USA > New York > Monroe County > Landmarks of Monroe County, New York : containing followed by brief historical sketches of the towns of the county with biography and family history > Part 46
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Fred Ebert Drake, born in Ravenna, Ohio, November 17, 1857, is a lineal descendant on his mother's side from Rev. Thomas Hooker, a celebrated New England divine, and the founder of the city of Hart- ford, Conn., who was born in England about 1586, emigrated with his congregation to Hartford in 1636, and died July 7, 1649. The line of descent is, (1) Rev. Thomas Hooker, (2) Samuel Hooker, (3) Joseph Hooker, (4) Joseph Hooker,jr., (5) Mary Hooker (who married Rev. John Eastman), (6) Elias Eastman, (7) Jane A. Eastman (who married Prof. John A. Drake), and (8) F. E. Drake. The family was prominent in New England history, and numbers among its members the Ingersolls, Fowlers, and many other notable representatives. When an infant F. E. Drake moved with his parents to Medina, Mich., where he received his earlier education at the Oak Grove academy, of which his father, Prof. John A. Drake, was principal. In 1870 he removed with his parents to a farm in the town of Howard, Steuben county, N. Y , and later attended the Canisteo and Haverling (Bath) academies. In 1879 he entered the law office of William Rumsey, now justice of the Supreme court, at Bath, and remained there until August, 1881, when he became managing clerk for Judge William E. Bonham at Hornellsville, where he finished his legal studies. Admitted to the bar at the Buffalo gen- eral term in June, 1882, he began practice in partnership with Perry J. Hallett, at Canisteo, N. Y., and continued one year, and October I, 1883, he came to Rochester, an entire stranger, and for six months occupied offices with the late Joseph A. Eastman. Following this he was for two years managing clerk for George H. Humphrey, and in April, 1887, formed a partnership with George T. Parker, as Parker & Drake, to which G. Force Parker was admitted in 1891, when the firm became Parker, Drake & Parker. G. F. Parker retired in 1894. The firm was dissolved by the death of G. T. Parker, May 31, 1895. In August, 1895, he associated with himself George E. Milliman, a prom- ising young lawyer, who had been managing clerk in his office a few years before, forming the firm of Drake & Milliman. Mr. Drake is a mem- ber of the West Side Improvement association, the Rochester Chess club, the Columbia Rifle and Pistol club, and the Church club. Sep- tember 25, 1888, he married Fannie B. Gregory, daughter of Capt. John Gregory, of Rochester, and they have one son, John Eastman Drake.
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Willis K. Gillette was born in Milford, Otsego county, N. Y., April 25, 1866. His father, Rev. Charles Gillette, a Presbyterian clergyman, held pastorates in New York city, Fort Covington, Franklin county (fourteen years), Mannsville (four years), and Red Creek (three years), and in 1877 moved to Rochester, where he died December 9, 1887, aged seventy-four. Willis K. received his rudimentary education in No. 3 and 15 schools of this city and was graduated from the Rochester Free academy in 1884. After filling a position as reporter on the Post Express for a short time he began the study of law in the office of Sulli- van & Morris and finished with Hon. Alfred Ely, and was graduated from the law department of the university of Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1891. He was admitted to the bar of this state at Rochester in Oc- tober of the same year and immediately commenced the practice of his profession in the offices of Hon. Alfred Ely and H. F. Remington, where he has since remained. He has been somewhat active in politics since attaining his majority, and since 1893 has represented the Third ward in the board of education. He is a staunch Republican and an able and conscientious worker for the welfare of his party.
Selden S. Brown, son of D. D. S. Brown, was born at Scottsville, Monroe county, October 23, 1855. By attending the public schools of his native village and the Rochester Collegiate institute he was well fitted for the higher studies of the university of Rochester, from which he graduated in 1879. After a course of legal study in the law office of Messrs. Hubbell & McGuire, of Rochester, Mr. Brown was admitted to the bar in 1882, and the same year opened an office in that city. He has since been an active worker in his profession, being prominent both as an office attorney and as a speaker before a jury. Mr. Brown continues to reside in Scottsville, where he is school trustee and senior warden of Grace church. He resides in a house recently built by him on a part of the Brown homestead farm on the northwest corner of Brown's avenue and Maple avenue. Mr. Brown is also one of the railroad commissioners of the town of Wheatland, having been ap- pointed to succeed his father at the time of his father's death.
