USA > New York > Onondaga County > Syracuse > Memorial history of Syracuse, N.Y. : from its settlement to the present time > Part 46
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of his practice in 1867 he was a partner for two years of Henry E. Marble, under the firm name of Beach & Marble. From 1869 to 1872 he was associated with William E. Sanders, under the style of Sanders & Beach. After practicing alone for one year he took as a partner O. J. Brown, the firm name being Beach & Brown, which continued until January 1, 1881. fle then practiced alone until 1886, when he became associated with Harrison Hoyt. Subsequently T. E. Hancock, now District Attorney, and later James Devine, joined the firm. On the Ist of January, 1891, Mr. Hoyt with- drew and the style is now Beach, Hancock & Devine. While Mr. Beach possesses all of the qualiti- cations that combine to make the successful criminal lawyer, his taste is not distinctly for that branch of practice. For cases demanding long continued effort in the Court room and before the jury Mr. Beach has not the physical strength. As a consequence, most of his attention has been given to the general office work connected with civil practice. In this direction many important cases have been intrusted to him, the most notable of which was perhaps that of the Receiver of the Albion Bank against a firm of New York brokers for a large sum of money squandered in speculation by the cashier of the bank. In this important case Mr. Beach took the new ground that the checks given by the cashier to his brokers and applied by them in speculation were in form such that they were obliged to notice that it was the funds of the bank which were being used and hence was a fraud. In this suit Mr. Beach recovered a judgment of $147,000. Outside of his profession and among his fellow citizens, Mr. Beach enjoys an enviable reputation for ability and integrity.
Mr. Beach was married on the 3d of May, 1856, to Mrs. Augusta H. Kelly, and they occupy a handsome residence at No. 621 West Onondaga street.
JAMES W. SHELDON, the subject of this sketch, was born in Otego, Otsego county, N. Y., on the 12th of February, 1837. He was the son of Henry Sheldon, who was of English descent, born at South Kingston, R. I., and who migrated about the year 1810 to what was then the "far west" (Otsego county), locating upon lands which are still in possession of the family. He was a man of sterl'ng qualities and possessed of great energy and perseverance ; he was an architect and builder and erected many fine structures, among them churches, factories, and railroad bridges, which remain as monuments of his industrious hand. He was the father of five sons and three daughters, all of whom reached manhood and womanhood, filled responsible positions in life, and became a blessing and honor to their parents. Ile died at the age of forty-seven, when the subject of this sketch was but fourteen years of age. The mother's maiden name was Mary Knowles. She was of New England birth and inherited and exhibited throughout her life the peculiar and estimable New England traits of character, and lived to reach her eightieth year.
Dr. Sheldon received a good practical education, but is emphatically a self-made man, At the age of twenty he began the study of medicine under the instructions of an Old-School physician Later on he became a convert to Homeopathy and was graduated at the Cleveland Homopathic Medical College, Cleveland, Ohio, in 1864. After practicing his profession a short time in the country, he located in Syracuse early in 1865, entering into partnership with Dr. l.yman Clary, ore of the pioneers of Homeopathy in this city, who practiced nearly fifty years, beginning when the place was a village.
Dr. Sheldon has followed his profession in Syracuse for twenty-five years, acquiring a large and! remunerative practice. lle has not only endeared himself to his friends, professionally, but to the public at large as well, always taking an active interest in the welfare and prosperity of the city Ho high professional reputation is based upon his success, and at the same time his general conduct in the sick room, his gentleness and tenderness and sympathy with suffering, have secured him a piece in the affections of all of his patients and their friends.
