USA > New York > Monroe County > Rochester > Rochester and Monroe County, New York : pictorial and biographical > Part 24
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William Martin Tones
"First: The establishment of a permanent international Tribunal to be known as 'The International Court of Arbitration.'
"Second: Such court to be composed of nine members, one each from nine inde- pendent states or nations, such representative to be a member of the Supreme or Highest Court of the nation he shall represent, chosen by a majority vote of his associates, because of his high character as a publicist and judge and his recognized ability and irreproach- able integrity. Each judge thus selected to hold office during life, or the will of the Court selecting him.
"Third: The court thus constituted to make its own rules of procedure, to have power to fix its place of sessions and to change the same from time to time as circumstances and the convenience of litigants may suggest and to appoint such clerks and attendants as the Court may require.
"Fourth: Controverted questions arising between any two or more Independent Pow- ers, whether represented in said 'International Court of Arbitration' or not, at the option of said Powers, to be submitted by treaty between said Powers to said Court, providing only that said treaty shall contain a stipulation to the effect that all parties thereto shall respect and abide by the rules and regulations of said Court and conform to whatever determination it shall make of said controversy.
"Fifth: Said Court to be open at all times for the filing of cases and counter cases under treaty stipulations by any nation, whether represented in the Court or not, and such orderly proceedings in the interim between sessions of the Court in preparation for argument and submission of the controversy as may seem necessary, to be taken as the rules of the Court provide for and may be agreed upon between the litigants.
"Sixth: Independent Powers not represented in said Court, but which may have become parties litigant in a controversy before it, and by treaty stipulation have agreed to submit to its adjudication, to comply with the rules of the Court and to contribute such stipulated amount to its expenses as may be provided for by its rules or determined by the Court.
"Your Petitioner also recommends that you enter at once into correspondence and negotiation, through the proper diplomatic channels with representatives of the govern- ments of Great Britain, France, Germany, Russia, The Netherlands, Mexico, Brazil and the Argentine Republic for a union with the government of the United States in the laudable undertaking of forming an International Court, substantially on the basis herein outlined.
"Your Petitioner presumes it is unnecessary to enter into further argument in sup- port of the foregoing propositions than is contained in the report of its committee, which is appended hereto, and which your Petitioner has already asked to have considered a part of this petition. Your Petitioner will be pardoned, however, if it invite especial attention to that part of the report emphasizing the fact that the plan herein outlined io intended, if adopted, at once to meet the universal demand among English speaking peo- ple for a permanent tribunal to settle contested international questions that may here- after arise between the governments of Great Britain and the United States.
"While it is contended that it is wholly impracticable to form such a tribunal without the friendly interposition of other nations on the joint invitation of the Powers who unite in its organization, it is very evident that a most acceptable permanent Interna- tional Court may be speedily secured by the united and harmonious action of said Pow- ers as already suggested. Should obtacles be interposed to the acceptance by any of the Powers named by your Petitioner, of the invitation to name a representative for such a Court, on the plan herein generally outlined, some other equally satisfactory Power could be solicited to unite in the creation of such a Court.
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William Martin Jones
"Believing that, in the fulfillment of its destiny among the civilized nations of the world, it has devolved upon the younger of the two Anglo-Saxon Powers, now happily in the enjoyment of nothing but future peaceful prospects, to take the first step looking to the permanency of peace among nations, your Petitioner, representing the Bar of the Empire State, earnestly appeals to you as the Chief Executive officer of the government of the United States, to take such timely action as shall lead eventually to the organiza- tion of such a tribunal as has been outlined in the foregoing recommendations. While ominous sounds of martial preparation are in the air, the ship builder's hammer is industriously welding the bolt, and arsenals are testing armor plates, your Petitioner, apprehensive for the future, feels that delays are dangerous, and it urgently recommends that action be taken at once by you to compass the realization of the dream of good men in every period of the world's history, when nations shall learn war no more and enlightened Reason shall fight the only battles fought among the children of men."
AND YOUR PETITIONER WILL EVER PRAY.
Attested in behalf of the New York State Bar Association at the Capitol in the City of Albany, N. Y., April 16th, 1896.
