Stories in Stones: Stories from Oneida County, NY Cemeteries

     Dr. William LeGrange Ralph was born June 19, 1851 in Holland Patent, NY to George and Mary C. Ralph. When he was 12 his family moved to Utica. He was educated in Utica Schools and Whitestown Seminary. William L. Ralph graduated from Columbia College where he studied medicine. He started his own practice. Because of heart trouble he to abandon active work. He began to study heart disorders.     After retiring from his practice Dr. Ralph turned to his attention to the field of Ornithology. He studied the birds around Oneida County. He located several rare species. Dr. Ralph made trips to the Montezuma Marshes, Florida, and the Adirondacks to study birds.     In 1901, Dr. William L. Ralph was elected to the American Ornithologists Union. He helped Maj. Bendire with writing "Life Histories of North American Birds". Maj. Bendire mentioned Dr. Ralph's name more than anyone else. When Maj. Bendire passed away Dr. Ralph took up his work.  ...

       George Ralph was born in Schenectady, NY on Nov 11, 1826 to George and Harriet Cooper Ralph. The family moved to Utica in 1839. In early manhood he moved to Binghamton, NY. In 1850, George Ralph became a member of Bovier, Briggs and Co of Elmira, NY.      In 1869, George Ralph moved back to Utica at the solicitation of his father. He erected the Columbia Street Brewery. It later was consolidated with the Oneida Brewery, which was owned by Stephen Thorn and Francis Midlam. The firm became known as Ralph, Midlam and Co. It was succeeded by George Ralph Jr. and Co. In 1886, it was incorporated as the Oneida Brewing Company,     George Ralph married Mary Catherine Wells. They had three sons: William L, George Frederick, and Henry Judson.     George Ralph was a member of the Utica Club; Utica Lodge F. and A.M. (which was he was a master of it 1869-1870); Charter Member of the Yahnundahus Lodge, A. and A.B; and was H...

      John Batchelor was born on November 22, 1841 to Daniel. He was educated in Utica Public Schools. As a young man he was employed in the office of the Utica Morning Herald. While working there he learned the typesetter trade. He stayed with the Herald until he left to be a typesetter for the Utica Evening Telegram where he stayed for two years.     John Batchelor left the printing trade to enter the family business (Batchelor Brothers) a well known seed store which also sold commercial fertilizers and farm and garden supplies on Liberty Street. He bought out the interests of his father and uncle to become the sole owner. In 1886, John Batchelor sold the business.        After selling the seed business John Batchelor worked at the Post Office. He rose to the position of Chief of the Distributing Department.     For about six years John Batchelor was a member of the Neptune Fire Co. No 5.     Joh...