USA > New York > Franklin County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 3 > Part 54
USA > New York > Jefferson County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 3 > Part 54
USA > New York > Lewis County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 3 > Part 54
USA > New York > Oswego County > The north country; a history, embracing Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis and Franklin counties, New York, Volume 3 > Part 54
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 54
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In June, 1893, Doctor Barnette was united in marriage with Miss Belle E. Lowrey, now deceased. She was the daughter of the late Robert E. Lowrey, of Ogdensburg, N. Y. In 1899 Doctor Barnette was married to
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Emily Stimpson Webb, of Watertown, N. Y., daughter of Henry L. Stimp- son, of Watertown.
Doctor Barnette is a member of the American, State and County Medi- cal societies. He is a member of the Black River Valley Club, and Jeffer- son County Golf Club.
Eugene A. Walsh, president of the Walsh Furniture Corporation, a business established by R. Gallagher in 1838, is recognized as one of the successful business men of Carthage. He was born in this city March 3, 1864, the son of James H. and Alecia C. (Neary) Walsh.
James H. Walsh was born in Carthage and at the age of 12 entered the employ of Richard Gallagher, learning the finishing and upholstering trade and assisting with the funeral work, which branch he purchased in later years but continued in the same building until 1885.
His home was completely destroyed in the great fire of 1884. In the spring of 1885 he erected a block at 323 State Street, which he occupied until April, 1888, when he disposed of his business to Walsh & Whaling and was retained by them until about six months before his death, Dec. 22, 1907. His wife, who died Jan. 12, 1929, was born in Wilma, a daughter of Farrell and Margaret Neary, early settlers who were buried at Carthage.
During the Civil War Mr. Walsh served as a member of the 186th New York Volunteer Infantry. He was a Republican and held the office of village trustee and overseer of the poor. He was a member of St. James Catholic Church and belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic in which he held the office of Commander several years.
James H. Walsh was the son of Anthony Walsh, who was born in County Mayo, Ireland. He came to Carthage in 1832 where he followed his trade as a shoemaker. He married Miss Mary McManus. In August, 1844, they were the parents of triplets, and on the day of their birth, Gov. William H. Seward was in the village to address a political meeting as the guest of Patrick Stewart. Upon being informed of the unusual event the Governor expressed a desire to see the triplets, and in com- pany with the late Marcus Bickford he visited the Walsh home. He asked permission to name the children after members of his own family: Fran- ces Seward, Cornelia Seward, and Harriet Weed. A few years later Gov- ernor Seward sent gifts to each of these children, which consisted of a gold clasp Catholic Bible and $50 in cash. The other children born to James H. and Mary (McManus) Walsh were: James H .; Anthony; and Rosanna, who married Martin Leach.
Eugene A. Walsh was educated in the public schools of his native city and at 14 years of age entered as clerk with J. E. Neary & Company, gen-
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eral store, and was employed by them and their successors until 1888 when in company with Mr. John Whaling they purchased the business established by R. Gallagher, also the undertaking business of J. H. Walsh. They conducted the same under the name of Walsh & Whaling until 1896 when Mr. Whaling sold his interest to Edward Burns and the firm con- tinued under the name of Walsh & Burns. At the death of Mr. Burns in 1906 the business was incorporated and W. J. Perry and E. C. Warner became interested under the name of Walsh & Perry Company, which con- tinued until the death of Mr. Perry in 1922 when the company was reor- ganized as the Walsh Furniture Corporation, a few of the workers taking an interest.
The store which houses their large stock of housefurnishings of every description was then enlarged by buying the two neighboring stores and building on in the rear until now it has a floor space of over 40,000 square feet.
Sept. 1, 1928, the undertaking branch was sold to J. Edward Doyle, one of the company who purchased a fine residence and opened a modern funeral home.
In politics Mr. Walsh has always been independent. He is a member of St. James Catholic Church and belongs to Carthage Council 291, Knights of Columbus, Fourth Degree, of which he has served as financial secretary and trustee. He is a charter member of the Chamber of Com- merce, director of Carthage National Exchange Bank and the Carthage Savings and Loan Association. Through his business career he has been identified with numerous business and manufacturing interests in the city.
Avery W. Skinner .- One of the most widely known educators of the North Country is Avery W. Skinner, Ph. D., who is identified with the New York State Education Department at Albany. He was born at Mex- ico, Oswego County, Aug. 18, 1870, the son of Timothy W. and Sarah L. (Rose) Skinner.
