Utica's first school opens, cutlery company makes pocket knives: Mohawk Valley history
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1797, 226 years ago
First school opens
The first school in Utica (the hamlet was called Old Fort Schuyler at the time) opens on the south side of Main Street, between First and Second streets. It is a one-room, private school for boys only and is uncomfortable and gloomy. Its teacher is Joseph Dana, who is said to be an excellent teacher known for keeping order and discipline.
The two oldest pupils sit at a writing bench, but the others sit on backless benches. They are taught reading, writing, arithmetic, geography and history. The room is heated by a wood-burning stove. (Dana later taught school in nearby Deerfield and Westmoreland. Little is known about him, but we do know that he enlisted in the army during the War of 1812 and rose to the rank of sergeant.)
1923, 100 years ago
Utican directs stars
Five years ago, he was putting on amateur theatrical shows in his hometown of Utica. Today, he is one of Hollywood's leading movie directors. Josef J. Franz, son of Theckla Franz of Steuben Street, this week wins laurels for his latest silent movie, "Alias the Night Wind," starring William Russell.
He left Utica in 1918 to work on a Broadway show. He then was signed by the Fox Film Company in Hollywood and began to direct such super stars as John Gilbert and Tom Mix. Franz studied for many years at the Utica Conservatory of Music.
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1948, 75 years ago
Advice from the dean
Ralph N. Strebel, dean of two-year-old Utica College, tells members of Utica Post 229, American Legion, that he supports giving financial aid to our allies in Europe and Asia to stop Russian expansion plans. After World War II ended in 1945, Strebel served as chief of the German Educational School System in Berlin.
Strebel hesitated when first offered the opportunity in 1947 to become Utica College's first dean. He did not want to work in a college that some thought would be only a temporary school. When officials at Syracuse University assured him that Utica College would be permanent, he said, "That's for me."
1973, 50 years ago
Utica Cutlery
Utica Cutlery receives receives a $233,400 contract from the federal government for pocket knives for the military. The name "Utica" will be engraved on each one. Company President T. Edward Allen says the contract will not change employment at the company — now at about 285.
The Student Association at Mohawk Valley Community College elects William Mosher, of Clinton, as president. Other officers: Richard Longden, of Chittenango, vice president; Alice McMahon, of New Hartford, corresponding secretary; Linda Ciccarelli, of Utica, treasurer, and Nancy Tripp, of Rochester, recording secretary.
Dr. Frank Bergmann, assistant professor of English and German at Utica College, is elected to a three-year term as chairman of UC's Division of Humanities.
1998, 25 years ago
Doctor honored
Dr. Anthony V. DeIorio is honored by the Friends of the Arc Foundation for his more than 20 years as Arc's medical director. DeIorio says, "I'm just one spoke in the wheel of a great agency … probably the best agency in the country.”
The New York Mills School District honors Mike Tomassetti as his retirement dinner. He has taught there for 35 years. He has taught math, advised the junior class and has coached championship basketball, baseball and cross country teams.
The Masonic Home in Utica adds 11 employees to its staff: Rachel Zayas, Bonnie Dillard, Kelly Reisel, Caroline Barton, Tanya Leigh, Marissa Johnson, Sara Lamere, Debra Palmer, Rebecca Cortes, Alfreda Boles and Sara Ciarciuk.In high school basketball, Oriskany tops Poland, 80-70. Marc Bader has 21 points for Oriskany and Jeff DiMeo adds 17 and Lou DiDione 16. Poland's Rob Duprau has 21 points and Shane Walsh 17.
More than 300 area residents of Asian heritage — including those from Vietnam, Korea, Laos and Cambodia —celebrate “Tet,” the Vietnamese word for the Asian New Year.
2013, 10 years ago
Elected chairwoman
Darlene Mack-Brown is elected chairwoman of the board of directors at the Mohawk Valley Action Agency. Others elected include: the Rev. Arthur Gary, vice chairman; Mary Hayes Gordon, treasurer, and Ann Paoni, secretary.
Ziyara Temple elects officers for the coming year: Samuel Trapanick, potentate; Wayne Towne II, second ceremonial master; Fred Rembetski, chief rabban; Wayne L. Allen, recorder; Steve Armstrong, outer guard; John Sargent, oriental guard; Maksim Berkovich, treasurer; Keith Pope, assistant rabban; Timothy DiMare, marshall; Kenneth Williams, captain of the guard; Harry Dapre, director, and Michael Dunn, second ceremonial master.
Trivia quiz
Five U.S. presidents served in the Navy during World War II and took an active part in that war. Name them. (Answers will appear here next week.)
Answer to last week's question: John Tyler, 10th president of the United States from 1841 to 1845, is the president with the most childen -- 15. He and his first wife, Letitia, had five daughters and three sons -- Mary, Robert, John, Letitia, Elizabeth, Anne, Alice and Tazewell. His wife died in 1842 and Tyler remarried in 1844. He and Julia had five sons and two daughters -- David, John, Julia, Lachian, Lyon, Robert and Pearl (who died at age 87 in 1947. She was born when Tyler was 70 years old.)
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: Utica's first school opens for boys
