USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York : from 1700 to the present time, Volume II > Part 10
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of Oneida Castle, in which he served as trustee. In the various branches of church work he took an active and helpful interest and at all times was re- garded as one of the honorable and upright citizens of the county in which he made his home. To Mr. and Mrs. Dorrance there were born five children : John G., of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume; William H .; Daniel G .; Mary A., the deceased wife of Dr. Bronson Lowville, and Sarah E., the deceased wife of IIon. Charles L. Knapp, ex-member of congress from Lewis, Jefferson and Oswego distriet.
Daniel G. Dorrance, Jr., whose name introduces this record, attended the schools of Oneida and afterward entered Hamilton College, graduating with the class of 1872. Hle came to Camden in 1875 and was here engaged in mer- chandising for ten years, or until 1885, when he became confidential clerk for his father at Oneida Castle, although living in Camden. He continued to act in that capacity until 1896, when he assisted in settling up his father's estate. He is now living retired in Camden and is most widely and favorably known in this section of the county. He has good business investments of various kinds, including stock in the First National Bank, of which he is a director.
In 1876 Mr. Dorrance was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Lambie, a danghter of John and Jane ( Richmond) Lambie, of Camden. Her parents were natives of Scotland and, coming to the United States in early life, settled in Camden, where the father followed the occupation of farming until his death, which occurred in 1875. His widow long survived him and passed away about 1905. His brother, Gavin Lambie, was captain of a company of the One Hundred and Forty-sixth Regiment of Volunteer Infantry in the Civil war. John Lambie was a democrat in his political views and a Presbyterian in religious faith. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Dorrance are: Ella M. and Elizabeth L., both at home; James G., at home; Jean G., who was a twin of James and died at the age of six years; and Harold S., who will graduate from Hamilton College with the class of 1912, just forty years after his father.
Mr. Dorrance votes with the republican party but has never sought nor desired office. He has, however, served as a member of the board of education for many years and the public-school system finds in him a warm and helpful friend. Ilis interest in public matters is manifest in active cooperation in various movements and projects for the public good, many of which have proven of a most practical character.
FRANCIS MARTIN KENDRICK.
Thirty-nine years ago Francis Martin Kendrick began as a cigar manu- facturer in Utica and the fact that he still continues in business is splendid evidence of his ability to meet competition and his success as a business man. He was born in this city in 1846, a son of John Charles and Margaret (Martin) Kendrick, the former of whom came from Boston to Utica about seventy years ago and continued in this city during the remainder of his life.
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Francis Martin Kendrick was educated in the public schools and White- stone Seminary. At the age of twenty-six years, in 1872, he started a wholesale cigar manufacturing business and also a retail department, both of them being on Genesce street. On account of the growth of the business he was obliged, later, to remove to larger quarters on Bleecker street and, in 1903, established his factory and store at 48 Franklin square. He has always made use of well selected raw material from Havana, and the same may be said in regard to the purchase of the domestic erop. He employs skilled hands and the factory is well ventilated and lighted, the work being supervised by experts and all pro- ducts closely examined before being placed on the market. The house for many years sold its goods as far west as Denver, Colorado, but is now confining its sales to the state of New York, a ready market being found for the entire out- put.
Mr. Kendrick combines good business qualifications with a pleasing address and has a wide acquaintance in New York and other states. He has never held political office, but has often assisted friends in the accomplishment of their ambition to become identified with public affairs. Religiously he is con- nected with the Catholic church, and fraternally is a valued member of the Knights of Columbus, the Royal Areanun, Lodge No. 33, B. P. O. E., and the Areanum and Fort Sehnyler Clubs.
BLASE MERCURIO.
Blase Mercurio, of the firm of Mercurio Brothers, importers and wholesale commission dealers in fruits located at No. 69 Broad street, Utica, was born in Termini Imerese, Italy, on the 12th of February, 1868, a son of Frank Mer- curio. The father was a macaroni manufacturer in Termini Imerese, but after his death the sons disposed of the business and emigrated to the United States.
