USA > New York > Onondaga County > Past and present of Syracuse and Onondaga County, New York : from prehistoric times to the beginning of 1908 > Part 45
USA > New York > Onondaga County > Syracuse > Past and present of Syracuse and Onondaga County, New York : from prehistoric times to the beginning of 1908 > Part 45
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Fabius, named after the famous Roman general who successfully opposed Haunibal, was No. 15 of the Military Tract, originally embracing most of Truxton and Cuyler in Cortland county. These were taken off April 8, 1808, leaving fifty lots in the present town. The general elevation is from one thous- and to twelve hundred feet above the Erie canal at Syracuse, including the highest points in the county. These have been noted.
Timothy Jerome and Josiah Moore built log cabins here in 1794 or 1795. Simon Keeney also came, cleared land, built a cabin, and planted ground, pre- paratory to bringing his family the next year. He was the originator of Keeney's settlement, and came to his cabin in 1795, with Benjamin Brown, Samuel Fox and Gurden Woodruff. His house was on Lot 47. He died September 17, 1831. aged sixty-five, and was buried in the old cemetery at Fabius village. The first burial was that of a colored man in April, 1798. who drank too much maple syrup. In the same month Elijah Keeney Jost a young child. William Clark settled on Lot 25, being one of twelve Revolutionary soldiers living in the present town. Colonel Elijah St. John came in 1795, the
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first settler in the west part of town. Several families came between then and 1798, and in 1797 Josiah Tubbs opened the first tavern in town, near the Tully line. Many early town meetings were held there.
The civil town of Fabius, formed March 9. 1798, embraced Fabius, Tully, Preble and Scott, most of Truxton and Cuyler, with the southern parts of Otisco and Spafford. The first town meeting was held at Josiah Tubbs' inn. April 3, and Timothy Jerome was chosen supervisor, Josiah Moore town clerk. The town records previous to 1854 were burned in December, 1882. Major Joseph Strong built the first barn in 1799, and Thomas Miles had a saw mill on Butternut ereek in 1800. About 1802 Benjamin Brown taught school in the Keeney neighborhood, and Luey Jerome and Eunice Fowler near Apulia much earlier.
Thomas Miles built a grist mill on Butternut creek, west of Apulia in 1808. Stores were opened about the same time. Joseph Simons opened a second tav- ern near the center of the town, and Colonel St. John a third near Apulia. Soon after the war of 1812 the Skaneateles and Hamilton turnpike was opened and Fabius village became a business center. Apulia shared in the general pros- perity, and many of the buildings of that day survive. A post office was soon established in Fabius, and a tavern built in 1814 still stands. The Erie canal did not help the town, nor did the railroad increase Fabius and Apulia villages. In 1830 the town population was three thousand and seventy-one; in 1850 two thousand four hundred and ten; in 1870 two thousand and forty-seven : in 1890 one thousand seven hundred and seventeen ; in 1905 one thousand five hundred and forty-five; about half what it was in 1830.
Fabius village was called Franklinville as late as 1850. and it is said that a Baptist society was organized at "Fabius Center, or Franklinville, as it was then called," in 1803. This did not last. Another writer, quoting "from official documents, " has the "First Society in Fabius, May 28, 1805," apparently an error, the "First Baptist Society in the town of Fabius, November 21,. 1805." the "First Congregational Society in Fabius, August 9, 1808," the "United Presbyterian Society (Tully and Fabius), December 9, 1814," and the "First Baptist Church and Society of Fabius, January 25, 1817." The earliest Baptist society however, was formed in 1803. and recognized by a couneil convened August 24, in Samuel Webster's barn, three miles south of Fabius village. The first pastor was Rev. Rufus Freeman. In 1807 Rev. Peter P. Roots came to Keeney's Settlement, ministering to this society for some years. The First Baptist Church and Society of Fabius was incorporated August 24, 1819, but built a church in 1818, with Rev. Mr. Blakesley as pastor. This was rebuilt in 1870. In October, 1826, the Freewill Baptists began meetings near Stephen Tripp's, forming a society the next year, and building a church in 1830. This was removed to its later site in Fabius village in 1855. and rebuilt in 1869. A Baptist society at Apulia occupies the old Congregational church at Apulia. The Rev. S. A. Beeman was its first pastor.
In 1804 a Presbyterian church was organized, and services were maintained in the west part of the town. This was changed to Congregational in 1830, and a large church was built in Apulia, the First Congregational Society of Fabius
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having been incorporated. It became feeble and practically extinct, the Baptists now using the building.
