USA > Vermont > The Lake Champlain and Lake George valleys, Vol. III > Part 23
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has occupied for the past ten years. Preserving his war service associations by membership in the Warrensburg Post, No. 446, American Legion, an organi- zation to which he has belonged for the past fifteen years, Mr. Swan, who finds recreation from his business responsibilities by indulgence in hunting and fishing, advances his sporting interests by membership in the Warren County Driving Club and the Warren County Farm Bureau, as well as advancing his business career by belonging to the Albany Field Club of the Mutual Life Insurance Company and the Kiwanis Club of Warrensburg.
Claude R. Swan married, July 8, 1920, in Warrensburg, Margaret E. Mor- rison, who is a native of Warrensburg. Mr. and Mrs. Swan are the parents of a daughter : Dorothy P., who is a student in the Warrensburg Public School.
ALVIN MILLER BARTON-Contributing in notable measure to the social life of Ticonderoga, Alvin Miller Barton operates what is said to be the only theatre for miles around, furnishing talking pictures of national prominence, featuring leading artists, to the theatre-going public of this city.
Mr. Barton was born May 22, 1889, in Horicon, New York, son of Mel- vin and Jessie Estella Barton. His father was for twenty-one years a promi- nent merchant of this district of New York State. He was born April 12, 1859, and died July 17, 1917. The mother was born January 26, 1863.
Alvin Miller Barton attended Troy Conference Academy and the State Normal School at Plattsburg, New York. He then turned his attention to business affairs, starting the theatre that he now conducts so successfully. It was in 1917 that this amusement house began its activities under his direction, and it is now said to be the only playhouse in a considerable area. More than five hundred people attend its performances each day. Modern high-class talk- ing pictures are featured at reasonable prices, and the theatre adds much to the social life of Ticonderoga and this part of New York State.
In addition to his other activities, Mr. Barton interests himself in politics and public affairs. He is a staunch Republican. During the earlier portion of his life he spent sixteen months in the Quartermaster Corps at the Platts- burg barracks. In the Free and Accepted Masons, he is affiliated with Mount Defiance Lodge, No. 794, and he is a member of Lodge No. 1494, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He also belongs to the Kiwanis Club ; and he worships in the faith of the Baptist Church.
At Newburgh, New York, on May 30, 1920, Alvin Miller Barton married Myrtle Frost, daughter of Harry U. and Grace Frost.
NORMAN H. BEATY-Although he is a trained engineer and practiced for some years, Norman H. Beaty has devoted the greater part of his career to general business life, particularly insurance work. His activities
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Norman H. Beaty
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have centered at Glens Falls during the past two decades, and since 1930 he has served as division manager of the Berkshire Life Insurance Company in this territory.
Mr. Beaty was born in Johnsonville, Rensselaer County, New York, on June 8, 1887, a son of Henry H. and Fannie (Wilson) Beaty. His father, a native of Rupert, Vermont, was a teacher, merchant and farmer throughout his career. His mother was born in Salem, Washington County, New York. Both are now deceased.
Norman H. Beaty received his preliminary education in the public schools of Hoosick Falls, New York, where he completed the high school course in 1906. Subsequently he studied for one year at the University of Pennsylvania and then transferred to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at Troy, New York, where he took the degree of Civil Engineer in 19II. After completing his professional training, he was occupied with duties as an engineer on construc- tion work in Virginia and later in Western Canada for about five years. At the end of this time he became associated with the Jerome B. Rice Seed Com- pany of Cambridge, with whom he spent three years. In October, 1919, he established himself at Glens Falls, and for some four years was connected with the firm of Adamson and Bayle in the real estate and insurance business. In 1923 he relinquished the connection to enter business for himself in the same field at Glens Falls, continuing until 1930. In the latter year he gave up his interest in real estate to devote himself exclusively to insurance, and at that time became division manager in the Glens Falls territory for the Berkshire Life Insurance Company. The operations of the Glens Falls office of the company, whose headquarters are in Pittsfield, have since been under his direction. Mr. Beaty is an experienced insurance man and an executive of demonstrated capacities. His services have been valuable to his own organi- zation and have brought him an established position in the Glens Falls business community.
