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 16
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In the acquirement of an education Lewis A. Kamman attended school No. 26 and the East high school, after which he completed a course in the Rochester Business Institute. After his graduation he entered the service of the Langslow-Fowler Com- pany, furniture manufacturers. He was quick, industrious and dependable and his employers soon recognized these traits. He advanced rapidly and was filling the posi- tion of sales manager when the Indian Splint Company sought his services. Mr. Kamman now acts as secretary and manager of the corporation, which manufactures furniture and upholstery, and furnishes employment to one hundred and fifty persons. His familiarity with every detail of the industry is supplemented by executive power; and mature judgment, hence his labors have been beneficially resultant and the busi- ness has prospered under his able management.
In Rochester, on April 20, 1910, Mr. Kamman was married to Miss Sarah Schwartzschild, a daughter of Solomon Schwartzschild, a prominent resident of the city. Mr. and Mrs. Kamman have one child: Ruth, who was born in Rochester, in. 1912, and is attending the Junior high school. Mr. Kamman is an exemplary repre- sentative of the Masonic order and has taken the thirty-second degree in the con-, sistory, while he is also a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs to the Rochester. Automobile Club and his public spirit finds expression in his connection with the Chamber of Commerce. In thoroughness and the mastery of every detail of the duties that have devolved upon him lie the secret of Mr. Kamman's success, and he possesses many admirable traits of character, as his fellow citizens attest.
ALBERT W. WOOD.
Albert W. Wood, vice president of the Big Elm Dairy Company of Rochester, occupies a prominent place among those men whose constructive efforts have had much to do with the building up and development of this well known and successful enterprise. Mr. Wood's entire business career has been connected with the dairy busi- ness-in fact, it can be said that he grew up in that industry. He was born in Rochester, October 25, 1876, a son of William and Emma (Low) Wood, both of whom were natives of Nottingham, England, and came to the United States in the latter '50s, later locating in Rochester, where both passed away. William Wood was a well known milk distributor in Rochester forty years ago and was conducting a successful business in that line at the time of his demise. There were four children in his family: Mrs. Daniel Hatch of Canandaigua; Arthur E., who is president of the Big Elm Dairy Company and is mentioned elsewhere in this work; Mrs. Hattie Berner, now deceased; and Albert W. of this review.
Albert W. Wood attended the public schools of Ontario county, New York, in early life, but after the family moved to Rochester he started out to make his
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own way in the world, delivering milk on a route owned by one of the dairymen of this city. Subsequently he purchased the route and the equipment of a horse and wagon and operated the business under his own name. At first the work was hard and the hours were long, while the compensation was far from being large. But the young man put all of his energies into making a success of his venture, saved his small profits and kept going ahead until 1907, when he joined the Big Elm Dairy Company, as vice president, in which capacity he has ever since served.
The Big Elm dairy plant is generally conceded to be one of the most modern and scientifically equipped in all of western New York. The fireproof structure that houses the business was erected in 1915 and represents the last word in dairy con- struction. Too great credit cannot be given to the Wood brothers for their share in building up and maintaining this large and essential industry, for they started at the very bottom and have risen solely as the result of their own consistent and well directed efforts. The officials of the company are: Arthur E. Wood, president; Albert W. Wood, vice president; and Oscar B. Spieler, secretary and treasurer. Among his other business connections he is a director and treasurer of the Monarch Mortgage Company.
Mr. Wood has taken a very active part in the work of the Masonic order in this city and has held various offices in that fraternity. He is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and endeavors in every relation of life to display the beneficent spirit of his craft. He is also a member of the Rochester Lodge of Elks and the Automobile Club of Rochester and the Rochester Club. Politically he ranks as an independent, reserving the right to vote for the man he considers best fitted for office, regardless of party considerations. The Rotary Club, in which he represents the dairy industry, considers Mr. Wood one of its valuable and progressive menbers.
THE ROGERS FAMILY.
