William Mann is the son of John Mann, the founder of Mann's mills on the Irondequoit, in Pittsford. He settled where he now resides in 1808, upon 100 acres his father purchased, and upon which he had erected the first saw mill in all that region. William Mann added a grist mill in 1812. A life of industry, perseverance and endurance, has been that of most of all the early Pioneers; even where all this has been common, there are some things in the history of William Mann worthy of note. Possessed of but a slight frame, with apparently a feeble physical constitution, his life has been one of constant and persevering toil, uninterrupted by sickness. Taking charge of his own saw mill in an early day, he has been known for weeks to have no sleep, except during the intervals of the sets of his saw for each board; in the labor of the field, he has been earliest and latest; foremost at logging bees or raisings, where hard work was to be encountered; and even now, there is with him but little falling off, or suspension of labor. The reader will be glad to learn that comfort and competence is the reward of all this; but he seems to work on as if he did not know how to stop.

Reminiscences of William Mann.

In most of North Penfield, what is now Webster, the forest was heavy, the ground wet, and it was hard beginning. The new settlers used to change works; many of them could not command a team, and had to work for their neighbors to procure team work. "Bees" would be made to help the weak handed; all were friendly; sickness, privation, hardship, created unity and mutual regard for. each other's interest and welfare. Deer and other wild game were plenty; salmon in the spring and fall would come several miles up the Four Mile creek. No money could be obtained in the earliest years; in fact, our first resources for a little money and a little store trade, was when the brothers, Cornings, and Amos Dunning, and Amos Harvey, started asheries, and made market for ashes and black salts. The Ridge Road was an Indian trail It was not cut out so as to be passable for wagons, until a little while before the war of 1812. There was great scarcity of food after the cold summer of 1816. I had ten acres of rye, stout and early; five acres of it was cut and eaten before the remainder, or any other grain in the neighborhood was cut. In 1807, Amos Stone, of Pittsford, harvested wheat, threshed and carried it to Mann's Mills to be ground in good condition, on the 4th of July. A peach tree was planted on my farm, in 1807; it lived and bore peaches until 1849. Solomon Fuller, in 1806, built a small mill on the Irondequoit, in Brighton; used the old mill stones, and mill irons of the Allan mill at the Falls; I have one of the gudgeons. The first school in North Penfield was organized in 1810, in the Schoolcraft neighborhood; Wm. Harris, a Scotchman, was the first teacher. Methodist circuit riders were our first ministers. The Rev. Solon Pierce organized a Methodist church in 1812.

Joseph Sibley came to the Genesee country in 1804 - in 1806, located in Rush. He was from Renssealer county, N. Y. Like nine-tenths of all the early adventurers, he came into the wilderness with little to aid him in his enterprise; but with an indomitable spirit of perseverance, he looked at its rugged features undismayed, and boldly and successfully wrestled through long years with all of its hardships and privations. With youth and health, courage and fortitude, he seized

"The axe that wondrous instrument,
That like the talisman, transforms
Deserts to fields and cities,"

and first in one locality, and then in another, made openings in the forest; and now in his declining years, favored with almost uninterrupted health, and a sound constitution, he is enjoying the fruits of his labors - is settled down in the midst of broad, highly cultivated fields, constituting one of the many large and beautiful farms in the immediate valley of the Genesee.

In 1812 he changed his residence from Rush to Riga, and was one of the first to commence clearing a farm in the neighborhood of Churchville; and after that was a resident of Chili, founding the milling establishment on Black creek, now owned by D. Cope. When in anticipation of the declaration of war, Gov. Tompkins ordered drafts from the militia, he was one of the six hundred volunteers that supplied the necessity of a draft, and promptly marched to the frontier, under the command of Col Swift. He was an early supervisor of Genesee and Monroe, a member of the State Legislature; for five years a canal superintendent; and more recently the collector of the port of Genesee. His wife, the sister of Elihu and Samuel Church, of Riga, to whom he was married in 1807, still survives; a more. than usual mortality has prevailed with their large family of sons and daughters; of a family of ten children, most of whom became adults, but three survive: - Horace J. Sibley a student of law in Rochester; Mrs. John P. Stull, of Rush; and Mrs. James M'Gill, of Cincinnati.

Reminiscences of Joseph Sibley

When I came to Rush, in 1806, there was no surveyed road in the township. The fall previous, Mr. Wadsworth had contracted with Major Markham to cut out a wood's road as far as the line of Henrietta; but it was several years before it was carried any farther. The first surveyed road through the town and West Henrietta, was the State road from Arkport to the mouth of the Genesee river. A road was surveyed from the line of Mendon through the "Goff settlement," in 1807; and in 1808, a bridge was built by the volunteer labor of settlers, over the Honeoye, near where State road crosses. In 1809, a bridge was built over the Honeoye, in West Rnsh, on river road, by the town. In 1817, the bridge on the State road, went off in a freshet, and about the same period, Austin Wing, a brother of Dr. Wing, of Albany, was drowned in crossing the stream.

There were large patches cf rushes both on hats and uplands, along the river and the Honeoye Creek; the locality was called "Rush Bottom" - thence the name of the town. Cattle would winter well and thrive on the rushes; the Wadsworths would send large droves here to winter, and many were sent from Lima, Bloomfield, and Victor. The rushes finally run out by being repeatedly fed down.

The greatest amount of sickness and death that I knew of in any locality in the Genesee country, was as late as 1821, in the settlements along on Black and Sandy Creek. The prevailing disease had all the distinctive character of the yellow fever, and in a dense population, would have been equally as fatal. It was principally owing to the erection of mill dams. and consequent flooding of timbered lands. When the mill dams were drawn off, the sickness subsided. In one of the earlier years, when Riga and Chili were one town, it was ascertained that 60 died in a population of less than 3,000. At one period, in a population of 83, within the distance of 1½ miles along on the Braddock's Bay road, 63 were sick, principally with billious intermittents. In many seasons, along on the river, the per cent of sickness was greater than has ever prevailed in any of the large cities of the United States, not excepting even the seasons of cholera. This was the case in many of the early years. I have seen instances when entire families would be prostrated, deaths would occur without any medical aid, and sometimes even without nursing. Physicians would be worn out, over-run with business; often it would be twenty-four hours alter they received a call before they could attend to it.

In 1805, crops were very light, and before the harvest of 1806, there was much suffering for food; wheat went up to $2.50 per bushel. The season of 1804 had been very wet, especially along about corn harvest; and the seed corn planted in 1805, seemed to have lost in a great measure its germinating principle; much of it rotted in the ground. The harvest of 1806 was an abundant one; many fields of wheat were fit to cut on the 4th of July. Wheat and corn became a drug; neither would sell for store trade, nor could they be bartered for the ordinary necessaries of life. I chopped, cleared, and sowed to wheat, twenty acres the first year I commenced in Rush. I harvested from 6 to 700 bushels, but could sell it for nothing that I wanted, except in a few instances. I gave a blacksmith in Bloomfield, a bushel of wheat for putting a small wire bail into a tea kettle. Leather, wheat would not buy; and so we had to go barefoot. This state of things produced a large amount of distilling, and whiskey became far too cheap for the good of the new country. The seasons of 1807, '8, '9, '10, '11, were productive, but that of 1812 was unproductive, and they grew worse until 1816 inclusive. In that year, most of the wheat was not fit to cut until September; the corn crop was almost entirely lost; but little summer crops of any kind were raised. From the 6th to the 12th of June, there was frost every night. I sold pork that year for $10 per cwt., fresh; and beef for $6. The harvests of 1817, '18, were tolerable ones: from 1819 to '24, they were universally prolific. In 1819, wheat went down to 31 cents per bushel.

