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 71
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HAROLD P. BOVANIZER.
Few men of twenty-seven have reached the position in business life occupied by Harold P. Bovanizer of Holley, Orleans county, now the proprietor of Paul Bovan- izer & Son Company, president of the Flower City Cold Storage Company of Rochester and secretary of the Holley Cold Storage Fruit & Produce Company. Native ability, coupled with his father's wisdom in taking his son into partnership while the latter was still only a youngster, has made it possible for him to become an important figure in the cold storage business of this section of the state. The father, Paul Bovanizer, was the organizer and founder; the son has been the developer and builder. He was born in Holley, Orleans county, New York, on the 7th of March, 1897, his parents being Paul and Elizabeth (Strogen) Bovanizer. His paternal grandfather, Peter Bo- vanizer, was the first representative of the family to settle here, coming to the Gene- see country from Switzerland in 1840, and here spending the remainder of his life. Paul Bovanizer, father of Harold P. Bovanizer, organized the produce business which now bears his name and continued active therein to the time of his death, which occurred in Holley in April, 1921. He had been a lifelong resident of this section and was well known and highly respected throughout the community.
Harold P. Bovanizer attended the grade and high schools of Holley and spent two years as a student in Tarrytown University, while subsequently he pursued a year's course in the Rochester Business Institute. While still a school boy he began business with his father, with whom he was associated until April, 1918, when he enlisted for military service, remaining in the army until honorably discharged one year later. Following his father's demise Harold P. Bovanizer continued active in the produce business as an associate of his brother, and when the latter passed away in 1922 the
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entire business responsibility fell to his lot. His executive ability and sound judgment have been demonstrated in the continued growth and expansion of the business of the Bovanizer Company and in the successful control of his other interests. He devotes considerable attention to farming and fruit culture, owning two fruit farms in this section, which aggregate one hundred and seventy-five acres.
On the 31st of December, 1920, Mr. Bovanizer was married to Miss Lorraine Elli- ott, daughter of George Elliott of Holley. Mr. and Mrs. Bovanizer have one son: Paul Elliott, born in 1923. Mr. Bovanizer is a republican in politics and an active worker in the local ranks of the party. In Masonry he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and has crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of Da- mascus Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also identified with the local lodge of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks in Albion and with the Oak Hill Country Club, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the First Presbyterian church of Holley. The salient traits of his character are such as will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny. He has been found thoroughly reliable as well as pro- gressive in business, dependable in citizenship, faithful in friendship, and judged by the consensus of opinion on the part of his fellowmen Harold P. Bovanizer is a popular and esteemed young citizen of his native county.
BENJAMIN DAVID HAIGHT.
Benjamin David Haight, president of the National Bank of Rochester and widely known in financial circles throughout the state, was in the fiftieth year of his age when he departed this life on the 16th of January, 1925. His birth occurred in New Berlin, Chenango county, New York, on the 5th of July, 1875, his parents being the late Henry L. and Juliet (Cole) Haight, the latter a direct descendant of Governor Bradford of Massachusetts. They were lifelong residents of the town of New Ber- lin, where they were highly esteemed and where the father engaged in the foundry business.
Benjamin D. Haight was educated at the high school of his native village and decided to enter the legal profession. He devoted two years to teaching school in his native county and then enrolled as a student in the Albany Law School, from which he was graduated with the degree of LL. B. in 1902. After completing his schooling he was admitted to the bar and entered upon the practice of his profession at New Berlin, which he successfully followed for a period of four years. During this time he acted as village attorney and was prominent in all civic affairs in that community. In 1907 he entered the New York State Banking Department as bank examiner. He subsequently became special deputy superintendent of banks, holding that position until 1918 with headquarters in New York city. For two years he was the bank examiner of the state banking department in charge of the Rochester district. He was occupying that position when in May, 1924, he was tendered and accepted the presidency of the newly formed National Bank of Rochester, to which duties he devoted his exclusive time and attention as executive head of the institution through- out the remainder of his life.