Among the men of solid worth whose names will ever be recalled with pride and affection in Lockport, New York, was the late Colonel Edward Wilkinson Rogers, influential business man, Civil war hero, former mayor and public-spirite' citizen. Throughout a long and particularly active life, he demonstrated the sterling char- acteristics that mark the true American, and in passing away left behind him a record of worthy achievements that ennoble his name and arouse a spirit of emula- tion in those who realize that life means more than mere existence. It may truly be said of this honored and beloved son of Lockport, that in every way h's life ex- emplified true nobility of purpose.
Edward Wilkinson Rogers was born in Lockport, New York, Novembe" 5, 1839, a direct descendant of John Rogers, who came to the American colonies from England, in 1635. His father was Nathan B. Rogers, who was one of the earliest settlers of Lockport, where he lived for many years respected and esteemed. Nathan B. Rogers came to Lockport from Cumberland, Rhode Island, in 1816, before there was any settlement, and it is said that he cleared away the woods from what is now Main street. He took a leading and active part in establishing the community ad in its development and life, up to the time of his death in 1879. Throughout life the late Colonel Rogers took pride in the fact that his grandfather, John Rogers, Jr., served as first lieutenant and adjutant of the First Rhode Island Regiment in the Con- tinental army during the Revolutionary war, and was for some time on the staff of General George Washington, serving with gallantry and distinction during the entire war, including the campaigns of Valley Forge, Fort Montgomery, Fort Mer-cr, siege of Newport, battle of Rhode Island, the expedition from Fort Herkimer, New York, to Fort Oswego, the siege of Yorktown, where he was wounded, and the capitulation of Lieutenant General Cornwallis in 1781.
It may be that the grandson inherited a strain of valiant courage and willing self-sacrifice, together with patriotic enthusiasm that led him also into military life in young manhood. In 1862, when the issues involved in the Civil war for the preservation of the Union, that gift of his forefathers, became endangered, Edward W. Rogers went to the front with the Nineteenth New York Independent Light Artillery as first lieutenant, and became its captain very shortly thereafter. In 1863 his command was stationed in the city of Washington when the Capitol was dedicated, and it was his battery that was selected to fire the National salute. In 1864, with his battery, he joined the general movement south under General Grant, afterward seeing continuous service until the close of the war, taking part in the
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battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg and many others. He was twice breveted for conspicuous gallantry in action, first as major at Spottsyl- vania, and again at Petersburg, as colonel, in after years taking a natural pride in the official documents vouching his conduct. He was touchingly proud of his battery, declaring it the finest body of men in the service, this sentiment being mutual and so expressed in 1912, when together they celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their mustering into the service. Colonel Rogers was a member of the Rhode Island branch of the Society of the Cincinnati, which was formed by officers of the Revolutionary war; also of the New York Commandery of the Loyal Legion, formed by officers of the Civil war; and a member of Sprout Post No. 76, Grand Army of the Republic, of which he was a past commander.
Colonel Rogers was an ardent republican in politics and in full sympathy with other public men of his day who believed and worked for the ideals of American life. He was appointed one of the trustees of the Soldiers' Home, at Bath, New York, by President Theodore Roosevelt. In civic affairs he took the deepest interest, throughout his life his devotion to the best interests of Lockport being notable. In addition to serving frequently on various municipal boards and commissions, he was long a member of the board of education, was a careful and efficient alderman and a wise and progressive mayor. In 1870 he founded the Lockport Cotton Batting Company, which has steadily expanded until now it is one of the largest concerns of its kind in the country. He continued at the head of this business enterprise up to the time of his death on the 10th of May, 1913, and until then was actively concerned in its affairs.
