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 3
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Ernest Gordon Parmelee supplemented his public school training by a course in the Rochester Free Academy and after completing his education opened a general store at Rush, New York. He conducted the business from 1891 until 1897 and then disposed of it, afterward working as a traveling salesman for various wholesale houses of Rochester for some time. In 1907 he entered the real estate business in partnership with Maurice H. Neil. Subsequently the business was incorporated as the Neil & Parmelee Company, of which Mr. Parmelee is president. This company conducts a large general real estate brokerage business and is recognized as one of the most progressive real estate houses in the city. Its volume of business places it among the very foremost real estate organizations in Rochester, utilizing an office force of ten persons and a corps of twenty-five salesmen. The operations of the Neil & Parmelee Company have had to do with many important development projects, transforming unsightly vacancies into beautiful residential districts. They recently platted three subdivisions: the Bon Air, situated near Eastman Park and comprising one hundred and ten lots, all of which have been sold; the Park View, containing seventy-five lots; and the Fair Lea, which is situated at the intersection of Wisner road and Culver road, and embraces eighty-five lots. The firm also takes charge of the management of property and likewise engages in home building and general development work, conducting its operations on an extensive scale. Mr. Parmelee is president of the Developers Realtor Company, Incorporated, and the Realtor Build- ing & Construction Company, Incorporated, and his official connection with any busi- ness organization is a guarantee of its success, for he never fails to accomplish what he undertakes.
At Wheeling, West Virginia, on the 18th of January, 1904, Mr. Parmelee was united in marriage to Miss Bernadine Cecelia Schaefer, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Schaefer, prominent residents of that city. Mr. Parmelee is an influential member of the Chamber of Commerce and is also identified with the city, state and national real estate boards and the Rochester Club. He is a dominant figure in real estate circles of Rochester, a strong center of the community in which he moves, and his life history is a record of noteworthy achievement through individual effort. Mr. Parmelee's city residence is at No. 42 Darwin street, while his country home is "Walnut Ridge Farm" at Rush, New York.
ISAAC M. BRICKNER.
Isaac M. Brickner, who has been an active representative of the legal profession in Rochester for nearly a quarter of a century, is a worthy native son of the city who is widely recognized as an attorney of exceptional power and ability. He was born on the 14th of January, 1869, his parents being Max and Caroline (Wile) Brickner, both of whom were natives of Germany. The mother was a little maiden of five summers when brought by her parents to the New World. Max Brickner reached American shores on the 14th of December, 1859, and after spending some time in New York city made his way to Talladega, Alabama. As he was not in sympathy
ERNEST G. PARMELEE
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with the cause of the Confederacy, however, he returned to the Empire state at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war, and in 1864 took up his abode in Rochester. Here he embarked in the wholesale clothing business, in which he met with a gratifying degree of success, continuing therein for about a third of a century, or until 1897. In the latter year he became identified with the stock brokerage firm of J. M. Bache & Company, which he represented for a period of two decades, or until 1917, when he put aside business cares, spending the remainder of his life in honorable retirement. He was chosen president of the Chamber of Commerce in 1892 and was long numbered among the leading and highly respected citizens of Rochester. His death occurred on the 23d of November, 1920. It was on the 14th of March, 1866, that he wedded Miss Caroline Wile, who departed this life on August 16, 1877. Their family numbered five children, as follows: Dr. Samuel M. Brickner, now deceased, who was one of the best known obstetricians in the world; Sadie, who passed away in 1879, when six years of age; David M. and Max O., who are residents of New York city; and Isaac M., of this review.
Isaac M. Brickner supplemented his public school education by a course of study in the Rochester Free Academy, from which he was graduated in 1887. His more advanced intellectual training was received in the University of Rochester, in which institution he completed his course by graduation in 1891. During the succeeding seven years he devoted his attention to the publishing business and then took up the study of law under the preceptorship of George Raines. He began the practice of his chosen profession on the 9th of October, 1900, and has since been accorded a steadily growing and distinctively representative clientage that has connected him with con- siderable important litigation. He is remarkable among lawyers for the wide research and provident care with which he prepares his cases. At no time has his reading been confined to the limitations of the questions at issue. It has gone beyond and compassed every contingency and provided not alone for the expected but for the unexpected, which happens in the courts quite as frequently as out of them.
