USA > New York > Genesee County > Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Genesee County, New York, v. 1 > Part 39
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C. Fitch Bissell was born in Greenfield, Mass., March 9, ISIS. He came to Le Roy with his parents in 1838, and resided there until his death, which occurred December 11, 1898. Always a striking and in- teresting personality, few men have ever been so widely known in Gen- esee county. He commenced the practice of law in 1842, with Samuel Skinner as a partner. Later he was in partnership with Randolph Ballard. For many years before his death he had been associated with his son, David Jackson Bissell. He held the position of quartermaster- general on the staff of Governor John T. Hoffmann, and the title of "general" ching to him the rest of his life. He served as district at- torney from 1866 to 1869, and again from 1815 to 1818. He was a good
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trial lawyer and a successful business man, both in the management of his own affairs and those of his clients. He was always looking out for the common sense view of a question, and his keen and analytical mind and his natural sense of justice were important factors in contributing to his success. Possessed of an abounding humor and fond of com- panionship, he made hosts of friends. His intellectual vigor remained unimpaired until the end of his life. It was a remarkable circumstance that three members of the Le Roy bar died within the space of ten days, Hascall. Crofoot and Bissell. All had been public spirited and useful citizens.
. Walter H. Smith was born in West Bloomfield, Ontario county, N. Y., July 25, 1853, a son of Nelsou H. and Ellen B. (Pellett) Smith. His mother was a native of Montville, New London county, Conn. Ilis father was a native of East Lyme, New London county, Conn., and was connected with a book publishing house in Hartford, Conn., for a num- ber of years. He subsequently moved to West Bloomfield, N. Y., and with a brother purchased a large tract of land. He later met with an accident which hastened his death. Walter H. was then an infant. Subsequently his mother married Henry G. Deshon and the family moved to Le Roy in 1861, where Walter H. attended the Le Roy Aca- demie Institute and later Williston (Mass. ) Seminary, where he fitted for college. He returned to this place and entered the office of Hon. Lucius N. Bangs, who was then county judge of Genesee county, and studied law for four years, then entered the Albany Law School, from which he was graduated with the class of 1876. He immediately began the practice of his profession in Le Roy, where he has built up an ex- tensive practice. Mr. Smith has given strict attention to his business and has never sought public office of any kind; he ranks with the lead- ing members of the Genesee county bar. He is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity, Olive Branch Lodge, Le Roy Chapter and Batavia Commandery.
Frederick S. Randall was born in Stafford, Genesee county, N. Y .. April 3, 1864, a son of Perry and Mary E. (Batchelder) Randall, natives of Stafford and Le Roy respectively. His grandfather, Stephen Ran- dall, came to Genesee county, February 2, 1815, from New Hampshire, and purchased a tract of land at Stafford, which is now owned by Perry Randall. The original farm was one hundred and fifty acres. Stephen died on the farm in 1859; he had a family of fourteen children. Perry. the youngest, was born July 16, 1822; he now resides in the village of
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Le Roy and is active and in good health. Frederick S. received his preliminary education at Le Roy Academic Institute and was graduated from Union College with the degree A. B. in 1886. He studied law with William C. Watson, Hon. S. E. North and Edward P. White of Amsterdam; was admitted to practice in 1890, and followed his profes. sion as a lawyer for four years at Fairport, Monroe county, N. Y. He located in Le Roy, in September, 1894, where he has since been in the practice of his profession He was elected to the office of district at. torney in November, 1898. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. of Le Roy; and politically is a Republican. He married Helene C. Garvin of Schenectady and has two daughters, Dorothy and Nanette. Mr. Randall is from one of the oldest families in the county, both his father's and mother's families being pioneers.
William C. Watson has been one of the leaders of the Genesee county bar, and for many years a public spirited and prominent citizen of Ba- tavia. He is a native of this county, born in the village of Pembroke in Is3 :. His early educational opportunities were limited to the com- mon schools and a short term in the seminary at Alexander, but from his father, who as a justice of the peace held considerable reputation, he seems to have derived a legal mind and a love for the profession. He began his legal training under the direction of Col. James M. Willett, and later entered the office of Wakeman & Bryan. He was admitted in 1885 and practiced for a short time with Mr. Tyrrell, and subse- quently with Hon. Seth Wakeman. He made rapid strides in his pro- fession and soon gained substantial recognition and lucrative practice. He has been particularly successful as a trial lawyer. In politics he has been an active Republican and a frequent delegate to the conven - tions of the party. He has served two terms as district attorney, and in 1ss? was a candidate for member of congress. Mr. Watson has been earnest in his support of education, and a frequent member of the school board. He has contributed largely to the material prosperity of Bata- via through his generous support of manufacturing industries.
