USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York : from 1700 to the present time, Volume II > Part 3
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On the 19th of September, 1884, Mr. Cox was married to Miss Margaret MEvoy, of Herkimer county, and of this union eight children were born, four boys and four girls. Three of the sons, James. John and Robert, are associated with their father in business. Mr. and Mrs. Cox occupy a beautiful home at
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No. 37 Downer avenue and no happier circle is to be found in Utica than that which gathers at their fireside. l'ossessing a generous and kindly disposition, Mr. Cox has made many friends who are attracted not only by his cordial man- ner but by a spirit of fairness and rectitude that has been a prominent char- acteristic in his life. Ile has reared his sons to become useful, honorable and patriotie citizens and he sees reason for naught but rejoicing in the fact that as a young man with all the world and its possibilities before him he chose Utica as his home.
GEORGE WELLS SANBORN.
George Wells Sanborn is numbered among the residents of Utica who claim New England as the place of their nativity, his birth having occurred in Man- chester, New Hampshire, on the 26th of May, 1850, his parents being Cyrus and Sarah (Wells) Sanborn. Ilis youthful days were spent in his native state and his time was largely given to the attainment of an education, excellent op- portunities in that direction being afforded him. Ile supplemented his early publie school course by study in the Northwood (New Ilampshire) Academy and in Tilton Seminary of Tilton, that state. In 1876 he came to Utica, then a young man of twenty-five years, seeking here a better field for business than was accorded him in his native state. For twenty-five years he has engaged in the granite business and during that quarter of a century made continuous progress toward the goal of success. At length retiring from that field of labor, he became a real-estate and investment broker, largely handling New York city property. This does not indicate, however, the scope of his activities for he is now president of the Astoroga Paper Company of Little Falls, New York, and is director in several other corporations.
Mr. Sanborn has been married twice. On the 12th of October, 1883, he wedded Anna Frost, of Oneida, New York, who died September 10, 1893, leaving a daughter, Ilikda A. In April, 1897, Mr. Sanborn wedded Cora Blanch IIelmer, of Rome, New York, and they have one son, George Helmer. Mr. San- born holds membership in the First Methodist church and is serving as chair- man of its board of trustees. He takes a deep interest in the various depart- ments of the church work and his cooperation can always be counted upon to aid in furthering any movement for the general good.
GILBERT N. LEIIR, M. D.
Dr. Gilbert N. Lehr, who maintains his offices at No. 219 West Liberty street in Rome, has long been numbered among the leading and successful medical practitioners of the city. Ilis birth occurred at Ava, Oneida county. New York. on the 13th of January, 1857, his parents being George and Katherine (Yor- don) Lehr. The former, a native of Germany, was a lad of twelve years when
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he crossed the Atlantic to the United States in company with his father, George Lebr. Sr. who had fought under Napoleon in the Russian campaign and also at Moscow and subsequently was with Blucher at Waterloo. It was in 1822 that they settler at Ava. Oneida county, where the grandfather took up gen- eral agricultural pursuits, which also claimed the attention of George Lehr, Jr .. throughout his active business career. Mrs. Katherine (Yordon) Lehr came here with the Dutch settlers from the Cherry Valley. By her marriage she became the mother of ten children. all of whom are yet living.
Gilbert N. Lehr obtained his early education in the district schools of Ava and subsequently attended the Boonville high school and Whitestown Seminary. He followed the profession of teaching at Ava for two terms and then spent a similar period as a student in the University of Michigan. Ile next took up the study of medicine at New York city and won the degree of M. D. in 1450. Locating for practice at Taberg, Oneida county, he there re- mained for two years and discharged the duties of postmaster in connection with his professional duties. In 1883 he removed to Frankfort, Herkimer county, where he followed his profession for fifteen years, also acting as sur- geon for the West Shore Railroad, who at that time conducted their large shops there. When the corporation abandoned that location Dr. Lehr came to Rome in 1-98 and has here remained continuously since. Since entering upon the active practice of medicine he has kept in constant touch with the progress of the profession. carrying his researches far and wide into the realms of scientific knowledge, while his broad experience has also greatly promoted his skill and efficiency. He is very careful in the diagnosis of a ease, seldom, if ever, at error in anticipating the outcome of disease, and in his practice conforms to the highest standard of professional ethics. Dr. Lehr is one of the four coroners of Oneida county. is on the staff of Rome Hospital and belongs to the New York State Medical Society and the Oneida County Medical Society.
