Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 54

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 54

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).

FAMILY SKETCHES.

In 1863 he was one of the principal organizers of the Second National Bank of Syra- cuse, of which he was the first cashier, serving as such until, in 1873, it was converted into the Onondaga County Bank, a State organization, of which he was elected the first cashier and chief manager. In 1864 he was secretary of the National Bank Convention, held in New York city, and satisfactorily supervised the publication of its proceedings. He was one of the originators and a trustee of the National Bank- er's Express Co., organized Oct. 1, 1865, with a capital of $10,000,000, and in 1866 he was an organizer and director of the United States Accident Insurance Co., of Syracuse, with a capital of $100,000. In the same year he became a stockholder in the Empire Windmill Manufacturing Co., and upon the temporary and permanent organization of the Second National Bank Convention, held in New York city in the summer of 1869, he was chosen secretary and also had charge of publishing the pro- ceedings of that body. He was one of the originators and first trustees of the Citi- zens' Savings Bank of Syracuse, incorporated April 19, 1873, and in the same year was elected cashier of the Onondaga County Bank. In 1879 he established the On ondaga County Real Estate Agency and successfully conducted it in connection with his law business until July, 1883, when he was elected trustee, secretary, and treas- urer of the Sanderson Brothers Steel Co. He is a member of St. Paul's Church, be- came a life member of the Onondaga Historical Association in 1863, and is connected with various other literary and social institutions. He has been intimately identified with numerous benevolent objects, and was the chief substantial founder of the House of the Good Shepherd in 1872. May 14, 1850, he married Sarah Montgomery Sumner, a daughter of Gen. E. V. Sumner, a granddaughter of Col. Thomas Forster of Rev- olutionary fame, and a great-granddaughter of Joseph Montgomery, who was for two years a member of the Continental Congress. Their children were Edwin Sum- ner, who died at the age of two and one half years; Oliver Sumner, born in 1852, educated at the Military School of Benjamin and Allen at Sing Sing, N. Y., and at Yale College, graduated from the Albany Law School in 1874, and now a prominent resident of New York city; Elizabeth Heron (Mrs, John B. McIntyre), of New York ; Anna (Mrs. C. Herbert Halcomb), of Syracuse; Margaret McLean (Mrs. Charles G. Kidd), of Melrose, Scotland; and William Sumner, born in 1870, a cadet at St. John's Military School at Manlius.

Thomas, William Horace, Syracuse, son of Joseph, contractor and builder, and for many years patternmaker for Frazer & Jones, who died in 1891, was born in Syra- cuse, became clerk in the American Express office and later a messenger on the rail- road, serving in all with that company about eight years; he then learned the ma- chinist trade with A. C. Powell & Co., leaving their employ to assume foremanship for Boggs & Clark, which position he still retains. He was united in marriage to Julia D., daughter of William B. McGibbon of Syracuse, former master mechanic of the N. Y. C. Railroad shops.

Totman, David Maydole, M. D., Syracuse, son of Edsel S. and Anna (Maydole) Totman, was born in Freetown, Cortland Co., Oct. 18, 1848, and was graduated from the Norwich Academy in 1868. He entered Yale College and received the degree of B. A. in 1872, being a member of Alpha Delta Phi during his collegiate course. He then taught special branches in the Norwich Academy at Norwich, N. Y., where he also studied medicine for two years in the office of Dr. H. K. Bellows. He was

ONONDAGA'S CENTENNIAL.

graduated from the Syracuse Medical College in 1876, and for five years thereafter served as house physician and surgeon to St. Joseph's Hospital, establishing at the same time hisprivate practice, which was developed in a substantial and permanent way. In 1876 he was appointed instructor of physiology in the Syracuse Medical College, which position he held until 1886, when he received the appointment of lec- turer on clinical surgery. The next year he was made a professor of clinical surgery and in 1893 was elected registrar of the college, both of which positions he still re- tains. He was health officer of the city from 1889 to 1891 and from 1892 to 1895, and has been surgeon of the fire department since 1894 and of St. Joseph's Hospital since 1881. He is a member of the American Academy of Medicine, the Central New York Medical Association, the Syracuse Academy of Medicine, and the New York State and Onondaga Medical Societies, serving the latter as secretary four years and president one year. May 18, 1881, Dr. Totman married Mary Emily, daughter of Oscar W. Johnson of Fredonia, N. Y. Children: Emily M., Margaret L., Katherine M. (deceased), and Clara J.

