USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York : from 1700 to the present time, Volume II > Part 46
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On the 28th of January, 1874, Dr. Hunt was married to Miss Ella R. Middle- ton, a daughter of Robert Middleton, of Utica, president of the Globe Woolen Company. Mrs. Hunt is of Scotch descent, her father having been born in Aberdeen, Scotland. Four children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Hunt: Gertrude May Ilunt Casey, Mabel Lillian IIunt Ilowlan, Robert Middleton and Ella Louise IIunt Hall. Dr. ITunt is a thirty-second degree Mason and an Odd Fellow. Ile was physician in charge of the Masonie Home at Utiea from its opening in 1893 until 1894 and has sinee been chairman of the executive com- mittee of its medieal staff. IIe is a member of Iota chapter of the Delta Phi Society, of the University of Michigan; the Jefferson Medieal College Alumni Association; a life member and trustee of the Utiea Female Academy sinee
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1888; and a member of the Fort Schuyler Club since 1884. Even a cursory glance at the many activities with which he has been prominently connected is evidence of his remarkable professional and business judgment. In the discharge of his responsibilities he has been governed by a laudable ambition to perform his entire duty and those who know him best are of the opinion that he has notably succeeded. As years have passed his worth has been recognized and no man in Oneida county is more sincerely beloved than the accomplished gentleman and scholar whose record is here briefly presented.
DELOS DE WOLF SMYTH.
Delos DeWolf Smyth, a successful business man and respected citizen of Utica, is at the head of the Smyth-Despard Company, manufacturers and jobbers of leather and rubber belting and manufacturers' supplies. His birth occurred in Oswego, New York, in 1869. His father, General Charles H. Smyth, was born in Oswego, this state, in 1839, and after completing his education became successfully identified with banking interests there. In the early '70s he came to Clinton as general superintendent of the Franklin Furnace Com- pany, in which his father-in-law, Delos DeWolf, a banker, manufacturer and democratie leader of Oswego, was interested. Thereafter he was prominently identified with the business and social life of Clinton until called to his final rest on the 18th of January, 1908. In 1895, however, he had disposed of his interests and retired from active business life. He was a director of the Clin- ton Bank and a member of the Clinton Rural Art Association. His political allegiance was unfalteringly given to the democracy and the cause of educa- tion found in him a stanch champion. He served as village trustee at one time and in 1895 was elected one of the trustees of Hamilton College, taking an active part in the erection of the splendid new school building. He won his title by reason of his service as a member of the staffs of Governor Tilden and Grover Cleveland. The Fort Schuyler Club of Utica numbered him among its valued members. Unto him and his wife were born three sons, namely : F. DeWolf; Charles II., who held a professorship in Hamilton College and is now a professor of geology in Princeton College; and Delos DeWolf, of this review.
The latter enjoyed excellent educational advantages, first attending the Clinton schools and then studying successively in Hamilton College, Heidel- berg University, Columbia University and Harvard University. Subsequently he taught political economy in Hamilton College for twelve years. On the expiration of that period he organized the Smyth-Despard Company in Utica, who first conducted a jobbing enterprise and later also opened a factory, man- ufacturing leather belting. Samuel A. Beardsley is now an officer and a junior member of the concern. Mr. Smyth has built up an extensive and successful enterprise, having been watchful of all the details of his business and of all indications pointing toward prosperity.
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At Newark. New Jersey, Mr. Smyth was united in marriage to Miss Helen L. Townley. He is a devoted and consistent member of Grace church and also belongs to the Fort Schuyler Club and the Yahnundalisis Golf Club. He is a man of undoubted integrity in business, of progressive spirit and marked enterprise. a man whose popularity and prosperity have been won through his many good qualities and his well directed effort.
WILLIAM ELLIS SCRIPTURE.
