USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York : from 1700 to the present time, Volume II > Part 49
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capital of two hundred thousand dollars and ten thousand spindles. The capi- tal stoek was successively increased to three hundred thousand, six hundred thousand and one million dollars, the enlarged modern plant now comprising four large mills supplied with about sixty thousand spindles. Its remarkable growth was due largely to the business ability of Mr. Wells. He was also a stockholder in the Mohawk Valley Cotton Mills of Utica, the Willowvale Bleach- ing Company and the Utiea Steam Cotton Mills, and for ten years was a direc- tor of the First National Bank of Utica, contributing in an important degree to the success of all the institutions with which he was connected. In religions belief he affiliated with the Presbyterian church and was a member of the First Presbyterian church from 1843 until his death, an elder for thirty years and a deacon for ten years. From 1887 he was president of the board of trustees of the Young Men's Christian Association of Utiea and was largely instrumental in securing the erection of its first building, which was dedicated November 1, 1889. He also officiated as treasurer of the IIome for the Friendless.
At Lyme, Connecticut, October 18, 1841, Mr. Wells was married to Miss Roxanna Hill Lee and five children were born of this union, Mary Louise, John H., Helen E., Edward Lee and Anna S. John H., the second in order of birth, died November 17, 1865, at the age of eighteen years. Helen E. was born June 21, 1850, and was married April 5, 1893, to Dr. Eugene Grove Carpenter, of Cleveland, Ohio, her death oceurring August 25 of the same year as her mar- riage. Mr. Wells was one of the ablest business men Utica has known and for nearly fifty years was prominent in the development of the city. Hle was a liberal contributor to worthy causes and in every respect filled the ideal of a model citizen. He was called from earthly scenes November 27, 1891. "He was not a man of many words but of many good deeds."
Edward Lee Wells was educated in the publie schools of Utica and at Utica Free Academy, graduating from the latter institution in 1870. In September of the same year he entered his father's dry-goods store and has ever since been identified with the dry-goods business, being at the present time president of the J. B. Wells & Son Company, which was incorporated in April, 1906. The business has greatly prospered under his experienced management and a beauti- ful new store on Genesee street speaks in no uncertain terms as to the good taste and judgment of those now in charge. Mr. Wells is also president of the Stand- ard Harrow Company, the Roberts-Wicks Company and the Olympian Knit Goods Company, all of Utica; and is president of the Yonkers North End Land Company of New York city. Ile has for a number of years served as a member of the board of directors of the First National Bank of Utica and in a similar capacity with the Skenandoah Cotton Company and the Herron Manufacturing Company. He has for twenty-five years been actively interested in the Young Men's Christian Association, serving as a director during the time named, as trustee for fifteen years and as treasurer for the last fourteen years. He is a member of the board of sessions of the First Presbyterian church and a liberal contributor toward religious and other causes. In polities he is a republican but has never sought nor held any position, although he has been active in municipal affairs in securing a capable and efficient administration as a member and direc- tor of the Utica Chamber of Commerce, and has devoted much time and capital
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to the industrial development of Utica. Socially he is a member of the Fort Schuyler Club. He takes an active interest in world affairs and the development of the higher ideals. He is frequently a speaker on subjects pertaining to travel, sociology and commercial ethies. From his youth he has been controlled by a desire to promote the best interests of those with whom he is associated and his life has been erowned with success well merited as it has been honorably won.
FRANCIS TIMOTHY WATSON.
For a period of more than fifty years the Watson family has been identified with the drug business in Clinton, the present representative being Francis Timothy Watson, who was born in Westmoreland, Oneida county, New York, on the 14th of October, 1851. ITis parents were James Tompkins and IIannah M. (Resseguie) Watson, the father a native of Troy, this state, and the mother of Oneida county. The Ressegnie family trace their ancestry back to colonial days, the first member having emigrated to America in 1690. In the maternal line, Franeis Timothy Watson is descended from James and John Allen, who participated in the Revolutionary war. John Allen was the first colonist by that name and located in New England in 1640, having emigrated from Wales. The Allen who owned Prudence Island in Narragansett Bay was a son of the former.
