USA > New York > Cayuga County > History of Cayuga County, New York > Part 41
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sions and homes that have been erected in this city in recent years have been installed with plumbing, light or heat under his supervision. He is an expert plumber and sanitary engineer and during the many years that he has conducted business in Auburn he has gained an enviable prestige. Mr. Barrett's establish- ment on Genesee street is extensive and up-to-date with a fine showroom stocked with elegant fixtures, bath tubs, etc. He does both a wholesale and retail business.
Mr. Barrett takes great interest in Auburn's progress in every way. He always advocates good measures and conservative principals and delights to honor those who have aided in further- ing the development of this his adopted city. He has many friends and enjoys the highest respect of all.
WILLIAM BYRNE, bookbinder, is not only the leading man in his line in Auburn, but is the oldest, and his business is one of the oldest of any kind in the city. The exact date of its inception is difficult to determine, but M. Ivison owned it in the early part of the nine- teenth century, probably one hundred years ago. He sold out to Luther Howard in 1825, and Howard was succeeded by Lindsley & DeCamp. Then came Howe & Husk, which changed to Hurd & Husk and then to J. M. Hurd, who was mayor of the city. He was succeeded in the business by D. J. Meeker, who sold it to Mr. Byrne in 1865. The business was then conducted at 87 Genesee street, but was moved to its present location over the Advertiser office in 1866.
William Byrne was born in Ireland in 1838, but came to America with his parents who settled in Auburn in 1848, the year it was incorporated as a city. He married Mary A. Clark and the living children are Margaret, Mary, Kathrine and John Joseph. One son, Walter, a lawyer, of New York City, is deceased. (See Bench and Bar Chapter.) Frances Henry, William J., and Henry A., three
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other sons, died after reaching manhood. Two daughters also are deceased, namely, Rose A., and Elizabeth.
COLD SPRINGS BREWERY. This enterprise was established in 1892 by William Wildner, father of the present proprietors, William G. and George J. Wildner. The plant consists of two buildings, one hundred and twenty by forty feet, and sixty by forty feet respectively, and is thoroughly equipped for the successful conduct of the business. The capacity of the brewery is six thousand bar- rels and ten men are employed. The Wildners brew nothing but high grade ales, stock and porter, and this is one of the few breweries that is not controlled by any trust. They depend solely upon the quality of their goods for supremacy in the market and the result is indicated by a constantly increasing business, year after year.
William G. Wildner is a member of the Protective and Benevo- lent Order of Elks, the Eagles and of the Knights of Pythias. George J. Wildner is a member of the Elks, the Auburn Turn Verein, and the German Society Hari Gari.
JOSEPH A. KILMER, electrical and gas contractor, established his business under the name of the Gas Appliance Exchange in Auburn, in 1905, and has already built up a large trade and patron- age in the city and surrounding country, his operations extending as far west as Canandaigua and as far east as Oneida. He installs either gas or electrical plants and fixtures in any kind of building and his usual working force is fifteen expert men. He has made some large installations and his reputation for superior work places him in the front rank of electrical contractors in the state.
Mr. Kilmer is a native of Auburn, and was educated in the local schools. Subsequently he took a thorough course in an electrical college, besides which he had three years practical experience with the Auburn Gas Company before he established his present business.
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Joseph A. Kilmer married Janet E. Houghton. His parents were George A. and Delia B. (Gill) Kilmer. George A. Kilmer was born in Cayuga County and the family ranks among the oldest and most respected in the county.
Joseph A. Kilmer is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and of the Auburn Business Men's Association. He is also prominent in musical circles and is a member of the "Har- mony Four" male quartette, and of the choir of the Second Presby- terian church. He has taken the tenor rôle in a large number of excellent local concerts and his highly prized services are always in demand.
