USA > New York > Cayuga County > History of Cayuga County, New York > Part 43
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47
533
BIOGRAPHICAL
now removed for a later structure, was named in commemoration of his gift to that institution. At a later period, when the theo- logical seminary was in distress from a reduced income he, by the gift of a handsome sum of money, was largely instrumental in securing its retention in this city.
An instance of his patriotic regard for his country and interest in his fellowmen was furnished during the War of the Rebellion. A draft was imminent, causing grave apprehension among fathers and husbands who could ill afford to be taken from their homes. Mr. Case promptly donated a large sum to be paid out in bounties to volunteers, so that, if possible, the draft might be averted and the county's quota of soldiers made up from among those who were freest to go.
Theodore P. Case died in the month of May, 1891, and was buried in Fort Hill cemetery. He was a rare man and unique, but men of his mould are all too seldom seen. A most appropriate tribute to his memory is the Case Memorial Library, a gift to the City of Auburn hy Willard E. Case, in commemoration of his cultured father.
W. J. HENRY, manufacturer, Auburn, of Henry & Allen, is a native of this city. Prior to engaging with the Honorable G. W. Allen in the formation of their present enterprise, Mr. Henry was for fifteen years successfully identified with an important manu- facturing establishment as its superintendent. Since the forma- tion of the present corporation of Henry & Allen the business in which they are engaged (the manufacture of agricultural imple- ments, supplies and drop-forgings) has grown into a very extensive concern, employing over three hundred hands with fifteen travelling salesmen upon the road. Mr. Henry possesses great executive ability and a thorough knowledge of the practical details of his industry. As a citizen he has always been willing to lend his influence toward the furtherance of any good object having in view
534
HISTORY OF CAYUGA COUNTY
the welfare of Auburn either socially or politically. He has served as water commissioner, is a member of the City Club, and a life member of the Elks. He married Miss Myer and they have a family of three children, namely, William, Earl and Paul.
THOMAS RINGWOOD is one of the important factors in the com mercial life of Auburn by reason of his Merchants' General Freight- ing, the office of which is situated on Garden street, near State. This was formerly the Webster Truck Company, but Mr. Ring- wood bought it out and took control of the business January I, 1908. He is also a general contractor, making a specialty of exca- vating, and is in a position to handle contracts of any size. His reputation for ability and business probity are well known and appreciated in Auburn. Mr. Ringwood was born in the town of Scipio, Cayuga County, N. Y., and has resided in Auburn since 1897. He is a woodworker by trade and was entirely engaged in contracting prior to engaging in the trucking business. He is a member of the Foresters and has been treasurer of the local branch since its organization here. His parents were James and Elizabeth Ringwood. He married Kitty Grannon, of Fleming, and they have a family of seven children, namely Elizabeth, Anna, Joseph, Kitty, Leo, Louis and Thomas.
W. F. DONOVAN of Auburn was born in the city of Oswego, and received his early education in the schools of his native city. In 1902, he opened the Tile Front Café and liquor store at No. 19 North street which he still conducts. Prior to coming to Auburn in 1898, he lived in Syracuse for eight years, and there learned and pursued the trade of electrician. Mr. Donovan is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and is a Republican in politics. He caters to a high class patronage and is popular in the city.
535
BIOGRAPHICAL
THOMAS W. STAFFORD, physical director of the Young Men's Christian Association, Auburn, is a native of Canada. He is a noted athlete and has developed himself so superbly, that although not over the average size-his strength and endurance are phe- nomenal. Mr. Stafford was for seven years a member of the Leaders Club at Hamilton, Ontario-a well-known athletic club, and he also took a course at Barton's Summer School a very celebrated train- ing school for athletes. His first charge as physical director in a Young Men's Christian Association, was at Wausau, Wisconsin, where he remained some time. He then accepted a position with the Young Men's Christian Association in Auburn about 1903. Professor Stafford is especially noted in quickly ascertaining wherein a pupil is defective or weak in his physical makeup and his method of training is to develop these weak points. In this his work has been particularly effective. The Young Men's Christian Associa- tion in Auburn is especially well equipped for such work; boxing, wrestling, fencing and all the other health-producing sports are held daily, and there are the swimming pool and shower baths. Also half a mile from the building they have a splendid athletic field, with a quarter mile track, base ball diamond, tennis court and grand stand with a seating capacity of one thousand. There is also a club house equipped with shower baths, lockers, etc. In winter the field is flooded for skating. Altogether Auburn's Young Men's Christian Association is a very desirable place for young men to become identified with.
