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 53
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WILLIAM KRAMER.
Among those who have been most active in shaping the destiny of Dansville and promoting the growth of its financial institutions is numbered William Kramer, who for a quarter of a century has been president of the Merchants & Farmers National Bank, and in spite of the hardships which he endured during his service în the Civil war, he is still an active and important factor in the world's work, although he has passed the eightieth milestone on life's journey. He started out in the business world empty-handed but resolved that success should be his if it could be won by persistent, earnest effort, and with a nature that could never be content with mediocrity, he advanced steadily and surely toward the goal set by his ambition. He is a native of Germany, and was born in Gettersbach, in the province of Hesse Darmstadt, July 31, 1842, his parents being Bernhardt and Eva Elizabeth (Freidel) Kramer. The father followed the cooper's trade in Germany until 1847, when he started for America, bringing with him his eldest son, Adam. He located in Dans- ville and worked at his trade in company with his brother John, in a shop on Perine street. In 1849 Bernhardt Kramer and his son went to New Orleans, Louisiana, and while in that city the father's sight became impaired. He returned to Germany for treatment, eventually recovering the use of his eyes, and in 1856 brought his family to Dansville, where he continued to follow his trade for many years, passing away in the village in April, 1872, at the age of seventy-two. The mother's death occurred in Dansville, when she was seventy-three years of age, and both were members of the German Lutheran church. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kramer: Adam, who died in California in 1858; Catherine, who became the wife of Louis Hess of Illinois; Fred; George; and William.
William Kramer was a boy of fourteen when his parents established their home in Dansville and in 1857 he became a clerk in a grocery store, of which James Krein was the proprietor. He was employed there for three years and then accepted a simi- lar position with Milton J. Puffer, a clothier, who sold his stock to the firm of Kellogg & Nares in 1861. Mr. Kramer's services were retained by the new owners of the business and he remained with them until August, 1862, when he enlisted as a private in Company K, One Hundred and Thirtieth New York Infantry, which in the summer of 1863 was mounted and attached to the cavalry forces along the Potomac, being thereafter known as the First New York Dragoons. Mr. Kramer was made a cor- poral in 1862, a sergeant in 1863, and in 1865 was promoted to the rank of sergeant. major. At Beaver Dam Station, Virginia, May 10, 1864, he was wounded by a minie ball and was confined in a hospital for six weeks. He remained in the service until the close of the Civil war and received his honorable discharge at Cloud's Mills, Virginia, in July, 1865. He returned to Dansville and accepted a clerical position in the clothing store of Fritz Durr, continuing in his employ until 1872. He then embarked in the clothing business in partnership with his brother Fred, opening a store in the Krein block. The firm of Kramer Brothers was continued until 1886, when William Kramer purchased all of the stock in the business, which he operated alone until 1893. In that year he admitted his son Fred as a partner and the firm style of William Kramer & Son was then adopted. Subsequently Fred L. Kramer purchased his father's interest in the undertaking and has since conducted the busi-, ness independently. Upon the death of William T. Spinning, on August 25, 1899, William Kramer was elected president of the Merchants & Farmers National Bank of Dansville, which office he has since filled, and under his able administration the institution has made notable progress. He readily solves the intricate problems of finance, and years of experience have taught him to rely upon his own judgment in matters of business, but propositions tending to safeguard the interests of the bank find in him a ready listener. He is a man of substantial worth, honor and integrity being the keynote of his character. For thirty-one years he served as a member of the board of education, was chairman of the building committee and was president. for three years. He was renominated but declined on account of impaired hearing. He served the village, town and county in various capacities from corporation clerk
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to supervisor. In 1880 he was elected to the Dansville cemetery board as vice presi- dent and president. His term will expire in 1926.
Mr. Kramer was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Huber, who was born in Dansville. Her father was an agriculturist and migrated from Germany to the United States, becoming a resident of Dansville. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kramer: Mary E., who is the wife of Edward C. Schwingel of Buf- falo, New York; Frederick Louis; Carl B .; William and Florine. William died at the age of eighteen and his twin sister lived but three months.
