Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 48

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 48

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).

Blair, Charles C., Syracuse, senior member of the firm of Blair & Truesdell, was born in East Genesee street in Syracuse on Dec. 7, 1828. William Knox Blair, his father, came to this city from Massachusetts in 1823 and died here in 1882. He as- sisted in the work of constructing the Erie Canal, taught school, and opened a grocery in what is now " Robber's Row," which he conducted about fifty years. He was also an early salt manufacturer, one of the first. His wife, Celestia Owens, was a daughter of Joel Owens, an early settler of Syracuse, coming also from Massachusetts. They had seven children, all sons, of whom Charles C., Thomas E., of Syracuse, and S. A. and Albert G., of Toledo, O., the latter general manager of a western railroad, are living. Charles C. Blair attended the public schools of the city and the old acad- emy in the Eighth ward, became a clerk in his father's store, and about 1848 accepted

FAMILY SKETCHES.

a similar position with Norton & Earl. In 1851 he opened a broker's office, and has ever since continued in that business, having occupied his present corner since 1867. He has been burned out twice, and since 1873 has been in partnership with John W. Truesdell under the firm name of Blair & Truesdell. This is probably the oldest es- tablished brokerage business, and one of the oldest and most successful firms in Central New York. April 9, 1851, Mr. Blair married Mary A., daughter of David Wright, of Dryden, N. Y., who died Dec. 26, 1892.

Bierhardt, John E., Syracuse, is a native of the same city, born Aug. 4, 1852, and is a son of John, who came to this city from Prussia with his parents in 1841, at the age of nine years, and still resides here, engaged in the furniture business. His wife is by birth Frances Schemel. John E. moved with his parents to Chittenango when one year old and remained there until he was fourteen, receiving liis preliminary ed- ucation in the schools of that village, attending for a time the Yates Polytechnic In- stitute under William Velasko. Returning to Syracuse he finished in the public and high schools of the city, after which he became a messenger in the branch office of the Western Union Telegraph Co., in the First ward, where he remained until 1872, when he was transferred to the main office as an operator. Dec. 15, 1875, he was made night manager of the operating room, and on Feb. 24, 1884, he became general manager of the office, a position he still holds. In 1877 he was married to Miss Ida D., daughter of W. O. Shelley, of Rome, N. Y.

Barnes, John W., Syracuse, was born in what is now the First ward of Syracuse, on Oct. 14, 1837. William Barnes, his father, a carpenter and subsequently a large salt manufacturer, came here from Delaware Co. in 1832 and is still a resident of the city. His children were John W., Mrs. H. J. Edwards, of Evanston, Ill., Charles W., of Syracuse, George W., of Toledo, O., and Frank W., of Durango, Col. When fourteen years of age John W. Barnes was employed in the flour business of his father, in which he obtained a practical education, in addition to the limited knowl- edge he acquired in the public schools of his day. In 1869, in company with his father, he built a grist mill at Mottville in this county, which they conducted until about 1875, when they sold out. In 1877 Mr. Barnes was commissioned U. S. gauger for this district, a position he held until 1886, but the active work of this office ceased in 1882, and he engaged in the wholesale feed business in Auburn and Skaneateles. In 1887 he purchased the cigar manufactory of Nicholas Lattener on the corner of Warren and Fayette streets and converted it into a wholesale and retail cigar store and news room, which he has since successfully continued. He has been a Mason since 1864, being a K. T. and a member of Syracuse Lodge No. 501, F. & A. M., of which he was master two years and is now trustee; also a member of Central City Chapter No. 70, R. A. M., and of Central City Commandery No. 25, K. T., and was high priest of the Masonic Chas. H. Platt Chapter at Skaneateles. He is also a K. P. In 1859 he married Sophia A., the adopted daughter of J. Danforth Dana, long a prominent resident of Syracuse. They have one son, Dana Avery Barnes, superintendent of the Westinghouse Machine Works at Schenectady, N. Y.