Mr. Beaty has also been interested in public affairs and since 1931 has served as supervisor of the Third Ward of Warren County, bringing to the duties of his office the devotion and sound business judgment which distinguish him. He is a Republican in politics and is affiliated fraternally with Senate Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and Glens Falls Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a member, in addition, of the Glens Falls Chamber of Commerce, the Warren County Farm Bureau and the Warrens- burgh Country Club, and is a member and steward of the Glens Falls Metho- dist Church. Fond of athletic sports, he finds his principal recreation in golf and bowling.
On February 24, 1917, Mr. Beaty married (first) Sarah Richardson, of Cambridge, New York, who died on January 6, 1919. He married (second), on September 9, 1920, Florence Van Trump, of Glens Falls. There are two children of the second marriage: Jean Elizabeth and Norman H. Beaty, Jr.
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LAWRENCE V. HALL-Operating a lumber business in Saratoga Springs, Lawrence V. Hall is now head of the Millman and Hall Lumber Company, of this city.
Mr. Hall was born November 21, 1890, in Saratoga Springs, New York, son of Alonzo A. and Alice M. (Vandenburg) Hall. His father, who is now deceased, was for years a contractor here. The mother now makes her home in Saratoga Springs.
Local public schools provided Lawrence V. Hall's early education, and afterward he was graduated from Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York, a member of the class of 1912. For some years he was engaged in construction work in New York City. Then, coming to Saratoga Springs once more, he entered upon his present business activities, becoming associated with the Mill- man and Hall Lumber Company. This company was organized in 1883 by E. R. Todd, who ran it for a number of years. His son-in-law, William B. Millman, came into the organization after a time, and after Mr. Todd's death the business became Mr. Millman's. He carried it on until 1922, when Mr. Hall came into association with him as a partner. The firm then assumed the style of the Millman and Hall Lumber Company. Though Mr. Millman died in August, 1935, Mr. Hall continues the business down to the time of writing under this same firm name.
Along with his work in this connection, Mr. Hall interests himself in many branches of the life of his community, and Saratoga Springs is the richer for counting him among its citizens. He is a member of the local Chamber of Commerce, Rising Sun Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons and the First Church of Christ Scientist. He is fond of golf and is a member of McGregor Links, and also in leisure time enjoys boating and fishing.
Lawrence V. Hall married Madge Brunner, of Saratoga Springs, New York, who was educated in the public and high schools here and was after- ward graduated from Oneonta Normal School. She was a teacher in Tuxedo Park, New York, before her marriage. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hall have been: I. David B. Hall, who was born at Saratoga Springs and was graduated from high school here, then became a student at Wentworth Insti- tute, Boston. 2. Eleanor B. Hall, born at Saratoga Springs, became a high school student in this city.
JOSEPH B. WIGLEY-Entering the general merchandise field in Luzerne in 1898, Joseph B. Wigley has been actively identified with this busi- ness to the present day, and he has also operated an insurance agency here for many years, being the pioneer in this field in this section.
Mr. Wigley is a native of England, being born in Derbyshire in 1867, the son of Joseph Jackson and Anna (Stocks) Wigley, both deceased. Joseph
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Jackson Wigley, also à native of England, was engaged as a butcher in that country for many years, and later entered the coal mining industry. After coming to America, he purchased property in Luzerne, opposite the Wayside Hotel, and operated a boat livery business for many years prior to his death. Anna (Stocks) Wigley, although a native of England, spent most of her life in the United States.
Joseph B. Wigley was educated in the schools of England, and was later employed there as a wire galvanizer. He migrated to America in 1884 and settled at Luzerne, where he secured work in a tannery. He continued in this activity for approximately eight years, during which period he became well versed in the various phases of the tanning industry. He next went to Blue Mountain Lake and for two years worked for the Durant Company as a steamboat captain. He later moved to Detroit, Michigan, and was employed there for about nine months as a stove moulder, and then he returned to Luzerne, and went to Wayside, where for the summer he operated the club house. He next went into partnership with H. J. Martine in the drug busi- ness, but one year later decided to enter business for himself, establishing his quarters on Main Street, where he sold patent medicines and clothing, and began to handle a general line of insurance. In 1900, two years later, he moved to a store where the bank now stands, and he remained there until 1928, when he established his present headquarters. This is the oldest store in Luzerne, dealing in general merchandise, and in years of service Mr. Wigley is the oldest insurance representative in this community, where he is regarded as an industrious and honest business man, and a leader in civic life. He has held the post of treasurer of the local School Board for twenty-seven years, and for a time he was dispersing sergeant in the Home Guards. He is a lover of outdoor sports and as diversion from his business activities, he enjoys witness- ing baseball and football games.
