Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 80

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 80

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of which have passed from the mortal, the other four are as follows: Jerome H., born May 28, 1848, he married Deetta Brown. They have three children: Ernest, Ella and Major B .; Gilbert, born Aug. 20, 1852; he married Josephine Lytle, they have one child, Jessie May ; Fannie, born on Oct. 21, 1858. She married Frank B. Taylor, a carriage painter, they have two children, Eva and Bayard; Austin B., born July 31, 1861. He married Anna Fitzgerald, they have two children, Jennie and Blanche. He has been deputy sheriff in Madison Co. for ten years. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter have been life-long workers for temperance, having never used liquor or tobacco in any form. He was formerly a Republican, is now a Prohibitionist, is in favor of Woman's Rights, or equal rights for all; is opposed to murder for murder, or capital punishment. He wasa Universalist formerly but now believes in spirit communion as a demonstrated fact. Is a worker for all reforms, by the great principle of evolution. Progress by a survival of the fittest.

Congdon, Charles A., Salina, was born in 1847, at Syracuse; is a son of the late Albert B. Congdon, of Connecticut, and is the only surviving member of a family of seven children. His father came to Onondaga Hill with his parents when but one year old, and at the age of seventeen settled in Syracuse. He was an architect and builder. He built the old Reform church, Hon. Thomas G. Alvord's house, Major Burnet's house, and many other well known buildings of Syracuse. He died in 1880. Mr. Congdon married Lillie D. Huntley in 1875, by whom he has four children, Helen L., Albert B., Lillie H., and Eunice B. He has a farm of 100 acres (on which he has resided since he was six years old) and follows dairying and gardening. He was elected supervisor of the town of Salina in 1892.

Hopkins, Samuel L., Salina, was born in Onondaga Co. in 1825, son of Luther and Alma (Cooley) Hopkins, natives of Washington Co., N. Y., and West Springfield, Mass., who located at Camillus about 1822. The father was for eight years keeper of the Onondaga Co. Poorhouse. He came to Salina in 1847, and died in 1849, the mother in Onondaga in 1832. Samuel L. taught school for many years in different parts of the county, and at the death of his father took charge of the home farm, where he has since lived. He was for many years a justice of the peace, and has filled various town offices. He is unmarried.

Hinsdell, Perry H., Salina, one of Salina's most practical, progressive and success- ful farmers, was born in Pompey in 1820, son of Moses and Rachael (Hibbard) Hins- dell, natives of Connecticut, who died in Pompey. The father died in 1857 at the age of 79 and the mother in 1841 at the age of 57. Mr. Hinsdell, after attaining his majority, spent one year in Michigan, then returned east and spent a season codfishing on the Greenland Banks. In 1847 he married Sarah Adams, and has since devoted his time to agricultural pursuits. His first wife died in 1877, leav- ing five children, two surviving, Cora E. and Samuel W. He afterwards married Mrs. Ellen S. Fenner. Politically he was a Republican, until in 1876 he became convinced that the principles of the party were not what they should be, and since he has worked faithfully for the promulgation of the principles of the Prohibition party, feeling sure that what our great country needs is the votes of honest men to save the youth of our land by giving a death blow to the rum traffic. He hopes the day is not far distant when every saloon door will bear the notice " Out of business,"

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and will then feel he has not lived in vain, hoping his action in life may have had some influence in bringing about such a reformation.

Michael, Nicholas C., Salina, was born in Madison Co. in 1859, son of Peter and Jane (Godfrey) Michael, natives of Germany and Loraine, who resided in Syracuse. Mr. Michael was raised on a farm and has been in the dairy business since 1881, keeping fifty cows. In 1881 he married Lena Spohr of Salina. He has recently been elected justice of the peace.

Overacre, Daniel R., Salina, was born in the town of Clay in 1849, son of Solomon and Lydia (Johnson) Overacre, natives of Herkimer Co. The parents came to Clay in 1849, and died in 1872 and 1881, aged 49 and 63. Mr. Overacre was raised on a farm, and since 1866 has resided on his present farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres. In 1877 he married Sarah E. McNeil of Cicero. He was town assessor in Salina for five years.

Phillips, John, Salina, was born in Onondaga Valley in 1842, son of John and Emeline Phillips, who came from England and settled in Syracuse. Mr. Phillips has a farm of seventy-five acres on the Brewerton road near the city limits, and follows general farming, making hay a specialty. He has a sister, Fanny, now the wife of Jeremiah Quackenbush, and a brother, James W.

