USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York : from 1700 to the present time, Volume II > Part 51
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DANIEL M. HALL
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of the Rome Republican Club and chairman of the republican city committee. He was elected chairman of the republican congressional district convention about two weeks before his death. He was a good speaker and often made nominating speeches at republiean conventions, being especially gifted as a political orator. He was a wide reader, a Shakespearean scholar and a man of broad observation and unusual mental grasp. He was optimistic in tempera- ment, always looking upon the bright side, and very popular wherever he was known on account of his genial and pleasing qualities and his open and upright character. Fraternally he was connected with Roman Lodge, No. 223, F. & A. M .; and Rome Council, No. 150, R. A. He was also a member of Rome Tent, Knights of the Maccabees, in which he served as commander ; the Junior Order of American Mechanies, in which he filled the office of councilor and senior past councilor; the Senior American Mechanics; and the Independent Order of For- esters, of which he had been chief ranger. He was also a member of the Rome Country Club. Few men in this city have ever taken greater interest in fraternal work than Mr. Hall and he will long be missed from the lodge gatherings in which he was for many years a prominent figure. Mrs. Hall still makes her home at the comfortable family residence, No. 739 Armstrong avenue, in this city and can elaim many friends here.
EDWIN C. BABCOCK, M. D.
A representative of the third generation of the family in the medical profes- sion in Oneida county, Dr. Edwin C. Babcock, of Utica, has from the beginning of his practice shown an adaptability to the healing art which has redounded greatly to his credit. Ile was born at Oriskany Falls, July 11, 1872, a son of Dr. Welcome E. and Frances A. (Clark) Babcock. The father died in 1883, and the mother is now residing at Madison, New York. He was for many years very active in practice and the grandfather, Dr. Welcome A. Babcock, was also well known on account of his prominence in the profession. At the time of the Civil war he was examining surgeon for the United States government at Utica.
Edwin C. Babcock received his preliminary edueation in the public schools. In 1888 he entered Colgate University, where he pursued the Latin scientific course for three years. In 1891 he matriculated in the New York Homeopathic Medieal College and Hospital, from which he was graduated in 1894 with the degree of M. D. After spending one year in the hospitals of the city of New York he located at Boonville, where he eontinned in general practice until 1904. He then went west and after one year returned to Oneida county and settled at Utica, where he has since engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery, being freely accorded a place as one of the foremost physicians of the city. A man of scholarly attainments, he made good use of his opportunities and kept fully abreast of the times as to the great advancements in all depart- ments of his profession. He is a member of the staffs of the General Hospital and the Homeopathic Hospital at Utica and is also actively connected with the Oneida County Medical Society, the New York State Medical Society and the
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Medical Chirurgical Society. Hle is an earnest worker in those organizations and a valued contributor to their proceedings.
Dr. Babcock has been twice married, his first wife being Florence Grosjean. One son, Iloward Lewis, was born to them in 1901, IIe is now attending the Utica schools. In 1907 Dr. Babcock was again married, the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah Lambert, of Chadwicks, New York. Fraternally he is well known, being a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Elks and the Foresters. Notwithstanding the demands of a large practice, he takes two vacations cach year, devoting the time to trout fishing or hunting. IIe is an ardent lover of nature and has made many interesting observations in the course of his rambles through the forests and along the streams. As a practitioner he ranks among the leading homeopaths of the state.
PIERCE D. CONDON.
Pierce D. Condon, who will be remembered as one of the most trustworthy and efficient public officers Oneida county has known and also as a successful business man, was born at Deerfield, New York, in August, 1844. His father, Pierce Condon, was born in Ireland and was one of the early settlers of Deer- field, having arived there in 1827. The mother before her marriage was Mar- guerite O'llara and she was also a native of Ireland.
