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 51
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ALBERT LAVERNE SHEPARD.
Albert Laverne Shepard, deputy corporation counsel of the city of Rochester, New York, was born in the town of Ogden, Monroe county, New York, February 3, 1864, a son of Albert Ellis and Jerusha Ann (Emens) Shepard. The father was a descendant of an old New England family and spent the greater part of his life in the town of Ogden, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits. He died there in 1880.
Albert Laverne Shepard attended the public schools of Ogden in his boyhood, then became a student in the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, and in 1889 he received the degree of Ph. D. from the University of Michigan. During the next five years he was engaged in looking after the farm for his widowed mother. In 1894 he came to Rochester and began the study of law in the office of William F. Cogswell, who at that time was one of the city's leading attorneys. Mr. Shepard was admitted to the bar in 1896 and for about two years was associated with Mr. Cogswell. At the end of that time he opened an office of his own, where he continued in practice until appointed third assistant corporation counsel in 1907. In a short time he was pro- moted to second assistant, then to first, and finally to deputy. During the year 1923 he was entrusted with the purchase of over one million dollars' worth of real estate for the city.
Mr. Shepard is a member of Christ Episcopal church, the Masonic fraternity, the University Club, the Mayflower Society of the State of New York, and the Bar Association. He is greatly interested in the culture of roses and has served as secre- tary of the Rochester Rose Growers Society. He owns a farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres in the town of Ogden, which has been in the family for more than a century.
On March 29, 1894, Mr. Shepard was united in marriage to Miss Lillian S. Auchter, daughter of David and Maria (Mattis) Auchter of the town of Greece. The Auchters came from the Black Forest region of Wurttemberg, Germany. Three daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Shepard: Ruth Elizabeth, who graduated from Smith College in 1917, is now the wife of Dr. Ralph Bryan Post, an instructor in the University of Michigan; Agnes Isabel, who was a student at the University of Michigan in 1923; and Emily Louise, graduated from the University of Michigan in 1924 and lives with her parents.
CLEMENT G. LANNI.
A journalistic career made strong appeal to Clement G. Lanni, treasurer of the Rochester Alliance Press, and the wisdom of his choice is demonstrated by his rapid progress in a vocation demanding mental alertness and more than ordinary ability. He was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, December 21, 1888, and is a son of Dominick and Louisa (Riccardi) Lanni, natives of Italy. They migrated to the United States in 1883, establishing their home in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and in 1890 came to Rochester. The father was first a contractor and later engaged in the manufacture of macaroni. His was the first industry of the kind established in the city and he remained in the business for ten years. He is now living retired in San Pedro, Cali- fornia, and the mother also survives.
At the age of fifteen Clement G. Lanni became a cabin boy on a United States revenue cutter and also acted as a stoker. He joined the naval militia and became an officer of the Naval Reserve force. He was graduated from the East high school in 1911 and then spent two years as a student in Colgate University, afterward enter- ing the University of Rochester, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1915. While a college student he became a reporter on the Rochester Herald and later was assistant sport editor of that paper. For a time he was editor of the publications of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, laying aside his duties April 6, 1917, to enter the United States navy, and was made coxswain on the United States Battleship Wisconsin. He was with the Atlantic fleet for eighteen months
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and remained in the service until after the close of the World war, receiving his honorable discharge on March 12, 1919, at which time he held the rank of ensign. Returning to Rochester, Mr. Lanni reentered the employ of the Herald, with which he was connected for several months. He then entered business, consolidating three Italian newspapers-La Tribuna, La Domenica and Il Popolo-under the name of La Stampa Unita, and was made editor in chief. They had a combined circulation of thirty-five hundred and are now published by the Rochester Alliance Press, Incor- porated, of which Mr. Lanni is treasurer and managing editor. Experience has taught him every phase of the newspaper business and as a result of his personal influence and management the publication has steadily grown in popular favor. The paper is one of the few printed in English and Italian. He is an able writer and his editorials are noted for their vigor, aptness and literary excellence.
Mr. Lanni was married to Miss Hazel Jean Lush, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William J. Lush of Rochester. She was graduated from the University of Rochester with the class of 1914 and was elected to the society of Phi Beta Kappa. Mr. and Mrs. Lanni have two children: David Sellers and Marjorie Ann, the former of whom was born in 1919 and the latter in 1923.
