Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 95

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 95

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Brockway, Charles Tiffany, was born in Broadalbin, Fulton county, N. Y. on the 25th of January, 1847, and is the son of Tiffany and Cornelia A. (Babcock) Brock- way. He comes of good old New England stock, his maternal ancestors having re- sided in Rhode Island and Connecticut. for many years prior to the Revolutionary war. while his ancestors upon his father's side settled in Lyme at the mouth of the Connecticut River about 1660. His grandfather was an officer in the war of 1812, and several other members of the family were active in that war and in the Revolu- tion. Ilis father was, in his day, associated with Gerrit Smith and other well known abolitionists in the crusade against slavery, giving liberally of his time and means to that cause, and actively assisting many slaves to escape to Canada. Mr. Brockway received a common school and academic education, and early in life began teach- ing, in which profession he continued for eight years with marked success, also continuing his studies in connection with his other duties during most of that time. His first work as a teacher was done in district schools, but he soon con- nected himself with the academy at Middletown, Saratoga county, of which in- stitution he was at a subsequent period elected principal. He served in this

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capacity for about two years, when he was invited to organize and take charge of the Union Schools of the city of Alpena, Mich. This position he accepted, and con- tinned in the same for two years. During the latter part of his residence in Alpena his health suffered from overwork and malaria, and under medical advice he decided to give up teaching and engage in some less sedentary occupation. In the summer of 1871 he returned to the east, located at Gloversville, N. Y., spent some time in rest and travel, and soon regained his health. About this time he did considerable newspaper work, with such acceptance that he was offered but declined an editorial position. In 1872 he decided to engage in insurance as a permanent business, and in pursuance of this determination conducted a fire and life insurance agency in Gloversville for about five years, then selling his fire business in order that he might give his entire time and attention to life insurance. He became agent of the North- western Mutual Life Insurance Company in 1872, and has been connected with that Company in various capacities ever since, with the exception of two years (1877 to 1879), during which time he was engaged in establishing and supervising agencies for the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York. In 1879 he made a contract with the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company to take charge of its Central New York general agency, and in the fall of that year removed with his family to Syracuse. The company, while even then one of the largest and strongest in the country, was practically unknown to the people of this section. Under his manage- ment the business was rapidly built up, and the agency now ranks among the largest and most prosperous in this part of the State. He is the author of a number of in- surance documents, which have been extensively circulated by his own and other companies. In 1892 he formed a partnership with Charles Bachman, who had for some time been connected, in a confidential capacity, with the company and the agency, and the business continues under the firm name of Brockway & Bachman. Mr. Brockway is also interested in other business enterprises, among which may be mentioned the Adamant Manufacturing Company of America, of which corporation he was one of organizers. For a time he was manager of its New York business, and subsequently was its treasurer, holding this position for several years. In January, 1894, he de- clined a re-election on the ground that his insurance interests had grown to such im- portanec as to require his entire time and attention. To some of our citizens Mr. Brockway is, perhaps, best known as a leader of chorus music. He has done, gratui- tously, much work of that description for Sunday schools, Y. M. C. A. Conventions. and other similar objects. He trained and conducted the "Christian Worker's Chorus," composed of singers selected from about twenty-five different churches, and numbering some 200 persons, which was originally organized to co-operate with D. L. Moody in his great meetings at the armory, and of which Mr. Moody publicly said that it had given him, without exception, the best local musical support he had ever received in his evangelistic work. He is the teacher of a Bible class in the Sunday school of the Central Baptist Church, which numbers about 175 persons, and is prob- ably the largest in the city. Mr. Brockway was happily married early in life to Miss Emma Hale, of Cold Spring, Putnam county, N. Y., and they are the parents of five daughters, all living, and one son, who died soon after their removal to this city.

