Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 58

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 58

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and largely through his efforts it has become one of the most successful unions of the kind in the country. He is a member of the Syracuse Turn Verin, was captain of General Sniper Camp, Sons of Veterans, for four years, and is an aide-de-camp for the State of New York of that order. Mr. Listman has two children: Harry A., and Martha W. He is at present in the restaurant business at 120 North Sahna street, Syracuse.

Lonsdale & Enright, Syracuse .- William Lonsdale was born in Ripon, Yorkshire, England, July 29, 1843, learned the trade of carriage painting in his native country, and came to America in 1863, settling in New York city, where he remained about ten years, following his vocation as a journeyman with such well known firms as James B. Brewster & Co., Wood Brothers, and others. He came to Syracuse in 1873 and entered the employ of Edward Holmes, who had a shop in Orange street where the medical college now stands. In 1876 he was one of the originators of the Co-operative Carriage Works in Market street and had charge of the paint depart- ment, after which he was in the employ of Frank H. Foster for a time. He then opened a paint shop on the corner of Church and North Warren streets. On Dec. 1, 1886, he formed the present partnership of Lonsdale & Enright. He was married in 1869 to Emma Maria Henson, of Peterboro, Northampton, England, and has eight children : Cecelia Henson, Mary Celena, Emma Maria, William James, Francis Alexander, Harry George, Grace Elizabeth, and Alice Beatrice. Michael F. En- right, the junior member of the firm, was born in Syracuse Aug. 13, 1854, and is a son of Timothy Enright, who came to this city from County Kerry, Ireland, about 1836, and still lives here The latter had twelve children, of whom four are living, viz. : John and Thomas in Chicago, Timothy, jr., in Baldwinsville, and Michael F. in Syracuse. Michael F. Enright first learned the baker's trade, which he followed about seven years. He then began the trade of blacksmithing and carriage making with C. W. Curtis, after which he was for seven years with T. D. Lines and for four years with Frank H. Foster. He then entered into partnership with William Lons- dale. In June, 1883, he married Margaret Ann, daughter of Thomas MeCarthy, of Syracuse. His father, Timothy Enright, married Nora Murphy, a native of Ireland, who died in 1887, aged 56. The firm of Lonsdale & Enright do general carriage and sleigh work, and enjoy a wide reputation, which they have established within the few years since the business was started.

Mundy, Rev. Ezekiel Wilson, Syracuse, was born in Metuchen, Middlesex Co., N. J., in 1833. Receiving his preliminary education in the common schools of his day, he entered Rochester University and was graduated from that institution as A. B. in 1860, and afterward took the degree of A. M. in the regular course. He was grad- uated from the Rochester Theological Seminary in 1863, and immediately assumed the pastorate of the First Baptist church in Syracuse, which he continued for three years. He then became pastor of the Independent church of this city, and held the position for thirteen years, or until 1879 when he resigned and took orders in the Protestant Episcopal church. In 1883 he was appointed missionary to the " West End" of Syracuse, where he organized St. Mark's church and remained its rector until 1893. He then resigned on account of illness. In 1880 he was placed in charge as librarian of the Central Library of Syracuse, which position he has held ever since. Mr. Mundy has made this institution one of the best disseminators of knowl- edge of the kind in Central New York.

ONONDAGA'S CENTENNIAL.

Moser, Charles P., Syracuse, son of Rev. John Reid Moser and Lucy Porter Rhoades, was born in Carbondale, Pa., Jan. 21, 1837, and moved with his parents to Geneva, N. Y., when young, where his father, a Presbyterian minister, represented the Bible Society. Rev. Mr. Moser was a graduate of Williams College and of Auburn Theological Seminary, held pastorate in Long Island, Carbondale, Pa., and Oaks Corners, N. Y., came to Syracuse in 1873, and died in 1877, aged seventy-eight years. His wife was a daughter of Samuel Rhoades, an early settler of Skaneateles, and their children were Virginia Rhoades, first; Virginia Rhoades, second, wife of Gen. Robert A. Cameron, deceased; and Charles P. The family are of Holland Dutch and Welsh descent. Charles P. Moser was educated at the Geneva Union school. and when seventeen years of age entered the drug store of A. D. Platt, in that village. At the age of twenty he removed to Phelps, N. Y., and engaged in the drug and grocery business with Samuel E. Norton, who three years later retired, giving place to William T. Root, the firm name being Root & Moser. After another three years Mr. Moser became sole owner and continued the business about ten years. Jan. 1, 1873, he came to Syracuse, and with Henry Lyon, as Moser & Lyon, pur- chased the wholesale and retail stationary establishment of J. W. Yale, on Salina street, removing it a few years later to Clinton street. They discontinued the retail department and soon added a job printing office and book bindery. In 1889 Mr. Lyon sold his interest to R. A. Truax and Irving L. De Golia, and the firm became Moser, Truax & De Golia. In 1892 this firm and the firm of Lyon, Millard & Co. were consolidated into a stock corporation under the name of the Moser & Lyon Co., with Mr. Moser, president; George W. Millard, vice-president; Henry Lyon, sec- retary and treasurer. These officers remain the same except secretary, who is W. W. Crossett. The firm does a general wholesale business in stationery, printing, book binding, etc. Mr. Moser has been connected with the Presbyterian church of Phelps as elder, and with the Fourth Presbyterian church of Syracuse, as deacon and elder, and has long served as superintendent of the Sunday school in both places. July 15, 1858, he married Caroline Hall Lyon, who was born in Genoa, N. Y., Aug. 18, 1832, and died Aug. 4, 1890. Their only child was Lillian Virginia, a graduate of the Syracuse High School, and Bryn Mawr College, Pa. Mr. Moser's second wife, whom he married Oct. 13, 1892, was Carrie, daughter of Charles R. Frankiin, of Lisle, N. Y.

