Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University, Part 78

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 78

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While not a brilliant speaker in public, Mr. Enz never lacks for words to forcibly impress his views upon others, and in the Assembly he at once took a prominent po- sition as a clear headed, energetic, honest legislator, who was sent there to represent the best interests of his constituents and the people of the State, and who would be satisfied with nothing but their best interests. It was during Mr. Enz's term that Ithaca obtained a city charter and other important legislation for Tompkins county was carried through.

Since his retirement from public office Mr. Enz has continued his active participa- tion in local politics, where his practical work is always appreciated, as well as effec- tive, and is now the chairman of the Republican County Committee. His acquaint- ance in this part of the State is very extensive and of long standing, and the great respect in which his character for manliness and integrity is held in the city of his liome will in all probability lead to his further elevation to responsible public station.

Mr. Enz was married in 1862 to Martha J. Snow, of Caroline, N. Y:

CHARLES M. TITUS.

As a resident of Ithaca for over forty years, as a public spirited citizen, enjoying the confidence of his fellows, as a recipient of political honors time and time again the highest in the town, as a member of the State Legislature twice re-elected, and as a gentleman universally recognized as enterprising and honorable in all his transac- tions, the incidents of his life are very properly a part of the history of Tompkins

BIOGRAPHICAL.

county, and space awarded him is so appropriate as to need no apology for its allow- ance.

The life history of Mr. Titus is the history of thousands denied early pecuniary or even educational advantages beyond the most ordinary, but who by force of charac- ter, energy of purpose and adherence to business rules, step to the front and occupy positions of great prominence before the public.

The father of Mr. Titus removed from Trenton, N. J., at an early day, and died before reaching middle age. The mother of the subject of this sketch was a Miss Sarah Ann Gilbert, of Jacksonville, whose father was a pioneer in this county, serv- ing as a soldier in the war of 1812.

As the father of Mr. Titus died when he was a mere child, stern necessity soon taught the boy he must depend on his own exertions for success and advancement. He began his active life, meeting and overcoming difficulties which would have ap- palled and entirely dismayed almost any one of less self-reliance and less determina- tion to win a place among the workers of the world.

He was born at Jacksonville, in this county, on the 29th of December, 1832, and his education was limited to the district school, and circumstances allowed him but a very brief period of time for even that. When a mere boy he entered a drug store at Trumansburgh, remaining there for a time, and establishing a character and rep- utation for efficiency and trustworthiness. Ambitious of a larger field, he came to Ithaea and entered the employ of Mr. H. F. Hibbard, then a prominent general merchant. He soon won the confidence of his employer, and his serviees were high- ly appreciated.

Steady application to duties and confinement in doors told upon his health, and he became convinced that outdoor employment must be secured. A traveling sales- man, exhibiting an extensive line of American made sewing silks of all the various shades, attracted the attention of Mr. Titus, and he thought he saw therein the op- portunity he had sought of establishing an outdoor business, becoming a salesman to the trade of products of eastern silk manufacture in this and other States.

For many years in the early fifties Mr. Titus put forth his efforts as a wholesale dealer of fancy goods with reasonable success. Not content to buy silks of eastern producers, he with others formed the firm of C. M. Titus & Co., erected a building, introduced the best machinery then known, and entered upon the manufacture of silk threads of the higher grades and superior quality. The business was carried on in a building, afterwards burned, upon the site of the present H. V. Bostwiek wood working industry. The products of the firm were readily absorbed by the trade in 'New York city, and this led to an expansion of the business, and a general jobbing house was opened there and continued until fire destroyed the stock and broke up the enterprise. Because of the threatening aspect of public affairs, Mr. Titus then en- gaged with Bowen, Holmes & Co., a leading dry goods house in New York city.

At this time, the fall of 1860, thoughtful men saw in the trend of affairs a great strug- gle inust soon take place upon sectional lines, and, moved by patriotic motives, Mr. Titus severed his New York eonnection and started for Springfield, Ill., intending to offer his serviees to Mr. Lineoln, whom he was confident must be elected, ready to be assigned to any position in which he might be useful in the approaching crisis. En- route to the West he reached Northern Pennsylvania when the wonderful oil produc-

LANDMARKS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY.

tion just commenced, and he saw great opportunity for his active temperament therein.

