USA > New York > Onondaga County > Syracuse > Memorial history of Syracuse, N.Y. : from its settlement to the present time > Part 30
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The Syracuse Nurseries and Stock Farm .- The Syracuse Nurseries, Smiths & Powell, proprietors, were established in 1830, by Alanson Thorpe, and are doubtless the oldest nurseries west of the Hudson River. W. Brown Smith purchased a half interest in 1845, the firm name becoming Thorpe & Smith. The nurseries then consisted of about four acres, nearly all apple trees, and so extensive was this establishment considered at that time that Mr. Smith's friends endeavored to dissuade him from making the purchase, for the reason that, in their judgment, such a large quantity of trees could not be sold in this country. Mr. Smith became sole proprietor by pur- chase about 1860. The business was gradually enlarged and extended, and at various times new and younger members were added to the firm, the firm now consisting of W. Brown Smith, Edward A. Powell, Wing R. Smith, and W. Judson Smith. The greenhouse department and the fine live stock department were added, until the business assumed its present
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large proportions. The area of land now owned by this firm and the vari- ous members thereof, and kept under a high state of cultivation, is about 1,200 acres, the most of which is located on the west shore of Onondaga Lake. There are probably 3,000,000 trees and shrubs now growing in these nurseries. Nearly 1,000,000 stocks are planted each spring. The business is nearly all wholesale, and the trees are shipped by car-loads to all parts of the United States. The department of blooded live stock, which was added about twenty years ago, has gradually increased and developed until the " Lakeside Stock Farm " is known to breeders of fine stock the world over. At almost any time within the past few years from 300 to 500 head of pure bred Holstein-Friesian cattle, all recorded, and all black-and-white, could be seen on this farm. It is undoubtedly safe to say that no herd of dairy cows, either in Europe or America, has ever equalled this in actual pro- duction of milk and butter, as shown by well authenticated records, and no other, probably, has so wide a reputation. The horse department consists of from 150 to 200 blooded animals, of the various improved breeds of America and Europe. Shipments of cattle and horses are frequently made to various foreign countries, including Europe, Canada, Mexico, South America, Central America, Australia, Japan, etc. The greenhouse de- partnient is carried on under the name of P. R. Quinlan & Co., Mr. Quinlan having purchased in 1884 a one-half interest and assumed general super- vision. From a small beginning this branch of business has grown year by year until its various houses now contain about 40,000 square feet of glass. The growing of choice roses has been made a prominent feature, and sev- eral large greenhouses are now entirely devoted to this popular flower.
The Warners Portland Cement Manufacturing Company .- This enter- prise was organized in December, 1888, and the work of construction was soon afterward begun. Later the capital stock was increased and the capacity of the works much enlarged. The works are situated at Warners, ten miles west of Syracuse, the business office being located in the city. The output is about 350 barrels per day, and has no superior. It is univer- sally used by those who understand its qualities, and the demand for it is constantly increasing. Employment is constantly given to seventy men. The company is represented in its Board of Directors as follows: W. B. Cogswell, Hon. George N. Kennedy, John L. King, Frederick D., White, Edward N. Trump, Henry O'Neil, Edward Joy. Mr. Cogswell is the Presi- dent ; Burnet Forbes, Secretary ; and Frederick D. White, Treasurer. The process of manufacture with the aid of extensive yet simple machinery, made expressly for these works, is interesting. There is an abundance of marl and clay, from which the cement is made, on the land purchased by the company. This is the most extensive plant of its kind in this country.
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It is a somewhat curious fact that Onondaga county once furnished nearly all the water-lime used in this country, and that now it should be supplying the best cement. The industry is likely to grow into much larger propor- tions with the constant increase in the demand for the product.
Syracuse Heat and Power Company .- This company is one of those de- velopments which may be credited to the push and business enterprise of the community-an enterprise demanding a large investment and sagacious confidence in the final outcome. The company was organized in 1888, with a capital of $200,000 and the following incorporators: Wilber S. Peck, William K. Pierce, E. P. Bates, Edward Joy, Clarence Kellogg, William W. Cox, and Frank J. Webb. Land was purchased in Pearl street, a large building erected for boilers, and the plant for 2,500 horse-power put in. Two miles of street mains were laid, and the patronage by power users and those desiring heat has rapidly increased until now about thirty-five tons of coal are used daily. The plant is fitted up with every modern improve- ment of value, and is one of the best in the country. The officers of the company are Wilber S. Peck, President; William K. Pierce, Vice-Presi- dent; M. J. Myers, Secretary ; Ira A. Holly, Superintendent.
