USA > Vermont > The Lake Champlain and Lake George valleys, Vol. III > Part 67
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Howard Fisher Woodfin graduated from Rutland High School in 1900, and he then entered Phillips-Exeter Academy. After completing his studies here in 1902 he matriculated at Harvard University, where he was graduated in 1906 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He then became assistant treas- urer of the Lincoln Iron Works, and in 1920 he followed in his father's foot- steps and assumed the duties of president of this concern. The Lincoln Iron Works, one of the oldest industrial plants in Rutland, was established in 1864 by Thomas Ross and Redfield Proctor for the purpose of manufacturing stone working machinery. In 1890 this company became wholesalers' and manu- facturers' agents for plumbing and heating supplies, and at present normally affords employment to one hundred workers. Mr. Woodfin is also at the present time a member of the board of directors of the Killington National Bank and the Holmes Iron Company, and a trustee of the Marble Savings Bank of Rutland. During the World War he was attached to the Field Artillery, and was stationed at Camp Taylor, Louisville, Kentucky.
Mr. Woodfin is a prominent member of the Episcopal Church, where he has served as warden, and in other official capacities, and politically, he is a supporter of the Republican party. He is also a member of the local Cham- ber of Commerce, and an affiliate of Rutland Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons.
He was united in marriage, May 20, 1914, to Dorothy Guyon of Brook- lyn, New York, daughter of Sidney Coddington and Caroline (Henshaw) Guyon. Mr. and Mrs. Woodfin are the parents of four daughters : I. Caro- line G., married William R. Pond, Jr., of Hanover, New Hampshire. 2. Shirley Elizabeth, a student at Stoneleigh College in Rye, New Hampshire. 3. Suzanne Adams, a student at Rutland High School. 4. Dorothea Erwina, a student at the Rutland Junior High School.
SEAVER ASBURY MILLER-Like his distinguished father, whose name occupies a place of outstanding distinction in the pioneer history of Franklin County, Seaver Asbury Miller, former mayor of Saranac Lake, clerk of Saranac Lake Village for thirty-three years, justice of the peace at Harrietstown for thirty-six years and officer of numerous other social, civic and business organizations, is ranked among the outstanding leaders of his generation in this section of the State.
Mr. Miller was born at Saranac Lake, Franklin County, November 20, 1867, the son of Van Buren and Sarah Eleanor (Malbone) Miller, both natives of Wilmington, Essex County, and the great-grandson of Captain Pliny Miller, of Albany County, who came to Essex County during the War of 1812, a conflict in which he served under Colonel Young. Captain Miller pushed into the wilderness after the war, bought three hundred acres in what
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is now the village of Saranac Lake, built the first dam and sawmill in this section and became the first supervisor of the town of Harrietstown. Mr. Miller's father, who was born September 29, 1827, and died at Saranac Lake, June 17, 1892, came to Franklin County in 1858, and embarked upon a career that now occupies a distinctive place in the historic annals of this region. He engaged in farming and the lumber business. From the outset of his life here he assumed a leadership that was to command the admiration and esteem of his fellow-citizens for its unselfishness and devotion to the general welfare. He instigated and championed the most progressive measures. In this con- nection he was almost solely responsible for the construction of a State road to the nearly isolated region around Tupper Lake. He also arranged for ade- quate school facilities and from 1885 to 1890 was the State land agent in Franklin and Essex counties. His record of public service is a recital of inspiring achievement. For fourteen consecutive terms he was supervisor of his town and for thirty-three years served as justice of the peace. He was a devout man. From the time of his confirmation by Bishop Doane of the Protestant Episcopal Church at Albany he was one of the most consistent supporters of his local church and rector. Van Buren Miller married at Wilmington, Essex County, April 16, 1852, Sarah Eleanor Malbone, of that place, and they became the parents of the following children : I. Mary Ophelia, deceased. 2. Florence Hortense, deceased. 3. John Herbert, who was born April 7, 1858, was graduated from Beeman Academy, New Haven, Vermont, served as principal of the Saranac Lake grade schools, became a successful merchant here, was postmaster and supervisor of his town and village, a leader of the local Democratic party, and died April 10, 1896. 4. Elmer Pliny, graduate of Middlebury College, the New York Theological Seminary and became archdeacon of eastern Oklahoma for the Protestant Episcopal Church. He was rector of the Church of St. Luke the Beloved Physician, at Saranac Lake, from 1917 to 1930, and died in New York City January 5, 1930. 5. Laura Jerusha, deceased. 6. Eleanor Sarah, resident of Saranac Lake. 7. Seaver Asbury, whose name heads this review. 8. Helen Maude, who resides in Saranac Lake. Sarah Eleanor (Malbone) Miller died at her home in Saranac Lake, October 3, 1929, at more than one hundred years of age.
