Memorial history of Utica, N.Y. : from its settlement to the present time, Part 65

Author: Bagg, M. M. (Moses Mears), d. 1900. 4n
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason
Number of Pages: 936

USA > New York > Oneida County > Utica > Memorial history of Utica, N.Y. : from its settlement to the present time > Part 65

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In how great a degree the nature of the morbid processes which destroy human life determines the mental states of the dying is well known to our profession ? It is no less certain that the rapid and premature decay which proceeds from external causes and takes some specific form of disease is attended with far more suffering, mental and bodily, than the slow decay of age, in which life is not seldom

" Mellowed and softened as with sunset glow, A golden day's decline."

This euthanasia, so much to be desired, was not vouchsafed to our brother, and his was the common fate of medical men who find little comfort in those hopes of improve- ment and relief with which he had so often soothed the decline of others. Nor was he wont to call

" His brother doctor of the soul, To canvass with official breath The future and its viewless things- That undiscovered mystery Which one who feels death's winnowing wings Must needs read clearer, sure, than he."

But our dying friend had in full measure the philosophy which common sense and clear conscience bring to the support of every man who cometh into the world, if he

BIOGRAPHICAL.

will but heed them. In that intuitive reason, and that conscience whose dictates had been the rule of his life, he found a clear revelation of God and a sure ground of hope in Him which neither science nor theology has given or can take away.

Dr. Russell was married in December, 1851, to Agnes, daughter of Alexander Pat- terson, of New Hartford, N. Y. In her strong character and high ambition he found a stimulus and support which gave life its purpose and made its labors easy. Her sudden death in January, 1887, while it removed a prop which was sorely needed in his declin- ing days, served at the same time to reconcile him to the swiftly approaching end. He left two children, Dr. Charles P. Russell, of Utica, and William G. Russell, attorney and real estate dealer at Denver, Col.

W HEELER, RUSSEL, manufacturer, was born in Rome, Oneida County, N. Y., Angust 7, 1820. His father, George Wheeler, born in February, 1791, came from Glastonbury, Conn., to live with his father upon the farm which the latter had purchased in Oneida County. This farm, situated three and one-half miles from the city of Rome, is still owned by Russel Wheeler. George Wheeler belonged to one of those old New England families so many of whom moved at the beginning of this cent- ury into Central New York, stamping its localities with their New England names and invigorating the new-born business interests of the country with their New England virtues. He died at the hoinestead September 9, 1882, in the ninety-second year of his age. He had one daughter and seven sons, of whom the third was Russel.

Russel Wheeler, after acquiring a good English education in the district schools, came to Utica at the age of eighteen and entered the hardware store of John Mairs, where he remained four years. In 1842 he became book-keeper and manager for Joel C. Bailey, who had just purchased the Chester Dexter foundry on Columbia street. Two years later he became a partner, and the new firm of Bailey, Wheeler & Co. was then estab- lished and continued the previous business of the foundry, increasing the amount and improving the quality of its products until they had won a deserved reputation for excellent wares. It is interesting to note that the first coal cooking stove manufactured west of Albany was made in this factory on Columbia street. During the twenty-one years of the firm's continuance they secured many patents for improvements in the construction of stoves, and laid the foundation for a business of unusual stability. In 1855 Mr. Wheeler bought his senior partner's share in the business and ten years later he secured that of S. Alonzo Bailey. After twelve years of sole ownership Mr. Wheeler admitted his son, Frank E. Wheeler, to partnership, and two years later a share in the business was acquired by Francis Kernan, jr. This partnership continued until January 1, 1890, when Mr. Wheeler and his son purchased the interest of Mr. Kernan and established the business under its present name. The firm of Russel Wheeler & Son employs from 150 to 200 men, and is well known throughout the country as one of the leading manufacturers of stoves, ranges, and heaters. Some of their greatest improve- ments in recent years have been in their furnaces for heating residences, on which they hold many valuable patents.

MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.

Mr. Wheeler was married August 5; 1845, to Miss Amanda Bailey, the daughter of his senior partner. She died at Saratoga Springs, August 29, 1884, and was buried in Forest Hill Cemetery. They had one son, Frank E. Wheeler, who is still living and is the junior member of the firm. On November 10, 1887, Russel Wheeler was married to Mrs. Katharine K. Anderson, of New York.

