Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 108

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 108

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Colton, Charles Erastus, Syracuse, only son and child of Calvin and Susan E. (Nottingham) Colton, was born in Burnet street, Syracuse, Nov. 12, 1847. Erastus Colton, father of Calvin and grandfather of Charles E., came with his wife (whose maiden name was Brewer) from Long Meadow, Mass., to Oran, in the town of Pom-

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pey, about 1800. There Calvin was born in 1813. Calvin Colton came to Syracuse in 1840, and until 1863 was engaged in the lumber business, being a member of the firms of Gifford & Colton and Colton & Baker. In 1863 he retired from active life. His wife's parents, Jacob A. and Eleanor Nottingham, came from Ulster Co. to De- witt in 1833. Charles E. Colton was graduated from the Syracuse High School in 1861, followed several occupations with only indifferent success, finally studied archi- tecture, and 1875 entered the office of Archimedes Russell, architect. In 1878 he opened an office for himself, and since then has acquired a foremost rank in the architectural profession, to which his tastes and talents are peculiarly adapted. He designed the new city hall, McCarthy's retail store, Kirk building, and Robert Gere Bank, the houses of W. L. Smith, William H. Haberle, Dr. Elsner, William Abele, W. C. Gridley, and hundreds of others. June 1, 1867, Mr. Colton married Miss Anna E., daughter of William H. Van Buskirk, of Syracuse, and they have three daugh- ters: Alice S., Florence E., and Anna L., all talented and well-known musicians.

Eager, James W., Syracuse, was born in Sampson Co., N. C., Nov. 5, 1846. Dr. Eager, his great-grandfather, was a surgeon in Bedell's New Hampshire brigade during the Revolutionary war, and on one occasion was captured by the British and taken to Canada, was rescued and piloted back to this regiment by an Indian he had formerly befriended. About 1790 he settled in what is now the town of Dewitt, in Orville, where he practiced medicine until his death, about 1820. His daughter married a grandson of Gen. William Heath, chief of Washington's staff. William Eager, son of the doctor, was long a prominent lawyer in Orville, held several local offices, and died there about 1855. He was an influential member of the Presbyter- ian church, and assisted in organizing the First Presbyterian church of Syracuse. He married a daughter of Benjamin Morehouse, the first settler and innkeeper in the original town of Manlius, whose oldest daughter, Sarah, according to Clark (page 233, volume 2), was the second female white child born in Onondaga Co. James W. Eager, sr., youngest son of William, was born June 17, 1809, and finally moved to North Carolina, where he held various offices, being county clerk, etc .; in 1865 he returned to Syracuse, and died June 17, 1872. His son, James W. Eager, attended private schools in his native State, and taught school for a time. In Sept., 1863, be- fore he was seventeen years old, he entered the Confederate Army and served under Generals Whiting and Bragg till the close of the war. In Sept., 1865, he came to Syracuse and entered the employ of J. W. Barker & Co., salt manufacturers, with whom he remained five years. He was then engaged in the hardware business until 1891, when the Onondaga Dynamo Company, a private concern, was organized. In April, 1895, this company was incorporated with J. W. Eager as president; David Cronin, vice-president; and Frank R. Eager, secretary and treasurer. They manu- facture dynamos and electrical instruments and appliances, and deal in general electric supplies. Mr. Eager has alwas taken an active interest in public affairs, and on March 9, 1893, was appointed a fire commissioner for a term of four years.

