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 77
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(VI) Rufus, son of Jesse (2) and Sarah (Warrener) Warner, was born in Conway, Massachusetts, in 1775, died in Ontario county, New York. He came to the town of Phelps, Ontario county, with his father in 1796, and later settled in the town of Hopewell, same county, where he engaged in farming. He married Hazy Rice, a sister of "Elder Caleb Rice", whose mother was a sister of Rev. John Leland, of New England fame. Children: Two sons and two daughters.
(VII) Hiram, son of Rufus and Hazy (Rice) Warner, was born in the town of Hopewell, Ontario county, New York, in May, 1808, and died in October, 1884. He settled in the town of Phelps, Ontario county, in 1836, purchased a farm and built the residence which is yet occupied by the family. He was a republican and held several of the town offices. While many of the descendants of Jesse Warner have been Bap- tists, this branch belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. He married Mary Jane Knapp, who was born in 1809 and passed away in April, 1889. Children: 1. Maria, married Robert B. Ferguson. 2. Mary Jane, married Edward Aldrich. 3. Rufus, born February 26, 1833, married Charlotte W. Rice. 4. Henry D., of further mention.
(VIII) Henry D., youngest child of Hiram and Mary Jane (Knapp) Warner, was born in the town of Phelps, Ontario county, New York, June 17, 1844, and died on the 4th of June, 1908. He was a prosperous farmer, owning two hundred and five acres and an orchard of fifteen acres. He was a republican in politics, and a member of the Universalist faith. In January, 1875, he married Frances Belle Spear, a great-granddaughter of Allan Spear, who was born in Paisley, Scotland, in 1749, came to New Hampshire in 1774 and participated in the Revolutionary war. Frances Belle (Spear) Warner is also a great-granddaughter of John Price, who came from Frederick, Maryland, to Ontario county, New York, in 1800 and was actively identified with public affairs from that time until his death in 1837. Mr. Price was twice chair- man of the board of supervisors in Ontario county. He was a member of the state legislature from Ontario county continuously from 1814 to 1821, and was for many years associate judge and for a short time county judge of Ontario county by appoint- ment to fill a vacancy. His daughter, Susan Price, married Allan Spear (II). They had five children, one of whom, James Allan Spear, married Mary Belle Baggerly and had two children, Theodore and Frances Belle. The latter married Henry D. Warner and is the mother of Earle S. Warner, the subject of this sketch. The children of Henry D. and Frances Belle (Spear) Warner are three in number, namely: Belle W.,
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who married Charles J. Carr of Dayton, Ohio; Earle S .; and Theodore Henry, who was born May 16, 1889, and who married Veda May Esty of Phelps, New York.
(IX) Earle Spear Warner, eldest son and second child of Henry D. and Frances Belle (Spear) Warner, was born in Phelps, Ontario county, New York, August 12, 1880. His early and preparatory education was obtained in the public schools. He then entered Hobart College, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Letters as a member of the class of 1902. Choosing the profession of law he entered the law department of Cornell University, which conferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of Laws at his graduation in 1905. He was admitted to the bar of New York state in the same year, and in January, 1906, opened an office in Phelps, where he continues in the practice of law. He was appointed as attorney for the village of Phelps in 1908 and has served continuously in that capacity until the present time. He was actively identified with the organization of the Phelps National Bank in 1910, and is one of its directors. He has served on the board of education and also as president of the village of Phelps. He was president of the Phelps Home Defense Corps, president of the Phelps War Chest Association and president of the Phelps War Savings Association during the World war, and served as director of War Savings for Ontario county from 1918 until 1920. At the close of the World war he inspired and organized the Phelps Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Corporation. In June, 1919, he was appointed clerk of the board of supervisors of Ontario county; also county attorney for Ontario county and has served as such clerk and county attorney since the original appointment. Mr. Warner is a republican in politics and a member of the Universalist church.
On the 26th of November, 1907, Warner was married to Selma, daughter of Charles H. and Lucretia (Dillingham) Holbrook. Fraternally he is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and with the Masons, belonging to Sincerity Lodge, No. 20, F. & A. M., of Phelps; Newark Chapter, R. A. M .; Geneva Commandery, No. 29, K. T .; and Damascus Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Rochester. He is also a member of Theta Delta Chi and Phi Delta Phi, a legal fraternity.
