Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 103

Author: Bruce, Dwight H. (Dwight Hall), 1834-1908
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: [Boston] : The Boston History Company
Number of Pages: 1094

USA > New York > Onondaga County > Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II > Part 103

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Sanford & Elliott, Syracuse. This firm consists of Emmons H. Sanford and Ches- ter M. Elliott, two well known members of the legal fraternity in active practice in Syracuse. They do a large law business, and have offices in the Kirk building.

Wraught, Albert Bassett, Syracuse, was born in Lockport, N. Y., Oct. 14, 1870, moved with his parents to Little Falls in 1872, attended the Wells Commercial Col- lege in Syracuse, and was a clerk for the Adamant Manufacturing Company for three years. He was connected with the Y. M. C. A. gymnasium work in Herkimer, N. Y., for a time, and in the spring of 1892 came to Syracuse as assistant secretary of the Y. M. C. A., which position he resigned in 1896. In 1893 he married Miss Alice M. Eccleston, of this city.

Whelan, C. A., & Co., Syracuse, established business as manufacturers of and wholesale and retail dealers in cigars and tobacco in 1891, and since then have suc- cessfully built up a large and prosperous trade. The firm consists of Charles A. and George A. Whelan and W. K. Niver, the business being under the immediate super- vision of the first named, who is a practical man and has been identified with similar enterprises from an early age.

Griffin, Patrick J., Syracuse, was born in Cork, Ireland, May 2, 1867, and came to America with his parents in 1874, settling in Syracuse, where his father, a marble polisher, died in May, 1894, aged 53, and where his mother still resides. He was ed- ucated in the public schools of this city and began life as a clerk in the hardware store of Matthew Murphy. One year later he entered the employ of Everson, Friselle

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& Co., hardware dealers, and remained with them and their successors twelve years, or until April, 1895, when he accepted a similar position with the Burhans & Black Company. He was active in Democratic politics and was elected school commis- sioner of the 3d ward in 1892, a position he held until his death, Aug. 2, 1895. He was also prominent in other directions, and was a member of Division 1, A. O. H. He was married in Sept., 1894, to Annie E., daughter of John Conroy, of Syracuse.

Stinson, Martin, Skaneateles, was born in Skaneateles in 1858, a son of John Stin- son. Our subject was for some time engaged in the woolen mills at Skaneateles, but since 1883 has given his attention to agriculture. He raises large quantities of hops, for which he has a reputation in the county, and in addition is engaged in the culti- vation of teasels, his farm being finely adapted for both these products.

Coleman, James D., Syracuse, was born in Pompey, July 22, 1833. His father, Moses Coleman, came there with his father's family at a very early day, as did also the family of James Depuy, the two families being the first settlers on Coleman Hill in that town. Moses married Betsey, daughter of Mr. Depuy, and had five children: Esther, deceased; De Witt C., deceased; James D .; and Timothy D., of Syracuse ; and Bernard, deceased. Moses Coleman was a school teacher, and moved to North Manlius, and thence to Springwater Valley, N. Y., where he died. The family re- turned to Onondaga Co. and settled at High Bridge, and about four years later located in what is now Colvin street in Syracuse, whence they moved to Onondaga Valley, and finally to Centerville, where Mrs. Coleman married again, survived her second husband, and died. James D. Coleman began life as a farmer, but soon learned the trade of carpenter and joiner. In 1855 he settled permanently in Syra- cuse, and forming a partnership with Lyman C. and Calvin E. Carpenter, known as . Carpenter & Coleman, engaged in the manufacture of cabinet work, to which they subsequently added that of cabinet organs. In 1865 Christian Cook purchased an interest and the firm became Cook, Carpenter, Coleman & Co., manufacturing cabinet work and cabinet organs. Seven years later Carpenter and Coleman sold out to Mr. Cook and established a similar business, but one year afterward, or in 1885, dissolved, and Mr. Coleman founded his present business, manufacturing the Coleman roll-top desk, and office, church, and library furniture. He is a member, and formerly trustee of the A.O.U. W., is one of the stewards of Brown Memorial church, and for seventeen consecutive years has served as chairman of its board of trustees. He married, July 4, 1854, Laura E. Gumaer, who died in May, 1863, leaving two daughters, Ida Adelle, and Cora Ella. Dec. 27, 1864, he married Mary U., daughter of Merrills Cleveland, and their children have been Lena and Florence, who are living, and Jennie and Franklin, deceased.