During his hours of leisure Dr. Sheldon has as a rule been engaged in some benevolent of that. itable work, with which he has always been in the fullest sympathy. He has always felt a deep ?? terest in young men and has given financial aid to several who were striving under difficulties b)." tain an education and profession. lIe has been largely interested in Y. M. C. A. work, having
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served as vice-President, and as Chairman of the Finance Committe of the Young Men's Christian Association of Syracuse for several years, contributing freely of his time and means in building the beautiful new home now occupied by the Association. Politically Dr. Sheldon has always been an active Republican, voting for the first time for Abraham Lincoln, and regularly casting his vote for the Republican candidates for President to the present time. Ile is a member of Masonie Lodge No. 305 ; also of the Business Men's Association and Exchange, and of the Citizen's Club. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church ; of the American Institute of Homeopathy, and of the State Homepathic Medical Society, and is one of the Committee on Medical Legislation of that body. He is a member of the Onondaga County Homcepathic Medical Society, and President of the Syracuse IIomœopathie Medical Association. Outside of his profession, to which he is an honor in the broadest sense, Dr. Sheldon enjoys to the fullest the confidence and esteem of the community
Dr. Sheldon was married on September, 1860, to Miss Emily J. Betts, of Memphis, N. Y. They bave one daughter, Susie MI., who was born in Memphis January 7, 1805, and married on October 4, 1887, Albert H. Gleason, of New York city, a member of the firm of Hastings & Gleason, attorneys.
ROBERT DEY, founder and head of the dry goods house of Dey Brothers & Co., of Syracuse, and the first of several brothers to come to America, was born on the 25th day of November, IS49, in the parish of Abernethy, Morayshire, Scotland. His father, a man of sterling moral worth and great force of character, had his farm and mill on the borders of Banff and Moray, the mill stream forming the dividing line between the counties.
Robert was educated at the district school of Kirkmichael, and at the age of seventeen went to Aberdeen, doubtless at the instigation of his three elder brothers who were at that time pursuing their studies in that university city. He entered the employment of Pratt & Keith, at that time, as to-day, the largest dry goods bouse in the north of Scotland and a school which has sent its pupils all over the world, thoroughly equipped for the business of life. He remained with that firm for five years, but having a desire, like many another Scot, to see more of the world and seek broader fields for his energies, he determined to try his fortune in New York city. Just at this time, however, Mr. Curr, of the firm of Sibley, Lindsay & Curr, of Rochester, was visiting his native city, Aberdeen, and hearing of Mr. Dey's intentions, he pursuaded him to go to Rochester and enter the employment of his firm in that city. He did so and was joined there by his brother Donald, and they remained five years, when a resolution made, in 1867, that in ten years he would be in business for himself came forcibly to the recollection of Robert. An opportunity to accomplish this aim presented itself at this time in Elmira, and in the spring of 1877 a small store was opened in that eity, which rapidly grew in its proportions until it became the subject of comment throughout the Chemung Valley. From the start, able co-operation in the business had been rendered by Donald, and now other members of the Dey family were called into requisition and in quick succession Charles, James, and John added their talents to the new enterprise. The fresh impulse added to the strength of the house and in the spring of 1883 the brothers found themselves in a position to attempt still more extended oper- ations. The present store in Syracuse was opened in the spring of that year and its experience has been a repetition of that in Elmira, with a still greater measure of success. Under the same leader, with his keen judgment, his clear-headedness and his unflinching integrity of purpose, the remark- able success of the Syracuse venture is well known. Both here and in Elmira, the Dey Brothers have done much to abolish old-fashioned and objectionable business methods and have always been fore- most in movements to promote early closing and the establishing of a weekly half-holiday ; for several years they have taken the initiative in the latter movement by closing on Friday afternoons during the summer months, an action which has called out much favorable comment and has proved a healthy stimulus to both employers and employed. At the present time the business is being car- ried on by the brothers Robert, Donald and James, the two others, John and Charles, having retired for a season to follow other enterprises. Two older brothers, William and Alexander, both of whom
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are LL.I).'s, and holding high positions in educational matters in Scotland, pay almost annual visits to "the boys in America," and strengthen their hands by sage counsel.
Robert Dey possesses all the qualifications that usually constitute the successful business man and the public-spirited, useful citizen. He is characterized by sound judgment, is quick to think and decide, as well as act, tolerant of human weakness, unless it takes the form of deliberate wrong, and is endowed with executive ability of a high order. He hence finds it easy to grasp and carry out large plans, and at the same time to gain the devotion of those in his employment. Mr. Dey is a director in the Salt Springs Bank.
In 1890, Mr. Dey was married to Mary Mills Sweet, elder daughter of William A. Sweet, of Syracuse.
Oliver Wendell Holmes has said, "I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand as in what direction we are moving." From this standpoint those who know Robert Dey best are convinced that the business success which he has thus far commanded is small compared to the capabilities of the man, and granted a continuance of health and strength, they are confident that in the not very distant future he will be known in connection with enterprises of far greater proportion than anything he has yet undertaken.
