Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 107

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 107

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ment in Geddes, so the fire swept on until all was piled up in a smoldering heap which burned under ground for over a week. Sore discouraged to see his years' efforts and hard work with all prospects so utterly destroyed in a few hours, Mr. Kennett concluded to try farming, but this was not his forte, so, after a brief time spent unsuccessfully in that line, he determined to start up again on the old site, where he now has a wagon shop on a small scale. He having been offered a posi- tion with the Onondaga County Milk Association as master mechanic, accepted, and still holds the same position. To Mr. Kennett is due the credit of inventing and manufacturing many useful and meritorious inventions, and in this respect he ranks with the leading inventors of our country. He was the originator of one of the best railroad snow ploughs which is and has been used throughout the Northern States and Canada. Among the many other devices which owe their existence to him, we would especially mention the "Kennett star tool holder," the "Marine merry-go-round," a patent "shield buckle," the "Kennett harness dees," etc., etc., These, as will many other inventions of utility and merit, have proved of inestima- ble value and give ample evidence of the fact that their talented inventor stands foremost in the list of public benefactors in our country. May 22, 1860, Mr. Kennett married Mercena R. Inman, daughter of Martin Inman and Martha Drake Inman, nee Spencer, of Yorkville, Oneida Co., N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Inman were formerly from the New England States, their forefathers being among the Pilgrims. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kennett were born seven children, three boys and four girls, the two oldest, Frank Frankland and Elmer Elsworth, died at the age of four and two years, respectively ; one dying the day President Lincoln was shot, and the other the day he was buried. The other five children are still living, and the boy, who is the youngest, bids fair of following the footsteps of his father, strictly temperate and a genius. In thirty years of married life spent in Onondaga Co. Mr. and Mrs. Ken- nett witnessed many and marked changes in Syracuse. Mr. Kennett is a member of the Masonic order. In the year 1891, February 16, Mrs. Kennett departed this life.

Northrop, Henry L., Syracuse, is a son of Burr B., who came from Connecticut when a young man and settled in Skaneateles, where he died in Jan., 1896. Henry L. was born in that village in 1849, being one of seven children, of whom Homer A., Elmore B., Emily M., John B., and S. Eva (Mrs. Frank Thoms), and Henry L. are living. All reside in Skaneateles except Homer A., who lives in North Dakota, and our subject, who resides in Syracuse. John B. occupies the old homestead. Henry L. established his present business at Elbridge under the name of the Elbridge Glove and Mitten Company in 1882, and six years later removed it to Syracuse, retaining the same firm name. Mr. Northrop is a business man of wide experience, and has successfully founded the largest establishments of the kind in Central New York. He employs from 50 to 75 operatives; manufactures gloves, mittens, moccasins, etc., to the number of 100 dozen pairs daily ; and enjoys a trade extend- ing all over the United States. Mr. Northrop is also interested in Syracuse real estate. While residing in Elbridge he was president and trustee of the village, one year each. In 1875 he married Ella 1. Tolman, of Skaneateles, and has two children: Mabel E. and Ethel O.

Tallcott, Edwin C., Syracuse, was born in Richfield Springs, N. Y., Jan. 14, 1845. His father was a well known bookkeeper, and held several responsible positions in

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Western cities, where the son's early education was obtained. The family settled in Kalamazoo, Mich., where young Tallcott enlisted on January 27, 1863, in Co. H, 7th Mich. Cav. and served three years in Custer's celebrated Michigan Brigade, being discharged Dec. 25, 1865, with the rank of first lieutenant. He then became a clerk in his uncle's clothing store in Cleveland, O., and Sept. 17, 1867, came to Syracuse to fill a similar position in the old clothing house of M. C. Palmer & Co., with whom and whose successors he has since remained. He was elected school commissioner of the Fourteenth ward in February, 1893, and still holds the position, being presi- dent of the Board of Education both terms. Mr. Tallcott has filled this office with eredit and distinction. He is also secretary of Central City Lodge No. 305, F. & A. M., and secretary of all the Central City bodies of the Masonic order.

Woods, Thomas, Syracuse, son of Dennis and Margaret Woods, was born in Canton, N. Y., July 15, 1869, was graduated from St. Lawrence University in 1891, studied law in Watertown with Porter & Walts, and was admitted at Utica Sept. 15, 1893. In Oct. of the same year he began practice in Syracuse with Ray B. Smith under the firm name of Woods & Smith. In Jan., 1896, Frederick W. Thomson became a member of the firm under the name of Thomson, Woods & Smith. He is a member of the Century and Citizens' Clubs and the Syracuse Athletic Association, and holds the positions of secretary and attorney of the Onondaga County Anglers' Association and attorney for the State Fish and Game Protector, 10th district. He is unmarried.

