USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York : from 1700 to the present time, Volume II > Part 39
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William G. Mayer was educated in the public and intermediate schools and in the Woodward high school of Cincinnati and later entered the United States Academy at Annapolis. Maryland. from which he was graduated in 1870. He is also a graduate of the College of Cincinnati, which conferred upon him the LL. B. degree. On his graduation from the Naval Academy as mid- shipman he became engaged in active duty and was subsequently promoted to the rank of ensign and of master. He resigned from the navy. however. in 1875 and. returning to his native eity, entered upon the practice of law. having been admitted to all the courts of the state. Ile was for a time senior
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member of the firm of Mayer, Shaffer & Smith there. Again he became con- nected with the naval service when at the outbreak of the Spanish-American war he was commissioned a lieutenant in the navy and served as navigating officer of the United States Ship Siren on the North Cuban bloekade until the close of hostilities, being honorably discharged September 24, 1898.
Mr. Mayer has in many positions of public trust furthered the interests not only of Waterville but of the state and of various organizations. He has been president of the Waterville board of education, is now president of the Waterville public library and of the Sangerfield Soldiers & Sailors Monu- ment Association, the Waterville Cemetery Association and the Churchmen's Club of the Diocese of Central New York. He was a member of the Oneida county courthouse commission and one of the most efficient members of its building committee and also chairman of its executive and finance committees. Ile is now a member of the board of managers of the Utica State Hospital and of the county committee of the National Red Cross Society. IIe has been a trustee of the Cincinnati Public Hospital, also chairman of the Oneida county republican committee, a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, of the Cincinnati Law Library Association, of the Bar Association of Ohio and of the Naval Academy Graduates' Association. All these indicate the nature and breadth of his interests and activities. He is one whose efforts, based upon a thorough understanding of the conditions and possibilities of the thing which he undertakes, have been fruitful of good results, and progress and advancement have been promoted through his efforts. His business activity is only that required in the supervision of his investments. In this connection he is a director of the National Bank of Waterville. His political allegiance is given the republican party but with- out desire for office in recognition of party fealty.
At Waterville, New York, on the 14th of January, 1880, Mr. Mayer was united in marriage to Miss Esther L. Osborne, a daughter of Amos O. Os- borne and a granddaughter of Amos Osborne, Sr., who was one of the first settlers of Sangerfield town, purchasing his home from the first patentees. He built the first brick house in the town in 1811 and it is now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Mayer, the property having come to Mrs. Mayer through inheritance. Iler father was a man of marked scientific tastes and attainments, was a valued member of many scientifie societies, was regarded as authority on the geology of Oneida county and his opinions were also accepted as authority on the genealogy of all the early families. Mr. and Mrs. Mayer have three children : Ada Pauline, the wife of Dr. E. G. Randall; Rosalie Catherine and A. Os- borne, both living at home. The family attend the Episcopal church and Mr. Mayer is an active member and junior warden in Grace church at Water- ville. He has never belonged to any secret societies but is prominent in several social organizations and in societies which preserve historieal knowl- edge and promote patriotism. He is now the president of the Piekwick Club and vice president of the Golf Club of Waterville. He has been a member of the University Club and the Literary Club of Cincinnati, Ohio, now holds membership with the Military Order of Foreign Wars, the Naval Order of the United States, the Naval & Military Order of the Spanish-American War,
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the Regular Army & Navy Union, the United States Veteran Navy, the Oneida Historical Society and is president of the Amos O. Osborne Ilistorical Society. Hle greatly enjoys travel and an observing eye and retentive memory have enabled him to bring back a comprehensive knowledge of many lands which he has visited. Ile has traveled extensively throughout the United States, South America, Europe, western Asia, northern Africa, the South Atlantic orean, made the trip around the Horn and crossed the Pacific to the Sand- wich Islands. Three times he has been shipwrecked and in his travels many interesting experiences have enriched his life and broadened his knowledge.
FREDERICK GILLMORE.
A man who has been elected to three important public offices in four years probably has special qualifications for leadership. Ile must possess in a very high degree the confidence of his fellow citizens and he must also possess rare executive or administrative talent. Such a man is Frederick Gillmore, mayor of Utica, who served before his election to the mayoralty as city assessor and as sheriff of Oneida county. all of which offices he filled within four years- a record that can scarcely be duplicated in New York or any other state of the Union.
