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 75
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Mr. Robins was president of the Farm Mortgage Bankers Association of Amer- ica; president and treasurer of the Associated Mortgage Investors of Rochester; a director of Sibley, Lindsay & Curr Company, Rochester; director of the Security Trust Company, Rochester; a director of the Alberta Flour Mills, Ltd., and a director and treasurer of the Round T. Ranch & Highwood Land Company, Alberta. He was second vice president of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce and member of various committees; a director of the Y. M. C. A., chairman of industrial committee and trus- tee of endowment funds; a director and secretary of the Highland Hospital; a trustee, treasurer and member of finance committee of University of Rochester; a director of Western New York Institution for Deaf Mutes; a member of Rochester Anti- Tuberculosis Committee; a director, treasurer, member executive committee of the Provident Loan Society; vestryman, member of finance committee and other commit- tees of St. Paul's church; and trustee of Church Extension Society. He was a member of the University Club; Archaeological Society; American Economic Asso- ciation; American Geographical Society; Canadian Alpine Club; National Club of Toronto; Harvard Club of New York; Genesee Valley Club of Rochester; Country Club of Rochester; Fortnightly of Rochester; American Academy of Political and Social Science. He was the author of "The Farm Mortgage Handbook," Doubleday, Page and Company, 1916, and made contributions on financial topics to Scribner's, Trust Companies, Annalist, and various other financial magazines.
The short, yet vivid and complete life of Kingman Nott Robins, briefly outlined, was typical of all that was best and most attractive in American young manhood. In a very few years he made a distinct and lasting contribution to the farm mortgage business in its local and national aspects; to economic education through his writ- ings; and to the civic, religious and social life of the community in which he lived, by his compelling personality, his character and high ideals, his quick and generous sympathy and cooperation. The following quotations will estimate his achievement, revealing the place he held in the minds and hearts of those with whom he was associated.
The following editorial appeared in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: "The death of Mr. Robins is a sad loss to a host of friends outside of his intimate family circle and business associates. He was a successful business man, but far better than that he was a successful American citizen in the finest sense of the term. In personal as well as in business relations and in public affairs he enjoyed the confi- dence and esteem of all those who possessed his acquaintanceship. It can be truth- fully said he was cut down in the flower of his usefulness. A hasty sketch of his business and public connections cannot do justice to his clean-cut character, his high ideals, or the splendid example he set for others. His career is an inspiration to any young man who is desirous of making the most of his natural gifts and of
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being of real service to the community. There are compensations for his early loss in the thought that he made the most of his time, that he lived a full, well-rounded life, and that neither he nor those attached to him ever had any occasion for mourning over wasted years. Life to him was an opportunity which he employed to the utmost. Instead of permitting heavy business responsibilities to narrow his outlook he found more time for public service than many men who are concerned only with petty affairs and yet who plead that they have no time for anything outside the daily round. His memory will be cherished by all who came in contact with him in any way, and his name will be entered on the scroll of those who reflect honor on the city of their home."
The following quotation is from the memorial address read before the Farm Mortgage Bankers Association: "He was one of the original few interested in the organization of a national association for farm mortgage bankers. On May 7th and 8th, 1914, at the Hotel Astor in New York, he presided at the meetings which resulted in the organization of the Farm Mortgage Bankers Association. It was he who gave us the constitution and by-laws of the association, which were so well drafted that very few changes have been made. He was elected vice president of the association at the first meeting, and was one of the officers of the association continuously from the time of its organization to the time of his death .. He helped plan and execute our legislative campaigns, and was always present in Washington when needed in working for the legislation which he thought would benefit farm credits.
"The memory of Kingman Nott Robins is one of the sweet blessings of my life. If my assisting efforts in the organization, growth and management of this associa- tion brought me no other reward than the friendship of Kingman Nott Robins, I have been richly blessed and well paid. His lovable nature, his refined, dignified, inviting manners, his analytical mind, his knowledge of psychology and economics, his value of men and things, his judgments based on careful consideration, were all magnets drawing people to him-establishing relationships of friendship inspired by confi- dence. We all know where Mr. Robins stood-always for the Golden Rule and service to others. He never envied his competitors, but rather was ever ready to boost, and never tolerated the idea of destruction-a most refreshing character in this busy, aggressive, competitive world. His living example to his competitors was an influence in our lives which did more to raise our standards as his competitors and as competitors of each other than any other man among us.