Originally a republican, Mr. Lanni left the party when Theodore Roosevelt headed the progressive movement in 1912. He was defeated as a candidate for sheriff on the democratic ticket in 1920; and in 1921, 1922 and 1923 he ran for assemblyman from the second district, against Simon Adler and was defeated each time by a small plurality. He belongs to the American Legion and to the Society of "Forty over Eight," the social branch of that organization. He is one of the Old Guard of Rochester, a member of the Sons of Italy, and also has membership in the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, the Rochester Ad, the Rochester Press and the Rochester Athletic Clubs, and the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. He belongs to Seneca Lodge, No. 920. of Masons and to Elks Lodge, No. 24. Mr. Lanni is a keen student of men and of world conditions, well informed on matters of public polity, and through the columns of his papers champions every movement calculated to benefit his city and promote the growth of the surrounding district. He has never used his influence for unworthy purposes and his rapidly maturing powers have placed him in a posi- tion of prominence in newspaper circles of western New York, while a large and ever-widening circle of steadfast friends attests his personal popularity.
WILLIAM O'BRIEN.
In the early '40s of the last century Matthew O'Brien and Julia Curran came to this country from Ireland. The former located in Auburn, New York, where he served an apprenticeship at custom shoemaking. He later moved to Canandaigua to engage in business and there met Miss Curran, to whom he was married.
William O'Brien, the second son, was born in that village in 1859. Completing his studies in the public school and Canandaigua Academy, he entered the office of the Ontario County Journal and there served four years under George D. A. Bridg- man, working later as a compositor on the Journal and Times for several years. Subsequently he helped to establish the Victor Herald and for a time conducted a branch paper in Pittsford, which venture was short-lived. In 1882 he moved to Honeoye Falls and established the Honeoye Falls Times, purchasing the plant, list and goodwill of the Scottsville Spectator, which was consolidated with the Times. The village at that time had two local weekly papers and one monthly. The Times took a stand on independent lines in politics, and espousing the cause of forward looking movements of the day, including the liquor question, the paper won the loyal support of a large circle of friends in sympathy with the various movements. The paper later aligned itself with the republican party.
In 1919 Mr. O'Brien leased the paper to his sons, Harry and McKendree O'Brien, who are the present publishers, under the corporate name of the O'Brien Brothers Printing Company. The Times is an eight-page, six-column paper and the long established policy of the paper is continued. In 1923 the Times was awarded third prize at the Ithaca fair by Cornell University for the best farm department features.
Mr. O'Brien has taken a keen interest in all matters pertaining to local welfare and served for four years on the village board. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and of Honeoye Falls Grange. He also held a position in the state insurance department at Albany, and a clerkship in the legislature on the cities committee.
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In 1884 Mr. O'Brien was married to Frances Marian, daughter of McKendree and Harriett Williams of Honeoye Falls. The Williams family were pioneer residents of the Genesee country, the grandfather, Benajah Williams, being a circuit-rider in the early days of Methodism in the Genesee conference, and was stationed in Honeoye Falls as a local pastor in 1818. He later moved to Chagrin Falls, Ohio, where he died in 1864. To Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien were born seven children, six of whom are living, as follows:
Harry, who was educated in the Honeoye and Rochester high schools, and after leaving school was employed by his father in the Times office. There he learned the details of the newspaper and job printing business and in 1915 became a partner in the O'Brien Brothers Printing Company. He is now (1923) chief of the Honeoye Falls fire department and is unmarried. He belongs to the Masonic lodge of Honeoye Falls and is always ready to cooperate in movements for the betterment of the social and material welfare of the village.
Julia, who, after finishing her high school studies in Honeoye Falls, attended the University of Southern California, then graduated from the Mechanics Institute in the domestic science course. She immediately engaged in settlement work in New York city, on the East Side, as a teacher in the housekeeping centers. The work which at first was privately financed was really pioneer work in this direction, and was finally taken over and introduced into all of the public schools of Greater New York by the education department. She is still employed as a teacher.
