USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York : from 1700 to the present time, Volume II > Part 23
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ROBERT H. CANFIELD.
Substantial success has attended the business of Robert II. Canfield, now propri-tor of a wholesale and retail millinery establishment at No. 172 Genesee street. He has employed the modern processes of trade and commerce in the development of this enterprise and moreover has at all times held to the strictest commercial ethics. Utica numbers him among her native sons, his birth having here occurred October 11. 1868. His parents are Richard A. and Mira Lane Canfield. Both are living and the father has always followed carpentry and building.
After gaining a thorough knowledge of the common branches of learning in the public schools Robert H. Canfield turned his attention to the business world. securing a position in the employ of Madam Rogers that he might acquaint himself with the millinery trade. After a few years he resigned to take a position with S. Mansbach, with whom he remained for ten years. Laudable ambition. however. prompted him to engage in business on his own account and when industry and careful expenditure had brought him suffi- cient capital he purchased a stock of goods and opened a store on Columbia street in 1889. The new enterprise prospered from the beginning and after ten years. because of the growth of the business, he was compelled to seek more commodious quarters, which he found at No. 172 Genesee street. He has every reason to be proud of his success. He has been both the architect and builder of his own fortunes. He started out practically empty-handed and today he is numbered among the prosperous citizens of Utica, owning a business of large proportions that annually returns to him substantial and gratifying profits. At the outset he recognized the fact that satisfied patrons are the best advertisements and he has ever maintained a high standard in the line of goods carried. in the personnel of the store and in the service rendered to the public.
On the 9th of July, 1904. Mr. Canfield was married to Miss Hannah Carey Bartley, a daughter of Robert and Rebecca Bartley, of Utica. He is a promi- Hent member of the Masonic fraternity. affiliating with Faxton Lodge, No.
R. H. CANFIELD
ـط
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697, A. F. & A. M .; Oneida Chapter, No. 57, R. A. M .; Utiea Commandery, No. 3, K. T .; and Ziyara Temple Nobles of the Mystie Shrine. Ile also holds membership with Central City Lodge, No. 68, I. O. O. F. His entire life has been spent in Utica and that the comrades of his youth are the friends of his manhood is a fact which indicates in clear and forceful manner how well spent and upright has been his life.
THOMAS HUBBARD STRYKER.
A life of intense and well directed activity has brought Thomas Hubbard Stryker to a prominent position in the business circles of Rome and Oneida County, his activities and financial connections covering various fields wherein not only his individual success is promoted but also general prosperity ad- vaneed. Moreover he is a representative of an old and prominent family of the county and of Dutch ancestry. ITis birth occurred November 14. 1847, in the residence which is still his home, and which occupies the site of old Fort Stanwix. His parents were John and Frances E. (Hubbard) Stryker, the former a native of Orange, New York, and the latter of Hamilton, Madison county, New York. John Stryker lost his father when but seven years of age and afterward came to Oneida county with his mother who in 1815 went to Whitestown to make her home with the Rev. Bethuel Dodd, a minister of that place. It was there that John Stryker acquired his education. lle studied la- ter in the office of Thomas R. Gold, a noted attorney, and after being admitted to the bar located for practice in Rome, becoming one of the leading lawyers and residents of that city. In politics a strong democrat, when a young man he served as a member of the state legislature and also as clerk of the court. In 1867 he was the democratic candidate for congress but the county was strongly republican and therefore failed of election. For ten years he served as judge of the probate court and was recognized as one of the foremost attor- neys of this city. He became actively or financially interested in most all of the enterprises of Rome and for a long time was president of the old Bank of Rome. In 1839 he built the house now occupied by his son Thomas and which remained the father's home until his death, in 1885. His wife survived him until 1891. Her father, Thomas II. Hubbard, the first surrogate judge of Madison county, was member of congress from this distriet from 1818 until 1821, having been elected on the democratic ticket. Unto Mr. and Mrs. John Stryker there were born five children, two sons and three daughters, but only two are now living, Thomas H. and Phehe H., both residents of Rome.