Stinard, Alfred F., Syracuse, a native of Wolcott, N. Y., born June 12, 1848, was educated and learned the tailor's trade in the place of his birth, and followed the business in Rochester and Oswego about a year each. In 1868 he came to Syracuse as a cutter for Crow, Robinson & Clark, with whom he remained four years. In 1872 he started business for himself under the firm name of Stinard, Edwards & Clark, merchant tailors. About two years later Clark withdrew and the firm of Stinard & Edwards continued until 1891, when Mr. Stinard succeeded to the busi- ness. In 1879 he purchased the L. Harris Hiscock homestead, then owned by the widow of the late John Hurst, consisting of 16 acres on the corner of South and Geddes streets, at that time in the northwest corner of the town of Onondaga, but now a part of the city of Syracuse, lying within 1,000 feet of the new reservoir. It is known as Bellevue Heights and has been partially laid out into building lots and some of them sold off. In 1867 Mr. Stinard married Elizabeth Gerow, of Oswego, and they have one daughter, Bessie B., now a musical student in Syracuse University and promising pianist of considerable note.

Phillips, John Henry, Syracuse, son of John, a merchant tailor, and now a resident of Oswego, was born in Albany, Sept. 9, 1843, in July of which year his parents came to this country from England. At the age of ten he moved with the family to Os- wego, where he was educated, and where he engaged in various occupations. In 1864 he embarked in the meat business and continued it until 1883, when he went to Chicago, where he also opened a meat market. In 1886 he came to Syracuse and started a meat business in the Kline block in East Genesee street, whence he re- moved in 1893 to his present location in the old Redfield block in Hanover Square, at which time he purchased the block of the Redfield estate. Mr. Phillips is deeply interested in the city of Syracuse, and has an abiding faith in her future. He is a

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Mason and an Odd Fellow, and was somewhat prominent in Republican politics in Os- wego, where he was an elder for five years in Grace Presbyterian church ; while here his family are connected with Park church. He was married in Oswego on May 13, 1868, to Florence V., daughter of Henry W. Seeber, a prominent builder there, and for many years school commissioner. They have three children: Minnie E., Henry WV., and Florence M.

Green, Chapin H., Syracuse, became identified with the Turkish bath business twenty years ago in New York city with Wood & Holbrook, and since then has made that his life work. Among those with whom he was successively associated were Dr. Ryan, of the Lafayette Place Bath, W. J. Simonton and E. S. Stokes, of the Hoffman House Baths, in New York; the Clinton Street Baths, in Brooklyn; and the Tenth Streets Baths in Philadelphia. In March, 1888, he became the proprietor of the Wieting Baths in Syracuse, where he has since continued. He was born in Cort- land, N. Y., March 5, 1857, and was married on July 10, 1877, to Miss Ada A. Will- iams. They have one son, W. Raymond Green, now seventeen years of age.

Mann, John H. & Co., Syracuse. John H. Mann, the founder of this well-known house, was born in Peterboro, England, in 1825, and came to America in 1849, set- tling in Syracuse, where he remained until his death, which occurred on Aug. 3, 1892. On the site which is now occupied by the Onondaga County Savings Bank Mr. Mann started in the grocery business in the year 1852, and successfully laid the foundation for one of the best retail establishments in Central New York. Mr. Mann was an enthusiastic huntsman and fisherman, and attained an almost national reputation in fly casting. He owned the first breech-loading gun in Syracuse, and was a member of the Onondaga County Anglers' and Sportsmen's Association. He was also a very successful tarpon fisherman. In 1852 he married Annie W. Webber, a lady of English birth, who, with four children, viz. : Mrs. Annie M. Hurst, Edward H., Mrs. William Horton, and George H., survive him. In 1876 the business was removed to its present location in the Bastable block, and as it developed, additional space and help became imperative. In 1880 J. T. M. Meatyard was admitted into partnership and remained until his death, which occurred Nov. 29, 1893. In 1888 George H. Mann became a partner and is now senior member of the firm, which now has two branch stores in successful operation, one at 351 South Salina street and another at Elmwood Park. In 1893 P. C. Evans was admitted into partnership. The firm name, John H. Mann & Co., is still retained, and the present members of the firm are following the same lines and supply the best to their patrons, which has placed the reputation of this house second to none in New York State.

