Some Men of the Hour, Norwich NY 1900

Some Men of the Hour

Utica Saturday Globe, January 1900

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  The new year has been prolific in business changes in which young men have figured conspicuously.  Several of these changes are regarded with more than passing interest, as the young men concerned are widely acquainted and their many friends are pleased at their evident prosperity and wish them the full measure of success in their efforts to get to the front.

 

Linn H. Babcock

 

 

Perhaps no local establishment has done more to make the name of Norwich familiar throughout a large section of the State that the firm of L.&A. Babcock, dealers in pianos and organs.  The business was started in South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY] in 1862 by Dr. Linn Babcock, the present head of the firm.  In 1865 he took in as partner his younger brother, Adrian, and for 35 years down to the present the partnership has continued with annually increasing sales and success.  In 1870 the firm moved to Norwich and four years later fitted up the spacious warerooms on East Main street, which they have occupied for more than a quarter of a century. The announcement has now been made of the admission of Linn H. Babcock, third son of Dr. Babcock as a member of the firm.  The new member has grown up with the business, and for several years has been actively connected with it, having acted as salesman. To his love of music, in which vocally he has made a reputation as a bass soloist, he adds the winning qualities of a genial young gentleman of sterling integrity and personal worth, who will aid in making the business of the firm even more prosperous in the future, if possible, than it has been in the past.  The new firm style if L.A.&LH. Babcock.

 

Burton E. Reynolds

Burton E. Reynolds, who recently purchased a half interest in the drug store of Sidney E. Smith, is 27 years of age and was born in Oneida, where ten years ago he became a clerk in the drug store of J. Harris Cool.  Two years later he went to New Berlin, and three years later, in 1895, he came to Norwich and entered the employ of Mr. Smith.  Since his residence here, he has by his skill as a pharmacist combined with his social qualities made a large circle of friends.  Owing to the enforced absence of Mr. Smith from the store, Mr. Reynolds has had active charge much of the time, and from the position he held, the step into the partnership was easy and natural. 

 

The drug business now conducted by Smith & Reynolds was started about 25 years ago by Charles Collins in a part of the H.N. Walter jewelry store, now occupied by A.D. Sturges. After conducting it for a few years Mr. Collins sold the business to Charles Chase, who six months later disposed of it to Manley P. Green.  Mr. Green conducted the business for some ten years, during which he bought the book store of Frank Sibley across the street, next south of the present quarters of the drug store, and combined it with his drug business.  In 1888 Sidney E. Smith bought a half interest in the drug business, Mr. Green having in the meantime disposed of the book stock.  In 1890, Mr. Smith bought out his partner and in 1895 moved to the present location which was specially fitted up for him, and is regarded as one of the most richly furnished and best appointed drug stores in the state. The fixtures are of solid mahogany and plate glass, the floor of matched colored tiling.

 

George H. Ruckteshler

 

 

George H. Ruckteshler, having purchased the interest of his partner, Joseph Barbary, in the confectionery and cigar store in the Cook Block, is now sole proprietor.  Mr. Ruckteshler is just past his majority, having been born in Guilford [Chenango Co., NYT] March 14, 1878.  He is the son of Mr.and Mrs. John Ruckteshler and came to Norwich when five years of age and entered the public schools.  For eight years he was a valued employee of the Norwich Silk manufacturing company, with whom he learned the trade of twister and weaver.  A year ago he bought a half interest in the business of which he has now assumed full control.  The store is conveniently located and handsomely fitted up, and that Mr. Ruckteshler deserves success goes without saying, as he is a young man much respected and has the requisite ability to meet the wants of the purchasing public.