Onondaga County NY

Biographical Sketch of William Elmer Crofut

William Elmer Crofut, born in Syracuse, N.Y., on September 5, 1874, was educated at Syracuse University. He married Ruth Paul in 1899 and had one son, William E., Jr., a veteran of the Spanish-American War. Crofut moved to Cleveland in 1899, initially managing a mercantile agency. He then served as secretary and treasurer for Ohio Rubber Co. until 1905 when he founded and continues to lead the Forest City Rubber Co. He is involved in various local organizations, including the Mayfield Country Club and the Chamber of Commerce.

Biographical Sketch of James McCreary Gee

James McCreary Gee, born December 24, 1875, in Kingsville, Ohio, was a real estate broker with a diverse professional background. After completing his education at Allegheny College and Western Reserve University, he worked as a traveling salesman and later in life insurance and sales management. He held leadership roles in various companies before becoming engaged in real estate brokerage in Cleveland. A Republican and active in local organizations, Gee’s family included four children from his marriage to Helen Mills.

Biographical Sketch of Moses William Harvey

Moses William Harvey, born on September 6, 1852, in Delphi, New York, was the son of Samuel and Sarah Scott Harvey. He received a common school education and married Eliza Newman in Columbus, Ohio, in 1875. Harvey began his career in express service in April 1873 and worked for the United States Express Co. before joining Wells Fargo Co. as an agent in Cleveland in 1888. He also held a presidency at Genck Realty Co. and was active in local business organizations.

Biographical Sketch of Edward L. Harris

Edward L. Harris, born in December 1852 in Delavin, Wisconsin, was an influential educator in Cleveland, where he served as assistant superintendent of schools from September 1912 onward. He graduated from Wayland Academy and Syracuse University, beginning his career as a high school principal and later teaching in Cleveland High Schools. Harris was actively involved in various educational associations and civic organizations. He married Eva E. Gould in 1878, and they had three children, one of whom, Eva Lucile, passed away in 1896.

Biography of James Bassett

James Bassett, born in Glastonbury, England, in 1856, immigrated to America with his family in 1849. After moving to Kansas in 1857, he became a prominent figure in the Dover community, farming and contributing to local progress. A Civil War veteran, he served in the Second Kansas Cavalry and sustained injuries during battle. Beyond agriculture, Bassett helped establish the Dover State Bank and Cemetery, gaining a reputation for integrity and support. He married Ann Sage, raising four children, and remained a respected local leader until his death in 1915.

Cowles, Clara Mrs. – Obituary

Mrs. Clara Cowles, aged eighty-five, passed away at her daughter’s residence near North Powder, Oregon. Originally from Syracuse, New York, she had been a long-time resident of the area. Funeral services took place at her daughter’s home, led by Rev. G.R. Archer, and she was interred in the city cemetery.

Hascall, Charles Daniel – Obituary

Charles Hascall, aged 84, passed away in his home in Pilot Rock. Born in 1837 near Syracuse, New York, he moved to Vermont at the age of three and lived there until he relocated to Pilot Rock at 50. He is survived by four sons and a total of 15 descendants, including grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for tomorrow at 10 a.m. in Pilot Rock, conducted by Rev. Love.

Biographical Sketch of William Burgess

William Burgess, a prominent boot and shoe manufacturer, was born on October 12, 1827, in North Molton, England. He emigrated to the United States in 1849, working in various locations in New York and Pennsylvania before establishing his store in Mattoon, Illinois, in 1860. He returned to England briefly in 1855 and later traveled through Canada and Michigan. Burgess married Agnes Evans in 1862 and had three children, becoming a key figure in the community as a businessman and a member of the City Council.

Biography of James Porter Greves, M.D.

Dr. James Porter Greves, M.D., known as the Father of Riverside, was instrumental in founding the Colony Association and played a pivotal role in establishing the city of Riverside after arriving in 1870. Born on September 6, 1810, in New York, he pursued a diverse career in medicine across various states before settling in California. A respected community leader, he served as Riverside’s first Postmaster and contributed greatly to its horticultural development. Dr. Greves died on September 25, 1889, leaving behind a legacy of public service and compassion.

Biographical Sketch of M. E. Button

M. E. Button, originally from Onondaga County, New York, became a rancher near San Bernardino after moving to Ohio and marrying Mary Bittles in 1834. They had six children before relocating to California in 1850. Button purchased land, initially acquiring fifty acres and later settling on fifteen. He was a member of the Democratic Party and a Mason. By the time of his death in 1889, he and Mary had endured the loss of several children and were among the county’s oldest residents.

Biography of Adoniram Judson Twogood

Adoniram Judson Twogood, born in 1831 in Onondaga County, New York, was a key figure in the founding of the Southern California Colony Association and a pioneer in Riverside. After moving west in 1855 and serving as a Sergeant in the Sixth Iowa Cavalry during the Civil War, he settled in Riverside in 1871. Twogood thrived as a horticulturist, particularly in orange cultivation, and was instrumental in local development, including founding the East Riverside Land and Water Companies. A dedicated community member, he contributed to education and governance in Riverside.