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 55
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Mr. Comerford was a Roman Catholic in religious faith and had taken the fourth degree in the Knights of Columbus. He enlisted his talents as readily for the
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public weal as for his own aggrandizement and was a director of the Community Chest and an influential member of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce. He also belonged to the Rochester Historical Society, the Archaeological Society, the Memorial Art Gallery, the Rochester Club, the Oak Hill Country Club and the Rochester Yacht Club. He possessed in a marked degree keen business foresight and a broad grasp of affairs and had a career of unusual activity and notable success. He was one of the forceful and resourceful figures in the business circles of Rochester and stood as a high type of the American citizen, with that steadfastness of purpose which enabled him to accomplish his object in the upbuilding of individual fortune and in the support of interests of vital worth to the community. During the last ten years of his life Mr. Comerford lived at No. 779 East avenue.
CLARENCE H. GREFF.
Active in the local affairs of his community, and deeply interested in every move- ment that promises to better conditions for the people among whom he lives, a sound and thoroughly grounded lawyer, with the highest ideals in the practice of his pro- fession, Clarence H. Greff, attorney of Warsaw, Wyoming county, New York, was the logical choice of the people for the responsible position of district attorney of Wyoming county, which office he now satisfactorily fills. He was born in Bennington, New York, November 30, 1873, the son of Philip and Mary (Zehler) Greff, who were residents of the town. Philip Greff was a farmer who passed most of his life in that section of New York state. His father, John Greff, came to the United States about 1840 from the Duchy of Luxembourg, Germany, and remained here until his death.
Clarence H. Greff received his early education in the grade and high schools of Attica, New York. Upon graduating from the high school in 1891 he began the study of law and was admitted to the bar in October, 1895. After that Mr. Greff became associated with John L. Woodworth and remained a inember of the law firm of Woodworth & Greff until January 1, 1918, since which time he has been engaged in the general practice of law alone. Mr. Greff is a member of Wyoming County and New York State Bar Associations, was a delegate to the constitutional convention of 1915, representing the forty-fourth senatorial district, comprising the counties of Genesee, Allegany and Wyoming, was elected district attorney in 1921, for a term of three years, and was reelected in 1924. He has also held the following local offices: Trustee of Warsaw, 1913-1916; president of Warsaw, 1917; corporation counsel, 1918-1925.
Mr. Greff was married, in New York city, on March 18, 1914, to Blanche English of Cleveland, Ohio. He is a member of Warsaw Lodge No. 549, F. & A. M .; Wyoming Chapter No. 181, R. A. M .; Batavia Commandery, No. 34, K. T .; and Damascus Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Rochester. Locally he is a member of the Kiwanis Club. He takes a keen interest in politics as an active member of the republican party, and in his religious convictions is an attendant at the Congregational church and a helper in its activities.
HON. BENJAMIN BROOKS CUNNINGHAM.
Hon. Benjamin Brooks Cunningham. supreme court justice, entered upon the active practice of law in Rochester over thirty years ago, and prior to entering upon his career as a jurist, on January 1, 1920, this city had been the scene of his pro- fessional activities. He was born in Rochester, April 1, 1874, a son of Michael and Mary (Hanlon) Cunningham, both of whom were natives of Jefferson county, New York, and after their marriage came to Rochester to reside. Michael Cunningham was engaged in mercantile pursuits during the greater part of his business life, and his death occurred in this city. His widow survived him until February 17, 1925, when she had attained the advanced age of eighty-five years.
Reared in Rochester, Benjamin Brooks Cunningham attended the public schools and later the Rochester Free Academy, from which he was graduated at the age of eighteen. He began his preparation for the law, in the office of Butler Crittenden, and in 1895 was admitted to the bar, at once applying himself vigorously to the practice of his profession. Four years later he was made clerk in the office of the
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corporation counsel, subsequently becoming the incumbent of that office, which he ab'y filled for a number of years and resigned when elected to the supreme court bench in the fall of 1919.
Justice Cunningham is an ex-president of the Rochester Bar Association, and a member of the American Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association. He also belongs to the Genesee Valley Club and the Rochester Chamber of Commerce and is a third degree Knight of Columbus.