Blase Mercurio attended the schools of his native city in the acquirement of an education, completing his course in the Regia Senola Technica di Ter- mini, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1884. lle subsequently entered the Italian royal army, where he served for three years. during which time he rose from the rank of private to that of caporal maggiore contabile of the first regiment of volunteers, receiving his honorary discharge on the 20th of July, 1891. On the expiration of his period of service he re- turned home and engaged in business with his father. After the latter's death the sons continued to operate the factory until 1901, when they decided to emigrate to the United States and took passage for Boston. After a brief resi- dence in that eity they removed to Springfield, Massachusetts, whence they later came to Utica and here they have ever since been engaged in the fruit business. They have been very successful, possessing the sagacity, executive ability and perseverance essential to the development of any enterprise, which characteristies they have here applied with most gratifying success. They have so intelligently concentrated their energies upon the expansion of the business that it has reached such proportions that to supply their banana trade
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it is necessary to place two carloads of this fruit in the curing cellars each week.
Mr. Mercurio is married to Miss Balsamo Mercurio. He is a member of the Sons of Columbus of Utica and the Masonic fraternity, being a member of the Italian Lodge. Politically he votes with the republicans. IIe is one of the highly esteemed Italian citizens of Utica, not only in the business but also the social circles of the city.
GEORGE FREEMAN CONANT.
A student of history cannot carry his investigation far into the annals of Oneida county without learning of the prominent part which the Conant fam- ily has borne in the upbuilding and substantial progress of this section of the state. George Freeman Conant was a worthy seion of his race. He was for- tunate in having baek of him an ancestry honorable and distinguished and his lines of life were cast in harmony therewith.
A native of Camden, born September 29, 1855, he was the youngest of six sons of Francis II. and Mary G. Conant. His early education was acquired in the Camden union school and later he attended the Hungerford Collegiate In- stitute at Adams, New York. Ilis initial business training was received in his father's factory, where he held a position for a time, or until the fire of 1876, which destroyed the plant. At that time George F. Conant and his brother Eugene formed a partnership for the continuance of the business under the style of F. II. Conant's Sons. Under their management and leadership the new undertaking prospered and the name of the house became even more widely known than before, its reputation extending throughout the entire coun- try and to foreign lands as well. They made a specialty of chair manufacture and produced all that was best and most substantial in the trade.
The development of an important and extensive industry was due in large measure to the efforts of George F. Conant, whose ingenuity, progressiveness and well formulated plans constituted a broad foundation on which to build success. He made it his purpose to thoroughly familiarize himself with every branch of the business and was thus able to capably direct the efforts of those who served him. He understood the mechanical working and the financial con- trol and at all times the house was kept abreast of the times in everything re- lating to chair manufacture. Its output was substantial and artistic and found a ready sale on the market, for in style the goods were pleasing and in price reasonable. George F. Conant had notable ability as a salesman and moreover was a whole-souled, genial gentleman, who won popularity and gained the friendship of all whom he met.
On the 3d of October, 1876, Mr. Conant was united in marriage to Miss Ella Spicer, of Adams, New York, whose acquaintance he had formed while attending the Institute in that village. Theirs was largely an ideal married life in which mutual love and confidence increased as the years went by. Mr.
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Conant's success enabled him to provide his family with an elegant home and he was ever devoted to the welfare of his wife and children.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Conant were born two children: Clarence Edward Conant, the son. was born in Camden, October 13, 1877. Ile attended the Camden high school. the Peekskill Military Academy and the Sheffield Seien- tifie School and was graduated from the Albany Law School in 1901. Subse- quently he pursued a post-graduate course in the last-named institution and was admitted to the New York bar in 1902. After spending several months in China and Japan he settled in the Imperial valley of California, becoming one of the developers of this valley, on the Colorado desert. He owns several hundred acres of land there as well as orange groves at Pomona, California. Bertha E. Conant, the daughter, attended St. Agnes School in Albany and while on a trip to Europe with her parents and brother, was married to Walter Wickes in London, September 29, 1897. Mr. Wiekes was an architect eon- neeted with the Paris Exposition. They made their home in Paris, and on the 10th of August, 1898, in the nineteenth year of her age, Mrs. Wickes died leav- ing a baby boy. In November, 1900, Mrs. George Conant legally adopted the boy, who was christened Lawrence Wickes Conant and now resides with his adopted mother in the Camden home.