He is an active member of St. Mary's Episcopal Church, where he formerly sang in the choir, and where he served as treasurer and vestryman for several years. An active Democrat, Mr. Wigley has long served as a member of the county committee, and he is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons at Corinth, and is Past Noble Grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Luzerne.
Joseph B. Wigley married May Green, a native of Athol, New York, and they are the parents of two daughters: 1. Doris, a graduate of the Luzerne public schools and also of Cornell University, and the recipient of a degree of Master of Arts from this latter institution ; taught school for several years in Dover Plains; now married to Frank Sapora, of Madison, Wisconsin. 2. Elsie H., a graduate of the local schools, later took a physical culture course at Ithaca, New York, and is now employed by the Book of the Month Club in New York City.
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CHESTERTOWN VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY-Since time immemorial the menace of fire has caused the invention of devices and the cooperation of groups of men to fight this destroyer. Pliny, in Ancient Rome, mentions both devices and fire-fighters ; in our Colonial days there were bucket brigades in every settlement. In present times the volunteer fire company, or department, continues to play an important part in the protection of smaller communities. The following is the outline history of one of these organiza- tions :
In June, 1932, Chestertown, New York; had a disastrous fire which threat- ened the destruction of a number of buildings, and was brought under control only after outside assistance. In that same month some hundred and more citizens of the village gathered in the Odd Fellows Hall to discuss the organi- zation of a fire district and a fire company. In February, 1933, a resolution to establish a fire district in the town of Chester was presented before the Board of Supervisors and on February 16 was adopted. The first commissioners of the district were elected on August 10, 1933. They were: Dr. Howard B. Swan; Walter W. Janser; and William Murphy, with Ralph E. Barkley as treasurer. These were approved at a meeting of the board and Dr. Swan was named chairman and Mr. Barkley as secretary. On October II, 1933, a meet- ing was held and a fire company was organized. Twenty-two men signed as firemen. Neil J. O'Connell was elected chief ; Roy Boles, secretary, and Roy G. Gibb, treasurer.
A special meeting and election was held October 19, 1933, and the question of appropriating $9,500 for the purchase of fire-fighting equipment was ap- proved. The first annual election of fire commissioners was held December 5, 1933. Walter W. Janser was elected for five years ; Dr. Howard B. Swan for four years ; William Murphy for three years; Roscoe Cunningham for two years ; Marvin Taber for one year ; and Roy Gibb was elected treasurer of the district.
A lot was purchased on West Street in December, 1933, for the fire house. The government furnished the labor while the district furnished the lot and material. On January 2, 1934, work was started on the erection of the fire house. On February 5, 1934, a $5,000 bond issue to pay for the construction of the fire house was voted at a special meeting.
On January 22, 1934, the fire district purchased pumper No. 2, this is the smaller unit of the two they planned to have. It had a two hundred gallon pump and carried eight hundred feet of hose, a one hundred and fifty gallon booster tank, and is equipped with ladders, axes, pails, coats, etc. This truck was capable of making fifty-five miles per hour.
The fire commissioners purchased, on February 27, 1934, pumper No. I. This truck has a seven hundred and fifty gallon pump, one hundred and fifty
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gallon booster tank, carries seventeen hundred feet of hose, several types of ladders, etc. It has a one hundred and thirty-seven H. P. motor and dual rear wheels, and is capable of making seventy miles per hour. A fire map was drawn up showing every available source of water, which saved time in looking for water in case of a fire. Since March 19, 1934, a new siren has been in service, and a man appointed to sound it at noon every day excepting Sundays.
By means of subscriptions and a firemen's ball, club rooms were furnished in the fire house, the dedication banquet being held on December 1, 1934. On October 6, 1936, a committtee was appointed to take action in the installation of a new alarm system. March 2, 1937, marked the date of Chief O'Connell's resignation, which vacancy was filled by Clarence Armstrong. Since its organi- zation the fire company has answered one hundred and five calls, and the emergency squad has answered seven calls.
