Owner

Description

Alexander

[Maple Lawn Stock Farm] R.A. Alexander was born in Broome County, N.Y. in 1863.  He married Miss Lillie May Patchen, of Lansingville, Tompkins County, N.Y., in 1895.  They have one daughter who resides with her parents.  Mr. Alexander is not only the proprietor of a hotel, but manages Maple Lawn Stock Farm for A.L. Smith, and the Flowing Well Farm, owned by M.T.C. Brown.  These farms are mostly devoted to stock and poultry raising, dairying and the usual soil products common to this section of the State.  Mr. Alexander is an enterprising farmer, highly respected as a manager and business man.  His hotel is located on the Moravia and Sempronius Road, six miles from Homer, twelve from Cortland and eighteen from Auburn.

Lot 78

Brown

Flowing Well Farm, Mrs. Lois R. Brown, owner, wife of M.T.C. Brown.   Postoffice address, Sempronius.  This farm consists of seventy-five acres on the Sempronius Road, six miles to Moravia and twenty to Auburn and ten to Homer.  Its soil is adapted to mixed farming, dairying, with a creamery on the farm being its specialty.  A never-failing spring and flowing well give an abundant supply of water.  The location is most desirable, having an eastern exposure.  There is a fine residence and barns in good condition.  The previous owners were Charles Kellogg, who located here in 1828, followed by James Welch, P.H. Van Schaick, David H. Foster, Dennis Newell, John D. Clark, M.T.C. Brown, Paul Clark, and his administrator, to the present owner.  M.T.C. Brown is a native of Sempronius, born in 1832, married Louise J. Russell in 1855, who died in 1863.  In 1865 Mr. Brown was married to Miss L.R. Westfall.

Lot 78

Branch

Glenwood Dairy Farm embraces ninety-eight acres, owned by Ed. Branch.  Postoffice address, Sempronius, N.Y.  It is located on the Cortland, Homer and New Hope Road, nine miles from Moravia, the same distance from Homer and twelve miles from Cortland.  Fruit, hay, grain and dairying comprise its chief resources; the dairy products are delivered to the Sempronius creamery, on and one-half miles west.  It occupies the summit of a glen, having a southwestern exposure.  The buildings are in good repair, and there are ten acres of hardwood timber.  The proprietor is one of the young enterprising farmers of his town.  The former owner was Seneca Jaynes [Jayne], from him to Byron Matterson [Matteson] and from him to the present owner in 1892.  Mr. Branch is a native of Cayuga County, born in 1873, and in 1894 married Miss Della Robinson, also of Cayuga County.

Lot 80

Collier

West View is owned by Willis Collier.  Postoffice address, Sempronius.  Its location is on the Sempronius and New Hope Road, six miles from Moravia, twelve from Cortland and ten from Homer.  This is a small home farm but exceedingly productive, the soil being adapted to dairying, grains and fruit.  It is within one-half mile of Sempronius, and overlooks Mill Creek Valley.  It derives its name from the picturesque view to the west.  Mr. Collier is a native of Greene County, N.Y. and was born in 1841.  He married Miss Ellen A. Evans, of Cayuga County, in 1866.  Their family consists of three children, two sons and a daughter, the wife of George H. Brown, of Cortland, N.Y.  Mr. Collier is a Justice of the Peace, and was a soldier during the Civil War, serving in the Nineteenth N.Y. Infantry Volunteers, the Third Heavy Artillery, and the Fifteenth N.Y. Engineers, receiving an honorable discharge June, 1865.  “West View” receives its water supply from never failing wells.

