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 75
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LAWRENCE MONROE HACKETT, M. D.
One of the youngest members of the medical profession in Bolivar and vicinity, both in point of years and the length of time he has been practicing here, is Lawrence Monroe Hackett. He is one of Allegany county's native sons, born in Ceres, June 24, 1890. His grandfather, Nelson Hackett was a well known farmer of that neigh- borhood who died in 1901, at the age of seventy-five. His father, the late George William Hackett, M. D., was born in this county in 1863 and practiced medicine in Ceres for thirty-two years prior to his death, which occurred in 1915. He obtained his medical training in the University of Buffalo Medical School which his son, Lawrence M., later attended. Dr. Hackett's mother bore the maiden name of May Odenheimer and continues to make her home in Ceres since the death of her husband. Lawrence Monroe Hackett attended high school in Olean, New York, following which he entered the Medical School of the University of Buffalo, graduating with the M. D. degree in 1914. His interneship of one year was spent in the Sisters' Hospital of Buffalo. In 1916 the young physician spent three months equipping the county laboratory in Belmont, New York, being employed for the purpose by the New York state government. Meanwhile, upon the death of his father, Dr. Hackett took over the practice in Ceres, which he continued for a year and a half. He came to Bolivar in February of 1917, where he has since built up a large local practice in general medicine.
On the 4th of June, 1917, Dr. Hackett was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude E. Hill, daughter of William and Bertha (Scott) Hill of Little Genesee, New York. To Dr. and Mrs. Hackett one child has been born: Gertrude Marie, whose birthday is July 24, 1920.
During the World war Dr. Hackett served in the medical department of the Sixth Division with the rank of first lieutenant, making a military record for himself which entitles him to his membership in the American Legion. Politically he ranks as a republican and his religious affiliations are with the Methodist Episcopal church. In his student days the Doctor became a member of two medical fraternities, Alpha Omega Delta and Phi Rho Sigma, and since then has identified himself with the Masonic order, his affiliations being with the lodge and chapter at Bolivar. In con-
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nection with his profession he holds membership in the New York State Medical Association and the Allegany County Medical Society. All who have watched the career of this young physician since his school days have been much gratified to see the fulfillment of their early predictions for his success. Inheriting a gift for the medical profession from his father, he has had the benefit of the most up-to-date and scientific training in developing his powers. His lifework is barely begun, and there is every reason to believe that as the years go by he will rise by his own efforts to greater achievements in the service of mankind.
HARRY ALONZO ERWIN.
A successful farmer and business man who has had an active life in Steuben county and is a descendant of one of the pioneer families of this section, is Harry Alonzo Erwin of Corning, New York. He was born on the farm where he now resides, May 28, 1881, three miles east of Corning, the son of Samuel S. and Susie (Williams) Erwin. He attended Corning Free Academy, Mercersburg Academy and Elmira Business College. He engaged in the cut glass business in Corning for a time and then worked for the American Tobacco Company for four years, where he was in charge of buying leaf tobacco. Then he was in the automobile business in Corning for three years. He decided to go back to the farm, and with his knowledge of business and natural enterprise has made the old homestead a fine, up-to-date country place.
On January 19, 1910, Mr. Erwin was married to Bessie Utley, in Corning. They have one son, Curtis William, aged twelve. Mr. Erwin's family dates back to 1789 in the Genesee country. They once owned many square miles of land in the district. His great-grandfather, Philo Hubbell, started Painted Post Lodge, No. 117, A. F. & A. M. His father, Samuel S. Erwin, was born in the town of Erwin, Steuben county, in 1827. He was a man of very high character and successful. He died October 1, 1914, when he was eighty-six years of age.
Hary Alonzo Erwin is a republican and was once the youngest county committee- man in New York state. He attended several state conventions and is active in the party. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, having membership in Painted Post Lodge, No. 117, A. F. & A. M .; and Corning Consistory. He belongs to the Corning City Club, of which he has been a member for twenty-four years. He is also an Elk and a member of the Automobile Club, and attends the Presbyterian church.
JOHN E. COOPER.
