USA > Vermont > The Lake Champlain and Lake George valleys, Vol. III > Part 31
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Harold H. Grey married Frances E. Dayton, a native of Corinth. Mr. and Mrs. Grey are the parents of three children: I. Judd, a student in the Corinth High School. 2. Theodore, his twin, also a student in the Corinth High School. 3. Jane Anne.
RUDOLPH L. LACHAPELLE-Recently honored by reelection, with a majority approximating five thousand votes, Rudolph L. Lachapelle is now serving his second term as the popular, widely known sheriff of Clinton County. He was born on October 26, 1881, in St. Remi, County Napierville, Quebec, Canada, where his father, Leon Lachapelle, also was born and where he was engaged throughout his adult life as a provision dealer. The mother, Rose (Biscornet) Lachapelle, now also deceased, was born in La Prairie, Quebec, Canada.
After passing through the public schools of his birthplace, and graduating from St. Remi College in 1901, Mr. Lachapelle came to Mooers, New York, and entered the employ of a general merchant here named Wilmer Fitch, who was a descendant of one of the pioneer families of Mooers. In June, 1903, Mr. Lachapelle went to work for Trombly Brothers, Altona, New York, where he had charge of the dry goods department of this general merchandis- ing concern. Six years later he left Trombly Brothers to open up, in partner- ship with the late P. H. Kennedy, a general store at Altona under the trade name of Kennedy & Lachapelle. The next important date in Mr. Lachapelle's career was June 21, 19II, when he married Stella Connors, daughter of
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Patrick Connors, a member of an old and highly respected Altona family who, at the time of his daughter's marriage, operated a hotel where the post office now stands. Mr. Lachapelle sold out his interest in the Kennedy & Lachapelle business in 1913 and he and his wife traveled extensively through- out the Eastern and Western States until 1916, when he accepted a position as purchasing agent for the Dock & Coal Company of Lyon Mountain, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Lachapelle lived at Lyon Mountain until September, 1917, at which time they settled in Plattsburg, this State, where the Boom- hower Wholesale Grocery Company employed Mr. Lachapelle as traveling salesman. After eight years with that company, he entered the firm of the New England Wholesale Grocery Company, also of Plattsburg, and remained with them until January 1, 1935, at which time he disposed of his interests to accept the responsibilities of the office of sheriff of Clinton County, an office for which he had been nominated by the Republican party and elected in November, 1935, by the largest majority ever given a candidate for that par- ticular office. Mr. Lachapelle was reelected to this same office with a majority close to five thousand votes. This was the first time in the history of New York State that a sheriff had the honor of succeeding himself, through a Con- stitutional amendment voted in the election of November, 1937.
Mr. Lachapelle gives freely of his time to all projects aimed at the im- provement and development of Plattsburg and Clinton County. He attends St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church here, belongs to the Plattsburg Holy Name Society and the Society of St. John the Baptist, and is also a member of Plattsburg Lodge, No. 612, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Platts- burg Council, No. 225, Knights of Columbus, being a fourth degree member ; Plattsburg Lodge of the Independent Order of Foresters; and the New York State Sheriffs' Association, serving this organization as a member of its executive committee.
MILFORD I. KENWELL-Entering the insurance field in North Creek more than thirty years ago, Milford I. Kenwell has been closely asso- ciated with this work to the present day, and he conducts his own offices here, dealing in a general line of insurance. He was born here April 26, 1885, the son of the late Wesley G. and Maggie (Straight) Kenwell. Wesley G. Kenwell, a native of Weavertown, engaged in the farming industry in this section for several years, and later, in 1905 he established his own insurance business, continuing in this field until his death in 1909. Maggie (Straight) Kenwell is a native of North Creek.
Milford I. Kenwell secured his elementary education in the North Creek district schools, and later enrolled at Albany Business College, where he was a member of the class of 1907-08. For the next year he served as a clerk in a
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general store in North Creek, operated by T. J. Eldridge, and then he became associated with his father in the latter's insurance business, and then after his father's death in 1909 he took over complete management of this business, in which he has since been most successful. From 1913 to 1932 he was also engaged in the automobile business in North Creek, operating a garage and sales agency under the firm name of Kenwell and Brown.