In September, 1981. Dr. Lehr was married to Miss Nellie Gue, a daughter of Jerome V. and Clara ( Krech ) Gue, of North Western, Oneida county. They have one daughter, Sadie M., who is now the wife of Howard D. Wolfe, of Rome.
Dr. Lehr belongs to Roman Lodge, No. 223. A. F. & A. M., and is also a valued member of the Rome Club. Prompted in all that he does by laudable ambition and his broad humanitarian principles, as a member of the medical fraternity he has attained high rank among those whose skill is uniformly ae- knowledged. while his prosperity is recognized as the merited reward of his labor.
FRED G. REUSSWIG.
The first comptroller of the city of Utica and the present inenmbent of that office. Fred G. Reusswig, was born in New York Mills, New York, on the 27th of April. 1873. The first eight years of his life were spent in the village where he was born and in whose schools he was introduced to the elementary branches. Since 1ssJ he has continuonsly resided in this city, his education being com-
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pleted in the grammar school, which he attended for seven years. Being de- sirous of beginning his career, in 1888 he became identified with the Utica Satur- day Globe, continuing in the service of that journal until December, 1907. During that period he served in every capacity on the editorial staff, from copy- holder to temporary occupaney of the managing editor's chair, but the ma- jority of the time he was engaged in discharging the duties of city editor. When he severed his connection to assume the duties of comptroller of the city he held a very responsible position on the editorial staff.
Mr. Reusswig has at various times been identified with public duties, hav- ing succeeded the IIon. P. C. J. De Angelis as a commissioner of schools when that distinguished jurist went upon the supreme court bench in 1907. The same year the White charter went into effect in the city and Mr. Reusswig was elected to be first comptroller. Ile has unusual powers of organization as well as executive ability, and the excellent system of supervision of the fiscal affairs of the city, which he inaugurated, attests his qualifications for the office. Two years service demonstrated his ability and established publie confidence in his sineerity and integrity. Having proven true to his trust when his name came up for reelection in 1909 he won, although the head of the ticket was defeated in Utica by more than four thousand votes.
In 1896 Mr. Reusswig was united in marriage to Miss Jennie A. Chibnall, and to them have been born four children.
The family affiliate with the Park Baptist church of which he is one of the trustees, while fraternally he is identified with the Masonie order, being a mem- ber of Utica Lodge, No. 47, F. & A. M., and he also belongs to Samuel Reed Lodge, K. P .; the Corn Ilill Benefit Association; Utiea Maennerchor and vari- ous other organizations. Mr. Reusswig is held in high esteem in Utica, his high ideals of citizenship and integrity, as manifested during the period of his puh- lie service, having won for him general respect and admiration, he being rec- ognized as a man who is not afraid to do his duty.
JULIUS FREDERICK WINGENBACH. M. D.
Dr. Julins Frederick Wingenbach, well known as an able and successful physician and surgeon of Utica, has here practiced his profession for the past fifteen years. Ilis birth occurred at Elberfeld, Germany, on the 27th of No- vember, 1865, his parents being Julius and Elizabeth (Dietz) Wingenbach, the former a monument contractor of Elberfeld. In early manhood he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and after completing his academic education pur- sued a course in pharmacy, being granted a license in New York in 1888. In 1892 he entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, from which institution he was graduated in 1896, winning the degree of M. D. Re- turning to Utica, he has since made this city the scene of his professional labors, enjoying a constantly growing and remunerative general practice. He makes a specialty of surgery and for ten years has been connected with the state armory at Utica as surgeon. For three years he served as pharmacist at the
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Utica State Hospital and for ten years has been on the staff of St. Elizabeth's Hospital. At the present time he acts as visiting physician and surgeon for Faxton Hospital. He is likewise an ex-physician for the German Sick and Death Benefit Fund and is a prominent member of the New York State Medieal Society. the Oneida County Medical Society and the Utica Medical Club. Through the interchange of experience and ideas among the members of these organizations he keeps in touch with what the profession is accomplishing and enhances his own knowledge and efficiency.
