USA > New York > Franklin County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 2 > Part 11
USA > New York > Jefferson County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 2 > Part 11
USA > New York > Lewis County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 2 > Part 11
USA > New York > Oswego County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 2 > Part 11
USA > New York > St Lawrence County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 2 > Part 11
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Walter R. Eggleston received his education in the public schools of Henderson Harbor. He spent two years as a sailor on the Great Lakes, and then became identified with the engineering department of the New York State Highway Department. He subsequently became assistant engineer, and in May, 1923, was appointed superintendent.
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In September, 1911, Mr. Eggleston was united in marriage with Miss Kathryn Ten Eyck, the daughter of John and Amanda (Schubel) Ten Eyck. The former is a native of Black River, N. Y., and the latter of Minnesota. He is identified with the Watertown Daily Times and the Ten Eyck family lives at Black River. Mr. and Mrs. Eggleston have two children: Richard Neal and Johanna Margaret.
Mr. Eggleston is identified with the American Society of Civil Engi- neers, New York State Professional Engineers, American Road Builders Association, Association of Highway Officials of the North Atlantic States, and is president of the County Superintendents and Engineers Associa- tion. He is affiliated with Bethany Lodge, F. and A. M. No. 821, Past Master, 1922-23, and Past District Deputy ; Central City Consistory, 32nd degree; Media Temple; B. P. O. Elks No. 496; and Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Past Grand. Politically, he is independent.
Robert Jones Buck .- To Watertown, and to whatever pertains to the highest status in civic and business matters in the city of Watertown, Robert J. Buck has always contributed public spirited service of a most permanent character, whether as the founder and executive head of suc- cessful corporations, as director in industrial and financial institutions, as well as in those that have been established for benevolent purposes, or in a civic and a patriotic leadership upon all occasions. He has been very actively associated with practically every large business project that has materialized in this city, and his citizenship is invariably progressive and of the most exemplary type. He is a son of Robert Buck, a native of Wethersfield, Conn., who died in 1880, and Helen F. (Jones) Buck, of St. Albans, Vt., who died in 1889.
Robert J. Buck was born at St. Albans Bay, Vt., Sept. 5, 1865. He lived there until he was 15 years of age and came to Watertown in 1880, where his first employment was as the office boy of the Davis Sewing Machine Company, and with whom he remained for three years. He then entered the employ of Farwell & Rhines, flour millers, as bookkeeper and clerk. In 1891 he became a member of the firm of Marcy, Buck & Riley, dealers in coal, and he has continued with this firm or its successors to the present time, the firm now being Marcy, Buck & Winslow, Inc., of which Mr. Buck is president.
The Marcy-Buck & Winslow, Inc., as this firm is known today, was established in 1873 by Richard Marcy, on Mill Street, Watertown, the same location as at the present time, and also they have other sub-offices in the city to deal in coal, both wholesale and retail, and in 1891 Mr. Marcy re-
ROBERT JONES BUCK
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ceived into the firm as his partners, Robert J. Buck and Philip Riley, under the firm name of Marcy-Buck & Riley. After Mr. Riley's death the busi- ness was incorporated under the name of the Marcy-Buck Company, and Robert J. Buck was elected president; C. E. Buckholtz, vice president ; James Davison, treasurer ; and W. A. Fox, secretary. In 1917 Mr. Buck- holtz withdrew from the company and Richard M. Buck was made vice president. In addition to conducting a wholesale and retail coal business this firm deals extensively in builders' supplies, with H. W. Pennock in charge of that department. The capacity of the storage pockets of its plants is : for anthracite about 8,000 tons; and for bituminous over 50,000 tons.
Not only is this one of the oldest, but it is one of the largest concerns in northern New York, and very recently they have entered into the addi- tional business of oil and gasoline distribution upon an extensive scale with four 20,000 gallon tanks, and with the sole agency in three counties for the Pennzoil Company's products, operating under the name of the Empire Petroleum Products Company.
Later, the Winslow Trucking Company was merged with the Marcy- Buck Company, and took over the H. E. Tyler Company, the new firm be- ing known as Marcy-Buck & Winslow, Inc.
Mr. Buck has done much to develop Watertown and to bring the com- munity up to metropolitan standards, and his associations with agencies for that purpose are many. He is chairman of the board of the Northern New York Trust Company ; president of the Marcy-Buck & Winslow, Inc .; treasurer of the Sweeter Shirt Corporation; president of the Buck Term- inal Company; director of the Agricultural Insurance Company of Water- town; director and president for seven years of the Y. M. C. A .; member of the executive committee of the Trust Companies, State of New York; director of the Hungerford Holbrook Company, of Watertown; and for- mer president of the Jefferson County National Bank.
