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 23
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
In the acquirement of an education Lewis Kellogg Aldridge attended the grade and high schools of Buffalo and then entered the Rochester School of Optometry, which institution he left in 1917 to enlist for service in the World war. He was retained at Camp Upton as a member of the Domestic Service Corps until the signing of the armistice and thereafter returned to Rochester, where he completed his course in optometry and was graduated in June, 1921. He then opened an office in Batavia, where he has continued in his chosen work to the present time, with gratifying results.
It was in Buffalo that Dr. Aldridge was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Edna Eiss, daughter of George Eiss of that city. Dr. and Mrs. Aldridge are the parents of two children: Robert James and Doris Mae, both of whom are attending school in
233
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
Batavia. Dr. Aldridge maintains an independent attitude in politics, supporting men and measures rather than party. He is making an excellent record as secretary of the Kiwanis Club of Batavia, the activities of which organization, together with child welfare work, are of particular interest to him. He also belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and he is a worthy exemplar of the teachings and purposes of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the blue lodge and chapter in Batavia. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the First Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which he takes a helpful interest.
MEAD BEAM RAPPLEYE.
As far back as 1797 two families named Rappleye and Covert came to Seneca county and settled where the village of Interlaken now stands. Here Charles Rap- pleye and Jeannette Covert was born, attended school together, became sweethearts and in time were married. Charles Rappleye followed farming all his life. His widow is still living in Rochester. Their son, Mead Beam, is the subject of this review.
Mead Beam Rappleye was born near Interlaken (then Farmer Village), Decem- ber 13, 1880. As a boy he attended the public schools of his native village and later the Ithaca high school, where he completed his education. Upon leaving school he entered the law office of George Raines, one of Rochester's leading attorneys, where he studied for about two years and studied aso under private tutors for two years. He then decided to enter another vocation and became a traveling salesman. For fourteen years he remained "on the road," covering a territory that extended from New York state to Texas. During the greater part of this time he regarded Rochester as his residence.
In 1917 Mr. Rappleye was nominated and elected alderman from the eighteenth ward and at the close of his first term was reelected. Upon the expiration of his second term in December, 1920, he was elected secretary of the Builders' Exchange, which position he still holds. In the meantime he had become interested in Rochester real estate operations. He is president and director of the Rochester Standard Hous- ing Corporation, and secretary and director of the Genesee Housing Corporation, builders of homes.
On June 4, 1913, Mr. Rappleye was united in marriage to Miss Martha Lum of Lyndonville, Orleans county, New York. Mr. Rappleye is a well known figure in fraternal circles and the club life of Rochester. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, a Knight of Pythias and an Elk; belongs to the Rochester Automobile Club, the Cham- ber of Commerce, Morgan Chapter of the New York Archaeological Society, the Rochester Engineering Society and the Rochester Historical Society.
LA VERGNE A. WALKER.
La Vergne A. Walker, one of the foremost members of the legal profession in the Genesee country, has been practicing his profession in Perry, Wyoming county, since the beginning of this century, coming here from Nunda, his birthplace and boyhood home. The son of John C. and Emma (Spohn) Walker, he was born May 13, 1873. His father served in the Union army during the Civil war and received injuries while in the service, but he was able to take up the occupation of a farmer after his return to civilian life and has been engaged in that line of work most of the time ever since. He still makes his home in Nunda. The Walker family was established in this section of the country about 1810 by Mr. Walker's grandfather, a Methodist cir- cuit-rider, who settled here with his family.
La Vergne A. Walker was educated in the public and high schools of Nunda, after which he took up the study of law in the office of George D. Daggett, where he re- mained until he was admitted to the bar of New York state in 1895. As soon as he was admitted to the bar Mr. Walker started to practice for himself in Nunda and gained the first years of his experience as a full-fledged lawyer in his own home city. In 1900 he came to Perry, where he has been ever since. At first he was associated with Mr. Olmsted and later with Charles W. Johnston; then he practiced alone until 1921, when he formed a partnership with John C. Ryan, under the firm name of Walker & Ryan, which continued until January, 1924, since which time Mr. Walker has been alone. He is generally conceded to be one of the most capable attorneys in
234
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
this part of the state. He is counsel for the First National Bank of Perry and attor- ney for the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh Railroad. In recent years he has spe- cialized in trial practice and criminal cases, in which branch of his profession he has won new laurels. Both in assembling his evidence and in presenting his case in court, Mr. Walker has displayed thoroughgoing ability for organization and unusual brilliance of mind. His remarkable powers as a criminal lawyer made Mr. Walker an excellent district attorney, an office which he held from 1915 to 1921, relinquishing this post only to accept an appointment as deputy attorney general, under Hon. Charles D. Newton. In the latter capacity he was assigned to duty in New York city and remained there until April, 1923, when he resigned his office as deputy to return to Perry and resume his private practice.
