The Life and Legacy of John Harry Stedman

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The Life and Legacy of John Harry Stedman

Gregory R. Foster Professor Emil Homerin

Religion 167K: Speaking Stones October 31, 2010

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As the sun began to set on the evening of October 31, 1922, a small group of men

gathered around a newly installed gravestone in Section MM of Mount Hope Cemetery. At the

head of the grave they placed a solitary candle, its flame flickering defiantly against the chilly

autumn wind. Beneath the candle lay interred the late John Harry Stedman, prominent Rochester

citizen and gifted inventor.

John H. Stedman was born in Newport, Rhode Island, on November 15, 1843, to John R.

Stedman and Hannah Wilson Brownell (Arter 12). Early on in his childhood, John Harry's father

died, and Hannah Brownell remarried to William H Greene (United States Census Bureau).

Stedman attended Choule's School in Newport for his college preparatory education and enrolled

at the University of Rochester in September of 1861. While in attendance, Stedman became a

member of the Iota Chapter of the Fraternity of Delta Psi. In 1865, he graduated from college

The Grave of John Harry Stedman and Alice Sherwood Wells Stedman Enola, George Buddy. Photo. Accessed October 16, 2010. <http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9Go0dzKrJiA/SxXQ3DqOIJI/AAAAAAAAEWw/tfKoatathtE/s1600/MHf_st

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with a bachelor’s degree.

On October 3, 1877, under the ministration of Reverend

Dr. G.*

in Utica, New York, John H. Stedman took the hand of

Alice Sherwood Wells in marriage (Union and Advertiser,

October 4, 1877). Born in Buffalo, New York on March 20,

1846, Alice Wells was the daughter of a prominent Buffalo

citizen named Richard H. Wells. She graduated from the

Buffalo Seminary and, in 1875, came to Rochester with her

recently widowed mother Delia A. Wells. Alice Wells quickly

became part of the most prominent social and intellectual

circles of the city. She was especially involved with the musical

life of Rochester. She was first president and co-founder of the

Tuesday Musicale and sang in many local church choirs. Alice

Wells was a communicant of the Church of the Epiphany, and

she headed its Missionary society as well. She was a member of the Homeopathic Hospital's

Board of Managers, and served as its secretary since its foundation in 1887. In addition to

holding these distinguished offices, Alice Wells was a regular contributor to the Rochester Post-

Express, submitting columns of “Society News” under the initials “ICN.” She died on October 7,

1906, survived by John H. Stedman and her two brothers, Richard and Edward Wells (Democrat

and Chronicle, October 8, 1906).

* The name of the reverend has faded in the news clipping. It reads “Reverend Dr. Good___.” It is possible that

this was the same reverend who conducted Stedman's funeral service forty-five years later.

Alice Sherwood Wells

From: Centennial History of Rochester, New York Volume III: Expansion. Compiled and edited by Edward R. Foreman. Rochester, New York : John P. Smith Company, Inc. 12.

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Records of Stedman's post-college education and early career are conflicting. According

to one document, Stedman obtained his master's degree in 1870. However, it notes, Stedman was

not granted his diploma but had to pay for it. According to another document, Stedman obtained

his master's degree in 1875, but, it notes, he was never “examined” prior to receiving it (Edward

Griffith Miner Papers, 1797-1955. University of

Rochester Department of Special Collections. A.M66.

Box 17).

From 1865 to 1873, Stedman engaged

himself in “commercial pursuits.” From 1873 to

1889, Stedman worked as a heating contractor. Then,

in 1889, Stedman began his career as a transfer

expert*

* Stedman always uses this term to describe his occupation during the later years of his life. The meaning is

unclear. It may refer to a heat transfer expert, which would fit with his work as a heating contractor, or a train/bus/streetcar transfer expert, which would explain his brief activity with the Ohmer Fare Register Company and, later, his invention of the streetcar transfer ticket.

. According to the same document that lists

these dates, Stedman worked as the superintendent

for a marble quarry from 1865 to 1874. Whether

Stedman continued to work at the quarry during his

first year as a heating contractor is unclear.

Additionally, this document claims that Stedman

began his work as a transfer expert in 1874 (Edward

Griffith Miner Papers, 1797-1955. University of

Rochester Department of Special Collections.

Stedman's Alumni Record

Edward Griffith Miner Papers, 1797-1955. University of Rochester Department of Special Collections. A.M66. Box 17.

