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...

      George D. Hamlin was born to Edwin A. and Mary Denison Hamlin in Naples, NY on Nov 5, 1858. He taught school for about three terms there.     George D. Hamlin graduated from the New York University Medical School in 1883. He served his internship at Bellevue Hospital. In 1884, he started a medical practice in Brooklyn.     Dr. George D. Hamlin took an active interest in the educational work in New York City. He served on the Board of Education for a number of years. Dr. Hamlin served as Commissioner of Education for New York City 1902-1908.     Dr. George D. Hamlin was a former director of the Greenpoint National Bank. He was President of the North Brooklyn Medical Society.     He was a past master of the Greenpoint Lodge F. and A. M. and member of the Municipal Club and Medical Society of the County of Kings.     In 1900, Dr. Hamlin married Fanny(ie) M. Child of Utica. They had two chil...

       Philip Owen was born June 1, 1830 in Boonville, NY. He received an education in Boonville Public School and private tutors. After school he went to New York City and worked in dry goods stores including his brother's. After selling their store in New York City Philip and his brother returned to Boonville and opened a general store (which at its time was the largest in town). They later entered in the lumber business and erected a steam saw mill which they conducted until 1868.     In 1870, the Owen brothers moved to Utica. They purchased the manufacturing plant of Palmer V. Kellogg and Co on Franklin Square. A year later the plant was moved to John St.     The clothing business was extremely profitable. The firm sold clothing practically throughout the country. The employed over 800 people, branch stores were opened in places such as Syracuse, Buffalo, Lockport and also out of state in places such as Indianapolis. They conducted t...

       Susan Dyckman Johnston was born in Utica on March 1, 1886 to William Eugene and Sarah Bowne Johnston. She attended Mrs. Platt's School. She was one of the first members of the Junior League of Utica.      Susan Dyckman Johnston was Secretary of the Oneida County Tuberculosis Society. She made one of the earliest surveys of TB in this section.     During World War I Susan Dyckman Johnston became executive secretary of the Utica Chapter of the American Red Cross. She was appointed field representative for the American Red Cross of Central and Northern New York. Her territory included 24 counties from Syracuse to Tory and north to the Canadian border. Because of ill health she had to retire.     On April 6, 1936 Susan Dyckman Johnston passed away. She is buried at Forest Hill Cemetery.

     Nellie Elizabeth Armstrong Kilbourn was born Aug 24, 1861 in Plainfield, Otsego, NY. She graduated with a A.B. in 1881 from Beaver College in Pennsylvania. After graduating she taught Greek and Elocution at the college.     On Oct 30, 1889 she married Dr. Judson G. Kilbourn and soon after moved to Utica.     Nellie Kilbourn was an active member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church. For several years she taught a teacher's training class in its Bible School. She was a longtime member of the Women's Missionary Society, she was Vice-President at the time of her death. For 18 yeasr Mrs. Kilbourn was Treasurer of the Women's Home Missionary Society of the Presbytery of Utica and was President of it at the time of her death.     Nellie Kilbourn was member of the Board of Managers of the Home for Aged Men and Couples since coming to Utica.      Other organizations Nellie Kilbourn was a member of include: Moh...