Ross, Benjamin C., Salina, was born in Vermont in 1822, son of Seth and Hannah (Chapman) Ross, who lived and died in Vermont. In 1845 Mr. Ross came to Syra- cuse. He was engaged in the manufacture of belting, etc., in Rochester from 1847 to 1851, then returned to Syracuse and engaged in the drug and medicine and iron business several years, since which time he has been interested in agricultural pur- suits and real estate. In 1850 he married Mary M. Gumaer, by whom he has two children: Elias B. and Benjamin M. He now lives on the premises he purchased soon after he came to Syracuse.

Austin, Henry, Skaneateles, son of Jacob Austin, was born in Sheffield, Mass., Dec. 26, 1770, was married Nov. 10, 1791, to Prudence Ensign. He died Aug. 24, 1829. At Owasco, N. Y., in 1895, was celebrated the 100th anniversary of the arrival of Henry Austin from Sheffield, Mass., the family being among the oldest and much respected settlers in Owasco. Ebenezer Ensign Austin, son of Henry Austin, was born in Owasco, May 2, 1796, and married Sarah Harvey, March 20, 1821. He died May 24, 1867. They first settled on a farm one mile west of Skaneateles vil- lage, which was the family homestead and is still retained in the family. Here were born Sarah Ann Austin, Jan. 14, 1823; Harriet Austin, April 14, 1826; George Aus- tin, Jan. 5, 1828; Caroline Austin, April 11, 1824; Mary Austin, Dec. 14, 1830; Cor- nelia Austin, Oct. 14, 1833; Franklin Ensign Austin, Aug. 5, 1836. In the year 1838 E. E. Austin purchased in the village of Skaneateles, Onondaga Co., the Aaron Aus- tin farm and home now owned and occupied by Franklin Ensign Austin, where he has always lived and worked the farm. F. E. Austin married Lovisa P., daughter of John and Amy (Brown) Rice of Elbridge. John Rice was a farmer and was born in Cheshire, Mass., Jan. 8, 1799, and died June 20, 1875. Mr. Austin has one son, Clarence M. Austin of Seattle, Washington. He was born Nov. 17, 1861. He grad- uated from Amherst, Mass., then went into the loan and investment business at Seattle.

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Austin, Orland J., Skaneateles, was born in Skaneateles in 1852, son of Joab Aus- tin, of Niles, Cayuga Co. Mr. Austin has always followed farming, and his farm is one of the finest in the township, and his residence is a very notable one, being one of the handsomest in the town. He married Della A., daughter of Selah Thompson of Skaneateles, by whom he has two children: Genevieve, aged ten, and Ivan B., aged seven years. Selah Thompson was one of the oldest settlers in the town, being born in 1800 and dying in 1882. His wife, Peninah, is still living at the age of 77. Both families are among the oldest and best known in the town.

Barber, John A., Skaneateles, was born in England and came to Skaneateles in 1857 and engaged in farming. Aug. 31, 1864, he enlisted in Co. L, 9th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and served until the close of the war. He was wounded in the battle of Cedar Creek, and was with the Army of the Potomac in front of Richmond at the time of Lee's surrender. He then returned to Skaneateles and resumed farming. Mr. Barber married Mary A. Staddon, by whom he has two children: Edwin A., in the paper manufacturing business, and Ida M., living at home. Mr. Barber is one of the best known farmers in the town and is a prominent Grand Army man.

Brown, John Wing, Skaneateles, was born in the city of New York, April 17, 1852, and was the only child of Harvey Brown, a well known resident of the town of Skaneateles. The latter was born in the town of Oppenheim, Fulton Co., in 1818, and at eighteen years of age went to the city of New York, where he lived until 1860. Owing to impaired health he then removed to the village of Brockett's Bridge, now Dolgeville, where he remained until June, 1876, when he removed to the home of his only child, Dr. J. W. Brown of Mottville, where he died April 22, 1894. He had but recently celebrated his golden wedding. Harvey Brown's wife, Margaret Sands (Wing) Brown, was born in Duchess Co., N. Y., Oct. 30, 1820, and died in Mottville, Jan. 17, 1895, about eight months after her husband's death, having never been separated, but always residing together as an unbroken family. Dr. Brown's childhood was passed at Brockett's Bridge. His education was obtained in the private schools, New York city, and village school and academies in Pu- laski and Fairfield, varied during vacations by clerkship in his father's store. Leaving school he entered the office of Dr. A. G. Barney in Dolgeville at the age of nineteen. He attended lectures at Ann Arbor in the winter of 1871 and 1872, and with less than two year's study received the degree of M. D. March 26, 1873, from the University of Michigan. He married M. Alice Youker of Dolgeville, April 9, 1873, and the following month formed a partnership with his preceptor, which continued until December, 1875, when he removed to Mottville and began what has proved to be his life work. A bitter struggle with adversity and pov- erty for a few years and perseverance and energy won the large and lucrative practice he now enjoys. He early adopted this motto, "Qui, non proficit, deficit," and developing ability with obstetrical cases (a record of 989 with four fatalities), his advice is sought for miles around. Recognizing that the growing importance of nervous and special ills of women were not alone the province of the special- ist, a large and growing "clientele" is the result of this study and foresight. Dr. Brown is the type of the thorough all-round general practitioner, and is noted for his cheerful demeanor and personal magnetism. His robust physique alone enables him to withstand the arduous duties of the country doctor. Located in

