Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 67

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 67

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Hall, Harvey, Elbridge, was born in Greenville in 1821, a son of Abram Hall. His father married a Miss Dubois, of a French and Dutch family, and they came to this town in 1830. There were five sons who grew up and were educated at the academy. One of them, William, was in the army. Harvey married Gratia C., daughter of Jonathan and Nancy (Paine) Dickinson. Jonathan was a son of Thomas Dickinson, who came from Massachusetts to Aurora, Nancy Paine (daughter of Gen. Edward Paine) was twice married, first to Dr. John Frisbie, and second to Jonathan Dickin- son, as above, in 1812. They had five children, two daughters surviving. Mr. Dickinson died in 1855 and his wife in 1858. Mr. Hall went to Idaho in 1870, where

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he was doing business at Florence City. The last heard from him, he was going to Boise City, having been elected assemblyman from his district. He reached there in safety, although it was a ten days' journey and the Indians were unfriendly. Word was received of his arrival, since which nothing has been heard of him. There were three Hall children: Edward D., of Elbridge, Mrs. John H. Calhoun, of Auburn, and J. D., who died March 3, 1888. Edward married Mary Lyon and has one son, Will- iam M. Mrs. Harvey Hall lives on the Dickinson homestead.

Irish, Osbert E., Elbridge, was born in 1835 in Otsego Co., a son of John and Elizabeth (Jennings) Irish, who moved into Oswego Co. in 1838. Their family of ten children grew up in that county. In 1866 Osbert moved to Syracuse, and worked for the Salt Company as foreman of the coopering factory for eight years and con- ducted also a shop of his own. He married Emma, daughter of Henry Smith, and in 1872 moved to Skaneateles Junction, continuing in the coopering trade. He manufactured flour and fruit barrels. Mr. Irish has a family of two children, John and Flora. His family are connected with the M. E. church.

Kent, Ira, Elbridge, was born in the town of Bensons, Vt. He came to Cayuga Co. at an early day, before the war of 1812, by the aid of blazed trees. After the war he sailed on the lakes. His wife was Lucretia Goodridge, who was born in the Susquehanna valley. They had five sons and five daughters, all of whom settled near the old home. Asher Kent was born in 1826, grew up in Cayuga Co., went as a driver on the canal until his father sued for his wages, when he ran away and en- listed in the United States Navy as second-class apprentice. He was in the navy at the time Captain Mckenzie was in command of the U. S. brig Somers, when he hanged midshipman Phillip Spencer, boatswain's mate William Cromwell, and seaman Elisha Small at the yard arm for mutiny. He ran away from the navy, returned home and bought his time of his father. His wife was Angeline Sarle of Saratoga Co .; they settled on a farm near Jack's Reefs, afterward removing to a farm near Jordan. His children are Mrs. James McBurney of Jordan; Seymour W. of Roch- ester, who married Mary Mawhiney of Jordan; William S. of Chihauhau, Mexico; Thomas F., who married Nellie Rodger of Syracuse and resides on the home farm, and is in the railway mail service.

Laird, Charles W., Elbridge .- The Lairds are one of the noted old families of the town of Elbridge. The first to locate there was John, who came from Charlton, Saratoga Co., in 1798, and died in 1837. His wife was Polly Boyd, and they had a family of three sons and two daughters: Chauncey B., Ira, John, Sophronia and Jane. Chauncey married Sally, daughter of Squire Adams of Skaneateles, for his first wife, by whom he had seven children: John S., living in Savannah, Wayne Co., N. Y. ; and James A., in Mohawk, N. Y .; Saxton A., the oldest son, died in Elbridge in 1892; two daughters died in 1860 and the other children when quite young. The mother died in 1844, and Mr. Laird married second Lucretia, daughter of Samuel Mills, who came to Elbridge from Albany Co. in 1827. There were five sons and 'six daughters in the Mills family, but two now living: Mrs. Laird and Mrs. David Par- sons. William, a well-known farmer and contractor, died in 1877, and Ann S. in 1891. By this marriage there were five children: Mina E., who died in 1872 at the age of 28; Julie E., wife of Rev. J. C. Nichols of Syracuse; two died young. The

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father died in 1873. He was an active and influential man in town and county affairs. He was noted for his broad hospitality and liberal support of all good works. Our subject, Charles W., married Ella, daughter of W. C. Rodger of Jordan. They lost their only daughter, Bertha A., in 1892, aged 14; they have one son, Rodger William, born March 25, 1895.

