USA > Vermont > The Lake Champlain and Lake George valleys, Vol. III > Part 7
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Winfield W. F. Randolph was born at Berlin, New York, March 3, 1894, son of the Rev. Gideon H. F. and Mrs. Lucy (Greene) Randolph. Rev. Gideon H. F. Randolph, who was a native of Salem, West Virginia, studied for the ministry and was ordained in the Seventh Day Baptist Church, a calling which he followed at various pastorates in the United States until his
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death. Lucy (Greene) Randolph, his wife, who is also deceased, was born at Independence, New York.
After obtaining his elementary school education in Arkansas, Winfield W. F. Randolph came East and entered Alfred Academy at Alfred, New York, going on to Alfred University where, following his service in the United States Army, he won his degree of Bachelor of Science in 1920 as a member of the class of 1918, and then, continuing his studies, won his degree of Master of Science in 1924. Beginning in 1924 Mr. Randolph, who spent his leisure in taking special courses at Columbia University, 1930-34, obtained a position on the faculty of the New York State School of Agriculture, a position which he held for four years, resigning to become the principal of the high school at Madrid, New York. Then, in 1927, Mr. Randolph received his appointment as principal of the Keeseville High School, a post which he has occupied through the present time. In August, 1917, while a student at Alfred University, Mr. Randolph offered his services to the United States Army and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 107th Regiment of Field Artillery, attached to the 28th Division. He served as instructor of the Third Officers Training Camp at Augusta, Georgia. After training, he was sent overseas with his regiment and served in France with the American Expeditionary Forces for a period of sixteen months, as officers' instructor in artillery firing at Valdahon, France; adjutant of permanent personnel, LeMans, France, and taking part in such major campaigns as the Meuse and the Argonne. In May of 1918, he was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant, holding that grade through his discharge from the service in September of 1919, when he was given a commission as a captain in the Officers' Reserve Corps, a commission which he retained from 1919 through 1934, when he resigned. Preserving his war-time associations by past membership in Alfred Post, No. 370, American Legion, of which he is a Past Commander, and present membership in American Legion Post, No. 284, at Keeseville, Mr. Randolph, who supports his profession by belonging to the New York State Teachers' Association, is a member and a director of the Kiwanis Club of Keeseville and belongs to Ausable River Lodge, No. 149, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, an organization of which he is a Past Master. He is also Past Assistant Grand Lecturer of the Order of Eastern Star. Belonging also to the local organizations of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is a Past Grand, and the Rebekahs, Mr. Randolph is a member of the First Baptist Church of Keeseville. Finding golf as a favorite means of recre- ation from his professional responsibilities, Mr. Randolph is also devoted to fishing, hunting and other outdoor sports.
Winfield W. F. Randolph married, in 1917, Ruth Brown, who is a native of Utica, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Randolph are the parents of a son : Winfield L. F., who is a member of the class of 1940 of Alfred University.
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HERBERT CALVIN COMINGS-President for the past quarter of a century of one of the oldest and largest furniture manufacturing con- cerns in Vermont, which was founded in 1880 and now distributes its products in every Atlantic seaboard State, Herbert Calvin Comings of Rich- ford, Vermont, has been signally honored from time to time by the citizens of his community who have elevated him, a lifelong Democrat, into public office in a State which is predominantly Republican.
The father of Mr. Comings, William H. Comings, was a farmer and native of Berkshire, Franklin County, Vermont, who died in 1928 at the age of eighty-seven and whose widow, Betsey (Hammond) Comings, a native of Franklin, this State, celebrated that same year her own eighty- seventh birthday.
Herbert Calvin Comings was born November 17, 1863, at Berkshire and attended the district schools and Franklin Academy, after which he taught for two years, 1881-82, in the Franklin District Schools, clerked in Richard Smith's drug store at Richford from February 1, 1883, to November I, 1883, and then took a similar position with Charles A. Powell & Company, retailers here of hardware, furniture, merchandise, and also funeral directors of prominence. In 1889 Mr. Comings formed a partnership with the founder of this business, Charles A. Powell, and five years later bought an interest in the I. J. Sweat Company, a furniture manufacturing concern founded at Richford in 1880 by Mr. Sweat. E. Henry Powell became president of the company incorporated under the name of the Sweat-Comings Com- pany, while Mr. Comings served first as manager, then general manager and treasurer. Mr. Powell is now deceased and for the last quarter of a century Mr. Comings has been president, his son, Herbert B. Comings, succeeding him as treasurer of the corporation in 1918. The Sweat-Comings Company manufactures a popular line of dining room and bedroom furniture, occu- pies six large buildings, and carries on its payroll an average of one hundred and fifty to two hundred employees.