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a manufacturing community the major and minor surgical work has been his for years, and operative gynecology is of frequent occurrence. His adoption of wood pulp as a dressing for fractures was original, and his claim of priority is uncon- tested, as its advantages have been ably stated by him at county, State and na- tional medical meetings. He has been health officer of his town for years. Early attaining a membership in the Herkimer County Medical Society, he united upon his removal with the Onondaga County, and was its president for the year 1891. He is also a member of the Central New York Medical Association, New York State Medical Society, American Medical Association and Ninth International Med- ical Congress. His meagre contributions to medical literature are a report upon diphtheria in American Journal of Obstetrics, and subsequent report to American Medical Association Transactions; "Wood Pulp as a Surgical Dressing ;" "A Plea for the General Practitioner versus Gynecologist," American Medical Association Journal ; presidential address upon "Decadence of American Families," and report upon "Electrocution," Medical Record. His restless activity early led to his organ- ization, with others, of the Mottville Paper Company, Limited, of which he has al- ways been president and resident manager with the unfortunate result that his entire savings of twenty years were swept away by the complete destruction of the plant by fire upon March 5, 1894. He is not a communicant of any church or identified with any sect, but an earnest believer in Christianity, unbiased by doctrine but with char- ity for all. He has always been a member of the Republican party, but is in no sense a politician or aspirant for honors or notoriety. He is a member of Skaneateles Lodge, No. 522, F. & A. M. Is High Priest of Charles H. Platt Chapter, No. 247, R. A. M. ; a Sir Knight of Central City Commandery (Syracuse) No. 22, K. T. ; has obtained the 32d degree A. A. S. R., and is a Noble of Ziyara Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. (Utica). With a family consisting of wife and daughters, Jessie Wing, Mar- garet Shaffer and Carrie Alice and an only son, Harvey John, residing in one of the finest residences in the town upon a farm which he successfully manages in addition to his professional work. Possessing a library which is one of the best in the county, he is well equipped by a large personal experience to fully enjoy the results of appli- cation, and hopes to long retain his place among the workers of his chosen profes- sion, and leave the record "well done" as a heritage to his family, with the knowledge that life may be made worthy the living by conscientious work in the practice of an exacting profession.

Brown, Robert, Skaneateles, is a native of Canada, who came to this country in 1870 and found work in a paper mill, which he has ever since, with some exceptions, continued, being machine tender of one of the mills at Skaneateles Falls. In 1882 he bought the residence of the late Colonel Lamb, it being a large, handsome, stone building.

Bockes, Dennis, Skaneateles, son of Smith and Olive (Smith) Bockes of Saratoga Co., N. Y., was born in Philadelphia, Jefferson Co., in 1839. At the age of fifteen he removed with his parents to Scott, Cortland Co. He studied at Cortland Academy at Homer, graduating in 1860, and for the next ten years he was engaged in teach- ing. He then bought a farm of 140 acres southwest of Skaneateles, and has since devoted himself to its cultivation. Mr. Bockes, who is a Republican, was elected supervisor in 1880. In 1882 he was again elected, and continued in office seven sub-

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sequent terms. In 1886 he was unanimously elected chairman of the Board of Su- pervisors. In 1865 Mr. Bockes married Charlotte M., daughter of John S. Haight. They have four sons: Edgar L., engaged in farming; Harry S., connected with the milling business; George L., in Cornell University, and John W., in Williams Col- lege. Mr. and Mrs. Bockes are members of the Reformed Church of Owasco.

