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 48
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In June, 1899, Mr. Wilcox was united in marriage to Miss Florence Decker of Oswego. They have an adopted son: George Decker Wilcox, who is attending the public schools. Mr. Wilcox is a member of the congregation of the Christian temple and casts his ballot for the candidates of the republican party. He belongs to the National Casket Manufacturers Association and is also identified with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masons, having membership in Ismailia Temple at Buffalo. His life history is written in terms of success, for he has placed his dependence upon the substantial qualities of industry and perseverance, and his sterl- ing traits of character have established him high in public regard.
LAWRENCE BRADFORD FITCH.
Lawrence Bradford Fitch, a well known consulting engineer of Rochester, has had long and valuable experience in his profession, which for nearly twenty-five years has included an important connection with steam and electric railway construction in both the United States and Canada, as well as other extensive projects. Mr. Fitch organized and is now vice president and general manager of the Hickory Grove Coal Mining Corporation, a stripping project in the coal fields of Indiana and an enterprise largely backed by Rochester capital. He was born June 20, 1871, in
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Syracuse, New York, a son of Charles Elliott and Louise Lawrence (Smith) Fitch, both of whom were natives of Syracuse. Charles Elliott Fitch was born in 1835 and graduated from Williams College in the class of 1855 and from the Albany Law School in 1857. Having qualified for the profession, he practiced law in Syracuse until 1862, when he was appointed clerk of the provost court at New Bern, North Carolina, which office he held until 1866. He came to Rochester in 1873, after having served as editor of the Syracuse Daily Standard, and became connected with journal- ism in this city, being editor in chief of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle from 1873 to 1890. During the succeeding three years he served as collector of internal revenue and in 1893 was appointed to the department of public instruction, wherein he continued until his death. In 1877 he was made regent for life of the University of the State of New York, and in 1880 was supervisor of the United States census. In 1876 he was a delegate to the National Republican convention. He was one of the prominent members of the republican party in western New York and one of its advisors and counsellors in Monroe county for years. The foregoing brief account of his life will indicate to the thoughtful reader that he was a man of individual worth, who left his impress for good upon public life and aided in moulding public thought and opinion along progressive lines. His death occurred on January 13, 1918.
Lawrence Bradford Fitch acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of Rochester and, like his father, pursued his collegiate course in Williams College, which institution conferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1892. The same year he entered the engineering department of the New York Central Railroad, where he remained until 1893, when he was made deputy collector of internal revenue at Rochester. He was connected with the state engineering department from 1894 until 1897 and in the latter year he began contracting in New York city, where he continued until 1901, when he located in Rochester. Here he resumed the contracting business as a member of the firm of Lee & Fitch, specializing in electric railway con- struction. This firm was succeeded by that of Fitch & Douglas, which has executed a number of important contracts in its line. In addition to his other connections mentioned, Mr. Fitch is interested in large railroad contracting operations in Canada.
In 1895 Mr. Fitch was married to Miss Eleanor Grant Schley and they have a son and a daughter: Lawrence Elliott Fitch prepared at Exeter for Williams College, graduated in 1920 and is now with the Central Trust Company; Eleanor Schley is the wife of William L. Hoyt of this city and has a son, William L., Jr., born August 2, 1922. Mr. and Mrs. Fitch are communicants of St. Paul's church and Mr. Fitch also belongs to the Sigma Phi fraternity, the Genesee Valley Club, the Country Club, the Automobile Club and the Rochester Engineering Society. Since becoming a voter he has been a stanch supporter of the republican party. Mr. Fitch's residence is at No. 180 Dartmouth street.
HAROLD L. FIELD.
