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The History of New York State Editor, Dr. James Sullivan Online Edition by Holice, Deb & Pam |
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HERBERT FREDERICK
PRESCOTT
On the foundation of experience in the Fourth Estate there now and
again has been erected by members of the profession the superstructure
of fresh successes infields which are contiguous, so to speak, to the
boundless territory covered by the ubiquitous newspaper man. A fine
example of this type of builder, or evolu- Page 343 tionist, is furnished by Herbert Frederick Prescott, of Albany,
secretary of the New York Conservation Department. Mr. Prescott rose
from the ranks of the cub reporter to the editor's chair, to legislative
correspondent, and was connected with leading up-State journals for a
score of years approximately. He graduated into the service of the
State, and was called thence to be manager and editor of the Republican
State Committee's "news Bureau." For more than twenty years he
was the executive officer of a newspaper clipping bureau, meanwhile
having been appointed to the important post that he now holds in the
Conservation Department. it is a foregoing conclusion that to one's
question of Mr. Prescott as to what element he considered to have been
the most conducive to his advancement in the public service, he would
reply unhesitatingly that it was his newspaper training. Born in Bangor, Maine, December 14, 1866, Herbert F. Prescott is the
son of Harrison Gray and Sarah (Leighton) Prescott, his father a
well-known merchant in that city, who served in the Civil War as second
lieutenant of Company H, 15th Main volunteers. Mr. Prescott
was in the city of Albany when he became of age to attend grammar
school. He made the most of his educational opportunities and went on to
the high school, from which he was graduated in 1884. Before he left
school he had decided to enter the newspaper profession, and shortly
after graduation joined the staff of the Albany "Evening
Journal." One of his salient characteristics that boosted him over
many a hill of difficulty was stick-to-it-iveness, which is essential to
progress in newspaper work. In 1889, he left the "Journal" and
went to "The Argus" as city editor. For five years he directed
the force in the city room of "The Argus." In 1894, he
accepted an offer to become vice-president and managing editor to the
"Syracuse Courier," which position he held until 1897. It was in 1898 that Mr. Presxcott made the move that was to have the
most intimate bearing upon his career. Joining the corps of press
representatives attached to the State Capitol, he made the important and
broadly embracing connection of legislative correspondent for the
"Albany Journal," "Syracuse Post-Standard,"
"New York Commercial Advertiser," "Troy Press," and
"Utica Herald-Dispatch." He served these newspapers with
marked devotion and efficiency until he completed his assignment and
filed his last story on a day in 1902. In the latter year, Mr. Prescott had come favorably to the attention
of the appointing authority and was made secretary to the fiscal
supervisor of New York State Charities. In this position his newspaper
training was effectively brought into play while he filled the office
for six years. He was in line for promotion when, in 1908, he was
advanced to deputy fiscal supervisor of the State charities, which
position he occupied for four years. His wide acquaintance with the
public men of New York State, in 1912, led to his selection by this
Republican State Committee to organize a Republican New bureau at the
capital, and for seven years he directed the State Committee's publicity
medium, aiding the party in its campaigns of candidates of platforms ina
period more exacting, perhaps, than any since the Civil War. Back in the days when Mr. Prescott was engaged in newspaper work, he
became the head of "Klips," a newspaper clipping bureau, which
built up under the presidency of Mr. Prescott a large and desirable
clientage. Here again his highly developed news sense made him a most
reliable executive. Altogether he was president of "Klips" for
twenty-two years, resigning the office in 1924. In 1921 he was appointed
secretary to the Conservation Commission by Commissioner Ellis J.
Staley, and of this position he is still the incumbent. Mr. Prescott is affiliated with Mount Vernon Lodge, Free and Accepted
Masons, as a life-member. His clubs are the Fort Orange, Adirondack
Mountain, Albany Fish and Game, the Unconditional and Capital City. He
and his family are communicants of St. Andrew's Protestant Episcopal
Church, Albany. Mr. Prescott married (first), June 21, 1911, at St. Andrew's Church,
Albany, Adelaide E. Turner, daughter of John and Annie (Munsell) Turner,
and of this union there were three children: 1. Sarah Leighton, born
March 19, 1912. 2. Herbert Hayden, born August 19, 1913. 3. John Austin,
born July 25, 1916. Mr. Prescott married (second), at St. Andrew's
church, April 21, 1924, Anne Reynolds, daughter of John W. and Anna
(Colvin) Reynolds. Mr. Prescott and his family have their residence at
No. 204 Western Avenue, Albany. FRANK D. MILLER In furthering the progress and development of his community, no one
has ever exceeded the zealous and loyal efforts of the late Frank D.
