USA > New York > Monroe County > Rochester > Rochester and Monroe County, New York : pictorial and biographical > Part 22
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William karle
and in some instances having performed the ritualistic work in both the Ger- man and the English languages in the same day. Mr. Karle is also a member of Bluecher lodge, No. 93, Knights of Pythias. At all times his life exem- plifies the beneficent spirit of these orders and he is thoroughly familiar with their tenets and their teachings. He is one of the directors of the Masonic Club and is a member of the Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Karle is a man of fine business ability and commanding presence, who stands high in social and industrial circles. Moreover, he deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, having been both the architect and builder of his own fortunes. Of marked activity, energetic, honest, far-seeing and public spirited, he has operated continuously and by the stimulus of his exertions has aroused the enterprise of others, while through this means he has added to his own labors and furnished to hundreds remunerative employ- ment. He started out at a small salary and in a comparatively insignificant position but like other brainy, energetic young men who have left their impress upon the magnificent development of the city, he did not wait for an especially brilliant opening. Indeed he could not wait, and his natural indus- try would not have permitted him to do so, even if his financial circumstances had been such as to make it possible. As an employe he performed all the duties that devolved upon him conscientiously and industriously and in the course of time was enabled to start in business for himself. Like other busi- ness men, he may not have found all the days equally bright but the threat- ened disaster has ever seemed to serve as a stimulus for renewed effort and success on his part. His strict integrity, business conservatism and judgment have always been so universally recognized that he has enjoyed public confi- dence to an enviable degree and naturally this has brought him such a lucrative patronage that through times of general prosperity and general adversity alike he has witnessed a steady increase in his business until it is today one of the most flourishing in its line in Rochester.
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James Denry Wild
J AMES HENRY WILD, now deceased, was well known in Rochester for a long period because of the annual visits which he paid to the city. Indeed he was a merchant here in early manhood and later he never failed to come to Rochester at least once a year, maintaining his friendship with many of its leading residents. He was born in Stockport, New York, on the 9th of November, 1815. James Wild, his father, was a manufacturer of cotton cloth and continued in that business throughout his entire life. He married Miss Jane Henry, and while they spent the winter months in New York city, they maintained a summer home at Stockport.
In early life James Henry Wild became a factor in the business circles of Rochester, being one of the first general merchants in this city. He con- ducted a store here at a time when Rochester was a town of little commercial or industrial importance and his labors contributed to its business growth. He left here, however, in the '30s, going to New York, but he spent a part of each year here throughout his remaining days. He was very fond of fishing and hunting and indulged his love of those sports in the northern woods.
In 1842 Mr. Wild was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Medbury, in Roch- ester, and unto them were born five children: Anna E. M. and Joseph Med- bury and three who died in infancy.
Mr. Wild was deeply interested in political questions and upon the organ- ization of the republican party became one of its stalwart advocates. He did all in his power to promote its growth and insure the adoption of its principles and his labors in its behalf were effective and far-reaching. For several years he was in the government employ in New York. He took an active interest in public affairs and served as senator for one term. He attained to the very venerable age of ninety-two years, passing away on the 8th of January, 1907. Throughout his entire life he had lived in the Empire state and was closely associated with its interests of a business and public nature. He possessed the genial disposition and kindly spirit of the old school gentleman nor was he without that human interest in his fellowmen which promotes friendships and awakens regard.
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Reuben A. Adams, M. D.
D R. REUBEN A. ADAMS, who in the medical profes- sion of Rochester ably represents the noted New England family from which he sprung, was born at Marion, New York, April 3, 1841. There he passed his boyhood and received his education, at first in the public schools and later at Marion Collegiate Insti- tute. In August, 1862, Dr. Adams enlisted in Com- pany D, One Hundred and Sixtieth Regiment New York Volunteers, and went to New Orleans with General Banks' expedition, serving under him throughout the Louisiana cam- paign, including the siege of Port Hudson. Later he fought under General Sheridan in his famous engagements in the Shenandoah valley, participating actively in fourteen battles in all. He was wounded at Fort Bisland, Loui- siana, and Cedar Creek, Virginia; and when mustered out of service at the close of the war he received the exceptional honor of a letter of special com- mendation personally signed by every surviving officer of his regiment. The Doctor has received rare and valuable presents, and "Thanks" from the impe- rial household of Japan for services to a prince and distinguished officers of the Japanese navy and army; but this letter and its endorsements he prizes above all similar things he possesses, and of it he is justly proud.
