Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 81

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 81

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FAMILY SKETCHES.

Mary J. B. Adams, by whom he has three sons: Frank O., in the paper business at Lockport; Charles W., and William A., who is engaged with his father on the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are members of the Methodist church in Skaneateles.

Kellogg, John, Skaneateles, son of Daniel and Laura (Hyde) Kellogg, was born at Skaneateles, N. Y., April 12, 1807, where he died Feb. 7, 1883, and was buried there, leaving a widow, Paulina Wood, and six children surviving, viz .: Daniel, Caroline Wood, John, Mary, Helen, William Wood and Jennie Louise. He was married at Ithaca, N. Y., Oct. 24, 1837, to Lucy Coburn, daughter of John and Mary (Platt) Coburn, and granddaughter of Jonathan Platt of Nichols, N. Y. ; she died Sept. 15, 1845, at Skaneateles. He was married (second) June 14, 1848, at Aurora-on-Cayuga Lake, N. Y., to Paulina Wood, daughter of Leddra and Caroline (Seeley) Wood, and granddaughter of Hon. Walter Wood of Aurora. In his early life Mr. Kellogg was a merchant at Trumansburg, N. Y., and later had a wheelbarrow factory, flour mill and distillery at Jordan, N. Y .; early in the sixties engaged in the brokerage busi- ness in New York city, being a member of the firm of Jerome, Kellogg & Co., No. 22 Exchange Place; for about twenty years previous to his death was engaged in no active business.

Milford, Charles R., Skaneateles, was born in Skaneateles, Nov. 13, 1859, son of George F. and Louisa Milford. He was educated in Elbridge, then started the prac- tice of law and went into partnership with William G. Ellery, who died within two years, leaving Mr. Milford alone. He now conducts a large and successful practice. He is a staunch Republican, and in 1886 was elected town clerk, and has been re- elected each succeeding year. Was elected president of the village in 1888. He married Sylvia, daughter of James Chapman, of Skaneateles, by whom he has five children, George Roscoe, Leslie, Florence, Earl, and Ivan.

Padelford, M. E., Skaneateles, was born in Savannah, Ga., resided in New York city for a number of years, but later settled in Skaneateles. In 1892 he married Mrs. Frances Woolsey, of New York city.

Parish, John, Skaneateles, was born in Mandana, Skaneateles, May 23, 1827, son of Joseph and Betsey Fowles Parish. Joseph, who was a farmer, was born in Ca- yuga Co., but he went to Ohio where he bought a farm and settled. He served in the war of 1812 and was lieutenant under General Harrison. He was born in 1791 and died in 1844. John received a common school education in Skaneateles and then learned the trade of building at the age of sixteen. He has worked at that trade for thirty-six years. He has built numerous buildings throughout the county, also in the surrounding counties. He married first, Anna Howlett, who died in 1881. His second wife was Jennie E. Hatch, widow of Warner A .; her maiden name was Jennie E. Sperbeck. He has four daughters by his first wife; Adella, wife of W. Cutterback, of Niles, Cayuga Co .; Amy A., wife of G. P. Lawrence, of Skaneateles, Hattie M., and Bertha B.

Smith, E. Reuel, Skaneateles, was born in New York city, Feb. 2, 1829, son of Reuel Smith, an old New York merchant who, early in the present century, estab- lished the house of Smith, Mills & Co., a prominent firm until the time of its dissolu- tion, when, in 1849, he came to Skaneateles where he bought land and built the family homestead. E. Reuel Smith, after graduating from the Georgetown College,