Miller, of Oneonta, whose death occurred May 30, 1920, a leader in
various concerns and enterprises devoted to Page 344 public service and public utilities. Mr. Miller was one of the
organizers of the Oneonta Electric Light Company, of which he became
president and was later one of the prime factors in the formation of the
Oneonta Electric Water Power Company, which built an extensive plant and
dam at East End. Possessed of a remarkable foresight and vision to give
to the people of the community and this vicinity, the benefits of every
modern improvement and invention, leaving nothing undone to procure for
his fellow-citizens the most complete and most economic service from the
various organizations which enlisted his interest. His public activities
were not confined to this locality, and being well known in various
parts of the country he participated in the construction of the electric
system in Binghamton, while in association with George W. Fairchild, he
bought and rebuilt the electric plant at Venice, Illinois, of the
Granite City Electric Company, which concern provided all the electric
light and power used at the St. Louis Fair commemorating the Louisiana
Purchase by this magnificent and extensive exposition. Mr. Miller was born in Oneonta, November 7, 1857, son of David M. and
Sallie (Bowen) Miller. The Miller family is of Holland Dutch origin, and
settled in New York State in colonial times. David M. Miller was senior
member of the firm of Miller, Vosburg & Company, and later founded
the commission firm of D. M. Miller & son, in which he was active
for many years. Mr. and Mrs. miller had three sons: 1. R. Wesley Miller,
prominent commission merchant. 2. Frank D., of whom further. 3. Orson
A., who is prominent in the lumber business in Oneonta. Frank D. Miller was educated in the schools of Oneonta, and rightly
deserved the title of a "self-made man," as immediately upon
his graduation from high school at the age of seventeen, he entered the
business world, his father having met with financial reverses. He
received his early business training with the firm of Miller, Vosburg
& Company, and was later associated with his father in the
commission firm of D. M. Miller & Son, conducting a prosperous trade
in hops, wool and butter, operating the business after his father's
death until 1893, when he entered the hop business, which he continued
successfully until his death. He was sole owner of the Oneonta Hop
packing Company, a leader in this industry and operating one of the
largest organizations in the country, having clients throughout Europe
and the United States. Active in the lumber trade, Mr. Miller was
president of the Webb Lumber Company, which carried on extensive
operations in Vermont, Pennsylvania, and the Adirondack section of this
State. His activities in the field of public service were truly
remarkable, having all the qualities of a public-spirited citizen of the
highest type with the interest of the people ever in mind, and among his
other projects, he served as director in the Otsego and Delaware
Telephone Company, while he was offered the presidency of a bank, which
earned him the admiration and praise of all, he remained content to be a
simple son of the people, happy in possessing so many real and sincere
friends, who valued him in addition to his splendid public success for
his sterling qualities, his sincere interest in his fellow-man, and his
true and devoted friendship. In politics, he was a staunch supporter of
the principles of the Republican Party, and although urged by all to
become a candidate for the office of first mayor of Oneonta, he declined
the honor, although his election would certainly have been unanimous. He
was a popular and active member of the Benevolent and Protective Order
of Elks, the Oneonta Club and the Oneonta Country Club. His religious
affiliations were with the First Presbyterian Church. Frank D. miller married, May 18, 1886, Elizabeth Lewis, of Utica,
daughter of Henry Lewis, who was born in Wales, and Mary (Lewis) Lewis,
daughter of John J. Lewis, also a native of Wales. Henry Lewis, as a
young man, was the first member of his family to come to the United
States, becoming a stone building contractor here, building several
churches in Utica and a number of large stone houses in Englewood, New
Jersey, to which town he transferred his residence and where he lived
until his death. He was an elder in the stone church he built in
Englewood, New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Frank D. Miller were the parents of
four children; 1. Mrs. Bayard Bigelow, born April 4, 1887; married
Bayard Bigelow, of Buffalo, and they have two children:; Bayard, and
Miller. 2. Mrs. Charles Addis, born September 4, 1891; married Charles
Addis, and they reside at Mountain Lakes, New Jersey. They have twin
daughters: Patricia and Elizabeth. 3. Grace, born May 20, 1896; graduate
of the Episcopal Cathredal School of St. Mary's. 4. Frank D., Jr., born
September 11, 1906; attended Kingsley Preparatory School at Essex Falls,
New Jersey. Page 345 ROBERT J. SCOTT In whatever movement seems best adapted to further the interest of
the community in which he makes his home, Dr. Robert J. Scott, of Port
Henry, is both an active and willing participant. Born in Fort Miller, New York, august 11, 1877, he is the son of
Robert J. and Helen (Morrisey) Scott. His father was a papermaker.
