Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 66

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 66

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Edwards, Hiram K., Dewitt, was born in Dewitt in 1828, son of Joseph and Electa (Wilcox) Edwards. Sanmel, the paternal grandfather, came from Connecticut to the town of Manlius (now Dewitt), and taught the first district school there; he was also justice of the peace. He died in 1893. The maternal grandfather was in the war of 1812, and lived and died within the town of Dewitt. The father, Joseph, died in 1839, at the age of 35. Hiram K. Edwards married, in 1851, Phrinda R. Hotchin. They had three children, Alice L., wife of Dr. Ira L. Harris, physician to the mis- sionaries in Syria; Metta, wife of Ambrose B. Dean, of Pittsburg, and Ernest C. Mr. Edwards held the office of tax collector; in 1860 was appointed deputy sheriff ; 'in 1863 was appointed inspector of cigars and tobacco, which position he filled about six years. He then served as government gauger for eight years, and in 1877 was appointed under sheriff, filling this position three years, and then was elected sheriff of the county. He has traveled extensively in this country, has been newspaper correspondent, lecturer for the Fayetteville and Pomona Granges, and edited the

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Grange department of the East Syracuse News. Mr. Edwards died at his home in Dewitt, Sunday morning, March 31, 1895, at the age of 67 years.

Ellis, A. D., Dewitt, son of Albert and Jane Wells Ellis, was born in the town of Onondaga in the year 1835. The paternal grandfather, Major Levi Ellis, came from Connecticut about the year 1805, locating upon and clearing the farm where the two later generations of the Ellis family were reared. In 1819 he organized the first Sunday school at South Onondaga. In his subsequent public service and church work he became quite generally known as a high-minded, consistent gentleman. The parents, the father and mother of A. D., were active, industrious, upright citi- zens; they were successful at farming. Their home was ever hospitable and cheer- ful, and they lived contentedly in the town of Onondaga all their lives. The father died at the age of 72, and the mother at the age of 68 years. Both were buried on the family lot in Oakwood Cemetery. There were five children born to their family circle upon the old homestead; the three next as the order of their birth, now living, are James D. Ellis, Fanny Ellis Upton, and Jenny Ellis Hinsdale. They were edti- cated in the public schools and the academies at Onondaga Valley and Homer, N. Y. A. D. Ellis was for several years associated as a member of the firm of Beers, Ellis & Soule in the publication of local historical works, maps and atlases, in the city of New York. He is a partner of W. S. Roe in the banking house of Roe & Ellis at Wolcott, N. Y. In the spring of 1874 he, with Charles S. Upton of Rochester, N. Y., purchased a considerable tract of land lying along the N. Y. C. and I1. R. Railroad in the town of Dewitt, which lands, the following year, they laid out liberally in blocks, lots, streets and avenues, indicating the proposed town site. In the winter of 1875-76 Mr. Ellis prepared and published a map, the first that had been made of the hopeful hamlet, and suggesting a name, placed in the title "East Syracuse." In the year 1881 he, with Rhesa Griffin, C. E., made a survey defining the lines of the rapidly growing town, which were duly adopted by the citizens and incorporated as a village in the memorable name as above. From the first he has been active, pro- gressive and truly loyal to the best interests of East Syracuse. The several churches and the school owe much of their present advantages and prosperity to his efforts add liberality. Latterly his stock ranches in Kansas and his orange lands in Cali- fornia share his attention and require frequent visits to those localities.

Ferris, Gideon C., Dewitt, was born in Connecticut in 1829, son of Gideon and Caroline Ferris, who lived and died in Connecticut. In 1852 he married Phebe C. Selleck of Connecticut, and in 1855 they came to Dewitt and located on his present farm of 114 acres. He has filled the office of assessor, supervisor, inspector of the Onondaga Co. Penitentiary, president of the Farmer's Club, and was either trustee or clerk of his district for over thirty years; he has also been president and secretary of the Dewitt Cemetery Association for many years. He has three sons: Joseph S., Fred A., and Charles C., and two daughters, Emily Frances and Phebe Annie.

