In the career of Thomas J. Lennon, founder and senior partner in the Utica Carting & Storage Company, we find a forceful illustration of the precept that success comes to those who by their industry and integrity seek to rise to positions of industrial eminence. Mr. Lennon has found through the course of many years' experience in the business and industrial world that virtue is not without its reward and that honest effort usually finds adequate compensation.
Thomas J. Lennon was born in Ireland, on the 19th of December, 1869, the son of Patrick and Mary Lennon, and came to this country with his parents in 1882, when he was not quite thirteen years old. His education, begun before he left his native land, was completed in Utica with a course in a local business college. At an early age Mr. Lennon entered industrial life as an employe in the knitting mills here, but a little later he became an apprentice to the tinsmith's trade in the establishment of Hart & Crowe where he remained from 1888 to 1908, a period of twenty years. During that time he mastered every branch of his trade and rose to the position of foreman in the foundry. Such a long period of continuous service in a single concern is not usual in these days and speaks volumes for Mr. Lennon's ability. That his employers were not unmindful of the value of his work is shown by his steady advancement in the organization to a post of great responsibility and trust.
Successful as Mr. Lennon was in this line of work, his achievement fell short of his ambition, for he had long looked forward to the time when he could get into business for himself. In 1908 Mr. Lennon started the cartage and haulage business in which he is now engaged, beginning in a small way as the Pine Street Trucking Company. Subsequently the name was changed to the Utica Carting & Storage Company and in 1911 Charles A. McKernan was admitted into partnership. In developing this enterprise Mr. Lennon showed keen foresight in anticipating the needs of the large manufacturers and business houses, as well as of householders. The present business location, at Nos. 65-69 North Genesee street, is ideal for its purpose, being directly opposite the New York Central freight houses and in front of the Barge canal harbor, at the very center of the city's freight traffic. From time to time warehouses, stables, garages and other equipment have been added until the company is now fully prepared to handle all kinds of merchandise, household goods, machinery, safes and boilers and provide safe and adequate storage for knit goods, yarn and other such products as well as furniture. The slogan of the firm, "We move anything," very accurately describes the scope of its efforts, for long distance, motor truck hauling, ordinary freight trucking, the packing and shipping of fragile articles, such as glass and china, all come within the range of its activities. Its facilities for handling unusual articles, as well as the more ordinary pieces of freight, are so complete that many manufacturers and merchants now prefer to employ the Utica Carting & Storage Company to do their work, rather than go to the expense and trouble of maintaining their own equipment. Service has ever been Mr. Lennon's ideal in building up his big business and in his steadfast loyalty to this principle is found the secret of his great success. The fact that there is nothing too little nor too big to be willingly and promptly undertaken by his company has won the high regard and patronage of business men and householders alike.
In 1891 Mr. Lennon was united in marriage to Miss Rose Agnes Murphy, daughter of John and Mary Murphy of Clayville. Mr. and Mrs. Lennon have a son: Clarence Patrick Lennon, now a young man of twenty-five. Mr. Lennon gives his support to the democratic party, but has not been active in its campaigns. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Lodge No. 189, and also belongs to the local organization of the Elks. His membership in the Utica Maennerchor indicates a fondness for music and a considerable amount of talent. Indeed, Mr. Lennon derives much pleasure from his association with this organization and looks upon its work as one of his pleasantest recreations. He is one of those substantial citizens who by building up his own fortunes has contributed materially to the growth and prosperity of the community in which he lives. Much credit is due him for his success in life, while Utica is proud to number him among her prominent business men.