Not only is Mr. Comings responsible for the development of his own company, whose products are regularly distributed to practically every State in the Union, but he is also credited with the advancement of general business conditions here in Richford where, besides being head and director of the Sweat-Comings Company, he occupies a similar connection with the Rich- ford Savings Bank & Trust Company, and the Powell & Comings Company which carries on the local retail business originally founded by his late partner, Charles A. Powell.
As previously noted, Mr. Comings is a lifelong Democrat, in a State which is proverbially Republican. Nevertheless, while the State went Repub- lican as usual in the election the majority was the smallest received by a Repub-
C & G .- 5
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lican candidate in the past seventy-five years. He was a member of the Ver- mont State Legislature, from Franklin County, in 1898; Collector of United States Customs from 1914 to 1923 ; Commissioner of Finance for the State of Vermont, 1923 to 1925; and State Senator from 1929 to 1933. During the World War, Mr. Comings was chairman of the Liberty Loan drives in Richford. He attends the local Baptist Church and serves on its Board of Trustees. He was at one time president of the Calumet Club and the Rich- ford Board of Trade, and now belongs to the Richford and the State Boards of Trade, and the Richford Country Club.
Herbert Calvin Comings married, September 24, 1885, at Richford, May Susan Bowen, born at Berkshire, Vermont, November 1, 1864, daughter of Albert H. and Florence (Thayer) Bowen, both natives of their daughter's birthplace. Mr. and Mrs. Comings have one son: I. Herbert Bowen Com- ings, born at Richford, Vermont, February 26, 1889, a graduate of the Uni- versity of Vermont in the class of 1910 with the degree of Bachelor of Phil- osophy. He has been treasurer of the Sweat-Comings Company since 1918, and during the World War served as first sergeant, United States Army, Detachment No. 2, Air Service, and was commander, Richford Post, No. 12, American Legion. He is director of the Richford Savings Bank & Trust Company. He was and is a member of the Vermont State Senate, in the ses- sions of 1935-37-39 serving as chairman of the Appropriations Committee, and member of the Aviation, Claims, and Military Affairs committees of the Senate. While in attendance there, he maintained rooms in Montpelier Tav- ern. Herbert Bowen Comings married, in 1921, Theresa Kittell, and they are the parents of four children : i. Herbert Bowen, Jr., sixteen years of age. ii. Theresa Jane, fourteen years of age. iii. John Calvin, ten years of age. iv. Samuel K., two years of age.
EUGENE P. KEOUGH-A native of the Adirondack country, Eugene P. Keough has been identified with Saranac Lake throughout all his life except such time as was spent in the study of his vocation elsewhere. He was born in this prosperous and progressive vacation and health resort, June 28, 191I, son of John E. and Alice (Duprey) Keough, both of whom are living. His father, born at Buffalo, New York, has long engaged in com- mercial traveling. The mother is a native of Saranac Lake.
Eugene P. Keough was educated in the schools of his birthplace, Saranac Lake, and attended the Syracuse School of Embalming, from which he was graduated with the class of 1932. Returning to Saranac Lake he became associated with Henry J. Conley in an undertaking business. It is a coinci- dence that this funeral home was established in the very year of Mr. Keough's birth, and continued under the direction of the older man until his death in
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1935. In that year Mr. Keough took over the management of the Conley estate, and in 1937 incorporated the present business under the name of Henry J. Conley, Inc., funeral director, with Mr. Keough as manager and secretary of the company, posts he has since filled. The establishment is one of the largest and oldest in the Adirondacks.
Fraternally, Mr. Keough is affiliated with the Loyal Order of Moose, Saranac Lake Council, No. 599, of the Knights of Columbus, and Saranac Lake Lodge, No. 1508, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Active in civic life, he is a member of the Saranac Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club, and is a member of the Saranac Lake Boat Club. Pro- fessional connections include membership in the National Funeral Directors Association, the New York State Funeral Directors Association, and the North Star Funeral Directors Association. He attends St. Bernard's Catholic Church. His favorite recreations are fishing, hunting and golf.