Frederick Louis Kramer was born in Dansville, January 29, 1867, and after his graduation from high school attended the Geneseo Normal School and the Rochester Business Institute. In 1893 he became associated in business with his father and is now the owner of an up-to-date clothing store, conducted under his name. He em- ploys a progressive policy in the management of the establishment, is always pre- pared to supply the needs of patrons and never resorts to questionable methods in order to increase his profits. As a logical result he has secured the confidence and support of the public and his trade is a large and growing one.
On the 19th of January, 1898, Mr. Kramer was united in marriage to Miss Ernestine Holmstedt and they have a large circle of friends in Dansville. . Mr. Kramer is allied with the democratic party and the teachings of the Lutheran church guide him in the daily relations of life. He belongs to the Union Hose Company of Dansville and the Protectives, and is also a Rotarian and a Mason. He has inherited many traits of his father's character, chief among which are his sound judgment, keen discernment, executive ability, enterprising spirit and honest nature, and these are the essential prerequisites of success.
HARRY JAMES MCKAY.
For the past seventeen years Rochester has numbered Harry James McKay among its citizens and during that period he has steadily advanced in public esteem as he has had opportunity to demonstrate his worth and ability. His name is a prominent one in insurance circles of the city and his deep and helpful interest in matters pertaining to municipal progress is evidence of his public spirit. He was born in Derrick City, Penn- sylvania, September 29, 1882, a son of Martin and Adele E. (Huntington) Mckay, the latter a native of Limestone, New York. The mother traces her ancestry to Samuel Huntington, who was a passenger on the Mayflower. He was one of the colonial gov- ernors of Connecticut and from the Revolutionary struggle to the period of the World war his descendants have gallantly defended their country upon the field of battle. The grandfather in the paternal line was one of the earliest settlers of Cattaraugus county, New York, and hewed a farm out of the wilderness. His home was in the vicinity of Olean and his son, Martin McKay, was born in Monroe county, this state, of English lineage. He was an oil prospector and promoter and was very successful in his operations, which were conducted in Derrick City, Pennsylvania. He passed away in 1917 and is survived by the mother, who still resides in Derrick City. Four children were born to them, two of whom are living: Homer S. and Harry J., both of Rochester.
Harry James McKay's public school training was supplemented by a course in the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, from which he was graduated in 1904. He then became associated with his father in the oil business and was thus engaged for three years. In 1907 he came to Rochester, securing a position with a real estate firm, and later entered the insurance business, with which he has since been connected. He is thoroughly informed on everything relating to this subject, of which he has made a close study, and is senior member of the firm of Mckay & Kondoff, which has written a large amount of insurance since its organization. He also has other business interests, being a director of the Genesee Housing Corporation of Rochester.
On April 9, 1907, Mr. McKay was married to Miss Ruby S. Hunt, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles S. Hunt of Rochester. Mr. and Mrs. McKay have two chil- dren: Jeanette Hunt, who was born November 27, 1908, and is attending the Monroe Junior high school; and Richard James, who was born August 18, 1910, and is also a public school pupil. Both are natives of Rochester. The wife and mother died November 8, 1918. On June 30, 1921, in this city, Mr. Mckay was married to Mrs. H. G. Strong, formerly Miss Marion Geil. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Geil of Rochester.
Mr. McKay is a Knights Templar Mason and has taken the thirty-second degree
HARRY J. MCKAY
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in the consistory. He is a member of the Shrine Club, the Ad Club, the Rochester Club, the Automobile Club, the Oak Hill Country Club and the Rochester Yacht Club. He is also a Rotarian and the Chamber of Commerce numbers him among its ener- getic workers. Mr. Mckay is a man of genial nature, appreciative of the social amenities of life, and a large circle of loyal friends attests his popularity. Since 1918 Mr. McKay has resided at No. 220 Culver road.
WALLACE WESTON, JR.
For nearly seventy years the name of Weston has been synonymous with the lumber industry in Cattaraugus county, where Wallace Weston, Jr., is now success- fully engaged in business as treasurer of the A. Weston Lumber Company of Olean. He was born in Westons Mills, Cattaraugus county, New York, in 1862, his parents being Wallace and Harriett (Mersereau) Weston. It was in the year 1857, in associa- tion with his brothers, Abijah and Orren Weston, that Wallace Weston, Sr., organized the Weston Brothers Lumber Company, which in 1891 was incorporated as the A. Weston Lumber Company, and became widely recognized as one of the representa- tive and successful lumber manufacturers of western New York.