Harold L. Field, stock broker, member of the firm of Erickson, Perkins & Com- pany, was born in Rochester, New York, on the 8th of March, 1888, his parents, being Lovasso and Alice B. V. (Heermans) Field, the former born in Stillwater, New Jersey, on the 25th of May, 1849, and the latter in Fellowsville, Preston county, West Virginia, on June 18, 1850. Their marriage was celebrated in Corning, Steuben county, New York, on the 6th of January, 1874. Subsequently they resided for a short time in Hornell, in the same county, where Lovasso Field was identified with the First Na- tional Bank. They then returned to Corning, where Mr. Field founded a steam gran- ite and marble works, continuing until 1883, when he came to Rochester and formed the Schlicht & Field Company to manufacture Shannon filing cabinets. Later they founded the Cosmopolitan Magazine, which was sold out to New York publishing inter- ests. Lovasso Field founded and became president of the Rochester Cabinet Company and also established the Field Baking Company, which had its inception as the McIn- tosh-Morgan Coffee Company and was afterward conducted as the McIntosh-Field Company from 1906 until 1909, since which time the business has been carried on under the name of the Field Baking Company. In the passing of Lovasso Field in May, 1909, Rochester sustained the loss of one of her representative and highly respected citizens.
Harold L. Field, whose name introduces this review, began his education in School No. 15 and later continued his studies in the East high school of Rochester, graduat- ing in 1906, and entering the University of Rochester in the fall of that year, remaining
HAROLD L. FIELD
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one year. He began his business career with the Duffy-McInerney Dry Goods Com- pany, where he remained until 1909, when he became identified with the Field Baking Company, which was established by his father. He remained with this company until January 1, 1925, when he entered the firm of Erickson, Perkins & Company, stock brokers and members of the New York Stock Exchange, as a partner.
On the 5th of October, 1920, in Rochester, Mr. Field was married to Miss Mary Emily Wiltsie, daughter of Charles Hastings and Harriet Potter (Hart) Wiltsie. Mr. and Mrs. Field have two sons: Charles Wiltsie Field, who was born in Rochester, Oc- tober 15, 1921; and Harold Potter Field, was born in Rochester, on the 30th of April, 1924. Fraternally Mr. Field is identified with the Masons, being a past master of Frank R. Lawrence Lodge, No. 797, F. & A. M., while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Central Presbyterian church, of which he has been an elder since 1918. He is treasurer of the Rochester Historical Society, having been elected to that office in 1923. Mr. Field's city residence is at No. 123 Plymouth avenue.
HON. THOMAS H. DOWD.
Judge Thomas H. Dowd of Salamanca, New York, has earned a high place in this section by his professional skill in the law and his wisdom on the bench, having served as justice of the supreme court and county judge. He was born in Humphrey, New York, August 20, 1859, the son of John and Anna (Kenney) Dowd, natives of Rosscommon, Ireland, who came to this country when young, met and were married here. His father was a farmer and Thomas H. Dowd was the fifth of a family of nine, eight of whom are living. The mother died in 1919, having reached the age of ninety-four.
Thomas H. Dowd attended the district schools and that institution which has produced so many worthy men in this district-Ten Broeck Academy, Franklinville, New York. He then started his study of law in the offices of James J. Waring of Franklinville. On the twenty-third day of November, 1883, his first reward came when he was admitted to the bar at Albany. He decided to locate in Salamanca, to which place he came in May, 1884, and practiced here successfully alone until 1903. That year saw the formation of a partnership with James P. Quigley and they were together until July 1, 1921, when the latter withdrew and Mr. Dowd's son, John D., became a member of the firm.
When Thomas H. Dowd was only twenty-one years of age he was elected justice of the peace of his home town. The following year he was chosen supervisor, being the youngest man who ever served on the board of supervisors for Cattaraugus county, and being the first democrat in twenty-three years to be elected to that office in the town of Humphrey. After moving to Salamanca in 1884, he was elected justice of the peace of that town, and continued as such until 1889. In 1903 he was appointed special deputy attorney-general by the late John Cunneen, and continued to serve during Mr. Cunneen's term of office. In 1911 he was appointed county judge for the county of Cattaraugus, and in the election of that year was elected for the full term of six years, being the first democrat elected to county office in the county of Cattaraugus in thirty-eight years. At the expiration of his term of office in 1917 he declined a renomination. In April, 1923, he was appointed a justice of the supreme court. His term expired December 31, 1923. He was the democratic candidate for justice of the supreme court in 1923, and received the largest majority ever accorded to any candidate for office in the city of Salamanca. He was defeated by thirty- eight thousand in a district normally republican by eighty thousand.