McClelland, Eugene B., Syracuse, son of David and Harriet (Cramp) McClelland, was born in Syracuse, Jan. 19, 1857. The father was a native of New York city, born in 1825, and for a time followed the drug business in Utica, whence he came to Syracuse and engaged in the hat and cap trade with his brother Robert in 1844, con- tinuing till his death in 1882. He was an active, respected citizen, and one of the founders of the old Franklin Institute. Eugene B. was educated in the schools of Syracuse, and became a clerk for D. Valentine, with whom he remained ten years. In 1878 he spent a year in Brazil, South America, and in 1883 engaged in the jewelry trade in New York city. In 1884 he established his present art (store) and jewelry business in Syracuse where he has since resided. Mr. McClelland carries the finest line of artistic wares, lamps, clocks, diamonds, cut-glass, silverware, bric-a-brac, jewelry, decorated ware, etc., in Central New York. He was one of the judges of the Ceylon exhibit at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893, is one

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of the board of managers of the Business Men's Association and a member of the Century and Syracuse Clubs. On June 15, 1887, he married Miss Ahce G., daughter of Mrs. Charles L. Wilder, of Lancaster, Mass.

Maddicks, John S., Syracuse, is a son of George A. and Mary (Taylor) Maddicks, was born in Hamilton, Ontario Canada, March 5, 1859, and moved to Syracuse with his parents when two years old. They were of English birth, and had five children . John S., Jennie (Mrs. W. C. White), Sarah (Mrs. William Kittams, deceased), Mary (Mrs. Frederick Martin), and Lulu (Mrs. Arthur E. Parsons), all of Syracuse. George A. Maddicks was for several years foreman stone cutter for James Hughes, sr., and foreman during the construction of the Onondaga County Savings Bank building. In 1876 John S. Maddicks entered the manufactory of George Barnes, and has re- mained through all the proprietary changes to the present Whitman & Barnes Man- ufacturing Co., rising to the position of foreman of the machine shop, to which he was appointed in 1890. He was a charter member of Onondaga Lodge No. 120, K. O. T. M. June 12, 1884, he married Laura R., daughter of James Stone, a native of London, England, and they have had two children, Edith Laura, and Gertrude Mary.

Moffitt, Hon. John H., Syracuse, a native of Chazy, N. Y., and a son of Patrick Moffitt, was born Jan. 8, 1843, was educated in the common schools and Plattsburgh Academy. April 27. 1861, while attending school he enlisted with the principal and several classmates in Co. C, 16th N. Y. Vols., and served two years, being wounded at the battle of Gaines Mills, June 27, 1862, while carrying the colors off the field after they had been shot down seven times, for which aet of heroism he was awarded a medal honor by the Secretary of war. After leaving the army he finished his edu- cation at Fort Edward Collegiate Institute, from which he was graduated in 1864. From 1866 to 1872 he was a book-keeper in the Customs office at Rouse's Point, and on Dec. 26 of the latter year he engaged in the charcoal iron business at Saranac N. Y., under the firm name of Williams & Moffitt. In 1877 he went to Belmont, Franklin Co., and carried on the same business on a larger scale as superintendent for the Chateaugay Iron Co. In March, 1877, he was elected supervisor of Saranac, but resigned that office to accept the position just mentioned. This he also resigned May 1, 1891, and on June 10, following, he came to Syracuse as general manager of the People's Street Railway Co. He is now the general manager of both the Syra- cuse aad the Consolidated Street Railroad Cos., a position he has filled with signal ability and general benefit to the public. Mr. Moffitt has been especially prominent in political life and has held many offices of trust and responsibility. lle was a member of the 50th and 51st Congresses, being elected from the 21st Congressional District in 1886 and again in 1888, not a vote being cast against him in the town of Belmont at either election. During his first term he served on the committees on traffic and alcoholic liquors, and in the second was a member of the committee on rivers and harbors. One of his most important labors was the introduction and passage of a bill establishing a military post of twelve companies at Plattsburgh. His entire career in Congress was characterized by strict fidelity to his constituents and a faithful performance of his official duties. Miss Ella MeCormack, whom he married in 1874, died in 1879. He was married in 1884 to Miss Alice 11., daughter of John Myers of Rouse's Point, N. Y.

