Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University, Part 107

Author: Hewett, Waterman Thomas, 1846-1921; Selkreg, John H
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason
Number of Pages: 1194

USA > New York > Tompkins County > Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University > Part 107

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Messenger, Levi H., was born in the town of Virgil, March 2, 1830, and was educated in the common schools, but is pre-eminently a self-educated and self-made man. At the age of thirty-two he married Apilona Miller, daughter of Isaac Miller of Dryden, and they are the parents of three children, two sons, Gideon and George L., also one daughter, Clara. Gideon died in December, 1881, age sixteen, and George died in May, 1893, age 23; he was a very brilliant young man, having graduated from the Dryden

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graded school with a college entrance diploma and entered Cornell University. From overstudying his health began to fail and he entered the Leland Stanford University in California. His ambition was boundless, his talents of a high order, but overwork, together with disease, cut him off in the flower of his young manhood. In 1870 Mr. Messenger bought the Michael Thomas property of fifty-five acres, on which he erected handsome buildings. He is one of the conservative men of his town, identified in ad- vancing its best interests, and known as a practical and successful farmer and a man of strict integrity.

Macey, Fred H., was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., December 21, 1867, and came to Dryden with his parents in 1870, where he was educated at the common schools, finish- ing at the Dryden Academy. At the age of twenty-three years he married Nellie E. Shepard, daughter of A. J. Shepard of the town of Ithaca, and they have two children: Leo A., and F. Earl. In 1894 Mrs. Macey inherited the E. McArthur "Hill farm," of seventy-acres, where he now lives. He has a fine farm, and raises hay, grain and stock, making a specialty of hay and potatoes. In politics he is a Republican and takes an interest in all the leading events of the day, participating in all movements for the good of his town.

Montgomery, Daniel R., was born in the town of Dryden, March 7, 1838, and was educated in the common schools, after leaving which he went back to his father's farm. When the war broke out he enlisted in Company F, 76th N. Y. Infantry, December 16, 1861, and received an honorable discharge December 16, 1864, serving three years, and being engaged in the battles of Gainesville, Second Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Antietam and Gettysburg, and being promoted to color sergeant for bravery in action. He carried the first set of colors carried by infantry in the battle of Gettysburg, when he was wounded through the hand supporting the colors, the same bullet passing through the shoulder. At the age of forty-two he married Miss Sarah M. Wilson, daughter of Henry Wilson of Dryden, and they have two daughters, Misses Fannie and Florence, In 1872 he went into the coal and lumber business with Mr. Sperry, who in 1875 sold out to I. P. Ferguson, and is now the junior member of the firm of Ferguson and Mont- gomery, the leading firm in the town of Dryden. He takes the Republican side in politics and has always been an active worker for the success of his party.

Messenger, D. S., was born in the town of Dryden, July 7, 1836. His father, Nathan, was born in Virgil, and came to Dryden in 1835, and bought what was known as the Dr. Taylor farm of sixty acres, where he passed his life. D. S. was educated in the common schools, to which he has added through life by reading and close observation. He married at the age of twenty-six, Miss Henrietta Kennedy, daughter of Bradford Kennedy of Dryden, and they are the parents of one daughter, Anna A. He is a Republican in politics, but through life has been too actively engaged in busines to give much attention to politics, although he has always taken a deep interest in educational and religious affairs. In 1873 he purchased what was known as the old Orrin Smith farm of 102 acres. In 1883 he purchased the Chambers farm of eighty acres, and in 1885 he bought the Benjamin Simonds farm of sixty acres, having 250 acres of some of the best farm lands in the town of Dryden.

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McArthur, Ebenezer, deceased, was born in Dryden. December 4, 1813. His father, Elder Daniel McArthur, came from Scotland to Dryden in 1811, and lived in a log house across the road from the homestead. In 1815, he built the handsome house which is known as the McArthur Homestead, and which our subject rebuilt and remodeled in 1873. Ebenezer McArthur was educated in the common schools and finished at the Homer Academy, and taught school for nearly twenty years, devoting the energies of his life to educating the young people of his town, and by his will directing that the larger portion of his estate should revert to the town of Dryden for educational uses. He married in 1846, Miss Maria Hutchings, who passed away in 1871. In the same year he married Miss Calista Robinson, daughter of David Robinson of Lansing, who was left to take up his many benevolent and business interests and carry them forward to completion, which, with unexpected business ability she has been able to do. Our subject was well known through this town, prominently interested in advancing the best interest of his town, and recognized as a man of high ability and sterling integrity.

