USA > Vermont > The Lake Champlain and Lake George valleys, Vol. III > Part 59
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Mr. Stearns gave normal school and college education to the three children of a half brother and has generously supported many worth while local move- ments. Two notable historical essays written by Mr. Stearns at the close of his college career are still often quoted on the public platform. 'They are titled : "The French Republic of 1793 and 1880," which compares favorably
Lillian (Allen) Stearns
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with the best descriptions of the French Revolution, and "Louis Adolphe Thiers, First President of the Third French Republic." Mr. Stearns con- tributes travel articles to local newspapers and has lectured before many local organizations. Fond of travel, Mr. Stearns went to Europe in 1900, spend- ing six and one-half months on the other side of the Atlantic, studying the churches, art galleries, museums, historic structures and scenes of the Old World and visiting the Paris Exposition of that year. He has been a student of world's fairs, attending the two Chicago expositions and those at Buffalo, St. Louis, the San Francisco and San Diego fairs of 1915, and the Phila- delphia Sesquicentennial Exposition.
On June 2, 1902, James Brainard Stearns married S. Lillian Allen, of Lockport, New York, whither the Allens had removed from Plattsburg, their original home. Miss Allen was born at Plattsburg, near the Beekmantown line, second daughter of Nathaniel Allen and Nancy (Beebe) Allen, of Con- stable, New York. Her grandmother on the paternal side of her house was of the Bedlam family, whose name was later changed to Bedloe. The con- nection with the Allen and Bedloe families thus existed in the family of Mr. Stearns' wife as well as in that of his mother, Mrs. Stearns' paternal grand- parents being Mr. Stearns' great-grandparents on his mother's side. At one time Mrs. Stearns had a letter from an uncle of the Bedlam name, re- counting his sufferings at Valley Forge. Indians burned the first house on the Allen farm at Beekmantown. After the Civil War, Nathaniel Allen sold the ancestral farm with its lime kiln and famous covered barnyard, and moved to Lockport, buying the home at No. 596 Pine Street and becoming a small city farmer. Emma, the older girl, died suddenly at the age of sixteen years from overwork in school. S. Lillian Allen, later Mrs. Stearns, showed early a talent for art, becoming a painter of ability with very little instruction. When her father's health and finances suffered, she turned to photography to support the family, and for eleven years was in the studio of Porter and Company, in Main Street, Lockport, being in charge during the last six years of that period. After her marriage, in 1902, she came to Rouses Point to live, bringing with her her mother, who died in 1905. Mrs. Stearns lived here quietly with her husband, painting pictures in spare time, depicting a wide variety of subjects. About twelve dozen of these paintings now adorn the rooms of the Stearns home. Mrs. Stearns was one of the founders of the Rouses Point Literary Society. In Lockport she belonged to the First Con- gregational Church, though in Rouses Point she connected herself with the Methodist Episcopal Church, which her husband attended. With him she visited many world's fairs, and in her home community she was loved by neighbors and friends. She died July 2, 1937, after a life rich in service and value.
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The Rouses Point community is the better for the work of Mr. and Mrs. Stearns, and Mr. Stearns' advice and help are today sought and appreciated by his fellow-townsmen who recognize his knowledge and experience and place high value on his judgments.
WILLIAM WARRINER WOODRUFF, M. D .- Dr. Woodruff is a native of Mobile, Alabama, born February 23, 1898, son of Dr. William L. and Mrs. Bertha (Warriner) Woodruff. His father, born at Athens, Pennsylvania, is a retired physician. The mother, deceased, was a native of Vineland, New Jersey. Prepared in the public schools and the University Military School, he entered the University of Alabama, and was graduated in 1920, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He went to Boston where he gained his medical degree in the Harvard Medical School four years later. From 1924 to 1926 he was an interne at the Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, and was resident surgeon there from 1927 to 1930. In 1930 he went to the Trudeau Sanatorium as a patient. A year later he became associated with the Uni- versity of Michigan, department of thoracic surgery. After a scholastic year he returned to Saranac Lake where he has since practiced professionally, specializing in surgery. He is a member of the staff of the Saranac General Hospital, consulting surgeon to the Will Rogers Memorial Hospital, and serves in similar capacities the Trudeau Sanatorium and the Sanatorium Gabriels.