William Ellis Scripture, who for more than four decades has been a prominent representative of the legal fraternity in Rome. and for fourteen years served as justice of the supreme court for the fifth judicial district is the subject of this sketch. His birth occurred in Westmoreland. Oneida county, New York. on the 2d of November. 1543. his parents being Parker A. and Harriet Standish (Snow Scripture, the latter a descendant of Captain Miles Standish. He was graduated from Whitestown Seminary in 1865 and sub- sequently attended Hamilton College. In preparation for a professional career he entered the Albany Law School. being graduated therefrom and admitted to the bar in 1867. He began the practice of law as a member of the firm of Hutchens & Scripture in 1865 but in the fall of the same year became the junior partner of the firm of Weld & Scripture, of Rome. He next formed a partnership with Homer T. Fowler, under the firm name of Seripture & Fowler. and was afterward associated in practice with George H. Weaver, E. M. Pavey and O. P. Backus. In 1896 he was chosen justice of the supreme court for the fifth judicial district and has won distinction in this connection. As a lawyer he soon proved himself sound. clear minded and well trained. With the long line of decisions from Marshall down, by which the constitution has been expounded. he is familiar. as are all thoroughly skilled lawyers. He is at home in all departments of the law, from the minutiae in practice to the greater topies wherein is involved the consideration of the ethics and the philosophy of jurisprudence and the higher concerns of public policy. The decisions he has made since his elevation to the bench indicate strong men- tality. careful analysis. a thorough knowledge of the law and an unbiased judg- ment. The judge on the bench fails more frequently. perhaps, from a de- ficiency in that broad mindedness which not only comprehends the details of a situation quickly and that insures a complete self-control under even the most exasperating conditions than from any other cause; and the judge who makes a success in the discharge of his multitudinous delicate duties is a man of well rounded character, finely balanced mind and of splendid intellectual attainments. That Judge Scripture is regarded as sueh a jurist is a uniformly accepted fact.
On the 15th of August, 1867. Judge Seripture was united in marriage to Miss Emma C. Goodwin. a daughter of Israel F. Goodwin of Westmoreland, New York. Their living children are as follows: Mary Standish, the wife of
W. E. SCRIPTURE
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J. V. Holtby, of Philadelphia ; Mina E .; Ella G .; Parker F .; William E., Jr .; and Vina. The family residence is at No. 503 James street.
Judge Scripture is a republican in politics and for nearly four years served as postmaster at Rome under President Harrison. He is a valued member of the Rome Club and also belongs to the Republican Clubs of both Rome and Utica. He has been an able, faithful and conscientious minister in the temple of justice and in his private life is endeared to all who know him by the simple nobility of his character.
FRANK E. THOMAS.
Although Frank E. Thomas of Utica started as a young man in the pro- fession of law and showed admirable qualities in a calling that requires special ability, he is not identified with any profession at the present time, being at the head of one of the largest wholesale fruit houses in this part of New York state. He was born in Utiea, September 27, 1867, a son of Thomas R. and Mary A. (Richards) Thomas. The father arrived in Utica as a young man and in 1854 engaged in the retail fruit business, in time developing it into the largest wholesale house in the city-a eoncern which has occupied its present site for more than fifty years. The father died in 1906 after building up an enterprise which is a monument to his foresight and energy.
Mr. Thomas of this review received his preliminary education in the pub- lie schools and later was graduated at the Free Academy. He early showed a great interest in study and gave indication of talents which pointed to a pro- fessional career. Aeeordingly he matriculated in the law department of Cor- nell University and after pursuing the regular course was graduated with the degree of LL. B. Continuing his studies at the same institution, he received the higher degree of LL. M. He was admitted to the bar of New York state and entered the office of Jones & Townsend in which he continued for more than three years. He appeared in a number of cases in the courts and gained recognition as one of the rising young attorneys of the city whose future gave brilliant promise. However, his father was growing old and required his assistance in the fruit business. The son felt obliged to give up his profession and he entered business life. IIe beeame the father's assistant and upon the death of the latter succeeded to the business of which he has since been the head. He is also president of the Utica Canning Company and a member of the firm of Calen & Company, wholesale fruit dealers of Watertown, New York.