Peck, Wilber S., Syracuse, son of Nathan, was born in Solon, Cortland Co., Nov. 27, 1844, and finished his education at the Cortland Academy, teaching school in the meantime in Cortland and Virgil. He came to Syracuse in March, 1864, as clerk for A. C. Yates & Co., manufacturing clothiers, and in 1867 entered into business for himself under the firm name of Gates & Peck, in the old Onondaga House block, re-

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tail elothiers. In 1869 he purchased his partner's interest and continued until 1874, moving to stores in Empire House block, where his brother, F. A. Peck, was ad- mitted under the style of W. S. Peck & Brother. Their business finally outgrew three large stores, and they established a manufacturing and wholesaling depart- ment; in 1882 they moved to a store built for them by John Greenway on Clinton street and discontinued the retail trade. C. A. Shafer was admitted a partner under the name of W. S. Peck, Brother & Co. In 1887, the business having outgrown the old quarters, Mr. Peck erected the present block on West Water street, which is one of the finest structures occupied by any concern in the country. It contains a floor area of one and three-fourths acres. F. A. Peck died while on a business trip through the west in 1890 and the present firm of W. S. Peck & Co. (C. A. Shafer) was organ- ized. They employ directly and indirectly, from 2,000 to 2,500 hands and have a pay roll aggregating $200,000 annually. Their business extends throughout the United States. Mr. Peck has been a member and trustee of the First Baptist church since 1869 and for 25 years its treasurer. He is ex-president of the Bureau of Labor and Charities, one of the founders and president of the Central New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, in which he has taken a great interest. He was for several years president of the Y. M. C. A. and was chairman of the build- ing and finance committee during the erection of their structure in Syracuse. He has been a director of the Bank of Syracuse since its organization. He is also a trustee of the Syracuse State Institution for Feeble Minded Children, receiving this appointment from Governor Morton. Aug. 22, 1867, he married Alice, daughter of John Ritchie, of this city, and their children are Herbert R., who is associated in business with his father; Harry J., who died Oct. 8, 1884, and Wilber S., jr., a stu- dent in Yale College.

Peck, Duncan W., Syracuse, was born in 1853. His father was the veteran Major- General John J. Peek, who rendered valiant services to his country in both the Mex- ican and Civil wars. Educated in the common schools of 1870 he entered Cornell University. He remained in college but two years, entering the hardware and seed business of E. B. Crofut & Co. After some time spent in this establishment, he be- came connected with the firm of John White & Co., salt manufacturers, and has since that time been extensively identified with the salt interests of Syracuse, being at present a trustee and member of the executive committee of the Onondaga Coarse Salt Association. Mr. Peck has always been a factor in the public affairs of the city, taking a hand in several enterprises which resulted in great good to the city and its citizens. He was one of the most enthusiastic supporters of the Skaneateles water project; and labored assiduously towards the culmination of the scheme of giving this city a pure water supply. He has always been active in furthering the interests of the veteran soldiers, and has shown a warm devotion to their cause. He was conspicuous among the promoters of the soldiers' monument plan, and with others was instrumental in bringing that scheme into active life. He was chairman of sev- eral ward meetings which culminated in the incorporation of the Memorial Monument Association. Mr. Peck has always been Democratic in politics. In 1887, when he was first elected overseer, he had a plurality of 1,100 over two candidates and in the following year, when he was re-elected, his plurality climbed to 2,888. In the fall of 1892 he was elected to the assembly from the first district by a plurality of 129 over his Republican competitor for the office in a district normally Republican by 1,900.

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In 1894 he was nominated for mayor by the Democratic party and in the tidal wave of Republicanism of that year was defeated by less than 200 votes in the hardest political contest ever waged in Syracuse.

Hardisty, George H., D. D. S., Syracuse, son of George, was born in New Hart- ford, N. Y., Feb. 13, 1859, and was educated in the public and High schools of Utica. He was graduated from the Utica Business College and began the study of dentistry with Dr. George F. Horsey, of that city, after which he entered the Philadelphia Dental College and Hospital of Oral Surgery, from which he was graduated in 1884. He was a clinical instructor in crown and bridge work in various cities in the United States and Mexico, and in 1889 came to Syracuse, where he acquired a good profes- sional practice. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Onondaga County and Fifth District Dental Societies, and was a delegate to the State Dental Society for four years. In 1885 he married Miss Adda Roffee, of Clyde, N. Y.

