USA > New York > Oswego County > Landmarks of Oswego County, New York > Part 26
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Charles B. Randall was admitted in 1851 and soon afterward re moved from Amboy to Cleveland, where he died in November, 1853, being school superintendent at the time of his death. Joshua B. Randall, an elder brother then living at Bridgewater, Oneida county, soon afterward came to Cleveland and practiced law for several years. In 1858 he was elected special surrogate of Oswego county, and re- moving to Central Square he became one of the county excise com- missioners, an office he held for some time. He finally went to Syracuse and died there.
Henry Garber, born in Herkimer county in 1819, settled in Amboy, studied law in Mexico, and began practice in West Amboy. About 1859 he removed to Cleveland and continued in practice until 1878 when he removed from the county. A Democrat in politics he served as justice and supervisor. He subsequently returned to the town and died in 1888.
Daniel L. Wilder was an attorney in Cleveland from 1869 to about 1887, and was prominent in the affairs of the village and town. He died a few years ago.
A Mr. Eastman came to Cleveland about the same time as Mr. Wilder, but soon moved away. A Mr. Bennett, a young lawyer from near Oneida, also practiced there a short time. He was subsequently appointed district attorney for the Southern District of New York, and now resides in Brooklyn. Harmon J. Landgraff, a native of the town, was another brief practitioner in Cleveland. He soon returned to the calling of his family-the manufacture of glass.
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James Gallagher, who was born in the town, is now the only lawyer in Cleveland village. He has been twice elected supervisor, and for many years has served as a member of the Board of Education.
Constantia .- Curtis R. Cable, a native of Connecticut, was the first lawyer to settle in the village of Constantia. He also engaged in the manufacture of lumber and iron, and died in 1846, while in nomination for the Assembly.
Frederick W. and Charles P. Lander, brothers, opened a law office there in 1863. The latter soon removed to Wolcott, N. Y., while the former still continues in practice in Constantia village.
William H. Baker, born in Lenox, Madison county, January 17, 1827, came to West Monroe with his parents ; studied law in Mexico and Fulton; was admitted in 1851, and has practiced in Constantia vil- lage ever since. He has held various important positions. An extended sketch of Mr. Baker appears elsewhere in this work.
William B. Baker, a son of William H., was born in Constantia, was admitted in April, 1894, and is now practicing temporarily in that village.
Fulton .- Ransom H. Tyler, son of Peter and Eunice Tyler, natives of NewEngland, was born in Leyden, Mass., November 18, 1815, and came with his father to New Haven, Oswego county, when only three years of age. He was reared on the farm, attended the public schools and Mexico Academy, and acquired a thorough classical education. In 1836 he came to Fulton as principal of the public schools, and in the same year began the study of law. He was admitted to all the courts in the State in 1840 and ever afterward practiced his profession in Ful- ton village. In 1844 he was appointed master in chancery and held that office until it was abolished. In 1846 he received the appointment of district attorney of Oswego county and held the position by election till 1851. In July of that year he was appointed colonel of the 48th Regiment of militia. In the same year he was elected county judge and by a re election served until 1858. In 1853 Hamilton College conferred upon him the honorary degree of M.A., and during the year 1856 he gratuitously edited the Oswego County Gazette. In 1858 he was the Democratic nominee for representative in Congress, but his party being in the minority he was defeated. In 1861 he supported the administra-
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tion of President Lincoln and ever afterward was a Republican. He was a valued contributor to the newspaper and periodical press and the author of several law books, of permanent value, viz .: " A Treatise on American Ecclesiastical Law," 1866; " A Treatise on the Remedy of Ejectment and the Law of Adverse Enjoyment," 1870; " A Treatise on the Law of Usury, Pawns or Pledges, and Maritime Loans," 1872; "A Treatise on the Law of Boundaries and Fences and Window- Lights," 1874; " A Treatise on the Law of Fixtures," 1877 ; and " Commenta- ries on the Law of Infancy and Coverture," 1868, a new edition of which was published after his death. He was also the author of " The Bible and Social Reform," written in 1860. Judge Tyler married twice. He was an extensive traveler, a member of the Presbyterian Church, a trustee of Falley Seminary, long the president of the Oswego County Bible Society, and acquired a handsome property. He died Novem- ber 21, 1881.