On the 29th of June, 1905, Mr. Brickner was united in marriage to Miss Edith L. Bradstreet. Politically Mr. Brickner is a stanch supporter of the democratic party. As the democratic nominee for the position of district attorney in 1916, he ran five thousand votes ahead of the ticket. He is a worthy exemplar of the teachings and purposes of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Yonnondio Lodge No. 163, F. and A. M., of which he served as master in 1922; Ionic Chapter No. 210, R. A. M .; Doric Council, R. and S. M .; Rochester Consistory, A. and A. S. R .; and Damascus Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is likewise a member of the Masonic Club, the Shrine Lunch Club, the Greek letter fraternity known as Delta Upsilon and the Automobile Club of Rochester. Mr. Brickner well deserves representation among the able lawyers and esteemed citizens of Rochester, where he has resided from his birth to the present time.
WILLIAM W. BABCOCK.
William W. Babcock is a prominent representative of industrial interests in Steuben county as president of The W. W. Babcock Company, ladder and churn manu- facturers in the town of Bath, which he organized two decades ago. He was born on October 16, 1868, in Dansville, Livingston county, New York, a son of Seymour and Joanna (Coleman) Babcock. The family is among the oldest in Steuben county, for George G. Babcock, the paternal grandfather of William W. Babcock, was born in Mendon, Ontario county. Seymour Babcock, the father of Mr. Babcock of this: review, served with the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Infantry in the Civil war, was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and enjoyed the close friendship of Colonel Faulkner.
In the acquirement of an education William W. Babcock attended the grammar schools and continued his studies in the high school at Canaseraga. After putting aside his textbooks he learned the painter's trade, at which he worked for a period of fifteen years. Subsequently he spent three years in a general store in Campbell, New York, and afterward served as under sheriff of Steuben county for a similar length of time. It was in 1904 that he organized The W. W. Babcock Company for the manufacture of ladders, which he has developed from a small concern to one of extensive and profitable proportions, the product being sold in all parts of the United States. The output includes all kinds of ladders and also churns. The business of the corporation has grown to such a degree that the capital has been increased from ten thousand dollars to a quarter of a million. The steady expansion of the industry
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is largely attributable to the well directed energy, excellent executive ability and sound judgment of Mr. Babcock, its president, who has ever manifested a keen interest in the welfare of those in his service. The W. W. Babcock Company has built houses for its employes, most of whom now own their homes, having taken advantage of the easy payment terms offered. The company maintains its own fire department, the members of which cheerfully go to the assistance of the village department when their aid may be needed. Mr. Babcock is also the president of the Courier Printing Company and has long ranked among the leading business men and influential citizens of Bath.
Mr. Babcock is married and has one son, Millard Babcock, who is connected with the Babcock Company. Mr. Babcock is now constructing a modern theater in Bath, to be known as the Babcock Theater, costing sixty thousand dollars, and seating an audience of seven hundred. No movement for the betterment of the community seeks his aid in vain. A stanch supporter of the republican party, he was a member of the county committee for several years and a presidential elector in 1916. As a member of the Bath board of aldermen for nine years he pushed forward many public improvements and was instrumental in the paving of all streets in the town. For several years he owned a baseball team in Bath and contributed very liberally to the pay of the players. He is an enthusiastic advocate of healthy outdoor sports. A member of the Christian Science church, Mr. Babcock largely attributes his success in life to the inspiration of that faith.
FRANK P. CONLON.
If a census were taken of the automobiles that traverse the highways of Liv- ingston county, New York, by the thousands every day, it would be found that an unusually large proportion of them first started on their duty of demolishing dis- tances, from the agency of Frank Patrick Conlon, at Mount Morris, Livingston county, New York, who was one of the pioneer dealers in automobiles, opening the first garage in Livingston county in 1909, and who has for some years been conducting the largest agency in the county. He was born at Le Roy, Genesee county, New York, on November 14, 1882, the son of Patrick and Anna (Judge) Conlon, both of whom are living in Le Roy. They had a family of twelve children.
Frank P. Conlon, after receiving his education in the parochial schools, went to work at the age of fourteen. He was on a farm for two years, in a dry goods store two years, and then in a clothing store for ten years. In 1911 he established a garage and Ford agency at Mount Morris, managed both successfully for ten years, and sold out on January 1, 1921. He now has the agency for the Studebaker cars. Mr. Conlon is a director of the Genesee River National Bank, and has been president as well as a trustee of Mount Morris village.
