The following article on Minoa appeared in the “The Fayetteville Recorder,” November 22, 1895

This beautiful hamlet is one of those favored spots, which dame nature seldom vouchsafes to eye of the traveler. She has recently cast off her old name, “Manlius Station,” much as the caterpillar casts off its old clothing, when it wishes to appear as a gaudy and beautiful butterfly. She is beautiful anyway no matter by what name she is known. It is a noticeable fact that she has fine residences, newly painted, which give the most ample testimony of the thrift and enterprise of her people. Minoa is favorably located on the line of America’s greatest railroad, the N. Y. C. and the West Shore also passes through the limits of the town. Her railroad facilities are unequaled and she enjoys telegraph communication with the world at large and telephone communication with her neighbors. A short stay here enabled your correspondent to learn something of her people and I venture to give the readers of the RECORDER pen pictures of some of the men and the business of the place.

One of the fixtures of Minoa is the dry goods store owned and managed by John H. Fisher, a gentleman of quite a philosophic turn of mind, just past 65 years of age. His temperate and sensible way of living have been important factors in preserving his health and youth and now would easily pass for a man of 50 years. Mr. Fisher, like many other men who have lived right, has always voted the republican ticket and attended church regularly. He has been here in business 43 years and in point of continuous business service, ranks with any other man in Minoa. He carries a full line of dry goods, groceries, hats, clothing, boots and shoes, school books and hardware.

George Fisher is located a little farther north and also dispenses dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes at prices which makes Syracuse merchants turn green with envy. He also sells coal. He has been in business nearly two years and a resident of the place twelve years.

Mr. S.E. Terwilliger, a fine, stately, scholarly looking gentleman of 40 years, came from Sullivan, Madison county, three years ago and engaged in the sale of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes and notions generally. By strict attention to his own business and letting the business of others alone, he has built up a trade which any man might well envy. Mr. Terwilliger is a worker himself and employs no clerks to do his work for him. Like many other sensible men, he always votes the republican ticket.

C. A. Worden is the marble and granite dealer in Minoa. He has been engaged in business here for 30 years, employs three men. He travels of the road and solicits a large amount of trade outside the limits of Manlius town.

These sketches would be marred by incompleteness did we fail to mention one industry for which Minoa has become justly noted, and that is the dressmaking establishment of Mrs. Edward Lewis. Being a married lady, Mrs. Lewis offered no protest against our telling the readers of the RECORDER that she has been in business here twenty-seven years. We were surprised when she told us, for she would easily pass for a lady of 35. It may be well to add in this connection that Mr. Lewis is a remarkably healthy man and likely to be on earth many years yet. Mrs. Lewis is doing a large and lucrative business. Fayetteville ladies and those from Kirkville, when they are looking for a stylish outfit are prone to call at Mrs. Lewis’.

Peter C. Thomas is the “learned blacksmith” of Minoa. He turned his back upon Kirkville three years ago and located here and gave us a quiet tip that he has never been sorry.

A little way from the center of the town, a little to the west, will be found the mitten manufactory of Snook and Eggert. They employ 12 hands and are able to turn out 30 dozen pairs of mittens daily.

Helfer and Son have a hotel and grocery. Mr. Helfer the elder, has been here since 1860, a few years ago he formed a partnership with his son and the business has since been conducted under the firm name.

P. S. Scheurman keeps the hotel near the railroad. He enjoys a good trade and is the leading man in the hotel business here. A partnership may soon be formed and the hotel will then be under the name of Scheurman and son.

A little off the main street is the cigar factor of M. J. Germiller, a gentleman who has been here since April of this year. He is able to make 250 cigars a day. He employs no help.

George Pierce shaves the Minoans - that is, with a razor. He has been here 25 years. His shop is near the Helfer hotel. That he has not done his duty by all, is evident from the fact that the man owning the longest whiskers in Onondaga county hails from Minoa.

Submitted by Kathy Crowell, May 2001