In a private school of Rome Thomas H. Stryker mastered the elementary branches of learning and afterward attended successively Rome Academy and Walnut Hill School, of Geneva, and HIobart College, of Geneva, New York. From the time when his father suffered from a stroke of paralysis until his death seventeen years later Thomas H. Stryker managed his many interests. Ilis life has been a very active one and during his earlier manhood he was engaged in a number of engineering projects including railroad building in
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New York and the buikling of the New York state canals, and for two years he was in charge of the department of the Hudson river. He returned to Rome to accept the position of secretary and treasurer of the New York Locomotive Works, which position he filled from 1881 until 1888. He then resigned the office of treasurer but continued as secretary until 1890, when. upon the death of T. G. Mock, the president, he was elected to that office and continued as such until the company passed out of existence. He was also president of the Rome Locomotive Machine Works until 1900 and since that time has been re- tired from active business connections although he has been and is a stock- holder and director in many enterprises. He served as a director of the Rome Iron Works and the Rome Merchants Iron Mill during their existence: is now president of the First National Bank ; vice president of the Rome Brass & Cop- per Company ; and a director of the Rome Metal Company, Rome Wire Com- pany, Rome Manufacturing Company. Rome Gas & Electric Company, the Williams Knitting Company, the Bingham Harness Company. the Rome Radi- ator Company and the Rome Cemetery Association.
Mr. Stryker has always given his political allegiance to the democracy and in 1904 was democratie candidate for the office of state engineer and surveyor. Ile has been chairman of the board of Fire & Police of Rome; is a director of the Central New York Institute for Deaf Mutes; is a member of the Sigma Phi, the Sons of the American Revolution Society of Colonial Wars, the Rome Club and the University Club of New York city; and in religious faith is an Episcopalian, serving at the present time as senior warden of Zion church. His activities have closely touched the general interests of society and his ef- forts and business judgment have contributed to material prosperity and to political, intellectual and moral advancement.
NICHOLAS CAMELO.
America's debt to Italy has been a mammoth one since a citizen of Genoa started out on the exploration that first brought knowledge of the new world to the old. Since that time many of the sons of Italy have become residents of the United States and many of them have proven their worth in business eir- cles and as factors for good citizenship. Among the number in Utica is Nicholas Camelo, a member of the Utica Construction Company, doing an extensive con- tracting business. Hle was born in Casalciprano, Italy, July 17, 1877, a son of Gennaro Camelo, also a native of Italy, where he was for many years en- gaged in business as a rope manufacturer. Nineteen years ago he came to Utica, where he established a grocery store, which he condneted successfully until a short time ago, retiring from further active business with a well earned and substantial competence. He was one of the organizers of the Utica Con- struction Company and served as its president for several years. He was also one of the organizers of the Italian Mutual Benefit Society of Utica and is still active in its deliberations. Ilis children are: Nicholas; Guy, who is with the
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Utica Construction Company ; Dominick, who is now in college in Valparaiso, Indiana, taking a law course; Mrs. Julia Yapaolo, of Utica ; and Mary, at home.
Nicholas Camelo attended school in his native city until ten years of age, when he sailed alone for America to join his parents, who were in Antwerp, New York. He tells of his four days' experience with the immigration au- thorities in New York city, having forgotten his destination, while his father was unaware of his arrival in the United States. An Italian banker took Nicholas to his home, promising the authorities to find his father, which was done and the parent was duly notified of the boy's arrival. Gennaro Camelo immediately hastened to New York for his son but the boy's heart was well nigh broken when the father discarded his Italian clothes for such as are worn by American boys. He was placed in school in Antwerp, where he pur- sued his studies for some time and then joined a railroad construction gang, being thus employed for a period. Later he went to Philadelphia, where he secured a situation in the railroad coal yards, working there for some time and winning promotion to the position of foreman. He afterward went to Glen- field, New York, where he was employed with the Rome, Watertown & Ogdens- burg railroad in connection with his father. Soon afterward he came to Utica, where the family has since resided and here Nicholas Camelo obtained work in a mill. After a brief stay he entered the employ of Whiffins & Company and later of the Young Bakery Company. Before engaging in the contracting business, about fifteen years ago, Mr. Camelo was graduated from the Utica School of Commerce and the commercial law department of the Utica Business Institute and thus more thoroughly qualified for a responsible position in the business world. After six months spent with S. J. Bowers & Company, he was married, and at the same time engaged in the contracting business, being now at the head of the Utica Construction Company. His work in this con- nection has established him in a foremost position among the contractors and builders of the city. He has been superintending many important contracts, some of the more notable being the foundation for the new store of John A. Roberts, the foundation for the Utica Hotel and for the Central fire engine house. He did the beautifying of the grounds around Senator Davenport's residence at Clinton, New York, the constructing of the St. Charles Hotel sea- wall at Oneida Lake and he superintended the Watertown Gas Light Com- pany's plant and mains to the city of Watertown, New York. Ile has been superintendent of construction for various public works in different parts of the state. The subways for the Utica Home and Bell Telephone Companies and the Bell subways at Watertown and at Little Falls, New York, were his work. He made the excavations and did the construction work for the State Hos- pital and the Masonic Home at Utica and the excavation work for the West End Brewery, and the old forge waterworks. IIe also had the contract for excavations for the Seneca Lake gas works and much other important con- tract work has been successfully executed by him. The Utica Construction Company was organized in 1904 under its present form and today stands as one of the strongest companies in this line of business in the city.
