The History of Cayuga County 1789-1879 page 376
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES/ TOWN OF FLEMING

Both early learned the carpenter and joiner trade, in which they acquired a good degree of proficiency, and in March, 1875, they commenced their present business, which is conducted under the name of the New York Central Planing-Mill and Hub Works. Besides operating a planing-mill, they are somewhat extensively engaged in the manufacture of hubs, sash, doors, blinds and moldings, in which they give employment to fifteen to twenty men. The demand for their goods has been such as to necessitate extensive additions to their facilities, and they have just completed a fine large addition to their building, which, for the present, will enable them to meet the demands of their increasing trade. This evidence of prosperity at a time when the business of the country generally is very much depressed, sufficiently indicates the excellence of their work and that their popularity is merited. In addition to the business above mentioned they manufacture Thomas' celebrated buckwheat huller.

Nature has blessed both with a fine physique, which has not been abused by intemperate or frivolous habits. It is worthy of note that neither of the Messrs. Courtney have ever used tobacco, or ardent spirits in any form. This, considered in the light of the alarming prevalence of this species of imtemperance, which, from its effect upon man's finer sensibilities, may justly be regarded a vice, is highly commendatory. Both are possessed of mental vigor and great physical endurance.

Charles E. Courtney has acquired a world-wide fame through his superior skill as an oarsman; indeed his great proficiency in the use of the oars has made his name a household word throughout Cayuga County, as also with all admirers of the athletic sports. At the Centennial exhibition in Philadelphia, in September, 1876, Mr. Courtney, in an exciting contest in which there were forty-five competitors, won the beautiful Centennial badge, which glistens with thirty-eight diamonds, representing the States in the Union, and which, with other trophies, to the number of eighty-three, many of them fine and costly, he wears with characteristic modesty.

Charles E. Courtney was united in wedlock Jan. 28th, 1875, to Miss Della S. Halsey, of Ithaca, N. Y., though his brother and copartner, John F., remains single. Their mother still survives and is living with these her sons in Union Springs. She is the recipient of their unremitting and affectionate care and attention.

CHAPTER XL111.

TOWN OF FLEMING.

FLEMING lies at the foot of Owasco Lake, on the west side, a little south of the center of the County. It is bounded on the north by Auburn and Aurelius; on the east by Owasco Lake and its outlet; on the south by Scipio; and on the west by Springport. It was formed from Aurelius, March 28th, 1823, and derives its name from Gen. George Fleming, one of the early settlers of the town.

The surface is rolling, and has a gentle inclination to the north and east. The shore of the lake, which is a magnificient body of water, continues its upward slope about three-fourths of a mile, and is less bold upon this than the eastern side. The highest elevations in the town are 150 to 250 feet above the lake and 800 to 1,000 feet above tide. It is watered by the head waters of Crane and Wheeler Creeks, the former of which flows north to Seneca River, and the latter west to Cayuga Lake. There is very little waste land in the town, though about one-tenth of it yet remains to be brought under cultivation.

Limestone prevails pretty generally over the town, but not in sufficient quantities to give it a commercial value. The soil, which is fairly productive, is chiefly a gravelly loam, intermixed with clay and sand, and partakes of the character of the underlying rocks. The chief branch of agriculture is grain raising, to which the soil is admirably adapted.

The southern Central Railroad crosses the east border of the town, in close proximity to the lake.

The population of the town in 1875 was 1,261; of whom 1,093 were native; 168 foreign; 1,233 white; and 28 colored.

The area of the town is 13,710 acres; of which 12,403 are improved, 1,267 woodland, and 40 unimproved.

The first settlements were made in 1790. Among those who settled in that and the following year were Benjamin Irish, the Grovers, Edward Wheeler, Ichabod and Abel Wilkinson and James Harrington. Benjamin Irish was a son of Elder David Irish, who settled first in Scipio and subsequently, in 1800, in Fleming, at which time he became pastor of the Baptist Church at Fleming, which was organized by him four years previously. Benjamin settled about two miles north of Fleming village, where David Baker now lives. He removed west about 1820, with his family. Eight sisters married and lived in that locality, and his father, the elder, died on that farm in 1815. Joseph Grover settled about two miles

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