Probably no man has done more in recent years for the material advancement of the village of Hilton, Monroe county, and the adjacent country than John E. Cooper, editor of the Hilton Record. He was born at Perry, Wyoming county, New York, July 27, 1862, and is a son of John Cooper, who came from England and settled in the town of Penfield, where he was for many years engaged in flour milling.
John E. Cooper was educated in the public schools of his native village, and upon leaving school he started to learn the printer's trade at Perry. Later he en- gaged in newspaper business as owner of the Pike Gazette at Pike, Wyoming county, and then for nine years was proprietor of the Middleport Herald, in Niagara county. Returning to Perry, he engaged in general merchandising for about one year or until 1897, when he established the Hilton Record. In 1921, associated with his two sons and a nephew, Charles M. Wade, he purchased the Charlotte News, and later estab- lished a weekly publication called the Hamlin-Morton-Kendall Enterprise. These papers are uniform in size and make up with the Hilton Record, each being a six- column quarto, with a four-page comic supplement. All are printed in Hilton, where the firm of John E. Cooper & Company has a well equipped job printing plant
In the spring of 1902 there were but three telephones in the village of Hilton. These were pay stations of the Bell Telephone Company of Buffalo. Mr. Cooper conceived the idea of organizing a local telephone company and before the close of the year the Hilton Telephone Company was incorporated, with a capital of one thousand dollars and Mr. Cooper as president. It began business with only twenty- five subscribers. Two years later the business had grown to such an extent that the capital stock was increased to eight thousand dollars. In March, 1906, it was in-
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creased to fifteen thousand dollars, and all the stock was purchased by the citizens of the town.
Mr. Cooper became associated with the late Allan B. Fraser in organizing the Hilton Electric Light, Power & Heating Company and was the organizer of the Cooper Electric Company, supplying the town of Parma with light and power. Mr. Cooper became president and manager of these successful utilities and served until. April, 1925, when they were purchased by the Mohawk Valley Company, a subsidiary of the Rochester Gas & Electric Corporation. Mr. Cooper is cashier and local man- ager of these companies and also continues as a director of the Cooper Electric Com- pany. While he exercises supervision® over the three newspapers, the active work there is performed by his sons and nephew. The greater part of his own time has been devoted to the interests of the telephone and electric corporations.
Mr. Cooper was the organizer of the Hilton fire department and served as chief for nine years. Through his efforts the department was drilled and equipped, so that Hilton could boast a fire protection second to no village of its class in the state. He is a Mason, a member of the Masonic Club, a trustee of the Baptist church, and in politics is an independent republican.
'Mr. Cooper was married at Pike, New York, to Miss Sadie M. Rose, and they have four children. Charles P. is a member of the firm of John E. Cooper & Company. He married Miss Emeline Dalton, of Holley, New York, and their four children are Donald, Dorothy, Jack and Harlan. Mildred is the wife of Allan G. Klock, a mer- chant of Walker, Monroe county, and has one son, John Douglas. John Harlan Cooper was educated in the Hilton and Rochester high schools. When the United States entered the World war he enlisted in the aviation corps. The early part of his service was at Columbus, Ohio, and later at Austin, Texas, after which he was pilot instructor at Kelly Field, Texas, until the close of the war. He then took up a land grant in California, where he remained for two years, when he became a partner of his father in the printing and publishing business. He married Miss Luella Cross, of Hilton. Doris Cooper, the youngest of the family, was graduated from the Hilton high school and is now a student in Keuka College of Keuka Park, New York, class of 1927.
THE MARR & COLTON COMPANY.
The Marr & Colton Company was organized in Warsaw, New York, in 1915, by David Marr and John J. Colton. Starting in a small way, in an old brick building not much larger than a garage, this company has developed an organization of organ craftsmen that is recognized in the organ field for the high quality of the instrument manufactured. This company was grown purely on the strength of the merits of the organs produced. Today Marr & Colton organs are installed in theatres, churches, lodges and public auditoriums throughout the United States.
