USA > Vermont > The Lake Champlain and Lake George valleys, Vol. III > Part 28
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Mr. Fulmer was appointed manager by the new proprietor, an executive office he has filled with marked success ever since.
The history of the Eddy Plow Works is worthy of a chapter by itself. Briefly outlined its story is that of its foundation in 1832 by Waldron Eddy who had four sons, James, Fred, Waldron, Jr., and Oscar. The site of the enterprise was the town of Easton on "Fly Brook" and only the manufacture of the old-fashioned iron plow was undertaken. But the steel plowshare had already started to come into popularity with farmers, and Waldron Eddy was not left behind in this advance, for he was himself the inventor of the steel beam plow. With time the business grew, partners were admitted, first as Eddy, Dyer and Company, and then as Eddy, Reynolds and Langdon. Many patterns were secured, and a large number of improvements made to agricul- tural implements. Northern and Eastern New York State were the chief markets for their products. In 1908 the firm was incorporated as the W. Eddy Plow Company, and operated under this trade title to 1923, when it became the Eddy Plow Works. Of its present ownership mention has been made.
Returning to Mr. Fulmer, it may be said that "the city boy has made good in the country," and is one of the most esteemed citizens of Greenwich, as business man and civic leader. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Masonic Order, being a Past Master of Ashler Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons.
In June, 1916, Harold G. Fulmer married Anna Rita, a native of New York City, and they are the parents of three children: I. Muriel V., born November 25, 1917, who attended public and high schools in Greenwich, and is now (1938) a senior in Cornell University, where she is majoring in history and English in preparation for a career in education. 2. William B., born February 17, 1919, who received his early education in the public and high schools of Greenwich, and plans to enter Syracuse University. 3. Helen E., born July, 1920, who attended public and high schools of Greenwich, in prep- aration for postgraduate studies.
HAROLD DONALD WELLS-Proprietor of the American Paper Machinery and Engineering Works, Inc., of Glens Falls, Harold Donald Wells is one of the Nation's leading technical experts in paper machinery and manu- facturing, having been engaged in equipping and operating more than two hundred paper mills throughout the country, as well as being the inventor and developer of several well known paper manufacturing processes.
Harold Donald Wells was born at Hudson Falls, June 3, 1892, son of William W. and Carrie (Hall) Wells. William W. Wells, a member of one of the most widely known paper machinery manufacturing companies in America, was born in Waconda, Illinois, but spent most of his life in Hudson Falls and in Glens Falls, being associated with the Glens Falls Machine Works,
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a family company and an enterprise in which he was active at the time of his death. Carrie (Hall) Wells, his wife, was born in Adamsville, New York, and lived for many years in Hudson Falls and Glens Falls, being a teacher in the Hudson Falls High School for a number of years.
After passing through the grade schools of Hudson Falls and Glens Falls and graduating from the Glens Falls High School, Harold Donald Wells entered Syracuse University, graduating in 1915 with his degree in engineer- ing, being particularly interested in studying paper mill operation, chemistry and machinery. After graduation, Mr. Wells' first employment was with the Franklin Automobile Company in Syracuse, New York, where he spent some two years in the company's engineering department. Then, after another year in the engineering department of the Chalmers Automobile Company in De- troit, Michigan, he began his permanent association with the paper mill indus- try, first spending a year in the J. and J. Rogers Company mill at Au Sable Forks to acquaint himself with practical operation technique and then return- ing to Glens Falls where he joined the staff of the Glens Falls Machine Works, a family company, as a director. Mr. Wells' principal responsibility was the installation and preliminary operation of paper pulp machines, manufactured by the Glens Falls Machine Works, a task which took him into more than two hundred paper mills in various sections of the United States and Canada. After the Glens Falls Machine Works was sold to the F. R. Patch Company of Rutland, Vermont, Mr. Wells joined the Trimbey Machine Works as a part- ner, being in charge of the firm's engineering department, an association which he maintained for about nine years. Then, in 1928, having become remarkably familiar with all the technical problems of paper mill machines and operating difficulties, he founded the American Paper Machinery and Engi- neering Works, Inc., of Glens Falls, an enterprise which he has maintained and directed through the present time, manufacturing well known paper mill machinery, equipment which includes a number of new processes which Mr. Wells has originated and developed. At his cottage on the shores of Lake George, Mr. Wells is enabled to provide himself with the recreations of boat- ing and fishing, and also to indulge himself in all out-door sports, pastimes of which he is a devoted follower. Mr. Wells is a member of the First Baptist Church, of which he is a deacon.
