USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York : from 1700 to the present time, Volume II > Part 31
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Mr. Spargo of this review was practically reared in the wire factory. Be- ginning as a boy he served an apprenticeship of six years there, becoming thor- oughly acquainted with every detail pertaining to the manufacture of wire. At the age of nineteen he decided to come to America, believing that a larger field for a young man without fortune was afforded in this country. Aceord- ingly, he joined two of his brothers, Nicholas and John, who had preceded him and were living at Rome, New York. John had made his home in this city for ten years but Nicholas had arrived later. They met with success and were very favorably impressed with their new home. Both of these brothers are now deceased. James A. Spargo, being an expert mechanic, readily found em- ployment and has never regretted seeking his fortune among strangers. He was with the wire manufacturing department of the Rome Brass and Copper Company, but having decided to establish a business on his own account, organized the James A. Spargo Wire Company and after this coneern was in successful operation he erected another mill for the purpose of making wire cloth and organized the Spargo Wire Cloth Company. both of which are now highly flourishing institutions, Mr. Spargo being president and general man-
JAMES A. SPARGO
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ager of both companies. He is also vice president of the Rome Hollow Wire and Tube Company and a member of the board of directors of the Rome Elec- trieal Company.
In 1889 Mr. Spargo was married to Miss Emma J. Lynch, a daughter of Thomas Lynch, of Rome, and of their children five are now living, namely, William J., James A. Jr., Ruth Elizabeth, Grace, and Helen. The eldest son, John Arnold died at the age of eleven years. Mr. Spargo is a man of unusual originality, energy and courage as is shown by the large enterprises which have grown up under his direction. He early gained a practical knowledge of busi- ness which he has possessed the ability to apply to his own advantage and to that of the community. Notwithstanding the demands made upon his time by the important concerns with which he is connected, he is actively interested in fraternal and social organizations, being a member of the Knights of Col- umbus, the Royal Arcanum and also of the Rome Club, the Rome Country Club, the Te-Uge-Ga Country Club, the Fish Creek Club, and the Transportation Club of New York city. He is president of the Fish Creek Club and a member of the board of trustees of the Rome Club, and as he possesses genial and pleasing characteristies, he ean claim many warm personal friends who are greatly interested in his continued prosperity.
CHARLES YATES FULLER.
Charles Yates Fuller has for eight years been the owner of the Yates Hotel and since the 27th of January, 1911, has given his attention to its conduet, making it one of the leading hostelries in this section of New York. Since the outset of his business career he has proven his worth and eapability in busi ness cireles. He was born in Schenectady, New York, December 25, 1850, and traces his ancestry baek to Thomas Fuller, who came to Woburn, Massachusetts, which name afterwards was changed to Middletown, in 1638. His grandfather was Ebenezer Fuller, his father Charles Fuller. The latter was born in Schenec- tady, New York, and there learned and followed the trade of broom making up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1857. He had married Sarah A. Lewis, whose maternal grandfather, Sanborne Ford, was a soldier of the American army in the Revolutionary war, taking part in the engagement at Fort Montgomery and the siege of Yorktown, also being present at the sur- render of Lord Cornwallis. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fuller was celebrated in Utica and although they did not remain continuous residents of this city they returned about 1855, but later took up their abode in Schenec- tady, New York.
