Hiscock & Barclay 150th Anniversary Timeline - 1868-1917

1876 - The firm moves to the new Syracuse Savings Bank Building and stays there until 1928.

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1877 - L. Harris Hiscock's son, Frank Hiscock, attends Syracuse public schools and then goes on to Cornell University in 1871 when he is only 15 years old. He receives his degree in Bachelor of Laws, continues to study law at his uncle's law firm, and in 1877 is admitted to the bar and becomes a member of the law firm, now Hiscock, Doheny & Hiscock.

1877 - Frank Hiscock is elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He serves in this capacity for ten years until 1887.

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1879 - Young Frank Hiscock marries Mary Elizabeth Barnes in 1879 and takes up residence at 930 James Street. The home had been built in 1853 and given to the couple by its previous owners, Mrs. Hiscock's parents, George and Rebecca Barnes. It is now the Corinthian Club.

1887 - Frank Hiscock is elected to the U.S. Senate as a Republican, where he serves until 1893. He is prominently mentioned as Republican candidate for president.

1896 - Young Frank Hiscock is elected as Justice of Supreme Court of the 5th Judicial District in 1896. He serves as Trial Judge until 1901 and is then designated Associate Justice of Appellate Division of Supreme Court, Fourth Department.

1897 - The firm of Hiscock, Doheny & Hiscock changes its name to Hiscock, Doheny, Williams & Cowie upon the addition of two new partners - Alexander H. Cowie and Leroy B. Williams. Their firm unites with Hiscock, Doheny & Hiscock upon elevation of Frank Hiscock to the bench in 1897. Cowie and Williams had entered the law office of Hiscock, Doheny & Hiscock to study law, been admitted to the bar in 1893, then began their own firm. Williams subsequently serves as president of Syracuse Savings Bank from 1932-1945 and Cowie serves as the Corporation Counsel of the City from 1901-1902. His father, William Cowie, had been a former mayor of Syracuse, from 1890-1891.

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1906 - In 1906, Judge Frank Hiscock is appointed by Gov. Frank W. Higgins as Associate Judge of Court of Appeals on which he serves through 1916.

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1906 - The murder trial of Chester Gillette endures for an entire month, ending with an opinion rendered by Judge Frank Hiscock. The case, which is also made into a book and movie called "An American Tragedy," involves Chester Gillette, a prep-school graduate, who is found guilty in one of the first murder convictions based entirely on circumstantial evidence. He is later executed.

1914 - Senator Frank Hiscock dies of a stroke.

1916-1926 - Judge Frank Hiscock is elected Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals for a ten-year term.

1917 - Former Partner William Gifford invests extensively in real estate and business ventures. In 1913, Gifford retires from law, and his only daughter, Rosamond, returns to his DeWitt farm to relieve him of its care and management. William Gifford dies in 1917, and Rosamond Gifford inherits an estate worth $1.25 million.