The Methodists built a church near Fabius village in 1821, removed it in 1835, and rebuilt it in 1860. They also had a church at Apulia, which was removed to Summit Station in 1870. The Universalists also built a church in Fabius village in 1845, struggling along for thirty-five years, and then selling this to the Roman Catholics.
The village of Fabius was incorporated in 1880, Elmore Wheaton becoming president. In 1895 a union free school was organized, with an academic de- partment. Evergreen Cemetery, of six acres, was dedicated October 25, 1865. About as much more was added in 1885. Tanneries were a frequent early industry, and at one time the town had fifteen saw mills. Dairy farms are now many in number, and poultry raising is largely followed. Much milk is shipped to cities but some is retained for creameries and cheese factories. The raising of ginseng attracts much attention, George Stanton, of Summit Station being the founder of this new industry. Whetstones of fine quality are also found in this town, and have been an article of commerce.
It would be easy to mention notable men of this town; we may content ourselves with referring to a woman, "Grace Greenwood," who was born in Pompey, but whose father moved to Fabius in 1830. Dr. Clark lived half a mile north of Fabius village, and his daughter Sarah attended school there. She became Mrs. Lippincott.
On Limestone creek; in the northeast part of the town, is a hamlet called Gooseville, where there are kilns producing lime of fine quality from calcareous tufa. This is found west of the creek.
Elisha Sprague came to Fabius in 1798, when but four years old, becoming an excellent surveyor, laying out most of the town roads, and aiding greatly in the development of the town. Hon. George Pettit came in 1800, and was an eminent jurist and notable citizen, the head of an able family. Hon. James J. Belden was born and reared in this town.
Fabius Academy was founded in 1840, and had a building the next year. As in other cases this afterward became the Union Free School and Academy. In 1836 the American Patriot was published in Fabius village by Joseph Tenny, and was continued for three years.
The local industries have been milling, wagon making, shoe factories, tanneries, cheese factories and creameries, foundries, etc.
Summit Station, now called Apulia, and a little west of that place, owes its existence to the railroad. There was not a house there before 1854, but it has become a shipping center, with a church, shops, mills and factories. There are also hotels.
Though there is good water power in the town it is not large, and this limits manufacturing industries. The natural features have been mentioned elsewhere, and it will suffice to say that the highest land in the county lies south of Fabius village. Some hills are very percipitons, and from Summit Station there is a downward grade on the railroad, both north and south.
. .
FORMAN PARK IN EARLY '80s.
FAYETTE PARK AND PARK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 1880.
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Charles Moore was the first white ehild born in the town, in 1789. The first marriages were those of Abel Webster and Lydia Keeney, and of Luther St. John and Polly Joy in 1804. David Caldwell kept the first store in 1804.
Fabius village had a Baptist, Methodist, and a Presbyterian church in 1836. also several stores, three taverns, a tannery, and from thirty-five to forty dwell- ings. In 1886 it had three general stores, hardware store, grocery, drug store, clothing store, grist mill, harness shop, two hotels, three physicians and four churches. That year Apulia had a church, store, wagon shop, grocery, two shoe shops and two blacksmith shops.
CHAPTER XLI.
TOWN OF GEDDES.
Geddes had its name from its noted citizen, James Geddes, who visited Onondaga in 1793, and came there permanently in April, 1794, having formed a company to make salt. The others came in June. The Indian elaims were soon arranged, but the Salt Point people were not friendly. However, a road was carried across the marsh from the works on the western side to the road from Onondaga Hollow to Salt Point. He lived near the lake for four years, and then settled on his land in Camillus for life. There was a reason for this. lle married a Highland lassie, Miss Lney Jerome of Fabius, in 1799, and did not propose to bury her in lowland marshes. He had been thinking that, as a good citizen, he ought to marry. In this receptive state of mind he was among the southern hills surveying land. Suddenly he saw a vision. A fair girl stood on a stump, in a graceful attitude, blowing a dinner horn. Presumably she invited him to a dinner prepared by her own fair hands, and men's hearts lie very eluse to another vital organ. Anyway it was love at first sight, a wise love, too.
Freeman Hughs next eame there in March, 1799, when there was no house in the town except the abandoned salt works, and was there three nights alone. Work was hard, too, and it cost about one hundred dollars per aere to clear the swamp lands. Logs, mixed with peat, lay about six feet deep, and some stumps were far below the surface. Mr. Hughs, however, stayed through, dying in Geddes August 29, 1856, aged seventy-five years. His son James was the first child born there.