Bachman, Chas., was born on a large farm in the township of Taghkanick, Columbia county, N. Y., on September 30, 1837, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Bach- man, both of whom died in the city of Hudson, county of Columbia-the former in

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liis ninety-third year, and the latter in her ninetieth year. His original ancestors were Dutch, and came to this country from Holland, although the name might seem to indicate a German origin. He was educated in the common schools of his native county, and when quite young, removed to the city of Hudson and began his life of self support as clerk in a grocery store, on a wage contract of $25 per year and his board, living in the home of his employer. He soon entered, as salesman, the cloth- ing store of his uncle, Hon. Samuel Bachman, of Hudson, who was also president of the Farmers Bank, and mayor of the city. He retained this position some three years, and then for about two years was associated with John E. Gillette, of Philadelphia, a very successful publisher of county maps, his work being largely the correction of township surveyor's drafts, involving extensive and constant travel through the ter- ritory; and then finally correcting the proofs of the engraver at Philadelphia. Dur- ing the time he filled these last two positions his thoughts were directed toward the Christian ministry; and while thus engaged with his secular duties, under the guid- ance and tuition of special instructors, who became aggressively interested in him, he began the studies needful to fit him for his professional future. This intellectual training was carried on amid many interruptions, at night, and while traveling through the counties with horse and buggy, using such snatches of time for this pur- pose as could be taken without neglecting his duties to his employers. In 1860 he gave up entirely his secular work, and devoted a considerable time uninterruptedly to study. Meanwhile he moved to Brooklyn, N. Y., where he continued his work of preparation, and subsequently became pastor of a mission connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church in that city. On Jan. 15, 1862, he was married to Anna Marie Mix, of Brooklyn, daughter of Major G. Mix, a well known citizen of that city. In 1864 he joined the New York East Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church as a probationer ; and after four years of time, and very rigid examinations, covering a broad curriculum of studies, he received full ordination as an elder. He has always deeply regretted that he did not have the advantages of a collegiate training, but this pleasure was denied him and made his future work all the harder. During his con- nection with the New York East Conference he had four pastorates on Long Island outside of Brooklyn, one in Hartford, Conn., one in New York, and four in the city of Brooklyn. For several years he was one of the four secretaries of the Conference, with Rev. Dr. (now Bishop) Goodsell as chief. His last ministerial work proper was in connection with the Hanson Place Methodist Episcopal Church of Brooklyn, hav- ing a membership of 1,800, being associated with the late Rev. Dr. J. O. Peck as assistant pastor, this relation continuing for one and a half years. Although thor- oughly successful in his several pastorates, for various reasons he decided to return to business life. Accordingly, in the spring of 1881, he took a location in his Con- ference, and has since then sustained the relation of a regularly located elder in the Methodist Episcopal Church, returning his ordination parchments of deacon and elder. After retiring from the pastorate, he was for two years engaged in introduc- ing "The People's Cyclopedia," published by the Methodist Book Concern of New York. In Jan., 1884, he came, with his family, to Syracuse, N. Y., where he has since resided. In 1885 he began the work of life insurance, spending two years with the agency of the Connecticut Mutual in this city. Resolving to make life insurance a permanent business, hemade a careful and conscientious study of the leading com- panies in the field and their methods. During the pendency of this question he, re-

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ceived many overtures and some very lucrative offers from several of the larger com- panies. His judgment finally settled upon the Northwestern Mutual Life of Milwau- kee, Wis., and he decided to cast his lot with this company, which he did in the spring of 1887, desiring meanwhile a general agency contract when a good vacancy might occur. For one year his contract was with the home office direct, his duties requiring him to travel extensively, spending much of his time in the larger cities of the country. Preferring work that would be rather local in its nature he connected him- self with the Syracuse agency of the Northwestern, under contract with C. T. Brock- way, at that time and for many years general agent. This relation continued until Jan. 1, 1892, when a copartnership was formed, under the firm name of Brockway & Bachman, upon a general agency contract with the company.

Munro, David A., Camillus, was born in Camillus, Aug. 18, 1818, a son of David and Abigail (Carpenter) Munro, natives of Massachusetts and Orange Co., N. Y., re- spectively. Squire Munro, grandfather of our subject, lived and died here, and was a Revolutionary soldier. Moses C. Carpenter, maternal grandfather of Mr. Munro, came from Orange Co. to this locality, and died in what is now Elbridge. The father of our subject was a prominent man in the community, having served as jus- tice of the peace about twenty years, also as supervisor, county judge, member of the Legislature, and of the Constitutional Convention of 1840. He died in 1866, aged over eighty, his wife dying two years later. David A. married first Mary Jane Hill, by whom he had four sons: David A., jr., Isaac H., Thomas H., and John S., all now of Camillus. He married second Electa R. Smith, who died in 1894. Our sub- ject is vice-president of the Salt Springs Bank and a member of the Baptist church, in which he has been deacon for many years.

