USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York : from 1700 to the present time, Volume II > Part 42
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59
In politics Mr. White was an ardent republican, casting his first vote for John C. Fremont for president, and for some time was a prominent political factor in the southern tier of counties during his residence at Sweet Briar Farm. Ile never desired public office, however, but frequently acted as a delegate to state and other conventions of his party.
He was preeminently the leading layman of the Protestant Episcopal church of central and western New York, and for thirty years served as delegate to diocesan conventions, and for fifteen years attended the general couneils. He was warden of Trinity church, Canaseraga. and at Zion church, Pierrepont Manor, succeeded his father-in-law as warden there. On coming to Utica he was chosen vestryman of Grace church, and upon the death of Lucius C. Childs. became warden in his place. He was a member of the standing committee of the Central New York Dioeese, and was appointed lay reader by Bishop Hunting- ton. At one time he was a trustee of Hobart College. He was president of the New York State Agricultural Society; and ex-officio trustee of Cornell Univer- sity. He was a liberal supporter, and for several years president, of St. Luke's Home and Ilospital, and in the spring of 1895 was appointed one of the man- agers of the Utiea State Hospital. He was also a director of the Utiea Female Seminary; president of the Utica Country Club; also a member and for three
1
471
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
years one of the board of managers of the Fort Schuyler Club. In all of these positions he served with great credit and ability, and won the respect and con- fidence of every one with whom he came in contact.
He was the soul of honor, frank, generous, kind and courteous, hospitable and benevolent, and a friend and promoter of charities, hospitals, churches, educational and business enterprises. He was preeminently a model citizen, public-spirited, enterprising and successful, and enjoyed a wide acquaintance and a host of warm friends. In his own home, however, he found his chief en- joyment, and it was his devotion to his family which was perhaps the strongest trait of Mr. White's character. His care of his children, his interest in their welfare, the indelible impress of his cheerful nature and his constant utterances imbuing them with the purest sense of manhood. He loved freedom and prog- ress, and in all the affairs of life he attained a degree of success and perfection that is seldom equaled. Ile died on the 2d of January, 1896, survived by his eleven children, six being sons and five daughters. The oldest, IIugh, now the active manager of the Pierrepont landed estate in northern New York; William Pierrepont, a graduate of the Utica Free Academy and of the Columbia Law School; Anna Maria; H. Lawrence, a director of the Utica Drop Forge & Tool Company ; Florilla Mansfield; Mary Pierrepont; Cornelia Butler; Isabel; De Lancey Pierrepont; Charles Carroll; and John Dolbeare.
Mr. White was of a commanding and perhaps austere appearance, being fully six feet in height, with very broad shoulders, and weighing two hundred and fifty pounds. His hair was brown and his eyes blue, and he always wore a smooth face.
WILLIAM PIERREPONT WHITE.
William Pierrepont White was graduated at the Utica Free Academy in 1886 and, having decided to follow the law as a profession, took up the study in Utica and continued it at Columbia University and also at the University of Virginia. He was admitted to the bar in 1890 and began practice at Utica in September, 1891. He soon gained recognition as a man of great determination of character, thoroughly in earnest in his chosen pursnit and one whose judg- ment in legal matters could be relied upon, even in cases of the greatest impor- tance. He has taken great interest in business affairs and is president of the Utica Drop Forge & Tool Company, the Rome & Osceola Railroad Company and the New York Mills and the Aragon Mills of Polk county, Georgia. He is a member of the board of directors and second vice president of the Citizens Trust Company of Utica and is a director of the Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg Railroad Company and the Rome Brass & Copper Company. He has for a num- ber of years been prominently identified with the good-roads movement, result- ing in the fifty million dollar bond issue and the general revision of the state highway law. Since 1892 he has been secretary of the Oneida County League of Good Roads and served for nine years as chairman of the executive commit- tee of the supervisors highway conventions and for three years-1905, 1906
172
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
and 1907- as county superintendent of highways, being the first incumbent of this office in this county.