Lankton, Alonzo, Elbridge, is a son of James B., who came from Monroe Co. about 1810, and the latter was a son of James of New Jersey. James B. married Maria Cox of New Jersey, and they had nine children: John, Clark, Alonzo, Lyman, James B., jr., Lydia Ann, Mary, Marcia and William. All live in Elbridge and vicinity except William, who resides in Michigan, and Lyman, who lives in Monroe Co. Alonzo married Mary, daughter of Anthony and Elizabeth Johnson, of Massa- chusetts and Rhode Island, respectively. They moved to their present farm of 220 acres in 1852. Their children are as follows: Mrs. John Cox of Hannibal; Emma : Elizabeth, died young; James B., who married Grace Quereau, and has one daugh- ter, Mary; Mrs. George Young of Onondaga Valley, who has one danghter, Lora May; and Clara. James B., sr., died in 1835, and his wife in 1881. Mr. Lankton has served as road commissioner nine years, and as excise commissioner the same length of time. He holds the latter office at the present time.

Markell, Peter V., Elbridge, was born at Jack's Reef, town of Elbridge, Jan., 1857. His father, John, was reared at Fort Herkimer and belonged to an old German family ; his mother, Priscilla Boyce, of Snell's Bush, same county. They came to Elbridge in 1830. The father of John was Henry, whose father was John, whose father was Jacob Markell, a native of Germany, who with his two brothers, John and Andrew, swore allegiance to Great Britain, and under Sir William Johnson came to America in 1738 and settled some time afterwards, John in Schoharie, Jacob in Montgomery; Andrew went to Prescott, Canada, where he settled, and their descendants have remained in the same locality, with a few exceptions, ever since. Regarding the Elbridge family. Priscilla Boyce was the wife of two brothers Mar- kell, Henry and John. By the first marriage there were four children: James C., who married Sarah Killmer and lives in Jordan; Mrs. John Crawford of Plainsville : Mrs. Richard Kelsey of Jack's Reef; Andrew, who married Alice Sayles of Lysan- der, and resides in Van Buren. Henry Markell died in 1850, and his brother John married his widow. They had two children: John H., who married Mary Marvin of Van Buren, and Peter V., who was educated at Jordan Academy, learned the jeweler's trade, at which he worked in Jack's Reef, Lysander and Syracuse. He married Minnie A. Borke of Erie Co., and their children are Ella May, James P., Frances A., Edith P. and Reynold B. He moved to Jordan in 1883, and has been interested in the cigar and tobacco trade, and carries on a drug and jewelry business at the present time.

Nicholson, Enoch C., Elbridge, was born in Elbridge in 1826. His father was William, son of John Nicholson, a native of Londonderry, Ireland, born in 1779. His parents came to Philadelphia about 1748, and afterwards went to Nova Scotia. In 1790 Will- iam went into the British Navy, and deserted to join the Americans, serving two years. He then shipped as a whaler, and later engaged in the West Indies trade. The ship, of which he was third owner, was captured as a prize by the British dur-

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ing the war of 1812, and he escaped by swimming four miles to an American vessel. After this he served on an American privateer, and was captured the second time. He lay in Halifax jail eleven months, and came to Elbridge, then Camillus, in 1818. He married first Jane Boothby, who died soon after coming to this town, and his second wife was Sally Goodrich, by whom he had six children, all now deceased ex- cept John, who lives in Wisconsin, and Enoch. His second wife died in 1830, and William married again Mrs. Isabel Stevenson, who died in 1864, William having died in 1857. Enoch was reared in Elbridge, and has always resided here. He married first Eliza Morgan, and had three children, one of whom, Chauncey E., lives in Kan- sas. Enoch spent four years in California in the mines, returning in 1857. He mar- ried second Jane Carrier, and they had these children: Elizabeth, who died aged 18; William G., who married Edna Holway, and lives on the homestead; and Louise, a graduate of Syracuse University, who is preceptor of the high school at Somerset, Ky. Mr. Nicholson has served as assessor eighteen years. He is a member of no church but a Presbyterian in sentiment, and is greatly interested in the Onondaga Historical Society.

