USA > New York > Monroe County > Rochester > Rochester and Monroe County, New York : pictorial and biographical > Part 26
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Another one, Reuben Porter Wisner, perhaps the most distinguished of all of them, remained through life much nearer home. Born on the Ist of March, 1810, he was from early childhood devoted to reading and study. As a further occupation of his mind he was addicted to the habit of attending the criminal trials that took place at Auburn, where he was specially attracted by the elo- quence of William H. Seward. Forming the acquaintance of that great lawyer, he became a clerk and student in his office, where he applied himself with such diligence that he was soon admitted to practice at the bar of Cayuga county. About that time, in 1830, he married Sarah Clark, who was born at Goshen, December 19, 1807, and who a little later removed with her husband to Mt. Morris, Livingston county, where she died September 6, 1850. Shortly after his location in his new home he formed a partnership with Samuel H. Fitz- hugh, under the name of Fitzhugh & Wisner, which speedily sprang into prominence as one of the most successful and celebrated law firms in west-
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ern New York. But, although his practice was remunerative and its duties were arduous, he was more than once called upon to fill public office. Hav- ing been twice chosen as justice of the peace he was in 1840 elected by the whig party to the assembly, where, as a member of the judiciary committee, he often came in contact with his former preceptor, who was then governor of the state. Retiring from political life at the end of his term in the legis- lature, he devoted himself more closely than ever to the practice of his profes- sion, though that did not, after all, embrace all of his activities. Ardently interested in the success of the Union during the Civil war he was, in 1864, appointed colonel of the Fifty-eighth Regiment, to guard the Confederate pris- oners at Elmira, and a little later he was for some time the president of the Rochester, Nunda & Pennsylvania Railroad. But these positions were subsid- iary to his real occupation, and for many years before his death, which occurred in the family homestead at Mt. Morris on the 22d of October, 1872, he was, by virtue of his talents, his eloquence and his legal erudition, gener- ally recognized as the leader of the bar of Livingston county. Besides one son, Frank, who died before him, he left three children, Charles, Minnie and Henry C. Wisner, the last named being the subject of this sketch.
Arelines R Parsons
Jon. Cornelius R. Parsons
S O VARIED in its phases and so broad in its useful- ness and in its activities was the life of Cornelius R. Parsons in its relations to Rochester and his fellow- men that words seem inadequate to tell the story of what he accomplished and to what an extent the city is indebted to him. He served as its chief executive for fourteen consecutive years,-a record scarcely equaled in the history of the country and as such he stood for progress, reform and improvement. His business life was also marked by steady advancement and in him there was a consecration to labor which is one of the ideals toward which the leaders of the world are striving. In all things he was guided by high purposes and lofty principles and characterized by a conscientious performance of the task that lay nearest to his heart. Whatever he found to do he did with his might and the honor which men paid him and the respect in which he was uniformly held were the freewill offerings of an enlightened people. Rochester honors him as one whose record reflected credit and honor upon the city. Fearless in conduct and stainless in reputation his memory remains as a benediction to all who knew him and should serve as an inspiration for years to come to those who were associated with him in any walk of life.
Mr. Parsons was a native of the Empire state, having been born in York, Livingston county, on the 22d of May, 1842, and was a son of the Hon. Thomas Parsons, who was a native of Berkshire, England. The father received some- what meager educational privileges and at an early age began earning his live- lihood as a shepherd but the elemental strength of his character was soon mani- fest and his strong nature gave promise of future accomplishments. In 1832, when eighteen years of age, he determined to seek the broader opportunities of the new world and crossing the Atlantic he located in the rich valley of the Genesee, where he at once sought employment and for four years worked as a farm hand in Wheatland, Monroe county, where he received the munificent salary of seven dollars per month. In 1836 he became connected with the business activity of Rochester and was employed in various ways, in all of which he indicated an adaptability and trustworthiness. He was not only industrious but frugal and gradually acquired some capital, so that he at length was able to avail himself of the facilities for engaging in the lumber trade offered by the district on both sides of Lake Ontario. His business along
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non. Cornelius h. Parsons
that line gradually expanded until he became one of the most extensive mer- chants and exporters in this part of the country, procuring supplies, espe- cially of oak and other heavy timber, from land which he purchased from time to time and which was largely located in Canada.
