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 85
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counties above three hundred thousand inhabitants; giving additional power to guar- anty companies; making an appropriation to pay newspapers for certain advertise- ments by the state; providing representation for New York state at the Mexican National Exhibition; relative to the sale of the state building at the Atlanta Exposi- tion; regarding the legislature's contingent expenses; making an appropriation for repairs to the capitol; providing for a survey of the Genesee river; changing the salaries of the fish, game and forestry commission; creating the office of deputy com- missioner of public work; making an appropriation for extraordinary repairs to the canals; making an appropriation to carry out the election law; amending the rail- road law relative to electrical experts; providing for the construction of bicycle paths in Monroe county; the annual appropriation act; the annual supply bill; the supple- mental supply bill providing for the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of the establishment of the capitol at Albany; and the annual tax bill. At the election of 1896 Mr. O'Grady was again the candidate of the republican party, and was re- elected by a flattering vote. At the organization of the assembly in 1897 he was elected speaker of the house, and as such was chairman of the committee on rules, and was reelected in 1898. In 1899 Mr. O'Grady was elected congressman from the thirty- eighth district and made an excellent record in the national halls of legislation. Since retiring from public life he has devoted himself to law practice and has been accorded a most representative clientage. He has been .connected with some of the most im- portant litigation before the courts of western New York. He has membership con- nection with the Rochester Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association and the American Bar Association. A contemporary biographer said of Mr. O'Grady: "Both as a lawyer and statesman he stands high in public esteem. He is emphatically a man of enterprise, positive character, indomitable energy and liberal views, and is thoroughly identified with the growth and prosperity of his city and state."
On the 29th of June, 1909, in Rochester, Mr. O'Grady was united in marriage to Miss Margaret L. Rauber, daughter of Stephen Rauber and representative of a promi- nent family of this city. Mr. and Mrs. O'Grady have become the parents of two chil- dren: Margaret and James M. E., Jr., who were born in Rochester in 1914 and 1919, respectively. Mr. O'Grady is a member of Rochester Fourth Degree Assembly, No. 178, Knights of Columbus, and also belongs to the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, while his appreciation for the social amenities of life is indicated by his membership in the Rochester Club, the Genesee Valley Club, the Rochester Country Club, the Automobile Club of Rochester, and the Republican Club of New York city. Mr. O'Grady's resi- dence is at No. 267 Westminster road.
WILLIAM JOUETT PARKER.
For nearly a half century William Jouett Parker was a conspicuous figure in the business world of Rochester, contributing in notable measure to the upbuilding and improvement of the city through his extensive real estate operations. He was also a force for righteousness in his community, and his death, which occurred March 29, 1917, in Palm Beach, Florida, where he had been spending the winter, deprived Rochester of a citizen whom it could ill afford to lose.
William Jouett Parker was born in Leeds, England, July 8, 1846, a son of Jere- miah and Jane (Haraup) Parker, and was a child of four years when his parents came to the United States, establishing their home in Syracuse, New York, where the father entered the employ of the New York Central Railroad Company. In 1857, when ten years of age, William J. Parker became a student in De Vaux College at Niagara Falls, and was one of the first boys to attend that institution. He came to Rochester before he had attained his majority and obtained a position in the Farmers & Mechanics Bank, which he served in the capacity of teller for many years. He remained with the institution until May 9, 1874, when the business was discontinued. He then took up accounting, becoming recognized as an expert in that line. He also entered the real estate field, associating himself with the late Marion Culver, whose extensive holding's he aided in laying out. Subsequently he became a member of the real estate firm of Pryor, Allen & Parker and developed the Otis tract and other land in the vicinity of Canterbury road. He had great faith in the future of the city and acquired considerable property in the southeastern section, between Culver road and Dartmouth street. He was a keen, farsighted business man and his investments were wisely placed, bringing him a substantial return. He was thoroughly informed
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concerning realty values in Rochester and his advice was often sought when import- ant deals were to be consummated. In development projects he not only studied present needs and conditions but looked beyond the exigencies of the moment to the needs and possibilities of the future, and in the conduct of his business worked toward making Rochester a more desirable and attractive place of residence.