Mr. Camelo has been married twice. Ile first wedded Miss Annie Castello, and to them were born five children, of whom two are now deceased. The wife
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and mother died March, 1910, and Mr. Camelo has since married Miss Grace M. Camelo, of Oneida, New York. Mr. Camelo is particularly influential among the Italian residents of this city and has made for himself a prominent posi- tion in financial circles. He has been connected with an Italian employment bureau and has acted as agent for steamship lines. He is an honorary presi- dent of the Labor Union No. 35, for life, is a past chief ranger of Utica Court, No. 350, Forresters of America and ex-secretary of the Italian Family Society. Ile filled the office of notary public for ten years and served as deputy under Sheriff Jones, being the first Italian to receive appointment as special officer in Utica by the police and fire commissioners. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he has been very active in public affairs. Ile is a devout Roman Catholic, being a member of St. Mary's church of Mount Car- mel and acted as sponsor for the bells, being instrumental in procuring the funds for the purchase of the same. In character building as well as in the attainment of success he has done well. While maintaining a love for the sunny land of his birth he soon saw the wisdom of adapting himself to American enstoms and manners and soon forgot his boyhood's dislike for the American clothing and the new, though effective ways of his adopted country. He is today thoroughly American in spirit and interests and a most loyal champion of our republican form of government and of the ideals which the citizens of the I'nited States have attempted to inculeate as forces into the government.
JEREMIAH II. CARROLL.
For more than twenty years polities have very largely engrossed the atten- tion of Jeremiah II. Carroll, who is the first incumbent of the recently created office of Comptroller in Oneida county. Ile was born in Westmoreland, this connty, on the 19th of January, 1860, and is a son of John and Mary A. Car- roll. The parents were both natives of Ireland from which country they emigrated to the United States, locating in Rome in 1848. There they were subsequently married following which they located upon a farm in Westmore- land, in the operation of which the father was for many years actively engaged. They are both now deceased.
After the completion of his preliminary education, in the acquirement of which he attended the public schools of Westmoreland, Jeremiah II. Carroll entered the Whitestown Seminary. He subsequently engaged in farming for several years and then went into the hotel business in Rome. during which time his attention was very largely directed toward polities. From 1889 to 1891, inclusive, he served as county supervisor from the first ward of the city of Rome, and during the years 1893-4 he was keeper of the Rome jail under Sheriff John C. Schrieber. In 1898 he was made chamberlain of Rome which position he re- tained for three years, while for the past five years he has been chairman of the board of assessors of that city. In the autumn of 1910 he was elected to his pres- ent office, which was created for the purpose of restraining grafting throughout the county. He has practically served one year of the three for which he was
J. H. CARROLL
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elected and has discharged his duties without regard to politics in a manner highly creditable to himself and gratifying to his constituency.
On the 17th of June, 1891. in New York city was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Carroll and Miss Alice Flanigan, and to them have been born four chil- dren, three daughters and a son : Aline V., whose natal day is August 19, 1892; IToward E., born September 25, 1894; Ruth, whose birthday was September 10, 1897; and Mabel, whose birth occurred September 2, 1898.
