History of Onondaga County, New York, Part 52

Author: Clayton, W.W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 840

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In the year 1843, Mr. Gardner was united in mar- riage with Phœbe A., youngest daughter of Oliver Teall, Esq. They have had no children of their own, but have adopted and brought up three daughters, two of whom are married to gentlemen of Syracuse. After his marriage in August, 1843, Mr. Gardner became book-keeper in the Onondaga County Bank, of which his father-in-law was Presi- dent, previous to which he was for a time Superin- tendent of the Syracuse City Water-Works. In 1848 he was appointed Notary Public, and has held that office for thirty years consecutively, being per- haps the senior Notary Public of the State, and has just been rëappointed to that office for another term of two years.

In 1846 he was appointed Teller of the Onondaga County Bank, and when its charter expired in 1854, he with others organized the Onondaga Bank, of which he was made Cashier. This office he held until 1860, when he resigned. In 1861, Mr. P. H. Agan, having been appointed Postmaster of Syra- cuse by the lamented President Lincoln, made Mr. Gardner his Assistant. The system of the free delivery of the mails in cities was established in Syracuse, not without opposition in some quarters, during his tenure of office, which lasted till 1866. In that year he was elected Secretary of the New York State Life Insurance Company. In 1872 he resigned that office, in consequence of a change in the organization of the company. Since then he has been acting as Executor and Administrator of several estates, and as General Accountant.

Mr. Gardner has been active in the various duties and offices of civic life. When a mere lad he was " Signal Boy " of the old No. I Fire Engine Co. Was connected with that company many years, and received the first certificate of discharge and ex- emption granted by the municipal authorities under the (then) new law. He was Lieutenant and acting Captain in the old 149th Regiment, under the ill- fated Colonel Woodruff, who, with two other per- sons connected with the regiment, was executed in Canada, at the suppression of the Canadian Rebel- lion of 1836. He confesses also to have belonged to a secret order of " Hunters and Chasers," whose object was the revolutionization of the Canadas, and the avenging of the "patriots " who had fallen. He has also served the community in more peace- ful ways. He has been twice Supervisor of the Eighth Ward-in 1860 and 1861. Three times Alderman-in 1853, (term of two years,) 1863, and 1873. Member of the Board of Health in 1853. Twice member of the Board of Education, in 1856-7, and in 1862-3. He was one of the corporators in

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HISTORY OF ONONDAGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

1865 of the Genesee and Water Street Railroad Co., and has been its Secretary and Treasurer, with the exception of one year, ever since. He was one of the corporators of the " Trust and Deposit Com- pany of Onondaga." He was a member of the "Syracuse Library and Reading Room Associa- tion," the first literary society established here ; was also one of the founders of the Franklin Insti- tute in 1850, which had among its members as Directors, Rev. Dr. Gregory, Rev. Samuel J. May, Alfred Cobb, Esq., Hon. Charles Andrews, Charles Pope, Esq., John Jay Knox, (now Comptroller of the Currency, and others ; was at different times Di- rector, Secretary, Chairman of Lecture Committee, and, in 1856, President, of the same. He became, in 1863, a life member of the Onondaga Historical Association. It may be added that he possesses one of the best private libraries in the city, contain- ing some rare and valuable works; which, with his art collections, and curiosities of various sorts, he is always ready to exhibit to his friends and to visitors generally.

Mr. Gardner has been an attendant of the Epis- copal Church in Syracuse ever since 1830. He was elected a Vestryman of St. James' Church in 1852, and a Warden of the same in 1864, and has represented his parish in the Annual Conventions of the Diocese for nearly 25 years. At the organ- ization of the new Diocese of Central New York, (set off from Western New York in 1868,) he was elected its Treasurer, and has been ever since an- nually reelected to that and other offices of trust in the management of Diocesan affairs. Some years since he read before the Brotherhood of St. James' Church an interesting paper entitled " Remi- niscences of the Church in Syracuse," which was afterwards published in the " Gospel Messenger," then the Church periodical of all Western New York. As a writer, Mr. Gardner has contributed liberally to the newspapers and periodicals of the day, and has also prepared and delivered many pub- lic lectures and addresses upon various subjects, more especially on Odd Fellowship.

