Biographical Sketches of Monroe County Residents

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Charles S. GIBBS

page 1270

Charles S. GIBBS was born in Rochester, New York, October 21, 1863. He attended the grammar schools, but at the age of twelve years was obliged to begin work. This did not deter him from pursuing his studies, for he attended night school and has since by his own reading and observation acquired a good general education. His first work was for the old firm of A. V. SMITH & COMPANY, who were engaged in the harness business. He was first employed as an errand boy, and it would be well for the modern youth to take heed and learn the secret of his advancement. This errand boy was so alert and active in the interests of his employers that he remained but a short time in this subordinate position. From that time he was always busy and actively engaged in promoting the best interests of the firm, so that in 1897 he succeeded to the business. He has broadened its trade and now employs eight men. In his store may be found everything for the equipment of the horse and stable from low priced goods to the very best goods to be found anywhere, fine handmade harness especially.

Mr. GIBBS belongs to the Masonic order, being a member of Corinthian Temple lodge, No. 9. He is president of the National Harness Manufacturers Association and was formerly a member of the Eighth Separate Company of the National Guard. He is independent in politics and in religion is a Baptist, being trustee of the Lake Avenue Baptist church.

Rochester is proud of men like Mr. GIBBS. It is upon their sterling characters that its prosperity rests. He has worked his own way from humble beginnings and is today respected and esteemed by a wide circle of friends.

Fred B. GRAVES

page 1076

Fred B. GRAVES is one of the well known and enterprising business men of Rochester, engaged in the building and sale of elevators. He was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1854. His father, Lorenzo S. GRAVES, was a native of Connecticut and in 1850 removed to Rochester, where he began business as a shoe manufacturer. In 1860 he began the building and sale of elevators, establishing the enterprise, however, on a small scale. Since that time the work has been carried forward by the father and son, the latter joining the father in 1876. Lorenzo S. GRAVES continued an active factor in the business life of the city until his death, which occurred April 4, 1904. He was a most highly respected man, prominent in industrial commercial circles, and further mention is made of him on another page of this volume.

Fred B. GRAVES, reared in Rochester, passed through successive grades in the schools of the city until he was graduated from the Rochester high school. He was a young man of about twenty-two years when he was admitted to a partnership by his father, since which time he has been engaged in the construction and sale of elevators. To this end he owns a large and well equipped plant, supplied with all modern accessories for carrying on the business. Employment is given to a large force of men and this is one of the strong industrial and productive concerns of the city. He is also agent for the OTIS ELEVATOR. The business has kept pace with the tendency of the times for improvement in all lines of manufacturing enterprises and the extensive patronage of the house is incontrovertible evidence of the value of the manufactured product.

In 1876 Mr. GRAVES was united in marriage to Miss Frances OSWALD, of Batavia, New York. They have three children, all now married. Mr. GRAVES is a prominent representative of Masonry, belonging to Frank R. LAWRENCE Lodge, No.797, A. F. & A.M., while he has also attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish rite in the consistory. He belongs to the Mystic Shrine and to the Grotto, is a member of the Rochester Whist Club and a life member of the Masonic Club. He is likewise a charter member of the Rochester Yacht Club and his social qualities are such as have won for him a large circle of warm friends. Mr. GRAVES, spending practically his entire life in Rochester, is well known in the city in business, fraternal and social circles, and the consensus of public opinion regarding him is altogether favorable. It is true that he entered upon a business already established, but in successfully controlling and enlarging this he has shown excellent business capacity and executive force and he does things with an ability and energy that show he is master of the situation.

Lorenzo S. GRAVES

pages536-538

Lorenzo S. GRAVES, who is now numbered among the honored dead and who for many years was a leading manufacturer and one of the most prominent residents of Rochester, came to this city in 1859. He was afterward connected with several of the leading productive industries here and finally became one of the large stockholders of the OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY, with which business he was associated throughout his remaining days. He achieved such a goodly measure of success that his methods are of interest to the commercial world and in an analyzation [sic] of his life work it will be found that he based his business principles and actions upon the rules which govern industry and strict, unswerving integrity.

A native of Massachusetts, Mr. GRAVES was born in Southboro, July 18, 1831, his parents being Watson and Fanny (DENCH) GRAVES, the latter a descendant of old Revolutionary stock. The father was born and reared in Southboro, Massachusetts, and while a young man he learned the boot and shoemaker's trade, following the same at Southboro during the early part of his life. He then removed to Ashland, Massachusetts, where he lived retired during his later years. His widow afterward made her home with her son and while visiting her daughter in Newark Valley she passed away.