David Marr started with the Hope-Jones Electric Organ Company of Birkenhead, England, in 1892. After a number of years with this concern he was later associated with Norman Brothers & Beard of Norwich, England, builders of the famous Cathe- dral organs. Mr. Marr then came to the United States and joined Hope-Jones & Harrison of Watsessing, New Jersey, and later was connected with the Ernest M. Skinner Company of Boston, Massachusetts. Mr. Marr was also at one time Pacific Coast representative of the Hope-Jones Organ Company of Elmira, New York. In 1910 he joined the Wurlitzer organization with Hope-Jones and upon the death of Hope-Jones he left the Wurlitzer company, and with John J. Colton, who was also connected with the Wurlitzer company, formed the Marr & Colton Company, a part- nership consisting of Mr. Marr and, Mr. Colton. During Mr. Marr's association with Robert Hope-Jones, the world's most famous organ building genius, he assisted Mr. Hope-Jones in many of his patents. Mr. Marr also acted in an executive capacity for Mr. Hope-Jones in several of his companies.
John J. Colton started with the Hope-Jones Organ Company in Elmira, New York, in 1908 and specialized in voicing under Mr. Hope-Jones, who was recognized as the authority on the tonal construction of the organ. Mr. Colton joined the Wurlitzer company with Hope-Jones in 1910 and upon his death joined with Mr. Marr in organizing the Marr & Colton Company.
The Marr & Colton Company started in 1915 in a very small factory building. In 1916 a new factory building was constructed. The second factory was built in 1920 and in 1921 the building was doubled in size. Another addition is being added
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to the present plant to take care of the increasing demand for the company's instru- ment. The Marr & Colton Company does not build stock organs. There is no piece- work construction and every craftsman is given all the time necessary to produce the finest piece of work possible. The plant has every modern convenience and labor- saving devices. Each instrument that is made is under the personal supervision of Mr. Marr and Mr. Colton. The Marr & Colton Company have branches and representa- tives in the following cities: New York, Buffalo and Rochester, New York; Phila- delphia and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Detroit, Michigan; Indianapolis, Indiana; Portland, Oregon; and Los Angeles, California.
JOSEPH P. DOYLE.
Joseph P. Doyle, one of the most successful of the younger members of the legal profession in Rochester, was born in Waterloo, New York, November 5, 1883. His father and mother, Patrick and Mary (Hayden) Doyle, came to this country from Ireland as young married people in 1873, and settled on a farm near Waterloo, New York, which the father cultivated for many years. He passed away on the 18th of December, 1923, at the age of seventy-six, and is survived by his widow and three children. Mrs. Patrick Doyle makes her home in Oaks Corners, Ontario county, New York, where she has lived for the past thirty-one years. The three surviving children are: Andrew M., of Phelps, Ontario county; Mrs. Elizabeth Kanranhan of Waterloo; and Joseph P. of this review.
After finishing the course in the Phelps high school, which he attended as a youth, Joseph P. Doyle entered Syracuse University and graduated therefrom in the class of 1908, with the Bachelor of Laws degree. He at once entered the practice of law in Rochester and now has one of the largest practices in the city. Mr. Doyle has steadily progressed in his profession by sheer merit and force of character, for he has had to depend upon himself since early youth and has enjoyed no financial backing nor professional influence. Possessed of a naturally keen and logical mind, he has given his best to a clientele that in both character and extent attests his ability as a lawyer. The fact that he has ever upheld the highest ethical standards of his profession as well as exhibited a thorough knowledge of the law, has brought him the favorable regard and esteem of his colleagues before the bar.
On the 19th of June, 1912, in this city, Mr. Doyle was married to Miss Elizabeth O'Brien, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John O'Brien of Canandaigua. Mr. and Mrs. Doyle have two daughters: Elizabeth and Jean, both of whom were born in Roch- ester. Mr. Doyle is a fourth degree Knight of Columbus, a member of the Elks, the Rochester Automobile Club and the Erie Social Club. His political support is given to the republican party. Professionally Mr. Doyle is identified with the New York State Bar Association.
ELLWOOD M. HARRIS.
Although his residence in Rochester covers but a brief period, Ellwood M. Harris already occupies a secure place in popular confidence and esteem as an astute, far- sighted and thoroughly reliable young business man, and his enterprise and ability have made him an influential factor in connection with the automobile trade. Mr. Harris is a native of Canada. He was born January 9, 1891, in London, Ontario, and is a son of J. B. and Elizabeth (Logan) Harris. They have always resided in that province and the father's life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits.
