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 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91
In Rochester, on February 9, 1898, Mr. Ford was married to Miss Lillian Barnes, a daughter of Charles R. and Mary E. Barnes of this city. In religious faith Mr. Ford is a Roman Catholic and he is also identified with the Knights of Columbus. He belongs to the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, the Genesee Valley, Athletic and Rochester Clubs and is also a member of the Buffalo Club and the Athletic Club of that city. By ability, temperament and social qualities Mr. Ford is thoroughly adapted to the hotel business, of which he has made a pronounced success, and at the same time he has brought additional prestige to the cities in which his operations are conducted.
JACOB B. COYKENDALL.
One of the foremost insurance men of Elmira is Jacob B. Coykendall, who was born in Montague, New Jersey, November 1, 1864, a son of Andrew J. and Sallie J. (Bonnell) Coykendall, both of whom were natives of Sussex county, that state. The father came to Elmira in 1875 and demonstrated his faith in the city's future by pur- chasing a large amount of realty here. He was an agriculturist and also conducted a store for a number of years. He was an astute, farsighted business man and met with well deserved success in his undertakings. He was an adherent of the democratic party and an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Its teachings guided him in the varied relations of life and he was nearly ninety years of age at the time of his demise. He was a son of Moses Coykendall, who was born in New Jersey and subsequently removed to Elmira, where he spent his remaining years. The maternal grandfather, Isaac Bonnell, was also a native of New Jersey and passed away at the venerable age of ninety-seven years. He was a remarkable man in many respects and but three days before his death delivered a speech on the subject of politics. He was a leader in the councils of the republican party and also took a prominent part in public affairs, representing his district in both the upper and lower houses of the state legislature of New Jersey. He was a dynamic force in business affairs and built
90
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
one hundred and ten mills in New Jersey, leaving the impress of his individuality upon the annals of that state, which numbered him among its foremost citizens.
Jacob B. Coykendall attended the grammar schools of New Jersey and continued his studies in the Elmira Free Academy. He was very proficient in drawing and his pen and ink sketches indicated the possession of much talent. He became an expert public accountant and resigned a position with a salary of two hundred dollars per month to accept a four-dollar-a-week job in an insurance office, realizing the possibili- ties for advancement in the business. Within two years he was making more money in this field and in 1891 took over an insurance agency that had been established in 1863, changing the name to that of J. B. Coykendall & Son. He sells fifty-one varieties of insurance, making a specialty of fire insurance, and the firm has the general agency for the Ocean Company of London, England, the Insurance Indemnity Com- pany of North America, and represents the oldest and most reliable corporations en- gaged in this line of business. Mr. Coykendall writes policies in many parts of the west, as well as the east, and also does a large business in Canada. He has given many talks on salesmanship and physical training-topics on which he is exception- ally well informed-and is a director of the Elmira Savings & Loan Association.
In 1889 Mr. Coykendall married Miss Mary Alma Wallis, one of Elmira's native daughters, and they have a son: William Wallis, who attended Union College, also pursuing a course in Yale University, and is now associated with his father in busi- ness. He went to France with the first American contingent during the World war, and remained at the front for eighteen months, serving as a private with the Tenth and Twentieth Engineers.
Mr. Coykendall is keenly interested in athletic sports. He has lectured on physi- cal culture, of which he has made a thorough study, and has trained many men in the art of boxing. He is an Episcopalian in religious faith and gives his political support to the republican party. He belongs to the Masonic lodge and club, also to the Century Club, and is likewise a Rotarian.
CHARLES F. ABBOTT, M. D.
Among Elmira's native sons who have turned to the medical profession as a vo- cation is Dr. Charles F. Abbott, who is known as a specialist in electro-therapy. He was born September 1, 1875, and his parents, James M. and Sarah E. (Butler) Abbott, were natives of Pennsylvania. They were married in the Keystone state and removed to Chemung county, New York, in 1872. They had four children, of whom Charles F. was the second in order of birth. The father became a passenger con- ductor for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and was connected with that corpora- tion from 1872 until his death in 1911. His wife passed away in 1921. He was a charter member of the South Side Baptist church and served as its first treasurer. He joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Roaring Branch, Pennsylvania, and his political views were in accord with the principles of the republican party.