Hon. George Bowen, son of Abiel and Anna S. (Cone) Bowen, was born in Shelby, Orleans county, this State, September 28, 1831. His father was a physician and practiced in Shelby and vicinity a long term of years. Mr. Bowen was educated in the common schools, at Millville Academy, and Cary Collegiate Institute, from which he was graduated in 1548. Following graduation he was engaged as a teacher for two years at Byron in Genesee county, and Royalton in Niagara county.
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May 10, 1851, he came to Batavia and began the study of law in the office of Martindale & Bryan. He was admitted to the bar in Decem- ber, 1852, and formed a partnership with Elijah Hurty, who had been for a number of years principal of the Batavia Union School. Their association continued until Mr. Hurty's death in the summer of 1854. In the following year Mr. Bowen combined forces with N. A. Wood- ward under the firm name of Woodward & Bowen, which continued until 1859 when Mr. Woodward retired. For scarcely a year, beginning in 1860, Mr. Bowen had as his partner William W. Rowley, who went to the defense of the Union in 1861 and became an aide on the staff of General Banks. In 1864 the firm of Bowen & Walker was formed ( Ed- ward C. Walker). The latter retired in 1866 and was succeeded by Charles Henshaw, who in 1867 was elected county judge. Mr. Bowen practiced alone until 1869 and in that year formed a partnership with Myron H. Peck, which continued until May, 18:3. From 1828 to 1853 he was associated with Loren Greene, who removed to Chicago in the latter year. In 1889 the present firm of Bowen & Washburn was formed by the admission of Edward A. Washburn, who had read law in Mr. Bowen's office. Mr. Bowen has been an active Republican and has acceptably filled many positions of public trust. He has served as vil- lage and town clerk, corporation counsel, district attorney for three years, as postmaster of Batavia under President Lincoln, trustee of the State Institution for the Blind from 1869 to 1864, and as State senator from 1820 to 18;4. He was one of the commissioners appointed to pur- chase the park of the State Instituiton for the Blind. Mr. Bowen was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Batavia and has been a director since 1864. For years he was a director and president of the Holland Purchase Insurance Co. of Batavia. He married in December, 1856, Emerette A., daughter of Cyrus Walker of Byron and Batavia. One daughter, Anna C. Bowen, has been born of this union.
Benjamin F. Hawes, son of Dan and Clarissa (Church) Hawes, was born in Oakfield, June 8, 1833. His father was a native of Berkshire county, Mass., a soldier in the war of 1812, and came to Genesee county in 1831. Mr. Hawes was educated at Cary Collegiate Seminary and the Albany Law School. He was admitted in 1856 and began practice in Oakfield in 1860. He has served continuously as justice of the peace since January 1, 1861, and as clerk of the board of supervisors since 1867. Since the organization of the Union School he has been a mem- ber of the board of education of which he is now president. He has
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long been an active member and trustee of the First Presbyterian church. His son, Francis L., has been employed for several years in the county clerk's office and is at present special deputy clerk. In that capacity he officiates as court clerk at all trial terms.
William F. Huyck was born in Le Roy, N. Y., March 23, 1866. a son of William and Phoebe ( Harris) Huyck, natives of Columbia county and Genesee county respectively. His father came with his parents to Le Roy when twelve years of age. William Huyck was a farmer and accumulated considerable wealth before his death : he was quite promi- nent in the county and in the building up of the village of Le Roy. He was a member of the board of education and a village trustee and presi- dent and trustee of the Macpelah Cemetery Association. He owned extensive farming interests and village property, among which is the Eagle Hotel, which is one of the oldest buildings in the village; he died in August, 1896; his wife is still living. William F was the only child. and was educated in the Le Roy Academic Institute and Union College at Schenectady, from which he graduated in 1887. He then spent a year as clerk in the Le Roy post-office: then read law with Walter H. Smith for one year, when he entered the Albany Law School and was graduated in 1890. He spent two years in Buffalo in the practice of his profession, then returned to Le Roy. He is a member of the board of education and water commissioners; is a member of Olive Branch Lodge No. 39, of which he is past master; Le Roy Chapter No. 183, of which he is treasurer and master third vail; Batavia Commandery, Rochester Consistory, Damascus Temple Mystic Shrine, the Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine, of which he was a charter member and high prelate for a time, and vestryman and treasurer of St. Mark's Episcopal church.
