Stories in Stones: Stories from Oneida County, NY Cemeteries

         Joseph Albert Lintner was born in Schoharie, NY on Feb 8, 1822 to Rev. George and Maria Wagner Lintner. He graduated in 1837 from Schoharie Academy. Mr. Lintner spent ten years in New York City in mercantile business.      In 1853, Joseph A. Lintner started a collection of insects. On Oct 3, 1856 he married Frances Hutchinson with whom he had four children. in 1860, moved to Utica where manufactured woolen goods for seven years.      In 1868, Joseph A. Lintner became Zoological Assistant at the State Museum of Natural History in Albany. He was was appointed state entomologist (some one who studies insects) in 1880.      Joseph A. Lintner wrote about 1,000 scientific papers; and published annual reports on the Indurious and other insects of the state.       Joseph A. Lintner was president of the Entomological Club of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Associat...

       Marc E. Cook was born on March 1, 1854 in Hartford, CT to Rev. Theodore Dwight and Calista Niles Pease Cook. He was educated in the public schools of Utica. He attended the Academy. Also took a collegiate course at Hamilton College.      For a time Marc E. Cook was employed at the Utica  Observer  in editorial work. He was also a writer of verse which he excelled at. He was a regular contributor to the New York  Clipper  under the name "Vandyke Brown".      Marc E. Cook fought with consumption. He went to the Adirondacks hoping to recover his health. Mr. Cook wrote an article about his experience in the woods that was published in  Harper's Monthly.      Marc E. Cook passed away on Oct 4, 1882 and is buried plot 32A Lot 1869 of Forest Hill Cemetery in Utica.       

       Watson T. Dunmore was born Mar 28, 1845 in Rush, Susquehanna County, PA to Matthew and Sarah James Dunmore. He received his BA and Masters from Wesleyan University. Was principal of Bradford (VT) High School 1871-73. He then read for the law in the office of Vermont Governor Roswell Farnham. He was admitted to the Vermont bar in 1874. For a short while Mr. Dunmore was superintendent of schools at Hornellsville, NY. In 1879, he received his LL.B. degree from Hamilton College. He practiced law in Utica first later with Smith M. Lindsay with whom he was associated with until 1883, when he became a member of the firm of Searle, Dunmore, and Willis the firm changed names a few times.      Watson T. Dunmore was elected as special Oneida County Judge in 1886. In 1892, he was elected Oneida County Judge. He served until he retired in 1904.      Watson T. Dunmore married Minnie E. Goodier on July 9, 1878. They had six children. After Minni...

       Dr. James G. Hunt was born June 21, 1845 in Litchfield, NY to Dr. Isaac and Mary Ingersoll Hunt. He graduated from Utica Free Academy.           James G. Hunt's first job was as a clerk in the Ilion Bank. He later accepted a position at the Utica Post Office. He then moved to Buffalo where he worked as a bookkeeper.         James G. Hunt studied medicine in his father's office before he entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He afterwards attended Jefferson Medical School in Philadelphia where he graduated in 1871. At the same time Mr. Hunt studied at the Philadelphia School of Anatomy. He then returned to Utica. After being partners with his father he practiced alone.      In 1872, Dr. Hunt was appointed Physician of the Utica Jail. The following year he was appointed Coroner of Oneida County, he was elected three times. The same year he was also appointed Health Officer by the Co...

       Henry H. Cooper was born Apr 5, 1840. During his youth the family lived in different places including Quebec Canada, Oswego, NY; and Kingsville, Can. As a young man Henry H. Cooper moved to Detroit, Michigan. He got work at C.A. Yates clothing store. He moved to Utica where Yates had a store where he worked as a salesman. He later worked for Lewis and Swarthout, and H.J. Wood.       In 1871, Henry H. Cooper organized the store of Cooper, Chamberlain, and Horn which later became Cooper and Chamberlain. He also established the house of H.H. Cooper and Co. (which was incorporated in 1912).      Henry H. Cooper was a member of the following: Faxton Lodge, No 697 F. & A.M.; Fort Schuyler Club; Adirondack League Club; Utica Chamber of Commerce; and Commercial Travelers Mutual Accident Association of America. He was a trustee of the Savings Bank of Utica and Director of Oneida National Bank.      Henry H. Cooper m...