Griswold, John D., Syracuse, who was born in Bennington, New Hampshire, March 6, 1843, descends from one of the oldest and most prominent families in America. Two brothers, Edward and Matthew Griswold, came from England to this country about 1639 and settled in Windsor, Conn. Their descendants have become distin - guished and numerous in that State, as well as in others, holding offices of greatest responsibility, among them being governors, judges, of the highest courts, legisla- tors, army officers, etc. Gov. Matthew Griswold,' son of John and Ilannah Lee

I Notes of the Griswolds are taken from Prof. Edward Elbridge Salsbury's records of the Griswold family, in Magazine of American History for 1884. This gives pedigree, coat-of-arms, etc., of the Griswold family for fifteen generations.

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Griswold, was born March 25, 1714, and married his cousin Ursula, daughter of Gov. Roger Wolcott. He held many offices of trust, was major of the 3rd regiment of horse and foot in the service of the colony. He was an eminent lawyer and was ap- pointed by the Colonial Government to sue, levy and recover debts in the name and behalf of the governor and company. In 1759 he was elected to the council of the governor, as such was summoned to administer to Governor Fitch an oath to support the requirements of the Stamp Act. He followed the lead of Trumbel in refusing to witness a ceremony which so degraded liberty and the colony and retired from the council chamber. He was judge of the Superior Court under Gov. Jonathan Trum- bel, also chief justice and lieutenant-governor and from 1784 to 1786 was governor of Connecticut. His son Roger, was a graduate of Yale College in 1780; was a con- gressman at the age of 34; justice of the Supreme Court in 1807; lieutenant-governor in 1809 and governor in 1811. Many others have filled positions of equal note. John D. Griswold's father was a powder manufacturer in New England and on the Hud. son River for 49 years. Mr. Griswold came to Onondaga Co. in 1879 and built the Marcellus powder works. He moved to Syracuse in 1882. He sold his interest in the Marcellus Powder Co. to the Duponts of Delaware and entered their employ, re- maining with them five years, when in 1887 he again engaged the manufacture of powder, building a line of mills near Cazenovia in Madison Co., where he is now turning out 5,000 lbs. of mining powder per day. His second wife, whom he married Aug. 23, 1885, was Avis L. Wright, widow of Dr. S. Howard Moore and daughter of Ephram Wright, jr. Her ancestors came from England and settled in Connecticut in the 16th century where they were identified with the early settlement of that State, some serving in the Colonial army. Her great-grandfather, Elnathan Marsh, moved from Danbury, Conn., and settled in Pompey before 1799 and in that year he pur- chased of Benjamin Pelton for $508 a farm of 127 acres on lot 16. He was a Revolu- tionary soldier and also served in the war of 1812 and was active in town affairs. He finally moved to Livingston Co. and took up a large tract of land. His daughter, Martha, married first, David Smith, who was killed in Pompey by a falling tree. Her second husband was Ephram Wright, sr., who settled in Livonia, N. Y. Their son, Ephram Wright, jr., was born in 1812 and died in 1893. He married Ruth Ann Doty, whose death occurred in 1882. Gov. Silas Wright was a relative.

Shepard, Norman O., Skaneateles, was born in Cayuga Co. in 1847, son of Isaac N. Shepard, who was born in Connecticut and came to Shepard settlement, Skane- eteles, when he was six years old. His father was Eliphalet H., who was one of six brothers, constituting the early Shepard settlement. Norman came to Skaneateles in 1848 and began farming. In 1876 he entered the mercantile business and is also engaged in the manufacture of boats. The Shepard family are among the best known in the town and the Shepard settlement was named after them. Norman married Selina Hares, by whom he has two children, Abbie and Norman.

Walsh, Thomas C., M. D., Syracuse, was born in Syracuse, June 28, 1855, is a son of Timothy Walsh, who came here from Ireland, and died in 1859, aged 36. He was a tailor by trade, but a gardener by vocation, and had seven children, six of whom are living. Thomas C. Walsh left home while a lad and lived in Oswego Co., where by his own efforts he acquired a fair English education. At the age of 21 he began the study of medicine with Dr. E. F. Kelley, of Pulaski, N. Y., and in March, 1882,

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he was graduated from the Albany Medical College. He commenced the practice of his profession in Pulaski, but in June, 1886, removed to Syracuse, where he has since resided. He has been president of the Equitable Aid Society of this city for four years. He married, first, in 1874, Hattie Hubbard, of Scriba, Oswego Co., who died in 1879, leaving one daughter, Ada D. His second wife, whom he married in July, 1887, is May Visgar, of Alexandria Bay, N. Y., and their children are Grace and Thomas E.