Mr. Harris attended the public schools of his native city and his education was completed in the London Collegiate Institute, of which he is a graduate. For several years he was employed as an architect and heating engineer in the office of the Do- minion Radiator Company, Ltd., at Toronto, and after severing his relations with that company accepted a responsible position with the Ford Motor Company of To- ronto, with which he was connected until during the World war. He enlisted Febru- ary 4, 1918, in the Royal Air Force and was commissioned a lieutenant, being assigned to duty as an instructor in the Canadian flying school. After receiving his honorable discharge February 11, 1919, Mr. Harris became connected with the Chevrolet Motor Company, Ltd., of Canada, assuming after a time, the duties of assistant sales man- ager at Oshawa in May, 1920. He was later transferred to Buffalo, New York, where
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he served the corporation as sales manager until May, 1923. He then came to Rochester and organized the Harris Chevrolet Corporation, of which he is the presi- dent. He opened salesrooms at No. 58 Plymouth avenue, North, and has already de- veloped an active and thriving business, ranking with the leading ones in the city. Mr. Harris is an enthusiastic advocate of the Chevrolet car, basing his support upon a thorough understanding of its good points, and he maintains that it is not only the lowest priced automobile in the world but is also very economical to maintain and operate. He has made a close study of the business in which he is engaged and says: "More than any other single factor of civilization, the automobile has multiplied the producing power of man, reducing time and distance by providing a broad and flexi- ble means for the transportation of men and their products. The great growth of the automobile industry could not have been had not the automobile more than satis- fied itself as an economizer of man power, a stimulator of production and a creator of wealth. The Chevrolet epitomizes the progress of the industry to date along the line of maximum economy, consistent with modern requirements as to engineering efficiency and satisfactory quality. The keen demand for Chevrolet cars indicates that the people of Rochester are awake to the fact that the tendency today is to pur- chase miles of economical transportation rather than pieces of machinery in the form of motor cars."
In Toronto, Canada, March 15, 1917, Mr. Harris married Miss Irene Glendinning, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Glendinning of that city, and they have a son, Ellwood G. Harris, who was born at Rochester September 16, 1923.
Mr. Harris has thoroughly allied his interests with those of his adopted city and is an earnest, energetic member of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce and the Ad Club. Progressive, self-reliant and efficient, Mr. Harris has won success through the medium of his own efforts and his sterling qualities of character have enabled him to gain and retain the respect and goodwill of his fellowmen.
FRANKLIN JAMES BROWN.
Franklin James Brown of Richburg, one of the most successful oil producers in this field and a leading citizen in his community, is very representative of the type of man we like to call truly American. Native born and educated in our public schools, his life story has been the history of the rising fortunes of a youth whose chief assets were industry, integrity and ambition. To him belongs the sole credit for whatever measure of success he has attained and his example should be an inspir- ation to the youth of the present generation. Born in the little village of Lawrence, in northern Illinois, on April 25, 1866, he is the son of Royal and Amelia (Smith) Brown. His father, a native of Nelson, Madison county, New York, was a farmer in Illinois. He died in 1869, at the age of forty-five, when his son was but three years old. As a result much of Mr. Brown's boyhood was spent in New York state and he went through the public schools of Cuba, New York. As a young man he engaged in the manufacture of cheese, investing his small capital in a cheese factory in Bel- mont, Allegany county, which he ran for about five years. Another five-year period was spent in the same industry in Richburg. Here Mr. Brown came into intimate contact with the oil producing industry, which not unnaturally attracted his attention and aroused his ambition to become an oil producer. His first venture in this direction was the purchase of an oil lease that he began to work himself. He was decidedly successful in this enterprise and soon was devoting most of his attention to this very profitable line of business. Today he ranks as one of the most successful men in the field. Mr. Brown has been interested in other local enterprises of a financial nature, however, among which should be mentioned the Bolivar & Richburg Electric Corporation, of which he is the vice president.