James, Edwin, Syracuse, was born in Somersetshire, England, was educated in the public schools, and learned the trade of printer with the celebrated Unwin Brothers, of London, book publishers. In 1880 he came to America and settled in Syracuse, as foreman for the Barnes & Allen Manufacturing Co., manufacturers of printing stamps, etc., whom he succeeded in business in Aug., 1891. His line of goods consists of rubber stamps and outfits, seal presses, stencils, steel letters, type, etc. He also does job printing. He married, in 1879, Katharine J. Spicer, of Dor- setshire, England, and has one daughter, Marguerite S.

Friedel, William, Syracuse, son of Andrew, was born in Alsace, Germany, April 24, 1847, came to America with his widowed mother in 1853, and settled in Syracuse, where the latter died in 1859. He served in the 3d N. Y. Lt. Art. in the civil war and returning home became a barber. In 1873 he engaged in the liquor business, which he still continues, and since May, 1883, has been in partnership with John Gebhardt. He was prominently connected with the old Greenway Guards and at- tained the rank of lieutenant. He married, April 8, 1867. Jennie Oswald, a native of Syracuse, and their children are Maggie, William A., Jennie, and three deceased.

Davis & Brennan, Syracuse .- This enterprising firm is composed of William A. Davis and William H. Brennan and was organized Jan. 1, 1887, at which time two stores were purchased in the Empire House block on North Salina and West Genesee streets-the one on the corner of William H. Acker, and the other a little west of Frederick J. Baker. Six months later they closed out the last named store, and Feb., 1891, they bought the Park cigar store on the corner of East Genesee and Fayette streets. On May 16, 1893, they purchased the block in which that store is located from the Yates estate, and on Jan. 1, 1894, the store in the Third National Bank building on the corner of North Salima and James streets was added to their busi- ness. Both are young and progressive, and by rare ability combined with strict in- tegrity have successfully established an extensive and growing trade. They carry on a large wholesale and retail cigar and tobacco business, mainly through the lead- ing citizens of Syracuse, but considerably among the residents of neighboring towns. Mr. Davis is a charter member of the Syracuse Bowling Club, and also belongs to the S. A. A. and Citizens Club. Mr. Brennan is a member of the C. B. L., the A. O. H., the Citizens Club, the Catholic Union, and S. A. A.

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Thomas, Otto A , M. D., Syracuse, was born in Syracuse Sept. 14, 1857. His father, Christopher Thomas, came to this city from Germany about 1840, followed the business of stone mason and contractor and sunk many of the wells inside the corporation, and died here in 1863, leaving three children: Otto A., our subject ; Elizabeth (Mrs. George Smith), of Syracuse; and Philip, of Texas. His wife's death occurred in 1882. Otto A. Thomas was educated in the public and high schools of this city, and was graduated from the Syracuse Medical College in 1885, beginning his practice immediately afterward in the city of his birth and succeeded in building up a large and growing business. He is a member of the Onondaga County Medical Society and of the Syracuse Academy of Medicine, and also belongs to the fraternal organization of I. O. O. F. He was married in Aug., 1885, to Lavina E. Burdick, of Baldwinsville.

Wakefield, Frank M., Syracuse, born in Westmoreland Co., Pa., Oct. 26, 1854, was educated in the schools of his birthplace and in Johnstown and Blairsville, Pa .. and at the age of twenty entered the Bessemer department of the Cambria Iron Co., at Johnstown, where he remained three years. He was then engaged for one year on the surveys of the Tyrone and Clearfield branch of the Pennsylvania railroad, one year on similar work on the Paris, Georgetown, and Franklin railroad, Ky., and from 1882 to 1886 on the surveys of the South Penn. railroad. For two years he was identified with the real estate business of the late firm of J. S. Wakefield & Son in Latrobe, Pa., and in the fall of 1888 he came to Syracuse, where he has since been connected with the water board, being assistant to W. R. Hill, and having charge of the parties making the surveys and locations for the new water works.

