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 43
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Mr. Diesel's religious views are in harmony with the doctrines of the Roman Catholic church, of which he is a zealous member, and he is also identified with the Knights of Columbus, in which he has taken the third degree. He belongs to the Rochester Automobile, Athletic and Rotary Clubs and works systematically and ener- getically for civic growth and progress as a member of the Chamber of Commerce. A man of strong character, forceful personality and high principles, Mr. Diesel holds a secure place in the esteem of his fellow citizens, who appreciate him at his true worth, finding him thoroughly dependable in every relation of life. Mr. Diesel's resi- dence is at No. 609 Linden street.
WILLIAM J. GUCKER.
For more than a quarter of a century William J. Gucker has been active in Rochester business circles, where he is well and favorably known. In addition to his own general insurance business, in which he has been engaged for the past two years, he is prominently identified with a number of local firms as an officer or director. His assistance and advice are highly valued in all of these organizations as the best judg- ment of a man whose own business career stamps him as a person of exceptional ability. Born in this city, August 19, 1878, he is the son of the late Martin and Susanna (Eckhardt) Gucker. The father, for years a wholesale tobacco merchant of Rochester, was born in Europe and came to America during the Civil war, in 1864 or 1865. He at once located in this city, which was his home until his death in 1896. His wife, a native of New York city, survived him until 1914.
William J. Gucker has always lived in Rochester, where he was educated in the public schools and went to work as an employe of Walter B. Duffy. Subsequently he acquired the liquor business of E. M. Higgins & Company, which he conducted until the passage of the recent prohibition legislation, a period of about twenty-one years. On the 1st of February, 1922, Mr. Gucker opened an office for the conduct of a general insurance business. In a little over two years he has developed a small business into one of large proportions and stepped into a prominent place among the successful insurance men of the city. Meanwhile, Mr. Gucker has sought a widened outlet for his capital and abilities by investing in various Rochester enterprises that attracted his interest and support. Among these should be mentioned the Rochester Fruit Products Company, of which he is vice president, the F. B. Rae Oil Company, the Meier Furni- ture Company and the Rochester Boat Works, in all of which he is a director as well as a shareholder. Mr. Gucker for the past few years has been active in real estate circles, and his vision, as well as his judgment, has been reflected in a number of highly profitable deals he has made in downtown property.
Mr. Gucker was married on the 30th of October, 1900, to Miss Olga Meier of Rochester, daughter of B. C. Meier of the Meier Furniture Company. Mr. and Mrs. Gucker have five children: Willard J., born in 1902, a student in the Wharton School of Commerce at the University of Pennsylvania; A. Hildegarde, born in 1907, who is now a student in the West high school; Wilma, born in 1916, and Elizabeth R. and Bernard M., twins, born in January, 1918. The three younger children are attending the public schools. Mr. Gucker has many friends in the city that has been his life- long home and is prominently known in club circles, belonging to the Oak Hill Coun-
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try, Rochester, Rochester Yacht and Rochester Automobile Clubs. He is a Mason and a Noble of Damascus Temple of the Mystic Shrine, and is also affiliated with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
JARED PLUM DODGE.
Although more than a third of a century has come and gone since Jared Plum Dodge passed beyond the ken of those who knew him, his memory is revered because of his upright life, which measured to the highest standards in every relation. He was born in Amsterdam, New York, on August 25, 1800, only child of Josiah, Jr., and Ruth (Plum) Dodge. His mother died when he was three years old and he was reared in the home of his maternal grandfather at Geneva, New York. He was reared to farm work, but when about twenty years of age located at Geneseo, New York, where he engaged in the dry goods business. He was successful in this venture and later ac- quired a woolen mill and also operated a sawmilling business at Tuscarora, Livingston county, then an important business center, until 1868, when he disposed of his inter- ests there and located in Nunda. Here he lived retired until his death, which occurred on August 23, 1890, when he had reached the ripe old age of ninety years. With the exception of an impairment of eyesight he retained his faculties to an unusual degree. He was a democrat in his political views and for fourteen years served as superviser from Mount Morris, serving the last two years of that period after his removal to Nunda. He was a member of the Episcopal church and was a liberal contributor to the cause of religion, regardless of denomination. He demonstrated his public spirit by both word and deed. He was a man of unswerving integrity-open and above- board-and enjoyed to the fullest extent the confidence and high regard of his fellow townsmen.