In the acquirement of an education Wallace Weston, Jr., attended the Olean high school and the Rochester Business Institute. Leaving the Empire state, he made his way to Manistique, Michigan, where he was connected with the lumber business until 1887. He then returned to Olean, New York, and as a young man of twenty-five years became active in the management of the business of the A. Weston Lumber Company, with which he has been associated to the present time. The concern has been engaged in the retail lumber business since 1911 and also operates a planing mill. Employment is furnished to forty-five men and one hundred and seventy-five carloads of lumber are handled each year. Mr. Weston is a director of the First National Bank of Olean and is also interested in several other local enterprises in which his counsel and cooperation are regarded as valuable assets.
In young manhood Mr. Weston was united in marriage to Emily M. Kintcel of Morden, Manitoba, Canada. Their children are three in number, as follows: Edith, who lives in Westons Mills, New York; Dorothy V., who received the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from Bryn Mawr College and who is now in the employ of the Western Electric Company of New York; and W. Douglas, who is associated with his father in the conduct of the business of the A. Weston Lumber Company. The last named wedded Doris W. Forness of Olean.
Mr. Weston gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has mem- bership in the City Club and the F. L. Bartlett Country Club, of which he is a direc- tor. Golf and motoring afford him pleasurable recreation when leisure permits. In his life he exemplifies the beneficent teachings of the Masonic fraternity, to which he belongs, and he enjoys high standing in both business and social circles of his native county.
ALLING STEPHEN DE FOREST.
In the roster of eminent landscape architects of this country the name of Alling Stephen De Forest of Rochester takes high rank by reason of the wide variety and large extent of his operations. For years the services of Mr. De Forest have been in demand not only by public park authorities but by directors of great clubs and the proprietors of extensive estates, and the calls thus made on his artistic services have carried his operations over a wide area in the state of New York as well as over the border into Canada and in the states of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Massa- chusetts, Ohio, Alabama and in other sections of the United States, the artistic character of his landscaping thus being recognized in widely separated sections of the country. Among the notable bits of private parking and public landscaping undertaken and carried through by Mr. De Forest, local attention may be called to his work on the grounds of the George Eastman estate on East avenue and the Hillside Home in Rochester, as well as many other bits of beautification of the face of nature hereabout. The landscaping of the great estate of Harvey S. Firestone in Akron, Ohio, and of Firestone park, a beautiful tract of five hundred acres in that city, as well as the Portage Country Club in Akron, are also notable bits of his artistic arrangement, and there are many others, including some of the most
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beautiful bits of landscaping in the country, to all of which the friends of Mr. De Forest point with pride.
Alling Stephen De Forest was born on a farm in the town of Pittsford, a charm- ing suburb of the city of Rochester in Monroe county, New York, April 20, 1875, and is a son of Stephen Alling and Jennie (McDonald) De Forest, the latter of whom died in the village of Le Roy, Genesee county, in April, 1896. She was born in the north of Ireland and was but a child when she came to this country with her parents, the McDonalds locating in the vicinity of Rochester, where she was reared. Stephen Alling De Forest was born in Rochester, and much of his active life was spent in the town of Pittsford, he having become the proprietor of a well kept farm, which now is the home and grounds of the Rochester Country Club, one of the most attractive show places hereabout. Stephen Alling De Forest moved to Le Roy, New York, in 1896, where he has since resided. He has six children: Mrs. Adna Chilson, Mrs. George Clark, W. W., Edward H., and Alling Stephen, all of Rochester; and Arthur C. De Forest, twin brother of Alling Stephen.
