Biographical Sketches of Monroe County Residents

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George H. LANE

pages 488 & 491

George H. LANE, for more than a third of a century a resident of Rochester, was well known in newspaper circles and also in political circles. He was a man of generous nature, of genial spirit and cordial disposition, whose many good qualities gained for him the esteem and trust of a large circle of friends. He was born in Troy, New York, June 26, 1842. His father, Abraham LANE, was a native of Connecticut and was a blacksmith by trade. He followed that pursuit in his early years but subsequently went to California, where he turned his attention to mining, continuing in that field of activity until his life's labors were ended in death June 1863.

George H. LANE acquired his education in Norwalk, Connecticut, and in the Clinton Liberal School. He then went to Tuffts College in 1862 and when his education was completed he came to Rochester and entered the office of the UNION AND ADVERTISER, where he remained for eighteen and a half years. He became one of the best known men in connection with that office, his business ability, executive force and enterprise constituting a strong element in the success of the paper. On his retirement from that office he accepted the position of under sheriff by appointment of John W. HANNON and later was appointed by Sheriff Thomas C. HODGSON.

On the 20th of March, 1866, Mr. LANE was united in marriage to Miss Ella L. SCRANTON, a daughter of Henry SCRANTON, who was born in Durham county, Connecticut, October 30, 1796. He acquired his education in the common schools of his native city and came to Rochester in the year 1812. The entire journey was made in a cart drawn by oxen, and he reached his destination on the 1st of May. He first occupied a little room on what is now South St. Paul street and on the 4th of July, of the same year, he removed into a log house on the west side of the river which he had in the meantime erected. He became proprietor of a toy store and his place of business was known as the OLD SMITH BLOCK. He continued in that line of merchandising until his death, which occurred on the 8th of December, 1868, and was classed as one of the representative business men of the city, continuing in trade here for about half a century. His name is therefore well known in commercial circles and the success which he gained was justly merited because of his honesty in all business transactions and his unfaltering diligence. He was also well known in connection with community affairs and at times stood for progressive citizenship. For two years he was alderman in the city council from the second ward and his political support was given to the republican party from the time of its organization. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity when the MORGAN excitement occurred, and his Christian faith is manifest by his membership in the Lutheran church.

The SCRANTON family has been well known in Monroe county for almost a century. Hamlet SCRANTON was born in Durham county and arrived in Rochester May 1, 1812. He built a log house into which he removed on the 4th of July, this being the first house on the west side of the river. He afterward purchased a dwelling on State street, where he lived until his death in 1850. He had three sons and three daughters: Henry, Edwin, Hamlet, Delia, Hannah and Jane. Of this family, Hamlet D. SCRANTON was born in 1860 and in early life was engaged in the drug business. He afterward became a paying teller in the COMMERCIAL BANK OF ALBANY and later was cashier in the COMMERCIAL BANK OF BUFFALO. Upon his return to Rochester he accepted a position in the office of the canal superintendent where he continued for some years, when he became proprietor of CONGRESS HALL, managing it successfully for several years, after which he retired. He was also vice president of MECHANICS SAVINGS BANK and was well known in financial circles in the state. He held membership in St. Luke's church and died in the year 1882. Edwin H. SCRANTON was born May 9, 1813, and learned the printer's trade which he followed for some years. He was editor of the ROCHESTER GINN, one of the first newspapers in the city, and he became an auctioneer, continuing in that business until his death in 1880. Delia SCRANTON was married in 1815 to Jehiel BARNARD, the first tailor in Rochester, and theirs was the first marriage celebrated in this city. They lived to celebrate their golden wedding. Hannah SCRANTON became the wife of Martin BRIGGS in 1835 and they lived in Rochester throughout their married life, the lady passing away in 1864.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. George H. LANE, was born a daughter, Mary Moore LANE, whose birth occurred in Rochester, August 10, 1884. She acquired her education in a female seminary on South Fitzhugh street, and since completing her course has made her home with her mother. Arch Scranton LANE, who was born in Rochester, December 12, 1878, finished his course in public school No. 4 in Rochester, in 1892, and afterward became a student in the Rochester Free Academy and in the Rochester Business Institute. He then entered the ALLIANCE BANK as bookkeeper but is now engaged in business on his own account.

