Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 92

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 92

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Hanchett, Milton Waldo .- One of the very oldest residents of Syracuse, and prob- ably of Onondaga Co., now living, is Mr. M. W. Hanchett, son of Dr. Wilkes Han- chett, and grandson of Capt. Oliver Hanchett, who was a son of Lieut. John Han- chett, son of John, son of John, son of Deacon Thomas Hanchett, who landed at Nantasket in 1630, having reached that port in the good ship Mary and John from Plymouth, England. This long line of descent, establishing, if anything can, an American lineage, contains several names to which honorable deeds have been cred- ited. The head of the family, after serving as deacon or selectman in a number of the oldest towns of New England, finally became one of the original landholders of Suffield, Conn. Here all of the succeeding line have lived for longer or shorter periods, and here most of them were born. Lieut. John was a hero of the Indian wars, and trained his son Oliver in that love of freedom and country that distin- guished the good men and true of 1776. Oliver Hanchett. when but twenty-four years of age, and fifteen days after George Washington was commissioned comman- der-in-chief of the American army, received from Congress, signed by John Han-

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cock, a commission as captain in the 33d Regiment of the army of the United Colo- nies; and in Oct. of that same year, he set out with Benedict Arnold, on the latter's expedition to aid General Montgomery in the siege of Quebec. It is related of him that he succeeded with five or six men, in forcing an entrance into the city and into the presence of its commander, who, supposing him to be supported by the army, yielded at first to Captain Hanchett's demand, and surrendered his sword. Finding, however, that but a handful of men, more brave or venturesome than their fellows, had broken through the defenses, he promptly turned the tables upon his captors, and placed them in prison, where Captain Hanchett remained for about a year in company with a number of his command of soldiers. Here he was fortunately able, out of his private purse, to alleviate somewhat the distress of his fellow prisoners, making advances which were subsequently refunded to him, by order of the Legisla- ture, after he had obtained liberty through an exchange of prisoners of war. After the colonies had secured their independence, Captain Hanchett became deputy sheriff of Hartford Co., and built a house in Suffield which is still standing, occupied, and in excellent condition. Ile had several children, the fourth of whom was his eldest son, Dr. John Wilkes Hanchett, well known to many of the older inhabitants of Syr- acuse, where he spent most of his days, and died in Oct., 1844. When the subject of this sketch was but two years old, Dr. Hanchett removed to Onondaga Valley, and two years later removed to Syracuse, which, by reason of the opening of the Erie Canal, seemed likely to prove the more advantageous location from a business point of view. Since 1826 then, with the exception of four or five years in the neighbor- hood of 1850, Mr. Hanchett's whole life has been passed in the city of Syracuse, whose growth and progress he has watched for almost seventy years. He began his business career as a small manufacturer, became a druggist soon after, still later he studied and practiced dentistry, being associated with Dr. Amos Westcott, and for a time during the latter's incumbency of a chair in the Baltimore College of Dentistry, had charge of his office and practice. But about forty years ago he became an un- derwriter, and has continued in that business until the present time. He has also been actively interested in the New York State Banking Company, of which he has been vice-president for a number of years; and, having most remarkable mechanical skill, he has taken out several patents for useful inventions. As a lad he was con- nected with the old First Presbyterian church, but with his parents helped to organize the First Congregational church, and afterward was a prime mover in the organiza- tion of Plymouth church. In this church he has been active for years as an organist and director of music, as superintendent of the Sunday school, and as clerk; and it was there he began the work which afterward grew into a decidedly conspicuous success-the work of Bible study, and directing the research of a large class of adults into unfamiliar lines of scriptural investigation. He was also temporarily connected as organist and musical director, with the Salina Presbyterian church, and with St. Paul's church. He was twice elected president of the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation, whose recent activity and whose employment of a paid secretary, date from his incumbency. Mr. Hanchett's mind is peculiarly alert and far-seeing, and he re- tains with remarkable distinctness and accuracy, the impressions of a lifetime. He often speaks with the greatest interest of his recollection of seeing La Fayette on his visit to this country as the guest of the nation in 1824. He recalls the first railway train that ever appeared in Syracuse, and he has recently completed for the Histori-

