Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 84

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 84

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The subject of this sketch, Michael Tobin, was born in the village of Camillus, county of Onondaga, Sept. 21, 1837. His father, Richard, was a native of the county Cork, Ireland, and came to the United States in 1832 and engaged in the construction of the railroad from Syracuse to Auburn; he also followed farming. Michael was educated in the public schools within the boundary lines of the present Ninth and Tenth wards of Syracuse which the village of Geddes then embraced and to which the family moved when he was a mere child. He was also tutored in the select schools of Prof. A. G. Salisbury and Henry A. Barnum in the city of Syracuse, after which he became engaged in the tobacco and cigar business with George P. Hier, with whom he remained for eight years. In 1860 he was appointed an officer on the police force of Syracuse, which then only consisted of eight officers and a chief of police. In 1863 he engaged in the manufacture of cigars and was appointed by Secretary of the Treasury William P Fessenden inspector of tobacco and cigars for the 27th Congressional District, then consisting of the counties of Onondaga and Cortland. He was again appointed under Secretary Hugh Mccullough, holding the position until after the assassination of President Lincoln, when he resigned, as he could not agree with President Johnson in his famous quarrel with the United States Senate. In 1867 he was appointed one of the Board of Police Commissioners of the city of Syracuse. During his service in office he affirmed that the growth of the city demanded a change from the system then in vogue and through his efforts the pres- ent system was organized in the year 1869. In 1882 he moved to Baldwinsville and engaged in the leaf tobacco trade and in the year 1883 erected the large tobacco warehouse bearing his name on Oswego street. In 1885 he was elected president of the New York State Tobacco Growers' Association and was re-elected annually for nine years. Mr. Tobin was called to Washington while the Mckinley bill was in course of preparation and drew the section of the tariff bill covering the importation of leaf tobacco and it was endorsed by the Ways and Means Committee. He is an authority on tobacco and an ardent supporter of the interests of tobacco growers. He has done much toward helping them. Mr. Tobin has been a persistent advocate of the principle of protection to American industries since early life, and when the Republican National Convention in 1856 ingrafted that principle in their platform he took a very active part in the campaign for the election of Fremont and Dayton, although he was not old enough to vote, and has been a staunch Republican ever since, frequently representing his party in county and State conventions; also as chairman of Assembly and County Committees. He has for years devoted more or less of his time to campaign work, endeavoring to advance the interests of his party and uphold its principles.

Van Hoesen, Jacob, Van Buren, was born in Preble, Cortland Co., May 18, 1826. His father, Jeremiah, was a native of Athens, Greene Co., N. Y. He married Chris- tine Van Denberg, by whom he had seven children, two of whom are now living: Mrs. Eliza Van Camp and Jacob. He followed farming up to the time of his death in 1870, at the age of 86 years. Jacob was educated in the common schools. In

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1858 he married Sarah Purdy, by whom he had three children. Frank P., Edwin C., and Anna L. In 1866 Mr. Van Hoesen bought the Abraham Cornell property, where he now resides. He is one of the leading farmers of the town.

Brooker, John E., Pompey, was born in Whittenden, Oneida Co., Dec. 22, 1851. a son of Edward and Eleanor (Edwards) Brooker, he a native of England. Edward Brooker came to America in 1844 and settled in Lowell, Mass. He came to Pompcy in 1855 and bought the farm now owned by John E. In 1880 he went to Manlins, where he died in 1882 and his wife in 1886. John E. was educated in the Manlius High School and studied telegraphy at Oberlin, O. He made a trip west, but after a year returned and bought the homestead, where he has since been engaged in farming. In 1880 he married Della A., daughter of James and Mary Tyte of Auburn. The grandparents of Mrs. Brooker were Thomas and Betsey (Britton) Tyte, who came to New York in 1832 and settled at Leechport. Mr. and Mrs. Brooker have had these children: Arthur G., born in 1881; Bessie G., born in 1883; and Jessie May, born in 1889.

