USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York : from 1700 to the present time, Volume II > Part 22
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On the 3d of January, 1898. Mr. Stone was united in marriage at Bishop's Mills, Ontario, Canada, to Miss Rachel Jane Cochran, who was educated at the district schools and at the Kempville high school. Their children are : Walter Cochran, born October 14, 1900; and Irma, who was born April 27, 1903, and passed away on the 3d of April, 1904. Mr. Stone is now treasurer of the C'amden board of trade. In politics he is a republican but not an active worker in the party. In 1896 he joined the Royal Arcanum with which he was connected for a number of years, during which time he filled several of the lodge offices. Ile then withdrew and in March, 1910, became a member of Camden Lodge, No. 718, 1. O. O. F. He is an active member of the First Presbyterian church and was superintendent of the Sunday school three years, and for a number of years was a leading worker in the Christian Endeavor So- ciety. A lifelong resident of Camden, Mr. Stone is widely known here and his strongly developed traits of character are such as command confidence and respect in every land and clime.
JOIIN G. DORRANCE.
Honored and respected by all, there is no man who occupies a more en- viable position in the financial circles of Camden. Oneida county, than does John G. Dorrance, now president of the First National Bank of that city. in which position he has been serving continuously sinee 1876. Previous to that time he had for eleven years been identified with the trade interests of Camden. He was born at Florence. Oneida county, New York. December 17. 1839, a son of Daniel G. Dorrance. In May, 1876, they formed a partnership for the condnet of a banking business at Camden which they carried on under the firm style of D. G. & J. G. Dorrance until 1880, when the firm was succeeded by the First National Bank of Camden, in which D. G. and J. G. Dorranee were the principal incorporators, holding the majority of the stock. The father, Daniel G. Dorrance, never became a resident of Camden although he was pos- sessed of considerable property interests in the village and was the founder and head of the banking interests there which he carefully supervised until his death. which occurred at Oneida Castle on the 26th of March, 1896.
John G. Dorranee completed his education in Cazenovia Seminary and in 1856 engaged in business at East Troy. Wisconsin, being connected with trade interests at that point until 1865, when he came to Camden. For eleven years
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thereafter he carried on merchandising in what was then known as the Trow- bridge store which stood on the corner of Main and Mexico streets on the pres- ent site of the Dorrance block. He afterward became associated with his fa- ther, Daniel G. Dorranee, in establishing a private bank which was eondneted under the firm name of D. G. & J. G. Dorrance. This was succeeded in 1880 by the First National Bank of Camden, in which D. G. and J. G. Dorrance were the principal incorporators and stockholders. As the years have passed by the business of the firm has grown and the safe, substantial basis upon which it was founded has ever been maintained. A general banking business is con- dueted along modern and progressive lines and an efficient corps of assistants is employed so that all business is executed in a prompt and faithful manner.
In February, 1861, Mr. Dorrance was united in marriage to Miss Ellen E. Brown, of Madison county, and unto them were born two children, Daniel J., who is now cashier of the First National; and Mrs. J. C. Davies, wife of At- torney-General Davies. The family is prominent socially, the members of the household occupying a notable position in social circles in which they move. Mr. Dorrance has been more or less active in publie affairs and his eooperation eounts as a valuable asset for the general good. He was appointed eommis- sioner of prisons from the fifth judicial district for a term of five years, his appointment coming to him for Governor Morton in 1895, and later he was re- appointed for the full term by Governor Roosevelt. His support of improve- ments for the town and village is ever expected and never withheld. He is now serving on the village board of water commissioners and has filled other offices in the town and county. No trust reposed in him has ever been be- trayed in the slightest degree and his worth as an individual and citizen is widely acknowledged.
DANIEL J. DORRANCE.
When civilization reached the point where trade meant more than barter between neighbors, when commercial intercourse extended to every part of the world, there came the demand for a constant medium of exchange and to- day the one absolutely indispensable feature of business in any community is the bank, and one of the most vital questions of every country concerns the stability of its money system. The name of Dorrance has been closely associated with the banking interests of Camden for many years and as borne by father and son, John G. and Daniel J. Dorrance, has become a synonym for pro- gressiveness and reliability in Oneida county. The latter, Daniel J. Dorrance, is now serving as cashier while his father continues in the presidency.
