USA > New York > Onondaga County > Syracuse > Syracuse and Onondaga County, New York : pictorial and biographical > Part 10
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He was a man of unquestioned integrity and honor. In all his busi- ness connections he was recognized as an important factor, and his execu-
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Ron. William I. Ballup
tive ability was an essential element to their success. His great energy and ready resources were qualities of high value. At the age of thirty-eight years he had really accomplished the work of a long life, and his early death closed a career of exceptional prominence. At the time of his death, Mr. Gallup was a member of Central City Lodge, No. 305, F. & A. M .; of the Citi- zens' Club, and other organizations in Syracuse.
On the 2d of September, 1880, he married Miss Emma Sweet, of Mar- cellus, and two daughters were born to them: Mary Eloise and Bessie Sweet. After Mr. Gallup's death his family returned to their home in Mar- cellus, where on October 1, 1905, the second daughter, Bessie Sweet, died at the age of sixteen years.
Carl B. Albord
T HE LIFE history of Earl B. Alvord constitutes an important chapter in the annals of Syracuse and Onondaga county. Spending almost his entire life within the borders of the county and a resident of Syracuse from 1849, he instituted many of those business enterprises and fathered many progressive measures which led to the substantial and rapid growth and improvement of the city. He was born in the town of Steuben, Oneida county, New York, October 7, 1822, his parents being Anson and Abigail (Clark) Alvord, rep- resentatives of old New England families. They had three sons and two daughters, of whom Earl B. was the youngest. In March, 1829, they re- moved with their family from Oneida county to Onondaga Valley, Earl being at that time six years of age. He remained at home until 1841 and worked for neighboring farmers or attended the district school as opportunity afforded, thus acquiring his education. In the year mentioned, however, he began the manufacture of lime in connection with his brothers, Clark and Henry G. Alvord, at Onondaga Valley. Soon afterward he purchased his brothers' interest in the business and continued it as one of the numerous business enterprise which claimed his time and energies and made him one of the leading citizens of the county until his demise.
In 1849 Mr. Alvord became a resident of Syracuse and soon afterward built a lime mill at the corner of Lock and Canal streets, which was after- ward occupied by the Mowry & Barnes Packing Company. His business prospered under his prudent and energetic management and in 1869 he invested largely in limestone quarries at Jamesville, New York, and estab- lished branches for manufacture at that place and at Binghamton, these vari- ous enterprises being conducted under the firm name of E. B. Alvord & Company. In 1878 Mr. Alvord engaged largely in the coal business in Syracuse and in 1880 opened a branch yard at Cleveland, Ohio, continuing as a large operator in coal until his death in 1883.
A man of resourceful business ability, he extended his efforts to various lines of activity, all of which profited by his keen judgment, his unflagging industry and his aptitude for successful management. He was the pioneer in the manufacture of the macadam pavement in Syracuse, Warren street being the first roadway in the city so paved. His business interests were
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Carl 26. Albord
largely of a nature that improved the city and promoted its commercial pros- perity, at the same time advancing his individual success.
Mr. Alvord was a bitter opponent of monopolies and sacrificed many thousands of dollars in reducing the price of coal and other commodities for the people of Syracuse. With that end in view he enlarged his mill property on Lock street and converted it into an abbatoir, which resulted in the reduction of the price of pork products in Syracuse. He was a man of unusually broad business views. His path was never strewn with the wreck of other men's fortunes, nor was he ever known to take advantage of the necessities of another in a business transaction. He believed in a fair profit but not in the advancement of prices which would place products out of the reach of the poor and throughout his entire business career he sus- tained an unassailable reputation. He possessed the capacity for grasping opportunities and promoting large undertakings, pushing them to a profit- able conclusion, and yet no word was ever uttered against the correctness or integrity of his methods. His wisdom was sound concerning business con- ditions and possibilities and his advice was often sought and given freely.
On June 13, 1849, Mr. Alvord was married to Miss Helen Hickok, of Onondaga Valley, who still survives him, occupying a beautiful residence on South Salina street. They had two sons, Anson E. and Edgar Alvord, both of whom are now deceased.