Corning, Edwin A., Clay, was born in Columbia Co., April 16, 1831, son of Edwin and Cynthia Corning, the former born in Norwich, Conn, and the latter in Provi- dence, R. I. They came to New York State in an early day, and first settled in Columbia Co. The father was a cabinetmaker by trade, which he gave up and bought a farm in Hastings, Oswego Co., in 1837. He remained there until 1863. when he came to Clay and settled on the farm now owned by our subject. He died in 1874, aged 76 years. Our subject always followed farming, now owns a farm of 107 acres, and keeps a dairy of twenty head of cattle. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Fort Brewster Lodge No. 256, and also of the Grange.

Crane, Merritt, Clay, was born in Cicero, March 20, 1840 son of Timothy and Mary A. Crane, the former born in Connecticut, and the latter in Washington Co. At twelve years of age the father came with his parents to Onondaga Co. and settled in Cicero, where he worked at coopering, which business he followed most of his life, and died at the age of 48 years. Our subject is one of three children and now resides on a farm of seventy-five acres of fine land. He married in 1871 Barbara Bard of Cicero, and they have two children : Ada and Myron C.

Coughtry, Jacob W., Clay, was born in Albany Co., Jan. 3, 1829, son of John W. and Margaret Coughtry, the latter born in Herkimer Co. and the former in Albany. This family on both sides were old and representative families. Our subject is one of a family of five children: Elizabeth, Arvina, Catherine, Susan and our subject. For thirty years our subject was a manufacturer of cigars, and at some times em- ployed as many as 100 hands. He was compelled to give up that business on account of allowing so much stock to go on credit. He now devotes his time to farming. Subject married first Catherine Ostrander of Herkimer Co., daughter of Henry Ostrander, and they had one son, John W., now in Syracuse. He married second Henrietta, daughter of John Somers, a farmer. Our subject was supervisor of Clay three years.

Casler. George S., Camillus, was born in Herkimer Co., in 1819. He moved to Oswego Co. with his mother when he was eight years old. He learned the black- smith trade in Monroe Co., and in 1839 came to Camillus and followed his trade the

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greater part of his life. In 1872 he moved to his present home. His father, Christo- pher, died in Herkimer Co. in 1822, and his mother in Elbridge in 1870. In 1841 he married Sarah Losey, of Elbridge. George H., his eldest son, a resident of Chicago, was for about a year in the rebel prison at Andersonville. Florence and another son died in the hospital at Annapolis.

Chase, Dr. B. F., Dewitt, was born in Cooper Co., Mo., in 1859, son of Ames W. and Helen (Worden) Chase, natives of Onondaga Co. The father resides at Fayette- ville. Dr. Chase graduated from Fayetteville Academy in 1877, from the medical department of the Syracuse University in 1881, and has since been practicing at East Syracuse. He is a member of the Onondaga Co. Medical Society and of the Syracuse Academy of Medicine. In 1886 he married Fanny Belding, who died Dec. 15, 1893, their only child, Glen N., preceding her Dec. 3, 1893. He was a member of the School Board for three years, during the building of the new school house.

Cornell, M. E., Dewitt, proprietor of the Messina Springs Hotel, training stables and track, was born in Onondaga Co. in 1844. He served the last year in the war in Co. A of the 185th Regt. After the war he returned to Syracuse, and was in the hardware business a few years at Fulton and in the livery business also. After this he was trainer at the eighth ward track for several years and in 1890 came to Messina Springs. He generally handles about twenty-five or thirty head of trotting horses.

Card, Samuel H., Onondaga, was born in Columbia, Conn., in 1830, and came to this town with his parents in 1837. He is a son of William G. and Sophronia Card, who resided in this town until their death. Their children were Mariette, Emeline, Louisa and Samuel II. The latter married Elizabeth Card, and their children are Frank, Marcena and Serenus. Mrs. Card is a daughter of Joseph and Emily Card, whose children were Elizabeth, Mary, Sarah and Celia. Our subject settled on this farm in 1865.