Daniel J. Dorrance was born in East Troy, Wisconsin, July 25, 1862, and is a son of John G. and Ellen (Brown) Dorrance. His education was acquired in the schools of Camden and Clinton, New York, his preparatory course be- ing supplemented by study in Cazenovia Seminary. All through his business career he has been connected with the First National Bank, which he entered as assistant teller, holding that position until appointed teller. About 1896 he
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was made cashier of the institution in which capacity he has since served, his labors being an element in the successful conduet of the bank.
On the 22d of February, 1887, Mr. Dorrance was united in marriage to Miss Edith L. Turner, a daughter of Henry E. and Amanda L. (Ilill) Turner, of Lowville, New York. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Dorrance are: J. Gor- don, now of Hazelhurst, Wisconsin; Neil H. and Henry T., both of Camden. The family are prominent socially and the hospitality of their own home is proverbial. Mrs. Dorrance is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Dor- rance gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has filled the office of village treasurer. His aid and cooperation can always be counted upon, for the support of every movement and measure for the general good, his pub- lie spirit being manifest in many tangible ways.
RICHARD HJARTER.
Richard Ilarter, who devoted his life to farming and was one of the respected representatives of agricultural life and a prominent and influential citizen of this community, was born in Deerfield, New York, in 1800. The house in which he first opened his eyes to the light of day was the same in which he spent his entire life with the exception of about ten years. His father was Nicholas Harter, who was of German descent and became one of the early residents of Deerfield, removing to that place from Herkimer county, New York, in 1784. Ile had but recently served as a soldier of the Revolutionary war, rendering valuable aid to his country as a valiant defender of the cause of liberty. After coming to Deerfield he erected the residence in which his son Richard so long resided. It was standing until 1904 and had been built more than a hundred years ago, and was the first frame house in Deerfield, being one of the old landmarks of the community. Nicholas Harter was united in marriage to Cath- erine Damoth and as the years passed they became parents of five children. Mr. llarter was one of the prominent men of his section, loyal to all the measures and projects which he deemed of publie worth, and wherever he was known he was honored and respected because of a well spent life. He reached the vener- able age of ninety-three years.
Richard Harter spent his youthful days under the parental roof, was reared to the ocenpation of farming and chose to make that pursuit his life work. Ilis labors, intelligently directed, were crowned with sueeess. Ile conducted his farm along progressive lines and year by year his careful cultivation of the fields resulted in the production of good harvests, which added materially to his income.
In early manhood Richard Harter was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Lewis, and they became the parents of fourteen children, three of whom are now living : Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Bogert, who is the widow of Peter Bogert and resides in Deerfield ; Matilda, now Mrs. A. II. Weaver; and Miss Martha Harter. Those deceased are: Catherine; Mrs. Maria Kellogg, who was the wife of Henry Kellogg: Rachel, the wife of Robert Owens; Mary Jane; Baleria; Victoria ;
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Medora ; Grace, formerly Mrs. John C. Weis; IIelen; Earl; and Nicholas. The last named, who for many years followed farming in Deerfield, served as a soldier of the Civil war, valiantly responding to the call for troops soon after the outbreak of hostilities in 1861 and remaining with the Union army until 1865, when following the close of the war he was honorably discharged.
Not only did Richard Harter make for himself a creditable position in agri- cultural circles but was also long active in church work, attending the Deerfield Baptist church, in which he served as treasurer and trustee. IIe took a help- ful interest in all departments of the church and gave liberally of his time and means to its service. He was a man of strong physique, vigorous in mind and body and was of a social, neighborly disposition, who made friends of all with whom he came in contact. In politics he was a supporter of democratic prin- eiples. He possessed unusual public spirit and served as supervisor of Oneida county for more than thirty years, a record seldom equalled in the state of New York. He also filled the office of justice of the peace and his decisions were renowned for fairness and impartiality. Neither fear nor favor could swerve him from the path of duty and at all times he was loyal to his honest convic- tions. Death came to him in 1883 and the county thereby lost one of its worthy and honored citizens.