The National Bank of Rochester, which is a consolidation of the National Bank of Commerce and the Traders National Bank, is housed in the substantial and impos- ing building recently erected for the National Bank of Commerce at the corner of State and Corinthian streets. Libanus M. Todd, founder and president of the Todd Protectograph Company, is chairman of the board of directors, which is composed of the city's foremost business men. The new institution began its career under the most auspicious circumstances. Its resources aggregate twenty-two million dollars, of which one and one-half million dollars is new capital, and the National Bank of Rochester is one of the largest and strongest in western New York-a great factor in the development of the abundant resources of this favored region. The institu- tion was fortunate in having at its head a man of the experience, ability and integrity of Mr. Haight, who was recognized as an astute banker, at his best in solving the intricate problems of modern finance. The following is an excerpt from a brief review of his career which appeared in one of the local papers on the 16th of Janu- ary, 1925: "Mr. Haight died unexpectedly at 12:05 o'clock this morning while at- tending a dinner and dance given by the board of directors of the National Bank of Rochester to the bank employes at the Rochester Club. Mr. Haight, who seemed in.excellent health, had presided at the dinner and had spoken briefly on the progress of the bank and the spirit of cooperation. He introduced several other speakers and
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seemed to be enjoying the evening to its full, eating heartily and dancing several dances. Shortly before midnight he sat down beside his wife and started to talk to her. Suddenly at 12:05 o'clock he slumped in his chair. Dr. William Perrin, who was in the club, was immediately called but Mr. Haight was beyond help."
The board of directors of the National Bank of Rochester at a meeting adopted the following resolution: "Our beloved president and friend, Benjamin D. Haight, is gone. But yesterday, in the fullness of his vigor, he was directing the business of the bank. Last evening, he was happy among his friends and associates, radiating a spirit of friendliness and good will. Today, he has passed beyond the scene of our labors. On May 19, 1924, when the National Bank of Rochester came into existence, he became its first president. In those early days, with calm, courteous confidence, he stood as a rock in the face of trial. His wise judgment has helped to carry us on along the road of prosperity and progress. We grieve at our great loss, but we have as a monument to his memory this bank, which was builded by his courage, his wis- dom, his industry, his unfailing fidelity. We have also the memory of a friend, kind and generous. We extend to Mrs. Haight our sincerest sympathy in her bereavement. We direct that this memorial be spread upon the minutes of the board of directors."
At a meeting of the Rochester Clearing House Association, the following resolu- tion on the death of Benjamin David Haight was offered and, upon a rising vote, was unanimously adopted and ordered spread on the minutes of the Association, and that a copy of the resolution be sent to Mrs. Haight. "The Rochester Clearing House Association, representing the banking institutions of Rochester, expresses its pro- found sorrow at the passing of Benjamin David Haight, president of the National Bank of Rochester, which occurred January 16, 1925, at Rochester, New York.
ยท . Seldom has a man in so short a period of time, as an executive officer of a bank, won such universal respect and approval. Familiar with banking law and banking problems, thoroughy imbued with the knowledge of what constitutes good and sound banking, he brought to the National Bank of Rochester a commanding leadership. Imbued with the ideal that the mission of a bank is one of service to the community, he was instrumental in developing a spirit of helpfulness and service which became the slogan of himself and his associates. With an unfailing courtesy, an outstanding ability and an integrity never questioned, he set about his work under new circumstances in a manner that inspired and won general confidence. Careful, patient, tireless, he gave himself unsparingly to the welfare and development of the new institution. Its success reflects his capacity as a leader and a banker. The bank- ers of Rochester have lost a valued and outstanding member of their profession, his associates have lost an unassuming, modest and lovable friend, and the city of Rochester has lost a citizen of an exceptionally high type."
Mr. Haight attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in Masonry, was a Noble of Damascus Temple of the Mystic Shrine and was one of the influential members of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce. His life record constituted a splendid example of notable achievement through individual effort, and he enjoyed in marked degree the respect and confidence of his fellowmen.
In New Berlin, New York, February 22, 1911, Mr. Haight married Miss May E. Matteson, a daughter of George J. and Emma (Gazlay) Matteson, 'residents of that locality. Mr. Haight is survived by his wife and by one sister, Mrs. Fred M. Brooks of New Berlin, New York.
GEORGE A. CLARK.