Mr. Alvord was always liberal in his political views, never identifying himself closely with any party. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his abil- ity and his loyalty to the general good, frequently tendered him the nomina- tion for mayor and other leading municipal offices but he always declined, pre- fering to aid in the promotion of the interests of Syracuse in other ways. He was a firm believer in the future growth and prosperity of the city and at favorable opportunities he invested largely in real estate, having extensive property holdings at the time of his death. He endorsed many progressive measures for the good of the city, nor did he withhold that substantial aid which must always accompany influence if results are attained. He pos- sessed a most generous nature and often aided others in times of need. To the poor and needy he extended a helping hand and they found in him a warm friend. So upright and honorable was his life in all of its phases, so commendable his principles, so manly and sincere his actions, that his name is enshrined in the hearts of all who knew him in a way that time cannot obliterate.
Colonel John Wesley Dale
A N HONORABLE and successful business career gained for Colonel John Wesley Yale recognition as one of the sterling merchants of the city and deep and wide-spread regret were felt when his life's labors were ended in death. He was born at Scipio, Cayuga county, New York, on the 17th of December, 1832, and was a son of Aaron and Mary Yale. His father was a carriage builder, who left Scipio in the early days of the California gold mining excitement and became one of the original "forty-niners" who sought a fortune upon the Pacific coast, hoping to rapidly acquire wealth through the discovery of rich gold deposits. In his family were five children: Frederick G., who is now liv- ing in New York city; Edward, a resident of Newark, New Jersey; Mrs. Cece- lia Chapin, of Washington, D. C .; and Mrs. Mary Phelps, of Erie, Pennsyl- vania.
The other member of the family was Colonel John Wesley Yale, who in his childhood days was taken by his parents to Perryville, Madison county, New York. His early education was acquired in the district school of that neighborhood and when a mere lad he started out to make his own way in the world. He had no difficulty in early gaining a knowledge of the value of money, for his financial resources were limited, as he had only that which he earned and it was necessary therefore that he use each dollar to the best advantage. He entered a dry-goods store in Erie, Pennsylvania, and after- ward went to New York city, where he lived for several years, being there engaged in the book business. The year 1860 witnessed his arrival in Syra- cuse, where he established a book and wall-paper business, his store being located in the Sherman block until after its destruction by fire. The original building was then replaced by the Larned block. For more than thirty years Colonel Yale conducted a wall-paper establishment and art room in South Salina street and at his death was the oldest merchant in that line in the city. He had by close application, unwearied industry and careful management built up a large and lucrative business, his trade extending throughout central New York. In more recent years his son was associated with him under the firm style of J. W. Yale & Son. Previously he had for thirteen years been a partner of Louis Windholz, of Syracuse. He ever made it his purpose to please his patrons, to furnish goods at reasonable prices and to follow the
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most honorable methods in dealing with the general public. His success was therefore well merited and gradually he rose from a comparatively humble position in business circles to one of affluence and prominence. As his finan- cial resources permitted he from time to time made judicious investments in real estate until he became the owner of a large amount of property, both improved and unimproved.
Colonel Yale was long identified with military interests, becoming a mem- ber of the old Citizens Corps in 1861. He was afterward an officer of the Fifty- first Regiment of the National Guard and in 1877 was elected colonel of the regiment as successor to Colonel Nicholas Grumbach. For four years he was in command and resigned in 1881, when he was succeeded by Colonel Dwight H. Bruce. The old Forty-first Separate Company was for several years known as the Yale Rifles, being so termed in honor of Colonel Yale. At the time of the National Guard encampment at Peekskill he had the contract for furnish- ing meals to the state troops, having this contract for thirteen years in part- nership with Louis Windholz.