Educated in the public schools, and graduated from the high school at
Ticonderago, class o 1895, Robert J. Scott entered the dental department
of the University of Maryland, where he was graduated March 31, 1899,
with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. That fall he opened an
office in Port Henry, where he has operated his profession ever since. Dr. Scott is a cultivated musician, and for sixteen years, has been
organist in the Christ Protestant Episcopal Church, in which he also
serves as a vestryman. He is a member of the Morning Sun Lodge, No. 142,
Free and Accepted Masons, and is also in Cedar Pont Chapter, No. 269,
and Lake Champlain Commandery, No. 74; Lodge of Perfection of Troy, and
Albany consistory of Albany, New York, holding the thirty-second degree
in the Scottish Rite bodies. He is a member of the Adirondack Mountain
club of New York State, and one of its house committee. Dr. Scott is
also president of the board of the local library, and an omnivorous
reader of general literature, while keeping thoroughly abreast of the
latest developments on his own profession. He is a member of the
National New York State and Third district Dental Societies. He is an out-door man, being especially interested in mountain
climbing and exploring the forests, and he is also interested in the
raising of flowers. ABRAHAM H. BOWERS, M. D. Who has practiced medicine in Jamestown for forty years, has to his
professional credit a total of fifty active years, as this brief sketch
of his career is being written in the year 1928. Among our ablest
physicians, he is a man who takes a deep interest in work among the poor
and dependent, having a nature of deeply sympathetic trend and being
actuated by the true principles of Christian benevolence and charity. No
citizen of a community is of greater value than the altruistic physician
in full development. Yet, so broad are his activities that he has taken
a leading part in civic affairs, and in fraternal association, has held
public office of honor and trust with credit to himself and the benefit
of the people, and has for years held a place high in the esteem of his
fellow-citizens of this district of the State of New York. He was born in Conneaut, Ohio, January 7, 1853, a son of Rev. Abraham
H. and Ann J. (Climo) bowers, his father having been for years a member
of the Erie conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and whose work
was largely in Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. He and his wife
were the parents of three sons, the two younger having been Arthur C., a
Methodist minister, and John M., a physician. The eldest son, Alexander H. Bowers, acquired his education in Beaver
College, Allegheny College, and the medical school of the University of
Worcester, from which last-named institution he was graduated with the
class of 1878 and received his medical degree. He began his professional
career with practice at Russell, Pennsylvania, where he remained for two
years, then removing to Forestville, New York, where he practiced for
eight years longer. He then came to Jamestown, where he has since lived
and practiced. Here he has served as health officer and physician to the
poor for sixteen years and as coroner for fifteen years. He is a member
of the New York State and Chautauqua County Medical societies and
affiliated with Mount Moriah Lodge, No. 145, Free and Accepted Masons;
Western Sun Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Jamestown Commandery, Knights
Templar; and the Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons. He
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Abraham H. Bowers married, in 1879, Ida Allen, of Russell,
Pennsylvania. Their children are: 1. Henry Allen, coroner of Chautauqua
County. 2. Samuel Thomas, in the real estate and insurance business. The
family residence is at No. 67 Prospect Street, Jamestown. FRANK THOMAS McDONALD Through steady application and with an unflagging spirit, Frank
Thomas McDonald has won for himself a success which has given him an
important place in the business life of Ticonderoga. Born in that
village, July 6, 1888, he is the son of John and Martha (Conlon)
McDonald. The father was an expert electrician and was connected with
the International Paper Company. Frank Thomas McDonald left the public schools at the age of fourteen
to enter Williams' general store as a clerk. He remained there Page 346 for three years, then went to the W. J. Smith Lumber Company as a
lumber handler, where he also remained for three years. There followed
periods with the Dolbeck Grocery and Meat Market and the Ross and Wood
Grocery, where he stayed until 1910, when he joined the Ticonderoga
National Bank, as junior clerk. Here his energy and willingness,