In 1933 Eugene P. Keough married Mildred R. Sweeney, born at Troy, New York, and they have a son, Ronald Blais Keough.
JOHN W. NICHOLS-Attorney for Saratoga County since 1932, John W. Nichols of Saratoga is one of the leading members of the legal profession in his county, having been active in private practice for more than twenty years, and is also an outstanding civic leader, being a member of the county organization of the Republican party for years.
John W. Nichols was born at Wilton, Saratoga County, November IS, 1891, son of John R. and Eleanor (Loomis) Nichols. John R. Nichols, who was a native of North Brookfield, Massachusetts, established himself in life as a shoe manufacturer upon his return from service as a young man in the Civil War, being a member of Company F, 15th Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. During the war, John R. Nichols was wounded at the battle of Ball's Bluff and was taken prisoner. In later life he became active in the Grand Army of the Republic and was one of the leaders of the organiza- tion in Saratoga County. Eleanor (Loomis) Nichols, his wife, also deceased, was a native of Fort Ann, Washington County, New York.
After passing through the public schools of Wilton, John W. Nichols graduated from the Saratoga High School and then, selecting a career in the legal profession, he entered the law office of the late Hon. Edgar T. Brackett, where he spent four years and received his education in the law ; in 1916 he entered the Albany Law School, from which he graduated in 1917. After serving in the United States Army, enlisting just after he was admitted to practice before the New York State bar, and seeing service as a member of Company K, 7Ist Regiment, Regular Infantry, where he reached the rank of sergeant, Mr. Nichols returned home to Saratoga, established himself in
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private practice here, opening an office which he has maintained through the present time. Preserving his World War experiences by membership in the Saratoga Chapter of the American Legion, a post of which he is a charter member, Mr. Nichols also supports his profession by membership in the Saratoga County Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Always vitally interested in civic problems and political policies, Mr. Nichols has been active in the Republican party for many years, serving as a member of the Saratoga County Republican Com- mittee since 1926 and holding office as county attorney for Saratoga County since April of 1932. Past Master of Rising Sun Lodge, No. 103, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Mr. Nichols also belongs to Rising Sun Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. Finding recreations from his professional responsibilities and public duties by indulgence in his twin hobbies of golf and fishing, Mr. Nichols worships as a member of the Saratoga Methodist Church.
John W. Nichols married, in 1917, Hazel Washburn, a native of Wilton, Saratoga County. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols are the parents of twin children : John W., Jr., and Hazel Elizabeth, both of whom are students at Syracuse University.
RAYMOND D. SNYDER, M. D .- One of the leading physicians of Corinth, Saratoga County, Raymond D. Snyder, M. D., is not only well known among the citizens of his community but also prominent among the members of the medical profession as well.
Dr. Raymond D. Snyder was born in Hillsdale, Columbia County, New York, October 21, 1903, son of Henry J. and Grace (Dimmick) Snyder. Henry J. Snyder, who was born in Hillsdale, Columbia County, has estab- lished himself as a provision dealer, a field in which he is a leading merchant in his community. Grace (Dimmick) Snyder, his wife, is a native of Troy, New York.
After passing through the public schools of Hillsdale, and graduating from the Hillsdale High School, Dr. Raymond D. Snyder entered Cornell Uni- versity, graduating in 1924 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, following which, becoming interested in the medical profession, he entered Cornell University Medical School and graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medi- cine with the class of 1927. Following a year as an interne at Albany General Hospital and another year at the Marshall Sanatorium, Troy, New York, Dr. Snyder came to Corinth in 1929 and established himself in the general practice of his profession, opening an office which he has maintained through the present time. Supporting his profession by membership in the American Medical Association, the New York State Medical Society, and the Saratoga County Medical Society, Dr. Snyder, in addition to his private practice, is an
Charles to Trembley M.D.
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associate member of the staff of the Saratoga Hospital and a member of the courtesy staff of the Glens Falls Hospital. A member of the Republican party, the doctor is deeply interested in the practical application of his pro- fession to social problems and serves as a member of the board of trustees of the Corinth Hospital. Dr. Snyder, who belongs to the Corinth Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a steward, is a member of Alpha Kappa Kappa Fraternity and finds a means of recreation from his professional duties and responsibilities in his hobby of amateur photography, as well as in his favorite sports of golf and swimming.
