William Pidgeon, Jr.

(1874-1953)

WILLIAM PIDGEON PASSES;

SHOE MERCHANT WAS 78

William Pidgeon, at one time one of Rochester's best known shoe merchants, active in many business, civic, social and church groups, widely known as an eloquent speaker, and owner of the Pidgeon Shoe Store, 25 Clinton Ave., S., died yesterday (Mar 8, 1953) in General Hospital. He was 78.

It was at a bench in a small shoe factory on the west side that Mr. Pidgeon became acquainted at the age of 12 with the fundamentals of shoemaking. When he was a few years older, machines were introduced in the ancient craft of shoemaking, and until he was 18 years old, Mr. Pidgeon operated one of the then new welt sewing machines. At 18 he became foreman in one of Rochester's largest shoe factories. Years later he told of how he quit his job as foreman, rather than assume responsibility for cutting wages of the men.

With his father, William Pidgeon, Sr., he opened a small shoe store in Front St. in 1901. Instead of his comparatively handsome salary as foreman, he was able during the first year or so to take only $8 a week out of the business on which to live. Known as an expert in his line, he was invited to speak on shoes, their construction and sale at group meetings of retail shoe dealers.

He was three times elected president of the Rochester Shoe Retailers Association, later became president of the New York State Retail Shoe Dealers Association and a director in the National Retail Shoe Group. For several years he conducted a forum in Ontario, Canada, at the invitation of the National Retail Shoe Dealers of Canada, in connection with their annual sessions.

Constantly in demand as a speaker, he branched out to such topics as "Feet and Their Relations to Health," and later into more general topics. He spoke to a large number of groups of all types on many subjects in many parts of the country. After a trip to Europe in the 1930's, he lectured often on "War and Peace". Back in 1919, he spoke in Boston on the same platform with Calvin Coolidge, later President of the United States.

For a great many years he was one of the most active members of Lake Avenue Baptist Church and he was invited often to speak on religious topic. He served the church as a trustee during the 1920's and 1930's.

In 1911, still with his father, Mr. Pidgeon removed his store to a State St. location, where it remained until the present store at 25 Clinton Ave., S. was opened in 1935.

Mr. Pidgeon was an active member of the Rochester Rotary Club, the Rochester Ad Club and the Chamber of Commerce. An ardent fisherman, he was at one time active in the Izaak Walton League. On June 2, 1947, he and his wife, Henrietta, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, being given a dinner on that occasion at the Hotel Seneca by their friends. Mrs. Pidgeon survives.

During his recent illness, the Pidgeon Shoe Store has been operated by Mr. Pidgeon's daughter, Mrs. Helen Draper. Also surviving is one grandchild.

A memorial service for Mr. Pidgeon will be held at 2 P.M. Wednesday in the Lake Avenue Baptist Church, at which the Rev. Gerald Watkins, Pastor of the Church, Rabbi Philip S. Berstein of Temple B'Rith Kodesh, and the Rev. Charles E. Boddie of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church will officiate. Burial will be private.

Transcribed on 9/11/01 by Linda Blum-Barton from a copy of the newspaper clipping in my possession. Democrat & Chronicle 3/9/1953 Pg 13 Col. 3

PIDGEON – In this city, mar. 8, 1953, William Pidgeon. He is survived by his wife, Henrietta; daughter, Helen Pidgeon Draper; granddaughter, Dorothy Ann Draper; brother, George Pidgeon of Tonawanda, N. Y. ; sister, Mrs. Frank Deline of Buffalo.

- Memorial service Lake Avenue Baptist Church, Wednesday, Mar. 11, 1953, at 4 p.m. Burial at convenience of family. Arrangements by Fiske & Handy.

Times Union Mar. 9, 1953 page 17

MEMORIAL – WILLIAM PIDGEON, JR.

DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE – MARCH 10, 1953

There was a time when almost every civic-minded group was sure to feel the quiet influence of William Pidgeon sooner or later. His influence was the greater because it sprang from a genuine devotion to the interests of Rochester, an instinctive concern for whatever was worthwhile for the people of the city. Never obtrusive, Mr. Pidgeon yet managed to identify himself with a wide variety of important projects. Some of these were in his own area of the retail shoe business, with which he was connected from boyhood days. Others were church, fraternal, and service work of many kinds.

Mr. Pidgeon was an example of that useful citizen, who, without seeking the spotlight, is frequently in it because of special gifts that appeal to his fellow citizens. A “Bill Pidgeon talk” was always stimulating. His natural gift for speaking gave him a unique place in the city’s life. He was a kindly man, who liked people and was interested in many subjects, from international affairs to fishing. His reputation as businessman, speaker, and churchman extended far beyond the bounds of Rochester. He will be missed as one who exemplified in the best sense what we think of as the spirit of Rochester.