Fry, William, Dewitt, contractor and builder of East Syracuse, was born in 1857, son of George and Magdaline (Oot) Fry, natives of Germany and Lorraine. The parents both came to Syracuse when young and were married there. The father was a cabinetmaker, and died in Saginaw, Mich., in 1863, at the age of 41 years ; the mother died in Manlius in 1892, at the age of 66. Mr. W. Fry learned the car-

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penter trade in early life and has always followed it. He owns considerable prop- erty in East Syracuse. In 1881 he married Sarah Ebb, of Cicero. He has filled the office of trustee, has been a member of the Water Board since its organization, and is at present a member of the School Board.

Ferris, F. A., Dewitt, brother of Gideon C., was born in 1826. In 1847 he located on the farm where he has since resided. In 1848 he married Mary J. Lockwood, who died twelve years later, leaving two children, Emma J .. wife of Charles Mead, of Syracuse, and G. C. Ferris, also a resident of Syracuse. Mr. Ferris afterward married Laura W. Lockwood, by whom he had two children, Mary C., wife of E. S. Merrill, and Gracia L. Mr. Ferris has a farm of 102 acres.

Kimber, William A., Dewitt, was born in Dewitt in 1857, son of Ambrose and Mary A. (Hiscock) Kimber, natives of England. The parents came to America in 1855, locating in Onondaga Co. The father died in 1882 at the age of 61, and the mother in 1887 at the age of 64. William A. was raised and educated in Syracuse. In 1886 he married Elizabeth A., daughter of Anson Smith of Manlius, by whom he has four children, Ray L., Gladys H., G. Harold, and Leland F. His present resi- dence is Dewitt Centre, N. Y.

Kimber, James, Dewitt, son of Ambrose Kimber, was born in Dorsetshire, Eng., iu 1847. At an early age he came to this country with his parents. In 1872 he mar- ried Mary J. Hewitson, of Syracuse, by whom he had four children, viz. : Eva May, Florence M., James Irving, and Harvey Clifford. In 1894 he purchased a farm of $5 acres in Lyndon, near Fayetteville, where he now resides, making farming his general occupation.

Kinne, Elbridge, Dewitt, was born in Dewitt in 1810, son of Prentiss and Elizabeth Kinne. In 1791 the grandfather, Cyrus Kinne, came from Connecticut to Manlius, where he purchased large tracts of land. The place now owned by Elbridge was one of the tracts. Prentiss Kinne located on it in 1801, having built a log house the year before. He returned to Connecticut the same year and was married there. Cyrus was chairman of the first town meeting in Manlius, and was magistrate for many years. He died in 1808. Prentiss also filled many town offices; he was first major under Gen. Thaddeus M. Wood. He died in 1830, aged 57, and his wife died in 1820, aged 44. In 1837 Elbridge married Sophronia Young. Their children are Dr. T. Y. Kinne, of Paterson, N. J. ; Eliza M., wife of Rev. B. F. Barker, of East Onondaga; Sophronia Janette, wife of Willard H. Peck, of Dewitt; and Dr. E. O. Kinne, of Syracuse. Mr. Kinne is the oldest native resident and one of the most respected citizens of his town.

Loos, William, Dewitt, was born in Germany in 1838, and in 1861 located in Syra- cuse. He followed gardening in the town of Onondaga for eleven years, and in 1874 located on his present farm of twenty-one acres. In 1863 he married Mary Richert, a native of Germany, by whom he has two children. He runs a market wagon from February to December, and during the winter supplies green house goods from two large green houses.

