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The History of New York State Editor, Dr. James Sullivan Online Edition by Holice, Deb & Pam |
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HARRY A. JENNER
Born in England, in March, 1859, Harry A. Jenner, of Johnstown, is a
son of Harry and Elizabeth (Hambridge) Jenner. Harry Jenner, Sr.,
brought his family to the United States in 1864, and located in
Broadalbin, Fulton county, where he resumed his craft as glove cutter,
which craft was his through all the yeas of his active career. In 1872
he removed to Toronto, Canada, and there remained until the time of his
death, in 1892. Elizabeth (Hambridge) Jenner survived him, and died in
1910. Both parents Page 355 gave to their son a home training that inculcated in him those high
principles of conduct that have been his all through manhood. Harry A. Jenner was five years of age when his father and mother
brought him with them to the United States and took residence at
Broadalbin, Fulton County. He received his academic instruction there
and in Toronto. It was in the last named place that he mastered the
trade of glove cutter, after long and painstaking tuition from his
father. In Toronto he served as apprentice under this father, and in
1882, at the age of twenty-three years, returned to Fulton county to
employ the craft that he had learned. With the Northrup Glove
Manufacturing Company of Jamestown he secured employment as a cutter. He
applied himself diligently, did not satisfy his mind with mere
completion of the task in hand, but gave his thought as well to broader
theory, embracing the commercial aspects of glove manufacture. His rise
in the organization was steady through the years, consistent with his
thorough knowledge of the trade, his grasp of theory and practice, and
business ability soon manifested. In 1890 he was made foreman, and
twenty-one years later, in 1911, came the opportunity to become one of
the firm's proprietors. In company with James A. Northrup and Albert
Rosenthal, he purchased the business from James L. Northrup. On January
28, 1922, James A. Northrup died, and Messrs. Jenner and Rosenthal
purchased his holding. Then, with Mr. Jenner as senior member and Mr.
Rosenthal as junior member of the firm, business was increased and
brought to great prosperity. S senior partner Mr. Jenner was largely
responsible for this improvement, who never ceased to admire the
sagacity with which he managed all affairs connected with the
enterprise. This company is known all over the United States and in
Europe as the house manufacturing the finest of mocha gloves. In fact,
the firm is said to have introduced the mocha glove into American trade.
Gloves of cape, chamois, and kid are also made, and sold by a staff of
ten salesmen on duty constantly. The firm was founded in 1869 with two
or three workers; and at the present time it has one hundred and fifty,
the year 'round. This was the condition of the Northrup Company when, on
December 1, 1927, it was announced that the Jenner-Rosenthal partnership
had been dissolved, and that thereafter Mr. Rosenthal would continue the
business as sole owner, and director. The dissolution became effective
at once, and the Northrup Company is now (1928) in the able hands of Mr.
Rosenthal, who is allowing the policies agreed upon between Mr. Jenner
and himself in years past to remain in force. Associates in the company
expressed deep regret in Mr. Jenner's withdrawal, for he was by them
most affectionately known in all relationships of the industry. Mr.
Jenner was in that industry some forty-two years. While in the past he has been deeply involved in the affairs of the
Northrup Company, Mr. Jenner has never failed to take a leading role in
the movements of civic life of Johnstown. Now that he has withdrawn from
the company and feels his responsibilities lightened accordingly, he is
more free than ever to assist in the development of the community, and
his efforts in this direction are appreciated. A Republican, he is
staunch in support of the party's principles, and possessed of a goodly
influence locally, which he exercises as seems best for the welfare of
the people at large, and not necessarily for the greatest benefit of the
party. Under the presidents Isaac Morris and Edward Bayliss, he served
as trustee of the community, and was the last chairman of the excise
board. When he was trustee he was interested in good roads movements,
then new, and was instrumental in introducing macadam roads. During the
World War Mr. Jenner served on various boards and committees concerned
with war work, and was active in the campaigns of the Liberty Loan. He
is a member of the Colonial Club of Johnstown, and a communicant of the
Protestant Episcopal Church. On December 11, 1884, Mr. Jenner was united in marriage with Sarah
Adeline Clark, daughter of Charles L. and Cynthia (Soule) Clark. Mrs.
