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 44
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Henry Harrison was graduated from the Brockport Normal School in 1873 and completed his education in the University of Rochester, which in 1877 conferred upon him the Bachelor of Arts degree. He returned to Brockport in 1881 and became con- nected with the firm of Belden & Harrison, of which he was the junior member. The father had founded the business in 1844 and it now ranks with the oldest and larg- est organizations of the kind in the state. His policy of honorable, straightforward dealing has been closely followed by Henry Harrison, who is conducting the business along modern, up-to-date lines. He has greatly increased its scope and the firm now
HENRY HARRISON
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owns about twenty grain elevators in western New York. The business was incor- porated in 1897, under the name of the Henry Harrison Company, of which he has since been president, and he is also a director of the Brockport Cold Storage Company and the First National Bank, which have likewise profited by his keen powers of dis- cernment and sound advice.
Mr. Harrison's life has never been a self-centered one and his ability is exerted as readily for the public weal as for his own aggrandizement. During the World war he was a member of draft board No. 3 and also served on various committees in charge of the Liberty Loan and other drives. He is president of the board of man- agers of the Brockport Normal School and a strong champion of the cause of educa- tion. He was a member of the state senate from 1896 until 1898, inclusive, being a member of the finance, bank and canal committees, and during that period was instru- mental in securing the passage of much constructive legislation. He was appointed collector of customs at Rochester in 1900 and filled that office for five years.
In Albion, New York, in 1881, Mr. Harrison was married to Miss Florence J. Lewis, who was a daughter of Dr. Hiram Lewis, a well known resident of that place. Mrs. Harrison passed away in 1910, when she was fifty-three years of age. In 1912 Mr. Harrison was married to Miss Emma P. Smith, in Brockport. He is active in political affairs and has frequently been a delegate to state conventions of the repub- lican party. He has been mindful of his moral obligations and is chairman of the board of trustees of the Presbyterian church of Brockport. Mr. Harrison belongs to the University Club of Rochester and is also a Mason. His activities and interests have covered a wide range, showing him to be a man of marked public spirit and a citizen of worth.
PAUL B. HANKS.
A leader in Christian work as well as business in the Genesee country is Paul Brigham Hanks, who has lived all his life in Wellsville, Allegany county, New York. The Christian temple, the largest and finest Protestant church in this section, was erected mainly through his efforts and as chairman of the building committee of this project, as well as that of the William F. and Gertrude Fassett Jones Memorial Hospital, he rendered his community valuable service. He has prospered exceedingly in his own enterprises, in the insurance and real estate business and as head of the Kerr Turbine Company. He was born in Wellsville, June 26, 1873, the son of Samuel F. and Emma Fisk Hanks. His father was born in Bath, New York, November 4, 1842, and his mother in Wellsville, April 20, 1849. His paternal ancestors were New England pioneers and his mother's forebears were Scotch-Irish emigrants.
Paul B. Hanks attended the Wellsville public and high schools, after which he worked for Scoville, Brown & Company for four years. He then decided to branch out for himself and started his insurance business, which was soon to prove a suc- cess and pave the way for greater enterprises. He became interested in oil produc- ing and the Black Golaconda, from the states of New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, Kansas and Oklahoma have helped to make him wealthy. He also operated a coal mine in West Virginia during the World war. He was treasurer and general manager of The Kerr Turbine Company from 1908 until 1923. This was Wellsville's largest manufacturing plant for many years, with a half million dollar annual pay roll. This made him the largest employer of labor in town. He was also actively interested in the building of homes and was in the lumber business from 1900 until 1906. In 1923 the Kerr Turbine plant was sold to Pittsburgh interests and Mr. Hanks broke into the real estate field in Florida, to which he is now devoting much of his time and spends his winters in that balmy state.
For thirty-five years Mr. Hanks has been a faithful member of The Christian temple and for over thirty years has been its Bible school superintendent. He was instrumental in bringing into being the new temple and is now chairman of the board of managers of William F. and Gertrude F. Jones Memorial Hospital. He is also president of the Allegany County Y. M. C. A., a member of the Wellsville Country Club and the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. A local newspaper calls Mr. Hanks "the leading figure of his town in its entire history."
Mr. Hanks was married to Anah B. Rathbone on April 10, 1894. She is of Eng- lish descent and a religious and highly esteemed woman, devoted to her home and church. She was born October 10, 1873, the daughter of James D. Rathbone, an early Allegany county pioneer. Mr. Hanks was born a democrat, became a progressive re- publican in Roosevelt's day, and is now an independent republican. He has a large
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and hospitable log cabin on the banks of the Genesee river, four miles south of Wells- ville. It is the Mecca for many visitors during the summer when he is in this section of the country.
