Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 27

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 27

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

ONONDAGA'S CENTENNIAL.

Dr. Donohue, being an enthusiast in every branch of his profession, has mastered its mysteries with commendable persistency, and as an obstetrician has, perhaps, gained his highest renown, though his knowledge of medicine and surgery is fully as extensive and practical. He became a member of the New York State Medical Association on November 20, 1884, and in October, 1885, was elected a delegate from that body to the British Medical Association, of which he is also a member, taking part in its deliberations in 1886 and again in 1889. He is a member of the Onondaga County Medical Society and American Health Association, and served as president of the Syracuse Medical Association two years. On October 31, 1889, he was appointed a member of the Syracuse Board of Health, and on November 26 of the same year was appointed one of the State Commissioners of Health by Gov. David B. Hill. His term on the State board expired in February, 1892, and in July following he was reappointed by Gov. Roswell P. Flower. At the first meeting thereafter he was elected president of the board and was re-elected to that position for three successive years, the last time just prior to the expiration of his term of membership in June, 1895. In May, 1894, he was appointed by Governor Flower a member of a special commission of five to investigate the prevalence and distribution of tuberculosis in the milk supply of the State and report thereon. This commission reported and went out of existence in January, 1895, at which time Dr. Donohue was its secretary and chief executive officer. The Legislature then passed a law which provided that two members of the State Board of Health should be appointed to continue the investigation, thus creating the New York State Commission of Tuber- culosis, of which he was made chairman, which position he still holds.

Dr. Donohue occupies a foremost place among the leading physicians and surgeons in Central New York. He is a writer of force and ability on a wide range of medical subjects and has contributed numerous articles to the leading medical journals of the country. In all official capacities he has been fearless, effective, and useful, and locally he is always alive to the needs of the city, not only from a sanitary stand- point, but in a general way. He is public spirited, progressive, and popular, respected and esteemed by friends and opponents alike, and enjoys to the fullest extent the confidence of both the profession and the public.

September 27, 1877, Dr. Donohue was married to Miss Lucy A., eldest daughter of the late William T. Moseley, of Onondaga, and granddaughter of Judge Daniel Moseley, whose career in the jurisprudence of the State, and especially in this county, is detailed elsewhere in the present work.

GEORGE G. COTTON.

GEORGE GRISWOLD COTTON was born on the 10th day of November, 1854, in Roscoe, Winnebago county, Ill. During his seventh year his father died and his mother re- moved to Onondaga county where he has since resided. His parents were Sanford Dennis and Jane Ellen Terry Cotton. Sanford Dennis Cotton was born August 17, 1815, in Skaneateles, Onondaga county, and was the eldest of eight children born to George Holbrook Cotton and Clarrissa Earll, daughter of Abijah Earll, of Skaneate- les, N. Y. George Holbrook Cotton was the sixth child (eleven in all) of Willard and

GEORGE G. COTTON.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Mary Gallup Cotton, daughter of Uriah Gallup, of Hartland, Vt., born in Hartland, Vt., July 15, 1789, and came to Onondaga county in 1804 and settled in Skaneateles, N. Y. He married Clarrissa Earll in 1814. From that time he was associated with the firm of Earll, Lewis & Cotton, in the milling business until the year 18- when he removed to Onondaga Valley and operated the grist mill at that place.