HOMER KNAPP.
Homer Knapp, a well known builder, who for the past thirty-six years has been successfully identified with Rochester's building operations as a general con- tractor, is the president of the Rochester Composite Brick Company, the Genesee Valley Realty Company and the Composite Sales Corporation. He was born in Big Flats, Steuben county, New York, on the 29th of March, 1858, his parents being George W. and Josephine L. (Haskell) Knapp, who were natives of Delaware and New Hampshire, respectively.
In early boyhood Homer Knapp began his education as a public school student in Steuben county and later attended the Corning Free Academy, from which institu- tion he was graduated in 1876. His initial step into the business world acquainted him with the trade of carpentering and subsequently he also learned the mason's trade spending about three years in this way. During this period he also enjoyed addi- tional school advantages. In Corning, New York, Mr. Knapp entered upon an independent business career as a contractor and builder, doing mason work as well as carpentering and in fact, constructing the buildings from cellar to garret. It was in 1887 that he established his home in Rochester and through the intervening years he has been associated with the building operations of the city as a contractor. Various important contracts have been awarded him and beautiful residences, fine churches and substantial business houses are proof of his knowledge of the business and his painstaking care in the execution of the work. He has also been awarded contracts on various public buildings and has won an enviable reputation for his faithfulness and trustworthiness. Among the more important structures erected by Mr. Knapp are: The Masonic Temple, Seneca Hotel, Strong building, Brick Church Institute, German United Trinity church, East Side Presbyterian church, Third Church Parish House, No. 36 public school, No. 18 public school, No. 28 public school, Ironde- quoit school, Haskin Art Glass building, Kelsa Laundry Company building, M. E. Monahan & Son building, Oak Hill Country Club, American Fruit Product Company building, Y. M. C. A., Irondequoit Country Club, Dewey Avenue Presbyterian church, St. Johns Mission, No. 1 public school, Spencer Ripley Methodist Episcopal church. And the residences of H. E. Corey, Dr. N. M. Collins, Dr. E. J. Bissell, Charles H. Wanzer, Charles P. Schlegel, A. O. Finn, S. G. Curtis, Fred W. Zoller, W. G. Stuber,
HOMER KNAPP
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Thos. F. Adkin, William Eastwood, M. D. Knapp, Charles Stern, R. E. Martin of Allens Creek, L. G. Wetmore, John G. Elbs, Dr. George H. Gage, Jas. E. Kelso, Leon L. Benham, J. E. Bryan, Geo. B. Garrison, Maurice F. Geer, Dr. Albert C. Snell, Phillip Present, W. H. Rowerdink, Ogden R. Adams, and John C. Woodbury. The posi- tion of prominence which he has attained in the business circles of his adopted city is indicated in the fact that he is now at the head of the Rochester Composite Brick Company, the Genesee Valley Realty Company and the Composite Sales Corporation, the last named being an extensive brick manufacturing concern.
On the 2d of January, 1885, Mr. Knapp was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Graham of Corning, New York, daughter of Joseph Graham. Mr. and Mrs. Knapp became the parents of three children: Horace, who died in infancy; Emma J., who is the wife of Ralph H. Hellancamp of Rochester; and Mildred H., who gave her hand in marriage to Harold Shulc of this city.
Mr. Knapp is well known in republican circles and while his aspirations are not in the line of political preferment he does what he can for the interests of his friends who seek advancement in official lines. During the years 1913 and 1914 he served as county chairman of the progressive party. Through the period of the World war he took an active part in all Liberty Loan drives, in the work of the Young Men's Christian Association and in the Community Chest and War Savings. Stamps campaigns. He makes generous contribution to the support of all religious. denominations and fraternally has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in Masonry, belonging to Genesee Falls Lodge No. 507, A. F. & A. M., of which he is a life member; Ionic Chapter, R. A. M .; Cyrene Commandery, K. T .; Rochester Consistory, A. & A. S. R .; and Damascus Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is likewise identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Knapp is a member of the Builders Exchange; has been president of the Rochester Carpenters Association, and one of its trustees for many years; and also belongs to the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, while in club circles he is well known as a member of the Rotary Club, the Rochester Auto Club, and the Rochester Ad Club. A long time resident of the Genesee country, his record is inseparably interwoven with its annals, and for more than a third of a century Rochester has numbered him among her representative and prosperous busi- ness men and highly esteemed citizens.