Frederick F. Church, of the law firm of Church & Church, of Washing- ton, D. C., and Rochester, N. Y., was born at Alexandria, Va., May 4, 1864. About 1871 he moved with his parents to Washington, where
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he received his preparatory education. In 1886 he was graduated from the Columbian law school with the degree of LL. B., and the same year was admitted to the bar of the Supreme court of the District of Columbia. In 1887 he took a post-graduate course in that institution and received the degree of LL. M .; in 1889 he was admitted to prac- tice in the courts of this state, the previous year having opened an office in Rochester, where he has since resided. In 1894 he was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the United States. His practice is confined exclusively to the U. S. courts and comprises patent and trade mark law. He is a member of the legal fraternity of the Phi Delta Phi, the Genesee Valley and Rochester Athletic clubs, and the Rochester Bar association. He is also standing examiner of the U. S. Circuit court.
William T. Plumb was born in Lewis county, N. Y., September 14, 1867, where he received his rudimentary education. He removed with his parents to Rochester and entered the Free academy, and upon graduation received a scholarship to the university of Rochester, from which he was graduated with honor in 1887, taking the Townsend scholarship. Choosing law as his profession, Mr. Plumb began his studies in the office of Shuart & Sutherland, and was admitted to the bar at the general term at Rochester in October, 1893. He has suc- cessfully built up a large and lucrative practice. In January, 1895, Mr. Plumb was appointed by Mayor Lewis secretary of the Civil Service board. He is a member of the Psi Upsilon and Phi Beta Kappa fraternities and the Rochester Athletic club.
Alvin Block was born in Rochester, N. Y., April 30, 1862, where he attended the public schools and later became a student at the Rochester Free academy, from which he was graduated in 1880. He then en- tered the office of Fanning & Williams for the purpose of studying law, and later the office of Charles M. Allen, from which he was admitted to the bar in 1885. In 1885-86 Mr. Block represented the Twelfth ward as a member of the board of supervisors, which has won for him a large practice.
Everett O. Gibbs, son of Warren S., who came to Rochester about 1860, was born in this city April 1, 1870. He was educated in the public schools of Rochester and Syracuse, and later was under the
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private tutelage of Prof. E. M. Sparling. In September, 1887, he en- tered the office of ex-Judge P. B. Hulett for the study of law, and was admitted to the bar at the Rochester general term, March 30, 1893. The same year he formed a partnership with his preceptor, under the firm name of Hulett & Gibbs, which still continues. He is a member of the Flour City Democracy, and one of the rising young attorneys of Rochester.
Edward Arthur Keenan was born at East Bloomfield, Ontario county, N. Y., August 1, 1861. Receiving his rudimentary education in his native town he became a student at the Genesee Wesleyan semi- nary, from which institution he was graduated with honor in June, 1877. He engaged in teaching in the public schools, and in the spring of 1889 entered the office of William W. Mumford, of Rochester, N. Y., as a student at law. He was admitted to the bar at the general term in the fall of 1892, and immediately afterwards formed a co-partnership with his brother-in-law, Judge John M. Murphy, for the practice of general law, which still continues.
George W. Lamb was born in New London, Conn., in August, 1840. His early schooling was received at Penfield, Monroe county, after which, on account of an accident, he was obliged to finish his education at home under the instruction of his sister. He became a law student in the office of John W. Willson, at Penfield, and was admitted to the bar in 1867. He is well known throughout this section of the state on account of his extensive practice as pension attorney. He practiced in Penfield and Fairport, N. Y., each two years, and since 1871 in Roch- ester. He is a Mason, and is prominently identified with various other organizations.
Earl B. Putnam, son of the late George Putnam, was born in Water- ville, N. Y., where he resided until 1881, when he moved to Rochester. He was a graduate of Harvard college in 1879, and in 1880-81 studied law at the Columbia college law school, after which he read law with Hon. Martin W. Cooke, of Rochester, and was admitted to the bar in 1882 from the office of Cooke & Pond, where he remained as managing clerk until 1883. Until 1888 he practiced alone, at which time he formed a partnership with George F. Slocum, which has continued up to the present time. During Mr. Putnam's residence in Rochester he
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was director and secretary of the Silver Lake Ice company, director of the Silver Lake railroad and of the Union bank of Rochester, trustee of the Society for the Organization of Charity, vestryman of St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal church, member of the New York State Bar asso- ciation, Genesee Valley club, Whist club and Kent club. October 17, 1882, he married Grace Williams Tower, daughter of the late Charle- magne Tower, of Philadelphia.