JOHN DUNN, Jr., of the shoe manufacturing firm of Dunn, Salmon & Co., of Syracuse, was ( born in Burlington, Vt., May 26, 1834. His father was a boot and shoe manufacturer, who died "in Chicago in 1890. When the subject of this sketch was quite young his parents removed from Burlington to Ellisburg. Jefferson county, N. Y., and there the lad began going to school. When he had reached a proper age his attendance at school was alternated with periods of labor in his father's shop until he had become a competent workman. The young man had an ardent desire to acquire a college education and inspired by that hope he labored hard and saved money sufficient to enable him to enter Union Academy at Belleville to prepare for college, where he continued about two years ; but at the end of that time, having nearly reached his majority, he reluctantly relin- quished his college aspirations, as he could see no way of accomplishing his purpose except after a long period of labor at his trade ; but he left the academy with an education which showed his natu- ral capabilities and the persistence with which he had studied.
Previous to his academic studies Mr. Dunn had worked at his trade in Oswego, and when he left the school returned to that city where he continued at his trade until the year 1859. when he opened a store on his own account ; this was the small beginning, upon a very limited capital, of a period of nearly forty years of unbroken and successful connection with the manufacture and sale of boots and shoes. From 1859 to 1863, the Oswego firm was Dunn & Hart, his partner being Hon. Edwin C. Ilart. In 1863, Mr. Dunn joined the great armies of the Union and went into service as quarter- master of the 184th New York regiment, where he remained until the close of the war. Returning to Oswego, he closed up his affairs and at once formed the firm of Fenton, Dunn & Gay, manufacturers and wholesale dealers in boots and shoes, at the same time assuming the unexpired contract for con- vict labor in the State prison at Auburn, which had been forfeited by the firm of E: P. Fenton & Co. One year later the firm was succeeded by the firm of Dunn, Gay & Co., and at the end of another year the style was again changed to John Dunn, Jr., & Co. After about three years this firm was succeeded by Dunn, Barber & Co., at Auburn. A few years later, in the year 1871, the firm of Dunn, Salmon & Co., was formed and a business period of nearly twenty years of successful and harmonious relations began. The practical details of the manufacturing department of this business has been under the direct charge of Mr. Dunn. The large contract for convict labor was continued by the firm until that system was abolished by law a few years ago, and constituted the foundation of the manufacturing branch of their business; but in order to meet the demands for their product an auxiliary factory was established in Auburn. This grew in proportions with the increase of busi- ness and when the prison contract was given up the entire business was placed in this factory, which at the present time occupies a building 300 feet long, 50 feet wide and five stories in height. Ilere,
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fifteen hundred pairs of shoes are turned out each day, which are sold in all parts of the country. The firm maintain a large jobbing house in Syracuse, but its business is wholly separate from the manufactory. The business qualifications of Mr. Dunn, which have enabled him to rise from the smallest beginning to his present standing, are prudent cautiousness tempered with sound judgment and keen foresight, and executive ability that enables him to comprehend and master laage enter- prises. These traits are well understood by his friends and have been recognized by placing him in many responsible positions. He is President of the Steam Gauge and Lantern Company; President of the Syracuse Electric Light and Power Company ; vice-President of the Bank of Syracuse, and a trustee of the Syracuse Savings Bank. He was recently made president of the Consolidated Street Railway Company. That this corporation will confer great benefits upon the community there is now scarcely a doubt.
Mr. Dunn is a Republican in politics and could on many occasions have accepted political sta- tion, had his inclinations led him in that direction. He was appointed by Mayor Kirk as one of the Commissioners for the New City Hall now in process of erection.
Mr. Dunn was married in 1859 to Miss A. Augusta Hart, of Oswego. They have three child- ren living : Mrs. William Spaulding, the eldest ; Miss Helen A. Dunn, and Miss Frances H.
FORGE DE WITT COWLES was born in the town of Otisco, in this. county, and is the son U of Theron Cowles, who for many years was well known as one of the prominent citizens of that town.