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District of Columbia, entered the scientific department of Vale College, now known as the Sheffield School. While there he received an appointment to the United States Naval Astronomical Expedition to Chili under command of Lieutenant Gillis. On the return of that expedition, Mr. Smith made a trip among the Araucanian In- dians in Southern Chili, and the Harpers published a work on his travels among these Indians. lle subsequently studied painting in Rome aud at Dusseldorf, and has occasionally contributed pictures to the exhibition of the National Academy of Design, the N. V. Water Color Society, and the Etching Club. He was a member of the Board of Education for years and at one time held the position of instructor in languages and natural sciences. He is proficient in half a dozen languages. He married Elizabeth De Cost Burnett, of Skaneateles, by whom he has five children : Leslie, De Cost, Celestia, Burnett, and Sedgwick. De Cost is an artist. He studied his profession at the New York Art Student's League, and at the Academie Julian, Paris. His work, both as painter and illustrator, consists almost exclusively of sub- jects studied from Indian and Western life. His pictures have appeared at the prin- cipal exhibitions of New York, Philadelphia, and other cities of the United States, as well as at the Paris Salon, the Exposition Universelle of 1889 and the World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago.

Sinclair, F. A., Skaneateles, was born in 1834, son of James Sinclair a woolen manufacturer. James was born in Paisley, Scotland, in 1804, and died in Skaneat- eles in 1892. F. A. Sinclair learned the trade of chair making and started a shop at Mottville in 1859. In 1862 he volunteered with the 138th Infantry, afterwards the 9th Heavy Artillery, and served two years and four months. He was wounded at Petersburg June 9, 1864. He was in the continuous engagements that took place that summer. He went out as a private and came back as a captain. He had four brothers that served in the war, and a remarkable fact is that they all returned from the war. This is a distinguished war record for one family. Mr. Sinclair resumed the business of chairmaking in 1865. He did all the work pertaining to his business, being boss, journeyman and everything himself. But through perseverance and energy he has increased his business until he had from twenty-five to thirty men working for him, and had extended his trade to all parts of the United States and Europe. His goods secured a solid reputation, based on the fact that every piece of goods made by him is turned out upon honor, and it is stated by the dealers who handle his goods that not a single complaint has ever been received. Mr. Sinclair has numerous medals awarded him for excellence in quality and stability of manu- facture. lle married Loretta M. Taylor, of Aubuan. They have three daughters: Ella A., Fanny M., who married Fred W. Avery (deceased); and Lillian G., wife of John W. Reynolds, of Jordan. They also have an adopted son, Fred N. In politics Mr. Sinclair is an out and out Prohibitionist.

Stacey, Richard M., Skaneateles, was born in Sullivan Co. near Newburgh, Sept. 18, 1831, son of Richard Stacey, a farmer. le came to Skaneateles in 1858, where he started as a merchant. He bought the building in which he is now located in 1862. In 1870 he built the stone grist mills on the stream, which he has run ever since; it also has a large attachment built on, which is used as a cider mill. He also has another large attachment built on for wood working. He was the originator of the public ice delivery. In addition to these varied interests he runs a general store,

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carrying a complete line of groceries and provisions. Mr. Stacey is the oldest mer- chant who has been continuously in business in Skaneateles, and is regarded as one of the foremost business men of the place. He married Mary A., daughter of James W. Stearns, of Saratoga, by whom he has six children. Willitt M. is a physician practicing at Magee's, Seneca Co. The others are Carrie A., wife of C. L. Mead, superintendent of the female department of Anburn State prison; Jerome R., Alfred M., Don C., and Florence M.

Thorne, Chauncey B., Skaneateles, was born in Schoharie Co., April 20, 1833. Hle was educated in the common schools. Mr. Thorne has made a specialty of engrav- ing or reproducing short hand for book work. Mr. Thorne has methods that he de- vised to facilitate his work that have secured renown for their superior accuracy. He has been engaged in this work for over thirty years. Mr. Thorne is a minister in the Society of Friends. He married Amelia A. Hibbs, by whom he has one daughter, Luella H. Thorne.

