USA > New York > Onondaga County > Syracuse > Syracuse and Onondaga County, New York : pictorial and biographical > Part 8
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his contracting business he was president of the Central City Construction Company, vice president of the Boston Tunnel Construction Company, a mem- ber of the dredging firms of John Dunfee & Company and Kirk, Driscoll & Company, and also of two construction companies under the name of John Dunfee & Company. He was likewise a director of the Haberle-Crystal Spring Brewing Company, the Syracuse Reduction Company and the Empire Contract- ing Company.
In the meantime Mr. Dunfee early in his business career began investing in real-estate. Long before he reached middle age he was rated as a man of means. He owned considerable real estate and purchased and established a successful livery stable, which proved a profitable investment. When the West Shore road was built he bought many houses and realized a gratifying income from their sale. As the years passed his successes enabled him to make real-estate purchases that involved extensive investment and his holdings included an interest in the Vanderbilt House and Manhattan Hotel property, the Pike Block, the Dunfee building and much other notable and valuable realty.
To have attained the success which Mr. Dunfee did would alone have entitled him to distinction but the use which he made of it was what won for him the gratitude, the admiration and the love of his fellowmen. It was his cherished dream to provide a beautiful home for his wife. He wedded Anna Shortell, a native of Syracuse and a daughter of Charles and Mary (Gorman) Shortell. Her father was born in Kingston, Canada, and came to Syracuse when a young boy, working in early life at the meat cutter's trade. The mother was a native of Ireland. Mrs. Dunfee acquired her education in Syracuse in a school where the new public library building now stands. In 1874 she gave her hand in marriage to John Dunfee, then a young man of twen- ty-three years, just making the initial steps in the business career that led on to fortune. As stated, it was the great desire of his early life to promote the welfare and happiness of his wife and to surround her with the comforts that money can bring and to this end he eagerly availed himself of the opportunity to purchase for her a beautiful residence. They had no children of their own but adopted a niece, who became the wife of John J. Cummins and their only child was named in honor of Mr. Dunfee-John Dunfee Cummins. Mr. Dun- fee had the greatest love for children and many of the happiest hours of his life were spent in the company of this little grandson. No matter what the busi- ness cares demanding his time and attention, he would put them all aside to take this child in his arms and talk to him with an affection as eloquent and sympathetic as that of any mother.
The orphaned children, too, found in Mr. Dunfee a father. He gave most generously not only to the little ones who needed protection but to the institu- tions established for their care and one of the large bequests of his will was to St. Vincent de Paul's Orphan Asylum. It would be impossible to estimate the
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amount that Mr. Dunfee gave away to charity. He gave ready response to every call that was made upon him for aid without regard to race, color or religion. There was probably not a day passed that did not chronicle some good deed, some assistance rendered to those who needed aid, and yet he never spoke boastingly, if at all, of what he did in this direction. Every charitable enterprise promoted in Syracuse sought his assistance. Only the Saturday before he was taken ill a subscription book for Christmas at the House of Providence was handed him and his name went down for fifty dollars. The day before it was the maternity hospital and it, too, received fifty dollars, but he always felt that the orphans were his special care.
Mr. Dunfee was a man strong in his likes and dislikes. His early expe- riences taught him to value true worth and to scorn all that is hypocritical or pretentious. He evolved much philosophy from his early life and many of his sayings passed into local history. He possessed the keen wit for which the Irish race are noted, combined with a peculiar sensitiveness and a ready recognition of the ridiculous. He managed to evoke fun from many situations which others would have regarded as a hardship and he had a way, well worth emulation, of looking upon the bright side, possessing a hopeful optimism that was at all times, however, guided by a sane, rational judgment. Those who came within the close circle of his friendship entertained for him the highest regard. To them the full depths of his nature were known. Two of his warm- est friends were his pastor, Mgr. John Grimes of the Cathedral of the Immacu- late Conception, and Bishop Ludden. Many of his evening hours were spent in company with the Bishop in his favorite pastime of billiards at his own home. He shared with them in their ambitions for the work of the church and was a most generous contributor in support of their plans. Both he and his wife were communicants of the Cathedral congregation and he could never bear that any one should speak lightly or slightingly of the church.