George H. LANE, the father, was injured on the 30th of September, 1896, by falling into an elevator well and died December 27, 1896. He had become well known in Rochester during the years of his residence here, and his business career and his official services gained for him the respect and good will of his fellowmen, so that his death was deeply regretted when he passed from this life.

George M. LEWIS

pages 833-834

The gentleman whose name introduces this record occupies a prominent place in the industrial life of Charlotte, for he is interested in two of the most extensive business enterprise of this village, the WEST WEBSTER BASKET FACTORY and the CHARLOTTE VENEER WORKS, the success of these being due to large degree to the capable business management of Mr. LEWIS. He is a native son of New York, his birth having occurred in West Webster, July 4, 1854, and his entire life has been passed in Monroe county. He is a son of William and Sarah (MOORE) LEWIS, the former a native of Newburgh, on the Hudson, and the latter of Mendon, Monroe county. The father removed with his parents to West Webster when a lad of thirteen years and there spent the remainder of his life, and the mother still resides in the old homestead there. Their family numbers five children: Mrs. Kate M. MURPHY, who resides on the old homestead with her mother; George M., of this review; Mrs. Eva J. STEWART, of West Webster; Mrs. Flora A. BANCROFT, of Rochester; and Mrs. Hattie M. BLANCHARD, a resident of West Webster.

George M. LEWIS, the second in order of birth in his father's family, acquired his education in the common schools of his native place and was reared to the occupation of farming, remaining on the old homestead farm with his father until he had reached the age of twenty-six years. He then sought another field of activity and began the manufacture of fruit baskets at West Webster. After engaging in business alone for a time, he admitted H. D. BANCROFT to a partnership, the business being conducted under the name of the WEST WEBSTER BASKET COMPANY. Through the ability and capable management of Mr. LEWIS the business rapidly developed until it had reached such extensive proportions that it became necessitous that the firm seek a location that would afford better shipping facilities, and accordingly, about 1898, they removed the factory to Charlotte. They manufacture all kinds of fruit baskets, the output of the factory finding a ready sale on the market, for the prices are reasonable and the workmanship excellent. They employ eight men in the manufacture of their product and the business of the house amounts to ten thousand dollars annually. Ambitious to extend his business interests, in 1900 Mr. LEWIS established the CHARLOTTE VENEER WORKS. This business, too, has rapidly grown in volume and importance and now amounts to fifteen thousand dollars per annum. Three years ago Mr. LEWIS purchased a lot on the river and erected a building near the docks and the business of both the companies is transacted therein, and thus they enjoy excellent shipping facilities. The lot owned by Mr. LEWIS is the only one not retained by the railroad company. Mr. LEWIS conducts his business affairs in a most practical and straightforward manner and thus enjoys the confidence and good will of all with whom business relations bring him in contact.

Mr. LEWIS chose as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life, Miss Mary Louise MCELROY, their marriage being celebrated October 26, 1879. She was born in Rochester, May 3, 1860, a daughter of James and Hannah M. (HILL) MCELROY, both of whom died during the early girlhood of Mrs. LEWIS. The father was twice married and went to Rochester during the early '30's, and engaged in business as a mason contractor. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. LEWIS has been blessed with one son, Fred Raymond, who was born in West Webster, July 3, 1881. He has been afforded excellent educational advantages, having graduated from the high school and the Brockport Normal, in which he pursued an academic course. He later entered the University of Rochester, from which he was graduated in the class of 1907, and is now in Columbia University Medical College. He is a young man of culture, popular among his friends and acquaintances. The family occupy a beautiful home, which was erected in 1900. It contains fifteen rooms, modern in all equipments, and is considered the finest dwelling in Charlotte, one of its most pleasing features being its warm-hearted hospitality.

