J
<?. A»
^> A C ^
^ c i". ^o v
%
(utete-
(KaIvi tK (OxnJ
HISTORY
OF
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
NEW YORK
AND ITS PEOPLE
JOHN P. DOWNS
Editor-in-Charge
and
FENWICK Y. HEDLEY
Editor-in-Chief
Assisted by a large corps of Sub-editors and
Advisory Board
VOLUME III
American Historical Society, Inc.
BOSTON NEW YORK CHICAGO
1921
r \jj i
.G7D7ST
Copyright, 1921
AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC.
JUN 30 "2i
G17640
BIOGRAPHICAL
\ r f. ' Jcdd*
<77£.
BIOGRAPHICAL
3i7
ALBIN JOSEPH CARLSON— Without doubt
one of the most successful of the younger business men
of Jamestown, Chautauqua county, N. Y., was Albin
Joseph Carlson, late of this city, whose premature death,
Auo- 14 1918, at the age of thirty-eight, removed from
^community a powerful factor in its material develop-
ment, and abruptly ended a career winch held out the
most' brilliant promises for the future.
Mr Carlson was a native of Sweden, born at Stock-
holm, April 29, 1880, and it was in his native city
that his childhood and early life were passed, tie
attended the local schools of Stockholm, and continued
his studies there until he had reached his twentieth
year Shortly afterwards his interest having been
greatly awakened in the opportunities offered by
America for the young man of enterprise, he came to
this country, and directly upon landing came to James-
town where he quickly found employment with the
Peterson Crest Tool Company, his alert mind and will-
ingness to work hard recommending him to those who
came in contact with him. In the establishment of that
concern he learned not only the trade of tool making
but general business methods, and proved himself so
apt a pupil that he was rapidly advanced to positions of
responsibility. Mr. Carlson remained for eight years
with the Peterson concern and then, having in the mean-
time saved a considerable portion of his earnings, found
himself in a position to carry out an ambition long
cherished by him, that of embarking in a business upon
his own account. Accordingly he severed his connection
with his old employers and formed a partnership with
Mr. J. P. Danielson under the firm name of J. P.
Danielson & Company, and a successful tool making
business was founded. This business was carried on
with a very high degree of success with Mr. Carlson a
very active partner up to the time of his death in 1918, his
energy, industry and business talent contributing in no
small degree to its prosperity and development. Mr.
Carlson was always keenly interested in the welfare of
his adopted community, although up to the close of
his life his business interests had prevented him from
taking the part in public affairs for which his abilities so
eminently fitted him.
Albin Joseph Carlson was united in marriage, Feb. 8,
1902, at Jamestown, with Hanna Gustafson, like him-
self 'a native of Sweden, daughter of Gustave Gustafson,
of that country. One child was born of this union,
Remhold Albin Carlson, Sept. 29, 1906. Since the
death of Mr. Carlson, his widow has retained her interest
in the firm of J. P. Danielson & Company, and in the
management of her concerns has proven herself a fine
business woman.
ELMORE M. KENT, one of the most successful
and progressive farmers of Westfield, Chautauqua
county, N. Y., where he has been actively engaged in
that pursuit for many years, is a member of an exceed-
ingly old New England family, being of the ninth gen-
eration from the founder of the house in America. He
is a son of Lucian H. and Mary Fay (McEwen) Kent
and a grandson of Moses and Jerusha Kent, natives of
Vermont. Moses Kent, his wife and two sons removed
from that State to St. Lawrence county, N. Y., in the
year 1822, the journey being made by the only possible
means of conveyance in those days, by ox-team, and in
the middle of the severe winter, through what was then a
practically unbroken wilderness. They travelled along
what was known as the Port Kent road and finally
reached their destination successfully.
Lucian H. Kent, upon reaching his majority, saw fit
to make up for his early lack of education and attended
an academy at Pottsdam, N. Y. Later he removed to
French Creek township. Chautauqua county, where he
became the possessor of a fine farm of 300 acres, situated
about half way between Clymer and Marvin Post Office.
In 1862, however, he removed to Westfield, where he also
had a farm, and there passed the remainder of his life.
He was a man of unusual character and mental endow-
ments, and possessed unusually scholarly tastes. During
practically his entire life he was a close student of the
best literature, and read extensively all scientific and
philosophical subjects. He was also a keen lover of
nature, and indeed this largely accounted for the fact
that he chose agricultural pursuits for his life's work.
"The surroundings appealed to his poetic nature and
served largely as the inspiration for his modest volume
of poems 'Sunshine' and 'Storm', the title to which he
chose as appropriate to the coloring it had received from
his occupation." An example of this volume deserves
lo be quoted here :
I love to live because the skies
In beauty from above
Shed down their light from Paradise,
In forms of mildest love.
I love to live where truth's bright beams
Can reach the awful shade.
That wilful falsehood here can form
In light which God has made.
Mr. Kent possessed an extraordinary physical consti-
tution and was never confined to his bed by sickness a
single dav during his entire life He lived in a period
in which he had seen most of the great social and political
issues which this country has had to face in the formative
period of its development decided, and his keen intellect
kept him constantly interested in each new problem as it
arose. Lucian H. Kent married, June 9. 184O, Mary Fay
McEwen, the oldest daughter of Deacon George McEwen,
of Lawrence, N. Y. Their married life was an unusually
happy and harmonious one, and they celebrated their
golden wedding, June 9, 1899, at the old family home in
Westfield, with all the living members of their family
present Mr. Kent's death occurred March 9, 1900, and
that of Mrs. Kent, Nov. 17, 1903. They were the parents
of six sons and one daughter, as follows: 1. Elmore M,
mentioned at length below. 2. Herman L born Jan. 31,
185 t at Hopkinton, St. Lawrence county, N. Y formerly
engaged successfully in the manufacture of paper at
Westfield as the head of the firm of Herman L. Kent &
Company ; he is now engaged in farming and fruit grow-
ing. 3. Henry B„ a graduate of Western Reserve Uni-
versity, and author of "Grafic Sketches o the West;
was born Oct. 21, 1855, and died while traveling at Canon
City, Colo., Tune 25, 1800. 4. Elwin R. born Nov. 11,
,858- for some time private secretary to Hon Daniel U
Rollins, surrogate in the city and county of New ^ork,
and died at Westfield, Nov. 14, 1890. 5- George S„ one
of the first graduates of and for a time a teacher in the
Westfield Academv and Union School. 6 Alice C., who
resides at Westfield, and is identified with grape culture
in this region. 7. Vernon A., born Jan. 17, 1866; a prom-
3i8
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
inent figure in the agricultural activities of this region;
he was postmaster at Westfield for twelve years.
Elmore M. Kent, son of Lucian H. and Mary Fay
(McEwen) Kent, was born June 7, 1850, at Hopkinton,
St. Lawrence county, N. Y. The first seven years of his
life were passed at that place, and he was then brought
by his parents to Chautauqua county and has since that
time made the town of Westfield his home, with the
exception of five years, when he resided in French Creek
township. As a lad he attended the public schools of
Westfield and the Westfield Academy, and upon com-
pleting his studies became a teacher in the public schools.
He was also employed for a short time on the staff of
the Westfield "Republican," and later went to New York
City, where he worked on the staff of the New York
"Daily Standard," which was published at No. 34 Park
Row, by John Russell Young. He then went to Burling-
ton, Vt., where he became associated with Mr. C. C.
Post, who was a manufacturer of sugar maker's supplies
on a large scale. On the death of Mr. Post, Mr. Kent
was appointed administrator of his large estate. In 1881
he returned to Westfield, where he formed an association
with his brother, Herman L. Kent, and purchased and
rebuilt the Westfield Paper Mills, which they operated
lender the firm name of Herman L. Kent & Company.
Mr. Kent resides at South Portage street. In addition to
his paper business, Mr. Kent is the owner of several large
farming properties, and at the present time devotes most
of his time to taking care of these and other interests.
He is a member of the Westfield Business Men's Associ-
ation, and is a staunch Republican, though he has never
cared for public office or political preferment of any kind.
Although not a member of any church, Mr. Kent attends
the Westfield Presbyterian Church and is a trustee
thereof, having taken a very active part in the affairs of
the congregation. One of the enterprises which Mr.
Kent has conducted for the benefit of the community
is that known as Kent's Glen, where he spends a con-
siderable portion of each summer and where he main-
tains an excellent swimming place for boys, as well as
walks, drives, picnic and pleasure grounds. He has also
made many improvements on the natural park situated
on his lands at Buttermilk Falls, which he also main-
tains for the benefit of the public.
Elmore M. Kent was united in marriage, June 20, 1889,
with Edna M. Chittenden, daughter of Varick A. Chitten-
den, of Hopkinton, N. Y., where her birth occurred July
12, 1866. Mrs. Kent was educated at the Andover Female
Seminary at Andover, Mass., and died June 26, 1897.
The Westfield Paper Mills, which have so many years
been prominent in the industrial development of the
community, was founded shortly after the Civil War,
in 1865, by Allen Wright, who returned to Westfield after
having amassed a considerable fortune in the oil business.
Mr. Wright formed a stock company and purchased the
old "Cottage Grist Mill" which he rebuilt and fitted for
the manufacture of paper. For a time the concern was
engaged in the manufacture of white printing paper.
At that time the market for this kind of paper was com-
paratively small in this region, and the mill was idle for
a part of each year. The price of white paper at that
time ranged from 15 to 20 cents per pound, however,
and the sale of a comparatively small amount of it con-
stituted a good business. About 1867, or 1868, Mr.
Wright, foreseeing the great demand there would be for
grape baskets in this region of large vineyards, and being
of an inventive and mechanical turn of mind, conceived
the idea of making a grape box from paste board.
Meeting with success in this invention, the output of the
mill was changed from white paper to strawboard and
special machines were invented by Mr. Wright for the
cutting of this product into shape for the round paper
grape boxes which were made mostly in sizes to contain
five and ten pounds of grapes. These grape boxes were
manufactured during that part of the year which pre-
ceded the grape harvest and were very attractive, having
a colored label with a cut or stem of grapes on the covers
and the pasteboard covered with a light sheet of fancy
paper resembling cloth finish and in a variety of designs.
This new enterprise met with considerable success for a
time, but the introduction of wood grape baskets event-
ually drove them from the market and the mill remained
idle until about 1870. In that year a brother of Allen
Wright, Mr. Reuben G. Wright, who had also gained a
fortune in the oil business, came to Westfield, and in
company with E. P. Whitney purchased the plant, a
new partnership being formed under the name of R. G.
Wright & Company. The mill was once more rebuill
and new machinery was installed for the manufacture of
white straw printing paper, the first to be made in the
State, and almost a new product in the country. This
quality of paper was of a snow white color and was made
of cheap straw, but once more the promoters of the
industry failed to realize their expectations as the paper
proved too brittle and did not give satisfaction to the
printers who used it. The business was continued by
R. G. Wright & Company from 1870 until the autumn of
'877, however, but during that time the price of paper
gradually fell, and with the entrance upon the market
of the new fibre wood pulp the demand for it was dis-
continued. Accordingly, the mill was sold out to a Mr. E.
A. C. Pew, of Canada, and afterwards passed into the
hand of Bradford I. Taylor, who in 1878 leased it to
Herman L. Kent. In 1880 the latter, in association with
his brother, Elmore M. Kent, purchased the property
and once more the mills were equipped with new
machinery and used for the manufacture of "Kent's
Economy Sugar Bags." The paper for these bags was
stripped during the process of making and was of un-
usually heavy stock, being sold by the pound instead of
by the thousand as in the case of the light manilla bags.
They were indeed the first of their kind to be manu-
factured in the country, and in addition to them the mill
also turned out a large quantity of wrapping paper. In
1S05 the mills were sold to Smith Brothers, a firm
which continued to run them about two years when they
were destroyed by fire. The firm of Herman L. Kent
& Company was dissolved after the sale of these mills,
but the paper business was continued in the brick block
built by Mr. Kent in Westfield, his paper warehouses
being located in the business district of the town on
North Portage street. In the vear 1809 another paper
warehouse was built, connected with the first warehouse
and giving a storage capacity in both buildings for over
200 tons of paper goods. These buildings were after-
ward remodeled and converted into the "Portage Inn"
by John Jones. Elmore M. Kent was for many years
president of the Chautauqua and Erie Grape Company.