The death of Mrs. Wickes quickly followed that of her father, who passed away on the 15th of June, 1898, when but forty-two years of age. He had greatly enjoyed travel and with his family had gone abroad on many pleasure trips. He was also largely familiar with his own country and he took great pride in his village and its welfare. Although he never entered actively into political life, he did much to improve and beautify Camden and his business activity made him a most forceful factor in its substantial upbuilding. He was preeminently a business man and one who wielded a wide and beneficial influ- ence. Many more years will pass before his death will cease to be regretted by those with whom he was associated, for he was ever an honorable and up- right business man. a faithful citizen and a loyal friend.
JOIN W. HOWARTIL.
John W. Howarth, now deceased, was all his life a resident of Utica and for many years was closely connected with the business interests of this eity. lle was born here September 2, 1850, and received his edneation in the com- mon schools and at Professor Williams' private school on Blandina street. At the age of thirteen years he secured a position in the store of T. K. Butler on Genesee street, afterward known as Butler & HIamilton's Rock Bottom Store. Subsequently he became connected with the drug business as an employe of J. A. HIall & Company and from this place went to the store of Dr. Sawens & Company. In 1873 he formed a partnership with George S. Ballord and they opened up a drug store in the Hlackett Block, twelve years later buying out the Sawens store. Their establishment became one of the principal places of the kind in the city. Mr. Howarth was also secretary and treasurer of the
In Herrault
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Utiea Cabinet Company, whose plant was removed in 1899 from Utiea to Knoxville. He also acted as one of the trustees of the Vidvard estate.
In 1874 Mr. Ilowarth was married to Miss Jeannette E. Vidvard, a daughter of Peter and Catharine Vidvard. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Howarth : Edgar John, now of New York city; and Albert P., Jeannette E., Julia M. and Robert B., all of Utica. Mrs. Howarth died April 21, 1894, and in 1897 Mr. Howarth was married to Miss Elizabeth Louis, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Yaky) Louis, who was born in France, January 19, 1823, while the mother was born Angust 12, 1833. He learned the loeksmith's trade and eame to America, locating at Utiea in 1850, where he engaged in business under the title of J. Louis & Brother, loeksmiths and tool makers. Ile was a man of excellent character and was very highly respected by all who knew him. He died May 19, 1883, Mrs. Louis surviving till February 17, 1907.
Mr. Howarth of this review was a man of fine appearance, engaging ad- dress and recognized ability, his judgment often being sought by his friends and associates in important business matters. Ile was a member of the Cham- ber of Commerce and an attendant of St. John's Catholic church. Politically he was an independent republican. Called from a life of usefulness Septem- ber IS, 1909, he left a record of straightforward dealings and kindly acts which is more to be prized by his family than large earthly possessions gained through doubtful methods. Mrs. Howarth is living at 1261% Kemble street and has an extensive circle of friends in Utiea.
WILLIAM VINCENT QUINN, M. D.
Another of Utica's native sons who is meeting with success in the medieal profession is Dr. William Vincent Quinn, who was born in this city on the 5th of September, 1875. IIe is a son of the late Thomas and Mary Quim, both natives of Ireland. Upon his arrival in this country Thomas Quinn located in Utica where he later became one of the founders of both the Star and the Eagle Brewery Company, continuing to be identified with these enterprises until his demise in 1890.
William Vincent Quinn acquired his preliminary education in the Assump- tion Academy, being gradnated with the elass of 1891. The course he there pursned was later supplemented by work at Manhattan College in New York city, where he completed his studies in 1897. Having decided to become a phy- sician he matriculated in the New York University & Bellevue Hospital Medi- eal College, from which institution he was awarded the degree of doctor of medicine in 190I. For two years thereafter Dr. Quinn held a position as in- terne in St. Vincent's Hospital in New York, thus putting to practical test his technical skill and theoretical knowledge. In 1905 he returned to his home city and establishing an office immediately engaged in general practice, in which he is meeting with more than an average degree of success.
