William M. Philleo

     William M. Philleo was born Dec 21, 1857 in Utica to William and Mary Talbot Philleo. 

    William M. Philleo's first job was in the commercial agency R.G. Dun and Company. Mr. Philleo later worked for local lawyer James S. Lynch. 

    In 1873, William M. Philleo was appointed assistant search clerk under county clerk James B. Paddock.  He continued in that job for three years. When the Utica Daily Republican newspaper was started Mr. Philleo was in charge of circulation. He stayed with the newspaper the whole 18 month that it was published.

    In 1884 William M. Philleo married Frances E O'Hara (she died in 1939). They had a son William T.

    On April 3, 1890 Postmaster Erastus Clark appointed William M. Philleo money order clerk. Nine years later Mr. Philleo was appointed assistant postmaster from which he served under seven postmasters. In 1908 he was considered as postmaster but was turned down. Mr. Philleo traveled to different cities to study their mail service to help perfect Utica's mail service. At the same time he worked at the Post Office he also served as custodian of the government building (where the Post Office was located) without extra pay. 

    On Sept 8, 1919 after the death of postmaster John G. Gibson, William M. Philleo was appointed acting postmaster. He was appointed postmaster in December 1920. He served as postmaster until Dec 31, 1934.

    In his youth William M. Philleo was a member of the military organization, the Adjutant Bacon Cadets in which he served as orderly sergeant and later as second lieutenant. 

    Mr. Philleo was a member of Calvary Episcopal Church and the Rotary Club. He was the last surviving charter member of Utica Lodge 33, BPOE.      

    William M. Philleo passed away on Jan 8, 1948 at his home, 1532 Kemble St. He is buried in Plot 63 Lot 5488 Forest Hill Cemetery.

 


 

 

 

     

Location: 2201 Oneida St, Utica, NY 13501, USA

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