Waller, John E., Skaneateles, was born in Walden, Orange Co., April 15, 1852. His father, Samuel Waller, was a soldier in the Mexican war. His colonial ancestor, from whom he is seventh in descent, was Cadwallader Colden, lieutenant governor of New York before the Revolution, surveyor of the lands of the colony, master in chancery, with a seat in the King's Council. Mr. Waller is also a descendant of Edward Elmer, who came from Chelmsford, Essex, England, in the ship Lion, 1632, and who was killed by the Indians during King Philip's War, 1676. Mr. Waller's Revolutionary ancestors were Nathaniel Elmer, captain of Florida Co. under Col. John Hathorn of Warwick, and Ensign Daniel Drake, a signer of the Committee of Safety, in Goshen, N. Y. John E. Waller came to Skaneateles in 1874. He married the daughter of Julius Earll, for years one of the most honored citizens in Onondaga Co., and a grandson of Robert Earll, who came to Skaneateles in 1794. Their chil- dren, born in Skaneateles, are: Winifred, Julius, Percy, Reginald, Earll and Har- court. Mr. Waller is a lawyer by profession. He is president of the Skaneateles Savings Bank and of the Skaneateles Railroad. He bought the controlling interest in this road in 1879. At that time the road was heavily in debt and was not paying dividends. Mr. Waller improved the service, and since 1880 the town has received dividends on the stock. He is also interested in the manufacture of paper and pulp on the Skaneateles Outlet.

Weaver, Joseph, Skaneateles, was born in Somersetshire, England, and came to Skaneateles in 1854, purchasing his present farm in 1865, which he has since brought to a high state of cultivation. His wife was Mrs. Caroline Dalton, who died Jan. 25, 1894, leaving two sons: Henry Dalton and James Weaver. James, who now resides on the farm, married Miss Gertrude Gardner of Mottville, Jan., 1889. They have two daughters: Ethel May and Caroline Adelle.

Wright, Herbert B., M. D., Skaneateles, was born at Pompey Hill, May 1, 1851. son of Truman K. Wright, who is one of the best known educators in the State, having devoted his life to that profession, and only retiring when he was seventy- five years of age. He now lives in Elbridge in retirement. Dr. Wright was edu- cated at the Elbridge Academy, then graduated from the Syracuse Medical College. He was medical superintendent of the Onondaga County Insane Asylum at Onon-

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daga Hill for three years. From there he came to Skaneateles, where he is now the oldest practicing physician in the place, having a large and profitable practice.

Ackles, Samuel, Spafford, was born in the town of La Fayette, in Christian Hol- low, May 20, 1819, a son of Horton and Mary Ackles. The grandfather, William, came from Orange Co. to Cayuga Co., and later to La Fayette, in company with five brothers and a sister, John, Charles, Brant, Richard, Tartulus and Sarah, and there lived and died. Another brother was in the Revolution. The father of our subject was a farmer, and lived and died in Christian Hollow, his death occurring about 1880, and that of his wife in 1883. Samuel was educated in the common schools and' followed farming, coming to Spafford about 1840 with his parents, who returned to Christian Hollow. Mr. Ackles bought 114 acres, on which he has resided forty years. In 1865 he married Mary Harvey, a native of Spafford, and a daughter of Paul Harvey. Mr. and Mrs. Ackles have had two children: Grace, born March 4, 1868, wife of Frank B. Mills of Marcellus, and W. Harvey, born Oct. 22, 1870, who resides on the home farm.

Bennett, L. C., Spafford, was born in the town of Virgil, Nov. 20, 1831, third of seven children born to Stephen and Waity (Hill) Bennett, he a native of Connecticut and she of Rhode Island. Stephen Bennett came to Virgil and from there to Spaf- ford in 1837, engaging in shoemaking, going from house to house. He followed this trade throughout his life in connection with farming. He served three years in the war of 1812. He died in 1847 and Mrs. Bennett died in 1841. L. C. Bennett was reared on a farm and now owns 130 acres of land, for which he paid a high price. In 1855 he married Lucy, daughter of Col. Phineas Hutchins, who cleared the farm L. C. now owns. He died in 1870. Mrs. Bennett was born and married on this farm, and lived here until her death, which occurred in 1882. In 1885 Mr. Bennett married Eliza, daughter of Alexander and Matilda Gordon, natives of the north of Ireland, of Protestant parentage, who came to America in 1845 and settled on a farm in Spafford. Mr. Gordon died in 1885. Mrs. Gordon now lives with her daughter, Mrs. Eliza Bennett. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have three children: Vella E., Gordon L. and Clair H. Mr. Bennett has been assessor for ten years. He and his family attend the M. E. church.

