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 6
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amounted to eight million, eight hundred and thirty-four thousand, six hundred and thirty-nine dollars, and its resources total in excess of ten million dollars.
Mr. Dunn's constantly expanding powers have carried him into important rela- tions and many organizations have benefited by his ripe experience, mature judg- ment and superior administrative ability. He is president of the Eclipse Machine Company of Elmira; the Eclipse Machine Company, Limited, of Walkerville, Ontario, Canada; the Eclipse Textile Devices, Incorporated, of Elmira; the Dunn Realty Cor- poration and the Dunn-Cooper Corporation, both of this city; executor of the Mathias H. Arnot Estate of Elmira; and a director of the Elmira Water, Light & Railroad Company, the Elmira Knitting Mills, the Shepard Electric Crane & Hoist Company of Montour Falls, New York, and the Johnson Oil Refining Company of Chicago, Illinois. He is also a director of the American-La France Fire Engine Company, and a director of the Elmira Chamber of Commerce, of which he formerly served as president.
During the World war Mr. Dunn was executive chairman of eight counties on the war industries committee, and a member of the executive committee of the sixth region of the War Industries committee, which had its executive headquarters in Rochester, New York. He gave to the Dunn Field Corporation the land used for athletics and as a baseball park, the net income from which is donated to charity. In many ways he has been a leading spirit in all worthy civic projects. Mr. Dunn is a Knight of Columbus and a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers, the Engineers Club of New York city, the Old Timers Club of America, the Old Colony Club of New York city, the Aviation Country Club of Detroit, Michigan, the Catholic Club of New York city and the Congressional Country Club of Washington, D. C. He also belongs to the Elmira Lodge of Elks, the Elmira City Club, the Century Club of this city, the Pine Cliff Club of Elmira, the Elmira Golf and Country Club, being vice president of the latter organization, and the Rotary Club. He is one of the trustees of the Chemung County Historical Society, in the affairs of which he has always taken an intense interest. He is president of the Elmira Industrial Associa- tion; president of the Elmira Community Service, Incorporated; president of the Arctic League, a charitable organization; president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, also a charitable organization; vice president of the Arnot Art Gallery; vice president, Elmira Council, Boy Scouts of America; chairman, Building and Advisory Committee, St. Joseph's Hospital, Elmira; and chairman, community Recreation Commission of Elmira.
On the 28th of June, 1904, Mr. Dunn was united in marriage to Miss Julia O'Conor of Elmira, a daughter of Hon. J. J. O'Conor, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. In closing this brief review of the career of Edward J. Dunn, it may be truthfully written that he is a self made man, whose success has been worthily won and well used. He has a mind that conceives in large proportions and executes as readily as it conceives. He has been a power in constructive development and evolu- tion and his life, now in its prime, has been one of intense activity, directed into those channels through which flows the greatest and most permanent good to the greatest number.
WALTER LONGWELL.
Walter Longwell is an active factor in business circles of Steuben county as secre- tary, treasurer and general manager of the Longwell Roofing Company of Bath, which he organized in association with his brother in 1910. He was born in Urbana, Steu- ben county, New York, on the 3d of May, 1875, his parents being John and Ella (Bradt) Longwell. The family is one of the oldest in western New York. The grand- father of Walter Longwell came here when the Indians had a runway to Seneca Lake and at one time was in possession of the land on which the Soldiers Home at Bath now stands.
In the acquirement of an education Walter Longwell attended the Haverling high school in Bath, then read law for a year and afterward continued his studies in the Corning high school. Subsequently he followed the profession of teaching for three years and next entered the employ of the Bath Harness Company in the capacity of bookkeeper. He then spent six years in the service of the Lake Keuka Vintage Com- pany of Bath, after which he and his brother organized the Longwell Roofing Com- pany in 1910. Five years later the business was incorporated. As above stated, Walter Longwell is the secretary, treasurer and general manager of the concern, while his brother, Spencer Longwell, occupies the presidency. They began as roofers, but their business has expanded and prospered to such a degree that they have added
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a line of lumber and builders' supplies. Their premises extend for three thousand feet along the railroad track.