CHARLES SWAN, JR.
Charles Swan, Jr., one of Elmira's substantial business men, has always remained loyal to his native city and represents a family whose members have figured promi- nently in local insurance circles for more than seven decades. His parents, Charles and Lucretia Angeline (Randall) Swan, were married in Kirkwood, Illinois, in 1857, and ten children were born to them, four of whom are deceased. The mother was born near Rutland, Vermont, in 1837, and is now living in Washington, D. C. The. father was born near Warwick, New York, in 1828 and passed away in 1902, when seventy-four years of age. He served as superintendent of schools of Chemung county and embarked in the insurance business in 1853. He founded the firm of Swan & Sons and successfully conducted the business until his death. He was a man of strict integrity and stood deservedly high in the esteem of his fellow citizens. He. was allied with the democratic party and his life was governed by the teachings of the Presbyterian church. He was a son of William Swan, who was born in Orange county, New York, and fought in the War of 1812. His father, William Swan, Sr., was born near Glasgow, Scotland, and defended American interests in the Revolu- tionary war.
Charles Swan, Jr., received his education in Elmira, attending the public schools and the Free Academy. He entered his father's insurance office after completing his studies and after the death of its founder the business was continued by the two sons, Charles and Frederick W. Swan, until May 1, 1920, when they admitted Hume Morss as a member of the corporation, changing the name to that of Swan & Sons- Morss Company, Incorporated. They sell all lines of insurance except life and the business is the oldest of the kind in the city. It was reared upon the foundation of honest, straightforward dealing and has always maintained a position of leadership in this field. Frederick Swan is vice president of the company and Charles Swan, Jr., is filling the office of president. They are enterprising, reliable business men and
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worthy successors of their father. Charles Swan, Jr., is also a director of the Che- mung Valley Mutual Loan Association.
On November 25, 1912, Mr. Swan was married to Miss May Maxon, a native of Augusta, Kentucky, and a daughter of Edward C. and Maude (Cushing) Maxon. Ed- ward C. Maxon was connected in an editorial capacity with leading newspapers of Kentucky and Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Swan have a son: Charles Swan (III), who was born in February, 1914. Mrs. Swan is a member of the Episcopal church and her husband is a Presbyterian in religious faith. He is a Knights Templar Mason, an Elk, has passed through all the chairs in the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and belongs to the Masonic, Rotary, City, Century and Country Clubs and the Sons of the American Revolution. In politics he is a democrat.
FREDERIC H. HILL.
Broad experience as a civil engineer well qualified Frederic H. Hill for the responsible office of manager of the Elmira Water, Light & Heat Company, and the high standard attained in the operation of this important public utility is eloquent of his capacity for such service. He was born in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania, February 17, 1879, a son of the Rev. John F. and Margaret (Guthrie) Hill, the latter a native of Butler county, that state, in which their marriage occurred. The father was born in Armstrong, Pennsylvania, and completed a course in Washington & Jefferson Col- lege when a youth of eighteen. He next became a student in a theological seminary and was graduated at the age of twenty-one. He at once entered the min- istry and was at first a Covenanter, later becoming a Presbyterian. He was a potent force in the moral progress of the communities in which he resided and exemplified in his life the true spirit of Christianity. He was a strong prohibitionist and organ- ized the Temperance League in the church. His father, John Hill, was one of the pioneer educators of Pennsylvania. The maternal grandfather, Thomas Guthrie, engaged in the practice of medicine and was also a minister in the Church of the Covenant.