The Skinner family came to New York from New England. Timothy Skinner, great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a Revolu- tionary soldier, born in Mansfield, Mass., Feb. 10, 1761, and died in West- moreland, N. H., July 17, 1845. His wife, Ruth Warner, who was born in Westmoreland, N. H., Sept. 6, 1770, and died at Keene, N. H., July 2, 1849, was a near relative of Seth Warner of Revolutionary fame. His son, the Hon. Avery Skinner, is one of the pioneers of Northern New York. He was born at Westmoreland, N. H., June 9, 1796, and died at Union Square, N. Y., Nov. 24, 1876. He came to Watertown from New Hampshire in
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1816 and later removed to Union Square, Oswego County, in 1824. He was always identified with the best interests of this section and for half a century took an important part in the history of Oswego County. A Democrat of the Jeffersonian school, he served for 12 years as treasurer of Oswego County, and in 1831 was elected a member of the General As- sembly from his district, and served for three terms. From 1836 until 1841 he was state senator of the district comprising Oswego, Jefferson, Lewis, Onondaga, Otsego, and Madison counties. While in the Senate he was a member of the Court for the Correction of Errors. Mr. Skinner was also interested in business and educational affairs, and was the first presiding officer and a director of the Syracuse Northern Railway Com- pany. He was also one of the founders of Mexico Academy in 1826, and in 1876, a few months before his death, he attended its semi-centennial as the only survivor of its original board of trustees.
Avery Skinner had nine children, three of whom are prominently iden- tified with the history of Northern New York. These are the Hon. Charles R. Skinner of Watertown, a member of the Assembly and of Congress and for many years State Superintendent of Public Instruction of the State of New York; his daughter, Grace, married the Hon. Maurice L. Wright of Oswego, who was a Justice of the Supreme Court; and Timothy W. Skin- ner, the father of the subject of this sketch. He was born at Union Square, Oswego County, April 24, 1827. He spent the first 25 years of his life on his father's farm, teaching school in the winter and having charge of the farm during the summer. In 1852 he was elected Justice of the Peace and served for two terms. He removed to the village of Mexico in 1853 where he resided until his death on March 30, 1915. He was admitted to the bar in 1857 and in the same year joined with Judge Cyrus Whitney in the organization of the law and banking firm of Whitney & Skinner. Mr. Whitney retired from the firm upon his election as County Judge and Mr. Skinner associated with himself his brother-in-law, Maurice L. Wright, afterwards the Justice of the Supreme Court. The firm of Skinner & Wright was dissolved in 1880 when Mr. Wright was elected as County Judge. Mr. Skinner then continued his practice alone. He joined the Re- publican party at its beginning and was identified with it throughout his life in its activities. He had a prominent part in county, judicial and State conventions. He was elected Surrogate in 1863, again in 1870 and re-elected in 1876. He took a deep interest in the village of Mexico and served as its president. For many years he was a member of the Board of Trustees of the historical Mexico Academy. He was also a trustee of the First Methodist Episcopal Church and was prominent in Masonic cir- cles as an officer of the Mexico Lodge and chapter and the Lake Ontario Commandery. In 1856 Mr. Skinner married Elizabeth Calkins, who died
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in 1861, leaving a daughter, Mrs. J. B. Stone. In 1862 he married Sarah L. Rose and they had two children; one, Anna Grace, who died Dec. 24, 1894; and two, Avery W., the subject of this sketch.
Avery W. Skinner received his early education in Mexico Academy. He was graduated from the Liberal Arts College of Syracuse University in 1892 and has done graduate work in Columbia University where he spe- cialized in history and in school administration. He received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy from the New York State College for Teachers at Albany, N. Y., in 1924.
During 1892-94 Mr. Skinner was principal of the Andes, N. Y., Colle- giate Institute; principal of Mexico Academy during 1895-99; instructor in history at the New York State Summer School, Thousand Island Park, during 1896-1904; superintendent of schools at Oneida, N. Y., during 1899- 1909; inspector of schools, New York State Education Department, during 1909-15; supervisor of history in the same department during 1915-20; and since 1920 he has served as director of the examinations and inspec- tions division in the same department.
During 1918-1926 Mr. Skinner was a lecturer on the methods of teach- ing history at the summer sessions of Syracuse University, and during the summer of 1927 taught school administration at Oregon Agricultural College, Corvallis, Oregon.
