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- BIOGRAPHY:
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BIOGRAPHY:
http://www.archive.org/stream/cu31924081310637/cu31924081310637_djvu.txt
FREDERICK S. MINGES.
FREDERICK S. MINGES belongs to that class of representative American citizens, who while pro-
moting their own inchvidual prosperity, ha\'e added greatly to the substantial upbuilding, development and wel-
fare of the community with which they are connected. Public-spirited in an eminent degree, his labors have been of the greatest benefit to Rochester, and his name figures cons])icuously in connection with the history of Democratic politics in the Empire state. At the same time he has carried on his pri-vate business interests with such energy- that that he has attained a place among the most successful men of his native citv.
Mr. Minges was born in Rochester, October 28, 1841, and is a son of Frederick and Mary N. (Glasser) Minges. His father
was born, reared and educated in Bavaria, Germany, and there learned the tailors trade. In 1831 he determined to try his fortune in America and with his brother-in- law, Joseph Glasser, crossed the Atlantic.
His wife's father had died in Germany, and her mother subsequently married Peter Meyer, and they, too, came to America at that time. After working for two years as a journeyman in this country, Mr. Minges and Mr. Glasser purchased twenty-eight acres of land in the eastern part of Rochester, then known as Brighton, the location being on southeast corner East avenue and Goodman street. The home which he occupied was later known as the Butts property. There
Mr. Minges and Mr. Glasser carried on gardening and farming, but as the city grew they sold acre after acre of their land for building purposes and to-day the property whidi they once owned now constitutes one of tlie best residence portions of Rochester. The last acres were sold to Joseph Bissell, who purchased it for H. E. Hooker. Mr. Minges then bought a tract at what is now the corner of East Main and North Goodman streets O'f Peter P. Peck. He remodeled the old home, transforming it into a modern residence and did much for the improvement of that portion of the city, giving the land to open, up East Main and other streets. He also sold property for building purposes and not a little of it was purchased
by the New York Central Railroad Company. His progressive spirit proved an integral factor in the development and im-
pro\'ement of the city with which he identified his interests. He assisted financially in building St. Patrick's church, the first
English Catholic church in Rochester, later replaced by St. Patrick's cathedral. He also contributed liberally toward the building of the first German Catholic church, which was later donated to the French Catholics. He married a daughter of Joseph Glasser, and his death occurred in May, 1863, when he was fifty-four years of age, while his wife passed away in 1880, at the age of seventy years. The children born to them who attained maturity were Elizabeth, who became the wife of Jolm Odenbach, and died in 1901, at the age of sixty-four years; Frederick S. ; Frances, who is Sister Superior of
the Notre Dame order in Logansport, Indiana; Marguerita, who is Sister Superior of the same order at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin ; and Louise, who is Sister Superior of the same order at Belleville, Illinois. The liistory of Frederick S. Minges
forms an important chapter in the annals of Rochester. During his boyhood he became familiar with farming and ardening, assisting liis fatiier in. those lines of work. He attended the schools of Rochester and early in life began dealing in horses, showing splendid judgment in making selections and in disposing of the stock. \Vhen only sixteen years of age he began buying and selling horses and has since handled some of the finest specimens of the noble steed that
ha\'e ever been brought intO' the state, while his Opinions on such have been sought far and wide and are always matters of influence in trade transactions. A man of ability, his energy, however, has not been limited to one line, for in many fields of endeavor he has conducted business enterprises of vast importance and magnitude. From 1864 until
1874, he engaged in the hat and fur business as a member of the firm of Odenbach & Company, successors oi George Clark, and they did the leading business in their line in the city. In 1869 he became connected with the furniture business as a partner in the well-known house of Schantz, Minges & Shale, from which firm he withdrew to' become the senior partner in the furniture establishment owned by Minges & Shale. Their business reached such vast proportions that their establishment was the largest in western New York, and Mr. Minges was connected with the house until 1893, when he soJd his interest. Among his business activities which have had marked influence upon, the progress of Rochester
was the purchase of the Klem property of sixteen acres in the eastern part of the city. This tract was divided into one hundred and seventeen lots, fainiliarlv known as the BeechwoDcl sulj-division, which he sold, and t(i-day it is an important residence district inckuling nian\- of the fine nnoilern homes of tlie city. Not only from a l)usiness standpoint, but Ijy his deep interest in the welfare of Rochester, has Mr. Minges labored untiringly for its improA-ement, and in the gro'Wth of East Rochester he has been particularly active and helpful. It was largely throug'h his ef-forts that the Rochester &: Glen Haven Railroad was built, and of the company he was president for a number of years. To him
was largely due the construction of the bridge over the New York Central Railroad on East Main street and the extension of the electric and steam railway lines in that part of the city. Mr. Minges was appointed by Governor Hill a member of the board of managers of the State Industrial School of Rochester, in which capacity his services liave been especially valuable. He advised and was instrumental in procuring a change in the school grounds from the work of gen-
eral farming and the raising of hogs to' that of gardening. Greenh(juses were Ijuilt anil the new improvements not only resulted greatly to the beauty of the grounds, but has i)roved (jf marked financial benefit.
