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 86
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At Iune, Norway, March 5, 1905, Mr. Bo married Miss Borghild Carlsen, a daughter of John and Kristiana Carlsen. Mr. and Mrs. Bo became the parents of ten children: Christina, who died in 1920; Sigrid, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1907 and is a high school student; Elsie, whose death occurred in Albany in 1910; three who died in infancy; Norman, who was born in Rochester in 1912, and is at- tending the public schools; John and Sigurd, twins, who were born in this city in 1917, and Ed who was born in Rochester in 1923.
In politics Mr. Bo is without party bias and casts his ballot for the man whom he considers best qualified to fill the office to which he aspires, standing at all times for reform, progress and improvement in public affairs. He belongs to the Builders Ex- change of Rochester, the Rochester Engineering Society, and is also one of the valued members of the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Bo has adopted as the guideposts of his life those principles which everywhere inspire admiration and respect and constitute the basis of all honorable and desirable prosperity. Fortunate is the city that can point to men of this type as its exemplars.
CHARLES F. PARK.
Charles F. Park, with his brother, William R. Park, is now in control of the old established lumber firm of The Park, Winton & True Company in Addison, Steuben county, a concern that under changing management has been doing business for a half century and is recognized as one of the largest industries in its line in the Genesee country. Charles F. Park is a native son of Addison and his interests ever have centered there. He was born October 15, 1871, and is a son of James and Theresa Adelaide (Reynolds) Park, both members of old families in this section of New York. The late James Park, who died in 1901, started his lumber business at Addison about fifty years ago. For some time after his death in 1901 his sons, William R. and Charles F. Park, together with George I. True as surviving partner, carried on the business. In 1910 the business was incorporated as the Park, Winton & True Com- pany, which name it still carries. In addition to their extensive lumber plant in Addi- son these brothers own a thousand acres of timber land in the vicinity of Addison, and interest in a tract of fifty-five hundred acres of timber land in the south, besides a. well developed tobacco farm in the neighborhood of Big Flats. Their specialty ever- has been the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds and their concern is recognized as one of the leaders in that line in the country.
Reared in Addison, Charles F. Park acquired his education there and from the. days of his boyhood, working in his father's lumber mill, has been devoted to the
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lumber industry, a line which he learned "from the ground up," and in which he has been actively engaged all his mature life. When in 1910 the Park, Winton & True Company was organized he was elected its vice president and was made the buyer for the company, his position thus ever having been an executive and adminis- trative one and in this capacity he has done much to promote the interests of the great industry which he and his brother now control. Mr. Park is widely known in the lumber trade and among the executives of allied industries and as a member of the board of directors of the Lumber Mutual Casualty Company of New York has done much to promote the general interests of these industries along several important lines. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and is affiliated with the Corning Club.
On October 20, 1898, Charles F. Park was united in marriage to Miss Carolyn Stratton. They have two children: A son, James F. Park, and a daughter, Miss Frances R. Park, the latter of whom is now (1925) a student in Holyoke College. James S. Park, who is associated with his father and his uncle in the lumber busi- ness in Addison, finished his education in the University of Michigan and for some time before taking up his lifework in the affairs of the lumber business which his grandfather had established in Addison had some valuable commercial experience as a staff man in one of the big banks in New York city and in a bank in Philadelphia.
GEORGE EDWARD NOETH.
George Edward Noeth, one of Rochester's enterprising and progressive citizens whose activities and success have brought him to a very creditable position among the city's representative business men, is a leading restauranteur. He has been success- fully engaged in this business for over twenty years and has become widely known as the president of Manhattan Lunch, Incorporated. He was born in this city on the 22d of February, 1874, a son of George H. and Anna J. (Strassner) Noeth, both of whom are also natives of Rochester. On both the paternal and maternal side George E. Noeth belongs to families that have had a long identification with business interests in Rochester. Michael Noeth, his grandfather, located in this city in an early day, and his father, George H. Noeth, is now one of the city's merchants. John Strassner, the maternal grandfather, crossed the Atlantic from Europe to America about 1848, and soon after took up his residence in Rochester.
