In the spring of 1798 Aholiab Buck a native of Pennsylvania, moved in from Big Flats, Chemung County and located on River Street in the Village of Port Byron. He was the first settler in the corporate limits of the village. Philip King, Seth Higly, Josiah Partridge and Chas. Annes settled near the village in 1797.

Port Byron was for many years, known as "Bucksville" which name it derived from the Buck family, who were early settlers there and contributed largely to its growth and prosperity. A historical marker in 'Triangle Park' near the center of the village cites that the name was changed to "Port Byron" in 1825, perhaps to honor 'Lord Byron' who died in 1824. According to Storke's "History of Cayuga County", the present name was assumed in 1832.

The Village was incorporated in 1837, and is situated upon the Owasco Lake Outlet and former Erie Canal, near the center of the Town of Mentz. The Town of Mentz was formed from Aurelius as "Jefferson", March 30, 1802. Its name was changed to 'Mentz', April 6, 1808. Montezuma and a portion of Throop were taken off in 1859. The completion of the Erie Canal, October 26th, 1825, gave a new impetus to the business of the village, rapidly increased its population, and soon made it one of the principal grain markets in western New York. In 1828 John Beach moved into the village and utilized the water-power. He built one of the largest and best constructed flouring mills in the State on the west side of the Outlet. In 1851 the direct line of the N.Y.C.R.R. was built between Syracuse and Rochester and carried much of the trade activity to Syracuse and other Towns. When the Erie Canal was enlarged in 1856, and the route changed; the State built a dam across the outlet and destroyed much of the water power capabilities previously enjoyed by the Port Byron businesses.