Mr. Alinges was united in marriage to Miss Mary M. Fuhrman, a daughter of Adam Fuhrman, who was b(jrn in Germany
and now resides in Cleveland. Ohio. Mrs. Minges has always been deeply interested in her husband's work, has encouraged and allied him and through her generous hos- pitalit)' and social gifts has become most popular and won the esteem of a large circle of acquaintances. Si.x children were born pnto our subject and his wife, but the first
two, who' were twins, died in infancy. The others are: Matilda M., who married E. J. I\Ie\-er and has one child, Dorothea ; Justina B., at home ; and K. Leo and J. Walter, who are members of the firm of Minges Brothers, and engaged in the coal business at the corn- er of East Main and Goodman streets.
A\'hile Mr. Minges" extensi\-e business interests have made him widely known in Rochester and e\-en beyond the confines of the city, he is e\en more widely known as a prominent representative of the Democracy,
yet he has never been a candidate for an elec- ti\'e ofiice, his de\-otion to the party being the result of an earnest belief in its principles and a thorough American spirit. As a re- sult of his ability, tactful management and sagacity, he has been able to render the most valuable and effective service to his party in state and national as well as local campaigns.
Fie has never shirked any responsibility or duty whereby he might promote the party s interests, yet he does not feel himself strictly bound l^y party ties. His is an independent spirit, firm in support of his honest con-
\icti(.)ns, e\-en though such a course would bring him in direct opposition with the entire part}- strength. He opposes misrule in mu- nicipal aifairs. dishonesty in public methods and any course that will not bear the closest
scrutiny. It is due to these characteristics and his opposition to all that is questionable or dishonorable in political methods that the movement against the snap Democratic state convention was called in the interest of ex-
(lOvernor Hill on the 22nd of February,1892, and through the efforts of Mr. ^Minges it recei\ed the cordial support of the entire Democratic strength of the city. Neverthe- less he hesitated to join a company of four Democrats of his city to go to Albany as a delegate to the protesting convention held^ in opposition to^ the snap convention. In the
capiital he showed his courage by volunteer- ing- a loyal support toi this mo\-enient and this was followed by the organization of the mo'vement in his own county. He was chosen the chairman of the provisional Democratic county committee and the vigor- ous and thorough campaign which was car- ried on in Monroe county by the committee,
attested the sagacity of Mr. Minges" political con\-iction at that time. Later, in the month of May, he was a])pointed one of the dele- gates to the provisional Democratic state convention, held at Syracuse, and there he was named as a delegate to the national Democratic convention held in Chicago, his associate being Hon. Charles Roe, who' had rqjresented Monroe county on the provision- al Democratic state committee. Many of Mr. A'linges" friends in this political move- ment attended the national convention with him and from that time forward he labored earnestly and ardently for the election of Mr. Cleveland. Such influential Democratic organizations as the German-American Club, the Cleveland Legion, the Flower City Democracy and the Young Men's Demcj- cratic Club, have relied upon him for faith- ful support. No man questions his political honesty. It is known that he will support no measure that he believes will prove detri- mental to' the welfare of the country, even tliougli it is in opposition to his party, yet he is firm in his advocacy of Democratic principles, feeling that the best interests of the government will be conserved thereby. He commands the respect, confidence and
good will even of his political opponents. His loyal and determined spirit are widely recognized and no business man in Roches- ter occupies a higher position in the esteem of his fellow townsmen.
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1841 - 1904 (62 years)
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