Returning from the war, Dr. Adams took up his medical studies at the Homeopathic Medical College of Pennsylvania, and graduated from the Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia, March 4, 1868. In July of that year he established himself at Churchville, New York, where he practiced his profession successfully until May, 1873. Weary of the hardships of a country practice and ambitious for a field presenting greater possibilities, he then moved to Rochester, where he rapidly acquired a large business and took rank with the most prominent and esteemed physicians. In 1874 he served as city physician, being one of the first homeopathic physicians to occupy that position. On April 1, 1883, he formed a partnership with Dr. V. A. Hoard that terminated December 31, 1886; and July 1, 1889, Dr. Myron H. Adams became a partner, this connection being dissolved January 1, 1893.
Dr. R. A. Adams has been president of the Monroe County Homeopathic Medical Society, vice president of the Rochester Hahnemann Society and vice president of the New York State Homeopathic Medical Society. He is a mem- ber of the Central New York Homeopathic Medical Society and of the Amer-
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Reuben A. Adams, I. D.
ican Institute of Homeopathy, and has been consulting physician on the staff of the Rochester Homeopathic Hospital since its incorporation in 1887. He is a member of George H. Thomas post, No. 4, G. A. R., and is proud to have taken part with that post in the original presentation of a fine United States flag to each of the thirty-five public schools of Rochester, thus starting a patriotic custom that has extended pretty generally over the United States and greatly stimulated patriotism and loyalty in the school children of our country. Dr. Adams is also a member of the Monroe commandery, No. 12, K. T., and Rochester consistory, in which he has taken the thirty-second degree in Mas- onry. He belongs to the Rochester Club and various other social, professional and business organizations.
During the last thirty years Dr. Adams has been an aggressive, though always a consistent and conscientious worker for the advancement of home- opathy. In his work and words he has long been an effective advocate and uncompromising defender of his medical faith. He is recognized as one of the leading representatives of that school of practice in this section of the coun- try. For more than twenty-four years he occupied the same office on Fitz- hugh street but is now located in the Powers building and is still actively engaged in his professional work, though taking time to direct the general management of a large grain farm in North Dakota and extensive orange groves and English-walnut orchards in southern California. He finds his principal recreation and diversion from the tension and consuming demands of an active practice in occasional visits to these estates.
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Amos Tubbell Cobb
A MOS HUBBELL COBB, deceased, was a pioneer in the canning industry in this state and through much of his life was connected with the business, eventu- ally purchasing a canning factory at Fairport, of which he was owner from 1881 up to the time of his death, ten years later. In his business life he was known for his enterprise and unfaltering integrity and his well defined labor brought him gratifying success. He was born in Greenville, Greene county, New York, September 28, 1840, and was a son of Tyler Perry and Catherine (Hubbell) Cobb. When ten years of age Amos H. Cobb went to Camden, Oneida county, New York, where he made his home with his cousin, Ezra A. Edgett, later of Newark, New York, whom he assisted in planting the first field of sweet corn ever used for canning in New York state. Camden was the seat of the origin of the canning industry in this state. Later Mr. Edgett founded the Wayne County Preserving Company, today the oldest established factory of that character in New York. Amos H. Cobb remained with his cousin until a young man, when he went to New York city, where he was con- nected with Kemp, Day & Company and U. H. Dudley & Company, both houses being well known in the canned goods industry. He remained with the latter firm until 1868, when he entered the paper commission business as a member of the firm of Goodwin, Cobb & Company. They did an import business, having offices in New York and Liverpool, England, and were the first to import soda ash into this country by steamer. In 1881 Mr. Cobb removed to Fairport, purchasing of Ezra A. Edgett the canning factory, which the latter had established in 1873 as a branch of the Wayne County Preserv- ing Company, of Newark, New York. He operated the factory for ten years, or up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 27th of August, 1891.
