Alanson Carley, b. June 6, 1797, in Unadilla, N.Y., d. Apr. 8, 1879, m. Feb. 1818, Sally Courtwright, dau of Thomas and Esther Courtwright of Union, Broome Co. N.Y., by May 15, 1799, d. Oct. 5, 1872.
Alanson was a very notable citizen, becoming justice of the peace, supervisor, sheriff, state assemblyman, was active in building the Syracuse and Binghamton Railroad, built the station at Marathon with his own funds, donating the land as well as the railhead. It was in the contract that trains always had to stop at Marathon, a tradition maintained so long as passenger trains ran over this line. He was a leading merchant, a director of the 1st National Bank of Cortland. There was a Carley and Brink store, then it was Carley and Peck, later Carley alone, then Carley and Adams. Alanson and Son ran the successful flour and feed mill founded by his father, Ebenezer. He built the Hotel Lynde, Formerly the Carley House, in 1854. Later known as the Rogers House. Before the first building was entirely enclosed, it was blown down by sever gale winds. However, it was rebuilt satisfactorily on the second try.
There is an apocryphal story told of either Alanson or his father, Ebenezer. Coming into the town one day, hot and tired and dusty, in his shirt sleeves, he attempted to go into the hotel dining room for dinner. He was turned away with the admonition that only gentlemen with coats on were allowed within those sacred precincts. He went away, to return in a few minutes an plunk himself down at a table. "I've just bought your damned hotel," he grunted angrily. "Now we'll see who sits where!"
Alanson was postmaster at Marathon during the Civil War. One of a number of loyal public spirited citizens who pledged themselves to support the families of volunteers during their absence, his pledge strictly fulfilled.
Alanson and Sally had 12 children: ...
