The Cortland Democrat, Friday, December 1, 1899.
McLEAN, N. Y.
A History of the Town and Its Early Settlers, and Mention of Many Who are to-day Prominent as Business Men or Residents.
In the south western corner of the town of Groton is situated the thriving village of McLean. It is reached by the Lehigh Valley railroad, being only seven miles distant from Cortland. The original name of the village was Moscow, but in 1834, a post office was established and named in honor of Judge McLean. The surface of the land at this point is varied, a large proportion of the village being situated upon the hills, which from all directions slope toward McLean. Of the early history of the village very little is related, but from various sources the following facts have been learned:
EARLY HISTORY.
Early in 1800 Amos Cobb built the first log house and the first tavern in the village of McLean. About the same time John Benedict erected a saw and grist mill which for many years did a nourishing business. Roswell Randall was the first store keeper and his trade among the farmers extended many miles in all directions. Daniel J. Shaw was one of the pioneers of the place and a miller by trade.
Early In 1800 Dr. Richard Laning settled in McLean and began the practice of medicine. He soon built up a large practice and was prominently identified with the prosperity of the village; about the same time William S. Clark and Samuel H. Starr located in McLean and engaged in the work of cloth dressing and this for many years was an important industry in the village.
EARLY SETTLERS.
Among the representative pioneers of this nourishing hamlet were Nicholas Howe, Anson Hanchett, Amasa Cobb, Ezra Bangs, Elisha Bangs, Elijah West and William Harris. In 1828 two distilleries were built in McLean and for many years did a flourishing business. The buildings formerly used for this business have long since sunk into decay and been abandoned. During its three-quarters of a century of history McLean has never advanced beyond the condition of a hamlet, and at no time has it contained over 400 inhabitants; still in point of business it ranks higher than many neighboring towns boasting a much larger population. Its industries comprise a firkin and butter tub factory, creamery, milk shipping station, evaporator, grist mill, three general stores, undertaking rooms, feed mill, time blacksmith shops, wagon shop, a large saw and cider mill, planing mill, harness shop, tin shop and shoe shop.
A cheese factory was built in 1864 and for many years did a large business. The butter package factory was one of the early industries of McLean and was for many years the property of V. B. Gross. The products, consisting of butter tubs, firkins, barrels, etc., found a ready sale throughout central New York. This property is now owned by the heirs of V. B. Gross, and is conducted by Allen Howard, who manufactures extensively butter packages of all description, barrels, and in fact any line of goods common to a well equipped cooperage factory. This plant is furnished with both steam and water power and the most improved machinery.
In 1887, John Neal built the large grist mill which for many years was known as the D. B. Marsh mill. This is now the property of John W. West and is conducted by Manning & West, a son and son-in-law of Mr. John West. This firm does a large flour and feed business and enjoys the respect and esteem of the entire community.
Solomon R. Reniff, one of the oldest residents of McLean, has for many years owned and conducted the saw, cider and planing mill and does an extensive business in the several lines.
CHURCHES.
The people of McLean have always given much attention to the religious training of their children, and at an early date five churches were erected at that place. The Baptist church was organized Jan. 24, 1825, with thirty members. Amos Hart and Ithamar Whipple were elected deacons. There had been, however, frequent preaching supplied from the Baptist denomination as early as 1805, but not until 1824 was a permanent organization effected. A church was built in 1828, under the direction of John Benedict, Samuel Noyes and Deacon Hart, at a cost of $1,500. The building still stands and is regularly supplied from other points.
The McLean Methodist Episcopal church was organized in 1830 and the church edifice built in 1832 at a cost of $1,500. It was extensively repaired in 1836. This church society, although small in members, is still in a healthy condition and is regularly supplied from other points.
The First Universalist society of Groton was organized at McLean April 24, 1833, with about thirty members. The church edifice was erected in about 1843, and cost including furnishings about $3,000. The pastor of this church is Rev. U. S. Milburn of Cortland.
Zion Episcopal church, a mission from Homer, was founded at McLean, Sept. 28, 1888. The church edifice was built in 1849, and cost $1,200. This society is still in a very flourishing condition under the pastorate of Rev. Amos Watkins of Cortland.
A Roman Catholic church was also erected at McLean at a somewhat later date and at frequent intervals services are held under the care of Father McMahon of Groton.
DR. ALMON ROBINSON.
