y o m i n q by Harry S. Douglass - Old Fulton History

April 1954
NECROLOGY (cont.)
Page 89
the American Federation of Labor, vice-president of the State
Federation, and was named in 1939, a member of the State Industrial
Board by Gov. Lehman, Previous to this last State post, he had been
a member of the Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council.
The Rev. Henry S. Gately, 8i|, pastor of Warsaw's Trinity Episcopal
Church, 1900-1905, died in Rochester, Jan. 17.
Dr. Frank Randall Pratt, retired professor of physics, New Jersey
College for Women, Rutgers University, died Feb.. 25th in Highland
Park, N.J., at the age of 77* A native of Warsaw, where he was
buried, Dr. Pratt was associated with Rutgers for forty-three years,
rising to department head in 1927, a position he filled until 19^4-6.
After a long illness in W arsaw, Floyd H. Benham, 73, vice-president
of the Genesee Country Historical Federation, member of the Attica
and Warsaw historical societies, died Feb. 9th. Mr. Benham was
regarded as an authority on Indian lore, was honorably adopted by
the Senecas in 1936, and had served as consultant on field trips for
the Buffalo and Rochester science museums. A native of Attica, he
spent his early manhood in the West where he was an expert telegrapher,
served as postmaster and sheriff. In recent years he was a
master mechanic, but shared with school groups and others his
intimate knowledge of the Iroquois occupation. Readers and the
Editor will remember with gratitude his writings on Indian history
and our large trees in the columns of this bulletin.
On March 8th in Wars aw occurred the death of Harold J. Harrison, 61,
Castile, who had retired as district superintendent of schools but
three weeks before. Supt.Harrison began his career in rural schools,
served as first principal of Bliss High School for nine years, and
the last twenty-eight as superintendent of the first supervisory
district. A devoted and generous public servant, he sponsored workshops
for teachers, helped create the Letchworth Central School,
served on the Selective Service Board in World War II, continued as
one of the most active proponents of the 1|-H movement and the County
Fair, and was a president of the Genesee Council, Boy Scouts. His
other affiliations included the Masons, Grange, church, and many
civic groups.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Wyoming County's seventh historical society was launched at
Perry, Sunday, January 17th, at a meeting held in the Village Building,
about twenty being present. Two previous exploratory meetings
preceded the formal organization.
Officers elected included Gordon McGuire, president; Kendall P.
Smith,vice-president;Henry N. Page,Treasurer; and Wilfred R. Oliver,
Secretary. Among the immediate projects before the society is one to
establish a permanent depository of records and heirlooms.