Mary, now Mrs. Frederick E. Bond of Glen Cove, Long Island, New York, is also a graduate of Mechanics Institute of Rochester, in the applied arts and manual training course. She was for several years a teacher and supervisor until the World war, when she enlisted as a war nurse, being assigned to the training school at Spartanburg, North Carolina, and served there and in reconstruction work until the close of the war.
McKendree, now a partner in the O'Brien Brothers Printing Company, attended the Honeoye Falls high school and then became associated with his father in the publication of the Times. When the United States entered the World war he enlisted and served with Base Hospital No. 48 in France, but was not attached to any regi- mental organizations. Since his return home he has been actively engaged in the management of the printing company. He is a member of the Masonic lodge of Honeoye Falls.
William, Jr., attended the Honeoye Falls high school and was then employed by his father or brothers in the office of the Times, where he is still engaged in the business.
Clarke, the youngest of the family, is a student in the University of Rochester, now in his senior year in the preparatory law course.
THE REV. WILLIAM CHARLES KIRBY.
One of the many phases of the wonderful work the Roman Catholic church is doing in the United States is the care of the various foreign nationalities that come to the country, whose spiritual needs must be ministered to in their own language. Many large Roman Catholic parishes in the United States are made up almost en- tirely of aliens who are held to their religious duties only because the priests in charge are able to address them in their own tongue. One of these parishes is that of St. Anthony's Roman Catholic church in Batavia, Genesee county, New York, of which the Rev. William Charles Kirby is pastor. The congregation consists almost entirely of Italians living in Batavia and the surrounding towns, and about two thousand, three hundred are members of the parish. To hold such a congregation intact is a difficult task, which Father Kirby undertakes with ease and in which he has had most marvelous success. He has the complete confidence of his people, who bring to him not only their spiritual troubles, but who also rely upon his advice and counsel in their temporal affairs. Father Kirby has entire charge of the work in his parish and has never had an assistant. Since he has been in charge Father Kirby has moved the old church, which he uses for a parish hall, and has built a new and handsome brick structure, completed in 1919, which seats over six hundred people. He also has a parochial school with six grades, taught by the Sisters of Mercy, in which about two hundred pupils are enrolled.
Father Kirby was born February 13, 1887, in Phoenix, Oswego county, New York, the son of Peter and Hannah (Harrington) Kirby. His father was a knife-maker
REV. WILLIAM C. KIRBY
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who passed most of his life in Phoenix, moving to that town from Bridgeport, Con- necticut, about 1870 and being a resident there until his death. Father Kirby re- ceived his early education in a district school at Lamson, Onondaga county, and later in the grade and high schools of Phoenix, graduating from the latter in 1905, and for the next two years working in Phoenix at various occupations. In 1907 he entered Niagara University, at Niagara Falls, New York, and remained there until 1909, when he left to go to Rome, Italy, where for the next five years he was a student in the Propaganda College. Father Kirby returned to the United States in 1914 and was ordained at Buffalo on December 19, 1914, by Bishop Charles H. Colton. While in Rome, Father Kirby was honored by having the degree of Ph. D. conferred upon him in 1911, and the degree of S. T. L. in 1914. The first appointment of the young priest was that of assistant to the pastor of St. Theresa's parish in Buffalo, where he remained for three years, and in November, 1917, he was appointed pastor of the church at Hulburton, Orleans county, New York, where he remained for one year. On November 2, 1918, Father Kirby was appointed pastor of St. Anthony's parish in Batavia, and has been there ever since. In December, 1924, Father Kirby was granted an assistant, the Rev. Anthony P. Biffarella, formerly of Mount Carmel church, Buffalo, New York.
Father Kirby is a charter member of the Batavia Kiwanis Club, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and is a director of the Genesee County T. B. Association, in which he has held various offices. In his political views Father Kirby is aligned with the republican party. He likes outdoor life, but finds little time to devote to it. Father Kirby has a reputation as an orator, is frequently called upon for addresses on various topics, but the press of his 'church duties makes it impossible to devote much time to outside interests. It is necessary for him to hold services in both the Italian and English languages because of the inability of many of his people to understand English.
RALPH B. INGALSBE.