MR. AND MRS. E. A. BAGG AND DAUGHTER
CONEWANGO VALLEY. N. Y.
BIOGRAPHICAL
3 I( )
GARNET M. HUNTER, M. D— Instant and
cordial recognition will be accorded to the appearance
of this name not only by Dr. Hunter's fellow-citizens of
Westfield, but by very many of the residents of Chautau-
gua county. Dr. Hunter is quietly but helpfully identified
with the most essential interests of his home town, and is
regarded as one of her most valued citizens.
Garnet M. Hunter was born April 18, 1876, in Tor-
onto, Canada, and is a son of Samuel James and Char-
lotte (Ruston) Hunter. Mr. Hunter, who was of
English descent, and filled the position of a clerk, is now
deceased, but is survived by his widow. Garnet M.
Hunter was educated in public and high schools of his
native city, graduating from the high school in 1893. He
!hen entered the medical department of the University of
Toronto, receiving in 1898 the degree of Doctor of
Medicine. For about one year thereafter he served as
interne in the Toronto General Hospital, and then went
to New York City where he took a post-graduate course.
In 1900 Dr. Hunter began practice in New York
City, and at the end of two years removed to Sag Harbor,
T ong Island, N. Y., where he remained until 1907, when
he came to Westfield. Here he established his own
hospital, maintaining it for four years, and in 1911
entered upon a course of general practice. His clientele
is now large and constantly increasing. He takes a
special interest in the study of chronic diseases and
their treatment bv means of water, light, and electricity,
and is now the house physician to the Rumsey Inn and
Mineral Bath Corporation of Westfield.
In all matters pertaining to his profession he keeps
fully abreast of the times. His choice of a medical
career was wholly voluntary, his desire being sufficiently
strong to lead him to assist in defraying the expenses of
his professional education. In politics Dr. Hunter is an
independent voter. He holds membership in the Ameri-
can Medical Association, the New York State Medical
Societv, and the Chautauqua County Medical Society.
He affiliates with the Masonic fraternity, the Royal
Arcanum, and the Loyal Order of Moose. He attends
the Presbyterian church.
Dr. Hunter married, Oct. 9, I9°i< Florence M.,
daughter of William and Jane (Thomas) Rea, of
Ottawa, Canada. They are the parents of one child:
Garnet Rea, born Oct. 7, 1905, now attending the West-
field High School. Like her husband Mrs. Hunter is of
English descent.
Devoted as he is to his profession, Dr. Hunter is
undoubtedly a man to inspire in the physicians and
students brought within the circle of his influence
increased enthusiasm for medical science.
EDWIN ALLEN BAGG, who for thirty-two years
has been the owner and operator of a substantial business
at Conewango Valley, Chautauqua county, N. Y., namely,
the hardware store conducted under his own name at
that place, and the Daisy Buckwheat Flour and Feed
Mills, at Conewango Valley, has by a successful business
life, and a private life marked by honorable purpose
and action, become esteemed by his neighbors, and become
a man in whom the residents in general have confidence.
This is evidenced by the position he holds in the adminis-
tration of the leading financial institution of the district;
he has been president of Conewango Valley National
Bank since its organization, January, 1917, and has in
great measure aided in building that institution to its
present condition of stability and prosperity.
Edwin Allen Bagg was born in Ellington, N. Y., Oct.
29, 1863, the son of Allen and Allison Lee (Boyd) Bagg,
of that place. His father, Allen Bagg, was a farmer in
that vicinity, who by consistently and intelligently apply-
ing himself to the tilling of his property became a man
of some means, and much respected as a man and a
churchman. As a boy, Edwin A. attended the district
school of his native place and eventually became a
student at the Ellington High School, and in due time
became a graduate thereof. He has spent practically
his whole business life in Conewango Valley, and is
probably one of the most widely-known men of that
district. For thirty-two years he has been in independent
business as a hardware merchant, and most of the people
of the neighborhood have had dealings with him, in some
branch of hardware, or in his other business capacity, as
the owner and operator of the Daisy Buckwheat Flour
and Feed Mills, at Conewango Valley. And the record of
those dealings must have been good, in point of honor,
as well as financial return, otherwise he would not have
been elected to the office of president of the national
bank of that place, an administrative office which demands
of its occupier not only an amply demonstrated capability
as a man of business but a record of undeniable moral
integrity, in other words, such a position of honor and
lespons'ibilitv calls for a man in whom the stockholders
and depositors might have implicit confidence that their
holdings and deposits would be safely and shrewdly
handled.
Primarily, Mr. Bagg has gained substantial success
in life by earlv recognizing that a trading value must
be given as well as demanded, if the trading is to bring
further transactions. Throughout his business life, he
has pursued consistently that principle— of giving value
for value Of course, success would not come by that
alone- one of the fundamentals of success in the staples
of commerce is industry; without industrious effort,
properly and enterprisingly applied, expansion of business
is not probable; and Mr. Bagg for more than thirty years
has consistently applied himself with commendable
assiduity to his business interests, and has always sought
to keep'his business up-to-date. He has also given unself-
ishly of his time and substance to further many local
causes, manifesting a sincere community interest, both
in regard to social and church functions. He has been
a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of
Conewango Valley for many years, earnest in his attend-
ance thereat, and substantial in his support thereof.
On June 24, 1908, at Rockland, Pa., he married Cora
Matl daughter of Peter Lovell and Eleanor (Burns)
Pryor, of that place. They have one child, Alice Eleanor,
born on Oct. 24, 1910. _
Mr Bagg has not taken much part in political move-
ments, that is, in those that had no direct bearing upon
local affairs, and he has never sought political office.
Fraternally, he is an Odd Fellow, and has been some-
what prominent in the dispositions and functions of the
local body of that order. Generally, Mr. Bagg has been
a worthy, useful citizen, ready at any time to give assist-
ance to neighbors needing such aid, and to further in any
way possible any local project that he considered might
tend to enhance the well-being of some phase ot com-
munitv life.
320
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
CHARLES J. BELLINGER— Prominent among
the citizens of Silver Creek, N. Y., is Charles J.
Bellinger, owner and editor of the Silver Creek "News,"
who has since the inception of his business career
been identified with newspaper work.
Charles J. Bellinger was born in the town of Ava,
Oneida county, N. Y., Ang. 27, 1856, the son of David and
Mary (Warrath) Bellinger. He received his education
in the schools of his native place, taught school for a
short time, and then became associated with the local
department of the Rome "Daily Sentinel." Subsequently
going to Watertown, N. Y., he became local or city editor
of the Watertown "Daily Times," continuing in news-
paper work in that city for twenty-five years. In 1908
failing health compelled retirement from daily journalism
and he came to Chautauqua county and bought the
"Ripley Review," which he edited for four years, selling
it in 1912. In 1914 he bought the Silver Creek "News"
and has since been associated with this particular paper.
Mr. Bellinger is a man who has stood throughout his
journalistic career for all that makes for the betterment
of home life and of civic welfare, and the journals which
he has edited have been known as upholders of strict
moral principles and high ideals in public and private
life.
WILLIAM ELIAL SKINNER, who for a number
of years has been a conspicuous figure in the agricul-
tural life of Portland township, Chautauqua county, N.
Y., is a member of one of the old distinguished families
of this region which was founded here early in the nine-
teenth century. The first of the family to settle in Chau-
tauqua county was David Skinner, son of Daniel and
Harriet Skinner, of Chenango county, N. Y„ and grand-
father of the present Mr. Skinner. He was born in the
town of Norwich, Chenango county, Aug. 12, 1803, and,
with his brother Alfred, came to Portland township in
the month of October, 1819, when he was but sixteen
years of age. He purchased a fruit farm which he sold
in 1824 in order to buy a larger property, the claim
of Joel Smith. This he sold to Samuel Hull in 1835 and
three years later bought a valuable farm of Almon
Taylor, of which he continued the owner and which has
remained in the possession of the family ever since,
part of ft belonging to the Mr. Skinner of this sketch!
David Skinner was a man of the true old pioneer type,
possessed of tremendous energy and endurance, as may be
gathered from the fact that, unaided, he cut down the
trees and cleared the land of about 500 acres of the
great virgin forest which at that period covered practi-
cally the whole of the district. Indeed he was regarded
by his fellow pioneers as the most expert woodsman and
axeman in the region. He was a prominent figure in the
life of the community during his day, and was a staunch
Democrat in politics. He married (first) on Christmas
Day, 1825, Betsey Hill, a daughter of Lewis Hill, who
was born Aug. 14, 1803, and died Dec. 22, 1836. He
married (second) Oct. 9, 1837, Mary Williams, daughter
of Elial Williams, of Portland. By his first wife he had
the following children: Joseph, born March 13, 1827,
married Antoinette Morley, and removed to Michigan ;
Homer, born June 6, 1829, and married Martha Fuller;
Lester, born May 12, 1831 ; Roxy Ann, born Feb. 12,
'833, and became the wife of Mortimer Francis ; Franklin,
born April 16, 1835, and married Catherine O'Neil. By
his second wife three children were born to David
Skinner, as follows : Elial William, father of William
Elial Skinner, of whom further ; George W., born Sept.
30, 1840, who married Susan Jane Taylor ; Mary Jane,
born May 2, 1842, who became the wife of John Gordon.
Elial William Skinner was born Sept. 30, 1838, and was
a grape cultivator on a large scale. He served in Com-
pany E, 154th Regiment, New York Volunteers, for three
years during the Civil War, and was captured at Gettys-
burg and held a prisoner at Andersonville for eighteen
months. He was a Democrat in politics, and a prominent
Mason. His death occurred June 30, 1911. Elial William
Skinner married, Feb. 9, 1870, Betsey Haight, born March
I, 1840, at Smith ville Flats, Chenango county, N. Y.,
died March 29, 1913, a daughter of Luke and Polly
Haight, and they were the parents of two children :
1. Lillian A., who resides at Portland, N. Y., where
she operates a farm; she was prominent in war
work during the World War, especially in connec-
tion with the various government campaigns for
money, and the Red Cross ; also an active member of
the Methodist church and the Women's Relief Corps,
president of the Ladies' Club, and a member of the
Eastern Star Society. 2. William Elial, of whom further.
William Elial Skinner, son of Elial William and Betsey
V Haight) Skinner, was born in Portland township, Dec.
31, 1876, and received his education in the public schools
of Westfield, attending the high school there. After com-
pleting his studies at the latter institution, he worked
for a time on the building of the highway and later
engaged in the manufacture of baskets, which he sold to
the local grape growers to contain their crops. He con-
tinued in this line for about five years and then became
associated with his father in the latter's agricultural
operations. The firm of E. W. Skinner & Son was
formed and operated a splendid farm, formerly the old
Taylor estate, of about 300 acres, which had been inher-
ited by the elder man. A portion of this property was
later sold, but still later an additional 150 acres were
secured and devoted to fruit culture and dairying. At
the death of Mr. Skinner, Sr., the property was divided
between his two children and at present Mr. Skinner has
80 acres of his share given over to cultivation of the vine
and other fruits. Owing to his knowledge of the subject,
and the manner in which he has kept his land highly
cultivated, Mr. Skinner has met with great success as a
grape grower, the product of his farm being of the best
type, and he has shipped his grapes to many parts of the
country for about fifteen years. Mr. Skinner, besides
being an expert farmer and fruit grower, is a gifted
musician. He is a delightful performer on the violin
and an accomplished conductor, and has organized an
orchestra from the native talent, with which he has
toured the country and given many successful concerts.
In politics Mr. Skinner is an ardent supporter of Dem-
ocratic principles, as have been his forebears for many
years, and has taken an active part in local public affairs.