On the 17th of September, 1899, Mr. Longwell was united in marriage to Miss Stella B. Hamilton and they have two children: Harold W. and Evelyn Ruth. A democrat in politics, Mr. Longwell has been a member of the county committee for several years and has been a delegate to numerous democratic conventions. He was elected justice of the peace in Bath on the democratic ticket and after serving in that capacity for four years received the support of both the republican and democratic parties for another term of four years. In 1924 he was elected a member of the board of education of the village of Bath. In Masonry Mr. Longwell has attained the thirty- second degree of the Scottish Rite, belonging to Bath Lodge, No. 112, A. F. & A. M., of which he is past master; Bath Chapter, No. 95, R. A. M., of which he is high priest; Bath Council, No. 45, R. & S. M., and Corning Consistory, A. & A. S. R. He is likewise identified with the Grange. He is an enthusiastic radio fan and also derives pleasure from motoring.
HENRY B. CURTIS.
Head of the largest insurance agency in Livingston county, New York, an active dealer in real estate, and owner of much valuable farm land in the county, Henry B. Curtis of Geneseo, Livingston county, New York, is a factor of importance in the community's affairs and has done much to assist in the county and town's develop- ment. He was born in Geneseo, on March 23, 1861, the son of Remembrance and Amanda M. (Chase) Curtis, both deceased. His descent is from Revolutionary stock, on both the paternal and maternal sides. He was one of four children, two sons and two daughters, all living.
In the acquirement of his education Henry B. Curtis attended the public schools until he was fourteen years old, when he started out to work and for a time was employed as a clerk by C. O. Atherton, at Moscow, New York. In 1884 Mr. Curtis engaged for himself in the mercantile business at Moscow (now called Leicester) with C. Leslie Botsford under the firm name of Botsford & Curtis, and they continued the business until the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western fire of 1902, which destroyed the town. Since then Mr. Curtis has handled over sixty claims of property owners against the D., L. & W. Railroad, and has collected over twenty-four thousand dollars without trial. Mr. Curtis served as county clerk for two terms, beginning in 1899, and in 1903 purchased a half interest in the E. F. Young fire insurance and real estate business, an arrangement which continued until January, 1905. He then took over the entire business, which he now conducts as the largest insurance agency in Liv- ingston county, also doing an extensive business in real estate. Mr. Curtis owns over three hundred and fifty acres of the best farm land in the county. He is also receiver of the firm of Ewart & Lake, produce dealers, of Groveland, New York.
Mr. Curtis was married on January 8, 1885, to Inez D. Botsford of Leicester, New York. One daughter has been born to them: Eloise M., who was married in November, 1921, to George I. Lockwood, now of Geneseo. Mr. Curtis belongs to the Association of Federated Insurance Men of New York state. He is a member of the Masonic order, a Presbyterian in his religious convictions, and has served as chairman of the church board of trustees for eleven years. In his political opinions Mr. Curtis is a republican, was town clerk of Leicester when twenty-two years old, was a director in the Genesee Valley National Bank for eighteen years, and during the World war was food administrator of Livingston county, and chairman of the board of military census.
ELLIOT T. BUSH, M. D.
For the past eight years Dr. Elliot T. Bush has been a resident of Elmira and the profession as well as the public accords him rank with the leading medical practi- tioners of the city. He was born in Horseheads, Chemung county, New York, June 16, 1880, a son of Dr. Robert Porter and Loretta (Ludlow) Bush, the latter a native of Penn Yan, this state, in which they were married in 1870. The father was born in Branchport, New York, and on April 19, 1861, enlisted for service in the Civil war, joining the Twelfth New York Volunteer Infantry. On the expiration of his term he reenlisted, becoming captain of the One Hundred and Eighty-fifth New York Infantry,
HENRY B. CURTIS
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and was later promoted to the rank of major. After the close of the war he prepared to enter the medical profession, studying in Bellevue Hospital and in the University of Buffalo. He and his wife were instructors in Penn Yan Academy and were also teachers in the Union Free School at Horseheads, where he began his medical career. He was one of the pioneer physicians of Horseheads, practicing there from 1874 until his death in 1923, and stood high in his profession. He was a stanch democrat and wielded a strong influence in political circles of the state. He took a very active part in legislative affairs and for thirteen terms was a member of the general assembly. of which he was speaker for a term. He never used his talents unworthily nor supported a dishonorable cause in order to advance his own interests, accumulating but little of this world's goods. He was a man of spotless reputation and was known as "Honest Bob Bush." He was a York Rite Mason and served as the first high priest of the chapter at Horseheads, which he aided in organizing. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and a Presbyterian in religious faith. Dr. and Mrs. Bush became the parents of nine children and seven are now living.