On the 3d of June, 1908, Mr. White was united in marriage, at Northport, Long Island, to Miss Mary Antoinette Wheeler, a daughter of George W. and C'atherine A. (Robertson) Wheeler. He is an earnest believer in the doctrines of the Episcopal church having served as warden of Zion church at Pierrepont Manor and is a member of Grace church of Utica. Socially he is identified with Fort Schuyler Club of Utica and St. Nicholas Club of New York city. Successful both in his profession and as manager or director of large business enterprises, he has been instrumental in promoting a number of important finan- cial, industrial and commercial concerns, which give employment to many per- sons, thus assisting substantially in advancing the prosperity of the country. lle is no vague dreamer or enthusiast and the results of his activities are seen in great manufacturing establishments and in happy homes, supplied with the comforts and conveniences of modern life. Of such men the community may. indeed, be proud.
DE LANCEY PIERREPONT WHITE.
Among the representatives of a family which has for many years been prominent in central New York is De Lancey Pierrepont White, manager of the Mather estate at U'tica. He was born on a farm at Canaseraga, Livingston county. New York, June 12. 1878, a son of William Mansfield and Anna Maria (Pierrepont : White.
De Lancey Pierrepont White received his preliminary education in private schools, Utica Academy and St. Paul's school of Garden City. Long Island. He entered Harvard University and was graduated in 1901. His first work was as civil engineer for the City Street Railway Company of Utica. Ile next served for two years as secretary of the New York Radiator Company and then for one year was with the Phoenix Iron Works. He went to Buffalo for the Syracuse Stove Works and for a time was engaged in real estate and in- surance and continued there until 1909. when he spent one year at Watertown. Since October, 1910. he has had charge of the Mather estate at Utica, consist- ing of the Arcade building and many other valuable properties in this city.
In May. 1909. Mr. White was happily united in marriage. at Niagara Falls, to Miss Mand Mather, a daughter of Charles W. Mather, and to this union one child has been born. Mary Pierrepont II, whose natal day was May 21. 1910. Mr. White is a young man of fine education and good business judg- ment, whose life has been controlled by high ideals, seeking not so much the applause of others as the approval of an enlightened conscience. He is a worthy descendant of a noble lineage and in the opinion of his friends will render a good account of his stewardship. He is a member of the Fort Sehuy- ler C'hub of Htica, the University Chib of Buffalo and the Black River Club and the Harvard Club of New York city.
Charles W. Mather, the father of Mrs. White, was for a number of years a prominent citizen of Utica. He was born at Hartford, May 1, 1852. a son of
DEYancey to fuite
ILLUEN.
L
475
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
Wesley and Julia Ann (Keyser) Mather. The family is descended from Rev. Richard Mather, who came from England to Boston in 1635. He was the father of Inerease Mather, who was a leading divine of early colonial times and president of Harvard University. Wesley Mather was a son of Joshua and Cornelia (Willis) Mather, who were the parents of four children, Lu- cinda, Wesley, Asaph D. and Joshua, Jr. Asaph D. Mather, unele of Charles W. Mather, was born in Utica, March 16, 1823, and in Mareh, 1860, asso- ciated with his brother Joshua and established the banking house of A. D. Mather & Company in Utica. For thirty-three years the senior member of the firm was a prominent factor in business and financial affairs of Oneida county, gaining the reputation of being one of the most energetie and trust- worthy men of eentral New York. He was noted as possessing the strictest honor and integrity and was remarkably successful, accumulating a large for- tune, which was founded upon early investments in real estate at Utica. In private walks of life he was genial and soeiable and to worthy objeets of char- ity his purse was always open. He was never married. He died in April, 1880. Joshua Mather continued in the business of which his brother had been the head. It was incorporated as A. D. Mather & Company's Bank with Joshua Mather as president. He died August 18, 1893. The father of Charles W. Mather died September 15, 1892, his wife having passed away in 1855. He had five children : Albert; Lucinda, who married Joseph D. Monroe; War- ren; Sarah J., who became the wife of J. F. Turner; and Charles W.