Mr. Cunningham was married on June 28, 1911, in Buffalo, to Miss Elonore MacKcarnin, a daughter of the Rev. William and Harriet MacKearnin of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham have two sons and two daughters; Benjamin B. Cunning- ham, Jr., Elonore Jane, Betty Ann and Roderick M. The Cunningham residence is a: No. 1330 Park avenue.
JOE E. SWOPE.
There are very few men connected with the automobile trade in Rochester today whose identification with the motor car industry dates back as far as that of Joe E. Swope, manager of L Motors, Incorporated, Rochester's exclusive Lincoln dealer. Mr. Swope came to Rochester seventeen years ago, and ever since then has had a prom- inent connection with the automobile business in this city. He was born in George- town, Brown county, Ohio, on the 12th day of January, 1887, a son of Milton G. and Lotta LaFavor (Chapman) Swope, and received his early education in that city. Later he attended high school in Dayton, Ohio, where he really began his business career. For two and a half years he was employed as cashier by the Dayton News, and after severing his connection with that newspaper became stock clerk in the Stoddard-Dayton automobile plant in that city. He was soon promoted to the position of stockkeeper, and later was transferred to the assembling and test departments.
On September 18, 1908, Mr. Swope was assigned to the Stoddard-Dayton agency in Rochester, first acting as stockkeeper, and was later connected with the service department, remaining in that connection until 1910. In that year he entered the employ of the Mabbett-Bettys Motor Car Company, with which he was connected for several years, later becoming secretary of that company.
In December, 1920, he was one of the organizers of the Swope-Stanley Motors, Incorporated, of which he was elected president, and in 1924, when the Lincoln dis- tribution was segregated in this city and taken over by the L Motors, Incorporated, Mr. Swope resigned as president of Swope-Stanley Motors, Incorporated, to become manager of that corporation. He has had long experience in both the mechanical and executive branches of the business and enjoys a wide acquaintanceship among the automobile buying public in the Rochester territory.
On December 1, 1910, Mr. Swope was married to Miss Clara Belle Craver of this city, and they have a son and a daughter: Joe E., Jr., who was born May 11, 1917; and June Claire, born December 19, 1921. Mr. Swope is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church, the Ad Club, the Oak Hill Country Club and the Auto- mobile Club of Rochester. He is an excellent type of the enterprising and progressive business man, holding to high ideals, and one whose straightforward practices have carried him to a most creditable position among Rochester's representative business men. Mr. Swope's residence is at No. 429 Melville street.
HOLDEN T. MILLER.
Holden T. Miller, one of the influential and highly respected citizens of Batavia, has during the past forty-six years been continuously identified in an official capacity with the Bank of Batavia, of which institution he has served as president since July, 1917. He was born in Byron, Genesee county, New York, on the 1st of February, 1841, his parents being Wheaton S. and Emmerette (Southworth) Miller. His paternal grandfather, Elisha Miller, was the first representative of the family in the Genesee country, arriving about the year 1809 and here spending the remainder of his life. Wheaton S. Miller, the father of Mr. Miller of this review, was a lifelong resident of Byron, New York, who engaged successfully in agricultural pursuits and also dealt in produce.
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Holden T. Miller supplemented his grammar and high school education by a course of study in the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary. He then turned his attention to the mercantile business in Byron, to which he devoted his energies for about five years, on the expiration of which period he became a member of the firm of J. T. Boynton & Company, produce dealers. After twenty-one years of identification with this concern he disposed of his interest therein.
It was in the year 1879 that Mr. Miller became a factor in financial affairs as cashier of the Bank of Batavia, with which institution he has been continuously con- nected to the present time, and of which he has been at the head as its preisdent since July, 1917. The bank has made remarkable progress during the period of his associa- tion therewith, for its deposits have increased from two hundred thousand dollars to more than four million dollars. The present officers of the Bank of Batavia, which was incorporated in 1876, are: Holden T. Miller, president; Herbert T. Booth, vice president; Everett R. Tomlinson, cashier; George W. Wynn, Wheaton S. Miller and Frank M. Neaverth, assistant cashiers; and Arthur G. Hough, Newell K. Cone, Daniel W. Tomlinson, Everett R. Tomlinson, Herbert T. Booth and Holden T. Miller, directors. Mr. Miller is also president of the Genesee County Abstract Company.
