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 89
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prises also proved profitable, as he never depended upon agents but personally trans- acted his business affairs, giving to each detail due consideration and care.
It was in 1856 that Mr. Gordon embarked in the lumber business in Brockport, New York, purchasing the interests of Boswell and Walker in the firm of Boswell, Walker & Hood, while five years later he became sole owner. He then erected an extensive steam sawmill and steam planing-mill in Brockport and purchased several hundred acres of timber land at Portville, Cattaraugus county, New York, on which he built another sawmill, carrying on an extensive wholesale lumber business. Dispos- ing of his property in Rushford in 1858, he brought his family to Brockport, where he had erected an elegant residence, continuing to make it his home until his death, which occurred in March, 1881.
In the meantime Mr. Gordon had extended his business interests into other fields and in all met with gratifying success. In partnership with George S. Weaver, of Albany, New York, he leased a large sawmill at East Saginaw, Michigan, in 1860, and there manufactured lumber which he shipped. to Brockport and various other points. Two years later he bought a half interest and after four years' ownership sold it to the Flint & Marquette Railway Company. The extension of his lumber interests led to the erection of a large sawmill at Sterling, Michigan, in the ownership of which he was associated with his brother Walter, and there they manufactured lumber on an extensive scale, taking the raw material from a tract of pine timber land of nearly seven thousand acres which they owned. They made extensive shipments to the east- ern markets and the business proved a very profitable one. Mr. Gordon also had a steam mill and gristmill at Holley, New York, and operated all of these mills up to the time of his death. He was ever watchful of opportunities, quick to note and utilize a possibility and his executive force and keen discernment led to a marvelous success. Mr. Gordon also extended his lumber interests in 1867 to the building of a sawmill on the Allegany river, four miles above Olean, New York, and there gave his attention largely to the manufacture of hemlock and hardwood lumber. In the early days of his operations as a lumber merchant he dealt largely in Rochester, sell- ing a great portion of his lumber to the agents of Anson Brown. In 1873 he disposed of his lumber business in Brockport to Ellis Garrison and Charles Benedict but after three months, in connection with his brother, James Gordon, repurchased the business, which was then carried on under the firm style of Luther Gordon, Brother & Son.
In the meantime Mr. Gordon had become equally well known as a financier and owned a controlling interest in the National Bank Association which was organized in Brockport in 1863. In fact he was largely instrumental in the establishment of this institution and was made its president. His adaptability for finance was soon ac- knowledged and in moneyed circles he displayed most sound judgment, placing the institution upon such a practical and safe basis as to give it an enviable position in the financial world. He remained at the head of the bank until his death and it is today one of the institutions which stands as a monument to his business ability.
As a financier Mr. Gordon ranked among the ablest and in business affairs was prompt, energetic and notably reliable. He was watchful of all details and of all indications pointing toward success and the prosperity that crowned his efforts was the merited reward of a life of industry. He started out when a young man of eighteen years without capital or influential friends to aid him but, brooking no obstacles that could be overcome by honest effort, he worked his way steadily upward until he left the ranks of the many and stood among the successful few-a man hon- ored and esteemed wherever known and most of all where best known.
On the 24th of April, 1848, in Allegany county, Mr. Gordon was married to Miss Florilla Cooley, of Attica, Wyoming county, New York, who after a happy married life of almost twenty-one years, died in Brockport, New York, February 8, 1869. Their only son, George Cooley, became a worthy follower of his father in the business world and a most honored citizen of Brockport, so that the name of Gordon has long figured conspicuously and prominently in connection with the business development of the history of the city.
JOSEPH JOROSLOW.
The life record of Joseph Joroslow affords a striking illustration of the power of industry and perseverance in the attainment of prosperity, for he came to Roch- ester fifteen years ago with no resources save youth and ambition, having left only eighteen cents after paying his railroad fare, and is now numbered among the fore- most building contractors of the city. He has fought the world bravely and alone,
JOSEPH JOROSLOW
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receiving his training in that practical school which develops aggressive, self-re- liant manhood, and has won the victory in the great battle of life, while at the same time he has gained the respect and confidence of his fellowmen, for he has never deviated from the path of honor and rectitude.
