Corydon Wheat

As a citizen of Geneva, Mr. WHEAT took a deep and active interest in all public matters that seemed likely to promote the growth and prosperity of the community. He was a director in both the Geneva and Southwestern and the Geneva and Ithaca Railroad companies, and was conspicuous in the movement, which led to establishing the first named road. He was at first a director in the Geneva Optical Company, and for a number of years previous to its being merged in the Standard Optical Company he held the office of president of the company. He was a director in the Geneva Gas Company and in the First National Bank. He was conspicuously instrumental in establishing the beautiful Glenwood Cemetery and aided in laying it out. His associates in every one of these positions ever found him the same energetic and genial co-worker, whose reliable judgment and willingness to bear more than his share of the burdens were unfailing, while his courtesy and geniality, and his staunch integrity, commanded the respect and admiration of all who knew him. In the educational affairs of the place Mr. WHEAT was one of the most active and interested workers, and was a member of the Board of Education for about 30 years, giving freely of his time and energies for the advancement of the cause and the improvement of the local schools. He was not a politician in any sense, though he entertained strong convictions upon all important public questions. In the days of the Know-nothing movement he became actively interested in that party, who made him their nominee for member of assembly, but he afterwards identified himself with the republican organization. He was in this field, as in all other respects, a self-reliant and independent thinker; had read extensively on scientific, literary and historical subjects, and maintained his ideas and conclusions on such and kindred topics with forcible speech and courteous persistence on all proper occasions. Mr. WHEAT was active in religious affairs, and was at different times connected with the Methodist, the Presbyterian, and finally with Trinity Episcopal Church. In the Sunday-school work in these churches he was especially interested, and accomplished much for their welfare.

Mr. WHEAT was a prominent Free Mason, uniting with the order some time before 1860, and progressed step by step. In 1857 he was master of Ark Lodge and one of its best presiding officers. He subsequently advanced to high standing in the order. Mr. WHEAT accumulated a fortune in Geneva, much of which was invested in real estate, which greatly appreciated in value. His life was one of great activity and usefulness, and when the time came for him to cast aside its burdens, he did it with calm faith in his future and in the enjoyment of the deepest respect of the community. This is shown to some extent in the various memorials and resolutions that were adopted by the different bodies with which he was connected. In a memorial placed upon the records of the Board of Education, it was said of him: "The recent death of Mr. Corydon WHEAT closed a term of service on the Board of Education of more than thirty years. During all that long period it is the testimony of those who were associated with him that he was a faithful public servant, and he retained to the last his interest in the public schools. In all of the growth of the schools in Geneva Mr. WHEAT has been thoroughly identified. He was quick to appreciate any improvement in the methods of teaching and ready to adopt it, and he had during his administration the satisfaction of seeing most of those changes which have made our schools the pride and glory of our country. In addition to this ability as an officer, Mr. WHEAT lent to school occasions a peculiar grace by his rare eloquence. He had the ability which very few possess of charming into quiet and attention the restive schoolboy and making him listen as long as he desired. In his death this Board has suffered a profound loss, and we desire as a body to place upon record this simple tribute to his memory."

The directors of the First National Bank of Geneva also testified to their respect and admiration for Mr. WHEAT, saying among other things: "While we bow with humble submission to his behests, we sorrow that we have lost the genial presence, the wise and conservative counsels, and sound judgment of our co director for the past many years. His name is indissolubly connected with the organization of the First National Bank now nearly a quarter of a century ago, and he has been one of its directors since that time. We accord to him a generous measure of praise for our success in the management of our institution."

Per the 1880 Census, Corydon was residing in Geneva, NY