Abbott, William E., was born in Lowville, Lewis Co., N. Y., Jan. 19, 1822, a son of Paul Abbott and Patty Eells. He descended on both his father's and mother's line from pure Puritan ancestry, being the sixth in descent from " Mary Chilton " of Mayflower fame. His grandfather, William Abbott, of Pomfret, Conn., was en- gaged in the battles of Lexington and Bunker Hill, was also with Washington on Long Island, and at New London, Conn., and died in Clinton, N. Y., aged 87 years. On his mother's side was Maj. Samuel Eells, a prominent lawyer and statesman in the early history of Massachusetts, who was sent to England on important business

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for the colony in a professional capacity and returned successful in the enterprise. He was also one of the leaders in King Philip's war. His son, Col. Samuel Eells, was a distinguished lawyer of Connecticut, was secretary of the Commonwealth, and for forty years a member of the executive committee of the colony. Paul Abbott was a merchant tailor in Lowville, N. Y., many years, settling in 1804 and died in 1831, when William E., his third son, then a lad of nine years, was left to the care of a most devoted and excellent mother, under whose wise and careful training he grew to manhood, attending the village school and academy and later the Gouver- neur Academy, ending his school days at the preparatory school at Oberlin, Ohio. Thus fitted he began his life work in Utica, N. Y., entering the dry goods store of A. L. & R. H. Wells, where he worked perseveringly in every department to gain a complete knowledge of the business. After three and a half years he left, having been head clerk during the last year. He was also with Spencer, Kellogg & Son, of that city. In Jan., 1842, he came to Syracuse and entered into partnership with his older brother, Henry G., when they opened the first exclusively dry goods store in this city: later his brother James H. joined them under the firm name of Abbott Brothers. In 1849 William E. bought out the business, and was sole owner and pro- prietor for about thirty years, when he retired owing to ill health. Thus closed a long and active business career; he built up a successful trade and a name for strict integrity in all his transactions and manifested great executive ability in the business world. After a year of rest and change he again in 1871 formed a copartnership with Edwin P. Hopkins in the coal business, with a yard on Water street. This con- tinued until the death of Mr. Hopkins, when his son, William E. Hopkins, took his father's interest and thus continued until 1888, when Mr. Abbott bought the entire business and conducted it alone until 1893, when illness compelled him again to retire to quiet life. Mr. Abbott has received many evidences of confidence and trust from his fellow citizens. He was appointed by the Board of Supervisors in- spector of the penitentiary for three consecutive years, and was supervisor of the Eighth ward for 1871-2-3. It is a source of pride to Mr. Abbott that he was one of earliest and earnest advocates of the anti-slavery movement when it was the cause of much abuse and censure for those who were friends of that suffering and perse- cuted race. He was personally instrumental in aiding hundreds of slaves over the under-ground railroad on their way to safety and freedom. He was also one of the actors in the famous Jerry Rescue case and has ever since that day carried on his key ring in his pocket one of the links from the chain of Jerry's shackles. He was one of the bondsmen of Moses Summers who was indicted as one of the rescuers. He was also one of the prime movers in organizing the Republican party in this county, and with others put in nomination the successful "Jerry Rescue Ticket." In 1856 he was chosen a trustee of the Onondaga County Orphan Asylum, which office he still retains; he has also been secretary of the board for over 35 years. He was one of the charter members of the Onondaga County Savings Bank and is now its first vice-president. He was one of the incorporators of the Adamant Manufacturing Com- pany of America and is now its president, and is also interested in several other business enterprises in the city. He was a charter member of the Plymouth Congre- gational church, superintendent of its Sunday school, and has ever been a consistent and valued member of this leading church. For over forty years he was treasurer of the Onondaga County Bible Society. In 1858 he was one of the founders of the

