USA > New York > Oneida County > Utica > Memorial history of Utica, N.Y. : from its settlement to the present time > Part 28
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Emply E.G.Koman NY.
76. D.Pislay
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E. D. BUCKINGHAM - HENRY LUX.
musical wares and objects of art. This store, conducted with Andrew J. Ketchum and later with other partners, went on with increasing at- tractiveness and success until it became the foremost of its kind in the county. By the liberal manner in which it was managed much has been accomplished to improve the taste of our people both in music and in art. It was a gathering place of musicians, and some of Utica's best amateur concerts were given within its galleries-galleries where choice specimens of painting and engraving were on exhibition, free to visitors whether coming with intention to purchase or from motives of curiosity alone. In movements affecting the welfare of the city Mr. Buckingham took an active interest and contributed liberally. It was largely through his efforts, as it is said, that when he was a member of the Board of Aldermen fountains were provided for the parks of the city. Genial, benevolent, business-like, and thoroughly honest Mr. Buckingham on his sudden taking off in May, 1891, was sincerely mourned. He left a family of five daughters, of whom three are mar- ried.
In the career of Henry Lux we have a noteworthy illustration of the rise of an humble individual through his own efforts to a position of im- portance and usefulness. Born in Alsace, November 26, 1827, he came to this country with several brothers and sisters when he was seventeen years of age. He was successively chore-boy with several families in the city, fireman on the Central, and stationary engineer in a lumber factory, when he entered the employment of W. Hallock, a butcher. In 1855 he began business for himself and by strict devotion to its re- quirements, wherein he was aided by two sons, he succeeded in build- ing up the largest meat trade in the city, having the greater share of the custom of the leading hotels and the prominent families. Of jovial disposition and obliging temper he had always a pleasant word for every one, and his friends were many. He was active in municipal affairs and attentive to the city's prosperity. In 1867, 1869, and 1871 he was a member of the common council. In 1874, on the formation of the police and fire commission, he was appointed commissioner and did much toward establishing the system the city now possesses. In the month before his death to the satisfaction of all he was re- appointed on this commission. Mr. Lux was a vestryman of St. Luke's Church, a
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.
Mason, an Odd Fellow, and a member of several German societies. He died May 21, 1891.
Calvin Hall, son of an early settler of Deerfield of the same name, had lived in that place nearly all his life. In 1859 he was elected sheriff of the county, very soon afterward moved into Utica, and in the spring of 1860 was chosen its mayor. By reason of ill health he re- signed on the 20th of May and died a little later.
John Henry Douglass was a native of Utica, though he passed a por- tion of his youth in Cincinnati, where his parents then lived. Soon after their return he became an orphan. Stephen M. Perine, an early undertaker of Utica, was his uncle, and Douglass assisted him when not in school; was a clerk under Postmasters Tiffany and Lyon and a gen- eral favorite. When Mr. Perine went to New York he sold his business to John H. Van Ness and Mr. Douglass, and the firm existed thirteen years, after which the business was conducted by Mr. Douglass until his death. He had for some years the charge of the burial of patients who died at the State Hospital, but his happy adaptation to the performance of funeral rites brought him ere long the favor of all classes of our citizens, and he was greatly esteemed for the efficiency, the tenderness, and delicacy with which he performed his tasks. He was one of the charter members of Tiger Hose and was foreman several years. He was a member of the Citizens Corps from his youth and commanded it four years. He represented the First ward twelve years in the Board of Supervisors, beginning with 1859 ; was an efficient member of the board as well as of the Masonic fraternity and several civil organizations. His widow survives. They had three children. Mr. Douglass died March 13, 1884.
William Dunn and William Lent were for twenty-seven years associ- ated in the useful, laborious, though comparatively humble employment of carrying baggage to and from the railroads. Both had lived long in the city, both were popular and respected, and from their personal characters and the faithfulness with which they ministered to the indis- pensable needs of the community they together constituted one of its important institutions.
Thomas B. Devereux, son of Nicholas, was a coal merchant ; Peter Vidvard an importer of wines and liquors; Enos Wood a machinist ; and George W. Lewis an enterprising dealer in shoes.