McKellar, John .- Among the Scotch families who settled in Groton many years ago was that of John McKellar, a native of Argyleshire, born about 1780, who married Mary Stuart and had these children: Nancy, Archibald, Mary, Jean, Catherine, Eu- phemia, and John. In 1841 the family settled three miles east of Ithaca, and later came to Groton, where the pioneer died in 1850 and his wife in 1871. John McKel- lar was a thrifty and prosperous farmer, and established for himself and family a com- fortable home. His son, John, was born July 4, 1829, and resided at home until his marriage, when he started for himself, and now owns a fine place. He married Aman- da Halliday, and they have had five children, four daughters. The names of the daughters are, Helena, Minnie, Katherine and Grace and one son, the latter deceased. Archibald Mckellar was also one of Groton's thrifty farmers. He came with his father to this town, and lived on the old farm until his death in 1892, Catherine, his sister, having kept house for him until 1809 when she died.

Manning, Thompson, was born on the farm which he now owns, January 12, 1822. His father was one of the early settlers of the county and cleared up the farm on which his son now resides. He received his education in the district schools, after leaving which, he devoted himself to farming, at the same time taking an active in- terest in the events of the day, both political and educational. He was trustee of the school in the district in which he lives for eight or more years, and finally declined the office. Our subject is a prosperous farmer in his neighborhood, and raises large amounts of hay, grain and stock, and makes a specialty of sheep.

About the year 1800, David Morton and four sons, named David, Zachariah, Michael, and Robert, came from Massachusetts and settled in Groton; of the sons, David married Mercy Williams ; they had three sons and five daughters. The sons' names were, Adin, William and George. Of these, Adin Morton was very prominent as a pioneer abolitionist when it was popular to heap opprobrium upon the cause. He contributed liberally, and voted and worked for the overthrow of slavery from 1842 to 1860. Five of his sons are now living in Groton ; the youngest, Porter Morton, owns

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and lives on the same farm that his grandfather (David Morton) bought over ninety years ago, and where his father (Adin Morton) was born in 1805 and died in 1867.

McGillivray, Ellsworth, was born in the town of Caroline, September 30, 1862. Josiah McGillivray, the father of our subject, is a farmer and resident of Ithaca, and has only one son, the subject. He was educated in the common schools and Ithaca High School and his first occupation after leaving school was as a painter, which he followed only long enough to learn the trade. In 1881 he went into the photograph gallery to study for the profession. He was employed by Geo. Stanley about two years and then went with E. D. Evans and was with him for six years. After spend- ing one year in Cortland he returned to Ithaca and August, 1890, he bought the For- est City Art Gallery, which he has since conducted. Mr. McGillivray makes a spe- cialty of large work, such as water colors, crayons, paintings, groups, and photography in all its branches. He also carries a complete line of photographic supplies and cameras for amateurs. He is a member of the order of I. O. O, F. and Knights of Pythias. Sep- tember 5, 1893, he married Jessie L. Shaw of Albion, N. Y.

McElheny, John E., was born in the town of Dryden September 13, 1822. His father, James J., was one of the earliest settlers in the town. Our subject was edu- cated in the common schools to which he has added through life by reading and close observation. At the age of thirteen his father died and he took charge of the farm until 1846 when he moved into the town of Dryden. At the age of thirty-seven he married Adelia Aldridge, daughter of Benjamin Aldridge. He is one of the leading men of his town having been president, and is now president of the Dryden and Groton Fire Insurance Company. He is also president of the Southworth Library Association, which is now building a handsome structure under his personal supervision. While active in educational matters he also finds time to further the interests of the Presby- terian Church, of which he is a member.

Mason, F. Oscar, was born in Richland county, Ohio, May 26, 1838, and with his father, Edward Mason, who was from Lincolnshire, England, came to the town of Dryden in 1840. Our subject was educated in the common schools and finished at Cortland Academy, after leaving which he tanght school for several years, and also engaged in the grocery business in Dryden, and afterward at Ludlowville. At twenty - five he was married to Miss Harriet C. Ralph, who lived until 1884. In 1889 he mar- ried Miss Carrie Gardner, daughter of D. P. Gardner of Dryden, N. Y. They have two sons and one daughter. In 1867 he bought part of his father's estate of sixty acres, where he now resides, raising hay, grain and stock. He is recognized in his town as a practical and successful farmer, a man of sound views, taking an active interest in advancing the best welfare of his town. His son, Professor Arthur R. Mason, is a graduate of the Cortland Normal School and is now professor at Whitney's Point Union School and Academy.

