USA > New York > Franklin County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 3 > Part 25
USA > New York > Jefferson County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 3 > Part 25
USA > New York > Lewis County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 3 > Part 25
USA > New York > Oswego County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 3 > Part 25
USA > New York > St Lawrence County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 3 > Part 25
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Hon. Harold F. Porter, who is Judge of the Jefferson County Children's Court, and one of the best known lawyers in Watertown, was born at Chamberlin, S. D., Oct. 5, 1883, the son of Wilbur A. and Minnie S. (Lewis) Porter.
A sketch of Wilbur A. Porter appears elsewhere in this history.
The early education of Harold F. Porter was received in the public schools of Chamberlain, S. D., and Carthage, N. Y., the family having removed to New York in 1893. After his graduation from high school Mr. Porter attended the Albany Law School, from which he was gradu- ated in 1907. After his admission to the bar he became associated in the practice of law with his father, and this partnership continued until the latter's death, Sept. 10, 1929. Mr. Porter served as special county judge
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under the late Governor Whitman, and in November, 1922, assumed his present duties as judge of the Children's Court.
On Sept. 3, 1914, Mr. Porter married Miss Margaret H. Hosley, the daughter of Sanford J. and Estella (Matthews) Hosley. Mr. Hosley, deceased, was a well known merchant of Madrid, N. Y. His widow lives at Rochester. To Mr. and Mrs. Porter have been born six children: Harold F., Jr., Margaret Helen, Robert H., Wilbur S., Edith, and Phillip.
In politics Mr. Porter is identified with the Republican party, and he has served as a member of the Republican county committee. He belongs to Grace Episcopal Church, and is affiliated with Carthage Lodge, F. and A. M. No. 158; Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Carthage Rotary Club; and Carlowden Country Club.
Leon N. Brown, who is identified with the Diamond Match Company as an accountant, is prominently identified with the social, civic and busi- ness life of Oswego. He was born in this city, June 2, 1890, the son of Frank L. and Alice (Newell) Brown.
Frank L. Brown, deceased, was a leading business man of Oswego for many years. He was a native of this city and his wife was born at Apulia, N. Y. In 1884 he established a shoe business in Oswego and later became associated with Frank Schilling. Mr. Brown was one of the founders of the Y. M. C. A. in Oswego and served as its director and treasurer. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Brown died in 1925 and his widow lives at 83 West Mohawk Street. Their children were: 1. Clara, married Maurice Levy, of Albany. 2. Earl D., who is vice president of the First and Second National Bank of Oswego. 3. Marjorie, who is identified with the Parker & Griggs Insurance Com- pany of Oswego. 4. Leon N., the subject of this sketch.
After attending the Oswego Normal High School, Leon M. Brown entered the employ of the Diamond Match Company in 1909 as assistant time keeper. Four years later he became timekeeper, and since 1918 has been accountant.
On Sept. 10, 1919, Mr. Brown married Miss Helen C. Picken, of Yonkers, N. Y., who is a graduate of Oswego State Normal School, class of 1918. She is the daughter of Thomas H. and Laura (Hubbell) Picken, natives of England and New York respectively. Mr. Picken lives at Yonkers. His wife died in 1928. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have two daugh- ters, Dorothy and Barbara.
Mr. Brown is a Republican and is serving as alderman of the Third Ward, and he is also a member of the Municipal Civil Service Commission.
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He is a prominent member of the First Methodist Church. He is past master of Frontier City Lodge, F. and A. M. No. 422, and past district deputy of Oswego Masonic district.
George L. Munroe is among the able young business men of Oswego, where he has been successful as a funeral director since 1921. He was born in this city, Sept. 29, 1903, the son of Herbert and Elizabeth (Dutcher) Munroe.
Herbert Munroe, deceased, was a well known resident of Oswego, where he spent more than a quarter of a century in business as a dealer in fertilizer. He died Feb. 4, 1917, and is buried in Riverside Cemetery, Oswego. His widow was born at Palmyra, N. Y., and lives at Oswego. Their children are: George L., the subject of this sketch, and Mary, born Oct. 18, 1906, now employed in the county clerk's office, of Oswego, as a stenographer.
