USA > New York > Franklin County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 2 > Part 12
USA > New York > Jefferson County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 2 > Part 12
USA > New York > Lewis County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 2 > Part 12
USA > New York > Oswego County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 2 > Part 12
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 12
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On Oct. 1, 1913, Mr. Dunaway married Miss Theresa Carroll, the daughter of Dennis and Theresa (Brennen) Carroll, natives of Ireland and New York, respectively. Both are deceased, and are buried at New Bos- ton, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Dunaway have a son, Donald.
Mr. Dunaway is a Republican and belongs to Elks Lodge and the Lin- coln League.
Frank D. Walrath .- Perhaps one of the best known citizens of Jeffer- son County is Frank D. Walrath, of Watertown, who holds the respon- sible office of sheriff. He was born at Clayton, N. Y., Aug. 19, 1884, the son of Frederick and Emmeline (Smith) Walrath.
Frederick Walrath, a native of Clayton, N. Y., was a blacksmith by trade and was thus engaged for a period of 45 years, most of that time being spent at Reynolds Corners, N. Y. He died in 1916 and his wife died in 1926. Both are buried at Chaumont, N. Y. Mr. Walrath was a Demo- crat, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and belonged to the Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows. To Mr. and Mrs. Walrath were born two sons: Gaylord, born in 1872, lives at Perchriver, N. Y .; and Frank D., the sub- ject of this sketch.
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Frank D. Walrath obtained his education in the public schools of Clayton, N. Y., and as a young man became interested in the livestock business as a buyer. He continued as a leading buyer in this section until 1930 and is still the owner of three well improved farms of 525 acres at Point Salubrous, N. Y. Practically his entire shipping interests centered in New York City and Watertown.
Mr. Walrath was married in 1923 to Miss Jeanette Roderick, the daughter of Joseph and Mary Roderick, of New York. Both are deceased and are buried at Dexter.
Mr. Walrath, a Republican in politics, has been justice of the peace for 20 years, and for the same period of time has been a member of the Jefferson County Republican Committee. He was elected sheriff of Jeffer- son County in November, 1929, and assumed the duties of office on Jan. 1, 1930. He had also been president of the village of Chaumont for 12 years. Mr. Walrath's lodge affiliations are: Chaumont Lodge No. 172, F. & A. M .; Cape Vincent Chapter, R. A. M .; Watertown Commandery K. T. No. 11; Media Temple; B. P. O. Elks, No. 496; and Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, Past Grand for two terms and state delegate in 1913.
Mr. Walrath is a life member of the Jefferson County Agricultural Society and has been a director of that organization for 15 years.
Charles J. Calkins .- One of the most capable and successful of the younger attorneys of Jefferson County is Charles J. Calkins, of Water- town. He was born in this city, Oct. 5, 1902, the son of Charles H. and Anna (Muldoon) Calkins.
Charles H. Calkins was born at Pierrepont Manor, N. Y., and his wife is a native of Watertown. As a young man he entered the employ of the old Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg Railroad as a telegraph operator, and later became station agent. When the company was consolidated with the New York Central Railroad, Mr. Calkins became trainmaster at Water- town, and at the time of his death, in October, 1924, he held the office of superintendent of the Mohawk Division, with offices in Albany, N. Y. His widow resides in this city. Their children were: 1. Charles J., the subject of this sketch. 2. Mary, a graduate of the University of Buffalo, Potsdam Normal School, and Russell Sage School for Women. 3. Harriet, attends Potsdam Normal School.
Charles J. Calkins received his early education in the parochial schools of Buffalo and Canisius College. He was graduated from St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute in 1922, and from the University of Buffalo in 1926. He began as a clerk in the law offices of Ranm, Vaughan, Brown & Sturde-
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vant, and was also local counsel for the New York Central Railroad, being admitted to the New York bar in March, 1928. In December, 1930, Mr. Calkins came to Watertown and has since been associated in practice with Judge T. Arthur Hendricks, with offices in the Northern New York Trust Company Building.
Mr. Calkins is a Democrat, a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, and belongs to Delta Chi fraternity, and B. P. O. Elks, No. 496.
Hon. Perley A. Pitcher .- One of the most influential figures in public life in northern New York is Hon. Perley A. Pitcher, who has served as State Senator of New York for the 37th Senatorial District since Novem- ber, 1924. He is also engaged in the general practice of law in Watertown with offices in the Woolworth Building. Mr. Pitcher was born at Brown- ville, Jefferson County.
