DANIEL THOMPSON WAS A CENTENARIAN

Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, May 22, 1896.

HE WAS A CENTENARIAN.

DANIEL A. THOMPSON OF MCGRAWVILLE DIED TO-DAY.

Age 100 Years, 3 Months, 9 Days—No Disease, Only Worn Out—Lived in this County Since 1810 and in the

 Same House Over Sixty Years.

   Mr. Daniel A. Thompson, the oldest man in Cortland county, died at his home in McGrawville at 8 o'clock this morning at the age of 100 years, 3 months and 9 days. He had no disease, but the vitality simply wasted away. The funeral will be held from his late home next Monday at 2 o'clock.

   Mr. Thompson celebrated his one hundredth birthday on Feb. 13 last and previous to that date The STANDARD printed a cut of him and a sketch of his life, which we republish to-day:

   (From the Daily Standard of Feb. 10, 1896.)

   To comparatively few people is it given to reach the age of 100 years. A still smaller number reach it in good health and in the possession of physical and mental vigor. Within a few years Cortland county has had three residents who have celebrated their one hundredth birthday: Mrs. Sarah Chaplin Rockwood of Cortland celebrated her one hundredth birthday on Nov. 8, 1885, and died Nov. 20, 1889, being 104 years and 18 days old. Mr. Hosea Sprague of Homer celebrated his centennial on Dec. 28, 1893, and died July 19, 1895, at the age of 101 years, 6 months and 21 days. Mrs. Ora Brown of Cortland was 100 years old on Jan. 31, 1894, and died twenty-six days later, at the age of 100 years and 26 days.

   There is a fourth claimant for centennial honors in the person of Daniel A. Thompson of McGrawville whose cut we publish to-day and who will celebrate his one hundredth birthday on Thursday of this week, Feb. 13, 1896. Mr. Thompson is one of the pioneers of this region and one of the founders of McGrawville. A STANDARD reporter called at his home to get a little sketch of the life and career of this aged gentleman. He was politely treated and was shown the old Bible with its family record and other records and papers.

   In Chatham, Columbia Co., N. Y., there lived in the last century a sturdy pioneer, John Thompson by name, who was the father of some twenty children, he having been several times married. By one wife he had nine children, the sixth of which in genealogical order was the subject of this sketch, Daniel A. Thompson, who was born in Chatham, Feb. 13, 1796. While a boy he determined to learn the blacksmith's trade and was apprenticed to John Merrill who had married a cousin of the boy. As the section along the Hudson river was quite thickly settled, Mr. Merrill decided to emigrate to a new country and came to this town (then Homer township) and built a blacksmith shop near the present residence of Reuben Brown on the Cortland road.

   Mr. Thompson soon followed him coming in 1810 and finished his apprenticeship in the shop, the location of which is marked by a large stone which still covers the old well. When he had finished his apprenticeship he worked for a while in a gun shop in Cortland and then came to this place, building a log shop near where the house of John Gilbertson now stands on Clinton-st. This shop burned and was replaced by a frame building which was afterward torn down.

   On June 15, 1820, he was married to Miss Sally Frink, who had moved upon the present Thompson farm with her mother and stepfather, Nehemiah Lewis. About that time he bought an acre of ground on the west side of the Freetown road (now Clinton-st.), running from the creek to where Frank Webster's residence now stands. This he afterwards sold and then moved to Schuyler county where he purchased a farm and remained two years.

   Then he returned to McGrawville and bought the farm now owned by Samuel Doud. He sold this farm and in 1839 purchased the house where be now resides, having his shop in the building now used by Lewis Warren as a barn and later in a building near the Clinton-st. bridge, until he purchased the land on the east side of Clinton-st. extending from the old cemetery to the old M. E. parsonage (now J. J. Isaacks' residence) and there built a shop on the site of the one now owned by him and in which he carried on his trade up to a few years ago. Mrs. Thompson, his wife, died in 1887, aged 87 years.

   Mr. and Mrs. Thompson were the parents of eight children: Albert E., born July 16, 1822, who emigrated to Pennsylvania, where he married Sarah Kitchen. He died in Muncy in that state in 1876. Clarissa A., born Jan. 10, 1826, who died Aug. 12, 1830. Lewis A., born May l 9, 1830, who married Eunice Madison and died in Salisbury, Mo., in 1883. Clarissa A. (2d), born Oct. 10, 1831, who married Ned Whipple and died in California in 1873. Mary Jeanette, born Aug. 28, 1833, who married Seneca Mudge and died in McGrawville, April 6, 1895. Fannie I., born Aug. 8, 1835, and died July 31, 1843. Sallie Rosella, born Sept. 1, 1837, who married Charles Woodworth and died in Virginia City, Nev., in 1886. A. P. Thompson, who was born Nov. 10, 1842, and who is the only surviving child.

