1905, 119 years ago
Sharps and Flats
Utica manufactures everything from knit goods to automobiles, shoes to fire extinguishers. But it has never made pianos. Until now, that is.
Franz Joseph Brambach, who once manufactured pianos in Bonn, Germany, then New York City and then Dolgeville, leases a three-story, brick building on Niagara Street in East Utica and plans to make 3,000 pianos a year there. He will employ about 200 workers.
1924, 100 years ago
'Clean' city
One of the largest and most colorful parades in Utica's history begins when 3,500 Knights Templar march down Genesee Street from the Parkway to the Masonic Temple, together with hundreds of musicians playing "Onward, Christian Soldiers." It's all part of the 111th conclave of the Grand Commandery of the State of New York, hosted by Utica Commandery No. 3.
State Grand Commander Allen Hastings, of Olean, says, "Utica is one of the oldest, most historic cities in the state and one of the cleanest. When I return to Olean, I am going to suggest its citizens and politicians follow Utica's example and pave all its streets and learn how to keep them clean."
1949, 75 years ago
New commander
Michael Halenar, of Clayville, is the new commander of Glenn D. Wicks Post 231, American Legion
1974, 25 years ago
Ford visit
Vice President Gerald Ford attends a co*cktail party in his honor at the Oneida County Airport in Oriskany. Utica Mayor Edward A. Hanna asks the vice president what Washington can do about getting more industry for the Utica area. Ford replies: "I assure you that I will work with your Congressman Don Mitchell to help this area. There are things that the federal government can do in partnership with state and local governments."
Meanwhile. Utica Branch No. 306 of the Fleet Reserve Association presents scholarships to area high school students, including Jeffrey Law, of Holland Patent High School; Kathleen Bradley. of St. Francis deSales, and John Devins, of Thomas R. Proctor High.
Vincent R. Corrou dies at age 74. The Democrat was mayor of Utica for four consecutive two-year terms (1936-1944). He also was a major leader in the city's "loom-to-boom" era when most of its knitting mills moved away and new companies moved in -- such as Chicago Pneumatic Tool, General Electric, Bendix Aviation and Sperry-Rand UNIVAC. He was head of the Chamber of Commerce's industrial-business development division at the time.
1999, 25 years ago
Relay raises money
More than 1,500 runners participate in the Relay for Life and raise nearly $200,000 for the American Cancer Society of Oneida-Herkimer Counties. Robert Elinskas in coordinator of the event.
The St. Elizabeth Medical Center's Franklin Club honors Nicholas Matt, president of the FX Matt Brewing Company, as its "humanitarian of the year." Dr. Kenneth K. Kim, orthopedic surgeon, receives its "Excelsior Award." Matt has been a leader and supporter in bringing a cardiac surgery program to the region. Kim is past president of the hospital's medical staff and chairs the St. Elizabeth College of Nursing.
The Wicks-Staley Post 231 Auxiliuary in Clayville elects Arlene Mikalauskas as its president. Other officers elected include: Dorothy Crowe, first vice president; Dorothy Bradbury, second vice president; Linda Monescalchi, recording secretary; Betty Kness, treasurer; Sandra Lewis, chaplain; June Leiter, historian, and Carol English Twitchell, sergeant-at-arms.
Bradley M. Kowalczyk is elected to the board of directors of the Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Other board elections include: George O'Connell, chairperson; Gary Gildersleeve and Laura O'Donnell, vice chairpersons; James B. Turnbull III, treasurer, and Kenneth C. Thayer, secretary.
In Oneida County American Legion baseball, Love Post defeats New Hartford, 12 to 11, behind the hitting of Justin Reed and Bart Paczkowski.
And Rome Mayor Joseph Griffo is elected first vice president of the New York State Conference of Mayors.
2014, 10 years ago
Zonta elects
The Zonta Club of Utica elects Kim Guarascio as its president. Other officers elected include Carla Percia, first vice president; Jennifer Yanowitz, second vice president; Bea Allison, corresponding secretary; Ellen Cucci, recording secretary, and Dianne DiMeo, treasurer. Directors include Lisa Bronk, Colleen Noga, Cristel Byrne, Sandro DePerno and Marilyn Skermont.
The Frankfort Police Department has added four part-time officers to its force - Timothy Klock, Kenneth Gates, Michael Baker and Matthew Howard.
The Utica Public Library announces first-place winners in its Imagination Unlimited Youth Art Contest. They include -- ages 5-7 Nathaniel Matthews, ages 10-12 Janay Coney, ages 13-15 Danielle Mangini, ages 16-18 Abya Htoo, Peoples Choice Katleyn Broat, Overall Excellence Danielle Mangini and Imagination Unlimited Awards Veronica Matthew.
Trivia quiz
Who was president of the United States when the Oneida Historical Society (today the Oneida County History Center) was established? Who was president when Utica was incorporated as a city? When was Rome incorporated as a city? When did Sherrill become a city? When did Little Falls become a city? When was Fountain Elms -- the Italianate house on the Munson campus -- completed? When was Oneida County formed? (Answers will appear here next week.)
Answer to last week's question: Andrew Jackson, seventh president of the United States from 1829-1837, was 13 years old when he joined the American army during the Revolutionary War. He was a mounted orderly who carried messages but did participate in several skirmishes.
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: Vice president Ford visits for co*cktail party: This week in history
