USA > New York > Onondaga County > Syracuse > Syracuse and Onondaga County, New York : pictorial and biographical > Part 14
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Piter Echel
Peter Eckel
P ETER ECKEL, president of the Eckel-Nye Steel Com- pany, manufacturers of low grade steel, was born in Syracuse, February 27, 1865. His parents, Jacob B. and Barbara (Morningstar) Eckel, were both of Ger- man birth. Coming to the United States, the father settled in Syracuse at an early period in the growth and development of the city and was one of the pio- neer salt manufacturers here. He died in 1903 and is still survived by his wife, who is living in Syracuse at the advanced age of eighty-four years. In their family were nine children, of whom six sons still survive.
Peter Eckel, as a pupil in the public schools, acquired the knowledge that prepared him for life's practical and responsible duties. A review of the business situation and possibilities in Syracuse and an understanding of his own ability led him to enter the field of business in which he is still engaged. He began the manufacture of low grade steel for mercantile pur- poses, such as is used in folding beds, etc. From the beginning the enter- prise has prospered and the development of the business has made it one of the leading productive industries of the city. It has been incorporated under the name of the Eckel-Nye Steel Company and one hundred and forty men are employed in the extensive mill and plant at the corner of Chemung and Emerson avenues. The plant is thoroughly equipped for the conduct of the business, having the latest improved machinery required in this line and grad- ually Mr. Eckel has worked his way upward until he now occupies a foremost position in industrial circles. The officers of the company are: Peter Eckel, president; Philip Eckel, vice president; and Francis H. Nye, secretary and treasurer.
About thirty years ago Mr. Eckel was married to Miss Sarah Carlin of Syracuse, and since the death of his wife seven years ago he makes his home with his daughter in a beautiful residence which he erected for her at the cor- ner of Merriman, Grace and Oswego streets. This daughter, Mabel, is now the wife of Dr. Charles N. Bloom, a prominent physician of Syracuse, and they have one child, Carlin Eckel Bloom.
Mr. Eckel is a member of the Syracuse Chamber of Commerce, an associa- tion which indicates his interest in the business development of the city. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he holds mem-
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Peter Eckel
bership in the German Lutheran church. He is a very busy man and yet not so burdened with the demands of his industrial interests as to refuse his co-operation in measures for the public good or to extend to friends the courtesy of an interview. He is wholly worthy the respect which is everywhere tendered him, for his name is synonymous with honorable dealing and with all that is elevating and beneficial to the city and to the individual.
W. a. abel
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William Alonzo Abel
W ILLIAM ALONZO ABEL, son of Alonzo Abel and Harriett N. Warner Abel, was born in Gibson, Sus- quehanna county, Pennsylvania, February 10, 1846. His paternal ancestor in this country is Robert Abell, who came from the county of Kent, England, with Winthrop in 1630. On Battle Abbey Roll are the names of Abell and Abel. The name is also found in Doomsday Book. Thomas Abel was chaplain to Henry VIII. His defense of Queen Catherine entitled "In- victa Vertas" cost him his head. He was condemned for treason and executed in 1540, a victim to his unsparing defense of his queen and friend. There were members of the family in the Naragansett fight, also in the expedition of Sir William Phipps against Quebec in 1690.
William Abel, son of Caleb, a Revolutionary soldier, came to what is now Gibson, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, in 1810, when that county was an unbroken wilderness, except of a small settlement at Great Bend on the Susquehanna river. With six others he bought a large tract of land, bringing their families into the wilderness in 1811. His fourth son was Alonzo, who married Harriett N. Warner, of Athens, Pennsylvania, in 1844.
Their first child was William Alonzo Abel. In 1854 Alonzo Abel, who was a carpenter, contractor and farmer, moved his family to Harford, Penn- sylvania, where William attended private schools until 1863, when he went to Owego, New York, and entered the hardware store of Storrs & Chatfield, while with this firm he attended school two years. In 1866 he left this firm spending the fall and winter hunting and trapping in the Adirondacks. In the spring of 1867 he came to Syracuse and entered the employ of Everson, Frisselle & Company, hardware dealers, remaining with them until the spring of 1871, when he went to Colorado, spending part of two years as a hunter, buffalo and antelope then being very plentiful. Returning to Syracuse he re-entered the employ of Everson, Frisselle & Company, becoming a partner in 1887, when the firm name was changed to Everson & Company. Retiring fi om this firm in 1893, he formed a partnership with Major Theodore L. Poole, his brother-in-law, opening a store in the Bastable block for the sale of sportsmen's goods under the firm name of W. A. Abel & Company. On the death of Hon. Theodore L. Poole in 1900, Charles E. Crouse bought Mr. Poole's interest in the business and the place of business was changed to its present
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location at No. 118 South Clinton street. In 1904, Frederick B. Henderson bought Mr. Crouse's interest in the business, the firm name remaining unchanged.
