USA > New York > Franklin County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 2 > Part 3
USA > New York > Jefferson County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 2 > Part 3
USA > New York > Lewis County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 2 > Part 3
USA > New York > Oswego County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 2 > Part 3
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 3
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54
Mr. Cornaire is a member of St. John's Episcopal Church, and has the following lodge and club affiliations: Watertown Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 49; Watertown Chapter, R. A. M., No. 59; Watertown Commandery, K. T. No. 11; Media Temple; B. P. O. Elks, No. 496; F. O. Eagles; Loyal Order of Moose; Phi Delta Phi fraternity; and Black River Valley Club. He also belongs to the Jefferson County and New York State Bar associations.
William Walrath Waddingham .- As vice president of the Jefferson County National Bank, Mr. Waddingham is one of the outstanding figures in business and financial circles in Watertown. Both native ability and early training shaped his banking career to its present successful status, for his father, Fred Waddingham, was vice president of the City National Bank many years before its merger with the Jefferson County National Bank. He was also for some years county clerk and for ten years conducted a successful hardware business in Watertown, under the firm name of Sponenberg & Waddingham. He is now deceased, and his widow, Lydia (Walrath) Waddingham, lives in Watertown.
William Walrath Waddingham was born at Evans Mills, N. Y., June 11, 1878. He was educated in the public schools of Watertown. His entire business career has been associated with banking. He began as a messen- ger in the employ of the old City National Bank, and displayed such loy- alty and ability that steady promotion finally raised him to the position of
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president of the bank. After he had thus directed the institution for a year and a half, the City National Bank was consolidated with the Jeffer- son County National, and Mr. Waddingham was elected vice president, the position he now fills so ably.
On June 15, 1908, Mr. Waddingham married Miss Merle Johnson, the daughter of James E. and Laura (Lewis) Johnson, of Rutland, Vt. Their children are Laura M. and Betty Lee.
Popular in fraternal circles, Mr. Waddingham is a member of Water- town Lodge No. 49, F. & A. M., of which he is Past Master; Watertown Chapter, No. 59, R. A. M .; Watertown Commandery No. 11, K. T .; the Scottish Rite bodies of Watertown and Central City Consistory, 32nd de- gree; and Media Temple.
Henry J. McCormick, legal advisor for the Northern New York Util- ities, Inc., with offices at 58 Public Square, Watertown, N. Y., has taken an active and prominent part in the interest of that Company and its pre- decessor, Watertown Light & Power Co., (now a part of the Niagara Hud- . son System) in the hydro-electric development of the water powers of the North Country and the expansion of the electric industry by means of electric transmission and distribution lines to the towns, villages, industries and farms throughout Northern New York.
He was born near Canton, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., February 28, 1877, the son of Michael and Mary (Moore) McCormick. Both parents were na- tives of Ireland and emigrated to the United States with their respective parents when small children. Michael McCormick was born at Thurles, Tipperary, Ireland, in 1840, and landed with his parents at Castle Garden, New York City, in 1844. Mary (Moore) McCormick was born at Togher, near Dunmanway, County Cork, Ireland, in 1850 and arrived with her parents in America in 1852 after landing at Montreal, Canada. They were united in marriage at Canton in 1869. They became well-known residents of Canton, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., taking active part in the community life in the neighborhood of their farm home. The welfare of their seven children, the church, the school and the farming industry had their un- divided and untiring labor throughout a long life.
Patrick McCormick, the father of Michael McCormick, was one of the pioneer settlers of the Village of Canton, arriving there from Ireland about 1839, some years before bringing his family from the Old Country. During the gold rush of '49 he went to California with a party of prospectors and lost his life on the overland return trip to New York, after having met with success in the gold fields.
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Like many other Canton boys, Henry J. McCormick deems himself most fortunate in his birthplace for from his earliest years, from its site on the Village hill, the towering and impressive walls of Richardson Hall of St. Lawrence University were ever beckoning on the sky line. His early education was received at Pierce Corners country school, afterward gradu- ating from Canton High School and later attending St. Lawrence Univer- sity from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in the Class of 1898. He then taught school for one year at Altoona, Clinton Co., N. Y., and in 1899 came to Watertown and read law in the offices of Purcell, Walker and Burns, being admitted to the New York Bar in 1901. He likes to recall among his memories of early years in Watertown, that he was a member of the old Red and Black Watertown Football Team, which among its series of victories, defeated Ogdensburg for the championship in the great games of 1899 and 1900, at which time the city and the whole countryside thought and talked football, attended the games and backed the team to the limit.