Charles F. Abbott attended School No. 17, at Southport and in 1891 completed a course in School No. 3, receiving instruction from Perley Coburn. His academic training was finished in 1895 and four years later he entered the College of Physicians & Surgeons at Baltimore, Maryland, from which he was graduated in 1903. From July, 1903, until January, 1904, he was connected with one of the dispensaries of that city and then located in Elmira. Three months later he was appointed assistant medi- cal examiner for the Pennsylvania System and filled that position until October, 1906, most of the time at Camden, New Jersey. He next went to Brooklyn, New York, and remained in that city until August, 1908, when he returned to Elmira. He devotes much time to study and has taken a course in the New York Post Graduate School & Hospital. He has just completed a course in electro-therapy in Chicago. Since 1910 he has been local surgeon for the Pennsylvania Railroad.
On the 1st of June, 1904, Dr. Abbott was married to Miss Lydia Ruth Wienand who was born in South Bend, Indiana, and attended Hood College and also Peabody Institute at Baltimore. She is a talented musician and has become well known as a pianist and vocalist. She is one of Elmira's most popular singers and for ten years has been soloist at the Hedding Methodist Episcopal church. Her father, the Rev. Paul Wienand, is a minister of the Reformed church and a writer of ability. Dr. and Mrs. Abbott have two children: Paul James and Dorothea Andrea, students at the Elmira Free Academy. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which their mother also belongs, and the Doctor is a Baptist in religious faith. He
91
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
has been treasurer of the Elmira Academy of Medicine for the past two years and has also held office in the Chemung County Medical Society. He is likewise connected with the American Medical Association, the Association of Pennsylvania Railroad Surgeons and the Volunteer Medical Service Corporation. He belongs to the Cooley Lodge of Masons, to the Grotto, and is also identified with the National Protective Association, the Knights of The Maccabees, the Automobile Club and the Young Men's Christian Association. While devoted to his profession, Dr. Abbott never neglects the duties of citizenship and conforms his conduct to high standards in every relation of life.
SAMUEL E. DURAND.
There are no citizens more deserving of the respect and admiration of their fellowmen than those who labor earnestly to build up the commercial and industrial interests of the country. In this classification belongs Samuel E. Durand, vice presi- dent of The Rochester Industries, Incorporated, and the owner of much valuable real estate in the city. He is a splendid type of the enterprising American business man, quick to perceive and utilize an opportunity for advancement, and has made notable progress for one of his years, for he has not yet reached the thirtieth milestone on life's journey. He is a member of one of Rochester's old and prominent families and was born in this city April 24, 1896. His grandfather, Frederick L. Durand, was a native of Connecticut and a descendant of Samuel Durand. The ancestry of the family in New England is traced back for two and a half centuries. The year 1845 witnessed the arrival of Frederick L. Durand in Rochester and his legal learning earned for him recognition as one of its foremost lawyers. He had a large practice and was called to public office, serving as city attorney. He was a consistent member of the First Presbyterian church, and died in 1903, respected and honored by all who knew him. He married Lydia W. Powers, a native of Vermont and a member of one of the oldest families of the Green Mountain state. Four children were born of their union, one of whom was John Ewing Durand.
John Ewing Durand was born in Rochester, February 5, 1856, and attended the Wilson grammar school and the Satterlee Collegiate Institute. He was graduated from Yale in 1876 and during his college days joined the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He studied law in his father's office and after his admission to the bar they formed a partnership, which was continued until 1903. Since his father's death John E. Durand has practiced alone and much of his time is given to the manage- ment of estates, as well as to the supervision of his personal holdings and invest- ments. He is an able exponent of his profession and has gained high standing at the Rochester bar. He is an active worker for the good of his community and a leader in all projects for civic growth and betterment. As a member of the board of park commissioners he did much to improve and beautify the city, securing for it a park system which is one of Rochester's most valuable assets. He is a strong champion of educational progress and has served as school commissioner, also as a trustee of the State Industrial School in Rochester, and his wife became a member of the board of lady commissioners of the same institution. They are active in work of a. charitable and philanthropic nature, quick to respond to the appeal of the needy, and the joy of generous giving is theirs. Mr. Durand is a member of the Brick Presby- terian church and belongs to the Kent Club, which is composed of prominent attorneys of the city. He is a charter member of the Genesee Valley Club of Rochester and is also a Mason, being connected with Frank R. Lawrence Lodge No. 797, F. and A. M., and Hamilton Chapter, R. A. M. In 1894 he was married to Miss Lillie McConnell, a daughter of Robert Y. McConnell of Rochester. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. John E. Durand is Samuel E. Durand, the subject of this sketch.