FRANK H. STARR, M. D.
Doctor Frank H. Starr, a physician of Corning, is one of the leaders of his pro- fession and has practiced for a period of thirty-five years. He is licensed to practice anywhere in the United States or the British Isles or empire, so he might be called an international physician. He was born in Whitly, Ontario, Canada, and attended the Collegiate Institute of that town. He later went to Toronto University and Bellevue, New York, and graduated from both universities in 1889. He first practiced in Bath, New York, but in 1904 came to Corning, where he has remained. He is a specialist in orthopedic surgery.
Dr. Starr belongs to the New York State Medical Society and the Steuben County Medical Society. He is a Mason and a member of the American Legion. He enlisted in the Medical Corps of the United States army during the World war and was com- missioned a captain and stationed at Fort Oglethorpe. He saw much service and was about to go overseas when the armistice was signed.
On December 20, 1899, Dr. Starr was married to Miss Fannie Louise Reynolds, and they have four children: Milton Preston, Muriel Ellsworth, Robert Basil and Margaret. Mrs. Starr is active in the work of the Daughters of the Revolution and has been secretary for some years. The Starrs (the Doctor's ancestors) were once citizens of Philadelphia and were Quakers. His great-great-grandfather rode to Canada on horseback and settled in that country. Dr. Starr's brother, Dr. Clarence L. Starr, is professor of surgery at Toronto University. Dr. Starr's ability is well known in Steuben county and he enjoys a large practice and has a host of friends.
ANDREW W. KORTS.
Andrew W. Korts began life under handicaps that would have proved overwhelm- ing to one of less fortitude and strength of character, but sustained by an unalterable faith in the future, he bore his hard lot uncomplainingly and at length rose superior to his environment, proving what may be accomplished by the man who has the courage to dare and to do. He is now the proprietor of a model creamery and fills an important place in Rochester's business life. He was born in Ithaca, New York, March 14, 1887, a son of Fred and Emma (Wallace) Korts, who were also natives of the Empire state. They always resided within its borders and the father followed the carpenter's trade. They had two sons, Ray and Andrew W., both of whom are living in Rochester.
Andrew W. Korts left home at the age of eight years and from that time has really made his own way in the world. His schooling was all received before he was thirteen years of age, the principal part of which was in the public schools of Ithaca, New York. He was sent to the State Industrial School but was later bound out to a farmer named Bauer, who was a hard taskmaster. The boy was allowed no oppor- tunity for recreation and many times was obliged to work twenty-four hours without rest, being burdened with a man's tasks. His knowledge of the dairy business was gained while in the employ of Mr. Bauer, with whom he remained for eight years, and then obtained a position with the Perry Pie Company of Rochester. Mr. Korts was in the service of that firm until November 21, 1909, when he started in business for himself as a milk dealer. He purchased a horse and wagon and at first con- ducted the business in his home on Field avenue. As he gained trade he increased his output and with the able cooperation of his wife saved a sum sufficient to enable him to build a large plant at No. 15 Henrietta street. He now has one of the most modern, sanitary and best equipped creameries in western New York and the output of his plant is noted for its purity and high quality. Mr. Korts is well informed on everything pertaining to the trade and conducts his business systematically and efficiently, while his commercial transactions have at all times balanced up with the principles of truth and honor.
On November 2, 1908, Mr. Korts was married to Miss Ottilia M. Hempel, a daughter of Andrew Hempel, a prominent resident of Rochester. Mr. and Mrs. Korts became the parents of four children, but lost their only daughter, Grace, who died at
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the age of fourteen months. The sons are: Raymond A., who was born November 29, 1909, and is a pupil at the Blessed Sacrament school; Andrew W., Jr., who was born September 26, 1912; and Robert Korts, born March 11, 1916. All are natives of Rochester and attend the school maintained by the Church of the Blessed Sacrament. Mr. Korts belongs to the local Milk Dealers Association and is also a member of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce and the Automobile Club. His devotion to duty, his civic spirit, his enterprise, integrity and ability are well known to every business man of Rochester and have met with a rich return of personal regard as well as a substantial measure of prosperity. Mr. Korts' residence is at No. 44 Field street.
HAROLD HOWELL SIMMS.