Harold Donald Wells married, June 25, 1917, Viola Haffey, a resident of West Chicago, Illinois, at the time of her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Wells are the parents of three children: I. Donald, now a junior at Union College in Schenectady, following his graduation from the grade schools of Glens Falls and the Glens Falls High School. 2. Dorothy, now studying for a teaching career at the Potsdam State Normal School, following her graduation from the Glens Falls High School. 3. William, now a student in the Glens Falls High School.
David& M. Henry
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DAVID J. McHENRY-As a member of the firm of McHenry and Roberts, undertakers and furniture dealers, David J. McHenry heads one of the oldest establishments of its kind in Granville. He has been active for many years in the business and civic life of the community and as one of its principal citizens he has been called to several offices of public responsibility and trust. In addition to his other connections he now serves as postmaster.
Mr. McHenry was born in Granville, New York, on July 29, 1877, son of Daniel and Mary (Baker) McHenry, both natives of Ireland and both now deceased. His father was a farmer, but his own interests early led him to business life. After the completion of his education in the public schools and the high school of Granville, Mr. McHenry clerked for about two years in local hotels, including the Central House and the Munson House. At the end of that time he began the study of embalming and undertaking in the Renouard School at New York City, and upon the completion of his course he returned to Granville, establishing the firm of McHenry and Roberts, furni- ture dealers and undertakers. It has been in existence during all the inter- vening years and is today one of the important business establishments of the community.
A Democrat in politics and influential in local councils of his party, Mr. McHenry was appointed postmaster of Granville in 1915 under Woodrow Wilson and remained in office until after the change of administration. He retired in 1924 and was then elected supervisor of the town of Granville, a reflection of the high regard in which he is held in the community. In 1936, following the accession of Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Presidency, Mr. McHenry was again appointed postmaster of Granville and resumed that office after three terms as supervisor. He is still serving, supplying the efficient administration of the local post office for which he was well known in the past.
Mr. McHenry has made other important contributions to Granville life. He was the founder of the Granville Chamber of Commerce and continues as its president. He has been active in the Rotary Club, of which he is past president, and in Granville Council of the Knights of Columbus, of which he is Past Grand Knight. He is a trustee of the Washington County Bank and of the Emma Lang Stevens Hospital and was formerly a director of the Granville National Bank before it went out of existence. He has always given generously of his time and effort for the promotion of the civic interests of his community and has fully demonstrated his possession of those qualities of character and citizenship which have won him the respect of his fellow townsmen.
Mr. McHenry married Genevieve Quilty, of Rutland, Vermont. They are the parents of three children : I. Craig, who received his academic education in the Granville public schools, and after completing his high school course,
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studied in the Ithaca College of Music. A gifted musician, he became a mem- ber of the faculty there immediately following his graduation and has since continued as a teacher of music. 2. John W., who attended Granville grammar school and high school, the University of Pennsylvania and Packard Business College in New York City He is now associated with his father's business in Granville. 3. Anita I., a graduate of Granville public school and high school, who is now a student at Cornell University.
WILL E. ROBERTS-A member of the firm of McHenry and Roberts, retail furniture dealers and undertakers, Will E. Roberts is one of the leading Republicans of Washington County, serving in several public offices as well as being a member of the Washington County Republican Committee, a post which he has held for the past twenty-five years.
Mr. Roberts was born in Middle Granville, September 16, 1867, son of William W. and Ann ( Pritchard) Roberts. William W. Roberts, a native of Wales, spent most of his life in Middle Granville, where he was engaged as a slate maker, an occupation in which he was active at the time of his death. Ann (Pritchard) Roberts, his wife, also a native of Wales, came to America as a young woman and spent most of her life in Middle Granville. She is now deceased.