Clark was born in Broadalbin; Mr. Clark in Ballston, Saratoga County,
New York. He was a veteran of the Civil War, and the Mexican War, having
served in the Union Army with the rank of lieutenant. For many yeas he
was deputy sheriff of Fulton County, and died in 1906, one year after
the demise of his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Jenner had two children: 1. Lewis
C., born in March, 1889, died in the influenza epidemic of 1918. 2. Anna
V., born in October, 1890. Miss Jenner resides at home with her parents. James E. KNOX Accounted outstanding among the prominent financial and industrial
figures of Johnstown, New York, James E. Knox is known here very widely
for his commercial abilities, as manifest in his direction as Page 356 vice-president of the Knox organization, manufacturers of "Knox
Sparkling Gelatine," and in other connections of business
character. More, he is known as a foremost citizen of the community,
whose public spirit knows no compromise with lethargy or
disinterestedness. Seldom, indeed, during the years in which he has been
connected with the gelatine manufactory and active in communal matters,
has his support been refused to projects designed for the common good of
the townspeople. Mr. Knox is a busy man, but like so many busy men,
finds time for all things of a constructive nature. Like his
distinguished father before him, he is recognized as a benefactor to
Johnstown. His father, Charles B. Knox, was by many persons of large
business reputation accounted an industrial genius. It was he, in 1891,
who founded the Knox Gelatine works. Assisted by his able wife, Rose M.
Knox, now (1929) president of the company, he conceived the idea of the
company and launched it, through investment of five thousand dollars in
the defunct factory put up for sale in Johnstown. From the first, this
business was a family matter. After purchase of the plant, Mr. Knox
found that he had not sufficient money to engage a road salesman, bur
solved the difficulty by securing a position for himself as glove
salesman--he had been a knit goods salesman at the time of his
marriage--then disposed of the "Sparkling Gelatine" as a side
line. Frequently, Mrs. Knox, or one of the sons, would accompany Mr.
Knox on a business trip; and in this manner, the family as a whole
became intensively schooled in all phases of the gelatine business.
Charles B. Knox was in his day in the forefront of advertising
movements. He realized that while a food product must have quality to
sell and be resold in the open market, its excellence must be brought
before the public. One of the most spectacular advertising devices was
the employment of dirigible balloons and airplanes as media, when these
machines were in their infancy. It came about naturally that the factory
was made into a model source for the gelatine, with good air and light
and modern machines, even in anticipation of health legislation, not at
the time in force. And with the death of Charles B. Knox, in 1908, the
seventeen-year-old industry was so well established and so completely
understood by Mrs. Knox, that its future was never for a moment in
doubt. Indeed, the company has since grown admirably, and is today one
of the leading factories in the Mohawk Valley. In a sense this
accumulated success is a tribute to the founder, Charles B. Knox, in
perpetuation of his memory. Yet if the factory were gone and there
remained nothing of its history, he would still be recalled with
affection and appreciation as a citizen who accomplished lasting food to
the community. His parallel activities were so manifold, and productive. James E. Knox received his earliest school training in the public
schools of Johnstown, then attended St. John's School, Manlius, in 1911
he graduated from Haverford School, and in 1919 from Wesleyan
University, Middletown, Connecticut. Born in Johnstown, December 11,
1892, he returned to his native city, and to the family's business
directly after the completion of studies. As a boy, he had enjoyed a
comprehensive training in the manufacturing and selling aspects of the
gelatine company, and now, in early manhood returned to it, his father
no longer with his loved ones, most ably assisted his talented mother in
its direction; and he has relieved her since of the brunt of affairs.
The Knox organization at the present time employs one hundred fifty-five
person the year around in its central plant in Johnstown, and has in
addition two spacious establishment, one in Montreal, Canada, and
another in Camden, New Jersey. At the last-named unit the bulk of Knox
gelatine is packed in barrels. In Johnstown, as noted, the plant gives
employment to a number of hands, and is to a large degree a factor for
the city's industrial position and maintenance, serving thereby as more
then a means of profit to the owners of the company. Soon after the United States entered the World War, James e. Knox
went into the army as a private. For one and one-half years he was in
the aviation corps, and at the time of his discharge held the commission
of lieutenant. Upon returned to Johnstown he resumed the course of his
career where he had abandoned it for his country's cause. A Republican,
he is loyal to the [principles of the party, and in local political
circles wields a considerable power, when he chooses, quietly, to most
advantageous result. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Free and
Accepted masons, in which order he holds the thirty-second degree, being
a member of Gloversville Consistory, ancient accepted Arabic Order
Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of two clubs: the Colonial
and Sir William Johnson Country; and is a communi- Page 357 cant of the Presbyterian Church of Johnstown. On February 7, 1914, at Orange, New Jersey, James E. Knox was united
in marriage with Eleanor Williams Eckfeldt, daughter of Edward H. and
Eleanor (Williams) Eckfeldt; and they are the parents of children; 1.