On the 5th of February, 1827, at Tolland, Massachusetts, Mr. Dodge was united in marriage to Miss Julia Ann Twining, who was born October 8, 1807, in Tolland, Massachusetts, and died September 19, 1872, at Nunda, when sixty-five years of age. Their family of five children were as follows: Alfred C., a merchant, who was born in 1830 and died in 1903; Chauncey B., who was born in 1831 and died in the Union service in 1862; William Twining, who was born in 1834 and passed away in 1887; Jared P., Jr., who was born in 1838 and died in 1898; and Julia Louise, born in 1844. The last named was married at Tuscarora, New York, to Joseph Eastwood, who was a prominent lumberman of Bay City, Michigan, and died July 16, 1904. They were the parents of a daughter, Lucia Louise, who became the wife of John H. Holmes, and died in 1894. To them was born a daughter, Louise Eastwood Holmes, who married Francis Mills Dodge and is now the mother of two children. John Alfred and Julia Louise. Mrs. Julia L. (Dodge) Eastwood, the only surviving member of the family of Jared P. Dodge, has since 1919 been a resident of Nunda, her home, "Pleasant Place", being on Massachusetts street.
ST. MARY'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
Little is known of the Catholic history of Geneseo prior to 1854. Mass was said at irregular intervals by priests from the neighboring towns of Lima, Avon and Mount Morris. There was no settled meeting place and services were held in the concert hall, in the courthouse, in some of the homes, and even in the open air. The village was occasionally visited by the bishop of Buffalo, the Rt. Rev. John Timon, D. D., and in 1851 General James S. Wadsworth deeded to Bishop Timon the land for a church edifice. It is said that the General, driving by one day, saw the people holding service in a small dwelling, overflowing to the open, located on the east side of Main street, near North street, in the gulley, then the residence of Michael Coleman. He asked the reason, and being told that they could not afford a church, offered to give them the land if they would erect the building thereon. Accordingly, the first church edifice was built in 1854, under the supervision of Father Maguire, who was then ministering to the parish. The site for the church was on North street and the structure, now Emerald Hall, is still standing. About 1880 the land on which the present church stands was purchased and in 1900 a tract of land adjoining on the east was bought.
There was no resident priest in Geneseo prior to 1882. Father Maguire was fol- lowed in succession by the Revs. John Ryan, Bernard McCool, John Vahey, Richard J.
JARED P. DODGE
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Story, Daniel Moore, Edward McGowan, David O'Brien, M. M. Meagher and John J. Donnelly, the majority of whom came from Mount Morris. In 1882 the Rev. Matthias D. Mussmaecher arrived in Geneseo, having been appointed the first resident priest. He remained here for nearly six years, living opposite the old church on land which afterward became the site of the new church, and at his departure in the spring of 1888 left about four thousand dollars in the treasury toward the construction of a new church. He died in St. Mary's Hospital at Rochester, on the 8th of September, 1890, and after him came the Rev. James A. Hickey, who immediately undertook the erec- tion of a church. The corner stone was laid on the 21st of April, 1889, and the build- ing was dedicated on the 1st of December of the same year. It was built at a cost of twenty thousand dollars and by April, 1898, the church was freed of all indebtedness. Father Hickey was transferred to the Church of the Holy Apostles at Rochester in 1900 and on the 8th of August of that year the Rev. Arthur A. Hughes was assigned to the Geneseo parish, remaining until the coming of the Rev. George T. Jones on February 24, 1914.
REV. GEORGE T. JONES.
Rev. George T. Jones was born at Seneca Falls, New York, July 16, 1875, a son of John and Mary (Carroll) Jones, both of whom are deceased. He attended St. Patrick's Parochial School at Seneca Falls and the Mynderse Academy at that place, afterward becoming a student at St. Andrew's Seminary of Rochester and St. Bernard's Semin- ary of that city. He was ordained to the priesthood at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Rochester, on the 10th of June, 1904, and for three years acted as assistant to Father James A. Hickey at the Church of the Holy Apostles in Rochester. For a similar length of time he was chaplain at the state institution at Sonyea, Livingston county, and for four years filled a pastorate at Hammondsport, New York. In 1914 he as- sumed charge of St. Mary's Roman Catholic church at Geneseo and throughout the re- mainder of his life devoted every energy toward strengthening and developing the ecclesiastical interests under his control. He enjoyed in an enviable degree the re- spect and affection of his parishioners and by example as well as precept pointed out to others the best way in life.
