Syracuse and Onondaga County New York Pictorial 1908 Leather Bound Genealogy

Description: SYRACUSE AND ONONDAGA COUNTY NEW YORK PICTORIAL and BIOGRAPHICAL NEW YORK AND CHICAGO THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING CO. A Very Rare Leather bound volume featuring protraits of leading figures of turn of the century Syracuse NY. CHARLES ANDREWS, former chief judge of the court of appeals, and for twenty-seven years a mem- ber of that court, was born at Whitestown, New- York, May 27, 1827. He was educated at Cazenovia Seminary; studied law in the otfice of Sedgwick & Outwater, of Syracuse; was admitted to the bar in January, 1849; and a year I'l'^er began practice by himself at Syracuse. In 1851 he entered into part- nership with Charles B. Sedgwick under the firm name of Sedgwick «& Andrews. In 1853 he was elected district attorney of the county for a term of three years. In 1855 George N. Kennedy was admit- ted to partnership with the firm of Sedgwick & Andrews, and the famous law firm of Sedgwick, Andrews & Kennedy was thus completed. No law firm of the county has ever had more ability and prominence nor have more distinguished honors been won by the individuals composing it. This partner- ship continued until Mr. Andrews' election to the court of appeals in 1870. jMr. Andrews was mayor of the city of Syracuse in 1861 and in 1862, these two terms covering the stirring events of the early days of the Civil war, dur- ing which iMayor Andrews by his patriotic efiforts, his wisdom, energy and firmness, suppressed some dangerous tendencies of the local "Copperheads" and the mob spirit rampant at that time. He also by his efiforts aided mate- rially in the raising of recruits for the army. He was again mayor in 1868. With other prominent citizens he was influential in securing the location of Syracuse University in this city, and was made one of its trustees. In 1867 he was elected delegate at large to the constitutional convention of this state. Under the judicial article proposed by the convention and adopted by the people, the court of appeals was reconstructed. At the election held May 17, 1870, in pur- suance of that article, Mr. Andrews was elected associate judge of that court, for a term of fourteen years, from January i, 1871, but beginning his serv- ice on July I, 1870. In 1881 Judge Andrews was appointed by Governor Cor- nell chief judge in place of Chief Judge Folger, who retired to accept the office of secretary of the United States treasury. In the next year he was nomi- nated by the republican party to the ofiice of chief judge, but was defeated by his next door neighbor, William C. Roger, democrat. This was the year when Folger, nominated for governor, and the entire republican ticket were overwhelmingly defeated and Grover Cleveland was elected governor. Judge S Cfjarlcs anbrrtos Andrews resumed his position as associate judge, and at the end of his first term, in 1SS4, was re-elected associate judge of the court for a second term of fourteen years. He and Judge Rapallo were renominated by both poHtical parties — a precedent which has several times since been followed in respect to judges of that court. Judge Andrews was elected chief judge of the court in 1892, to succeed Chief Judge Ruger, who died in January of that year. He retired from the bench December 31, 1897, under the constitutional age limit of service, after twentv-seven vears of service upon the highest court of the state, still as vig- orous and useful as in middle life. The application of the "age limit" provi- sion in his case was a serious loss to the public service. Since his retirement from the bench. Judge Andrews has not engaged in the active practice of his profession, but has done some work of a high order in cases of importance in \vhich his legal opinions were solicited. It has been generally hoped by the profession that he would write a treatise on Trusts, a subject upon which as a judge he has written opinions of great importance and value. He has received the degree of LL. D. from Hamilton, Columbia and Syracuse Universities. His interest in public afifairs has not diminished. His counsel and influ- ence in matters of the public welfare are eagerly sought by his fellow citizens and are freely given. On important occasions he has made masterly addresses which for breadth of scholarship, and the wisdom of a great and useful life, are seldom surpassed. But he has wisely chosen, with all his duties, the well deserved rest. Travel in foreign lands and in our own great land, books, social life, recreations befitting his tastes, friendships, a happy domestic life — these prolong the days and the usefulness and joy of a grandly lived life. Judge Andrews has long been prominent in the councils of the Episcopal church, of which he is a member. Like many of his judicial brethren, how- ever, he is a disciple of Izaak Walton. He is fond of the forests, lakes and streams where trout abound, and has won health and honors in his piscatory pursuits. Judge Andrews was a great judge — he is as great a citizen, a man com- plete in every respect. His judicial ability and temperament, clear, sound judgment, vast knowledge of the law and personal character and traits, made him the ideal head of the great court over which he presided. His associates on the bench honored and loved him. They felt that he was indeed their "Chief." He has come home to his own people to receive and retain like honor and afifection. They heartily hail him "The First Citizen of Syracuse." Judge Andrews was married May 17, 1855, to Miss Marcia A. Shankland, daughter of the late Hon. William H. Shankland, justice of the supreme court of another district. They have two sons, Hon. William Shankland Andrews, now justice of the supreme court; and Charles Walker Andrews, a member of the firm of Goodelle & Andrews, of Syracuse. IfP^VL^ ?|on. OTiUiam ^Ptebost #oobeUe ON. WILLIAM PREVOST GOODELLE, one of the most distinguished members of the New York bar, whose eloquence combined with his logic and his comprehensive knowledge of the principles of juris- prudence has gained him pre-eminence as a repre- sentative of the profession, was born in the town of Tully, Onondaga county. New York, May 25, 1838, a son of Aaron B. and Eleanor A. (Prevost) Good- elle. The father carried on general agricultural pur- suits and the boyhood and youth of his son William were passed on the old homestead, during which time he attended the district schools. He readily mastered the branches therein taught and for a year was a student in Homer Academy, while later he entered Cazenovia Seminary, being one of only two to take the five years' course in that institution, where he remained from 1854 until 1S60. In the spring of 1S61 he matriculated as a sophomore of Dart- mouth College and was graduated with the highest honors in the class of 1863. He then accepted the proffered position of principal of an academy at Mora- via, New York, but at the close of the school year, desiring to retire from the field of education and prepare for the bar, he took up the study of law in the office and under the direction of H. L. & F. Hiscock, of Syracuse. How- ever, the reputation which he had gained as an educator led to his selection for the principalship of the Onondaga Valley Academy and after urgent solicitation he accepted the position, remaining there for two years, the academy largely profiting by his labors for reorganization and improvement. In the meantime whatever leisure he could secure from his duties as teacher was devoted to the study of law. He again began reading in the office of H. L. & F. Hiscock, and after his admission to the bar in October, 1868, he continued with them for a year to add to his theoretical knowledge the prac- tical experience of the courts and the law office. For three years thereafter he engaged in practice alone and on the expiration of that period was chosen district attorney of Onondaga county, having gained a reputation as a lawyer which led to positions of honor at the hands of his fellow citizens. For three years he filled the position and then again took up the practice of law, in which he made continuous advancement until he had attained a position equaled by few and surpassed by none of the leading members of the bar of New York. After his retirement from the office of district attorney, the New York Central Rail- 9 10 i^on. l©iUjam Prebost OJoolJeae road Company, attracted by liis illustrious record made in that office, retained him as g^eneral criminal counsel and attorney, his field of labor extending from ButTalo to Albany. In that capacity he served until appointed a member of the state board of law examiners in 1894. While well versed in every department of the law and while in civil proceedings he has gained an enviable record, he has become especially well known in the practice of criminal law. Hundreds of law breakers have been brought to punishment through his efforts. There is scarcely a county in the state and certainly none along the line of the Central Railroad where he is not well known as a lawyer and where his eloquent voice has not been heard in behalf of peace and safety from crime. So efTective were his efforts in this direction that it is a well known and acknowledged fact that crimes against the railroad company within Mr. Goodelle's jurisdiction had almost completely disappeared when he severed his relations