Colonel Yale was equally prominent and influential in democratic circles. He was an active participant in the work for its upbuilding and success and one of its most loyal adherents. For thirteen years he was chairman of the democratic county committee and in 1880 was his party's candidate for mayor. For several terms he was a member of the board of education and was appointed a member of the board of police commissioners by Mayor W. B. Burns in 1887. In the succeeding year he was elected president of the board and in that capacity rendered signal service to his city. In 1892 he received the appointment of manager of the Syracuse state institution for feeble minded children and was re-appointed in 1896 and again in 1900 by Governor Theodore Roosevelt. He represented his party at many state and national conventions and was a warm personal friend of David B. Hill and of Governor Roswell P. Flower. He was, moreover, identified for a long period with the Citizens' Club and was one of the board of directors of that leading social organiza- tion.
In July, 1856, Colonel Yale was united in marriage to Miss Fanny Means, a native of Geneva, New York, and a daughter of Colonel John and Pamelia (Woodworth) Means. Her father was for some time engaged in the hotel business and afterward conducted a livery business but was drowned in the Ohio river at the comparatively early age of forty years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Yale were born four children: Mary A., the wife of J. H. Walrath; Wesley A .; George F .; and Fanny Maud, deceased.
The death of the husband and father occurred June 26, 1900. He had been seriously ill in the previous winter but his health had greatly improved and he traveled throughout the eastern part of the state, returning to Syracuse greatly benefited. The final summons came quite unexpectedly and his death was deeply deplored by a wide circle of friends. He was a regular
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attendant on the services of St. Paul's Episcopal church and at the time of his death was one of the vestrymen of that church. He had been a great lover of outdoor life and sports, had keen appreciation for nature in its various phases and spent the spring and autumn months in the woods. He was a member of the Swan Lake Hunting Club of Henry, Illinois, an organ- ization composed largely of Chicago men. An ardent sportsman, he delighted in shooting and fishing and was a member of the old Beaver River Club in the days when its representatives camped at Smith's lake in the Adirondacks. He also spent several winters in Florida and other parts of the south, fish- ing for tarpon and greatly enjoyed his trips to the Adirondacks.
Prominent in Masonry, he held membership in Central City Lodge, also attained the Knights Templar degree and the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, likewise being connected with the Masonic Veterans. His popularity-and he was a man of many friends-arose from his sincere inter- est in his fellowmen, his kindliness, his geniality and deference for the opin- ions of others. He was always ready with a friendly greeting, a cheery smile or a word of encouragement and these qualities endeared him to those with whom he was associated, while the strength of his character, his laudable ambi- tion and his stalwart purpose gained him a place of prominence among the leading business men of the city.
W.B Randall
Welcome Byron Randall
K INDLY and honorable in all the relations of life, the virtues of Welcome Byron Randall will cause his memory to be long cherished by those who were his associates while he was still an active factor in the world's work. He lived for some years in Syracuse, where he figured as a strong and able member of the Onondaga county bar and also as a prominent factor in fraternal relations. He was born July 24, 1844, at Plainfield, Otsego county, New York, and was the last surviving child of Joshua B. and Emily L. Randall. His early educational privileges were those of the public schools and at the age of eighteen he received an appointment to West Point, where he remained as a student for four years, when he was obliged to leave the school on account of impaired eyesight. Frustrated in his plans of following a military career, he then determined upon a professional career and took up the study of law in the office of his father, who in the meantime had removed to Syracuse. After thorough and comprehensive preliminary reading he was admitted to the bar in January, 1872, and joined his father in a partnership. From that time until his death he continued one of the members of the Onondaga bar and displayed those qualities which win advancement in the difficult and arduous profession of the law. He recognized that the essential factor of success was careful preparation and he never failed to thus qualify for the active work of the courtroom. In argument, too, he was logical and convincing, showing the processes of an analytical mind to which close reasoning became habitual.