Raymond D. Snyder married, in 1930, Hazel Stevens, who is a native of Watervliet, New York. Dr. and Mrs. Snyder are the parents of two chil- dren : I. Robert G. 2. Carol Ann.
CHARLES C. TREMBLEY, M. D .- When more than half a century ago, Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau opened the "Adirondack Cottage Sana- torium" he not only initiated a treatment of incipient tuberculosis, but also blazed a path by which many exceptionally skilled physicians have come to practice in Saranac Lake and other mountain places. It has been said that "Adirondack towns, in proportion to their population, have more expert medi- cal men than any other section of the United States." Dr. Charles C. Trembley is one of these "experts" of unusually long record in the region, for he came to Saranac Lake at the turn of the century, and after a few years in charge of the Trudeau Sanatorium, remained to engage in private practice, special- izing in the treatment of diseases of the thorax. His connections with pro- fessional organizations, both as an official and member, are both numerous and varied, and down the years in the Adirondacks he has entered heartily into many phases of local life and activities.
Dr. Trembley was born at Utica, New York, September 17, 1873, son of William H. and Emma (Davis) Trembley, both deceased. His mother was a native of England. William H. Trembley, born in New Jersey, was long engaged in the stained glass industry. The future doctor of the family obtained his formal education in New York State institutions; went to New York University for his technical training, and was graduated in 1898 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He remained in the metropolis for a year as an interne in Bellevue Hospital, and then was a house physician in the Ogdens- burg State Hospital for about six months. At the beginning of the present century, Dr. Trembley's health failed and he came to Saranac Lake. Dr. Trudeau employed the young man as an assistant, and in 1901 placed him in charge of the Sanatorium. In 1903 he resigned to establish himself in private practice at Saranac Lake, where he has since specialized in internal medicine in its application to thoracic ailments.
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Dr. Trembley has combined the attitude and the methods of the scientist and the physician-research and practice-in his work to a marked degree. He has achieved a repute that is in nowise confined to the Adirondacks, and has been honored with election to official posts in a number of the profes- sional societies in which he holds memberships. Dr. Trembley served as the first vice-president of the New York State Medical Association, is a former president of the Franklin County Medical Society, a past president of the Fourth District, New York State, of the American Medical Association. He has been an official of the National Tuberculosis Association, the Saranac Lake Medical Society, and is a Fellow of the American Public Health Asso- ciation. He is on the staff of the Saranac General Hospital, and since 1904 has been a member of the Board of Public Health of Saranac Lake, and since 1907 has been the town's health officer.
During the World War period, Dr. Trembley served as a member of the Medical Advisory Board, and once served as a first lieutenant in the United States Army Ordnance unit of the 105th Battalion, New York State National Guard. Fraternally, he is affiliated with Whiteface Mountain Lodge, No. 789, Free and Accepted Masons, and the higher bodies of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, including Kainik Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of Lodge No. 1508, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. At one time he was president of the Rotary Club, and the Chamber of Commerce, Saranac Lake. He is a member of the Saranac Lake Country Club and the Saranac Lake Fish and Game Club. While golf, fishing and hunting are favorite recreative sports of Dr. Trembley, he also has found health and interest in horticulture. He attends the Protestant Episcopal Church.
In 1902 Dr. Charles C. Trembley married Louise Buckingham Hart, a native of Utica, New York, and they are the parents of a daughter, Virginia Louise, a graduate of Miss Fuller's School, Ossining, who married Carlos A. Franco, of Chappaqua, New York, and they have one daughter, Barbara.
MILLER S. JOHNSON-As village manager of Saranac Lake, Miller S. Johnson has effectively and usefully served his fellow-citizens. His accomplishments have been numerous and worth while, and he is respected, admired and honored in every circle in which he is known.
Mr. Johnson was born May 3. 1901, in Saranac Lake, New York, son of Walter E. and Grace (Galbraith) Johnson. His father, a native of Burke, New York, was engaged until his death in the lumber business. The mother was born in Massachusetts.
Public schools at Saranac provided Miller S. Johnson's early education, and when he was finished with his high school work he became a student at
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the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he was graduated in the class of 1925. He then became attached to the Highway Department of the State of Michigan, being so employed for one year. At the end of that period he associated himself with the United States Tinfoil Company, of Louisville, Kentucky, there working for one and one-half years and having charge of production for the company. Returning to Saranac Lake, Mr. Johnson became assistant village engineer and so served for two years. Next he was made assistant village manager in 1929, so continuing until 1935. In that year he was made village manager, the position that he has held down to the time of writing.