Pickard Family, Elbridge .- Joseph Pickard brought his family from Germany in 1790, and settled in Newburgh, this State. Twenty years later he came to Elbridge, and was the ancestor of all that name who have since lived in the town. He reared five sons and three daughters, all of whom settled about the old home, in the north- east part of the town. The parents died here. Reuben, the oldest son, was born in Jan., 1793, while his parents were living in Newburgh. He married Katherine Kel- ley, and reared seven children. Of these Abraham and William live at Peru; Mrs. Lewis Remington in Van Buren; Mrs. Harlow Holcomb in Michigan; James died in 1856; Mrs. Abram Spaulding died in 1864; and the parents died in 1852 and 1838 re- spectively. Abram Pickard was born in 1826, and always lived in the town of Peru, attending district school with his brothers and sisters. He married Mary J., daugh- ter of Henry Markell, and of his children Henry married Lucy Whipple and lived at Peru, and had two children, Abram and Jenny; and Lewis married Mina Fenner, and had two sons, Myron and Lewis. William K. Pickard married Margaret A., daughter of Jacob Halstead He reared one son, Francis E., who became a member of the firm of Pickard & Co., which had a large farm and a general grocery and pro- vision store, with a good canal trade. Francis married Cynthia Chappel of Cato. William K. lost one daughter in infancy. The Pickards are all Republicans. Will- iam was postmaster under Hayes and Arthur, and Francis under Harrison. Myron S., son of Abram and Mary (Markell) Pickard, was born at Peru, town of Elbridge, in 1849 and has always lived there. He married Mary Wolfe, a native of Germany, who came when a child with her parents to Peru. Her father, William Wolfe, died there in 1858, and her mother in 1867. Mr. Pickard has a farm and a cider mill, which does a large business.

Rickard, John, Elbridge, was born in England in 1827, and reared on a farm. His parents were Benjamin and Hannah Rickard. They spent their lives in England, and had five children besides our subject: Mary, Elizabeth, William, George, and Benjamin, the latter three coming to Jordan prior to 1850, in which year John came. All had good farms east of the village, that of our subject comprising 140 acres. The latter married Maria, daughter of John Durston of Lysander, by whom he had four

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children, one daughter dying in infancy. Horace D. fitted himself at Jordan Acad- emy and Oneonta Normal School for the teacher's profession, Herbert J. and Clara staying at home. The Rickards support the Episcopalian church.

Skutt, George A., Elbridge, was born in Elbridge in 1860, a son of Ezra, also born and reared in this town, whose father was William, who married a Miss Hobart and came to this State about 1820 from Massachusetts, settling in Jefferson Co. Ezra married Melissa Davis, by whom he had five children: William, George, Ezra, and Mrs. Edward Van Dusen, all living in this town, and Arthur, who resides in War- ners. Ezra moved to Cayuga Co. in 1893; George married Carrie, daughter of Will- iam Cooper of Elbridge, her mother being a daughter of Dr. David Wilson, well known to all older residents. Mr. Skutt has a good sixty-acre farm, and his family consists of two sons, Clarence and David. The family are Presbyterians.

Salisbury, Charles F., Elbridge, son of Levi and Nancy (Taylor) Salisbury, was born in Oswego in 1852. His father came to Jefferson Co., and was a farmer by occupation, having a family of four sons and two daughters. He died in Nov., 1878, and his wife in Jan., 1881. Charles F. came to Elbridge in 1878 and in Jan., 1888, married Minnie, daughter of Newman Crossett. She was born and reared in this town, and the Salisburys live on the old Crossett homestead. Newman Crossett came from Oswego Co. to Elbridge in 1832, and there died. Mr. and Mrs. Salisbury have four children : Mary Louise, Newman C., Carl Levi, and Edith E. The family attend the Baptist church.

