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 18
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91
After completing his grammar school course Leland Clark Brown entered high school, which he attended for three years, and then became associated with his father in the nursery business, of which he has made a most thorough study. He is a recog- nized authority on floriculture and horticulture and ably discharges the duties of vice president and manager of the Brown Brothers Company, contributing his quota in the management of the great business built up by his father's constructive genius and initiative powers. The firm is noted for the high grade of its nursery stock, as well as for its honorable dealing, and ranks with that select company of enterprising business men to whom Rochester owes its title of "the Flower city".
In September, 1918, Mr. Brown was married to Miss Lillian Roy of Rochester, and they have become the parents of two children: Patricia D., born in 1922; and Leland Charles, who was born December 9, 1923. Mr. Brown is a Mason and demon- strates his civic spirit by his activities in the Chamber of Commerce, and he is also a member of the Rochester Athletic Club. He is a young man of serious purpose, whose rapidly maturing powers have carried him into important business relations and a prominent position among the city's younger managers of representative business interests. Mr. Brown's residence is at No. 65 Windemere road.
LLOYD BENTON BALL.
Lloyd Benton Ball, head of the Lloyd B. Ball Real Estate Company of Rochester and past president of the Real Estate Board of Rochester, is one of the best known realtors in this city. Mr. Ball comes from one of the old families of this state and was born at Bluff Point Lake, Keuka, Yates county, New York, June 16, 1883, a son of Harrison C. and Ella (Horton) Ball, both of whom also were born in this state. The late Harrison C. Ball many years ago removed from Yates county to Rochester, where he became one of the well known building contractors.
Lloyd Benton Ball was but a child when his parents removed to Rochester, where he received his education in the public schools, the Rochester Business Institute and the Mechanics Institute. As a young man he became connected with the Garfield Real Estate Company as a salesman, a line of activity which he has ever since fol- lowed. In 1909 Mr. Ball became engaged in the realty business on his own account as a member of the Corris-Ball Company and continued in that connection until in the spring of 1918. At the time of this country's participation in the World war he closed this business and enlisted for service with the overseas section of the Young Men's Christian Association. From March of that year until his discharge in February, 1919, Mr. Ball rendered service in that behalf in France. Upon the completion of his
182
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
war service he returned to Rochester and again entered the real estate business, organizing the Lloyd B. Ball Real Estate Company, with offices at No. 422 Powers building. This company makes a specialty of Rochester real estate and has high rank among the leading realtors of western New York.
On October 23, 1905, Mr. Ball was united in marriage to Miss Lois Howard, daughter of William L. Howard of Rochester. Mr. and Mrs. Ball have a son and a daughter: Margaret, born March 27, 1907; and Harry Ball, born March 18, 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Ball are members of the Lake Avenue Baptist church. Mr. Ball is a Knights Templar Mason and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, is a member of the local branch of the Young Men's Christian Association and of the Rochester Historical Society, and is also affiliated with the local Rotary Club, the Ad Club, the Rochester Club, the Athletic Club and the Automobile Club of Rochester, and the Oak Hill Country Club. Mr. Ball has a wide acquaintanceship throughout the city and many of his best friends have known him since boyhood. His residence is at No. 93 Beverly street.
JOHN BLUM.
With the sturdy qualities and dauntless spirit of the pioneer, John Blum overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles and out of the struggle with adversity came at length into a field of broad influence and usefulness. He wrought along constructive lines and left as a splendid monument to his enterprise and ability a large productive industry which has been one of the chief factors in Dansville's upbuilding and develop- ment. He was a man of strong character and his integrity in business affairs, his loyalty and public spirit in matters of citizenship, his devotion to the ties of home and family, were qualities which won for him the high and enduring regard of all with whom he was associated. He was born in Stuttgart, Germany, September 1, 1822, and his parents. John and Mary (Seybold) Blum, were lifelong residents of that country. They had a family of nine children and Melchoir, Catherine, John, Joseph and Frank reached years of maturity, but the subject of this sketch was the only one who migrated to the New World. The father was with Napoleon's army in 1813 and made shoes for the soldiers during the Russian campaign. He died in 1838 and the mother passed away at the age of seventy-five.