Charles W. Mather was educated in the public schools and the private school of John Williams. He entered the banking business under his uncles in 1871. In 1880 he was made a partner and in 1890 became vice president of the bank. On the death of his unele in 1893 he was elected president of the bank, an office which he continued to hold during the remainder of his life. He was also director and treasurer of the Utiea Belt Line from the time of its organization in 1886 and managed with marked ability the large interests entrusted to his care. On August 7, 1873, he was married to Miss Ida F. Crane, a daughter of David J. Crane, a member of the editorial staff of the New York Tribune and ten children came to bless this union : Cornelia, Maud, Ida, Kathryn and Richard, who are living; and Julia, William, Harold, Lindly and Joshua, deceased. Mr. Mather died in November, 1899, and his death was felt as a distinet loss to the entire community. He was a member of various Masonic bodies, including the blue lodge, chapter, commandery and shrine and was also a charter member of the Masonic Club. Mrs. Mather is still living and makes her home at Niagara Falls.
JAMES J. DEVEREUX.
Among the young men of Utiea it would be difficult to name one who is more popular or deserves more credit for what he has accomplished than James J. Devereux, who is now filling the office of city treasurer. He was born in Utica, January 7, 1876, a son of Patrick Devereux, who was a native of County Wexford, Vol. II-22
476
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
Ireland. Mr. Devereux, Sr., came to America in 1868 and located at Utiea, where he engaged as a baker and proved very successful in his business. He died at the age of thirty-three years. Ile was a man of many excellent traits of character, a member of St. John's Catholie clmreh and politically an adherent of the democratic party. Our subject's mother, Ellen Sinnott before her marriage, was a daughter of James and Ellen Sinnott. She was born in County Wexford. Ireland, and came to Utica, New York, where she was married to Mr. Devereux. She resides in this city at the age of sixty-five years.
James J. Devereux was the youngest of a family of four children. He received his preliminary edneation at Assumption Academy and after leaving school seenred employment in clerical work on the Globe. On January 1, 1901, he opened a dry-goods store, at 976 Bleecker street, on his own account and eon- tinned in business until 1907. He then became connected with the mercantile establishment of John A. Roberts & Company and was identified with this concern until November 8, 1909, when he was elected to the office of city treas- urer, a position which he has ever since filled.
In polities Mr. Devereux follows in the footsteps of his father and gives his support to the democratie party. He was reared in the Catholic faith and is a valued member of St. Agnes church. He also holds membership in the Young Men's Christian Association and the Moose-Seneea Club. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Maccabees and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He possesses genial, social qualities and as a business man has shown sound judgment and an adaptability in meeting the public which are highly important elements in the attainment of snecess. His administration of the office of eity treasurer has been highly satisfactory to the people and it is safe to prophesy that he has before him many years of responsibility and increasing usefulness.
ALFRED H. MUNSON.
The business interests of Utica are most creditably represented by Alfred II. Munson, who for more than forty years has been identified with the development of the city and has contributed his share toward its material prosperity. Ile is a native of Brownville. Jefferson county, New York, born February 14. 1846, and is a son of Edmund and Sarah (Gardinier) Munson, the latter of whom was born at Schenectady. New York. The father was born at Barkhamsted, Litehfield county, Connectient, May 2, 1805. He learned the milling business under his father and moved to Brownville, New York, where he built one of the largest flouring mills that was known in New York state at the time. In 1847 he arrived with his family in Utica and became connected in business with Alfred Munson, an unele, who had established a mill and machinery business at Utiea in 1825 and for many years was one of the leading citizens of the town. Edmund Munson continued with his nnele as superintendent for some years and then became junior partner in the firm of Hart & Munson. In 1869 the business was turned over to his
477
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
three sons, Edmund L., Alfred H. and Counteil, and was conducted under the title of Munson Brothers, engineers, founders, machinists and mill fur- nishers. The father died March 14, 1872. He possessed marked ability in his calling and secured several valuable patents for devices in connection with mills and machinery.
Alfred II. Munson received his preliminary education in the public schools of Utica and was graduated at the Utica Free Academy in July, 1864. Ile began his business career in the sale of Portland and native cement and later associated with his brothers in the mill-machinery business, with which he has ever since been connected. His two brothers are now deceased, Edmund Lee having died in May, 1910. The business was incorporated in 1899 under the title of Munson Brothers Company and is now in highly successful oper- ation.