ONONDAGA'S CENTENNIAL.

McArthur, Wirth & Co., manufacturers and dealers in butchers' supplies, contracts for market and slaughter house tools and fixtures, cooling rooms, ice boxes and sau- sage machinery, 300 and 302 West Water street. This firm is composed of Peter H. McArthur, Michael C. Wirth and Jerry F. Cooney, all capable and enterprising business men, and was organized in March, 1894, at which time they purchased the business founded by M. A. Shumway. Mr. McArthur was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1851, traveled for several years selling butchers' supplies, and came to Syracuse in 1880. Mr. Wirth was for some time a resident of Canastota, while Mr. Cooney has long been known to citizens of Onondaga Co. in various capacities. Their trade extends over a wide and constantly increasing territory.

McCarthy, Eugene, Syracuse, son of Robert, was born in Syracuse, June 3, 1857, was educated in the public and high schools of the city, and was graduated from Georgetown College in 1876. His father was for many years the senior member of the well-known firm of McCarthy & Redfield, wholesale hardware dealers, and he obtained a thorough business training in their establishment. In 1886 he succeeded to Mr. Redfield's interest, and the firm became Robert McCarthy & Son, which con- tinued until December, 1893, when their store on Water street was burned, and soon afterward the business was closed up. He then opened his present office as manu- facturers' agent for hardware, etc., and also as State agent for the Phoenix Horse- shoe Co. Mr. McCarthy has won a considerable reputation as an author. He pos- sesses rare literary tastes, is a fluent, easy, and graceful, but forcible writer, and has frequently contributed articles of merit to high class periodicals.

Mertens, Yann, & Garnett, Syracuse .- This enterprising firm, one of the largest in Syracuse, is composed of Jacob M. Mertens, Capt. Martin Yann, and John W. Gar- nett, and was founded by Messrs. Yann & Garuett in 1889. In 1891 Mr. Mertens became a member of the firm and the present name was adopted. Each member has a wide experience in the clothing extending over many years. The firm enjoys an extensive trade, manufactures and deals in men's, youth's, and children's gar- ment's, and maintains a large, well-lighted, and handsome store in South Salina street. Captain Yann was appointed one of the fire commissioners of Syracuse by Mayor Ryan and held the position eight consecutive years.

Nichols, Rev. John C., Syracuse, son of James and Sarah (Benton) Nichols, was born in Minisink, Orange Co., N. Y., Nov. 10, 1848, and prepared for college at Claverack Seminary in Columbia Co. He entered the Syracuse University and was graduated with the degree of B. A. in 1875, and A. M. in 1878. In 1875 he became a member of the Central New York M. E. Conference, being assigned to the pastor- ate of the M. E. church in Cicero, where he remained two years. His subsequent pastoral charges have been as follows: Elbridge one year, Amber two years, Boro- dindo two years, Marcellus three years, Newark three years Geneva three years, Auburn district one year, and Towanda, Pa., one year. Since Oct., 1893, he has been stationed at Syracuse as pastor of the Centenary M. E. church in South West street. Mr. Nichols was marrried on March 22, 1876, to Miss Julia F., daughter of Chauncey B. Laird, of Memphis, by whom he has one son, Ralph L. Mr. Nichols was a member of the Advisory Council of the World's Fair Parliament of Religions, held in Chicago in 1893. In 1895 he was honored by being elected one of the dele-

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gates to represent his conference in the next General Conference, the highest body within the denomination to which he belongs.