Lovewell Johnson, of Fulton, was born February 25, 1783, in Franklin county, Mass., and settled in Oswego county in 1819. After teaching one term in Mexico he bought a farm in the town of Volney, on which he worked and practiced law at the same time. He was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court in 1829. While he was successful as an attorney, his large property in later years demanded most of his ener- gies. He held the offices of county superintendent of the poor, justice of the peace, supervisor, and associate judge of the Court of Common Pleas. He removed to Fulton village in 1839, where he was prominent in business and social life. From middle life he was a eonsistent mem- ber of the Methodist Church until his death, August 12, 1859.
William P. Curtiss was one of the prominent earlier lawyers of Fulton, and held the office of police justice in that village. He died January 31, 1864. He was member of assembly one term and at one time sur- rogate of the county.
Amos G. Hull studied law with Judge Tyler and practiced in Fulton several years. He was surrogate of the county two terms, and a writer of considerable ability, especially upon local history. He is now retired and resides in Brooklyn upwards of eighty years of age.
Henry Clay Howe, son of Amory, was born in Granby, August 23, 1832, and died in Fulton, July 28, 1889. He entered Falley Seminary
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in 1849, attended Seneca Falls Academy, and was graduated from Hamilton College in 1858. He studied law in Fulton with J. H. Town- send and was associated with him for several years. From 1873 until his death he was a partner of Arvin Rice. In 1860 he married a daughter of Samuel Crombie. She died in 1879 and in 1881 he mar- ried Marion D. Northrop, who survives. Mr. Howe was supervisor of Volney four years and member of assembly in 1886, 1887 and 1888. His greatest achievement was the election of Hon. Frank Hiscock as U. S. Senator in 1887. " As an attorney he was not in the eyes of the masses a great lawyer, but members of the bar placed him at the head of their profession."
James Crombie, a brother of Samuel Crombie, of Fulton, was born in New Boston, N. H., November 28, 1811, admitted about 1837, and began practice soon afterward in Fulton. He was in partnership with William P. Curtiss and later with Seth Burton. About 1853 he re- moved to Brooklyn and opened an office in New York, and still resides there.
James Harvey Townsend came to Fulton prior to 1850 and died there in 1872. He was associated with Henry C. Howe. He married Julia, sister of Rev. W. D. Chase, of Demster, who survives him and resides in Washington, D. C. He left one daughter and two sons. .
William J. Townsend, a nephew of James H. and a graduate of Hamilton College, came to Fulton about 1872, practiced law several years, and removed to New York city, where he now resides.
Emery S. Pardee, son of Dr. Stephen Pardee and a native of Volney Center, was graduated from Hamilton College, studied law with Amos G. Hull, graduated from the Albany Law School about 1857, and be- gan practice in Fulton, where he died in 1881. He was police justice and justice of the peace and one of the best trial lawyers in the county. He was in partnership with Asa B. Chrysler, with Mr. Stephens, and from 1874 to 1881 with Giles S. Piper.
Samuel Newell Dada, born December 7, 1826, practiced law in Ful- ton for several years and was for a time chairman of the board of super- visors. He was also engaged in the insurance business. In the fall of 1889 he removed to Chicago, Ill., where he still resides.
M. B. Church came to Fulton from Baldwinsville about 1866 and 33
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practiced there some time. He finally went west, relinquished practice, and died at an advanced age.
Asa B. Chrysler studied law in Fulton with Emery S. Pardee, whose partner he was for a time. He died of consumption while a young man.
Seth Burton came to Fulton from the east and associated himself in legal practice with James Crombie and later with A. N. Ludington. He died there at the age of about forty-seven.
John S. Randall was a lawyer in Fulton before and after 1840. He moved to Norwich, N. Y., and died there.
Other lawyers in Fulton have been Edwin Thompson, father of Mortimer Thompson, prior to 1840, died in New York ; - Hibbard, before 1840; here many years, went west, and died there; Edwin R. Huggins came from Onondaga county about 1870, served as justice of the peace one term, and died about 1881; Joseph Esmond, now of Syracuse ; Gordon D. Ball, admitted, but spent his life as a civil engi- neer and surveyor ; Albert L. Lee, son of Dr. M. L. Lee, now a broker in New York city ; Fred S. Crombie; Henry E. Nichols, now a miller in Fulton ; and A. N. Ludington, who died in Parish.
