Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 114

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 114

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Mullany, Rev. John F., Syracuse, born in Deerfield, Oneida Co., N. Y., July 19, 1852, studied under the Christian Brothers in Assumption Academy at Utica and Manhattan College in New York city. In 1875 he entered St. Joseph's Provincial Seminary in Troy, N. Y., and was ordained to the priesthood in 1880. For a little less than three years he was assistant pastor of St. John's church, in Utica, and Sacred Heart church, Albany, and January, 1883, was appointed by Rt. Rev. Fran- cis McNeirny, bishop of Albany, to organize missions and parishes in the suburbs of Utica. In less than five years two brick churches were built, one in Whitesboro and the other in New Hartford, and a stone edifice, formerly a Protestant house of worship, in Holland Patent, was converted into a Catholic church. Hundreds who had fallen away from the faith were brought back and many converts were made from Protestantism. In 1887, when the Albany Diocese was divided and Rt. Rev. P. A. Ludden assumed charge of the new See of Syracuse, his first official act was the appointment of Father Mullany to the vacancy in the pastorate of St. John the Baptist's church in this city, caused by the death of Rev. William Rourke. Father Mullany finally became irremovable rector of that parish. Since coming here he has

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built the Church of the Sacred Heart in the village of Cicero and St. Joseph's church in Liverpool, the latter near the spot where in 1652 the Jesuits discovered salt. In the city he has a flourishing parochial school which is under the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York. In a recent number of the American Catholic Quarterly Review he published an article clearly defining the relations of the Re- gents to the Roman Catholic schools in the State. His pen is constantly employed in preparing magazine articles, convocation papers and lecture courses. He is act ive in the cause of university extension and in every educational enterprise, and from the beginning of the Catholic Summer school movement he has taken a fore- most part in its development, being originator and organizer of the same. He is also the founder of the Catholic Winter school of New Orleans, La. He is a brother of the distinguished writer and scholar, the late Brother Azarias, of the Christian Brothers' school, who died in Plattsburgh, N. Y., on August 20, 1893.

Hollenbeck, Frank A., Syracuse, son of Howard and Angeline (Wilcox) Hollen- beck, was born in Tully, April 30, 1852. His parents now reside in Homer, N. Y. Howard Hollenbeck came to Tully from Coxsackie, N. Y., about 1840, with his par- ents, Samuel and Eunice (Pruyn), and moved with his family to Homer soon after his son's birth. The latter was educated in the schools of Cortland Co. and in Homer Academy, and first learned the trade of carriage ironing with the Cortland Co. Wagon Company, where he remained about four years. He then had charge of the Fisher Gear Company's works in Homer, after which he learned every branch of the machinist's trade in the Homer foundry and machine shop. Three years later he engaged in gun work for W. H. Baker & Co., at Lisle, N. Y., having charge of the forging department and tool making there for two and one half years. In 1858 he came to Syracuse and took contract work for L. C. Smith, manufacturer of guns, where he remained in all about eight years, after which he took out patents and started the Hollenbeck Lock and Knob Company, capitalized at $35,000, manufact- uring hardware specialties, of which he was superintendent and manager and sub- sequently president. The factory was finally moved to Jordan, where it was burned in 1890. Mr. Hollenbeck had just previously withdrawn from the concern and had gone to Batavia as superintendent of the Baker Gun and Forging Company, where he remained three years. While there he invented and sold patents to them upon which they are now working. Returning to Syracuse in 1892 he invented and pat- ented the Hollenbeck hammerless gun, and in Feb., 1893, organized the Syracuse Arms Company with a capital of $50,000, which was subsequently increased to $75,- 000. The officers from the start have been as follows: George Timmons, president ; F. S. Wicks, treasurer; M. J. Colwell, secretary; and Frank A. Hollenbeck, super- intendent. Mr. Hollenbeck has taken out in all about thirty patents, mainly of guns and of machinery for manufacturing them, and also a number on builders' hardware. Many of them have been very successful, noticeably the Hollenbeck Hygienic Saddle for Bicycles which he commenced the manufacture of in September, 1895. In Oct., 1872, he married Angie F., daughter of Henry Session, of Homer, and they have five children: Charles F., Albert H., Earl, Frank A., jr., and Clara I.

