The History of Cayuga County 1789-1879 page 252
Town of Sterling

scribed field of labor he first selected, though the changes of more than fifty years were constantly opening more inviting fields for the exercise of his talents. It is doubtful, however, if he could have been more useful in any other field.

In 1837 he married Miss A. M. Bennett, who was born in Massachusetts in Jan., 1787, and came to Cayuga County with her brother in 1814. Miss Bennett, immediately after coming to this County gave her attention to teaching, and was for several years previous to her marriage principal of a select school for young ladies, which she conducted first in Auburn, and afterwards at the foot of Owasco Lake, to which locality her father's family had removed. She still survives her husband in excellent health and with mental faculties unimpaired, though in her 93d year. She is strongly attached to her friends, with whom she loves to mingle and converse.

Dr. Clary was blessed with seven children, five sons and two daughters, five of whom, four sons and one daughter, survived his death at Throopsville, in May, 1863.

The following extract from an obituary of Dr. Clary, published in the New York Observer, sufficiently indicates his excellent qualities of head and heart:

"Dr. Clary connected himself early with the First Presbyterian Church in Auburn, and for many years was one of the ruling elders. By an arrangement in that Church which commits a certain number of families to the oversight of each member of the Session, he shared with the pastor that spiritual care of that portion of the congregation residing in Throopsville. He was very faithful to his charge, beloved of his brethren, and of good report with all. Rarely was he absent from the sanctuary, though he resided some three miles distant. His extensive practice as physician never seemed to interfere with the punctual and diligent discharge of all the duties of a Christian in the church and in the family.

"He had clear views of doctrines, and a most conscientious regard for all the great interests of Christ's kingdom.

"He took a deep interest in the struggle now going on in the land, (the warof the rebellion,) and preserved a calm and loyal confidence in its issue. He had been at his place at church as usual on the Sabbath, visited patients for whom he felt much solicitude in the after part of the day, when he was seized with violent fever, and died the early part of the following week. He pronounced calmly upon his own case, and quietly awaited the result.

"His death was precious in our sight, as it no doubt was in the sight of the Lord. He was greatly sustained by the grace in which he had so long trusted. The promises, to use his own expression, all clustered around him, and the good man left us, glorifying Christ in his death not less than in his life.

"His remains were followed to the grave by a large concourse of people who sincerely mourned his departure. It was a most impressive scene and a very appropriate tribute of respect to his memory."

JONAS WHITE

Among the old and prominent residents of Auburn was ex-Mayor JONAS WHITE. He resided here over half a century, twenty-eight years of which he conducted leading hotels, including the American, now the St. James, the old Exchange Hotel and the Gaylord House, having also been clerk for his brother-in-law, Ira Curtis, when the latter was proprietor of the old Exchange Hotel. He was therefore well-known to all our citizens, and universally respected for his frankness and urbanity, and the uniform consistency and purity of his life and character. Few of our residents had more or warmer friends. He died November 20th, 1876, aged sixty-three years.

CHAPTER XXXI.

TOWN OF STERLING

STERLING, named from Lord William Alexander Sterling, of Revolutionary memory, lies upon Lake Ontario, in the extreme north part of the County, and is bounded north by the lake, south by the town of Victory, east by Oswego county, and west by Wayne county.

The surface is rolling and inclines slightly toward the north. The highest elevations, in the south, are from 200 to 300 feet above the lake. Big Bluff, on the lake shore, rises somewhat abruptly from 100 to 200 feet above the surface on the lake. The streams are Little Sodus Creek and its branches, flowing north through the central part to Little Sodus Bay, and the headwaters of Cartright Creek, in the south-west part, emptying into Blind Sodus Bay. Little Sodus Bay is about two miles long and one mile wide, and is one of the best natural harbors on the south shore of the lake. A swamp, covering several hundred acres, extends along the lake shore, east of the bay, and another lies on the south border of the town.

Return to the Index of The History of Cayuga County 1789-1879 by Elliott Storke
Return to the Cayuga County NYGenWeb Project Home Page