Biographical Sketches of Monroe County Residents

F

Edward L. FIEN

page 1191

Edward L. FIEN is connected with a business enterprise of that class which first won Rochester prominence as a commercial center, being now secretary of the MACAULEY-FIEN MILLING COMPANY. He was born in Rochester on the 2d of April, 1874. His father, Louis FIEN, was a native of Germany, born in Baden, and in his boyhood days he came to the new world with his father, Bernard FIEN, who was a blacksmith by trade. The family home was established in Rochester, where Louis FIEN acquired his education. He started with George C. BUELL in the wholesale grocery business, and later was for himself in the grovery [sic] business, with Victor KNAPP as partner, on Main street. For a number of years he figured prominently in connection with milling interests in this city. In 1890 he established the business now conducted by the MACAULEY-FIEN MILLING COMPANY, and in this enterprise was associated with Matthew MACAULEY. They had a thoroughly equipped mill and placed the business on a substantial and paying basis. Mr. FIEN was connected with the enterprise continuously up to the time of his death, which occurred about five years ago, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Marguerite ETZEL, and was born in Rochester, passed away about eight years ago.

Edward L. FIEN was a student in the public and parochial schools of Rochester in the days of his boyhood and youth, and when he put aside his text-books he entered the milling business, which had been established by his father. He did not attempt to profit by the fact that his father was one of the proprietors but resolutely set to work to master the business in every detail and became thoroughly acquainted with the trade. Upon his father's death he became a partner in the business. The officers of the company are: Matthew MACAULEY, president; George FIEN, treasurer; and Edward L. FIEN, secretary. The business was incorporated in 1902 under the name of the MACAULEY-FIEN MILLING COMPANY and employment is furnished to eighteen people in the mill, which is located on Graves street. Mr. MACAULEY was formerly with the firm of ELWOOD & ARMSTRONG, the predecessors of ARMSTRONG, SHAW & MACAULEY. In 1890 he bought out the interest of his partners and the MACAULEY-FIEN MILLING COMPANY was organized. In connection with this interest the father of our subject was a director in the ROCHESTER GERMAN INSURANCE COMPANY. He was also vice president of ST. JOSEPH'S ORPAHN ASYLUM and was a gentleman of broad humanitarian principles. Edward L. FIEN has also become interested in other business lines aside from milling and is regarded as a young man of keen discernment and sound judgment. The milling business, however, claims much of his time and attention and is capably conducted, the trade steadily growing until the capacity has been increased from one hundred to three hundred barrels per day. THE PRIDE OF DAKOTA is the special brand of flour which they manufacture and its excellence secures for it a ready sale on the market.

In 1898 Mr. FIEN was married to Miss Cecelia HAHN, of Rochester, a daughter of John B. HAHN, also connected with the flour milling business. He is a democrat in politics with somewhat independent tendencies and he belongs to St. Joseph's church. He is also a member of the Elks lodge, No. 24, of which he is a trustee. His thorough mastery of the milling business in his youth well qualifies him for the onerous duties which devolve upon him in connection with the management of what is now an extensive and important milling industry, and his success is attributable no doubt in large measure to the fact that he has persevered in the line of business in which he embarked as a young tradesman.

Edward Allen FROST

pages 516-517

Edward Allen FROST, who during an active life was called upon to fill various municipal positions and who at all times proved his genuine worth by the trust reposed in him, was born in Rochester, January 14, 1832. His parents were Alonzo and Mary Tiffany (FRINK) FROST, the former born in Johnstown, New York, July 16, 1803. He came to Rochester in 1825 and in 1829 wedded Miss FRINK. Their three eldest children were Joseph, Edward A. and Henry C. FROST. The father engaged in the nursery business in Rochester in 1846 and when his sons had attained a sufficient age they were admitted to the business as partners and enjoyed a very extensive patronage both before and after the war. Alonzo FROST made his home on Plymouth avenue in the third ward and in 1840 built the house still standing at the corner of Plymouth and Caledonia avenues. It remained his home throughout the rest of his life, his death there occurring in 1873. His oldest son, Joseph, who was a prominent young business man, well known, died very suddenly in St. Louis, Missouri, September 26, 1865, when on a business trip to that city. Henry C. FROST the youngest son, was captain in the Eighth New York Cavalry and served until about the close of the Civil war, when he was honorably discharged. He resides in Rochester. He and his sister, Sarah FROST, are the only surviving members of the family.