Cummings, Joseph W., of Navarino, is the owner of a fine farm of 114 acres on which he was born (1851). He is a son of Charles and Chloe Cummings, his father having also been born on this farm, and his mother a native of Spafford. Charles was a son of Oliver Cummings of Connecticut, who was the first settler on this farm, coming to this locality about 1790. The barn erected by him is still partly standing, having been in use for 100 years, and was the first frame barn in this part of the county. The farm is now occupied by the fourth generation. Charles and Chloe Cummings had four children: Edward, Esther, Flore and Joseph. The latter mar- ried Mary Fellows, by whom he has two children, Mark and Willis. One son is de- ceased. Charles Cummings died Dec. 12, 1882, and his widow resides in Michigan. Mrs. Mary Cummings is a daughter of Pulaski and Margaret Fellows, whose children were Henry C., Mark H., George T., Ellen, Giles E., Mary, Alexander, Giles, and Etta. Pulaski Fellows is a son of David, who was among the early settlers.

Cossitt, Major Davis, Onondaga .-- The first of this family came to America during the seventeenth century from France, and one branch of the family settled in Con- necticut. One of his descendants, Martin, grandfather of our subject, settled in Mar- cellus in 1794. He was known as Major Cossitt, and his son, Rufus, came to this town in 1818. He was a graduate of Hamilton College, and read law with B. Davis

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Noxon. He was admitted to the bar and entered into partnership with Mr. Noxon, the firm being Noxon & Cossitt, which partnership continued until the removal of the county offices, when Mr. Noxon went to Syracuse. Major Davis Cossitt was born on the farm where he now lives, Oct. 15, 1825, and has always been a resi- dent on the place. He bought this farm at the age of seventeen, at heavy expense, and by strict economy and attention to business, cleared the estate of incumbrance entirely through its own proceeds, without outside speculation. He held the office of supervisor of this town three years in succession. In Aug., 1862, Mr. Cossitt en- listed in Co. D, 122d N. Y. Vols., being the first man to enlist in that company, which he with a few others, was instrumental in raising. He was mustered into the service as lieutenant, which position he held four months, when he was promoted to captain, and was wounded July 12, 1864. He was brevetted major for meritorious service, and received his discharge in Dec., 1864. Major Cossitt has never fully re- covered from the effects of his wound, and was unfit for active work for two years after the war. He married Mary, daughter of the Hon. George Geddes. She died April 25, 1891, aged 57 years.

Case, Seymour, Onondaga, was born in the town of Spafford in 1850, and came to this town in 1870. He is a son of William and Asenath Case, the former a son of Isaac, who came to this county at an early date. Isaac had seven children, as follows: Eunice Olmstead, William, Betsey Howe, Lydia Pickett, Catherine Ide, Aaron, Arvilla Nichols. The children of William and Asenath Case were: Sidney, Martha, Mary, Margaret, George and Seymour. The latter married Elnora Hall, and they have three children: Jesse D., Margaret L., and Avery D. Case.

Case, Frederick II., Onondaga, was born in this town, educated in the common schools, and is the owner of a farm of seventy-three acres. His father was Alanson Case, who came from Connecticut, and whose father was Daniel.Case. Daniel and Marcia, his wife, had three children: George, a physician; Lucia Eliza, and Laura, who married Holmes Case, who came here from Connecticut in 1810, a son of Amri Case, who built the homestead in 1818. Holmes was the last of that branch of the Case family. Alanson and Phoebe A. Case had these children : George, John, Mary, James, Frederick and Augusta. Frederick Case married Janette Browning, and their children are Holmes, Dempster and Eliza. Mrs. Janette Case is a daughter of Welcome and Eliza Browning, who had these children: Janette, Adelbert, Delphine, Dempster and Mary. Welcome Browning was a son of Hazard, a native of Rhode Island.