In early years, there was none but a home market, and that was mostly barter: - It was so many bushels of wheat for a cow; so many bushels for a yoke of oxen, &c. There was hardly money enough in the country to pay taxes. lathe way of clothing, buckskin breeches and those made from hemp grown upon the river, were quite common. A young man would then have to work six months for such a suit of clothes as he could now buy for $12. Few wore shoes or boots, except in winter. I have seen men who are now wealthy farmers, barefoot long after snow came. The price of a common pair of cow-hide, boots would be $7, payable in wheat at 62 cents per bushel. Judge Peter Price told me that the first horse be ever owned in Rush, he paid ten bushels of corn for shoeing. As a matter of necessity, horses mostly had to be used without shoeing. When we began to have a few sheep, it cost us a great deal of trouble to keep them from the wolves; the coarsest wool was worth 50 cents per lb., and cash at that. Woolen, shirts were a luxury; the most common ones were of flax and hemp.

Along in years previous to the war, there was extensive hemp culture on the river. The Wadsworths introduced it, raising much themselves, and furnishing seed for ethers; upon their Honeoye farm, in 1811, 18 acres of hemp were raised. Samuel M. Hopkins, and his brother, Mark Hopkins were largely engaged in the business at one time, at what is now Cuylerville. The principal market was at Albany. It finally became a losing business; cultivation, harvesting, preparation for market, transportation, cost too much. It was abandoned after an experiment of a few years.

Game was very plenty: - The hills of Rush, Avon, Caledonia, Wheatland, valleys and uplands, were favorite ranges for the deer. In the winter of 1806, '7, a deep snow came suddenly in December - a thaw succeeded, leaving the openings pretty much bare, but there was eight or ten inches of snow left in the woods, which was suddenly crusted over. This drove the deer, in large flocks, into the openings. They were in good condition, and we could easily kill all we wanted. The Indians of Canawaugus had fine sport, and laid in stores of venison. In all the early years, those Indians were frequently upon the trails that went down to Irondequoit, the Falls, and the mouth of the Genesee river. On their return, their ponies would be loaded down with the spoils of the chase, the fish-hook and spear.

The winter I have spoken of, was generally a very severe one; toward the last of March and beginning of April, there was a heavy fall of snow; through Canandaigua, Phelpstown, and in all that region, it was from four to five feet in depth; on the river, three and half feet. All the roads were entirely blocked up. A thaw came suddenly and swept the flats of the river throughout their whole extent. It was a singular fact, that the robin remained in the country throughout this generally hard winter. In the winter of 1808, '9, another deep snow and crust occurred. The wolves and dogs made terrible havoc among the deer; the poor creatures would take to the roads, and flee into farmers' yards for refuge. Venison, in the way of meat, was a great help to new settlers. I have never heard of a region where deer were so plenty.

In the winter of 1815, we had a general wolf hunt, or drive, as it proved to be. The inhabitants of the whole region turned out, and surrounded all the swamps in Gates, Chili, Wheatland, and Caledonia; sounded horns, fired guns, halloed, shouted, and raised a din of discordant sounds. Many deer, bear and foxes were killed; the wolves fled, and after that, there was but few seen in this region.

Ducks were abundant in the river and tributary streams in early years. There was the wood duck, another species bearing a strong resemblance to the common tame duck, shell drakes, dippers, or divers; and occasionally, the real canvass back. Wild geese would come every fall and spring.

Pigeons would in some seasons come in large flocks, and seriously injure the newly sown crops. I have known an hundred dozen to be caught in a net in one day. In 1812, they made a roost in a cedar swamp on Dugan's creek They occupied the trees of seventy-five or eighty acres; there were, in some instances, as many as thirty nests on a single tree. The young squabs were brought away by the inhabitants in cart loads. When the young ones left the nests, they would go off and remain about the neighborhood in flocks by themselves, and it was several months before the old and young ones mingled.

The black squirrel was a great nuisance in early years. I have seen thirty on a single tree. They would sometimes destroy whole fields of corn. They have been gradually diminishing.

The advent of the crow in this region was in 1817. They had been preceded by the raven, their natural enemy, as I am led to infer. The crow made cautious and gradual approaches; at first, they flew over, then ventured to light on the tops of the highest trees, in which position would seem to be determining if it were safe to locate. It was some time before they became permanent residents, and had fairly expelled the raven. In after years, when a raven would venture to revisit the region, the crows would seem to be gathered here and there in council, to determine how the intruder was to be expelled. The occupancy of the crow, was the result of cur quest.

In the earliest years, there were a few turkey buzzards upon the river, but they soon disappeared. A constant revolution has been going on with birds, animals and quadrupeds; old settlers have been disappearing, and new ones succeeding. There is scarcely a year in which some strange bird does not make its appearance; and within a few years, the opossum of Virginia and Maryland has become a permanent resident.

Frederick GUENTHER, the well known florist and gardener, was born in Rochester in 1864. His father, John F. GUENTHER, a native of Germany, was likewise a well known gardener whose business is now conducted by his son, Frederick. The elder Mr. GUENTHER was a native of Germany where he was born in 1827 and was early apprenticed to the business which became his life work. Eager to seek larger opportunities and wider fields of industry he emigrated to America in 1852, coming directly to Rochester, where he secured employment with ELLWANGER & BARRY, in whose interest he traveled extensively. In 1881 he established his own business at Park avenue, ten years later locating at Blossom Road, Brighton, where he built a handsome residence. He and his wife, Helena E. GUENTHER, a native of Norway, were the parents of Frederick GUENTHER and one daughter, Elizabeth, the wife of Alfred CLAPPER of Rochester. For many years Mr. GUENTHER was in partnership with George A. STONE, the firm being known as the CONTINENTAL NURSERY COMPANY. They conducted a wholesale and retail nursery business up to the time of Mr. STONE'S death. Mr. GUENTHER succeeded to the business and carried it on until 1895 when he retired, passing away a few years later in 1904.

The subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools of this city and had the advantage of his father's training and experience in the business which has been his life work. The Germans have always been expert gardeners and it is their methods which the elder Mr. GUENTHER followed and taught to his son, but the son has not just been a follower of the old country ideas. He is an originator and successful experimenter. For the past few years he has grown many roses and ornamental shrubs on his seven acre tract at Blossom road. Since 1875 he has added to his other industries and is raising and growing fancy chickens. He was one of the original breeders of the silver laced Wyandottes which he bred up to the year 1897. He has since bred the buff Wyandottes and has taken premiums on his birds at all the exhibitions at Johnstown, Utica, Madison Square and other places. It was due to his untiring efforts and determination that the Rochester Poultry Show was organized in 1892 with Mr. GUENTHER as treasurer, an office he held for seven years.

