USA > New York > Onondaga County > Spafford > Spafford, Onondaga County, New York, Vol. I > Part 10
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ONONDAGA HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
which he belonged. He was a delegate to the State Medical Society for four years, and an active member for twenty years, serving many times as censor. He has been for thirty-five years a member of the American Medical Asso- ciation. Bright, witty, humorous, learned and instructive, he has often awakened a dull and prosy meeting into one of vigorous activity. He has written many papers on various diseases and medical subjects. He held the office of Coroner eighteen years, Superintendent of Onondaga Indians twenty-five years, and for ten years was their physician. He has many friends. He has observed strictly the golden rule, and is generally loved for his affectionate disposition.
"Dr. Kneeland married Mariam Dwelle, February 7, 1845, and to whom were born three children: Frank Joel, born December 10, 1845, married Etta Edwards at White- hall, Wisconsin, December 5, 1883, died October 15, 1898; Martin Dwelle, born September 24, 1848, married Sarah A. Lord, and resides at Roxbury, Mass .; and Stella, born February 20, 1854, graduated at Holyoke Seminary, teacher in Syracuse High School five years, married Fred- erick Colburn Eddy, Cashier of the Bank of Syracuse, and resides at Syracuse, N. Y."
Dr. Kneeland died and was buried at South Onondaga, N. Y., where he had been physician and surgeon for many years.
COLONEL WILLIAM W. LEGG.
The following is an abstract from a published obituary notice, appearing in the public press at the time of his decease :
" Col. William W. Legg died at the residence of his son- in-law, William H. Bass, near Borodino, on Sunday last, in the 79th year of his age. He was born in Spafford, February 18, 1814, and continued to reside in his native town until his decease. He married Minerva A. Prindle, daughter of Hon. Joseph Prindle, formerly of this town, with whom he lived in happy marital relations for over fifty years, her death preceding his own by about four years. In politics he was originally a Whig, and subsequently accepted the nomination of Sheriff on the Know-Nothing Ticket, but on the breaking out of the Civil War joined the
PROF. CHARLES O. ROUNDY
105
SPAFFORD, ONONDAGA COUNTY, NEW YORK
Republican Party, with which he afterwards continued, vigorously sustaining its principles and giving to it his full support, in suppressing the rebellion and preserving the Union. When a young man he joined the State Militia, and continued his connection with it until he had risen from rank to rank, to that of Brigadier General in that organ- ization. At the time of the breaking out of the Civil War, he was offered the Colonelcy of a regiment in the volunteer service, but on account of age and sickness in his family, was obliged to decline the flattering offer. Colonel Legg was not an aspirant for political honors, yet occasionally was induced to serve his town, by the acceptance of minor offices within its gift; among these was Supervisor. He also received the appointment of Postmaster from the General Government, both at Spafford Corners and Boro- dino. Col. Legg was a public spirited and useful citizen, and he had many friends; his death was generally regretted."
PROFESSOR CHARLES O. ROUNDY.
Mr. Edward Smith, formerly Superintendent of Syracuse Schools, in speaking of Prof. Roundy, said :
" Prof. Charles O. Roundy, son of Captain Asahel Roundy, was born in Spafford, Onondaga County, New York, May 23, 1823. He received his education in the public schools of his native town and in Homer Academy. The degree of A. M. was conferred upon him by Hamilton College in 1853. Almost his entire active life has been spent in teaching, beginning in his native town at eighteen years, soon after leaving Homer Academy. He afterwards taught as Prin- cipal in the Skaneateles and Baldwinsville Academies, coming from the latter place to Syracuse in 1852, and taking the Principalship of old No. 5, where he remained in charge until the establishment of the Syracuse High School in 1855. He was then installed as Principal of the latter school, and remained as such until failing health compelled him to resign, in the Spring of 1871. After a year or two of travelling, combined with some light work, he again began teaching as Principal of the Union Free School at Moravia, N. Y., and remained there ten years. Leaving there he spent a year or more in Dakota, and then returned to his farm in the town of Skaneateles, N. Y. Mr. Roundy was
106
ONONDAGA HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
always noted for his zeal and enthusiasm as a teacher, and when engaged as such spared no labor, however exacting, that he might have something new to present to his classes the coming day, illustrative of the principles to be eluci- dated, or to awaken interest in his pupils. Until late at night, with his books about him, he would continue to study and investigate until he had mastered his subject, and then would appear before his classes the next day, to inspire them with something of his own spirit. His pupils in this city, graduates of the High School, for sixteen years, will never forget the love for study, and the ambition awakened in them for learning by his eneregtic spirit."
