Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 111

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 111

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father as a contractor and builder for several years, or until about 1878. In Ang., 1862, he enlisted in Co. B, 1.19th N. Y. Vols., and served until the close of the war, being captured at Chancellorsville in 1863 and confined in Libby and Belle Isle. Ile was sergeant and commissioned lieutenant, but never mustered as such. In 1874 he was elected one of the city assessors and has since held that position. Dec. 28, 1865, he married Elizabeth M. Koenig, of Syracuse, and has had three children, of whom Jacob G. is living.

Prosser, Julius C., Syracuse, son of Calvin and Jane (Leiport) Prosser, was born in Sullivan, Madison Co., Aug. 24, 1838. After finishing his education he accepted the position of general agent with Hamilton Childs, publisher, having charge of the field work for about seven years in New York and Vermont. He then engaged success- fully in shipping hay and grain from Chittenango station for nine years, when he sold out, and in 1867 removed to Syracuse, where he has since resided. He had a dry goods and notion store on the corner of Delaware and Geddes streets for four years, since which time he has been engaged in the real estate business.

Vincett, Mortimer J., Syracuse, was born in Sussex, England, June 9, 1842, and came to America with his parents in 1848. The family settled in Manlius, where the father, Anthony, died in 1854, and the mother, Caroline. in 1888. He attended the academies at Cazenovia and Onondaga Valley, graduating from the latter in 1861, and entered the employ of Sweet's Manufacturing and Sanderson Brothers Steel Companies, where he remained 22 years and 10 months. After traveling on the road two years he was elected, in 1884, a city assessor, which position he has since held. In 1864 he married Mary E., daughter of Frederick C. Soule, of Syracuse, and has one son, Mortimer, jr., born Aug. 22, 1878. Mr. Vincett is an active member of Syracuse Lodge, No. 501, F. & A. M .; of Central City Chapter, No. 70, R. A. M. ; of Central City Council, No. 13, H. & S. M. ; of Central City Commandery, No. 25, K. T .; and of Central City bodies A. A. S. Rite, N. M. J. U. S. of A.

Reid, James T., Syracuse, is a son of Daniel S. and Alice Reid, who came to Syra- cuse from Dublin, Ireland, in 1848. Daniel S. died here in 1867. Mrs. Alice Reid still lives at the age of 79. James T. was born in this city Oct. 28, 1858. Educated in the public schools he began learning the trade of plumber when thirteen with the late Alfred Tily, with whom he remained seven years. He was then for five years each with F. E. Carroll and Pierce, Butler & Pierce, and in 1886 he established his present general plumbing business. He is an active Democrat, is vice-president of the John J. Cummins Club, and has been a member of the Board of Education since Feb., 1892. In 1888 he married Ellen E. Murphy of Syracuse, by whom he has three children: Alice, Julia and Hester.

Walch, Charles J., M.D., Syracuse, is a native of Syracuse, born Dec. 11, 1860, and is a son of Fred Walch, who came to this city from Germany in March, 1852, and has been engaged in the furniture business since 1857. Of the twelve children of the latter ten are living, viz. : William J., Dr. Charles J., Caroline C., Philip N., Minnie E., Frederick T., Lulu, Anna, Gertrude, and Jessie. Charles J. Walch was gradu- ated from the Syracuse High School in 1880 and from Cornell University as a B.S. in 1884. He was professor of science and modern languages in the Saratoga High School for a time and subsequently principal of the High School at Dunkirk, N. Y.,

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where he was also president of the Chautauqua County Academic Principals Associ- ation. He resigned his position in 1888 and entered the Medical Department of Syra- cuse University, from which he was graduated in 1891, taking also an extra course at Cornell. He then studied in Europe, and in Vienna took special work in surgery and diseases of the lungs and heart. Returning to Syracuse in 1892 he has since made this city the scene of his professional life. He was a member of the Chi Up- silon Gama, of which he was president for a time, and is a life member of the Cor- nell University and Syracuse Medical College Alumni Associations. He is also a member of the Syracuse Academy of Medicine and Board of Education. In June, 1888, he married Miss Ida Evelyn, daughter of William E. Brown, of Saratoga Springs, N. Y.