He was insensibly drawn into the excitement of oil speculation, and became an ex- tensive producer and operator. Selecting Oil City as his office point, he soon identi- fied himself with the early history of that place. He was one of the promoters of the Oil City bridge, spanning the river there. He was also one of the organizers and a director in the First National Bank. He was selected at a public meeting of oil pro- ducers to represent their interests at Washington relative to the war tax upon petro- leum, which mission was successfully performed.

When but twenty-three years of age he purchased his present residence. The grounds attached were then vacant, but they now contain six fine dwellings. He has held Ithaca as his home all the years since as a boy he came from Trumansburgh. Concluding to give up his business in Pennsylvania, and feeling that he must have active employment to hold him at his home, he purchased the manufacturing plant for many years conducted by J. Foster Hixson. Associated with William L. Bost- wick, the firm of Titus & Bostwick was organized, manufacturers of machinery and agricultural implements. This firm introduced the well known and useful implement, "The Ithaca Steel Toothed Horse Rake." The business was very successful, and afterwards Mr. Titus disposed of his interest therein to Mr. George R. Williams, in order that he might devote his energies to the improvement of what was known as the Bloodgood Tract, consisting of some 400 acres of marsh and hillsides on the south bounds of the village, which he ditched, drained and otherwise greatly improved. About one-half of this tract was sold to the late John McGraw. Within the part re- tained by Mr. Titus was laid out that beautiful roadway known as " Titus Avenue," which he located, built and bordered with trees now grown to great size. The ex- pense of this entire work was borne by the enterprising projector.

In this vicinity and part of the purchase are some of our finest streets and avenues, as well as many of the most costly and desirable residences in the city. The present Fair Ground lies within its borders. Since 1871 he has carried on a very large farm, supplying much of the milk consumed in Ithaca; and also farmed 500 acres of lands, the most productive in the county. Through portions of these lands streets are soon to be laid out and fine dwellings erected thereon. He built the "Titus Block" on West State street in 1876, as well as many residences and business buildings, before and since.

The father of Mr. Titus possessed a mechanical and inventive teniperament and was the inventor and patentee of the device and manner of making lead pipe in con- tinuous lengths. The son, inheriting the inventive and mechanical temperament of the parent, has produced and patented some valuable devices. For several years he has been engaged as a promoter, with others, in bringing forward and perfecting what is now known as the "Peerless Type Writer." This machine is fully believed in by Mr. Titus, as destined to take the lead of all machines now in use. The man- ufacturing of it upon an extended scale has just begun.in this city, and Mr. Titus is to receive a royalty upon each one produced.

When the railroad from Ithaca to Geneva was projected Mr. Ezra Cornell was deep- ly interested in the success of the enterprise, and recognizing Mr. Titus's abilities, insisted he should assume the responsible position of its president. Mr. Titus be- lieved the interest of the road could be better secured, substituted the name of Mr.

geshMelothe

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Thomas Hillhouse, of Geneva, that gentleman was made president, but soon after- wards resigned. Mr. Cornell then insisted his first choice should be adhered to, and Mr. Titus assumed the arduous duties of the position, and although almost insur- mountable difficulties appeared, carried the enterprise through to successful com- pletion. This link in the chain is a part of the through route of the Lehigh Valley Railroad from New York to the West.

Deeply imbued with advanced Republican principles, Mr. Titus has always been active in the counsels of the party, helping to place the first Fremont banner in Ithaca in 1856. In addition to being upon the Republican electoral ticket in 1868, and his supervisorships, he has served three terms in the Assembly, and was unanimously selected as the candidate of the county for the senatorship of this district in 1893, but his nomination was defeated by a combination of delegates from the other coun- ties.

Mr. Titus was married on the 11th of June, 1855, to Isabella Johnson, youngest daughter of Ben Johnson, the ablest member of the bar of Tompkins county. At his comfortable residence in this eity, graced by the presence of his wife, is dispensed hospitality of the highest character, crowned by dignity, and enjoyed by hosts of friends who feel the value of the family acquaintance and friendship. Mrs. Titus made an extended European tour in 1892.

GEORGE W. MELOTTE, M. D. S.

