USA > New York > Monroe County > Rochester > Rochester and Monroe County, New York : pictorial and biographical > Part 20
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Cal Houny & Schlich
henry A. Schlick
I N THE LIFE history of Colonel Henry N. Schlick there were many creditable chapters, setting forth an example that is indeed worthy of emulation. Death, which came to him suddenly, deprived Rochester of one of its popular residents and prominent business men. He was born in Dansville, New York, in 1841, and was reared in that city, acquiring his education in its public schools. At the outbreak of the Civil war, much interested in the attitude of the south and the questions which brought on hostilities, he became a pronounced advocate of the Union cause and enlisted as a member of Company K, One Hundred and Thirtieth New York Volunteers, afterward called the First New York Dra- goons. For three years he served with the army, winning distinction at the front and working his way upward from the position of private in the ranks to captain of his company within a comparatively short time. He participated in over twenty of the leading engagements in the early part of the war and was always noted for his fearless defense of the old flag and the cause it represented. At the battle of Todd's Tavern he served as aid-de-camp to General Gibbs, who was in command of the Third Brigade and during this campaign earnestly commanded Company H in several engagements. In the battle of Newton he was severely wounded in the right elbow and while recovering from his wound he was stricken with fever, necessitating his remaining in the hospitals at Balti- more and at Minneapolis for some weeks. When he was able to leave the hos- pital he was put on detached service and sent to Springfield, Illinois, where he had command of a detachment of cavalry, and soon after his removal to Illinois' capital he was appointed acting assistant adjutant general of that post. Colonel Schlick was in Springfield at the time of the burial of Abraham Lincoln and was one of the officers chosen for the military escort at the funeral service. He continued in the army until the officers of his regiment were mustered out of service July 18, 1865. He was always deeply interested in military affairs and never ceased to take an active part in such, although he was not again connected with the army.
After leaving Springfield Colonel Schlick went to Wellsville, Allegany county, New York. He had previously been connected with the grocery busi- ness in Dansville and he continued in the same line in Wellsville. In com- munity affairs he became quite prominent, exerting considerable influence in
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molding public thought and action there. For two years he filled the office of trustee, was foreman of a fire company and from the position of assistant chief was promoted to that of chief of the fire department.
The year 1885 witnessed the arrival of Colonel Schlick in Rochester, where he continued to make his home until his death, twenty years later. Here he turned his attention to the coal business as a retail merchant, continuing in that line up to the time of his death. He won a large and liberal patronage as a dealer in coal, his business methods being strictly reliable, while his enter- prise and diligence served as forceful elements in his success. Colonel Schlick, however, was not only known as a merchant but also won distinction in mili- tary and social circles, and his active life and personal worth made him one of the most popular residents of Rochester. He has taken a very active part in the Catholic organizations of the city and for sixteen years was colonel of the First Regiment of the Knights of St. John. For many years he served as gen- eral commander of the third division of the Memorial day parade. He main- tained pleasant relations with his old army comrades who wore the blue upon southern battle-fields through his membership in Marshall post, G. A. R., and he has been honored in Grand Army circles throughout the state as shown by his election to commander of the Grand Army of New York. He was also a member of the brigade staff of the local post and held other positions of prominence.
Colonel Schlick was first married to Miss Mary Goettschal, who died in 1895. He was married in 1898 to Miss Elizabeth A. Guhmann, of Rochester, a daughter of Jacob Guhmann, who was born in Alsace, Germany, and at an early day came to Rochester. He was connected with the New York Cen- tral Railroad in this city for a long period. Both he and his wife are now deceased. In their family were six daughters, all yet living in Rochester. Unto Colonel and Mrs. Schlick was born a daughter, Marie Josephine, whose birth occurred in January, 1899.
In his political views Colonel Schlick was a stalwart republican, who took a most active and helpful interest in the work of the party, being recognized as one of its leaders in this city. He served as one of the trustees of St. Joseph's Orphan Asylum and as commissioner of Hemlock Lake, and his fra- ternal relations extended to the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association and the Knights of St. John. He was most devoted to his family, considering no sacrifice on his part too great if it would promote the welfare or enhance the happiness of his wife and daughter. He built for them a beautiful home at No. 141 North Union street, where they still reside and he also erected a residence on Central avenue.
