USA > Vermont > The Lake Champlain and Lake George valleys, Vol. III > Part 34
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Attending Adelphi Academy, Dr. Edgar Birdsall transferred from that institution, in Brooklyn, New York, to Glens Falls Academy, where he was a member of the class of 1894. In 1899 he took the degree of Doctor of Medi- cine at the New York Homeopathic Medical College. There followed a year of interneship at the Metropolitan Hospital, Blackwell's. Island, New York, after which he took up the general practice of medicine in Brooklyn. For four years he remained in Brooklyn, serving also as attending physician at the Eastern District Dispensary. In 1904 he came to Glens Falls, New York. associating himself with his father, Dr. Stephen T. Birdsall. Since that time he has carried on his specialized work in Roentgenology in this city, con- tributing notably thereby to the life of the community and its people.
In addition to all his other activities, Dr. Birdsall has participated in the affairs of a number of organizations. Among them are the Warren County Medical Society, of which he is a past president ; the New York State Medical Society ; and the American Medical Association. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Radiology and a member and past president of the Glens Falls Academy of Medicine. He is a staff member and Roentgenologist at Glens Falls Hospital, as well as ex-president of the staff of this hospital and a member of the American Roentgen Ray Society and the International Con- gress of Radiology.
Eugene Brown
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A Republican in his political views, he served for three years as physician of the town of Queensbury, New York, and was for nine years coroner of Warren County. For several years he was a member of the Board of United States Pension Examiners. He is affiliated with Senate Lodge, No. 456 of the Free and Accepted Masons and with the Phi Alpha Gamma Fraternity, which he joined in his student days. He was formerly president of the Glens Falls Country Club, and is now a director of the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion. He attends the Church of the Society of Friends. In spare time he enjoys outdoor recreations, notably golf and gardening.
In 1904 Dr. Edgar Birdsall married Eleanor Avery, a native of Louisville, Kentucky. The children of this marriage were: I. Stephen Taber, a graduate of Harvard College, class of 1931, degree of Bachelor of Arts. 2. Samuel Avery, graduate of Glens Falls Academv.
EUGENE BROWN-Dean of funeral directors in Clinton County, Eugene Brown, of Plattsburg, is not only the oldest member of his profession in the Lake Champlain district but is also distinguished as a public citizen, having served his community as an official for years.
Eugene Brown was born at Plattsburg, April 5, 1861, son of Peter and Adele (Peppin) Brown. Peter Brown, who was born at Montreal, Quebec, Canada, established himself in Plattsburg in the meat and provision business, a calling in which he remained active until the time of his death. Adele (Peppin) Brown, his wife, also deceased, was also a native of Montreal.
After passing through the grammar schools of Plattsburg and graduating from the Plattsburg High School, Eugene Brown found his first regular employment in the Plattsburg furniture store of Bromley and Smith, an employment which he maintained for about four years. About 1883, Mr. Brown resigned to enter the United States Customs service as an inspector, a position which he held until 1892, when he resigned to establish himself in the undertaking business in Plattsburg. For nearly fifty years now, Mr. Brown has continued to serve his community as a funeral director, being the pro- prietor of the oldest such establishment in Clinton County, an enterprise in which he has enjoyed the assistance of his sons for the past thirty years.
Always keenly interested in the welfare and prosperity of Plattsburg, Mr. Brown has been active for years in both political and civic life. A Republican, he has served two terms as alderman of Plattsburg and two terms as a mem- ber of the Plattsburg Board of Health, while his civic interest has been expressed through membership in the Plattsburg Rotary Club and the Platts- burg Chamber of Commerce. Supporting his profession by membership in the National Funeral Directors' Association and the North Star Funeral
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Directors' Association, Mr. Brown is also a member of the Society of St. John, the Baptist; Plattsburg Lodge, No. 621, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks ; and a charter member of Plattsburg Council, No. 255, Knights of Columbus. A member of St. Peter's Catholic Church, Mr. Brown devotes his leisure to his home and family.
Eugene Brown married, in 1885 Elizabeth Archambault, who is a native of Plattsburg. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are the parents of five children : I. Eugene, Jr., a graduate of the New York College of Embalming and a partner in the firm of Eugene Brown and Sons. During the World War, he served overseas as a member of the American Expeditionary Forces, being enlisted in the United States Army. 2. Lucile, now the wife of Dr. Roswell Hogue, of Plattsburg. 3. Anna, deceased. 4. Bertha, now the wife of Harold Webb, of Plattsburg. 5. Leo, a graduate of the New York College of Embalming and a partner in the firm of Eugene Brown and Sons.