Winter & Smith, Syracuse .- Henry W. Winter, the senior member of this well known firm of clothiers, was born in Germany, July 11, 1856, and came to America with his parents in 1867 settling in Syracuse. He completed his education at the age of fourteen and then entered his father's shop to learn the tailor trade. In 1875 he became a clothing cutter for Nicholas Peters & Company, and soon afterward was made manager of their clothing department, a position he held for more than twelve years. Bart Smith, the junior member of the firm was born in Fayetteville, April 6, 1857, and received his education in the schools of his native town. In 1876 he be- came clerk of the Congress Hall Hotel in Syracuse, and held that position three years, when he opened a restaurant in East Genesee street, which he conducted for two years. He then had charge of the Kingsley House for a period of six years. On Oct. 19, 1882, he married Ida M., daughter of Jacob Knapp, of Syracuse, by whom he has one son. On Feb. 1, 1890, the firm of Winter & Smith was formed and ever since then it has enjoyed a prosperous existence. They conduct an extensive retail business as dealers in men's, youths', and children's clothing, and constitute one of the leading firms of the city.

Keller, Joseph, Syracuse, son of Bernhard C., was born in Otisco, Onondaga Co., Feb. 14, 1852. His father was a farmer in (tisco, later a cigar manufacturer in Tully and in Fulton, and subsequently a dry goods merchant in Syracuse, where he now resides; he married, first, Ida Litz, who bore him seven children, and second Amelia Borgwart, by whom he had three children. Joseph Keller received a public school education. At an early age he entered his father's cigar shop, but soon en- gaged in the tinning business in Fulton, where he remained three years. In 1870 he

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came to Syracuse and followed his trade until June, 1889, when he engaged in busi- ness for himself in partnership with Cyrus T. Howes, under the style of Howes & Keller, which still continues. The firm does a general plumbing business, including steam and gas fitting, hot water heating, tinning, etc. In 1875 Mr. Keller married Clara A., daughter of Herman Engel, of Syracuse. They have four children: Will- iam J., Clara A., Charles C., and Walter C.

Rauch Furniture Co., Syracuse .- Matthew Rauch, the founder of the Rauch Furni- ture Company, was born in Alsace, Germany, Sept. 23, 1822, came to this country in 1834, and, with the exception of a short time in the West, lived in Syracuse until his death on May 15, 1892. About 1856 he engaged in the furniture business in his house on the corner of North Salina and Laurel streets, whence he moved to the Washington block, from there to Corinthian hall, and a few years later to his own block at No. 202 North Salina street, where the firm which succeeded him is now located. Mr. Rauch was one of the leading furniture dealers and prominent busi- ness men of Syracuse. He was at times a member of Maurer's, Pierson's and the 7th Brigade Bands, an old member of the Church of the Assumption, and a charter member of St. Joseph's Society. In 1843 he married Susan Remlinger, a native of Alsace, Germany, who came to America when thirteen years of age, and who, with eight of their nine children, survives him, viz .: Joseph M., Frank A., George, John A., Charles (deceased), Rose, Mrs. Elizabeth Moosbruger, Mrs. Julia Hopstein, and Mrs. Frank Traugott, all of Syracuse. Mr. Rauch was a life long Democrat and somewhat active in local politics.

