USA > Vermont > The Lake Champlain and Lake George valleys, Vol. III > Part 30
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70
Daniel F. Imrie married, in 1912, Lillian Woodall, who was born in Chinkiang, China. Mr. and Mrs. Imrie are the parents of two children : I. Elizabeth, a graduate of Wellesley College, class of 1934, with the degree of Bacholor of Arts. 2. Robert, graduated in 1938 from Union College, with the Bachelor of Arts degree, and is now attending Albany Law School.
CROSBY HOPKINS-A native son of Argyle and of one of the old- est families here, Crosby Hopkins built for himself a solid reputation as farmer before engaging in the general contracting, real estate and banking businesses, and today he is president of a bank with capital and resources totaling almost sixty thousand dollars, and with deposits of considerably more than four hundred thousand dollars.
Mr. Hopkins was born April 16, 1880, the son of John and Elizabeth (Stowe) Hopkins, both natives of their son's birthplace and both now de-
263
LAKE CHAMPLAIN AND LAKE GEORGE VALLEYS
ceased. John Hopkins, during his lifetime, was a farmer and the Hopkins family is one of the oldest and deepest-rooted in Argyle.
Crosby Hopkins received his early education in the district school here and then attended Amsterdam high school. After twenty years of farming operations, he entered the general contracting business at Argyle, and for the seven years that he remained in this field he was a prominent factor. Mr. Hopkins then established himself in the real estate business, which he still conducts but in which he is not, because of other interests, as active as hereto- fore.
When the present sole bank at Argyle was started back in 1931, Mr. Hopkins became interested as one of the original directors, and in 1936 he was made president of the National Bank of Argyle, which post he still holds. Intensely interested in Republican politics, he is now supervisor for the town of Argyle, this being his first and only public office to date. His favorite recreations are fishing and hunting. He is a member of the Argyle Lodge of the Ancient Order of Free and Accepted Masons, and is a communicant of the Baptist Church at Fort Edward.
Crosby Hopkins married Julia Woodcock, born and educated at Argyle and, with her husband, is active in the social life of this community.
WILLIAM E. BENTON-Intensely active in the operation of the theatre business in Saratoga Springs and this region of New York State, William E. Benton is associated with several motion picture and entertain- ment organizations here.
Mr. Benton was born August 6, 1891, at Saratoga Springs, New York, son of Lewis W. and Mary (Maher) Benton. His father's family came to Saratoga Springs about a century ago, and were direct descendants from Thomas and Edward Benton, who settled in Guilford, Connecticut, in 1638. Lewis W. Benton, who is now deceased, was an architect at Saratoga Springs. The mother, also deceased, was of this city.
Public schools furnished William E. Benton's early formal education in Saratoga Springs, and when he completed his high school studies he became a student at Columbia University, New York. He later studied law, was admitted to the New York State bar in 1916, and practiced law in association with Senator Brackett until 1920. Then turning his attention to the enter- tainment business, he became most active in the theatre business. He is a director of the Saratoga National Bank, manager of Saratoga Hospital, vice- president of the local Eastman Business School, president of the Saratoga Spa Industries, a director of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America, president of the Motion Picture Owners of Northern New York, and presi-
264
LAKE CHAMPLAIN AND LAKE GEORGE VALLEYS
dent of Saratoga Theatres, Inc., and Northern New York Theatres, Inc. He is also president of the Benton-Schine Corporation.
In addition to interesting himself in all these business undertakings, Mr. Benton concerns himself with civic and political affairs. He is a member of many organizations, including the Saratoga Springs Chamber of Commerce, of which he was president in 1930. He is a Republican in his partisan affilia- tion, and was chairman for some time of the Republican City Committee in Saratoga Springs. He worships in the faith of St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church. Traveling is one of his favorite pastimes, and he enjoys the out-of- doors, taking special pride in his summer home and engaging in many sports when opportunity offers.
William E. Benton married Irene Duval, of Saratoga Springs, New York, who was educated here. Their children were: I. Fern K. Benton, born in Saratoga Springs, educated in the public schools here, became a student later at Trinity College, in Washington, District of Columbia. 2. William E. Ben- ton, Jr., born in Saratoga Springs, educated here in the public and high schools, now associated in business with his father. 3. James E. Benton, born at Saratoga Springs, a high school student here at the time of writing.