Moyer, Harvey A., Syracuse, was born in the town of Clay, Onondaga Co., Feb. 7, 1853. His grandfather, Jacob Moyer, was of Holland Dutch descent and came from the Mohawk Valley to Clay at a very early date. His father, Oliver Moyer,

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his son, was born there in 1830 and died in Lysander in 1885. Both were sub- stantial farmers. Harvey A. Moyer was reared on a farm and received a district school education. At the age of 13 he built with his own hands a carriage shop in his father's orchard, a picture of which he now treasures in his office as a memento of his first efforts at carriage making. When 16 he began selling wooden pumps, and after continuing that business for four years engaged in wagon making in Cicero, building twenty-eight wagons and repairing scores of others the first year. He car- ried on this enterprise for five years. In 1881 he came to Syracuse and purchased property containing three stores on the corner of Wolf and Park streets in the First ward, and here he has ever since carried on a constantly increasing business in the manufacture of wagons, carriages, etc. In 1882 he built a structure on Park street ; in 1888 another was added on Salina street; and in 1895 three more stores were pur- chased on Wolf street, and the entire front handsomely remodeled. His business has grown until now it is the largest of the kind in the county, and embraces the manufacture and sale of wagons, carriages, coupes, sleighs, cutters, etc., of every description, which are wholesaled and retailed in every State in the Union. During his twenty years as a carriage manufacturer Mr. Moyer has made and sold upwards of 56,000 vehicles, and no man connected with the trade has a wider reputation. He has employed as many as 275 hands. In July, 1871, Mr. Moyer married Rosamond, daughter of Cheney Wilcox, of Baldwinsville, and they have two children: Burt W. and Maud.

Merriam, Thomas, son of Noah, was born in Cicero, Onondaga Co., April 13, 1843. Noah Merriam came to that town from Delaware Co., N. Y., in 1820, and died in 1879. He was a farmer, and for many years town overseer of the poor. He mar- ried Mary Ann Brown and they had three sons and four daughters, of whom there are living Henry H., of Oswego Falls, N. Y .; Isaac B., of Chattanooga, Tenn. ; Mrs. B. J. Skiff, of Syracuse; Mrs. J. L. Brown, of Wilcox, Pa .; and Mrs. P. S. Ernhout and Thomas of Syracuse. Thomas Merriam attended the public schools of Cicero and was graduated from the Cortland Academy in 1862. He immediately assisted in raising Co. HI, of the 149th N. Y. Vols., and on Sept. 17th of that year was mustered into the U. S. service as 2d lieutenant. From May 1, 1863, until after the battle of Gettysburg he commanded the company as lieutenant; he was then sent to New York to aid in enforcing the draft and later went to Elmira for the same purpose. Nov. 1, 1863, he rejoined his regiment and took command of Co. H, as first lieutenant, but on Nov. 24 was wounded in the left arm and both legs at Look- out Mountain. He was sent home and remained until March, 1864, when, he again joined the regiment at Stevenson, Ala. May 1 he was made regimental quarter- master; in August he was promoted captain, took command of his old company, and served with the regiment in Sherman's march to the sea till the capture of Atlanta, having command of the mounted foragers through Georgia and the Carolinas. He was mustered out at Bladensburg, Md., in June, 1865, as captain, and later was brevetted major of volunteers by the governor of New York. Returning home Mr. Merriam settled in Syracuse, and on Oct. 1, 1865, formed a partnership with James Tefft, under the firm name of Tefft & Merriam, and engaged in the retail hardware business. Mr. Tefft soon retired and Mr. Merriam continued successfully, alone and with partners, most of the time as Merriam & Gregory, for twenty-four years.

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In 1878 he also became interested in the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds, wood- work, special furniture, interior finish, etc. Mr. Merriam is a staunch Republican and served as treasurer of Onondaga Co. one term and alderman of the 8th ward one year. He is a charter member and was for two terms commander of Root Post G. A. R., is a member of the Loyal Legion, president of the Onondaga Club, a di- rector in the New York Brick and Paving Company and Merchants National Bank, and president and one of the incorporators of the Empire Contract Company, organ- ized to do street paving, etc. In 1872 he married Carrie E., daughter of Dr. Will- iam C. Doane, of Williamsport, Pa., and they have one daughter, Mary D.

Nims, Horace, M. D., was a son of Asa and Marietta (Nichols) Nims, and was born in the village of Manlius, Onondaga County, July 5, 1815. His parents, who were natives of Massachusetts, were endowed with sterling traits of character peculiar to New England, and gave to their six children that knowl- edge and discipline which dis- tinguished them throughout honorable careers. They were among the earliest settlers in the town of Manlius, where, in the village of that name, Asa Nims established a saddlery and harness shop, and where he served for many years as justice of the peace. His wife died December 28, 1835; his death occurred October 3, 1836.