Tyrrell, Thomas, Syracuse, was born at Brighton Corners, now a part of the city of Syracuse, May 21, 1853, and is a son of Roger and Ann (Hayes) Tyrrell, who came from County Wexford, Ireland, marrying soon after their arrival here in 1848 and 1850 respectively. The father was a quarryman, and in 1854 was appointed sexton of St. Mary's Cemetery, which position he held until his death in 1874 at the age of fifty-five. He had eight children, of whom Thomas and Ellen (Mrs. John Hennessey), both of Syracuse, are living. Thomas Tyrrell became a messenger for the Western Union Telegraph Co. in 1868 and remained in their employ until 1889, becoming a lineman and finally an office and instrument inspector. In 1889 he received his pres- ent appointment as superintendent of the fire alarm telegraph system of the city. In 1883 he was married to Miss Lena M., daughter of Anthony Osbeck, of Truxton, N. Y. They have two daughters, May E. and Gertrude.

Thomson, Frederick W., Syracuse, a native of Alexandria Bay, N. Y., born Jan. 4, 1867, was graduated from Cornell University in the class of '87, and studied law in in Syracuse with Hiscock, Doheny & Hiscock. He was admitted to the bar at Bing- hamton on Sept. 13, 1889, and since then has practiced his profession in Syracuse.

Van Denburg, A. H., Syracuse, was born in the town of Scott, Cortland Co., N. Y., in 1847. His younger days were spent on his father's farm in Homer, N. Y. He was educated at Homer Academy and Cazenovia Seminary. In 1870 he was married to Emma Z. Van Hoesen of Preble, N. Y. In 1878 he entered the employ of D. F. Wallace of Cortland, dealer in wall paper, books, etc., where he remained for two years. He next went with J. W. Vale of Syracuse, and for four years his time was divided between the store and traveling with wall paper. He then engaged to travel for a large wall paper manufacturing company of New York, and in 1886 he started his present business at 368 So. Salina street, under the firm name of A. H. Van Den- burg & Co., carrying a full line of wall paper, window shades, pictures and frames. By strict attention to business and fair dealing the business steadily increased, and in 1890 he became sole owner. He has since added artists' and architects' supplies. From time to time the store has been enlarged and improved and he now has one of the most attractive and complete stores of the kind in Syracuse. By devoting his

FAMILY SKETCHES.

entire time and energy to his business and the interest of his customers he has gained their confidence and made for himself an enviable reputation as a thorough business man.

Vickers, Thomas McE., Syracuse, is a son of Albert Vickers, of Baltimore, Md., and was born in Brooklyn April 25, 1871. In 1877 the family moved to Baltimore, Md., where he received his preliminary education. He was graduated as a civil en- gineer from Cornell in 1890, spent one season in Utah with the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, and returning to Cornell pursued a post-graduate course, taking the degree of M. C. E. in 1891. In July of that year he came to Syracuse, where he has since been connected with the engineering department of the Water Board.