Penn. & Lee .- Carriage springs is one of the important articles of man- ufacture in Syracuse. In the year 1881 George Penn and Henry M. Lee entered into partnership for the manufacture of carriage, car, and locomotive springs, under the firm name of Penn & Lee. They purchased a lot on the corner of Canal and William streets, and erected a building 316 x 66 feet, which they still occupy. Only one other establishment of the kind in the State of New York exceeds this in capacity, while in the quality of their product they have no superior; all of their work is tempered in oil and guaranteed in quality. They give constant employment to 100 men, and their annual output is 1,500 tons of manufactured goods. Before he came to Syracuse Mr. Penn had works of the same character in Bridgeport, Conn., and Gananoque, Can. An interesting feature of their establishment is its splendid brass band, which is composed wholly of their employees. It was organized in 1885, now has twenty-five members, and is under the leadership of Prof. Charles F. Walcott, of Boston. In October, 1889, this band accompanied the Knights Templar to Washington, and was the escort of the combined order of this State on that occasion.
Syracuse Specialty Manufacturing Company .- This company was or- ganized in May, 1889, for the manufacture of hardware specialties in gen- eral, and especially patent buckles for overshoes, rubber coats, and horse blankets. The factory is on the corner of West Fayette and Geddes streets, and about fifty hands are employed. The officers of the company arc : A. R. Dickinson, President and Treasurer; F. C. Howlett, Vice-President ;
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A. R. Dickinson, E. D. Dickinson, John Dunn, jr., F. C. Howlett, and John Nase, Directors.
T. D. Green. - The manufacture of pickles was begun in Syracuse about 18544 by the late C. C. Loomis, and was conducted by him until about 1878, when it passed to the control of Thomas D. Green, and he has ever since carried it on. He now manufactures more than three-fourths of all the local product. His product has secured such a hold on the markets that about 400 acres of land are required to grow the raw material, and employment is given to a large number of people. The prejudice against commercial pickles has almost disappeared, and the industry is still in its infancy. The brand adopted by Mr. Green is the "Royal," and it is con- sidered a guarantee of excellence.
Kemp & Burpee Manufacturing Company .- This company was estab- lished by the present proprietors in 1881, for the manufacture of the Kemp's patent manure spreader, a device of great utility to farmers, and then the only one of the kind. In 1891 the company erected a new building on the corner of West Fayette and South Geddes streets, 120 x 56 feet, and three stories high with basement. Steam-power is used, and a force of thirty men employed.
John Marsellus Manufacturing Company ( Limited) .- John Marsellus came to Syracuse from New York city in 1877, and began the manufacture of coffins, caskets, and undertakers' supplies at 79 and 81 South Clinton street. In 1878 Oscar D. Byers, who came from New York with Mr. Mar- sellus, became a partner, under the firm name of John Marsellus & Co. A factory was established in 1883 on the corner of Geddes and West Fay- ette streets, and two years later Charles B. Kiggins purchased an interest in the business. In ISSS a new brick factory was built, with office and salesroom, on the corner of Van Rensselaer, Richmond, and Tracy streets, the building being 60 x 220 feet, four stories high, and the present company was then organized and incorporated, with John Marsellus, President ; F. S. Wicks, Vice-President; Oscar D. Byers, Secretary; and Charles D. Kiggins, Treasurer. These executive officers have ever since remained in charge of their constantly increasing business, and are qualified by a long experience to fully meet the various demands of the trade. The goods are sold throughout the States of New York, Pennsylvania, and New England, and also in Canada. The manufactures of the company include cloth- covered caskets, robes, wrappers, habits, linings, pillows, embalming tables, and undertakers' supplies generally, their factory being equipped with all the modern appliances for the successful and rapid production of these arti- cles. They also handle a large variety of cabinet hardware and upholstery goods. It is the only establishment of its kind that has succeeded in Syra-
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cuse. Similar concerns have been started, but owing to lack of necessary experience, and the fact that the trade cannot be forced, they have proved disastrous ventures for those who invested their money.