In 1884 he married Lillian HOUSER by whom he has one daughter, Mattie E., born March 14, 1892. Mr. GUENTHER has been one of the ward committee members of the republican party for some time and has served his party in various other capacities since he attained his majority. The record of the business life of Rochester would be incomplete without a biography of Mr. GUENTHER who is a sterling business man attentive to his own lines, but who always has leisure to assist in any measure that will add to the advancement or attractiveness of the city.

On the roll of officials in Monroe county appears the name of James L. HOTCHKISS, who is now serving as county clerk. One of the native sons of the Empire state, his birth occurred in Naples, Ontario county, May 1, 1857, his parents being Levi and Anna (DWIGHT) HOTCHKISS. The father was a merchant in his early days and later was insurance adjuster. He held several minor offices in early life and in 1868 he removed to Rochester to spend his remaining days his death occurring in 1885. His widow still survives him and is yet a resident of Rochester.

James L. HOTCHKISS was educated in the public schools, the Rochester Free Academy and the University of Rochester, in which he completed the scientific course, being graduated in 1879. He then studied law with George and Thomas RAINES and was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1883. He continued with RAINES BROTHERS for a few years and then began the practice of law on his own account, remaining an active member of the bar until 1903, when he was elected to his present office on the republican ticket and took charge of the same in January, 1904. He served so capably that he was re-elected in the fall of 1905, so that he is the present incumbent. He has long been recognized as a prominent worker in republican ranks and is now chairman of the republican general committee of Monroe county, acting in that capacity since January, 1901. Mr. HOTCHKISS has taken a very active interest in politics, both local and national, since 1900, and was a delegate to the national convention at Chicago in 1904, while in 1902, 1904, and 1906 he was a delegate to the state conventions of New York. Although he entered upon active political work only seven years ago he has in this time become one of the best known party leaders in the state and has done much in late years to shape the republican policy and to promote the interests of the party.

On the 28th of February, 1907, Mr. HOTCHKISS was married to Leah LEACH, a daughter of William J. LEACH. He is well known socially and in club life, being now a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon, a Greek letter fraternity, also of the Rochester Yacht Club, the Rochester Club, the Oak Hill Country Club, the Genesee Valley Golf Club, the Rochester Auto Club and the Society of the Genesee. He likewise belongs to the Historical Society and to the bar associations of the county and the state. He has long been greatly interested in horses and is a member and officer of several driving clubs. He takes an active interest in all athletic and manly outdoor sports and in this way finds needed rest and recreation from the cares of official and professional life. He still retains his law office as a partner of Andrew E. TUCK, but his time and energies are naturally largely occupied by his duties as county clerk.

August J. MAY, who for two years has been deputy collector of internal revenue at Rochester, was born in the old eleventh ward, now the twentieth ward, of this city, on the 30th of August, 1863. His parents were Adam and Rosa (EISMAN) MAY, both of whom were natives of Germany, the former born in Baden and the latter in Bavaria. Coming to America in early life, however, they were married in this country. After reaching the new world Adam MAY engaged in blacksmithing but in his later years carried on the grocery business. He is now deceased but the mother still survives. In the family were three sons and two daughters.

August J. MAY has spent his entire life in Rochester and in St. Peter's and Paul's parish school he acquired his education. In early life he learned blacksmithing and followed that trade for ten years in the employ of JAMES CUNNINGHAM, SON & COMPANY. He afterward became connected with merchandising as a member of the firm of WICK & MAY, proprietors of a grocery and restaurant. They conducted the business for ten years, after which Mr. MAY purchased his partner's interest and carried on the business for seven years alone at the corner of Jay and Child streets. He prospered as a merchant, having a good patronage and thereby winning a gratifying measure of success. For the past two years he has been deputy collector of internal revenue and has proved most faithful in the office. Other official service has been promptly executed by him. In 1900 he was elected alderman of the twentieth ward and was re-elected in 1902 and again in 1906, so that he is now serving for the third term. He is a stalwart champion of republican principles, being in thorough sympathy with the policy and the platform of the party.

Mr. MAY was married on the 15th of October, 1902, to Miss Louise BUSH, and they have two children: John A. and Lauretta. The family home is at No. 398 Brown street.

A country can claim but one ruler, and the men who attain prominence in political circles are few, but the field of business is limitless and there is always room at the top. Captain RUGGLES is numbered among those who have gained distinction in the line of a chosen calling. He became known throughout the country as a builder of canoes, several of which have been prize winners in international contests, but he regards as his greatest achievement the invention of the RUGGLES ROTARY SNOW PLOW, now used throughout the United States and Canada, wherever heavy snows fall.

Mr. RUGGLES was born in Gaines, Orleans County, New York, November 24, 1837. His father, Martin RUGGLES, also a native of the Empire state, was a millwright and inventor. He married Nancy LANE, a native of Victor, New York, and they became the parents of two sons and four daughters, all of whom are yet living.

Captain RUGGLES of this review resided at the place of his nativity until his sixteenth year, when his parents removed to Kendall, Orleans county, where he remained until 1866. On the 20th of November of that year - his marriage day - he came to Charlotte, where he has since resided. His boyhood was spent on the farm and at work with his father at the millwright's trade. He also sailed on Lake Ontario to some extent and became thoroughly interested in the subject of navigation and in all kinds of fresh water craft. After removing to Charlotte he bought an interest in the schooner H.M. BALLOU and for five or six years was connected with her as a sailor as well as part owner. He then sold his interest, and entering the employ of the ROCHESTER AND CHARLOTTE IRON COMPANY, he sailed a barge for that firm for four or five years. In August, 1872, he bought the tug JASON PARKER, the first tug owned at Charlotte. In this he was associated with Captain NEWCOMB. After four years he sold his interest in that vessel and in company with A.G. YATES bought the tug Oneida, which he operated for about four years. He then ran the steamer Charlotte for two seasons and the City of Rochester for four years, which ended his life as a sailor.

Captain RUGGLES then turned his attention to canoe building, his first finished product in this connection being the Safronia for F.F. ANDREWS of Rochester, who wished to compete in the American Canoe Association meet held at Grindstone Island in 1884. This was the first canoe covered with smooth skin built and owned by the association, and the excellent part which she played in the meet revolutionized canoe building and brought Captain RUGGLES a number of orders for canoes of similar construction. The next racing canoe he built was the Eclipse, for Reginald BLAKE, of the Brooklyn Canoe Club, in 1888. It won first place in the trial races for the defense of the cup for the International Canoe Club. It was therefore chosen to race and defend the cup against Walter STEWART of England. The Eclipse took the first three pennants and won. This brought Captain RUGGLES a world-wide reputation and he was looked upon and recognized as the greatest canoe builder in the world. The Glenwood, which defended the same cup for the New York Canoe Club, was also built by Captain RUGGLES. He continued in canoe building for about eight years and among his products, in addition to the Eclipse, were the Una, Beta, Glenwood and Pioneer. It will thus be seen that he has given to the world some of its best racing canoes which have won fame for the country. In 1892 Captain RUGGLES built his first rotary snow plow and took out the first patent on the 4th of July, 1893. This plow is now used wherever heavy snow falls in the United Sates and Canada. It was first put into operation on the Charlotte and Rochester electric line in the winter of 1892 , at which time it was pushed by a car. The processes were very crude but Captain RUGGLES has continued the work of improvement and the snow plow is now a self-propeller. After a time he let out the manufacture to the PECKHAM MANUFACTURING COMPANY, of Kingston, New York, who now turn out about twenty-five of these snow plows each fall. It would be too expensive for suburban electric lines to operate in winter without this device for removing snow, and thus he has given to the world an invention of great and lasting value. He is now applying for a patent on an air motor for cooling cars, the motor being on top of the car and requiring very little room, the speed of the car making wind that runs the fan that is placed inside. He is also working on other inventions and his skill and ingenuity have gained him recognition as a prominent inventor.