with the company. He has won notable forensic successes when opposed to some of the strongest counsel of the state and his name figures prominently on the pages of judicial history of New York. Among the earlier important criminal cases with which he was connected was the prosecution of Owen Lindsay, charged with the mur- der of Francis Colvin in 1874. For the first time in the history of jurisprudence he brought into the case the point of determining the difference between the blood stains of the human and of the animal. Flis conduct of the case showed untiring research, patient investigation and general legal ability and awakened the highest commendation of the bench and bar throughout New York as well as of the lait}-. There was much favorable comment in the press, one of the local papers saying "Mr. Goodelle's address to the jury was a most fitting close to his untiring labors as a public officer of Onondaga county. During the delivery not only the jury but the entire audience gave that attention which demonstrated the power of the learned counsel's eloquence and the strength of his argu- ment. Mr. Goodelle often rose to the height of impassioned eloquence. He for- got his associates; he forgot the audience hanging upon his words; he forgot all but his case and the jury. His presentation of the people's evidence was perfect. Taken altogether the effort of Mr. Goodelle in its plain statement of the work the people had to perform, in its minute tracing of the testimony, in its final welding of the circumstantial and direct evidence into an unbroken chain and fastening the same about the prisoner, formed one of die most masterly forensic efforts ever made at the bar of this county." Perhaps no better indication of Mr. Goodelle's ability can be given than by quoting from the press, which is the mirror of public opinion. In defense of Mary J. Holmes, charged with poi- soning her husband, the trial lasting six weeks and resulting in an acquittal, another paper said, "The last tick of the parting day was almost simultaneous with the final words of an argument for the prisoner which had consumed seven hours. The counselor's face bore the plain evidence of the mental and physical strain to which he had put himself. ... A masterly effort had been expected from ^Ir. Goodelle, whose acumen and learning are a source of pride ^^on. 1©iatam Prtbofit a5ooi>ellt ii to the bar of this county. Never in the criminal history of Onondaga county was a more comprehensive defense made of a human Hfe. Mr. Goodelle's impassioned style of oratory put into graceful language his logical deductions from an investigation of the case as viewed from the side of the defense. Every point was covered one by one but at no time was there a break in the conti- nuity of the argument. It was probably the longest argument ever offered in the court of justice in Syracuse." That Mr. Goodelle has become known as one of the ablest lawyers of the state is indicated by the fact that he has been frequently called to conduct both civil and criminal cases in various counties of New York. Few lawyers have made a more lasting impression upon the bar of the state, both for legal ability of a high order and for the individuality of the personal character which impresses itself upon a community. Of a family conspicuous for strong intel- lects, indomitable courage and energy, he entered upon his career as a lawyer and such is his force of character and natural qualifications that he has over- come all obstacles and written his name upon the keystone of the legal arch. In fact he has been one of the most conspicuous figures in the history of juris- prudence of New York during the past iour decades. He has argued many cases and lost but few. No one better knows the necessity for thorough preparation and no one more industriously prepares his cases than he. His handling of his case is always full, comprehensive and accurate; his analysis of the facts is clear and exhaustive; he sees without effort the relation and dependence of the facts and so groups them as to enable him to throw their combined force upon the point they tend to prove. Goodelle is a stalwart republican but not a politician. While he is per- haps not without that personal ambition which is an important element in the capable conduct of official duties, he yet regards the pursuits of private life as abundantly worthy of his best eft'orts and has concentrated his time, energy and talents upon his profession. He has, however, addressed the public on many occasions in discussion of the issues and questions before the people and never fails to impress his auditors by the strength, truth and force of his argument. His public addresses, however, have not been confined to political questions alone. In fact it is a matter of surprise that one of his ability as a lawyer has had time to so thoroughly familiarize himself with the great variety of questions that he has discussed from the public platform. He has been an omnivorous reader, has the ability to co-ordinate the the knowledge gained from various sources, drawing his deductions and forming his conclusions in the same log- ical and discriminating manner that characterizes his professional work. As stated, he has had no desire to divide his time between political office and his practice, and almost the only position that he has filled aside from the one already mentioned was as a member of the constitutional convention — and that was in the direct path of his profession, in the framing of the organic laws of the state. All the foregoing has direct reference to the moral and ethical standard of the profession, over which the state board of law examiners have no power or control under the statutes. The labors and responsibilities of the state board of law examiners, of which Mr. Goodelle is president, and has been continuously for ten years past, have grown and increased from what they were in 1894, when the board was created, to such an extent that it seems a more extended mention might properly be made than appears earlier in this sketch. The work has grown to such an extent that while formerly there were about five hundred applicants for examinations yearly from the whole state, they now, in this present year, reach approximately sixteen hundred or seventeen hundred, including new applicants and re-ex- aminations of old ones, with proportionate increase of labors and responsi- bilities. The board has become, in fact, a vast bureau devoted to lifting the legal standard of the profession. Its work, and the results receive the uni- versal commendation of the bench and bar of the state. The importance attached to its work by the court of appeals is pretty strongly evidenced by the court's appointment of one of its retired members. Judge Martin, who has been serving as a member of the board for three years past and is still serving. Such has been the work and such the aims of IMr. Goodelle in these later years of his professional career. He is trying to lift the standard of the profession, and at the same time to advance the moral and ethical with an equal pace. To these interests and purposes his present and very likely his future life seems to be devoted. Mr. Goodelle was married on the 8th of September, 1869, to H. Averhill, of Baldwinsville, New York, who died in April, 1901. Their daughter, Una Mae, was born October 28, 1877. The family is very promi- nent socially and Mr. Goodelle is well known in the Beaver River Club, of which he is and has been president since the first year CORNELIUS SMITH, prominently connected with the business life of Syracuse as a leading manufacturer, banker and capitalist, is pre-eminently a man of affairs and one who has wielded a wide influence. His business capacity has placed him in the foremost rank among the successful men of the day and he is, moreover, one of the world's workers whose labors are attended with results, whether for individual prosperity or for public good. He is descended from English ancestry in the paternal line, although the family have been represented in America for several generations. His grandparents were William and Rebecca (Bissell) Smith, and his parents, Lewis Stevens and Eliza Ann (Hurlbut) Smith. In the maternal line he is descended from ancestors who served in behalf of the cause of independence in the Revolutionary war, both in the ranks and as officers. Lyman C. Smith was born in Torrington, Connecticut, March 31, 1850, and following the removal of his parents to the state of New York, the family home being established in Lisle, Broome county, where the father conducted a large business as a lumber manufacturer and tanner, he attended the common schools and also the State Normal School. Well qualified by liberal education for the practical and responsible duties of life he went to New York city at the age of twenty-two years and accepted the management of a live-stock commis- sion house, remaining in the metropolis until 1875, when he came to Syracuse to engage in the lumber business. In 1877 he began the manufacture of breech- loading firearms and continued the business with increasing success until 1890. In the meantime he had extended his efforts to other fields of industrial activity, beginning the manufacture of typewriters in 1886. Four years later he organ- ized the Smith Premier Typewriter Company, of which he became president, and in 1903 he was joined by his