USA > New York > The men of New York: a collection of biographies and portraits of citizens of the Empire state prominent in business, professional, social, and political life during the last decade of the nineteenth century, Vol. II > Part 21
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FREDERICK GOVE PADDOCK
Aside from his professional and public duties, Mr. Paddock has one interest that is somewhat unusual, and that is his fondness for taxidermists' work. He has taken this up as an amusement and recreation,
MEN OF NEW YORK -- EASTERN SECTION
and has mounted many native birds and animals with much success. He is an active member of the Malone Congregational Church, and has been the clerk of the society for the last five years.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- Frederick Gove Paddock was born at Fort Covington, N. Y.,
DELCOUR S. POTTER
April 15, 1859 ; was educated at Franklin Academy, Malone, N. Y., and at Cornell University ; graduated from Columbia College Law School, and was admitted to the bar in 1884 ; married Katherine L. Barnhart of Potsdam, N. Y., April 7, 1890 ; has practiced laws at Malone since 1884; has been district attorney of Franklin county since January 1, 1893.
Delcour S. Dotter, widely known in polit- ical circles in northern New York as an active mem- ber of the Republican party, was born in Saratoga county fifty-odd years ago. After attending the common schools and academy of his native town of Schuylerville, he completed his education at Fort Edward Institute, and then took up the study of law.
In 1866 he was admitted to the bar at Canton, St. Lawrence county, and opened an office in Schuyler- ville as attorney and counselor at law.
For almost a quarter of a century Mr. Potter prac- ticed his profession in that village, and established a reputation as an able attorney throughout the county and beyond. In 1879, with General Charles Hughes, he successfully defended Jesse Billings of Ballston Spa, on trial for his life under a charge of wife murder; the jury disagreeing on the first trial, but acquitting the prisoner on a second trial. Mr. Potter's masterly conduct of this case did much to en- hance his growing reputation, and to place him in his present high position at the bar of northern New York. In 1890 he determined to change his residence to some place from which he could more easily cover his extensive field of profes- sional work ; and he accordingly moved to Glens Falls, which has since been his home. In May, 1894, he formed a partnership with Joseph A. Kellogg. un- der the style of Potter & Kellogg, that still exists. The association has been a most fortunate one, and the firm to-day has probably as large an amount of legal business as any in that part of the state.
Mention has already been made of Mr. Potter's prominence in political life, and his active work in the interest of the Republican party. In 1879 he was elected to the assembly from Saratoga county, and was re-elected in 1880 and again in 1881, receiving thus the unusual honor of three successive terms in the state legislature. He took a prominent part in public affairs, also, in 1893, when his earnest advocacy of the name of Addison B. Colvin for the office of state treasurer was effective in securing that gentleman's nomination. Since Mr. Colvin's election to the office mentioned Mr. Potter has taken but little part in political affairs. preferring to devote himself to the claims of his extensive law practice. He still holds the position of commissioner of the United States Circuit Court, which he has filled for many years.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY - Delcour S. Potter was born at Schuylerville, N. Y., April 19. 1843; attended Schuylerville Academy and Fort Edward Institute ; studied lar, and was admitted to the bar in 1866 ; married Anna MT. McNaughton of Schuylerville March 12, 1866 ; was member of
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assembly in 1880, 1881, and 18822; practiced law in Schuylerville, 1866-90, and has practiced in Glens Falls, N. Y., since 1890.
Albert Duane Shaw has had an unusually varied career, and one that is full of interest. Born in Jefferson county, New York, about fifty-five years ago, of good old revolutionary stock. he was educated in the public schools, and was a student at Belleville Union Academy when the Civil War broke out. Though not yet twenty years old, he at once enlisted in company A, 35th New York volunteers -- the first man from the town of Cape Vincent to volunteer for the great struggle. He took part in the battles of Rappahannock Station, Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam, and Fredericksburgh, and in a number of smaller engage- ments. After serving his term of two years as a private and noncommissioned officer, and making a fine record as a faithful and gallant soldier, he was ap- pointed a special agent of the war de- partment in the office of the provost marshal at Watertown, N. Y., where he remained until the close of the war en- gaged in the work of raising troops.
