Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 89

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 89

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Munro Family, Elbridge. There stands in the eastern cemetery at Elbridge, a monument erected by Daniel C. Munro, upon the surface of which are these inscrip- tions: Squire and Mary Munro; Hon. Squire Munro, born 1757, died March 18, 1835; his wife, born 1755, died 1845. Their children: Betsey, John, Squire, Daniel, Rolly, Hannah, Nathan, Elisha, Rolly E. and Philip. Deacon John Munro, son of above, born in Rehoboth, Mass., 1781, died in Elbridge in 1860; his wife, Hannah Coman of Lanesboro, Mass., their children, Mary, Betsey C., Mercy L., Hannah J., Daniel C., Nathan, Louisa and two infant sons. Daniel C. was born in 1819 and died in 1893. His wife was Elvira -- and their children were: Ehner, who married Fanny Med- ill of Ohio, lives on the old Munro farm, and has one child, William M. ; Howard and Elvira, who live at the Daniel C. Munro homestead; Mrs. Seward Hale, deceased ; Hannah, deceased, and Squire, who married Katie Hodge, and has four children : Lillian, Egbert, Czarina and Daniel. Squire Munro, the first of this name, and one of the earliest settlers in the county, came from Rehoboth, Mass., in 1794, and settled on lot 81, town of Elbridge. He had been a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He exchanged his farm in Massachusetts for one of 300 acres, including the "Daniel C. Munro farm." The county was at this time altogether new. Mr. Munro was a sur- veyor, and laid out most of the roads of his section. He had a store, and kept hotel. He was known as Judge Munro, being connected with the County Court. He was a Democrat, as are all of his descendants, and was always interested in the political affairs of his town and county. He was a leading man of the county in all that the term implies. He had, at the time of his death, about 1,500 acres of land. John, his son, was born in Massachusetts, and married Hannah Coman, was a farmer, and held a colonel's commission in the war of 1812. He occupied the old homestead dur- ing the active years of his lfe. At his death he had 1,400 acres of land, 900 of which were in the family possession in 1894. John Munro, son of the above, has always lived on the Munro farm. He was educated at Munro Institute, graduated from Madison University, taking his degree from Columbia. He lived at home until his marriage with Evaline M. Page of Sennett, by whom he had seven children : J. Page, deceased; Frank, in Le Roy; Wood, a lawyer in Minneapolis; Eva M., deceased ; Fred, of Colorado, and one child that died in infancy. The mother died in 1875, and Mr. Munro married Martha Ranney, who died in 1890. He married, the third time, Mrs. John Titus, a widow of Connecticut. Her maiden name was Sarah West. John Munro has served his town in many public capacities, from 1859-75 as supervisor, and as clerk, assessor and justice of the peace. He has 200 acres in his home farm,

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and 600 in Le Roy. He is a director of the National Bank of Auburn, of which his father and grandfather were also directors. Squire Munro was one of the organizers of the bank.