LEE ROY CARL, contractor and builder, was born in the town of Montezuma, Cayuga County, N. Y., July 4, 1854. After leaving school he learned the carpenter's trade, working with his father and others until he became master of his trade. For six years he was engaged in building churches and assisted in erecting some of the finest edifices in this part of the state. In the spring of 1887, he came to Auburn in the capacity of foreman for a large con-
536
HISTORY OF CAYUGA COUNTY
tractor, having practical charge of much of the work done. During this time he superintended many large contracts, among them the Burtis Opera House and the McIntosh & Seymour Works. In 1893 Mr. Carl entered into partnership with Edwin Craven, and soon became recognized as one of the leading contractors of the city. For the past three years his office and factory have been located at 12 Green street. His factory is equipped with the best modern machinery for woodworking, and he employs a force of competent mechanics and workmen so that he can carry through any contract speedily and successfully. His work on interior finish, cabinet work and handmade furniture is highly spoken of and he also makes a specialty of building houses and selling them upon easy terms-an important consideration in a growing city like Auburn.
Mr. Carl takes an active part in the affairs of life. He is a Pro- hibitionist in politics, a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a class leader and local preacher, and is also superintendent of the Wall Street Methodist Sunday School.
On October 23, 1875, Lee Roy Carl married Sarah Helen Clark. They have one daughter, Mrs. Alida F. Filkin. Mr. Carl's parents were William H. and Hannah F. (Morgan) Carl.
EVANS W. MOSHER, of Aurora, Cayuga County, N. Y., is the son of Allen and Marion (Wheeler) Mosher. He has been con- nected with the First National Bank of Aurora for thirty years and has been its vice-president since 1904. The First National Bank of Aurora was established in 1864, with a capital of $100.000, which was reduced to $50,000 in 1888. The presidents of the bank have been Henry Wells, Edwin B. Morgan and N. Lansing Zabriskie. Mr. Mosher is a trustee of Wells College. He married Mary E. Weeks and they have three sons; Allen M. Jr., Evans R. and Ralph E.
537
BIOGRAPHICAL
SYLVESTER WILLARD. Dr. Sylvester Willard has been dead eighteen years, yet his name is a familiar sound to every Auburnian ; indeed, a stranger might get the impression that he still lives, hearing him spoken of so frequently and familiarly. Many men win an earthly immortality, but the personality of the man vanishes; Doctor Willard is both immortal and living.
The Willard family dates far back into English history, being recorded several times in the Domesday book, which had its origin early in the Norman period. In 1616, Richard Willard of Hors- monden, Kent County, England, died, leaving a will which is still preserved and is fairly legible. His youngest son, Simon Willard, who was a captain in the Kent militia, emigrated to America in 1634 and settled at Newton, now Cambridge, in the Massachusetts Colony. He was a man of activities and engaged largely in the fur trade with the Indians; also he assisted the "Apostle" Elliot in his endeavors to Christianize the savages. As a result of his success in business affairs and his interest in the welfare of the colony, he was called to official positions in both the civil and military life of the young colony. His military training in England, and his forceful character fitted him admirably for a military com- mander, and the rank of Major was conferred upon him, which placed him next in power to the governor of the Colony. He took an active part in King Phillips' War of 1675, and led the Colonial forces against the Narragansetts in 1676. When seventy years of age he was again called into active service, this time against the Nipmuk Indians, who had been joined by several smaller tribes and were devastating the country in all directions. The allied savages had surrounded the town of Brookfield, threatening its quick destruction, when Major Willard heard of the plight of the little place, from an escaped prisoner. By a rapid march he reached Brookfield just as the one fortified building in the place had been set on fire. He quickly drove off the mauraders, preventing a massacre, and was joyfully welcomed by the grateful inhabitants.
538
HISTORY OF CAYUGA COUNTY
Sixth in descent from Major Simon Willard was Colonel Daniel Willard of Saybrook, Conn., who married Sarah, daughter of Rev. Robert Silliman of Saybrook. Sarah Silliman was a first cousin of the first President Silliman of Yale College.