In 1864 he had married Angie Hodgman, of Fort Edward, who survives him and still resides in Fairport. Since the death of her husband the busi- ness of the Cobb Preserving Company has been carried on by Mrs. Cobb and her sons. The family numbered five children, all yet surviving, namely: Frederick D. H. Cobb, of Rochester, treasurer and manager of the Cobb Pre- serving Company; George Watson, who is vice president of the Cobb Preserv- ing Company and secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Sanitary Can Company ; Amos H. Cobb, of Rochester, secretary of the Cobb Preserv-
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ing Company; Clarence S. Cobb, of Fairport, also connected with the busi- ness; and Angie Cobb Shepard, the wife of Stanley Shepard of Rochester.
The sons had a splendid example in their father, who was a man of enter- prise, marked business discernment and of unfaltering reliability. As stated, he was connected with the development of the canning industry in New York and after going to Fairport was an important factor in its industrial interests. An analyzation of his life work shows the possession of many sterling traits which commended him to the confidence, trust and good will of his fellowmen.
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Lee Richmond
L EE RICHMOND, associated with several of the impor- tant composite elements which go to make up the sum total of Rochester's business activity and pros- perity, was born in this city, August 29, 1863. His father, Daniel Richmond, a native of Sweden, Mon- roe county, New York, was a canal engineer, who started in the work as rodman and was successively assistant and division engineer in charge of the con- struction of the middle and western divisions of the Erie canal. He also became greatly interested in the manufacture of salt at Syracuse and developed a profitable business in marketing the saline products so largely produced in Onondaga county. After 1872 he was associated with J. Nelson Tubbs in the building of the water works at Syracuse and was super- visor of the Mount Hope reservoir. His private business interests were largely of a character that contributed to general progress and upbuilding as well as to individual prosperity.
Daniel Richmond was a stalwart democrat, giving inflexible allegiance to the principles of the party. In Masonry he attained the Knight Templar degree and in religious faith he and his family were Unitarians. He pos- sessed a genial, social nature, was positive in his convictions, impulsive, warm hearted and loyal in his friendships. Few men had more warm friends than Daniel Richmond and his unfeigned cordialitv and sincere interest in his fel- lowmen made him popular in the various social and club organizations with which he was identified. He belonged to the Rochester Whist Club and to various other societies. He married Laura C. Comstock and to them were born two children, Lee Richmond and Mrs. Hall, both of Rochester.
The son was a pupil in the public and high schools of Rochester, complet- ing his course by graduation. Early in his business career he was for two years an employe of the John Fahy Dry Goods Company, after which he entered the employ of the Weaver & Goss Hardware Company as receiving clerk. In 1886 he became a partner in the Weaver, Palmer & Richmond Com- pany, of which he is now secretary and treasurer. His identification with the hardware trade covers more than two decades and his executive force, keen business discernment and energy constitute salient elements in its success. In their business the company aims at the highest standards in the character of its materials and in its service to the public, and meets competition in a rivalry
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Lee Richmond
of merit rather than in a war of prices. The relations of the house with the public and with other business houses are above reproach. The business is managed by men who understand the trade themselves and who know how to develop the latent capacity of their employes. It is their pride not merely to increase in sales but to improve in character, personnel and service, and so approach an ideal business standard.
Lee Richmond, however, figures not alone in the hardware trade, his enter- prise and industry proving an element in the conservation of the interests of the Union Coarse Salt Company and the Western Coarse Salt Company of Syracuse, of both of which he is president, and of the Fidelity Contract Com- pany of Rochester, of which he is the vice president. His standing in business circles is indicated by the fact that he was honored with the treasurership of the Rochester Credit Men's Association, in which capacity he has been retained for many years.
