USA > Vermont > The Lake Champlain and Lake George valleys, Vol. III > Part 37
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Dr. John W. Dean married, in 1912, Grace Wood, who is a native of Argyle. Dr. and Mrs. Dean are the parents of three children: I. Elizabeth Mary, who is a graduate of Russell Sage School, class of 1937. 2. Ruth Warren, a member of the class of 1940 of Westminster School. 3. John Wood.
KENNETH W. SWAIN-Since 1916, Kenneth W. Swain has been active in the business life of North Creek, where he now conducts the under- taking and furniture enterprise originally established by his father. He is
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well known not only as a funeral director and merchant, but in civic and public life, and has many connections throughout this section of Warren County.
Mr. Swain was born in North Creek on August 29, 1893, son of Burke and Estella (La Voy) Swain. His father, who was born in Illinois and died in 1931, was engaged in the undertaking and furniture business at North Creek for many years. The mother, who was born in Glens Falls, is still living.
Kenneth W. Swain was educated in the grammar and high schools of North Creek and at Albany College of Pharmacy, from which he was gradu- ated in 1916. He did not adopt the profession of pharmacy, however, but instead became associated with his father's business, in which he served his apprenticeship by the route of practical experience. After his father's death, he succeeded to control of the business and has since carried it on in accord- ance with its previous standards. He is a fully qualified funeral director, occupying an established place in the profession locally, and is one of the prominent merchants of the community.
Mr. Swain has been active in Republican politics and since 1928 he served as Republican committeeman for the town of Johnsburg. He has also taken an active part in the civic life of North Creek and in 1937 was elected to the local School Board, on which he now serves. He has been influential in many community movements and has contributed his full share to the advancement of the cause of civic progress. Mr. Swain is also prominent fraternally. He is affiliated with Glendale Lodge, No. 497, Free and Accepted Masons, and in this order is a member of many higher bodies, including Warrensburg Chap- ter, No. 325, Royal Arch Masons; Calvary Commandery, No. 629, Knights Templar ; and Oriental Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs to North Creek Post, No. 629, American Legion, and to "40 and 8." He is affiliated, in addition, with Glens Falls Lodge, No. 814, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and Johnsbury Lodge, No. 541, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, as well as Wisteria Lodge, No. 501, Daughters of Rebekah.
Mr. Swain is a member of the Adirondack Funeral Directors Association, the New York State Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at North Creek, where he serves on the official board, and finds his principal recreation in outdoor life and sports, particularly fishing and hunting.
In 1932 Kenneth W. Swain married Letha Proskine, who was born in Delaware County, New York. They are the parents of three children : Burke A., Donald M. and Kenneth W., Jr.
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MASON C. LACKEY-One of the leading merchants of Horicon, Warren County, Mason C. Lackey, who has owned and operated his general store at Brant Lake for more than thirty years, is also an outstanding public citizen, having served his community for many years in various capacities as well as directed the affairs of Warren County, both as an official and as· a member of the Republican party's county organization.
Mason C. Lackey was born in Johnsburg, Warren County, July 30, 1882, son of Edmund and Carrie (Kathan) Lackey. Edmund Lackey, who was a native of Johnsburg, established himself as a merchant in his community, operating a general store for many years. Carrie (Kathan) Lackey, his wife, also deceased, was born at Stony Creek, Warren County.
After passing through the public schools of Johnsburg, Mason C. Lackey learned the trade of a carpenter, an activity which he followed until 1907 when, moving to Horicon, he established himself as the proprietor of the gen- eral store at Brant Lake. Ever since that time, Mr. Lackey has remained interested in merchandising, directing the affairs of his establishment and developing it to its present position of prominence. Always deeply interested in civic affairs, the concerns of his community and county serving as his principal interest outside of his family and business, Mr. Lackey has always given generously of his time and ability to public service. In 1910 he began his long career in office by becoming the town clerk of Horicon, an office which he held for four years, until 1914 when he became an assessor of the town, leaving that office in 1918 to become a supervisor of Warren County for a term. In 1922 he served a second term as county supervisor and in 1932 he was elected to the office for a third time, holding the position subsequently through the present time. In addition, Mr. Lackey has taken an active part in the work of the Republican party and has held office for the past eight years as a member of the Republican County Committee of Warren County. During the war, Mr. Lackey served as a member of the Warren County Advisory Board, an office to which he devoted himself assiduously. Inter- ested in history, particularly the past of Warren County and the Lake George region, Mr. Lackey was appointed chairman of the Centennial Committee in 1913 when Horicon observed its hundredth birthday. Attending the Horicon Methodist Episcopal Church, Mr. Lackey, who supports his community by membership in the Brant Lake Chamber of Commerce, an organization of which he was the first president, also belongs to Glendale Lodge, No. 497, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
Mason C. Lackey married, in 1902, Minnie E. Ross, who is a native of Horicon. Mr. and Mrs. Lackey are the parents of a son : Berness Ross, who is now associated with his father in the operation of the family general store at Brant Lake.