Their youngest son Sylvester Willard was born at Saybrook, December 24, 1798. Suffering the loss of both parents on the same day, at the age of fourteen, he took up his residence in the home of his elder brother, Dr. David Willard, of Milton, Conn., and there pursued his academic studies, subsequently receiving his medical education at the Medical College of New York City. After com- pleting his studies he began the practice of his profession at Brutus, a small town contiguous to Auburn, but his practice soon extended over much of the county, his visits being made on horseback. For nearly ten years he continued his practice in Cayuga County, but finally his marriage to Frances F. Case, only daughter of Erastus, and Mary (Pettibone) Case, brought about his change of residence to Canton, Conn., where his wife's parents resided.
In 1840, he went to Chicago where his father-in-law had large real estate interests, and practised medicine and remained there for three years. Chicago was then but a village of about five thousand inhabitants, and its low-lying, marshy site was not attrac- tive. When his father-in-law, Erastus Case, removed to Auburn he came with him and settled in the Case homestead, corner of Washington and Genesee streets.
In Auburn, Doctor Willard devoted himself to the practice of medicine and assisted his father-in-law in commercial affairs, and for more than forty years was engaged in large enterprises, not only in this city but in other places. About the year 1848 he assisted in organizing the Oswego Starch Factory, and was not only the first president of the company, but filled that position for twenty- five successive years, resigning only because of the demands of his private affairs upon his time. He was president of the Auburn Savings Bank for nineteen years, and a trustee of Elmira College
539
BIOGRAPHICAL
for several years. For forty years he was a trustee of the Auburn Theological Seminary, and was secretary of the Board of Trustees for the greater part of that time. He was president of the Cayuga County Bible Society for twenty-one years, and an Elder in the First Presbyterian Church for more than forty years. Also he was superintendent of its Sabbath school for twelve years. He always retained his membership in the Cayuga County Medical Society which took official notice of his death.
Political offices never attracted Doctor Willard and when prof- fered were always declined, although he was a staunch patriot and had his political views. He was a Whig until the formation of the Republican party, after which he adhered to that party.
Outside of his business interests he devoted his attention to those private and public benefactions and labors which have kept his name and memory alive and cherished even among those who never knew him. His gifts of money, time and thoughtful care were not stinted and benefited many religious and charitable asso- ciations and persons. In all his relations he was ever the honorable man, a dignified gentleman and a sincere Christian. He died March 12, 1886, and his wife, who had been through life a partici- pant in her husband's generous deeds, died June 9, 1890.
GEORGE HYATT NYE, banker and manufacture of Auburn, N. Y., was born in this city and received his education at Burlington Academy, N. J., the Aurora Academy, New York and Phillips Exeter Academy, New Hampshire. His father was Lorenzo Nye, who was prominently identified with manufacturing enterprises in Auburn for over fifty years, and whose name is one of the most familiar on the pages of Auburn's history. So it was natural that George H. Nye should also become interested in manufacturing. In 1871, Lorenzo Nye and William F. Wait formed the firm of Nye & Wait. In 1876, George H. Nye became a partner. In 1889, the Nye & Wait Carpet Company was incorporated and since that
540
HISTORY OF CAYUGA COUNTY
date George H. Nye has been the president and treasurer of the company. Mr. Nye's official connection with banking began in 1891, when he was elected a director of the Cayuga County National Bank. In January, 1893, he was made vice-president of the bank and in January, 1896, he became its president and has filled that office ever since. It is to his splendid management that the bank is largely indebted for its great success and stability as well as for the facilities accorded to business men by the modern banking methods instituted by him. Since he became president the interior of the bank has been remodeled and there are few banks, even in large cities which can compare with it. Mr. Nye is also a trustee of the Auburn Savings Bank and is one of the men who have given Auburn's financial institutions their high standing. In addition to his large banking and manufacturing interests, Mr. Nye takes a warm interest in the general welfare of Auburn and its affairs. He is prominent in social matters and was for several years president of the City Club, and also one of the founders of the Country Club. He served in the Wheeler Rifles and the Volunteer Fire Department. In 1904, Mr. Nye in association with Mr. Wait brought the Thread & Thrum workshop here from Massachusetts. In 1907, the Nye & Wait Carpet Company associated Andrew G. Robertson in their business in the manufacture of seamless Wilton rugs, the mechanism and fabrics being the patents of Mr. Robertson. It was through the efforts of Mr. Nye that the American Axminster Indus- try was established in Auburn, and he was for some time president and treasurer of the company, although not now connected with it. In 1881, George H. Nye married Miss Mollie A. Wilson in New York City. Their children are, Frances, who married William K. Payne of Auburn; Caroline, married to Lyman Rhodes of New York City; Jean, Maud, Mollie, Katharine and George H. Nye, Jr.