Judge Dowd has been an attorney for the Erie and Buffalo Rochester & Pitts- burgh Railroads since 1907. He has a large private practice as well, and now with his son. John D., in the firm, the two of them are gaining even more renown. He is a member of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic church and of the Knights of Columbus. He is a convincing speaker, an able lawyer and a good citizen.
Thomas H. Dowd was married to Miss Agnes McCann of South Valley, on February 12, 1890. She was the daughter of Arthur and Bridget McCann, pioneers of this county. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Dowd are: Kathleen L., who is now Mrs. M. W. Bryce of Little Neck, Long Island; John D., now in the firm with his father, who graduated from St. Patrick's parochial school, Salamanca high school and Cornell University, with the A. B. and LL. D. degrees, and was admitted to the bar on July 1, 1921. Shortly after the entry of the United States into the World war, in April, 1917, he enlisted in the army. On May 11, 1917, he reported at Madison
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Barracks, New York, as a candidate in the First Officers Training Camp. He was commissioned a second lieutenant of infantry on August 15, 1917, and assigned to duty at Camp Dix, New Jersey. On January 1, 1918, he was promoted to first lieu- tenant. On September 2, 1918, he left Camp Dix for France with the Eight Hundred and Seventh Pioneer Infantry. He took part in the Meuse-Argonne offensive from October 25, 1918, to November 11, 1918. He returned from France on July 3, 1919, and was discharged at Camp Upton, New York, on July 10, 1919. After his dis- charge he finished his work at Cornell, and in 1921 entered into partnership with his father at Salamanca, in which partnership he continues. He is now the city attorney of the city of Salamanca; and represents Cattaraugus county on the demo- cratic state committee; and Margaret A., who attended St. Patrick's parochial school, Salamanca high school and Visitation Convent in Washington, D. C. She is now living at home.
COLONEL HENRY LODOWICK ARNOLD.
Colonel Henry Lodowick Arnold, who served with honor in various state offices after a distinguished military career as an officer of the Union army, during the period of the Civil war, was long numbered among the most prominent citizens of Livingston county. He had passed the seventy-eighth milestone on life's journey when called to his final rest on the 22d of November, 1906, in Geneseo, New York. He was born in the town of Conesus, Livingston county, this state, on the 4th of June, 1828, his parents representing families conspicuous among the earliest settlers of Conesus and boasting an honorable ancestry. His father and grandfather before him were notable characters in western New York. Gamaliel Arnold, the paternal grandfather of Colonel Arnold, was a well known Revolutionary figure, serving with honor through the long conflict for independence. His son, Captain Andrew Arnold, the father of Colonel Arnold, was a volunteer officer in the army during the War of 1812, serving as captain of the Thirty-first United States Infantry. Henry Lodowick Arnold passed creditably through such schools as the country then afforded, and took an academic course at the Geneseo Academy and Genesee Wesleyan Seminary. In early life his time and energies were devoted to agricultural pursuits, which he conducted upon an extensive scale in his native town. By reason of the reverses suf- fered by the Union armies, particularly in the east, in 1862, President Lincoln called for six hundred thousand fresh troops. This levy called for two regiments from this senatorial district, then constituted as now. They were promptly recruited. Livings- ton county responded with five full companies, which were incorporated in the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment of New York Volunteer Infantry. Colonel (then Captain) Arnold recruited one of these companies, mainly from his neighbors and towns- men. He was commissioned captain of Company I on October 6, 1862, major on the 23d of July, 1863, lieutenant colonel on February 4, 1865, and afterward brevetted colonel of United States Volunteers. His promotion came to him as a proper recog- nition of fitness and faithful service. He followed the fortunes of his regiment from its organization until the battle of Bentonville, North Carolina, on March 19, 1865, when his military career ended by reason of desperate wounds received in that battle. His service was in the Army of the Potomac until October, 1863, when the regiment was transferred to the Army of the Cumberland, then operating against Confederate General Bragg in Tennessee. History records the achievements of that army at Look- out Mountain and Valley, the attack upon Missionary Ridge, the march to Knoxville and back, the four months' Atlanta campaign, ending in the capture of