For some years before his death, Colonel Rogers enjoyed the benefits of travel, making trips to Europe, South America, Panama and the West Indies, and in 1910 completed a tour of the world. He also knew his own country well and as late as April 25, 1913, returned to Lockport after an extended visit in California. His ac- quaintance was wide for he was democratic in associating with men, and they in- variably found him genial, sympathetic, considerate and courteous. His rugged physique belied his age and he was companionable with both old and young. He was a regular attendant upon the services of the First Presbyterian church of Lock- port. The date of his burial was on the anniversary of his brevet as major, for gallantry at Spottsylvania, which engagement he deemed the most eventful in his military career. His death was universally deplored in Lockport, for here he was deeply respected and beloved. As indicative of the feeling for him by those who had known him longest and best, an editorial from the Lockport Journal under date of May 10, 1913, is presented, entitled: "'Of whom all may say, this was a man.'" "In the passing of Colonel Edward W. Rogers, this community loses a striking figure from among the fast thinning ranks of the survivors of the heroic conflict of a half century ago, a man who was prominent in its business and social life and one whose well-rounded career was marked by many achievements of note in times of peace fully up to the high standards of his gallant conduct during the stormy years of the War of the Rebellion. A good soldier, the deceased was the better citizen and the record of his life is such that all who read may say, 'This was a Man.' A native of Lockport, it was as first lieutenant that Colonel Rogers enlisted in the Nineteenth New York Battery, Light Artillery, with which he served through the stormiest period of the war with conspicuous gallantry. The young officer earned promotion to a captaincy and that characteristic bravery in action later brought him recogni- tion at the hands of President Lincoln, who made him a major for meritorious service on the field at Spottsylvania, and breveted him lieutenant colonel at the close of his military service. Colonel Rogers' ability in other fields than army life was amply demonstrated by the successful manufacturing establishment which he founded more than twoscore years ago and which is still a prominent factor in local industrial life. In public service, he served with credit in the office of mayor. Every duty in public and private life was regarded as sacred by Colonel Rogers, and was discharged with the singular fidelity that characterized all his activities. The social side of the man was another revelation of a many-sided personality that was always companion- able, delightful in hospitality and possessing a fund of anecdote and humor which made his society sought and his presence an inspiration to good feeling. His death at this time will be generally deplored and a circle of friends not bounded by this continent will join in the deep feeling of regret at the news of the passing of this gallant and well beloved gentleman and soldier."
In 1866 Colonel Rogers was married to Jennie L. Gott, who died in 1899. They had four children: Charles G .; Carrie R., the wife of Milton B. Loy of Los Angeles,
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California; Fred A .; and Edward Albert. All survive except Fred A., who died in youth.
Charles Gott Rogers, the eldest in the family of Colonel and Mrs. Rogers, was born December 23, 1866, in Spencerport, New York, and received his education in the public schools of Lockport. As a young man he became identified with the Lockport Cotton Batting Company, an enterprise founded by his father. He has proven an energetic business man and his thorough knowledge of his special line and his sound judgment commercially have in no small measure contributed to Lockport's prestige as a manufacturing center. During the World war Mr. Rogers served as major commanding Lockport Battalion, Home Defense Reserves, and was most useful in the various movements and activities made necessary by the war's demands. In political matters he is a republican, but has not sought public office. He holds mem- bership in the Society of the Cincinnati, in the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Rotary Club, and to the Tuscarora and the Town and Country Clubs. On June 27, 1921, Charles G. Rogers was married to Allie Rose of Lockport, New York. There is no citizen of Lockport who is held in higher regard.
Edward Albert Rogers, secretary of the Lockport Cotton Batting Company, was born in Lockport, New York, September 19, 1874, son of the late Colonel Edward W. and Jennie (Gott) Rogers. He was graduated from the Lockport high school in 1892, and from Hamilton College in 1898, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, following which he studied law with the late John E. Pound, was admitted to the bar, but has never been engaged in practice, preferring to devote his time and abilities to those duties pertaining to his connection with the large industrial enterprise founded by his father, of which his brother is president. As was his father, Mr. Rogers is firm in his support of republican principles and candidates, but like his brother has never cared to enter the public arena. He belongs to the Delta Kappa Epsilon college fraternity, the University Club of Buffalo, the Tuscarora Club, the Lockport Town and Country Club, the Transit Valley Country Club, and the Rotary Club. A man of strong religious sentiments and convictions, he has long been a member of the First Presbyterian church of Lockport, which he is now serving as an elder and where he does efficient work as superintendent of the Sunday school. On January 11, 1916, Edward A. Rogers was married in Lockport, to Ruth Eliza- beth Parker, daughter of Charles H. and Mary (Shaw) Parker.
