Stories in Stones: Stories from Oneida County, NY Cemeteries

       Norman A. Williams Sr. was born in Oriskany to A.J. Williams on Aug 21, 1837. He graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1858. He was an engineer on the Brooklyn Waterworks for fours years and on the Croton Waterworks for two years. But the exposure later proved too severe and he returned to Oneida County and in 1860 went onto business with his brother.     Norman A. Williams Sr. married Julia E. Millard in 1866. They had two children: Norman Jr. and Cornelia. He passed away on Oct 17, 1879.     Norman A. Williams Jr. was born in Clayville, NY on Feb 17, 1873. He graduated from Utica Academy. He then attended Phillips Academy. In 1893 Norman A. Williams Jr. graduated from Yale where he was a member of the Skull and Bones Society.     Norman A. Williams Jr. went to Europe for a year. After he returned he lived in Utica for a short time before starting working for the American Car and Foundry Co of New York...

       Robert Pryde Heron was born Jul 28 1868 to Mr. and Mrs. James Heron in Fallbook, PA. He attended school in Corning and graduated from Mannsfield Commercial College.     In either 1884 or 1894 (hard to tell in the obituary) Robert P. Heron started working at the Daniel Greene Felt Shoe CO. in Gloversville, NY. The following year he married Carrie E. Sayles, with whom he had four children (3 Sons and a Daughter).     In 1908, Robert P. Heron organized the Heron Felt Novelty Co. of Dolgeville. He later moved it to Utica where he reorganized it as Heron Manufacturing Co. which made wool casters. In 191(3 or 8) he sold it to B(a?)ssick Corp. After Mr. Heron sold the business he devoted his time to inventive research. At the time his death he was completing an invention of his own.     Robert P. Heron was a member of the following: Rotary Club of Utica; The Lotus Club of New York City; and Dolgeville Lodge F.&A.M. ...

     Albert Perlen was born Feb 25, 1839 in Esslinger, Wartemberg. He received his education there. Mr. Perlen served a three year apprenticeship as a clock maker and watchmaker. He lived and worked in various locations in Europe such as Geneva, Switzerland; Frankfort; The Hague; Brussels; and Stuttgart.     Albert Perlen came to the USA in 1881. He worked for a short time in NYC and Gloversville, NY before coming to Utica. He worked three years for Jacob Wineburg before leaving for Chicago. Albert Perlen stayed in Chicago for one year before returning to Utica. After he returned Mr. Perlen opened a Jewelry and Optical Business.     Albert Perlen was a member of the Utica Maennerchor; Utica Leze? Verein; and St. Regis Tribe of Red Men.     Albert Perlen married a cousin Julia. They had a son Richard and a daugther Lena.     Albert Perlen passed away on May 29, 1916. He is buried in Plot 37A Lot 4239 of Forest Hil...

         Eugene J. Snyder was born in Utica on June 22, 1864. When he was young he peddled fruit. He attended the Advanced School. He worked for the D.L. and W. Railroad for a while. He also worked for the J.B. Wells and Son store.     In 1885, Eugene J. Snyder entered the paint and wallpaper business. He first worked at the Newell and Rowe Store. After it burned he and a follow associate, Jesse E. Dodge opened their own business. They were first located on John Street. After it burned they moved it to Bleecker Street. Mr. Snyder retired in 1904.     After he retired Eugene J. Snyder became connected with the Sonora Milling and Mining Co. of Mexico. He made many trips to the property. The company was engaged in gold mining. Other people from Utica were interested in the company. The company was reorganized and became known as Juarez Mining Co. They had an office in the City National Bank Building. Mr. Snyder was secretary. ...

      George W. Beatty was born on May 7, 1851 in Cherry Valley, NY. When he was four his family moved to Albany. He was educated at a private school until he was 11, when financial circumstances made him leave and go to work. He became employed at a retail clothing store where he worked for two years. After the retail clothing business he went to work in the hardware business. He became a traveling salesman for Pruyn and Son, his boundaries were between Albany and Binghamton. He stayed with them for five years before moving to Detroit where he found success in the same field of work.     George W. Beatty married Emma Bush in 1875. They had one son.     George W. Beatty came to Utica in 1877 and became an employee of oil merchant O.C. Thayer. He soon was practically on charge of the business. When Mr. Thayer sold the business to Standard Oil in 1896, Mr. Beatty became manager of a large territory which included: Oneida, Madison, Montgome...

       George W. Wrightson was born in 1842 in Yorkshire, England. He came to this country when he was three years old.     When he was 15 years old George W. Wrightson was employed by the New York Central Railroad as a fireman on a freight but he soon advanced to be a fireman on a passenger train.     George W. Wrightson was one of the fireman in the train that smuggled Abraham Lincoln into Washington D.C.     George W. Wrightson was promoted to engineer in a passenger train. In 1865, he was one of the engineers who carried Lincoln's body in its way to Springfield (different articles say he was engineer in the trip from New York City to Albany other articles says it was the trip from Utica to Syracuse).     George W. Wrightson drove the first "crack train" on the West Shore from Ravena to Syracuse. Also drove the first Continental West Shore train which was one of the fastest railroad locomotives.  ...

     Elizabeth Luce was born in 1871 in New Hartford, NY to Lynott Bloodgood and Anna Root. In 1897, she married Henry Winters Luce (who was born in 1868). Mr. Luce was a Presbyterian Missionary, who helped to institute the cooperative system among protestant groups who founded educational institutions in China.     After their marriage they went to North China.  During that time the area was in a state of revolt against intruders from the Occident, missionaries were even killed. During the Boxer Uprising the Luces fled from Shantung to Korea in the nick of time because a few hours later American Residents were slaughtered.      The Luces braved the hardships of the time and stayed on to help establish schools and colleges that later became valuable ties between China and the West. Henry W. became Vice-President of Cheeloo University at Tsinan.     During their time in China Elizabeth helped in organizing medical and ...