Politically he is a staunch Republican. Since 1935 he has been assessor of the village. He belongs to Preston Lodge, No. 281, of the Free and Accepted Masons, and also is active in the Chamber of Commerce and other local organizations. He attends the Presbyterian Church. In leisure time Mr. Johnson particularly enjoys healthful outdoor life and sports, being fond of fishing and such pastimes.
In February, 1938, Miller S. Johnson married Lucile Keller, born in Hudson, Michigan.
VICTOR K. MOORE-With a record of forty-nine years of steady service in the banking field, Victor K. Moore, cashier and director of the Bank of Au Sable Forks since 1912, is the oldest banker in point of service in the Adirondacks, and a recognized authority on the various phases of the banking industry.
Mr. Moore was born in Lewis, Essex County, February 15, 1870, the son of James H. and Laura (Crossett) Moore, both deceased. James H. Moore, a native of Essex County, was engaged throughout his active career in the banking industry. He was a veteran of the Civil War, and was attached to Company H, 118th Volunteer Infantry, and was twice wounded in action. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Laura (Crossett) Moore was born in Lewis, Essex County.
Victor K. Moore received his early education in the Plattsburg public schools, and later he enrolled at Troy Conference Academy, graduating as valedictorian of his class in 1896. In 1889, previous to his entry into Troy Conference Academy, Mr. Moore became associated with the First National Bank at Plattsburg, and throughout his years at the academy he continued as an employee of this bank. He continued with this well-known financial insti- tution until 1912, and at that time he entered upon his present duties at the Bank of Au Sable Forks, where he has achieved a brilliant reputation for his knowledge and willingness to furnish advice on all financial matters. Mr. Moore is also a director and one of the organizers of the Champlain Valley
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Federal Savings and Loan Associations, and he is a trustee of both the Green Mountain Junior College and the Troy Conference Trust Fund.
He has served as chairman of the board of trustees of the Methodist Church, and has always been active in civic affairs, being one of the organizers and the second president of the Rotary Club. Fraternally, he is well known in the Masonic Order, being Past Master of the local lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons, and an affiliate of the York Rite and the Oriental Temple. Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
He was married, in 1896, to Nellie Sweeney, a native of Clintonville, and they are the parents of two children : I. Helen Sweeney, a graduate of Syra- cuse University in 1919 with a degree of Bachelor of Arts ; married Harold R. Torrance of Au Sable Forks. 2. James Sweeney, a graduate of Peekskill Military Academy, and a member of the 1927 class at Syracuse University, now actively engaged in the lumber business.
GEORGE J. CULVER, M. D .- One of the leading members of the medical profession in Essex County, George J. Culver, M. D., of Au Sable Forks, is also a prominent citizen, holding several public offices of trust and responsibility as well as being an active member of the Masonic Fraternity.
Dr. George J. Culver was born at Schenectady, New York, December 23, 1890, son of E. and Anna (Oliver) Culver. E. Culver, who was born in Bethlehem, New York, established himself in life as a merchant, an activity in which he prospered until the time of his recent retirement. Anna (Oliver) Culver, his wife, was born at Albany.
After passing through the public schools of Schenectady and graduating from the Altamont High School, George J. Culver determined to follow a career in medicine and, accordingly entered Union College in Schenectady, subsequently receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine from the Albany Medical College as a member of the class of 1914. Following a year and a half as an interne at St. Peter's Hospital at Albany and six months at the City Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, Dr. Culver came to Au Sable Forks in 1916 and established himself in a general medical and surgical practice and as a specialist in industrial surgery-a practice and a specialty which Dr. Culver has maintained through the present time with the exception of the World War period. In 1917, just as he was well established in practice, Dr. Culver offered his services to the United States Army and was commissioned a first lieutenant in the Medical Corps and assigned to duty as a medical instructor at Fort Berry, being later assigned to Fort Harrison, Fort Riley and Fort Oglethorpe, the fourth post being in Georgia. There the doctor organized an evacuating ambulance company, the first such unit formed in the United States. In June, 1918, Dr. Culver was commissioned a captain, a rank
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