USA > Vermont > The Lake Champlain and Lake George valleys, Vol. III > Part 41
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Mr. Bolles is chairman of the finance committee of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and is active in local civic life, being vice-president of the Rotary Club and a director of the Chamber of Commerce. He is also promi- nent in the Masonic Order, being Past Master of Plattsburg Lodge, No. 828, Free and Accepted Masons, Past High Priest of Plattsburg, Chapter No. 39, Royal Arch Masons, a member of De Soto Commandery Knights Templar, and Oriental Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Plattsburg Rod and Gun Club.
He was married (first) in 1906 to Anna Durkin, a native of Clintonville, and they became the parents of a son, Otto M., now associated in business with his father. Anna (Durkin) Bolles died in May, 1908. Mr. Bolles remarried, in 1909, Ruth Keysor, a native of Standish, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Bolles are the parents of four children : I. Beulah L., a graduate of Plattsburg State Normal School. 2. Alice L., also a graduate of Plattsburg State Normal School. 3. Sherman M., a graduate in 1935 of Williams Col- lege with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. 4. Charlotte D. Bolles.
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LAWRENCE P. THOMPSON-Chemist and superintendent of paper-making of the Veldown Company of South Glens Falls, a subsidiary of the International Paper Company, Lawrence P. Thompson is well known not only in New York State, but also in Maine, Massachusetts and in Canada.
Lawrence P. Thompson was born in Jamestown, New York, September 25, 1907, son of Wilbur A. and Lillian (Price) Thompson, both deceased. Wilbur A. Thompson, born in Vandalia, Ohio, was a merchant. Lawrence P. Thompson attended the public schools of Jamestown and Miami Military Institute, then entered Tri-State College, graduating with the class of 1929, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. After taking postgraduate work in his specialty of chemical engineering, at Syracuse University, Mr. Thompson became associated with the International Paper Company at Turners Falls, Massachusetts, where he remained for four years, going on to the mills at Orono, Maine. After a year, Mr. Thompson was transferred to the mills at Three Rivers, Quebec, Canada, for some six months, leaving there to spend a year at Palmer, New York. In 1934 he was sent by the International Paper Company to the Veldown Company plant at South Glens Falls, where he is chemist and superintendent of paper manufacturing. Supporting his profes- sion by being a technical associate of Pulp and Paper Industries, Mr. Thomp- son is a member of Chi Sigma Chi, Phi Lambda Tau, and Alpha Delta Alpha fraternities. He is an attendant of the First Methodist Church of Glens Falls. His hobbies are amateur photography and archery.
Lawrence P. Thompson married, in 1933, Pauline Sicard, who was born at Turners Falls, Massachusetts.
FRANK W. DUERS-Manager and treasurer of the Adirondack Grocers, Incorporated, Frank W. Duers, of Hudson Falls, is one of the lead- ing merchants of the Lake George district, having devoted many years of his life to retail merchandising, following some time spent in the contracting busi- ness.
Frank W. Duers was born in Hudson Falls, February 15, 1883, son of John C. and Addie (Inglesbee) Duers. John C. Duers, a native of Kings- bury, was superintendent of the Allen Paper Mills in Hudson Falls. Addie (Inglesbee) Duers, his wife, was a native of Adamsville.
After passing through the grade schools and graduating from the high school in Hudson Falls, Frank W. Duers found his first employment with the firm of Flood and Sherrill, contractors and builders, who at the time were engaged in constructing the old Allen Paper Mills. After a number of years with this firm, Mr. Duers worked with other contractors and builders in vari- ous parts of the country and then, returning home to Hudson Falls, went into the grocery business with B. S. Ingalls and William Paul, the company being
F. w Duas
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known as the Ingalls, Grocery Company. After some five years in this partnership, Mr. Duer established his own retail grocery store, handling both meats and provisions, later going into a partnership with B. S. Ingalls again. This business has become associated with a cooperative purchasing organiza- tion, now established as the Adirondack Grocers, Incorporated. In June, 1932, Mr. Duers was elected manager of the corporation as well as the treasurer and established the retail merchandising quarters in the Old Swan Bakery until Mr. Duers constructed the present building, a structure that was completed in June of 1937. This organization, which began functioning with three employees, has expanded greatly and now engages ten regular employees. A member of the Republican party, Mr. Duers has always been interested in civic affairs, particularly in relation to the welfare of the youth of the com- munity, serving as scoutmaster and chairman of the boys' committee, as well as being a member of the Rotary Club of Hudson Falls. A member of Hud- son Falls Lodge, No. 372, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Mr. Duers finds recreation from his duties at his cottage on Lake George, where he has oppor- tunity to engage in his favorite sports of hunting and fishing.