Mr. Walker was married on January 15, 1896, in Dalton, New York, to Miss Grace Hunt, daughter of William W. and Ella (Tuthill) Hunt of that place. Mr. Hunt was a merchant and a member of the firm of Hunt & Moses of Dalton. Mr. Walker has one son: Ralph H. Walker, born October 29, 1896, who is a graduate of Western Reserve University of Cleveland, Ohio, and is now a chemist in Rochester.
In connection with his professional activities Mr. L. A. Walker is affiliated with the New York State Bar Association and is president of the Wyoming County Asso- ciation. He has long been intimately connected with the work of the republican party in this county, has been committeeman from this district many times, and is a member of the National Republican Club of New York city. In Perry he lends his support to those things that make for community betterment, while in religious cir- cles he is known as a member of the Universalist church. Mr. Walker is also an Elk and a Mason, in the latter order having attained the thirty-second degree and he is a Noble of Damascus Temple, of the Mystic Shrine. While this busy lawyer has always been interested in all the popular outdoor sports, it is for golf that he has the most enthusiasm. During the season he spends many enjoyable hours playing at the Silver Lake Country Club of Perry. His other social affiliations in this city are with the Perry Club.
STANLEY J. BROWN, M. D.
Practically the entire professional career of Dr. Stanley J. Brown has been passed at Mount Morris, Livingston county, New York, where he has built up a substantial practice that has grown steadily each year since he first opened his offices. He was born at Tuscarora, New York, on July 19, 1886, the son of Dr. John T. and Nettie A. (Barclay) Brown, both of whom have passed away.
The early education of Stanley J. Brown was received in the public schools, after which he pursued his professional studies at the University of Buffalo, in Buffalo, New York, from which he received the degree of M. D. and was graduated in the class of 1910. For a year after his graduation Dr. Brown was engaged in hospital work at Rochester, New York. In 1911 he located in Mount Morris, and became federal pension examiner for the district. He is local surgeon for the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad and a director of the Genesee River National Bank.
Dr. Brown was married on October 22, 1913, to Ada L. Allen of Mount Morris. The Doctor is a member of the Livingston County Medical Society, the New York State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Fraternally he is affili- ated with the Masonic order, and politically he finds his place in the democratic party.
DANIEL WEBB TOMLINSON.
Following the passing at his home in Batavia, in the summer of 1917, of the la- mented Daniel Webb Tomlinson who for so many years had occupied a foremost position in the general affairs of that city and of Genesee county, the Batavia Times said editorially: "A most remarkable man lived among us and has gone out from us. And we mourn. But his life will be an abiding heritage and his influence will live. Peace to his ashes. And eternal honor to his name. He has built a monument in our hearts and some day we will see him standing in bronze as the perfect type of civic possibility in a republic. We need D. W. forever, and we will keep him."
In further attestation of the high value of the life and services of the deceased
DR. STANLEY J. BROWN
237
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
this fine editorial appreciation remarked that "there is a world of meaning in Tenny- son's phrase-'the grand old name of gentleman'. But it was all embodied in the personality of D. W. Tomlinson. In his death this community suffers a great affliction. Never was a man more fully entitled to the appellation of leading citizen. He had the vision of the leader and the instinct of service. He was in the service of this city every hour in thought and in action. He made a success of his business. But he never built up his business on the troubles and misfortunes of others. For the troubles of others he always had profound sympathy, and he had the enlightenment to know that the success of others was success for him. To help another and to help his town he always regarded as an investment."