George L. Munroe has always lived at Oswego. Following his gradua- tion from high school he entered the Syracuse School of Embalming, from which he was graduated in 1921. He immediately located in Oswego at 67 East 6th Street.
On April 14, 1925, Mr. Munroe was united in marriage with Miss Har- riet Gates, of Oswego, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Gates, natives of New York and Canada, respectively. They live at 120 West Seneca Street, Oswego.
Politically, Mr. Munroe is a Republican. He is an active member of the Congregational Church, and his wife holds membership in Christ Church. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias.
Wilber A. Porter .- One of the most prominent attorneys of Water- town, where he successfully engaged in the practice of his profession for more than half a century, was Wilbur A. Porter. He was born on a farm near Lorraine, N. Y., July 28, 1855, the son of Freeman and Almeda Porter.
W. A. Porter was educated in the district schools and attended the collegiate institute at Adams. After the completion of his studies he entered the law office of his uncle, Judge Wilber F. Porter, of Watertown. He was admitted to the bar in 1877 and during the following three years engaged in practice at Watertown. He then removed to Chamberlain, S. D., where he continued his practice with success for 15 years. While
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there he also served as district attorney for three successive terms. Upon his return to West Carthage, Mr. Porter engaged in practice alone until he was joined by his son, Harold F. Porter, the firm being known as W. A. and H. F. Porter. Mr. Porter also served as president of the village of West Carthage for two terms. He was constantly engaged in civic work and was an outstanding citizen of the community. He died Sept. 10, 1929.
In 1877 Mr. Porter married Miss Minnie S. Lewis, of Watertown. Their children were: 1. Edith, married Munroe A. Russell, lives at Car- thage. 2. Harold F., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history. 3. S. Lewis, lives at Fayetteville, N. Y. 4. Adelaide, married Harold O'Keefe, lives at Carthage. Mrs. Porter now resides in Carthage.
Mr. Porter was a member of Grace Episcopal Church, and belonged to Carthage Lodge, F. and A. M. No. 158.
Harold W. Bales, D. V. M .- One of the widely known men of Oswego County is Doctor Bales, who is connected with the United States Depart- ment of Agriculture as county veterinarian in Oswego County, with head- quarters in Oswego. He was born at Norton, Kansas, Aug. 14, 1885, the son of W. W. and Alpha (Thompson) Bales.
W. W. Bales is a native of Iowa. He was a farmer in early life but since 1909 has been identified with the Kansas State Agricultural College at Manhattan, Kans. His wife died in 1928 and is buried at Edmond, Kans. To Mr. and Mrs. Bales were born three children: 1. Harold W., the subject of this sketch. 2. Ethel, a member of the city welfare depart- ment at Atchison, Kans. 3. Herbert, a farmer, lives at Riley, Kans.
After his graduation from Norton (Kans.) High School, Harold W. Bales attended the Kansas State Agricultural College, from which he received the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. He practiced his profession at Randolph, Kans., for three years, after which he became identified with the United States Department of Agriculture. He has been located at Oswego since 1924.
On Dec. 25, 1912, Doctor Bales was united in marriage with Miss Alice Ross, who is a native of Farmington, Iowa. Their children are: Harold W., Jr., and Charles Ross. Mrs. Bales' parents, Charles E. and Iona (Hol- ler) Ross, reside at Niles, Mich.
Doctor Bales is a Republican, a member of the First Presbyterian Church, and is affiliated with Frontier City Lodge F. & A. M. No. 422. He also holds membership in the American Veterinary Medical Asso- ciation.
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William Wallace Hall, M. D .- During the ten years that he has been established in the practice of medicine at Watertown, Doctor Hall has proven his skill as a physician and his worth as a citizen, and today stands out as one of the city's foremost men. He was born at South Addison, Steuben County, N. Y., Jan. 26, 1887, the son of Rev. Edwin Gardner Wallace and Olive C. (Hutchings) Hall.