The early life of Perley A. Pitcher was spent in the town of Pamelia, but his education was received in Watertown. He was graduated from the Watertown High School in 1894, and then read law in the offices of Hon. Joseph A. McConnell. He was later graduated from the Albany Law School, being admitted to the New York State Bar on July 6, 1898. Mr. Pitcher then formed a partnership with Judge McConnell under the firm name of McConnell & Pitcher. On Jan. 1, 1903, he was appointed deputy county clerk, and served in that capacity until elected county clerk in November, 1912, with the exception of the time that he served as com- missioner of elections. In November, 1912, he was elected county clerk and served two terms, resigning on Jan. 1, 1920. He then devoted his entire time and efforts to the office of attorney for the Jefferson County Savings Bank. He was elected State Senator for the 37th Senatorial District in November, 1924, and has served continuously as Senator since that date. He had been a member of the well known law firm of Purcell, Cullen & Pitcher from Feb. 1, 1920, until May, 1928, at which time he severed his connections with the firm, and he has since engaged in private practice.
In May, 1927, Mr. Pitcher was placed on the commission on reorganiza- tion for special work. The city power bill was rejected in March, 1927. In March, 1929, the bill introduced by him, which adds a new section to the village law and authorizes establishment of sewer rents in any village which has a sewer system including some form of a sewerage treatment plant, was passed. In April, 1930, Senator P. A. Pitcher's Milk Bill was passed, and many other bills succeeded it. On Jan. 13, 1931, he was honored by being named chairman of the senate committee on codes, one
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of the three most powerful committees in the upper house of the legisla- ture. During 1932 he served as chairman of the judiciary committee in the upper house. In 1925-26 he was chairman of the committee on com- merce and navigation; in 1927 he was chairman of the committee on civil service; in 1927-28 he was chairman of the committee on reorganization; In 1929-30 he was chairman of the committee on public health; and in 1931 he was chairman of the committee on codes.
Mr. Pitcher is identified with the Jefferson County and New York State Bar Associations, and belongs to the Black River Valley Club, and B. P. O. Elks No. 496, Past Exalted Ruler.
Mr. Pitcher is the son of John P. and Mary (Root) Pitcher, natives of Lewis and Jefferson counties, respectively. Her father was a farmer and in later life came to Watertown, where he was successfully engaged in the feed business. He was a Republican and held numerous public offices at Pamelia. Mr. Pitcher died in 1912 and his wife died Dec. 15, 1926. They are buried in Watertown. Mr. and Mrs. Pitcher had two children: Perley A., the subject of this sketch; and Minnie D., who is a teacher in the Watertown public schools.
In 1901 Perley A. Pitcher was united in marriage with Miss Luella Northup, of Albany, N. Y. They have no children.
Rev. Edgar O. Spaven .- As pastor of Bethany Methodist Episcopal Church, Reverend Spaven is a highly esteemed citizen of Watertown. He is a native of England, born at Snainton, Yorkshire, Dec. 27, 1887, the son of Thomas and Milcha (Lownsborough) Spaven.
Thomas Spaven is living retired in England. During his active career he followed general farming and he is still the owner of a well established dairy business at Starbeck, Yorkshire. He is a member of the Methodist Church. His wife died July 25, 1911, and is buried at Snainton. There were five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Spaven: 1. Edgar O., the subject of this sketch. 2. Cyril, a farmer, lives in England. 3. Mabel, married George Craigs, lives in England. 4. John Richard, lives in England. He served during the World War in the English army. 5. Clarisse, lives in England.
Edgar O. Spaven spent his boyhood in England, where he was educated. While a student he was awarded a medal by Lord Strathcona, Governor General of Canada, for the writing of a thesis on the development of the Dominion of Canada. He subsequently studied for the ministry and was ordained as a minister of the Primitive Methodist Church, being a grad- uate of St. John's Ambulance Association. He served on the Scarborough
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First Circuit for seven years, and in 1913 came to the United States. He located at Union Valley, Cortland County, N. Y., as pastor of the Union Valley Methodist Church. The following year he went to Rodman, N. Y., and in 1916 located at Evans Mills, N. Y., as pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1919 he was transferred to Beaver Falls, N. Y., and three years later went to North Lawrence, N. Y. He accepted his present charge as pastor of Bethany Methodist Episcopal Church in Watertown in 1926. Reverend Spaven became a citizen of the United States in 1919.
In 1914 Reverend Spaven married Miss Lillian M. Milner, the daughter of John and Anne (Proctor) Milner, natives of England. The latter died in April, 1930. There are two children in the Spaven family: Lawrence and Grace, the latter of whom was born in England.
Reverend Spaven is a Republican and is affiliated with Pisgah Lodge, F. & A. M. No. 720, Lodge of Perfection, 14th degree.
