Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 63

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 63

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).

Skinner, John T., Baldwinsville, was born in the town of Van Buren, Jan. 16, 1837, son of Truman, who was born in Roxbury, Mass. Truman Skinner came with his parents to Pompey in 1795. He afterwards went to Warners, where he engaged in the mercantile and potash manufacturing business. He married Lydia Jones, of Andover, Conn., in 1832. John T. Skinner was educated in-the common schools, Oneida Conference Seminary, and Hamilton Academy, after which he returned to

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his father's farm. In 1865 in connection with his brother, James A., he entered into , the mercantile business at Baldwinsville, which they sold in 1871. From that time until 1876 John T. was associated with the Morris Ax & Tool Co. He then went into the leaf tobacco business, in which he still continues, He married Elizabeth, daughter of George Hawley, by whom he has three children: L. H., of Colorado Springs, Blanche, and Edith. Mr. Skinner has served as supervisor of the town, chairman of the board, member of the Board of Education, etc. He was one of the originators of the Baldwinsville State Bank.

Smith, Lucien E., Baldwinsville, was born in Volney, Oswego Co., Dec, 31, 1849, son of Harvey W. Smith, a native of the same town. Josiah, the first member of the family, came to Oswego Co. about 1807. Harvey W. married Melissa, daughter of Zenas Clark. He was a prominent farmer and cheese manufacturer. He died in 1887, at the age of 67. Lucien E. was educated in the common schools and finished at Falley Seminary, Fulton, N. Y. After leaving school he engaged in manufactur- ing cheese, which he continued in for six years. In 1873 he came to Baldwinsville and engaged in the lumber business. For six years he was engaged in the coal business. In 1876 he engaged in the produce and commission business. Mr. Smith married Harriet, daughter of Sidney Bisdee, and they have two children: Mabel and Bertha. He has held various offices, having served as auditor, town clerk, and postmaster.

Suydam, S. C., Baldwinsville, was born in Cayuga Co., May 8, 1830, son of John Piatt Suydam. The family were of French and German extraction. John P. Suy- dam was a prominent man of his town, having been supervisor, commissioner of deeds, etc. He died in 1841, aged 44 years. S. C. Suydam was educated in the com- mon schools and at the academy at Victory. In 1847 he came to Baldwinsville and entered the employ of James Henry, druggist. He afterwards learned the jeweler's trade of James H. McClenthan, which business he has continued in for forty-seven years, making a specialty of diamonds, American and imported watches, etc. ; he also carries one of the best and largest stocks of imported and domestic drugs and druggist supplies. He married Anna M., daughter of Clarence Bayley, by whom he has three children: Fred P., Mrs. Gaylord P. Clark, of Syracuse, and Mrs. Percy R. Wilson, of New York. Mr. Suydam is one of the leading business men of the town.

Toll, Dewitt C., Baldwinsville, was born at Iona, town of Van Buren, Nov. 18, 1819, son of Charles H., a native of Schenectady. The family were of German de- scent. Charles H. settled in the town of Camillus in 1810. In 1812 he moved to lona, where he built and kept the first store in the town. Ile married Sarah Hyde, by whom he had eight children, three of whom are still living: Daniel R., S. Tracy, and Dewitt C. He died in 1869, aged 85 years. Dewitt C. was educated in the common schools, after which, April 21, 1845, he came to Baldwinsville and ran a daily freight and passenger packet to Syracuse. In 1851 he engaged in the livery and sales stable business. Mr. Toll was elected sheriff in 1867, serving until 1870. He was appointed deputy sheriff under James M. Munro in 1857, having been con- nected with the sheriff's office for nearly forty years continuously.

