USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York : from 1700 to the present time, Volume II > Part 44
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Thomas P. Abeel always considered Rome as his home and had the keenest af- fection for his many friends here.
The younger daughter of the family of Captain James Abeel was Miss Augusta, who married Colonel Frank Parker, who served throughout the war of the Rebellion and was an army officer all his life. He died at the Allegheny arsenal, February 22, 1897. Mrs. Parker has one son, John Mason Parker, an attorney of Owego, New York.
WALLACE CLARKE, M. D.
Wallace Clarke, A. M., M. D. C. M., of Utica was born in Montreal, Canada, May 30, 1849, the son of William Roxborough Clarke, of that city who was the son of Thomas and Janet Roxborough Clarke of Kilmarnock, Scotland, and eame to Canada in 1820, to go into business with his uncle William Roxbor- ough of Quebec, one of the first importers and wholesale merchants in Canada. After graduating from the Montreal high school, Wallace Clarke entered Me- Gill University in Montreal, at the age of sixteen years and, during his six years in that institution of learning, achieved a record in scholarship never before attained by any student of McGill. Not only did he complete the eight years' work, required for the B. A. and M. D. degrees, in six years, but while doing the double work received the second year's honor-prize in English and the Shakespeare Gold Medal, the most sought-after prize in the college, graduated with high honors from the medical school and was captain of the university ericket team. He received his B. A. degree, in 1869, and the M. D. C. M. and L. R. C. P. S., in 1871, and the M. A., in 1873. During the latter part of his medical course he was personal assistant to the eminent Canadian surgeon, Doctor William lingston, upon whom later on was be- stowed a Knighthood by the king of England. After graduation from the Medical School Dr. Clarke began the practice of medicine in Marquette, Mich- igan, where he rapidly built up a flourishing practice. While in Marquette he met Miss Sarah Elizabeth Scoville, the stepdaughter of Mr. Thomas HI. Wood, of Utica and granddaughter of Mr. Stalham Williams, one of the pio- neers of Utica, whom he married in this city, November 30, 1875. In 1875 Dr. Clarke settled in Utica, where he soon became one of the leading physi- cians of the city. He was one of the attending physicians to Faxton and St. Luke's Hospitals and the Utica Orphan Asylum and, after an extended period of post-graduate work in Europe, in 1889, in which he made a special study of the diseases of the eye, ear, throat and nose, he was appointed attending ophthalmologist to the Utica State Hospital. Dr. Clarke was for several years the only attending physician to the Utica Dispensary; was the founder of the Utica Medical Library Association, and was actively associated with Dr. Hutchin- son in the development of St. Elizabeth's Hospital. Deeply interested in out- of-door sports Dr. Clarke organized the very successful Utica Toboggan Club, of which he was elected president, the Utiea Cricket Club, of which he was for many years captain and the Utica Lacrosse Club. He was a charter mem-
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ber of the Fort Schuyler Club. In 1892 he was appointed chairman of the civil service commission, and in 1897 was made health officer of Utica, which position he held until 1900. In 1903 on the appearance of smallpox in the city Dr. Clarke, against his will. consented again to assume the duties of the health officership and he held this office until 1907. Immediately after the assumption of his office, in 1897, Dr. Clarke inaugurated a campaign of hy- gienie reform, which not only resulted in making Utica one of the cleanest and healthiest cities in the country, but attracted to it the attention of sani- tarians of the whole country as is described in the chapter on the Medical Profession, in volume }, of this history. In 1902 Dr. Clarke was appointed smallpox expert of the New York state board of health thus becoming one of the two physicians in the state to constitute the final court of appeal in all questions of the diagnosis, eare and quarantining of cases of smallpox. It was largely due to his labors during the epidemic of smallpox in 1903, when every city in the state was in the grip of the disease, that Utiea and the sur- rounding towns escaped with so few eases. Dr. Clarke was at one time vice president of the Oneida County Medieal Society, and is a member of the American Medical Association and the British Medical Association. IIe has had two sons Wallace Roxborongh Clarke, who died at the age of eight years and Dr. Thomas Wood Clarke of Utica.
ERWIN C. CARPENTER.