Orlin W. Wheelock .- Perhaps one of the best known citizens of Water- town is Orlin W. Wheelock, who holds the office of commissioner of pub- lic welfare. He was born in Watertown, Aug. 27, 1875, the son of Addison W. and Harriet A. (Bacon) Wheelock.
Addison W. Wheelock was born at LeRay, N. Y., and was a veteran of the Civil War. He engaged in the general mercantile business for a num- ber of years at Felts Mills, N. Y., being associated in business with his father, Orlin Wheelock. Mr. Wheelock served throughout the Civil War as a member of the Tenth New York Heavy Artillery and was discharged with the rank of adjutant. He served as sheriff of Jefferson County about 1870 and spent eight years as superintendent of the poor in Jefferson County. In 1888 he became identified with the New York Life Insurance Company. He was living retired at the time of his death in 1903. His wife, born in Jefferson County, died in March, 1930. Both are buried at Felts Mills. Mr. Wheelock was a Republican, a member of the Universalist Church, and belonged to Watertown Lodge, F. and A. M. No. 49; Water- town Chapter, R. A. M. No. 59; and Watertown Commandery, K. T. No. 11. To Mr. and Mrs. Wheelock were born six children: Virgiline, lives at Watertown; Orlin W., the subject of this sketch; Jessie M., Marion, Harold and Earl, all deceased.
Orlin W. Wheelock has always lived in Watertown. After attending high school he became associated with the H. H. Babcock Company, and later was connected with the firm of Empey & Box, Funeral Directors. Mr. Wheelock is still a licensed embalmer in the state of New York. For a time he was connected with the J. W. Miller cigar store, and since
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March 12, 1924, he has held the office of commissioner of public welfare, the office originally being known as superintendent of charities. He is vice president of the Community Workers Club, and holds membership in the Association of Public Welfare Officials of the state of New York.
Mr. Wheelock is affiliated with Watertown Lodge F. & A. M. No. 49; Watertown Chapter, R. A. M. No. 59; Watertown Commandery, K. T. No. 11; and Media Temple. He also belongs to the Lincoln League.
Fred W. Earle, D. D. S .- One of the prominent and highly successful dental surgeons of Watertown is Doctor Earle, who has offices at 243 Washington street. He was born in Watertown, July 31, 1890, the son of Frank N. and Mary (Hale) Earle.
Frank N. Earle, who is well known in Watertown, is a native of New York, born at Frankfort, Herkimer County. His wife was born in Water- town. Mr. Earle was four years old when his parents located in Water- town, where he was reared and educated. He is a graduate of Adams Institute, and during his early career was associated in the transportation business with his father, the business later being sold to the H. E. Tyler Company. The Earles then were interested in the grocery business for a time, and Frank N. Earle spent 20 years as a rural mail carrier out of Watertown. He is now retired. He is a Republican, a member of the Baptist Church, and belongs to the Masonic Lodge. Three sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Earle, as follows: Fred W., the subject of this sketch; Clarence, deceased; and Kenneth, lives at Watertown.
Fred W. Earle's grandparents were William Henry and Louisa (Earle) Earle, both of whom were natives of Herkimer County, N. Y., born in 1838 and 1836, respectively. He was a manufacturer of matches and later was interested in the transportation business. Mr. Earle and his family were among the prominent early citizens of Watertown, where he also had extensive building and real estate interests.
Fred W. Earle grew up in Watertown and received his early education in the city public schools. After his graduation from high school in 1909 he spent a year in the Isle of Pines, south of Cuba, and upon his return to the United States in 1911 he entered the University of Buffalo, where he studied dentistry. . He was graduated in 1914 and has since engaged in successful practice in Watertown. Doctor Earle is past presi- dent of the Jefferson County Dental Society, past secretary of the Fifth District Dental Society, and is an active member of the New York State Dental Society and American Dental Association. He has taken graduate work in prosthetics and is recognized as one of the thoroughly capable men of his profession.
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July 23, 1912, Doctor Earle was united in marriage with Miss Edith Sparks, the daughter of James W. and Nellie (Mayo) Sparks, of Rome, N. Y. The former lives in Watertown, and the latter is deceased. Doctor and Mrs. Earle have no children.
Politically, Doctor Earle is a Republican. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and belongs to the Masonic Lodge, 32nd degree, Elks Lodge, Xi Psi Phi fraternity, and Watertown Chamber of Commerce.