In taking up the personal history of Lorenzo S. GRAVES we present to our readers the record of one who for many years figured prominently in connection with the industrial development of the city. He acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of Ashland, Massachusetts, and completed his studies in the school at Amherst. Massachusetts. He was living in Worcester, that state, at the time of his marriage to Miss Eliza G. COFFIN, an old schoolmate. Her father, Captain Moses COFFIN, of Nantucket, Massachusetts, was a blacksmith and cooper by trade but followed the sea for many years. After leaving the sea he settled in Wilmantic, Connecticut, where he was employed in the first paper mill in that state. Subsequently he removed to Ashland, Massachusetts, where he resided until 1851, when he became a resident of Springfield, Vermont, where both he and his wife passed away. Their daughter Eliza became the wife of Lorenzo S. GRAVES and unto this marriage was born one son, Fred B., who married Frances OSWALD and resides at No. 5 Lorimer street, Rochester. He is now superintendent and manager of the OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY and is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. [Where he is mentioned, I don't know. His name DOES NOT appear in either index.] Mr. and Mrs. GRAVES also reared an adopted daughter, Ida L., who is now residing at No. 76 Richmond street.

In early manhood Lorenzo S. GRAVES learned the shoemaker's trade with his father, making as high as twelve pairs of boots per day, so expert had he become at hand labor. Upon his removal to Rochester in 1859 he began working as a shoemaker in the employ of a Mr. CHURCHILL. After a brief period, however, he turned his attention to teaming and a little later, in 1860, he gave to the world as the result of his inventive genius and study the GRAVES sole cutter, a machine for cutting leather soles. He then began the manufacture of the same, his factory being located on Mill street. He also engaged in the manufacture of paper cutters and shoe machinery and was very successful in both lines, continuing the business for a number of years and winning a creditable place as a substantial representative of commercial interests here. At length he decided to engage in the manufacture of elevators and the GRAVES ELEVATOR COMPANY was formed, and the present large factory now operated under the name of OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY was erected at Nos. 198 to 210 Commercial street. From the beginning the enterprise grew rapidly until several hundred men were employed on the construction of all kinds of passenger and freight elevators which were shipped to every section of the country. This became one of the largest productive industries of the city. It was developed along progressive, modern business lines, not only meeting but anticipating the needs of the trade in this direction, and Mr. GRAVES continued at the head of the concern until 1901, when he sold his interest to the OTIS COMPANY, at which time the firm name was changed to the OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY, of which the son is now superintendent and manager. The father then retired to private life. He was always a busy man and in his earlier years his evenings were devoted to study and investigation, especially along architectural lines. His experiments resulted in inventions which gained for him a prominent place in the business world. He certainly deserved much credit for what he accomplished and justly earned the proud American title of a self-made man, for he had a capital of but a few dollars when he and his wife arrived in Rochester. The years passed and his industry and ability made him one of the well-to-do citizens. His success may be ascribed to his positive, determined pursuit of business and to the fact that he was a man of unflinching commercial integrity.

After retiring from the field of manufacture Mr. GRAVES, accompanied by his wife, traveled quite extensively, visiting many points of interest in this country and also making three trips to Europe. They likewise visited the holy land and various sections of Asia. Mr. GRAVES was always deeply interested in historic research and during their travels he and his wife gathered many interesting relics of all kinds in various parts of the world, Mrs. GRAVES now having in her home two large, fine cabinets well filled with shells, stones and other interesting relics of their trips.

In his political views Mr. GRAVES was a stalwart republican who took much interest in the party and its growth. He was frequently solicited by his friends to become a candidate for office but always refused. He built a large and beautiful residence at No. 257 Lake avenue, where his widow yet resides, There in the spring of 1903 he became ill and his death occurred on the 21st of April, 1905.

Mrs. GRAVES belongs to the Central Presbyterian church. Theirs was a most congenial married life and the very close companionship made the death of the husband an almost unbearable blow to Mrs. GRAVES. His loss was also deeply felt throughout the city where he had resided for more than forty-five years - honored as one of its leading business men and prominent citizens. He was one of the ablest and best known manufacturers of Rochester, was genial in manner and, though his time was largely occupied by the details of extensive business interests, he always found time to devote to those of his friends whose calls were purely of a social character. He was a thorough exemplification of the typical American business man and gentleman.

Halbert S. GREENLEAF

page 870 & 873

Although Halbert S. GREENLEAF passed away in August, 1906, his memory is yet cherished by many who knew him because of his personal qualities and his worth in business life. He belonged to that class of men who by a genial nature shed around them much of the sunshine of life and few hold a warmer place in the affection of their friends than did Mr. GREENLEAF. He, moreover, gained distinction in connection with public interests bearing upon the welfare of his city and state and at all times his devotion to the public good was above question.

A native of Vermont, Mr. GREENLEAF was born in Guilford, April 12, 1827, and was a son of Jeremiah and Eunice Elvira (STEVENS) GREENLEAF, the latter a daughter of Dr. Simon and Susanna (GREENLEAF) STEVENS. The father of our subject was born in Brattleboro, Vermont, December 7, 1791, and died in Guilford, April 4, 1864. He was an author and teacher and published GRAMMER SIMPLIFIED, GREENLEAF'S GAZETEER and GREENLEAF'S ATLAS.

