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 IV > Part 12
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native of Russia, and was born in Kiev, April 7, 1889. His parents, Gregorio and Shirley Frances Projansky, were prominent residents of that city, where the father was engaged in the lumber business. Both Mr. and Mrs. Projansky were killed during the progress of the World war. Of their family of children six survive: Leah. who married H. Kadish and resides in Brooklyn, New York; Morris, whose home i: in New York city; Henry P., of this review, and David, Ben and Ceilia, who are still living in Kiev.
Henry Parry Projansky obtained his education in his native city. He was gradu- ated from the Gymnasium at the age of seventeen and for a year was a student in the Kiev Theological Seminary. Going to Paris, he took up designing under Paquin, for many years one of the arbiters of the world of fashion, and for two years had the benefit of instruction in his famous establishment. He then sailed for the United States and for three and a half years was employed as a designer by the John Wanamaker Company of New York city. In 1914 he decided to embark in business on his own account and selected Rochester as the field for his activities-a choice which he has never had occasion to regret. He formed a partnership with his brother Morris, who was associated with him for some time in the ladies' tailoring business but is now conducting a similar undertaking in New York city. Henry Projansky has continued the business independently and ranks foremost among those who have set the standards of trade in Rochester, drawing his clientele from the best families of the city. He possesses the spirit of initiative, combined with that inventive genius and skill so essential to the successful sartorial artist, and his establishment would be a credit to a city of metropolitan proportions. He is an astute, farsighted business man and has invested heavily in East avenue real estate, realizing the fact that this section of the city is destined to become one of its important business centers. Mr. Projansky is also president and treasurer of the Olive Bays Real Estate Com- pany, Incorporated, of which he was one of the founders.
On the 12th of November, 1914, Mr. Projansky was married to Miss Bessie R. Bassoff, a native of Kiev, and a daughter of A. B. Basoff, of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Projansky have one child: Shirley Frances, who was born in this city on December 12, 1923. Mr. Projansky is a Christian Scientist in religious faith and in Masonry he has taken the thirty-second degree, while he is also a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Humane Society. He is one of Rochester's useful and valuable citizens and well deserves the prosperity which he enjoys, for it has been won by industry, ability and integrity, which constitute the basis of all noteworthy success.
CLARENCE M. ALVORD.
Clarence M. Alvord, for nearly forty-six years editor and proprietor of the Livonia Gazette, published at Livonia, Livingston county, was well known in news- paper circles in the Empire state. His birth occurred in Rochester, New York, on the 22d of July, 1853, his parents being Johnson and Elizabeth (Sherwood) Alvord. He received only a common school education and was still a boy when he began learn- ing the trade of printer in the office of the Orleans American at Albion, New York, which he there followed until July 6, 1877. At that time he purchased the Livonia Gazette, which had issued its first number on October 1, 1875, under the proprietorship of Lewis E. Chapin, and which was still but a struggling journal. With very limited capital and in the face of many handicaps Mr. Alvord began its steady upbuilding, continuing his work with conscientious and dedicated labor, with unabated zeal and enthusiasm until it became one of the best known, most reliable and substantial newspapers of the county. He was not only an able editor but a very capable busi- ness man, and developed a valuable property. In 1917 he erected a building for his plant-one of the most complete and up-to-date of any small-town newspaper enter- prise in the state and splendidly equipped also for commercial printing, of which Mr. Alvord did a considerable amount. He was one of the oldest members of the New York Press Association and was also a member of the Western New York News- paper Publishers Association.
On June 8, 1887, Mr. Alvord was married to Ella F. Hopkins of Livonia, daugh- ter of John R. and Mary (Gilbert) Hopkins. Mrs. Alvord passed away on the 27th of March, 1916, leaving two children: Thomas Hopkins, present editor of the Livonia Gazette, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; and Mary Gilbert, also of Livonia.
Clarence M. Alvord was called to his final rest on the 8th of January, 1923.
ÇLARENÇE M. ALVORD
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He held membership in the Methodist church, was a worthy exemplar of the teach- ings and purposes of the Masonic fraternity and was a consistent republican who for years had been one of the active leaders of the party in Livingston county. For some time he held the postmastership at Livonia.