Seaver Asbury Miller received a general education in the schools of Saranac Lake and later completed his studies at the Oswego State Normal and Training School. Soon afterward he began his career as proprietor of a general country store in Saranac Lake, which he operated from 1887 to 1891. Later in life he established himself as an agent for Stock Insurance Com- panies of New York and Philadelphia, which he has represented for over thirty years. While his business achievements have in themselves been note- worthy his most notable contributions have been made to the civic affairs of
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the community. From October, 1898 to April, 1931, he served as clerk of Saranac Lake Village, was justice of the peace here from 1900 to 1936, and served as mayor of the community from 1931 to 1935. Like his forebears he has been a staunch supporter and leader of the Democratic party in this region, the minority organization. It is worthy of note, in this connection, that save for the first two times he ran for office, both political factions have endorsed him for the local positions he sought. He has also been the Demo- cratic candidate for a place in the New York State Assembly and though defeated has run ahead of any other candidate on his ticket.
Mr. Miller has also served as president of the consolidated board of health of the village of Saranac Lake and the town of Harrietstown since 1922, was president of the local board of education for a number of years, secretary of the Board of Trade for seven years and its president for three years, and secretary and member of the board of directors of the Saranac Lake Gen- eral Emergency Hospital for a number of years. Prior to its absorption by the Adirondack National Bank, in 1938, Mr. Miller was a stockholder in the Saranac Lake National Bank and is now a director in the Saranac Lake Fed- eral Savings and Loan Association. In his religious convictions he has wor- shipped at the Church of St. Luke the Beloved Physician, of Saranac Lake, for which he has been a vestryman for the past thirty years. Mr. Miller has been described as a man of great amiability, an entertaining raconteur, an enthusiastic fisherman and an authority on local history. His extensive knowl- edge of this section of the country, its people, its business, its sports and its beauty, have been a source of constant interest to his fellow-townsmen and visitors and has also supplied him with material for numerous articles which he has written for metropolitan dailies and sporting magazines.
JACKSON STRONG-For over forty-five years the Strongs, father and sons, have been associated with Huntley's laundering, cleaning and dye- ing establishment of Burlington, Vermont. This corporation, now known as Huntley's, Incorporated, with agencies in the larger towns and principal cities of this State, was established by Mr. Huntley prior to 1893, when Theodotius P. Strong, a native of Canada, became an employee of the founder and sub- sequently, proprietor of the Huntley establishment, expanding and directing its activities up until his death on May 3, 1928, at which time his two sons, Jackson and Edwin B. Strong, took over the management, conducting the enterprise ever since with signal success.
As already indicated, Theodotius P. Strong was not one of Burlington's native sons, but few of his business contemporaries here have contributed more than he to this city's growth and general welfare; and there were in his day few worthy movements promoted for the good of this community which failed
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of obtaining his endorsement, cooperation and participation. Active to the last in the Burlington Chamber of Commerce, the Republican party, and St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and of which organizations he was an honored mem- ber, Mr. Strong also was affiliated fraternally with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Eden Lodge of Ware, Massachusetts, Free and Accepted Masons. He married Georgian Stone, who predeceased him by eight years, passing away in 1920, while he died in 1928. They were the parents of three children : I. Jackson, of further mention. 2. Edwin B. 3. Cornelia.