Among the former residents of McLean we speak with much pleasure of Dr. Almon Robinson, who came to McLean in 1849 and for over forty years was a successful physician. Dr. Robinson was born in Exeter, Otsego county. Jan 22, 1813, and at an early age commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Haywood of that place. Soon after being admitted to practice Dr. Robinson removed to South Cortland and for seven years resided in the house now owned and occupied by Zera Tanner. Here he practiced medicine, but after seven years residence at that place he decided to remove to McLean, where he lived until his death, which occurred several years ago. He was the father of three children, Helen M., Celia E. and Barzilla L. Robinson, the latter of which is now a prominent physician of McLean. Barzilla L. was born at South Cortland, Feb 1, 1849. His early education was obtained at Homer academy and Cornell University. After completing his school work Mr. Robinson followed the vocation of teaching, at one time being principal of the Groton Union school. Later on he read law two years in the office of Milo Goodrich of Dryden. His eyesight at this time became impaired to such an extent that he was obliged to abandon his law studies, and upon his full recovery he read medicine nearly two years in the office of his father, and later graduated from the Jefferson Medical college at Philadelphia. His diploma from that institution was also endorsed by Bellevue hospital at New York. Dr. Robinson began his practice in McLean in 1887, and has since built up a lucrative and successful business. The doctor is one of the representative men of Tompkins county and is closely allied with the commercial and social interests of his native town. He was for many years a member of the board of pension examiners and is now notary public, treasurer of the fire department and secretary of the school board The Robinson family trace their ancestry back to Stephen Hopkins, who came over in the Mayflower. Dr. Robinson's great-great-grandfather and great-grandfather were both associated with Ethan Allen at the historic battle of Ticonderoga. This fact renders the two daughters of Dr. Robinson eligible to membership in the Colonial Dames, a society composed entirely of ladies who can trace their ancestry directly back to colonial representatives. Among the collection of antiquities in the home of Dr. Robinson are three grand-father clocks, each of which has been in service over one hundred years. They are still in perfect repair and accurately announce the time of day.
PASCHALL FITTS.
Paschall Fitts was also numbered among the pioneers of McLean, and at an early day came into that locality and settled upon a large track of land now situated upon the salt road about two miles west of McLean. At that time this section of country was practically a forest and under his sturdy hand the nucleus of a beautiful farm was formed. A son, Geo. Fitts, and one daughter, Lucy, were born to him, and upon his son George devolved the task of managing the large farm, and at the death of his father the farm was purchased by the son, who has erected extensive buildings and in many ways added to the value and beauty of the farm. Mr. Fitts has been remarkably fortunate in business matters and is now acknowledged to be the most wealthy man in that section. His home farm of 180 acres is especially adapted to potato raising, his crop this year amounting to over 4,000 bushels.
JOHN LANE DAVIS.
Among the former residents of McLean we find very prominently mentioned, John Lane Davis, who came from Vermont about 1825, and soon after married a daughter of Judge Boynton. Mr. Davis became the father of five children, three boys and two girls. Byron Davis located in Iowa. The second son, Lucius P. Davis, at an early age enlisted as a private in the 70th Regiment, New York Volunteers, and served with distinction throughout the civil war. He now holds the rank of major. He was severely wounded at the battle of Gettysburg and as a result of this wound afterwards was forced to have the injured limb amputated. Mr. Davis still resides in Cortland and is the father of Leland G. Davis of the firm of Cobb & Co., Rowland L. Davis, police justice of Cortland village, and Ralph H. Davis, one of the representatives of the Syracuse Post-Standard. Geo. B. Davis is now a practicing attorney of Ithaca, Eliza, the widow of Daniel Crittenden, and Mary Davis also reside in Ithaca. The Davis family for many years owned and occupied a beautiful home standing upon a commanding knoll just east of the village of McLean.
Among the older residents of McLean now living we wish to mention William Webster, Eli Webster, Wm. Waters, E. B. Wheeler, A. Jackson Mix, Geo. Henry Boynton, Geo. Sutfin, Sanford Sickman, Judge Vough, Allen Stout, Isaac Benham and A. Gallagher. Many of these have already lived the allotted three score years and ten and are still possessed of a fair degree of health and strength. They enjoy reviewing the early history of their adopted village and recall with wonderful accuracy the occurrences of fifty years ago.
