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 37
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tans that founded Newburyport, Mass., soon after the Pilgrim settlement at Plymouth. Descendants of these pioneers settled in Connecticut, and one of them was chairman of the first board of trustees of Yale College, and a generous donor to its first endowment. On the other side, history records that General Noyes's mother belonged to a family that originally came to the new world to escape the persecutions of the Huguenots. Among her ances- tors, also, is the Ruscoe who suffered for the Protes- tant faith during the persecutions of James II.
With such inspiration in the past, General Noyes began early in life to maintain the honor of the family name. He was brought up under the whole- some discipline of a rigid Presbyterian family, and amid the endless duties of a farmer's boy. After graduating from Starkey Seminary in his native town
HENRY T. NOVES
at the age of sixteen, he taught a village school for a year in a neighboring county. He then studied sur- veying, and practiced it in central New York. He was ambitious, however, to follow. the legal
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profession ; and after a course of private study he entered the law school of Columbia College. At the beginning of his senior year, in August, 1862, he left the law school and entered the army. Ile was mustered into the United States service as adjutant of the 148th New York volunteers, was promoted to be major of the same regiment, and later colonel of United States volunteers ; and dur- ing the campaign of 1864 he was inspector general of the 2d division, 18th army corps. His first ser- vice was in the department of Virginia. He was afterward with the Army of the James, and then with the Army of the Potomac.
At the close of the war General Noyes turned his attention to mercantile pursuits, taking up his resi- dence in the state of Michigan, and engaging in the lumber business. The proceeds of his various com- mercial operations have been largely invested in property of this kind, including timber lands in the Northwest and extensive tracts of red wood in north- ern California. In 1870 he became the manager and part owner of the National Yeast Co. of Seneca Falls, N. Y. He has also been interested to some extent in miscellaneous manufactures.
In political affairs General Noyes has been an ardent Republican ever since the organization of the party, and he was a delegate from his town to county conventions before he was old enough to vote. From 1870 until 1891, with the exception of three years spent abroad, he lived in Seneca Falls, and took a prominent part in the affairs of the town. In 1880 he was elected to the board of education, be- coming president of the board the next year ; and in 1881 he was elected president of the village of Seneca Falls. Since 1891 General Noyes has made his resi- dence in Rochester, and has continued to share in the counsels of the Republican leaders. In 1890 he was nominated for congress by the Republi- cans of the district composed of Chemung, Seneca, Tompkins, and Schuyler counties. The election was exceedingly close, and a protracted contro- versy arose over the congressional count. The following summary of the famous case is taken from an authoritative source :
" The original returns showed General Noyes's election by several hundred plurality. Every court in the state of New York, including the Court of Appeals, a majority of whose mem bers were Democrats, by their decisions declared Mr. Noyes elected. To avoid the mandates of the courts, the state board of canvassers was hastily summoned, in advance of its usual session, and the certificate of election was awarded to his op- ponent, although the records on file to-day in the office of the secretary of state show General Noyes's election. The com- mittee on elections of the 52d congress, composed of nine Dem- ocrats and six Republicans, by an almost unanimous vote, declared Genera! Noyes elected. The house, although Democratic
by a majority of nearly 150, declared his opponent seated by a close vote of only twenty two majority. Fifty Democrats voted against such action, and fifty-seven did not vote at all."
General Noyes is well known in military circles. The years 1883-85 he spent in Europe, devoting considerable time to the study of modern military science. Ile is greatly interested in the subject, and has continued the study at irregular intervals since then. Becoming lieutenant colonel of the 49th reg- iment, N. G., S. N. Y., March 21, 1879, he was brevetted colonel June 9 of the same year. He was appointed by Governor Morton commissary general of subsistence of the state of New York, with the rank of brigadier general, April 4, 1895: and was reappointed to the same office by Governor Black January 1, 1897.