On the 27th of December, 1863, in Byron, New York, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Cecelia G. Wiggins of that place. Their only living child is Wheaton S., who is assistant cashier of the Bank of Batavia. He married Lucille Briggs of Elma, New York, and their two children are: Charlotte B., a student in Wellesley College; and Cecelia G., who is attending Wheelock School in Boston. Mr. Miller is widely recog- nized as a citizen whose aid and cooperation are ever found on the side of right, progress and improvement. At all times he has manifested a helpful interest in civic affairs and his efforts have been beneficially exerted in behalf of the general welfare. He has remained a resident of Genesee county from his birth to the present time and enjoys high standing as a leading banker and esteemed citizen of his community.
WILLARD JAY SMITH.
Willard Jay Smith, president of the Willard J. Smith Company, Incorporated, is one of the best known men in investment security circles of Rochester. He was born in Scottsville, New York, March 17, 1879, a son of Elmer Jerome and Angelina (Wood) Smith, who were of Scottish lineage and New England stock and from an ancestry that includes several of the pioneer families of this portion of the state, among them being the Stone family, Nye family and Holland family. Israel and Simon Stone were the first settlers in 1789 of what is now the town of Pittsford, and with Seth Dodge owned nearly the entire town, or at least thirteen thousand three hundred acres of it, for which they paid eighteen pence per acre. The lands of this region increased in value so rapidly that Phelps & Gorham, from whom the land had been purchased, sought to regain this tract, and they agreed with the Stones and Dodge to give them one-half of the tract without further payment if the latter would relinquish their claim to the other half. This was done, and by it the Stones and Dodge became the absolute owners of nearly one-half of the town for the merely nominal consideration of about thirty dollars, which had been paid for the article of agreement. Simon Stone's log house stood a short distance south of Pittsford village, while the house of his brother, Israel, stood on a site near a spring in the village. Captain Silas Nye, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, who fought at Bunker Hill, was the great-great- great-grandfather of Willard Jay Smith and migrated from Connecticut to what is now the town of Pittsford soon after 1791. At the first town meeting in 1796 he was chosen the first supervisor of that town. The great-grandfather of Captain Silas Nye was Benjamin Nye, who was born in England in 1620 and was the American progenitor of the family. Sarah Nye, daughter of Captain Silas Nye, married Robert Holland, who moved from Massachusetts to western New York in 1790, settling in Pittsford. Their son, Simon Stone Holland, was the father of Louisa Holland, who married David Nelson Smith, the father of Elmer Jerome Smith, father of Willard Jay Smith.
In the paternal line the ancestry is traced to John Smith, who was the American progenitor of the family. He was a native of Scotland and arrived in Monroe county, New York, about 1800. He was a surveyor and marked out the boundaries of Wheat- land and Caledonia, in Livingston county. Among his children was a son, Robert Smith, who settled in Scottsville, and his son, David Nelson Smith, was the father of Elmer Jerome Smith. The latter was educated in Lima Seminary, Rochester Uni- versity and the New York State Normal School at Geneseo, and has resided either in
WILLARD J. SMITH
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Rochester or vicinity during practically his entire life. He was a successful educator, following that profession for many years, but is now living retired. His wife, who was Angelina Wood, died in 1892. Her father, William Wood, settled in western New York about 1830 and became one of the leading orchardists of Orleans county.
Willard Jay Smith received his education in the high schools of Lockport, New York, and the State Normal and Training School at Brockport. He began his business career as a clerk for a wholesale leather company and later was transferred to the sales force. He remained with that house for thirteen years and in 1910 sought a new field of activitiy, becoming a salesman for an investment concern. Here he found a line of work that was very congenial, and seven years later established a business of his own, organizing the Willard J. Smith Company, which has been incor- porated. He is president of the firm, which handles high-grade investment securities, and the conservative methods and thorough reliability of the house rank it with the foremost institutions of its character in Rochester.