Negus, Frank J., Fabius, was born in Fabius, Oct. 24, 1861, a son of Fernando and Helen (Conklin) Negus, also natives of Fabius. The grandfather was John, who married Priscilla Ox, and the father of John was Isaac, a native of England, who came to America, and settled in New England. Later he removed to this State, and died in Fabius. Fernando Negus bought the farm he now owns in the town of Fabius in 1834, where he has since resided. Our subject was educated in the common and Cortland Normal Schools, and after finishing his studies spent a year in the wagon shop in Cortland, but has since engaged in farming, his place consisting of 47 acres. He is a member of the Republican County Committee and takes an active in- terest in local affairs. In 1885 he married Alice Brink, a native of Freetown, N. Y., by whom he has three children: Warren E., Merrill E., and Marguerite L.

Norton, Chauncey M., of Onondaga Valley, was born in this town in 1839. He is a veteran of the late war, having enlisted in Sept., 1861, and was sworn in the ser- vice two months later. He was with Co. G, 75th N. Y. Vols., was taken prisoner in Sept., 1863, at Sabine Pass, Texas, was taken to Houston, and from there transferred north to Camp Groce, thence to a camp near Shreveport, La., thence to Camp Ford, Texas, and there paroled; returned to Shreveport, and on July 22, 1864, was ex- changed, having been a prisoner ten and a half months. After a thirty-day furlough he rejoined his regiment and served until his discharge in Dec., 1864. The father of · Chauncey M. was Burritt Norton, who came here when a child with his father, Augustus, from Connecticut. Our subject married Sarah Rood, by whom he has four children: Clara M., Olla, Rosa, and Susie.

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Northway, Isaac, La Fayette, was born Aug. 5, 1805, a son of Zenas and Rhoda Northway, who came to this town in an early day (1806), where they lived and died, the former in 1843, and the latter in 1832. Isaac was reared on a farm, educated in the common schools, and was one of the well-to-do farmers of the town, and was also a member of the State militia. In 1833 he married Janet Parkerson, a native of Haverstraw, and a daughter of John and Polly (Tompkins) Parkerson, who came in an early day to La Fayette. Mr. and Mrs. Northway had three children: Truman, who lives in Wisconsin; John, who lives in La Fayette; Eugene, who was drowned in 1849. Isaac Northway died Feb. 22, 1892. He was a correspondent for the Syra- cuse Standard for five years, and furnished a great deal of information about the early settlement of the town.

Peck, Marquis L., Manlius, is descended from New Eng- land stock on both paternal and maternal sides, and by the former is the ninth in generation from England, his English ancestor, Henry Peck, with two brothers, having come over in the ship Hec- tor, and landed in Boston in 1638, from whence they soon went to New Haven and were among the pioneer settlers of that colony. On both sides of the family he is descended from Revolutionary stock, his grandfather, Benjamin Peck. having enlisted at the age of 18 years from Windham coun- ty, Conn., and served till the close of the war; on the ma- ternal side his great-grand- MARQUIS L. PECK. father, James Knowles, was a lieutenant in the Continental navy and perished while on a secret expedition sent out from Hartford during the latter part of the war. Marquis L. Peck was born in the town of Sullivan, Madison Co., N. Y., near North Manlius, April 11, 1825; he was educated in the common schools and attended the Oneida Conference Seminary, Cazenovia, in the years 1843-4. After spending three years as a teacher of common schools, he followed in the footsteps of his father, James Peck, as a successful farmer on the old home- stead of 200 acres in Sullivan, from which he retired in 1870 and settled in the com- fortable home now occupied by him in Fayetteville. His father came from Pittsfield, Mass., in the year 1812, being a native of Canterbury, Windham Co., Conn. ; he was born May 8, 1786, and married Sallie Knowles, oldest daughter of Judge John Knowles, of Chittenango, Madison Co., who was one of the most prominent citizens

