James Geddes (engineer)
Encyclopedia
James Geddes was born in Carlisle
, Pennsylvania
and was a prominent engineer
, surveyor, New York State legislator and U.S. Congressman who was instrumental in the planning of the Erie Canal
and other canals in the United States
. He was also at the forefront of development of the salt
industry at Onondaga Lake
near Syracuse
, New York beginning in 1794.
for a short time, but left there due to his opposition to slavery
. For a brief period he was employed as a schoolmaster in Carlisle, Pennsylvania
.
in 1793 after leaving his previous job as a schoolmaster in Carlisle, Pennsylvania
to manufacture salt in the Onondaga Salt Springs Reservation. At that time, Geddes was not allowed to buy land next to the salt springs because the Iroquois
retained common rights to the lake and land around it. He returned to his home in Pennsylvania
to form a business to manufacture salt, although he did not stay there long and soon returned to New York
. During that period, residents of Salt Point, who were known as squatters, were very protective of the land on which they were squatting and they did not take kindly to visitors attempting to share the resources.
Geddes returned to the area in April 1794, however, instead of settling in Salt Point, he moved to the most southwest point of the lake to an area that is within the town of Geddes
of today. At that time, three other towns were involved in the manufacturing of salt; on the lower southeast of the lake was Salt Point and further north was Green Point, which no longer exists and on the other side of the lake, in the northeast corner, was Liverpool
. Geddes investigated the brine springs and set up a salt works at Geddesburgh, now Solvay
.
He acquired land from members of the Onondaga Indians and eventually became an adopted member of their tribe after providing gifts for them.
In 1798, Salt Point became the village of Salina
. The Surveyor-General, Simeon DeWitt employed Geddes to design the streets. Although Geddes had no formal training in surveying, DeWitt saw great potential in him. Soon Geddes sold his interest in the Geddes salt works to pursue other interests and surveying continued to be an important role for much of his life.
Previously, the main roads through Onondaga County were centered in the mid-section of the county (around Manlius
, Onondaga Hill
, Onondaga Hollow and Marcellus
) running east-west.
In the village of Salina
, the first two streets surveyed by Geddes were Free Street and Canal Street which are now called Hiawatha Boulevard and North Salina Street. Next, he named Center and Salt Streets which are now LeMoyne and Park Streets. Although there was organization to the land, "Salina continued to keep a shanty town quality." As time passed, lots were sold and "proper" buildings were erected.
James Geddes did not choose to live in Salina
or Onondaga Hill
, another village he surveyed that summer, but instead made his home three miles west of his old salt works in what is called Fairmount
today. By this time he had sold his interest in the salt works, continued surveying, and began to study law. In 1800, he was admitted to the bar and was appointed Justice of the Peace. He was becoming well-known and was to be further drawn into public life.
, to lot 38, Onondaga
, east and west through the reservation. James Geddes laid out the design of the new road in "rather an irregular form so that as much dry land might be secured as possible."
with approximately 20 lots on either side of West Genesee Street in 1807.
and surveyor
and an early supporter of a proposed canal to the Great Lakes
. Geddes was appointed by the New York State Surveyor General to explore possible routes for a canal. After much study, he determined that only two routes had the necessary water sources to support a canal. These two routes eventually became the Ohio and Erie Canal
and the Miami and Erie Canal
.
Based in part on Geddes' recommendations, the Legislature established a canal commission in 1810. Geddes was one of five engineers chosen in 1816 to supervise the construction of the Erie Canal
. He also was appointed chief engineer of the Ohio and Erie Canal
.
. He worked in this capacity until 1828, when he accepted a position with State of Pennsylvania in the design of the states's canal system. During the late 1820s, Geddes also surveyed a canal plot in Canada
.
(Onondaga Co.) in 1804
and 1822
. He was elected as a Federalist to the 13th United States Congress
, holding office from March 4, 1813, to March 3, 1815.
and agriculturist.