The present practitioners are Charles F. Boyd, Charles H. David, E. B. McCully, Sheldon B. Mead, Giles S. Piper, Arvin Rice, F. G. Spen- cer, William C. Stephens, Melvin F. Stephens, N. N. Stranahan, and F. J. Van Wagenen, jr. Melvin F. Stephens and Charles H. David were admitted in 1859 and have since practiced law in Fulton.
Hannibal .- Samuel Farnham, the date of whose birth is not attaina- ble, died in Williamstown, Oswego county, July 14, 1822. He resided in Hannibal until a few months previous to his appointment as judge of the Court of Common Pleas, when he was thirty four years old. He held the office of supervisor of Hannibal from 1817 to 1821 inclusive. It was said of him at the time of his death that he was " distinguished for sound intellect and numerous social virtues. As a judge he was correct and independent, and commanded the respect and esteem of his asso - ciates of the bar."
In 1836 Messrs. Riggs and Abrams came to Hannibal, but after re- maining and practicing their profession a few years they moved away.
Nicholas B. Brower has practiced there since 1859, H. M. Barrett
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since 1869, and D. J. Van Auken several years. D. D. Metcalf is also one of the present practitioners.
Mexico .- Avery Skinner was born at Westmoreland, N. H., June 9, 1796, and died at Union Square, in this county, November 24, 1876. After passing his boyhood on a farm he attended the Chesterfield Acad- emy, teaching in winters to pay his expenses. In 1816 he started for "the Black River Country " on horseback, and ten days later reached Water- town, where he remained six years engaged in various pursuits. In 1823 he settled at Union Square, to which place he gave its name. In 1831 he was elected to the Assembly and re-elected in 1832. In 1826 he was appointed county treasurer and held the position twelve years, resigning upon his election to the State Senate. In 1828 he was ap - pointed county judge and held the office until 1839, when he declined a reappointment. From 1838 to 1842 he represented the county in the Senate. In 1846 he was defeated for Congress by William Duer by only a few votes. He was a Democrat in politics, and in the various public officers to which he was chosen he exhibited exceptional natural qualifications, good abilities and high character. Timothy W. Skinner, a son of Avery, was admitted in 1857 and has practiced in Mexico village. He was surrogate sixteen years, longer than any other man in the county.
Cyrus Whitney was born in Mexico, where in early life he taught school. When he was nearly thirty years old he began the study of law with his cousin, Orla H. Whitney, in Mexico, and was admitted to the bar in 1846. He was for some years a partner in Mexico with T. W. Skinner, and in 1870 removed to Oswego, where he had as part- ners at different periods J. J. Lamoree and his son, C. F. Whitney. In 1871 he was elected county judge, and was honored with a re-election. He was noted for his urbanity, patience, and impartiality in hearing causes, with a remarkable memory for cases in the books. He died September 15, 1890.
Luke D. Smith was born in Ellisburg, Jefferson county, April 3, 1815, and settled in Mexico in 1820 with his parents. He studied law with William F. Allen, of Oswego, and after admission formed a partnership with O. H. Whitney in Mexico. Later he was associated with John B. Higgins, and still later was a member of the firm of Smith, Brown &
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Collins. A Democrat, he was member of assembly in 1850, and super- visor of Mexico in 1854-55. He died February 18, 1886.
Levi Downing came to Mexico from Herkimer county in 1832, and soon after removed to Colosse. In 1847 he returned to Mexico, where he passed the remainder of his life in the practice of his profession, in which he excelled, especially as a criminal lawyer. He died in August, 1870.
Luke D. Smith and Levi Downing were undoubtedly the most strik- ing characters which the legal profession in Mexico ever possessed. They were opposed to each other politically, and had frequent discus- sions on the streets, which always drew a crowd. But it was at a country law suit, when the farmers for miles around would gather to hear and enjoy the witty sallies and the quick repartee of these two brilliant lawyers, that they had full opportunity to display their qualities.
De Witt C. Peck was born in Marshall, N. Y., December 14, 1830; was graduated from Hamilton College in 1852, settled in Mexico in 1854, and studied law with Judge Cyrus Whitney. He was admitted to the bar, attained success, and held several important offices. He was special county judge in 1861, school commissioner in 1863, assistant assessor of internal revenue in 1867, and member of assembly in 1877- 78. His death took place in 1882.