John Blum obtained a public school education and learned the shoemaker's trade under the direction of his father, becoming an expert workman. He followed that occupation in Switzerland and Austria for a time and owing to the political situation in Germany, decided to establish his home in America. He arrived in New York city in 1851 and obtained a situation at No. 648 Broadway, where he was employed for six months, but h's employer refused to pay him his wages. Having no funds, he made the journey to Albany, New York, on foot, going from there to Utica and thence to Rochester, where he worked for Paincost. Sage & Morse, who operated a shoe factory in the city. He worked hard to gain a start and when he had accumu- lated a sufficient sum sent for his wife and family. who had remained in Germany. For five years he was foreman of a shoe factory in Nunda and in 1859 moved to Dansville. where he spent the remainder of his life.
In 1888 Mr. Blum began the manufacture of wool lined footwarmers, in a small room on the second floor of the Brown building. all work being performed entirely by hand labor. The venture proved a success from the beginning and in 1900 these quarters became too small for the rapidly growing business, and he therefore moved to the third floor of the Shepard block. In 1895 removal was made to a three-story building erected by Stephen C. Allen in 1873. on the corner of Milton and Spruce streets, the present site of the business. The building was constructed for use as a hotel and several additions have since been made, converting it into a modern and well-equipped plant. The business was incorporated in 1898 and has since been con- ducted under the name of the Blum Shoe Manufacturing Company. John Blum was its first president and continued at the head of the company until his death in 1907, building up an industry of substantial proportions bv unremitting anplication and judicious management. He was succeeded in the office of president by his son, Frank J. Blum, who guided the destiny of the business until his death on January 2, 1925, and Daniel Blum was vice president and Philip E. Blum secretary and treasurer. The business was reorganized in 1916 and the capital stock of the company was increased to eight hundred thousand dollars. The firm has discontinued the manu- facture of leather shoes and its product is now limited to felt slinners, over one hun- dred different styles being made. Its slippers are known as the "Kreep-A-Wa" brand
JOHN BLUM
185
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
and its trade extends throughout the United States and also to Canada. The company is a recognized leader in this industry and utilizes two hundred and fifty thousand square feet of floor space, while its employes now number three hundred and fifty. The present officers of the company are: Daniel Blum, president; John R. Blum, vice president; Philip E. Blum, treasurer; and James J. Blum, secretary.
The energetic spirit of John Blum took him to Europe in the year 1872 and again in 1901. His travels led him to the leading manufacturing centers, where he had the privilege of meeting shoe manufacturers and those identified with the shoe trade. It offered him an excellent opportunity to study foreign methods, as compared with the operations in this country and use those most suitable and efficient in his own enterprise.
Mr. Blum was twice married. His first union was with Miss Euphrosine Buhler, who died in 1865. They were the parents of eight children: John B., Joseph C., Anthony, Barbara, Daniel, Frank J., Philip E., and Elizabeth. All have passed away with the exception of Philip and Daniel. For his second wife Mr. Blum married Mrs. Gertrude Von Alten, a native of Germany, and to them was born a daughter, Catherine.
GEORGE MACDONALD.
George MacDonald, who is making an excellent record as county clerk of Genesee county, is a capable and trustworthy public official who has manifested special fitness for the position which he fills. He was born in Brockport, Monroe county, New York, on the 8th of September, 1860, his parents being John and Sarah (MacQuade) Mac- Donald. His paternal grandfather, Alexander MacDonald, was the first representative of the family to settle in this part of the state and here he made his home until called to his final rest. John MacDonald, the father of George MacDonald, was a lifelong resident of Monroe county and was employed by the Johnston Harvester Company as foreman.
George MacDonald supplemented his public school education by a course of study in the State Normal and Training School at Brockport. Thereafter he engaged in business as proprietor of a market in Brockport for a period of ten years, at the end of which time he disposed of the enterprise and took up his permanent abode in Batavia, here becoming associated with the Johnston Harvester Company. On sever- ing his connection with that concern he assumed the duties of clerk of the surrogate court, which claimed his attention during the ensuing twenty-two years. On the expiration of that period he resigned the position to fill the vacancy caused by the death of E. B. Perry, whom he succeeded in the capacity of county clerk, to which office he was later elected and in which he has continued. The utmost efficiency and fidelity have characterized him in the conduct of the duties devolving upon him in this connection.
