USA > New York > Onondaga County > Past and present of Syracuse and Onondaga County, New York : from prehistoric times to the beginning of 1908 > Part 72
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 72
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Justice Andrews finds his summer rest and most delightful recreation in camping by the lakes in the Canadian forests, accompanied by his wife and son, his eager and successful fellow sportsmen. He was married Deeen- ber 31, 1884, to Miss Mary Raymond Shipman, daughter of the late Rev. J. S. Shipman, D. D., rector of Christ's Church, New York city. She has earned a wide and deserved reputation as an author. They have one son, Paul, now a student in Yale University.
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ELIAS W. LEAVENWORTH.
Elias Warner Leavenworth was one of the most conspicuous and useful citizens of his time in the history of Syracuse. He was born at Canaan, Columbia county, New York, December 20, 1803, and died at Syracuse, November 24, 1887. He was graduated at Yale College, with honor in 1824; pursued his law studies in 1824-1825, first, with William Cullen Bryant (who was then practicing law at Great Barrington, Massachusetts). and then in the Law School at Litchfield, Connecticut, until January, 1827. when he was admitted to practice in all the courts of Connecticut. He came to Syracuse in November of that year, on the advice of Hon. Joshua A. Spencer. of Utica. Syraense was his home and the scene of his marvelous activities in publie and business life, until his death sixty years afterward. Ile beeame a law partner first with B. Davis Noxon, the firm afterward inchod- ing George F. Comstock, James Noxon and others. This firm of Noxon & Leavenworth, with its various changes, continued, from February. 1829. until 1850, when Mr. Leavenworth abandoned his profession on account of his health, which had become seriously impaired by constant public speaking in the great campaign of 1840.
Mr. Leavenworth became much interested, while a young man, in state military matters, rising, step by step. from lieutenant of artillery, in 1532. to brigadier general in 1836, and holding that office until 1841. From that time he was generally called by his military title, "General" Leaven- worth.
His interest and activity in the development and welfare of the village, and later the city of Syracuse, were earnest, wise and productive from the time he became a Syracuson almost to the day of his death. Ile was a "pub- lie-spirited citizen" in the best and widest sense. As early as 1837, he became a trustee of the young village, and for the three years following was its president, and was elected mayor of the city in the spring of 1849. and member of assembly for the year 1850. In all these positions he worked indefatigably for the interests confided to him. Mr. Leavenworth was elected secretary of state in the fall of 1853; and again elected member of assembly for the year 1857.
He was prominent in organizing Oakwood Cemetery Association in 1857-1858, and was president of its board of trustees from the date of its formation until his death. He was also one of the founders and long time trustee of the Syracuse Home Association for old ladies. a trustee of the Onondaga County Orphan Asylum. and several other charitable institutions. and of the First Presbyterian Church of Syracuse, from 1837; a director in numerous business corporations, a regent of the University of the State of New York, and president of Syracuse Savings Bank from January, 1862, until his resignation in 1583; member of forty-fourth congress, 1875-1877. His service in the Savings Bank elosed the active life of a man who impressed himself upon every feature of the growth and development of Syracuse.
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By judicious investments in lands, he accumulated a fortune which he used without ostentation, and for the help of every good public enterprise.
He was a cultured, kindly gentleman, but somewhat firm in his opin- ions. As a lawyer he was able, honorable and successful; as a business man his integrity and wisdom were unquestioned; as a publie benefactor he had no superior among his fellow citizens.
UNITED STATES JUDGES. ATTORNEYS AND COMMISSIONERS.
William James Wallace, appointed United States district judge, April 7, 1874; appointed United States circuit judge, April 6, 1882. Resigned 1907, and became head of law firm, in New York city, of Wallace, Butler & Brown.
Martin A. Knapp, member of United States inter-state commerce com- mission, appointed by President Harrison, February, 1891, re-appointed by `President Cleveland in February, 1897, by President Roosevelt in Decem- ber, 1902, eleeted chairman in January, 1898. and still chairman of the commission, 1908.
James R. Lawrence, United States attorney for northern district of New York, appointed September 24, 1850. He was the official prosecutor in the case of the fugitive slave "Jerry," before his son-in-law, Joseph F. Sabine, United States commissioner, October 1, 1851.