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cal Society, drawings, made from memory, of a number of the buildings which were conspicuous in the early days of the village of Syracuse. These drawings have sat- isfied many who have seen them of their accuracy, and afford the only means now available for recalling the appearance of the old First Presbyterian church, the old Mansion House, and other buildings that are remembered with affectionate interest by early settlers. Mr. Hanchett married, in 1848, Martha Anna, daughter of Jared Huntington, of Owego, Tioga Co., N. Y., and sister of Mrs. Jared F. Phelps, who was at that time a resident of Syracuse, but who removed with her husband to Caze- novia more than forty years ago. His children were a daughter who died in infancy ; Dr. Henry G. Hanchett, a musical artist and teacher of New York city and Brook- lyn ; and Miss Addie Elvira Hanchett, deceased.

Jayne, William, Elbridge, is a son of A. L. Jayne of Tioga Co., and Charlotte Robinson, his wife, who was born in Tioga in 1843. The family is of English de- scent, and came from Orange Co. A. L. Jayne died on his farm in 1892. Our sub- ject received his education in Tioga, and acted as clerk in various stores, being one year with McCarthy in Syracuse, and came to Jordan in 1867, where he has since lived, and had a position in J. W. Dye's store. He married Lucie, daughter of George W. Wright, whose family was one of the early ones of the town. Mr. Jayne was president of the village in 1893. He and family are influential members of the Presbyterian church.

James, Job, Onondaga, was born in England, and came to America, settling in Onondaga. His father was Isaac, and his mother Mary James. Our subject mar- ried Mary Emsbury, who died Dec. 8, 1888, leaving three children : Louis, Arthur, and Florence. Mr. James owns a fine place of 48 acres under good cultivation, and is a veteran of the late war, having enlisted in 1864 in Co. C, 9th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. He was taken prisoner at Frederick City, Md., but escaped from the guards. He was wounded and taken prisoner again, but recaptured, at the battle of Cedar Creek, and was sent to the hospital at Baltimore.

June, Martin, was born in Fabius in 1841, one of nine children of Josel and EIvina (Moray) June, natives of Hudson and Vermont respectively. Mr. June came to Onondaga Co. when there were but a few houses where the city of Syracuse now stands. He settled in Fabius, where he died in 1839. His widow died in 1891. Ben- jamin, grandfather of Martin, died at the age of 103 years in Fabius. He came from Hudson, near Albany, his father having come from Scotland to that place in an early day. Martin June has always followed farming, and has been for twelve years on the Peck farm in Fabius, a place of 321 acres, where he carries on general farming and dairying, keeping about fifty cows. In 1862 he married Frances Vaill of Tully, and they have three children : Olive M., wife of Elmer Neal of Fabius, by whom she has one daughter; Grace Elvira, wife of Clarence Fellows, a farmer of Fabius, by whom she has one son, June Fellows; and Mabel, at home.

Ide, Francis, Spafford, born in Spafford, Sept. 29, 1837, a son of Henry and Har- riet (Colton) Ide. The father was a native of Washington Co., born in 1809 and his wife born in this town in 1811. The grandfather was Roger Ide, who came to Spaf- ford from Washington Co. He was a Free Will Baptist minister, and a farmer. His death occurred in 1863. His wife was Esther Ide, who also died in Spafford. The

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father of our subject was a farmer, and spent most of his life in this town, where he drove a stage in the early days, from Jordan to Homer. He was a prominent farmer, and owned 220 acres of land, also buying and selling fine horses. He was also a veterinary surgeon of merit. He was a Baptist as was also his wife, and he was deacon in the church for many years. He died Dec. 22, 1892, and his wife Dec. 13, 1871. Francis Ide was educated in the public schools, and followed farming after completing his studies. He now owns 117 acres in Borodino, and has made a specialty of the breeding of fine horses. He has served as justice twenty years and is a member of the Grange and Alliance. In 1860 he married Mary J. Olmstead of this town, a daughter of Isaac Olmstead, and they have had these children: Hattie, born October 5. 1860, who died Jan, 19, 1876; and Grant, born Nov. 16, 1869.