George Edward Noeth was one of three children of his parents, the others being Mrs. S. V. Haus of this city and Sister Georgiana of the Order of Notre Dame, who is Sister Superior of the Holy Redeemer School and Convent. Mr. Noeth was gradu- ated from St. Joseph's parochial school of Rochester, later taking an eighteen-month course at Taylor's Business Institute, working his way through by selling newspapers and doing any other kind of work that one of his age was capable of doing. He thus displayed the latent strength of his character-the self-reliance and enterprise which have been strong features in his later success. He was seldom idle and could nearly always find employment of some kind. Finally he entered the employ of J. C. Berry in the tile and contracting business, with which he became thoroughly acquainted.
In April, 1898, he organized the George E. Noeth Company for the purpose of dealing in marble, tile and gas fixtures and executing contracts for work of that char- acter. He became president and treasurer of the company at its organization and was the leading factor in its success.
In 1904 Mr. Noeth further extended his operations in business lines by establish- ing the Manhattan Quick Lunch room at No. 196 East Main street, and in May, 1906, he opened a similar place of business at No. 28 East Main street. He has been in- terested from time to time in various restaurant projects, but at this time concentrates his efforts in that line on his business at No. 28 East Main street, and that in the Arcade building.
Mr. Noeth has been successful in the restaurant business, because from the be- ginning he has endeavored to have things just a little better, and has given closer attention to the seemingly unimportant minor details, all of which has resulted in the higher standards of food, service and system that are found in his places of business. Among his other business interests in Rochester, he is president of the Clinton Realty Company.
On the 14th of June, 1899, Mr. Noeth was married to Miss Cecelia V. O'Kane, a daughter of John and Mary O'Kane of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Noeth have one son: Paul James, who was born in Rochester, on February 24, 1904, is a graduate of St.
GEORGE E. NOETH
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Joseph's parochial school and is now a student at the Tome School for Boys, Port Deposit, Maryland.
Mr. Noeth has for a number of years taken a keen interest in political affairs and is one of the well known members of the democratic party in Rochester, as well as one of its counsellors and advisors in Monroe county. Mr. Noeth was democratic leader in 1912, and continued so during President Wilson's first term. A genuine lack of desire for political preferment caused Mr. Noeth to decline numerous prominent political offices. He is a communicant of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church. He is nationally known as a member of the Knights of St. John, having been chosen in- spector general and supreme officer of that organization. He is also identified with the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Beavers. He has also represented the Knights of St. John at the National Catholic Welfare Council. He is a member of the Rochester Club, the Ad Club, the Lions Club the Chamber of Commerce, the Rochester Historical Society, the New York State Historical Society, the Automobile Club of Rochester, New York State Hotel Association, and is secretary and treasurer of the New York State Restaurant Association.
A native genius for organization and aptitude for successful management have been dominant characteristics in his business affairs, and much credit is due him for his achievements in the business world, where he has forged ahead unaided, relying solely upon his own efforts and ability. A man of pleasing address, of courteous man- ner and high principle, he has gained an extensive circle of warm friends in the city which has always been his home. He also has a wide acquaintance among the prom- inent men throughout the state.
A. WILLIAM BLACK.
Primarily a manufacturing city, Rochester owes its growth and prosperity to the combined efforts of men whose superior ability has placed them with America's "captains of industry". In this connection the Black family is deserving of especial mention because of the achievements of its members as clothing manufacturers. The business which the father established in this city thirty-six years ago has become one of the great industries of the country and the qualities which he displayed in its upbuilding have been transmitted to the son, A. William Black, who acts as secretary and treasurer of the firm. He was born in Moravia, New York, January 4, 1880, and his parents, Louis and Augusta (Winterfield) Black, immigrated from the Old World to the New, settling in New York state. The father opened a retail clothing store in Moravia, conducting the business until 1888, when he removed with his family to Rochester and entered a larger field of activity. He established a small plant for the manufacture of men's clothing and the business has kept pace with the growth of the city, increasing steadily from year to year until it now ranks with the largest of the kind in the country. It has withstood the test of time because it was built upon the solid foundation of honor and integrity and the firm of L. Black & Company has achieved a national reputation as makers of the best grade of men's and boys' ready-to-wear suits and overcoats. The factory is situated at No. 156 St. Paul street, and Louis Black, president and founder of the business, resides in Atlantic City, New Jersey. His wife is also living and A. William of this review is their only son. Their daughters are: Mrs. Edward M. Gallon and Mrs. Harry W. Pollack, both residents of New York city.