Frederic H. Hill is a member of a family of seven children, four of whom survive. He received his academic training in Washington and Jefferson College, from which he was graduated in 1900, and two years later Pittsburgh University conferred upon him the degree of Civil Engineer. His first position was in the engineering depart- ment of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, with which he was connected for five years, and later he was associated with firms engaged in railroad construction. He next entered the private practice of his profession, specializing in that branch of engineering which pertains to fuel consumption, and in May, 1913, he assumed the duties of manager of the Elmira Water, Light & Heat Company. He brought to his work in this connection executive ability as well as technical skill and his services are of great value to the public. Mr. Hill is constantly striving to broaden his field of usefulness and devotes much thought and study to his work. In 1916 he perfected a system of mixing natural gas with the manufactured product and in 1923 installed the plant, which was one of the first to use this process in the United States.
On October 12, 1907, Mr. Hill was married to Miss Frances Jackson, who was born in Wilmington, Delaware, and received her education in Northampton, Massa- chusetts. They have two daughters: Lucy Askew, a student at Elmira Academy; and Margaret Guthrie. Mr. and Mrs. Hill are members of the Lake Street Presby- terian church and he is one of its trustees. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and Shriner and also belongs to Elmira Grotto, in which he holds office. He is con- nected with the Masonic Club, the Elmira City and Country Clubs, and the Engineers Club of New York city. He is a charter member of the local Rotary Club and is also identified with the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.
JEREMIAH COLLINS.
Jeremiah Collins, deputy sheriff of Wayne county, has been continuously identified with this office for a period of forty-one years-a notable record of long and faithful service-and his work has been of inestimable value to the law-abiding citizens of this section of the state. He was born in Lyons, New York, March 10, 1856, a son of Cornelius and Ellen (McCarthy) Collins, both of whom were natives of Ireland. They
FREDERIC H. HILL
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were married in Wayne county, near Lyons, and became the parents of six children, five sons and a daughter. Three sons are living and the subject of this sketch is the oldest of the children. As a young man the father settled in Rose and for many years followed the occupation of farming, passing away at the venerable age of ninety-three.
Jeremiah Collins attended the public schools of Lyons and when a boy of ten obtained work on the farm of H. G. Hotchkiss, in whose employ he remained for some time. On the 4th of January, 1883, when a young man of twenty-seven, he was appointed deputy sheriff of Wayne county, and has since been connected with that office, serving as sheriff from 1907 to 1910 and from 1913 until 1916. He has always been conscientious and efficient in the discharge of his duties and his long retention in office is indisputable proof of the worth of his services. He has also filled other public positions of trust and responsibility, acting as excise commissioner for the town of Lyons, and during the tenure of office of Judge Sawyer was truant officer in all of the towns of Wayne county.
On May 5, 1878, Mr. Collins was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Quigley, a daughter of Thomas Quigley of Galen, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Collins have four children: The firstborn, Cornelius J., was married to L. Braemer of Lyons. He is connected with the Trinchere Lumber Company and resides in Russell, Colorado; Catherine is a dressmaker and resides at home; Teresa is a professional nurse and lives in Buffalo, New York; Frederick Emmet is a member of the firm of Holloway & Collins, engaged in the clothing business in Newark, Wayne county. During the World war he joined the Engineers Corps of the United States army and remained in the service for nine months. He was stationed at Camp Upton for a time, going from there to Virginia, and was discharged with the rank of second lieutenant.
Mr. Collins also contributed his services to the government, working tirelessly to promote the sale of Liberty bonds and thrift stamps. He is a member of St. Michael's Catholic church and along fraternal lines is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is a stanch republican in politics and in 1908 was a delegate to the state convention of the party. He has to his credit an exceptionally fine record as a public official and is recognized as a man of strict integrity, whom neither fear nor favor can swerve from the course which he believes to be right. He has a wide acquaintance in Wayne county and the sterling traits of his character have estab- lished him high in public regard.
NELSON SAGE.
Nelson Sage is an active factor in the industrial development of western New York as president and general manager of the Rochester Button Company, one of the large manufacturing concerns of this city, with which he has been continuously identified for more than two decades and of which he has been at the head since 1916. He is a native son of Rochester and a representative of one of the old and honored families of the city. He was born on the 19th of April, 1872, his parents being John Lake and Marion M. (Jones) Sage, both of whom were natives of the Empire state, the former born in Rochester and the latter in Saratoga. John L. Sage was engaged in the shoe manufacturing business on an extensive scale, and when he passed away in Rochester in 1911 the city mourned the loss of one of its prominent and highly respected citizens. His widow, who still makes her home in Rochester, enjoys an extensive and favorable acquaintance here. Their family numbered three children, two of whom survive, Frances Elizabeth and Nelson.