Mr. Joroslow is a native of Russia, born May 8, 1881, and his parents, Jacob and Ethel Adler (Bergmuth) Joroslow, were lifelong residents of that country. The father was also a building contractor and resided in the city of Okano. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Joroslow, namely: Isadore, whose home is in Russia; Abraham, a resident of Buenos Aires, South America; Freda, who is living in Russia; Betty, deceased; Ruth, who has remained in her native land; Sarah and Nannie, both of whom have passed away; and Paula, who is still residing in Russia.
Joseph Joroslow received his education in the schools of his native country and when a boy of eleven gained his first knowledge of the carpenter's trade, which he followed in Russia for several years. In 1901, when a young man of twenty, he came to the United States in the hope of bettering his fortunes, and first went to Boston, Massachusetts, where he worked for a time as a carpenter. He then went to New York city and secured a position in an an antique furniture store, where he was employed for three years, receiving a salary of two and a half dollars per week. During this period he was gaining valuable experience and knowledge that would prove invaluable to him later. He next went to Buffalo and obtained more remunera- tive employment, becoming a cabinet maker in the shops of the Pullman Car Com- pany, for which he did piece work. Mr. Joroslow remained with that corporation until 1909 and then came to Rochester, securing work by the day at his trade. His first contract amounted to three hundred and fifty dollars, and he supplied most of the labor with his own hands. In 1910 he purchased a lot on the corner of Genesee and Olean streets and there erected a building, for which he soon found a buyer, and he next constructed an apartment house on Lake avenue in Seneca Park. Later he built the Berkeley Court Apartments, which rank with the finest in the city and were recently sold for two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, a cash transaction. In the meantime he had completed the Meigs Court Apartments, one of the most modern buildings of this character in Rochester, and on the adjoining property erected the beautiful home in which the family now reside. He recently finished a four-story, twenty-five family apartment building on Alexander street, of which he is also the owner, and has greatly enhanced the value of real estate in the localities in which his operations have been conducted. He is a recognized leader in the line in which he specializes, and in many respects his work is the highest expression of skill in the builder's art to be found in this city, while his integrity has never been open to question.
On December 1, 1903, Mr. Joroslow married Miss Ruth Altman, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Altman, of Rochester, and they now have a family of four children: Jacob, who was born in New York city in 1905 and is a graduate of the East high school of Rochester; Isadore, who was born in Buffalo in 1908 and is a student at that school; Ethel, born in Rochester in 1910 and a pupil in the Junior high school; and Lillian, who was born in Rochester in 1913 and is attending the public schools.
Mr. Joroslow contributes liberally to all worthy charities and is especially interested in Jewish philanthropic work. He is a director of the Jewish Orphan Asylum and Old Folks Home, and along fraternal lines is connected with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. His work has been of signal service to Rochester, and Mr. Joroslow is everywhere spoken of as a citizen of worth, who is thoroughly American in thought, spirit and interests.
GEORGE COOLEY GORDON.
On the roll of Brockport's honored dead appears the name of George Cooley Gordon, who for years was recognized as a man of great strength of character, of high purpose and lofty principles. His activity and energy left their impress upon the community where for many years he was a leading business man. As a member of the firm of Luther Gordon & Son he was closely associated with the lumber industry, and at the time of his death was also president of the First National Bank, president of the Brockport Loan and Building Association and a trustee of the Fidelity Trust Company, of Buffalo, New York. His life record began in Rushford, New York, on the 1st of July, 1849, his parents being Luther and Florilla (Cooley) Gordon, who are
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mentioned on another page of this volume. He was nine years of age at the time of the removal of his parents to Brockport, where he attended the Collegiate Institute, his education being further continued in Rochester Academy. On attaining his ma- jority he joined his father in the lumber business, the latter being one of the most ex- tensive dealers in that line in this part of the state, and they carried on business under the firm name of Luther Gordon & Son. Unlike many young men who have the op- portunity to enter upon a successful business established by a father, he made it his purpose to thoroughly familiarize himself with the business, working persistently and earnestly to acquaint himself with every detail, and his usefulness soon proved a potent element in the success which attended the vast and varied business interests of the firm. The son assumed full control upon the father's death in 1881 and in the management of affairs displayed most excellent judgment. He enlarged and extended his operations and in all displayed most sound judgment, which was rarely, if ever, at fault. He succeeded his father as president of the First National Bank of Brockport and held that position throughout the remainder of his life. At the time of his death he was also president of the Brockport Loan & Building Association and trustee of the Fidelity Trust Company of Buffalo, New York. Energetic, progressive and thor- oughly reliable, he won the unqualified confidence of all with whom he came in con- tact either in business or social life and in his death the community mourned the loss of one whose value had long since been proven and whose genuine worth endeared him to all who know him.