John D. Benedict, a wealthy and respected citizen of McLean, was born in 1836 upon the same farm where he now resides. Mr. Benedict is largely engaged in farming and cattle buying and can always be found about the village visiting with his many friends. He lives in a large house in the northern part of the village.
ELM TREE HOUSE.
Only one hotel, the Elm Tree House, is at present open to the public. The hotel is a landmark of the village, but although one of the first buildings erected in village, is still in a fine state of preservation. It is owned and conducted by Mr. Alvin Gay. Mr. Gay was born in Preble in 1854 and the early years of his life were spent upon a farm. Some sixteen years ago Mr. Gay purchased the hotel at Little York, which home he successfully conducted for fourteen years. On Dec. 1, 1898, he purchased the hotel at McLean and under his supervision, the house has been completely remodeled and refurnished, and to-day presents a very homelike appearance. Mr. Gay's business steadily increased since his coming in December last. The dining-room and kitchen are under the personal supervision of Gay, whose reputation as a cook is not excelled in Central New York. Besides a large traveling trade, this house furnishes a very desirable resort for summer boarders. Mr. Gay also conducts a livery in connection with his house. The elm tree which stands in front of this hotel and from which the house derives its name is the pride of its owner and also of all other residents of McLean. The tree is ninety feet high and nineteen feet in circumference. The tree is known to be over 100 years of age, and spreads its shade over one-eighth acre of land.
BUSINESS MEN.
Newton Baldwin was born in Peruville in 1842, where for many years he was engaged in business. At the opening of civil war in 1861 Mr. Baldwin enlisted in company C, 76th regiment, and served until the close of the war in 1865. He participated in the historic battles of second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run and the Wilderness. At the last named battle he was taken prisoner to Andersonville. Here he remained for seven mouths. At the close of the war Mr. Baldwin returned to Peruville and in 1875 moved to McLean. In 1888 he was appointed postmaster of McLean. For the past fourteen years Mr. Baldwin has held the office of justice of the peace, and at the last election was reelected for the coming four years from Jan. 1, 1900. In 1897 he was again appointed postmaster, which position he now holds. In politics Mr. Baldwin is a strong Republican and prominent in his county.
E. G. Galloup was born in Farmer, Seneca county, in 1849. When twenty-one years of age he came to McLean and commenced business on a small scale in a small building on Mill street. By careful attention to business he has accumulated a competency and now owns two blocks in McLean, one farm in Dryden and one farm in Groton, besides the small building in which he first commenced business. He carries a complete line of goods usually found in a country store. He also carries a full line of drugs, jewelry and funeral supplies. Mr. Galloup attends personally to the undertaking department.
Dr. O. A. Boyce was born in Franklin, Delaware county, in 1854. He was educated at the Franklin Literary Institute and in 1875 graduated with honors, then entered the medical department of Syracuse university, from which institute he graduated in 1879. Soon after he came to McLean and commenced the practice of medicine. In this his chosen profession, he has been highly successful. He has held the office of health officer for several years and was such during the small pox epidemic in 1898. At one time he had twenty cases under his care. Socially the doctor has few equals, and is highly respected as a physician and neighbor.
D. R. Stout was born in McLean in 1856 and since reaching the age of twenty-one has been actively engaged in the business of the town. For fifteen years Mr. Stout conducted a meat market in McLean, and is now the owner and proprietor of a general store. He carries a full line of groceries, shelf goods and gents furnishings, and enjoys his full share of the business of the village.
J. W. Buckley was born in Cuba, Alleghany county, in 1857, and soon afterwards removed with his parents to Genesee county, where his early education was obtained. Afterwards he spent ten years in Seneca county. In October, 1898, Mr. Buckley moved to McLean and purchased the stock of goods and fixtures of J. W. Gunn, who for many years conducted a general store in McLean. Mr. Buckley carries a full line of drygoods, groceries and general furnishings, boots and shoes and shelf hardware. By careful attention to business and by honest dealing Mr. Buckley has built up a largo trade among the surrounding farmers. He is assisted in the store by Ned. Kennedy, a well known young man of McLean.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
McLean can boast of a well organized fire department and is the possessor of a very serviceable hand engine. The company was organized in 1897 with the following officers: J. W. West, chief; M. E. Miller, secretary; B. L. Robinson, treasurer.
UNION SCHOOL.