Geddes died at Camillus, New York
on August 17, 1838 at age 75.
is named for him as well as Geddes Street in Syracuse
.
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Carlisle is a borough in and the county seat of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The name is traditionally pronounced with emphasis on the second syllable. Carlisle is located within the Cumberland Valley, a highly productive agricultural region. As of the 2010 census, the borough...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
and was a prominent engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
, surveyor, New York State legislator and U.S. Congressman who was instrumental in the planning of the Erie Canal
Erie Canal
The Erie Canal is a waterway in New York that runs about from Albany, New York, on the Hudson River to Buffalo, New York, at Lake Erie, completing a navigable water route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. The canal contains 36 locks and encompasses a total elevation differential of...
and other canals in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He was also at the forefront of development of the salt
Salt
In chemistry, salts are ionic compounds that result from the neutralization reaction of an acid and a base. They are composed of cations and anions so that the product is electrically neutral...
industry at Onondaga Lake
Onondaga Lake
Onondaga Lake is a lake in Central New York located northwest of Syracuse, New York. The southeastern end of the lake and the southwestern shore abut industrial areas and expressways; the northeastern shore and northwestern end border a series of parks and museums. Although it is near the Finger...
near Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
, New York beginning in 1794.
Biography
The son of a Scottish farmer, he worked on his parents farm and taught school for a few years before moving to KentuckyKentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
for a short time, but left there due to his opposition to slavery
Slavery
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation...
. For a brief period he was employed as a schoolmaster in Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Carlisle is a borough in and the county seat of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The name is traditionally pronounced with emphasis on the second syllable. Carlisle is located within the Cumberland Valley, a highly productive agricultural region. As of the 2010 census, the borough...
.
Salt manufacture
James Geddes arrived in Salt Point outside of SyracuseSyracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
in 1793 after leaving his previous job as a schoolmaster in Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Carlisle is a borough in and the county seat of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The name is traditionally pronounced with emphasis on the second syllable. Carlisle is located within the Cumberland Valley, a highly productive agricultural region. As of the 2010 census, the borough...
to manufacture salt in the Onondaga Salt Springs Reservation. At that time, Geddes was not allowed to buy land next to the salt springs because the Iroquois
Iroquois
The Iroquois , also known as the Haudenosaunee or the "People of the Longhouse", are an association of several tribes of indigenous people of North America...
retained common rights to the lake and land around it. He returned to his home in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
to form a business to manufacture salt, although he did not stay there long and soon returned to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. During that period, residents of Salt Point, who were known as squatters, were very protective of the land on which they were squatting and they did not take kindly to visitors attempting to share the resources.
Geddes returned to the area in April 1794, however, instead of settling in Salt Point, he moved to the most southwest point of the lake to an area that is within the town of Geddes
Geddes, New York
Geddes is a town in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 17,740 at the 2000 census.The Town of Geddes is west of the neighborhood of Far Westside of Syracuse. The town is a western suburb of Syracuse.- History :...
of today. At that time, three other towns were involved in the manufacturing of salt; on the lower southeast of the lake was Salt Point and further north was Green Point, which no longer exists and on the other side of the lake, in the northeast corner, was Liverpool
Liverpool, New York
Liverpool is a village located in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 2,505 at the 2000 census. The name was adopted from the city of Liverpool in the United Kingdom...
. Geddes investigated the brine springs and set up a salt works at Geddesburgh, now Solvay
Solvay, New York
Solvay is a village located in Onondaga County, New York, and a suburb of the city of Syracuse. According to the 2000 census, the village had a total population of 6,845...
.
He acquired land from members of the Onondaga Indians and eventually became an adopted member of their tribe after providing gifts for them.
Surveyor
Geddes was hired in 1797 by the State of New York to survey Onondaga Salt Springs Reservation and lay out the first road in Salt Point.In 1798, Salt Point became the village of Salina
Salina, New York
Salina is a town in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 33,290 at the 2000 census. The name of the town is derived from the Latin word for "salt."...