       James B. Paddon was born March 13, 1886 in New York City to Mr. and Mrs. William Paddon. Came to Utica in 1843? was educated in William Osborn's School and the Advanced School.      For a few months James B. Paddon was a clerk in the store of Cooley and Clark. He then did carpenter work for some time. In 1859, Mr. Paddon became a recording clerk in the County Clerk's office. Two years later he was appointed deputy clerk. He hold the office for 12 years. In 1873, James B. Paddon was elected County Clerk. During his term the office moved to a new building. After his term was up he was reappointed as deputy clerk. He served until 1880 when he retired. After he retired Mr. Paddon went onto both the real estate and coal businesses.      During the Civil War James B. Paddon served on committees to get the seventh ward to raise its quota of volunteers to avoid the draft. He was one of the organizers of Friendship Hook, Ladder, and Bucket...

       Blandina Dudley Miller was born May 1, 1843 in Utica to Rutger Bleecker and Mary Seymour Miller (sister to NY Gov and Presidential Candidate Horatio Seymour and Julia who married political boss Roscoe Conkling). In 1845, the family moved to Alder Creek, NY. She was educated by private tutors and attended Turner's French School in Utica; and Moravian Seminary in Bethlehem, PA. The family returned to Utica in about 1861.      Blandina Dudley Miller was a member of Grace Episcopal Church. She taught Sunday School. She was a member of the sewing society and choir.    According to her obituary  Blandina Dudley Miller wrote more on historical subjects than any other woman in this section of the state. She wrote a book "A Sketch of Old Utica". She also wrote on nature and birds.      She was also a member of the following: Oneida Historical Society (now the Oneida County History Center); Oneida Chapter, Daughters of the Am...

       Frederick Manwell Calder was born to John and Margaret Huton Calder on March 20, 1861 in New York Mills, NY. He graduated from Whitestown Seminary in 1878. In 1882, Frederick M. Calder graduated from Hamilton College.      Frederick M. Calder studied law with Justice P.C.J De Angelis and the law firm of Miller and Fincke. He was admitted to the bar in 1884. For three years he was the managing clerk for the firm before opening his own practice.      Frederick M. Calder married Elizabeth Holbrook. They had a son.       In 1896, Frederick M. Calder was elected Surrogate of Oneida County. He served until 1906. In 1891-92 was the Chairman of the Oneida County Republican Committee. He later served as Corporation Counsel of Utica.       Frederick M. Calder started to serve on the NY State Supreme Court on Jan 1, 1921 but sadly passed away a few days later on the 17th of Jan.     ...

       Warren C. Rowley was born Sept 28, 1841 to Warren and Harriet Curry Rowley in Trenton, NY. He attended Fairfield Seminary. He hoped to enter Hamilton College but his father died and he took over the his general store.      Warren C. Rowley came to Utica in 1866. He took a job with his brother and uncle at their wholesale and retail stationary store, Curry, Rowley and Co. It changed names a few times when partners retired and were added. It finally became W.C. Rowley and Son. It was discontinued in 1915. Warren C. Rowley moved to NYC in 1919.      Warren C. Rowley was a member of number of organizations including: Utica Mendelssohn Choir; Enharmonic Musical Society; Masonic organizations; Oneida Historical Society (now the Oneida County History Center) he served as its treasurer for 12 years; Honorary member of the Herkimer County Historical Society; Mohawk Valley Historical Society; Fort Schuyler Club; and Oneida Chapter of the So...

       Henry A. Steber was born in Utica on Aug 15, 1862. He graduated from Utica Free Academy. During his free time as a toolmaker in the Illion NY Armory, he studied dentistry. Henry A. Steber graduated from the Baltimore College of Dentistry. He opened an office in his home in Columbia St. in Utica.      Henry A. Steber was elected to the New York State Assembly. He advocated for factory inspections. He was President of the Utica Trades Assembly.      Henry A. Steber married Caroline C. Piper on Dec 31, 1890 or 1899.      Henry A. Steber passed away on Apr 27, 1915. He is buried in Plot 53 Lot 4099 of Forest Hill Cemetery.    