On the 20th of November, 1866, Captain RUGGLES was married to Miss Ellen BLISS, a native of Kendall, New York, and a daughter of Edwin and Mary (SEYMOUR) BLISS, and a direct descendant of Miles STANDISH.

Captain RUGGLES has, at intervals, for twenty years been connected with the village government of Charlotte and was president of the village in 1895. He gave to it a public-spirited and progressive administration and his efforts in its behalf have been beneficial and far-reaching. With three exceptions he is the oldest resident of Charlotte in years of continuous connection with the city, having lived here for more than four decades. His fame, however, has gone abroad throughout the land in connection with what he has accomplished along industrial lines, and as an inventor. He is now a member of the American Canoe Association and is well known in club circles in New York city, where he has been the guest of honor at various receptions. He is to the canoe world what BURGESS and HERRESHOFF were to the yacht world, and those at all interested in canoeing are familiar with his name. He has made four racing canoes for Everett H. BARNEY, of Springfield Massachusetts, the inventor and manufacturer of BARNEY & BERRY skates who is the wealthiest citizen of Springfield and a warm personal friend of Captain RUGGLES, who has had many outings with him. The Captain also belongs to the International Congress of Inventors, while fraternally and socially he is connected with the Genesee Falls lodge, A.F. & A.M., and the Rochester Whist Club.

In the early part of the nineteenth century there was to be found a log house standing on the east side of the Indian trail on the exact spot where the Delos POLLY house now stands on North St. Paul street in Rochester, directly opposite the old No. 8 school building, and it was in this primitive home that Hosea ROGERS was born on the 17th of January, 1812. He thus entered upon a life record which covered ninety-two years. In his old age he recalled many incidents of his birthplace and the noticeable features of its surroundings. The walnut trees still standing on the ground are the ones which his father preserved when he cleared the land. The little house, a story in height, was nearly square and was constructed of hewn logs, the cracks stuffed with sticks and clay, the broad door of rough boards furnished with wooden latch and string. Two square windows of glass lighted the interior when the door was closed, but in pleasant weather it stood wide open. There was a big fireplace to heat the little cabin and the floor was made of split logs until later a rough board floor was put down.

The parents in this pioneer home were Ezra and Betsey (BECKWITH) ROGERS, who came to Monroe county from Massachusetts about 1810. They were possessed of all sterling attributes which characterized the old-time New Englanders and were well qualified to take up the task of making for themselves and their family a home in the then wild Genesee country. Hosea ROGERS was the youngest of five children, the others being Diodat, Betsey, Ezra and Caroline.

During those early days, when Hosea ROGERS was an infant, the British fleet appeared at the mouth of the river and displayed its big guns. The men seized their arms and started for the lake, while the women and children fled into the woods. All that locality was then heavily timbered and Mr. ROGERS' early recollections were of primitive wilderness. Deer were still to be seen in the forest and even after Mr. ROGERS was old enough to hunt they were frequently killed. Bears, too, made raids upon the farmyard in search of pork. Indians were almost constantly about the neighborhood but occasioned little trouble to the settlers.

The educational advantages which Hosea ROGERS received were very limited. There was no schoolhouse in the neighborhood but the settlers determined to have a school and employed a young lady teacher. The first school was held in his father's house, the teacher boarding round among the pupils. The methods of instruction were oft-times crude but Mr. ROGERS made good use of his opportunities and as the years advanced learned many practical lessons of life. He also developed a strong and rugged constitution and at the same time became a man of indomitable perseverance and untiring energy. In those early days it was necessary in purchasing property to take the acknowledgement of a deed before a justice and then record it at Canandaigua, the county seat. As Mr. ROGERS' father had undisputed possession of his farm land the necessity of recording a deed was not apparent and as time slipped by the matter was forgotten. When several years had passed , however, and property of th!at locality was sold, Mr. ROGERS, Sr., lost possession of the place on which he had lived from 1809 and on which he had made many improvements. He then bought an acre and a half of land on Norton street, built a house and, being a furniture maker by trade, he put up a small shop and began the manufacture of chairs, his elder sons getting out the crude material form the surrounding woods, while he turned it into form on a small foot lathe. He then started for Canada with his product, where he disposed of his chairs. Soon after his return to New York his death occurred and the support of the family fell upon his elder sons, who were imbued with all the worthy characteristics of their race.

It was by his elder brothers that Hosea ROGERS was reared and during much of his life he was connected with the sea either in a direct or indirect way. At the age of fifteen years he went as a sailor upon the great lakes and for ten years followed that life, rising through all the grades to the position of master of a vessel. His brothers built and ran the first vessel plying between Rochester and Chicago and of this craft he had charge as captain in 1834. In his youth there were no steam tugs to tow vessels in windless waters and it was seldom a vessel could sail up and down the Genesee river without assistance from the shore. The first vessels therefore, on the river were towed up and down the stream by men who walked in the Indian path, but in time cattle took the place of the men on the tow path. Mr. ROGERS many a time walked over the trail with the vessel's cable over his shoulder and he lived to see the wonderful development in navigation. About 1825 his brothers built the schooner JEANETTE at Carthage landing, and it was one of the first vessels to pass from Lake Ontario into Lake Erie in the spring of 1830, Mr. ROGERS then being before the mast. In 1831 his brothers built the AURORA BOREALIS, of which he became captain in the spring of 1832. He was afterward in command of the INDIANA and in the fall of 1833 took charge of the JOHN GRANT, these two vessels also being owned by his brothers.

In talking of those days Mr. ROGERS once said: "In the fall of 1833 I took charge of the JOHN GRANT and I shall never forget my last voyage that season. We came down from Toronto the 12th of November in a pretty heavy gale which carried away my spanker boom; in the afternoon I ran into Charlotte for repairs. Happening to meet my brother Diodat on the pier he immediately put in a new spar and I left port about sundown with a fair wind, which soon began to increase. By ten o'clock we had our hatches battened down and every loose thing on deck was swept overboard. The gale became terrific and we hardly expected to outlive it. Suddenly there was a cry that the heavens were falling as the great dome above us was filled with shooting stars. We had no intimation of the auroral display and coming as it did at an hour when every nerve was strained and every sense alive to the dangers of the elements, the scene was particularly impressive. The shower lasted several hours, if I remember correctly, but at no instance during its occurrence did I dare cease my vigilance and the exercise of my greatest skill to keep the vessel in her course. We battled with the elements and watched the unprecedented fall of stars until the morning of the 13th when daylight ended the wonderful display." Captain ROGERS also made an early trip to Chicago by way of the lakes from Buffalo, landing there when the western metropolis was a frontier town, old Fort Dearborn still commanding the mouth of the creek, while Indians were still as numerous as white people. In 1836, Captain Rogers purchased a farm of eighty-five acres in what is now the town of Irondequoit and in that year was married and settled on his farm. which remained his home from that time until his death. Later he sailed for two years, but returned home to take charge of his farm.