He has held the office of committeeman for the Second
Election District for a number of years and is a force
to be reckoned with in the politics of the county. He is
a member of the Methodist church and a prominent Free
Mason, having attained to the thirty-second degree of that
order, and being affiliated with Lake Shore Lodge. No.
#arrp Raines
&atc £>. panics
BIOGRAPHICAL
321
851, Free and Accepted Masons. He is also a member of
the Farm Bureau.
William Elial Skinner married (first) Sept. 16, 1907,
Bessie Scott, of Portland, a daughter of John Franklin
and Cora (Phillips) Scott. Her death occurred June 14,
1918, and on July 30, 1919, Mr. Skinner married (second)
Viola Beatrice Fuller, of Portland, a daughter of George
W. and M. Berdena (Fay) Fuller, old and highly
respected residents of that place.
HARRY JAMES— In the year 1S47 John W. James
came from England to the United States and located
in the city of Philadelphia, Pa., where the ensuing years
of his life were spent. There his son, Harry James,
now one of the honored retired citizens of Dunkirk.
N. Y., was born. For more than a quarter of a century,
1894-1920, Mr. James has been a resident of Dunkirk
and so established himself in public regard that he has
been called to many positions of honor and trust, in-
cluding the highest civic honor that could be conferred,
that of mayor. In every position to which he has been
called by his fellow-citizens, Mr. James has displayed a
breadth of vision and a keen public spirit which has
in all cases made for the benefit of his city, and his
place in public regard is one of honor and esteem. John
\Y. James conducted a livery, sale and exchange busi-
ness in Philadelphia, and there died. His wife, Harriet
(Hayes) James, born in England, died in Irvington,
N. J. They were the parents of four children, Clara
(Mrs. Keitch) of Irvington, N. J., and Harry, of Dun-
kirk, the only survivors.
Harry James, second child of John W. and Harriet
(Hayes) James, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., March
5, 1853, and there attended public school until sixteen
years of age. He then entered the William Butcher
steel plant at Nicetown, Pa., near Philadelphia, going
thence to the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia,
where he remained until another move took him to
Scranton, Pa., where he was engaged with the Scranton
Locomotive builders. After leaving Scranton he spent six
and one half years with the Cook Locomotive Works
in Paterson, N. J., going thence to the Richmond Loco-
motive Works, Richmond, Va., where he remained until
1894. Those years of experience in locomotive works
had given him an intimate knowledge of the locomotive
construction, and in 1894, when he located in Dunkirk,
N. Y., he was quickly employed by the Brooks Loco-
motive Works as superintendent of their steam hammer
department. He continued in that position for eight
and one-half years, then in 1903 he resigned and
has since taken no active part in business affairs, but has
devoted much time to the public service. When the
Atlas Crucible Steel Company of Dunkirk was organ-
ized by Edward Burgess, Mr. James was one of the
first to avail himself of the privilege of purchasing
stock, having strong faith in the future of that now most
important industry. This well illustrates his keen fore-
sight and business vision and his willingness to aid in
any enterprise that promises to benefit his city.
He has otherwise evidenced his public spirit and holds
rank with the progressive men of Dunkirk. He repre-
sented Ward 4 in City Council for two years, and for
a like period was a representative from Ward 3. In
1909 he was elected mayor of Dunkirk and gave the
city an excellent administration. For two years he
served on the Board of Water Commissioners, and
was president of the board for one year. He also
served the city as police and fire commissioner; was
chairman of the Board of Assessors for two years,
then resigned, and is now living a quiet, retired life,
although deeply interested in public affairs. He is a
Republican in political faith. Mr. James is a member of
Irondequoit Lodge, No. 301, Free and Accepted Masons;
Dunkirk Chapter, No. 191, Royal Arch Masons; Dun-
kirk Council, No. 25, Royal and Select Masters; Dun-
kirk Commandery, No. 42, Knights Templar; Ismailia
Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine ; a member of the
Masonic Club and its chairman.
Mr. James married, June 27, 1876, Kate S. Stuart,
of Philadelphia, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. James are attend-
ants of the Methodist Episcopal church.
CHARLES HENRY ZENNS— Fourteen years
town clerk and seven times elected by acclamation.
This is the record of the man whose name heads this
article and it is, to say the least, improbable that it can
be matched by few public officials either in Chautau-
qua county or elsewhere. Mr. Zenns is still town clerk
of Mayville, and has filled with credit other local offices
of trust and responsibility.
Joseph Zenns, grandfather of Charles Henry Zenns,
was overseer of the town of Mayville.
Xavier Joseph Zenns, son of Joseph Zenns, was of
Mayville and filled the position of hotel clerk. He took
an active part in community affiairs, serving as town
constable. His wife was Mary Elizabeth, daughter of
Lombard and Elizabeth (Hepple) Dornbarger, and they
were the parents of the following children : Charles
Henry, mentioned below; Joseph W., of Mayville. Mr.
Zenns in now deceased.
Charles Henry Zenns, son of Xavier Joseph and Mary
Elizabeth (Dornbarger) Zenns, was born May 3, 1881,
at Mayville, and attended the grammar and high schools
of his native town, graduating from the high school
in 1899. Prior to this he had been occasionally em-
ployed, but he now began work in earnest, obtaining a
position as clerk in a store. In 1900 he established
himself as a barber, a business which he still conducts,
being the oldest representative of that calling, in point
of service, that Mayville can boast. Always active in
support of Republican principles, Mr. Zenns has been
energetic in the public service. His remarkable record
as town clerk has already been mentioned, and his next
reelection will retain him in office until Dec. 31, 1921.
For two years he served on the Village Board, and he
has also held the office of assistant fire marshal. He
affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
serving as recording secretary, and his religious mem-
bership is in the Protestant Episcopal church.
Mr. Zenns married, Nov. 24, 1903, in the Protestant
Episcopal church of Mayville, Helen, daughter of Solo-
mon and Laura (Case) Tallman, and they are the
parents of two children : William Tallman, born Sept.
2, 1904, now attending school ; and Paul Donald, born
Aug. 9, 1907.
In twenty years Mr. Zenns has had but two months
Chau— 21
322
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
vacation. He is the son and grandson of men who
filled satisfactorily important community offices, and
his own record more than maintains the high reputation
of the family for honorable public service.
AARON HEYWOOD LEACH, representative of
one of the oldest families of the Ellington section of
Chautauqua county, has reached venerable age, and has
long since reached a more than sufficient material com-
petence, and a general respect in the community and
county such as only a man of commendable and honor-
able life could gain. Mr. Leach still lives upon the
farm in Ellington upon which he was born, eighty-seven
years ago and can tell much that is interesting regarding
early conditions of living in that section of the county.
His father was Joseph Leach, a carpenter and farmer,
well known in his day in Chautauqua county ; his grand-
father, Jacob Leach, was one of the pioneers.
Aaron H. Leach was born Oct I, 1832, and after
passing through the graded school of the district he
took up the occupation of farming upon his father's
farm, and also did much work with his father as a
carpenter. Mainly, however, his life has been passed
in farming, to which he has given honest labor, for
which he has received honest return. He has never
expected to receive more than value for value, for he
well knew that nothing could be stable upon any other
condition. In farming, particularly, satisfactory return
from the soil first demands adequate labor upon the
soil; and so it follows that success in farming is a
true indication of the industry of that farmer. Mr.
Leach long since reached the point where he had
accumulated means more than sufficient for his needs,
and that accumulation came from his own hard but
well directed labor.
He has been a Republican for many years, and had
he wished it he could, upon many occasions, have been
elected to public office, for his standing in the community
has always been good, and his friends are widely spread
and many. But apart from intelligently and independ-
ently exercising his voting privilege, he has not taken
much part in national politics. In local matters, how-
ever, he has always been interested, and in his younger
days took active part. The affairs of the community
to him have always been the affairs of his own home,
and he has ever been ready to further, financially or by
personal service, any local project which he thought
might tend to benefit his neighbors, or the affairs of his
community. In church matters he was for many years
very active. He has been a consistent churchman all
his life, and has steadily supported the local church of
the Congregational denomination, of which he is a
member. At various times, he has also contributed to
the support of other churches.
The recent war was a subject upon which Mr. Leach
showed that his interest was whole-souled. Many times
during the dark days of 1917 and early 1918 he probably
wished he could go back in age five or six decades, for
the thrill of patriotism made him wish to be with those
vigorous, valiant, younger patriots in France.
Mr. Leach's private life has been estimable. He
married, Sept. 2, 1868, in Winfield, Herkimer county,
N. Y„ Martha Jane, daughter of Jacob and Hester
Ann (Goodier) Leach. To the union came two children:
1. Charles G., who was born on Feb. 21, 1875. 2. Hester
A., who was born on April 6, 1879.
His long life, and long association with the agricul-
turists of Chautauqua county, makes the writing of
this record for the current history a pleasure, for his
biography certainly should have place in it, representing
as he does a worthy generation of Chautauqua county
agriculturists now almost all gathered to their Maker.
Bearing in mind his venerable age, Mr. Leach is still
vigorous, and the clearness of his mind and cheerfulness
of thought are definite indications of a steady, healthy
life, one in which the canker of selfishness and discon-
tent did not enter.
WILLIAM ARAH PUTNAM, M. D.— The Put-
nams of Chautauqua county trace from John Putnam,
who was a settler in Salem, Mass., as early as 1634,
and through John Putnam, the Pilgrim, they trace
through sixteen generations of English ancestors to
Simon de Puttenham, the first of the name who is of
definite record in England. The town of Puttenham is
mentioned in the Domesday Book, and the parish of
Puttenham is in Hertfordshire. The coat-of-arms to
which American descendants of the line are entitled is
thus described:
Arms — Sable between eight crosses, crosslet fitchee,
argent a stork of the last, beaked and legged gules.
Crest — A wolf's head gules.
Abner Putnam, the founder of this branch of the
Chautauqua county family, was a son of Captain
William Putnam, born in Sutton, Mass., Jan. 7, 1755,
his wife, Submit (Fisk) Putnam, born Aug. 20, 1768.
Their son, Abner Putnam, was born in Buckland, Mass.,
July 28, 1794, died in the town of Stockton, Chautauqua
county, N. Y., Aug. 27, 1862. He married, in Buckland,
April 28, 1818, Vesta Mallory, born Feb. I, 1795, died
May 18, 1872, daughter of Hiram Mallory, born March
5, 1776, and Hannah Mallory, born Aug. 20, 1768. In
the year 1818, Abner and Vesta (Mallory) Putnam
came from Buckland, Franklin county, Mass., and
settled in the town of Stockton, taking up land just
south of where the Cassadaga railroad station now
stands. Abner Putnam was a cousin of Captain Andrew
Putnam, who came to Stockton in February, 1817. His
son, Worthy Putnam, was an early and successful
teacher, county superintendent of schools, and lawyer.
Abner Putnam died in 1862, his widow continuing her
residence on the homestead until 1873. They were the
parents of six sons and four daughters, all of whom
survived their parents. This review follows th* career
of the youngest son, Edwin Putnam, and that of his
son, Dr. William A. Putnam, of Forestville, Chautauqua
county.
Edwin Putnam, son of Abner and Vesta (Mallory)
Putnam, was born at the farm near Cassadaga, in the
northeastern part of the town of Stockton, Chautauqua
county, March 24, 1828, died at his farm near Waite's
Corners in the town of Charlotte, Sept. 9, 1889. He
was educated in the district schools, and so well im-
proved the advantages of those early schools that he
afterwards taught in them for several terms. He,
however, early in life engaged in farming, an occupation
and business which he followed all his life. In 1856
%iU^^j.£u7U
t^l^2<t^\
BIOGRAPHICAL
323
he went to Wisconsin and spent a year on a farm at
Janesville, but the next fall he returned to Chautauqua
county. He then, with a young man, David Peebles,
equipped a "prairie schooner" and drove through Brown
county, Kansas, where they located claims, built a log
cabin and spent the winter. The next spring Mr. Put-
nam returned to Chautauqua county, intending to
return West with his family, but instead decided to sell
his Kansas land and purchase a farm in Stockton. The
political disturbances in Kansas with the ravages of the
"border ruffians" undoubtedly aided in bringing about
this decision, but whatever the reason it was sufficiently
strong to keep him in the East. He bought 75 acres on
Cassadaga creek from the Holland Land Company,
lying about two miles south of the lakes, a property
which he owned all his after life, and now is owned by
his daughter. He was always interested and active in town
affairs, often serving as school trustee, path master and
assessor, also for two terms filling the important office
of justice of the peace. He was a Whig in politics, but
after the stormy political times which swept that party
out of existence he joined with the party of Abraham
Lincoln and ever afterward voted with the Republican
organization.
