Stories in Stones: Stories from Oneida County, NY Cemeteries

       Watson T. Dunmore was born Mar 28, 1845 in Rush, Susquehanna County, PA to Matthew and Sarah James Dunmore. He received his BA and Masters from Wesleyan University. Was principal of Bradford (VT) High School 1871-73. He then read for the law in the office of Vermont Governor Roswell Farnham. He was admitted to the Vermont bar in 1874. For a short while Mr. Dunmore was superintendent of schools at Hornellsville, NY. In 1879, he received his LL.B. degree from Hamilton College. He practiced law in Utica first later with Smith M. Lindsay with whom he was associated with until 1883, when he became a member of the firm of Searle, Dunmore, and Willis the firm changed names a few times.      Watson T. Dunmore was elected as special Oneida County Judge in 1886. In 1892, he was elected Oneida County Judge. He served until he retired in 1904.      Watson T. Dunmore married Minnie E. Goodier on July 9, 1878. They had six children. After Minni...

       Dr. James G. Hunt was born June 21, 1845 in Litchfield, NY to Dr. Isaac and Mary Ingersoll Hunt. He graduated from Utica Free Academy.           James G. Hunt's first job was as a clerk in the Ilion Bank. He later accepted a position at the Utica Post Office. He then moved to Buffalo where he worked as a bookkeeper.         James G. Hunt studied medicine in his father's office before he entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He afterwards attended Jefferson Medical School in Philadelphia where he graduated in 1871. At the same time Mr. Hunt studied at the Philadelphia School of Anatomy. He then returned to Utica. After being partners with his father he practiced alone.      In 1872, Dr. Hunt was appointed Physician of the Utica Jail. The following year he was appointed Coroner of Oneida County, he was elected three times. The same year he was also appointed Health Officer by the Co...

       Henry H. Cooper was born Apr 5, 1840. During his youth the family lived in different places including Quebec Canada, Oswego, NY; and Kingsville, Can. As a young man Henry H. Cooper moved to Detroit, Michigan. He got work at C.A. Yates clothing store. He moved to Utica where Yates had a store where he worked as a salesman. He later worked for Lewis and Swarthout, and H.J. Wood.       In 1871, Henry H. Cooper organized the store of Cooper, Chamberlain, and Horn which later became Cooper and Chamberlain. He also established the house of H.H. Cooper and Co. (which was incorporated in 1912).      Henry H. Cooper was a member of the following: Faxton Lodge, No 697 F. & A.M.; Fort Schuyler Club; Adirondack League Club; Utica Chamber of Commerce; and Commercial Travelers Mutual Accident Association of America. He was a trustee of the Savings Bank of Utica and Director of Oneida National Bank.      Henry H. Cooper m...

       James B. Paddon was born March 13, 1886 in New York City to Mr. and Mrs. William Paddon. Came to Utica in 1843? was educated in William Osborn's School and the Advanced School.      For a few months James B. Paddon was a clerk in the store of Cooley and Clark. He then did carpenter work for some time. In 1859, Mr. Paddon became a recording clerk in the County Clerk's office. Two years later he was appointed deputy clerk. He hold the office for 12 years. In 1873, James B. Paddon was elected County Clerk. During his term the office moved to a new building. After his term was up he was reappointed as deputy clerk. He served until 1880 when he retired. After he retired Mr. Paddon went onto both the real estate and coal businesses.      During the Civil War James B. Paddon served on committees to get the seventh ward to raise its quota of volunteers to avoid the draft. He was one of the organizers of Friendship Hook, Ladder, and Bucket...

       Blandina Dudley Miller was born May 1, 1843 in Utica to Rutger Bleecker and Mary Seymour Miller (sister to NY Gov and Presidential Candidate Horatio Seymour and Julia who married political boss Roscoe Conkling). In 1845, the family moved to Alder Creek, NY. She was educated by private tutors and attended Turner's French School in Utica; and Moravian Seminary in Bethlehem, PA. The family returned to Utica in about 1861.      Blandina Dudley Miller was a member of Grace Episcopal Church. She taught Sunday School. She was a member of the sewing society and choir.    According to her obituary  Blandina Dudley Miller wrote more on historical subjects than any other woman in this section of the state. She wrote a book "A Sketch of Old Utica". She also wrote on nature and birds.      She was also a member of the following: Oneida Historical Society (now the Oneida County History Center); Oneida Chapter, Daughters of the Am...

       Frederick Manwell Calder was born to John and Margaret Huton Calder on March 20, 1861 in New York Mills, NY. He graduated from Whitestown Seminary in 1878. In 1882, Frederick M. Calder graduated from Hamilton College.      Frederick M. Calder studied law with Justice P.C.J De Angelis and the law firm of Miller and Fincke. He was admitted to the bar in 1884. For three years he was the managing clerk for the firm before opening his own practice.      Frederick M. Calder married Elizabeth Holbrook. They had a son.       In 1896, Frederick M. Calder was elected Surrogate of Oneida County. He served until 1906. In 1891-92 was the Chairman of the Oneida County Republican Committee. He later served as Corporation Counsel of Utica.       Frederick M. Calder started to serve on the NY State Supreme Court on Jan 1, 1921 but sadly passed away a few days later on the 17th of Jan.     ...