Town of Cato Historian

Three families in Ira Center operated a limestone kiln on their adjoining properties. One kiln operated for nearly 50 years and made a name for itself in the town. 

In a game of high stakes, one man went all in. Did he win? Stay tuned! 

During World War II, there was a shortage of labor on the home front and especially in upstate NY. POW labor was the solution. 

Agriculture was the economic backbone for most of the region. Modern times called for modern machinery and thus the need for experienced founders. EQ Dutton was one of those men. 

This is a story of one man’s lifelong passion that has been passed down through generations and whose musical prowess can still be heard today. 

The Titus family has long been known as one of the earliest families at Jakway Corners aka Village of Cato.  [image taken from https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/69/Silas_Titus_old.jpg]

Adelbert Rich was a third generation practitioner of law. He was engaged in the profession for over thirty years in which his latter years was a NYS Supreme Court Justice. He presided over a plethora of cases involving such matters as murder, interlocutory decrees and election fraud. 

The Knapp Family was one of the earliest families in the town of Cato and were highly esteemed. Follow the story of how John Turner Knapp and his son John Newcomb Knapp paved a legacy of industry, public service, and civic leadership. 

The discovery of gold in California brought droves of people all across the country. Cayuga County, New York was not immune to gold fever. Did they strike it rich? Listen to find out. 

Newman Eldred was a veteran of the 111th infantry who fought in many of the major battles of the civil war. He later wrote his memoir titled “only a boy”; now housed at civic heritage historical society.

Dr James Dana Benton was a prominent doctor in the town of Ira following in his father’s footsteps. He later served in the infamous 111th New York Infantry Regiment.

Theodore Ruggles Timby, the inventor of the revolving turret used on the USS Monitor patented his design in Meridian, NY. The USS Monitor was one of the first ironclads used in civil war naval battles. The success of the Monitor proved the advantage of the use of ironclads over wooden ships.

Dr Charles Lang, father of Stewart Lang, was a well respected physician in the Cato area. His practice of using homing pigeons as medical messengers earned him accolades and mentions in medical journals.