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 50
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Mr. Rowland is a Mason, belonging to the chapter and commandery, and is a Shriner. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and of course an active republican. He served as a justice of the peace for twelve years. He is a trustee of the People's Methodist Episcopal church and is active in its work. He is fond of motoring and likes to make extended trips. All out-of-door activities appeal to him.
IRA PERSALL CRIBB.
Ira Persall Cribb was born in the town of Naples on the 21st day of February, 1851, the third son of Joseph and Eleanor Francis Cribb. He was educated in the common schools and Naples Academy. Upon his marriage he moved to the "Wolverton Farm" in the town of Canandaigua, where he became a successful farmer. In 1907 he sold his farms and moved into the city of Canandaigua, where he has since resided.
In 1884 when so-called "good roads" were unknown, Mr. Cribb began a campaign for better roads. In 1889 he was elected highway commissioner of the town of Canandaigua and served in this office for six years. In 1898 he was elected supervisor from this town, and being twice reelected served until 1906, when he retired to accept the office of state supervisor of highways under the town highway bureau, which was the first state highway department to be established in New York state. Mr. Cribb served the state in this office until January 1, 1924, when he retired under the state employe's retirement system, and at which time the highway department of the state was consolidated with the department of public works. During his long term of service as a public servant Mr. Cribb was untiring in his efforts for good roads. His first act as highway commissioner in 1889 was to secure an appro- priation for the purchase of a stone-crusher for the town of Canandaigua. There was bitter opposition but Mr. Cribb won and soon built the first mile of stone road to be constructed in the state of New York with the town's own money. Canandaigua town stone roads soon gained great prominence and were visited by delegations even from adjoining states. For many years at his own expense Mr. Cribb addressed pub-
IRA P. CRIBB
FRED D. CRI3B
ROLLAND F. CRIBB
JOSEPH W. CRIBB
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lic meetings in many parts of the state urging the abolition of the old system of "working out" road taxes, the adoption of the money system and the construction of stone or macadam roads.
The first appropriation for state roads made by the New York state legislature was for only fifty thousand dollars and the following year Mr. Cribb appeared before the governor and asked for one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, a most daring request in those pioneer days of good roads. By appointment from Governor Odell, Mr. Cribb represented New York state and addressed one of the National Good Roads conventions held in Detroit. For many years he was a member and secretary of the state committee which worked with the legislative committees in promoting legisla- tion favorable to good roads work. By reason of these many activities Mr. Cribb is justly called the "Father of Good Roads".
On February 19, 1872, Mr. Cribb was married to Emilie Wolverton, who died about one year later. On January 8, 1878, Mr. Cribb was married to Estella Frances Doug- lass, daughter of Samuel M. and Waity Gifford Douglass. Two sons, Fred D. and Rolland Francis, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cribb. Politically Mr. Cribb has been always a stanch republican. He is an active supporter of all civic enterprises. Mr. Cribb is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, where he served as steward for five years and as trustee for thirty-three years.
FRED D. CRIBB.
Fred D. Cribb, who has been an active representative of the legal profession in Canandaigua for the past sixteen years, was elected village attorney in 1911 and two years later, when Canandaigua was incorporated as a municipality, became city attorney, which office he has filled most commendably to the present time. The city numbers him among her worthy native sons, and he was born on the 26th of Decem- ber, 1880, his parents being Ira Persall and Estella (Douglass) Cribb, who are well- known and highly-esteemed residents of Canandaigua.
In the acquirement of his early education Fred D. Cribb attended the grammar and high schools, while his more advanced intellectual training was received in Syra- cuse University, which in 1905 conferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Three years later he was graduated from the law department of the same institution with the degree of LL. B. Admitted to the bar in the summer of 1908, he immediately began practice in Canandaigua, where he has remained through the intervening years and has built up an extensive clientage as he has demonstrated his ability and his success in the work of the courts. In the position of city attorney, which he has filled for the past eleven years, his services have been highly satisfactory and valua- ble. He belongs to the local, state and national bar associations and has attained an enviable position in the ranks of the legal fraternity in the Genesee country. In addition to his professional activity Mr. Cribb is secretary of a number of theater companies controlling houses at Corning and at Geneva, and is vice president of the Russell Farm Agency, Incorporated. Mr. Cribb early in his career earned a reputation for public speaking. In addition to taking part in political campaigns he is a frequent speaker at banquets and public assemblages throughout central New York.