McCorn, Moses, was born in Orange county, July 14, 1820. Moses, his father, was a native of Ireland and came to America at the age of about thirty, settling in Orange county at first, but later removed to Tompkins county. He married Mary Allen, of Ireland, and they were the parents of six children, of whom our subject was the fifth.

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His occupation has been lumbering and farming, his place comprising sixty acres with a small dairy. He married Adaline Starr and they have one son living at home. Ile has held the office of assessor eleven years. In politics he is Democratic.

Mekeel, Walter and Isaiah, are sons of the late Williamn Mekeel, who was born in Westchester county January 30, 1815, and came to what is now Schuyler county with his parents when four years old. He was educated in a select school in his father's house and in the Friends Boarding School, Nine Partners, Dutchess county, New York. September 16, 1835, he married Sarah D., daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Tripp, and they had five children; James, Elizabeth, Jesse, Amy and Charles. Mrs. Mekeel died April 27, 1847, and he married second Mary G. Gorham, of Nantucket, Massachusetts, June 18, 1849, and they had four children : George, Sarah J., Walter and Isaiah. Mrs. Mekeel died May 7, 1867, and for his third wife he married Martha Hussey, of Nan- tucket, Massachusetts. He died June 28, 1871, and his widow survives him. Walter and Isaiah have a small stock of registered Jersey cattle and a flock of Shropshire sheep on the homestead now called Maple Shade Stock Farm. They make stock raising a specialty. Their barn contains a silo and all the necessary arrangements for the com- fort of stock.

Metzgar, William, one of fifteen children of Jonas and Mary Metzgar, was born in Monroe county, Pennsylvania, January 29, 1821. In 1830 the family came to Groton where the pioneer and his wife died. William was brought up on a farm, made his start in life when he became of age, and fifty years of constant and honest labor have been rewarded with substantial results, and our subject is now the possessor of an excellent farm of 178 acres in the western part of the town, while he is a man highly respected in the town. In 1849 Mr. Metzgar married Mary Ann, daughter of Samuel and Margaret Newman. They bave had three children: Nelson C., who died aged twelve ; Samuel E., of Dryden ; Ella L., wife of D. W. Francis, of Groton. Mary Ann, wife of William Metzgar, died January 19, 1891. Mr. Metzgar is one of the leading Democrats in Groton, but is not an office seeker. He has voted without missing an election since he became of age.

Marsh, Zimri, pioneer of Groton, was a native of Amherst, Mass. In 1824 he came to Groton where he engaged in trade. Mr. Marsh was a man of influence in the early days of village history, and is remembered as having attracted much attention as the possessor of the first " gig" brought to Groton, and in this he traveled to Albany and New York to purchase goods. His wife was Creusa Hubbard, and their children were : Augustus C., Lucius H., Ebenezer £., Abigail, William and Caleb P. Lucius H. was also a prominent merchant of the village for many years. His wife was Huldah Finney, and their children were: Eugene A., Hiram C., now of Chicago; Dexter H., and Creusa (Mrs. L. A. Barber, who died in Auburn, N. Y., March 30, 1883). Eugene A. Marsh was born in Groton in 1834, and from his early manhood has been identified with the business interests of the village. He is prominently connected with Masonic and G. A. R. affairs. In 1861 Mr. Marsh enlisted in Company K, 137th Volunteers, and was elected first lieutenant. For six years he was deputy county clerk, living for the time in Ithaca, and for some years past he has been book-keeper for the Groton Car-

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riage Company, and also one of its directors. February 29, 1892, Mr. Marsh was appointed postmaster at Groton village. In 1869 he married Minnie M. Davies, of Athens, of which marriage four children have been born.

