USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York : from 1700 to the present time, Volume II > Part 27
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Dr. Watson married Sarah T. Carlile at Providence, Rhode Island, May 1, 1854. She died at Utica, New York, July 27, 1881. On December 16, 1891, he married Mrs. Julia M. Williams, of Utica, New York. He had one son, Willians Livingston Watson, a graduate of Harvard University and who is mentioned below; and one daughter, Lucy Carlile Watson.
WILLIAM LIVINGSTON WATSON.
William Livingston Watson, who served as secretary of the Fort Sehuyler Chapter of the Sons of the Revolution from February 22, 1907, until his death in June, 1908, was born in Utica, March 27, 1856, the only son of Dr. William H. and Sarah Thompson (Carlile) Watson. Mr. Watson received his early educa- tion in the public schools of Utica, graduating from the Utica Free Academy. Later he attended Phillips Academy, Exeter, New Hampshire, and was grad- uated from Harvard University in the class of 1879. Mr. Watson spent his en- tire life in Utica and was for twenty-eight years a real-estate broker, in which business his upright character and strict integrity won for him universal respect.
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Ile was deeply interested in every movement which was conducive to the im- provement and advancement of the city. Ile was a member of Grace church, Utica, and of the Sons of the Revolution and the Order of Founders and Pa- triots of America ; also of the Epsilon Tau Pi, the Harvard and Hasty Pudding Clubs, the Fort Schuyler and Sadaquada Golf Clubs. He entered the Sons of the Revolution as the descendant of Major Ebenezer Thompson (1735-1805), en- sign, captain of Joseph Nightingale's Independent Company, Providence Rhode Island. Cadets, August, 1775; major, First Regiment, Providence county, Rhode Island Militia, May, 1776; commissioner for the erection of fortifications at Providence, October 26, 1775; governor's assistant and member Rhode Island Council of War, May, 1777: representative, Rhode Island general assembly, October, 1783. He entered the Order of the Founders and Patriots of America as the descendant of Ralph Earle, born in England in 1606, came to Newport, Rhode Island. 1638, and died, 1678. He was captain of troop, Colony of Rhode Island, 1671.
William Livingston Watson married Alice G. Parkinson, of Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, October 12, 1887, who died October 4, 1893, leaving one daugh- ter, Alice, born July 20, 1890. On April 22, 1896, he married Miss Ellen Swan, daughter of the late JJohn Swan, of Baltimore, Maryland. He died June 24, 1908, at Utica. New York.
LUKE DUCKROW.
Luke Duekrow, who spent part of his time in Utica during the later years of his life, met with success in his business career as a representative of the well known New York firm of Goodwin & Company. ITis demise occurred at White Lake, New York, on August 13, 1894. He had gone to the Adiron- daeks in the hope of regaining his health but even the change of climate did not prove efficacious. His birth occurred in Leeds, England. in 1834, and when a young man he crossed the Atlantie to the United States. For many years he was at Oriskany engaged in the woolen manufacturing business. Sub- sequently he became prominently identified with the widely known tobacco firm of Goodwin & Company of New York, being their Chicago representative. His success was great and he remained with the concern until it consolidated with other companies under the name of the American Tobacco Company. At that time he retired from active business, owning a large amount of stoek in the enterprise. Hle was a man of strong character, keeu judgment and kind heart and in all his dealings was upright and honorable. Travel afforded him both recreation and pleasure and he erossed the Atlantic twenty-one times. Ilis religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Church of Recon- ciliation.
Mr. Duekrow was twice married, his first wife, by whom he had four chil- dren, passing away in 1864. His second wife was Miss Frances C. Bellinger, a daughter of William P. and Fannie (Seranton) Bellinger. Her father, who was called to his final rest on the 24th of August, 1896, was born on Broad
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street in Utica, his natal day being January 28, 1834. When two years of age he was taken by his parents to Whitestown, Oneida county, which place remained his home for many years. In 1887 he returned to Utica, locating at the upper end of old Third street, where he cultivated six acres of ground. For seven or eight years he played the snare drum in the band of the old light infantry and served as drum major during the last year of his connection therewith. He was a republican in politics and attended the services of the Reformed church. The demise of his wife occurred on the 2d of December, 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Bellinger were the parents of three children, namely : John P., who is a resident of New York; Mrs. Adelia Frazee, of Utica; and Mrs. Luke Duekrow.