GEORGE W. MELOTTE was born in the city of Watertown, Jefferson county, N. Y., on the 23d of April, 1836. His father was Gabriel Melotte, a skillful mechanic, of French ancestry, and died in 1866 in Watertown. His mother was Mary Schwarts- figeur, a native of Montreal, Canada. There were six children in the family, of whom three are now living.

The subject of this notice was educated in the Jefferson County Institute at Water- town, and early in life determined to adopt the profession of dentistry. Reaching his majority he entered the office of Dr. S. M. Robinson, in Watertown, where he re- maincd five years. Here his taste for the profession, as well as his skill, were rap- idly developed by constant practice and the persistent study of whatever works were then in print relating to the profession. An incident occurring during this period is worthy of record, as showing the early development of that natural mechanical tal. ent which became conspicuous with him in after years. It was the construction of an artificial nose for a resident who had been unfortunately deprived of that member. Governor Roswell P. Flower, at that time a clerk in the post-office of Watertown, was delighted at the successful operation, and to this day often refers to it.

In 1861, at the close of five years, Dr. Melotte removed to Potsdam, N. Y., where he remained through another five years, in the enjoyment of a good practice and striving constantly for further excellence as an operator. In 1866 he came to Ithaca and purchased the business established by Dr. A. H. Fowler, who upon his retire- ment published a eard stating that "when he left Ithaca his patrons would find in Dr. Melotte a gentleman worthy of their continued patronage and competent to build

LANDMARKS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY.

up the largest dental practice ever established in Ithaca." It is well known that this has proved a prophetic statement.

As before indicated, Dr. Melotte is possessed of exceptional mechanical and inven_ tive genius. He continued in regular practice until 1883, in which year he went to New York to perfect himself in the then new braneh of dental work, known as erown and bridge-work, under Dr. Sheffield, one of its inventors. He also brought back to Ithaca with him Dr. Charles P. Grout, an expert in that work, who remained twomonths, giving the doetor further instruction. In this important branch of the profession Dr. Melotte beeame an expert, and has done work for prominent persons from many of the large cities of this State. Since that time Dr. Melotte has made important discoveries and has a number of valuable inventions connected with his profession and the jewel- ers' trade. He has taken out nine separate patents for dental appliances and apparatus. A few years since he formed a partnership with Wm. Hazlitt Smith, of Ithaca, in the manufacture and sale of these devices, Mr. Smith attending to the business manage- ment, and employing Charles M. Clinton, the expert Ithaca mechanic, to manufac- ture them. Under this arrangement, the dental appliances are sold only by the S. S. White Dental House, of Philadelphia. These inventions have given Dr. Melotte's name an honorable and familiar character in every State in the Union, and are ad- vertised all over the world in four different languages. Dr. Melotte was examined by the State Dental Censors, May, 1887, and was given the degree of M.D.S., Master of Dental Surgery.

In 1890 Dr. Melotte was chosen delegate from the United States to Berlin at the International Medical Congress, in the section of Dentistry, and where he acted as clinical demonstrator. He visited Paris where he was entertained by the world-re- nowned Dr. Bing, a noted crown and bridge worker and inventor, and appeared by special invitation at clinie before the dental college of that city. He also visited Lon- don where he gave a clinic at the great establishment of Ash & Sons, the largest deal- ers in dental goods in the old world. From there he attended by invitation the British Dental Association at Exeter, where he gave demonstrations in crown and bridge work. He returned home on the 6th of September, 1890. Dr. Melotte has been since 1893 a non-resident lecturer in the Buffalo Dental College, and in every way stands foremost in his profession in this country.

Outside of his profession Dr. Melotte's life is one that is in every way honorable and enviable. His business has always been conducted upon a basis of integrity and dignity; his genial temperament and courteous social qualities have made him friends of all his acquaintances. As a member of the Masonie order he has been past commander of St. Augustine Commandery and prelate of the same for sixteen years. He is prominent in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having filled the chair of noble grand and of chief patriarch in the Encampment branch. He has long been a member of the Episcopal church and vestryman of St. John's in Ithaca twenty-two years.