His extensive business interests drew public attention to Thomas Par- sons, and that he possessed qualifications that fitted him for office and for leadership in political circles was evident. Accordingly, in 1851, he was elected on the democratic ticket to the office of alderman from the sixth ward of Rochester, and in 1853 and again in 1857 he represented the tenth ward in the city council. In 1858 he became a member of the state legis- lature and was the originator of the pro rata railroad freight bill, designed to compel the railroad companies to carry freight for local shippers as low, proportionately to distance, as the rates charged to citizens of other states. This caused much opposition in railroad circles but the measure was zealously advocated by Mr. Parsons and the bill was engrossed for a third reading and only failed for want of time. Under the agitation of the grievance thus begun and continued by others in after years these discriminations were essentially modified. Disagreeing with his party on the national questions, he sustained the administration of President Lincoln and in 1865 was elected by the repub- licans to the state senate by a large majority. As a member of the canal com- mittee he carefully fostered the waterways of the state and his mercantile experience rendered his opinions of value on all commercial questions. He was a member of the committee on engrossed bills and on privileges and elections. In the assembly he was an active working member, a fearless defender of what he believed to be right, and his course in behalf of the best interests of the state won him the gratitude and respect of people throughout New York. Entirely unsolicited by him, he received the appointment of collector of the port of Genesee and in 1868-9 filled that position with the same faithfulness which ever marked his official career. At his death in 1873 he left a widow and five children, the former a daughter of Richard Gorsline, while the latter were Cornelius R., Clifford W., Frank G., Julia L. and Charles B. Parsons. The eldest son, James W., who had been engaged in the lumber business for a number of years and was a member of the common council of Buffalo, died in Erie, Pennsylvania, a month before the father.
Cornelius R. Parsons was only three years old when brought to Rochester and from that time his life history was interwoven with the city's develop- ment along all those lines which promote municipal virtue, which strive after public progress and which advance the welfare of the individual. In his boy- hood he was a public-school student and afterward attended Vosburg's Acad- emy, which had been established by John R. Vosburg for the purpose of preparing pupils for mercantile pursuits. Later he joined his father in the lumber trade and was active in the growth of a very extensive business. His trade had largely increased and the business which was at first confined to
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Von. Cornelius h. Parsons
western New York had extended not only to the important American markets but also to Great Britain, to which country he sent large exports of lumber. He had a mill near the upper falls of Rochester and other manufacturing establishments, so that the details of purchase, manufacture, sale and export required unceasing attention at widely separated points. The lumber was mostly obtained from the forests of Canada and the father largely spent his time there, leaving his son, Cornelius R. Parsons, to superintend the impor- tant and varied interests of the firm in Rochester. After his father's death he continued the business, with which he had grown familiar in all of its departments, considering no detail too trivial for his attention, while at the same time capably directing its most important affairs. The qualities of close application and unflagging industry, combined with his keen foresight and sound business judgment, enabled him not only to control an enterprise of gigantic proportions but also to extend and enlarge this and therefore he amassed a fortune, but his kindly and helpful nature was never warped thereby and the most envious could not grudge him his prosperity so generous was he with his means in aiding movements which resulted not only to the benefit of the individual but also of the city.
The same qualities of thoroughness, mastery and progressiveness which characterized Mr. Parsons in his business life were also manifest in his official service and made his labors of the utmost value to Rochester. He entered pub- lic life when only twenty-five years of age, being elected in 1867 to repre- sent the fourteenth ward in the city council, where he served so capably that his first term was followed by re-election. He was chosen by the council to act as its presiding officer and his promptness, accuracy and knowledge of parliamentary law as displayed in his rulings won him high encomiums from those who have the city's welfare at heart. He was later again elected alder- man and chosen presiding officer in 1870 and on the expiration of his term his colleagues expressed their appreciation of his services by a valued testi- monial. As an office holder he studied closely the situation into which his official prerogative brought him into connection and in all things he was actuated by a strong sense of duty and a fervent desire for the welfare of the municipality. His record was so honorable and his services so valuable that in 1876 he was elected by his party as chief executive of Rochester and was six times re-elected, so that his incumbency covered a period of fourteen years. Abraham Lincoln said: "You can fool all of the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time." This statement finds exemplification in no place so largely as it does in politics. History relates incidents of where unworthy men have secured office but when the public becomes cognizant of the fact of their unworthiness their political death is assured, and therefore no higher testimonial of capability and faithfulness can be given than the fact that one is retained in a public office to which he is called by the vote of his fellowmen.
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It was the highest tribute which Rochester could pay to Mr. Parsons and his worth. The duties of the office were no sinecure, for Rochester had become a city of much commercial and industrial importance, bringing about the intri- cate and complex problems of government which always arise with the city's growth and development of its varied interests. He took up the work, how- ever, with the same spirit of determination that always marked him in his busi- ness life. He made it his first duty to thoroughly acquaint himself with the sit- uation, studying out its possibilities and all the time working toward the ideal by the use of the practical means at hand. His worth had already been proven in the city council. In the higher position which came to him of broader opportunities he put forth his efforts so effectively that not only every department of the city's service was benefited thereby but the general progress and welfare were advanced and every avenue of life indirectly felt the stimulus of his labors and purposes.