Frank W. Duers married, in Hudson Falls, Mary L. Ingalls, a native of Hartford, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Duers are the parents of a daughter, Marion, who, a graduate of the public and high schools of Hudson Falls, is the wife of Stephen Harris, warehouse manager for Adirondack Grocers, Incor- porated.
JOHN F. LONG-As owner and operator of Long's Plattsburg Laundry, John F. Long directs the activities of the largest establishment of its kind in this locality. He was born here November 10, 1889, the son of the late Timothy F. and Anna (Hallinan) Long. Timothy F. Long, a native of Beekmantown, New York, was engaged in railroad work for many years previous to his death.
John F. Long secured his education in the local public schools, and upon completion of his high school work, entered the employ of the Lozier Auto- mobile Company, manufacturers of motor cars. He remained with this con- cern until 1912, after which he secured a position as bookkeeper for the Pro- gressive Pulp and Paper Company. His career with this company was inter- rupted in April, 1917, when he enlisted for war service, at Fort Slocum, New York. He was assigned to the Medical Officers' Training Camp at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, and remained there until he received his honorable dis- charge, January 25, 1919, with the rank of sergeant, first class. Upon his return to civilian life, he reentered the employ of the Progressive Pulp and Paper Company, but resigned from this position five months later, to become local commercial manager for the Northern New York Telephone Company.
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The following year he was promoted to the position of district commercial manager, and he retained this post until 1925, when he decided to enter into business for himself, purchasing the Plattsburg Steam Laundry. Under the name of Long's Plattsburg Laundry, this business has been successfully con- ducted to date, and with an employment personnel of forty-seven workers, with four large motor trucks which cover all of Plattsburg, and as far south as Westport and Elizabethtown, it is recognized as the largest industry of its kind from Saratoga to the Canadian line. Mr. Long also serves as secretary and treasurer of the Clinton Press.
He is a communicant of St. John's Roman Catholic Church, a follower of the Democratic party, and an affiliate of Plattsburg Council, No. 255, Knights of Columbus. He is also a fourth degree member of this order, where he is a Past Faithful Navigator, and he is Past Exalted Ruler of Plattsburg Lodge, No. 621, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In addition he holds membership in Plattsburg Post, No. 20, American Legion, Chamber of Com- merce, and the Rotary Club, and he is past president of the New York State Laundry Owners Association, past president of the Northern New York Laundry Owners Association, and a member of the American Institute of Laundering.
He was married, in 1932, to Eva Keilig, a native of Plattsburg, and they are the parents of a daughter, Ann Hallinan Long.
A. F. WINTER-Launching his career as an office boy in the employ of the Finch, Pruyn and Company in 1916, A. F. Winter has remained with this concern steadily to the present day, and for the past eight years he has served as manager of the Plattsburg branch of this nationally known indus- trial organization. He was born in Glens Falls, September 24, 1899, the son of Joseph W. and Olive ( Mosher) Winter. Joseph W. Winter, a native of Germany, has followed the tailoring trade in this locality for many years. Olive (Mosher) Winter is a native of Glens Falls.
After completing his elementary and high school education in the Glens Falls public schools, A. F. Winter entered the employ of Finch, Pruyn and Company, as office boy in the Glens Falls office. He was later promoted to the position of accountant in the Woodlands department of this company, next to the paper mill department, then to the lumber department, and then in 1925 he came to Plattsburg to take up his duties as assistant manager of the local branch office. Five years later he was advanced to his present post, as man- ager, and due to his many years of experience in the various departments of this concern he is recognized as a most efficient and able superior, and one to whom other employees know they may freely come for advice on the various phases of operations involved in the daily activities of this great establish- ment.
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Mr. Winter is affiliated with Plattsburg Lodge, No. 121, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is also an active member of the local Chamber of Commerce and the Plattsburg Rod and Gun Club.