Jones, Allen M., Camillus, was born in Syracuse in 1844, son of Morris R. and Elizabeth (Little) Jones. The father was a millwright and built every salt mill on the reservation up to date of his demise in 1874, and was also the inventor of all the principal improvements in the manufacture of salt. Mr. Jones followed his father's trade till 1881, when he located on his farm on Genesee street. In 1873 he married Anna M. Hitchcock, and has one daughter, Myrtle. He is the present assessor for Camillus.

Johnson, Henry P., a native of Camillus, born on the farm where he now lives in 1847, is a son of Abram and Lucy M. (Ladd) Johnson. The grandfather, Peter John- son, located on the same farm in 1811, and died here when 88 years old. His old home built by him still stands. Abraham and a brother Joseph purchased a farm near the old home place, afterward dividing it, and Abraham sold his part to the State Asylum for their Fairmount tract. Subject's father died in 1895 aged 86, and the mother resides with Mr. Johnson. In 1882 Mr. Johnson married Ida M. Lusk, a native of Germany. The original Johnson tract consisted of 84 acres, of which Mr. Johnson has 64 acres.

Kingsley, Cyrus H., Van Buren, was born in Connecticut and came to Onondaga Co. in 1811. He married Hannah, daughter of John Sears, by whom he had five children. Mr. Kingsley was a prominent man of his town throughout his life. He held various offces of trust, among which were those of supervisor and justice of the peace. He was a man of sterling character and received the respect of all who knew him. He died in 1878, aged 90 years, a loss not only to his family but to all who knew him.

Johnson, Stephen G., was born in the town of Van Buren, Nov. 8, 1825. James Johnson, his father, came to Onondaga Co. in 1818 and purchased a farm on lot No. 8, where his descendants now reside, and which has been in the family nearly 80 years. He married Catherine Wright, by whom he had nine children, three of whom are now living. James Johnson was a man of means and was able to pay down for his farm, which was so nething unusual in these early days and from the time of purchase to the present there has never been a mortgage or blot on the title. Stephen was educated in the common schools. In 1851 he married Chloe Loveless, by whom he had six children. Mr. Johnson is one of the best farmers of the town, and is rec- ognized as a man of sterling character.

Kendall, Stephen, Manlius, was born in the town of Dewitt, June 5, 1863. George,

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his father, was born in England in Feb., 1833. He received a common school educa- tion. He came to the United States when 18 years of age and engaged in farming. In Oct., 1861, he was married and settled on a farm in the town of Dewitt, where he lived until 1866. He then moved to Onondaga Valley, making his home in the town of Onondaga for 16 years. He then spent two years in Dewitt, but in 1884 bought a farm of 52 acres in the town of Manlius, where he died July 6, 1887. His wife was Mary Carns, of Ireland, who is still living at the age of 58 years. Six children were born to this union, three of whom died in infancy : Stephen, the oldest ; Anna M., died Nov. 15, 1874, aged nine years; and Harriet M., wife of Peter Thomas, a blacksmith, of Manlius Station. Stephen was educated in the common schools, then engaged in farming. On the death of his father, he took charge of the farm and has since con- tinued its management. He is a member of St. Matthew's church, of Dewitt.

Johnson, Peter, Manlius, was born in Clifton Park, Saratoga Co., Aug. 16, 1795. He was eight years old when his parents moved to Schoharie Co., where he was reared and educated. In 1830 he moved to Oneida Co. and engaged in boating for five years. He then made his home in Manlius for three years, but returned to Scho- harie Co., where he lived sixteen years. In 1854 he moved to Manlius and bought a farm of 150 acres, which he conducted for 14 years. He then removed to a farm of 21 acres, where he has since made his home. Mr. Johnson enjoys the distinction of being the oldest man in the county. He is of English and German descent. He has heid some of the minor town offices. In 1816 he married Abigail Crane, of Weathersfield, Conn., who died in 1830, leaving three children : William C., a farmer, of Caledonia, Livingston Co .; John, a farmer of Roy, Greene Co .; and Mary A., widow of L. W. Dibbell. In 1831 Mr. Johnson married Eliza A. Perry, of Rome, Oneida Co., by whom he had three sons: Henry, died at the age of 21 years; Byron C., conducts the farm ; and Edward, a manufacturer of Zanesville, Ohio.