Jane Ellen Terry, mother of the subject of this sketch was the eldest of six chil- dren born to Griswold and Laura Woodford Terry, daughter of James Woodford. George Holbrook Cotton came to Onondaga county in 1804. Abijah EarlI came to Onondaga county in 1804. Griswold Terry came to Onondaga county in 1805. James Woodford came to Onondaga county in 1805, and while Mr. Cotton was born outside of Onondaga county, still having returned at the age of seven and continued here since, and the fact of his family in the four branches having come to the county at the early date of 1804, and continuously living here he may safely consider him- self as a production of the soil. Mr. Cotton's early life was spent in the village of Geddes now the Ninth and Tenth Wards of the city of Syracuse. He was gradu- ated at the Porter school, passed the regents examinations and received their certificate dated May 20, 1870. He entered the Syracuse High school, butat theend of the first year he retired and began an apprenticeship as machinist in the employ of the Brad- ley Manufacturing Co. of Syracuse, with which concern he remained five years, work- ing in the shop and then representing them on the road. He also represented them at the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia in 1876. He severed relationship with the Bradleys in 1877 and upon their recommendation entered the employ of the Porter Manufacturing Co. of the First Ward, who were doing an engine business. In the ensuing fall the Syracuse Iron Works desired a man to go to Penn Yan, Yates county, N. Y., to learn the business of manufacturing horseshoes by machinery, and upon the recommendation of George A. Porter, they employed Mr. Cotton, who went to Penn Yan , and not being satisfied with the conduct of the business, recom- mended bringing the shops to Syracuse, which removal was made. While erecting these shops in Syracuse and înishing the machinery, Mr. Cotton had the misfortune to lose his left hand, which barred him from the active prosecution of his adopted business. On January 1, 1880, through the influence of Messrs. Charles E. Hubbell and E. B. Van Dusen he was given an appointment in the County Clerk's office, as index clerk under William Cowie. He was again appointed under Mr. Gustavus Sniper, January 1, 1883. In 1884 Mr. Cotton represented the town of Geddes in the Board of Supervisors and served during that term on various committees. On Jan- uary 1, 1886, he was appointed Deputy County Clerk under County Clerk J. Emmett Wells, and in 1888 was elected County Clerk and January 1, 1889, assumed control of the office. December 4, 1891, Mr. Cotton was removed from office by David B. Hill, governor of the State. This bold and unprecedented act on the part of Gov- ernor Hill brought a whirlwind of wrath from the friends of Mr. Cotton. The storm which had been brewing in the political atmosphere since the election a month be- fore now broke out with renewed violence. The efforts of Governor Hill and his party managers to induce Mr. Cotton to swerve from what he regarded as his duty in the premises were unavailing from first to last. The sin of Mr. Cotton, as viewed by these politicians, consisted in his refusing to issue to the Democratic candidate a certificate of election as Member of Assembly for the First District of Onondaga when ordered to do so by the Democratic Board of County Canvassers.

ONONDAGA'S CENTENNIAL.

On account of an error in arranging or delivering the ballots of the Republican candidates, they were transposed in some of the districts, and of the failure on the part of the inspectors of election to correctly make out the returns, enough of such ballots for the Republican candidate for member of assembly, David Allen Munro, jr., were thrown out, by which the election was claimed for Mr. Ryan, the Dem- ocratic candidate. Mr. Cotton believing that, no matter what the mistakes of the officials might be, the intention of the voter should govern in the matter, and under direction of the Supreme Court, refused to sign the certificate. Charges of " mal- feasance in office" were immediately preferred against him. Upon the trial, "malfeasance" not being proven, "misconduct" was substituted, and, in the language of Governor Hill, "found substantially true," and an order removing Mr. Cotton from the office of county clerk was at once issued. At the same time a Dem- ocratic county clerk was appointed by Governor Hill, who signed the alleged cer- tificate of the Democratic member of assembly. From Governor Hill's decision there was no appeal in law, but the people of the State of New York have stamped their disapproval of the action of those who were instrumental in the stealing of the Legislature in the persons of those who were mostly instrumental in its accomplish- ment.

Although Mr. Cotton has held no political office since his removal from the county clerkship, he has continued to take an active interest in the political affairs of the county and State. In fact, ever since he became a voter he has been prominently identified with the Republican party and its fortunes in Onondaga county.

In the spring of 1893 Mr. Cotton was appointed general manager of Warners Portland Cement Company. After serving about two years in that capacity the com- pany became insolvent and he was named receiver to close up its affairs.

Early in 1895 Mr. Cotton accepted a position in the mechanical department of the Solvay Process Company, which position he still holds (1896).

Mr. Cotton married first in 1875 Anna R. Cain, daughter of Lyman and Jane Clark Cain of Elbridge. She died October 17, 1877. He married for his second wife, June 2, 1880, Mary Emily, daughter of Jere S. and Eliza Chatterton Reed, of Penn Yan, N. Y. By his first wife he had one daughter, Frances, and by his second wife one daughter. Laura Emily, and one son, Donald Reed Cotton.

CHARLES C. COLE.

