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 47
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30-Vol. IV
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Ferrin Weber graduated from Cornell in 1914 in the chemistry branch, taught in St. Louis in a high school for several years, and was in the laboratory of the United States Rubber Company for a time. He was a member of the National and The American Chemical Societies. He married Olive J. Tucker of Arlington, New Jersey, the daughter of J. C. Tucker, assistant to the president of the Erie Railroad. Mr. Weber passed away in 1918, and his widow is now living with her family; Bernis Bensley Weber graduated from Salamanca high school, and from Cornell University in 1905. He is a civil engineer, and was with the New York State Highway depart- ment for seven years, but is now city engineer of Oil City, Pennsylvania. He married Mary Cumming of Oil City and they have a daughter, Anna Margaret, and a son, Howard; Wallace W. Weber graduated from Salamanca high school and the Uni- versity of Michigan. He specialized in forestry and entered the government service as a ranger, working his way up to supervisor of St. Jo Natural Forest, with head- quarters at Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. He is now in charge of publicity for the United States Forest Products Laboratories at Madison, Wisconsin. He married Gertrude Harris of Sumpter, Oregon, and they have one child, Dorothy Ellen.
HAROLD E. STONEBRAKER.
Harold E. Stonebraker, a well known patent lawyer of Rochester, has for the past fourteen years successfully practiced in this city. He was born in Norristown, Penn- sylvania, October 7, 1885, a son of Daniel K. and Sophie (English) Stonebraker, both of whom were natives of Maryland. They were residents of Pennsylvania for a few years, then established their home in Washington, D. C., where they resided during the remainder of their lives. Daniel K. Stonebraker was for a number of years local rep- resentative of the Wilcox & Gibbs Company in that city. His death occurred in 1909, and his widow survived him until July 22, 1924. Their family of two sons and a daughter was as follows: Samuel E. and Florence E., residents of Washington, D. C .; and Harold E. of this review.
Harold E. Stonebraker attended the grammar and high schools of Washington, D. C., and completed his education at George Washington University, from which in- stitution he received the B. S. degree in 1908, and that of M. P. L. in 1909. He began his professional career in Washington and has since specialized in patent law. He re- mained in that city until 1911, when he located in Rochester and in the intervening period his clientele has grown steadily, and in both extent and importance ranks with that of the foremost patent lawyers in this section of the state.
On June 26, 1917, in Rochester, Mr. Stonebraker was married to Miss Harriet T. Vay, a daughter of Peter A. Vay, vice president of the Lincoln-Alliance Bank, of whom a more extended mention appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Stonebraker have two sons: Vay, born in 1918; and Dan, born in 1922.
Mr. Stonebraker belongs to the Brook-Lea Country Club, of which he was a char- ter member; the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, and the local Rotary Club. He is identified with the Frank R. Lawrence Lodge, No. 797, F. & A. M., and is a Shriner. He is also a member of the Rochester and the American Bar Associations, the Ameri- can Patent Law Association and the Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity. He has attained a position of prominence in his branch of the legal profession and enjoys the confi- dence of the public and the respect of his fellow practitioners. Mr. Stonebraker's resi- dence is at No. 221 Melrose street.
HON. CHARLES HOWARD PETTIS.
The rapid advance of the city of Medina is due in no small part to the capable administration of its present mayor, Hon. Charles Howard Pettis. Mr. Pettis has served for three terms and has constantly pushed improvements, at the same time avoiding undue taxation and conducting the city in a businesslike fashion-something needed but not always found in American cities. Mr. Pettis has another interest, too-bettering conditions in the farming communities-and his business affairs have provided him opportunity to keep in touch with the producer. He is a member of the firm of Dye & Pettis, dealers in fruit and produce. He was born in Somerset, Niagara county, New York, on the 22d of November, 1873, the son of Charles E. and Helen (Slade) Pettis. His paternal grandfather, William E. Pettis, was the
HAROLD E. STONEBRAKER
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first representative of the family to settle in the Genesee country, coming to Orleans county in 1835 from New England and remaining in this section until the time of his death. Charles E. Pettis was a veteran of the Civil war and an agriculturist, who was a lifelong resident of Niagara county, this state. He was called to his final rest on the 6th of May, 1904.