      Thomas Franklin McKeough was born May 17, 1860 to Patrick and Bridget in Utica. In 1881, graduated from Assumption Academy. He later attended a private technical school to be an engineer.      Thomas McKeough started working with Russell Wheeler, Son and Co. as a mechanical engineer. He later worked at Kernan Furnace Co for six years. Mr. McKeough left Utica and entered the plumbing and heating business in Syracuse, N.Y. In 1891, returned to Utica and became Chief Engineer for Utica Gas and Electric Co. In 1904 became general manager of the Utica Steam Engine and Boiler works. He was elected Secretary in 1906 and later became its president (was until his death).      One of Thomas F. McKeough's achievements was the electrifying of the power of Trenton Falls.       Thomas F. McKeough helped in organizing the Mohawk Valley Woolen Co. and was Secretary and Treasurer until it went out of business. He was also President o...

       Arwed Retter was born July 6 (8?), 1847 in Stuttgart, Wurttenberg Germany. At age 15 moved to London. He moved to America at the age of 17. He settled for a short time in New York City.       Arwed Retter graduated from the Dental College of the University of Pennsylvania. He moved to Utica in 1878. He opened a practice there. His specialties were bridge work and dental surgery. He had patients from all over the state and many other states.      On Dec 8, 1881 Arwed Retter married Hattie J. Hollingworth. They had two daughters.      Arwed Retter was a member of the following: Utica Dental Society (was President at the time of his death); Fifth District Dental Society; and New York State Dental Society.      Arwed Retter passed away on Feb 25, 1918 and is buried in Plot 52 Lot 3795 of Forest Hill Cemetery in Utica.     

       Milton H. Merwin was born June 16, 1832 in Leydon, Lewis County NY to Mr. and Mrs. Alanson Merwin. Attended Cazenovia Seminary and Hamilton College (graduated in 1852).      Milton H. Merwin studied law in Watertown in the office of Joseph Mullin, Admitted to practice law in 1853. He became Mr. Mullin's partner. He was partner until 1857. 1860-1863 Mr. Merwin served as as Surrogate of Jefferson County. 1867-68 was member of the Constitutional Convention.      In 1874, Milton H. Merwin was elected to the New York State Supreme Court. He had been serving out the term of Charles H. Doolittle. He served on it in different capacities until 1902.      Milton H. Merwin married Helen Knapp in November of 1858. They had five children.      Milton H. Merwin was a member of the following: Central NY Alumni of Hamilton College and Oneida County Bar Association. He served as President of both.      ...

      Charles Judson Hill was born Feb 13, 1830 in Burford, Brant, Canada West. 1854-1859 studied medicine in Utica with Dr. William H. Watson. At the same time he took courses at the Homeopathic Medical College of Philadelphia, from where he graduated in 1859. He then entered in a partnership with Dr. Watson which lasted until the fall of 1862 where he joined the Union Army.      Dr. C. Judson Hill was appointed Assistant Surgeon of the 91st NY Reg with whom he served about three years. Among the other positions that he hold during the war include: Surgeon for the 15th Maine; Surgeon in charge of the US Hospital at Pensacola, FL; Post Surgeon at Fort Barrancas FL; and Surgeon in charge of Barracks Hospital at Baton Rouge, LA. Because of poor health Dr. Hill was force to resign and return home in the winter of 1864-65. He soon received a Commission as Captain of NYS Volunteers. He regained his health and returned to practice again.      ...

       Howard V. Littell was born Jan 10, 1883 to Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Littell in Sanford, NY. He graduated from Oneonta High School. He earned his Bachelor of Philosophy Degree from Wesleyan University.      1902-1906 Howard V. Littell was principal of Otego NY High School; and 1902-1912 principal of Mohawk NY High School. In 1912, became Superintendent of Schools in Saranac Lake, NY.      In 1917, Howard V. Littell served with the YMCA in France for a year during World War One. Arter his year in France he returned to as Superintendent in Saranac Lake.      Early in Mr. Littell's career in Saranac Lake he started domestic science courses for the young women and also an open air school for Tuberculous children.      1936, Howard V. Littell helped found the Saranac Lake Study and Craft Guild. It was organized for Occupational Therapeutic work among patients in the sanatoriums in the area.      Ho...