Rev. Edwin Gardner Wallace Hall was born at Oxbow, Jefferson County, in 1840, and his wife was a native of West Danby, Tompkins County, N. Y. He was a graduate of Cazenovia Seminary and the Evans- ton Theological Seminary, being ordained at the latter institution as a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He then became an evan- gelist of the Bay of Quinty Conference, at Ontario, Canada, later becom- ing a member of the Genesee Conference in Western New York. His first charge was at Greenwood, Steuben County, N. Y., and he subse- quently was located at Pulteney, Cohocton, South Addison, Jaspeh, Gains- ville, Alabama, Evans, all of New York; Knoxville, Tioga County, Pa .; Cameron, Pike, Ionia, Nunda, Holland, Garland, Williamsville, and Ken- more, all of New York. Reverend Hall retired from the ministry at Ken- more and resided there until his death in 1919. His wife died in 1901, and both are buried at Knoxville, Tioga County, Pa. Reverend Hall was an ardent Prohibitionist. He served during the Civil War as a member of the Tenth New York Heavy Artillery, and held membership in the Grand Army of the Republic. To Reverend and Mrs. Hall were born four sons: Henry Edwin, manufacturer, lives at Elyria, Ohio; Clayton Gardner, who is manager of the Postal Telegraph Company, Elyria, Ohio; William Wallace, the subject of this sketch; and Archie Lewis, a World War veteran and proprietor of a restaurant at Elyria, Ohio.
Rev. Edwin Gardner Hall was the son of Caleb Gardner and Catherine (Lewis) Hall, who were natives of Jefferson County. They are buried at Oxbow. Olive C. (Hutchings) Hall was the daughter of Thomas and Olive (Spencer) Hutchings. They were natives of Tompkins County, N. Y., and are buried at West Danby.
William Wallace Hall obtained his early education in the public schools of Honeoye Falls, N. Y., and is a graduate of Nunda High School. He completed a teachers' training course in 1906 and two years later was graduated from the Geneseo Normal School. He then taught school for one year at Mumford, N. Y., and in 1909 entered Syracuse University, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1913. He was graduated from the Medical School of that university in 1917, and spent the following year as an interne in the House of the Good Shepherd Hospital at Syracuse. During the World War Dr. Hall held the commis- sion of first lieutenant in the U. S. Medical Reserve Corps. He began
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the general practice of medicine at Henderson, N. Y., where he remained for one year. From 1919 until 1921 he was located at Bellville, and in the latter year established his present practice in Watertown. Dr. Hall served as president of the Jefferson County Medical Society in 1929. He also holds membership in the New York State Medical Socity, American Medical Association, and is a Fellow in the American College of Physi- cians. He has taken graduate work in Boston, Mass., and at the present time is chief of the Metabolic division of the House of the Good Samaritan in Watertown. He also is a member of the staff of Mercy Hospital.
In 1917 Dr. Hall married Miss Elsie Rogers, the daughter of Edward and Maggie (Martin) Rogers, of Clayton, N. Y. The former is deceased and the latter lives at Clayton. To Doctor and Mrs. Hall have been born four children: William W., Jr., Wendell Thomas, Suzanne, and Edward Rogers.
Dr. Hall is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church, and be- longs to the Rotary Club, Delta Tau Delta, and Nu Sigma Nu fraternities, and Chamber of Commerce. He also is affiliated with Rising Light Lodge, F. and A. M. No. 637.
In 1929 Dr. Hall purchased the old "stone house" which is located at . Burnham's Point, near Milliens Bay, New York. It was built for Napoleon Bonaparte by his brother Joseph, and was to have been the home of Napoleon, who at that time was in exile. It is one of the interesting land- marks in this section of New York and is the summer residence of Dr. Hall and his family.
James Gilbert Wendell .- One of the well known business men of Os- wego is James Gilbert Wendell, optometrist, who is a member of one of the pioneer families of this city. He was born here, Aug. 18, 1866, the son of Jules and Mary (Rhode) Wendell.