E. J. Eddy. - Mr. Eddy came to Syracuse in 1867 from Pharsalia, Chenango county, where he was born in 1848. His first employment was as a clerk, in which capacity he continued four years. In 1871 he opened a hardware establishment in the First ward. He soon built up a prosper- ous trade, and won for himself a prominent place among the substantial merchants of that part of the city. In 1878 he bought his present site in North Salina street, and for ten years carried on his business in buildings then standing. In 1888 he built his brick block, which is 60 x 80 feet and five stories high. In 1890 he bought 1,000 tons of rags, and his manu- facture and sale of tinware has become so extensive that he employs thirty wagons on the road, ten of which are his own, and the remainder furnished by the drivers. He employs five tinners, twenty-five women, besides his office help and men on the wagons. His business amounted in ISgo to $100,000. Mr. Eddy was Supervisor of his ward in 1885-86.
A. E. Alvord .- The water-lime and plaster-mills on the corner of Lock and Catawba streets were built by their present owner, A. E. Alvord, in 1884, who succeeded his father in this business in 1875. Water-lime is ground from stone quarried and burned in Manlius and brought by rail to the mills. Quick-lime is also burned at Manlius in nine large kilns, which have a ca- pacity of 600 barrels daily. Stone for land plaster is quarried on Mr. Alvord's farm in Onondaga Valley, from which about 2,000 tons of plaster are ground and sold yearly. Two years ago Mr. Alvord expended several thousand dollars in a plant at his mills for the manufacture of calcine plaster, or plaster of Paris. This was the introduction of a new industry in Syra- cuse, and has proven very successful. It is made from the same stone as the land plaster, and the works have a daily capacity of from 200 to 300 barrels. The quality of this new product is most satisfactory, and orders already exceed the production. One hundred people are required to oper - ate the quarries and mills. Mr. Alvord's father, E. B. Alvord, was the pio- neer in this business in Syracuse. In 1848 he built a lime and plaster-mill on the corner of Lock and Canal streets, which he operated till 1872 or 1873, when he converted the building into a packing-house and moved the ma- chinery for grinding water-lime and plaster to a new mill in Pearl street, which was removed to make room for the West Shore Railroad.
The Onondaga County Milk Association is a stock company, incorpo- rated March 21, 1871, with twenty-four charter members, eighteen of whom were milk producers and stockholders. The scheme was the invention of B. Austin Avery, a dairy farmncr a few miles north of the city. No sys-
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tem had ever been devised which embodied his idea of bringing milk pro- ducers and milk consumers into mutual relations. The financial results of twenty years have proved the wisdom of his plans. At the organization Mr. Avery was chosen President ; James L. Hill, Vice-President and Man- ager ; and Cyrus D. Avery, Secretary and Treasurer. The original capital stock was $50,000. The old Park Hotel standing on their present site was rented, horses and wagons were bought, drivers hired, and milk routes established in the city. Stockholders brought their milk, which was weighed and credited, put into a common stock, and sold to the best advantage. At the end of one year 1,505,000 quarts of milk had been sold at a saving of over one cent per quart to consumers, and at the same time the receipts had paid the producers more money than they had been able to realize when each man made his own sales. The Park Hotel property was bought the second year, and at the end of the third year the growing prosperity of the enterprise demanded more room and better facilities. Experience had taught just what was wanted, and the present handsome and commodious building was designed and completed in 1875, at a cost of $17,000. Since then two lots with dwelling houses in Onondaga street have been purchased to make room for stables and shops, in which the association keeps its horses, makes and keeps in repair all its wagons, and does all necessary blacksmithing. In the milk trade ice is in constant use, and 1,500 tons are consumed yearly, all of which is stored on the premises. During 1890 28,- 000 pounds of milk were handled daily. All milk not disposed of before 2 P. M. is made into butter and cottage and factory cheese the same day. This large quantity of milk is obtained of stockholders, and of those who rent stock, and so are entitled to the co-operative benefits. Two years ago the association began making ice cream, selling since that time from 75 to 100 gallons per day. In June, 1890, lunch parlors were fitted up, and this branch of the business has become very popular. A large boiler and a twenty-horse-power engine furnish the motive power, and hot water and steam for general uses. In 1891 4,550,368 quarts of milk were han- dled, netting the milk producers two and three-fourths cents per quart. The year's business amounted $136,812.92, to do which required forty . horses, twenty-five wagons, and forty-three people. The stock has been increased to $100,000, of which $63,450 has been paid in, and the property is valued at $100,000. The Presidents succeeding B. Austin Avery have been John Wells, Hiram Kingsley, and George C. Gere. Cyrus D. Avery, the first Secretary and Treasurer, was succeeded in a few months by Iran C. Reed, who was also made General Manager, which positions he has held for the past twenty years. The officers of the association, with six others, con- stitute a Board of Trustees as follows: George C. Gere, President; J. C.
