USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York : from 1700 to the present time, Volume II > Part 18
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At Oriskany Falls on the 3d of October, 1883, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Payne and Miss Cora A. Sperry, a daughter of Irving M. and Julia
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Babcock) Sperry. The Sperry family were among the very early settlers of Oneida county, having first settled here about one hundred years ago. Two daughters, Camilla Ora and Elva Sperry, were born in the Sperry family.
Formerly Mr. Payne was a member of the Universalist church of Jersey City, but he and his family now attend the Presbyterian church of this village. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order, having affiliated with that organization thirty-one years ago. He has filled all of the chairs and was for three years master of the Clinton Lodge. Mr. Payne is also a member of the Veiled Prophets of Hamilton and the Knights of Pythias of Rome, New York. lle is a member of the Masonie Club of Utica, while he has been affiliated with the State Teachers Association since 1880. ITis political support Mr. Payne accords the republican party, for whose candidates he has cast his ballot ever since attaining his majority. A publie-spirited man with a strong sense of his civic responsibilities, he takes a prominent and active part in all municipal affairs. Mr. Payne has filled the position of postmaster in Clinton for thirteen years, the long period of his incumbeney being proof of the efficiency with which he has discharged his responsibilities.
FAUST S. DE LONG. M. D.
An agreeable manner and attractive personality as well as marked profes- sional skill and deep interest in his profession renders Dr. Faust S. De Long a popular and successful physician of Utica, where he has practiced continu- ously since 1901. He was born in Richfield Springs, New York, September 18, 1877, and is a son of D. H. and Mary JJ. (Black) De Long. both of whom were representatives of old New York families. The father devoted his attention to farming and Dr. De Long was reared amid the scenes and environment of agricultural life. Hle pursued his education in the public schools, in the Rich- field Springs high school and the Richfield Academy, and then in preparation for the practice of medicine entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons which is the medical department of the Columbia University of New York city. He was graduated therefrom in 1901 with the degree of M. D., and later ob- tained broad practical experience in his work in connection with Faxton Hospital. He has been continuously associated with that institution and is on its surgical staff. His private practice has grown continuously and in sub- stantial manner and although one of the younger he is also one of the more successful physicians of the city, his standing among his professional brethren being indicated by the fact that he has been honored with the presidency of the Utica Medical Club, which position he is now filling. He also belongs to the Medieal Library Association, the Oneida County Medieal Society and the New York State Medical Society. Professional interests and duties, however, are not permitted to oreupy his time and attention to the exclusion of all else, for he has important business connections, being vice president and treasurer of the Utica Steam Engine & Boiler Works and a director and officer of the Universal Boiler Compound Company.
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On the 2d of May, 1906, Dr. De Long was united in marriage to Miss An- netta P. Omens, a daughter of the late Joel A. Omens, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. The only child of Dr. and Mrs. De Long died in infancy. The Doetor is a member of the Arcanum Club and of the Automo- bile Club, associations which indicate something of the nature of his interests and recreation. His vacation periods are devoted to hunting and fishing and he is a most congenial companion for a summer outing and at all times is pop- ular with an extensive circle of friends. His professional duties, however, are foremost in his life and are always performed with a sense of conscientious obligation.
JAMES J. GUERNSEY.
The ranks of the old soldiers of Oneida county are rapidly becoming thin- ner as the years pass, and it is with pleasure that a record is here presented of James J. Guernsey who for many years has been an honored citizen of Rome and is widely known as an editor and publisher. He is a native of Charlton, Saratoga county, New York, born July 7, 1845, a son of John C. and Jane A. (Ely) Guernsey. The father was a carpenter and contractor and about 1848 removed to Rome where he engaged in his business which he continued dur- ing the remainder of his life.