On the 1st of October, 1912, Mr. Cribb was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hill Judd of Clifton Springs, New York. They are the parents of a son, Joseph William, born January 14, 1914. Mr. Cribb is president of the board of trustees of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, a member of the board of education and a director of the Ontario County Historical Society. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons and the Odd Fellows and with two Greek letter societies-Phi Kappa Psi and Phi Delta Phi, the latter a law fraternity.
JERRY RUSSELL LEONARDO.
The Leonardo family is one of the oldest in sunny Italy. About 1887 Lucio Leonardo left Rome for America and upon his arrival in this country located in the city of Rochester, New York. His wife's maiden name was Tranquilla Rozzi. Their son, Jerry Russell, was born in Rochester, December 18, 1899.
Jerry Russell Leonardo received his early education in the public schools of Rochester. From the high school he entered the University of Rochester, where he
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spent two years, and then entered Cornell University, and received the degree of Bachelor of Laws from that institution in 1921. On the last day of June, 1922, he was admitted to the bar, having for some time been associated with James L. Whitley. After passing the state bar examination and being admitted to practice in the New York courts he continued with Mr. Whitley until September, 1922, when he opened an office of his own at No. 422 Ellwanger & Barry building. Although young in both years and his chosen profession, he has built up a respectable client- age and has been almost uniformly successful in the prosecution of his cases.
Mr. Leonardo was brought up in the Roman Catholic faith and is now a member of the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. He is a republican in his political affiliations and takes an active interest in public matters, especially those affecting the local welfare. Outside of his legal work his greatest interest is in civic affairs, the improvement of general public conditions, etc., and he finds his recreation in outdoor sports. He is a member of Rochester Lodge of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Sons of Italy, the Rochester Athletic Club, and the Cornell Club. He is also a member of the Italian Welfare Association, of which he is secretary. He has never married. In the courtroom, in his various lodges and clubs, and at political meetings Mr. Leonardo is distinguished by a simple dignity and earnestness that have won for him the respect and esteem of his associates.
GEORGE W. STEITZ.
The business interests of Rochester are important and varied, offering splendid opportunities for advancement to the man of ambition and enterprise. Competition in the different lines, however, is exceedingly keen and only those possessed of more than ordinary ability have won the full measure of success. To this class belongs George W. Steitz, who for forty-nine years has engaged in the insurance business in this city, and enjoys the distinction of being the pioneer in this field of endeavor, in which he has always occupied a position of leadership. He was born in Syracuse, New York, November 22, 1852, a son of George Henry and Elizabeth (Clute) Steitz, both natives of Germany, and a grandson of Girard Steitz, who for several years was a sol- dier in the Prussian army. George H. Steitz was born in Ausnabruck, Prussia, Febru- ary 2, 1813, and attended the schools of his native province, afterward serving an ap- prenticeship to the tailor's trade. In 1834 he responded to the call of adventure and sought his fortune in the United States, locating in Syracuse, New York. There he opened a tailoring establishment, which he conducted successfully for about twenty- two years, and then removed to Waterloo, New York. He engaged in merchant tailor- ing for several years in that city, accumulating a substantial competence which en- abled him to spend the sunset period of his life in ease and comfort. His death oc- curred in Waterloo, in 1888, and Mrs. Steitz also passed away in that city. Of the eight children born to them, five are still living, namely: Louise D., the wife of M. J. Brown of Rochester; Urella A. and Mary A., also residents of this city; Phillip N., whose home is in Bradford, Pennsylvania; and George W. of this review.
