USA > New York > The men of New York: a collection of biographies and portraits of citizens of the Empire state prominent in business, professional, social, and political life during the last decade of the nineteenth century, Vol. II > Part 29
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F
THERON AUGUSTUS WALES
has held the responsible position of United States medical examiner for pensions under Presidents Garfield, Arthur. and Harrison. During Mayor Robinson's administration Dr. Wales was appointed
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and served as police commissioner of Elmira. inaugurated the police patrol system there during his commissionership.
Dr. Wales is a member of the American Medical Association and of the New York State Medical Association. He has been president of the Che-
JAMES E. WALKER
mung County Medical Society. Outside the duties of his profession he devotes much time to public services. He is president of the Humane Society and of the Young Men's Christian Association, which is erecting a handsome building for its accommoda- tion. In fraternal societies he is a popular man. He has taken all the degrees of Masonry, and is a life member of Corning Consistory 32d degree. He is also a member of the Massachusetts Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. For more than a quarter of a century he has been a warm personal friend and physician of the Rev. Thomas K. Beecher, and a leading member of the Park Church. Dr. Wales embodies what are everywhere recognized as the prevailing traits of American
Hle character. This might be expected of a man all four of whose great-grandfathers fought in the Revolution. He is a fit representative of an honored lineage, proving himself by his daily life of usefulness worthy of the respect and confidence of his fellow-citizens. PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY - Theron Au- gustus Wales was born at South Wer- mouth, Mass., July 15, 1842; was cdu- cated in preparatory schools, Dartmouth College, and the University of Michigan ; graduated in medicine from the University of Pennsylvania in 1873 ; married Zippie Brooks of Elmira, N. Y., September 26, 1872 ; has practiced medicine in Elmira since 1873.
James JE. Walker, superinten- dent and part owner of the Steuben Sani- tarium at Hornellsville, N. Y., has won a high place in the medical profession, especially by his study and successful treatment of tuberculous diseases. The Steuben Sanitarium is a new establish- ment, but it has already attained high rank among the medical and surgical in- stitutions of the country. Since Dr. Walker bought an interest in the sani- tarium the buildings have been equipped with every modern improvement ; and it may be confidently predicted that the reputation of the institution as a health resort, though already much above the average, will grow rapidly.
Dr. Walker has illustrated in his life the fact that a successful medical career is one never-ending course of study. His preliminary education was obtained in the common schools of his native county and in the State Normal School at
Geneseo. He began his medical studies when eighteen years of age, graduated from the Cincinnati Medical College at twenty-two, and immediately began the practice of his profession at Arkport, Steuben county. Though he rapidly built up an im- portant and a lucrative practice, he was by no means satisfied with such knowledge as he had gained at college, and had obtained by experience in his somewhat limited field. Within a few years he left his practice in charge of another physician and went to New York, where he spent several months in postgraduate work. Returning to Steuben county. he soon found his practice so large that he was obliged to keep another physician constantly in his service. In addition to his medical work he conducted
£
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MEN OF NEW YORK-CHEMUNG SECTION
a drug store. He was favored by nature with a vigorous constitution, but his manifold duties proved too wearing, and finally, for the sake of rest, after having lived sixteen years in Arkport, he sold his entire property and practice, and moved to Buffalo.
He now had more leisure for the pursuit of the special studies to which he was strongly attracted. But it was not for long. Within a few months he accepted flattering inducements to enter the Ster- lingworth Sanitarium at Lakewood, N. Y. Here he remained about a year, taking charge of tubercular cases. He did much original work, making a spe- cialty of tuberculosis. The desire for more extended study of the methods employed abroad led him to give up his position and make a trip to Europe. He went first to London, where he spent some weeks in the Brompton Hospital for diseases of the chest, and took a course in bacteriology and microscopy at King's College. Next he visited Paris, spending mich time in the hospitals. He studied especially the methods employed in the Pasteur Insti- tute. From Paris he went to Cologne and Berlin, where he investigated the dis- coveries of Koch, and thence to Vienna. Here he remained for several months, doing special work. About this time the International Medical Congress met at Rome. Dr. Walker attended its sessions, and was made a member of the congress.