Graham, A. G., Elbridge, was born in the town of Mentz, Cayuga Co .. in 1817. His grandfather Graham came from the north of Ireland and settled in Orange Co., N. Y. Henry, father of our subject, was born and reared in Orange Co., and mar- ried Lydia Greene of Ulster Co. in 1998. They moved to Cayuga Co., where they always made their home. In 1868 Henry died at Port Byron in the town of Mentz, aged 93 years, his wife following him in 1880, aged 104 years 6 months, always in good health, reading her Bible without the aid of glasses. Shortly before her death a dinner was given at which representatives of five generations were gathered. A. G. Graham is next to the youngest of twelve children. He left home at the age of sixteen and lived at Port Byron, where he was engaged in the mercantile business. Later, dissolving his interests there, he went to Syracuse, and held a prominent position in the wholesale store formerly know as A. Woodard & Son. In 1852 he went via the isthmus to California, where he remained two and a half years. Later he went to Wisconsin, where he purchased a farm, also invested in real estate in Iowa, returning to Elbridge in 1866. In 1844, at Elbridge, he married Marie E., only daughter of Col. John Stevens, whose wife was Mary Van Vranken of Schenec- tady. Colonel Stevens served through the war of 1819. He inherited his love for military from his father, Col. William Stevens, who was an officer through the whole of the American Revolution, entering at the age of twenty-six years. He being qualified in military discipline, was given the commission of captain of the 51st regi- ment of light artillery of Boston, Mass. ; he was connected with the Boston tea party, which occurred in 1773, as that historical city was his first home in this new country, where he was engaged in mercantile pursuits. His wife was Elizabeth Garney of Dedham, Mass. In 1793 he emigrated to what is now Elbridge, where he had re- ceived in consideration of his services a large portion of the 3,600 acres of land which he owned in the western part of this town. He was one of the first supervisors in this county, in 1794. He held many prominent offices in Onondaga Co. The repre- sentatives of three generations still succeed these worthy ancestors in this village. Mr. and Mrs. Graham had three sons: John H., died in the Union army ; James R. of lowa died in 1889; Charles E. of Elbridge, died in 1867; and three daughters: Anna M., Libbie I. and Mrs. Oscar Stokes of Pasadena, Cal. Mr. Graham has always been an active and influential man in his town, and is a great party worker. He has served as president of the village, and is now in his third term as town assessor.

Gorham, Aaron, Elbridge, a son of Nathan and grandson of Ephraim of Benning- ton, Vt., was born in a log house, where his parents' handsome residence now stands, in 1816, and has always lived on the same farm, never having married. His brother, Nathan, married Martha Yates, and the two brothers lived together till Nathan's death in 1875. His widow, with her sons, Emmett G. and Paige M., have since lived with Aaron on the home place. Nathan, father of Aaron, was born in 1780, and married Triphena Harmon, coming to this town in 1803, when the county was a wilderness, and took up a lot of 190 acres near the present junction. This he after- wards sold and bought 150 acres on the Jordan road, to which he added by different purchases until he had over 700 acres at his death in 1846. Of his seven sons the

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youngest died in infancy ; Gaius died in 1847, aged 47, and the others were: Nathan, Moses, Aaron and David.

Greene, Robert E., Elbridge, is a native of Jordan, a son of Salmon and Amy Edmunds Greene, who came from Cheshire, Mass., to Jordan in 1820. Salmon Greene's business was contracting and building, and he also belonged to the firm of Daggett & Greene, who manufactured pumps and had a foundry and machine shop on the site of what is now Warner's malt house. In 1848 he moved to Seneca Falls, where lie died in 1850. There were seven children: Eli, a physician, who died in Vermont; Frances, who died in 1838; Mrs. J. C. Frisbee of Fredonia; Mrs. I. N. Waldron of Sennett; Mrs. J. G. Buck, whose husband was a merchant in Jordan for some time, died in 1864, and T. Benton Greene of New York city. The mother died in Jordan in 1873. Mr. Greene was educated in Jordan and engaged in the drug business five years, after which he was in Buffalo three years and then in New York three. In 1878 he married Kate Peck of Afton, Chenango Co., and has two children : Amy K. and Clara E. In 1872 he went in Sperry's bank as clerk, continuing with Roger & Co., who succeeded Sperry. He became a partner in 1878, since which he has been the active man of the concern. Mr. Greene has served as village president and treasurer for many years, and is also a member of the School Board.