Tappan, Willard H., Baldwinsville, was born in the town of Van Buren, Aug. 1,

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1856. His father, Harvey Tappan, was also a native of that town, being engaged in farming and the shipping of live stock. He was one of the leading men of the town, having served as supervisor, assessor, etc. He married Harriet A., daughter of Damon Barnes; he died Dec. 31, 1893, aged 72 years. Willard H. Tappan was educated in the common schools and finished at Baldwinsville Academy, after which he bought and sold stock. In 1877 he entered the employ of W. H. Downer & Son, where he remained until 1880. The next two years he spent on the farm. In 1882 he came to Baldwinsville and purchased the general store of Isaac Dixon, which he conducted for six years. He then removed to the north side of the river and estab- lished his present business, dealing in imported and domestic groceries, teas, coffees, etc. In 1894 he added a line of fresh and salt meats. He married S. Gertrude, daughter of S. Tracy Toll, of Clinton, Iowa. They have four children: Howard T., Willard H., jr., Ethel V., and Gertrude E. Mr. Tappan takes a leading part in the town, having served as trustee in 1883, was appointed postmaster in 1886, and was elected president of the village in 1891.

Toll, T. Mitchell, Baldwinsville, was born in the town of Camillus, April 14, 1848, son of Abel H. Toll, a native of Van Buren. The family came from Holland and settled in the Mohawk valley in 1750. Charles H. Toll came to the town of Van Buren in 1811. Abel H. married Sarah E., daughter of Truman Mitchell, who was a direet descendant of the Puritans who came over in the Mayflower. They had four children, three of whom are now living: Mitchell, Charles H. Denver, and Julietta M. Sophia Toll died in 1881. Abel H. died in May, 1893, aged 72 years. T. Mitchell was educated in the common schools, after which he returned to his father's farm. In 1871 he engaged in buying and shipping hay and produce. In 1894 he purchased the coal business of Thomas B. Crum, in which he is now engaged. He married Hattie A., daughter of Asahel K. Clark, by whom he has four children: Mabel E., A. Hyde, M. Louise, and Asahel C. Mr. Toll is one of the leading busi- ness men of Baldwinsville.

Turner, Dewitt C., Baldwinsville, was born in Fenner, Feb. 18, 1838, son of Robert W. Turner, also a native of that town. The family were of English origin. Robert W. married Jane, daughter of John Parkin, of England. Dewitt C. was educated at Cazenovia, after which he learned the trade of making sash, doors, and blinds. In Aug., 1862, he enlisted in Co. H. 13th N. J. Inf., and took part in the battles of Antietam, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. He was then transferred to Sherman's army, with whom he served until he received his discharge in 1865 at the close of the war. He then returned to Cazenovia, but in 1866 he came to Baldwinsville and resumed the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds. He married Mrs. Jane Wright, daughter of John Tottle. Mr. Turner has served his town as trustee and is a mem- ber of the Board of Education.

Tappan, Wallace, Baldwinsville, was born in the town of Van Buren, July 18, 1829. His father, Gabriel Tappan, was born in Morristown, N. J., June 20, 1783. He came to Onondaga Co., Feb. 18, 1796, settling in lona. He afterwards moved on to lot 5, purchasing 250 acres, which he cleared and erected a log house. He married, in March, 1805, Lydia, daughter of John McHarrie, of Baltimore, Md., who was a Rev- olutionary soldier. Mr. and Mrs. Tappan raised a family of twelve children.