One of his former pupils, and now a successful teacher herself, in a recent publication, said of him :
" Professor Roundy's personality was wonderful. The pupil must have been obtuse indeed who could successfully resist his forceful logic. Other principals may have been more polished, but none were better loved than he. The snows of many winters have fallen upon his grave, over which has been erected a monument by his former pupils, attesting a love that endures beyond the grave. Pupils who through his teaching have attained eminence in the sciences, on the rostrum, at the bar and in every walk of life.
" Professor Roundy was a student to the day of his death, digging and delving as a day laborer in the rich mines of abstruse sciences, and making himself a master of all he sought. He died at his home in Skaneateles, September 30, 1892, and a few days afterwards was buried in Indian Mound Cemetery at Moravia, followed to the grave by many of his former pupils, sincere mourners of a dear teacher and friend."
HON. SIDNEY SMITH.
The following are extracts taken from obituary notices appearing in the public press, at the time of the decease of Mr. Smith, September 10th, 1900.
"In the death of Sidney Smith, which occurred at his residence on West Lake Street, in the village of Skaneateles, Monday morning, September 10, 1900, this village lost one of its oldest and most respected residents. He was born in the town of Spafford, in the vicinity of Borodino, January 29, 1815, on the farm of which he was the owner at the
107
SPAFFORD, ONONDAGA COUNTY, NEW YORK
time of his decease; he moved from this farm in 1870 and come to this village, where he resided ever afterwards. His ancestors were of New England patriotic stock, his grand- father Job Smith, being an officer in the Connecticut Line in the War of the Revolution, and his father Lewis Smith being a Lieutenant in the War of 1812. His father was also a Member of Assembly in the New York Legislature, and at one time Sheriff of the County of Onondaga. Mr. Lewis Smith came to the town of Spafford, (then Marcellus), with his father, Job Simth, about 1795, married Chloe Benson of Owasco, and brought up a remarkable family of children near Borodino, in the old New England way, among whom was the subject of this sketch, Mary Smith of Skaneateles, Dr. J. Lewis Smith of New York City, William Smith, Esq., an attorney at law, late of Sacramento, California, and Dr. Stephen Smith, also of New York City.
" Mr. Sidney Smith first married Adelia E. Blodgett, who died in 1843. He then married Miss Jennie A. Calkins, by whom were born his only children : Adelia, wife of Prof. H. F. Miner, Principal of the Skaneateles Academy, and Anna W. Smith, both residents of Skaneateles. Mr. Smith's last wife died in Skaneateles in 1887.
" Mr. Smith, while on the farm (in 1856), was elected a Member of Assembly in the New York Legislature, and after coming to this village was elected Justice of the Peace, an office which he held for about ten years. He was fre- quently called upon to act as executor and administrator, a function which he performed to the satisfaction of every one. He was made administrator, with the will annexed, of the estate of the late Charles Pardee of this village, and, after seventeen years of litigation, finally settled his accounts to the satisfaction of every one concerned.
" During the later years of his life he lived quietly, managing his Spafford farm, in which he took great interest, and attended to his insurance business in this village. He had a clear recollection of the early events of his native town and vcinity, (and the writer of this work is pleased to acknowledge his indebtedness to him for much valuable information in the preparation of this work.)
" Mr. Smith was a Republican in politics, and attended the Baptist Church in Skaneateles village. The writer of one of his obituary notices says of him: " His life was one
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ONONDAGA HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
of faithful service to daily duties, a life of unusual good health and genial disposition, a life of many friendships and no enemies; all men at all times found him reliable."
SANFORD THAYER.
Sanford Thayer, Artist, son of Sanford and Sally Miner Thayer, was born in Cato, New York, July 19, 1820, and in early boyhood moved with his parents to Cold Brook. His father, who was a wheelwright by occpuation, died at the latter place, August 26, 1836, leaving him surviving a large family of small children in indigent circumstances. Soon after his father's decease young Thayer who was then about seventeen years of age and the oldest of Sally Miner's chil- dren, left home and sought employment in John Legg's wagon shop, in the village of Skaneateles; here he met CharlesElliott, who was then engaged in painting pictures on the back of the old fashioned high back sleighs and cutters, then in use, and which were then being manu- factured by Mr. Legg. The life of Thayer up to this period had been spent in the woods and fields; he was an ardent fisherman, and had become a lover of nature in all its forms and features; it was therefore natural, when these two artistic loving natures met, that an abiding friendship grew up between them. In these early years, when Thayer was in his prime and beauty, Elliott painted his celebrated portrait of him, which was exhibited in this and foreign countries, and first called attention to the latter, and estab- lished his reputation as one of the great artists of the world. Young Thayer, under the tutelage of Elliott, made rapid progress in the use of pencil and brush, and his reputation as an artist was also soon established in Central New York; from the time of the meeting of these two men the course of Thayer in the realm of art was ever onward and upward. At an early date he established himself in Syracuse as a portrait painter, and retained a studio there until the time of his decease. As a painter of portraits he had in early years many flattering commissions, and after the decease of Elliott, it can be truthfully said of him that in this field of art he stood for many years without a rival in Central New York. His inherent love of nature led him frequently to visit the Adirondack Wilderness, and his numerous sketches of that wild and rugged country have always been
SANFORD THAYER, ARTIST
JEFFERSON J. BROWN
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SPAFFORD, ONONDAGA COUNTY, NEW YORK
sought after, and demanded a good price. He was a true lover of Nature, and always interpreted her in his pictures in her happiest mood. The woods, the lakes, the fields, the fruits and the flowers, seemed to inspire him with their beauty and charms, and in his portrayal of them he appeared at his best.