To gain a true knowledge of a man one must know his associates and their opinion of him and no better summary of the character of John Dunfee could be given than by quoting from the words of many who were his asso- ciates in the various walks of life where he figured prominently. John J. Cummins, the husband of Mr. Dunfee's adopted daughter, said: "Closely con- nected as I was with him the past five years I grew to know him as few men did. Having his peculiarities, as we all have, he was at heart one of the best friends a man could have. Hundreds in Syracuse and elsewhere have learned from him the test of true friendship, for when in the direst trouble they went to him for assistance and never in vain. His heart always rang true and no matter what differences of opinion he might have with men regarding busi- ness or other matters, yet no manifestation of malice ever followed. He was always the first to help a poor fellow out of difficulty and never deserted a friend under any circumstances. I considered him the most remarkable man I had ever met. His judgment of men and the motives that prompted their acts was
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invariably correct. Lack of early education had sharpened his faculties to such an extent that he seemed to be able to read the very hearts of men and to thoroughly understand every move they made. He was always the same blunt, democratic, everyday man, with as hearty a greeting for the poorest friend he ever knew as for the millionaire who courted his friendship and sought his judgment in business affairs. The generous hospitality which he dispensed with the woman he loved so well, both at his city and summer resi- dences, endeared him to a wide and rapidly increasing circle of friends. Some men there are who die and are forgotten in a short time, but the memory of John Dunfee will live for many years in the hearts of his friends. His repeated and munificent gifts to the asylums and hospitals will be sadly missed. He loved the institution wherein he died and it seemed a strange dispensation of fate that the hospital to which he was taken for the operation should have been the institution that gave him kindly shelter and loving care when as a little lad he was found by the wayside badly injured. Sisters of the sacred order who cared for him as a lad surrounded his bedside and offered up their prayers as his soul took its flight to another world."
W. P. Gannon, speaking of Mr. Dunfee, said: "Possessed of great natural ability and shrewdness, he was generally able to carry out the many deals and plans which his ever busy brain conceived. He had an early appreciation of the business principles necessary for success." A well known lawyer added: "He was a man of great natural ability, force of character, kind hearted and generous. Syracuse has sustained a distinct and permanent loss by reason of his death." A banker said: "Mr. Dunfee was a genius. To think that he could have started with absolutely nothing, handicapped by lack of even a common-school education, and make himself the factor he did in the com- munity was simply wonderful." Another banker added: "He was a man of strict integrity and his word as as good as gold. His honesty was never questioned." Mr. Dunfee never failed to leave a strong impress upon those with whom he came in contact. They recognized that while perhaps he lacked some of those qualities which come through training and which are called culture, he had the real manhood which sees and does the right and as a friend said, "His heart was in keeping with his brain and his body-it was big enough to make him an invaluable friend. . His likes and dislikes were strong. His devotion to those in whom he trusted was wrought in ties stronger than steel. To those who really knew him he was a character to inspire affection and firm regard. . Mr. Dunfee was a man of action and large enter- prise. His ability in dealing with matters of magnitude, in making clear sighted and safe business investments, was the marvel of all who knew him. It is a far cry from a barefoot boy selling papers or blacking boots on the street to association with the leading financiers of the country and paramount suc- cess in big undertakings, but Mr. Dunfee, who had only reached the prime of life at the hour of his death, had achieved this ascent on the ladder of life.
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His strong hands held many enterprises steady. There will be others to take his place but none can fill that held by this strong, original figure, whose energy and strength permeated his public and private life."