Because of the civic interest he manifests, and not only because of his large busi- ness interests, George A. Clark of Warsaw, Wyoming county, New York, has long been recognized as one of the most prominent and important men of his section, and the most unselfishly devoted to its welfare and improvement. Mr. Clark is president of the Brown Knitting Company of Warsaw, an important factor in the industrial welfare of the community, but his civic activities are what stamp him as a valuable citizen. He is president of the Wyoming County Community Hospital, ex-president of the Warsaw board of trade and ex-president of the Warsaw Improvement Company. In whatever takes place for the betterment of the community Mr. Clark is sure to be a factor. He was born in Granby, Oswego county, New York, July 10, 1855, the son of John and Matilda (Post) Clark. For twenty-five years his father was in the ship- building business in Belgium, New York. He died in Amsterdam, New York, on March 14, 1883.
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George A. Clark's education was acquired in the public schools of Amsterdam and at the Amsterdam Academy, from which he graduated in 1873. The same year he obtained a position with the American Hosiery Company and remained with this concern until 1876, when he went to the Phoenix Mills, at Cooperstown, New York, and remained until 1879. Mr. Clark then returned to Amsterdam and became general manager of the John K. Stewart Mills, retaining this position until 1907, when he located in Warsaw. In company with Mr. Rowe, Mr. Morris and Mr. J. Brown, Mr. Clark bought an old mill and started the manufacture of underwear under the name of Brown Knitting Company, of which he has been general manager from its begin- ning until the present time. The company makes men's balbriggan underwear and has an international trade, in which it employs about two hundred hands steadily.
Mr. Clark was married in Cooperstown, New York, on August 16, 1876, to Mariett Whitlock, daughter of John and Mirta Whitlock of Davenport, New York. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Clark: Mirta M. is deceased; Mabel W. is now Mrs. William E. Jackson of Warsaw, and Abigail A. is now Mrs. Charles D. Johnson of Warsaw. Fraternally Mr. Clark is affiliated with the Masonic order, in his religious convictions is a member of the Presbyterian faith and an elder and trustee of the Warsaw church of that denomination; and in politics, in which he takes an active interest, belongs to the republican party, and has served as a member of the board of education. Mr. Clark was the first member of his family to settle in Wyom- ing county.
MILTON E. DARLING.
Milton E. Darling is numbered among the leading automobile dealers of Roches- ter. He was born in Monroe county, New York, July 7, 1885, and is a son of Rufus and Nancy (Beebe) Darling, the latter a native of Michigan. The father was born in Monroe county and his life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits, which he has followed in the states of Pennsylvania and New York. His father, Rufus Darling, was a resident of Parma, New York, and a well known public official of that locality.
Milton E. Darling attended the public schools and also had the benefit of study in the Rochester Normal School. After leaving that institution he entered the employ of the Eastman Kodak Company, to which he rendered twenty-one years of faithful service, and for some time before severing his connections with that corporation, he was foreman of the mechanical department. He organized the firm of Darling, Norton & Mack, automobile distributors, and was president of the company until January 1, 1925, when he resigned to take on other connections in the automobile trade.
In Rochester, on December 6, 1906, Mr. Darling was married to Miss Relinda Peters, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. August Peters of this city. Mr. Darling is an Elk and also belongs to the Automobile Club. He works for the growth of his city as a member of the Chamber of Commerce and possesses those qualities which inspire respect, esteem and confidence. Mr. Darling has a wide acquaintanceship in Rochester, where he has spent his life, and enjoys high standing as a business man.
FREDERICK DORR CARR, M. D.
Dr. Frederick Dorr Carr is a prominent representative of the medical profes- sion in Genesee county who has practiced in Batavia since 1911. His birth occurred in Hector, Potter county, Pennsylvania, on the 22d of July, 1882, his parents being Hiram E. and Eva (Dorr) Carr. He was graduated from Corning Free Academy of Corning, New York, in 1902 and the following year attended Berea College of Ken- tucky, while his professional training was received in the medical department of the University of Vermont, from which he was graduated in 1908. He served suc- cessively as an interne at Tewksbury, Massachusetts, in the State Hospital and in the Lying-In Hospital of New York city and then in 1909 took up the private practice of his chosen calling in the town of Caton, New York, where he remained until the 25th of September, 1911.