ROBERT F. ISHAM-Robert F. Isham adopted the profession of his distinguished father, the late Frederick A. Isham, and like his father, was schooled and trained in the practice of law in New York City before returning to Lake Placid, where he was partner of his father in the law firm of Isham & Isham until the senior partner's death in 1937. Since that time he has carried on the law office independently.
Robert F. Isham was born at Saranac Lake on April 17, 1891, son of Frederick A. (q. v.) and Laura E. (Haines) Isham, both deceased (see accom- panying biography). Young Isham attended the local schools of his birthplace and prepared for college in Exeter and Colgate academies. He received his degree of Bachelor of Arts from Colgate University with the class of 1912, and his law degree from the New York University Law School in 1914. That same year he was admitted to the New York State bar. For a year and a half he practiced professionally in New York City; then went to Niagara Falls for six months ; and in 1916 returned to Lake Placid to become a partner with his father in the law firm of Isham & Isham. Since his father's death on February 26, 1937, he has practiced independently and achieved repute among colleagues and clientele. His offices are in the Bank of Lake Placid Building.
Robert F. Isham is a member of the Essex County Bar Society, of which he is a former president ; a member of the New York State Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Bar Association of the City of New York, and the New York State Title Association. His college fraternity is Phi
265
LAKE CHAMPLAIN AND LAKE GEORGE VALLEYS
Gamma Delta, and he is affiliated with Lake Placid Lodge, No. 834, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
During the World War, Mr. Isham served with the 26th Regiment, United States Army Corps of Field Artillery, with the rank of sergeant. Prominent in civic affairs, he is a popular figure in the Lake Placid Chamber of Com- merce, the Kiwanis Club, and as a member of the American Legion. He attends the Protestant Episcopal Church.
In 1918 Mr. Isham married Phyllis Verity, a native of Brooklyn, New York, and they are the parents of two sons : I. William E. 2. Robert H. His favorite recreations are golf and skiing.
FREDERICK A. ISHAM-Born in the Lake Champlain section of the Empire State, schooled in the law at New York City where, for a time, as a young attorney he practiced with Samuel Untermyer, one of the famous legal leaders of the metropolis, Frederick A. Isham, before the turn of the century, came back to the North Country, where he became an outstanding member of his profession at Saranac Lake and Lake Placid, one of the organ- izers and incorporators of these two villages and most influential in introduc- ing public utilities here : a man, indeed, with great honor in his own country.
Mr. Isham was born at Plattsburg on May 22, 1850, son of Harry Lock- wood and Ada (Stevens) Isham, both now deceased. His mother was born at Fern Lake, Clinton County. His father was born at Williston, Vermont, and was engaged as a wagon maker for many years prior to his death. Good law schools were not numerous when young Isham completed his formal edu- cation but he selected one of the best : Columbia University in New York City, from which institution he obtained his degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1883. His school standing and manifest legal abilities impressed that great lawyer, Samuel Untermyer, in whose office he worked and acquired great skill and experience in the practice of law. Later he opened his own office at Saranac Lake. From 1897 to 1899 he again practiced his profession in New York City, and thereafter established himself at Lake Placid. Here he became senior partner in the law firm of Isham & Isham, practicing his profession for nearly half a century, and dean of the legal fraternity in this section. In the later years of his life he was joined in partnership by his son, Robert F. Isham, whose biography immediately follows that of his father in this work.
However high his reputation as a lawyer, Mr. Isham's civic activities alone rate him a place of honor in these annals of the North Country. Not only was he among the original organizers and incorporators of the villages of Lake Placid and Saranac Lake, but it was Mr. Isham who is accredited as having been most responsible for bringing to both these towns electric light, water and modern sewer facilities. For a quarter of a century he was attorney for
C & G-23
266
LAKE CHAMPLAIN AND LAKE GEORGE VALLEYS
Lake Placid and for a number of years was president of that village. During the World War period he served as a member of the Legal Advisory Board. A member of the Essex County Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, and the American Bar Association, Mr. Isham was affiliated fra- ternally with the Lake Placid Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons. He was for many years a trustee and deacon of and active in the work of the Adiron- dack Baptist Church at Lake Placid.