Soon after locating thereon he became interested in the building of sailing vessels, for which business his long experience upon the lake well fitted him, as he had gained a thorough knowledge of all kinds of sailing craft as well as the laws that governed inland sailors. When he entered the field of boat building he was therefore well qualified to meet the requirements of the times and he built in all fourteen vessels, some at Charlotte and others in Ohio and Michigan. During all of these years, however, he continued to operate his farm. The Captain was also actively identified with the business interests of Rochester until the 1st of January, 1902. In 1896 he became interested in the PHELPS & ROGERS LUMBER COMPANY on Warehouse street, which does an extensive business. This company was incorporated in 1901 with Captain ROGERS as president, and he filled that position for one year or until the 1st of January, 1902, when he resigned, although he continued his connection with the company up to the time of his demise. He also owned the site occupied by the lumberyard and had other business and residence property in the city. Up to the last he possessed great strength of both body and mind and in connection with the operation of his farm attended to collecting his rents and other business in the city.

Captain ROGERS was married, in October, 1837, to Miss Polly VAN DUSEN, who died January 25, 1871, and on the 1st of May, 1873, he wedded Miss Mary J. LYON, of Albion, New York, who departed this life May 25, 1875. He was again married February 2, 1876, his third union being with Miss Asenath SCHOLFELD, of Port Colborne, Canada, whose grandparents came originally from England. Her grandfather, John SCHOFFELD, was a farmer by occupation and a veteran of the war of 1812. He died in 1866. Her father, James SCHOLFELD, was collector of Port Colborne, Ontario, for thirty-three consecutive years and died in 1889. Unto Captain ROGERS and his third wife were born five children: Polly M., at home; William H., of the Genesee lumberyard, who married Carrie D. ROLLISON and lives in Rochester; Luella A., Ezra S. and Alida J., all at home.

Captain ROGERS was a democrat in his political views. The family held membership in the Presbyterian church and the Captain's father was deacon of the first church of that denomination in this locality, it being located in that section of the city which was then called Carthage. The death of Captain ROGERS occurred on the 14th of December, 1904, when he had reached the very venerable age of ninety-two years. He was one of the first white children born in Rochester and in fact the city of today had at that time no existence, although the present boundary limits include the site of his birthplace. He lived to witness almost the entire growth and development of the city and for years figured as one of its prominent, influential and honored business men and residents. He had no aspiration for office but he did everything in his power to promote general growth and progress and his was a most useful and honorable life, winning for him the high regard, trust and good will of all of whom he came in contact. In fact his life history is inseparably interwoven with the history of Rochester and the development of Monroe county and no work of this character would be complete without an extended mention of him. He was one of the city's fathers and builders, acquainted with the story of its progress - an active factor in its growth. He possessed a strong nature, a kindly spirit, and his life was actuated by high, manly principles, and when he was called from this earth Rochester mourned the loss of one of its most valued and representative men.

There are found many men whose industry has won them success - men who by their perseverance and diligence execute well defined plans which others have made - but the men who take the initiative are comparatively few. The vast majority do not see opportunity for the co-ordination of forces and the development of new, extensive and profitable enterprises and therefore must follow along paths which others have marked out. Arthur G. YATES, however, does not belong to the designated class. The initiative spirit is strong within him. He has realized the possibility for the combination of forces and has wrought along the line of mammoth undertakings until the name of YATES stands, in large measure, for the coal trade. He is one of the leading operators in this great field of labor and well deserves to be ranked among the captains of industry.

His life record covers the period from the 18th of December, 1843. The place of his nativity is East Waverly, then Factoryville, New York, and he is representative of a distinguished English family. His grandfather, Dr. William YATES, was born at Sapperton, near Burton-on-Trent, England, in 1767, and studied for the medical profession, but never engaged in practice. Being the eldest son in his father's family, he inherited the estate and the title of baronet. Throughout his life he was distinguished as a philanthropist. He was a cousin of Sir John HOWARD, the philanthropist, and Sir Robert PEEL, the statesman, and was himself one of the most noted benefactors in England at the time. At his own expense he built and conducted an asylum for paupers and for the treatment of the insane at Burton-on-Trent. In 1792 he crossed the Atlantic to Philadelphia, in company with Judge COOPER and Judge FRANCHOT and General MORRIS, he ascended the Susquehanna river to Unadilla, Butternut creek valley. On that trip he met Hannah PALMER, the daughter of a prominent settler, and after the marriage of the young couple they returned to England, spending two years in his native land. Having disposed of his estate, Sapperton, to his brother Harry, Dr. YATES came once more to the United States and purchased a large estate at Butternuts, now the town of Morris, Otsego county, New York, where he spent his remaining days, his death occurring when he was in his ninetieth year. He was widely respected and esteemed. He spent a large fortune in carrying out his benevolent ideas and many there were who had reason to remember him with gratitude for his timely assistance. He possessed the broadest humanitarian views and his kindly sympathy was manifest in a most generous, but unostentatious, charity.

Judge Arthur YATES, his eldest son, was born at Butternuts, now Morris, New York, February 7, 1807, acquired a common school education and in 1832 located at Factoryville, New York, where he engaged in merchandising and lumbering, extensively carrying on business along those lines for thirty years. He was an active and enterprising citizen and did much to upbuild the beautiful village in which he made his home. In 1838 he was appointed judge of Tioga county, New York. He was prominent in financial circles, where his word was recognized as good as his bond. With banking and other business interests in Waverly he was actively connected, and was also prominent and influential in social, educational and church circles. His life was very helpful to those with whom he came in contact, and he enjoyed the unqualified regard of all. In January 1836, Judge YATES was united in marriage to Miss Jerusha WASHBURN, a daughter of Jeba WASHBURN, of Otsego county, New York and they became the parents of seven children. The judge died in 1880, but the influence of his life and labors is yet felt for good in the community in which he made his home, and where the circle of his friends was almost co-extensive with the circle of his acquaintances.

On the maternal side the ancestry of our subject can be traced back to Henry GLOVER, of Ipswich, England, who in 1634 emigrated to New Haven, Connecticut. The fourth of his six children was John GLOVER, who removed to Stratford, Connecticut. His son John removed from Stratford to Newton, Connecticut. His third child was Benjamin GLOVER and it was through the latter's daughter Mabel that the line of descent is traced down to our subject. She became the wife of Dr. Nathan WASHBURN, of Newton, Connecticut, and their son, Zenas WASHBURN, became resident of Otsego county, New York. He married Nancy NORTHRUP, the grandmother of our subject, their daughter Jerusha becoming the wife of Arthur YATES, of Factoryville, New York.