WALTER WILLIAM JANSER-Extensively engaged in the drug business in Chestertown, Walter William Janser has performed a work of real importance and value to his community.
Mr. Janser was born May 1, 1879, in Switzerland, son of Victor and Aloisi (Fensi) Janser, both natives of Switzerland and both now deceased. The father was a musician.
Swiss schools provided Walter William Janser's early education, and after he came to the United States with his family he was a student at Spring- field, Massachusetts. Going through the public schools there and completing his high school studies, he then attended Albany College of Pharmacy, at Albany, New York, where he was graduated in 1902. Finishing his formal preparation for his career, he worked for four years as a prescription clerk in a drug store at Troy, New York, and in 1906 came to Chestertown, in this State. Entering the drug business on his own account here, he has continued this work down to the time of writing.
He is also a director of the Chester-Schroon-Horicon Bank, of Chester- town, and was one of the organizers of the Chestertown Fire Company. He is now a fire commissioner of the town and a director and treasurer of the Chamber of Commerce. He belongs to Glendale Lodge, No. 497, of the Free and Accepted Masons, and is a member of the New York State Pharmaceutical Association and the National Association of Retail Druggists. In leisure time Mr. Janser enjoys outdoor life and healthful recreations, being particu- larly fond of fishing.
In 1906 he married Alda Link, a native of Troy, New York, who is now leceased.
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JOHN BURDETT ROCK-Extensively engaged in banking and business affairs in Luzerne, John Burdett Rock is president of the Hadley- Luzerne Bank of this place. His career has been a many-sided one, rich in its experiences and results, and he is respected, admired and honored in an ever- widening circle of acquaintances.
Mr. Rock was born November 5, 1883, in New York City, son of William T. and Lulu (Loomer) Rock. His father, a native of Birmingham, England, was a pioneer worker in the motion picture trade, going into this business in 1896 and buying the State right for the Edison Vitascope in Louisiana. He opened one of the first motion picture theatres in the United States, and organized in the same year the Vitagraph Company of America and the American Vitagraph Company, of which he was president from 1896 until his death in 1916. His wife, Mrs. Lulu (Loomer) Rock, was born in Nova Scotia, Canada, and she also is now deceased.
Public schools in New York City furnished John Burdett Rock's early education, and when he completed his high school studies he entered the motion picture business with Bostock's Circus in 1899, remaining with that organization for six months until he associated himself with the old Vita- graph Company, which was owned by his father. He continued from that time until 1926 with the Vitagraph Company, serving after 1924 as vice- president and general manager. In 1926 the company was sold to the Warner Brothers Picture Corporation. Then, from 1926 to 1936, Mr. Rock was engaged in the real estate business in Brooklyn, New York, as well as in banking activities in Luzerne, New York. In 1930 he was made president of the Hadley-Luzerne Bank, in Luzerne, where he now makes his home.
In addition to his business undertakings, which have been extensive, Mr. Rock is a Republican in his political views and a leader in party affairs. He served from 1930 to 1933 as justice of the peace in Luzerne. In 1938 he was made a town committeeman of the Republican party organization. He is a director of the Lake Luzerne Chamber of Commerce and a life member of the New York Athletic Club. A leader in fraternalism, Mr. Rock belongs to Saratoga Lodge, No. 161, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lake Luzerne Lodge, No. 871, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and America Lodge, No. 889, of the Free and Accepted Masons. In the Masonic Order he is affiliated with all bodies of both the York and Scottish Rite, in- cluding Medina Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He attends services at the Protestant Episcopal Church, where he is warden of the parish. Healthful sports and recreations occupy much of his spare time, and Mr. Rock particularly enjoys golf and trap-shooting.
In 1930 John Burdett Rock married Venita Pomfret, of Paterson, New Jersey, and one daughter, Venita Louise Rock, was born of this marriage.
C & G-26
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GEORGE EDWARD STANTON-Widely known in the business life of Luzerne, George Edward Stanton has contributed notably to the wel- fare of his native community. He is cashier of the New York Power and Light Company's Luzerne branch, and proprietor of a local theatre, and in many other ways has helped to bring about the advancement of the well-being of Luzerne and its people.