Lot 78

Comerford

Maplehurst Dairy is located on the Niles and Homer Road, eight miles from Moravia, Cortland twelve miles and Auburn twenty miles distant.  It is owned by Darwin Comerford.  Postoffice address, Sempronius.  It comprises one hundred and sixteen acres.  Its products consist of fruit of nearly all varieties, hay, grain, dairying, and the soil is especially adapted to the raising of potatoes.  The dairy products are delivered to the creamery, two miles distant.  The location is picturesque, building improvements excellent and the water supply from a never failing spring is conducted to the residence and to the barns for the use of stock.  The farm derives its name from a maple grove near the residence.  There are fifteen acres of a second growth of beech, maple and other varieties of timber.  Manley Robinson sold to [Thomas] D. Comerford, father of the present incumbent, who was a veteran in the Civil War, serving in the 125th Ohio Volunteers.  He enlisted in 1861 and was honorably discharged in 1865.  He purchased “Maplehurst” in 1870, and served his town as Supervisor and Justice of the Peace for several years.  He resided on the farm until his death in 1891.  His son Darwin, the present owner, was born on the farm in 1874, and married Miss Belle B. Morris in 1896; they have one daughter.

Lot 69

Fitts

Fitts Homestead.  This fine farm is owned by Julius Fitts, under the management of Charles Fitts.  Postoffice address, Moravia, R.F.D. No. 4.  It consists of two hundred and fifty-one acres, located three-fourths of a mile east of Dresserville and two miles south of Sempronius.  It is seven miles to Moravia, twelve to Cortland and twenty-two miles to Auburn.  There is a splendid apple orchard of six acres, besides other fruit, all in abundance.  It supports on of the finest dairies of the town, consisting of thirty-five head of graded Jerseys, and also includes considerable young stock.  Butter making is the specialty and is mostly marketed to private families.  Another feature in which the owner takes special interest is swine, Chester White and large Yorkshire strain predominating.  The residence is a two-story frame building erected in 1882.  The general barn is forty by eighy-five, with an L forty by eighty, the whole erected over a basement; in addition there is a small barn and a large sty; a silo is attached to the main building, having a capacity of one hundred and twenty-five tons.  Spring water, a drilled well, and Mill Creek, which courses through the entire farm, give an unusual water supply, and there are thirty-five acres of beech, maple and hemlock timber.  A Mr. Sherman sold this farm to Martin Fitts in 1818, which he occupied until April 1st, 1854, when the farm was turned over to his son Julius, the present owner, and with whom the father resides.  Charles Fitts has had the management of the property since 1884.

Lot 98

Fitts

Valley View Farm comprises two hundred and thirteen acres on the Five Corners Road, within five miles of Moravia, twenty miles of Auburn and twelve miles from Cortland.  The principal feature of this farm is its dairy of graded Jerseys, the milk being taken to a creamery one mile distant.  It is also well adapted to the growing of general farm products.  Springs supply water to the fields, and wells to the house and barns.  The residence is a substantial brick building and the barns are in good repair.  This farm is considered one of the best in the town.  It is the property of George W. Fitts.  Postoffice address, Dresserville, N.Y.  The previous owner L. Fitts, who resided here until his death in 1886, when it was purchased by George W. Fitts, who is a native of Cayuga County, born in 1856 and married Miss Mary Greene, in 1898.  Mr. Fitts deals extensively in milling and lumber interests.

Lot 87

Graham

Willow Grove Dairy Farm,  located on the Sempronius and Cortland road, six miles to Moravia and twelve to Cortland, contains one hundred and twenty-five acres adapted to general farming.  This is one of the prettiest homes of Sempronius, noted for its evergreen hedge and fine shade trees.  It is the property of W.F. Graham.  Postoffice address, Moravia, New York, R.F.D.  It is under the able management of A.H. Graham.  A creek running through the farm, and a well at the house, with windmill attachment, give an ample supply of water.  The timber, consisting of ten acres, is of several varieties.  The previous owner was Calvin C. Johnson, from whom W.F. Graham purchased, and resided on the farm for forty-three years when he removed to Moravia.  A.H. Graham was married in 1895 to Miss E. Terry; their family consists of two children.

