Utican named US treasurer, President Truman makes a stop: This week in Mohawk Valley history

1897, 126 years ago

Utican in Washington

Ellis H. Roberts, a native of Utica and former editor of the Utica Morning Herald, is appointed treasurer of the United States by President William McKinley. As the federal government's banker, the 70-year-old Roberts will receive all money paid to the government and issue all checks to pay for its expenditures. His signature will appear on all of the government's paper currency.

Ellis attended the Whitestown Seminary before entering Yale College. He was the first editor of the Yale Literary Magazine and graduated in 1850. He returned to Utica and was named principal of Utica Free Academy.

He later joined the Utica Morning Herald as its editor and eventually became its owner. The newspaper supported the principles of the new Republican Party, and the party supported him in 1870 when he was elected to the House of Representatives.

Four years ago, he became president of the Franklin National Bank in New York City but remained a member of the Oneida County Historical Society (today the Oneida County History Center) and the Fort Schuyler Club. He had served as president of both organizations.

1923, 100 years ago

New nurses

Ten area women receive nursing diplomas at graduation ceremonies at St. Luke's Hospital Training School. Frederick T. Proctor, president of the hospital's board of managers, presents diplomas to Florence Smith, Harriet Edell, Alma Brown, Agnes Rourke, Ethel Phillips, Marie Triumpho, Anna Ogden, Loretta Brady, Mildred Harrer and Marie Lawrence.

1948, 75 years ago

Truman visit

More than 5,000 jam Utica's Union Station to see and hear President Harry Truman on his whistle-stop, re-election tour. His 15-minute stop is highlighted by off-the-cuff remarks about his Republican opponent, New York Gov. Thomas E. Dewey. The president introduces his wife, Bess, to the crowd and calls her "my boss." (Truman defeated Dewey in November.)

1973, 50 years ago

Parkway is one-way

Utica's Memorial Parkway now is a one-way east street and Plesant Street is one-way west. It is part of a more than $2 million Parkway-Culver Avenue state project to improve traffic flow in the area.

Meanwhile, the Sacred Heart of Jesus Polish National Church of New York Mills celebrates its 50th anniversary with a banquet headed by the Very Rev. Stanley Skrzkpek (pastor), Mayor John Pietryka of New York Mills and Mayor Frank Robak of Yorkville.

In other news, Max Bergmaier and Angelo Cangello are chairmen of the Utica Maennerchor's annual October Fest.

And Winston G. Kelly is the new president of the Whitestown Kiwanis Club.

1998, 25 years ago

Benedetto honored

Richard Benedetto, a native of Utica who is a founding member of USA TODAY and its White House/political correspondent, receives a Media Award from the National Italian-American Foundation Media Institute for "making a significant contribution to the image of Italian-Americans in the media and who has, through professional and personal achievements, represented the best of the Italian-American culture."

He is a graduate of Thomas R. Proctor High, Utica College of Syracuse University and received a master's degree in journalism from the Newhouse School of Syracuse University. The university awarded him an honorary doctorate in 1992.

He was a reporter and columnist for the Observer-Dispatch in Utica. (This October 12th, Benedetto will return to Utica to be the main speaker at a dinner sponsored by the Italian Heritage Club of the Mohawk Valley at the Twin Ponds Golf and Country Club.)

In high school football, Adirondack defeats Clinton, 52 to 32. Jason Croniser has three touchdowns for the winners on runs of 15, 3 and 23 yards. Chad Bourgeois has two scores, one on a 48-yard run. Also, quarterback Shawn Hutchins tosses an 11-yard touchdown pass to his twin brother, Tim. Clinton's Dan Irizarry has two touchdowns.

The History Club in Whitesboro announces the winners of its photo contest. They are Margaret Marley of Prospect, Fred Capozella and J. F. Walters of Utica and Cheryl Pula of New York Mills.

2013, 10 years ago

Manfred promoted

Rob Manfred, a 1976 graduate of Rome Free Academy, is promoted to chief operating officer for major league baseball. It makes him a leading contender to succeed Bud Selig as baseball commissioner. (He did and is now commissioner.)

Manfred graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial and labor relations. He then graduated from the Harvard Law School where he was editor of the Harvard Law Review.

In high school girls soccer, Poland defeats Remsen in overtime, 3 to 2. Poland is led by Mikayla Blumenstock, Paige Sullivan and Shiane Irwin. Remsen gets outstanding play from Joleen Marfone, Elisha Hamilton and Brittany Waterbury.

Hillary Clinton addresses a large crowd in Hamilton College's Margaret Bundy Scott Field House and says, "There is a need for all political parties to work together and not put individual needs in front of what is best for the nation."

Trivia quiz

Early U.S. presidents wore knee-length breeches to their inaugurations. Who was the first president to wear long trousers at his swearing-in ceremony? (a) Thomas Jefferson, (b) John Quincy Adams, (c) Martin Van Buren or (d) Abraham Lincoln. (Answer will appear here next week.)

Answer to last week's question: Henry Clay ran and lost three presidential elections (in 1840, 1844 and 1848). He also twice refused to run for vice president under winning candidates who later died in office (William Henry Harrison and Zachary Taylor).

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: Presidential visits and local MLB connections