Barrett, Prof. H. E., Syracuse, son of Henry M., was born in Holland Patent, N. Y., June 10, 1851, and moved with his parents to Hannibal, Oswego Co., in 1855. Graduating from Falley Seminary at Fulton in 1870 and from the State Normal

ONONDAGA'S CENTENNIAL.

School at Oswego in 1872, he became a teacher in the Yates Union School at Blooms- burg, Pa., four years, after which he had charge of the Madison Co. Times for four years. Coming to Syracuse in 1881 he was principal of Salina School for a period of fourteen years, and since March, 1892, has devoted his entire time to the Cosmopoli- tan Building and Loan Association, which was incorporated in March, 1892, with an authorized capital of $100,000,000 and with Professor Barrett as president.

Blanchard, J. F., Syracuse, was born near Kirkville, Onondaga Co., Dec. 14, 1856. His father, Ira L., was a native of the same town (Manlius), and now resides in Fayetteville, and was a son of Thomas Blanchard, who settled there in 1815. Reared on a farm and educated in the schools of Fayetteville, J. F. learned telegraphing, which he followed four years, when he became bookkeeper in Syracuse for H. N. Burhans, with whom he remained seventeen years, being for seven years a member of the firm of Burhans, Black & Co. In 1892 he established his present business as dealer in art and polished plate glass, architectural specialties, fine interior furnish- ings, colored windows, etc. June 16, 1887, he married Emma A., daughter of Paul Smith, of Meridian, and has two children, Harold and Margaret.

Brigham, Frederick L., born in Syracuse, where he has always resided, Jan. 7, 1866, was adopted by his grandfather, Lucius Brigham, at the age of ten years. Lucius Brigham came to this city about 1845 and died here in 1892, aged seventy. He was a wealthy and well known citizen and prominently identified with the material prosperity of the county. Frederick L. Brigham obtained his education in the public and high schools of this city and became bookkeeper for Sperry, Neal & Hyde, with whom he remained six years. He occupied a similar position with H. H. Gray's Son for three years and in 1891 was admitted to partnership in that concern. This continued until July 1, 1894, when he became a member of the firm of Baker, Bowman & Co., manufacturers of ladies' fine shoes, having charge of the manufac- turing department. His experience in this business thus dates from 1888. In Feb., 1892, he married Lottie M., daughter of James P. Wheadon, of Evanston, Ill. They have two sons, Lucius W. and Donald F.

Brummelkamp, P. J., Syracuse, came from Rochester, N. Y., to Syracuse in 1861 and engaged in the men's furnishing goods for twenty-one years; appointed in 1883 by Governor Grover Cleveland superintendent of the Onondaga Salt Springs, and has continually held that position. He is now in the dredging and contracting busi- ness.

Ball, Fred A. M., Syracuse .- Lebbeus Ball, sr., was born in Granville, Mass, in 1738, served seven years in the Revolutionary war, was wounded, was honorably dis- charged at its close with the rank of major, and died in 1806. His son, Lebbeus Ball, jr., also a native of Granville, Mass , born in 1775, settled as a farmer in Pom- pey, Onondaga Co., in 1799, and died there in 1802. Alvin Munn Ball, son of Lebbeus, jr., and the twin brother of Calvin S. Ball, sr., whose son, Calvin S., has long been a prominent jeweler in Syracuse, was born in Galway, Saratoga Co., in 1798, came to Pompey with his parents in 1799, followed the occupations of farmer and carpenter, and died in 1872. His wife, Lucretia Vickery, was born Jan. 29, 1799, and died July 29, 1878, being the mother of nine daughters and one son, Fred A. M., the youngest of the family. Fred A. M. Ball was born in Pompey, May 27, 1843, was

FAMILY SKETCHES.