Joseph F. Sabine, appointed 1850, United States commissioner; B. Davis Noxon. October 22, 1867 ; William C. Ruger. July 8, 1858; A. Judd North- rup, appointed March 22, 1870, still in office ; Daniel F. Gott, April 2, 1872.
Daniel F. Gott, register in bankruptcy. appointed May 10, 1867.
Charles L. Stone, referee in bankruptcy, appointed in 1898, and still in office, 1908.
UNITED STATES SENATOR.
Frank Iliseoek, elected 1887, held office six years, is the only Onondaga county man ever having had this high honor.
MEMBERS OF THE ONONDAGA BAR ELECTED TO CONGRESS.
Freeborn G. Jewett, twenty-second congress. 1821-23.
Daniel Gott. thirtieth and thirty-first congress, 1847-51.
Charles B. Sedgwick, thirty-sixth and thirty-seventh congress, 1859-63.
Thomas T. Davis, thirty-eighth and thirty-ninth congress, 1863-67. - Elias W. Leavenworth, forty-fourth congress, 1875-77.
Frank Hiscock, forty-fifth to fiftieth congress inclusive. 1877-1887.
Michael E. Driscoll, fifty-sixth to sixty-first congress inelusive, 1897- 1908.
ATTORNEY GENERALS FROM ONONDAGA.
Daniel Pratt, elected November 4, 1873.
Theodore E. Hancock, elected 1895, and re-elected in 1897.
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STATE SENATORS-MEMBERS OF TIIE BAR.
Samuel L. Edwards, 1834-40, inclusive.
IIenry J. Sedgwick, 1845-6-7.
James Noxon, 1856-7, 1858-9. George N. Kennedy, 1868-9, 1870-1.
Daniel P. Wood, 1872-3, 1874-5.
Horace White, 1896,1906-8.
STATE BOARD OF LAW EXAMINERS.
William P. Goodelle, in 1894 appointed by the court of appeals, state law examiner, and has since been president of the board. Still in office (1908).
STATE BOARD OF TAX COMMISSIONERS.
Ceylon H. Lewis, appointed member of the board by Governor Iliggins in 1905, resigned after several months because of professional engage- ments.
COMMISSIONERS OF STATUTORY REVISION.
A. Judd Northrup, appointed February 8, 1895, one of the commissioners by Governor Morton, and confirmed by the senate; remained in office until the close of the commission, January 1, 1901.
THE MUNICIPAL COURT OF THE CITY OF SYRACUSE.
The aet of the legislature establishing this court was passed in 1892. Under the provisions of the act, Governor Flower appointed two judges. of different party affiliation, one to hold office for five years and the other for six years. At the close of their respective terms, their successors were to be elected for terms of six years each.
William G. Cady, appointed January 1, 1893, for five years.
Patrick J. Ryan, appointed January 1, 1893, for six years.
These judges have been elected and re-elected as their several terms expired, and are still in office, 1908.
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COUNTY JUDGES.
The judges of county courts were appointed by the governor and senate until the adoption of the constitution of 1846, but have since been elective. The county judges of Onondaga county have been as follows: Seth Phelps, appointed March 14, 1794, was a resident of what is now Cayuga
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county, before the present limits of this eounty were established. Reuben Humphrey, appointed July 3, 1804; Dan Bradley, June 8, 1807; Joshua For- man, March 21, 1811; Gideon Forman, March 9, 1813; Nehemiah HI. Earll, February 1, 1823; Samuel L. Edwards, April 30, 1831; John Watson, Febru- ary 16, 1833; Grove Lawrence, February 23, 1838; Daniel Pratt, February 23, 1843; James R. Lawrence, elected June, 1847; Richard Woolworth, appointed (in place of Lawrence resigned) October 18, 1850; Israel Spencer, elected November, 1850; Richard Woolworth, eleeted November, 1854; Henry Riegel, elected November, 1862, and by three re-eleetions held the office until December 31, 1882; A. Judd Northrup, eleeted November, 1882, and re-elected November, 1888, William M. Ross, elected November, 1894, and twice re-elected still in office (1908).