Death came to Colonel Schlick suddenly. On the night of April II, 1905, he attended a meeting of commandery No. 9 of the Knights of St. John, and while returning to his home fell dead at the corner of Main street East and North Union street. He was a man of fine personal appearance and soldierly
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bearing, tall, straight and dignified when occasion required, yet at all times genial and courteous. His was one of the largest funeral services ever held in the city in years. A great concourse of people gathered to pay their last tribute of honor and respect to one whom in life they had known and loved. The commandery of the Knights of St. John, of which he was the colonel, attended three hundred strong, in full uniform. Marshall post was also splen- didly represented and the Knights of Columbus sent a large delegation. After solemn requiem mass was celebrated at St. Joseph's church the remains were taken to Dansville, his boyhood's home, for interment. Years will pass, however, before the memory of Colonel Schlick has faded from the lives of those with whom he was closely associated. Wherever known he commanded regard and won warm friendships, and throughout his life he was noted for loyalty, whether upon the battlefields of the south or in some quiet position, where it was merely a matter of his own conscience and his own self-respect. His life record contains many obvious lessons which may well be followed by those who knew him, and indeed he left the impress of his individuality upon many with whom he came in contact.
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Thomas F. Mahon
T HOMAS F. MAHON, now deceased, was for many years actively associated with the business interests of Rochester and steadily worked his way upward to a position of affluence and prominence, his commer- cial integrity and capacity being widely recognized. He was born in Newark, New Jersey, June 30, 1861, and his life record covered the span to March 10, 1907. His father, John J. Mahon, was a tailor by trade and removed from Newark to Rochester dur- ing the early boyhood of his son Thomas. Both he and his wife are now deceased. Thomas F. Mahon acquired his education in the schools of Rochester and after attending the high school pursued a business course. Entering com- mercial circles, he was first employed in the office of the firm of Burke, Fitz- Simons & Hone, and subsequently he was with the Stein-Bloch Company for twenty years, first acting as bookkeeper and afterward becoming financial manager. His long connection with the house indicates in no uncertain man- ner the trust and confidence reposed in him, as well as his ability in the dis- charge of his duties. On leaving that firm in 1899 he became connected with the Hickey-Freeman Company and a year later he engaged in business on his own account as a wholesale dealer in leather under the firm name of Mahon & Company at No. 90 Mill street. He was not long in building up a good busi- ness and in fact his trade constantly increased until he was in command of an extensive patronage and had a branch office in Cincinnati, Ohio. In the estab- lishment and control of this enterprise he displayed keen business discernment, unfaltering energy and strong purpose, and as the years passed he became recognized as one of the leading merchants of Rochester.
Mr. Mahon was married to Miss Minnie Judge, a native of Rochester and daughter of Patrick Judge. Her father is now deceased but her mother is still living in this city. Mr. Mahon left eight children, of whom Rose Marie was a daughter of his first marriage. The others are Gertrude, Adrian, Lil- lian, Lois, Gerald, Oswald and Dorothy.
Mr. Mahon gave his political support to the democracy, and although he never sought or desired office he was ever a public-spirited citizen and gave active and hearty co-operation to many movements for the public good. He belonged to St. Mary's Catholic church, of which Mrs. Mahon is also a mem- ber, and was identified with the Knights of Columbus. Wherever known he
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was greatly esteemed because of his progressiveness in citizenship, his enter- prise in business and his loyalty in social circles. He had the confidence and trust of his business associates but his best traits of character were reserved for his own home and fireside, and in his family he was a devoted husband and father, considering no sacrifice too great on his part if it would promote the welfare and happiness of his wife and children.
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Lewis S. Brooks
L EWIS S. BROOKS, now living in well earned ease in Fairport, was in former years largely connected with the mining of coal and with general agricultural pur- suits. He is one of Monroe county's native sons, his birth having occurred in Penfield on the 13th of April, 1853. His father, Garry Brooks, was born July 5, 1806, in New Milford, Connecticut, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Brooks, were also natives of that state. The family is of English lin- eage and was founded in America by Thomas Brooks, who on coming from England settled in Connecticut. The town of Brookfield was named in his honor and he there preached in the Presbyterian church for a half century. He was a graduate of the theological department of Yale College of the class of 1754. His son, Samuel Brooks, was a soldier of the Revolution under Generals Washington and Lafayette, being with the latter at Yorktown. He afterward followed carpentering throughout his active business life and died at the advanced age of ninety-six years.
Garry Brooks was reared and educated in Connecticut and learned the tailor's trade in Litchfield, that state. In 1826 he joined his parents in Monroe county, New York, and after living for some time in the town of Penfield removed to Fairport, where he still lives-a centenarian. He married Emma Chauncey, daughter of John Chauncey, of Connecticut, and of their four chil- dren three are living: Fannie, Lewis and Emma, all of Fairport. Garry Brooks is a republican and in religious faith a Congregationalist. He takes an active part in the evangelistic and school work of the church and has con- tributed largely to the support of Oberlin College, conducted under the aus- pices of that denomination. While living in the town of Penfield he joined with others in building Penfield Academy and has ever been a most stalwart friend of the schools.