Dr. Nims inherited those ele- vating characteristics which ennobled the lives of his an- cestors, and especially those qualities of manliness which endeared him to a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. He finished his literary edu- cation at the old Whitestown Seminary, and at the age of twenty entered Fairfield Med- ical College, where he remain- ed one term. He subsequent- ly matriculated at Geneva Medical College and was grad- uated from that institution in HORACE NIMS, M. D. 1837, and began the practice of his profession in his native village in association with Dr. William Taylor, his former preceptor. A few years later he was practicing alone and so continued during nearly the remainder of his life, meeting with constantly increasing success and

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building up a large and lucrative business. In 1843 he also opened a drug store in Manlius village, which he successfully continued in addition to his professional work until 1884, when, on account of ill health, he retired from the former and gradually relinquished the latter. As a physician he endeared himself to every one with whom he came in contact. He was kind and gentle, sympathetic, modest, genial, and companionable, and his cheerfulness and encouraging words in the sick room often wrought cures beyond the power of drugs. He was a man of untarnished reputation, a noble benefactor, a liberal, public spirited citizen, and a tender and indulgent husband and father. His charities were numberless, his kind acts and benevolent deeds are monuments to his memory. To the poor he gave generously and willingly, and to all who knew him his words of encouragement and advice were treasured bits of wisdom and help. His life was one of self-sacrifice and devotion, for he loved his profession, though it was often attended with great toil and anxiety. During his last hours, in the calm assurance of faith as unfaltering as it was pure, he committed himself to the Lord and peacefully passed to that bourne where none "shall say, ' I am sick.'" He died on the 16th of December, 1894, after an illness of two days, and the assemblage at his funeral told in unspeakable terms the great respect and love entertained for him in the town of his birth and life-long practice. His mem- ory is precious, not only to his immediate family, but to the multitude who, during more than forty years, felt his gentle, ministering touch.

Dr. Nims was appointed postmaster of Manlius in 1849 and held that office four years. On October 10, 1862, he was commissioned by Governor Morgan assistant surgeon of the 149th N. Y. Vols., and after serving with that regiment for six months was taken ill and obliged to return home. During his army life and ever afterward he took a tender interest in those who participated in the war and in the welfare of soldiers and their families, and it was through his personal efforts that many sub- sequently secured pensions. The soldiers and veterans always entertained for him a high regard and frequently expressed their love in unmistakable terms. He was a member of the Onondaga County Medical Society for over forty years, was senior warden of Christ church, Manlius, for more than twenty years, and served some time as a member of the board of education and as trustce of common schools. He took a keen interest in all public matters, and invariably lent his aid and influence in furthering every worthy object.

He was married in 1848 to Miss Frances, daughter of Reuben and Sarah (Wads- worth) Johnson, who survives him. Their children were Frank H. and Bertrand N., druggists of Manlius; and Dr. Herbert J., a practicing physician of that place. An adopted granddaughter, Eva M., is the wife of Arthur B. Knight, formerly su- perintendent of the Pike Manufacturing Company of Manlius.

Hendricks, Hon. Francis, Syracuse, son of Edmund, merchant, was born in Kingston, Ulster county, Nov. 23, 1834, was educated in the common schools and in the Albany Academy, and clerked for several years in Rochester, N. Y. In 1861 he came to Syracuse and engaged in business as a dealer in pictures, engravings, and fine art goods, in which he has since continued, for several years the firm name being Francis Hendricks & Co. In politics Mr. Hendricks has long been recognized as a leader of the Republican party. He was elected mayor in 1880 and again in 1881, member of assembly in 1884 and 1885, State senator from 1886 to 1891 inclusive,

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and collector of the port of New York for three years from 1891. He is president of the State Bank of Syracuse and of the Trust and Deposit Company of Onondaga, trustee of the Syracuse Savings Bank and a member of the Board of Trustees of Syra- cuse University.