Mr. Kenwell is a member of the Free Baptist Church, and also a member of the North Creek Voluntary Fire Department, being connected with this unit since its organization in 1926. He is well known in this section also, as a lover of horses, and is the owner himself of two fine harness racing horses.
Mr. Kenwell is unmarried.
SPENCER B. EDDY is a member of the law firm of Brackett and Eddy, of which the late Senator Edgar T. Brackett was for many years the head, and is a native of this community, having been born here October 6, 1895, the son of James and Harriet ( Brownell) Eddy, both deceased. Har- riet (Brownell) E'ddy was born at Shushan, New York.
Spencer B. Eddy received his elementary and high school education in the local schools, and later matriculated at Union College in Schenectady, where he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In 1917 he enlisted for war service, and was later sent overseas, where he remained for eighteen months, distinguishing himself in the battles of Chateau Thierry, Soissons, St. Mihiel and the Argonne, and being awarded the French Croix de Guerre, Silver Star Medal and the Conspicuous Service Cross. He was commissioned a second lieutenant before sailing for France, was advanced to a first lieu- tenancy in October, 1918, and appointed a captain in January, 1919. He received his honorable discharge in June, 1919, and then began to prepare for his legal career. He was admitted to practice December, 1921, and became associated with Senator Brackett, becoming a member of the firm two years later. This law firm, one of the oldest in the county, was established in 1860 by Lambert Pond who came here from Elizabethtown, and maintained a general law practice here until his death. Before his death, the firm was known as Pond, French and Brackett. After the death of his partners, Mr. Brackett, continued alone until 1916, and then organized the firm of Brackett, Todd, Wheat and Wait, which continued until 1921. Senator Brackett then resumed independent practice until 1923, when the present firm of Brackett and Eddy was formed, and it is in the present office of this firm that the American Bar Association was formed. Mr. Eddy has served as counsel for the Saratoga Springs Commission since 1930, and he has also served twice by appointment, as Special Deputy Attorney-General. He is also a director of the Adirondack Trust Company and a member of the board of trustees of Union College.
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Mr. Eddy is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and an affiliate of the Free and Accepted Masons, Albany Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Saratoga County, New York State, American and City of New York Bar associations. He is also a member of the Alpha Delta Phi Club of New York City, and a well-known figure in American Legion affairs, being Past Commander of Post No. 30, and also County Commander.
He is the father of a daughter, Ruth Eddy, now a student in the local schools.
DR. IRWIN V. DECKER-The greater part of the past thirteen years, Dr. Irwin V. Decker has been practicing his profession in Salem, the World War intruding at the commencement of his medical career.
Dr. Decker was born in Troy, New York, on November 5, 1890, son of William Decker, native and present day resident of Troy, and Harriette (Bates) Decker, a native also of Troy, now deceased. The doctor received his education in the public and high schools of Troy, supplemented by the full, pre-medical course of studies at New York University, and upon gradu- ation from Albany Medical College in 1915 he received his degree of Doctor of Medicine. His interneship was served at the Deaconess Hospital at Buffalo, and at Cohoes (New York) Hospital.
Dr. Decker thereupon started his practice of medicine here in Salem but, as already indicated, the World War enlisted Dr. Decker's patriotic support, and as a first lieutenant he served his country as a member of the Medical Corps, 3d Division. Upon his honorable discharge from the United States Army in December, 1918, Dr. Decker resumed the practice of his profession, this time at Chatham, New York. There he continued until 1931 and then returned to practice in Salem, where he has been ever since. He is a member of the County, State and American Medical associations, the Masonic Order, and the Episcopal Church. His hobby is horticulture.
ROBERT A. WAYMAN-Through his civic activities and business success, Robert A. Wayman has come to be recognized as one of the promi- nent leaders of Salem, where he has resided for over two decades and served as town clerk for eleven years, being reelected to that office for five successive terms.
A native of Salem, Mr. Wayman was born here September 2, 1888, the son of George F. and Josephine C. (Craig) Wayman, the former a native of Cambridgeshire, England, and the latter of Holmes County, Mississippi. His father, who was a locomotive mechanic by trade, came to this country as a child, was educated here and resided at Salem until his passing.