General Noyes is much interested in yachting, and is one of the older members of the New York Yacht Club. He has a delightful summer residence on Nantucket island, where he spends four months of the year and indulges his love of the sea. He is a member of the United Service Club and of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, an associate member of the Military Service Institution, and a life member of the Society of the Army of the Potomac.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY -- Henry Taylor Noyes was born at Starkey, N. Y., August 10, 1840; graduated from Starkey Seminary, and studied at Col- umbia College Law School ; served in the Union army, 1862-65; engaged in the lumber business in Michigan, 1865-70 ; married Lu Chamberlain of Seneca Falls, N. Y., September 29, 1869; was manager and fart owner of the National Yeast Co. of Seneca Falls, 1870-79 ; has been commissary general of subsistence of the state of New York since April 4, 1895; has lived in Rochester since 1891.
ffrank (D. Darsons was born in the town of Camillus, Onondaga county, New York, in 1848. He has spent virtually his whole life not far from the place of his nativity, and has thus become thor- oughly identified with central New York. His early education was obtained in the common schools of Granby, Oswego Falls, and Van Buren : and the academy at Baldwinsville also contributed to his preparatory training. His ultimate aim during these years of youth was the legal profession, but he was forced by stress of circumstances to obtain his end by somewhat roundabout methods. He worked on a farm for some time, became a clerk in a general store, and taught school for four terms. Ilis plans were so well contrived, however, that he was able in his nineteenth year to enter upon the
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MEN OF NEW YORK-GENESEE SECTION
systematic and continuous study of law in the office of William B. Mills at Weedsport, N. Y.
The office method of learning law has been used with great success by many distinguished attorneys, and Mr. Parsons had no difficulty in mastering the subject sufficiently for bar-examination purposes. Admitted to practice in the spring of 1871, he opened an office in Weedsport, and has ever since carried on his pro -. fession in that locality. Until April 1, 1579. he practiced alone, but for ten years thereafter was associated with Wil- ham 1. Cornwell in the firm of Parsons & Cornwell. Since 1889 Mr. Parsons has been much occupied with public affairs, and has found it possible to con - duct his private practice without partner- ship assistance.
Interested in political questions at an early period of life, Mr. Parsons has be- come increasingly prominent in public affairs. He believes heartily in the principles of the Republican party, and has always worked hard for the success of the cause. He has held various posi- tions of trust and responsibility in the public service. Becoming village clerk when a young man, he was afterward made town clerk, and then a special county judge. In the fall of 1885 he was elected to the state assembly from the first assembly district of Cayuga county, and in 1886 he was re-elected. In 1894 he became confidential clerk to the attorney-general of the state, and later in the same year he was appointed one of the deputy attorney-generals. He is still discharging the duties of that position.
Mr. Parsons is well known in Weedsport and Cayuga county, and is prominent socially as well as politically and professionally. He belongs to the order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and the Good Templars. He is a member of the Meth- odist .Episcopal church.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY-Francis Mar- ion Parsons was born at Camillus, N. Y., August 10, 1848 : was educated at common schools and Ball- winsville ( N. V. ) Academy : studied law, and roas admitted to the bar in 1871 : married Hattie E. Bib- bens of Weedsport, N. Y., October 23, 1871 ; was member of assembly, 1886-87 : has been a deputy
Wlilliam . Seward was born at Auburn, N. Y., in the old historic family homestead erected in 1816 by his maternal grandfather, Judge Elijah Mil- ler, and now known as the "Seward mansion. " He is the third and youngest son of the late Wil- liam H. Seward, secretary of state under President
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FRANK M. PARSONS
Lincoln. In personal appearance and in many mental characteristics General Seward strongly resembles his illustrious father. He has the same measured and deliberate manner of speech, and the tone and inflection of his voice remind the hearer of the utterance of the great statesman. A severe afflic- tion of the eyes in childhood, at one time threaten- ing total loss of sight, rendered close and continuous study impossible : but the indefatigable assistance of his highly intellectual mother, supplemented later on by the instruction of competent tutors, made up to a great extent for this misfortune.
At the age of eighteen young Seward secured a mained two years. He then became private secretary
attorney general since 1894 : has practiced law in . clerkship in a hardware store in Albany, where he re- Weedsport since 187 1.