Dr. Wingenbach has been married twice, his first union being with Miss Christina Blust, of Holland Patent, New York, by whom he had four children, as follows: JJulius Fred, a high school graduate, who is now employed as a mechanical draughtsman : Ruth Anna, a high school student; and Christine 1. and John D., who are likewise attending school. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in 1903, her remains being interred in the Forest Hill cemetery. In 1905 Dr. Wingenbach wedded Miss Maude A. Haynes, of Albany, New York.
In politics Dr. Wingenbach is independent, supporting men and measures rather than party. For several years after establishing himself in practice at l'tica he held the office of assistant city physician. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Faxton Lodge, No. 697. Oneida Chapter. R. A. 3 .. and Utiea Commandery No. 3. K. T., also Zivara Temple of the Mystic Shrine. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church, to which his wife and children also belong. His vacations are devoted to hunting and fishing, which sports afford him both pleasure and recreation. He maintains the strictest conformity to the highest professional ethics and enjoys in full measure the confidence and respect of his professional brethren as well as of the general public.
CHARLES W. HACKETT.
Charles Wootton Hackett. who died in Utica on the 18th of April, 1898. was one of the leading and most successful business men of the city and also a prominent factor in national politics. His birth occurred in Utica on the 16th of March, 1853. his parents being Charles and Elizabeth ( Hughes) Hackett. who came here from England in 1841. George Wootton, a maternal ancestor of our subject, began business life under the engineer constructing the canal between Manchester and Liverpool. On the paternal side Mr. Haekett was a direct descendant of the Hackett who was the French ambassador of llenry VIII and later Queen Elizabeth's representative in Moscow. After eoming to Utica Charles Hackett. Sr., followed many lines of business but eventually became freight agent of the Black River Railroad, holding that position until 1×50. when he retired.
Charles W. Hackett attended the public schools in the acquirement of an education and when eighteen years of age entered the freight offices of the Black River Railroad as clerk for his father, succeeding the latter as freight
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agent and serving in that capacity until 1886. At the age of twenty-one years he became an equal partner in the firm of R. Marey & Company, which fur- nished coal to places along the Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg Railroad and with which concern he was connected throughout the remainder of his life. About 1883, in association with W. T. Atwood, he purchased the knitting mill at Stittville, successfully operating the same under the name of Ilackett & At- wood until his demise. During the last fifteen years of his life his business in- terests extended rapidly, for he had a share in every enterprise which promised to aid the growth and upbuilding of Utica. IIe was interested locally in the Savage Arms Company of Utica, the American Extension Car Step Company, the Utica Carriage Company, the llolbrook Insole Company, the Utica Land Company, the Utica Water Works, the Central New York Telephone & Tele- graph Company, the Second National Bank, the Utica Daily Press Company and the Utica Morning Herald Publishing Company and in most of these con- eerns was a director. Ile was likewise a director of the Franklin National Bank of New York city and the New York Casualty Company. A man of splendid executive ability, he displayed in all things an aptitude for success- ful management. He was preeminently a strong man, strong in his honor and his good name, strong in his plans and his purposes and in his ability to perform.
In 1874 Mr. Hackett was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Howarth. a daughter of John Howarth, by whom he had two children, C. F., a Christian Scientist practitioner, who is married to Rosemary Baum, of Boston, and they reside in Utica : and Mary E.
In the field of politics Mr. Hackett exerted as wide an influence as he did in business circles. In 1879 he was elected a commissioner of schools in Utica and entered into political work with the same zeal which characterized him in other lines of endeavor. He remained on the school board until 1888 and two years later was appointed a police and fire commissioner by Mayor Goodwin, resigning at the end of three years. Ile served for five years as chairman of the republican city committee prior to 1887, developing the re- markable aptitude for polities which later led him into the field of national affairs. In 1884 he was elected to the state committee and in 1886 became chairman of the executive committee. In 1888 he retired in favor of others but in 1892 again became a member of the state committee. IIe was named as chairman of the executive committee and served in that capacity until 1894. The following year he was again made chairman of the state committee and held the position during the remainder of his life. His success during the great campaigns was marvelous and few excelled him in ability to organize party forces successfully. In 1896 he enjoyed one of his greatest triumphs, telegraph- ing the people of Utica that McKinley had carried the state of New York by nearly three hundred thousand. It was said that "he and Tom Platt were like father and son, and Hackett's word was law."
