USA > New York > Onondaga County > Syracuse > Syracuse and Onondaga County, New York : pictorial and biographical > Part 12
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Wnicholson
Dabid TO. nicholson
D AVID W. NICHOLSON is one of the most prominent contractors of Syracuse and central New York. To him have been awarded large contracts, and in their execution he has demonstrated his right to be classed with the most able and successful representatives of building interests here. He was born December 10, 1871, a son of Thomas and E. L. (Patterson) Nich- olson. The father was born in Penerith, Northum- berland county, England, November 8, 1848, while the mother's birth occurred January 12, 1850. They were married Novem- ber 28, 1870, and became the parents of eight children. Of this family David W. Nicholson is the eldest. He was educated in the Salina graded schools and in Syracuse high school, completing the course by graduation in 1891. He entered business life in connection with his father, who was a contractor, immediately after leaving school and has done an extensive business in the construction of the mason work for the electric light plants in almost every village of the state, also receiving a liberal patronage from New Jersey and western Vermont. The business of the firm was indeed very large and David W. Nicholson thus operated in conjunction with his father until 1895, when he started out upon an independent business career, making a specialty of heavy masonry and trestle and bridge work. He was awarded the contract for remodeling the old horse car barns on Wolf street, transforming them into the electric car storage barns. During the succeeding two years he was engaged in erecting the overhead crossings over the New York Central freight tracks and the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad tracks for the Syracuse, Lakeside & Baldwinsville Railroad. In the spring of 1898 he built the Open Air Theater at Onondaga Valley and after the fall of the James street bridge he replaced it in five days and had the cars crossing. He also rebuilt the Warren street bridge and repaired the North Salina street hoist bridge. To him was awarded the contract for building all the foundation for the Liverpool extension for the Rapid Transit Company, consisting of two bridges and one culvert, together with many foundations. He also built two bridges for the Utica & Mohawk Valley Railroad Company, one at Frank- fort and the other at Stanwix. Subsequently he built the Cortland avenue barns of the Rapid Transit Company and the coal plant for E. I. Rice on the salt lands, which plant was built at a cost of seventy thousand dollars. He
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Dabio ID. icholson
also erected the Halcomb steel plant near the state fair grounds, consisting of nineteen buildings which he completed in nine months, at a cost of one hundred and thirty thousand dollars. He likewise built the whole of White City at an expense of two hundred and twenty thousand dollars, thus com- pleting the work in eleven weeks, the White City Park being opened in eight weeks from the time that he commenced the work. Mr. Nicholson likewise built the first reinforced concrete building in the state to be used as a coal trestle, completing the same on the Ist of August, 1907. He is now con- structing the new electrical car shops for the Syracuse Rapid Transit Com- pany, which will be the most complete car shops in the country, the building and its equipment to cost about two hundred thousand dollars. The work on this will be finished in the spring of 1908. The extent and importance of the contracts awarded him indicates in no uncertain manner the prominent posi- tion which Mr. Nicholson occupies in industrial circles. He has rapidly ad- vanced to a foremost place among the contractors of central New York and his patronage is steadily increasing.
On the 28th of October, 1896, Mr. Nicholson was married to Miss Eda F. Wade, who was born February 22, 1873, and was educated in the Salina graded schools. They have one child, Florence Marian Nicholson, who was born December 24, 1897, and is now a student in the Salina grammar school. The family are well known in Syracuse, where Mr. Nicholson has steadily ad- vanced to a prominent position as a representative of its industrial life. He is yet a young man but has attained a success that many a business man of twice his years might well envy. There has been no esoteric chapter in his life history but on the contrary his business methods are such as command admiration and respect and will bear the keenest scrutiny.
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Moses D. Rubin
M
OSES D. RUBIN, banker and broker, has had a notably successful career. True success is not measured by the heights that one has reached but by the distance between his starting point and the altitude he has attained. Therefore the career of Mr. Rubin is one which awakens admiration, for he started out handi- capped in various ways. Moreover, he is widely known in philanthropic and benevolent circles as one who contributes freely and generously to the support of many movements and organizations which benefit mankind and ameliorate the hard conditions of life for the unfortunate. His wealth has never been selfishly hoarded but on the contrary has been so worthily used that the most envious cannot grudge him his prosperity.