After passing through the Union Free School in Middle Granville, Will E. Roberts, at the early age of fifteen, commenced to work for Norton Brothers, later entering the Albany Business College with the class of 1888. Returning home to Middle Granville, Mr. Roberts found employment as a clerk and as assistant postmaster in the general store of George D. Getty, leaving this employment after two years to work in the shoe store of Whitmore and Potter in Granville. After two years in this employment, Mr. Roberts went on the road as a salesman of collars and cuffs for Gunnison and Marvin of Troy, leaving this activity, however, after about six months to return to Granville and work in the general store of O. A. Adams. He remained with Mr. Adams for three or four years until he opened a store for Frank Scott in Granville, retailing boots, shoes and groceries. Three or four years later Mr. Roberts gave over his association with Mr. Scott and spent five years working in the general store of George H. McDonald in Granville, leaving this employment to spend two years with the Granville Mercantile Company. Then, on August 20, 1902, Mr. Roberts joined Mr. McHenry in the establishment of a retail furniture store and undertaking business, and in June, 1903, he studied embalming in the school of Professor Howard S. Eckels in Philadelphia. This enterprise, which has continued to prosper ever since, is one of the oldest of such businesses in Washington County, and now located in a block constructed by the partners, was originally housed in the Nelson Block, from which the company was driven by a fire on January 3, 19II.
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Always deeply interested in political problems, Mr. Roberts has been a stalwart member of the local Republican organization, winning a place on the county committee in 1913, a post which he has held through the present time. He also served Granville as town clerk for ten years. In addition to these two offices, Mr. Roberts has been postmaster of Granville, serving two terms under President Coolidge and one under President Hoover, receiving his appoint- ment on February 17, 1924, and remaining in office until February 17, 1936, a term of service of twelve years. Mr. Roberts has also served Granville as a justice of the peace for some sixteen years. Treasurer of the Granville Rotary Club for the past three years and a member of the Granville Chamber of Com- merce for many years, Mr. Roberts is a leading member of the Masonic Fraternity, being a member of Granville Lodge, No. 55, Free and Accepted Masons, a body which he has served as secretary for nineteen years; of Gran- ville Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; of Calvary Commandery, Knights Templar, of Hudson Falls, and of Ciro Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Rutland, Vermont. A member of the Granville Presbyterian Church, he is also one of the trustees of the institution. Mr. Roberts finds recreation from his public and private responsibilities by indul- gence in all out-door sports, being particularly interested in harness racing.
Will E. Roberts married Harriett E. Swift, who is a native of Fort Ann, New York.
SEWARD TEMPLE POTTER-Director of Wilmarth and Sons, the oldest undertaking establishment in Glens Falls which is being conducted by the family of the founder, Seward Temple Potter is not only an outstanding funeral director but also very prominent in the Masonic Fraternity and related organizations.
Seward Temple Potter was born in Granville, December 8, 1894, son of James S. and Charlotte E. (Temple) Potter. James S. Potter, who was a native of Fort Edward, established himself in life as a farmer and as a cattle dealer, later becoming the proprietor of a grocery store in Granville, an enter- prise in which he was interested at the time of his death in 1915. Charlotte E. (Temple) Potter, his wife, who is also deceased, was a member of one of the first families to reside in Washington County.
After passing through the public schools of Granville and graduating from the Glens Falls High School, Seward Temple Potter turned to funeral directing as his profession and obtained employment with John M. Ross in Argyle, where he remained for eleven years. Then, leaving Argyle, Mr. Potter came to Glens Falls in 1920 to join the firm of Wilmarth and Sons, an establishment founded in 1841. Finally, in 1926, Mr. Potter joined the firm, becoming director and being placed in charge of all the firm's funeral work,
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positions which he has held through the present time. Well known through- out the Lake George section for his devotion to fast horses, Mr. Potter is particularly interested in saddle horses, as well as being an enthusiast with trotters and pacers. Past Patron of the Glens Falls Lodge, Order of the Eastern Star, trustee of the Glens Falls Masonic Hall Association, and vice- president of the Masonic Club of Glens Falls, Mr. Potter is also very promi- nent in the ranks of Masonry for, basing his membership in Senate I.odge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Glens Falls, a lodge of which he is a Past Master, he also belongs to Glens Falls Chapter, No. 55, Royal Arch Masons, Cavalry Commandery, No. 33, of Hudson Falls, of which he is Junior Warden at the present time, and has served as Past District Deputy Grand Master of the Saratoga-Warren district, holding office in 1935 and 1936.
