John T. Molineux, a native son and leading citizen of Middleville, has been identified with the E. C. Mills Leather Company for the past forty-five years, during which period he has worked his way up from the humble place of office boy to the responsible positions of vice president, assistant treasurer and director of the corporation. He is also a prominent factor in financial circles as president of the Middleville National Bank and is likewise engaged in the insurance business. He was born in Middleville, Herkimer county, New York, on the 13th day of July, 1864, his parents being John and Phoebe (Clarke) Molineux, both natives of England, in which country they were married. They were residents of Middleville, New York, when called to their final rest. John Molineux, the father of John T. Molineux of this review, devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits in early manhood but for a number of years prior to his retirement from active business was associated with the E. C. Mills Leather Company of Middleville in the capacity of engineer. To him and his wife were born eight children after their emigration to the United States, namely: George H., a resident of Newport, New York; Frank M., living in Middleville, this state; Charles E., deceased; William H., who resides in Florida; Howard R., of Becket, Massachusetts; Richard C., who makes his home in Dolgeville, New York; Mrs. Mary E. (Molineux) Whiting of Middleville, this state; and John T. of this review.
John T. Molineux attended the Middleville Union school to the age of fifteen years and on the 1st of November, 1879, obtained a position as office boy with the E. C. Mills Leather Company of Middleville, or at that time, G. H. Thomas & Company. He has been continuously identified with the concern through the intervening period of forty-five years and has gained steady advancement as he has familiarized himself with each successive stage of the business, until he is now active in its management as vice president, assistant treasurer and director. His long experience has proved a substantial factor in the continued expansion and prosperity of the corporation. As above stated, he also figures prominently in financial affairs as president of the Middleville National Bank and likewise conducts a successful insurance business in fire, liability and surety bonds. His prosperity is well deserved, as in him are embraced the characteristics of an unbending integrity, unabating energy and industry that never flags.
In 1888, at Lowville, Lewis county, New York, Mr. Molineux was united in marriage to Miss Alice F. Wheeler, who was born in May, 1861, her parents being Jerome and Emily (Bowe) Wheeler. Her father, a farmer by occupation, passed away in Middleville, while her mother departed this life in Hinckley, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Molineux have one daughter, Mildred, who was born in 1890 and who is a graduate of the Middleville high school and of the State Normal School of Oneonta, New York. She followed the profession of teaching in Herkimer county for some years and is now librarian in Middleville. Mrs. Molineux gives her political support to the republican party and is a county committeewoman of Middleville. She belongs to the Village Improvement Society of Middleville and fraternally is identified with Kuyahoora Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star in Newport, while her religious faith is indicated by her membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of Middleville.
Mr. Molineux served as state committeeman of Herkimer county for two years but was obliged to resign the position on account of pressing business affairs. His interest in community advancement is evidenced in the fact that he is now president of the Free Library Association, the Middleville Rural Cemetery Association and the board of education. During the period of the World war he took a helpful part in all the Liberty Loan drives as well as in the work of the Red Cross. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Newport Lodge, No. 455, F. and A. M., and he attends the services of the Methodist Episcopal and Universalist churches. At his camp on Big Moose lake he indulges his love for fishing and hunting when leisure permits.