Released from this duty by the ter- mination of the war, Colonel Shaw betook himself to the St. Lawrence Uni- versity to complete his education. In 1866 he was elected a member of the state legislature from Jefferson county, and in the session that followed was a warm advocate of a protective tariff. In 1867 he was appointed by Governor Fenton colonel of the 36th regiment, N. G., S. N. Y., but resigned the posi- tion the next year, when he began his long term of consular service. After representing the government of the United States at Toronto, Ont., for ten years with conspicuous credit, he was promoted to the more honorable post of consul at Manchester, England, where he remained until 1886. His conduct of the office was able and efficient, and his reports to the home government were valuable contributions to the com- mercial and industrial discussions of the time.
On his return from England Colonel Shaw took up his residence in Watertown, the county seat of his native county, which has since been his home. For several years past he has been largely interested
in the development of electric power at Niagara Falls, a project in which he was one of the pioneers. He is the president of the Canadian Niagara Power Co., which secured from the government of Ontario a lease of the water power within the Queen Victoria Niagara Falls Park for a term of a hundred years.
Colonel Shaw has also gained considerable fame. both at home and abroad, as a lecturer, his best- known productions being " Personal Reminiscences of Distinguished Men " and " Norway - Its Scenes and People." The former lecture is of special in- terest, the author having known personally, and not simply in his public capacity, such men as John Bright, Dean Stanley, Lord Roseberry, Cardinal Manning, Baron De Lesseps, and Sir John Mc- Donald : as well as James Russell Lowell, Frederick
ALBERT DUANE SHAH
Douglas, Ole Bull, President Hayes, and generals Grant and Sheridan in his own land.
Ever since his return to the United States in 1886 Colonel Shaw has been a prominent member .of the
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Grand Army of the Republic ; and has worked loyally and devotedly with both voice and pen in the interests of his comrades, and especially in be- half of liberal pensions for war veterans. In 1895 he was elected a delegate at large to the National Encampment at Lonisville, and became a member
EDWIN M. WELLS
of the national pension committee of the organiza- tion from New York state. In May, 1897, he was elected department commander of the Grand Army for New York state, receiving the enthusiastie sup- port of the members of the organization in his section of the state. Colonel Shaw is a member of the Baptist church, and his high standing in the community is owing no less to his private character than to his public services.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- Albert Duane Shaw was born in the town of Lyme, Jefferson county, N. Y., December 27, 1841 ; was educated at Belle- ville (N. Y.) Union Academy and St. Lawrence University, Canton, N. Y .; served in the Union army, 1861-65 ; was a member of the New York
state assembly in 1867 ; married Mary Sherwood Keith of Chicago October 12, 1872; was United States consul at Toronto, Ont., 1868-78, and at Manchester, Eng., 1878-86 ; has been engaged in the development of Niagara water power since 1890 ; was elected department commander of the G. A. R. for New York state in 1897.
Edwin AD. Valells is a distin- guished attorney and counselor at law of Syracuse, a city whose bar has long been renowned throughout the Empire State for its ability and high character. In the dozen years in which he has prac- ticed bis profession in central New York, Mr. Wells has drawn to himself an ever increasing clientage, and has won success beyond the fortune of most practitioners. He is a man of classical training, and was prepared at the union school in Dryden, N. Y., to enter Syracuse Uni- versity, from which he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Three years after his graduation his alma mater conferred upon him the honorary title of Master of Arts.
Mr. Wells pursued his legal studies in the office of Clarence V. Kellogg of Syracuse, and after two years of careful reading and attention to office work he successfully passed an examination for admission to the bar at a general term of the Supreme Court held at Utica in September, 1884. His old preceptor in legal studies showed his confidence in the young man by at once admitting him to partnership. The law to-day has be- come a specialized science, and young lawyers appreciate the advantage of asso- ciation with older members of the profession. The office of attorney and that of counselor are in these modern days resmning their early significance ; and we now find in America, as in England, lawyers of high repute who seldom or never appear in court, but confine their work to their own chambers. Mr. Wells recognized the tendency of the times in the direction of specialization, and during the greater part of his professional career he has been a member of a legal firm. In 1887 J. E. Smith associated himself with the firm, and the style became Smith, Kellogg & Wells. Upon the retirement of Mr. Smith in 1891, Edgar N. Wilson took his place. Two years later Mr. Kellogg retired, and the firm of Wilson & Wells continued the business until 1895.
