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 19
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GEORGE L. MINER
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Company is one of the most efficient business organizations in Rochester, main- taining an up-to-date repair and service department, wherein the small child's vehicle receives the same careful attention as the most expensive type of motorcycles. Mr. Miner combines a detailed knowledge of the business with executive force and the highest standards of commercial ethics have influenced him in his dealings with the public. Mr. Miner's familiarity with the bicycle dates back over forty years, in the days of the old high wheel. He was an enthusiastic rider of this type long before improved roads had been thought of. In the summer of 1883 he pedaled his high wheel from Rochester to Genoa, a distance of ninety-three miles, in one day and that, too, after he had severely sprained his wrist early on the trip.
In Ithaca, New York, on the 15th of December, 1887, Mr. Miner was married to Miss Minnie C. Root, a daughter of Horace L. Root. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Miner. The only one living is a daughter, Margaret R., who graduated from Columbia Preparatory School and later from the Mechanics Institute. She subsequently pursued a special course at Columbia University of New York city and is now a teacher in the Charlotte high school.
Mr. Miner casts his ballot for the candidates of the republican party. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Yonnondio Lodge No. 163, F. & A. M., and to Lalla Rookh Grotto, M. O. V. P. E. R. He is also a member of the National League of Masonic Clubs, the Automobile Club, the Rochester Real Estate Dealers Association and the Chamber of Commerce. He is an effective exponent of all that makes for loyal and progressive citizenship and a life of rightly directed industry has earned for him the respect, confidence and goodwill of his fellowmen. Since 1911, Mr. Miner has resided at No. 161 Crosman terrace.
WILLIAM C. EMBURY.
William C. Embury is a leading representative of industrial interests in Wyoming county as president and treasurer of the Embury Manufacturing Company, which he organized for the making of lanterns, in Rochester, in 1908. Three years later he moved his plant to Warsaw, where he has continued in business to the present time and has developed the second largest concern of its kind in the United States. He was born in Napanee, Ontario, Canada, on the 17th of December, 1873, his parents being Philip and Anne E. (Dunham) Embury. The father, who was active in the real estate and insurance field in Ontario during his entire business career, passed away in 1907. One of his ancestors, Philip Embury, a native of England, was the first Methodist preacher to come to New York, where he remained from 1760 until the outbreak of the Revolutionary war and then made his way across the border into Canada, for he did not desire to engage in conflict with his mother country.
William C. Embury was the first of the family to settle in the Genesee country. He attended the grammar and high schools of Napanee, Ontario, in the acquirement of an education and afterward entered the service of the Rathbun Company, ship- builders, flour merchants and lumber manufacturers, with which concern he remained for three years. Subsequently he spent five years with the Kemp Manufacturing Com- pany of Toronto, Ontario, and then in 1901 organized the Defiance Lantern Company, with which he was officially identified as secretary and general manager for eight years. On the expiration of that period he organized the Embury Manufacturing Company in Rochester, New York, but three years later moved his plant to Warsaw, where he has conducted the business to the present time. He has been at the head of the enterprise in the dual capacity of president and treasurer since its inception and has proved himself an executive of exceptional ability, keen sagacity and foresight. The Embury Manufacturing Company makes a standard line of lanterns, under the Supreme brand. Some idea of the volume of its business may be gained from the fact that its production for the year 1923 was over seventy-five thousand dozen, one- third of which output was exported. Employment is furnished to about one hundred and seventy-five people.
On the 16th of October, 1901, in Toronto, Canada, Mr. Embury was united in marriage to Miss Edna E. Walker, daughter of W. T. and Hannah Walker of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Embury have five children: Philip, who was born June 30, 1902, was graduated from Hamilton College in 1924; Frederick B., whose natal day was February 29, 1904, is attending Cornell University, a member of the class of 1926; Ruth, who was born October 21, 1905; Grace, who was born on the 11th of February,
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1908; and William J., born on April 13, 1903. The three last named are pupils in the Warsaw high school.
