USA > New York > Monroe County > Rochester > Rochester and Monroe County, New York : pictorial and biographical > Part 10
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Mr. Potter was one of the substantial and prominent men of Fairport and was an active factor in all church work, much of his time and influence being used in that direction. A most liberal and public-spirited citizen, he sus- tained intimate relations with all business, educational and spiritual work, his life characterized by progress in all those directions. He was found as a wise counselor and an earnest and efficient worker whose influence, like the widening circles of the sea, will ever be felt in the community. None could have other than sincere respect for the courteous, large hearted man, so stanch to defend and maintain what he believed to be right and so ready to respond to every good cause that called for assistance. His sweet, unosten- tatious, gentle manner won him friends on every side. To know him was to respect and honor him. It is said that success is not measured by the good that comes to us but by the good that comes to the world through us. Viewed in this light, Alfred Benedict Potter was a most successful man. He seemed to know just when and how to put forth his efforts to accomplish the results desired, and his aim was always toward progress and betterment. He gave much thought to those conditions of life which indicate the trend of the world, and the weight of his influence was ever on the side of reform and improvement. A memorial tablet to his memory has been placed in the Meth- odist Episcopal church, which is a fitting and appropriate remembrance of the life of Alfred Benedict Potter.
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Ción Progno
Clinton Rogers
T HE PEOPLE of Rochester are to be congratulated upon the character of such elevation and purity of purpose and such devotion to the highest and best interests of the state as has been exhibited in the private and public life of Clinton Rogers. No one has ever been more respected in the city nor ever more fully enjoyed the confidence of the people, or better deserved such respect and confidence. Although he has reached the age of seventy-four years, he is still the guiding spirit in extensive business interests which have been developed from the smallest possible beginnings to extensive propor- tions.
A native of Massachusetts, Clinton Rogers was born on the 3d of Decem- ber, 1833, in the town of Wales, in Hampden county, his parents being Joel and Mary (Shaw) Rogers. The family numbered four sons and two daugh- ters, of whom three sons are yet living, Clinton Rogers being the youngest. His great-grandfather, as an American soldier, fought at Bunker Hill and at Lexington.
Clinton Rogers acquired his education in the common schools and entered business life as a salesman in his brother's general store in Wales, where he remained for two years, when he removed to Worcester, Massachusetts, at the age of twenty years. He also spent two years in business in that city, on the expiration of which period he came to Rochester, where he arrived at the age of twenty-two. Here he was first employed as clerk for Wilder, Case & Com- pany, for two years, and at the age of twenty-four established a carpet store, together with J. H. Howe, under the firm name of Howe & Rogers, in March, 1857. They had practically no capital at the outset of their career as mer- chants and when they secured their first bill of goods from the Lowell Carpet Company, this firm's representative remarked that the company had never extended credit on the basis of so small a capital before, but would in this instance on account of the two partners' splendid recommendations from pre- vious positions. In the early days of their enterprise they employed three men. The extent and growth of the business is indicated by the fact that their employes now number between seventy and one hundred, so that their busi- ness has increased more than tenfold. Their store has always been located on State street near Main, and in the beginning they occupied a store thirty
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by one hundred feet. Now they have the entire building at Nos. 80 and 82 State street, untilizing five stories for the sale of their goods, besides having two large warehouses. About ten years ago the firm was incorporated and some stock sold to a few of the old employes as a reward for long service. The relation between the original partners continued until about four years ago, when Mr. Howe died. His son has taken an active interest in the busi- ness since his father's death, but Clinton Rogers, although now seventy-four years of age, attends daily to the conduct of the business and is as active as in former years. He has never regarded any point as too inessential to claim his time and attention if it would contribute to the growth and upbuilding of the business, and year after year he has wrought along modern lines until today he is at the head of one of the most important commercial interests of western New York. Business has been secured in accordance with old and time tried maxims such as "there is no excellence without labor" and "hon- esty is the best policy." Mr. Rogers has not confined his attention alone to the carpet trade but on the contrary has enlarged the sphere of his activity, and his labors and influence have been potent elements in the successful conduct of various other business concerns. For over forty years he has been a director of the Trader's National Bank and financially interested in many other corpo- rations.