Chapman, James S., Skaneateles, was born in England, April 14, 1824, a son of William and Johanna (Spratt) Chapman, who lived and died in that country. The grandfather, John Chapman, and his wife, Mary Spencer, both died there also. James S. was reared to farm work, educated in the public schools, and came to Skan- eateles in 1846. In 1851 he came to his present farm, where he has since resided. The place comprises seventy acres. Our subject married in 1849 Elizabeth Weeks, a native of England, and a daughter of James and Ann (Barnard) Weeks, and Mr. and Mrs. Chapman have had twelve children, of whom seven survive: George S., who married Francis Gould, and has six children, George, Ann, Elizabeth, Frances, Harry and Francisco; Eliza J., wife of Henry Harwidge, who has five children, Mabel, Willis, Charles, Allen and Daisy; Elizabeth, wife of John Joice, who has seven children, Olive, Frank, Lottie, Ernest, Mertice and Levin; Sylvia Ann, wife of Charles Milford of Skaneateles who has six children, Roscoe, Leslie, Florence, Earl, Ivan and Charles; Nephthalem, who married Alice Horsing, and has two chil- dren. Rena and L. J. ; Thomas J., who married Lillie Carver, and had one child who died in infancy; and Uriah, who married Kate Coon, and has three children: Abbie, William and Eugene.

Cuddeback, George D., Skaneateles, was born Jan. 18, 1858, was the son David, son of Jacob, son of Abram, who was one of the first settlers in the township, coming here with six boys who were all farmers. David was born in 1811, died in 1875; he followed farming all his life. Geo. D. was educated in Skaneateles and in 1876 he married Lettie M. Thornton by whom he has two sons, Willis D. and Eugene A. In 1882 he purchased a farm on the Lake road, where he now lives; it being one of the best located in the county. He comes of one of the oldest and best known fami- lies in the county.

Daniels, Willard W., Skaneateles, was born in the town of Butler, Wayne Co., July 4, 1834. When he was twelve years of age moved with his parents and two brothers and five sisters to the town of Skaneateles, Onondaga Co., and settled on a farm near Mottville, where he has since resided with the exception of two years, in which he lived in Bremer Co., Iowa, and about two years in Cayuga Co., N. Y., now own- ing and occupying a portion of the old homestead where his parents, Ammon and Sally (Vail) Daniels died, the former on Dec. 31, 1880, aged 78 years, the latter Aug. 27, 1858, aged 54 years, also the grandfather, Stephen Daniels, who died April 16, 1859, aged 83 years. In 1856 he married Ann E., daughter of Moses and Nancy (Putnam) Moreland of Sennett, Cayuga Co., N.Y., with whom he has raised two chil- dren: Alice A., wife of Frank Wilkes of the town of Ira, Cayuga Co., who have five children, namely, Willard, John, Clare, Anna and Jennie; and Carrie A., who died Dec. 3, 1874, aged 7 years. The wife's parents were natives of this State, and died, he in 1884, she in 1893, each at the age of 84 years. On the 16th day of March, 1865, our subject was enrolled in the Union army to serve one year, but was discharged on the 11th day of May, 1865, at the end of the war,

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Dewitt, Hiram, Skaneateles, was born in Cayuga Co., Aug. 12, 1832, son of Jacob Dewitt, who was a farmer, born Dec. 16, 1808, and died Aug. 3, 1880. Hiram re- ceived a common school education in Cayuga Co., then went to farming, and in 1861 bought the farm where he is now located, which is in a fine state of cultivation. Mr. Dewitt is one of the best known farmers in the township. In 1861 he married Mary M. Pardee, who belongs to one of the oldest and best known families in the town. They have one boy, Maxwell P., who carries on the farm for his father. They also have an adopted daughter, Mabel, who is now attending school.

Dewitt, M. C., Skaneateles, was born in Skaneateles, Sept. 7, 1839, son of Charles WV. Dewitt. He follows farming, owning the largest farm in the corporation, con- sisting of 245 acres. Mr. Dewitt was road commissioner for twelve years. He has also run a milk route in the village for twenty-four years. He is one of the best known men in the town. He married Elizabeth A. Hockey, of Skaneateles. Their children are Frank G., John S., Warren B., Charles P., Robert H., Edward T., Car- rie A., Mary E., Laura B., deceased, George M., and Florence A.

Earll, J. Horatio, Skaneateles, was born in Skaneateles, Feb. 18, 1850, son of Col. Daniel and Caroline (Peck) Earll. Colonel Earll was born in 1803 on the old home- stead which his father, Abijah, cleared. At the death of his father he assumed charge of his father's business, which consisted of the farm, saw mill, and grist mill. The business gradually increased until he was the owner of seven grist mills, at that time being the principal privileges of the stream. In 1850 he became interested in a distillery with is two sons, Augustus and Leonard, and Charles Tallman of Syracuse, the firm name being Earlls & Tallman. This continued until 1870, when Mr. Earll retired from active business to his farm, where he died in his eighty-sixth year. J. Horatio still owns and resides on the old homestead. He is interested in breeding thoroughbred stock, consisting of cattle and merino sheep. Mr. Earll has been supervisor of the town, and has also acted as postmaster, and is treasurer of the Skaneateles Savings Bank. He married Belle M., daughter of George Gregory, of Skaneateles, by whom he has one daughter, Carrie B., who took part in the tableau of La Fayette reception of Onondaga's Centennial.