Jules Wendell, deceased, was the founder of Oswego's first and most successful jewelry business. Jules Wendall & Son, located at West First and Bridge streets continued in business from 1860 until 1918, although Mr. Wendell died in 1892. His wife died in 1898. Both are buried in Riverside Cemetery, Oswego. To Mr. and Mrs. Wendall were born six children. Those now living are: 1. James Gilbert, the subject of this sketch. 2. Rachel, married W. E. Lee, deceased, lives at 129 West Fourth Street, Oswego. 3. Louise, married J. G. Gaskill, deceased, lives at 54 West Sixth Street, Oswego.
James Gilbert Wendell attended the public schools of Oswego and received the degree of Bachelor of Arts at Hamilton College in 1886. At an early age he became interested in his father's jewelry business, which
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he disposed of in 1918. He has since devoted his entire time to his pro- fession as an optometrist.
On Sept. 15, 1927, Mr. Wendell married Elizabeth Bright Talley, of Wilmington, Del. She was the widow of former Adjutant-General Garrett Jefferson Hart, of Delaware, when she married Mr. Wendall. Her parents were William Henry and Elizabeth (Bright) Talley. Mr. Talley, deceased, was a direct descendant of Hezekiah Talley of Delaware, and a direct descendant of General Talleyrand of France. William Henry Talley was a leading banker of Wilmington. Elizabeth (Bright) Talley was descended from John Bright, at one time Prime Minister of England. Her parents were natives of France and England, respectively. The Talley family were pioneer fruit growers of Delaware.
Politically Mr. Wendell is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of Christ Church, and he is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge.
Frank J. Wooster .- A substantial and successful business man of Ful- ton is Frank J. Wooster, commercial photographer. He was born in the town of Barker, Broom County, N. Y., Feb. 12, 1871, the son of Lyman and Lucy Amelia (Bowker) Wooster.
Lyman Wooster spent his entire life on the Wooster homestead near Barker. He was a carpenter and joiner, also a millwright. He died in 1881 and his wife is also deceased. They were the parents of the follow- ing children: 1. Ada Courtney, deceased. 2. Nellie Chamberlain, lives in Fulton. 3. Lena Purdy, deceased. 4. Cora, resides in the town of Barker. 5. Frank J., the subject of this sketch. 6. Fred R., Johnson City, N. Y. 7. Myrnie Schemerhorn, LaFayette, N. Y.
Frank J. Wooster spent his early life on a farm and attended the pub- lic schools of Barker. He has been a resident of Fulton since 1905, and at that time was employed by R. B. McRae, hardware dealer. As a result of a serious accident, Mr. Wooster retired from his trade as a tinsmith, and in 1909 became interested in photography and has established a suc- cessful business. His place of business is located at 221 Utica Street.
On Nov. 17, 1897, Mr. Wooster married Miss Eunice Isadore Young, of Whitney Point, N. Y., born Dec. 16, 1874. She died in April, 1908, and is buried in Riverside Cemetery, Whitney Point. Before her marriage, Mrs. Wooster was a teacher, having taught about five years in the grade school in the Village of Whitney Point, N. Y. Their son, Lyman J., was born Jan. 5, 1900. He is associated in business with his father.
Politically, Mr. Wooster is a Republican. He is a member of the Bap- tist Church, and belongs to Whitney Point Lodge, F. & A. M. No. 795.
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James O. Sheldon .- As president of the Bank of Gouverneur, Mr. Shel- don has been prominently identified with the business life of this city for many years, and is a member of one of the oldest and best known families of St. Lawrence County. He was born in this city, April 7, 1863, the son of Henry and Martha (Aldous) Sheldon.