After his return to the United States he made a tour of this country, studying different climates and health resorts. When he finally returned to his home, therefore, he had so perfected himself that he was peculiarly ftted to take charge of the Steuben Sanitarium. He did this, accordingly, at the solicitation of friends in the profession.
Dr. Walker is a member of the Hom- ellsville Medical and Surgical Association, the Steuben County Medical Society, the New York State Medical Association, and the American Medical Association, and lias honorary membership in several other professional societies.
He is a Mason and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, holding membership in the Hornellsville Lodge, F. & A. M., Steuben Chapter, DeMolay Commandery of Horn- ellsville, and Ismailia Temple of Buffalo.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY-James Everett Walker was born at Nunda, N. Y., May 21, 1854 :
was educated in common schools and Genesco Normal School : graduated from the Cincinnati Medical Col- lege in 1876 ; practiced medicine in Arkport, Steuben county, N. Y., 1876-92; traveled and studied in various European cities, 1893-94 ; has been superin- tendent and part oumer of the Steuben Sanitarium at Hornellsville, N. Y., since November, 1894.
Edward E. Adams, editor of the Elmira Daily Advertiser, is one of the most popular mem- bers of his profession in the state. A genial, cul- tured gentleman, and an honest and independent journalist, he has gained in an unusual degree the respect and good will of his fellows, and has made his paper recognized as one of the best exponents of Republican politics and clean journalism in the Southern Tier.
1
EDILIRD L. AD. IMS
Mr. Adams was born at Clarence, Erie county, where his father, Benjamin T. Adams, had settled in 1832. Hle is a descendant of Deacon John Adams, who became, in 1786, the first white settler
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of the Holland Land Purchase. Mr. Adams attended the academy at Clarence, and afterward graduated from the State Normal School at Brockport, N. Y. He was ambitious to seeure a college education, and was not deterred by the fact that funds for carrying out his desires were lacking. He entered the Univer- sity of Rochester, and worked his way through, graduating in the class of 1875. He made his first venture in the field of journalism at this time, by acting as reporter for the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle during the last two years of his college course.
Newspaper work proved congenial to him, and he evinced marked ability for it ; and when he left col- lege the same paper gladly made a place for him on its editorial staff. He became eity editor, and held that responsible position until January 1, 1880, when he was compelled by ill health to give up for a time the exaeting profession that he had ehosen. He went to Bradford, Penn., and engaged in oil pro- duetion in partnership with William L. Curtis. There he remained for two years, and in the more active, outdoor life he had undertaken, regained his health. At the end of that time the editorship of the Elmira Daily Advertiser beeame vacant, and Mr. Adams was urged by the owners of the paper - one of whom was his friend and college classmate, J. S. Fassett - to accept the position. He consented, and went to Elmira in the spring of 1882 to begin his new duties.
Under his able management the Advertiser has grown and prospered, and has gained a reputation of which any editor might well be proud. Mr. Adams is intensely American, a lover of justice and fair play, and a hater of sham ; and he has stamped his own strong individuality on his paper. Though a steadfast Republican, he has avoided extremos of partisanship ; and his evident fairmindedness, united with never-failing courtesy, has gained for him hosts of friends in all parties. When he was appointed by Governor Morton a member of the board of state assessors, in November, 1895, political focs and friends alike united in endorsing the appoint- ment. Mr. Adams has long been a student of the problems of taxation, and it may confidently be expected that he will do good work on the board. This is not his first term of public service, as he was deputy collector of internal revenue in the 28th New York district from 1891 to 1895. He was also a member of the Republican state committee in 1890 and 1891.
Mr. Adams possesses much literary ability, and in addition to his regular editorial work he has written occasional humorous poems and sketches of
travel. He is vice president of the Republican Editorial Association of New York State. He at- tends the Park Church, Elmira, and is a member of Ivy Lodge, No. 397, F. & A. M., and of Alpha Delta Phi fraternity.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- Edward Le- grand Adams was born at Clarence, N. Y., January 3, 1851 ; was educated at the State Normal School at Brockport, N. Y., and at the University of Rochester, from which he graduated in 1875; was city editor of the Rochester " Democrat and Chronicle," 1875-80; married Kate Linn Atwater of Elmira, N. Y., Janu- ary 22, 1879 ; engaged in oil production at Bradford, Penn., 1880-82 ; was appointed state assessor in 1895 for a term of three years ; has been editor of the Elmira " Daily Advertiser " since 1882.