The family was founded in America by Edmund GREENLEAF, who came from Ipswich, Suffolk county, England, in 1635, and settled in Newbury, Massachusetts, but later removed to Boston. He bore a high reputation for probity and saw active service as captain of militia. His son, Stephen GREENLEAF, served as ensign in KING PHILLIP'S WAR and rose to the rank of lieutenant. He was born in England in 1628 and died in 1696 in Newbury. His wife was Elizabeth COFFIN, of Newbury. Their son, Stephen Greenleaf (2d), was born in 1652 and died in Newbury in 1743. He married Elizabeth GERRISH, of Newbury, and he served as ensign in a regiment raised for the reduction of Canada. His son, Rev. Daniel GREENLEAF, who was born in 1680, married Elizabeth GOOKIN and died in Newbury in 1763. Their son, Dr. Daniel GREENLEAF, served as a surgeon at the siege of Lewisburg. He was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1702, and died in 1795. His wife bore the maiden name of Silence MARSH. Their son, Stephen GREENLEAF, married Eunice FAIRBANKS, of Boston. He was born in Boston in 1735 and died in Brattleboro, Vermont, in 1802. His son, Daniel GREENLEAF, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Boston in 1764 and died in Bernardston, Massachusetts, in 1845. He married Huldah HOPKINS. They were the parents of Jeremiah GREENLEAF, our subject's father, who entered the army as a private in the war of 1812 and was made lieutenant at the battle of Plattsburg.

Halbert S. Greenleaf attended the common schools of Guilford, Vermont, and Greenfield, Massachusetts, and later was a student in the seminary at Brattleboro, Vermont. He taught school for a time in Guilford and Greenfield and was afterward with SARGENT & FOSTER in business at Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts. For a time he was engaged in the lock manufacturing business at that place as a member of the firm of YALE & GREENLEAF, and in the manufacture of bits and gimlets as a member of the firm of MILLER & GREENLEAF. He was superintendent of salt mines at Avery Island, Louisiana, from 1865 to 1867. During the Civil war, however, he put aside his business interests in order to respond to the country's call for aid, becoming Colonel of the Fifty-second Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry in September, 1862, and he participated in the battle of Indian Ridge and ,the siege of Port Hudson. He commanded that regiment until August 14, 1863, and later was captain of the Colonel Benedict, a steamer on the Mississippi river in the government service until 1865.

On leaving the south in 1867, Mr. GREENLEAF came to Rochester and joined James SARGENT in the manufacture of bank, safe and key locks, under the name of SARGENT & GREENLEAF, which was changed in 1896 to the SARGENT & GREENLEAF COMPANY, with Mr. SARGENT as president and Mr. GREENLEAF as vice president. They built up an extensive business and our subject continued in that line throughout his remaining days. Their plant was located at No. 178 Court street, and a constantly increasing trade gave them prominence in industrial circles. Mr. GREENLEAF was also a trustee of the ROCHESTER SAVINGS BANK.

In his political views he was a democrat and was much interested in the political situation of the country. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, called him to public office and honors, and he represented his district in the forty-eighth and fifty-second congresses, taking an active part in the councils of the law-making body of the nation. He ever stood firm in support of his honest convictions, neither fear nor favor swerving him from a course which he believed to be right. In community affairs he was also deeply interested and became a charter member of the board of park commissioners of Rochester in 1888 and served until his death. He was also a charter member of the Mechanics' Institute of Rochester, with which he was connected for twelve years from 1885. No public trust reposed in him was ever betrayed in the slightest degree, and he stood for all that is honorable in man's relations with his fellowmen, his home locality and to his country. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity and to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for many years and was likewise a member of the Genesee Valley Club and active in the Universalist church, contributing liberally to its support and doing all in his power to advance its interests.

On the 24th of June, 1852, in Wilmington, Vermont, Mr. GREENLEAF married Miss Jean Frances BROOKS, who was born in Bernardston, Massachusetts, a daughter of Dr. John BROOKS and a sister of Mrs. YALE. Mr. and Mrs. GREENLEAF traveled life's journey happily together as man and wife for fifty-four years, their mutual love and confidence increasing as the years passed by. They bore together the joys and sorrows, the adversity and prosperity which checker the career of all. Mrs. GREENLEAF still occupies the home at No. 196 North Goodman street, Rochester, which her husband built for her thirty-six years ago. His personal characteristics were those which everywhere win friends. He possessed a most cheerful, genial nature and kindly spirit. It is doubtful if he ever did anything in his life as a matter of policy and yet he was always doing kind things for others out of the goodness of his heart. He did not seek notoriety and his public service was ever performed from a sense of conscientious obligation. He loved his fellowmen because of his broad humanitarianism and his interest in everything that pertained to the public welfare was deep and sincere. He had the happy faculty of not only winning friends but also retaining them, and his death came with a sense of great personal bereavement to the great majority of all with whom he had come in contact through an active, useful and honorable career.

Frederick GUENTHER

page 499

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.