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 72
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THOMAS HOPKINS ALVORD.
For almost half a century, and that is almost the life of the paper, the controlling hand at the helm of the Livonia Gazette, published at Livonia, Livingston county, New York, has been that of an Alvord. Thomas Hopkins Alvord, who is now pub- lisher of the journal, was born at Livonia on August 24, 1889, the son of Clarence M. and Ella F. (Hopkins) Alvord. The father bought the Livonia Gazette in 1877, when the paper was less than two years old, and for the next forty-five years the energy and talents of Clarence M. Alvord were devoted continuously to the publica- tion of the Gazette, his work being ended by death on January 8, 1923. A sketch of him appears on another page of this history. His son, Thomas H., took up his father's work and responsibilities.
Thomas Hopkins Alvord received his early education at the Livonia high school and after finishing there in 1908 entered Hamilton College at Clinton, New York, from which he received the degree of Ph. B. and was graduated in the class of 1912. During the following two years, 1913 and 1914, Mr. Alvord taught in the academic department of the high school at Hempstead, Long Island, New York, being principal
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the second year, after which he entered Columbia University of New York for post- graduate work and received the degree of Master of Arts in 1915. In the fall of that year Mr. Alvord went back to school teaching and was thus engaged at Bridge- port, Connecticut, until June, 1916, when he returned to Livonia to be associated with his father in the publishing of the Gazette. In the fall of 1917 he left to engage in Y. M. C. A. work, severing his connection therewith in August, 1918. Mr. Alvord then entered the Navy Radio School at Norfolk, Virginia, remained there until Jan- uary, 1919, and when he received his discharge returned to Livonia and again became his father's associate on the paper. This work he continued until the death of his father in January, 1923, since which time Mr. Alvord has assumed full control of the publication. He has been president of the Western New York Newspaper Publishers Association for the past two years and is also a member of the New York Press As- sociation. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order, being a past master of Livonia Lodge, No. 778, F. & A. M. In politics he is a republican, while in religious affiliation he is an active member of the Livonia Baptist church.
Mr. Alvord was married on August 8, 1917, to Florence P. Adams, daughter of Delbert D. and Fanny (Pierce) Adams of Livonia. The two children of the marriage are: Emily Adams Alvord, born on March 5, 1920, and Thomas Adams Alvord, born on January 30, 1923.
CHARLES HARVEY PERKINS.
Charles Harvey Perkins is one of the enterprising young men who have profited by the opportunities which Newark offers for advancement along commercial lines and his operations in the nursery business have been attended by notable success. He was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, August 9, 1889, his parents being Herbert D. and Nellie (Guild) Perkins, the former a native of Wisconsin. The mother was born in Grand Rapids, in which city their marriage took place. Mrs. Perkins survives her husband, who devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins reared a family of nine children, seven sons and two daughters, all of whom are living, the subject of this review being the fourth in order of birth.
Charles Harvey Perkins obtained his education in the public schools of his native city and since 1902 has been continuously connected with the nursery business. For the past ten years he has been vice president of the firm of Jackson & Perkins & Company, engaged in the wholesale nursery business in Newark and the largest operators in this line in Wayne county. They distribute their stock throughout the United States and their trade also extends to Canada. Mr. Perkins is a capable executive, thoroughly informed on everything pertaining to the business in which he is engaged, and is also one of the directors of the Arcadia National Bank of Newark.
At Geneva, New York, on July 10, 1915, Mr. Perkins was married to Miss Grace Willower, a daughter of John and Maria Willower of Fayette, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins have two sons: Charles Dale and James Willower. In politics Mr. Per- kins is a republican and fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is also a Mason, belonging to the lodge, chapter, council and com- mandery, and to the Shrine at Rochester. He is a good citizen and his life record is one in which superior business ability and the recognition and utilization of oppor- tunity are well balanced forces. He has ever directed his business by the rules which govern strict integrity and his personality is one which inspires respect and confi- dence.
CARL GEORGE ZIMMERMAN, M. D.