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of the county, having been several terms supervisor of Sullivan, a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1821, a member of the New York Assembly in 1823-4: he was also one of the first stockholders and a commissioner from Madison Co. with General Hough for the Utica and Syracuse R. R. Co. in 1837-8. To James and Sallie Peck were born nine children, of whom Marquis L. is the sole survivor. James Peck was a second time married on April 17. 1836, to Mrs. Elizabeth Delaney; to them were born three children, two daughters and a son, the former of which are now living, in Athens, Alabama; he died Feb. 24, 1842. He never was a politician, but was a consistent church member and a true and active Christian. Marquis L. Peck has been identified with the Republican party since its formation ; before that he belonged to the Free Soil wing of the Democratic party. He was for nine years an assessor, six years in Onondaga and three years in Madison Co. ; was a census enumerator in 1865, and U. S. census marshal in 1870; was chairman and secretary of the Fayetteville Union School three years, and has been a member of the board of directors of the Fayetteville National Bank fifteen years, and its vice-president since 1886, on the death of Levi Snell, and his successor. He was married April 8, 1851, to Sarah E. Fritcher, daughter of Michael and Phebe Fritcher of Bridgeport, N. V. To them have been born four children, one of whom died in childhood and three are now living: Mrs. J. H. Mathews, of Fayetteville, N. Y. ; Charles M. Peck, superintendent of electric lights, Iowa City, Ia. ; and Mrs. F. W. Gridley, of West Onondaga street, Syracuse, N. Y.

Norton, Willard, Spafford, was born April 22, 1844, the second of eight children born to Erastus and Mary (Isdell) Norton. Erastus was a native of Spafford, born Sept. 3, 1818. His parents, Moses and Percy (Barbar) Norton, both of Waterbury, Conn., came to Spafford, being pioneers of Cold Brook. From here they moved to lona, where they died. The father of Moses was Ozias. Moses was a soldier in the war of 1812. Erastus Norton was a carpenter by trade. He was at one time col- lector, also town clerk. He died, and Mrs. Norton still resides in Spafford. Willard learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until 1893, when he engaged in farming. He now works Mr. Maxson's farm of 135 acres and makes a specialty of dairying, keeping about 20 cows. In 1870 Mr. Norton married Mary, daughter of Warren and Emily Doty of Spafford. They have one daughter, Angie. Willard enlisted in the 122d N. V. Vols. in 1862, and was honorably discharged July 3, 1865, He was in the battles of Antietam, Cold Harbor, Getttysburg, Fredericksburg, etc. Mr. Norton is now supervisor of Spafford, serving his second term. He is a member of Scott Post No. 674, G. A. R. Mr. and Mrs. Norton are members of the M. E. church.

Northrup, Clark L., Elbridge, was born in Pompey in 1837, a son of Abraham, who came there from Connecticut about 1790 and opened up a farm (now owned by Clark L. Northrup), returning to Connecticut for his wife. They settled here and reared seven children. This was the original Northrup family in Onondaga Co. Lorenzo, fourth son of this family, was reared on the farm, and married Delia Clark, by whom he had three children: Mrs. W. L. Webber of Genesee Co., Sarah, and Clark L. His wife died in 1848, and he married Olive L. Sherman of Sherman Hollow. Clark L. married Maria L. Holbrook of Pompey, who died in 1859. He married (second) Frances M. Knapp, of one of the old Pompey families, and they have two children,

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Mary C., a teacher in the public schools, and Robert G., the latter educated in the Jordan academy. Mr. Northrup came to Elbridge in 1887, retaining the farm in Pompey.

Powell, Bernard, Marcellus, was born in Marcellus, Sept. 4, 1855, son of Bernard and Ann Powell. He was educated in Marcellus and engaged in farming, then went into the furniture business, in which he continued seven years, and then opened the Powell house in Marcellus. This is one of the neatest and pleasantest hotels to be found in any village in the county. Mr. Powell is naturally a landlord, and has the faculty of making his guests feel at home. He married Mary A., daughter of Mar- tin Dolan of Marcellus, and they have an adopted daughter, Clara D.

Nightingale, William, Marcellus, born in England, Nov. 20, 1833, son of Henry and Charlotte Nightingale, came from England to Marcy, Oneida Co., then went to Columbia, Chenango Co., and from there came to Marcellus in 1853, where he has since resided, conducting a saw mill, also a cider and feed mill. Mr. Nightingale has a large business in his line, extending through Marcellus and adjoining towns. He married Agnes Jennings, and has two children living; the oldest is William Nightin- gale, jr., who is in business in Marcellus, and Frank, who lives with his father.

