USA > New York > Monroe County > Rochester > Rochester and Monroe County, New York : pictorial and biographical > Part 17
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At the present writing the Bausch, Lomb, Saegmuller Company have become an integral part of the Bausch & Lomb Optical Company, in which association they are joined by the Carl Zeiss Works, of Jena, Germany. This association extends to one another the benefits of their business organiza- tions, scientific developments, formula, shop methods and experience and is
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George .I. Baegmuller
formed for the purpose of giving to the scientific world optical apparatus of the greatest perfection attainable. The association went into effect January 1, 1908.
On the 29th of April, 1874, Mr. Saegmuller was married to Miss Marie Jane Vandenburgh, a daughter of Gilbert and Sarah (Van Hoes) Vanden- burgh. They have three sons, John Leonhardt, Frederick Bertholdt and George Marshall.
Mr. Saegmuller is the inventor of many instruments and has made many improvements upon existing ones. To engineers he is perhaps best known from the Saegmuller patent solar attachment for engineering transits, by means of which the astronomical meridian can be obtained with an accuracy before undreamed of. He invented the stardials or finding circles for use on astronomical telescopes, the governor for chronographs, which has come into universal use, and also constructed a machine for grinding fine levels automat- ically. Professor Ferrel of the United States coast survey conceived the idea of a tide predicting machine which Mr. Saegmuller constructed in an ingen- ious manner. This apparatus still does duty in the department. At the sug- gestion of Admiral, then Captain, Sampson, he developed the telescopic sights which, now in general use by the United States navy, have enabled our gun- ners to make such remarkable records in marksmanship.
Liberal educational advantages brought him the broad and comprehensive knowledge of the great scientific principles which underlie his present business interests. Prompted by laudable ambition he has made gradual advancement and each forward step has brought him a wider outlook and enlarged oppor- tunities until he stands today as one of the most distinguished representatives of his department of manufacturing enterprise.
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Alrs. Sarah Touse Dan Epps
M RS. SARAH HOUSE VAN EPPS is one of the not- able figures in Rochester's history, residing at No. 69 Westminster road. She has now passed her eighty- sixth milestone on life's journey and in spirit and interests seems a much younger woman. With fac- ulties scarcely impaired by the stress of years, pos- sessing a keen sense of humor and a deep interest in the things that go on about her, she is a most enter- taining and interesting companion. Mrs. Van Epps is a daughter of Anson House, who was born in Glastonbury, Connecticut, July 14, 1790. His father, Eleazer House, removed to Lewis county, New York, about 1800, when he founded the hamlet of Houseville and erected and kept the historic tavern which is still standing and at which King Joseph Bonaparte was hospitably entertained while locating his lands and starting his unfortunate French colony not far distant.
Anson House, the father of Mrs. Van Epps, on arriving at years of maturity married Lucinda Blossom, who was born in Lenox, Massachusetts, May 25, 1801. Her father, Ezra Blossom, served in the Revolutionary army in defense of the New England coast, was afterward a captain of militia and became one of the first settlers of Brighton, Monroe county, where for years he conducted a well known tavern in which house Anson House and Lucinda Blossom were married. They established their home in Rochester, from which place he on a hot summer day walked to Canandaigua, in his shirt sleeves, to be admitted to the practice of law. He also served as justice of the peace and amusing stories are told of scenes in his court. His sense of humor and justice was prover- bial and on one occasion he prolonged the examination of a man who was accused of stealing rolls of butter by keeping him near the open fireplace until his guilt became manifest to all present by the tell-tale goods escaping from beneath his hat. Mr. House afterward abandoned the practice of law, becoming interested in real estate. He purchased the valuable piece of land running from Minerva alley to South St. Paul street and from that corner to the store opposite Cook's Opera House. On that spot he erected the then famous Minerva Block, and Minerva Hall was at that time the largest assem- bly hall in Rochester. This entire block was destroyed by fire on the night of the celebration of the laying of the Atlantic cable. Anson House died in 1864, and his wife survived him until 1883.