combined with a keen ability for the banking business, carried him
through promotions in the various departments of the bank until 1925, he
was appointed cashier, which position he holds today,. In connection
with the public life in his community, Mr. McDonald has for two years,
held the position of trustee of the Village Board. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons in Mt. Defiance Lodge,
No. 794, and of the Caribou Chapter, No. 290, Royal Arch Masons; the
Commandery, Knights Templar, of Fort Henry, New York, and of Ticonderoga
Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a member of the
Episcopal Church of the Cross, of which he is vestryman. His recreation
is out-of-door sports. HAROLD E. FRITTS Actively engaged in the practice of law in Hudson, New York, since
1910, Harold E. Fritts has contributed substantially to the professional
life of this city, where he served from 1915 to 1919 as city judge. He
is also keenly interested in the social, business and fraternal affairs
of Hudson and its environs, and is a member of several organizations
which play important parts in widely varied phases of civic life. Mr. Fritts was born in Hudson on January 11, 1885, son of Dr.
Crawford Ellsworth and Emma (Wynkoop) Fritts. His father was a leading
physician and surgeon in Hudson, where he was well known for his many
years of careful and devoted ministrations to the public health. Dr.
Fritts died April 6, 1904. Harold E. Fritts received his early education
in the schools of his native place, attended Hudson High School, went
for a year to the Hotchkiss School, then studied at Colgate Academy,
from which he was graduated in the class of 1904. He then entered
Colgate University, transferring to Union University, from which he was
graduated in law with the class of 1909. It was in the following year
that he began his professional practice in Hudson, and with the passing
years he gained marked headway in his professional work, handling some
of the most important legal cases that came up in Hudson and this
vicinity of New York State. In the fall of 1914, he was elected city
judge, and during the four-year period, from January 18, 1913, to
December 31, 1918, in which he held this office, he fulfilled his duties
most efficiently and well, and in a manner that could not but bring
benefits to the city which entrusted him with this position. Since 1919,
Mr. Fritts has been engaged in his professional work, and he is today
recognized as one of the prominent lawyers of Hudson. In addition to his other work, Mr. Fritts takes an active interest in
business and civic affairs. He has an interest in the garage business
known as William Petry, Incorporated, owned by Mr. Fritts and Richard
Saulpaugh. He is a director of the Hudson River Trust Company and of the
Hudson Savings and Loan Association. During the late World War he served
his country as a member of the Student Officers' Training Corps at
Columbia University. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Delta Kappa Epsilon and Phi
Delta Phi (Law) fraternities, and the American Legion, while he also
belongs to the Fort Orange Club of Albany. He and his family attend the
Dutch Reformed Church. On May 7, 1921, Harold E. Fritts married Ruth M. Sonn, daughter of
Albert H. and Elizabeth (Abbe) Sonn. Their children are; 1. Emma
Elizabeth. 2. Crawford Ellsworth. FREDERIC B. STEVENS A native and lifelong resident of Albany, New York, Mr. Stevens has
been connected practically throughout his entire business career,
covering a period of almost four decades, with the National Savings Bank
of Albany. Entering the employ of this important financial institution
as a messenger in 1888, he has held at various times position in every
department, and for many years was first its secretary and then its
treasurer, until in 1925 he was elected president. This position he has
filled with eminent ability, and much of the remarkable growth and
continuous prosperity of the bank is attributable to his efforts,
executive ability and keen business judgment, qualities which have made
him one of the leading figures in the financial world of Albany and of
New York State. He has also been very effectively active for many years
in the affairs of the New York State Savings Banks Association, and he
is especially well known as the author of a very comprehensive history
of this organization. His prominence in financial affairs and his many
and heavy Page 347 business responsibilities have not prevented him from taking an
active and useful part in the civic, fraternal, social and religious
life of his native city, where he enjoys to an unusual degree the
respect and confidence of his fellow-citizens. Frederic B. Stevens was born in Albany, June 2, 1871, a son of the