In Brockport, New York, Mr. MacDonald was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Rowley, daughter of Hiram Rowley of Batavia. Mr. and Mrs. MacDonald have a daughter: Jetta A., who is the wife of Ray Moulthrop, an architect of Cleveland, Ohio. Both Mr. and Mrs. Moulthrop are graduates of Syracuse University.
A stanch republican in politics, Mr. MacDonald has always been an active worker in the local ranks of the party. He has membership in the Kiwanis Club and the Batavia Chamber of Commerce, while fraternally he is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is also a consistent member of the First Presbyterian church and formerly took an active part in its work. Mr. MacDonald turns to outdoor sports for recreation and is an ornithologist, as well as a lover of flowers. In the city of Batavia, where he makes his home, the circle of his friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
WALTER FREEMAN WEBB.
A large part of the Genesee country is situated in what is widely known as the "Fruit Belt". The development of the fruit growing industry naturally led to the establishment of nurseries. One of those who in recent years has been engaged in this business is Walter F. Webb, head of the Guaranty Nursery Company of Rochester, New York. He was born in Lockport, New York, May 28, 1869, and is one of five children born to Andrew and Annie (Miller) Webb, both natives of New York state.
186
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
The children are: Homer, Fred, Mrs. Clara Haight, Florence and Walter Freeman of this review.
Andrew Webb was born in 1846 and upon reaching manhood became a successful farmer in Niagara county, New York. For many years he held the office of justice of the peace. He also served as assistant county judge and occupied other positions of public trust. His death occurred in 1903. His wife was born in 1842 and died in 1901.
In his early boyhood Walter Freeman Webb attended the district schools, where he laid the foundation of his education, which was completed in the Lockport high school. Upon leaving school he began his business career as a nurseryman. For several years he was associated with the well known Brown Brothers nursery at Browncroft, where he learned all the various phases of the business. This experience became one of his greatest assets when in 1916 he purchased sixteen acres of ground on Gould street, in the town of Brighton, and established the Guaranty Nursery Company. By a careful selection of stock and square dealing with his customers, Mr. Webb has built up one of the largest nurseries in the region about the Flower city. Since he bought his land, in 1916, the city of Rochester has grown in that direction until his homestead is becoming too valuable for nursery purposes. He therefore is contemplating its division into residence lots, which will necessitate the removal of his business to another location.
Mr. Webb has one of the largest and best assorted private libraries in Monroe county. His books are not in fine bindings, "merely to look at", but are intended for use. In the collection are works on horticulture, conchology and other natural science, by many different authors, and a large number of rare books, some of them three or four hundred years old. He is a member of the Museum of Natural History of New York, holds membership in the Conchological Society of Great Britain, the American Geographical Society, the National Geological Society, the New York State Horticultural Society, the Rochester Historical Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Rochester Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Webb has never been much of a club man, having devoted most of his spare time to a private collection of land, fresh water and marine shells of the world. This collection at the present time fills fifteen large cabinets, and covers over twenty thousand species, approximately five hundred thousand specimens. All are scientifically classified, and include about twenty-eight hundred genera. The collection of Philippine Island fauna is one of the most complete in existence. Duplicates have been distributed to most of the large museums of the world.
On New Year's day, in 1890, Miss C. May Johnson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William F. Johnson of Gainesville, Wyoming county, became the wife of Mr. Webb. To this union was born one daughter, now Mrs. Ruth Webb Lee of Pittsford, New York. She has two sons, Everett, born in 1914, and Robert, born in 1918. It would be a somewhat difficult matter to determine whether Mr. Webb is proudest of his nursery, his library or his grandchildren.
CHARLES W. VREDENBURG.
Unqualified commendation is deserved by the man who by his own honest efforts rises from an impecunious position to one of comparative affluence. Of this type of citizen is Charles W. Vredenburg, who became a wage earner at the early age of twelve years, and in his business career he has made each day count for the utmost, improving the opportunities of the hour and thus advancing steadily. He has now reached a field of broad influence and usefulness and as president of the United Litho & Printing Companies has developed one of the largest and best known enterprises of the kind in this country. He was born in New Paltz, Ulster county, New York, on the 2d of April, 1855, a son of Willett and Catherine (Lockwood) Vredenburg, who were lifelong residents of the Empire state. The mother was a native of Clin- tondale and the father was born in Newburgh. He was a skilled artisan and became well known as a building contractor, conducting a business of substantial propor- tions. He passed away in Middletown, New York, and his wife's death occurred in Clintondale.