Lot 88

Griffin

Griffin Homestead.  This home farm of Mrs. Maggie M. Griffin, postoffice address, Sempronius, aggregates one hundred and ten acres, and is located on the Griffin road, distant from Moravia eight miles, Cortland twelve miles, Auburn twenty miles, and one and one-half miles from Sempronius.  The products of the farm consist of dairying, grains, vegetables and fruit; their being two apple orchards.  Adna M. Griffin was in possession of the property in 1836, where he resided until his death, in 1868, when it came into possession of his son, Don [Dan] Griffin, who added many improvements, residing their until his death, in 1894, leaving a wife and two children, a son and daughter.  The farm has an established reputation.  The residence is modern in its architecture and conveniences, and the barn and out-buildings are in the best of repair.  Dairy products are delivered to the creamery at Sempronius.  The supply of water is abundant from a never-failing spring, and Fall Creek, which courses through the farm.  There are twenty acres of timber.

Lot 90

Harmon

Summit Spring Farm is another finely located farm of Sempronius.  Its buildings are in good repair.  The water supply is from springs and creeks.  It is located on the Cortland road, seven miles to Moravia, eleven miles to Cortland, and twenty miles to Auburn, at the summit of Fall Creek and Gulf Stream, from which it derives its name.  Its products are general, and a dairy of twenty-five cows adds to its revenue.  It is the property of W.B. Harmon, and numbers one hundred and ten acres.  It was previously the property of Orin Harmon, who was born in 1789, and served in the War of 1812.  He resided on the farm until his death, in 1852, when it came into possession of Alexander Harmon, who died in 1883, when the title passed to W.B. Harmon, the present owner, who was born in 1858, and married Miss Estella M. Hart in 1877.  Their family consists of one daughter, who resides with her parents.  “Summit Spring” has a fine apple orchard of four acres, and other varieties of fruit, and twenty-five acres of timber.

Lot 80

Hardy

Summit View Farm, located on the Sempronius and New Hope Road, within seven miles of Moravia, ten from Homer, and twenty-one of Auburn, consists of one hundred and sixty-two and one-half acres.  Its resources are the raising of hay, with stock, and a fine dairy as its specialty.  The products are taken to the creamery at Sempronius, one mile south.  Small fruits abound in great variety.  The water supply is from wells and springs, being pumped to the barn and house by windmill power, which also grinds the feed and operates the churn.  The previous owner was D. Palmer, who resided on the farm until his death, and it remained as his estate until 1874, when it was purchased by the present owner, Eli Hardy, postoffice address, Moravia, N.Y.  Mr. Hardy is a native of the town of Sempronius, born in 1837.  He married Miss Cornelia Palmer in 1862.  Their family consists of three children.  Mr. Hardy is one of the substantial citizens of the county.  This farm is at the summit of Mill Creek and Bear Swamp, the former empties into Skaneateles Lake.

Lot 68

Hathaway

Rock Maple Farm, H.W. Hathaway, owner.  Postoffice address, Moravia, R.F.D.  This fine farm of two hundred and fifty-nine acres, is located on the Kelloggsville and Moravia road, with Moravia five and one-half, Homer ten and Auburn twenty miles distant.  There are five acres of an orchard including apples, pears, grapes and other small fruit.  Special attention is given to dairying and stock raising.  This farm is noted for its high grade of maple syrup.  The stock consists of one of the finest herds of Holstein cattle, a large number being always on hand.  The buildings are in good repair, having all modern improvements.  The water is supplied by springs to the residence, barns and fields.  There are thirty acres of hardwood timber.  The location is most delightful, giving an unsurpassed view of Cayuga Lake.  This farm has exchanged owners several times, coming into possession of the present owner through his father, A. Hathaway.  Mr. Hathaway has held several positions of trust, and at the present time is assessor of the town.  He is a native of Cayuga County, born in 1844, married Miss E. Morse in 1872.  They have two daughters and a son.

Lot 67

Lawrence

Village Farm, R.E. Lawrence, owner.  Postoffice address, Dresserville, N.Y.  Contains sixty acres, within six miles of Moravia, twelve of Cortland and twenty of Auburn.  Its specialty is its flock of Black Minorca hens, which are considered the best that can be found in the country.  The house, barns and outbuildings are in good repair.  A variety of small fruits are cultivated.  The water supply is from a never-failing spring; Mill Creek also runs through the farm, giving an abundance of water for the stock.  There are three acres of mixed lumber.  Mr. Lawrence is one of the progressive farmers of Sempronius, and a native of Cayuga County, born in 1856; in 1880 he married Miss Cynthia Robinson.  They have one son who resides with them on the farm.  This property is a part of the Dresser A. Southwick farm, the present owner coming into possession in 1882.

