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 96
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in 1889, the latter being a post-graduate course in medicine. His father and mother were natives of Ireland and came to America in 1850. They settled in Ansonia, Conn. ; after a few years they removed to New York city, where his father died Sep- tember 1, 1860. His mother died in Ithaca, N. Y., October 28, 1889. He has a brother, Rev. Alfred J. Evans, M. R., who is rector of the Immaculate Conception church of Ithaca, N. ›. Dr. Evans, upon leaving college, practiced his profession for a time in New York city, and from there he came to Rochester, where he has since been engaged in a successful general practice, making the treatment of the eye, ear, nose, and throat a specialty. He was a member of the Board of Education in 1891-92 and city physician in 1893. He is also a member of the Monroe County and Central New York State Medical Societies; of the I. O. of R. M. and D. of P., being medicine man for both of the last named organizations. February 9, 1892, he mar- ried Miss Nellie A. Burk of Oneida, N. Y., by whom he has a daughter, Cornelia.
Waring .- In 1817 Isaac Waring settled in Irondequoit with his family, having moved here from Southeast, Putnam county, N. Y. In 1827 his son, James Waring, married Miss Mary Hipp of Penfield. From this union were born six children: John, Elias W., Isaac, Mary A., Cynthia C., and Hattie E. After his marriage he followed his trade, that of a cooper, for a number of years. About 1830 he bought the farm now situated at the corner of Culver and Waring streets, Irondequoit, on which his daugh- ter Mary still resides. His son, Elias W., was born in 1833, and after securing his education at the stone school on the Culver road he worked with his father on the farm until he married in 1856 Miss Emily A., daughter of Archibald Carter, who set- tled in Irondequoit in 1817. From this union were born five children, all of whom died in childhood with the exception of Frank E. Elias W., after his marriage, lived nine years in Irondequoit, and then bought the farm in Gates now owned by him, and occupied by his son.
Craig, Oscar, was born in Medina, N. Y., November 14, 1836, and was graduated in 1856, from Union College, which conferred upon him in 1859 the degree of M. A. In the latter year he was admitted to the bar in Buffalo; he immediately removed to Rochester, and began the practice of his profession, in which he attained a high reputation. After remaining away for several years on account of ill health, he re- turned in 1868 and continued his practice until his death, which occurred Janunry 2, 1894. He was president of the State Board of Charities and a trustee of the Monroe County Savings Bank, and actively identified with the growth of the city.
Voshall, Charles Watson, son of John Frederick Voshall, of Syracuse, N. Y., was born in that city and educated in the public schools there. At the early age of four- teen he entered the employ of his father in the lumber business, and continued until 1872, when his father's health failed. The latter then sold his extensive business, but Charles W. remained as manager for his father's successor one year. In the spring of 1874 he moved to Rochester and became a partner in the large contracting firm of J. G. Wagner & Co., remaining as such until the retirement of Mr. Wagner in 1886, when Mr. Voshall became sole proprietor. Since that time he has con- structed under his own name many public and private buildings, among which are the Genesee Brewery, the Lyceum Theatre, the Whitcomb House, the Standard Brewery, the German Insurance building, and many others. He is president of the
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Rochester Asphalt Paving Company, vice-president of the Standard Brewing Com- pany, treasurer of the Standard Sewer Pipe Company, and prominently connected with various other enterprises. He is proprietor of Big Elm Stock Farm in the town of Greece, which he established in the fall of 1891, and upon which he has constructed large and convenient stables, a good race track, and a new creamery. For some time he was engaged chiefly in developing trotting horses, but more recently he has converted the premises into a dairy farm stocked with high grade Jersey and Dur- ham cattle. Mr. Voshall is a member of the Rochester Whist Club and takes an active interest in the prosperity of the city. May 25, 1875, he married Caroline P., daughter of J. G. Wagner, at that time his partner.