Mr. McCormick was associated in practice with the firm of Purcell, Walker and Burns for one year, after which he went as Division Claim Agent for the New York Central Railroad, remaining with that Company for several years. He became legal advisor in 1912 for the Watertown Light & Power Co., which two years later was re-organized as the North- ern New York Utilities, Inc., retaining Mr. McCormick as legal advisor.
In 1905, Mr. McCormick was united in marriage to Miss Anna Yager, daughter of George and Julia (Galvin) Yager, natives of Watertown, N. Y. Mr. George Yager, now deceased, was the son of Paul and Anna (Shaad) Yager, well-known German pioneer settlers of Watertown, who were na- tives of Germany, being born at Naumburg, Germany, and emigrating to the United States in about 1853. Mrs. Julia Yager still resides at Water- town.
To Mr. and Mrs. McCormick were born four children: 1. Muriel Pauline, graduate of Vassar College, Class of 1927, who married Asa M. Rouse and now resides at Syracuse; 2. Richard, graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Class of 1930, now chemical engineer with Firestone Laboratories at Akron, Ohio; 3. Henry J., student; and 4, Paul Yager, student.
Politically, Mr. McCormick has always been an independent in activity, although nominally affiliated with the Democratic party.
He and his family are members of St. Patrick's Church, Watertown, and he belongs to the B. P. O. E. No. 496, and the Black River Valley Club. He is director of the Chamber of Commerce and of the Beebee Island Corporation.
During the World War, Mr. McCormick was active in various cam- paigns and drives and at all times gave freely of his time and finances.
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Fred H. Moore .- Outstanding among the citizens of Watertown, both for his professional ability and for his public spirited concern in the af- fairs of the community, is Fred H. Moore, who is serving as clerk of Jefferson County. He was born in this city, Nov. 14, 1879, the son of Jacob H. and Mary E. (Steadman) Moore.
Jacob H. Moore and his wife were natives of Albany County, N. Y. He died in 1915 and his wife died in 1923.
Fred H. Moore attended the local public schools and entered the law offices of Smith & Reeves. He was admitted to the New York State bar in 1902, and until 1921 successfully engaged in the practice of law in this city. He has since served as the capable clerk of Jefferson County.
Politically, Mr. Moore is a Republican, and he has held the office of secretary of the Jefferson County Republican committee. He was elected chairman in May, 1930, and reelected in September of that year. He has served as assistant district attorney of Jefferson County, and as alderman of the Fifth Ward.
Mr. Moore is a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, and is affiliated with the Masonic and Elk lodges. He is identified with the Jefferson County Bar Association, and belongs to the Lincoln League.
Francis Xavier Linehan, who is identified with the Northern New York Trust Company as assistant secretary, is recognized as one of the able business executives of Watertown. He was born in New York City, Jan. 3, 1886, the son of John S. and Anna (Bradley) Linehan.
John S. Linehan was a native of County Cork, Ireland, and his widow was also born in that country. As young people they emigrated to the United States and for a time lived in New York City. In his association with the late Governor Roswell Flower, Mr. Linehan came to Watertown to take charge of the governor's estate here. Later, he spent many years on the estate of the governor's daughter, Emma Flower. Mr. Linehan died in November, 1911, and is buried in Watertown. His widow lives in this city. Mr. Linehan was a Democrat, a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, and belonged to B. P. O. Elks, No. 496, Knights of Columbus Coun- cil No. 259, Modern Woodmen of America, and Improved Order of Red Men. There were three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Linehan: 1. Francis X., the subject of this sketch. 2. Joseph, deceased. 3. Monica G., lives at Watertown.
Practically the entire life of Francis X. Linehan has been spent in Wa- tertown. He attended the public schools and the Watertown High School after which he entered Northern Business College. He began as a book-
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keeper in the employ of the Samuel Felt Drug Company, and also was cashier there from 1906 until 1914. He then spent the following year as bookkeeper and office manager for the John J. Sullivan Company, whole- sale grocers, of Watertown, and during 1915 was cashier of the Black River Valley Club. Mr. Linehan came to the Northern New York Trust Company on Aug. 1, 1916, as general ledger bookkeeper. Later, he was made auditor and now serves as assistant secretary.
On July 12, 1910, Mr. Linehan was united in marriage with Miss Grace May Erwin, the daughter of Harry and Jennie E. (Wilder) Erwin, of New York. The former is deceased and the latter resides in Watertown. Mr. and Mrs. Linehan are the parents of two children: Robert E., who attends Christian Brothers Academy ; and Frances Alice, a student.