The McLean Union school stands high among the educational institutions of central New York. The principal of the school, Mr. James A. Shea, is a graduate of the Cortland Normal and a very wide awake and progressive young man. This is his second year in charge of the school, and since coming to McLean has built up a very prosperous school. The other teachers are: intermediate, Delphine C. Bates; primary, Mary A. Baker, ladies are graduates of the Cortland Normal and are highly recommended for the efficiency of their school work. The school is under the guidance of the Regents of the state of New York and at present has thirty foreign pupils. The school board at present is composed as follows: F. J. PerLee, president; Dr. B L. Robinson, secretary; E. Galloup, treasurer and collector.
ELGIN CREAMERY COMPANY.
One of the prosperous business enterprises is the Elgin Creamery, which occupies a very substantial and convenient building near the Lehigh Valley railroad depot. The company is at present represented by the following citizens: A. M. Francis, president; Jerome C. Fitts, secretary; D. W. Rowley, treasurer. A large amount of milk is received daily and the products of the factory find a ready sale in Cortland, Ithaca, New York City and Newark, N. J.
R. B. DAVIDSON.
One of the quiet, unassuming young business men of the village is Mr. R. B. Davidson, who for several years has handled a large amount of eggs from the McLean station. Weekly his team goes out south and east of McLean, gathering up all the fresh eggs to be found. These eggs are sorted by colors and shipped to New York, where they find a ready sale. Last year Mr. Davidson handled $24,000 worth of eggs and this year he expects to nearly double the business of last.
EVAPORATOR.
Last year a large evaporator was built along the line of the Lehigh Valley railroad by Cornwell, Miles and Baker of Wolcott, Wayne county, New York. The factory has a capacity of 12,000 bushels yearly, and this year has handled 9,000 bushels. The products of this factory are finely sorted and packed in 50 pound boxes and shipped to Germany, where they find a ready sale at a very satisfactory price.
DANIEL ROWLEY.
Daniel Rowley is one of the substantial business men of the town. He was born Sept. 11, 1841. When only one year old his father died and a few years later his mother was also taken. Daniel was then adopted into the family of Thomas Morgan, the owner and proprietor of the Elm Tree House. At an early age he started out for himself and has been highly successful in all of his undertakings. For two years he conducted two meat markets in Cortland, after which he was proprietor of the Elm Tree House in McLean. Mr. Rowley was proprietor of the Junction house at Freeville for three years, and is well and favorably known throughout central New York. He is now living in the village, and although retired from active labor still looks after the management of his farm, and is also one of the officials of the Elgin Creamery company.
A. L. HOUGHTALING.
Mr. A. L. Houghtaling owns a feed and general custom mill, and is pleasantly located on the street leading from the hotel to the depot. This gentleman, in company with A. L. Hugg, also conducts the coal business in McLean.
MOURIN, WOLF & CO.
Mourin, Wolf & Co. of Homer have for several years been engaged in the produce business of McLean, and annually ship many thousand bushels of potatoes and apples from that point. George Hakes, a man of long experience in the produce business, represents them at McLean.
BLACKSMITHS.
Three blacksmiths, Henry Rowland, A. B. Stout and J. C. Stanton, do a thriving business and are well and favorably known in the community about McLean. Mr. Howland is one of the oldest residents of the place. He was born in Canada, Dec. 8, 1831, and at the age of thirteen years he came to Moravia, where he soon began the work of blacksmithing. After serving his apprenticeship he removed to McLean in 1837, and has since been identified with the business interests of the place. Mr. Howland is well preserved for a man of his years.
BRIEFS.
M. M. Robbins owns and conducts a tin shop and has been a resident of the village for nine years. He also carries a full line of roof material, eavetroughs and conductor pipes.
Merritt Dutcher enjoys the distinction of station agent and is a very popular and reliable young man. He was appointed to his present position at the Lehigh station in 1898, having for a time previous been the agent of the Erie and Central New York railroad at McGrawville.
Marvin Dutcher represents Harrison Wells in the produce business and manages the McLean branch of his extensive business.
Fred Sanford is a highly respected citizen of McLean. He was born in Dryden in 1848, and resided there until 1884, when he came to McLean and has since been quite largely engaged in stock buying and handling general farm produce.
The farmers of this section who do not belong to the Elgin Creamery company, find a ready sale for their milk at the milk station, which is the property of Joseph Lammle of New York city.