Van Wagner, Albert, Syracuse, was born in Cicero, Nov. 23, 1848. His father, Garret Van Wagner, came to that town with his father, Alburtus, from the eastern part of the State, but subsequently removed to Oswego Co., where he now resides. The grandfather participated in the war of 1812, and both were farmers and con- tractors. Albert Van Wagner began his business life as a building-mover with his father, and later followed it alone. He afterward became foreman and later an inspector, and finally a contractor on the Midland Railroad, and subsequently was an inspector on the Erie lines. He was a foreman on the West Shore Railroad, hav- ing charge of the mason work from Oneida to Syracuse, for A. C. Belden & Co .; then general foreman on the same road for Daniel Candee & Co., west of Syracuse ; and after completing Mr. Candee's work he went with Mr. H. W. Gardner, superin- tendent of construction, and had charge of all mason work on his division. In 1884 he was made roadmaster on the western division of the West Shore, three months later going with chief engineer of the road and having charge of all repairing work ; and when work was resumed had charge of the construction of foundations for machinery, etc., at Frankfort, N. Y. In 1885 he became a contractor, finishing various jobs along the line, and in 1887 the firm of A. Van Wagner & Co. was organ- ized for general contracting, their first work being the building of nine bridges along the New York Central, which was followed by work on Burnet Park in Syracuse. In 1893 they took the contract for constructing Woodlawn Reservoir for the new water system, on which they are at present working. together with a lock on the Black River Canal, passenger station at Little Falls, and Oswego Co. clerk's office. In 1872 Mr. Van Wagner married Lucina S., daughter of Nathan Moses, of Kirkville, and they have one child, Le Grand.

Waterbury, Isaac C., Syracuse, son of John M., a native of Fabius, Onondaga Co .. who finally moved to Sackett's Harbor, N. Y., and died there, was born in Pompey, Jan. 11, 1842, and was educated at the Manlius Academy. His mother died when he was three months old, and he was adopted into the family of Hiram D. Williams, who was born in Pompey, Sept. 17, 1805, and died there Aug. 16, 1887, and whose father, David Williams, settled there in 1803, and died at the age of ninety-five. Mr. Wat- erbury was reared on a farm and enjoyed only the limited advantages of his day. In 1866 he went to Canandaigua, N. Y., as foreman in a lumber yard, but after one summer became foreman in a brewery there, which position he held for three years. In April, 1870, he came to Syracuse and engaged in the wholesale and retail business of the Canandaigua ales and lager, which business he has ever since continued. In

ONONDAGA'S CENTENNIAL.

1875 he was elected vestryman of Grace Episcopal church, which office he still holds. He is a Mason and a Knight Templar, and prominently connected with various enterprises in the city of his residence. Mr. Williams was an enthusiastic collector of Indian relics, and many of the valuable articles he preserved are now in the pos- session of his adopted son. In 1874 Mr. Waterbury married Emily A., daughter of Perry B. Gove, a prominent miller of Jamesville.

Walrath, Alfred, Syracuse, born in Chittenango, N. Y., June 26, 1849, attended the Yates Polytechnic School of that place, and began business in his native village in 1869. Six years later he came to Syracuse and became a commercial traveler for Crouse Brothers. In Aug., 1879, he started his present cash store in Warren street. He is a member of the Business Men's Association and identified with other interests in the city. In June, 1878, he married Sophia C., daughter of William Velasko, and their children are Caroline E. and William V. Mr. Velasko was for many years principal of the Yates Polytechnic School, and now resides in Syracuse.

Wells, Edwin M., Syracuse, is a son of Rev. Marvin S. Wells, and was born in New Berlin, N. Y., Aug. 2, 1857. He prepared for college at Dryden, N. Y., and was graduated from Syracuse University in 1882. He studied law with T. K. Fuller, was admitted to the bar at Utica in 1884, and began the practice of his profession in Syracuse the same year with Clarence V. Kellogg under the firm name of Kellogg & Wells, which subsequently became Wilson, Kellogg & Wells, and is now Wilson, Wells & Cobb. Mr. Wells was elected supervisor of the Sixth ward in 1892, and by a territorial division has served in that capacity from the Eigtheenth ward since 1893, and in 1895 was elected to the Assembly. He is vice-president of the Empire State Mining Co., and is prominently identified with the material interests of the city. In 1893 he was married to Nellie S., daughter of Lewis S. Morgan, of Syracuse.