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mrs. Sarah House Dan @Epps
Mrs. Van Epps was born March 28, 1821. She began her education in the old high school taught by Professor Dewey and Miss M. B. Allen, and afterward attended Miss Seward's Female Seminary. On the 18th of May, 1840, she gave her hand in marriage to John C. Van Epps, of New York, with whom she traveled life's journey for forty-four years, when they were sep- arated by the death of the husband, who passed away in Rochester in 1884 and was laid to rest in the cemetery at Brighton.
John C. Van Epps was of Dutch descent, whose forbears at an early date settled in the Mohawk valley. In his youth he started out for himself and went to Albany, where he read law and in due course of time was admitted to the bar to practice his profession. After his marriage he removed to Rochester, where he became well known among his legal associates, owing to the conscientious manner in which he guarded the interests committed to his charge. He was faithful to his clients but never forgot that he owed his highest allegiance to the principles of his profession. In the couse of time it fell to him to accept the management of Mrs. Van Epps' large real-estate interests and his later years were devoted to that business.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Van Epps gained a wide circle of friends and the home of Mrs. Van Epps is yet a favorite resort with many residents of Rochester and of Monroe county. She is remarkably well preserved for one of her years, and on the eightieth anniversary of her birth gave a reception at the home, entertaining a large company of friends. She has been a witness of the growth and development of this part of the state for more than eight decades and relates many interesting incidents of the early days in Monroe county. Well does she deserve mention in this volume with the representative residents of Rochester.
Cornelius A. Michal .
Cornelius A. Richols
C CORNELIUS A. NICHOLS has since 1887 served as postmaster at Chili Center, New York, where he is also prominent as a merchant, carrying all kinds of farm implements, fertilizers, coal, produce and apples. Mr. Nichols is a native son of Chili Center, his birth having here occurred May 20, 1858, being a son of Job and Catherine (Haines) Nichols, both of whom were natives of Oxfordshire, England. The father emigrated to the new world in 1850, locating on a farm of thirty acres in Chili Center, and was here engaged in business as a farmer and gardener. Of the eight children of the family only three now survive: Cornelius, of this review; Henry, who resides in Chili town- ship; and Jason, a resident of Coldwater, New York.
Cornelius A. Nichols was educated in the public schools of Chili Center and began to make his own way in the world at the early age of fourteen years. He was variously employed until 1876, when he began work as a painter, having in the meantime learned the trade. In this connection he did an extensive business in general painting as well as carriage and sign paint- ing and he had several men in his employ. In 1886 he opened a store, which he has since conducted, carrying a full line of agricultural implements as well as fertilizers, coal, produce and apples. He has built up a large patronage in these various commodities by reason of his straightforward business meth- ods and his reasonable prices. He has also since 1887 served as the efficient postmaster at this place, the duties of the office being conducted in prompt and able manner. Mr. Nichols owns a fine store building and warehouses besides three acres of ground and in the upbuilding and development of his home locality he has ever taken a deep and active interest.
Mr. Nichols was united in marriage to Miss Fannie M. Smith, a native of Livingston county, this state, and a daughter of Henry Smith. Their mar- riage was celebrated in 1880 and has been blessed with two sons and a daugh- ter, Cornelius A., Jr., James Craig and Ruby E., all still under the parental roof.
In politics Mr. Nichols is a republican and for six years served as super- visor, while for eleven years he filled the office of town clerk. Fraternally he belongs to the Red Men and the Knights of the Maccabees and is also iden- tified with the Grange, of which there is a membership of two hundred and
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Cornelius A. nichols
twenty-five. He belongs to the Baptist church at Chili Center. Mr. Nichols is truly a self-made man, for, starting out in life at an early age, dependent upon his own resources, he has gradually worked his way upward until he has gained that success which is ever the sure reward of diligence, perseverance and industry, while as a public official, as a business man and as a private citizen he enjoys the good will and high esteem of all with whom he is brought in contact.
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Charles C. Meper
A LTHOUGH born across the water, Mr. Meyer has spent the greater part of his life in Rochester and his career is identified with the history of this city, where he has acquired a competence and where he is an honored and respected citizen. He may well be termed one of the founders of the city, for he has been the promoter of many of its leading business enterprises. He has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a careful business man and in his pres- ent connection, as in former business undertakings, he has through his prompt and honorable methods won the deserved and unbounded confidence of his fel- lowmen.