Outside of his regular and personal business life Mr. Wheeler has been identified with numerous interests of the city and its vicinity. His only tenure of a city office was in 1849-50, when he was alderman, but many business enterprises of the town have had the advantage of his judgment and experience. He is a director of the Oneida National Bank and the Savings Bank of Utica, and was for many years vice- president in the Utica City National Bank, resigning recently in view of an extended absence in Europe. The manufacturing establishments in which he holds the position of director are the Utica Steam Cotton-Mills, the Globe Woolen-Mills, and the Willow- vale Bleaching Works. He was also a director of the Utica and Black River Railroad up to the time of its passing under control of the Rome, Watertown, and Ogdensburg Railroad Company. He has thus been connected with a large number of the most im- portant business interests of Utica, and is one of those to whose good judgment and sound principles the city owes much of its present prosperity. In educational matters he has long taken an active interest and has for many years been a trustee of Colgate (formerly Madison) University.

Mr. Wheeler has been an extensive traveler in this country as well as abroad. He has made many trips through the West, where he has real estate interests, and he has also visited for pleasure Europe, Egypt, and parts of Asia, thus gaining personal knowl- edge of many places not familiar to the ordinary traveler. His son, Frank E. Wheeler, was born in Utica in 1853. After passing through the public schools and the academy he entered Yale University, where he was graduated in 1876. During the past few years the business of the firm has been left largely in his hands and he has successfully maintained its high reputation. He was married in 1878 to Miss Louise Vanette Ames, the daughter of Senator Cheney Ames, of Oswego, N. Y.

C HAMBERLAIN, EPHRAIM, was born in the town of Burlington, Otsego County, N. Y., January 2, 1825. His remote ancestors emigrated from England to America about the middle of the seventeenth century and settled at Biddeford, Me., and through at least six generations of the family there has been an Ephraim among them. The subject of this memoir has now in his possession a small souvenir that has passed down to him through one of that name through six generations. When about four years of age his father, Clark Chamberlain, with his family moved to the adjoining town of Pitts- field, where Ephraim lived until he was sixteen years of age, in the meantime attend- ing a common school, receiving some private tuition, and ending with an academic course of two terms. He then entered a country store belonging to his uncle of the same name, in West Edmeston, Otsego County, as a clerk, where he remained until he was twenty years old. At that age in the year 1845 he came to Utica as a clerk in the canal collector's office and remained there until 1849, with the exception of one year in

BIOGRAPHICAL.

which he was employed in a Utica dry goods store. While employed in the canal col- lector's office the Utica Steam Cotton-Mills, a corporation for manufacturing cotton cloth, was organized with the late Alfred Munson as the first president. In the latter part of 1848, when the walls of the first factory of that corporation were up, but the building incomplete, Mr. Chamberlain applied in person to President Munson for the situation of book-keeper, although he was then personally unknown to Mr. Munson. After giving his references and answering a few questions asked by Mr. Munson Mr. Chamberlain left with the impression that his chances for obtaining the situation were very slight from the fact that there were many other applicants for it. A few weeks later, how- ever, Mr. Munson sent for Mr. Chamberlain and engaged him to take charge of the com- pany's books, which he did in February, 1849, thus connecting himself with a corpora- tion with the success of which he has ever since been intimately associated. In 1854 Mr. Chamberlain was appointed treasurer of the company, thereby becoming financial and chief business officer of the corporation. In 1859 he was elected secretary in addi- tion to the office of treasurer. In 1882 he was elected a trustee, in 1889 vice-president, and in January, 1890, president. These several responsible stations connected with the immediate management of the financial affairs of this successful company have de- manded Mr. Chamberlain's energies through a large part of his business life and were tendered to him because of his acknowledged ability to administer their duties with the highest efficiency.