Stevens, W. T., Elbridge, was born near Jordan, town of Elbridge, in 1844, a son of Thomas Stevens, born in Washington Co. in 1803, and came with an uncle to On- ondaga Co. in 1816, driving a team there. He spent the most of his last 70 years in the town of Elbridge. In 1831 he married Eliza Clark of Skaneateles, daughter of Eli Clark, and their five children were Mrs. H. B. Daggett of Brookfield, Mo. (de- ceased); Edmund B., who died in the army at Winchester Hospital; one son and daughter died in childhood. Thomas Stevens's farm was situated two miles north- east of Jordan, and there he died in 1885. His first wife and the mother of his chil- dren died in 1847. In 1849 he married Martha J., daughter of Brigham Mills of Skaneateles, formerly of Massachusetts, who died in 1893. W. T. Stevens was reared on his father's farm, and in 1871 married Kate, daughter of Harmon Parmelee, and reared four children: Edmund P., George T., Eliza M., and Sarah K.

Simmons, Albert W., Elbridge, was born in Chemung Co. in 1827, a son of Jacob and Mary (Hewitt) Simmons, natives of Rensselaer Co., who came to Skaneateles in 1828. There they resided and in Niles, Cayuga Co., until 1860, when he removed to a farm in the southwest part of Elbridge. They reared three sons and three daugh- ters, all of whom grew to maturity. Albert married Margaret Sinclair, of a Scotch family living in New Hope, town of Niles, and they had five children: Mrs. James Barber, of Fulton; Mrs. Edward Newell, of Skaneateles; and Orville H., Jacob, and Margaret, all at home. Mr. Simmons enlisted in 1861 in the 75th N. Y. Vols., and served through the Virginia campaign, over three years. He draws a good pension. Mr. Simmons has a fine place of fifty-four acres.

Tyler, Jared W., Elbridge, was born in Marcellus in 1816, a son of Samuel and a

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grandson of Samuel, sr., who came from Connecticut in 1794. There was a large family of sons of Samuel, sr., three of whom went to Michigan, the others spending their lives in Marcellus. Samuel, sr., died in 1825. Samuel, jr., married Tabitha Whiting of Connecticut in 1810, whose family had settled near Split Rock. Of their five sons, Ralph died in Ohio, John, a physician, died in Massachusetts in 1845, George died in Michigan in 1890, Giles died when a child. The parents died in 1844 and 1864 respectively. Jared lived in Marcellus until 1855, when he came to El- bridge and bought a farm north of Jordan. He was the last of his family to live at Tyler Hollow in that town. He married Grace L. Whitney in 1840, and they had three children: John H., who has two daughters, Grace A., and Bertha M., of Jor- dan ; George S., a railroad man at St. Louis, and Alvaretta, who died in 1865, aged twenty-three. His wife, who was born in Marcellus in 1818, died in 1865. Mr. Tyler's second marriage was with Julia A. Perine of Ira, in 1867. He remained on his farm till 1884, then sold it and retired to Jordan.

Tucker, Dr. Charles F., Elbridge, was born in Jordan Feb. 3, 1864, a son of Charles H., a native of Jefferson Co., and a son of Dr. Samuel Tucker, whose father was a British naval officer. Dr. Samuel Tucker married a Miss Laura Pardee of Sharon, Conn., and was for many years a U. S. army surgeon, being stationed at Sackett's Harbor, N. Y. In 1821 he was living at Rutland, Jefferson Co., N. Y., where Charles H. was born. Later he came to Elbridge village and conducted a hotel until 1838, when he moved to Jordan and opened a drug store, resuming prac- tice in 1843. He died in 1857, and Charles H. succeeded him in the business. He married Silvana Northrup, whose father was for many years rector of Christ church, Jordan. Their children were: Mrs. John W. Stewart, of Duluth, Minn., and Dr. Charles F. He married Laura Newell, daughter of Asa Newell, who died within a year after marriage in 1888. In 1890 he married Mrs. Mary E., widow of Robert Dykes of New York. She had a son Robert. Dr. Charles F. Tucker was educated in the drug business, after finishing his common school education at Jordan Acad- emy. He attended the New York College of Physicians and Surgeons one session and graduated in medicine from the medical department of the University of Buf- falo in 1894. He is an Odd Fellow, and a Mason as also was his father and grand- fatlier, and he and his family belong to the Episcopal church.