George W. Steitz was about five years of age when the family moved to Water- loo and there he attended the public schools and also the academy. His higher edu- cation was received in Hobart College at Geneva, New York, from which he was graduated in 1871, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and subsequently his Alma Mater conferred upon him the Master's degree. He devoted a few years to educational work, following that profession in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and then came to Rochester, arriving in this city on the 1st of February, 1875. He opened the first insurance office here and the years have brought him success and prominence in his chosen field of activity. He writes insurance of all descriptions, also handling mortgages, and owes his prosperity to concentrated effort and a detailed knowledge of the business in which he is engaged. He admitted his son, Carl N. Steitz, to a partnership in 1897, since which time the business has been conducted under the style of George W. Steitz & Son, and no firm in Rochester has a higher reputation for integrity and reliability.
In Rochester, on October 8, 1874, Mr. Steitz was married to Miss Carrie N. Mills, a daughter of Marshall P. and Carey (Ranney) Mills and a niece of Judge Ranney, of Cleveland, Ohio. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Steitz are: Carl N. and Ella H., the former of whom was born in Rochester in 1875 and married Miss Jessie Howard of Rochester, by whom he has a son, Howard; Ella H. Steitz was born in this city in 1881 and became the wife of Louis P. Beck. They are the parents of a son, Nelson P. Beck, a native of this city.
George W. Steitz adheres to the political faith of his father, being a stalwart
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GEORGE W. STEITZ
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republican, and in 1889 was elected a member of the board of supervisors from the twelfth ward, filling that office for two years. He is also interested in the moral welfare of his community and served for several years as president of the board of trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church, to the support of which he contributes lib- erally of his time and means. Mr. Steitz is prominent in local fraternal organizations and is a Scottish Rite Mason, having attained the thirty-second degree in that order. He belongs to Orient Lodge, No. 273, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has taken the fourth degree, and during 1911-12 was grand master for the state of New York. He is one of the valued members of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce and the nature of his recreation is indicated by his connection with the Automobile Club. Mr. Steitz has never been afraid of hard work and although he has reached the age of seventy-two years, he is still at the helm of his business, his mental and physical powers being seemingly unimpaired, for he has a correct under- standing of life's values and purposes and has carefully conserved his powers. His influence upon the life of his community has been of the highest order, and his friends are legion. Mr. Steitz built his home at No. 56 Rowley street, in 1882, and ever since has resided there.
CHAUNCEY K. SANDERS.
Chauncey K. Sanders, founder of the Nunda News, was connected with the publication for a period of sixty years. He came to Nunda from Dansville in a one- horse lumber wagon in 1859, and his first task on arriving in Nunda was to find some one who would loan him ten dollars to pay for a bundle of print paper which had arrived by canal. From this humble beginning Mr. Sanders developed the Nunda News into one of the most influential weeklies in New York state. Mr. Sanders served as postmaster at Nunda under Lincoln, Grant, Hayes, Garfield and Arthur. He served for a time during the Civil war as one of the Union guards at the rebel prison in Elmira. '
In civic affairs Mr. Sanders always took an active part, especially in beautifying Oakwood cemetery, in building up the Bell Memorial Library and in securing the erection of the Carter Memorial building. He devoted a great deal of time to the Livingston County Historical Society and with Mr. A. O. Bunnell of Dansville or- ganized the William Pryor Letchworth Memorial Association. Mr. Sanders was a lifelong Universalist and took an active part in the affairs of that society.
Mr. Sanders was married in Dansville, to Harriet Tousey, who died in 1912. Their four children were: Harry Franz, who was drowned in Silver Lake in 1880; Fanny, wife of Frank S. Thomas of Rochester; Chauncey K., Jr., of Chicago, Illinois; and Walter B., editor of the Nunda News. Mr. Sanders was born in Pavilion, New York, in 1837, and his death occurred in Nunda, on September 22, 1919.
IRVING E. WORDEN.
A prominent banker and leading citizen of Olean, New York, is Irving E. Wor- den, vice president of the Exchange National Bank of that city. His father was a farmer and cheesemaker of Allegany county and a long time resident of the section. John P. Worden was a respected citizen and was active in all things pertaining to community welfare.