DISTRICT ATTORNEYS.
The original appellation of this offiee was that of assistant attorney gen- eral. The districts embraced several counties. The office was filled by the governor and council during pleasure. The office of district attorney was ereated April 4, 1801. In 1818 each county was constituted a separate dis- triet for the purposes of this office. Distriet attorneys were appointive under the constitution of 1821 by the courts of sessions, until 1847, after which time they were elective. The following have been appointed or eleeted dis- triet attorneys of this county: Vietor Birdseye, June 17, 1818; Jerome L. Briggs, 1836; William J. Dodge, 1841; LeRoy Morgan, 1843; Henry Shel- don, elected, June, 1847; Rowland II. Gardner, 1850: Charles Andrews, 1853; Heury S. Fuller, 1856: Frank Hiseoek, 1859; William H. Gifford, 1862; Levi W. Hall, 1865; Frederick A. Lyman, 1868: William P. Goodelle, 1871; William James, 1874; Nathaniel M. White, 1877; Harrison Hoyt, 1880; Ceylon H. Lewis, 1883; Lawrence T. Jones, 1886; Theodore E. Hancock, 1889; Benjamiu J. Shove, 1892; Jay B. Kline, 1895, and reeleeted 1898; William L. Barnum 1901 and re-elected 1904; George H. Bond, 1907.
SURROGATES OF ONONDAGA COUNTY.
The following is a list of the surrogates of this county, with the dates of their respective appointments or election: Moses De Witt, appointed March 14, 1794; Thomas Mumford, October 1, 1797; Thaddeus M. Wood. March 21, 1799; George Hall, April 2, 1800; Medad Curtiss, March 20, 1810; George Hall, February 18, 1811; James Porter, February 14, 1822; Freeborn G. Jewett, February 11, 1824; John Fleming, Jr., April 12, 1831; Isaac T. Minard, January 24, 1840; David D. Hillis, February 8, 1844; Isaac T. Minard, elected, June, 1847; L. Harris Hiseoek, elected November, 1851; Amasa H. Jerome elected November. 1855; Samuel D. Luce, elected November, 1859; Oscar L. Sprague, elected November, 1863; DeWitt C. Greenfield, appointed October 9, 1865, in place of Sprague, deceased, and elected November, 1865;
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PAST AND PRESENT OF ONONDAGA COUNTY
Cyrus Sweet, elected November, 1869; George R. Cook, elected November. 1874, and reelected and held office until December 31, 1891; Edgar P. Glass, clected November, 1891, and twice reelected and still in office (1908).
FRANK HARRIS HISCOCK.
Frank Harris Hiscock. associate judge of the court of appeals by appoint- ment from the supreme court, belongs to a family of distinguished law. yers, to the honor of which he has notably added by his marked success as a practicing attorney and by his career as a judge. He was born April 16, 1856, the son of an able lawyer, the late lIon. L. Harris Hiseoek, and a nephew of the Hon. Frank Hiseock, former United States senator. lhs native instinet for the law was stimulated by these associations from his earliest years. He entered Cornell University when only fifteen years of age and was graduated with honor in the class of 1875. He has since been one of the influential members of the board of trustees of that institution, having been first elected in 1889 for three years and after an interval was again eleeted and is still serving. He studied law in his unele's office and was admitted to the bar in 1878, becoming a member of the firm of Hiscock. Gifford & Hiscock. Later Mr. Gifford retired and the firm became Hisenck. Doheny & Hiscock. consisting of Frank ITiseoek, George Doheny and Frank II. Hiseoek. His labors in that firm were arduous, involving some most important cases, which he conducted to a successful termination. He speed ily won distinction as an able lawyer and his natural qualities of frank- ness, sincerity and geniality won the confidence, good will and admiration of all who came within the circle of his acquaintance. He is a public speaker of fine quality and power. While a practicing lawyer, he took a deep interest in polities as an ardent republican.
