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...

     Henry Rumrill Beebe was born in Utica on Nov 22, 1878. He graduated from Utica Free Academy and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (with a degree in Civil Engineering). During Summer vacations from college he worked for the City Engineer's office. He served one year with the US Geological Survey stream-gaging in New York and Southern Michigan.     In 1905, Henry R. Beebe formed a partnership with Frank Beach of Troy. They constructed a mile long interceptor sewer. That project was one of the steps taken by Utica in the extensive New York Central development. It made Utica one of the most important railroads points east of Buffalo.     Henry R. Beebe served as Commissioner of Public Works from 1910-1911. In 1912 he reentered the construction field with A.A. Parker. They carried out extensive contracts for New York Central in Utica including passenger and freight subways; and the temporary station and approaches which were in use while the p...

       George Loomis was born in Utica to Delos and Mary A. Loomis. He attended local schools.      He went into the building and contracting business. At the age of 19 he was in charge of the construction of a house at the corner of Kemble and Hobart Streets. He was also responsible for the construction of the Utica Post Office; one of the buildings of the Utica Knitting Mill. Mr. Loomis placed the chancel in Grace Episcopal Church.     In 1874 George Loomis married Emma L. Benister, They had seven children (5 Daughters and 2 Sons)     In 1904, George Loomis moved to Schenectady where he worked in the pattern department of General Electric. After working for GE he went in business for himself. From 1913 to 1918 he lived in Chicago. When his health failed he moved back to Utica.     George Loomis passed away on Aug 8, 1922 and is buried in Forest Hill Cemetery in Utica.       

      W. Fred Allen was born Sept 1, 1847 to Benjamin Allen. W. Fred left Utica Free Academy in 1865 to work for his father's stone and sidewalk business. In 1868, he became a member of the firm.     W. Fred Allen was director of some other local enterprises such as: LaTosca Knitting Co.; Second National Bank; and Ritesize Knitting Co.     W. Fred Allen was a warm advocate of the New Hotel in Utica (Hotel Utica). He was president of the Utica Hotel Co. from its organization.     Mr. Allen was member of several associations such as the Utica Chamber of Commerce and Utica Homestead Aid Assoc.     Like his father he was an avid curler. He played for 40 years. He was a member of the rink which went to New York and won the Gordon Championship. He represented the Utica Club many times at the sessions of the National Curling Club.  In 1892, he built the covered rink at Rutger Street. In 1909, W. Fred Allen was...

      George Benjamin Fairhead was born on Jan 8, 1835 in Norwich, England to James and Elizabeth Harvey Fairhead. In Nov 1840 George Fairhead along with his mother and sisters arrived in America to meet his father who had secured employment in New York Mills. George worked in the cotton mill for nine years beginning at the age of 10. He studied at Whitestown and Cazenovia Seminaries. He later became a teacher.     On July 27, 1862 George B. Fairhead enlisted in Company D of the 117th NY Inf he served until June 8, 1865. He was promoted to corporal, sergeant, sergeant-major and lieutenant. On October 27, 1864 he was severely wounded but he recovered and was able to return to his regiment.      On March 9, 1863 he married Hannah Ackroyd. They had two sons Elbert J. and George E.     George B. Fairhead entered the ministry as a Methodist minister on April 30, 1868. He served the following churches: Brookfield; Steuben; ...

       Walter Schiller was born March 27, 1884 to Charles H. and Caroline Young Schiller. He graduated from Utica Free Academy. He worked for the Gas and Electric Company for two years. He then started a battery business. Later radios were added to the business. Mr. Schiller was the Philco distributor for both the Utica and Albany territories.      In 1907, Walter Schiller formed an electric car company. It was first located at Court and Broadway. Soon it was moved to Dr. Watson's stables on Cornelia Street. When the business grew Mr. Schiller purchased the round house at Francis and Noyes Streets. The business stayed there before it moved to 2007 Genesee Street.     Walter Schiller originated the idea of establishing electric charging stations along established routes for the cars.     Walter Schiller served as President of the Automobile Dealers Association. He was active in the management of their automobile shows....