Among the successful manufacturers of Rome Erwin C. Carpenter oeeu- pies a prominent place both on account of the extent of the operations over which he has control and also because of lifelong associations with a eity whose interests he has been largely instrumental in advaneing. Ile was born at Rome, October 7, 1846, a son of IIenry S. and Mary A. (Cowles) Carpenter. The father was a native of Ilerkimer county, New York, and came to Rome early in his life. He was a mason by trade and for many years was actively en- gaged in building in this city. erecting many of the private residences and larger structures of Rome. He died in 1893, his wife passing away one year later, in 1894.
Erwin C. Carpenter. a member of a family of seven children, attended the public schools of Rome and Albany Seminary. After returning from Albany he became a partner in the wholesale grocery business at Rome under the title of Etheridge. Tuller & Company. After ten years Messrs. Carpenter and Tul- ler withdrew from this firm and started a business under the name of Tuller & Carpenter and so continued for three years, when the partnership was dis- solved. In 1887 Mr. Carpenter became interested in the manufacture of wooden beds, cots and couches under the firm name of Carpenter & Dyett. Gradually the firm began the manufacture of iron and brass beds, eots, etc., and in 1895 the business was incorporated as the Rome Metallic Bedstead Com- pany, of which Mr. Carpenter is president. This company stands foremost among the manufacturers in this line of goods in the United States. In addi-
ERWIN C. CARPENTER
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tion to the large plant at Rome the company maintains two branch establish- ments in New York city and branches at Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia and Baltimore, thus meeting the demands of a large and increasing patronage. The success of the business has been in a great measure due to the untiring efforts of Mr. Carpenter and his ability in selecting men as assistants who are imbued with the same ideas of promptness and reliability in all transactions that have been exemplified in his own career. The company is noted for the quality of the product sent from its factories and the liberal and fair dealing adhered to by its management.
On the 27th of October, 1873, Mr. Carpenter was married to Miss Julia C. Fuller, a daughter of Charles Fuller, of this city, and they have one son, Ar- thur F., who is treasurer of the company of which his father is president. Mr. Carpenter and his family reside in an attractive home at 317 North George street.
A man of strong social instincts, he is a valued member of Roman Lodge, No. 223, A. F & A. M., and also of the Rome Club and the Te-Uge-Ga Country Club. He is a liberal contributor to movements for the promotion of the per- manent interests of his native city and. although he has never taken a prom- inent part in politics, he is a supporter of honest government impartially administered for the benefit of the taxpayers. Through his own efforts he has won his way to a leading position among the manufacturers of New York state and ranks as one of the foremost and representative citizens of Rome.
CHARLES H. HARDER, JR.
Charles H. Harder, Jr., secretary of The Frank S. Harder Company, fur- niture manufacturers of MeConnellsville, is thus closely associated with one of the important productive industries of Oneida county, and he brings to his duties the enterprise and ambition of a young man. His labors, therefore, are proving an element in the successful conduct of the business which is now extensive and of an important character. Mr. Harder was born in Mc- Connellsville, New York, June 3, 1884, a son of Frank. S. and Olive M. (Chres- tien) Harder, the former a native of Peotone, Illinois, and the latter of Mc- Connellsville, New York. The father learned the carpenter's trade with his father, Charles Harder, who came to MeConnellsville when Frank S. Harder was twelve years of age. Here he purchased a sawmill which he operated for a number of years. In 1884 the grandfather and father of our subject organ- ized the firm of C. Harder & Son for the manufacture of furniture, and the business has been continued to the present time. It was conducted under the original partnership relation until 1895, when Frank S. Harder became sole proprietor. In 1906 the business was incorporated under the name of The Frank S. Harder Company for forty thousand dollars, with F. S. Harder, as president and treasurer ; Charles H. Chrestien, as vice president ; and Charles H. Harder, Jr., as secretary. The company manufactures fancy chairs and rockers and three-piece suites. Recently they have purchased the plant of the Vol. 11-23
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Camden Cabinet Company and thus their business has been extended in scope to include the manufacture of mission furniture, odd chairs and rockers, ta- bles and davenports. They have a store in both Camden and MeConnellsville and the business has now reached large proportions, becoming one of the profit- able investments of Oneida county. A safe, conservative business policy was instituted at the outset and at the same time a progressive course has been followed from the beginning, so that the house is continuously bringing forth new styles and making improvements upon its line of manufactured goods. The Camden interests of the company are now in charge of Ilarry A. Harder, the youngest son of Frank S. Harder, while the two other brothers, Charles Il. and Clarenee C., still reside in MeConnellsville.