Mr. Skinner is a trustee of Mexico Academy and is identified with the department of superintendence National Education Association; National Association of High School Supervisors and Inspectors, president during 1926-28; National Council of Secondary School Principals, the Academic Principals Association of the State of New York, president during 1908; New York State Council of School Superintendents ; History Teachers As- sociation of Middle States and Maryland; and in 1929 he was elected Hon- orary Life President of the Associated Academic Principals of New York.
Mr. Skinner is co-author with Anna E. Foote of "Explorers and Found- ers of America" and "Makers and Defenders of America," both revised in 1929; the author of "History and Government of New York State," 1918; "Community Life in New York," 1928. He is also a frequent contributor to numerous educational publications and has been for years associate editor of the High School Quarterly.
He is actively interested in the village of Mexico and retains the old homestead in which he resides during the summer months. His interests in education are the heritage of the family of teachers who were identified for many years with Mexico Academy, of which his grandfather was a founder, in which his father and uncles were students and teachers, and in which his mother and sister served as preceptresses and in which he also served as principal. He had a prominent part in the centennial cele-
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bration in 1926 of the founding of this Academy and prepared the centen- nial volume issued in commemoration of that interesting and historical event.
Mr. Skinner was married on Aug. 24, 1893, to Nancy Brown Bates of Titusville, Pa., whose father, the Hon. Henry Snow Bates, was active in public life in the Common wealth of Pennsylvania. They have two daugh- ters, Margaret Rose, who married Harold O. Fullerton of Cleveland, Ohio, and Charlotte Huntington, who married Willard G. Taylor of Pulaski, N. Y.
Mr. Skinner is a Republican, a member of the Presbyterian Church and belongs to the University Club of Albany, Fraternities Club of New York, Delta Upsilon, Phi Beta Kappa and Kappa Phi Kappa fraternities.
Clarence LaRue Crabb, attorney of Watertown, N. Y., has been prac- tising law in Watertown since 1909. He is a member of a family who have been prominent residents of Jefferson County for generations. His father, La Rue E. Crabb, was born in the county, and was a farmer there until his death in 1896; the mother Dianthia (Sawyer) Crabb also a na- tive of Jefferson County, survived her husband for many years, dying in 1924.
Clarence L. Crabb was born at Orleans, Jefferson County, Dec. 27, 1881, and attended the local grammar and high schools. He studied law in the offices of Kellogg and Reeves, and in 1909 was admitted to the bar, com- mencing the practice of his profession the same year. In 1911 he formed a partnership with Virgil K. Kellogg under the firm name of Kellogg and Crabb, and practiced under this name until 1915. In that year the firm name was dissolved and he carried on his practice in his own name until 1921, when he became a member of the law firm of Burns, Crabb and Maloney, which continued until 1925. In that year Mr. Crabb withdrew from this association to become senior member of the new firm of Crabb and Bloodough. Mr. Crabb is now practising alone.
Mr. Crabb is an active member of the Jefferson County and New York State Bar Associations, and is highly regarded in his profession.
Fraternally, he is affiliated with Watertown Lodge No. 49, F. and A. M .; Watertown Chapter, No. 59, R. A. M .; Watertown Commandery, No. 11, K. T .; Central City Consistory, 32nd degree, A. A. S. R .; Media Tem- ple, A. A. O. N. M. S., and a member of B. P. O. Elks, No. 496. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Methodist Church. During the World War, Mr. Crabb took an active part in the Liberty Loan drives, and he is generous in his support of any civic cause.
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Mr. Crabb married (first), in 1904, Miss Georgia V. Wood, of Phila- delphia, who died in September, 1919. She was the daughter of Alonzo and Alice (Hammond) Wood. Mr. Crabb married (second) in 1921, Mar- garet E. Kelley, the daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Clark) Kelley. By his first marriage there are the following children: Elton W., Lucille N., La Rue A., Doris G., and Clarence L., Jr.
Immaculate Heart Academy, Watertown .- Without a doubt the most beautiful structure erected in the city or in Northern New York is the Immaculate Heart Academy, of Watertown. The exterior is of tapestry brick and granite, which gives a note of beauty before one enters the won- ders of the interior.
From the girls' rest room in the basement, which has been fitted up so cozily with deep window seat, to the bright airy dormitories on the third floor, every detail toward harmony of color scheme has been carried out with the greatest care. The salient feature of the whole edifice is the exquisitely beautiful chapel with its delicate shading of color and the beau- tiful windows and paintings. The marvelous altar is of Carrara marble of Italy and the mosaic of blue and gold blends perfectly. The candlesticks of onyx and brass and the gold plated tabernacle door on the altar add to the general note of magnificence. Imported stained window glass and splendid hand painted pictures of Biblical incidents give a sense of peace to the place. Artists from New York City, the greatest in their line, were obtained to do the delicate paintings for the sanctuary.
