Stories in Stones: Stories from Oneida County, NY Cemeteries

       Talcott Williams was born on July 20, 1849 in Abeth, Turkey to Rev. William Frederic and Sarah Amelia Pond Williams. He graduated in 1873 from Amherst College.     He worked for the New York World from 1873 to 1879 (his obituary says 1879 but I am wondering if it was a mistake and it should have said 1877); he was the Washington correspondent for two newspapers: The New York Sun and San Francisco Chronicle from 1877 to 1879; editorial writer for the Springfield, Mass Republican from 1879 to 1881; and was connected with the Philadelphia Press from 1881 to 1912.     Talcott Williams was a member of American Philosophers Society, American Society, American Academy of Political and Social Science, honorary member of the Pennsylvania State Bar Association and was president of the American Conference of Teachers of Journalism in 1913; a trustee of Amherst College from 1913 to 1919; Constantinople College for Girls, was a member of the b...

       Hiram Denio was born May 21, 1799 in Rome, NY to Israel and Esther Robbins Denio. He attended Fairfield Academy in Fairfield, NY. Hiram Denio first studied law under Judge Joshua Hathaway in Rome. He also studied under Henry R. Storrs in Whitesboro, NY. Mr. Denio was admitted to the bar in 1821. He opened a private practice in Rome. In 1825 Hiram Denio was appointed as Oneida County District Attorney he served until 1833. During his time as DA he moved his office from Rome to Utica. During his tenure he was engaged in a practice with E.A Wetmore in Utica.     Ward Hunt (who later became a justice of the US Supreme Court and is also buried in Forest Hill Cemetery) said of Hiram Denio: "in every criminal case, he was thoroughly prepared, both on the law and the facts. His indictments were accurately drawn, and always stood the test of criticism. He tried his cases with zeal and vigor. Indeed it was sometimes said he sought convictions with too muc...

      Smith M. Lindsley was born in Monticello, NY on April 11, 1847 to Rufus B. Lindsley. He was valedictorian of his class at Monticello Academy. After Monticello Academy he graduated from Wyoming Seminary and College. Smith M. Lindsley joined the faculty at Wyoming Seminary and College for one year after he graduated.     Smith M. Lindsley left the faculty to read law in Wilkesbarre, PA. He came to Utica in 1869 and joined the law office of Francis Kernan. He was admitted to the bar the following year.      Smith M. Lindsley was a Democrat. In 1872, he was elected city attorney. He served as city attorney for two terms. After that he refused any political honors including nomination as a Justice of the Supreme Court. In 1885, Smith M. Lindsley became president of the First National Bank of Chittenango, which he held until he passed away. He was also a member of the Utica Court House Commission.      Smith M. L...

       This post is a longer version of the one which appeared on the Oneida County History Center's Facebook page.       John W. Boyle was born in 1852 in Glasgow, Scotland. The following year he and his parents settled in New York Mills, NY. He was one of the must successful lawyers in Utica. In February of 1879 John W. Boyle married Harriet E. Combs (who died April 28, 1922).     In the mid to late 1880's John W. Boyle became involved in the street railroads of Utica. At that time they were horse railroads. It was through Mr. Boyle's efforts that they were made electric and they were connected with suburban villages. He laid out Summit Park. John W. Boyle was also involved in other railroads outside of the state, in 1901, he acquired the controlling interest of the Penobscot (Maine) Central Railroad which he sold the following spring for $74,000.     John W. Boyle passed away of heart disease in March of 1924 ...