W. H. MEAGHER, a leading undertaker of Auburn, established his business enterprise here in 1904. Prior to this time he had conducted a successful business in Skaneateles for ten years, but desiring a larger field of operations he selected Auburn and located at No. 10 East Genesee street. Mr. Meagher is a graduate from the Renonard School of New York City, and is a very expert under- taker and embalmer. He is a member of the New York State Embalmers' Association and of the New York Undertakers' Asso- ciation. Since establishing business in Auburn he has built up a large undertakng and embalming patronage. He is a member of the C. M. B. A., K. of C., the N. P., L. M. W. of A., etc. His family consists of his wife and four children, namely: Margaret, Catharine, Mary, and Rosamond.
TIMMONS & BYER, NO. 42 North street. This is one of the young houses in its line in Auburn, but has already taken front rank for superior work and business prosperity. The firm was formed in April, 1907, the individual members being William H. Timmons and William R. Byer. They are both practical plumbers and experts in their line. They take contracts for all kinds of plumbing,
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and gas, steam and hot water fittings. They have a working force of six experienced men and are able to handle contracts promptly, also they carry all their own supplies and customers do not have to wait for fittings to be forwarded. Mr. Timmons is a native of Auburn and has fifteen years' experience in his business. His parents were Edward and Mary (Cosgrove) Timmons. He married Emma Gill. Mr. Byer is a native of the town of Sterling and has been in the plumbing business nine years. His parents were James and Elizabeth (Roberts) Byer. He married Nettie Vincent.
THOMAS HENRY COLLINS, proprietor of the Hotel Vendome, was born in Union Springs, Cayuga County, N. Y., and received his education in the schools of his native place. He passed the first fifteen years of his life on the farm, and then after some years, became a clerk in a hotel. After clerking two years he was appointed to an official position in Auburn prison where he remained for five years. He next embarked in the liquor business and in October, 1905, became proprietor of The Vendome, which he has made one of the popular hotels of Auburn. The house contains forty-six rooms, and is highly popular both with local patrons and the traveling public. The Vendome is popular not only because it is admirably conducted, but also because of the proprietor.
Thomas H. Collins married Rose McFadden, and they have one daughter, Agnes.
BELL & STONER. This is the oldest livery establishment in Auburn and was founded by Robert Bell, grandfather of the present head of the firm, in 1862. The firm became Robert Bell & Son, then T. J. Bell & Co., then R. L. Bell, and finally Bell & Stoner, the present proprietors. The firm dates from May 7, 1906. Mr. Stoner had a livery on Water street and the two establishments
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were consolidated on that date. Their stables are very large, having a frontage on Garden street of one hundred feet and running back to Academy street. These stables are noted for their fine turnouts of coaches, cabs, buggies and sleighs, and the reliability of drivers and attendants. Mr. Bell is a member of the Order of Maccabees of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Auburn Lodge No. 474, and of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has passed to the thirty-second degree. He is also a member of the Auburn Business Men's Association. Mr. Stoner also is a member of the Elks. Both the Bell and Stoner families are decendants of old settlers in Cayuga County.
THE EHLE ELECTRIC CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, Daniel Ehle, man- ager, has been established here for some time, and has become known as a most successful construction company in electrical lines. Mr. Ehle, the manager, has had extensive experience covering the past fourteen years, during which he has been identified with much notable work. He learned his trade with the Standard Electric Construction Company of Rochester, N. Y., one of the largest and most successful electrical companies doing business in Western and Central New York. Mr. Ehle has installed many important plants with electrical power and light, among which we mention here the Diamond Novelty Company of Syracuse with two hundred lights and seventy-five motors; The Auburn Hame Company, with switchboard and four hundred lights; The Leonard Garage with two swithboards and motors for power and light. Mr. Ehle has gained a substantial patronage for his house, and is popular in Auburn. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He resides in Auburn and his family consists of wife and one son, George.
JOSEPH H. WARNE was born in Auburn and educated in the city schools. After leaving school he took up the plumbing trade
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with Carpenter & Irish and remained with that house for ten years. While with Mr. Irish he did work on many fine contracts in prominent buildings. On July 1, 1906, he embarked in business for himself and now employes a force of four men and has already achieved a reputation of being an able and reliable contractor in plumbing, steam and gas fitting and hot water heating. His shop and office are located at 21 E. Genesee street. Mr. Warne married Elvina L. Dare of Auburn, and they have one daughter, Josephine. His parents were Gilbert F. and Margaret E. (Dougall) Warne. His grandfather, John Warne, came from England and settled at Yonkers, N. Y., in 1812. In 1836 he came to Cayuga County and settled in Auburn on the Steel estate on North street.