Kipperle, Andrew, Manlius, was born in Alsace, France, now a part of Germany, Aug. 23, 1825. His parents came to this country July 4, 1832. His father, John Kipperle, in partnership with Sebastian Kipperle, Joseph Brosia, and a Mr. Trow, bought 100 acres of land in the town of Manlius, of which John Kipperle was to have 30 acres, and it was on this farm he reared his family and lived up to the time of his death, which occurred Oct. 18, 1870. His wife, Catherine Snaveley, died March 12, 1882. Eight children were born to this union. Andrew, the second son, had very little chance for education in his early days, but has learned much by his well chosen reading and close observation. He assisted his father on the farm until 24 years of age. In 1849 he went to Syracuse and entered the employ of Clark & Alvord, with whom he remained 16 years. In 1864 he returned to the town of Manlius and the next spring bought a small place, which by his industry and perseverance he has in- creased to a fine farm of 73 acres. Nov. 17, 1851, Mr. Kipperle married Elizabeth, daughter of John Gerthoffer, by whom he has three children: Mary, wife of William Miller, a machinist in the Smith Gun Works, at Fulton; Caroline, wife of John P. Snyder, a farmer and railroadman, of Manlius; and Elizabeth, wife of Peter Greiner, a farmer, also of Manlius.

King, Caleb E., Spafford, was born in Tully, Feb. 23, 1863, a son of Caleb and Elizabeth (Bennett) King. Caleb, the father, was born in West Greenwich, R. I., and Mrs. King in Tully. Mr. King came to Pompey when a young man, but soon

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after went to Preble, where he remained two years. He then went to Tully and en- gaged in farming, where he died Feb. 22, 1863. Mrs. King died in 1873. Caleb E. was educated in Vesper School and Homer Academy. At the age of 21 he came to Spafford, where he engaged in the mercantile business. Mr. King carries a full line of general merchandise and commands nearly all of the trade in the place. In 1886 he married Mary E., daughter of John and Marian Landphier, of Scott, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. King have one daughter: Ruth E. Mr. King was postmaster for two years under Cleveland's first administration and was again appointed to that position in Oct., 1893.

Kelley, Thomas, Skaneateles, was born in Mount Morris, Genesee Co., N. Y., son of John Kelley, a farmer. He came to Auburn, Cayuga Co., where he received a common school education, then went to work on a farm, and from that he went to blacksmithing, at which he has since worked. He volunteered in the late war and went to the front with the 15th Regiment of Engineers, N. Y. S. Vols., and served until the close of the war. Mr. Kelley first came to Skaneateles in 1854, and is one of the best known citizens in the town. He has been a member of the Board of Edu- cation, is a trustee of the Presbyterian church, and has been trustee of the village for 20 years. He married Emily Cornell, of Skaneateles, by whom he had one son, Frank. She died in 1879. Mr. Kelley afterward married Martha Patterson, of Skaneateles, by whom he has two daughters, Maud C. and Mabel S.