A Republican in his political views, Mr. Buck served in 1889 and 1890 as supervisor of the old second ward. He was appointed postmaster of Watertown in 1901 by President William McKinley, and served for 11 years. During the World War he both gave and served generously, and was chairman of all the Liberty Loan drives in Watertown.
Fraternally, Mr. Buck is affiliated with Watertown Lodge No. 49, F. & A. M .; Watertown Chapter No. 59, R. A. M .; Watertown Commandery K. T., No. 11; Central City Consistory, 32nd degree; Media Temple; Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows; United Commercial Travelers; Watertown Chamber of Commerce; Black River Valley Club; Jefferson County Coun- try Club; Crescent Yacht Club; and the Kiwanis Club. He has held membership in the First Presbyterian Church of Watertown since 1882
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and is a member of the session. He is also trustee and past president of the House of the Good Samaritan Hospital, and was instrumental in the construction of that institution.
Mr. Buck was married on Aug. 23, 1887, to Miss Mary Marcy, of Watertown, the daughter of Richard and Lydia (Roberts) Marcy. They had four sons, all of whom are deceased.
Richard M. Buck .- Prominent in the industrial, civic and social life of Watertown was Richard Marcy Buck, who died in this city, March 5, 1931. He was president of Marcy-Buck & Winslow, Inc., and also held offices in numerous other organizations in Watertown. He possessed un- usual business acumen and vision, which were tempered with sound judg- ment.
Mr. Buck was born in Watertown, May 7, 1892, the son of Robert J. and Mary (Marcy) Buck.
A complete sketch of Robert J. Buck appears elsewhere in this history.
Richard M. Buck was educated in the public schools of Watertown and attended Haverford Preparatory School in Pennsylvania. He was gradu- ated in 1914 from Sheffield Scientific School, Yale University, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. Mr. Buck began his business career in association with his father as an executive of Marcy-Buck Company, and proved himself so efficient that he was soon elected vice president of the company. At the time of his death, March 5, 1931, he was president of Marcy-Buck & Winslow, Inc .; president of the Marcy-Buck Company, Inc .; secretary and treasurer of the Empire Petroleum Products Corporation ; secretary-treasurer of the Buck Terminal, Inc .; secretary-treasurer of the Watertown Tire & Rubber Company ; and treasurer of the Harold L. Bis- nett Company. He was also a director of the Jefferson County National Bank. Mr. Buck was a director of various industrial corporations outside of the city of Watertown, including the Consaul-Hall Company, of Clay- ton, N. Y.
During the World War Mr. Buck attended the first Officers' Training Camp at Madison Barracks and was commissioned a second lieutenant. He later was transferred to Camp Dix, and then to Baltimore, Md. In March, 1919, at the time of his resignation from the army, he was a captain.
On Aug. 18, 1917, Mr. Buck was united in marriage with Miss Alice M. Purcell, the daughter of the late Judge Henry Purcell and Cecelia R. (Neary) Purcell. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Buck are: Mary
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Alice, born June 4, 1918; Richard M., born May 15, 1920; Kathleen Pur- cell, born June 29, 1922; and Suzanne, born Sept. 29, 1925.
Mr. Buck was a member of the Watertown Chamber of Commerce, and several clubs, including the Black River Valley Club, Crescent Yacht Club, Kiwanis Club, Thousand Island Country Club, Jefferson County Golf Club, and Yale Club of New York.
Mr. Buck was president of the Kiwanis Club of Watertown, having been elected to the office on Dec. 2, 1930, and installed Jan. 6, 1931. He was also a club director.
Herbert E. Harmon .- As secretary of Knowlton Brothers, Inc., Mr. Harmon has been prominent for many years in the business and financial life of Watertown, and has played an important part in the growth of this city. He was born at Adams, Jefferson County, Feb. 10, 1854, the son of Ellis J. and Lovina J. (Allison) Harmon.