Joy, Edward, Syracuse, one of the best known plumbers of Syracuse, was born in County Waterford, Ireland, March 3, 1847, and came to America with his parents in 1849, settling in Syracuse, where he has ever since resided. His mother died here in 1885, and his father, Richard, in 1887. In 1860 Mr. Joy apprenticed himself to the plumbing trade, at which he worked as a journeyman for fifteen years. In 1875 he started his present plumbing establishment on the corner of East Washington and Market streets, which is one of the largest and most complete in the city. From it a number of men have gone forth, many of them on their own business account, well qualified for the trade. Mr. Joy is a director and was one of the originators of the Commercial Bank of Syracuse, is a director in the Crystal Spring Brewing Company, treasurer of the Central City Land Company, a trustee of St. Agnes Cemetery, and ex-president of Branch 50, C. M. B. A. He is also connected with many other en- terprises.

Lyman Brothers, Syracuse .- The printing firm of Lyman Brothers is composed of WV. Lester and Frank L. Lyman, sons of Charles H. and Elizabeth (Phelps) Lyman, and is one of the leaders in their line in Syracuse. Both came to this city with their parents in 1873, where their mother died in 1875. The father was for two years one of the proprietors of the Standard and afterward foreman of that establishment. W. Lester, a native of Massachusetts, was for several years foreman of the Courier job room, while Frank L., who was born in Iowa, served as foreman and telegraph editor of the news department of that paper. In 1888 they formed the firm of Lyman Brothers and started a general job printing office in the old Herald building on War- ren street, where they continued a successful and steadily increasing business until 1894, when the demands on their facilities caused them to seek more commodious quarters. These they found, with correspondingly better power, in the Industrial building, where they have since been located. New presses, type, and equipment were added or replaced portions of the former outfit, and now the firm possesses facilities for executing fine work not excelled by any similar establishment in the city.

McVey, Joseph H., Syracuse, is a native of Jamesville, this county, was born Sept. 13, 1847, being one of six children of James McVey, who finally came to Syracuse and died Aug. 29, 1884. Gideon Seely, his great-grandfather, came to Onondaga Co. in 1797 and at one time owned 640 acres of land. J. H. McVey was engaged in the grocery trade in Syracuse from 1872 to 1888, when he established his present real estate business.

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Hopkins, William E., Syracuse, only son of Edwin P. and Mary A. (Weakley) Hopkins, was born in Logansport, Ind., Oct. 16, 1839. His grandfather, Elijah Hopkins, removed from Connecticut to Onondaga Hill in this county about 1801 and lived there during the remainder of his life, dying while on a visit to Volney, Oswego Co., in 1857 His only child, Edwin P., was born at Onondaga Hill, April 17, 1812, went to Indiana, where he married, returned to Syracuse, and died here in 1878. He was search clerk under County Clerk Rufus Cossitt, deputy under Barnard Slocum, and succeeded the latter as county clerk, serving one term. He was first a Whig and then a Republican, and for many years was a deacon and elder in the Dutch Re- formed church on James street. He was also school commissioner for a time and held other positions of trust. His wife died in 1880. Their children were Harriet S. (Mrs. William W. Moseley), who died in 1862; William E .; Mary F. (second wife of W. W. Moseley and now Mrs. John Burrill), of Brooklyn; and Margaret (Mrs. Robert J. Morgan), of Brooklyn. Edwin P. Hopkins, after completing his term as county clerk, engaged in the house furnishing business where Butler & Johnson now are, and afterwards wasconnected with the firm of Glass, Breed & Co., flour manufacturers. In 1871 he engaged in the coal business with William E. Abbott under the name of Hopkins & Abbott, and continued until his death. William E. Hopkins received his education in the public and high schools of Syracuse and began life as a clerk in the boot and shoe store of McDougall, Fenton & Co., with whom he remained six years, or until 1862, when he went to Chicago to take charge of their retail establishment there. Six months later he engaged in the lumber and grain business in Indiana, and from 1865 to 1872 was traveling salesman for E. Stimson & Co., wholesale gro- cers, of Syracuse. He then became a member of the firm of which his father was the senior partner and upon the latter's death in 1878 succeeded to his interest. He was one of the incorporators and the first treasurer, general manager, and a director of the Adamant Manufacturing Company in the fall of 1887, and the duties of these positions became so exacting that on May 1, 1890, he sold out his coal business to Mr. Abbott. His health failing in 1891 he resigned at the end of that year and spent about two years in recuperating. In the fall of 1893 he purchased the coal business of W. K. Niver & Co., formerly owned by Ames & Holmes, which he still continues. He was a stockholder in the Syracuse Glass Company and in several local salt com- panies, was vice-president and a director of the old Barnes Manufacturing Company, and is now the president of the Phoenix Hardware Manufacturing Company, a direc- tor in the Woerner Preserving Company, and a stockholder in the Seneca River Brick Company. His family are connected with Plymouth Congregational church, which he has served in official capacities. In 1863 he married Ellen B., daughter of Dr. William Culbertson, of Peoria, Ill .. and their children are Harriet B. (Mrs. Clarence William Wood), of Syracuse, and Edwin P., a graduate of the Syracuse High School and now connected with the Phoenix Hardware Manufacturing Com- pany.