Aldice Gardner Warren was born in South Sodus, Wayne county, N. Y., February 17, 1862. Receiving a common school education in his native town he entered the Rochester Free academy, from which he was graduated in 1879. He then entered the university of Roches- ter and received the degree of A. B. in 1883. He read law in the offices of J. & Q. Van Voorhis, and was admitted to the bar at the Rochester general term in April, 1885. He has since practiced his profession in this city. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, being a member of Genesee Falls lodge, No. 507, F. & A. M., of Monroe commandery, No. 12, K. T., and, of Rochester consistory, having been master of Rochester Council Princes of Jerusalem, He is also a mem- ber of the local chapter of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity and was for four years secretary of the D. K. E. club of the city of Rochester. He is president of the Mutual Life association of New York city.
Andrew Ludolph was born in Rochester, N. Y., May 16, 1864. When a few months old his father died and Mr. Ludolph was adopted by the late Colonel Klinck, with whom and with other members of the family he lived until seventeen years of age. He attended No. 15 school, and in 1887 began the study of law in the office of Satterlee & Yeoman. He was admitted to the bar at the Rochester general term in October, 1891. In the spring of that year he was appointed man- aging clerk in the city attorney's office and filled that position for two years, when he entered into partnership with Arthur Warren, under the firm name of Ludolph & Warren, for the general practice of law, with offices in the Granite building. He is a member of Yonondio lodge, No. 163, F. and A. M., and for several years was prominently con- nected with the Rochester Athletic club.
John H. Chadsey was born in the village of Ballston Spa, Saratoga county, N. Y., March 1, 1845, the eldest son of Dr. Alonzo J. Chadsey,
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a well known and eminent physician of that county. He was educated in private and public schools, and at eleven years of age removed to Schenectady, where he attended the preparatory school in the old Union college building, and graduated from the classical department at the age of sixteen years ; attending the county institute, he received a certificate to teach any common school in Schenectady county. The war of the Rebellion breaking out, he enlisted in Co. A, 132d Regt. N. Y. Vols., but was not mustered in the service on account of being under the required age. After leaving school he was a clerk in his uncle's store for two years, and then removed to New York city and entered the office of the famous lawyer, John Graham, esq., as a student at law, and at the age of twenty-one years was admitted to the bar, Hon. Elbridge T. Gerry being one of the examiners. He remained with Mr. Graham nearly five years thereafter, and was, in May, 1870, employed as an assistant to Messrs. John Graham and Elbridge T. Gerry, the counsel for the prisoner in the celebrated trial of Daniel McFarland, for the killing of Albert D. Richardson, in the Tribune office, in the city of New York. He took a course in political economy and debate at the Cooper institute, and was vice-president of the Cary Political Science society. In February, 1871, he removed to St. Mary's, Kansas, and became a partner in the firm of Sedgwick & Chadsey, in the land, law and insurance business, and had exclusive charge of the law department; returning east in December of the same year he was married to Miss Emma J. Covey, youngest daughter of Alva Covey, of Penfield, Monroe county. In 1873 he moved to Penfield and opened a law office at Fairport, which he afterwards removed to Rochester, re- taining his residence at Penfield until 1891, when he removed to the city of Rochester. He has been constantly engaged in the practice of law, is well known, and has an extensive practice in Monroe county and vicinity; he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for years, and is past master of Penfield Union lodge, F. and A. M. In politics he is a Republican, casting his first presidential vote for U. S. Grant in 1868; he was a member of the Republican county committee of Monroe county for four years, two of which he was treasurer of said committee.
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Herbert J. Menzie was born at Riga, N. Y., June 19, 1862. He at- tended the public schools of his native town and later became a student at the Brockport Normal school, from which he was graduated in 1881. He then entered the university of Rochester and was graduated from that institution in 1886, reciving the degree of B. A., winning the senior mathematical prize (Stoddard medal), being one of the commencement speakers, and being elected a member of Phi Beta Kappa fraternity. From 1886 to 1888 he was principal of the 17th district school of Mil- waukee, Wis., and while there received a state life certificate for teach- ing. He then entered the law department of Yale college and remained one year, when he came to Rochester and began the study of his chosen profession in the office of McNaughton & Taylor. He was admitted to the bar in 1890, and since then he has practiced law in this city, where he has been successful. He is a member of Rochester lodge, No. 660, F. and A. M., the Alpha Delta Phi, and of the Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity.