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Young Men's Christian Association, elected its first vice-president, and in 1861 its president; that same year he went to Hartford, Conn., and engaged Father Hawley to come here as city missionary. He is always ready and anxious to work for the best interests of the beautiful city of his home. On Aug. 12, 1845, Mr. Abbott was married to Jane A. Foster who died March 19, 1889. He married, second, Dec. 23, 1890, Elizabeth E. Hatch, of Winsted, Conn. Some thirty years ago he purchased a block on the corner of Beech and East Genesee streets and erected thereon a com- modius residence, which is still his home. Kind and considerate in all his intercourse with his fellow men, retiring and generous in his disposition, yet genial and courte- ous with all, punctual, and accurate in all dealings, his name is a synonym for all that is strictly honest.

Eells, Nathaniel, Skaneateles, eldest son of Nathaniel and Alice (White) Eells, was born in Middletown (now Cromwell), Conn., Sept, 11, 1748, and married Huldah White, cousin of Judge Hugh White, the pioneer of Whitestown, N. Y. About 1784 the latter induced Mr. Eells to come to Whitestown, whence he removed in 1796, at the request of Judge White, to Skaneateles, to take charge of the mills that had been erected on the outlet by him and Judge Sanger. Mr. Eells subsequently purchased what is now known as the Pardee place, and died in Skaneateles on Jan. 7, 1815. He served in the Revolutionary war, at the battle of Bunker Hill with his brother Daniel, who came into Central New York about the same time (1784) and settled in New Hart- ford, Oneida Co. The children of Jonathan and Huldah Eells were Nathaniel jr., born in 1776; Richard, born in 1779; Clara, born in 1782; Sylvester, born in 1783 (all born in Middletown, Conn.); Susannah, born in 1785; Huldah, born in 1786 (both born in Whitestown, N. Y.); and Horace, born in Skaneateles in 1789. Nathaniel, jr., mar- ried Susan White, granddaughter of Judge Hugh White, who, when a little girl of five or six years, was left by her grandfather with an old Indian chief as hostage to prove his faith and confidence in the Indian's word, an act which gave Judge White the confidence and respect of the red men as long as he lived, and which ever afterward was of great benefit to the early settlers of this region, to whom the chief remained true and steadfast. Sylvester married Mary Moss Hall, a relative of Judge Hall, President Fillmore's partner, of Buffalo. He built on the east edge of the homestead in Skaneateles a tavern or stage house, which is still standing. He died in 1814, leaving his widow and two children. She afterwards married Noble Coe, of Skaneateles. Susannah married in 1803 Capt. Morris Loss, who was born in New Durham, Conn., in 1777, came to this town in 1802, and served as captain of militia at Sackett's Harbor in the War of 1812; he was a carpenter and builder, and died in July, 1853, from exhaustion consequent upon amputation of his leg, which was broken at a house he was building in Skaneateles. Their eldest daughter mar- ried John L. Ripley, of Spafford, and their son, Richard E. Loss, is now living in Savannah, Wayne Co., 85 years old and nearly blind. Horace Eells, the youngest child of Nathaniel, sr., married Asenath Newton and about 1830 moved to Batavia, N. Y., selling the homestead to Mr. Snook, an Englishman. It was finally sold to Mr. Pardee. The Eells family came from a noted ancestry. John Eells emigrated from Barnstable, England, and settled in Dorchester, Fox Point, New Boston, about 1629, but later returned to England and served as an officer in Cromwell's army, dying in Barnstable. His son Samuel, born in Dorchester in 1639, returned

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to America upon reaching his majority, was married in Lynn in 1663 to Ann, daugh- ter of Rev. Robert Lenthall, first pastor of Weymouth, Mass., and settled in Hing- ham. He was one of the company that moved from Dorchester to Windsor, Conn., with their pastor, Rev. Mr. Wareham; later he removed to Milford, Conn., and be- came prominent in the affairs of the colony. He was also conspicuous in King Philip's war and entered vigorous protest against the sale of captive Indians to the Bermudas as slaves. He died April 21, 1709, at Hingham, Mass.