Tullar, Simon R., Elbridge .- His grandfather moved from Mohawk Flats, near Utica, to Mexico, Oswego Co., in 1809, when Oren Tullar, Simon's father, was eight- een years of age. Oren married Polly Kelsey of that town, and raised a family of six sons and four daughters. Two of the sons came to this county, Chas. F. settling in Syracuse, and Simon, who was born in 1819, came to Jordan in 1844. He after- wards lived in Weedsport five years, and married Sarah J. Clark, of Brutus. He then returned to Jordan. The Clark family were among the early settlers of Onon- daga Valley, and came to Jordan in the forties. The family of Simon Tullar con- sisted of Chas. H., who went to Michigan; John D., who married Julia, daughter of Nelson Mills, of the Mills family in Marcellus, and is a commercial traveler, living in Jordan; and Mrs. Jared H. Whiting of Jordan. Mr. Whiting died in 1893. Mrs. Simon Tullar died in 1888. Mr. Tullar began voting for "Tippecanoe " Harrison, and has lost but one vote since,

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Watts, John P., Elbridge, is a native of Westchester Co., where he was born in 1858. His father, John S., was born in Northampton, England, and his mother was Martha Pexton, of Yorkshire, England, both of whom came to this county in 1850 and settled in Westchester Co. Several years later the family went to Illinois where they engaged in farming, and where the father died after about a year in that State in 1860. The mother with her two children, John P'. and daughter, now Mrs. Fred Arnold, returned to Syracuse, and the mother married Cornelius Cooper of Jordan, and died in 1887. John P. lived in the Cooper family for a time. He married Annie, daughter of William Rickard and their children are: W. Herbert, Frances and Mary Elizabeth. In 1881 Mr. Watts bought the Dr. Hamilton farm of seventy- one acres, where he now resides.

Wright, Truman K. and Norman F., Elbridge, were twin sons of Preserved and Jemima (King) Wright, and were born in Vermont in 1815, the youngest of twelve children. Their father died when they were eight years old. In spite of difficulties they secured a good common school education, and at the age of seventeen both were teaching. Three years later both entered Middlebury College, from which they graduated with honors. Since then Truman has taught in New Hampshire seven years, in Pompey six years, in Jordan five years, and for thirty-four years was principal of the Munro Collegiate Institute, at Elbridge, N. Y., retiring in 1892. In 1846 he married Martha Bridgman of Hanover, N. H. Their children are: E. C., a · lawyer of Syracuse; Dr. H. B., of Skaneateles; Ada, a teacher in the High School at Syracuse; and Fred. T., a medical student. At the seventieth anniversary of the birthday of himself and brother, who had also followed teaching all his life, a recep- tion was given them at Houghton Seminary, Clinton, N. Y. The following letter was received from the Chancellor of the Regents of the University of the State of New York :

ALBANY, March 26, 1885.

Messrs. T. K. and N. F. Wright, Gentlemen: The Board of Regents have learned with great pleasure of the remarkable meeting proposed to be held at Clinton on the 27th of March inst., being the 70th birthday of you and each of you. They are deeply interested in the well being of every man who is actively engaged in the work of education ; much more for two twin brothers who have served so faithfully, and at this advanced age still have the vigor of manhood, the pleasure of continued service, and the reward of well doing. Dr. Watkins, the assistant secretary, will represent the Board, and will bear with him our hearty congratulations and grateful recognition of your valuable services in the cause of education, and will in behalf of the Board present you with a very slight testimonial of our regard.