On the 23d of August, 1876, Mr. Rogers was married to Miss Fannie C. Rochester, a granddaughter of Colonel Nathaniel Rochester, the founder of the city and daughter of Henry E. Rochester. Four children were born unto them: Fannie Beatrice, at home; Alice Montgomery, the wife of Dr. Joseph Roby; Rochester Hart, who has recently graduated from Harvard Law School; and Helen, at home.
Mr. Rogers is a very prominent, active and influential member of St. Luke's Episcopal church. He has been a vestryman for twenty years and warden for nine years, and has been a most liberal contributor to the church and vari- ous charities. He is also deeply interested in the cause of education and puts forth earnest, effective and far-reaching effort for the promotion of church and educational interests. His political support is given to the republican party. He is identified with various civic and social organizations of Roches- ter, and was president of the Chamber of Commerce in 1905, at which time he succeeded in putting through the smoke ordinance. He was one of the founders of the Chamber of Commerce and from the beginning has been most active in its work toward introducing and upholding all those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and of civic pride. He has been president of the Rochester Historical Society for the years 1906 and 1907. He likewise belongs to the Genesee Valley Club, the Whist Club and the Country Club and is greatly interested in golf. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and in his life has exemplified the beneficent spirit of the craft.
Mr. Rogers owns and occupies a fine residence at the corner of Spring
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and South Washington streets, where he has lived for thirty-one years. He owns a fine collection of steel engravings, which he purchased in France on one of his trips abroad. He has visited various foreign countries as well as points of interest in his native land, gaining that broad knowledge and cul- ture which only travel can bring. No one more greatly deserves the some- what hackneyed but always expressive title of a self-made man and as a result of his close application and energy actively applied he is today one of the most prosperous citizens of Rochester. His name is synonymous with honesty, and his word is as good as any bond ever solemnized by signature or seal. His methods in every relation bears the closest investigation. He stands as a high type of American manhood because of native intellectual force, of well developed talents, of keen insight, of strong purpose and of unfaltering deter- mination. His sturdy integrity and honesty of principle have led him to despise all unworthy or questionable means to secure success in any undertaking or for any purpose, or to promote his own advancement in any direction.
Hany Wray
Henry Wray
H ENRY WRAY, whose life record proves that there is no discordant element between success and honesty, figured for many years as a leading and prominent business man of Rochester, where he owned and conducted the first brass foundry established in that city. The business was founded by his father and continued by the son under the name of the Henry Wray Brass Foundry. The family name has fig- ured prominently in industrial circles here for over sixty-five years and has always stood as a synonym for business integrity, enterprise and successful accomplishment.
Henry Wray was a native of Poughkeepsie, New York, born October IO, 1841. His parents were Henry and Marie (Mosher) Wray, the latter a native of Dutchess county, New York, and the former a native of Derby, England, in which country he remained until nine years of age, when he and two brothers sailed for America. They landed in New York city, where Henry Wray, Sr., secured employment, remaining in the metropolis two years. At the age of eleven years he went to Poughkeepsie, New York, where he was employed for several years and later engaged in various business enterprises there on his own account until 1842, when he came to Rochester. Soon after his arrival here he established the foundry which was the first brass industry here. In addition to its conduct he also engaged in the locksmith business and soon afterward further extended the scope of his labors by the manufacture of headlights. All three branches of the business prospered but the business of the brass foundry grew so rapidly that he was compelled to sell out the other two lines in order to give his undivided attention to its conduct. He centered his energies upon this business in which he continued throughout his remaining days, making it one of the leading industrial concerns of the city. He was, moreover, a man of high principles, manly, honorable conduct, and in every relation of life commanded and deserved the respect and confidence of those with whom he was associated. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he was a most generous contributor toward the building of the Cornhill Methodist church, while to all charitable and benevolent interests he was most liberal. He recognized every man's individ- ual responsibility toward his fellowmen and always had a hand down reaching in order to lift up those less fortunate than himself.