Skeele, Irving D., Fabius .- William Skeele, grandfather of Duane, came from Schoharie Co. in an early day and settled in Preble; was a prominent man of Preble and one of the largest contributors to the building of the Presbyterian church of that place, and in 1849 he moved to Beloit, Wis., and died there in 1860. Samuel and Harriet (Winslow) Skeele, parents of Duane, the former a native of Schenectady. born in 1799, and the latter born in Schoharie Co. in 1805, and died in Preble, 1848. Samuel came to Fabius in 1850; followed farming and mercantile business in Fabius ; later came to Summit Station. He served as town clerk, and he and family were members of the M. E. church. He afterwards married Mrs. Martha Joice in 1851, who died in 1892, his death occurring in 1884. Duane Skeele, son of Samuel and Harriet, was born in Preble, Aug. 13, 1833, was educated in the common schools and learned the carpenter's trade; he came to Fabius at the age of sixteen, where he has since lived; in 1857 he married Abbie Connine, daughter of Leonard and Statira Connine, and they have three children: Ida B., born Sept. 5, 1858, wife of I. R. Greene of Geneva ; Alice D., born Jan. 7, 1861, wife of Melvin Blasier of Canastota, and Irving D., born Sept. 4, 1866, who was educated in the public schools, and has fol- lowed contracting and building.

Munro, John C., Camillus, born in 1849 in Camillus, is a son of John C. and Emily (Bennett) Munro, natives of Camillus and Connecticut. The grandparents were David Munro and James Bennett. The parents located at Bell Isle on Mr. Munro's present farm. The father was justice of the peace for twenty years, and supervisor at one time. He died in 1889, aged 81. The mother, who was born in 1809, resides with Mr. Munro. Henry S. Munro of Camillus and Sarah, Mrs. E. R. Hill of Elbridge, are brother and sister of our subject. In 1879 Mr. Munro was elected supervisor, serving six years, and justice of the peace five years. He has over 300 acres of tlie home place.

Fischer, George, Manlius, was born in the town of Salina, Dec. 4, 1852. John,

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his father, was a native of Germany and came to this country in 1851. He came direct from New York to Liverpool, and shortly after took up coopering, making salt barrels for the factories near that village. He was the father of the willow industry in that town. At first the baskets were made from natural growth willows, and sold by peddling through the country. Mr. Fischer has continued in the business and now finds a market for his products in the wholesale houses of our large cities. He is now aged 83 years, and is as hale and hearty as some of his younger friends. His wife, Mary Rislee, was also a native of Germany. They have had eight children, five of whom are now living. The eldest son died in April, 1894, aged 52 years. George, the third son, was educated in the common schools. He remained with his father until 18 years old, but has followed various employments since. He was engaged in boating several years, then in farming for 14 years. Of this time he spent four years in Illinois and nearly two years in Grand Haven, Mich. He came to Manlius in 1883, and April 1, 1894, he came to Manlius Station to conduct the gen- eral store and coal yard for R. W. Mckinley, and has made the business a grand ? success. Mr. Fischer held the office of town collector in 1893. In 1881 he married Lena Kneller, of Newark, Wayne Co., by whom he had three children: one died, by choking to death, on its second birthday; Leslie George, aged 13, and Clara E., aged 8 years.

Fout, John F .. Manlius, was born at Manlius Station, April 25, 1852. Charles Fout, his father, was a native of Germany, who came to this country in the early '40's. He was a shoe and basket maker by trade, but when he came to this coun- try he entered the employ of the Syracuse & Utica R. R., now the N. V. C., where he remained the balance of his life. The last twenty years of his life was spent in the freight house at Manlius Station. He died July 28, 1871, aged 59 years. His wife, Angeline Hardendorf, died Oct. 21, 1893. They had six children: Charles, a shoemaker of Syracuse, died Jan. 1, 1889; Mary, wife of John Gayring of Manlius died Nov. 8, 1879; Amelia, wife of Peter Mittendorf, a cabinet maker, died April 1, 1870; Louise, wife of Conrad J. Fisher of Manlius Station; Hanrel H., in the insur- ance business in New York, and John F. John F. was educated in the common schools. He first worked on a farm, where he remained two years, then worked for a year on the work train of the N. Y. C. R. R. He then engaged with C. J. Fisher, in the ship- ping of country produce ; after this he went on to the railroad again, but for the last 15 years he has been in the produce business again. In 1894 he bought a farm of over fifty acres, on lot 44, town of Manlius, which he has greatly improved. May 5, 1875, he married Jennie S., daughter of John T. Plank, who died Jan. 19, 1892. She left one child, Elmo Le Grande Fout, a student in the East Syracuse Academy. He is now 18 years old.