The family are of English origin, John Cowles, the common ancestor of all bearing the name of Cowles in the United States, coming to Hartford, Conn., in 1636, from London. IIe was one of the eighty-four original purchasers of the town of Farmington, Conn., from the Indians, in 1640. The township is about fifteen miles square and was incorporated in 1645 and was shortly afterwards di- vided among the proprietors. John Cowles represented the town of Farmington in the General As- sembly of that State in 1653, 1654 and 1655. The original homestead of the Cowles family in the village of Farmington is still occupied by one of his descendants. The paternal grandfather of Mr. Cowles, with his father, then a boy four years of age, left the town of Farmington and came to the town of Otisco in IS02 and died there in October of the same year, and subsequently his grand- mother married Capt. Eliakim Clark. Louis Gaylord Clark, founder and editor of the Knicker- bocker Magazine and Willis Gaylord Clark, editor of the Philadelphia Saturday Post, were half brothers of Theron Cowles and were born in the town of Otisco in 1808.
Mr. Cowles spent his early life on the farm of his father in Otisco and his education commenced in the district school of the neighborhood under the instruction of Benjamin J. Cowles, a leading citi- zen of that town. In IS45, he moved with his father from the town of Otisco to the city of Syra- cuse, where he has since resided.
His studies, preparatory for college, he pursued at the Onondaga Academy under John D. Run- kle, and in Syracuse under Prof. Stebbins at a classical school conducted by him just across the street from the residence of the late John Crouse. IIon. Andrew D. White was a classmate in the same school. He entered the Junior class at Union College in 1848 and was graduated second in a class of one hundred, in 1850. After leaving college he spent nearly two years traveling in the Southern States, when he returned to Syracuse and commenced the study of law in the office of Henry S. Fuller. He was admitted to the bar in 1855, at Oswego, and after his admission entered into a law partnership with Iion. Henry J. Sedgwick, of Syracuse, which continued until 1862.
In March, 1861, he attended the first inauguration of President Lincoln at Washinglon, and was in that city at the outbreak of the Rebellion, when the bridges were destroyed, the wires cut and com- munication with the capital of the nation practically suspended. While there he joined the Wash- ington Clay Battalion, organized under the command of Cassius M. Clay, of Kentucky, for the de- fense of the capital. Upon the arrival in Washington of a force sufficient to insure the safety of the city, the battalion was disbanded, and its members honorably discharged from the service of the United States, by the direction of Hon. Simon Cameron, Secretary of War.
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After this episode he continued the practice of the law alone until 1868, when he entered into partnership with Hon. James Noxon, which continued until Mr. Noxon took his seat on the bench as Justice of the Supreme Court of this State. Subsequently he formed a partnership with Edward C. Wright, which continued up to 1883, since which time he has continued in practice alone.
In a professional life of thirty-five years he has acquired in central New York a solid reputation at the bar as a careful, capable and successful lawyer, and in the community where he has lived he is recognized as a practical, prudent and prosperous man of business, and in society he commands the respect and esteem of all. In politics he is a Republican and faithful to his principles ; but has never been a seeker after office.
Mr. Cowles was married May 19, 1858, to Isabel Seymour, daughter of Joseph Seymour, late of the city of Syracuse. They have one daughter, Mary Seymour Cowles.
LJON. WILLIAM COWIE, Mayor of Syracuse, was born at Brechin, Forfarshire, Scotland, H
October 7, 1846, and came to Syracuse, whither relatives had preceded him as early as 1840, in January, 1865. In September of that year, he entered the County Clerk's office as general clerk, the Hon. Carroll E. Smith then being at the head of the office and Edgar E. Ewers his deputy. Upon the election of Mr. Ewers as County Clerk in November, 1870, he appointed Mr. Cowie his deputy and the subject of our sketch served in that capacity through Mr. Ewers' term and the succeeding ones of Charles E. Hubbell and Thomas H. Scott. In November, 1879, Mr. Cowie was elected County Clerk for the three years' term commencing January 1, 1880. His long experience in the office had thoroughly fitted him for the discharge of his duties, and he served through his term with great acceptance to the public. He was succeeded by Gen. Gustavus Sniper, under whom he re- mained as search clerk for nearly a year, finally resigning after a continuous service of over eighteen years, to take the business management of the Syracuse Standard newspaper. Finding his new po- sition not congenial, he soon withdrew from it, and after a rest of several months, he engaged in the real estate business, in which he still continues. The present City Clerk, Henry F. Stephens, was his first partner. In February, 1890, Mr. Cowie was nominated by the Republicans as their candidate for Mayor of Syracuse, and after a hard-fought and exciting contest he was elected. As the head of the city government he has made many warm friends and many bitter enemies, as every man does who tries fearlessly to do his duty ; but at all times he has had the sympathy and support of the majority of the better element of the community.