Elliot T. Bush was the fifth in order of birth and the fourth son in the family. He attended the public schools of Horseheads and Cook Academy at Montour Falls, New York, afterward devoting a year to teaching. On the expiration of that period he matriculated at the Buffalo Medical College, from which he received his profes- sional degree in 1903, and then spent a year in the Erie County Hospital of that city. Returning to Horseheads, he formed a partnership with his father, with whom he was associated until 1916, when he opened an office in Elmira. In the intervening period he has built up a large practice as a specialist in urological diagnosis and surgery and is attending physician and assistant surgeon at the Arnot-Ogden Memorial Hos- pital, while he is also a member of the staff of St. Joseph's Hospital.
On October 16, 1906 Dr. Bush was united in marriage to Miss Maude Mattison, who was born, reared and educated in Winsted, Connecticut, and they have four children : Robert P., (II), Pauline J., Elliot T., Jr., and Stewart Wymans. Mrs. Bush is affiliated with the First Presbyterian church and consistently follows its teachings. The doctor is a Royal Arch Mason and belongs to the Rotary Club, the Elmira Golf & Country Club and the City Club. He is a member of the National So- ciety of Urologists; the New York State Association of Industrial Physicians & Surgeons; the Elmira Academy of Medicine and the Chemung County Medical Society, which have called him to the office of president; the New York State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association.
HOMER C. WYANT.
Among the enterprising business men whose constructive labors have been a vital force in Rochester's upbuilding and advancement is numbered Homer C. Wyant, one of the progressive realtors of the city. He was born in Hastings, New York, July 27, 1882, and his parents, George E. and Clemence (Besancon) Wyant, were also natives of the Empire state. In the paternal line he comes of Colonial stock and one of his maternal ancestors was the founder of the city of Besancon, France, while another member of that family migrated to the United States at an early period in the set- tlement of this country. George E. Wyant engaged in general merchandising in Hastings for many years but is now deceased. He is survived by the mother, who resides in Rochester. Four children were born to them: John E., Homer C. of this review, and Mrs. Ethel Sable, all of whom are living in Rochester; and Mrs. Eva D. Herrick, whose home is at Central Square, in Oswego county, this state.
Homer C. Wyant completed his education in the Central Square high school and then entered the service of the New York Central Railroad Company, becoming a telegrapher. Subsequently he was assigned other duties and for a number of years remained in the employ of that corporation. In 1911, when a young man of twenty- nine years, he entered the real estate field in Rochester and is now president of the Wyant-Simpson Company, which has developed several attractive subdivisions. The business has been incorporated and has steadily increased in volume under the able guidance of its founder, who is also a director of the Corporation for Discount, a banking house of Boston, Massachusetts.
During the World war Mr. Wyant went to France as a secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association and was assigned a position of heavy responsibility, directing the activities of about twenty secretaries and more than two hundred other employes. He had charge of the transportation of supplies by rail to the Y. M. C. A.,
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Knights of Columbus, Red Cross and Jewish welfare societies, carefully supervising the delivery of each consignment, and his work was accomplished in a most thorough and efficient manner.
On May 7, 1905, Mr. Wyant was married to Miss Cassie Millis, a daughter of Howard L. Millis and a member of one of the pioneer families of Orleans county, New York. Mr. Wyant is identified with the Masonic order, belonging to the lodge, chapter and council, and is also a member of the Rochester Real Estate Board and the Automobile and Ad Clubs. With a mind commercially comprehensive, quick to perceive and act, Mr. Wyant has utilized to the full the opportunities afforded him for advancement and in so doing has achieved success, at the same time contributing to the development and prosperity of his city. He has never deviated from the path of honor and rectitude and the respect which is uniformly accorded him is well de- served. His residence is at No. 1415 Monroe avenue.
FRANK JOHN FOX.