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for his father, at that time United States senator ; and in that capacity made the personal acquaintance of many of the most distinguished men of the day. The next year he organized at Auburn, in connection with his early friend, Clinton D. MacDougall, the banking house of William H. Seward & Co. This
WILLIAM II. SEWARD
venture was interrupted by the call to arms in 1861. which appealed strongly to both the young men. Early in 1862, his partner having gone to the front some months before, young Seward was appointed one of the war committee of his congressional district, and became secretary of the committee. During that summer he was engaged in enlisting and forwarding troops. In August, leaving his business in trustworthy hands, he accepted an appointment as lieutenant colonel of the 138th New York volunteers, afterward the 9th New York heavy artillery. The regiment was assigned to duty in Haskins's division, 22d army corps, defense of Washington, where Lieu- tenant Colonel Seward took an active part in the con- struction of several large forts north of the Potomac.
The most important of these was Fort Foote at Rosier's bluff, which still remains as one of the his- toric landmarks of the Rebellion ; where he mounted and first used the largest land ordnance then known to the service. In the spring of 1863 he was sent by the President on a delicate secret mission to New Orleans, and to General Banks, then operating on the Bayou Teche in Lonisi- ana. This service he satisfactorily ac- complished, though not without much danger and hardship. The next year, having been promoted to the rank of colonel, he joined the Army of the Poto- mac with his regiment, which thereafter became part of Rickett's 3d division, 6th army corps. He participated in many of the engagements around Petersburgh and Richmond ; and at the battle of Cold Harbor led a successful assault on the rebel earthworks, with a loss to his regi- ment of 142 killed and wounded. For its gallant service in this engagement General Rickett's division received spe- cial commendation from General Meade. On July 6, with four companies of his regiment, Colonel Seward was hurriedly sent to Frederick, MId., to oppose the advance of General Early ; and at the battle of Monocacy, three days later, he was slightly wounded in the arm, and received a broken ankle from the fall of his horse, shot under him in the final charge. General Lew Wallace, who commanded the Union forces, reported Colonel Seward as having acted with rare gallantry : and he soon afterward received an appointment as brigadier general of volunteers "for gallant and meritorious services," accompanied by a complimentary autograph letter from Secretary Stan- ton. As soon as his wounds permitted, General Sew- ard was sent to Martinsburgh in command of the 1st brigade, 3d division, department of West Virginia, then operating in the Shenandoah valley : and for a short time, after the capture of General Crook, he was in command of the same division at Harper's Ferry.
At the close of the war General Seward returned to Auburn, and resumed his place at the head of his banking house, which, through his energy and fore- sight, has long been recognized as one of the strong- est institutions of its kind in central New York. He has also been connected with many other business enterprises, and has had a prominent part in the pub- lic and social life of his native city. He'was one of
MEN OF NEW YORK- GENESEE SECTION
the builders of the Southern Central railroad, now a part of the Lehigh Valley system, and acted as its financial officer for several years. He is an active director of the American Express Co. In politics he has always been an enthusiastic adherent of the Republican party ; but, though frequently mentioned by his friends for political honors, he has usually preferred to devote himself to business life. In 1884 he was a prominent candidate for governor of New York state. He has twice been nominated as an elector at large on the state presidential ticket, and was made president of the electoral college in 1889 by the unanimous choice of his associates.
For several years General Seward has maintained in Auburn at his own expense, free reading rooms, which have grown in popularity until the average attendance each season now reaches forty thousand. It is needless to say that he is univer- sally esteemed and respected in the community, which has long revered the great name he so honorably bears. His ripened judgment on public affairs and in business enterprises is recognized by his fellow-citizens ; and his advice and counsel are eagerly sought, and freely given. Hospitality as generous as it is unostentatious prevails in his home, and its historic treasures, gathered from dif- ferent parts of the globe, are displayed to all. Mr. Seward's distinguishing traits of character are absolute loyalty to "friends, to party, and to principles ; un- swerving integrity and purity of life ; and a generous interest in all things pertaining to the welfare of the com- munity. He is president of the Cayuga County Historical Society and of the City Club of Auburn ; vice president of the City Hospital and of the Cayuga County Savings Bank : and a trustee of Wells College, Aurora, N. Y. He be- longs to the G. A. R., the Loyal Legion, and the Sons of the Revolution ; and is a member of the Union League and Transportation clubs of New York city, and of the United States Service Club.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- William Heury Seward was born at Alu- burn, N. Y., June 18, 1839; was edu- cated by private tutors ; was clerk in a store in Albany, 1857-59, and private secretary to his father, 1859-60 ; married Janet MeNeil Watson of Auburn June 27, 1860 ; served in the Union army, 1862 65 ; was a presidential elector at large in 1889 :
since the close of the year has made his home in Auburn, engaged in banking, and in other business enterprises.