The following tribute to Mr. Alvord appeared in a contemporary newspaper: "In the conduct of his paper he allowed his delightful personality to beam through his news items and editorial comment to an extent which is too often lacking in later-day journalism. From time to time during recent years he indulged in editorial reminiscences which were without exception a delight to those who read them, especially to his contemporaries. His death is a distinct loss to the newspaper fraternity."
Another writer said: "C. M. Alvord was one of the pioneers in the country newspaper profession, one of the old school, a man who solemnly recognized his responsibility, who joyfully appreciated his privilege, who chose and loved his calling for its own sake. He was one of that unique group that is, alas, so quietly yet rapidly passing over the bar. Though he always had an abundance of warm words for others, he closed the columns of his paper to all praise for himself. It seems as if his was an ideal character, and his death carries lasting sadness to more than one home. He was a quiet man, unassuming, of liberal mind, of extended sympathies, whose love for his home, for his family, for his neighbor, was of the most beautiful type-a man who spoke no ill of anyone and whose charity of thought and multitude of kind acts, secretly done, won him the general and genuine affection which his well-filled years so richly deserved. A life so abounding in charm and radiancy must surely not have been in vain."
EDWARD C. HAWLEY.
Three states profited by the educational abilities of Edward C. Hawley, and in each state he garnered a harvest of experience that he now uses to advantage as district superintendent of schools of the First District of Cattaraugus county, with headquarters at Franklinville. Mr. Hawley is not a faddist in educational matters. He has a clear conception of what the essentials of an education are, and permits of no deviation from the standard that time and experience have proved to be the best. He was born at Geneseo, Livingston county, New York, on September 26, 1869, the son of Edward and Sarah A. (Mather) Hawley.
Edward C. Hawley received his education in the grade and high schools and the Geneseo Normal School. He first engaged in teaching in the grade schools and had been in educational work in the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York before he became principal of the Nunda high school in 1917, where he continued until June, 1924, when he resigned to accept his present position.
On August 14, 1901, Mr. Hawley was married to Carrie E. Greene. The two children born to them are: Kathryn H. and Harnett G. Hawley. Mr. Hawley takes the interest of a conscientious citizen in political matters and follows the lead of the republican party on election days. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and fraternally is affiliated with the Masonic order.
E. D. BOSTWICK.
The creed of "hard work well done" has made E. D. Bostwick, business man of Corning, a success despite all early handicaps. He had to shift for himself at an early age and by persistent endeavor brought himself to the place in a community occupied by the self-made man who works hard and deals honestly with his customers.
· E. D. Bostwick was born in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania, April 20, 1865, and had a very limited schooling. He first started selling apples around the Fall Brook Rail- road as a youngster and then sold newspapers on trains, as did Thomas A. Edison. He came back to his home and entered the store of C. S. Mather as a clerk. When he was twenty-two years of age Mr. Mather loaned him the money to buy a half interest in the store, which he and a Mr. Wing bought. They conducted the business in Lawrenceville until 1902, when they moved it to Corning. In 1904 the Wing & Bostwick Company was incorporated and they built the excellent store building at the corner of Pultney and Bridge streets, having prospered in Corning. This is still
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the store's headquarters, and there is a branch store in Addison, New York. Mr. Wing died on December 29, 1919, and Mr. Bostwick became sole proprietor. He is president of the corporation which retains the old firm name and his son, D. J., is vice president, while another son, Charles, is treasurer.
Mr. E. D. Bostwick was married on October 20, 1884, to Etta May Rhodimer, and they have six children: Luella, Dewitt J., Charles Edward, Leah, Gladys and Esther. Leah is now Mrs. Ernest C. Dates of Corning and Gladys is Mrs. Alfred Novack of Corning. Dewitt J. Bostwick married Mary Marland of Corning and Charles E. married Ada Frank of the same place. Mr. Bostwick's parents were William A. and Rebecca (Henderson) Bostwick. They were farmers, in straitened circumstances, and unable to help their son very much in getting a start in life but he made his own way and succeeded. He belongs to the Rotary Club, the Corning Chamber of Com- merce and the Gospel Tabernacle. He has a fine cottage on Keuka Lake and spends his vacations at this beautiful spot, within the happy circle of his family.