In 1872 Mr. Randall was married to Miss Gertrude S. Wood, of Central Square, who is now the widow of W. Caldwell. He was always interested in the work of the fraternal organizations with which he became identified. Beside being chancellor commander of Syracuse Lodge, K. P., which he joined in December, 1884, he also became connected with the uniformed rank and was elected their sir knight commander of the division. His knowledge as a mili- tary tactician was of service to him in this position and the division felt the beneficial influence of his discipline. He held various offices in the lodge and was an impersonation of the cardinal principles of Pythianism. To him friend- ship, charity and benevolence were not empty words but living realities to be exemplified in daily life. Mr. Randall was also a member of the Forty-first Separate Company of the New York National Guard, which organization he
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raised to a high standard of military efficiency. When death claimed him in February, 1888, this company with one hundred Knights of Pythias followed the remains to Oakwood. Each organization passed resolutions of respect and sympathy, as did the Onondaga county bar. Said one who knew him well: "His character always commanded the respect of his acquaintances and the love and esteem of his friends. Those who knew him best loved him best and to know and love him required intimate association. His nature was of the kindest and in his relations with others he was always tolerant of their opinions." It is not financial success, political fame or military honors that cause an individual to be remembered but those traits of character which show forth brotherly kindness and the recognition of man's duty and obliga- tions to his fellowmen.
Isaac b. Otis.
Isaac Coonley Otis
I SAAC COONLEY OTIS is a retired farmer, occupy- ing a house in the village of Jordan which was built by his father in 1832. He was born October 3, 1832, in this village and is a son of Herod and Sarah E. (Coonley) Otis. His great-grandfather, Joseph Otis, was a soldier in the American army in the Revolution- ary war. He made his home in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, and reared a family of thirteen chil- dren, including Isaac Otis, the grandfather of our subject, who came from Massachusetts when a boy and settled in Galway, New York. He afterward removed to Fabius, where he purchased a tract of land for six cents per acre. Later he took up his abode at Elbridge, where he followed farming for a few years and in 1816 removed from that place to the village of Jordan, where his remaining days were passed, his death there occurring in 1854. It was his son, Herod Otis, who became the father of our subject and who followed farming at Jordan for many years.
The days of Isaac C. Otis' boyhood and youth were spent under the parental roof, where he was reared with a family of four sisters, of whom Mary is now deceased, while the others are Ella, Lavinia and Sarah. He acquired his education in the public schools and since putting aside his text- books has learned many valuable lessons in the school of experience and by read- ing and observation becoming a well informed man. Having arrived at years of maturity, he was married to Miss Franc J. Wood, of Jordan, in 1862. Unto them was born a son, Harry N. Otis, an exceptionally bright and precocious child, who when a lad of fifteen years went to Denver, Colorado, where he was employed as messenger boy in the First National Bank of that city. His fidelity and capability won him promotion from time to time until he became cashier and he was filling that position when he died suddenly of apoplexy at the age of twenty-seven years. His death was a great blow to his parents, as he was their only child.
Mr. and Mrs. Otis now occupy the house which was built by his father in the year in which the subject of this review was born. In later years he has remodeled and improved it and it is now most modern in its equipments and conveniences. Indeed it is one of the beautiful homes of the locality and is especially attractive for its warm hearted hospitality. While for many years Mr. Otis was actively engaged in farming, he has for the past twenty years
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spent two or three months of each year traveling in different parts of the country.
For two years he was president of the village and has been very promi- nent in municipal affairs. As the chief executive officer he gave an adminis- tration characterized by improvement and progress and also by an entire absence of all needless expenditure. He was trustee for six years, also police justice for six years, deputy sheriff for twelve years and inspector of the penitentiary for six years, while at the present writing he is serving as a member of the board of education. It will be seen that in nearly all of the offices to which he has been called he has been honored with re-election-a fact which is proof of his capability and fidelity. For seventy-six years a resident of the village of Jordan, he is undoubtedly one of its oldest native born citizens and none have been more loyal or progressive in support of its interests. He is a man whom to know is to respect and honor and it is there- fore with pleasure that we present his record to our readers.
Lebi S. Chapman
S YRACUSE has long been distinguished for the bril- liance of her bench and bar. Among the lawyers who have practiced in the courts here have been many men of wide distinction, of broad legal learning and of marked talent in the conduct of cases. Among those who are now recognized as prominent and represent- atives of the legal profession in Syracuse is num- bered Levi S. Chapman, who is one of Onondaga county's native sons, his birth having occurred in Fay- etteville, October 15, 1865.