Mr. Gillmore was born in Utica February 23, 1873, a son of Charles Dexter and Mary A. (Lewis) Gillmore, both of whom were natives of Utica. The Gillmore family were early settlers of Oneida county and Dexter Gillmore, the grandfather on the paternal side, was a justice of the peace and city clerk of Utica in the early days. The maternal grandfather, Martin G. Lewis, is now living in Utica. Charles Dexter Gillmore, the father of our subject, was born in this city March 22, 1841, and died March 17, 1911, being then nearly sev- enty years of age. His entire life was spent in the city of his nativity and here he received his education and learned the trade of molder. After work- ing a number of years at his trade he became connected with George B. Chase in the cigar business and later entered the same line of business with John W. Bebb. For several years they conducted the store of Gillmore & Bebb on Baggs Square. Mr. Gillmore made many friends in the city among whom he was highly popular. He was a member of the Rescue Hook and Ladder Company of the old volunteer fire department and also of the Exempt Firemen's Asso- ciation. Religiously he was identified with the Tabernacle Baptist church and politically with the democratic party, being a member of the Democratic As- sociation of this city. Ile was a man of exemplary character, happy disposi- tion and unassuming good fellowship. He is survived by two brothers: Wil- liam A., of Syracuse; and Frank, of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Mrs. Gilmore died November 20, 1908.
Frederick Gillmore, the only son of his parents, was educated in the public schools of Utica and after laying aside his books engaged as clerk in the whole- sale clothing business for several years in this city. He next entered the city engineer's office with which he was identified for seven years, after which he
FREDERICK GILLMORE
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served for three years as clerk of the board of assessors. In November, 1904, he was elected city assessor for a term of three years, but resigned after one year, having been elected sheriff of Oneida county for three years during which time he discharged his duties in such a way as to meet the hearty commenda- tion of the people. There were two death convictions while he filled the office of sheriff, the condemned men being electrocuted at Auburn prison. Ile was the first sheriff to occupy offices in the new courthouse. In November, 1909, he was elected mayor of the eity of Utica, which position he has filled to the general satisfaction of the voters.
Mr. Gillmore was united in marriage to Miss Anna M. Hickey, a daughter of John and Margaret ITiekey of Utica, and two children have blessed this union, Charles F. and Grace M. Politically Mr. Gillmore is a supporter of the democratic party and ever since arriving at his majority has been an active worker in its behalf. He holds membership in the Democratic Association and for twelve or fifteen years past has given his time largely to political affairs. By the conscientious discharge of his duties he has gained the confidence and support of the best elass of citizens, showing an integrity and ability most creditable to himself and resulting in permanent benefits to the county and city. His record is an indication that faithful service in public office often meets with just recognition. Ile has many warm personal friends in Utica and Oneida county and fraternally is a valued member of Lodge No. 33, B. P. O. E. and of the Royal Arcanum and the Knights of the Maccabees.
HON. SAMUEL A. BEARDSLEY.
The ancestral record of the IIon. Samuel A. Beardsley is interwoven with the judicial history of New York. His grandfather, Samuel Beardsley, was numbered with the prominent statesmen and jurists of his day. His son, Arthur M. Beardsley, taking up the practice of law, continued actively be- fore the bar for more than a half of a century and his course added luster to the splendid record made by Chief Justice Beardsley.
The birth of Samuel A. Beardsley oeeurred in Utica, December 1, 1856. and after mastering the elementary branches of learning in the public schools he entered Williston Seminary at East Hampton, Massachusetts. Later he matriculated in the Hamilton College Law School, from which he was grad- nated, being admitted to the bar in 1879. Soon afterward he was admitted to a partnership in the firm of which his father was senior member, and in 1884 a partnership was formed under the firm style of Beardsley & Beardsley. He was elected special city judge in 1886 and eity judge two years later. He occupied the bench in the latter court for four years but resigned when ten- dered the appointment of state railroad commissioner by Governor Flower. He is now a member of the firm of Beardsley, Hemmens & Taylor, of 54 Wall street, New York.