Soule, Alexander C., Syracuse, was born at Coeymans, N. Y., May 8, 1830, was educated in his native town, and remained on his father's farm until the age of 17, when he entered his brother-in-law's hotel in New Baltimore, N. Y., where he con- tinued one year. He was then for one year employed on a steamer on the Hudson River. In Dec., 1849, he came to Syracuse and learned the carpenter's trade, which

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he followed successfully until 1875, when he was elected city assessor, a position he has creditably filled since Feb. 1, 1876. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., and a charter member of Prospect Lodge, K. of P. He was married, first, in 1854, to Mary A. Devoe, of Syracuse, who died in Sept., 1889, leaving one son, Albert D., a prominent paper box manufacturer of this city. His second wife is Carrie King, of Syracuse, whom he married Nov. 19, 1891.

O'Shea, Rev. James F .. Syracuse, son of John and Honora (Learnen) O'Shea, na- tives of Ireland, was born in Binghamton, N. Y., Feb. 17, 1866, and received his preliminary education in the public and high schools of his native city. He matricu- lated at the Niagara University and was graduated from that institution in 1889, after which he entered the Troy Theological Seminary, where he was ordained to the priesthood by the Rt. Rev. Bishop McNeirney on Dec. 17, 1892. Immediately after- ward he was called to the city of Syracuse and on Jan. 8, 1893, took up his labors as assistant pastor of St. Mary's parish, where he has since remained.

Neal, William H. H., Syracuse, was born in Sussex Co., Southern Delaware, May 22, 1839, of Scotch and English parentage. His father was a merchant, and from him he evidently inherited the tastes and qualifications which inclined him toward a commercial career. His early business experience was acquired in Philadelphia. He came to Syracuse in 1863; was married in 1865 to Harriet A., the eldest daugh- ter of Benjamin W. Baum. They have one son, J. Ward Neal, with the present firm of Neal & Hyde, and one daughter, Harriet May Neal. For ten years Mr. Neal was the senior partner of the notion and white goods house of Neal, Baum & Co., which was in 1879 consolidated with the business of Charles Chadwick & Co., under the firm name of Sperry, Neal & Hyde, and continuing as such until after the death of Mr. Sperry, which occurred Jan. 11, 1890. On July 1 of that year Mr. Neal and Mr. Hyde purchased Mr. Sperry's interest and have since continned the business under the firm name of Neal & Hyde. In politics Mr. Neal is a conservative and independent Democrat. He is an Episcopalian and a vestryman of St. Paul's cathedral. He is essentially a business man and believing that the concentration of one's energies is the only sure road to success, has steadily refused to be drawn into any outside interests, devoting all his powers to the building up and maintaining the large wholesale trade controlled by his firm.

Mason, Amos Louis, Syracuse, eldest of nine children (seven of whom were sons) of Cyrenus and and Martha (Cushman) Mason, was born in the town of Salina on August 26, 1824. His father was born in Vermont, July 2, 1798, and died in Syracuse Sept. 5, 1857; Mrs. Mason was born March 5, 1806, and died Jan. 2, 1886. He was educated in the common schools, and in 1832 removed with his family to Huron, O., whence they moved about four years later to Warren Co., Pa .; in 1838 they came to Wayne Co., N. Y., and in April, 1840, returned to Syracuse, where Amos L., then aged 16, tended a canal lock for two years. He followed various occupations and began learning the carpenter's trade with his uncle before 1845, after which he fin- ished his trade with Alden Crane. In 1846 he commenced jobbing for himself, and since then has erected a large number of buildings in Syracuse. Among the many notable structures were the old and present Wieting block, the east part of the On- ondaga County Savings Bank, the old Granger block, Hall of Languages Syracuse University, the first and present Seymour School, the Butler block, St. John the

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Baptist church, the Columbia market building, and very many others, including about 1,000 dwellings, 116 salt blocks, and all the salt mills now standing. Ile is the oldest and has long been the leading builder in Syracuse. As early as 1855 he also engaged in salt manufacture, and in 1856-57 William F. Gere was his partner. In 1872 he purchased, with the late James B. Haskins and others, the right of a machine for the manufacture of pressed brick, and then organized the National Pressed Brick Company, whose plant and interest in 1875 became the sole property of Mr. Mason, who formed the Syracuse Pressed Brick Company, of which he has been manager since 1887. He was also connected with the enlargement of the Erie Canal locks for about three years, was one of the founders of Woodlawn Cemetery, served as supervisor from the Second ward in 1877, and is a trustee of the Syracuse Savings Bank. Dec. 31, 1849, he married Miss Sarah A. Harroun, and of their seven children five are living.