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henry Wrap
Henry Wray, of this review, was only a young lad when brought by his parents to Rochester. He was reared among the refining influences of a good, Christian home and was a student in early boyhood in the public schools, passing through successive grades until he became a high-school stu- dent, and acquired a good education. He received practical business train- ing under the direction of his father, whom he joined in the conduct of the foundry and displayed special aptitude in mastering the business in principle and detail. Upon his father's death he became manager of the foundry and under his guidance the business continued to increase. It was developed along modern business lines in harmony with conservative methods that insured safety in its conduct and yet did not preclude progressiveness. The company manufacture all kinds of brass goods, brass moldings, brass and composition castings and other goods of the same nature, and the output was, and is, sent to all parts of the country, for since the father's death the sons have con- tinued in charge of the business, which is now carried on under the firm style of Henry Wray & Sons, brass founders. It was incorporated and the plant is located at Nos. 193 and 195 Mill street.
In 1862 Mr. Wray was married in Rochester to Miss Cornelia F. Mar- tin, a native of this city and daughter of William H. and Salvina B. (Clark) Martin, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Massachusetts. Her father came to Rochester at an early day and throughout the remainder of his life here followed the mason's trade, which he had learned in early man- hood. He took many important contracts, built the old Eagle Hotel and many of the other brick structures of the city of an early day. While in charge of the brick work and tunnel at West Point he became ill with cholera and died suddenly. His wife survived him and died in Rochester in 1894.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Wray was blessed with seven children : Ella All- ing, now deceased; William Henry, who is vice president of the Henry Wray & Sons Company, and who married Elsie C. Joiner, their home being at No. 22 Lorimer street; Edward M., who died in infancy; Mary G., the wife of John M. Stull, a prominent attorney now assistant corporation counsel of Rochester with offices at No. 46 City Hall; Charles F., who is secretary and treasurer of the company and married Helen Strong; Lois, who is the wife of Rev. John Barber, minister of the Calvary Baptist church of Erie, Pennsyl- vania; and De Los H., who is also interested in the brass foundry and resides with his mother.
Mr. Wray was for six years a member of the board of education at Roches- ter and was deeply interested in the intellectual progress of the city. He was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity. A good Christian man, he took much interest in church work, both he and his wife being members of the Central Presbyterian church. They were also interested in the People's Rescue Mission and did much to promote its work and the accomplishment of its object. In fact Mr. Wray stood for all that is just and honorable in busi-
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Henry Wrap
ness, for all that is helpful and considerate in man's relation with his fellow- men and for all that is generous and liberal in his treatment of the unfortu- nate. He and his wife traveled quite extensively, visiting many sections of interest, and Mrs. Wray has a large collection of relics picked up in their trav- els. She owns a beautiful home at No. 44 Lorimer street, where she and her son now reside. By all who knew him Mr. Wray is remembered as one who was actively and commendably interested in the welfare and development of this section of the state. He was a man of enterprise, positive character, indomitable energy, strict integrity and liberal views. He persevered in pur- suit of a persistent purpose and gained a most satisfactory reward. His life was exemplary in many respects and he had the esteem of his friends and the confidence of those who had business relations with him.
A. B. Lamberton
N
TOT SO abnormally developed in any direction as to be called a genius, Alexander B. Lamberton, how- ever, has been one of the most active men of Roches- ter, identified for many years with its business interests and its public concerns, nor is he unknown in scientific circles. He is now president of the park board and in this position as in other instances he has given tangible proof of his interest in and fidelity to those plans and measures which are promulgated for the public weal. He is pre-eminently a man of affairs and one who has and is still wielding a wide influence. A native of Ireland, he was born in Rich Hill, County Armagh, on the 28th of February, 1839. Early records dating from about the tenth century show that the family was originally of French descent. The ancestral history of a less remote period gives account of three brothers of the name who emigrated from Scotland and settled in the north of Ireland, in or about 1666, one of the brothers locating in Londonderry county, one in Giant Causeway and the other near by. Many descendants of the family are yet living in the north of Ireland. William Lamberton, grandfather of A. B. Lamberton, was born in 1775 and was married in 1802 to Elizabeth Garrick. They settled at Market Hill in County Armagh and there William Lamber- ton died. His widow and her nine children, with the exception of one son, Alexander, came to America in 1830.
Alexander Lamberton, father of A. B. Lamberton, of Rochester, was born in 1808, acquiring a good education in Ireland, and after attaining his majority engaged in merchandising at Rich Hill in County Armagh, where he remained until 1839. His mother and the other members of the family had previously come to America and in the year mentioned he, too, crossed the Atlantic. For many years in this country he devoted his life to the ministry of the Methodist church and died in Clinton county, New York, in 1878. Unto him and his wife were born five sons and three daughters, William, George, John, Verner, Alexander B., Elizabeth, Sarah and Mary.