Mr. Stanton was born November 12, 1906, in Luzerne, New York, son of Leonard and Anna (Ross) Stanton. His father, born in Luzerne, was engaged for many years until his retirement as a paper-maker. The mother was born in Conklingville, New York, and is now deceased.
George Edward Stanton attended the graded and high schools of Luzerne, New York, and Eastman Business College, at Saratoga, New York. Com- pleting his formal education, he was employed for one and one-half years in the factory of the Luzerne Paper Corporation in the capacity of shipping clerk. In 1927 he was engaged at Burt's Theatre, in Luzerne, in which he has been part-owner since 1936. He is also its manager, and is widely known in entertainment circles as a result of the work that he has done here. In addi- tion to his theatre activity, Mr. Stanton was made, in 1936, cashier of the New York Power and Light Company's Luzerne branch. His two-sided activity has made him one of his community's popular and respected citizens, and his friends are many and loyal to him.
Politically, he is a staunch Republican. He was tax collector of Luzerne for six years, and in numerous other ways he has contributed to the life of his community. He is deeply interested in fraternalism, belonging to Lake Luzerne Lodge, No. 871, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and being a Past Grand of his lodge. He is a member of the Chamber of Com- merce of Luzerne.
In 1934 George Edward Stanton married Agnes Wood, who was born in Thurman, New York.
LYNN F. PERKINS-For a number of years superintendent of schools of Luzerne, Lynn F. Perkins has contributed in a notable way to the advancement of education and the improvement of his community's educa- tional work.
Mr. Perkins was born January 28, 1887, in Schuyler Lake, Otsego County, New York, son of Don Lidell and Minnie (Palmer) Perkins. His father, born at Schuyler Lake, was for years a farmer until his death. The mother was born at Richfield Springs, New York.
In the public schools of Otsego and Oswego counties Lynn F. Perkins received his early education, and after graduation from Richfield Springs High School he became a student at Syracuse University, in Syracuse, New
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York, there taking his degree of Bachelor of Philosophy in 1910. Going to Harvard University, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, for postgraduate work, he there took the Master of Arts' degree; that was in 1911. Completing his formal studies, he at once turned to his chosen work, becoming principal of the high school at Sherburne, New York. Later, he taught at a private school in Nyack, New York. Then he was principal of the Union School at Schuyler Lake from 1913 to 1916. Until 1918 he taught as a Fellow in economics at Syracuse University. Then there followed a period of three months as cor- respondence clerk in the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Washington, District of Columbia.
At the entry of the United States into the World War, Mr. Perkins en- listed in the Medical Corps of the army, serving in the Reconstruction Divi- sion and being stationed at Walter Reed Hospital, where he taught elementary school subjects to the returning wounded. He continued with that work among the soldiers until his honorable discharge in April, 1919, when he became assistant labor manager in the Chicago clothing manufacturing house of Alfred Decker and Cohn. In that position he served until July, 1920, when he became teacher of economics at De Witt Clinton High School, in New York City, so continuing until December of that year. Resigning from his position in New York, he accepted the principalship of the Schuyler Lake Union School again in January, 1921, and remained until the fall of 1926, when he was made principal of Hadley-Luzerne High School. In August, 1931, he became district superintendent of schools for the First Supervisory District of Warren County, New York. He has carried on this work down to the time of writing, earning the satisfaction and respect of students, teachers and fellow-townsmen.
His career has been a well-rounded one, and his experience as a teacher of wounded soldiers and as labor manager for a large clothing house have been such as to endow him with a practical knowledge of life that is denied many teachers under present-day conditions of society. Mr. Perkins, indeed, takes a lively interest in all the affairs of his times, belonging to many organi- zations of a varied nature. He is president and a director of the University of Plenocracy, in Chicago, Illinois, and is president and a director of Combus- tion Service, Inc. Formerly, he was president of the Lake Luzerne Chamber of Commerce. He belongs to Corinth Lodge, No. 987, of the Free and Accepted Masons, and to the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, which he joined in his student days. He is also a member of the New York State District Superintendents' Association, Luzerne Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry, and Warren County Pomona Grange. He attends the Universalist Church. In leisure time his favorite pastime is reading, and he has a deep understand- ing of history, economics and philosophy.
