Walter Jerome Green

    Walter Jerome Green was born October 10, 1842 in Hubbardsville, NY to Charles and Mary Jane Hubbard Green. He attended Cazenovia Academy and Madison University. Walter graduated from Albany University with a law degree in 1864. He only practiced law two years before he joined his father as a partner in his bank which soon changed its name to Charles Green and Son. An important department within the bank was the hop trade. It soon became one of the largest hop dealers in the United States.

    Walter Jerome Green got involved in a railroad project in Florida which became known as Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Halifax River Railroad. He became president and sole owner. After it was constructed it shortened the time of transport for oranges between the east coast of Florida and New York by some eight days.

    In 1867, Walter Jerome Green married Sarah K. Swartout. They had a son Walter Jr. who was born in 1874 (he became a prominent banker and worked at the Savage Arms Company for 25 years and was Vice President of the Company and President or Director of several companies including Utica City National Bank and First National Bank and Trust Company). The Green's lived at 1 Rutger Park and were neighbors of Roscoe Conkling. Walter Jerome Green died Jan 28, 1885. After Walter Sr. died the railroad was left to trustees for his son but a year after Walter Sr. died it was sold to Henry M. Flager. Sarah died November 17,1913 and Walter Jr. died in 1951.

    The beautiful Green Mausoleum in Plot 34 Lot 2006 at Forest Hill Cemetery was completed in 1914. In the October 18, 1914 issue of the "Utica Sunday Tribune" there was a column written about it which reads:

    "There has just been completed on the Green burial plot in Forest Hill Cemetery a handsome mausoleum, made of light Barre granite, and in excellent design. It was built by Walter Jerome Green (Jr)., several months being occupied in the construction work. It is one of the finest burial places in Forest Hill. The mausoleum stands near the roadway between the Forest Hill and the New Forest Cemetery and faces north. It is plainly visible from Roscoe Conkling Park. It is 17 feet wide in front, with a base coping attached, making the ground frontage 21 feet. The mausoleum stands 17 feet high, with a depth, including the urns which form a part of the entrance, 19 feet. The interior is lined with marble, and there are four crypts on each side of the mausoleum. A sarcophagus, which was formerly located on the burial plot, has been made part of the mausoleum in the rear, over which there is a Tiffany window. The doors are of heavy grilled bronze, and the floor is of granite. The mausoleum was built by McDonald & Sons of Buffalo. The exterior of the mausoleum is rock cut, with two artistically curved urns on each side of the entrance for flowers. There are circular granite copings on each side, extending some little distance in which can be planted shrubbery and flowers. The word "Green" is engraved in the granite over the entrance. The mausoleum is located in one of the most commanding sections of the Forest Hill Cemetery. It is very near the monument, standing in New Forest Cemetery, erected in memory of Founder Rathbone by the order of the Knights of Phythias."