Mr. Parker was married to Miss Alice Tracy, a daughter of Hartson B. and Levantia (Gritman) Tracy. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Parker: Frances Wakelee, the elder, is now the wife of Charles E. Anderson of Rochester, and the mother of two children, Alice Mary and William Parker; Grace became the wife of Glenn Lott of Warren, Pennsylvania, and they have a family of three children, Richard P., Katherine Mallory and Parker Mallory Lott. Mr. Parker was a man of deeply religious nature and possessed the true spirit of Christianity. He was a zealous member of St. Paul's Episcopal church and its oldest communicant. He was treasurer of the church for thirty-six years and sang in its choir for forty years. He was a republican but the honors and emoluments of political office had no attrac- tions for him. He labored effectively for the welfare of his community and enjoyed in marked degree that reward of the honest, upright citizen-the respect and confi- dence of his fellowmen.
PAUL HENRY QUINN.
Paul Henry Quinn, president of the Olean Chamber of Commerce, president of the Arcade & Attica Railroad Company, treasurer of the Quinn Laboratories Com- pany, general manager of the affairs of T. H. Quinn & Company, and prominently identified with various other substantial interests of an industrial and commercial character, long recognized as one of the vital factors in the general business life of the city of Olean, has been a resident of that city for nearly twenty years and the impress of his vigorous personality is apparent in many of the activities of the com- munity, his acquaintance thus not being confined to Cattaraugus county but cover- ing a large part of the Genesee country. Mr. Quinn is a native of the old Keystone state but is a citizen of New York by choice and inclination, his interests having centered in Olean since the days when fresh from college he began to take an active part in the operation of the affairs of the great Quinn interests and to extend these operations in such ways as his executive and administrative capacities directed. He was born in the village of Starrucca, Wayne county, Pennsylvania, February 26, 1886, and is the eldest of the three surviving sons of Martin Francis and Mary Agnes (Collin) Quinn, the latter of whom was born in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, in 1860.
Martin Francis Quinn, who was born in Callicoon, Sullivan county, New York, in 1854 is the only living pioneer of the wood distillation industry in America, being one of the first men to erect a plant for the manufacture of chemicals from the destructive distillation of wood in the United States. He is the sole inventor and patentee of the modern method of procuring chemicals from the destructive distilla- tion of wood. The great Quinn interests, composed of Martin F. Quinn, his brother, Thomas H. Quinn, Watson L. Barclay and the estate of Frank S. Sherman, are the largest operators of wood distillation plants in America, besides being interested in lumbering and in the production of oil. Associated in the Quinn interests are Paul H. Quinn, Martin M. Quinn, Evan V. Quinn, all sons of Martin F. Quinn, and Ray- mond M. Quinn, son of Thomas H. Quinn. The Quinn interests operate their various industries in five different states of the Union.
Due to the several moves made by his father during the time of the develop- ment of the latter's wood distillation industry, Paul Henry Quinn's youth was spent in various places and his early education thus was given a variety that not all youths enjoy. He was little more than a babe in arms when in 1887 his parents moved from Starrucca to Sinnamahoning, Pennsylvania, and was but three years of age when in 1889 they moved from that place to Quinnwood, McKean county, that state. There they lived for five years, or until 1894, when they moved with their family to Straight, Elk county, the same state, where the family residence was maintained until 1909, when it was established in Olean. Mr. Quinn was prepared for college in Villanova (Pennsylvania) Preparatory School and then entered Villanova College, from which institution he was graduated (A. B.) in 1910. He later earned his Master's degree in this college.