Charles Howard Pettis had an opportunity to study farming and always has worked toward the end that the men who are the backbone of the nation may have better conditions and a fairer deal. After attending the public schools of Yates, New York, and the high school of Medina, he worked for his father, and following the later's death he carried on agricultural pursuits on his own account. It was in the year 1905 that he became identified with the produce and cold storage business conducted by the Dye Cold Storage Company. In 1907 this concern built the large cold storage plant in Medina which it sold to the Austin & Rowley Cold Storage Company in 1920. Messrs. Dye and Pettis now purchase and store fruit and produce. They make sales in various parts of the United States and also do some export business. They own a farm of three hundred and twenty-five acres and operate an- other of five hundred and fifty acres in Orleans county. Their business has steadily grown since its inception.
Medina now has eight miles of paved streets, built by the city, which owns all the equipment and is in a position to go on with the good work. Mr. Pettis may point with justifiable pride as well to the fact that the city has never issued a bond . for paving or similar improvements, always being able to pay for municipal work as it is done. This alone is a large saving for the taxpayers.
On the 17th of February, 1897, Mr. Pettis was married to Miss Ruby E. Miller, daughter of Edgar D. Miller of Millers, Orleans county, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Pettis have one child: Florence H., born February 17, 1908. Mr. Pettis is a thirty- second degree Mason, belonging to Buffalo Consistory; is a member of Genesee Com- mandery, No. 10, Knights Templars at Lockport; and a Noble of Ismailia Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Buffalo. He also belongs to the Medina Masonic Club, in which he is very active, and to the Alert Club, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Christian Science church of Medina. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and takes an active part in local and county affairs. He has several very useful hobbies. He delights in developing farms, doing fraternal work in connection with the Masonic order, and in motoring and other forms of outdoor life.
MORTIMER REYNOLDS ANSTICE.
Mortimer Reynolds Anstice, ever since the beginning of his business career, has been prominently identified with the various interests of this city, where he was born June 4, 1886, a son of Josiah and Mary (Reynolds) Anstice. His father was born in Yonkers, New York, son of Henry and Mary Anstice. His mother was born in Rochester, daughter of Mortimer F. and Mary Reynolds. The Reynolds family was prominent in Rochester's growth, banking and financial circles from the time when Rochester was a small village. Mortimer F. Reynolds gave the first books and the Strong Endowment Foundation which supports the Reynolds Library.
Josiah Anstice came to Rochester when a young man, and during the remainder of his life was connected with the city's manufacturing, banking and business interests.
Mortimer Reynolds Anstice prepared for college at St. Paul's School, Concord, New Hampshire, and was graduated from Yale University with the class of 1908 Sheff. While at Yale, Mr. Anstice formed the acquaintance of Joseph F. Weller, which ripened into a close friendship, and subsequently the two young men became business associates in Rochester. In 1919 they, with G. W. Kellogg, formed the Kel- logg Manufacturing Company and later bought out Mr. Kellogg's interest.
Shortly before the death of Josiah Anstice, Mortimer R. Anstice joined his father in the business of Josiah Anstice & Company, Incorporated, and is now at the head of that company. He is a trustee and treasurer of the Reynolds Library; a director and secretary of the Rochester General Hospital; president of the Avon, Geneseo & Mount Morris Railroad Company; and secretary and treasurer of the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Company.
On October 4, 1911, Mr. Anstice was married to Miss Katharine Rust, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Rust of Saginaw, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Anstice have two sons and a daughter: Mortimer R., Jr., Virginia and Gardiner Rust. Mr. Anstice
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is a member of the Genesee Valley Club, the Rochester Country Club, the Yale Club of New York, the Rochester Yacht Club and the Rochester Chamber of Commerce. He is numbered among Rochester's best citizenship and his business activities repre- sent a material contribution to the city's industrial prestige. His residence is at No. 8 East boulevard.
LEONARD JOHN STRUCK.
Rochester finds an enthusiastic advocate in Leonard John Struck, whose opera- tions as a building contractor cover a period of seventeen years, and the city is indebted to him for one of its finest subdivisions, while many beautiful residences exemplify his skill as an artisan. He was born in Webster, New York, February 18, 1882, and is a son of Charles and Sophie (Arndt) Struck, who in early life immigrated from the Old World to the New. The father devoted his attention to the occupation of farming. He died in 1922, as the result of an accident. The mother is still living.