WILLIAM JAMES WILEY.
There are many notable institutions in the great state of New York for the care of the unfortunate or for the comfort and convenience of those who have no permanent residence, but it is doubtful whether any institution in the state more perfectly represents the spirit of helpfulness than the Masonic Home at Utica. Its present high standing is largely due to the efficiency of its superintendent, William James Wiley, and no record of Oneida county would be complete without proper mention of him and his work. He was born at New York city, March 1, 1862, a son of James and Sarah (Hill) Wiley. He received his preliminary education in the public schools and at the age of fourteen entered the office of the publishing house of the Randolph Company, New York and Chicago. He applied himself diligently and faithfully and advanced through various positions until, in 1890, he was made secretary of the company, a position he filled for five years. On the 10th of September, 1905, he was appointed superintendent of the Masonic Home at Utica and it is the consensus of opinion that no better selection for this important office could have been made.
IIe is a member of Copestone Lodge, No. 641, F. & A. M .; Union Chapter, No. 180, R. A. M .; York Commandery, No. 55, K. T .; and Mecca Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., all of New York city, being also a member of the Scottish Rite bodies of that city.
The Masonic Home had its origin in a resolution passed in 1842 and officially brought before the grand lodge of the state in 1843. In May, 1888, nearly half a century later, Utica was selected as the site and the cornerstone was laid May 21, 1891, the building being formally dedicated October 5, 1892. The plans originally contemplated a structure to cost no more than one hundred thousand dollars, but in 1890 this sum was increased to one hundred and fifty thousand. The final cost of the home was about one hundred and seventy-five thousand. There was a great gathering of the Masonic fraternity at the time of the dedication, more than eight thousand five hundred Master Masons tak- ing part in the proceedings. Thirteen commanderies and seventy-three chap- ters of Royal Arch Masons with their officers also participated in the proces-
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sion and the ceremonies of the day. It was a notable event in the history of Free Masonry in the state of New York. The home is intended as an asylum "for the aged and infirm brother. the destitute widow and helpless orphan." This purpose it has filled and the institution ever since it was firmly established has been a model upon which many others of a similar character in various parts of the United States have been founded.
On the 6th of June, 1883, Mr. Wiley was united in marriage, at New York city. to Miss Veturia Isabel Emlich. a daughter of flames Norris Emlich. One daughter. Veturia Isabel, has been born to this union. Mr. Wiley possesses special qualifications for the position he fills. A man of fine business ability, he is genial in manner and readily inspires confidence in all with whom he comes into contact. and the philanthropie and educational work he has done reflects high credit upon his judgment and good sense. Ifis advice is often sought by managers of similar institutions and has been found prac- tical and worthy of most careful consideration. As a patriotic and public- spirited citizen he is greatly esteemed by the people of Utica.
W. JI. SEWARD SWEET.
W. II. Seward Sweet, who passed away in August. 1891, was a worthy rep- resentative of one of the prominent and respected families of Oneida county. His birth occurred in the town of Marey in 1838. his parents being JJeremiah and Elizabeth Northup. Sweet. His paternal grandfather. Jonathan Sweet, brought his family to Oneida county from Milford. Otsego county. about 1822, purchasing the old homestead farm in Marey which is now in possession of our subject's widow. Earlier generations of the Sweet family lived in New England and also followed general agricultural pursuits. The mother of W. HI. S. Sweet was likewise a representative of one of the early families of Oneida county, who came to Deerfield about 1800. Jeremiah Sweet, the father of the gentleman whose name introduces this review. was a most loyal and publie-spirited citizen and a prominent factor in local polities, serving at one time as a member of the legislature. His church affiliation was with the Methodist Episcopal church of Marcy.
W. HI. S. Sweet obtained his early education in the school of his native town and the U'tica Free Academy and subsequently spent two years as a student in Yale University. lle next attended the Albany Law School and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1861. That year witnessed the outbreak of the Civil war and he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-sixth New York Volunteer In- fantry, first serving as second lieutenant and later as captain of his company. Ile remained at the front throughout the entire period of hostilities between the north and the south, proving a most brave and loyal defender of the Union. After the close of the war he was engaged in the turpentine business in the south for some time. Subsequently he was identified with the United States mail service for a time but eventually returned to the old homestead place in Marcy, where he successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits until
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called to his final rest in August, 1891. He won a gratifying measure of prosperity in his undertakings and his life was upright and honorable in all its relations.