Charles Y. Fuller was a lad of four years when the family home was estab- lished in Utica, where he pursued his education in the public schools. He began learning the stone cutter's trade in Lockport, New York, in 1868, aud subsequently was employed on the building of the state capitol at Albany for eleven years. In 1887 he returned to Utica and the following year began taking contracts for stone cutting on his own account. Ile was the first to introduce
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machinery for stone entting in this county between New York and Chicago and he continued the business for many years, furnishing the ent stone for many of the substantial structures of the city, including the Public Library, the Second National Bank, the Oneida County Historical building, Olivet church on Iloward avenne, the Church of the Holy Cross on Bleecker street, Commercial Travelers' buildings, First National Bank, St. Patrick's church on Columbia street, U'tica City Savings Bank, Citizens Trust Bank, Utiea Free Academy, the parochial school in Little Falls and various other buildings elsewhere in the state, ineInding public structures and fine private residences. Ilis labors were a substantial and valuable element in the improvement of the city along many lines. Of recent years his attention has largely been devoted to mining interests and the hotel business and he has spent much time in prospecting and locating mines. Hle promoted the Mohawk Alpine Mining Company and was its organizer and later was active in merging this company with the Pitts- burg Silver Peak Gold Mining Company, which has assets of over three million dollars and on the executive board of which he is serving. In connection with two other men he owns and controls the Baseball Club. of Troy, New York. Eight years ago he purchased what was known as the old Dudley House, owned by the Miller estate and converted it into the Yates Hotel, of which he has been the active manager since the 27th of January, 1911, making it one of the attractive and popular hostelries of western New York. He was the first boy to sell newspapers on the streets of Utica, starting in 1859 and continuing until 1868, and although this was a humble start in the business world his progress has been continuous and his labors have brought substantial returns, so that he is now numbered among the men of affluence in this eity.
On the 23d of April, 1877, Mr. Fuller was married to Miss Augusta Blumen- thal, of Utica, who was born in Germany. They now have one son, George L., who conducts the Fuller Electrie Cut Stone Works, succeeding his father in the business, and a daughter, Ada C. The family has long been prominent in the city, both in business and social relations. Mr. Fuller is a member of Oriental Lodge, No. 224, F. & A. M. and was formerly connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of Honor. He is very active in local republican ranks and has frequently been a delegate to party conventions. His life record proves that the road to prosperity is that of activity and determination, intelligently directed, and that success is ambition's answer.
REV. FRANCIS LEHNER.
Some men are instinctively drawn from their youth to lives of unselfish- ness and freely devote their energies and talents without expectation of earthly reward, in behalf of others. Many of them are born with the capacity for leadership and in important positions demonstrate their ability and their worth. In this class should be named Rev. Francis Lehner, pastor of St. Jo- seph's Catholic church, 702 Columbia street. Utica. He is a native of New York state, born at Albany, August 12, 1858, a son of Stephen and Anna Leh-
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ner. The parents were born in Germany and came to the United States about 1848, loeating at Albany, where the father engaged in the shoe business.
Franeis Lehner attended the parochial school of his native city and then became a student at St. Bonaventure's Lyceum at Terre Haute, Indiana, which is conducted by the Franciscan Fathers. After leaving the lyeeum he entered the College of Our Lady of the Angels, at Niagara, New York, graduating from this noted institution in 1874. After carrying his studies still further he was ordained to the priesthood of the Roman Catholic church in 1881 at Newark, New Jersey, by Bishop M. A. Corrigan. His first assignment was at Terre Haute, Indiana. From this place he went to Trenton, New Jersey, and to Hoboken, New Jersey, and then returned to Terre Haute where he officiated for seven years. In 1905 he was placed in charge of St. Joseph's church at Utica, where he has ever since labored, his efforts meeting with much more than the ordinary measure of success. Under his administration the church building has been remodeled at an expense of forty-five thousand dollars and a convent has been ereeted costing over half of that amount, a beautiful organ of exquisite workmanship and sweetness and power of tone has also been in- stalled in the church through his efforts, involving a considerable outlay of thousands of dollars.
Father Lehner has the genuine interest of the true pastor in his work and the evidences of his faithful stewardship are not confined to material things as is plainly apparent in the lives of his parishioners. IIe is beloved by all who know him and it is a source of regret to his many friends and well wishers that his health has been undermined by his protracted labors. The citizens of Utica irrespective of religious affiliation trust that he may long be spared to the work for which by birth and education he is remarkably well adapted.
THOMAS R. JORDAN.
