Young Kilmer received an academic education at Cobleskill, and afterward went to Philadelphia, where he studied medicine with the celebrated Dr. Agnew, and attended lectures at Jefferson Medical College, of that city. He proceeded from there to Bellevue Medical College in New York City, and thence to Albany Medical College, Albany, N. Y., and later to Bennett Medical College, Chicago, Ill., taking degrees from three of these institutions. He returned to his native town of Cobleskill, but spent the best part of several years in giving medical lectures through the country, his tours extending from Wisconsin to Maine. He had patients in Chicago, Binghamton, and many other places. He finally settled in Binghamton, and, while having general practice, devotes his attention more particularly to his hygienic or sanitary institutions.
His first hydrotherapium, as it is named, was built at Sanitaria Springs, N. Y., where he has upward of one hundred acres laid out in parks, gardens, and drives, with thirty-seven acres of beautiful wild woods and dense groves---all at the pleasure of the guests. On these grounds are thirteen different mineral springs and eighteen fresh-water springs, one of them being the sulpho-phosphate spring, which throws off thousands of particles of white light, the like of which is not known in the world, scientists not being able to determine whether it is a phosphorescent or electric light. It attracts the attention of learned men from all over the country. This fine hydrotherapium, two hundred and twenty by sixty feet, four stories high, steam-heated, with electric lights, elevator, and fire-escapes, accommodates over one hundred and twenty-five patients. The building, it is claimed, is the best lighted and ventilated in the world, every room having two windows, and is admirably equipped with all the modern means of applying electricity medically, in combination with the phenomenal mineral water. It is constantly filled with people from New York to California, the West India Islands, and other places, who enjoy here a pleasant home, and in a quiet and elegant residence receive the best treatment. It is seldom that there are less than one hundred patients in the institution. There are excellent outside buildings for engines as well as stables and barns. Besides this immense establishment Dr. Kilmer is contemplating the construction of others at Saratoga, N. Y., Newport, R. I., and in the dry pineries of Georgia.
Dr. Kilmer, while being a progressive and public-spirited man, is too busy in his profession to aspire to any office within the gift of the people, and, though repeatedly offered the Mayoralty of Binghamton, N. Y., has resolutely declined the honor. He belongs to the Masonic Order, being in the Binghamton Lodge, Binghamton Chapter, the Malta Commandery, and the Ziarya Consistory of Utica, which brings him to the thirty-second degree of the Free and Accepted Masons. He was one of the charter members of the Wamsutta Tribe of the Improved Order of Red Men. He married Miss Hattie Maria Wetsel, of Schoharie, who died December 25, 1890, leaving three children---D. Ulysses, M. Edith, and M. Hattie. The son is connected with his father in business. Dr. Kilmer and family are strict members of the Presbyterian church.
Source: pages 425-426.
ELMER A. KING, a farmer and lumber-dealer of the village of Windsor, N. Y., was born July 1, 1844, in Starrucca, Wayne County, Pa., son of Robert K. and Minerva (Tallman) King, both of that county. Benjamin C. King, father of Robert K., was a native of Connecticut, a farmer and lumberman. He removed to Mount Pleasant Township, Wayne County, Pa., in the early years of the settlement, where he carried on these occupations. He was a Democrat of the old school, and served as Justice of the Peace for many years. His death occurred when he was seventy-six years of age. He had a family of three sons and five daughters, of whom only two are living: Benjamin C., Jr., residing in Wayne County, Pennsylvania; and Mrs. Pamelia Crator, who lives in Chittenango, Madison County, N. Y. Robert K. King was a leading and practical man of Starrucca Borough, and carried on mixed farming and dairying. He owned a good piece of land of one hundred and ten acres, upon which he resided many years. He died here in August of 1887, aged seventy-three years. His wife, who survives him, still resides at this old home farm in Wayne County, and is about seventy-two years of age. He followed his father's political sentiments in being a Democrat. Of his eleven children, seven are now living, namely: Mrs. Ann Starbrid, wife of Irving Starbrid---they reside in Preston Township, Wayne County, Pa.; Elmer A.; Ellen, wife of Henry Hill, of Wayne County; Clarence, of Binghamton, N. Y.; Melinda, wife of David H. Cole, residing on the old King homestead in Wayne County; Ada, Mrs. Wesley Peck, of Forest City, Lackawanna County, Pa.; Robert B., a lumberman in the village of Windsor.
