USA > Vermont > The Lake Champlain and Lake George valleys, Vol. III > Part 24
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Connected with many organizations, both in his profession and in civic and social life, Mr. Clark is a member of the Warren County Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association and the American Bar Association. He is a director of the Chamber of Commerce and the Glens Falls Savings and Loan Association, as well as a member of the board of directors of the Glens Falls Country Club. He belongs also to the Rotary Club and the Phi Delta
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Theta Fraternity. In spare time he is fond of outdoor recreations, such as golf, sailing and skiing. He is treasurer and a vestryman of the Church of the Messiah, of Glens Falls.
Alfred D. Clark married, in 1932, Mary Griffin, a native of Hudson Falls, New York. They became the parents of one child, Linda G. Clark.
ROBERT W. FOOTE-As County Agricultural Agent of Clinton County, and a leading figure in civic and fraternal affairs, Robert W. Foote, of Plattsburg, is recognized as one of the most active citizens of this locality. He was born at Malone, New York, February 12, 1907, the son of Lyman L. and Bridget (Daly) Foote. Lyman L. Foote, also a native of Malone, has been engaged for many years in the farming industry. Bridget (Daly) Foote was born in Brushton, New York.
Robert W. Foote acquired his elementary education in the Malone district schools, and later studied at Franklin Academy, after which he enrolled at Cornell University, where he received his degree of Bachelor of Science. He then was appointed county agricultural agent for the Clinton County Farm Bureau, and he has served conscientiously and capably in this position to the present day.
He is a communicant of St. John's Roman Catholic Church, and an affiliate of Plattsburg Council, No. 255, Knights of Columbus, Plattsburg Lodge, No. 621, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and Theta Kappa Phi Fra- ternity. He also holds membership in the Plattsburg Rod and Gun Club and the Schuyler Falls Grange.
He was married, in 1937, to Ruth Badger, a native of Burke, New York.
ALFRED S. CLARK; ROBERT G. CLARK-Since 1920 Alfred S. and Robert G. Clark have been partners in Clark Brothers, one of the largest fabric glove manufacturing companies in Northern New York State and the only one located in Glens Falls. Both are men in the prime of life, both had acquired a substantial experience in their father's silk glove business before founding their present enterprise, and both are exemplary citizens, civic- minded, always ready to serve the best interests of their city.
From its beginning, in 1920, the Clark Brothers firm has been an important factor in the industrial field of Glens Falls. Yet while starting on a large scale its history is that of increasing growth, a record that even the decade of un- certain American finance and industry has not spoiled. In 1920 about one hundred and fifty people were employed; now nearly four hundred men and women are at work in a new and modernly equipped plant, built at a cost of nearly half a million dollars. At first Clark Brothers specialized in the making
C & G-18
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of silk gloves and silk piece goods. At the present time they manufacture a wide line of fabric gloves of various materials and rayon piece goods used for underwear and foundation garments. Some of the departments operate on a twenty-four-hour basis, and a tremendous stream of products leaves the fac- tory for all parts of America.
Alfred S. Clark was born at Fultonville, New York, June 8, 1887, son of Joseph H. and Ellen (Dutson) Clark. Both parents were natives of England, the father born in London and the mother in Bristol. Joseph H. Clark was the founder of the Clark Textile Company, of Saratoga Springs, New York, and remained a silk glove manufacturer to the time of his death, September 4, 1924. Mrs. Clark lived to April 17, 1932. Alfred S. Clark attended Sidney, New York, grammar and high schools prior to entering Manlius Military Academy, class of 1906, where he completed his formal education. He then became associated with his father in industry, at Saratoga, and was secretary of the Clark Textile Company until it was sold in 1919. As already indicated, in 1920 he joined his brother, Robert G., in establishing Clark Brothers, of Glens Falls. Alfred S. Clark is a director of the First National Bank of Glens Falls, an officer and director of the Merrill, Clark, Meinig Company, of New York City, and a director of the Glens Falls Hospital. He is past presi- dent of the Rotary Club, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and attends the Protestant Episcopal Church. His principal recreation is golf, which he plays as a member of the Glens Falls Country Club.
In 1911 Alfred S. Clark married Lena Searles, born at Sidney, New York, and they are the parents of a daughter, Ellen E., who is a graduate of Smith College, class of 1934, a Bachelor of Arts. She married C. Sherman Will- mott, of Glens Falls, and they have a son, Peter Willmott.
