USA > New York > Franklin County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 2 > Part 2
USA > New York > Jefferson County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 2 > Part 2
USA > New York > Lewis County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 2 > Part 2
USA > New York > Oswego County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 2 > Part 2
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 2
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Doctor Gregor was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, and belonged to Black River Valley Club and Jefferson County Golf Club.
Delos M. Cosgrove .- Numbered among the able and successful lawyers of Jefferson County is Delos M. Cosgrove, who is engaged in practice in Watertown, with offices in the Jefferson County National Bank Building. He was born at Redwood, Jefferson County, Feb. 3, 1875, the son of George Henry and Emogene Sophia (Marshall) Cosgrove.
George Henry Cosgrove was a veteran of the Civil War. He was born on a farm near Redwood, in November, 1843, attended the public schools, and spent his boyhood on a farm in Alexandria Township, Jefferson County. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted for service as a member of Company C, Tenth New York Volunteer Artillery. He was with General Sheridan and served in some of the important engagements of the war, being slightly wounded while in the service. He became well known as a dealer in hay, grain, and cattle, and shipped his produce to Boston, New York, and Albany. Mr. Cosgrove died Dec. 31, 1887, and his wife died in March, 1927. Both are buried at Redwood. He was a Democrat in politics. There were two children born to Mr. and Mrs. Cos- grove: Igene married Burton A. McLear, lives at Redwood; and Delos M., the subject of this sketch.
George H. Cosgrove was the son of James and Mary (Farrell) Cos- grove, who were natives of County Sligo, Ireland. They were among the early settlers of the town of Alexandria, Jefferson County, N. Y.
Emogene Sophia (Marshall) Cosgrove was the daughter of Romeo Wilkes and Harriet (Van Antwerp) Marshall. They were married in the town of Warren, Herkimer County, N. Y. Romeo Marshall was a merchant at Wenton Falls, N. Y., and in the early forties he and his wife moved into the town of Alexandria, Jefferson County. Emogene, the youngest daugh- ter, was born on a farm in the town of Alexandria and became a school teacher and at the time of her marriage was the principal of the village school at Redwood.
Delos M. Cosgrove obtained his early education in the public schools of Redwood and in 1894 was graduated from Potsdam State Normal Col- lege. He taught school at Oxbow, N. Y., for two years, and was principal of Redwood High School for three years. During that time Mr. Cosgrove read law in the offices of Anson Harder, and later continued his studies in the offices of Hon. G. H. Cobb, of Watertown. He was admitted to the
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New York bar in July, 1901, and at that time became associated in prac- tice with Mr. Cobb as a member of the firm of Cobb & Cosgrove. At a later date Henry J. Kimball became a member of the firm, and this association continued until 1924 at which time Mr. Kimball became iden- tified with the Northern New York Trust Company. In November, 1924, the law firm was reorganized as Cobb, Cosgrove, Ford & Wright, the new partners being Lewis J. Ford and Russell Wright. Mr. Ford died in March, 1925, and in June of that year Loren E. Harter became a partner. In 1929 Roger Wright and Roswell Flower Taylor also became associated with the firm. Mr. Cosgrove is former president of the Jefferson County Bar Association and is identified with the New York State Bar Associa- tion. He is a director of the Redwood National Bank, chairman of the executive committee of the Jefferson County Savings Bank, director of the Agricultural Insurance Company, director of the Sherman Paper Com- pany, director and secretary of the Black River Traction Company, direc- tor and secretary of the Watertown Transportation Company, a trustee of the Power Authority of the State of New York.
Mr. Cosgrove is a Democrat, a member of All Souls Universalist Church, and is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Royal Order of Moose, Rotary Club, Black River Valley Club, and Jefferson County Golf Club. He is a trustee of the Y. M. C. A., a member of the Watertown Board of Education, a director of the Jeffer- son County Orphan Asylum, and a director of the Brookside Cemetery Association.
On Sept. 4, 1907, Mr. Cosgrove married Miss Adelia M. Baker, who died in Watertown, Aug. 29, 1919. She was the daughter of William R. and Emeline (Case) Baker, the former a native of England, and the latter of Jefferson County. To Mr. and Mrs. Cosgrove was born a son, Delos M. Jr., born Oct. 16, 1910. He is a graduate of Watertown High School and attends Williams College.
Hon. Isaac L. Hunt .- Honored, respected and esteemed throughout the North Country is Isaac L. Hunt, of Watertown, who has been a prac- ticing attorney in Jefferson County for almost 60 years. He was born at Salisbury, Herkimer County, N. Y., Dec. 4, 1850, the son of Rev. Isaac L. and Judith (Lamberson) Hunt.