The family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church and Mr. Carroll is a member of the Knights of Columbus of Rome, of which for the years 1908-9 he has been a grand knight. Recreation and social diversions he seeks at the Rome Country Club and he is also a member of the Rome Club. Mr. Carroll continues to make his home in Rome, where he is engaged in the real-estate business, having an office at No. 113 West Dominick street. IIe is one of the well known and highly regarded politicians and business men of Oneida county, and is well qualified for his present position, having previously given evidence of possessing the fearlessness as well as determination of purpose which will enable him to carry to a successful issue any plan he may initiate.
FREDERICK HAMILTON GOUGE.
After thirty-five years of experience as an architeet at Utica Frederick Hamilton Gouge can look back upon a life of activity and usefulness and can contemplate the future with a considerable degree of satisfaction. He has been instrumental in the erection of many of the handsome and substantial build- ings in Oneida and other counties aud ranks as one of the leading architects of central New York. He was born on the old family homestead near Trenton, on the 5th of May, 1845, a son of Jacob Gouge, who was born in the same house as the subject of this review and spent his life as a farmer. Grandfather Jacob Gonge was a native of Connecticut and came to Oneida county in 1793. Three years later he purchased the farm at Trenton which has ever since been in possession of his descendants. The Gouge family is of English ancestry, the progenitors in America arriving on this side of the Atlantic very early in the history of the colonies. Two of the Gouges were signers of the charter of Virginia and a later member of the family lived at Boston and was author of a work on political economy.
Frederick H. Gouge passed his boyhood on his father's farm and received his preliminary education in the district schools. He prepared for college at Rome Academy and matriculated at Hamilton College in the fall of 1866, being then about twenty-one years of age. He was graduated with the degree of A. B. in 1870 and was made a member of the Phi Beta Kappa society. After leav- ing college he engaged one year in civil engineering and then entered the ar- chitectural office of William HI. Miller at Ithaea, New York, as partner and has ever since been identified with the profession. In 1876 he located permanently at Utiea. Among the various buildings which he designed may be named the First National Bank building of Utica, the old City National Bank building,
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the Winston building, the Sayre Memorial church, Park Baptist church, the Church of the Redeemer, the Church of St. Francis de Sales, Plymouth church, St. Luke's Hospital and many handsome residences and business buildings, among the latter of which are the Roberts-Wicks block, the Brandogee-Kincaid building, the International Heater Works building. the Ilurd-Fitzgerald Shoe Company's building, etc. Ile has also erected or remodeled a number of build- ings for his alma mater, including Knox Hall, the chapel. the arbor. the well house. the Psi Upsilon, the Delta Kappa Epsilon. the Delta Upsilon, the Sigma Phi. Alpha Delta Phi and Chi Psi chapter houses, the Hall of Languages, the Ilall of Philosophy, the Hall of Commons. Carnegie Hall, the new South Col- lege and the gymnasium in the middle college. His work shows an originality of design and an adaptability to surroundings and conditions which have proved very satisfactory to patrons, and his reputation was long since estab- lished as one of the thoroughly competent and reliable architects of the state. Ile has taken great interest in organizations for the promotion of efficiency among architects and is a fellow of the American Institute of Architects, ex- president of the Western New York Association of Architects and of the C'en- tral New York chapter of the American Institute of Architects. He has also served as president of the Utica Chamber of Commerce and has been a highly important factor in the upbuilding of the city.
On the 25th of October, 1881, Mr. Gouge was married to Miss Abbie Per- kins Moore, of Trenton Falls, New York. Three children were born to this union : Julia Sherman; Laura, who graduated at Vassar College in June, 1909; and George Frederick, who graduated at Hamilton College in 1911.
Mr. Gouge's family are members of the Plymouth Congregational church. IIe is not affiliated with any religious denomination but is an earnest supporter of the republican party and is connected with the Royal Arcanum and the Fort Schuyler and Arcanum Clubs. He has never sought public office but has concentrated his attention upon a profession in which he has won distinct sule- cess. Several years ago he visited Europe in order to study the cathedrals. chateaus and great works of art and he has never spared any time or labor in keeping fully abreast of the age in everything pertaining to a calling for which he has shown special talent. He has ably performed his part in his profession and is truly entitled to a prominent place among the citizens of Oneida county.