Dr. Carl George Zimmerman, a veteran of the World war, has won noteworthy success in the practice of medicine and surgery in Elmira, his native city. He was born November 23, 1889, and is a son of John C. and Josephine (Blum) Zimmerman, natives of Syracuse, New York. They were married in that city and soon afterward removed to Chemung county. They are residents of Elmira, where for many years the father has been engaged in the piano business. He is a member of the German Catholic church and a republican in his political views. Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman have four children: Josephine, who is the wife of John M. Walsh, manager of the Glen Springs Hotel in Watkins, New York; T. John, who conducts an automobile business in Elmira: Carl George, of this review; and F. Gerald, who is identified with a wholesale plumbing establishment of the city.
DR. CARL G. ZIMMERMAN
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Carl George Zimmerman attended the public schools and the Elmira Free Academy, and afterward became a student at George Washington University, which in 1911 bestowed upon him the M. D. degree. For a year he was an interne in a hospital in Washington, D. C. From there he went to the Arnot-Ogden Memorial Hospital in Elmira, in which he spent a similar period. In 1913 he established himself in practice in this city. He followed his profession continuously until April, 1918, when he enlisted in the Medical Corps of the United States army and after finishing his military training was placed in charge of a surgical ward at Camp Wheeler, Macon, Georgia. From there he was ordered overseas and assigned to duty at Evacuation Hospital No. 36. He spent eleven months in France and after receiving his discharge from the service completed a course in the New York Post Graduate Hospital. Returning to Elmira, he resumed his professional activities and now devotes the greater part of his time to surgical work. He is a member of the staff of the Arnot-Ogden Memorial Hospital. He is devoted to his profession and through con- stant reading and close study of the cases that come under his care he is continually enlarging his sphere of usefulness.
On November 12, 1924, Dr. Zimmerman was married to Miss Agnes Pauline Honan of Elmira, who was born in Buffalo, New York, September 29, 1899, the daughter of John W. and Ellen (McAulliffe) Honan. John W. Honan died in 1912. Dr. Zimmerman is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church and belongs to the American Legion, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Elmira Golf and Country Club and the Cold Brook Country Club. His ability led to his selection for the offices of city physician and police surgeon, which he filled for four years, and he also served on the school medical board for a time. He holds membership in the Elmira Academy of Medicine, the Chemung County and New York State Medical Societies, and the American Medical Association.
HARRY COBURN GOODWIN.
It is a trite saying that there is always room at the top, but a real comprehension of the truth should be a stimulus to many whose shortsightedness prevents them from seeing anything but the more crowded condition of those lower steps which lead to the upward climb. Recognizing the fact that a wise utilization of opportunity will lead to success, Harry Coburn Goodwin has built up an advertising business which ranks with the largest and most important in Rochester, and his influence is one of broad- ening activity and strength in the field in which he is operating. He was born in Jefferson county, New York, August 7, 1877, a son of Nahme and Anna E. (Proctor) Goodwin, the former a native of Maine, while the latter was born in the Empire state. The father is now a resident of California but the mother is deceased.
After completing his public school course Harry Coburn Goodwin attended Ives Seminary in Jefferson county, New York, for a year and then became a student at Hamilton College, as a member of the class of 1901. Going to Unionville, Missouri, he entered the field of journalism and for a time was connected with the editorial department of the Pantograph. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American war he enlisted in the Sixth Missouri Regiment and went as a private to Cuba, remaining in the service for nine months. In 1901 he became a reporter for the Watertown (N. Y.) Standard, with which he remained for two years, and at the end of that time assumed the duties of advertising manager for the R. W. & O. Division of the New York Central Railroad Company. Later he filled a similar position with the Watertown Times and about 1904 became a reporter for the Rochester Herald. His journalistic ability won him promotion to the responsible office of Sunday editor of that paper and he afterward joined the Rochester Post-Express in the capacity of city editor. He was with that paper for two years and then accepted the post of advertising manager for E. Kerstein Sons Company, of which he later became a director. He remained with that firm for five years and then embarked in the advertising business on his own account, organizing the H. C. Goodwin Company in 1919. The business has been incorporated and since its inception has developed rapidly under the expert guidance of Mr. Good- win, who has a highly specialized knowledge of the art of advertising and displays keen sagacity and marked executive ability in the management of his affairs.
On September 20, 1899, at Antwerp, New York, Mr. Goodwin was married to Miss Jane A. Peck, a daughter of Daniel Peck of St. Lawrence county, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin have two children: Coburn P., the elder, was born in 1905 and was graduated from the West Side high school, afterward entering Hamilton
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College, which he is now attending; Helen P. was born in 1911 and is a public school student.