Hayden, J. Alexander, son of James E. Hayden, was born in Rochester September 22, 1856, and was graduated from the high school in 1874 and from the University of Rochester in 1878. After graduating he went abroad and studied decorative art for eighteen months, and returning to Rochester entered the large furniture firm of James E. Hayden & Co., which was established by his father in 1844. In 1882 he formed the corporation known as the Hayden Furniture Company, of which he has served continuously as president. In 1887 a branch office and warerooms were established at 33d street and Broadway in New York city, and in 1892 they were moved to the present handsome quarters on West 34th street, where an entire building was fitted up for the purpose, and which is now one of the finest and most artistic furni- ture houses in the country. Mr. Hayden is a director in the Union Bank, a trustee of the Security Trust Company, and a member of the Genesee Valley Club. He also belongs to the University Club, the Players' Club, the Uptown Association, and the Psi Upsilon Alumni Club, all of New York city. He was married in April, 1893, to Miss Elizabeth Bruce Gwynne, daughter of William Gwynne, of Hillsboro, N. C. His father, James E. Hayden, died in Rochester in 1883; his mother survives and still resides in this city.
Williamson, William A., president of the Williamson Law Book Company, was born in Rochester, N. Y., September 16, 1846, and is the oldest son of William Will- iamson, who came to Rochester in 1840 and died in 1889. He was educated in the public schools and Rochester Free Academy and began active life as a clerk for D. M. Dewey of the Arcade book store, in 1863, remaining there until 1870. He then started in business for himself in the Powers block (being among the first of Mr. Powers's tenants) as a dealer in news and stationery with W. W. Wadsworth. After two years this firm (Wadsworth & Williamson) was succeeded by W. A. Williamson & Co., which continued two and one-half years, by which time they had established a successful business as publishers of law books and dealers in law books and station- ery. In 1874 they were succeeded by Williamson & Higbie, which partnership con- tinued for fifteen years. In 1885 their store in Powers block (entrance to the eleva- tor) became too small for their increasing business, and they leased the entire five story building, Nos. 9 and 11 Exchange street, formerly occupied by Alling & Cory. On May 1, 1889, Horace A. Higbie having sold his interest to Mr. Williamson, the latter organized and incorporated the Williamson Law Book Company with a capital of $38,000. The officers since then have been W. A. Williamson, president; David F. Williamson, vice-president; Robert S. Williamson, treasurer; Joseph Williamson, manager stationery department (all of the above being younger brothers who had
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been with the concern for many years, and by their united efforts had aided very materially in building up the concern), and Robert M. Swinburne, secretary. In 1889 a branch was established at No. 50 West Eagle street, Buffalo, N. Y., under the management of D. F. Williamson, which is still continued. In 1894 they removed to their present mammoth store, No. 41 State street, Ellwanger & Barry building. Their business consists in the publication of law books and law blanks, mercantile stationery and office specialties. Over eighty per cent. of their business is done outside of the city of Rochester by means of traveling representatives and catalogues, and their name is familiar to lawyers all over the United States and Canada, and from its inception the company has achieved unqualified success. The members of the concern are also partners in the firm of R. M. Swinburne & Co., printers, of Rochester, N. Y.
Barr, William, senior member of the firm of Barr & Creelman, plumbers, was born in Rochester, August 25, 1851, and is a son of William Barr, sr., now of California, who came here from Scotland in 1849. After attending the public schools of his city he began in 1867 to learn the plumber's trade with Sherlock & Sloan, with whom he remained nine years. Following this he was for four years foreman for Herman Mutschler, whom he bought out in partnership with John A. Creelman. The firm of Barr & Creelman is one of the leading plumbing and steam and gas fit- ting concerns in Rochester and employs about fifty hands. They have executed some of the most important work in the city and surrounding country and not infrequently extend their operations into distant territory. They placed the heating apparatus in eighteen of the government buildings at Plattsburg, the State Custodial Asylum at Newark, and the East Side Savings Bank building in Rochester, and for fifteen years have performed all the work in their line for the Bartholomay Brewing Company. They also did the plumbing in the new Chamber of Commerce building, the new Reynolds Library building, and the Mechanics Institute. Mr. Barr is a member of Rochester Lodge, No. 660, F. & A. M., the Mannechor, and Active Hose Co. of the fire department. November 27, 1877, he married Frances H., daughter of Luton Wood, of Rochester, and they have one son, Harry T., a student in the Free Acad- emy, born November 27, 1878.