Henry Sheldon was born at Gouverneur, July 2, 1814, the son of Tim- othy and Nancy (Bowen) Sheldon. They were natives of Pawtucket, R. I., and came to St. Lawrence County in 1808. They settled on a farm near Gouverneur and were prominent pioneers of this section. Timothy Sheldon's wife was born in 1785 and died in 1856. Both are buried at Gouverneur. Their son, Henry, was educated at Gouverneur. He went to Michigan in 1834 but after ten years returned to Gouverneur, where he conducted a book and stationery business for a number of years. Due to ill health he later retired and located at Vineland, N. J. After 11/2 years, however, he returned to Gouverneur, where he died May 2, 1873. His wife was born at Gouverneur, April 16, 1824, and died in December, 1878. She was the daughter of Stephen Aldous, who was born in England in 1793. He died at Gouverneur, April 8, 1888. Henry Sheldon was a Re- publican and a member of the Baptist Church. To Henry and Martha (Aldous) Sheldon were born five children: 1. Julia, who died July 12, 1920, was the wife of Edward H. Neary, attorney, who died Dec. 17, 1918. 2. Theodore B., who died in 1913. 3. Emma J., who died in 1924, was the wife of Seymour A. Easton, of Gouverneur. 4. Arthur T., born Oct. 1, 1860, lives at Glen Rock, N. J. 5. James O., the subject of this sketch.
James O. Sheldon attended the Gouverneur public schools and Gou- verneur Wesleyan Seminary. As a young man he served as assistant post- master for three years and later clerked in the grocery store of Laidlay & Kinney. In 1883 he became a clerk in the Bank of Gouverneur, and after three years was employed as a bookkeeper in the St. Lawrence Quarries, Gouverneur. He returned to the Bank of Gouverneur in 1888 as teller, later became assistant cashier, and in 1909 was appointed cashier. He became vice president of the institution in 1911 and in 1926 was elected president. He has also been a director since 1908. Mr. Sheldon is a direc- tor of the Gouverneur Savings & Loan Association, and has served as president and secretary of the St. Lawrence County Bankers Association, and as president of the State Bank Section of the New York State Bank- ers Association. He served as president of Gouverneur Village one term and six years on the Board of Education.
On March 8, 1888, Mr. Sheldon married Miss Lillian Taitt, who died in January, 1925. She was the daughter of George P. and Lucretia M. (Barnes) Taitt, both were born in St. Lawrence County and are deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon were born three children: 1. Marion, married
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William B. Jennings, lives at Syracuse. 2. James Douglas, deceased. 3. Gertrude, married Howard M. Smith, lives at Potsdam.
Mr. Sheldon is a Republican and has served as village president and treasurer. He is a trustee and was first president of the Stephen Van- Duzee Hospital, and is secretary and treasurer of the Gouverneur Ceme- tery Association. He is a prominent member of the First Presbyterian Church, of which he has been trustee and elder for many years, and he belongs to the Chamber of Commerce.
H. Clifford Stokes .- One of the progressive young business men of Oswego is H. Clifford Stokes, who is manager of the Central New York Mortgage and Title Company, with offices in the Second National Bank Building. He was born at Louisville, N. Y., Oct. 22, 1905, the son of Rev. Samuel and Bertha (Upton) Stokes.
Rev. Samuel Stokes is a minister of the Methodist Church at Roches- ter, having been located there since 1928. He formerly had charges at Syracuse and Utica. Reverend and Mrs. Stokes had two children: Alberta, died Sept. 9, 1923 and H. Clifford, the subject of this sketch.
The early education of H. Clifford Stokes was received in the public schools of Syracuse, and for three years he studied engineering at Syra- cuse University. He became an abstract clerk with the Syracuse Mort- gage and Title Company in 1926, and three years later was appointed map engineer for the city of Syracuse. He successfully held that office until 1930, at which time he accepted his present position with the Central New York Mortgage and Title Company in Oswego.
Mr. Stokes was married on Sept. 25, 1926, to Miss Verniez Spies, of Syracuse, the daughter of Frank and Laura (Schlosser) Spies, natives of New York. They live at 413 Griffith Avenue, Syracuse. Mr. and Mrs. Stokes have a daughter, Marilyn.
Mr. Stokes is a Republican and holds membership in the Rotary Club. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Church of Oswego.
A. K. Rowlison .- Prominent in the affairs of Oswego County is A. K. Rowlison, who is serving as under sheriff, with offices in the Court House of Oswego. He was born at Scriba, N. Y., Feb. 2, 1872, the son of Clinton and Theoda Maria (Hill) Rowlison.
