Orville Hungerford (October 29, 1790 – April 6, 1851) was a two-term United States representative for the 19th district in New York in the mid-19th century. He was also a prominent merchant, banker, industrialist, freemason, philanthropist, and railroad president in Watertown, New York.See the article entitled "The Honorable Orville Hungerford: Humble Origins, Near Greatness" by Richard W. Hungerford Jr. and Andre James ("A.J.") Hungerford in the Bulletin of the Jefferson County Historical Society, Watertown, N.Y., Volume 36, Spring 2007 for a thorough discussion of this man's life.
Early years The youngest of seven children, Orville Hungerford was born in Farmington, Connecticut (now Bristol) on October 29, 1790.The two main genealogical sources for the Hungerford family in North America are 1.) "For Thomas Hungerford of Hartford and New London, Conn. and his Descendants in America," by F. Phelps Leach, published by F. Phelps Leach, East Highgate, Vermont, 1932 and, 2.) "A Summary of the Families Hungerford, Descendants of Thomas of Connecticut, 2nd edition, 1980, (second printing – 1982), Including A Brief History of the Hungerford Family in England from the 12th Century, And Descendants of: Thomas of Ireland, William of Maryland, and Thomas of Maryland," by Stanley W. Hungerford. (Microfiche FHL #6088572) His family claims descent from Thomas Hungerford of Hartford, Connecticut, who arrived in the New World some time prior to 1640."For Thomas Hungerford of Hartford and New London, Conn. and his Descendants in America," by F. Phelps Leach, published by F. Phelps Leach, East Highgate, Vermont, 1932, p. 1. Orville's father, Timothy Hungerford, moved his family to Watertown Center in western New York, now part of Watertown (town), New York, in the spring of 1801."Through Eleven Decades of History, Watertown, a History From 1800 to 1912 with Illustrations and Many Incidents," by Joel H. Monroe, Hungerford-Holbrook Co., Watertown, N.Y., 1912, p. 17.
An entry in a 1905 genealogical publication by the local historical society described the education of Orville Hungerford as follows:
Merchant As a pioneer, needing help with his farm, Timothy Hungerford was only able to send his son Orville to "winter schools", effectively precluding him from going to college."Daily News & Reformer," in the June 4, 1862, & June 5, 1862 issues, in a regular feature entitled "Links in the Chain," extracted and compiled by Richard W. Hungerford, Jr. in a work entitled "Deaths in the New York Reformer, 8 Apr 1861 – 31 Dec 1862," 2004, pp. 49–52. Not enamored with eking out a living from the land, at age fourteen Orville began working as a clerk in his brother-in-law Jabez Foster's general store in the frontier village of Burrs Mills (also known as Burrville), New York.See "Business boomed in Burrville, Now quaint village was once a center of commerce" article by Lenka Walldroff for NNY Business dated May 19, 2012 https://www.nnybizmag.com/index.php/2012/05/19/business-boomed-in-burrville/ [website last visited November 23, 2020] Orville's initial job duties consisted of "sweeper, duster, office-boy and caretaker.""The Growth Of A Century: As Illustrated In The History of Jefferson County, New York, From 1793 To 1894," by John A. Haddock, published by Weed-Parsons Printing Co., Albany, NY, 1895, p. 150. This business was a partnership between Foster and Thomas M. Converse. While Orville watched over the store, Foster would head to Albany in mud wagons and sleighs and then make the arduous week-long trek to Manhattan via sloop to purchase supplies before returning to Watertown."Recollections of Adriel Ely and Evelina Foster His Wife," arranged by Gertrude Sumner Ely Knowlton and Theodore Newel Ely, 1912, privately printed, p. 17. Over time, Hungerford became Foster's "chief and confidential clerk."New-York Daily Reformer newspaper article "Hon. Jabez Foster.", Wednesday evening edition, August 5, 1863, Watertown, N.Y., p. 2. See [last accessed July 24, 2024] https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=tny18630805-01.1.2&srpos=99&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN----------
In 1807 or 1808, Jabez Foster along with Orville Hungerford moved the store to Watertown, a busier location."A History of Jefferson County in the State of New York from the Earliest Period to the Present Time," by Franklin B. Hough, Sterling & Riddell, Watertown, N.Y., 1854, p. 435. Orville's diligence paid off and he became Foster's partner in the firm known as Foster & Hungerford, which profited handsomely from selling supplies to U.S. Army stationed at Sackets Harbor during the War of 1812."New York Daily Reformer," in the issues dated August 5 & 7, 1863, in an article entitled "Hon. Jabez Foster." This partnership became the largest mercantile business in the area."Local Man Head of Old R.W.&O." article in Watertown Daily Times newspaper, Watertown, N.Y., September 24, 1951, afternoon edition, p. 19.
Foster & Hungerford developed its own transportation network contracting with others to deliver its war supplies during the 2nd major conflict with the British. For example, in September 1812, Jabez Foster hired Eber Hubbard to move supplies that he and Orville Hungerford had procured on behalf of the U.S. government using Hubbard's boat to journey from "Sackett's Harbor" down the St. Lawrence River to the U.S. troops stationed in Ogdensburg, New York. British forces ended up capturing Hubbard's boat. In late 1820, Hubbard petitioned Congress to cover the loss of his boat valued between $650–800. Hubbard argued that the government agreed to reimburse Foster for any losses, which should also cover him. Unfortunately, on December 22, 1820, the Committee of Claims in the House of Representatives disagreed that any contractual protections for Foster would implicitly extend to Hubbard."American State Papers. Documents, Legislative and Executive, of the Congress of the United States, from the First Session to the Second Session of the Seventeenth Congress, Inclusive: Commencing March 4, 1789, and Ending March 3, 1823.” Selected and Edited under the Authority of Congress by Walter Lowrie, Secretary of the Senate, and Walter S. Franklin, Clerk of the House of Representatives, Published by B. Gales and Seaton, Washington, D.C., 1834, p. 756.