brothers in the organization of the L. C. Smith & Brothers Typewriter Company, of which he is the president. In this connec- tion he has become known as a manufacturer throughout the entire country and in all civilized lands, having given to the markets of the world a machine which is unsurpassed in qualities which go to make up the action. The conduct of this business requires a most extensive manufacturing plant, and a large office force make it one of the leading productive industries of the city. In recent years Mr. Smith has also become extensively interested in other large enterprises, where his business, keen foresight and sound judgment consti- tute important elements in successful management. He is president of the United States Transportation Company and of the L. C. Smith Transit Com- pany, which operate large fleets of modern steel freight steamers on the Great Lakes. He is likewise treasurer of the Toledo Shipbuilding Company and has contributed in substantial measure to the development of the rural trolley line systems of the state of New York. He has turned his attention also to the north- west, and with faith in its future he has made extensive investments in Seattle, Washington, which have become extremely valuable. He is president of the Hudson Portland Cement Company, of Hudson, New York, of the Rochester- Syracuse Eastern Railway Company, and chairman of the managing directors of the Halcomb Steel Company, of Syracuse, nor is he unknown in banking circles, being president of the National Bank of Syracuse. He is pre-eminently a man of aflfairs and one who has wielded a wide influence, and the soundness of his business judgment is such that his co-operation is continually sought in the con- trol and management of important commercial, industrial, manufacturing or financial concerns. ■ ZEKIEL WILSON MUNDY, librarian of the Syra- cuse Public Library, was born at Metuchen, New Jer- sey, June i6, 1833. His parents were Luther Bloom- field Mundy and Frances Ehza Martin. The Mundys are an old family in Metuchen, the original ancestor, Nicholas Mundy, a native of England, having come there before 1670. Like most of the early immigrants to this country they increased rapidly. His paternal grandfather was Ezekiel Mundy, whose farm lay near the village of Metuchen, and who married Lovicy Mundy, who was one of the nineteen children of Joshua Mundy. His maternal grandfather was Dr. Wil- liam Martin, the physician of the locality and a surgeon in the war of 1812 and the father of fifteen children. The early Mundys were farmers, with here and there a clergyman and a merchant. In religion almost all of them were Presbyterians. Ezekiel's paternal grandfather was an Episcopalian and his maternal grandfather was a Quaker. The village church, however, was Presbyterian and the young people of the region were brought up in the Presbyterian worship. The children of this Mundy household are Ezekiel Wilson, of Syracuse; Edward Livingston, of Rahway, New Jersey; Louisa Matilda Andruss, of Florida, deceased; and Caroline Virginia Wendover, of Newark, New Jersey. The father died at the age of sixty-two years, the mother lived to the age of eighty-three. Ezekiel Wilson Mundy grew up on a farm near the village of Metuchen and received his education in the country school of the neighborhood. He had the advantage of a teacher, Bethune Dunkin, a Boston man, who was also the teacher of his father and his mother, and who taught for fifty years in the same country schoolhouse and who lived for many years in the home of Eze- kiel's father. At the age of fourteen years the boy went as clerk in a store in the neigh- boring town of Rahway, where he served for two years. He went thence to Newark, New Jersey, where he learned the trade of a jeweler. But then came to him the desire to be a clergyman and at the urgent solicitation of a very warm friend, Harris M. Baldwin, of Newark, New Jersey, a member of the South Baptist church of that city, and with the earnest advice of others, he accepted the offer of Mr. Baldwin to send him to college. He was prepared for college at the seminary in Essex, Connecticut, and in 1856 was entered as a 22 Cteb. ^ fubge ^, fubb J^ortijrup UDGE A. JUDD NORTHRUP, whose natural talent and acquired ability have gained him distinction at bar, in authorship and as one who has molded public thought and opinion and has thus aided in shaping the history of the commonwealth, is one of the native sons of the Empire state. His birth occurred near Peterboro in Madison county, June 30, 1833, his parents being Rensselaer and Clarissa (Judd) North- rup. The father removed from Tyringham, Massa- chusetts, to Madison county, New York, in 1805. The mother was a daugh- ter of Ansel Judd, who settled at Watervale in the early part of the nineteenth century. In both the paternal and maternal lines Judge Northrup is of New England ancestry, represented in this country through six generations. His boyhood days were unmarked by events of special importance, nor did they foreshadow the prominence to which he was later to attain. When not occupied with the duties of the schoolroom he worked on his father's farm and later engaged in teaching school through the winter months. Ambitious for further educational privileges, he continued his studies in Petersboro Acad- emy and also in Oberlin (Ohio) College, where he completed his preparatory course prior to entering Hamilton College, from which he was graduated in the class of 1858. Having thus laid an excellent foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of professional knowledge, he matriculated in Colum- bia Law School, wherein he completed a two years' course in one year. Ham- ilton College had conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts and in 1895 the degree of LL. D. Following the completion of his college course in law Ansel Judd Northrup located for practice in Syracuse in 1859 and has since been a resident of this city with the exception of a few months spent in Chicago. At the time of his arrival he was a young man of twenty-six years, ambitious, enthusiastic and determined, and owing to the possession of these qualities, combined with a comprehensive knowledge of the law, no dreary novitiate awaited him. He yet remains an active practitioner and for years has been accorded a foremost position among the able lawyers who have graced the courts of this district and of western New York. He has never feared that laborious attention to the work of the office that results in a thorough mastery of the case, while in the courtroom he has presented his cause with clearness and force. It is the theory of the law that the counsel who practice are to aid the court in the administra- tion of justice. There has been perhaps no member of the profession in Syra- cuse more careful to conform his practice to a high standard of professional ethics than A. J. Northrup. He has never sought to lead the court astray in a matter of fact or law, nor would he endeavor to hold from it a knowledge of any fact appearing in the record. Calm, dignified, self-controlled, free from passion or prejudice and overflowing with kindness, he has given to his clients the service of great talent, unwearied industry and rare learning and yet has never forgotten that there are certain things due to the court, to his own self- respect and above all to justice and the righteous administration of the law, which neither the zeal of an advocate nor the pleasure of success has permitted him to disregard. In 1882 he was elected on the republican ticket judge of the county court and in the discharge of his duties was so fair and impartial that at the succeeding election he was re-elected without oppositon from the demo- cratic party, his judicial service closing December 31, 1894. Judge Northrup has always manifested a citizen's deep interest in the great political problems and issues afifecting the weal or wOe of state and nation. He early became recognized as a force in republican politics in Syracuse, for the early years of his residence here covered that period when activity in politics became every man's duty — the period preceding the outbreak of the Civil war. During both the Lincoln campaigns he made many speeches and became the first vice president and later the president of the Loyal League, a strong patri- otic organization. His ambition, however, has not been in the line of office holding, yet he has done capable service in the different positions to which he has been called by appointment of by popular suft'rage. In 1870 he was appointed United States circuit court commissioner for the northern district of New York, and United States commissioner when the former office was abol- ished in 1897. In 1870 he was also appointed United States examiner in equity, both of which offices he has continued to hold. In February, 1895, he was nom- inated by Governor Morton and confirmed by the state senate as one of the three commissioners to revise the statutes of the state, and soon after was appointed one of the commissioners to revise the code of civil procedure, both of which offices he held until January i, 1901. He had personal charge of many of the most important revision bills which became laws. Judge Northrup's interest in municipal affairs has led to active co-operation in many movements having direct bearing upon the welfare and upbuilding of the city, which during the