USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York : from 1700 to the present time, Volume II > Part 28
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his services were regarded as valuable and usually carried weight in party councils. A loyal and patriotie devotion to the general good was one of his most marked characteristics. He was equally faithful to his family and to his friends and in fact was a dependable man upon all occasions and under all cir- eumstances. In him there was nothing sinister nor anything to conceal. \ man of generous and sympathetic nature he was ever ready to aid by words of counsel and contributions from his purse those whom he found in need or distress. ITis charitable work was always done quietly and without ostentation. His life was as an open book which all might read and it contained many les- sons of value that might be profitably followed.
FREDERICK J. DE LA FLEUR.
One of the most scholarly and talented members of the Utica bar is Fred- erick J. De La Fleur, who has been engaged in practice here for the past thirteen years, during which period he has most efficiently filled a number of government appointments. Mr. De La Fleur was born in Carthage, New York, on the 20th of June, 1870, and is a son of Joseph and Margaret E. (Van Slyke) De La Fleur.
In the acquirement of his education Frederick J. De La Fleur attended the Adams Collegiate Institute and Hamilton College, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of bachelor of arts. He subsequently attended McGill University at Montreal for special work in French. After the com- pletion of his education Mr. De La Fleur went to Plattsburg, New York, where he filled the position of principal of the high school for two years. From here he went to Adams. New York, and accepted a position as Latin instructor in Adams Collegiate Institute, and remained for three years. In 1898 he was admitted to the bar and immediately thereafter established an office in U'tica, and has ever since engaged in practice here. From February, 1901, to Feb- ruary, 1908, he was local examiner for the State Civil Service commission, while from the 6th of October. 1902, to the 30th of January, 1908, he was commissioner of the United States district court for the northern district of New York. He is now and has been since the 31st of January, 1908. referee in bankruptcy for Oneida and Herkimer counties of the northern district of New York.
At Port Leyden, New York, in July, 1896, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. De La Fleur and Miss Augusta M. Williams. To them have been born the following children: Alice M., who died in 1900; Frederick J. Jr., and Grace M.
Both Mr. and Mrs. De La Fleur hold membership in the Congregational church, and fraternally he is identified with the Masonie order. An ardent republican the political support of Mr. De La Fleur is accorded the candi- dates of that body, whose principles he deems best adapted to subserve the interests of the majority. Fine scholarly attainments, keen powers of dis- crimination, the recognition and ready application of a legal principal, sus-
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tained by a well poised mind and extensive and fluent command of English unite in making of Mr. De La Fleur a formidable opponent in argument and a power in the court room. Doubtless to this much of his success can be attributed, although his capable method of handling cases, the decision of which rested very largely upon some abstruse or subtle point, has won him recognition as one of the able representatives of his profession in the city.
HERBERT D. RUSHMER.
Architecture in its highest phase has a worthy exponent in Herbert D. Rushmer, who has been connected with the profession since 1886, and since 1900 has been a member of the firm of Agne, Rushmer & Jennison. New York numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Frank- fort, on the 12th of December, 1865. No event of special importance occurred to vary the usual experience of boyhood and youth, his time being largely devoted to the acquirement of an education in a private school and later at Colgate Academy, Hamilton, New York, and to those games which usually con- stitute the chief source of pleasure to the normal boy. He was twenty-one years of age, when, in 1886, he began studying architecture, entering the office of Jacob Agne, under whose direction he became acquainted with the various phases of the business, studying his work from both the scientific and practical standpoints. Continuous progress which he made in his chosen calling won the attention of those whom he served and in due time promotion followed, bringing him at length to a partnership, when, in 1900, he was made a member of the firm. Many of the finest structures of the city stand as monuments to the ability, enterprise and progressive business methods of this firm and con- tribute much to the attractive appearance of Utica.
Mr. Rushmer was married in 1905. He attends the First Presbyterian church and in politics is independent, preferring to vote as his judgment dictates without allying himself with party interests. In matters of citizenship, however, he maintains a progressive stand, giving his support to all movements and measures which he deems of practical value in the upbuilding and im- provement of Utica.
CHARLES H. CHILDS.