Considerably over one hundred carloads of produce has been shipped from the McLean station during the present year. 25,000 barrels of choice apples have been purchased by a Mr. Read of Wolcott and shipped to that point, where they are to be placed in cold storage.
A well equipped wagon repair shop is owned by F. Turpenning. Repairing in all its branches is done on short notice and reasonable rates.
Mr. Eugene Sherwood is a respected citizen of McLean and now conducts a general harness and shoe shop, repairing in all branches a specialty. The only barber shop in town is owned by Mr. Sherwood and enjoys a fair patronage.
A well stocked meat market is run by Wm. Howard, where choice cuts of meat, pork and mutton can always be found.
Thus briefly the writer has endeavored to call the attention of the readers of the DEMOCRAT to the business which is being carried on in our hustling suburban town, and we now desire to mention some of the most substantial farmers who contribute to the success of McLean and make the place one of the busiest shipping points along the line of the Lehigh railroad.
JOHN P. HART.
Early in 1800 John P. Hart was numbered among the wealthy and substantial citizens of McLean, and several of his descendants now reside in that locality. The old Hart homestead, now the property of Jerome Pitts, is one of the finest farms in Tompkins county.
PROMINENT FARMERS.
Northwest of the village lies the large and extensive farms of Geo. Fitts, Allen Morse, Frank Trapp, Albert Chapman and J. T. Knettles. These gentlemen have long been residents of this section and have succeeded in bringing their farms under a high state of cultivation and productiveness.
West of McLean we find the well kept farms of John Steele, Daniel Rowley and the Mineah Estate. Southwest of the village are located the farms of John Keenan, Ed. PerLee, Milton Allen, George Sutfin and J. G. Reynolds, Mr. Keenan also has a productive sand bank upon his farm, which yields him considerable revenue annually.
East of McLean the line of farms tributary to McLean stretch out for several miles and include such well known men as Fred PerLee, Wesley Albright, John Ronk, Henry McKee, Andrew McKee, James McKee and Luther Gray,
Directly north of McLean lies the productive farm of A. M. Francis, who now holds the office of supervisor of the town of Groton, of which McLean forms a part. He was born upon the farm about fifty years ago and has by careful attention to business amassed considerable property. He is universally respected by all who know him.
South of McLean and in the direction of South Cortland can be found the farms of Geo. McKinney, Wm. Sweetland, Oscar Mason, Ed. Mason, Harry Trapp, H. D. Light. W. C. Hemmingway, Otis Bates, Wm. DeCoudres, Jerome Bates, Guy Thompson, Warren Hoaglin, Geo. Nye, Almon Trapp, Geo. Trapp, William Trapp, Fred Trapp, Frank Yaples and James Givens.
Over two years ago McLean suffered from a serious conflagration which destroyed several of the land marks of the village, among which was the foundry and machine shop and the largo evaporator. The foundry was the properly of McLean parties, but the evaporator was owned by Julius Whiting of South Cortland. At this time it will be remembered that assistance was asked from the Cortland Fire department which was freely given. The Cortland fire engine was placed upon a flat car and in charge of Engineer Keenan, now deceased, made the trip in seven minutes, a distance of nearly seven miles. Through the assistance of the Cortland department the fire was subdued and the residence portion of the village saved. The convenient feed mill of A. L. Houghtaling and the Elgin Creamery company building now stands upon the site of the burned buildings.
The people of McLean take a great interest in their school, believing that the future of this country lies in the youth of the land, and the officers in charge are ever zealous to secure the best advantages possible for a town of the size of McLean.
HERE AND THERE.
T. E. Dye has brought of the Onondaga County Savings bank the brick block at the corner of Elm and Pomeroy-sts., and will convert a portion of the building into a cold storage.
An exchange remarks that when a man gets mad at what the minister says and leaves the church, and another gets mad at the editor and stops his paper, the two ought to get together, compare notes and see which is the bigger goose.
In the opinion of an exchange men are unreasonable. One went into a printing office and berated an editor for not mentioning the death of his brother. He was uproarious until the editor promised to fix it up next week. He did, and this was the notice he printed. "Our village has been still further improved during the past fortnight by planting in the cemetery a lot of shade trees and several of our fellow citizens." Then the unreasonable fellow was madder than ever.
The new system of telegraphy promises to transmit one hundred words an hour. This is not much better than a Cortland woman who was run into by a wheel in Elm-st. last Friday evening could do.
No comments:
Post a Comment