Mr. Chamberlain was one of the incorporators and also one of the first trustees of the Mohawk Valley Cotton-Mills and of the Willowvale Bleaching Company, and was elected secretary and treasurer of both corporations. In 1866 he was elected a trustee of the Savings Bank of Utica and is now the oldest living member of the board. In 1875 he was elected second vice-president, in 1888 was elected first vice-president, and in 1889 succeeded the late Judge Bacon as president. For many years he has been a director and vice-president of the Oneida National Bank. The tender of these high positions in Utica's largest financial institutions are eloqent tributes to Mr. Chamber- lain's financial skill and his integrity from his fellow citizens. At the present time Mr. Chamberlain is president, treasurer, and director of the Utica Steam Cotton-Mills ; sec- retary, treasurer, and director of the Moliawk Valley Cotton-Mills and the Utica Wil- lowvale Bleaching Company ; president and trustee of the Savings Bank of Utica ; and vice-president and director of the Oneida National Bank.

In politics Mr. Chamberlain has been a life-long Democrat, but has never been an active worker in that field further than is demanded of all public spirited citizens. In 1856-57 he represented the then Third ward in the common council as alderman, and in 1869 was elected mayor of the city and is now the oldest living ex-mayor.

Mr. Chamberlain has been twice married and has had two children: Frank C., who died in 1885, and at the time of his death was engaged in business in New York city ; and Frederick G., now secretary and assistant treasurer of the Utica Steam Cotton-Mills, and assistant treasurer of the Mohawk Valley Cotton-Mills.

MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.

W ATSON, WILLIAM H., A.M., M.D., was born at Providence, R. I., November 8, 1829. He is the only son of the late Hon. William Robinson Watson. On the paternal side he is descended from the oldest, most respectable, and most distin- guished families in the State of Rhode Island, among whom may be named the Wan- tons, Hazards, Robinsons, and Browns, who at a period anterior to the Revolutionary war were the largest landed proprietors in the southern portion of that State. These families were noted for dispensing an elegant and princely hospitality, and for furnish- ing a genial and polished society when the city of Providence was yet but a small and inconsiderable village. Dr. Watson on the paternal side is the lineal descendant of the fifth generation of Gideon Wanton, the colonial governor of Rhode Island in 1745 and 1747. Five of Dr. Watson's ancestors had filled the gubernatorial chair of that State previous to the Revolution of 1776. The original ancestor of the Watson family, John Watson, came from England about 1680 and settled in South Kingston, R. I. Dr. Wat- son's father, son of John J. and Sarah (Brown) Watson, was born at South Kingston, December 14, 1799. He pursued his early preparatory studies at the Plainfield Acad- emy at Plainfield, Conn., and was graduated from Brown University, class of 1823. Among his classmates were Chief Justice Ames, of Rhode Island, Rev. Dr. Crane, George D. Prentice, the distinguished editor of the Louisville Journal, and Judge Mel- len, of Massachusetts. Professor Gammell, in an article on the necrology of Brown University, 1863-64, states that Mr. Watson "was admitted to the bar, but engaged to only a very limited extent in the practice of his profession. His life was devoted pre- eminently and almost exclusively to politics. For nearly forty years he was one of the most active and prominent politicians in Rhode Island. Very probably no individual ever exerted a greater influence in its local politics. Mr. Watson was also, during a greater part of his life, a writer for the political press. In several instances, usually for brief periods prior to important elections, he conducted editorially certain papers with which he was politically connected, his influence and support being invariably ex- erted in the interests of the Whig party, of which he was a devoted champion in Rhode Island. The most elaborate of these were a series of papers first published in the Jour- nal in 1844 under the signature of 'Hamilton.' These papers were afterward collected and reprinted in pamphlet form. The political doctrines then held by the Whig party were therein explained and vindicated with unusual force and clearness."

Mr. Watson was distinguished alike for the integrity and ability with which he dis- charged the duties of the many and varied public offices which he filled ; for grace, elegance, and force of diction; and for kindness of heart and dignified urbanity of man- ner. These traits of character secured the attachment of many of the warmest of friends, by whom his agreeable qualities were fully appreciated. Dr. Watson's mother, Mary Ann Earle Watson, was the daughter of Hon. Caleb Earle, a former governor of Rhode Island. Dr. Watson pursued his preparatory studies for college at the high school and the University Grammar School in Providence. He entered Brown Uni- versity in 1848 and was graduated therefrom in 1852. On admittance to college in 1848 he received the first entrance prize in Latin and the second entrance prize for pro- ficiency in Greek studies. During his collegiate course he was particularly noted for fondness of and high standing in the classic languages of antiquity. He obtained prizes

BIOGRAPHICAL.