. The Surveyor-General, Simeon DeWitt employed Geddes to design the streets. Although Geddes had no formal training in surveying, DeWitt saw great potential in him. Soon Geddes sold his interest in the Geddes salt works to pursue other interests and surveying continued to be an important role for much of his life.
Previously, the main roads through Onondaga County were centered in the mid-section of the county (around Manlius
Manlius (town), New York
Manlius is a town in Onondaga County, east of the city of Syracuse, New York, United States. The population was 32,370 at the 2010 census, making it the third largest suburb in metropolitan Syracuse...
, Onondaga Hill
Onondaga Hill, New York
Onondaga Hill is a hamlet in the Town of Onondaga in Onondaga County, New York, southwest of the city of Syracuse. It is located on the Seneca Turnpike at the intersection of New York State Route 173 and New York State Route 175....
, Onondaga Hollow and Marcellus
Marcellus, New York
Marcellus, New York may refer to:*Marcellus , New York in Onondaga County*Marcellus , New York, located within the Town of Marcellus...
) running east-west.
In the village of Salina
Salina, New York
Salina is a town in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 33,290 at the 2000 census. The name of the town is derived from the Latin word for "salt."...
, the first two streets surveyed by Geddes were Free Street and Canal Street which are now called Hiawatha Boulevard and North Salina Street. Next, he named Center and Salt Streets which are now LeMoyne and Park Streets. Although there was organization to the land, "Salina continued to keep a shanty town quality." As time passed, lots were sold and "proper" buildings were erected.
James Geddes did not choose to live in Salina
Salina, New York
Salina is a town in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 33,290 at the 2000 census. The name of the town is derived from the Latin word for "salt."...
or Onondaga Hill
Onondaga Hill, New York
Onondaga Hill is a hamlet in the Town of Onondaga in Onondaga County, New York, southwest of the city of Syracuse. It is located on the Seneca Turnpike at the intersection of New York State Route 173 and New York State Route 175....
, another village he surveyed that summer, but instead made his home three miles west of his old salt works in what is called Fairmount
Fairmount, New York
Fairmount is a hamlet in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The Fairmount area was originally part of the New York State Salt Reservation, but was annexed to the Town of Camillus in 1834. Prior to that date, census enumerations for Fairmount were included in the Town of Onondaga census...
today. By this time he had sold his interest in the salt works, continued surveying, and began to study law. In 1800, he was admitted to the bar and was appointed Justice of the Peace. He was becoming well-known and was to be further drawn into public life.
Salt springs road
During 1804, an act was passed that directed the sale of 250 acres (1,011,715 m²) of the Onondaga Salt Springs Reservation for the purpose of "laying out and improving a road" running from lot 49, ManliusManlius, New York
Manlius, New York may refer to the following places Onondaga County, New York:*Manlius , New York*Manlius , New York...
, to lot 38, Onondaga
Onondaga, New York
Onondaga is a town located in Onondaga County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the town had a population of 21,063. The town is named after the native Onondaga tribe, part of the Iroquois Confederacy....
, east and west through the reservation. James Geddes laid out the design of the new road in "rather an irregular form so that as much dry land might be secured as possible."
Geddes village
Geddes first surveyed and laid out the village of GeddesGeddes, New York
Geddes is a town in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 17,740 at the 2000 census.The Town of Geddes is west of the neighborhood of Far Westside of Syracuse. The town is a western suburb of Syracuse.- History :...
with approximately 20 lots on either side of West Genesee Street in 1807.
Erie canal
Geddes became involved in canal building during the first decade of the 1800s. He was a self-trained engineerEngineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
and surveyor
Surveying
See Also: Public Land Survey SystemSurveying or land surveying is the technique, profession, and science of accurately determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them...
and an early supporter of a proposed canal to the Great Lakes
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are a collection of freshwater lakes located in northeastern North America, on the Canada – United States border. Consisting of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, they form the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth by total surface, coming in second by volume...