that city, the famous march through Georgia to the sea, the capture of Savannah, the march through South Carolina and North Carolina and the battle of Bentonville, the last battle of the war in which the regiment was engaged. Colonel Arnold commanded the regi- ment in all its engagements in the Carolinas. His bravery was inspiriting and he won the confidence and respect of the men of his command, and had a friend in every one of them and they had one in him. Never haughty nor overbearing, whether with officers or the humble private soldier, the hand and heart were given to each alike. He was the type of good-fellowship and strong comradeship. The following is an excerpt from a review of his career which appeared in one of the local papers at the time of his death: "Promoted for gallantry in the early part of the bloody struggle between north and south to the office of major, he participated in numerous engagements, proving himself on every occasion to be a brave officer and above all things a man who took fatherly care of those of whom he was in charge. After
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being advanced to the rank of lieutenant colonel, he was appointed to lead a regiment in Sherman's memorable march to the sea, his conduct in that campaign being such that he was soon after rewarded by promotion to colonel. In June, 1865, he was discharged with his regiment, after having established a brilliant record as a fighting man. Although he had been wounded several times during the contest, he was not at any time incapacitated, and was thus enabled to render his country four solid years of active service." There will dwell in the hearts of those who were his com- rades in the war, a pleasant memory as long as they shall live. Colonel Arnold was a member of A. A. Curtiss Post of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Colonel Arnold was always prominent in the councils of the republican party and steadfastly advocated and supported its principles and policy with marked intel- ligence and fidelity. He attained a large measure of influence in his party's man- agement. Recognizing his watchfulness and care for the educational interests of his town, the people chose him, at an early age, town superintendent of common schools. He was frequently elected supervisor of his town. In 1870 he was elected sheriff of Livingston county and afterward, as long as his health permitted, he served the state in various official stations in a most creditable and efficient manner. During his long and honorable career he served in many important capacities, among the other offices he filled being those of state agent for discharged convicts, Canadian consul, and manager of Swinburne island. During the '90s he was obliged to give up the last named position on account of failing health, and returning to Geneseo he spent his declining days with his family. He had been an invalid for some months when he passed away at the age of seventy-eight, and his remains were interred in Temple Hill cemetery.
Colonel Arnold was married in 1853 to Helen M. Bissell, daughter of Dr. Daniel H. Bissell of Geneseo. Mrs. Arnold survived her husband until the 31st of October, 1911, when she passed away in Geneseo, at the age of seventy-nine years. They had seven children, as follows: William Henderson, who died in early infancy; George Bissell, who was a wholesale paper merchant of Chicago, where he died in 1910; Alice Grosvenor, who passed away in Geneseo in the year 1918; Henry Lodowick, Jr., now a resident of Geneseo; Louise Sutton, who died young; and Allan Millar and his twin sister, Lucy Grosvenor, who are residents of Geneseo.
G. ARTHUR JACKSON.
G. Arthur Jackson, president of the Rochester Certified Audit Corporation, public accountants and auditors of Rochester, is a native son of the Empire state, of which he has been a resident all his life. He was born in Gouverneur, St. Lawrence county, New York, September 11, 1881, and is a son of George and Louisa (Peckins) Jack- son, both now deceased, who were natives of England, the latter born at Torquay in Devonshire. George Jackson was born at Carlisle in Cumberland, and was there reared, well trained in the tea and coffee importing trade. Upon coming to this country he became engaged in this trade along wholesale lines, carrying on quite an extensive business on Grand street, in the city of Brooklyn. Importing, roasting and distributing coffee, he became a well established figure in that trade and for many years was actively connected with it, later establishing himself in Utica. He died in Utica, New York, in 1914 and his widow survived him for seven years, her death occurring in Rochester in 1921. Of the five children born to them four are living, the subject of this biographical review having three sisters: Mrs. Edwin H. Carr of New York city; Mrs. Louise J. Wright of Rochester; and Mrs. F. Ward Marcellus of Rochester.