I am, gentlemen, with profound respect, Your obedient servant,

H. R. PIERSON, Chancellor.

Professor Wright is held in high esteem by the hundreds of students he has in- structed in Onondaga Co. during the forty-five years of his administration, and by the entire community where he has lived.

Bramer, Lewis, Fabius, was born in Fabius, Dec. 20, 1840, a son of Lewis and Mary (Wallis) Bramer, the former a native of Orange Co., born in 1803, and the lat- ter born in Rensselaer Co. the same year. George, the grandfather of Lewis, jr.,

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was born in Germany, and with his wife Sally came to America, settled in Orange Co., where he died; his wife died in Fabius several years later. Lewis, father of our subject, was a worker in wood, and came to Fabius from Madison Co. in 1837, where he died Sept. 20, 1868, at the age of 65, and his wife nearly three years later, aged 68. Lewis, jr., lived most of the time in Fabius until the breaking out of the war in 1861, when he enlisted as a musician in the 12th N. Y. Vols., serving until July 18, 1862, when he was discharged. He also spent a year in the oil regions of Pennsylvania. Early in life he learned blacksmithing, which he followed several years. In Jan., 1868, he married Lydia A., daughter of Daniel and Mabel (Andrews) Joslin. In Jan., 1869, he moved to Little Falls, where he was engaged in the manu- facture of the Warrior mower until Jan., 1873, when he went to Prescott, Ontario, where he remained four years, taking charge of the works of the Warrior Mower Co. of Canada. In 1877 he returned to Fabius and engaged in the manufacture of agricultural implements, which he followed for two years, when he sold out and went to Detroit, Mich., to take charge of the machinery in a large cheese and barrel hoop mill, but the business not being to his liking he returned in the fall, bought a half in- terest in the hardware business of Thomas McElligott, and in the spring of 1880 bought the other half, which was destroyed by fire in Dec., 1882. The next season he rebuilt, carried on the business until Oct., 1889, when he took as a partner his son, John L., and the business has since been carried on by then under the firm name of L. Bramer & Son. Mr. Bramer was one of the first trustees of Fabius vil- lage, and has been elected three terms as president and several as treasurer. He was also town clerk from 1879 to 1885, and is now serving his second term as justice of the peace, to which he was elected in 1889 for four years and re-elected in 1893. He is a member of the G. A. R., having been for several years commander of Allen Post No. 54; he is also a Mason. He has had four children: John L., born Nov. 18, 1868; Charles E., born Aug. 20, 1870, who died May 17, 1878; Arthur J., born March 29, 1875, now a druggist of Norwich. N. Y .; Irving D., born July 17, 1887.

Blaney, John J., Fabius, was born in Tully, Sept. 8, 1838, a son of John and Charity A. (Finch) Blaney, he born in Rensselaer Co., town of Nassau, in 1806, and his wife born in the town of Sandlake in 1812. The grandfather was David Blaney, a captain in the war of 1812. The father of our subject came to Tully about 1830, and ten years later came to what is now Summit Station. He owned a grist mill, and a farm of 200 acres. He gave an acre of ground for the railroad station, and assisted largely in building the road. He served in many of the local offices, and was a prominent man of his town. It was through his influence that the first post- office was established, and he served as supervisor of his town. His death occurred in 1871 and that of his wife in 1880. Our subject was two years old when he came to Summit Station, and he was reared on the farm and worked in the grist mill, learning milling, which he followed several years. About 1860 J. J. and his father established a flour, feed and grocery store in connection with the mill, the firm being Blaney & Son. This continued several years and until 1870, when John J. bought the store and engaged in the mercantile business, and has had a very successful busi- ness ever since, Mr. Blancy owns a fine place near Summit Station and follows gen- eral farming also. In 1864 he married Emma Morehouse, who died in 1872, and in 1874 he married H. Minerva Skeele, and has had one son, Edwin J., born Jan. 20,

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Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 67

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