Charles H. Childs, who for thirty-seven years has been identified with the business activities of Utica, was born in Cassville, Paris township, Oneida county, on the 26th of December, 1854. His parents were Justus and Betsy (Budlong) Childs, the father of English extraction, his ancestors having come to America during the colonial days. The family moved to Utica in 1865, ever after continuing to make this city their home.
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In the acquirement of his education Charles H. Childs attended the common schools in the vicinity of the family homestead until he was eleven years of age, at which time he removed with his parents to Ftica, attending the public schools of this city and graduating from high school. In 1873 he entered the employment of J. M. Childs & Company, dealers in farming implements and wagons, and after a few years became a partner in the business with his brother. Mr. J. M. Childs. The copartnership continued until 1890 when Mr. J. M. Childs retired from the business, since which time it has been carried on under the name of Chas. HI. Childs & Company.
For his wife and helpmate Mr. Childs chose Miss Cordelia Butterfield, a daughter of Theodore F. and Harriet (Huntley) Butterfield, and a grand- daughter of John Butterfield. Three children have been born to them, two daughters and one son: Theodore II. Childs, who is married to Addison H. Westcott ; Leila HI. Childs; and Charles W. Childs.
The family attend Grace Episcopal church of which they are members, and Mr. Childs fraternally is affiliated with the Masonic order. He is also a member of the Oneida Historical Society, the Fort Schuyler Club, of which he was one of the organizers, and in polities he is a republican. In the conduet of his business Mr. Childs has always conformed to the highest principles, by which means he has built up a fine patronage and is known to be one of the successful and prosperous citizens of Utica.
BRINCKERHOFF C. THARRATT.
Regarded as a citizen and in his social and business relations Brinckerhoff (. Tharratt belongs to that public-spirited, useful and helpful type of man whose ambitions and desires are centered and directed in those channels through which flow the greatest and most permanent. good to the greatest number. He was born in Boonville, July 23. 1842. a son of Joseph Roger and Margaret ( Brinckerhoff) Tharratt. His paternal grandfather also bore the name of Joseph Tharratt. The father was born in Loweth, Lincolnshire, England, on the Ist of January. 1819. He was a son of one of the landed gentry and had married the daughter of the high sheriff of Lincolnshire. JJoseph Tharratt, Sr., was a typical English gentleman and a member of a prominent and aristoeratie family. He inherited vast estates but was given to excessive indulgence in the sports common in England in those days and thus lost most of his in- heritance, after which he came to America.
Joseph Roger Tharratt was a lad of thirteen years when the voyage was made across the Atlantic. He came to rank as one of the most substantial and honored citizens of Oneida county. He was a man of marked energy and used his ability not only in furthering his own interests but also in advancing the publie welfare, and was connected with every event or project which had for its object the growth, upbuilding and development of the community. For many years he served as supervisor of Boonville township, was also president of the village board, president of the Erwin Library at Boonville and presi-
B. C. THARRATT
ASTOR, LEN TILDEN FOUNDATIONE
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dent of the Boonville Cemetery Association. He ever regarded a public office as a public trust-and no trust ever reposed in Joseph Roger Tharratt was ever betrayed. He took helpful interest in church work and taught by example as well as precept how much better it is to choose those things in life which are really worth while. For fifty-seven years he was a teacher of the Bible class and was thoroughly versed in the Scriptures. Reading and meditation made the Holy Word so much a part of his life that the spirit of its teaching was expressed in all of his daily conduct and his relations with his fellowmen. While a man of high character he was still a man of charming personality, a most interesting conversationalist and a pleasing entertainer in social affairs. In the business eireles of Boonville he figured as a wholesale grocer and druggist for many years, winning success along those lines, and eventually in 1864 es- tablished a private bank which afterward became the First National Bank of Boonville. He continued as its president from its organization until his death and formulated a policy in which conservatism and progressiveness were evenly balanced forces, making the institution one of the strong financial concerns of this part of the state. Through his carefully managed business affairs Mr. Tharratt became one of the wealthiest men of the community. IIe was for- tunate in his investments and his capability and persistency of purpose enabled him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertook. Ile was also financially interested in various railroads. Something of the con- fidence and high regard in which he was uniformly held is indicated by the fact that he was chosen executor of over thirty estates. He was as loyal in his friendships as he was faithful and honorable in his business relations and in public office he stood as a high type of manhood and citizenship, honored and respected wherever known and most of all where he was best known. He married Margaret Brinckerhoff a native of Fishkill, Dutchess county, New York, born in June, 1819, a daughter of Benjamin and Esther (Barton) Brincker- hoff, the latter of French and the former of Holland deseent. The founder of the Brinekerhoff family in America was Joris Brinckerhoff, who came to the the new world in 1634 and settled on Long Island, the grant of land ac- corded him covering all of Staten Island. John Brinckerhoff, the great- grandfather of our subject, was a colonel in the Revolutionary war and the grandfather, Benjamin Brinckerhoff, was a soldier of the war of 1812. He became the founder of the family in Oneida county where he settled in 1826. It was his daughter who became the wife of Joseph R. Tharratt and their fam- ily included a daughter, now Mrs. Loraine (Tharratt) Carrington, who resides on the old homestead in Boonville, where her parents lived for fifty-seven years. Her present home is the one in which she was born.