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In that year D. R. Cobb was admitted to the firm, and the style of Wilson, Wells & Cobb was adopted. On January 1, 1897, Mr. Wells withdrew from the firm and has since practiced alone. In the branch of his profession known as commercial law he is especially noted for sound judgment and discretion. He is connected with the Empire State Mining Co., in which he holds the office of vice president.
Notwithstanding the cares of a busy professional life Mr. Wells has found time to participate in poli- tics. He was one of the supervisors of Syracuse in the years 1882-84, and held the same office for the four years ending in 1895. In the fall of that year he was elected to the assembly on the Republican ticket by a substantial plurality, and was assigned to the committee on codes and to that on affairs of cities. He introduced the following bills in the session of 1896 : one relating to public baths in Syracuse ; one permitting the city to issue bonds for school sites ; one regarding taxable sales of real property in Onondaga county ; one providing for the construction of a hoist bridge at Salina street, Syracuse ; and one for the improvement of the Oneida-creek chan- nel. In November, 1896, he was re- elected to the assembly, obtaining his seat this time by an increased plurality. In the session of 1897 he retained his membership in the committee on citics, and was also a member of the important committee on ways and means.
Mr. Wells is a man of quiet habits and unobtrusive manners. In college he was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsi- lon society, and he is now a member of the order of Elks.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY __ Edwin Marvin Wells was born at South New Berlin, Chenango county, N. Y., August 2, 1857 ; graduated from Syracuse University in 1882 ; studied law, and was admitted to the bar at Utica in September, 1884 ; married Nellie S. Morgan of Syra- cuse January 23, 1893 ; was supervisor of Syracuse, 1882-84 and 1893-95 : was member of assembly, 1896-97 ; has prac- ticed law in Syracuse since 1884.
3. 56. Valise, mayor of Watertown,
N. Y., and prominently identified with the manu- facturing interests of the city, was born in Branford, Conn., less than forty years ago. His education was begun in the common schools of his native
town, and continued in the grammar schools of Watertown, whither his father moved when the boy was about eleven years old. He gave up regular school attendance at the age of fourteen, but after- ward took a course in a Watertown business college. His practical business training began carly in life, since he was employed in folding, carrying, and sell- ing newspapers soon after going to Watertown. A few years later he kept a news stand in the Water- town railroad station, and at the age of seventeen he operated a line of news agents on the Lake Shore division of the Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg railroad between Oswego and Niagara Falls.
Mr. Wise had thus had some valuable experience in the actual conduct of business affairs when he went into business with his father, Joseph Wise, soon after his eighteenth birthday. Confining them-
J. B. WISE
selves at first to the manufacture of locks, hinges, and other fittings for sewing machines, they after- ward included in their output a large line of light hardware made from sheet metal. The father died
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in October, 1886 ; and Mr. Wise succeeded to the business, which he has since conducted with increas- ing success, until it has become one of the large manufacturing concerns of Watertown.
The man who can manage profitably a large busi- ness of his own, is sure to be called upon to assist in the management of other commercial enterprises, and Mr. Wise's business career is no exception to this rule. At the present time he is president of the Singer Fire Alarm Co., and of the Watertown Brass & Manufacturing Co. ; secretary and treasurer of the Ryther Manufacturing Co. ; and a director in the Union Carriage & Gear Co., of which he was for three years vice president. This latter corpora- tion is one of the strongest in Watertown.
In political affairs Mr. Wise is a strong adherent of the Republican party. His first public office was that of alderman from the 2d ward, Watertown, which he held in 1889 and 1890. In the fall of the latter year he was the Republican candidate for mayor, but was defeated. His party, however, bad faith in his real strength as a candidate, and placed him at the head of the city ticket again in 1891, when he was once more defeated. In 1892 the nomination was offered to him, but he declined to accept it. In 1894, however, he yielded to the solicitation of his friends, and allowed his name to be used once more ; and this time he carried the Republican banner to victory against three competi- tors. His re-election in 1895 and again in 1896 -- the last time by the largest majority ever given to a candidate for mayor in Watertown - is a proof that he has displayed in municipal affairs the same good judgment and ability that have brought him success in his private business undertakings. The voters of our cities are coming more and more to realize that a city can best be governed by business methods, like any other corporation ; and that the great pub- lic questions which play an important part in national politics have little or no essential connection with municipal affairs.