On January 15, 1907, Willard J. Smith was married to Miss Grace Edith Smith, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence H. Smith, well known residents of Rochester. Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Smith have four children, all born in Rochester: Karl Jerome, Donald Clarence, Willard Clark and Barbara C. Civic affairs receive a large share of Mr. Smith's attention and he is particularly interested in child welfare activities, serving as chairman of the committee appointed to ascertain the causes of juvenile delinquency here. He is a member of the Young Men's Christian Association and was one of the organizers of the Rotary Club of Rochester, of which he is an ex- president. He is a former vice president of the Washington Club, a vice president and director of the Shrine Club and a member of the finance committee of the Monroe Golf Club. He belongs to the Tuscorora Club of Lockport, New York, the United Commercial Travelers, is likewise connected with the Society of the Genesee, and along fraternal lines is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Masons, being a past master of Warren C. Hubbard Lodge, No. 964, F. & A. M. His advancement is not due to any fortunate combination of circumstances, but is the logical result of industry, intelligently directed. He is always in the van of every movement looking toward the accomplishment of real and practical good and is ever ready to meet each obligation of life witih the confidence and courage which result from conscious personal ability, the right conception of things, and an habitual regard for what is best in the exercise of human activities. Mr. Smith has a wide acquaint- ance among financial men and investors throughout this section of the state and values highly the confidence of probably as high-class a clientele as is enjoyed by any investment security house in Rochester. His residence is at No. 10 Trafalgar street.
MEYER RAPP.
Meyer Rapp, one of Rochester's foreign-born citizens, has made his own way in the world from an early age, and the qualities of industry, thrift and perseverance have brought him to the fore in business circles of his community as a cleaner and dyer. His natal day was July 22, 1858, and his parents were Liebman and Rose (Rothchild) Rapp, the former a merchant.
Meyer Rapp attended the public schools of his native land and there learned the tailor's trade. In 1881, when a young man of twenty-three, he followed the tide of immigration to the United States, choosing Rochester as his future home, and time has proven the wisdom of his decision. He found work at his trade and at the end of three years had accumulated sufficient capital to establish a business of his own as a merchant tailor. The high quality of his work soon drew to him a desirable patronage and for thirty years he engaged in that business, with ever-increasing success. In 1914 he withdrew from the trade and directed his energies into another channel, opening a cleaning and dyeing establishment. He has been equally success- ful in this field and now utilizes about sixty employes in the conduct of his business, which is operated under the name of Rapp's, Incorporated, being a close corporation. Knowing that satisfactory work is the best advertisement, Mr. Rapp gives to his cus- tomers service of high quality and his business methods are such as commend him to the confidence and support of the public.
In Rochester, on June 4, 1895, Mr. Rapp was married to Miss Jeannette Weinstein, who was a daughter of Perez Weinstein. Mrs. Rapp passed away on November 6, 1923. Nine children were born to them, five sons and four daughters, namely: Raymond, Perry and Franklin, all of whom are associated with their father in
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business; Lester; Milton, a student in a medical college of Buffalo, New York; Mrs. O. H. Paddison, who lives in Norfolk, Virginia, and has three sons, Howard, Richard and Robert; Mrs. Bessie Saeger of Rochester; . Helen, a teacher in the public schools of the city; and Florence, also of Rochester. During the World war Mrs. Paddison was a nurse in the service of the United States government and while stationed at Manila, in the Philippines, met her future husband, who is now a member of the shipping board. Her brothers, Perry and Franklin, served their country during the conflict with Germany, the former being assigned to the Quartermaster department of the army. The latter joined the Signal Corps and was sent to the front, spending thirteen months overseas.
Mr. Rapp is president of Seneca Lodge, F. H. I. S., member of the Free Sons of Israel and also belongs to Humboldt Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, to the Knights of The Maccabees, and to the Independent Order of Foresters Court, Rochester. For forty-three years he has been a resident of Rochester, where he has a wide acquaintance, and his loyalty and public spirit, his business integrity and ability have earned for him the respect, admiration and esteem of his fellow citizens. His residence is at No. 1573 East Main street.
HENRY ADAM FEY.