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FRANK K. RYAN, M. D .- One of the leading members of the med- ical profession in Clinton County, Frank K. Ryan, M. D., of Plattsburg, who has practiced as a surgeon for the past twenty years, is widely known through- out Northern New York State not only by citizens of the county but also by members of his profession.
Frank K. Ryan was born at Plattsburg, December 12, 1890, son of Stephen K. and Bridget (Colligan) Ryan, the father dying in 1907 and the mother in 1902.
After passing through the public schools of Plattsburg and graduating from from the Plattsburg High School, Frank K. Ryan entered George Washington University where, taking up the study of medicine, he graduated in 1916 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. After serving his interne- ship at the George Washington University Hospital and giving an additional year as an interne at the Champlain Valley Hospital, Dr. Ryan established him- self in practice as a surgeon in Plattsburg, a practice which he has maintained through the present time. Supporting his profession by membership in the Clinton County Medical Society, an organization which he has served as presi- dent, the New York State Medical Society and the American Medical Asso- ciation, Dr. Ryan is also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. In addition to his private practice, the doctor is a member of the surgical staff of the Champlain Valley Hospital and is also visiting surgeon at the Physi- cians' Hospital in Plattsburg. During the World War, which found him just as he had completed his interneship, Dr. Ryan served overseas as a surgeon, first being assigned to the British Expeditionary Forces and later being a member of the Medical Corps of the United States Army, a service in which he held a commission as a captain, serving in France for some sixteen months. A member of St. John's Catholic Church of Plattsburg, Dr. Ryan, who finds recreation from his professional duties and responsibilities by indulgence in his favorite sport of golf, is a member of Plattsburg Council, No. 255, Knights of Columbus, and Plattsburg Lodge, No. 621, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Frank K. Ryan married, in 1922, Eva B. Dexter, who was born in Chap- leau, Province of Ontario, Canada.
WINFIELD SCOTT CARPENTER-One of the leading merchants of Horicon, Warren County, Winfield Scott Carpenter, who has added to his business interests the duties of a banker and pulp wood dealer, is also one of the outstanding citizens of his community and county, having held various public offices for many years and been active in the affairs of the local organi- zations of the Republican party.
Frank K. Ryan W)
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Winfield Scott Carpenter was born in Horicon, Warren County, June 27, 1879, son of George and Carrie (Smith) Carpenter. George Carpenter, who was born in Chestertown, was active for many years as a lumberman. Carrie (Smith) Carpenter, his wife, also deceased, was a native of Horicon.
After passing through the public schools of Horicon, Winfield Scott Carpenter found his first regular employment as a clerk in a general store in Horicon, work which, after three years led to his establishment of a general store of his own. In 1910, disposing of his properties in Horicon, Mr. Car- penter went West, remaining on the Pacific Coast for some two years and engaging in various occupations. Then, in 1913, he returned home to Hori- con and reentered the field of merchandising as general manager of the Kenoran Brothers' General Store, an association which he terminated after four years of employment. In 1915 Mr. Carpenter was appointed postmaster for the town of Horicon, an office which he retained until 1934 when he resigned to accept the position of under sheriff of Warren County. This post he retained until 1936 when he resigned to enter again the field of mer- chandising, establishing himself as the proprietor of a retail store, an activity in which he has continued through the present time. In addition to his mer- cantile activity, Mr. Carpenter is one of the area's pulp wood operators, pur- chasing quantities of wood on contract for the International Paper Company. He is also active as a banker, serving as a vice-president and as a director for the Chester-Schroon-Horicon Bank, an institution of which he was one of the organizers and has remained an officer. Always keenly interested in civic welfare and in political activities, Mr. Carpenter has devoted himself for many years to civic affairs, serving as clerk of the School Board of Horicon and as a justice of the peace in Horicon as well as being a member of the Warren County Republican Committee for ten years and serving as a dele- gate from Warren County to the Republican State conventions. Supporting his community also by membership in the Brant Lake Chamber of Commerce. an organization of which he is vice-president, Mr. Carpenter is a member of Glendale Lodge, No. 497, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and Glens Falls Lodge, No. 81, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, as well as attending the Horicon Episcopal Church.