educated at the academies at Pompey and Manlius, and worked on the farm sum- mers and taught school winters for nine years. In Aug., 1864, he enlisted as a private in the Second New York (Harris Light) Cavalry and served under General Custer until the close of the war, receiving an honorary commission as lieutenant upon his discharge for gallant and meritorious services in the field. Returning home in June, 1865, he remained on the farm until 1873, when he came to Syracuse and entered the employ of J. & F. B. Garrett. Two years later he returned to the farm, whence he again came to the city in 1882, taking his old position, but after two years he became bookkeeper for Pierce, Butler & Pierce, where he remained four years, when he accepted his present position with A. C. Powell & Son. Mr. Ball has been active in both politics and Grand Army matters, being past commander of Root Post, and serving as alderman of the Eleventh ward in 1891 and 1892. He is a member and was formerly president, secretary, etc., of the Syracuse Rifle Club, and was a charter member of the Indoor Shooting Club, of which he has also been president, etc. Feb. 22, 1866, he married Alice R., daughter of V. R. Taylor, of Pompey, and their children are Bertha (Mrs. G. W. Pulver), Irving Custer (with C. S. Ball), and Leora A. and Mabel L. (at home), all residents of Syracuse.

Brown, Willard E., Syracuse, city passenger agent of the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad, was born at Perrysburg, Wood Co., O., July 2, 1858. Re- moved with his parents to Illinois in 1868, and resided on a farm until 1880. His education was received at Blackburn University in Carlinville, Ill. Taught district school each winter from 1874 to 1880, when he returned to Ohio, locating at Toledo in the spring of 1881, where he had charge of the Toledo Transfer Co. for two years, and after that as assistant ticket agent in the Union Ticket Office at Toledo. April 1, 1886 he went with the New York Central as traveling passenger agent. Was ap- pointed eastern passenger agent of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad, June 1, 1890, with headquarters at New York city, but returned to the New York Central May 1, 1891, as city passenger agent at Syracuse, where he has since resided.

Baker, Frederick J., Syracuse, son of Frederick Baker, a member of the ordnance department of the British government both in Canada and England, a descendant of an old English family, and now a resident of Bath, England, was born in the lat- ter city June 6, 1856, learned his trade with the celebrated firm of Stothert & Pitt, mechanical engineers and iron founders, and came to America in May, 1880, settling in Syracuse, where he has since resided. He immediately became identified with the Syracuse Iron Works and three years later was made secretary of the company, in which capacity he remained until its failure. He was then made general manager of the Syracuse Glass Co., but subsequently engaged in the iron business on his own account. In 1890 Mr. Baker was appointed deputy commissioner of public works by Mayor Cowie and was reappointed under the terms of Mayor Amos. He is a mem- ber of the Citizens' Club and of Central City Lodge, No. 305, F. & A. M. April 6, 1887, he was married to Miss Marie H., daughter of the Rev. O. H. Seymour, of Onondaga Valley.

Crowell, Howard Horton, Syracuse, son of Samuel E. Crowell, a large shoe manti- facturer in New England, was born in Marblehead, Mass., July 25, 1864, is of Scotch-

ONONDAGA'S CENTENNIAL.

English descent, his ancestors settling in Boston, Mass, in 1633. Three of his grand- parents are direct descendants of Revolutionary soldiers, two of whom held commis- sions in the American army. Mr. Crowell received an academical education in Lynn, Mass., and began his business life in the office of one of the largest shoe manufac- turers in New England. In 1887 he engaged in the electrical business in Boston with the Thomson-Houston Co., being one of the earliest to commercially introduce electric power apparatus to manufacturing industries. In 1889 he came to Syracuse as the New York State manager of the Thomson-Houston Motor Co., and was instru- mental in establishing power circuits in all the larger cities of New York State. Later he was made assistant manager of the same territory for the Thomson Hous- ton Electric Co., and in 1893 he became the local manager for the State of New York for the lighting business of the General Electric Co., with headquarters at Syracuse, which position he still holds. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, was made senior warden of one of the Massachusetts lodges of that order when only twenty- four years old, and had he remained in that State to fill higher offices would have been one of the youngest W. M.'s ever installed in that New England Common- wealth. In 1889 he was married to Miss Harriet B., daughter of James L. South- worth, of Lynn, Mass., by whom he has one son, Howard Hollon.