On the latter date Dr. Carr purchased the practice of a Batavia physician and has since remained in Genesee county, being accorded a patronage of extensive and remunerative proportions. Dr. Carr was instrumental in the founding of the Gen- esee County Laboratory, of which he was appointed director on the 1st of August, 1912. He is attending surgeon and roentgenologist at the Batavia Hospital, was ap-
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pointed city bacteriologist in 1917 and has also served on the board of health since his appointment thereto in 1919. He is surgeon for a number of manufacturing concerns, several railroads and the city of Batavia. Since 1922 he has been local medical examiner for the State Industrial Commission. In May, 1925, Dr. Carr was a member of the Inter-State Post Graduate Clinic Tour of American Physicians to Canada, British Isles and France, which was under the personal leadership of Dr. Charles H. Mayo, of Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Carr brought to the profession innate ability and thorough training and his advancement has been rapid and well merited. He is tireless in his service to humanity and all who know him hold him in high confidence and esteem.
On the 25th of November, 1909, Dr. Carr was united in marriage to Miss Mary Thaler of Tewksbury, Massachusetts, and they have become the parents of four daughters, namely: Margaret Louise; Eva Maud, who died August 28, 1924, at the age of ten years; Mary Barbara, and Frederica Thaler.
Dr. Carr was one of the founders of the Kiwanis Club in Batavia and is widely recognized as a public-spirited, enterprising citizen whose influence is ever exerted on the side of advancement and progress. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and Shriner, and also belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of the Holland Club and the Shrine Club. His personal traits are such as command the respect of all and he is hon- ored no less for his character and reputation than for the position which he has attained in his profession.
HORACE G. PRINDLE.
Horace G. Prindle, secretary and treasurer and general manager of The Seger- Prindle Manufacturing Company of Belvidere, Allegany county, New York, is a busi- ness man of ability, who with his associates, has made a somewhat unknown venture into what has become a business of national trade and of large production. The con- cern turns out "last blocks" and produces over nine hundred thousand a year at a value of one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars.
Horace G. Prindle is a scion of one of the oldest families in the Genesee country, on both the paternal and maternal sides. His parents are William and Elmira (Max- son) Prindle. His father was an attorney and lived all of his life in western New York until just before his passing away, when he moved to Wisconsin. The son was born April 6, 1864, in Little Genesee, New York. Benjamin F. Maxson, a maternal forebear, came here in 1810 and his descendants have lived here since.
Horace G. Prindle attended the public schools in the pursuit of an education. For twenty-five years Mr. Prindle was engaged in mercantile business in Little Gene- see, and for seven years was associated with Charles H. Seger in the lumber and mangle roller business.
The Seger-Prindle Manufacturing Company was incorporated in Belvidere in 1912, and makes rough turned last blocks. The concern has grown steadily and now employs fifteen men, and its market covers the United States and some foreign coun- tries. The executives of the company are: H. A. Corbin, president; W. J. Hogan, vice president; H. G. Prindle, secretary, treasurer and general manager.
Horace G. Prindle was married to Miss Alice Green of Little Genesee, and they have two daughters: Margaret and Cora, the latter of whom is now Mrs. Harry Reeser of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Mr. Prindle is an active republican and has served as supervisor of Genesee for many years. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow. He loves the out-of- doors and his special pleasure is in fishing in the streams of New York and more distant waters.
FRANK E. BRONSON.
One of the successful business men of Hornell, New York, who has found time to combine community good and work for the church with his business is Frank E. Bronson, president of the First National Bank of Hornell. A native of Steuben county, he has become one of the pillars of the district and upon the death of the la- mented Charles O. Adsit in May, 1924, he was elected president of the bank which he had served as cashier for so many years.
Frank E. Bronson was born in Painted Post, New York, August 16, 1856, and
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educated in Painted Post high school and Elmira Business College. After his school days he started in the banking business as cashier of the old Bronson Bank at Painted Post and as cashier for A. Weston Company, bankers, until they gave up their busi- ness. He went to Hornell to fill a vacancy caused by the cashier's trip to Europe, the bank being the First National, founded by Hornell's grand old man, Martin Adsit. So well did the young banker conduct himself and the business that the directors insisted that he remain with the institution, taking care of the business as cashier until he was selected as president.