Blanc, famous painter, gave the distinguishing touch to the chapel with his portrayal of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, which looks down from the ceiling upon the entrance to the sanctuary. The processions of the Holy Family and of the men and women saints of the church, and the visit of St. John to our Lord have been portrayed by the artist on the sides of the chapel.
On the delicately colored stained glass windows are representations of the famous incidents in the life of our Lord. The "Last Supper" is shown in the large window over the altar, and in smaller windows at either side of this are the "Apparition to the Blessed Margaret Mary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus" and the "Meeting of Our Blessed Lord with His Mother." Other scenes portrayed are: "The Resurrection," "Christ Blessing Little Children," "Christ Stilling the Waters," "The Death Scene of St. Joseph," "Finding of Child Jesus in the Temple," "Espousal of the Blessed Virgin to St. Joseph," "Salutation of the Blessed Lady by the Angel Gabriel," "Nativity of Our Lord," "Presentation of the Child Jesus
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in the Temple," "The Holy Family," "David, of the Old Testament," "St. Cecilia, Patroness of Music."
The electrical fixtures in the chapel are of oxidized silver, and the pipe organ was installed by the Austin Organ Company. The auditorium has a seating capacity of 450. A boys' dormitory has separate entrance, as does the girls' dormitory.
In 1916 Mother Josephine purchased the Roth Home on Washington and Mullin streets, and it is now used as a conservatory of music, which has become one of the most celebrated in the East. Mother Josephine, mother superior of the Order of St. Joseph, of the Ogdensburg diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, on July 13, 1931, observed her 59th year in the service of the sisterhood of St. Joseph. She entered the order at Erie, Pa., in 1870, and began her work in this vicinity about 1885. She was ap- pointed mother superior in 1889 and went to Carthage, where she remained a few years, returning to Watertown in 1896. She has since been identi- fied with Immaculate Heart Academy, and has been largely responsible for its present splendid record as an institution.
Jean Reginald Stebbins .- Outstanding among the younger business men of Watertown is Jean R. Stebbins, who is president of the W. C. Steb- bins Company, dealers in mill supplies and kindred products. Mr. Steb- bins is prominently identified with many local enterprises of both a busi- ness and civic nature, and is one of the most popular young men in the city. He is a son of W. C. and Grace Foster (Sewall) Stebbins, natives of Jefferson County. He was born in Watertown, Sept. 14, 1899. A sketch of W. C. Stebbins appears in this history.
Jean R. Stebbins attended the local elementary and high schools, Hotch- kiss Preparatory School, and Sheffield Scientific School of Yale Univer- sity, from which he was graduated with the class of 1922 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. After leaving the university, Mr. Stebbins ac- cepted a position as mechanical engineer with the Bagley & Sewall Com- pany, and worked in this capacity until the death of his father, W. C. Stebbins, April 1, 1923. He then took over his father's business, being elected to the office of president of the W. C. Stebbins Company, in which office he serves at the present time. This concern was established in 1898 by C. N. Sherman and W. C. Stebbins for the purpose of handling mill supplies and similar products, and was carried on under the firm name of Sherman & Stebbins until Jan. 1, 1901, when Mr. Stebbins bought out the interests of Mr. Sherman, and he continued the business under the name of W. C. Stebbins Company. It was reorganized and incorporated at the
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time of Mr. Stebbins' death in 1923, with J. R. Stebbins as president, J. C. Stebbins as vice president, M. A. Lewis as secretary, W. A. Fox as treasurer, and J. W. Rice as manager. This concern is the only one of its kind in northern New York, and covers the entire State in the scope of its operations. Under Mr. Stebbins' presidency it has continued to show a very substantial growth.
In addition to his responsibilities as president of this company, Mr. Stebbins is engaged in the investment and brokerage business, having formed a partnership with D. N. Gilbert for that purpose in 1925. He is also a director of the West End Paper Company, a director of the New York Acceptance Corporation, and a director as well as president of the W. C. Stebbins Company.
Mr. Stebbins is a trustee of the Good Samaritan Hospital, and belongs to the Black River Valley Club, Jefferson County Golf Club, Crescent Yacht Club, Thousand Island Yacht Club, and Yale Club of New York.
During the World War Mr. Stebbins was a member of the Student Army Training Corps at Yale University. He is a Republican, holds mem- bership in Trinity Episcopal Church, and belongs to Chi Phi fraternity.