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On September 19, 1918, Lynn F. Perkins married Cecile Helene Darby, daughter of Alonzo J. and Lillian (Coleman) Darby. The children of this marriage have been : I. Donald Ralph Perkins, a member of the class of 1941 at Columbia University, New York City. 2. Norman Darby Perkins. 3. Wayne Lynn Perkins. 4. Grace Eloise Perkins.
HENRY W. SISSON-One of the outstanding business men of the Lake George district, Henry W. Sisson not only owns and operates several business enterprises but also devotes himself generously to the advancement of the welfare of his community and county, serving in various capacities and taking an active part in the organization of the Republican party locally.
Henry W. Sisson was born in Lake George May 22, 1878, son of Edwin C. and Julia E. (Crandale) Sisson. Edwin C. Sisson, who was a native of Cambridge, Washington County, New York, spent more than forty years in county offices, serving first as deputy county clerk of Warren County and then becoming the county clerk of the county, as well as devoting himself for many years to the insurance business. Julia E. (Crandale) Sisson, his wife, who is deceased, was born in Chestertown, New York.
Educated in the public grade schools of Lake George and the Lake George High School, Henry W. Sisson established himself as a commercial photog- rapher in Lake George, a profession to which he devoted some twelve years, leaving it to enter the variety store business in Lake George, an enterprise to which he gave some eight years, being, in the meantime, appointed deputy county clerk of Warren County. Then, in 1913, he established a garage busi- ness, an activity in which he was the pioneer in the Lake George district. In addition to this automobile establishment, he also developed a large real estate and insurance business, beginning about 1908, and he is one of the leaders in these two fields in the entire district. Always deeply interested in civic prob- lems, Mr. Sisson has devoted a great deal of his time for many years to politi- cal activity, not only being one of the leaders of the Republican party but also holding public office, offices which have included two years as mayor of the village of Lake George, several terms as trustee of the village of Lake George, several terms as United States Loan Commissioner for Warren County, and many years as a trustee of the Lake George Library. Mr. Sisson is a member of St. James' Episcopal Church of Lake George, of which insti- tution he has been a vestryman. He finds recreation from his business respon- sibilities and public duties in boating on Lake George, a sport which is his particular interest.
Henry W. Sisson married, in 1908, Rowena Taylor, who is a native of Albany. Mr. and Mrs. Sisson are the parents of two children : 1. Anne Ruth,
Detth . aller
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who attended Cornell University and also Scott Carbee School of Art of Boston, Massachusetts. 2. Katherine, a graduate of Geneseo State Normal School.
SETH S. ALLEN-A dean of the legal profession in Clinton County at the time of his death, Seth S. Allen, who was the senior partner of the Plattsburg law firm of Allen and Allen, was not only an outstanding attorney of Upper New York State but was also prominent as a banker and business man and active within the ranks of the Masonic fraternity.
Seth S. Allen was born in Peru, Clinton County, October 20, 1864, son of Isaac C. and Henrietta (Fuller) Allen. Isaac C. Allen, who was born in Peru, where he established himself as a farmer and practiced agriculture all his life, was a direct descendant of Jabez Allen, one of the pioneer settlers of the Champlain Valley, who settled in Peru in 1786 following his service in the Revolutionary War with the Green Mountain Boys. Henrietta (Fuller) Allen, also deceased, was a native of Peru, Clinton County, also.
After passing through the public schools of Peru and Keeseville, Seth S. Allen attended Potsdam State Normal School and Cornell University, spend- ing some six years during this period as a school teacher and, from 1894 through 1900, being school commissioner of the First District of Clinton County. While school commissioner, Mr. Allen became interested in the law as a profession and, accordingly, began reading law in the Plattsburg office of Bottsford and Cotter. Admitted to the New York State bar in 1900 he became a partner in the Plattsburg law firm of Bottsford, Merrihew and Allen, as a junior partner, an association which endured for three years, Mr. Allen then establishing himself in Plattsburg in private practice and remaining inde- pendent until 1911, when he became the senior member of the law firm of Allen and Allen, a Plattsburg firm, which maintained itself in general prac- tice until the passing of Seth S. Allen. Supporting his profession through membership in the Clinton County Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association, Mr. Allen, who was a member of the Republican party in politics, was also a director of the Vermont Hardware Company and the presi- dent of the Champlain Valley Federal Savings and Loan Association, an organization of which he was one of the organizers and of which he had been the only president. Supporting his community by membership and activity in the Plattsburg Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Allen was deeply interested in Masonry, being a member of Plattsburg Lodge, No. 828, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and all Masonic bodies of both the York and the Scottish Rites, including De Soto Commandery, Knights Templar, of which he was a Past Commander, and Oriental Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. A member of the Plattsburg Methodist Church, Mr. Allen
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devoted himself for recreation to automobiling and was also widely traveled, finding in the latter hobby a means of renewing himself after long terms of application to his profession.