In October, 1874, Mr. Munson was married, at Troy, New York, to Miss Marie Antoinette Starbuck, a daughter of George HI. Starbuck. Three chil- dren came to bless this union: Walter Starbuck, who is now associated with his father in business ; Emmeline Watson; and Edna Lee, who married Herbert R. Smith, of New York city. Mr. Munson has been for many years a member of Grace Episcopal church, in which he serves as vestryman. Ile is vice president of the Homestead Aid Association and president of the Utica Curl- ing Club. being also a member of the Fort Schuyler Club. He has spent almost his entire life at Utica and no man is more sincerely pleased at the progress which has been made in all departments of activity, especially along lines enabling the great body of the people to secure the comforts and con- veniences of life at a moderate cost. He takes a great interest in the promo- tion of the welfare of the city and is known as a man who attempts to per- form his whole duty to those with whom he is associated.
ANGELINE MARTINE, M. D.
A prominent and highly successful representative of the medical profes- sion of Utica is Dr. Angeline Martine, who for the past fifteen years has been engaged in practice in this eity. She is a native of this state, her birth having occurred in New York city, on the 20th of March, 1867.
After the completion of her preliminary education Dr. Martine matric- nlated at the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania. at Philadelphia, from which institution she was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1892 In order to better qualify herself for obstetrical work after the completion of her course she entered the Philadelphia Maternity Hospital. She sub- sequently spent two years as resident physician of the Charity Club Hospital of Boston, where her experience was of a somewhat more general nature. Feeling at the expiration of that period that she was fully equipped to under- take a private practice she came to Utica, establishing an office here in 1896. that she has ever since maintained. She soon had opportunity to demon- strate her efficiency and as a result in a remarkably short time had estab-
475
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
lished a nice practice, which has steadily inereased until now she is one of the most widely sought physicians in Utica. She was assistant gynecologist at Luke's Hospital for a number of years, following which she became chief obstetrician, continuing in this capacity for four years.
Dr. Martine is one of those fortunate individuals, who in the choosing of her life vocation alighted upon the thing for which she was by nature best qualified. She is the vice president and was for two years secretary of the U'tica Medical Library Association, and she is also affiliated with the American and State Medical Associations, the County Medieal Society, Clin- ical Society of St. Luke's Hospital and the Women's Medical Society of the State of New York, through the medium of which organizations she main- tains relations with her fellow practitioners.
HENRY W. ROBERTS.
Henry W. Roberts, who is identified with the manufacturing interests of Clinton, has been a resident of this village for thirty-eight years, except an interval of five years in Utica during thirty-three of which he has been con- nected with commercial and industrial enterprises. Mr. Roberts was born in Deerfield, Oneida county, on the 1st of December, 1858, and is a son of Ellis R. and Ann (Johns) Roberts, also natives of this county. The paternal grand- father. Ellis Roberts, settled in Utica in 1818.
The first fifteen years of his life Henry W. Roberts spent in his native vil- lage. acquiring his early education in the public schools of Utica, following which he attended the Clinton Grammar School. The family removed to Clin- ton in 1873. where the father engaged in the grocery business, and four years thereafter Henry W. Roberts began his business career as a clerk in his father's store. At the expiration of three years he entered the employ of E. S. Benedict, a druggist of Clinton, where he acquired sufficient knowledge of the business to enable him to obtain a position in 1883 in the wholesale drug house of Comstock Bros. of Utica. Returning to Clinton at the end of five years he bought out Corry & Bailey, grocers. continuing to be identified with that busi- ness until 1907 when he disposed of his interests to HI. E. Thomas & Co. He subsequently established the Clinton Knitting Company, of which industry he was made treasurer and manager. He has ever since been connected with this concern, which has developed to such an extent that it is becoming recog- nized as one of the promising industries of Clinton.
In this village on the 28th of November. 1883, Mr. Roberts was united in marriage to Miss Anna Clark, a daughter of Patrick and Margaret (Duffy) Clark. and they have become the parents of two children: Gertrude Marie and Leo Henry.
The family affiliates with the Presbyterian church of which Mr. Roberts is one of the trustees. His fraternal relations are confined to the Masonie Or- der. his local identification being with Clinton Lodge. No. 169. A. F. & A. M. Hle also belongs to the Skenandoah Club. Ever sinee attaining his majority
HENRY W. ROBERTS
e.
