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 54
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In 1875 our subject married Nellie, daughter of Oril Smith of Sodus, N. Y., and they have four children : Milo, Nellie, Harold and Florence. In 1884 Mr. Cleveland took up his residence in Brockport.
FRANK H. CLEMENT.
THE Clement family in America descends from Robert Clement, who came from England in his own vessel and settled in Haverhill. Mass., in 1638. Many of his descendants have borne prominent parts in the commercial, social and political life of the American government and of the several States in which they located, while in military capacities their deeds of heroism and valor have placed theirs among the distinguished names in history. Harris Clement, son of John and Polly (Richardson) Clement, was born, a lineal descendant of the immigrant Robert, in Petersham, Mass., in 1801. His maternal ancestor was one of three brothers named Harris, all of whom were active patriots in the Revolutionary war. In 1824 or 1825 he settled in mercan- tile business in Clarkson, Monroe county, whence he subsequently removed to Parma, where he served as supervisor several terms, being re-elected many times without opposition. In 1864 he came to Rochester as deputy collector of internal revenue under Samuel P. Allen, a position he held about three years. A staunch Republican he was long an influential factor in the politics of the county and frequently served his party in important capacities. He died in this city May 13, 1873, widely respected and esteemed. His wife, Clarissa T. Pond, of Knoxboro, Oneida county, N. Y., died May 13, 1879. They had two sons: Theodore T., of Ypsilanti, Mich., and Frank H., the subject of this sketch, of Rochester.
Frank H. Clement was born in Parma, this county, June 26, 1843, and spent his early years upon his father's farm on the Ridge road. He was educated in the pub- lic schools, Parma Academy, and Rochester Collegiate Institute, and for two years thereafter taught district school. At a youthful age he developed a decided taste for mechanics, and especially for drawing and engineering. Removing to Rochester in 1863 he entered the employ of D. A. Woodbury & Co., steam engine builders, with whom he remained five years, part of the time being foreman and draughtsman. In 1868 he received the appointment of inspector of steam boilers for the 28th Congres- sional District and served in that capacity one year. He then formed a co-partner- ship with W. S. Loughborough as solicitor of patents at Rochester, but while thus engaged his health failed and he was forced to seek other employment.
In 1871 he practically founded his present business in a small jobbing machine shop by forming a partnership with Thomas L. Turner, under the style of Turner & Clement, which continued to 1877, when he purchased his partner's interest and be- came sole owner, the headquarters being the Greenwood building in Mill street. The next year the business began to grow perceptibly, and in 1882 it had outgrown the limits of the premises occupied. A second floor was added; ir: 1886 a third floor, and in 1888 a fourth floor was added. The specialties manufactured were saws,
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planers, boring machines, lathes, etc., such as were necessary in the manufacture of furniture, chairs, carriages, wood patterns, cars, agricultural implements, etc. The business steadily developed into extensive proportions until in 1890 it again needed more room and better facilities, and in that year the brick buildings now occupied by the concern were erected for the purpose on Lyell avenue adjoining the Erie canal. Meanwhile the products manufactured had increased both in volume and variety until in 1892-93 seventy different machines were listed, shipments being made to all parts of the United States as well as to many foreign countries. In 1891 the Frank H. Clement Company was incorporated with a paid up capital of $60,000 and with Mr. Clement as president and manager. This arrangement still continues, although the actual capital employed is over $100,000. Mr. Clement has been the mechanical and business head of the concern from the start, having made all the original designs, having supervised the construction of all work, and up to 1891 having attended per- sonally to the details and correspondence of the office. He has successfully built up one of the largest manufacturing establishments of the kind in the State.
Mr. Clement, although keenly alive to the best interests of the public welfare, has never been a candidate for public office, but has steadily devoted his attention and energy to a large and growing business. For twenty-two years he was a prominent member of the Brick Presbyterian church of Rochester; in 1884 he became a charter member and ruling elder of the North Presbyterian church and still retains those re- lations. He married, first, in 1866, Miss Harriet E., daughter of Armitstead Fielden, of Brockport, by whom he had five children, of whom two, Benjamin Harris and Mary Genevieve, are living. The mother died in 1880, and in 1882 Mr. Clement married Miss Lovisa S. Knapp, of Farmington, Pa., but for several years a teacher in the public schools of Rochester.