Irving E. Worden was born December 17, 1859, in Alfred, New York. He attended the public schools and Friendship Academy and in 1881 entered the First National Bank of Richburg, where he worked for two years. He spent a year with the State Bank of Bolivar and in June, 1885, came to the Exchange National Bank, where he has remained. He worked his way up to assistant cashier in 1894, cashier in 1907 and vice president in 1919, and has also been a director of the bank since April, 1907. The success of the Exchange Bank has been in no small part due to the efforts of Mr. Worden, whose many years of service, faithful industry and ability have made him a pillar of the business and the community. He is likewise vice president and director of the Sterling Brick Company and trustee of the F. L. Bartlett Country Club.
In 1897 Mr. Worden was married to Miss Elizabeth Sartwell, daughter of Henry S. Sartwell of Olean. Mr. and Mrs. Worden have two children: John S., born De-
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cember 29, 1898, who is now the assistant superintendent of the Texas Company refinery of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Katherine, who is now Mrs. Lawrence R. Page, of Tulsa, her husband being president of Page Brothers Oil Company of that city.
Mr. Worden is a lover of his home town of Olean and is always willing to take part in every activity for its betterment. He is a dependable citizen and a sub- stantial one and enjoys the respect of the business men of the city, who see in him a public-spirited citizen and an excellent banker. Mr. Worden is an active worker in the Masonic fraternity, and is past master of Olean Lodge. He belongs to the Olean City Club, the Bartlett Country Club and the Elks, and loves the game of golf. Banking remains his chief interest, however.
JAMES T. FOODY.
James T. Foody, eminent trial lawyer and business man of Hornell, has found time to make himself an outstanding figure in the church and the Masonic order despite the pressure of business which always comes to a capable and successful man. He was born in Tonawanda, New York, July 5, 1881, the third oldest of fourteen children, and his parents moved to Albany when he was six years of age, then later moving to Fultonville, Montgomery county. Mr. Foody's parents were Thomas M. and Anna (Lenegar) Foody, both natives of New York state. His grandfathers were both killed in action during the Civil war and fought on the Union side. His mother's people have been in America since before the Revolutionary war.
James T. Foody attended school in Fultonville and later won a scholarship to Cornell. This was his first success and others soon followed. After he had nearly completed his Arts course he changed to the School of Law, which was to prove his proper field. He received his LL. B. degree in 1906 and spent the first year after graduation in a New York city law office. At the end of that time he came to Hornell and during the last seventeen years his fame as an attorney has spread and he has built up a large practice.
Besides law, Mr. Foody takes a great interest in business and is president of the North Hornell Realty Company, which he organized. This company owns a large tract of land upon which it is starting a suburban subdivision, which from a farm has become the village of North Hornell. He is also vice president of the Babcock-Bath Department Store. He is a republican in politics and is noted as a public speaker, being called upon often to advance the cause of his party and to discuss questions of the hour. But it is in his church work that the man shows his genuine interest-church and Sunday school work is his hobby. He is an active member of Park Methodist Episcopal church, and a trustee of this body. He has served as superintendent of the Park Methodist Episcopal Sunday school for a period of ten years, always faithful to the interests of the children and the younger people. He has also been president of the Steuben County Sunday School Association and has been president of the Genesee General Conference Laymen's Association. Mr. Foody is a thirty-second degree Mason, and has "traveled both roads". He is a member of Corning Consistory and the DeMolay Commandery; past deputy grand Mason of his Masonic district and a Noble of Damascus Shrine, Rochester.
James T. Foody married Miss Lela M. Babcock, daughter of William W. Bab- cock, of Hornell. Mr. Foody is a member of the Hornell, County, State and American Bar Associations; is a charter member of the Rotary Club; and was one of the original directors of the Y. M. C. A., who put through the plans and erected the new building, free from debt. During his long residence in Hornell he has naturally taken his place among the community leaders in various enterprises, and his record of service to town and church and his business relations with all with whom he has dealt, have made for him a record which will endure.
CARLOS A. CHAPMAN.