Lewis S. Brooks spent his youth on his father's farm in Penfield and was a lad of fourteen years at the time of the removal of the family to Fairport. His public-school education was supplemented by study in Eastman's Business College of Poughkeepsie, New York.
In early manhood Lewis Brooks wedded Miss Mary McMillan, the cere- mony being performed at the home of her uncle, Jesse B. Hannan. They later removed to Illinois, where they resided from 1877 until 1889, Mr.
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Brooks being regarded as one of the substantial business men of Smithboro and that portion of the state. For a number of years he was there interested in the mining of coal, being vice president of the Smithboro Prospecting & Min- ing Company, which operated a large tract of coal lands, having contracts for the coal used by the Vandalia system during the superintendency of the late Colonel Hill. However, through much of his life he has given his time and energies to stock-raising and farming and for the purpose of engaging in the former he owns the Prospect View farm, comprising three hundred and sev- enty acres of the finest land in the state. He was one of the charter mem- bers of the State Horticultural Society of New York and has always felt a deep interest in everything pertaining to advancement in farming and fruit- growing lines. In later years he has transacted his father's business as well as looking after his own properties and has displayed great executive ability and keen discrimination in the work.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brooks have been born nine children. Chauncey Garry, who now resides on his father's farm near Pittsford, married Cora Hunt, a daughter of William Hunt and a native of Branchport, Yates county, New York. Unto this marriage have been born two sons, Garry and William. Fannie F. is a graduate of Wells College of the class of 1902, where she won the degree of Master of Arts and also obtained a degree from Trinity College at Durham, North Carolina, and is now a teacher in the high school at Rochester. Jesse L., a former student in the Fairport high school and a graduate of Eastman's Business College, is now connected with the Rochester electric light plant. Emma S., who pursued a classical course in the Fairport high school and after her graduation took a post graduate course there and also attended Elmira College, is now the wife of J. Hunter Black of Genesee, New York, at present surrogate clerk and now pursuing a course in law. On the occasion of their marriage four generations of the family were present, including her grandfather, then one hundred years of age. Ethel M. was educated in the Fairport high school and resides at home. J. Willard is a student in the high school. Earl V. is a student in the Roch- ester Business University. Mary L. is attending the Mrs. Hake preparatory school in Rochester. Harold S. died at the age of two years.
The home of the family is a large and attractive residence, splendidly situated on a natural building site, commanding a fine view of the village and presided over by Mrs. Brooks, who is a most accomplished and charming hostess. Mr. Brooks is an earnest advocate of republican principles and while in Illinois served on the county republican central committee and wielded a wide influence in county and state politics. In 1882 he became a member of the Presbyterian church at Greenville, Illinois, but there is no church of that denomination in Fairport, so he attends and supports other denomina- tions here. He is a Christian gentleman of high principles and genuine per- sonal worth and throughout his entire life he has ever endeavored to do unto
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others as he would have them do unto him. He recognizes the fact that Christianity is not a matter of Sunday observance but of daily living, and this truth he manifests in all his relations with his fellowmen, being ever just, considerate and kindly.
Cw. H. Thompson
George h. Thompson
G r EORGE H. THOMPSON figured for many years as one of the most prominent, able and successful busi- ness men of Rochester and as a contractor and builder he enjoyed peculiar distinction as a prime factor in the mammoth operations of the past twenty years-a period marked by an entire revolution in building operations here. He was also connected with much railroad construction and his labors were an important element in the material development of this portion of the city. The birth of George H. Thompson occurred in Rochester in 1823, and his education was acquired in the public schools. He early learned the carpenter's trade and possessed much nat- ural mechanical ingenuity and ability. He entered upon his various duties as a construction and building contractor with admirable equipment and car- ried out his projects with such industry that he is credited with the erection of a number of the finest structures in Rochester. He built the Lima & Gen- eva Railroad and the Pine Creek Railroad, also the crosstown road that runs through Rochester and the Penut Railroad in Buffalo. He constructed forty- six miles of the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg Railroad and the elevated tracks of the New York Central Railroad. He was also the contractor and builder of the Savings Bank of Rochester, the House of Refuge, the New York Central Railroad station, the Barry block, and the Kimball tobacco fac- tory, the immense retaining wall being an engineering feat within itself. These and many others are the principal ornaments of their respective neighbor- hoods, pleasing to the eye and constructed with conscientious regard for real utility. He had three thousand men working under him and there was never anything of the overbearing taskmaster in him. On the contrary he was well liked by all who served under him and by all with whom he had business relations either as contractor or employer. In connection with his extensive building operations he was one of the directors of the Monroe County Bank, becoming associated with that institution in 1884.
