Another of Fort Plain’s earliest settlers was Simon Tingue. He came to Fort Plain as a teenager and resided with Joseph Wagner, an innkeeper in the village. Simon became a clerk for Mr. Wagner and then entered into business with John I. Diefendorf, later with Alfred J. Wagner, and finally with his two oldest sons. He established a mercantile business on the Erie Canal at the corner of Canal and River Streets. His business sold food, oil, lead nails, cups, saucers, candles, fabrics and a multitude of other goods. Upon Tingue’s retirement, his sons, William and John took over the business. Their retail trade was considered one of the largest in the Mohawk Valley. Eventually the brothers sold their father’s business and entered into the jobbing of goods. The business was moved to New York City and Connecticut. The Tingue building still stands on the corner of Canal and River Streets. Over the years the Tingue building housed many businesses. It has been empty now for many years and is slowly succumbing to lack of care by its owners.