Francis Timothy Watson resided in the village of Westmoreland until he had attained the age of eight years at which time his parents removed to Clin- ton, where his father established a drug store. His elementary education was acquired in the public schools of both Westmoreland and Clinton, following which he attended the Clinton Liberal Institute and Clinton Grammar School. Laying aside his text-books at the age of fifteen years he entered the drug store established by his father, in the conduet of which he has now been en- gaged for forty-five years. During this period. however, he has been identified with the retail drug business in several small towns of the state.
On the 18th of August. 1908, was solemnized the union between Mr. Watson and Miss Dora G. Smith of Warsaw and a daughter of Jacob M. Smith.
Mr. Watson, who has attained the highest rank in Masonry, is quite well known throughout the state in the circles of this fraternity. He was initiated in Fultonville Lodge. No. 531, F. & A. M., May 14, 1873. Locally he is iden- tified with Clinton Lodge, No. 169. A. F. & A. M., in addition to which he be- longed to the Royal Arch Masons of Johnston since October 23, 1873, and was made Knight Templar in Holy Cross Commandery No. 51 of Gloversville, New York, May 26, 1874. Ile is a Knight Templar and member of Damaseus Temple of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Rochester, while he also is af- filiated with the Oswego Consistory, No. 12, having attained the Thirty-second degree in addition to which he was a Steward of the Castodial Asylum of Rome. Grand Standard Bearer of the Supreme Council of the thirty-third degree Masons of the United States, and honorary member of the thirty-third degree Supreme Conneil of Canada and Newfoundland and representative to
F. T. WATSON
AL
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the United States of the same. Ife is also a thirty-third degree Mason of Council Rites of Scotland, and Rose Croix Knights of the Royal Order of Scotland. For four terms he was Grand Commander in Chief of the Grand Consistory of the state of New York, of thirty-second degree masons and is also a member of the Oriental Order The-Sat-Bhai, Oriental Masonry. He fur- thermore is a member of the Mokahana and a royal patron of the Imperial Court, Order of Amaranth, of Utica and a member of the Eastern Star. Mr. Watson is identified with several organizations of a more purely social nature, among them being the Skenandoah Club, and the Boat and Masonic Clubs of Utica, and he is also a member of the Central New York Farmers Club. The political views of Mr. Watson conform with those of the more progressive faction of the Democratic party, but he has always been too deeply engrossed in his private affairs to actively participate in civic matters. A man of high ideals, he has ever striven to make his life accord with the principles of the fraternity in which he has attained such high rank.
RICHARD D. WILLIAMS.
Richard D. Williams, who passed away in Utiea on the 28th of April, 1894, at the age of fifty-six, was successfully engaged in the tailoring business here for many years and gained a reputation as one of the best cutters and designers of clothing in the country. His birth occurred at Llanllyfni Narvon, North Wales, in 1838. He learned the tailor's trade as a youth and subsequently worked at that ocenpation in Liverpool for several years. In 1857 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, locating in Utica, New York, where he con- tinued to reside throughout the remainder of his life. He first secured em- ployment with Ziba Lyon, who was later succeeded by Griffith Williams, and he remained in that employ for a period of fourteen years. Later he became associated with T. Solomon Griffith, being the senior member of the firm of Williams & Griffith for a number of years. In 1882 he formed a partnership with John S. Davies and during the remainder of his life conducted business as a member of the firm of Davies & Williams. He won a gratifying measure of prosperity as a tailor, enjoying a reputation as one of the best cutters and designers of clothing in the country.
In 1870 Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Anna Hughes, of Westmoreland, Oneida county, New York, her parents being David and Ann (Williams) Hughes. They came to this country from Wales in 1845, when their daughter Anna was but a year old, David Hughes locating in the town of Marcy, New York, and devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Williams were born five children, namely: Nellie Anna, Eva E., Milton, Jesse J. and Lilian A. All with the exception of the eldest still survive.
