USA > New York > Onondaga County > Syracuse > Syracuse and Onondaga County, New York : pictorial and biographical > Part 5
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Ezekiel B. Hoyt started out upon an independent business career with only willing hands, integrity and ambition as his capital but these qualities constitute a safe foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of success. In 1849 he became proprietor of a country store at Mottville, which he con- ducted for about three years. On the expiration of that period he sold his stock and carried on a foundry and machine shop in Mottville for a long period. The new enterprise proved prosperous and he conducted it with suc- cess for many years. Just after the Civil war, in company with the late Thomas Morton, also of Mottville, he erected the stone woolen mills at Skanea- teles Falls and began the manufacture of woolen goods, continuing in the business for a few years, after which he disposed of his interest to his partner. His enterprise, diligence and the careful direction of his business affairs in former years had brought him financial independence and the evening of his life was spent in the enjoyment of well earned rest.
Mr. Hoyt was a most methodical man of business, careful, conservative and strictly honest. He was regarded as an able financier, accumulating through honorable and straightforward business methods a large estate. With readiness he solved intricate business problems and whatever he undertook he carried forward to successful completion. His advice and counsel were of value to all who sought it, and many there were who asked for his opinions.
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Ezekiel 25. Dopt
Always willing and ready to help another if he could do so, many profited by his advice concerning business affairs. Others received more direct assistance in the way of gifts or charity, for he possessed a kindly heart and responded readily to any tale of need or distress. He was a man of fine personal appear- ance, pleasant in manner and entirely unostentatious. He was quick to recog- nize the good in others and was always willing to extend a helping hand. His political allegiance was given to the Whig party in early life and upon its dissolution he became a supporter of republican principles but never actively engaged in politics further than to cast his vote in support of his honest convictions.
His home life was largely ideal and he found his greatest happiness in providing for the comfort and welfare of his wife and son. He was twice married, his first union being with Mary E. Delano, whom he wedded on the 14th of October, 1852, and who passed away January II, 1867. She left a son, Frank D. Hoyt, who survived her for many years but died April 30, 1902. Mr. Hoyt was married a second time, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, July 1, 1873, to Miss Mary J. Wheeler, a daughter of Dr. J. W. Wheeler, of Elbridge, this county, who survives him, the death of Mr. Hoyt having occurred on the 17th of November, 1895. He was a member of St. James' church of Skaneate- les and was interested in all that pertained to the moral progress of his com- munity. His religion was to him not a thing apart but the rule of conduct which shaped his daily life and guided him in all his relations with his fellow- men. Such were his strong and salient traits of character that his memory is now cherished by all who knew him and in his death Skaneateles mourned the loss of one of its most respected and valued citizens.
Mrs. Hoyt is also a member of St. James' church and a most earnest Christian woman, devoted to the cause of the church and always found in attendance upon its services. She is always ready to assist in anything for the general good. She is a member of the Onondaga Historical Society and the Onondaga Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and is a lady of culture and refinement. She was graduated from Maplewood Semi- nary at Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and is a descendant of the founder of the Monroe family of Onondaga. Through the long years of her residence here she has ever enjoyed the friendship and highest esteem of all with whom she has come in contact. The congeniality and close companionship which existed between Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt made her loss doubly great and the memory which remains to her is one which she will ever cherish. While all his fellow citizens recognized in Mr. Hoyt those sterling traits of character which ever command respect, the real depth and tenderness of his nature was best dis- played to his own fireside.
William R. Pierce
N
TO NAME has been more closely or honorably associ- ated with the industrial development of Syracuse and its business prosperity than has that of Pierce and the interests which William K. Pierce is now controlling as president and general manager of the Pierce, But- ler & Pierce Manufacturing Company had their beginning in 1839, making this the oldest business in Syracuse, although the specific enterprise of which he is now the leading moving spirit was organized in 1876. He is a splendid type of young men of the present generation, whose indomitable thrift, energy, unfaltering enterprise and general information, combined with keen sagacity and sound judgment, have gained them leader- ship in the world of trade, Mr. Pierce having through these qualities placed his company far in the lead of enterprises of a similar nature in America.