With his many business interests and exacting public duties, Mr. Wise has scant time for outside matters of a purely social nature. He is, however, an Odd Fellow and a Mason, belonging to the Knights Templar and to the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He attends the Presbyterian church.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- James B. Wise was born at Branford, Conn., December 2i, 1858 ; was educated in common schools and a business college ; was a news agent, 1872-77 ; engaged in the manufacture of hardware with his father, at Water- toion, N. Y., in 1877 ; married Hattie C. Willard of Watertown September 8, 1881 ; was an alderman
of Watertown, 1889-90, and has been mayor of the city since January 1, 1895 ; is now engaged in various manufacturing enterprises in Watertown.
3obn JB. Judson of Gloversville is one of the most energetic, progressive, and public-spirited citizens of that thriving little city. Though barely thirty-six years old, he has achieved prominence in political circles throughout the state by reason of his service in the Democratic party, of which he is an enthusiastic supporter.
Mr. Judson was born at Kingsborough, which is now in the city of Gloversville. Ile attended the common schools and Kingsborough Academy, and completed his education at the seminary at Williston. Mass. At the carly age of sixteen he became pro- prietor of a job-printing office in Gloversville, which he has conducted ever since. He acquired at the start a thorough practical knowledge of the business in all its different branches ; and in the twenty years since it was opened the office has become one of the best in the state. Fine color printing and embossing are among Mr. Judson's specialties ; and this work is largely in demand among the glove makers of Gloversville and elsewhere, and constitutes one of the principal products of the establishment.
The growth and prosperity of Gloversville are matters very near to Mr. Judson's heart, and he has had a part in most of the recent projects for develop- ing the resources of the city. He has interested himself largely in real estate ; and has been instru- mental in opening up and placing on the market a considerable tract of land on the high ground in the eastern part of the city, which seems destined to become one of the most popular residence districts of Gloversville. His connection with this enterprise is evidenced in the name of the locality - Judson Heights. Mr. Judson is also a director of the Cay- adutta electric railroad, and of the Gloversville and Broadalbin railroad, and a member of the Glovers- ville Business Men's Association.
For so young a man, Mr. Judson has had an inter- esting political career. This began in 1888, when he was elected a delegate to the Democratic state con- vention. He was also a delegate in 1892 to the Feb- ruary convention held at Albany. From 1890 to 1894 he was the secretary of the Fulton-county com- mittee, and he is now the chairman of that commit- tee. He was chosen a member of the Democratic state committee in 1893 from the 22d congressional district, comprising the counties of Fulton, Hamilton, Saratoga, and St. Lawrence, and was made a member of the executive committee. In 1894 he was again elected to the state committee, and was unanimously
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chosen its secretary. This honor was a recognition of his sound judgment and devotion to his party ; and his uniform courtesy and superior executive ability gave such general satisfaction that in 1896 he was again unanimously chosen to fill the same position.
Early in 1895 Mr. Judson's name was promi- nently put forth by the Democrats of northern New York for the responsible post of state comptroller ; and at the convention held in Syracuse in Septem- ber of that year he was nominated on the first ballot by a vote of 312 to 98, which was afterward made unanimous. In the election that followed he received the enthusiastic support of his party throughout his section of the state, and . ran considerably ahead of his ticket there. Mr. Judson possesses decided talent for political life, and is well quali- fied to serve his party and the public generally in important positions ; and it may safely be predicted that his career in this direction is only well begin.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY --- John Brown Judson was born at Kings- borough (now Gloversville ). V. Y., Au- gust 20, 1861 ; was educated at Kings- borough Academy and Williston ( Mass. ) Seminary ; married Isabelle Stewart of Johnstorm, N. Y., September 19, 1882 ; was secretary of the Fulton-county Demo- cratic committee, 1890-94, and chairman of the same committee, 1894-07 : was sec- retary of the Democratic state committee in 1894, 1896, and 1897 ; was a candi- date for the office of state comptroller in 1895 ; has carried on a job-printing office at Gloversville since 1877.