The following have also been attorneys in Mexico: Orville Robinson noticed under Oswego city; Edwin Allen, John B. Higgins, and Maurice L. Wright, now of Oswego; Orla H. Whitney, who became county judge and surrogate, and afterward engaged in banking; George G. French, at one time district attorney and now a resident lawyer and banker ; John R. French, now dean of Syracuse University ; Cortland C. Brown and Myron W. Collins, now in Denver, Col .; and Alva F. Kellogg and Vincent S. Stone, deceased. Mr. Kellogg was born in Richland May 26, 1823, settled in Mexico with his parents in 1826, and died there. Mr. Stone was born in Mexico. He removed to Fargo, where he died.
The present practitioners are George W. Bradner, born in Oswego county in 1847, admitted in 1870, and author of " Rules of Pleading," " Practice and Attachments," " Practice and Supplementary Proceed- ings," " Rules of Costs," and "Rules of Evidence;" George G. and
Engraved by J. K. Campbell. NY.
Gro & French
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Fred E. French; George H. Goodwin, born in Mexico in 1835 and graduated from the Albany Law School in 1856; John D. Hartson ; James A. Johnson, born in Oswego county in 1827 and admitted from the Albany Law School; Clayton I. Miller; William C. Shumway ; and Timothy W. Skinner.
Orwell .- It was not until a very recent date that a lawyer took up a permanent residence and began the practice of his profession in Orwell. Albert S. Barker, who was born in Albion, February 17, 1846, came to Orwell in 1874, was admitted in 1884, and has since practiced there. Edward L. Lyons is also a legal practitioner in the town.
Oswego City .- Peter D. Hugunin was the first judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Oswego county. He was a carpenter by trade and owned a small farm west of the village. Although not a learned man in the general meaning of the term, he was nevertheless possessed of excellent judgment and keen perceptions, which enabled him to dis- charge the duties of his office with credit. His brother Robert was a reputable lake captain, and Daniel, another brother, served as lieutenant in the regular army and on the Niagara frontier and was a member of congress in 1825 27. . Other members of the Hugunin family have been prominent in the history of Oswego county.
George Fisher was admitted to practice at the first Court of Common Pleas held in this county in 1816. In 1829 he was elected to Congress and received his certificate from the Board of Canvassers, but on a con- test the seat was given to Silas Wright, who declined, and Silas Wright, jr., was chosen to fill the vacancy. Mr. Fisher, became a partner with William F. Allen in 1829. He was an able lawyer and practiced nearly twenty years.
Samuel B. Beach settled in Oswego in 1817 and practiced with suc- cess until about 1830; he was one of the firm of Beach, Popple & Fisher. Theodore Popple settled here about 1816 and practiced sev- eral years. J. S. Glover, Donald McPherson, both admitted in 1830, also practiced a few years in Oswego.
John Grant, jr., was among the very early prominent attorneys in Oswego, where he settled in 1816, and lived until his death May 26, 1850. He was endowed with sterling abilities, was liberally educated, and held several important offices. He was postmaster and collector at
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the same time, and served as first judge of the Common Pleas from June 1, 1820, to April 2, 1828, when he was succeeded by Joel Turrill. Retiring from the bench he relinquished his law practice and devoted himself to mercantile business until his death.
James F. Wight was admitted to practice in the winter of 1816-17, and was for a number of years quite prominent in the community. For several years he held the office of brigade inspector of militia.
Joel Turrill, for many years one of the leading citizens of Oswego, was admitted to the bar in 1819. A man of stately personal appear- ance, he became a successful lawyer, a shrewd politician in the Demo- cratic ranks, and a successful business man. He served two terms (1833 and 1837) in Congress. He was not a public speaker and took little part on the floor of the House. He was several years associated in prac- tice with David P. Brewster. He was elected county judge of the Common Pleas in 1828 and served as member of assembly in 1831; was surrogate in 1843-44 ; was consul to the Sandwich Islands for a period, and held many minor positions. He died December 28 1859.
Rudolph Bunner came to Oswego at an early day (about 1825), when he was more than sixty years of age. He was wealthy, owned large tracts of land in the eastern part of the county, and was an elo- quent political speaker. Though a lawyer by profession, he did not practice during his residence in the village. He served in Congress in 1827-29. He died about 1833.