Mr. Meyer was born in Germany, January 8, 1831, a son of Andrew and Frederica (Winter) Meyer, the latter a native of Leopold-Haven. The father was a shipbuilder by trade and in July, 1836, emigrated with his family, con- sisting of wife, four sons and four daughters, from Baden to the United States. The trip across the Atlantic required forty-nine days and after reach- ing Albany, New York, they made their way by canal to Rochester, where they landed in the evening and on account of being unable to secure hotel accommodations for the night were obliged to sleep on beds out of doors. The father continued his work at boatbuilding after his arrival in this city and here spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1861.
Charles C. Meyer is one of four sons, his brothers being Frederick, Philip and John, all of whom learned the boatbuilder's trade under the direction of the father. Our subject was a little lad of five years when he accompanied the family to the new world and in the schools of Rochester he acquired his education. After learning his trade he and his three brothers engaged in the boatbuilding business and at one time owned all the boatyards in the city with the exception of one. In 1861 he was engaged in a business of this charac- ter on Meigs street near the bridge, building canal boats of regular size,- ninety-seven feet in length and eighteen feet in width, to draw six feet of water. He had in his employ a large number of men, and continued the enter- prise with great success until 1887, when he discontinued the enterprise and engaged in the real-estate business. He had previously purchased five acres of land near the canal, this being worth five hundred dollars per acre, which he used for his boatyards until the time he discontinued that enterprise. He then
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Charles &. meper
built a number of houses on this tract and has sold off many of these but still owns several. In 1865 he erected a large brick house, two stories in height, which at the time was considered one of the best houses in the city. He is still operating in real estate and his long connection with the business enables him to readily place the right value upon property. He has ever been watchful of all the details of his business and of all indications pointing toward prosperity and from the beginning his business has rapidly developed until he is today numbered among the substantial men of this city. In addition to his real estate interests he also at one time was engaged in the operation of a sawmill but is now giving his entire time and attention to his property interests.
In 1853 Mr. Meyer was united in marriage to Miss Phillopeno Damm and unto them were born one son and four daughters: Mrs. Amelia C. Herz- berger ; Edward C., a resident of Oregon; Mrs. Elizabeth Gordon, of Boston; and Mrs. W. C. Taylor and another daughter, both deceased. Mr. Meyer was again married January 9, 1890, his second union being with Miss Susan R. Arnold, and after her death he married her sister, Miss Ida S. Arnold, on the 26th of February, 1895.
Aside from his business interests Mr. Meyer has found time to devote to public affairs, having served for five terms as supervisor, while for one term he acted as alderman of the seventh ward of Rochester. In his fraternal rela- tions he is identified with the Masonic body, and he is a charter member of the Church of the Reformation, to which he has ever been a liberal contributer. Few men are more prominent or more widely known in business circles in Rochester than Mr. Meyer, for from an early period in its development he has been identified with the business and industrial life of the city and through capable management and close application has worked his way upward until he now occupies a place among the substantial and well-to-do citizens of Rochester, his adopted city.
Newny@Show
henry A. Strong
O NE OF ROCHESTER'S native sons, Henry A. Strong was born on the 30th of August, 1838, of the mar- riage of Alvah and Catherine (Hopkins) Strong. In his boyhood and youth he was a pupil in the public schools, and at the time of the Civil war, in 1861, Mr. Strong was appointed assistant paymaster in the United States navy, serving for four years. At the close of the war he returned home and became iden- tified with his uncle, Myron Strong, in the manufac- ture of whips, eventually purchasing his uncle's interest. He became asso- ciated with E. F. Woodbury, which relation continued until 1889, when he disposed of his interests in that line. In the meantime he became connected with George Eastman in the manufacture of dry plates and films. The part- nership was formed in December, 1880, under the firm name of Strong & Eastman. In October, 1884, the Eastman Dry Plate & Film Company was organized with Mr. Strong as president, and today the extensive business is conducted under the name of the Eastman Kodak Company. Wherever the camera is in use the name of Eastman is known. The business of the house far exceeds that of any other establishment of a similar character in America and the company not only enjoys a domestic trade of mammoth proportions but also a large export trade. The name of the Eastman Kodak Company has become almost synonymous with that of Rochester, having for some years been one of its largest and most profitable industrial enterprises. The business has been developed from small beginnings and the success of the house is attribut- able in large measure to the fact that the company has adopted every modern invention and improvement that leads to perfection in the manufacture of kodaks and camera supplies. In every department of this vast business are men who are experts in their line and through the co-ordination and organ- ization of forces as manifest by those who are at the head of the business in the executive department there has resulted an enterprise of which every citizen of Rochester is proud. A man of fertility of resource, readily recognizing and improving opportunity, Henry A. Strong has been sought in connection with the conduct and management of many important business enterprises. He is now president of the Rochester Button Company, president of the United States Voting Machine Company and a director of the Alliance Bank, the
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Monroe County Savings Bank and the Security Trust Company. He is like- wise interested in various other financial and commercial institutions.