Frank John Fox, president of the Flexible Shoe Company, has been identified with the shoe manufacturing industry in this city for forty years, and in this connection he has contributed largely toward Rochester's position of prominence in that industry. He was born in this city on the 17th of April, 1873, his parents being Jacob and Elizabeth (Sprau) Fox, both of whom were born in Europe. The father was born in Germany in 1840 and came to the United States soon after his marriage, settling in Rochester. To him and his wife were born eight children, seven of whom are living, namely: Jacob, of Rochester; John, a commercial traveler living in Chicago; Frank John, of this review; Rose, the wife of Frank Marks of Rochester; Catherine, the wife of Adam Dousbach of this city; and Harry and William.
Reared in Rochester and educated in the parochial schools, when twelve years of age Frank John Fox began working in the shoe factory of Goodyear & Naylor. Three years later the firm dissolved and he continued in the employ of J. W. Naylor for a time, while later he was with W. H. Goodyear, his services in this direction covering a period of twelve years. Gradually he worked his way upward, being advanced from one position to another until he had finally mastered the business in principle and detail, becoming an expert workman and learning much concerning the executive department of the business. In 1900 he embarked in the same line on his own account, and in partnership with H. H. Freeland, under the firm style of Freeland & Fox, began the manufacture of shoes on a small scale at Mill and Andrew streets. After eighteen months the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Fox then engaged in business for himself and has so continued. He is one of the most extensive manufacturers of children's shoes in the country, and is probably as well known in that line as any other manufacturer in the country.
In 1898 Mr. Fox was united in marriage to Miss Anna Kuebel of Rochester, daughter of John Kuebel. Mr. and Mrs. Fox have one child: Leona, who was born in Rochester in 1902 and was educated in the Nazareth Academy. Mr. and Mrs. Fox are communicants of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic church, and in politics Mr. Fox is independent. He also has membership connection with the Rochester Chamber of Commerce and with the Automobile Club of Rochester. A lifelong resident of this city, he enjoys an enviable reputation in business circles and his success has come solely from his own efforts. Mr. Fox's residence is at No. 480 Arnett boulevard.
THE FAULKNER FAMILY.
The history of the Faulkner family is so closely interwoven with that of Dans- ville that it is impossible to write the one without, in some degree, recording the other. The ancestral line is traced to three brothers, Daniel P., Samuel and James Faulkner, who settled here toward the close of the eighteenth century. Daniel P. was the first to arrive and brought with him the sum of ten thousand dollars, the proceeds of the sale of a tract of land in Pennsylvania. In 1795 he entered with zest upon the work of building up the village, but failed in business in 1798, owing to unwise invest- ments, and returned to the Keystone state. Subsequently he again established his home in Dansville and here passed away in 1802. James was the next to come. He was a graduate of Rush College and was one of the pioneer physicians of the village.
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He was followed in 1797 by Samuel Faulkner, who bought several lots from his brother Daniel and built the first two-story frame house in Dansville. In this he conducted a tavern, but the building was destroyed by fire in 1798. Samuel Faulkner was the father of two children, Jonathan Dorr and James. The former served in the commis- sary department during the War of 1812, holding the rank of captain, and died in 1815 from the effects of exposure in that conflict.
His brother, Dr. James Faulkner, was born in Cambridge, Washington county, New York, January 21, 1790, and was six years old when his parents came to Dans- ville. His father died in 1805 and he was immediately adopted by his uncle, Dr. James Faulkner, who sent him to the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York city. He was graduated from that institution in 1812 and began his professional career in Dansville. In 1815 he purchased a large tract of land in Livingston county and also bought a large paper mill in Dansville. He operated the mill until 1839, when it was converted into a tannery, and he also built a large flour mill. He was a democrat in politics and was chosen to fill many public offices of trust and responsibility. He never violated a trust and his record as a public official was an unblemished one. He acted as town supervisor of Sparta. In 1824 he represented Livingston county in the state senate and was returned to the office in 1825. In 1835 he assumed the duties of judge of the court of common pleas of Livingston county and in 1842 resigned his seat upon the bench, having been elected state senator. He was one of the foremost men of the Genesee country. His life was brought to close in 1884, when he had reached the venerable age of ninety-four years. In 1812 he had married Minerva Hammond of Dansville, and they became the parents of four sons: Endress, the old- est, was born in 1819 and was graduated from the law department of Yale University., He was admitted to the bar and death terminated his career at the early age of thirty-three; Samuel D. was born November 14, 1835, and also chose the practice of law as his lifework, likewise receiving his training in Yale University. He became one of the distinguished representatives of the New York state bar and was the possessor of marked oratorical powers. He served in the state assembly and was elected county judge of Livingston county, passing away before the expiration of his second term; James, Jr., the next in order of birth, was also a Yale graduate and was elected to the state assembly in 1874. It is a notable fact that he entered upon the duties of the office on the 4th of January, 1875, just fifty years to a day from the time his father had become a member of that legislative body, and each was assigned to the same seat-No. 99-a remarkable coincidence; the fourth son, Lester B., was an alumnus of Yale University and served with distinction in the Civil war, becoming a lieutenant colonel in the Union army.