period of his residence here has developed from a small town to an important industrial and commercial center. Since 1877 he has been one of the trustees of the Syracuse Savings Bank. He is also a trustee of the Oakwood Cemetery Association; a director and the president of the Onondaga Historical Association; a director of the Genealogical Society of Central New York; vice president of the Society for the Federation of Churches in Syracuse and Onondaga county; an incorporator and for a long time direc- 31utige ia. 3ubb jj^rtftrup 25 tor of the University Club of Syracuse ; for some years president of the board of directors of the Syracuse Boys' Club; a member of the Syracuse Citizens' Club and of the Fortnightly Club and of other organizations. The foregoing list will serve to show the breadth of his interests for all those matters which pertain to civic life, to municipal honor, to intellectual advancement, to moral progress; and in fact all those subjects which touch the general interests of society and work for the good of mankind are of interest to him. He has long been an elder in the First Presbyterian church and was a lay commissioner from the Syracuse Presbytery to the general assembly held in Saratoga in 1890, celebrated for its great debate on ''revision." In 1890 he read a paper before the Elders' Association of the Syracuse Presbytery on "The Powers and Duties of Elders in the Presbyterian Church," which was published in pamphlet form and had a wide circulation. Later it was read at a notable gathering of Presbyterians in the west, and is said to have had a strong influence on the denomination throughout the country. Judge Northrup was married in 1863 to Miss Eliza S. Fitch. Unto them were born three sons and two daughters: Edwin Fitch, a graduate of Am- herst College, a fellow of John Hopkins University for two years and a Ph. D. degree alumnus of that institution; Elliott Judd, a graduate of Amherst and of the law department of Cornell University, and for some years his father's partner in practice, and now professor of law in the State University of Illinois ; Theodore Dwight, who died in 1885; Ursula, a graduate of Miss Wheelock's Kindergarten Trainu'ig School of Boston, who married Dr. Louis Cleveland Jones, chemist at Solvay ; and Edith, a graduate of Syracuse University. While Judge Northrup has always regarded the practice of law as his real life work he has found time and opportunity for recreation, for broad study and for authorship in additon to his active participation in political questions and in the municipal life of Syracuse. He believes firmly in the principle that the workers of the world should have their play spells as well, and in his earlier years and yet to a large extent he has greatly enjoyed the sport with rod and gun. He first went to the Adirondacks in 1863, finding there a genuine wil- derness not yet converted into the resort of the summer tourist. For many years he has visited that locality. In 1880 he wrote and published a book entitled ''Camps and Tramps in the Adirondacks, and Grayling Fishing in Northern Michigan; a Record of Summer Vacations in the Wilderness." This volume met with a ready sale because of its crisp style of narrative. It was followed the next year by "Sconset Cottage Life; a Summer on Nan- tucket Island." This also met with much favor and a second edition was issued, illustrated by half-tones made from photographs taken by the author. While his trips to the woods were made with a view of indulging in sport with rod and gun, he has ever had that deep love for and appreciation of nature which is ever found in the true woodsman and he is never happier than when dwelling "near to nature's heart." His writings, however, have 26 3Iuiigc a. 31ubb ^rtljrup not been confined to descriptions of camp life and summer vacations but have touched many of the more serious subjects which have claimed the attention of the mature and cuUured mind. Perhaps the most important is his "Slav- ery in New York; a Historical Sketch," which was published by the University of the state of New York as a state library bulletin in 1900. It is an exhaust- ive treatise on the subject, and its preparation required much careful research in a new field. He was the author of "The Class History of 1858 of Hamil- ton College," and he prepared the "Genealogy of the Northrup Family in America." Association and study making him thoroughly familiar with local history, he prepared and read before the Onondaga Historical Association a paper on "The Formative Period," treating of the controlling influences in the early days of this county, and recognized as one of the strongest articles ever written along that line. His writings have covered indeed a wide range of subjects, to say nothing of the vast amount of work he did as a member of the statutory revision commission. The "religions corporation law" of this state is largely the result of his work while a member of that commission and during the same time he visited all the prisons and penitentiary of the state, and prepared and read a paper on "Our State Prison System," which he was called upon to repeat several times. He also delivered many other addresses, literary and historical. A man of great versatility. Judge Northrup is entirely free from osten- tation or display and the humblest can approach him sure of his courteous attention. In manner he is always genial, oft times jovial and has that gen- erous spirit that is quick to recognize the good qualities in another. He has been an able, faithful and conscientious minister in the temple of justice and in his private life is endeared to all who know him by the simple nobility of his character. de4rciC ^' u^/v/rr/^ JBn (ieorge Jf isik Comfort ^ 1) R. GEORGE FISK COMFORT was born in Berk- shire, Tioga county, New York, September 30, 1833. His paternal ancestors (Comfort, Gildersleeve) and also his maternal (Smith, Lane) were of English descent, their earliest generation in America com- ing to the colonies near the beginning of the eight- eenth century. His father. Rev. Silas Comfort, D. D., was born in Lanesboro, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, on May 5, 1803, and died in 1868; his mother, Electa (Smith) Comfort, was born in Windsor, Broome county, New- York, October 17, 1803, and died 1861. Rev. Dr. Silas Comfort was a prominent minister in the Methodist church. In 1835 '^^ was transferred by Bishop Morris from Potsdam, New York, to the First Methodist Episcopal church in St. Louis, Missouri. By his ruling in introducing the testimony of a negro (slave) church member in the trial (which resulted in the expulsion) of a white memiber, he originated the famous "Silas Comfort Negro Testi- mony Case," which in the general conference at Baltimore, Maryland, in 1840, nearly disrupted that church on the subject of slavery and largely contributed to the tension which caused the secession of the southern Methodists in 1844. Owing to the violence of the agitation in Missouri caused by this "Negro Testi- mony Case," he returned to New York state in 1842, taking the pastorate of the Methodist church in Cazenovia and afterward the presiding eldership of the Wyoming, Oneida and Cazenovia districts of the Oneida conference. He was a member of the general conference of 1848 and 1852. He was a great student in theology and history, contributed articles to the Methodist Quar- terly Review, and was the author of: The Exposition of the Articles of Faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the End of the Argument (on universal salvation) and Man's Moral History. He always stood for reform and prog- ress and it is therefore fitting that the recent prohibition presidential candi- date, Silas Comfort Swallow, should have been named in his honor. The early education of his son. Dr. George F. Comfort, was commenced in a select school in St. Louis, Missouri, conducted by two highly accom- plished French Emigrees ladies and was continued in Cazenovia Seminary (1842-3) ; in the Wyoming Seminary at Kingston, Pennsylvania (1843-6), the first meeting for founding which school was held at the residence of Dr. Silas Comfort, he presiding; in Sauquoit Academy, New York (1846-9) ; and in the 28 0r. (JBeorgc iFifife Comfort Cazenovia Seminary (1849-53) at which he graduated in the three years' course in 185 1 and in the five years' course in 1853. Having a great love for drawing, in which he was started in the school taught by the French lad- ies in St. Louis, he availed himself eagerly of all the opportunities in that branch which were offered in the schools he subsequently attended. He remained in Cazenovia Seminary two years after he was prepared for enter- ing college, in order to take instruction in art under the accomplished Ger- man painter, F. C. Welch, who had established himself in Cazenovia and was at the head of the art department of the seminary. He was captivated by the works of Ruskin, then fresh from the English press, and was wavering between educating himself for the career of a practicing artist and entering a classical college. During this time he made for the seminary an herbarium of the flora of Madison county, from flowers appearing in the earliest spring to the latest fall. He also gave time to advanced study in the modern lan- guages, and to the works by Max Mueller on the science of language, then fresh from the English press, being the first presentation