CHARLES RATHBUN.
Eighty-three years ago the eyes of Charles Rathbun, who is now living re- tired at Rome, first opened to the light of day, and during the entire period he has made his home in Oneida county. Ile is one of the patriarchs of the county and is numbered among its most respected and successful citizens. He was born on his father's farm in Verona Mills in 1828, a son of Wells and Amy (Otis) Rathbun, the latter of whom was a native of Madison county, New York. The father was born and reared on the old family homestead in Verona Mills and became one of the well established farmers of that section. There were seven children in their family, Mary, Caroline, Mary Jane, James, Alfred, Arthur and Charles.
The Rathbun family is of New England ancestry. Grandfather Acors Rath- bun was born in Rhode Island January 25, 1772. At the age of twenty-one he was married to Sarah Peckham who was then a girl of sixteen. Immediately after their marriage they started upon a wedding trip by wagon in search of a new home in what was then the far west but is now known as Oneida county, New York. There were few roads or bridges and they were obliged to ford the streams and to encounter many difficulties of which we can form little concep- tion at this day. It is related that an axle of the wagon broke down and the bridegroom felled a tree out of which he hewed another which enabled them to continue their journey to their point of destination. IIe took up a large tract of land at Verona Mills which he proceeded to clear of underbrush and trees and here he established his home, he and his wife passing the remainder of their lives in this state. IIe died September 15, 1855, his wife being called
Vol. II-12
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away about four years later, on May 22, 1859. They were of Quaker faith and assisted in organizing a church of that denomination at Verona Mills. In their family were thirteen children, namely, Joshma. William, Sarah, Solomon, Wells, Peckham, Joshua 2d. Merey. Doreas, Perry, Mary, Rowland and James. All of the children grew to maturity except Joshua, who died in childhood.
Charles Rathbun of this review was born on the old homestead and received his education in the district schools of the neighborhood. After arriving at his majority he began farming on his own account and subsequently acquired four hundred acres of good land which he greatly improved and still owns. In addition to farming on a large seale he also conducted a cheese factory and gained an enviable reputation for turning out a fine product. Ile still retains in his possession silver eups which he won in a competition in 1878 as the best cheese maker of his section. He bought cattle and traded and speculated to good advantage, being now the owner of the business of Rathbun & Company of Utica which is carried on by his sons Frank and Walter. He also owns and operates through his sons the Oneonta Knitting Mills. Ile is prominently known in financial circles and is a member of the board of directors and the largest stockholder of the Farmers National Bank of Rome and a trustee of the Oneida County Savings Bank. Sixteen years ago he retired from his farm and has since made his home at Rome.
On September 9, 1862, Mr. Rathbun was united in marriage at Verona, to Miss Jane Blair, a daughter of Oliver W. Blair who came from New England and engaged in the mercantile business at Verona. Three children were born to this union, Frank. Walter and Frederick, the latter of whom is now in charge of his father's farm. Mrs. Rathbun died January 4. 1899. She was a woman of many sterling qualities that greatly endeared her to all with whom she came into contact. Mr. Rathbun was reared in the faith of the Quakers but since the church of that denomination was discontinued he has been a member of the Presbyterian church. He is a sincere believer in the Bible and in the principles of the Christian religion and his life has largely been directed in accordance with that faith. A man of unusual business capacity, he years ago accumulated a fortune and now enjoys the results of his labors. It is not necessary to know him long in order to become impressed with his sincerity and devotion to duty. He has faithfully aimed to keep every promise and discharge every obligation and today it is doubtful whether any man in Oneida county stands higher in the estimation of friends and acquaintances than Charles Rathbun.
ANTONIO MERCURIO.