Creelman, John A., son of John, is a native of Rochester and was born January 8, 1855. His father came here from Montreal and died in 1892, being a veteran of the war of the Rebellion, in which he enlisted as a member of the 13th N. Y. Vols., served two years and nine months, and became a sergeant in Captain Downey's company. Young Creelman attended the public schools of the city and was graduated in 1869 from the Rochester Free Academy. Deciding upon the plumber's trade he entered the establishment of Sherlock & Sloan, where he remained ten years. In March, 1880, he formed a partnership with William Barr, jr., as Barr & Creelman, and pur- chased the plumbing and steam and gas fitting business of Herman Mutschler, which they have since continued with unvarying success. The firm was a charter member of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, and ranks among the foremost concerns of the kind in Western New York. Mr. Creelman is member of Yonondio Lodge, F. & A. M., Hamilton Chapter, R. A. M., Doric Council, and Monroe Commandery K. T., and for eighteen yearshas been a trustee of the United Presbyterian church, being for a long time secretary of the board.
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Kohlmetz, Charles E , was born in Rochester, N. Y., July 1, 1858 Henry Kohl- metz, his father, came here from Germany, in 1852, and died January 16, 1892, aged sixty-two. He was a blacksmith by trade and in 1873 established the busi- ness now conducted by his son, who became a partner in 1883 and who, since the father's death, has been sole proprietor. Charles E. was educated in the public schools of his native city and in the Rochester Business University, and at an early age learned the blacksmith s trade. He has successfully conducted the extensive busi- ness established by his father, which consists of the manufacture of all kinds of ar- chitectural iron works, fire escapes, railing, stairs, etc., and which under the two managements has developed into large proportions. He is a member of Germania Lodge, No. 722, F. & A. M., and Aurora Lodge, No. 466, I. O. O. F., and for four years was treasurer of the Lowell Dime Permanent Savings and Loan Association. He was also treasurer for three years of the Rochester and Cayuga Vineyard Com- pany. In 1883 he married Miss Jennie S., daughter of James Burrell, of Rochester. They have six children.
Bryson, Robert, was born at Newton, Mearns, near Glasgow, Scotland, April 11, 1843, and learned his trade of ·boiler maker in the celebrated ship yards on the Clyde. Coming to America in 1865 he settled in Rochester, and followed his vocation as a journeyman until 1880, when he established business for himself. In 1891 his son John H. became a partner under the firm name of Robert Bryson & Son. They manufacture boilers, tanks, water pipes, etc., and do general repairing. Mr. Bryson has achieved unvarying success and is one of the best known boiler manufacturers in Western New York. He was supervisor of 9th ward in 1892 and is a member of Yonondio Lodge F. & A. M. In 1867 he married Elizabeth Hart, daughter of Will- iam Hart, of Rochester, and they have three children: John H., Rachel A., and Robert W.
Britenstool, Jacob A., born in Rochester, July 15, 1849, is a son of Hirsch and Caroline (Greentree) Britenstool, who came here from Germany about 1845. His mother died in 1884. He received his education in private schools in his native city and in 1864 became a traveling salesman for Greentree & Wile, clothing manufac- turers. In 1874 he engaged in business for himself as a manufacturer of pants, to which he added in 1893 a general line of clothing. He employs about 300 hands and controls an extensive trade extending throughout the New England and Middle States and the West to California. This he has built up entirely alone. He started in a very small way in one room on Mill street and now occupies a new seven-story brick building, 25 by 100 feet, on North St. Paul street, which was specially con- structed for his business. He was one of the first in the United States to make a specialty of pants, and in all branches of his manufacturing enterprise he has met with unvarying success. In 1873 he married Fannie Frauenthal, daughter of Samuel Frauenthal, of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and sister of Dr. Henry Frauenthal, a well-known physician and surgeon of New York city. They have two children, Harry and Blanche. Harry Britenstool is a graduate of the Rochester High School, class of 1893, and is following in the footsteps of his father, being associated with him in the capacity of salesman. The daughter was graduated from Miss Cruttenden's school in Rochester in 1895 and is now a student at Vassar College, Poughkeepsie.
Graves, J. William, D.D. S., of Rochester, is a grandson of Jason Graves, a
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farmer, who came to Penfield, Monroe county, at a very early day and died there. C. J. Graves, son of Jason and father of Dr. J. W., was born in that town August 28, 1818, and was a farmer, a soldier in the old State militia, and a merchant and post- master at Penfield village, and died in 1878; his wife, Cornelia Boland, survived him until 1883. They had six children: Bessie C. (Mrs. William Newell), of Spokane, Wash .; Andrew J., of Irondequoit; Edwin T., of Richmond, Va .; a twin sister of the latter, deceased; Lettie J. (Mrs. A. D. McBain), of Brockport; and Dr. J. William. Dr. Graves, the youngest of this family, received his education in the public schools of Rochester, and the Spencerian Business College of Washington, D. C., and was graduated from the dental department of the University of Maryland at Baltimore in 1890, where he was afterwards demonstrator of oral surgery. In February, 1892, he opened his present office in Rochester for the practice of his profession. Dr. Graves is a member of the Seventh District Dental Society, Rochester City Dental Society, and of the Knights of Pythias.