Tobin, William N., Syracuse, son of Michael Tobin, who came to America from Ireland and finally settled in Preble, moved to Tully and eventually settled in Syracuse, where he still resides, was born in Tully, Onondaga Co., Aug. 18, 1858, and moved with his parents to Apulia in 1865, where he was educated. He also attended night school in Syracuse and graduated from Bryant and Stratton's Busi- ness College, and later cierked in a grocery about two years, then engaged in the clothing business with A. C. Yates & Co., where lie remained three years. This was followed by a short experience in the hardware business and about two years clerk- ship in the furniture store of Butler & Upson. In 1881 he entered the employ of Edward Joy and for six years studied every branch of the business, plumbing and heating. In 1887 he started in the plumbing and heating business in the Mont- gomery and was burnt out in the fire of 1891 and finally established himself at 315 East Genesee street, where he still continues the business. In 1892 he was ap- pointed the first secretary of the Examining and Supervising Board of Plumbers and Plumbing of the State of New York. He has been president of the State and Local Plumbers' Association and the Plumbers' Association of Syracuse, and State vice- president of the National Association. He is also president of the New York State Association of Steam and Hot Water Fitters, and a member of the C. M. B. A. and of the Business Men's Association of Syracuse. In 1882 he married Theresa F., daughter of James Lyons, of this city, and they have had six children: Theresa Catherine, Nellie, William, Loretta, John James (deceased), and Harold Vincent.

Lewis, Abram, Syracuse, was born in Poland, Russia, July 9, 1858, and came to America with his parents in 1869, settling first in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, where he finished his education. He then traveled for a time, conducting a wholesale jewelry business, and in June, 1879, he came to Syracuse, where he has since re- resided. In the fall of 1880 he started a wholesale jewelry business in the Pike block and in 1891 removed it to the Kirk building, at the same time forming the firm of A. Lewis & Co., which was dissolved in March, 1895. He has been treasurer of Lessing Lodge, I. O. O. F., and is a member of the Sons of Benjamin, of the Knights of Pythias, and of Salt Springs Lodge, F. & A. M. In 1883 he married Miss Mary Rubenstein, of Syracuse, and they have one daughter, Nettie.

Ryan, Patrick J., Syracuse, son of Martin and Margaret (Burke) Ryan, was born in La Fayette, Onondaga Co., Jan. 19, 1861. Ilis father came to America from Ireland in

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1849 and first became a resident of Pompey, whence he removed to La Fayette in 1859. In 1867 he returned to Pompey, where he died in 1869, aged 55, being survived by his wife, whose death occurred in 1885. They had eight children, of whom these are living: Margaret A. (Mrs. Henry Joy), of Pompey; Thomas and James, of James- ville; Patrick J., of Syracuse; and Martin E., of New York city. Mr. Ryan, upon his removal to Pompey in 1867 purchased the old Wheaton farm, which is still in the family. Patrick J. Ryan received his preliminary education in the common schools of Pompey and Pompey Academy, and at the age of 17 began teaching school in his native town, an occupation he followed for two years. He was graduated from St. Bonaventure's College at Allegany, Cattaraugus Co., in 1884, at the head of his class. He then studied law in Syracuse in the offices of Goodelle & Nottingham and M. E. and G. W. Driscoll, was admitted to the bar at the Binghamton General Term on Sept. 27, 1886, and soon afterward began the practice of his profession in Syracuse, where he has since continued alone except about two years in the firm of McFarran, Drake & Ryan. He has always been an active Democrat in politics, has often been a delegate to important conventions, and has frequently received recog- nition at the hands of his party. He represented the first Assembly district of On- ondaga Co. in the Legislature in 1892, serving on the Judiciary and Revision Com- mittee and on the Committees on Indian Affairs and Fish and Game. He was the author of the bill and secured the passage of the law establishing the first Municipal Court in Syracuse Jan. 1, 1893, and was appointed by Governor Flower one of the first two judges of that tribunal for a term of six years. He introduced and secured the passage of the law making nineteen wards in the city; introduced and was largely instrumental in passing the bill creating a police pension fund in this city ; and introduced the bill which subsequently became a law establishing a board for examining and licensing plumbers in the State. Mr. Ryan is a young lawyer of great ability, and is a member of the C. M. B. A., the C. B. L., and the Citizens' Club.