Mr. Stebbins was married May 2, 1927, to Miss Kathleen A. Heile, of Oak Park, Ill.
Dr. Francis W. Eason .- Among the Episcopal clergymen of New York who have advanced the cause of the church generally is Dr. Francis W. Eason, who, for over 20 years has been rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Watertown, and who takes a leading part in church activities through- out the State. He was born in London, England, Nov. 9, 1868, the son of Thomas John and Mary Ann (Dickman) Eason.
Dr. Eason's liberal education was acquired at St. Paul's School, Lon- don, and Belcham College, Newcastle, England. He pursued his ecclesias- tical studies at the Seabury Divinity School in the United States, graduat- ing in 1895 and was later honored by his Alma Mater with the degree of Doctor of Divinity. His long and notable career in the service of God and humanity began with missionary work in Nebraska, where he served suc- cessively as rector of St. Mary's Church, Nebraska City, and Holy Trinity, Lincoln. In 1907 Dr. Eason came to Watertown to assume the rectorship of Trinity Episcopal Church, where he has since remained and where he has labored so earnestly and efficiently that he has brought increased pros- perity to the church and contributed much toward elevating the spiritual and intellectual ideals of the community.
Doctor Eason is president of the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Central New York, a member of the Board of Examining Chaplains, Dean
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of the First District, and Deputy to the General Convention. His vigor- ous and helpful influence thus extends far beyond the bounds of his pas- torate.
Politically, Doctor Eason is a Republican. He is a member of Water- town Lodge, No. 49, F. and A. M .; the Jefferson County Golf Club; the Black River Valley Club; the Crescent Yacht Club; and the Royal Ca- nadian Yacht Club, of Toronto.
Dr. Francis W. Eason was married June 10, 1896, to Miss Jessie Innes Inglis, and they have a daughter, Mrs. Dorothy Eason Hearne, of To- ronto, Canada.
Norman Lewis Hawkins, M. D .- Outstanding among the successful professional men of Jefferson County is Doctor Hawkins, of Watertown, who has offices in the Woolworth Building. He was born at Islip, Long Island, N. Y., July 21, 1881, the son of Philander J. and Agnes (Bellinger) Hawkins.
Philander J. Hawkins was born at Islip, Long Island, as was his wife. He was a graduate of the Albany Law School and taught school for sev- eral years before engaging in the real estate and insurance business. He died at Islip in 1893 and his wife died in 1910. Mr. Hawkins was a Re- publican in politics and held the office of postmaster for 16 years. He was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins were born five children: Lulu H., married John H. Webster, lives at Albany, N. Y .; Florence N., deceased; Marian, married E. Burton Smith, lives at Albany, N. Y .; H. B., deceased; and Norman Lewis, the subject of this sketch.
Norman L. Hawkins was graduated from Islip High School in 1896, after which he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University. He received the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1902, spent the following year as an interne in German Hospital, and in 1905, located at Watertown. Three years later he removed to Black River, and remained there in practice for six years. During 1914-15 Dr. Hawkins took special work in Pediatrics at Harvard University and Babies Hospital, Columbia University, under Dr. L. Emmett Holt. He returned to Watertown in 1915 and became associated in practice at that time with Dr. Frederick B. Smith. During the World War Dr. Hawkins served with the rank of captain in the U. S. Medical Corps, and was stationed at Camp Oglethorp, and later at Camp Upton. He was discharged in August, 1919, and im- mediately resumed his practice in Watertown. He has served as presi- dent of the Jefferson County Medical Society and belongs to the New York State Medical Society, American Medical Association, and New York Pedi-
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atric Club. He is also chief of Pediatrics at Mercy Hospital and House of the Good Samaritan.
In 1904 Dr. Hawkins married Miss Mabel J. Jones, who died in Decem- ber, 1930. She was a graduate of Wilson College, Chambersburg, Pa., and was the daughter of W. Roe and Eva (Blydenburgh) Jones. He was a na- tive of New York City, and is deceased. His widow lives in Watertown, with Dr. Hawkins and his daughter, Eleanor Roe Hawkins. She is a grad- uate of Smith College.
Dr. Hawkins is a Republican, a member of Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, and belongs to Bethany Lodge, F. and A. M. No. 829; Watertown Chapter, R. A. M. No. 59; Watertown Commandery, K. T. No. 11; Rotary Club; Black River Valley Club; and Jefferson County Golf Club. He is a director of the Y. M. C. A.
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