He was married, in 1930, to Ruth Jandreau, of Chazy, New York, and they are the parents of two daughters, Margaret Olive and Barbara Anne Winter.
PAUL BURKE-Resident engineer of the Veldown Company of South Glens Falls, a subsidiary of the International Paper Company, Paul Burke is well known throughout Vermont and also in Lynn, Massachusetts.
Paul Burke was born in Rutland, Vermont, September 30, 1899, son of Robert and Mary (Howard) Burke. Robert Burke, who was a native of Rutland, Vermont, was a manufacturer of scales for the Howe Scale Com- pany.
After passing through the parochial schools of Rutland, Paul Burke entered the employment of the Rutland Railroad, where he learned the trade of a machinist, leaving the railroad to go with the General Electric Company at the River Works, Lynn, Massachusetts, where he spent a year working on the manufacturing of electric turbines. Mr. Burke came to Glens Falls where he became manager of the machine shops of the Champlain Silk Mills for five years, when he became associated with the Veldown Company at South Glens Falls, first as a mechanic, later as master mechanic, and since 1932, resident engineer for the company. Mr. Burke, whose hobbies are automo- biling and gardening, is a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Glens Falls.
Paul Burke married, in 1920, Fleva Mears, who is a native of Rutland, Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Burke are the parents of a daughter, Lucile Mary.
WILLIAM H. HOWELL-Proprietor of the Witherell Hotel, the leading establishment of its kind in Plattsburg, William H. Howell is not only one of the outstanding hotel men of Northern New York State, having been the owner of the hotel for the past forty-five years, but is also active as a banker and prominent as one of the outstanding public-spirited citizens of his community.
William H. Howell was born in Washington, District of Columbia, April 7, 1874, son of William T. and Sarah F. (Cross) Howell. William T. Howell, who was a native of Baltimore, Maryland, spent many years in Washington as a special agent of the United States Treasury Department, a position which he held until 1884 when he resigned to come to Plattsburg and take over the Witherell Hotel, managing the establishment thereafter until his
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death in 1894. Sarah F. (Cross) Howell, his wife, also deceased, was born in Washington, District of Columbia.
After passing through the public schools of Washington and Plattsburg, William H. Howell joined his father in the management of the Witherell Hotel in Plattsburg, succeeding to the ownership in 1894 upon the death of his father. Ever since, Mr. Howell has been active as the proprietor of this famous establishment, developing it through the years until it has become the leading hotel in Plattsburg. This hotel was originally founded early in 1860 by Hiram Witherell who continued the business for a few years and then sold it into other hands. Subsequently, the hotel changed ownership several times until 1884 when William T. Howell purchased it, beginning the period of ownership by the Howell family which, already, embraces nearly sixty years, during which time it has entertained nearly every President of the United States, as well as many other distinguished guests whose names are house- hold words in this country. In addition to his wide interests in the prosperity and development of his community, William H. Howell is active as a banker, holding office as president of the Merchant's National Bank of Plattsburg, a post which he acquired in 1931 and has retained through the present time.
William H. Howell married, in 1903, Rose Sterns, who is a native of Plattsburg. Mr. and Mrs. Howell are the parents of two children : I. William H., Jr., a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, class of 1934, with the degree of Bachelor of Science, who is now associated with his father as the manager of the Witherell Hotel. He is married and is the father of one child. 2. Caroline Virginia, graduate of the Finch School of New York City and the wife of Philip Fitzpatrick, of Plattsburg. Mr. and Mrs. Fitzpatrick are the parents of a daughter.
CLAUDE A. OTIS-Identified with the Essex County Clerk's office for the past fifteen years, Claude A. Otis has served in the capacity of deputy county clerk since 1927. He was born in Keene, New York, January 12, 1900, the son of the late Robert A. and Mary (Carey) Otis. Robert A. Otis, a native of North Hudson, New York, was engaged as a guide in the Adiron- dack Mountains for many years prior to his death in 1915, at which time he was killed while on a hunting trip. He was the son of John Wesley Otis, one of the pioneer settlers in North Hudson, and veteran of the Civil War, serving with the New York State Volunteers. Mary (Carey) Otis, a native of Keene, New York, is still residing in this section.