CHARLES C. COLE, of Jordan, was born in the village of Weedsport, Cayuga county, September 2, 1851. He was scarcely two years of age when his father, David Cole. died, and in consequence he was early thrown upon his own resources to make his way in life. For several years he made his home at Phineas F. Wilson's, his mater- nal grandfather, devoting himself to school and farm life. Mr. Wilson was one of the leading farmers in those days, and also owned what was known as the "Com- munity" store in Weedsport, which was under the management of David Cole up to the time of his death. David Cole was born in Skaneateles, where he spent most of his life previous to his residence in Weedsport. He descended from an old Massa- chusetts family that was amongst the earliest settlers in the western part of the

BIOGRAPHICAL.

county of Onondaga. His wife, Catherine, was the daughter of Phincas F. Wilson, previously referred to.

Charles C. Cole was one of a family of four children, one of whom, Mrs. George E. Townsend, besides himself, is now living in Jordan. After attending the district school Mr. Cole attended the academy at Jordan, finishing his course there at six- teen years of age. For three years thereafter he was engaged as clerk in the store of N. Craner at Jordan. From that time Jordan became his permanent home. He subsequently married Ella D., daughter of Mr. Craner, by whom he has had one son, Wayne U. The habit of thrift acquired during his early struggles to get on unaided, together with his natural characteristic energy, had made it possible during his years of clerkship to accumulate sufficient capital to venture in business on his own account. So after terminating his service for Mr. Craner Mr. Cole embarked in the flour and feed business in Jordan, in which line he continued a considerable time. The success achieved in this business enabled him to branch out on a broader scale ; therefore on September 1, 1875, Mr. Cole formed a copartnership with Ezra B. Fancher, the former principal of the Jordan school, and at that time superintendent of the Seneca Falls public schools, the line of goods being hardware and all goods pertaining to that line of trade. The destruction of the store by fire one year later brought to a close Mr. Cole's first partnership, for Mr. Fancher then retired. The old building was replaced by Mr. Cole with a new and modern structure, adapted to the requirements of the prosperous business, which, by energy and enterprise he has built up. From 1876 to 1885 the business was conducted by Mr. Cole alone. In the mean time Mr. Cole had been appointed postmaster at Jordan by President Arthur, and this together with the increased cares of the business induced him to receive into partnership A. E. Brace of that place, and thus the firm became C. C. Cole & Co. The firm name since 1894 has been Cole & Brace. Mr. Cole is senior partner in an- other firm, C. C. Cole & Co., dealers in agricultural implements, doing a large job- bing trade through the several counties. During all the years since attaining his majority Mr. Cole has been no less active and zealous in political affairs than he has been in his own business interests. No campaign, whether local or of wider interest, has passed without his having taken a more or less prominent and influential part therein. His town and the county as well as the State owe much to his unflinching integrity and keen judgment while in their service. That this has been appreciated is evidenced by the fact that his town and district have never wavered in giving him their most cordial support, several times electing him to the most important offices within their gift. In 1886 he was chosen to represent his town in the Board of Supervisors, and served as such representative for three successive terms. During his service as a member of the board he held many important chairmanships, the last year being chairman of the board.

In 1894 he was nominated and elected by an unparalleled majority to represent his, the second, district in the Assembly, and was re-elected in 1895. The first year in the Legislature he was appointed a member of the committee on cities, and also had charge of the various Syracuse charter bills which were before the House at the time. He enjoyed the distinction of having successfully got through every bill pre- sented to the Assembly during the session.

At the convening of the Legislature in January, 1896, Mr. Cole was assigned to chairmanship of committee on trades and manufacture, and made a member of the

ONONDAGA'S CENTENNIAL.

ways and means committee. The recent reapportionment act having separated his district from the city of Syracuse, he was necessarily barred from his former position on the cities committee. Mr. Cole's Republicanism is always loyal, but not to the extent of being offensively partisan.

NATHAN F. GRAVES.

HON. NATHAN FITCH GRAVES was born in Westmoreland, Oneida county, N. Y., February 17, 1813. His ancestors came from England in 1736 and settled in Connec- ticut. Benjamin Graves, his great-grandfather, was in the war of the Revolution, was wounded in the defense of Fort Griswold, New London, Conn., and soon after died of his wounds. His grandfath- er, Elijah, then sixteen years old, enlisted for the war and took his father's place. His father, Benjamin Graves, was in the war of 1812 and was on the march to defend Buffalo, but the place was burned before the company reached their destination.