On the 20th of April, 1897, Mr. Thomas was united in marriage to Miss Rosina Betz, a daughter of George and Rosina Betz, of Utica. He is held in high esteem in a community where he has spent his entire life, as was evineed in his appointment as a member of the board of park commissioners, a position which he now holds. He has never given much time to polities but as a patri- otic and public-spirited citizen is well informed concerning the trend of politi- cal events and casts his ballot in support of good government and an impar- Vol. II-24
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tial administration of the law. Although his attention is largely taken up with business affairs he has never lost his love for books and his library is filled with many of the choicest works with which he is thoroughly familiar. He is a fine conversationalist, a pleasing companion and his friends are numbered by the legion. Fraternally he is prominently connected with the Masonie order, being a member of Utica Lodge, No. 47, F. & A. M .; Oneida Chapter, Utiea Commandery, K. T., No. 3; Ziyara Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S .; and the Royal Ar- eanum and Royal Arcanum Club. He is a good type of the intelligent, pro- gressive and energetic business man of the twentieth century and may be de- pended upon to conduct wisely the affairs of the firm over which he presides.
MELVIN HENRY HUBBARD.
For twenty-five years past a resident of Utica, Melvin Henry Hubbard has gained acknowledged standing as an architect and is widely known in con- neetion with that profession. He is a native of Ilubbardsville, Madison county, New York, born April 11, 1852, a son of Solomon A. and Amanda (Abbey) Hubbard.
Melvin H. Ilubbard attended the public schools of Oswego, New York, and was graduated from an academy and a business college at Saginaw, Michigan, where he also took a course in architecture in a technical school. After leav- ing school he learned the stair-builder's trade and upon his return to New York took a special course in the New York Architectural School. After com- pleting this course he went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and opened an office, but later returned to New York city and entered the office of MeKim, Meade & White, one of the greatest architectural firms of America, where he did special drawings. After a highly creditable experience with this firm he went to Oneida, New York, as designer for the Chapel-Chase-Maxwell Company, now the National Casket Company. He designed many noted caskets, one es- pecially noteworthy being the canopy, under which the body of General Ulys- ses S. Grant laid in state in New York, the design being known afterward as the Grant Canopy. In 1886 Mr. Hubbard came to Utica and opened an office, beginning at once to specialize as a church architect, and has planned and supervised the erection of over four hundred churches, from the Atlantie to the Pacific. Among the prominent structures may be named: St. Patrick's Catholic church and the First Baptist church, of Oneida. New York; the See- ond Baptist church, of Rochester, New York; Grace Baptist church, of Wash- ington, D. C .; the First Baptist church. of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Wesleyan Congregational church, also of Minneapolis; the church of the Immaculate Conception, of Jacksonville, Florida; the church of All Saints, of New Orleans, Louisiana; Diamond Methodist Episcopal church, of Hazelton, Pennsylvania ; and many others.
On the 25th of December, 1874, Mr. Hubbard was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Bacon, a daughter of Damon and Myra Bacon, of Ilubbardsville, New York. One daughter. IIallah E., was born to this union. Mr. Hubbard is
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very prominent as an Odd Fellow and has occupied practically all of the chairs in the order, being especially proficient in the degree work. Few men have delved more deeply into the teachings of this order or are more thor- oughly imbued with its beautiful sentiments. He is now colonel of the Sixth Regiment, Patriarchs Militant, I. O. O. F., of New York, being also a member of the Royal Arcanum. Starting as a young man with a laudable ambition to win a place in the world, he has succeeded even beyond the expectations of his earlier years and his name is connected with many of the most attractive buildings on the continent. No man is more deeply interested in the develop- ment of the taste for art and beauty and the work he has accomplished will stand as a monument to his genius long after the present generation has passed away.
REV. WILLIAM HENRY GRIFFIN.
For fifteen years Father William Henry Griffin has been ministering to the spiritual needs of St. John's parish, New Hartford, being the first resident pastor. IIe is a native of Massachusetts, having been born in Boston, on the 17th of May, 1864, a son of Daniel and Catherine (Quinn) Griffin, natives of Ireland.