McCarthy, Calvin, Dewitt, was born in Ireland in 1850. In 1851 he was brought to Jamesville by his parents, Eugene and Mary Mccarthy. The father was a

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shoemaker. In 1868 they removed to Oswego Co., where the father died in 1890, aged 75, and the mother still resides in that county. Mr. McCarthy, remaining at Jamesville, worked on a farm and taught school winters from 1868 to 1872. He was principal of the Hart Lot School from 1878 to 1879. lle clerked a short time in Skaneateles Falls, for the firm of P. C. Carrigan & Co., in the linie business, and in the fall of 1880 went to Binghamton to manage a lime business there. In 1884 he returned to Jamesville and became associated with Mr. Dunlop. In 1880 he married Kittie E. Esser, who died in 1881. He afterward married Ella L, Cook, of Bing- hamton, by whom he has one child, Mary L. Mr. McCarthy has held the offices of trustee, justice of the peace, and was for seven years clerk of his school district. He has been a member of the Prohibition party since 1873, and has been the candidate of that party for several offices. He was nominated in 1893 by his party for justice of the peace, and was endorsed or nominated by the Republicans and Democrats, being unanimously elected. He has been a Good Templar since 1870, and was a member of their board of managers from 1883 to 1887.

Peck, De Witt C., Dewitt, was born in Oswego Co. in 1813, where he lived until he was seventeen years old. He then moved to the town of Pompey with his parents, Dennis and Mary (Halliday) Peck, who were natives of Connecticut and Massachusetts. From Pompey they moved in 1832 to Mr. Peck's present place in Dewitt. The father was justice of the peace for many years and at one time coroner of Oswego Co. He died in 1852 at the age of 72, and the mother in 1867 at the age of 81. De Witt C. is one of a family of six children, he and two sisters sur- viving. In 1840 he married Salome Kinne, by whom he has five children: Herbert D., of lowa; Albert D., of Montana; Clinton G., of Iowa; Willard H. ; and Mary E. Willard H., who resides on the old homestead with his parents, was born in 1854, and educated at the Syracuse High School, He is the present commissioner of high- ways, serving his second term; president of the Onondaga County Farmers' Club, and one of the directors of the Onondaga Co. Milk Association. He also has lumber- ing interests in lowa (conducted under the firm name of W. H. Peck & Co.), where he resided from 1880 until 1891. In 1882 he married S. Nettie Kinne, daughter of El- bridge Kinne, by whom he has had two children, L. Theodore and Raymond De Witt.

Quinlan, Dennis, Dewitt, postmaster and of the firm of Quinlan & Son, of James- ville, was born in the town of Dewitt in 1856, son of Daniel and Mary Quinlan, of Ireland. The parents came from Ireland when young, and the father followed his trade of carpenter and millwright for many years, and for the past twenty-two years has been a general merchant at Jamesville, although he has now retired from active business. In 1880 Mr. Quinlan married Ellen T. Sheedy, by whom he has three sons and two daughters. He has been postmaster during both of Cleveland's ad- ministrations.

Sherwood 2d, Bradford, Dewitt, was born in La Fayette in 1830, son of Samuel A. and Lucinda E. (Campbell) Sherwood. Samuel A. was one of the younger of a fam- ily of eight sons and one daughter, who, with their father, Bradford 1st, came to this county in 1813, and for one year lived near Oran. In 1814 they bought and set- tled on a farm in the town of La Fayette, where he remained until 1849, when San-

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uel A. and his family moved to Jamesville. The grandfather, Bradford 1st, died in 1858. Samuel A., who lived with Bradford 2d, died March 28, 1895, aged 91 years 4 months and 13 days. He left two sons, Bradford and Homer C. In 1855 Bradford Sherwood married Adelaid Wyckoff, by whom he has two children: Dr. Bradford W., and Adelaid M. Mr. Sherwood is the owner of the homestead comprising 200 acres.

Schweizer, Henry, Dewitt, is a native of Switzerland, born in 1838. In 1863 he married Frederika Fauth, and in the same year he came to Utica, where he resided two years. He then moved to Rensselaer Co., and in 1870 to Syracuse, following the rope maker's trade. From 1876 he worked for Charles Nichols twelve years. In 1889 he purchased his present farm of fourteen acres, and built the house and barn the same year. In 1890 set out fruit trees of all kinds.

