Stories in Stones: Stories from Oneida County, NY Cemeteries

    Alfred H. Munson was born to Edmund and Sarah Gardinier Munson in Brownville, NY on Feb 14, 1846. The family later located to Utica where his father established the firm of Hart and Munson manufacturers of mill stones. In 1864, Alfred H. Munson graduated from Utica Free Academy. The year before he graduated he and his 2 brothers took the place of Mr. Hart when he retired. In 1872, Edmund Munson passed away and the sons formed the firm of Munson Brothers. In 1891, the firm was engaged in the foundry business. Their firm closed in 1914.     Alfred H. Munson was a member of Oneida Historical Society (now the Oneida County History Center). He was an early member of the Utica Homestead Aid Association and was one of its trustees since Dec 1885. He became Vice President in either 1893 or 1895 (could not read in Obit).     Mr. Munson was also a member of the Utica Citizen Corps, he served in its ranks until it went into the National Guard. He wa...

      James L. Lowery was born June 24, 1837 in County Down, Ireland. In 1840, the family came to America. They settled in Oriskany, NY. He was educated in Whitesboro, NY.       Mr. Lowery learned the machinist trade in the Oriskany Valley Woolen Mill. He went to Seneca Falls to work until 1853 or 1859 (it was hard to read in the Obituary) when he came to Utica, where he became chief mechanic in the Steam Woolen Mills. James L. Lowery left that position to partner with his brother Samuel S. Lowery in establishing a knitting mill. In 1865, the partnership was dissolved when Samuel retired. For two years he was partners with his younger brother Joseph S. The plant burned. Their brother William joined them in a cotton waste business which was located first on Columbia Street before moving to Broad Street. It was know as Lowery Brothers.     In 1873, James L. Lowery married Emily Marklove. They had eight children.     Jam...