In his early life Frederick A. Isham married Laura E. Haines of Platts- burg, and they were the parents of two children: I. Robert F. Isham (see accompanying biography). 2. Helen Isham, who married Rev. Jesse Halsey, prominent Presbyterian clergyman of Cincinnati, Ohio, and they have four children : i. Charles. ii. Helen. iii. Frederick. iv. Abigail.
Frederick A. Isham married (second), in 1910, Jennie M. Chatfield, born at Painted Post, New York. Prominent in Lake Placid's social and civic activities, Mrs. Isham has been engaged, since 1918, in the real estate business here under the title or trade name of Jennie M. Isham. For fourteen years she was president of the Lake Placid Woman's Club. She also served for several years on the Board of Education and was its president for two years.
The death of Mr. Isham occurred on February 26, 1937, and was mourned throughout the Adirondack country as the passing of one of its most notable citizens. His achievements as a lawyer were equalled only by his accomplish- ments in the public service. Modest, unpretentious, never in quest of glory for himself, he was indeed a benefactor of the people of several communities here in the North Country. Civic affairs and his home were his hobbies, his reli- gion, his very life, indeed, outside his profession. For his splendid works down the years his memory is preserved and honored.
EARL THOMAS WOODWARD-Having built and organized a number of "dude ranches" in the Adirondacks, Earl Thomas Woodward, of Luzerne, has also engaged in a number of other business activities ; lumbering, real estate developing and building of log houses, having built over one hun- dred in twelve years.
Mr. Woodward was born September 19, 1891, in Forest, Ohio, son of Lafayette and Catherine (Kegg) Woodward. His father, a native Ohioan, was for years engaged as a farmer until his death. The mother, born in Pennsylvania, is now also deceased.
Upon graduation from high school at Forest, his Ohio birthplace, Mr. Woodward operated a farm there and also taught school for seven years. Selling out his farm interests, he first established his lumber activities at Stony Creek, New York, moving to Hadley, then Luzerne, New York, where he started the dude ranch type of summer resort in Eastern United States, build-
267
LAKE CHAMPLAIN AND LAKE GEORGE VALLEYS
ing and selling several of these. The largest was the Northwood Dude Ranch, which he ran successfully for six years. Selling the unique enterprise, Mr. Woodward centered his commercial life at Northwoods Lodge, a development in Luzerne, where he has built over sixty log summer and all-year homes. Real estate is his principal business, and he is considered an expert, particu- larly in that special branch which deals with appraising, buying and selling . standing timber. He owns more than ten thousand acres of choice timberland in the Adirondacks, and has built and erected to order, on his own woodland property and elsewhere, log cabins and commodious summer camps. This construction work has brought him well merited commendation from his many satisfied clients. As realtor, timber operator and builder of rustic summer homes, Mr. Woodward is today one of the most active citizens in and around Luzerne, and his personal and business achievements have been of great and lasting value.
Mr. Woodward is president and a director of the Earl Woodward Realty Corporation. Fraternally, he is a member of Senate Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, in Forest, Ohio, and of the Luzerne Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. In spare time he enjoys healthful outdoor sports and recreations, notably hunting and he is more than ordinarily fond of travel and spends three months each year in Florida, California and New Mexico. He attends the Methodist Church.
In 1930 Earl Thomas Woodward married Katherine Elizabeth Cotherman, a native of Minnesota.
RAYMOND F. ALLEN-One of the leading attorneys and jurists of Washington County, Raymond F. Allen, of Granville, is widely known throughout upper New York State not only as a member of the bar but also for his years of service as a member of the faculty of Albany Law School.
Raymond F. Allen was born in Rochester, New York, July 22, 1896, son of the Rev. Frederick William and Eva Elmira (Campbell) Allen. Rev. Mr. Allen, who was born in Tulalip, Washington, and was brought up in North Sedgwick, Maine, graduated from Rochester University, class of 1895, and then, selecting a career as a minister in the Baptist Church, entered Rochester Theological Seminary, graduating in 1898. He served his church for many years, holding pastorates as follows: Wyoming, New York, 1896 to 1903; Carthage, New York, 1903 to 1909; Interlaken, New York, 1909 to 1918; Cortland, New York, 1918 to 1931, and Cobleskill, New York, 1931 to 1936, when he retired after forty years in the ministry to make his home with his son in Granville. Eva Elmira (Campbell) Allen, his wife, was born at Oswego, New York, although as a young girl, her family established itself in Rochester. She received her education at Northfield Seminary, Northfield, Vermont.