Newcomb, George Milton, was born June 28, 1830, in Onondaga Valley; married, October 13, 1852, Susan P., daughter of Isaac C. and Merriette Pierce Allen ; married second, in 1867, at Cicero, Josephine Haskell, daughter of John Haskell, a farmer of Cicero. George Milton Newcomb is a prominent farmer of the town of Cicero, where he has resided on the same farm for nearly fifty years. He has been in the sheep and dairy business most of his life. He has raised a family of seven children. He occupies a high position socially and has always maintained a high character for honorable and fair dealing. Issue: 1, Moses W., born Feb. 23, 1854; married, Jan. 15, 1880, Cora E. Dunham, daughter of Homer and Harriet Dunham of the town of Clay; had three children-Homer D., born Dec. 6, 1883; Belle E., born Sept. 21, 1886, died Jan. 29, 1888; Alva A., born Sept. 18, 1889, died Dec. 28, 1891. Moses W. Newcomb is a large dairy farmer of the town of Clay, and is a man of great energy and business capacity. 2, Asel F., born April 3, 1857; married, June 6, 1895, Har- riet G. Matson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O. E. Matson, prominent people of Caugh- denoy, Oswego county. Asel F. Newcomb is a successful merchant of North Syra- cuse, where he has carried on business for many years. He is noted for his fine social qualities, strict integrity and attention to business. 3, Edward A., born April 21, 1860; married, Sept. 13, 1889, Matie A. Reese, daughter of E. F. Reese, esq., a justice of the peace of the town of Clay ; has two children: Gladys R., born Oct. 14, 1890; Mary Grace, born Sept. 19, 1892. Edward A. Newcomb has been in the mer- cantile business in Syracuse for many years. He is a very popular and pleasing gentleman, of excellent habits and fine business qualities. He was for a long time a member of the choir of St. Paul's Episcopal church in said city. These three were the children of George W. Newcomb and Susan P. Newcomb, his first wife. 4, Ella V., born April 21, 1871; 5, George W., born April 14, 1874; 6, Eva B., born July 26, 1881; 7, Edith W., born June 21, 1884.

Caldwell, William, Syracuse, was born in Albany, N. Y. Sept. 4, 1832, and moved to Central Square, Oswego Co., with his parents, at the age of five years. He was reared on a farm, attended the district schools, Mexico Academy, and the State Normal School at Albany, and followed farming until 1865, when he engaged in the wholesale wine and and liquor business in Syracuse, which he still continues under the firm name of Caldwell & Garlock. Mr. Caldwell is a prominent breeder of Hol- stein-Friesian cattle, is actively interested in the New York State Agricultural So- ciety, owns a large stock farm at Central Square, and is a member of the Holstein- Friesian Association of America. He is also a prominent Mason, being a member of Central City Lodge, No. 305, F. & A. M., Central City Commandery, No. 25, K. T., and the Scottish Rite bodies, 32d degree. He is a member of the Masonic Vet- erans Association, the A. O. U. W., and the I. O. O. F.

Weeks, Charles E. S., Syracuse, senior member of the wholesale clothing firm of

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Charles E. S. Weeks & Co., was born and reared in Boston, Mass., where he learned the clothing trade in the establishment of Isaac Fenner & Co., one of the oldest and wealthiest concerns of the kind in New England. He remained with them seventeen years, a part of the time being a partner in the firm. In 1887 he came to Syracuse and established the firm of Weeks, Woodhull & Co., located in South Clinton street, but after four years withdrew and started business for himself. His trade increased so rapidly that it became necessary to take in a partner, and in 1893 A. W. Webber. of this city, a practical man, purchased an interest under the present firm name of Charles E. S. Weeks & Co. Mr. Weeks has thus had a long experience in the man- ufacture of clothing and is favorably known to the wholesale trade throughout the east and west. He has met with unvarying success, and the firm has acquired a constantly increasing business especially in New England and the Middle States. They manufacture a medium and fine line of goods, of superior fit and workmanship, which has made the firm popular and prosperous. They occupy the basement and four lofts of the Hogan block in West Fayette street, and employ directly and in- directly a large force of operatives. Mr. Weeks is a member of the Citizens' Club and the Knights of Honor, and while in Boston served one year as a member of the Common Council.