Mr. Conlon was married on January 20, 1903, to Edith M. Wiseman, who died on December 1, 1919. On January 31, 1923, he was married to Katharine E. Remmel. He is a democrat in his political views, and in religion a member of the Roman Catholic church and belongs to the Knights of Columbus.
HENRY J. SCHIEFER, JR.
Important business interests claim the attention and profit by the experience, ability and good judgment of Henry J. Schiefer, Jr., a well-known electrical engineer, who for the past eight years has made Rochester the scene of his operations. He was born in Buffalo, New York, August 25, 1882, and is a son of Henry J. and Clara (Whittaker) Schiefer, also natives of that city, in which they have always made their home. The father was a jeweler of Buffalo and one of its prosperous business men and highly respected citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Schiefer have two sons, Henry J. and Fred W., both residents of Rochester.
Henry J. Schiefer received his elementary training in his native city and con- tinued his studies in the University of Syracuse, from which he was graduated in 1908, on the completion of a course in electrical engineering. He followed his pro- fession in Buffalo and other cities until 1917, when he came to Rochester and organized the Schiefer Electric Company, of which he is president and general manager. He has an expert understanding of the work in which he is engaged and through wise
FRANK P. CONLON
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management and concentrated effort has built up a business of substantial and profitable proportions.
In Berwick, Pennsylvania, June 14, 1912, Mr. Schiefer was married to Miss Florence Lowry, a daughter of William F. Lowry, district manager of the American Car and Foundry Company of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Schiefer have one child, Elizabeth. She was born August 14, 1915, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and is now a student in grammar school No. 23 of Rochester. Mr. Schiefer is a member of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers and a Knights Templar Mason and Shriner. He belongs to the Shrine Lunch Club, the Oak Hill Country Club, the Rochester Club, the Automobile Club, the Rochester Engineering Society and the Chamber of Com- merce. He is an earnest member of the Third Presbyterian church and consistently follows its teachings. Mr. Schiefer is an able representative of his profession and close study and unremitting effort have brought him to the front in his chosen line of work.
HERBERT WILLIAM FUDGE, M. D.
Among the physicians and surgeons of Elmira who have achieved success in the profession is numbered Dr. Herbert William Fudge, who for thirty-one years has practiced in this city. He was born in Seneca Falls, New York, March 21, 1869, a son of William and Elizabeth (Salvage) Fudge, both of whom were natives of England. They were married in the Empire state and were parents of four children, three of whom are living, Herbert W. being the youngest in the family. The father followed the trade of a machinist and became a resident of Elmira in 1875. He obtained work with the La France Engine Company and remained in its service until his death, which occurred in 1902. He was a member of the Episcopal church, with which his wife was also affiliated, and cast his ballot for the candidates of the democratic party.
Herbert William Fudge attended the public schools and Elmira Academy, after- ward becoming a medical student at the University of Buffalo, and was graduated with the class of 1893. He chose Elmira as the scene of his professional activities, and while he conducts a general practice, his attention is given chiefly to surgical cases and he has won an enviable reputation as an obstetrician. He is surgeon to the Arnot-Ogden Memorial Hospital. He took a postgraduate course in the Polyclinic Hospital of Philadelphia in 1900.
On March 30, 1897, Dr. Fudge was married to Miss Bertha Rice, who was born in Cuba, New York, and was there educated. Dr. and Mrs. Fudge have become the parents of three children: Russell G., who was graduated from Princeton University in June, 1923, and is now following the profession of a civil engineer in the city of Philadelphia; Donald G., who is a junior at Princeton; and Marjorie, a high school student.
Dr. and Mrs. Fudge are affiliated with the Episcopal church and he is identified with the lodge, chapter and Grotto in Masonry. He also belongs to the Masonic Club and the Elmira Golf and Country Club, while his professional connections are with the Elmira Academy of Medicine and the Chemung County Medical Society. He has been president of both organizations and is also a member of the New York State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
RICHARD WHITNEY ADAMS.