The subject of this sketch received his education in the district schools of Wayne County, and at the age of eighteen began lumbering, which has been his business nearly all his life. He is well known along the Delaware River, where for eighteen years he carried on his business. His residence was in Wayne County previous to 1880; and in that year he removed to Brandt, Susquehanna County, and engaged in the lumber business for six years. In 1886 he came to Windsor, where he is now engaged in farming in connection with his lumber trade. He owns a half-interest in a first-class saw-mill, and is a partner of Mr. Whitmore Dusenbury, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this book. This firm manufacture all kinds of building and railroad lumber, turning out from four thousand to twelve thousand feet a day, and employ about twenty men the year round.
Mr. Elmer A. King was married in 1868 to Miss Almira La Barre, who was born in Wayne County, Pennsylvania, a daughter of George and Jerusha (Geer) La Barre. Mr. King and wife have a family of four children, Nellie, Josephine, Minerva, and Benjamin. They have a delightful home, and enjoy the society of hosts of friends. They attend the Presbyterian church; and Mr. King votes in the same party which his father and grandfather indorsed and upheld---the Democratic. In the Order of Free and Accepted Masons he maintains a good standing, being a member of Windsor Lodge, No. 442. He is also a Knight of Honor. Mr. King has just entered the year which will round his half-century, and is in the prime of life. He has been industrious, and has met with success in his financial ventures, which have been managed with sound judgment ripened by years of experience.
Source: pages 489-490.
CHARLES P. KNAPP, Cashier of the Deposit National Bank, is one of the enterprising citizens of this place. He has contributed largely, both in money and influence, to advance the interests of this part of the county. A glance at the village of Deposit will indicate what manner of men have the controlling power, and will show the sort of public spirit they possess. The electric lights, water-works, soldiers' monument, and various other public improvements would be creditable to a town four times its size; and Mr. Knapp has done his full share toward bringing these about. He is emphatically a Deposit man, having always made this village his home, and being familiarly known throughout the entire community. The bank of which he is the Cashier was started in 1854 as a private institution, being established by the Hon. Charles Knapp, his grandfather, who was one of the most prominent men of his time in this part of the State. (See sketch on another page.) In 1864 it became a National Bank, its number under the national banking laws being 472.
The present President is Charles J. Knapp, of Binghamton; the Vice-President, Charles Maples, of New York City. The Cashier, Charles P. Knapp, and the Assistant Cashier, Charles Pinkney, are residents of Deposit. The bank is on the soundest financial basis, and has never failed to pay its five per cent. semi-annual dividend, which is good evidence of the character of its management and something of an index of the prosperity of the village and community. The father of Charles P. was James H. Knapp, who was also interested in the bank, and was its President from July, 1880, until his death, which occurred November 13, 1887. He had previously been one of the bank's cashiers and vice-presidents, and was elected Director January 9, 1866. He was a business man, and did not interest himself particularly in politics. His widow, the mother of Charles P., is living at Deposit, and is a lady of fifty years, possessing rare qualities of mind and heart, with the intelligence and refinement of the true woman.
The subject of this sketch is an only child. He was born May 16, 1863, and was brought up in the village of Deposit. He attended the well-known Phillips (Exeter, N. H.) Academy, one of the best preparatory schools in this country, from 1880 to 1884. His father being in poor health, he was called to assist in the bank November 1, 1884, and ranked as Teller. On February 17, 1888, he was elected to his present responsible position, which he has ably filled, contributing largely to the prosperity of the institution. Mr. Knapp is the President of the Deposit Board of Trade; and it has been through the untiring energy of this organization, made up mainly of the young men of Deposit, that the place has secured its varied industries, and has attained the proud distinction of being the most progressive place of its size on the road. Mr. Knapp is also a stockholder and prime mover in the Deposit Electric Company. Fraternally, he is High Priest of Deposit Chapter and Past Master of Deposit Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and is a member of Malta Commandery, No. 21, at Binghamton, and of the Otseningo Consistory, S. P. R. R., of Binghamton. Socially, he is a gentleman whom it is a pleasure to meet, genial and courteous, having the characteristics that make an agreeable companion and faithful friend.
Source: page 791-792.
There were 349 visitors from 28 Apr 2007 to 30 Jul 2011.
© Tim Stowell 2007-2011
All biographies are from Biographical Review - The Leading Citizens of Broome County, New York
Boston - Biographical Review Publishing Company - 1894
Biographies Index
Broome Co, NY Page
since 30 Jul 2011 -- thanks for stopping by!
Last updated: 30 Jul 2011
Email: Tim Stowell