John D. Celler, ex-surrogate of Cayuga coun- ty, was born on a farm in Washington county, New York, fifty-two years ago. He is the second son of Benjamin F. and Elizabeth Du Bois Teller, both natives of Dutchess county ; who, after living for a time in Greene county, settled near Sandy Hill, N. Y., in 1845. Judge Teller's childhood was passed on the home farm, but when he was seven years old his parents moved to the neighboring village of Sandy Hill. There he attended the public schools, and afterward prepared for college in the classical school of William McLaren, somewhat famous in its day. Entering Williams College at the age of eigh- teen, he pursucd his studies with the same persistent
JOHN D. TELLER
application that has characterized his professional career : and in spite of the disadvantage of somewhat insufficient preparatory training, he graduated with his class in 1867, and had the honor of delivering
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an oration on commencement day. Among his classmates were G. Stanley Hall, Hamilton W. Mabie, Francis Lynde Stetson, and President Dole of the Hawaiian Republic.
Having succeeded during his college course in overcoming a natural timidity in public speaking that would have seriously interfered with his success as a lawyer, Judge Teller at once set about prepar- ing himself for the profession of his choice. Enter- ing the office of Hughes & Northup at Sandy Hill, he devoted himself for three years to the work of a law student. The firm conducted a large practice, and the young man was able to gain there a thorough knowledge of legal science. He received his diploma at a general term of the Supreme Court held at Schenectady in September, 1870 ; and after practic- ing for a short time at Sandy Hill he moved, in December, 1872, to Auburn, where he has ever since resided.
Until May, 1875, Judge Teller was associated in his law practice with the late David Wright, and thereafter for several years he worked alone. Janu- ary 1, 1890, he formed a partnership with William H. Hotchkiss, a young lawyer of marked ability who had been a student in his office, and had served as clerk of the court during the latter part of Judge Teller's term as surrogate. At the end of the year Mr. Hotchkiss moved to Buffalo, and Judge Teller then formed his present partnership with Thomas M. Hunt, who had likewise studied in his office. Judge Teller's practice has been a varied one, but has con - sisted largely of work in the higher courts. His accurate knowledge of his profession, keen discrimi- nation regarding nice points of law, and close atten- tion to the interests of his clients, are well known ; and he has also an enviable reputation for uprightness and love of justice.
Judge Teller's political career began while he was still a law student, when he was elected clerk of the village of Sandy Hill and justice of the peace in 1868, defeating the Republican candidate in a town that usually gave a majority of a hundred to that party. In 1871 he was nominated for district attor- ney of Washington county ; but was defeated, though he reduced somewhat the normal Republican major. ity. After his removal to Auburn be held no public office until 1877. when he became police justice of the city, a position that he held for nearly three years. In 1883 he was elected surrogate of Cayuga county for a term of six years. In 1887 he was the Democratic candidate for justice of the Supreme Court in his district, and in 1889 he ran for state senator. In 1893 he was strongly recommended by nearly every lawyer in his own county, as well as by
many in the other counties of the district, to fill a vacancy on the bench of the Supreme Court ; and it is altogether likely that the petition woukl have been granted had not Governor Flower felt it neces- sary that the appointment should go to Monroe county. In the fall of 1895 Judge Teller received the honor of a nomination by the Democratic party for the office of judge of the Court of Appeals.