Seth S. Allen married, in 1891, Della A. Parson, who was born at Hub- bardton, Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Allen were the parents of four children : I. Lula M., a graduate of Plattsburg Normal School and Smith College, where she received her degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1916, and now Mrs. Peter G. Ryan, of Orange, New Jersey. 2. George R., a graduate of Cornell University, where he received his degree of Bachelor of Arts, and the Medical School of the University of Vermont, where he obtained his Doctor of Medi- cine degree. Dr. Allen, who served in the United States Army during the World War is now practicing his profession in Champlain. 3. Milford S., now deceased. 4. Marjorie S., also deceased.
HARTWELL L. SMITH-One of the outstanding insurance men of Lake George and vicinity, Hartwell L. Smith, who maintains an office writing all forms of insurance, is also one of the leading citizens of the community, serving as village clerk for the village of Lake George.
Hartwell L. Smith was born in Perry, Wyoming County, New York, January 10, 1883, son of George Kimball and Ida (Chapin) Smith. George Kimball Smith, who was a native of Perry, established himself in the hardware business in Perry, a business in which he remained active until his death. Ida (Chapin) Smith, his wife, also deceased, was a native of Perry, too.
After passing through the grade schools of Perry and graduating from the Perry High School, Hartwell L. Smith joined the United States Post Office Department as a clerk in the Perry post office, a position which he held for fifteen years. Then, in 1922, Mr. Smith came to Lake George, where, after two years spent in the hardware business, in 1924, he established himself in the insurance business, an enterprise in which he has been active through the present time, writing all forms of general insurance for a wide group of clients in Lake George and vicinity. Always interested in political affairs, as well as community problems, Mr. Smith, ever since he established his residence in Lake George, has been an active member of the Republican party and he has held the office of village clerk of the village corporation of Lake George since 1933. A member of the First Presbyterian Church of Lake George, Mr. Smith spends much of his leisure time working in his garden or reading, being particularly interested in historical research in the Lake George and Lake Champlain district as well as wider fields.
Hartwell L. Smith married, in 1919, Bertha Sisson, who is a native of Glens Falls. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of a son, Edwin Smith.
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EDGAR J. BAKER-Sheriff of Warren County, Edgar J. Baker, of Lake George, is not only well known throughout New York State in the lum- ber business and the hotel trade but is also both a leading member of the Republican party organization in Warren County and an outstanding horse- man, having trained horses for years and raced his ponies on most of the tracks throughout Northeastern United States.
Edgar J. Baker was born at Bakers Mills, December 12, 1892, son of Charles and Cordelia (Bentley) Baker. Charles Baker, who was a native of Lake George, passed most of his life in the lumber and hotel business, being active in the two callings at the time of his death. Always keenly interested in civic problems in both Lake George and Warren County, he served for several years as deputy sheriff of the county. Cordelia (Bentley) Baker, his wife, also deceased, was born in Chestertown.
After passing through the schools of Bakers Mills, Edgar J. Baker entered his father's lumber business in Bakers Mills, an association which he main- tained for some twenty-five years, in addition to also engaging in the hotel business at Garnet Lake. From the beginning of his adult life, Mr. Baker also found an opportunity to indulge his love for fast horses and he has spent many years in training race horses and in driving them over most of the half- mile tracks not only in New York State but through New England and in adjacent territory. During this time, he has been the owner of many fast trotters and he is one of the best known amateur followers of the sport in the East. Like his father, Mr. Baker has also always been deeply interested in politics and civic problems and for some twenty-five years he has devoted himself to active political work, being a member for a quarter of a century of the Republican County Committee of Warren County. In 1936 he was made under sheriff of Warren County and a year later he became the sheriff of the county, a position which he has occupied through the present time. Support- ing his community by membership in the Lake George Chamber of Com- merce, Mr. Baker also belongs to the New York State Sheriffs' Association, and is a member of the United Commercial Travelers' Association, Glens Falls Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and Weavertown Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is an attendant at the Lake George Methodist Episcopal Church.
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