CHARLES T. CROUCH.
CHARLES T. CROUCH, one of the largest lumber dealers in Western New York, was born in Rochester on May 25, 1829, and is a son of William Crouch, a contractor, who came here from England about 1822 and died November 19, 1842. William Crouch married Catherine Harmon, who was born July 11, 1800, and died July 16, 1895. They had six children, of whom our subject was the fifth. Charles T. Crouch ob- tained his education in the public schools of his native city, and when a young man engaged in teaming. In 1857 he formed a partnership with his brother George W., under the name of G. W. & C. T. Crouch, and embarked in the manufacture of lumber, which they continued about four years. In 1862 they engaged in the coal business. In 1868 they associated themselves with George Bentley, of Rochester, and Samuel R. Hart, of Brighton, as G. W. Crouch & Co., and began the manufac- ture of lumber on Crouch island, where they put up a large saw-mill. Two years later the Messrs. Crouch purchased Mr. Hart's interest and two years after that Mr. Bentley retired, the style of the firm becoming G. W. & C. T. Crouch. About 1875 they formed a partnership with H. H. Craig, as Craig & Crouches, and this firm es- tablished, independent of the saw-mill, a large wholesale and retail lumber business on Griffith street, which was continued by them until 1880, when the Crouch brothers
MB Shank
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purchased Mr. Craig's interest and took their sons, George W., jr., and Frank P. (sons of G. W.), and Charles H. (son of C. T.) into the firm as G. W. & C. T. Crouch & Sons. They continued both the lumber trade and saw-mill business for about three years, when George W. Crouch, jr., withdrew. In 1887 Charles T. and Charles H. Crouch sold their interests in both establishments to G. W. & F. P. Crouch and, forming the firm of C. T. Crouch & Son, started their present extensive wholesale and retail lumber business on West street near Lyell avenue, where they also have a large sash and blind factory and planing-mill. They handle from 8,000,000 to 10,- 000,000 feet of lumber annually and employ on an average thirty-five or forty hands.
Mr. Crouch is one of the oldest and best known lumber dealers in Western New York, and for nearly forty years has been intimately connected with the business in Rochester. He has long been identified with the city's growth and material pros- perity, assisting in building it up, and contributing liberally to its advancement. In politics he has always been a Democrat and for two years represented the Twelfth ward in the Common Council, but excepting this has steadfastly declined public of- fice, preferring to devote his entire attention to business interests. As a citizen he is one of the prominent men of Rochester. He is a 32d degree Mason, being a member of Valley Lodge F. & A. M., Hamilton Chapter R. A. M., Monroe Commandery K. T., Doric Council, and the Scottish Rite bodies. He is also a memberof the Abelard Club of this city.
In 1851 Mr. Crouch was married to Miss Susan Streeter, daughter of Thomas Streeter, of Rochester. They are the parents of five children, all married, namely: Mary H. (Mrs. Sidney R. Ireland), of Chicago; Delia E. (Mrs. George H. Lookup), of Marion, Wayne county; Charles H., who married Sarah, daughter of John Han- cock, of Rochester; and Rhoda E. (Mrs. Henry H. Turner) and Nellie S. (Mrs. C. C. Beahan), both of Rochester,
MOSES B. SHANTZ.
MOSES B. SHANTZ was born in Berlin, Canada, August 24, 1852. His great-great- grandfather, with many others, fled from Switzerland to this country in 1737 because of the remorseless persecution which his sect, the Mennonites, suffered at the hands of the Swiss government. This sect distinctively upheld a non-resisting doctrine, similar to that of the Society of Friends or Quakers, and most of their number set- tled in or near Philadelphia. They came hither mainly through the influence of William Penn, and because the king of England had declared free exercise of con- science and exempted the so-called Quakers, Dunkers, and Mennonites from military duty and the swearing of oath, a law that stands good with the English government unto this day. Mr. Shantz's maternal grandfather, Mr. Biehn, settled in Canada in 1804; his grandmother came with her family in 1807; and his grandfather, Jacob Shantz, became resident there in 1810. The latter made the journey thither by way of the Genesee country. passing through forest and brush where the city of Roches- ter now stands, and being accompanied by Col. Nathaniel Rochester, the subsequent founder of the place. His son, Jacob Y. Shantz, has long been an active and influ- ential factor in the colonization of some of the remoter parts of Canada, and is still
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prominently identified with the northwestern section of that vast territory. He was instrumental in inaugurating a tide of immigration soon after the visit of several delegates from Russia in 1873. The next year 1,800 persons came to Manitoba; in 1875 about 4,000 arrived. In three years 1,343 families, consisting of nearly 8,000 souls, all Mennonites, settled in Manitoba, all coming from Russia to escape the laws which conflicted with their religious doctrine. Most of them were Germans, having left Germany for the same reason some eighty years before. The sum of $94,200 was appropriated by the Canadian government and $34,000 more by the people of Mani- toba for the purpose of assisting these immigrants, nearly all of whom were poor, and Mr. Shantz had full control of this money. He has lived to see his colonies prosper and himself ranked among the foremost benefactors of the country.