Mr. Embury is a stanch republican in politics and has membership with the Warsaw Board of Trade. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Congregational church of Warsaw, while fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order. He also belongs to the Silver Lake Country Club and the Stafford Country Club and finds needed recreation in golf and motoring and other outdoor pleasures. His career has been marked by that steady advancement which results from intelli- gently directed effort and well formu'ated plans and in the conduct of his business he never stops short of the attainment of his objective.
W. CARYL WITT.
Farming on a large scale, extensive dairy interests and a business as a retail dealer in coal, fully occupy the time of W. Caryl Witt, one of the substantial and progressive citizens of Mount Morris, Livingston county, New York. He was born at Nunda, Livingston county, on November 25, 1875, the son of John C. and Helen (Baylor) Witt. John C. Witt was born at Schenevus, Otsego county, New York, on February 28, 1835, and died on July 1, 1923, at Mount Morris. Isaac Witt, his grand- father, and the great-grandfather of W. Caryl Witt, moved from New Hampshire to Maryland, Otsego county, where he made a home for the family. His son, Samuel C., father of John C. and grandfather of W. Caryl Witt, after his marriage moved to the town of Worcester, Otsego county, where he bought a hotel and managed it until his death. His wife, Susan Caryl, was a native of Vermont and daughter of Isaac Caryl, a pioneer of Schoharie county, New York. John C. Witt began his career as clerk in a general store, and later was in the mercantile business for himself in Otsego and Schoharie counties until 1863, when he moved to Livingston county and for a number of years was successfully engaged in a number of enterprises in Nunda and Dansville. In 1878 he became the owner of a large farm in Mount Morris township, and at the same time bought a boot and shoe store which he sold soon afterward; and he was also engaged in stock raising. A stanch democrat, he took deep interest in party affairs. He served as supervisor for five terms from 1894. He married Catharine Moak, who died in 1872. In 1874 he was married to Helen Baylor of Mount Morris, and they had one son, W. Caryl Witt of this review.
W. Caryl Witt acquired his education in the county grade and high schools and in a business college. His first occupation was as clerk of the Powers Hotel in Rochester, New York, since which time he has engaged in farming at Mount Morris and Nunda, the latter farm being devoted to dairying. Mr. Witt purchased the coal business in Mount Morris which he now conducts, on October 1, 1911, from Edward Seymour, who had owned it for twenty years.
Mr. Witt was married on May 3, 1913, to Edith MacCready of Mount Morris. Politically Mr. Witt gives his support to the democratic party.
ROY M. MASON.
Roy M. Mason, sales and advertising manager of F. E. Mason & Sons of Batavia, manufacturers of embossed seals and labels, is thus active in the control of one of the largest concerns of its kind in the world, as well as one of the pioneer enterprises in the industry, for the business was founded in 1908. He was born in Fulton, Oswego county, New York, on the 15th of March, 1886, his parents being Frank E. and Eliza- beth (Wilson) Mason. It was about the year 1890 that the father removed with his family from Fulton to Batavia, New York, where he has remained to the present time and where he has gained an extensive and favorable acquaintance. As the founder of the business of F. E. Mason & Sons he has become a prominent figure in manufac- turing circles of the city, and he is still active in the management of this important and prosperous concern.
As a youth Roy M. Mason attended the grammar and high schools of Batavia and then devoted five years to the study of art. Removing to Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, he there spent two years as a commercial artist in the employ of the Ketter- linus Lithographic Manufacturing Company, after which he engaged in business as a member of the firm of Mason & Mason for eight years. Upon the expiration of that
JOHN C. WITT
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period he disposed of his interest therein and returned to Batavia, where he became a member of the firm of F. E. Mason & Sons, to the continued success of which he is now contributing in the capacity of sales and advertising manager. This concern, one of the pioneers in the manufacture of embossed seals and labels, now does a gross business of over two hundred and fifty thousand dollars annually and furnishes employment to more than fifty people. Branch establishments are maintained in New York city and Chicago, with representative managers in Boston, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles, Sydney, Australia, Canada, North America and Central America. The firm makes all of the gold paper which it utilizes and does ninety per cent of its voluminous business direct by mail.
