US Congressman from New York. A farmer and self-taught surveyor, mapmaker and engineer, he settled in Onondaga County in 1794 and established New York's salt industry when he investigated the brine springs at Onondaga Lake, acquired land from the Onondaga Indians, became an adopted member of the tribe, and then built and operated a salt works. He served as a Justice of the Peace and a Member of the New York Assembly in the early 1800s. In 1809 he became Associate Justice of the Onondaga County Court and Judge of the county's Court of Common Pleas. In 1812 Geddes was elected to the US House as a Federalist and served one term, 1813 to 1815. He served again in the New York Assembly in 1822. Because of his experience in the initial stages of constructing the Erie Canal, later in 1822 Geddes was appointed Chief Engineer of the Ohio Canal, and he assumed a similar position on the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal in 1827. The area of Onondaga County where James Geddes resided and died was incorporated in 1838 as the town of Salina. In 1848 a new town was created from a portion of Salina and named Geddes in his honor.
US Congressman from New York. A farmer and self-taught surveyor, mapmaker and engineer, he settled in Onondaga County in 1794 and established New York's salt industry when he investigated the brine springs at Onondaga Lake, acquired land from the Onondaga Indians, became an adopted member of the tribe, and then built and operated a salt works. He served as a Justice of the Peace and a Member of the New York Assembly in the early 1800s. In 1809 he became Associate Justice of the Onondaga County Court and Judge of the county's Court of Common Pleas. In 1812 Geddes was elected to the US House as a Federalist and served one term, 1813 to 1815. He served again in the New York Assembly in 1822. Because of his experience in the initial stages of constructing the Erie Canal, later in 1822 Geddes was appointed Chief Engineer of the Ohio Canal, and he assumed a similar position on the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal in 1827. The area of Onondaga County where James Geddes resided and died was incorporated in 1838 as the town of Salina. In 1848 a new town was created from a portion of Salina and named Geddes in his honor.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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