On the 10th of August, 1909, Charles II. Harder, Jr., was united in mar- riage to Miss Agnes N. Erwin, a daughter of William and Mary A. (Dono- hue) Erwin, of Camden, New York. In his political views Charles II. llarder is a democrat while fraternally he is connected with the Masonic order and re- ligiously with the Methodist Episcopal church. His marked characteristics are such as win popularity and favorable regard and both he and his wife occupy an enviable position in social circles.
BRADFORD HENRY DIVINE.
It was in Utiea that Bradford Henry Divine was born July 5, 1869, a son of Bradford C. and Lucy M. Divine, who were also natives of this city, the former born December 29, 1844, and the latter on the 13th of May, 1848. Bradford C. Divine was for twenty years eashier of the Utiea Steam Cotton Mills and afterward for a quarter of a century was director and manager of the Utica & Willowvale Bleaching Company and was interested in a number of other local business coneerns. Ile thus figured prominently in the industrial circles of the city. Ilis wife was a daughter of Henry and Lucy Sanders, who were pioneer residents of Utica, and in the maternal line Bradford HI. Divine traces his ancestry baek to William Northup, who came from Kingston, Rhode Island, to Oneida county about 1790 and settled in Deerfield, on the farm which is still in possession of the Northup family. His son, Benjamin Northup, served as a captain in the Revolutionary war and lies buried in the Deerfield cemetery. Ilis sons were Stephen and Clark, the latter becoming the great- grandfather of B. II. Divine. The genealogy of the Northup family is traced back in English records to the fourteenth century.
At the usual age Bradford II. Divine became a pupil in the public schools of Utica and passed through consecutive grades until he was graduated in the elass of 1885. IIe entered business life as office clerk in the Utica Steam Cotton Mills, where he remained for six years. He was afterward in a biey- ele factory at Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, for two years in the capacity of purchasing agent and also had charge of the manufacturing office. During the years 1893 and 1894 he was with A. G. Spalding & Brothers, dealers in sport-
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ing goods, as manager of their branch stores in the city of New York. It was while in Chicopee Falls in the manufacturing business that he first recog- nized the need of improved metal finishing materials and tools and this recog- nition ultimately found tangible form in the organization of the business in which he is now engaged. In 1895 his brother became his partner, and the Divine Brothers Company was incorporated in 1896 with a capital of twenty thousand dollars, which was increased in 1906 to fifty thousand dollars and in 1911 to one hundred thousand dollars. They have found it necessary to constantly enlarge their facilities in order to meet the demands of the trade. Their plant was originally located at New Hartford but in 1906 they removed to Utica, leasing the building at Whitesboro and Ifotel streets. From the time of the removal the business grew with astonishing and gratifying rapidity and in August, 1910, the company purchased and doubled the factory capacity of the property which they occupied and in addition the old Seymour mansion, which was converted into a modern office building. It was the former home of Governor Horatio Seymour, and the room now occupied by B. H. Divine as a private office is that which the famous war governor used as his library. Even the buildings purchased in 1910 soon proved inadequate to meet the de- mands of the trade and the company has recently erected a three story and basement structure, forty-six by one hundred and fifteen feet, fronting on Hotel street and connected to the older buildings of the plant, one of which is a three-story structure, one hundred by forty feet, while the other, a three- story building, is eighty-five by thirty-two feet. The buildings, built of brick and of heavy mill construction, have been fitted with every modern appliance for the convenience and comfort of the employes. The plant is lighted through- out by electricity and electric motors furnish power and the basement of the building is used not only for the heating plants but also for storage. The company now has about two hundred employes engaged largely in the man- ufacture of metal finishing tools, and is the only concern of the kind in Amer- ica manufacturing these goods exclusively. They also have a department for the manufacture of water motors, this branch of the business being conducted under the name of the Divine Water Motor Company, which, however, is not a separate corporation but merely a department of the Divine Brothers Com- pany. The entire output of the concern is a large one and their products are used in practically every state of the Union where manufacturing is conducted and in practically all of the civilized countries on the face of the globe. The Company has agents in London, Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester, Paris, Milan, Brussels, Liege, Barcelona, Bilboa, Berlin, Vienna, Budapest, Stock- holm, St. Petersburg, Copenhagen and Shanghai, as well as representatives in various other countries. The officers of the concern are Bradford II. Divine, president, and O. J. MeKeown, secretary and treasurer, and these with Dr. E. D. Fuller constitute the directors.
