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"I was born," he writes, "June 3, 1837, in
Ashfield, Massachusetts. My father was a farmer, up in the hills, and I worked on the farm in the town where I was born until 1855.
In September of that year my parents removed to Ohio, and the farming was continued in
the vicinity of Tiffin, a small city in Seneca County, Ohio. After three years my father again
removed his family to Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, where he still lives [1883, now
deceased]. From the age of eight years my only schooling was at the district school up in
the hills, for three months in the year - winter months - until I was eighteen. During the
time we were in Ohio, I attended the high school in Tiffin and then commenced to learn
Latin. At this time I had acquired what would then pass as an ordinary common school
education. Upon returning to Massachusetts in 1858 I commenced attending school at the
Shelburne Falls Academy, and remained there about three terms of three months each,
working as a teacher of certain classes and in other capacities, but keeping up recitations
in Latin and Greek, the latter of which I commenced to study there. I continued farm work
in the summer time, however, until I entered college, and afterwards I studied at all times,
out of school as well as in - nights, rainy days, and at all times I could appropriate to that
use. I really think that such preparation as I had was quite as much the result of labor away
from school and instruction as otherwise. When I presented myself for examination for
admission to college I had no means or standard of judging whether I should be up to the
requirements. I went on the simple principle of trying for it. So much for my preparation
for college."
Putney entered our Class in the autumn of 1859, and passed the full course with us.
He was a member of Equitable fraternity; also of 'Technian Literary Society, and
represented that society as disputant in the Adelphic Debate of March 4, 1863; had the
appointment of English oration on Junior exhibition in 1862. This was the last honorary
function of this kind held in our college. He was on the Committee of Arrangements for
our Class Day, and received an appointment of honorary oration on Commencement program. Putney's name does not appear in any of our athletic societies; but in our college
sports he was a hard man to beat. Few equaled, none surpassed him in strength and
endurance.
After graduation, in September, 1863, Putney became principal of the Academy at
Spencertown, New York. After one year in this position, he removed to Gallipolis, Ohio,
and became superintendent of the public schools of that city, and held this position for two
years. During these three years he devoted his spare time to reading law, and in December,
1866, he was admitted to the bar in the City of New York. He has been in active and
successful practice of his profession ever since.
Our classmate has had a part in many of the notable litigations that have been
carried on in New York City and elsewhere; the legal contest especially worthy of note is
the Fayerweather case, in which, to the advantage of Williams, certainly, he represented
Williams and several other colleges.
Our classmate has not, through his public life, participated actively in politics, but has
attended pretty closely to the business of his profession, though incidentally he has become
interested in various enterprises. For many years he has been a director of the Broadway
National Bank and is the general counsel of this bank. He is also on the directorate of five
corporations of considerable importance, and is counsel for these and a number of other
corporations.
He is a member of various societies and clubs, among which mention is made of the
New England Society, the Ohio Society and the Colonial Club. Putney has always been
much interested in matters connected with our college and its alumni. He has served two
terms as president of the New York Alumni Association, and this year closes his third term
as president of the General Alumni Association.
In November, 1870, married Miss Emma L. Edmonds, of New York City. They had
four children:
1. A daughter, who died at the age of two years.
2. Eva C., born July 13, 1873. She is a graduate of the Normal College of the City
of New York, and is living at home.
3. Edmonds, born July 29, 1875. A graduate of Williams, Class of '96, and is
established in law in his father's office.
4. William B., Jr., born January 5, 1879. A graduate of Williams, Class of 1900. He
is a secretary in some of the corporations for which his father is counsel.
In March, 1881, our classmate's first wife died; and in August, 1883, he married Miss
R. Elizabeth Fuller. There have been no children by this marriage.
Putney's office is at No. 770 Broadway, and the firm name is Putney, Twombly and
Putney.
Addendum: "Putney has turned farmer, and may be found superintending the
raising of potatoes and strawberries, and such like truck, somewhere among the lower spurs
of the Catskills, in the southeastern section of New York. Still he is near enough to the
metropolis to keep an eye on his boys in the Broadway office. This means that Put.' has
bought a summer home." (From Preface, concerning information obtained after original
sketch written.)
Source:
Class of Sixty-Three Williams College Fortieth Year Report, by
the Class Historian, Thomas Todd Printer, Boston, 1903
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