In early childhood A. B. Lamberton was brought to the United States, acquiring his early education in the common schools of New York. Subse- quently he improved the higher educational facilities offered in Auburn Theo- logical Seminary and in the University of Rochester. Having determined to devote his life to the ministry he was for two years pastor of the Tompkins
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Avenue Presbyterian church in Brooklyn, New York, but failing health obliged him to abandon his cherished plans and turn his attention to business life.
Coming to Rochester in 1864, Mr. Lamberton entered industrial circles here as proprietor of a lumberyard and planing mill on the site of the Rochester House, at Exchange and Spring streets. For a number of years he continued in the lumber trade and has had various other business interests, owning at different times much valuable property, as he has improved his opportunities for judicious and profitable investment in city realty. For many years his attention in business lines has been given to the supervision of his investments and he is now well known as a capitalist of Rochester. He has for some time been a member of the board of directors of the East Side Savings Bank and is now serving as its vice president.
His public service, however, has brought him a still wider acquaintance in his business connection and for many years he has been known as the friend and stalwart champion of every movement and measure that he has deemed beneficial to the city. It was through his influence that the first swing bridge in the state was built over the canal at Exchange street. At all times unfalter- ing in his loyalty to his honest convictions, he accepted the candidacy for mayor of the city, for state senator and member of congress when he knew that his party was in the minority and that there was no hope of election. He stood for its principles and it is a matter of general knowledge that nothing can swerve him from a course that he believes to be right. Never hasty in his judgments, his opinions are the result of careful consideration, formulated by a well bal- anced mind and his endorsement of any public measure always wins to it a liberal following among those who rely upon his views as sound and practical.
For a number of years he was one of the managers of the State Industrial School, in which connection he did important service in promoting this emi- nently worthy public institution. In about 1900 the legislature passed an act enabling the city to create a public market and Mr. Lamberton succeeded Charles H. Babcock as its president and is now acting in that capacity. On the 8th of June, 1901, he was honored with election to the presidency of the Chamber of Commerce and that his administration was entirely satisfactory .to its members is indicated by the fact that he was offered the presidency for the second term. He refused, however, because it has been the rule of the Chamber of Commerce to elect for but one term. He has done much for the park system of the city, having been elected park commissioner in 1894, since which time he has served on the board, while in 1902 he suc- ceeded Dr. Moore as president and has since occupied that position. Under his administration the parks have undergone improvements in many directions. He was instrumental in establishing the band concerts, a feature which has been greatly appreciated by the poorer people of the city. He brings to bear in the discharge of his duties as president of the park board the same spirit of
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A. 26. Lamberton
deep interest and progressiveness that has characterized him throughout his entire life in every work that he has undertaken.
In 1864 Mr. Lamberton was united in marriage to Mrs. Eunice B. Hus- sey, a daughter of Charles R. and Eliza Starbuck, of Nantucket, Massachu- setts. His wife died March 18, 1898, leaving three daughters: Martha Hus- sey, of Rochester; Eunice S., now the wife of Isaac Kaiser, a resident of New York city; and Mary, the wife of Charles A. Hone, living at Bisby Lake, New York.
Aside from social pleasures resulting from his large circle of friends, Mr. Lamberton has found relaxation and absorbing interest in field sports and out- door life. His fishing and hunting expeditions have led him into the most famous game regions of America but it has not been his ambition to distin- guish himself by the mere amount of game or fish he could bring into camp. He was an early advocate of fish and game protection and of forest preserva- tion, and his contributions to the press on these subjects have been many and interesting. As vice president of the National Association in the protection of game and chairman of its committee on nomenclature, he wrote a mono- graph of uncommon scientific value on game birds, quadrupeds and fish of North America. In 1875 he introduced the first brook trout artificially prop- agated into the northern woods, having liberated fifty thousand fry in the Fulton chain lakes. He was one of the first to urge the state to establish a forest preservation in the Adirondacks, and it is now a matter of general regret that his advice was not followed at the time. Mr. Lamberton at once gives the impression of alertness, enterprise and strong force of character. Always courteous and chivalrous, displaying deference for the opinions of others, it is yet known that his loyalty to his beliefs cannot be shaken. He regards a public office as a public trust and at all times holds friendship inviolable.