Jacob Frederick Amos .- Banker, business man and an industrialist whose activities have been accompanied with success in whatever he has undertaken, Jacob F. Amos, former secretary and treasurer of the Taggart Brothers Company, Inc., Watertown, N. Y., was a factor in the expansion of that firm, and is an ally in all of Watertown's general business prog- ress. A believer in the value of industry to every community, an associate with all movements for the common welfare, Mr. Amos has upon all occasions taken a prominent part in the development of Watertown. He is a son of John G. Amos, a cabinet maker, of Wurttemberg, Germany, who died in Syracuse, N. Y., in 1904, and Fredericka R. (Rauss) Amos, of Stuttgart, Germany, who died in Syracuse, in 1894. Both parents came to the United States in 1864.
Jacob Frederick Amos was born Nov. 11, 1867, in Syracuse, where he attended the public schools. He then became engaged in the flour in- dustry, and as manager of the Standard Flour Milling Company of Syra- cuse, and Buffalo, N. Y., he continued with success to 1906. In January of that year he became identified with Taggart Brothers Company, Inc., of Watertown, and he continued in the capacity of secretary and treasurer until 1928, when the offices were removed to New York City and he re- signed, as he did not care to go there.
Mr. Amos is vice president and a member of the board of trustees of the Watertown Savings Bank, vice president and a member of the board of directors of the Northern New York Trust Company; a director of the Utica Mutual Insurance Company ; and the Allied Fire Insurance Com- pany, of Utica, N. Y.
Mr. Amos is a Republican in his political views and supports with his vote and influence the principles of that party. During the World War he was active in all patriotic matters; he served as one of the fuel com- missioners for Jefferson County, and he was active in the Liberty Loan and other drives. He is a member of Central City Lodge, F. and A. M .; Watertown Chapter, No. 59, R. A. M .; Watertown Commandery No. 11, K. T .; Central City Consistory, A. A. S. R., 32nd degree; Media Temple,
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A. A. O. N. M. S .; he is also a member of the Black River Valley Club, Jefferson County Golf Club, Rotary Club; and has served as a director of the Watertown Chamber of Commerce, and director and vice president of the Young Men's Christian Association for years. He is a member of the board of sessions of the First Presbyterian Church.
On Oct. 18, 1893, Mr. Amos married Miss Wilhelmina L. Harth, of Syracuse, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Metzger) Harth. Their chil- dren are: 1. Roland H. Amos, who married Louise Bibbins in 1920, and they have two daughters, Carolyn Louise, and Barbara Elizabeth. 2. Robert J. Amos, who married Eleanor Schuyler in 1930.
Robert Asa Parkinson, who is agency secretary of the Agricultural Insurance Company of Watertown, one of the large and influential con- cerns of the country, has been identified with the insurance business dur- ing the whole of his business career, and is considered one of the ablest insurance executives in the concern.
Robert Asa Parkinson was born May 13, 1877, at Rutland, N. Y., the son of Phineas C. and Ida (Hardy) Parkinson, both natives of Jefferson County. Mr. Parkinson, who was a successful farmer of that county, died in 1918 and his wife died Feb. 28, 1928. The Parkinson family traces its descent from early day pioneers of New York State. One of the fore- bears of the family, Asa Parkinson, in the War of 1812, by a well authenti- cated bit of history told of him, saved the day in an engagement with the British, by wrapping his own and a woman's stocking around a cannon ball that was otherwise too small to fire. According to the story, the ball sank one of the boats that was about to land.
Robert Asa Parkinson was educated in the public schools of Watertown and attended business college. He entered the insurance business with Omar Hine, upon leaving school, and remained with him until 1901, when he became connected with the Agricultural Insurance Company of Water- town. Since then he has served in various capacities until in 1917 he was made assistant secretary and in 1925 was made agency secretary. He is a director of the Omar Hine Insurance Agency.
During the World War, Mr. Parkinson took a prominent part in the Liberty Loan drives. He is a member of the Black River Valley Club, and Chamber of Commerce. Politically, he is a Republican, and his re- ligious connections are with the Universalist Church, of which he is a member of the board of trustees. He is affiliated with Watertown Lodge, No. 49, F. & A. M .; Watertown Chapter, No. 59, R. A. M .; Watertown
ROBERT A. PARKINSON
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Commandery, No. 11, K. T .; Central City Consistory, 32nd degree, A. A. S. R., and Media Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., and has served as recorder.
Mr. Parkinson saw service in the Spanish-American War. He was a member of Company E, 203rd Regiment, New York National Guard.
On Nov. 11, 1904, Mr. Parkinson was united in marriage with Miss Laura Wilson, the daughter of George and Emma Wilson. She died Oct. 17, 1918. He married (second) on Oct. 4, 1922, Jessie Gillette, the daughter of Jesse and Mary (Chittenden) Gillette, of Watertown. By his first marriage Mr. Parkinson has a daughter, Muriel L. Parkinson.