Jackson Strong was born August 31, 1905, at Ware, Massachusetts, where the parents lived for awhile before settling permanently in Burlington, Ver- mont. After attending the public schools here, Mr. Strong graduated from Burlington High School in 1924, and immediately became connected with Huntley's, launderers, cleaners and dyers, of which his father was president. Upon the latter's death, and after the incorporation of the concern in October, 1928, as Huntley's, Incorporated, Jackson Strong became president and treas- urer, and his brother Edwin B. Strong, became associated with him in the management of this growing business. The plant and general offices are located at 103 St. Paul Street, Burlington, with Statewide agencies and branches.
Jackson Strong married, July 7, 1928, Jeannette L. Hays, a native of Burlington.
RAYMOND EDWARD DENNIN-Since the first year of the present century, Raymond Edward Dennin has been identified with the undertaking business at Ballston Spa. Few men in the place are better known, better liked, or have taken a more constructive part in its affairs. Like many who rise to prominence he arrived at his destination in life only after several detours along the way and much colorful experience.
He was born at Saratoga Springs, on Christmas Day, 1876, son of James Peter and Kate T. (Carville) Dennin. His father, also a native of Saratoga Springs, met many notables from all over the world during the dozen years he operated the Worden ( formerly the Arlington) Hotel, before his death at the age of forty-two years. His wife was born in Chillicothe, Ohio.
Raymond Edward Dennin after attending local schools, went to Yonkers, New York, where he entered a private academy, where he had as classmates Lionel and John Barrymore. He attended Fordham University, New York City. No doubt this early proximity to New York City and acquaintance with outstanding figures in theatrical circles, exerted some influence upon his ideas. But it is noteworthy that one of the first things he did when beginning to make a livelihood was to go West, where he worked on a ranch for two years. The West was still a young man's country and none too easy a section in
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which to make good. He also, in 1891-92, was an express messenger, one of the various incidents of the first phase of his business career. In June, 1900, he became associated with the Jessie Young Undertaking Establishment in Ballston Spa, which was then a branch of the Howell Taylor Company. In 1904 he purchased the business of William P. Harmon, which he has since conducted. Mr. Dennin is now the oldest and widest known mortician in Ballston Spa.
Probably the most interesting detail about Mr. Dennin is not his success in business but what he has done along other lines, for he is an exemplar of the dictum that learning how to live is more valuable than making a liveli- hood. Travel, for example, has been one of his hobbies, and for some good reason he has confined most of his journeys to the Western Hemisphere. He knows South America, and the West Indies, not as a book, but as friendly ports with which the people of our own country would profit by a better understanding.
In Ballston Spa he takes an enlightened interest in nearly all civic and fraternal activities. He is a member and past president of the Rotary Club, member of the Utopian Club, is fraternally affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen of the World, and is a Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus. He served with the 2d Regi- ment, National Guard of New York State in the Spanish-American War, and participated in many of the public activities of the World War period. A Democrat, he has never been a politician. His religious affiliations are with St. Mary's Catholic Church, at Ballston Spa.
At Ballston Spa, on April 2, 1902, Raymond Edward Dennin married Emily Georgia Hathorn, daughter of Isaac and Maud (Sheppard) Hathorn.
AUGUST C. NEUMANN-Proprietor of the Algonquin Hotel, an attractive modern hostelry situated on a slight elevation on the west shore of Lake George, facing the lake and overlooking beautiful Bolton Bay, August C. Neumann, of Bolton Landing, New York, is one of the leading hotel men of Warren County, as well as being one of the outstanding citizens of his community and the entire Lake George neighborhood.
August C. Neumann was born at Cliffside, New Jersey, April 30, 1889, son of August E. and Mary (McManus) Neumann. August E. Neumann, who was born in Germany, came to America as a young man and established himself in Cliffside as a building contractor and real estate developer, activities in which he was engaged at the time of his death. He was also vigorously interested in the political problems of his community as well as its economic prosperity and was a leader in the adoption of the city form of government of Cliffside, being elected the first mayor under the new organization and
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holding the office for twenty-two years. Mary (McManus) Neumann, his wife, also deceased, was a native of Guttenberg, New Jersey.