Bumblebee - Ad Club Magazine March, 1953

WILLIAM PIDGEON (1875-1953)

(Rochester Ad Club: 1912-1953).

Any man who is an Ad Clubber - or who has been at any time in the last forty-one years--just naturally knew Bill Pidgeon. You couldn't attend very many Ad Club meetings (or even one session of the Crackers and Milk Club) without getting to know Bill, and to be the better for having known him. That's the kind of man he was, during all of his seventy-eight years. Never was Bill heard to make an unkind remark or to offer destructive criticism. Such things were completely foreign to his beliefs and character.

It speaks well for the Ad Club that a man of Bill Pidgeon's stature was willing--yes, eager--to throw himself heart and soul into its activities over a span of forty-one years! Few can match that record. From that day in 1912 when first he sang "To the Heights of Mount Olympus" until his death on March 8, 1953, Bill kept busy on behalf of the Ad Club . . . and of the numerous other civic and religious organizations with which he was affiliated.

A devout believer int he "fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man," Bill's entire life reflected the depth of his convictions and the kindliness of his daily behavior. Few will ever know of the countless occasions on which he stretched out an unrequested (and often anonymous) helping hand to men (sometimes friends, often complete strangers) whose need was great.

Bill Pidgeon's Ad Club record shows him serving with zeal and enthusiasm on countless committees, among them: Acquaintance, Better Business Bureau, Program, Speakers Bureau, War, Membership (three times --once as chairman), Crackers and Milk Club (twice as Chairman). He was Vice-President in 1943-44, ran for President in 1923.

Editorial writers, eulogizing him, said (in the Times-Union): "William Pidgeon. . . was . . . one of the first. . . .to widen the field of businessmen's interests. The pattern is standard today and expected of enlightened business people. In Pidgeon's young manhood it was not." And, in the Democrat and Chronicle: "His influence was the greater because it sprang from an instinctive concern for whatever was worth while for hte people of the city. . . . An example of that useful citizen who, without seeking the spotlight, is frequently in it because of special gifts that appeal to his fellow citizens. . . . He will be missed as one who exemplified in the best sense what we think of as the Rochester spirit."

Wm. Pidgeon Dies; Owner of Shoe Store

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday in Lake Avenue Baptist Church for William Pidgeon, shoe merchant and lecturer, who died yesterday (Mar 8, 1953) in General Hospital. He was 78.

Mr. Pidgeon was active in many business, civic, social and church groups. He was owner of the Pidgeon Shoe Store, 25 Clinton Ave., S.

The service will be conducted by the Rev. Gerald Watkins, pastor of Lake Avenue Church. Participating also will be Rabbi Philip S. Bernstein of Temple B'rith Kodesh and the Rev. Charles E. Boddie of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. Burial rites will be private.

Mr. Pidgeon began learning the shoe business at the age of 12 when shoes were made by hand. Within a few years, machines were introduced and he operated one of the then-new welt-sewing machines. At the age of 18, he became foreman in one of the city's largest shoe factories. Years later, he told of how he quit the job rather than assume the responsibility for cutting wages of his men.

In 1901, Mr. Pidgeon opened a small shoe store in Front St. with his father, William Pidgeon, Sr. In 1911, the two moved the store to a State St. location, where it remained until the present Clinton Ave. store was opened in 1935.

Early in his career, Mr. Pidgeon became recognized as an expert in his line and was invited to speak often before retail shoe dealers on shoes, their construction and sale.

He was three times elected president of the Rochester Shoe Retailers Association and later became president of the new York State Retail Shoe Dealers Association and director in the national retail shoe group. For several years, he conducted a forum in Ontario, Canada, at the invitation of the National Retail Shoe Dealers of Canada, in connection with their annual sessions.

Recognized as an eloquent speaker, he was asked to speak before many groups on various subjects in many parts of the country. After a trip to Europe in the 1930's, he lectured often on "War and Peace." In 1919, he spoke in Boston, on the same platform as Calvin Coolidge, later President of the United States.

For Many Years, he was active in Lake Avenue Baptist Church, speaking often on religious topics. He served the church as a trustee during the 1920s and '30. He was an active member of Rochester Rotary Club, Rochester Ad Club and the Chamber of Commerce.

An ardent fisherman, Mr. Pidgeon was at one time active in the Izaak Walton League. On June 2, 1947, he and his wife, Henrietta, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at a dinner in the Seneca. Mrs. Pidgeon survives.

Mr. Pidgeon also leaves one daughter, Mrs. Helen Draper, who has been operating the Pidgeon Shoe Store during his recent illness, and one grandchild.

Return to Pidgeon Obits

Return to Obit Index

Return to Home Page