Downer, Ezra Pierce, was born in the town of North East, Pa., Jan. ? , 1816, and at the age of fourteen came to Port Gibson, N. Y., where he entered the employ of L. C. Russell, his uncle. Soon afterward he came to Syracuse and entered the ser- vice of Col. John Holland Johnson, at that time one of the owners of the New York and Oswego line of canal boats. In 1836 he was given charge of a boat and contin- ted in the business for several years, spending his winters with Colonel Johnson, who owned a farm of 400 acres situated along West Onondaga street in the city. In 1842 he was made agent for Charles M. Reed's steamboat line on the great lakes, and served also as boat inspector for four years. In 1853 he became general ticket agent for the Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana (now the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern) railroad, his circuit covering the New England States, New York, and Montreal. Winters he spent south in the interests of his company. He was first an old line Whig, but ever since the dissolution of that party he has been an ardent Democrat, and for many years took an active part in local politics. With the exception of two terms as canal collector (1875 and 1876) he has never held public office. In 1839 he married Miss Katy, daughter of Luke Killmore, a pioneer of Syracuse, and for several years they resided on West Onondaga street, then known as the cinder road. Later he purchased and lived in a house opposite the place where the Florence now stands. In 1855 he bought the Downer property on the northwest corner of South Clinton and West Fayette streets, and since 1864 has re- sided there.

Cowie, William, Syracuse, was born in Brechin, Forfarshire, Scotland, Oct. 7, 1846, came to Syracuse in Jan., 1865, and in Sept. of that year entered the county clerk's office as general clerk under Hon. Carroll E. Smith. He served as deputy to county clerks Edgar E. Ewers, Charles E. Hubbell, and Thomas H. Scott from 1870 to 1879, and in Nov., 1879, was elected clerk of Onondaga Co. for three years from Jan. 1, 1880, being succeeded by Gen. Gustavus Sniper, under whom he remained as search clerk about twelve months. He then resigned after a service of over

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eighteen years in the clerk's office. Subsequently he engaged in the real estate business, which he still continues, his first partner being Henry F. Stephens, after- wards for several years city clerk. In Feb., 1890, Mr. Cowie was elected mayor of Syracuse, and in that capacity served with ability and distinction. He is a staunch Republican and one of the most enterprising of citizens. A true Scotchman, he is fond of poetry, an able and forcible writer, and a prominent cricketer. In 1870 he married Miss Sarah, daughter of Dr. Alexander Henderson, of this city, and they have one son, Alexander H., an attorney-at-law, and two daughters.

McCarthy & Co., D., Syracuse .- This extensive mercantile establishment, the old- est commercial enterprise in Syracuse, dates from 1807, when Thomas Mccarthy settled in Salina and started a store on Free street in that village, then a mere ham- let. He was both a merchant and a salt manufacturer, and also attained prominence in public affairs, being village trustee many years, member of assembly in 1843, and a director of the first bank there. I11 1837 Dennis McCarthy, his son, who was born in Salina on March 19, 1814, succeeded to the management of the business and continued until 1846, when he moved it to Syracuse and began the successful mer- cantile career which ended only with his death on February 15, 1886. He was first a Democrat and then a Republican, a staunch supporter of the Union cause during the Rebellion, member of the Legislature in 1845, mayor of the city in 1853, member of Congress from 1867 to 1871 State senator from 1876 to 1885, and very prominent in banking circles. In 1855 he began to job in dry goods and in 1876 the present wholesale block of D. McCarthy & Sons on the corner of West Washington and Clinton streets was erected at a cost of over $100,000. The retail department was continued under the style of D. McCarthy & Co. an the corner of South Salina and East Fayette streets, where in April, 1894, a magnificent new building was completed and formally opened to the public at an expense of $500,000. Both firms are man- aged by his sons, David K. and Dennis McCarthy, and son-in-law, Dr. Thomas Emory.

