USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York : from 1700 to the present time, Volume II > Part 32
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On the 17th of September, 1861. Mr. Roberts was married at Utica to Miss Frances Julia White. a daughter of Nicholas Alonzo White. and to this union six children were born: William 11., who is now engaged in the hardware business : J. Fred. of Denver, Colorado; Catherine, who married Jaeob Agne of Utica and is now deceased: Charles N., who is engaged in the contracting busi- ness; Wallace W., who died August 22, 1901: and Henry W .. who served as postmaster of Utica until April, 1911, and is now engaged in the controlling business in Utiea. Wallace W. Roberts was married October 25, 1897, to Miss Kate Baker of Utica and two children were born to them, Kathryn Baker and Angela Baker. Mr. White, the father of Mrs. Roberts, was born at Thetford, Vermont. February 26, 1819, a son of Noah and Fanny (Moore) White, the family settling at Utica in 1827. Mr. White obtained employment in the pot- tery of George Brayton and Adam Kellogg; later his father purchased this business and also acquired another pottery in Utica. In 1840 the son was made a partner and a brother, William, was also admitted to the firm. Noah White died November 4. 1865, and the firm name was changed to N. A. White & Son, Nicholas Alonzo White's son William having been admitted to partnership.
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The latter died in 1877 and Nicholas Alonzo White continned the business alone until his death in 1886. He was a very prominent man in the community and served as alderman for two terms and as a member of the state assembly. On the 25th of March, 1841, he was married to Miss Julia Tucker, a daughter of Josiah Pascal Tucker who served under General Peter Gansevoort at Fort Stan- wix and took part in the unfurling of the first fiag at the fort after the formal adoption of the flag by congress, June 17, 1777. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. White, namely: Frances Julia, now Mrs. Henry Roberts; Char- lotte, who became the wife of E. B. Odell; Charles N., of Utica; Catherine, who married L. I. Foster, of New York city; William N .; Dr. Sue A .; James Wal- lace; Annie; and Frederick, deceased.
Mr. Roberts possessed many admirable traits of character that greatly at- tracted those with whom he came into contact. He was true to his civie duties, being an adherent to the republican party, able in business, sincere and un- selfish in his friendships, and as a husband and father was loving and consid- erate. His death deprived the community of one of its most trusted and valued citizens. Mrs. Roberts has for many years been an active worker on social and philanthropie lines. She was state regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution for four years and is now president of the Commodore Woolsey Chap- ter of the National Society of the United States, Daughters of 1812, being also a valued member of the Society of New England Women and the New Century Club. She served with marked ability for thirteen years as president of the Home for Aged Couples of which her husband was one of the founders, but has recently resigned from that position, turning over the responsibility to younger shoulders.
ISAAC N. MAYNARD.
Isaac N. Maynard, who is now living retired at Utica, was born in this city in 1849, a son of Isaac and Margaret (Aitken) Maynard, the latter of whom hails from Scotland. The father was a native of Somersetshire, England, born June 10, 1805. He came to America in 1837 and located in Utica, in the course of years gaining a position as one of the most prominent and success- ful citizens. He was associated in business with John Thorn under the title of Thorn & Maynard, soap manufacturers and wool dealers, and in 1861 ac- mired an interest in the firm of James S. Kirk & Company of Chicago, soap dealers, and met with abundant success. He was treasurer of the Utica & Black River Railroad Company after it was reorganized and was president of the Utica, Clinton & Binghamton Railroad, the Utica Steam Woolen Mills and the Utica City National Bank, serving as head of the latter institution from 1878 te 1885. Politically he gave his support to the republican party and in re- ligious belief was affiliated with the First Broad Street Baptist church, but in the later years of his life attended the First Presbyterian church. He died February 23, 1885, having arrived at the age of seventy-nine years. Ile was a business man of rare ability and was noted for his energy, perseverance and
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close application to affairs. He was a liberal contributor toward the support of worthy causes and will be remembered as one of the capable men who as- sisted materially in the upbuilding of the city. There were seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Maynard, six of whom are now living, namely: Isaac N., of this review; J. F., of Utica; Mrs. D. M. Crouse, also of Utica; Mrs. Jolm W. McLean; Ilarriet, now Mrs. T. Chalmers McClain; and Samuel R., who lives in New York city.