"As an original thinker in farm credits and taxation economics, he laid the foun- dation for our association's activities in bringing the public to the realizaton that tax exemption of securities relieved the rich and burdened the small property holders, accomplishing just the reverse of what the legislation was intended to do.
"He was a recognized economist among the best economists in our country. His contribution to education was putting into action his belief that all people should understand economics and the fundamental laws. We loved him the more for fighting for his conception of what was right and best for all the people rather than sup- porting the demagogue politician's popular fancy 'to advocate that which made the most votes.' He was a true American citizen-proud of his pioneer ancestors who fought for education, progress and American citizenship.
"The management of his own business was sufficient to take all the time of an average successful business man, but he devoted days and weeks to our association's affairs, and when at home, his interest in church, educational, charitable and public welfare organizations consumed more of his time and energy than was good for his own health. Too great willingness to work and carry responsibilities for others sapped his vitality. He lived his life of usefulness, radiated happiness and optim- ism and laid in his short life foundations for future superstructures to be erected by others. These foundations of work and giving will be lasting influences not only upon us but upon others following us."
CASSIUS A. PHILLIPS.
Cassius A. Phillips has been in continuous practice of law in Elmira for a period of forty-one years. He was born in Milford, Otsego county, New York, June 3, 1860, a son of John F. and Lucy J. (Slingerland) Phillips, who were also natives of that county, in which they were married. They were the parents of two children, one of whom is deceased. The father served an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade and followed that occupation for a number of years, afterward turning his attention to
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agricultural pursuits. He was an adherent of the democratic party but never aspired to public office. He passed away in Otsego county. His wife died March 26, 1924. She was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church and formerly took an active part in its work.
Cassius A. Phillips received his academic training in Otsego county and studied law in the offices of Baldwin & Baldwin, prominent attorneys of Elmira. He was ad- mitted to the bar in 1883 and began the practice of law with E. C. Van Duzer, with whom he was associated for ten years. For a time he was in the office of Erwin J. and F. E. Baldwin but for the past twenty years has been alone in practice, spe- cializing in land titles and is regarded as an authority on this department of the law. He has been attorney for the Chemung Valley Mutual Loan Association.
In 1886 Mr. Phillips was united in marriage to Miss Kate Baldwin, a sister of Erwin J. Baldwin and a daughter of John J. and Sally M. (Beardsley) Baldwin, the former a native of Delaware county, New York, and the latter of Connecticut. Mr. Baldwin was a blacksmith and resided for many years in Otego, New York. He died in Elmira. Mr. Phillips gives his political support to the republican party and at one time was deputy county clerk. He is an earnest member of the Hedding Meth- odist Episcopal church and served for many years as one of its trustees.
J. NORTON WOOD.
From an early age J. Norton Wood has fought life's battles unaided and to his own efforts is due the success which he now enjoys. For thirty-five years Elmira has numbered him among its citizens and a large productive industry is the visible result of his constructive labors and initiative spirit. His standing in his community is indicated by the fact that his fellow citizens have called him to the office of mayor, which he is now filling, and he has also rendered other public services of an important character. He was born in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, February 3, 1874, a son of Solomon and Emma (Doty) Wood, who were also natives of that county. They were married in Elmira and became the parents of ten children, six of whom survive. The father followed the occupation of farming and subsequently became the proprietor of a general store in Chandlersburg, Pennsylvania. He served three years in the Civil war, during which time he was wounded. He gave his political support to the candidates of the republican party. The mother was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
The public schools of Pennsylvania afforded J. Norton Wood his educational privileges and when twelve years of age he left home and secured work on a farm. Subsequently he served an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, and in 1889, when a youth of fifteen, he arrived in Elmira. For some time he was employed in a planing mill, where he took a keen interest in the business and utilized every opportunity to increase his knowledge of the details connected with its operation. In 1908 he felt that his experience was sufficient to enable him to conduct a business of his own and accordingly he established a plant for the manufacture of sash, doors and interior woodwork. The business is now incorporated under the name of J. N. Wood & Com- pany and is capitalized at one hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Wood is president and treasurer of the firm and under his able guidance the business has grown rapidly. The company finds a ready market for its output and the industry ranks with the largest of the kind in this locality. Mr. Wood also has other business interests, being a director of the Chemung Valley Loan Association.