Mary Elizabeth, born August 26, 1916. 2. John Brooks, born July 21,
1918. 3. Nora, born May 7, 1922. 4. Rose Ann, born July 22, 1926. FRANK A. PATTEN Frank A. Patten, president and treasurer of the Liberty Dressing
Company of Gloversville, Fulton County, came to this country with his
parents when but a young lad, so that with the exception of three yeas'
study in the local schools of his birthplace he received the whole of
his education and training here. That this training has developed to the
fullest extent his abilities and executive qualities is evidenced by the
fact that he has attained a commanding position in the glove trade and
is the head of one of the largest leather concerns in Gloversville. Mr. Patten was born in Yeovil, which is one of the centers of glove
manufacturing in England, on April 18, 1875, the son of William H. and
Kate (Horsey) Patten. The former was a glove cutter and finisher by
trade, and in 1884 came to Gloversville, where he successfully operated
a glove finishing shop until his death in august, 1905, at the age of
fifty-four years. His wife, the mother of Mr. Patten, died in
Gloversville, September, 1889. The early schooling which Frank A. Patten had received in England was
supplemented in the public and grammar schools of Gloversville, and at
the conclusion of his studies he entered his father's glove-finishing
shop, where he continued for four years. he then went into the grocery
business with his father-in-law, Henry Lenz, in which he successfully
engaged for almost a score of years, selling out in 1919. In this latter
year he became associated with John ruff and Arthur K. Hamm, in
establishing the Liberty Dressing Company, of which concern Mr. Patten
is president, treasurer and manager; Mr. Ruff, vice-president and G. H.
Mayer, secretary. The Liberty Dressing Company is one of the largest
concerns of its kind in Gloversville, specializing in high-grade glove
and garment leather. It employs about fifty people. In community affairs, Mr. Patten has ever been to the fore. In 1922
and 1923 he served as mayor of Gloversville, and prior to receiving that
honor from his fellow-townsmen, held the offices of supervisor and
alderman for t two years, respectively. He was president of the
Gloversville Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club, during the year
1924, and vice-president of the eccentric club, and is active in other
social organizations. He is affiliated with Gloversville Lodge, no. 423,
Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is Past Master; is past District
Deputy of the Nineteenth Masonic District; a member of the Consistory,
Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and a member of Cyprus Temple, Ancient
Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. His religious affiliations are
with the Lutheran Church. In October, 1880, Mr. Patten married Martha Lenz, daughter of Henry
and Margaret (Kinkle) Lenz, who came from Germany to this country with
their parents as children. Mrs. Patten was born in Stone Arabia, in
August, 1874. Her father was a well-known cheese-maker of that town, and
he owned the grocery store in Gloversville, which Mr. Patten operated
for some nineteen years. He died in October, 1919, and was survived by
his widow and five children. WILLIAM T. JAMES Banker, financier, philosopher, William T. James attributes the
fulfillments of his career to his friends. These friends, on the other
hand, cannot agree to this, saying that his successes have depended not
on them, but on himself entirely. When asked as to the manner in which
he has secured and retained the wealth of friendship that is his, Mr.
James on one occasion said: "Honesty of purpose and integrity
attract friends; another of man's chief assets is a smile; he that gives
can smile; and in the giving, we receive." An outstanding leader in banking, civic, fraternal and religious
activities of Flushing, Long Island, and president of the Queens County
Savings Bank of Flushing, Mr. James holds a position to which men have
aspired. His bank, founded in 1859, is a reflection of the man. With
deposits in excess of $18,000,000, it is enjoying a healthy, steady
growth, and, like its president, makes new friends daily. Under his
leadership the bank's personnel has caught the spirit that belongs to
him, and with caution, Page 358 careful dealing and progressive interest, imbued with the desire to
give service, insures the institution's continued expansion. Mr. James
became treasurer of the bank in 1900. In 1913 he was elected its
president, and now (1928), at the age of seventy-eight years, continues
worthily in the chair. His appearance is that of a man of fifty-five,
and beyond question many of his most fruitful years lie in the future. Honorable member of an honorable family, Mr. James' ancestors were
among the earliest settlers on the continent. Baptist, they migrated
from England during those distressing and oppressive times of 1644, and
took residence in Boston. There they encountered additional troubles of
religious character with the Puritans, and this led to the family's
removal to providence, Rhode Island, with Roger Williams. William R.