Mr. Gardner has been an active member of vari- ous Brotherhoods and Associations. He was for a long time a member of Syracuse Division No. 27, " Sons of Temperance." Also of Justitia Tent No. S, " Independent Order of Rechabites ; " hold- ing the highest offices in these organizations. He has always been a temperance man of the " strait- est " sort, never drinking any intoxicating liquor,

nor tasting fermented drinks, nor using tobacco in any form. And his uniformly vigorous health seems to show that these things are at least not necessary to the well-being of man. He has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for 35 years, belonging to Onondaga Lodge No. 79, of which he was a charter member, and to the Grand Lodge of the State; having been Grand Master of the Grand Lodge in 1868-'69. He has also been a leading member of the Masonic Frater- nity, having, it is believed, taken all its degrees, and held many of its highest offices. In 1862, he was instrumental in introducing here the " Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite," and has for services rendered received the 33d and last degree, of " Sovereign Grand Inspector General," and is there- by an Honorary Member of the Supreme Council, N .:. M .: J .:. U. S. A.

Mr. Gardner has seen nearly the whole growth of the city of Syracuse. A resident here since 1829, he has witnessed the gradual upbuilding and extension of the city. He has seen its population increase from about 1,800 to nearly 60,000, and its wealth and influence enlarge in a like proportion. There were but twelve deaths in the first year of his residence here, while in the year 1877 there were about a thousand. From his knowledge of the history of business here, he is often referred to as authority on questions of our local past ; and he has been contented to grow up with the city.

Providence has granted him the Prayer of Agur in the Book of Proverbs, that he should have "neither poverty nor riches." But Providence has given him a moderate competence, a pleasant home, a faithful wife possessed of fine literary talents, dutiful children, " troops of friends," and a contented spirit. His story illustrates the truth that God's blessing attends the path of uprightness, prudence and industry. His leading characteristics are great activity, strict integrity and a desire to be useful. He is of the better class of self-made men. Such men are pillars of society, and salt against the world's corruption. We may well desire long to keep them with us, and cannot easily over-esti- mate their worth. It is as good to show them regard and reverence now, as to wait till they have been taken from our midst, and we have only their memories to honor. The supreme words to be written over this man's life, through all its social, religious and business relations are sterling fidelity.

MAJ .- GEN. JOHN J. PECK.

The subject of this sketch was born at Manlius, Onondaga Co., N. Y., Jan. 4, 1821. His father and mother, Jolin W. and Phebe Peck. were among the earlier and active settlers of that town. His father, in the war of 1812 with Great Britain, served some time in defense of the harbor of New York. Ilis mother, while a child, witnessed atrocities at the hands of the English, at hier then home on the eastern shore of Long Island, during the same war. The parents, valning the advantages derived from an education, knowing the want of it themselves, caused their son to be fitted for college at an early age.

In July, 1839, through the infinence of Ilon. Win. Taylor, member of congress from Onondaga and Madison district, he was nominated by President Van Buren for a cadetship in the United States Military Academy. The class, numbering over one bundred upon his entrance, graduated only thirty-nine, among whom were General U. S. Grant, Major-Generals W. B. Franklin. J. J. Peck, C. C. Augur, F. Steele, R. Ingalls, C. S. Hamilton, J. J. Reynolds, and Brigadier-Generals Judah and Quinby.

During the encampment of 1843 he served us an instructor of infantry; having been applied for in the artillery also, he was commissioned a brevet second lieutenant in the second artillery.

In 1843 and 1844 he was stationed at Fort Columbus; in 1844 and 1845, at Fort Hamilton. Ilis company was ordered to the seat of chfficulties in Texas. Colonel Bank- head gave him the option to remain on leave of absence, but he preferred to go. Joined his command, attached to Duncan's famons battery, and arrived at General Taylor's quarters at Corpus Christi, Angust, 1845. To trace his history through the Mexican war, would be to give almost a complete history of the marches, battles, and sieges of the entire war.