MARK CONKLIN, architect, was born in Auburn and received his early education at the High School fron which he was graduated
541
BIOGRAPHICAL
in the class of 1893. He then took a course in architecture at Harvard University, completing this course in 1898. He then established himself in his profession in his native city. Here he has demonstrated an architectural ability and skill which places him among the leading and most successful architects of the state. His designs exhibit careful study and are models of originality, economy and beauty. They embrace both public and private buildings of which over three hundred can be seen here in this city alone. Outside of his professional duties Mr. Conklin is interested in local, social and fraternal organizations, is a member of Company M. Third Regiment N. Y. N. G. and much interested in anything that has the welfare of Auburn in view.
ABIJAH FITCH was born in Cooperstown, N. Y., in the year 1800, On February 10, 1821, he married Lanah Wilson, in Lansingburg. N. Y., and subsequently settled in Auburn where he became a pros- perous and prominent man. He was a distinct figure in Auburn for many years and took an active part in the projection of the Auburn & Syracuse Railroad, assisting most materially in carrying through that project. Also he accompanied Secretary Seward in his memorable trip around the world at the time this country pur- chased Alaska. He had a family of twelve children, eleven of whom grew to maturity. He died in Auburn, N. Y., in 1882, and was buried in Fort Hill Cemetery
Charles Fitch, son of Abijah and Lanah Fitch, was born in Auburn, N. Y., on July 1, 1830, and died in East Orange, N. J. on April 21, 1882. He is buried in Fort Hill Cemetery in Auburn. He was married at Elizabeth, N. J. in St John's Episcopal Church, to Lucy Cleveland Milligan on June 2, 1861.
FRANK J. STUPP, recorder, is now in his sixty-fourth year. Recorder Stupp was born in New York City on March 26, 1844,
542
HISTORY OF CAYUGA COUNTY
and moved to this city with his parents in 1848, when he was in his fifth year. Since that time Auburn has been his home, although he spent a small part of the time away from the city. Recorder Stupp is known widely and his career in the army and long service in the National Guard of the state has won for him a name and reputation of which he is justly proud. When the first call came for 75,000 volunteers in the Civil War, Judge Stupp, then a mere stripling was in New York and he lost no time in getting into Com- pany E of the Fifty-Fifth New York of the State militia. His father, however, objected to his boy going out at the time, but later Judge Stupp enlisted in a cavalry troop and afterward in Cowan's Battery but it was not until 1862, after his father had three times kept him from going to the front, that he enlisted with the One Hundred and Eleventh New York, in 1862. He served through the war with that regiment, and returned to the city at the close of the war. This regiment was in hard fighting. It was a part of Hancock's Second Army Corps and because of the way it moved it was known as the "Foot Cavalry."
Judge Stupp in the Battle of Gettysburg in July, 1863, was shot in the face and was left on the field for dead. The wound was a bad one, but he recovered and in November, after spending the intervening time in the Fort Schuyler hospital, rejoined his regiment. Judge Stupp's wound was of such a nature that his tongue was partly carried away and he was for weeks unable to talk.
After the war he was captain of the Willard Guards, which was Company B of the old Forty-Ninth Regiment, National Guard, and later was quartermaster of the regiment under General C. D. MacDougall then colonel of the regiment. The Wheeler Rifles, now known as the Second Separate Company or Company M of the Third New York, was organized in May, 1881, and in February of the following year Judge Stupp joined the organization, remaining with it until about five years ago. He was made first sergeant
543
BIOGRAPHICAL
shortly after joining and continued as such practically all of the time that he was in the guard.