Moses B. Shantz, son of Jacob Y., was educated in his native town, and after at- tending a business college entered the employ of his father as bookkeeper and man- ager, in which capacity he continued for several years. Meanwhile he made a study of the manufacture of buttons and in 1887 came to Rochester, where he began in a small way the business to which he has since devoted his attention. His trade grad- ually developed from insignificant to extensive proportions, and in 1891 the M. B. Shantz Co. was incorporated with a capital of $150,000, and with M. B. Shantz, presi- dent; H. E. Welcher, vice-president; and H. K. Elston, secretary and treasurer, all of whom still hold their respective offices. They carry on a large business, which
extends all over this continent, operate one of the largest factories of the kind in America, and maintain branch salesrooms in New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago.
December 7, 1875, Mr. Shantz was married to Miss Veronica Bingeman, daughter of Jonas Bingeman, of Waterloo county, Ontario, Canada. They have seven chil- dren: J. Edgar, H. Elizabeth, J. Alson, Vera M., Katie Irene, Marshall B., and Harold E.
ISAAC BUTTS.
ISAAC BUTTS was born in Washington, Dutchess county, N. Y., January 11, 1816, and died in Rochester, November 20, 1874. At the age of twelve he removed with his father's family to the town of Irondequoit, Monroe county, where he lived upon a farm and received common school instruction. Approaching to majority, he sought a more liberal education and received it under Prof. Chester Dewey, principal of the Rochester High School. After successfully following various pursuits he adopted the profession of journalism, and in October, 1845, purchased and assumed editorship of the Rochester Advertiser, the oldest daily paper in the United States west of Albany, and the leading organ of the Democratic party in Western New York. During the following year, 1846, slavery became a prominent issue in the politics of the United States, as a consequence of the war with Mexico, and the pending acqui- sition of territory by treaty of peace. The question was, whether slavery should be allowed or prohibited by Congress in the acquired territory, and discussion of it was forced in August, 1846, by the introduction in the House of Representatives of the " Wilmot Proviso," to the effect that slavery should be excluded. Mr. Butts took strong ground against both sides in the controversy, and promulgated the doctrine
S.r. Clarke
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
that the people of the territories should settle the question for themselves. Credit for the origin of this principle of " Popular Sovereignty," or "Squatter Sovereignty," as its opponents contemptuously stigmatized it, has been erroneously claimed for each of three distinguished senators-Daniel S. Dickinson, Lewis Cass, and Stephen A. Douglas-respectively from New York, Michigan, and Illinois. The records prove that it was first advocated by Mr. Butts in the Daily Advertiser of February 8, 1847; by Mr. Dickinson in the Senate December 13, 1847; by General Cass in his Nicholson letter December 24, 1847; and by Judge Douglas in the discus- sion in the compromise measures in the Senate June 17, 1850. In the division of the Democratic party that followed in 1848 Mr. Butts took sides with the " Barnburners " of New York in support of Van Buren and Adams, against the " Hunkers," who sus- tained Cass and Butler. After the defeat of the latter he sold the Advertiser to a syndicate of " Hunkers," and, retiring from editorial service, engaged in the enter- prise of the House printing telegraph and in the construction of lines in Western States, converging at St. Louis. After the presidential election of 1852 he returned to journalism by the purchase of a half-interest in the Rochester Daily Union, which had been established in August of that year to support the Democratic candidates, ' Pierce and King. In 1857 the Daily Advertiser was joined with the Union, and Mr. Butts continued as editor until December, 1864, when he permanently retired. About the beginning of this last period of editorial service there was a consolidation of telegraphic lines and interests by the incorporation of the Western Union Tele- graph Company, of which Mr. Butts was one of the organizers and for many years one of the managers. Mr. Butts never held any public position beyond acting as a delegate for his party in several State and National Conventions. He was elected a delegate-at-large to the New York Constitutional Convention of 1866, but declined to serve. He was a man of marked talent, both natural and acquired. Possessed of an analytical and logical mind he was a powerful controversialist ; and he has left bro- chures on finance, protection, free trade, and other subjects, that are remarkable for originality and force. His volume on " Protection and Free Trade," with a memoir, was published posthumously (New York, 1875).'