Winfield Scott Carpenter married, in 1921, Bertha Gurney, who is a na- tive of Glens Falls but has made her home at Brant Lake for many years.
CARL R. BALDWIN-Active in the real estate and general insur- ance field in Greenwich for the past fifteen years, Carl R. Baldwin has, throughout this period, been associated with H. J. Taber.
Mr. Baldwin was born here, September 22, 1881, the son of Joseph Clin- ton and Ella (Parkerson) Baldwin, both deceased. Joseph Clinton Baldwin,
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a native of Dorset, Vermont, was engaged for many years as a farmer and lumberman. He passed away in 1935. Ella (Parkerson) Baldwin, a native of Greenwich, died in 1895.
Carl R. Baldwin attended the district schools at Rupert and Dorset, Ver- mont, for about six years and completed his education in the schools at Greenwich. His first employment was in a clerical capacity for F. L. Town- send, with whom he was associated for about four and one-half years. He then became identified with the W. Eddy Plow Company as shipping clerk and traveling salesman, continuing for ten years. During the next two years he traveled throughout Vermont and New Hampshire as representative of the Oliver Chilled Plow Works, and then he became traveling salesman for the Empire Cream Separator Company of Bloomfield, New Jersey, which post he held until March, 1923, when he became associated with H. J. Taber in the insurance and real estate field. He has handled a general line of insurance since that time, and has been most successful in this field of endeavor. Mr. Baldwin is also active in local public life and has held the post of town clerk continually since January 1, 1930.
He is a member of the Methodist Church, and is active in Republican politics, being a member of the town committee for twelve years. He is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Farm Bureau, and he is well known in the Masonic Order, being affiliated with Ashlar Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, Casgadnac Chapter, No. 27, Royal Arch Masons, at White River Junction, Vermont, and Flanders Commandery, No. 14, at White River Junction, Vermont, the youngest Commandery in the State.
He is married to Irma Knickerbocker of Argyle, New York, and they are the parents of a daughter, Frances Isabel, Registered Nurse, a graduate of Greenwich High School and the Mount Sinai School of Nursing in New York City, married Leslie Burns, of Greenwich.
GEORGE MELVIN ALEXANDER-For almost half a century, George Melvin Alexander has been engaged in business at Glens Falls as a contracting carpenter and builder. During this time he has carried on a sub- stantial part of the construction work done in this area and has become a well- known figure in its life.
Mr. Alexander was born at Fort Ann, New York, on May 17, 1864, son of Cochrane and Ruth (Woorkman) Alexander. His father, who was born in Glasgow, Scotland, came to America at the age of sixteen and engaged as a farmer until his death. The mother, who is also deceased, was a native of Londonderry, Ireland.
George Melvin Alexander was educated in the district school in the town of Kingsbury, New York. He began his career as a farmer, spending ten
Fund a. Brainerd
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years in agricultural pursuits at Hartford, New York. During this period he was also engaged in carpentry, learning the trade thoroughly. At the end of ten years he decided to devote himself exclusively to this occupation and in 1892 came to Glens Falls, where his activities have since centered. Opening an office as a contractor, he established the firm of Alexander and Pepper, which was in existence for about twelve years. He then purchased his part- ner's interest and has since conducted the business alone. Mr. Alexander's office was located in the Budd Building for eighteen years, but upon the ex- piration of that period he moved to his present location at 150 Glen Street. The high standards which he has always maintained in his business and his prompt fulfillment of all contractual obligations have been major factors in his success.