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PROCEEDINGS OF 1861.
1861 .- An abolition convention was advertised for January 14-15, 1861, at which such celebrities as Susan B. Anthony, E. Cady Stanton, Samuel J. May, Beriah Green, and others were noticed as speakers. A special meeting of the council was called to decide upon the advisability of allowing the convention to be held. It was resolved not to allow it and the meeting was not held.
At the charter election De Witt C. Grove was elected mayor ; treas- urer, William P. Carpenter ; marshal, David Hess ; attorney, Arthur B. Johnson ; aldermen, John Cantwell, William N. Weaver, John Best, Adrian Kissam, Patrick McGough, John M. Hahn, Elijah J. Herbage ; supervisors, John H. Douglass, S C. Greenman, Owen Eynon, George Pearson, John D. Regan, Paul Keiser, Thomas Buchanan, jr ; clerk, Peter Cunningham ; street commissioner, Jacob Ehresman ; surveyor, Harvey Park, jr.
In his inaugural Mayor Grove expressed himself very forcibly upon the importance of keeping expenses within the amount authorized and the necessity of great economy in order to do so; said a new watch- house would have to be provided ; and expressed himself as pleased with the provisions of the new charter. Salaries were left the same as the previous year, viz .: Treasurer, clerk, and marshal each $600; street commissioner $500 ; janitor $325.
Again the restriction of expenditure to income by the act of 1849 was unavailing, and a debt of $12,000,for which there were no resources, must be paid or the city hall and other city property might be sold on execution, to say nothing of the distress of those who had eagerly trusted the city. This time the iron-clad proviso which still remains in the charter was imposed by the citizens. It is as follows :
Sec. 3 of Chapter 24, Laws of 1861. In case any alderman of the said city shall vote for any appropriation or for the expenditure of any moneys not authorized by the char- ter of said city or by some law, or in violation of any of the provisions of law, every such alderman shall be liable to a penalty of $100, to be sued for and recovered in any court with costs, by and in the name of any citizen of said city. And in case the com- mon council of said city shall contract any debts after the first Tuesday of March in any year and before the first Tuesday of March thereafter, which shall remain unpaid for one month after the last mentioned day for want of sufficient funds in the treasury · to pay the same, or in case the common council shall authorize any expenditure for any purpose in such year, exceeding the amount which the said council are authorized by law to raise for such purpose, the aldermen voting for the contracting any such
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.
debt or to authorize any such expenditure shall be personally liable to each and every party entitled to payment; the city of Utica shall not be liable to pay the same, nor shall the common council credit or pay any debt so contracted or expenditure so made.
But laws are of little value so long as there are any who choose to disobey them and none who have the principle or pluck to enforce them. This remarkably strict law, though often referred to by those about to violate it, remains a dead letter thus far, its penalties not in- flicted either on the actual debtors or the cognizant creditors, who risk its violation, trusting to the long enduring mercy of the taxpayers It deserves a place in this history as a striking example of " how not to do it " in thirty years.
The council adopted a resolution July 12th that thereafter all petitions for local improvements must have on them names of property owners representing a majority of property in value. Further proceedings of this board were a resolution to extend Blandina street from its termina- tion to Albany street, one to lay down an 18-inch sewer on a portion of First street, and one to appoint a committee to report a plan for a watch- house.
The cloud which was to envelop the country in civil war could now be seen "no bigger than a man's hand." A meeting was called for February Ist of all " who believe a real and substantial difficulty exists in the administration of the Federal government." The call received 400 or 500 signatures. Lincoln had been elected after one of the most enthusiastic campaigns ever known in America, and the mutterings of se- cession came up from the South. The meeting was held and Ward Hunt presided. Speeches were made upon the attitude of national af fairs by John F. Seymour, C. H. Doolittle, Hiram Denio, Ward Hunt, Roscoe Conkling, E. H. Roberts, and others, and a series of resolutions in support of the government was adopted. President Lincoln was ex- pected to arrive in Utica on the 18th of February and a meeting was held to make arrangements for his reception. Alrick Hubbell presided, and thirty four persons were named as a general committee of reception. The President arrived at 11:30, and standing on the rear platform of the train made a very few remarks and was addressed by Mr. Hunt. A great crowd was in attendance.
