TOMPKINS COUNTY Navigating A Sea Oe Resources PUBLIC LIBRARY Title: History of Central New York : embracing Cayuga, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, Tompkins, Cortland, Schuyler, Yates, Chemung, Steuben, and Tioga Counties Author: Melone, Harry Roberts, 1893- Call number: LH 974.78 Melone v.3 Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : Historical Pub. Co., 1932. Owner: Ithaca - Tompkins County Public Library Assigned Branch: Ithaca - Tompkins County Public Library (TCPL) Collection: Local History (LH) Material type: Book Number of pages: 1537 p. Digitization of this material was made possible with a 2009 grant from the Park Foundation un nd D" D m LH Vi3 97^-78 Melone, Harry History of Central New York. LH 9714.78 v.3 Melone, Harry History of Central New lork. TOMPKINS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY Ithaca, N.Y. ^4, History of Central New York Embracing Cayuga, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, Tompkins, Cortland, Schuyler, Yates, Chemung, Steuben, and Tioga Counties By HARRY R. MELONE IN THREE VOLUMES ILLUSTRATED VOLUME THREE Historical Publishing Company indianapolis, indiana 1932 1/j3 public cornbx It*. l^50 3t2 WD^ YORK uHACA, ^ David M. Dunning History of Central New York David Montgomery Dunning, Sr. Identified with the inter ests of the Auburn Savings Bank for almost half a century, and as president of the institution since 1909, the career of David Montgomery Dunning, Sr., has always been prominently associ ated with the civic and business interests of the community in which he has spent his entire life. He was born in this city, De cember 30, 1844, the son of Henry Silas and Jane (Wadsworth) Dunning. The Dunning family settled in New England during the very early history of that region, and prominent members of the fam ily were Silas Dunning and Henry Montgomery. David Montgomery Dunning, Sr., obtained his early education at Auburn Academy, and in 1868 received a degree as Civil Engi neer from Union College. He also received the honorary degree of L. H. D. from the same institution in 1923. During 1865 Mr. Dunning was city engineer of Auburn and alderman of 1869 and 1870. From 1868 until 1902 he was identified with the Auburn Gas Light Company as superintendent and treasurer, and from 1890 until 1894 was president of the Auburn Manufacturing Com pany. He was elected a trustee of the Auburn Savings Bank in 1884, became vice president in 1887, and as mentioned above, was elected president in 1909. He is a member of the New York State Savings Bank Association and Auburn Chamber of Commerce. In 1871 Mr. Dunning married Miss Alice J. Hutchinson, who died in Auburn in December, 1931. To them were born the fol lowing children : 1. Alice M. Goodwin. 2. Charlotte E. 3. Mary G. Thwing. 4. David Montgomery, Jr. 5. Edith E. 6. Amy L. Underwood. 7. Charles H. 1059 1060 HISTORY OF CENTRAL NEW YORK Mr. Dunning is a Republican, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and belongs to the Masonic Lodge, Psi Upsilon fraternity, and Owasco Country Club. He is a charter member and served as secretary and treasurer of the Cayuga County Historical So ciety for twenty years. He was a trustee of Auburn City Hospital for many years and president for one year and for forty-three years has been a trustee of the Cayuga Home for Children, as well as trustee of Fort Hill Cemetery Association. He was one of the organizers of the Auburn Rose & Floral Society and has been honorary president since its inception in 1919. He has been Horticulture," a frequent contributor to Bailey's "Cyclopedia of and has been awarded numerous first prizes for his unusual horti culture exhibits. Victor A. Peterson, who is successfully engaged in the furni ture business at 513-15 North Main Street, is among Elmira's dependable merchants and citizens. He was born at Milford, Connecticut, July 28, 1882, the son of Charles and Clara (Swan- son) Peterson. Charles Peterson and his wife are natives of Sweden. They have lived at Milford, Connecticut, for many years, and Mr. Peterson is well known as a dairy farmer. He is a Republican, and a member of the Swedish Lutheran Church. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Peterson: 1. Victor A., the subject of this sketch. 2. Henry G., married Lillian Meeker, lives at Elmira. 3. Alice, married Byron Ferry, lives at Stamford, Con necticut. 4. Frederick, who died July 1, 1928. 5. David, lives at Danbury, Connecticut. 6. Harry, married Marcella Harbot, lives at Ithaca. 