   The grandchildren living are Alonzo H. Mudge of Cortland and Daniel and Will Thompson, sons of A. P. Thompson, the former of whom is partner in a marble yard in Brighton, Mich., and the latter a photographer in Chicago, Ill. Of the great grandchildren there are Albert, Alonzo, Belle, Ernest and Enos Mudge and Earl, Nettie and Sarah Leach, all grandchildren of Seneca and Jeanette Mudge.

   Mr. Thompson resides in the house he purchased over sixty years ago and is cared for by his son, A. P. Thompson, and son-in-law, Seneca Mudge. His great grandchildren, Albert and Alonzo Mudge and Earl Leach also reside with them. He is confined to the house by the wintry weather, but in the summer months spends much of his time out of doors walking around without a cane or other assistance. He does not wear glasses, although at one time he could not see to do his work without them. One day some thirty years ago while working at his anvil he found that he could not see through them and upon removing them found that his sight had returned to him. He has often of late years in a joking manner referred to a fortune-teller having told him when but thirteen years of age that he would live to be one hundred and but a few days ago told his son that he guessed he would do so.

   The old Empire block is one of the buildings erected by Mr. Thompson who, coming to McGrawville but seven years later than its godfather, Samuel McGraw, helped to lay the foundations of the present thriving city of corsets.

MR. ISRAEL RICKARD.

Mustered in at Ninety-six—Oldest Man in the County.

   Mr. Israel Rickard, the oldest veteran of the Civil war in this part of the state was mustered into Grover Post, No. 98, G. A. R., yesterday afternoon at a special meeting of the Post at 2 o'clock Mr. Rickard was a private in the Seventy-sixth regiment, Company G, commanded by Captain Aaron Sager. He enlisted in the fall of 1861, at the age of 60, and at first had charge of a wagon train, but soon shouldered a musket, preferring that to driving mules.

   By the death to-day of Mr. Daniel A. Thompson of McGrawyille at the age of 100 years, 3 months and 9 days, Mr. Rickard becomes the oldest man in the county. He was born Dec. 31, 1799, and consequently is in his ninety-seventh year. He is hale and hearty, is always ready for a long walk and can make many a younger man bustle in a day's work.

A BIG SHOW COMING.

Robinson & Franklin to Visit Cortland on Friday, June 5.

   The coming to Cortland of these two big amusement institutions, now united, is one of the epochs in the annals of amusements in this vicinity. While the shows are new to a great many amusement lovers in this locality the Robinson shows are the oldest in the world, now in their seventy-second year. The Franklin Bros. are of the new school of American showmen and possess unlimited energy, capital and that essential requirement to an American called "push."

   The combined shows, it is said, require something like sixty [railroad] cars for transportation and employ about 1,000 people.

Yesterday's Circus.

   The attendance at Washburn's circus last night was somewhat larger than in the afternoon and all seemed well pleased with the exhibition. The trapeze performances were fine as was also the tumbling. They left at about 2 o'clock this morning for Moravia where they exhibit to-day.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

Public School Swimming Baths.

   It gives a sparkle and an exhilaration of mind simply to read of the public school swimming baths which have proved so successful in London. They are not yet organized for all the board schools, but the ones that have been put in operation were attended last year by 13,000 pupils—10,000 boys, 3,000 girls. From the fact that the boys predominate so largely some ungallant Englishman argues in a London paper that men are more cleanly than women, since they bathe more frequently.

   The effect of these great swimming baths on the poor children of London, for whom they were established, has been wonderfully salutary, both from the moral and the sanitary point of view. Competent instructors teach the young ones swimming, and prize exhibitions of skill among the pupils are given each year. In one of the exhibitions there was a life saving competition in which boys went through the process of rescuing a comrade who was apparently drowning and then of resuscitating him after he was supposed to be unconscious. Girls swam with Japanese parasols or fans to their hands to show how at home in the water they were.

   The expenses of maintaining the baths are paid in part by the school boards, but in part also by the teachers themselves, with a disinterestedness especially noble in view of the small wages received by teachers in Great Britain.

   Why do we not have similar swimming baths connected with public schools in America?

CORTLAND FORGING CO.

TO REBUILD BUT UNDER SOMEWHAT CHANGED MANAGEMENT.

Crandall, Stone & Co. of Binghamton Buy Out the Interest of D. F. and J. M. Wallace—New Officers and Directors.

   The Cortland Forging Co. has decided to rebuild its plant which was burned on the evening of April 7, but there will be a change in the management. The firm of Crandall, Stone & Co. of Binghamton, manufacturers of the same line of goods, has purchased the interest of Messrs. D. F. Wallace and J. H. Wallace, who retire from the company. The formal transfer of stock was made this afternoon. The capital stock of the company remains the same—$100,000.