of this important branch in education to the Anglo-Saxon public. In all his after life he attrib- uted great importance to the broadening foundation he acquired by these two years of side study at the Cazenovia Seminary, after he had completed the regular preparatory studies for entering the classical college. As America was then destitute of good art schools, he decided to enter the Wesleyan Uni- versity, Middletown, Connecticut, graduating in 1857, receiving the degree of A. B. in 1857, and A. M. in i860. While in college he found considerable time to devote to painting, and visited freely the art exhibitions in New York and Boston, then yet rivaling New York as the center of art in America. After graduation Dr. Comfort for three years taught art and natural science in the Amenia and Fort Plain Seminaries and in the Van Norman Young Ladies School in New York, also giving a portion of his time to paint- ing and to perusing such books upon art and archeology as were then found in the Astor Library. Li i860 he entered upon his long-cherished plan of giving some years to travel and study in Europe and the Orient. He took passage, by the then entirely unfrequented route by American travelers, for the Mediterranean, on a large Italian packet and merchant ship, which, with its twenty-six Italian, Austrian and Hungarian passengers, touching at Gibral- tar and Messina, landed at Trieste, at the head of the Adriatic, a most favor- able starting-point for a journey to the Orient. Dr. Comfort always speaks of his long ocean voyage on a first-class sailing vessel as beyond comparison more delightful than a trip on any ocean steamer can possibly be. From Trieste, beginning with the highly interesting, but rarely visited eastern litorale of the Adriatic, the border land betwen the Orient and the Occident, including Istria, Dalmatia, Montenegro and the Ionian islands, he devoted six months to this region, Greece and the Mediterranean Orient, stop- ping two months each in Athens and Constantinople, of which city he has 1^. ^< iHajor l^ijeobore Hetoisi S^ooit 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 loth 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 63 64 USajor Cftcobore Uctois Poole private of Company I of the One Hundred and Twenty-second New York \^olunteer 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 I St of March, 1863, Mr. Poole was promoted to second lieutenant and on the loth 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 1st of June, 1864, Lieutenant Poole w-as 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 w-as 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 JlSajor Cfjfoborc TLt\aii Poole 65 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. From the time of its organization Major Poole was active in the affairs of the Grand Army of the Republic. For ten years he served as a member of the council of administration and in 1892 was chosen commander of the department of New York after having capably controlled its financial inter- ests for a number of years. He was one of the organizers of Dwight Post, the first post organized in Syracuse, and became one of the charter members of Root Post, No. 151, G. A. R. He died December 3, 1900, and was given a military burial with all the honors of war. Said the Post Standard edi- torially at the time of his death, "Some men, receiving the impression of one great event early in their lives, bear it forever, so that it characterizes their thoughts, their manners and even their physical appearance. The great war of 1861 seems to have had this efifect upon Theodore L. Poole, whose death is recorded in our columns today. He served with distinction and car- ries the marks of his bravery to the grave, but the bearing and the spirit of the soldier would have distinguished him, even without that empty sleeve. The war which preserved the Union was Major Poole's alma mater. The diploma of faithful service was his and the degree of veteran has seldom characterized a more brave, simple and modest gentleman. Major Poole was a good soldier, a worthy citizen and a Christian gentleman, and the people of these parts may well be glad that they had the opportunity, and used it, of proving to him that they appreciated his character and his ser- 66 ^ajor Cfjeoborc Hetoig Poole vices." Resolutions of respect and sympathy were passed by Root Post and also by the board of directors of the National Bank, the latter saying: "In all our relations with him he has proved himself an associate of unchang- ing loyalty to the interests which he has represented, unflagging in zeal, wise in counsel and generous in his judgments of others." Perhaps no better tribute to this soldier, loyal in days of war and in days of peace, can be given than to quote the poem written by Edward Renaud on the occasion of the Grand Army Encampment at Washington, where as commander of the New York Department, G. A. R., Major Poole rode at the head of the troops from the Empire state. Down from the green hill yonder. Crowned with its snowy dome The marching host comes, post on post. Like the cohorts of old Rome; Heroes of many battles. Taught in war's sternest school. They're tramping down through the flag-decked tovvU Behind the gallant Poole. Never, I ween, twelve thousand Of nobler men than these Marched where tattered ensigns Waved in the battle's breeze; Look where they come, advancing With proudly martial gait! Hail, to her heroes of the war ! Hail to the Empire state! There's a "Lincoln" and "Kearney," "Sumner;" And "Grant" from Brooklyn too, Marching in serried rank on rank, Still wearing the dear old blue ; Steady and true the column. Straight as if lined by rule; While, stout at need, on his sturdy steed There, at the head, rides Poole. Proud mem'ries of the mighty strife Break o'er each martial strain, ' There Sickles, and Slocum, Howard; All march abreast again; There's Reynolds, and Carr, and Siegel, McMahon and Curtis grand; For the Empire state flings wide her gate To the noblest of the land. Majot '^ttotote Hctptg Poole Hark, how the shouts of thousands Rise from the mighty mass, Crowning the martial music, As they press to see them pass; There's^-'Garfield/' and "Hill," and "Hoffman, And '"Root," and "Hooker" true. All keeping pace, with the honest face Of the boys that wear the blue. Go! fill me a foaming beaker Full, full to the beady brim. To quaff to the grand old Empire state As she sings her battle-hymn — Sings it with marching thousands Trained in war's sternest school. While, stout at need, on his sturdy steed There, at the front, rides Poole. Died Dec. 3, 1900. 67 i»sk Ji b(r ->? a> OTilbert Hetois; ^mitb 'ILBERT LEWIS SMITH, who ranks with his brother, L. C. Smith, as a pioneer of the typewriter industry in Syracuse, was born February 29, 1852, in Torrington, Connecticut, the son of Lewis Stev- ens Smith and EHza Ann (Hurlbut) Smith. He removed in childhood witli his parents to Lisle, Broome county, New York, where he received his education and grew up in his father's manufactur- ing business, but about 1877 came to Syracuse and was employed in gun manufacture with L. C. Smith. With him, he saw early the opportunities in typewriter-making and was active in the produc- tion of the Smith Premier typewriter and the organization of a company for its manufacture, of which he is vice president and factory manager. He soon became a recognized authority on typewriter-making and manufacturing processes and much of the Smith reputation for superior construction is due to his genius and ability. When the L. C. Smith & Brothers Typewriter Company was organized he became its vice president and personally supervised the construction and equipment of the new factory building, as well as the model of the visible writing machine which has since been produced with great success. In addition to his manufacturing interests Mr. Smith turned his atten- tion to banking and assisted in organizing the Syracuse Trust Company, of which he is vice president. He is also a director of the National Bank of Syracuse. Some of his other business relations are vice president of the L. C. Smith Transit Company, engaged in the carrying trade on the Great Lakes; and director of the Globe Navigation Company, operating a line of vessels on the Pacific coast. He is one of the owners of the Smith-Lee Com- pany of Oneida, New York, manufacturing sanitary caps for milk and cream bottles. With a few other Syracuse business men W. L. Smith is the owner of considerable real estate in Seattle, Washington, consisting of city blocks. He is greatly interested in the welfare of his home city and is a public- spirited citizen, though he never courts prominence. He is a valued mem- ber of the Syracuse Chamber of Commerce, of which he has served as direc- tor, and is a member of the board of trustees of St. Joseph's Hospital. He is a member of the Citizens' and Century Clubs of Syracuse, is domestic in his tastes, and enjoys automobiling. 