C. Henry Putnam was the prime mover in establishing the Electric Light Plant in Deposit, the company being incorporated under the laws of the State and adopting the Thompson-Houston system. The stock was divided into twelve equal shares of two thousand dollars each, and taken by the following persons: Charles P. Knapp, Charles N. Snow, Charles Pinckney, Charles A. Wheeler, Charles R. Smith, Charles M. Putnam, Charles H. Putnam, Paul Devereux, Dr. B. E. Radeker, A. F. Wickwire, A. S. Wickwire, and E. Frank Smith. This enterprise, thus fostered by the citizens of the place, required the work of a thorough and able organizer; and Mr. C. H. Putnam not only proposed the plan, but was largely instrumental in securing the necessary funds to accomplish the work. He has been the foreman of the Ward Hose Company, and is the present drill-master of that organization; and, under his tutelage, the company have been able to carry away a number of prizes in competition with the best companies of the State. He also takes an interest in the educational affairs of the village, and for six years has been a member of the Board of Education.
Mr. Putnam was married in 1885 to Emma DeMoney, a daughter of Duane DeMoney, of Deposit. They have three sons, George, Frederick, and Arthur. Socially, Mr. Putnam is a gentleman who will bear acquaintance, and is most highly appreciated by those who know him best. He is First Chancellor Commander of Deposit Lodge, Knights of Pythias. Politically, he is a Republican; and, while not a strict partisan in the sense of making a surrender of his entire individuality, he is a firm and decided adherent of the principles of that political organization. He has no patience with political shirks or with that fossiliferous element always pervading the political field. He believes in activity and progress, and is always found in the front rank, contending for all that is best in society, business, or politics. The village of Deposit is particularly fortunate in the character of its young business men, and among them none are deserving of higher commendation than C. Henry Putnam.
Source: pages 505-506.
CHARLES M. PUTNAM, who has been for many years actively and successfully engaged in business in the village of Deposit, Broome County, N.Y., was born in Kortright, Delaware County, December 16, 1826. There are in Deposit quite a number of enterprising men, possessing excellent business qualifications, who are fully alive to the interests of the town, and who have mainly been instrumental in establishing here the various industries and improvements to be seen on every hand; and Mr. Putnam has long been one of the most prominent workers among them --- active, enthusiastic, and energetic to such an extent as to be known as the youngest elderly man in the place.
His father, Jeremiah Putnam, who was born at Fairfield, Conn., married in New York State Hannah Roe, a native of Albany County. After living for a time in Kortright, they removed to Blenheim, Schoharie County, thence to Harpersfield, where the mother died at forty-five years of age. The father then came to Deposit, and made his home with his son Charles until the time of his death, when seventy-nine years old. He was a shoemaker by trade, and twice enlisted in the War of 1812, serving until peace was declared at Ghent, December 24, 1814. He had considerable experience as a soldier, and fought in quite a number of battles. He was cook for the regiment a part of the time, and was a man who could turn his hand to almost anything. Jeremiah and Hannah (Roe) Putnam were the parents of thirteen children, eight of whom reached maturity and had families of their own, namely: Jonathan, who is now seventy-three years old, and is a farmer in Sangamon County, Illinois; Polly, who became the wife of William Burton, and died in the town of Jefferson in Schoharie County, N.Y.; Caroline, who became the wife of Byron S. Owen, and who died in the town of Sanford; Charles M.; Sarah, wife of Horace Pierce, living in Harpersfield, Delaware County; Cynthia, wife of Alexander Campbell, of Maryland, Otsego County, N.Y.; Samuel, a farmer in Sangamon County, Illinois; and Maria, wife of Almon Allen, living in the town of Jefferson, Schoharie County.
