Right Window, West Side: Clary

This one-window-spaced lancet was very lovely; simple in its construction of larger size parts of painted glass and without the many complicated elements as seen in some of the other windows. Its central motif was of a white robed angel standing near the edge of a stone terrace. Tips of her white wings were seen over her shoulders, lower wings down on each side. Through these was reflected a bluish light as the sun's rays shown through the mosaic sky above her. Golden curls framed her sweet face under its head scarf of blue; her halo illumined the ridge of dark hills in the distance. The angel’s shadow dimmed the red blossoms amid the green shrubbery on her right, but intensified the brightness of the spray of green leaves she held in her left hand extended as though she was offering it as a friendly gesture to those who perchance looked up at her as they passed by. The tracery above was of clusters of leaves against a white and blue mosaic background. A border of like colored mosaics framed this oval section, as a wider one framed the whole scene. In the center of the lower part of the glass section was the mosaically framed citation: “In memory of Lyman Clary and Fanny Ware Clary.” It was a gift from their family.

As far back as Lyman Clary – born in Deerfield, Massachusetts, February 11, 1803 – could remember, he understood that success in any undertaking meant hard work with strict attention to details. He attributed this good habit to his mother and father, the latter a prosperous farmer who made sure that his young son had the best schooling that the village could provide, and required Lyman to help on the farm commensurate with his age, strength, and out of school time. When he was 14, Lyman went west with his parents, who settled on an almost unimproved farm in Huron, Ohio, where the schools were primitive and there were few good teachers. He learned what he could in school, worked diligently on the new farm, spent his evenings studying borrowed books and fitted himself to teach when he was seventeen. The experiences of these three lean, grueling years laid the foundation for his future years as a dedicated physician and community and business leader.

In his twentieth year he refused a tempting mercantile offer, and entered the office of Dr. Manter of Elyria, Ohio, for a two year study of medicine. But he became restless and homesick, returned to Deerfield, spent two years in Dr. Williams’ office, taught school to earn his expenses, and graduated two years later with distinction from Berkley Medical College, Berkshire, Massachusetts. During these years he renewed old ties, enjoyed the security of family background, and was welcomed in any group he joined. He traveled to Canada with the idea of settling there. Deciding against it, he made his way on horseback through Ohio – probably to see his parents – then on to Pennsylvania, and finally located near the shores of Onondaga Lake, in Salina, New York, now the First Ward of Syracuse. At the junction of the newly functioning Erie and Oswego Canals, he found the village a bustling place with unlimited business opportunities. So he bought a plot of land and built his home. Soon he concluded that his home without a wife was just a house; his thoughts turned to Deerfield, and many letters went to his beloved and understanding Fanny Ware. But in 1830, the mail was very slow. Exasperated, he planned for his patients’ care, and journeyed back to Deerfield, where in person he lost no time pressing his courtship, winning the love of and marrying Fanny Ware. With his bride, he returned to Syracuse by stage coach and canal boat, and his house would now be their happy home. In 1835, with the first of their three children, they moved into Syracuse, eventually built three successive homes, and lived in the community for 61 continuous years.

Dr. Clary began his medical career as an allopath [conventional medicine practice]. After due thought and arguments with Dr. Bull of New York City, he changed to homeopathy [holistic medicine]. At that time the change was an unpopular one as he was President of the Allopathic Society. He become one of the original members of the Homeopathic Society; in 1845 he was elected President of the Onondaga Medical Society; in 1852, President of the New York State Homeopathic Society; President of the American Institute of Homeopathy in 1854; President of Onondaga County Homeopathy Society in 1863; President of New York City Homeopathic Society in 1866. After a thirty years membership in the Presbyterian Church, he and his wife became associated with the Unitarian Church of the Messiah. He signed the membership book in 1839 and she in 1842. He was a Trustee until his death on June 1, 1876. During his life he was Vice-President of the Syracuse Savings Bank; he also was interested in preserving the history of Onondaga County and organized the Pioneer Association, now the Onondaga Historical Association. With his wife, Fanny Ware Clary – closely related to the family of Dr. Henry Ware, Dean of the Harvard Divinity School – they were an inspiration to workers in every community effort for the betterment of the town. She was one of the founders of the Home Association and was especially interested in the Onondaga Orphans’ Home. She was well read, and kept herself informed through newspapers, lectures, and sermons relating to timely subjects. And with her husband, she was a social favorite. She died in Syracuse.