WILLIAM E. SEAVEY.
In the course of twenty-two years at the bar of Oneida county William E. Seavey has built up a lucrative patronage and is recognized as a safe counselor and an earnest advocate who spares no effort in establishing the rights of his clients. Ile was born in Herkimer county, New York. September 29. 1864, a son of George K. Seavey. also a native of Herkimer county. The father was of English descent. Ile engaged in dentistry and moved with his family to Oneida county about 1570, later on locating at Boonville where he practiced
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with deserved success. Ilis death occurred in 1906. The mother of our sub- ject. Clara Cookinham before her marriage, was born in Oneida county and died in 1888. There were two children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Seavey : William E .; and Webster, who now resides at Boonville.
After receiving his preliminary education in the public schools Mr. Seavey of this review attended Boonville Academy and Whitestown Seminary. IIe prepared for college in the seminary but was unable to carry his literary edu- cation further on account of illness. In 1885, being attracted to the study of law, he entered the office of Cookinham & Sherman and after pursuing the regular course was admitted to the bar in 1889, since which time he has prae- ticed in Utiea. He is well grounded in law and also possesses good business judgment which has assisted him in his profession.
Mr. Seavey still enjoys the freedom of bachelorhood. He has from the be- ginning of his professional life given his best energies to his work. He has confined his attention to civil practice. Ile is a member of the Oneida County Bar Association and in religious faith gives his allegiance to the Presbyterian church. An advocate of the principles of republicanism, he is not an uncom- promising follower of any political party and often votes independently. He has never been dominated by the desire for the accumulation of wealth of fame as he much prefers the work which naturally comes to him in his profession. Through life he has been a student, observer and investigator and it may be said greatly to his credit that he has been controlled by a desire to perform his duty and to make the world better for having lived in it.
EUGENE HENRY CONANT.
For fifty-seven consecutive years the name of Conant has been inseparably interwoven with the industrial history of Camden in connection with furniture manufacture. Eugene Henry Conant has long been a representative of this branch of business and whatever he has undertaken has been carried forward to successful completion, owing to a determination and energy that falters not before obstacles but continually seeks out new paths for successful accomplish- ment. IIe was born in North Bay, New York, June 12, 1847, but when about three years of age was brought to Camden by his parents, Franeis II. and Mary E. (Gates) Conant. The father was born in Albany, New York, September 19, 1815, but his childhood was passed in Stow, Massachusetts. On the 19th of September, 1836. he was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Gates, and unto them were born six sons of whom the eldest died in infancy. The others were: Frank E., who enlisted for service in the Civil war and was killed in the battle of Antietam; Walter N., Engene HI., JJohn A., and George I., all of whom were engaged in the furniture business.
Soon after his marriage Francis H. Conant became a resident of North Bay, New York, where he condueted a general merchandise store and also engaged in some outside business. He remained there for several years and then re- turned to Stow, Massachusetts. About 1849 he came to Camden, bringing his
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family, and here he entered into the milling business in partnership with George Lyman Curtiss. Later he became a partner of the IIon. T. D. Penfield. and in 185] with but limited Facilities began the manufacture of chairs on the site of the Grove Mills. Three years later he purchased the property in the valley where the modern factory now stands and there established the Camden Chair Factory which has been in operation since that time, or for a period of fifty- seven years. About 1865 he purchased the Detroit Chair Factory of Detroit, Michigan, and removed his family to that city, carrying on business there for several years. At the same time he was also associated with S. P. Duffield in the manufacture of fluid extracts for medicinal purposes. From Detroit he removed to Adrian, Michigan, but eventually returned to Camden where he made his home until after the death of his wife, which occurred in Toledo, Ohio, while she was visiting her son, Walter N. Conant. For the remainder of his life Mr. Conant resided in the west. Ile afterward married Mrs. Sarah Beech of Coldwater, Michigan, and passed away in that city on the 12th of May, 1887, at the age of seventy-one years. He was a trustee of the Congre- gational church as well as superintendent of the Sunday school and took a very active and helpful part in promoting the moral development of the communities in which he lived. At various times he was elected a trustee of different cor- porations and also served as a member of the board of education. In fact he was a valued citizen because of the active and ready cooperation that he gave to all measures and movements for the publie good.
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