Reared on the home farm, Alling Stephen De Forest received his initial educa- tion in the schools of Pittsford and supplemented this by attendance at the Mechanics Institute, Rochester, from which institution he was graduated in 1895. Upon the completion of his technical training Mr. De Forest became employed along the lines of his profession in Rochester and after a year of valuable practical experience there transferred his services to the firm of Olmsted Brothers, in Brookline, Massachusetts, and was there employed for three years. With this preparatory experience in prac- tical work along the lines of landscape architecture Mr. De Forest returned to Rochester and became engaged in business on his own account and has since been located in that city, with present offices at No. 16 Fair Place. Mr. De Forest has long been firmly established in his profession and is widely known in that profession throughout the country. He is a fellow of the American Society of Landscape Archi- tects, which society he has served as secretary, and he is a member of the City Planning conference. During the time of this country's participation in the World war Mr. De Forest was commissioned by the government to take charge of four of the important housing projects carried out by the war department and in that capacity rendered important service. He is a Knights Templar Mason, is a member of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce and is also affiliated with the local Rotary Club and the Rochester Auto Club.
On November 22, 1898, in Rochester, Mr. De Forest was united in marriage to Miss Mary R. Barnes, daughter of Edwin Barnes. Mr. and Mrs. De Forest had one child: A son, Waverly De Forest, born in Rochester on May 31, 1902, who died on January 24, 1918. Mr. and Mrs. De Forest are members of the Spencer Ripley Methodist Episcopal church, of which congregation Mr. De Forest is one of the trus- tees.
REUBEN SPENCER SIMPSON, M. D.
Dr. Reuben Spencer Simpson, physician and surgeon, is engaged in practice in Lyons and ranks with the leading exponents of the profession in Wayne county. He was born in Scriba, New York, May 22, 1881, and represents one of the old and highly respected families of the state. He comes of Revolutionary war stock and another ancestor, Joseph Robert Simpson, fought in the War of 1812. Dr. Simpson's great-grandfather, Robert Simpson, was born in 1765 and was an early settler in Saratoga county, New York, in 1795. He lost his life by drowning in Saratoga Lake, on September 20, 1820, and was buried at Dunning Street in Saratoga county. His son, Squire Robert Simpson, Jr., was born in 1805, in Simpson Hollow, Saratoga county, and died in 1903 at the age of ninety-eight. He was married three times and became the father of twenty-one children. He was a surveyor and ran the first survey from Saratoga to Oswego in about 1827. He was also justice of the peace for many years, and widely known throughout that section of the state. Albert Simpson, father of Dr. Simpson was born in Scriba, New York, and there married Mary Spencer, a native of that town. They had two children, a son and a daughter; the latter, Nancy Corinne, is the widow of Louis Washer and resides in Tampa, Florida. Mr. Simpson devoted his active life to the occupation of farming and is now living retired at Scriba, but the mother is deceased.
Reuben Spencer Simpson completed a course in the high school in Gloversville, New York, and then became a student in Cornell University, at Ithaca, from which he was graduated in 1909 receiving the M. D. degree. He served as interne in Bellevue
DR. REUBEN S. SIMPSON
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Hospital, New York city, and on July 1, 1911, entered upon his professional career in Lyons, where he has since resided. He has utilized every opportunity to broaden his knowledge and promote his skill and a large practice attests the confidence reposed in his professional ability. He is also one of the owners of the Lyons Hospital, a modern, well equipped institution, his associate in the undertaking being Dr. Fletcher J. Towlerton.
On July 4, 1913, Dr. Simpson was married to Miss Tusanelda Nusbickel, a daugh- ter of Frederick Nusbickel of Lyons, and they have three children: Ann N., Mary S. and Ellen M. Dr. Simpson is a member of the Presbyterian church and his political support is given to the republican party. He served as health officer of Lyons from 1914 until 1924 and his work in that connection was highly commended. He is a member of the Wayne County Medical Society and his fraternal relations are with the Masons and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. The spirit of patriotism which animated his forebears is manifest in Dr. Simpson's career and he is a veteran of two wars. He saw active service in the Spanish-American war as a private of Company C, Ninth United States Infantry, and during the World war spent eighteen months overseas. For a time he was stationed in the Rheims sector and for six months was surgeon of the Three Hundred and First Ammunition Train. He was commissioned a lieutenant and was discharged from the service at Camp Dix in January, 1918, at which time he was holding the rank of Major. He is major in the Officers Reserve Corps, commanding the Six Hundred and Seventy-sixth Field Hos- pital Company. He is deputy commissioner of the Veterans Relief Commission and is connected with the Wayne County Bureau of war risk insurance. He is second chairman of the American Legion in Wayne county and the author of the history of the American Legion of Wayne county. He measures up to the highest standards of American manhood and citizenship and his ambition keeps him abreast with the trend of the times in the field of modern medical and surgical practice.