James Faulkner, Jr., married Margaret H. Neyle and their son, James Faulkner, attended the public schools, afterward spending three years as a student at Pough- keepsie, New York, two years at Bridgeport, Connecticut, and one year in the Shef- field Scientific School at New Haven, that state. He fitted himself for the profession of a civil engineer and for four years was in the service of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company, during which period he was engaged in the construc- tion of the Croton aqueduct. After severing his connection with that road he em- barked in the lumber business in the city of Philadelphia and later went to Tennes- see. For twenty years he was prominently connected with the lumber industry of that state and since that time has been identified with the Dansville plant of the Power Specialty Company. This is one of the largest industries in the east and maintains its headquarters in New York city. The firm manufactures Foster superheaters, economizers and oil heaters and its trade extends from coast to coast, while it also has established an office in London, England, and an industrial plant at Egham. in that country. From December, 1917, until February, 1920, Mr. Faulkner was in the serv- ice of his country. He was assigned by the war department to the lumber and piling section of the construction division, of which he was made executive head, with the rating of major, and was stationed in Jacksonville, Florida.
On the 7th of November, 1900, Mr. Faulkner was united in marriage to Miss Belle Bunnell, a daughter of M. J. Bunnell of Dansville. Mr. and Mrs. Faulkner have one son, James, who is also connected with the Power Specialty Company. Mr. Faulk- ner is a Mason and has crossed the hot sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also an Odd Fellow and an Elk and his political support is given to the candidates of the republican party, while in religious faith he is an Epis- copalian. His life has been passed in harmony with the standards set by an honored ancestry and in person, in talents and in achievements Mr. Faulkner is a worthy scion of his race.
His brother, Samuel D. Faulkner, was born May 24, 1874, and received a public
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school education. He spent eighteen years in the state of Tennessee, devoting his attention to the lumber business, and has since been a resident of Dansville. He is a vestryman of the Episcopal church and his political views are in accord with the principles of the republican party, while fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order. In 1906 he married Miss May Foster of Dansville, and in the social life of the community they take an active part.
NEIL STEWART CALDWELL.
Enterprising, resourceful and decisive, Neil S. Caldwell is contributing his quota toward commercial activity in York through the capable management of the Ford agency and worthily sustains the traditions of a name that has long been an honored one in this community. He was born in the village on the 13th of May, 1876, a son of Edward C. and Helen (Stewart) Caldwell, both of whom are deceased. They were the parents of four children: Neil S. of this review; Edward C. of York; Helen, who is the wife of Don Craig of Nunda, Livingston county; and Arthur B. of Batavia, New York.
Neil Stewart Caldwell received a good education, attending the public schools, the Geneseo Normal School and the Rochester Business Institute. He was first em- ployed by Belden & Company, produce merchants of Avon, with whom he remained for a year, and then returned to York to assist his father in the conduct of the general mercantile business which the latter had established. After the father's death Neil S. and Edward C. Caldwell assumed the management of the business, which is still continued. In 1909 Neil S. Caldwell entered the automobile business, with which he has been connected for fifteen years, and he is owner of the Ford agency at York, in connection with which he maintains a service station and modern garage. He is well informed on everything relating to the trade and is numbered among the most successful dealers in Livingston county. Mr. Caldwell also has other important busi- ness interests, being secretary-treasurer and a director of the Genesee Stone Products Corporation of Batavia, New York. His brother, Arthur B. Caldwell, is president of the corporation, which manufactures crushed stone for road ballast and highway purposes and is capitalized at three hundred thousand dollars.
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