Traves
Lorenzo S. Grabes
L ORENZO S. GRAVES, who is now numbered among the honored dead and who for many years was a leading manufacturer and one of the most prominent residents of Rochester, came to this city in 1859. He was afterward connected with several of the leading productive industries here and finally became one of the large stockholders of the Otis Elevator Company, with which business he was associated throughout his remaining days. He achieved such a goodly measure of success that his methods are of interest to the commercial world and in an analyzation of his life work it will be found that he based his business princi- ples and actions upon the rules which govern industry and strict, unswerv- ing integrity.
A native of Massachusetts, Mr. Graves was born in Southboro, July 18, 1831, his parents being Watson and Fanny (Dench) Graves, the latter a descendant of old Revolutionary stock. The father was born and reared in Southboro, Massachusetts, and while a young man he learned the boot and shoemaker's trade, following the same at Southboro during the early part of his life. He then removed to Ashland, Massachusetts, where he lived retired during his later years. His widow afterward made her home with her son and while visiting her daughter in Newark Valley she passed away.
In taking up the personal history of Lorenzo S. Graves we present to our readers the record of one who for many years figured prominently in connec- tion with the industrial development of the city. He acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of Ashland, Massachusetts, and completed his studies in the school at Amherst, Massachusetts. He was living in Worces- ter, that state, at the time of his marriage to Miss Eliza G. Coffin, an old school- mate. Her father, Captain Moses Coffin, of Nantucket, Massachusetts, was a blacksmith and cooper by trade but followed the sea for many years. After leaving the sea he settled in Willimantic, Connecticut, where he was employed in the first paper mill in that state. Subsequently he removed to Ashland, Massachusetts, where he resided until 1851, when he became a resident of Springfield, Vermont, where both he and his wife passed away. Their daugh- ter Eliza became the wife of Lorenzo S. Graves and unto this marriage was born one son, Fred B., who married Frances Oswald and resides at No. 5 Lorimer street, Rochester. He is now superintendent and manager of the Otis
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Lorenzo 5. Brabes
Elevator Company. Mr. and Mrs. Graves also reared an adopted daughter, Ida L., who is now the wife of Charles H. Chase, a nurseryman residing at No. 76 Richmond street.
In early manhood Lorenzo S. Graves learned the shoemaker's trade with his father, making as high as twelve pairs of boots per day, so expert had he become at hand labor. Upon his removal to Rochester in 1859 he began work- ing as a shoemaker in the employ of a Mr. Churchill. After a brief period, however, he turned his attention to teaming and a little later, in 1860, he gave to the world as the result of his inventive genius and study the Graves sole cutter, a machine for cutting leather soles. He then began the manufacture of the same, his factory being located on Mill street. He also engaged in the manufacture of paper cutters and shoe machinery and was very successful in both lines, continuing the business for a number of years and winning a cred- itable place as a substantial representative of commercial interests here. At length he decided to engage in the building of elevators and the Graves Ele- vator Company was formed, and the present large factory now operated under the name of the Otis Elevator Company was erected at Nos. 198 to 210 Com- mercial street. From the beginning the enterprise grew rapidly until several hundred men were employed on the construction of all kinds of passenger and freight elevators which were shipped to every section of the country. This became one of the largest productive industries of the city. It was developed along progressive, modern business lines, not only meeting but anticipating the needs of the trade in this direction, and Mr. Graves continued at the head of the concern until 1901, when he sold his interest to the Otis Company, at which time the firm name was changed to the Otis Elevator Company, of which the son is now superintendent and manager. The father then retired to private life. He was always a very busy man and in his earlier years his evenings were devoted to study and investigation, especially along architectural lines. His experiments resulted in inventions which gained for him a prom- inent place in the business world. He certainly deserved much credit for what he accomplished and justly earned the proud American title of a self-made man, for he had a capital of but a few dollars when he and his wife arrived in Rochester. The years passed and his industry and ability made him one of the well-to-do citizens. His success may be ascribed to his positive, deter- mined pursuit of business and to the fact that he was a man of unflinching com- mercial integrity.
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