Richard Whitney Adams has made efficiency his watchword and each change in his business connections has brought him a broader outlook and wider opportunities. He has won success through the medium of his own efforts, and experience and ability well qualify him for the responsible office of cashier of the Power Specialty Company of Dansville. He was born in East Bloomfield, Ontario county, New York, December 20, 1866, and his parents were Philip T. and Julia A. (French) Adams. He attended the country schools and completed his education in the Geneseo Normal School. When a young man of eighteen he engaged in teaching school in Livingston county under the direction of Foster W. Walker and devoted two years to educational work. He then went to Chicago and spent four and a half years in that city, concentrating his attention upon the general fire insurance business. He returned to the east and for a year engaged in the hardwood flooring business in Boston, employed by a branch
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of the Wood Mosaic Company of Rochester, New York. He arrived at Dansville in 1895 and became identified with the George Sweet Manufacturing Company, manu- facturers of agricultural machinery. Mr. Adams served as secretary and treasurer of the firm, and in 1904, when the business was taken over by the Power Specialty Company, was made cashier of the new organization. For twenty years he has filled that office, discharging his duties with characteristic thoroughness and efficiency and rendering to the firm faithful and valuable service. The company manufactures Foster superheaters, economizers and oil heaters and conducts a business of extensive pro- portions. The firm has established its headquarters in New York city and maintains branch offices at Dallas (Texas), Pittsburgh, Boston, Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia, Kansas City, San Francisco and Los Angeles, and in London, England, while its indus- trial plants are located at Dansville, New York, and Egham, England.
On the 10th of June, 1903, Mr. Adams was united in marriage to Miss Alice Bradner Grant, and they have a daughter, Amelia Louise. Mr. Adams is a warden and vestryman of the Episcopal church and indorses the candidates and principles of the republican party. He is identified with the Masonic order and is also a member of the Rotary Club of Dansville. He takes the interest of a good citizen in public affairs and conscientiously discharges the duties and obligations of life. He has placed his dependence upon the substantial qualities of industry, honesty and per- severance and time has proven his worth.
THOMAS HOYT ARMSTRONG.
Thomas Hoyt Armstrong, long prominent in educational circles of the Genesee country, is at the head of the Interstate Teachers' Agency of Rochester, which he established in 1905. His birth occurred in Pompey, Onondaga county, New York, November 15, 1864, his parents being James and Jane (Cavanaugh) Armstrong, both of whom were natives of the north of Ireland, whence they emigrated to the New World. The father, who devoted his life to general agricultural pursuits, has passed away, as has also the mother.
In the acquirement of an education Thomas Hoyt Armstrong attended public school in his native city, pursued a course of study in the Pompey Academy and subsequently entered the Brockport State Normal School, from which he was gradu- ated in 1890. Taking up the profession of teaching, he acted as an instructor in Pompey Academy for one year, subsequently taught for two years in the Andover Academy of Andover, New York, and then spent four years as a teacher in Friendship Academy. He was afterward made superintendent of schools at Medina and thus served for seven years, during which period he was chosen president of the New York State Associated Academic Principals. It was in the year 1905 that he came to Rochester and established the Interstate Teachers' Agency, of which he has remained the sole proprietor. He is president of the National Association of Teachers' Agencies for 1924-1925.
A progressive republican in politics, Mr. Armstrong served as chairman of the progressive party in Monroe county during the campaign of 1912. During the period of the World war he was a member of the speakers' committee for various Liberty Loan and Community Chest drives, served as chairman of the Community Chest for Irondequoit, New York, and was also made chairman of the committee of organization of the Red Cross campaign for organization work in seven counties adjoining Roches- ter. Mr. Armstrong has membership connection with the Rochester Chamber of Com- merce, the Rotary Club and the Young Men's Christian Association and also belongs to the Rochester Historical Society, the New York State Historical Society, the Na- tional Historical Society, the New York State Teachers Association and the National Education Association. He is a worthy exemplar of the teachings and purposes of the Masonic fraternity and a consistent member of Mount Hor Presbyterian church, in which he is serving as teacher of the Armstrong class.