Harold Howell Simms, a well known patent attorney of Rochester, has had broad experience in the legal profession and his mind is well stored with both technical and general knowledge, acquired by thorough training and assiduous study and re- search. He was born in Washington, D. C., January 18, 1878, a son of John E. and Harriet E. (Siggers) Simms, the former a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and the latter of Brooklyn, New York. The father was long prominently identified with transportation affairs, serving as superintendent of buildings, Florida Division of Atlantic Coast Lines. He is now living retired at Jacksonville, Florida, but the mother is deceased. Six children were born to them, three of whom have passed away. The surviving members of the family are: Leroy M. Simms, whose home is in Miami, Florida; Mrs. Harriet O. Smith, a resident of Jacksonville, that state; and Harold Howell of this review.
Harold Howell Simms received his early education in his native city and after completing his high school training matriculated in the National Law School of Wash- ington, D. C., from which he received the degree of LL. B. in 1902. This was followed by a year's course in patent law at George Washington University and after his ad- mission to the bar Mr. Simms opened an office in the city of Washington, where he practiced for four years. He has been a resident of Rochester since 1907 and dur- ing the intervening period has built up a large clientele, specializing in patent law, on which he is an acknowledged authority. He is thoroughly familiar with the fundamental principles of jurisprudence and his strong reasoning faculties, coupled with his power of analysis, his mental alertness and quick perception, enable him to present his cause with clearness, logic and forcefulness.
On the 21st of September, 1903, Mr. Simms was married to Miss Anna E. Shoe- maker, a daughter of Thomas B. and Anna T. (Cunningham) Shoemaker of Wash- ington, D. C. Mr. and Mrs. Simms have one child: Margaret H., who was born in that city on February 9, 1907, and is now a student at the University of Rochester.
Mr. Simms takes a keen interest in politics and is chairman of the democratic county committee. He has never been neglectful of his civic duties and is one of the energetic workers in the Chamber of Commerce. He is an influential member of the Kiwanis Club of Rochester, of which he was president in 1921, and also belongs to the local Automobile Club, the Monroe Golf Club, the Y. M. C. A., and the Maryland. Historical Society. He is a member of the Unitarian church and along fraternal lines is connected with the Masonic order, belonging to Damascus Commandery and to the consistory at Rochester, and he is also a member of Lalla Rookh Grotto, and Rochester Lodge of the I. O. O. F. Mr. Simms is a good citizen and his professional attainments have won for him high standing at the Rochester bar. His residence is at No. 352 Woodbine avenue.
JOHN J. L. FRIEDERICH.
John J. L. Friederich, president of A. Friederich & Sons Company, has been identified with the building industry in Rochester for more than fifty-five years, and the corporation of which he is chief executive is the outgrowth of a business estab- lished by his father, Adam Friederich, who was one of the pioneer building contractors of this city. John J. L. Friederich was born in Rochester, on the 8th of July, 1856, and was about fourteen years old when, under his father's direction, he began learning the business that has been his lifework. At the age of eighteen he was in charge of important construction work and his activities since that time have constituted a valuable factor in the success of a business that for many years has been regarded as
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the foremost in its line in Rochester. Years ago the enterprise was conducted as A. Friederich & Sons, later incorporated as the A. Friederich & Sons Company, and its contribution to the city's upbuilding is represented in many of its leading structures, among them being the Ellwanger-Barry building, the Monroe county courthouse, the Rochester Trust & Safe Deposit building, the Union Trust building, the Hotel Roch- ester, the Duffy-Powers building, the Madison Junior high school, the Monroe Junior high school, the Medical School, also the Nurses' Home of the new University of Rochester, the East Side Savings Bank, the Monroe County Savings Bank and a number of the city's fine residences.
In addition to the important part he has taken in the management of the A. Friederich & Sons Company, John J. L. Friederich has for over thirty years been prominently identified with the banking interests of the city. He was one of the organizers of the Fidelity Trust Company and one of its directors. He was also a director of the old Flour City National Bank, and when that institution was merged with the German-American Bank into the National Bank of Rochester on January 1, 1906, he continued a member of the directorate. Through subsequent bank mergers and consolidations Mr. Friederich was always retained as one of the directors of the new organization, as was the case when the Lincoln-Alliance Bank was formed, and he has since been a director of that bank. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Rochester Trust Company and is financially interested in a number of other business enterprises of the city.