Ellis J. Harmon was born near Pulaski, Oswego County, N. Y., Jan. 6, 1826, and his wife was born at Brownville, Jefferson County, June 25, 1826. They were residents of Watertown for many years, having located in this city in 1854, and Mr. Harmon was employed as a machinist here. In 1876 he became identified with H. E. Tyler and Alex LaDue in the establishment of a machine shop, located on Factory Street, which was known as the Watertown Agricultural Works. They became successful manufacturers of plows and did general machine shop jobbing. This shop is now part of the present Knowlton Bros. shops. Later, Mr. Tyler sold his interests to Mr. Harmon and Mr. LaDue, and after a number of years Dewitt C. Harmon, son of Ellis J. Harmon, purchased the interests of Mr. LaDue. At the death of the elder Mr. Harmon, Aug. 20, 1881, Herbert E. Harmon assumed his interests, and the business continued under the firm name of Harmon Bros. until 1888, at which time Dewitt C. Harmon died. In 1892 it became known as Harmon Machine Company. The business, however, passed through various stages of ownership in the succeeding years, and finally was owned by A. H. Lefebre. Later, it was liquidated. Ellis J. Harmon was a Republican and attended the Methodist Church. His wife died Dec. 16, 1888. Both are buried in North Watertown Ceme- tery. Their children were: Dewitt C., deceased; Herbert E., the subject of this sketch; Charles A., lives at Watertown; and George A., who died at Milwaukee, Wis., April 5, 1931.
The boyhood of Herbert E. Harmon was spent in Watertown and he attended the public schools. In 1869 he began as a messenger boy with the Montreal Telegraph Company in their Watertown office. He also
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learned telegraphy and for a time was employed in the train dispatcher's office of the Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg Railroad. Later, he became ticket agent and was serving in that capacity in December, 1872, when the Watertown Junction office was discontinued. He was then employed in the company's general freight office and in 1881 purchased the interests of his father in the latter's business, as mentioned above. Mr. Harmon, however, did not devote any time to this but continued in railroad work and in 1882 became train dispatcher for the Rome, Watertown & Ogdens- burg Railroad. Two years later he entered the offices of the Watertown Insurance Company, but in February, 1886, became identified with Knowl- ton Brothers, Inc. He was elected secretary of the company in 1904 and has since held that office. He is trustee of the Watertown Savings Bank, Thousand Island Park Association, House of the Good Samaritan Hos- pital, Henry Keep Home, and secretary and treasurer of the Children's Home of Jefferson County. He also belongs to the Jefferson County Historical Society and to the Watertown Chamber of Commerce.
In 1883 Mr. Harmon was united in marriage with Miss Helen J. Haven, the daughter of Charles W. and Amy E. (Anthony) Haven, natives of Watertown and Pamelia, N. Y., respectively. Both are deceased and are buried in North Watertown Cemetery. To Mr. and Mrs. Harmon were born two children: 1. Marion, deceased. 2. Frances H., married Wesley Gamble, lives in Watertown. They have a son, C. Willard Gamble.
Politically, Mr. Harmon is a Republican. He holds membership in the Rotary Club and Black River Valley Club.
John M. Reynolds, who is identified with the firm of Purcell, Cullen & Reynolds, with offices in the Woolworth Building, is numbered among the able young lawyers of Watertown, and is a veteran of the World War. He was born at Fulton, N. Y., May 8, 1897, the son of John M. and Margaret (Harty) Reynolds.
John M. Reynolds was born at Oswego, N. Y., and now lives retired in Fulton. For a number of years he was interested in the wholesale and retail meat business as proprietor of the Fulton Markets. He has lived retired since 1919. Mr. Reynolds is a Democrat, a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, and belongs to B. P. O. Elks and Knights of Columbus. Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds have only one child, John M., Jr., the subject of this sketch.
John M. Reynolds received his early education in the public schools of Fulton, N. Y., from which he was graduated in 1917. At the outbreak of the World War he enlisted and served at Plattsburg, N. Y., with the 22nd
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Infantry, with the rank of second lieutenant. Later he was transferred to Camp Grant, Ill., as a first lieutenant. Upon his discharge from the service Mr. Reynolds reentered Union College, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1921. He studied law at the Albany Law School and received the degree of LL. B. in 1924. Mr. Reynolds at that time became associated in the practice of his profession with County Judge Fanning, of Fulton, and in November of that year went into the offices of Purcell, Cullen & Pitcher, of Watertown. Since March 1, 1929, he has been a member of the firm of Purcell, Cullen & Reynolds.
On Sept. 8, 1928, Mr. Reynolds was united in marriage with Miss Helen Sullivan, the daughter of William A. and Agnes Sullivan, natives of Dexter and Mt. Morris, N. Y., respectively. Mr. Sullivan died April 7, 1930, and his widow lives in Watertown. Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds have a son, William Sullivan Reynolds.
Mr. Reynolds is a Republican and from 1925 until 1927 was assistant corporation attorney for the city of Watertown. He holds membership in St. Patrick's Catholic Church, and belongs to B. P. O. Elks, Phi Delta Theta fraternity, Black River Valley Club, and American Legion. He is also a member of the Jefferson County and New York State Bar Asso- ciations.