Nathan Graves was reared on a farm, where he labored in sum- mer and attended the public school winters; afterward he at- tended a select school and acad- emy. When sixteen years of age he began teaching and taught four winters. Deciding to study law he spent one year with J. Whipple Jenkins, esq., of Ver- non, Oneida county, and was NATHAN F. GRAVES. deputy postmaster of the village. His further clerkship was with Hon. Joshua A. Spencer, of Utica. He was admitted to practice in 1840 and became a partner of Timothy Beecher, esq., of Oneida Castle.

Mr. Graves was married in 1842 to Miss Helen P. Breese, who died in 1844. He afterward married Miss Catharine H. Breese, a sister of his first wife. Some years later Mr. Graves opened a law office in New York and secured a profitable practice. In consequence of impaired health, by the advice of his physician, he left New York and settled in Syracuse. The Burnet Bank was organized in 1852 and Mr. Graves was elected president. The name of the bank was changed first to the Fourth National Bank and in 1872 to the New York State Banking Company, but Mr. Graves has continued to be president.

A. W. BINGHAM.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

In 1872 Mr. and Mrs. Graves made a trip around the world. Mr. Graves was elected mayor of the city in 1874, and has been president of the Board of Education, trustee of Oakwood Cemetery, and trustee and vice-president of the Syracuse Sav- ings Bank and the State Institution for Feeble-Minded Children. He has founded two lectureships on missions, one at the Theological Seminary at New Brunswick, N. J., and another at Syracuse University. He has built a fire-proof library build- ing for Hope College and aided in supplying books. He had the degree of LL. D. conferred upon him in 1895. He is, deeply interested in missions. He has one of the finest and largest private libraries in the State; it embraces upwards of 10,000 volumes, including " Audubon's Birds" and many other rare and costly works. His integrity to every trust is most conspicuous, and his will be esteemed a successful life.

AUGUSTUS W. BINGHAM.

AUGUSTUS WHITING BINGHAM was born in Coventry, Conn., July 22, 1825. He was the eldest son of Horace Brewster and Emeline Jones Bingham. In 1836 he came with his parents to the town of Van Buren, Onondaga county, and the following year his father bought and settled upon the farm where he spent the rest of his life. He was one of the most progressive and prosperous farmers in the town. Mr. Horace B. Bingham was also a native of Coventry, Conn., where his ancestry had lived for many years. He was born April 10, 1799, and died in Van Buren November 19, 1867. His wife was born July 18, 1803, and died July 18, 1892.

Augustus W. Bingham never married but remained at the homestead, having charge of the farm and the various other interests, caring at the same time for his mother with filial tenderness during her life. Mr. Bingham was a man of the strict- est integrity and uprightness in life, respected and loved by all who knew him. He was, too, a man of exceptional business ability which he turned to good account, not only in his own interest, but for many others who sought his counsel and advice in matters of business importance. He received his education in the schools of Van Buren, and for many years thereafter pursued the occupation of teaching school in winter and working on the farm during the summer. The universal confidence in his honesty led many persons in that part of the county to appoint him executor and administrator in the settlement of large estates. In every instance these trusts were discharged with faithfulness and satisfaction to all interested.

Mr. Bingham was active and prominent in public affairs, always lending his influ- ence for the advancement of the best interests of the community. In 1877 and 1878 he represented his town as a Republican on the Board of Supervisors, and for the next succeeding three years was inspector of the Onondaga Penitentiary. In 1860 Mr. Bingham was elected justice of the peace of the town of Van Buren and with the exception of two years served in that capacity till his death. He was postmaster at Van Buren for twenty-four years, having received his appointment during Presi- dent Grant's administration.

He was prominently identified with several societies. January 13, 1850, he became a member of the Mohegan Lodge No. 29, I. O. O. F. and took a deep interest in the

ONONDAGA'S CENTENNIAL.

building up of this order. In 1881 he was elected Grand Master of the State and in- stituted twenty-seven lodges during his term of office. He was also District Grand Master for several terms, and it was through this close association with him that all his brethren in the order learned to respect him more with each succeeding year. Mr. Bingham was also a member of Seneca River Lodge No. 160 F. and A. M.

Mr. Bingham had three sisters: Lydia M., who married Mr. John J. Mack of Weedsport, who still resides at that place. Mrs. Mack died in 1888. The second was Ann Eliza, who died in 1851, and a brother, Kirk C., who also died in 1851; Frances Augusta, the third sister, married Joseph Howard Palmer, of Yonkers, N. V. He died June 27, 1892. Mrs. Palmer has three children, two sons and a daugh- ter.

