Oswego County NY
Fort Ontario, Oswego, New York
In 1722, Governor Burnet established an armed post at Oswego, New York, marking the site’s strategic importance amid the colonial conflict between France and England. Initially met with skepticism, Burnet financed the fort’s construction, which became vital during subsequent military engagements, including the French and Indian War. The fort, later named Fort Ontario, underwent several renovations and served as a key military base for both British forces during the American Revolution and the War of 1812. Today, it stands as a historical site in Oswego.
Biography of Dr. Alden H. Steele
Dr. Alden H. Steele, born in 1823 in Oswego, New York, graduated from the University of New York and began his medical practice in Oswego. He moved to Oregon in 1849, later settling in Olympia, Washington, where he contributed significantly to local governance and healthcare. Steele served as a surgeon for various military posts and was actively involved in public duties, including his role as a medical inspector and examining surgeon for pensions. He is noted for being the first to use chloroform in surgery north of San Francisco.
Biography of John R. Kellogg
John R. Kellogg, born on July 20, 1830, in New York, was a pioneering educator and influential figure in Union County. After his education at Oberlin College, he taught in Ohio and Iowa before settling in La Grande, Oregon, where he improved his land and built a successful estate. Kellogg served as a fife major during the Civil War and was active in local politics and education, including leading a union Sunday school for three decades. He married Rocsa A. Hill and raised two adopted daughters, contributing significantly to the community’s development.
Biographical Sketch of Frank Billings
Frank Billings was a prominent merchant born on September 27, 1853, in Hastings, New York. He was the son of George Whitfield and Elizabeth Ann Warren Billings. Billings married Elizabeth Tod in Cleveland on April 18, 1895. He held significant roles, including president of The Tod Stambaugh Company and vice president of The Billings Chapin Company. Additionally, he served as a director for multiple banks and companies, and was a trustee for several hospitals and organizations, while being active in various local clubs.
Biographical Sketch of William Henry Garlock
William Henry Garlock, born August 13, 1842, in North Greece, New York, was the son of Elisha and Lucy Wilkinson Garlock. He received education at local schools and Falley Seminary in Fulton, where he later married Florence Adell Ingell. A Republican, Garlock taught school for seven winters before entering the men’s furnishing business in 1873 and establishing a laundry business in 1880. He served as president of The Garlock-Frazee Laundry Co., was a trustee of Dorcas Invalids Home, and was involved in Masonry. His leisure interest included travel.
Biography of Joseph Edward Exner
Joseph Edward Exner, born on November 10, 1861, in Savannah, New York, transitioned from a seasoned railroad engineer to a manufacturer in Coffeyville, Kansas. After 22 years in railroading, he founded the Coffeyville Shale Products Company, producing hollow building tiles. A prominent figure in local business, he also holds leadership positions in several other manufacturing concerns. Exner, who is politically active and a member of various fraternal organizations, married Nannie R. Worden, with whom he had three children. His contributions significantly shaped Coffeyville’s industrial landscape.
Biographical Sketch of Roland Edward Skeel
Roland Edward Skeel, born on February 9, 1869, in Fulton, New York, was a prominent physician who earned his M.D. from the University of Michigan in 1890. He served as Dean of Cleveland College Physicians and Surgeons from 1902 to 1910 and held a professorship in gynecology at Western Reserve University. Skeel was affiliated with several hospitals as a consulting and visiting gynecologist and was a member of the American Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Medical Association. He married Alva P. Boepple in 1893.
Kellog, John R. Major – Obituary
Major John R. Kellog, a prominent pioneer of Union County and one of its earliest settlers since 1862, passed away at the age of 74 at his home near La Grande. Born on July 20, 1830, in Oswego County, New York, Kellog was a well-respected community member, actively involved in church and Sunday school activities. His death leaves behind a widow, two adopted children, and a broad network of friends who mourn his loss.
Biographical Sketch of Rev. Father Crowe
Rev. Father Crowe, born in Oswego, New York, on September 19, 1851, had a diverse early career that included teaching and aspirations in law and medicine. In 1873, he dedicated himself to theology at the Grand Seminary in Montreal, leading to his ordination on December 22, 1877. After a brief tenure in Flora, Illinois, he became the Pastor of the Catholic Church in Mattoon in March 1878, where he also serves as President of the schools associated with the Ursuline Sisters.
Biography of John Henry Stewart
John Henry Stewart, born in Massachusetts in 1823, became a leading figure in San Bernardino. After moving to Illinois and marrying Charlotte Woodworth, he later relocated to California for health reasons. Despite a severe illness that left him disabled, Stewart thrived as a businessman, notably erecting San Bernardino’s first brick building. He remarried Martha Kenfield, who devotedly supported him for nearly three decades. Stewart was influential in local development, including the Silk Center Association, and left a sizable estate upon his death in 1885, benefiting his family and community.