On the 16th of June, 1913, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Mr. Mason was united in marriage to Lena Seitz, daughter of John Seitz of Batavia, New York. Politically Mr. Mason may be termed an independent republican. He is a member of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce, the Batavia Club and the Stafford Country Club, and enjoys deserved popularity in social as well as business circles of the city. He has manifested marked talent as a landscape painter, exhibiting his work in the cities of New York and Philadelphia.
HERBERT JOSEPH STULL.
No history of the Genesee country would be complete without extended mention of the Stull family, whose members have contributed their quota toward its upbuilding for more than a century, and the name has long been an honored one in business and professional circles of Monroe county. The first of the family to settle in western New York was Jacob Stull, who established his residence in Rush in 1801, and in 1814 he erected the first house in that section of Monroe county. The building is still standing and is one of the historic landmarks of the state. Jacob Stull was one of the earliest pioneers of Rush and there spent the remainder of his life, taking a leading part in all public enterprises. He was the father of twelve children, one of whom was John P. Stull, the father of Joseph A. Stull, who was born in Rush in 1828, and chose the practice of law as his life work. He rose to a position of prominence in his profession and served as district attorney of Monroe county from 1859 to 1862. In Henrietta, New York, he was married to Miss Ophelia Sibley, who passed away in Rochester in 1890, at the age of fifty-eight, and his death occurred in this city in 1903, when he was seventy-four years of age. They were the parents of six children: Otho, who died in 1916; Mrs. Agnes Seidel, who passed away in 1894; John M., a prominent attorney of Rochester; Claribel and Horace, both of whom are deceased; and Herbert Joseph of this review.
Herbert Joseph Stull attended the public schools, the Rochester Free Academy and Hale's Preparatory School, afterward matriculating in the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated with the class of 1888. He then entered the office of the firm of Stull, Foote & Taylor, of which his father was the senior member, and there read law for two years. He was admitted to the bar in 1890 and has since practiced in Rochester, in association with John M. Stull. The firm of Stull Brothers ranks with the leading legal organizations of the city and has been retained as counsel in many important cases. In addition to his professional activities Herbert J. Stull is serving as president of the Rochester Fire Works Company.
Mr. Stull was married in Rochester on the 4th of June, 1895, to Miss Olive Griffith, a daughter of Jacob P. Griffith. Mr. and Mrs. Stull have a family of three children: Marian, who attended the University of Rochester and is the wife of G. Raymond Bicknell; Olive, a student at Smith College; and Joseph Sibley, born July 2, 1911, in Rochester, who is attending the Monroe junior high school. Mr. Stull is a member of the Rochester Bar Association and Delta Kappa Epsilon, a college fraternity.
MARY ANNA (BUCK) EVANS.
Mary Anna (Buck) Evans, one of Lockport's talented daughters and a prominent figure in literary and social circles of the city, was born January 27, 1857, of the marriage of John Hildreth Buck and Harriet Maria Fletcher, the former of Welsh lineage. The Fletcher family is of French origin and the name was first known as Fléchier. Subsequently representatives of the family migrated to England and thence
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to the United States. The father was born in Northfield, Vermont, November 22, 1827, and the mother was born in Bridport, that state, April 21, 1833.
Mary Anna Buck was educated in public and private schools of this country and also had the benefit of study in foreign lands. She has traveled extensively, and being a keen and d'scriminating observer, her mental horizon has been greatly broadened. Her life has been largely devoted to literary pursuits, and the products of her pen have earned for her much favorable notice. She is the author of the following books of verse, published by G. P. Putnam's Sons of New York City: "In Various Moods"; "Nymphs, Nix es and Naiads"; "The Moonlight Sonata"; "The Caliph's Secret"; and "The Cry of Vashti". She has also written a tale in verse entitled: "A Christmas Episode at the Old Eagle Tavern." Her books have had a wide sale and it is a dull mind that does not respond to the touch of her thought and the play of her fancy.
