President Harrison shops in downtown Utica, breaks bread with friend: This week in history

1896, 128 years ago

Distinguished shoppers

Downtown Utica workers and shoppers are surprised to see a former president of the United States and his wife walking in and out of stores along Genesee Street.

Benjamin and Mary Harrison are building a summer cottage between First and Second lakes near Old Forge in the Adirondacks and are buying most of its furnishings at J.B. Wells & Son and other nearby stores. Harrison was 23rd president from 1889 to 1893.

Before leaving the city, the Harrisons accept an invitation to dine with their friend, John Calder, in the Calder home on Rutger Street.

1924, 100 years ago

Elks celebrate

Members of the Utica Elks Club help Ilion Elks Lodge 1444 lay the cornerstone for its new home at Main and West streets. They are joined by hundreds of members of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks from throughout the state. Music is provided by the Elks Band of Utica and Ilion's Remington Typewriter Band.

Among those attending the ceremony are Amon W. Foote of Utica, secretary of the Elks' state association; Ilion's exalted ruler Dr. E.B. Manion; and George J. Winslow of Utica, the grand esteemed loyal knight who wields the trowel as the cornerstone is lowered into place.

1949, 75 years ago

Pay to park

Receipts from Utica's 1,350 parking meters reach an all-time high -- $97,893 last year. That means that on average, each meter brings in about $73 a year. Maintenance costs for each meter is about $13 a year.

Meanwhile, in the Utica Catholic Shovelboard League, Walter Roberts, of the Knights of St. John's team, finishes the season with a high average of 12.7. He beats out Charles Greer, of St. Mary's, by one-tenth of a point. Other top scorers are John Boduch and Peter Mielnik, of St. Mary's and Frank Berthold, of St. Francis de Sales, and Al Smith, of St. John's.

1974, 50 years ago

DAV commander

Helen Homer is the new commander of the Stars and Stripes Unit 82, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Auxiliary. Other officers include Mary Becker, senior vice commander; Waneta Timmany, junior vice commander, and Teresa Powers, treasurer.

1999, 25 years ago

Butterfield artifacts

Civil War artifacts belonging to Maj. Gen. Daniel Butterfield -- who was born and raised in Utica -- now are on display at the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Master Sgt. Jari Villaneuva, Arlington historian, says Butterfield's sword and spurs -- that he carried throughout the war -- are part of a display on the bugle call, "Taps." Butterfield co-composed the bugle call in 1862 during the war.

The display will be up for three years. A large sign tells visitors that the sword and spurs are property of the Oneida County Historical Society (today the Oneida County History Center). They were given to the society by the Butterfield family after his death in 1901. Butterfield had indicated that he wanted Oneida County also to have his Medal of Honor, mess kit and a piece of shrapnel that had hit and wounded him during the Battle of Gettysburg.

In other news, Jack Fox is elected commander of Remsen VFW Post 982. Others elected include Jim Williams, senior vice commander; Bob Perry, junior vice commander; Mitchell Weaver, quartermaster; Peter Vanderland Jr., advocate, and Frank Northop, surgeon. Joan Barnhart is elected president of the auxiliary. Other officers include Kristine Barnhart, senior vice president; Pat Northop, junior vice president; Barbra Chapple, chaplain; Evelyn Mandry, guard; Cheri Coe, treasurer, and Sue Bucrzinski, conductress.

In high school baseball, New York Mills defeated Dolgeville, 17 to 8. Among the hitting stars for the winners are Chris Mahoney (3 home runs, 7 RBIs) and Ryan Baker (2 hits).

A team of five students from New Hartford High School wins the annual Oneida County Envirothon by answering environmental questions on forestry, soil and wildlife. They are Tim Horn, Laura Halligan, Amanda Caulkins, Sarah Wilson and Gretchen Poulos. They competed against 55 other students from in the county.

2014, 10 years ago

Volunteers honored

The Presbyterian Home and Services in New Hartford honors volunteers in a ceremony headed by Angela Ramp, director of volunteer services. Honored are Susan Harris, Peter Molesky, Judy Brockway, Paul DeBlois, Kenneth Dickson and Leigh Ann McCullough.

Meanwhile, Nick Comenale, guard on the New York Mills High School basketball team, is named "state Class D player of the year" by sportswriters throughout the state. He led his team to a 23-1 season and the state Class D championship. He averaged 24.4 points a game.

Utica's American Legion Post 229 honors three members of the Utica Police Department: Capt. David Mickle, Lt. Louis Capri and Officer Ryan Kelly.

Trivia quiz

Name this president of the United States. He was born in Ohio. He graduated from Yale University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He and his wife, Helen, had three children -- Robert, Helen and Charles. First Lady Helen planted the first of thousands of cherry trees at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. He was a member of the Unitarian Church and wrote several books, including "Four Aspects of Civic Duty" and "Liberty Under Law." Among his cabinet members were Philander C. Knox (secretary of state) and Franklin MacVeagh (secretary of the treasury). (Answer will appear here next week.)

Answer to last week's question: President Bill Clinton, sworn in as 42nd president of the United States on Jan,. 20, 1993, had as cabinet members: Les Aspin (defense), Lloyd Bentsen (the treasury) and Warren Christopher (state).

This Week in History is researched and written by Frank Tomaino. E-mail him at ftomaino221@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Mohawk Valley history: Butterfield's Civil War artifacts on display