Rufus Daggett
1833 - 1912

    GEN. RUFUS DAGGETT, of Utica.
PROMINENT CITIZEN AND CIVIL WAR VETERAN
     WHO PASSED AWAY FRIDAY.

       The death yesterday of Gen.
      Rufus daggett removed a
      man whose long and success-
      ful career was close inter-
woven with the years of the city's
prosperity and one who stood forth a
conspicuous figure in Grand Army
circles, being the last of those from
Oneida county who during the war of
the rebellion earned the title of gen-
eral. His figure was a familiar one
upon our streets and his passing will
be mourned not by his relatives and
friends alone, but also by all Uticans
who recognized in him a sterling,
public-spirited citizen.
 Gen. Daggett was born in New Ber-
lin, Chenango county, October 6, 1833,
and received his early education in
the district schools and academy at
that place. When 12 years old he
came to Utica, where he learned the
trade of tinsmith and later conducted
a store on South street. At the break-
ing out of the civil war he enlisted in
Company B, Fourteenth Regiment,
New York State Volunteers, and
served with distinction throughout the
war. His gallantry won for him many
promotions and when he left the serv-
ice at the close of the war it was with
the brevet brigadier general's com-
mission.
 In 1865 he returned to Utica and for
a year conducted a clothing establish-
ment on Genesee street in what was
known as the old Pine Block. He
later removed to Unadilla Forks,
where he opened a hardware store
and continued in business for nearly
20 years. In 1885 he went on the road
as traveling salesman for a hardware
firm andd was employed in that ca-
pacity for 15 years. He then returned
to Utica and in 1900 was appointed
postamster, succeeding Dr. E. Prentiss
Bailey. He served two terms very
successfully and upon the expiration
of his term of office retired from ac-
tive business life.
 In politics Mr. Daggett was a Re-
publican. Since 1885 he had been a 
member of Post McQuade, No. 14, G.
A.R. and stood high in the offices of
ization.  He was a member 
of Post B, of the Commercial Travel-
ers' Association, and also of the Com-
mercial Travelers' Mutual Accident
association of America. While living
at Unadilla Forks he became a mem-
ber of Western Star Lodge, No. 15, F.
& A.M., located at Bridgewater, and
had maintained his interest in it ever
since.  In 1859 he married Miss Me-
linda Truax, a niece of John Butter-
field, who survives with the following
children:  Mrs. J.F. Dively, of
Pittston, Pa.; Mrs. Theodore
Gachwind, of Utica; and R.E. Dag-
gett, of Syracuse.