WILLIAM HENRY EMERY.
William Henry Emery, dean of Rochester realtors and organizer and first presi- dent of the Rochester Real Estate Board, played an important part in the real estate business in this city from the time of his arrival in 1897 until his demise in January, 1924. He was born in Liverpool, England, April 21, 1855, and obtained his education in his native country, where he also learned the trade of upholstering. It was in 1874, when a youth of nineteen, that he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, locating first in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Three years later he made his way to Syracuse, New York, where he was employed as an upholsterer by Milton S. Price for three years, while subsequently he became manager of the furniture store conducted by the firm of Walworth & Gurvin. Later he became associated with his former employer, Milton S. Price, in the capacity of manager. In 1890, with other citizens, he organized the Eastern Building & Loan Association. This organization was one of the few of its type that weathered the panic of 1905 and 1906, paying one hundred cents on the dollar to those of the stockholders who had retained their stock.
It was in May, 1897, that Mr. Emery came to Rochester in the interests of the organization, locating in the German Insurance building, now the Union Trust build- ing, under the name of the Emery Real Estate Agency. Twenty-two years later, in 1919, he moved to the Powers building, where until his death he headed the firm of Emery & Son. He believed in organization and was one of three men who organ- ized in Syracuse what is now known as the New York State Association of Real Estate Boards. He was treasurer of this organization for two years, and played an important part in committee work. In July, 1910, he personally sent out a call to the leading real estate men of Rochester with a view to organizing a local real estate board. This effort resulted in the formation of the present Real Estate Board. He was president its first year and was reelected the second year. In later years he again served in that office for two years. At the annual meeting of the Rochester board in December, 1923, he was unanimously elected to life membership, and an executive committee member. In 1922 he was appointed dean of Real Estate Brokers, an honor never before conferred upon any man in the organization. The following resolutions were adopted at a special meeting of the Real Estate Board of Rochester:
"Whereas we are again reminded that our days are numbered, that God in His divine wisdom knows what is best, and although the always present 'Why?' Never- theless we bow before his judgment. We sorrow in the death of our beloved fellow realtor, William H. Emery. His wise counsel in public affairs, his genial and friendly disposition and his ready willingness to extend a friendly hand, to help the Board advance its interests and the interests of Rochester, will always be remembered. Our sympathy goes out in full measure to his family, whose sense of personal loss is shared by this body to the fullest extent.
"Therefore, Be It Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the permanent records of the Board and that a copy be forwarded to the family and to the press."
On the 27th of October, 1881, in Syracuse, New York, Mr. Emery was united in marriage to Miss Ida Bishop, daughter of James Stewart and Nancy (Dagett) Bishop. One of her ancestors, Lemuel Stewart, served under George Washington with the rank of Captain. To Mr. and Mrs. Emery were born four children: Vida Alice
WILLIAM H. EMERY
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is now the wife of Charles E. Lathrop, an architect of Rochester, and they have two children, Albert Willis and Norman Charles; Myra Belle is the wife of George R. Ogilvie of Batavia, New York, and they have five children, George Emery, Leon Russell, Bruce Crosson, Marjorie Belle and Louise Stewart; Henry Albert, who was associated with his father as a member of the firm of Emery & Son, is now carrying on the business. He was married to Miss Ruth Colton and they have two children, Betty and Robert; and Leon William Emery died in the year 1912.