THE AUBURN EXTRACT COMPANY was founded by J. G. Marshall and was incorporated in 1902, and re-incorporated in 1908. The individual members are J. G. Marshall and P. F. Gillette. J. G. Marshall is a native of Ithaca and was in business in Cortland and Utica before coming to Auburn. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Bevenolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Marshall married Alice E. Jones, of Ithaca, who died in the spring of 1907, leaving two children, Harold and Pauline. Mr. Marshall's parents were William and Laura (Gardiner) Marshall.
Mr. Gillette was born in Cortland, N. Y., but has resided in Auburn since his eighth year. He married Susan Jones and they have a family of four sons and one daughter. Mr. Gillette's parents were Frank and Felicia (Palmer) Gillette.
WALL & HEVERIN, bottlers. This firm was formed January I, 1906, succeeding to the business formerly conducted by James H. Holmes. Both members of the firm formerly worked for Mr. Holmes, and are thoroughly familiar with their business in all respects. The bottling plant is a three-story structure fifty by eighty feet in dimensions and is equipped with the most modern
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machinery and appliances for bottling. Their specialities are pure beer, mineral waters and sodas. Their products are popular on the market. They bottle such celebrated brands as Schlitz Milwaukee beer and Smith ales of Philadelphia. A number of assistants and several wagons are utilized and a large business is done. Both members of the firm give their personal attention to the business and are reliable and honorable in all their dealings. They have both phones.
ADAMS & SON. This well-known firm of manufacturing con- fectioners has been doing business in Auburn for the past twelve years, having succeeded C. R. Hemenway in 1896, who founded the business about the year 1880. Hemenway started the busi- ness in the old St. James Hotel block, which was destroyed by fire, after which he moved to the premises now occupied by Adams & Son at No. 125 Genesee street. The firm consists of Jacob Adams, who is a practical manufacturing confectioner, and his son, C. R. Adams, who is the business manager of the enterprise. Jacob Adams is a native of Auburn, and married Martha Graham. C. R. Adams, who was also born in Auburn, married Anna Barn- hart. After his school days he entered into business with his father. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Auburn Lodge No. 431.
DR. WILLIAM S. CHEESMAN, of Auburn, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., February 10, 1853, son of William S. and Mary (Shaurman) Cheesman. His advantages for securing a superior education were good, and he improved them to the utmost. He was a student in the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute, where he received practical training not excelled in any school in the country. In 1875 he graduated from Princeton with the degree of A. M., after which he studied with Dr. Henry B. Sands, of New York, and later in a college in New York City, from which he was graduated in 1879
33
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Dr. Cheesman was resident doctor at Bellevue Hospital for a year and a half, and afterward took the practice of a friend who was going abroad. He came to Auburn in 1881, where he has since been established. His reputation as a surgeon, to which branch of his profession he has given particular attention, extends throughout the county. He is a member of Cayuga County Medical Society, of which he has been president, member of the Central New York Medical Society, Fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine, and is surgeon to the Auburn City Hospital. Dr. Cheesman has spent a year in foreign study, chiefly in the hospitals of Berlin and Vienna. He is a constant contributor to the medical press of the country, his writings appearing in various periodicals. He is also a member of the State Medical Society, and an honorary mem- ber of the Onondaga Medical Society. His great success in the practice of medicine and surgery has placed him in an eminent pasition in his profession,
GENERAL WILLIAM H. SEWARD. The head and representative of the Seward family in Auburn to-day is General William H. Seward, a banker and business man widely known and highly esteemed for his ability and strict integrity, whose activity and field of usefulness have for many years extended far beyond the limits of his cherished home, bringing him in frequent contact with many of the most important men of affairs of our country.