Mr. Linehan has always been a Democrat. He is an active member of Holy Family Catholic Church, and has the following lodge and club affili- ations : B. P. O. Elks No. 496, Past Exalted Ruler and Trustee; Knights of Columbus No. 259, Watertown Council, 4th degree, and Grand Knight four terms; Kiwanis Club, past treasurer seven years and past secretary six years; Iroquois Club, past treasurer ; Black River Valley Club; Water- town Golf Club; Y. M. C. A .; and he has always been a promotor of Boy Scout work in the city, being founder of the Elks Boy Scout movement. His son was one of three Watertown boys who made the world tour with the Boy Scouts in 1929.
Harvey Rice Waite, who is president of the Agricultural Insurance Company, of Watertown, one of the oldest and largest insurance companies in the United States, has always taken an active part in the business life of the city, and is a member of many of the social and civic organizations in the community. He is descended from one of the oldest families of Jefferson County, and is the son of Harlow B. and Nettie (Oatman) Waite, both natives of Rodman, Jefferson County. Mr. Waite, a prosperous farmer, died in 1883, and his wife died in 1916.
Harvey Rice Waite was born at Rodman, Jefferson County, May 30, 1876, and was educated in the local public schools. He has been connected with the Agricultural Insurance Company since 1894, having entered the concern at that time as an office boy. He served in various capacities until he was made cashier in 1919 and finally secretary-treasurer in 1924, when Percy H. Wilmott became president of the company. In 1928 Mr. Waite was elected president and is still serving in that capacity. He has been a director of the company since the organization in 1928 of the Empire State Insurance Company of Watertown. He has held the position of
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president and director of the company and in addition serves as a director of the Jefferson County National Bank, Jefferson Securities Corporation, trustee of the Watertown Savings Bank and director Watertown Founda- tion.
In 1899 Mr. Waite was married to Miss Lillian A. Herrick, who died in 1910. She was a native of Jefferson County, and the daughter of Frank and Elizabeth (Weed) Herrick. Mr. Waite has a son, Harlow O., born in Watertown, June 8, 1909. Mr. Waite married (second) April 8, 1928, to Miss Irene M. Allen, daughter of Charles and Mary Jane Allen, natives of New York.
Mr. Waite is a Republican, a member of the Congregational Church, and has the following club and lodge affiliations: Black River Valley Club; Jefferson County Golf Club; 1000 Island Country Club; Chamber of Com- merce; Watertown Lodge No. 49, F. & A. M .; Watertown Chapter No. 59, R. A. M .; Watertown Commandery No. 11, K. T .; Media Temple. He takes a prominent part in the work of the local Y. M. C. A., of which he is a director and vice president. During the World War Mr. Waite was active in all the Liberty Loan drives in Jefferson County.
George Augustus Bagley .- A dominant figure in the business life of Watertown, where he was president of the Bagley & Sewall Company, was George Augustus Bagley, who died in this city, May 12, 1915. He was born at Watertown, July 22, 1827, the son of Bernard and Zurviah (Gates) Bagley.
Bernard Bagley was born in Broome County, N. Y., Nov. 5, 1791. He came to Jefferson County in 1812 and in early life was a school teacher and surveyor. He read law in the office of Charles E. Clarke, of Water- town, and in 1926 was admitted to the bar. Mr. Bagley served as a mem- ber of the New York legislature for several years. He was one of the founders of the Jefferson County Savings Bank in 1859 and was a trustee of the North Watertown Cemetery, which was laid out in 1838. Mr. Bag- ley died in Watertown, June 26, 1878.
George Augustus Bagley received his early education in the public schools of Watertown, and studied law in his father's office, being admitted to the bar before he was 21 years of age. He was not interested however in law, and in 1853 became associated in business with Edmund Quincy Sewall, and George Goulding, as founders of the Bagley & Sewall Machine Works. Thus the present concern was established by George Goulding in 1823. From the date of its organization Mr. Bagley served as presi- dent until his death. He was also president of the Newton Falls Paper
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Company, and was active in numerous other business enterprises in the city.
Mr. Bagley was a Republican and served as trustee and president of the village board. He was chairman of the board of supervisors in 1874, and from 1875 until 1879 represented his district in the Congress of the United States.