A life-long resident of Syracuse, he is a son of Sylvester P. and Cornelia (Marsh) Pierce, who were of English lineage. His education was gained in the public school and later he attended a private school in preparation for a college course. He matriculated in Cornell as a member of the class of 1873 and pursued the scientific course. On the completion of his studies he eagerly accepted his father's offer of a European trip and spent nearly two years abroad, studying both French and German and visiting various peoples and places of the old world, all of which tended to broaden and expand his mind and his views of life and prepare him more thoroughly for a perfect business education. Following his return to his native land he became a student in a law office in Syracuse but after a short time abandoned the idea of becoming a member of the legal profession and turned his attention to business enter- prises, entering the house of S. P. Pierce & Sons, where he remained for two or three years, acquiring a general business knowledge. This enterprise had been established by his father in the year 1839. William K. Pierce became a partner of his father in 1876 and they were also joined by a brother-in-law under the name of Pierce, Butler & Pierce, doing a general wholesale business in gas, water and steam supplies, steam and sanitary engineering. By faithful and unremitting attention to business William K. Pierce, with the assistance of his partners, was able to largely increase the business and in 1886, owing to the retirement of Mr. Butler, he organized the Pierce, Butler & Pierce Manufac- turing Company with a capital stock of two hundred thousand dollars and a
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William Ri. Pierce
year or two later, having purchased the large foundry and machine shop at Geneva, New York, there organized the Catchpole Manufacturing Company with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars. Owing to the great success of these companies, through careful management in their business enterprises and in order to simplify the business he brought about the consoli- dation of the two companies in 1890, under the name of the Pierce, Butler & Pierce Manufacturing Company, with a capital stock of six hundred thousand dollars, the company then doing business of over one million dollars annually, having built up this large and prosperous company since 1876, the first year the firm doing but fifty thousand dollars worth of business.
In 1882 he was one of the first to organize an electric light company in Syracuse, this firm obtaining a franchise and introducing the first electric lights upon the streets and in the commercial houses. Afterward their fran- chise and electric light business was consolidated with the present Thompson- Houston Electric Light Company of Syracuse, this company having assumed very large proportions from the simple beginning which was introduced here through Mr. Pierce and his associates.
In 1888, enthused with the idea of still further advancing the city's prosperity, he organized the Syracuse Heat & Power Company, with a capital stock of two hundred thousand dollars, this being accomplished almost entirely through his personal efforts. The company furnish heat and power to the residents and business places of this city, he being the president of this organ- ization. They have obtained a valuable franchise from the city to conduct this heat through mains placed in the different streets furnishing both heat and power to the residences and business places, the citizens finding this a great convenience and admitting its increasing popularity.
Recognizing at once the many advantages to be derived from a consoli- dation of a number of large competitors in the same branch of business whereby a very large expense could be saved, Mr. Pierce, in conjunction with other large competitive manufacturers, formed the American Boiler Company, in 1893, this being the consolidation of five large manufacturers of boilers, this company being organized with a capital of one million five hundred thousand dollars. William K. Pierce, of Syracuse, was president, with main office at Chicago and branches in all the large cities of the United States. At the expiration of three years Mr. Pierce, for the Pierce, Butler & Pierce Manu- facturing Company, bought out the entire stock and interest of the other stockholders of the American Boiler Company and united these mammoth interests with his own company at their large factories in Syracuse.
Mr. Pierce has always been a conscientious worker and while greatly interested in politics has never found time to devote any of his personal attention to its intricacies, until recently, when he was prevailed upon to accept the honorable office of presidential elector in 1904 for the administra- tion of Roosevelt and Fairbanks.
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William R. Pierce
Mr. Pierce was married on the 16th of June, 1880, to Miss Eleanor B. Rust, a daughter of Stiles M. Rust, of Syracuse, and they have three children, two sons and a daughter; William Rust, Harold Spalding and Rosanna.