Nottingham, Edwin, Syracuse, was born on a farm in the town of Dewitt, Onon- daga Co., N. Y., about three and one-half miles from the city of Syracuse, on Dec. 3, 1850. His parents are Van Vleck and Abigal Maria Nottingham, and he is the third son in a family of six sons. The hard labors of farm life occupied much of his time until he was twenty-one years of age. In 1872 he was graduated from the Syr- acuse High School, and in Sept. of that year he entered Syracuse University from which he was graduated in June, 1876. When thirteen or fourteen years of age he entered the senior grade of a Syracuse (Putnam) Grammar School, preparatory to entering the High School, but after about one term was obliged to discontinue attendance and return to his labors on the farm. When seventeen years of age he worked his father's farm upon shares, having the entire management of the same, and during his vacations while in the High School and college he worked at farm labor by the day or month, in these ways earning the money to pay his tuition, and his other expenses in part, during his preparatory and college courses. While pre- paring for college and during his college course he lived on the farm the most of the time, and during much of the time walked the three or three and one-half miles to and from school. The physical strength and vigor thus obtained, added to that pre - viously acquired by farm life, has stood him in good stead in his subsequent profes- sional labors. While in college he was honored by his selection as one of the Junior Exhibition speakers in his junior year, and as one of the Commencement speakers at graduation. He was a charter member of the Syracuse chapter of the Delta Up- silon fraternity, took a leading part in the conduct of its affairs, and was sent twice as a delegate to fraternity conventions. He was also one of the editors of the col- lege paper, the University Herald. Soon after his graduation Mr. Nottingham com- menced the study of law with Chamberlin & Knapp at Syracuse, and upon the disso- lution of that firm continued the same with Mr. Knapp, now interstate commerce commissioner. He was admitted to the bar as an attorney in 1878 and as a coun- selor in 1879. In Dec., 1882, he became a member of the firm of Knapp, Notting- hamn & Andrews, composed besides himself of Martin A. Knapp and William S. Andrews. Mr. Charles W. Andrews has since become a member of the firm, and Mr. Knapp retired upon his appointment as interstate commerce commissioner. The firm is among the leading law firms of Syracuse and Central New York, and is retained in many important cases. They occupy commodious offices in the Sedge- wick, Andrews and Kennedy Building. Mr. Nottingham was active in procuring the incorporation of the Alumni Association of Syracuse University, and in promoting its interests. Several years ago he was elected an alumni trustee of the university to succeed Principal James H. Hoose of the Cortland Normal School, who resigned, and he has been since twice re-elected for the full term of six years. During the larger part of his service on the board he has been its secretary. He is lecturer on the Law of Evidence in the Law School of the university. He is also interested in the educational affairs of the city and represents the ward in which he lives in the Board of Education. He was for several years a trustee and secretary of the Syra- cuse Methodist Episcopal Union, representing the First Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a member and officer, and in whose Sunday school he conduets a Bible

ONONDAGA'S CENTENNIAL.

class. He is counsel to the Bureau of Labor and Charities, and is interested in other benevolent enterprises of the city. He was for two terms one of the managers of the Business Men's Association. He is one of the owners of the Nottingham Building on East Washington street, Syracuse. On April 8, 1891, he was united in marriage to Julia Ellen Lord of Syracuse. One daughter, Edith Marian, has been born to them. He is one of the two lay delegates recently elected by the Central New York Lay Conference to the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church to be held in Cleveland, O., in May, 1896.

Nellis, Francis David, M. D. S., Syracuse, comes from a long line of ancestry. dating back to feudal times in Germany, and some of the name emigrated to the American colonies, they being known as Palatinates and were banished from Ger- many owing to their religious belief (Lutheran). Among them were William Nellis and two brothers. One branch of the family settled in Canada, where they became prominent, and where they were granted large tracts of land. Other members located in the vicinity of Schenectady and acquired both distinction and property. Peter Nellis, a son of William, was a minuteman and soldier in the war of the Revo- lution, an early settler in Montgomery Co., and died in 1806, aged sixty-five. Joseph P. Nellis, his son, was born there in 1793, was a justice of the peace and a farmer, served as a guardsman at Sacketts's Harbor in the war of 1812, and died in Feb., 1875. He married Damy Dewey, who was born in 1799, and a resident of Schoharie Co. Their children were Peter, Dr. Jacob, Dr. Joshua (deceased), George W. (de- ceased), Sally, Elizabeth L., John H., Rosena, Dr. Francis D., Asa (died in Sept. 1894), Nancy (deceased) and Emory D. Dr. Francis David Nellis was born in what is now the town of Seward, Schoharie Co., Oct. 1, 1835, and began the study of den- tistry in 1854 in the office of his brother, Dr. Jacob Nellis, who was both a physician and dentist in the village of Schoharie. He commenced the practice of his profession in the same place, practiced also in the counties of Otsego and Delaware, and in 1866 removed from Schoharie Co. to Syracuse, where he has since resided. He started out to become a physician, but after acquiring a considerable knowledge of medicine changed his mind and decided to give his life to the art of dentistry, in which he has been eminently successful. He is a permanent member of the Fifth District, the New York State, and the Syracuse Dental Societies. He married early in life Eva L. Gardner, a native of Schoharie Co., who died in 1883, leaving two children: Frank- lin Dewey Nellis of Auburn, N. Y., and Jennie E. Nellis of Syracuse.