frederick JE. Bates has served his country on the field of battle, in the arena of politics, and as a private citizen whose influence counts for progress and solid attainments. Born at Caroline, N. Y., the greater part of his aetive and useful life has been spent there, and the stamp of a strong personality has thus been indelibly impressed upon that con- munity. His education did not end with the common school, as did that of so many men who now look back with regret at their eagerness to leave their studies and begin earning money. The thrifty boy was wise enough to see that a little more time spent in study then would be a profitable investment, and he did not lay aside his books until he had taken a thorough course in Ithaca Academy and in Char- lotteville Seminary.
At the outbreak of the Civil War Mr. Bates iden- tified himself prominently with the cause of the Union, and later enlisted in company B, 179th regiment, serving until the close of the war. With the reticenee that distinguishes many old soldiers, he talks little about this period of his career. His experience was like that of thousands of other brave men, requiring undaunted courage and stern physical endurance. When he was mustered out of service at Elmira, by order of the war department, in 1865, he was not among the unfortunate men who were so disabled by the deprivations they had long endured or by bodily injuries, as to be unfitted for active life. Making his home in Ithaca, he gave his attention to mercantile pursuits, and accumulated in eight years a comfortable fortune.
He then returned to his native town, and invested some of his money in an extensive farm. The work proved most congenial, and as he conducted it on scientific principles the results were correspondingly gratifying. The rapidly increasing profits were
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MEN OF NEW YORK- CHEMUNG SECTION'
invested in other farm lands, and he now has some six hundred acres under cultivation. He improves his property with well-constructed, commodious buildings, and points with pardonable pride to. the barns on his Caroline homestead as equal to the best in Tompkins county. There is an air of comfort and prosperity, as well as evidence of the most careful oversight, in all his estates. In addition to the cares of such extensive farming, the building of a roller mill at Brookton of fifty-barrel capacity and its superintendence for a year, are among Mr. Bates's achievements. His industry is tireless, and his success uninterrupted.
Ilis fellow-citizens at Caroline, rec- ognizing his superior executive ability, elected him supervisor of the town, and he served in this capacity four years. In the fall of 1895 he was nominated for member of assembly on the Republican ticket, and received 3941 votes against 2756 for the Democratic candidate, 375 for the Prohibitionist, and 81 for the Populist. Such a victory shows con- clusively the esteem in which he is held in his district.
Mr. Bates is a member of Hobasco Lodge, No. 716, at Ithaca, and a charter member of David Ireland Post, G. A. R., at Brookton.
Mr. Bates is a man of public spirit and progressive ideas, and is ably seconded in all his undertakings by his accom- plished wife. Mrs. Bates is a graduate of Wheaton College, and received the degree of Bachelor of Divinity from Oberlin Theological Seminary ; and for two years previous to ber marriage was the pastor of the Congregational Church at Brookton, N. Y. She also took an active part in the Congress of Representative Women held in Chicago in connection with the World's Fair.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY -- Frederick E. Bates was born at Caroline, N. Y., May 4, 1842; was educated in public schools, Ithaca Academy, and Charlotteville Seminary ; served in the Civil War, 1864-65 ; married juanita Breckenridge of News Windsor, Al., September 21, 1893 ; was elected mem- ber of assembly in 1895 ; has been engaged in mercan- tile business and farming since 1865.
barry Saver Brooks of Elmira is one of the best-known newspaper men in southern of western New York. He is the owner and publisher
of the Elmira Telegram, a conspicuous newspaper success. Mr. Brooks is now in the prime of life, absorbed in his work, and already reaps the bene- fit of years of hard labor. The toil and drudgery of the profession have come to a happy fruition in his case.
