USA > New York > Onondaga County > History of Onondaga County, New York > Part 35
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" FRANKLIN LIBRARY AND INSTITUTE."
The Franklin Library came into existence as the fruits of the efforts of a few leading citizens, who agitated the project till it resulted in an appeal being made to all interested to contribute books, papers, periodicals, shells, minerals, &c. This ap- peal was made at the close of a lecture delivered at Market Hall (present City Hall) by Dr. Mark Hop- kins, then President of Williams College, and the citizens were notified that they would be called up- on the following day for contributions. Accord- ingly, the next morning, two lads, taking Mrs. R.'s large clothes basket, containing a " beginning," made, before they finished, a pretty thorough can- vass of the place. One of these lads was Daniel Fiske, now one of Cornell's corps of Professors, and the popular Librarian of that institution. The other, Edwin Smith, now practicing law at Kenne- bunk Port, Maine, was a nephew of the beloved teacher, Miss Amelia Bradbury. The gleaners met with good success, and the heavily laden basket was many times emptied of its contents. One of the most valuable donations was a complete set of " Stillman's Journals," from Stephen Smith, given upon the condition that the subscription should always be kept up. It is to be hoped that this work fell into appreciative ownership at the late sale of that Library.
1
Dr. Henry Gregory, then rector of St. Paul's
Church, if not the first president of the Franklin Institute and Library, served as such at a very carly stage of its organization, and was a most zealous and efficient friend in the days of its weakness and growth.
Syracuse during these days was not without aspi- rants to literary fame, as the popularity of the lyceums gave evidence. Here the late Thomas T. Davis, Zaccheus Newcomb, (for many years a resident of Waterloo, .N. Y.,, and later, Wing Russel, James Noxon, (now Judge Noxon,) Judge North, (now of the Pacific Coast, C. B. Sedgwick, S. D. Dillaye, and others, tried their newly-fledged wings of ora- tory before appreciative audiences.
Reading Societies also gained quite a popularity. The most noted of these was organized by Miss Bradbury. Among its members were those whose memories are dear to many hearts - Miss Clarissa Smith, Miss Caroline Towne, (niece of Miss Brad- bury,) Mrs. A. M. Redfield, Mrs. E. F. Wallace, Mrs. Dr. Clary, Mrs. M. J. Lewis, (now of Chi- cago. ) Mrs. Charlotte Lawrence, Mrs. Lucy B. Put- nam, the Misses Redfield, Messrs. R. W. Washburn, (for twenty years or so confidential officer in charge of the express interests of Wells & Co., at San Francisco, Cal.,) Rev. M. Storer, Thomas A. Smith, E. J. Foster, W. H. H. Smith, H. N. White, J. L. Bagg and D. P. Phelps.
About 1844 was formed the " Society for Mutual Instruction," the officers and members of which were each assigned a branch of natural science, and in rotation furnished each an original Essay at each weekly evening meeting, with natural specimens for illustrations, which were supplemented by informa- tion contributed by all the members upon the topic under discussion for the evening. The first year the members met in the School House on Church street, and the last year in A. G. Salisbury's school room, near the old Congregational Church, (now Convention Block,) on East Genesee street. This Society was of great benefit to many. A " mem- ber " afterwards reported the first course of lectures delivered by Prof. Agassiz on first landing in this country, in New York ; he wrote to a friend that he could not have filled that position had it not been for information acquired as a member of the "So- ciety for Mutual Instruction." The " record " of its organization is here copied from a large turtle shell, which was sent to one of the members by a friend of congenial tastes, from Canandaigua Outlet :
OFFICERS.
President-Rev. Samuel J. May-Etymology.
Secretary-A. G. Salisbury - Conchology. - (Teacher till July 1, 1864 ; Paymaster at New Or-
Photo. by Bonta & Curtiss, Syracuse.
In tracing out the early surroundings of some of our best repre- sentative men, we often find that chilling adversity companioned their youth, and that hard labor filled their early years. Fre- quently the only school attended was that of experience, where severe masters taught severer lessons.