Charles M. Putnam was educated in the common schools of Delaware and Schoharie Counties. While yet a boy, he learned the trade of tanner, which he thoroughly understood in all its details. He worked at this trade in Delaware County, New York, and what is now Bryant, Pa., where for five years he was in charge of Burt Brothers' tannery. He then accepted a position in the tannery of Alvin Devereaux, near Deposit, and was foreman from 1852 till about the time of the breaking out of the Civil War. Meanwhile he had been industrious and saving, and had laid up some money; and, as an opportunity now afforded for entering into business, he formed a partnership with James S. Minor, and bought out N. A. Egleston's stock of merchandise. They continued together through many years of profitable trade, increasing their capital and acquiring lands and other property. Mr. Putnam is the Superintendent of the Deposit Water Company, which is regularly incorporated under the laws of the State. He was one of the prime movers in its organization, and deserves great credit, not only for his part in originating, but for pushing to a successful conclusion this undertaking, which supplies the village with an abundant supply of spring water taken from Big Hollow Creek up in the hills, about one and one-half miles distant. It is operated upon the gravity system, having one hundred and fifty-six feet elevation. Mr. Putnam was connected some years ago with the Fire Department. He has been always alive to every movement calculated to promote the common weal, his ripe thought and mature judgment being of inestimable value in all deliberations for the furtherance of public enterprises. He has an interest in the Deposit Iron Company and the Deposit Manufacturing Company, and has accumulated a considerable property, solely by his own intelligent and persistent endeavors.
Charles M. Putnam was first married to Mary E. Wright, of Davenport, Delaware County, N.Y., who died in 1853, without children. He was married again in 1855 to Miss H. E. Burrows, a daughter of John B. Burrows, of Tompkins, Delaware County. By this union were seven children, three of whom are now living, namely: C. Henry, the junior member of the firm of C. M. Putnam & Son, whose biography will be found in this volume; Walter J., a coal-dealer in Deposit, who was married to Jennie Butler, and has one child; and Jessie, who lives at home with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Putnam are members of the Baptist church, of which he is the present Treasurer and has been a Trustee. Politically, he is a Republican.
The life of Mr. Putnam, who bears a name honored for stanch patriotism, bravery, and integrity, affords pleasing evidence that he has that true and exalted idea of manhood which rises above the selfish interest of the person, and works for the common good of all. His influence and power have been felt in material things; but those who know him best are able to recognize in him a higher light and a nobler impulse from that spiritual law which governs and controls the baser elements of human nature, keeping in subjection selfish inclinations, so that he has sympathy and love for all humanity, and would gladly, if he could, extend the benefits of health, comfort, and happiness to all the race. While ever ready with the hand of help, he knows that there is something beyond the realm of human activities, a greater happiness and a more abundant joy, which is not his to give, but yet may be had by all men without money and without price.
The excellent portrait of Mr. Putnam herewith presented shows a man who has lightly felt the touch of the more than threescore winters which have silvered his hair, but have left him with eyes not dim and his zest of life not abated. With elastic step and spirits ever light, he continues young, hopeful, and daring for works of improvement. It is quite possible that at least one-half the secret of his well-preserved health, his mental and physical vigor, at an age when most people have begun to grow old, may lie in the fact that he is a cyclist. It has been well said that "a man is only as old as he feels," and that one step toward securing a "youthful old age" is to take plenty of outdoor exercise. A popular poet happily voices the exhilarating effects of cycling, which as a pleasurable mode of locomotion would seem to fall little short of flying:---
Source: pages 232-236.
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© Tim Stowell 2007-2013
Good-morning, fellow-wheelmen: here's a warm, fraternal hand,
As with a rush of victory we sweep across the land!
If some may be dissatisfied to view the way we ride,
We only wish their majesties could wander by our side!
For we are good philanthropists,---
Unqualified philanthropists,---
And would not have our happiness to any one denied.
We claim a great utility that daily must increase;
We claim for inactivity a bright and grand release;
A constant mental, physical, and morel help we feel,
Which bids us turn enthusiasts, and bless the silent wheel!
All biographies are from Biographical Review - The Leading Citizens of Broome County, New York
Boston - Biographical Review Publishing Company - 1894
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Broome Co, NY Page
since 30 Jul 2011 -- thanks for stopping by!
Last updated: 21 Jan 2013
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