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.