Beremiab Rech, for the past fourteen years county judge of Fulton county, is descended from a family that has been honorably prominent in Johns- town, N. Y., from very early times. His paternal an- cestors settled there in the time of the renowned Sir William Johnson ; and his great-grandfather, George Keck, fought in the war of the Revolution. Judge Keck was born about fifty years ago at Keck's Center, in the old town of Johnstown. His father was Isaac Keck, a fariner ; and his mother, Eliza Ann Burns, was of Scotch descent, and died in 1857. Isaac Keck was anxious to give his sons the best education that his means afforded : and Jeremiah, after studying at the neighboring district school, attended Clinton Liberal Institute and Whitestown Seminary.
Judge Keck was only sixteen when the Civil War broke out : but he immediately left school, and enlisted in company C, 77th New York volunteer infantry. He served with his regiment at York- town, Fair Oakes, Gaines's Mill, Malvern Hill, and throughout the Peninsular campaign ; and was
JOHN B. JUDSON
honorably discharged by reason of disabilities con- tracted in the service.
Returning North with impaired health and little money, Judge Keck had some difficulty in carrying out his determination to become a lawyer. All obstacles were happily overcome at length, however : and in April, 186x, he became a student in the office of Wells & Dudley of Johnstown. He wasadmitted to the bar at Schenectady April 7, 1869, and at once commenced practice, forming a partnership with the gentlemen mentioned, under the style of Wells, Dudley & Keck. This connection lasted until Janu- ary 1, 1877, when Judge Keck formed a partnership with Philip Keck, a younger brother. under the firm name of J. & P. Keck, that continued for six years.
MEN OF NEW YORK- EASTERN SECTION
Judge Keck became well and favorably known in his profession in the early days of his practice ; and in the fall of 1874, five years after his admission to the bar, he was nominated and elected district attor- ney of Fulton county. He was re-elected in 1877, thus holding the position for six years. In 1880 he
JEREMIAH KECK
returned for a short time to private life ; but he had made many friends during his service as prosecuting officer, and had displayed marked ability in conduct- ing public affairs, and the people of the county soon placed him in a more important position. In 1883 they elected him county judge and surrogate, and he has filled the position ever since, having been re-elected in 1889 and again in 1895. This long service on the bench is a proof of Judge Keck's popularity among all classes in his native county, and a tribute to his professional ability and general high standing. He has indeed administered the affairs of his jurisdiction with great fairness and impartiality, and has proved himself thoroughly qualified in all respects for the position he hokls.
Judge Keck bas succeeded, through natural ability, persistent industry, and strict integrity, in attaining at a comparatively early age a position of trust and honor in the community ; and his kindly and court- eous disposition has gained for him a host of friends. He has been for many years a member of the State Bar Association, and for the past five years has been one of its executive com- mittee. He is a Mason, belonging to St. Patrick's Lodge, No. 4, F. & A. M .: Johnstown Chapter, No. 78, R. A. M .: and Gloversville Commandery, K. T. For the past twelve years he has been commander of Martin McMartin Post, No. 256, Grand Army of the Republic. He attends the United Presbyterian Church.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- Jeremiah Keck was born in the town of Johnstown, N. Y., November 9, 1845 : was educated at Clinton Liberal Institute and Whitestoron Seminary ; served in the Union army during the Peninsular cam- paign in Virginia ; studied taw, and was admitted to the bar in 1860 ; married Jennie A. Kibbe of Johnstown June 10, 1874, who died in October, 1888 ; mar- ried Sara R. Riggs of Detroit, Mich., in November, 1890 : practiced law in Johns- town, 1869-83 ; was district attorney of Fulton county, 1875-80 ; has been county judge and surrogate of Fulton county since January 1, 1884.
James 36. Iyon, well known to the legislators of the Empire State from his long service as public printer, was born in Washington county, New York, less than forty years ago. He is of Irish parentage, and inherited the best traits of that inter- esting race -- their sturdy honesty, indomitable cour- age, and undaunted pluck. It must be largely owing to these qualities, which constitute a better heritage than any amount of wealth, that Mr. Lyon has suc- ceeded so conspicuously in the battle of life : for he possessed no other advantages or opportunities that thousands of boys do not possess. Young men some- times forget that those succeed who make opportu- nity : the many fail who wait for it to come of its own accord.
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