ERNEST S. SAMPSON, M. D.

ERNEST S. SAMPSON, M. D., was born in Mexico, Oswego county, N. Y., March 31, 1856. His early life was spent on his father's farm, near Mexico, barring a goodly part of it that was devoted to obtaining the foundation of an education in the country school. When he outgrew the common school he went to Mexico and entered the Academy, finally graduating from that institution in 1877. Subsequently he engaged at teaching during the winter while in summer he was employed at various occupa- tions to accumulate a fund to aid him in the further prosecution of his studies. He had become inspired with the idea of a professional life, and it was with this end in view that he labored and studied. In the fall of 1877 he went to Aurora, Ill., and entered the office of Dr. Abner Hard, a prominent physician and former army sur- geon of high standing. After one year of study in Dr. Hard's office he spent nearly ' another year in Kankakee, Illinois, then returning to Mexico in 1879 he taught school for considerable time at Fair Haven and also resumed the study of medicine with Dr. George P. Johnson at Mexico. In the fall of 1880 he entered the Albany Medical College, obtaining the degree of M. D. two years later. Thus he prepared himself for a professional life in which he has achieved substantial success.

Dr. Sampson came from a family that was among the oldest settlers in Oswego county. He is a son of Asa L. Sampson, one of the leading farmers of the county, who has not only been prominent as an agriculturist but also in public affairs. In politics he has been an active worker and has been honored by several important offices, among them serving as a member of the county Board of Supervisors. Mr. Sampson, sr., was also a native of Oswego county, born in 1825. His parents came from Massa- chusetts and settled near Mexico when but few families had half the courage to un- dertake the struggle of establishing a home there. They devoted their lives to clear- ing and improving the land in and about Mexico.

Asa L. Sampson, father of Dr. Sampson, married Elvira Holmes Porter, who is also now living. Dr. Sampson was the second of a family of eight children, there being seven brothers and one sister. Five of the sons are still living.

Dr. Sampson is a member of the Onondaga County Medical Society and also a prom- inent member of the Masonic body. He has been health physician several terms, and has been active in Republican politics in the northern part of. Onondaga county.

ERNEST S. SAMPSON, M. D.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Dr. Sampson has practiced his profession in North Syracuse since 1882, having built up a prosperous business In August, 1895, Dr. Sampson married Miss Ruth Tomp- kins, daughter of Henry and Emily Tompkins, of Cigarville, N. Y.

ALFRED A. HOWLETT.

ALFRED A. HOWLETT, grandson of Parley, sr., was born on Howlett Hill in the town of Onondaga on February 17, 1821. Parley Ilowlett, sr., was one of three brothers who came from England, but sailed from France, and settled in Shaftsbury, Vt He married Barsheba Parker and in 1797 came to Onondaga county, locating in Onondaga Hollow, whence he removed in the same year to Howlett Hill, where he died in 1803. He had five sons and three daughters, of whom Parley, jr., born in Shaftsbury June 1, 1784, became a large farmer and a salt manufac- turer at Geddes, being the first to ship salt west, via Oswego River and the lakes, exchang- ging it for horses and cattle, which he brought east; after the Erie Canal was complet- ed he packed his meat in Syracuse, having a packing house opposite the present weigh lock, and was the first in this county to ship beef and pork east by that water- way. He married, July 21, 1805, Phebe Robins, a native ALFRED A. HOWLETT. of Connecticut, and died May 18, 1861. Their children were Solomon R., Horatio G., Myron P., Latitia E., Jane M., Parley L., Alfred A., Celestia S., Daniel, Francis C., and Jerome. Alfred A. How- lett was reared on a farm, was early employed as collector by Horace and Hamilton White, bankers in Syracuse, and in 1842 purchased the old packing establishment of his father in Geddes. In 1843 he established a packing house in Delphi, Ind., and later one in Oswego, N. Y., where he also engaged in the elevator, milling, and banking business, being connected with such firms as Spears, Case & Co., at Delphi, and Ames Howlett & Co., in banking, and Howlett, Gardner & Co., in milling, etc., at Oswego. In 1867 the packing business was discontinued. In 1852 he became a director in the Salt Springs Bank of Syracuse, in January, 1859, he was elected vice-president and

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 27

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