Mr. Rubin was born in Russian Poland, May 30, 1864, a son of Marcus and Fannie (Epstein) Rubin and one of a family of eight children. The father died March 21, 1882, and a brother Isaac, died in 1894. Another brother, Robert, is associated with the firm of Hornblower, Miller & Potter of New York city, while Harry Rubin is junior partner of the firm of Rosen- thal & Rubin, of Binghamton, New York. Mrs. S. C. Rosenthal, Anna and Jennie Rubin are the sisters of the family.
Brought to America in his early childhood, Moses D. Rubin was educated in the public schools of Syracuse and in the business college conducted by C. P. Meads in this city. In 1871 he came with his mother to the new world and in Syracuse met the husband and father, who had previously crossed the Atlantic and made arrangements for having a home in the new world. After completing his education Moses D. Rubin entered the employ of S. Kopelowich & Company, wholesale jewelers, with whom he continued until 1882. In that year his father died, leaving a meat market, of which Moses D. Rubin then took charge, conducting it in order to try and provide for the other members of the family, including mother and eight children. He carried on the market until his health failed, when he sold out in 1891. In that year he located in the Grand Opera House block and established a bank- ing and brokerage office, continuing in these lines to the present time and becoming well known as a factor in financial circles. He has secured an excellent clientage and built up an extensive business.
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moses D. Kubin
In his political views Mr. Rubin is a stalwart republican, recognized as one of the leaders of the party in Syracuse, and his fellow townsmen, appre- ciating his worth and ability, have several times called him to office. In February, 1892, he was elected supervisor and again in 1895, 1897 and 1903. He has held the office altogether for sixteen years and has never been defeated, his long term of service indicating clearly the confidence and regard reposed in him by his fellow townsmen. He was elected inspector for the Onondaga county penitentiary and filled that office for three years. He is now chair- man of the building committee of the board of supervisors and as such has supervision over the county buildings. He is likewise a member of the com- mittee having in charge the building of the Soldiers' and Sailors' monument in Onondaga county.
Mr. Rubin is perhaps even better known by reason of his active and commendable service in behalf of various charitable and benevolent organiza- tions. He has been president of the Jewish Orphan Asylum and was presi- dent of the Hebrew Association of Syracuse. He is also a member of the Yiddish Association, the Jewish Aid Society, the Onondaga County Orphans' Asylum, the Syracuse Free Dispensary, the Denver Hospital for Consump- tives and the Hebrew Free School, to which he is the largest contributor. He has been especially helpful in work for the benefit of people of his race and his labors are deserving of the highest commendation. Well may they serve as a source of emulation to others. He is likewise known in organiza- tions for the benefit of the city or for the promotion of its culture and its fraternal interests. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and is serving on its membership committee. He is a member of the Musical Festival Asso- ciation and of the Anglers' Association, of the Citizens' Club, the Escort Club and the Fayette Club. He is a member of Syracuse Lodge, No. 31, B. P. O. E., Court Montefiore, No. 356, Foresters of America; and the Knights of Pythias. Such a life record needs little comment or elaboration. That he is a man of broad public spirit and generous purpose is indicated between the lines of this review. He realizes fully individual responsibility and meets the obligations that rest upon him in his relations to his fellowmen. His life work has contributed in substantial measure to those interests which indicate an advanced civilization in the care of the unfortunate and the needy. Mr. Rubin is indeed a man of humanitarian spirit, who has made splendid use of the prosperity that has rewarded his carefully directed labors.
.Babamın Curtis
. Adaline Curtis
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Ralzamon Curtis
W HEN CENTRAL New York was the "far west" and Onondaga county was a frontier district Ralzamon Curtis became a pioneer settler of Skaneateles. He was born in Farmington, Connecticut, about twelve miles from the city of Hartford, December 24, 1799. He was a son of Captain Gad Curtis and a grand- son of Captain Eliphalet Curtis, a soldier of the Rev- olutionary war. The year 1816 witnessed the ar- rival of Ralzamon Curtis in Onondaga county, at which time he removed from Connecticut and settled in Skaneateles township. His father also made the trip and drove with teams across the country, bring- ing the family, while Ralzamon Curtis and another man drove two yoke of cattle through. Both the father and son spent their remaining days here and became prominent residents of their community. After arriving in Onondaga county Ralzamon Cutis followed agricultural pursuits and continued success- fully in farming until a short time prior to his death, when he removed to Jor- dan, where he passed away in 1867.