Clary, Patrick J., Syracuse, was born in London England, July 31, 1870, and came to America with his parents in 1872. They settled in Syracuse, N. Y., where they still reside. At the age of fourteen years, after going through the public schools of Syracuse. he started in life as a messenger boy with the American District Telegraph Co., and within one year was appointed night operator in the Syracuse Telephone and Telegraph Co. He was seventeen years of age when he was made chief clerk in the office of the B. & O. Telegraph Co., under Manager Skeele, and upon the change of the B. & O. to the Postal Telegraph Cable Co., he was made assistant manager in the local office of the Postal Cable Co. On July 3, 1891, he was appointed chief of the Telegraph and Telephone Signal System of the Syracuse Police Depart- ment, which position he still holds at the present time. He was treasurer of the old Genesee Club and has been a member of the S. A. A. since its consolidation.

Clancy, James E., Syracuse, son of Nicholas and Anastatia (Whittie) Clancy, was born in Syracuse on Oct. 22, 1857. Nicholas Clancy came to this city from County Wexford, Ireland, in May 1849, married here, and died Oct. 1, 1890, aged seventy- two. His wife died in 1865 at the age of thirty-eight. He was a baker and wholesale liquor dealer with his brother Richard, the firm being widely known as Clancy Brothers. His children were Mary A. (Mrs. Thomas F. Burke), John T., James E., and Nicholas W., all of Syracuse. James E. Clancy was graduated from the High School of this city in 1876 and was a bookkeeper for Lighton Brothers & Mckeever for seven years, after which he was assistant paymaster for one year during the con- struction of the West Shore Railroad. In 1884 he formed a partnership with his brother, John T., under the firm name of Clancy Brothers, and purchased the gen- eral hardware and blacksmiths' supply business of Matthew Murphy, which they have successfully conducted ever since. April 23, 1884, he married Ella A., daugh- ter of Peter McDonald, of Syracuse, and has two children: Paul Nicholas and Evelyn.

FAMILY SKETCHES.

Carpenter, John Munro, Syracuse, son of Calvin G. Carpenter, a Baptist clergyman, was born in the town of Romulus, N. Y., Aug. 13, 1842, and moved with his parents to Phelps, Ontario Co., early in 1843, where he was reared on a farm. His mother was a daughter of Dea. John Munro, a member of an early and prominent family of Elbridge. Mr. Carpenter was married on March 11, 1868, to Emma A., youngest daughter of George Draper, and in April, 1871, they came to Syracuse, where they have since resided. He was engaged in the insurance business here until 1879, when he opened his present real estate office, one of the oldest in the city. In all his enter- prises Mr. Carpenter has met with pronounced success, and in various ways has con- tributed not a little towards the growth and development of the city of his residence. His children are Grace L. (Mrs. Jesse T. Eddy), Stephen D. (a member of the U. S. navy), and Florence E.

Chase, Henry M., Syracuse, the senior member of the well known music firm of Chase & Smith, of Syracuse, is a son of Col. Austin C. Chase, and was born in this city March 28, 1862. He was graduated from the Syracuse High School in 1878 and from Yale College in 1883, after which he entered upon his present vocation as a partner of his father under the firm name of A. C. Chase & Son. In 1890 he formed the firm of Chase & Moody and succeeded to the business, and the next year Mr. Moody's interest passed to Frederiek K. Smith, the firm assuming its present style of Chase & Smith. Mr. Chase is deeply interested in the development and advance- ment of music in Syracuse, being foremost in all enterprises of that nature. Ile is an ardent and active promoter of every musical affair, has been a successful organist in varions ehurehes for about nine years, and was chairman of the executive com- mittee of the New York State Music Teachers' Association in 1892. In 1886 he mar- ried Miss Mary, daughter of John B. Burnet, of Syracuse.