A. William Black was a boy of eight when his parents came to Rochester and his education was acquired in its public schools, the Free Academy and the Rochester Business Institute. Entering his father's plant, he mastered the various processes involved in the manufacture of cloth and progressed through each department, eventu- ally becoming secretary and treasurer of the company. In the conduct of his interests he manifests the keen sagacity and executive power which enabled his father to foster the growth of the business during its embryonic stage, and worthily follows in his footsteps, bringing added luster to an honored name.
In Utica, New York, on January 7, 1902, Mr. Black was married to Miss Anna Lieberman, a daughter of Myron and Rose Lieberman of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Black have two sons: Louis Black (II), born June 4, 1905, was graduated from Exeter Academy and is now a junior at Harvard University; Myron Black was born September 24, 1906, and is a sophomore at the University of Rochester. Both children are natives of the city.
Mr. Black is an influential member of the Chamber of Commerce and along social
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lines is connected with the Idlers Club, the Irondequoit Country Club, and the Roches- ter Athletic and Automobile Clubs. He is a generous supporter of the United Chari- ties, the Community Chest, and contributes liberally to all worthy philanthropic projects, finding true happiness in bringing joy to others. His life has been filled with unrecorded acts of kindness and he holds a secure place in the esteem of his fellow citizens. Mr. Black resides at No. 192 Culver road.
CHARLES E. PRATT.
When starting his career in life the profession of teaching first appealed forcibly to Charles E. Pratt of Nunda, Livingston county, New York. The appeal was only a transitory one, however, and it soon became evident to Mr. Pratt that his proper field of effort was in merchandising, and he abandoned the teaching profession for the fascinations of trade. It proved a wise and most successful move, for after many years in business Mr. Pratt is now retired and taking life less strenuously than had been his habit in the years that have passed. He was born in Nunda, on September 23, 1860, the son of David and Abigail (Ely) Pratt, both natives of New York, neither of whom is living. They also had a daughter, who has passed away.
Charles E. Pratt received his education in the district public schools, and took a partial course in the high school at Warsaw, New York. His first employment was as a district school teacher, which he followed for two years, and then for a year he was a grocery clerk in Warsaw. He left there to become clerk in a shoe store at Nunda, where he remained three years, after which for two years he was identified with the wholesale business in Clinton, Iowa. Returning from Iowa, Mr. Pratt bought the grocery and crockery business in Nunda of A. C. Dodge, Jr., in 1887, a line of shoes being added later, and conducted the business until 1924, when he sold out and retired.
Mr. Pratt never permitted the demands of his large business to interfere with his duties as a citizen nor his interest in the affairs of his community. During the World war he gave valuable service as a member of the Victory Loan committee. As a member of the Presbyterian church and clerk of the session, Mr. Pratt was always interested in religious matters, is a member of the New York State Sunday School Association, and is on its state committee. He was one of the founders, in 1920, of the Twentieth Division Summer School, at Silver lake, which originally embraced the counties of Livingston, Wyoming and Genesee. This organization is now the Western New York Summer School of Christian Education, and Mr. Pratt has served as registrar since its inception four years ago. He was president of the Livingston County Historical Society for one year, and while formerly a republican in his political views, is now a member of the prohibition party.
Mr. Pratt was married on June 2, 1887, to Cora L. King, and they have three children: Ralph King of Portland, Oregon; Ward Ely of Dayton, Ohio; and Charles Harold of Mount Morris, New York. Mr. Pratt was one of the incorporators of the Oakwood Cemetery Association in 1900 and has been secretary of it ever since.
EDWARD REUBEN FOREMAN.