Isaac N. Maynard was educated in the public schools and in Utica Free Academy. He continued in this city until 1867, when he went to Chicago, where he engaged in the grain and flour business, in which he was highly suc- cessful. In 1881 he returned to his native city, where he has since made his home but has not actively engaged in business. He is identified with a num- ber of prosperous enterprises. He was a member of the board of directors of the Utica Steam Cotton Mills, the Utica City National Bank, the Rome, Water- town & Ogdensburg Railroad, the Mohawk Valley Cap Company, the Roberts- Wicks Company and is now a director of the Utica, Clinton & Binghamton Rail- road, and the Utica Cemetery Association, in all of these companies showing an interest which has reflected great credit upon his judgment.
In 1873 Mr. Maynard was married, at St. Louis, to Miss Margaret W. Field, and to them one son has been born, Richard F., who is now living in New York city. Mr. Maynard takes a lively interest in outdoor diversions and is a mem- ber of the Fort Schuyler Club and the Golf Club. Ile has never aspired to political honors, preferring to concentrate his energies upon business. IIe is recognized as one of the successful men of Utica and enjoys the highest con- fidence and respect of all with whom he comes into contact.
ABRAHAM ELLIS CULVER.
The speeifie and distinctive office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave a perpetual record, establishing his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of his fellowmen. Throughout Utica and Oneida eounty Abraham Ellis Culver was ever spoken of in terms of admiration and respeet and when he was called from this life the press and the publie united in bearing tribute to his worth. Ilis life was so varied in its activity, so honorable in its pur- poses and so far reaching and beneficial in its effects that it beeame an integral part of the history of the city, leaving an indelible impression upon the annals of Utica. In no sense a man in public life, he nevertheless exerted an im- measurable influence on the eity of his residence; in business life, by reason of the importance and extent of his activities; in social circles, by reason of a charming personality and unfeigned cordiality; in matters of eitizenship, by reason of his publie spirit and devotion to the general good. Mr. Culver was born in Utiea, November 14, 1812. representing one of the old families here for his father, Abraham Culver. had come from Southampton, Long Island, in early manhood. in company with several young companions. Ile came of
ABRAHAM E. CULVER
This house was built by Jeremiah Cutver (son of Gershom Culver, the first settler in Southampton, Long Island ) about 1697. It remained in possession of the family until about 1820, when Elias Culver sold it to Ebenezer Jessup, and his heirs sold it to Elias W. Howell and he to William Howell and it is now (1897) owned by his heirs. The house of Gershom Culver stood very near this house. The house stands on the north side of Hill street, about one mile west of Main street, Southampton, Long Island.
K
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Puritan ancestry, traeing the line directly back of Edward Colver, who was a member of the Puritan band that came with John Winthrop Il from England and was one of the founders of Dedham, Massachusetts, and of New London, Connecticut. He was famed as an Indian warrior and as a promoter of educa- tion. He served with distinction in the Pequot and King Philip's wars and re- eeived large grants of land for service rendered his country. From Edward Colver the line of descent is traced down through Gershom, Jeremiah, Jeremiah HI. John and Abraham to Abraham Ellis Culver.