Edwin Putnam married (first) Sept. 15. 1853, Harriet
Irons, daughter of Rev. Arah and Mary (Miles) Irons,
and granddaughter of William Irons, born Jan. 27,
1767. Rev. Arah Irons was born Aug. 13, 1803. His
wife, Mary (Miles) Irons, was born Jan. 24, 1S07, died
Jan. 14, 1880. Mrs. Harriet (Irons) Putnam died Sept.
5, 1859, and in 1861 he married (second) Mrs. Electa
A. (Montague) Waite, and purchased the "Waite
Farm" near Waite's Corners in the town of Charlotte.
There he resided until his death, over a quarter of a
century later, in 1889. By his first marriage Edwin
Putnam had two children, both of whom survive him :
William Arah, of further mention; and a daughter,
Mary Elvira, born Feb. 20, 1857, married Oct. 28, 1880,
William H. Roberts. By his second marriage there
were two boys : George E., and Edwin D., both of
whom died in childhood.
William Arah Putnam, only son of Edwin Putnam
and his first wife, Harriet (Irons) Putnam, was born
at the farm near Cassadaga, town of Stockton, Chau-
tauqua county, N. Y., July 11, 1854. After courses of
public school study and a course at Fredonia Normal
School he entered the medical department of the Uni-
versity of Buffalo, whence he was graduated M. D.,
class of 1884. After graduation he practiced his pro-
fession at Smiths Mills and Westfield for several years,
continuing until 1897, part of that time practicing in
association with Dr. Edgar Rood, a graduate of the
University of Buffalo, class of 1890. In 1897 Dr. Put-
nam moved to Smiths Mills, going thence to Forest-
ville, in the town of Hanover, where he is yet in suc-
cessful general practice. He has been health officer of
the town of Hanover for fourteen years, and is highly
regarded as a skilled physician and a public-spirited
citizen. He is the owner of a good farm which is
largely devoted to dairy farming and fine cattle. He
is a member of Hanover Lodge, No. 152, Free and
Accepted Masons, and is a Republican in politics.
Dr. William A. Putnam married, Oct. 24, 1878, Mary
A. Ames, born Jan. 6, 1857, daughter of David Hardy
Ames, born in Hancock, N. H„ May 24, 1817, died Nov.
30, 1891, and his wife, Clarissa Ann (Edson) Ames,
born Feb. 8, 1816, died Nov. 11, 1888. Mr. and Mrs.
Ames were married in Batavia, N. Y. Mary A. (Ames)
Putnam is a granddaughter of David Ames, born Dec.
22, 1786, died in 1848, married, July 2^. 1812, Sally
Hardy, born Dec. 8, 1791, died Nov. 2;, [879. Dr.
and Mrs. Putnam are the parents of two children:
Edwin David Putnam, M. D., and Harriet Adeline
Putnam.
Edwin David Putnam was born at Cassadaga, Stock-
ton, Chautauqua county. N. Y., Jan. 17, 1SS0. He was
educated at Westfield Academy, whence he was gradu-
ated, class of 1898. That was the year war was declared
against Spain by the United States, and the young man
on July 7, following graduation in June, enlisted at
Buffalo in Company K, 202nd Regiment, New York
Volunteer Infantry. He was with that command suc-
cessively at Camp Black on Long Island, Camp Meade
in Pennsylvania, and Athens, Ga., going thence to
Savanah enroute to Cuba. The 202nd was one of the
first regiments from the United States to arrive in
Havana after its evacuation by the Spaniards, and were
later stationed at Guanajay, in Pinao del Rio province,
Cuba, and in the spring of 1899 returned to the United
States via Savannah, where they were mustered out and
honorably discharged, April 15, 1899. In October, 1899,
the young veteran entered the medical department of
the University of Buffalo, whence he was graduated
M. D., class of 1903. After serving a term as interne
at Buffalo General Hospital and one year in Erie County
Hospital, he began the private practice of medicine at
West Seneca, continuing three years until 1908, when
he formed a partnership with his father and located in
Forestville. N. Y. He married, Dec. 14, 1912. Helen P.
Lunt, of Dunkirk, N. Y., daughter of Alfred H. and
Dora (Popple) Lunt. They are the parents of a son,
Alfred Lunt, and a daughter, Mary Jane. Dr. Edwin
D. Putnam is a member of the Masonic order, holding
the thirty-second degree of the Ancient Accepted
Scottish Rite, member of the Chautauqua County and
New York State Medical societies, member of the Silver
Creek Motor Boat Club, Omega Psi fraternity, member
of the school board and politically a Democrat.
Harriet Adeline Putnam, only daughter of Dr.
William A. Putnam, was born at Cassadaga, Stockton,
Chautauqua county. N. Y., March 4. 1882. She was
educated at Westfield Academy, and now resides at the
family home in Forestville.
MYRON A. WHITNEY— There are, perhaps, few
residents of Chautauqua county and more especially,
those living in the vicinity of Sherman, who will not
recognize this name as that of one by birth and ancestry
a Chautauquan. In addition to being a leading agri-
culturist. Mr. Whitney has always been actively identi-
fied with community affairs, invariably giving his
influence for the advancement of all that he deemed
calculated to further the truest interests of his friends
and neighbors.
Orange Whitney, grandfather of Myron A. Whitney,
came in 1829 to the farm on which his grandson is now
living, then almost a wilderness, but having a fine rich
soil. On the northwest corner of his land Mr. Whitney
3 2 4
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
reared a dwelling for his family and this was their
home for a number of years. Eventually it was
destroyed with the exception of the old fashioned fire-
place which remained standing until a few years ago.
Myron A. Whitney was born July I, 1847, on the farm
purchased and cleared by his grandfather, and was a
son of George Orange and Janett (Taft) Whitney. He
received his education in the Park Hill and Mount
Pleasant district schools. In course of time he succeeded
to the ownership of the ancestral farm which originally
comprised 150 acres. Additions made by Mr. Whitney
have increased this to 193, OIJ4 of these being in Chau-
tauqua township, while the others lie in Harmony town-
ship. Mr. Whitney engages in general farming and has
in addition a fine dairy. About half the acreage is
under cultivation. The improvements are modern.
Mr. Whitney has an average of five horses, thirty cattle,
thirty-six sheep and one hundred chickens. He has con-
structed most of the present improvements, and the
estate is in every way in very fine condition. In the
sphere of politics, Mr. Whitney is an independent voter
and at one time held the office of school trustee. He
belongs to the Grange and to the Chautauqua County
Farm Bureau. His religious membership is in the
Methodist Episcopal church of North Harmony.
Mr. Whitney married, Sept. 12, 1872, at Jamestown,
N. Y., Mary A., daughter of Benjamin and May A.
(Hayward) Wood. The Woods are farmers in Chau-
tauqua county and old settlers in Harmony township.
Mr. and Mrs. Whitney are the parents of two daughters :
1. Mabel, educated in the district schools and Sherman
High School ; married Leon Austin, a prosperous farmer
of Sherman, and has two children, Lenore and Audry.
2. Blanche Jeanette, educated in the same manner as
her sister; married Herbert Bliss, of Sherman, and has
two children, Hazel and Esther Jeanette.
Myron A. Whitney is a member of a family which
for nearly a century has been resident in Chautauqua
county and has aided materially in the development of
its agricultural interests. He himself has most ably
followed this example and in doing so has made a record
which adds a worthy chapter to the annals of his prede-
cessors.
NATHAN C. COBB, native of Chautauqua county,
N. Y., a respected and prosperous farmer of Kennedy,
that county, for very many years, and a veteran of
worthy Civil War record, has by his life brought to
himself an appreciable measure of esteem in the neigh-
borhood, and at various times has been elected to public
office in the administration of that part of the county.
He is now in his seventy-seventh year, having been
born on Nov. 22, 1843, in Poland, Chautauqua county.
His parents were Richmond and Maria (Fairbanks)
Cobb, the former a substantial farmer within the county
for the greater part of his life. Nathan C. was edu-
cated in the common schools of his native place, and
he was only eighteen years old when he joined the
Union forces of the Civil War. He enlisted Aug. 31,
1862, in the Ninth New York Cavalry, as a member of
Company C, and during all the severe fighting in which
that dashing regiment had a glorious part from that
time until the end of the war, Nathan C. Cobb partici-
pated, being mustered out with honor, June 3, 1865.
Thereafter, until the present, he has been an industrious
farmer, living his life independently and taking his
share in the public burdens of the county of his nativity.
Mr. Cobb has been popular in his own district, has
been interested, and at times has taken very active part
in local as well as national politics, in-so-far as they
bear upon local conditions. He has for many years
been staunch in his allegiance to the Republican party,
and has been a factor of some consequence in its affairs
in the Kennedy district. Of local offices, he has held
those of constable and collector very effectively for
several years. And for many years he has been interested
in the functioning of the local Grange, of which he is
a member.
Nathan C. Cobb was married, at Poland, Chautauqua
county, Jan. 9, 1869, to Anne E. White, who was born
on July 23, 1849, i n Garland, Pa., the daughter of
Joseph L. and Sophia White. Therefore, Mr. and Mrs.
Nathan C. Cobb have had the crowning satisfaction of
celebrating the fiftieth, the golden, anniversary of their
wedding, upon which occasion their many friends and
neighbors gave them some indication of the respect in
which they are held in that section of the county in
which they have lived through so many decades. To
them have been born two children : Claude \V., who
was born Dec. 19, 1878; Oren J., who was born May
7, 1880.
During the recent World War, Mr. Cobb followed its
progress with keen interest, and as was to be expected,
his own war record had some influence in inspiring
martial and patriotic ardor among the young men of the
district whose turn had come to bear the national
burdens in the fighting ranks. And in home production
of foodstuffs, which were so vitally necessary to thecause,
and in producing abnormal yields of which American
farmers did so commendably, Mr. Cobb, although of
late years not so vigorous as formerly, did all that he
was able, following events day by day with an interest
which, at times, made him long to be again in the thick
of the fighting. Still his service during the rigors of
three years of campaigning such as the patriots had to
endure during the Civil War was a sufficient national
service for one life, and has justly brought him honor
since.
LUKE HAIGHT FAY, election commissioner of
Mayville, Chautauqua county, N. Y., and a well known
and popular figure in the general life of the community,
is a native of Brocton, born Dec. 14, 1872. He is a son
of Albert Appleton and Catherine (Haight) Fay, and
a grandson of Captain Joseph B. Fay, one of the best
known men in this region during his life.
Albert Appleton Fay was born in Elyria, Ohio, Oct.
2, 1884, his parents' name being Whitney, who died when
he was a small boy. Soon after their death he came to
Sinclairville, N. Y., and shortly after was adopted by J.
B. Fay and came to Brocton, where he spent his life.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted in Com-
pany D, 9th New York Cavalry, and served throughout
the war, being discharged with the rank of sergeant; he
was twice wounded in action. For twenty-one years
Mr. Fay was one of the assessors of the town of Port-
land, holding that position at the time of his death,
which fully exemplified the confidence in which he was
BIOGRAPHICAL
325
held by his fellow-townsmen. At various times, since
the organization of Brocton as a village, he served as
one of the trustees and was elected to that office in the
spring of 1920. For several years he was president and
manager of the Chautauqua Grape Company, was a
member of the Farm Bureau, and a charter member of
Portland Grange, Patrons of Husbandry; James A.