FREDERICK E. BATES
He was born at Waverly, N. V., August 2, 1852. In 1866 he removed with his parents to Elmira, where he attended the public schools, graduating in 1869 from the Elmira Free Academy. He at once set about learning the printer's trade, beginning his apprenticeship in the job rooms of the Elmira Gacette during the first year of David B. Hill's ownership of that paper. Mr. Brooks proved himself a capable workman, and shortly after his release from the apprenticeship he was appointed superintendent of the news- and job-composing rooms. His taste as a printer was of a high order, and the job department of the Gazette was for some years noted for its artistic perfection. Having mastered the technique of news- paper making and of fine printing and composing, he
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next entered the countingroom, and was made secre- tary of the company. He had for a time entire charge of the business department. Later on he took a chair in the editorial department of the Gasette, and there achieved a national reputation as a paragrapher, being one of the first to introduce and
HARRY SAVER BROOKS
make popular that feature of journalism. He was the confrère, equal, and friend of such paragraphers and humorists as Ike Gregory, the editor of Judge, and others. Years ago Mr. Brooks and the late Eugene Field were chums and mutual admirers.
When Mr. Brooks left the Gazette he abandoned his famed " Popular Paragraphs," and founded the Elmira Telegram, thereby beginning the accumulation of a fortune. In May, 1879, the first issue of the Telegram appeared, and the paper was from the start a journalistic and financial success. In its inception Mr. Brooks was its business and editorial manager. He soon purchased the interests of his associates, and thereby acquired complete ownership and control of what was chiefly his own creation. The Telegram
was unique among Sunday papers, and was the first to furnish a local edition for the cities, sections, and territories in which it was circulated. Mr. Brooks also established two other papers, one at Albany, N. Y., and the other at Harrisburg, Penn., both of which were highly successful and profitable. These papers, the successful establishment of' which shows Mr. Brooks's enterprise and facility in organization, are not now under his management, having been sobi by him at handsome figures. He is nos wholly devoted to the interests of the Elmira Telegram, on which he bestows all his time and study, seeking to make the paper a fitting monument to his in. dustry and pains. Consequently, he has made himself a factor in Elmira, and an influence for good throughout the state.
In days gone by Mr. Brooks was ac- tively interested in athletics, and now, in more mature years, he retains an interest in all legitimate sports, and is always ready to advance innocent pleasure and healthful pastimes. He is a great lover of horses, and always owns several of the best to be seen in Elmira. He is a genial gentleman, and a member of various social and fraternal societies, including the City Club, the Cen- tury Club, the Elks, and the Knights of Pythias.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- Harry Sayer Brooks was born at Waverly, N. Y., August 2, 1852 ; was educated at Waverly High School and Elmira Free Academy ; settled in Elmira in 1866, and learned the printer's trade ; married Alice A. Fisher of Lake Ridge. N. Y., Septem- ber 9, 1879 ; established the Elmira " Tele- gram" in May, 1819, and has been its owner and general manager ever since.
George 36. Curtiss, whose recent treatise on the tariff has brought him deservedly into promi- nence, has been for twenty years a resident of Bing- hamton.
Born in Livingston county, New York, he was" taken to Illinois by his parents in early childhood. and there brought up on a farm. His education was received in the West, but in 1876 he returned to his native state, and settled at Binghamton. For the next four years he divided his time between teaching in Lowell's Business College and reading law ; and in May, 1880, he was admitted to the . bar at the
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General Term of the Supreme Court held at Ithaca. Beginning at once the practice of his profession, he was quickly recognized as a lawyer of unusual ability. Three years after his admission to the bar he was elected district attorney of Broome county, and held the office for six years. Since his retire- ment from that office he has devoted his whole time to his private practice, and has appeared in most of the important cases in the county. Mr. Curtiss possesses unusual natural ability, and a clear compre- hension of legal principles ; but he attributes his success in great part to untiring energy, perseverance, and industry. He has been willing to work, and to work hard ; and this fact, not less than natural ability, doubtless explains the prominent place he occupies at the Broome-county bar.
Outside the practice of his profession Mr. Curtiss has been a wide reader, especially on historical, political, and economic sub- jects ; and he has established a reputation as a writer. Reference has already been made to his treatise on the tariff. This work, entitled " Protection and Prosper- ity," is the most exhaustive treatise in favor of a protective tariff that has yet been written. It is a bulky volume of 900 pages, and evidences a vast amount of painstaking research. The subject is treated in a thoroughly comprehensive manner, and with great ability and skill ; and the work will no doubt become a rec-
. ognized authority on the tariff question.