Reared in the paternal home, Father Griffin acquired his preliminary edu- cation in the common schools of Boston and Lynn, following the completion of which he entered St. Thomas College, Villa Nova, Pennsylvania, from which institution he was awarded the degree of bachelor of arts with the elass of 1883, being at that time but nineteen years of age. Continuing his secular studies he was some time thereafter granted the master's degree. Having pre- viously decided that his life vocation should be that of the priesthood after finishing his collegiate course, Father Griffin went to Troy, New York, matric- ulating at St. Joseph's Seminary where he pursued his ecclesiastieal studies for four years, at the expiration of which period he satisfactorily passed his examination and, on the 26th of May, 1888, was ordained a priest of the Ro- man Catholic church. After having been assigned to the parishes of Water- vliet, Syracuse, Whitesboro and Oswego, New York, in 1896 the bishop as- signed Father Griffin to the pastorate of St. John's church, of which he was the first resident priest. The church, which was not in the best condition when he assumed the head of the parish, has been refinished during his ministry and a new organ has been installed. During the fifteen years of his residence Father Griffin has become well known among both the Protestant and Catho- lie populace, and is well regarded by all having especially endeared himself to the people of his parish to whom he has not only been counselor, adviser and confessor but always friend.
During twelve years of his pastorate he has been chaplain of the Knights of Columbus, Utica Council, No. 189, being one of the very active workers of that organization. Still a young man, being but forty-seven years of age, Father Griffin yet has many years to spend in the service of the church, whose vows he took at the very early age of twenty-four.
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In January, 1883, St. John's church was organized by Bishop McNeirney, of Albany, and Rev. John F. Mullaney was appointed to the pastorate of Whitesboro, Oneida county, and outstanding missions of New Hartford and Ilolland Patent. New York. The Catholic population of New Hartford then numbered about twenty families and the first mass was celebrated in the town, Jannary 13, 1883. The cornerstone of the church was laid by Bishop MeNeir- ney on the 23d of October of that year, at 3 o'clock p. m. and present on this occasion was Rev. John F. Lowery, now of Troy, New York. The property cost twenty thousand dollars and the church was dedicated May 31, 1885, the sermon being preached by Rev. James Riley, now of Clinton, New York. As a mission church the following priests have attended: Rev. J. F. Mullaney, Rev. E. R. Prendergast, Rt. Rev. Bishop Grimes, now coadjutor bishop of Syraense, Rev. George S. Mahon, Rev. W. II. Griffin, Rev. W. II. Slavin, Rev. William P. Quinn and Rev. Theodore Provost.
When Father Griffin took charge of the church the interior was very in- complete but during his pastorate it has been newly and artistically decorated, steam heat and electricity have been installed, a new front has been erected, also a beautiful station of the eross and a new pipe organ put in. Besides this a new rectory has been purchased, this being the former home of Vice Presi- dent James S. Sherman and was the home of his grandparents.
CHARLES P. RUSSELL, M. D.
While death is the common lot of all, it is with the keenest regret that news is received of the demise of one who, in a world of greatest usefulness, is called from the seene of his earthly activities, leaving unfinished a work for which he was particularly well qualified and in which he had already attained en- viable sueeess. Dr. Charles P. Russell was yet in the prime of life when his final summons came and in his departure Utica lost a worthy citizen, the pro- fession an honored member, his associates a faithful friend and his family a devoted husband and father. Ile was born in Utica in 1853, and was a son of Dr. William Russell, whose untiring devotion to his profession caused his death. His example remained as a source of inspiration to his son and to all who essay to reaching a prominent and honorable position in the ranks of the medieal fraternity. His birth had occurred in the city of Glasgow, Seot- land. June 5, 1821. He was the eldest son of Robert Russell, a coal dealer of that city, who came with his family to the new world in 1832, taking up his abode in Oneida county, New York. In the acquirement of his education William Russell attended the common schools and Whitestown Seminary, and gradually evolved a determination of making the practice of medieine his life work. pursuing a course of reading in the office of Dr. Whiting Smith, of Whitesboro, in 1845. Later he entered the Berkshire Medical College, of Pitts- field. Massachusetts, and was graduated in the autumn of 1848. In the sue- (ceding winter he pursued a post-graduate course in the College of Physicians
DR. C. P. RUSSELL
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and Surgeons of New York, and also had the benefit of attending lectures de- livered by the famous surgeon, Dr. Valentine Mott.