The present officers of the Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company are : Chief, Clarence Armstrong ; first assistant chief, L. G. Smith ; second assistant chief, C. J. O'Connell; chief pumperman, Kenneth Little; captain of fire police, James Johnson ; captain of emergency squad, John Little, Jr. ; historian, Mark H. Fish; publicity, C. J. O'Connell ; chairman of initiation committee, William Walkup; secretary, Mark H. Fish ; treasurer, Roy G. Gibb ; sergeant- at-arms, Willis Kingsley ; Ray Davis and James Johnson, elective members of the executive committee.
HAROLD F. TUCKER-An active member of the legal profession in Clinton County, Harold F. Tucker, of Plattsburg, who maintains an inde- pendent practice in his home community, is also one of the leading members of the Clinton County organization of the Republican party and is prominent in various civic and fraternal organizations.
Harold F. Tucker was born at Utica, Oneida County, May 25, 19II, son of Earl A. and Rose A. (Knepka) Tucker. Earl A. Tucker, who established himself in life as an electrician, is an electrical inspector in Plattsburg, where he makes his home. Rose A. (Knepka) Tucker, his wife, is also a native of Utica.
After passing through the primary schools of Utica and Plattsburg, and graduating from the Plattsburg High School, Harold F. Tucker attended Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, and then, selecting a career as a lawyer, following a clerkship with Pierce & Holcombe of Plattsburg, entered the Albany Law School, graduating with his degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1936. Admitted to the New York State bar at Albany the same year, Harold F. Tucker became associated in practice with Patrick J. Tierney in Plattsburg but, after a year and a half, on September 1, 1938, he established his own office in Plattsburg, developing a practice which he has maintained through the pres-
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ent time. Always keenly interested in political problems, Mr. Tucker has become active in the ranks of the Republican party and, during the recent (1938) New York State Constitutional Convention, served as a legal consultant. A member of the Plattsburg Episcopal Church, Mr. Tucker is generous with his talents and time in the promotion of civic enterprises and is particularly interested in the Boy Scouts of America, serving as a member of the Platts- burg Council of the organization. Belonging to the Plattsburg Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, he is also a member of the local advisory council of the Order of De Molay and belongs to the Piattsburg Young Men's Chris- tian Association as well as to Plattsburg Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Fond of hunting and fishing and other outdoor sports in season, Mr. Tucker also finds bowling a means of recreation from his profes- sional responsibilities.
ALBERT SHARRON-Entering the mercantile field on a small scale imore than fifty-six years ago, Albert Sharron has been successfully engaged in this business in Plattsburg to the present day, and as president of Sharrons, Incorporated, he now guides the destinies of the largest and oldest department store in this city.
Mr. Sharron was born in Ellenburg, Clinton County, February 18, 1857, the son of Nelson and Margaret (Vivia) Sharron, both deceased. Nelson Sharron, a native of Hemingford, Canada, was one of the earlier settlers in Ellenburg, where he was engaged in general farming operations at the time of his death. Margaret (Vivia) Sharron was born at Perry's Mills, Clinton County.
After completing his brief schooling in a one-room schoolhouse in Ellen- burg, Albert Sharron worked for a time on his father's farm, and then secured a position as a clerk in the general store operated by Carter and Vilas, where his initial salary was fifteen dollars per month. After three years with this concern he became associated with the John W. Hovens Company, and one year later he came to Plattsburg, where he entered the employ of McHattie and Hughes, local dry goods merchants. He remained with this store for approximately four years, and then went to Keeseville, where he secured employment with the Charles Stearns Company, continuing there until 1882, at which time he returned to Plattsburg, and in association with Peter Tierney, founded the firm of Tierney and Sharron, general merchants. This firm con- tinued until 1895, and then Mr. Sharron purchased his partner's share of the business, continuing as sole proprietor until 1921. The business was then incorporated under its present name with Mr. Sharron as president, his son, Gerald, treasurer, another son, Arthur, secretary and a third son, Roswell, vice-president. The site of the original establishment was a small store on
Albert Charroux
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Margaret Street, requiring a working personnel of five sales people. In 1896, due to rapidly increasing business, an adjoining store was added, in order to secure additional floor space, and eight years later another store had to be taken over. In 1910 an adjoining store was purchased and both stores rebuilt and remodeled in 1913. The store was remodeled in 1932, and today, the department store of Sharron's Incorporated, with its three full stocked floors and a large basement department, is the largest establishment of its kind in Plattsburg, and requires a daily working personnel of approximately thirty people. Mr. Sharron himself is still active in the management of the business, and being the oldest active merchant in this city he is well known to the count- less persons to whom he has catered during his many years of business. Mr. Sharron is also a member of the board of directors of the Plattsburg National Bank and Trust Company, and in addition he has distinguished himself in public life, having been the first mayor of the city of Plattsburg, and for several years a member of the local School Board.