Vol. II-6
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Dr. Quinn is affiliated with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Utica Lodge, No. 33, B. P. O. E., and with the Knights of Columbus and the Iliber- nians. Professionally he is identified with the Oneida County Medieal Society, New York State and American Medical Associations, and he also belongs to the Utica Medical Library. Dr. Quinn married Miss Marguerite C. Sexton, a daugh- ter of the Hon. and Mrs. Michael II. Sexton.
JAMES P. GUBBINS.
James P. Gubbins, a well known and successful attorney of Rome, has here been engaged in the practice of law for the past two decades. His birth oe- curred in New Haven, Connecticut, on the 15th of June, 1865, his parents being Patrick and Margaret Gubbins. When our subject was still quite young the family home was established in the town of Annsville and there he began his education in the district schools, later continuing his studies in the Rome Academy. Subsequently he read law under the preceptorship of J. S. Baker and followed the profession of teaching while preparing for the bar, to which he was admitted in November, 1891. During the past twenty years he has built up an extensive practice in Rome and now enjoys an enviable reputation as a learned and able lawyer.
On the 15th of November, 1897, Mr. Gubbins was united in marriage to Miss Mollis Spellicy. of Rome, New York. Ile gives his political allegiance to the party and has served as justice of the peace for many years. his fair and impartial decisions winning him "golden opinions from all sorts of peo- ple." Ile is now deputy grand knight of the Knights of Columbus and also belongs to the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
HARRY MALLERY DECKER.
Among the well known architects of Utica must be numbered Harry Mal- lery Decker, who has been a resident of this city since 1903. Mr. Deeker was born in Wayne county, Pennsylvania, on the Ist of April, 1872. Although a native of the Keystone state the greater portion of his life has been spent in New York, his early education having been acquired in the public schools of Deposit, this state. After laying aside his text-books he entered the office of a civil engineer in Susquehanna, where he served a very thorough apprentice- ship. He subsequently entered the employ of Deckert St. Clair, of New York city, in the capacity of travelling superintendent. The specialty of the firm was the erection of churches, their work extending over a large portion of the eastern states, and while in their service Mr. Decker had the supervision of the erection of the Bay Ridge Methodist Episcopal church of Brooklyn, New York ; Methodist Episcopal church of Torrington. Connectient ; Presbyterian church at Winsted. Connecticut ; and the Baptist church at Carbondale, Pennsylvania.
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Feeling that his broad and varied experience had at last fully and most ably fitted him to establish an office of his own, Mr. Decker came to Utica in 1903. Since locating here he has given almost his entire attention to the designing of dwellings and apartment buildings, among which mention should be made of the Baptist parsonage at Whitesboro, F. II. Stedman's residence, and an apartment house for William Pritchard located at the corner of Steuben and Leah streets. He also designed the bakery of W. E. Wind, which is considered to be the most sanitary and best equipped building of the kind in central New York.
Mr. Decker was married in 1900 to Miss Marion Palmer of Brooklyn, New York, in which city their union was solemnized. Mrs. Decker is a daughter of John and Elizabeth Palmer of Torrington, Connecticut.
The fraternal relations of Mr. Decker are entirely confined to his member- ship in the Knights of Pythias. Although he has lived in Utiea for a compara- tively short time Mr. Decker has become quite widely known, and is highly regarded by those who have met him in either a business or social way.
GEORGE LANGFORD CURRAN.
The Curran family has been known in Oneida county for many years and the name has long been recognized as a synonym for integrity, industry and devotion to the principles of justice and truth.
George Langford Curran, who is engaged in the leather business of which his venerated father was one of the founders, was born in Utiea. March 10, 1840, a son of Edward and Mary (Langford) Curran, the latter of whom was born in Westmoreland township, Oneida county, and died at Hudson, New York, in 1893, and was buried at Utica. The father was born at Lansingburg, New York, in 1804, and in his early manhood came to Utica where he learned the tanning trade under David P. Hoyt. In 1829 he associated with Alrich Hubbell in the leather business under the firm name of Hubbell & Curran. Ile was a benevolent, upright and valued citizen who gained the respect of the entire community by his unselfish life, his death occurring in 1856. He was twice married and in his family were six sons and two daughters.