James (1), grandfather of Mr. James, manufactured the first cast-iron
cooking stove. He maintained showrooms for disposal of the ware in New
York City, and has his residence in New Rochelle. William T. James (1)
married Hannah Perry, cousin of commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, the hero
of Lake Erie; and his son, Albert T. James, married Louise E. Coutant,
of an old French Huguenot family. William T. James, only child of Albert R. and Louise E. (Coutant)
James, was born on the family estate in New Rochelle, January 2, 1850.
In 1858 his father removed with the family to Minnesota, becoming one of
the first settlers in that State. William T. James received his
education in the public school most accessible to him, and at the age of
twenty-one, in 1871, went to work in a drugstore owned and operated by
his uncle, Samuel G. Welling, at New Rochelle. That same year he came to
Flushing, going into partnership with John Hepburn, opening a drugstore
under the firm name of Hepburn & James, at No. 103 Main Street. This
was successful from its inception--as indeed have been all the ventures
touched by Mr. James. At the death of A. K. P. Dennett, his father-in-law, Mr. James
attained to the control of his extensive ice holdings. He owned and
operated Kissena Lake in this connection, and supplied most of the ice
used in the city of Flushing. Mr. James operated this business for
eleven years. In 1903 he purchased the flushing "Times,"
publishing the paper for two years, hen sold it and associated with the
Queens County Savings Bank, this connection enduring through the
succeeding years. Mr. James is active in the Free and Accepted Masons,
in which order he is Past Master of cornucopia Lodge, No. 563, having
served in office in 1881-82. In 1900 he was made Grand Sword Bearer of
the Grand Lodge of New York State. For fifty-seven years, he has been a
member of the First Baptist Church, and for thirty-five years has served
the board of trustees as its chairman. Mr. James was elected village
treasurer in 1891, and served in that office until 1897. When Flushing
became a pert of Greater New York City, he acted as alderman for six
years. As alderman he fought valiantly for construction of the
Queensboro Bridge, over the East River, in the interest of Flushing, and
under his leadership the necessary votes were more then secured. Mr. James has lone been an enthusiast of photography, and the lens
has give him a wealth of memories comprising beautiful scenes and views
of old-time Flushing, and its people. In his political affiliations, Mr.
James is a member of the Republican Party. He is a director of the Young
Men's Christian Association and a member of the Kiwanis Club of
Flushing. It was not long after the commencement of his residence in Flushing
that Mr. James married Grace Dennett, a daughter of A. K. P. and Jane
(Smith) Dennett, her father having been an influential man of large
business interests, well remembered in Flushing. Of this union were born
two children, now living; 1. Mrs. Elizabeth (James) Nash. 2. Jane
Louise. PERCY ARTHUR RIPTON After serving his community ina number of the minor public offices
and being selected to act as mayor of Johnstown, Fulton County, for the
years of 1922 and 1923, Percy Arthur Ripton, one of the prominent
merchants and foremost citizens of that community, was again elected in
1927 to fill the mayoralty chair during 1928 and 1929. Mr. Ripton was born in Johnstown, July 15, 1878, the son of James
Hunter and Gertrude (Heever) Ripton, the former the owner of a grocery
store in the same location as that now occupied by his son's business.
Previous to his mercantile experience, Mr. Ripton's father was for a
short time a glove cutter in one of the local factories, after which he
was for seven years postmaster of Johnstown. The grocery business was
established by out subject's uncle, William A. Ripton, who is now a
resident of Putnam County, Florida, where he is engaged Page 359 on the raising of grape fruit and oranges, having retired from active
business. The Ripton family is perhaps one of the oldest in Fulton
County, the original member having come to this country from the county
of Derbyshire, England, about one hundred and four years ago, and
settling in Johnstown. The early education of Mr. Ripton was obtained in the public and
grammar schools of Johnstown, after which he entered his father's
business and made himself thoroughly acquainted with every detail of the
grocery business. When he attained man's estate he showed such an
interest in community affairs that he was soon selected for various
public offices. He acted on the Board of Supervisors for several terms
and occupied a number of minor positions in the service of the public,
finally being chosen as mayor in the election of 1921. He served his two
years of office with credit to himself and to the community and was
again elected, on the Democratic ticket, in 1927. Mr. Ripton is an
enthusiastic Mason and is of the thirty-second degree, ancient Accepted
Scottish Rite. He is a member of the Colonial Club and takes a deep
interest in all movements for the betterment and advancement of the
community. He is affiliated with the First Methodist Episcopal Church,
and is prominent in all projects fathered by that organization. On January 21, 1911, Mr. Ripton married Mary Jeanette Peters,
daughter of Samuel L. and Mary Jeanette (Fraley) Peters. Mr. and Mrs.