Kellogg, Daniel, Skaneateles, a lawyer, son of Samuel Kellogg, of Williamstown, Mass., where he was born April 19, 1780, studied with Abraham Van Vechten, of Albany, N. Y., where he was admitted to the bar in 1800. He settled in Auburn in 1801, but in 1803 he moved to Skaneateles where he resided until his death, May 4, 1836. In 1813 he was appointed district attorney for the counties of Cayuga, Che- nango, Cortland, and Onondaga, the duties of which he discharged with character- istic ability for three years. In 1818 he was elected president of the Bank of Auburn, which position he held for 18 years. In 1802 he married Laura Hyde, who was born at Sharon, Conn., March 32, 1786. His death was regarded as a public calamity by business men who knew him and could appreciate his worth. He left the following children: Augustus, a lawyer, admitted as an attorney to the courts of New York State, born July 3, 1803, died Oct. 30, 1861; Mary A .; John, born in April, 1807; Catherine, born July 27, 1814; and Daniel, born Nov. 22, 1817. Thomas C. and Walter H. Kellogg, known as the Kellogg Brothers, sons of the preceding, first started in the teasel business in a small way. In the fall of 1876 they begun to do business as Kellogg Bros., and since that time the business has shown a steady in- crease in the face of the fact that the sale of teasels has generally decreased, owing to the introduction of machinery to be used in the place of them. This industry has contributed largely to the prosperity of Skaneateles and Marcellus. Thomas C. was born April 8, 1858, and Walter H., April 28, 1860. Walter married Jennie L. Kellogg of Skaneateles.

Kortright, Jacob L., proprietor of the Kortright House at Jamesville, was born in Dewitt in 1835. His parents, Matthew and Angeline (Townsend) Kortright, came from Ulster Co. to Onondaga Co., where they died. The father died in 1884, aged 73, and the mother in 1876, aged 78. Mr. Kortright was raised on a farm. In 1857 he married Loretta A. Dunlop. In 1867 he located at Jamesville and started the

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hotel business. In 1877 his buildings were destroyed by fire, but the next year he erected his present commodious and conveniently arranged hotel, which is two stories high and consists of 25 large well-furnished rooms.

King, Charles H., Dewitt, manufacturer of cider and cider vinegar, was born in Dewitt in 1853, son of James H. and Caroline (Church) King. Until he reached the age of 15 he resided on a farm, and then worked in the grist and plaster mills. After this he was engaged in the hotel business with his father for three years in Canada. He began his present business in a small way in 1872, and now makes from 2,000 to 5,000 barrels per season. In 1890 he married Jennie Buckman of Madi- son Co.

Kelly, T. D., Baldwinsville, was born Aug. 7, 1848, son of Daniel J., who came to Lysander in 1820 from Dutchess Co. T. D., who was the youngest of nine children, was educated in the common schools and finished at Falley Seminary, Fulton, N. Y., after which he returned to his father's farm. He married Alice, daughter of Alexander Coenn, by whom he has three children: Frank M., Maud A., and Mary A. Mrs. Kelly died in 1887. In 1888 he purchased the Mills property, raising large amounts of hay, grain, stock, and tobacco. He is one of the representative farmers of the town.

Keller, James H., Baldwinsville, was born in Cicero, Feb. 19, 1828, son of Abram Keller, a native of Minden, Montgomery Co., who came to Cicero in 1825. Abram married Eva Slingerland, by whom he had five children, three of whom are now living. Mr. Keller followed farming up to the time of his death, in 1874, aged 71. James H. was educated in the common schools. At the age 23 he married Fanny Bowman, who died July 1, 1865. In 1867 he married Margaret, daughter of Thomas S. Martin. They have three children: Charles, Mrs. Mabel Fenner, and Mrs. Ophelia Hayes of Madison, Minn. Mr. Keller has served as poormaster for five years. He is one of the leading farmers of the town.

Kelley, James M., Baldwinsville, was born in Lysander, March 7, 1844, son of Daniel J., a native of Dutchess Co. Daniel J. came to Lysander in 1820, and mar- ried Nancy Cram. He was one of the most successful farmers of the town until his death in 1877, in his 73d year. James M. was educated in the common schools. He married Elizabeth Johnson, of Liverpool, by whom he has one son, Daniel. Mr. Kelley resides on the Kelley homestead, which has been in the family 75 years. He is trustee of the school and excise commissioner. He is one of the representative farmers of the town.