Death came to Mr. Dunfee as the result of an operation in St. Joseph's hospital. It was in that hospital that he once found protection and care when he had been injured in his boyhood. He always felt for it the deepest attach- ment and when his will was read St. Joseph's, together with other Catholic institutions, were found to be very large direct beneficiaries. His name will ever be enrolled among the philanthropists of this city because of his muni- ficent gifts to public charities. There are few men who learn so thoroughly the real lessons of life. He realized fully that "it is more blessed to give than to receive." He gave generously and with open hand and never lost an opportunity to prevent an unfortunate child from passing through some of the hard experiences which came to him in his own youth. Day after day his life was filled with the interests of business, which developed to mammoth pro- portions, and yet he was never too busy to listen to the story of one to whom fate had been unkind and while his large charities to the different institutions which he assisted awakened for him admiration and gratitude, it was the numberless little acts of kindness which he performed day by day that gained him a place in the hearts of many who now cherish his memory. Thus we are brought to the thought that "it is not from the few conspicuous deeds of life that the blessings chiefly come which make the world better, sweeter, happier ; but from the countless lowly ministries of the everydays, the little faithful- nesses that fill long years."
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alex. J. Brown
Alexander Timothy Brown
1 N THE field of public life and commercial and indus- trial activity Alexander T. Brown has won distinc- tion and is today numbered mong the leading, influ- ential and honored citizens of Syracuse. He belongs to the little group of distinctively representative busi- ness men who have been the pioneers in inaugurat- ing and building up the chief industries of this sec- tion of the country. He is now connected with many extensive and important business interests and throughout his career his efforts have been so discerningly directed along well defined lines of labor that he seems to have realized at any one point of progress his possibilities for successful accomplishment at that point.
He was born in Scott, Cortland county, New York, November 21, 1854. He comes of Revolutionary ancestry and the line of descent can be traced back to Thomas Brown of Massachusetts-1611 A. D. His paternal grand- father was an early settler of Onondaga county and one of its pioneer teachers. The paternal grandfather, Timothy Brown, settled in Scott, Cort- land county, New York, in 1800, and his wife at one time was the owner of land on the site of the city of Cortland. The father, Stephen S. Brown, was also a native of Cortland county and a farmer by occupation. In early manhood he wedded Nancy N. Alexander, a native of Leyden, Massachusetts. His death occurred ten years ago but the mother survived until the fall of 1906. Their family numbered three children, one of whom has passed away, while the living brother of our subject is William H. Brown, of Syra- cuse.
In the select schools of his native town Alexander T. Brown acquired his early education and afterward attended Homer Academy. Entering busi- ness life, he was for some time agent for a harvester machine company and also sold hardware. The year 1879 witnessed his arrival in Syracuse, where he became connected with the firearms business of the firm of W. H. Baker & Company in the mechanical department. He is the inventor of the famous L. C. Smith shot gun, and continued with the house in the manufacture of this firearm up to the time the business was sold to the Hunter Arms Com- pany. From early youth displaying marked mechanical ability and ingenu- ity, Mr. Brown has produced many valuable devices. He is the inventor
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of the Smith Premier typewriter and also of many clever and practicable devices for the telephone and the automobile. Since his production of the Smith Premier typewriter his attention has been given at least in part to its manufacture. He is now president of the Smith Premier Typewriter Com- pany, employing some two thousand workmen. He is likewise a director of the Third National Bank of Syracuse; president of the Brown-Lipe Gear Company of Syracuse; and one of the founders of the H. H. Franklin Auto- mobile Company, of which he was at one time president and which has the largest payroll in Syracuse. He still owns a considerable amount of stock in this company. Furthermore he is an officer in the Globe Malleable Iron Works of Syracuse: is a stockholder and officer in the Syracuse Aluminum & Bronze Company; director of the Pneumelectric Machine Company, large manufacturers of electrical mining machinery at Syracuse, an officer and director of the C. H. Wood Company; and a director of the Clear Clothing Company, manufacturers and wholesale dealers of this city.
The extent and importance of his business interests places him at once in the rank of the foremost residents of Syracuse. Honored and respected by all, there is no citizen who occupies a more enviable position in commer- cial, industrial and financial circles than Alexander T. Brown, not alone by reason of the brilliant success he has achieved but also owing to the straight- forward business policy that he has ever followed. He has formed his plans readily has been determined in their execution, and added to his nat- ural mechanical ingenuity and inventive ability he possesses an aptitude for successful management and the co-ordination of forces that is often sadly lacking in the inventor. Intricate business problems he comprehends with rare quickness and the solution which he proposes almost invariably proves to be the correct one.