268
LAKE CHAMPLAIN AND LAKE GEORGE VALLEYS
After passing through the public schools of Carthage and Interlaken, Raymond F. Allen graduated from the Interlaken High School in 1913. Entering Colgate University, he was graduated from that institution in 1917 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Selecting the legal profession for his career, Mr. Allen entered the Albany Law School and was graduated in 1921 ยท with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, being admitted to the New York bar on September 19 of that year. After graduation from Colgate University, Mr. Allen had taught school for a year, 1917-18, at Sherrill, New York; and while a student at the Albany Law School held the position of law assistant in the New York State Department of Education at Albany. After five years of practice of his profession with the Albany firm of Rider and Allen, from 1922 to 1927, during which time he was also an instructor at the Albany Law School, he was appointed full professor of law in 1927, a position which he held until 1935. By that time, however, Mr. Allen determined to give up the teaching of his profession and devote himself to the general practice of the law and, accordingly, he came to Granville and established himself as a mem- ber of the firm of Allen and Potter, who have maintained a general practice of the law in Granville since the fall of 1934. Like many other men who were young in the World War period, Mr. Allen interrupted his career by enlisting in the United States Army, and saw service at the Field Artillery School of the Officers' Training Corps, being honorably discharged as a corporal in December, 1918. Supporting his profession by membership in the American Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association and the Washington County Bar Association, Mr. Allen is also a member of Granville Post, No. 323, American Legion, the Lake Saint Catherine Country Club, of which he is treasurer and a director; the Justinian Society, and Theta Chi and Delta Sigma Rho, and Theta Nu Epsilon fraternities. Keenly interested in com- munity problems, since establishing himself in Granville, Mr. Allen has be- come a director of the Granville Chamber of Commerce and has held office as a member of the Granville Board of Education. He devotes himself to golf as a means of recreation from his professional and civic duties.
Raymond F. Allen married, in 1925, Mildred Cullin, a native of Granville, who, a graduate of Granville High School, class of 1916, taught school in Granville from 1916 to 1921 and taught in the Albany public schools from 1921 to 1925. Mr. and Mrs. Allen are the parents of three children : I. Eliza- beth Anne, born June 14, 1929. 2. Raymond F., Jr., born October 6, 1931. 4. Donald Cullin, born May 19, 1938.
HARRY SILVERMAN-Proprietor of the Harry Silverman Home Appliance Store of Glens Falls, Harry Silverman is not only one of the active business men and merchants of his community, but also an outstanding athlete,
269
LAKE CHAMPLAIN AND LAKE GEORGE VALLEYS
being a basketball player and formerly an amateur and professional baseball player.
Mr. Silverman was born in Glens Falls, November 25, 1899, son of Isaac and Jennie (Block) Silverman. Isaac Silverman, who spent most of his life in the United States, established himself as a clothing merchant and attained a leading position in his field in Glens Falls, being active as a merchant at the time of his death. Jennie (Block) Silverman, his wife, who is a resident of Glens Falls, has spent most of her life in the community.
After passing through the public schools of Glens Falls, Mr. Silverman found his first employment in Glens Falls in Veiley's Drug Store, where he remained for about a year, leaving to join his father in the family business, which was operated under the name of the Isaac Silverman Clothing Store. After two years in this business, Mr. Silverman, who had developed a brilliant reputation as a baseball player, was given a try-out by the Cleveland Ameri- cans in 1922. Returning home, he joined the Glens Falls team and played not only with that organization, but also subsequently for the Gloversville Elks and the Schuylerville Knights of Columbus teams. Between 1920 and 1921 he played ball for the Glens Falls Kurzroks, the Knights of Columbus in Glens Falls, and also in 1924 in Schuylerville, New York, and during 1923 for the Gloversville Elks, the Glens Falls Elks, and also with the Glens Falls profes- sional basketball team. After this professional baseball playing, he returned to the merchandising field in Glens Falls, accepting a position as assistant man- ager of Breslaw Brothers' Furniture Store, where he remained for some two years. He resigned this position to establish himself as a merchant, founding his present enterprise, the Harry Silverman Home Appliance Store.