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A.M66. Box 17). Again, whether he worked simultaneously as a transfer expert and a heating

contractor is unclear. These documents, too, were filled out in Stedman's hand. Other records

show that from 1888-1889, Stedman was the president of E. H. Cook Company on 71 State

Street, and from 1889 to 1890, he held the position of vice-president at Rochester Burner Co. on

409 East Main St (Rochester City Directory). A passage from one of his obituaries states that “in

his active days Mr. Stedman... was president of the Forty-mile Power and Dredging Company,

vice-president of the Great Northern Mines Syndicate, secretary and director of the Ohmer Fare

Register Company, vice-president of the Pacific Mines Corporation, director of the Cave Creek

Consolidated Copper Company and vice-president of the Contact Bay Mines, Ltd.” (Democrat

and Chronicle, October 30, 1922).

On August 23, 1892, Stedman patented his “Stedman Time-Limit.” The Time-Limit was

an early version of the modern streetcar transfer ticket. This slip of paper would enable streetcar

passengers to transfer from one car to another in a single, continuous trip, thus eliminating the

hassle of having to purchase a new ticket at each stop. Stedman's ticket consisted of a calender

and a grid-like clock that were punched by the conductor to indicate the appropriate time

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and date of purchase. Below the calender was a list of streetcar stops and transfer points, and

above it was one or two rows of small faces. The conductor would punch the face that most

closely resembled the passenger to indicate to the conductor of the next streetcar whether or not

the passenger was the original purchaser of the ticket. Stedman initially included only a few of

these faces, but later editions featured figures of different ages and ethnicities with various

headwear and hairstyles. However, this face-punching component of the Time-Limit eventually

proved to be unnecessary and even troublesome, and was scrapped altogether in favor of a

simpler model that included just the date, time and route number (Headend).

Sometime in the early 1900's, Stedman collaborated with his business partner Charles

Angel to invent the fuzzy pipe cleaner. Little can be found about this particular commercial

venture. The rights to the pipe cleaner were eventually acquired by B.J. Long Company, which is

a premier manufacturer of pipe cleaners and pipe cleaning products today.

In addition to his economic pursuits, Stedman was active in many of Rochester's local

societies and organizations. He was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, the Associated

The Stedman "Time-Limit" transfer Lowe, Charles R. New York Museum of Transportation, New York. Accessed October 16, 2010. <http://www.nymtmuseum.org/headends/06spring/Spring06.html>

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Alumni of the University of Rochester, the Rochester Country Club, the Genesee Valley Club,

the Society of the Genesee, the Rochester Historical Society, the Rochester Art Club and the

Rochester Automobile Club (Democrat and Chronicle, October 30, 1922). Stedman was also a

member of the Rochester Chapter of the Empire State Society of the Sons of the American

Revolution, his Revolutionary War ancestor being William Brownell from his mother's side

(Arter, 12). Stedman also held the positions of president at the Episcopal Church Home and 2nd

vice president of the Homeopathic Hospital.

Perhaps Stedman's most enduring legacy is his

reintroduction of lighted candles in windows during

Christmastime. Stedman first set out to resurrect this

tradition in 1913. By 1914 he had recruited a number

of households to take up the custom. According to

Stedman, “in the first year [1914] a few houses

shone—the second over a thousand.” In a letter to the

editor of The New York Times on December 20, 1916,

Stedman explained the meaning of the old English

yule custom. “A lighted candle set in the window on

Christmas Eve will guide the Babe of Bethlehem to

your home, that he may bring you happiness” (The

New York Times, December 20, 1916). That

Christmas Eve saw the front window of nearly every Rochester home lit up. Soon the tradition

spread to neighboring towns, then states, reportedly making its way as far out as California.

“Candlemas in Every Home” Leaflet


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In his later years, Stedman could be found surrounded by some of the most prominent

Rochester figures of his time. The “Minutes of a Birthday Dinner,” recorded on the 15th of

November, 1918, to celebrate his 75th birthday, show how well connected he was. Among his

guests that evening were Hiram Watson Sibley, after whom the University of Rochester's music

library is now named; Francis B. Mitchell, publisher of the Rochester Post Express; Josiah

Anstice, a prominent Rochester banker and president of Josiah Anstice & Company; Judge

William W. Webb of the New York State Court of Claims; J. Warren Cutler, accomplished

businessman and president of the Rochester chapter of the New York State Society Sons of the

American Revolution; Edward Griffith Miner, whose moniker the University of Rochester's

medical library now bears; and John N. Beckley, City Attorney and vice president on the

Rochester Orphan Asylum's board of trustees.