Leonard John Struck received his elementary instruction in the district school near his home and afterward attended the Webster high school and the Rochester Business Institute. He first turned his attention to the evaporation of fruit, following that business in the states of Michigan and Ohio, and subsequently became a building contractor-a field well suited to his talents and one in which he has met with notable success. He has erected many homes which are the principal ornaments of their respective neighborhoods, pleasing to the eye and constructed with conscientious regard for real utility and the comfort and convenience of their inmates. He has thoroughly studied every question bearing upon the business and is able to speak with authority upon all matters pertaining thereto. Since 1907 he has also operated in real estate, in which he has been equally successful, and recently platted Struckmar, which he is rapidly converting into a beautiful residential district. It is a tract of about one hundred acres, situated on the rapid transit line at Winton road and High- land avenue, and ornamented with shrubbery and trees. The tract contains three hun- dred and twenty lots and homes costing from twenty-five to thirty-five thousand dollars are under construction. Mr. Struck resides in one of the most attractive homes in the subdivision, which is a decided asset to the city and an enduring monu- ment to the enterprise and ability of its founder. He is president of the Struck- mar Realty Company, Incorporated, and exerts a wholesome influence in the business world, his foresight and conservatism being a guarantee for the soundness of his investments.
In Fairport, New York, on the 4th of January, 1914, Mr. Struck was married to Alice Hill, a daughter of Charles and Katherine Hill. prominent residents of that locality. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Struck are: Charles, who was born Febru- ary 4, 1919; and Roger, born October 11, 1922. Both are natives of Rochester. Mr. Struck is a chapter Mason and his religious views are in harmony with the tenets of the Baptist church. He is connected with the Young Men's Christian Association and is also a valued member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Builders Exchange. His work has been of signal service to his city, as well as a source of individual pros- perity, and all with whom he has been associated in the various relations of life speak of him in terms of high regard. He resides at No. 2237 Highland avenue.
NORMAN A. MACPHERSON.
The name M'Pherson is a proud one in Scottish history, and Norman A. Mac- Pherson of Le Roy is a worthy scion of such a clan. He has not forgotten the record of his ancestors and since 1920 has been the chieftain of the Clan McPherson. He has also prepared a history known as the "Military Achievements of the Clan M'Pherson", which covers several centuries of time and the efforts of many of those bearing this illustrious name. During the past twenty-two years he has been success- fully engaged in the general practice of law in Le Roy and since 1920 has also filled the position of police justice. He was born in Le Roy, Genesee county, on the 24th of July, 1866, his parents being Angus J. and Lillian Macpherson. His great-grand- father, Alexander Macpherson, known as "Black Alec", was the first representative of the family in the Genesee country, having emigrated to the United States from
LEONARD J. STRUCK
قاءـ
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Scotland in 1801 and acquired a large farm in Le Roy, New York, part of which is still in possession of the Macphersons. Alexander Macpherson was a prominent citizen of this part of the state in pioneer times. Angus J. Macpherson, the father of Norman A. Macpherson, was a lifelong resident of Le Roy, who devoted his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career. He died in 1876. His widow married, in 1878, Alexander Cameron of Glengarry, Ontario, Canada.
In the acquirement of an education Norman A. Macpherson attended the Fort Hill school of Le Roy, pursued a high school course in Williamstown, Ontario, and subsequently entered Queen's University of Kingston, Ontario, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1889. He next took up the study of law in Ogdensburg, New York, but a year later removed to Rochester, where he was admitted to the bar in October, 1892, and where he followed his chosen pro- fession for a period of eight years, or until 1900. During the succeeding three years he was connected with the post office department in the city of New York but in 1903 returned to Le Roy, where he has been engaged in the practice of law to the present time and has been accorded a large and lucrative clientage.
Mr. Macpherson has been twice married. On the 11th of January, 1899, in Rochester, he wedded Mary E. Storer of that city, who passed away on the 18th of April, 1907. Their daughter, Mary Elizabeth, was drowned on July 2, 1923, when seventeen years of age. On the 15th of September, 1909, in Gravenhurst, Ontario, Canada, Mr. Macpherson was married to Gertrude Flint of that place. They are the parents of a son, Cameron Albert, who was born September 11, 1914, and is now attending school in Le Roy.
In politics Mr. Macpherson is a stanch republican. He made an excellent record as justice of the peace from 1905 until 1913 and has most acceptably filled the position of police justice since 1920. He is a Presbyterian in religious faith and fraternally is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Le Roy Lodge No. 731, while along strictly professional lines he has membership connection with the Genesee County Bar Association. He holds to high standards in professional service and has great respect for the dignity and responsibility of his calling.