In the acquirement of an education Nelson Sage attended the grade schools of his native city and also pursued a course of study in the Rochester Free Academy. After putting aside his textbooks he became associated with his father in the shoe manufacturing industry, continuing in that line of business for seven years. On the expiration of that period, in 1903, he disposed of his interest therein and became financially connected with the Rochester Button Company, which he first served in a modest capacity. With the passing years he made steady progress, advancing from one position to another of increased responsibility and importance until in 1916 ne was chosen president and general manager of the concern. The enterprise has con- tinued to grow and prosper under his capable control and Mr. Sage has long enjoyed an enviable reputation as one of the representative and successful manufacturers of the city. He is also identified with financial interests as a director of the Merchants Bank of Rochester.
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Mr. Sage belongs to the Genesee Valley Club, the Rochester Club, the Washing- ton Club and the Automobile Club of Rochester, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the First Baptist church, of which he is a trustee. He has always lived in Rochester and that his career has measured up to high and creditable standards is indicated in the fact that the associates of his boyhood and youth are still numbered among his stanch friends and admirers.
SAMUEL G. H. TURNER.
Many of the leaders in the business and financial world of Elmira are native sons, whose ability and enterprise have been used for the benefit of the city, which owes much to their loyalty and public spirit. Of this number is Samuel G. H. Turner, who serves as president of the Second National Bank and has also achieved success and prominence in other walks of life. He was born June 18, 1878, and his parents were Robert T. and Helen (Boyd) Turner, both of whom were of American ancestry and the father was one of the well known attorneys of Elmira, gaining high standing in his profession.
Samuel G. H. Turner attended the grammar and high schools of Elmira and later matriculated in Union College, Schenectady, New York, which in 1898 conferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He next became a student at the Albany Law School and was graduated with the class of 1900. In the same year he was admitted to the state bar and at once entered upon the practice of law in Elmira, successfully following his profession for thirteen years. In December, 1913, Mr. Turner was elected president of the Second National Bank, of which he has since been the executive head, wisely directing the policy of that institution, which under his able administration has grown and prospered. It is regarded as one of the most substantial and conservative banks in this part of the state, and the other officers of the institution are: Elwood B. Crocker, vice president; M. Y. Smith, cashier; Roy B. Delo and Pierson H. Salmon, assistant cashiers; and O. N. Reynolds, trust officer. In addition to his financial activities Mr. Turner also acts as president of the Shepard Electric Crane & Hoist Company of Montour Falls, New York; vice president of the Lowman Construction Company of Elmira and the Elmira Foundry Company; and a chairman of the board of the Corona Typewriter Company of Groton, New York; a director of the Thatcher Manufacturing Company of this city, the Elmira Water, Light & Railway Company, and of several other industrial and financial corporations.
During the World war Mr. Turner was chairman of the committee which had charge of the Liberty Loan campaign for the Elmira district and in all the patriotic drives and movements he was actively engaged. His interest in the welfare and progress of his community is deep and sincere and for two years he was a valued member of the Elmira board of education. He is treasurer of the Allied Charities of Elmira and for the past twelve years has filled a similar office with the Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Turner was married on June 15, 1907, to Miss Maude MacCaul of Appleton, Wisconsin, and they are the parents of four children: Hathaway, Lucy, Alexander MacCaul and Helen Elizabeth. Mr. Turner is a member of the City, Country and Rotary Clubs of Elmira, and is also a Mason.
PERRY EDWIN FELLOWS.
Among the prominent and progressive business men of Rochester who are de- serving of individual mention in this work is Perry Edwin Fellows, president, treasurer and manager of The Gillies Lithographing & Printing Company. A native of Orleans county, New York, he was born August 12, 1872, the son of Darius and Clara (Perry) Fellows, both of whom were likewise natives of the Empire state. The father was a man of the old school, honest, hard-working and conscientious, and withal successful in his calling of a farmer. A man of high principles and exemplary conduct, he was much honored by all of his neighbors and acquaintances. Both he and his wife have passed away.
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