He married Nancy H. Smith in 1850, and by her had two children: Mary Brownell, born in 1852 and died in 1853, and Albert F. Thayer, born in 1858. The latter lived to manhood, married a Miss Carrie Cook, but died without issue. Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Thayer died in Syracuse, the former in the Fall of 1881.
TOWN OFFICERS.
On the first Tuesday of April, 1812, one year after the formation of the town, there was held a town meeting at the house of Elisha Sabins, at which were elected the follow- ing officers, constituting the first public officials of this town :
John Babcock, Supervisor; Sylvester Wheaton, Town Clerk; Benjamin Stanton, Asahel Roundy and Elijah Knapp, Assessors; Asahel Roundy, Jonathan Berry and Adolphus French, Commissioners of the Poor; Levi Foster, Constable and Collector; Sylvanus Learned and James Williamson, Commissioners of Public Land; Elisha Sabins, Pound Master; Nehemiah Billings, Ebenezer Grout, Samuel Holmes, Daniel Scranton, James Whitman, Joel Palmer, Cornelius Williamson, Asahel Roundy, and Amos Reed, Pathmasters.
From the foregoing the reader will discover the names of some of the first residents of the town, and their status among their fellows. It would be a very unprofitable matter to give the names of all who have held office since this first meeting, and besides any list would be more or less imperfect, for the reason that some of the first officers were appointed, and not elected, and no town record made of them; also some of the leaves in the first book of records have been lost and destroyed, leaving the record incomplete. The following is believed to be a perfect list of the Super- visors elected in town, from the beginning to the present time :
John Babcock, 1812; Asahel Roundy, 1813-19; Peleg
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ONONDAGA HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
Shearman, 1820-22; Erastus Barber, 1823-4; Peleg Shear, man, 1826; Asahel Roundy, 1826; Phineas Hutchens, 1827; Asahel Roundy, 1828-9; Daniel Baxter, 1830-2; John R. Lewis, 1833-36; Charles R. Vary, 1837-8; John R. Lewis, 1839-41; Joseph Bulfinch, 1844; William O'Farrell, 1845; Joseph Bulfinch, 1846; William W. Legg, 1847; Russel M. Burdick, 1848; William W. Legg, 1849; Oscar E. Moseley, 1850; Thomas B. Anderson, 1851; James H. Isdell, 1852; John L. Mason, 1853-55; Reuben T. Breed, 1856; Samuel S. Kneeland, 1857-59; David Becker, 1860; Edwin S. Edwards, 1861-3; Orrin Eddy, 1864-6; Uriah Roundy, 1867-69; Samuel H. Stanton, 1870-1; Justus N. Knapp, 1872; John McDowell, 1873-74; Henry Weston, 1875-7; Benjamin Mc- Daniels, 1878-80; Van Dyke Tripp, 1881-3; Perry F. Wood- worth, 1884-6; Harry J. Haight, 1887; William H. Bass, 1888 ; Willard Norton, 1889; William H. Bass, 1890; Marcus Patterson, 1891-3; Willard Norton, 1894-5; John Unckless, 1896-7; Caleb E. King, 1898-9-1900; Marcus Patterson, 1900-1903.
COMPANY AND GENERAL TRAINING.
From a very early period the American people have been accustomed to the use of firearms. Nearly every household in the town of Spafford, in early times, had a gun of some sort for the purpose of defense; and in fact a man, entering the primeval forests which at first covered these hills, would have been foolhardy without a trusty rifle at his side.