Mr. Sharron is a communicant of St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, an ardent supporter of the Democratic party, and a member of the local Chamber of Commerce. He is also a charter member of both Plattsburg Council No. 255, Knights of Columbus and Plattsburg Lodge No. 621, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
He was married September 10, 1883, to Mary Valley of Plattsburg, and they became the parents of eight children: I. Eva. 2. Genevieve. 3. Arthur. 4. Gerald. 5. Beatrice. 6. Roswell. 7. Dorothy. 8. Albert H. Sharron. Mary (Valley) Sharron departed this life, September 23, 1932.
ALVIN W. INMAN-An outstanding architect of northern New York State, Alvin W. Inman of Plattsburg, following several years in New York City, has established himself as a leading member of his profession in Clinton County, being particularly noted for his work in the design of schools and churches.
Alvin W. Inman was born at Plattsburg, February 26, 1895, son of Curtis E. and Ida C. (Greene) Inman. Curtis E. Inman, who was a native of Crown Point, established himself in life as a banker, work in which he was engaged for many years and in which he was active at the time of his decease. Ida C. (Greene) Inman, his wife, who survives him, is also a native of Crown Point.
Passing through the public schools of Plattsburg and graduating from the Plattsburg High School, Alvin W. Inman entered the University of Pennsyl- vania where he graduated with the class of 1920 as a Bachelor of Science in Architecture. Following his graduation, Mr. Inman entered the Fifth Ave- nue, New York City, office of Crow, Lewis and Wick, architects and worked there for some eight years as an architect and designer. Finally, in 1928, Mr.
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Inman resigned and returned to Plattsburg to establish himself in his home community as an independent architect, opening an office which he has main- tained through the present time. While his business has many types of de- signing within his profession, Mr. Inman has come to be somewhat of a spe- cialist in churches and schools, having produced the First Baptist Church of Plattsburg and, among some fifty school buildings such outstanding edifices as the Plattsburg Junior High School, the Au Sable Forks High School, the Mooers High School, and the Peru High School. During the World War period, Mr. Inman's college career was interrupted by his service with the United States military forces, a service which he joined as a first lieutenant in the United States Army Air Corps and which carried him to France where he served on active duty some eight months with the American Expeditionary Forces. A member of Plattsburg Lodge, No. 828, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Mr. Inman is also a member of the First Baptist Church of Platts- burg, an institution which he serves as a trustee. Fond of hunting and fishing, Mr. Inman finds recreation from his professional duties by indulgence in out- door activities.
Alvin W. Inman married, in 1925, Vera A. Kolb, who is a native of Brook- lyn, New York.
ALFRED D. CLARK-Actively engaged in the practice of law in Glens Falls, Alfred D. Clark is an honored and respected member of this community.
Mr. Clark was born March 8, 1908, in Saratoga Springs, New York, son of Robert G. and Eliza (Searles) Clark. His father, a native of Staten Island, New York, has been for years engaged as a partner in the Clark Brothers Company, of Glens Falls. The mother was born in Sidney, New York.
Public schools in Saratoga provided Alfred D. Clark's early education, and he also attended school at Glens Falls. Completing his high school work here, he then became a student at Williams College, Williamstown, Massa- chusetts, where he took the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1930. In 1933 he received the degree of Bachelor of Laws at the Law School of Harvard Uni- versity. Admitted to the bar of New York State in that year, he at once took up the practice of law in Glens Falls, where he has continued his professional labors down to the time of writing.
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