These reflections have arisen from hearing the reminiscences of one of our most esteemed citizens, Jason C. Woodruff, a man whose name is associated with the most exalted ideas of probity and morality. Born in New Haven, Conn., in 1800, of American parents, he was left fatherless ere the completion of his second year. His mother, thrown upon her own resources, with a family of help- less little ones, struggled along, giving them a home and providing ways and means for their physical needs with that wonderful power which mother-love only evinces. Unahle to send her children to school, she imparted to them such elements of education as her time allowed, taking time always, however, to impress upon them the value of honesty and truthfulness. Jason, at the age of nine, was a slight boy ; earnest, unobtrusive, known as a boy who could be trusted. As an evidence of this it may be stated that he was se- lected by Messrs. Prescott & Sherman, of New Haven, to take charge of merino sheep, among the first ever imported into this country, -hardly imported, either, as they were smuggled, and that at an immense cost. For four years this boy herded and sheltered them from harm, earning the good opinion of his employers by his zeal- ousness and reliability. At the end of that time he was employed by the same firm in unloading salt, and for two years he thus earned his daily bread. At the age of fifteen he entered a tannery with the intention of learning the trade, but his desires in that line came to a summary end by reason of his falling into a vat; so he sought that unfailing resource of American boyhood, " working on a farm." The year 1816 was thus passed.
The only regular instruction ever received was during the next winter, when he attended the village school. Being now nearly seventeen years of age, another trade was determined upon, and the laborious one of blacksmithing chosen. This he faithfully fol- lowed for five years, at Great Barrington, Mass., under a master exacting but just. At the end of his apprenticeship his capital consisted of a thorough knowledge of his business, a limited ward- robe, and eight cents. With this he started out in quest of a home and independence. Varying fortunes attended him on his way from one village to another, as he worked as a journeyman, until at last his erratic steps led him to Utica, in the fall of 1822.
At this time a feeling of intense excitement existed, owing to the opposition line of stages which were about to be put on between Utica and the west. Naturally a lover of horses, young Woodruff became much interested in the debates as to the superiority of the running stock of the new line. He succeeded in getting his name
placed on the list of drivers, and so well did he impress the owners, that to him was given the honor of driving the first stage out of Utica on the rival line. His urbanity and strict attention to busi- ness soon made him a valuable man, and he was, within a few months, sent to Canandaigua to take charge of that end of the line. Four years was thus spent.
In his journeyings he had visited the town of Salina, and, like many others, seeing its prospective greatness, he determined to make it his home. He bought out the livery of Philo Rust in 1826, and carried on the business, combined with that of staging, which latter he continued until superseded by railroads. In 1826 he married Miss Amanda Johnson, a native of Lee, Mass. They have two surviving daughters, Charlotte and Harriet, having lost four sons and two daughters. His wife, who is yet living, has through these long years been a helpmeet in every sense of the word.
Fortune began to smile upon this earnest suitor, and, as year after year passed on, he entered new fields of lahor, each of which gave good return. Mr. Woodruff held the surplus water-power of the Syracuse level, by right of lease from the State, on which he erected an immense flouring-mill five stories high. A few rods distant Mr. Haskins had a salt-grinding mill, and its destruction by fire involved the loss of Mr. Woodruff's mill, valued at thirty thousand dollars. This was discouraging; but taking new heart he went on determined to labor, strengthened by the sympathies ever extended to an honest man who meets misfortune.
From 1831 to 1837 he fulfilled the onerous duties of bank-man- ager under the United States banking system. In 1852 the people of this city called him to fill the office of mayor, which he did with singular purity and fidelity.
He has twice been president of the agricultural society of this county, one of the years being the most successful known in the history of the association. He also served as vice-president of the State agricultural society. He is still actively engaged in the livery business, which he has successfully carried on for half a century. About the middle height, robust and vigorous, strong in physical health, his mental faculties are in their prime.
In all things which tend to materially advance the interest of the industries he has ever been a prominent mover, and has given that substantial aid which goes so much farther than hollow promises from wordy lips. Reticent in speech, reserved in manner, he impresses the observer as being a man who carefully examines the bearings of a subject ere reaching a decision, and one who does not lightly change his views. He is a bright example of an earnest Christian. For thirty years he has been a consistent member of the First Presbyterian church, -during twenty-four of which he has filled the position of president of the board of trustees.
LYMAN CLARY, M.D.
Perhaps there is no man in Syracuse whose name falls more pleasantly upon the car than does the one which processes this article.
For forty eight years a len ling phys ian in this vicinity, aol intimately connected with the oldest families of the city, by bus untiring efforts and Julicions course of practice he won for himself an enviable position in tho esteein of the citizens generally.
Dr. Clary was born in Deerfield, Mass., on Feb. 11, 1503. His father was a well to-do fariner, who gave his son the best clunational adivnotages to be bad in that benlity. At the age of fourteen years, when a general feeling pervade ! the community that " the west" was the " promised Innd." he necumpanied his parents to Huron Co., Ohio, where the family settled wjuin an alinost unimproved farm. Here for the apsee of three years be assisted his father in working the farm ; meanwhile, no educational privi- loges in that locality were limited, he spent his evenings in close study, thereby fitting himself to assume the duties of a teacher at the early ngo of seventeen, as well na storing his mind with n knowledge of such branches as should be available and uerful in after years.