Craig, Abram, Spafford, was born in the town of Truxton, Feb. 19, 1846, second of a family of four children born to William H. and Hannah (Hollenbeck) Craig, he a native of Wells, Hamilton Co., and she a native of Truxton. The grandparents, John and Polly Craig, lived and died in Hamilton Co. The maternal grandfather was a pioneer of Truxton, and of Dutch descent. William H. came to Truxton and engaged in farming. Mrs. Craig died in 1852 and he married Phoebe Ann Brown, by whom he had four children. He removed to Glenville in 1854, and from there to Spafford in 1867. He died at Cold Brook in November, 1890. Abram Craig was ed- ucated in the Cortland Academy, then engaged in farming. He now owns a fine farm of 328 acres, making a specialty of breeding horses and growing potatoes. In June, 1868, Mr. Craig married Mary J., daughter of Robert and Mary Ann (Fay) Randall, early settlers of Spafford. To Mr. and Mrs. Craig have been born four children: William, a farmer of Spafford, married Jennie Weeks, and has two chil- dren, Olive E. and Ralph; Ella J., Robert and Mary E. Mr. Craig has been assessor

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of the town. He is a member of the Grange. He and his family attend the M. E. Church.

Hall, Arthur F., Spafford, was born in Sempronius, Cayuga Co., March 3, 1840, son of Asa and Laura A. (Babcock) Hall. Asa was born in Mayfield, Jan. 28, 1812, and Mrs. Hall was born in Spafford, Feb. 27, 1818. Asa came to Sempronius with his parents. Samuel and Elizabeth (Macumber) Hall in 1818. He was a miller and carpenter. They were Quakers in religion. The parents of Samuel were Rufus and Annie (Hoxie) Hall. Asa was a carpenter and miller, and worked in Syracuse. He spent his last days on Palmer's farm in Spafford, where he run the mill. He died on Feb. 11, 1882. Mrs Hall died Sept. 30, 1845. After the death of his mother, Arthur F. was reared by Reuben Palmer, who made him his heir. Mr. Hall still resides on the farm, where he carries on general farming. In 1869 he married Clarissa A., daughter of John L. and Clarissa (Loss) Ripley, he a native of Rensselaer Co., born in 1799, and she of Skaneateles. The parents of John L., Jonathan and Ruth (Corey) Ripley, came to Spafford in 1810, settling on Ripley Hill, where he died in 1848, and Mrs. Ripley in 1862. John L. Ripley was a farmer and made a specialty of breeding fine horses. He died Sept. 27, 1887, and Mrs. Ripley died Nov. 29, 1891. Mr. Hall and family are members of the Baptist Church at Thorn Hill.

Mason, James S., Spafford, was born Feb. 9, 1852, in Spafford, a son of Mortimer and Esther P. (Vail) Mason, he born in Cheshire, Mass., a son of Hiram Mason, mentioned in this work. The father of our subject came to Spafford when young, and was a teacher for a number of years. He was also prominent in local politics. His wife died June 1, 1894, and he now resides in Skaneateles. Our subject was reared on a farm, educated in Skaneateles and the Munro Collegiate Institute, and followed teaching for some time. He is also a surveyor, and has some business in the county, but is chiefly occupied in general farming, owning a place of 104 acres. Mr. Mason is now serving his second term as assessor. He is a member of Borodino Grange. In 1883 he married Emma L., daughter of John and Emeline (Kinyon) Burns, the father having come to Marcellus with his father, Eleazer Burns, about 1801. Mr. Burns was one of the leading men of his town, an active politician, and for many years a justice of the peace. He died in 1858 and his wife in 1857.