Lot 98

Lawrence

Spring Brook, is the property of William Lawrence.  Postoffice, Moravia, R.F.D.  It contains ninety acres, located on the Moravia, Cortland and Homer road, within three miles of Moravia, three of Dresserville and fourteen of Cortland.  The buildings are in good repair and the location most desirable.  Small fruits and general farm products are grown with great success.  There is also a dairy of fifteen cows, the milk being taken to the creamery one-half mile east.  “Spring Brook,” from whence the farm derives its name, gives an ample water supply, and there are twenty acres of mixed lumber.

The previous owner was James Powers, who resided on the farm until his death in 1860, when it came into possession of the present owner.  Mr. Lawrence was born in Cayuga County, 1824, and was married in 1846 to Miss Arvilla Johnson.  Their family consists of four children, three sons and one daughter; two sons residing at Dresserville and one at home.  Their daughter is the wife of Frank Adams, of Moravia.  Mrs. Lawrence is the possessor of some of the valuable relics of the war of 1812, having her father’s gun, powder horn and sword.

“Balsam Terrace,” adjoining “Spring Brook” farm, is owned by B.N. Lawrence, father of William Lawrence.  It contains twenty-eight acres, producing a variety of products.  There is a good orchard, and an abundant water supply.  The residence and all buildings are in fine condition.

Lot 76

Lee

Trout Brook Farm, is a stock farm owned by A.D. Lee.  Postoffice address, Moravia, R.D.  It contains one hundred and forty-eight acres, located on the road from Moravia to Sayles Corners, four miles to Moravia and fifteen miles to Cortland.  It is noted for its dairy and high grade Jersey cattle.  There is an abundant supply of spring water for buildings, stock and fields, and eighteen acres of timber consisting of beech, maple, basswood, ash, oak and chestnut.  The former owners were Daniel Butler and Joseph Lee.

Lot 66

Perry

Woodside Dairy and Meadowbrook Stock Farms are located respectively on lots 78 and 79.  They consist of one hundred and thirty acres, owned by W.D. Perry, postoffice address, Sempronius.  Their location is on the New Hope road, seven miles from Moravia, twelve to Cortland and twenty-one to Auburn.  The soil is fertile and well adapted to grain and grazing.  The raising of stock is a feature.  There is an excellent apple orchard of four acres, and other fruits in variety.  Both farms are abundantly supplied with water from wells and Mill Creek which courses through “Meadow Brook.”  There is an aggregate of eighteen acres of timber on both farms.  A Mr. Palmer was a former owner, he selling to Abram Westfall, and from the latter the title passed to Mr. Perry in 1890.  Mr. Perry was born in 1849, and married Miss F. Dresser, of Moravia, in 1893, who died in 1895.  Mr. Perry again married ihn 1896, Miss Alice Farnham, of Sempronius; they have one son.  Mr. Perry is one of the substantial men of his town, and an excellent farmer and successful dairyman.

Lots 78 and 79

Patchen

Cold Spring Dairy Farm.  This farm is owned by W.J. Patchen, and consists of one hundred and sixty-five acres, located on the Sempronius and Homer road, seven miles to Moravia, eight to Homer and twelve to Cortland.  This is principally a dairy farm, with the raising of poultry as a specialty.  The dairy consists of twenty-five cows, the products of which are delivered to the Sempronius creamery, one and one-half miles distant.  The farm has a south-western exposure, and is watered by a notable spring, which supplies the needs of buildings and stock.  The building improvements are in excellent condition, the barn having a silo attached.  Mr. Patchen was born in Tompkins County, N.Y., in 1868, and married Miss Belle Brown; they have one daughter, Mildred.  Mr. Patchen has served his town as a road commissioner for the past two years.  In addition to his own farm, he works that of Mrs. M.M. Griffin, which adjoins “Cold Spring Dairy Farm,” on the south.