While he has never entered public life, Mr. Alexander has been associated with a number of community enterprises and institutions and his influence is recognized as a constructive force in the city. He is affiliated fraternally with the Free and Accepted Masons, in which he is a member of the Blue Lodge and Chapter at Glens Falls. His personal tastes are simple and his favorite recreation is reading.
Mr. Alexander married Helen M. Ward, of Fort Ann, New York. They became the parents of eight children : 1. Ruth, who was educated in the gram- mar and high school at Glens Falls and Plattsburg State Normal School. She died at the age of twenty-two. 2. Susie, educated in the public schools and high school at Glens Falls, who died at the age of nineteen. 3. Ward M., who attended the Glens Falls public schools, a mechanic's school in Rochester and afterward took his degree of Master at Columbia University. He is now teaching in Irvington, New Jersey. 4. Tirzah, educated in the Glens Falls schools and the Mildred Elley Business School at Albany. She married Herbert Gould of Albany. 5. Robert Bruce, educated in Glens Falls grammar and high schools, now working with his father. 6. Darwin, also educated in the Glens Falls grammar and high school, now employed in the A. & P. Bakery at Albany. 7. William K., educated in the Glens Falls schools and at Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he com- pleted a course in construction engineering. He is now associated with his father's business. 8. Helen Jeane, who attended the Glens Falls grammar and high schools and the Mildred Elley Business School in Albany and is now employed by her father. She married Charles Morrison, of Glens Falls.
FRED A. BRAINERD-Assistant treasurer of the Queen Cotton Company of Burlington, Fred A. Brainerd is not only one of the leading industrial executives of his community but also active in fraternal organiza- tions and various civic enterprises.
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Fred A. Brainerd was born at Boston, Massachusetts, January 26, 1884, son of George E. and Caroline (Smith) Brainerd. George E. Brainerd, who was born in Vermont in 1860 and died in 1900, was employed by the Boston and Maine Railroad for many years. Caroline (Smith) Brainerd, his wife, also deceased, was a native of the Province of Quebec, Canada.
After graduating from Lyndon Academy Fred A. Brainerd entered the Burlington Business College, graduating with the Class of 1903. Upon graduation he found an opening as a stenographer in the office of the Queen Cotton Company of Burlington, beginning a career with the organization which has continued through the present time and which has been featured by his elevation through various positions to his present post of assistant treasurer, one to which he was promoted in 1917. He is also a director of the company.
Interested in civic and political affairs through membership in the Repub- lican party, Fred A. Brainerd, who attends the St. Paul's Episcopal Church, is on the Zoning Commission for the city of Burlington, and active in fraternal organizations, being a member of Burlington Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and being a Past Noble Grand of Hamilton Lodge, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows of Burlington. He is also Past Chief Patriarch of Green Mountain Encampment, No. 3, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and at present is captain of Canton Lafayette, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Brainerd, who is a member of the Fish and Game Club of Burlington, is devoted to outdoor life and finds in fishing and in hunting his two favorite means of recreation from his business duties and responsi- bilities.
Fred A. Brainerd married, in 1908, Mable Jacobs, of New York State. Mr. and Mrs. Brainerd are the parents of a daughter, Barbara.
JAMES E. SKELLIE-Operating a clothing store, one of the oldest in Cambridge, James E. Skellie has earned the high esteem and respect of the business community here, as well as of his customers over a wide territory.
Mr. Skellie was born November 20, 1854, in Cambridge, New York, son of Andrew and Jane (Edie) Skellie and member of an old and honorable family. The founder of the Skellie line in America, Alexander Skellie, came in 1774 to America from his former home in Gurock, Scotland. Settling in Cam- bridge, he was a town officer as early as 1776 and was a soldier in the War of the American Revolution. In 1785 he was made an elder at the organization of the Associate Congregation of Cambridge (now Coila). He lived on the Abbie Green farm and also owned the farm where the house now stands there. His farm is, at the time of writing, the property of Henry and Robert Skellie. Alexander Skellie died March 25, 1816, and was buried in the grave- yard a half mile south of Cambridge Village. His children were Mary, Wil-
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liam, John, Hugh, Alexander, Elizabeth, Bethwick Adar, Margaret, and Thomas Skellie. Of these, John Skellie was born April 21, 1764. He was the grandfather of James E. Skellie. He married Hannah Edgar, and their children were: Alexander, Elizabeth, William, Hugh, John, James, Edward, Hannah, Mary, Andrew, Thomas, Walter, Jane, David, and Robert Skellie. Of these, Andrew was the father of James E. Skellie. He was born July 4, 1807, and lived in Cambridge all his life as a farmer. He is now deceased. He married Jane Edie, also of Cambridge, who also is now deceased.