Walter Fox Smith, M. D .- His native city, Watertown, has been the scene of Dr. Smith's successful professional activities as a general prac- titioner since 1922, ever since he commenced the practice of his profession, after completing his medical education.
Walter Fox Smith was born in Watertown, Oct. 6, 1895, a son of Dr. James Monroe and Grace M. (Fox) Smith, both residents of Water- town, where the former has been successfully engaged for many years as a well known and very highly reputed physician. Walter F. Smith was educated in the public schools and was graduated from Watertown High School. He then entered Cornell University from which he received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1918. He then took up the study of medi- cine at Cornell University Medical College in New York City, completing his course in 1921. He served as interne at Bellevue and allied hospitals for six months, and then returned to his native city and established him- self in the practice of medicine. Though one of the younger generation of physicians, his professional skill and his pleasing personality has en- abled him to build up in a comparatively short time an extensive and important practice. His office is located at 185 Stone Street.
During the World War Dr. Smith was a member of the Officers Re- serve Corps, with the rank of lieutenant. He is a member of the Jefferson
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County and New York State Medical societies, and the American Medical Association, the Zodiac Fraternity of Cornell University, the Nu Sigma Nu fraternity, the Black River Valley Club, the Jefferson County Golf Club, the Watertown Fish and Gun Club, and the Crescent Yacht Club. Politically, he is a Republican.
On April 29, 1922, at Watertown, Dr. Smith married Miss Adelaide Sherman, a daughter of Charles N. and Grace (Stebbins) Sherman, natives of Watertown. Doctor and Mrs. Smith have a son, Walter Sherman, born April 18, 1925, and a daughter, Grace Sherman.
He is a member of the staff of Mercy Hospital and the House of the Good Samaritan, Watertown, consultant physician of the State Hospital at Ogdensburg and associate member of the American College of Physicians.
Dr. Smith is a member of the Episcopal Church.
James Monroe Smith, M. D .- A native of Jefferson County, Doctor Smith has practiced medicine with offices at Watertown since 1890, and here his ability and personal popularity have combined as the fortifying elements in his development of a substantial general practice that marks him as one of the representative physicians and surgeons of the county. Doctor Smith was born at Munnsville, Madison County, N. Y., Jan. 18, 1863, a son of Martin M. and Sara M. (Stuart) Smith, the former for many years was a grower and dealer in hops, both at Munnsville and Watertown. He died in 1916 and his wife died in 1922.
James Monroe Smith was educated in the grammar and high schools of Watertown, and in preparation for the exacting profession of his choice he entered the medical department of the University of New York, Belle- vue Hospital. In this institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1889, and after receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine, he served one year as an interne in Bellevue Hospital. In 1890 he returned to Watertown and engaged in the practice of his profession, where he has met with signal success. For 25 years he has also been official guardian of the community's health as city physician, and for many years he has rendered most effective service as a member of the visiting staff of Mercy Hospital. His practice, one of the oldest in Watertown and carried on from his offices on Stone Street, naturally is both very extensive and im- portant, and he is one of the most widely known and highly respected of Watertown's professional men.
Doctor Smith is a member of the Jefferson County Medical and New York State Medical societies, and the American Medical Association, and
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the Jefferson County Golf Club. He is a Republican in politics, and his religious affiliations are with Trinity Episcopal Church.
Doctor Smith married Miss Grace M. Fox, the daughter of Walter and Antoinette (Hastings) Fox, of Alexandria Bay, N. Y. They have one son, Dr. Walter Fox Smith, a sketch of whom appears in this history.
William E. Gaffney .- As chief of the city fire department, William E. Gaffney is recognized as one of the capable public officials of Watertown. He was born at West Osgood, Ontario, Canada, Oct. 24, 1872, the son of James and Ellen (Blanchfield) Gaffney.
James Gaffney and his wife were natives of Ontario, Canada. They came to the United States about 1877 and settled in Watertown, where Mr. Gaffney followed his trade as a carpenter. He later became widely known as a building contractor, his activities extending throughout the state of New York. He completed numerous contracts for the erection of government buildings at Sacket Harbor. Mr. Gaffney died in 1923, and his wife died in 1924. Both are buried in Watertown. Mr. Gaffney was a Democrat and held membership in St. Patrick's Catholic Church. There were ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gaffney as follows: 1. Marcella, deceased, was the wife of John Gilligan, who is captain of police, Watertown. 2. Ellen, married Joseph Young, both deceased. 3. Katherine, married James McDonough, both deceased. 4. Margaret, married Edward Eldridge, lives at Watertown. 5. John, retired, lives at Watertown. 6. James, lives at Watertown. 7. Mary, the widow of Edward Duffnay, lives at Watertown. 8. William E., the subject of this sketch. 9. Michael A., lives at Watertown. 10. Gertrude, married Edward Manders, lives in New York City.