Swift, Rev. Isaac, Dewitt, of the First Presbyterian church of East Syracuse, was born in Geneva in 1845, son of Isaac and Rebecca D. (Dimmick) Swift, natives of Cape Cod, Mass., who were married there and afterward removed to Geneva, where the father was for many years principal of the public schools of the city. The father died in 1890, aged 89, and the mother in 1888, aged 77. Mr. Swift was edu- cated in Orange Co. and at the Union Theological Seminary, graduating in 1869. He has since been engaged in ministerial work at Midland, Mich., Oakfield, N Y., Akron, N. Y., and East Syracuse, coming there in 1878. In 1869 he married Emma Jaynes, of Steuben Co., by whom he has two children, Lulu and Willie R.

Tiffany, Henry, Dewitt, a groceryman of East [Syracuse, was born at La Fayette, Onondaga Co., in 1858, son of David and Charlotte Tiffany. David Tiffany came to Onondaga Co. about 1796, locating at Pompey. He enlisted in the war of 1812. He died in 1874 aged 80 years. When about ten years old Henry entered a grocery store in Syracuse as clerk, and followed clerking for a number of years at the follow- ing places: Dewitt Centre; Lansing, Mich .; Rochester, N. Y,; Detroit, Mich. ; and Los Angeles, Cal. He was then in the employ of an elevator company in New Or- leans. In 1884 he returned to Syracuse, and from there he came to East Syracuse in 1888, establishing his present business. In 1886 he married Helen F. Hunt, by whom he has two children. He is a member of the School Board.

Van Schaick, William F., Dewitt, was born in Manlius in 1836, son of Josiah R. and Levina (Kimball) Van Schaick, natives of Schoharie Co. and the town of Man- lius. The father was a mechanic and contractor, and died in 1848, and the mother in 1888. William F. and a brother, Charles H. of Manlius, are the only surviving of of seven children. Mr. Van Schaick was raised on a farm, but followed the carpen- ter's trade until 1861, then farmed until 1872, at which time he embarked in the oil business in Pennsylvania, and resided there until 1883. In 1886 he sold his Manlius farm and has since resided on his 80 acre farin in Dewitt. He is also still interested in the oil business. Charles Van Schaick lives on his farm at Manlius Station. Jo- siah F. Van Schaick died in Aug., 1893, the youngest of the seven children. Hollon D. Van Schaick was born in the town of Manlius, Feb. 5, 1843, a son of Josiah Robbins a mechanic. Hollon D., the fourth of a family of five children, was educated in the common schools, a select school, and the Meads Business College at Syracuse. After leaving school he was for several years a clerk in Walrath's store at Manlius, then

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engaged in the oil business at Titusville, Pa., where he was employed for nearly thirty years. In 1879 he returned to Manlius and settled on a farm near Fayette- ville, where he was engaged in fruit culture and general farming until his death, which occurred May 20, 1892. Mr. Van Schaick was at one time supervisor of the town and was one of the most persistent workers for the success of the building of the Union Free School. He was a member of the Masonic order, also of the I. O. O. F., and was the founder of Fayetteville Grange No. 610. April 23, 1872, Mr. Van Schaick married Frances L., daughter of Hiram Wilcox, formerly a teacher of this town. An adopted daughter, Sarah Lucile, lives with Mrs. Van Schaick.

Worden, William, Dewitt, president of the village of East Syracuse, was born in Warners in 1844, son of Ambrose and Rebecca (Armstrong) Worden, natives of On- ondaga Co. His parents on both sides resided and died in Onondaga Co., and the maternal grandfather, Marvin Armstrong, was in the war of 1812. Mr. Worden has in the past been interested in canal boating. He located in East Syracuse in 1886, since which time he has owned and managed the Hotel Ames. He also built and owns a number of business blocks, the Worden block being the best business building here. He does a general brokerage business and has taken a deep interest in the progress and improvement of East Syracuse. He has served as president of the village and is now treasurer of the school district. His wife was formerly Cor- nelia Bovee, of Onondaga Co.

