GEORGE J. HERZBERGER

In illustration of the opportunities available in Rochester to young men who are endowed with capacity and good sense to take advantage of their chances, the career of George J. Herzberger affords an instructive example. It will he seen that although he began his business career at the foot of the commercial ladder he has, while still a young man, attained a position of such high standing and influence in the world of business as to he recognized as one of the leaders in the wholesale grocery trade, a branch of commerce that was one of the first to be established here, and in which some of the oldest merchants of the city are engaged. Mr. Herzberger was born in this city of German parents on January 11, 1864. He attended public school No. 12 until he was eleven years old, when he became errand boy for H. Brewster & Company, wholesale grocers. He remained in their employ until April, 1885, when he started in business on St. Paul street on his own account as a jobber in tea, coffee, etc. This he carried on alone for three years, where he took his brother, William C. Herzherger, as a partner, and extended their transactions to general jobbing and wholesale grocery business, The firm prospered and in six years its trade had grown so large that they had to get larger quarters, and moved to the McKay building on Stone street, which they occupied a little over a year when it was burned down. They then moved to 336 - 338 East Main street and Belmont park, and had barely settled in their new quarters when William C. Herzberger was compelled to withdraw on account of ill-health, and C. F. Knapp took an interest in the business. Mr. Herzberger is a Republican, but has never held office. He is a member of the Rochester Whist club and of the Rochester club. He was married in 1885 and has one son. The family residence is at 352 Monroe avenue.

EDWARD A. STAHLBRODT

Edward Alexander Stahlbrodt was born in this city December 15, 1860, and is of German parentage. He was educated in the public schools and began work at the age of eleven as a "devil" for the Evening Express Printing company. He worked his way through the various stages of feeder, pressman, job and news compositor, and remained in the company's employ ten years. For two years he was employed on the Caledonia Advertiser, and for a time had charge of the Mount Morris Enterprise office. In 1884 he began the manufacture of printers' roller-composition at 18 Mill street, and in the following year added a line of printers' supplies, including presses, type, ink, etc. Later he began the manufacture of steam flour-paste, and in 1886 took up the bill-posting business. In 1889 all of his enterprises were consolidated and formed into a stock corporation under the title of the Rochester Bill Posting company, of which he is manager, secretary and treasurer. Mr. Stahlbrodt is a member of Yonnondio Lodge, No. 163; Hamilton Chapter, No. 62; Monroe Commandery, No. 12, Knights Templar; Damascus Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Rochester Lodge of Perfection, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; Rochester Lodge, No. 24, B. P. O. Elks; and is now serving his second term as exalted ruler. He was one of the charter members of the Associated Bill Posters' Association of the United States and Canada, and was its president for three years; he is now chairman of the executive committee, and national representative, with offices in New York city. Mr. Stahlbrodt has served two terms as school commissioner of the old Sixth ward. During his second term he was chairman of the building committee of the board, and had No. 10 school building erected. He was the Republican nominee for member of assembly in 1891.

W. F. COOK

William Frederick Cook was born in Rochester June 21, 1866. In 1867 his parents moved to Irondequoit, and here he received his first instruction in the district school. In the year 1878 the family returned to Rochester and William continued his studies in the public schools, graduating in the year 1881. His career in railroading was commenced the year following, when he obtained a position as clerk for the Rochester Baggage and Transfer company. From there he went with Lewis & Company, ticket brokers, being placed in charge of the new up-town office at No.4 East Main street, established by the New York Central and Hudson River railroad under their agency. In 1888 he went to the depot ticket office of the New York Central and remained there four years, until ill-health overtook him and he was obliged to retire. With a year's travel in the East came renewed health, and upon returning he obtained a position in the office of the soliciting freight and passenger agent of the Lehigh Valley railroad. In 1892, on the entrance of this road into Rochester, he was made city ticket agent in the office of District Passenger Agent Robert S. Lewis. September 1, 1894 Mr. Lewis was removed to Buffalo as assistant to the genera! passenger agent and Mr. Cook was then appointed to the office of passenger and ticket agent, with full charge of the company's passenger interests in this city. Mr. Cook is a prominent member of Rochester Lodge of Elks and of Rochester City Lodge 212, Knights of Pythias. He is also interested in loan associations, being local secretary and treasurer of the Empire, of Syracuse.

B. F. MARTIN

As an example of what a young man of energy and capacity can accomplish by the exercise of industry and foresight the career of Bernard F. Martin may be cited for imitation by all who wish to court the smiles of fortune and render themselves independent. Mr. Martin was born of American and German parents in the town of Gates, New York, January 12, 1852. His father died when he was only two years old and his mother expired a short time after. He was educated in the public school of Rochester, and on leaving school learned the machinist's trade, at which he saved his earnings and was able in 1878 to open the business in which he now holds the first rank in this city. His fortune is due entirely to his own exertions, and while he is still a young man he has the satisfaction of enjoying the results of his thrift .At his central tea and coffee store in the Powers building, No. 22 West Main street, he does the largest business of any in this part of the State, and he also operates as a wholesale grocer. His storehouses are at 72 and 74 Montgomery alley and on Washington street. Mr. Martin's residence, 366 West avenue, is one of the architectural ornaments of that quarter of the city.