Gregg, John, Manlius, was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, Dec. 8, 1840, and came to this country in 1869. He first located in St. Johnsville, Montgomery Co., where he was engaged in cheese making for three years. He was then engaged in the same business in the town of Sullivan, Madison Co., for one year. He then located in Kirkville, where he bought a cheese factory and conducted it for 10 years. In 1883 he took charge of the S. C. Gardner farm, where he has since resided. In 1894 he bought a farm of 131 acres in the town of Dewitt, where he expects to spend the bal- ance of his days. He is a member of Fayetteville Grange, No. 610. Feb. 3, 1863,

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Mr. Gregg married Jane, daughter of Stephen Griffiths, a native of England, by whom he has eight children: George C., died in 1864, aged three months; Mary J., wife of Dr. Abner C. Downer of Princeton, Ill. ; Agnes J., who lives at home; Sarah A., dressmaker, of Syracuse; Minnie M., professional nurse in the Women's and Children's Hospital, Syracuse ; Lillie L., teacher in Hartsville ; Palmer W. H., assists his father on the farm, and Helen E., a student in the Fayetteville Academy.

Grove, Horace S., Manlius, was born in Fayetteville, July 12, 1843. Adam, his father, was a native of Palatine Bridge, Montgomery Co., and came to the town of Manlius when a young man. He first settled in the town of Pompey, where he mar- ried Eliza Hoag, but soon after he settled in Fayetteville. He was a tailor by trade, and conducted a business here a great many years. He died July 4, 1877, aged 69 years. Mrs. Grove died Jan. 28, 1883. Eight children were born of this union, seven of whom are now living. Horace S., the oldest son, was educated in the common schools. After leaving school he followed a mechanical business for five years. In Jan., 1864, he enlisted with Scott's Nine Hundred, afterward consolidated with the 11th N. V. cavalry, and remained with them until the close of the war. After his return he opened a billiard hall in Fayetteville, which he conducted for one year, then bought a canal boat, following that line of business for five years. After this he conducted a grocery and confectionery store in the Goodrich place for two years. In 1874 he bought the old Rowley property, and made of it what is now the commodi- ous Grove Hotel. He has made this one of the finest country hotels in the county. Mr. Grove is a member of Fayetteville Lodge 578, F. & A. M. In 1867 he married Augusta Jenks of Fayetteville, by whom he has two children: Glen A., a senior of Hamilton College, and Mrs. Grace Matthews of Minneapolis, Minn.

Gerthoffer, Oliver, Manlius, was born in Alsace, France (now a part of Germany), May 24, 1831. John, his father, came to this country in 1847, locating in the town of Manlius, where he bought a farm of 41 acres. He died here Feb. 27, 1876, aged 90 years. His wife, Elizabeth Abeck, died Dec. 9, 1865, aged 70 years. Nine children were born of this union, four of whom are still living. Oliver had the advantage of both French and German instruction in his native land. He was employed on the railroad for three years, then engaged in farming. He had 10 acres of the home- stead farm, which he exchanged in 1861 for 41 acres on the same lot, where he made his home until 1869. He then moved on to a farm of 70 acres, where he has since made his home. He has made many valuable improvements to the place, and now has a fine farm of 145 3-4 acres. He also owns 62 acres on lot 33. Feb. 8, 1864, Mr. Gerthoffer married Anna, third daughter of the late Anthony C. Seymour, a farmer of this town. Seven children were born of this union: Oliver Andrew, a farmer ; Al- bert Anthony, a fireman on the N. Y.C.R. R. ; Victor Alexander, lives at home ; Frank Augustus, who lives at home; Herman Joseph, also at home ; Agnes Anna, at home, and Vernie Julia, died Nov. 17, 1887.