GEORGE H. PIERCE.
The mayor of Olean, New York, Hon. George H. Pierce, is the descendant of a family which dates back in this country to 1660, and the entire lineage is one of outstanding quality. His ancestors have always shown a public-spiritedness and strength of character and Mayor Pierce is justly proud of his family traditions. His father, Harlow Pierce, was the fifth son of Lyartus Pierce, and was born May 19, 1833, in Fabius, New York, moving to Humphrey, New York, with his parents and residing on the same farm for seventy-two years, or until 1908. He died in Allegany, New York, Dec. 25, 1910. Harlow Pierce married Lydia Stevens, who came from East Ashford, New York, and they were the parents of George H. Pierce of this re- view, who has a sister in Allegany, New York, Katie M., who married S. P. Wilber.
George Pierce was born June 27, 1872, in Humphrey, Cattaraugus county, New York, and attended the public schools and Ten Broeck Academy. He studied law under the Hon. F. W. Kruss and was admitted to the bar in 1897. Meanwhile, his father's influence was no small factor in shaping his career, as Harlow Pierce was a man of high character, a stanch republican and believed firmly in education for his children. Having held several town offices he encouraged his son to take up public service. So George Pierce was soon elected justice of the peace and police justice of Allegany. Meanwhile, he practiced law in Olean. He was village attorney of Allegany for four years, served on the school board for four years as secretary and four years as president. In 1923 he was elected mayor of Olean by the largest majority ever given to a mayor in that city. During the World war Mr. Pierce was a member of the county draft board and did other patriotic service.
On May 8, 1902, Mr. Pierce was married to Caroline L. Smith, daughter of Wil- liam and Hannah (Haase) Smith, and the granddaughter of John Smith. They have one son, born February 12, 1905, Harlow William Pierce, who attended the public schools and is now at Roosevelt Military Academy, West Englewood, New Jersey.
A brief chronology of the Pierce family is here given:
John Pierce (Wales, England), born 1632, died 1692. Came to America about 1666. A mason by trade. Made his will 1689 and signed it, John Perce, Sr., of Providence, Rhode Island. He had three children, John, Daniel and Mary. Daniel
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was born 1662, died 1744. No record of his first marriage but second marriage, December 13, 1733, to Elizabeth Tucker. Made freeman of town of Portsmouth, June 6, 1692. He resided there until 1720 and in 1723 took up his permanent residence in North Kingston. He was deputy to the general assembly of Rhode Island from 1701 to 1730. From 1707 to 1720 was justice of the peace and in 1724 was elected overseer of the poor for his town. His children by his first wife were Daniel, Jr., Margaret, John and Mary; and by his second wife, Boni, Nathan and William.
Daniel Pierce, Jr., born 1689, died 1758. Married in 1705 to Patience Hill. Made freeman town of Portsmouth, 1715. Was deputy to general assembly one year. Large landholder. Had nine children.
Ebenezer Pearce, the youngest of the nine, was born February 17, 1731, and died in 1803. He married Elizabeth (surname unknown). Sometime between 1774 and 1790 moved to town of Hampshire, Massachusetts. In 1801 bought land there. Late in life he moved to Fabius, New York, with his five sons and daughters.
Caleb Pearce was born in Rhode Island, January 17, 1768, and died May 23, 1838. The family moved to New York to escape the malarial climate of the sea coast. In 1834 Caleb moved to the town of Rice (now Ischua) Cattaraugus county. Married Zeviah Haase, who died in 1813. They had eleven children.
The fifth child, Lyartus Pierce, was born in the town of Hancock, Massachusetts, April 26, 1795, and died July 5, 1870. He was shoemaker and farmer. His wife was the granddaughter of Hendrick Fosmer who came from Holland and settled in Columbia county, New York. Her name was Catherine Fosmer, who was born in New Hartford, Connecticut, February 14, 1799, and died in the town of Humphrey, Cattaraugus county, New York, June 23, 1877. Lyartus, like his father, was a stanch Baptist. He fought in the War of 1812. In January, 1836, he settled in the town of Humphrey. He had eight children, of whom Harlow, father of George H. Pierce of this review, was one.
LEON WILSON VAN DEUSEN.