Still higher official honors awaited Mr. Parsons in his election to the state senate in the fall of 1891. He represented the largest district in the commonwealth and again he received the endorsement of public opinion in re-election in 1893, and in 1895 received the increased majorities of his home ward-the twelfth in Rochester giving him alone a plurality of nine hundred and three at the latter election. In 1896 he was appointed chairman of the committee on commerce and navigation and was a member of the committee on insurance, railroads and public education. Again he was called to the same office by popular suffrage in 1898 and during the session of 1899 was appointed chairman of the committee on insurance and was a member of the committee on railroads, commerce, navigation and public education. In 1900 he was elected for a fourth term and during the following session was made chairman of the insurance committee and placed on the former committees. Mr. Parsons left the impress of his individuality upon the deliberations of that body and its work and at his death, which occurred January 30, 1901, the senate issued a handsome memorial volume of about fifty pages, contain- ing a fine steel portrait of Mr. Parsons. This volume was called Proceedings of the Senate and Assembly of the State of New York on the Life, Char- acter and Public Service of Cornelius R. Parsons and bearing date, Albany, February 18, 1901. The committee having in charge the preparation and publication was composed of Timothy E. Elsworth, William W. Armstrong, George P. Malby, Thomas F. Grady and John F. Ahearn. In this work were proceedings at the New York Legislative Reporters' Association upon the death of the Hon. Cornelius R. Parsons. There was a special meeting held in the capitol, January 13, 1901, to take action upon the death of the senator from the forty-third district, at which the president responded and several of the correspondents spoke feelingly of his life in general, his genial personality and lovable disposition, as well as his amiability and undeviating courtesy, his kindness of heart, his solicitude for the welfare and interests of others.
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Fortunate in his home life, Mr. Parsons was most happily married on the 6th of October, 1864, to Miss Frances M. Whitbeck, a daughter of Dr. John F. Whitbeck, a distinguished physician of Rochester. Three children came to them, but the only son, Warner Parsons, died in the spring of 1879. The daughter, Mabel W., became the wife of G. C. Cochrane, of Rochester, and they are the parents of three children, Craig Parsons, Cornelius Rice Parsons and Jean. Ethel M., the younger daughter, is the wife of Frank Clinton Trotter, of the firm of C. W. Trotter & Sons, manufacturers of refrigerators.
Theirs was a most beautiful home life, in which mutual forbearance, kindli- ness and love were the dominant features. Although so active in business and public affairs, Mr. Parsons' interests centered in his home and his great- est happiness was found at his own fireside. He held membership in St. Peter's Presbyterian church, of which Mrs. Parsons is also a member, and he was one of its trustees. He gave freely of his means to its support but did not consider his obligation ended there and labored as earnestly for its upbuilding and the extension of its influence. He lived a life in consistent harmony with his professions and he also manifested the beneficent spirit upon which is founded the Masonic and Odd Fellows societies, with which he affiliated. He was very active in advancing the work of the Semi-Centennial Celebration held in Rochester June 9 and 10, 1884. In a brief and pertinent address he opened the literary exercises on the former day and he delivered the address of welcome to Governor Cleveland and his staff and other guests at the reception on the second day. He also proposed various toasts at the banquet held in Powers Hotel. In the performance of these duties he secured the unqualified approval of his fellow citizens, who recognized that much of the success that made the celebration an important event in Rochester's history was due to him. He was no orator in the sense of appearing frequently before the public as a speaker and yet when he did so he never failed to elicit the attention and awaken the interest of those who heard him. He presented his subject in an interesting, entertaining and instructive manner, showing his thorough understanding of it and his friends were again and again sur- prised by the breadth of his wisdom, the depth of his knowledge. He was a student but not a book worm. He believed that knowledge was not valuable for itself alone but for the use to which it could be put in the world's work. He therefore made it a purpose to master every subject which claimed his atten- tion and he displayed most comprehensive understanding of those subjects bear- ing upon municipal interests and business life and upon the great sociological and economic questions of the country.