While still a very young man Abraham Ellis Culver went to sea on a sail- ing voyage, visiting Delagoa Bay, the island of St. Helena and other points of interest. He sailed from the old shipping port of New Bedford in the charge of friends of his father, and the frank, handsome and vigorous boy soon won the interest and friendship of the older people through his own ad- mirable qualities. The spirit of adventure was strong within him following a long period of schooling at the then celebrated Academy of Lowville, which he had attended as a boarding-school pupil. It was this confinement to studies that made him desire the sea voyage and he was much interested in studying "Jack Tar." Becoming deeply cognizant of the appaling ignorance of the sailors of those days he took it upon himself to instruet the boys in elementary branches of learning and because of this obtained the sobriquet of the "school master." His naturally hardy physique was strengthened by the sea voyage which also brought him a broader view of life and its varying conditions. At length the vessel returned to port and Mr. Culver made his way again to Utiea, becoming identified with business eireles as an employe of IIarmon Pease under whose direction he acquired an intimate knowledge of the business which he subsequently conducted. Mr. Pease was then living in Albany and after spend- ing several years in the capital city, Mr. Culver returned to Utiea for perma- nent location, establishing a canal transportation agency and a wholesale grain business. Later he entered into business association with two firms, one in New York city and the other in Buffalo. At that period he was one of the most active promoters of the material prosperity of the Erie canal and his labors were an effective element in advancing the boating interests of the state. For an extended period he conducted a semi-weekly line of boats from Bing- hamton to Buffalo by way of Chenango and Erie canals. His boats carried both freight and passengers and the enterprise proved a profitable one. To emigrants especially this line of boats furnished a cheap and convenient mode of transfer. In those days when the railroads had not begun to seriously inter- fere with traffic on the great waterways the business of A. E. Culver & Com- pany yielded large peeuniary returns and achieved a fame for itself along the line of the canal. Year by year it extended the scope of its transactions as a forwarding agency and was one of the most important avenues for commercial activity. The headquarters of the company were at the foot of Charlotte and Culver streets where a large brick building was erected for Mr. Culver, to- gether with the first grain elevator in this part of the state. The latter was then a decided novelty and a great improvement over the old methods of hand- ling grain. One of the local papers in speaking of Mr. Culver's business career said: "The untiring devotion and admirable business genius of Mr. Culver Vol. II -- 17
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went not a little way toward animating the business life of the city and encour- aging its growth. He was ever a man of highest ideals and public-spirited and broad in thought. In the trying days of 1873, with the rapid growth of the railroads and consequent decline of the canal business he sustained severe financial losses but emerged from the difficulties with his business integrity un- stained."
In 1837 occurred the marriage of Mr. Culver and Miss Emily E. Van Em- bergh, a daughter of Naney and Gilbert Van Embergh and a direct descendant of Dr. Gysbrecht Van Imborch, a Dutch physician from Holland and his wife, Rachel de la Montagne, a daughter of Jean de la Montagne, a French gentle- man and chief in Governor Kieft's council. Madam Van Imborch was taken prisoner with others at Wiltwyck in the bloody Esopus wars but was finally rescued by her father, General de la Montagne, sending a large ransom. Ilis- tory says that Rachel Van Imborch on her return was able to inform Captain Cregier where the captives were and he led the troops to their resene. She died soon after these hardships, leaving two young children. An interesting relic still in possession of the family is a list of the books of Surgeon Gysbreeht Van Imboreh. It is of considerable interest as it indicates what books were to be found in a library in Olde Ulster in 1665, both professional and in general literature. The list was a long one, comprising folios in French, Dutch, Ger- man and English, history, science and many books on Holy Writ, meditations and devotions, a manual of the Catholic faith and many manuseript books on surgery and medicine together with the life and works of Frederick Henry of Nassau and chronicles of the life and works of English kings and queens to- gether with many others. The mother of Mrs. Emily (Van Embergh) Culver was descended in direct line from Major Jasper Griffing, of Southold. Long Island, who eame from Wales in 1640 and was a cadet of a noble house-the house of Llewyllen ap Gruffydd ap Llewyllen of the old princes of North Wales.
To Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Ellis Culver were born several children of whom the following grew to maturity: Mrs. Charles A. Spalding. of Saugerties-on- Hudson, formerly Mrs. Rutgen B. Miller; William, who is connected with the Utiea & Black River Railroad; James, who was his father's associate in busi- ness, now deceased; Edward, who follows the profession of civil engineering in Mexico; and Mary Louise, of Utica. One son, Abraham Ellis Culver, Jr., lieutenant of the United States navy, has passed away since his father's death.
At the time of his demise Mr. Culver was still living on the old home on Broad street. After his marriage and when his family began to increase in size he realized the desirability of the country and more room for his children. A place he had admired from his own childhood-the place known as the Colonel Walker estate-was for sale. Ile purchased it and there in this lovely part of the Mohawk valley the family spent their days most happily until his death, when the property was sold. The Colonel Walker place has been often de- scribed. Historieally it was one of the oldest and in its day the finest place in Utica. Its original owner was aid-de-eamp to General Washington and a man of polite learning and acquirements who spared no pains to make his home beautiful and attractive. He dispensed lavish and elegant hospitality and the tradition of its owners in hospitality were kept vitally alive by Mr.