In the same fine appreciative strain in this connection the Batavia Daily News editorially observed that "in the death of Daniel Webb Tomlinson, Batavia loses a citizen whose place in the community and in the affections of its people will be hard to fill. Mr. Tomlinson was popular with everyone. He was generously endowed with the faculty of making friends of all with whom he came in contact and, during his many years of active business life, he was consulted by those in prosperity and adversity with equal confidence that his advice would be the honest expression of his excellent judgment.
"In his personality Mr. Tomlinson had that rare faculty of combining dignity with entire freedom from austerity, and his manner, always cordial, was entirely free from fulsomeness. Though his popularity was great and his wide acquaintance made him frequently solicited to enter public life he never sought elective office, though in minor positions where he could be of service to the community he gladly gave his best efforts in behalf of the public. *
* * Few men fill so large a place in any com- munity as Mr. Tomlinson did in Batavia, and his death will be sincerely mourned by all who had enjoyed his friendship, which extended among men and women in all walks of life."
Daniel Webb Tomlinson, for thirty-five years prior to his death president of the Bank of Batavia and one of western New York's foremost men, was born in Batavia, January 1, 1849, and died there on June 19, 1917, then being in his sixty- ninth year. Mr. Tomlinson was of sterling Yankee stock, his father, Daniel W. Tom- linson, having been born in Vergennes, in the valley of the Otter, near the foot of Lake Champlain, in Addison county, Vermont, a member of one of the old families of that section. At the age of eighteen years the senior Daniel W. Tomlinson went south and in time became identified with the cotton trade at Mobile, Alabama, where he accumulated what in those days was regarded as a fortune. In 1845 he returned north and established his home on a tract of land he had bought in the immediate vicinity of Alexander, in Genesee county, New York. At the same time he bought a controlling interest in the Exchange Bank at Alexander and presently moved to Batavia, the county seat, where he established his home and which place ever after- ward proved the center of his activities. In 1850 the Exchange Bank of Alexander was moved to Batavia and was thereafter carried on by Mr. Tomlinson until its final liquidation, following the enactment of the national bank law. It often has been said that the old Tomlinson Exchange Bank was the only bank in the state of New York that did not refuse specie payment during the time of the War of the Rebellion. In addition to his large financial interests the senior D. W. Tomlinson ever held himself ready for general community service. For some time he served as president of the village, he helped to organize the Batavia Gas Company, of which he long was the president, and was prominently identified with various other important public and private enterprises in Batavia-a useful, dependable citizen. His death occurred in 1870.
Daniel Webb Tomlinson was reared in Batavia amid the most favorable social environment and was accurately trained in business forms. He was married when twenty-two years of age and established his home in Batavia. When, on July 11, 1876, the Bank of Batavia, which now has resources in excess of four millions of dol- lars, was organized, Mr. Tomlinson was elected to the directorate of that institution and for some time prior to his death had been the sole survivor of that original board. On February 20, 1882, he was elected president of the bank and in that executive position he continued to serve the financial interests of the community the remainder of his life. Mr. Tomlinson became a member of the board of directors of the Wiard Plow Company when that concern located in Batavia in 1876 and was retained on that board as long as he lived. He also rendered service for a number of years as a member of the board of directors of the First National Bank of Batavia, was widely known in general financial circles throughout the state, and was one of the organizers of the New York State Bankers Association.
238
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
Mr. Tomlinson also was one of the prime factors in the cultivation of the general civic, commercial, social and cultural activities of his home town. He was a stanch democrat and was a member of the New York State Democratic Central committee during the campaign of 1882, which resulted in the election of Grover Cleveland as governor. He also was a member of the state committee during the memorable cam- paign terminating in the election of Mr. Cleveland to the presidency, and was a personal friend and firm adherent of the president. For some time Mr. Tomlinson served as village president and he also had rendered valuable service as a member of the board of village trustees. One of the leaders of the congregation of St. James Episcopal church, he was for many years a member of the vestry of that parish. A Knight Templar (York Rite) and Royal Arch Mason, Mr. Tomlinson had served as eminent commander of the Batavia Commandery and was also much interested in capitular Masonry, having served as high priest of Western Star Chapter No. 35, R. A. M. His blue lodge affiliation was through Batavia Lodge No. 475, F. & A. M. For twelve years Mr. Tomlinson had served as president of the local board of educa- tion and in that capacity had rendered a very real service in the matter of the extension of the school interests of the village. Before its eventual merger with the Union school library he had served as a member of the board of trustees of the old Batavia Library Association, and was in other ways ever active in the promotion of movements having to do with the extension of the community's cultural interests. In 1894, during the time of the Holland Purchase celebration, he was a director of the historical society which had that ceremony in hand and had much to do with the success of that notable celebration.