Dr. Melotte was first married in 1860 to Adela Gould, of Pamela, Jefferson county, N. Y., who died in 1862, leaving one daughter, now Mrs. J. P. Hale Armstrong, of Minneapolis. He afterwards married Mrs. Loraine Brown Pinney, who is the mother of two daughters, the elder of whom is a graduate of Cornell University.

John CLacy

BIOGRAPHICAL.

JOHN C. LACY.

THE ancestry of John C. Lacy in the male line is directly descended from the De Lacys who came from Normandy with William the Conqueror, and were Earls of Lincoln in England, many of whom are prominently mentioned in the histories of that and subsequent times. The name first appears in connection with the celebrated Hugh De Lacy, to whom the English King, Henry, made grant of the whole province of Meath. De Lacy had the powers of a Lord Palatine. In 1186 De Lacy was assassinated while inspecting a castle that had just been erected by his orders. He left two sons, Hugh and Walter. The name appears at different dates and places, but the neighborhood of Bruff, County Limerick, seems to have been their chief stronghold. One John Lacy represented Kilmallock in the Parliament of Dublin. When the Williamites had succeeded in throwing a bridge across the Shannon at Thomond Gate, Colonel Lacy, with 800 picked men, was ordered to oppose their ad- vance. Attainders of 1691 mention Lacy of Kilmallock, one of Ferns, County Wex- ford, and one of County Westmeath. Officers of the namc after the siege of Limer- ick figured prominently on the Continent of Europe, and received patents of nobility at the hands of the Russian Czar and the Austrian Emperor. The Lacys are of note in the armics of Spain. In the Spanish service against Napoleon First, Don Luis Lacy was a distinguished officer and Governor of Catalonia. One account of the history of this family states that Charlemagne (Emperor Charles the Great) was an- cestor of Lacy.

The prefix De was dropped from the family name during the seventeenth century, after which the name Lacy and Lacey appears very frequently, not only in England and Ireland, but in new countries under English dominion. They were among the earliest English settlers in this country, and Richard Lacy, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was an early resident of the State of New Jersey, where his son Benjamin was born on the 1st of October, 1768, the fourth of eight sons, whose names were John, Richard, Garret, Benjamin William, Thomas, Daniel, and James. Sev- eral of these were men of mark, and Garret held the office of judge in his native State. All of them excepting Benjamin lived long lives; Benjamin died in Dryden on the 1st of October, 1820. ' There was one daughter in the family who died in in- fancy.

The reader of the preceding history of the town of Dryden has learned that Ben- jamin Lacy was one of the early pioneers in that locality, and that he was conspicu- ous in the community. He settled in Dryden in the fall of 1801, with his wife, who was a daughter of Capt. Cornelius Carhart, commander of a company of sixty men in the battle of Monmouth, June 18, 1778. Benjamin Lacy was a farmer, and a man of sturdy character, sound intellectual qualities, great benevolence and ever ready to aid others who were in trouble. He was one of the foremost among the few founders of Dryden village, a part of what was his farm being now embraced in the village corporation. In the early years his public spirit and energy was largely instrumental in promoting schools and religious institutions and in drawing to that point settlers who would aid in building up the place. In 1819 Le erected the first cloth factory in the town, and in 1820 himself and his brother discovered the Dryden Mineral Springs while prospecting and digging for salt. His wife was a F

LANDMARKS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY.

woman of more than ordinary traits of character. Their children were Rebecca, Cornelius, Esther, Garret, John C. (the subject of this notice) and Samuel.

John C. Lacy, third son of Benjamin Lacy, was born in Dryden, October 21, 1808, on his father's farm. He followed the occupation of his ancestor during his life. His opportunity for attending school was a limited one, on account of the death of his father when the lad was only twelve years old. His mother found herself upon the decease of her husband with six young children and the property in debt. When John C. was fourteen he joined with his brother Garret, who was two years older, to work the farm and manage the estate in partnership, and pay off the indebted- ness. They succeeded, the partnership continuing until 1857, during which period they had from time to time purchased the interest of the other heirs, improved the land and the buildings, and paid off all incumbrances. At the dissolution of the partnership the greater part of the estate passed to possession of John C. Lacy, to which he afterwards was able to add extensively. At his death he was possessed of a considerable fortune. He was a man who would have commanded success in any sphere of business to which he might have been called, being a thorough and persist- ent reader and thinker, and a man thoroughly conversant with all the affairs of the day. His estimate of men was accurate; his judgment was seldom at fault, while his natural kindness of heart and benevolence endeared him to the community. He was trusted to the fullest extent by all who knew him, his integrity and honesty of purpose in all he did being perhaps the most marked characteristic of a blameless life.