During the World War, Dr. Woodruff was a second lieutenant in a machine gun unit in the United States Army, later becoming a member of the United States Army Medical Reserve Corps with the rank of first lieutenant. He is a member of the American Legion. He is a member of the American Medical Association, acting as secretary of the Fourth District branch in New York State; the New York State Medical Society, the Franklin County Medical Society, the Saranac Lake Medical Society, and he is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He also is affiliated with the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, the Osler Club of Saranac Lake, and the Phi Chi Fraternity.
In 1933, William Warriner Woodruff, M. D .. married Gertrude Strat- bucker, born in Omaha, Nebraska, and they are the parents of three daugh- ters : I. Elizabeth May. 2. Barbara Ann. 3. Emily Louise.
THEODORE RICHARD TOWNLEY-Theodore Richard Town- ley, who began his career as a civil engineer, has engaged in the teaching pro- fession for over a decade and served in his present post as principal of the Schuylerville High School since 1934. Mr. Townley was born at Schenectady, New York, on April 27, 1901, the son of Edward and Mary (Sharpley) Townley, residents of that city, where the father engaged in the real estate business and was city assessor.
WB Jaques
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Mr. Townley completed a college entrance course at the Schenectady High School in 1920 and then matriculated at Union College, from which he was graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1923. As an undergraduate he worked for the New York State Department of High- ways and the New York Power and Light Corporation during his summer vacations and, after finishing his training, served as an instructor in the Civil Engineering Department of his alma mater. He taught science and mathe- matics at the Mechanicville High School from 1925 to 1927 and during the latter year became principal of the Stillwater High School, where he continued until 1934, when he assumed his present position as supervising principal of the Schuylerville High School. He has supplemented his training by taking postgraduate work at the Albany State Teachers College, from which institu- tion he received his degree of Master of Science in 1934, and also by attending the summer sessions at Columbia University and Harvard University.
Mr. Townley is a member and former president of the old Saratoga Club at Schuylerville, which he headed in 1938; belongs to the Saratoga County Historical Society ; worships at the Methodist Episcopal Church; and he is a Past Master of Montgomery Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, Stillwater, New York.
In 1925 Mr. Townley married Ruth K. Whalen, daughter of Edward and Mary Whalen, and they are the parents of one son : Richard Earl, born May 12, 1927.
WILLIAM BURTON JAQUES-President, treasurer and general manager of the W. B. Jaques Drug Company, Incorporated, of Plattsburgh, William Burton Jaques is not only one of the deans of the druggists of Clin- ton County and the proprietor of one of the largest independent drug stores in all New York State, but is also distinguished for his many years of gener- ous and devoted service to the welfare of his community.
William Burton Jaques was born at Jay, Essex County, March 28, 1869, son of Charles M. and Emma (Moody) Jaques. His father, who was a na- tive of Jay, Essex County, established himself in life as a gardener, a calling which he followed for many years and in which he was active until the time of his death.
Attending school in Au Sable Forks, William Burton Jaques finished his education at the Plattsburgh High School, and shortly afterwards found regular employment with H. W. Cady, a druggist at Plattsburgh. After being employed for some time by Mr. Cady, as pharmacist and prescription clerk, he became a partner in the Cady drug store in 1900. He purchased the busi- ness in 1913. Some two years after assuming the ownership of the Cady Drug Store, Mr. Jaques altered the name of the business to the W. B. Jaques
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Drug Company, Incorporated. Through the years, Mr. Jaques has continued the business progressively, never missing an opportunity to expand and de- velop the establishment, thus bringing it up to its present status. The precise nature of Mr. Jaques' ability is evident by the fact that within ten days after his original establishment at the corner of Bridge and Margaret streets was completely destroyed by fire in 1922, he opened his present establishment at No. 72 Margaret Street, a store which is considered to be the most modern establishment of its kind north of New York City.
William Burton Jaques married Gertrude H. Baldwin, a native of Platts- burgh, New York, on March 28, 1891. Mrs. Jaques passed away on Sep- tember 22, 1929. There were two children by this marriage namely: Grace Mae, now Mrs. Ralph T. Mason, of Tacoma, Washington, and Edith Mar- garet, of this city, who is vice-president of the W. B. Jaques Drug Company, Inc. Mr. Jaques remarried in 1930, his second wife being the former Helen Scott, of Brooklyn, New York.