Seward Temple Potter married, in Schenectady, May 29, 1919, Ethel C. Cook, a native of Granville and a daughter of a family which is among the older residents of Washington County. Mr. and Mrs. Potter are the parents of two children : I. Marie A., now a student in the Glens Falls High School. 2. James S., now also a student in the Glens Falls High School.
EARL THOMAS FRATUS-One of the outstanding building con- tractors and construction engineers of the Lake George district, Earl Thomas Fratus is not only a leader in his business field but is also widely known throughout the United States in connection with his work for the United States Government Department in appraisal work.
Earl Thomas Fratus was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, August 3, 1897, son of Joseph and Anna (Schaaf) Fratus. Joseph Fratus, who was born in the Azores Islands, passed many years of his life as a sea captain, although in his latter years, he was engaged in construction work, a field in which he was active at the time of his death. Anna (Schaaf) Fratus, his wife, also de- ceased, was a native of Erie, Pennsylvania.
After passing through the grade schools of Erie, Pennsylvania, and grad- uating from the Erie High School in 1916, Earl Thomas Fratus found his first employment with the General Electric Company in Erie, leaving his position after a year's work as chief clerk in the testing department to enter the service of the United States Government as an inventory writer and appraiser, an occupation which, during the years he was so engaged, carried him into most of the sections of the Nation. Then, returning to Erie, Penn- sylvania, Mr. Fratus spent a year and a half in association with the H. J. Conrath Construction Company, following which employment he went into business for himself in Glens Falls. One of his first contracts was for the Westmont Sanatorium, an enterprise which included not only the actual con-
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struction but also the design and planting of the institution's landscaping. Mr. Fratus' enterprise was originally a partnership which was organized under the name of the Duplex Construction Company but after two years development Mr. Fratus bought out the entire business and has conducted it individually through the present time. In the last ten years he has completed ten school buildings in various parts of New York, besides other construction works. Mr. Fratus is devoted to outdoor sports, particularly being fond of hunting and fishing, two hobbies which he finds ample opportunity to follow at his camp on Lake George.
Earl Thomas Fratus married Ruth Dolson, who is a native of Pough- keepsie, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Fratus are the parents of a daughter, Katherine.
HENRY M. CRIPPEN, JR .- President of the Rotary Club of Hud- son Falls and manager of the Fuel Department of Finch, Pruyn and Company, Inc., of Glens Falls, Henry M. Crippen, Jr., is not only one of the leading citi- zens of his community but also well known throughout New York State for his association with mining and fuel industries.
Henry M. Crippen, Jr., was born at Ballston Spa, Saratoga County, Octo- ber 28, 1896, son of Henry M., Sr. and Ida (Randall) Crippen. Henry M. Crippen, Sr., who was born in Ballston Spa, spent his life as a business man and is now living in retirement in Hudson Falls. Ida (Randall) Crippen, his wife, also of Ballston Spa, is a resident of Hudson Falls, too.
After passing through the grade schools of Ballston Spa and studying at the Ballston Spa High School, Henry M. Crippen, Jr., completed his sec- ondary education at Troy Conference Academy, Middlebury, Vermont, and then entered Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vermont, from which institu- tion he graduated in 1918 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. That year he enlisted in the United States Navy Aviation Corps and was trained for service at both the Great Lakes Naval Training Station and at the Massa- chusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, being given his discharge in January of 1919. Returning to civil life, Mr. Crippen found employment as a mining engineer with the Weatherbee Sherman Company in Mineville, New York, leaving his position with the company after about three years of service to accept a position as a teacher at Troy Conference Academy, where he remained for a year. Following another year spent as co-partner in a drug store at Au Sable Forks, he went to Saranac Lake, where he became a co-partner in the Crippen Department Store, an enterprise with which he was associated for about three years. Leaving Saranac, Mr. Crippen came to Hudson Falls as manager for the Hudson Falls Coal Company, a post which he resigned after an association of eight years to take over the duties of man-
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ager of the fuel department of the Finch, Pruyn and Company, Inc., of Glens Falls, an office which he has held through the present time. Maintaining his war-time associations by membership in the Hudson Falls Post of the American Legion, Mr. Crippen has been very active in the affairs of the Legion having been Commander of the Hudson Falls Post as well as Past Commander of the Washington County Department of the organization. A member of Saranac Lake Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and belonging to Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, Mr. Crippen advances the interests of his profes- sion by serving as the secretary and treasurer of the Tri-County Retail Coal Merchants' Association as well as supporting local prosperity by belonging to the Rotary Club of Hudson Falls, an organization of which he is now presi- dent, having been secretary for some six years. Interested deeply in com- munity civic concerns, he is an active member of the Republican party and takes part in local campaigns. A member of the First Presbyterian Church of Hudson Falls, Mr. Crippen is interested in all outdoor sports as well as diverting himself by spending much of his leisure time in reading.
