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George Westcott

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      George W. Westcott was born Apr 3, 1813 in Eaton, Madison County, New York. At 17 years of age he was apprenticed to a hatter in Morrisville. In 1835, came to Utica, where entered onto the same business.     George W. Westcott traveled over the United States and Canada purchasing furs. He was connected with John Jacob Astor. Soon after establishing himself at 48? or 45 Genesee St. he entered onto partnership with Charles Symonds and later with Ira A. Button. In 1854, E.A. Hammond and W.S. Wightman were admitted. The firm was called George Westcott and Co. When Mr. Wightman passed away, it was changed to Westcott and Hammond which lasted seven years. A few years later he admitted D.W. Northrup. After Northrup withdrew from the partnership, George W. Westcott took his two sons Fred and W.B. as partners and the business once again became known as George Westcott and Co.     George W. Westcott married Amy Benedice. She passed away in 1...
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Alexander Seward

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      Alexander Seward was born on Nov 28, 1816 to Mr. and Mrs. Asahel Seward (who published Utica' first newspaper). He attended Utica Academy; Utica High School; and Cazenovia Seminary. He graduated from Hamilton College and Union College (1836).     Alexander Seward studied law with Joshua A. Spencer and Mann and Edmonds. in 1840, started practicing law. At the same time he was appointed examiner in chancery.     In 1843, Alexander Seward became editor and proprietor of the Daily Gazette. He was the head of the newspaper for nine years. He organized the first Association for the telegraphic interchange of news (which the press associations of today grew from).     In 1850, Alexander Seward took charge of the State Register at Albany and edited it for more than a year.      In 1853, Alexander Seward was united in marriage to Caroline Kirkland who died in 1864. They had one son. In 1866, he married Ann...
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Location: 2201 Oneida St, Utica, NY 13501, USA
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William Ross Lee

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      William Ross Lee was born Mar 20 (21?), 1875 to Louis and Mary Ross Lee in Utica. When he was five they family moved to Gouverneur, NY. He graduated from Hamilton College in 1900. He was salutatorian of his class. After graduating Mr. Lee taught oratory and English at Hamilton. Then taught Public Speaking and Debate at Cornell University. While teaching at Cornell he took a three year course at Cornell Law School.     After passing the Bar, William R. Lee returned to Utica. He served a clerkship in the office of August Merrill. At night he worked as a reporter for the Press newspaper.     On Nov 18, 1908 William Ross Lee married Mary Pringle.     William Ross Lee served as Assistant Corporation Counsel two times during two different mayors (Wheeler and Baker). He served also as Sheriff's Attorney. From 1911-1917 William R. Lee was 1st Assistant to DA Bradley Fuller. He succeeded Mr. Fuller as DA. He served from 1917-...
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Location: 2201 Oneida St, Utica, NY 13501, USA
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Egbert Bagg Sr.

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      Egbert Bagg Sr. was born Feb 20, 1820 in Utica to Mr. and Mrs. Moses Bagg. He graduated from Hobart College in 1841. He studied law in Utica and was admitted to the bar in 1844.     Egbert Bagg Sr. took a two-year trip to various places including going up the Nile and many locations in Europe.     When Egbert Bagg Sr. returned, he learned the business of machinist at New York Mills. In 1847, he started in the business of manufacturing machinery. The firm name was Bagg and Roberts. After the business ended, he turned to engineering and worked on the enlargement of the Erie Canal. Mr. Bagg was city surveyor from 1853-1854.      In 1849, Egbert Bagg Sr. married Cornelia Hunt (the sister of US Supreme Court Justice Ward Hunt). They had one son Egbert Jr.     From 1848-1849 Egbert Bagg Sr. was Treasurer of the Fireman's Benevolent Association. He was also an honorary member of the Utica Citizen's Corps.     In 1853, ...
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Location: 2201 Oneida St, Utica, NY 13501, USA
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Thomas W. Seward

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      Thomas W. Seward was born Oct 11, 1813 in Utica. He was educated in Utica Schools. He graduated from Hamilton College in 1833. He was one of the charter members of Hamilton's Sigma Phi Fraternity. After graduating law but gave it up.      In 1832, Thomas W. Seward started working at Farmer's and Mechanic's Bank in Detroit, Mich. He returned to Utica in 1837 because the bank failed. In 1839, Mr. Seward accepted a position as a cashier at Madison County Bank in Cazenovia. He stayed there several years before returning to Utica where he started a bookstore with Lansing Thurber. Mr. Thurber later withdrew from the partnership.     From around 1872 or 1873 to his death, Thomas W. Seward was Treasurer for the State Hospital for the Insane. A few years later he decided to devote himself entirely to the office so he gave up his store.     On July 14, 1840 Thomas W. Seward married Sarah Williams. They had four children. ...
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Location: 2201 Oneida St, Utica, NY 13501, USA
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Walter J. Helfert

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      Walter J. Helfert was born in Utica on March 1, 1875 to Philip and Theresa Helfert.      According to his obituary Walter J. Helfert was one of the country's greatest bicycle racers. The first race he entered was July 4, 1893 which went by the old Utica Opera House on Lafayette Street to Yorkville and back. He won by three minutes. He won more contests at Utica Park; Ilion; Oneonta; and he captured the three-mile state title at Cohoes. When he earned the three-mile state title, he took all the skin of his back when he slid under a plank to avoid a pile up.      In 1894, Walter J. Helfert became a professional and joined the Spalding team. He competed with them all over the nation and Canada.     After retiring from racing, Walter J. Helfert operated an auto supply store on Elizabeth St. He also promoted amateur boxing in Utica. He was secretary of the NYS Fireman's Benevolent Assoc.     Walte...
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Location: 2201 Oneida St, Utica, NY 13501, USA
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James F. Mann

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       James F. Mann was born May 24, 1837 in Utica to Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Mann. He was educated in Utica schools; Dr. Brown's School on Owasco Lake; and at the Lewiston Seminary in East Hampton Mass. He studied two years at Yale before coming back to Utica in account of his father's health.     James F. Mann read law with Edmonds, Miller and Mann. He was admitted to the bar in 1860 but he only practiced for a brief time.      In 1861, James F. Mann married Emma Oberteuffer, They had five children.     James F. Mann formed the Wood and Mann Steam Engine Co. with Enos D. Wood. Their product was sold all over the US; South America; and Europe. Employed about 400 people at the plant on Lafayette and Rome Streets. In 1876, they discontinued the business.      After discontinuing the Steam Engine business, James F. Mann went back to practice law with Senator A.T. Goodwin. A year later he became a me...
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Location: 2201 Oneida St, Utica, NY 13501, USA
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