Among the many who have achieved prominence as men of marked ability and substantial worth in Canajoharie, New York, George Flume, manufacturer, occupies a prominent position. He was born in the village of Gallupville, Schoharie county, New York, December 15, 1849, his parents being George Flume and Mary (Frederick) Flume. George Flume, Sr., was born in Büchen, Germany, in 1801, and died in Sprakers, New York, on December 25, 1864. He was a laborer. He was twice married and brought his second wife to America in August, 1849, in a sailing vessel, taking six weeks to make the voyage, and they first settled in Schoharie county, New York. Mary (Frederick) Flume, mother of George Flume, was born in Germany in 1816, and died April 19, 1901, in Palatine Bridge, New York, aged eighty-five years.
The early education of George Flume was obtained in the public schools at Sprakers, New York, and at Palatine Bridge in the same state. In 1866 he became associated with the J. C. Beach Company of Palatine Bridge, manufacturers of cider and vinegar, and remained in their employ for about thirty years, and then became partner in the company for fifteen years. In 1902 Mr. Flume sold out to the American Fruit Company, and became its manager for twelve years, after which he bought back the plant from them. Following this the plant remained idle for two years. At the expiration of this time the Underwood Silk Fabric Company was formed and ran it for three years, Mr. Flume being a director of the firm. The company sold out to Julius Keyser of New York in 1920, this company running it for three years, after which time Mr. Flume again repurchased the plant but did not run it, and finally sold it to John T. Kelly of Canajoharie. Since selling out the business he has been associated in farming and the vinegar business with William H. Fuller, and at the present time they are associated in the stock and poultry business.
On May 13, 1885, George Flume was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Connelly, the ceremony taking place in Sts. Peter and Paul church in Canajoharie. She was born in Ireland, and came to America with relatives in 1865, at the age of fifteen years. "The Bohemian", the ship on which they took passage, was making its maiden voyage to Boston and was shipwrecked off the coast of Maine and one hundred and sixty-four passengers were drowned. Mrs. Flume first located at Palatine Bridge, where several of her older sisters resided. Mr. and Mrs. Flume are the parents of two sons: Albert J. and Arthur J. Albert J. Flume was born in Palatine Bridge, on June 25, 1886, and attended the public school in Palatine Bridge and graduated from the high school in that place after which he attended the Albany Business College. For a short time he did clerical work for a grocery firm in New York city, then decided to enter college, going to Georgetown University at Georgetown, Washington, D. C., from which institution of learning he was graduated with the degree of A. B. He then went to Rochester, New York, and for a short time was in the employ of the American Fruit Company, doing clerical work, later entering the employ of the Burt-Olney Canning Company at Oneida, New York, having charge of the office for three years. At the time of the World war he entered the army, became lieutenant, and was ready for overseas service when the armistice was signed. After leaving the army he returned home and became associated with the Underwood Silk Fabric Company, later going to the Julius Keyser Company of New York, becoming controller of the company. In 1918 Albert J. Flume was united in marriage to Miss Florence Ruth, born in Oneida, New York, and they have two children, Ruth Elizabeth, born in Oneida, June 5, 1919, and Sheila Constance, born on February 20, 1922, in Brooklyn, where they now reside; Arthur J. Flume was born in Palatine Bridge, February 6, 1890, and graduated from Palatine Bridge high school and from the Albany Business College. He obtained the B. C. degree at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and then went to Gary, Indiana, as a chemist, where he remained two years, then returned east to Geneva, New York, for three years. He became chemist for the New York State Experimental Station, and later went to Ravena, New York, where he is manager of the Duffy Mott Company (cider and vinegar manufacturers). He married Miss Bessie McEwan of Canajoharie, New York. They have one child, Catharine Agnes Flume, born in Geneva, New York, August 21, 1917.
For a number of years George Flume was a trustee of the village of Palatine Bridge and is identified with the republican party, but is an independent voter. He is a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic church of Canajoharie. Mr. Flume has never deviated from the path of duty and now after a long business career he can look back over the past with the consciousness of having gained for himself the confidence and respect of the entire community in which he lives.