Reared in Utica, G. Arthur Jackson attended the Utica Free Academy in that city and early became employed in the coal and fuel line, presently being made the manager for a concern carrying on business along that line in Utica. Four years later he transferred his services to the Bell Telephone Company, by which he was employed as a general auditor checking up in the offices of the chain of telephone exchanges maintained by that company in the Utica area. It was while thus em- ployed that Mr. Jackson acquired that fine facility as an auditor and accountant that later was to be applied to such definite account in his own behalf. After a connec- tion of some time with the telephone company in Utica, he resigned that position to accept a similar one in the office of the Rochester Telephone Company, then under the management of George Fuller, and he continued with Mr. Fuller until 1907, when he resigned to engage in business on his own account. Later Mr. Jackson
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organized the Rochester Certified Audit Corporation, and was made president of the corporation, which is now doing business as public accountants and auditors, with present offices in a well appointed suite of rooms at No. 31 Exchange street. The company has in its employ in this office a thoroughly competent staff of experienced auditors and accountants and has created a clientele in this line second to none in western New York. As president of this company he has general executive and administrative direction of its affairs and to these duties brings a capacity based upon years of active and intensive practical experience which gives a singular value to the reports made by his company, and he long has been recognized as one of the leading practicing accountants in the state of New York. Mr. Jackson is a member of the Rochester Credit Men's Association, is an active member and director of the Rochester Rotary Club, and is also a Knights Templar Mason, being affiliated with Frank R. Lawrence Lodge of that ancient body and with Monroe Commandery in Rochester.
On November 25, 1903, in Utica, New York, G. Arthur Jackson was united in marriage to Miss Mae Elizabeth Hurley of that city and they have three sons: Richard Carlisle Jackson, born in Utica in 1906, who is now (1925) completing his studies in West high school in Rochester; William Manning Jackson, born in Roches- ter in 1915; and Robert Marlin Jackson, born in Rochester in 1917. The Jacksons have a very pleasant home in Rochester and Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have ever taken an interested and helpful part in the city's general social and cultural activities. Mrs. Jackson is a graduate of the Utica Free Academy and a member of the Delta Gamma Alumni of that city.
WILLIAM F. MAIER.
One of the pioneer business houses of Rochester is that of L. W. Maier's Sons, morticians, which was established in 1872, and the business is now controlled by William F. Maier, whose record reflects credit upon an honored family name. He was born in this city January 26, 1869, of the marriage of L. W. Maier and Mary Kiefer, the latter also a native of Rochester. The mother was formerly a teacher in the public schools of Rochester and is still a resident of the city, having reached the vener- able age of eighty-three years. The father was a native of Germany and at the age of twelve years came to the United States. He was long a familiar figure on the streets of Rochester, serving for many years as superintendent of the House of Refuge for boys, of which he had charge until it was abolished. In 1872 he entered the under- taking business and for twenty-five years conducted an establishment at No. 5 North Clinton street. He was a highly respected business man and a citizen of worth. His demise occurred in September, 1902, when he was sixty-seven years of age. Of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Maier four survive: Fred J., William F., Mrs. Joseph T. Otto and Mrs. J. Oscar Schuchart, all of whom are living in this city.
William F. Maier received his early training in St. Joseph's parochial school and continued his studies in school No. 9 of Rochester, from which he was graduated. He afterward filled various positions and traveled for some time. In 1892 he returned to Rochester and became associated with his father in the undertaking business. He com- pleted a course in a college of embalming and in 1893 assumed charge of that depart- ment of the business. He also profited by his father's experience and wise counsel and closely adheres to the policy which the latter adopted, maintaining the high standards of service which have ever characterized the firm, of which he is now the president. Mr. Maier is sole owner of the business and his establishment ranks with the best in the city. His prices are moderate and in the discharge of his duties he is tactful, unobtrusive, courteous and efficient. Since 1917 the business has been located at No. 870 North Clinton, having been removed from No. 166 North Clinton.
On June 6, 1895, Mr. Maier was married to Miss Louise Michael of Rochester, and they have five children, all of whom are natives of this city: Gerard L., the oldest, was born in 1896 and attended the parochial and public schools. He was also a student in Cornell University and assists his father in the conduct of the business; Raymond W. was born in 1898 and received a liberal education. He attended Cornell College and the University of Rochester and is connected with the Albany (N. Y.) Library School; Rufus F., born in 1901, is a graduate of the Cathedral high school and aids his father in business; Sister Rosalie is identified with the Convent of St. Joseph at Geneva, New York; Inez L., the youngest of the children, was born in 1906. She was graduated from Nazareth Academy and is a teacher in the Catholic Sunday school.
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