General Taylor, July 27, 1846, coni- mended him to the president for brevet distinction, for good conduct and gal- lantry in the battles of Fort Brown, Palo Alto, and Resaca de la Palma. Being the youngest in rank and years, this was the highest honor that could be conferred. He was promoted a second lieu- tenant, April 15, 1846. For bravery and services, upon the fall of Monterey, he was again promoted,-a second brevet,-and March 3, 1847, promoted a first lieutenant. His company was in the advance in the occupation of Puebla, a city of eighty thousand, by four thousand troops, one of the rarest events in history. He received from the president and senate the "bre- vet of captain, for gallantry and good conduct at Contreras and Chernbusco." In the battle of El Molino del Rey, for gal- lant and meritorione services, he was pro- moted to the rank of major. (See Ripley's War with Mexico, vol. ii., page 377. Also, Kendall's War with Mexico, and Jenkins' Wor, etc.) Upon the entry of the army into the City of Mexico, his company, of Colonel Smith's light bat- talion, carried the flag of the Second United States artillery, and, when the populace rose on the troops, led the way. The esteem in which Major Peck was held by his illustrious commander, is expressed in the following letter by Gen- eral Worth:

CITY OF MEXICO, Dec. 8, 1847. MY DEAR SIRS :

I have desired my young and gallant friend, Lieutenant Peck, to hand you this, and I heg to commend him to your con- sideration and kind attention. You will find the name and services of this officer in an official account of every battle, save one, from the commencement of this war to the conquest of the basin, as the associ- ate of Duncan or Smith. He is of our State, and worthy of it.

Very truly yours,

(Signed) W. J. WORTH. To Ilons. Erastna Corning, John Van Buren, E. Croswell, and Mr. Jas. Ste- venson.

On his return to his native home he was tendered a public dinner and pre- sented with a beautiful sword, on which was the following inscription: " Pre- sented to Major J. J. Peck, by the citizens of Manlius, as a testimonial of respect for his gallant and meritorious conduct in the battles of Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey, Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Contreras. Cherubusco, Molino del Rey, Chapultepec, Causeway, and Gate of San Cosme, and City of Mexico."

In 1849 the Government, through Senator Dix, tendered Major Peck the position of assistant quartermaster, which he declined.

In 1848, 1849, and 1850 he served in the Indian Territories, in New Mexico, and Aug. 30, 1849, was engaged with the Navajoes, in Upper California, and in locating Fort Defiance, his spare time being occupied in preparing a work on artillery and infantry tactics, which should embody the necessary changes in Scott's. His suh- sequent resignation ended those labors. In the moves for the admission of New Mexico as a State, during the sessions of the convention Major Peck was active wiih the committees, and strove to engraft free and liberal institutions adverse to slavery.

Hon. George Geddes, in 1849, offered a resolution in the senate of New York, award- ing a gold medal to Major Peck, for his gallantry in the war with Mexico, but the measure failed in the political excitement sweeping the Union because of the com- promise measures on slavery

In 1850 he married Miss Rhobie, the accomplished daughter of Harvey Loomis, of Syracuse, N. Y. In 1853 he visited his old commander, General Scott, on the matter of his resignation, as he had done in 1850. The General said, " That while he lived (on personal grounds) he regretted the resignation of any officer who had been bap- tized in fire with him in Mexico."

In politics Major Peck was of the school known as Hunker, prior to the union with the Softs in 1856 at the Cincinnati convention, and a strict constructionist of the constitution. A delegate in the National Democratic convention at Cincinnati in

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1856. The same year lie was nominated for congress, and tendered a renomination in 1858. Major Peck was a member of the National Democratic convention of 1860, at Charleston and Baltimore, and stood among the conservatives. In 1857 he was tendered a foreign mission by President Buchanan, and declined. In 1861 he was one of the committee to receive Lincoln, president elect, at Buffalo, and escort him to Syracuse. Upon the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion he offered his services, by letter, to the president in any capacity in which he could serve his country, and was active in calling a Union meeting at Syracuse, where he was received by his fellow-citizens with distinguished regard, and urged to consent to efforts to secure him a general's commission, but declined engaging in any move- ment which bore a personal rather than a patriotic aspect. Major Peck's name headed a list of eighty names handed the president by the New York congressional delegation for commissions in the army. He was appointed a brigadier-general, Aug. 9, 1861 ; repaired at once to Washington, and, by invitation, spent his first even- ing with the president. By General MeClellan's request to General Scott he was assigned command of a large brigade in the Army of the Potomac. In the final organization ho was assigned to Buell's, and afterwards to Couch's, of the Fourth Corps, and afterwards to Key's.

Ile rendered signal service at the siege of Yorktown, and his timely advance and subsequent action at Williamsburg at a critical time won for him n reputation greatly to be envied (extract from report of Brigadier-General Conch), in which engagement, besides the battery and other trophies, be captured a large and benuti- ful State banner from one of the Virginia regiments. One of the proudest events of his life was in 1862, when the Hon. Charles Andrews, mayor of the city of Syracuse, bis adopted home, presented, in an elo- quent speech, a rebel flag, captured by General Peck'e brigade, to the common council, which body adopted unanimously appropriate resolutions.