William E. Gaffney grew up in Watertown and attended the public schools. In 1892, following his graduation from Watertown High School, he became associated with his father in the contracting business. He became identified with the local fire department in 1900, and two years later was promoted to the rank of captain. From 1913 until 1920 he was assistant chief of the fire department, and superintendent of the fire alarm and police signal system. As chief of the department Mr. Gaffney has 47 men under his supervision. He holds membership in the New York State Fire Chiefs Association, Eastern Association of Fire Chiefs, and International Association of Fire Chiefs.
In 1901 Mr. Gaffney was united in marriage with Miss Marie O'Connor, the daughter of John and Catherine (Loftus) O'Connor, who were natives of Canada, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Gaffney are the parents of
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five children: 1. Donald, a graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic School, now identified with the Niagara Hudson Company as an electrical engineer. 2. Helen L., lives at home. 3. Paul L., attends Pratt Institute. 4. Robert J., attends Holy Family High School. 5. Rosemary, a student.
Politically, Mr. Gaffney is independent. He and his family hold mem- bership in Holy Family Catholic Church.
William Wheeler Conde .- One of the notable business organizations in Jefferson County is the W. W. Conde Hardware Company, of Watertown, and Mr. Conde, founder of the business which bears his name, was for many years recognized as one of the prominent and prosperous business men of the city. He was born at Burnt Hills, Saratoga County, N. Y., March 4, 1851, and died in Watertown, March 5, 1918. He is buried in Schenectady, N. Y.
Mr. Conde was the son of Joseph and Sarah Elizabeth (Wheeler) Conde. He obtained his early education in the public schools. He began his business career in the employ of his uncle, B. L. Conde, a successful hardware merchant of Schenectady, N. Y., and in 1878 came to Water- town, where he took over the interests of Utley & Winslow, hardware dealers, whose place of business was located on Washington Street. Two years later Mr. Conde purchased the hardware business of Belknap & Lewis, and conducted the enterprise alone until 1905, at which time the business was incorporated as the W. W. Conde Hardware Company. Mr. Conde held the office of president of the concern until his death. Origi- nally, he was an exclusive retail dealer, but later established a successful wholesale business throughout northern New York, which has expanded rapidly until today it ranks among the leading business houses in this section of the State. The site occupied by the store in Watertown has been the location of a hardware business continuously since 1839. In the establishment of such a business Mr. Conde realized his life's ambition. He was also active and prominent in the social and civic life of Watertown, and had numerous other business connections. He was vice president of the Watertown Savings Bank, former president of the Watertown Cham- ber of Commerce, and trustee of the Henry Keep Home.
In 1874 Mr. Conde was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Eliza- beth Clute, of Schenectady, N. Y. They had two children: Mrs. Theodore E. Knowlton, lives at New York City, and Harold W., lives at Watertown. He is chairman of the Board of Directors of the Watertown National Bank.
Mr. Conde served as trustee of the First Presbyterian Church, and be- longed to Watertown Lodge, Free & Accepted Masons.
WILLIAM WHEELER CONDE
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Ray S. Dunaway .- As commissioner of public welfare, Ray S. Dunaway is widely known throughout Jefferson County. He was born at East Rodman, N. Y., June 26, 1886, the son of Fred P. and Melissa A. (Butts) Dunaway.
Fred P. Dunaway was born at Champion, N. Y., Sept. 24, 1858. He engaged in business at East Rodman as a cheese manufacturer from 1885 until 1908, when he retired from business. He served as justice of the peace for a number of years and in 1908 was appointed superintendent of the Jefferson County Farm. He served in that capacity until his death, Nov. 21, 1915. Mr. Dunaway was a Republican, a member of the Univer- salist Church, and belonged to Rodman Lodge, F. and A. M .; Watertown Chapter, R. A. M. No. 59; Watertown Commandery, K. T. No. 11; and Media Temple. Melissa A. (Butts) Dunaway was born at Champion, Feb. 24, 1856, and died May 5, 1919.
Ray S. Dunaway was educated in the public schools of East Rodman and is a graduate of Bellville Academy, Northern New York Business School, and the Canton Agricultural School, being graduated from the latter institution in March, 1910. He was interested in the manufacture of cheese until 1914, when he assisted his father in the management of the Jefferson County Farm, being appointed superintendent on Dec. 1, 1915, upon the death of his father. Since Jan. 1, 1930, Mr. Dunaway's office has been known as Commissioner of Public Affairs.
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