In 1869, in Marey, Oneida county, New York, Mr. Sweet was united in marriage to Miss Emily JJ. Richardson, a daughter of Horace Richardson, who was a farmer by occupation and whose family removed from Cheshire, Massa- chusetts, to Herkimer county about 1790. Mr. and Mrs. Sweet had four ehil- dren, namely : Horace B., who is an electrical engineer by profession; Arthur J., a resident of Newark, Ohio; M. Louise; and Hubert S., who died in 1901.
Mr. Sweet gave his political allegiance to the republican party, while frater- nally he was identified with the Masons. His widow resides on the homestead in Marey during the summer months but spends the winter seasons in Utica.
HON. MERWIN K. HART.
HIon. Merwin K. Hart, of Utica, is active in the management and control of various important enterprises and has served in the state legislature for two terms. Ilis birth occurred in this eity on the 25th of June, 1881, his parents being II. Gilbert and Lucy Lord ( Kimball) Hart, the former a native of Utica and the latter of Lewis county, New York. He supplemented his early education, obtained in the Utica schools, by a course of study in St. Paul's School at Concord, New Hampshire, where he remained for a number of years. In 1900 he entered IHarvard University, which institution conferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1904. Subsequently he spent six months abroad, continuing his studies in Goettingen, Germany.
On returning home he became connected with the firm of Hart-Crouse Company, of which his father is the president, and of which he has since served as vice president and director. He is likewise a director of the New York Radiator Company of Utica, the Chamber of Commerce and the First National Bank. ITis great-grandfather, Ephraim Hart, was a director of the last-named institution one hundred years ago. In 1905, in association with others, M. K. Hart formed the Industrial Library League, which organization was a potent factor in the development of the industrial library interests of the city. In 1906 he was chairman of a special committee of the Chamber of Commerce appointed for the purpose of improving and beautifying Utica. The committee brought to this city Frederick Law Olmstead, of Boston, and with his assistance planned a comprehensive and effective course of action. Mr. HIart is a member of the executive committee of the National Municipal League and, in association with others, recently formed a municipal league in Utica.
On the 20th of November, 1909, Mr. Hart was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Margaret Crouse, a daughter of D. N. Crouse. They are valued members of St. Luke's Episcopal church, Mr. Hart serving as junior warden. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Utica Lodge, No. 47, A. F. & A. M., which was instituted in 1816 and of which his father, grand- father and great-grandfather were members, the latter being one of its charter
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members and also one of its first officers. Mr. Hart likewise belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and to Samuel Reed Lodge of the Knights of Pythias. He is, moreover, a well known member of the Fort Schuy- ler ('Inb, the Arcanum Club, the Masonic Club, the Yahinundahsis Golf Club, the Sangerfield Country Club, the University Club of New York and the Republican Club of New York.
In 1906 Mr. Hart was signally honored by election to the New York as- sembly from a democratie district and served for two terms. He was first elected by a majority of forty-eight and, having proven his powers in the as- sembly, was chosen for a second term by a plurality of fifteen hundred. He favored Governor Hughes and supported him in his various measures and also introduced the race track bill. In 1908 he was a candidate for the Repub- lican nomination for state senator, but met with defeat. In January, 1909, the Republican League of Oneida county was formed, and Mr. Hart has been its chief executive officer to the present time. ITis strong purpose and inherent worth have carried him into important business and politieal connections and he is justly accounted one of the leading residents of Utica.
JOHN F. HUGIIES.
For more than thirty years a resident of Utica and one of its most valued and useful citizens, John F. Hughes made an impression for good upon the lives of those with whom he associated which will continue to bear fruit for many years to come. He died March 15, 1903, being then fifty-six years of age, and in the midst of an unusually active career which resulted in the accumulation of a fortune and contributed materially to the growth of the city. He was a contractor and builder, but his energies also found expression in other lines and his success in his various undertakings indicated rare ability in planning and carrying to a conclusion large enterprises.