On the 2d of March, 1898, Mr. Wood was married to Miss Maude Alice Hill, a native of Chemung county, and they have become the parents of five children: Meryl Norton, a city employe, who married Vera Tong and they are the parents of three daughters and one son; Howard Milton, who is connected with his father's business; Helen Gertrude, who is in the service of the American LaFrance Fire Engine Com- pany; Ida Josephine, who is identified with a local ice company; and Francis Lemuel, who is a public school pupil. Mrs. Wood is a Baptist in religious faith and an earnest worker in behalf of the church.
Mr. Wood is a stanch republican in his political views and an active worker in the ranks of the party. His public spirit is denoted by his keen interest in civic affairs and as school commissioner he has done much to improve educational facili- ties in Elmira. In 1921 he was the people's choice for mayor and indorsement of his first term's service resulted in his reelection in 1923. He lends the weight of his influence to every measure of reform and progress, never placing personal benefit
J. NORTON WOOD
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before the general good, and in the discharge of his official duties he displays the qualities which have made him a successful business man. He served as president of Union No. 532 of the Carpenters & Joiners of America and was also secretary of the local union of the Federation of Labor. He is a trustee of the Salvation Army and a director of the Young Men's Christian Association and the Chamber of Com- merce. He is an Elk and a Mason and both he and his wife are identified with the Order of the Eastern Star, in the work of which she takes an active part. Mr. Wood is a director of Cashmere Grotto and belongs to the Masonic Club, the Century Club, and the City and Country Clubs.
CLAUDE PITTS.
The Ingersoll-Rand Company, Incorporated, of Painted Post, has a number of able executives who have been with the concern for many years and not the least of these is Claude Pitts, chief engineer of the company. He is a man who has worked his way up from the ranks and learned his business step by step, until today he ranks with the best engineers in the vicinity.
Claude Pitts is a native of Painted Post and attended the schools of this town. He showed an interest in engineering at an early age and studied nights, and after school days kept up his study. His first position was with the Western Engine Com- pany, for whom he worked for two years, until the death of Mr. Weston, when the plant was closed. He then put in a year with the Silsby Fire Engine Company and following that shifted to the concern with which he has been prominently identified since. From 1901 to 1903 he was with Ingersoll-Rand's Tarrytown plant but since then he has been in Painted Post. He began on the lowest rung on the ladder and learned the work by practical application and in 1910 was made chief engineer.
Mr. Pitts has always taken a great interest in school matters and served on the Painted Post school board for five years. He is a republican in politics but more interested in education than in partisan disputes. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, past master of Montour Lodge, No. 117, Painted Post, and of Corning Consistory. He is a member of the Corning Country Club and also belongs to the Elmira Country Club and the Automobile Club. His patriotic service during the World war was to assist in the war work done by the Ingersoll-Rand Company, Incorporated.
On October 25, 1902, Mr. Pitts was married to Theodora Corey, and they have two sons: Leonel C. and Claude Pitts, Jr. Leonel is a junior (1924) at the University of Michigan, although only nineteen years of age. He is taking an engineering course. The parents of Claude Pitts were James H. and Mary (Houghtailing) Pitts, both natives of New York state. His father was in the lumber business for many years and now resides with Mrs. Pitts in Painted Post, where both are enjoying well earned rest in their latter years.
JUDGE DAVID N. HELLER.
Few public officials of Elmira have made a more notable record than David N. Heller, who for seventeen years has faithfully discharged the duties of municipal judge, and the city is proud to claim him as one of its native sons. He was born January 29, 1866, and his parents were Charles and Mary (Neish) Heller, the former a native of Chemung county and the latter of Delaware county, New York.