Edward Reuben Foreman, city historian of Rochester, New York, prominent member of the legal profession, speaker and writer of note on historical topics, was born at Lima, Livingston county, New York, March 9, 1868, a son of Joseph and Irena Elisabeth (Waldo) Foreman. Upon the maternal side, Mr. Foreman is de- scended from John and Hannah (Cogswell) Waldo, who came to Ipswich, Massa- chusetts, in 1635. He is a cousin removed of Ralph Waldo Emerson, and has had ancestors in all of the colonial wars, his Revolutionary ancestor having been Lieu- tenant Edward Waldo.
Edward R. Foreman graduated from the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, New York, in 1888, and in 1892 received his Ph.B. degree from the University of Rochester. He was admitted to the bar of the state of New York in 1894. Mr. Fore- man's first work was in the law and, though he has entered actively into other pur- suits in later years, he yet retains his active connection with the profession in the city of Rochester. In 1924 he was signally honored by his contemporaries in his election to the presidency of the Rochester Bar Association.
EDWARD R. FOREMAN
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Mr. Foreman was assistant corporation counsel of the city of Rochester from 1894 to 1898; he was secretary to Mayor Adolph J. Rodenbeck in 1902 and 1903, and from 1904 to 1907 was special counsel of the law department of the city of Roches- ter, having had charge of all law publications. Since 1921 he has filled the office of Rochester city historian.
Mr. Foreman has performed a truly notable work in historical matters relating to Rochester and the Genesee Country. The wealth of accomplishment which has been attained through his energetic efforts is but a promise of greater things to come in this field. In the interval from 1914 to 1918 he was five times elected president of the Rochester Historical Society, and in 1923 was elected treasurer of the Genesee Country Historical Association. In 1924 he was chosen a member of the board of trustees of the New York State Historical Association. As city his- torian, Mr. Foreman has acted as editor of four volumes of the Publication Fund Series of the Historical Society, issued in 1922, 1923, 1924 and 1925. He is also chairman of the publication committee of the historical society. He is editor-in-chief of the World War Service Record of Rochester and Monroe County (1921- ), Volume I of which, "Those who Died for Us," was issued in 1924, and is to be followed by an equally comprehensive record of the living veterans of the World war in the city and county. In doing this particular work, Mr. Foreman has achieved a notable contri- bution to the literature of the recent war, and the publication stands alone among those of similar character which have been printed in the United States. In fact, few works of such broad scope and exhaustive detail have ever been attempted.
Mr. Foreman's editorial career, over a period of thirty-five years, has included a number of other important connections which may be summarized as follows: assistant editor, general catalog of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity, 1888-1890 (a book of 1700 pages, New York, N. Y., 1890) ; editor of the Rochester City Charter, 1892; editor of the proposed Common Council Charter, 1896; id, Revised Penal Ordinances, 1897; managing editor at Rochester for the Joint Committee of the Legislature of the State of New York on Statutory Revision Commission Bills, 1900-1901; editor of various law publications as special counsel, law department, 1904-07; author Police Rules, City of Rochester; id, Municipal Code of the City of Rochester, Volume I, 1904, Volume II, 1907.
Mr. Foreman is a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon and the Theta Nu Epsilon fraternities. He is first vice president of the Rochester chapter, Empire State Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, 1922 -. He served as ruling elder of the Third Presbyterian church of Rochester for a period of six years, and is now (1925) a member of the historic First Presbyterian church, known as "the mother of churches."
Edward R. Foreman was married at Rochester, March 2, 1909, to Mary Louise Payne, a daughter of James and Margaret Payne.
ROY E. WHEELER.
Roy E. Wheeler, joint partner of the Yates County Canning Company of Penn Yan, has been connected with this line of business throughout his career and has made steady advancement therein until he is now active in control of a profitable and thriv- ing enterprise. He was born in Fairport, Monroe county, New York, June 16, 1876, his parents being W. H. and Charlotte A. (Storms) Wheeler. The father, who re- moved to Monroe county from Dutchess county, this state, devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits as a lifework. He had reached the age of seventy-two years when called to his final rest in 1918.