In the public schools James J. Guernsey possessed advantages of education which gave him a good foundation upon which to build successfully. At the early age of seventeen years he presented himself for enlistment in the Union army and was accepted as a member of Company E, One Hundred and Seven- teenth New York Volunteers, serving as musieian and private from 1862 until the close of the war. It was a rude introduction to the realities of life but Private Guernsey was a young man of sturdy character and fixed determina- tion to win an honorable name in the world, so the close of the war found him thoroughly prepared to face any responsibility that might present itself, with courage and great faith. After receiving his honorable discharge he returned to Rome and until 1870 was foreman of the Rome Citizen. Ile then went to Waterville, New York, and purchased the Waterville Times, which he published for eleven years. In 1881 he returned to Rome and established the Rome Weekly Republican, which he conducted so successfully that in 1895 it was changed to a Tri-Weekly, the title since that time being the Rome Tri-Weekly Republican. The paper is now firmly established and is one of the prominent and influential newspapers in central New York.
On the Ist of January, 1868, Mr. Guernsey was married at Rome to Miss Jennie Scott, a daughter of James and Keziah (Smith) Seott, of this city, and to them two sons have been born: Fred Jewett, of Schenectady, and Will Harrie, who resides in Rome, and is associated with his father in the printing and publishing business. Fraternally Mr. Guernsey has for many years been identified with the Masonie order, having been a member of both Sanger Lodge, No. 129, F. & A. M., and of Warren Chapter, No. 29, R. A. M., since 1873. He
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also holds membership in Skillin Post, No. 47. G. A. R. He has never sought publie office as his chief interest has ever centered in the making of his news- paper, and the success that has attended his efforts is evidence of the applica- tion of discrimination and sound judgment. A faithful and self-sacrificing lover of the republic when its life was in danger, he has been a steadfast friend of good government in times of peace, and it is doubtful whether a more use- ful citizen can be found in Rome than the honored gentleman whose name stands at the head of this review.
PHILIP THOMAS' SONS.
The firm of Philip Thomas' Sons. Iumber dealers, receives its name from Philip Thomas, who was born in Newport. Herkimer county, New York, March 27, 1815. ITis parents Thomas and Sarah (Phillips) Thomas came from l'em- brokeshire, south Wales, in 1796. After living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for four years they moved to Newport, New York, in 1800. Eight sons and two daughters were born to them, the latter dying in infancy. Philip was the sixth son. When about twenty-one years of age he came to Utica and engaged with his brother Daniel in the building business, their shop being located on Union street. The Thomas brothers were intelligent, industrious, and reliable and made a success of their vocation as builders. Later Daniel moved to New York Mills and Philip carried on the business alone. He was an architect as well as builder, drawing the plans for many of the buildings constructed by him.
In 1845 Philip Thomas married Fanny Thomas of Utica, and to them were born three daughters and one son. the eldest, Margarete Frances, alone reach- ing maturity. She died JJuly 5, 1872, aged twenty-five years and the mother died in 1855. June 5, 1857, Philip Thomas married Frances Baker also of ['tica, daughter of Arthur and Harriett (Silver) Baker who came to this country in 1823 from Havre, France, although both were born and educated in England. The children of the second marriage were three sons and one daughter: Arthur Baker. Frederick Silver, Herbert Norris and Marion Phil- lips. When the two younger sons arrived at maturity they entered business with their father under the name of Philip Thomas and Sons.
Among some of the buildings erected under the supervision of Mr. Thomas may be named the City Hall, the First Presbyterian church, Graee church, Calvary and St. George's Episcopal churches, Bethany church, the Utica Or- phan Asylum and many of the old-time residenees on Genesee street. He died May 17, 1886. aged seventy-one years, having ably and conscientiously performed his part during a long and active life. He was a man of unwearied industry, undaunted perseverance and remarkably good judgment, his name being an honored one in the city in which he had resided for fifty years. In his dealings he was entirely reliable, and he enjoyed the good-will and esteem of the best people of the city and county. He served at one time as a mem-
Philip Thomas
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ber of the common couneil. During the war Mr. Thomas was an active abolitionist, although beyond the age limit to be drafted into the army he be- came a commissioned officer in a cavalry company. This company was formed and drilled chiefly as a protection to the eity of Utica which, it was feared by many, would be attacked, but was also to be ealled into active service for the country if needed.