Cowles, Theodore S., Tully, was born in Fabius, one of three children born to Sedgewick and Mary (Chase) Cowles, the former a native of Connecticut, born in 1797, and the latter of Rhode Island, born in 1800. The paternal grandparents were Isaac and Mary Ann (Brookins) Cowles, and the maternal grandparents were Samuel and Susanna Chase. All were pioneers of the town of Fabius, coming from New England. Isaac Cowles died in 1859. The father of our subject was a child when his parents came to Fabius, and at the age of sixteen he began work at the carpenter's trade, which was his chief occupation through life. In 1848 he bought eighty acres of land in the town of Tully, where he resided about fifteen years, then took up his residence in the village, where he spent his last days, dying Jan. 6, 1880. hh

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His wife died Jan. 15, 1876. Theodore S. was reared on the farm, and this occupa- tion he has followed ever since, together with dealing in agricultural implements. He owns the homestead farm, which he rents, and also seventy-five acres which is worked by his son, Elmer. Mr. Cowles remained on the home farm, which he and 1.is son carried on in connection with the above mentioned business, until 1890, when he moved into the village of Tully, where he is extensively engaged in handling all kinds of farm tools and machines. He has been for fifteen years engaged with the Falkner & Sweet Co., but can furnish all makes of implements or machines. In 1863 he married Mary E. Waters, born in Fabius in 1842, a daughter of David Waters, an early settler of that town. They have had one son, Elmer, born Oct. 18, 1868, who married Bertha A. Bliss, and has one son, Ralph E. ; and Ella May, born Dec. 17, 1865, wife of William Hall, a postal clerk, of Syracuse. They have two daughters, Marion and Elma. Mrs. Cowles died in 1886, and he married second Susan, widow of Hiram Abbott, of Tully.

Clark, Erastus, Tully, was born in Fabius in July, 1837, one of ten children of Erastus and Almira (Kinney) Clark, who came from the New England States to Onondaga Co. with their parents when they were young, Jabez and Lydia Clark having been pioneers of the town of Fabius, settling in what has since been known as Clark Hollow, where they died. Erastus, our subject, was educated in the com- mon schools of Fabius, and followed farming in La Fayette, where he was located four years. He then lived a short time in Tully, and in 1867 bought the farm of 105 acres in this town, where he now lives. In 1862 he married Ann Eliza, daughter of Samuel and Rachel Willis (see biography), and they have had three children: Nettie, wife of Adelbert Fellows, who has one son, John; George E., who married Harriet Moon and has two children: Ralph and Mary A., and Samuel, who lives at home.

Clark, William II., Spafford, was born in Spafford, March 31, 1840, a son of Amasa P. and Lydia (Bingham) Clark, the former of Northampton, Mass., and the latter of Solon, N. Y. Amasa P. came early to Cortland Co., and in 1836 came to this town, where he died in 1874, aged 75 years. His wife died in 1875, aged 75 years. The maternal grandfather was Judge Johnson Bingham, born in Canterbury, Conn., in 1874, who came to Cortland Co., where he died. His wife, Anna Johnson, also of Connecticut, died in Solon, N. Y., in 1865, aged 102 years 11 months and 15 days. Judge Bingham planted the first apple nursery in the county. He died in 1843. William H. Clark followed farming until 1886, when he engaged in the hay and pro- duce business, also handling fertilizers. He came to Borodino in 1890, where he has served as highway commissioner and taken a prominent part in local affairs. He is an Odd Fellow and an Alliance man. He married in 1860 Christiana Barnes, daughter of Harvey and Avalinda (Holmes) Barnes, of this State, the father having come to this town in his youth, and the inother came with her parents in an early day. Harvey Barnes died in 1891, aged 87, and his widow lives with her daughter, Mrs. Clark, at the age of 84 years.