Rev. Isaac L. Hunt was born in Dutchess County, N. Y. Dec. 5, 1808, and his wife was born in Herkimer County, April 18, 1818. He was a professor in Cazenovia Seminary for a number of years, and during his career as a minister had charges at Rome, Fulton, Potsdam, and Low-
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ville. He died in 1892 and his wife died in 1903. Both are buried at Adams, N. Y. Their children were: Helen, Ida, and Cornelius, all de- ceased; Hattie R., who died in 1925, was the wife of Rev. W. E. Rey- nolds, of Adams, N. Y .; and Isaac L., the subject of this sketch.
The early education of Isaac L. Hunt was received in St. Lawrence Academy at Potsdam, and he attended Falley Seminary and Cazenovia Seminary. He was graduated from Hungerford Collegiate Institute in 1870 and received the degree of LL. B. from Union College in 1872. In the latter year he was admitted to the bar and at the present time is the oldest living member in point of admission to the Jefferson County Bar Association. His professional life has been spent in Watertown, and he has also been identified with the city's financial life, at the present time being president of the Watertown Savings Bank. He was made a direc- tor of the Merchants Bank in 1872 and was a member of the board of directors of the National Bank and Loan Company until its consolidation with the Northern New York Trust Company, of which he became a director. Since 1907 he has been active head of the Watertown National Bank.
Mr. Hunt was elected as a member of the state legislature in 1881, and served as a member of that body for three years. It was during that time that his friendship was formed with the late Theodore Roosevelt. Mr. Hunt has served as president of the Jefferson County Historical So- ciety, and is the oldest living president of the Watertown Y. M. C. A., having been elected to that office in 1874.
On Sept. 1, 1874, Mr. Hunt was united in marriage with Miss Alice A. Gilbert, the daughter of Hon. A. and Julia A. (Scott) Gilbert, natives of Connecticut. Mr. Gilbert served as a member of congress and was prominent in the financial life of Adams, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt have no children.
Politically, Mr. Hunt has always been a Republican, and for many years was a member of the New York State Republican Committee, as well as the Republican Executive Committee. He is a member of the Methodist Church and belongs to the Watertown Chamber of Commerce. He also belongs to the Black River Valley Club.
Mr. Hunt is greatly interested in dairy farming and is the owner of three fine dairy farms, which are adjacent to Adams. Since 1890 he has been widely known as a breeder of pure bred Swiss cattle. He has served as president of the Brown-Swiss National Cattle Association of the United States, and for several years was president of the New York State Dairymen's Association.
Mr. Hunt lives in the village of Adams.
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Francis E. Cullen, of the firm of Purcell, Cullen & Reynolds, Water- town, is a leading attorney of Jefferson and Oswego counties. He was born at Fulton, Oswego County, N. Y., Dec. 5, 1876, the son of Patrick Smith and Ellen (Reynolds) Cullen.
Patrick Smith Cullen was born near Dolgeville, Herkimer County, N. Y., May 5, 1845, and his wife was a native of the City of Oswego. He entered the employ of Armour & Company, at Ogdensburg, N. Y., in 1889, and later was connected with the company's plants in New York City, Phila- delphia, and Amsterdam, N. Y. He was transferred by Armour & Com- pany to Oswego in 1896, and after some time in that position became identified with the Ontario Brewing Company as vice president and mana- ger. He served as commissioner of public works of the city of Oswego and was serving in that capacity at the time of his death, Oct. 30, 1918. His wife died May 25, 1922. Both are buried in St. Peter's Cemetery, Os- wego. Mr. Cullen was a Democrat in politics, held membership in St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church of Oswego and belonged to the Elks Lodge. To Mr. and Mrs. Cullen the following children were born: 1. Francis E., the subject of this sketch. 2. Dr. Thomas R., dentist, who lives at Oswego, N. Y. 3. Agnes T., a member of the faculty of Oswego High School. 4. Alice J. (first) deceased. 5. Alice J., a member of the faculty of Oswego High School. 6. John P., deceased.
The boyhood of Francis E. Cullen was spent at Fulton, N. Y., and he was educated in the public schools of Fulton, Syracuse and Ogdensburg and St. Mary's Academy of Ogdensburg. He was graduated from St. Mary's Institute at Amsterdam in 1894, and received the degree of Ph. B. in 1898 at Union College. He then read law in the offices of Coon & Bent- ley at Oswego, and was admitted to the New York bar at Rochester in 1901. Mr. Cullen immediately began the practice of law in Oswego as a member of the firm of Cullen & Davis and later joined King, Bentley & Cullen. He has been a resident of Watertown and an associate of his present firm since April, 1910. He is, however, actively identified with the business and civic life of Oswego, where he has served as corporation counsel and commissioner of education. He is a member of the Board of Visitors for the Oswego State Normal & Training School.