Norton, Jabez H., Syracuse, is a son of Lyman and Ann M. (Vedder) Norton, and was born in Plainville, in the town of Lysander, July 1, 1838. Lyman Norton, born in Hartford, Washington Co., Dec. 10, 1809, settled in Lysander in 1826, and died July 20, 1879. The family traces its lineage to Nicholas Norton, who emigrated from Wales, England, in 1837, and located in Weymouth, Mass. Jabez, father of Lyman, served in the war of 1812, and his father was a Revolutionary soldier. Ly- man was long a prominent merchant in Plainville, serving as postmaster, justice of the peace, member of assembly, etc. He had three children: Jabez II., John V., deceased, and Ella S. (Mrs. Francis Smith), of Lysander. Jabez H. Norton was educated in the schools of his native town, in Monroe Collegiate Institute in El- bridge, and in Falley Seminary in Fulton. He studied law with Ira Harris in Albany, and was graduated from the Albany Law School in 1859, being admitted to the

FAMILY SKETCHES.

bar the same year. Beginning the practice of his profession in Washington, D. C., he continued there until the war broke out, when he returned to Lysander and en- gaged in general mercantile business which he successfully conducted till 1889. Selling out he then came to Syracuse and was made vice-president of the Howard Furnace Co., a position he has since held. A Democrat in politics Mr. Norton was for twenty-four years a justice of the peace in his native town, and was frequently nominated for higher offices. Among the several fraternal bodies of which he is an active member are Seneca River Lodge No. 164, F. & A. M., Baldwinsville, the Ma- sonic Chapter at that place, and Central City Commandery of this city, president of Masonic Veterans' Association of Central New York, the I. O. O. F., and Syracuse Lodge, K. P. He was grand master of the A. O. U. W. in 1888, and supreme repre- sentative to the Supreme Lodge for six years, and is also a vestryman of Trinity church. He married, in 1861, Emily, daughter of Sterry McDonald, of Lysander, and has one son, Lyman H.

O'Connor, William, Syracuse, was born Jan. 22, 1840, in Skaneateles, whither his parents, Brine and Nancy O'Conner, came from North of Ireland in 1832, and where they both died, the father in Nov., 1854, and the mother on Feb. 19, 1889. William O'Conner came to Syracuse in 1858 and engaged in the distillation of liquor in the employ of the Syracuse Distilling Company. In the fall of 1860 he entered a restaurant in the second Wieting block, soon afterward became proprietor, and has since continued in that business. He first engaged in business for himself in the Jervis block in 1865 [in partnership with John Agan. In 1868 he opened a liquor establishment in the Pike block; in 1889 he took Joseph W. Wittner in as partner, under the firm name of O'Conner & Wittner, and in 1890 moved to their present location in the Kirk block. May 1, 1866, he married Mary A., daughter of Joseph Tasker, the well-known restaurateur of Syracuse, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. Samuel J. May, then of this city. They have had four children: William T. (contractor), Blanche G., Mabel V., and May Louisa. It will be noticed that the word May has played an eventful part in Mr. O'Conner's life, and in commemoration of this fact he appropriately named his block, in South Salina street, May Place.

Page, Joseph N., Syracuse, a native of Susquehanna Co., Pa., was born May 16, 1839, and finished his education in the old Harford University there, graduating in the academical course in 1859. He taught distriet school for a few terms, became a clerk in a general store, and subsequently held a similar position in a large dry goods establishment in Binghamton, N. Y., for nine years. About 1870 he came to Syra- cuse and engaged in the wholesale grocery trade as a commercial traveler and later was in the same business for himself under the firm name of Johnson & Page. He finally went on the road again for H. K. & F. B. Thurber, of New York, and in 1855 entered the insurance business, first as a secretary of the People's Benefit Associa- tion for two years, and since then he has been identified with the accident line as general agent and adjuster. He was supervisor of the Sixth ward in 1884-85. For nine years he was a trustee of the Park Presbyterian church, and during the erection of that edifice was a member of the building committee. He isa Knight Templar in the Masonic fraternity, and was one of the organizers and the first president (for two years) of the Commercial Travelers' Association. In 1862 he married Miss Mary A. Van Name, of Binghamton, N. Y., and has one daughter, Louise I.

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Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 58

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