GEORGE W. CLARK
GEORGE W. CLARK represents one of the pioneer families of the Genesee country. Calvin Clark, his grandfather, came with his wife, five sons, and four daughters from Connecticut to Penfield in 1801 and settled upon an unbroken farm a short distance north of what is now Penfield. He was highly respected for his many noble quali- ties and New England characteristics, and took a keen but quiet interest in the growth and prosperity of the new settlement. Patriotic and public spirited he par- ticipated as a civilian in the war of 1812, hauling provisions, etc., to the Niagara frontier, and dying, while thus engaged, near Lewiston. Alpheus Clark, his eldest son, was born in Connecticut in August, 1788, came to Penfield with his father's family, and for many years assisted in their support. He was a lifelong farmer and
J Adapted from "Appleton's Cyclopaedia of American Biography," Vol. I., 1888.
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resident of that town, and died in August, 1861. on the homestead now owned by his son, George W. His wife was Rhoda, daughter of Libbeus Ross, grandfather of Austin P. Ross, whose sketch appears in this volume. She died December 28, 1853, aged sixty-one. Both were early and prominent members and liberal supporters of the Penfield Baptist church, and materially contributed to the progress and welfare of their community. Their children were Adelia A (Mrs. William R. Thomas), de- ceased: Deborah L. (Mrs. Chauncey Knapp), of Adrian, Mich .; Alpheus S., long a prominent citizen of Penfield, some time justice of the peace, and three years justice of sessions, who died in February, 1875; Orrin M., who died in Penfield in January, 1891, aged sixty-seven ; Rhoda A. (Mrs. J. C. Sampson), Albion, Mich .; George W., the subject of this sketch; and Peninah M. (Mrs. John Peck), of Clifton Park, Sara- toga county.
George W. Clark was born in Penfield on the 16th of June, 1831, and received his education from the district schools of the day. Reared on the farm he remained a farmer until April, 1895, when he removed to Rochester, where he lives in retirement, enjoying the accumulations of a profitable and successful career. He has always been a generous supporter of educational, religious, and benevolent objects, giving all good movements a hearty encouagement and forwarding every enterprise which promoted the public welfare. His native town, which so long honored him as a resi- dent, ever found in him a loyal friend and a thorough benefactor. In politics he has been a life-long Republican, affiliating with that party upon its organization, and triumphally carrying its banner to victory in many exciting local campaigns. For more than two decades he has been active in its councils and prominent as one of its trusted leaders. In 1875 he was elected town assessor and served for six consecutive years. In 1881, 1882, and 1883, he represented the town of Penfield on the Board of Supervisors, where he labored zealously for the public good. He was for some time a citizen member of the Town Board of Health and for three years a member of the Republican County Committee from Penfield, being continuously one of its executive committee and for two years its treasurer. In the spring of 1890 he was again elected supervisor and served by re-election for four successive years. In November, 1893, he was elected delegate from the first district of Monroe to the State Constitutional Convention which met in Albany in May, 1894. On August 26, 1895, although a new resident of Rochester, he was nominated for supervisor of the Twelfth ward on the Republican ticket. He has been a member of the Penfield Union Lodge, No. 154, F. & A. M., longer than any other living man and was its master for four years. He is also a member of Hamilton Chapter, No. 69, R. A. M., Monroe Commandery, No. 12, K. T., Ancient Arabic Order of Noble Mystic Shrine, Damascus Temple, and the Supervisors' and Ex-Supervisors' Association of Monroe county, of which he has been for several years a vice-president.