Hoyt, Harrison, Syracuse, was born in La Fayette, Onondaga Co., Sept. 3, 1836. He was graduated from Hamilton College in 1861, studied law at the Columbia Law School and was admitted to the bar at Syracuse in April, 1865. He practiced at Homer, N. Y., until 1873, when he came to Syracuse, where he has since resided. He has been prominently identified with several law firms and in Oct., 1891, formed the present firm of Hoyt & Farrington. Mr. Hoyt served as district attor- ney from 1881 to 1883 inclusive, and is recognized as one of the best criminal lawyers in Central New York. His connection with the famous Wilson trial placed him among the leading attorneys of the State.

Loehr, Longinus, Syracuse, born in Germany in 1840, settled in Syracuse in 1866, and followed the trade of cabinet maker about eight years, in the mean time engag- ing in business for himself. He was successively a wood and then a liquor dealer, a wax candle manufacturer, and since 1888 has prosecuted a lucrative real estate and fire insurance business. In 1869 he married Johanna Prehm, of Syracuse, a native of Germany, and of their five children two are living: Florentine Joseph and William.

Moulton, O. G., Syracuse, came to Syracuse in 1885, and was made general man- ager, for the State of New York, of the Massachusetts Benefit Life Association, in

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the fall of 1891, a position he has since filled with great credit This corporation was founded at Boston, Mass., its headquarters, in 1878, has over 52,000 members, and is the largest natural premium association in New England. 22,862 policies were writ- ten during the year 1895, involving an insurance of more than $24, 115,750.

Loomis, Edwin L., Syracuse, is a son of Henry H. Loomis and was born in Cicero, April 6, 1858, was educated in the Syracuse High School and in Cazenovia Seminary, and remained on the farm until 1883, when he came to Syracuse, where he has since resided. He was engaged in the wholesale and retail lumber business for five years, and in the mean time had become largely interested in real estate. In fact, his operations in the city have been of a diversified character and generally upon an ex- tensive scale. He was one of the organizers and incorporators of the Commercial Publishing Company in 1893, of which he has been the only president; he has also been vice-president of the Cosmopolitan Building and Loan Association since its formation in 1892, and is a director and one of the instigators of the Syracuse Storage Battery Company, which was incorporated in 1891 with a capital of $300,000, and which is now a pronounced success. With M. A. Graves as Graves & Loomis, and with his father as E. L. Loomis & Co., he is extensively interested in real estate. and alone he is the originator of a patent tree lifter, with which he has done a large business in transplanting full-grown trees. Jan 15, 1880, he was married to Miss Emma F., daughter of Thomas Nicholson, of Syracuse.

Spencer, Frank M., Syracuse, was born in Manlius, Onondaga Co., Dec. 25, 1842. His father, Welcome Spencer, son of Seth, was also born in that town, was a mer- chant, was very active during the Rebellion, and died in Syracuse, in 1880, aged 60. Seth Spencer was one of the pioneers of Manlius, and prominent in the early affairs of the community. Frank M. Spencer, after finishing his education at the Onondaga Academy, became a clerk in his father's store in Manlius. In 1884 he came to Syra- cuse to fill a similar position in the dry goods establishment of the late John R. Whit- lock, with whom and whose successors, Whitlock & Witherill, he has ever since re- mained, occupying posts of trust and responsibility. In 1863 he married Sarah M., daughter of Daniel Young, of Collamer, and they have had two children, Mrs. E. A. Crawford of Fayetteville, and Edna, at home.

Ludington, James S., Syracuse, son of George W., descends from an old and re- spected family of Oswego Co. Born in Parish on Jan. 25, 1858, he was educated at the academies in Mexico and Pulaski, was graduated from the latter in 1877. com- menced the study of law in Syracuse in the office of Ludington & De Camp, and was admitted here in Jan., 1880. He began the practice of his profession in Vinton, Iowa, in the spring of that year, but soon returned to Oswego Co. and practiced in Parish and Phoenix until April, 1893, when he removed to Syracuse, where he has had as partners Jay B. Kline, B. J. Shove, Daniel F. Salmon, and J. J. Kennelly, the present firm being Ludington & Kennelly. During his residence in Oswego Co. Mr. Ludington was school commissioner for the second district for three years from 1884, and he was elected alderman for the Fourth ward in the fall of 1895, which position he now holds. In June, 1884, he married Kate M., daughter of C. W. Woods, of : Pulaski. They have one child, George Ludington.

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Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 111

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