Judge Geddes made the first map of the village in 1807, with twenty lots on each side of Genesee street. This was resurveyed and mapped in 1812. and enlarged in 1821. In 1822 a map was made much as the village appeared when annexed to Syraense in 1887.
James Lamb came in 1803, building the first frame house that year, and keeping tavern till after the war. Simeon Phares eame that year and began
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saltmaking. John Y. Phares, his son, was born August 22, 1810, the second child in Geddes. The Root family came early, and Nancy Root taught the first school in Geddes in 1803. She married David Vrooman, another early settler.
In 1819 a road was opened from the site of the present M. E. church to Onondaga IFill, but this was afterward abandoned. Curiously enough the vil- lage of Geddes was incorporated April 20, 1832. before the town was set off from Salina. All its records, up to 1850, were burned that year. It received a new charter in 1867, and was annexed to Syracuse in 1887. In 1868 it had less than a thousand inhabitants.
The first town election in Geddes was March 28, 1848, Elijah W. Curtis being chosen supervisor. Edward Vrooman clerk. After the civil war the village grew rapidly, and had nearly seven thousand people when annexed to Syracuse. John Dodge, Charles L. Skinner, Joseph Shepard, Sheldon and Charles Pardee were early merchants. The Terrys, Averys and Geres were also early people of prominence. Cyrus Thompson, founder of the Thomp- sonian system of medicine, came before 1830. and began making medicines. He bought a large building and used it as a sanitarium.
For a long time the "Apostolic Church" of Geddes was the only church in Geddes. It was an Episcopal church, organized in January, 1832, and bearing its name in large letters over the doors. Its position made it conspicuous.
The Smith & Powell stock farm, near Lakeland, is of high reputation, its specialty being Holstein cattle and Percheron horses. Near by are the per- manent grounds of the New York State fair, and the holiday attractions of the White City. On the banks of Nine Mile Creek are the power houses of the Syracuse, Lakeside & Northern electric road, and beyond these the Lakeside and Long Branch resorts.
The Solvay Process Works in 1881-82 began to attract residents, and a village soon appeared. This was incorporated, and at the first election, May 15, 1894, Frederick R. Hazard was chosen president. The company has been liberal, and there is now a wellgraded system of schools, with kindergartens. libraries and publie halls are among the equipments of the place. A water supply is provided, and a post office was opened in 1889. The drive along the Orchard road is one fine feature of the vicinity.
Mr. Clark said that Harbor Brook had its name from the hiding of Sir John Johnson's boats there in the war of the Revolution, which is an early er- ror, though a natural one, for the name of Onondaga had a large application at the time. His own account, however, of a similar circumstance on Chitte- nango creek, on a better foundation, shows his mistake. The real explanation seems this: the Geddes settlers found it easier to cross the lake than the marsh, and the brook formed an excellent harbor, each man having his own landing. Thus Thomas Orman, a salt boiler and partner of Simeon Phares in 1803, used to eross, and the place where he kept his canoe, some distance up the brook and near the present pump house, was called "Orman's Landing." There were other landings in this natural harbor, which may also have been
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used by the Indians. Joseph M. Willey once did a large business in making the small round boxes in which table salt was formerly packed. A pottery was opened at an early day by William H. Farrar, to make "red ware" from the clay at Geddes. This material was afterward changed for New Jersey elay.
Robert Gere came in 1824, and afterward was a salt manufacturer and contractor on a large scale. He was engaged in various business interests in Syracuse, and others of his family have been likewise prominent. Ilis farm was one of the best in the county and George Geddes's had a wide repu- tation.
Before its annexation to Syracuse Geddes had several iron works, as the Onondaga Iron Company, the Sterling Iron Ore Company, the Syracuse Iron Works, the Sanderson Brothers Steel Company. ete., to which may be added now the Holcomb Steel Works and others.
By the lowering of the lake considerable land along the shore was ro- claimed. though usually overflowed in the spring. This is a bed of shell marl. Nine Mile creek reaches the lake on the west, sometimes called the south shore. A little south of this was Geddes swamp, correctly named till cleared and drained by Smith & Powell for their stock farm. It was quite extensive. Through this and near the shore runs the Lake Boulevard. Parallel with it is the Lackawanna railroad and the electric road to Baldwinsville. The refuse of the Solvay Process Works is a striking feature of the south end of the lake. A little way down is the home of the Syracuse Yacht club, aquatie sports in summer and ice boats in the winter being features of the lake. The fleet of passenger steamers has vanished.