Edward Allen FROST was educated in the public schools of Rochester and in Professor FOSTER'S school for boys on Adams street. He was interested in the nursery business in his early years and became a member of the firm of FROST & COMPANY, NURSERYMEN, continuing in that business until he withdrew to become county clerk of Monroe county. He was elected to that office in 1877 and served for a term of three years, being the only man who ever held the office two terms. He was afterward supervisor of the third ward for two terms. In January, 1899, he was appointed deputy collector of internal revenue under Collector A.D. SANDERS, which office he held until his death. For several years he was a vestryman of St. Luke's Episcopal church and was greatly interested in the work and upbuilding of that organization, doing all in his power to promote its cause and extend its influence. A social nature and regard for the amenities of life was manifest in his connection with the Rochester Club, of which he was one of the original members, and the Rochester Whist Club of which he was at one time president. He was a member of Rochester lodge, A.F.&A.M., Hamilton chapter, R.A.M., Monroe commandery, K.T., and the Scottish Rite. He held some offices in these organizations, was treasurer of the chapter for many years and was at all times loyal to the teachings and purposes of the craft.

In 1859 Edward Allen FROST was married to Miss Mary WING, of Albany, who died in 1867. In 1888 he was again married, the lady of his choice being Miss Isabella M. EASTMAN, a daughter of Joseph Addison EASTMAN of this city, who was born in Paris, New York, December 31, 1805, and died in Rochester, March 8, 1890, at the age of eighty-four years. His father was the Rev. John EASTMAN, a graduate of Dartmouth College of the class of 1795, who for twenty-three years was pastor of churches in Norwich and Hanover, New York. In 1824 he removed to York, this state, where he continued to preach occasionally until his death in 1834. His son, Joseph A. EASTMAN, was prepared for college at Paris Hill, New York, under the instruction of William R. WEEKS, D. D., and at the academy in Clinton, New York, under the instruction of Professor Charles A. AVERY. He was a member of Hamilton College for two years and joined the junior class of Dartmouth College in the fall of 1825. Following his graduation he taught in the academy in Scottsville, New York, for eight months and in the academy at Fredonia, New York, from July, 1829, until October, 1831. He took up the study of the law with the firm of THORP & BUTTOLPH, at Norwich, New York, and afterward studied with the Hon. James MULLETT, at Fredonia, and with KIRKLAND & BACON, at Utica, New York. He was admitted to the bar in January, 1833, and opened an office in Scottsville, this state, in March 1834. In May, 1836, he came to Rochester and at once began the practice of law with the Hon, S. M. GREEN, who for many years had been judge of the supreme court of Michigan, and the firm became GREEN & EASTMAN. When Mr. GREEN went west Mr. EASTMAN formed a partnership with Judge CHUMASERO and later he was connected with Menzo VAN VOORHIS. Mr. EASTMAN was an influential member of the board of education many years ago and up to the time of his death never lost his interest in the public schools. In politics he was greatly interested and gave his support to the democracy. He held the offices of city clerk and city attorney of Rochester. He was one of the founders of the Genesee Valley Horticultural Society, was for several years its recording secretary and was a member of the executive committee. He took much interest in horticulture and floriculture and as an amateur in years past had the finest private collection of roses in Rochester. For many years he was a vestryman and clerk of the vestry of St. Luke's Episcopal church. He held membership in the old Audubon Club and later with the Rochester Whist Club. He was a very prominent resident of this city, leaving the impress of his individuality upon its public life and private interests. No one who knew Joseph EASTMAN could utter words other than those of kindness concerning him. On the 17th of October, 1835, Mr. EASTMAN was married to Miss Emily J. MCKNIGHT of Watertown, New York, and they had one daughter, Isabella Mansfield, who became Mrs. FROST.

The death of Mr. FROST occurred January 24, 1900, and Mrs. FROST now resides at No. 146 Plymouth avenue in Rochester. He was a man without an enemy and the circle of his friends was co-extensive with the circle of his acquaintances. He lived in Monroe county all his life and was conspicuous in politics. He held important offices and mingled constantly with the people, all of whom respected and loved him. He was honest, courteous, considerate and generous and it is said that not a day passed in which some kindly deed could not be attributed to him. He was always interested in the welfare of the city and its upbuilding and labored most earnestly to develop the present park system, being among the first to pint out the advantages of public parks and to urge purchases where they could be made to advantage. The first park land was bought by Mr. FROST.

In politics Mr. FROST was a republican. He was one of the "306," - a member of that gallant band in the Chicago convention of 1880 that stood together to the last and voted for General GRANT. It was with pride and interest that he always recalled the events of that convention, for at a time when others proved false to their pledges he was loyal and remained true to the interests of those who sent him. He was very proud of his 306 medal and rejoiced in the name of "stalwart." The qualities that he there exhibited were those he displayed throughout his entire life. He was ever quiet and unostentatious in manner, however, but all who came in contact with him to any extent recognized his many good traits, including his loyalty to his friends. The name of Edward Allen FROST is honored wherever he was known and all with whom he came into close contact yet cherish his memory.