Fraternally Mr. Hackett was identified with the Masons, belonging to Utica Lodge, F. & A. M .; Oneida Chapter, R. A. M .; Utica Commandery, K. T .; and Ziyara Temple, N. M. S. He was also a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Utica Chamber of Commerce, the Fort Schuyler Club, the
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Areanum Club, the Utica Masonic Club and the Anglers Club. He likewise belonged to Calvary church and served as vestryman for a number of years. Mr. Ilackett owned a beautiful home in Central Park, on the St. Lawrence river, where he spent the summer months. lle was on the board of governors of the Thousand Island Club and also a stockholder in Central Park, which is now called St. Lawrence Park. In his lifetime the people of his state, recog- nizing his merit, rejoiced in his advancement and in the honors to which he attained, and since his death they have cherished his memory, which remains as a blessed benediction to all who knew him.
JAMES HIGGINS WHALEY, M. D.
Dr. James Higgins Whaley maintains his offices at No. 212 North Washing- ton street. Ilis birth occurred at Verona. Oneida county, New York, on the ISth of October. 1861, his parents being James Snow and Charlotte (Hig- gins) Whaley. Ilis paternal grandfather, Dr. Alexander Whaley, was born in Montville, Connecticut, on the 24th of March, 1780, read medicine with Dr. Turner of New London, Connecticut, and in 1800 was licensed to practice. At this time great interest was taken in the sale of lands in what was known as the Oneida Indian Reservation, and Dr. Alexander Whaley joined the tide of emigration, reaching this county in the fall of 1801. The next spring he took up his abode at Verona and began the practice of medieine, following his profession for about fifty years. On the 30th of January, 1805, he wedded Miss Abigail Snow, by whom he had nine children. Their home was main- tained in the same house at Verona for a period of fifty-three years. Ilis demise occurred in Rome on the 28th of April, 1871, and thus the county lost one of its most respected and honored pioneer physicians.
Dr. James Snow Whaley, the eldest son of Dr. Alexander Whaley, was born at Verona, Oneida county, on the 4th of March, 1806. After completing an academic course in the Fairfield Academy he began the study of medicine with his father and subsequently attended a full course of lectures in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Western District, New York, receiving his degree from the regents in February, 1831. He began the work of his profession in association with his father, who afterward retired and turned the practice over to him. Dr. James S. Whaley praetieed at Verona for thirty- one years and in June, 1863, removed to Rome, where he followed his pro- fession for about twelve years. On the 6th of May, 1846, he wedded Miss Maria Louise Enos, whose natal day was August 25, 1813, and who was the daughter of Judge Enos. She passed away on the 29th of April, 1850, and on the 8th of January, 1857, Dr. Whaley was again married, his second union being with Miss Charlotte C. Iliggins, of Higginsville, who was born at Cana- joharie. New York, July 11, 1820. Dr. Whaley was called to his final rest on the 24th of September, 1886, when eighty years of age. His demise was the oceasion of deep and widespread regret, for he had gained an extensive circle of warm friends during his lifelong residence in this county.
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James H. Whaley, whose name introduces this review, is the fifth repre- sentative of the family to follow the medical profession. He was graduated from the Rome Free Academy with the class of 1881 and won the degree of B.S. from Cornell University in 1885. In preparation for the practice of medicine he attended the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, completing the prescribed course of study in 1888. Locating for practice at Rome, he has here remained continuously since and has enjoyed a gratifying and remunera- tive patronage. He has served as health officer and also as city physician of Rome. His comprehensive study and research have brought him wide and acenrate knowledge and his judgement is seldom, if ever, at error in his application of scientifie principles to the needs of his patients. He is a member of the New York State Medical Society and the Oneida County Medical So- ciety.