Mr. Condon of this review was given excellent advantages of education in the publie schools and was early made acquainted with the business of dairy farming. In 1871 he started a grocery store in Deerfield Corners, which he condneted successfully for five years. He then began buying and shipping produce to New York city, especially potatoes, onions and apples. He was associated in this business with Thomas Walsh and continued it at intervals for thirteen years. lle made purchases not only at Utica but at all points along the Utiea & Black River and the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroads within a radius of fifty miles. In 1882 he was appointed by Thomas D. Pen- field, who had been elected sheriff of the county, as deputy sheriff and eon- tinued under Mr. Penfield during the entire term of that officer. He had eharge of most of the criminal business of the county and was one of the guards at the hanging of William Henry Ostrander. In 1885 he was appointed deputy United States marshal under United States Marshal Walter II. Bunn, of Coop- erstown. He served throughout Mr. Bunn's term and for part of the time under Colonel Archie Baxter. In 1891, when John C. Schreiber was elected sheriff of Oneida county, Mr. Condon was appointed deputy and served very efficiently for three years. Ile was a good officer and was thoroughly efficient, reliable and entirely fearless. He made many arrests for violation of the rev- enne laws, the illicit distillation of whisky and the passage of counterfeit money. Ile traveled widely throughout the United States while serving for the federal government and became well known in many parts of the country. After leaving federal service Mr. Condon organized the Condon Realty Company, with which he was actively connected during the remainder of his life.
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In 1868 Mr. Condon was married to Miss Mary Ann Sweeney, of Con- stableville, who died in 1870. In 1874 he was again married, the lady of his choice being Miss Ellen Donahoe, of Utica, and to this union four children were born, J. Francis, Nellie, Pierce, Jr., and James E. Politically Mr. Condon gave his support to the democratic party and was a great admirer of President Cleveland. Ile was town elerk of Deerfield in 1867, 1878, 1887 and 1898. He resided in Deerfield until 1899 and then removed to Utica, taking up his res- idence in the eleventh ward. He was active in politics and attended many county, assembly and state conventions. While living at Deerfield in his early manhood he belonged to the Deerfield fire company for several years. He was a member of St. Peter's church at Deerfield and served as trustee until his re- moval to Utiea, when he became a member of St. Patrick's church. Energetic and efficient in the discharge of duty, he possessed a genial and pleasing ad- dress and made friends wherever he was known. He died July 1, 1909. Mrs. Condon still makes her home at the family residence, 85 Plant street.
STUART J. FAIRBANK, M. D.
Dr. Stuart J. Fairbank, who in the practice of his profession has made a specialty of the diseases of children, in which connection he has displayed marked skill and ability, is also accorded a large general practice and today occupies a foremost position in medieal eireles of Oneida county. He was born in Deansboro, New York, on the 10th of December, 1875, a son of R. Lee and Emma (Young) Fairbank. The father was a native of Deansboro, New York, and came to Utiea about 1894, sinee which time he has been associated with Charles C. Kellogg & Company, lumber dealers and manufacturers, as an es- timator and draftsman. He traces his ancestry back to John and Mary Fair- bank, who settled at Dedham, Massachusetts, in 1634, having come to this country from England. Their numerous descendants now hold annual re- unions at Dedham, where the original dwelling of the American progenitors of the family is still preserved. The mother of our subjeet was a daughter of George A. Young, a direct descendant of Jolin Whitney, who came from New England as one of the first settlers of Oneida county. Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Irene Miller, was a daughter of Alonzo Miller, whose family also came from New England. Mrs. Fairbank died in 1887, leaving only one son, Stuart J., of this review.
Dr. Stuart J. Fairbank acquired his early training in the public schools and later attended Utica Academy, while his professional training was re- ceived as a student in the Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia, gradu- ating from that institution in 1898 with the M. D. degree. He had made a special study of the diseases of children and subsequently had the benefit of post-graduate work at the Maternity Hospital at Philadelphia. Returning to Deansboro, he opened an office at that place and there remained for about a year, after which he came to Utica and has here sinee practiced his profession. Since locating in this city he has been accorded a large general practice of
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IHISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
distinctively representative character, and in the line of his specialty has be- come widely known throughout Oneida county. Aside from his private prac- tice he has received considerable experience in hospital work, serving on the staff of the I'tica General, Homeopathie and Faxton Hospitals.