Hall Post, Grand Army of the Republic; J. B. Fay
Camp, Sons of Veterans ; and Brocton Lodge, No. 284,
Knights of Pythias. Mr. Fay married, Dec. II, 1867,
Kate Haight. who with three children. Luke H., of
further mention, George A., of Corry, Pa., and Mrs.
Vernon Mathews, of Brocton, survive. Mr. Fay died
May 15. 1920, and the funeral services were conducted
by the Rev. S. M. Gorden, of the Methodist Episcopal
church. The burial, in Evergreen Cemetery, was in
charge of the Knights of Pythias, and eleven of his old
soldier comrades acted as honorary bearers.
Luke Haight Fay secured his education at the public
schools of Brocton and the Westfield High School. He
then entered a business college at Erie, Pa., where he
took a commercial course, and upon completing his
studies there secured a position in his father's coal
business. The young man remained there for about
three or four years and then travelled to the West,
settling for a time at the city of Des Moines, Iowa,
where he was employed by the Edison Electric Light
Company for a year. His next move was to Chicago,
where he remained for a similar period in the wholesale
department of Marshall Field & Company's great estab-
lishment. Returning to the East he once more became
affiliated with his father in the latter's coal business
and continued this association for some five years. Mr.
Fay in the meantime had become keenly interested in
grape culture, and severing his connection with his
father he purchased a fine vineyard of which he took
up the cultivation. He remained thus engaged until
191 7, when he was elected to his present position as tax
commissioner of the township. At the present time
Mr. Fay devotes his entire attention to the discharge
of his responsible duties as a public officer, and has won
the respect of his fellow-citizens of all political creeds
and parties for the disinterested and impartial manner
in which he has conducted his department. Mr. Fay is
a member of Lake Shore Lodge, No. 851, of Brocton,
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Chapter No. 191,
Royal Arch Masons ; Dunkirk Council, No. 25, Royal
and Select Masters ; Dunkirk Commandery, No. 40,
Knights Templar; and Ismailia Temple, Ancient Arabic
Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also affiliated
with Brocton Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of which he is
past chancellor commander, and the Portland Grange,
Patrons of Husbandry. In politics he is a Republican,
and besides his present office has also held other public
posts, being connected with the State Census office.
He was also secretary of the Chautauqua Grape Com-
pany for four years, an organization which cares for the
marketing and selling of the product of the vineyards
in this locality.
Luke Haight Fay was united in marriage, April 30,
1903, with Mary F. Maginns, of Portland, N. Y., a
daughter of Frank A. and Alma Maginns, old and
highly respected residents of that place. Two children
have been born of this union, as follows : Donald Whit-
ney, aged eleven; and Dorothy Edith, aged five.
ORRIE ARTHUR OTTAW AY— Among its mem-
bers of the younger generation the Chautauqua county
bar has no representative who, in comparatively few
years, has become more widely or favorably known
than the citizen of Brocton whose name heads this
article. Mr. Ottaway holds the office of justice of the
peace for the town of Portland, and is prominently
identified with the interests of the Masonic fraternity.
James Ottaway, great-grandfather of Orrie Arthur
Ottaway, was the operator of a mill at Headcorn,
England, and married Arabella . For genera-
tions the Ottaway family has been resident in the County
of Kent. In 1823 James Ottaway emigrated to the
United States accompanied by his brother Horatio.
After six weeks' voyage they landed in New York and
proceeded by sloop to Newburgh, going thence by steam
and wagon to Buffalo. Leaving his family there, James
Ottaway went in quest of land on which to erect a
house for them and eventually took up a wild tract in
Mina township, Chautauqua county. Nettles were
growing on the land and this fact may have inclined
him to its selection inasmuch as in England there was a
tradition that the presence of nettles was an indication
of fertile soil. He purchased a portion of lot 13 and
built thereon a log cabin. His was the first deed of
land in the eastern part of the town of Mina, and he
was the first of the many Englishmen who settled in
that region.
John E. Ottaway, son of James and Arabella Ottaway,
was born June 20, 1827, on the homestead, in the town
of Mina. and received his education in the common
schools. In the course of time he purchased the farm
from his father and devoted himself to its cultivation.
Inheriting the literary tastes of his father, he availed
himself of all the means of supplying the deficiencies
of his education which came within his reach, thus
becoming an extremely well-informed man. The numer-
ous offices of trust which he held in his native town
and county included that of supervisor. From the
inception of the Republican party he was actively identi-
fied with it, frequently representing his town at conven-
tions. The confidence inspired by his character and
abilities caused him to be often chosen as the executor
of estates and the guardian of funds. For many years
he was a director of the State Bank of Sherman. Mr.
Ottaway married, Oct. 17, 1849, Sarah, daughter of
Benjamin and Sarah (Hosmer) Boorman, both of whom
were English and among the first settlers in the town of
Sherman, having lived there since 1825. Mr. and Mrs.
Ottaway were the parents of the following children:
Osmer J., mentioned below; Arthur B., of Westfield;
G. Frederick, of Mina; Susan A., wife of — Jones,
of Mina; and Cora E., of Westfield. On Oct. 17, 1899,
Mr. and Mrs. Ottaway, surrounded by their children
grandchildren and close friends, celebrated the golden
anniversary of their marriage.
Osmer J. Ottaway, son of John E. and Sarah (Boor-
man) Ottaway, married Ellen Hewitt, and they were
the parents of Orrie Arthur, mentioned below.
Orrie Arthur Ottaway, son of Osmer J. and Ellen
(Hewitt) Ottaway, was born Feb. 23, 1884, on the home-
stead, in Mina township, and received his primary edu-
cation in the local district school. When he was seven
years old the family moved to the village of Sherman
and he attended school there, afterward entering
326
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
Allegheny College, Meadville, Pa. His legal education
was received in the law department of Syracuse Univer-
sity, where he graduated in 1909 with the degree of
Bachelor of Laws. The following year Mr. Ottaway
entered upon the practice of his profession in the office
of Ottaway & Munson at Westfield, very shortly moving
to Brocton, where he was associated with F. C. Lewis.
Subsequently the partnership was dissolved, since which
event Mr. Ottaway has practiced alone. Steadily and
surely he has built up an enviable reputation, winning
the implicit confidence of his professional brethren and
the general public. Like his father, Mr. Ottaway has
always supported the principles of the Republicans, and
has never been known to fail in public spirit. He is
now justice of the peace for the town of Portland. He
was master of Lake Shore Lodge, No. 851, Free and
Accepted Masons, also affiliating with the chapter, of
Dunkirk, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of
Brocton, and the Knights of Pythias, also of Brocton,
in which he holds the office of past chancellor, He is
a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Brocton.
Mr. Ottaway married, Nov. 8, 191 1, Mabel, daughter
of Tom and Lenora Culver, of Westfield, and they are
the parents of one child, Elizabeth Mae Ottaway, who is
now attending the kindergarten.
The qualities of foresight, sound judgment and
aggressive energy by which Mr. Ottaway's ancestors
were distinguished "on both sides of the sea" have thus
far contributed to his success in his chosen profession
and now open before him a most promising future.
WILLIAM WESLEY COLE, M. D.— For twenty-
six years a practicing physician of the town of Hanover,
located in the village of Silver Creek, Dr. Cole was one
of the best known men of the town. He came to Chau-
tauqua county from Baldwinsville, in Onondaga county,
was a native son of the Empire State, and spent his
years (sixty) within her borders. He was a physician
of learning and skill, highly esteemed by his brethren of
the profession, and devoted to his work as a healer of
human ills. He was of a family inheriting medical
tastes, and one of four brothers, all doctors : Dr. George
Cole, of Conneaut, Ohio; Dr. E. E. Cole, of Manlius,
N. Y. ; Dr. P. A. Cole, of Cleveland, Ohio ; and William
Wesley Cole, whose memory this review perpetuates.
William Wesley Cole was born at Sand Lake,
Rensselaer county, N. Y., Feb. 17, 1859, and died at the
German Deaconess Hospital, April 8, 1919. Though
poor in health, he continued to look after his practice
until a few days before his death, when blood poisoning
developed from a slight injury to his hand. He went to
the hospital for treatment, but his condition was such
that he considered his case almost hopeless from the
first, and arranged his business affairs accordingly. He
grew to manhood in Rensselaer county, there completed
his public school study, and began reading medicine.
He completed professional study at Cleveland Medical
School, whence he was graduated M. D., class of 1891,
and the same year began practice in Baldwinsville, N. Y.
Two years later, in 1893, he came to Chautauqua county
and located at Silver Creek, where his remaining
twenty-six years of life were spent in successful medical
practice. He had a large practice in his village and
town, and was universally esteemed. While he gave to
his profession the strength of body, physical and mental,
he was fond of farm life, and became an enthusiast
on grape culture and the owner of a farm of 87 acres.
Friendly and social by nature, Dr. Cole was interested
in all village activities, and in all that went to make
village life enjoyable and profitable. He was a member
of Silver Lodge, No. 757, Free and Accepted Masons;
a charter member of Silver Creek Lodge, Odd Fellows;
and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Dr. Cole married (first) Emma Cranse, who died in
Baldwinsville, N. Y., leaving a son, Harold Wesley
Cole, who died aged twenty-one. Dr. Cole married
(second) at Silver Creek, N. Y., J. Belle Morrison,
daughter of Frank Morrison, of Scotch descent, and a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Cole
died at Silver Creek, Aug. 2, 1896, and is buried in
Glenwood Cemetery, Silver Creek. They were the
parents of a daughter. Daphne Bell, who was an infant
when her mother died. She had the loving care of a
devoted father, and attended the public schools until
completing fifth grade work, when she became a student
at Holy Angels Academy, Buffalo, where she completed
her education. She is a member of the Roman Catholic
church, and was her father's devoted associate until the
Iatter's death. Miss Cole married, Sept. 16, 1917, J.
Harry Wilde, of Jamestown, N. Y., who was a member
of Company E, which left Jamestown under command of
Captain, now Major, Charles A. Sandburg, and went
overseas with the 27th division, American Expeditionary
Forces, to take part in the war between the United
States and Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Wilde are the
parents of a son, Cole Wesley Wilde, born Nov. 18,
1919. Dr. Cole married (third) Ina Mereness Van
Schoonoven in July, 1898. She now resides in Syracuse
with a niece, Mrs. Dr. George Retan. The funeral of
Dr. Cole was from his home, on Main street, and in
charge of the Masonic fraternity, brief remarks being
made by Rev. H. H. Bair, of the Methodist church.
He was buried in Baldwinsville.
LAMONT ALLEN JEFFERDS, a prominent
figure in the industrial life of Brocton, Chautauqua
county, N. Y., where he has been engaged in the manu-
facture of furniture for a number of years, is a native
of Randolph, Cattaraugus county, N. Y., where his birth
occurred Nov. 7, 1878, a son of Owel and Emma (Hard-
ing) Jefferds, his parents now making their home in 1
New York City, where the elder Mr. Jefferds is the
assistant cashier of the Seaboard National Bank.
Lamont Allen Jefferds passed his childhood at his
native place and there attended the local public schools
for a time. When his parents removed to New York
City he accompanied them and attended the public schools
of the Metropolis until he was sent to the Chamberlain
Institute at Randolph, N. Y. After completing his gen-
eral education at the latter institution, he entered the
New York Commercial School of New York City, where
he was prepared for a career in business. He then
entered the employ of the New York Telephone Com-
pany, where he worked in a clerical capacity for five
years, and was then given a position in the Seaboard
National Bank, in which his father was an officer. There
he remained for another five years, and then became
associated with the Farish-Stafford Company, where he
^7^6?
J— 2^7
BIOGRAPHICAL
3 2 7
was employed for six years longer. At the end of that
period, having gained a wide knowledge of business
methods generally and of banking in particular, he left
New York City and returned to his native place, where
he took a position in the Randolph Bank. His next asso-
ciation was with the department store of T. E. Adams
Company at Randolph, where he was connected with the
retail department for two years, after which he entered
the services of the Randolph Furniture Works as assist-
ant to the secretary-treasurer. After three years spent
there in learning the business of manufacturing furni-
ture, Mr. Jefferds was offered the position of assistant
manager of the factory of the Brocton Furniture Com-
pany of Brocton, N. Y., and came to this place on Feb.