On August 20, 1879, Mary Anna Buck was united in marriage to Spalding Evans, also a native of Lockport, and they became the parents of a daughter, Mary Hale Evans, born September 5, 1880. She was married to Richard Evans Norton on June 23, 1904, and they have two daughters: Nancy Evans Norton and Caroline Harper Norton. They reside in Rosemont, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. Mr. Evans was a devoted husband and father, and his death, which occurred in Lockport, on March 11, 1923, was deeply mourned by his family, as well as by an extensive circle of friends.
Mrs. Evans is well informed on matters of public moment and has always been an advocate of the democratic party, believing that its platform contains the best elements of government for the majority. She has resided both in Buffalo and in Lockport, and in the latter city is president of the Book Club, president and founder of the Saturday Club, and president of the Hospital Aid Association. She also belongs to the Lockport Historical Society, the Country Club and the Woman's Club. Mrs. Evans is first vice regent of the Buffalo chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and has filled that office for several years. She has recently been elected to membership in the Poetry Society of America, and she has been honored with the presidency of the Buffalo branch of the League of American Pen Women, is a member of the Twentieth Century, New England Women's and Scribblers' Clubs of Buffalo, and is very active in organizations of this character, belonging to twenty in all. She is a consistent follower of the teachings of the Episcopal church, being a member of Grace Episcopal church of Lockport, and has been very active in some of its auxiliary organizations, and her life has been one of great usefulness and activity, crowned with noteworthy achievement.
JUDGE JOHN WARRANT CASTLEMAN.
Few men have occupied a warmer position in the hearts of their fellow citizens than did Judge John Warrant Castleman, and a life of great usefulness and far- reaching influence was ended when he was called to his final rest on January 1, 1920, at the age of fifty-two. For nearly thirty years he was a member of the Rochester bar and exemplified in his conduct the lofty ideals of an ancient and noble calling, honoring his profession by his adherence to the solid virtues and enlightened princi- ples underlying the law. His life was fragrant with good deeds and his thoughts were ever fixed upon problems for the betterment of his community and humanity in general. He always allied himself with those who were handicapped in the struggle for existence and his unselfish service in behalf of the children of Rochester made him eminently fitted to preside over the juvenile court. His outstanding achievement in the field of public service was along educational lines and his career was an inspiring example of good citizenship.
John Warrant Castleman was a son of Jacob Frank and Cora Josephine (War- rant) Castleman, and was born July 19, 1868, on a farm that is now a part of Genesee Valley Park. As a boy he attended school No. 13 and the Rochester Free Academy, in which he prepared for college. He was graduated from the University of Rochester in the class of 1899 and studied law in the office of Oscar Craig, who was at that time president of the state board of charities. He acted as private secretary to Mr. Craig and during that period became interested in social service work and the problems of life which later claimed so large a share of his attention. He was admitted to the New York state bar in 1891 and remained in Mr. Craig's office until 1893, when he formed a partnership with George Herbert Smith. From 1893 until 1898 he was a member of the firm of Smith & Castleman and in 1902 he became a partner in the
JUDGE JOHN W. CASTLEMAN
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firm of Smith, De Graff & Castleman, which was continued under that style until 1907, when it became Smith, De Graff, Castleman & Mosher. This relationship was maintained until 1914 and in February, 1919, the firm of Castleman, Servis & Stauden- maier was formed.