On the 28th of June, 1892, in Dunkirk, New York, Bradford H. Divine was married to Miss Lucy Delphine Dalton, a daughter of Philip W. Dalton, of Albany. Mrs. Divine is a native of the capital city and a descendant of the Dunlap family who were among the first settlers of Albany. By this marriage has been born a son, Bradford Dalton, whose natal day was Angust 5, 1899.
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The parents attend the First Presbyterian church of Etica and Mr. Divine holds membership in the Arcanum Club and gives his political allegianee to the republican party.
JOHN DEVEREUX KERNAN.
Oneida county has nurtured many promising sons who have gained dis- tinetion in all the principle lines of modern activity, proving worthy represen- tatives of the Empire state. John Devereux Kernan may be named as one whose example of well applied industry in a noble calling has encouraged hun- dreds of aspiring young men to renewed effort. He was born at Utica, where he now lives, February 25, 1844, a son of Franeis and Hannah (Devereux) Kernan, the mother being a daughter of Nicholas Devereux of Utica. Mr. Ker- nan, Sr., was a native of Tyrone, Sehuyler county, New York, and was born January 14, 1816, a son of General William and Rose (Stubbs) Kernan. IIe was graduated from Georgetown University, district of Columbia, in 1836 and in 1880 received from his alma mater the honorary title of LL.D. He studied law with Edward Quinn at Watkins, New York, and Hon. Joshua A. Spencer of Utica. He was admitted to the bar in 1840 and became a partner of Judge Spencer, soon taking high rank in a profession for which he was eminently qualified. In 1860 he was elected upon the democratie tieket as a member of the state legislature and gained a reputation in that body as a powerful advo- cate of the Union, his war speeches possessing the spirit of true patriotism. In 1862 he was elected to congress, defeating Roscoe Conkling, and while in Wash- ington in the critical times of the war, was frequently called in consultation by President Lincoln. However, there was a change of sentiment politically in his district and he was defeated for reelection by Mr. Conkling. IIe re- sumed the practice of law and for many years his services were in urgent de- mand in important eases. He was a delegate at large to the state constitutional convention in 1867-8 and was the candidate of the democratic and liberal par- ties for governor in 1872. Three years later he was elected to the United States senate and served until 1881. Hle filled the office of regent of the University of the State of New York for twenty-two years, from 1870-1892. Ile was a man of great foree of character, an outspoken champion of what he believed to be right irrespective of its effeet upon himself, and a lifelong friend and protec- tor of the oppressed. Ile was an active advocate of education and his voice and influence could always be counted upon to assist in the support of the law and in strengthening the bonds which unite the great body of the people in fidelity to the government. He died September 7, 1892, and it may truthfully be said that Oneida county has had few friends more faithful to her interests than Franeis Kernan.
John Devereux Kernan was graduated at Seton Hall College, South Orange, New Jersey, in June, 1863, which institution in 1896 conferred upon him the degree of LL.D. Ile studied law under his father and was admitted to the bar in 1865, practicing with marked suceess as a member of the firm of F. &
JOHN D. KERMAN
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W. Kernan, later becoming identified with the firm of W. & J. D. Kernan. On the 1st of February, 1883, he was appointed by Governor Grover Cleveland as a member of the first state railroad commission, serving as chairman of the board until November 1, 1887, when he resigned to engage in the practice of his profession in New York city. Many regulations were instituted during his connection with the board which have proven of great benefit to the state. Since 1902 he has been a member of the firm of Kernan & Kernan of Utica. He is a director of the Equitable Life Assurance Society and for many years served as president of the State Commerce Convention and as manager of the State Hospital at Utica. In the winter of 1911 his name was presented as a candidate for the United States senate in the long-drawn out contest at Albany as a successor to Chauncey Depew and he was strongly supported for the office. He is still actively engaged in practice and owing to his long experience, his profound knowledge of law and his recognized standing, his judgment in dif- ficult cases is largely sought and highly valued.