After graduating from the high school in Keene, Claude A. Otis entered Albany Business College, and after completing his business education, he entered the employ of the New York State Highway Department. He re- mained in that work until 1923 at which time he became associated with the
Drammen / Rateliff
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office of the county clerk. Four years later he was appointed deputy county clerk, and has ever since served most honestly and ably in this important post.
Mr. Otis is a communicant of St. Elizabeth's Roman Catholic Church, an active supporter of the Republican party, and a director of the Kiwanis Club. He is also affiliated with Au Sable Forks Council, No. 2301, Knights of Columbus.
Mr. Otis is unmarried.
WARREN T. RATCLIFF-Practicing law in North Creek, Warren T. Ratcliff has made a substantial contribution to the professional life of his community and of this district of New York State.
Mr. Ratcliff was born May 13, 1890, in Hurleyville, Sullivan County, New York, son of Charles and Louis (Mitteer) Ratcliff. His father, a native of Hurleyville, was engaged for many years in the contracting business. His mother is also a native of Hurleyville.
Mr. Ratcliff has traced his lineage back to 1194. The name originated from the village of Radcliffe in the county of Lancaster, England, and de- scended from the early Saxon monarch, Ethelred, whose daughter married the Earl of Anjoy, from whom the Radcliffs or Ratcliffs descended.
John Ratcliff, of the same family, was a noted English physician, living from 1650 to 1714; Ann Ward Radcliffe, famous English novelist, living from 1764 to 1823; John Ratcliff was an English Lord; Margaret Radcliffe, daugh- ter of Sir William Parr, was aunt of Katherine, one of the wives of King Henry the Eighth; Sir Richard Radcliffe was the favorite of King Richard the Third.
The coat-of-arms of the Ratcliff family is an Argent, two bendlets en- grailed sable. The crest is a bull's head erased sable, ducally gorged and lined.
William Ratcliff, the first Ratcliff of this family to come to the United States, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Ratcliff of Walesby in the County of Nottingham, England, was born on August 24, 1801, and left for the United States May 17, 1822. He sailed from Liverpool June 8, landed at New York July 18 and arrived at Liberty, New York, July 26, 1822.
Ratcliff Post, No. 205, Grand Army of the Republic, at Monticello, New York, was built in honor of, and contains a likeness of, Lieutenant William Ratcliff of the same family, of Liberty, New York, who was killed at Peach Tree Creek, Georgia, July 20, 1864.
Warren T. Ratcliff is a direct descendant on his mother's side of Samuel Mitteer, who came from France to the United States when he was six years old. His father came from France to the United States to fight for the Colonies, and served in the army of Rochambeau. He lost an arm at York- town. He went back to France and brought over, in 1783, little "Sammy" C & G-32
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Mitteer, who was then six years of age. He was in the employ of Alexander Hamilton at the time of the duel between Hamilton and Aaron Burr. Later, his son moved to Hurleyville, New York, the birthplace of Warren T. Ratcliff.
Public schools provided Warren T. Ratcliff's early education, first at Hurleyville, his birthplace, then at Liberty High School, and State Training School at Monticello, then at New Paltz High School, and he graduated from New Paltz Normal School. Next he became a student at the New York State College for teachers, and taught school for four years. He was superintendent of schools in Albany County for five years and superintendent of Green Island schools for three years, and is a past president of the New York State Superintendents' Association and of the Albany County Teachers' Associa- tion. He served law clerkship in the offices of Judge William Cunningham and Judge S. Alton Ralph; attended Albany Law School, and was duly admitted to the bar of New York State in 1928. On the same day he was admitted to the Federal bar, and began practice of law at North Creek, New York, which he has continued uninterruptedly. He established the North Creek Real Estate & Insurance Agency.
In addition to carrying on the operations connected with his own private practice of law, Mr. Ratcliff is active in the Warren County Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association. He is a Republican in his political views. Though he served as a justice of the peace, he has generally taken little part in political affairs.
He interests himself deeply in civic, social and fraternal affairs. He is a member of Evening Star Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons, at Water- vliet, New York, of Johnsburg Lodge, No. 541, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and The Encampment. He is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. In spare time his favorite hobbies are those of an outdoor nature, notably hunting, fishing and golf, and is the owner of a game preserve comprising one thousand acres.
Warren T. Ratcliff married, in 1911, Lottie Olmstead, born at Monticello, New York. The children of this marriage are : I. Muriel, who is postmistress at Minerva, New York ; she is the wife of Harry Raymond of that place. 2. Cleone M., who is living at home.