In 1813, Foster became a judge in the Court of Common Pleas for Jefferson County,"Through Eleven Decades of History, Watertown, a History From 1800 to 1912 With Illustrations and Many Incidents," by Joel H. Monroe, Hungerford-Holbrook Co. Watertown, N.Y., 1912, pp. 209–211. while Hungerford decided to focus on expanding his commercial interests rather than reading law. Judge Foster and Orville Hungerford dissolved their partnership in 1815."Jefferson County Centennial 1905, Speeches, Addresses and Stories of the Towns" compiled by Jere Coughlin, Hungerford-Holbrook Co., Watertown, New York, 1905, p. 395. Hungerford set up his own store. Adriel Ely married Judge Foster's daughter and went into partnership with his father-in-law, forming: Ely & Foster. Afterwards, Ely joined Hungerford in his mercantile business for a while until both parties went off on their own."Recollections of Adriel Ely and Evelina Foster His Wife," arranged by Gertrude Sumner Ely Knowlton and Theodore Newel Ely, 1912, privately printed, p. 9. Later, Jabez Foster entered into a mercantile partnership in Watertown, N.Y. with his son Gustavus A. Foster, which was dissolved on August 1, 1824."Freemans Advocate" newspaper, Watertown, N.Y., Friday, August 13, 1824, p. 3 (3rd column). See NYS Historic Newspapers website last visited on December 30, 2023 https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=fa18240813-01.1.3&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN----------
Orville had his children work in his family store. His son Richard Esselstyne Hungerford served as a clerk in the store before heading off to Hamilton College in Clinton, New York (Class of 1844)."The Hamilton Review" published by the Emerson Literary Society of Hamilton College, June 1895, Vol. IX., No. 1, p. 124. There Richard joined his cousin, John N. Hungerford, who also worked in his older brother's store, Hungerford & Miner, before going to Hamilton College and then becoming a banker and finally a U.S. Congressman.
Hungerford made frequent trips to New York City to sell potash from his ashery in Watertown and purchase wares to bring back to his store. On October 6, 1840, the New York Herald newspaper announced that Orville Hungerford arrived the previous day at the Franklin House hotel, located at the northwest corner of Broadway and Dey Street in New York City.The New York Herald newspaper, New York, N.Y., Tuesday Morning, October 6, 1840, Vol. VI—No. 14.--Whole No. 1579, p. 2.
Orville Hungerford endorsed modern conveniences. For example, he helped fellow merchants promote the "Air-Tight Rotary Cook Stove", which used one third less wood, as advertised in local newspapers such as the Northern State Journal.Northern State Journal newspaper, Watertown, N.Y. Wednesday, June 14, 1848, p. 2.
On May 13, 1849, a great fire swept through Watertown, N.Y., setting alight 100 buildings valued at $125,000."Fifty Years in Journalism Embracing Recollections and Personal Experiences with an Autobiography", by Beman Brockway, published by Daily Times Printing and Publishing House, Watertown, N.Y., 1891, p. 107. A large section of the downtown business district was destroyed."The Growth Of A Century: As Illustrated In The History of Jefferson County, New York, From 1793 To 1894," by John A. Haddock, published by Weed-Parsons Printing Company, Albany, N.Y., 1895, p. 194. The dry goods store of J. & H. Seligman & Co., what became the Wall Street financial colosses J. & W. Seligman & Co., burned down.'Fire of Forty-Nine Today is the Fiftieth Anniversary" The Watertown Herald newspaper, Watertown, New York, May 13, 1899, p.1. See https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=twh18990513-01.1.1&srpos=14&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN---------- (last visited April 16, 2024) Only four dry goods stores survived including one owned by Orville Hungerford and another by his former business partner Adriel Ely."Fifty Years in Journalism Embracing Recollections and Personal Experiences with an Autobiography", by Beman Brockway, published by Daily Times Printing and Publishing House, Watertown, N.Y., 1891, p. 108. Located on the Village Public Square, also known as the Mall, Hungerford's store had an 84-feet long brick facade and was either two or three stories high."The Growth Of A Century: As Illustrated In The History of Jefferson County, New York, From 1793 To 1894," by John A. Haddock, published by Sherman & Co., Philadelphia, PA, 1894, p. 198. Note: A printer in Albany, N.Y. published a slightly different version of this book the following year. A year or so later, however, his store succumbed to flames."150 Years of Watertown . . . A History", by Harry F. Landon, The Watertown Daily Times, Watertown, N.Y., 1950, p.26. On October 16, 1852, another fire scorched "Hungerford's block", which was mostly insured."The Growth Of A Century: As Illustrated In The History of Jefferson County, New York, From 1793 To 1894," by John A. Haddock, published by Weed-Parsons Printing Company, Albany, N.Y., 1895, p. 195. The approximate site of Hungerford's store was replaced with the Smith & Percey building, more recently known as the Slye & Burrows building. This 4-story building, which was destroyed by gas leak explosion in June 1832 and later rebuilt to only 2 stories, was owned by descendants of Orville Hungerford's son, Richard E. Hungerford, until 1969."Hungerford Building – 104–106 Washington Street" article from Memoryln.net website last visited February 23, 2024: https://memoryln.net/places/united-states/new-york/watertown/event/hungerford-building/
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