Ripton are the parents of two children: 1. Gertrude Anna, born November
1, 1922. 2. Mary Jeanette, born March 7, 1924. JOHN T. MORRISON One of Johnstown's most distinguished sons, John T. Morrison is one
of the best-known men in the legal profession in the State of New York,
in addition to which he is a leader in the civic affairs of this
community and an author of a number of historical publications of
superior literary style. Mr. Morrison has never relaxed his activities
in the field of public welfare and has devoted a great part of his
career to championing the interests of his fellow-citizens and by his
energetic and enthusiastic support of all projects for advancement, has
been an active factor in the development of this city and vicinity. His
career is a splendid example of rightly directed ambition and
unfaltering concentration upon the attainment of his goal, as he started
his life as a newspaper reporter and, during the years that he was
engaged in this capacity, read law in his spare hours and studied
diligently, being rewarded for his persistence by his admission o the
bar of New York State. Mr. Morrison was born in Johnstown, April 25, 1870, son of Thomas and
Mary (Concanon) Morrison, both natives of Ireland, who came to the
United States as young people and settled in Johnstown. Thomas Morrison
was actively identified with the leather business for many years. The
Morrison family is of Scotch-Irish antecedents, ancestors having
immigrated to Ireland from Scotland. John Thomas Morrison was educated in the public schools of
Gloversville, graduating from high school, after which he entered the
journalistic field and became a reporter on the Johnstown "Daily
Republican." He also became identified with political affairs,
serving in the capacity of the last clerk of the village, and when the
city was incorporated he became its first city clerk, serving until
1896, when he resigned. That year, in the exciting presidential rivalry
between Bryan and McKinley, he traveled through this state, supporting
William Jennings Bryan. Since then, his political activities have
included his participation as candidate for State Assemblyman from this
district and also as State Senator, both times on the Democratic ticket,
almost winning the last named contest, and probably would have done so
if the district did not poll such a regular, preponderant Republican
vote as to make it impossible for a Democratic candidate to carry an
election. Although deeply interested in politics, and serving as
president of the Board of Elections for many years, Mr. Morrison has
carefully avoided public life as his career. While acting as a reporter,
he read law, and continued this practice in his free time after 1896,
when he became traveling salesman for a local glove company, and also
while representing the F. J. & G R. R. Company as traveling
passenger agent. He was later enabled to enter the Albany Law School,
completing his course and receiving his degree of Bachelor of Laws in
1906. Admitted to the bar, he returned to Johnstown and opened an
independent office for the practice of his profession, meeting with
success and winning the confidence and approval of all by his
exceptional knowledge and brilliant ability, serving during the
administration of William Sohmer as transfer tax attorney. A thorough
and keen student of law, he is also possessed of an unusual command of
language, and his forensic talents have brought him prominence in the
courts of law. In fraternal circles, Mr. Morrison is a popu- Page 360 lar member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Loyal
Order of Moose, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Royal
Arcanum. He is a leader in the Johnstown Bar Association, and a member
of the Johnstown Historical Society. His "hobby" is local
history, he being a recognized authority on Fulton County history, and
there is probably no one better versed in the early lore of this
vicinity. To this connection, he has contributed many scholarly articles
to local publications, in addition to publishing a "Life of Sir
William Johnson," a "Biography of Major Nicholas Stoner,"
and a "Life of Joseph Brant or Thayendenegea," sketches which
evidence a consummate knowledge of the early history of this interesting
section and valuable researches made with care and discrimination. In
his church affiliations, he is a member of St. John's Church. During the
World War, Mr. Morrison was one of the foremost "four-minute"
men in the county. He was always in demand to address meeting in behalf
of various war-time activities, and by his eloquence and persuasive
power, example and influence, contributed invaluable aid to the great
cause for democracy. At the close of the war, he was chairman of the
Plan and Scope Committee for the immense welcome home demonstration held
for the returning Fulton County service men, the largest event of its
kind ever held in Johnstown. When the one hundred and fiftieth
anniversary celebration of the founding of Tryon county was held in
1922, he was instrumental in its success by acting as historian of the
pageant. John Thomas Morrison married, March 12, 1912, at Gloversville, Ruth
Georgia Brennan, daughter of John and Fanny (Angell) Brennan, of
Saratoga Springs, and this union has been blessed by four children: 1.
John Thomas, Jr., born September 21, 1913, died October 25, 1920. 2.
William R., born November 24, 1915. 3. Mary E., born August 4, 1917. 4.
George R., born March 4, 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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