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Culver and his family during thirty or more years of their happy life on the old place. At the time Mr. Culver purchased the property it extended from Albany to Broad street in the front. It was entirely surrounded by a high hawthorne hedge imported from England which in the early springtime was a thing of beauty with its snowy blossoms. The house was approached by a long avenue of maple trees and a formal garden set around with box occu- pied the space in front of the house. At the rear were magnificent pine , trees, elms, beech and cherry trees. At the west side and concealed by a hedge was the large vegetable garden of two acres, bordered with old fash- ioned flowering plants and roses of rare varieties, and each bed was sur- rounded by a low box hedge. Back further still were the apple and pear orchards, a long line of outbuildings and stables, and at the left the office or lodge. Two large pepperage trees and two "lady apple" trees guarded the front of the formal garden. When Abraham Ellis Culver passed away, on the 6th of June, 1883, one of the local papers of Utica wrote: "In his death Utica suffers again the loss of a citizen whose identification with the business interests of the community had been close and honorable. IIis demise is the more distressing because of its startling suddenness. For nearly half a century his name has been a familiar one in business circles and his ca- reer as a citizen has been such as to command the respect and admiration not of friends and acquaintances alone but also of those to whom it was per- mitted only to hear casually of the man and his character. Hence news of his death has carried earnest grief to all parts of the city and wide- spread sympathy will be with the widow and bereaved children. As a husband and father Mr. Culver met his obligations with genuine tenderness and devotion and his death has occasioned profound sorrow in the circle of a loving family. Besides he was a citizen of irreproachable character who was strongly attached in a quiet way to the interests of the community. Honor, enterprise, business energy and genuine manhood with dignity and quiet self-possession were com- bined in the formation of his character and his is one of the deplorable deaths that Utica must mourn."
FREDERICK DE WOLF SMYTH.
It has been said that a man is educated who is so trained that, drop him where you will in the world, he will become master of his circumstances. Those who were so fortunate as to be intimately acquainted with Frederick De Wolf Smyth, of Utica, now deceased, will agree that he possessed exceptional ability and, like all successful business men, shaped circumstances largely according to his will. IIe was born at Oswego, New York, in 1862, a son of General Charles II. Smyth, a record of whom appears in the sketch of Delos De Wolf Smyth on another page of this work.
The son Frederick received his preliminary education in the public schools and pursued his studies further at Hamilton College, from which he was in due course graduated. Even as a student he gave evidence of strength and de-
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cision of character, which were among his prominent traits when he came into contact with the world. After leaving college he became interested in the Clin- ton Metallic Paint Company, to which he devoted his energies with most gratify- ing results, developing the concern into one of the largest and most flourishing of its kind in the country. He was with his father and brother one of the stockholders in the original company that projected the suspension bridge at Niagara Falls, which attracted general attention of investors and builders all over the world. The control of the bridge was subsequently acquired by rail- road investors and is still held by them. Mr. Smyth possessed good judgment. backed by energy which generally carried him successfully through any busi- ness with which he was identified. Ile was much liked by his associates on ae- count of his geniality and his integrity was never questioned.
In 1887 Mr. Smyth was happily married, at Clinton, to Miss Gertrude E. Hastings, and to them one son, Frederick Hastings, was born. He is now in the second year at the Massachusetts School of Technology at Boston. Mrs. Smyth is a daughter of Edward 1. Hastings, who was born at Clinton. He en- gaged in mercantile pursuits in New York city for many years and upon his retirement took up his home at Clinton. where he died in 1892. His father was Dr. Seth Hastings, who was a son of Dr. Seth Hastings. Sr. The latter drove an ox team from New England to Paris Hill. Oneida county. New York, this being the ordinary means of travel in the early days. Dr. Hastings, Jr., was born at Paris Hill and he and his father were both very prominent physicians. The name of the family is well known in central New York.