for compositions in Latin in 1849, '50, and '51 and in Greek in 1849-50, and at the Junior Exhibition in 1851 he was awarded the high distinction of delivering the Oratio Latina. He was one of the "commencement orators " on graduating in 1852. While in college he was elected a member of the United Brothers, Psi Upsilon, and Phi Beta Kappa Societies. He received the degree of Master of Arts from Brown University in 1855. From his earliest youth he had shown a love of and an aptitude for the profession of medicine. He entered upon its study immediately after gradu- ation from college in the office of the late Dr. A. H. Okie, of Providence. After attend- ing medical lectures at the Homoeopathic Medical College of Pennsylvania, the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Hospital at Philadelphia in the spring of 1854 he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine. On his graduation in medicine he was chosen to deliver the address before the Hahnemann Medical Institute of Philadel- phia, February 28, 1854. Having decided to select an inland location he removed in the spring of 1854 to the city of Utica, N. Y., where he still enjoys an extensive and influential practice.

Dr. Watson has held many responsible offices and appointments, among them several of the highest that can be conferred by any association or local or State authority. The more important of these are named in the following paragraphs :

Dr. Watson began practice when an espousal of the homœopathic system aroused in- tense opposition and involved entire social ostracism from old-school association and fellowship. The homœopathic system had acquired a distinctive sectarian name, an inex- cusable offence in the eyes of the dominant school, one to which even to the present time it has not become reconciled. At that 'early period nearly all the homoeopathic practitioners had seceded from the old school. A few informal homoeopathic medical associations, composed of these often widely separated physicians, had been formed and were feebly maintained. The homœopathic school was then in its formative stage. No concerted action had been taken toward securing for it distinct and influential organi- zations. Dr. Watson at once perceived the necessity for a removal of the legal disa- bilities to which homœopathists were subjected, and the acquirement on their part of a legal status equal in every respect with that of the old school. He entered with alacrity and zeal upon the work of securing these desirable results. He gave to the cause freely of his time and means. To his wise counsels, his indefatigable energy, his steadfast- ness of purpose, and his controlling influence is largely due the advanced standing, the thorough organization, and the scholarly position of the homoeopathic school of the present day. While he maintains that a distinctive name seems requisite in order to represent a particular system of therapeutics he holds that the medical profession should not be classified thereby. He is an uncompromising opponent of sectarianism in medicine. He would have the terms of admission to membership in all homœopathic medical societies so broad as not to exclude any educated physicians on account of ther- apeutic belief.

Dr. Watson was one of the original members and founders of the Oneida County Homœopathic Medical Society, having united with the society at its first meeting in 1857. He was elected its president in 1860. He became a member of the Homœo- pathic Medical Society of the State of New York in 1855. At the- re-organization of

MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.

the society in February, 1861, he delivered-an inaugural address entitled "The Past and Present Position of Homoeopathy and the Duties of its Practitioners." He was elected a permanent member of the society in 1866. He was elected its president in 1868 and at the following annual meeting delivered an address entitled " The Medical Profession: Its Duties and Responsibilities, and the Relation of the Homoeopathic to the Old-School Branch of the Medical Profession." In February, 1872, he delivered another address before the New York State Homoeopathic Medical Society entitled " The Homoeopathic School, the Modern School of Rational and Liberal Medicine." This address, while it aroused decided hostile criticism, by its reasonableness and Catholicity gained for him the cordial approval of the liberal minded members of both the new and old schools of med- icine. He became a member of the American Institute of Homœopathy in 1854, and having completed twenty-five years of continuous membership therein in 1879 he be- came a senior member thereof. At the session of the institute held in 1873 he intro- duced and in an elaborate speech supported the following resolutions:

" Resolved, That homoeopathists should strenuously insist upon the non-violation of the great fundamental American principle of 'no taxation without representation ' by sectarian monopoly of either national, State, county, or city institutions that are sup- ported by legal assessments, or of those private eleemosynary institutions which derive their support from individual contributions.

" Resolved, That the recognition of this principle by the legislature of Michigan, by its recent action in creating two professorships of homeopathy in the University of that State, meets the most hearty approval of this body."

These resolutions, indicating the liberal policy of the homoeopathic profession, were unanimously adopted.