70 Wilbtvt TLt^ii ^mitf) Mr. Smith was married in i8S6 to Miss Louise L. Hunt and has two sons, Wilbert A., now a student at Trinity College; and Elwyn L. His charm- ing home is one of the most substantial in the fine residential section of West Onondaga street. Sfamcs Cooper ^apre 'AMES COOPER SAYRE, deceased, was for many years identified with building interests as a con- tractor of Marcellus and was also associated with other business enterprises which brought him into close and intimate relations with many residents of the town. All those associated with him entertained for him warm regard and throughout the community in which he lived he was the object of general afifection and esteem. His birth occurred September II, 1815, at Neversink, Sullivan county. New York. He was descended from an old family. The old Sayre home, which was built at Southampton, Long Island, in 1648, by Thomas Sayre, is still standing and is yet occupied. Since the establishment of the family in America its members have been prominent in various localities where they have lived. James Cooper Sayre was about two and a half years old when his par- ents removed from Neversink to New York city. At the age of ten years, on the death of his mother, he went to live with an uncle, who was a prac- ticing physician of New Jersey. About a year later, however, this relative died and he had to seek another home. He was twelve years of age when he became a resident of Scipio, Cayuga county. New York, where he lived with an uncle, who was a farmer. For three years he remained upon the farm but finding that his tastes were more in the direction of mechanical rather than agricultural interests, he went to Auburn, New York, where he apprenticed himself to Dean Hagman, whom he was to serve until twenty-one years of age, and by whom he was to be instructed in the trade of a carpenter and joiner. He found this pursuit congenial and made rapid progress therein, acquiring in three years such efficiency in and knowledge of the business that he went to his employer, desiring to purchase his time and be relieved from his engagement to serve until he should become of age. The arrangement being concluded, Mr. Sayre started out in life on his own account and soon became recognized as a master builder. On the 20th of August, 1835, occurred the marriage of James C. Sayre and Miss Lydia W. Webb, of Auburn, New York, where they spent the early years of their married life. They also lived for a time near Moravia, while Mr. Sayre engaged in further building operations in Auburn and in neighbor- ing towns. On the ist of September, 1843, he removed to Marcellus, to 72 31ameg Cooper ^aprc engage in his chosen field of labor and erected many buildings here, including a church, the two mills and other structures. He also built the Second Presbyterian church and the old courthouse at Auburn. He was likewise interested in the woolen mills at Marcellus for some time and became asso- ciated with many other business interests which brought him into close contact with many people. During the last thirty-five years of his life he gave employ- ment to more people in this locality than any other one man. None ever found him a hard task-master. On the contrary he was just and considerate of his employes and was never known to overreach another in a business transaction. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sayre were born six children. Sophia, the eldest, died in 1854. William H. enlisted as adjutant in the Seventy-fifth New York Infantry under Colonel Dwight, of Auburn, and served for four years. Being captured, he was incarcerated in Libby prison but was exchanged and at the time of his discharge he held the rank of lieutenant. He married Mrs. Sarah Dwight, of Syracuse, and died June 18, 1881. Charlotte became the wife of Harvey W. Burr, who died in February, 1904, while her death occurred February 26, 1907. Sarah B., who was educated in Willard Seminary at Troy, New York, is now a resident of Marcellus. James Cooper died June 10, 1867. Lue W. is the widow of Albert E. Oatman, of New York city, who died January 12, 1882. The two surviving daughters now reside in the old Sayre home in Marcellus. In his political views Mr. Sayre was a republican but never a politician in the sense of office seeking. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity and was a devoted and helpful member of the Presbyterian church. For many years he served as a deacon in the church, was also trustee, a member of the choir and superintendent of the Sunday school. He loved the place of prayer and was found there as often as possible. His death occurred February 4, 1882, and the community lost one who was recognized as a leader in business circles, in the church, in the community and in social life. He possessed a kind and afifectionate disposition, a sunshiny nature ; never forgot a friend and had no enemies. All men respected him, and his memory is yet enshrined in the hearts of many who knew him and were his associates in life. OTiUiam ^. Cog^toell F IT HAD not been for William Browne Cogswell's grasping of a suggestion which came to him while listening to the reading of a paper upon the manu- facture of ammonia soda, by the inventor Goesten- horfer, at a meeting of the American Institute of Mining Engineers at Drifton, Pennsylvania, in the winter of 1879, Onondaga would never have had its greatest industry — so great in truth that the combined freight outgoing and incom- ing of all other manufacturers in Syracuse together does not equal it — the Solvay Process Company. Others heard that same paper, the story of the manufacture of ammonia soda was somewhat common scientific knowledge, at least abroad, and the value of the manufactured product well known. But it was the coming together of the idea and the man that was the important thing for Syracuse, the financial opportunity for the man's friends and the prospective opening of thousands of careers of future employes and inventors. How easy it is to trace back through a man's life and point to this experience or that accident as controlling upon future success. Yet, when it comes to the man who materializes an idea, pushes it to success and is credited with a captaincy in industry, there will be found less of accident and more of experience, coupled with the exceptional qualities which in combina- tion made the man for the time and the idea. Accidents may happen in politics and professions, but seldom in industry. Ideas are common, the right men are few. There were but fourteen years between William Cogs- well's birth at Oswego, New York, on September 22, 1834, and the beginning of that practical experience which did so much to make the man, while there were thirty-one years' experience before the man and the idea came together. We see the man in the smooth harbor of success and are too apt to forget the rough sailing which made this haven possible. The Cogswell family in America dated from 1635, at Ipswich, Massachu- setts, and came from good old English stock, being founded by Sir John Cogswell, born 1592 at Westbury, Leigh, Wiltshire. David Cogswell (1807-1877) a contractor, was the father of W^illiam B. Cogswell, and Mary Barnes, daughter of James Barnes of Ashford, Kent, England, the mother. The Cogswells moved to Syracuse in 1838, and David Cogswell became promi- 74 l©iUiam 25. CogStDpll nent in the village and succeeding city of Syracuse. Mrs. Cogswell's death occured in 1862. William Cogswell attended Hamilton Academy, Oneida county, and the private schools of Joseph Allen in Syracuse and Professor Orin Root at Syracuse and Seneca Falls, but Mr. Cogswell's education began before either of these experiences, and it did not end when he bade tutors and college good-bye, for he made all life an education In 1848, when only fourteen, he took a year's experience in practical engineering in the employ of a party engaged in surveying the route of the Syracuse & Oswego Rail- road, and the relaying of the track of the Syracuse & Utica Railroad with T-rails. This developed rather than curbed his inclination for civil engineer- ing and gave him a first knowledge of the territory which in a geological way meant so much for the great Solvay idea. In 1849 William Cogswell began his three years' student life at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at Troy, New York, a member of the class of 1852, but destined not to receive his degree of "C. E." until 1884, an extension of the course leaving the class of 1852 without the customary exer- cises of graduation. The belated degree became the greater honor. From, the institute to the school of experience was the graduation in 1852, Mr. Cogswell serving an apprenticeship for three years in the LawTence, Massa- chusetts, machine shops under the superintendence of John C. Hoadley, gain- ing more of that practical knowledge of engineering, mechanics and physics which made life no accident with him. When he returned to Syracuse in 1856, Mr. Cogswell was selected by George Barnes to accompany him to Ohio, where Mr. Barnes was superintendent of the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad, and Mr. Cogswell was made manager of the machinery depart- ment of the road located at Chillicothe. Three years more of experience, and in 1859 Mr. Cogswell became superintendent of the Broadway Foundry at St. Louis, Missouri. Returning to Syracuse in i860 Mr. Cogswell in associa- tion with William A. and A. Avery Sweet, founded the firm of Sweet Broth- ers & Company, which later became the Whitman & Barnes Manufacturing Company. The mechanic had become the expert. With the beginning of the Civil war, Mr. Cogswell received the civilian appointment as mechanical engineer of the United States navy. During 1861 he was located at Port Royal, South Carolina, having general superin- tendence of the work of fitting up repair