His father, Nathan R. Chapman, who practiced his profession as a law- yer for about sixty years in that place, was born in Stonington, Connecticut, in 1809, and just after the war of 1812 his father and grandfather, both of whom bore the name of Nathan Chapman, his mother and his maternal grandfather, Peleg Randall, removed from New England to Madison county, New York, being among the first settlers in that part of the state. The great-grandfather, Nathan Chapman, was a hero of the Revolutionary war, as was also Peleg Randall, who after a pastorate of twenty-three years at the Baptist church in Stonington, Connecticut, resigned in order to join the army and was afterward made captain. His company was present at the surrender of Burgoyne. Nathan Chapman, the grandfather of our subject, was a veteran of the war of 1812. Representatives of the Chapman family are still very numerous in Connecticut, and at Stonington is an old cemetery called the Chapman burying ground, where are found the graves of their ances- tors as far back as 1600. for there were laid to rest the early members of the family who came from England. The mother of our subject, Mrs. Martha M. Tibbetts Chapman, born in Syracuse, returned two years ago to make her home in this city.
Levi S. Chapman spent his boyhood days at Fayetteville and between the ages of ten and eighteen years was carrier for the Syracuse Journal there. He was educated in the Fayetteville union school, being graduated therefrom in 1884. He afterward pursued one year's preparatory work in the Whitestown Seminary prior to matriculating in Syracuse University in the fall of 1885. He pursued a four years' course and was graduated in 1889 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. On this occasion he was one of the speakers of the class at the commencement exercises and at Fayetteville he had been valedictorian.
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Immediately after the completion of his university course he began the study of law with his father at Fayetteville but in January, 1891, accepted a position as clerk to the board of United States general appraisers in New York city, this board having just been created under the Mckinley tariff bill. Mr. Chapman filled the position for one year and in the meantime continued his law reading with Stanley, Clark & Smith. During that year he was admitted to the bar at Utica, where he went for examination. On the Ist of January, 1892, he resigned his position in New York and returned to Syracuse, beginning practice in offices with James A. Newell, with whom he formed a partnership a year later. In June, 1899, Mr. Newell's brother, Harry E. Newell, was admitted to a partnership, forming the present firm of Newell, Chapman & Newell. They have made a specialty of negligence and corporation work and for five years conducted all of the city's legal business, while James E. Newell was corporation counsel. Mr. Chapman has become a prime factor in many large corporations in Syracuse and else- where. He has been instrumental in organizing various companies and is still a director of the Watson Wagon Company, of Canastota, New York, which he organized in 1899, and of which he is secretary and treasurer. He is also officially connected with the Sherwood Metal Working Company, the H. J. Ormsby Engraving Company, the James H. Morse Optical Company, the Simmons Binding & Printing Company, of which he is president, and the Morningside Cemetery Association, of which he is the treasurer, all of Syra- cuse; and the N. F. Sholes Company, of Earlville.
On the 30th of November, 1892, Mr. Chapman was married to Miss Lucia Louise, daughter of the Rev. Charles W. Pattengill, of Whitesboro, New York, formerly pastor of the Baptist church at Fayetteville. They have three children, Ella Louise, Charles Randall and Lucia M., aged respectively fourteen, ten and two years.
Mr. Chapman is a thirty-second degree Mason and belongs to all the local bodies of the Masonic fraternity in Syracuse. He is also connected with the Delta Upsilon, a college fraternity, and has been president of the Delta Upsilon corporation for ten years. He is also a member of Phi Beta Kappa fraternity and is likewise a member of the University Club. For nine years he was president of the Young Men's Christian Association, resign- ing in the spring of 1896, and during his administration the organization was placed upon a good financial basis, paid off a debt of fifty-five thousand dol- lars on their old building and raised three hundred thousand dollars in sub- scriptions for a new building. He also won for the association the interest and support of a host of wealthy and influential friends, in which it had been greatly lacking before. He has always donated freely of his time and money to any worthy and charitable or benevolent movement and has con- tributed largely to the welfare of the city through his moral and financial support of public movements and industrial enterprises. He and his wife
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