Seymour, Joseph, Sons & Co., Syracuse .- Joseph Seymour was born of English parentage near Albany, N. Y., September 17, 1815, and came to Syracuse in 1846, where he died April 9, 1887. Soon after his arrival in this city he became a member of the firm of Willard & Hawley in the manufacture of silverware, a business he carried on successfully until his death. A few years later, he assumed the sole pro- prietorship of the concern, and subsequently took in his sons, Joseph, jr., and Edwin G., as partners under the style of Joseph Seymour & Sons. In 1882 George F. Comstock, jr., was given an interest under the firm name of Joseph Seymour, Sons & Co., and about the same year the retail business of D. Valentine was pur- chased. Mr. Seymour continued at the head of both establishments, but devoted his time to the manufactory, and at his death was the oldest silverware manufacturer in Central New York. In 1887 the entire business passed into the hands of his sons, Joseph, jr., Edwin G. Seymour, and G. F. Comstock, jr., who still continue it under the firm name, with Charles H. Seymour as manager of the factory. Mr. Seymour traveled extensively and was a wonderfully well read man. He visited nearly every State in the Union, and made three trips to Europe, in 1873, 1880, and 1884, traveling in England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Italy, Austria, etc. In Scotland he became a warm personal friend of Dr. Blaikie, of the University of Edinburgh, and was made a

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member of the Scotch social club, the Monks of St. Giles, an honor conferred upon but one other American, Longfellow, the poet. Ile was also an intimate friend of George Dobie, the celebrated poet of Edinburgh, and of many other noted men. He organized Onondaga Lodge No. 79, I. O. O. F., the first Odd Fel- lows' lodge in Syracuse, and was a prominent 32° Mason. A Republican in politics, he served one term as supervisor, and was one of the first organizers and supporters of the Park Central Presbyterian church. He was widely known and universally respected, and for forty years one of the foremost business men of Syracuse. He was married in Hartford, Conn., and his children are Mrs. George D. Cowles, Joseph, jr., Edwin G., and Charles H. Seymour.

Pierce, Marsh C., Syracuse, was born in Syracuse, Feb. 19, 1848, son of the late Sylvester P. Pierce. He attended the public schools of his native city, and finished his education in Dr. Reed's school in Geneva, N. Y., where many other boys in Syracuse completed their studies. He entered his father's wholesale and retail crockery store as a clerk, subsequently became a partner, and continued there for ten years, part of the time as manager of the firm, which was styled S. P. Pierce & Sons. Not liking the business, he went to Colorado, but after two years returned to Syracuse and resumed his former position of manager of the crockery establishment. About 1887, in partnership with C. V. Kellogg, he purchased the Mackey Automatic Sprinkler Company, which he managed a year and a half. Four months later he became a member and second vice-president of the Pierce, Butler & Pierce Manufac- turing Company, and for three years represented them on the road. introducing the Florida heater in all the large cities of the United States. Their trade prospered and Mr. Pierce becaine manager of the manufactory, which was located at Geneva, but which in 1892 was removed to Syracuse, and upon his father's death in 1894, was made vice-president of the firm, one of the largest concerns of the kind in the country. He scored a signal success during the great labor strike in the factory at Geneva in 1891, and won the approval of representative men everywhere for his able and triumphant management. Mr. Pierce is a 32° Mason, and has held important offices in all the Masonic bodies. He is also a member of the Century and Syracuse Clubs, and one of the leading business men of the city.

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Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 103

Author: Bruce, Dwight H. (Dwight Hall), 1834-1908 Publication date: 1896 Publisher: [Boston] : The Boston History Company Number of Pages: 1094

Author: Bruce, Dwight H. (Dwight Hall), 1834-1908
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: [Boston] : The Boston History Company
Number of Pages: 1094