IIe was a native of Denbighshire, Wales, and was born September 21, 1847. Ile was edneated and reared in Wales and then went to Liverpool, England, where he learned the plasterer's trade, subsequently working in Liverpool and Manchester. In 1872. having arrived at the age of twenty-five years, he crossed the ocean to America and settled at Utiea, New York, which was thereafter his home. He worked at his trade for five or six years under William Brady, at the end of which time he associated with David T. Jones in the contracting business under the title of Hughes & Jones. The firm became very promi- nent and erected many of the most important structures in Utiea and other cities. Among the buildings erected under the supervision of Mr. Hughes and his associate may be named: the Church of the Redeemer, the Memorial Presbyterian church, the parish house and chancel of Grace church, the Second National Bank building, the Carlisle building. the Oneida National Bank building, the Masonie Temple, the Martin building, the Iloyt Butler building at the corner of Catharine street, the Rowlands, now known as the Winston building, and the residences of Frederick Gilbert and Thomas F.
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and William T. Baker, all of this city; also the fine residence of Benjamin Brewster at Cazenovia; the large mills of Robert Mackinon at Little Falls; the bath house and silo of the Utica State Hospital; and many other buildings. Mr. Ilughes served as vice president and director of the Utica Sunday Tribune Company and as director of the Second National Bank. He was also the founder of the American Hard Wall Plaster Company, which, under his skilful management, became well known among plasterers and is now one of the prosperous business concerns of Utica.
On the 21st of March, 1873, Mr. Hughes was married, at New York city to Miss Anna Robb, a native of Scotland, and to this union seven children were born, namely ; Malcolm G .; Catharine M .; William R .; J. Lindsay ; James R .; Amie V., now deceased; and Richard C.
Politically Mr. Hughes was a stanch advocate of the principles of the republican party. In 1896 he was elected a member of the school board and served until January 1, 1903, effecting many important changes to the great advantage of the eity's educational system. He was a life member of the Welsh Benevolent Society and no worthy applicant for assistance was ever turned away from him empty-handed. Ile was a man of large publie spirit and at the time of the organization of the Builders Exchange in 1889 was elected president of that body, serving continuously until 1895. He was also a valued member for many years and served as a director of the Utica Cham- ber of Commerce, and also assisted in drafting a building ordinance for the city. Fraternally he was connected with the Masonic order, being a member of Utica lodge, No. 47, A. F. & A. M .; Oneida Chapter, R. A. M .; Utica Commandery, No. 3, K. T .; and Ziyara Temple of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He also belonged to the Masonic Club.
Few men have contributed more ably to the general advancement of Utica and none has stood higher in the respect of his associates. Of him it may truly be said that he builded wisely and he left an enduring monument in the hearts of many who are now living in the city of his adoption. Mrs. Hughes makes her home in Utica. A sister of Mr. Hughes, Jane, now the wife of Thomas Ilooson, lives at Llandudno, Wales.
ALBERT STANLEY HARRIS.
Albert Stanley Harris, who has been postmaster of New Hartford since 1909, was born in this village on the 18th of December, 1876, being a son of James and Phoebe (Horrocks) IIarris. The parents were both natives of England and earnest members of the Presbyterian church, of which Mr. Harris was for many years an elder.
The greater portion of the life of Albert Stanley Harris has been spent in this village in the public schools of which he acquired his preliminary educa- tion. After the completion of his course he went to Utica where he attended the School of Commerce. His business career was begun at the age of nineteen years when he entered the employ of the Canning Company of New Hartford.
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In 1902 he accepted a position with the Delaware & Lackawanna Railroad, with which company he was identified for several years and in 1908 he en- tered the service of the Remington Arms Company at Hion. Ile was still connected with this latter concern when he received the appointment of post- master at New Hartford in 1909, the responsibilities of which office he con- tinnes to discharge with satisfaction to the residents of the village.
Ever since attaining his majority Mr. Harris has accorded his political sup- port to the candidates of the republican party. Ile has always taken an active and helpful interest in public affairs and was the county committeeman for five years. Fraterually he is identified with the Masonic order, and the Benevo- lent Protective Order of Elks, while his religious affiliation is with the Pres- byterian church of which his parents were communicants. Mr. Harris was also one of the charter members of the New Hartford fire department, of which organization he has been treasurer for eight years. As a public official his ree- ord has been exceptionally high and as a result Mr. Harris is accorded the confidence not only of his constituency but of a large portion of the opposition.
CHIARLES M. BUTCHER.