Politically Mr. Emery was a stanch republican, supporting the men and measures of that party at the polls. He held membership in the Rochester Ad Club, and served as a member of the board of managers of the Industrial Exposition. While a resident of Syracuse he joined the Knights of Pythias fraternity. Exemplifying the spirit of the Golden Rule in his daily life, he gained many friends in both social and business circles. Always interested in church work, he acted as chairman of the build- ing committee of the Delaware Street Baptist church in Syracuse, of which he was a trustee, while for twenty-three years he served the Lake Avenue Baptist church of Rochester as trustee and treasurer. The following tribute was paid by the Mont- gomery class of men, of which he had been a member since his arrival in Rochester: "To have lived close to his allotted threescore years and ten; to have filled those years full of love and devotion to his fellowmen; to have won every battle when respect and admiration was the issue-such was the achievement of William H. Emery. And now he has moved along into that realm which means eternal rest and peace and happiness for such as carve out their destiny as did he. His passing has left a vacant chair in the Montgomery class. No written word can pay homage to the inspiration his life meant to all of us. Association with him meant a contact of real and true fraternalism, as well as an example of Christian character. And so we spread upon these minutes the grief that is ours and the loss which this class has sustained. Though time may heal the wound of his death, there will ever remain with us his many years of devotion and sacrifice to the love and the interest and the loyalty of this organization."
The following letter was addressed to Mrs. William Emery and family: "At the recent meeting of the board of trustees of the church, when the treasurer's report was presented by the assistant treasurer, and before it was considered, the following resolution in memory of the one we missed so much at the dinner and the meeting was read and unanimously adopted: The passing of William H. Emery deprives the church of a singularly efficient and conscientious treasurer of long experience, the board of trustees of a wise counselor of sound judgment but unusually tolerant of the opinions of others, and leaves a vacancy in this official board of the church. While these places will be filled in the usual course, there is more than that, for outside these official positions there is in the heart of each individual member of this board, and at the table in each home where we gathered, a place that speaks again and again of the genial and noble character and lovable and loving personality of our friend. Untiring in his devotion to Christian service, unswerving in his fidelity to a Christian conscience and noble ideals, the example and inspiration of his charac- ter as exemplified in his daily life and work is a heritage to all who knew him. And so on the minutes of the proceedings of this board there is placed this tribute to one whose star of service will shine brightly while memory is with us, and to his sorrow- ing family there goes from this body the deepest and most heartfelt sympathy."
ARTHUR M. ROOD.
With energy, ambition and determination as dominant qualities, Arthur M. Rood has steadily progressed along lines leading to success and his powers of organization and administration have found expression in the development of the Rochester Fur Dressing Company, of which he is the president. He is one of the city's native sons and was born June 28, 1886, of the marriage of Charles and Elizabeth (Donovan) Rood, the former a native of Oswego county and the latter of Buffalo, New York. The father has always engaged in agricultural pursuits, operating farms in Monroe and Wayne counties, New York. The mother died in 1911. Eight children were born to them, seven of whom are living: Charles Elmer, Irving, Chester, Mrs. Edith Ward, Mrs. Curtis Davis, Mrs. Glenn Nichols and Arthur M.
Arthur M. Rood began his studies in School No. 33 and completed his education in the Ontario high school. He obtained work in the establishment of the Crosby- Frisian Fur Company of Rochester and remained with them for thirteen years, dur-
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ing which period he acquired a detailed knowledge of the business. While the World war was in progress he enlisted in the United States army, becoming a private in a machine gun company which was attached to the Ninety-fifth Division, and received his honorable discharge in December, 1918. He re-entered the service of his former employers, for whom he worked until 1920, and in April of that year established a business of his own, forming the Rochester Fur Dressing Company, of which he has since been the executive head. They are manufacturers and dressers of raw furs and under Mr. Rood's expert guidance the business has developed rapidly, bcoming one of large and profitable proportions.
On July 16, 1912, Mr. Rood was married to Miss Nellie Corbett, who was a daugh- ter of Mr. and Mrs. P. W. Corbett of Rochester. She died June 25, 1915. Mr. Rood was married to Miss Grace Blanchard on March 4, 1919, a daughter of Edward Blan- chard. Mr. Rood has three sons by this marriage, all of whom are natives of this city: Arthur Edward, whose birth occurred in February, 1920; Charles Louis, who was born in August, 1921; and Richard Harry, born in December, 1923.