His first political experience was in 1899, when he was the Democratic candidate for Mayor against Orlando Lewis. He was beaten by less than a half dozen votes, and his friends always charged that he was counted out. In 1902 he was chosen recorder at the same time that Richard C. S. Drummond was named as city judge but after the election it was found that there had been a mistake made as the offices, because of a change in the charter, did not become vacant for another year. In the following year, 1903, Judge Stupp was re-elected, and was again re-elected in 1907.
Judge Stupp is a strong Mason. He is a member of St. Paul's lodge, No. 124, Free and Accepted Masons; a member of David's Royal Arch Chapter of Salem Town Commandery. No. 16, Knights Templar; of Damascus Temple of Rochester, and of the Scottish Rites. He is a member of Auburn Tent, No. 125, Knights of the Maccabees, a member of the Knights of Pythias, and is captain of the uniformed rank of the Knights of the Maccabees. He is also a member of the Masonic Club.
N. LANSING ZABRISKIE was born in the town of Flatbush, Kings County, Long Island. He was educated in Erasmus Hall Academy, and Union College, graduating from the university in the class of 1857. He then began the study of law in the offices of Lott, Murphy & Vanderbilt, of Brooklyn, N. Y., and also took a course in the Columbia Law School, then under Professor Dwight, graduating in 1860. He was admitted to the bar the same year, and practised his profession in Brooklyn until 1867, when he moved to Aurora, and made that village his permanent home. He continued the practice of law in Aurora for a few years, but gradually relinquished the active duties of that profession, his other interests drawing so heavily on his time that he could not devote the necessary attention to legal affairs.
544
HISTORY OF CAYUGA COUNTY
Since the year 1870, Mr. Zabriskie has been quietly, but actively engaged with his personal affairs, although some of these are of a semi-public character. He has never held any public office except that of justice of the peace, but he has become so intimately asso- ciated with the best interests of Aurora that the public mind regards him and the village as inseparable. He has been president of the First National Bank of Aurora since 1882, and of Wells College since June of that year. He has been for many years a trustee of Cayuga Lake Academy (one of the old state academies), now Somme's School, and is still a member of the Board of Trustees of the corporation and has been chairman of the board for four years. In 1870, he became a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church of Aurora, and has held that position ever since-a period of thirty- eight years. He is also a trustee of the church and takes a vital interest in its work and welfare. Business, education, religion-all find him an earnest and generous patron.
Mr. Zabriskie was one of the trustees of the old Dry Dock, East Broadway & Battery Railroad, in New York City, and was also a director of the Times Association. When that newspaper was sold to outside parties the real estate was retained by the old com- pany which re-organized as the Park Company, and Mr. Zabriskie is president of the Board of Directors.
N. Lansing Zabriskie married Louise F., daughter of Colonel Edwin B. and Charlotte F. Morgan. He has two sons, Alonzo Morgan Zabriskie and Robert Lansing Zabriskie, both residents of Aurora. Mr. Zabriskie's parents were John B. and Abbie L. (Lott) Zabriskie. His grandfather Zabriskie was one of the four graduates who constituted the first class that was graduated from Union College. The family lived in Flatbush long before Revolu- tionary days, and is properly classed as one of the oldest families of the state.
545
BIOGRAPHICAL
COLONEL EDWIN D. METCALF, of Auburn, New York, was born in Smithfield, Rhode Island, March 14, 1848, of English and Scotch descent and is endowed with a combination of English determination, Scotch shrewdness and Yankee enterprise. He received his early education in the academy at Westford, Mass. Afterwards he took a course in Eastman's Business College. His first business experience was with a large furnishing house in Provi- dence, Rhode Island, where he spent seven years. In 1874 he located in Springfield, Mass., and soon established the business houses of Metcalf & Luther, Springfield; H. S. Martin & Company, Chicopee, Mass .; and the Holyoke Furniture Company, Holyoke, Mass.
In 1878, he travelled extensively in Europe, and upon returning to Springfield became interested in several railroad enterprises, as president of the Massachusetts Construction Company. He was president of the Springfield & New London Railroad, vice- president of the John Hancock National Bank and a director of the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. He took an active part in politics in Springfield and besides being mayor of that city served several terms in the state legislature, both as representative and senator. During the régime of Governor George D. Robinson he was assistant quartermaster- general and served upon the governor's staff with the rank of colonel.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.