Wallon, August J., Syracuse, was born in Germany on Feb. 24, 1837, and began learning the trade of book binding in his native country. When 17 years of age he came to America and worked as a journeyman for a time. About 1867 he started a book bindery in New York city, which he continued for eight years, when he went to Rochester and conducted a similar establishment there for a short period. In 1883 he removed to Syracuse and took charge of the bindery of Masters & Stone, with whom he remained until they sold out in 1887. He then established a small bindery in this city, and in 1888 admitted his son, August L., to partnership under the firm name of A. J. Wallon & Son. Their business has grown steadily and con- stantly and now forms one of the leading interests of Syracuse. In 1861 Mr. Wallon enlisted in Co. D, 9th Ohio Vols., and served nearly two years in the war of the Re- bellion. He has been married twice and has three children.

Lane, John A., M.D., Syracuse, was born in Prescott. Canada, Jan. 8, 1852, was educated in Montreal, and was graduated from the McGill Medical College in that city in 1877. Prior to his graduation, however, he was engaged in business as a druggist for three years. He then began the practice of his chosen profession in Canada, but soon removed to Carthage, N. Y., where he remained until 1882, when he came to Syracuse, where he has since resided. In 1884 he married Mrs. Ella L. (Groesbeck) Burnham, a native of Clyde, N. Y.

Russell, Arthur B., Syracuse, was born in Manlius in 1870. His family was long a prominent one in the history of that village, his grandfather, Edwin Perry Russell, coming there from Belleville, Canada, at a very early date; he was a machinist and an inventor, manufactured the first mowing machine ever made in Onondaga Co., was active in town and village affairs, acquired large property interests, and died there at a good old age. Webster Russell, the father of Arthur B., was also a native of Manlius village and finally moved to Pennsylvania, where he now lives. Arthur B. Russell began life as a clerk in a grocery store in Manlius, and in 1883 came to Syracuse as shipping clerk for Andrews Brothers. In 1889 he formed a partnership with W. E. Mastin, as Mastin & Russell, and started the Palace Steam Laundry ; this firm was succeeded by Russell & Ifunt in 1891, and in 1884 Mr. Russell became sole owner. He is president of the Republican club known as the Escort, one of the oldest political organizations in the city. In June, 1888, he married Mary J., daughter of William C. Gere, of Syracuse.

Town, Richard S., Syracuse, son of Sylvester R., who came to Syracuse from Cherry Valley, N. Y., and died here, was born in this city, Jan. 11, 1847. Receiving his education in the public schools he started in life as a clerk for his father in a restaurant at the early age of 16, and has continued a connection with this business in various capacities to the present time. For two and a half years he was the ccc

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junior member of the well known firm of O'Brien & Town, proprietors of the Wieting Annex. In Nov., 1892, he formed a partnership with C. A. Nott, under the name of Nott & Town and assumed charge of the popular Congress Hall Hotel, continuing under that style until May 2, 1895, when he became sole pro- prietor. March 4, 1889, Mr. Town married Miss Mary Ackerman, of Syracuse.

Beach, William Austin, Syracuse, son of Henry G. and Mary (Thompson) Beach, both natives of Delaware Co., N. Y., was born in Baldwinsville on Aug. 22, 1842. His mother died in 1863; his father was a successful farmer and lumber dealer, superintendent of the salt springs, and died in 1871. He attended the Baldwinsville Union School, was graduated from the Delaware Literary Institute in Franklin, N. Y., in 1863, and taught school for two years in Van Buren and Cicero. In 1865 he began the study of law with Graves, Hunt & Green, of Syracuse, was admitted to the bar in April 1866, and began the practice of his profession in this city imme- diately afterward. He was admitted to the U. S. District Court of the Northern District of New York on April 10, 1873, to the District Court of the Southern Dis- trict Nov. 23, 1885, to the Circuit Court of Northern New York Nov. 18, 1885, and to the Supreme Court of the United States Oct. 18, 1888. He early won a dis- tinguished position at the bar, and has been associated with Henry E. Marble, William E. Sanders, O. J. Brown, Harrison Hoyt, Hon. Theodore E. Hancock James Devine, the present firm being Hancock, Beach & Devine. He has always been a prominent Democrat, and since 1868 has stumped the State during every political campaign. At the request of Samuel J. Tilden he accepted a position as member of the Democratic State Committee and served from 1875 to 1877. He was appointed by Grover Cleveland one of a committee to examine the proposition to store the headwaters of the Hudson River in reservoirs, and drew the report advis- ing that the tributary lakes of the Hudson be dammed for this purpose. In Nov., 1885, he was provisionally appointed collector of Internal Revenue for the 25th New York district, and in Jan., 1886, was regularly appointed to this office, which he filled up to June 30, 1890. He was one of the committee of five to revise the city charter about 1878, and was especially active in promoting the Skaneateles Lake water supply project, being also an attorney for the Syracuse Water Board. In every movement having the welfare and advancement of the city in view he has always taken a keen interest. In 1894 he again received the appointment of internal revenue collector by President Cleveland, which office he still holds. May 3, 1886, he married Mrs. Augusta H. Kelly.