In the various local offices held by him he faithfully served his fellow citizens and ably discharged the duties that devolved upon him. In the year 1861 Mr. Lacy united with the Methodist Church at Dryden village and remained a faithful. liberal and consistent member until his death. Of his means he gave freely to the cause and efficiently filled the various offices of the church. He was a believer in the principles of temperance and became a member of the first temperance society formed in the town.

Mr. Lacy was married in the town of Candor, N. Y., to Maria A. White, daughter of the late Asa M. White, of Wilseyville, Tioga county, N. Y. They had one daughter, Ada Belle, who is now the wife of D. F. Van Vleet, one of the leading at- torneys of Ithaca. Mr. Lacy died October 4, 1893.

DE FOREST VAN VLEET.

IN the brief space which can be given to individual biographies it is quite difficult to make proper mention in sufficient detail to meet the wishes of the historian, who must collate and abbreviate such information as may be drawn from the subject of the sketch, too often not as full as the writer desires. The Van Vleet family is of the oldest in the original county of Ulster, one of the twelve created by the Act of 1683. Tunis Van Vleet was the great-grandfather of De Forest Van Vleet, and resided in Ulster, as did his grandfather, Hiram Van Vleet. His father, Theodore Van Vleet, removed to Fenton, Broome county, at an early day, was married to Rachel

BIOGRAPHICAL.

E. Turk, the lady, like the Van Vleets, of Dutch descent. From Fenton, the father, while De Forest was still young, removed to Candor, Tioga county, where he still resides. He has been engaged in the lumber business many years. The mother died October 11, 1877, leaving one son and two daughters.

De Forest Van Vleet was born in Fenton, N. Y., on the 10th of August, 1855, in- heriting the sterling character which is so characteristic of the early Dutch settlers in counties bordering on the Hudson River. His father believed in the wisdom of giv- ing his children the best educational facilities at his command, and they, by their natural tastes, their mental qualifications, and their persistence in study, gave him subsequent reward. While still young, and after a period of study in the schools of Candor, the son was placed in the old Waverly Institute, an educational institution of considerable fame in the past. Here he was prepared for college, and in the fall of 1873 he entered Cornell University in the class of "77. He graduated with his class.

This was all in preparation for the profession of law, which Mr. Van Vleet had long before determined to follow. In November, 1877, he entered the law office of S. D. Halliday, in Ithaca, and studied under that able attorney until 1880, when he was admitted to the bar.

To the study of law Mr. Van Vleet gave the same unwearying application which had characterized his course in college. His natural activity of mind and ready ab- sorption of the principles of law stimulated his self-reliance and gave him reasonable confidence in future success at the bar. Opening an office in Ithaca in 1880, he con- tinued to practice alone until February, 1894, when the firm of Van Vleet & Bost- wick was formed by the admission of Edward H. Bostwick to a partnership.

Mr. Van Vleet's practice has been extensive and covered a wide field, while his success has been not only gratifying to himself, but such as to extend his reputation as a conscientious, able and painstaking attorney. A large share of the corporation business has in recent years been entrusted to him, and his office practice has been extensive.

Mr. Van Vleet is a Democrat on principle, believing the doctrines of that party most conducive to the best interests of the whole country. He enjoys the confidence of his political friends in a marked degree, and his efficient services were so gener- ally recognized that he was chosen chairman of the Democratic County Committee for seven years, and was a very prominent State speaker in the campaigns of 1884, 1888 and 1892. He served two terms under the former village government as city attorney in 1889-1890, and was the first recorder under the act creating that position. In these positions Mr. Van Vleet gave entire satisfaction to his fellow citizens by his efficient and faithful attention to the duties. In January, 1893, he was appointed one of the State Civil Service Commissioners, and now holds that position.

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Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University, Part 78

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