Matthew Leary
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After a general education in the public schools of his native community, Robert A. Wayman attended the Horological School at Waltham, Massa- chusetts, where he received training in the specialty he has since followed with such success. Upon completing his training he became a finisher in a watch factory and continued in this capacity. During the eight years that followed he was connected with a number of the largest watch and jewelry factories in the country, including the South Bend Company, the Waltham Company, the Hamilton Watch Company, the New England Company, the Ingersoll Com- pany and the Seth Thomas Company.
He came to Salem about 1916 with this solid professional background and purchased the oldest jewelry shop in the community which has won wide recognition for its standard of excellence, its craftsmanship and the quality of product it has carried.
Throughout his life Mr. Wayman has always been interested in the affairs of his surroundings and contributed usefully to the general welfare. It was this public-spirited outlook that caused him to be appointed town clerk to fill out a vacancy. The able manner in which he conducted the affairs of this office during the year he was an appointee led to his election when his appoint- ment ran out. Since, he has been reëlected for five consecutive terms. In his political convictions, Mr. Wayman is a Republican and has been prominent in the activities of this organization. Mr. Wayman fraternizes with Salem Lodge, No. 391, of the Free and Accepted Masons and worships at the First Presbyterian Church. He is fond of outdoor sports and finds particular pleasure in brook trout fishing and partridge hunting.
Mr. Wayman married Virginia Cole, of Washington, District of Columbia, who is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Wayman were the parents of the follow- ing children: I. Virginia Cole, a native of Salem, who was educated in the public schools of this community, attended Washington Academy here and completed her studies at the Mildred Ellis School in Albany, New York. 2. Robert Craig, born in Salem, now a student at the Washington Academy. 3. John Cole, also a native of Salem, who is now a student in the public schools here.
MATTHEW G. LEARY-A practicing attorney in Burlington, Ver- mont, for the past thirty-nine years, Matthew G. Leary was born May 5, 1873, at Jericho, Chittenden County, Vermont, the son of Moses and Catherine (Cassidy) Leary, both natives of Ireland, and now deceased, who came to Vermont, where the father was a farmer all his life.
Mr. Leary received his education in the district schools of Jericho, the Richmond (Vermont) High School, and the Green Mountain Seminary at Waterbury, this State. He then read law in the offices of Attorney C. F. Clough of Waterbury and of Farrengton and Post, prominent lawyers of St.
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Albans, being admitted to the bar of the State of Vermont in 1899. He has practiced law ever since at Burlington, where his legal ability is rated, by the citizenry and by members of his profession, as very high.
This statement is borne out by the fact that he was the first Democrat in the Republican State of Vermont elected as State Attorney and so served for two years. He served two years as city of Burlington's representative in the General Assembly, and two terms as State Senator, chairman of the Demo- cratic County Committee for about twelve years, four years as Democratic State Committeeman and, from 1908 to 1927, as secretary of the Democratic State Committee, many times delegate to the Democratic State Convention, and was signally honored by appointment as a member of the commission to revise the Constitution of the State of Vermont, which revision was adopted in 1913; and chairman of a similar committee in 1939.
During the World War Mr. Leary rendered loyal service to his country as chairman of the Registration Board and as member of the Legal Advisory Board. He is a member of the American and Vermont State Bar associations, member and past president of the Chittenden County Bar Association ; direc- tor and vice-president of the Home Savings Bank in Burlington ; director of the Burlington Trust Company ; the Burlington Building and Loan Associa- tion, and the Federal Building and Loan Association.
Mr. Leary's hobbies are: fishing and hunting. A communicant of the Cathedral Parish Roman Catholic Church, he is a member and Past Grand Knight of the Burlington Council, Knights of Columbus, and a member of the fourth degree in the order; a member of the Burlington Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Matthew G. Leary married, in 1905, Maude Gleason, a native of Rich- mond, Vermont, and they are the parents of three children: I. Esther C., a graduate of the University of Vermont, class of 1933, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts; now married to Robert Cronin of New York City. 2. Matthew G., Jr., graduate of Notre Dame University in 1935 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts; and of Cornell University in 1938 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws; admitted to the bar, State of Vermont, in October, 1938, and now associated with his father in the practice of law in Burlington. 3. Helen M., a graduate of the University of Vermont, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts.