In 1888 Mr. Richmond was married to Miss Josephine Southwick, a daughter of T. T. Southwick, of Rochester, and they have two children, Laura and Marion, aged respectively eighteen and sixteen years and now students in the high school. Mr. Richmond belongs to Yonnondio lodge, No. 163, F. & A. M .; to Hamilton chapter, R. A. M .; Monroe commandery, K. T. He hs also taken the degrees of the York rite and the Mystic Shrine. He is cap- tain of the Genesee Canoe Club and belongs to the Rochester Club and to the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Richmond is a man of fine personal appearance, whose great popularity is indicated by his host of friends in the city where almost his entire life has been passed and where he has so directed his ener- gies as to obtain substantial and enviable recognition in the business world.
Joseph B. Roe
J OSEPH B. ROE is now living retired on the Roeside farm in the town of Penfield, Monroe county, after many years of active and successful connection with business interests. He was born upon the farm where he now resides June 27, 1842. His father, Joseph Brewster Roe, Sr., was born in Long Island, New York, and in Butler, Wayne county, this state, was married to Charlotte Wisner, a daughter of Moses Wisner, who was one of the early settlers and pioneer farmers of Wayne county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Roe were born seven children but the subject of this review is the only one now living. The father followed farming in Wayne county until 1835, when he removed with his wife and two oldest children to Monroe county, purchasing the farm Roeside upon which his son and namesake is now living. In 1845 he removed to the village of Penfield, where he engaged in the milling business for some years. He then removed to Rochester, where he remained for three years, after which he returned to the old farm, where he died in March, 1858, at the age of forty-eight years. His widow long survived him and died at the home of our subject in Detroit, Michigan, in 1891, at the age of seventy-eight years.
In the common schools of Penfield township, Joseph B. Roe, of this review, acquired his early education, which was supplemented by study in the Pen- field Academy. For five years following the time when he became twelve years of age he spent the summer months in taking cream to a confectioner in Rochester and in carrying other market products to that city. At the age of sixteen he was left fatherless and the management of the home farm devolved upon him and his older brother Jerome. When eighteen years of age he was obliged to abandon farm work on account of ill health and went to Brantford, Ontario, where he entered the employment of an uncle, being engaged in the selling of fanning mills to the farmers. After a few months, however, he returned to Monroe county, and secured employment in Moul- son's provision store in Rochester, but, after a brief period, he identified himself with the nursery business, with which he was connected for three years, delivering and selling nursery stock. For the succeeding three years Mr. Roe conducted the old farm, as his brother had married and left the place.
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Joseph 26. hoe
On the 4th of June, 1867, occurred the marriage of our subject to Miss Maria Allen, of Williamson, Wayne county, New York. For a few years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Roe resided on the home farm and then went to Michigan, where Mr. Roe became a member of the firm of F. W. Beers & Company in the publication of county atlases. In 1874 he removed to Portland, Michigan, where for fourteen years he was one of the firm of Maynard, Allen & Company, bankers of that city. He also engaged in gen- eral grain and produce business for six years as a member of the firm of Maynard & Roe, and on the expiration of that period he purchased his part- ner's interest and continued in the grain business alone for eight years, car- rying on a more extensive trade in grain and produce than any other dealer in that portion of the state. He would buy any thing which the farmer raised and could sell him any thing he wanted to buy. In 1875 he became a member of the Detroit Board of Trade, but in 1887 he had to abandon the grain busi- ness on account of ill health. He never expected to be again able to enter commercial circles, but after recuperating in northern Michigan for a year he sold out his banking interests and removed to Detroit, where he became actively engaged in the grain and commission business, becoming one of the best known representatives in the state; in fact, the name of J. B. Roe was known throughout Michigan and he met with excellent success in his under- takings, but in June, 1900, he retired from business, owing to ill health, and returned to the farm. He leases his land, but still makes his home at the old place, in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. In politics Mr. Roe is a demo- crat, and socially he is connected with the Masonic fraternity, belonging to both the blue lodge and chapter.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Roe have been born two children: Helen Orrena, who died in 1880, at the age of five years; and J. Etheleen, who is the wife of Her- bert F. Caswell, of Portland, Michigan. Mr. Caswell is one of Portland's successful business men, being manager and treasurer of the Verity Caswell table manufactory of Portland. Mrs. Caswell is of a literary turn of mind, being prominent in all church work and president of the literary organiza- tion of the place. They have two children, Orrena Frances and Mildred Roe.