Wynkoop, Jonathan G., Syracuse, of Holland ancestry, and son of Rev. Peter S. Wynkoop, a Dutch Reformed clergyman (born in Kinderhook, N. Y., in 1788, died in 1848), and Margaret Gosman, his wife (of New York city, died in Ghent, N. Y., about 1832), was born in Ghent, Columbia Co., May 13, 1824, one of five sons and seven daughters, of whom four sons became prominent booksellers, one in Hudson, another in Kingston, N. Y., and two in Syracuse. He attended Kinderhook Acad- emy, and afterward joined his brothers in the book business in Hudson from 1841 to 1845. He then came to Syracuse, and with Rev. Joseph Myers opened a book store in the Syracuse House block. In 1848 he was joined by his brother, Robert G., and leaving the store just mentioned, the two opened a similar establishment where Brown & Dawson now are, whence it was removed four years later to the store just

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south. The brothers continued in partnership until 1870, when Jonathan G. with- drew, leaving Robert G. to carry on the store, till a few years ago. In 1873 Jona- than G. Wynkoop joined the firm of Judson, Williams & Co. in a large lumber busi- ness, having mills at Oswego and elsewhere. He is still interested in the lumber trade, and since 1878 has been a director and the secretary and treasurer of the Salt Springs Solar Coarse Salt Company. Ile has also been interested in various other enterprises, and was one of the founders of the Dutch Reformed church on James street. In 1856 he married Miss Mary Judson Hawley, and they have three children : Mrs. Emma Judson W. Fritts, wife of a physician in Hudson, N. Y., born Jan. 14, 1858; William A., born March 5, 1863, and Dr. Edward Judson Wynkoop, born April 25, 1869. Robert G. Wynkoop, born in Catskill, N. Y., Dec. 3, 1816, was graduated from Kinderhook Academy in 1835, taught school in Coxsackie and West Troy, formed a partnership with his brother, Peter S., in 1838, and engaged in the book trade in Hudson, N. Y., until 1841, when he opened a book store in Auburn. In 1848 he came to Syracuse, where he became the second oldest merchant in the city. He was one of the incorporators and for several years vice-president of the Onon- daga County Savings Bank, a director in the New York State Banking and Trust and Deposit Companies; a trustee of Oakwood Cemetery, Old Ladies' Home, and Onondaga County Orphan Asylum, and one of the incorporators and for some time president of the Genesee and Water Street Railway Company. He died in April, 1891. In 1846 he married Miss Caroline C. Wood, of Auburn, who died in March, 1870, leaving two sons, James S. and Robert G., jr., and one daughter, Mrs. Charles G. Redfield, of Glen Haven, N. Y.

Eckel, Peter, Syracuse, is a native of Syracuse, and was born Feb. 7, 1855. His father, Jacob Eckel, a resident of this city, came here from Germany in 1838, and boiled the first bushel of fine salt in Onondaga Co., with which industry he was long connected. He married Barbara Morningstar and had nine sons and one daughter: Sophia (Mrs. John Kline, deceased), Jacob, jr., Peter, Louis, Philip, John, Frank, Louis, 1st (deceased), and William (deceased). Peter Eckel spent his youthful life in various occupations, such as working in a cooper shop, in a heading and stave mill, driving on the canal, in a broom factory, etc., and at the age of ten became an employee in the Syracuse Iron Works, where he remained most of the time for about ten years. He then went to Troy, N. Y., in the employ of the Troy Iron and Steel Works. On Feb. 18, 1874, he returned to Syracuse and accepted a position with the Sweet's Manufacturing Company, with which he has since been connected. Eight months later he became a foreman, and within two years had charge of two trains of rolls. Seven years afterwards he was made superintendent, and in 1886 he was appointed general manager of the manufacturing establishment, a position he has ever since filled with marked ability. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., and for three years was treasurer of the Central City Mutual Benefit Society. In 1877 he married Sarah, daughter of James Carlin, of Syracuse, and has one child, Mabel May.

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Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 107

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