Richard D. Williams was well known and popular throughout Utica and belonged to many Welsh societies. He attended the Moriah church. On several occasions he traveled abroad, making his last trip in 1891. His widow and his
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son Jesse are now engaged in business as florists of Utica, enjoying a very ex- tensive and profitable patronage. Mrs. Williams has spent practically her en- tire life in Oneida county and has been a resident of Utica for nearly forty-five years. She has long been active in the business life of the city, having for seventeen years engaged in the millinery business, and for the past nineteen years as a florist. Her acquaintance in Utica is extensive and she has many friends within its borders.
CHESTER WYMAN DAVIS.
Chester Wyman Davis, who is one of the well known younger members of the Utiea bar, was born in this eity, on the 6th of November, 1880, and is a son of Henry A. and Josephine T. (Van Vorst) Davis, both natives of New York. The father, who was born in Albany, came to Utiea as a boy and stud- ied law, being admitted to the bar in 1892. The mother is a daughter of James Baker and Elizabeth Livingston (Butterfield) Van Vorst, being descended through the paternal line from one of the old Dutch families.
Reared at home Chester Wyman Davis attended the public schools of this city in the acquirement of his preliminary education. Subsequently he ma- trieulated at Cornell University, where he took both an academie and law course. He was admitted to the bar in 1904 and immediately began practicing in this city.
On the 17th of June, 1907, Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Miss Kath- leen Vidvard Patten.
Mr Davis in 1906 was elected alderman for the fourth ward, which office he held for four years, and the same year he was made chairman of the Utica republican city committee. Ile is first lieutenant and ordinance officer of the New York National Guard, and aide de camp to General JJ. W. Lester; he is also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Society of War of 1812, while in 1907 he was elected president of the Utica Field Club.
FRANK E. CONLEY.
Frank E. Conley is now vice president of the Frank E. Conley Stone Com- pany, which was organized in 1898 and has since become a profitable, pros- perous and growing business. The yards of the company are on Park avenue and Jay street. On the 26th of March. 1862, Mr. Conley was born in Verona, Oneida county, his parents being Hugh and Harriett (Chargo) Conley. The father was also a native of Verona and was the son of Edward Conley, who eame to the United States from Ireland when a small boy. Hugh Conley worked for a time as foreman on the New York Central Railroad, but afterward turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, settling on a farm which he carefully and systematically eultivated.
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Frank E. Conley was educated in the public schools of Oneida county and during the period of his youth became familiar with all of the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the farm boy. After putting aside his text-books he en- gaged in farming for a while and then secured a position in a hardware store in Oneida, where he remained for four years. He has been a resident of Utica for about twenty years and for a long period wes engaged in the coal and stone business. In 1898 he organized the Frank E. Conley Stone Company, of which he is vice president. This company now owns five quarries and ships stone to all parts of the state, furnishing much of that which is used upon the large canal and the good roads of numerous counties of this state. His business has grown to extensive proportions and a large number of workmen are employed. Mr. Conley is always considerate of those who serve him and endeavors to make them feel that their interests are his and that faithfulness on their part is appreciated.
In October, 1893, Mr. Conley was married to Miss Delia Stisser, of Oneida, a daughter of John Stisser, and they have one daughter, Mildred Stisser Con- ley. They reside at No. 758 Genesee street and are attractively located. Mr. Conley does not belong to any fraternal orders, nor has he held or sought politi- cal positions, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs which, under his capable management, are growing and extending in importance.
FRANCIS P. CAVALLO, D. D. S.
Dr. Francis P. Cavallo, who is engaged in the practice of dentistry in suite eleven of the Pfluke building, is a native of this city, though of Italian par- entage. His natal day was the 12th of October, 1882, and his parents Pietro and Anna Lucia Cavallo. The father emigrated to this country from Italy in 1871, but the mother did not come over until 1876. They early settled in this city where for many years the father was a foreman in the Weaver brick yards.