David Dean Lent was born in the village of Corfu, in Genesee county, September 2, 1866. He is the youngest child of David and Ruth Jean- nett Lent, who came from Otsego county to Pembroke in 1858. Ile received a common school education, graduating from the Batavia High School in 1884. He was employed as discount clerk in the First Na- tional Bank of Batavia in 1885-6, and then went to Kansas City, Mo., to take a position as stenographer with Jacob Dold & Son, pork and beef packers. In 18ss he returned to Batavia and entered the law office of William C. Watson; he was admitted to the bar in 1892, and in March, 1894, formed a law partnership with James A. Le Seur, then district attorney of Genesee county. In March, 1895, Mr. Lent, in
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conjunction with Mr. E. K. Calkins, purchased the Spirit of the Times, which is now published by the firm of Calkins & Lent, although still retaining his law partnership with Mr. Le Seur.
Frank S. Wood was born in Detroit, Mich., September 14, 1856, and came to Batavia with his parents in 1859. Selecting the law as a pro- fession he read with William C. Watson, also with Hon. Lucius N. Bangs He was admitted to the bar in 1st8 and served as clerk of the Surrogate's Court from Istt to 1883. He was elected district attorney of Genesce county in 1586 and re-elected in 18-9. Mr. Wood is now (1899) a trustee of the New York State School for the Blind at Batavia and treasurer of that institution. Heenjoys the merited reputation of being a discreet business lawyer, accurate and methodical in the prepa- ration of papers, and a safe and judicious adviser. He married, Sep- tember 4, 1884, Harriet G. Holden.
Arthur E. Clark was born in the town of Clarkson, Monroe county, June 10, 1854, a son of Norris G. and Grace ( Plumb) Clark. Norris G. Clark was a native of Bloomfield, Ontario county, and came to Batavia in 1859; he was a practicing physician until the time of his death, July 22, 1876, and was recognized as one of the leading physicians of West- ern New York, a man whose judgment was sought and respected by all who knew him. Arthur E. Clark was graduated from Yale College in 1875 and read law with William C. Watson of Batavia. He was ad- mitted to the bar in Ists, and remained with Mr. Watson until 1886, when he established his present practice. Mr. Clark has been con- nected in business with large corporate interests and has arranged suc- cessfully many matters of importance for clients against corporations. Ile has lately been successfully engaged in cases against the various telephone and telegraph companies for erecting poles on highways. He married, in 1890, Miss Alice M. Hurd of Buffalo.
W. Harris Day, United States commissioner for the Northern Dis- trict of New York for the past fifteen years, was born in Stafford, this county, June 24, 1841, a son of Thomas H. and Henrietta ( Hooper) Day. His father was a seafaring man and for many years captain of a sailing vessel. Mr. Day was educated at Alexander Academy and Genesee College, now Syracuse University. He began his legal studies in the office of Judge Taggart of Batavia, and in Isit was graduated from the Columbian Law School at Washington, D. C. Following his graduation he practiced in the city of Chicago nearly three years and then returned to Batavia and entered into a partnership with Judge
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Taggart, which continued until the latter's death. The firm of Tag- gart & Day gained considerable recognition in the profession from their connection as the plaintiff's attorneys in the celebrated case of John Garwood vs. the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad Com- fany, brought to prohibit the railroad company from taking water out of Tonawanda creek for engines. The first of this class, this case at- tracted widespread attention. The judgment in favor of the plaintiff was affirmed by the Court of Appeals. Mr. Day is one of the execu- tors of the estate of Mary E Richmond, wife of Dean Richmond. He has been an active member and trustee of the Presbyterian church for several years. He married, in October, 1869, Fanny Elma, a daughter of Judge Taggart. Seven children were born to them, six of whom survive.