He was one of the founders of the New York State Homoeopathic Asylum for the Insane at Middletown, N. Y. In his "Introductory Address " before the New York State Homoeopathic Medical Society in 1869 he recommended the appointment of a committee to urge upon the legislature the necessity of taking appropriate action for the erection of a State asylum for the insane, to be located in one of the southern tier of counties of the State, and to be placed under the control of a physician of good stand- ing in the homoeopathic school. Four years after, in 1873, when the Middletown asy- lum had been created by legislative enactment, secured largely through his persistent efforts and influence, Dr. Watson was appointed by Gov. John A. Dix a member of its first Board of Trustees. He resigned this office after a service of three years on ac- count of inability, by reason of other professional duties, to attend the meetings of the board. He was appointed in March, 1875, to the office of United States pension exam- ining surgeon and served in that capacity six years. He resigned the office in 1881 on account of an intended visit to Europe. The degree of Doctor of Medicine, honoris causa, was conferred on him by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York on the nomination of the State Homoeopathic Medical Society in 1878.

Dr. Watson was appointed surgeon-general of the State of New York, with the rank of brigadier-general, by Gov. A. B. Cornell in January, 1880. He was elected to the office of Regent of the University of the State of New York by the legislature of the State, February 2, 1881, and holds that position at the present time. He was nomi- nated in 1888 without any solicitation or knowledge on his part, by Gov. David B, Hill,

---

BIOGRAPHICAL.

to the office of commissioner of the State Reservation at Niagara, and his nomination was unanimously confirmed by the State Senate. He, however, felt impelled to decline the honor so gracefully conferred on account of the pressing nature of private and pro- fessional engagements. He is a member of the Medico-Chirurgical Society of New York city, a member of the staff of Faxton Hospital at Utica, a trustee of the New York State Library and State Museum of Natural History at Albany, a member of the Fort Schuyler Club of Utica, a member of the University Club of New York city, a member of the American Society for Psychical Research of Boston, a member of the Oneida County Historical Society, a corresponding member of the Rhode Island His- torical Society, a member of the American Historical Society, and senior warden of Grace Episcopal Church at Utica. He has not infrequently represented the Protestant Episcopal Church in its diocesan conventions, and was a delegate to the general con- vention of the church held in New York in October, 1889. In 1887 he visited Califor- nia. Having had ample opportunity for personal observation, and for instituting a just comparison between the famous watering places of the Old World and the health re- sorts of the United States, he published several monographs presenting valuable infor- mation upon these subjects. In the spring of 1888 he visited Florida in order to become acquainted with its advantages as a desirable health resort.

Dr. Watson took a very active part in the controversy of 1870 and 1871 regarding the unjust and illiberal action of Dr. H. Van Aernam, United States commissioner of pen- sions. Dr. Van Aernam had removed from the office of pension surgeon Dr. Stillman Spooner, of Oneida, Madison County, N. Y., and also a number of other homoeopathic pension surgeons in various parts of the country, giving as a reason that "they did not belong to the school of medicine recognized by the government." Dr. Van Aernam by this impolitic action sought to commit the government of the United States to the direct endorsement of the old school to the exclusion of the homoeopathic school, thereby prac- tically establishing sectarianism in medicine. Dr. Watson entered with earnestness and zeal into the contest carried forward on the part of homeopathic physicians in several Northern States. He instituted a very extensive correspondence, formulated pointed and forcible resolutions, and published stirring and vigorous appeals to his associates throughout the country. By means of these well-directed efforts the author of these discourtesies and acts of intolerance toward the homœopathic medical profession was summarily removed and the ejected homœopathic pension surgeons were restored to their former positions. Dr. Watson in the early part of his medical life warmly espoused the cause of higher medical education. As early as 1868, during the sessions of the Consti- tutional Convention of that year, he and Dr. H. M. Paine, of Albany, devised the form of an amendment for securing higher and more uniform standards of medical attainment by the establishment of State supervision of medical licensure through the instrumentality of State boards of medical examiners.'

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Memorial history of Utica, N.Y. : from its settlement to the present time, Part 65

Author: Bagg, M. M. (Moses Mears), d. 1900. 4n Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason Number of Pages: 936

Author: Bagg, M. M. (Moses Mears), d. 1900. 4n
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason
Number of Pages: 936