One of the strong traits of character manifested by Mr. Parsons was his love of children and on Sundays there would always be a crowd upon his porch or in his home to listen to his stories and enjoy his genial good nature. He possessed a genial disposition and he had, as a noted lecturer has expressed it, reached the high humor in being able to see the comicality of his own situa-
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tion. In other words, he enjoyed a joke upon himself as well as upon his companions and his humor was ever of the most kindly character, being accompanied by no cutting sarcasm or keen, hurtful wit. In fact considera- tion for the feelings of others was one of his strong characteristics and was manifest in a ready sympathy in the joys and sorrows of those around him. Such was his personal popularity and such his personal magnetism that his appearance to address the people was the signal for tumultuous enthusiasm. His was a sturdy American character and a stalwart patriotism and he had the strongest attachment for the free institutions of his land, being ever ready to make any personal sacrifice for their preservation. While undoubtedly he was not without that honorable ambition which is so powerful and useful as an incentive to activity in public affairs, he regarded the pursuits of private life as being in themselves abundantly worthy of his best efforts. His was a noble character, one of the subordinates of personal ambition to do good and sought rather the benefit of others than the aggrandizement of self. Endowed by nature with high intellectual qualities, to which were added the embellishment and discipline of culture, his was a most attractive personality.
The news of the death of Mr. Parsons brought with it a sense of personal loss and bereavement to the great majority of Rochester's citizens. It was felt among his business associates who had come to recognize in combination with his keen insight, his strong purpose, his unfaltering integrity; it was felt in political circles where no charge was made against him of corruption or dis- honesty but where all knew him to be an open foe, standing for a certain course of action which he believed to be right and most conducive to the general good; it was felt among the policemen of Rochester, who since his service as police commissioner knew him to be a friend, working for their best interests; it was deeply felt in club life and social circles but most of all in his home, for the best traits of his character were ever reserved for his own fireside.
Perhaps no better summary of the life and character of Mr. Parsons could be given than in the presentation of the following memorial: "The Union League Club, deeply regretting its loss occasioned by the death of its highly valued member, Hon. Cornelius R. Parsons, does hereby humbly express its sincere sorrow and extend its heartfelt sympathy to his bereaved family. The wise counsel, fatherly kindness and material assistance received from the lamented senator will ever be treasured by this organization. As a public servant his superior judgment and keen perceptibility, coupled with a purity of purpose and nobility of action, challenges comparison. A grander combina- tion of the various elements essential to success in life is rarely found so har- moniously and effectively assimilated in one person as found expression in the every day life of Cornelius R. Parsons. He had courage and fortitude and perseverance beyond the majority of mankind, while the current of his actions was pervaded by an unceasing flow of courtesy, gentility and deferential demeanor that won him the esteem and confidence of all with whom he had
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intercourse. As a citizen his whole life has been an exemplary career of pur- ified refinement, moral and religious rectitude worthy the emulation of all per- sons desirous of rising in the scale of human excellence. Living, he was an important factor in the development of human industry, intelligence and all the better elements of progressive civilization; dying, he leaves an unbroken, unblemished record of spotless integrity chiseled into imperishable existence by the industry of his own head and hands and the rectitude of his own heart. But amid all his business activity he carried his home in his heart, and unto his cherished family circle he sacredly centered the sunshine of his heart's best affection. He was true to his country, true to his party and true to himself. But the good man is gone! And a profound regret for the public loss is the proverbial expression, while the gentle tear of recollection finds easy access down many a hardy cheek unused to such a visitor: 'If eternal happiness be the reward of tenderest love, unobtrusive action and kindliest charity, blessed be the spirit which once animated the earthly form of Cornelius R. Parsons.''
1
Byron D. Mac Alpine
B YRON D. MAC ALPINE was born in Kinderhook, Columbia county, New York, on the 14th day of March, 1824. His father, Daniel MacAlpine, was born on the 8th day of September, 1792, and resided at Kinderhook until 1830, when he moved to Mon- roe county, New York. Having purchased a tract of land near Pittsford he resided in that village with his family until his decease in 1884. Byron D. MacAl- pine received his early education in the public schools and by private tuition until he entered upon the study of law in the office of his elder brother, Belden R. MacAlpine, a prominent attorney of Rochester, New York. He was called to the bar in 1849 and entered upon the practice of law in Rochester, where he attained eminence in his profession, and eventually became prominently identified with the financial affairs of the city. He was one of the founders of the Rochester Trust and Safe Deposit Company, also of the Alliance Bank and served as a director of both institutions and as vice president of the latter to the time of his death. He was also a director of the Traders National Bank and of the Flour City National Bank, taking an active and influ- ential part in the management of those corporations.