James E. Skellie was born on a farm three miles west of Cambridge and received his early education in the public schools of Cambridge. He also attended Washington County Academy, in this same town, and began work on the home farm of his family. In 1873 he started his service as a clerk in a store in West Main Street, being employed at that time by H. Carpenter and Son and remaining there for seven years. In 1880 he went to Eagle Bridge, where he bought a one-half interest in the firm of McClellen and Company, which was previously owned by his father-in-law. There he stayed until the spring of 1905 at which time he sold his interest and bought a clothing business across Main Street from the present store. In 1910 he bought his present store in Main Street from the Carpenter estate. It is today one of Cambridge's oldest stores.
Quite aside from his business activities, which have been many and varied, Mr. Skellie has participated extensively in civic and social affairs. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, of Cambridge, New York, and has been elder of this congregation since February 1, 1903. In spare time he likes the out-of-doors, and is particularly fond of trotting horses.
James E. Skellie married Hattie M. McClellen, of Cambridge, New York, who died in 1926. Their daughter, Irene Skellie, born in Eagle Bridge, New York, removed with her parents to Cambridge. She was graduated from Hoosick Falls graded and high schools, and then became a registered nurse, training for her profession at South Framingham Hospital, in South Fram- ingham, Massachusetts. She became the wife, on September 6, 1917, of Wilfred Beven, who was born in Wales and came in early youth to America, living for many years in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, until July, 1938, when they removed to Gloversville, New York, their present home. Jane H. Beven, their daughter, was graduated from high school in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in June, 1938. James E. Skellie married (second) Florence F. Danforth, a native of East Rupert, Vermont, widow of Horace L. Edie. Their marriage took place on November 19, 1929.
WILLIAM S. LAWTON-Extensively engaged in the practice of law in Cambridge, William S. Lawton has made a notable contribution to the well-being of this New York State community.
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Mr. Lawton was born February 22, 1887, in White Creek, New York, the son of William Lawton, born in the town of Hoosick and farmed in the town of White Creek, where he died in 1920. The mother, Celia (Stanton) Law- ton. of Bolton Landing, New York, died in April, 1921.
The public schools of Cambridge provided William S. Lawton's early education, and after he was graduated from high school here he became a student at the Albany Law School. Albany, New York, where he took the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He was graduated from that institution with the class of 1910, and in June of that year passed the bar examinations in Albany. He was formally sworn in as a member of the bar in September, 1910, at Saratoga, New York. His first work was in the office of another lawyer, Charles O. Pratt, in Cambridge, in 1910 and 1911. Then he was connected with the Travelers' Insurance Company as a member of its liability department, working out of Albany between January 12, 1912, and March, 1913. Going to Wyoming, he spent a few months in sheep herding opera- tions, but came once more to New York State, settling again in Cambridge and going into partnership with Henry F. Tooey, of Schuylerville, with whom he remained for six months. In 1916 he was associated professionally with H. Leslie Wilbur, a lawyer of Frankfort, New York, for about a month. Then he came once more to Cambridge, opening a law office here on April 1, 1917, and practicing here down to the time of writing. He opened his office here in Main Street, starting his practice independently, but later he associated himself with a partner, Robert Hamilton Scott, who came into the firm in September, 1934.
Mr. Lawton is active as a practitioner of law, and is affiliated with the Washington County Bar Association. He was elected police justice in Cam- bridge, but resigned on July 1, 1921, after having held the office about eight years. He was a justice of the peace of the town for fourteen or fifteen years. In his political views he is a staunch Republican. He belongs to Hoosick Falls Lodge, No. 178, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In leisure time he enjoys the out-of-doors, having spent much time in farming and hunting.
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