Callender, Francis R., Spafford, was born in Marcellus, Feb. 24, 1863, a son of Richard and Mary A. (Hicks) Callender, he a native of Marietta, born in 1822, and his wife of Dutchess Co., born in 1826. The grandfather, Richard Callender, was a native of Ireland, who came to America when a boy, and spent most of his days in Henrietta, where he died. Richard, jr., resided in Marcellus, and there died May

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12, 1891, and his widow resides with Francis R. The latter was educated in Munro Academy, at Elbridge, and has engaged in agriculture, now owing 300 acres of fine land, where he has resided since 1884 He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Alliance at Thorn Hill. In 1888 he married Jennie M. Tripp, who was educated at Skaneateles, a daughter of Dr. V. D. Tripp of Spafford, and their chil- dren are: Flora M., born Dec. 17, 1888, and Russell V., born Sept. 24, 1890.

Clough, William A., Pompey, was born in Fabius, April 20, 1817, a son of Daniel and Lucy (Andrews) Clough, also of Fabius. The grandparents were Abel and Sallie Clough, who came from Connecticut, and were early settlers of Fabius. Daniel died in 1864, aged 64, and his wife in 1873, aged 72. Our subject, William C., was edu- cated in the public schools and engaged in farming, but about 1864 sold his property in Fabius and came to Pompey, buying 100 acres. This he sold later and bought the farm of 200 acres which he now owns. Mr. Clough has been a successful farmer, following dairying chiefly. He retired from farming and went to Fabius, residing there ten years, but at the death of his wife returned to Pompey, and still resides there. April 19, 1843, he married Elizabeth Thompson of Fabius, by whom he had four children: Emma, who died aged 16; Thaddeus, general insurance agent, at Syracuse, and now supervisor of the Eleventh ward. He married Kate Loomis, and has three children: Marian, Frank and Ernest. Charles is a farmer on the home- stead farm, which he works, and is also an insurance agent. He married Kate Grimes, and has five children: Arthur, George, Mary, Roy and Leslie. William M. is a farmer in Pompey. He married Nellie Jennings, and has five children: Louise, Ralph, Earl, Daniel and Mark. Mrs. Clough died Nov. 5, 1857, and he married, second, Clarissa Chancey, who died Sept. 26, 1887, aged 81.

Carpenter, Henry S., Pompey was born in Pompey, March 20, 1839, a son of Elisha and Louisa A. (Duguid) Carpenter, and a grandson of Nathaniel. Elisha came to Pompey at the age of eight years, and there lived and died. He was a painter, and one of the leading farmers of Pompey, serving as assessor and collector. Our sub- ject was reared on the farm, educated in the common schools, and has devoted his time to farming, having 143 acres of land, which he purchased in 1875, and keeping a dairy of twenty-five cows. At present he resides in Manlius village. In 1869 he married Hannah, daughter of William Hunt of Pompey, and they have had three children: Delmer H., who is now working his father's farm; Lena M. and Louie. Mr. Carpenter has been trustee of schools for about fourteen years, and both himself and wife are members of the Grange. He is a breeder of standard bred horses, Hambletonians, Morgans and Normans.

Clark, Jerome, La Fayette, was born in Fabius, Feb. 8, 1831, a son of Erastus and Almira (Kinney) Clark, mentioned in this work. Jerome was educated in the public schools, and remained at home until about the age of twenty-three, when he began farming on shares, and in 1863 came to La Fayette, and bought his present farm of 180 acres, where he follows general farming and dairying. In 1860 he married Nancy, daughter of Darius and Charlotte (Everingham) Hamilton. Mr. Hamilton came from Massachusetts in an early day, and died here in 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have had two children: Edwin, born Nov. 8, 1861, who married Viola Green, and has three children : Ella, Claud and Elmer. He lives in Fabius; and Emma J., born

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Sept. 13, 1872, married Albert Gage of this town, and has one daughter, Ethel, born in 1894.

