Harry M. MacDougal 1883-1972
Harry MacDougal loved his country, he loved his state, but most of all he loved his county and the people who lived in it.
Born in Elizabethtown in 1883, his 89 years in that same community were years of service to those people. He served them as Town Auditor, Town Supervisor, and beginning in 1932 as County Clerk, a position he held for almost 40 years until failing health caused him to retire.
He imbibed his Republicanism from the apple cider pressed from apples in his orchard, to the maple syrup on his pancakes. His father was a soldier in the Union Army, fought at Gettysburg, Bull Run and Seven Oaks, and made Abe Lincoln’s name a household word for young Harry. Harry often spoke with respect for his great uncle, Milo Durand, who operated a station on the underground railroad before the war, for slaves escaping to Canada. In 1956 Harry became Chairman of the Essex County Republican Committee and held that post until his death 16 years later.
His deep interest in local history led him to help in organizing the Essex County Historical Society, establishing the Adirondack Center Museum, the Colonial Garden, and the sugar house which served as the center of activity for the annual maple sugar festival. He helped found the Kiwanis Club, raised funds for the hospital, and presided over the local Grange and Dairymen’s League and was president of the Essex County Farm Bureau.
Harry MacDougal was an environmentalist (he called it a conservationist) before his time. Every year he held a Conservation Day at his camp in Lewis attended by friends and environmental heroes such as Bill Petty of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
As County Republican Chairman, he felt the need to maintain close contact with party workers and the people. He spent an evening every week at Burpee’s store in Lewis, reminiscing with his old cronies but most importantly listening to complaints or problems about local government. He was an unfailing attendant at every funeral in Elizabethtown and nearby towns.
He used his influence in Albany to get special benefits for the people of Essex County, not for himself. He hoped Essex County would remain in the Republican column and his lifelong efforts were designed to assure that.
1986 Hugh F. Morrison Town of Keene
1987 Daniel T Manning Sr. Town of Jay
1988 Eugene F Williams Town of Moriah
1989 Araxie Dunn Town of North Elba
1990 M.Leo Friedman Town of Schroon
1991 John Rotella Town of Moriah
1992 Merritt Hanmer Town of Newcomb
1993 Robert Peacock Town of North Elba
1994 Marion Merrow Town of Westport
1995 Adolph Diskin Town of Ticonderoga
1996 Fred & Rose Morse Town of Minerva
1997 Gerald Forcier, Sr. Town of Westport
1998 John Koller Town of North Hudson
1999 Matthew B. Clark Town of North Elba
2000 Gay Gutierrez Town of Westport
2001 Alexander Treadwell Town of Westport
2002 Ronald B. Stafford City of Plattsburgh
2003 Lewis W. Sanders Town of Ticonderoga
2004 Hon. Dominick Viscardi Town of Ticonderoga
2005 Eugene Engert Town of Jay * Posthumous
2006 Joyce W. Morency Town of St. Armand
2007 Joseph A. Provoncha Town of North Hudson
2008 John & Anne McDonald Town of Ticonderoga
Mary Featherstone Prime 1901-1981
Mary Featherstone Prime of Lake Placid, New York was active in the Republican Party, seeing political action as an effective vehicle to accomplish socially desirable ends. These objectives included improving health care facilities and mental health programs in the North Country, developing the economic welfare of the people of the Adirondacks, protecting and preserving the resources and the natural beauty of this region. Her love of nature was expressed in her years of activity in the local garden clubs, giving her an entrée in the national organization which resulted in the Garden Club of America declaring in favor the Adirondack route for Interstate 87.
She served as Republican State Committeewoman for many years and was active in the leadership of the Republican Women of Essex County. She was founder and trustee of the Lake Placid Memorial Hospital and was its president for many years. She was the regional representative on the New York State Review and Planning Board. In 1971 she was appointed by Governor Rockefeller as a member of the newly formed Adirondack Park Agency on which she served for eight years. She was outspoken for women’s rights, for programs to alleviate poverty and hardship for the under privileged, and for protecting the environment.
The Mary Prime Award is presented by the Republican Women of Essex County in recognition of outstanding community service.
1985 Constance Miller, Keene 1997 Mary Gonyea, St. Armand
1986 Charlotte Allen, Westport 1998 Elizabeth Densmore, Ticonderoga
1987 Elizabeth Wilkins, Willsboro 1999 Beverly McIntyre, Westport
1988 Winifred Lamb, North Elba 2000 Grace Drummond, Essex
1989 Joyce Barker, Crown Point 2001 Madge Randa, Wilmington
1990 Georgianna Anson, Westport 2002 Joyce W. Morency, St. Armand
1991 Doris H. Merrihew, Elizabethtown 2003 Carol Ferguson, Ticonderoga
1992 Lillian N. Richardson, Schroon 2004 Virginia H. Lowe, Essex
1993 Micky Hall, Willsboro 2005 Clara Phibbs, Schroon
1994 Joanne Zaumetzer, Willmington 2006 Betty Jane Light, Elizabethtown
1995 Margaret Kolodzey, Moriah 2007 Derinda Sherman, Westport
1996 Mildred Walsh, Elizabethtown 2008 Sue Crowningshield, Chesterfield
Our Harry MacDougal and Mary Prime Award Winners