Fred H. Dunham was born in 1861 at Orangeville, Wyoming county, N. Y., a son of George H. and Louisa ( Virgin) Dunham. His father was a farmer and well known citizen of Wyoming county, where he servel for several years as school commissioner. Mr. Dunham was educated at the Attica Union School and Cornell University, where he was graduated with the class of 1886. In the spring of the following year he began the study of law in the office of Hon. A. J. Lorish of Attica, but soon came to the office of Hon. Safford E. North in Bata- via, with whom he remained until his admission in June, 1889. In April. 1591, he formed his present partnership with F. S. Wood ( Wood & Dunham).
Edward A. Washburn was born in Randolph, Orange county, Ver- mont, January 21, 1868, a son of Julian J. and Martha ( Bigelow) Wash- burn. He was educated in Batavia, whither he came in 1821. He be- gan the study of law in 1885 in the office of Hon. George Bowen and was admitted March 29, 1889. In the same year the present firm of Bowen & Washburn was formed. Mr. Washburn is serving as referee in bankruptcy for this district, a position to which he was appointed in December, 1898, by United States District Judge A. C. Coxe. He is a director of the First National Bank of Batavia. May 6, 1896, he mar- ried Frances Virginia, daughter of James P. Marsh of Chicago.
Sidney A, Sherwin, son of Jacob R. and Amelia (Allyn) Sherwin, was born in Byron, this county, August 27, 1812. He was educated at the Cary Collegiate Seminary, Canandaigua Academy, and Hamilton Col- lege, from which he was graduated with the class of 1867. He Went from Hamilton College to the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute as in-
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structor in rhetoric and oratory. Later he read law and was admitted to the bar in 1868, at Brooklyn, N. Y. Mr. Sherwin began practice in Batavia in 1869, forming a partnership with H. F. Tarbox, which con- tinned until March 1, 1899, a period of thirty years. In politics he has been a Republican. Governor Morton appointed him a trustee of the State School for the Blind and he still retains this position. He is en gaged in insurance business and is not in active law practice.
Herbert P. Woodward, son of Nathan A. and Martha ( Allen) Wood- ward, was born in Batavia, March 28, 1868. He was educated in the public schools and at Williams College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1888. For two years following he was engaged in the profession of teaching in the schools of this county and the State of Virginia. Mr. Woodward began the study of law in his father's office and was admitted to the bar in 1892. He has served as police justice four years. Ile married, in 1896, Bertha L., daughter of Rev. Cyrus A. Johnson of Batavia.
Myron H. Peck, son of Myron H. and Delia M. (Bickford) Peck, was born in Victor, Ontario county, June 6, 1850. He was educated at Clinton Institute, and began the study of law in his father's office (Peck & Bowen). Later he attended the Albany Law School, from which he was graduated LL. B., May 6, 18:2. Three days later he was admit- ted to the bar and has since practiced in Batavia. Mr. Peck was ap- pointed postmaster at Batavia in the first administration of Grover Cleveland, and served for five years He has been corporation counsel for the village of Batavia for several years. He has been connected as counsel in a large number of important eases, and few lawyers in the county have appeared so often in the Appelate courts. He has lately been associated with District Attorney Randall in the preparation of the brief and upon the argument in the Court of Appeals of the How. ard C. Benham murder case.