Maxson, John, Spafford, was born in Scott, N. Y., June 17, 1823, fourth of eight children born to John and Eunice (Brown) Maxson, natives of Rensselaer Co. The grandparents, Silas and - - Maxson, came from Scotland, settling at Petersburg, N. Y., being engaged in farming. The maternal grandparents, Nathan and Esther Brown, came from England, settling in Hoosick. John Maxson was a pioneer of Scott, Cortland Co., where he was engaged in running a barrel factory in connection with his farming. He did in 1834, and Mrs. Maxson died in 1875. John, our sub- ject, was reared on a farm and has always followed farming. He came to Spafford in 1848, settling first on Ripley Hill for four years, then moved to the farm he now owns in South Spafford. He has 265 acres of land, which he now lets. He has been a sheep raiser, but of late years has given his attention to dairying. In 1848 Mr. Maxson married Mary Jane (born in 1828), daughter of Zebulon and Hannah (Ames) Davis, natives of Washington Co. Zebulon Davis came to Marietta in 1830, then re- moved to Skaneateles, engaging in farming. Here Mrs. Davis died in 1835, and he spent his last days with John Maxson. He afterwards married Pollie Gale, who also

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lived with John, and died in 1869. Mr. Davis died in 1871. To Mr. and Mrs. Max- son have been born three children: Byron and Faron, twins, born in 1849, and Eva, born in 1853. Faron married Florence Brockway, by whom he had one child, Edith J. He died in August, 1888. He was a partner with his brother in the lumber and coal business in Homer and Cortland. The firm is now known as Maxson & Starin. Byron married Lottie Stephens, by whom he had one son, John. Eva is the wife of Irving W. Smith, hardware merchant at Auburn. They have two children, Eva J. and Georgia 11. Mr. Maxson has served as assessor and road commissioner.

McCansey, Charles, Spafford was born in Washington Co., Jan. 13, 1816, son of James and Lydia (Mitchell) McCansey, both natives of Connecticut. They came to Washington Co., then moved to Spafford, and afterwards removed to Oswego Co., where they died. The maternal grandfather, William Mitchell, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war The paternal grandfather, James McCansey, was a Tory, and his farm of 600 acres was confiscated. He died in Washington Co. Charles lived on the farm until twenty-one years old, then went into the milling business, which he followed until his health failing in 1863, he bought the farm he now owns. He worked for one man, Josiah Carter Miles, fifteen years. In 1841 Mr. McCansey mar- ried Mary Watts of Skaneateles, by whom he had three children : George H., dentist, of Janesville, Wis. ; James, whereabouts unknown, and Helen, wife of Charles Will- iams, lives on the old homestead. They have one son, Leroy, born in Dec., 1892. Mrs. McCansey died in 1859, and he married Harriet Coon, who died in 1870. He then married in 1861, Mary, daughter of Elisha and Amanda (Luce) Kinney of Fa- bius. Mr. McCansey is a member of the Borodino Grange, the I.O.O.F. of Borodino, Lake View Lodge, No. 684, and has been a member for twenty-four years of the Skaneateles Lodge No. 622, F. & A. M.

Mason, Jerome, Spafford, was born in Spafford, March 11, 1832, a son of Hiram and Maria (Green) Mason, natives of Cheshire, Mass., and of Stephentown, N. Y., respectively. The grandfather, Hezekiah, spent his life in Cheshire, where he was a man of influence and wealth in the community. The father of our subject was in the war of 1812, and came to Spafford in 1833, settling on a farm, where he died June 9, 1877, 83 years of age, and his wife Feb. 24, 1890, aged 91. Jerome engaged in farm work after completing his studies, and afterwards bought the homestead of fifty acres, to which he has added until he now owns 142 acres. This he sold in 1894, and bought the farm he now owns; of ninety acres. He has served as assessor and taken an active part in local affairs. He is a member of the Grange, and also of the Alliance. In 1870 he married Julia A. Hill, born in Spafford, June 18, 1847, a daughter of William and Mary J. (Vincent) Hill, he of Washington Co. and she of Saratoga Co., coming to Spafford in 1840 on the farm now owned by Jerome. Here the father died May 3, 1877, and his widow resides with her daughter.