Opening an office in Utica in 1850, Dr. Russell soon attained prominence in his profession and was honored by election to the secretaryship of the Oneida County Medical Society for ten consecutive years. Later he was chosen vice president and in 1871 was elected to the presidency. In the following year he delivered an able address to the society upon the question "Is Woman Adapted by Nature and Social Position for the Arduous Duties of the Medical Profession" and later he read before the same body a series of papers on "Dis- eases Peculiar to Women." In 1868 he was elected a permanent member of the New York State Medical Society and the American Medical Association and when Faxton Hospital was organized in 1875 he became a member of its medical staff and so served for several years. He was also for a time on the consulting staff of St. Luke's Hospital in Utica, and aside from professional con- nections he belonged to Utica Lodge, F. & A. M., Utica Mechanics Association and Oneida Historical Society. He also held membership in the First Pres- byterian church and was most loyal to its teachings. Ilis devotion to the duties which came to him in connection with his chosen life work undoubtedly hastened his death. It made severe demands upon his time and energies and although in his later years he sought relief in the milder climate of Florida, spending several winters in the south, he at last succumbed to the disease which had fastened itself upon him, and passed away June 27, 1890.
In December, 1851, Dr. William Russell was married to Agnes, daughter of Alexander Patterson, of New Hartford, New York. She died in January, 1887, and only one son of the family is now living, William G. Russell, an at- torney of Denver, Colorado.
The elder son, Dr. Charles P. Russell, was a pupil in the public schools of Utica and afterward in the Free Academy, from which he was graduated in 1872. His medical education was acquired in the Ann Arbor Medical College and in the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, from which he was graduated with high honors. He then returned to Utica and engaged in practice with his father, but forming the opinion that greater things were in store for the specialist he went abroad in 1875 for study in Europe. Going to Vienna he pursued a course of study on diseases of the skin and later proceeded to Edin- burgh, where he studied in the university and was also graduated from the Royal Maternity Hospital in 1876. ITis studies were there continued under Sir Tilbury Fox, the noted skin specialist, and when Dr. Russell returned to Utica to resume practice with his father he had probably as deep a knowledge of his specialty as any man practicing in this section. From that time for- ward he concentrated his energies largely upon the treatment of skin diseases, his practice extending all over the state. He was consulting physician for both St. Luke's and St. Elizabeth's Hospitals and for years he gave advice and service freely to aid the poor and also at the state dispensary. His contribu- tions to medical literature upon the subject of skin diseases were many. He possessed a large library on the subject and was familiar with the work of other members of the profession while at the same time he did original research work and was a deep thinker and scholarly man. He held membership with
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the Utica Medical Library Association, with the Oneida County Medical So- ciety and the New York State Medical Society.
On June 25, 1884, Dr. Russell was united in marriage to Miss Emma Louise Hecker, of Detroit, Michigan, and they became the parents of two children, Gordon and Elsie. To the welfare and happiness of his family Dr. Russell was over devoted. He was a loyal member of Grace church and found in- spiration and help for all the duties of life in his religious belief. Ilis death occurred October 25, 1906. The name of Russell had long been associated with the medical profession in Utica and had ever been a synonym for that which is most honorable and progressive in the field of medical science and practice.
LESLIE WARNICK BROWN.
Leslie Warnick Brown is naturally entitled to a place in a work which treats of Utica and its leaders, for he has long figured as one of its most suc- cessful business men and prominent and influential citizens. It was in this city that he first opened his eyes to the light of day, his birth oceurring in 1862, his parents being John G. and Sarah J. Brown. The father, who was a native of Vermont, came to Utica in early manhood but subsequently spent a short time in Buffalo. On his return to this city he accepted a position as clerk in the wholesale grocery house of Hollister & Company, where he re- mained until they discontinued business. Ile then became associated with L. A. Warniek and John Bryant in the manufacture of cigars and tobacco on Liberty street and was soon admitted to a partnership. A few years later the business was removed to 84 Genesee street, the old "checkered store." Mr. Bryant later withdrew but Mr. Warnick and Mr. Brown continued in partner- ship for over fifty years. In 1898 the former withdrew from the firm and Mr. Brown continued at the head of the business until his death in 1903, when he was succeeded by his son L. Warnick Brown. The father was a stalwart re- publiean in politics and a warm friend of Roscoe Conkling. IIe was prominent in business affairs and was a director of the First National Bank. IIe is still survived by his widow, who resides at No. 255 Genesee street, Utica, and a daughter, Miss Jennie Abbott Brown, and a son, Leslie Warnick, while a younger daughter, Miss Annie Forbes Brown, died in 1888.
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