Roy E. Wheeler obtained a high school education in Fairport and after putting aside his textbooks secured employment in a canning factory there. He became the first foreman in the service of the Sanitary Can Company, now the American Can Company, with which he continued for a period of eight and one-half years. It was in 1913 that Mr. Wheeler came to Penn Yan and accepted the superintendency of the Yates County Canning Company, of which he was made vice president and manager two years later. In 1918, when the corporation was dissolved, he became an equal partner in the business with F. C. Whitaker and H. C. Ovenshire. The industry has grown to extensive proportions and the continued success of the undertaking in the last decade may be attributed in large measure to the sound judgment, excellent execu- tive ability and keen sagacity of the manager and vice president. Mr. Wheeler is also a director of the Finger Lakes Canning Company.
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In 1901 Mr. Wheeler was united in marriage to Miss Anna Hodgson of Rochester, New York. They have one daughter: Helen Elizabeth, born February 6, 1909, who is attending school in Penn Yan. Since age conferred upon him the right of fran- chise Mr. Wheeler has supported the men and measures of the republican party and he is now making a creditable record as trustee of the village board. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, while fraternally he is identified with the Masons and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
THEODORE E. PENNOCK.
Among the men who are making history in Rochester is numbered Theodore E. Pennock, who has left the impress of his individuality in notable measure upon the industrial progress of the city through his activities as president of the Standard Automatic Machine Company, in which connection he is successfully controlling a busi- ness of extensive proportions. He was born in Saratoga, New York, June 5, 1886, and is a son of James W. and Amelia H. (Wilson) Pennock, the latter also a native of the Empire state. The father was ten years old when his parents made the voyage from England to the United States, settling near Utica, New York. On starting out in life for himself he embarked in the real estate business in Kansas City, Missouri, and Syracuse, New York, and met with success in his operations in that field, retiring a few years ago. He and his wife still reside in Syracuse. Four children were born to them: James W. Pennock, Jr., of Syracuse; Mrs. Mahlon H. Gregg, whose home is in Rochester; Mrs. John Sadler; and Theodore E., of this review.
Theodore E. Pennock attended a private school in Syracuse and his higher educa- tion was received in Cornell University at Ithaca, New York, where he studied mechan- ical engineering. He was graduated from that institution in 1910 and returned to Syracuse, becoming a building contractor. He was thus engaged until 1915, when he came to Rochester, and has since been a resident of the city. He is now serving as president of the Standard Automatic Machine Company and his brother-in-law is filling the office of vice president. The business was first established in New York city and in 1910 was incorporated. It was moved to Rochester in 1915 and the com- pany now enjoys the distinction of being the largest manufacturers of automatic vacuum bottle filling and closing machines in the world. The firm is the original designer and builder of these machines, which greatly reduce production costs over any other system made. They bear the trade-mark "Samco" and are sold chiefly to manufacturers of food, patent medicines and toilet requisites. They are used by the largest and most progressive concerns in this country and in Europe. The prestige which the firm now enjoys is largely attributable to the keen sagacity and carefully formulated plans of Mr. Pennock, who displays marked foresight and executive force in the management of this industry.
On the 17th of January, 1918, Mr. Pennock was married to Miss Elizabeth Bar- rows, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Barrows of Rochester. Mr. and Mrs. Pen- nock have two sons: Howard Barrows and Theodore E., Jr., both natives of the city. The former was born in 1919 and the latter in 1924. Mr. Pennock is a member of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, the Cornell Club of New York, and also belongs to the local Automobile Club. He is still a young man with much of his life before him. He is broad in his views, progressive in his standards and high in his ideals- a splendid type of the modern business man and a valuable addition to the ranks of Rochester's citizens. His residence is at No. 15 Arnold park.
JAMES ALBERT SHEPARD.
James Albert Shepard, consulting engineer and vice president of the Shepard Electric Crane & Hoist Company of Montour Falls and for many years one of the definite personal factors in the general industrial and social activities of that village and of the neighboring city of Elmira, is a native son of New York, a member of an old colonial family, and his interests ever have centered here, a resident of Mon- tour Falls (old Havana) since the days of his infancy. Mr. Shepard was born in the hamlet of Ohio in Herkimer county, January 6, 1864, and is a son of William Henry and Mary Jane (Sloan) Shepard, both members of old families in this state. The mother was born at Springfield Center, Otsego county, of mingled French and
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