Geneva New York

Biographical Sketch of Watson E. Stubbs

(II) Watson E., son of William and Elizabeth (King) Stubbs, was born in Oneida county, New York, 1837. He was educated in the public schools of the town of Phelps, Ontario county, New York, and assisted his father in the cultivation of the home farm from a very early age. He was thus engaged until he was about twenty-eight years of age, when he took up carpentry, which he followed for about nine years. In 1886 he established himself in the lumber trade, organizing a retail and wholesale business in Geneva, New York, for lumber and all the materials connected … Read more

Biographical Sketch of R. J. A. Mack

R. J. A. Mack, of Redlands, is a native of Syracuse, New York, born June 24, 1842. He received his education in the schools of Syracuse and Fulton, New York, and commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Townsend, of Syracuse; he also attended and graduated at the college at Geneva. He began practice at Syracuse, afterward continuing at Rochester, and later at Lyons, New York. Thence he removed to Chicago, where he attended Bennett Medical College (Eclectic), graduating in 1876. He practiced in Chicago until 1886, when he removed to California, and on the 9th of November of that … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Louis D. Collins

(III) Louis D., son of Chauncey Brooks Collins, was born in Rose Valley, Wayne county, New York, 1852. His education was acquired at the high school. He established himself in the wholesale drug business in the city of New York, continuing this for seventeen years, and then removed to Ontario county, New York, and for a time lived retired from business responsibilities. In 1897 he took charge of the New York Central Iron Works in Geneva, and ten years later erected an entirely new plant for the manufacture of steam boilers and hot water tanks. This war, incorporated under the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Abram Wyckoff

(III) Abram Ralph, son of Cornelius Wyckoff, was born at Ovid, Seneca county, October 13, 1862. He attended the public schools of his native town and the academy and the high schools at Lodi and Ovid. He began to teach school and for several years followed that profession in the vicinity of his home. He began to study law in 1881, and was admitted to the bar in 1884. Since 1888 he has been practicing his profession. He was elected justice of the peace and served a number of years as magistrate and member of the town board of Geneva. … Read more

Biography of Louis A. Cooper

America, as has been frequently remarked, is the home of self-made men, and in no line is this trait so apparent and so beneficial to the country at large, as in the agricultural field. It would seem as if in this branch the very best that is in a man is brought to the surface, for the very freedom which surrounds these workers, enables their natural abilities to develop to the fullest and best extent. One of the finest specimens of this sort of manhood, is to be found in the person of Louis A. Cooper, manager of the Geneva … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Whitwell

Frederic D. Whitwell, an attorney and counselor at law of the younger generation in Geneva. Ontario county. New York, is a member of an old and well-known family. (I) John Whitwell, grandfather of Frederick D. Whitwell, was one of the early settlers in the state of New York, and was a man of importance in his day. For a number of years he filled very capably the office of justice of the peace. (II) William, son of John Whitwell, was born in Geneva, New York, April 14. 1836. He is president of the J. W. Smith Dry Goods Company, is … Read more

Biography of Edwin S. Thorne

Edwin S. Thorne, treasurer and manager of the Geneva Preserving Company, is a fine example of a self-made man, in the best sense of the word. He has gained for himself friends, affluence and position, by his own honorable exertions and moral attributes, and by the strength and force of his character has been enabled to overcome obstacles which, to others less hopeful and courageous, would have seemed insurmountable. He has been gifted with a quickness of perception and a fertility of invention which enable him to carry his projects far on the road to success, while others meditate upon … Read more

Biography of Charles C. Davison

Charles C. Davison. who has been prominently connected with the milling industry in the state of New York for many years, is a son of Ozmer L. Davison, who came to New York from New England and spent the greater part of his life engaged in agricultural pursuits. He died at Odessa, New York, in 1900, and his wife died in 1896. Charles C., son of Ozmer L. Davison, was born in Odessa, Schuyler county, New York, June 22, 1868. He was graduated from the Odessa high school, then studied and was prepared for college at Cook’s Academy, and matriculated … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Nathan D. Lapham

Nathan D. Lapham, attorney and counselor at law in Geneva, Ontario county, New York, has not alone gained a reputation as a civil and criminal lawyer, but has for a number of years been prominently identified with public affairs in his section of the country. It is owing to the energy, ambition and progressive ideas of men of this stamp that many greatly needed improvements are introduced into the commonwealth, and their influence is a widespread one, extending far beyond the confines of their own generation and lives. (I) Nathan Lapham, grandfather of Nathan D. Lapham, and the ancestor for … Read more

Biography of Robert M. Kennedy

Robert M. Kennedy was born in Italy, Yates county, New York, August 26, 1848. In his earlier years he was a farmer and was thus occupied until 1877, when he engaged in the undertaking business in his native town, and from there removed to Middlesex. In 1893 he came to Geneva, Ontario county, New York, thinking this a better field for the conduct of his business, and established himself there, the firm being known as Kennedy & Kennedy, and embracing Mr. Kennedy and his son, James M. They now (1911)occupy a position in the first ranks of embalmers and undertakers, … Read more

