Cornelius Crowley Kille
Item
Title
Cornelius Crowley Kille
Date
August 2, 1873 to August 14, 1938
Description
Cornelius Crowley Kille was born on August 2, 1873 New York, the child of Irish-born John Kille and his wife Mary. His father was a farmer, in Camillus, New York and the precise path that brought Cornelius into the furniture trade remains unknown. As late as 1892, he is still living with his parents and has no listed occupation; presumably, he was working on the farm to help support the family. He is first recorded working as an employee for Stickley in 1901 and later in 1902, but the precise duration of his employment is elusive. In the 1905 New York State Census he is listed as a “chairmaker,” a position he will continue to hold even as he moved to Weedsport (1909) and later Rochester (1910-12), before returning to Syracuse.
Despite listing himself as a chairmaker, Kille was also involved in a number of taverns, and by the time he returned to Syracuse seems to have severed any connection to the furniture industry. For instance, he listed himself as a “saloon keeper” on his World War I registration card, and by the time of his death in 1938, he was remembered only for this aspect of his career.
Despite listing himself as a chairmaker, Kille was also involved in a number of taverns, and by the time he returned to Syracuse seems to have severed any connection to the furniture industry. For instance, he listed himself as a “saloon keeper” on his World War I registration card, and by the time of his death in 1938, he was remembered only for this aspect of his career.