1, 1916, to take up his new task. Since that time he has
continued in that capacity and has done much to advance
the interests of the important concern with which he is
associated. He has made himself of the greatest value
to his employers, and everything points to a brilliant
future for him in the line of business that he has chosen.
Mr. Jefferds has always taken a public-spirited interest in
the general life of the communities where he has dwelt,
and is a conspicuous figure in the social circle of Broc-
ton. He is a Republican in politics, and a Methodist in
religious belief, attending the Methodist Episcopal church
of Brocton.
Lamont Allen Jefferds was united in marriage, Sept.
16, 1907, at Randolph, N. Y., with Tillie M. Shean, of
that town, a daughter of Michael W. and Bridget (Mc-
Mahon) Shean. Two children have been born of this
union, as follows : Milton Lamont and Donald Francis.
FRED E. MORSE— The dual interests of real
estate and insurance are perhaps more closely connected
than any others with the progress and prosperity of most
communities. Certain it is that they play an important
part in the life of Chautauqua county and equally cer-
tain is it that they have no more successful nor aggres-
sive representative than the citizen of Fredonia whose
name stands at the head of this article. Mr. Morse is
helpfully identified with other essential interests of his
home town, and is a figure of prominence in Masonic
circles.
Fred E. Morse was born Feb. 29, 1856, in the town of
Stockton, Chautauqua county, N. Y., a son of Hiram P.
and Mary A. (West) Morse. Mr. Morse was by trade a
blacksmith. Fred E. Morse attended local schools and
assisted his father in the latter's work until the age of
eighteen. He then went into business for himself as a
carriage painter and blacksmith, but was forced by fail-
ing health to abandon the undertaking. He then moved
on a farm in Stockton, remaining until May 20, 1892,
when he came to Fredonia and opened a saddlery and
hardware store, later taking over a grist mill. The next
occupation to which Mr. Morse turned his attention was
the one in which he was destined to score his greatest
success — insurance. His first association with it was in
connection with the Prudential Life Insurance Company,
with which he remained for ten years. At the end of that
time he engaged for himself in the same line of busi-
ness, meeting, as the years went on, with an ever-increas-
ing measure of success. His business now consists of
two departments : Real estate, in which he has a partner ;
and insurance, including all kinds, which he conducts by
himself. He represents the following companies: Bos-
ton, Scottish, Union, Franklin, Republic, Standard, and
Equitable Life. The vote and influence of Mr. Morse-
are always given to the principles advocated by the Re-
publican party, but he takes no active share in the work
of the organization. He affiliates with the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows of Fredonia.
Mr. Morse married, Jan. 6, 1880, Arlda May, daugh-
ter of Edward and Melinda (Berry) Sprague, of Laona,
N. Y., and they are the parents of the following children :
1. Harry P., married Clella Bartlett, and they have three
children, Gerald, Donald, and Thomas. 2. Myrtle, wife
of Leonard Carr ; they have two children, Dorothy and
Gerald. 3. Berdena, wife of Arthur Hunt. 4. Clara.
5. Marion.
The career of Fred E. Morse furnishes a lesson in the
advantage of seeking the occupation for which one is
best fitted. He persevered in the quest and on trying real
estate and insurance was soon convinced that he had
found his place. The public has long shared, most thor-
oughly, his own conviction.
WILLIAM BERNARD CONROY, president of
the Conroy-Buchanan Lumber Company, of Jamestown.
N. Y., is a man of pleasing personality and energy of
character ; quick to note the possibilities of a business
transaction and equally quick to detect any effort to de-
fraud or misrepresent.
Born in Irvington, Pa., July 7, 1870, the son of John
D. and Ellen M. (Merchant) Conroy. The latter is still
living, but the father died some time ago. It was from
his father that Mr. Conroy inherited his business ability,
for the elder Conroy was engaged in mercantile pursuits
for many years. The boy's education was gained first
at the district school and afterward at the Youngsville
High School. After that he secured employment with
the Western, Xew York & Pennsylvania Railway Com-
pany as station agent and telegraph operator, remaining
thus occupied for seven years ; in 1900 he decided to
make a change and entered the employ of the Indiana
Lumber Company, continuing with them for two years.
In 1902 Mr. Conroy saw an opportunity for advance-
ment with the Mead Speer Lumber Company of Pitts-
burgh, Pa., and remained there for four years. By that
time he felt himself capable of conducting a business of
his own, and going to Jamestown he became a member
of the above mentioned company.
Mr. Conroy is greatly interested in all affairs pertain-
ing to Jamestown. He is a Free Mason, having passed
through the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Commandery and Scot-
tish Rite ; he is a member of the First Congregational
Church, as are also his wife and children. In politics
he is an independent voter, choosing the man he considers
best for the office. He is nothing of a politician, for busi-
ness occupies too much of his time to leave room for
such a diversion.
William Bernard Conroy married, Feb. 6, 1903, Annie
L. Thompson, of Plumer, Pa. Of this union three chil-
dren were born: Allen Thompson, Mary Louise, Har-
old William, deceased.
Mr. Conroy started his career with no other capital
than experience and a determination to succeed, and now
he is head of a thriving business which is growing more
successful each year.
328
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
EDWARD LOWRY BUCHANAN, the treasurer
of the Conroy-Buchanan Lumber Company, is like his
partner a self-made man, bringing to the company only
honesty of purpose and a willingness to work for the
building up of the business. That they have succeeded
in this is conceded by all who know the partners and
their standing in the community.
The parents of Edward L. Buchanan were David A.
and Mary Jane (Fetterman) Buchanan, residents of
Titusville, Pa., where their son was born July 6, 1871.
David A. Buchanan died several years ago, but his wife
still survives him. He was a farmer and also conducted
a butchering business. The son, Edward L., was edu-
cated in the district schools of Venango county, Pa.,
afterwards entering the Clarion State Normal School,
from which he graduated in 1895. He taught school for
four years after graduating, and previous to that had also
taught school. Desiring to advance in life, Mr. Buchanan
secured a position with the Oil Well Supply Company of
Oil City, Pa. After three and a half years with this
company he resigned to accept an opening with the Model
Milling Company of the same city, where he remained
for a year and a half, going then into the office of the
Citizens Traction Company. When his stay there came
to an end, he and Mr. Conroy decided to enter into busi-
ness together, forming the firm known as the Conroy-
Buchanan Lumber Company in 1907.
Mr. Buchanan is an upholder of the tenets of the Pro-
hibition party and votes that ticket at election time. He
is a congregationalist in religion, his wife and children
attending the First Congregational Church of James-
town ; he is also a member of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, being connected with the local lodge.
On Jan. 2, 1899, Edward Lowry Buchanan married
Elnora A. Thompson of Plumer, Pa. Of this rrtarriage
two children were born: Mary Isabel, 1902; Arthur
Thompson, 1917. Mr. Buchanan and Mr. Conroy are
not alone business associates, but are connected by mar-
riage, having married sisters.
CONROY-BUCHANAN LUMBER COMPANY,
William Bernard Conroy, president; Edward Lowry
Buchanan, treasurer ; Margaret Thompson, secretary.
In 1907 two young men arrived in Jamestown with the
intention of starting in business, one coming from Pitts-
burgh, Pa., where he had been connected with the Mead
Speer Lumber Company, and the other coming from the
Oil Well Supply Company of Oil City, Pa. These men,
Willard Bernard Conroy and Edward Lowry Buchanan,
had both been trained by several years employment in
wood products business, so they felt fully capable of
conducting a hardwood and veneer concern. They
entered into partnership in the spring of 1907, continu-
ing it until the following autumn, when they made an
incorporated company of it, with the officers above men-
tioned as members, under the corporate name of the
Conroy-Buchanan Lumber Company. From the very
beginning they were most successful, buying their goods
in carload consignments and selling them all over New
York State and through the Ohio Valley. Both men act
as buyers and personally attend to the sales in their
individual territories, and as they only handle fine, reli-
able goods, and "x>th young men, have the confidence
and friendship of their customers, they have no trouble
in disposing of their wares. They are highly respected
in Jamestown, and in the twelve years the company has
been in existence have made a name and place for them-
selves among the business men of that city.
ROSS J. GOLDSMITH, one of the successful con-
tractors of Brocton, N. Y., where he was engaged in
business for a number of years, is a native of that town,
his birth having occurred there on Jan. 7, 1884. He
is a son of James and Ida (Berg) Goldsmith, the former
a laborer in these parts for many years.
The early life of Ross J. Goldsmith was passed in
poor surroundings without many of the educational
advantages which are so valuable in aiding young men
in their start in a business career. He attended, how-
ever, the local public schools, remaining at these insti-
tutions until he had completed the grammar grades and
studied for a time in the Brocton High School, and then
found it necessary to engage in some remunerative
occupation. Accordingly he secured a position in a
local basket factory when little more than a child, and
in 1906 began to serve as an apprentice in a plumbing
establishment. He spent five years in all in the employ
of that concern, first as an apprentice and then as a
journeyman plumber, and in 191 1 was appointed a
master plumber. During the time he was so employed
Mr. Goldsmith saved with rigid economy a large pro-
portion of his slender earnings in order some day to be
in a position to become independent and engage in
business on his own account. This ambition he was able
to realize in 191 1, when he severed his connection with
his old employers and established himself as a con-
tractor in his native town of Brocton. Since that time
he has continued in his chosen line, has built up a great
success throughout this region, and handles much im-
portant work here. Among the large jobs that he has com-
pleted in the past should be mentioned the residence of
Conrad W. Green, who is himself the subject of extended
mention elsewhere in this work; the handsome summer
home of Mr. Windburn. the Bailey building, the build-
ing of the Paul DeLaney Company, the plant of the
Brocton Food Juice Company, all at Brocton, and the
Memorial Hospital building at Lillydale. He has a large
and fully equipped establishment at Brocton, and is
justly regarded as one of the substantial citizens of the
community, his success being due entirely to his own
efforts. Mr. Goldsmith has always taken a lively interest
in the general affairs of Brocton and the surrounding
region, and is a well known figure in the general life of
the place. He is a Republican in politics, but although
he keeps himself always abreast of all the issues of the
day, both local and national, has never as yet taken that
part in public affairs for which his practical talents so
admirably fit him. He is not a member of any church,
but members of his family attend the local Baptist house
of worship. Mr. Goldsmith is a member of the Ancient
Free and Accepted Masons and the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows.
Ross J. Goldsmith was united in marriage, March 7,
1917. with Jessie Gustafson, of Dunkirk, N. Y., a
daughter of Alfred and Emma Gustafson, old and
highly respected residents of that place.
i^^XSLArS&Sl/S^
iu.CZ
y/Tuj-u^
BIOGRAPHICAL
329
ELMER WALTER POWERS, M. D— No name
stands higher in medical circles at Westfield, Chau-
tauqua county, N. Y., than that of Dr. Elmer Wal-
ter Powers, who has been engaged in practice here
for a number of years and established an enviable repu-
tation both for his ability as a physician and for the
high standard of professional ethics which he has con-
sistently maintained. Dr. Powers was born Dec. 9, 1870,
at Panama. N. V., a son of Joel and Harriette M.
(Lewis) Powers, the former still surviving. The elder
Mr. Powers has largely retired from active business,
but holds the distinction of being the oldest justice of
the peace at North Harmony. The Powers family is a
very old and distinguished one in Chautauqua county,
and Mr. Powers' grandfather, the Rev. Simon Powers,
was rector of the First Baptist Church at Panama
early in the nineteenth century.
Dr. Powers attended as a lad the public schools of
Panama, and later was a student at the Westfield High
School, where he was prepared for college. In the
meantime he had determined to follow the profession
of medicine as a career in life, and with this end in view
entered the medical department of the University of
Vermont at Burlington, Vt. After having take the pre-
scribed course in medicine he was graduated with the
class of 1899, winning his degree of medical doctor.
