HON. PATRICK H. COSTELLO
Hon. Patrick H. Costello, long a resident of Camden, and one of the best known citizens of Oneida county, has given the name of Camden a world-wide currency in connection with the famous "Camden leather" turned out of his extensive tanneries during his long and successful business career of nearly forty years. He was born in County Cavan, Ireland, of an old and respected family. His father, Thomas Costello, and his grandfather, before him, were tanners, while three of his uncles were engaged in the same business.
Mr. Costello was carefully educated, with the view of becoming a priest; but at seventeen years of age the death of his father cast him upon his own resources (his mother was already dead), and the two years following were spent in acquiring the tanner's trade. At the end of this period he emigrated to America, accompanied by two sisters, and located at Vienna, Oneida county, whither an older brother, John Costello, had preceded them. This was in 1$43, when he was nineteen years of age. He found employment in the tannery of Walter H. Cook, at Vienna, and continued with him until 1848, when he formed a partnership with his brother, John, and his cousin, P. C. Costello. This firm purchased the Camden tannery, and upon the death of John Costello in 1850 the partnership was continued by the cousins. In 1873 they joined with H. G. Lapham, forming the firm of Lapham, Costello & Co., which existed ten years. In 1886 the firm of P. C. Costello & Co. succeeded, composed of P. C. Costello (the present head), Patrick H. Costello, and the latter's two sons, Alfred and John H. The death of Patrick H., at his daughter's home in Brooklyn, N. Y., December 17, 1890, reduced the firm to its present partners.
The extensive business was divided into two departments, Patrick C. managing the commercial and financial division in New York city, while Patrick H. and his sons had the entire direction of the practical manufacture of the leather. The excellence of the product which this firm placed upon the market was largely due to the skill of P. H. Costello. Universal recognition of his unusual abilities exhibited in this department was manifested at the time of his death, in the regrets of the leading members of the leather trade in New York city. The Shoe and Leather Reporter declared that "P. H. Costello took a great interest in his trade and paid close attention to its development." The special meeting of the New York Hide and Leather Club, in consequence of his death, was notable for the representative character of its attendance. Hon. Charles A. Schieren (since mayor of Brooklyn), who presided, expressed his sense of the honor conferred upon him in connection with one so distinguished as Mr. Costello for "integrity in business life" and so "honorable a career as a merchant and tanner." Said Mr. T. M. Barnes: "He was a skillful manufacturer of leather, and gave the name of the 'Camden tannage' a high reputation at home and abroad. His standing thirty years ago was of the best; he always kept it so. He was a public spirited man." Mr. George A. Vail thus characterized him: "He was a man of genial, hearty, social nature. I think the main aim, the one ambition of his life, was to make good leather and be a successful business man, and in that he succeeded remarkably. He was a kind father; an affectionate life partner to his wife, who survives him, and he will be sincerely mourned, not only by his family and business associates, but by many friends." The following resolutions were spread upon the minutes of the Hide and Leather Club, and presented to the family of the deceased, a committee appointed by Mr. Schieren, and consisting of George A. Vail, Justus L. Bulkley and T. M. Barnes, having formulated them:
"Your committee request that the result of their labor be placed on the minutes of the club, as an expression by the members of the trade of their appreciation of the late P. H. Costello, in consequence of whose death we were called together.
"Mr. Costello had a long and favorable career as a tanner, and his name, in connection with his special production, has acquired a world wide reputation. This has been gained by great skill in the management of the business and a knowledge of the requirements of the trade.
"From humble beginnings Mr. Costello gained his position by great industry and a strict integrity, which are never-failing factors in placing a man at the front in whatever walk of life his lot may be cast.
"Modest and unassuming, but little known outside of those with whom he came in close contact, he has fulfilled his mission and passed from among us, and those of us who knew him remember him in kindness.
"Our sympathies go out toward those of his family who remain, and to his sons we point to the honorable record of a parent whose life has ended without a stain, and whose career is worthy to be emulated."
Mr. Costello was married to Almira Burr, a descendant of one of the most distinguished Puritan families of Colonial Connecticut. This lady survived her husband, together with their three children: Alfred Costello, of Brooklyn, N. Y.; John H. Costello, of Costello, Pa.; and Ella, wife of Dr. Theodore Brown, of Brooklyn. Mr. Costello was a devout Christian, active in church work and benevolent enterprises, and one of the most prominent members of St. John's Church, at Camden.
For the greater part of a half century, Mr. Costello was one of the best known men in Oneida county. During the greater portion of this time he was a resident of Camden, and even after his business required his presence mainly at Costello, Pa., he still considered himself a resident of Camden, and generally spent his summers there with his family. He was deeply interested in the welfare of Camden, and served several terms as president of the village, and many years as president of its Board of Education. In politics he was an enthusiastic Republican, and an intimate friend of Roscoe Conkling. He had no taste for public life, however, although when prevailed upon to accept the Republican nomination for member of assembly, in 1873, his popularity was demonstrated by his election by a large majority in a strong Democratic district. He was also a presidential elector in 1880.
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