After passing through the grade schools of Cliffside and graduating from the Hackensack (New Jersey) High School, August C. Neumann found his first regular employment as a bookkeeper, a business which he abandoned after six months trial to apprentice himself to the trade of a machinist and die maker. After some eight years in this trade, Mr. Neumann became inter- ested in the growing popularity of the automobile and, accordingly, established himself in business as the proprietor and manager of the Palisades Day and Night Garage, his enterprise being the first and, for years, the only garage and service station in Cliffside. Mr. Neumann continued to operate this busi- ness until 1918, when he disposed of his interests in Cliffside and moved to Bolton Landing, where he purchased and managed the Mohegan Inn for a period of about eight years. Then, in 1926, he purchased the Reed Miller property and, renaming the establishment the Adirondack Lodge, managed this second hotel for seven years, until 1933, the year when he purchased his present property, the Algonquin Hotel, an establishment which he has owned and operated through the present time. The hotel which has recently been enlarged by the construction of a modern grill built out over the blue waters of the lake is patronized by a select clientele who appreciate the home-like atmosphere of the place, as well as its modern comforts and its gorgeous location upon the shores of the lake looking out across the water, studded with wooded islands to the Green Mountains bulking to the east.
Supporting his business interests by membership in the New York State Hotel Association and the American Hotel Association, Mr. Neumann aids local development and prosperity by membership in the Lake George Chamber of Commerce and the Bolton Chamber of Commerce, being the secretary of this latter organization. A member of Hackensack Lodge, No. 658, Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, Mr. Neumann, who is a member of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church of Bolton, finds his greatest pleasure in boating on Lake George, a hobby which is reflected by the large fleet of boats and canoes which he maintains on the beach in front of his hotel.
August C. Neumann married, in 1915, Lillian Mulligan, who is a native of Lake George. Mr. and Mrs. Neumann are the parents of two children: I. Helen Louise, a graduate of the Merchants and Bankers Business College of New York City. 2. Lillian Magdelene.
JAMES D. SMITH-Partner in the firm of F. R. Smith and Sons, Incorporated, dealers in marine supplies, boats, fishing equipment and pro- prietors of one of the largest boat yards and railroads in this section of Lake George, James D. Smith, of Bolton Landing, New York, is not only one of
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the leading business men of his community but also an outstanding citizen, one who has given generously of his time and energy to the prosperity and development of the community, as well as serving for many years in public office.
James D. Smith was born at Bolton Landing, May 21, 1895, son of Fred R. and Clara (Lenox) Smith. Fred R. Smith, who was born in Queensberry, New York, established himself in Bolton as a boat builder and formed the firm of Fred R. Smith and Son, Incorporated, an enterprise of which he has remained a partner with his sons. Clara (Lenox) Smith, his wife, is a native of Queensberry, New York, too.
After passing through the public schools of Bolton, James D. Smith completed his formal education at the Albany Business College and then, returning home, found his first employment as a clerk in a Bolton grocery and hardware store. However, in 1915, having been interested in boats and boating all his life, he entered the boat business, at first working for private parties along the shores of Lake George and then, in 1922, becoming a partner with his father and brother in F. R. Smith and Sons, Incorporated, a business with which he has been associated through the present time.
Active in the ranks of the Republican party organization as Bolton Town Committeeman since 1931, Mr. Smith has always been deeply interested in civic and political problems and has held public office for years, being town clerk of the town of Bolton, an office which he has held since 1931 ; a member of the Bolton Board of Education since 1930; and president of the board for the past eight years. During the World War, Mr. Smith enlisted in the United States Army on April 6, 1918, and, assigned to Section 602, Ambu- lance Corps, was sent to France for service with the American Expeditionary Forces, where he remained for a year, being returned home and receiving his discharge with the grade of mechanic in June, 1919. Preserving his war- time memories by membership in Bolton Post, American Legion, an organiza- tion of which he is a Past Commander, Mr. Smith, who attends the Bolton Episcopal Church and enjoys hunting as a means of recreation, also belongs to Warrensburg Lodge, No. 425, Free and Accepted Masons.
James D. Smith married, in 1924, Ruth Taft, who is a native of Glens Falls. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of five children: I. Clara E. 2. Frederick C. 3. James D., Jr. 4. Janet R. 5. Robert A.