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Gabriel Tappan took an active part in the organization of his town in 1829 and was appointed by Gov. Van Buren to set off the town of Van Buren from the town of Camillus. In 1829 he was elected its first supervisor and served for several terms; in 1833 he was elected to represent the first assembly district of Onondaga Co. ; and in 1806 he was appointed first lieutenant of the 16th Regiment, 27th Brigade of N. Y. State Militia. In 1812 he was appointed captain and took an active part in the war of that date; and in 1816 he was appointed colonel of his regiment. He was also one of the commissioners to appraise the value of the lands between Syracuse and Can- andaigua taken by the railroad now known as the Auburn Road. Mr. Tappan died Aug. 4, 1865, aged 82 years. Wallace Tappan was educated in the common schools and finished at the Albany Academy. He married Frances A., daughter of Henry V. S. McMechan, and they have three children: Clair S., Frances, and Emeline. Mr. Tappan followed farming until 1861, then engaged as shipper and buyer of gen- eral produce and leaf tobacco, continuing in this business for thirty years. In 1860 lie was elected loan commissioner, in 1871 was chosen member of the State Com- mittee; and in 1884 he was elected assemblyman from the first district of Onondaga Co., and was unanimously renominated in 1885. He was twice elected president of the village of Baldwinsville (1871 and '72); was one of the principal organizers of and director of the First National Bank of Baldwinsville several years, and one of its dis- count committee. He has been a contributor to the press and public journals forty- two years, and has written numerous articles on various topics. He is a member of the Farmer's Club of Onondaga Co., and has identified himself with the progress of agricultural interests and the general interests of the county many years, having de- livered a large number of addresses on various subjects; besides has taken a deep interest in the progress of education and science.

Voorhees, J. L., Baldwinsville, was born in Lysander, Dec. 1, 1831. His father, James L. Voorhees, was born in the town of Charleston, Montgomery Co., N. Y., Aug. 6, 1794, and came to the town of Lysander in 1810. The family came from Holland and landed in New York in 1660. James L., the father, was a prominent farmer and lumberman in his town. He was elected member of assembly in 1838-39, also served as supervisor for a number of years. He married Martha, daughter of Isaac Northrup, by whom he had eight children, two of whom are now living. Mrs. M. Sophia Austin, of Oak Park, Ill., and J. L. Voorhees.

Upson, J. W., Baldwinsville, was born in Plainville, Onondaga Co., Dec. 17, 1849, son of B. C. Upson, a native of Chatham, Columbia Co., N. Y. B. C. Upson came to Plainville in 1812, where he followed farming. He married Amanda, daughter of Jabez Paul, and they had six children, two of whom are now living: Linus P. and J. W. James W. was educated in the common schools and finished at the Munro Collegiate Institute. In 1869 he came to Baldwinsville and entered the employ of J. T. & J. A. Skinner, general merchants. In 1876 the firm of Upson & Donovan was established, carrying a full line of gents' furnishing goods and ready-made clothing. In 1881 he purchased the old Judge Otis Bigelow property, on which he erected an elegant briek block, known as the Upson block. In 1886 after the burning of the Seneca Hotel he purchased that site and erected a large tobacco warehouse, a block of stores, and the present Seneca Hotel. In 1890 he bought the American Hotel property, on which he erected a block of stores. In 1877 he married Elizabeth.

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daughter of Hiram Bowman, who died in 1881. In 1890 he married Lillian Barnes and they have two children: Edith and Paul. In 1889 Mr. Upson was elected a member of assembly. In 1885 he organized the Defiance Cattle Co. of Arizona and Montana, of which he was made president. It is one of the large enterprises of the kind in those States. Perhaps no citizen of the town has done more to improve and build up Baldwinsville than Mr. Upson, who is of a sterling and energetic character.

Willard, Charles A., Baldwinsville, was born in Fairfield, Herkimer Co., Jan. 6, 1845. His father, Charles W., was also a native of that town. The family originally came from England about 1660 and settled in Saybrook, Conn. Major Simon Will- ard and his descendants were prominent in the affairs of the State of Connecticut and in the Revolutionary war. Charles W. married Theresa, daughter of Isaac Turtlelot, who was of French descent and took part in the war of 1812. Charles A. was educated in the common schools and finished at Fairfield Academy. He then learned the joiner's trade. In 1874 he began dentistry at Mohawk under Dr. James Lewis, later with Dr. C. C. Smith of Ilion. In 1876 he began practice at Camden, but in 1880 he removed to Baldwinsville and established his present dental parlors, using the latest and most approved methods and appliances. When twenty-nine years old he married Emma J., daughter of Jacob Dygert, of Frankfort. They have one daughter, Reba D. Mr. Willard has identified himself with the interests of the town.

