History of Vernon NY

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Person

J. J. Bartholomew

Overview

Prominent Vernon citizen and businessman. Owner of Vernon Mills, Mayor and Trustee of the Village of Vernon.

Details

Born: 1854 Vernon Center, NY

Died: 1938

Burial: Vernon Village Cemetery

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Biography

As a child, Bartholomew attended school in Vernon Center before graduating to Vernon Academy in the village. His first work, starting at age 13, was at Salmon Case’s store. He began working at the flour mill in Vernon owned by Joel H. Hills, and married his daughter in 1878. He took over the mill in 1880. After his death in 1938, the mill passed along to his wife Mary, then son W.V.H. Bartholomew, then grandson Donald.

in 1928, he was recognized for his many years of service as a trustee to the Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church.

 

From Obituary

James J. Bartholomew, 62, Senior member of the firm Bartholomew & Son, operators of Vernon Mills, one of the leading grist mills in New York State, died at his home yesterday, He had been active until a few weeks ago.

Mr. Bartholomew was active in church and fraternal circles and had served as director of the National Bank of Vernon more than 40 years. During that time he had served as vice president and chairman of the board.

Oldest Church Member
He was the oldest member of Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church, and was a trustee for many years. He was also president of Vernon Cemetery Association.

He was the son of James Bartholomew and Lucy Elizabeth Stockwell, both of Vernon Center, He attended the district school at Vernon Center and also was a student at Vernon Academy. He left school when 13 years old to work in the stone store for S. Case’s Sons.

Spent Life With Mill
It was a proprietor of the grist mill at Vernon that Mr. Bartholomew was known in a business way, however, for most of his life was devoted to that enterprise. A year spent in Syracuse in 1891, where he was in the furniture business, was the only exception. The mill of which he was the proprietor dates back to about 1800, although it had been thoroughly rebuilt and modernized. Up to 1900, he worked on the floor of the mill at day and kept books at night.

Mr. Bartholomew took an active interest in the affairs of his community and was always ready to lend his efforts to any plan for the general betterment. An instance of this is to be found in the water system which Vernon enjoys for protection against fires.

Supported Governor Hughes
In politics, he was a republican many years, although in the years preceding the memorable campaign of 1912 he became independent in political thought. He was a staunch supporter of Governor Hughes and advocated the policies made famous during the Hughes administration. He took an active part in the campaign, which resulted in a larger Progressives than Republican vote in the Town of Vernon in 1912.

Mr. Bartholomew’s interest in local matters was indicated by his activity in behalf of Sconondoa Lodge, F&AM of which he was a trustee many years.

In 1878, Mr. Bartholomew married Mary H. Hills, who is still living, He is also survived by a daughter, Lucy Hope Bartholomew, and a son, William Van Hills Bartholomew, associated with his father in the milling business for some years; a grandson, Donald Van Hills Bartholomew and a cousin, Miss Ellen H. Churton, Vernon Center.

Funeral services will be held privately Sunday at his late home

Archivist Note:

The obituary gives an age of 62, which is incorrect, as he was 83 or 84 when he died in 1938, having been born in 1854.

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