On the 18th of October, 1873, Mr. Gordon was united in marriage to Miss Ida M. Hooker, a most estimable lady, to whose wise counsel and aid he attributed much of his success in life. They became the parents of five children, namely: Luther, who died June 12, 1923; George Cooley, a resident of Rochester; William H., who died in infancy; Fred H., of Rochester and Brockport; and Thomas C., a resident of Brock- port. Mr. Gordon died at his summer home at Beachwood Park, on Lake Ontario, August 25, 1898, and his death was widely and deeply mourned, for through his varied business and social relations he had made many warm friends who esteemed hin highly for his genuine worth.
In early life Mr. Gordon was a democrat but became a republican during Presi- dent Cleveland's second term and ever afterward supported that party. Political honors had no attraction for him, but as a public-spirited citizen he never withheld his support from any enterprise which he believed would advance the general welfare or promote the interests of his fellowmen. Over the record of his business career or private life there falls no shadow of wrong, for he was ever most loyal to the ties of friendship and citizenship and his history well deserves a place in the annals of his native state. Mr. Gordon realized fully the obligations which devolve upon man in his relations to his fellowmen. He was instrumental in promoting all that tended toward the betterment of Brockport. He was ambitious for the village's good and brought to public interests the same devotion and energy that he manifested in his private business affairs. Moreover, he was charitable, kindly and benevolent, giving generously of his means to those in need and withholding the hand of aid at no time when he believed that his assistance would prove of benefit. He did not believe in the indiscriminate giving which fosters vagrancy or idleness, but he possessed in full measure "the milk of human kindness" and his spirit was one of helpfulness, based upon broad humanitarian principles.
CHARLES ARTHUR LAWLER, M. D.
Dr. Charles Arthur Lawler is a successful physician and surgeon of Salamanca, where he has been actively engaged in the practice of his chosen profession during the past twelve years. He was born in Ellicottville, Cattaraugus county, New York, on the 5th of April, 1887, his parents being Eugene M. and Katherine M. Lawler. The father, a merchant who was located in Ashford, New York, for more than three decades, retired from active business in 1914. He is at present living in Salamanca and is connected with the firm of E. M. Lawler & Son of Ellicottville. The Lawler family has long been well known and highly esteemed in Cattaraugus county.
Following his graduation from the high school of Ellicottville in 1905, Charles Arthur Lawler pursued a premedical course in Canisius College of Buffalo, New York, while subsequently he entered the medical department of the University of Buffalo, from which institution he received the degre of M. D. in 1911. Thereafter he filled hospital appointments in the Erie County Hospital and the Emergency Hospital
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of Buffalo, New York, and also in the Infants Summer Hospital of Rochester, this state. It was on the 12th of August, 1912, that he began the private practice of medicine in Salamanca, where he has remained continuously to the present time and has been accorded a patronage that fully attests his skill in the field of medical science. He has a comprehensive understanding of the most advanced methods, dis- coveries and theories of the profession and correctly applies his knowledge to the needs of his patients.
The military record of Dr. Lawler is an interesting one. He received appointment as first lieutenant of the Medical Corps in August, 1917, and was assigned to active duty at Hoboken, New Jersey, on the 10th of September of that year. In August, 1918, he received appointment as captain of the Medical Corps and remained on duty in the office of the surgeon at Hoboken until discharged on May 19, 1919.
