Mr. Geddes was born in Fairmount on Feb. 14 1809. His boyhood was spent on the farm and in the district school. He was fitted for advanced studies at the Onondaga Academy, and was graduated from Capt. Partridge's Military School, at Middletown, Mass. He read law with Daniel Kellogg, at Skaneateles, N.Y. but did not apply for admission to the Bar. He preferred the profession of civil engineer and surveyor, in which his father had distinguished himself, and in which the son became successful and prominent. He was the consulting engineer in the construction of the Syracuse and Oswego Railroad. The Blossburg coal mines were opened according to surveys made under his direction, and the most practical work of the large amount done in draining the Montezuma marshes were performed according to plans made by him. He made a geological survey of Onondaga Count 25 years ago, and wrote a valuable work on the subject. He was a member of the commission appointed pursuant to an act of the Legislature to award a prize offered by the State for the successful application of steam as a motive power on the canals. He was also an original member of the State Survey Commission, and his membership was continued until his death.
Mr. Geddes was a member of the State Senate during the years 1848, 1949, 1850 and 1851, having been elected as a Whig. He was the author of the general railroad law under which railroad corporations have since been organized. The quill with which Gov. Fish signed the bill was preserved by Mr. Geddes. He acquired a State reputation during his term in the Senate, and wielded considerable political influence. He was twice nominated for State Engineer and Surveyor, and with the other candidates upon the ticket, twice failed of an election. Two years ago he was appointed a member of the commission to revise the tax laws. Originally he was a Whig, but he became a Republican when that party was formed, and remained a consistent member of it. He was Superintendent of the Onondaga salt springs during the term of six years. Mr. Geddes was most widely known as an authority on agriculture, which, by patient study and observation, he had reduced to a science. He possessed a farm of 500 acres, which was noted for its productiveness and excellent condition. Twice it was entered for competition at the State Fair, and twice Mr. Geddes received the first prize. Mr. Geddes leaves a widow and two children -- Mrs. David Cassitt and the Hon. James Geddes, member of Assembly from Onondaga County.
New York Times, October 9, 1883, page 2
Mr. Geddes was born in Fairmount on Feb. 14 1809. His boyhood was spent on the farm and in the district school. He was fitted for advanced studies at the Onondaga Academy, and was graduated from Capt. Partridge's Military School, at Middletown, Mass. He read law with Daniel Kellogg, at Skaneateles, N.Y. but did not apply for admission to the Bar. He preferred the profession of civil engineer and surveyor, in which his father had distinguished himself, and in which the son became successful and prominent. He was the consulting engineer in the construction of the Syracuse and Oswego Railroad. The Blossburg coal mines were opened according to surveys made under his direction, and the most practical work of the large amount done in draining the Montezuma marshes were performed according to plans made by him. He made a geological survey of Onondaga Count 25 years ago, and wrote a valuable work on the subject. He was a member of the commission appointed pursuant to an act of the Legislature to award a prize offered by the State for the successful application of steam as a motive power on the canals. He was also an original member of the State Survey Commission, and his membership was continued until his death.
Mr. Geddes was a member of the State Senate during the years 1848, 1949, 1850 and 1851, having been elected as a Whig. He was the author of the general railroad law under which railroad corporations have since been organized. The quill with which Gov. Fish signed the bill was preserved by Mr. Geddes. He acquired a State reputation during his term in the Senate, and wielded considerable political influence. He was twice nominated for State Engineer and Surveyor, and with the other candidates upon the ticket, twice failed of an election. Two years ago he was appointed a member of the commission to revise the tax laws. Originally he was a Whig, but he became a Republican when that party was formed, and remained a consistent member of it. He was Superintendent of the Onondaga salt springs during the term of six years. Mr. Geddes was most widely known as an authority on agriculture, which, by patient study and observation, he had reduced to a science. He possessed a farm of 500 acres, which was noted for its productiveness and excellent condition. Twice it was entered for competition at the State Fair, and twice Mr. Geddes received the first prize. Mr. Geddes leaves a widow and two children -- Mrs. David Cassitt and the Hon. James Geddes, member of Assembly from Onondaga County.
New York Times, October 9, 1883, page 2
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Removed from Fairmount, NY 11-7-1898
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