late Albert parsons and Emma A. (McMullen) Stevens, the former a native
of Springfield, Massachusetts. From both parents he is a member of old
and prominent families, he was educated in the public schools and at
Albany Academy. At the age of seventeen years he entered the employ of
the National Savings Bank of Albany, with which he has been connected
ever since. From his first position he rose gradually to the position of
secretary, which he held for many years until in 1906 he became
treasurer. In August, 1923, he was elected president, succeeding the
late colonel James H. Manning and his election as the head of the bank
with which he has been connected for so many years was considered
everywhere a well-merited recognition of a widely known banker and an
exceptional executive. Under his able management the bank has not only
maintained its long record of success, but has even excelled it. The
National Savings Bank of the city of Albany was incorporated May 6,
1868. Its first president was Erastus Corning, who held this office
until 1872, being succeeded by John H. Van Antwerp, who served from 1872
to 1901; then by Simon Rosendale, who served from 1901 to 1904; then by
Colonel James H. Manning, who served from 1904 to the time of his death
in 1925; and finally by Frederic B. Stevens, the present incumbent. The
original board of trustees consisted of Adam Van Allen, John Reynolds,
John Tweddle, Rufus W. Peckham, Matthew H. Read, William H. Taylor,
Erastus Corning, William A. Rice, Robert L. Banks, Daniel Manning, John
J. Conroy, Benjamin A. Towner, Albion Ransom, John h. Van Antwerp,
Joseph Packard, Edwin W. Coring, and Isaac Edwards. The original
location of the bank was at No. 57 State Street, almost opposite its
present location at No. 70 State Street, to which latter it was removed
in 1904, where it occupies one of the finest banking buildings in New
York State, its architect having been Marcus T. Reynolds. The bank
has had a remarkable growth and in 1926 had total assets of well over
$30,000,000. Associated with Mr. Stevens in its management are Charles
Gibson and Jonas Muhlfelder, as vice-presidents, and Ralph Bult (v.q.)
as treasurer, Mr. Stevens is a member of the Savings Bank Association of
new York State, of which he was secretary from 1910 to 1913, and, in
1926, was chairman of Group 3, comprising thirty-four banks in the
Albany area, as well as a vice-president and a member of the executive
committee. He is the author of "A History of the Savings Banks
Association of New York State," a very authoritative work which was
the commendation of bankers everywhere. Mr. Stevens is also a member of the Albany Chamber of Commerce, of
which he is a director; Lodge No. 5, Free and Accepted Masons; Society
of Mayflower Descendants; New England Society; Society of Colonial Wars;
Albany institute, and Historical and Art Society; and Albany Academy
alumni Association. At one time he was a member of the Third Signal
Corps, New York National Guard. During the World War he was treasurer of
the War community Chest, and he also did a great deal of very effective
work in promoting the sale of Liberty Bonds and in connection with
various other patriotic movements. In politics he is a supporter of the
Republican Party, while his religious affiliations are with the
Presbyterian Church. Mr. Stevens married, in 1919, Janet Lindsay, of Albany, a daughter of
Charles E. and Caroline (Pentland) Lindsay. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens are the
parents of one daughter, Janet L., born April 24, 1922. CARL S. SALMON Though relatively young, Carl Salmon has behind him an impressive
record of noteworthy achievement in the several fields of endeavor to
which he has devoted his attention. As an attorney at Amsterdam, New
York, his brilliant legal talent and profound knowledge of the law
brought him immediate success, while his conduct both in and out of
court, his obvious devotion to the public good, won him the affectionate
esteem of his fellow-citizens, who have chosen him the city's chief
executive. Considering his service in the public interest no less worthy
of his best attention than his own affairs, Mr. Salmon has initiated and
put into effective execution, broad, progressive policies which stamp
him a leader of the finest type, while the duties of his difficult
position have won him universal commendation. Mr. Salmon was born in Potsdam, St. Lawrence County, New York, on May
28, 1867, a son of Ephraim and Bessie (Jacobsen) Salmon, Page 348 the former of whom died in 1897, but the mother survives. The other
members of the family are: Del B. Salmon, who is engaged in the practice
of law at Schenectady; Helen, the wife of Lionel P. Kristeller, a lawyer
in Newark, New Jersey; and Gladys goldsmith, a half-sister of Mr.