In 1881, Judge Beardsley was married to Miss Elizabeth Hopper, of Utica, an adopted daughter of Thomas Hopper, and to them have been born three
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children. In his fraternal affiliations Mr. Beardsley is a Mason. His close and discriminating study of the political situation and issues of the day has led him to give unfaltering allegiance to the democracy and to take active part in the work of securing the adoption of its principles. Beginning in 1886 he served for three consecutive years as chairman of the democratic county committee, has also been state committeeman from his congressional district and was secretary of the democratic state committee from 1889 until 1893. He was a delegate to the Denver national convention of 1904 and 1908, and every democratic convention from 1889 to 1910. Although he has held but l'ew political offices, the principal one of which was the chairmanship of the state board of the railroad commission from 1892 to 1896. by appointment of Governor Flower, he has been an active and efficient politician. His opinions have always carried weight in political councils. For twenty-five years he has been regarded as the leader of the democratic party in Oneida county and he was long a friend and advisor of Senator D. B. ITill. While in a business way he represents large financial interests, he has also taken an active interest in politics. He is farseeing and sagacious and tries to succeed in whatever he undertakes.
JOEL ALBERT OMENS.
The industrial development of Utica found a worthy and able exponent in Joel Albert Omens, who was long well known in connection with the Utiea Steam Engine & Boiler Works and afterward as manufacturer of the Universal Boiler Compound. In business circles and social life of the community he won the esteem and good-will of his fellowmen and his memory is yet cherished by many of the Utica citizens whom he numbered as friends. He was born at West Eaton, New York, April 7, 1843, a son of Pardon and Alta Omens. His father, who was born at Providence, Rhode Island, May 25, 1814, devoted his life to general agricultural pursuits. On the 15th of September, 1833, he was married to Alta Fiske, whose birth occurred at Providence, on the 3d of June, 1813.
Joel Albert Omens pursued his edueation in the distriet school at West Eaton, New York, and in early life learned the boiler maker's trade, in which he acquired such proficiency that for several years he was employed as fore- man at the Philo S. Curtis plant on Whitesboro street in Utiea. Following the death of Mr. Curtis he purchased the business and incorporated it under the name of The Utica Steam Engine & Boiler Works. For several years he continued in that field of business, subsequently selling his interest to Thomas F. MeKeongh and Dr. F. S. De Long. Ile was also the owner and manu- facturer of the Universal Boiler Compound, probably the leading boiler eom- pound on the market. Ilis business in both connections proved profitable and capable management and reliability were salient characteristies in his success. The Association of Stationary Engineers elected him an honorary member.
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There is an interesting military chapter in the life history of Mr. Omens, who entered the service on the 22d of April, 1861, when the smoke of Fort Sumter's guns had scarcely cleared away. He was assigned to duty with Company G of the Fourteenth New York Volunteer Infantry and the regi- ment, which was organized at Albany, New York, was mustered into the United States service on the 17th of May, and left the state on the 17th of June for Division of the Army of northeast Virginia and on the 15th of October to Merrill's Brigade, Porter's Division of the Army of the Potomac. On the Washington. In July he was assigned to the First Brigade of the Second 13th of March, 1862, the Fourteenth New York became a part of the Third Corps of the same brigade and division and in May was assigned to the Second Brigade, First Division, Fifth Corps. Mr. Omens participated in the Yorktown and Peninsula campaigns until wounded at Gaines' Mills, June 27, 1862, by a gunshot in the neck. He was then sent to the regimental hospital and on the 12th of August to the Chestnut Ilill Hospital at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On the 10th of December, 1862, he was honorably mustered out on a surgeon's certificate of disability. The regiment left Harrison's Landing on the 15th of August, of that year, and joined Pope's army on the 27th, removing thence to Washington. On the 2d of September they partici- pated in the battle of Antietam and also took part in the Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville campaign. The most important engagements in which Mr. Omens participated were at Balls Cross Roads, September 14, 1861; the siege of Yorktown, from April 5 to May 4, 1861; Ilanover Court House, May 27th ; New Bridge, June 5th ; the seven days' battle of the Wilderness; the battle of Mechanicsville, June 26th ; and the battle of Gaines' Mills on the following day, in which engagement Mr. Omens was injured.