He was born June 18, 1839, Auburn, N. Y., in the homestead erected in 1816 by his maternal grandfather, Judge Elijah Miller, now known as the Seward Mansion." He was the third and youngest son of William H. Seward, Secretary of State, and of Frances A. Seward. In 1857, desiring to support himself and gain a business knowledge, he secured a clerkship in a large hard- ware store in Albany, where he remained two years. In 1859 he relinquished his clerkship to become the private secretary of his
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father, then a United States Senator in Washington. Here he made the personal acquaintance of many of the most distinguished public men of that day. On June 27, 1860, Mr. Seward married Miss Janet M. Watson. During this year, in connection with his early friend, Clinton D. MacDougall, he projected and organized, in Auburn, N. Y., the banking house of William H. Seward & Co. Early in 1862, he was appointed by Governor Morgan one of the war committee of his Congressional district, of which committee he was made secretary ; during this summer he was engaged in enlisting and forwarding troops. In August, leaving his business interests in trustworthy hands, he accepted the appointment of lieutenant- colonel of the regiment then organizing, the One Hundred and Thirty-Eighth New York Volunteers, soon afterward changed to the Ninth New York Heavy Artillery; in September, 1862, his regi- ment was first assigned to duty in Haskins' Division, Twenty-second Army Corps, defences of Washington, where, under the direction of the engineers' department, Lieutenant-Colonel Seward took an active part in the construction of several of the large forts of the Potomac; among them, and the most important, was Fort Foote, at Rosier's Bluff, where he mounted and used the largest land ordinance then known to the service. This fort is one of the few of those historic landmarks of the Rebellion still standing. In the spring of 1863, Lieutenant-Colonel Seward was sent by President Lincoln, under the direction of the War Department, on a delicate secret mission to New Orleans and to General Banks, then operating on the Bayou Teche in Louisiana; this service was satisfactorily accom- plished, but not without much danger and hardship. In May, 1864, the Ninth Artillery, under Colonel Seward's command, he having been promoted to colonel, joined the Army of the Potomac at Hanover Court House, and became a part of the Second Brigade, Rickett's Third Division, Wright's Sixth Army Corps, under General Grant. From this time forward he participated in many of the engagements around Petersburg and Richmond, among which was
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the battle of Cold Harbor, where he led in person a successful assault on the rebel earthworks in front of his command with a loss to his regiment of one hundred and forty-two killed and wounded; for gal- lant service in this engagement General Rickett's Division received special commendation from General Meade. On July 6th, with one battalion, four companies of his regiment, Colonel Seward was hur- riedly sent, with part of Rickett's Division, to Frederick, Maryland, to oppose General Early, who was advancing upon Baltimore and Washington. At the battle of Monocacy, which took place July 9th, and proved to be one of the most obstinately contested battles of the war, lasting most of the day, he was wounded in the arm and sustained a broken leg by the fall of his horse, shot under him on the final charge. General Lew Wallace, in command of the Union forces, in a dispatch to Washington, reported Colonel Seward "as having acted with rare gallantry." Soon after his services were emphasized by an autograph letter from Secretary of War Stanton, inclosing his appointment as brigadier-general of volunteers for "gallant and meritorious services." As soon as his wounds per- mitted he was sent to Martinsburg in command of the First Brigade, Third Division, Department of West Virginia, then operating in the Shenandoah Valley, and for a short time, after the capture of General Crook, he was in command of the same division at Harper's Ferry. His military service ended with his resignation at the close of the war, when he resumed the place at the head of his banking house, which, through his energy and foresight, is now, after a prosperous existence of more than forty-six years, recognized as one of the strongest institutions of the kind in Western New York. Several years ago General Seward established in Auburn, and has since con- ducted at his own expense, free reading rooms for workingmen, which have rapidly grown in popularity, until the average attend- ance each season has reached forty thousand.
He has always been active in building up many of the industrial and charitable institutions of his home city, among them the
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Auburn Water Works system, the Oswego Starch Factory, the City Hospital and many others.
He has done much towards the development of the city's real estate, has erected several business blocks and built many small houses for workmen, which were sold on such liberal terms that over two hundred and fifty people, with very small means, were enabled to secure permanent homes for themselves and family.