In 1825 occurred the marriage of Mr. Curtis and Miss Adaline Earll, who was a representative of an old pioneer family. They became the par- ents of a son and five daughters. Those living are: Mrs. Eugenia C. Conover, of Skaneateles; John Porter Curtis, a farmer residing near Marcellus; and Mrs. John Lyman, of Syracuse.
Mr. Curtis was a democrat in his political faith and always voted with the party but never took an active part in political work. His religious faith was that of the Episcopal church. Coming to Onondaga county when this was a pioneer district, he aided in the arduous task of planting the seeds of civilization and progress here. He found the district largely covered with the native growth of timber and many of the now thriving villages were not yet established, while Syracuse had little claim to greatness or commer- cial importance. The work of development largely lay in the future and Mr. Curtis, casting in his lot with the pioneer settlers, bore his share in the efforts for the county's advancement as the years passed by.
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Eugenia, e, Conover
Alrs. Cugenia C. Conober
I N THE YEAR 1816 Gad and Sharesa (Wilcox) Cur- tis arrived in Onondaga county, where their descend- ants have now lived for almost a century. They had previously made their home near Hartford, Con- necticut, and drove across the country, the father bringing his family in a vehicle drawn by horses, while his son Ralzamon and an uncle made the jour- ney with ox-teams. The family home was established about a mile and a half from Marcellus on the old turnpike extending between that village and Skaneateles. Ralzamon Curtis, son of Gad Curtis, was born near Hartford, Connecticut, December 24, 1799, and was therefore a young man of about seventeen years when he came to New York. He assisted in the arduous task of developing a new farm in the midst of the then western wilderness and shared with the family in all of the hardships and privations incident to the settlement of the frontier. On the 6th of January, 1825, he was united in marriage to Miss Adaline Earll, who was born in this county June 26, 1802. It will thus be seen that more than a century has passed since the Earll family was established in this part of the state. Her parents were Jonas and Experience (Sprague) Earll. Her grandfather and his sons at the time of the Revolutionary war were residents of Nova Scotia and he and his sons were cast into prison for piloting an American vessel into port. When released he determined to establish his home in the United States and with his family, numbering seven sons and two daughters, made his way to Washington county, New York. It was during the period of the family's residence there that Jonas Earll was married to Experience Sprague, the daughter of David Sprague. As stated, Jonas Earll arrived in Onondaga county in 1802 and established his home on lot No. 19 in the village of Marcellus. He remained a resident of the county for forty- five years and was closely associated with its pioneer development. The city of Syracuse was not established for seventeen years after he took up his abode here and only a few white settlers had penetrated into the western wilderness to found homes and aid in reclaiming this district for the uses of civilization. Jonas Earll died in October, 1847, at the venerable age of ninety-six years. His family numbered three sons: Solomon, Jonas and David. The first named died many years ago. The second son, Jonas Earll, Jr., largely aided in molding public thought and opinion and in shaping the
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mrs. Eugenia C. Conober
political history of Onondaga county during the first half of the nineteenth century. He was honored with various positions of public trust and in 1820 was elected to represent his district in the general assembly, serving for two years. He was then chosen state senator, continuing in the office from 1822 until 1827 and before the expiration of his term was elected to the twentieth congress. He received public endorsement of his service in a re-election to the twenty-first congress, so that he was identified with the national halls of legislation from 1826 until 1830. For several years he filled the office of sheriff of Onondaga county and in 1837 entered upon a four years' term as postmaster of Syracuse. He died in October, 1846, and thus passed away one of the conspicuous figures in the early history.
Ralzamon and Adaline (Earll) Curtis had a family of six children, of whom Mrs. Eugenia C. Conover is the eldest. Sarah Ann, born January 5, 1830, is deceased: John Porter, born October 4, 1831, now lives upon the old homestead near Marcellus and is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Viola, born July 1, 1836, became the wife of John Lyman, who is now deceased, while she makes her home in Syracuse. Gertrude, born October 13, 1838, became the wife of Miles Almy and died leaving a daughter, Mrs. Joseph Adams, now a resident of Chicago, Illinois. Helen, born May 14, 1843, became the wife of Mortimer Smith and died, leaving one son, Frank Curtis Smith, who is an Episcopal clergyman of Booneville, New York. He was graduated from Geneva College and also from the New York City Theological Seminary. The father of this family, Ralzamon Curtis, died at Jordan, New York, in May, 1867, and his wife passed away in Syracuse in January, 1883.