Prominent socially, Mr. Pierce is a valued member of the Century Club, the Cornell Club, the Citizens' Club and the Onondaga Golf and Country Club. He is an ardent outdoor sportsman, being particularly fond of fishing and golf. He is also connected with the different Masonic bodies and he is not without military and political experience. In 1880 he was appointed a captain on the staff of Brigadier General Hawley and afterward, in 1882, was promoted to major on the staff of General Bruce. Although the demands of his extensive business interests have left him little time for active participation in politics, he is a stalwart believer in republican principles. He has ever taken the deepest interest in Syracuse and her welfare and has not only been a supporter but often a promoter of the movements which have advanced her growth, prosperity and progress along many lines. He is certainly one of the recog- nized captains of industry of Syracuse and socially, as well as otherwise, his family is extremely prominent.
Warren & Parington
Warren Seth Purington
W
ARREN SETH PURINGTON, president and treas- urer of the Central City Bolt Company of Syracuse, was born in Rensselaerville, Albany county, New York, March 21, 1854, his parents being Hiland W. and Abigail (Paddock) Purington, who were like- wise natives of Albany county. The father, who was a farmer by occupation and thus provided for the sup- port of his wife and children, died in 1879. His wife, who survived him until 1 900, was a daughter of Rev. Seth Paddock, a Baptist minister of Preston Hollow, New York.
Warren S. Purington is now the only survivor of the family of five children. He was provided with liberal educational advantages, for after attending the district school of his native county, he prepared for college in the Delaware Literary Institute, from which he graduated, and then entered Union College at Schenectady, New York, as a member of the class of 1878. When his school days were over he took up the more difficult life lessons which come as one enters the business world. For fourteen years he was a merchant of Preston Hollow, and following his arrival in Syracuse in 1890 he began the manufacture of bolts, nuts and door hangers. The Central City Bolt Company, now occupying extensive buildings on North Salina street, was incorporated in 1889, its first president being E. B. Judson, now the president of the First National Bank of this city. The officers at this writing, in the winter of 1907-1908, are: WV. S. Purington, president and treasurer; Levi S. Chapman, vice president; and Everett E. Purington, sec- retary. The Syracuse Faucet & Valve Company, of which W. S. Purington is secretary and treasurer, is an allied business which was incorporated in 1901, its present officers being: S. B. Groner, president, and Levi S. Chap- man, vice president. These companies employ fifty or more mechanics in the manufacture of bolts, faucets and valves, and their business is national in its scope. Mr. Purington has contributed in substantial measure to the growth and development of this enterprise during the seventeen years of his connection therewith. This outline of his career shows that he has been an active man, one whose diligence and persistency of purpose constitute the basis of his present very desirable success.
The business history of Mr. Purington is one well known to the public but his energies are by no means entirely devoted to trade-family, friends, church and state claim his attention, and he is widely known as an earnest
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Warren Beth Durington
worker for the advancement of all that will promote the interests of city, state and nation. He is a very active worker and consistent member in the Central Baptist Church, and his labors have been a strong element in its growth and development.
In 1878 Mr. Purington was married to Miss Lida Elsbree, of Preston Hollow, Albany county, a daughter of Dr. Willard Elsbree, of that place. They have three children: Everett E., Florence L. and Vivian M., aged respectively twenty-two, fourteen and twelve years. The first named is now pursuing the liberal arts course in Syracuse University and the other two are students in the public schools. The family home is at No. 508 West Onon- daga street.
In politics Mr. Purington is a democrat, but like many of the promi- nent business men of the day-men who think broadly and are students of the signs of the times-he does not consider himself bound by party ties and holds himself free to give his allegiance where he believes the best inter- ests of city or country can be served. He is in full sympathy with all the great movements of the world about him and watches the progress of events with the keenest interest. He is entitled to membership in the Sons of the American Revolution as his paternal grandfather, Sylvanus Purington, assisted the colonies in achieving their independence as a soldier of the Continental army.
JULIU R'
Edward T. Barter.