Mr. Smyth of this review died April 26, 1907, being then only forty-five years of age and in the prime of life. His death was recognized as a great loss to the community. as he was one of its most valuied members. He was a large- hearted, broad-minded man. whose presence always brought sunshine and whose word was implicitly relied upon. He was fond of society and of outdoor diver- sions, being especially skilled in hunting and fishing, and for many years was noted as a marksman. He was a member of the Sadaquada and Yahnundahsis Golf Clubs and was a member of the Fort Schuyler Club. Politically he sup- ported the republican party and in religious faith he affiliated with the Grace Episcopal church. A man of culture and refinement, he stood high in the es- teem of a wide circle of acquaintances throughout this part of the state. One of his most beautiful characteristics was his strong domestic sentiments and habits, which made him seek his highest happiness in his family.
WILLIAM S. DOOLITTLE.
William S. Doolittle, clerk of the I'nited States court at Utica. was born in this city December 25, 1855. a son of Hon. Charles H. and Julia T. (Shearman) Doolittle, the latter of whom was a native of Rochester, New York. Ile received his early education in the public schools of Utica and spent his entire life in this city. for twenty-eight years past filling the office of clerk of the United States court.
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The Doolittle family has been well known for many years in Oneida county, the father of Hon. Charles H. Doolittle being a son of Dr. Harvey Doolittle, of Ilerkimer. Charles H. Doolittle attended Fairfield Academy and later became a student at Amherst College, graduating in 1836. He read law in the office of Simeon Ford, of Little Falls, and also in the office of Denio & Hunt, of Utica, being admitted to the bar in 1839. He began practice in this city and later was associated with John G. Floyd and after Mr. Floyd's election to congress as- sociated with others, gaining a position as one of the ablest members of the Oneida county bar. In 1869 he was elected a justice of the supreme court of New York and continued in that position until his death which occurred at sea, May 21, 1874. He was an ideal lawyer and judge and in his private life pos- sessed all the qualities which are most esteemed in a true gentleman. He served as a member of the city council of Utica in 1839, 1844 and 1845 and as mayor of the city in 1853. He was for many years president of the Oneida County Bank and was a member of the board of managers of the Utica State Hospital and a vestryman of Grace church. At his death he left a wife, three sons and two daughters, the children being: Charles A., Mrs. A. C. Coxe, William S., Julius T., and Isabel. Charles A. Doolittle, who was born in Utica, September 22, 1849, was graduated from Amherst College with the degree of A. B. in 1872 and received the degree of LL. B. from Hamilton College three years later. He was admitted to the bar in 1875 and established in practice at Utica. IIe served as mayor of the city in 1883 and 1884, as director of the Oneida County Bank and in other positions of responsibility and trust.
JUDGE WATSON THOMAS DUNMORE.
Judge Watson Thomas Dunmore came to the outset of his professional and business career with an equipment that was unusually complete because added to his thorough preparatory and scholastic training was ambition, determina- tion and persisteney of purpose. He was born in Rush, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, March 28, 1845, a son of Matthew and Sarah (James) Dunmore. In the acquirement of his education he attended Montrose Academy at Mont- rose, Pennsylvania, the Wyoming Seminary at Kingston, Pennsylvania, and the Wesleyan University from which he was graduated in 1871 with the de- gree of A. B., while in 1874 the M. A. degree was conferred upon him. He studied law in IHamilton College Law School and began practice in Utica in 1875. While advancement at the bar is proverbially slow no dreary novitiate awaited him for from the first he proved his ability to successfully cope with the intricate problems of the law and was accorded a liberal and constantly Oneida county and in the latter year became county judge, sitting upon that growing clientage. From 1886 until 1892 he was special county judge of bench for twelve consecutive years. His decisions were strictly fair and im- partial and indicated a keen insight into the specific questions which had come up for settlement together with a clear understanding of the law applicable thereto. His reputation as an able jurist and lawyer has extended throughout
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the state. On his retirement from the bench he resumed the active practice of law and is a local representative of many corporate and other interests. He has also become financially interested in various business projects and is now president of the Commercial Warehouse Company and of the Homestead Aid Association both of Etica: first vice president and director of the Citizens Trust Company, and a director of the Utica Knitting Company and the Clay- ville Knitting Company. He is likewise a trustee of the Homeopathie Hospital.
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