Its high merit is attested by the fact that William McKinley, Thomas B. Reed, and Levi P. Morton have all written intro- ductions to the book, thus giving it the stamp of approval of the leaders of the great political party that has espoused the cause of protection.
Mr. Curtiss has for years been honor- ably active in politics, aiding his party with both tongue and pen ; but, aside from his service as district attorney, he has never held political office. Profes- sional duties, home and social pleasures, and an active and hearty interest in the affairs of the community where he lives, have occupied his whole time and at- tention ; and he has not sought polit- ical preferment. In private life he is a most cordial, genial gentleman, and worthy citi- zen. Ile is a member of the State Bar Associa- tion, and of Otseningo Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY-George Boughton Curtiss was born at Mount Morris, N. Y., September 16, 1852; was educated in Illinois ; was admitted to the bar at Ithaca, N. Y., in 1880 ; was elected district attorney in 1883, and held the office six years ; married Mary D. Bliss of Liste, N. Y., May 1, 1888 ; has practiced law at Binghamton, N. Y., since 1880.
Lonis Dubl affords by his career abundant proof of the truth of Emerson's aphorism that Amer- ica is opportunity. Mr. Duhl is a native of Kreuz- nach, Germany, and came to this country when a boy. His education was received in the high school of his native city. The reports that made their way to Kreuznach of the advantages of a new country had created in him a strong desire to better his condition
GEORGE B. CURTISS
by transferring his allegiance to a land where all men are equal before the law. Germany has given us a large proportion of our citizens, and they rank among the highest in point of intelligence, industry, and
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patriotism ; and Mr. Duhl's character and career illustrate this fact.
Mr. Duhl was seventeen years old when he came to America and settled in Elmira, N. Y. He had an ambition to make his way in the world, and establish himself in business. How fully this ambition has
L.
LOUIS DUHL
been satisfied, not only in achieving mercantile suc- cess, but also in gaining the respect and confidence of his fellow-citizens, is best indicated by the positions he has been elected to fill in commercial enterprises and in the body politic. He embarked in business in his own name when only twenty-two years of age, and successfully conducted a wholesale and retail ice business in Elmira. In a few years this enterprise grew to such proportions that in conjunction with several others he organized the Elmira Ice Co., one of the strongest concerns of its kind outside of New York city. Mr. Duhl has been general manager and treasurer of the company since its organization.
One success frequently leads to another, and Mr. Duhl has cultivated with splendid results other fields
of commercial activity. In recent years he has given much time and attention to brick making, and has be- come a stockholder and director in the Empire Brick Manufacturing Co., as well as one of the directors of the newly organized Horseheads Brick Co., located at Horseheads, N. Y.
A man of Mr. Duhl's prominence in. business has necessarily a wide personal influence, which political managers arc quick to utilize by party nominations to important offices. Mr. Duhl is an active and earnest Democrat, and has repre- sented his party in the Elinira board of aldermen. Later he served as park com- missioner during Mayor Robinson's ad. ministration. He has always been a warm admirer and courageous supporter of Mr. Cleveland, and was conspicuous in the ranks of the President's New York followers in the contest of 1892. Mr. Duhl joined the "Anti-Snappers " in that year, and was chosen a delegate to their state convention. The result of that movement is now matter of general his- tory, and Mr. Duhl's important part therein entitles him to credit as an in- dependent man and a loyal friend. Such is his reputation in business ranks and in social and political circles.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- Louis Dull was born at Kreuznach, Ger- many, October 7, 1852 ; was educated in the public schools ; came to America and settled in Elmira, N. Y., in 1869; mar- ricd Harriet A. Brown of Elmira October 1, 1876 ; was elected alderman in 1885 ; was appointed park commissioner in 1892 : has been general manager and treasurer of the Elmira Ice Co., L'i'd, since 1884.
Thomas S. flood has been for years a con- spicuous figure in the business and political circles of Elmira and the surrounding counties. Men do not achieve notable success in any line of activity with- out self-reliance, personal courage, and the power of prompt decision. These traits of character are con- spicuous in the Flood family, which has long been prominent in the Southern Tier.
Mr. Flood's father was a physician, who moved to Elmira when Thomas was but ten years old. A man of decided character and marked ability, he exerted a strong influence upon the community, where he filled the office of mayor at one time in addition to his professional duties. He taught his sons the
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