On Nov. 9, 1922, Mr. Cullen married Miss Mary Alice Patridge, the daughter of Christopher and Ann (Hogan) Patridge, the former a native of Oswego County, N. Y., and the latter of Prescott, Ontario, Canada. Mr. Patridge is deceased, and is buried in St. Paul's Cemetery, Oswego. His widow lives in that city.
Mr. Cullen is identified with the Oswego County Bar Association, Jeffer- son County Bar Association, New York State Bar Association, American Bar Association, and Association of the Bar of the City of New York. He
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holds membership in St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church of Oswego and belongs to the Knights of Columbus, Oswego Council No. 227; B. P. O. Elks, No. 271; Phi Delta Theta fraternity; Fortnightly Club of Oswego; Oswego Country Club; and Black River Valley Club.
Raymond G. Hannahs .- A notably important career as a banker is that of Raymond G. Hannahs, who is president of the Watertown Na- tional Bank. All his life has been identified with banking interests, for his father, George W. Hannahs, of Watertown, was president of the Farmers National Bank, of Adams, N. Y., and is now vice president of the Watertown National Bank. The son evinced ability in the same direc- tion at an early age and has made banking his profession.
Raymond G. Hannahs, son of George W. and Helen (Watt) Hannahs, was born at Adams, N. Y., April 25, 1884, and was educated in the public and high schools. He also attended Hobart College, from which he re- ceived the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy in 1906. He began as a messenger in the Farmers National Bank at Adams, and in 1907 asso- ciated himself with the Watertown National Bank. He has held various offices during his long association with this institution, and in October, 1919, was made cashier to succeed W. W. Rice. Later, came his election to the office of vice president, an office he efficiently combined with that of cashier. In January, 1931, Mr. Hannahs was elected president and is now serving as executive head of the institution.
The Watertown National Bank was organized on April 12, 1882, oc- cupying the site on which was built the first structure of Watertown by Henry Coffeen, on Court Street. The original capital was $50,000 and the first president, G. W. Knowlton, was elected for a second time as president in 1908 to succeed the second president, N. P. Wardwell, who died in that year. The building now occupied was completed in November, 1920, and is a handsome edifice, and a part of the bank's large assets.
Mr. Hannahs has numerous other business and civic interests, being vice president and director of the Northern New York Acceptance Cor- poration; a member of the Watertown Chamber of Commerce; a trustee and director of the Y. M. C. A .; a member of the Rotary Club; treasurer and director of the Jefferson County Historical Society, in whose work he is greatly interested; and a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. During the World War Mr. Hannahs was a leader in Liberty Loan drives. He is also a member of the Jefferson County Golf Club, and Black River Val- ley Club. He holds membership in the Episcopal Church, and is a Repub- lican in politics.
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Mr. Hannahs was married in 1911 to Miss Alma A. Gilbert, of Adams, N. Y., the daughter of John H. and Harriet C. (Clements) Gilbert. They are the parents of a daughter, Elizabeth Gilbert Hannahs, born March 4, 1919.
Lucien Cornelius Mitchell .- As president of the J. B. Wise Company, manufacturers of bathroom supplies, Mr. Mitchell is recognized as a sub- stantial business man and leading citizen of Watertown. He was born at Orleans, Jefferson County, in 1876, the son of Isaac and Catherine L. (Bort) Mitchell. The former, a native of Jefferson County, was a pros- perous farmer and well known shipper of cattle. He was a political leader and represented his district in the New York Assembly. He died in 1893 and his wife died in 1922.
Lucien Cornelius Mitchell was educated in the public schools of Adams, N. Y., and attended the old collegiate institute at that place. Practically his entire life has been associated with the J. B. Wise Company, and dur- ing his long period of service with the company he has been clerk, and ad- vancing through every grade in the various departments, finally became treasurer and later president.
The J. B. Wise Company was founded in 1876 by Joseph B. Wise, and the plant was originally located on Factory Street. It was later moved to the present location on Mill Street. In 1911 the business had so pros- pered that it was incorporated as the J. B. Wise Company, with J. B. Wise as president, C. R. Wise as vice president, and Mary Corliss, as secretary. Lucien C. Mitchell was treasurer. Upon the death of the president in 1916 his son succeeded him, and at the death of C. R. Wise in 1919, Mr. Mitchell became president.