While Mr. Silverman no longer plays baseball he takes an interest in all outdoor sports, being particularly devoted to hunting and fishing. A member of the Jewish Brotherhood of Glens Falls, the Glens Falls Community House, and Temple Beth El, Mr. Silverman also belongs to Glens Falls Lodge, No. 81, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
FRANCIS B. SMITH-Deputy Commissioner of Accounts of Sara- toga Springs, Francis B. Smith, who has held his office for the past year, is not only widely known as a public official throughout the Lake George area but is prominent as an amateur athlete, having been under contract with the New York Yankees at one time, as well as having been active in sports in college and at home.
Francis B. Smith was born at Saratoga Springs, August 26, 1909, son of Sydney F. and Sarah (Kelly) Smith. Sydney F. Smith, who has spent most of his life at Saratoga Springs, is associated with a wholesale paper company
270
LAKE CHAMPLAIN AND LAKE GEORGE VALLEYS
in this community. Sarah (Kelly) Smith, his wife, who was born in Ireland, has also been a resident of Saratoga Springs for many years.
After passing through the grammar school of Saratoga Springs and grad- uating from the community's high school, Francis B. Smith entered Columbia University and, later also studied at Villanova College. Returning home, Mr. Smith became interested in the insurance business and joined the staff of A. G. Pierce Insurance Company, resigning, however, after a short time, to enter the wholesale paper field. In this work, Mr. Smith remained active until 1938, when he accepted the position of Deputy Commissioner of Accounts, a post which he has occupied through the present time. A member of the Democratic party, Mr. Smith has always had a keen interest in the civic and social prob- lems of his community and has given generously of his time to public service. A keen athlete in his school and college days, Mr. Smith was particularly out- standing as a baseball player and, at one time, he was placed under contract by the New York Yankees. A member of the Saratoga Springs Lodge of the Knights of Columbus, Mr. Smith is a member of St. Clement's Catholic Church of Saratoga Springs.
Francis B. Smith married Elizabeth Fisher, who, a native of Gloucester, Massachusetts, attended the public schools of that city and, after attending Walnut Hill Preparatory School at Natick, Massachusetts, entered Skidmore College as a member of the class of 1933. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the par- ents of a daughter : Francine B., born at Saratoga Springs in 1934.
HAROLD H. GREY-Vice-president and general manager of the Elixman Paper Core Company, Incorporated, of Corinth, Saratoga County, Harold H. Grey, who is one of the leading executives of the paper core busi- ness, is also distinguished for his many services to his community, having held public office for several years.
Harold H. Grey was born in Conklingville, Saratoga County, July 21, 1894, son of Albert and Jane (Hall) Grey. Albert Grey, who is a native of Conkling- ville, established himself in Corinth as a young man and has been associated with the International Paper Corporation for years. Jane (Hall) Grey, his wife, who was born in Conklingville also, is deceased.
After passing through the public schools of Corinth, and graduating from that community's high school, Harold H. Grey began his career in the paper field by finding a position in the office of the International Paper Corporation in Corinth. After seventeen years of service with the corporation, during which time he advanced through various positions, Mr. Grey resigned in 1931 to join the staff of the Elixman Paper Core Company of Corinth, a new field in which he forged ahead rapidly, passing through various departments of the company to become general manager on January 1, 1933. Since that time,
4
Rokachapelle
27I
LAKE CHAMPLAIN AND LAKE GEORGE VALLEYS
Mr. Grey has been elected a vice-president of the organization and has become one of the financial proprietors of the corporation, an establishment which is one of the pioneer paper core companies in the United States, having been founded in 1907 by Theodore Elixman and incorporated by him and his asso- ciates in 1913. Mr. Grey's business career was interrupted by the World War for, in July of 1918, he enlisted at Corinth in the United States Army and, assigned to the 32d Field Artillery, was stationed at Camp Meade, Mary- land. Rising to the rank of regimental supply sergeant, Mr. Grey was dis- charged in December of 1918 and returned home to Corinth. Preserving his military associations by membership in the Horace D. Washburn Post, No. 533, American Legion, Mr. Grey, who attends the Episcopal Church of Corinth, is also keenly interested in the political and civic problems of his community and gives generously of his time and talents to the public welfare, having, in particular, served as clerk of the Village Board for three terms, from 1930 through 1933, and also as a member of the Board of Education. Fond of hunting, fishing and swimming, Mr. Grey finds in these sports, as well as other outdoor activities, a means of recreation from his business responsibilities.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.