Mr. Strong was married in Niles, Michigan, on the 3d of August, 1859, to Miss Helen P. Griffin, a daughter of Robert I. Griffin. They became parents of two sons and two daughters: Gertrude, the wife of Henry L. Achilles; Herbert, who died in infancy; Helen, the wife of Ex-Governor George R. Carter, of Hawaii; and Henry G., a prominent business man of Rochester.
Mr. Strong is a stalwart advocate of republican principles and while he does not concern himself with petty politics he is interested, as is every true American citizen, in the great questions which affect the welfare of the coun- try at large. Ever willing to do even more than his share for the betterment and uplifting of Rochester, his generous aid can be counted upon to further any progressive public movement for the material, intellectual, æsthetic and moral progress of the city. In 1907 he presented to the Rochester Theological Sem- inary a magnificent building, which was given the name of the Alvah Strong Memorial Hall in honor of his father, who was one of the early and prominent citizens of Rochester. There has not been a single esoteric phase in the career of Henry A. Strong, who has spent his entire life in this city and whose record is as an open book. His business methods have neither sought nor required disguise and in the legitimate channels of trade he has gained a splen- did and well merited success.
P.C. Reynolds
Platt C. Reynolds
P LATT C. REYNOLDS, deceased, who for a third of a century was an editor and journalist in Rochester and was regarded throughout the country as one of the ablest writers upon horticultural subjects, was born in Dutchess county, New York, in 1826. He was ten years of age when he removed to Palmyra, New York, with his parents, Isaac and Sarah ( Elli- son) Reynolds. He remained a resident of Palmyra from 1836 until 1859 and completed his education in the schools there. He afterward removed to Plainfield, New Jersey, where he engaged in the fruit-growing business until 1864, and his broad, practical experience as well as his wide study and research made him authority on sub- jects of which he treated in his journalistic work.
Mr. Reynolds came to Rochester on leaving New Jersey and here again engaged in fruit growing, following this pursuit for some time with excellent success, while for twenty years he was agricultural and horticultural editor of the American Rural Home of Rochester. For a long period he was also secre- tary of the Western New York Horticultural Society and was present at the semi-centennial celebration of that organization in January, 1905. His writ- ings and his efforts proved an important influence in promoting the fruit- growing interests of the state, bringing a knowledge to the general public which might be accomplished in this direction and of the best methods to be followed. For several years he was horticultural editor of Green's Fruit Grower and not only did he write extensively on the subjects of the farm, the garden and the orchard but was also a practical agriculturist and horticultur- ist and often delivered lectures at farmers' institutes, presenting in practical form those subjects which were and are of interest in the tilling of the soil or the production of grain and fruit crops. He was a frequent and valued contributor to Green's Fruit Grower, the Examiner, the New York Tribune, the Ohio Farmer, the New England Farmer, the Country Gentleman and other agricultural papers and his writings are widely read and copied in other pub- lications. He was continuously a student of those interests bearing upon the questions which he treated and had most thorough knowledge of both a prac- tical and scientific character.
On the 23d of November, 1846, Mr. Reynolds was married near Palmyra, New York, to Miss Julia Barnes, a native of Ontario county, New York, and
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they became the parents of four children: Mrs. Nina Brewington, living at home; Francis Garton, deceased; Mrs. Florence Whitney; and Augustus, at home.