On April 26, 1887, Ralph B. Ingalsbe was born in Oakfield, Genesee county, New York, where his parents, Edwin J. and Mary V. (Bliss) Ingalsbe, were old settlers. After attending the public schools and the Genesee Wesleyan Academy, Ralph en- tered the Central high school in Buffalo and in 1910 graduated from the Law School of the University of Buffalo, with the degree of LL. B. In October of that year he was admitted to the bar and became associated with Charles C. Page, one of Buffalo's well known attorneys. The following spring he came to Rochester and entered the office of Perkens, Duffy & McLean, with whom he remained for about two years. He then became the senior member of the new law firm of Ingalsbe, Sanderson & Wegner. After a short time Mr. Sanderson was succeeded by Mr. Bernhard, who died in the latter part of 1924, since which time the firm has been Ingalsbe & Wegner. As the junior partner holds the position of assistant district attorney, most of the firm's business is carried on by Mr. Ingalsbe.
While at the University of Buffalo, Mr. Ingalsbe became a member of the Gamma Sigma and Phi Delta Phi fraternities. He also belongs to the Foresters, the Roches- ter Ad Club and the Oak Hill Country Club of Rochester, where he finds much of his recreation on the golf links. Politically he is a democrat, but he has never held public office. His church affiliations are with St. Paul's Episcopal parish, where for eleven years he taught a Sunday school class composed of the older boys. He was also president of the Men's Club of the church for one year.
As a lawyer Mr. Ingalsbe is careful and conscientious in the preparation of his cases and the safeguarding of his clients' interests; as a club member and churchman his associates find in him an intelligent and genial personality; and in his home he has a congenial companion in his wife, formerly Miss Clara L. Kingsley of St. Louis, Missouri. His residence is at No. 1035 Harvard street.
GEORGE HENRY DAVIS, M. D.
For the past twenty years Dr. George Henry Davis has engaged in the general practice of medicine in Le Roy. He was born in Rochester, New York, April 13, 1876, a son of William H. and Elizabeth A. (Thompson) Davis, the former a native of England and the first of the family to settle in the Genesee country. The father
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was a professional nurse and for a long period was identified with the City Hospital of Rochester.
George Henry Davis attended the grammar school and Rochester Free Academy of his native city and was also a student in the University of Rochester. He com- pleted his education in the University of Buffalo, from which he was graduated in 1901 with the degree of M. D., and then devoted a few years to hospital work. At college he played an important role in amateur athletics. His height, six feet and three inches, and weight of one hundred and eighty pounds, made him a figure in weight and discus contests. He held the underscholastic record for the fifty-six pound weight. His high jump record was five feet and ten inches. He won the junior championship discus throw at the Pan-American games, with a record of one hundred and twelve feet. He was elected captain of the track team of the University of Rochester in his sophomore year. In 1904 he opened an office in Le Roy and in the intervening period his practice has grown steadily as his professional prestige has increased. He served for four years as health officer of Le Roy, and prompted by an earnest desire to improve local health conditions, he accomplished much valuable work in that connection, receiving strong commendation for his efforts in behalf of his fellow townsmen. He is a member of the medical staff of St. Jerome's Hos- pital, also of Batavia Hospital, and his professional services are in constant demand.
On June 20, 1906, in Hemlock, New York, Dr. Davis was married to Miss Emma L. Woodruff, a daughter of Edward B. and Georgie (Quackenbush) Woodruff of Geneseo, this state. Mrs. Davis is a direct descendant of Solomon Woodruff, the first white settler of Livingston county and the first white settler of the town of Livonia. The children of Dr. and Mrs. Davis are: Miriam E., who was born in 1912; Edward Woodruff, born in 1916; and George Henry, Jr., born in 1918. All are public school pupils.
Dr. Davis is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and his political views are in accord with the platform and principles of the republican party. He has never been remiss in the duties of citizenship and the welfare and progress of his com- munity is a matter close to his heart. He is a member of the Oatka Hose Club and his professional connections are with the Genesee County, New York State and American Medical Associations. He is also identified with the Masonic order, belong- ing to the lodge and chapter in Le Roy, the commandery in Batavia and Damascus Temple of the Mystic Shrine in Rochester. He is at present (1925) district deputy of the Genesee-Wyoming Masonic district. The breadth of his sympathy and interest is also measured by the fact that he finds time to be chairman of the Le Roy Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
FREDERICK SAMUEL MILLER.