In his political connections he has always been a republican but never an office seeker. His interest in politics has been simply that of a business man. He is a Mason and a member of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Friederich is among the oldest active business men in Rochester and for over forty years has enjoyed an extensive acquaintanceship among the city's leading representatives of business interests. His activities have had no little to do with Rochester's upbuilding, as well as being responsible for the highly creditable position he has held for years among the city's strong and able business men.
In 1877 Mr. Friederich was married to Miss Mary A. Heiter, and their daughter, Florida B., is the wife of John W. Luther and the mother of two sons, William F. and Richard D. Luther. Mr. Friederich's residence at No. 20 Seneca parkway is one of the attractive homes in that section of the city.
CHARLES A. SNYDER.
Charles A. Snyder, agent at Dansville for the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company, has been in the service of that corporation for forty-two years and is also numbered among the prosperous merchants of the village, which has been his home since he was a boy of ten. He was born February 27, 1851, on a farm in the vicinity of Sparta, Livingston county, and is the only survivor in a family of eight sons whose parents were Thomas and Lovina (Johns) Snyder. They estab- lished their home in Dansville in 1861.
Charles A. Snyder received his education in Dansville, attending the public schools and the Dansville Seminary. His first knowledge of railroading was gained with the Erie line, in whose employ he remained for nine years, acting as clerk in the Dans- ville office and also having charge of the local branch of the United States Express Company during that period. On September 22, 1882, he became identified with the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western, at which time he was appointed to his present position, the duties of which he discharges with thoroughness, fidelity and efficiency. He is also engaged in the coal business under the firm style of C. A. & H. L. Snyder, Incorporated, and has built up a large trade by progressive methods and honest dealing.
On the 3d of September, 1876, Mr. Snyder was married to Miss Helen L. Yorks of Livonia, New York, and they have become the parents of two children: Freas Brown, who is president of the Suburban Title & Trust Company of Philadelphia, and a director of the National Association of Credit men: and Lovina A., wife of H. Eugene Bowerman, purchasing agent of the Hamilton Paper Company of Norristown, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Snyder has the enthusiasm for Dansville which characterizes its citizens and for four years served as mayor of the village, for which he secured many needed improvements, also curtailing useless expenditures. He was the first to join the Dansville Protectives No. 1, organized in 1876. He is a Rotarian and a Royal Arch
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Mason and also belongs to the National Ticket Agents Association. He is allied with the democratic party and his religious views are in accord with the doctrines of the Episcopal church. Mr. Snyder is a loyal patriotic American, a man of progressive ideas, with an intuitive knowledge of the best course to pursue in the management of his business, and his personal qualities are such as always inspire respect, confidence and esteem.
CHARLES FRANK DOEHLER.
One of the well known younger members of the Rochester bar is Charles Frank Doehler. He is a native of Rochester, and was born November 26, 1891, a son of Frank and Elizabeth (Killip) Doehler. Elizabeth Doehler was a sister of Dr. Thomas A. Killip, who was coroner of Monroe county for twenty-five years, to which office he was appointed by Theodore Roosevelt when governor of New York. Dr. Killip died on December 15, 1924. After graduating from the Rochester high school in 1909, he began the study of law with the firm of Werner & Harris. In 1915 he was graduated from the Albany Law School. He then spent a few months in the office of his pre- ceptors, when he opened an office of his own. Much of his legal work is of a probate nature, though he frequently appears in the courts as a trial lawyer. In both lines of practice he has achieved reasonable success, as is evidenced by a constantly growing clientele.
Soon after establishing himself in practice his peaceful occupation was interrupted by the entrance of the United States into the great World war. In 1918 he entered the military service and was for a time connected with the Ordnance Supply School in Augusta, Georgia. He was then attached to the Seventeenth United States Regular Cavalry and served with that regiment until honorably discharged in 1919, when he returned to Rochester and resumed the practice of his profession.
Mr. Doehler is a member of the Rochester Bar Association, the Masonic fraternity and the Doty-Magill Post of the American Legion. He also belongs to the Central Presbyterian church. While not especially active in lodge and church work, he is always ready and willing to lend a hand in the advancement of the different organiza- tions in which he holds membership. Politically he is a republican, but has never held public office. He is a great lover of the national game of baseball and has achieved quite a record as an amateur player, believing that a certain amount of vigorous outdoor exercise is necessary to preserve the proverbial "sound mind in a sound body".
On March 29, 1923, in Syracuse, New York, Mr. Doehler was united in marriage to Miss Emily E. Dauman, daughter of Herman Dauman of Seneca Falls and Brooklyn. Mr. and Mrs. Doehler have one son, Charles F. Doehler, Jr., born January 7, 1925. Mr. Doehler resides at No. 1142 Bay street, Rochester.