With the firing upon Fort Sumter the city became filled with martial enthusiasm, and when the President issued his call for 75,000 volunteers
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WAR PROCEEDINGS OF 1861.
no city responded more promptly or enthusiastically than this. Capt. William Christian at once began the organization of a volunteer battal- ion of four companies, which number was eventually increased, and en- listments were rapidly made. This finally became the Twenty-sixth Regiment. On the 17th of April the Citizens Corps tendered its serv- ices to the government and announced its readiness to march at forty- eight hours' notice. The armories of the different companies in the city were scenes of the greatest activity ; the city was ablaze with flags, drums beat, and everywhere that spirit of patriotism which was soon to be tried on many a bloody field prevailed.
Recruiting was active under the July call of the President during the fall months. Fourteen men left on September 6th and seventeen on the 9th, part going to each of the Fourteenth and Twenty-sixth Reg- iments. The Herald of September 17th said that no place could offer better opportunities for enlistments, " and the streets present as much of a military appearance as they did when the fall of Sumter ex- cited two regiments to go forth almost at a moment's notice." Lieut. L. R. Sherwood of the Twenty-sixth Regiment opened a recruiting of fice in the armory on the 26th of July for three years' men and offered the bounty of $100. October 9th a local paper said that Utica was doing more in proportion to population to fill the ranks of the army than any other city or town in the State. Eighteen recruiting offices existed and nearly 400 men were enrolled in the ten days. A great Union meeting was held October 10th with Daniel S. Dickinson as ora- tor. On the 15th of October a meeting was held to encourage organ- ization and enlistments in the Fourth Oneida County Regiment. W. J. Bacon presided. Nine companies of the Third Oneida Regiment were mustered at Boonville before October 18th. Captain Bates's Empire Battery left for Elmira on October 22d, 150 strong, and was destined ere long, to see hard service.
A citizen of Utica who bore a somewhat conspicuous part in the mili- tary and other relations of the State was James McQuade. He was the eldest son of Michael McQuade and was born April 27, 1829. After attending the public schools and obtaining a classical education at Montreal he began the study of law. The law not being congenial to him he entered the Bank of Utica as clerk and then as an officer. In
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.
1851 he went to Albany as assistant clerk of the Assembly under Gen. R. U. Shearman. Next he was in turn engaged in the coffee and spice business, and had charge of the books of the Gulf Brewery. He repre- sented the First ward in the Board of Supervisors in 1855-56. He was a member of Fulton Fire Company, No. 3, and also of the Exempt Firemen's Association. He was chosen president of the Firemen's Be- nevolent Association in 1861 and again in 1866. In 1859 he was elected member of Assembly by the Republicans and served his con- stituents acceptably. He took an early and active interest in military affairs and was a member of the old Columbian Artillery. About the year 1847 he joined the Citizens Corps and became one of its foremost members; he was captain of the corps for three years just previous to the Civil war, and on the day following the firing on Fort Sumter he offered his own services and those of his entire company to the govern- ment for two years ; they became a part of the Fourteenth Regiment, of which he was elected colonel. The regiment passed the winter of that year near Washington and in the spring of 1862 it was ordered to advance. It bore an honorable part in the seven days' fighting from June 27th to July 3d, and when at Malvern Hill Colonel McQuade par- ticularly distinguished himself, acting as brigadier-commander through nearly the whole engagement. For gallantry and bravery he was recommended for promotion to brigadier-general. He was taken ill and carried in an ambulance to the field of Chancellorsville, and there mounted his horse and commanded his regiment through the fight. When the battle was over he fell exhausted and was confined to his tent for two weeks. The regiment returned to Utica, May 21, 1863. Colonel McQuade was not a rigid disciplinarian, but was gallant and brave on all occasions and greatly endeared to his men. Soon after the close of the war he was breveted brigadier-general on the recom- mendation of nearly all of the New York State congressmen. He was one of the founders of the Loyal Legion and one of the earliest mem. bers of the G. A. R., and he organized the George Washington Post in New York city. In 1879 he was elected department commander of that order. His military duties over he opened a pension office in Utica. In 1866 he was elected mayor of the city by the Republicans and in the same year was appointed postmaster, but served only a few months.