At the age of twenty one a tempting offer to embark in the mercantile business, which at the time seemed for his interest in a pecuniary point of view, called for a permanent ile cissun on his part as to what should he his occupation in life.
This predilection for a profession wun the day ; and neting upon the belief that, an n physician, his field would be one in accordance with his tastes, and in which he could be of the most service to his fellow- man, he adopted the medien) pro- fession, and soon after entered the office of Dr. Manter, Elyria, Ohiv, where he remained two years.
Subsequently he returned to his former home in New England, and studied for two years in the office of Dr. Williams, meanwhile support- ing himself by tenching. He grad- unted afterwards at the Berkshire Medical College, Pittsfield, Mass., with distinction.
Soon after, with a view of reluct- ing n place in which to enter upon huis professional duties, he visited Canada, and nt one time thought quite seriously of loenting at St. ('ntharino's, then an netive and growing place ; the thought, how ever, of expatriating himself and living ander any other form of gov ernment than a republican une, was so distasteful and objectionable that he gave it up, and subsequently making his way through the States of this and Pennsylvania on horse- back, he finally located in Salina, N. Y. (now the first wardl of Syra ense), where he remained until 1535. when, perceiving that Syracuse was to be the city and leading place, he left a large practice an I removed to the factor place, where, with the exception of a short tane spent in Virginia, he remained until his death, June 1, 1576.
Dr. Clary entered the school of medicine as an allepath, but in 1410 the claims of homeopathy were pressed upon him with so much forer by an old friend and convert Dr. Bull, of New York city), that he was in- duced to test the efficacy of the remedies.
Faithfully carrying out his undertaking, it resulted in breaking down the deep rooted prejudices of many years and his final adoption of the homopathic system, unpopular with the community at large and against his own personal interest, as he supposed at the time, being then president of the Onondaga County Medical Soonty (allopathie).
I'nder this new system he continued to practice until the close of his hfe, and the fnet that most of the families in which he had practiced for years went with him in this change was a most gratifying testimonial of the confidener reposed in him.
The election to the presidency of the following mcbeal societies was a sufficient testimonial of the esteem in which he was held by the mecheat profession : the Onondaga Medical Somarty, in 1915 : the First Central
Lyman Clary
Medical Society, in 1951; the New York State Homeopathic Medical Society, In 1-52; the American Institute of Homeopatby, in 1954; the Onondaga Homeopathic Medical Society, In 1963 ; the Now Central Ilo- mæopathic Melical society, in 1566 ; being one of the original members of the American Institute of Hamnaropathy. During his long and useful life in Syracuse, Dr. Clary was prominently identified with many of its local Institutions.
Early in life he was a trustee of the First Presbyterian church, but sous thirty years ago became associated with the " Church of the Messiah" ( I'nitarian), and was trustee as well as an active and carnest member of that church until his death. In the various charitable institutions of the city he always felt a deep interest, some of which bo was connected with an officer and counselor for many years, always ready to render any service in his power, professionally or otherwise.
fle was n trustee and vice president of the Syracuse savings bank from its organization. One of the founders of the New England Society, bo was the first vice president, and afterwards elected president.
Greatly interested in the security and preservation of the records of the early history of Onondaga County, he was one of the most active and earnest in the organization of the Pioncera' Association, and one of its officers from the beginning.
lo politics, Dr. Clary in his carly days was a Democrat, and in its highest sense continued as such through life. When, however, sla- very had monde such gigantio stridos that the netion of the Democratic party scemeil to be governed by the supporters of that institution and in ita interest, he broke looro from the same, first as an active Free-soller, afterwards as an earnest Republican.
Personally he never indulged la any desire for political preferment, though at all timea active in poli ties and deeply interested in the general pohtical welfare.
Outside of his profession, Ir Clary was quite an extensivo dealer in real estate, and, as far back »s 1833, purchased the tract of land known as the " College lat," which he subdivided and roll out in sinn 1 farms.
During the last few years of his life he built a large number of houses suitable for the working classes upon Innda in the city, some of which were purchased at an early dny, and which were sold un eney terms, making comfortable homes for them.
In temperament, Dr. f'lary ws. sanguine in the superlative degree. Ever cheerful and reliant on the good intentions of the Creator towards his erentures, his life was passed in a busy round of duty, which, while benefiting others, did not leave himself unrewarded. He was over a close student of his profession and kept par with the advancement of the age, possessing atrong powers of npphention and a well balanced mind.