In January, 1896, Mr. Iliseoek was appointed by Governor Morton, jus- tice of the supreme court for the fifth judicial district to fill the vacanvy eaused by the apointment of Judge Vann to the court of appeals. In Novem- ber, 1896, he was elected justice of the supreme court for a term of fourteen years, beginning January 1. 1897. In the fall of 1899 he was designated by Governor Roosevelt as one of the justices of the appellate division, fourth department, but declined the appointment in order to remain in his own district, which seemed to require his services in trial work. In October. 1901, he was again designated to the same position by Governor Odell and accepted. He served in that eourt until January, 1906. at which time he was appointed by Governor Higgins associate judge of the court of appeals under the provisions of the constitution authorizing the governor to appoint supreme court justices to that court on requirement of the elected judges when the business of that court became excessive. Ile is still serving in that capacity, a vital force in that learned body and with a usefulness and distinction which indicate the proper field of his future judicial career.
Judge Hiseoek was married in 1879 to Miss Mary Elizabeth Barnes,
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daughter of the late George Barnes, a prominent citizen of Syracuse, who was engaged in large business and industrial enterprises. Their children are : Helen Lucy, the wife of William Il. Eager; George Barnes; and L. Harris Hiscock.
PETER B. MeLENNAN.
Peter Baillie MeLennan, justice of the supreme court and chief justice of the appellate division, fourth department, was born in the town of Lyndon, Cattaraugus county, New York, December 3, 1850, a son of Colin and Ann (Frazer) MeLennan, who came from Scotland in 1846. He received his education at Alfred University, from which he was graduated in 1873, and has received the degrees of Ph. D. and LL. D. In September of that vear he came to Syracuse and began reading law in the office of Bookstaver & Kingsley, but after two months taught school in Geddes for a term, after which he resumed his law studies in the office of Fuller & Vann. He was admitted to the bar in October, 1876. Ile practiced alone for three months and then formed a partnership with Major E. O. Farrar which relationship continued a year. He was next a member of the law firm of Vann, MeLennan & Dillaye until 1881, when Irving G. Vann, the senior member, was elected justice of the supreme court. The firm of Waters, Mclennan & Dillave was then organized. Mr. MeLennan had been the active trial member of the firm and as such had won a wide reputation. In 1882 he was appointed general counsel for the New York. West Shore & Buffalo Railroad Company. with headquarters in New York city, and continued as such until that com- pany passed under the control of the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad Company.
Returning to Syracuse, he resumed practice alone for a short time and then beeame a member of the firm of Tracy, MeLennan & Oyling, which con- tinued until January 1, 1893. In November. 1892, Mr. MeLennan was elected justice of the supreme court in the fifth judicial distriet for fourteen years from January 1, 1893. In 1898 he was appointed by Governor Black an associate justice upon the appellate division for the fourth department and has since been continuously a member of that court. In 1903 he was appointed by Governor Odell, presiding justice of the court. . In November, 1896. he was reelected a justice of the supreme court for a term ending December 31, 1920, and was redesignated as presiding justice by Governor Hughes, in January, 1907.
Justice MeLennan inherits the best characteristics of his Scotch ancestors. In addition to all the solid qualities, he has wit and humor and a splendid faculty for friendship. Ilis training has finely developed his strong natural ability. Ilis tremendous energy made him a power at the bar. Ilis knowl- edge of the law mingled with a keen discerning judgment, his large experience and his genial qualities, make him one of the most useful judges of the state. With a happy home and domestic relations, hosts of friends, an hon- orable, useful and successful public life, rugged health and a sane optimisni,
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Justice McLennan may well be counted one of the most deservedly success. ful men of the county and the state. He is a republican and a member of the Century Club, Citizens' Club and the University Club. He is a law ler- turer in the College of Law of Syracuse University. Justice MeLeunan . always spends his summers at his old home in Lyndon, where he has a fine stock farm. He is a very successful farmer as well as an eminent jur- ist.
Mr. McLennan was married December 1, 1881, to Miss Belle Barron, of Addison, New York. They have one son, Colin W., who graduated from Liberal Arts College, of Syracuse University, in June, 1907. He is also a mem- ber of the class of 1908 of the Syracuse University College of Law. Their daughter, Marion, is a member of the class of 1908 of Smith College, at. Northampton, Massachusetts, while the second daughter, Christina, is a mem- ber of the class of 1909, of Syracuse University.
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