Gale, Leander, Syracuse, son of John and Sophia (Gilbert) Gale, was born in Oneida, Madison Co., Feb. 10, 1849. John Gale was a mason and builder, a staunch abolitionist, one of the oldest Masons in that section, for many years a school trustee in Oneida, and died there in 1868. His wife survives him and is a prominent meni- ber of the Eastern Star Lodge. Their living children are W. Hector, editor and publisher of the Oneida Free Press, and Leander and Hulcer M., of Syracuse. Dur- ing the war of the Rebellion Leander Gale was engaged in carrying dispatches through the country on horseback and also carried soldiers from Oneida to Hamil- ton. This work in 1864 brought him to Syracuse, where he became a bellboy in the old Sherman House, which stood on the site of the present Larned block. Later he engaged in the liquor business, with which he has ever since been identified, first in the Empire House, then in the Syracuse House, afterwards in the Vanderbilt for eight years, and since 1881 in his present place. In June, 1881, he formed a part- nership with George G. Campbell and in 1882 they opened the new Wieting Annex; the firm was dissolved in 1884, and since then Mr. Gale lias continued alone. He is one of the best known and most popular men in Syracuse. He is a member of the K. P., Elks, Royal Arcanum, Citizens Club, Business Men's Association, Onondaga Club, etc. He was married in 1872 and has five children: Eva M. and Harriet S., graduates of the High School, and Elizabeth Mary, Mertilla Effa, and Leander, jr.

Zinsmeister, John, Syracuse, son of Christian, was born in Germany, Oct. 12, 1855, and came to America and settled in Syracuse with his widowed mother in 1870. Her people had preceded this family to this city, coming here in 1846, and here she died in May, 1881. He early apprenticed himself to the tailor's trade, which he fol- lowed successfully until 1882, when he engaged in the retail boot and shoe business.

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In this he has been equally fortunate, having built up one of the largest trades of the kind on the north side of the canal. In April, 1882, he married Miss Johanna Gensel, of Syracuse, and has one daughter, G. Ada.

Fisher, Charles J., Syracuse, son of John 11., was born at Manlius Station, in this county, Oct. 8, 1864, and was educated there and at the Northwestern College at Naperville, Ill., graduating from that institution in 1884. He then became a clerk in his father's store and was subsequently cashier of the Leslie store for Andrews Brothers, of Syracuse, where he remained two years. They made him manager of their North Salina street store at that time and two years later he bought them out. This store he gave up in April, 1891. In Nov., 1891, he started a store in a part of the building now occupied by Kieffer Brothers which he discontinued in May, 1892. In March of the latter year he purchased the Columbia market of Mowry & Barnes, and has since successfully conducted a large business, consisting of meats, provi- sions, etc., both retail and wholesale, and making a specialty, owing to excellent facilities, of general hotel trade. In Aug., 1886, Mr. Fisher married Miss Zelia May, daughter of J. Frank Andrews, of Syracuse.

Worth & Allmang, Syracuse .- George H. Worth, son of John, a German by birth, and a soldier in the American Rebellion, was born in Orville, in 1862, was educated in Syracuse, and began life in a tobacco store. In 1878 he commenced learning the barber's trade, which he has since followed. He was married in 1883 and has one child, Florence L. Charles L. Allmang, jr., son of Charles, also a German by birtli, was born in 1858, in Syracuse, where he was educated. He started first in a dry goods store, and in 1872 began the trade of barber, which he has followed to the present time. Married in 1881, he has one child, Harold E., born in 1886. The firm of Worth & Allmang was formed in 1887.

Hipkens & Smith, Syracuse, started their present business in Feb., 1883, and con- ducts a general line of plumbing and gas and steam fitting, and in connection carry a large stock of artistic electric light chandeliers. This firm, composed as it is of two young men of recognized ability, has since its inception established one of the lead- ing enterprises of the kind in Syracuse. Both members were born in this city in 1865 and through long apprenticeships have thoroughly familiarized themselves with the trade. Frank J. Hipkens, the senior partner, was first with P. J. Gilroy and then with the late Alfred Tily each four years and afterwards with P. J. Dunn for six years. George H. Smith learned his trade with Edward Joy and later was in the employ of P. J. Dunn.