Lake View point is a large. low and flat expanse of land, reaching far out into the lake, and forming the delta of Nine Mile creek. Farther north, at Pleasant Beach, is the only place where the higher land reaches the shore. It was quite a resort at one time, having natural advantages. but has been for a long time abandoned. Some small resorts lie between this and the popu- lar Lakeside park. On the west side of the outlet is the favorite Long Branch, well kept and pleasant, having the advantage of lake, creek and river for those who love the water, and pleasant roads and hearty welcome for all. There were Indian mounds there. The outlet has been straightened. but through it passed many a noted man of early days. Through it went the French colony, going and coming, and Frontenac's four hundred boats went over its waters on the alert for any ambushed foe. The vicinity was a favorite with the prehistorie aborigines of the land. Now it is the scene of the "only old original farmers' pienies." which are often on a grand scale. There one may meet small and great politicians, especially if an important election is pending ; but there also the smallest party may have a quiet and pleasant time.
Gordon's Gazetteer, in 1836, spoke of the village of Geddes as being "very pleasantly situated at the head of the lake, upon its left bank. and upon the Erie canal, 2 miles west of Syracuse, and about this time it acquired additional importance from the discovery of a new salt spring here, which supplied the
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salt works. The village contained an Episcopal church, 2 stores, kept by Job Dickinson and - Bissell ; 2 taverns, kept by John W. Woodward and Luman Northway; Win. W. Tripp kept a boat yard; Henry Lake was a saddler; Dr. Thayer and Dr. Cyrus Thompson, physicians; Elijah Curtis, lawyer; John T. Phares, shoemaker; and 50 dwellings. From the heights around it are fine views of the lake, Salina, Syracuse and the Onondaga hill and village."
In 1886, just before its union with Syracuse, Geddes village had four blacksmith shops, three boat liveries, one boiler manufactory, two shoe shops, bottling works, brewery, two brick yards, broom machine manufactory, one carpet weaver, two carriage shops, one casket manufacturer, china decorating company, clay pipe works, two clothiers, two coal vards, seven cont actors and builders, two coopers, two dry goods stores, steel works, engine and boiler works, two florists, flour and feed store, fourteen groceries, two drug stores, iron foundry, agricultural implements works, four meat markets, two nursery- men, five physicians, two potteries, twenty-eight saloons, four tobacco dealers and a shirt factory. There was also a large blast furnace a little west of the village. Its population in 1880 was four thousand two hundred and eighty- three. This has greatly increased since it became part of the city.
CHAPTER XLII.
TOWN OF LA FAYETTE.
The town of La Fayette was organized in April, 1825, from Pompey and Onondaga and named from the Marquis de La Fayette, who was at that time here, passing through the county early in June. Part of the town was bought of the Onondagas in 1817, and sold to settlers in 1822. East of the central ridge is Sherman Hollow, called atter James Sherman, and west of it Christian Hollow, after Michael Christian, a soldier who drew Lot 18, Tully, on Onondaga creek in that town.
John Wilcox was the first settler on Haskins' hill, a little east of Indian orchard, Lot 13, the site of the village of Tueyahdassoo. The orchard was then about twenty acres, well laid out and productive. The fruit was in demand and the sales profitable. The site commands a fine view. In 1792 Comfort Rounds settled two miles north of the center, and William Haskins came and gave name to Haskins' hill. In 1793 James Sherman came to the east hollow, named from him and Solomon Owen, settled in the same place. Sherman soon after built the first sawmill in town, on Butternut creek. In 1794 Isaae and Elias Conklin came and soon built a sawmill and grist mill on Conklin's creek. The latter was the first of its kind in Pompey, and was built in 1798. Three beautiful falls are below these, the stream descending five hundred feet within a mile.
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In 1794 eame John Houghtaling. Amaziah Braneh, Benjamin June, James Pearce, Samuel Hyatt, Amasa Wright and Reuben Bryan. Two Hessian sol- diers settled here, Hendrick Upperhousen and John ITill.