Brinekerhoff C. Tharratt, spending his youthful days in a home of refine- ment and culture, was accorded liberal educational opportunities, preparing for college at Whitestown Seminary, but ill health intervened and he was forced to abandon his cherished desire of pursuing a college course. He after- ward attended law school in Albany in 1861, completing the course in a year, owing to the fact that he had previously read law in the office and under the direction of Myron D. Faulkner, of Boonville. After completing his law course he went to Boone county, Indiana, where he formed a partnership with Judge Vol. II -- 15
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Dougherty and engaged in the active practice of the law. In 1863 he was commissioned quartermaster and first lieutenant of the One Hundred and Sixteenth Indiana Regiment by Governor Levi P. Morton. After several at- tempts had been made to enroll the inhabitants of Worth township, Boone county, Indiana, all of which failed, Mr Tharratt volunteered to make the attempt. The people were mainly from Kentucky and Tennessee and resisted any effort that was made to Force them to identify themselves with the north, but Mr. Tharratt succeeded where others failed, owing to his invincible and determined will to do what he undertook. It was after this that he was made quartermaster and lieutenant and subsequently General J. C. Kise appointed him assistant adjutant general on his staff. Ile thus served until the elose of the war, participating in a number of important engagements including the battles of Knoxville, Cumberland Gap, Strawberry Plains, Klinch River and others, and with his regiment, the One Hundred and Sixteenth Indiana, he was mustered out in March, 1865.
When the war was over Mr. Tharratt returned to Boonville where he en- tered into partnership with II. R. Hadley in the practice of law but ill health forced him to abandon his profession and later he engaged in mereantile and various other pursuits, notably in furnishing the material for the building of the Mohawk & Malone Railroad. He was also in the coal business as a wholesale dealer in Brooklyn and became one of the extensive land owners of his section of the state, having four hundred aeres in a splendid stock farm which he calls Elmwood. There he raises thoroughbred Holstein cattle and has become recognized as one of the leading stockmen of this section. He is also president of the First National Bank at Boonville and throughout his life in every business venture in which he has engaged he is continuously press- ing forward to the goal of success. Ile has never allowed obstacles or diffi- culties to bar his path if they could be overcome by persistent and earnest effort.