Dr. Fairbank was married, in 1899, to Miss Edna R. Davis, of Deansboro, and to them have been born two children, namely : Donald S., born June 29, 1904: and Emma A., whose birth occurred, on the 16th of April, 1911. The family hold membership in the Congregational church and Mrs. Fairbank, who is a member of the Homeopathie Guild of Utica, is well known and highly esteemed in the social circles of this city. Dr. Fairbank is prominent in the republican cireles of this district and has held the office of city physician and school inspector, serving in the latter position for two years. He is a member of the alumni association of the Ilahnemann and Homeopathic Medical Colleges and is widely known in medical fraternities of the state, belonging to the Oneida County Medical Society, the Utica Homeopathic Medical Society and the New York State Medical Society, in all of which he is an active and interested worker. Ile also is a member of the Homeopathic Medical Society of Central New York and the position which he occupies in the medical profession in this district is indicated by the fact that he was called to the presidency of that organiza- tion, serving therein for 1909 and 1910. Fraternally he belongs to the Inde- pendent Order of Foresters and at one time served as physician of the local branch at Utica.
Dr. Fairbank finds recreation from the arduous labors of his profession in the breeding of bantam chickens and cocker spaniel dogs, and is well known as an exhibitor of both. Ile holds membership in the National Bantam Associa- tion and has served as a judge at various shows, while he has also been awarded a number of silver cups for his own exhibitions. He never permits the pur- suit of these hobbies, however, to interfere with his practice, but on the other hand is constant in his devotion to his profession, gives to his patient the benefit of thorough training supplemented by wide experience, continuous study and close investigation, and ever adheres to the highest standard of professional ethics. Ilis professional worth is indicated by the large practice accorded him and the high position which he occupies in medical circles throughout Oneida county.
THEODORE PERRY BALLOU.
In the march of improvement in Oneida county Theodore Perry Ballou kept step with the vanguard. Ilis business interests were such as contributed to general prosperity as well as to individual success and at all times his aid and influence were given on the side of progress and advancement. Ile was born in Utica, March 18, 1808, his parents being Jerathmel and Anna (Perry) Ballou, the father at one time proprietor of a dry-goods and grocery store in Bagg's square. He was a son of Joseph Ballou, one of the earliest residents of Utica, who in 1792 left Exeter. Rhode Island, and embarked on board a sloop at Provi-
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Ballon
Theodore
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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
dence with his wife, two sons and a daughter, proceeding by way of Long Island Sound and the Hudson river to Albany and thence overland to Schenectady. They came in boats up the Mohawk, landing a short distance below the ford, and Joseph Ballou settled on the lot of which Rutger Bleecker leased two hundred and seventy-three and a half acres to George Damuth for a term of twenty- oue years. Previous to the date agreed upon for the first payment-July, 1793, -Joseph Ballou seems to have obtained from Damuth or his widow an assign- ment of a part of his lease, the remainder being held by Mr. Post, since this first payment was made jointly by them. The payments from 1794 to 1797 inclusive are also indorsed as made in part by Mr. Ballou, while those which follow, from 1802 until 1807, were wholly made by him. He placed his farm under cul- tivation and in August, 1800, he and each of his sons proeured from the execu- tors of Mr. Bleecker a deed to a lot on Main street and upon these lots erected a house and store, the house standing where John street opens out of the square. This house, once known as Union IIall and subsequently by many different names, occupied the site of the present Ballou block. Joseph Ballou removed to a house that stood at the corner of First and Main streets, where is now lo- cated the large brick building of Ilurd & Fitzgerald, wholesale shoe merchants, and lived the life of a farmer, passing away in 1810 at the age of sixty-seven years. ITis sons were merchants and occupied a store adjacent to the farm house on the west. Jerathmel Ballou, the father of Theodore P. Ballou, advertised in 1802 that he "sells dry goods and groceries and will pay the highest price for shipping furrs." He was one of the village trustees, elected at the first meeting held under the charter of 1805, and filled the office by successive elec- tions for four years. He died JJune 29, 1817. In his family were three sons and a daughter.
