Did you know that Port Byron, NY is credited for inspiring the name of Byron, Minnesota?
In searching the web, I found Byron, Minnesota's name was suggested by George W. Van Dusen after his home town of Port Byron, NY.
Pocket Guide of Minnesota Names published 2002
A Guide to the greatest bike rides in Minnesota
The same information was in the book Exploring America's Highways: Minnesota Trip Trivia by Michael Heim, published in 2004 on page 300.
G.W. Van Dusen was a millionaire who earned his fortunes by developing grain elevators for distribution of grain. His 12,000 sq ft mansion is on the list of landmarks:
Van Dusen Mansion
History of the Van Dusen Mansion
With Port Byron transporting the principal grain market for New York State during the canal period, the occupation of G.W. Van Dusen is fascinating.
I would be interested in finding Mr. Van Dusen in a Federal or State census at Port Byron. This surname in the Ancestry.com indexes has many spelling variations. I have contacted the Van Dusen Center for more information so that we may confirm this historic link. Hopefully he lived here long enough to be recorded in our census, otherwise it may require a look at tax assessment records or land deeds.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Hayden Bros Woolen Mills
Readers may be interested in seeing an advertisement for Hayden Bros. They also had a store in Syracuse.
Hayden Bros. Woolen Mills Advertisement
(For those that may need assistance, to find the exact section, once loaded, select from your browser the edit tab and then select "find on this page" and type Hayden in the search box)
It is reported that Horace Greeley's white coat was stolen.
Location of Hayden Bros by Richard T King
The mill was located on the Port Byron-Auburn Road. The woolen mill moved into the building previously used to manufacture wooden pails, where a young Brigham Young was once employed.
1853 Map of Mentz
See Military Lot # 84, to the left is wool fact and across the street shows the office Wm Hayden, heading toward but before the township of Throop, NY, being Lot #84 in Mentz.
Hayden Bros. Woolen Mills Advertisement
(For those that may need assistance, to find the exact section, once loaded, select from your browser the edit tab and then select "find on this page" and type Hayden in the search box)
It is reported that Horace Greeley's white coat was stolen.
Location of Hayden Bros by Richard T King
The mill was located on the Port Byron-Auburn Road. The woolen mill moved into the building previously used to manufacture wooden pails, where a young Brigham Young was once employed.
1853 Map of Mentz
See Military Lot # 84, to the left is wool fact and across the street shows the office Wm Hayden, heading toward but before the township of Throop, NY, being Lot #84 in Mentz.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Can you believe Ralph Waldo Emerson was invited to speak at Port Byron in 1858?
It's true!
A published book of Emerson's pocket diary shows that Horace V Howland and Finlay M King attempted to bring Emerson to Port Byron. The biographer suggests that Port Byron was unable to pay Emerson's fee, so the engagement never took place.
The Letters of Ralph Waldo Emerson
Biography of Ralph Waldo Emerson
It's true!
A published book of Emerson's pocket diary shows that Horace V Howland and Finlay M King attempted to bring Emerson to Port Byron. The biographer suggests that Port Byron was unable to pay Emerson's fee, so the engagement never took place.
The Letters of Ralph Waldo Emerson
Biography of Ralph Waldo Emerson