The father, Charles Heller, was of German lineage and the mother's ancestors were natives of Scotland. She was a Presbyterian in religious faith and he was a member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Heller was allied with the democratic party and served as a member of the school board of his home district. He was connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his life was devoted to agricultural pursuits. Mr. and Mrs. Heller were married in Chemung county and to their union were born four children, three of whom survive. The paternal grandfather, Michael Heller, removed from Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, to Chemung county, New York, in 1805, and his farm is now included within the corporation limits of Elmira.
David N. Heller received his higher education in Cornell University, from which he won the degree of B. L. in 1888, and also devoted a year to postgraduate work in the law department of that institution. For a few months he read law in the office of
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the firm of Reynolds, Stanchfield & Collin and in 1890 was admitted to the bar. He was connected with the surrogate court for three years and in 1893 was elected county clerk, holding that position until 1897. In that year he became a member of the firm of Taylor, Heller & O'Connor, which was continued until 1904, when Mr. Taylor was appointed deputy attorney-general. The partnership was then dissolved and Mr. Heller has since practiced alone. He has a thorough knowledge of statute and prece- dent and has been intrusted with much important litigation. In 1907 he was the people's choice for judge of the city court and five successive reelections at four-year intervals have continued him in that office. He has twice been endorsed by all parties. In that time countless cases have been brought before him and the ability and equity with which he has administered the law have won him the respect of the entire community.
On April 19, 1911, Judge Heller was united in marriage to Miss Julia Weyer, a native of Elmira and a daughter of J. Phillip Weyer, a well known brick manufac- turer of this city. The Judge is a member of the Park Congregational church and his fraternal relations are with the Masons and the Knights of Pythias. He is a stanch democrat in his political views and became a member of the state assembly in 1899. He belongs to the Masonic and Country Clubs, and along professional lines is connected with the New York State and American Bar Associations, and the Chemung County Bar Association, of which he is past president.
ALVAH GRIFFIN STRONG.
Alvah Griffin Strong, head of Alvah G. Strong, Incorporated, of Rochester, comes of ancestry honorable and distinguished, and is a worthy representative of one of Rochester's most prominent families. He was born in New York city, Septem- ber 4, 1900, and bears a name that is woven into the very texture of Rochester's his- tory, representing a family whose members for generations have projected upon the city a force that has been far-reaching in its consequences and most beneficial in its effects. His father, Henry G. Strong, was born in Rochester in July, 1873, a son of Henry A. and Helen (Griffin) Strong and a grandson of Alvah Strong, for whom the Alvah Strong Hall of the Rochester Theological Seminary has been named, while his uncle, Dr. Augustus Hopkins Strong, was president emeritus of that institution. Henry G. Strong spent two years as a student in the University of Rochester and later attended Yale University as a member of the class of '96 S. Upon his return to Rochester he entered the employ of the Eastman Kodak Company, of which his father was president. In 1909 he assisted in forming the Strong-Crittenden Company, an automobile concern, with showrooms in Clinton avenue, South. Mr. Crittenden withdrew from the business a year or two later and Mr. Strong continued it alone until about 1915, when he became president of Strong Motors, Incorporated. Shortly before his death his latest enterprise was opened-a salesroom and garage of the Cleveland Six-at the former Pierce-Arrow location in East avenue. With others he was instrumental in forming the Cleveland Six Company and was also a director and founder of the Chandler Automobile Company. The Rochester sales branch of the new car was soon to be incorporated as the Harry Strong Company. The first car had been received and was being shown when news of Mr. Strong's serious condi- tion reached Rochester. The formal opening was being postponed until his return. He conducted his business on the employes profit-sharing basis and was the first automo- bile dealer in Rochester to give those in his service the Saturday half holiday, extend- ing this favor to both the office and service station forces. For ten years he had been prominent in automobile activities and was a charter member of the Buffalo Automobile Club and one of the founders of the Rochester Automobile Club, of which latter organization he served as president and at the time of his death, on the 14th of August 1919, was one of the directors. He was also a director of the show com- mittee of the Automobile Trades Association.