shops at five widely separated sta- tions on the Atlantic seaboard and the Gulf of Mexico. It was in this year that he literally launched a machine shop, a unique idea of this period when great minds were evolving unique ideas for offense and defense to save the country. In May, 1861, when Admiral Dupont of the North Atlantic Squad- ron sought to make repairs without docking, this machine shop was gathered by Mr. Cogswell in a boat and shipped to Port Royal. There an old whaler was made over for machine shop purposes, and Mr. Cogswell became a real captain. The incalculable services of the expert mechanic are not to be i©iUtam 2?. CosStoeU 75 gauged by the ordinary standards, for the hazards of the work and the make- shifts are beyond the comprehension of those who have not the advantage of a war experience and the doing of great work under difficukies. One example of the efficiency of this navy machine shop may be ghmpsed from the statement that a cyhnder head, weighing more than five hundred pounds, was cast and made ready for a monitor — not a minor casting task for a land- built shop even at the present time. In 1862 Mr. Cogswell was transferred to the Brooklyn navy yards in charge of steam repairs, a construction work which occupied his attention until 1866. The two succeeding years were spent in work in New York city. Mr. Cogswell's return to central New York was in 1869, his expert abilities being engaged in the supervision of construction and operation of blast furnaces for the Franklin Iron works of Oneida county, New York, at the same time being given charge of the completion of the Clifton suspension bridge at Niagara Falls, a recognition of mechanical engineering and execu- tive genius which probably appealed more to the popular appreciation of me- chanics than many other of Mr. Cogswell's important accomplishments. This work occupied Mr. Cogswell to 1873. The records of life are filled with turnings and twistings and man is frequently long upon some pathway before there is a realization that the turn taken was so career-changing. Mr. Cogswell made such a turn in 1874 when he listened to the inducement of Rowland Hazard, of Peacedale, Rhode Island, to take charge of the big lead mines at Mine La Motte, Missouri, Five years mining experience brought new tendencies and a bent for things under the earth as well as upon the land and water. Then came the meeting of the man and the one great idea which was to mean so much to thousands of workmen, professional men and financiers. The more Mr. Cogswell thought of Goestenhorfer's paper on the manufacture of ammonia soda, the surer Mr. Cogswell felt that America furnished the field and the opportunity for like endeavor. Ernest Solvay, the chemist, invented the process which bears his name, and Alfred, the brother, gave the business qualifications which assured success. Carrying letters of introduction Mr. Cogswell sailed to investigate at first hand this process which his industrial and mechanical mind followed as if the idea was a lode star. At Brussels, Belgium, he gave his letters to the brothers Solvay, who listened, but refused the application as they had many others. There had b^en too many and varied experiences in Mr. Cogswell's life for him to take one refusal, and his investigation of the Goestenhorfer plant only convinced him the more that the Solvay process was the greatest commercial prospect. Back to the Solvays he went and the siege was on, successful in the end not only for the man's persistence but because he had capabilities which stood the test of research. Armed with a commission to examine eligible sites for a plant in the United States, ^Ir. Cogswell returned home. 76 ©illiam 25. Cosfitoell As geologist and engineer 'Mr. Cogswell knew the opportunity of his old home, Syracuse, but there were many things to be considered. Looking at the result today, when all lines of traffic converge at the Solvay works, lime- stone gravitates in buckets to the yards and the heaviest solution of brine runs through the pipes to the works, it is easy to see how admirably adapted is the location for its purposes. But consider figuring this all out when this section was but vacant pasture and unused salt lands. How the prophetic industrial eye must have been developed in these experiences of the man with the idea. Every promise came true, for the Solvays approved the site chosen, just over the nothwestern line of the city, but at that time nearer to the village of Geddes. Then came the all-important question of capital. Not only the experience of the man but experiences with the man counted in this juncture. Rowland Hazard believed in the man, and it was Mr. Hazard's money which aided materially in the erection of that first plant, now almost lost in the midst of the great plant of today. With a capital stock of three hundred thousand dollars the Solvay Process Company was organized in 1881, with Rowland Hazard president; Earl B. Alvord, William A. Sweet and George E. Dana directors, and William B. Cogswell treasurer and general manager. Today the capital stock is eight million dollars, with an investment of twenty mil- lion dollars, the largest soda ash plant in the world, employing close upon five thousand people, with a product of six hundred thousand six hundred tons a year. A branch of almost equal proportions was established at Detroit in 1897. Mr. Cogswell retained the office of treasurer and general manager until June, 1887, when F. R. Hazard was made treasurer, Mr. Cogswell man- aging director, and E. N. Trump general manager. From the time the first settlers "boiled salt" in Onondaga it was a debate as to where the salt beds were located which so bountifully fed the springs in the early days. The state in its reservation of the salt tract was satisfied to take the springs and adjoining lands, while many bored wells in the vicinity, some finding salt water but never rock salt. This was where Mr. Cogswell's mining experience and geological research were again of ines- timable value, but he was baffied at first. He worked upon a theory that the springs were somewhere near the edge of a bed or veins of rock salt. Experimental borings made in 1881 and 1883 were failures. Finally, in 1888, twenty-two miles south of Syracuse and near Tully, the belief of the geologist became truth, and at a depth of twelve hundred feet salt in solid form was struck. This vein was found to be from fifty to one hundred feet in thickness, and beyond a vein of equal thickness was found. To convey this salt in brine to Syracuse, Mr. Cogswell tapped one of the little Tully lakes and brought the water through a pipe by gravity, discharging the water into the half hundred wells, the solution being then piped to the Solvay Process works by the Tully pipe line. It is an interesting note that in many l©illiam 2J. CogstoEU 77 places this brine h^is displaced the output of the old state wells with salt manufacturers. The Tully Pipe Line Company was incorporated in 1889, with a capital stock of three hundred thousand dollars, Mr. Cogswell president and F. R. Hazard treasurer. The mechanical engineer showed forth again and again in jMr. Cogs- well's plans. The utihzation of the Split Rock quarries by a gravity cable bucket method is but one, although it is such an important feature in the landscape for several miles and so material to the works. For this project the Split Rock Cable Company was incorporated for one hundred thousand dollars with Mr. Cogswell as general manager. Another notable work of Mr. Cogswell was his part in the development of the Hannawa Falls Power Company at Hannawa Falls, St. Lawrence county, New York, which owns a povv-er plant of ten thousand horsepower capacity at that point, and another of forty thousand horsepower at Colton. Mr. Cogswell is the principal stockholder in this, one of his numerous enterprises. But industrial foresight is not entirely successful which does not com- prehend the enlisting of helpers and the management of men. It was this quality in the working organization of the Solvay plant which has counted much in its success, even after all the other bridges were crossed. Mr. Cogswell's knowledge of men was such that he gathered about him a staff of exceptionally bright young men, most of whom were specialists and scien- tists. Many a bright young man starting in a menial capacity, having shown an aptitude for greater things, has been taken up by Mr. Cogswell, educated and advanced to responsible posts. This kindness to men in every walk of life has given that spirit of loyalty which is one of the great things in the Solvay works. Mr. Cogswell's identification with man}' charitable movements is a mat- ter which he invariably leaves for the public to find out in some other way than the bringing forth of his name in prominent letters. But it is work for that noblest of institutions, the Hospital of the Good Shepherd, which has made the great plant for the care of the sick and unfortunate possible. His gifts to that institution alone amount to two hundred and fifty thousand dol- lars— but then that is a matter of historic record and no confidence is betrayed in the statement. Mr. Cogswell is a member of many societies and clubs, but is best known in the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Institute of Min- ing Engineers, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Society of Chemical Industry of