Coward Theodore Bartlett
I N THE long line of New York's illustrious lawyers and jurists appears the name of Edward Theodore Bart- lett, now judge of the court of appeals. He is descended from an illustrious family that has fur- nished many notable men to the country and has for years honored the name of his distinguished ancestry by his brilliant career in the courts of the Empire state. He is of Norman French descent, the pro- genitor of the family in America emigrating from England to New Hampshire during the colonial epoch in the history of the country. He is a great-grandson of Josiah Bartlett, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and of the Articles of Confederation, who also served as the first governor and chief justice of New Hampshire. His father was an eminent physician and surgeon, who for over fifty years engaged actively in practice. The family has long ranked with the eminent of the land because of the true nobility of character of its representatives and the chiv- alrous defense of whatever was believed to be right, as well as the superiority of mental powers.
Judge Bartlett, having acquired a classical education, took up the study of law at Skaneateles and was admitted to the bar in October, 1862. He then located for practice in Onondaga county, where he remained until 1868, removing in that year to New York city, where he continued in practice until 1894. His clientage was of a most important character and he gained recog- nition throughout the state as one of the ablest members of the New York bar. He therefore logically received the nomination for justice of the supreme court in 1891 but was defeated. In 1893, however, he was nominated and elected associate judge of the court of appeals of New York for a term of years, beginning January 1, 1894. He is a man of broad and comprehensive learning outside of his profession and in this wide general information is found one of the strong elements of his power and ability as lawyer and jurist. The broad knowledge enables him to understand life in its various phases, the motive springs of human conduct and the complexity of business interests, which, combined with a comprehensive familiarity with statutory law and with precedent, make him one of the ablest judges who have sat on the appel- late bench of the state. The limitations which are imposed by the constitution on federal powers are well understood by him. With the long line of decisions
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Edward Theodore Bartlett
from Marshall down, by which the constitution has been expounded, he is familiar, as are all thoroughly skilled lawyers. He is at home in all depart- ments of the law, from the minutiæ in practice to the greater topics wherein is involved the consideration of the ethics and the philosophy of jurisprudence and the higher concerns of public policy.
Since 1870 Judge Bartlett has been a member of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, and was formerly a member of its committee on administration and its executive committee. He is likewise a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, of the New York Law Institute and the New England Society, while in club relations he is connected with the Union League and the Republican. He stands as one who through the utilization of the innate talents which are his has risen to honor and distinction.
Thudre of God
Major Theodore Lewis Poole
A S LONG as memory remains to the American people they will hold in grateful remembrance those men who fought for the preservation of the Union and established the country upon a firmer basis than ever before. Major Theodore L. Poole, of Syracuse, however, was entitled to recogition not alone because of his conspicuous military service but also by rea- son of his equally faithful performance of the duties of civil life and his activity and honesty in commer- cial circles. In all Syracuse there was perhaps no man more widely or favor- ably known, and at the time of his death he was serving as United States mar- shal for the northern district of New York under appointment of President Mckinley. He left the impress of his individuality upon political, military, commercial and social circles and although several years have come and gone since he was called from this life his memory is yet lovingly cherished by those who knew him.
Major Poole was a native of Jordan, Onondaga county, born on the 10th of April, 1840, and when he was only about a year or two old his parents removed to Syracuse, where he acquired his education as a student in the public schools. He was one of three children but his brother, Benjamin H., died in Syracuse a number of years ago. His sister, Mrs. Catherine Baldwin, was for a number of years a teacher in the Syracuse public schools. Born in this city, she acquired her education at the old high school on Church street and while attending there the school was removed to the Pike block. At that time there were only three teachers. She is yet a resident of Syracuse and prominent in social and benevolent organizations. She is inter- ested in the Women's Employment Society, is a life member of the Syracuse Historical Society, is a member of the Women's Relief Corps and also belongs to the Unitarian church. She still survives her brother, Major Poole.