He then entered the Mary Fletcher Hospital at Burling-
ton, as an interne, and served in that capacity for one
year, thus gaining the practical experience necessary to
supplement his theoretical knowledge. Upon complet-
ing this term of apprenticeship, Dr. Powers removed to
the West and settled at Conneaut, Ohio, where he
remained two years, engaged in the practice of his pro-
fession. At the end of that time, however, he was induced
to abandon his profession for a time and became a
salesman for the Burns Vaporizer Company, of West-
field, N. Y., and travelled in various parts of the country
as their representative for two years. He then returned
to his former career and resumed his medical practice
at Ashville, N. Y., in the year 1904. He continued to
be thus engaged for a period of about fourteen years
and established a wide reputation throughout that
region. On Sept. 15, 1918, Dr. Powers removed to
Westfield, where he has since been actively engaged in
his profession, and although the time has been brief he
has already gained recognition as one of the most capable
physicians in the community. He still possesses his
license to practice medicine in Ohio. Dr. Powers has
taken a lively interest in local affairs for a number of
years, and is a well known figure in the general life of
the community. He is a member of many important
organizations including the Chautauqua County Medical
Society, of which he is president, and the New York
State Medical Society. He is also a member of the
University of Vermont Alumni ; of Summit Lodge,
No. 219, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Lakewood
Lodge 628, Independent Order of Odd Fellows ; the
Order of Maccabees, and the American Medical Associ-
ation. In religious belief he is a Methodist, attending
the church of that denomination at Westfield, and in
politics a Republican.
Dr. Elmer Walter Powers was united in marriage,
Sept. 10, 1905, with Gertrude Pardee, of Harmony, N.
Y„ a daughter of James and Sophia (Gypson) Pardee,
and they are the parents of two children, as follows:
Harriette Elizabeth, now a student at the Westfield
High School ; and Kenneth Pardee, who attends the
grammar schools here.
TIMOTHY JOSEPH DESMOND— As one of the
heads of the widely known Desmond Coal Company and
Desmond Fisheries the man whose name we have just
written stands forth so prominently, not only among his
neighbors of Dunkirk, but also among his fellow-citizens
of Chautauqua county, as to render any words of intro-
duction not only unnecessary but wholly superfluous.
To say that Mr. Desmond is known in his town and
county is distinctly an under statement, inasmuch as his
name, from its connection with a great fisheries concern,
is familiar in many states of the American Union.
Timothy Joseph Desmond was born in Buffalo, and
is a son of Timothy and Ellen (Harrigan) Desmond,
both natives of Ireland, but married in the United
States. The educational facilities of Timothy Joseph
Desmond were limited, and he was early obliged to
become a wage earner. His business ability being above
the average, and his industry and energy equal to it,
he found himself, when in the prime of life, one of the
proprietors of two great concerns, the Desmond Coal
Company and the Desmond Fisheries. The founding
and maintenance of either of these enterprises would
have been sufficient to place Mr. Desmond among the
foremost business men of Western New York.
The Desmond Coal Company handles all kinds of
coal and gives employment to ten men. It owns its
trucks and carries on a very extensive business. The
Desmond Fisheries own five steam tugs and miles of
nets, employing twenty-eight men on their own boats.
It works by contract twelve other steam tugs and gaso-
line motor boats on which they employ eighty-four
hands. They own their cold storage, packing and
fish houses, employing in these forty hands. Their
catch averages 1,200 tons annually and is shipped
into the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio,
Massachusetts, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Mich-
igan, Indiana. Illinois, Nebraska, New Jersey, West
Virginia and Maryland. During the busy season they
employ 162 men and their pay-roll exceeds $107,000
annually. Politically Mr. Desmond is a Democrat. He
is a director of the Chamber of Commerce, and his
fraternal affiliations are with the Benevolent and Pro-
tective Order of Elks, the Knights of Columbus, Dun-
kirk Club, C. and B. A. He is a member of St. Mary's
Roman Catholic Church.
Mr. Desmond married in Buffalo, N. Y., Mary,
daughter of Cornelius and Margaret (Darcy) Corcoran,
and they became the parents of three children : Margaret,
at home; John, married Lucile Frey, and they have two
children, William and Lamar; Timothy Joseph, Jr.,
married Irene Findley. All these children were edu-
cated in Dunkirk. Mrs. Desmond, who was a devoted
wife and mother, passed away April 15, 1919,
Cornelius William Desmond, son of Timothy and
Ellen (Harrigan) Desmond, and brother of Timothy
Joseph Desmond, was born in Buffalo, and is the
partner of his brother in the Desmond Coal Company
and the Desmond Fisheries. The political principles of
Mr. Desmond are those supported by the Democratic
330
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
party. He occupies a seat in the Chamber of Com-
merce, and affiliates with the Catholic Benevolent
Legion. He is a member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic
Church.
Mr. Desmond married Agnes, daughter of Thomas
and Mary Cleary, and they have five children living,
all of whom were educated in Dunkirk with the excep-
tion of the two eldest who received their educations
in Buffalo : Thomas, Elinor, Agnes, Elizabeth, and
Margaret. One child, Mary, is deceased.
The great business which these two brothers now
successfully conduct had a small beginning, but has been
gradually built up by their combined talent and aggress-
iveness to its present large proportions. Their record
is of value to their descendants and this, together with
the fact that it contains a salutary lesson for young men
starting in life, should insure its careful preservation.
MORRIS HENRY STIMSON— Technical lines
have always claimed Mr. Stimson, and his active life
has been spent in connection with manufacturing enter-
prises in the Middle West and in the East. Since 1913
he has been associated with Chautauqua county in the
capacity of general manager of the United States Radi-
ator Corporation.
Morris Henry Stimson was born in Cadillac, Mich.,
Aug. 5, 1879, son of Warren B. and Gertrude (Beards-
lee) Stimson. He received his elementary education in
the schools of Grand Rapids, Mich., and upon graduat-
ing from the local high school in 1900, he attended the
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. Here he took
a course in mechanical engineering, and was graduated
with the degrees of Mechanical Engineer and Bachelor
of Science in 1904. This was supplemented by an
apprenticeship at the Detroit plant of the American
Radiator Company until 1908, when he became factory
manager of the Detroit Steel Products Company, which
position he held until 1910. The next three years he
was engaged as manager of plants numbers three and
fifteen for the Buick Motor Car Company, at Flint,
Mich. In 1913 he accepted his present position of
general manager of the United States Radiator Cor-
poration. In no small measure has the growth of this
concern been due to Mr. Stimson's tireless industry and
energy. His training qualified him for carrying on a
large enterprise, and his close application to the busi-
ness of this firm has given him remarkable success.
His position demands the service of one whose ability is
of high order, and whose well-balanced forces are
manifest in sound judgment and in ready and rapid
understanding of any problem that may be presented
for solution. He is a member of the American Society
of Mechanical Engineers, and of the Psi Upsilon fra-
ternity, also Sigma Xi. Mr. Stimson is also a prominent
man in the Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Stimson married, April 24, 1908, at Grand Rapids,
Mich., Helen Methenay, and they are the parents of
two children : Bettey Bradford, now attending State
Normal School at Fredonia; and Patricia Warren.
CHARLES ANDREW STUDLEY— A veteran in
years and in business experience, and one of the com-
paratively few who "followed the flag" to the battle
fields of the South ; n 1862, Mr. Studley after many,
many years of life in other states returned to his native
New York, and in 1919 permanently located in the
village of Fredonia, Chautauqua county. His years of
residence in the West brought him a competence, and
in acquiring it he brought under cultivation a large tract
of prairie land which the plow of the white man had
never before turned. His military service was with
the troops of a Western State, and his recollections
of the three years' service with those men are the most
cherished of his life. Now nearing octogenarian honors,
Mr. Studley is enjoying the rewards of a lifetime of
energetic, well directed effort, and is as keenly interested
in the trend of public events as though his years were
of little weight. He is a descendant of an ancient
Puritan family of Massachusetts, his branch of the
Studley family settling in Western New York.
His father, Philemon Studley, was a farmer in Cattar-
augus county, N. Y., but later moved with his family to
Dunkirk in Chautauqua county, where he was engaged in
various occupations during the remaining active years
of his life. He lived for a time in Gowanda, and died in
Dayton, Cattaraugus county, N. Y. Philemon Studley
married Elmira Starks, who died in Dunkirk and is
buried in Forest Hill Cemetery, Fredonia. They were
the parents of five children : David, who like his brother
served in the Union army during the Civil War; Mary,
married Marion Guest; Charles Andrew, of further
mention; Maria, married Levant Darby; Marion, a
resident of Cassadaga, Chautauqua county.
Charles A. Studley was born at Springville, Erie
county, N. Y., March 13, 1842, but when young his
parents moved to Dunkirk, where he obtained a public
school education. He remained in Dunkirk until the
age of nineteen, then went to Boone county, 111., locat-
ing at Garden Prairie, where he engaged as a farm
employee for one year. In 1862 he enlisted at Belvidere,
111., in Company B, 95th Regiment, Illinois Volunteer
Infantry, his company commander. Captain Loop, his
regimental chief, Colonel Humphrey. He was in the
service three years and took part in several severe
battles and many skirmishes and minor engagements,
was promoted to the rank of corporal, and at the close
of the war was mustered out with an honorable dis-
charge at Springfield, 111.
After the war, Mr. Studley spent seventeen years in
the Pennsylvania oil fields, locating at Oil City. He was
not one of the successful oil operators and finally closed
out his business and went West, locating in North
Dakota, where he bought and "homesteaded" 850 acres
of prairie land in Benson county. This tract he made
valuable by cultivation and extensive improvements,
residing thereon for thirty-five years, and becoming one
of the prosperous wheat growers of that section. In
1906 he began coming East to spend his winters,
choosing Fredonia as his residence. This practice he
continued until 1919, when he sold his farms and other
property in North Dakota and made Fredonia his
permanent residence. He is a member of Holt Post,
Grand Army of the Republic, of Fredonia; the Metho-
dist Episcopal church, the Masonic order, and in politics
a Republican.
Mr. Studley married (first) Loretta Baxter, who died
in North Dakota, leaving three children : Ida, married
Clarke Higgins; Nellie, married David Robertson, and
4L .(L&bL/ty
BIOGRAPHICAL
33*
resides in North Dakota ; Jennie, married Barney
Speiglor, and resides in North Dakota. Mr. Studley
married (second) Kathrine (Zink) Turrell, born in
Erie county. X. Y., daughter of Leon and Josephine
(Yon Hatton) Zink, and widow of Eli Turrell. Mrs.
Studley is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
REV. WILLIAM L. HYDE was born in Bath,
Me., Dec. _v- '819, a son of Captain Henry and Maria
(Hyde) Hyde. He received his education in Bowdoin
College, Brunswick, Me., from which he was graduated
with the class of 1842. In 1S49 he completed his course
in theology and was ordained a minister in the Congre-
gational church, and for seven years acted as pastor of
that denomination at Gardner, Me.
In 1856 Mr. Hyde removed to Dunkirk, N. Y., where
he was pastor of the Presbyterian church until 1862,
when he was commissioned chaplain of the 112th Regi-
ment (the Chautauqua County Regiment), New York
State Yolunteers, and remained in that station until the
close of the Civil War. One year later Mr. Hyde
removed from Dunkirk to Ripley, where he remained
until 1871 as pastor of the Presbyterian church, and the
following three years was pastor of the church of that
denomination in Sherman, N. Y. In 1874 he removed to
Ovid, Seneca county, N. Y., where for the ensuing ten
years he held the position of principal of the high school.
In 1884 he came to Jamestown, Chautauqua county, N.
Y., where he remained until his demise in 1896, at first
teaching a private school and later doing editorial work
on the Jamestown "Journal," and serving as supply
clergyman in various pulpits in the city and vicinity
While living at Ripley he wrote and published the
"History of the One Hundred and Twelfth Regiment,"
recognized as one of the most accurate and valuable of
all the histories of New York State regiments.