Mr. Goodwin is an adherent of the republican party and takes an active and prominent part in city and state politics, while he is also keenly interested in civic affairs. He is an energetic and progressive member of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce and in 1913 was honored with the presidency of the Rochester Ad Club, serv- ing for one term. He also belongs to the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity and to the Oak Hill Country Club and the Rochester Athletic Club. Mr. Goodwin is self-educated, obtaining the funds for his college training by working as a printer, and his success is well deserved, for it has been won through honorable methods and earnest, sys- tematic effort. His residence is at No. 132 Rockingham street.
ERWIN J. BALDWIN.
Erwin J. Baldwin, the Nestor of the Elmira bar, has practiced continuously in this city for a period of fifty-two years, and a long, useful and upright life has earned for him the unqualified respect and admiration of his fellowmen. He was born March 10, 1849, and although he has passed the Psalmist's allotted span of threescore years and ten, he is still an active factor in the world's work, retaining the poise and keen mentality which have ever characterized his professional career. He is a native of Otego, New York, and his parents were John J. and Sallie M. (Beardsley) Baldwin, in whose family were eight children, four of whom survive. The father was born in Meredith, Deleware county, New York, and the mother in the state of Connecticut. They were among the pioneer settlers of Otsego county, in which they located in 1800, and for many years Mr. Baldwin conducted a blacksmith shop in Otego. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a consistent follower of its teachings, while his political support was given to the republican party.
Erwin J. Baldwin obtained his public school training in his native county and began the study of law in the office of E. B. Youman's. He came to Elmira in 1872 and cast his presidential ballot for Ulysses S. Grant, who was then a candidate for a second term. Mr. Baldwin was admitted to the bar in 1873 and has since practiced in this city, in which he has found an excellent field for the exercise of his legal talent. His clientele has grown steadily as his professional prestige has increased, and the court records bear abundant proof of his ability as a lawyer. Mr. Baldwin is the owner of a productive, well improved farm situated two miles from Wellsburg and utilizes scientific methods in the development of his land, which he has converted into a valuable property.
In 1876 Mr. Baldwin was married to Miss Alice J. McDowell, a native of Che- mung county, and they have two daughters: Frances and Florence, both of whom are at home. Their son, Edward M., who was the oldest in the family died at the age of fifteen. Mr. Baldwin is a republican in politics and takes the interest of a loyal citizen in public affairs, but the only office to which he has ever aspired was that of judge of the supreme court of the state. He was the candidate of the democratic and prohibition parties, but met defeat at the polls. He is an earnest, helpful member of the Methodist Episcopal church and carries his religion into his daily life. He has filled all of the church offices and for ten years was superintendent of the Sun- day school.
JERVIS LANGDON.
Jervis Langdon, one of Elmira's substantial business men, has found his native city a most desirable place of residence and through the capable management of his commercial interests has contributed materially toward its progress, while at the same time he has achieved individual prosperity. He was born January 26, 1875, and represents the third generation of the family in the city. He was named in honor of his grandfather, who settled in Elmira in 1845 and became widely known through his activities in the anthracite coal trade, in which he was a pioneer. Mr. Langdon's parents, Charles and Ida (Clark) Langdon, were also natives of Elmira. The former passed away in this city on the 19th of November, 1916. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Langdon, a son and two daughters. Charles Langdon was a close friend of the noted author, Samuel L. Clemens, who chose the sister, Olivia Langdon, as his wife.
ERWIN J. BALDWIN
39-Vol. III
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Jervis Langdon completed his education in Cornell University, from which he was graduated in 1897, winning the degree of LL. B. He engaged in business with his father, head of the firm of J. Langdon & Company, Incorporated, which had been founded by the grandfather, an extensive dealer in lumber and coal, and the owner of valuable anthracite mines. Owing to the change in commercial conditions their con- tracts with mining companies and railroad corporations were not renewed after 1905 and they turned their attention to the management of other holdings. They are now wholesalers of limestone and the business is operated by Jervis Langdon, who is executor of his father's estate, as well as trustee of the estate of Samuel L. Clemens (Mark Twain). He is also a partner in the Chemung Coal Company, a large retail organization.