McWhorter, Lockwood S., was born in the town of Lansing, June 15, 1822. The father of our subject, Richard E., was a native of Orange county, N. Y., born in 1800 and came with his mother to this county when a young man of twelve years. He was a mechanic, and after leaving this county in 1855 located on a farm in Huron county, Ohio, where he died in 1876. He was the father of six children, of whom our subject was the eldest. The boyhood of Lockwood S. was spent in his native town and his education was received in the common schools. At the age of seventeen he came to Ithaca, being employed as a clerk in the store of L. H. Culver and Henry F. Hibbard for fifteen years, and in 1858 in company with F. Barnard for nine years hc established a store for himself at the corner of State and Cayuga streets, and for thirty years he conducted a grocery and provision store, retiring in 1888. He also spent three years assisting his father in clearing up his farm in Ohio. Mr. McWhorter is a staunch Democrat in politics, but has never been willing to become an aspirant for public office. He was for years a member of Fidelity Lodge, F. & A. M. In 1848 he married Lorinda, daughter of Abram Mott, a farmer of Caroline. She died January 15, 1894. They have one son, Charles Fred, who was for a number of years engaged with his father. Charles F. is a member of Fidelity Lodge, F. & A. M., Eagle Chapter, St. Augustine Commandery and a charter member of Ithaca Council. He married in 1877 Cora Brooks of Trumansburgh, and they have a son and a daughter. Charles F. is also a Democrat. Our subject bought the property in 1847 and built the house he now occupies in 1856 and has always lived on the same spot.

Mount, James Harrison, was born at Peruville, June 10, 1845, and was the son of William Dye Mount, the latter being remembered as a man of large influence in Peru- ville and vicinity during the period of the early history of that hamlet. Our subject was educated in the common and select schools and Groton Academy. In 1865 he began teaching winter school, and so continued until about ten years ago. During this time Mr. Mount was employed in the summer months as a practical butter and cheese maker, principally in the towns of Groton, Dryden and Caroline. In March, 1883, he established a general store in Peruville, and has built up a successful mercantile busi- ness. April 30, 1871, Mr. Mount married Martha Adeline Larned, a descendant of one of the pioneer families of this county. They have one child. He was formerly a Republican, but his earnest interest in temperance work has naturally led him into the Prohibition party.

The firm of Egbert & Merrill, drugs, is composed of John F. Egbert and Isaac H. Merrill, and was established in 1890, at No. 79 Eddy street. They carry a full line of drugs, chemicals and patent medicines, fancy articles, toilet articles, cigars, tobacco and students' and university supplies. They cater particularly to the university trade and carry a stock of the finest goods which they sell at margins for their support only.

McClune, Gideon C., was born in Ulysses, November 16, 1820, the oldest son of William G. McClune, a native of Ireland born near Belfast, who came to this country

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in 1802 when but three years of age, landing at Philadelphia, where his mother died six weeks after landing. He was about twelve years of age when he came to Tompkins county, locating at Jacksonville. In 1836 he moved to Ithaca, where he spent the balance of his days. He died in 1862. The mother of our subject, Sarah F. Colgrove, was a native of this State. She died in February, 1892, at eighty-nine years of age. The boyhood of Gideon C. was spent in his native town, where his early education was derived in the common schools. After coming to Ithaca he attended school at the academy with Judge Finch, Hon. E. S. Esty, and later at the Auburn Academy, with the sons of Hon. William H. Seward and the Hon. Lewis Paddock, Hon. Roscoe Conklin, Rev. Hanibal Goodwin, Rev. M. M. Cass and others. In 1849 Mr. McClune established a grocery and dry goods store in Ithaca, but was obliged to give it up in two years on account of ill health. He followed various occupations until 1851, when he established the first ice business in Ithaca, handling ice ten years, six years of which he was also engaged in farming. In 1859 he bought a stone quarry in the town of Ithaca, to which he has added the laying of walks, sewers, foundations, etc. He has laid nearly all the stone walks at Cornell University and full three-fourths of the walks in this city. Mr. McClune is an ardent Republican and has held the offices of com- missioner of highways nine years, city treasurer, and was twice the candidate of the minority party for supervisor. Mr. McClune has also held the office of treasurer of the Tompkins County Agricultural Society twelve years. He married in 1848 Julia E. Forsyth of Ulysses. They have four children : Wilbur F., of the post-office ; Gilbert L., a dentist of Ovid, with fifteen years' practice ; James Otis, a druggist of Ithaca; and Fred A., in the bicycle office, South Cayuga street.

Mckay, Arthur A., was born in New York city, August 7, 1864, and was educated in the public schools of that city, after finishing which he entered business for a num- ber of years. He was converted to the cause of Christ at the age of thirteen, being the son of religious parents. At the age of eighteen he became assistant secretary of the Y. M. C. A. at Syracuse, serving three years in that capacity. March 1, 1890, he came to Ithaca, where he was called by the Board of Directors to fill the position of general secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association at Ithaca, which position he has filled with credit to himself and benefit to the society. He is also a member of the Choral Club, in which he is second tenor. In 1890 Mr. Mckay married Lila Everts, daughter of W. O. Everts, of Auburn, N. Y., and they have one son. Mr. Mckay is a member of the First Presbyterian church of Ithaca.