Biography of William B. Forster

William B. Forster, who is engaged in general farming in the town of Seneca, Ontario county, New York, occupies a high position in the literary circles of that section of the country and is also prominently identified with its religious life. William D. Forster, father of William B. Forster, was born at Halls Corners, Ontario county, New York, March 29, 1830, and is the oldest living person born at that place. He attended the common schools of his native township and supplemented this education by attendance at the sessions of Alfred Academy. He then engaged in teaching, and taught schools … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Charles McKelvie

The McKelvies are descended from an ancient and formidable Scottish clan, noted in the middle ages for their prowess, and in modern times for their sturdy application to the peaceful pursuits of agriculture, commerce, etc. The Geneva, New York family of this name were pioneers in the fruit growing industry of that locality. Early in the last century Charles McKelvie, aged eight years, emigrated from Scotland with his parents, who settled in Geneva when that city was but a small hamlet. The McKelvies were industrious farming people who firmly adhered to the precepts of the established church of Scotland, and … Read more

Biography of Rev. Thomas G. Watson

REV. THOS. G. WATSON. – To the ministry more than to any other class of men does a community owe its moral progress; and with such development opportunity is given for progress in other directions. This is strikingly illustrated in the life of the minister whose name appears above. He was born in Geneva, New York, in 1836, and was educated in his native place, graduating in 1857 from Hobert College. He took his theological course at New Brunswick, New Jersey, and entered upon missionary work at Cayuga county, preaching eight years at Cato, Fair Haven and Victory, and assisting … Read more

Biography of Louis J. Licht

Louis J. Licht, secretary and treasurer of a large stock company for the preparation of cereals, in Geneva, Ontario county, New York, is of German descent. His father Frederick Licht was born in Germany, 1825, and died in this country, 1905. He came to America in 1832, and was the inventor of the process which has since been improved upon by his sons and in which the family has been successful in accumulating a fortune. He married Elizabeth Klinck, born in this country, 1832, died, 1882. They had five children, three of whom are now (1910) living and engaged together … Read more

Biography of George Frederick Fordon

(IV) George Frederick Fordon, a member of the third generation of his family in this country, is a well known farmer and fruit grower in Geneva, Ontario county, New York. He is descended from a family engaged in agriculture in England for many generations. Continuing the excellent and proven methods in vogue in that country for many years, he has supplemented them by adopting the most modern ideas that have been evolved in the cultivation of the soil and bringing its products to the highest state of perfection. In this direction, Mr. Fordon has been especially progressive, and the excellence … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Frederic D. Whitwell

(III) Frederic D., son of William and Caroline A. (Davenport) Whitwell, was born in Geneva, New York, September 2, 1876. He was a student at the Geneva high school, then at Hobart College and was graduated with honor from both institutions. Admitted to the bar, November 17, 1903, he immediately established himself in practice in Geneva, where he is rapidly acquiring a large clientele. Prior to commencing the study of law he was a tutor of Latin and Greek in the Geneva high school. He is an active worker in the interests of the Republican party, has served as a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Graham McKelvie

(II) William Graham, only child of Charles and Charlotte (Graham) McKelvie, was born in Geneva, January 27, 1831 ; died April 30, 1903. Reared to the occupation of a farmer and fruit-grower, he became an expert nurseryman and for twenty-five years devoted his attention almost exclusively to that business. He purchased several pieces of agricultural property located just south of what is known as Bellwood farm, and these farms are still owned by the family. He was a successful farmer and a prominent citizen, supporting all movements which have resulted in developing the growth and prosperity of Geneva, and for … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George C. Dorsey

George C. Dorsey, owner of a large wholesale produce business in Geneva, Ontario county, New York, is the son of Upton Dorsey, who was born in Hagerstown, Washington county, Maryland, in 1814. He removed from Seneca county to Geneva, New York, in 1838, and took a prominent part in the public affairs of his day, having served as justice of the peace for a number of terms. He died in 1856. George C. Dorsey was born in Ovid, Seneca county, New York, in 1834, and received his education in the common schools of Geneva, New York. For a number of … Read more

Biography of Samuel D. Pierson

Samuel D. Pierson, director in the J. W. Smith Dry Goods Company, of Geneva, New York, is one of that class of men who seem destined to overcome by their innate fitness apparently insurmountable obstacles, and his career presents a fine example of honesty and integrity, energy and perseverance, struggling with the adverse circumstances of life and rising into complete triumph. With all the elements of a strong character, he was fitted to assume the responsibilities which have devolved upon him and to increase the value of the interests entrusted to his care. Rev. Job Pierson his father was born … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James Barnes

(I) James Barnes, grandfather of D. Eddy Barnes, was a farmer in Pennsylvania, from which state he came to Geneva, Ontario county, New York, in the earliest days of the settlement of that section of the country. He acquired a considerable tract of land, which by means of diligent and intelligent cultivation he converted from a wilderness to fine farm land and in this condition left it to his heirs.