Robert G. Clark was born at New Brighton, New York, August 19, 1885, a brother of Alfred S. Clark, as already noted. He also went to the local schools in Sidney, and was graduated from Manlius Military Academy, in 1904. After completing his education he joined his father in the Clark Textile Company, of Saratoga, and was serving as its vice-president at the time of the sale of the corporation in 1919. In addition to his activities since 1920 as co-owner of Clark Brothers, and with other business enterprises, he has been to the fore notably in varied city organizations and movements.
Robert G. Clark is a director of the Glens Falls Community Chest, treas- urer of the board of trustees of the Young Men's Christian Association, a trustee of the Home for the Aged, director of the Warren County Tubercu- losis League; treasurer of the board of trustees of the Home of the Good Shepherd at Saratoga Springs, a former president of the Glens Falls Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Rotary Club. He plays golf, and his reli- gious affiliations are with the Protestant Episcopal Church.
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In 1907 Robert G. Clark married Eliza D. Searles, a native of Sidney, New York, and they have a son, Alfred D. Clark, and a grandchild, Linda Gage Clark.
VERIAN D. OTIS-Since his appointment in 1933 as Commissioner of Public Welfare of the city of Plattsburg, Verian D. Otis has fulfilled the many duties of his important office in a manner which has earned for him the confidence, respect and good will of the entire local populace. He is a native of this city, having been born here March 3, 1889, the son of the late Orlin B. and Ella (Gonyea) Otis. Orlin B. Otis, a native of Lapham Mills, New York, was engaged in general farming activities, and also carpentry work for many years prior to his death. Ella (Gonyea) Otis is a native of Point Au Rock, Clinton County.
Verian D. Otis received his early education in the district schools at Point Au Rock, and then attended the high school at Chazy. He next enrolled at the Houghton Theological Seminary, and after completing his studies at this institution, he went to New York City to study journalism at the Associated Journal Institute. He was afterwards ordained to the ministry and became pastor of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Chazy, where he remained for approximately three years. His next charge was as pastor of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Long Lake, and he continued there for six years, after which he became a guide in the Adirondack region. He was engaged in this activity for about ten years, and then he came to Plattsburg, securing a posi- tion with the "Plattsburg Daily Republican." He served in this field until 1933, at which time he assumed his present duties in the Plattsburg City Hall. From May 17, 1918, to December 17, 1918, Mr. Otis was a member of the American Expeditionary Forces, serving as a member of the 15th Aero Squadron.
Mr. Otis is a member of St. John's Roman Catholic Church, and has been actively identified with Democratic politics for many years, serving one year as Commissioner of Public Welfare of Hamilton County, previous to his pres- ent official post. He is past secretary of the Kiwanis Club, first commander of the Long Lake Post, American Legion, and a member of the Plattsburg Post of the American Legion. He is also affiliated with Plattsburg Lodge, No. 621, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Plattsburg Rod and Gun Club. His chief recreational divertisements are hunting and fishing.
He was married, in 1909, to Carrie E. Hayes, of Chazy, New York, and they became the parents of two sons : I. Cedric K. 2. Paul C.
J. EDGAR DOWNS-Throughout his professional career of more than nineteen years, J. Edgar Downs has been engaged in the general practice of law at Plattsburg, New York. He was born at Saranac, Clinton County,
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January 25, 1895, the son of Hugh and Helen (Farrell) Downs, both natives of Saranac. Hugh Downs has been well known in the farming industry in this section for many years.
J. Edgar Downs received his elementary education in the public schools at Peru, New York, and later studied at Plattsburg High School. He next enrolled at Albany Law School, where he was graduated in 1917 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. On December 8 of the same year he enlisted for service in the World War, and was assigned to the 20th Regiment Engineers. As a member of the American Expeditionary Forces he served overseas for fifteen months, and was gassed in action. He received his honorable discharge in June, 1919, and shortly after his return to civilian life, he was admitted to the bar. He immediately opened offices in Plattsburg for the general practice of law, and during his years in the legal profession he has established himself as a most learned attorney, and a practitioner whose ethical standards have ever been of the highest degree.
