With no first lady, president finds 'official hostess' near Utica: This week in history

1885, 138 years ago

Onward to Washington

A White House aide from Washington approaches a man near the train depot on Main Street in Utica and asks for directions to Holland Patent. He gets them and then hires a carriage to the picturesque village 14 miles to the north.

He finds the house he is looking for at Main and Elm streets, knocks on the door and is greeted by a woman who introduces herself as Rose Cleveland. Their conversion goes something like this:

"I have a message from your brother," the aide says. "Will you move to Washington, into the White House and become the country's official hostess?"

"Yes," replies Cleveland. "I will be honored to do so."

Two weeks ago, Grover Cleveland was sworn in as 22nd president of the United States. He is a bachelor and needs a "first lady" — someone to preside at the White House and fulfill all social demands. That includes arranging and hosting all official state dinners and greeting important visitors from throughout the world. So his sister, 38-year-old Rose Cleveland, heads for Washington as its "official hostess."

(She held the title for 15 months for on June 2, 1886, the 49-year-old president and 21-year-old Frances Folsom were married in the Blue Room in the White House. The Marine Band — led by John Philip Sousa — supplied the music.

(Most historians today agree that Rose Cleveland "fulfilled all social demands as official hostess most creditably." That should not have surprised anyone for she was well educated, and a successful author and editor. After her duties at the White House ended, she returned to Holland Patent.)

Mohawk Valley history:Blizzard of 1888 strands Utica's Roscoe Conkling

This week in Mohawk Valley history:Woolworth's is born in Utica

Utica history:Here's what the president said to a crowd on Main Street

1923, 100 years ago

Civil War hero

J. Albert Jennison, one of Oneida County's heroes of the Civil War, dies at age 90. He fought with the 146th Infantry Regiment, New York Volunteers (the Fifth Oneida) in 22 battles from Fredericksburg to Gettysburg to Appomattox and rose through the ranks from private to captain.

He earned many decorations and is best remembered for his actions during the Battle of the Wilderness in Virginia in May 1864. There he risked his life to save an American flag from falling into the hands of Confederate soldiers after it had fallen to the ground. He picked it up and found himself being chased and shot at by enemy troops.

Twice he fell, but each time got up and refused to surrender the flag. He was clutching it to his chest when he finally was rescued by Union Army troops. After the war, the flag was presented to the Oneida County Historical Society (today the Oneida County History Center.)

1948, 75 years ago

GOP elects

Frank Dulan, deputy Oneida County treasurer (and future mayor of Utica), is elected president of the Association of Young Republicans of Utica. Other officers include: W. Roger Pratt, first vice president, and Attilio F. Cucci, treasurer.

1973, 50 years ago

Jobs for veterans

Nearly 500 Vietnam War veterans in Oneida and Herkimer counties have jobs, thanks to the nine-county, Utica-headquartered National Alliance of Businessmen. The voluntary group finds jobs and provides training for unemployed veterans. Some companies and the number of veterans they have hired: Chicago Pneumatic Tool, 72; Union Fork & Hoe, 26; Revere Copper and Brass, 83; Mohawk Data Sciences, 31; Special Metals, 21, and Rome Cable, 31.

George Watson, of the Verona Fire Department, is installed as president of the Oneida County Fire Chiefs Association.

Winners of the three-game high in the Rose Spiel at the Utica Curling Club is the foursome of Bonnie Muench, Rita Johnston, Don Hogan and George Johnston.

1998, 25 years ago

Happy birthday

On March 15, 1798, the state Legislature in Albany took land from western Herkimer County and formed Oneida County. This week, the county begins to celebrate its 200th birthday with two events: a 25-mile cross country relay run along Route 5 (the Seneca Turnpike) from Oneida Castle to the Masonic Home in Utica, and the opening of a Bicentennial Exhibit at the Oneida County Historical Society. Oneida County Historian Joe Kelly says, "The relay run and the exhibit this month are not the end of our bicentennial celebration. We are going through December 31st with many other events."

Danny Fusco, the "radio voice and legend" in Utica and vicinity for more than a half century, dies at age 76. His son, Michael, says, "He invented talk on radio before talk was cool." He not only talked, but spun records and discussed with his many listeners their food recipes. Bill Heiderich, general manager of Radio WIBX, says, "Danny reached people on his programs like I don't think anybody else could. He had such a unique approach and friendliness over the air. Radio was his first love."

Louis Turro, music teacher at Whitesboro Central School for 33 years and music department chairman for 23, receives the prestigious New York State School Music Education Award at a performance in Syracuse by the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra.

2013, 10 years ago

Mayors elected

Area communities elect mayors and they include: George Morey in Barneveld, Michael Kramer in Boonville, Michael Wolzmuth in Camden, Jack Lane in Clinton, Michael Bennison in Holland Patent, Craig Fox in Middleville, Ashley Hennings in Newport, John Deschamps in Oneida Castle, John Misiaszek in Oriskany Falls, Brian Cleary in Poland, Francis Stacy in Remsen, Gregory Horan in Sylvan Beach, Ruben Ostrander in Waterville, Andrew Bryce in West Winfield and Raymond Daviau in Whitesboro.

The Whitestown Wolfpack Squirts win the Pepsi Youth Hockey Tournament in Buffalo by defeating the Camillus Cougars, 4-2. Players include: Jared Adasek, Ava Broccoli, Nicholas Carney, Trent Dowd, Connor Grezeschzuk, Brett Longway, Cole Martin, Alexander Mastro, Morgan Misiaszek, John Pawloski, Nicholas Roberts, Cian Simmons, Christopher Steeper, Aiden Stephens, Corey Urbanke and Ethan Vernold. Head coach is Chris Steeper, assisted by Jordan Burdick, Brian Longway, Mike Pawloski and Steve Urbanke.

Trivia quiz

Who was the first U.S. president born in a hospital? (a) Martin Van Buren, (b) Rutherford B. Hayes, (c) John F. Kennedy or (d) Jimmy Carter. (Answer will appear here next week.)

Answer to last week's question: In November 2008, Democrat Barack Obama defeated Republican John McCain to become 44th president of the United States.

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: Holland Patent woman is U.S. 'official hostess': Mohawk Valley history