In 1877, Mr. Abel married Nettie S. Law, daughter of Charles Law, and has two children living, A. Evelyn Abel, born in 1887, and Margerie L. Abel, born in 1890. Mr. Law was a helper in the "Jerry Rescue" in 1851.
Mr. Abel has the diary of his maternal great-grandfather, who was a soldier in the Revolution. This contains his account of the taking of Mon- treal, the battles of Trenton and Princeton, in all of which he took part. Mr. Abel has a pistol used at Bunker Hill, also a powder horn with owner's name, camp and date cut on it which was used in the same war. This was left him by will.
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Charles Listman
Charles Listman
C HARLES LISTMAN, manager of the People's Ice Company and also active in the public service in Syra- cuse, his native city, was born June 19, 1850. His father, Adam Listman, was a native of Germany and came to Syracuse in 1840. The Listmans were famed as wine growers near Gundersbloom and at that place there is still a wine cellar in existence, marked 1475 and another 1776. Their wines are famed through- out the empire. Adam Listman, following his emi- gration to the new world, engaged in the salt business at Syracuse, also con- ducted a grocery store and tavern during the early days. At one time he was the host of the famous old Center House on Salina street and was a very promi- nent and influential factor of the city. He served as collector before Syracuse was incorporated. He was also one of the first aldermen of the city and whether in office or out of it was a loyal advocate of interests that have proven a valuable element in the material development and progress of Syracuse. A veteran of the Civil war, he served as captain in the One Hundred and First New York Volunteer Infantry and died from the effects of hardships in the service in 1863. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Margaret S. Koochen, was a native of Germany and in 1840 came to Syracuse, where she was mar- ried. She survived her husband several years, passing away in 1871.
Charles Listman acquired his education in the public schools of Syra- cuse, continuing his studies to the age of fourteen, when he entered business life and has since been dependent entirely upon his own resources. The success he has achieved and the straightforward methods he has followed com- mand for him the admiration and trust of his fellowmen. During the period of the Civil war he went with his father to the front, although but twelve years of age, and remained with the army for three months. He was after- ward employed at home in his father's store and tavern until the age of eight- een years and he started upon an independent business career by taking contracts for making excavations. Many large contracts were awarded him and thus he obtained his start in life. He excavated the cellars of a number of the substantial buildings now standing in Syracuse. Throughout his busi- ness life he has made it his aim to do thoroughly whatever he has undertaken and he long since demonstrated his trustworthiness as well as his enterprise.
It was about the time of his marriage in 1870 that Mr. Listman made
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Charles Listman
his start in the ice business, becoming a member of the firm of Listman & Yaling. They began operations on a small scale, putting up their own ice and personally disposing of it to their customers. The partnership continued until 1874, when Mr. Listman bought out Mr. Yaling's interest and conducted the business alone until 1881, when he admitted his brother Phil to a partner- ship under the firm style of C. & P. Listman. In 1885 Charles Listman again became sole proprietor and so continued until 1899. In the meantime the business increased with astonishing but gratifying rapidity and at that time the company were utilizing twenty-five wagons in the delivery of ice and employing one hundred and fifty men. Because of the extent and growth of the business Mr. Listman, in 1899, organized the People's Ice Company, of which he is president, and of which he owns three-fourths of the stock. The original plants are still in operation. In the present capacity the com- pany can put up eighty thousand tons of ice per year. Mr. Listman remained as president until 1902, when he retired. He has conducted his business along systematic lines and has always been able to supply the trade and never once has failed to supply his customers, owing to his careful calculation.