Our emigrant ancestors had hardly landed on American soil, before they discovered they had not only to deal with the wild beasts of the forests, but the American Indian was disposed to contest every advance made by them in the occupation of the land; so, almost at the beginning of their settlements about Massachusetts Bay, they were called to- gether for military drill and Company organization. This first organization is now known as the " Ancient and Honor- able Artillery Copmany of Boston." When new colonies were established other military organizations were formed, so that, eventually, every community throughout the inhabit- able portion of these United States had its separate military company or organization, which was fully armed, equipped, drilled, and ready for any emergency that might arise.
This universal military organization, known as the
EDWIN S. EDWARDS
111
SPAFFORD, ONONDAGA COUNTY, NEW YORK
Militia, was continued in the town of Spafford down to a period subsequent to the War of the United States with our Sister Republic of Mexico. Every man in town capable of bearing arms, not exempt by law, was enrolled in some Company or military organization and obliged, under penalty of Court Martial to keep himself armed and equipped, and to attend Company and battalion drill when ordered.
There was generally at least one battalion drill, known as " General Training," in each year; these were holiday occa- sions, looked forward to by old and young as periods of general festivity and enjoyment.
A man holding a commission as an officer, in one of these early military organizations, was generally looked up to and respected in the community where he resided, for the distinction conferred upon him, and was generally addressed by his military title.
Soon after the Mexican War compulsory service in the State Militia was discontinued, and that organization ever since has been maintained by volunteering.
SOLDIERS.
Among the Soldiers of the American Revolution who settled in the town of Spafford were the following:
Paymaster Job Smith Oliver Hyde
Captain Samuel Holmes
Elias Jackson
Stephen Albro
Peter Knapp
Allen Breed
Joseph Lewis
Thompson Burdick
Jesse Manly
James Churchell
David Owen
John Churchell
Gilbert Palmer
Elias Davis
Samuel Prindle
Robert Fulton
Job Smith
John Green
Isaac Town
James Hiscock
Benjamin Wallace
Samuel Holmes
Henry Wentworth
Among those who served in the War of 1812 were:
Captain Asahel Roundy
Jabez Melvin
Lieut. Phineas Hutchens
Isaac Mills
Lieut. Lewis Smith
Moses Norton
Stephen Applebe
Samuel Parker
Samuel Barber
Silas Randall
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ONONDAGA HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
John Beelar
Samuel G. Seeley
Thompson Burdick, Jr.
Russell Tinkham
Kelley Case
Cornelius Williamson
William Dedrick Samuel Gale
The town of Spafford contributed the following soldiers to the Union Army, during the War of the Rebellion of 1861:
Lieut. George J. Foster
William Nesbitt
William B. Allen
Parmenus Norton
George C. Anderson
Perry Norton
William H. Brown
Willard Norton
John M. Churchill
Jacob Pollock
Porter Davis
Francis H. Patterson
William Derbin
Charles Weston Roundy
Ensign D. Filkins
John Unckless
William E. Fisher
John A. Uncless
Horatio Harrington
George A. Patten
George L. Hines
Edwin S. Van Benschoten
William Henry Lyon
Napoleon B. Wallace
Phineas B. Marshall
James B. Wilber
William H. Moon
Perry F. Woodworth
George Anthony
Martin Goff
John Anderson
James Nesbit
Ira W. Burdick
James McCausey
Daniel Bradley
George Phippins
George W. Case
George W. Ripley
Sidney Case
Calvin P. Stanton
Asa Clark
James Stringham
Van Buren Davis
Henry Sage
Lewis Davis
Santa Anna Wallace
Edgar Alonzo Eddy
John Worth
Charles H. Enos
Samuel Williams
ILLUSTRATIONS
-
Captain George K. Collins. Frontispiece
Captain Asahel Roundy. 23
Uriah Roundy, Esq. 27
Colonel Phineas Hutchens.
29
Thomas Maxson Foster
33
Borodino School House
38
Borodino Town Hall
44
Borodino M. E. Church 45
Union Meeting House, Spafford Corners. 53
Berry's Store, Spafford Corners. 66
Roundy's Tavern, Spafford Corners 68
Borodino Store and Tavern 71
Spafford Hills From Skaneateles Lake 75
Skaneateles Lake From Spafford Hills. 76
Head of Skaneateles Lake From Window of Sweet Briar Cottage 83
Skaneateles Lake From Sweet Briar Cottage. 85
City of Syracuse, Approaching Spafford Landing 87
Cottage William S. Teall, Skaneateles Lake 90
Prof. Charles O. Roundy. 105
Sanford Thayer, Artist. 108
Jefferson J. Brown 109
Edwin S. Edwards.
