History of Trenton Falls, (Oneida County) New York United States of America

Thomas Hicks, painter, was born in Newtown, Pa., Oct. 18, 1823. He attended the academy in his native town and in 1837 entered the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia. The following year he went to New York city, where he continued the study of art at the National Academy of Design. His first important picture, "the Death of Abel," was exhibited at the Academy in 1841. He studied in Europe, 1845-49, and on his return devoted his attention chiefly to portrait painting, his subjects including many prominent men of his time, Lincoln, Longfellow, Booth, Bayard Taylor, Verplanck, Halleck, and Holmes were among his sitters. He was made a National Academician in 1851, and was president of the Artists' Fund society, 1873-85. He died at Trenton Falls, N.Y., Oct. 8, 1890.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

George E. Cole, delegate to congress, was born in Trenton, N.Y., Dec. 23, 1826; son of Nathan and Laura (Hills) Cole; grandson of James and Mary (Talcott) Hills, and a descendant of the early settlers on the Connecticut plantations. He was educated at Hobart Hall institute, removed to Iowa in 1849 and crossed the plains to California and thence to Oregon in 1850. He settled in what was subsequently Corvallis, Ore., and served in the territorial legislature, 1851-53. He was married in 1853 to Mary, daughter of W. L. Cardwell of Corvallis, Ore. He engaged in steamboating, 1854-55; was postmaster at Corvallis in 1858, and was clerk of the U.S. district court at Portland, Ore., 1859-60. In 1861 he removed to Washington Territory and engaged in trade, residing at Walla Walla. In 1862 he was in the storage and commission business at Lewiston, returning to his home in Walla Walla in the following year. In 1863 he was elected as a Union Democrat, a delegate from Washington Territory to the 38th congress. In November, 1866, he was appointed and commissioned governor of the territory and served till March 4, 1867, when he retired. He returned to Oregon and engaged in constructing the Oregon and California railroad. He was appointed postmaster of Portland, Ore., by President Grant in 1873, was reappointed by President Hayes in 1877 and declined reappointment from President Garfield in 1881. He was engaged in constructing the Northern Pacific railroad, 1881-82, and in 1883 purchased a section of railroad land near Cheney, Spokane county, Wash., where he made his home.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Trenton Falls, (Oneida County) New York

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