Biographical Sketches of Monroe County Residents

O

Lyman N. OTIS

pages 929-930

Lyman M. OTIS has long figured prominently in community affairs and has been honored with several positions of public trust. He is not a politician in the commonly accepted sense of office seeking but his recognized business ability and his public spirit have led to his selection for various positions in which good business qualifications, enterprise and loyalty are necessary concomitants of acceptable service. At the present time he is city treasurer of Rochester. One of Monroe county's native citizens, he was born in Henrietta, November 12, 1831, and is the eldest son of David G. and Maria (MORRIS) OTIS. The father came from Connecticut to Perry, New York, at a very early day and engaged in teaching school in this county. In 1839 he established his home in Henrietta, where he died in 1837. He was a general in the old state militia and was serving as school commissioner at the time of his demise. His business interests were those of the farm.

Lyman M. OTIS was educated in the district schools, in MONROE ACADEMY and in the GENESEE WESLEYAN SEMINARY at Lima. In early manhood he engaged in teaching school through the winter months, while in the summer seasons he followed farming. In 1855 he engaged in the nursery business with D. W. CHASE and they also bought wool, live stock and produce. Since 1867 Mr. OTIS has been connected with Rochester, in which year he removed to this city and purchased the lumber business of J. H. ROBINSON & SON. The partnership with Mr. CHASE was continued until the death of the latter in 1888, after which the firm became L. M. OTIS & COMPANY. From the beginning success attended the enterprise and the firm enjoyed a large patronage in the lumber trade. In 1890 the company sold the site now occupied by the LEHIGH VALLEY RAILROAD COMPANY and removed to East Main street, just west of the railroad bridge, where the OTIS LUMBER COMPANY is still conducting business. Mr. OTIS, however, retired from the lumber business in 1899, having accumulated therein a handsome competence.

Mr. OTIS was married in 1864 to Miss Amanda M. CORNWELL, a daughter of Ambrose CORNWELL, of Henrietta, and they have one daughter, Mary S. Mr. OTIS has served as treasurer of the MONROE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY and at all times has been actively connected with interests bearing upon the welfare, progress and improvement of the city and this portion of the state. In politics he was a democrat until the organization of the republican party, since which time he has affiliated with that great political movement. He served as town clerk of Henrietta in 1857, was justice of the peace for nine years and in 1889 was elected supervisor for the fourth ward of Rochester. He acted in that capacity for six terms and was chairman of the board for two terms. He was also alderman for two years and at all times has exercised his official prerogatives in support of progressive public measures. In 1885 he was elected as a west side sewer commissioner by the town board of the town of Gates. In 1894 he was chosen chairman of the building committee of the new courthouse, which position he filled until the completion of that structure. From 1900 until 1904 he was city assessor and on the 1st of January of the latter year was elected city treasurer and reelected in 1905, so that he is now the incumbent in the office. He has taken an active interest in politics and has held official positions more than half of his time since he attained his majority. He is not a politician, however, in the popular sense of the term but his aid has been sought by his party and he has served the public well. Few men of his years yet continue an active factor in public life but in spirit and interests Mr. OTIS seems yet in his prime and his ability seems undimmed by the weight of years. He is indeed an active factor in municipal life and one whose worth is widely acknowledged by all who know him.