From world leaders and inventors to musicians, actors, athletes, and military heroes, Northern New York has produced an extraordinary number of people whose achievements have left a lasting mark on America and the world.
For more than two centuries, Watertown and the North Country have quietly produced leaders, innovators, artists, musicians, military heroes, entrepreneurs, athletes, and entertainers whose influence has reached far beyond Northern New York. While often overshadowed by larger cities, few regions of comparable size have contributed so many individuals to American history, government, business, music, film, and culture.
Government, Politics & Public Service
John Foster Dulles
Raised in Watertown, John Foster Dulles became one of the most influential American diplomats of the twentieth century, serving as Secretary of State under President Dwight D. Eisenhower during the height of the Cold War.
Allen Welsh Dulles
Brother of John Foster Dulles, Allen Dulles attended Watertown public schools before becoming the longest-serving Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and later serving on the Warren Commission.
Eleanor Lansing Dulles
The sister of John Foster and Allen Dulles, Eleanor became one of America’s most respected diplomats and played a major role in rebuilding post-war Berlin, earning the nickname “Mother of Berlin.”
Robert Lansing
Born in Watertown, Robert Lansing served as U.S. Secretary of State under President Woodrow Wilson during World War I.
Roswell P. Flower
Born in nearby Theresa, Flower became Governor of New York. His family’s generosity led to the creation of Watertown’s landmark Flower Memorial Library.
John M. McHugh
Former Congressman representing Northern New York and later Secretary of the Army.
Orville Hungerford
Early banker in the area and was a Congressman from the district in the 1840s. He then went on to be one of the prime movers for the introduction of trains to the area and died at his desk as the first president of the Watertown and Rome Railroad in 1851. It could be argued he saved Watertown and helped it remain the vibrant town it was in the 1850s and onwards.
Business & Innovation
Frank Winfield Woolworth
While working in Watertown as a young store clerk, Woolworth conceived the idea that became the F.W. Woolworth five-and-dime empire, forever changing retailing in America.
Walter Hunt
One of America’s greatest inventors, Walter Hunt developed the modern safety pin while living in Watertown and created dozens of other inventions.
Music
Albert Bouchard
Founding drummer of the legendary rock band Blue Öyster Cult and one of the pioneers of American hard rock.
Joe Bouchard
Founding bassist, vocalist and songwriter for Blue Öyster Cult, helping create some of classic rock’s most recognizable music.
Sean Paddock
Watertown native Sean Paddock has become one of Nashville’s premier drummers. Best known for his longtime work with Kenny Chesney, he has also toured and recorded with Vince Gill, George Strait, Steve Miller, Joe Walsh, John Mellencamp, Sammy Hagar, Kid Rock, and numerous other major recording artists.
Efrem Wilder
International guitarist, songwriter, producer, and vocalist from Watertown whose career has taken him throughout Europe and North America. Wilder has collaborated with musicians around the world, including Scorpions bassist Paweł Mąciwoda through the international rock project Stirwater, earning a reputation as one of Northern New York’s most accomplished contemporary musicians.
Don Paddock
Longtime North Country bassist and respected musician whose influence on the regional music scene spans decades.
Film & Television
Richard Grieco
Actor, model, painter, and musician best known for starring in 21 Jump Street and the television series Booker. Grieco became one of television’s biggest stars during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Jay Storey
North Country filmmaker, producer, actor, and creative professional whose work has included independent films, documentaries, commercial productions, and regional filmmaking projects. Storey has helped demonstrate that high-quality film production can thrive in Northern New York as well as in larger entertainment markets.
Mark Neveldine
Hollywood director, producer, cinematographer, and screenwriter best known for directing the Crank films and Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.
Virgil Ross
Legendary Warner Bros. animator whose work helped bring Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, and other classic Looney Tunes characters to life.
Literature & Scholarship
Frederick Exley
Author of the acclaimed novel A Fan’s Notes, widely regarded as one of the great American novels of the twentieth century.
Paul Finkelman
Internationally respected constitutional scholar and historian specializing in Abraham Lincoln, slavery, and the United States Constitution.
Military
Gary M. Rose
Medal of Honor recipient whose extraordinary courage as a combat medic during the Vietnam War saved countless American lives.
Arthur E. Williams
United States Army lieutenant general with a distinguished military career.
Sports
Vic Hanson
One of the greatest athletes ever produced by the North Country, Hanson is enshrined in both the Basketball Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame.
Rocco Canale
Professional football player for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Donald Lutz
Major League Baseball player who also represented Germany in international competition.
Other Notable Figures
Charles Pierce
Nationally known entertainer and pioneer of stage performance.
Leonard J. Farwell
Governor of Wisconsin and successful businessman.
Joel Aldrich Matteson
Governor of Illinois.
George Chappell Schatz
Internationally recognized physical chemist.
Notable People from the Greater North Country
The surrounding North Country has also produced nationally significant figures, including:
- Frederic Remington — Celebrated Western artist, illustrator, and sculptor from Ogdensburg.
- Silas Wright — Influential New York governor and United States senator from St. Lawrence County.
- George C. Boldt — Hotel magnate and builder of Boldt Castle in the Thousand Islands.
- Brockway McMillan — NASA administrator and aerospace pioneer.
- William Seward Webb — Railroad builder and developer whose rail lines opened much of the Adirondacks.
A Remarkable Legacy
From shaping American foreign policy and directing the CIA to founding international retail chains, creating classic rock, starring in Hollywood productions, producing award-winning literature, inventing everyday products, and entertaining millions around the world, the people of Watertown and Northern New York have made contributions far beyond what anyone might expect from a small corner of the Empire State.
Their accomplishments continue to demonstrate that greatness is not measured by the size of a city, but by the impact of the people who call it home.