On October 2, 1902, Mr. Langdon was married to Miss Eleanor Sayles, and they have two children: Jervis, Jr., who is nineteen years of age and is a student at Cornell University; and Eleanor, who is attending Shipley School at Bryn Mawr. Mr. Langdon is a member of the Park Congregational church and gives his political support to the republican party. He was a member of the city council for two terms and for several years was president of the board of managers of the Binghamton State Hospital for the Insane. He is a member of the University Club and the Cornell Club of New York city and belongs to the City, Country and Rotary Clubs of Elmira. His record sustains the high reputation which has always been borne by the family, and in person, in talents and in achievements he is a worthy scion of his race.
JAMES W. COWAN, D. D. S., M. D. S.
Outside of the practice of his profession as a dentist, which Dr. James W. Cowan has been practicing for thirty-seven years at Geneseo, Livingston county, New York, where he has built up a large practice through his skill and thoroughness, Doctor Cowan finds a stimulant in history. That explains his interest in the compilation of the war history of Livingston county, a work upon which he is now engaged.
James W. Cowan was born July 9, 1863, in Guelph, Province of Ontario, Canada, and received his early education in the public schools, attended the high school in his native place, and the Royal School of Gunnery at Kingston, Ontario. The Doctor's professional studies were pursued in the United States, at Baltimore, Maryland, where he received his D. D. S. degree from the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery and was graduated in the class of 1887. Immediately after this Doctor Cowan located at Geneseo and has been in practice there ever since. In 1888 Doctor Cowan was awarded the degree of Master of Dental Surgery by the Dental Society of New York.
Doctor Cowan was married on June 25, 1890, to Alice M. McCurdy of Ossian, Livingston county, New York. The two children born to them are: Margaret, wife of B. H. DeMotte of Millington, New Jersey; and Paul M., now studying civil engineer- ing at the Ohio Northern University, at Ada, Ohio. He was a quartermaster in the United States navy during the entire period of the World war. He belongs to the Seventh District Dental Society, is a member of the American Dental Association, and of the New York State Dental Society. Fraternally Doctor Cowan is a Mason. His religious connection is with the Presbyterian church, and his political ideals are those of the republican party.
RAYMOND DAVID BURCH.
A man of progressive ideas and enterprising spirit, Raymond D. Burch has "made good" and his name is an influential one in business circles of Rochester in connection with the automobile trade, with which he has been identified for the past sixteen years, working his way upward through the substantial qualities of industry and perseverance. He was born in Rome, Oneida county, New York, May 15, 1878, and is a son of Herbert and Arabella (Barringer) Burch, who are also natives of the Empire state, and both are living. The ancestral record is traced to the colonial period in American history and the Burch family was first established in Stonington, Con- necticut. Agricultural pursuits have always claimed Mr. Burch's attention. Mr. and Mrs. Burch are the parents of three children: Mrs. Bertha Ford, Mrs. Daisy Colatz and Raymond D. of this review.
Raymond David Burch obtained his education in the country schools of Oneida county and his first knowledge of business methods was gained in a clerical capacity:
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He was connected with mercantile affairs for twenty years and in 1907 became identi- fied with the automobile business at Watertown, New York. He arrived in Rochester in 1909 and acted for a time as salesman for a local automobile agency, later joining a firm operating a line of sightseeing cars. He spent some years in Flint and Detroit, Michigan, the center of the automobile industry, and in 1916 again took up the sales end of the business. In 1918 he accepted the position of manager for the Adrian H. Boyce Company, Chevrolet dealers, and following the death of Mr. Boyce, in 1922, established the Burch-Buell Chevrolet Corporation, opening salesrooms at No. 360 East avenue, in Rochester. Douglass Buell is secretary of the company, and Mr. Burch serves as its president. He has a detailed knowledge of the business, acquired through keen observation and years of practical experience, and closely watches each phase of the trade, knowing that in this age of strong competition every point must be carefully safeguarded. He has surrounded himself with a corps of capable assistants and under his judicious management the business is making satisfactory progress, each year marking a notable increase in the volume of sales.
Mr. Burch was married in Rome, New York, to Miss Mary Joplin, and they became the parents of two children: Herbert N. and Elsie M., both natives of that city. In April, 1919, Mr. Burch was married in Ontario, New York, to Miss Bessie McWhorf, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John McWhorf. By this second marriage Mr. Burch also has two children: Raymond Donald, whose birth occurred February 18, 1921; and Dorathy, born December 6, 1923. Both are natives of Rochester.