Leon Wilson Van Deusen, who entered upon law practice in Canandaigua in 1910, was in 1918 elected city judge with both civil and criminal jurisdiction and has since been continued in that office by reelection. He has attained great popularity in his native county and is widely recognized as an able young attorney with a political future. He was born in Phelps, Ontario county, New York, on the 28th of July, 1884, his parents being Michael Horton and Nettie E. (Quick) Van Deusen, the former a well known and highly esteemed resident of Phelps. The four children of the family are all living.
In his youth Leon Wilson Van Deusen attended the grammar school of Phelps, New York, and later was graduated from Canandaigua Academy, while his more advanced intellectual training and professional education was received in Syracuse University, from which he was graduated with the degree of LL. B. in 1908. He was made president of his senior class while a student in the law department of that institution, and he joined the law fraternity known as Phi Delta Phi and was also a member of Phi Kappa Psi national college fraternity. It was in 1908, in Rochester, that Judge Van Deusen was admitted to practice in the appellate division and during the two succeeding years he followed his chosen profession in New York city. On the expiration of that period, in 1910, he returned to Canandaigua, which city has since been the scene of his professional activity. He was justice of the peace for Canandaigua at the time Canandaigua became a city, in 1913, and in 1918 he was elected on the republican ticket to the office of city judge, with both civil and criminal jurisdiction in Canandaigua and has since remained on the bench in that capacity, winning endorsement of his first term by reelection. His opinions show great re- search, industry and care. The successful lawyer and the competent judge must be a man of well-balanced intellect, thoroughly familiar with the law and practice, of comprehensive general information, possessed of an analytical mind and a self-control that will enable him to lose his individuality, his personal feelings, his prejudices and his peculiarities of disposition in the dignity, impartiality and equity of the office to which life, property, right and liberty must look for protection. Possessing these qualities, Judge Van Deusen justly merits the honor which was conferred upon him by his election to the city bench.
On the 20th of September, 1916, Judge Van Deusen was united in marriage to Miss Cornelia Mann Barringer of Canandaigua, and they have become the parents of
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three children: Mary Jane Curtis, Hiram Barringer and Cornelia Wilson. Judge Van Deusen holds membership in the Holland Society of New York, his eligibility thereto being determined by his baptismal line, which goes back to the tenth century. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, being past master of Sincerity Lodge, A. F. & A. M., at Phelps; a member of Canandaigua Chapter; and Zenobia Com- mandery, K. T. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was formerly president of the Young Men's Christian Association. Judge Van Deusen has received the strong endorsement of the citizens of Canandaigua because of his able and impartial administration of the law, and has gained an enviable reputation in a profession which calls for a keen intellect and requires unremitting application, good judgment and a constantly widening comprehension of the relations and responsibili- ties which go to make up civilized society.
CHARLES J. WILCOX.
Among the varied industries operating in Allegany county is that of the Wells- ville Burial Case Company, and the prestige which the firm now enjoys is mainly attributable to the untiring efforts and carefully formulated plans of Charles J. Wilcox, its executive head. He was born in Oswego, New York, October 16, 1874, a son of F. F. and Gertrude (Parsons) Wilcox, the former of whom was employed in the county clerk's office in that city.
Charles J. Wilcox was reared and educated in Oswego, attending the public schools, and his first business experience was obtained in the manufacturing plant of the Oswego Casket Company, with which he was connected for six years. He gained a thorough knowledge of the various phases of the business and acted as salesman for the firm during a portion of that period. In November, 1910, he was made foreman of the clothcovering department of the Wellsville Burial Case Company and later became a member of the board of directors. On the retirement of Fred Damon in 1915, Mr. Wilcox was selected as his successor in the office of vice president and since July, 1923, has served as president. The business was founded by J. C. Darcy, who conducted the enterprise independently for fifteen years. It was in- corporated in February, 1907, and its first officers were: J. H. Anderson, president; Fred Damon, vice president; and J. C. Darcy, secretary and treasurer. Mr. Darcy passed away on July 15, 1923, and the present officers are: C. J. Wilcox, president; George Haggenmeier, vice president; and Erwin Buch, secretary and treasurer. The company has a paid-up capital of seventy-eight thousand dollars, consisting of sixty- five thousand shares of common stock and thirteen thousand shares of preferred stock, and its affairs are in a very prosperous condition. The plant is well equipped for the manufacture of caskets and the firm also act as jobbers of steel vaults. Mr. Wilcox closely supervises each detail of the business, while he also has the ability to see clearly its larger aspects, and displays initiative, foresight and executive force in the control of the industry.
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