In 1881 Mr. Brown was married to Miss Mary L. Seamens, a daughter of Julian C. Seamens, of Virgil, New York. They have two sons: Charles S., a student in Cornell University; and Julian, also in school.
Mr. Brown is a life member of the American Society of Mechanical Engi- neers. He belongs to the Citizens', the Century and the Yacht and Golf Clubs of Syracuse, to the New York Transportation Club and to the Adiron- dack League and the Syracuse Automobile Club. He is also identified with the Chamber of Commerce and is interested in all matters pertaining to the municipal welfare or the advancement of those public concerns which are a matter of civic virtue and of civic pride. He is now one of the trustees of the Syracuse University and of the House of the Good Shepherd, and from the time when age conferred upon him the right of franchise to the present he has always been a stalwart republican. Fraternally he is identified with Central City Lodge, No. 305, A. F. & A. M., and with all the Scottish Rite bodies up to and including the thirty-second degree, while at Utica he is a member of the Mystic Shrine. There is in him a weight of character, a native
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sagacity, a far-seeing judgment and a fidelity of purpose that commands the respect of all. A man of indefatigable enterprise and fertility of resource, he has carved his name deeply on the records of central New York, and Syra- cuse acknowledges its indebtedness for much of its advancement to his efforts.
liber Teel Burt
O LIVER TEEL BURT, who was born in 1824, died in 1887. His birth occurred in Fayetteville, New York, his parents being Aaron and Lucy (Burke) Burt. The father owned a large farm at Fayette- ville and in early life devoted his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits but subsequently engaged in contracting, being largely connected with public works. He built the railroad from Syracuse to Utica and was also engaged on the con- struction of the canal. Oliver Teel Burt was accorded liberal educational privi- leges and was a graduate of the Rensselaer school for practical training and also of Union College. He became well known as a business man and at one time was an important factor in the commercial and industrial life of the city. In antebellum days he was engaged in the manufacture of firearms and took a contract for supplying these for the United States. He shared with the great majority in the general opinion that the war would not last over six months but hostilities continued and everything advanced in price, so that in the execution of his contract with the government he lost quite heavily. He was also at one time president of one of the banks of Syracuse and so con- ducted his business interests that he became quite wealthy. When the condi- tion of affairs in war times proved so disastrous he released some of his friends who had become involved with him and endeavored to carry the business through alone and to discharge all of the financial obligations incurred there- by. At one time he was the owner of extensive real-estate interests in Syra- cuse but he sacrificed all to meet the demands of his creditors. He also owned a great deal of salt property and for many years figured prominently in busi- ness life. Although financial disaster overtook him his reputation for business integrity and fidelity remained unshaken. He put forth strenuous efforts to meet every obligation and all acquainted with him knew his honesty of inten- tion and respected him for his strenuous labor.
In 1848 Mr. Burt was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Johnston of Syracuse, who is a member of the Unitarian church. For twenty years they lived in the old Burt home at 1008 East Genesee street-a beautiful residence. Their children were Lucy Eleanor, Steven Smith, Mrs. Mabel Dunlap, Mrs. Florence Brewster and Howard. After leaving the old home Mr. and Mrs. Burt took up their abode at No. 1206 Bellevue avenue, which place was recently
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sold by Mrs. Burt, who is now living at No. 412 East Willow street. She is most highly esteemed throughout the country and is especially well known in Syracuse, where for almost six decades she has made her home.
Reb. Ensign McChesney
W ITH A VIRILE intellect that made him a power in the ministry and as an educator and with a gentleness of spirit that appreciated and enjoyed the beauty of the tiniest flower, the Rev. Ensign McChesney was a man who, once known, could never be for- gotten. He left the impress of his splendid nature upon all with whom he came in contact and his influ- ence was a vital force in the lives of those who came under his teachings, whether in the pulpit or in the schoolroom. If in spirit he breathed the prayer :
"Oh, may I join the choir invisible Of those immortal dead who live again In lives made better by their presence."
