James J. Carmichael

James Carmichael, early 1900s

James J. Carmichael was born in September 1884 in Caledonia, NY to James J. Carmichael and Jane Isabell McIntyre. He was the youngest of 7 boys, including John Henry and Fred Duncan (from father's previous marriage), Ira J., Peter R., William George, Daniel D. and James J. The Carmichaels had been in the Caledonia, NY area for many generations. I am not sure why or how our James Carmichael settled in the Rochester area and met Mabel Sleggs, the lovely young school teacher from Geneseo. I suspect that he met her through his contemporary niece Ina, who may have gone to school with Mabel. James himself was college educated, attending Cornell University only sporadically since his family often needed him at home to help with the farming (his father had died during the summer of 1903). I contacted Cornell archivists, and they report that James took several law courses during two semesters in 1905-06.

James Carmichael
Such a striking man!
James married Mabel when he was 24 and she was 23. They lived on Seneca Parkway in Rochester and had four children: James J. Jr, Ruth Onalee, George Sleggs and Jean Darling. View photos of young Carmichael family.

The 1920 Federal Census shows James' occupation as a "Dealer" of "Real Estate". In the 1930 Census, his occupation was a "Realtor". The property value of his home was $20,000. His household at that time consisted of himself (age 45), Mabel (age 44), James Jr (age 20), Ruth O. (age 15), George S. (age 13) and Jean D. (9).

During WWI, James was exectutive secretary in the Rochester area for the War Camp Community Service, which provided recreation and other special services for military personnel. After WWI, James founded his own real estate business that specialized in appraisal. He headed the local Real Estate Board, and was vice president and a director of the State Association of Real Estate Boards, and was member of several national groups. He was a past president of the Kiwanis Club of Rochester and was a 50-year member of the Seneca Lodge. Clearly, James was an upstanding Rochester citizen. Before retiring, James represented the Hudson City Banks in mortgage loans.

James was known as "Poppy" to his Marquardt grandchildren. The Carmichaels called him "Grampy" until late in his life, when they also switched to "Poppy". I'm hoping they will contact me with anecdotes and stories about their recollections of James and Mabel.

James died in the hospital from a stroke on the night before Easter in 1962 (April 23). Diane remembers being at the Seneca Parkway house with Granny and her mother Jean Marquardt when they received the call from the hospital informing them of James' death. Jean looked at Granny, said: "Mother, that's our call," and took her to the hospital to take care of business.

View James' Obituary from the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle

Postcard portrait taken in
Ontario Beach, 8-16-1906
Other men unknown Reverse side of postcard

A more mature James Carmichael James with his new toy!

James Carmichael, Realtor "Poppy"

James playing football at Cornell.
You just see a tiny "x" above him in the back row! James Carmichael, fisherman

Home Darling Sleggs Carmichael Marquardt

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Postcard portrait taken in Ontario Beach, 8-16-1906 Other men unknown	Reverse side of postcard

A more mature James Carmichael	James with his new toy!

James Carmichael, Realtor	"Poppy"

James playing football at Cornell. You just see a tiny "x" above him in the back row!	James Carmichael, fisherman