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Munro, Vice-President; Iram C. Reed, Secretary, Treasurer, and General Manager; J. S. Jerome, John Wells, George Geddes, P. S. Knapp, P. P. Mid- ler, and B. F. Scott.
HOTELS:
The Globe Hotel was erected in 1846 and 1847 by Henry Stevens, and immediately opened as a temperance house. Two years later it was given up, and the next landlord was William Winton, who was followed by Win- ton & Butler. This firm conducted the house till 1854, when they were succeeded by Ira Garrison, who ran it about ten years, and sold to Austin & Dickinson, under whose management the corner facing Washington and Salina streets was remodeled and the west portion of the hotel built. Messrs. Austin & Dickinson were succeeded by E. D. Dickinson, and he by Dickinson & Austin, and later the firm of Dickinson, Austin & Bacon be- came proprietors. A. R. Dickinson was their successor. The firm of Dick- inson, Bacon & Ellis was then formed and assumed control, and continued in that capacity till Mr. Dickinson withdrew, and the proprietorship passed into the hands of Bacon & Ellis, the present landlords. The Globe is one of the best appointed hostelries in Central New York. It is conveniently located, substantially built, and a general favorite with the traveling public.
The Vanderbilt House was built in 1867 by John L. Cook & Son, who opened it in 1868, and kept it for ten or twelve years, when Oliver E. Allen became the proprietor. He was succeeded two or three years later by P. B. Brayton, who sold to G. W. Day, and he to George W. Taylor. In the spring of 1891 Mr. Taylor disposed of his interest to J. H Fife, of New York city, the present proprietor. In compliment to its name Commodore Van- derbilt presented this house with an excellent oil painting of himself, which has been admired by thousands of guests. During their bridal trip the Commodore and his second wife spent a night here. The hotel justly en- joys the reputation of being first-class in all respects. In 1879 Daniel Can- dee, Horace Candee, and the estate of Earll B. Alvord bought and still own this valuable property.
The Empire House was constructed in 1844-45 by John L. Tomlinson, a son-in-law of James L. Voorlees, of Lysander. Mr. Tomlinson lived in a house where the County Clerk's office now stands, and he owned the whole block except the Onondaga Hotel and one dwelling house. He was killed by the cars at Little Falls in 1848, and the property soon after was bought by James L. Voorhees, who traded that part on which the Court-House now stands for the old court-house lot between Syracuse and Salina. The new owner called it the Voorhees House. A few years later it came into the possession of Horace and Hamilton White, and is now owned by Horace
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K. and F. D. White. The Empire House was opened in the fall of 1845 by Mr. Miller as a temperance house. He remained one year. The succes- sion of landlords since then has been Captain Joel Cody. Philo N Rust, Mr. and Mrs. Barent Filkins, Barney Becker, Lucius Wright. Sprague & Gage, Mrs. Gage, Hose Rockwell & Carpenter, Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Patten, Mr. Satterlee, and C. E. Talbot & Co., the present occupants. The nanie of the hotel was changed from the Voorhees House to the Empire while Sprague & Gage were in it. The Empire is one of the largest hotels in Syracuse, and contains a spacious hall in which almost every society and organization in this State, and some national organizations, have repeatedly held annual meetings.
Hotel Burns .- About 1870 l'eter Burns bought the block now known as the Hotel Burns, on the corner of West Fayette and South Clinton streets. A hotel had been kept in it for many years by Hutchinson, East- man, and others. Mr. Burns remodeled the building, and leased it to Elias T. Talbot, who opened and kept a first-class temperance house for eleven years, when he leased his interest in it to Oscar L. Brownell. Mr. Talbot again assumed the management, and was succeeded in 1888 by the present proprietors, Messrs. Townsend Brothers. The hotel still belongs to Mr. Burns, and has always been kept as a temperance house.