The life record of Henry Adam Fey is paralleled by that of many another success- ful business man, but the history of the self-made individual never fails to arouse interest and serves as a stimulus to ambition and energy on the part of others who must depend upon their own exertions for advancement. Mr. Fey came to the United States with a capital of one hundred dollars and in a land where opportunity is unhampered by caste or class has worked his way upward through the exercise of the qualities of self-denial, industry and perseverance until he now ranks with Elmira's leading business men. He is a native of Germany, and was born in 1863. His parents, George and Martha (Burghardt) Fey, were lifelong residents of the fatherland. They were members of the Reformed church and the father was engaged in the grocery business. They had a family of four children, three of whom are living.
The public schools of Germany afforded Henry Adam Fey his educational oppor- tunities and he afterward served an apprenticeship to the harness maker's trade. When a youth of eighteen he responded to the call of adventure and crossed the Atlantic in company with his brother Adam, who is a cabinetmaker and resides in Rochester, New York. Henry A. Fey arrived in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1881 and remained in that city for three years, following the trade of harness-maker. He had a hard struggle at first, receiving but twenty-five cents per week and board for his services. He located in Rochester, this state, in 1884 and entered the employ of Henry S. Hebard, engaged in the marble and tile business. Mr. Fey remained with him for three years, mastering the details of that occupation during this period, and next went to Hornell, New York. He spent three years in that place, working as tile setter for E. N. Alden, and then returned to Rochester. For some time he acted as foreman for the J. C. Barry Company and in 1901 severed his connection with that firm, entering the monument and tile business in association with W. W. Babcock of Hornell. In 1904 he purchased the interest of his partner and continued the business alone for a year. He then came to Elmira, where he has since resided. In association with F. M. Wixson and Harry N. Forbes, he formed the Interior Marble & Tile Company and this relationship was continued until the death of Mr. Wixson in 1912. Six years later Mr. Forbes sold his stock to Mr. Fey, who has since conducted the business under his own name. He takes contracts for interior marble and tile work and store fronts, and also does slate work of all kinds. He is a master craftsman and does most of the work of this character in the city and surrounding towns within a radius of one hundred and fifty miles.
On October 28, 1887, Mr. Fey was married to Miss Elizabeth Walter, a native of Hornell, New York, and they have become the parents of five children: Mrs. Marie Elizabeth Falck of Elmira; Walter A., who assists his father in business; Hazel R., a professional nurse; and Carl H. and Edward C., who are also associated in business with their father. Carl H. Fey enlisted in the Marines when eighteen years of age and became a member of the band. He was stationed for six months on Parris Island and his company was ready for overseas service when the armistice was signed.
Mr. Fey is a member of the First Presbyterian church of Elmira and serves
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as one of its trustees. He also takes a keen interest in the Sunday school and is a member of the John A. Robinson class. He is prominent in fraternal affairs and has attained the thirty-second degree in Masonry, belonging to Corning Consistory of the Scottish Rite. He is a past chancellor commander of the Knights of Pythias and a past noble grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He belongs to the Elks Club, is also a Rotarian, and gives his political support to the republican party. Mr. Fey is in sympathy with every movement that adds to the life and vigor, the improvement and welfare of his community and enjoys in full measure the confidence, respect and goodwill of his fellow citizens.
REV. WILLIAM THOMAS WILBER.
Rev. William Thomas Wilber, a representative of the priesthood in western New York during the past four decades, has filled the pastorate of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church of Batavia since 1904. He was born in Lockport, Niagara county, New York, in 1857, the son of Joshua and Mary (Hickey) Wilber. He obtained a high school education in his native city and prepared for his holy calling in the Seminary of Our Lady of Angels (Niagara University). Following his ordination on the 30th of May, 1885, he was made assistant to the Right Rev. Nelson H. Baker in the church of Our Lady of Victory at Lackawanna, New York, while during the two succeeding years he served as assistant to Father Thomas P. Brougham in Batavia. Thereafter he filled successive pastorates in Dayton, Cattaraugus, Gowanda, Attica and Perry, New York, and in 1904, as above stated, succeeded Father Brougham as pastor of St. Joseph's church in Batavia, where he has remained to the present time. His zealous efforts have constituted a strong moving force for moral progress in the community. His desire to uplift mankind has found expression in organized and systematic endeavor and under his able guidance the influence of the church has con- stantly broadened, while his devotion to his work has won for him the esteem and cooperation of his parishioners.
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