KENNETH STREETER-Among the prominent young educators of Washington County is Kenneth Streeter, for the past eight years principal of the Salem schools in which he had been a member of the faculty for three years prior to assuming his present post. During his career in this com- munity he has been an active figure in social and civic affairs, holding member- ship in several clubs and societies.
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Mr. Streeter was born in Poultney, Vermont, October 6, 1904, the son of Charles and Sarah (Waller) Streeter, both natives of New York, the former from Hampton, and the latter from Hartford. His father, who is a farmer, at one time engaged in the hardware business. His mother is now deceased. After a general education in the schools of his native community Mr. Streeter completed this part of his studies at the Granville High School, in Granville, New York. He then matriculated at Colgate University from which he was graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Arts in the class of 1928, and later attended Columbia University from which he was awarded his degree of Master of Arts in 1936.
In the meantime he had begun his teaching career as a member of the faculty of the Salem schools and continued in this capacity until 1931, when he was named principal of the school system of Salem, a post he has since occupied with outstanding distinction. As an educator he has been actively interested in professional organizations and is now a member of the New York State Teachers Association, and the Academic Principals. He also belongs to the Kappa Phi Kappa Fraternity, an educational society, is a mem- ber and former vice-president and treasurer of the Kappa Delta Rho Fra- ternity, serves as Master for the Salem Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons and worships at the Baptist Church in Granville. His principal hobbies are golf and football.
Mr. Streeter married Alice Austin, of Granville, and a graduate of the Oneonta Normal School. She was a teacher in the Salem schools before her marriage.
HON. ROBERT N. WILSON-The wide and diversified contribu- tion Hon. Robert N. Wilson has made to the socal, civic and business affairs of Salem, where he has engaged in the general practice of law for over thirty- five years, has gone to establish him as one of the most prominent leaders of this community. In addition to his professional work Mr. Wilson has been an influential figure in the county Republican organization.
Mr. Wilson was born in Hebron, Washington County, December 1, 1876, the son of John Q. and Belle ( Nisbet) Wilson, both deceased and natives of this State, the former from his son's birthplace and the latter, from the town- ship of Lee. His father, who passed away at the advanced age of ninety- four years, engaged in farming throughout his life. Mr. Wilson received a general education in the public schools of his native community and later com- pleted this part of his studies at the Washington Academy. He then matricu- lated at the Albany Law School from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in the class of 1904.
C & G-24
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He returned to Salem and served his clerkship in the offices of Judge Fraser. In 1905 he was admitted to the New York State bar at Saratoga Springs and a year and a half later left the offices of Mr. Fraser to establish an independent practice which he has since conducted with distinction and success.
In conjunction with his legal activities he has also enjoyed success in other departments of community life, particularly as a public official. From 1913 to 1916 he was secretary to Congressman James S. Parker, served as clerk of the village of Salem for several years and at present is a special county judge in Washington County. His business experience dates back to 1922, when he took over the Frank Hill Insurance Agency, at the time the proprietor of that establishment passed away. He continues to manage this enterprise which is devoted to casualty and fire insurance. Aside from this he is a member of the board of directors of the Salem National Bank and a trustee of the Central School Board. The latter activity long has interested him. Prior to becoming a member of the Central School Board he had been a member of the Village Board of Education in Salem for twenty years. Professionally Mr. Wilson is a member of the Washington County Bar Association and in his religious con- victions worships at the First Presbyterian Church of Salem in which he is an elder, a trustee and a member of the official board.
Mr. Wilson married Charlotte Cole, a native of Albany.
THOMAS ALEXANDER-Throughout his active career, Thomas Alexander has been actively identified with the general plumbing business in North Creek. He was born in Weavertown, October 9, 1878, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Arnold) Alexander, both natives of Ireland, and both deceased.