Henry M. Crippen, Jr., married, at Lake Placid, June 10, 1922, Gladys White, who is a native of South Glens Falls.
WALTER H. WERTIME-Among the most active and prominent citizens in this section of New York State is Walter H. Wertime, a well- known practicing attorney in Cohoes and Chestertown and a leading figure in the business and civic life of this locality.
Mr. Wertime was born at Ilion, New York, September 9, 1871, the son of Herman and Selma (Krause) Wertime, both natives of Germany, and both now deceased. Herman Wertime, who was born at Cologne, served as foreign correspondent for the Remington Arms Company during the Franco- Prussian War, and later was employed as a bookkeeper for this firm in the United States. He served in the Union Army for more than three years during the Civil War, and was wounded in action at the battle of Antietam.
Walter H. Wertime received his early education in the Cohoes public schools, and later studied at Union College in Schenectady, after which he prepared for his legal career at Albany Law School, graduating in 1892 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Admitted to the bar on December 2, 1892, he launched his career shortly thereafter at Cohoes, where he still maintains an office, being now associated with his son, Walter H. Wertime, Jr. In June, 1937, Mr. Wertime opened another office at Chestertown, New York, and conducts his practice here in partnership. with William R. LaFlure, Jr. Mr. Wertime has been most successful in his law practice, and, in addition to his extensive private practice, served for twenty years as general counsel for The National Bank of Cohoes, and from 1917 to 1926 was general counsel for
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the Cohoes Power and Light Company. In the latter year this company merged with the New York Power and Light Corporation, and since that time Mr. Wertime has been local counsel for this concern at Cohoes, and is counsel for a score of manufacturing concerns at Cohoes. In addition to his legal work, Mr. Wertime is also active in local business affairs, operating the Panther Mountain House, a hotel which has been conducted for the past fifteen years. He also operates a theatre and the town water works in Chester- town, and has also operated the New Harmony Hotel at Cohoes, for the past twenty years.
Mr. Wertime is a past deacon of the Dutch Reformed Church, and a staunch supporter of the Republican party, serving as secretary of the Albany Republican Committee when only twenty-one years of age. He served as corporation counsel of Cohoes in 1896, and during 1897 and 1898 served as assistant district attorney of Albany County. He holds membership in the Delta Chi Fraternity, and is affiliated with the New York State and the American Bar associations.
On August 6, 1896, Mr. Wertime married Estella Farrelly, of Cohoes, and they are the parents of seven children: I. Walter H., Jr., a graduate of Troy Boy's Academy and Albany Law School with a degree of Bachelor of Laws, now associated with his father in the general practice of law at Cohoes. 2. George F., a graduate of Troy Boy's Academy, attended Rensselaer Poly- technic Institute at Troy, New York, and now engaged in the general con- tracting business in Cohoes. 3. Gertrude E., attended Cohoes High School and St. Agnes School in Albany, married Robert Nicholson, of Elizabethtown. 4. Hazel, a graduate of Cohoes High School and Skidmore College, married Lloyd Van Buskirk, of Cohoes. 5. Jessie, a graduate of Cohoes High School and St. Agnes School, married Harry Robinson. 6 and 7. (twin son and daughter ) John E. and Selma K. Wertime. John E. Wertime, a graduate oi Chestertown High School, is now a student at Syracuse University, and Selma K. Wertime, a graduate of St. Agnes School, is now studying at Drexel Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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