Supporting his profession by membership and a directorate in the Capital District Retail Drug Association and by serving as a trustee of the Albany College of Pharmacy, Mr. Jaques has always been keenly interested in the welfare of Plattsburgh and has given generously to all civic enterprises.
Mr. Jaques served as president of the Chamber of Commerce during the years of 1915, 1916 and 1917. During his administration he, together with an appointed committee, was instrumental in bringing the military training camps to Plattsburgh. Mr. Jaques is now serving on the Military Affairs Committee of the Plattsburgh Chamber of Commerce. He is also a charter member of the Champlain Valley Council Federated Chambers of Commerce.
Mr. Jaques' interest in the Plattsburgh Rotary Club, of which he is a charter member, is significant from the fact that he has not missed a single meeting of the club in the past fourteen years. A member of Plattsburgh Lodge, No. 828, Free and Accepted Masons, Mr. Jaques also belongs to all bodies of the York Rite, including Oriental Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the Plattsburgh Rod and Gun Club and of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Plattsburgh, which he has served as a member of the official board.
J. HALSEY CUSHMAN-A descendant of one of the older Vermont families, J. Halsey Cushman is prominently identified with the public and business life of Bennington, serving as president of the village of Bennington since 1936, and for the past five years as owner and operator of the Master Brew Wholesalers, one of the leading wholesale beverage establishments in this locality.
Mr. Cushman was born here, March 18, 1904, the son of the late Harry T. and Jessie (Temple) Cushman. Harry T. Cushman, also a native of
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Bennington, was a practicing attorney for this section for many years prior to his death in 1907. He also took an active part in local political affairs, serving for many years as county clerk, and also for a time as president of the village of Bennington.
J. Halsey Cushman completed his early education in the local schools, and after graduating from Bennington High School he enrolled at Norwich University, and two years later, transferred to Stetson University at DeLand, Florida, where he was graduated in 1927 with his degree of Bachelor of Science. For the next four years he was engaged in the raising of asparagus ferns in DeLand, for shipment to the northern part of the United States, and then in 1931 he returned to his native city. Two years later he entered his present business, in which he has been most successful, catering to a select and satisfied trade. In 1936 he was elected president of the village of Ben- nington, and as a reward for his tireless efforts in behalf of the improvement of local civic life, he has been reëlected twice to this office, and continues to serve the local citizenry in a manner which has earned for him the respect and confidence of all.
Mr. Cushman is a member of the Congregational Church, and a staunch supporter of the Republican party. He was married, November 22, 1936, to Evelyn Haley, of Bennington, daughter of Thomas and Agnes (Galushia) Haley. Mr. and Mrs. Cushman are the parents of a daughter : Barbara Eadie, born September 15, 1937.
WILLIAM HENRY EDDINGTON-Entering the garage business early in the post-war period. William Henry Eddington has remained in this field to the present time, and for the past nine years he has been owner and operator of the W. H. Eddington Company, with garage and salesrooms located at 239 Main Street, Bennington.
Mr. Eddington was born in Troy, New York, June 20, 1893, the son of Henry A. and Margaret C. (Mahar) Eddington, both deceased. Henry A. Eddington was born in Troy in 1868, and was engaged in the retail mercantile field at the time of his death, March 13, 1929. Previously, from 1905 until 1914, he was associated with Swift and Company. Margaret C. (Mahar) Eddington, born in 1870, died October 8, 1934.
William Henry Eddington was educated in the public schools of Troy, Saratoga and Corinth in New York State, and then he entered the employ of the Standard Oil Company in Albany, New York, where he remained for three years. He then enlisted for World War service, and served for thirteen months with the 312th Ammunition Train, Company D, 87th Division, being overseas for about seven months. He received his honorable discharge in March, 1919, and upon his return to civilian life he secured employment as a
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salesman for the Bennington Garage, in Bennington. He remained with this concern until January, 1930, at which time he entered into business for him- self, opening a garage and salesroom on Union Street. Three years later he moved to his present larger quarters on Main Street, where he acts as local agent for the Chevrolet car, and in which business he requires the services of twenty-four employees. He also maintains branch headquarters at Hoosick Falls, New York. In addition to this business he serves as a member of the board of directors of the First National Bank at Bennington, and he is recog- nized as one of the most active and progressive figures in the business life of this locality.
