Alfred Catchpole was born in August 1829 in England to carpenter George and Mary A. Catchpole. He had at least 2 siblings: Adelaide and Daniel. In around 1834, the family immigrated to the U.S. and settled in Geneva, New York. Through work in local shops and railroads, Catchpole learned the machinist’s trade, and in 1864, he entered the U.S. Navy as an engineer, where remained until the end of the Civil War. A machinist Catchpole began manufacturing boilers and other machinery upon his return. In around 1869, Catchpole married Emilie A. Simmons, an immigrant from France. Catchpole went on to establish himself as a prominent businessman, opening the Catchpole Foundry in Geneva, NY, and inventing the Florda Steam Boiler in 1884. In In 1887, Catchpole’s company and patents were bought out by Pierce, Butler & Pierce (Syracuse, NY), and Catchpole continued to run operations. In 1902, the company was purchased by Walter Howard. Catchpole died on August 13, 1913, and is buried in Geneva, NY.

Franklin Robert Smith was born in 1855 to Alfred Catchpole’s sister Adelaide Smith (née Catchpole) and Edward Smith. Franklin Smith married Iola Jane Smith (née Ryder) in 1881, and the couple had at least 4 children: Edna, Iola, Leon, and Stanley. Franklin Smith was a fruit grower by trade. He died on March 5, 1925, and is also buried in Geneva, NY.