Has accident and severely injures his arm. Cornell meets with Sibley and associates and joins his interests with theirs. Western Union Telegraph Company is formed. 1856 Goes to Pittsburgh as New York State delegate to the first Republican National Convention. Purchases farm of about 300 acres, adjoining the village of Ithaca.
Plants orchard, conducts agricultural experiments, and raises short horn cattle, and sheep.
Organizes Ithaca Farmers' Club. Visits oil wells in Titusville, involved in telegraph business, coal oil business, and the New York State Agricultural Society. 1861, October 24 Western Union completes the first transcontinental telegraph. At home in Ithaca, involved in the Tompkins County Agricultural Society, The Farmers Club, raising sheep and cattle and collecting agricultural statistics. Travels to Washington and attends Lincoln's inauguration.