Sinclair, Dr. Finlay P., Lysander, is descended on his father's side from an old Scotch family, the Sinclairs of Loch Tay, Perthshire, Scotland. His grandfather, Peter Sinclair, immigrated to America in 1800 and settled in Canada, having pre- viously been married in Scotland to Anne McIntyre. To them were born three sons, Finlay, Archibald, and Donald, and three daughters, Elizabeth, Mary, and Mar- garett. Finlay, the eldest, was born in Scotland and came to America with his parents, and was a man of more than ordinary literary talent, considering his oppor- tunities. In 1847 he married Helen Gallinger in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., of Holland Dutch descent. Dr. F. P. Sinclair was born on Barnhart's Island, town of Massena, St. Lawrence Co., Jan 1, 1848. When he was four months old his parents removed to Oswego Falls, N. Y., where his sister, Mrs. Frank Preston, was born, and where the early days of his boyhood were spent. The failing health of his father, however, induced him to return to his old home, where he died when his son was seven years old. Thence on the boy's life was a struggle against poverty. Working at various employments and saving his earnings to defray his expenses, he obtained a good education, and deciding upon the medical profession as his lifework, he studied a year in the medical department of Michigan University, and after an interval at newspaper work, went to Cincinnati and took two full courses of lectures at the Eclectic Medical Institute, graduating in 1882. He then returned to this State and July 11, 1882, married Laura D. Hawks of Volney, N. Y. After practicing his profession at South Hannibal for a few months, he settled in Lysander, where for over twelve years, without any vacation save a couple of weeks at the World's Fair at Chicago, he attended steadily to business, attaining a success that is a marvel to himself when he remembers the rough struggles of his early life. Dr. Sinclair's wife is descended on her father's side from an old English family who settled in Richfield, N. Y., in the eighteenth century. On her mother's side she is descended from an old

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New England family, the Bradleys, who lived in Litchfield, Conn., for some gen- erations before the Revolution. She was a very successful teacher before her mar- riage. Dr. Sinclair has two children: Anna Laura, born July 17, 1882; and Helen H., born Aug. 19, 1887. He and his family are communicants of the Congregational church at Lysander. He is a Prohibitionist, with radical tendencies: a Master Mason belonging to Hiramı Lodge No. 144, of Fulton, N. Y., a past grand of Neahtawanta Lodge, I.O.O.F., of Fulton, and a 32d degree Scottish Rite Mason, be- longing to the Oswego Consistory.

Amidon, Cheney .- When Comfort Tyler emigrated from Windham Co., Conn., and selected Onondaga as the scene of his illustrious career, he was instrumental in starting hitherward a considerable number of Connecticut neighbors, who, fol- lowing his lead and counsel, settled here, took up tracts of land, and became the founders of some of the most active and important Onondaga families. Among these was one of his cousins, Cheney Amidon, whose mother, Patience Chaffee, and Martha Chaffee (Comfort Tyler's mother), were sisters. Cheney Amidon was born in Ashford, Windham Co., Sept. 3, 1783. On his father's side he was of Huguenot descent, his ancestors having fled from Rochelle, France, in 1620. He arrived in On- ondaga at the age of eighteen years, his only possessions being the clothes he wore and a jack-knife in his pocket; his funds, consisting of twelve shillings, had been taken from him on the second day of his journey. His education was limited, his memory and habit of observation were marvelous, and he never ceased to learn. By hard work with the axe he succeeded in accumulating a little money, and at the end of six years he purchased his first farm. In connection with Jared Parsons he cleared probably more land than any other man in the county, receiving for the labor $10 an acre. In the course of his busy life he found means and opportunity of dispensing aid to hundreds upon hundreds of his needy fellowmen. In the com- munity of South Onondaga, where he resided without interruption till his death, lie was a conspicuous and useful citizen, an encyclopedia of information for all, and a defender of the rights of the weak. His interest in public and national affairs is shown by the fact that he was one of the original subscribers for the establish- ment of the New York Tribune and the Syracuse Journal. He died Feb. 11, 1863. In a sketch prepared for delivery before the Onondaga Historical Association, J. V. H. Clark, the county's historian, says of Mr. Amidon: "His powers of sarcastic re- mark, repartee, caustic critiques on men and things, were unequalled by men with whom he came in contact. An honest man in the highest sense he was; and, had early associations, refined tastes, lofty ambitions, and noble surroundings, accom- panied him in early manhood, he would have become that for which nature had amply provided-a great man."