ED. G. WHITAKER, President. L. B. PROCTOR, Secretary.
A copy of this memorial was addressed to the Queen of England and copies of it were sent to the heads of various governments, including the Czar of Russia, and to prominent people throughout the world. When, in 1899, the Czar issued his call for a disarmament conference, to be held at The Hague, another meeting of the New York State Bar Association was called and a committee, of which Mr. Jones was chairman, was appointed to draw up resolutions relative to the subjects to be discussed by such proposed con- ference. This committee at once recognized the fact that the proposition for disarmament alone was impracticable, but that nations, while fearing to dis- arm lest their enemies be secretly increasing their armament, would still be willing to arbitrate their disputes, and it was apparent to them that the first step toward universal peace must be the establishment of a court to which all nations might turn for the adjustment of their differences, and that such a court, once established, its influence and power would surely grow until eventually the disposition would become universal to abide by and perhaps to enforce its decrees and disarmament would follow. It was accordingly decided that a memorial be addressed to the Czar of Russia and to the Presi- dent of the United States, recommending the creation of such a court. The memorial prepared in accordance with this resolution was identical with that presented in 1896 to the President of the United States, and an address by Senator Depew and one by Hon. Edward G. Whitaker were appended to it. This memorial, having been duly presented to President Mckinley and to the representative of the Czar, copies of it were transmitted, through the department of state of the United States, to the various delegates at The Hague conference, where it afterward became known as "The American plan." The idea of international arbitration was not new and Americans gen- erally had for many years been known to be in favor of it, but it was this
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William Martin Jones
plan that was prominently before The Hague Conference and that was event- ually largely followed in the organization of The Hague Court. At first the idea of arbitration met with much opposition, especially from the Continental representatives. It is related that a certain continental delegate at that con- ference, being unable to read the memorial in English, asked an Englishman to tell him what it was, and when it had been duly explained to him, he threw up his hands in disgust at the idea and declared he was going home at once. When the court was finally organized there was much misgiving and many doubts were expressed as to its success but several nations have taken advan- tage of its existence and settled their disputes through it.
While living at Washington Mr. Jones became affiliated with the Masonic order and was for many years a member of Monroe Commandery, Knights Templar, at Rochester. He was also a member of Valley Lodge, F. & A. M .; and of the American, New York State and Rochester Bar Associations. He was a member of the Mohonk Lake Peace Conference; of the Bibliophile Society of Boston; of the Society of The Genesee; of the American Peace Society and of the National Geographic Society. In 1904 he was a delegate from the State Bar Association to the International Congress of Lawyers and Jurists at St. Louis.
On July 5th, 1871, Mr. Jones was married to Miss Gertrude M. Nicholls at Buffalo, New York, who having both education and ability, proved of great help to her husband. Four children were born to them, of whom one died in infancy. The remaining three, Gertrude Minnie, William Martin and Abram Nicholls are still living with their mother at Rochester.
Mr. Jones died May 3rd, 1906, after an illness of a year, and was buried in Mt. Hope Cemetery, at Rochester.
Henry Jewelry
Henry T. At?
H
ENRY J. UTZ, senior member of the firm of Utz & Dunn, manufacturers of ladies', misses' and chil- dren's shoes, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, March 28, 1850, a son of Andrew J. and Margaret (Schmidt) Utz. The father died in Germany and the mother came to the United States of America in 1880 and remained a resident of Rochester until her decease in December, 1906, when she was eighty- four years of age. In his native country Henry J. Utz attended school and learned the shoemaker's trade, after which he came to the United States of America to test the truth of the favorable reports which he had heard concerning the opportunities and advantages of the new world. He was eighteen years of age, when, in 1868 he arrived in Rochester, where he has since made his home. For some time he worked at his trade on the bench and was afterward employed in different shoe factories at Rochester, thus acquainting himself with the manufacturing business in detail. With the savings from his earnings he was at length prepared to start manufactur- ing in a small way for his own account. Having made the acquaintance of Wil- liam H. Dunn, his present partner, who was then engaged in the retail cigar business, an agreement was made to engage in the slipper manufacturing business, Mr. Dunn agreeing to come in when he had disposed of his cigar business. The business was started in September, 1881, on Water street, and Mr. Dunn joined same the following January. By hard work, careful atten- tion to detail, and by Mr. Dunn's ability as a trade winner and a salesman, thus providing a market for the product, the business increased and pros- pered. Later the manufacture of ladies', misses' and children's fine shoes was undertaken, and the firm is today probably the largest in that line in the city of Rochester, their output including such famous makes as the Acme Cushion shoe, St. Cecilia, Little Wanderer, etc. Their trade not only extends to all parts of this country, but also embraces a large export business. They turn out thirty-five hundred pairs of shoes daily and employ eight hundred people. They occupy eighty thousand square feet of floor space, and their products are of a high class of material and workmanship.