1
K
481
IHISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
Mr. Roberts has been an advocate of the principles of the republican party. He takes an active and helpful interest in municipal affairs and served for three years as town clerk and trustee of the village for one, while for ten years he was an Oneida county committeeman from the town of Kirkland and for six he discharged the duties of county treasurer and served on the school board for eighteen years. His record as a public official has ever been above suspi- cion or question as is readily attested by the period of his service and the re- sponsibility of the various offices with which he has been connected. Mr. Rob- erts is one of the well regarded citizens of the village as well as one of its capable and reliable business men.
CLAUDE WILSON, M. D.
Strong intellectual force and a character in keeping with a splendidly developed mind won for Dr. Clande Wilson high position in the regard and esteem of his fellowmen and gained for him a creditable and honored position in his profession. He was born in Pahner, Massachusetts, January 6, 1850. the eldest son of the Rev. Thomas Wilson, at that time pastor of the Congrega- tional church, who later removing to Stoughton, Massachusetts, after a long ministry of twenty years, served for fifteen years as pastor of the Congrega- tional church in Eaton, Madison county, New York. In the family of Rev. Thomas Wilson were three sons and two daughters. The only surviving mem- ber of the family is the wife of the Rev. James II. Pettee, a missionary in Okayama, Japan.
Reared amid the refining influences of a Christian home, Dr. Wilson early laid the foundation for the splendid character which in later life gave him high position among his fellowmen. 1Ie graduated in the first class that completed the high-school course at Stoughton, Massaelmsetts, in 1867, afterward entering Amherst College, from which he graduated with the class of 1871. During the succeeding three years he devoted his time to the work of teaching in the Asylum for the Blind at Columbus, Ohio, prompted by a benevolent spirit which eaused him to thus aid one of the most unfortunate classes. He next entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York in preparation for the practice of medicine and graduated therefrom in March, 1876. IIe was induced by friends to settle at Waterville and here his first and last pro- fessional work was done. Thoroughly equipped by education and nature and possessing qualities of mind and character that won the confidence and respect of all, he was not long in winning an enviable position as a practitioner of Oneida county. Very careful in the diagnosis of his cases and in matters of judgment he was seldom it ever at fault and being endowed with a kindly heart, developed a splendid Christian manhood so that not only in professional lines but also along the higher planes that lead to the betterment of one's condition in life his personality was felt. He was always conscientious and honorable both in professional and private life and, in fact, his record remains as a splendid example for those who wish to seek in life the better part. Aside
.
182
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
fro ... Ins professional duties he became a director in the National Bank of Waterville and in the publie life of the community took an active and helpful interest.
On the 5th of June, 1877, Dr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Anna Atherton lodges, a daughter of Leonard and Jane (Atherton) Hodges. of Stoughton. Massachusetts. Her father was an extensive manufacturer and influential citizen of that place. Mrs. Wilson acquired her education in her native state and possesses a brilliant mind and liberal culture. It was largely an ideal relation that existed between her and her husband because of their close companionship and the congeniality of interests. The children born of this marriage were five in number. Anabel, a Vassar graduate of 1899, was married in 1900 to Charles Tefft Hatch and lives in Waterville. Janet in 1903 became the wife of Alfrederie Smith Hatch, a brother of Charles T. latch, and they reside in Brooklyn, New York. Margaret was married in 1911 to Harold Frederick Coggeshall. the youngest son of the late Senator C'oggeshall. and they reside in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Claude graduated from Amherst College and also from The Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Ile is a civil engineer in Broklyn, New York. Leonard. likewise a graduate of Amherst. is now located in Los Angeles, California.
The family circle was broken by the hand of death on the 22d of April, 196. when Dr. Wilson was called to his final rest. He had made for himself a position in the community that caused his death to be most deeply regretted. He was a valued and influential member of Sanger Lodge. A. F. & A. M .. and the Waterville council of the Royal Areanum, likewise an active member of the Pickwick Club and always rendered valuable aid to literary and ednea- tional advancement in Waterville, serving for a time as a member of the board of education. His influence was always on the side of progress and improvement. In his own life he sought those things which are most worth while and was never content with the second best. Those who knew him- and his friends were many-esteemed him not only for his professional ability but for those attributes of personal character which always awaken confidenee, regard and respect.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.