Antonio Mercurio is associated in business with his brother Blase under the firm style of Mercurio Brothers, importers and wholesale commission dealers in fruits, their establishment being located at No. 69 Broad street in Utica. His birth occurred in Termini Imerese, Italy, on the 12th of October, 1857. his father being Frank Mercurio, a macaroni manufacturer of that place. Ile ob-
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tained his education in the schools of his native eity and is a graduate of the Regia Scuola Technica di Termini. He thoroughly mastered the French lan- guage and after putting aside his text-books became an expert accountant, hold- ing several important official positions as administrator. In 1901 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and in 1904 took up his abode in Utica, where he has resided continuonsly since and enjoys an enviable reputation as an ex- pert accountant and bookkeeper. For the past seven years he has been asso- ciated in business with his brother Blase in the conduct of a wholesale fruit enterprise, in which connection he has won a gratifying measure of prosperity.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Merenrio chose Miss Mary Lo Buono, by whom he has one son, Anthony Joseph, whose natal day was May 28, 1892, and who was edueated in the Utica schools. In May, 1911, he was graduated from the Utica School of Commerce and is now in busi- mess with his father and uncle.
Politically Mr. Mercurio is a stanch advocate of the republican party, be- lieving its principles most conducive to good government. He is widely known as a campaign orator and is in great demand as a speaker at Italian meetings, banquets, ete. His fraternal relations are with the Masons and he also acts as vice president of the Sons of the Columbus Club. Ile is publie spirited in an eminent degree and his success is well merited. for he has ever followed the most honorable methods in carrying on his business and he therefore com- mands the respect and good-will of his fellowmen.
LINN KINNE.
One of the well known architects of Utica is Linn Kinne, whose birth of- enrred in Hartwig Seminary, Otsego county, New York, May 12, 1873, his fa- ther being H. E. Kinne, a well known farmer of that section.
Reared on a farm, the boyhood and youth of Linn Kinne were very similar to those of other lads in the rural districts. In the acquirement of his educa- tion he attended the common schools of the community, after the completion of which he matriculated at Cornell University, where he fitted himself for the profession he is now following, being graduated with the class of 1897. For a time after leaving college he worked in the offices of various architects in order to obtain a more practical understanding of the business. Later he opened an office in Ilerkimer, New York, which he maintained for seven years, dur- ing which time he designed and exeented plans for a number of large public buildings in addition to a good many residences. Five years ago he came to Utica where he established an office, and during the period of his residence here has succeeded in building up a profitable business. His specialty has always been residenees and apartment buildings. He has excellent ideas about the arrangement of a house to meet both artistic and practical requirements, and can adapt his conception of the former to meet the needs of the limited purse without sacrificing harmony to utility. His work is becoming known
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quite extensively throughout this section and he has almost as many patrons from without as within the city.
In 1898 Mr. Kinne was united in marriage to Miss Ostrander a native of Herkimer county, New York. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order, while his political support is given to the republican party. Mr. Kinne is making very good progress in his profession and is becoming recognized as one of its able representatives in this vicinity.
JOSIAH PERRY.
In a history of the legal profession of Oneida county, Josiah Perry is de- serving of more than passing notice, for his work has been an exemplification of comprehensive understanding of legal principles, combined with a high stand- ard of professional service. He now devotes his attention to general practice and enjoys a large and distinctively representative clientage. He was born March 22, 1851. in Remsen, Oneida county, New York, and was the eldest of five sons of the Rev. Owen F. and Jane (Powell) Perry. Ilis father was born in the North of Wales and in 1847 came to America, devoting his life there- after to the work of the ministry, remaining about forty years as pastor of the Baptist church at Bardwell, near Remsen. IIe married a daughter of John and Nancy Powell, who were early residents of the town of Trenton, Oneida county. and were descended from Connectieut stock. In the family of Rev. and Mrs. Owen F. Perry were five sons: Josiah : Newton, who died in Kansas in 1887: George Powell, a minister of the Baptist church ; Lincoln, a merchant of Bloom- ville, New York ; and John O., of Utica.