In politics Mr. Listman is a pronounced republican, recognized as one of the leaders of the party in central New York. He was a member of the first board of fire commissioners, holding the office for five years, from 1879 until 1884. He was then elected alderman from the second ward and was re-elected four times, continuing in that position from 1884 until 1888 inclu- sive. In this capacity he exercised his official prerogatives in support of many progressive measures and practical economy and reform in the man- agement of municipal interests. On the 24th of March, 1891, he was appointed police commissioner by Mayor Cowie and later served under Jacob Amos for a period of five years or until 1896. He was appointed commissioner of public safety, filling the office under Mayor Kline's administration from the Ist of January, 1902, until the Ist of January, 1904. His public serv- ice has been characterized by unfaltering fidelity to duty and over his record there falls no shadow of wrong.
On the 30th of January, 1870, Mr. Listman was married to Miss Kate Warner, of Liverpool, and they have three daughters: Florence W., at home; Jane M., the wife of John Bartels, of Rochester, president of the Mon- roe Brewing Company, of which Mr. Listman is a stockholder; and Ethel E., at home.
Mr. Listman is prominent in social and fraternal circles. He is a mem- ber of the Harugari, the Century Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the Turn Verein, the Liederkranz, the Masonic Club, Syracuse Lodge, No. 31, B. P. O. E., the Knights of Pythias and all of the Masonic bodies including the Shrine, while in the Scottish Rite he has attained the thirty-second degree. He is also vice president of the Empire State Ice Harvesters' Association. His business career has been characterized by hard work and persistency of
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Charles Distman
purpose. He has ever made it his rule to give value received and in his business record has maintained a reputation for unswerving integrity. Start- ing out in business life at an early age owing to his father's death, he learned to watch for opportunities and to utilize them. He realized, too, the value of industry and perseverance and throughout his business career, successful as it has been, there has been not a single esoteric chapter in the record.
Emil mr. Allewelt
Emil A. Allewelt
E MIL M. ALLEWELT, of the firm of E. M. Allewelt & Brother, decorators, furnishers and architectural woodworkers in Syracuse, his native city, was born June 19, 1860. His father, Henry C. Allewelt, was born at Bielefeld, Westphalen, Prussia, on the 12th of March, 1834. He there resided to the 20th of July, 1853, when he left his native city and on the 8th of August sailed from Bremen in a two mast schooner, reaching New York on the 30th of Sep- tember. In January, 1855, he arrived at Syracuse, being called to this city to decorate Longstreet's castle. Here he met Miss Elizabeth Boehm, whom he wedded on the 20th of November, 1855. They traveled life's journey hap- pily together for almost thirty years and were then separated by the death of the wife on the 6th of November, 1885, her husband, two sons and a daugh- ter surviving her.
H. C. Allewelt started in business on his own account as a decorator in September, 1855, and for forty years was a prominent factor in the com- mercial circles of the city, retiring in 1895 but leaving to his memory a splen- did monument in a business which is now foremost in the trade circles of the city. In 1855 he established the first German theatre of Syracuse and throughout the period of his residence here was closely associated with pub- lic and private interests. In 1862 he entered the militia as a member of the Hawley Guards, Company H, and in 1863 was transferred to Company E, Monroe Cadets, of which he was elected captain the same year. He remained a member of the National Guard for a long period, was elected major of the Fifty-first Regiment September 12, 1870, elected lieutenant colonel December 16, 1871, and on the IIth of December, 1872, became colonel by the unaninious vote of the officers. He was also well known in fraternal circles, becoming an Odd Fellow in 1855 and a Mason in 1863. In the latter order he attained the thirty-second degree. His interest in the welfare and progress of his adopted city never abated and he continued one of its honored and respected residents up to the time of his death in April, 1897.
Emil M. Allewelt attended the public schools and subsequently pursued an academic course in New York city, where he studied figure painting, por- traiture, etc., in the Art Students' League. After finishing his course he returned to Syracuse to enter upon his business career with his father in the
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Emil m. Allewelt
decorating business and added to it the complete furnishing of interiors. Five years ago he further extended the scope of his business by adding an architectural woodwork department, the factory of which is now located in Fayetteville, New York. This enables the firm to do everything in interior woodwork in any style or period desired. Mr. Allewelt insists that in the artistic decoration of a house perfect harmony in the period of decorative designs and in color tones is essential, and that the effect is greatly enhanced when there is the fullest accord in the correct treatment of every detail from carpets and furniture to draperies and wall decoration, which is now classed as one of the fine arts. The business has grown to such proportion that they execute contracts all over the country from coast to coast.