Arthur Baker Thomas, the eldest of the sons of Philip and Frances (Baker) Thomas, was born in Utiea, May 18, 1859. He received his education in the public schools. After laying aside his school books, he went to work in the mill of William B. Williams & Company, in Whitesboro, in 1879, leaving there in 1882 to take a position in the mill of General Sylvester Dering in Utica where he remained until the death of his father in 1886, when he and his two brothers formed a partnership under the name of Philip Thomas' Sons. On March 21, 1889, he was married to Miss Wilhelmina H. Winter. For twenty years they journeyed together and then, on November 14, 1909, the beloved wife died leaving two children, Raymond Philip and Franees Louise. Mr. Thomas is a valued member of Faxton Lodge No. 697, A. F. & A. M .; Oneida Chapter No. 57, R. A. M .; Utiea Commandery No. 3, K. T .; and Ziyara Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He has a host of friends in the city and county where he has been well known since his boyhood and ranks as one of the leading busi- ness men of Utica.
Frederick Silver Thomas, the second son, was born July 19, 1862. Ile grew up in a happy home and after taking advantage of the usual opportuni- ties for education in the public schools, became identified with his father in the building business. He was married June 19, 1896, to Miss Blanche T. Carr of Oriskany, and two children were born to them, Philip Carr and Cicely Baker. Mr. Thomas holds membership in Oriental Lodge No. 224, A. F. & A. M.
Herbert Norris Thomas, the youngest son, was born July 26, 1864, and after graduating from the Utica Free Academy associated with his father and brother in business. On September 18, 1902, he was married to Miss Millicent A. Brown, of Utica. He is a friend and promoter of education and served as a member of the school committee from 1908 to 1909. Fraternally he holds mem- bership in Faxton Lodge No. 697, A. F. & A. M .; Oneida Chapter No. 57, R. A. M .; Utica Commandery No. 3, K. T .; and Ziyara Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.
After the death of the father the sons gradually began concentrating their attention upon the lumber business and the name of the firm was changed to Philip Thomas' Sons which still continues. In 1896 the old site of the firm on Kemble street was disposed of to the eity, upon which was erected the beautiful new Free Academy, and the firm moved to its present site, at No. 153 Kemble street, where ample accommodations and every facility for handling lumber on an extensive scale are provided. The strict integrity which has characterized this firm in its dealings has won for it an enviable reputation wherever its name is known and it enjoys a large and lucrative patronage. The Thomas Brothers have all enjoyed excellent advantages of education and train- ing and recognize the duty they owe to their country and to society. They Vol. II-10
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are genial and pleasing gentlemen and thorough and progressive business men who by honorable methods have gained the confidence of their associates and all with whom they are connected. They are true representatives of well directed energy and of such men the community may well be prond.
WILLIAM EZRA DURRENBECK.
William Ezra Durrenbeck, who is the incumbent of the office of police judge, was born in Whitestown, Oneida county, New York, on the 26th of November, 1868, and is a son of Matthew and Miranda (Cross) Durrenbeck.
The early years in the life of William Ezra Durrenbeek did not differ par- ticularly from those of other lads of similar circumstances at that period. Reared under the parental roof he acquired his education in the public schools of his native village which he attended until he had attained the age of eleven years. Laying aside his text-books in 1879 he began his life as a wage-earner by accepting a position in the Utica cotton mills, where he remained for three Years. At the expiration of that period he withdrew from the factory and learned the barber's trade in a shop which was located in the place where his sons are now conducting a barber shop. Later Mr. Durrenbeck gave up his trade to enter publie life and for eleven years was engaged in the office of the county sheriff. Having there given evidence of his ability to enforce the law and to summarily deal with malefactors he was regarded as a person most ably qualified to fill the office of police judge, to which position he was elected on a non-partisan ticket.
On the 25th of September, 1888, Mr. Durrenbeck was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Russell a daughter of James and Anna Russell, and they have be- come the parents of three children: Frances JJane, Frederick Loaren and Matthew Stephen.
The entire family are affiliated with the Roman Catholic church and Mr. Durrenbeck's fraternal relations are confined to his membership in the Modern Woodmen of America. His political views coincide with the principles of the republican party for whose candidates he casts his ballot. That Mr. Durren- beek has efficiently discharged the responsibilities of the various offices with which he has been connected is given conclusive proof by the long period of his service and the fact that his constituency consists of followers of the dif- ferent parties.