Fay, E. C., Onondaga, is a grandson of William Fay of Great Barrington, Mass., who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, in which he served seven years. For his services he received a military tract in the town of Onondaga, where he settled in 1796, bringing with him his sons, Aaron and Augustus. The latter resided in this town 74 years and died here. He had five sone, one of whom, Orris P., was born and lived here until his death, aged 73, in 1891. Edward C., our subject, was born

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in 1843, and enlisted in Co. E, 149th N. Y. Vols., in 1862. He was wounded at Chan- cellorsville, and still carries a bullet in his left shoulder. He was honorably dis- charged Feb. 4, 1864. His wife was Lottie C. Hazzard, and they have two children : F. Sinclair Fay, M. D., of Syracuse, and George E. Fay, a trained nurse of Bellevue Hospital, New York.

Fellows, Adelbert C., Tully, was born in Tully, May 25, 1853, the only child of John W. and Marcia E. (Outt) Fellows, he a native of Tully, born July 31, 1829, and his wife born in Tully, March 13, 1833. The father of John W. was Hiram Fellows, born in Otisco in 1798, who was a son of John G. Fellows, one of the first settlers of Otisco, who died in 1813. Hiram Fellows died in Otisco in 1865, and his wife, Edith, died in 1876. John W. kept a hotel at Tully four years, and at Cardiff two years. He died April 3, 1881, and his widow survives him, residing with Adelbert C. The latter was reared on the farm, educated in the common schools and Onondaga Acad- emy, and has always followed farming, now owning 50 acres, which he bought after selling 301 acres to the : olvay Process Co. Mr. Fellows has taken some inter- est in politics, having served as highway commissioner several years. He is a mem- ber of Tully Grange No. 246, and a K. of P., also belonging to the Good Templar fraternity. He married, Feb. 25, 1890, Jenette, daughter of Erastus Clark, and they have one child, John C., born June 22, 1892.

Fellows, George R., Van Buren, was born in Van Buren, Sept. 18, 1836. His father, David G., was a native of Otsego Co., and the family came from England in 1740. David G. married Mary Knapp, and they had six children, five of whom are now living. George R. married Cleora M., daughter of Joseph Hart, and they have four children : William Y., George R., jr., Nellie L. and Mary L. In 1893 Mr. Fellows bought the Ouderkirk property, where he now resides, and is now considered one of the leading farmers of the town.

Failing, Josiah, Van Buren, was born in Montgomery Co., Dec. 22, 1842. His father, Elijah Failing, came to Onondaga Co. in 1847, where he was a well known carpenter and builder, having assisted in erecting the flour mills which have made Baldwinsville famous. Josiah was educated in the schools of Baldwinsville. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. A, 122d N. Y. Vols., and took part in the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg. Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and the Wilderness, receiving an hon- orable discharge at the close of the war. In 1885 he married Flora, daughter of Seth Brown, by whom he has one daughter, Clara O. Mr. Failing is one of the represen- tative men of the town, taking an active interest in church and school work.

Foster, Isaac H., Van Buren, was born in Van Buren, Feb. 1, 1843. His father, Joel Foster, was a native of Onondaga Co., and was engaged in farming. He mar- ried Lydia A., daughter of Peter Peck, by whom he had five children, two of whom are now living: George, of Auburn, Ind., and Isaac. He died in 1851, at the age of 38 years. Isaac H. was educated in the common schools, but has learned much through his well chosen reading and close observation. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. G, 149th N. Y. Vols., and took part in the battles of Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, Look- out Mountain, Atlanta, and numerous others. He was mustered out of service in June, 1865. In 1868 he married Ida, daughter of John Crego, by whom he has eight children: Joel S., Daniel P., John A., George T., Isaac H., Lydia M., Ora E. and

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Ida. In 1866 Mr. Foster bought part of the Daniel Peck property, and in 1867 lie bought the farm adjoining. In 1885 he bought the Crego farm, where he now re- sides. He is one of the representative farmers of the town.