Weston, Homer, Syracuse, born in Wethersfield, Vt., Oct. 4, 1841, was educated at the Springfield Wesleyan Seminary, and was graduated from Yale College in 1867, and from the Albany Law School in 1868, being admitted to the bar there and to practice in all courts in the State. He began practicing his profession, however, in La Crosse Co., Wis., the same year, and in 1875 returned to Syracuse, where he has since resided. For five years he was in partnership with J. Neal Perkins, and since 1880 has been alone. He was married in 1868 to Emma A. Harrington, of St. Johns- bury, Vt., and their children are Nina, Waldo and Alice.

Welch, Walter, Syracuse, son of Patrick Welch, who came from Ireland about 1856 and settled in the town of Onondaga, where he still resides, was born there June 29, 1865, was graduated from the Monroe Collegiate Institute at Elbridge in 1887, studied law in Syracuse with Goodelle & Nottingham, with Ames, Platt & Wilson (for whom he was managing clerk), and with J. H. Costello, and was admitted to the bar at Syracuse in April, 1891. He has since practiced his profession with his last pre- ceptor under the firm name of Costello & Welch. He married, Oct. 18, 1893, Anna Laura, daughter of the late James Lighton, of Syracuse, and has one son, Walter J.

Woodford, Dwight B., Syracuse, son of Justus Monroe and Almeda H. Woodford, was born in Marcellus, April 28, 1852, attended the schools of his native town and the High School in Syracuse, and remained on the homestead farm until June, 1883. He then came to Syracuse and associated himself in the gentlemen's furnishing trade

FAMILY SKETCHES.

with Fellows Brothers, which continued until 1890, when he engaged in the real. estate business with Irving D. Fellows, a partnership that terminated in Oct., 1892, since which time he has been alone. He conducts a general real estate and invest- ment business, high grade property a specialty, is agent for the Onondaga Highlands, and is secretary and treasurer of the Sunnyside Land Co., of Pueblo, Col. April 17, 1877, he married Franc A. Bowen, of Saratoga, N. Y., and has one daughter, Gertrude May.

Waters, Louis L., Syracuse, born in Cortland, N. Y., Dec. 29, 1863, was educated in the Cortland Normal School, studied law at Cortland in 1884, and at the Columbia University Law School at Washington in 1885-87, was admitted to the bar in the District of Columbia in June, 1887, and in this State in April, 1888. Since then he has practiced in Syracuse, being now a member of the firm of Waters, McLennan & Waters. He is somewhat active in Republican politics, and in 1893 was county com- mitteeman of the Fourteenth ward. He is also one of the Board of Examiners for Syracuse, of the New York State Civil Service Commission.

Walrath, John H., Syracuse, son of John H., sr., was born in Chittenango, Madi- son Co., N. Y., Oct. 10, 1867; was graduated from the Yates Polytechnic School in 1884, studied law in his native village with Charles A. Hitchcock, esq., and was ad- mitted to the bar at Binghamton, Sept. 12, 1889. On Oct. 1 of that year he began the practice of law in Syracuse, and on Jan. 1, 1891, he entered into copartnership with Hon. James B. Brooks, of that city, under the firm name of Brooks & Walrath.