On the 224 of September, 1864, in Utiea, Mr. Tharratt was married to Miss Louise Gilbert, a daughter of John and Sarah Gilbert, natives of Oneida county ; the maternal grandfather, Elijah Easton, was a soldier in the war of 1812. They became the parents of two daughters, Jessica Louise and Margaret Jo- sephine, but the latter died November 2, 1896. The former is now the wife of Frederic W. Best, and they have one child, Tharratt Gilbert, who was born in Denver, Colorado, and is now a student of Princeton University of New Jersey. Both, Mrs. Best and her son are extensive travelers and have visited many of the European countries. Mr. and Mrs. Tharratt hold membership in the Presbyterian church which has been the faith of the family for many gen- erations. He belongs to Fort Schuyler and Areanum Clubs and in his polit- ical allegiance is a republican. Ile has never eared to hold office himself though frequently solicited to do so. His advice, however, has been often sought and followed in the selection of good men for office and in the adop- tion of beneficent political measures. Mr. Tharratt takes great delight in travel- ing and not only has made extensive trips in this country and visited most of the places of interest in Europe, but has spent much time in sight-seeing in Mexico. There is probably not a man of large private interests in the eom-
JOSEPH R. THARRATT
A. ILLDEN SU
K
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munity who has felt a more hearty concern for the public welfare or has been more helpful in bringing about those purifying and wholesome reforms which have been gradually occurring in the political, municipal and social life of the city. The range of his activities and the scope of his influence have reached far beyond his business interests, important as they have been. His generosity is indicated by the fact that the pension which is his due for his war services, he distributes equally between the Boonville Post, G. A. R. and the Women's Relief Corps. 1Ie belongs to that class of men who wield a power that is all the more potent from the fact that it is moral rather than political and is exercised for the public weal reather than for personal ends. Those who know him recognize in him a warm-hearted man of generous, helpful spirit, charitable, philanthropie and broad-minded, who has extended aid to many and is ever willing to hold out a helping hand to a fellow traveler on life's journey.
DANIEL J. SULLIVAN.
There are always certain establishments which set the standard for busi- ness in their particular field and the men who are in control of them are always those whose industry, enterprise and ambition lead them beyond the point of mediocrity into a field where strenuous effort is required but where the rewards are large and satisfactory. Through almost his entire life Daniel J. Sullivan has been a resident of Utica and has won for himself the enviable position which he now occupies as senior partner of the Sullivan-Slauson Company, Incorporated, which owns and controls "The Busy Corner," which is the leading drug store between New York city and Buffalo. He was born in Watkins, Schuyler county, New York, January 13, 1876, his parents being Eugene and Margaret Sullivan, the former a mason, who followed his trade for many years.
Daniel J. Sullivan was only about three years of age when the family came to Utica and in the public schools here he mastered the common branches of learning, while later he attended the New York College of Pharmacy, from which he was graduated with the class of 1897. He then returned to Utica and entered the employ of John II. Sheehan & Company, thus putting to a practical test the theoretical knowledge which he had acquired in college. He remained in that service until he formed a partnership with J. G. Slauson and established the present business which has been incorporated under the name of the Sullivan-Slauson Company. The success of the undertaking was assured from the beginning because of the previous experience, the indefatigable energy and determined purpose of the proprietors. He bent every energy to the upbuilding of the trade and has made the Busy Corner exactly what its name implies and the foremost establishment of this character between New York city and Buffalo. Mr. Sullivan, who naturally takes a lively interest in the welfare and progress of the city, is a member of the Utica Chamber of Commerce, in which institution he is always in the front rank with those
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embracing every opportunity to promote U'tica's sphere of commercial influ- ence and activities.
Mr. Sullivan was married November 30, 1905, to Miss JJane L. Murphy, a daughter of John P. and Ellen T. Murphy, of Utica, and they now have one child, Natalie Jane. Mr. Sullivan's fraternal interests connect him with the Knights of Columbus, the Royal Arcanum and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is a progressive young business man of untiring, dynamie energy, continually seeking out new methods for the enlargement and expansion of his trade relations, at the same time conforming his efforts to the strictest standard of commercial ethics.
WALTER IL. SCHEEIIL, M. D.