In character building as well as in the attainment of sueeess Charles MI. Butcher made an enviable record and his many notable qualities endeared him to a eirele of friends that caused his death to be widely and deeply re- gretted when. on the 14th of January. 1888, he passed away. He had reached the sixty-second year of his age. his birth having occurred in Buckfastleigh, Devonshire, England, on the 19th of March. 1825. His parents were John and Mary ( Barns) Butcher. The father was one of a family of wool growers, wool dealers and wool manufacturers, and was the owner of the Kilbury Mills. In polities he was a liberal, became well known as a political orator and was a friend of Lord John Russell. The mother was a woman of very unusual educa- tion for her day and country and was very influential among young people.
Charles M. Butcher began his education in private schools of England but his course was interrupted by financial misfortune which caused him, to- gether with his parents and sister, to come to the United States. The elder brother remained in England as a teacher. The habit of serious reading which his mother inculcated in him, enabled him to carry on his own education and in time he possessed a wide and thorough acquaintance with literature and history. He also read constantly about scientific discoveries, understood higher mathematics and mechanics and was familiar with business law.
It was when a youth of eighteen years that Charles M. Butcher came to the new world, at which time he settled at Providence, Rhode Island, and there became assistant to an unele who was a merchant. Soon afterward, however, he went to Ohio and later became a resident of Titusville. New York. where he was employed in sorting wool. In 1849 he came to Utica and worked under his uncle. William Butcher. in the Globe Woolen Mills. After a brief period his uncle went to Oriskany and engaged in manufacturing there, and Mr.
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Butcher, of this review, succeeded him as overseer of the wool-sorting depart- ment in Utica. It was not long afterward that he was made wool buyer for the company, which position he held until his death. ITis association with the Globe Woolen Mills, therefore, continued for about a third of a century. While he began as a wool sorter, for many years he had entire charge of buying of stock. his knowledge of the business being extensive and his judg- ment thoroughly reliable. Ile was several times sent to Europe on business and traveled extensively in this country. His position as wool buyer for the Globe Woolen Company was one which required not only a thorough knowl- edge of the business but also good judgment, and involved great responsibility. Ile made several yearly tours through Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and other wool-growing states of the country, and afterward was sent abroad to buy Australian and Cape wools on the London market.
On the 19th of December, 1861, in Utica. Mr. Butcher was married to Miss Sarah J. Morgan, a daughter of William and Jane (Williams) Morgan. Her father was a native of Cardiganshire, South Wales, and her mother of Carnar- vonshire. North Wales. They were married in Utica where Mrs. Butcher was born in 1838, and here she has spent her entire life. Mr. Butcher had been previously married, his first wife bearing the maiden name of Helen C. C. Wall. After a brief married life, however, she passed away in 1859, leaving no children. The children of the second marriage were: Ida J., born January 16, 1865: Mary L., born March 24, 1867, the wife of George S. Beechwood; ITelen M .. born November 26, 1872; Charles William Edmund, born December 22. 1876, and who died June 29, 1881; and Grace V .. born April 9, 1883.
Mr. Butcher was reared in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church but after his marriage attended the Bleecker street Baptist church. His family were abolitionists in England and he became a republican on the day that Franklin Pierce announced his cabinet, continuing an active supporter of that party until his death. He was prominent in local political circles and repre- sented the ninth ward as alderman, serving in that position from 1874 until 1877 inclusive. In 1887 he was appointed by the mayor to succeed Henry Hart- lieb as a member of the board of health. A man of good judgment in business affairs. especially in matters pertaining to public improvement, he was a most valuable member of the city council when elected to that office. It was largely through his influence that some of the largest and most important trunk sewers in the city were laid. notably the third and seventh ward sewer out- lets. Although property owners everywhere are apt to object to the expense of public improvement, Mr. Butcher procured the laying of this trunk sewer, recognizing the fact that it would probably prevent his reelection. Ile knew, however, that the improvements were necessary and right and accepted the situation cheerfully, saying that those who opposed the improvements would live to justify his course, and so it has turned out. Ile was gifted with fore- sight to a remarkable degree. Ile believed in polities as the duty of the citizen and no poll worker was more enthusiastie and faithful than he. Ile gave his support to the whole ticket and his position was never an equivocal one. As he advanced in years and was no longer able to do the more active work of a political campaign, he would meet and counsel with the county committee and
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