Weston, Dwight H., of Jamesville, was born in 1855, son of David E. and Lucelia (Plaisted) Weston. The father died in 1885, aged 55, and the mother is a resident of the town of Dewitt. Mr. Weston was raised as a farmer, but since 1885 has been interested in the manufacture of water lime, quick lime, and plaster with E. B. Alvord & Co. In 1879 he married Frances Reed of Dewitt.

Andrews, John Y., Elbridge, son of Gregory G. and Ellen (Cullen) Andrews, was born in Clyde in 1866, a grandson of John Y., who came from New England when a young man and settled in Seneca Falls, living for many years in that vicinity. In 1838 he went to Clyde, where be conducted a tannery until his death in 1860, his widow still residing in that place. They reared seven children: Gregory G. was born at Seneca Falls in 1837, and has been almost continuously in the employ of the N. Y. C. R. R. since its construction. He removed to Jordan in 1872, where his family is living at this date. His children are: Charles G., Flora B., Albert, Gregg, and the subject of this sketch. The latter was educated in the Jordan Free Acad- emy, studied law at Syracuse, and received his degree of LL. B. from the Law School at Albany in 1890, in which year he opened an office in Jordan. He was elected town clerk in 1890, and police justice of the village, both of which positions he filled for two years, and in 1894 he was made justice of the peace. He married Mary A., daughter of Samuel R. Broughton of Jordan, and they have one daughter, Marian B., and one son, Milton F.

Curtis, Alonzo Mead, Elbridge, was born in 1817, and educated in the village acad- omy. He was twice married; first to Louisa Gleason, by whom he had three chil- dren, Arthur, Jennie and Edward. She died in 1864. In 1866 he married Electa A. Townsend, of Brutus, by whom he had these children: Heman D., Clara, now Mrs. M. E. Curtis, both of California, Jessie W., Fred M., Allen, Frank and Caroline.

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Mr. Curtis had always been active in political affairs and he and his family were at- tendants of the Presbyterian church. He served as collector for fourteen years. He died in May, 1890, after a long suffering, the result of injuries received by a runaway team. After his death Mrs. Curtis carried on the farm of 122 acres with marked success. The Curtis family were among the very early settlers of Elbridge, the first of the name being Josiah, who came from Vermont in 1793. He built the first frame house in Elbridge, on Main street ; it is in a good state of preservation, and owned by M. Dewaters. He had seven children. Mead Curtis was the youngest son.

Carpenter, Fred C., Elbridge, was born in Elbridge in 1868, a son of Charles L., of Marcellus, who married Cynthia, daughter of Dr. Titus Merriman, one of the early residents of Elbridge. Charles L. came to this town and conducted the Munro House from 1867 to 1874, and was engaged in the livery business till hisdeath in 1887. There were seven children in the family, four of whom died in infancy. One son, Merriman B. lives in Elbridge, and a daughter, Mrs. Harry B. Bond, in Jordan. When Fred became of age, being discontented in the livery business, he took what property was his, and started a boot and shoe business in the store of E. W. Emmons, and three years later bought out Mr. Emmons, and has since conducted the business successfully. He married Carrie, daughter of C. A. Van Vechten of this town, a descendant of a Knickerbocker Dutch family.

Cottle, William G., Elbridge, was born in England in 1852, a son of William and Mary (Pearson) Cottle, who came to Skaneateles in 1852, where they remained ten years, then went to Sennett. The father was a contractor. His family consisted of five sons and three daughters, all settled and now living in that vicinity except George, who was killed by a tramp named Cooper at Skaneateles Junction in 1892. William was the oldest of the family, and was educated in the Munro Collegiate In- stitute, in which he was tutor in mathematics and English several terms. He taught district school a number of winters, working on the farm summers, and later opened a store (1878) at the Junction. In 1881 he bought out his competitor, and has a very thriving trade. In 1889 he took his brother John P. into partnership, the firm name being Cottle Bros. He married Rhoda B., daughter of Winchester Howe, one of the very early settlers of Marcellus. They have five children: M. Luln, Nina W., Rhoda E., William C. and Edith H. Mr. Cottle has served as postmaster fifteen years, supervisor four years, and takes an active interest in all local affairs, as well as in religious matters, having been prominent in the support of the latter.