Evans, Reuben, Skaneateles, was born in Somersetshire, England, in 1829, came to Skaneateles in 1848 and followed farming until his trip to California. While there he engaged in mining two years, then returned to Skaneateles, and in Aug., 1862, enlisted in Co. G, 149th N. Y. Vols., serving till the close of the war. He was for two years in the Army of the Cumberland and a year with the Army of the Potomac. He participated in the battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Winchester, Lookout Mountain, Ringgold, Dalton, Ga., etc., and was wounded in the battle of Resaca. Mr. Evans has seen very active service, and was in some of the most important en- gagements of the war, being with Sherman on his "march to the sea." After Lee's surrender Mr. Evans returned to Skaneateles and resumed farming, in which he is still engaged. He married Eliza Smith, and has one son, who assists his father on the farm.

Fitch, Louis Benjamin, Skaneateles, was born at Sherburne, Chenango Co., July 27, 1842. The following year his father, Jacob B. Fitch, moved to Pennsylvania, where for many years he was connected with the Delaware & Hudson Canal Co.

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His grandfather. Benjamin Fitch, served in the war of 1812, and was wounded at the battle of Bridgewater while commanding his company and bearing aloft the colors of his regiment. L. B. Fitch was educated at Clinton Liberal Institute, after which he was in the employ of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Co. until 1871, when he went to Syracuse as sales agent for that company. In 1876 he came to Skaneateles as sec- retary and treasurer of the Skaneateles Paper Co., remaining with them until 1889, when he retired from active business, but still retaining some manufacturing inter- ests. He served on the Skaneateles School Board fifteen years, and was its presi- dent for six years. In 1869 he married Laura Clift of Skaneateles, by whom he has two daughters: Mary Clift and Lucy Aldrich.

Gillett, Edson D., Skaneateles, was born in Solon, Cortland Co., N. Y., April 5, 1842. He is one of six children born to Sophronia A. and Alonzo Gillett, who came to Skaneateles in 1850. At the age of nineteen years he enlisted in the 19th N. Y. Infantry, in response to the call of President Lincoln for the first seventy-five thou- sand. After twenty-three months' service he was discharged by reason of physical disability. After recovering his wonted health, he re-enlisted in Aug., 1864, in the 9th N. Y. Heavy Artillery; was with the 6th Corps under Sheridan in the Shenan- doah Valley, going from thence to Petersburg, where he remained during the win- ter of 1864-65; was an active participant in the engagements before Petersburg, and from there on to Appomattox; was discharged from the service in July, 1865. Re- turning to civil life, he engaged for a time in the manufacture of brick and tile and afterwards in contracting and building. In Feb., 1885, he was appointed postmaster by President Arthur; served through President Cleveland's term, and was reap- pointed by President Harrison, his term of office expiring Feb. 14, 1894, making nine years consecutive service, under two Republican and two Democratic administra- tions. This he regards as a peculiar political distinction, inasmuch as his Repub- lican principles were always to the front. At the present time he is a justice of the · peace and doing a general collection and loan agency business. He was married Jan. 1, 1867, to Helen M. Gregory, by whom he had one son: Frank H., now living in Skaneateles.

Harwood, George B., Skaneateles, was born in South Onondaga, N. Y., March 28, 1841. He is one of four children, born to Charles and Jane E. Harwood. He learned the trade of harness making. In Aug., 1862, he enlisted in Co. G, 149th N. Y. Vols., and was in the battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, and all the battles of his regiment; was with Sherman on his famous march to the sea. On June 12, 1865, he was mustered out of the service. Return- ing to the pursuits of civil life, he engaged in harness making in Skaneateles, which he has followed, except two years in the internal revenue service of the United States. He has been honored with the office of collector of his town, and by the county at large with the office of county treasurer. In Feb., 1867, he married Eliza- beth Samuels, by whom he has one son, George G., a pharmacist.

Jones, James D., Skaneateles, was born in Somersetshire, England, son of Henry and Ann Jones. Henry died in Syracuse in 1886. The family were among the early settlers in Skaneateles. The grandfather of James D. came there in 1832 and died in 1841. James D. has always been engaged in farming. He bought his pres- ent farm, one of the best known in the township, seven years ago. He married

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Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 80

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