Mr. Downs is a communicant of St. John's Roman Catholic Church, and an active member of the Democratic party which has frequently honored him with election to prominent offices. During 1920 and 1921 he served as cor- poration counsel of the city of Plattsburg, and from 1924 until 1928 he was a local city judge, after which period he served for seven years as county attor- ney. He also served as Democratic State Committeeman from 1928 until 1932. He is an active member of the American Legion, and fraternally is affiliated with Plattsburg Council No. 255, Knights of Columbus, Plattsburg Lodge No. 621, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he is Past Exalted Ruler, and Gamma Eta Gamma Fraternity.
Mr. Downs was married in 1928 to Agnes Murray, a native of Plattsburg.
M. WAITE HICKS-Performing an important work in Granville and in Washington County, M. Waite Hicks is proprietor of his own insur- ance agency, a thirty-five-year-old enterprise. Since 1934 he has been Com- missioner of Public Welfare of the county.
Mr. Hicks was born May 3, 1875, in Granville, New York, son of Frank E. and Ida J. (Waite) Hicks, both natives of Granville, New York, and both now deceased. The father was a farmer.
Public schools provided M. Waite Hicks' early education in Granville, his native community, and when he completed his high school studies he became a student at the S. S. Seward Institute, in Florida, New York. He later went to the Albany Business College. His first employment was with the Granville Telephone Company, in Granville, with whom he continued his labors for about thirty-five years. At the beginning he was a construction foreman, and he was afterward engaged in many different capacities, acting as night opera-
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tor, relief operator, superintendent, secretary, treasurer and president. He was president of the company at the time of his retirement from the company in March, 1933.
In addition to these other activities, Mr. Hicks has interested himself in his own insurance and real estate agency, which was founded about 1903 and today continues its work, handling real estate, general insurance and fire, accident, bond and some life insurance. He carries on this work in the Telephone Building, in North Street. He was formerly a director of the telephone com- pany, and is now a director of the Washington County Bank, in Granville.
In his political views he has been a consistent Republican, and his interest in community affairs in Granville has been a lively one. For fifteen years he was a member of the School Board here, holding the office of president at the time of his resignation. His election as Commissioner of Public Welfare came to him on January 1, 1934, and he has been serving in this capacity down to the time of writing. Interested in military affairs among his other activi- ties, he had special military training at the military academy in North Gran- ville. He belongs to the Granville Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of Granville Lodge, No. 55, of the Free and Accepted Masons. In spare time he enjoys fishing.
M. Waite Hicks married Cora B. Shaffner, of Granville, New York, who is now deceased. The children of this marriage are: I. Huldah E., born in Granville, and educated at the grammar and high schools here and at Wells College; she became the wife of J. Easton Owens, of this place. 2 and 3. (twins) : Mansier W. Hicks, Jr., who studied in the public schools, was gradu- ated from high school at Granville and from Bryant-Stratton College, of Boston, now in the insurance business in Granville; and Merilla V. Hicks, who studied in grammar and high schools here, and also at William and Mary College, in Williamsburg, Virginia; wife of Ebert O. Warren, of Albany, New York. 4. Ida J. Hicks, educated in the Granville schools and at Colby College for Girls, New London, New Hampshire; she is the wife of Frank L. Cowles, Jr., of Glens Falls, New York. 5. Almera E., who was educated in the grammar and high schools of Granville, prepared herself to take her major work in music at college, beginning her college. studies in the fall of 1938.
CHARLES H. SIGNOR-Numbered among the leading attorneys in Clinton County is Charles H. Signor, who has distinguished himself in the legal profession throughout his more than forty years of general practice in this locality. He was born in Saranac, Clinton County, February 1, 1868, the son of John Wesley and Ellen (Hull) Signor, both deceased. John Wesley Signor, a native of Peru, Clinton County, was engaged in general farm opera-
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tions for many years prior to his death. Ellen (Hull) Signor was a native of Saranac.
Charles H. Signor received his early education in the Saranac district schools, and was later graduated from Potsdam State Normal School. He was engaged in the teaching profession for the next three years, after which he read law in the offices of Beckwith and Botsford, and Judge Lucien L. Shedden, of Plattsburg. He was admitted to the New York State bar in 1896 after a special course at Cornell Law School, and shortly thereafter launched his law career in Plattsburg where he has practiced with a great degree of success to the present day. During the World War period Mr. Signor served as a member of the Legal Advisory Board.
Mr. Signor is a member of the Methodist Church, where he serves as recording steward, and politically he is a supporter of the Republican party. He is also a member of the Clinton County Bar Association.