. Geddes was appointed by the New York State Surveyor General to explore possible routes for a canal. After much study, he determined that only two routes had the necessary water sources to support a canal. These two routes eventually became the Ohio and Erie Canal
Ohio and Erie Canal
The Ohio Canal or Ohio and Erie Canal was a canal constructed in the 1820s and early 1830s. It connected Akron, Summit County, with the Cuyahoga River near its mouth on Lake Erie in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and a few years later, with the Ohio River near Portsmouth, Scioto County, and then...
and the Miami and Erie Canal
Miami and Erie Canal
The Miami and Erie Canal was a canal that connected the Ohio River in Cincinnati, Ohio with Lake Erie in Toledo, Ohio. Construction on the canal began in 1825 and was completed in 1845. It consisted of 19 aqueducts, three guard locks, and 103 canal locks. Each lock measured by and they...
.
Based in part on Geddes' recommendations, the Legislature established a canal commission in 1810. Geddes was one of five engineers chosen in 1816 to supervise the construction of the Erie Canal
Erie Canal
The Erie Canal is a waterway in New York that runs about from Albany, New York, on the Hudson River to Buffalo, New York, at Lake Erie, completing a navigable water route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. The canal contains 36 locks and encompasses a total elevation differential of...
. He also was appointed chief engineer of the Ohio and Erie Canal
Ohio and Erie Canal
The Ohio Canal or Ohio and Erie Canal was a canal constructed in the 1820s and early 1830s. It connected Akron, Summit County, with the Cuyahoga River near its mouth on Lake Erie in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and a few years later, with the Ohio River near Portsmouth, Scioto County, and then...
.
Canal commissions
After completing the work for the Ohio Canal Commission, Geddes helped survey the Chesapeake and Ohio CanalChesapeake and Ohio Canal
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, abbreviated as the C&O Canal, and occasionally referred to as the "Grand Old Ditch," operated from 1831 until 1924 parallel to the Potomac River in Maryland from Cumberland, Maryland to Washington, D.C. The total length of the canal is about . The elevation change of...
. He worked in this capacity until 1828, when he accepted a position with State of Pennsylvania in the design of the states's canal system. During the late 1820s, Geddes also surveyed a canal plot in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Politics
He was a member of the New York State AssemblyNew York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
(Onondaga Co.) in 1804
27th New York State Legislature
The 27th New York State Legislature, consisting of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly, met from January 31 to April 11, 1804, during the third year of George Clinton's second tenure as Governor of New York, in Albany.-Background:...
and 1822
45th New York State Legislature
The 45th New York State Legislature, consisting of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly, met from January 2 to April 17, 1822, during the fifth year of DeWitt Clinton's governorship, in Albany.-Background:...
. He was elected as a Federalist to the 13th United States Congress
13th United States Congress
- Senate :* President: Elbridge Gerry , until November 23, 1814, thereafter vacant.* President pro tempore: Joseph B. Varnum , December 6, 1813 – February 3, 1814** John Gaillard , elected November 25, 1814- House of Representatives :...
, holding office from March 4, 1813, to March 3, 1815.
Later life
His son, George Geddes, was a New York State legislator. His grandson, also called James Geddes, was a civil engineerCivil engineer
A civil engineer is a person who practices civil engineering; the application of planning, designing, constructing, maintaining, and operating infrastructures while protecting the public and environmental health, as well as improving existing infrastructures that have been neglected.Originally, a...
and agriculturist.
Geddes died at Camillus, New York
Camillus, New York
Camillus, New York is located in Onondaga County. There are two parts to Camillus, New York:*Camillus, New York *Camillus, New York...
on August 17, 1838 at age 75.
Memorials
The modern-day town of GeddesGeddes, New York
Geddes is a town in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 17,740 at the 2000 census.The Town of Geddes is west of the neighborhood of Far Westside of Syracuse. The town is a western suburb of Syracuse.- History :...
is named for him as well as Geddes Street in Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
.