Lot 90

Reynolds

Pleasant View, is located on the road from Moravia to Scott, six miles to Moravia, eighteen to Homer, eleven to Cortland and four miles to Scott.  It consists of one hundred acres, owned by E. Reynolds, postoffice address, Moravia, R.D., No. 5.  This farm supports a dairy of twelve cows, the products of which are delivered to the Sempronius creamery, one mile distant.  Hay, grain and vegetables are the soil products, in addition considerable fruit is cultivated, consisting of apples, plums, cherries, etc.  A special feature is a ginseng garden, which adds in no small degree to the revenue of the farm.  The water supply is received from wells and springs, and Mill Creek, which courses through the east end of the place.  There are fourteen acres of timber, which includes a grove of sugar maples.  The buildings are kept in good repair, and the view obtained from the residence is picturesque, the farm having a south-western exposure, overlooking the valley, suggested the name of “Pleasant View.”  A previous owner was Ossian McAllister, and at his death David McAllister, his brother, was appointed guardian of the widow and son.  The present owner came into possession of the property in 1866.  He was born in Duchess [Dutchess] County, N.Y., in 1837, and was married to Miss Mary Jane Barber, in 1860.  Their family consists of a son who resides with his parents.  Mr. Reynolds served during the Civil War, in the One Hundred and Fifty-seventh New York Volunteers, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war, July, 1865.

Lot 89

Ripley

Evergreen Cottage, located on the road from Glen Haven, with a convenient market at Homer, contains fourteen acres.  Many varieties of fruit are grown, and the location is considered most desirable for those seeking a pleasant summer home, being conveniently situated within one-eighth of a mile of the steamboat landing.  The water supply is from wells and living springs, and there is sufficient timber for home use.  A.J. Ripley purchased this farm in 1880, of Henry Sweet, who purchased from B. Campbell.  He is a native of Onondaga County, born in 1834.  He was married in 1857 to Miss Harriett E. Carr.  They have one daughter, wife of Edwin Morris, of Spafford, N.Y.  Mr. Ripley is an enterprising man and is at present postmaster of Glen Haven.

Lot 60

Rynders

Pine Tree Cottage is owned by Albert Rynders, of Sempronius, a native of Cayuga County, born in 1854.  He married Miss Hattie Ingram, also a native of the county, in 1879.  Their family consists of two daughters, both of whom are graduates in music.  Besides “Pine Tree Cottage,” Mr. Rynders owns a two-story blacksmith and carpenter shop, where he conducts blacksmithing and general repairing, and is considered one of the best horse shoers in the southern part of Cayuga County, having all the modern appliances pertaining to the art, in fact he is bringing into the business some of his own inventive genius, greatly to the benefit of his patrons.

Lot 78

Smith

Sunset View is a prosperous and fertile farm, although not large in acreage, it is located at Liberty Pole Five Corners, five miles from Moravia, twelve from Cortland and twenty miles from Auburn.  It consists of fifty acres, and is owned by Miss [Mrs] Ann H. Smith, of Dresserville.  Hay, grain, stock and dairying comprise the farm’s resources.  The residence is of modern type, steam heated and supplied with hot and cold water, in every respect as convenient as a city residence.  It has the advantage of a southwestern exposure, giving a picturesque view.  It is abundantly supplied with pure spring and well water, which is conveniently furnished to the buildings and stock.  John Mather sold this farm to Martin Fitts in 1854, who resided here until 1876, at his death it came into possession of his daughter, Mary Ann Fitts, who resided on the farm until her death in 1898, when it came into the possession of Ann H. Smith, the present owner and granddaughter of Martin Fitts.  Mrs. Smith was born at the corners, and married Asahel Smith in 1888.[1]

Lot 88

Smith

Pine Tree Farm consists of sixty-six acres, and is owned by Silas H. and Hannah K. Smith.  Postoffice address, Sempronius.  It is located on the Moravia Road, five miles from Homer, twelve from Cortland and twenty from Auburn.  Its products are general, consisting of grains, vegetables and fruits, of which there is the usual varieties.  It has a western exposure and overlooks Mill Creek Valley.  The buildings are modern and convenient and surrounded by choice varieties of pine and other everygreen trees and shrubbery.  Wells furnish pure water for the residence and barn, and the fields are watered by numerous springs.  There are six acres of timber, mostly hard wood.  Anson  Perry sold to William Y. Smith in 1831, he residing on the farm until 1867, when the title passed to the present incumbents.