GEORGE ALVIN PLACE.
The superintendent of schools of Salamanca, New York, is George Alvin Place, an educator of ability and purpose, and the son of Frederick S. Place, an instructor and professor in Alfred University for many years. George Alvin Place was born in Alfred, New York, September 5, 1886, the son of Frederick S. and Martha (Burdick) Place. His grandfather, A. A. Place, settled in Allegany county, coming from Syracuse about 1840, and there are many relatives and descendants now living in this section. Frederick S. Place retired in 1924, and is spending his declining years in Alfred.
George Alvin Place was educated in the Alfred public school, Alfred Academy and Alfred University. He graduated from the latter in 1910 and then taught school in Corning for three years. He became principal of the schools of Ellicottville for four years and was principal of Salamanca high school from 1917 until 1918. He served during the World war at Camp Forrest, Georgia, for six months of 1918, and when discharged returned to Salamanca, where he was in business for a year and a half.
In September, 1920, Mr. Place was made superintendent of the Salamanca schools, and in the four years of his administration he has proved his ability both as an executive and an educator. The present high school was built in 1910 and takes care of all secondary school students in Salamanca. There are sixty-five teachers under Superintendent Place's direction and the high school will seat over eight hundred
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pupils. Mr. Place is a member of the New York State Teachers' Association and the Department of Superintendents of the National Education Association.
Mr. Place was married to Miss Ethelyn Slade, daughter of M. E. Slade of Little Genesee, New York, in that town, on August 28, 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Place have two children: Jean, born in 1917; and Audrey June, born in 1921. Mr. Place is a republican and takes a locat interest in the party, is very active in the First Baptist church, and belongs to the Masons. He is fond of tennis, gardening and motoring, but his chief interest is in education for all.
HARRY DUNHAM CARHART.
Fortunate environments encompass nearly every man at some point in his career, but the man who passes on the highway of life those who started out ahead of him and reaches the goal of prosperity far in advance of them, is he who realizes that the proper moment has come, that the present and not the future holds his oppor- tunity. It is this quality that has brought Harry Dunham Carhart to the fore in commercial circles of Rochester and his operations in his line of business have earned for him more than local prominence. He was born in Buffalo, New York, on the 16th of September, 1889, a son of Henry E. and Cornelia (Dale) Carhart, the former a native of Auburn and the latter of Moravia, New York. They were lifelong resi- dents of the Empire state and became the parents of one son and two daughters: Ella, who is now Mrs. Frank Keller of Irondequoit; May, the wife of William Keller of Irondequoit; and Harry Dunham, of this review.
Harry Dunham Carhart attended the public schools of Rochester and was after- ward in the employ of several firms of the city, eventually entering the service of the Eastman Kodak Company. He worked for some time in the sample printing and testing laboratory, becoming thoroughly familiar with the functions of that depart- ment. He then accepted a position with Sibley, Lindsay & Curr Company, taking charge of their photo finishing department, and remained in that connection for three years. His ambition and enterprise prompted him to start out for himself. Accord- ingly on the 4th of May, 1916, he opened a small shop on the second floor at No. 57 South Clinton avenue to do kodak finishing. At this time he was doing work for five Rochester stores, and some idea of the growth and expansion of this branch of his business may be had when one thinks of the more than two hundred agencies scattered all over western New York that his organization is doing work for today. Mr. Carhart's start in business for himself was in a very modest way, and the most he had to offer was skill and service. He knew the business in its every detail, and from its very inception it began to grow. In 1916 he opened the store at No. 67 South Clinton avenue with a stock of kodaks and supplies. This worked in nicely with his other project and proved a successful venture from the first. In the fall of 1916 he added a line of greeting cards, which addition has had a most wonderful growth, and today he is one of the most extensive dealers in this line in the country. Mr. Carhart's vision has been a prominent characteristic in his business career, and his success certainly indicates a remarkable knowledge of conditions and possibilities involving it. He has established three retail stores in Rochester, also one of the most complete kodak finishing plants in the country. The latter is located at No. 294 South avenue, with every appointment and facility for the particular requirements of its work. The retail stores are at No. 67 South Clinton avenue, another in a section of one of the city's largest department stores and the third is in the Powers Hotel building. An interesting incident, not without its sentimental side, in connection with the latter store is that it became a permanent store on the tenth anniversary of Mr. Carhart's going into business and is the largest greeting card store in the United States.
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