Thomas R. Jordan is filling the position of secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association at Utica, and in this connection is making his serviees far- reaching and resultant. The work of the society is being continuously expanded and is in elose touch with the lives of many of the boys and young men of this city as a moving force for physical, mental and moral development. Mr. Jordan entered this field after having been connected with newspaper work for a period. He was born in Syracuse, New York, March 27, 1874, his parents being Captain Charles and Mary Jordan. He was only three years of age when his father died, so that maternal eare constituted his boyhood's guide. Ile attended the public schools of Syracuse and for two years read law in the office of the firm of Jenny, Marshall & Ruger, well known attorneys of his na- tive eity. Circumstances, however, compelled him to abandon his plan of be- coming a member of the bar and he accepted the position of manager and edi- tor of the Evening News of Syracuse, in which connection he remained for about four years. While thus engaged he became actively interested in the Young Men's Christian Association, entering readily into the work, and upon
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retiring from the newspaper field he accepted the proffered position of general secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association at Johnstown, New York. There he remained for seven years, during which period he was instrumental in raising funds necessary for the erection of a new forty thousand dollar build- ing. lle resigned to take the position of manager of the Morning Herald of Gloversville and JJohnstown, but a year and a half later accepted a call from the state committee to the Young Men's Christian Association to engage in financial work throughout the state of New York. In this he was most suc- cessful. continuing in that field of labor until 1906, when he accepted the gen- eral secretaryship at Utica. The results which he has accomplished since the fire which entirely destroyed the Association building will ever stand as a monument to his ability and enterprise and his ardent devotion to the work. lle is alive to present-day conditions and issues as affecting the young men of the country and responds with enthusiasm to the most progressive thought.
Mr. Jordan was married, on the 15th of March, 1905, to Miss F. Edith Jump. a daughter of the Rev. De Los Jump, D.D., of Johnstown, New York, and they now have one son, Thomas R., Jr. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jordan have a wide acquaintance in Utica and the hospitality of the most attractive homes is freely extended them.
AUGUSTUS C. KESSINGER.
Augustus C. Kessinger, a veteran editor and. ever since its incorporation. president of the Rome Sentinel Company, has for many years been recognized as one of the prominent journalists of New York state. He has been identified with the newspaper business for fifty-five years and during most of that time has been at the head of the paper he now represents. He owes many of his qualities to his worthy German parentage and was born at Altenkirchen, Rügen, Prussia, February 25. 1542. being a son of Ernst and Louise (Fischer) Kes- singer, the father being an artist. The family eame to America in 1852 and settled at Rome, where the parents spent the remainder of their days.
Mr. Kessinger of this review arrived at Rome at the age of ten years and in the public schools of this city received his preliminary education. ITis prin- cipal training. however. has been gained in the printing office. In 1856 he entered the office of the Rome Sentinel and learned the printer's trade, in which he became thoroughly proficient. In 1864 he associated with Franklin B. Beers in the purchase of the paper, which was then a weekly publication. It was made a daily in 1881 and a semi-weekly edition was added in 1888. Un- der good business management the paper grew in circulation and influence and in 1893 the Rome Sentinel Company was incorporated, of which Mr. Kessinger has since been president, displaying an intimate knowledge of all details of the business and an appreciation of the wants of the people which have re- dounded greatly to his credit and assisted very materially in promoting the best interests of the city. He has been an active worker in the New York State Press Association and served as president of that organization and also as
A. C. KESSINGER
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president of the New York Associated Dailies and the Rome Board of Trade. Ile was formerly a trustee of the Oneida County Savings Bank and is now vice president of the Bingham Harness Company, one of the successful busi- ness concerns of the city. His executive ability is widely recognized and he is now president of the board of trustees of the Central New York Institute for Deaf Mutes, one of the best conducted institutions of the kind in the coun- try. He has been for many years prominent in democratie councils, local, state and national, and served one term as member of the board of aldermen of Rome. IIe also filled the office of presidential elector on the Democratic ticket in 1908.