Mr. LEWIS gives his political support to the republican party and for one term served as trustee of the village. He holds membership with the Presbyterian church and was one of a committee of three appointed to supervise the construction of the new church edifice, to which he was a liberal contributor, and he is now acting as a trustee of the church. A man of great natural ability, his success in business from the beginning has been uniform and rapid, and yet he has never allowed the accumulation of wealth to in any way affect his attitude toward those less fortunate. His life is exemplary in all respects and he ever supports those interests which are calculated to uplift and benefit humanity, while his own high moral worth is deserving of highest commendation.

Herbert Reed LEWIS

pages 1422-1423

Herbert Reed LEWIS, general agent for the UNION CENTRAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY at Rochester, was born in Trumansburg, Tompkins county, New York, on the 22d of January, 1872. He is a son of John De Los LEWIS, while his grandfather was Justus LEWIS, a native of New York. He lived and died at Trumansburg, where he engaged in the practice of medicine for many years, his professional skill and ability proving a valued element in the restoration of health in his immediate community. He died at the venerable age of more than ninety years, while his wife also reached an advanced age. In their family were two sons and five daughters, including John De Los LEWIS, whose birth occurred in the Empire state. He spent the greater part of his life in Tompkins county and, following in the professional footsteps of his father, became a physician, practicing for many years in Trumansburg. At the time of the Civil war he manifested his loyalty to his country by offering his services in a professional capacity, rendering active aid to the sick and wounded as a surgeon in the Union army. He was connected with the Eighty-fifth Regiment of New York Volunteers and many members of that command have reason to remember him gratefully for the assistance which he gave to them. He died in Trumansburg in 1873 at the age of forty-six years, while his wife survived until October, 1887, and passed away at the age of fifty-three years. She bore the maiden name Harriet S. REED and was also a native of New York. Her father, Horatio REED, was born in Tolland county, Connecticut, and, removing westward, became an early settler of Orleans county, New York, where he and his brother took up a claim of one hundred acres. The journey from Connecticut had been made with ox-team after the primitive manner of the times, for this was prior to the era of railroad travel. Horatio REED devoted his life to farming for some time in Orleans county but afterward removed to Genesee county, where his thrift made him a substantial settler of the community. Moreover, he engaged in teaching school in that locality and the cause of public instruction found in him a stalwart champion. He was honored by election to several positions of public trust, serving as school commissioner and also as the representative from his district in the general assembly. He died in Genesee county when ninety-three years of age. In early manhood he had married Jane GREEN, who was also a teacher in the public schools. There were four children in their family, one of whom, Harriet S. REED, became the wife of John De Los LEWIS. Unto this marriage there were born a daughter and son, but the former, Grace LEWIS, died on the 10th of March, 1907. The death of the mother occurred in October, 1887, when she was fifty-three years of age. Both Mr. and Mrs. LEWIS were members of the Baptist church and their lives were in consistent harmony with their professions. Mr. LEWIS was also prominent in local political circles and was the first president of the village of Trumansburg and was also county coroner for several years. He attained more than local note in professional circles, being widely recognized as a skilful (sic) surgeon and an able member of the medical fraternity.

Herbert R. LEWIS, now well known in Rochester, was born in Trumansburg, New York, but lived in Genesee county, New York, from the time he was one year old until fifteen years of age, after which he went to Brockport, where he was graduated in 1892 on the completion of a course in the Brockport State Normal School. He afterward taught for one year but regarded this merely as an initial step to other professional labor. Entering the University of Rochester, he spent two years in the class of 1897 and subsequently turned his attention to the insurance business, with which he has since been connected, being general agent at Rochester for the UNION CENTRAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY. He is thoroughly acquainted with the insurance business in principle and detail and thus by promotion has come to his present position of responsibility, having supervision over various agencies in this part of the state.

Mr. LEWIS belongs to the Delta Kappa Epsilon, a Greek letter fraternity; to Monroe lodge. No. 173, F.& A.M.; to the Rochester Athletic Club; the Rochester Yacht Club; the Oak Hill Country Club, and to the Baptist church - associations which indicate much of his character and his tastes. Politically he is a republican.