At the time of the organization of the locally influential Batavia Club in 1882, Mr. Tomlinson was elected president of that body and was ever after one of the strong supporters of its activities. As a member of many years standing of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce, his influence also was widely exercised in that body. He was a member of the New York State Chamber of Commerce and was affiliated with the automobile clubs of the cities of Rochester and Buffalo. He gave unsparingly of his time and administrative talents to the welfare of the State School for the Blind and for several terms was the president of the board of managers of that institution. As a promoter of Batavia's municipal progress he ever was active, was appointed commissioner to direct the construction of Batavia's sanitary sewer system and was also a member of the pure water commission of the city, it thus being apparent that his contributions to the general life of the community were manifold, both as regards public service and financial supoprt.
On December 6, 1871, in Batavia, Daniel Webb Tomlinson was united in mar- riage to Miss Una Redfield, daughter of Heman J. Redfield of that city. Mrs. Tomlinson survives her husband and is still making her home in Batavia. She has three sons: Daniel Webb Tomlinson, president of the Batavia Metal Products Com- pany; Everett Redfield Tomlinson, cashier of the Bank of Batavia; and Redfield Tom- linson, president of the Rochester Refrigerating Company.
CHARLES EDWARD LE ROY.
Charles Edward Le Roy has devoted his life to the mastery of the engraver's art and has attained a position of prominence and skill that ranks him with the foremost men in his line in this section of the country. As senior member of the firm of Le Roy & Hirsch he has been no small factor in securing for that firm the leading position it occupies among Rochester's high-class engravers. He was born in Hornell, New York, on the 30th of June, 1875, a son of Earl D. and Mary E. Le Roy, who have always lived in this state, the former being a native of Oswego and the latter of Cuba. They reside in Hornell, where the father has been for many years in the service of the Erie Railroad Company.
Charles Edward Le Roy attended the schools of his native city and when enter- ing on his business career he drifted into that for which he was naturally fitted. He possessed an exceptional natural talent as an engraver and early in his career did work for Scrantom, Wetmore & Company. He subsequently did work for various engraving firms and in 1922 concluded to establish a business of his own, going into partnership with Charles G. Hirsch as the firm of Le Roy & Hirsch at No. 404 Corn- wall building. The business has grown rapidly and its product of social and business stationery, monograms, heraldic designs, etc., has attracted an extensive and high- class clientele that wants something "just a little better".
CHARLES E. LE ROY
241
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
Mr. Le Roy has been twice married. His first wife, who died in 1909, was in her maidenhood Miss Louie Burroughs. On the 12th of May, 1912, he was married to Miss Mary Ella Hatch, of a prominent Rochester family.
Mr. Le Roy is a well known Mason and takes a keen interest in the work of that order, belonging to Ancient Craft Lodge No. 943, F. & A. M .; Hamilton Chapter No. 62, R. A. M .; Doric Council No. 19, R. & S. M .; Monroe Commandery No. 12, K. T .; Rochester Consistory S. P. R. S .; Damascus Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S .; and Lalla Rookh Grotto, M. O. V. P. E. R. He belongs to the Rochester Chamber of Com- merce and is also a member of the Kiwanis Club, while his religious faith is that of the Episcopal church. Mr. Le Roy is a man of determined purpose and stability of character, possessing and appreciating the respect of his fellow citizens, and his success is the logical result of concentrated effort, straightforward business methods and an unswerving fidelity to duty. Since 1919 Mr. Le Roy has resided on Rock Beach Road, where his residence, "Applewood", is one of the well kept and attractive homes in that surburb.
FRANK H. BIEL.
