The History of Cayuga County 1789-1879 page 291
Meridian

Israel Phelps, Assessors; Victor M. Wheeler, Clerk; Charles Rockwell, Treasurer; and Elias Tator, Collector. A new charter was obtained March 11th, 1876, under which M. D. Drew was elected President; Abel West and John Seymour, Trustees for two years; Daniel M. Wilson, Trustee for one year; Cornelius Van Lew, Treasurer; and Albert G Wheeler, Collector. Albert C. Ingham, the present president, was elected in 1877, and reelected in 1878. The others officers are, (1878): J. Sprague Morley, Oakley S. Dudley and Daniel M. Wilson, Trustees and Assessors; Isaac R. Merritt, Treasurer; and James Hickok, Collector.

Meridian contains two churchers, (Baptist and Presbyterian) a district school, two hotels, two general stores, two groceries, a hardware store, and tin shop, two furniture and undertaking establishments, in one of which drugs and books are kept, one millery store, (Mrs. Vinal), two shoe stores, one shoe shop, kept by James Wyatt, a foundry and machine shop, a tannery and saw, shingle and stave mill combined, a job printing office, of which J. Sprague Morley, the village lawyer, is proprietor, three blacksmith shops, kept by P. H. Smith, Jacob Cramer and Putvin & March, the latter of whom have also a carriage shop, kept by S. M. Chittenden, two harness shops, kept by Horace Wilson and G. D. Gillett, and a store in which groceries and notions are kept by C. M. Hugerford.

The first settlement at Meridian was made about 1804, in which year Geroge Loveless and Abel Pasko located in the south part. The following year Jesse Elwell and Abner Hollister settled in the village. Settlement progressed slowly till 1815, in which year William Ingham opened his store. After this and the removal of the obstacles to migration incidentto the war of 1812, in industrious and thrifty class of people from the New England States and the eastern counties of this State were attracted here in considerable numbers by the great fertility of the soil in this locality. This influx created a demand for merchants and mechanics, and soon the nucleus of a village was established. In 1831, William Smith Ingham succeeded his father in the mercantile business and projected the establishment on a much larger scale. This store of Ingham's gave the first great impetus to the growth of Meridian. It was followed by the establishment of a saw-mill and the greatest activity in building enterprises it has ever experienced was then manifest. Its subsequent growth is largely attributable to the character of the men who have been engaged in business here, and the additions it has received from among the successful farmers of the locality, who in advanced life have exchanged the active duties of the farm for the social and other advantages of a quiet, orderly village. Its growth in the last ten years has been somewhat remarkable.

MERCHANTS.---Daniel M. Bristol, from Manlius, was the first merchant, not only in Meridian, but in the town of Cato. He opened a store in 1806 and kept it till 1808, when he failed and removed to the western part of the State. His store, which was a log structure, stood about where Abel West's store now stands. Samuel Woodford, from Manlius, was the second merchant. He opened a store about 1808, first occupying Bristol's store, and afterwards removing to the locality of Webster's store. In 1811, Woodford built the first grist-mill in the town, on the outlet of Otter Lake. William Ingham, as previously stated, opened a store in 1815, and kept it till 1831 when he was succceeded by his son, William Smith Ingham, who was the first prominent merchant in Meridian. The latter continued business till his failure, in 1857. He was associated during this time with James Hickok from 1836-41, with D. E. Havens from 1839-45, with David Emerick, his son-in-law, from 1845-52, in which latter year the two admitted Chester Morley to partnership, and the business was conducted by them till their failure in 1857, under the firm name of Ingham, Emerick & Morley. In 1841, James Hickok, after dissolving his partnership with his brother, C. B. Hickok, under the firm name of J. & C. B. Hickok, and opened a general stock of goods. In 1848 he bought his brother's interest, and in 1865 changed his business to that of undertaker and dealer in furniture, books and drugs, which he still continues. James Hickok came into the town from Sterling in 1832, and was a clerk with Mr. Ingham till he entered into partnership with him. Madison E. Hollister did a mercantile business here from 1831-33. The next merchant was a Mr. Huggins, from Madison county, who brought his goods in with him in 1836, and in

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