Always self reliant, he had n happy faculty of drawing out others, which, with fine conversational powers atul his Inrge fund of information, rendered Iam a most agreeable companion to all.
Ile was lust known in this community ns a physician, though always looked up tu as a man of power and idens. Of a truly sympathetic nature, be made the joys and sorrows of his friends his own, receiving their con fidence but to retain it. His cheerful countenance and disposition made his presence in the sick - root, in nu ordinary way, a source of consolation to his patients, and the teoder remembraner in which his memury is hell by all classes clearly shows that he not only enjoyed, but was eminently entitled to the name of friend.
In May, 1530, Dr. C'lary married Miss Fanny Ware, of Deerfieldl. Masa, She was born May 10, IsuB, and still survives. They had three children, two of whom are hving,-O. Ware ('inry, and Mrs. Daniel F. Holt, of Syrammer.
161
HISTORY OF ONONDAGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
leans in the war of the Rebellion ; Superintendent at Auburn Prison.)
Treasurer-W. H. Scram-Geology. (A teach- er in No. 7 Public School. Removed in 1847 to New York city.)
MEMBERS.
Miss A. Bradbury-Animalcule. (Principal of Young Ladies' Seminary in Syracuse. Died Sept. 12th, 1850. )
Mrs. A. M. Redfield-Radiates.
Miss Mary Allen-Conchology. (Principal of Female Seminaries at Rochester and Syracuse ; is now Mrs. King, of Rochester. )
Dr. Dunlap-Physiology.
Rev. . Stebbins-Anthropology. (Removed in 1848, to Florence, Ga. ; teacher.)
Mr. Stetson-Ichthyology. (Teacher at No. 5 Public School ; died in 1848 or '49, at Syracuse.)
Joseph A. Allen-Meteorology. (Teacher in Academy.
M. Burr-Herpetology. (Printing in New York in 1848)
Dr. T. D. Washburn-Entozoa. (1848 removed west-to Illinois. (?)
Mr. Stanton-(A resident of Geddes, and con- stant attendant at the sessions of the Society. In 1848 teaching in Buffalo. Was afterwards Secre- tary of State of New York.)
DISTRICT SCHOOL LIBRARIES.
Circulating Libraries were connected with the District Schools from an early time, and were con- tinued in the organization under the City Charter. In the Superintendent's report for 1857, we find the following : " No equal amount of public money is doing more good to the community than that expended in the purchase of books for the District Libraries. There are nine of these libraries, so distributed over the city as to be conveniently ac- cessible to every one. The aggregate number of the volumes is 4,620. During the year (1857) 20,000 volumes have been drawn. This extensive reading, principally by the pupils attending the schools, but largely by others, cannot fail to have an important influence in forming the tastes and habits of those who thus devote their leisure hours."
Valuable as these libraries were, they were nev- ertheless attended with many serious disadvantages, being scattered in so many separate collections, and the increase of duplicate volumes incurred a large unnecessary expenditure. When the plan of a Central Library was adopted, these duplicate vol- umes were sold from time to time, and the standard works of value placed in the Central collection.
THE CENTRAL LIBRARY.
This library was opened to the public on the first of May, 1855, in which year it was enlarged by the addition of two hundred volumes of standard works. When the High School building was completed in 1869 it was transferred to its present well-arranged and spacious appartments on the first floor of that building. The Central Library is intended, not so much for circulation, as for collecting standard books of reference, and keeping them where they may be conveniently consulted. Nevertheless, it has a Circulating Department, free to all citizens above ten years of age. The Reference Depart- ment is open to all persons above the age of four- teen. The Library is under the direction of the Board of Education, and is conducted by a com- petent Librarian and Assistant, under a strict yet liberal system of rules and regulations.
We give the following comparative statistics of the Central Library, from 1867 to 1876, inclusive :
YEARS.
Number of volumes
in the library.
Number of names
added to register.
Total registry.
Number of volumes
Number of days
open.
day.
Mar. 1, 1867.
5,227
66
1, 1868.
5.870
31,000
1, 1869.
7,371
1, 1870.
10,000
2,495 24.310
187
130
66
1, 1871.
10.592
1,343
3,838 39,694
308
129
66
I, 1872.
11,423
4,677
8,515 38,956
304
128
=
I, 1873.
12,423
1,448
9,963 36,010
267
135
66
1, 1874.
13,300
2, 180
12,143 36,672
264
137
1, 1875.
13,791
1,080
13,223 41,623
301
138
1, 1876. 14,070|
1,982
15,205 41,057
308
I33
John S. Clark, Librarian ; Mary A. Gambia, As- sistant Librarian.