Bennett, James O., Camillus, was born in Syracuse in 1839, son of James O. and Tira (Hinsdale) Bennett, natives of Washington Co. and Camillus, who were married in 1832. The parents located at Amboy ten or fifteen years, then moved to Syracuse, where the mother died in 1845. The father was in the mercantile trade in Syracuse, later in New York city, and died in 1876, aged 72. Mr. Bennett and a brother, David A., are the only children. In 1860 he married Marietta Wormuth, a native of Van Buren, and has one child, Charles Hinsdale. He took charge of the farm his grandparents first located on near Amboy when nineteen years old, on which he has

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since resided. His place consists of 204 acres. Mr. Bennett has filled various local offices.

Bennett, J. B., Camillus, was born in 1815 on the farm where he died, a son of Daniel and Hannah (Crawford) Bennett, natives of Connecticut and Saratoga Co. respect- ively. They came to Camillus in 1811, locating near where Mr. Bennett resided, and where they spent the balance of their days. Mr. Bennett always resided on the home place. He had a farm of 350 acres, and financial interests in several of the Western States. In 1844 he married Ann Eliza Preston, who died in 1847, and he afterward married Rosana S. Wright, who is a native of Washington Co. Mr. Bennett died Nov. 10, 1894, aged 79 years, his wife surviving.

Coakly, Michael, Camillus, merchant at Coakly's Locks, was born in Canada in 1839, son of Michael and Catherine (Darrow) Coakly, natives of Ireland. In 1847 the father died in Canada, and in 1848 the mother with her six children came to Syracuse, where she died in 1886. From the age of ten to twenty two Mr. Coakly worked on the canal, and from then till 1872 owned a boat. From 1872 to 1878 he followed various pursuits, including one year in the grocery business in Buffalo, In 1878 he purchased his present store and has built up a lucrative business. His wife, Imogene Holcombe, died in 1891 leaving two children: Mrs. Gladys Sherlock of Syracuse, and Daniel A. Coakly.

Dixon, John J., Camillus, was born in Elbridge in 1863, son of George and Nancy Dixon. The father when five years old came from England with his parents, locat- ing on the farm now owned by John J. The parents afterwards lived on this place. After this they moved to Elbridge and from there to Michigan, where they died in 1888, aged 80, and 1889, aged 70, respectively. John J. married Nettie V. Hunt, by whom he has three children: Earl H., William J., and James C.

The late George Geddes, of Fairmount, was born in 1809 on the farm where he always resided, and where he died in 1883. His father, James Geddes, was born near Carlisle in Pennsylvania in 1763, and died on his farm at Fairmount in 1838. He was one of the engineers of the Erie Canal, and to his foresight and perseverance was largely due the success of that great work. In 1799 he married Lucy Jerome, a native of Stockbridge, Mass., who became the mother of the subject of this sketch. George Geddes was educated in the district schools of Camillus, at the Pompey and Onondaga Academies, and graduated at the Military School of Captain Partridge at Middletown, Mass. He read law with Kellogg and Sandford at Skaneateles, but with no intention of practicing that profession, preferring to follow his father as a civil engineer and surveyor. He was consulting engineer in the construction of the Syracuse and Oswego Railroad, was an original member of the State Survey Com- mission, and prominently connected with many of the more important public engi- neering enterprises of the State. He was during two terms a member of the Senate of New York, where he was the author of one of the most useful measures of his day, the General Railroad Law, and was also greatly instrumental in securing the passage of the Woman's Property Bill of 1848. He was superintendent of the Onondaga Salt Springs for seven years, was well known as a scientific agricultural writer, and twice took for his farm the first prize of the State Agricultural Society. He married twice: first, Maria, daughter of Dr. Porter of Skaneateles, and the mother of the late Hon.