On the 22d of November, 1865, Mr. Kessinger was married to Miss Louise Remington, and four children were born to this union: Albert R., who is now managing editor of the Rome Sentinel and mayor of Rome, further informa- tion concerning whom may be found elsewhere in this work; Frederick E., who is engaged in the practice of law in New York city; Minnie, who is the wife of F. B. Rathbun, of Utica; and Ida, who married Dr. W. B. Reid, of Rome. Mr. Kessinger is a member of Roman Lodge, No. 223, A. F. & A. M., and is also identified with the Rome Club. He resides with his family in a pleasant home at 514 North James street. Although now in his seventieth year, his in- terest in the calling of which he has long been a worthy exemplar is unabated and his work as a useful and progressive member of the community is as effective as ever. Having been controlled through life by high ideals, he ean regard the past with few regrets and may look forward to the future with a faith and confidence that are the results of many years of conscientious endeavor.
FRED STEWART IIONE.
Fred Stewart HIone, engaged in the real-estate and auctioneering business was born in Utica, April 9, 1878, a son of James F. and Antoinette (Gross) Ilone. The father was one of the most progressive and prominent real-estate auctioneers and dealers of Utica and his efforts and activities in that direction constituted an important element in the development of the city. Few men were more widely informed concerning property values and few real-estate dealers of Utica handled more property here.
Fred Stewart Hone, spending his youthful days under the parental roof, attended the publie schools in the acquirement of his education and after put- ting aside his text-books entered the employ of his father, under whose care- ful guidance he gained a thorough knowledge of the business. He displays an initiative in the management and conduct of sales that proves most resultant and he is today considered the best real-estate operator in Utica and this see- tion of Oneida county. His father, after a thorough preliminary training, ad- mitted him to a partnership and following his father's death, which occurred in 1908, he succeeded to the business. He is ever watchful of the real-estate market, readily appraises property at its trne value, notes the indications which point to the diminution or rise in prices and conditions of real-estate values
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and proceeds in such a way that both he and his clients receive a goodly profit. It is moreover a recognized fact that the wideawake real-estate man is ever a potent force in a city's growth and development and Mr. Ilone is no exception to this rule.
On the 24th of December, 1908, occurred the marriage of Mr. Hone and Miss Mary Fechtig, a daughter of James Fechtig, of Baltimore, Maryland. His fra- termal relations are with the Knights of Columbus and he also holds membership in the Chamber of Commerce.
ANDREW SLOAN. M. D.
One of the promising young members of the medical profession of Utica is Dr. Andrew Sloan, whose office is located in the Stewart building. A native son, his natal day was the 5th of January, 1880, and his parents Dr. Ilugh and Elizabeth Helen (Wetzel) Sloan. Dr. Hugh Sloan was a native of Scotland, his birth having occurred in Kilmarnock on the 2d of January, 1844; in his early boyhood his parents, who were carpet weavers, emigrated to the United States locating in Oneida county. Here Hugh Sloan, the father of our subject. grew to manhood, obtaining his education in the common schools and the Whites- town Seminary. Ile was an ambitious, studious youth and aspired to a profes- sional career being strongly attracted toward medicine and surgery which he later elected to adopt for his life vocation. In the aequirement of his profes- sional education he attended the Albany Medical College, from which institu- tion he was graduated with the class of 1865. He had just attained his ma- jority when awarded his degree, almost too young to inspire much confidence in those dependent upon his services, but his skill and ability quickly offset this disadvantage. Immediately following his graduation he opened an office at Washington Mills, where he remained for two years, following which he went to Chicago, Illinois, where he practiced for a year. In 1868 he returned to this county and established an office in Utica, which he maintained until his demise on the 7th of September, 1910. Dr. IFugh Sloan was one of those for- tunate individuals who in the choice of a vocation haply chose the profession for which he was by nature most ably qualified. After the first few struggling years, which fall to the lot of every young physician who is entirely dependent upon his own efforts, he had a very large practice. It was the result neither of influence nor assistance but of his own ability. He possessed the rare per- sonality, so essential to suecess in this profession, which together with his skill as a diagnostieian and dexterous hand united in making him recognized as one of the most able representatives of his profession in the city.