England, and the North American Society for the Advancement of Sciences. He is a fellow of the Geographical Society, a Mas- ter Mason, Royal Arch Chapter, and member of the Sons of the Revolution, the Citizens' Club, the Century Club, Technical Club, University Club, Syra- cuse Country Club and Onondaga Historical Association of Syracuse; the Uni- versity Club, Engineers' Club, National Arts Club, Transportation Club, 7S l©iUiam 2?. Cogstopn Chemical Club and Republican Club, Pittsburg Duquesne Club, and the Detroit Club and Fellowcraft Club of Detroit. The genealogy of the Cogswell family shows a long line founded by that hardy stock which fearlessly braved the rigors of the New England coast within fifteen years of the landing of the Mayflower. John and Eliza- beth Thompson Cogswell emigrated to America in 1635. Then follows this line of descent: William, baptized March, 1619, died December 15, 1700; William, December 4, 1659, April 14, 1708; Edward, August 13, 1686, April 17, 1773; Samuel, March i, 17 10 — ; Asa, March 30, 1740, 1832; Daniel, 1770 — ; David, March 12, 1807, October 3, 1877; William Browne, September 22, 1834. The first marriage of Mr. Cogswell was to Miss Mary N. Johnson, daugh- ter of Reuben Johnson of Boscowen, formerly Fisherville, January 31, 1856, Mrs. Cogswell dying July 20, 1877, leaving one daughter, Mabel Cogswell. On April 29, 1902, Mr. Cogswell married Miss Cora Browning, of New York city. Mr. Cogswell was one of the hundred captains of industry appointed by President Roosevelt to meet Prince Henry of Prussia. In politics Mr. Cogswell has always been a republican but never obtrusively active. He was satisfied with the honors by his industrial foresight, experience and gen- ius, never by those things which came by accident. It was a great thing for Syracuse when this man and the Solvay idea came together. If they had missed, Syracuse would not be as great a place as it is today. Eoijert Sep OBERT DEY was one of the first men in Syracuse whose business sagacity was strong enough to enable him to understand that the growth and development of the city justified the extension of its business cen- ter; that it was no longer necessary to concentrate commercial interests around four corners; that suc- cessful enterprises could be conducted elsewhere than in this locality. He therefore purchased property in the residence district and began the building of the great Dey Brothers store. This was in 1892, less than ten years after his arrival in Syracuse. In this way the Deys set the pace for native Syracusans and the wisdom of their business judgment has been demonstrated so frequently that the Dey building at the present time is located in what is termed the "down town" district. "Syracuse is the most enterprising and one of the smartest cities in the country" is the belief expressed again and again in speech and action by the head founder of this great dry-goods house and because of this belief Rob- ert Dey has become as loyal to the city as one of its native sons. He was born in the parish of Abernathy, Scotland, November 25, 1849. His father was a farmer and miller and his family one of the highest respec- tability. The record shows that its members have been characterized by strength of opinion and honor in accomplishment. The forefathers in the beginning of the eighteenth century espoused the cause of the brave but unfor- tunate Stuarts. It was near the end of the sixteenth century that Queen Elizabeth granted lands in Norfolk, England, to the Dey family for public services and it was shortly after this event that the branch of the family from which the Dey brothers sprang, migrated to Scotland. In Aberdeen Robert Dey laid the foundation of that business knowledge which he was to bring to this country and use so advantageously for the city and for his family. He had been educated in the district schools of Kirk- michael and was but seventeen years of age when he went to Aberdeen, where he entered the employ of Pratt & Keith, proprietors of the largest dry-goods house in the north of Scotland. He had remained with that firm for five years, gaining a practical knowledge of the business in both the wholesale and retail departments. He came to this country in 1871 and upon his arrival entered the employ of the well known firm of Sibley, Lindsay & Curr, of Roch- ester, New York. Over five years more were devoted to practical work and 79 8o ^htvt 0ep study in various departments, during which time he gained thorough familiar- ity with the requirements and needs of the business in this country. Fully confident, after devoting ten and a half }'ears to hard work and close applica- tion to the dry-goods business in all its branches from the looms to the counter, the firm of Dey Brothers & Company was established in Elmira, New York, in 1877, Robert Dey previous to this date being joined by his brothers, Don- ald, Charles and Tames. About three years later they were joined by an older brother, John, who subsequently invented and patented the time register. Their business grew until it became one of the most important in Elmira and was the inspiration for the attempt to establish a similar enterprise in a larger city. It was in 1883 that Robert Dey came to Syracuse and purchased the dry- goods house of the late Edward F. Rice, this being one of the old established mercantile enterprises of the city, its location being just south of the White Memorial building in South Salina street. The Dey brothers increased their business at once, keeping their old established trade and winning new patrons. They purchased the crockery business of Charles Hamlin, which was located to the south of the Dey store. The Hamlin stock was sold out immediately, for the space occupied by it was much needed by the rapidly growing Dey business and it was this that inspired the purchase of the Hamlin store. The severe criticisms that followed by many of the patrons for thus closing out the best china store in the city, accounts for the provision made in the new store for ample room for a larger and better china department. Up to this time the Deys had not carried china at all, which department has since become an important feature of that store and constitutes one of the finest lines of goods of this character to be found in central New York. The story of the success of the Dey firm is one of constant growth. Robert Dey was a man of ideas. He made the same study of the people's wants that a scien- tist does of the thing he investigates. Like the snow ball which is rolled over soft snow down hill, constantly taking up new material, the business kept growing and in the early '90s came the move south which proved an epoch in the business life of Syracuse and really changed the down town map of the city. On the 2d of May, 1894, the Dey Brothers moved into their great stores at South Salina and Jefiferson streets. To the keen business judgment which dictated this move, even against the prophecies of many of the older business heads of the city, was due the whole building up of South Salina street south from Jefiferson street. Robert Dey is typically the progressive merchant of modern life and concentrates undivided attention upon his business affairs. While his politi- cal influence has been of the highest, he has been careful to use it only for the cleanest politics in the city, state and nation. That he has stood for the best in political life is not a mere assertion but a matter of intimate knowl- edge to his townsmen. Yet he has persistently refrained from taking an aoticrt ^rp 8i active interest in party politics as a candidate for office. Again and again he has been oftered tempting nominations but has steadily refused unless there was need that his name should be used to purify the situation. He belongs to that class of men who wield a power which is all the more potent from the fact that it is moral rather than political and is exercised for the public weal rather than for personal ends. His rare aptitude and ability in achieving results, however, have made him constantly sought but it is only when he feels that the public situation demands it that he has stepped aside from his path as a merchant to take active part in public interests. His business capacity has been called upon many times to help establish other projects and business enterprises. He was one of the incorporators of the Dey Time Register Company and for years was one of its officers. He was likewise one of the incorporators of the Syracuse Trust Company and one of the incorpora- tors of the Syracuse Homeopathic Hospital. He has been interested in and identified with national bank boards and at present is one of the directors of the National Bank of Syracuse. He has also been connected with the Sweet Manufacturing Company, of which he was made receiver and in the reorgan- ization of which he rendered material aid. On the 2d of January, 1890, Mr. Dey was married to Miss Mary Sweet, the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William A. Sweet. They now have three children, Amoret Sweet, Victoria Mary Sweet and William Robert.

Price: 199.99 USD

Location: Utica, New York

End Time: 2024-09-24T16:30:32.000Z

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All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted

Binding: Leather

Topic: Genealogy

Country/Region of Manufacture: United States

Subject: History

Year Printed: 1908