He was married in 1897 to Lana E. Dillingham, a native of Ogdensburg, and they are the parents of two daughters: Elizabeth A., a graduate of Cor- nell University in 1920 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, married Millard G. Larkin, of Plattsburg ; and Martha S., a graduate of Cornell University in 1924 with the degree of Bachelor of Science, married Robert A. Bier, M. D., of Washington, District of Columbia.
ROBERT C. CARTER-Extensively engaged in activities of impor- tance in the insurance trade, Robert C. Carter has for years been secretary and treasurer of the Glens Falls Insurance Company.
Mr. Carter was born July 4, 1874, in La Fayette, Indiana, son of Henry M. and Julia E. (Gayger) Carter, both natives of New York State and both of them now deceased. His father was long engaged in the farm implement business.
Robert C. Carter, who has risen to a position of prominence in the business and civic life of Glens Falls, received his early education in the public schools here, and attended Elmwood Seminary. Later, in 1889, he became associated with the Glens Falls Insurance Company. His first work was as clerk in the office of the company, and from that position he worked his way forward through different positions to that of treasurer, which he assumed in 1917. He has since served in this same capacity, afterward being made secretary as well as treasurer.
Adding other business and civic activities to his accomplishments with this insurance organization, Mr. Carter has acted as treasurer of the Glens Falls Portland Cement Company. He is also a commissioner of the Glens Falls Cemetery Association and served on the Board of Education from 1912 to 1931. Fraternalism and local organizational life have won his attention, and
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he is a member of Senate Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons. In the Masonic Order he is affiliated with all Scottish Rite bodies, including Oriental Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs to both the Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the Lake George Association and the Adirondack Mountain Club, and one of his major hobbies is mountain-climbing. He is a member of the First Presby- terian Church.
In 1901 Robert C. Carter married Katherine De Long, of Glens Falls, New York. They became the parents of the following children: I. Eleanor Katherine Carter, a graduate of Wellesley College, now the wife of James McDowell, Jr., of Cavalla, Greece. 2. Robert C. Carter, a graduate of Alfred University, who is now employed by the First National Bank of Glens Falls.
SHERLOCK E. HALEY-Senior partner in the law firm of Haley and North of Plattsburg, Sherlock E. Haley, of Plattsburg, is not only one of the leading members of the legal fraternity of Clinton County but also active in the local organization of the Knights of Columbus and well known in hunt- ing and fishing groups.
Sherlock E. Haley was born at Plattsburg, September 16, 1901, son of Thomas and Josephine (Casey) Haley. Thomas Haley, who was born at Cadyville, Clinton County, established himself in Plattsburg as a merchant, a calling which he followed for many years and in which he was active at the time of his death. Josephine (Casey) Haley, his wife, who has survived him, was born at Waterman Hill, St. Lawrence County.
After passing through the public schools of Plattsburg, Sherlock E. Haley graduated from the Plattsburg High School and then, following two years at Brown University, selected the legal profession, entering New York Uni- versity and receiving his degree of Bachelor of Laws as a member of that insti- tution's class of 1932. Admitted to the New York State bar the same year, Sherlock E. Haley returned home and established himself in general practice in Plattsburg, remaining independent until 1935 when he became the senior partner of the legal firm of Haley and North, an association which has con- tinued through the present time. Interested in community, civic and political problems as a member of the Republican party, Mr. Haley, who supports his profession by membership in the Clinton County Bar Association, is a member of Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity and Plattsburg Council, No. 255, Knights of Columbus, an organization of which he is a Past Grand Knight. Finding in his favorite sports of fishing a means of recreation from his professional duties and responsibilities, Mr. Haley advances the interests of sportsmen in Clinton County by activity as a member of the Plattsburg Rod and Gun Club. Mr. Haley is a member of St. John's Catholic Church.
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Sherlock E. Haley married, in 1929, Dorothy Hayes, who is a native of Whitehall, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Haley are the parents of four children : I. Thomas Albert. 2 and 3. (twins) Terrence Michael and Kathleen Frances. 4. Michael Sherlock.