Socially Mr. Cowie is very popular. He is widely read in several languages, a constant student and a ready thinker and forcible writer. Like most Scotchmen, he is particularly fond of poetry, of which, at various times, he has written and published creditable examples. He is partial, also, to out-door sports, and for many years he has been one of the leading cricketers of Syracuse.
Mr. Cowie married, in 1870, Miss Sarah Henderson, daughter of our well-known townsman, Dr. Alexander Henderson. The result of this union is one son, now acting as Mayor's clerk, and two daughters.
D R. NELSON C. POWERS was born in Canastota, Madison county, N. Y., on the 12th of May, 1815. After obtaining a preparatory education he entered the Clinton Liberal Institute, at Clinton, N. Y., and finished the prescribed course of study in three years. He then began the study of medicine with Dr. V. W. Mason and continued it with Dr. D. E. Hurd, both of Canastota. Hle further pursued the study of his chosen profession at the Medical College at Woodstock, Vt., and the Geneva Medical College, (now incorporated with Syracuse University,) and graduated in 1840, when twenty-five years of age. In the autumn of that year he was married to Miss N. M. Van Sice, and settled at Perryville, Madison county, afterwards removing to Peterboro in the same county, where he gained the friendship and confidence of all with whom he was associated,
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In the year 1852, Dr. Powers located in Syracuse and here he soon acquired a large and con- stantly increasing practice. Possessing a strong and active mind, Dr. Powers was always an earnest student, having almost constantly in hand some subject of investigation and thought. By his ac- knowledged ability he reached a position of eminence in his profession based upon his uniform suc- ccss, while his geniality and kindliness of spirit and flow of humor rendered his .ministrations highly prized by the sick and gave him a warm place in the hearts of his friends. His judgment was sound on many topics outside of his profession, and when his opinions were formed he was capable and ready to support them on all proper occasions.
As a citizen Dr. Powers took a deep interest in all public affairs, earnestly advocating the cause of justice and good government in city, State and nation. He always acted from conscientious mo- tives and never wavered from what he considered his path of duty. Self-interest never influenced him to turn from what in his estimation was the right course, and his assistance could always be re- lied upon in any good cause. He was originally a Democrat in politics, but upon the organization of the Republican party allied himself therewith and was ever after closely identified with its progress in this section. Though often solicited to accept public preferment, he uniformly declined to do so, preferring to devote his whole energies to the duties of his profession ; but he did not in any sense neglect the many minor political duties which he believed should receive the attention of every good citizen.
After Dr. Powers settled in Syracuse he became attracted by the broad philanthropy and unself- ishness of Rev. Samuel J. May, with whose liberal beliefs and christian spirit he deeply sympathized, and they became devoted friends. Upon the services of Mr. May, Dr. Powers was a constant at- tendant, and after the death of the good preacher, the same friendship was established with Rev. S. R. Calthrop, a friendship which endured to the end. In this connection it was written of him at the time of his death, that "he was a man ever ready to help"; this was the distinguishing trait of his character, and, as it is also in its fullest development the controlling element in Mr. Calthrop's life, an entire and perfectly rounded friendship naturally existing between them.
Dr. Powers was a prominent member of the Masonic Order and the lodge to which he belonged, as well as the church society, adopted resolutions at special meetings which testified eloquently to the virtues of the deceased. A meeting of the physicians of the city was also held at the residence of Dr. H. D. Didama, at which the following tribute was paid to him : " It is proper that the medical brethren of one so eminent as Dr. Nelson C. Powers, should bear testimony to his worth and do honor to his memory. He was a companion the most genial ; the truest of friends ; the kindest of neighbors ; a good citizen ; a faithful husband ; the tenderest of fathers ; a beloved physician. His religious convictions were strong and he was loyal to them under all circumstances. Hisopinions on all subjects-formed with great care and patience-were rock-like in their firmness. Ife won a wide reputation in his profession, not by the devices of the charlatan, not by seeking to drag down his competitors, but by understanding his business and minding it."
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