Upon leaving college Mr. Quinn entered upon an active participation in the
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operation of the affairs of the Quinn interests and has since been in the wood distil- lation and chemical business in Olean, at the same time becoming engaged in various other lines, as above indicated, and has developed wide connections in the business world operating from his office in the Exchange Bank building. He is the president (1925) of the Olean Chamber of Commerce, is a member of the board of directors of the Exchange National Bank of Olean and his other business connections include his presidency of the Arcade & Attica Railroad Company, the Sizerville Magnetic Water Company, the Olean Building and Loan Association and the Olean Bag Company; vice presidency of the E. B. VanAtta Company and the Clermont Sewer Pipe Company; secretary-treasurership of the Southport Wood Products Company, the Straight Creek Chemical Company, the Shamrock Oil Company and the Penn Formaldehyde Manu- facturing Company; treasurership of the Quinn Laboratories Company, the Pro- gressive Live Stock Company and the Clean Sand & Gravel Company and the gen- eral managership of T. H. Quinn & Company, the Lackawanna Chemical Company, and the Susquehanna Chemical Company, besides which he is the general agent for the F. S. Sherman estate and a member of the directorate of the United Wood Alcohol Company. For some time during the days of his young manhood Mr. Quinn ren- dered military service as a member of the New York State National Guard, for three months a noncommissioned officer of the Third Regiment, infantry (the depot unit) and for two years a noncommissioned officer of the Seventy-fourth Regiment.
On June 4, 1914, in Olean, Paul H. Quinn was united in marriage to Miss Jose- phine E. Thornbury and they have two children: A daughter, Mary Patricia; and a son, Paul Henry Quinn, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Quinn are members of the Roman Catholic church and are republicans. They are members of the Bartlett Country Club of Olean and Mrs. Quinn is a member of the Olean Chromatic Club. She is a favorite in local musical circles and has long given her earnest attention to local philanthropies and various welfare movements, being the present treasurer of the Olean City Relief Society. Mr: Quinn likewise has been diligent in local welfare movements and is the secretary-treasurer and a director of the United Charities. He is a member of the local council of the Knights of Columbus and is affiliated with the Order of Alhambra, with the City Club and with the local branch of the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion. Mrs. Quinn was born in Olean, September 10, 1892, and is a daughter of Matthew Martin and Mary Ann (McNerney) Thornbury, who have for years been residents of Olean. The latter was born in Allegany, New York, in 1867. Matthew Martin Thornbury was born in Arcade in 1863.
CHRISTIAN H. KAMM.
Christian H. Kamm, a veteran furniture dealer of Rochester and for years recog- nized as one of the substantial business men of that city, has risen to his present posi- tion in the commercial world by dint of his own efforts and by close application to the business in hand. Mr. Kamm is a European by birth but has been a resident of this country and of New York state since the days of his youth and thus very properly regards himself as much an American as any here. He was born in the republic of Switzerland on May 27, 1860, and is a son of Christian and Rosa Kamm, the latter of whom spent her last days in this country. Christian Kamm was a building contractor and all his life was spent in his native land. After his death his widow rejoined her son in New York and here her last days were spent.
Christian H. Kamm was given a good education in his native land and when hardly more than a boy came to America with some kinsfolk who were coming here to establish a new home, and at Brownsville, Jefferson county, this state, he finished his schooling and acquired a working knowledge of the English language. He early became employed as a clerk in a hardware store and not long afterward left that employment to take a similar position in a furniture store, a line of commercial activity to which he ever since has devoted himself and in which he has become quite successful. For years Mr. Kamm continued along this line in a clerical position at Rochester and then became established in business on his own account, his present well equipped and well stocked furniture store at No. 616-20 North Clinton avenue, be- ing the outcome of that initial venture. Mr. Kamm started his store in a modest way but with a sufficient stock to attract the attention of discriminating buyers and it was not long until he was on the highway to success. That was nearly thirty-five years ago and during the years since then he has gradually developed the business until now
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it ranks among the leading furniture and general household furnishing stores in the city, its proprietor at the same time ranking with the progressive and enterprising merchants of the city. Since 1890, Mr. Kamm's place of business has been at the southeast corner of North Clinton and Morris streets, which property he had bought several years previously. In 1912, he erected the substantial business building thereon.