Wilson, Edgar Norman, Syracuse, was born in Harwinton, Litchfield Co., Conn., Jan. 26, 1850. He comes from a long line of honored ancestry, many of whose mem- bers were prominently connected with the colonial history and war periods of this country. His maternal ancestor was Edward Griswold, who, with his brother Mat- thew Griswold, came to America from Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England, in 1639, in company with Rev. Ephraim Huit and other members of his congregation in a ves- sel sent out by William Whiting. They settled in Windsor, Conn., and Edward subsequently became one of the first settlers of Killingworth in that State. The name was anciently spelled Griswolde; their arms consisted of "Arg., a fesse, gn., betw. two greyhounds, current, sa." Their descent is as follows: 1 Edward, 2 George, 3 Thomas, 4 Capt. Thomas, 5 Phineas, 6 Phineas, ? Oliver, & Mrs. Harriet Latham (Griswold) Wilson. Phineas Griswold (6) enlisted in May, 1726, in Colonel Durkie's regiment, for three years, and was on duty at New York guarding Bur- goyne's troops. Harriet Latham Griswold, daughter of Oliver (?), was born May ?, 1819, was married June 30, 1839, to Norman Addison Wilson, and died Dec. 11, 1893. Mr. Wilson's American ancestor was William Wilson, who came from England in 1632 and settled in Masschusetts, whence his descendants removed to Connecticut. His lineal representatives were equally as prominent in the affairs of their country and served with distinction in many offices and positions of trust. The children of Norman Addison and Harriet (Griswold) Wilson were Oliver Eugene, Martha Jane (Mrs. George Capel, died 1890), Edward Carmi, Edgar Norman, Wilbur Addison, Florence Hulda (Mrs. Charles Von Tobel), and Grace Harriet (Mrs. Will E. Hayes). Edgar Norman Wilson was educated at the Harwinton Academy and Cazenovia Seminary, and read law with More & Allen in Cazenovia and Horace Packer in Ox-

ONONDAGA'S CENTENNIAL. -

ford, N. Y. He was admitted to the bar at the Binghamton general term May 5, 1876, and commenced the practice of his profession in Cazenovia with E. P. More under the firm name of More & Wilson. In April, 1880 the firm dissolved and Mr. Wilson continued alone until Jan. 1, 1891, when he removed to Syracuse, where he has since resided. While in Cazenovia he was twice elected justice of the peace, served as trustee of the village, and was a member of the Board of Water Commis- sioners during the construction of the water works. He was also elected district attorney of Madison Co., and served two terms, during which he prosecuted a num- ber of celebrated criminals, among them Mrs. Angenette B. Haight and Carrie Howard for murdering their husbands. Afterwards he successfully defended several murder cases. Coming to Syracuse he became the senior member of the firm of Wilson, Kellogg & Wells, now recently reorganized as Wilson, Wells & Cobb. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge in Cazenovia, and of the I. O. O. F., Knights of Pythias, etc.

Zinsmeister, Andrew, Syracuse, son of Christian, was born in Germany, April 23, 1853, came to America and settled in Syracuse with his parents in 1870, and learned the trade of cigarmaker, which he followed until 1884, when he became a mail car- rier, a position he held four years. He then engaged in hotel keeping on North Salina street, which he continued five years. In 1890 and again in 1892 he was elected alderman of the Second ward, and May ?, 1894, received his present appoint- ment as clerk of the Excise Board. He has filled all the chairs in Salt City Lodge, No. 239, A. O. U. W., and Deutsche Wacht Lodge, No. 283, (D. O. H.), and was corresponding secretary of the Cigarmakers' Union about four years. In May, 1879, he married Margaret Goettel, of Syracuse, and they have three children: Florence C., Leon C., and J. Nelson.

Alpeter, George H., Syracuse, son of Philip, a native of Germany, was born in Syracuse, Aug. 24, 1844, and began the study of architecture. When the war broke out, Nov. 28, 1862, he enlisted in the 138th N. Y. Infantry, was subsequently trans- ferred to the 9th N. Y. H. A., and served till the close of the war. He participated in the engagements in the Shenandoah Valley, at Mt. Jackson, Strausburg, Ashley's Gap, and Cedar Creek, where he was wounded in three places. Returning home he engaged in his trade as mason, and in 1883 began contracting and building. In 1894 his son, Philip J., became a partner in the business. He has built many of the finest structures in Syracuse, such as the W. S. Peck building, the Butler block, the Church of Assumption school house, etc. In January, 1866, he married Elizabeth Cashell, and their children are: Philipp John, Emma Jane, Frances Caroline, Geo. H., jr., and Wm. F.