Mr. Utz is a member of Zion's German Lutheran church. He is also iden- tified with the Rochester Club and Rochester lodge, No. 660, F. & A. M.
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LeadHale.
Professor George Dabid Tale
P ROFESSOR GEORGE DAVID HALE was born in Adams, Jefferson county, New York, on the 27th of March, 1844. His parents were Abner Cable and Sally Ann (Barton) Hale. The first American ancestor in the paternal line was Thomas Hale, the glover, who came from England in 1637 and settled at Newbury, Massachusetts, where he died Decem- ber 21, 1682. The grandfather, David Hale, was senior member of the first mercantile firm in Adams, New York, and was also captain of a troop of cavalry in the war of 1812. From a very early period in the development of Jefferson county the family was connected with its progress and upbuilding. Abner C. Hale, the father, fol- lowed the occupation of farming at Adams.
Professor George D. Hale, spending his boyhood days under the parental roof, in 1870 was graduated from the classical course of the University of Rochester. Three years later that institution conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts. He is a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon and of the Phi Beta Kappa, two college fraternities. Professor Hale needs no introduc- tion to the readers of this volume, for he is known personally or by reputation to every resident of the city and also to a large extent throughout this and other states by reason of the fact that his students have gone abroad into all parts of the country, bearing in their lives the impress of his individuality. The Hale Classical and Scientific School, which he conducted in this city from 1871 to 1898, is recognized as having been one of the most excellent institutions of learning in the state and among its graduates are men who are now prominent in the public and business life of Rochester. Thoroughness has always been his motto and he has ever held high the standard of educational proficiency. Kant has said, "the object of education is to train each individual to reach the highest perfection possible for him" and the spirit of this statement has been a dominant factor in the work done by Professor Hale during these years. Moreover, he is recognized in educational circles as an authority on mathematics and as one who stands as a leader in his profession because of the high ideals which he has ever held and the unfaltering effort he has made to reach them. He is identified with several of the leading societies for the advancement of knowledge, being a member of the National Educational Association, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science,
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Professor Brorge David Dale
also of the National Geographic Society and the Rochester Society of the Archæological Institute of America. Of local societies, he is identified with the Genesee Valley Club and with the Country Club. His political prefer- ence has always been for the republican party and while he has been a student of the great issues and questions bearing upon the welfare of state and nation, he has always been without political ambition.
On the 29th of December, 1875, Professor Hale was married in Rochester to Miss Mary Elizabeth Judson, a daughter of Junius and Lavenda (Bush- nell) Judson. They have two daughters, Edith Harriette and Elizabeth Lavenda Hale. Professor and Mrs. Hale are members of the First Baptist church of Rochester, in which he has served for many years as a trustee, being also prominently identified with the general interests of the Baptist denomina- tion in this city. He has been a generous contributor to many public and char- itable works and his influence is always on the side of that which promotes intellectual development, æsthetic culture and moral progress. He has given many years of an active and useful life to the cause of education and has attained wide distinction in the field of his chosen labor. Nor has he been denied the substantial benefits which should ever arise from industry. He is at present identified with the business interests of the several Judson com- panies of this city, in which he is both director and stockholder.