During the past quarter of a century Carlos A. Chapman has devoted his atten- tion to realty interests in connection with the conduct of Chapman's Real Estate Agency of Le Roy, which was founded forty-two years ago by his father, whom he succeeded as president thereof. He was born in Le Roy, Genesee county, New York, on the 25th of October, 1882, his parents being Willard M. and Elizabeth (Robbins)
JAMES T. FOODY
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Chapman. His paternal grandfather, William J. Chapman, was the first representa- tive of the family in western New York, coming to this country from England about the year 1830 and here residing to the time of his demise. Willard M. Chapman, the father of Mr. Chapman of this review, was connected with the Le Roy post office for a period of six years prior to 1883, when he founded Chapman's Real Estate Agency. In the conduct thereof he continued active throughout the remainder of his life and his well directed efforts were attended with gratifying prosperity. In his death, which occurred on the 7th of May, 1916, the community sustained the loss of one of its esteemed citizens and substantial business men.
Carlos A. Chapman pursued his education in the grammar and high schools of Le Roy and of Rochester and was a youth of eighteen years when in 1900 he joined his father in the real estate business, which has since claimed his time and energies. He succeeded his father as president of Chapman's Real Estate Agency upon the latter's death in 1916 and the enterprise has continued to thrive and prosper under his capable control. A man of good business capacity, practical in his ideas and sound in his judgment, he is directing his undertakings with the caution and fore sight that invariably lead to success.
In March, 1914, in Le Roy, New York, Mr. Chapman was united in marriage to Effie E. Bannister, daughter of Myron and Laura (McPherson) Bannister of Le Roy. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman have become the parents of three children, namely: Vivian C., L. Beverly and Carlos A., Jr. Mr. Chapman gives his political support to the republican party and takes an active and helpful interest in community affairs. His record of public service is a most creditable and commendable one, covering more than eighteen years as clerk of the village of Le Roy and twelve consecutive years as clerk of the town of Le Roy. He belongs to the Oatka Hose Club of Le Roy and attends the Presbyterian church. His favorite recreation is straight whist, a game which he has played weekly for more than fifteen years, and in which he has become very proficient. In Le Roy, where he has always lived, the circle of his friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
JOHN B. LEACH.
The editor and proprietor of the Salamanca (New York) Inquirer, despite the great handicap of total blindness during the past thirteen years, has made a reputa- tion for himself and his paper in western New York and is an active, public-spirited citizen and a publisher of ability and long experience. The Inquirer is now the official democratic paper of the county and has a circulation of over two thousand, and both the newspaper and the job plant conducted by Mr. John B. Leach are good business institutions. He was born June 14, 1881, the son of John E. and Ida C. (Scudder) Leach, who lived in Randolph, New York, for many years. His father was a merchant in Randolph and passed away in 1907. John B. Leach's paternal grandfather, Enfield Leach, settled in Cattaraugus county in 1840 and was one of the first business men of the section, being owner of a shingle factory, lumber com- panies and a merchant. The editor of the Inquirer was born June 14, 1881, at Randolph.
John B. Leach attended the public schools and high school of Jamestown, New York, and then served his apprenticeship in the newspaper game with the Jamestown Journal, where he worked four years. He decided to go west and had a great deal of general experience on papers in Youngstown, Ohio, Chicago, Illinois, St. Louis, Mis- souri, and Greeley, Colorado, for the five years following. Returning east he became connected with the International Correspondence Schools at Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he was a printer for two years and then went with the William Koehl Com- pany of Jamestown as foreman. In 1910 he opened a job printing plant in Sala- manca and operated it until 1919, when he started the Salamanca Inquirer, which he still conducts. In his job printing department Mr. Leach does map work and catalog work, and he has twelve employes.
Mr. Leach was married to Miss Catherine Davies, daughter of John R. and Mary Davies of Scranton, Pennsylvania, on July 11, 1906, in Scranton. Mr. and Mrs. Leach have one son, John Enfield Leach, born July 25, 1907, who now attends the public schools of Salamanca.
Mr. Leach is an active democrat, especially locally. He is a faithful and helpful member of St. Mary's Episcopal church, belongs to the Masonic order, and is a Shriner. He also has membership in the B. P. O. E. Lodge, No. 1025, and Knights
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of Pythias Lodge, No. 402, and he is a director of the Salamanca Chamber of Com- merce. In all these activities, as well as with his newspaper, he has made many friends, and his ability and good purpose are unquestioned.
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