APOLLOS COOPER.
Apollos Cooper, who was born at Sonthampton. Long Island. February 2, 1767, was a carpenter by trade and had come to Oneida county in 1790. Be- fore coming to Old Fort Schuyler he had lived at Johnstown, and was also in the employ of a Mr. Seriba at Oneida Lake. On the 11th of April. 1795. he
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bought of James S. Kip one hundred and seventeen acres of great lot No. 96, which the latter had bought the previous year. This land constituted a narrow strip extending from the river nearly to the intersection of Genesee and State streets. Early in the fall of 1794 he came in possession of the land and built the rear part of the house on Whitesboro street, where he afterward resided throughout his life. The homestead yet remains, while the farm has long since been swallowed up by the encroaching city.
Mr. Cooper does not seem to have long pursued his trade, but when not engaged in official duties he was chiefly busied with farming. The bridge across the river at the foot of Genesee street which replaced the earlier structure is said to have been the work of his skill. A peculiarity of this bridge consisted in the long covered avenue of trestle work that led down to it, reaching back half- way to Main street. Mr. Cooper was also the artificer of Hamilton Oneida Academy, the precursor of Hamilton College. As time rolled on his property increased greatly in value and enabled him to realize all the comforts of a thiriv- ing farmer and to bestow upon his children the advantages of an education, which in his own ease had been limited to the subscription schools of that period but the value of which he well knew how to estimate. His early location in the county secured to him an extensive acquaintance and no small share of public favor, which was manifested by his appointment at various periods as judge, representative and sheriff, and by his filling many subordinate stations and offices in the place where he lived. If there were differences among his neigh- bors, Judge Cooper was a man to whom such differences could be referred with all the confidence that a sound head and an honest heart will always command. He was simple in habits and unpretending in manner; of vanity he had not a partiele, honest pride he possessed to a fault. Self-reliant and positive in his opinions, he was frank and outspoken and his convictions were stated with plainness and force. After a long period of suffering he passed away on the 2d of March, 1839. ITis wife, who bore the maiden name of Sybil Ellis, had been called to her final rest ten years before. They had seven children, four of which died in infaney or their earlier youth; the remaining were: Benja- min F .; Charles; and Cornelia, who gave her hand in marriage to Edmund A. Graham.
EDMUND A. GRAHAM.
Edmund A. Graham, born in October, 1802, in New York city, of Scotch and Huguenot descent, passed the first five or six years of his life in the ine tropolis. Then his family removed to Newburgh, where he had the benefit of instruction in the village academy until he was twelve years old, afterward for about two years mingling farm work with attendance at school. At the age of fifteen years he went to Ogdensburg to be under the care of his uncle, Louis IIasbrouck, a lawyer who was also postmaster. The nephew was put to work on the mails and soon took full charge of them, reading law as his leisure would permit, and by his industry in due season he was admitted to the bar and en- tered upon practice. He found no difficulty in building up a profitable busi-
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ness from clients in New York. AAlbany and Troy as well as at home. lle was made the attorney of the Bank of Ogdensburg, of which he was a director, and also agent for David B. Ogden to manage and sell tracts of land in the town of Oswegatchie. For four years he was clerk for the village of Ogdensburg. In 1830 Mr. Graham was one of the projectors and a director of the company which ran the first line of American steamers on the St. Lawrence and the lakes, that was for a long time maintained afterward in no small part by I'tica capitalists like Alfred Munson, Samuel Farwell. John Butterfield and Henry Barnard, whom he enlisted with himself. It is a tradition that the first steamer of the line was built from his designs.
In 1835 he married Miss Cornelia Cooper. only daughter of Judge Apollos Cooper, of Utica, and on the death of the judge in 1839 he removed here to manage the large estate to which local growth was adding value-an estate which extended from the Mohawk to Cornelia street and from Genesee street quite a distance westward, and which he laid out in streets and lots. This task he combined with his law practice, and for half a century Mr. Graham was an active factor in the community.
