The History of Cayuga County 1789-1879 page 321

The present membership is about ten, who evince considerable interest in the welfare of the church.  They have no Sabbath school, but purpose organizing one when the building is completed.

Centerport

Centerport is a canal village in the east part of the town, containing about twenty families, a district school, and a grain cradle manufactory, the latter of which is owned by Charles Clow, a native of Schaghticoke, Renssselaeer county, who came about 1844, and commenced the manufacture of grain cradles and gravel forks.

Settlement was begun at Centerport about 1805 or '6 by Benj. Haikes

Biographical Sketches

Stephen Gutchess

Stephen Gutchess was born in Chenango County, town of Smithfield, in the State of New York, on the 22nd day of February, 1822, and emigrated from Chenango county to Cayuga in 1825, with his mother, who was then a widow, and seven brothers and two sisters, and settled in the town of Conquest, near Conquest Center.  They came with a yoke of cattle and covered wagon, driving what little stock they had, two cows.  During the month of October Stephen remained with his mother, doing odd jobs for his neighbors until he was fifteen years old.  At this time he engaged his services to Henry K. Farrand, in the town of Mentz, for $6 per month, spending seven months and five days with him that season, for which he received $43.25.  A few months previous to the expiration of his time his mother drew $35; and at the expiration of the time he carried the balance of what was due him to his mother.  He was then employed by David Austin, who owned the property now occupied by Mr. Gutchess, an engraving of which appears in this work.  He spent seven seasons with him at an average of about $12 per month.  During the winter season he spent his time in cutting cord wood, having no time to attend even a district school.  His advantages for an education were extremely limited compared with those offered at the present day.  For the next ten years Mr. Gutchess was variously engaged in canal-boat navigation, commencing first as a driver and ending with being the owner of one of the finest boats on the canal.  He was engaged on the New York and Seneca Falls line of lake boats.  January 31st, 1849, he married Miss Sarah E. Willis, daughter of William S. Willis of the town of Mentz, who was born September 16, 1822.  Mr. Willis was among the early settlers of the town, moving in from the town of Boonton, Morris County, State of New Jersey, where he was born.

Mr. Gutchess was the owner of a small farm of 28 1/4 acres, upon which he had built a small house.  In this the festivities attending their marriage were held, and their subsequent life spent until 1850.  He disposed of this property for $1,400, moved west fifty rods, where his son now lives, and purchased fifty-one acres, which was increased to one hundred and four, by purchases made at different times.  Then commenced such improvements in the way of fencing, planting orchards, and erecting buildings, as has made it one of the finest pieces of farm property in the town.  Many persons from different parts of the town and county have visited it with a view of the town and county have visited it with a view to making similar improvements in their own places.  In March, 1874, he deeded it to his only son, Wilber Willis Gutchess, who now owns it and still carries out in every way the plans and habits of his father, keeping up its record as a model farm.

On the 26th day of February, 1876, Mr. Gutchess purchased near his former place, Lewis T. Colby's farm of 108 acres, together with his other landed estate, making the farm now consist of 154 acres.  He moved on the place in July of the same year, and has again displayed his faculty for beautifying his surroundings by building a very fine barn, remodeling his house and improving his place generally.  As a public man Mr. Gutchess has figured, first as a supervisor, in 1865, assisting largely in filling the quota called for from the Town of Mentz, going to New York city in person to discharge his duties in this direction as supervisor.  He then filled the office of Canal Superintendent, on section 9, under the administration of Gov. Dix, which office was held with credit to himself and honor to the State, for the term of two years.  Mr. Gutchess, though not a member of any church, has a seat with the Methodists, and he is friendly and liberal to all.

In politics he is a Republican, and was during the war, one of the most earnest supporters of the administration in suppressing the Rebellion and advancing the cause of freedom.  Never having had the assistance of inherited wealth or family influence, Mr. Gutchess wan truly be styled a self-made man.  In closing this brief sketch of an industrious man's life it is fitting to make mention of his devoted wife, who has aided him in no small degree, both by words and deeds,

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