The History of Cayuga County 1789-1879 page 466
Town of Moravia

The first meeting of stockholders was held March 26th, 1877, and the following nine directors were elected S. Edwin Day, Wm. Keeler, Jeremiah P. Cady, Chas. H. Wilcox, Elondo Greenfield, Thompson Keeler, Edwin C. Pulver, James F. Green and Ira C. Chandler. The same day the first meeting of directors was held, and S. Edwin flay was elected president and James F. Green, vice-president. The officers and directors remain the same as at organization. April 4th, 1877, John A. Thomas was employed as cashier. April 5th, the entire capital stock was paid in and deposited in the First National Bank of Auburn, to be invested in 4-1/2 per cent.

U. S. bonds. The bank was incorporated April 16th, 1877, and on the 26th was authorized to commence business. April 30th, 1877, H. H. Alley and wife deeded the lot on which the bank building stands, the consideration being $1,000, and in that year the present brick structure was erected. May 22d, 1877, the bank first opened its doors for business. The deposits the first year aggregated about $50,000. Two semi annual dividends of two per cent each have been declared. Four cent, interest is paid on deposits.

MANUFACTURES. --The manufactures of Moravia, though varied, embrace no important specialties, being confined mostly to the natural demands of its other industries. Mill Creek, upon which the village is located, affords an excellent water power, and furnishes the motor for most of its manufacturing establishments. An important industry - the Moravia Cotton Mill - was established in 1831, and, when in full operation, gave employment to about 100 men. It was destroyed by fire in 1856 and the following year the custom and flouring-mill, of which Waldo & Selover (H. Eugene Waldo and Newell Selover,) are the present proprietors, was built upon the same foundation, by Keeler & Southwick. The mill is built of stone and stands on Factory street. It contains four run of stones, which are propelled by water from the creek, with a fall of twenty-two feet. It came into possession of the present proprietors April 1st, 1877.

Joseph Alley is proprietor of the custom and flouring-mill, on Mill street. The mill was built in 1857 by W. W. Alley, Jr., son of Dr. W. W. Alley, and cousin of Joseph Alley, and run by him till 1366. After passing through several hands it came into possession of the present proprietor July 1st, 1876, and a half interest was rented the first year to Heber Waldo. It contains three run of stones, which are propelled by water from the creek, with a fall of fourteen feet.

Charles Johnson & Co., (Win. B. Johnson and N. H. Potter,) founders and machinists and manufacturers of Johnson's fluting and polishing irons, commenced business September 10th, 1878. They lease the property of John S. Allen, and give employment to 15 to 25 hands. The works are operated by a thirty horse-power engine.

John S. Allen, proprietor of sash and blind factory and planing-mill, commenced business in August, 1877. The works are operated by the same engine as those of Charles Johnson & Co., and occupy a part of the same building. Mr. Allen is also proprietor of a saw-mill, containing one circular saw.

Walker & McCredies employ ten men, and sometimes more, during the summer season, in house building and operating a planing-mill. The business was commenced in 1874 by William V. Walker, who, in 1877, admitted John and Daniel McCredie to partnership.

Lowe & Pulver, (J. H. Lowe and F. C. Pulver,) proprietors of steam planing-mill, manufacturers of doors, sash and blinds, and dealers in coal, lumber, water-lime and plaster, near the depot. J. H. Lowe bought a half interest in the business of David H. Foster in February, 1375, and in February, [877, E. C. Pulver bought Mr. Foster's remaining interest. The present proprietors put in the machinery in the winter of 1877.

The Moravia Association was incorporated in February, 1869, for the purpose of making cheese. The capital stock is $2,500, $1,200 of which was paid in, and the remainder paid from the accumulated profits. The first officers were Elijah Parsons, President; Joseph Alley, Secretary and Treasurer. The present officers are Elijah Parsons, President, which office he has held from the organization; Jacob Adams, Secretary; and Wm. F. Keeler. Treasurer. About 6oo pounds of cheese are made per day.

The manufacture of carriages has been one of Moravia's most important recent industries. Messrs. Wolsey & Brown, who employed about thirty men in this business, failed August 29th,


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