Kaple, J. D., M.D., Baldwinsville, was born in Otsego Co., Sept. 30, 1848, son of Bela J. Kaple, also a native of Otsego Co. The family came from England in 1650. Bela J. was a prominent farmer of his town. He married Sallie Coffin and they had six children, three of whom are now living. J. D. Kaple was educated at Westford Institute, attended medical college, and graduated. He married Martha, daughter of Charles Goodrich, of Littlefield, Otsego Co., and they have one son, Edward B., who is attending college at Cleveland, O. Mr. Kaple is one of the leading men of the town.

₹ Brewer, Sylvester, Manlius, was born in Duanesburg, Schenectady Co., June 14, 1845. John, his father, was a farmer of that county and died in the city of Schenec-

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tady in Jan., 1882. Sylvester, second son of six children, was educated in the com- mon schools. He then worked on his father's farm until 15 years of age, then began railroading as section hand on track repairs on the D. & H. C. Co. R. R., with whom he remained seven years. In 1871 he was made foreman of the section and has since occupied that position, although not always with the same company, having been employed on the D. & H., West Shore, and N. Y. C. R. R. Nov. 2, 1887, he was made foreman of Section 17 of the N. Y. C. and removed with his family to Manlius Station, where he has since made his home. In 1864 Mr. Brewer married Hannah Van Wormer, of Glenville, Schenectady Co., and they have had eight chil- dren, five of whom are now living: William, an employee of the N Y. C. R. R. ; Oliver, also a railroad man; Clarence, who conducts a livery and sale stable at Man- lius Station; Anna, wife of Richard Fulom, yard master at Schenectady; and Minnie, wife of Charles Baily, bridge inspector for the United States government, now a resident of New York city. The other three children died in infancy.

Beecher Robert Malcolm, Syracuse, was born in Pleasant Valley, Dutchess Co., N. Y., Oct. 19, 1830. His grandfather was Samuel Beecher, a native of Connecticut, born in New Haven, Nov. 26, 1750, and died Aug. 24, 1834. His wife was Tem- perance Beecher, whom he married June 3, 1777; she died Sept. 9, 1841. They had four children, one of whom was David Beecher, born in Connecticut, and a lawyer by profession. He graduated from Williams College, and began practice in Caneseraga, Madison Co., N. Y., became prominent in politics, and was elected to the Assembly in 1814. He was also connected with the local militia and rose to the rank of colonel. On Nov. 17, 1806, he married Sarah M. Thompson, who was directly descended from Lady Mary Butler, while he traced his ancestry back to the Duke of Ormond. They settled in Dutchess Co. in 1827. His children consisted of Thomas W., born at Rhinebeck, Oct. 4, 180%, died Feb. 8, 1878; Samuel Theodore, born at Sullivan, Jan. 6, 1810, died Feb. 1, 1865; Laura, born at Sullivan, May 19, 1813, died Nov. 25, 1838; Catherine T., born at Sullivan, April 8, 1815, died June 7, 1847; Will- iam A., born at Sullivan, Nov. 19, 1817, died June 8, 1860; David, jr., born at Sulli- van, Oct. 26, 1821, died July 20, 1857; Robert M., the subject, born at Pleasant Valley, Oct. 19, 1830. David Beecher died Nov. 6, 1845, and his wife died Dec. 27, 1841. Robert M. Beecher received his education in common schools in New York city and New Haven, Conn. He left school at about fourteen years of age and served in a shipping office in New York city whence emigrants were returned to their homes. In 1847 he located in Syracuse, served one year in a dry goods store, where his health failed, and he engaged as bookkeeper in the old Star newspaper office for Kinney & Masters, where he remained four years. He then learned daguerreotyping and with his instructor opened a gallery in Broadway, New York. During the succeeding years up to 1857 he served in a New York wholesale office about two years; as bookkeeper in Port Byron one year ; in Syracuse one year in a dry goods store ; in Cardiff as proprietor of a general store about two years, when he again located in Syracuse in the spring of 1857, accepting a position in the canal col- lector's office and remained in that connection one year under the late William L. Palmer, and the following as assistant weighmaster under the late Col. B. L. Higgins; succeeding which he served about two years in the canal superintendent's office under Philip P. Midler. He then served two years in the canal engineering

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Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 92

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