Arthur G. YATES, the fourth member of the family of Judge YATES, after acquiring a good education in his native town and as a student in various academies entered upon his business life in Rochester in March, 1865, as an employe [sic] of the ANTHRACITE COAL ASOCIATION. He brought to the duties of the new position unfaltering energy, laudable ambition and a determination to thoroughly acquaint himself with the trade in principle and detail. He remained with that company for two years and laid the foundation upon which he has built the superstructure of his present success. He began dealing in coal on his own account, constantly enlarging the scope of his activity until he is today one of the foremost representatives of the coal trade of the country. Gradually he has developed the business until his shipments have extended far and wide into northern and western states and into Canada. He has built immense shipping docks at Charlotte, the port of Rochester, and has purchased a leading railway in order to place the fuel upon the market. At an early period in his business career he became a member of the firm BELL, LEWIS & YATES, which was organized for the purpose of mining and shipping bituminous coal from Pennsylvania. Marked success attended the enterprise from the start, the firm becoming the largest producer of its class in the United States. As the shipments of the firm were largely over the BUFFALO, ROCHESTER & PITTSBURG RAILROAD COMPANY Mr. YATES conceived and executed the plan of purchasing the line. Later he retired from the firm and while carrying on business individually at Rochester he became interested in the ROCHESTER & PITTSBURG COAL & IRON COMPANY, which had been formed by certain stockholders of the BUFFALO, ROCHESTER & PITTSBURG RAILROAD COMPANY. It was not long after this that Mr. YATES, associated with New York financiers, bought out the business of the firm of BELL, LEWIS & YATES, thus greatly increasing his individual holdings. Since that time the combined business of the two firms above mentioned, together with the railroad affairs, have been managed by Mr. YATES with marked success.

At different times Mr. YATES has been identified with various corporate interests aside from those mentioned. He has served as director or in other official capacities in connection with various banking institutions of Rochester and was at one time president of the ROCHESTER RAILWAY COMPANY. Since April, 1890, he has been president of the BUFFALO, ROCHESTER & PITTSBURG RAILROAD. Many business concerns of the city have profited by his financial investment, his wise council and his sound judgment, but more and more largely he has withdrawn from other lines to concentrate his energies upon his mammoth coal business and his railroad interests. All affairs have been systematized until the maximum results are reached with minimum expense of time and labor. This is the real secret of success in any business - a fact which Mr. YATES thoroughly realized and toward which end he has constantly worked. His success is so marvelous that his methods are of interest to the commercial world and investigation into his career shows that his actions have ever been based upon the rules which govern unfaltering industry and unswerving integrity. Moreover, he has had the power to bring into harmonious relations various factors in business life, co-ordinating plans and forces in the development of enterprises of great magnitude.

On the 26th of December, 1867, Arthur G. YATES was married to Miss Virginia L. HOLDEN, a daughter of Roswell HOLDEN of Watkins, New York. Their family numbered five sons and a daughter, but Arthur and Howard L., the fourth and fifth members of the family, are deceased. Those living are Frederick W., Harry, Florence and Russell P. Their attractive home on South Fitzhugh street is justly celebrated for its gracious and charming hospitality.

The family are communicants of St. Paul's Episcopal church, of which Mr. YATES is the oldest warden, having filled the position for more than three decades. At one time he was a trustee of Rochester University and he is a valued member of various social organizations., including the Genesee Valley Club, the Ellicott Square Club of Buffalo, the Duquesne Club of Pittsburg, the Transportation Club of New York and the City Mid Day club of New York city. He is a man of kindly spirit, of generous disposition and of broad humanitarianism. The accumulation of wealth has never been allowed to affect his relations toward others less fortunate. While he has never courted popularity he holds friendship inviolable, and as true worth may always win his regard he has a very extensive circle of friends. The public work that he has done has been performed as a private citizen, yet has made extensive demands upon his time, his thought and energies. His aid is never sought in vain for the betterment and improvement of the city. In his life are the elements of greatness because of the use he has made of his talents and his opportunities, his thoughts being given to the mastery of great problems and the fulfillment of his duty as a man in his relations to his fellowmen and as a citizen in his relations to his state and his country.

George W. ALLEN, now deceased, is remembered by many of the older residents of Rochester, for he was one of its pioneers. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and as a boy went to Cooperstown, where he remained until the year 1846, when he took up his abode in Rochester. He remained here for a number of years and during that time became well known, for he was a man of sterling qualities, which gained for him warm and lasting friendships. He is perhaps better known in Monroe county as proprietor of the SEA BREEZE HOTEL, at Sea Breeze, New York. Locating there at an early day he was instrumental in much of the upbuilding and development of that place. He built the SEA BREEZE HOTEL, which he conducted until 1883, the year of his death, and during the thirty-three years of his connection therewith he became widely known both locally and among the traveling public. He was a genial proprietor, neglectful of nothing that would add to the comfort of his guests and his hotel ranked favorably with those of many a larger place. He supported republican principles and fraternally was a Mason.

Mr. ALLEN was married to Miss Letsie BENNETT, who was born at Cooperstown, and the only child of this marriage is Mrs. Elizabeth BREWER, the widow of George E. BREWER, and a resident of Rochester.

Mr. BREWER was a native of Brighton, New York, and was a representative of an old family of that place. He supported the mean and measures of the democratic party and his fraternal relations were with the Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, His death occurred in 1900, in Rochester, where he was widely and favorably known, for his strong and salient characteristics were such as endeared him to all who came within the close circle of friendship, while wherever he was known he was respected and honored. His widow is a resident of Rochester and made her home with her mother, until the latter's death. She has one son, Allen M., who is now a student in the East high school and they occupy a beautiful home at No. 25 Rowley street. Mrs. BREWER is a gentle, kindly woman, who has gained many warm personal friends during her long residence in this city.

It is a pleasure to know Professor John G. ALLEN, a gentleman who has almost reached his seventieth year but who is still alert and interested in the progress going on around him. As he looks back to his own boyhood and compares the thought and life of that day with what he sees today, marvelous, almost miraculous the change must seem. Professor ALLEN was the second son of Levi W. and Harriet (GAUL) ALLEN and was born in Palmyra, New York, May 5, 1838. His father, who was a descendant of Ethan ALLEN, of Vermont, was born April 7 1810, and passed away in Rochester, New York, December 8, 1845. His mother, Harriet (GAUL) ALLEN was a descendant of Jacob GAUL, a captain in a New York regiment in the Revolutionary war. She was born in Hudson, New York, March 8, 1815, and died in Rochester, September 25, 1854. This worthy couple, with their five children, came to Rochester in 1839.