Farnham, J. A., Elbridge .- The first of this name to settle in this county was Amasa, who came from Vermont in 1790 at the age of fifteen, with Colonel Bigelow Lawrence and family. His father, Reuben, with the remainder of the family, con- sisting of wife, six sons and three daughters, came a few years later, and settled in what is now known as Skaneateles, a part of the original town of Marcellus. Reuben was born in the State of Connecticut, he being directly descended from one of three brothers who came to this country at an early date from the north of Ireland, and settled, one in Connecticut, one in Maine, the other in the State of Massachusetts. Reuben was a soldier of the Revolution. Amasa having founded a home in Skan- eateles, lived there until his death, which occurred in 1855 at the age of 70, leaving

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at his death three sons and one daughter, named Alice, Hiram, Perry, and John, all of whom excepting Hiram removed to the State of Illinois about 1850. The brothers and sisters of Amasa all settled and lived in this and Oswego counties, leaving fani- ilies of children. Hiram, eldest son of Amasa, spent his life in Skaneateles, and married Mary Van Auken from Delaware county, leaving at his death, which took place in 1889 at the age of 77, five sons and three daughters, residing, Henry, in Camillus; Edward, Skaneateles; Mrs. Webb, Skaneateles; Amasa, Hope, Kansas; Mrs. Henry Maxon, Marcellus; john A., Elbridge; Dyer H., Alaska; Hattie, Chicago.

Garrison, William C., Elbridge, was born where he now resides in 1818. He married Esther Patterson in 1839 at Livingston, N. Y. Their son, Charles J., was killed at Petersburg, serving in the 9th N. Y. Heavy Artillery; James H., died in Beuna Vista, Colorado; George W., of Ripley, N. Y .; Harrison W. of Aspen, Colo- rado; Frank, of Elbridge, N. Y., William Newton, of Rochester, N. Y. ; Mary J., now Mrs. Thaddeus Smith, of Corning, N. Y. William resided in Genesee Co. for several years, returning to Elbridge in 1864. After following the blacksmith busi- ness for fifty years, in 1884 he erected a feed mill. Capt. Jacob J., his father, came to Elbridge in 1814, after serving in the war of 1812. Hannah Waldron, his mother, of Haverstraw, had four sons and two daughters. William C., of Elbridge; John, of Ohio; Edward H., of Elbridge; Charles, died 1834; Susan, died in 1844: Mrs. Catherine Smith, died 1893.

Hubbell, Theron S., Elbridge, a native of Roxbury, Delaware Co., was born Aug. 10, 1816. His parents were James and Desire Holdridge Hubbell of Connecticut, who came into Albany Co., and from there to Delaware Co., where they died. Of their six children all but Theron S. and Samuel lived and died in that section of the State. At the age of twenty Theron S. came to Elbridge and worked at farming five years, then went to learn the trade of marble cutting. He started in business for himself in 1844, and after fifty-one years finds his business second to none in Cen- tral New York. In 1842 he married Catherine Warn of Sennett, and their children are Mary Adelaide (who died in infancy), Ellen D., Elliston E., and Carloss E., who died in Eustis, Fla., in 1886, aged 29 years. Elliston E., oldest son of T. S. Hubbell, was born in 1852, received his education in the Munro Collegiate Institute, and en- tered into partnership with his father in 1875, the firm being T. S. Hubbell & Son. He married Emma C., daughter of Nathan and Martha Gorham. of Elbridge, who died May 29, 1893, leaving one son, Lester A. Elliston E. married for his second wife, in 1895, Carrie, only daughter of Richard and Mary Niles, of Jordan, N. Y. E. E. Hubbell is a 32d degree Mason.

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Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 66

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