Charles Nathaniel Bibbins, M. D .- One of the best known physicians of Watertown and vicinity is Dr. Charles Nathaniel Bibbins, who has devoted himself to his profession and to public health for 37 years. He is of the seventh generation of the family in the United States. He is a descendant of one of the oldest families in this part of the country, his forebears having participated in the settling of New England, the early Colonial wars, and the Revolution; while three generations of both pa- ternal and maternal ancestors lived in Watertown. The old Welch name of Bibbins was variously spelled as Beebins, Bibins, Bebins, Bebans, and Bibbens, occurring in all forms in early New England and as a pioneer name in Jefferson County, New York. The American progenitor was Arthur Bibbins, recorded as living in Glastonbury, Connecticut, in 1696. From him the paternal line descended through:
(II) Arthur, member of the First Church at Windham, where he died in 1788, at the age of 102 years. (III) Samuel, who moved to Washington County, New York, before the Revolution. (IV) Arthur, an early resident in Saratoga County, whence he moved to Jefferson County, at Rodman, New York. (V) Charles W. Bibbins, captain of militia in the Fenian Insurrection, married to Harriett Fassett. (VI) Schuyler H., born in Rodman, Jefferson County, in 1834, and died in January, 1916. He moved to Watertown soon after the close of the Civil War, in which he served for three years. Schuyler H. Bibbins married Louisa Mary Burnham (Burman) a native of Watertown, and of as old and distinguished a family as his own.
The ancient seat of the Burnham family in England, "Burnham Beeches" is mentioned in one of Tennyson's poems. Three brothers of the name, John, Thomas, and Robert, came with their sister, Mary Andrews, from Norfolk, Norfolk County, England, in 1635, and located at what is now Ipswich, Mass. They made the voyage in the "Angel Gabriel." Lieu- tenant Thomas Burnham settled at Chebacco (Ipswich), and was a mem-
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ber of the Pequot Expedition in 1636-37. The line descended through (II) John Burnham, son of Thomas; (III) Thomas; (IV) Stephen, who moved to Gloucester, Mass .; (V) Nathaniel, who lived in what is now Greenfield, New Hampshire; (VI) Nathaniel, son of Nathaniel Burnham, who settled in the eastern part of Watertown, in 1802, an original member of the First Presbyterian Church, which was organized in a barn on the farm of Nathaniel Burnham's brother, Caleb Burnham, married Susan Noble; (VII) Nathaniel Noble, married Mary F. Nichols; (VIII) Louisa Mary, married Schuyler H. Bibbins (see Bibbins line), died in 1924.
Charles Nathaniel Bibbins, son of Schuyler H. and Louisa Mary (Bur- nam or Burnham) Bibbins, was born in Watertown, N. Y., April 7, 1867. He enjoyed liberal educational advantages in the local public schools, at Ives Seminary, and at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, from which he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1894. A student with a receptive mind and ambition, he made an admirable record in his studies. As a boy he learned telegraphy, and at the age of twenty entered the employ of the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad, as a railroad telegrapher, remaining two years in that capacity and retaining his in- terest in that early experience by membership in the R. W. & O. Pioneer Employees Association. He also taught school for two and one-half years in the villages of Jefferson and Lewis counties.
Dr. Bibbins' professional career began in Watertown in 1894, when he associated himself with Dr. H. G. P. Spencer, who died in 1900, when Dr. Charles E. Pierce succeeded him, and with Dr. James D. Spencer, with whom he continued until Dr. Spencer's death in 1910. In 1917, Dr. H. C. Montgomery joined Dr. Bibbins and his associates in their practice, and they admitted Dr. L. M. Vincent soon afterward. These physicians occupy well equipped offices in the Jefferson County Bank Building, where patients are assured of receiving the best diagnostic advice and treatment supplemented with all the aids supplied by modern science.
Dr. Bibbins is a member of the Jefferson County and New York State Medical societies, and the American Medical Association; the New York State Society of Industrial Surgery and Medicine; and the Association of New York Central Railway Lines Surgeons. He is a charter member of the American Roentgen Ray Association and of the American Electro- Therapeutic Association. Among Dr. Bibbins' activities may be mentioned in connection with his position as chief of staff of the Good Samaritan and Mercy hospitals, on first of which he was first president of the medical staff ; and his office as railroad surgeon for the New York Central for his district since 1894. Dr. Bibbins ranks easily as one of the foremost physicians and surgeons in New York State.
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