WARD BEECHER MANCHESTER, M. D.
Dr. Ward Beecher Manchester has been an active representative of the medical profession in Batavia during the past seventeen years, save for the period of his service overseas at the time of the World war. His reputation for skill in surgery, in which he specializes, has extended far beyond the confines of his adopted city. He was born in Clarendon, Orleans county, New York, on the 12th of June, 1883, his parents being Hiram B. and Mary (Hill) Manchester. The Manchesters settled in the state of Massachusets about 1632, and members of the family fought in the Revolutionary war. Hiram B. Manchester, the father of Dr. Manchester of this review, has been a practicing physician of Batavia for more than thirty-five years and is widely recognized as one of the able and successful representatives of the pro- fession here.
In the acquirement of an education, Ward Beecher Manchester attended the grammar and high schools of Batavia. Carrying out his determination to follow in the professional footsteps of his father, he matriculated in the University of Buffalo, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1907. The same year he took what is known as Richard Cabot's Summer Course, in Harvard University. He served as an interne in the German Deaconess Hospital of Buffalo during 1907 and 1908 and in the latter year located in Batavia, where he engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery until his enlistment in the Medical Corps of the United States army in 1917. Commissioned first lieutenant and sent overseas, Dr. Manchester remained with the British forces in England until March, 1918, and thereafter served in France with the British, until December 10, 1918. He then became connected with the American forces and so continued until his honorable discharge from military duty on the 26th of February, 1919, when he resumed his professional work in Batavia. As above stated, he specializes in surgery and in this field of practice manifests pronounced proficiency and skill- for he possesses
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comprehensive knowledge of anatomy and the component parts of the human body. Dr. Manchester is a member of the staffs of St. Jerome's Hospital and Batavia Hos- pital and is also surgeon for the Massey-Harris Harvester Company. Throughout his professional career he has been a close student of the principles and science of medicine and of surgery, doing everything in his power to promote his knowledge and advance his skill in checking the ravages of disease. He keeps in touch with the trend of professional progress also through his membership in the Genesee County Medical Society, the New York State Medical Society and the American College of Surgeons.
On the 28th of September, 1910, in Ithaca, New York, Dr. Manchester was married to Miss Jennie A. George, daughter of William and Jennie (Pickert) George of that city. They have become the parents of three children, as follows: Ward Beecher, Jr., who was born on August 3, 1911; John Alan, whose natal day was February 10, 1917; and Barbara Jane, who was born the 17th of October, 1921.
Politically Dr. Manchester is a stanch republican. He was appointed coroner in 1920 and is still the capable incumbent of the office, having been twice reelected thereto. He belongs to the Batavia Chamber of Commerce and to the Holland Club, while fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order, being a member of Damas- cus Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Rochester. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church. Outdoor sports afford him needed recreation and he is particularly fond of tennis. His entire career is actuated by a commendable ambition and a laud- able purpose that have found expression in valuable service for his fellowmen.
STANLEY ROBERT HARE, M. D.
Dr. Stanley Robert Hare, one of the successful medical practitioners among the younger representatives of the profession in Batavia, was born in Fulton, Oswego county, New York, on the 1st of August, 1896, his parents being Elmer E. and Ella M. (Harrington) Hare. The father has made his home in that city for many years.