JOSEPH G. SHALE

The high regard in which the late Joseph G. Shale is held by the community where he passed his whole life is the strongest testimony to the excellence of his character. He was born in this city March 30, 1851, of German parents, and his earlier education was obtained at St. Joseph's parochial school; he then attended the public schools until the age of fifteen. On leaving school he obtained employment as a cash-boy with Burke, FitzSimons, Hone & Co., but was quickly promoted and remained with the firm until 1872, when he entered the employ of Sibley, Lindsay & Curr, with whom he was engaged until 1875 when he formed a partnership with Jacob Odenbach and began the hat and fur business at No. 7 State street. They were eminently successful in business, and Mr. Shale remained on State street until 1887, when he formed a partnership with Herman R. Milow, and under the firm name of Shale & Milow carried on an extensive trade at Nos. 78 and 80 East Main street until the time of his death. He was a member of the Monroe club, C. M. B. A., and Knights of St. John. Mr. Shale was married August 13, 1878, to Miss Catherine J. Keehl, who, with one son, survives him. Mr. Shale expired on August 13, 1894.

GEORGE BANTEL, SR.

The name of George Bantel, Sr., has for nearly two score years been a synonym in this community for energy and enterprise. In fact there is no one in this part of the country better known throughout the United States and Canada as a successful dealer in horses. His sale and boarding stables on Lake avenue are among the largest in existence, and the business he has carried on for such an extended period long ago assumed, under his management, proportions that place it among the most important in this city and State. Mr. Bantel is a native of Würtemberg, Germany, where he was born in August, 1829. In the year 1840 he came to this country and made Brockport his home for two years. He then decided that Rochester was a more suitable place for him to make his fortune and in 1850 he came to this city and engaged in the meat-market business. He branched out into buying cattle for shipment to New York, and from that into the importation of Canadian and Western horses. This branch of commerce proved to be one in which he was peculiarly well qualified to succeed, and in a short time he had established a very profitable business. His enterprises were uniformly successful and he kept an increasing the importance of his trade until in 1891, when he retired from business on account of ill-health. He was then owner of the largest stable in Rochester and one of the largest sale and boarding stables in the State of New York; it had accommodations for one hundred and sixty horses. In 1853 Mr. Bantel married Margaret Pflum and has had eleven children. The family resides at 82 Driving Park avenue. He has always been a Democrat.

JOSEPH BANTEL

Joseph Bantel, the senior member of the firm of George Bantel's Sons, is recognized in the business community as one of the young men who appreciate the importance of attending strictly to the personal supervision of an enterprise in which large capital is engaged and constant vigilance is essential to the highest success. He is a native of Rochester, where he was born in 1855; he was also educated here. In the year 1874 he started in the meat-market business and conducted it for four years, at the close of which period be entered into partnership with his father in the business of importing, selling and boarding horses. When his father retired from business in 1891 he and his brother George took entire control of the establishment and have been increasing the trade in a way that has already added largely to the value of the business to which they succeeded. Mr. Bantel was married in 1882 and has one son. He resides at 280 Lake avenue. He is a Democrat. Although actively engaged in business Mr. Bantel does not neglect to enjoy club life; he is a member of the Gentlemen's Driving association, the Monroe club and the Chamber of Commerce.

GEORGE BANTEL, JR.

George Bantel, Sr., was so successful in establishing a great business that it was natural his sons should follow the same occupation on arriving at an age that qualified them to assume such responsibility. George Bantel, Jr., was born in Rochester in 1861, and in 1883 became a partner with his father. He must have inherited the paternal aptitude for business, as he has conducted the establishment founded by his father with such profit and so added to its importance that he is now known throughout the country as one of the most competent horse-buyers in America, and is a member of a firm that stands among the highest in the United States. The extent of the firm's trade may be imagined from the dimensions of its premises, which are one hundred and ninety-eight feet front on Lake avenue, one hundred and sixty-five feet deep and usually contain one hundred and fifty to one hundred and sixty horses. In 1891, with his brother Joseph, he bought his father's interest in the business when the latter decided to retire. He has ever since been increasing the operations carried on under the title of George Bantel's Sons. George Bantel, Jr., is the buyer of the firm and is regarded as one of the shrewdest judges of horse-flesh in the country. His judgment is so highly valued that many of the prominent horse-owners of this section seek his advice before making purchases. His opinion of horses is considered conclusive and no intending purchaser of a horse has ever been known to disregard his advice. He is a member of the Gentlemen's Driving association, the Maennerchor, the Liederkranz and the Chamber of Commerce. George Bantel, Jr., like his father, is a Democrat, and resides at 82 Driving Park avenue.

GEORGE F. PEER

George E. Peer was horn in this city June 17, 1857. His mother was a daughter of Hulda Strong, the first woman who taught school in Rochester. He was graduated from the University of Rochester in the class of '78, and gratified his taste for travel by extended excursions to all quarters of the globe, and made one tour around the world. His fancy for the animal creation is shown in the fact that upon one of his farms he raises the choicest variety of cattle, poultry and pigeons. He was one of the organizers and president of the New York State Poultry society, and is a charter member; secretary and treasurer of the American Columbarian association, and was for years secretary and treasurer of the American Poultry association and secretary of the Rochester Kennel club. His prominence among owners of live stock was recognized by the managers of the Columbian exposition, who appointed him a judge of live stock. For the post twelve years Mr. Peer has been engaged in the jewelry business in this city, making a specialty of diamonds and fine watches. His place of business is 302-304 Granite building. He is a member of the Delta Psi, Rochester Chamber of Commerce and the Rochester club.