The subject of this sketch secured employment on a farm in Parma, New York, and attended the Parma Institute where he prepared for college. He was about to enter the University of Rochester when the war broke out. Filled with the spirit of patriotism, which was rife in those days, he enlisted in the Thirteenth Regiment of the New York Volunteers, in May, 1861, together with his two brothers, Alonzo W. and Edward L. He was most faithful in the service of his country and was honorably discharged in May, 1863, because of the expiration of his term of service. He has continued his membership in the local organization known as the Old Thirteenth. He served as clerk in the provost marshal general's office in Washington, D.C., from May, 1863, to June, 1865. For many years he has been a member of General H. THOMAS post, No. 4, G.A.R., of the state of New York. He was appointed patriotic instructor for the county of Monroe by the Grand Army of the Republic of the state during the year 1907.

When his term of service in the war was over he again took up his education, studying in the Oswego Normal and Training School for teachers, where he completed the classical and the advanced English courses and was graduated in June, 1871. The same year he was appointed principal of No. 14 Grammar School, a position he held continuously for fifteen years. At the end of that period he became the principal of the Rochester Free Academy and continued in that position for fourteen years, when he was appointed principal of No. 17 Grammar School. The teacher who can successfully hold such positions as the above for the long period of fourteen and fifteen years needs no other recommendation or proof of his efficiency. The respect and love which Professor ALLEN'S many pupils have for him and the precepts of his teaching which they have carried into their various careers is reward enough for his long and faithful devotion to his principles.

The subject of this sketch has been a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church at North State and Asbury streets, since 1871. He has been for some years a life member of Yonnondio Lodge, F.& A.M., Hamilton Chapter, R.A.M.; Monroe Commandery, K.T.; the four coordinate bodies of the Consistory; Damascus Temple of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and was created a sovereign grand lodge inspector-general, thirty-third and last degree A.A., Scottish Rite, N.M.J.U.S. of A. He has been a member of the board of trustees of the Rochester Orphan Asylum since 1899, and has been a member of the Chatauqua Summer School since 1874, receiving much inspiration and help along the lines of his life vocation.

Professor ALLEN was united in marriage, December 8, 1863, to Margaret A. WHITLEY, a native of Rochester and a daughter of John T. WHITLEY. No children have been born to this union, but three children have been adopted: Emma Sarah, now the wife of John A. CHARLTON, of Rochester; Angeline V., who died December 2, 1901; and Therese, the wife of George A. SANBORN, of Buffalo, New York.

JOSEPH P. CLEARY

Major Joseph P. Cleary has had an eventful career, and his days of greatest trial were allotted to him when he was young. Born in the historic city of Limerick, Ireland, March 11, 1844, he canue to America ten years later. In 1857 he was working for the nursery firm of C. J. Ryan & Company. He made a visit to Chicago, where he engaged with his brother in the nursery business, but remained at that industry only a year. Then from growing trees he found employment with a doctor and worked for him a year. After leaving his medical employer, he learned the carpenter's trade and followed that pursuit until 1860, when he returned to Rochester where he again turned horticulturist and worked for C. J. Mills. In 1861 he was on the farm of E. Stone, attending night school at Hopper's Hill, when the tocsin of war was sounded, and he enlisted in Company E, Thirteenth Regiment New York volunteers, on the twenty-fifth of April, 1861. He was in the battles of Blackburn's Ford, first Bull Run, Siege of Yorktown, Hanover Court House, Mechanicsville, Gaines Mills, and the second Bull Run. He was taken prisoner at Gaines Mills, but was exchanged on August 6, 1862, and joined his regiment. On August 30 he was wounded and again taken prisoner, but on December 12 was exchanged and joined his regiment at the battle of Fredericksburg. His regiment was mustered out in May, 1863, and on June 29, he reenlisted as orderly-sergeant in the Fourteenth New York Heavy artillery. He was promoted in a short time and as first-lieutenant took part in the battles of Cold Harbor, Spottsylvania, North Anna River, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad and Pegram's Farm, where he was promoted to a captaincy; for gallant conduct at the attack on Fort Steadman he was brevetted major. At the close of the war he was mustered out as major and brevet lieutenant-colonel. On December 1, 1866, he joined the Rochester police force and was successively roundsman, detective, lieutenant, assistant captain, captain and superintendent. He became a member of O'Rourke post, G. A. R. in 1868, and was first commander of E. G. Marshall post. After receiving all the minor honors, Major Cleary was unanimously elected at Syracuse in February, 1892, to be department commander of the Grand Army of the Republic of this State. He has for six years been president of the Western New York Veterans' association and is a member of the Monroe County Union Ex-prisoners of War association. Major Cleary is a member of Valley Lodge, 109 of the Masonic fraternity, also of the Scottish Rite, thirty-second degree; Knights of Pythias, and Odd Fellows. On September 17, 1873, he married Miss Annie Paterson.

CAPTAIN JOHN E. McDERMOTT

Among the veteran survivors of the war for the Union living in Rochester, Captain John E. McDermott is a familiar figure. A native of the city, where he was born in 1843 of Irish parents, he was educated in the public school and had not attained his majority when Fort Sumter fell. He was a member of the Union Grays before the war. When the One Hundred and Fortieth regiment was organized he enlisted as a private and was in twenty-nine battles. At Gettysburg he was dangerously wounded. He was promoted to a lieutenancy, and when the regiment was mustered out, June 6, 1865, General Drumm urged him to accept a captaincy in the regular army, but private considerations prevented him from following the General's advice. On his return to this city he organized the Ryan zouaves, composed of veterans from the One Hundred and Fortieth. Under his command the company was recognized as the best drilled company of veterans in the Union. As a member of the Rochester police force Captain McDermott had frequent occasions to demonstrate his nerve and capacity for command. On several occasions he ran risks as a police officer equal to those of a soldier in battle. Among the incidents of his life as a police officer that demonstrate his fearlessness in danger, reference need only be made to the Gorham street riot, where loss of life was probably prevented by his action in forming his men in skirmish line and dispersing the mob by the discharge of a volley. For his action on that occasion he received a vote of thanks from the Rochester Common Council and with his men was allowed thirty days' furlough with pay. He had command of the police force engaged at night in preserving the peace during the great strike of the street-car company's employes in April, 1889. One of the acts of personal bravery that illustrate his career was the unaided capture and disarming of a notorious burglar in a saloon on Exchange place, where the lieutenant had to search for the desperado in the dark. His services as a peace officer were long ago recognized by the Rochester police commissioners, who promoted him to a captaincy. Captain McDermott is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and has been commander of O'Rourke post.

CAPTAIN JOHN A. BAIRD

One of the men to whom the city has been indebted during several years for the efficiency of its police force is Captain John A. Baird, a native of Rochester, where he was born in 1847. Captain Baird's blood is a union of Scotch and Irish, a combination prolific of pluck and ability. He was educated in public school No. 14, and on leaving that institution began making his way in the world as a miller, in which occupation he was engaged up to the time of his appointment to the Rochester police force. In politics the Captain is a Democrat. He was married May 1, 1876, to Miss Annie E. Ellwood. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having affiliation with Yonnondio Lodge, Hamilton Chapter, and the Monroe Commandery. He is also a member of the Exempt Firemen's association.