Among the foremost men of the Oswego bar was David P. Brewster. He was born in Cairo, Greene county, N.Y., June 15, 1801 ; graduated from Union College in 1823 and went to New York city, where he studied law until 1825. In that year he located in Oswego, forming a partnership with Joel Turrill. He was a Democrat in politics ; was ap- pointed district attorney in 1829, and continued in the office until 1833, when he was succeeded by A. P. Grant. He was appointed first judge of this county in 1833, succeeding Judge Turrill, and held the office until May 11, 1841 ; he was succeeded by Samuel Ludlow. He was elected to the Twenty- sixth Congress, 1838, served the term, and was re-elected. He was appointed postmaster of Oswego July 1, 1845, and held the position until 1849. He was always devoted to the inter- ests of Oswego and was chosen a trustee at the first election after the
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village incorporation in 1828 ; was treasurer in 1832-34 ; trustee again in 1836, and president in 1837. His latest public position was com- missioner of excise and president of the board, 1870-73. Judge Brewster was a man of strong mental powers, clear preceptions, sound judgment, and firm and pronounced opinions on all public questions. He was a man of the broadest and most generous instincts, and in all the relations of life his traits of character and his interest in the daily affairs of men lifted him above the general level. As a lawyer and a judge he won the approbation of his profession and the confidence of the community. He married in October, 1826, Anna M. Huntington, of Greene county, who survived him. He died February 20, 1876.
Daniel H. Marsh was at the date of his death, August 15, 1876, the oldest practicing member of the bar of this county. He was then seventy. one years of age, a native of Schenectady county, and grad- uated from Union College in 1824. He was admitted to the bar in 1827 and settled in Oswego in the same year. At different periods he was a partner with a son of Dr. Nott, of Schenectady, with Joseph C. Wright, Albertus Perry, and Silas A. Webb. He never held office except county clerk one term. He was a man of ability in his pro- fession and much respected by the community.
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A. P. Grant was born in New Lebanon, Columbia county, N. Y., April 5, 1804. Entering Hamilton College at the age of fourteen he graduated in due time with honor. He began to study law with Judge Hiram Denio in Utica and finished with Joshua A. Spencer and Samuel Beardsley. He was admitted to the bar at the age of twenty- one years. In 1828 he settled in Oswego and began practice. In 1834 he formed a partnership with William F. Allen, which continued until 1847, when Mr. Allen was elected judge. After a short period of practice alone, Mr. Grant joined with Edwin Allen and the firn continued until Mr. Grant retired from practice. In 1835 Mr. Grant was appointed district attorney for Oswego county. In the following year he was elected to Congress from this district, and served to the satisfaction of his constituents. He was one of the originators and the first president of the Riverside Cemetery Association ; one of the in- corporators of the Lake Ontario Bank ; several years a director and secretary of the Oswego and Syracuse Railroad Company ; and an
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honored member and warden of Christ church. He died December II, 1871. His biographer has written the following :
The distinguishing traits of Mr. Grant's character were his indomitable energy, his unyielding support of the right, his constancy of purpose to accomplish successfully all matters intrusted to his hands either professional or simply of a business nature. His quick perception, sound judgment, strict integrity, and fair dealing secured to him great success and the confidence of the community.
Foremost in the list of names of the bar of Oswego county stands that of William Fitch Allen. He was born in Windham, Conn., July 28, 1808, and was taken by his parents to Schenectady county, N. Y., in 1814. Entering Union College he graduated in 1826, began the study of law, and in 1829 was admitted to the bar. In September of that year he removed to Oswego and began practice as a partner with George Fisher, then about to take his seat in Congress. Mr. Fisher retired from practice in 1833 and the following year a partnership was formed by Mr. Allen and A. P. Grant, which continued until the former was elected to the bench of the Supreme Court in 1847. Mean- while Mr. Allen was called to honor various public positions. He held a number of village, town and county offices, and during several years was Supreme Court commissioner, and master in chancery. A Demo- crat in politics, Mr. Allen was elected to the Legislature, serving in the sessions of 1843-4, in one as chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, and in the other as chairman of the Judiciary Committee. In April, 1845, he was appointed United States district attorney for the Northern District of New York, resigning the post when elected judge. In May, 1847, he was elevated to the high office of justice of the Supreme Court, and ably and honorably performed the duties of the position until 1863. During this period he declined the nom- ination for governor of New York, preferring the more congenial judicial labor. In 1863 he was the candidate of the Democratic party for the office of judge of the Court of Appeals. In 1864 he removed to New York city, where he practiced his profession until 1868, when he assumed the office of comptroller of the State, to which he was elected in 1867, and re-elected in 1869 He resigned this office in 1870, to take the office of associate judge of the Court of Appeals, to which he was chosen in May of that year. In 1857 he received the
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