Mr. MacAlpine possessed many qualities of heart and mind that endeared him to all who had relations with him. Though not of vigorous constitution he spent much time and energy in ameliorating the conditions of his less fortunate friends and acquaintances. He knew the value of self-help and spent a great part of his years in giving advice and counsel to those who lacked business capacity to manage their affairs. He gave his time unstintingly to the needy and distressed and he was the means of rescuing many from embarrassment and want, performing noble service without hope of any other reward than the consciousness of doing good in his generation.
Mr. MacAlpine was twice married, his first wife having been Mary A. Rey- nolds, a daughter of Abelard R. Reynolds, a name historic in the annals of Rochester, and most prominent among the city's early settlers. The issue of this marriage was one daughter, Clara L., who married Colonel Charles O. Shepard.
Mr. MacAlpine's second wife was Miss Susan J. Potter, who was born in Pittsford, Monroe county, New York, on the 7th day of June, 1835, being a
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daughter of Henry Sayre and Harriet (Benedict) Potter. Two children were born of this marriage, Reynolds P. MacAlpine and Florence MacAlpine.
The death of Byron D. MacAlpine, which occurred December 4, 1894, caused deep regret among the many people with whom he had business and social relations in life and who cherish his memory with affection.
Mrs. Susan P. MacAlpine survived her husband fourteen years, and departed this life January 29, 1908, deeply and sincerely regretted by hosts of loving friends.
Index
PAGE
Adams, Myron 97
Adams, Dr. R. A. 295
Allen, F. P. 285
Archer, G. W 47
Bacon, Byron H 311
Baker, Charles S. 209
Balkam, W. F 287
Barnett, G. F 249
Barrows, H. A. 259
Barry, Patrick 55
Bausch, J. J.
49
Brewster, H. C. 35
Brooks, Garry
159
Brooks, L. S.
269
Clark, B. H 19
Clarke, Freeman 77
Clarke, G. H 253
Clarke, L. W 329
Cleveland, M. A
307
Cobb, Amos H. 297
Cook, Frederick 71
Craig, Oscar
233
Cunningham, James 207
Curtice, E. N
193
Curtice, S. G.
277
Davis, L. B. 241
Davis, H. W. 335
Davy, John M. 5
Duffy, J. P. B. 219
Duffy, W. B. 33
Ellwanger, G. H. 235
Ely, Alfred
189
Erickson, Aaron
167
PAGE
Gordon, G. C. 327
Gordon, Luther 171
Graves, L. S. 141
Greene, M. W 63
Hale, G. D 325
Ham, Charles T 81
Ham, George W 85
Harris, James 57
Hayes, W. D 313
Hebard, H. S. 337
Holmes, Daniel 123
Holmes, Mary J. 125
Huntley, B. E
275
Jones, W. M.
317
Karle, William 289
Knapp, Homer 255
Knapp, Moses
183
Knowlton, M. D 215
Lamberton, A. B
137
Langslow, S. C. 257
Lauer, F. C. 197
Lee, Dr. J. M. 43
Lomb, Henry
91
McQuaid, B. J. 27
MacAlpine, B. D. 353
Mahon, T. F.
267
Maier, L. W.
103
Mandeville, W. J 53
Maselli, F. A. 315
Meyer, C. C. 227
Miles, Franklin
305
Miles, W. E.
237
Index
PAGE
Miller, Frederick 199
Miller, W. B. 151
Moore, W. H. 155
Sibley, Hiram 21
Sloan, Samuel 339
Smith, G. B. 203
Smith, J. H. 135
Snyder, H. N 121
Stapleton, Dr. J. A 95
Strong, H. A. 229
Taylor, G. C. 109
Teal, Squire
205
Peck, Everard 39
Peck, W. F. 153
Perkins, Alfred
213
Perkins, G. H 175
Van Epps, Sarah H
223
Potter, A. B.
127
Potter, H. S. 281
Powers, D. W 29
Reynolds, P. C. 231
Reynolds, T. J. 261
Richmond, Lee 299
Wolcott, J. E. 239
Wollensak, Andrew 243
Wray, Henry 133
Yates, A. G.
15
Saegmuller, G. N
221
PAGE
Schlick, H. N 263
Seymour, W. H. 331
Morgan, D. S. 179
Mulchay, T. S 309
Murphy, D. B. 105
Nichols, C. A. 225
Nolte, Adolph 245
Ormrod, W. L 87
Parsons, C. R. 345
Thompson, G. H. 273
Utz, Henry J 323
Van Voorhis, John. 111
West, J. B. 251
Whitmore, V. F 67
Wild, J. H. 293
Wisner, Henry C. 341
Roe, Joseph B
301
Rogers, Clinton
129
Rogers, Hosea
185
Yawman, P. H.
157
1509
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