In March, 1895, Mr. Henry G. Strong was married to Miss Millie Hoefler of Rochester, and they became the parents of two sons: Alvah Griffin of this review; and Pritchard H. Strong. The wife and mother passed away in June, 1914. On May 31, 1919, Mr. Strong was married to Miss Marion E. Geil, a daughter of the Rev. Henry W. Geil of Rochester. Mr. Strong was a member of the Brick Presby- terian church and a generous contributor to its support and also to many philanthropic projects. He enjoyed golf and was a member of the Rochester and Oak Hill Country Clubs. He also belonged to the Genesee Valley Club, the Rochester Club, the Psi Upsi-
ALVAH G. STRONG
HENRY G. STRONG
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lon fraternity, and many social organizations in other cities. He had many friends and those with whom he was closely associated entertained for him the strongest and deepest regard, for he possessed a warm heart, a sympathetic nature and a sense of humor that made him a welcome member of any gathering.
In the acquirement of an education Alvah Griffin Strong attended the public schools and the Hill Preparatory School, afterward becoming a student in the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University, from which he was called to Los Angeles, Cali- fornia, by the death of his father, whose body he brought back to Rochester for burial. On January 1, 1922, Mr. Strong was one of the organizers of C. C. Hall, Incorporated, dealers in evaporated apples, of which he is vice president. He is now also serving as president of the Fruit Valley Corporation, manufacturers of fruit syrup, and under his management and direction the industry is constantly expanding. In 1924 Mr. Strong founded Alvah G. Strong, Incorporated, a real estate holding and brokerage company, of which he is president. Since 1923 he has been one of the owners and treasurer of the George W. Stafford Motor Company, Incorporated, local distributors of the Cunningham and the Jordan motor cars. One of Mr. Strong's business interests that has been rapidly expanded is that of stock breeding. Begin- ning in a modest way on Alasa Farms in Genesee county, to breed thoroughbred milking shorthorn cattle, he headed his herd with Bessboro Musician, junior champion at the Rochester Exposition in 1924 and one of the finest sires of that breed in the country. It was largely to allow for the expansion of this industry that Mr. Strong transferred the location of Alasa Farms by his purchase in September, 1924, of the noted Shaker Tract Farm of sixteen hundred acres, on the south shore of Sodus Bay. This purchase represents one of the largest and most important transfers of farm property that has taken place in the Genesee country in years. The immense acreage includes two hundred and twenty-five acres of apple orchards, eight hundred and forty acres of timber, thirty-six houses, as well as a sawmill and planing mill. The qualities of business leadership displayed by his father and grandfather are traits inherited in full measure by Mr. Strong, who is regarded as one of the most aggressive and enterprising of Rochester's younger business men.
On July 31, 1920, Mr. Strong was married to Miss Marjorie Hall, a daughter of C. C. Hall, a prominent business man of Rochester. Mr. and Mrs. Strong spent their honeymoon in the Golden state and in 1921 they returned to Rochester. They have two daughters: Marjorie Elizabeth, who was born in this city, on the 15th of June, 1921; and Nancy Griffin, born December 8, 1924.
Mr. Strong enjoys the social amenities of life and is a member of the Rochester Country Club, the Oak Hill Country Club, the Rochester Club, the Automobile Club, the Rochester Yacht Club, of which he is vice commodore, the Genesee Valley Club, the Yale Club of New York city and the Phi Gamma Delta Club, also of New York city. He is a member of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce and the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. In Masonry Mr. Strong has attained the thirty-second degree, being a Royal Arch Mason and a Shriner and belonging to the Shrine Lunch Club of Roches- ter, and is an honorary member of Damascus Temple Patrol and Tigris Temple Syra- cuse. Genial and optimistic by nature, Mr. Strong extracts from life the real essence of living and his friends and associates feel for him a peculiar esteem, not only for his abilities but for his democratic ways and genuine qualities of mind and heart. He stands high in business circles of the city, is popular in its social life and worthily sustains the traditions of an honored family name. His residence, "Twin Beeches", now in course of construction in Pittsford, will be one of the very finest of Rochester's suburban homes.
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