Truly the prayer has been realized, for hundreds there are who knew Dr. McChesney that bear testimony of the influence he exerted over them.
His life record began at Grafton, Rensselaer county, New York, on the 17th of March. 1844. He was reared amid the refining influences of a home of Christian culture, where were nurtured all those tendencies that later became strongly developed traits of manly character. His early education was supplemented by study in the Troy University, which he entered in 1863. In 1865 he matriculated in the Wesleyan University, where he remained until his graduation in 1868. He achieved distinction in his collegiate work, becoming a Phi Beta Kappa man of excellent rank.
In the year of his graduation he was married to Miss Ellen M. Bidwell, of Norwich, Connecticut, who survives him and whose gracious presence and consecrated fellowship in the ministry of her husband afforded him invaluable aid in the pastorates which he served. Mrs. McChesney was born at Cape Cod, Massachusetts, a daughter of Rev. Ira M. and Nancy (Church) Bid- well. Her father was a Methodist Episcopal minister and was living in Nor- wich at the time of her marriage. She was the youngest daughter of nine children and her earnest Christian spirit, her deep sympathy and ready encour- agement were always elements in the good work of her husband. She shared with him in his every interest for the upbuilding of the church and in his educational work as well and united with him in dispensing the hospitality for which their home became famous. She is now chairman of the visiting com-
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mittee of the Hospital of the Good Shepherd and both Dr. and Mrs. McChes- ney were members of the Fortnightly Club of Syracuse.
Following his marriage Dr. McChesney took his bride to the field of his labor, for prior to leaving the university he had been admitted to the Provi- dence conference and he entered upon the duties of his first appointment. His pulpit ability commanded immediate attention and his services were widely sought by New England churches. The year 1868 was spent by him as pas- tor of the Methodist church at Thompsonville, Connecticut, and this was fol- lowed by pastorates at the Central church of Norwich, Connecticut, 1869-70; New Bedford, Massachusetts, 1871-73; First Church of Fall River, Massachu- setts, 1874-6; and the First Church of Taunton, Massachusetts, 1877-8. A decade thus passed, during the opening years of which he pursued post-grad- uate work in the Boston University, which institution conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, while from Wesleyan University he sub- sequently received the degree of Doctor of Divinity. In 1876 he was made a delegate to the general conference of the Methodist church and in 1879 he was transferred to the Troy conference and appointed to the pastorate of the Hudson Avenue church in Albany. In 1882 he became pastor of the State Street church in Troy, where he remained for three years, when in 1885 he took a supernumerary relation that he might have opportunity to go abroad, enjoying the pleasures of travel and study in the old world. Accompanied by his wife, he spent a year in Europe and did considerable work in special lines in the University of Leipzig. Many of his happiest hours in Europe were spent in the art galleries in studying the works of the old masters and the modern painters and he thus stored up a fund of knowledge which proved to him of greatest benefit in his later work in connection with the Syracuse University.
While still abroad Dr. McChesney was invited to become pastor of St. Paul's church of New York city and for three years after his return-then the limit of appointment-he remained in that pastorate. In 1889 he was appointed to the Madison Avenue Methodist church of New York, where he remained for five years and from 1894 until 1896 was pastor at White Plains. The following year he accepted the pastorate of Calvary church of New York city and then resigned to become dean of the fine arts department of Syracuse University.
In this city he lived and labored until his death, endearing himself more and more day by day to the people with whom he came in contact, while the sphere of his usefulness and activity broadened, the university benefiting greatly by his labors. He was always a lover of art and of nature. The Christian Advocate, in commenting on his work in connection with the uni- versity, spoke of him as an art student by nature and temperament and quoted from Anna Katharine Green: "There are two kinds of artists in the world, those that work because the spirit is in them, and they cannot be silent if they would: and those that speak from a conscientious desire to make
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