Samuel E. Durand received his early training in the public schools and under private instructors, afterward attending the Hill preparatory school at Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Subsequently he enrolled as a student at Yale University and was graduated with the class of 1919. During the progress of the World war he enlisted in the air service, receiving his preliminary training at Cornell College, after which he was ordered to France. He remained overseas for two years, winning the com- mission of first lieutenant, and after his return to the United States he completed his course at Yale University, which awarded him the A. B. degree. He then read law under the direction of his father, but decided that the legal profession was not his real vocation in life and turned to business pursuits, forming a company with Morton H. Anderson. They purchased the business of two typewriter companies and
92
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
are now working on an improved typewriter and other inventions. Their business is conducted under the name of The Rochester Industries, Incorporated, and Mr. Anderson is filling the office of president, while Mr. Durand serves as vice president. Their affairs are in a very prosperous condition, for both are astute, energetic busi- ness men, capable of managing large interests. Mr. Durand is also interested in real estate, demonstrating his faith in the city's future by large investments in down- town property. He is the owner of the Cutler building, which he recently purchased from Frederick T. Brown, a prominent realtor of New York city, for a consideration of approximately one million two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The building is six stories in height, with a three-story tower, and has a frontage of one hundred and fifteen feet in East avenue, ninety and two-thirds feet in Main street, East, and one hundred and thirty-four feet in Stillson street, in all one of the choicest pieces of downtown business property, wherein the fee was included, that has changed hands in Rochester for a number of years. In its remodeled condition this property yields an annual revenue of about one hundred and thirty thousand dollars.
On April 17, 1920, Mr. Durand was married to Miss Virginia A. Ranlet, a daughter of Robert and Netta (Potts) Ranlet of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Durand have a son and daughter: Virginia Ranlet, born April 11, 1921, and John Ewing Durand (II), born March 23, 1923. Mr. Durand is a member of the Yale Club of New York city, the Rochester Country Club, the Rochester Automobile Club and the Rochester Chamber of Commerce. He is a young man of keen business discernment, imbued with the progressive spirit of the age, and his business career would reflect great credit upon one many years his senior.
DAVID T. LAWLESS.
David T. Lawless, one of the pioneer paper manufacturers of western New York, has made this business his life work and has built and operated more mills in this section of the state than any other single individual. Rochester numbers him among her most valuable and highly esteemed citizens and although he has reached the ripe age of seventy-eight years, he is still a power to be reckoned with in the business arena, directing his affairs with characteristic sagacity and executive force. He was born in County Wexford, Ireland, on the 30th of August, 1846, and was quite young when his parents, David and Elizabeth (Kinsella) Lawless, migrated to the United States. They settled in Onondaga county, New York, where the father engaged in farming, and there both passed away.
In the winter months David T. Lawless attended the district schools of Onondaga county and during the summer season he assisted his father in the cultivation and development of the farm. In 1872 he took a contract to supply straw for a paper mill at Baldwinsville, New York, and for the following eight years he was actively engaged in that line of work. During this period he bought straw throughout twelve counties in New York and four counties in Ontario, Canada. In 1880 he felt that his experience was sufficient to enable him to direct a business of his own and his first paper mill was built in Penfield. The plant has been in operation for forty-four years and during this period Mr. Lawless has also operated mills in Fayetteville and Shortsville, New York. He has built up a large business, of which he is sole owner, and his long experience enables him to speak with authority on matters relating to the manufacture of paper. In addition to his interests in the paper business Mr. Lawless is a successful agriculturist and is the owner of two fine farms in the town of Penfield, where he has a beautiful home. Each day he comes into the city to transact his business.