Mr. Thompson was also prominent in the Masonic fraternity, having attained the thirty-second degree. He held membership in Valley lodge, No. 109, A. F. & A. M., in his life exemplifying the beneficent, helpful spirit of the craft, which is based upon mutual kindliness and brotherly interest. He was also a member of Point Lookout Club. In politics he was a strong repub-
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lican, unfaltering in his allegiance to the party and doing all in his power to promote its growth and extend its influence. For several years he served as a commissioner of Mount Hope cemetery.
On the 21st of January, 1875, Mr. Thompson was united in marriage to Miss Carrie L. Menter. They had an adopted daughter, Jennie M. Thomp- son, whom they reared, and who is now the wife of David Z. Morris, a son of the Rev. Dr. H. W. Morris and a prosperous young business man, now nicely located in Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson also adopted a son, Dr. G. M. Thompson of this city, who is a prominent man in Rochester, engaged in the general practice of medicine and surgery and located on East avenue. He is also a member of Valley lodge, No. 109, A. F. & A. M.
The death of Mr. Thompson occurred June 28, 1884, and the community thereby lost one of its representative, worthy and distinguished citizens. He made for himself a splendid record and an untarnished name in business cir- cles. His career was remarkably successful, chiefly by reason of his nat- ural ability and his thorough insight into the business in which as a young tradesman he embarked. His strict integrity, business conservatism and judg- ment were so universally recognized that he enjoyed public confidence to an enviable degree and naturally this brought him a lucrative patronage, so that through times of general prosperity and general adversity alike he wit- nessed a steady increase in his business until it became one of the most flour- ishing in its line in the city of Rochester. Conscientiously and industriously he executed the contracts given to him and prosperity resulted. In the social circles in which he moved he was known as a companionable, kindly gentle- man, of genial nature, while in his family he was a devoted husband and father, putting forth every possible effort to enhance the welfare and promote the happiness of his wife and children. Mrs. Thompson still survives her husband and is yet living in Rochester, occupying a leading position in the most prominent social circles of the city.
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Byron E. Huntley
B YRON E. HUNTLEY, who died in 1906, at the age of eighty-one, was for a long lifetime one of the foremost business men in western New York. Of Scotch ancestry, he inherited those sterling qualities of untiring perseverance and incorruptible honesty which began to tell in the very beginning of his busi- ness career. Added to these was an intuitive knowl- edge of human nature, a marvelous tact in the man- agement of men, a keen foresight of the shifting tides of the business world and of their significance, and a boldness in enter- prise which was not inconsistent with a wise and cautious conservatism. Mr. Huntley was the son of Dr. Lyman Huntley, a surgeon in the United States Army in the war of 1812, and of Alma Upson Huntley. He was born at Mexico, New York, February 6, 1825. While still a boy he removed with his parents to Fairport and in 1844 to Brockport. Here he entered the Brockport Collegiate Institute and later began his college course at Madison Univer- sity, now Colgate University, located at Hamilton, New York.
The failure of his health, however, compelled a change of plan and he entered the office of Fitch, Barry & Company of Brockport. This firm soon became the manufacturers of the McCormick reaper, the forerunner of the great harvester manufacturing industry of the world. In this machine Mr. Huntley became deeply interested and was soon made a member of the firm.
Various changes in his business relations took place during the next few years, but in every instance it became evident that the field of his activity was to be that of the manufacture of agricultural implements. In the mean- time his qualities as a business man were becoming daily more conspicuous and his genius for organization was revealing itself. In 1871 the evolution of business brought into existence the Johnston Harvester Company, of which Mr. Huntley was from the first the leading spirit.
In a day when the field of American industry was largely limited by our own shores, he looked farther and saw a vast untried field beyond the sea. Crossing to the continent of Europe, he soon saw the realization of his dreams. Without difficulty he established European agencies and from that day for- ward the machines of the Johnston Harvester Company have been pushing their way. In France, Germany, Russia, Australia, in the Orient and in Africa the Johnston harvesting machines have become known. For more
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than thirty years Mr. Huntley made an annual trip to Europe in the interests of the company. He is said to have been better informed on the European business in American harvesting machinery than any other manufacturer in the United States. Indeed so highly were his services as a pioneer in the intro- duction of American machinery to foreign lands regarded that the German royal family became greatly interested and the Emperor Frederick attended the first field trial near Berlin in person. But a still geater honor came to Mr. Huntley in 1901, when in recognition of his distinguished services in introducing American labor-saving machinery into France, he was decorated a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor by the president of France.
In 1881 the extensive factory at Brockport was totally destroyed by fire and the company then rebuilt its works at Batavia, where shipping facilities were much superior to those at Brockport. Here the company has steadily grown until its many buildings occupy a vast area, and its facilities for pro- duction and shipping could hardly be surpassed. Mr. Huntley became the president of the company in 1891 and held that office until the day of his death.
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