HARRY MARTIN MacDOUGAL-Elected county clerk of Essex County in 1932, Harry Martin MacDougal has held this office to the present day, and is highly regarded in this locality for the efficiency with which he has performed the numerous duties entailed in the proper administration of this post. He is a native of Elizabethtown, having been born here August 28, 1883, the son of Martin Van Buren and Jennie (Durand) MacDougal, both natives of Elizabethtown, and both deceased. Martin Van Buren MacDougal
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was engaged in general farming operations in this section for many years prior to his death. He was a veteran of the Civil War, and saw service with Company K, New York State Volunteers, both in the infantry and artillery corps, and was wounded at the battle of the Wilderness. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Harry Martin MacDougal was educated in the public schools of Elizabeth- town, and after completing his high school studies he pursued a business course at Albany Business College. He later became associated with his brother in the mercantile field, and continued in this business for twenty years, being elected to his present official post in 1932.
Mr. MacDougal is deacon in the Congregational Church, and has always been a prominent figure in Republican politics, serving for seven years as supervisor of Essex County, prior to the assumption of his present duties. He is affiliated with Ticonderoga Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Adirondack Lodge, No. 602, Free and Accepted Masons, being Past Master of this body and Cedar Point Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. He is also Past Master of Lewis Grange, No. 1077, president of the Elizabethtown Kiwanis Club, and a member of the New York State County Clerks Associa- tion and the Sons of Veterans Camp.
He was married, in 1910, to Alice Dougan, a native of Elizabethtown, and they are the parents of three children : 1. Arline, a member of the 1935 class at McGill University. 2. Allister R., a graduate in 1937 of Union College with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. 3. Helen A., a member of the 1939 class at Plattsburg Normal School.
BENJAMIN WILLIAMS-Benjamin Williams, secretary and vice- president of the Vermont Marble Company, and a prominent figure in the political and industrial life of this State, was born in Fair Haven, Rutland County, July 8, 1876, the son of Benjamin and Jane (Hughes) Williams, both deceased. The elder Mr. Williams was born in North Carnarvonshire, Wales, in 1824, and migrated to the United States in 1844, settling in Maine, where he became one of the pioneers of the slate business. He later went to Vermont, where he was engaged for many years as an expert State quarry- man. He died in 1898. Jane (Hughes) Williams, born in Wales in 1843, died August 20, 19II.
After completing his high school education in the Fair Haven schools, Benjamin Williams enrolled at the National Law School in Washington, District of Columbia, and later, in 1904 was admitted to the Washington bar. He came to Proctor, in 1905, and became associated with the Vermont Marble Company as chief office clerk and was later advanced to vice-president and secretary of this concern, in which capacity he still serves. He is also pres- ident of the Proctor Trust Company, and a member of the Board of Trustees
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of both Vermont Academy and Norwich University. In 1926 he also became a member of the Vermont bar.
Mr. Williams is a member of the Union Protestant Church, and a lead- ing figure in Republican politics, having served in the Legislature, and as Speaker of the House from 1929 to 1931. During the next two years he served as Lieutenant-Governor of the State of Vermont. Fraternally, he is well known in the Masonic Order, being affiliated with Sutherland Falls Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, Proctor, Vermont, Poultney Chapter, Poultney, Vermont, and Killington Commandery, Knights Templar, Rutland, Vermont, and Oriental Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Troy, New York.
He was married September, 1902, to Bessie N. (Proctor) Lloyd, of Fair Haven, daughter of Oliver A. and Emma J. (Perry) Proctor.
CLAUDE ANTHONY LOFTIS, M. D .- Prominent among the members of the medical profession of Franklin County, Claude Anthony Loftis, M. D., of St. Albans, has conducted a large general practice in his community for more than a quarter of a century.
Claude Anthony Loftis was born at Cuba, Allegany County, New York, June 16, 1888, son of Patrick F. and Margaret (Leonard) Loftis. Patrick F. Loftis, who was a native of Cuba, Allegany County, New York, followed a career as an oil well driller during his early years and then established himself in the wholesale merchandising field, an enterprise in which he remained active until the time of his death. Margaret (Leonard) Loftis, his wife, is a native of Belfast, Allegany County.
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