Mrs. Conover was born February 1I, 1826, in this county. Her girlhood days were spent upon the old homestead and on the 28th of October, 1852, she gave her hand in marriage to Mortimer Conover. They traveled life's journey together for thirty-one years and were then separated by the death of the husband in 1883. Mrs. Conover was for a long period one of the best horsewomen of central New York, and won many prizes at county and state fairs for her skill as an equestrienne. She has now reached the venerable age of eighty-two years and is a most active, remarkable woman for one of her age. The circle of her friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of her acquaintance and all who know her entertain for her the warmest esteem and regard.
John Porter Curtis
J OHN PORTER CURTIS, a farmer living near Mar- cellus, is a representative of one of the oldest fam- ilies of Onondaga county. For almost a century the family has been known here and its members have taken an active part in the work of general improve- ment and upbuilding. Mr. Curtis of this review was born in Skaneateles, October 4, 1831, a son of Ral- zamon and Adaline (Earll) Curtis. His paternal grandparents were Gad and Eunice (Porter) Curtis and his great-grandfather was Captain Eliphalet Curtis, who won his title by service in the Revolutionary war. In 1816 Gad Curtis removed from Con- necticut to the state of New York, settling about a mile and a half from the village of Marcellus on the old turnpike between Marcellus and Skaneateles. He made the journey with his family with a team of horses, while his son Ral- zamon and an uncle of the latter came with an ox-team.
Ralzamon Curtis was born near Hartford, Connecticut, December 24, 1799, and was therefore in his seventeenth year at the time of the removal westward. On the 6th of January, 1825, he married Miss Adaline Earll, who was born in Onondaga county, New York, June 26, 1802, and was a daughter of Jonas and Experience (Sprague) Earll. At the time of the Revolutionary war the father of Jonas Earll, with his sons, who were resi- dents of Nova Scotia, piloted an American vessel into port and were arrested and cast into prison. When released the father came with his family to the United States. He had seven sons and two daughters and they located in Washington county, New York, remaining there for a time, and it was dur- ing the period of their residence there that Jonas Earll married Experience Sprague, a daughter of David Sprague, who was the father of twenty-one children, eight sons and thirteen daughters. By his first wife, who bore the maiden name of Amy Sweet, he had eleven children and by his second wife, Peace Chase, had ten children. He lived to see them all married.
In 1902 Jonas Earll removed from Washington county to Onondaga county and settled on lot No. 19 in Marcellus. He died in October, 1847, at the very advanced age of ninety-six years. He had three sons, of whom Solomon died many years ago, while Jonas, Jr., died in October, 1846. The third son was David S. Earll. Jonas Earll, Jr., was one of the leading political leaders of the county for more than twenty years and held many
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John Porter Curtis
important offices of trust. He represented his district in the lower house of the general assembly in 1820 and 1821, was state senator from 1822 until 1827 and was a member of the twentieth and twenty-first congresses, his incumbency covering four years from 1826. For several years he was sher- iff of Onondaga county and was postmaster at Syracuse from 1837 until 1841. Through his official service and in many other ways he left the impress of his individuality upon the public life and upbuilding of central New York.
Ralzamon and Adaline (Earll) Curtis became the parents of six children; Eugenia C., who was born February II, 1826, and is now the widow of Mortimer Conover and a resident of Skaneateles; Saralı Ann, born January 5, 1830; John Porter, of this review; Viola, born July 1, 1836, who is the widow of John Lyman and a resident of Syracuse; Gertrude, born October 13, 1838, and now deceased; and Helen, who was born May 14, 1843, and has passed away. There are but two grandchildren of Ralzamon and Ada- line Curtis: Mrs. Joseph Adams, of Chicago, Illinois, who is a daughter of Miles Almy and Gertrude (Curtis) Almy; and Frank Curtis Smith, an Episcopal clergyman of Booneville, New York. He is a son of Mortimer and Helen (Curtis) Smith. Frank Curtis Smith is a graduate of Geneva College and of the New York City Theological Seminary.