The greater part of the life of Dr. Francis P. Cavallo has beeu spent in Utica, to whose public schools he is indebted for his preliminary education. He has also had very good musical training having studied under some of the best vocal teachers both here and in Philadelphia. Ile is a soloist of more than local reputation, possessing a voice of rare timbre, which has been well trained and is used with excellent effeet both in tone production and interpretation. He was soloist in St. John's Roman Catholic church for seven years, and is in great demand in that capacity at both funerals and weddings and various fune- tions of a purely social nature. When old enough to consider the choice of a life vocation, Dr. Cavallo early decided to devote his energies to the practice of dentistry, so after the completion of his high-school course he went to Phila- delphia, where he matriculated in the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery, from which institution he was graduated in 1903 with the degree of doctor of dental surgery. Immediately thereafter he returned to Utiea where he estah- lished an office and has ever since been engaged in practicing. IIe is a capable
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dentist and being very popular socially has encountered little difficulty in building up a lucrative practice.
Dr. Cavallo chose Miss Blanche Marian Hotham of Allegheny, Pennsylvania, for his wife and they reside at No. 241 South street. In religious l'aith he is a Catholie, and fraternally he is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Utica lodge. While in the dental college he joined the fraternity of his profession. Psi Omega, with which he is still identified. He has always been very fond of all athletie sports and during his student days was president of the College Athletic Association and manager of the football team, in addition to which he also filled the position of musical director of the College Glee Club. Ile is now identified with the Utica Oratorio Society, Philharmonie Society, Cecilian Male Quartette and the Schubert Quartette, through the medium of which he maintains close relations with all of the musical circles of the city; he also is secretary and treasurer of the Utica Symphony Orchestra. His politi- cal allegiance Dr. Cavallo accords to those men and measures he deems best qualified to subserve the interests of the majority, regardless of party affilia- tion. A man of pleasing personality, genial and cordial in his manner, he is very popular both socially and professionally in Utica and is succeeding in building up a very good practice.
WILLIAM POWELL, M. D.
Dr. William Powell. engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Utica. his ability being attested by the success which is attending his efforts, was born in the town of Western, June 11, 1856. and is a representative of one of the oldest and best known Oneida county families. Ilis parents were P. D. and Elizabeth (Grems) Powell, the former a lineal descendant of the Long Island family of that name, the ancestry being traced baek to Thomas Powell, who when quite young came from Wales to the new world in the year 1641. Dr. Powell of this review is numbered among his descendants of the seventh generation. The family has been represented in Oneida county for more than a century, the grandfather of the Doctor having arrived in 1806, at which time he took up his abode at Quaker Hill where P. D. Powell and his son William were both born. Along lines of usefulness the family have put fourth activity that has constituted a valuable contribution to the material development of the county and the upbuilding of its business interests.
Dr. Powell completed his literary education in Rome Academy and after- ward entered the Long Island College Hospital at Brooklyn, New York, where he won his professional degree upon his graduation with the class of 1881. The following year he entered upon active practice in Turin, Lewis county, New York, and afterward spent a year in the west. Subsequently he opened an office at New York Mills, in Oneida eounty, but seeking a broader field of labor came to Utica in 1>91. In the two decades which have since passed his professional duties have been discharged so ably and with such a sense of con-
DR. WILLIAM POWELL
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scientious obligation that his patronage has steadily increased and he is now numbered among the foremost physicians of his adopted city.
In March, 1893, Dr. Powell was married to Miss Cora Elizabeth Hatfield, who died in 1894. Few interests outside of his profession have claimed his time and attention. He has always preferred to concentrate his activity upon the duties of the life work which he has chosen and in keeping in touch with the advancement of the medical fraternity he holds membership with the Utica Medical Library Association, the Oneida County Medical Society and the New York State Medical Society.
RUFUS W. DODGE.
To the Dodge family belongs the distinction of having established the first monument business in Utica with which vocation they have now been identified for nearly sixty years. Rufus W. Dodge, through whom the family continues to be represented in the business, was born in the old homestead on Kemble street, on the 8th of October, 1867. His parents were Rufus C. and Mary Jane (Watkins) Dodge, the father also a native of Oneida county. Mr. Dodge, who first engaged in the monument business here in 1855, was for many years in Military Hall, continuing to reside in the old Dodge homestead until he passed away about 1878. Mrs. Mary J. Dodge, who survived until February, 1910, was laid to rest beside her husband in Forest Hill cemetery. They were the parents of the following children: William A., who is an express agent at Schenectady, New York; Frank E., who is engaged in the groeery business in this city; Eugene, who is a letter eutter and carver; Isolene, the wife of Charles E. Briggs of Schenectady ; and Rufus W., our subject.