On July 10, 1884, in Rochester, Christian H. Kamm was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Kundert, daughter of M. Kundert. Mrs. Kamm's parents never came to America, but lived and died in Switzerland. Mr. and Mrs. Kamm have four children: Two sons, Oscar and Lester, and two daughters, Cora and Elsie, all of whom are married. Cora Kamm, the elder of the daughters, married George Steinfelt of Roch- ester and has four children, Frederick, Paul, Helen and Arthur. Elsie Kamm, the second daughter, married Ralph Bailey and has two children, Robert and Betty. Oscar Kamm married Miss Loretta Miller and has one son, Warren. Lester Kamm married Theresa Aman and has a son, Richard. All are living in Rochester. Mr. Kamm is one of the directors and vice president of the United German-American Societies of Rochester and is also a member of the Teutonia Liedertaufel, of which he is treasurer, and the local branch of the Steuben Society.
MORTIMER J. CULLINAN.
Rochester is justly proud of its native sons, whose loyalty and public spirit have become proverbial, and the city is largely indebted to their enterprise and ability for its growth and prosperity. In this classification belongs Mortimer J. Cullinan, whose efforts have been directed into financial channels, and he is now conducting a large brokerage business, with offices at No. 36 St. Paul street. He was born April 19, 1869, and his parents, John Francis and Katherine. Elizabeth (Conty) Cullinan, were lifelong residents of the Flower city. The father was a mechanical engineer and an able exponent of his profession. He passed away in 1896, having long survived the mother, whose death occurred in 1872. Four sons and five daughters were born to them, four of whom are living: Frank X .; Charles, who is connected with the Oden- bach Company; Mortimer J., of this review; and Raymond, a resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Mortimer J. Cullinan attended St. Bridget's parochial school and completed his education in the public schools of Rochester. He became connected with the Everett, Simons & Holmes Company and remained with that firm for thirty-five years, acting as treasurer and financial manager. In 1920 he withdrew from the company and has since engaged in the brokerage business independently. He is thoroughly conversant with financial affairs and his clients rely implicitly upon his judgment in regard to the placing of their investments. He is faithful to the trust reposed in him and owes his success to his close conformity to a high code of business ethics, as well as to his executive ability and keen sagacity.
In Rochester, on the 4th of June, 1896, Mr. Cullinan was married to Miss Kath- erine E. Dailey, a daughter of Thomas Dailey, a prominent resident of Geneseo, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Cullinan have three children: Mrs. James D. Sheehan; Henry M. Cullinan, a student at the Aquinas Institute; and Miss Ruth Cullinan, who is attending the Holy Angels Academy at Buffalo, New York.
Mr. Cullinan's religious views are in accord with the doctrines of the Roman Catholic church and he is faithful to its teachings. He has taken the fourth degree in the Knights of Columbus and is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Rochester Automobile Club. His success has been achieved by untiring and well- directed labor along worthy lines and both as a business man and as a private citizen he has demonstrated his value to his community.
CHARLES FREDERICK BUELTE.
During the past five years Charles Frederick Buelte has been a prominent representative of the automobile business in Rochester as president and treasurer of Strong Motors, Incorporated, and of Buelte Motors, Incorporated, distributors of the Chandler and Cleveland cars, with headquarters in this city. His birth here occurred on the 29th of June, 1884, his parents being Frederick and Margaret (Fox) Buelte,
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also natives of Rochester. The father, a well known contractor and builder of the city, gained an extensive and favorable acquaintance during his lifelong residence here. The mother, who still survives, is also widely known and highly esteemed in the city which has always been her home.
In the acquirement of an education Charles F. Buelte attended the parochial schools of Rochester and subsequently pursued a course of study in the Rochester Business Institute. After putting aside his textbooks he became an automobile sales- man and in 1912 was made manager of the Strong Motors Company, while seven years later, through the steps of an orderly progression, he had risen to the presi- dency of the corporation. He is also at the head of Buelte Motors, Incorporated, which was organized in 1919. Both companies have large territories covering eight counties in the states of New York and Pennsylvania. They distribute the Chandler and Cleveland motor cars, the superiority of which Mr. Buelte has recognized since they were first built. One of the best known and most popular automobile dealers of Rochester, his success is the direct outcome of his own well defined efforts, unabat- ing industry and undaunted determination. He is treasurer and director of the Rochester Auto Trades Association and the Rochester Auto Dealers Association. In 1917 Mr. Buelte organized the Fruit Valley Corporation for the manufacture of fruit syrups, serving as its treasurer until he disposed of his interests in that connection. He was also the organizer of the Manufacturers Tool & Die Corporation but has sold his interest therein.
