Eugene M. Walrath, well known merchant of Little Falls, is descended from some of the old Revolutionary families of this state. His great-great-grandfather, Henry I. Walrath, fought in the battle of Oriskany, in the Revolution. Henry I. Walrath married one of the daughters of Captain George Henry Bell, a Revolutionary officer and a survivor of the battle of Oriskany. Their grandson, Moses Walrath, served in the War of 1812 and fought at Sackett's Harbor. He was born on the 8th of June, 1796, and farmed in the town of Danube, Herkimer county, where he passed away on April 12, 1866. He also farmed several years in Otsego county. He married Margaret Whitmosier and they became the parents of Isaac M. Walrath, who was born in Otsego county, New York, on the 28th of May, 1831, and died in Little Falls in June, 1900. He was a carpenter and builder by trade. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Charlotte Irene Taylor, was born at Middleport, New York, on February 25, 1833, the daughter of Dr. Francis L. and Charlotte Irene (Sternberg) Taylor. Her mother died a young woman. The father, however, lived to a mature age and died in Rochester, New York, about the year 1876. He was a graduate of the Fairfield Medical College at Fairfield, New York, and served as a surgeon in the Union army during the Civil war. More remotely Charlotte Irene (Taylor) Walrath was descended from George Herkimer, brother of the famous General Herkimer.
Eugene M. Walrath, the son of Isaac M. and Charlotte Irene (Taylor) Walrath, was born in the town of Danube, Herkimer county, on October 27, 1855. After obtaining a general education in the public schools of his native town and Little Falls, he worked at various occupations until he was about twenty years of age. He made his first acquaintance with the retail grocery business as a clerk in a store in Little Falls, and after two years' experience in this business he formed a partnership with James T. Leigh, under the firm name of E. M. Walrath & Company. The store is located at No. 379 South Ann street. The partnership has continued for the past thirty-five years.
Mr. Walrath has given his hearty support to the work of the local Chamber of Commerce and takes an active interest in the civic welfare of his community. For three terms he served on the board of education of Little Falls and is now acting as one of the commissioners of the Herkimer Home. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party, and fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order, belonging to the blue lodge. He also has membership connection with the American Men of Little Falls and the Royal Arcanum, while his religious faith is indicated in his identification with the Presbyterian church, to which his wife likewise belongs.
Mr. Walrath has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Adeline Cunningham, who was born in Little Falls, New York, in April, 1861, the daughter of John C. and Margaret Cunningham, both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Adeline (Cunningham) Walrath died in Little Falls in 1910, leaving one child, Irene Taylor Walrath, whose natal day was July 6, 1900. On June 14, 1915, Mr. Walrath was married in Syracuse, New York, to Miss Esther Elizabeth Baker, daughter of Silas L. and Ella (Worden) Baker, both of whom were natives of Oswego, New York.