MERTON E. LEWIS

Among the young men of Rochester who have given liberally of their time to serve the public in office Merton E. Lewis is conspicuous. He was born in Webster, Monroe county, December 10, 1861, and must have inherited Republican tendencies, for, after attending the Union school at Webster and passing his youth on a farm, he came to Rochester April 2, 1883, read law and was admitted to the bar, and at an early day took an active interest in political affairs; not, however, neglecting his law business, which he has carried on for seven years at 37 Elwood building. Mr. Lewis has four times been elected alderman of the Eighteenth ward, and has been one of the most active members of that body, of which he was president. He was also elected as a delegate to the constitutional convention. On January 2, 1886, Mr. Lewis was married to Adaline Louise Moody. With his wife and their two children Mr. Lewis resides at 837 East Main street. He is a member of the Rochester Whist club, the State Bar association and the Rochester Bar association. By virtue of his office as chairman of the Common Council Mr. Lewis assumed the duties of mayor upon the resignation of Mr. Aldridge, on January 22, 1895.

JOHN J. HEVERON

As a contractor and public official John J. Heveron has contributed so much to the progress of Rochester that he is entitled to a prominence in its annals that must he denied to many older residents. He is a native of London, England, where he was born in 1849 of Irish parents. He passed his boyhood in England and came to Rochester in 1868. He worked for years at his trade as a stone mason, but for fourteen years was a building contractor. He took an interest in political affairs from an early day as a member of the Republican party and was appointed street superintendent by Mayor Aldridge April 1, 1894. He was married in 1878 to Miss Ellen Donovan and resides at 32 Emmett street.

CHARLES R. BARNES

Charles R. Barnes was born in this city in 1853. At an early age he was appointed operator at the New York Central and Hudson River railroad station in the village of Spencerport, at which place he acquired rudimentary knowledge of telegraphy. His desire to acquire accurate knowledge and information and render himself proficient in his calling, lead him to study the subject of electricity as much as opportunity permitted; and, when he was appointed superintendent of the fire alarm system of the city of Rochester, he at once mastered the difficulties of the position and has conducted the affairs of the office with marked success up to the present time. In the years during which he has held his position he has kept pace with all the advances and improvements in the several branches of electrical science and is regarded an expert in his profession. He has charge and the superintendency of the fire alarm and the police telegraph systems, the superintendency of all the work of the electrical corporations of the city, and the electrical work of the street railroad and minor companies who are employing electricity for any purpose whatsoever affecting the interests of the city government.

CHARLES A. WEBSTER

Few public officials of Rochester or Monroe county are better known than Charles Alvin Webster. As deputy sheriff for a period of twenty years he has met all the people of the city and county, and none of them who is law abiding has any but good words for him. He is a son of the late Alvin Webster and was born in Ogden, New York, August 19, 1844. His father, who died in 1890, was born on the farm where he died. His mother is still living. Charles A. was educated at Lima seminary, and on leaving school returned to his father's farm. He was next elected constable and received appointment as deputy sheriff, which office occupied his time for twenty years and until his election, by the board of supervisors, as superintendent of the Monroe County Penitentiary. In this latter position, of which he is incumbent until 1896, he has proved thoroughly efficient and has introduced improvements in the management of the institution that are of great value to the county. Mr. Webster was married in 1866, to Harriett Doty, of Adams Basin.

GEORGE E. McGONEGAL

Few men in Rochester holding public office have escaped partisan criticism as thoroughly as George E. McGonegal, who was born in the town of Hillsdale, Columbia county, New York, April 8, 1828. He is the youngest son of the late John and Margery McGonegal of Irondequoit. He removed with his parents from his native place in 1834 to what is now the town of Irondequoit, Monroe county, and lived in that town until the year 1871 , when he came to the city of Rochester, where he has since resided. He was educated in the district school in Irondequoit and in the old Rochester High school on Lancaster street. Mr. McGonegal was married March 31, 1853, to Louise E. Loder, daughter of Daniel B. and Eliza J. Loder of Rochester, and followed the business of farming until he moved to Rochester in 1871. In the Spring of 1860 he was elected supervisor of the town of Irondequoit on time Republican ticket by over one hundred majority, although at that time the Democratic majority in the town was about one hundred and fifty, and he was reelected supervisor of that town in the Spring of 1861. In the Fall of 1861 he was elected on the Republican ticket member of assembly from the First assembly district of Monroe county, and was reelected in the Fall of 1862. In November, 1870, Mr. McGonegal was elected county superintendent of the poor of Monroe county, and has been reelected to the office every third year since that time. His present term expired December 31, 1894, at which time he had served twenty-four consecutive years in that office. He now resides at No. 44 Avenue A, Vick park, and belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Genesee Falls Lodge, No. 507.

REV. DR. MAX LANDSBERG

Dr. Max Landsberg was born in Berlin, Prussia, February 26, 1845. When a little over a year old his parents moved to Hildesheim, where his father had been elected Rabbi of the congregation. He received his first instruction in letters from his father, who was his only teacher until his twelfth year, after which he attended the Gymnasium Josephinum at Hildesheim. When seventeen years old he graduated from the Gymnasium and studied philosophy and oriental philology at the Universities of Goettingen, Breslau and Berlin. He was also a student at the Jewish Theological seminary at Breslau. On November 7, 1866, he received the degree of Ph. D. from the university at Halle. From 1867 to 1871 he held a position as teacher at the Teachers? seminary at Hanover and acted as a substitute for his father. Recommended by Dr. Ahram Geiger of Berlin he was elected rabbi of the congregation Berith Kodesh, Rochester, New York, in December 1870. He entered upon his position in March, 1871, and has filled it ever since. Since becoming a resident of Rochester Dr. Landsberg has been recognized as one of its most eminent citizens. His learning has given him standing among the scholars of the city ; his interest in works of religion and philanthropy has demonstrated his anxiety to uplift mankind, to which purpose the labor of his life is largely devoted.

JACOB GERLING

Any one familiar with Rochester during the last thirty years who should undertake to prepare a sketch of the men who have been prominent during that period in the political and business circles of the city would select among the first of its representative German-American citizens the subject of this sketch. Jacob Gerling was born in Alsace, Germany, April 15, 1840. His early education was received in the public schools of his native land, and in 1853 he came to Rochester, where he continued his studies. His first employment in this country was on a farm, where he worked until 1857, when he engaged in the flour and feed business, in which he is still engaged as a member of the firm of Gerling Brothers, millers, at 5 and 7 North Water street. Mr. Gerling has always been a Democrat, and from 1869 to 1873 represented the Eleventh ward in the Board of Aldermen. From 1875 to 1876 he was a member of the Board of Supervisors, and was weigh-master under Governor Tilden in 1874-5. In 1880 he was elected member of the Executive Board for a term of three years, the last two years of which he served as chairman. In 1878 Mr. Gerling was first elected assessor, and in 1889 he was reelected to that office. He is a director in the German-American bank, in the Rochester German Insurance company, and in the Bartholomay Brewing company. The societies of which he is a member are: Germania lodge of Masons Humboldt lodge, I. O. O. F.; Cyrene commandery; Americus lodge, A. O. U. W.; Rochester Maennerchor and Rochester Liederkranz. He is a member of German Trinity church. Mr. Gerling was married in 1863 to Miss Louisa, daughter of the late George Klein, and has nine children, four sons and five daughters.