Vick, Joseph S., was born in Rochester, N. Y., where he has always resided, De- cember 15, 1855. His father, Charles J. Vick, born in Isle of Wight, and came to Rochester in 1842, and is .still a resident. Joseph S. was educated in the public schools and engaged in the boot and shoe business, being employed by Pancost, Sage and Morse, until he became attached to the Postal service, by being appointed a car- rier by Daniel T. Hunt. After serving as a carrier for two years, he was promoted to the position of assistant superintendent of carriers. Later he was made superin- tendent of the city delivery by Postmaster V. Fleckenstein, which position he still retains. Mr. Vick is a member of Genesee Falls Lodge, No. 507, F. & A. M., Mt. Hope Encampment No. 2, I. O. O. F., of which body he is a Past Grand; Jefferson Tent, K. O. T. M .; Owasco Tribe, I. Q. R. M., of which order he is a past sachem ; and the National Association of Post-office Clerks, being chairman of the executive committee of the local association. In 1878 he married Mary E. Love, of Rochester, and is the father of three children, namely: Jessie, M. Bertha and Joseph S., jr.
Brownell, Frank A., son of Myron S. Brownell, a millwright, was born in Vienna, Ontario, Canada, February 4, 1859, and attended the grammar schools of his native town. He served out a five years' apprenticeship at cabinet making and also learned the trade of pattern maker, which he followed for a time as a vocation. In 1874 the family moved to Rochester, where the father died in 1878. About 1881 Mr. Brow- nell entered the employ of the Union View Company, making photographic apparatus, with which business he has ever since been identified. Since 1883 he has manufac- tured various kinds of photographic apparatus and microscopic and other fine goods on contract, and in this business he has been very successful.
Decker, Dr. Richard J., a native of Rochester, was born September 10, 1860, and is a son of Frederick L. Decker, who came here from Germany in 1858. After com- pleting his e ducation at SS. Peter and Paul's Parochial School he studied dentistry with Dr. Homer Belding and later with Dr. Frank B. Schuyler, both of Rochester, and then attended the Albany Medical College for a time. Deciding upon dentistry as his life work he again turned his attention to that profession, and for five years was a traveling salesman in the dental and surgical line. In 1887 he opened his present dental office in Rochester and since then has practiced successfully alone.
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A staunch Democrat he has for several years taken an active interest in politics, and for about seven years was a member of the Board of Education from the old Eleventh and present Twentieth wards. In the fall of 1894 he was elected alderman from the latter ward. He is a member and past master workman of the A. O. U. W., and a member of the C. M. B. A., the I. O. of R. M., the Rochester Athletic Asso- ciation, and other minor organizations.
Williams, Henry T., born in Rochester, May 14, 1858, was educated in the public schools and Rochester Free Academy, and was graduated from the medical depart- ment of the University of Pennsylvania in 1881. He also studied with Dr. John F. Whitbeck, and was associated with Dr. John W. Whitbeck in practice for a number of years. He is assistant visiting surgeon to the Rochester City Hospital, one of the visiting surgeons to St. Mary's Hospital, visiting surgeon to the Monroe County Pen- itentiary, and consulting physician to the Home for the Friendless. He is a physi- cian and surgeon of eminent skill and ability, and is a member of the New York State Medical Society, and the Central New York Medical Association, and vice- president of the Monroe County Medical Society, the New York Medical Associa- tion, and of the Rochester Pathological Society. On December 22, 1891, he mar- ried Mary F. Ward of Rochester, and they have one son, Henry Ward Williams, who enjoys the distinction of being the great-grandson of Rev. Comfort Williams, first clergyman of the first church-the First Presbyterian-erected in this city, in which he was installed pastor January 17, 1816. The parents of Dr. Williams were Charles H. and Susan (Miller) Williams, the former being prominent in mercantile and political circles, and holding several important offices. They had two sons and four daughters, of whom only the sons survive. The Williams family is of Welsh lineage.