On Christmas day of 1869 Mr. Lawless was married to Miss Mary Ann O'Brien, a daughter of Michael O'Brien, one of the early settlers of Onondaga county. New York. Thirteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lawless, of whom nine are living, as follows: Elizabeth and Julia, unmarried; Mamie, the wife of Dr. H. L. St. John of Rochester and the mother of two daughters, Clarissa and Margaret; Agnes, who married Robert Groh of Rochester and has two sons, David and Robert: David, who lives in Rochester and has four children, Mary, Elizabeth. John and David (III); Mathew. a bachelor; Laura. who resides in Buenos Aires, Argentina. South America, and is the wife of H. Earl Braisted and the mother of four sons, H. Earl, Jr., Mathew. Richard and David; Michael, who lives in Rochester and has two children, Vincent and Ann: and Eleanor. a resident of Penfield.
Mr. Lawless has always endeavored to follow the Golden Rule and has won
.
. Lawe
95
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
success by constructive methods and honorable, straightforward dealing. He has a wide acquaintanceship in business circles, where he has been active for over fifty- two years. He takes much pleasure and enjoyment in life, for his is a genial, opti- mistic nature, and notwithstanding his advanced age, he is remarkably well preserved. His life has been a busy and strenuous one and his success is fully deserved. On Christmas day of 1924, he and his wife had lived together fifty-five years, reared a family that would be a great credit to any parentage, and both as vigorous and active as most couples many years their junior.
WALTER C. BUCK, D. V. M.
Dr. Walter C. Buck, veterinarian, while one of the recent additions to the ranks of Dansville's citizens, has already demonstrated his usefulness to the community, and enjoys the distinction of being the leading representative of his profession in Liv- ingston county. He was born in Livonia, this county, February 24, 1888, a son of Charles E. and Frances Elizabeth (Meachum) Buck, the latter of whom is deceased. After his graduation from the Livonia high school Dr. Buck became a student at the New York State Veterinary College at Ithaca, operated in connection with Cornell University, and won the degree of D. V. M. in 1912. He began his professional career at Livonia, where he practiced for five years. On June 4, 1917, he enlisted for serv- ice in the World war. He was stationed at Camp Greenleaf, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, from June 20 to August 3, 1918, and was then sent to Camp Funston, Fort Riley, Kansas, becoming a member of the Twenty-ninth Field Artillery, Tenth Divi- sion. He remained at Camp Funston until February 5, 1919, when he was discharged with the rank of first lieutenant. He returned to Livonia and about a year later came to Dansville, opening an office in the village in March, 1920. He has a thorough knowledge of the scientific principles underlying his profession and has well equipped buildings for his work. His choice of this vocation was inspired by his great love for animals and owing to his expert skill his professional services are in constant demand.
On the 8th of September, 1922, Dr. Buck was united in marriage to Grace Green Butts, and both are popular in social circles of the community. The Doctor is a Ro- tarian and a council Mason and his religious views are in accord with the doctrines of the Methodist church. He belongs to the American Legion and is chairman for Livingston county of the Citizens Military Training Camps Association. He is a young man of serious purpose, deeply absorbed in his profession, to which he gives undivided allegiance, and his exemplary traits of character have established him high in public regard. Dr. Buck's residence at No. 84 Main street, was erected by him in 1922.
FRANK H. McCHESNEY.
Among the native sons of Rochester who hold a strong position in the esteem of its residents is numbered Frank H. McChesney, a capable young business man and a member of the oldest insurance firm in the city. He was born March 19, 1887, and his father, Charles H. McChesney, is a native of Niagara county, New York. He came to Rochester in 1880 and entered the insurance business, in which he has since been engaged, covering a period of forty-four years. He is the pioneer in this field and a business man of proven integrity and worth. The mother was born in Wilson, Niagara county, New York, and came to Rochester after her marriage, which occurred in 1886. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McChesney: Donald R., a resi- dent of Rochester; Mrs. Arthur Rathjen, whose husband is one of Rochester's lead- ing attorneys, and Frank H., of this review.