Norton, Permenas A., Spafford, was born in Truxton, Nov. 18, 1836, son of Stephen and Elsie (Ripley) Norton. Stephen was born in Chenango, May 9, 1807, and Mrs. Norton was born in Spafford Feb. 9, 1807. The parents of Stephen were David and Dinah (Welton) Norton, natives of Connecticut, who came to Chenango Co., and from there to Spafford where David died in 1860, aged 87 years. The father of David was Ozias, a Revolutionary soldier. Stephen Norton was a farmer of Truxton,

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where he died in Jan., 1844, and Mrs. Norton in Jan., 1844. Permenas A. was educated at the Cortland Academy and was for a time engaged in teaching. In 1874 he mar- ried Sarah Viola, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Bowman) Rice, of Fitchburg, Mass. Sept. 14, 1861, Mr. Norton enlisted in Co. D, 76th N. Y. Vols., and was honorably discharged in Dec., 1864. Ile was in the battles of Bull Run in 1862, Fredericks- burg, Mine Run, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, etc. He was wounded May 8, 1864, in the battle of the Wilderness, also at Weldon R. R. Aug. 21, 1864, which resulted in the loss of his left arm. Mr. Norton has served as collector in Spafford. He and his wife are active members of the M. E. church, Mr. Norton holding an exhorter's license in the same.

Patten, George A., Spafford, was born in Spafford, Dec. 30, 1842, only son of Will- iam and Elizabeth (Davis) Patten. William Patten was a native of Oneida Co., and Mrs. Patten was a native of Onondaga Co. The grandfather, William, was a Revo- lutionary soldier from Massachusetts. The father was born in Oneida Co., and from there came to Spafford in 1817, where he engaged in a woolen mill two years with Elijah Manley, when he bought out his partner and took Edward Weston in as part- ner. He died March 15, 1872, and Mrs. Patten in 1853. George A. went to work for himself at the age of fifteen, working on farms, while attending school. In 1868 he married Lovilie, daughter of Peter and Charity Churchill. Peter came with his parents, James and Hannah (Dobbs) Churchill, from Rensselaer Co. James Churchill settled in 1816 on the farm now owned by Mrs. Patten, where he died in 1818. when his son, Peter, took the farm. Peter died in 1876 and Mrs. Churchill died in 1869. To Mr. and Mrs. Patten have been born two children: Alton W., at home; and Flora E., wife of Emmett L. Gordon, clerk in Preble. Aug. 9, 1862, Mr. Patten en- listed in Co. D, 122d N. Y. Vols., and was honorably discharged July 5, 1865. He was in the following battles: Antietam, Williamsport, Fredericksburg, Deep Run, Gettysburg, etc. He was with Grant in the Potomac campaign, and was wounded in the battle of the Wilderness.

Patterson, Marcus, Spafford, was born in Spafford, April 2, 1847, son of Chester and Caroline (Hutchins) Patterson, natives of Spafford. The grandfather, Calvin Patterson, was a native of Burlington, Otsego Co., and came to Spafford in 1812. 'The maternal grandfather, Phineas Hutchins, came to Spafford in 1806, settling on a farm, where he died in 1870. He was known as Colonel Hutchins and was in the war of 1812. Chester Patterson was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He always followed farming, with the exception of a few years he spent in Homer. He died in Skaneateles in 1887, aged 77 years. His wife, born Sept. 12, 1812, died in Dec., 1891. Mr. Patterson was at one time assessor of the town, also poormaster. He was one of the leading farmers of the town, owning a farm of 260 acres. Marcus was educated in the common schools and the Homer Academy. He then engaged in farming and has lived on the farm he now owns of 180 acres since he was nineteen years of age. lle breeds Jersey cattle and makes a specialty of making butter. Mr. Patterson was supervisor of the town in 1891-92-93, was asses- sor six years and highway commissioner for two years. Ile is a member of the Boro- dino Grange and of the Alliance. In 1870 Mr. Patterson married Attaresta Prindle, a native of Spafford. Her father, Rensselaer Prindle, was a native of Rensselaer Co. and came to Spafford with his parents, Joseph and Elizabeth Prindle, among the

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Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 81

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