BENJAMIN F. SULLIVAN-Since 1924, Benjamin F. Sullivan has been engaged in the hardware and furniture business in his native city, Chazy, New York, where he has also long distinguished himself in civic and political life, serving as a member of the School Board, and for twenty years as town clerk. He was born September 16, 1879, the son of the late Patrick and Hattie
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M. (Wool) Sullivan. Patrick Sullivan, a native of Boston, Massachusetts, was employed as a mechanic at the time of his death. Hattie M. (Wool) Sullivan, a native of Chazy, New York, is now residing on Long Island, New York.
Benjamin F. Sullivan received his education in the Chazy public schools and for approximately one year after the completion of his schooling, he was engaged as a steam engineer. He then learned the blacksmith trade, and was occupied in this field for the next thirty-two years, operating his own shop from 1901 to 1924. In this year he established his present hardware and furnishing business in the same building where he learned the blacksmith trade years before, and he has been most successful in this business. In his capacity as town clerk he has rendered beneficial service to the community at large, and he is highly respected by his friends and fellow-citizens as a most trustworthy and capable public official.
Mr. Sullivan is an active member of the Presbyterian Church, where he serves as an elder and trustee, and in political allegiance, he is a staunch supporter of the Republican party. Fraternally he is affiliated with Chazy Lodge, No. 1095, Free and Accepted Masons.
He is married to Nellie Barnett of Mooers, New York, and a product of the public and high school system in that place. She was a member of the first graduating class at the Mooers High School, and for several years prior to her marriage, she was engaged as a school teacher in her native city. Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan are the parents of a daughter, Edith H., a native of Chazy, a graduate of the local schools, a former student at Simmons College and the Genesee and Plattsburg Normal schools, and a graduate of New York Uni- versity with the degrees of Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Science in Library Service. She is at present engaged as a librarian in the Plattsburg Normal School, and she is the holder of a permanent teaching certificate.
WALLACE EMERSON LAMB-Wallace Emerson Lamb, school administrator and historian, was born in Bolton Landing, New York, August I, 1905. He attended the local schools, earning his academic diploma in June, 1922. In September of that year he entered Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts, receiving his degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1926. As an undergraduate he earned admission to the Clark Scholarship Society, was chosen a member of Gryphon (senior honorary society), and became pres- ident of Theta Kappa Nu, which was the only chapter of a national college fraternity at Clark. During the year 1926-27, Mr. Lamb was engaged in graduate work at the same institution in the field of history and international relations. He wrote an original thesis entitled the "Ballinger-Pinchot Dis- pute," and received his degree of Master of Arts in June, 1927. Since then
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he has attended summer sessions of New York State Teachers' College at Albany, specializing in problems of school administration.
During the school year 1927-28, Mr. Lamb was history instructor at Essex Junction High School, Essex Junction, Vermont. He then was elected to the principalship of Bolton Central School at Bolton Landing, New York, a position which he has held ever since.
Mr. Lamb always possessed a strong interest in things historical, par- ticularly those connected with Lake George and Lake Champlain. He began to study closely the local history of this region merely to satisfy his own curiosity. As time went on, however, it became apparent that there was an urgent need for printed historical material which would be available to the public ; practically all such books being out of print. Finally, in 1934, Mr. Lamb decided to publish a booklet entitled "History of Lake George" on his own financial responsibility. This publication met with an enthusiastic wel- come, and the large first edition was exhausted. Since that time a second edition has been printed under the title "Historic Lake George."
Mr. Lamb's chief contribution in the field of historical research prob- ably was related to the life of Father Isaac Jogues, S. J., discoverer of Lake George, and he is today considered to be the outstanding authority on that phase of Jogues' life which was connected with the Lake Champlain and Lake George valleys.
Because of widespread public interest in his Lake George booklet and the life of Father Jogues; because most historical books dealing with this area were rendered obsolete by recent historical research here and abroad, while all utterly neglected economic and social history; and because of the scarcity of local history material available, in schools and libraries in particular, Mr. Lamb ultimately decided to conduct his research on a more extensive and intensive scale. In December, 1937, he became associated with The Amer- ican Historical Company, Inc., of New York City as the author of the first two volumes of this set. He has also been in considerable demand as a speaker and lecturer on local history.
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