Following the completion of his grammar and high school course in Fulton, Stanley Robert Hare entered Syracuse University, in which he spent two years in the study of arts and then did four years' work in the medical department, receiving the degree of M. D. in 1920. He next served as an interne in the Hospital of the Good Shepherd in Syracuse for a period of sixteen months, and in 1921 opened an office in Batavia, where he has already built up a large general practice. Dr. Hare is a member of the staff of Batavia Hospital and also of St. Jerome's Hospital in Batavia. He belongs to the Genesee County Medical Society, the New York State Medical Scoiety and the American Medical Association and in this way he keeps in touch with the progress that is continually being made in the medical profession. Since January 1, 1925, he has become associated with Drs. D. D. Johnson and H. H. Le Seur of Batavia.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Dr. Hare has given his political support to the men and measures of the republican party. He served in the Student Army Training Corps during the period of the World war but had not yet received his commission when the armistice was signed. He is a communicant of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, also belongs to the Knights of Columbus and has membership in the Holland Club and in the Batavia Chamber of Commerce. Outdoor sports afford him needed recreation when leisure permits.
EDWARD PHILIP ADAMS.
Edward Philip Adams, president of the Abner Adams Company, manufacturers of hardwood floors, is one of the best known men in his line of business in Rochester. He was born in this city, on the 28th of May, 1881, a son of Abner and Minerva E. (French) Adams, the father a native of East Bloomfield, Ontario county, New York, while the mother was born in West Bloomfield, the same county. Abner Adams was the founder of the business from which the present Abner Adams Company has been developed. He was the pioneer in the plan of hardwood floor work that has been the recognized standard for many years. It was in 1888 that he entered that industry, and through conscientious effort, progressive methods and straightforward dealings he established the high business standing which has been maintained and enjoyed by
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the company ever since. Abner Adams remained the head of the company until his death in 1908. In 1909 the business was incorporated as the Abner Adams Com- pany, with Edward P. Adams, who has remained its executive head, as president. He had entered the business after finishing his work in the grade schools and the Rochester Free Academy. Beginning in a minor capacity, he familiarized himself, through actual experience, with every branch of the business, so that he was well equipped to assume the responsibilities of president. The growth and development of the company has been steady and of a substantial character, branch offices now being maintained in Syracuse and Montreal, Canada. The same successful policies established by its founder, under which the concern laid the foundation of its subse- quent success, have been continued by his son, although from time to time they have been modified, of course, to meet the changing conditions in the commercial world.
On June 6, 1904, Mr. Adams was married to Miss Maie Roades, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick B. Roades of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have three sons, all born in Rochester: Philip Roades, born in 1906; Frederick Robert, born in 1907; and David French, born in 1912. As a Rotarian Mr. Adams gives his support to the work of the local Rotary Club, of which he was a charter member, and he is also a member of the Rochester Club, the Rochester Ad Club and the Chamber of Com- merce. In his political connections he has always been a republican. While he has ever been a business man, he has never shirked the duties of a public-spirited citizen in the way of supporting those measures and projects of benefit to the city. Mr. Adams has spent his life in Rochester and many of his best friends are those who have known him longest. His residence is at No. 281 Woodbine avenue.
WILLIAM J. RICHTER.
William J. Richter, a well known lawyer of Rochester, was born in this city, May 2, 1880, a son of Francis and Flora (Kimmel) Richter, natives of Germany, who came to the United States during their childhood. The father became a merchant tailor and passed away in 1889, when fifty years of age. The mother is still living. They were the parents of seven children, six of whom survive: William J., Mrs. Elizabeth Oberlies, Mrs. Flora Hosenfeld, Mrs. John Miller, Mary and Katherine.
William J. Richter obtained his early education in the St. Boniface parochial school and graduated from the Rochester Free Academy in 1899. He next entered the University of Rochester; from which he was graduated with the class of 1904, and afterward read law in the office of Eugene J. Dwyer, being admitted to the bar in 1905. For a time he acted as secretary to Mayor Cutler, following which he was clerk of the city court. Subsequently he was appointed an assistant in the district attorney's office and later became associated with Judge Selden Brown of the surrogate court. This relationship was maintained for eight years, and since 1919 Mr. Richter has engaged in the independent practice of his profession. He has handled much important litigation, enjoys a high-class practice and is numbered among the able and successful lawyers of the Rochester bar. Among his interests aside from his profession, he is attorney and a director of the Pinnacle Savings & Loan Association.
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