Like many other busy men, Judge Teller has been called upon to devote much time to charitable and other important positions of trust. Besides being a director of the Cayuga County National Bank, he is trustee of the Auburn City Hospital, the Central Presbyterian Church, and the Auburn Theological Seminary. He is a man of most genial disposition, and during his residence of twenty-five years in Auburn has become one of the most popular men in the city. He is fond of books, his reading extending over a wide range of subjects. His special diver -. sions are golf and driving. He takes great pride in his well appointed stables, and in the spirited ani- mals that occupy them.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY-John Du Bois Teller was born near Sandy Hill, N. Y., May 11, 1845 : graduated from Williams College, Williamstown, Mass., in 1867 ; studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 18TO ; was clerk of the village of Sandy Hill and justice of the peace, 1868-12; was police justice of Auburn, N. Y., 1877-80, and sur- rogate of Cayuga county, 1884-89 ; has practiced law at Auburn since 1872.
Ernest RR. Taillard, editor in chief of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, was born at Jamestown, N. Y., in 1854. He was educated at the Jamestown Collegiate Institute, in which he prepared for college, and from which he graduated in 1873. Instead of taking a collegiate course he entered at once upon journalistic work. At that time ex-Governor Waite of Colorado was editor of the Jamestown Journal, and Mr. Willard began his career in the newspaper world as local editor under Mr. Waite. After remaining with the Journal two years, Mr. Willard became a reporter on the Buffalo Express, and continued with that paper about a year. lle then moved to Rochester, and joined the local staff of the Democrat and Chronicle. Edward 1. Adams, who has long been identified with the Elmira Daily .Advertiser, was in those days city editor of the Democrat and Chronicle ; and Mr. Willard succeeded him in 1880. He remained in this posi- tion until 1886, when he was advanced to the post of managing editor : and in 1890 he was again pro- moted to his present position of editor in chief.
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Mr. Willard is a clear, concise, and vigorous unter, and is an adept in the art of editorial man- agement. He is thoroughly informed on topics of the day, and has the courage of his convictions. Early in his career he developed unusual admin- istrative ability in his chosen profession. With an intuitive knowledge of the needs of a ... odern daily newspaper and quick and accurate judgment, he combines rare Kill in gathering news and ability in viminenting upon it. These qualities, together with tact in his relations with his associates, have contributed largely to the success that he has achieved in the important positions held by him in the journalistic profession. When called to the chief editorship of the Democrat wat Chronicle, he was the youngest man in the country occupying that position on an important daily newspaper.
In social life Mr. Willard is widely known, and is as widely liked. For many years he was secretary of the Rochester Club. He belongs, also, to the Genesee Valley Club, the Rochester Athletic Association, and the Country ('lub. He attends the Protestant Epis- copal church.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- Ernest Russell Willard was born at Jamestown, N. Y., March 11, 1854; was educated at the Jamestown Collegiate Institute ; was local editor of the James- town "Journal," 1873-75, and a re- porter for the Buffalo " Express," 1875- 16 ; has been on the staff of the Rochester " Democrat and Chronicle " since 1816, and has been editor in chief since 1890.
Elmer 16. Allmy has been identified with hotel service and management for a long time, and is now one of the best-known men in the business. He is descended from excellent stock, tracing his ancestry on the maternal side to English origin, and on the other side to a family of French Huguenots. His great-grandfather, John Osborn. fought in the army of the Revolution, and thus helped to found the republic.
Mr. Almy was born in Rochester shortly after the middle of the century. He attended the public schools of the Flower City, and afterward took a course at De Graff's Collegiate Institute in Roches- ter. Having acquired a good general education, he left school at the age of eighteen and began his
business career in the store of his father, P. G. Almy, who conducted a pharmacy in Rochester for many years. Ile remained with his father until 1872, when he went to Detroit, Mich., to enter the drug business of Wheeler & Garfield. Ile worked with them about one year.
.
ERNEST R. WILLARD
Mr. Almy had now reached his majority, and had to decide whether to make the drug business his life-work or to select some other calling that might seem more promising. Having obtained a favorable opening in the hotel business, he concluded to try his fortunes in that field of enterprise. He began his long career as a hotel man in 1873 by entering the service of the Reed House, Erie, Pen., as a clerk. Ile remained there until the spring of 1876. when a more important position in Philadelphia attracted him thither. During the Centennial Expo- sition he entered as clerk at the Transcontinental hotel ; and then served in the same capacity at the LaFayette, also in Philadelphia. After staying at the latter house about a year, he transferred his
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