Congress Hall, located on the corner of West Washington and South Franklin streets, was erected about 1876 by Jacob Crouse, and opened the following year by Copley A. Nott, who has ever since conducted the house with great credit to both himself and Syracuse. In 1888 his son, Claude R., was given an interest under the firm name of C. A. Nott & Son. The build- ing is five stories high, is located near the principal railroad depots of the city, and is altogether a most admirably appointed house.
Hotel Candee .- In 1864 Charles E. Candee opened the eastern half of the present Hotel Candee, formerly known as the Brintnall Hotel. Two years later he sold to Wagner & Sweatland. Mr. Sweatland soon after sold his interest to Horace B. Castle, and Mr. Wagner sold to Jerome Vroman, who in turn sold to Mr. Belden, and he to Mr. Hiscock. The latter dis- posed of his interest to James HI. Burke, and 1869 Mr. Candee repurchased the house and has been its proprietor ever since. In 1887 he leased the upper part of the old Talbot House, extending to the corner of Fayette and Warren streets, thus giving him 150 rooms. Mr. Candee is the oldest con- tinuous hotel-keeper in Syracuse. In 1882 he was elected Alderman of the Sixth ward, and has by successive re-elections held that office ever since.
The Jervis House, corner of East Fayette and Mulberry streets, was built in 1854 by Harvey Sheldon and Charles A. Wheaton. The block was sold to the old Syracuse City Bank, and afterward purchased by General William
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J. Hough. It was first known as the Sheldon Block, and for many years the upper part was rented by Mr. Cobleigh, of Rochester, for his dancing schools. General Hough afterward refitted it for a family boarding-house and hotel, and gave it its present name after Rishop Jervis, of England, from whom he was descended. General Hough died in 1869, and in the divis- ion of his estate the Jervis House became the property of his daughter, wife of Charles E. Stevens, an attorney. Mr. Stevens was Superintendent of Public Schools from 1863 to 1866. The successive landlords of the Jervis House have been Harvey Bennett, Mrs. Harvey Bennett, Jeremiah Hinch- man, John A. Goodell, Captain C. G Nye, A. F. Hamilton, and Mrs. Eu nice C. Gardner.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
REMINISCENCES.
Notes and Reminiscences with Wit and Humor Interspersed - Interesting Anecdotes of Ilis- torical Importance.
H I OWEVER much the procrastination may be regretted, it is nevertheless now too late to gather from a generation almost gone much incidental history of the city. Indeed, who is there to tell of those early years of village history, when the population was sparse, the streets mere Indian trails, and the forests the home of beasts? Seventy years have passed since 1820, when the village first began to bestir itself, and who is there of four- score years who lived among the scenes of that day ? A decade ago a vol- ume of interesting reminiscences might have been gathered ; but now there are few indeed to relate incidents and events of even half a century ago. A chapter of such matter has been gathered for this book which may serve to, in a degree, relieve the monotony incident to the narration of cold his- torical facts. Considerable more matter of this character might be gath- ered, and yet recollections are so conflicting that the work would be more or less unsatisfactory to the compiler. It has been said that no two per- sons ever see the same scene alike ; certainly, when the events of a lifetime ago are recalled by two persons there is almost invariably a decided conflict of opinion. The writer has had recourse to letters and scrap-books for the facts contained in many of the paragraphs which follow, and here and there one has been condensed from local publications. Some have been related by friendly citizens, and others are from the writer's memory of anecdotes told to him during the thirty years of his residence in the city. Scattered through this entire volume are many narrations of events and incidents
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which, taken in connection with this chapter, would constitute a good be- ginning for some writer who has the tact and patience for preparing a vol- ume of such sketches as he might now be able to procure. For example :
An amusing incident occurred about the year 1840, in which a laugh was turned upon Gen. A. P. Granger. A familiar group was gathered at the Syracuse House, comprising such well known citizens as Mr. Granger, A. N. Van Patten, Amos Gillett, Daniel Kellogg, D. D. Hillis, Moses D. Burnet, Daniel Groff, Henry Young, Philo N. Rust, Samuel Larned, and others. The General was fretting and scolding about a note that he had endorsed for Young, and said some quite hard words over his being com- pelled to pay it. Mr. Young explained that he had been disappointed in getting money that he expected, and could not meet the note. But this did not pacify the General, and he continued to complain. Finally Young ended the matter and created a hearty laugh by exclaiming, "Well, General, what is an endorser good for if he don't pay ?"
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