Thomas Alexander received his early education in the district schools at Weavertown, and later studied at Albany Business College. After completing his education he came to North Creek and established the plumbing business in which he has been most successful to the present day, being recognized as a contractor whose reputation for quality and fairness in all his business opera- tions is of the highest degree.
Mr. Alexander is a member of the Methodist Church, and fraternally he is affiliated with Warrensburg Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons.
He is married to Cora Montgomery, a native of Sodam, New York.
WALTER A. LEONARD, M. D .- Carrying on a practice of medi- cine in Cambridge, Dr. Walter A. Leonard is highly esteemed and respected in the wide circle of his acquaintance. He has many affiliations ,and his posi- tion is one of high standing among his fellow-citizens in all walks of life.
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Dr. Leonard was born July 23, 1872, in Hoosick Falls, New York, son of E'dgar and May E. (Jones) Leonard. His father, born in that same com- munity on August 18, 1846, was engaged for many years in the express and railroad business. The mother, who was born April 14, 1843, at Berlin, New York, is now deceased.
Public and high schools in Hoosick Falls provided Walter A. Leonard's early education, and he was graduated in 1889 from high school there and in 1890 from Colgate Academy. In 1896 he took the degree of Bachelor of Arts at Colgate University, and in 1899 he was graduated from Albany Medi- cal College, Albany, New York, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He also took extension courses in public health at New York University. In 1899 he opened offices for the practice of his chosen profession in Shushan, New York, where he carried on his work until 1908. In that year he came to Cambridge, where he has continued his labors down to the time of writing.
In addition to his own practice, Dr. Leonard has interested himself in the affairs of different medical organizations, including the Washington County Medical Society, the New York State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He was secretary of the New York States Officers' Association from 1923 to 1928, and was president from 1929 to 1935. He is a member of the American Public Health Association, the New York State School Physicians' Association and the American School Physicians' Asso- ciation ; a past president of the Washington County Medical Society and chairman of its legislative committee; and chairman of the American Society for Control of Cancer of Washington County. In 1932 Dr. Leonard was appointed by Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt to fill out an unexpired term on the Public Health Council of the State of New York, and in 1934 he was reappointed to this post by Governor Herbert H. Lehman. He is still serving in this capacity at the time of writing.
In addition to his other activities, Dr. Leonard is a staff resident of the Mary McClellan Hospital, of Cambridge, New York; staff associate of the Troy Hospital, of Troy, New York; and staff teacher at the Mary McClellan School for Nurses, Skidmore College, Cambridge, New York. He was appointed many years ago as health officer in Salem, New York, and so served from 1904 to 1908. He was health officer of White Creek, beginning in 1908 and continuing down to the time of writing. He was appointed health officer of the consolidated district of White Creek and Cambridge in 1913, and still holds this office. He has likewise been health officer in the town of Jackson since 1917. He is also a member of the Washington County Public Health Committee.
Taking part in a number of civic and social undertakings, Dr. Leonard is a member of the Phi Kappa Psi and the old Theta Nu Epsilon fraternities.
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He holds memberships also in Cambridge Valley Lodge, No. 481, of the Free and Accepted Masons, as well as in Federal Chapter, No. 10, of Royal Arch Masons, of Salem. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Lions Club and other groups. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, of Cambridge, of which he is a trustee and an elder. Music is a favorite pastime of Dr. Leonard, who has been associated for some years with the Cambridge Valley Band and has the deepest interest in both vocal and instrumental music. He is a football enthusiast and is interested in all out- door sports.
Dr. Walter A. Leonard married Evelyn Conklin, of Auburn, New York. They became the parents of the following children: I. Norma D. Leonard, born in 1901, in Shushan, New York, educated in the grammar and high schools of Cambridge and at Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York, where she was graduated in the early 'twenties; she is the wife of R. D. Everett, of Newburgh, New York. 2. Mary Evelyn Leonard, born in 1904 at Shushan, graduated from the Cambridge grammar and high schools and from the Albany Hospital School of Nursing; she is a registered nurse, practiced her profession in Yonkers, New York; married Louis Meltzer in 1938, in New York City.
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