General Couch, in his report of the little of Fair Oaks, says, "General Prck fought bis brigade with skill and daring courage, hi- horse falling under him, after being several times wounded. llis com- mand added new lanrels to thuse won at Williamsburg." General Mcclellan also makes mention of his bravery on this orcasion (Headley's Rebellion, page 428). After this terrible battle he was tendered the command of Casey's division, and accepted the same June 24. He was made a full major-general at Harrison's Land- ing, to date July 4, 1862, and Sept. 22 assumed command of all the troops in Virginia south of the James.

In the spring of 1863 the attention of the rebels was drawn to the importance of Suf- folk. That reduced, Norfolk and Ports- mouth must also fall. General Longstreet, with forty thousand men, the flower of the Southern army, was assigned the work. Ilis plans, well laid, to ent the Nansemoul six miles below the city and the railroadl on left and rear, and, at the same time, draw off a part of General Peck's troops by a raid on Little Washington, being executed, General Peck's army of ten thonsand men and the situation would fall a rich prize. General Peck, by a cap- tured mail, conceived the plans of his wily adversary, Longstreet attempted to take the place by assault, Innt failed. The rela.1 general attempted to cut the river, but the small fleet, commanded by young men, but of unconquerable bravery, jie- vented. Yet their gun-1 oats were riddled with balls. At length, on April IS, the object of the rebels seemed to be accom- plished. An earth-work, mounting hve rifled guns, was erected at Hill's Point, a place six miles below Suffolk, from which the enemy could sw cep the gun-lwats, but our missiles would only bury themselves in the parapet. General Peck, with a small detachment, stormed and captureil the place with the entire party of officers, cannon, etc. This was the virtual ending of the attack on Suffolk, and on the third of May, General Longstreet, after an in- vestmint of the place for three weeks. raised the siege. For this grand and skillful defense of Suffolk, General Perk received the highest encomiums from his superiors for his good judgment dur- ing the six months previous in strongly fortifying the place, and for his gallant defense of the same when attacked by a much larger force, led by some of the most listingnished generals in the service of the insurgents.

In consequence of ill health he returned home, and .July 5, 1864, was assigned to duty as second in command of the department of the east, consisting of New York, New Jersey, and the New England States, being selected by General Dix, who had previously desired the War Department to relieve General Peck in the south. In August, 1865, General Prek was mustered out of the service. In the elections of the fall of 1865 he neted with the Union party, and approved the recon- struction plan of President Lincoln. At the time of the assassination of President Lincoln, General Peck issued appropriate orders to the department for observing the funeral obsequios, and addressed the great meeting in Wall street, and paid every respect due to the memory of the late chief magistrate. From the time General Prek assumed command of troops he was the soner of justice and of mmni- cipal regulations, the protector of private rights of person and property. In his ordera he called on Christian men of the north for ministers to give instruction to the living, and Christian burial to the dead heroes of the war. On April 12, 1865, the citizens of New York commemorated at the Academy of Music, by appro- priate exercises, the mising of the flag of the Union over Fort Sumter by General Anderson. General Peck was the president of the day, and delivered the address. In 1867 be organized the New York State Life Insurance Company, and was made president theprof. On March 20, 1874, he lost his wife. Of late years he resided in Syracuse, with health very much impaired, the result of hardships and dangers encountered during his military career. He died April 21, 1878.

Photo Is Taler & Howland, yracar

Di Station

Amos Stanton, father of the subject of this memoir, came from Ler, Muss., stopping in Montgomery county a few years, but in 1791 settled in Jamesville, purchasing some three hundred acres of lund, including a mill privilege, at fifty cents an nere. In 1805 he enine to what was then Salina, and purchased one square acre uf ground near the present bridge over the Oswego canal, on Salina stret. Mr. Stanton cleared the land and converted it into a whent- 1.1. When the Oswego canal was constructed, the line passed diagonally through Mr. "Stunton's Acre."