Case, Isaac, Fabius, was born in Pompey, April 13, 1819, a son of Norris and Martha (Olcott) Case of Connecticut, the former having come to Pompey when a young man, and engaged in farming, where he died April 18, 1819, and his widow Sept. 23, 1848. He was one of the pioneers of Pompey, where he cleared a farm out of the wilderness. At one time he had a desperate encounter with a bear, which threw him to the ground. He succeeded in keeping the animal from injuring him seriously until a man by the name of Canfield Marsh came and killed the bear with an axe. He was also a soldier in the war of 1812. Our subject lost his father soon after his birth. They remained on the farm eleven years, then removed to La Fayette, where Isaac was successful in obtaining employment and accumulating the nucleus of his future fortune. He bought and sold various property, but has also met with many losses, one fire damaging him to the extent of $7,000, and he has also lost money through trying to assist others. He has been three times married, first in 1840 to Selora Olcott, by whom he had one son, James, a farmer in Fabius. He married Mary Hagerty, and they had six children: Frank, who died in infancy; Frank (sec- ond) who died aged 6 years; Isaac, Ella, Sumner and Owen. Mrs. Case died in 1866, and he married (second) Margaret Hagerty, who died a few months afterward (April 26, 1868). He married (third) Sylvia (Beach) Bellinger of North Norwich, and they have four children: Lydia J., wife of M. Davenport, who has a daughter, Edith; Eva, Roscoe, and Ada M., a teacher at North Norwich. In politics Mr. Case is a Republican, and the family are members of the Baptist Church.

Campbell, Fred P., Fabius, was born in Fabius, Nov. 15, 1869, a son of Charles and Martha (Paul) Campbell, natives of Chenango Co. and Fabius respectively. The grandfather, Squire Campbell, resided in Chenango Co., where he died. Charles Campbell came to Fabius in 1867, where he resided until 1894, then removed to Spaf- ford, where he now lives. Mrs. Campbell died in 1879. Fred P. is the owner of 122 acres of fine land, and follows farming, keeping twenty cows, and devoting most of his time to dairying. The maternal grandfather, Robert Paul, a native of Dublin, Ireland, came to America in 1834, and his widow now resides with our subject, at the age of 82 years.

Corey, Millard F., Fabius, was born in Cuyler, Cortland Co., March 11, 1841, a son of Wanton and Mary A. (Blanchard) Corey, he a native of Cuyler, born in 1817, and she born in 1827. The grandfather, Wanton Corey, sr., came from Connecticut to Cortland Co. when a young man, and he married Deborah Morse, the ceremony being the first to take place in Cortland. Deborah was a daughter of David Morse, a soldier of the Revolution, who received a grant of 640 acres of land in Cortland Co. Wanton Corey, sr., died in Cortland Co. at the age of 94. His son, Wanton, jr., was a prominent citizen, and served in various town offices. He died in 1893, aged 76, and his wife in 1888, aged 61. Our subject was reared on a farm, educated in De Ruyter Academy, and has taken up farming, though he followed his trade of cheesemaking for fifteen years. In 1885 he came to Fabius, where he has since re- sided. He owns 150 acres of land, devoted to dairying, and also owns his father's place in Cuyler, comprising sixty acres. He served as collector and constable in Cuyler. Dec. 24, 1872, he married Melora Thompson, born in Otselic, Chenango

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Co., Sept. 13, 1844, a daughter of William and Irena (Fifield) Thompson. Mr. and Mrs. Corey have had three children: Fred W., born Feb. 16, 1845; Rena M., born June 18, 1876; and Bertie E., born Jan. 12, 1882.

Clark, Myron II., Fabius, was born in Fabius, March 28, 1857, a son of H. H. and Elizabeth (Sherwood) Clark, mentioned in this work. He was reared on the farm, educated in the common schools and Cazenovia Seminary, and has followed farm- ing since completing his studies. He owns 103 acres and is also engaged with the Fabius Creamery Company. In 1887 he married Eliza Corcoran, of Fabius, a daugh- ter of Michael Corcoran, and they have had two children : May B. and Louie.

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Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 84

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