Henry F. Tarbox was born in Scottsville, Monroe county, N. Y., March 1, 1839, a son of Henry and Julia ( Brainerd) Tarbox. His father was a noted anti-slavery and temperance man, and his home was one of the stations of the underground railway; he died in 1859. Henry F. Tarbox was educated at Genesee Wesleyan Seminary and Genesee Col- lege, receiving the degree of A. M. from the latter institution. In 1862 he was appointed second lieutenant of Co. C, 108th N. Y. Vols., and took part in the battle of Antietam, where his brother, Dr. Brainerd Tarbox, was killed. He was discharged for disability in 1863 and sub-
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sequently entered the paymaster's deparment, where he remained until 1864. He was commissioned brevet major for gallant and meritorious services during the war, and is a member of the G. A. R. and the Loyal Legion. Mr. Tarbox came to Batavia in 1864 and read law with N. A. Woodward; he was admitted to the bar in 1866 and has practiced for over thirty years in Batavia. In 1866 he was elected member of as- sembly, served in the sessions of 1567-68, and was appointed on several important committees. He has filled the office of internal revenue col- lector four years, was postmaster at Batavia four years, and a presi- dential elector for Garfield. As a Republican, for years he has been recognized as one of the strong and inflential men of his party in West- ern New York and has exercised a potential influence in its ranks. It is as a lawyer that Mr. Tarbox is best known to the people of Genesee county, with whom he has lived for so many years. He is careful and painstaking in his profession, and through careful reading and research is well grounded in the philosophy of the law. It is mostly as a coun- selor that his professional efforts have been directed in late years; he is now vice-president and attorney for the Bank of Batavia. Mr. Tar- box married, July 21, 18:0, Elizabeth L., daughter of Dr. Asa D. Lord of Batavia, and they have three children : Russell L., practicing law in New York city : Elizabeth D., a graduate of Smith College; and Julia B., a student at Vassar College. Mr. Tarbox and his family are mem- bers of the Batavia Presbyterian church.
Martin Brown is a native of Montgomery county, born 1850. He attended the common schools and in 1863 enlisted in Co. B, 25th Ohio Vols. He was wounded in an engagement at Grahamsville, S. C., in 1864, but continued in the service until the close of the war. On re- ceiving his discharge he came to this county and for ten years followed the carpenter's trade, teaching school during the dull winter season. He began the study of law in the office of Myron H. Peek, with whom he remained two years, and then entered the Albany Law School, where he was graduated LL. B. with the class of 1882. He was admitted and began practice the same year. Mr. Brown has served as justice of the peace in Pembroke and Batavia. He married, in 1852, Mary J Matti- son, and of their union is one son, Allen G.
William E. Prentice, son of John and Sarah (Randall) Prentice, was born February 22, 1859. He attended the district schools and Le Roy Academy, beginning active life at the early age of sixteen years as a school teacher. Later he completed a college and post-graduate course,
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taking degrees from Yale University and Rochester University: he also did special work at Columbia College. Mr. Prentice has served two terms as school commissioner of the county and accomplished much in enlarging and improving the school system. He first studied law in the office of William C. Watson, and later with Judge Safford E. North. He was admitted to practice in 1885. He has important business inter- ests outside his profession, in which he has been very successful. Mr. Prentice is descended from Stephen Randall and Elisha Prentice, early settlers of Le Roy and Stafford.
William E. Webster, one of the well known attorneys of Batavia, was born in East Bloomfield, Ontario county, in 1859, the son of Dr. Daniel T. Webster and Hannah L. (Chamberlain) Webster. His education was received at Canandaigua Academy at Canandaigua, N. Y. In 1St9. when he was twenty years of age, he joined the corps of instructors at Cary Collegiate Seminary at Oakfield, where he remained for three years. Having decided to follow the legal profession, at the end of his service as teacher he entered the office of William C. Watson at Batavia, and in January, 1883, was admitted to the bar. For two years he prac- ticed law in partnership with William Tyrrell. He then spent one year in San Francisco, after which he returned to Batavia and resumed the practice of his profession independently. In 1898 he entered into a co- partnership, as senior member of the firm, with Bayard J. Stedman. who in that year was admitted to the bar at Rochester. Mr. Webster has conducted several important cases before the Supreme Court. One of the most noted of these (a case which attracted attention throughout the entire country) was the trial of Howard C. Benham for the murder of his wife, formerly Florence Tout. This trial took place in 1897. Mr. Webster appearing as one of the attorneys for the defendant. Mr. Webster is attorney for the Iroquois Portland Cement Company, which owns a large body of marl in the town of Bergen. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Nathan Armsby Woodward was born in Fairfax, Vt., March 9, 18Is. a son of Joseph Woodward and Lucy ( Wilmarth) Woodward. His father was a direct descendant of Nathaniel Woodward, who came from England and was one of the early settlers of Boston, Mass., settling there in 1635. Joseph Woodward was born in Franklin, Mass., moved to Fairfax, Vt., where he resided some fifteen years and in 1834 moved with his family to Western New York, where he lived several years in the town of Rush and died there July 23, 1863. N. A. Woodward pre-
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