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James Geddes, of Fairmount, and the late Mrs. David Cossitt of Onondaga. In 1875 he married Mary, daughter of William Chamberlain of Red Hook, N. Y.

Gaylord, Grenville M., Camillus, was born in Otisco in 1842, son of Hubbard and Beulah (Parsons) Gaylord, who were natives of the town of Otisco, Onondaga Co .. born in 1808 and 1811 respectively. When the subject was one year old he came with the family, consisting of his parents, a bachelor uncle and himself, to the town of Onondaga. Here two years later his uncle, the gifted and versatile Wyllys Gaylord died (1844) at the age of 52, in the midst of a busy literary life, being associate editor of a leading agricultural paper, and correspondent of several scientific and literary pe- riodicals. (See Clark's Onondaga, vol 2, p. 339). The remainder of the family in 1853 removed to Mr. Gaylord's present home place on Genesee street, where the parents died in 1890 and 1891 respectively. Mr. Gaylord and a brother, Edward P., of California, are the only children. At the breaking out of the war Mr. Gaylord was the first one drafted in his district, but was released on account of physical dis- ability. In 1869 he married Louise Crandall, of Lima, N. Y., and has three children : Benlah, Willis and Alma.

Hinsdale, Alfred L., Camillus, born where he now resides in Camillus near Bell- isle in 1845, is a son of Ira and Ann (Peck) Hinsdale, natives of Camillus and Van Buren. David Hinsdale, the grandfather, was a native of the town of Pompey. The father was a farmer and came to subject's present home place about 1840, and died in 1849 aged 40 years, and the mother died in 1877, aged 62. Mr. Hinsdale is the youngest of a family of four children. In 1873 he married Jennie Ellis of Onondaga Valley.

Ketcham, Charlotte E. and Sarah, Camillus, who reside with their mother, Mrs. Phoebe (Townsend) Ketcham, at the Ketcham homestead on Genesee street, are the only survivors of a family of seven children of the late Stephen Ketcham, a native of Dutchess county, who died in 1882, aged 71. The parents came from Dutchess Co. to Camillus about 1853. They have a finely improved farm of over eighty acres.

Lyboult, John H., Camillus, attorney, was born in Camillus, a son of David and Olive (Simms) Lyboult, also natives of this county. The former died in 1885, aged 70, and the latter in 1883, aged 67. David was president of the village, also trustee and commissioner of highways, for a number of terms. Our subject graduated from Union College and read law with Judge Sweet, late surrogate of the county, and was admitted to the bar in 1872, graduating from the law department of Union College in 1873. Except for one year's practice in Syracuse Mr. Lyboult has resided in Camillus, where he has taken a prominent position in public affairs, having served as town clerk eleven years, village clerk several years, etc. In 1880 he married Emma Price, of this town.

Munro, David A., jr., Camillus, was born in 1844. He was educated at Camillus and Munro Collegiate Institute. He enlisted in the 122d N. Y. Vols., Co. H, in 1862. while attending the latter place. He was promoted to first lieutenant and afterward aide-de-camp to Colonel Hlyde, serving until the close of the war. In 1866 he mar- ried Ida J. Stickle, who died in 1875. He afterward married Emma E. Brown, of Illinois. Mr. Munro died May 6, 1895.

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Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 63

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