Salmon. Carl S. Salmon received his early education in the public schools of
Potsdam, and later entered the State Normal School, from which he was
graduated in 1906. Thereafter he undertook a course of study in the
Eastman Business College, upon the completion of which he was employed
for a few years as a bookkeeper. At the end of this time he began to
read law in the offices of Charles A. Murphy and Del B. Salmon, his
brother, completing his studies in the Albany Law School, from which he
was graduated in 1911, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Soon
afterwards he was admitted to the bar and came immediately to Amsterdam,
where he entered upon the general practice of law. Proving his ability
to handle important litigation, he soon won the confidence of the
community, and was appointed assistant district attorney, in which
capacity he served for four and a half years. In June, 1918, Mr. Salmon
enlisted in the United States Army as a private, later being
commissioned second lieutenant in the Sanitary Corps, stationed
successively at Camp Meade, and Camp Stuart, Virginia. He was honorably
discharged in March, 1919. Returning to Amsterdam, he resumed his professional work, and in 1921
was appointed attorney for the State Tax Commission, with which he was
connected or two years, performing his duties with characteristic
thoroughness and efficiency. On January 1, 1924, Mr. Salmon assumed the
duties of mayor of Amsterdam, to which office he had been chosen by the
electorate. In handling municipal problems he brought to bear sound
judgment, combined with a deep insight into those projects which are
basic elements in the city's growth, while his firm stand against
corruption in public affairs, and his fearless defense of the rights of
the people, have gained for his progressive administration emphatic
popular approval. Mr. Salmon has been returned to office for three
successive terms, the only mayor so honored in the history of the city.
One of his most noteworthy achievements was the establishment of a
bureau for the relief of unemployment, at which more than five hundred
of those out of work in Amsterdam were registered. A thorough canvas of
position available in the city resulted in placing all but seven of the
applicants in the short space of three months; an extraordinarily
successful conclusion of the project, for which credit belongs solely to
Mayor Salmon. Of those unplaced, one was a woman over sixty years of
age, and two were men also past sixty. Mayor Salmon is affiliated, fraternally, with the Free and Accepted
Masons, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Loyal Order of
Moose, in which organization he is a member and Past Dictator of
Amsterdam Lodge, No. 499, and with the Improved Order of Red Men, in
which he is Past Sachem of Kennyetta Tribe. He is also a member of the
Masonic and Goodwill clubs, and has been a trustee of the latter
organization. He is an honorary member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars;
a member of the American Legion; a member of the executive committee of
the Amsterdam Chapter of the American Red Cross, and also belongs to the
Chamber of Commerce, of which he is a director. He is also a member of
the Sir William Johnson Country Club, and a member of the Congregation
Temple of Israel, and is affiliated with the Amsterdam Bar Association
and the New York State Bar Association. For the past year he has been a
member of the Advisory Committee of the Conference of Mayors of the
State of New York. Mr. Salmon has made continuous progress in the
profession of which he is so able an exponent, always evincing that
eagerness to advance civic development and that unselfish devotion to
the general good in which are embodied the truest and highest ideals of
public service. On November 29, 1917, Carl S. Salmon married Hortense Kaufman, of
Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Of this marriage there is one son, Carl S.,
Jr., born September 20, 1920. |
The History of New York State, Lewis Historical Publishing Company, Inc., 1927
This book is owned by Pam Rietsch and is a part of the Mardos Memorial Library
Transcribed by Holice B. Young
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