During the World war Father Jones was a chaplain in the Twenty-seventh Divi- sion of the United States army, receiving his commission on September 26, 1918. He spent nine months in France, being assigned to duty at Hospitals 28 and 98, and was discharged at Camp Dix on the 2d of July, 1919. He afterward served as chaplain of G. Livingston Wadsworth Post No. 271 of the American Legion at Geneseo. Father Jones departed this life on October 1, 1924.
GEORGE WILLIAM ROOS, M. D.
Dr. George William Roos is engaged in the practice of medicine in Wellsville, and for a quarter of a century his knowledge and skill have been at the service of his fellow townsmen, who unite in bearing testimony as to his high character and pro- fessional ability. He was born in Buffalo, New York, May 25, 1867, and his grand- father, Jacob Roos, was a native of the province of Alsace, France. In 1830 he migrated to Canada, settling in Preston, Ontario, and four years later he became a resident of Buffalo, New York, where he engaged in the brewing business. He was married to Regina Bergtold and their son, George Roos, was born in Preston, Ontario, in 1833, and was but a year old when the family arrived in Buffalo. After his father's death he successfully conducted the brewery, also operating a stable for the sale and exchange of horses. He was married to Julia Theobald and they became the par- ents of George William of this review.
After attending Heathcote school George William Roos entered the University of Buffalo, which awarded him the M. D. degree in 1887. He began his professional career in his native city, where he maintained an office for twelve years, and since 1899 has been a resident of Wellsville. He is a general practitioner and his services are in constant demand, for he is a close student of human nature as well as the technicalities of his profession, correctly applying the knowledge which he has thus acquired to the needs of his patients. He is now serving as health officer of Wells- ville and school physician, in which connection he is doing valuable work for his com- munity, and is gradually lessening his practice.
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In June, 1894, Dr. Roos was united in marriage to Miss Alpha May Hanson of Chicago, and they have two sons: George Herrington, who served during the World war with the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Field Artillery, Thirty-seventh Division, Ohio, is conducting the Willard storage battery shop in Wellsville; and Edward Han- son, who graduated from the Ohio State University in 1922, with the degree of Me- chanical Engineer, is in the employ of the Wilson Snyder Manufacturing Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
In politics Dr. Roos is an independent republican and his religious views are in accord with the tenets of the Congregational church. He is a member of the local Rotary Club and his professional connections are with the New York State Medical Association, and the American Medical Association. He is also surgeon for the Erie Railroad. Fraternally he is a Mason and belongs to Ismailia Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Buffalo. Courteous and kindly in manner, quiet and self-contained, Dr. Roos inspires confidence in those to whom he ministers and is welcomed wherever he goes, not only as a mitigator of bodily ills but also as a true friend and wise counselor.
LOREN OSWALD GRAVES.
Loren Oswald Graves, an important factor in industrial circles of Rochester, his native city, is president of the Graves Elevator Company, Incorporated, which was established on a small scale in 1860 by his grandfather, Lorenzo S. Graves. He was born on the 8th of December, 1882, his parents being Frederick B. and Frances (Oswald) Graves, the former born in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1854. Lorenzo S. Graves, the paternal grandfather of Loren O. Graves, was a native of Massachusetts, born in Southboro, and in 1859 removed to Rochester, New York, where he began business as a shoe manufacturer. In 1860 he began the building and sale of elevators and sixteen years later was joined by his son, Frederick B. Graves, in the conduct of this enterprise. Lorenzo S. Graves continued an active factor in the business life of Rochester until his death, which occurred on the 4th of April, 1904. He was a most highly respected man, prominent in industrial and commercial circles.