Fairchild, Merritt Byron, M. D., is the third son of Robert T. Fairchild, a carpen- ter and builder, and was born in Depauville Jefferson Co., N. Y., April 1, 1839. He was educated in the district schools of his native town, at Belleville Academy, at Cazenovia Seminary, and at the State Normal School in Albany, where he was graduated in 1864. During all this period he taught a number of terms of school, and after graduation taught in a school in Barrytown, Dutchess Co., three years, and the Polytechnic Institute for boys in Brooklyn one year. Meanwhile he had studied medicine, and resigning the latter position he entered the Albany Medical College under Dr. James E. Pomfret in 1866 and was graduated from that institution in Dec., 1868. He had previously been appointed by Gov. R. E. Fenton assistant surgeon in the New York State Soldiers' Home, which position he held one year. In May, 1869, he came to Syracuse, where he has since followed a successful general practice as a physician and surgeon. Dr. Fairchild was city physician under Mayor Vann in 1879 and under Mayor Hendricks in 1880. He is a member of the Onon- daga County and Central New York Medical Societies and a charter member of the Syracuse Academy of Medicine. He is a member and past master of Central City Lodge No. 305, F. & A M., a member and past high priest of Central City Chapter No. 70, R. A. M., a member of Central City Commandery, K. T., a member of and past noble grand of Americus Lodge No. 607, I. O. O. F., a member and colonel of the 2d Regiment New York State Department I. O. O. F., and a charter member of the North Side Business Men's Association. Oct. 12, 1870, he married Jennie M., daughter of Nathan S. Hayes, of Utica, N. Y., and they have two children: Nathan Hayes and Marion E.

Dey Brothers & Co., of Syracuse, one of the leading dry goods firms in Central New York, was founded by Robert Dey and his brothers in the spring of 1883, and from the start has taken a foremost rank among similar establishments in the city. The firm consists of Robert, Donald, and James Dey, two other brothers having several years ago retired to follow other enterprises. For many years the business was conducted at what is now Nos. 205 and 207 South Salina street, whence it was removed in the spring of 1894 to the corner of South Salina and East Jefferson streets, where a magnificent and imposing structure had been erected for the pur- pose. This is one of the largest, finest, and most convenient commercial buildings in the State, and is almost exclusively occupied by the firm. The firm has done much to abolish old fashioned and objectionable business methods pertaining to the dry goods trade, and has always been foremost in movements to promote early clos- ing and the establishment of a weekly half-holiday.

Dey, Robert, founder and head of the extensive dry goods house of Dey Brothers & Co., of Syracuse, was born in the parish of Abernethy, Morayshire, Scotland, No- vember 25, 1849, and received his education in the district school of Kirkmichael. At the age of seventeen he went to Aberdeen, where his three elder brothers were pursuing their studies, and there entered the employ of Pratt & Keith, the largest dry goods dealers in the north of Scotland. Five years later he came to America

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and entered the employ of Sibley, Lindsay & Curr, of Rochester, N. Y., where he was subsequently joined by his brother Donald. In the spring of 1877 the two brothers opened a small store in Elmira, where in quick succession three other mem- bers of the family, Charles, James, and John, added their talents to the new enter- prise, which grew rapidly into large proportions. In the spring of 1883 they opened a similar establishment in Syracuse, which has no peer in Central New York. Mr. Dey is one of the ablest business men in the county, and is prominently identified with several organizations. In 1890 he was married to Miss Mary Mills Sweet, eldest daughter of William A. Sweet, of Syracuse.

Dey, Douald, Syracuse, was born in the Highlands of Scotland, his father, a man of sterling worth and great force of character, having a farm and mill on the borders of Banff and Moray, the mill stream forming a dividing line between the two coun- ties. He finally joined his brother Robert in America and entered the employ of Sibley, Lindsay & Curr, of Rochester, N. Y. In the spring of 1877 the two brothers established themselves in the dry goods business in Elmira, and six years later founded the present business of Dey Brothers & Co. in Syracuse. Mr. Dey has long taken a keen interest in the city's welfare and prosperity, and is prominently identi- fied with some of its leading institutions, notably the Business Men's Association, which he has served as president for several years.