In October, 1907, Judge Castleman was nominated for school commissioner on the republican, democratic and independent tickets and in November he was elected for a term of four years, assuming the duties of that office on January 1, 1908. He was reelected in November, 1911, and on January 5, 1914, was made president of the Rochester Board of Education, holding that position until 1919. Of his public service in that connection Superintendent Weet said:
"For eleven years J. Warrant Castleman was a member of the Board of Educa- tion. During the last four years of this time he was president of the board. It was a kind of public service that strongly appealed to him and he performed it with rare devotion and intelligence. His interest in the public schools grew with his years of service and nothing gave him greater satisfaction than to do those things which are of help to teachers and pupils alike. The schools were constantly in his thoughts and affections, and even after he left the board he continued to think and plan for their welfare. He always regarded the establishment of the junior high school as the greatest contribution to the cause of public education in this city. He saw in this type of school organization an equal chance adapted to the abilities of every boy and girl, and above all an opportunity for instilling American ideals. He followed its extension with the deepest interest. Less than a week before his death he inquired anxiously about the Madison and Monroe Junior high schools and expressed the hope that nothing would prevent their erection. He worked with no less zeal for the physical health and well-being of the children. With the regular instruction along these lines in the schools he sought to have the health clubs and the boys' and girls' recreational clubs encouraged to use the health knowledge gained. He named the 'Live a Little Longer' health courses for women and urged their extension because of his conviction that only as the home through such means came to know how to care for the health of children could the best results be obtained. He strongly favored the child study department of the public schools and helped in every way to further its development. He had a special sympathy for the handicapped child and believed that such children could not be intelligently dealt with except as they were made a special study through such a department. Later, when he took charge of the children's court, he turned to this department and used its information on every possible occasion. In these and many other ways he advanced the cause of public education in this city. Rochester schools have never had a better or more devoted friend than J. Warrant Castleman."
In 1919 Mr. Castleman was appointed special county judge of Monroe county by Governor Charles S. Whitman to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Willis K. Gillette, who had been elected county judge, and in the fall of that year was elected special county judge for a full term by a very large vote. The children's court was to him the chief attraction in the office and in this branch of the work he made several notable innovations. He organized a clinic at the Shelter and all the children who came before him were given the benefit of a scientific mental and physical examination, which extended into their antecedents in the hope of discovering the cause of their misfortune. During the time the children were on probation Judge Castleman made suitable provisions for their environment and well-being and they came to regard him as a friend and sympathizer, rather than as the stern conservator of justice. In 1905 he was made a director of the Children's Playground League of Rochester, his first public activity, and strongly advocated the introduction of the one-story schoolhouse in the city.
Judge Castleman's work as a member of the legal profession was characterized by direct methods and an appreciation of permanent results rather than temporary advantages. He had gathered about him a clientele for whom he became the confi- dential adviser in matters of large importance, and it is significant that those who came to him first in his professional career always remained his clients. His power of clear analysis, his common sense, his knowledge of the law and of the rights to be enjoyed and the liabilities to be feared in business life made his counsel highly prized by those who sought his advice. His natural bent was not that of the advocate, delighting in the controversies of the forum. His greatest opportunity for usefulness as a lawyer dealing with his clients was in consultation with them as a guide, counselor and friend.
Judge Castleman was preeminently loyal to his country, his city, his state, his friends, his clients and his family and his character was a happy combination of
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strength and gentleness. He was the organizer of the War Service Corps, with a membership of several thousand, and was made its colonel. He was a director of the Rochester Patriotic & Community Fund and an active member of the Home Defense League. He regularly attended the drills and did guard duty at the reservoir several nights during the early part of the war. He was also active in all the campaigns for the sale of Liberty bonds and Thrift stamps. He was a director of the Genesee Valley Trust Company and a trustee of the Rochester Public Library. He belonged to the Rochester Bar Association, the Rochester Historical Society, the Chamber of Commerce, the Genesee Valley Club, the Rochester Yacht Club, the City Club and the Rochester Club. He was also a member of the Delta Psi fraternity and during 1917-18 was president of the Alumni Association of the University of Rochester. During the campaign to raise an endowment fund of one million dollars for that insti- tution he rendered valuable service to his Alma Mater in the capacity of chairman of the finance committee. He was also a member of the Rochester Tuberculosis com- mittee and a director of the Children's Playground League of Rochester and the Rochester Public Health Association.
On February 26, 1892, Judge Castleman was married to Miss Blanche S. Wagoner of Rochester, who passed away on August 2, 1897. On October 25, 1899, Judge Castle- man was married to Miss N. Augusta Wagoner, who survives him. They became the parents of two daughters: Blanche and Nancy.
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