Rufus Stanton was born in Mayfeld, Montgomery county, In 1758. He was the thirteenth child of Amos and Mercy Stanton. In the fourth year of his age his parents removed to Onondaga County, where his earlier yours were passed in the most primitive manner. He remembered his father having a " husking-bee" one full, to which every white settler in the county was invited. They all came, and yet a few split logs, laid smooth side up for tables, accommodated them

Amid such primitive renew Rufus Stanton passed the earlier l'art of his life until his sixteenth your, when his father removed te the village of " Corinth," now Syrueuse, and Rufus was one of a few men who met and changed the name of the place from " Corinth" to Syracuse.

Rufus Stanton assisted in clearing away the trees and in the creation of the Best frame house in Syracuse, it- location being where the Empire House now stands.

In 1807 be entered upon the business of Imking and brewing, with his brother-in-law, Mr. Landon, which he continued for two yours. The salt interest then began to loom up into importance, and Mr. Stanton engaged in its manufacture tor three years. The rapidly-growing fame of the salt village called many strangers to study its advantages, und accommodations not being sufficient, he, in 1513, opened a tavern in Salina, where he entertained strangers, and among others General Scott and his troops on their way to Sucket's Harbor during the war of 1812-18; their next meeting of recognition was on board the " Mayflower," on Lake Erie, many years after, when both were old men.

Agricultural pursuits were combined with public services, and even as Inte ns 1816 Mr. Stanton raised a heavy crop of rye on the site of the Syracuse House. In 1820 he commenced farming large tracts of land, one of which extended over the ground now ocen- pied by Renwick t'astle and the Orphan Asylum. He remained

there until 1833, when his close application to farm labor some- what impaired his health, and he relinquished them for a time. Hemoving into the city, he was juneed in charge of the Syracuse company's lands, the duties of which position were performed in the most satisfactory manner.

At the close of the year, his health improving, he purchased n large farm situated on the eastern boundary of the city, known since as Stanton's Hill. Where his mendow was, is now the Driving Park.

From this farm Mr. Stanton removed to Syracuse, where the latter years of his life were passed in the retirement of private life, surrounded by kind friends and loving relatives. He died Sept. 10, 1871.

The Standard said of him at his death : " He was the oldest resident of the city and county at the time of his death, and was one of the most respected and trusted. He never sought public otlice, but always maintained the highest reputation for honesty, integrity, industry, and uprightness of character. His word was as good as his bond, and in all his multitudinous transactions no one could ever say that Rufus Stanton wronged him of a dollar. He was always plensant and cheerful, ready to assist the needy, and lend a helping hand to all public improvements. He was n relie of the sturdy, old-fashioned pioneers who are fast passing nway. His life extended beyond the time usually allotted to man, and his surviving relatives look back with recollections of pride and love to the long career of their lamented parent, whose history presents so bright an example for them to follow."

Mr. Stanton was first a Whig, latterly a Democrat ; activo during his middle life in political circles. He Arst married, in April, 1815, Miss Minerva Belknap, by whom he had three children.

His wife died in 1821, and he was married, in March, 1521, to Minerva, sister of Dudley 1. and R. R. l'helps by whom he had seven children, of whom only three survive,-Helen MI., widow of the late l'harles Keone, uncon prominent merchant with Dennis Met'urthy ; Hemnn H., resides in Topeka, Kansas; and Minerva E., who married Henry Burwell, of Chicago.

His second wife also died, and he married the widow of the late Judge Clark, of Clarkston, Michigan. She still survives. Mr. Stanton was a member of the First Presbyterian church from nbout the time of his second marriage until his death.

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HISTORY OF ONONDAGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS. .

COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE VARIOUS MASONIC ORGANIZATIONS WHICH HAVE EXISTED WITHIN THE PRESENT LIMITS OF SYRACUSE .*

YORK RITE.

Symbolic Lodges .- The first duly authenticated body of Free and Accepted Masons, organized within what are now the limits of the city of Syra- cuse, was Salina Lodge No. 327, located in the village of Salina, now embraced in the First and Second Wards of the city ; which was warranted or chartered on the second day of December, 1819, and for a time held its communications in what was then known as Beach's, afterwards Sanger's tavern, located on the corner of Salina and Wolf streets. Its existence must have been brief, as no papers can be found either at the former seat of the Lodge or on file in the Grand Secretary's office in the city of New York, touching its membership or duration.

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History of Onondaga County, New York, Part 52

Author: Clayton, W.W. (W. Woodford) Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., D. Mason & Co. Number of Pages: 840

Author: Clayton, W.W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 840