LIBRARY OF THE COURT OF APPEALS.
This library, though not the largest, is in some respects the best law library in the United States. It was originally part of the " Chancellor's Library," which came into existence about 1830, by legislative enactment, devoting to that object the unclaimed and unappropriated funds in the Court of Chancery. The office of Chancellor was abolished by the Con- stitution of 1846, and the Legislature, by an act passed April 9, 1849, turned over the library to the Court of Appeals, in the words following : "The public library called the 'Chancellor's Library ' shall continue to be a public library under the name of The Library of the Court of Appeals." The law authorized the Judges of the Court of Appeals, " by
21*
Average loan per
loaned.
162
HISTORY OF ONONDAGA COUNTY, NEW YORK
order entered in their minutes," to divide and locate the library in two suitable places west of Albany, basing the division on "all duplicate volumes and such others as the said judges shall think proper." The places selected were Rochester and Syracuse. Judges George F. Comstock and Nicholas Hill, then of the Court of Appeals, made the division of the books, and the libraries were founded.
The Library of the Court of Appeals at Syracuse is kept in suitable rooms at the Court House, the Libra- rian being appointed by the Regents of the Univer-
sity. Present Librarian, Hon. Richard Woolworth.
The funds of the Library consist of occasional appropriations of the State and an annuity of about $1,500 Since it has been located here, the num- ber of volumes has been nearly or quite doubled. The number of volumes is now a little over 10.000, and the Library contains many rare and choice books not found elsewhere, in complete sets. Among its interesting and valuable collections are the Stat- utes of England, complete and perfect. from Magna Charta June 15, 1215 , down to the present time.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
HON. JOSHUA FORM.IN.
Joshua Forman was born in Pleasant Valley, in the county of Dutchess, and State of New York, the 6th of September, 1777. His parents were Joseph and Hannah Forman, who, previous to the Revolution, resided in the city of New York. Lipon the breaking out of the war and the approach of the British to that city, Mr. Joseph Forman re- tired to Pleasant Valley, where the subject of this sketch was born. At an early age he evinced a strong desire for learning in which he was en- couraged by his friends. In the fall of 1793 he en- tered Union College, at Schenectady, and in due time was graduated with honor. Directly after his collegiate course was completed, he entered the law office of Peter W. Radcliffe, Esq., of Pough- keepsie, where he remained about two years. He then went to New York city and completed his law studies in the office of Samuel Miles Hopkins, Esq Soon after the close of his professional course, he married Miss Margaret Alexander, a daughter of the Hon. Boyd Alexander, M. P., for Glasgow, Scotland. In the spring of 1800, Mr. Forman removed to Onondaga Hollow, and opened a law office, where he began early to manifest his public spirit and enterprise.
By his integrity and straightforward course in the practice of his profession, he soon became dis- tinguished as a lawyer, and by his talents and gen- tlemanly deportment, became familiarly known throughout the county. The subject of the Erie Canal became a theme of deep interest. Mr. For- man's talents as a public speaker and as a man of influence and character eminently distinguished him to be the individual who should be foremost in moving the matter. Accordingly in 1807, a Union
ticket was got up, headed by John McWhorter, a Democrat, and Joshua Forman, a Federalist. This ticket was carried with trifling opposition. It was headed "Canal Ticket," and as such received the cordial support of a large majority of the electors of Onondaga county. Ile brought forward in the House of Assembly the ever memorable resolution. which alone would render his name immortal, directing a survey to be made " of the most eligible and direct route of a canal, to open communication between the tide waters of the Hudson and Lake Eric." Mr. Forman had studied the subject of canals as constructed in foreign countries. He had well considered the advantages that would accrue to the United States and the State of New York, if this important work should be completed, and had prepared an estimate of the cost of construc- tion, based upon statistics of the Languedoc Canal. The resolution was adopted. And for this he was for years called a "visionary projector," and was asked a hundred times if he ever expected to live to see his canal completed ; to which he uniformly answered, that "as surely as he lived to the ordi- nary age of man, he did ; that it might take ten years to prepare the public mind for the undertaking, and as many more to accomplish it, nevertheless, it would be done." Had not Joshua Forman brought forward the subject as he did, it is not easy to con- ceive who would have had the moral courage to meet the ridicule of proposing in earnest, what was considered so wild a measure. During all the times of darkness, discouragement, and doubt, he boldly stood forth, the unflinching champion of its feasibility, utility, and worth, till the day of its com- pletion. On the occasion of the grand canal cele- bration, ist of November 1825, Judge Forman was
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