Cooper, David B., Syracuse, general agent of the Conneetient Mutual Life Insur- anee Co., was born in Sterling, N. Y., in 1844, and enlisted in May, 1861, in Battery F, 1st New York Light Artillery, from which he was subsequently transferred to Battery C, of the same regiment, having been commissioned a lieutenant. At the final battle of Petersburg he was brevetted for meritorious conduct. After that battle he was on General Hayes's staff, General Hayes being in command of the re- serve artillery. Returning from the war, he engaged in the life insurance business in Auburn, N. Y., whence he removed to Syraense in 1879. He has been with his present company, the Connecticut Mutual, nearly all the time, and has spent the active years of his life in its service, rising to the position of general agent. He is enthusiastie in his chosen calling, eminently qualified for the post he fills, and sue- eessful in the seeuring of large business.

Crossett, William W., Syracuse, son of William L. and Mary (Shortell) Crossett, was born in New Boston, N. Y., Sept. 7, 1855, and moved to Syracuse with his par- ents in 1862, where his mother died in 1887, and where his father still resides. In 1875 he started as errand boy in the large wholesale stationery establishment of Moser & Lyon, with whom and whose successors he has ever since remained, being admitted to the firm of the Moser & Lyon Co. in 1892 as its secretary. He is a mem- ber of Syracuse Lodge, No. 501 F. & A. M. In 1879 he was married to Louise, daughter of Charles Neuhaus, of Syracuse, by whom he has six children: May L., Bertha G., William W., jr., Charles C., Edna M., and Hazel K.

ONONDAGA'S CENTENNIAL.

Devine, James, Syracuse, son of Edward, who was a native of Galway, Ireland, and came to America about 1842, when seventeen years of age, and settled in Onon- daga Co., where he still resides. The subject of this sketch was born in Navarino, Onondaga Co., Oct. 5, 1858, was educated in the district schools of his native town, and at the age of seventeen entered Onondaga Academy. When eighteen he began teaching district school, and was graduated from Syracuse University in 1883, after which he studied law in the office of Hancock & Munro, being admitted to the bar in Syracuse, in Jan., 1886. While studying law he was also engaged in playing pro- fessional base ball, in 1884 in the clubs of Quincey, Ill., and Minneapolis, Minn., and in 1885-86 with the old Syracuse Stars, holding the responsible position of pitcher for each of these teams. For two and one-half months during 1887 he played with the Oshkosh, Wis., Club. In this capacity he gained a wide and enviable reputation. In March, 1887, a law partnership was formed by Harrison Hoyt, Wm. A. Beach, and Theodore E. Hancock, and Mr. Devine became their managing clerk, and in the spring of 1888 he became a member of the firm, it being Hoyt, Beach, Hancock & Devine. In Jan., 1891, Mr. Hoyt withdrew and the firm became Hancock, Beach & Devine and has since continued as such. He is a director of Branch 68 of the C. M. B. A. and has been president of one of the local divisions of A. O. H.

Drake, Edward, Syracuse, son of William, was born in what is now the city of Oswego, Sept. 16, 1835. His father, a stone mason by trade, came from Ireland and settled in that village at a very early day, and in April, 1838, moved his family, con- sisting of his wife and five children, to the Tenth ward of Syracuse, where he died in 1858, aged fifty-nine. His wife, whose maiden name was Julia Brosnahen, died in May, 1862. They had ten children, of whom three, Edward, William B., and John H., are living and reside in Syracuse. Edward Drake began learning the trade of tinsmith in 1852 with Marvin, May & Hermance, who had a shop on the site of the present Wieting block, and after remaining there three years he went to Pompey, where he lived until the war broke out. On April 19, 1861, he enlisted in Co. I, 12th N. Y. Vols,, as a private, but before the regiment was mustered in he was elected second lieutenant. He served two years, or during his term of enlistment, and was promoted on Oct. 23, 1861, to first lieutenant, on Oct. 27, 1862, to captain, and mustered out as brevet major. Returning to Syracuse he engaged in business with J. R. Hawkins under the firm name of Hawkins & Drake, dealers in stoves and house furnishing goods, and in Jan., 1864, purchased his partner's interest. He con- tinued alone and with partners until 1884, when he established his present tin and general jobbing shop on the eorner of Walton and Franklin streets. A Republican in politics, and somewhat active in the campaigns of his party, he was canal collector at Syracuse in 1873 and again in 1882, being the last one in this city, and was elected county treasurer in 1887, serving a term of three years. He is a prominent member of Root Post, No. 151, G. A. R., Dept. of N. Y., of Central City Lodge, No. 305, F. & A. M., and of Lodge 182 A. O. U. W. June 17, 1863, he married Mary E., daugh- ter of Isaac P. Hanchett, of Pompey, and they have three children: Frances L. (Mrs. Frank E. Pellett), of Passaic, N. J. ; Mary J., a stenographer and bookkeeper; and Edward N., who is not yet fourteen years old and resides with his parents at No. 300 Slocum avenue, Syracuse.

