Times were already stressful enough around Oneonta in the autumn of 1942. With the U.S. involvement in World War II approaching a year and its often-bad news, some additional sadness came from the mayor’s office. Not once, but twice came news of the death of the city’s chief executive. Oneonta had three mayors during two months that year.

The Oct. 15 edition of The Oneonta Herald had an upper front page filled with news about the war. A patriotic parade was set for that coming Saturday to encourage enlistment of young men ages 18 and 19.

Another article gave an update on the drive to collect scrap metal for the war effort. More than 100,000 pounds had been obtained so far by a street canvass that month.

Between these articles appeared the sad news of Mayor Daniel E. Franklin’s passing Oct. 12. To many, the news came as little surprise, as Franklin had been ill for more than six years. During the time he had been able to attend to his other business interests, Franklin tended to city business. Franklin had served in that office since Jan. 1, 1938, and won re-election two times, as the terms were two years at the time.

Franklin was a native of Andes, born in 1875, and attended country school there. When he was 9, his father, also named Daniel, was elected Delaware County sheriff, so the family moved to Delhi.

Later, Franklin entered state service as a milk and food inspector in the Department of Agriculture for 18 years. In 1915, he entered the milk business in Delhi and eventually organized Dan Franklin Dairies, which at one time had 11 creameries in operation.

Franklin’s ties with Oneonta came with other business ventures. He was president of Otsego Hotel Co., owner of the Hotel Oneonta block, today’s 189 Main St. Franklin belonged to several local organizations, including the Oneonta Rotary, Country Club and Chamber of Commerce, among others.

Flags around the city were at half-staff and the stores closed Thursday, Oct. 15. The funeral was held at Franklin’s home on Walnut Street, followed by a long procession to the Plains Cemetery, directed by 12 state troopers.

During Mayor Franklin’s last days, the Common Council met in a special session and elected Dorr S. Hickey to complete Franklin’s term, due to expire at the end of 1943.

Hickey had also been in poor health for more than a year. He went about the business of the city as he was able but had the courage and was determined that he could carry out the job as he felt somewhat better.

The news was grim Oct. 31 that Hickey had died at Fox Hospital only 19 days after Mayor Franklin.

Hickey was born in Milford in 1898 and graduated from Milford High. He attended Phillips Exeter Academy and later Yale University. He served in the Naval reserve during World War I.

After graduating from Yale, Hickey’s career took him to Rochester and New York City, and in 1926, he came to Oneonta to become a partner in his father’s business, Empire State Oil Company.

Hickey became very active in local organizations and was elected alderman in the Third Ward in 1937, replacing the retiring Russell E. Brigham.

Hickey always loved baseball and became a leader in organizing the Oneonta Indians baseball club. The team played until the late 1930s, when a Canadian-American League team was placed here in 1940, the Oneonta Red Sox, also mostly arranged by Hickey.

The Common Council met again in special session and appointed Russell E. Brigham mayor and Professor Albert P. Mills of the State Teachers College as Third Ward alderman. William F. Slawson was acting mayor.

The only other mayor to die while in office, to date, was Joseph Lunn in 1947.

This weekend: Oneonta had potential to become a health resort village.

City Historian Mark Simonson’s column appears twice weekly. On Saturdays, his column focuses on the area during the Depression and before. His Monday columns address local history after the Depression. If you have feedback or ideas about the column, write to him at The Daily Star, or e-mail him at simmark@stny.rr.com. His website is www.oneontahistorian.com.