   A meeting of the new stockholders was held at 2 o'clock this afternoon and the following directors were elected: Curtis L. Kinney, C. M. Stone, W. E. Stone, C. E. Titchener, C. E. Brooks. At a subsequent meeting of the board of directors the following officers were elected:

   President—C. L. Kinney.

   Vice-President—C. M. Stone.

   Secretary and Treasurer—C. E. Titchener.

   It has been decided to rebuild at once. Plans and estimates for new buildings have already been submitted, but have not yet been accepted and it is possible that they may yet be somewhat changed. It appears though that they will probably occupy more surface on the ground than the old buildings, but will not be more than one story high. As soon as the plans can be decided upon the contracts will be let and work will be rushed so as to be ready for this fall's trade. It is likely that more men will be employed than ever before.

   Though the Messrs. Wallace have retired from this company they have by no means retired from business in Cortland. They anticipate starting a new company or the manufacture of special work, particularly bicycle forgings. They will take their time for getting the new concern under way and it may be two or three months before the arrangements are all completed, but they will keep steadily bout it and a strong company will result.

   It will be exceedingly gratifying to Cortland people to have this result come about. The Forging company was considered one of the strongest business concerns in the place and it was doing a flourishing business six days (and sometimes nights) in a week and fifty-two weeks in a year. It was a bad blow when the fire came. Now it is to be rebuilt and under as favorable circumstances as before. Furthermore new capital is brought to Cortland and the outgrowth of one strong company seems likely to be two companies each equally strong with the original one. Things are really looking brighter in Cortland.

"Railroad Dan."

   Car Inspector Frank M. Kenyon of the Lehigh Valley this morning came into possession of a fine large Maltese cat which had ridden at least as far as from DeRuyter on top of a steam pipe over the front truck of a coach on the westbound express train. The cat was put off at Cuyler but got on again and was put off again at the junction but again persisted in climbing on board. At the station Mr. Kenyon took him in charge and has taken him to his home, 182 Port Watson-st. He has given him the name of "Railroad Dan"' and prizes him very highly, although his record is not quite equal to that of the famous dog, "Railroad Jack."

BREVITIES.

   —Robinson & Franklin's second advertising [railroad] car is in town to-day.

   —Cornell university will graduate a class this year of about four hundred.—Ithacan.

    —Rev. Jesse A. Hungate of Homer will deliver the Memorial day address in Cortland this year.

   —The Wickwire building on the north side of Railroad-st. is being treated to a new coat of paint.

   —The old reliable and always newsy Cortland STANDARD has a new dress of type.—Owego Times.

   —Dr. H. C. Gazlay of Cortland this morning announced himself as a candidate for county treasurer on the Republican ticket this fall.

   —It is probable that a number of Grotonions will witness the bicycle tournament at Cortland next Wednesday, May 27.—Groton Journal,

   —Strawberries, ice cream and cake will be served at the W. C. T. C. rooms to-night from 7 to 10 by the Lycencor club of the Central school.

   —A Cortland man struck town the other day with seven bicycles in his wagon. The entire number were quickly sold for $36 each.—Moravia Register.

   —Take note of the new timetable of the Cortland and Homer division of the electric road published to-day in full on the fifth page. Cut it out as it will not be published again in full.

   —A collision between a streetcar and a carriage belonging to J. W. Montague occurred this morning on Elm-st. as a result of which both front wheels of the wagon were demolished.

   —A quiet home wedding took place Sunday at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Rose, 77 Clinton-ave., when Rev. I. H. Pearce. D. D., united in marriage their nephew. Mr. Charles H. Johnson and Miss Lillie McDonald, both of Cincinnatus.

   —An educational paper says the courts have decided that a school teacher has control over a child from the time it leaves the parent or guardian to the time of its returning to the home, and this includes the time to and from school.—Ex.

   —Willoughby Babcock Post, G. A. R. of Homer will decorate their graves in the forenoon of Memorial day, May 30, the same as last year. They have invited Grover Post of Cortland to be with them in the morning and they expect to come to Cortland in the afternoon.

   —H. Sutfel was arrested at Preble yesterday by sheriff Hilsinger on the charge of grand larceny. It was alleged that he hired a horse from O. L. Crofoot to drive to Little York, but preceded to Preble. When brought before the police justice no one appeared against him and he was discharged.

   —Grover Post, Grover Corps and James H. Kellogg Camp of Sons of Veterans are requested to meet at Post headquarters on Sunday evening, May 24 at 7 o'clock sharp, to attend memorial services at the Universalist church in a body. Wear uniforms, memorial badges and gloves. All comrades invited.