In May, 1895, Dr. Whaley married Miss May Penfield, a daughter of Peter Demilt and Antoinette (Brodock) Penfield, of Rome. Their union has been blessed with two children, James Higgins, Jr., and Celeste Elizabeth.
JOHN HENRY SIEMERS.
For many years thousands of promising young men have crossed the ocean from Europe, hoping to find in America opportunities for advancement denied them in the long settled countries of the old world. In numberless instances their dreams have been realized and there is scarcely a community of im- portance in the United States in which foreign born citizens are not to be met with who are now highly prosperous. In this number is John Henry Siemers, president of the Merchants Legislative League, with offices in the Arcade building at Utica.
He was born at Hanover, Germany, December 10, 1842. During his boy- hood and youth he attended the public schools of his native land and, in 1860, being then about eighteen years of age, he came to the new world and was engaged for ten years in the grocery business at Brooklyn. On account of poor health he gave up the business and spent a year and a half in northern New York recuperating. Having regained his physical strength he became identified in the wholesale business with the firm of R. Winant & Company of Utica, and for eleven years remained with this concern, which was then closed out on account of the failing health of Mr. Winant. Subsequently Mr. Siemers entered the retail grocery business and started and sold several grocery stores. In 1899, together with George S. Hughes, he organized and incorporated the Merchants Legislative League, which has since been maintained for the pre- vention of the enactment of laws injurious to business interests. The league has met with a general response from business men all over the country and has accomplished great good along the lines upon which it is maintained.
In 1878 Mr. Siemers was married, at Brooklyn, to Miss Sarah Ried, and they have two children living: Marie L., in the employ of the United States government ; and Anna A., who is living at home. In 1908 Mr. Siemers erected
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a beautiful modern residence at No. 794 Genesee street, where his family now make their home He is a stanch friend of education and has served as a member of the school board and at all times has stood ready to assist in pro- moting the welfare of the city. Enterprising, progressive and unusually com- petent in business, he has met with gratifying success financially and sees no reason to regret his choice of America as his country and Utica as his permanent home.
JAMES FRANCIS LEAHY.
One of the best known business men of Utica is James Francis Leahy, who has been engaged in the laundry business here for thirty-five years, his present location being on John street. Mr. Leahy was born in Little Falls, Herkimer county, New York, on the 19th of December, 1854, and is a son of Thomas and Bridig (Madden) Leahy, natives of Ireland, from which country they emi- grated to the I'nited States about 1840, locating in Little Falls.
The elementary education of James Francis Leahy was acquired in the public schools of his native town, following which he attended the Assumption Academy of I'tica. At the age of sixteen he laid aside his text-books to assume the heavier responsibilities of life and together with his sister came to Utica, where he learned the trade of tin-smith, which included roofing and a know}- edge of how to install furnaces. He did not long follow this occupation, how- ever, and being an ambitious youth he was desirous of engaging in business for himself and on the 11th of October. 1876. he became associated with James MEvoy in the laundry business. The establishment which they purchased was called Benham's Steam Laundry and bore little resemblance to Mr. Leahy's present place of business. On the 1st of January, 1877, Mr. Leahy bought the interest of his partner and has ever since continued the business as sole pro- prietor. He has met with most gratifying success, largely attributable to his excellent and thoroughly reliable methods. No expense is spared in the opera- tion of his plant which enables him to give most satisfactory or efficient service to his patrons, and as a result he has far more than a local reputation as has his laundry. In 1904 he erected his present plant at Nos. 57-59 John street. It consists of a three-story building. specially designed for the purpose for which it is used, and thoroughly and completely equipped with every modern appliance in either steam or electricity which has ever been devised for laun- dry purposes. In the construction of the building the comfort and ease of the employes have been given due consideration as well as any facilities for expediting the work. The magnitude of his business is such that he employs several automobile delivery wagons. The progressive methods and system employed by Mr. Leahy would insure success in any vocation whatever, and it has enabled him to become the owner of what is known as the finest laundry outside of the city of New York.
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