William Harrison Sigourney
- Born: 2 Mar 1815, Watertown NY
- Marriage (1): Julia H. Huntington on 9 Oct 1845 in Watertown NY
- Died: 25 Jul 1895, Watertown NY
General notes:
Silversmith, jeweler, and watchmaker
Events in his life were:
- He was a partner in 1838-1839 with Alonzo B. Turner in Watertown NY as SIGOURNEY & TURNER 18
- He was a partner in 1841-1842 with Alonzo B. Turner in Watertown NY as SIGOURNEY & TURNER. 18
- He worked in 1842-1850 as a silversmith in Watertown NY 18
- He appeared on the 1850 census taken at Watertown NY, listed as a jeweler.
- Appointed in 1853 as Postmaster in Watertown NY
- He appeared on the 1860 census taken at Watertown NY, listed as a postmaster.
- He appeared on the 1870 census taken at New York City NY, listed as a watchmaker.
- Obituary printed in the Watertown Re-union (Watertown NY) on 31 Jul 1895
William Harrison Sigourney died at his home in this city Wednesday morning after an illness of several months duration. Deceased was born in Watertown, March 2, 1815. He received his early education in the common schools and at the age of seventeen he left the paternal roof and apprenticed himself to the trade of silversmith and watchmaker with the late Calvin Guiteau. Upon reaching his majority Mr. Sigourney embarked in the jewelry business for himself, continuing for a few years, when he took in as a partner A.B. Turner. The partnership continued for several years, when Mr. Turner retired and was succeeded in 1849 by Robert Hitchcock the inventor. Under the name of Sigourney & Hitchcock the business prospered.
With the election of Franklin Pierce to the president in 1852, Mr. Sigourney's devotion to the principles of Democracy and his indefatigable work in the interests of the party were rewarded by his appointment to the Post Mastership of the village, then the most lucrative appointive office. Mr. Sigourney retained the office for eight years through the administration of Pierce and Buchanan, until the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln in 1861, when the change of political fortunes compelled his retirement from public service. In 1861 he sold his interest in the jewelry business to Roswell P. Flower and disposing of his real estate in the village, removed to New York in 1864, where he engaged in new enterprises – some proving satisfactory and others not congenial or profitable.
In 1893, failing health made it advisable for him to return to his native place, where surrounded by his relatives and friends, he could pass his declining years with those dear to him. He sold his residence in Brooklyn and purchased a home at 12 Holcomb street in this city. The winters of '94 and '95 he passed with his friend, and former business partner, Robert Hitchcock, at the latter's home on Ten Eyck Street. Last spring he and his wife moved into their own home on Holcomb Street, where they have since resided.
William married Julia H. Huntington on 9 Oct 1845 in Watertown NY. (Julia H. Huntington was born on 4 Sep 1819.)
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