Frank H. McChesney was graduated from East high school of this city and then matriculated in the University of Rochester, which he attended for two years. In 1907 he entered the engineering department of the University of Michigan but a year later returned to Rochester and took up the study of insurance under his father, with whom he has since been associated. Theirs is the leading insurance firm of the city and the name of McChesney is synonymous with integrity, enterprise and reliability in business circles of Rochester. In 1924 he was appointed advertising manager of the Berkshire Life Insurance Company, in addition to his duties as general agent at Rochester.
6-Vol. IV
96
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
On August 20, 1913, Mr. McChesney was married to Miss Ethel Sibley Camp, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Fletcher Camp, formerly residents of Rochester, now in New York city. Mr. and Mrs. McChesney have a son: Robert Camp, who was born in Rochester, on September 27, 1915, and is a public school pupil. Mr. McChesney belongs to the Seneca Lodge of Masons and to the Delta Upsilon fraternity; also Delta Upsilon Club of New York city. He is connected with the Young Men's Chris- tian Association of Rochester, the Life Underwriters Association of this city being a former director, and the Chamber of Commerce and he is vice president and director of the Livingston Lake Land & Improvement Company. He is a former director of the Rochester Ad Club and the nature of his recreation is indicated by his member- ship in the Tennis and Automobile Clubs and the Monroe Golf Club. Mr. McChesney enjoys outdoor sports and his appearance testifies to the fact. He is a loyal and enthusiastic supporter of his city, deeply interested in every project tending to pro- mote its growth, and is highly esteemed by a large circle of friends.
HOMER GRANT WHITMORE.
The exactness of modern business methods has made the study of success a science. A man of progressive spirit, broad vision and with an intuitive knowledge of the best course to pursue in the expansion of his business, Homer Grant Whitmore made substantial contribution toward the industrial development of Rochester, and his death on the 17th of October, 1923, was a distinct loss to the city, for he measured up to high standards in every relation of life.
Homer Grant Whitmore was born in Rochester, on August 17, 1880, a son of Valentine and Eunice (Haight) Whitmore, and attended the public schools of Rochester, afterward becoming a student in the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, from which he was graduated in 1904 on the completion of a course in civil engineer- ing. Subsequently he became a member of the firm of Whitmore, Rauber & Vicinus and had charge of their brick-making plant. He was a director of the firm and also served as vice president of the Rochester Clay, Brick & Tile Company, both of which profited by his enterprise, initiative and administrative ability. He worked untiringly and effectively to broaden the scope of these two organizations and his business associates deferred to his judgment in matters of importance.
In Rochester, on January 9, 1906, Mr. Whitmore was married to Miss Mildred Cook, a daughter of John C. and Jeannette (Plass) Cook, the former of whom was in the service of R. G. Dun for thirty-seven years and during seventeen years of that period was manager of the local agency. Mr. and Mrs. Whitmore became the parents of two sons: Homer Grant, Jr., born December 12, 1906; and John Howard, born January 25, 1910.
Mr. Whitmore was a conscientious member of the Brick Presbyterian church of Rochester, in which he served as vice president of the men's class. His political support was given to the candidates of the republican party. He was a member of the Rochester Engineering Society and an able exponent of his profession. He was a Rotarian and also belonged to the Chamber of Commerce and the Rochester Club. In the Masonic order he had attained the thirty-second degree and was also a member of Damascus Temple of the Mystic Shrine. With him there was no compromise with anything that he did not consider right. He had surrounded himself with a large circle of friends, whose admiration for his ability was surpassed only by their respect for his sterling qualities and many lovable traits of character.
W. S. COBB, M. D.
Dr. W. S. Cobb, who enjoys a position of well-merited distinction as one of the ablest members of the medical profession in western New York, has been continuously engaged in practice at Corning for more than a third of a century. He was born in Berkshire county, West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, on the 23d of September, 1863, his parents being George H. and Emily (Spencer) Cobb. After the completion of a high school course he began the study of pharmacy, at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in Boston, and when he had mastered a thorough course in drugs he entered the Albany Medical College, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1890. He at once opened an office in Corning, where he has remained
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.