Mr. Rood is a Roman Catholic in religious faith and has taken the third degree in the Knights of Columbus. He is a valued member of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce and also belongs to the local Rotary and Automobile Clubs. He is a young man of sterling integrity and serious purpose who has "made good." His heart is in his work and he brings to the discharge of his business duties an enthusiasm for and belief in their importance that make it possible for him to keep up with the spirit of the age with all of its complexities.
CLINTON ROYAL LYDDON.
Clinton Royal Lyddon, president of the Lyddon & Hanford Advertising Company, of Rochester, New York, was born in that city on the 18th of July, 1876, the son of William H. and Temperance E. (Hubbard) Lyddon, who have recently celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of their wedding. His father, now retired from active life, was for years news foreman in the Democrat and Chronicle plant. Starting at the age of thirteen as a newsboy on the streets of Auburn, New York, he continued in the newspaper field, becoming a printer's apprentice, journeyman and finally a first- class printer. He came to this city in 1871 to take the position as foreman for the Democrat and Chronicle and previous to this had worked on papers in Milwaukee, Chicago and Cleveland. One of the old school of printers, who learned his trade in the days when the typesetter was form-maker and editor as well, Mr. Lyddon re- calls the old-fashioned tramp printer who made his grand tour of the country by stopping here and there long enough to earn a few days' wages and often finding his night's lodging in a composing room. Since then many marvelous inventions have entirely revolutionized the printing industry, greatly speeding up the processes, but at the same time robbing the printer of some of his craftsmanship. On Febru- ary 8, 1864, Mr. Lyddon and Miss Temperance E. Hubbard of Auburn, who was born in Michigan, were united in marriage, and almost immediately the young bridegroom enlisted for service in Battery A, Third New York Light Artillery, of the Union army. He saw ten months of active service before the war came to an end, and is now affiliated with the Myron Adams Post, Grand Army of the Republic.
Clinton Royal Lyddon is the third of three sons, his brothers being William S. and Frederick B. Lyddon. He was educated in this city in the public schools, the Rochester Free Academy and the University of Rochester, from which he graduated in 1900, with the Bachelor of Arts degree. His first business position was with the Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, which he repre- sented as general manager for the fifteen counties of western New York, meeting with encouraging success in this line of work, which he pursued for three and a half years. Subsequently he was connected with a large publishing house and made a success as a book salesman. After five years of experience in the employ of others the young man determined to embark in business for himself and accordingly in 1905 he founded the advertising agency of which he is now the president under the name of the C. R. Lyddon Advertising Agency. A year later the firm was reorganized as the Lyddon & Hanford Company, its present form. This firm does one of the largest businesses of any general advertising agency in western New York and has earned a reputation that brings it clients from far and near. Nearly twenty years ago when Mr. Lyddon first conceived the idea of starting an advertising agency, this line of business was barely beginning to foreshadow the enormous growth that has
CLINTON R. LYDDON
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made "advertising" today both a science and a profession. His business has kept pace with the general progress, chiefly because Mr. Lyddon and his associates have been constant and enthusiastic students of their profession. No national sales cam- paign has been too large for them to map out a program and carry it through to a successful conclusion; no local firm has been too small to enlist their interest in its peculiar sales problems. They know the whole business from start to finish, as it can only be known by those who have made a thorough study of advertising in all its phases and acquired the skill and efficiency that is born of long experience.
In addition to his own firm Mr. Lyddon is president and director of the James Street Building, Incorporated. He was president of the Advertising Club of Roches- ter 1923-'24, and a valuable member of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce. During his college days he was initiated into the brotherhood of Delta Kappa Epsilon and since then he has been made a member of the Masonic order. He maintains member- ship in the Rochester Auto Club, the University Club, and the New York Advertising Club, and is identified, religiously, with Calvary Baptist church.
On the 12th of July, 1910, Mr. Lyddon was united in marriage to Miss Florence L. Potter, daughter of Allison J. and Florence (Whipple) Potter of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Lyddon have one child, Florence Elizabeth, born in Rochester, October 14, 1914. Mr. Lyddon's residence is at No. 64 Southern Parkway, Home Acres, Brighton, New York.
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