The company originally manufactured sewing machine hardware, but discontinued this product in 1889, and devoted its equipment to the manu- facture of bathroom supplies. Now recognized as one of the largest plants in its line in New York, it has over 100,000 square feet of floor space, em- ploys 225 workers, and sends its products throughout the world.
Since 1919 Mr. Mitchell has conducted the business along the safe and wise principles established by its founder, and he also has injected new life and energy into the organization, the result of his long experience and his enthusiasm and ability. Mr. Mitchell is also a director of the Jefferson County National Bank; vice president and director of the Com- munity Building Corporation; director of the Standard Publishing Com- pany; and director of the Woodruff Holding Corporation.
In 1905 Mr. Mitchell was united in marriage with Miss Carrie Thomp- son, of Watertown, the daughter of George and Lydia (Hall) Thompson,
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both deceased. The former was well known as a banker in Kansas. To Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell was born a son, William T., born Dec. 20, 1909.
In politics Mr. Mitchell is a Republican. He is a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, Watertown, and has the following lodge and club affilia- tions: Watertown Lodge No. 49, F. & A. M .; Watertown Chapter, R. A. M .; Watertown Commandery, K. T .; Central City Consistory, 32nd degree; Media Temple; B. P. O. Elks; Kiwanis Club, charter member; Chamber of Commerce, director ; Black River Valley Club; Jefferson County Golf Club ; and Thousand Island Country Club.
Albert Darius Merrill .- As vice president of the Chemipulp Process, Inc., of Watertown, N. Y., and Montreal, Canada, Albert D. Merrill holds a prominent position in the commercial and industrial circles of this city. He was born in Burke, Franklin County, N. Y., June 25, 1885, a son of David Sheppard and Ada A. (Proctor) Merrill.
Both David Sheppard Merrill and his wife were born in Franklin County. He has been connected with the railroad industry throughout his business career and resides at Malone, N. Y. To Mr. and Mrs. Merrill four children were born: 1. Albert Darius, the subject of this sketch. 2. A. Sheppard, Ph. D., Professor of Mathematics, University of Montana, Missoula, Mont. During the World War he served as Chief Petty Officer in the U. S. Navy. 3. Ray L., a certified public accountant, lives in Chicago, Ill. 4. Blanche G., married Roy A. Crosby, an electrical engineer, and they live at Minneapolis, Minn.
Sheppard Merrill was the son of Darius Warren and Sarah Ann (Wal- bridge) Merrill, both natives of Belmont County. He went to Clinton County, New York, in 1855 where he purchased a large tract of timber land, and was the founder of the town of Merrill, in that county. He en- gaged in the lumber business on a large scale and was also the owner of a summer hotel. He and his wife are buried near Chateaugay Lake, New York.
Darius Warren Merrill was the son of Paul Merrill, who was born in Gilmanton, New Hampshire. He came to Belmont, Franklin County, N. Y., and engaged in farming and lumbering.
Albert Darius Merrill received his early education in the public schools of Franklin County. He prepared for college by attending Franklin Acad- emy, at Malone, N. Y. He matriculated at Clarkson College of Technology at Potsdam, N. Y., and was graduated with the class of 1913, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He began his pro- fessional career as an assistant engineer in the construction of the New
A. Menil
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York State Barge Canal, following which, for varying periods of time, he was associated as engineer with the St. Regis Paper Company and the United States Rubber Company. He left the employ of the last named concern in 1916 in order to come to Watertown, N. Y., and accept a posi- tion as chief engineer with the Stebbins Engineering and Manufacturing Company. In 1923 he was made vice president of the company. In 1929 he resigned but still holds his interests in the company. In 1929 he became vice president and treasurer of the Chemipulp Process Company, Inc.
Politically, Mr. Merrill is a Republican. Fraternally he holds active membership in Raquette River Lodge, No. 213, F. and A. M .; Watertown Chapter, No. 59, R. A. M .; Watertown Commandery No. 11, K. T .; and Media Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is also a member of the Black Valley Club; the Chamber of Commerce, of Watertown; and Omicron Pi Omicron fraternity, of Potsdam, N. Y. He is a member of the Technical Associa- tion of Pulp and Paper Industry, the American Chemical Society, and the New York State Society of Professional Engineers. He contributes freely of his means toward the support of many local charities and benevolences.
Mr. Merrill was married, at North Lawrence, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., June 30, 1909, to Ferol J. Quenell, a daughter of Moses D. and Mar- cia (Allen) Quenell, natives of New York State. Mr. Quenell was a vet- eran of the Civil War. To Mr. and Mrs. Merrill three children have been born: 1. Orma A., born July 20, 1910. 2. Faunta J., born June 10, 1914. 3. Lloyd P., born Feb. 23, 1916.