In Salamanca, New York, on the 1st of June, 1915, Dr. Lawler was united in marriage to Miss Eva M. Sander, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Sander, lifelong residents of Salamanca, where the former has been active in business for more than forty years. Dr. Lawler is a communicant of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic church, while fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Columbus and with the Benevo- lent Protective Order of Elks. He also belongs to J. D. Hughes Post of the American Legion. He possesses a genial and pleasing personality, a cheerfulness which readily dispels the gloom of a sick-room and a love of humanity that is manifest in his imme- diate answer to any call of suffering.
ALBERT A. BIRD.
Albert A. Bird, who has become a prominent representative of the legal profession in Cattaraugus county since his admission to the bar in 1903, was chosen surrogate in 1918 and is making a splendid record in the capable discharge of his judicial duties in this connection. His home is on Washington street, in the city of Cattaraugus. He was born in Ellicottville, Cattaraugus county, New York, on the 4th of November, 1862, his parents being Alexander and Melissa (Hyde) Bird. His paternal grand- father, William Bird, emigrated to the United States from Scotland about 1838, while the maternal ancestors of Judge Bird were Puritans who settled in Massachusetts about 1628. Alexander Bird, the father of the Judge, was a soldier of the Union army during the period of the Civil war, serving with the rank of first lieutenant in the One Hundred and Fifty-fourth New York Volunteer Infantry. Subsequently he turned his attention to the business of carriage manufacturing, in which he won a gratifying measure of success. From 1909 until 1918 he served as superintendent of highways in Cattaraugus county. He is now living retired in Ellicottville, at the advanced age of eighty-four years and has long been numbered among the representa- tive and highly respected residents of the community.
Albert A. Bird supplemented his public school education by a course of study in Chamberlain Institute of Randolph, New York, and upon attaining his majority he took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for four years. Upon the ex- piration of that period-in 1887-he matriculated in Cornell University, from which institution he was graduated in 1891. He there held a fellowship in history for two years and subsequently received the President White Traveling Fellowship, after which he spent a year in Holland and in Berlin, Germany. Following his return to the United States he became staff lecturer for the University Extension Society in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1898 Judge Bird entered the law office of Colonel E. A. Nash in Cattaraugus and five years later he was admitted to the bar. He then engaged in law practice in association with his former preceptor, as a member of the firm of Nash & Bird, until the death of Mr. Nash in 1911, after which he followed his chosen profession in partnership with a Mr. Lavery until 1918. In the latter year he was elected sur- rogate and has served in this important judicial position to the present time in a most acceptable and highly commendable manner.
On the 19th of July, 1894, in Otto, Cattaraugus county, New York, Judge Bird was united in marriage to Miss Jennie E. Cotrael. Their children are three in number, namely: Helen B., the wife of Gordon B. Mudgett of Cattaraugus; Albert C., who is engaged in the hardware business in Cattaraugus; and Florence I.
Judge Bird is a stanch republican in politics and has always been an active worker in the local ranks of the party. He is a member of the executive board of the Metho- dist Episcopal church and vice president of the Cattaraugus County Young Men's Chris- tian Association. Along strictly professional lines he has membership connection with
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the Cattaraugus County Bar Association, while fraternally he is affiliated with the Masonic order, being master of the blue lodge in Cattaraugus. He also belongs to the Grange, to the Men's Club, of which he is president, and to the Little Valley Rod and Gun Club. Outdoor life affords him pleasurable recreation and he is also much inter- ested in the raising of Guernsey cattle. His aid and influence are ever exerted in behalf of civic progress and improvement and he is widely recognized as one of the valued and esteemed citizens of his native county.
LEIGH G. KIRKLAND.