On the 1st of October, 1873, at New Castle, Pennsylvania, Mr. Kernan was united in marriage to Miss Kathleen Peebles and to this union six children were born, Frances K., Kathleen D., John D. Jr., Rosemary, Robert P. and Hubert D.
Mr. Kernan is a valued member of the Fort Schuyler Club of Utica and the Manhattan Club of New York city. He has been a lifelong supporter of the democratic party and a firm believer in its principles as expressive of the true basis upon which the republie rests. While his time has been mainly given to the duties of his profession he has never lost touch with literature and many of his happiest hours are spent in his library in communion with the master minds of all climes and all ages. Like his honored father he has an abiding faith in his country and its institutions and no man is more willing to make greater sacrifices to advance its interests. He is today one of the most respected citizens of Utica-a position he has earned by a life of the strictest integrity and of service in behalf of others.
HENRY W. MILLAR.
Henry W. Millar, who was called to his final rest, on the 10th of May, 1905, was one of Utica's leading residents and most prominent business men. His birth occurred in this city, on the 20th of July, 1845, his parents being Charles and Jane (Quait) Millar. Charles Millar was born in Greenwich, England, March 9, 1808, and received a good education in the parochial schools of London. In 1835 he came to America and first located in Williamsburg. near New York city, whence he removed in 1839 to Utica, where he spent the remainder of his life. He had been educated as an architect and master builder, and here he at once commenced business in that line, securing large and important contracts. He erected many of the most prominent of the older buildings in Utica, among which were the courthouse, the Mohawk street jail,
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the Tibbitts block, several public schools and John Thorn's residenee. His career as a contractor and builder continued sueeessfully for about seventeen years. From 1857 to 1860 he was the agent and manager of the Utiea Serew Company. When he assumed charge of its affairs the company, suffering from the prevailing financial depression, was virtually bankrupt, but through his efforts it rapidly recovered and became such an important competitor that the American Serew Company, of Providence, Rhode Island, offered to buy its stock at par, which, contrary to Mr. Millar's advice, was accepted by the directors. The soundness of his views was subsequently confirmed by the advance of the Providence company's stoek many hundredfold. In 1861 Mr. Millar was made superintendent of the Utica & Black River Railroad, which position he held six years. He laid the foundation of the future prosperity of that important line and made many improvements in the property, notable among which was the tilling of the immense trestle work at Trenton, New York, a work of great magnitude, occupying several years and requiring several million yards of sand and gravel. IIis management of the affairs of the eom- pany was so energetie and characterized by such good judgment that the road was enabled to pay its first dividend.
In 1861 he had purchased the wholesale tin, plumbing and steamfitting business which he continued to conduct until his death and to which he eom- mneneed to devote his whole attention in 1867, when he resigned his position as superintendent of the railroad. In the latter year he erected the Millar building on Genesee street in Utica, and here was eondueted one of the most extensive establishments of the kind in the United States. In 1866 he ad- mitted his son, Ilenry W. Millar, to full partnership, under the firm name of Charles Millar & Son. The business continued to grow rapidly. The firm became extensive manufacturers of cheese and butter-making apparatus and many of the appliances were Mr. Millar's invention. This machinery was sold all over the country and large quantities were shipped to Europe, Australia, Canada and South America. In 1883 the firm commenced the manufacture of lead pipes in Utica, which proved a success from the start. A large factory and warehouse on Main street was erected for the purpose in 1885, and soon afterward Mr. Millar's son-in-law, John L. Murray, was admitted to the firm, the name remaining the same. In 1889 the firm, with Nicholas E. Kernan, Irvin A. Williams and the late William M. White, organized the Utiea Pipe Foundry Company, of which Mr. Millar was elected the first president, a posi- tion he held until his death, which occurred when the company was about to cast its first pipe, the buildings having been ereeted under his direction. His son succeeded him as president and held the office until his death.
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