Northway, Dr. William L., Marcellus, was born in Yates Co., Jan. 6, 1852, son of Luther and Frances (French) Northway. Luther was born in Hornby, Steuben Co., March 8, 1817, and died June 16, 1893. He joined the Methodist Episcopal church in Corning in 1840. After two years in Lima Seminary he joined the Genesee Con- ference, and began his long and successful career as an itinerant. He was pre-emi- nently a revivalist. After serving numerous charges he moved to Syracuse in 1873, when he bought the property where the smallpox hospital now stands, and after living on it three years sold it to the city. He then continued his itinerant work until he moved to Seneca Falls. At Seneca Falls he quit the itinerant work, taking the superannuated relation. The records of his work show that hundreds were converted through his labors. As a preacher he was clear, logical and eloquent. Our subject was educated at Macedon Academy, where he began preparation for college, and fin- ished at Cazenovia. He then went to Syracuse University, and next to Chicago and studied medicine. He was there five years, and then returned to Marcellus, where he has since practiced his profession. Our subject married Fannie K., daughter of John F. Jones, who was the inventor of the straw board machine for making a straw board in a continuous sheet. This is the machine now in universal use, being the only one of its kind. Mrs. Northway was born in Rochester, and moved to Marcellus in 1865, where she has since resided. She married Dr. Northway, June 5, 1884, and has two children, Leslie G. and Selah Elsworth.

Pierce, James, Otisco, was born in Otisco, Dec. 20, 1840, a son of Nathan N. and Delia (French) Pierce, he a native of Vermont and she of Otisco. The paternal grand- parents lived and died in Vermont. The internal grandfather was a pioneer of this town, where he died, being killed by the fall of a tree. Nathan N. Pierce was left an orphan when quite young, and had his own way to make, following agriculture principally. His death occurred Dec. 18, 1869, and his wife died in 1853. James was reared on the farm. He was for several years in the marble business at Vesper, and for a while followed thrashing. He was a stockholder and director of the Tully Fur-

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niture Manufactory. Mr. Pierce now has a farm of 190 acres, and makes a specialty of growing hay, which he presses and ships, in partnership with Mr. Burroughs, handling about 15,000 tons annually. He and his son Nathaniel are also in the lum- ber business, and also conduct a saw and grist mill at Vesper. They are also dealers in Lester & Crocker's fertilizers at Vesper and Tully. In 1863 Mr. Pierce married Olive E. Ackerman, a daughter of Ebenezer and Hannah Ackerman of Truxton, N. Y. They have had these children: Franklin, who died aged 24; Burton, who died aged 20; two who died in infancy; Nathaniel, who is in business with his father ; James, who is preparing for a teacher, and Melvin, at home. Mr. Pierce has served as collector and road commissioner in Tully.

Palmer, Gideon M., Clay, was born in Clay on the farm he has owned for many years, July 18, 1816, son of Nathaniel Palmer, who came here as early as 1812. He was in the war of 1812. He married Eliza Lott, by whom he had eight children, in- cluding our subject. He married (second) Sarah Freidendolf, by whom he also had eight children. He has never aspired to public office, and is a highly respected citizen.

Nash, Henry A., was born in the city of Albany, Dec. 26, 1822, son of Henry and Catherine Nash. This is one of the oldest families in Clay. The father was born on a farm on the Hudson River, Jan. 23, 1792. His wife was born in Albany, Sept. 9. 1798. On the father's side the family is of English descent, Alexander Nash having come to this country in the Revolutionary time. Our subject, Henry A., is the sec- ond child of a family of seven. He has always followed farming, and has lived in Clay since 1837. He now owns a farm of 75 acres, and married, May 6, 1855, Maria, daughter of Charles Harrington. They have two children: Martha A., and Henry Charles, who married' Della L. Green and lives at home. Our subject has held the office of constable and poormaster.

Preston Brothers, Patrick and John, Salina, brick manufacturers, are located near the First ward, where they settled in 1884. The are natives of Ireland, coming to America in 1866 and 1880 respectively. They manufacture and sell about 2,500,000 of bricks annually. They own 42 acres of land where they live, and also own property in Syracuse.

Paddock, Philip H., Camillus, was born in 1838, and has always resided on his present farm of 80 acres. Solomon Paddock, the grandfather, came to Camilhis from Dutchess Co. in 1810, and in 1812 located on the homestead where Philip now resides. Solomon died in 1845. Noah Marshall, the maternal grandfather, came from Connecticut, locating in Oswego Co. in 1804. He married here, and in 1844 moved to Indiana, where he died. The parents, Isaac and Susan, natives of Van Buren and Camillus, located on the Paddock farm in 1836. The father died in 1871 aged 60, and the mother, born in 1814, resides with Philip.

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Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 95

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