Ilion High School - Class of 1891

Herkimer Evening Telegram - July 9, 1962

Elks Honor F. C. Whitney

Article 5

Elks Honor F. C. Whitney

ILION - Former Mayor Frank C. Whitney has been honored for his 40-year membership in Ilion Elks Lodge with a life membership.

In a letter from T. S. Leahy, secretary of Ilion Lodge, Whitney was congratulated on his long time membership.

He was one of the first members of Ilion Lodge organized and chartered in 1922.

Whitney, who will be 90 in March, was active in village politics in 1919 when elected to a two-year post as village trustee. In 1932 he was elected mayor and served for seven years, retiring in 1939.

He has been active as a farmer all his life. He was instrumental in starting Columbia Parkway as a residential area in the village.

A graduate of Ilion High School in 1891, Whitney was class poet and stil treasurers the pin presented at graduation for his poetic ability. The pin was designed with a ship and crossed oars for his poem, "Sails and Oars."

Whitney has lived in Ilion all his life and for the past few years has had his daughter, Mrs. Carroll Edsall, with him at 427 Otsego St..