Minutes of a Birthday Dinner


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Stedman was also connected with the illustrious George Eastman. A letter from Stedman

to Edward G. Miner in May of 1910 reads as follows:

Dear Ned, George Eastman is giving a party (J. H. Stedman instigator and promoter) and keenly desires your participation. Proposition: G. E., J. H. S., H. W. S., J. S. A., E. G. M. and another to start May 30 1910 from “Kodak Mansions” at 10:30 AM on Packard for the High Banks of the Genesee at Mt. Morris - lunch there at fresco-cocobolo-hibulo-mithero - returning to Country Club at 4 PM so that any of the party desiring to do so may play ___*

Will you accept the invitation and give us the joy of your company. and participate in the Memorial Day Festivities.

Kindly wire reply to 61 E. Main St. As ever, Sted.†

Stedman maintained a regular correspondence with Edward Griffith Miner. Miner's

generous donation of material to the Rare Books and Special Collections Department of the

University of Rochester has made accessible a number of these letters. Stedman always began his

letters to Miner with “Dear Ned,” presumably a nickname of Miner's, and ended them with “As

ever, Sted.” Ned and Sted's conversations covered a broad range of topics.

From 1910 to 1911, the majority of the letters contained in Miner's donated collection

concern a Panama hat which Stedman seemed to have been very eager and determined to obtain.

* The word is illegible. † Transcript of an invitation. Edward Griffith Miner Papers, 1797-1955. University of Rochester Department of

Special Collections. A.M66. Box 17.

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In April 1910, Miner asked a Mr. Fowler in Pita, Peru to contact another correspondent in Pita

and relay Stedman's request for a size 71/8 Panama hat that he was “exceedingly anxious” to get.

On June 3rd, 1910, W. R. Grace & Co. delivered Stedman's hat. However, the hat that Stedman

received was slightly small. After eight months of making do with it, Stedman sent another letter

to Miner explaining that because W. R. Grace & Co. had not factored the thickness of the

sweatband into the size of the hat, the product was effectively a size 7. Calculating that the

sweatband reduced the fit of the hat by an eighth of a size, Stedman asked Miner to obtain

another hat, this time a size 71/4. On May 4th, 1911, W. R. Grace & Co. delivered Stedman's

second hat. Two days later, Miner sent a check totaling $17.50 to W. R. Grace & Co., this time

requesting a receipt (Edward Griffith Miner Papers, 1797-1955. University of Rochester

Department of Special Collections. A.M66. Box 17).

In the summer of 1919, while vacationing at Loon lake in the Adirondack mountains,

Stedman began to feel the first effects of his arteriosclerosis and he retired to his bed at 24

Portsmouth Terrace (Democrat and Chronicle, October 30 1922). On January 23, 1922, he wrote

a farewell note to his friends and loved ones, expressing his appreciation for the friendships he

had forged over the years.

Four of dozens of Panama hat-centered correspondences


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Dear beloved friends,

Just now, when the ocean first separates us I want again to say good bye. Once more, Good Bye or Farewell or adieu or adios or whatever word is tender and affectionate in benediction. And to whom else would I so long to express my kindest and most loving leave-taking as to my dear Ned and Helen*

who for so long time have given me the hand of friendship and the heart of hospitality and all that is most precious in human relations. I shall miss you more than you can realize. You go to pastures green and opening flowers. I slip a little deeper into the shadows. I shall follow you in my thoughts, my wishes and my prayers hoping for you all of life's richest blessings in health and happiness – every hour rich in peace. My heart goes out to you in fondest benediction for I love you,

Steddy†

As his letter progresses, Stedman's handwriting visibly deteriorates, though his words remain

clear. This particular note was likely written during one of his most severe bouts of illness.

However, Stedman resisted his sickness for another nine months, his strong constitution keeping

him alive. During that time he insisted on fully dressing himself every morning in order to greet

his visitors properly (Democrat and Chronicle, October 30, 1922 ). However, on October 29 that

year, Stedman finally succumbed to his arteriosclerosis (Mount Hope Interment Records).

On October 31 a funeral service was held for Stedman at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. It

was conducted by Rev. William A. R. Goodwin, rector of the church, who led those attending in

singing some of Stedman's favorite hymns. The honorary bearers at the funeral were William B.

Farnham, John N. Beckley, William H. Noonan, Harper and Hiram W. Sibley, Edward Miner,

William W. Webb, Francis C. Mitchell, Henry K. Knowlton, and Henry W. Matthews. The ushers

were Thomas Spencer and Francis Macomber (Democrat and Chronicle, November 1, 1922).