The Honorable Leigh G. Kirkland, state senator from the fifty-first district of New York state is one of the best known and most influential men of the Genesee country. Mr. Kirkland served several terms in the assembly prior to his election in the fall of 1924 to his present office. Mr. Kirkland is a farmer, a leader in farming interests and in bringing about good legislation for the producers of the nation. He has always stood for progressive movements in the agricultural field. He was born in the town of Conewango, New York, February 8, 1873, the son of George and Emily (Ball) Kirkland. His father was born in 1834, in the town of Forestville, and was a farmer and active in local politics, holding several offices. He died in 1894. The family on both paternal and maternal sides dates back to the War of the Revolution and Mr. Kirkland is justly proud of his "good old Yankee descent".
Leigh G. Kirkland attended the district schools and Chamberlain Institute at Randolph, finishing at Fredonia Normal School. After his school days were over he worked on his father's farm until 1910 and today operates two "up-to-the-minute" farms in this section. He was a partner of Earl Cross in the feed and implement business for some time in the town of Randolph, but later disposed of that business and entered the feed and milling field with J. Easton. In addition to his many duties he always found time to be active politically for the community good and it was his high standing in the district which caused his friends to put him up for state office. He was elected a member of the assembly in 1920, taking office January 1, 1921, and was reelected until he took office as state senator on January 1, 1925.
Mr. Kirkland is a breeder of fancy Holstein cattle and helped organize the Breeders Association of Western New York in 1914. He was one of the first directors of The Farm Bureau. In 1916 he became a director of The Dairymen's League and later was a member of the executive committee, serving three years. He is now president of the Millers Mutual Feed Dealers Association of Southwestern New York.
Mr. Kirkland was married to Frances A. Gardner, daughter of Samuel H. and Emeralda (Merchant) Gardner of Conewango. Mr. and Mrs. Kirkland have one daughter: Viola A., born December 22, 1896. She attended the local high school and Fredonia Normal School, and later became the wife of Harold T. Patton of Fredonia, New York, and they have one child, Marylynn, born April 2, 1924. Mr. Kirkland belongs to the Masons, being a member of the Scottish Rite of Jamestown, New York, and the Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Salamanca.
WALTER EARL HAUSER.
Walter Earl Hauser is a representative of the younger generation of business men whose enterprise and aggressiveness promise so much for Rochester's future, and is ably managing the large machinery plant which owes its inception and upbuilding to his father's constructive labors and executive force. He was born in Hemlock, Liv- ingston county, New York, August 11, 1893, and is a son of Jacob and Ida (Raitz) Hauser, the former a native of Rochester and the latter of Germany. They were married in the Empire state and in 1903 the father established the Jacob Hauser Ma- chine Company, which he placed upon a solid financial basis, successfully conducting the business for many years. He is now enjoying a well earned rest, leaving to his sons the burden of its operation, and the mother is also living. Five children were born to them: Walter Earl, Mrs. Lilliam Maxon, William J., Earl W. and Clarence C. All of the sons are active in the control of the business and the daughter is also a resident of Rochester.
The children received their education in the public schools of the city and after their textbooks were laid aside the sons mastered the machinist's trade under the
LEIGH G. KIRKLAND
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direction of their father, in whose plant they gained a comprehensive understanding of every phase of the industry. When he decided to retire they were well qualified to assume the responsibilities connected with its conduct and the business has received new impetus from their enterprising methods and carefully formulated plans. Walter Earl Hauser acts as manager and his three brothers have charge of other depart- ments of the industry. The equipment has been increased and the work turned out of the Hauser plant has ever been of the highest grade, and the firm name is synonymous with integrity and reliability.
On the 20th of July, 1916, Mr. W. E. Hauser was married to Miss Clara M. Pioch, a daughter of Charles and Johanna Pioch, prominent residents of Rochester. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hauser are: Eleanor and Walter F. Hauser, the former of whom was born in 1918 and the latter in 1922. Both are natives of Rochester. Mr. Hauser is a conscientious, helpful member of the Church of the Reformation and acts as superintendent of the senior department of the Sunday school. He belongs to Yonnondio Lodge, No. 163, A. F. & A. M., and to the Rochester Engineering Society. He is also connected with the Young Men's Christian Association and the Universal Craftsmen's Council of Engineers, No. 4. His progress has been commensurate with his industry and ability, and his salient qualities are those which awaken confidence and inspire respect.
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