In his political views Mr. Reynolds was always a strong republican, stud- ied closely the attitude of the two great parties upon the momentous ques- tions which came up for settlement and his position was that of firm convic- tion and a belief in the justice of his cause. He was a faithful, frequent and conscientious advisor and was kind and courteous to all. By nature he was quiet and unassuming and his strong mentality and studious habits led him to be classed with the thinkers of the age. In fact he was called the traveling encyclopedia of invention and his broad knowledge made him the peer and valued associate of those most prominent in agricultural and horticultural circles throughout the country. He built a fine home at No. 35 Meigs street, Rochester, about seventeen years ago and there resided until his death, which occurred April 13, 1905. His widow still resides there. In his demise the nation lost one of its ablest men whose widely felt influence was a potent fac- tor for good and for material development, while his genuine personal worth endeared him to all with whom he came in contact in his social relations.
Oscar Craig
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Oscar Craig
I N THE history of the legal profession in Rochester mention should be made of Oscar Craig, now deceased, who was a prominent attorney of that city for many years, continuing in the active practice of law here from 1859 until his demise, which occurred on the 2d of January, 1894. He was one of the native sons of the Empire state, his birth having occurred in Medina, Orleans county, New York, November 14, 1836. His parents were Joseph and Elizabeth (Herring) Craig and after their marriage they resided in Medina, New York, for several years, the father being engaged in general merchandis- ing there. He afterward brought his family to Monroe county, New York, and resided on a tract of land near the town of Brockport, where he engaged in farming until his death. His wife has also passed away.
Oscar Craig obtained a public-school education at Medina until he was seventeen years of age. A careful consideration of the various avenues of life open to young men led him to determine upon the profession of law as a life work and he went to Schenectady, New York, where he entered upon the study of law in the Union College. He spent two years as a student there and graduated with the class of 1856, after which he returned to Medina and con- tinued a student in the law office of Mr. Servous at that place for a short time. He was likewise a student in the law office of Mr. Parker in Buffalo for three years and the fact that he had an uncle in Rochester influenced him to become a resident of this city in 1859. Here he concluded his course with Judge Strong and entered upon the practice of his profession.
Mr. Craig was married in 1861 to Miss Helen M. Chatfield of New York city, a daughter of Levi S. Chatfield, who was also a prominent attorney and resided for several years in Otsego county, after which he removed to New York city. Prior to that time he was made attorney general for the state and acted in that capacity for four years. He resided in New York city for several years, after which he retired from active practice, making his home in Eliza- beth, New York, until called to his final rest in 1884.
When Mr. Craig came to Rochester he opened a law office and engaged in practice with Judge Strong for a time. Because of impaired health he then left the city for a few months and upon his return opened an office in the Powers building, where he practiced for a few years. He then became attorney
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for the Monroe County Savings Bank and moved his office to that building and was the local representative of that institution for several years. He was the attorney who drew up the bill for the transfer of the inmates of the poor house to the state hospital. He had an extensive clientage which connected him with litigation of a prominent and important character and at the bar he displayed a wide and thorough familiarity with the principles of jurispru- dence in various departments. He was ever an earnest worker, neglecting none of the various duties which fall to a lawyer in the preparation of a case in the office or in the presentation of his case before the court. He was regarded as a safe counselor and able defender of litigated interests and for many years was accorded a prominent position at the Rochester bar.
Mr. Craig was also a factor in public life and was especially concerned with those interests which worked for the welfare and upbuilding of the city and the advancement of beneficial and charitable movements. He was well known in philanthropic circles and was a member of the state board of chari- ties, of which he served as president for fourteen years, receiving appointment to the board from Governor Cornell and acting as its president at the time of his death. He did not associate himself with any political party but gave his support where he believed the best interests of the city demanded it. Both he and his wife were faithful and consistent members of the First Presbyte- rian church, in the work of which he took an active and helpful part, serving for some time as elder. His life was honorable, his actions manly and sincere, his ideals high and his principles commended him to the unqualified respect of all with whom he came in contact, so that his name is honorably enrolled upon the list of Rochester's prominent dead. He died at his home at No. 33 South Washington street, where Mrs. Craig still resides. It was built in 1816 and is one of the oldest residences of the city-a landmark which for more than ninety years has been a mute witness of the growth of Rochester and the changes which have brought about its present conditions.
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