Dr. Sloan was united in marriage in 1877 to Miss Elizabeth Helen Wetzel, of Utica, and to them were born five children, four of whom survive, as fol- lows: Hugh, Andrew, Samuel and Robert. Public-spirited and progressive, a man of ideals, Dr. Sloan always took great interest in all municipal affairs, meeting the demands of good citizenship as he recognized them by forwarding every movement for the betterment of the city's government. His political
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support he aecorded the democratic party, and was a member of the board of supervisors for a time in which capacity he gave most efficient service.
Reared at home Dr. Andrew Sloan acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of his native city, being graduated from the Free Academy with the class of 1898. In the autumn following he went to New York city, matriculating in the College of Physicians and Surgeons affiliated with Columbia University. He was awarded the degree of doctor of medicine from this in- stitution with the class of 1902, and immediately thereafter returned to Utica, taking a position on the staff of St. Luke's Hospital. Subsequently he became associated with his father with whom he continued to be identified until the latter's demise, since which he has been practicing alone. Although he has succeeded to his father's practice, Dr. Sloan has been able to hold it on his own merits and during the period of his praetice has generally become recog- nized as a very capable and promising physician.
As Dr. Sloan has never married he continues to reside with his mother at the old homestead at 604 Columbia street. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonie order and has attained high rank in the Scottish Rite. He main- tains relations with his brother practitioners through the medium of his mem- bership in the Oneida County Medical Society and New York State Medical Association, and he is also affiliated with the Utica Medical Club and Utica Medical Library Association as well as St. Luke's Clinical Society.
GEORGE W. GAMMEL.
George W. Gammel, proprietor of the Gammel Cafe, in which connection he draws his patronage from among Utica's best citizens, was born in this city on the 22d of February, 1862, his parents being Robert and Emelie Gammel, both of whom were natives of Germany, whence they emigrated to the new world in 1853, taking up their ahode in Utica. Seven years later, or in 1860, Robert Gammel opened the Gammel Cafe, of which he remained proprietor until 1882, when with a substantial competence, acquired through his well di- rected business interests, he retired to private life. His remaining days were spent in the enjoyment of the fruits of his previous toil until death called him in 1895.
George W. Gammel was a pupil in the public schools and afterward at- tended the Utica Business College. In his youthful days he became his fa- ther's assistant in business and in 1879 was admitted to a partnership. Suc- cess continued to attend the undertaking and about three years later George W. Gammel purchased his father's interest and has since been proprietor of the cafe which is one of the leading establishments of this character in Utica, catering to the leading people here and standing very high in the opinion of the better citizens.
On the 26th of September, 1893, George W. Gammel was united in mar- riage to Miss Phebe Brown, of Utica. They have a wide acquaintance here, en- joving the friendship of many with whom they have come in contact. Mr. Gam-
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mel is a popular member of various fraternities, including U'tica Lodge, No. 33. B. P. O. E., of which he is a charter member, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Hlarugari, D. O. Il. Ile is likewise president of the Utica Turn Verein and a member of the Utica Maennerchor and is prominent in German-American circles of this city, having great influence among those who are natives of or, like himself, trace their ancestry to the fatherland.
HENRY ROBERTS.
After an active and useful life Henry Roberts, for more than thirty-five years prominently identified with the hardware business at Utica. passed away May 13, 1895, honored and esteemed by all who knew him. Ile was born at Utica, September 6, 1825, a son of Evan and Ann Roberts. He received his early education in the publie schools of Utiea and continued at home until 1849 when he yielded to the gold excitement and went to California. There he applied himself with such energy and ability that he became the owner of a large wheat and cattle ranch near Sacramento. But as the years passed he vearned to behold his old home again and in 1860 he returned to U'tica and as- sociated with his brother, John E. Roberts. in the hardware business under the title of John E. Roberts & Company which later became, Roberts, Parry & Company. In 199 the sons of Henry Roberts changed the name to the Roberts Hardware Company in memory of their father and it has so remained. The firm is now composed of William H. Roberts and William T. Baker. In ad- dition to his interest in the hardware business Mr. Roberts was vice president and director of the Second National Bank of Utica and he was also a member of the building committee which erected the Home for the Aged Men and Couples in the city of Utica. lle possessed in a remarkable degree the confi- dence of his business associates and of all with whom he had dealings.
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