Anderson, William Cushman, Syracuse, son of Calvin and Ann (Auringer) Ander- son, was born in the town of Onondaga, April 10, 1830. His grandfather, Calvin, sr., who was born in Connecticut, settled on South Hill in Onondaga in 1804, and died there in 1826; his wife was Huldah Cushman, a native of Stafford Springs, Conn. His father, Calvin, jr., born Aug. 24, 1805, was a farmer and for a brief period about 1833 kept the old Syracuse House, whence he moved as early as 1834 to Oswego Co. In 1857 he removed to Great Bend; thence to North Wilna, Jefferson Co., where he died July 31, 1882; his wife was a daughter of Cornelius Auringer, who married a Miss Vandenberg and came from Half Moon, N. Y., to Pompey at all

FAMILY SKETCHES.

early day. William C. Anderson remained on a farm until about 1848. He attended the Onondaga Academy, taught school several years, and for a time was principal of the Union School at Navarino. In the spring of 1854 he entered the National Law School of John W. Fowler at Poughkeepsie, later studied in the office of J. S. Barrett in Camillus, and was admitted at Utica in Jan., 1857. He at once began practice in Jordan, but in the fall returned to Camillus, where he continued two years, holding also the office of justice. In 1859 he located in Syracuse, where he has since resided. In 1860 he was appointed notary public, an office he has held continuously to the present time. Soon after the Rebellion broke out Mr. Anderson became one of the first clerks in the provost marshal's office under Alonzo Wood, and during the war was connected either with that or the county bounty committee. With Jesse Salmon he attempted to raise a company of volunteers, but before the organization was per- fected he was taken sick and prevented from going into active service. During these events his law practice was considerably neglected, and since then it has never received his whole attention. In 1873 he was admitted to practice in the U. S. District Court, and later in the U. S. Circuit Court. In 1867 he became clerk of the Board of Supervisors and served three years; later he was for four years supervisor of the Seventh ward; and he was long a member of the city and ward committees, and in politics he has always been a Republican. Jan. 20, 1863, he married Julia, daughter of Russell Bennett, of Camillus, and a grandneice of Joel Barlow, minister to France, who died in Poland while on a mission to meet Napoleon there.

Bartels, Herman, Syracuse, was born in Prussia, Germany, April 15, 1853, and learned the trade of brewer in his native country, where he was also educated in one of the National high schools, graduating at the age of fifteen. In July, 1872, he came to America and settled in New York, where he was connected with several large breweries, and moved thence in 1874 to Cincinnati, O., where he was employed in many of the leading brewing establishments. In 1876 he became a partner and the general superintendent of the Crescent Brewing Co., of Aurora, Ind., a position he held until 1884, when he sold out and bought an interest in the J. Walker Brew- ing Co. in Cincinnati, where he was made the general manager. Selling this to his brother Frederick in 1887, he came to Syracuse and accepted a position as brewer for the Haberle Brewing Co., which he held until the fall of 1893, when he purchased an interest in the old Germania Brewing Co. and was elected president of that con- cern. On Jan. 1, 1894, this was succeeded by the Bartels Brewing Co., capitalized at $300,000, with Herman Bartels as president; A. A. Howlett, vice-president ; and Antoine F. Baumer, secretary, all of whoni still hold their respective offices, and who with Horace White and Daniel Ackerman have since constituted the board of direc- tors. The treasurer is Frank E. Knowlton. The output of this company has in- creased from about 29,000 barrels of brewed beverages in 1893 to over 60,000 barrels annually, consuming some 100,000 bushels of malt per year, which is made mostly from Canadian and New York State barley. In April, 1895, the Syracuse Cold Stor- age and Warehouse Co. was organized with a capital of $50,000, and with Mr. Bartels as president; C. E. Crouse, vice-president; Gates Thalheimer, treasurer; F. F. Freeman secretary and manager; and these and Jacob Knapp, Horace White, and G. Lewis Merrell, board of directors. Mr. Bartels is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the I. O. O. F., the Masons, the Druids, and other prominent societies. He

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Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 54

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