While Stedman affiliated himself with such iconic Rochester figures as Hiram W. Sibley,

Edward G. Miner and George Eastman, he leaves behind a scant legacy. While Stedman had

planned to divide his estate among such local institutions as the Homeopathic Hospital and the

* Helen Barnscombe Ranlet Miner, wife of Edward Griffith Miner (married April 26, 1900). Thanks to Rare

Books’ librarian Nancy Martin for this identification. † Transcript of a farewell note. Edward Griffith Miner Papers, 1797-1955. University of Rochester Department of

Special Collections. A.M66. Box 17.

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Genesee Valley Club, there were unexpected obstacles his executor, Judge William W. Webb, had

to face after his death.

Stedman had intended to divide his $52,152 estate among his favorite local charitable

institutions. $10,000 would go to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and $6,000 would be given to the

Homeopathic Hospital. $1,800 was to be given to Stedman's housekeeper Marie Madigan, and

smaller sums of $1000 and $500 would be given to a number of other organizations. However,

trouble arose less than two weeks after Stedman's death, when Webb was made aware of

$39,650.09 in claims leveled against the estate, including a $32,000 interest claim from the

Lincoln Alliance Bank. These claims ended up severely crippling Stedman's estate, and, as a

result, his beneficiaries received only a small portion of what they had expected to be given

(Democrat and Chronicle, November 15 1922).

And so, with no estate to establish a legacy for himself, there were no buildings named

after Stedman, no statues or parks built in his honor and no historical landmarks dedicated to

remember him. While Stedman's name may come up from time to time in the context of pipe

cleaner discussions (which are far and few between), he is best remembered by the

Christmastime custom he helped revive. Though a depression and multiple wars have taken their

Obstacles to Stedman's Legacy


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toll on people's memories of the tradition, placing a lighted candle in the window on Christmas

Eve is still practiced in and around Rochester today (Brighton Pittsford Post, December 19,

1990). From time to time one might still be able to spot a solitary candle burning happily at the

grave of John Harry Stedman, just like it did years ago on the evening of October 31, 1922.

Candle burning at Stedman's Grave

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Works Cited

Arter, Stephen Amandus. History of the Rochester Chapter of the Empire State Society of the Sons of the American Revolution 1894-1994

“Candle at Grave of J. H. Stedman.” Democrat and Chronicle 1 November 1922.

. Sodus, New York: Mercury Print Productions, Inc., 1994. 12.

“Claims Against Stedman Estate So Large Rochester Beneficiaries May Realize Little of Bequests.” Democrat and Chronicle 15 November 1922.

“Christmas Eve Candles.” The New York Times December 20, 1916.

“Candlemas in Every Home.” Rochester, New York. 1916.


Headend: The Journal of the New York Museum of Transportation. "An End to Rochester Transfers." New York Museum of Transportation. Web. 16 October 2010 <http://www.nymtmuseum.org/headends/06spring/Spring06.html>. “Let Tapers Glow in Windows on Christmas Eve.” Brighton Pittsford Post 19 December 1990. "Marriages." Union and Advertiser 4 October 1877, 3-5. “Minutes of a Birthday Dinner.” Edward Griffith Miner Papers, 1797-1955. University of Rochester Department of Special Collections. A.M66. Box 17. Mount Hope Interment Records. <http://www.lib.rochester.edu/IN/RBSCP/Databases/IMAGES/MtHope/disc2/00000723.pdf> “Mrs. John Harry Stedman.” Democrat and Chronicle 8 October 1906. Rochester City Directory, 1890. Rochester, NY, USA: R.L. Polk Co. 1890. “Services for J. H. Stedman Start Tomorrow PM.” Democrat and Chronicle 30 October 1922. United States Census Bureau. Federal Census. June 30, 1860. Newport, Rhode Island. Roll M653_1204; Page 260; Image 296; Family History Library Film 805204.

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John Harry Stedman (1843-1922) Alice Sherman Wells (1846-1906), wife and other family members

Invention, legacy, Panama hat, letters, Rochester, Miner Description and history of John Harry Stedman, with brief reference to his wife Alice Sherwood Wells. Discusses his education, career, and social and professional achievements, including the Stedman Time-Limit (1892), fuzzy pipe cleaner (early 1900's) and candle-in-the-window Christmastime custom (1913-death).

The Life and Legacy of John Harry Stedman

Documents

Transcript of The Life and Legacy of John Harry Stedman