Mr. Burch belongs to the Automobile Dealers Association of Rochester, the Auto- mobile Club of this city, and the Rochester Club. He is a member of the Young Men's Christian Association and also belongs to Rochester Lodge No. 24, B. P. O. E. He brings to his various duties in life a broad mind and a keen intelligence, which are the basis of his success, and he enjoys in a marked degree that reward of the honest, upright citizen-the respect and confidence of his fellowmen.
DAYTON MAHAFFEY.
Dayton Mahaffey, the president of Mahaffey Brothers, dealers in oils, is a man who has built up a business from small beginnings and is now proving his ability as a business man of more than ordinary accomplishments. He was born in Fassett, Pennsylvania, and educated in the public schools and then started work as a brakeman for the New York Central. He rose to be a conductor and railroaded for eighteen years. Unlike most men in that service, he did not spend his entire life working for others, but started in business with his brother, Boyd Mahaffey, in 1915, when they opened a garage in Corning. Their business grew and in 1922 they started their present enterprise-wholesale jobbers in petroleum products. In two years they have built up a wonderful trade, with five jobbing centers, Corning, Hornell, Elmira and Bath, New York, and Athens, Pennsylvania. Their trade covers Steuben, Allegany, Chemung, Tioga and Schuyler counties, in New York, and Bradford county, Penn- sylvania.
Mr. Mahaffey was married on June 16, 1914, to Sarah Lampman of Dresden, New York, and they have one daughter, Eleanor.
Dayton Mahaffey has made an important place for himself in both the business and club life of Corning. He belongs to the City Club, the Corning Club, the Country Club, the Rotary Club and is a director of the Corning Fish and Game Club. He belongs to Painted Post Lodge, F. & A. M., and is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason. He is also a member of Corning Consistory and Kalurah Temple of Binghamton, New York. He is a republican in politics.
J. LANSING STEWART.
For more than sixty-two years members of the Stewart family have contributed materially toward Rochester's upbuilding and improvement through their operations as general contractors, and the business is now being conducted under the firm style of Stewart & Bennett, Incorporated. Mr. Stewart is one of Rochester's native sons and was born December 23, 1861, his parents being James and Mary Jane (Baird) Stewart, both of whom were natives of Ireland. They migrated to the United States in 1855 and in 1862 the father embarked in the contracting business in Rochester. He
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was one of the pioneers in that field, in which he won and retained a position of leadership, and remained at the head of the business until his death. He was rigidly honest in all of his commercial transactions and enjoyed the reputation of being one of the most reliable and competent men in his business. His death occurred in 1892, while his widow passed away in 1920. They were the parents of six children, namely: Mrs. J. S. Bennett, whose home is in Plattsburgh, New York; Mrs. V. A. Millard of Elmira, this state; Agnes, deceased; Isabella, who is unmarried and lives in Rochester; Mrs. C. C. Culver, of this city; and J. Lansing, of this review.
J. Lansing Stewart attended the public schools of Rochester, and in 1888, when a young man of twenty-seven, became associated with his father in the line of business he has since followed. In 1892 he became president of the firm, then known as J. Lansing Stewart, Contractor and Builder, and continuing the undertaking along modern lines, he has greatly enlarged its scope. The enterprising spirit and high standard of workmanship which enabled the father to lay the foundation of the business and foster its early growth are qualities that have never been passed up by the son, who is not only upholding the traditions of the past, but keeping fully abreast with the times in the rapid progress of building construction. The work done by this company represents the highest degree of efficiency in its line and the firm has gained a reputation that gives it an outstanding position among the construction companies of Rochester. The business was incorporated in 1914 as Stewart & Bennett, Incorporated, with J. Lansing Stewart as president, and Vincent S. Bennett, secretary and treasurer. Mr. Bennett is a grandson of James Stewart and represents the third generation in this business enterprise. The remarkable growth of the corporation is reflected in the large volume of business that it performed in 1923. Mr. Stewart is president of the realty company which bears his name and he has been equally suc- cessful in his operations in that field, for he is a shrewd business man whose plans are carefully formulated and promptly executed.
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