My Genealogy Hound

DUANE E. CALL, President of the village of Cortland, and a member of the firm of Martin & Call, dealers in coal, wood, brick, etc., is a gentleman who possesses the true business instinct to a marked degree. Though at this writing a comparatively young man, he has in his career toiled hard and long. The success which has come to him is but the natural result of his incessant and well directed efforts.

Mr. Call comes from good old Revolutionary ancestry, his grandfather, Joel Call, being one of the men who shouldered their muskets and went out from their homes to contend in battle with the red-coated minions of King George, and who won the liberties we now enjoy. Joel Call, Sr., wedded Elizabeth Totten, and came from Colerain, Mass., into Cortland County, settling in the town of Truxton. He was a pioneer of the right kind, and soon was the owner of five hundred acres of land, much of it well cleared as a result of his own efforts. This tract proved to be of splendid farming value, and though cut up to-day into several smaller estates, it still retains its pristine value. The old homestead part is now owned by Jerry O’Connor, who built thereon a fine set of buildings, where Harriet Negus now lives.

Joel Call, Sr., was twice married. His first union brought four children: Stoddard; John; Rebecca; and Joel, Jr., father of our subject. The second marriage to a Mrs. Perry was childless. Joel Call was a very large and muscular man, and as his strength was so superior to that of any man in the region, he was always a welcome figure at the “raisings” where his services were in great demand, and many are the tales of his strength that come down to us as recollections of those early social gatherings. He died in 1861 at the age of eighty-three years.

Joel Call, Jr., was born in the town of Truxton, and during the latter years of his parents looked after their welfare. At his father’s death he retained the homestead, but later sold it, and bought another place, where he continued farming until he retired and moved into Truxton village. After a number of years he moved to Cortland, and there died at the age of seventy years. He had married when a young man Miss Susan Willard, but she died in 1872 at the age of forty-five years. They had four children, named: Joel De Wight; Henry De Witt; Duane E., our subject; and Lillian D., now the wife of A. B. Nelson. Joel Call was in politics a sturdy Democrat, and in his day was a supervisor of the town, justice of the peace, justice of sessions, and held other places of trust. In religious matters he was a Baptist.

Duane E. Call, the subject of this history, was born in Truxton, May 13, 1853. He attended district and select school, and when still a very young man started in the meat business at Truxton. His business broadened and he began to deal quite heavily in cattle and general live stock. Later on, he went to De Ruyter, where he handled a very heavy buying and shipping business, sending shipments to New York City and other points of prominence. When Mr. Call came to Cortland in 1887 he was at thirty-four years of age already an experienced and successful business man. Upon his arrival he started a market on Main Street, which he managed at a profit until 1890, when he sold out, and bought an interest in the business of William Martin, who was well grounded in the coal, wood and lime trade. The premises the firm now occupy cover over an acre and are at 128 Elm Street, and on the line of the Lehigh Valley R. R. Here they have every facility for the expeditious handling of their merchandise, which consists of coal, wood, brick, cement, lime, phosphate, and plaster. They have on hand at all times a very heavy stock and cater to the demands of an exceedingly large and select class of customers. Their connection with the best sources of supply is of the most favorable kind, and a most valuable and steadily increasing business is the natural result. Mr. Call, in 1895, at 46 Tompkins Street, erected one of the finest residences in Cortland. Its wide lawns, elegant shrubbery, and majestic trees are especially noticeable. A spacious barn is also in use.

Mr. Call was wedded some years ago to Mary A. Schellinger, daughter of Rial Schellinger of Truxton. One child, Lillian May, recently married to Thomas K. Norris of New York City, was born to them. In politics, Mr. Call is a representative Democrat, and is a positive force in the councils of that party. He was elected in 1896 to the office of president of Cortland village, and he is giving the corporation a business-like administration of its affairs. The village of Cortland in 1804 consisted of but two houses; today it is a thriving village of 10,000 souls. It is beautifully situated, and is pre-eminently a city of beautiful homes. Its elegantly shaded streets are a striking feature. Cortland is the seat of New York State’s best Normal School, and is a manufacturing town of world-wide reputation. Its products go all over the face of the earth. The village has among its interests one of the largest wagon manufacturing plants in the world, a stove works second to but few, four substantial banks, six churches, a hospital, two opera houses, a splendid equipment of local schools, and many other features too numerous to mention. It is known all over the State as a most thriving and intelligent community, so the honor our subject enjoys of being its head is of no small or trifling importance.