Scott Cummings was born in 1852 in Cattaraugus county, this state. His education was derived from the common schools, and a few terms at an academy, in connection with special courses of study. His father, John T. Cummings. was a man of excellent mind, character, and intelli- gence. The son inherited the disposition for general reading, and early acquired this wholesome habit, so that his education came largely from self- help. Mr. Cummings pursued a four years' course of legal study, and was admitted to the bar of this state at Buffalo, general term, in June, 1881. For five years thereafter he practiced law in Erie county. In the spring of 1886 he removed to the city of Rochester, since which time he has been the attorney and counsel for the mercantile agency of Messrs. R. G. Dun & Co.
George V. Fleckenstein was born in Rochester, N. Y., March 22, 1868. His father, Valentine Fleckenstein, was also born here, a son of Valentine, sr., who came from Germany at a very early day. George V. attended SS. Peter and Paul's parochial school and from 1880 to 1883 the Rochester Free academy. He then entered Canisius college of Buffalo, from which he received the degree of B.A. in 1888, standing the highest in his class and receiving the gold medal prize for mental and moral philosophy. Leaving college he read law in the office of
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Bacon, Briggs & Beckley, in Rochester, and finished his legal studies in the Columbia law school, being admitted to the bar in the First de- partment in 1890. Immediately after his admission he became manag- ing clerk for Morse & Wensley, of New York city, which position he held two years. He then returned to Rochester and opened his present office.
Benjamin B. Chace was born in Detroit, Mich., October 13, 1868. His maternal grandparents, Carlos and Olive B. Dutton, came to Roch- ester from Vermont on the Erie canal about 1830 and died here. Mr. Dutton's death occurred about 1874, from the effects of a wound received in the war of the Rebellion. He was a contractor and builder, and afterward became superintendent of the R., W. & O. railroad, and later of the Syracuse and Buffalo division of the Central-Hudson rail- road. He was always an active citizen, and during the Rebellion served as quartermaster with the rank of captain. Rev. George S. Chace, father of Benjamin B., was graduated from the university of Rochester in 1852, and from the Rochester Theological seminary in 1854. Dur- ing the civil war he had a pastorate at Pittsburg, Pa., where he was active in raising troops and promoting the Union cause ; he also held pastorates in Columbus, Ohio, and Detroit, Mich., whence he was called to Boston, but was taken sick enroute and died at New Bedford, Mass., in June, 1870. Soon afterward his wife removed with her family to Rochester, where Benjamin B. Chace was graduated from Grammar school No. 15. He was also graduated from the Free academy in 1885 and from the university of Rochester in 1889. In 1890 he entered the law offices of Satterlee & Yeoman, and was admitted to the bar at the Rochester general term in March, 1892. He remained with his pre- ceptors as managing clerk until the spring of 1893, when he assumed charge of the searching department of the Rochester Title Insurance company, which position he now holds, acting also as secretary for the corporation.
V. J. Ruppert was born in Germany, where he received his education. He was graduated from an institution in his native country in 1872 as LL.D., and immediately afterward came to America. In 1884 he was admitted to the bar in Rochester, where he has since practiced at his profession.
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Frederick W. Smith was born in South Granville, Washington county, N. Y., September 13, 1856, and was graduated from the high school of Ithaca, N. Y., in 1876. In the fall of that year he entered Cornell university and was graduated in 1880, receiving the degree of B. A. and being president of his class. He then came to Rochester and engaged in newspaper work. He was connected with the Evening Express in 1880, the Morning Herald in 1881-82, and the Union and Advertiser in 1882-84. He was clerk of the Supreme court from 1885 to 1890, and was admitted to the bar in 1887. From 1891 to 1892 he was man- aging clerk for Bacon, Briggs, Beckley & Bissell. Since 1892 he has been engaged in general practice of the law, with an office in the Ger- man Insurance building. In the fall of 1894 he was chosen Democratic state committeeman from the Monroe county district.
Henry M. Hill was born in Buffalo, N. Y. He prepared for college at Arcade academy, attended Genesee college, and was graduated from Syracuse university in 1872. In the same year he was graduated from the Law school of Michigan university. He was teacher of mathe- matics and natural science in Ovid seminary and in Gouverneur semi- nary for one year each. In 1873 he began the practice of law at Ar- cade, N. Y., and remained there until 1881, when he removed to Roch- ester, where he has since practiced his profession. He is now the senior member of the law firm of Hill & Shaw.