Mr. Clark was married on November 17, 1864, to Miss Margaret E. Brooks, daugh- ter of Israel Brooks, of Saratoga county, N. Y. They have five children: Dora P. (wife of Charles J. Brown, president of the Brown Brothers Company, nurserymen, of Rochester), Ruth E., Jennie Mae, I. Brooks, and J. Porter.
unter
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
DANIEL DEAVENPORT.
DANIEL DEAVENPORT, the pioneer commission merchant of Rochester, and whole- sale dealer in butter, eggs, fruits, etc., and the one who built the first cold storage houses for carrying butter and eggs, was born in Watertown, Jefferson county, N. Y., September 13, 1839, and received his education in the public schools of his native village (now a city). At the age of scarcely eighteen he became a clerk in a grocery store in that place and remained fifteen months, when poor health compelled him to resign. Afterward, upon the advice of a friend, who loaned him $400, he engaged in the retail grocery and fruit business in Watertown, which he successfully con- ducted until March, 1865, when he sold out and came to Rochester, where he has since resided. Here he first established a retail grocery trade, under the firm name of Deavenport & Wilmott, and so continued until the partnership expired three years later. He was then on State street for one year, when ill health again forced him to sell out, and for the following year he carried on a shipping business in a small way. This may be regarded as the foundation of his present extensive whole- sale establishment, for it was during this period that he formed associations which subsequently led to the starting of the largest commission houses in Rochester. He purchased the grocery store at what was then 163 East Main street and established business under the name of the "Liberty Pole Commission House," which has developed into one of the best known enterprises in the city. This was a retail trade, and was gradually converted into wholesaling butter and eggs, two years later adding 161 East Main street, running the two stores, wholesale and retail. After fifteen years, or in 1883, he again sold out and opened his present store at the corner of East Main and Franklin streets, which retains the old name. Here Mr. Deavenport engaged in wholesaling butter, eggs, fruit and produce, and so con- tinues. In 1886 he purchased the building on the corner of North and Chatham streets, which he fitted up for a cold storage and warehouse. He also has a large cold storage in connection with the store, both of which were built for his use by the Wicks Refrigerator Company.
Mr. Deavenport is one of the largest and best known wholesale commission dealers in the country. He originally bought butter and eggs largely in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties, and about fifteen years ago extended his purchases into the west, where he now carries on an immense business. He brought the first full car of butter ever brought into Rochester, and he demonstrated the feasibility of of that method of transportation. For the past ten years he has given employment to about fifteen men, and during the busy season the force greatly increases in num- ber. In February, 1893, the concern adopted its present style of D. Deavenport & Co., but it still retains the familiar name of the Liberty Pole Commission House, a name derived from a historic liberty pole which for many years was a conspicuous landmark near by on East Main street.
As a citizen Mr. Deavenport has always manifested a lively interest in public affairs, aiding in promoting every worthy object, and lending his influence in the cause of progress and advancement. His energies, however, have been strictly con- fined to business, for in the conduct of this his time has been fully occupied.
In February, 1863, he married a daughter of Rev. F. H. Stanton. They have no children, and are both in the prime of life, enjoying good health.
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DANIEL W. POWERS.
AMONG the pre-eminently distinguished citizens of Rochester is Daniel W. Powers, who was born in Batavia, Genesee county, N. Y., June 14, 1818. His parents, Asabel and Elizabeth (Powell) Powers, from Vermont, were among the earliest pioneers of Western New York and died, leaving the lad an orphan in boyhood. He was reared by an uncle and remained on the farm until nineteen years of age, when he came to Rochester and entered the employ of Ebenezer Watts, a hardware dealer, for whom he clerked until 1849. He then engaged in business as a banker and broker, and on March 1, 1850, published in the paper his intention of conducting an " Exchange business in the Eagle block, Rochester, one door west of the Monroe Bank in Buffalo street." His success in the undertaking is evinced by the fact that on the site of that office now stands the beautiful and substantial Powers fire-proof building, the first, finest, and most celebrated of the great modern commercial structures erected in the city.' It was built in 1870 and contains the famous Powers Art Gallery, which is known throughout the world, and which is valued at more than $1,000,000. Adjoining it on West Main street he completed in 1883 the Powers Fire- proof Hotel, one of the most popular first-class hostelries in the United States. These handsome buildings, together with the gallery, have spread the fair fame of Rochester as well as the name of Powers over all English-speaking countries, while the great gallery itself has made this city one of the leading art centers of America.
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