The experiences of farm life fell to the lot of Josiah Perry in his boy- hood days and his educational opportunities were those offered by the district schools. He afterward attended Fairfield Seminary for one term and later entered the State Normal School at Cortland and afterward the Madison (now Colgate | University. He devoted a brief period to teaching after the com- pletion of his own edneation and his interest in law led him to determine to make this practice his life work and with this end in view he became a student in the office of Risley, Stoddard & Matteson. Since his admission to the bar at the June term of court in Utica in 1878, he has continuously engaged in practice in this city and in 1881 became junior member of the law firm of Ris- ley. Brown. Quinn & Perry, thus continuing until the appointment of the sce- ond partner to the position of state dairy commissioner. About the same time Mr. Quinn removed to New York and Mr. Risley and Mr. Perry continued as partners under the firm style of Risley & Perry until February, 1892. Sinee that time Mr. Perry has practiced alone and has given ample proof of the abil- ity that has gained for him a large clientele and made him very successful in the conduet of many important cases which have been entrusted to him. In 1892 and 1893 he filled the position of corporation counsel and in 1908 he en- tered upon a two years' term as corporation counsel for the city, filling the office under a second class city charter. Ile has done other important publie
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service, having been a member of the court house commission, while as chair- man of its site committee he did all of the work of acquiring the site, which necessitated the purchase of twenty-seven different pieces of property. He is regarded as one of the strongest advocates practicing at the Utica bar and is as well a wise and safe counselor. His defense of the Chinaman, Fong Yon, charged with murder in the first degree, made him celebrated as a skilled erim- inal lawyer and his reputation has been widened by the conduct of many other notable cases.
Mr. Perry has been married twice. In November, 1878, he wedded Miss Ella Williams, who was a daughter of Hugh Williams, of Utica, and died in 1883, leaving one child, Edith Perry, who is now a graduate of Smith College and also of the State Normal School at Albany, New York. For his second wife Mr. Perry chose Miss Nellie Gaylord, whom he wedded in Rome, New York,, in 1888. She is a daughter of ex-Sheriff Lewis Gaylord, of Rome, and by this marriage there is one son, J. Gaylord Perry, who was born August +, 1895.
Mr. Perry holds membership in Faxton Lodge, F. & A. M., Skenandoah Lodge, 1. O. O. F., Imperial Council of the Royal Arcanum and the Arcanum Club. He is likewise prominent in the Cymrygyddion Society, an organization for the promotion of Welsh literature and music, which conducts the famous Eisteddfod held at Utiea every New Year's day. His political allegiance is always given to the republican party and his opinions have long carried weight in its councils.
The bent of Mr. Perry's active mind makes him take a lively pleasure in the study of the science of government. Although he has held but few political offices, and those for but a short time, he has been a more active and efficient politician than many who have devoted their undivided time to public affairs and who have obtained far greater distinction in that field than has ever fallen to him. A vigilant and attentive observer of men and measures, he had dis- cussed from the platform most of the great public questions which have been agitated during his day and his elear reasoning has won the support of many.
VINCENT RUSSO.
Vincent Russo, conducting a wholesale and retail liquor establishment at Nos. 425 and 427 Bleecker street, is well known as one of the respected and enterprising citizens of Utiea. His birth occurred in Regina. Italy, on the 13th of May, 1875, his father being Prospre Russo, a building contractor. In 1879, when but four years of age, he was brought by his parents to the United States, the family home being established in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he ac- quired his edneation. After putting aside his text-books he entered the employ of Robert Mitchell & Company and during his fourteen-years' connection with that concern became an expert house decorator. In 1900 he came to Utiea, New York, and entered the service of the firm of Marrone & Lafaro, wholesale liquor dealers and merchandise importers, with whom he remained for several
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
years or anti! le resigned his position to accept the managership of the Ham- i ton Hotel. After his contract had expired he joined Cassius J. Marrone in the conduct of a liquor business under the firm style of Marrone & Russo. Upon the dissolution of this partnership he embarked in the same business alone. having su- undheted a profitable and growing enterprise as a wholesale and refait hi mor dealer.
Mr. Risso is a stanch republican in politics and has always taken a prom- mu in part in public affairs in East Utica, being regarded as one of the most progressive and publie-spirited residents of the fifth ward of the city. He is a Pharter mel ber of the U'tica Benevolent Association and the Loyal Order of More- and also belongs to the Italian Progressive Society of I tica. His re- liglods faith is indicated by his membership in St. Mary's Roman Catholic church of Mount Carmel.
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