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THOMAS DAVIES.
In 1867 he was one of the Democratic presidential electors and the fol- lowing year was appointed inspector-general on the staff of Governor Hoffman. In 1870 he was again chosen mayor of Utica, this time by the Democrats, and in 1882 was a prominent candidate for lieutenant- governor. Other positions which he filled were the following: Presi- dent of the Jefferson Car Company ; quarantine commissioner of the port of New York; and one of the managers of the State Hospital, be- ing chairman of the auditing committee and secretary of the board. In 1882 he was a prominent candidate for lieutenant- governor. Mr. Mc- Quade died March 25, 1885, leaving a son and two daughters.
Thomas M. Davies, one of three sons of the veteran jeweler, Thomas Davies, was born in Utica and learned his father's trade with him. Until a few years before his death he was a member of the firm of Davies & Sons, afterward B. F. & T. M. Davies. He was an early member of the Citizens Corps and a charter member of Tiger Hose Company. Joining the Fourteenth Regiment with Captain McQuade's company he was commissioned first lieutenant, his later promotions fol- lowing those of his senior officers until he rose to the rank of colonel. He was a faithful, brave, and noble soldier. Returning to Utica at the close of the war he was chosen captain of the re-organized corps and labored hard to establish the company on a firm basis. A few years before his death he was made inspector of the Old Fort Schuyler distil- lery in the revenue department and held the position until his decease. In 1877 Colonel Davies was appointed a member of the Board of Police and Fire Commissioners and served in that position faithfully ; he held the office until a few weeks before his death. Early in life he married a daughter of Colonel Norton, an old resident of the city. He was a man of fixed, firm opinions and felt contempt for mean, small men and things. He was generous to a fault and did not know the meaning of fear. He was devoted to his friends, who were numerous in the city of his birth. His death took place May 14, 1882, at the age of forty- nine.
Another Utica soldier memorable for his bravery and breveted by the United States government was Egbert Bagg. He was the son of Moses Bagg and was born February 2, 1820. His academical educa- tion was obtained here and his collegiate at Geneva (now Hobart) Col-
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.
lege. Before entering college and after leaving it he gained a practical acquaintance with engineering by service in the work of the Erie Canal enlargement. He completed a course of law study, but never engaged in practice. After a few months' service in the machine shops of the New York Cotton-Mills to learn the rudiments of the business he en- tered into partnership with William Roberts, the foreman of the shop, and began machine making in Utica. Bagg & Roberts made some needed machinery for the factories then finding a place in the city. Ere long they encountered a reverse entailing much pecuniary loss. Mr. Bagg now gave himself to surveying, and in 1853-54 he was the surveyor of the city. In 1855 he went to Fort Dodge, Iowa, and remained until 1861. In 1862 he entered the military service as quarter- master with the rank of first lieutenant in the One Hundred and Seven- teenth Regiment New York State Volunteers, which was then organiz- ing. He soon displayed such admirable soldierly qualities that he rose rapidly from grade to grade, and in August, 1864, was made major. As' an officer he was strict in discipline, but admired by his men, was enduring, fearless, and even reckless in his exposure of himself. He was engaged in thirteen fights, nine of which were pitched battles, and had command of the regiment in several engagements. It was at the attack on Fort Fisher that he especially distinguished himself, and there he received a wound of the shoulder from which he was permanently crippled. For gallant and meritorious service in this battle he received from the United States government a brevet as lieutenant- colonel. Slowly rallying from his wound he resumed his employment as a sur- veyor, was the official surveyor of the city during the years 1866 to 1869, also in 1878, and was both surveyor and superintendent of Forest Hill Cemetery. He did it good work, both by his taste and care in the management of the grounds, but still more by the plotting of a large part of the lots then in demand and by the preparation of maps, which were at that time greatly needed. His death took place November 18, 1885, while on a voyage to Europe. His wife, a daughter of Mont- gomery Hunt, still survives, as does also one son.