Mrs. Roe was born August 6, 1845, in Williamson, Wayne county, New York. Her father was Peters Allen, a prosperous farmer of that place, hav- ing removed there in his early manhood from Dutchess county, New York. He died at the age of fifty-five. Mrs. Roe's mother bore the maiden name of N. Jane Maynard and was a native of Williamson, New York. She gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Allen in 1840 and survived him many years, passing away in 1906, at Roeside, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Roe, at the advanced age of eighty-five. They had but two children, their son being Captain E. M. Allen, a banker living in Portland. Mrs. Roe received her early education in the common schools of the township, passing from there to Marion Collegiate Institute, Wayne county, New York, and then to Brockport Collegiate Insti-
Mrs. J . B. Roe .
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Joseph 25. Roe
tute, Monroe county, New York, graduating from the latter in 1864 as vale- dictorian of her class. From that time until her marriage she was a popular teacher. Upon moving to Portland, Michigan, she became one of the charter members organizing the Ladies' Literary Club of the place and was its first president. Her influence was widely felt in the Methodist Episcopal church to which she and Mr. Roe belonged, she being president of the Woman's For- eign Missionary Society and organizer of the Mission Store under the man- agement of the Ladies' Aid Society of said church. Upon moving to Detroit she still continued her church work, having a bible class of young married people, numbering seventy-two, and also for many years was corresponding secretary of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of Detroit district. Voluntarily she took up hospital visitation and for three years hardly missed her weekly visits to the patients, carrying flowers and reading to them. For many years Mr. and Mrs. Roe had a summer home at Bay View in northern Michigan, the Chautauqua of the west, and had been identified with the liter- ary and educational work there. In 1897 Mrs. Roe accepted the position of field secretary of the Bay View Reading Circle and was instrumental in organ- izing a large number of literary circles in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Upon retiring to the old homestead, Roeside, she was made secretary of New York state and many circles in the state look to her as their organizer. Mrs. Roe is at this writing an invalid, but, by her pen, still continues to some extent her literary work.
Franklin Miles
Franklin Aliles
A T AN EARLY period in the development of Roches- ter the Miles family, of which Franklin Miles was a representative, was founded in this city and for many years he figured in its industrial activity, one of the strongest and most influential firms being that of W. E. & F. Miles, manufacturers of sash, doors and blinds. Born in Bloomfield in 1832, he was a son of William and Catharine ( Emmert) Miles, who at an early day in the development of western New York settled at Victor. Later they removed to Maryland, establishing their home at the birth place of the father. Franklin Miles attended school while spend- ing his boyhood days under the parental roof and at the age of eighteen years came to Rochester, where he entered business in connection with contracting and building. He was thus associated with the substantial improvement and development of the city and later he became identified with his brother, William E. Miles, in the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds, under the firm style of W. E. & F. Miles. This relationship was continued until 1899 and was characterized by a continued growth in business, resulting from the high standards that were ever maintained in correct materials used, in the methods of manufacture and in service to the public. The firm met competition in a rivalry of merit rather than in a war of prices and paid to the high grade of workmen employed a legitimate share of the profits which their talents brought to the business. The relations of the house with other business houses were ever above reproach and measured fully up to the standard of hon- orable dealing. Franklin Miles continued an active factor in the manage- ment and control of this profitable industry until 1899, when he disposed of his interests, after which he enjoyed merited ease in a well earned rest up to the time of his death, which occurred August 2, 1907.
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