Frank H. Biel has steadily progressed since entering the business world and is well known in business circles of Rochester as secretary and treasurer of the Manhattan- Rome Company. He is one of the city's native sons and was born August 12, 1879. His parents, Anthony and Lucia (Blum) Biel, immigrated from Germany to the United States, settling in Rochester, where the father for many years was engaged in the retail grocery business. He passed away in 1884 but the mother is still a resident of the city.
Frank H. Biel received his early instruction in St. Joseph's parochial school and afterward completed a course in the Rochester Business Institute. He then entered the employ of Charles P. Lampert & Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan, furniture manufacturers, and for several years was a traveling salesman for that house. In 1908 he became the Rochester representative of the Manhattan-Rome Company, manufacturers of metal beds and also of bedding. His identification with this firm covers a period of seventeen years and his activities have played no small part in its progress and development. Mr. Biel has a highly specialized knowledge of the furni- ture business, to which his entire business career has been devoted, and his acquaint- ance in trade circles is very extensive.
On the 18th of June, 1902, Mr. Biel was married to Miss Rose Wiesner, a daugh- ter of Joseph Wiesner, long and prominently identified with the baking industry in Rochester. Mr. and Mrs. Biel have four children: Eugene George, who was born in 1903 and is now a student at the University of Rochester; Claudia Lucille, who was born in 1904 and is a graduate of St. Joseph's Carmelite School in Rochester; Frank A., Jr., born in 1905 and a graduate of the Rochester Business Institute; and Vera Anna, who was born in 1909, completed a course of study in St. Joseph's School and is now a student at Sacred Heart Academy.
Mr. Biel is connected with the United Commercial Travelers and exercises his right of franchise in support of the candidates of the republican party. He is a faithful communicant of the Roman Catholic church and has taken the fourth degree in the Knights of Columbus. He is a member of the Elks, the Chamber of Commerce, is a prominent member of the Knights of St. John and was very active in their in- ternational convention, held in Rochester in 1924. It extended from July 12th until July 17th and was attended by ten thousand Knights, assembled from all sections of the country. Mr. Biel has a wide acquaintance in Rochester and many of his warmest friends have known him since boyhood. His residence is at No. 287 Andrews street.
GEORGE ALBERT SCOVILLE.
George Albert Scoville, an electrical engineer of broad experience, is well known in business circles of Rochester as vice president and sales manager of the Stromberg Carlson Telephone Company and stands high in the esteem of his fellow citizens. He was born in Ironton, Missouri, December 2, 1876, a son of Frank and Katherine (Shepherd) Scoville, the former a native of Ansonia, Connecticut, and the latter of Hamilton, Ohio. They resided in Missouri for a short period and then moved to
15-Vol. IV
242
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
Chicago, spending six years in that city. At the end of that time they went to the Pacific coast, settling in Corona, where the father engaged in the growing of fruit, becoming a successful horticulturist. He resided in the Golden state until his demise. The mother has also passed away.
George Albert Scoville was a pupil in the public schools of Corona and received his higher education in Leland Stanford University, which he attended for four years, completing a course in electrical engineering. He began his business career with the Western Electric Company of Chicago, with which he was connected for three years, and then went to Elyria, Ohio. For ten years he was in the employ of the Dean Electric Company of that city and on July 1, 1916, came to Rochester as sales manager for the Stromberg Carlson Telephone Company. He has filled this important office for the past eight years, and in connection with his other official capacity is discharging his duties with characteristic thoroughness and efficiency, and his services have been of much value to the corporation which he represents. He is also president of the Stromberg Carlson Telephone Manufacturing Company, Limited, of Canada.
In Riverside, California, on May 10, 1905, Mr. Scoville was married to Miss Mary Josephine Dyer, a daughter of O. T. and Mary Dyer, the former a prominent fruit grower of that locality. Mr. Scoville belongs to the Frank R. Lawrence Lodge of Masons, to Rochester Consistory, and is also a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the Rochester Engineering Society, the American Institute of Electrical Engineers and the Society of Automotive Engineers; of the Genesee Valley Club, the Oak Hill Country Club, and the Rochester Automobile and Ad Clubs. His religious views are in harmony with the tenets of the Episcopal church and his civic spirit finds expression in his affiliation with the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Scoville's career has been rounded with success and marked by appreciation of men whose good opinion is worth having. His residence is at No. 166 Yarmouth road.
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.