The present generation can hardly appreciate the services rendered by Mr. Graham and his associates, who in 1845 entered upon an investigation of the feasibility of introducing manufactures by steam into the city. The lack of water power was recognized and the statutes then forbade corporations with a larger capital than one hundred thousand dollars, while the use of steam re- quired larger investments. The population of the city had fallen from twelve thousand to ten thousand and the increase of manufactures was relied upon to turn the tide. At a publie meeting Spencer Kellogg, Andrew S. Pond and Ed- mund A. Graham were appointed a committee to visit New England and re- port upon the relative cost and advantages of steam and water for manufac. tures. Their report started both the cotton and woolen factories within the city. Mr. Pond favored the organization of a company for woolen manufae. ture, and the steam woolen mills were built. Mr. Graham and Mr. Kellogg rec. ommended investments in cotton manufacture in preference, and the Utiea steam cotton mills have for more than six decades confirmed the wisdom of their choice. In order to permit the use of capital to the amount necessary and to get rid of full personal liability on the part of the stockholders, Mr. Graham drafted what became the general manufacturing law of 1848 but hard Jabor at Albany during two sessions was necessary to secure its passage. The chief work of raising the capital for the cotton mills was done by Alfred Munson. T. S. Faxton, S. D. Childs and Mr. Graham, and they met with many diffienl ties before success was assured. When the company was organized Mr. Mun- son was chosen president and Mr. Graham secretary as well as director. Upon the latter fell the task of drawing the contracts and making many of the pur- chases. Ile continued to give close attention to the mills, became one of the largest stockholders and for many years up to his death was president of the company.
Of the original movement in behalf of the Black River and Utica Railroad he was one of the most zealous and influential promoters. His acquaintance with northern New York enabled him to see the need for the road and to render
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important serviees in its behalf. The struggle between Rome and Utica for the northern alliance constitutes an interesting chapter of local history, in which a compromise was offered by our neighbor that the railroad project be abandoned by both parties. Mr. Graham devoted much time to the enterprise and subscribed five thousand dollars to the stoek, which was lost. He was at- torney and counsel for the original company up to the foreclosure of the mort- gage, as he was also a director in that, and he held the same positions until 1884 in the corporation which bought in the property. For a considerable period he was vice president of the Utica and Black River Railroad Company and acted as president for three or four seasons while Mr. Thorn was abroad. For a number of years Mr. Graham owned and conducted in Sauquoit the mill for the manufacture of white paper previously belonging to Savage &. Moore, but the introduction of wood pulp brought about changes which elosed that establishment.
The number of positions of trust to which he was called was many, and he was faithful in them all. He was one of a committee to prepare amendments to the city charter and at his instance a provision to make aldermen person- ally liable for excessive expenditure was enacted. As one of the commissioners to acquire the site and build the city hall he served with three other citizens. In 1847 he was chosen a director of the Oneida Bank and survived every one of his associates of that time. From 1853 to 1872 he was one of the managers of the State Lunatic Asylum in this city and gave to the institution a great deal of eare and attention. In the Utica Gaslight Company he was long a director and for some time its vice president.
Ile was one of the organizers of Grace church, a vestryman and a church warden. As chairman of the committee appointed for the purpose he super- intended the enlargement of the older edifice and was one of the building eom- mittee for the erection of the present building. At a later period he was one of the vestry of the mother church, Trinity. He was often a delegate to the diocesan convention.
As a lawyer he exhibited the qualities which marked him as a man. Well grounded in the principles of his profession, he was careful in his preparation, accurate and persistent in his work. He was concerned in some great litiga- tions. In the long contested Bradstreet cases, which involved a large amount of property, Mr. Graham was the attorney who studied out the law and dug out the facts and was instrumental in carrying the cases to a successful ter- mination. Ilis business was largely in chancery, in the equity side of the supreme courts, at general term and the court of appeals, more than at the cireuit and before juries, and his railroad cases were important and numerous. Politically he started as a democrat and had clear and strong convictions, but since his clerical service in early manhood he was but onee a candidate for office. After the Charleston convention of 1860 he left the party and became an ardent supporter of Abraham Lincoln and of the war for the Union.
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