Mr. Ephraim Chamberlain was a Treasurer for U.S.C. Mills and once called the CoLa Neighborhood home. According to this Oneida County Genealogy directory, Ephraim's home was 94 Fayette, which is today 418 Lafayette Street.. He was once President of the Savings Bank of Utica, and also Mayor of Utica. More rich CoLa history and central to Utica's growth.
July 25, 2019 - Today' a's Utica newspaper headline reads, Utica Mayors: From bookkeeper to astute business leader and states that, "The Utica Observer once described Ephraim Chamberlain as a man “possessed of rare business qualifications, endowed with remarkable perseverance and energy.”
Ephraim Chamberlain was nearly fifty years prominently associated with the leading manufacturing interests of Utica. Coming here a friendless boy of twenty he gradually rose to the highest and most honored spheres of citizenship, and throughout a useful career enjoyed universal respect and esteem.
Ephraim Chamberlain was born in the town of Burlington, Otsego county, on the 2nd day of January, 1825. By dint of perseverance and constant application, by studying at night under the flickering rays of a candle, he secured a better knowledge of the ordinary English branches than many boys of the day acquired, and having completed his schooling at the age of sixteen he entered upon the active duties of a business life. He first became a clerk in the country store of his uncle, Ephraim Chamberlain, at West Edmeston, Otsego county, where he remained until 1845, when he came to Utica as a clerk in the canal collector's office.
He continued in that capacity until 1849, excepting one year spent in the employ of a dry goods store in the city. In February, 1849, he entered upon the duties of bookkeeper for the newly organized Utica Steam Cotton Mills, of which the late Alfred Munson was the first president. This corporation had been formed in January, 1847, with Theodore S. Faxton, Silas D. Childs, Alfred Munson, Charles A. Mann, Edmund A. Graham, Andrew S. Pond, and Horatio Seymour as trustees, and the legislative act creating it took effect February 17, 1848. The first building was still unfinished when, late in the latter year, Mr. Chamberlain applied in person to President Munson for the position, and after giving his references and answering some questions left with the impression that his chances for securing it were very slight indeed because of the numerous applicants who had preceded him. But a few weeks later he was offered the place, which he accepted, thus connecting himself with a corporation with the success of which he was ever afterward associated.
In 1854 Mr. Chamberlain was appointed treasurer of the company and in 1859 became also its secretary, and continued in these two capacities for many years. Under his efficient management the financial affairs of the concern were conducted upon a sound and prosperous basis, and to him is largely due its long career of success. In 1882 he was elected a trustee, in 1889 the vice-president, and in January, 1890, president, which latter office he held until his death on September 17, 1895. He administered the duties of these several positions with the highest efficiency, won the entire confidence of all his associates, and made the establishment one of the most profitable of the kind in the State. His business ability was universally acknowledged, his integrity was never questioned. He was a man of great force of character, enterprising, public spirited, and just, energetic, and companion able.
He was one of the incorporators and an original director of the Mohawk Valley Cotton Mills and the Utica Willowvale Bleaching Company, and became secretary and treasurer of both corporations. He was the oldest member of the board of trustees of the Utica Savings Bank, having been elected to that position in 1866; in 1875 he was elected its second vice-president, in 1888 first vice-president, and in 1889 succeeded the late judge Bacon as president. He was also for many years a director and vice-president of the Oneida National Bank.
In politics he was a lifelong Democrat. He was a member of the Common Council from the old Third ward in 1856-57 and in 1869 was elected mayor of the city of Utica, being for several years before his death the oldest living ex-mayor. His life was one of rare completeness. He possessed the highest attributes of citizenship, and proved that one born amidst humble surroundings may reach the loftiest pinnacle of usefulness and successful attainment.
From the web: "Ephraim Chamberlain of Utica, 49-56, 004" [Ref.] Oneida County is named after the Oneida (Iroguois) Indiand tribe that once occupied the area. In 1798, Oneida County was created from parts of Herkimer County. This book consists of lists of public records in Oneida County, NY. This document is not intended to be a transcription or a summary of contents. This Table of Contents was prepared for the purposes of assisting researchers in locating Chamberl* ancestors in this particular Black Book. The original Black Book is available to researchers at the New England Historic Genealogical Society, in Boston, Massachusetts.
Learn about other People and Companies of Downtown Utica's CoLa Neighborhood.
We're not opposed to a new hospital, just do not bulldoze Downtown Utica's Historic Columbia-Lafayette Neighborhood... "Build It At St. Luke's!"