THOMAS LAMB MCLEOD.
Among the many desirable citizens whom Canada has furnished to the United States is numbered Thomas Lamb McLeod, a highly efficient public accountant and a young man of proven worth, who has been a resident of Rochester for the past six years. He was born August 13, 1890, in the city of Montreal, which was also the birthplace of his parents, John A. and Arabella (Mather) McLeod, the latter of whom is deceased. The father won success as a building contractor and also became one of the prosperous agriculturists of his native province, in which he still resides.
In the acquirement of an education Thomas Lamb McLeod attended the public schools and the Mount Royal Business College of Montreal, after which he became associated with the firm of P. S. Ross & Sons, chartered accountants of that city, remaining with them for a period of three years. He then entered McGill University, in which he spent two years as a student, completing a course in commercial law, political economy and higher accountancy. On leaving that institution Mr. McLeod accepted the position of manager of the firm of A. W. Stevenson, chartered account- ants of Montreal, and served in that capacity for three and one-half years, during which time he also acted as secretary-treasurer and director of the Guaranty Trust Company of Canada. He resigned these offices to become senior accountant for the firm of Marwick, Mitchell, Peat & Company of New York, certified public account- ants, remaining with them for two years, when he entered the employ of Warner & McGrath, public accountants and auditors of that city, discharging the duties of supervising accountant for about a year and a half. Mr. McLeod was desirous of establishing his home in a smaller city, and being favorably impressed with condi- tions in Rochester, particularly its slogan-"Here Quality Dominates"-decided to locate in the city in 1918. He followed his profession in the employ of others until 1921, when he was joined by L. A. Rodger, with whom he has since been associated under the firm style of Rodger & McLeod, public accountants and auditors. Their offices are situated in the Lincoln-Alliance Bank building, No. 31 Exchange street. Both are professional accountants of broad experience and their work represents the highest degree of efficiency in the line in which they specialize.
On April 24, 1916, in Lachine, Quebec, Canada, Mr. McLeod was married to Miss Edna Wilson, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Archibald Wilson of that place. She is a graduate of the Lachine high school and McDonald College. Mr. and Mrs. McLeod are the parents of a son, Stuart Wilson McLeod, who was born in Rochester, May 4,
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1920 Mr. McLeod is a member of the Lions Club, and is also connected with the Chamber of Commerce, the Rochester Ad Club, the local Automobile Club, and the Shrine Lunch Club. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and also belongs to the Mystic Shrine. Mr. McLeod is a member of the American Institute of Accountants, also the National Association of Cost Accountants, and his religious views are in harmony with the tenets of the Presbyterian church. He is highly esteemed in busi- ness circles of the city and has many friends, whose respect he has won and retained by reason of his industry, honesty and ability.
HOWARD VAN VOORHIS.
Prominent among the representatives of industrial activity in Rochester is Howard Van Voorhis, whose identification with the C. H. Rugg Company covers a period of twenty years, and proven ability has placed him with the executive officers of the firm. He was born in Victor, New York, August 10, 1878, a son of Lyman and Eliza- beth (Field) Van Voorhis, the latter a native of Michigan. The father, who has passed away, was a lifelong resident of the Empire state and followed the occupa- tion of farming as a means of livelihood. The mother is still living.
Howard Van Voorhis attended the grammar and high schools of Victor, New York, and also completed a course in the Rochester Business Institute. After his graduation he became a member of the clerical force of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company and remained with that corporation for seven years. In 1904 he entered the employ of the C. H. Rugg Company, manufacturers of sash, doors and blinds, and from a minor position has risen steadily in its service, performing to the best of his ability each task assigned him. He is now acting as secretary, treasurer, general manager and principal stockholder of the company, which operates one of the largest plants in the city, and his labors have been a vital element in the growth and pros- perity of the business, which claims his undivided attention.
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