Mandeville, W. E., was born in Dryden, July 16, 1853, a son of James H., who was born in Ulster county in 1804. The latter in early life learned the trade of cloth man- ufacturer, and followed this business for ten years in Cortland county, after which he took up farming, and finally settled on a place of 132 acres in the town of Dryden, now Caroline, where he died in 1888. He married Caroline, daughter of Charles Cantine, of this town, and their nine children were as follows: Charles, John, James, Jennie, Theodore, Margaret, Garretta, Harriet and William. Our subject remained at home until the age of twenty- five, with the exception of two years, when he travelled on the road for a nursery firm. In 1877 he married Ophelia, daughter of J. B. Ostrander, of Dryden, and bought a farm in Tioga county of 127 acres, partly covered with timber,

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where he lived for six years, taking from this place 400,000 feet of timber, and then bought the farm he now occupies. Since coming to this county he has made a specialty of raising fruit of all kinds, and also the breeding of the Cheshire swine. He is an active Republican.

Morgan, Evan, was the pioneer of a large family who came from Stroudsburg, Penn- sylvania, about 1799, and settled on a farm one mile east of South Lansing. The pioneer himself died on the old farm, aged eighty-two years, and his wife, Sally Good- win, died in the same place a few years before her husband. The descendants of Evan Morgan are still living in the county, although a number of them settled in other States, noticeably in Michigan. Their children were: William G., who married Fanny White; Thomas, who was killed in the war of 1812; Richard G., who married Elizabeth Ozmun ; Charles, who married Phoebe Gibbs; Nelson, who married Melissa Talmadge; Edwin G., who married Cordelia Talmadge; Betsey, who married John Mead ; Ruth, who married Abel Beach; Phoebe, who married John Tichenor ; and Susan, who married Lemuel Kelsey. William G. Morgan, the oldest son of Evan, was born in Pennsylva- nia in 1789, and at the age of ten came with his parents to Lansing. He married Fanny White, and in 1832 moved to a farm near Benson's Corners, and died in Groton. His children were: Miles A., Nelson, Thomas, Phoebe, Richard, Fanny, Jerusha, Susan and Caroline. William G. Morgan died in 1870, and his wife in 1844. Richard Mor- gan was born June 18, 1820. Richard G. Morgan, son of Evan the pioneer, was born in Lansing in 1797, and died in Dryden in February, 1865. His wife, Elizabeth Ozmun, was born in 1805, and died in Dryden in 1868. They were married in 1824, and lived in the north part of the town. Their children were; Catharine, who married D. W. Manier, of Groton; Rich; Sara, who married W. R. Sanford; Elizabeth, who married William E. Brown; Isabelle, who married A. E. Snyder ; Almira, who died in, Dryden in 1876; Maria J., who married W. R. Fisher; and Adeline P., who married Joshua Dans. Rich Morgan, son of Richard G., and grandson of Evan, was born in Dryden in 1827. In 1855 he married Luana Van Nortwick, by whom he had four children : Ella V., wife of C. B. Tarbell; C. Glenn, Rich V., and one other who died in infancy. Rich Morgan died October 5, 1861, on the farm in Groton now owned by Richard Morgan, the latter having married the widow of Rich Morgan in 1864.

Monfort, Cornelius L., and his brother John, were former residents of Schoharie county, and came to Peruville in 1830. Cornelius L. brought with him his wife, he be- ing then just married, and in this town their two children, John M. and Peter, were born. The latter was killed in the army during the late war. After the death of his first wife Mr. Monfort married Esther, daughter of George Gray, by whom he had one child, Isabell, now the wife of Jonathan N. Fox. Cornelius L. is remembered as hav- ing been a merchant in Peruville, although by trade he was a shoemaker, and at the same time he successfully carried on a farm. He accumulated a good property, and was a man highly respected in the community. He was an active Whig, later a Repub- lican, but being somewhat deaf, did not engage in politics to a great extent. He was prominently identified with the M. E. church. He died in 1875, aged seventy-eight, and his wife in 1879, aged eighty-three years. Jonathan N. Fox was born in Dryden,

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Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University, Part 107

Author: Hewett, Waterman Thomas, 1846-1921; Selkreg, John H Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason Number of Pages: 1194

Author: Hewett, Waterman Thomas, 1846-1921; Selkreg, John H
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason
Number of Pages: 1194