Charles W. Vredenburg attended the public schools of Dutchess and Ulster counties and afterward secured a position in a newspaper and job printing office in Fishkill Landing, New York, where he learned the printer's trade. Subsequently he went to New York city, where he followed that occupation until 1880, and then came to Rochester, becoming foreman of the printing room of the Evening Express.
MR. AND MRS. CHARLES W. VREDENBURG
189
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
He was thus employed for two years, gaining valuable experience, and then estab- lished a business of his own, becoming a partner in the firm of Goble & Vredenburg, which was subsequently merged with the Rochester Lithograph Company and incor- porated under the style of the Rochester Lithographing & Printing Company, of which Mr. Vredenburg was president. Later he disposed of his stock in the com- pany to W. Martin Jones. In association with William Karle, he purchased the assets of the Gelhaar, Fleming & Fuller Company and continued the business under the name of Vredenburg & Karle. Two years later he purchased the interest of his partner, conducting the business under the style of Vredenburg & Company. He next took over the business of the Spinning, Davis & Steel Company and that of the Central Printing & Engraving Company, consolidating the three enterprises, and in 1910 the business was incorporated under the name of the United Litho & Printing Companies, of which Mr. Vredenburg is the president and general manager. Each stage in the development of the business has resulted from his expert knowledge of the industry, in which he had been engaged since 1867, having entered upon his printing career at the age of twelve. The output of his plants represents the highest degree of skill in lithographers' and printers' arts and in his chosen field of activity Mr. Vredenburg is a recognized leader. For a number of years Mr. Vredenburg has specialized in printing for nurserymen, seedsmen and florists and has acquired an international reputation in this line of work. Mr. Vredenburg's activities, aside from his connection with the printing industry, have contributed to the city's upbuild- ing. He erected the building at Nos. 228 to 236 South avenue, while he also built one of the most attractive homes on the lake front, where he developed from a primi- tive condition the beautiful grounds and water front of "Glen Fern", at Rock Beach, on Lake Ontario. This was Mr. Vredenburg's residence for fifteen years. For over a decade Mr. and Mrs. Vredenburg have been spending their winters in Florida, main- taining a residence in Arcadia, that state.
In Brooklyn, New York, on the 23d of July, 1884, Mr. Vredenburg was married to Miss Mima M. Balmain, a native of Philadelphia and a daughter of George and Eleanor (Halyburton) Balmain, the former of whom was born in Edinburg, Scot- land, and the latter in London, England. Mrs. Vredenburg has for many years been actively associated with the conduct of the United Litho & Printing Companies and at the present time occupies the dual position of secretary and treasurer. Her busi- ness ability is recognized far beyond the confines of the state of New York and to her keen foresight much of the success of the enterprise is due. Mr. Vredenburg is also president and his wife treasurer of the South Florida Homes Company, a Florida corporation. They have several thousand acres in South Florida which are being developed. Mr. Vredenburg has planned to establish a home for aged people in one of the healthiest and most beautiful sections of South Florida that shall be national in its scope and one that shall embrace every comfort and convenience. This will be a philanthropy and not for profit, and everything which Mr. and Mrs. Vredenburg have will be devoted to it. Mr. Vredenburg has aided in pushing forward the wheels of progress in Rochester and his fidelity to principle, his industry, enterprise and ability are amply illustrated in his career. He is a remarkably well preserved man, especially for one whose life has been marked by unflagging industry and ceaseless activity. He is keenly interested in every project for civic betterment and stands deservedly high in the esteem of his fellowmen.
GEORGE WENDLING STAFFORD.
The automobile business has been practically the life work of George Wendling "tafford, and during the past eleven years the scene of his operations has been Rochester, where he occupies a foremost position among the leaders in the automobile trade. He was born in Buffalo, New York, June 7, 1887, a son of James B. and Harriet E. (Holloway) Stafford, the former a native of North Dublin, Ireland, and the latter of Buffalo.