Dey, James George Samuel, Syracuse, the youngest member of the firm of Dey Brothers & Co., Onondaga county's greatest dry goods merchants, was born in the Highlands of Scotland and there received his early education. When about twelve years of age, with a thirst for knowledge, he went to the university city of Aberdeen and began a course of study preparatory to entering the university there. His older brothers by this time were making headway in America and had become convinced of the fact that this is a country of great possibilities, and the strong arguments held out by them in favor of a Dey organization in the near future induced James to join them in the new world. The better to fit him for his future career Mr. Dey under- went a thorough training in Rochester Business College and later entered the office of Sibley, Lindsay & Curr in that city. In a short time he joined Robert and Donald Dey, who had by this time started in business in Elmira, and together they have ever since climbed the ladder of success, illustrating to a notable degree the truth of the maxim that union is strength. Thirteen years ago the brothers came to Syracuse, and every year their success has become marked, culminating in the erection two years ago of the magnificent structure at the corner of South Salina and Jefferson streets, which for area, architectural beauty, and modern equipment, stands without a peer in Central New York. James Dey is an artist of no mean order, and his ideas to a great extent have been carried out in the fitting up of the firm s palatial place of business. At one time he had almost decided to take up art as a profession, and his pencil still brings him pleasure and recreation in the midst of a busy business. In the Leland Hotel fire some years ago he sustained a heavy loss in the destruction of a valued collection of etchings made during his boyhood in Scotland. He is punc- tilious and methodical in the superlative degree, and in this respect again his im- parted influence is clearly seen in the daily business of the firm. Mr. Dey is of a re- tiring disposition whose gentlemanly instincts and good common sense are not un- settled by the high and responsible position which, although still a young man, he

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now occupies. He is a great reader, especially of historical and art works, a man of progressive ideas, and with a pre-eminently promising future.

Babcock, Rev. Theodore, D.D., Manlius, rector of Christ's church, Manlius. is a lineal descendant of (1) James Babcock, a native of Sussex Co., England, who came to Plymouth, Mass., in 1623. He had five children. The line of descent is (2) John, born in England and settled in Westerly, R. I .; (3) Job, born in 1660; (4) Job, 1698; (5) Josiah, 1720; (6) John, born in Mansfield, Mass., 1746, removed to Coventry, Conn .; (7) Rev. Deodatus, born in Coventry, June 19, 1790; and (8) Dr. Theodore. Rev. Deodatus Babcock came to Manlius, Onondaga Co., in 1814, and was a teacher in the old Franklin school there and also clerk of the vestry of Christ church for two years. He studied for the ministry and was ordained in 1819, and until 1824 was a missionary in Buffalo, where he built the original St. Paul's church. In 1854 he re- moved to Ballston Spa, Saratoga Co., where he served as rector of Christ church for twenty-one years, and where he spent the remainder of his life (except two years in Troy), serving as the principal of the flourishing church school, which he founded. He died there February 2, 1875. Three of his sisters, Hannah, Lydia, and Betsey, followed him to Manlius, and were for many years well-known and respected residents in the town and village and influential in the church. Lydia was married in 1836 to Col. John Sprague, and remained with her two sisters in Fayetteville, where she continued to be esteemed until her death in 1864, and where the Colonel died a few years previous. Rev. Deodatus Babcock married Mary Hine, of Cairo, Greene Co. (who was born June 10, 1794, and died Feb. 27, 1866). Of their seven children Dr. Theodore Babcock, the eldest, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., May 23, 1822, was graduated from Union College in July, 1841, and received the degree of D.D. from Hobart College in July, 1864. He was ordained deacon June 11. 1847, by Bishop De Lancey, advanced to the priesthood July 10, 1850, by Bishop Whittingham. Du- ring his ministry of nearly fifty years he has served without interruption from sick- ness or absence as follows: Rector of St. Paul's church, Charlton, Saratoga Co., 1847 to 1852; rector of St. John's church, Cohoes, 1852 to 1857; rector of Trinity church, Watertown, 1857 to 1872; rector of Christ church, Hudson, 1872 to 1875; head mas- ter of St. John's school, Manlius, 1875 to 1881; rector of Christ church, Oswego, 1881 to 1882; and rector of Christ church, Manlius, and St. Mark's church. James- ville, from Jan., 1883, to present time, residing in Manlius village. Besides these he has served his diocese in several high offices, being a clerical deputy to the general conventions of 1865, 1868, 1871, and 1894, and a member of important committees in the erection and organization of the new diocese of Central New York in 1867, 1868, and 1869. He is now and has been for several years a member of the standing com- mittee of this diocese and of the board of examining chaplains. Oct. 7, 1847, he was married in Bethesda church in Saratoga Springs to Elizabeth, daughter of David Nash, who was born in Watervliet, N. Y., March 16, 1825, and died in Manlins, Nov. 8, 1895, leaving four sons and one daughter: Theodore, jr., Henry Nash, Lewis Wainwright, Charles Edward, and Mary.

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Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 114

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