In 1887 Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Burleson, daughter of William and Susan (Putnam) Burleson of this county. Mrs. Brown died in 1921 leaving a son and a daughter. The son, Leroy C. Brown, lives in Olean, where he is employed as a clerk by the Pennsylvania Railroad. He married Miss Mabel Hop- kins of Richburg and they have two children, Howard and Robert; Laura Brown be- came the wife of William E. Hammond of this village, who is associated with his father-in-law in the production of oil. In 1923 Mr. Brown was married to Mrs. Alice M. Cole, nee Jones, daughter of Patrick H. Jones, a former oil producer of this vicinity, now a resident of Olean.
Civic affairs in the village have always held Mr. Brown's interest and that he
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has been ready to give of his time and services to the upbuilding of the community is shown by the fact that he served as president of the village for five years previous to 1925. He is a republican in his political affiliations, but belongs to the independent wing of his party, reserving the right to vote as he thinks best regardless of party ties. Fraternally he is an Elk, belonging to the lodge at Olean. Mr. Brown is one of the men in this vicinity who by the advancement of his own fortunes has con- tributed substantially to the growth and prosperity of the entire community, while his public-spirited support of all that is worth while in civic life has made him a highly valued citizen as well as a respected man of business.
CLARENCE WALKER SMITH.
Clarence W. Smith, bookseller, stationer and importer, is one of the best known men in his line of business in Rochester, where he has been connected with the mer- cantile interests of the city for over twenty years. He was born in San Francisco, California, March 31, 1881, a son of Clarence and Mary (Walker) Smith, the former a native of Palmyra, New York, and the latter of Virginia. They were residents of San Francisco for a number of years and there the father was engaged in journalism. Both parents are now deceased.
Clarence W. Smith received his education in the public schools of San Francisco and at De Veaux Military Academy. He entered on his business career as an employe in a hardware store, later becoming connected with the firm of Scranton & Wetmore, with whom he remained until going into business for himself.
In May, 1912, Mr. Smith established a business of his own and has been thus engaged ever since. He has built up a high class business and enjoys a wide acquaint- ance among the best trade of the Genesee Country in his line of merchandise. He carries a complete stock of books and stationery, is also an importer of rare volumes. and his attractive store in the Sagamore building is much frequented by persons of literary taste whose wants he is prepared to supply.
Mr. Smith is a director of the Infants Summer Hospital. He belongs to the Genesee Valley Club, the Ad Club, the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, the Rochester Historical Society and the American Bookseller Association. He takes a deep and helpful interest in all matters relating to municipal development and is numbered among the city's progressive merchants and enterprising business men.
ROY W. VAN HOESEN.
Roy W. Van Hoesen, a publisher of Franklinville, New York, is an American who made a new start after misfortune overtook him and in fifteen years more established himself as not only a successful editor and magazine and newspaper proprietor but as an expert in the poultry business and one of the leading citizens of his community. Still a young man, he has opportunity before him and will undoubtedly push on with his ambitions and his desire for service. He is the descendant of the proud old Hollanders who came to New Amsterdam prior to 1675 and the family dates back many centuries. He is the son of L. Wilbur and Carrie (McIntyre) Van Hoesen, born in a log cabin in Lyndon, March 10, 1873. His father was connected with the Cattaraugus County Cooperative Farmers Fire Relief Association for many years, starting as solicitor and finally becoming president, retiring on account of ill health. His grandfather, James Van Hoesen, was the first of the family to settle in this section, locating in what is now Franklinville and living here all the rest of his life.
Roy W. Van Hoesen attended the "little red schoolhouse", the Franklinville gram- mar school and then Ten Broeck Academy. He farmed until he was twenty and then came to Franklinville to seek his fortune. He had his choice between a job in a store and an apprenticeship in The Journal newspaper shop and wisely chose the latter. Ward Morton was his first employer and was to prove a good friend in after years. This was in 1892 and three years later he went into partnership with Virgil O. Hayden and they purchased the Springville News. After a year they sold this paper and returned to Franklinville and the young publisher entered the employ of Eugene M. Adams. He became closely associated in the management of the business and through his efforts and those of the head of the firm the business grew from a three- man affair to one employing thirty men-and the largest single business in the town.
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