Adler, Levi, was born October 24, 1834 in Germany, where he received a common school education. In 1851 he came to America, and after living in Albion, N. Y., a short time, became proprietor of a retail clothing store in Medina, Orleans county, where he remained until 1869, when he came to Rochester and opened a large whole- sale clothing manufactory with Nathan Stein, under the firm name of Stein & Adler, which was afterwards changed to Stein, Adler & Co. In 1883 this partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Adler became partner of the firm of L. Adler, Brothers & Co., which still continues, and occupies the spacious brick block erected by Mr. Adler in 1890. The firm is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and as manufacturer, makes a specialty of men's fine clothing, having an immense trade extending throughout the United States. In 1861 Mr. Adler married Miss Theresa Wile, daughter of the late Abram Wile of Rochester. They have seven children of whom Isaac Adler is a rising young lawyer and a member of the law firm of Adler & Adler.
Seymour, H. Franklin, was born in Lebanon, N. Y., December 16, 1845, came to Monroe county in 1859, and received his education in Satterlee's Collegiate Institute at Rochester, and also in Ames's Business College in Syracuse. Leaving the farm he went into a hardware store at Oneida, N. Y., where he remained about two and a half years. In February, 1872, he returned to Rochester, and engaged as a clerk in a large wholesale hardware store, which position he held for sixteen years. In 1888 he established his present business in partnership with William Eccleston, under the
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firm name of H. F. Seymour & Co. Two years later Mr. Eccleston retired and since then Mr. Seymour has continued the establishment alone, but has retained the old firm name. The business was originally started by J. W. McKindley about 1856, and after his death passed through various hands to C. C. Carey & Co., of which Mr. Eccleston was a member. Mr. Seymour has been very successful and enjoys a trade which extends not only throughout the city, but into the adjacent country. He wholesales and retails builders' supplies and kindred wares.
Chapin, Louis S., was born in Rochester, N. Y., April 11, 1846, and was educated in the public and private schools of that city. He first engaged as clerk for two years for Smith, Perkins & Co., wholesale grocers, and then for five years in the employ of George Gould, Son & Co., shoe manufacturers. He then formed a part- nership with James M. Leonard, under the firm name of Chapin & Leonard, and en- gaged in the manufacture of shoes for several years, finally buying his partner out and continuing alone. In 1891, having closed out the shoe manufactory, he engaged with W. A. Page, as Page & Chapin, in the stained, ornamental and leaded glass business. of which he became sole owner in October, 1894. In this he has been very successful. His work adorns many of the finer and larger buildings of Rochester, such as the Third and Brick Presbyterian churches, the Monroe Avenue M. E., Christ Episcopal and Trinity churches and many others, the Eureka and other club houses and restaurants, the Chamber of Commerce building, and the Alpha Delta Phi and Psi Upsilon chapter houses. Mr. Chapin's father, Louis Chapin, was born in West Springfield, Mass., November 3, 1809, came to Rochester in 1827, and died August 1, 1894. Most of his life was spent in the milling business, in which he was very suc- cessful. He was a trustee, vice-president, and president of the Monroe County Savings Bank, and a director in the Rochester Gas Company and the Trust and Safe Deposit Company. April 3, 1859, he was ordained an elder in the Brick Presbyterian church, and held official relations with that society until his death.
Miner, Arthur M., son of Chauncey and S. J. (McKnutt) Miner, was born in On- tario county, in November, 1859. Chauncey Miner, a native of that county, was a son of Amos Miner, who came there from near Albany at an early day. The family descended from two brothers named Bullman, Englishmen, who were originally coal miners in Wales. When the king made a trip to France he took a picked guard from their mines, and for that favor to the king they were knighted, giving them the name of Miner, which they and their descendants retained. They came to America and settled near New London, Conn. Amos Miner, great-grandfather of Arthur M., en- listed at the beginning of the Revolutionary war and was wounded in one of the first battles, but served through that conflict. He was the father of Amos, jr., who came to Ontario county. Arthur M. Miner was educated in Palmyra, N. Y., where he began life in the nursery and fruit business, in which he remained until October, 1891. He then came to Rochester and engaged in the creamery business and continued until the fall of 1893, when he became an undertaker in partnership with Charles F. Scheuerman as Scheuerman & Miner. In February, 1895, they were appointed for three years keepers of the first public morgue established in Rochester. In October, 1884, Mr. Miner married Esther R., daughter of Lewis Randall of Rochester.
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