In 1858 Mr. Bagley married Miss Sabina P. Clark, the daughter of Col. Ambrose W. Clark. Their children were: 1. Jessie, married Virgil K. Kellogg, resides in London, England. 2. Carrie, the widow of Stuart D. Lansing, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history. 3. Ambrose, lives in Florida. 4. Madeleine, lives at the family homestead, 204 Ten Eyck Street, Watertown.
Mr. Bagley possessed an alert and vigorous personality, dynamic in its influence, and his personal success brought to Watertown the opportunity for economic advancement. He was at the same time likeable, generous and straightforward. His home, his circle of friends, and his fellow towns- men benefited by his able and constructive life.
One of Mr. Bagley's greatest achievements was the handling of the Carthage, Watertown & Sackets Harbor Railroad. He was one of the prime movers in the building of this road in 1871 and became president. It was through his efforts that the absorption of this road by the New York Central Railroad without compensation was prevented, and to this end he raised nearly half a million dollars. The railroad had been built by bonding the towns and private subscription, for the purpose of secur- ing a competing route by a connection with the Utica and Black River Railroad at Carthage, which at that time was an independent company. It was afterward absorbed by the R. W. and O. Railroad, and both com- panies were later absorbed by the New York Central. The stock of the Carthage and Sackets Harbor Railroad was considered worthless and there was a movement to secure it by the New York Central for ten cents on the dollar. This plan nearly succeeded when Mr. Bagley stepped forward to raise the necessary money. He obtained a new board of directors and through his tireless efforts the New York Central was finally forced to pay par for the railroad stock held by the surrounding towns. The city of Watertown had invested about $800,000 and instead of ten cents on the dollar Mr. Bagley obtained 100 cents on the dollar. He was not satisfied however with this. The Carthage and Sackets Harbor Railroad was en- titled to a percentage on all freight moved over it, and to avoid paying the percentage the lessees diverted freights from this road over its own lines via Philadelphia. He began suit to compel the reimbursement for freight so diverted, and while the suit was in progress the railroad commissioners
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sold the stock at par, the directorate was changed, and the suit was dis- continued.
Mr. Bagley was a devout member of the Episcopal Church and for 47 years served as vestryman in St. Paul's Church.
Sabina P. (Clark) Bagley was born at Cooperstown, N. Y., Jan. 24, 1838, and died Nov. 24, 1916. She was a sister of Ambrose J. Clark, pay- master general of the U. S. Navy, and David J. Clark, U. S. Navy.
George Albert Hager .- Perhaps no citizen of Watertown is better known than George Albert Hager, who is the city's capable and highly es- teemed postmaster. He was born in Watertown, July 16, 1878, the son of Charles H. and Martha A. Hager, both deceased. The former was a native of Watertown and the latter was born in Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada.
George Albert Hager was educated in the public schools of Rochester, N. Y., and attended the Rochester Free Academy. Practically his entire career has been identified with the Watertown Post Office. He entered it as a clerk in 1899, was promoted through the various positions in the local office to that of assistant postmaster, and in 1924 was appointed post- master by President Coolidge to succeed A. R. Cornwall, who had suc- ceeded B. F. Martin. In 1928 Mr. Hager was reappointed. He has suc- ceeded in greatly improving the equipment and service in the local office and has made many valuable innovations. On March 29, 1931, the new post office building was occupied, and this is the third office in which Mr. Hager has served.
Mr. Hager was married (first) in 1901 to Miss Jennie Carmon, deceased, who was the daughter of Louis and Cynthia (Pierce) Carmon. They had a son, Harry C. Hager, born March 4, 1904. Mr. Hager was married (second) in 1920 to Miss Sara Sullivan, the daughter of Daniel and Sara (Staven- hagen) Sullivan. Their children are: Martha, born Aug. 6, 1921; Irene E., born July 22, 1923; and George A., Jr., born July 28, 1925.
Mr. Hager enlisted in Company M, 71st New York Volunteer Infantry, during the Spanish-American War, and served in Cuba. He was in the battle of San Juan Hill and other skirmishes, and was reported dead at Watertown. Two weeks following the report it was found to be untrue. Mr. Hager, however, suffered a severe illness from fever and was returned home on a stretcher. He was the first to enlist from Watertown and was instrumental in getting twelve other men in the city to enlist. Of this number five died of wounds or fever in the service. The eight survivors have held a reunion annually on the anniversary of the battle, and have not had an absentee during the 33 years since the war. However, three
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are now deceased, Henry S. Ball, Ralph L. Richardson and Albert J. Briggs. During his time spent in Cuba Mr. Hager had the pleasure of spending one day in the company of Col. Theodore Roosevelt, who assisted him in obtaining a different type of rifle for his company.