The latter, after acquiring his education, began preparation for a pro- fessional career by taking up the study of dentistry and was so engaged at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war. He watched with interest the progress of events in the south, noted the stubbornness with which the Con- federacy resisted the attempts of the Federal troops to bring them into sub- jection and, feeling that his first duty was to his country, he put aside all business and personal consideration and enlisted in the summer of 1862 as a
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Major Cheodore Lewis Poole
private of Company I of the One Hundred and Twenty-second New York Volunteer Infantry. When the regiment was mustered into the United States service he was appointed quartermaster sergeant. In the following September the regiment was assigned to the famous Sixth Army Corps and participated in all its battles from Antietam to the final surrender at Appo- mattox. On the Ist of March, 1863, Mr. Poole was promoted to second lieutenant and on the Ioth of February of the following year he was made first lieutenant, while at the beginning of the Wilderness campaign he was acting adjutant of his regiment. For "conspicuous bravery" at Spottsyl- vania and other battles of the Wilderness and at Cold Harbor he was com- missioned February 15, 1865, as captain and later was breveted major by the state of New York and by the United States. At the battle of Cold Harbor on the Ist of June, 1864, Lieutenant Poole was severely wounded and after several months of intense suffering in the hospital had to undergo the ampu- tation of his arm to save his life. As soon as able, however, he returned to his regiment, with which he was discharged and mustered out on the 15th of May, 1865, following the surrender of Lee.
The country has ever manifested a spirit of gratitude toward the men who preserved the Union and for the survivors of the great conflict there have been seldom lacking marks of preferment ready to be bestowed upon those who showed their devotion and their manly mettle upon the field. When equally capable candidates have been contesting for office the preference has usually been given to the soldier. Soon after his return from the army Major Poole was appointed assistant assessor of the United States internal revenue for his district and while still holding that office was elected county clerk of Onondaga county, in which capacity he served for three years. On the expiration of that term he became a factor in commercial life, being engaged in mercantile pursuits first as a member of the firm of Poole & Haw- kins and afterward as a member of the firm of Poole & North. He was also for a time interested in the manufacture of coarse salt and at different occa- sions had various business interests. He was a director of the Bank of Syra- cuse from its organization and at the time of his death was vice president of the Engelberg Huller Company and a partner of the firm of W. A. Abel & Com- pany, dealers in sporting goods.
In 1879 Major Poole was appointed United States pension agent for the northwestern district of New York and acted in that capacity for nearly ten years or until 1889. He became the organizer of the Consolidated Street Railway Company of the city, serving also as its secretary and gen- eral manager. In 1894 Major Poole was nominated on the republican ticket as a member of the fifty-fourth congress and in November of that year was elected, receiving twenty-four thousand four hundred and sixty- seven votes against sixteen thousand three hundred and seven cast for his principal opponent. The last office to which he was appointed was that of
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Major Chrodore Lewis Poole
United States marshal of the northern district of New York and in June prior to his death he assumed the duties of the position. The efficient and soldierly way in which he discharged all of his official duties proved the soundness of the American theory that war is a capital test of character and that those who have passed through it with distinction need no further exam- ination as to their value for the public service in civil life nor any further demonstration of their worthiness for the confidence of their fellow citi- zens.
Major Poole was first married in 1869 to Miss Ella, daughter of Dr. C. S. Totman, of Syracuse. She died the following year and in 1874 he wed- ded Miss Hattie Totman, a daughter of Joshua Totman, of Conway, Massa- chusetts. They had one daughter, Harriet. In 1877 Major Poole was again married, Miss Carrie L. Law becoming his wife. She is a daughter of Charles H. and Caroline (Parmelee) Law, of Syracuse. The father was a machinist by trade and both he and his wife are now deceased. Mrs. Poole was born in Chittenango, New York, and acquired her education in the schools of Syracuse. By her marriage she became the mother of five children, of whom two are deceased. The others are: Clara E., at home; Theodore Law, an attorney of this city; and Sidmon. Both Major and Mrs. Poole were members of the Historical Society and belonged to the Uni- tarian church. Mrs. Poole was likewise a member of the Women's Relief Corps and, like her husband, was greatly interested in military affairs.
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