Welcome to the History Corner!
Celebrating the rich history of Port Byron, New York, an old Erie Canal village in the Town of Mentz. This site is dedicated to the legacy and heritage of our community as well as a variety of regional historical tidbits. I hope you enjoy your visit and will stop by again.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Buckle Patent

The town of Mentz is not traditionally known for having patents issued to inventors, that is until I found Isaac B. VerPlank, who invented a new design of buckle and had it patented in 1844:

Patent # 3,471 dated March 9, 1844

Drawing of Buckle Patent # 3,471

New York City Shirt Company founded at Port Byron

In 1881 a company called The Goodstock Manufacturing Company was established at Port Byron, NY. The original founders were J.H. Snow and Walter A. Parce of Fairport, NY and William T Gallt of Port Byron, NY. William T Gallt held one patent under the Goodstock Company.

C.A. Peters would purchase the company and relocate it to Syracuse, NY in 1887. They operated in the Hotel Burns Block on West Fayette Street until 1889, when a new structure was built. They would move once again to Noxon Street where a 40 x 80, 4 story brick building would become their new home. This was at 106-110 Noxon Street where they produced flannel and negligee shirts.

They would later open an additional branch at 744 Broadway in New York City where they would become known for their extra long high grade flannel and silk shirts that were 36 inches long, as compared to their competitors 31 to 33 inches.

Henry C. Peters would eventually take over the business. He would also become President of the Marcellus Paper Company.

Obituary of Henry C. Peters

Source:
Memorial history of Syracuse, N.Y. : from its settlement to the present time
Syracuse: H.P. Smith & Co., 1891, 912 pgs.

William T. Gallt would continue with shirt making at Port Byron under the firm name of Galt & Branch Shirt Manufacturers. He would hold two additional patents:

Shirt Lace Patent 1885

Rake Patent 1893

There was also an Auburn, NY branch called Gallt Dress Novelty Company, which was located at 148 Genesee Street and also at 218 Metcalf Building.

William T Gallt married Ina Hadden, died in 1923 and is buried at Pine Hill Cemetery in Throop, NY.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

2010 Blogger Contest

Last year we entered the Blogger's Choice Awards late in the season. While we did not receive the most votes, I was amazed at the many countries that visited my website due to the contest. Last year Port Byron's Historian Corner was viewed from Bulgaria, Canada, China, Greece, Pakistan, Portugal, and South Africa. There were also votes from Mississippi, Montezuma, North Carolina, Port Byron, NY, Rochester, NY, Syracuse, Texas and Virginia.

Lets see where the 2010 contest takes us!
Cast your votes at:

Blog Award for Best Writing

Blog Award for Best Design

Be sure to cast your vote for both categories.

We have become "The small village that has been viewed from around the world"

Friday, January 8, 2010

Lincoln's Amos S King Bible Comes Home After 149 Years

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Port Byron, New York
Friday January 8, 2010

The Office of the Historian announces that a bible donated by Port Byron farmer Amos Scott King to President Abraham Lincoln will be coming back home after 149 years. The gift was inspired when Amos King read the then President Elect’s Farewell Address made at Springfield, IL on Feb. 11, 1861 as he bid farewell to his family and friends prior to boarding the inaugural train.

The bible reached Washington at or near inauguration, as King’s letter was dated March 4, 1861, the same day that Lincoln took his Oath of Office. This is not the same bible used for Lincoln’s swearing in ceremony. This is a separate bible that remained in the Lincoln family for three generations becoming a treasured heirloom. The bible is currently part of the collection at Hildene-The Lincoln Family Home, Manchester, VT, which was built as the summer home of Robert Todd Lincoln, son of the President. The Hildene estate was registered on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. Today it is a thriving museum whose mission is to promote and preserve the legacy of our Nation’s 16th President.

Hildene-The Lincoln Family Home, Manchester, VT will be bringing the bible to Port Byron on Thursday February 4th, 2010 for an afternoon of celebrations. Following events with the student body, The Dana L West Jr./Sr. High School will be hosting a public ceremony. Hildene’s Executive Director Seth Bongartz will be presenting the history of Hildene followed by a slideshow presentation of the King Bible by historian Dawn Roe. The Port Byron Alumni Association will be serving refreshments. Please join us as we celebrate our unique connection to President Abraham Lincoln at the Dana L West Jr./Sr. High School, 30 Maple Ave. on Feb 4th. General reception starts at 4 PM with a formal program at 4:30 PM.
Dawn L Roe
Port Byron and Mentz Historian