Mr. Omens was very happily settled in his home associations. His first wife was Lucy Rudd, of Delta, who passed away about three years after their marriage, and on the 13th of June, 1872, he was married to Susan Cook, at No. 18 Henry street, Utica, by the Rev. Houghton, pastor of the First Method- ist Episcopal church. She was a daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Cook, the former a native of Connectient and a patern maker by trade, while the latter, who hore the maiden name of Elizabeth Roberts, was born in Canarvon- shire, North Wales. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Omens were born a son and two daughters: Albert E., who married Aliee Seaton, of New Hartford, but lost his wife. September 15, 1908; Grace E., the wife of John M. Fox; and Annetta Fuller, the wife of Dr. F. S. De Long.
Mr. Omens gave his politieal support to the republican party and frater- nally was connected with the Elks and with Oriental Lodge, No. 224, F. & A. M., which he joined November 30, 1869. He became a thirty-second degree Mason and was also a member of the Mystie Shrine, having crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of Ziyara Temple. His religious faith was in- dicated by his membership in St. George's church. Following his retirement from business in 1906 he spent most of his time in travel and during a tem- porary sojourn at Los Angeles, California, passed away of pneumonia on the 27th of January, 1910, his remains being brought baek to Utiea for inter- ment in the family lot in Forest Hill cemetery. He was a man of many
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sterling traits of character and noble qualities who had gained a firm hold upon the affections of his friends and associates and his loss was therefore deeply deplored. He had long since proven his right to rank with the leading and reliable business men of U'tica and with its progressive and public-spirited citizens.
IRA MORRIS COMSTOCK, M. D.
Thirty-one years ago Dr. Ira Morris Comstock began practice at New York Mills and today he ranks as one of the leading physicians of Oneida county. This enviable position he has gained through conscientious attention to his calling. lle was born at Salisbury, New York, January 1, 1856, a son of Morris W. and Sarah (Rice) Comstock and a grandson of Ira Comstock. He attended the Whitestown Seminary and the Utica Business College and then began read- ing medicine in 1876 in the office of Dr. William M. James, of Whitestown. Later he attended three courses of lectures at the University of the City of New York and was graduated with the degree of M. D. February 18, 1879. Ile took a post-graduate course at the same institution in 1880. After leaving college Dr. Comstock began practice at New York Mills, May 1, 1880, and he has ever since continued at the same place. In the course of this time he has attained a wide reputation, which is not limited to the confines of Oneida county. He has been for many years actively identified with various medieal organizations and is a member of the Utica Medical Library Association, the Oneida County Medical Society, the New York State Medical Society and the American Medi- cal Association. He has served for a number of years as member of the board of censors of the county organization and at the present time is examining phy- sician for various fraternal orders and for leading life insurance companies, among the latter of which may be named the New York Life Insurance Com- pany, the Mutual Life, the Phoenix Mutual, the John Hancock. the Provident Life & Trust, the Metropolitan and other companies.
On April 7, 1880, Dr. Comstock was married to Miss Emma L. Bartlett. of Williamstown, New York, and to this union four children were born: Morris W .. who was accidently drowned while skating December 5, 1901 ; May Asenath, who is a graduate of the Utica high school and the Utica Free Academy and is now living at home; Aletha Emma, who was graduated at the Utica Free Aead- emy and is now senior at the Syracuse University; and Charles Ward, in at- tendance at the Utica Free Academy. Mrs. Comstock died March 16, 1900,
and is buried at Glenside cemetery. She was a lady of rare personal and mental attractiveness and was a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal church
of New York Mills and of the New Century Club of Utica. Dr. Comstock is actively interested in the Young Men's Christian Association of Utica and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of New York Mills, of which he is serving as trustee, having for several years past filled the office of chairman of the board. In polities he is a republican. He has often been called into party councils and has served as delegate to various republican conventions
DR. IRA M. COMSTOCK
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but never permitted excitement of political elections to interfere with his pro- fessional work, to which he has made all else subordinate.