In the schools of Utica, Theodore P. Ballou pursued his education and on entering business circles became a partner of his uncle, Ebenezer B. Shearman, in the dry-goods and grocery business at No. 33 Genesee street, Mr. Shearman being the successor of Jerathmel Ballou. Theodore P. Ballou continued as a partner in that business until about 1840 and later turned his attention to the lumber trade, in which he became largely interested as a proprietor of the Gang's mills at Prospect, first as a partner in the firm of Hinckley & Ballou and afterward as sole proprietor. Ile was the owner of large tracts of timber land in IIamilton, Herkimer and Lewis counties and at one time had an interest with Lyman R. Lyons in two hundred thousand acres in Jolm Brown's tract. He be- came one of the foremost lumber merchants of this section of the state and moreover invested largely in realty, owning important holdings in Utica, in- cluding the handsome Ballou block at the corner of Main and John streets, which he erected in 1870. He was preeminently a business man who carefully watched every detail pointing to success and gave to his interests the close application and unfaltering enterprise which are so necessary to advancement in the com- mercial world. The site of the Ballou block was at one time occupied by a tav- ern. IIe also owned nearly the whole of Meadow street and held title to prop- erty in still other parts of the city.
Mr. Ballou was married in Utica to Miss Charlotte C. Wells, a daughter of Palmer Wells, of Westerly, Rhode Island, and they became parents of seven
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children, of whom Henry C. and Charlotte L. are now living in Utica, while the others are deceased. Mr. Ballou attended the Reformed Dutch church of Utiea and his influence was felt distinetly as a force for good in the community by reason of his exemplary personal character. Ilis political support was given to the republican party but he would never allow his name to be used in con- neetion with a candidacy for office. In all that concerned the city, however, he took a deep interest and he was ever ready to assist in any undertaking that would promote its welfare or result in its benefit. In his early life he was a member of the volunteer fire department and had many warm friends among the men who did duty in that connection in the early days. He was naturally of a cheerful and pleasant disposition yet quiet and unassuming. He had a wide acquaintance throughout Utica and this part of the state and was uniformly esteemed and respected wherever known. Having always been a resident of Utica, he lived to witness many changes here. He was born at a period which antedated the era of canal and railroad building and which in fact was the pioneer epoch in the history of the county. There were then many Indians in the district and he was well acquainted with a number of their chiefs, having occasion to deal with them when they came to the settlement for trading pur- poses. Time and man wrought many changes and in the work of transforma- tion he bore active and helpful part, so that he left his impress for good upon the community in its material and moral development. His death occurred Feb- ruary 28, 1887, at No. 42 Broad street, Utica.
JOIIN GORDON SLAUSON.
John Gordon Slanson, a member of the drug firm known as the Sullivan- Slauson Company, owners of "The Busy Corner," which name finds its dis- tinetion in the extensive trade enjoyed by the house, was born in Durhamville, Oneida county, New York, November 14, 1876, a son of Charles H. and Jennie L. Slauson.
While spending his youthful days in the home of his parents, John G. Slau- son attended the public schools, while later he became a student in Syracuse Academy. Ilis education completed, he came to Utica and entered the employ of the Howarth & Ballard Drug Company, remaining in their employ for ten years. During that period he gained comprehensive knowledge of the drug business, obtaining an accurate knowledge of drugs and their properties, as well as the best methods of combining medicines and also developed considerable talent as a salesman. Thus well qualified, he engaged in business on his own account in 1902. forming a partnership with Daniel J. Sullivan, and establishing the present drug store at the corner of Lafayette and Genesee streets. From the beginning the business has enjoyed a continuous and substantial growth until it is now the largest retail drug store between New York city and Buffalo. In 1909 the business was incorporated and their store is uniformly spoken of as "The Busy Corner" and has one of the best locations in the city. They carry
J. G. SLAUSON
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a very extensive line of goods and the attractive arrangement of their store is also a feature in its success.
On the 15th of September, 1906, Mr. Slauson was married to Miss Mary A. Quinn, a daughter of William Quinn, of Utica, and they have two children, William Charles and Helen Louise. Mr. Slauson is very prominent in Masonry, for he has taken the various degrees of the York and Scottish Rites and is also identified with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the fraternal spirit of these organiza- tions finds exemplification in his life. He is preeminently a business man, alert, energetic, progressive and resourceful and his aptitude for successful manage- ment lias placed him at the head of one of the leading establishments in his line of the state outside of New York city.
MAJOR JOSEPII H. REMMER.
