances Ely of Ithaca, New York, and they have become the parents of two children : Barbara, whose natal day was June 19, 1912; and Ruth, who was born December 19, 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Munson are consistent members of the Episcopal church and the former also belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Alert Club, the Tuscarora Club of Lockport, New York, and to Delta Chi, a national Greek letter fraternity.
JOSEPH H. PIERCE.
Joseph H. Pierce, one of the foremost architects of Elmira, for forty-four years has been a resident of the city, and his name is inseparably associated with its up- building and improvement. He began life as a poor boy and has worthily won the right to the honorable title of "self-made man". He belongs to one of the oldest families in this country and traces his ancestry to the colonial epoch in American history. He was born in Dundee, Yates county, New York, September 2, 1855, a son of Herschel Wright and Mariette (Pierce) Pierce, who were married in that town. The mother was born in the vicinity of Mexico, New York, in 1825 and died in 1893, at the age of sixty-eight. The father was born on a farm near Dundee in 1818, and passed away in 1891, when seventy-three years of age. He learned the carpenter's trade and for fifty years was engaged in business as a general contractor. He was a skilled artisan and erected most of the buildings in Dundee. He was one of the gallant officers of the Union army and served for three and a half years in the Civil war. He was commissioned captain of Company A, Seventy-sixth New York Volun- teers, and saw much hard fighting, having participated in the memorable engage- ments at Chancellorsville, Antietam, Spotsylvania and Gettysburg. He entered the last named battle with thirty-five men and only seven responded to roll call at its close. Of the remaining twenty-eight, all were killed or wounded except two, who were captured by the Confederates. Mr. Pierce was educated at Lima Seminary and his study of the political situation led him to indorse the principles of the republican party. He was active in public affairs and served for a number of years as super- visor, and also served two terms as county school commissioner of Yates county, New York. He was affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church and contributed liber- ally toward its support. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Pierce, two of whoni survive: Joseph H. of this review; and William H., who resides in Moreland, New York, and follows the occupation of farming. The paternal grandparents were Samuel and Sallie (Wright) Pierce, the former of whom settled on a farm near Dundee, in Yates county, New York, in 1817, and there resided until his death, which occurred in 1864. The American progenitor of the Pierce family migrated to the
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