Whitney, Henry B.

The following data is extracted from Genealogy and Biography of Ontario County, New York.

Henry B., son of Oscar J. Whitney, was born in Phelps, New York, June it, 1868. He was educated in the public schools of his native town, at the Geneva high school and at Cornell University. In 1900 he engaged in the manufacture of baskets at Phelps and continued for eight years. In partnership with A. S. Vincent in 1904 he built the pickle and sour-kraut factory at Phelps. The firm was dissolved and the business sold in 1907. He was appointed postmaster of Phelps, January 10, 1898, and reappointed at the end of his term, serving in this office for eight years. From May 1, 1907, to September 1, 1909, he was employed in the collection department of the International Harvester Company. Since October 1, 1909, he has been confidential agent under John Williams, commissioner of labor, of the state of New York. He is a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity of Cornell University.

Mr. Whitney is widely known as a crack rifle shot. He was an expert at trap shooting when but thirteen years old and took first prize at the shooting tournament at Syracuse, New York. In the winter of 1890 he was one of the five members of the eastern team to cross the continent and participate in various tournaments, in which he won a number of individual trophies. He won the 1. E. Pierce diamond badge at Buffalo, New York, in 1884. This trophy alone is valued at $850. In that contest he killed twenty-five birds without missing. He has won several first prizes at the state shoot at Saratoga and New York City and was classed among the best shots in this country.

He married, January 11. 1893. Emma May, daughter of Henry and Ella I. Bishop, of Lyons, New York. They have one child, Edna,. born April 22, 1897.

Source: Genealogy and Biography of Ontario County, New York

  Go Back