Mr. Allewelt was married in Syracuse, February 7, 1888, to Miss Clara V. Arnold, of Memphis, Tennessee, whom he had met while they were both studying at the Art Students' League in New York. They now have four children: Norma, Althea, Virginia and Emil M. Mr. Allewelt belongs to the American Fine Arts Society, New York city; the Citizens' Club; the Syracuse Camera Club; and the Frontenac Yacht Club. He owns a beauti- ful summer home at Frontenac on the St. Lawrence, and his chief diversion is fishing in the St. Lawrence and in other Canadian waters. He stands today prominent among the leaders in his line of business, his natural and acquired ability gaining him pre-eminence as proprietor of a business which, established in 1855, has since been accorded a place in the foremost rank of the decorators of this country.
Pranay Hace
Francis Hall
1 HE LESSONS of life which have real value are gleaned from biography, wherein are set forth the plans and methods which lead the individual into large and successful undertakings. Carlyle has said "biography is the most interesting as well as the most profitable reading" and the record of such a man as Francis Hall contains lessons that may be profitably followed, showing the value and force of enterprise, diligence and careful management in the active affairs of life. He is now the secretary of the Syracuse Chilled Plow Company, with which he became connected in a humble capacity at the age of seventeen years, since which time he has steadily worked his way upward to his present position of trust and responsibility.
Mr. Hall was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, May 1, 1874, and traces his ancestry back to an early period in colonial history. Among the forty-six original proprietors of the first territorial purchase from the Indian Sachem, Massasoit, was George Hall, who with his wife came from Devonshire, Eng- land, in 1636. In 1639 he was one of the founders of Taunton, Massachu- setts. These lands of the territorial purchase or portions of them have remained in the family for over two hundred and seventy years. The early colonial members of the Hall family were iron masters and it is only a few years since a "bloomery" established by them in Taunton, Massachusetts, has been torn down. The Halls have been iron masters for eight genera- tions, Francis Hall being a representative of the eighth generation in direct line from George Hall. His grandfather, John Hall, the sixth of that name, was a graduate of Yale College of the class of 1802 and for three years follow- ing was a tutor in Yale. He was a prominent educator of Connecticut and for many years he conducted the famous John Hall Preparatory School at Ellington. The Rev. Nathaniel H. Eggleston, who was pastor of the church in Ellington during the later years of John Hall's life, said of him years
afterward: "He was truly and emphatically a Christian man and was greatly interested in the church and in the work of many of our religious and benevolent societies, in several of which he at times held office. Unob- trusive, but of high character and unusual mental ability, a student of the best things through life-he was our sage. As he walked our streets he seemed like one of the peripatetic philosophers of old, dispensing his wisdom as he
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Francis Dall
walked. He sought to lead others in the pursuit and love of that knowledge which he had found to be most promotive of the highest achievement and highest happiness." Aside from his work in connection with the school and of all his varied activities in the various departments of church and men- tal work he also served as judge of his county. He married Harriet Reed, a direct descendant of William Bradford who came to America on the May- flower and was governor of the Plymouth colony for thirty years. There is in Ellington, Connecticut, a beautiful memorial library erected by the late Francis Hall, of Elmira, New York, an uncle of our subject, in memory of Judge John Hall, his father, and of Edward Hall, his brother, to commemorate the fifty years of educational work represented by the Hall Preparatory School in Ellington.
This Francis Hall, son of Judge Hall, was known as "the traveler," hav- ing spent thirty years of his life in residence and travel abroad, and next to Bayard Taylor in his time was the greatest American traveler. He made a fortune in Japan, being one of the first to enter that country after the Perry treaty had opened its ports to foreign trade. He founded the house of Walsh, Hall & Company, at the treaty port of Kanagawa and was the first president of the Board of Trade there, continuing as such until he left the country. He was also financially interested in various important business affairs in America and was for a period of twenty years vice president of the Syracuse Chilled Plow Company. On the occasion of the dedication of the Hall Memorial Library in Ellington, the Rev. David E. Jones said of Francis Hall: "He was a man of choice intellectual attainments, beautiful character, and a deep spiritual life, of charming personality, utter unselfish- ness and of marked enthusiasm in every good work for the physical, intellec- tual and moral welfare of his fellows." At his death he left not only a bequest for the beautiful Ellington Library but also gifts to various benevo- lent and other institutions of Elimra.