Dia Gordon
George Cooley Gordon
O N THE ROLL of Brockport's honored dead appears the name of George Cooley Gordon, who for years was recognized as a man of great strength of char- acter, of high purpose and lofty principles. His activity and energy left their impress upon the com- munity where for many years he was a leading busi- ness man. As a member of the firm of Luther Gor- don & Son he was closely associated with the lum- ber industry and at the time of his death was also president of the First National Bank, president of the Brockport Loan and Building Association and a trustee of the Fidelity Trust Company, of Buffalo, New York. His life record began in Rushford, New York, on the Ist of July, 1849, his parents being Luther and Florilla (Cooley) Gordon, who are men- tioned on another page of this volume. He was nine years of age at the time of the removal of his parents to Brockport, where he attended the Collegiate Institute, his education being further continued in Rochester Academy. On attaining his majority he joined his father in the lumber business, the latter being one of the most extensive dealers in that line in this part of the state, and they carried on business under the firm name of Luther Gordon & Son. Unlike many young men who have the opportunity to enter upon a successful business established by a father, he made it his purpose to thoroughly familiarize him- self with the business, working persistently and earnestly to acquaint him- self with every detail, and his usefulness soon proved a potent element in the success which attended the vast and varied business interests of the firm. The son assumed full control upon the father's death in 1881 and in the manage- ment of affairs displayed most excellent judgment. He enlarged and extended his operations and in all displayed most sound judgment, which was rarely, if ever, at fault. He succeeded his father as president of the First National Bank of Brockport and held that position throughout the remainder of his life. At the time of his death he was also president of the Brockport Loan & Building Association and trustee of the Fidelity Trust Company of Buffalo, New York. Energetic, progressive and thoroughly reliable, he won the unqual- ified confidence of all with whom he came in contact either in business or social life and in his death the community mourned the loss of one whose value had long since been proven and whose genuine worth endeared him to all who knew him.
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Beorge Cooley Bordon
On the 18th of October, 1873, Mr. Gordon was united in marriage to Miss Ida M. Hooker, a most estimable lady, to whose wise counsel and aid he contributed much of his success in life. They became the parents of five children, namely: Luther; George Cooley; William H., who died in infancy; Fred H .; and Thomas C. Mr. Gordon died at his summer home at Beach- wood Park, on Lake Ontario, August 25, 1898, and his death was widely and deeply mourned, for through his varied business and social relations he had made many warm friends who esteemed him highly for his genuine worth.
In early life Mr. Gordon was a democrat but became a republican during President Cleveland's second term and ever afterward supported that party. Political honors had no attraction for him, but as a public-spirited citizen he never withheld his support from any enterprise which he believed would advance the general welfare or promote the interests of his fellowmen. Over the record of his business career or private life there falls no shadow of wrong, for he was ever most loyal to the ties of friendship and citizenship and his history well deserves a place in the annals of his native state. Mr. Gordon realized fully the obligations which devolve upon man in his relations to his fellowmen. He was instrumental in promoting all that tended toward the betterment of Brockport. He was ambitious for the city's good and brought to public interests the same devotion and energy that he manifested in his private business affairs. Moreover, he was charitable, kindly and benevolent, giving generously of his means to those in need and withholding the hand of aid at no time when he believed that his assistance would prove of benefit. He did not believe in the indiscriminate giving which fosters vagrancy or idleness, but he possessed in full measure "the milk of human kind- ness" and his spirit was one of helpfulness, based upon broad humanitarian principles.
L. Hard Clarke.
Lebi Ward Clarke
P ROMINENT among the list of Rochester's honored dead is Levi Ward Clarke. Born in Albion, New York, August 10, 1834, he was the eldest son of the late Freeman Clarke, who was for many years the recognized head of the financial world of Rochester. Levi Ward Clarke prepared for college at the Clover street school of this city and at College Hill, Pough- keepsie, New York, but owing to severe illness was unable to enter college. About 1857 his father estab- lished the Monroe County Bank, afterward the Clarke National Bank, and in 1865 on accepting the office of comptroller of the currency under Lincoln, his son succeeded as its president, being at the time the youngest bank presi- dent in the United States. His skill in managing the affairs of the bank was universally recognized and established his reputation as one of the leading business men and financiers of the city. From banking Mr. Clarke became inter- ested in the newspaper business, establishing with others the Rochester Print- ing Company, publishers of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle and remain- ing treasurer of that company until the close of his life July 28, 1894. :
Mr. Clarke was a generous friend of the charitable institutions of the city. He was one of the founders of the Rochester Club and was its president for a number of years, he was also a member of the Genesee Valley Club, the Whist Club, the Rochester Yacht Club, the Union Greys and of several New York Clubs.