The entire period of Rufus W. Dodge's life has been spent in this city, his education being completed in the advanced schools. When old enough to select a vocation he decided to adopt the one followed by his father, to whose business he succeeded. In 1901 he located on Seymour avenue where he re- mained three and a half years at the expiration of which period he removed to his present place, which is situated on the corner of Prospect street and Holland avenue. He has a large establishment here which is thoroughly equip- ped with all modern machinery and appliances. For his work he imports Italian marble and Granite and uses only the best quality of American marble, granite and quartz. He has a very large business, regularly employing about five men, and has erected monuments throughout the eastern states.
For his wife and helpmate, Mr. Dodge chose Miss Carrie M. Newton, also a native of Utica and a daughter of Hiram Newton, who for many years was identified with the retail shoe business of this city.
With Mrs. Dodge he attends Plymouth Congregational church in the work of which she takes an active and helpful interest. Fraternally he is also identi- fied with the Royal Arcanum and the Knights of Pythias, while he maintains relations with the other members of his vocation through the medium of his membership in the New York State Monument Dealers Association. In politics
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he is an ardent republican, and although he is publie-spirited and takes an active interest in all municipal affairs Mr. Dodge has never aspired to public office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon the development of his busi- ness. He has met with success in his voeation and in addition to his other interests owns a fine residence on Prospect street, the hospitality of which is freely extended to the friends of himself and wife.
JOSEPH CLINTON KEMPF.
Joseph Clinton Kempf, for thirty years past in the music business at Utica and head of the Kempf Brothers' Musie House, is a native of Newport, Herki- mer county, New York. He was born October 28, 1851, a son of Peter and Margaret Kempf, both of whom were born near Berlin, Germany. They came to America in 1838 and settled at Utica in 1845. They continued in this city during the remainder of their lives with the exception of about a year which they spent at Newport.
Joseph Clinton Kempf was educated in the publie schools and at Assumption Academy. He gave his attention to farming for several years after reaching maturity and in 1878 associated with his two brothers, Frederick Martin and Charles C. Kempf, in the sewing-machine business at Utiea. The business pros- pered and in 1880 the firm also undertook the sale of pianos and other musi- eal instruments. In 1890 Frederiek Martin Kempf died and the business was continued by the two remaining brothers and grew so rapidly that it was nec- essary to move several times in order to seeure larger accommodations. In 1908 the firm purchased the location it now occupies at No. 86 Genesee street, where is to be seen one of the most complete musical stores in the state of New York. The building consists of four stories, the first floor being used for gen- eral display purposes. The second and third floors are divided into parlors in which are to be seen one hundred and fifty upright pianos, one room being set apart on the third floor for sewing machines. On the first floor are parlors for the exclusive use of talking machines. The display throughout the building is highly attractive and indicates rare taste and remarkable judgment. The busi- ness has now grown to such dimensions that the sales of pianos have reached as many as four hundred and fifty in a year. In 1904 the firm established a branch house at Little Falls and Herkimer and recently Charles Stewart Kempf took these stores as his share of the property. Mr. Kempf of this review is now associated with two of his sons at Utica and the reputation of the house is such that its patronage is larger than ever before. Kempf Brothers' Musie House is one of the principal show places of the eity and visitors from all parts of the state are surprised at the remarkable display of musical instru- ments which is scarcely equalled elsewhere in the entire country.
On the 28th of November, 1872 Mr. Kempf was married to Miss Rosanna ('araher. of Clinton, Oneida county, New York, a daughter of James T. and Mary ( McGuire) Caraher. Six children came to brighten their home: Charles Stewart and William Joseph, both of whom are associated with their father
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