Mr. Hager has always been a Republican. He belongs to Watertown Lodge No. 49, F. & A. M .; Watertown Chapter No. 59, R. A. M .; Watertown Commandery No. 11, K. T .; Media Temple, trustee; Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Past Grand; Lincoln League; and he is a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church.
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Judge Joseph Alexander McConnell .- A native of Watertown, a lifelong resident, and one whose exemplary citizenship is of permanent record both in public office and everyday affairs, Judge Joseph Alexander Mc- Connell has the highest regard of the community he has faithfully served, and the respect and good will of people in every calling. With the broad view of life and the well balanced mental equipment of the veteran jus- tice, he discharges the duties of responsible office with sterling efficiency and ability.
Judge McConnell is a son of James J. McConnell, a tailor, who was born on the Island of Malta, and of Jane (Thompson) McConnell, a native of County Armagh, Ireland. The family came to the United States in 1842. Mr. McConnell died in 1857, and his wife died in 1889.
Joseph Alexander McConnell was born in Watertown, Jan. 14, 1856. He attended the public schools and was graduated from Hamilton College in 1878 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He studied law in the office of C. A. Sherman, and was admitted to the bar in 1880, and commenced the practice of law the same year in association first, with E. P. Wynn, and later with Hannibal Smith, and then with Frank H. Peck, as Peck & McConnell. Previous to his association with Mr. Peck he was Recorder of the city of Watertown, and served two terms in that office (1885- 1893 inclusive), and from 1893 to 1897 was connected with the firm of Peck & McConnell.
In 1897 Judge McConnell was elected City Judge, and with the ex- ception of six years he has served continuously in that office. At the last election he received the nomination from all parties, Republican, Democrat, Socialist, and Prohibitionist-a wonderful tribute to his ability, his repu- tation and his popularity, while in his personal political views, he is of the Democratic party. He has served on the Board of Education twice.
Judge McConnell served eleven years with Company C, 35th Regiment, New York National Guard. Fraternally he is affiliated with Watertown
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Lodge, No. 49, F. and A. M .; Watertown Chapter, No. 59, R. A. M .; Wa- tertown Commandery, K. T. No. 11; and Media Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of which he is Past Potentate. He is also a member of Lodge No. 496, B. P. O. Elks, of which he is Past Exalted Ruler. He is a communicant of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
Judge McConnell married June 25, 1891, Sarah Annette Davis, the daughter of Norman and Prudence (Dyer) Davis, residents of Evans Falls. Their children are: 1. Florence L., a graduate nurse. 2. Josephine A., a graduate nurse, married Donald G. Wait, and they have three chil- dren: Donald J., Barbara, and Mary Jean. 3. James A., a civil engineer, served on the Mexican Border, and with the Marines during the World War. He married Edna Fant, and they have three children: James, Sarah, and Joseph.
Bernard A. Gray .- As president of the Northern New York Trust Com- pany, Mr. Gray is one among the influential figures in the business life of Watertown. He was born at Canton, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., Dec. 20, 1889, the son of Frank E. and Nora (Welch) Gray.
Frank E. Gray has been a resident of Watertown since 1916 and now lives retired. He is a native of Russell, St. Lawrence County. His wife, born at Brooklyn, N. Y., died Jan. 26, 1922, and is buried in Glenwood Cemetery, Watertown. Mr. Gray is a Republican, and a member of Holy Family Catholic Church. There were five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gray: 1. Frank L., lives at Detroit, Mich. 2. Edith, who died in 1908. 3. Bernard A., the subject of this sketch. 4. Bernadine, married Sherman Stewart, lives at Watertown. 5. Jessie A., lives at Watertown.
Bernard A. Gray obtained his early schooling at Canton and Black River, N. Y. After his graduation from high school in 1907 he entered Union College, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1911. He then entered the Albany Law School and later he came to Watertown and read law in the offices of Pitcher & O'Brien and was ad- mitted to the New York bar in December, 1913. At that time he was ap- pointed clerk of the Surrogate Court, and served in that capacity until Jan. 1, 1917, when he became trust officer of the Northern New York Trust Company. Mr. Gray was promoted to secretary and treasurer in July, 1924, and became vice president and trust officer in January, 1926. He has held the responsible office of president of the institution since Jan. 16, 1931.
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