REV. JOHN BERNARD McGARRY-A native son of Vermont, Rev. John Bernard McGarry, pastor of St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Church at Winooski, Vermont, is also the son of native born parents, although his grandparents, Patrick and Catherine (Diffley) McGarry were born in County Langford, Ireland, both in 1817. A famine in the early 'forties drove ship- loads of Irish people to America, the McGarrys among them. Patrick McGarry was employed for many years at Proctor, Vermont, where he died in 1899, his wife dying ten years before at Crown Point, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Patrick McGarry were the parents of a daughter who died in infancy, and of five sons: Hugh, John, William, Frank, and Bernard, of further mention.
Bernard McGarry was born at Brandon, Vermont, June 27, 1849, and attended the district schools here and at Pittsford. After leaving school he clerked in a store for a year and for three years was employed in a marble quarry. He then worked for several years at Brandon and Pittsford. At the age of twenty-three, he went to work in the marble mill at Proctor, remain- ing in that position for five years, and for the next thirteen years he was fore- man for the Vermont Marble Company. The remainder of his life he was engaged as a general merchant, with stores at Proctor and at Fowler, now Florence, Vermont. He died at Proctor, December 16, 1912. He was an active member of the Democratic party, though never seeking office for himself, and was a faithful communicant and generous supporter of the Roman Catholic Church. Bernard McGarry married Sophia Willette, who was born at Mooers, New York, March 28, 1850, died November 19, 1918, daughter of Theophile and Sophia (Garand) Willette, and they had nine children : 1. Rev. John Bernard, of further mention. 2. Mary, born at Pitts- ford, Vermont, July 29, 1875. 3. Nellie, born at Pittsford, April 28, 1877; married Thomas Noonan, and had one child. 4. Alice, born at Proctor, April 23, 1879; married John Blake Flanagan, and had two children. 5. Dominic, also born at Proctor, on April 28, 1881 ; married Cora Hart and had six children. 6. Margaret, born at Proctor, May 8, 1883; married Thomas Maye and had two children. 7. William, born at Proctor, January 15, 1885 ; died in Feb- ruary, 1890. 8. Gertrude, born at Proctor, August 27, 1888; married Charles Noonan, and had two children. 9. Julia, born at Proctor, June 15, 1891 ; mar- ried Earle McLaughton, and had six children.
Rev. John Bernard McGarry, the oldest child of Bernard and Sophia (Willett) McGarry, was born October 29, 1873, at Pittsford, Vermont, and
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after attending the public schools at Proctor, graduated from the Proctor High School in the class of 1889. Two years later he entered Ottawa College, at Ottawa, Canada, and completed his course of studies in 1894. For the next two years he attended the Seminary of Philosophy at Montreal, Canada, spending a like period at St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, Maryland, there- after completing his theological studies at Laval University, Quebec, Canada. Ordained a priest on October 28, 1900, Rev. John Bernard McGarry was appointed assistant rector of St. Francis Roman Catholic Church at Benning- ton, Vermont, 1900 to 1901. From 1901 to 1905 he held a similar position with St. Peter's Church at Rutland, Vermont; and until 1908 was rector of the Church of St. John the Baptist at Enosburg Falls, Vermont. From 1908 to 1909 he was rector of the Church of the Holy Rosary at Richmond, Ver- mont, and from 1909 to 1912 he was rector of St. Francis' Church at Windsor, Vermont, and at the same time was chaplain of the State Prison at Windsor. Following three years of service as rector of the Church of St. John the Evangelist at Northfield, Vermont, Father McGarry became pastor, on October 14, 1915, of St. Stephen's Church at Winooski, Vermont, where he has remained the past twenty-four years. During his thirty-nine years of ยท activities as a Catholic priest, Father McGarry, has built two churches: the first, at Enosburg Falls during his pastorate there in 1906; and the second, here at Winooski, in 1928.
J. ROBERT McMULLEN-Proprietor of McMullen-Leavens Com- pany of Glens Falls, shirt manufacturers, the organization being one of the largest enterprises in the city, J. Robert McMullen is not only one of Glens Falls' outstanding business men but is also a leading citizen and philanthropist, having recently (1938) donated the children's ward to the new Glens Falls City Hospital.
J. Robert McMullen was born in Glens Falls, December 8, 1872, son of Arthur and Catherine (Lavey) McMullen. Arthur McMullen, who was born in Belfast, Ireland, came to America and settled in Glens Falls where he was associated for many years with the Keenan Lime Company. Catherine (Lavey) McMullen, his wife, also deceased, was born in Hudson Falls.
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