Frederick B. Graves, reared in Rochester, passed through successive grades in the schools of the city until he was graduated from the Rochester high school. He was a young man of about twenty-two years when in 1876 he was admitted to a part- nership by his father, and during the remainder of his active business career he en- gaged in the construction and sale of passenger and freight elevators. He lived retired for two years prior to his death, which occurred in 1919. Mr. Graves was a prominent representative of Masonry, belonging to Frank R. Lawrence Lodge No. 797, A. F. & A. M., while he also attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in the con- sistory. He belonged to the Mystic Shrine and to the Grotto, was a member of the Rochester Whist Club and a life member of the Masonic Club. He was likewise a charter member of the Rochester Yacht Club and his social qualities were such as won for him a large circle of warm friends. Mr. Graves, spending practically his entire life in Rochester, became well known in the city in business, fraternal and social circles. It is true that he entered upon a business already established, but in success- fully controlling and enlarging this he manifested excellent business capacity and executive force and he did things with an ability and energy that proved him master of the situation.
In 1876 Frederick B. Graves was united in marriage to Miss Frances Oswald of Batavia, New York, and they were the parents of three children, namely: Loren Oswald; Mrs. Lulu G. Hardenbrook, a resident of Rochester; and Mrs. Baird De Mallie, living in Worcester, Massachusetts. The mother of the above named departed this life in 1920.
Loren Oswald Graves, whose name introduces this review, obtained his early education in the public schools of Rochester and continued his studies in the New York Military Academy at Cornwall, from which institution he was graduated in 1901. He then became associated with his father in business in a minor capacity and has since worked his way steadily upward through various intermediate positions until he now occupies the presidency of the Graves Elevator Company, which he reor- ganized on becoming its head in 1915. The following is an excerpt from an article which appeared in a local newspaper: "The Graves Elevator Company, located at No. 840 University avenue, are manufacturers of everything from the dumb waiter, to bring up groceries and milk, to the huge freight elevators at work in factories, and the attractively finished 'lifts' in apartment houses. The Graves Elevator Company
LOREN O. GRAVES
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has been successful, very successful, for a long period of years, because of several reasons. In the first place, as has been said, there are years of experience behind the workmen, employed; then, the best of materials are used, and greatest of all, the heads of the company give their individual attention and consideration to every elevator built and installed by the company. L. O. Graves, president of the company, comes to his business by inheritance. L. S. Graves, his grandfather, was head of the old Graves Elevator Company, which was sold to the Otis Elevator Company. It was in his grandfather's factory that the present Mr. Graves obtained his first training and knowledge of elevators and learned the secrets of the trade. The knowledge which he gathered in those early years, plus exhaustive and extensive experimentation, go to make him an authority in his line. In installing an elevator the Graves Company first considers the comfort and convenience of those who are to use the machine, next come compliance with the regulations of the New York state department of labor governing elevators in various types of buildings. Regarding these questions the company is constantly up-to-date and well versed. Some institutions and apartment houses using Graves elevators are as follows: The Ambassador apartments in Union street; the Wadsworth apartments in Plymouth avenue; the Colby apartments in Park avenue; Keuka College, Keuka; Elmira College; the Corning Hospital and the Oswego Hospital. **
* * The Graves Elevator Company manufactures a V groove traction elevator machine with self-oiling bearings and S. K. F. ball-bearing thrusts, that is believed to be one of the most efficient elevator machines ever made. * *
* The continued growth of the company is based on the fact that individual considera- tion is given every elevator manufactured."
On the 14th of October. 1902, Mr. Graves was married to Miss Gertrude McNer- ney, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Augustus G. McNerney of Rochester. Her father is one of the leading merchant tailors and large property owners in this city. In Masonry Mr. Graves has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and has also crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He like- wise belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, to the Oak Hill Country Club, the Rochester Rotary Club, the Rochester Chamber of Commerce and the Rochester Engineering Society. His carefully devised plans of conducting his business are promptly executed and his enterprise and persistency of purpose have enabled him to overcome all obstacles and difficulties in his path and advance steadily toward the goal of success, while at the same time his intelligently directed labors have contributed to the industrial development and prosperity of his city, whose welfare and progress are to him matters of deep and vital import.
FRED F. PETERS.