Clinton Rowlison, deceased, was a veteran of the Civil War. He served with the 16th New York Cavalry, and was held prisoner first at Libby
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Prison and later at Andersonville Prison, after having escaped from the former. He participated in numerous important engagements of the war, and after his discharge, he became interested in business at Ver- million, N. Y., as a building contractor. He was recognized as a pioneer business man of that section and was a substantial citizen. He died Jan. 26, 1909, and his wife died Jan. 18, 1929. Both are buried at Ver- million. Their children were: May, married M. King, lives at Albany, N. Y .; Mina, married D. B. Kane, lives at Fulton, N. Y .; Mildred, deceased, was the wife of Charles Dolbear; and A. K., the subject of this sketch.
After his graduation from the public schools of New Haven, N. Y., A. K. Rowlison worked at the trades of painter and shade maker. He served in the capacity of deputy sheriff of Oswego County for 12 years, as county jailer for almost four years, and has been under sheriff since 1927.
On March 26, 1895, Mr. Rowlison was united in marriage with Miss Jessie E. Guile, of Vermillion, N. Y., the daughter of Charles and Sarah (Bradford) Guile. The former lives at New Haven, and the latter died March 26, 1929. She is buried at Palermo, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Rowlison have a daughter, Mildred, who is connected with the Columbia Mills Com- pany, of Oswego.
Mr. Rowlison has always been a Republican and has been county com- mitteeman. He is a member of the Methodist Church, and is affiliated with the Masonic and Elk lodges.
William W. Spencer .- One of the prominent pioneer business men of Oswego is William W. Spencer, who has been interested in the coal and insurance business in this city for almost half a century. He was born here, Oct. 9, 1870, the son of William W. and Ellen (Cronley) Spencer.
William W. Spencer, deceased, was a native of Canada, born at Spen- cerville. His wife was born in Oswego. He became a lake captain and sailed the "Belle Hanscomb," of Detroit, for many years, at the time of his death in 1905 being the oldest captain on the Lakes in point of service. His wife died in 1906. Both are buried in Riverside Cemetery, Oswego. They were the parents of four children: 1. William W., the subject of this sketch. 2. Elizabeth, lives at Oswego. 3. Ellen, lives at Oswego. 4. James C., lives at Oswego.
William W. Spencer has always lived in Oswego. After completing his schooling in 1886 he became interested in business here as a coal dealer and soon added the insurance business, being associated with J. B. Donnelly, with offices in the First National Bank Building. Since 1921 he has had offices at 35-7 East Bridge Street.
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In 1921 Mr. Spencer married Mrs. Mary E. Wiegand, of Oswego, the daughter of John Otis, who is deceased. He was a native of New York.
Politically, Mr. Spencer is a Republican. He has held numerous public offices, including that of city chamberlain, tax assessor, supervisor and clerk. In 1920 and 1930 he was superintendent of census in Oswego, Jefferson, Madison, and Lewis counties, and he also belongs to the Depart- ment of Public Safety and Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Spencer holds the rank of first lieutenant in Company D, New York National Guard. He is Past Exalted Ruler of B. P. O. Elks, Oswego, and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias.
James B. Burt .- As mayor of Hannibal, Mr. Burt is widely known as the city's pioneer merchant, and he is prominent throughout Oswego County. He was born here, Oct. 5, 1857, the son of James W. and Jane (McDonald) Burt.
James W. Burt was the founder of the clothing business in Hannibal which is now conducted by his son. He was a native of Oswego and was among the first settlers of Hannibal where he died Dec. 5, 1910. In early life he engaged in farming and in March, 1857, opened a small shop on Main Street, where he became successful as a dealer in men's clothing and furnishings. He was thus engaged at the time of his death. Mr. Burt served as mayor of Hannibal from 1901 until 1906, and also held the office of postmaster. He was identified with the railroad commission during the building of the New York Central Railroad in this section of the state. Jane (McDonald) Burt was born at Oswego and died in Hannibal, May 13, 1931. To Mr. and Mrs. Burt were born two children: 1. James B., the subject of this sketch. 2. Rena, married James R. Jackman, lives at Buffalo, N. Y.
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