Mr. Eddington is a communicant of the Roman Catholic Church, and an affiliate of the Knights of Columbus and Lodge, No. 567, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is also a member of Bennington Post, No. 13, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Bennington Club, Mount Anthony Country Club, and the local Chamber of Commerce.
He was married, October 30, 1922, to Josephine E. Keeler, of Bennington, daughter of James and Helen ( Woods) Keeler. Mr. and Mrs. Eddington are the parents of two sons : I. William T., born February 10, 1924. 2. Henry J., born February 19, 1930.
LOUIS T. SAX-In the short space of a decade Louis T. Sax has developed the Northern Dry Cleaners Company of Glens Falls into one of the largest and most efficient establishments of its type in this section of New York State.
Mr. Sax was born in Russia, October 25, 1894, the son of Paul and Doria Sax. He came to this country with his parents during his boyhood and received a general education in the day and night schools of New York City where his family had settled. He began his career in the cleaning and dyeing business as a member of the Empire Cleaners in Albany, with which he was associated for about two years. In June, 1929, he came to Glens Falls and purchased the Northern Dry Cleaners Company, which he has headed as sole owner since. An indication of the progress the firm has made under his management is to be found in the fact that when he took over the establish- ment the working staff consisted of five people while today there are eighteen on the company payroll. Furthermore it is stated that the Northern Dry Cleaners Company has the only dry cold fur storage vault of its size and facilities in Northern New York. The organization draws its patronage from a wide area in this region and maintains delivery service to Luzerne, Corinth, Lake George, Bolton, Salem, Greenwich, Fort Edward, Hudson Falls, White- hall, Fort Ann, Fair Haven and South Glens Falls. Aside from his business interests Mr. Sax is a member of Lodge, No. 121, of the Masonic Order, belongs to the Jewish Brotherhood, and worships at the Hebrew Temple.
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In 1935. at Albany, New York, Mr. Sax married Rose Bellin, and they are the parents of three children : Ruth, Shirley, and Paul Sax.
EDWARD H. CHAMBERLAND-Since 1927 Edward H. Cham- berland has been engaged in the automotive jobbing business in Rutland, being a member of the firm of Lefrancois and Chamberland, Incorporated ; he was born here November 30, 1898, the son of Simeon and Redna Chamber- land, both natives of Canada. Simeon Chamberland is a moulder, by trade.
After completing his education in the Rutland schools, Edward H. Chamberland became associated with the Rutland Spring and Welding Works, as a bookkeeper, but he resigned his position one year later (1921) to enter the tire and gasoline business, under the firm name of Lefrancois and Cham- berland, Incorporated ; in 1927 this firm entered its present field, engaging in wholesale and retail trade, and now employs fifteen workers, with store, office and show rooms located at 37 Strong Avenue.
Mr. Chamberland is a communicant of the Roman Catholic Church, an active Democrat, and an affiliate of the Knights of Columbus, Fraternal Order of Eagles and Lodge, No. 345, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He was married, June 12, 1932, to Rosamond Kelly, of Fair Haven, Vermont, and they are the parents of three children : 1. Margaret May, born November 29, 1933. 2. Helen Marie, born November 3, 1934. 3. Constance Ann, born July 15, 1937.
FATHER DENNIS D. DILLON-Since 1938 Father Dennis D. Dillon has ministered to the spiritual needs of Bolton Landing and become an influential force in the civic and social welfare of the community where he is pastor of the Roman Catholic Church.
Father Dillon was born at Cohoes, New York, February 24, 1896, the son of Patrick F. and Mary E. (Maloney) Dillon, both of his birthplace, where his father is a business man. He completed a general education at the St. Patrick's School of Cohoes in 1911, then matriculated at Niagara University, from which he was graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1916 and, after finishing his academic training, entered St. Mary's Seminary in Balti- more, Maryland, where he prepared for the priesthood. Afterward he studied at Catholic University in Washington, District of Columbia, from which he was awarded a degree of Master of Arts in 1921. On May 21 of that year Father Dillon was ordained at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany, New York, and from that time until assuming his present post at Bolton Landing served as an assistant at the St. Joseph's Church in Troy. During his career in this community he has won the affection and esteem of both Catholic and non-Catholic citizens who respect him for the qualities of leadership he has displayed.