Fred F. Peters, theatre proprietor of Hornell, New York, is a railroad man of long experience and an executive of ability. He was born in Montaur, New York (then Havana), February 4, 1869, the son of Lewis and Emma A. (Ferous) Peters. The family moved to Binghamton, New York, in his early youth and he was educated in the schools of that city, including Crampton's Business College. Following school days Mr. Peters became a telegraph operator for the Erie Railroad at Binghamton and worked there for thirteen years in various positions, rising to manager. He then went to Corning, where he entered the yard service of the Erie and was soon pro- moted to night ticket agent. He served in this capacity for ten years and after that gained the important post of day agent in charge of all passenger business at Corn- ing. He held this position three years and then, at the solicitation of Alanson Hough- ton, became storekeeper and purchasing agent of the Corning Glass Works, so serving for three years.
While he was day agent at Corning, Mr. Peters began to take a great deal of interest in the growing moving picture industry and determined to own a theater. So in 1912 he moved to Hornell and erected a theater building for moving pictures, which he still owns and conducts. It has a seating capacity of nine hundred people and Mr. Peters also shows the very best films. He formerly operated theaters in Corning, Owego and Waverly. While he takes a great deal of interest in his theatres, he lists traveling as his recreation and does a great deal of it whenever possible. He is a liberal, broad-minded man in every way and successful in his enterprises.
Fraternally Mr. Peters is a Mason, belonging to Hornell Lodge No. 331, A. F. & A. M .; Corning Consistory; the White Shrine, Rochester and Kalura Temple in
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Binghamton. He is also a member of the Elks, the odd Fellows and the Hornell Country Club.
Mr. Peters was married on March 23, 1887, to Grace A. Woolsey, daughter of George A. and Mary E. Woolsey of Binghamton. Mr. and Mrs. Peters have two chil- dren: Mrs. Robert E. O'Hern of Hornell, and Arthur F. Peters, who is with his father in the theater business. He was educated at the University of Buffalo and Mrs. O'Hern acquired her education at Martha Washington Seminary, Washington, D. C. She is a musician of great ability, both instrumental and vocal. Lewis Peters, father of Fred F. Peters was a miller by trade and operated grist mills in several places in the Genesee country. He was as widely known in his day as is Fred F. Peters in southern New York today. Fred F. Peters is an excellent example of con- sistent application to the work at hand and planning for the future. In carrying out his work he has always shown consideration for the rights of others and his success has made him only friends.
EARL BURT TAYLOR.
The superintendent of schools for Le Roy, New York, is Earl Burt Taylor. Born in Middletown, Orange county, New York, on the 22d of February, 1889, his parents are Alfred and Mary Alice (Earl) Taylor. Alfred Taylor, who is a native of Smyrna, Chenango county, New York, and who lived in this state for many years, is now con- nected with the French Carbon Company, an electrical supply concern of Dallas, Texas.
Earl Burt Taylor attended the grammar and high schools of Palmyra, New York. and afterward entered the University of Rochester, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1912, while in the following year the degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him. He remained at his Alma Mater as an instructor in history during the years 1913 and 1914. Mr. Taylor was associated with the Kiskiminetas Springs School of Saltsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1914 and 1915 and then became principal of the high school in Albion, New York, where he remained until June, 1917, when he came to Le Roy and assumed the duties of his present position. He gives his political support to the republican party and he is a member of the Oatka Hose Club of Le Roy.
On the 15th of July, 1915, Mr. Taylor was married to Miss Judith Ogden, daugh- ter of Charles E. and Emily (Williams) Ogden of Rochester. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are the parents of three children: Anne, born November 7, 1916; Alice Earl, born October 19, 1919; and Jane, whose natal day was January 30, 1923.
HENRY HARRISON.
For eighty years the name of Harrison has figured conspicuously in commercial circles of Brockport and western New York in connection with the grain trade, and the business established by the father is now being continued by the son, Henry Har- rison, whose record sustains the high reputation which has always been borne by the family. His activities have not been limited to business affairs and in the field of public service he has done equally important work. He was born in Brockport, April 2, 1854, and his parents, Josiah and Adelia (Field) Harrison, were married in the vil- lage. The former was a native of New Jersey and came to the Empire state prior to the Civil war. He embarked in the grain and produce business and was very success- ful in his undertakings, becoming a recognized leader in his chosen field of activity. The mother was born in Monroe county, New York, and her father, Joshua Field, was one of the pioneers in the development of this district, to which he removed from Con- necticut. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, three sons and three daughters, of whom Henry (the fourth in order of birth), and two daughters survive.
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