In politics General Seward has always been an active, enthusi- astic and generous adherent of the Republican party. While frequently mentioned by his friends for political honors, he has usually declined, prefering a business life to the perplexities and obligations of a political career; in 1884 he was a prominent candi- date for governor at the Saratoga convention, and was earnestly pressed for that position by his party associates and friends. He has twice been nominated an elector-at-large on the Republican State Presidential ticket, and was made president of the Electoral College at its session in Albany in 1889 by the unanimous choice of his associates.
He has been president of Auburn City Hospital and the Cayuga County Savings Bank, and vice-president of Wells College, and is still a trustee of each of those institutions. He is a director in the American Express Company, and a member of the American Geographical Society, Loyal Legion, Union League Club of New York City, United Service Club, G A. R., Grant Monument Asso- ciation, American Historical Society and trustee of the Central Presbyterian Church, Auburn, N. Y.
No stranger meeting this kindly gentleman would detect in him the stern warrior; indeed, a man might make several guesses before naming his business. Neither the camp nor mart have left their mark upon him. All his life he must have possessed that rarest quality of good sense with quick preception which enabled him to close successfully with difficulties and responsibilities as they came to him. He is younger than his years, sprightly and genial; he is
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broad minded and liberal, perceptive and reflective. He knows and yet loves the world for the good there is in it. There are three English words which contain the essence of all the commandments ; they are, Home, Country and Fellowman. Measured by these great standards of duty General Seward stands tall. And this is the verdict of many tongues.
THOMAS MOTT OSBORNE. It is somewhat early to write the biography of a man who is only in his prime, but there are many apparent reasons why a history of Cayuga County, embracing up-to-date events, should take take some recognition of a citizen who has long been intimately connected with the best interests of Auburn, who has twice been mayor of the city, and who occupies a high and responsible position in the state.
Thomas Mott Osborne, son of David M. and Eliza (Wright) Osborne, was born in the City of Auburn, N. Y., September 23, 1859. He attended the public schools of his native city, and travelled extensively in his boyhood days, making a trip around the world at the age of eighteen. He was prepared for college at Adams Academy, Quincy, Mass., and entered Harvard University in the class of 1884. During his college course he was prominent in various societies, and was one of the founders of the Harvard Co-Operative Society-thus early in life evincing those constructive qualities of mind which have since developed into a distinctive part of his character.
After graduating from Harvard he entered the service of D. M. Osborne & Co. as clerk in the collection department and later was placed in charge of the office at the rolling mill and malleable foundry and afterwards served as assistant superintendent, thus getting wide opportunity to study the business and gain a practical knowledge of farm machinery, but within two years was called to the presidency of the company, through the death of his father.
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That position he filled from 1886 to 1903, and during his incumbency the business of the concern increased enormously- more than one thousand per cent.
In 1903, the Osborne Works were sold to the International Harvester Company, and Mr. Osborne has since devoted much of his time to matters of political import and public interest, and to literary work for which he seems to have a fondness and is particu- larly well equipped, having the advantages of a superior education and wide experience to fortify a really fine natural talent. He has not, however, completely severed himself from business affairs, but has interests in several different enterprises, although he takes no active part in their operations. He is president of the Auburn Publishing Company, of the Cayuga County Dairy Company, and the Buffalo Transparent Products Company, and vice-president of the Columbian Rope Company and the Eagle Wagon Works.
In the fall of 1902, Mr. Osborne was elected mayor of Auburn, on the Democratic ticket, carrying every ward in the city,-every election district but one. He was re-elected in 1904 by a majority of one hundred and forty-six, although President Roosevelt carried the city by two thousand at the same time. In both of these con- tests he received many Republican votes which party pressure or political sentiment drove back to their old alignment during 1905 and when he ran for a third term, in the fall of that year, he was defeated by a small plurality. It is worthy of note that his father D. M Osborne, a Republican, was also mayor of Auburn for two terms, and it is doubtful if another city in the state has had the unique experience of having both a father and son, of different politics, for chief magistrates.
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