In taking up the personal history of John Porter Curtis, whose name introduces this review, we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in Skaneateles, where he has long been a representative of agricultural interests. He pursued his education in the public schools, was trained to farm work and throughout his entire life has engaged in the tilling of the soil. He was married at Syracuse, New York, April IS, 1866, to Miss Jennie Shuler, and they reside on the old homestead near Marcellus, where Mr. Curtis owns and operates one hundred and sixty acres of land which he has brought under a high state of cultivation, carry- ing on general farming in the production of the crops best adapted to soil and climate.
Mr. Curtis gives his political allegiance to the democracy. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Episcopal church, while his wife belongs to the Methodist church. His entire life has been spent in this county and for almost seventy-eight years he has been a witness of its devel- opment and progress as all of the evidences of a modern civilization have been introduced and Onondaga county has kept pace with the trend of general improvement and progress. He enjoys the full respect and confi- dence of all who know him and has many warm friends in his locality.
Melon Smith.
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Mas John Layman C
John Lyman
A MONG THOSE who in former years were closely associated with the business development and up- building of Syracuse, was numbered John Lyman, a successful dealer in drugs and patent medicines, a trustee of the Trust & Deposit Company and a trustee of the Syracuse University. He was born in Westhampton, Massachusetts, near the old fam- ily home which is over two hundred years old, one of the historic landmarks of New England. His birth occurred April 2, 1821, and covered the span of years to the 12th of January, 1904. His parents were Thomas and Betsy (Clapp) Lyman, both natives of Massachusetts. They came to this county in February, 1822, and settled in the town of Otisco. The father died in Onondaga, October 24, 1850, and the mother passed away at Navarino, July 12, 1876.
In 1859 John Lyman went to Newcastle, Canada, where he and Henry S. Northrup bought out a patent medicine and drug business, which was located there, the new firm being known as Northrup & Lyman Company. In 1874 they removed to Toronto, Canada, where they still continue to carry on the business, which was incorporated in 1883.
In April, 1886, Mr. Lyman removed from Canada to Syracuse and lived a retired life at No. 308 Hawley avenue, where his widow still makes her home. For many years he was most active and energetic in business life and through his intense and well directed labors gained the measure of prosperity that enabled him to spend his later years in the enjoyment of well earned rest, surrounded by many of the comforts and luxuries that go to make life worth the living. He still retained his interest in the patent medicine and drug business until his death.
Mr. Lyman was twice married, his first wife being Ruth Ann Abbott, by whom he had one son, Willis J., who was born December 5, 1856, and died March 9, 1857. After the death of his first wife he wedded Viola Curtis, a native of Skaneateles, where her girlhood days were passed, and a daughter of Ralzamon and Adaline (Earll) Curtis. Her father, a native of Connecticut, was born in 1800 and died in 1867, while her mother, whose birth occurred in Onondaga county in 1802, departed this life in 1883 at the advanced age of eighty-one years. In their family were six children, five daughters and one son, namely: Mrs. Eugenia C. Conover, a resident of Skaneateles; Sarah A.
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John Upman
Curtis, who died in Syracuse; John P. Curtis, who resides at the old home in Skaneateles; Mrs. Viola Lyman; Mrs. Gertrude Almy, who died in Chicago; and Mrs. Helen Smith, who died in Easthampton, Massachusetts. By his second marriage Mr. Lyman had two children: Mary, who died in Canada and Jessie, who died in Syracuse.
In his political views Mr. Lyman was a republican and kept well informed concerning the issues and questions of the day but had no desire for office. His life was pre-eminently that of an active business man, one who recognized and utilized his opportunities and worked his way upward by reason of close application, unwearied industry and probity in business matters and thus gained the unassailable reputation which has made his an untarnished name. To his family and friends he was devoted and the many sterling traits of his character won him the high regard and confidence of all with whom he came in contact. While his life may have been less spectacular than that of many it was none the less of value by reason of successful accomplishment in busi- ness and by progressiveness in citizenship. Mrs. Lyman still makes her home in Syracuse at No. 308 Hawley avenue.
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