Robert A. Hall, father of Francis Hall of this review, was born in Elling- ton, Connecticut, and is now living retired at Elmira, New York, where for many years he engaged in commercial pursuits, being a member of the widely known business firm of Hall Brothers, dealing in books and stationery on an extensive scale. His wife, Augusta (Pratt) Hall, was born in Danville, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Benjamin Willis and Johanna (Lucas) Pratt. She is a direct descendant of Francis Cook, who came over in the Mayflower.
From the foregoing record it will be seen that on both his paternal and maternal sides, Francis Hall of Syracuse, is directly descended from the origi- nal colonists who came to America in 1620 in the Mayflower, landing at Ply- mouth. With one exception Francis Hall of this review is the only such descendant on two sides in Syracuse. His father's family numbers four sons and two daughters and in the parental home at Elmira, New York, he spent the days of his boyhood and youth, pursuing his education in its public schools
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and academy. On January 2, 1892, at the age of seventeen years, he became connected with the Syracuse Chilled Plow Company, of which his uncle Fran- cis Hall was vice president for twenty years. This business was organized and built up in its infancy by Levi Wells Hall, its first secretary and treasurer, and later, until his death, its president. Young Francis Hall applied him- self closely to the mastery of the tasks assigned him and gradually worked his way upward through the various departments of the business to his pres- ent connection of trust and responsibility as secretary and advertising mana- ger of the company. His promotion came in recognition of his ability, his close application and his ready solution of intricate business problems.
On the 5th of September, 1905, occurred the marriage of Mr. Hall and Miss Ruth Pauline Hoyt, a daughter of Mrs. Mathilde Antionette Hoyt. They now have one daughter, Pauline Migy Hall. They own a pleasant home at No. 205 Garfield avenue, which is the center of a cultured society circle, being a favorite resort with their many friends in Syracuse. Their summer home is "Vine Hill" at Glenora-on-Seneca.
Mr. Hall votes with the republican party. He belongs to the Congrega- tional church and while in Elmira held membership in Thomas K. Beecher's church. He is one of the old members of the Citizens' Club, is also identified with the Chamber of Commerce of Syracuse, the Mystic Krewe of Ka-Noo-No and the Syracuse Yacht Club, and is interested in all that pertains to the prog- ress and upbuilding of his city. Yet a young man, he had nevertheless made for himself an enviable name and a creditable position in industrial circles, being now connected with one of the most important business enterprises of his adopted city.
Ef Dawson
Edward S. Dawson
E DWARD S. DAWSON was one to whom the world instinctively pays deference not only because of the success he achieved but by reason of the straight- forward business policy which he ever followed and the methods which he employed to attain the bril- liant success that came to him. He began business life as the great majority of the world's workers do -without special assistance or advantages save those afforded by the district schools and it was through the force of his character, his strong purpose and laudable ambition that he gained the heights in commercial life. His name became inseparably entwined with the history of Onondaga County Savings Bank and that insti- tution is the best monument to his memory.
Mr. Dawson was born in the town of Nelson, Madison county, New York, July 22, 1822, and received only such opportunities in youth as are common to the great majority of boys. His education was that afforded by the district schools but through life he remained a student-a student of all the great questions which affect the world's workers or which depend upon the welfare of his adopted city. It was indeed in the school of experience that he learned the most valuable lessons. He was a youth of fourteen when he secured employment in the general store of Horace Wheaton, at Pompey Hill, and to the training in business methods and in habits of exactness and punctuality which he then received Mr. Dawson afterward attributed no small measure of the success which attended his undertakings in later life. He had to perform the duties of errand boy, clerk and bookkeeper but he displayed aptitude as well as diligence and eagerly availed himself of the opportunities that offered in the mastering the methods of business life and of storing away knowledge for his future use. That he was a most trusted employe is indicated by the fact that he remained with Mr. Wheaton for seven years and then sought a broader field of usefulness. Coming to Syracuse, he entered commercial circles in this city as bookkeeper for the firm of Wheaton & Robinson, dealers in general hardware, on the site of the present Wieting block. Three years later he engaged with Charles Pope & Company, dealers in and manufacturers of saddlery hardware and with his usual custom of learning everything he could about any business with which he was connected, he familiarized himself with the saddlery business and in
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