Fraternally Dr. Comstock is prominently connected with various orders, being a member of Oriental Lodge, No. 224, A. F. & A. M .; Oneida Chapter, No. 57, R. A. M .; Utica Commandery, No. 3, K. T .; Central City Consistory, S. P. R. S .; and Ziyara Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S .; also of Zeba Grotto, No. 4, M. O. V. P. E. R .; the subordinate lodge and Tri-Mount Encampment of Odd fellows; the Masonic Craftsman Club of Utica, and Canton Utica No. 23, Patriarchs Militant. He was a charter member of the Yorkville Fire and Hose Company and filled the office of president four or five terms, being now a member of the board of governors, a position which he has held for twenty years. He is a member of the Veteran League of American Wheelmen and of the league couneil. He is an enthusiastic automobilist and holds membership in the Utica Automobile Club, the New York State Automobile Association and the American Automobile Association. By virtue of his scholarship and love of travel he is a member of the National Geographical Society. He has at- tended all the world's fairs since the centennial exposition at Philadelphia in 1876 and has made three trips down the St. Lawrence river with a guide in a canoe, having in a similar way traversed the principal waters of Canada. He is the owner of a beautiful summer home at Sylvan Beach. A man of wide ob- servation, of thoroughly cultivated mind and of special adaptability to the profession to which he has devoted the best energies of his life, Dr. Comstock has labored not in vain. His friends are many and his efficient services are deeply appreciated throughout a wide region in eentral New York state.
ALBERT ELMER BAILEY.
Albert Elmer Bailey, a well known representative of industrial interests in Utica, organized the firm of Bailey & Bowne in 1898 and has sinee built up an extensive carriage and automobile manufacturing enterprise. Ile was born in this city on the 2d of February, 1862, a son of Charles Henry and Mary J. (Peake) Bailey, and is a worthy representative of one of the promi- nent early families of the Empire state. Both his father and grandfather were natives of Whitestown, the former being born on the 7th of April, 1827, in what was called the Pratt Settlement. Samuel Bailey, the paternal grand- father of our subject, born 1794, was an agriculturist by occupation, while Charles Henry Bailey was engaged in the foundry business. The latter eame to Utica in the early '50s and passed away in 1892. The paternal great- grandfather, Stephen Bailey, was born in Connecticut in 1762, and served in the Revolutionary war, while on the maternal side of the house the great- grandfather was a native of Holland, who had early settled in Saratoga county, where Mary J. (Peake) Bailey, our subject's mother was born in 1830.
Albert Elmer Bailey attended the public schools in the acquirement of an education and was graduated from the Free Academy with the class of 1879.
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In 198 he organized the firm of Bailey & Bowne for the manufacture of carriages and has since developed an enterprise of extensive and protitable proportions. He has spent his entire life in Utica and enjoys a wide and favorable acquaintance here.
THOMAS W. SPENCER.
The profession of civil engineering has engaged the attention of many bright minds in New York state and presented a field for the talents of Thomas W. Spencer, now deceased, which he occupied with remarkable success. Few railway civil engineers of central New York have left more ereditable and en- during evidences of their skill, and the people of Utica have just cause to be proud that he made this city his home during the most active period of his life. He was a native of Vernon Center and was born in 1833, a son of Thomas G. and Eliza Ann (Ross) Spencer. Thomas G. Spencer was for many years a resident of Oneida county, and was also a civil engineer. IJe died at Albany. New York, January 19, 1866. Shortly after 1833 the family moved to Utica and a few years later settled at Albany.
Ile received his early education in private schools, coneluding his prelim- inary training at the Boys Academy of Albany. After leaving school he asso- ciated with his father who was a civil engineer, thus gaining the foundation of a calling to which he gave his best energies through all the remaining years of his life. He served as rodman and in setting levels for the first T rails laid in New York state and made such rapid progress that in 1854, being then twenty-one years of age, he was appointed as assistant engineer in the enlarge- ment of the Erio canal at Schenectady. After filling this position for three years he was employed on the Albany & Susquehanna Railroad and later on the Cooperstown & Susquehanna Railroad in an engineering capacity. also serving in the construction of other railroads. In 1867 he took up his residence at U'tica which he made his permanent home, and built the Utica & Black River Railroad and was for a time its superintendent. He was interested in the construction of the Herkimer. Newport & Poland Railroad and became its president and general engineer. However, he gave np his connection with this road to accept an appointment as division engineer of the West Shore Railroad for the counties of Herkimer, Oneida and Madison. In July, 1883. he was appointed engineering inspector for the board of railroad commissioners of the state of New York, which office he held until 1892. He was thoroughly efficient and reliable in everything he undertook and gained a wide reputa- tion as one of the most competent men in his special line to be found in the state of New York. His advice was often sought concerning difficult engineer- ing problems and he was regarded as an authority in all matters pertaining to the laying out and construction of railways.
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