On the 18th of July, 1861, he was married to Miss Mary E. Hall, a daugh- ter of the late John Meigs Hall, of Wallingford, Connecticut. The later years of his life were spent in the enforced retirement of failing health; but were devoted to reading, study and to countless deeds of charity and thought for others-the promptings of a generous, unselfish and kindly nature. Honored and respected by all, his death was a loss to the city where he had spent so many years of his active and useful life.
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2m 24 Saymon
William D. Seymour
W HAT A' REMARKABLE record was that of William H. Seymour! His life span covered one hundred and one years and to a wonderful degree he retained his mental and physical faculties. On the occasion of the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of his birth his mind seemed as alert and active as it had in former years, and his memory excited the surprise and admiration of those present, when without a moment's hesitation, he replied to a ques- tion concerning a Shakespearian quotation which others present could not give. The years of his earthly pilgrimage covered a most important epoch in the world's progress and he was not only a witness of the wonderful things accomplished in the business world, revolutionizing methods of living, but was also an active participant in the work which made the history of the nineteenth century notable. He became a resident of Brockport in 1823, and for eighty years maintained his home there, a fact which renders it imperative that men- tion be made of him in this volume.
Mr. Seymour was born in Litchfield, Connecticut, on the 15th of July, 1802, and was a representative of the descendants of Richard Seymour in the fifth generation. That the family was one of the earliest in the colonial set- tlement of America is indicated by the fact that the name of Richard Sey- mour appears on the town records of Hartford, Connecticut, in 1639. It is also inscribed on a monument erected to the memory of the first settlers of Hartford in the churchyard of the old Center Congregational church, now hidden behind modern business blocks, while the ground is kept under lock and key. Speaking of his life history, in 1898, when ninety-six years of age, Mr. Seymour said that the combined ages of himself and his four direct American ancestors in the paternal line were four hundred and twenty years, an aver- age of eighty-four years each, while on the maternal side the longevity was equally remarkable. His father, Samuel Seymour, and his uncle, Moses Sey- mour, were valiant soldiers of the Revolutionary war and were afterward known as captain and major respectively. When American independence was achieved they engaged in business together in the manufacture of hats in Litch- field. Moses S. Seymour was the father of Hon. Henry Seymour, canal com- missioner of New York during the construction of the Erie canal, and his son, Horatio Seymour, was afterward governor of New York. Others of the fam-
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William I. Bepmour
ily left the impress of their individuality upon business interests and public life.
William H. Seymour spent his early youth in Litchfield and always felt the warmest attachment for the place of his birth and was ever interested in hear- ing about the friends of the early days. He visited there at intervals, paying his last visit in 1880. Business opportunities brought him to New York, his elder brother, James, having been for some time in the employ of their cousin, Henry Seymour, the canal commissioner at Pompey, New York, as a clerk, and eventually followed the line of emigration to western New York and estab- lished a general store at Murray Four Corners, afterward Clarkson, in Gen- esee county, with his cousin, Henry Seymour, as a silent partner. When the business had been established there William H. Seymour joined his brother in 1818, when about sixteen years of age, to act as clerk, and afterward became a partner in the store. On the completion of the Erie canal to Brockport they removed their business to that place in 1823. James Seymour purchased the land now lying east of Main street, while that on the west side was owned by Hiel Brockway, for whom the town was named. James Seymour became not only well known in commercial circles but also attained considerable political prominence and was the first sheriff of Monroe county, following which he removed to Rochester, the county seat, and not long after his term of office expired he became cashier of the Bank of Rochester and subsequently its president.
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