Frederick Samuel Miller, vice president of Hubbard, Eldredge & Miller, Incor- porated, is one of the best known men in furniture manufacturing circles in this section of the country. He was born in East Guilford, New York, September 8, 1869, a son of Austin L. and Sarah (Arms) Miller and comes from an old New England family, being a representative in the eighth generation from William Miller, one of the settlers of North Hampton, Massachusetts. The family is also numbered among the early settlers of central New York, where Matthew Miller, the paternal grandfather of Frederick S. Miller, located in Chenango county over one hundred years ago. Matthew Miller was born in Connecticut and moved to Chenango county, New York, in 1821. In association with his brother-in-law, he purchased a township in the county, dividing it into farms, and the original homestead is still owned by the family. He was a prosperous farmer and his son, Austin L. Miller, also followed that occupa- tion. He died in 1906 and is survived by his widow. Of the six children born to them, but two sons are living, namely: Frederick Samuel and J. Hudson. The latter is president of the Miller Cabinet Company of Rochester, and is mentioned elsewhere in this work.
Frederick Samuel Miller was reared on a farm and attended the school in Sidney, New York, later prepared himself for a business career at the Rochester Business Institute, where he completed his studies in 1889. For four years he was in the employ of Edmund Ocumpaugh, first discharging the duties of bookkeeper and later acting as his private secretary. Subsequently he was for some time connected with the Seamless Hosierv Company, leaving that service in 1897. to becomo secretary of the firm of Hubbard, Eldredge & Miller, furniture manufacturers, with which he has
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ever since been connected. This firm is numbered among Rochester's representative manufacturing institutions, and enjoys a nation wide reputation as manufacturers of high grade chairs of artistic design. Mr. Miller has been a resultant factor in the growth and development of the company. In November, 1924, Hubbard, Eldredge & Miller consolidated with the Binghamton Chair Company of Binghamton, New York; the Parkersburg Chair Company, Parkersburg, West Virginia, and the Peru Chair Com- pany, Peru, Indiana, as the firm of Hubbard, Eldredge & Miller, Incorporated. Among other business interests he is a director of the Miller Cabinet Company of Rochester, and is also a member of the board of directors of the Mechanic Savings Bank of this city.
In Rochester, on June 15, 1897, Mr. Miller was married to Miss May Huddle- stone, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edmund R. Huddlestone. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have seven children: Marian H .; Edmund H .; Dorothy A .; Austin L., and Margaret L., twins; Frederick S., Jr .; and Stanton M. Mr. Miller is a director of the Young Men's Christian Association of Rochester, trustee of the Chamber of Commerce, member of the Genesee Valley Club, the Automobile Club and the Oak Hill Country Club. He is an exemplary representative of the Masonic order and has taken the thirty-second degree in the consistory. For nearly thirty-five years Mr. Miller has been identified with the business and civic life of Rochester; in fact, his entire business career has been spent here. He is not only regarded as an excellent type of the best citizenship, but also one of the city's strong and capable business men. Mr. Miller's residence is at No. 547, Lake avenue.
WILLIAM ADDISON DUSENBURY.
The First National Bank of Olean, New York, the oldest bank in Cattaraugus county and one of the strongest and most conservative financial institutions of west- ern New York, has for its president William A. Dusenbury, who is eminently fitted to carry on the work of those able bankers before him who established and built up this bank. Mr. Dusenbury became president in January, 1921, having been vice president under Edgar G. Dusenbury's term of office from 1913 until 1921. John E. Dusenbury was president of the bank from 1892 until 1913. In 1915 the present building was erected, a modern banking home of six stories.
William Addison Dusenbury was born September 24, 1879, in Newtown Mills, Pennsylvania, the son of William A. and Helen (Truesdell) Dusenbury. His father was a lumberman. The son attended the public and high schools of Portville and the Lawrenceville school and graduated from Princeton University in 1902, with an A. B. degree. He entered the employ of the First National Bank as a clerk and rose to the leadership of the institution. He is also the vice president of the A. Weston Lumber Company, president of the Acme Milling Company, and a director of The Olean Trust Company. He is unmarried and lives in Portville. Mr. Dusenbury be- longs to the F. L. Bartlett Country Club and the City Club and is the president of the "Randolph Home", trustee of the Olean General Hospital and has other civic and community services to his credit.
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