On the 29th of December, 1891, in Macedon, New York, Mr. Armstrong was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Mildred Shourds, daughter of Daniel S. Shourds. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong have four children: Ralph Waldo, Pearl Anita, Hoyt Shourds, and Phebe Jeanette. Ralph Waldo, who was born at Andover, Allegany county, New York, June 12, 1893, obtained his education in the East high school of Rochester, also spent two years as a student in the University of Rochester and subsequently pursued an architectural course in the Mechanics Institute. His military record is a most interesting one. He served with Troop H on the Mexican border, and was a second
THOMAS H. ARMSTRONG
RALPH WALDO ARMSTRONG
HOYT SHOURDS ARMSTRONG
PEARL ANITA (ARMSTRONG) MACK
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lieutenant of the Aviation Corps during the World war. His military training was received at Madison Barracks, at Cornell University, in the aviation camp at Issoudun, France, and in the aviation camp at Tours, France. He now acts as supervising architect with the general contracting firm of Stewart & Bennett. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in Mount Hor Presbyterian church and he also belongs to the University Club, the Rochester Canoe Club and the Psi Upsilon fraternity. His wife bore the maiden name of Grace Durant of Newton, Massachusetts, and both are well known and highly esteemed in Rochester.
Pearl Anita, whose birth occurred in Friendship, Allegany county, New York, January 9, 1895, was educated in the East high school and in the University of Rochester, which institution she attended for two years. During the influenza epi- demic of 1917 she served in the training department of the Homeopathic Hospital. On the 19th of August, 1920, she became the wife of E. L. Mack and they have a daughter, Carolyn. Her work as a Red Cross nurse during the period of the World war was most creditable. Mrs. Mack is a member of the First Presbyterian church at Hempstead, Long Island, and resides in Garden City, Long Island.
Hoyt Shourds Armstrong, born at Medina, Orleans county, New York, November 23, 1898, received his education in the West high school and in the University of Rochester, from which he was graduated in 1923. He enlisted in the army, joining Troop M at Geneseo, New York, and was sent to Camp Spartanburg, North Carolina, after which he sailed overseas, spending eleven months in France with the Twenty- seventh Division. This was the division which helped break the Hindenburg line. Hoyt S. Armstrong is a member of the Psi Upsilon fraternity and is now successfully engaged in teaching. Phebe Jeanette Armstrong, who was born in Rochester on the 31st of March, 1912, is a student in the East high school. Mr. Armstrong resides on Culver road Irondequoit.
LUCIUS ANDREW MERTZ.
Executive and organizing ability and an enterprising spirit, guided by unerring judgment, have actuated Lucius Andrew Mertz throughout his business career, bringing him to the fore in commercial circles of Rochester. As president of the Consolidated Milk Company he has built up one of the finest dairy plants in western New York, and twenty years of experience, added to constant study, enable him to speak with authority on matters pertaining to this business. He was born in the town of Manchester, Ontario county, New York, May 13, 1884, and is a son of Andrew and Charlotte (Schaefer) Mertz, natives of Germany. His parents immigrated to the United States in early life, settling in Ontario county, New York, where the father acquired a farm. He followed agricultural pursuits for many years, then lived retired in Palmyra, where he died May 16, 1924. He had reached the ripe age of seventy-nine years. The mother survives. Four children were born to them: Lucius Andrew, of this review; Augustus S., president of the Mertz Milk Company of Rochester; Elizabeth R., who acts as executive secretary of the Big Sister Social Welfare Society of Rochester and who was formerly engaged in teaching, in which profession she was very successful; and Harold, general agent at Palmyra for the Prudential Insurance Company.
Lucius Andrew Mertz received his first instruction in the Armington school in Ontario county and continued his studies in the Palmyra high school. His initial experience along business lines was obtained with the Garlock Packing Company of Palmyra, with which he was connected until 1904, and in June of that year he came to Rochester, joining his brother, Augustus S. Mertz, in the milk business. This partnership was continued for four years and each then established an independent concern. The L. A. Mertz Milk Company was formed in 1908 and conducted under that name until 1917, when the business was merged with that of four other firms. It has since been conducted under the style of the Consolidated Milk Company, of which Lucius A. Mertz is the president, and the other officers are: F. J. Woodruff, vice president; B. P. Nasseth, secretary; and F. S. Cramer, treasurer. Since the consolidation the output has been increased one hundred per cent and the firm has forty persons in its employ, while twenty-one delivery wagons are utilized in dis- tributing its product, which is sold chiefly to hospitals, sanitariums and other institu- tions where good, pure milk is required for invalids, children and undernourished persons of all ages. The plant is a model of cleanliness. All the milk is handled in glass-lined tanks made by the Pfaudler Company and the firm has an improved bottle
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