Dr. Walter Il. Scheehl. discharging his professional duties with a sense of conscientious obligation because of his thorough understanding of the responsi- bility that devolves upon the physician and surgeon, has won for himself a fore- most place in the ranks of the medical fraternity of this part of the county. IIe has practiced successfully in Utica and the public has attested its faith in his skill and ability by giving him a liberal patronage. Numbered among the younger representatives of his profession in this city, he was here born on the 26th of April, 1883, a son of Jacob and Mary Louise (Schrader) Scheehl. The father, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, on the 4th of May, 1848, came to America in the following year with his parents, who located in Utica, New York. He attended the public and German parochial schools, and also the Advanced school, from which he was graduated in 1862, and after complet- ing his education spent three years with Remington's old armory and a similar period with Reynolds Brothers', shoe manufacturers. For two years he served as clerk in the eanal collector's office and then, from April, 1871, until Oeto- ber, 1873, was employed in the New York Central freight offiee. In 1883 he became station agent of the West Shore railroad and in July, 1887, was made joint agent of the two roads, from which position he resigned, however, in July, 1891, to engage in the coal business with William F. Hlayes, under the firm style of Scheehl & Hayes. In 1892 he was elected alderman of the tenth ward and by reelection was retained in that office until his death. A stanch democrat in political belief, he was twice chosen to fill the office of president of the common council of Utica and represented his community in various politieal conventions, notably those at Saratoga in 1892 and Syracuse in 1895, and was chairman of the democratic city committee in 1898. IIe was a thirty- third degree Mason and few men of Oneida county were more prominent in Masonic circles, holding membership in the following bodies: Oriental Lodge, No. 224. F. & A. M., of which he was past master, served for many years as trustee and was past district deputy grand master of this district; Oneida Chapter, No. 57, R. A. M., of which he was secretary for many years; Utica Commandery, No. 3, K. T .; Utica Couneil, No. 28, R. & S. M .; Utica Con- sistory, No. 2. A. A. S. R., in which rite he received the thirty-third degree;
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and Ziyara Temple, N. M. S., in which he served as chief raben for three years, acting potentate for one year and also as recorder. He was treasurer of the Masonie board of trustees of the several Masonic bodies of Utiea for many years, was a charter member of the Masonie Club and was very active in securing the Masonie Home for Utica, being district deputy grand master at that time. He was a member and past regent of Fort Schuyler Council, No. 404, R. A., and was its representative to the grand lodge of the state for two years. For several years he also served as a trustee of the Homestead Aid Association of Utica, and was one of the most prominent and respected citizens of Oneida county. He passed away August 21, 1897, and at the time of his death left a very valuable estate as the visible evidence of a life of activity and industry. He was married, in 1878, to Miss Mary Louise Schrader, of Utica, a daughter of John B. and Martha (Metzer) Schrader, both natives of Hesse-Cassel, Ger- many. The mother, Martha (Metzer) Schrader, was the sister of the cele- brated painter whose eanvas of The Lord's Supper now hangs in San Souci Palace, the property of the Emperor of Germany. John B. Sehrader was a custom shoemaker by trade and brought to Utiea the first sewing machine for the purpose of making boots and shoes, while he also introduced new methods of tanning, ete. He was an expert workman, with an extensive list of customers that in- eluded not only Utica but all of eentral New York, and Ins trade assumed such proportions that at the time he announced his intention of retiring from business he was overwhelmed with orders. He and his wife are both deceased, the only surviving member of the family being Mrs. Jacob Scheehl. She was born in Utica in 1850 and received her education in the private schools of this eity. By her marriage to Mr. Scheehl she became the mother of three children but one is now deceased, the surviving members being Dr. Walter II. and Emma. She continues to reside in Utica, where she has a large circle of warm friends who admire her for her intelligence and refinement and love her for her many beautiful qualities of character. She is the owner of a fine estate left to her by her husband which is now under the management of her Soll.
Dr. Walter II. Scheehl began his education in the South street school and later attended the Utica Advanced and Free Academy and Utica Preparatory School. Deeiding upon a medical course, he entered the Chirurgical Medical College of Philadelphia, graduating therefrom in 1907 with the M. D. degree. He then put his theoretical training to the practical test in the Chirurgical Hospital of Philadelphia and later in the Reading (Pennsylvania) Hospital, after which he pursued special courses on the subject of internal medicine in the Philadelphia Hospital and also in the Cook County Hospital, at Chicago, Illinois. This broad preparation thoroughly equipped him for the conduct of his chosen life work and, returning to Utiea, he at once opened an office for practice here. Although his connection with the medical fraternity of this city covers but a short period, he has been signally successful from the first, and is now accorded a large and representative patronage, while he is rapidly taking his place among the prominent and capable physicians of this district. He has continuously been a student of his profession, carrying his investiga- tions far and wide into the realms of scientific knowledge, and anything that
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