It is pleasing to meet a man of influence whose aets have always contributed to the advancement of the community. Major Joseph II. Remmer, of Utica, belongs to this class, being the head of the Joseph II. Remmer Furniture Com- pany and for many years prominent among the national guardsmen of the state. He was born in Utica August 23, 1850, a son of Michael and Marie An- toinette (Denner) Remmer. The father was of French descent and was born in Alsace-Lorraine. He came to Utica after growing to maturity and engaged as a contractor and builder, being a resident of this city at the time of his death, January 15, 1866. He was a prominent worker in the democratic party and served for four years as eity assessor. The mother of our subject died in 1894 and is buried beside her husband in St. Agnes cemetery.
Joseph II. Remmer was educated in the ward and advanced schools of Utica. In 1873 he became connected with the grocery business and three years later engaged in the sale of meats. After an experience of one year in this line he disposed of his store and has ever since been connected with the furni- ture business, in which he has been highly successful. Ilis store is one of the large and important concerns of the city and is supplied with everything called for by discriminating purchasers in an up-to-date furniture establishment.
The chief interest of Major Remmer aside from his business has been con- centrated upon duties pertaining to the national guard of the state of New York. He joined Company B, Sixteenth Battalion, Utica Zouaves, as a private, September 28, 1868, and was promoted to sergeant. In 1873 he assisted in organizing the Twenty-eighth Separate Company and on June 3 of the same year was commissioned captain of the company, which office he held until April 5, 1898. He was commissioned by Governor Frank S. Black as major, dating from July 18, 1898, in Company K, Two hundred and second New York Volunteers, and authorized to raise a company in Utica for the Spanish-Amer- ican war, the final apportionment preventing his raising a full company, and he was ordered to report to Buffalo with fifty men whom he had enlisted. They were mustered into service. August 1, 1898, and honorably mustered out
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April 15, 1899, at Savannah, Georgia. Major Remmer was the only officer in Savannah who made out unassisted the five muster-out payrolls required by the officers of the regular army. He was called to headquarters and congratu- lated by General Shafter, who said his reports were without a flaw and the most complete and attractive that he had ever seen. He is also an ex-captain of the Twenty-eighth Separate Company Veterans' Association and as a business man is an active member of the Utica Chamber of Commerce.
Major Remmer was married to Miss Margaret A. Nichols, a daughter of the late Thomas Nichols, of Utiea, and to this union four children have been born, three of whom are deceased : William, who died at the age of two years; Minnie. whose death occurred when she was six years of age: and Margaret, who died at the age of twelve. Harry T. Remmer. the only surviving child of the family, was born April 4. 1888. He received his preliminary education in Mrs. Dickey's kindergarten and the old ward and advanced schools. He then entered the Utica Free Academy from which he was graduated in 1905. Having deter- mined to devote his life to the practice of medicine, he became a student in the medical department of Syracuse University, graduating in June, 1911, with the degree of M. D. At the university he earned high honors as a typhoid culturist and for his skill as a diagnostician. Before graduating he was ap- pointed pathologist to the Hospital of the Good Shepherd, at Syracuse, and is now serving in that capacity. He is a member of the Nu Sigma Nu fraternity.
Politically Major Remmer gives his support to the republican party in national affairs but he has independent tendencies and often votes for the man irrespective of party affiliation. The only political office he has ever held was that of charity commissioner, to which he was appointed by Mayor Thomas Wheeler in 1907. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and of the Fort Schuyler Council of the Royal Arcanum, having been connected with the latter organization for twenty-five years past. In all his duties public and private he has displayed clear judgment and marked ability and he is justly regarded with the highest respect and esteem by the people of his native city and county.
OMAR R. BRAYTON.
The name of Brayton has been well known in Oneida county for many years and Omar R. Brayton. of Deerfield, is recognized as one of the representative and highly successful men of the county. The first member of the family whose name appears in the genealogy was Stephen Brayton, who was born in the seventeenth century. He had one son. Isaac. who had three children, Mary, Patience and Stephen. Stephen was born November 11, 1741, and was mar- ried. December 2. 1762. to Amy Arnold, born November 19, 1740. She died November 23. 1795. and Mr. Brayton married a widow as his second wife named Hearty Brown. Jesse Brayton was born to Stephen and Amy (Arnold) Bray- ton. November 3. 1781. and he married Olive Whittaker in October. 1802, who was born April 15. 1786. Mr. Brayton died June 14, 1870, his wife having been called away July S. 1868. They were both buried at Poland, New York. In
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