Green, Job, Salina, was born in Marcellus in 1839, son of Job and Sarah (Holgrove) Green, natives of Rhode Island, who came to Lysander in 1810, the father dying in 1869 at the age of 94, and the mother in 1859, at the age of 74. Mr. Green has farmed. it all his life in Onondaga Co., and located on his present farm of 160 acres near Liverpool in 1871. In 1855 he married Mrs. Mary A. (Gowdy) Johnson. They have three children : Elizabeth, Holden C. and Francis A.

Gower, John, Dewitt, was born in Geddes in 1855, son of Stephen and Elizabeth (Vincent) Gower, natives of England. They located in the town of Salina about ten years, then moved to Collamer, where the father died in 1876. The mother resides in Dewitt. In 1878 Mr. Gower married Mary D. Soule, by whom he has three chil- dren : Stephen A., Willhelni and Bessie.

Galloway, Henry, Pompey, was born in Pompey, April 11, 1840, a son of Thomas M. and Alma (Wooley) Galloway, the former born in 1803, and the latter in 1809. The grandfather, Thomas, came to Madison Co. in 1806 and removed to Pompey, where he died in 1845. Our subject was reared on the farm, educated in the pub- lic schools and has followed farming, owning the homestead of 130 acres, keeping 15 cows. In 1868 he married Harriet A. Hitchcock, of Woodstock, who died in 1875. He married second, in 1877, Mrs. J. J. Schutt, widow of R. W. Partridge, by whom he had two children: Leslie, who died in California in 1891; and Hiram A., who died in 1864, aged three years. Mr. and Mrs, Galloway have had three children: Charles H., born in 1869; Fred T., born in 1871; and Edward E., born in 1873.

Giddings, David B., Baldwinsville, was born in the town of Granby, Oswego Co., Nov. 19, 1836, son of Isaac B., a native of Sherman, Fairfield Co., Conn. The family are of English descent and came to the United States in 1635 and settled in the town of Ipswich, Mass. Isaac B. married Eunice Stewart, by whom he had three children, of whom David B. is the only one now living. David B. married Martha, daughter of David Tappan, by whom he has four children: Bert L., Fay M., Mrs. May E. Taylor, wife of Henry L., principal of the Canandaigua Academy, and Anna C. In 1862 Mr. Giddings came to the town of Lysander and purchased a part of the Gott estate, and in 1878 bought the Warner D. Wells estate. He is now one of the largest growers of Niagara grapes, vegetables, and small fruits in Central New York. He is one of the leading men of the town, taking an active interest in church and school work.

Fairbanks, Erwin, Baldwinsville, was born in Jefferson Co., Sept. 22, 1832. His father, Hiram, was a native of Colerain, Mass., the family being of Scotch descent. He married Effie Caswell, by whom he had five children, four of whom are now living. He moved to West Bend, Wis., where he died at the age of 84 years. Erwin was educated in the common schools, after which he taught school for ten years. In 1864 he came to Baldwinsville and engaged in contracting and moving buildings. In 1870 he engaged in the coal and lumber trade, in which he still continues. lle married Julia Brown, who died in March, 1888. In Sept., 1889, he

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married Sarah Johnson. The only son died when 10 years old. He has been president of the village, assessor, trustee, and was one of the projectors of the Baldwinsville water system. Mr. Fairbanks is one of the representative men of the town.

Hall, Horace G., Van Buren, was born in Van Buren, April 2, 1831. Amos Ilall, his father, a native of Connecticut, moved to Pompey with his parents in 1790. He served in the war of 1812. Amos married Lucinda. daughter of James Scoville, by whom he had five children, four of whom are now living. Horace G. was educated in the common schools. At the age of 23 he married Martha, daughter of Elias Lanfare, by whom he had five children: Fred A., Harvey E., Mrs. Harriet Lambert, Mattie, and Mrs. Emma Dysinger, who was drowned at St. Paul, Minn. Mr. Hall is one of the leading farmers of his town, and is especially interested in breeding horses.

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Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 89

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