110
ILLUSTRATIONS
Captain George K. Collins. Frontispiece
Captain Asahel Roundy 23
Uriah Roundy, Esq. 27
Colonel Phineas Hutchens.
29
Thomas Maxson Foster.
33
Borodino School House 38
Borodino Town Hall
44
Borodino M. E. Church. 45
Union Meeting House, Spafford Corners 53
Berry's Store, Spafford Corners. 66
Roundy's Tavern, Spafford Corners. 68
Borodino Store and Tavern 71
Spafford Hills From Skaneateles Lake 75
Skaneateles Lake From Spafford Hills. 76
Head of Skaneateles Lake From Window of Sweet Briar Cottage 83
Skaneateles Lake From Sweet Briar Cottage. 85
City of Syracuse, Approaching Spafford Landing 87
Cottage William S. Teall, Skaneateles Lake 90
Prof. Charles O. Roundy. 105
Sanford Thayer, Artist. 108
Jefferson J. Brown ...... 109
Edwin S. Edwards.
110
INDEX
Introduction and General Description of Spafford .. 3
Town and County Organization 5
Military Tract. 10
Names of Soldiers Drawing Bounty Lands in Spafford ...
15
First Settlers
17
Gilbert Palmer and Son John 17
Names of Other Settlers.
20
Biography-
Captain Asahel Roundy
23
Uriah Roundy, Esq 27
Pullman Family
28
Colonel Phineas Hutchens.
29
Roswell Hutchens
30
Amos Miner. 32
36
Daniel Wallace, Jr.
51
Shadrack Roundy
51
Lorenzo Wesley Roundy
Jared Curtis Roundy
52
Hall Washington Roundy 52
Judge Elliott Anthony 93
Prof. Silas M. Betts 96
96
Dr. John Collins
Captain George K. Collins. 99
Prof. Ezara Knapp 101
Hon. Martin Augustus Knapp 101
Dr. Jonathan Kneeland
102
Colonel William W. Legg
104
Prof. Charles O. Roundy 105
Hon. Sidney Smith 106
Sanford Thayer. 108
Barn Moving 33
Schools 38
Churches and Libraries 41
Mormon Exodus 47
Union Meeting House. 53
Other Corporations.
58
luills, Distilleries and Furnaces. 59
Taverns Stores, Shops, Potasheries and Tanneries. 66
Highways 72
Professional Men-
Physicians 76
Lawyers
80
Ministers 81
Teachers 81
Artists and Sculptors. 81
Surveyors
82
Postmasters 82
Skaneateles Lake and Cottages.
82
Steamboats 85
Glen Haven Sanatarium 87
Cottages 88
Miscellaneous 91
Maple Sugar Making
91
Maple Groves. 92
Town Officers. 109
Company and General Training 110
Soldiers of All Wars. 111
Hunting, Pigeons Birds, etc. 93
INDEX
Introduction and General Description of Spafford 3
Town and County Organization 5
Military Tract
10
Names of Soldiers Drawing Bounty Lands in Spafford ... 15
First Settlers 17
Gilbert Palmer and Son John 17
Names of Other Settlers. 20
Biography-
Captain Asahel Roundy 23
Uriah Roundy, Esq 27
Pullman Family. 28
Colonel Phineas Hutchens.
29
30
Roswell Hutchens
32
Amos Miner
36
Daniel Wallace, Jr
51
Shadrack Roundy.
51
Lorenzo Wesley Roundy
Jared Curtis Roundy
52
Hall Washington Roundy
52
Judge Elliott Anthony
93
Prof. Silas M. Betts.
96
Dr. John Collins.
96
Captain George K. Collins.
99
Prof. Ezara Knapp 101
Hon. Martin Augustus Knapp 101
Dr. Jonathan Kneeland
102
Colonel William W. Legg. 104
Prof. Charles O. Roundy 105
Hon. Sidney Smith 106
Sanford Thayer 108
Barn Moving. ..... 33
Schools
38
Churches and Libraries ยท 41
Mormon Exodus.
47
Union Meeting House 53
Other Corporations. 58
MuIlls, Distilleries and Furnaces. 59
Taverns Stores, Shops, Potasheries and Tanneries. 66
Highways
72
Professional Men-
Physicians 76
Lawyers
80
Ministers 81
Teachers 81
Artists and Sculptors
81
Surveyors
82
Postmasters
82
Skaneateles Lake and Cottages
82
Steamboats
85
Glen Haven Sanatarium
87
Cottages
88
Miscellaneous
91
Maple Sugar Making.
91
Maple Groves.
92
Town Officers.
109
Company and General Training.
110
Soldiers of All Wars 111
Hunting, Pigeons Birds, etc. .... 93
2
120 90
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