Dodge, Le Grand, Syracuse, youngest son of Frederick and Ann (Cook) Dodge,

FAMILY SKETCHES.

was born in the town of New Hartford, Oneida Co., April 11, 1836, and was educated there and at Sauquoit Academy. He lived on a farm until he was sixteen years old, was engaged in the grocery business in Utica a short time, and in 1853 came to Syr- acuse where he learned the machinist trade, being employed in the N. Y. C. railroad shops until 1859, when he removed to Seneca Falls to take charge of a sewing ma- chine manufactory; but after one year the manufacturing of sewing machines was discontinued, after which he accepted a position in a knitting mill, where he re- mained until 1861, when he removed to New Hampshire in a like capacity, manufac- turing army goods, which had such a large demand that after one year's care of so large a manufacturing establishment his health gave out and he returned to Syr- acuse. After a rest of six months he again accepted the superintendency of mills in Oswego and Oswego Falls. He was engaged in the knitting business about seven years, but during that time he retained his home in Syracuse. In 1868 he obtained two patent rights, and engaged in the manufacture of these and selling machinery and hardware for five years; during that time his travels extended over twelve States. From 1874 to 1887 he was engaged in the wholesale and retail sewing ma- chine business on West Fayette street. Since 1887 he has been very active in buying and selling real estate. He has taken an active part in the improvement of West Onondaga street and Bellevue avenue, where he has resided for the past nine years. He has been a member of Syracuse Lodge, I. O. O. F. since 1857, has been honored with all the offiees of his lodge, and has represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of New York State twice; was one of the first directors of the Odd Fellows Home of Western New York. He married in 1857, Sarah, daughter of Samuel Bill- ington, of Bridgeport, N. Y. His grandfather, Labon Dodge, the father of Frede- rick, came from Dutchess Co. at a very early day and settled in the town of New Hartford, Oneida Co , five miles from the city of Utica, where he died in 1848.

Doolittle, James H., Syracuse, was born in Collamer, June 24, 1844. His father, Friend Doolittle, came from Connecticut and settled in that town at an early day, followed the occupation of farmer; had eleven children, of whom seven are living, and died in Syracuse in 1891, aged eighty-six years. James H. was reared on a farm and graduated from the Syracuse Iligh School in 1860, after which he began learning the carpenter's trade, but soon abandoned it. He was in the quarter- master's department from 1863 to 1865, and then engaged in an iron rolling mill. In 1870 he formed a partnership with James Kinny, under the firm name of Kinny & Doolittle, which continued until 1891, since which time Mr. Doolittle has conducted the business alone. This firm and the present proprietor has established one of the largest wholesale liquor trades in Central New York. Mr. Doolittle is a member of the A. O. U. W., and was police commissioner of the city in 1886-87. In 1873 he married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Edward Kinney, of Syracuse. Mr. Doolittle is the father of seven children, six of whom are living: Jessiea H., Bernard M .. Florence A., James E., Francis R., and Joseph H.

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 48

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