7. Frank, lives at Garrison Ferry, New York. 8. Clin ton, lives at Danbury, Connecticut. Victor A. Peterson acquired a public school education and as a young man remained on his father's farm. He began his busi ness career with the Eastern Lounge Company, with whom he learned the trade of upholsterer. After six years in the com pany's employ, he resigned on account of ill health. In 1906 Mr. HISTORY OF CENTRAL NEW YORK 1061 Peterson located at Canton, Pennsylvania, with the Canton Couch Company. He remained with that organization for three years, then spent one year with the Binghamton Lounge Company, and one year was located with the Jamestown Lounge Company. Mr. Peterson came to Elmira in 1912 and during the following year was identified with the J. P. and M. Sullivan Furniture Company. He then established a furniture repair business at 511 North Main Street, with which he was connected until September, 1921. He has since successfully engaged in the retail furniture business in this city. In 1920 he purchased the building at 513 and 515 where he has his business. The building was completely remodeled and a large addition was built to accommodate his trade. On March 2, 1907, Mr. Peterson was married to Miss Belle Greenleaf, of Canton, Pennsylvania, born March 24, 1888, the daughter of Milton P. and Rachael (Williams) Greenleaf. He died April 12, 1932, and the latter died in May, 1918. Milton P. Greenleaf was a farmer in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, until his retirement. He was the son of Ira Greenleaf, who served throughout the Civil War. Mr. Greenleaf was a Republican and has held numerous public offices. He was a member of the Disciples Church and belonged to the Grange. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have a son, Lee Greenleaf, born March 26, 1919. Mr. Peterson is a Republican and both are members of North Presbyterian Church, and belong to the Century Club. Mrs. Peterson is a director of the Zonta Club. In 1931 Mr. Peterson purchased a residence at 860 Euclid Avenue, where they reside. John H. Oldroyd is well and favorably known in Elmira as president of the Merchants Oil and Coal Company, Inc., 429 Erie Street. He was born at Troy, Bradford County, Pennsylvania, April 29, 1889, the son of Edward and Elizabeth (Luckey) Oldroyd. Edward Oldroyd was a native of New York, born at South- port, Chemung County. He attended the district schools and 1062 HISTORY OF CENTRAL NEW YORK throughout his life was interested in farming in Bradford and Tioga counties. He specialized in dairy farming. Mr. Oldroyd died in 1902 and is buried at Troy, Pennsylvania. His wife, born in Pennsylvania, died in 1918. Mr. Oldroyd was a Democrat and held membership in the Methodist Church. The following chil dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Oldroyd : 1. George M., a farmer, lives in Tioga County, Pennsylvania. 2. Jesse, married Hattie Wilcox, lives at Horseheads. 3. Grace, who died in 1922. 4. Mayme, married Clarence J. Moore, lives at Corning. 5. John H., the sub ject of this sketch. 6. Bert, lives at Elmira. The early education of John H. Oldroyd was received in the district school. He was graduated from Troy High School in 1907 and remained on the Oldroyd farm until 1909, at which time he located at Elmira with the Merchants Oil Company. In Janu ary, 1920, he became a partner in the company, and six years later assumed full control of the enterprise. The business was incor porated in 1929 with the following officers: John H. Oldroyd, president; Lester Oldroyd, vice-president; and Elmer Rife, secre tary and treasurer. Since the date of its incorporation the firm has also handled coal. Branch office is located at Corning, with oil service stations at 429 Erie Street, and Market and Exchange streets. Trucking service for the distribution of gasoline and oil is maintained by the company throughout Chemung County. On April 21, 1909, Mr. Oldroyd was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Dunn, who was born at Morris Run, Pennsylvania, February 13, 1889, the daughter of John and Mary (Mason) Dunn, natives of England. The former resides in Elmira and the latter died in 1922. Mrs. Oldroyd is a graduate of Mansfield High School and Mansfield State Normal School. To John H. and Sarah (Dunn) Oldroyd were born six children: 1. Lester Lewis, born January 13, 1910, a graduate of South Side High School of Elmira and Meeker's Business College. 2. Earl, born June 10, 1911, a graduate of South Side High School, is connected with the Merchants Oil & Coal Company, Inc., as branch manager at Corn ing. 3. Merton, born June 22, 1913, a graduate of South Side High School, is associated with his father's business. 4. Fay, born Feb- HISTORY OF CENTRAL NEW YORK 1063 ruary 6, 1915. 5. Clifford, born June 30, 1917. 6. Kenneth, born October 3, 1919. The latter three are students. Mr. Oldroyd is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church, and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Junior Order of United American Mechanics and Elmira Busi ness Men's Association.