Ketcham, Charles H., Syracuse, son of Frederick was born at Rock Island, 111., May 26, 1855, was graduated from the Academy of Illinois in 1872, and began rail- roading as a messenger in the office of the Chicago & Alton at Delevan, Ill. He be- came telegraph operator there and steadily rose to ticket agent, freight agent, yard master, train dispatcher, train master, and in 1890 to the position of assistant super- intendent of the West Shore Railroad at Buffalo and superintendent of the Dunkirk, Allegany Valley & Pittsburg. On Feb. 1, 1893, he was made superintendent of the West Shore Railroad and moved to Syracuse, still holding the same office on the D., A. V. & P. April 13, 1881, Mr. Ketcham married Emma B., daughter of Henry Hill, of Chicago. They have two children, Charles Brower and Lillian Vaughn.

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Sherwood, Joseph M., Camillus, was born in Camillus, Feb. 23, 1854, son of Mat- thew and Betsey (Porter) Sherwood, and grandson of Joseph and Abigail Sherwood, who moved with their family to Camillus from Ballston in 182. The parents and grandparents died at the homestead. The father, aged 69, mother, aged 65, and grandmother, aged 95, all dying in 1886. The grandfather was killed by falling from a barn on the place in 1835. Mr. Sherwood and Ida, now Mrs. A. E. Smith, jr., are the only children. In 1877 Mr. Sherwood married Mary L. Wright, of Elbridge, has two children, Laurel M. and Carrie A. He has a farm of 245 acres and follows general farming and dairying.

Agan, Patrick H., Syracuse, was born in Watertown, N. Y., June 10, 1817, and being orphaned at the age of nine years spent some time in the family of Judge Ten Eyek. In 1836 he went to Detroit, Mich., but the next spring came to Liverpool, Onondaga Co., where he entered the empioy of his brother-in-law, Sampson Jaqueth, a large salt manufacturer. On Jan. 1, 1846, Mr. Agan formed a partnership with A. L. Smithi as publisher of the Syracuse Standard, and continued as its political editor for twenty years and four months. In 1848 Moses Summers purchased Mr. Smith's in- terest in the paper. Mr. Agan became clerk of the Board of Supervisors in 1850, county treasurer in 1858, postmaster under President Lincoln in 1862, the first secretary of the Syracuse, Phoenix & Oswego Railroad Company in Nov., 1871, and the first secretary and treasurer of the Syracuse Board of Trade in 1887. He was also for many years sec- retary of the Onondaga County Agricultural Society. Mr. Agan was deeply inter- ested in the Adirondack region, made his first visit there in 1857, and was largely in- strumental in the creation of the State Park, writing numerous articles to the Stand- ard suggesting its propriety, and drawing up and forwarding to the Legislature a petition which materially aided in consummating the project. He also advocated the construction of the Syracuse Northern Railroad and favored many other local en- terprises. He was a clear and concise writer, not only on political subjects and matters of general interest, but on historical topics, upon which he contributed valuable pa- pers to local annals. He was originally a Democrat, became a Free Soiler and radi- cally espoused the cause of anti-slavery, then acted with the Republicans until after the Greeley campaign, and finally advocated Democratic principles. He died Feb 21, 1896.

Betts, Samuel T., Syracuse, son of Lewis Betts, a merchant in Onondaga Co. for over forty years, and who died in Syracuse in Jan., 1894, was born in this city, July 6, 1854. In April, 1886, after being associated with a local mercantile house in Syra- cuse for eighteen years, a part of the time as buyer and head salesman, he engaged in business for himself as a merchandise broker, representing some of the largest importers and jobbers in this country. He continued successfully in this business for two years, when he was called to the management and held the office of general secretary of the Y. M. C. A. in Portland, Me. In the spring of 1889 he returned to Svracuse, where he has since conducted a large real estate and investment agency. Mr. Betts is one of the most prominent real estate dealers in Central New York and probably enjoys the largest and best patronage of any man connected with the busi- ness. He is said to have the finest offices in the country. He is a staunch Republi- can and a member and director of the city and county Republican Clubs, and also a prominent member of the Syracuse Y. M. C. A. He is one of the managers of the

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Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 108

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