Ozias Northway, an early setiler. kept a tavern in the west part of the town. Colonel Jeremiah Gould and Isaae Keeler were near Jamesville. Near La Fayette square were the Bakers, Joseph Smith, Jeremiah Fuller and Dr. Silas Park. Dr. Park's ride was from Liverpool to Cortland, and from Skaneateles to Cazenovia. Colonel Gould built the first frame honse in 1800, and Isaae Hall built the next in 1801. Messrs. Rice and IIill are said to have been the first merchants at La Fayette square, about 1802-03. Mr. Cheney had the first tavern there, a little before that of Orange King. The first town meeting was held in that village Mareh. 1826. Charles Jackson was elected supervisor and Johnson Hall town elerk. In 1801 a state road from Cazenovia to Skaneateles was laid out through the town.
A number of sulphur springs have been deseribed. and also a salt spring, to which deer used to resort. It is said that another Indian orchard was in Sherman Hollow. Lots 76 and 91, when Shermans eame there, but there is no record of an Indian settlement. nor does Clark mention it.
The first white child horn here was Amy. daughter of John Wilcox, in 1791. In 1793 was the first marriage, that of Solomon Owen to Lois, daughter of Comfort Rounds. The latter lived to one hundred and five years. Asa Drake was another prominent settler of 1792. Ebenezer Hill eame to the north part of the town in 1795, and was a powerful man and a noted hunter. Gen- eral Isaae Hall settled a mile south of La Fayette village and was a wealthy man and large landholder.
Clark Bailey and his family eame in 1802, with some means. He and his son Richard settled on Lot 88, and his other son Lot 8, Tully, adjoining this on the south. The father donated a cemetery. Stephen opened a famous tavern, John conducted an ashery and general store, Richard built the Tully Valley mills, and led parties to kill rattlesnakes on Bear mountain, where they abounded. The last one was killed in 1854 by Solomon White.
With the building of the Skaneateles and Cazenovia road the village of La Fayette was more carefully laid out. A central square was donated, and around this the village grew up. Amaziah Braneh, who came in 1794, had studied for the ministry, but had not been licensed to preach. He soon began holding services in private houses, and the Columbian Congregational Society was organized October 14, 1805. In October, 1809, the Congregational church (now Presbyterian) was formed by the Rev. Benjamin Bell, at Stoughton Morse's tavern, where the Temperance House afterward stood. In 1819-20 a church was built, and a session house was added in 1846. The latter was re- placed by another in 1861, each becoming a town hall. In August, 1884, the First Presbyterian sneceeded to the title of Congregational.
Early in the last century the Methodists had a church a mile east of Ona- tivia station. In 1853 it was removed near that place. In 1825 they formed
-
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the Ebenezer church of Cardiff. building a chapel there, which was burned in 1857 and at once rebuilt.
The Roman Catholics for several years held services in a hall in La Fayette village, but in 1888 St. Joseph's church was built under the pastorate of Rev. Michael O'Reilley.
About 1838 Cardiff had shown some life, having better roads. In 1839 John F. Card built a large grist mill. which became Edward Voigt's in 1862. Ile added a sawmill and steam power. In April, 1878, it was burned. but an- other grist mill has since been built. Mr. Card had a store and distillery, and was a favorite. So the people wanted to use his name in that of the village. Cardbury and Cardville did not suit, but Cardiff took their fancy. So we have a Welsh name among our Onondaga hills, and no one frets. It might have been worse.
West of Cardiff and the creek is the grave of the Cardiff giant, the great hoax of 1869, of which a brief account will be given.
Onativia was once La Fayette station. Its meaning is unknown. if it has one, but it commands a magnificent view. East of the reservoir was the Onon- daga town of 1696. where the gallant French army spent some days that sum- mer, eutting green corn. They might have done that at home.
Considering that this town has a Bear mountain, bear stories might be expected, but they are few. Probably the Indians took charge of the game. Amos Palmeter had settled a mile sonth of La Fayette village in 1803, and had a pig pen well stocked. It was covered with logs to keep out bears and wolves, but one log got askew, and in the night there was a Insty squealing. Amos thonght discretion the better part of valor, and stuck to the house. His wife thought of the pork barrel, of lard. hams and sausage, seized an axe and went to the rescue. Bruin poked his head out. received a blow and fell back. She replaced the log. took a firebrand and ran nearly a mile to a neighbor's through the woods, for aid. The bear, however, died from her first stroke, and Amos saved his bacon but not his reputation.
The Onondaga village at Indian Orchard was probably abandoned before the Revolution, and when John Wilcox came there as the first settler he pruned the old trees. In each he found a bunch of small branches, enough to fill a bushel basket. The Indians told him this "was the work of bears, who as- ended the trees in autumn gathering in the slender branches loaded with ap- ples, with their paws. leisurely devouring the fruit, at the same time depositing the branches under them."
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