When the war broke out Joseph S. Lowery was working for his brother in a store at Boonville; he was one of the first to respond when it was. proposed to raise the One Hundred and Forty-sixth Regiment in
COLONEL LOWERY - LIEUT .- COL. H. H. CURRAN.
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Oneida County. When Mr. Lowery left Rome with his regiment it was with the rank of second sergeant. He at once became a favorite, and in the winter of 1862 was commissioned second lieutenant of Company E. In the campaign that followed Mr. Lowery's soldierly qualities were severely tested, but he never failed in the duty assigned him. When the proper time came he was promoted to the captaincy of Company A, and in that position participated in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chan- cellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, and other minor engagements. At Spottsylvania, while in command of a skirmish line, he advanced in the face of a destructive fire and took shelter under the enemy's breastworks, where his men were forced to remain until nightfall, which covered their retreat. For his bravery in this event he was publicly complimented in general orders and breveted major. At Cold Harbor Colonel Lowery was severely wounded and borne to the rear, waving his hat and cheering on his comrades. His chance of recovery from the wound was as one in a thousand, and he was carried many miles on a stretcher to White House Landing, whence he was taken to Washington, where he remained in the hospital three months. He finally recovered and was breveted colonel " for gallant and meritorious services during the war." Returning home he became associated with his brothers in starting a knitting-mill on Pine street. This was destroyed by fire and was not rebuilt. He subsequently united with James A. Lowery in the cotton commission business, which was successful, and remained so until his death. As a military man Colonel Lowery left an enviable record. He was a member of Post McQuade, G. A. R., and also of the Veteran Legion. In politics a Democrat he was twice elected school commissioner and was otherwise conspicuous in his party. He was a director of the City National Bank, a trustee of the Soldiers Monument Association, and of the Citizens Corps, in all of which organizations he took an active interest. He died on the 19th of October, 1891, leaving a widow and two children.
Henry Hastings Curran was the son of Edward Curran and was born September 27, 1841. He entered Hamilton College from the Utica Free Academy and signalized his undergraduate course by ob- taining a succession of college laurels in classical and belles-lettres studies. Besides the reputation of marked ability he bore, too, the respect and
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.
affection of all for those qualities of mind and heart which constitute the true man and the gentleman. The war for the Union broke out in the midst of his junior year. Immediately on the President's call for 75,000 men he and some of his companions began by daily drill in arms to pre- pare themselves for their country's service. They went further ; they en- listed and organized a company of recruits and transferred them to New York, where promises had been made them of their incorporation into one or other of certain regiments then being formed. But being deceived by false promises, and kept long in waiting while their men were dropping off or being decoyed out of their ranks, and incurring heavy expense, they became discouraged and separated. Profiting by his sad experience, yet not chilled in patriotic ardor, Mr. Curran returned to college and finished his course. Immediately on its completion in 1862, when en- listments nearer home were in progress and under auspices more favor- able, he again raised a company and was made its captain. It formed a part of the One Hundred and Forty-sixth Regiment of New York State Volunteers, which was commanded by Col. Kennar Garrard, a West Point graduate who had seen some years of service. It was as- signed to the Third Brigade of General Sykes's division of the Fifth Army Corps. In this corps Captain Curran served with such fidelity and persistent endurance, such bravery and soldierly sagacity, that he was rapidly promoted to higher positions. As unassuming and gener- ous as he was brave his soldiers loved him like a brother, while his su- periors accorded him unqualified respect and trust. He was in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and the Wilder- ness. At this latter contest, while he was at the head of his men, he was shot through the heart and instantly killed May 4, 1864. He was then acting as lieutenant-colonel, although holding the commission of major. His appointment as lieutenant-colonel, dated the 4th of the preceding April, reached his family after his fall. At the reception given his regi- ment in July of the succeeding year on their return from the war no more affecting feature was witnessed than the horse of Colonel Curran, with that of Colonel Jenkins, led by grooms in the civic and military procession which marked the occasion. A more lasting and appropriate honor was paid to his memory by the founding of a prize medal to be annually awarded to the best classical scholar in the junior class of Ham-
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LIEUT. C. L. BUCKINGHAM -" WILLIE" BACON.
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