       Henry Joseph Holbrook was born Feb 18, 1833 in Dalton, Mass. When young moved to Utica and was educated in the public schools. There he was engaged in the mercantile business. Later was a clerk in a general store in Buffalo. After Buffalo he moved to Wisconsin where he managed a general supply store. Later lived in Chicago and New York City. In New York City he worked in the dry goods trade.       In 1871, Henry J. Holbrook moved back to Utica. In 1872, he formed a partnership with George W. Ludlow and purchased the establishment of Case and Everts Shoe Manufactures. When Ludlow withdrew form the partnership, Mr. Holbrook continued the business with Lewis H. Lawrence as a special partner. The firm was called the H.J. Holbrook and Co. Mr. Holbrook retired in 1894.      On October 3, 1860 Henry J. Holbrook married Marietta Norton. They had two children.      Henry J. Holbrook was a member of the following: Fort S...

    Dr. Rose Coxon was born Feb 17, 1879 in Leeds, England to William F. and Adeline Hohmann Coxon. In 1889, the year after her father’s death the family moved to United States and lived with her maternal grandparents at 80 Court Street.     Rose attended Philadelphia Dental College. At that time women made up only approximately 1% of dental students. She was the Secretary of her Freshman Class. She graduated in 1905. In her practice in Utica, NY, Rose Coxon became an early proponent of preventive dentistry. During the early 1900s, more money was earned from fixing dental problems than cleaning teeth. The consequence was a prejudice against cleaning teeth. Rose was a forerunner to the modern practices of today by realizing  the importance of a healthy mouth.     Dr. Coxon opened her first practice at 80 Court Street in 1905. Over the years she had offices in different locations in Utica. She shared offices with different dentists (do not know if they w...

      John E. McLoughlin was born Aug 10, 1852 to Robert and Mary Morrison McLoughlin in County Donegal, Ireland. Came to AMerica and settled in New Hartford. Later moved to Oriskany.      John E. McLoughlin found work in the Burrstone factory in New York Mills. Later became a spinner at the Lowery and Williams Stocking Factory in Utica. He later started working for William Taylor and made pulse warmers and mittens.      John E. McLoughlin married Cornelia Pratt. They had two children.      John E. McLoughlin and Thomas Hanford organized the Hanford Scotch Cap Company (later became Mohawk Valley Cap Factory). In 1921, the name was changed to the McLoughlin Textile Corporation.      John E. McLoughlin was an officer of the Associated Industries of New York State. He was director of both the United Baking Co. and Oneida National Bank (in 1925 became chairman of its board).      John E. McLoughli...

       Wallace B. Wilcox was born Aug 17, 1852, to Benjamin and Sarah Wright Wilcox in Hopkinton, NH. They came to Utica in 1864. He went to the Advance School and School at Willowvale.     When Wallace B. Wilcox was young, he went to work at the shoe store of Sylvester Harringer. In 1869, went to work for Engraver, B. F. Hannas (or Hannus). W.B. Wilcox soon brought the business from him. He continued it until 1887, when Mr. Wilcox brought the Jewelry business of Seldon Collins (which occupied part of the same building).     Wallace B. Wilcox was a member of the following: New York State Retail Jewelers Association and its local branch; Oneida Historical Society (now the Oneida County History Center); Chamber of Commerce; Utica Auto Club; and Faxton Lodge.     On June 4, 1879 Wallace B. Wilcox married Alice Everest. They had two daughters.     Wallace B. Wilcox passed away on Jan 13, 1914. He is buried in Plot 33 Lot 3050 of Fo...

       Henry Dwight Williams was born Jan 31, 1815 in Utica. He moved to Michigan where he worked as a clerk in the Bank of Michigan in Detroit. Later went to Ohio where he worked at banks in Cleveland and Massilon. In 1842, Henry Dwight Williams moved to New York City. In 1864, returned to Ohio and organized a bank at Ravenna.      In 1869, Henry Dwight Williams went to China, where he worked in customs service. He was stationed at Canton and Swatow. At Swatow he was commissioner of customs, he held that position until 1870 when he left China. He returned to to New York State and in 1887 moved back to Utica.      Henry Dwight Williams married Martha Moyer.      Henry Dwight Williams passed away on May 18, 1897. He is buried in Plot 20A Lot 1522 of Forest Hill Cemetery.