John Warren Castleman was born at Brighton, Monroe county, N.Y., July 9, 1868. After attending the common schools he entered the Rochester Free academy, from which he was graduated June 1, 1889. He then began the study of law with the late Oscar Craig, and was ad- mitted to the bar at the general term at Buffalo, N. Y., June 8, 1891. Since then he began the practice of his profession in this city.
John N. Drake was born in Clarkson, N. Y., February 2, 1854. His father, Elijah, was a native of Cayuga county, and came to Monroe county in 1832. He married Martha E., daughter of Rev. Morris Bull, D. D., and died January 26, 1889, in his sixty ninth year. The family trace their descent to Sir Francis Drake. Samuel Drake, his great- grandfather, was a colonel in the Revolutionary war. John N. was educated at the Brockport and Geneseo Normal schools, graduating in 1872. He began the study of law in Rochester, and was admitted to
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the bar in 1876. Removing to Brockport in 1881 he established a gen- eral practice. In 1878 he married Louise E., daughter of Rev. Alfred A. Graley, and their children are Merle G., Henry J., Margaret L., and Catherine M. Our subject has served as justice of the peace ten years and clerk and attorney of the village of Brockport since 1883. He has compiled and published a volume entitled "The Village Charter," which is a complete compilation of the laws governing all villages in the state.
Henry A. Walker, although but a recent comer to Fairport, is already rated high as a man and citizen as well as an attorney. He was born at Charlestown, Mass., in 1844. His father, George Walker, was a sea captain in the East India trade. Although but a boy at the outbreak of the war, he ran away from home and enlisted in Co. A, Fifth Maine Infantry, and during his service, which continued from April, 1861, to February 10, 1866, he was for personal bravery successively promoted to first lieutenant, captain, and brevet-major ; he was severely wounded at Malvern Hill, and while a member of General Sheridan's personal staff was again severely wounded at Cedar Creek. After the war he studied law at Harvard college, and in 1871 opened an office at Boston, Mass., afterwards removing to West Medway, Mass. He was sent to the Massachusetts legislature in 1873 and 1874, and was for twenty-one years a justice, besides holding various other minor official offices.
John D. Burns was born in New York city, March 9, 1854. His father, John, was a native of Bath, England, who came to this country in 185.3, with his wife, Maria, daughter of John Marshall, and in 1855 located in Brockport. He enlisted in Co. H, 108th Regt. N. Y. vols., and served four years. John B. was educated at the Brockport State Normal school, and afterwards taught school four years. In 1874 he began the study of law in the office of Major John Norris, of Buffalo, and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1877, beginning practice in Brockport, which he still continues. In 1883 he married Clara E., daughter of George H. Smith, and they have one son, George. Our subject is a leading mem- ber of the Monroe county bar, and takes an active interest in town affairs, having been a member of the local board of the Brockport State Normal school for the past six years.
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F. D. H. Cobb, of Fairport, was born at Fort Edward, N. Y., July 8, I 866. His father, the late Amos H. Cobb, was at that time in the paper business in New York city. He established in 1881 a canned goods factory, which has grown into one of the most important indus- tries of Fairport. Mr. Cobb was, at the time of his father's death, en- gaged in the practice of law in Rochester, having been admitted to the bar in January, 1889. His preparatory studies were prosecuted at the Brooklyn Collegiate Polytechnic institute, the Fairport Classical Union school and at Colgate university, from which he was graduated in 1886. He is a member of the New York State Bar association.
Theodore S. Dean was born in Syracuse, July 26, 1845. The father was R. S. Dean, a native of Oswego county, and the family trace their descent to one of that name that came from Scotland about 1750. Theodore S. was educated in the Walworth institute, and on August 10, 1862, enlisted in Co. G, 138th N. Y. Vols , afterwards transferred to 9th N. Y. H. Art. He participated in the several battles of the regi- ment at Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and the Shenandoah Valley, re- maining till the close of the war. Returning home he began the study of law in the office of James L. Bagg of Syracuse, and was admitted to the bar in 1867. He was also with the firm of Ruger & Jenney. In 1868 he went to Chicago, and in 187I came to Brockport, and engaged in practice, where he has since continued. He is attorney for several corporations, and has a large practice. He has served as justice of the peace sixteen years. In 1878 he married Alice Wood, who died in January, 1880. In 1883 he married Hattie B. McArthur. Their chil- dren are Maria A. and Edith M. Our subject is identified in advanc- ing the best interests of his town and is prominent in Republican poli- tics in Western New York.
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