Hon. John Barnes Harris .- As mayor of Watertown John Barnes Har- ris is a representative and widely known citizen of northern New York. He was born at Adams Center, N. Y., July 5, 1877, the son of Robert Wal- lace and Alma (Barnes) Harris.
Robert Wallace Harris and his wife are natives of Point Peninsula, N. Y., and are now residents of Sacket Harbor, N. Y. His entire active career has been spent as a farmer, and for a number of years he was also successful as a breeder of fine race horses, being the owner of "Lu- cile," a fast trotting mare, who won a gold cup in Madison Square Garden, New York City, as the best gentleman's driving horse in the world. Mr. and Mrs. Harris are the parents of three children: John Barnes, the sub- ject of this sketch ; Mrs. Elva M. McWayne, lives at Sacket Harbor, N. Y .; and Mrs. Frances K. Clarke, lives at Yonkers, N. Y.
John Barnes Harris was a small child when his parents removed from Adams Center, N. Y., to Grand Rapids, Mich., where they remained for a period of seven years. He attended the public schools and was a teacher
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in the district school at Hounsfield, N. Y., from 1895 until 1896. He at- tended Cornell University from 1898 until 1901, and served as a private tutor from 1903 until 1907 inclusive. Mr. Harris was admitted to the New York bar in 1908, but has never engaged in the practice of law. He was interested in the real estate business at Lewistown, Mont., during 1910, and since 1915 has been the owner of a fine dairy farm near Water- town. Mr. Harris has served as personal advisor to Mrs. Emma Flower Taylor, the daughter of the late Roswell P. Flower, since 1911. He was elected to the office of mayor of Watertown in 1923 and has since held that office. He has also been Republican State Committeeman since 1927, and is president of the Conference of Mayors and Other Municipal Offi- cials of the State of New York.
On Nov. 8, 1915, Mr. Harris was united in marriage with Miss Helen Folsom, at Syracuse, N. Y. She was born at Watertown, and is the daugh- ter of Walter Seeber and Harriet (Cavanaugh) Folsom, natives of Jeffer- son County. Mr. Folsom lives in Watertown. His wife died in 1897. To Mr. and Mrs. Harris have been born four children: Betty Jane, John Barnes, Jr., Robert Leon, and David Byron. All are students in the Wa- tertown schools.
Mr. Harris has always been a Republican. He and his family are mem- bers of the Trinity Episcopal Church, and he belongs to the Rotary Club, Black River Valley Club, and Hounsfield Star Grange.
Hon. Jasper W. Cornaire .- One of the representative professional men of Jefferson County is Jasper W. Cornaire, a leading lawyer of Watertown, and a member of the General Assembly. He was born at Cape Vincent. Jefferson County, March 12, 1877, the son of Louis and Belle (Herrick) Cornaire.
Louis Cornaire, who was born at Cape Vincent, was the son of Jean and Margaret (Auberten) Cornaire, natives of France. They were early settlers of Jefferson County and spent many years at Cape Vincent. Their son, Louis, became a successful farmer of that section. He died in 1900 and his wife died in 1903. Both are buried at Cape Vincent. She was the daughter of Hiram and Chastine Herrick, who were natives of New York and well known citizens of Lyme. Mr. Cornaire was a Democrat and a member of the Episcopal Church. There were two sons born to Mr. and Mrs. Cornaire: George, a farmer, lives at Cape Vincent; and Jasper W., the subject of this sketch.
Jasper W. Cornaire first attended the public schools of Three Mile Bay, N. Y., and was graduated from Clayton High School in 1905. He received
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the degree of LL. B. from Albany Law School in 1909, and during that year was admitted to the New York State bar. He began his professional career at Clayton, later was located at Cape Vincent, and in 1928 removed to Watertown, where he has since been associated with the firm of Corn- aire & Donaldson, as senior member.
Mr. Cornaire began his public career as special Surrogate Judge of Jefferson County in January, 1912, and was reelected to that office in 1914, 1917, and 1920. In the fall of 1924 he was elected as assemblyman from Jefferson County, and assumed the duties of office Jan. 1, 1925. He was reelected in November, 1925, and in November, 1927. During 1926-28 he was chairman of the State Industrial Survey Committee, and he has also been a member of the judiciary, insurance, commerce, and navigation committees. He served as a member of the New York State bridge com- mission, and as a member of the Lien Law Committee, which investigated the building industry in New York State. During 1931 there was a total of 25 bills successfully passed by Mr. Cornaire out of 33 which were introduced by him. He is a Republican in politics and from 1921 until 1926 was chairman of the Jefferson County Republican committee.
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