A son, Ilenry Hastings Curran, is remembered as one of the most promis- ing young men Utica has ever known. Ile was born September 27, 1841, and was graduated at Hamilton College in 1862, proving one of the brightest stu- dents in the college. He organized for the Civil war a company, of which he was elected captain, the company being commissioned to the One Hundred and Forty-sixth Regiment of New York Volunteers. The regiment participated with the Fifth Army Corps in many of the great battles of the Army of the East, including Fredericksburg, Chaneellorsville, Gettysburg, and the battle of the Wilderness. Captain Curran was advanced to the office of major and in the battle of the Wilderness, May 4, 1864, while at the head of his men, act- ing as lieutenant colonel, was shot through the heart and instantly killed. His appointment as lieutenant colonel reached his family after his death and is
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a valued heirloom. At a reception given the One Hundred and Forty-sixth Regiment on its return from the war the horse of Colonel Curran and that of Colonel Jenkins, both of the same regiment, were led by grooms in the civic and military procession that marked the occasion. A fund was subscribed in honor of Colonel Curran for a prize medal which is each year presented to the best classical scholar of the junior class of Hamilton College, his alma mater.
George Langford Curran, of this review, received his preliminary educa- tion in the public schools and later attended Free Academy and Yale Univer- sity. graduating from the latter institution in 1863. He returned home and became a member of the firm of Edward Curran's Sons, which originally con- sisted of three brothers: Charles ( .. who died in 1858; Edward, who died in 1-94: and George Langford. The house has been in existence for more than three quarters of a century and is one of the prosperous concerns of Utica. Its affairs have always been conducted in accordance with the most honorable principles and its success is evidence of the ability and progressiveness of its management.
On the 6th of September, 1865, Mr. Curran was married to Miss Cornelia Douglas, an only daughter of Dr. Isaac H. Douglas. The father was a native of New York state and settled in Utica in 1857, becoming a leading physician of the city and one of its most respected citizens. He died March 13, 1884. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Curran: Gertrude Douglas, who is now living at home; and Stanley Douglas, who became a practicing physician in New York city and died February 4, 1911.
Mr. Curran has always taken an active interest in public affairs and served very acceptably as police and fire commissioner from 1881 to 1885. For a munber of years he was trustee of the Savings Bank of Utica. No man has been more earnest in upholding the cause of good government or in promoting congenial business and social relations among his associates. He is a sineere believer in the authority and inspiration of the Bible and an active member of the Memorial Presbyterian church.
HENRY RUMRILL BEEBE.
Ilenry Rumrill Beebe was born in Utica, November 22. 1878. Ile is a son of Leonard Vernal Beebe and Emily (Taylor) Beebe, the mother a daughter of Lorenzo M. Taylor, who was one of Itica's earliest land surveyors and for years the best known.
Mr. Beebe was educated in the public schools of l'tica and Portland, Maine. where he lived for six years. He was graduated from the Utica Free Academy. and a year later entered the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at Troy, N. Y. lle was graduated from this institution with the degree of civil engineer in 1904 and was awarded the MacDonald prize for the most meritorious gradua- tion thesis.
Prior to entering Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and during subsequent vacations. Mr. Beebe was employed in various engineering positions: first in
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the surveying office of L. M. and C. S. Taylor; later with John R. Baxter in the preparation of the city tax maps; then in the city engineer's office as chair- man, leveller and assistant to the city engineer; also in the U. S. Geological Survey, Department of Hydrography as assistant engineer. The latter posi- tion he held for a year after graduation from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
In 1905 Mr. Beebe formed a partnership with Mr. Frank Besch of Troy, N. Y., under the name of Besch & Beebe, general contractors. For several years the firm carried on general contracting, building the large intercepting sewer in Utica, laying pavements in Troy and constructing a new filtration system in Albany with water and coal storage structures, etc.
On January 1, 1910, Mr. Beebe was appointed commissioner of public works by Mayor Frederick Gillmore.
Mr. Beebe is a member of the Theta Xi fraternity, the Arcanum Club, Utica and the Rome Club. In 1911 he was elected an associate member of the Amer- ican Society of Civil Engineers. In politics Mr. Beebe is a democrat.
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