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HARRY F. BRUSO-Different business endeavors in Rouses Point have made the career of Harry F. Bruso a most valuable one. He is now manager here of the Plattsburg business house known as the Dock and Coal Company.
Mr. Bruso was born December 14, 1864, near West Chazy, Clinton County, New York, son of Oliver and Elizabeth (Stone) Bruso. His father, a car- penter and builder by trade, died in 1901. The mother passed from this life in 1898.
Harry F. Bruso attended public schools, and while still very young com- menced working for a living, holding different kinds of positions until, in 1886, he was employed by M. Morah, a West Chazy merchant, operator of a general store. With Mr. Morah he remained until 1890, when he went to Alburg, Vermont. There he was employed in a larger general store until 1894, when he came to Rouses Point, associating himself with the firm of Skeels and Holcombe. In 1901 the firm was changed to Holcombe and Bruso, and Mr. Bruso was placed in charge of the whole enterprise because Mr. Holcombe was away practically all the time in order to take care of his duties in Plattsburg as county clerk. In 1921 Mr. Bruso bought the business, which he conducted thereafter until 1924. Then he sold it and became manager, in Rouses Point, of the Dock and Coal Company, of Plattsburg.
In numerous and effective ways Mr. Bruso has participated in the life of his village, serving formerly as one of its trustees. He is likewise active in Methodist Church affairs. He has held practically all the offices in his con- gregation, continuing today as a trustee. He is a man of true religious thought and conviction, being especially fond of Bible reading and gifted with the power of remembering and quoting many fine passages from the loved Scrip- tures. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and president of the local organization of the Young Men's Christian Association.
Harry F. Bruso married, August 27, 1889, Jennie E. Patnode, daughter of Theophilus and Philamon (Trumbley) Patnode. The daughter of this mar- riage, Ruth Pauline Bruso, became the wife of W. C. Hillegas, of Westbury, Long Island, New York, who is connected with the Edison Cement Company.
BERT WOODWORTH LAMB-Throughout his long and distin- guished career in Bolton Landing, which spans over thirty-five years, Bert Woodworth Lamb has been a prominent and popular figure in the social, civic and business life of this community.
Mr. Lamb was born at Shoreham, Vermont, April 19, 1884, the son of Edward B. and Sarah (Turrill) Lamb, both of that State where his father enlisted in the Union Army for Civil War service. As a child he was brought to Bolton Landing and received a general education in the public schools of
Harry I. Prusa
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this community. After completing his studies he began his business career and eventually became an insurance agent, an activity which he began in 1904 and has engaged in ever since. Four years later he was one of the organizers of Ward and Lamb Company, a grocery business. The name of the firm was changed to Lamb Brothers about 1910 and continued to operate under that title until the venture was dissolved in 1914. It was during the latter year that he founded a lumber business here which he was to operate on an independent basis until 1931. In addition to the aforementioned, Mr. Lamb has also been prominent as a financier, serving as president of Bolton National Bank for about three years and as a member of the board of direc- tors of this institution from 1927 to 1938.
Mr. Lamb's record as a public-spirited citizen is equally impressive. As one of the leading figures of the local Republican organization he has served in several important community and county offices. For eleven years, between 1920 and 1931, he was supervisor of the town of Bolton, served as sheriff of Warren County from 1931 to 1934, and was chairman of the board of supervisors for three years. He was president of the local school board, a trustee of the Bolton Library and has been active in fraternal circles, hold- ing membership in Blue Lodge, No. 425, of the Free and Accepted Masons at Warrensburg, and Glens Falls Lodge, No. 81, of the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks. In his religious convictions he worships at the Emmanuel Methodist Episcopal Church of Bolton Landing in which he is a member of the board of trustees.
On October 12, 1904, at Bolton, Mr. Lamb married Thirsa Ward, daugh- ter of Lyman Norton and Emma Augusta (Blanchard) Ward, and they are the parents of three children: I. Wallace Emerson, born August 1, 1905. 2. Carl Edward, born September 30, 1907. 3. Marian Emma, born March 19, 1910.
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