Lot 77

Tompkins

Green Meadow Dairy Farm, L.L. Tompkins, owner.  Postoffice address, Sempronius, consists of ninety-six acres, located on the Sempronius Road to Skaneateles, within six miles of Moravia, twelve of Cortland and eighteen of Auburn.  The soil is adapted to the growing of all kinds of grain, potatoes and corn.  Its specialty, however, is its dairy, the milk being delivered to the cheese factory two miles distant.  Excellent water is obtained from wells at the house and barn and a never-failing spring.  There is a maple grove of five acres in its second growth, which is considered one of the best in the State; also an apple orchard of four acres and other fruits.  There is a large colony of bees, from which the farm derives quite a revenue.  This is one of the pleasant places of the town, and was purchased by Mr. Tompkins from John Cleveland in 1865.  He is a native of Rhode Island, born in 1817 and married Miss Amanda M. Cleveland of Cayuga County in 1862.

Lot 68

Walker

Crystal Spring Farm.  This is a small but exceedingly fertile farm consisting of fifty acres, and owned by J. Fitch Walker, of Moravia.  Its location is three miles east of the village on the direct road to Dresserville.  Its soil is adapted to the raising of all products common to this section of the State and fruits of different varieties, consisting mostly of apples, pears, cherries, etc.  The water supply is most abundant.

Lot 96

Westfall

Westfall Homestead, Abraham Westfall, owner.  Postoffice address, Sempronius.  Numbers fifty acres, of the North and South road from Sempronius to New Hope.  Hay and dairying are its chief resources, the milk being taken to the creamery.  The buildings are in good repair, and have a southwestern exposure.  There are two acres of apple orchard and small fruits.  There is sufficient timber for the needs of the farm, and water is supplied by springs.  This farm came into the possession of the Westfall family in 1853, Mrs. Susan Westfall residing here until her death, in 1889, when it came into the possession of the present owner, who is a native of Cayuga County.  Mr. Westfall was born in 1846, and was married to Miss S. Mott in 1868.

Lot 78

Wilcox

Floral Place is owned by David Wilcox.  Postoffice address, Dresserville.  It is located on the Moravia and Cortland road, six miles to the former and twelve miles to the latter, and twenty miles to Auburn.  The culture of flowers, gardening and small fruits are specialties, while an important feature is the raising of poultry of the Black Minorca breed.  The title, passing from Lillie to Campbell, to Cuykendall to Moorehouse, and came into possession of the present owner in 1898.  Mr. Wilcox is a native of the town, where he has been a constant resident, except while absent in his country’s service during the Civil War, from 1861 to 1865.  The location of this pleasant home is convenient to church, school, store, market and mill.  Spring water is furnished to both residence and barns.

Lot 97

Wilcox

Overlook Stock Farm consists of one hundred and thirty acres, on the Sempronius and Moravia road, within five miles of Moravia and twelve of Cortland.  It is the property of M. Wilcox.  Postoffice address, Moravia, R.F.D., No. 5.  A specialty is made of registered Holstein cattle, and a dairy of thirty cows adds to the value of the farm, the milk being delivered to the creamery at Sempronius.  There is an apple orchard of one hundred trees and an abundance of small fruits.  The water is pumped by windmill attachment from wells to the house and barn, and there is also a spring on the farm for the use of stock, and twenty-eight acres of hardwood timber.  The previous owner was Seneca Miller, who resided here for forty years, and from him the present owner purchased.  Mr. Wilcox was twice married, first to Miss Alice Smith, and afterward to Miss Ada Chipman.  They have five children.  The farm has a northwestern exposure, overlooking a large expanse of country, from which its name is derived.

Lot 77