George Wendling Stafford attended the public schools of Buffalo, and began his business career with the E. R. Thomas Motor Company, then one of the leading manufacturers in the industry. He remained in that connection until 1914, when he located in Rochester. Here he organized the George W. Stafford Motor Company, Incorporated, and was its treasurer until 1923, since when he has been president of the corporation.
Mr. Stafford's experience with high-grade motor cars dates back to the early days
190
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
of the luxurious type of automobile, and his connection with the trade has been characterized by clean, straightforward business methods, which have won for him the confidence of those who constitute the buying public for the better class of automobiles.
The George W. Stafford Motor Company, Incorporated, has been for some time local distributors for the Cunningham automobile, and in 1924 became distributors in Rochester for the well-known Jordan line of automobiles, whose success and popularity has been one of the outstanding sensations in automobile circles of recent years. Mr. Stafford is well informed on everything pertaining to the automobile trade, and his identification with it in this city has given him a wide and favorable acquaintanceship as well as high standing as a business man.
In Rochester, on the 2d of October, 1912, Mr. Stafford was married to Miss Marion E. Smith, and they have a daughter, Catherine Content. Mr. Stafford is a member of the Rochester Automobile Dealers' Association, the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, the Rochester Club, the Monroe Golf Club, the Ad Club and the Roch- ester Yacht Club. His residence is at No. 967 Harvard street.
GEORGE LEE MINER.
George Lee Miner, founder of The George L. Miner Company, laid the foundation for his business success in the strenuous work of the farm and was trained in that practical school which develops strong, self-reliant manhood. He first came to Rochester nearly forty-five years ago and was employed as a clerk for several years. It was in 1894 that he located here permanently, founding a business from which has been developed one of the foremost of its kind in the United States as a result of his efforts and which stands as a monument to his industry, initiative, enterprise and ability. He was born in Genoa, New York, September 1, 1856, and his parents, William O. and Harriet (Avery) Miner, were also natives of that town. The father followed the occupation of farming in Cayuga county until his death. The mother has also passed away. The paternal grandfather was a native of Connecticut and became one of the pioneer agriculturists of Cayuga county. In both paternal and maternal lines of descent Mr. Miner comes from old New England families. The Miner family was among the early settlers of Stonington, Connecticut, while the Avery family is among the most prominent in Connecticut's colonial history. George L. Miner is a descendant of the American progenitor in the ninth generation. William O. and Harriet (Avery) Miner became parents of two children: George Lee of this review; and Ida A., who became the wife of Henry D. Ross and died in Cortland, New York.
George Lee Miner attended the common schools of his native county until he reached the age of twelve, when he laid aside his textbooks, as his assistance was needed on the home farm. He was thus occupied until he reached the age of sixteen and then became a clerk in a country store. In 1881 he came to Rochester to accept a position offered him by A. S. Mann & Company, with whom he remained about eleven months. During 1882, 1883 and 1884 he was employed as a clerk by the firm of Burke, Fitzsimons, Hone & Company, receiving a salary of nine dollars per week. He then returned to his home and aided in operating the farm for three years, going at the end of that time to St. Louis, Missouri, with the intention of going into business with a cousin who was a resident of that city. This project never materialized, how- ever, owing to the financial panic of 1893. Mr. Miner returned to New York state and in 1894 located in Rochester, becoming a dealer in bicycles. He first handled what was known as the Aluminum bicycle, which was made in St. Louis and with which he first became familiar while in that city. Subsequently from time to time he handled various other makes of bicycles and passed through the trying times that befell that industry in the early part of the present century, when manufacturers and dealers all over the country were compelled to abandon it. Mr. Miner did not quit but held on, and at one time was the only, regular bicycle dealer in the city. With the coming of the motorcycle he took on that line and is today the second oldest distributor of Indian motorcycles in the United States. In more recent years, with the development and great popularity of children's vehicles, he added the stand- ard makes of these to his line of merchandise, as well as a complete line of tires and accessories. That he has found a congenial field of labor is indicated by the growth of his business, which now enjoys the reputation of being the largest and most com- plete of the kind in the country and of which he is sole owner. The George L. Miner
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.