Frank A. Bosworth, who has been continuously identified with financial interests in Utica for more than a half century, has for the past seventeen years occupied the vice presidency of the First National Bank of the city and has contributed materially to the growth and success of the institution. He was born on a farm near Clockville, Madison county, New York, on the 20th of February, 1854, his parents being William V. and Maria (Wilcox) Bosworth. The mother was born in this country, but the father was a native of England and was brought to Utica by his father, Obadiah Bosworth, when a lad of eight years. Obadiah Bosworth, the paternal grandfather of Frank A. Bosworth, resided on Genesee street, opposite the old Butterfield estate, and for a few years had charge of the Butterfield farm. Subsequently he removed to a farm near Paris Hill, where he carried on agricultural pursuits for a number of years. Later, however, he took up his abode on a small place near that of his son at Clocksville, Madison county, there continuing to reside until called to his final rest.
William V. Bosworth, the father of Frank A. Bosworth, followed farming in the vicinity of Clockville, Madison county, for a few years and then turned his attention to general mercantile pursuits, also dealing extensively in produce. He was a prominent and leading citizen of the community and an active worker in the local ranks of the republican party. At one time he served as sheriff to fill out an unexpired term. His religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Baptist church and for some thirty years he served as a deacon. To him and his wife, Maria (Wilcox) Bosworth, who was a native of Clockville, were born three children, as follows: Frank A., of this review; Cora O.; and William V., living on the old homestead.
Frank A. Bosworth obtained his early education in the village school and afterward attended Cazenovia Seminary. In the spring of 1872 he pursued a course in bookkeeping and commercial law and then had to decide whether he would take up the study of law in the office of his uncle, Judge B. F. Chapman, or enter a bank. Choosing the latter alternative, he secured a position as clerk in the Canastota National Bank under the pioneer banker, David H. Rasbach. On the 11th of March, 1873, he became junior clerk in the Oneida County Bank of Utica, under J. Milton Butler, and won steady promotion as he demonstrated his ability and trustworthiness, serving successively as discount clerk, bookkeeper and teller and holding the last named position for several years. In 1886 he was elected a director of the bank and the following year was made acting cashier. On the death of Mr. Butler, in 1899, he was given full charge of the institution. In February, 1900, the Oneida County Bank consolidated with the First National Bank of Utica, of which Mr. Bosworth became one of the cashiers. In 1907 he was elected vice president and later became a director of the institution, which owes its steady expansion in large measure to his sound judgment and to his thorough knowledge of every phase of the banking business. During the year 1921 he served as president of the national bank section of the New York State Bankers Association, also was elected vice president of the American Bankers Association for New York state in 1921 and is likewise the vice president and one of the directors of the Sauquoit Spinning Company of Utica and is financially interested in a number of other business enterprises.
Mr. Bosworth has been married twice. In June, 1884, in Utica, he wedded Miss Nellie Sherwood, a daughter of Benjamin F. Sherwood, by whom he had two children: Frances M., now deceased, who was married in 1919, to William R. Condit, a prominent lawyer of White Plains; and Sherwood B., who is a resident of New York city. The wife and mother passed away in 1894. In 1910 Mr. Bosworth was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Hattie J. Chamberlin of Utica.
Mr. Bosworth is a stanch supporter of the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to good government. For more than a dozen years he served as treasurer of the Utica Chamber of Commerce but was compelled to resign on account of his extensive business interests. He has served long and faithfully as a director in the Young Men's Christian Association of Utica and as president of the board. During the period of the World war he rendered valuable service to the government in connection with each of the Liberty Loan drives, acting as vice chairman of the Liberty Loan committee of Oneida and Herkimer counties under the chairmanship of Charles A. Miller. Always a patriotic and loyal citizen, he manifested unfaltering loyalty to his country in this time of crisis and devoted his time and energies without stint to the work assigned him. Mr. Bosworth has been an elder in the Westminster Presbyterian church for a quarter of a century and in 1923 was elected president of its board of trustees. The Presbytery of Utica also elected him trustee of the Auburn Theological Seminary. In 1910 he was appointed a trustee of the New York State Hospital at Ray Brook, New York, by Governor Hughes. Mr. Bosworth's appreciation of the social amenities of life is indicated by his membership in the Fort Schuyler Club and the Yahnundasis Golf Club. The following is an excerpt from a review of his career which appeared in a local publication which noted his fiftieth anniversary as a banking official in Utica — very few men attain their fiftieth year in banking:
"No man in Utica is better known in business circles throughout the state. * * * Although he has never sought popularity, by his sincere and kindly manner he has earned and long enjoyed the esteem of hosts of people in this city and county. The First National Bank is proud of Mr. Bosworth's record and no one has done more to promote its interests." A contemporary biographer said: "Through his entire business career he has been looked upon as a model of integrity and honor, never making an engagement that he has not filled, nor incurring obligations that he has not met. He stands today an example of what determination and force, combined with the highest degree of business integrity, can accomplish for a man of natural ability and strength of character."