On the 29th of September, 1915, in Rochester, Mr. Buelte was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Agnes Gurry, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward S. Gurry and representative of a well known family of this city.
In politics Mr. Buelte is an independent republican and fraternally is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Columbus, having attained the third degree in the latter organization. He is a devout communicant of the Roman Catholic church and has varied club connections, holding membership in the Rochester, Oak Hill Country, Rochester Yacht, Rotary, Rochester Ad, Old Colony, Washington and Rochester Auto Clubs. Of the last named he is a director. He likewise belongs to the New York State Archaeological Society, the Rochester Histori- cal Society, the Rochester Chamber of Commerce and the Young Men's Christian Association. His personal qualities are those which make for enduring friendship and he loyally supports all those measures which are projected for the development and upbuilding of his native city.
SIGURD BO.
The United States has been aptly termed the "melting pot" in which is wrought the infusion of all nationalities into an American citizenship that is strong and domi- nant in its elements, ambitious in its purposes and forceful in its accomplishments. The Scandinavian countries have not been behind other nations in sending to foreign lands men filled with the true spirit of the pioneer men who have been influential in molding the development and promoting the progress of the communities with which they have become allied. Of this type is Sigurd Bo, who came to America in his youth with no capital save ambition, determination and the ability to think for him- self, and with these assets he has hewn his way through a forest of difficulties, out- distancing many who entered the business world under much more favorable cir- cumstances. He has now reached a field of broad influence and usefulness, serving as president of the Cinder Products Corporation of Rochester, a large and important industry, which owes its origin to his inventive genius and its upbuilding to his executive power. He was born in Kristiania, now Oslo, Norway, December 10, 1881, a son of Per and Christine (Andersen) Bo, who always resided in the "Land of the Midnight Sun". The father was one of the progressive agriculturists of that coun- try and during the last ten years of his life was in the service of the government, discharging the duties of tax assessor. He passed away in Kristiania, in 1921, having long survived the mother, whose death occurred in 1895. Ten children were born to them and three are still living, namely: Conrad, who resides in Greece, New York; Mrs. Borghild Zaner, of Hamburg, Germany; and Sigurd of this review.
For seven years Sigurd Bo was a student in the schools of Norway and then became an apprentice to a bricklayer, mastering the trade at the end of four years. In 1903, when a young man of twenty-two years, he yielded to the lure of adventure and
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crossed the Atlantic to the New World, first locating in Chicago, where he secured work as a brickmason. Subsequently he returned to the east and for four years fol- lowed his trade in Albany, New York, working for R. T. Ford, who had the contract for erecting some of the state educational buildings. Mr. Bo came to Rochester in 1912 and for six months was in the employ of the Friederich & Sons Contracting Com- pany. Having decided to become an independent operator, he entered a bid on the contract for the Greece high school, which he secured, and after completing the work was awarded the contract to build seven miles of sidewalk for that city. For some time he had been working on the theory that cinders would prove an ideal material for building brick and block as they were impervious to the elements of fire and water, and at length perfected his invention, which he has patented under the name of Bo Process. They are all made from purified cinders and their advent has marked a new era of progress in the building industry. They are manufactured by the Genesee Brick & Supply Corporation, which has a large plant at Rochester and has established branches at Buffalo, New York city, Syracuse, Lockport and Geneva, New York, and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The company makes Bo brick, Bo block and Bo tile, which are now used extensively in the construction of residences and public buildings. The demand for these products has increased ten thousand per cent in three years, far · exceeding the most sanguine expectations of the firm, whose plant is now taxed beyond its capacity, and an extension to the factory is now under way. Mr. Bo is president of the company and also of the Cinder Products Corporation, whose offices are lo- cated in the Union Trust building of Rochester. He has ventured into new and un- tried fields, converting his vision into a reality, and the remarkable success of his undertakings proves that he is a master builder.
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