Mr. Bronson was married in 1882, to Margaret Hastings of Painted Post. Their children are: Howard F .; Carlos E .; Althea, now Mrs. E. W. Tupper of Des Moines, Iowa; F. E. Bronson, Jr .; Willard E .; Arthur E .; and Margaret, now Mrs. Charles Lake of Hornell. Howard F. and Carlos E. are graduates of Cornell and they, with Mr. Tupper, were employed on the construction of the Panama canal, as they are mechanical engineers; F. E. Bronson, Jr., is revenue collector for Hornell district; Willard E., has a garage business in Hornell; and Arthur E. is with the Up-To-Date Company; Mrs. Tupper was educated in the New York College of Music; the two youngest children, Dorothy and Robert H., are in school.
F. E. Bronson's parents were Alvah and Harriett J. (Wilkinson) Bronson. His father was a prominent man of Painted Post and was engaged in the lumber business with Weston & Company for many years. The Bronsons are one of the oldest Amer- ican families. Mr. Bronson has been superintendent of the Baptist Sunday school for forty-five years, has been dean of the church and has held other offices, and at all times is a strong worker for a better church and a moral community. In politics he is a stanch republican and has always been a dependable party man. In business and outside affairs Mr. Bronson has steadfastly followed his purpose, and well deserves his place in the county of his birth.
HON. GEORGE L. MEADE.
Politically prominent and one of the ablest representatives of the legal profession in Rochester as well as one of the city's most popular residents, Hon. George L. Meade was four times a deputy attorney general of New York state, serving under Attorney-Generals Woodbury, Lewis, Newton and Sherman. He was in the fifty- sixth year of his age when called to the home beyond on the 11th of January, 1925, his birth having occurred in Clyde, Wayne County, New York, April 25, 1869. His parents, Montgomery W. and Emily (Millius) Meade, were lifelong residents of the Empire state. The father became widely known as a prominent and successful agri- culturist of Wayne county.
George L. Meade acquired his early education in the grade and high schools of Clyde. He then taught school at Clyde for a brief period, but regarded this merely as an initial step to other professional labor. He received his more advanced intel- lectual training as a student in Lebanon University of Lebanon, Ohio, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1892. He went to Rochester, New York, and began the study of law with the then well known firm of Bacon, Briggs, Beckley & Bissell. Following his admission to the bar in 1895, Mr. Meade associated himself with the Hon. George Raines, a leading and influential attorney of Rochester, with whom he continued for six years, on the expiration of which period he formed a partnership with Joseph R. Webster. It was in 1903 that he became a member of the firm of Webster, Meade & Straus, with which he was connected at the time of his death and which constituted a rare combination of legal strength and ability.
Mr. Meade was always an active political figure. He served as supervisor of the sixth ward of Rochester from 1903 until 1905. From 1906 to 1908 he repre- sented the third district in the assembly and was elected to the senate from the forty- sixth district in 1909, serving two terms. In the senate he was chairman of the joint legislative commission which investigated the direct primary law throughout the United States and he was largely responsible for the enactment of the legislation by which the former State Industrial School was converted into the present Edgerton Park.
On April 22, 1915, Mr. Meade entered upon his first term as deputy attorney- general in the court of claims, a position in which he won distinction, handling many important cases for the state during his tenures of office under Attorney-Generals Woodbury, Lewis, Newton and Sherman. He represented the state in the famous
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Rockaway Pacific Corporation case, involving one million dollars, in which he was opposed by Secretary of State Charles E. Hughes. The case was settled during the war when the state ceded to the federal government land which was desired by the government for defense purposes. He also represented the state in the claim of the West Shore Railroad Company for three hundred and twenty thousand dollars as a result of damages to structures of the railroad over the Montezuma marsh by con- struction of the Barge canal. Former State Senator George R. Argetsinger said of Mr. Meade: "I knew him to be an honest, hard-working and competent fellow and I am shocked to hear of his death. I have considered him, as have many others, one of the best deputy attorney generals who ever held the office. He was especially efficient in the court of claims and his work was such that there was no question at any time but that he could return to the office if he would." "I can scarcely com- prehend it," James L. Hotchkiss, republican county leader, declared when informed of Mr. Meade's passing. "He was a great friend of mine and I am deeply shocked. He was always a capable, intelligent and active man in office and his death is a great loss. This fall I had asked him if he did not want to be reappointed to the court of claim work, but he had decided not to, he said, because of his private prac- tice."
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