Throughout his residence in Jamestown, Mr. Hyde was
chaplain of James M. Brown Post, Grand Army of the
Republic, and in 1896 was elected chaplain of the Grand
Encampment, Department of New York, Grand Army
of the Republic, and was honorary chaplain of the
Thirteenth Separate Company, National Guard, State
of New York, Jamestown, up to the time of his death.
He was a companion of the Military Order of the Loyal
Legion. He was an active member of the Chautauqua
County Society of History and Natural Science. In
the Chautauqua Institution he took a great interest and
presented to the institution a library of theological
works.
On May 4, 1S52, Mr. Hyde was united in marriage
with Frances Elizabeth Rice, who was born in
Wiscasset, Me., a daughter of Thomas Rice. To Rev.
and Mrs. Hyde were born the following children: 1.
Henry Warren, who resides in Denver, Colo. 2. Wallace
E., who died in infancy. 3. Frederick William, whose
biographical record follows this. They also had an
adopted daughter, Elizabeth Clover, who married San-
ford C. Meddick, and resides at Ovid, N. Y. Mrs.
Hyde's demise occurred at her home in Jamestown,
N. Y., May 17, 1892.
Hyde received his early education in the district schools
of this county, and later attended the high school at
Ovid, N. Y. After a one-year course of study at the
Fredonia Normal School, he entered the store of Levant
L. Mason, in Jamestown, and served a four years
apprenticeship at the watchmaker and jeweler's trade,
at which he worked in Cleveland, Ohio, for a time.
In 1879 he returned from Cleveland and entered the
business offices of the Jamestown "Journal," and soon
after became a reporter on that newspaper. Later he
became successively, news editor and managing editor,
which later position he continued to hold until 1905.
He is a director of the Journal Printing Company. He
served nearly twelve years in the Jamestown Fire
Department as a member of Ellicott Hook and Ladder
Company ; for seven years served in Company E, 65th
Infantry, National Guard, of which he was captain; and
during the Spanish-American War he was captain of
the United States Volunteers and was honorably dis-
charged from the army in 1898. During the W r orld
War he was a major in the 74th Infantry, New York
Guard. He was an officer of the National Chautauqua
County Bank from 1905 to 1918; later, treasurer of the
Dahlstrom Metallic Door Company, and since Jan. 1,
1919, has held the position of secretary of the National
Bank Section of the American Bankers Association
with offices in New York and Washington.
For twenty years Major Hyde served as a clerk of
the Board of Supervisors of Chautauqua county.
During the legislative term in 1903 and 1904, he was
index clerk of the State Assembly. In politics he has
always been and is a Republican. He is a member of the
various Masonic bodies, is a member of the Army and
Navy Club in New York City, City Club of Washington,
D. C, Rotary Club, and Chadakoin Club of Jamestown.
On Aug. 21, 1894, Major Hyde was united in marriage
with Carrie Joie Jones, a daughter of Sidney Jones,
whose biography follows. To this union were born
on Dec. 25, 1896, twin daughters, of whom Carolyn
Elizabeth, wife of Gale L. Cheney, of Youngstown,
Ohio, survives.
MAJOR FREDERICK WILLIAM HYDE was
born in Dunkirk, N. Y., Feb. 21, 1858, a son of Rev.
William L. Hyde, whose biography precedes this. Major
SIDNEY JONES— In the proud list of her citizens
known and honored throughout the business world for
stability, integrity, and fair dealing, Jamestown and
Chautauqua county have no cause to be other than satis-
fied with the record of that prominent merchant, Sidney
Jones. The methods by which he had attained the high
position which he held in the estimation of his fellow-
men well attested his qualities of mind and heart; he
was courageous, cheerful, clear of judgment, alert to
opportunity, and untiring in labor.
Sidney Jones was born in Jamestown, N. Y., July 27,
1823, the youngest child and seventh son of Solomon
and Clarissa (Hayward) Jones. His father, Solomon
Jones, was one of the early settlers of Chautauqua
county, coming from Wardsboro, Vt., and making his
home in Kiantone in November, 1810, later removing to
a place on the Chautauqua outlet, about two miles north
of Jamestown, to which the name of Jones' Landing
was given, now Clifton. His later years were spent in
Jamestown, his house on East Fourth street standing
on the site of the residence now owned and occupied by
Sheldon B. Broadhead (1904). To Solomon Jones and
332
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
his wife were born fourteen children, of whom thirteen
reached maturity. His death occurred at his home in
Jamestown, Aug. 2, 1862.
Sidney Jones received his early education in the dis-
trict schools of his native town, and in the Jamestown
Academy. After completing his studies, Mr. Jones
took up the mercantile business. At one time Mr.
Jones owned a grist mill at Dexterville (now East
Jamestown), but later abandoned this business, and again
took up mercantile pursuits. At different times, Mr.
Jones had as partners in his business, E. C. Bailey,
James P. Clarke, and Charles H. Howard. Mr. Jones
retired in 1894, and on Jan. 7, 1908, his death occurred
at his home in Jamestown, and he is buried in Lakeview
Cemetery.
Politically Mr. Jones was a stanch Republican, and
though he never sought for office, when it was offered
him as an expression of faith and trust placed in him
by his fellow-citizens, he accepted and gave to his city
and county the best of his ability. Mr. Jones was
elected county clerk in 1861, and in that capacity served
a term of three years. He also served on the Board of
Education of the Jamestown public schools for many
years. In religious affiliation Mr. Jones was a member
of the First Presbyterian Church.
On Oct. 20, 1862, at Leicester, N. Y., Mr. Jones was
united in marriage with Anna S. Dickey, whose death
occurred June I, 1900. To this union were born two
daughters: Emma C, born Dec. 23, 1863, married
William Archie Kent, of Prescott, Ariz. ; and Carrie
Joie. born July 9, 1865, who married Frederick William
Hyde, whose biography precedes this.
No element of the city's growth and improvement
sought Mr. Jones' aid in vain. He stood for advance-
ment in public as well as in private affairs, and the
same qualities which made him a prominent figure in
business circles made him a citizen whose loyalty and
support were always to be counted upon. His en-
tire life, with the exception of three years spent in
Mayville, was spent in Jamestown, and those who
knew him. and his friends were numerous, entertained
for him the warmest regard. His life was in large
measure an exemplification of his beliefs in the brother-
hood of mankind. He had never allowed questionable
methods to form part of his business career, while over
his official life there fell no shadow of wrong or sus-
picion of evil. Kindliness and appreciation for the
good traits of others have constituted the salient
features in his career, and his life illustrates the fact
of the Emersonian philosophy that — "to make a friend
you must be a friend."
FRANK ANTHONY OGNIBENE, M. D.— In
1897, Dr. Ognibene first came to Fredonia, N. Y., he
then a boy of six years, accompanying his parents, Ross
and Rosalia (Randazza) Ognibene, who in that year
moved from Buffalo to Fredonia, and there both yet
reside (1920). While yet a boy, Dr. Ognibene deter-
mined upon his choice of a profession and he never
lost sight of his goal, although he was obliged to help
finance his own medical education. After obtaining
hi* M. D., he did not at once locate in Fredonia, and
il •vas not until March, 1919, that he returned to his
old home where he is building up a fine reputation and
practice as physician and surgeon.
Frank A. Ognibene was born in Buffalo, N. Y., Jan. 7,
1891, but came to Fredonia in 1897 and there completed
the courses of study furnished by the grammar and
high schools. He then entered Fredonia State Normal
School, pursuing the classical course to graduation with
the class of 1910. Through the financial assistance of
his sister, Josephine, he was enabled to enter the medical
department of the University of Buffalo, and in that
way, with that which he was able to personally earn,
the course was financed. He was graduated M. D.,
class of 1914, and for one year he served as interne in
Buffalo, N. Y., and after spending three years in
Amsterdam returned to Fredonia and is building up a
good practice among his old friends and townsmen.
He served the city as health officer. He is a member of
the Dunkirk-Fredonia Medical Society, Chautauqua
County Medical Society, New York State Medical
Society, the Roman Catholic church, and the Knights
of Columbus. In politics he is a Republican.
Dr. Ognibene married, Nov. 28, 1916, Sarah Guarino,
of Buffalo. They have a son, Frank Anthony, Jr., born
in Amsterdam, N. Y., March 14, 1918.
Dr. Ognibene has two brothers, Samuel and Peter,
residing with their parents in Fredonia : a sister
Josephine, a teacher in Buffalo schools ; and four other
sisters ; Minnie, Mary, Jennie, and Lucy, residing at
home.
DAVID JOSIAH CLARK belongs to that class
of citizens who, undemonstrative and unassuming in
their natures, form the character of the community in
which they live. Mr. Clark has devoted his entire life
to the lumber industry, and though he has engaged in
many other enterprises he has always reverted to his
original business. Mr. Clark, who is now living retired,
is a veteran of the Civil War and a pioneer in the
lumber industry of Chautauqua county. He was born in
the town of Poland, Chautauqua county, N. Y., April
8, 1838, a son of Joseph Clark.
Joseph Clark (grandfather) lived in Otsego county,
N. Y., near Schuyler Lake, where he engaged in the
agricultural business. He married Hannah Wallace,
and among their children was Joseph, of whom further.
Joseph Clark (father) was born in Otsego county, N.
Y, on his father's farm, July 4, 181 1. There he attended
the district schools of that time, and after finishing his
education he assisted his father upon the farm. Later
he decided to strike out for himself in the business
world and accordingly journeyed to Chautauqua county
on foot, a distance of some 300 miles. Arriving in Poland
township he found employment with Nicholas Dollph,
a lumber man of some prominence, and with him
remained for nearly seven years, receiving $13 a month
with his room board and laundry for his work. How-
ever, desiring to engage in business for himself, he
bought large tracts of land in Poland and adjoining
townships and also succeeded in buying more timber
lands in Cattaraugus county. He cut the timber and
rafted it down the Allegheny river to Pittsburgh and
down the Ohio river to Louisville, where he soon found
a market for it. Not satisfied with the progress he was
<C^wum_v£ G O
7k&
BIOGRAPHICAL
333
making in the lumber industry he conceived the idea
of keeping a hotel as another means of increasing his
business interests. This he did, keeping a hotel first at
Levant, which was known as the Levant Hotel, for seven
years, later moving to Mud Creek Corners, where they
located a post Dffice and they called it Clark's Corners.
Here he managed the A. H. Phillips Hotel, continuing
in this occupation for nearly ten years. During this
time Mr. Clark had increased his land holdings until he
was the owner of about 700 acres of the best timber
land in Chautauqua county, and after giving up the hotel
business he engaged in the cattle raising and agricultural
business and continued in this until his death which
occurred at his home in Clark's Corners, Oct. 22, 1876.
Mr. Clark died while still in the prime of life and his
death was sincerely mourned by his family and many
friends througl )ut Chautauqua county. He is buried
in Myrtle Cemetery, Poland township, N. Y. Politically
Mr. Clark was a Whig until the organization of the
lican party, of which he was a staunch upholder,
though he never cared for office. In religious affiliation
Mr. Clark was a Universalist and he and his family
were prominent in the church of that denomination at
Kennedy, N. Y. This was built as a union church, but
the different denominations did not agree and it was
sold to the Wesleyan Methodist Church.
On July 14, 1833, at Dolphville, in the township of
Poland, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Mr. Clark was united
in marriage with Abigail Hitchcock, who was born Dec.
26, 1819. in Poland township, Chautauqua county, N. Y.,
a daughter of John Hitchcock. Mrs. Clark's death
occurred Feb. 29, 1898, and she is buried beside her
husband in Myrtle Cemetery, Poland township. To Mr.
and Mrs. Clark were born nine children, as follows :
1. Joseph L., born Oct. 21, 1835; he was a hotel land-
lord and lived in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties,
,N. Y. 2. David Josiah, of whom further. 3. Joel B.,
born Aug. 5, 1840; he was a soldier in the Civil War,
in Company A, 112th New York Volunteer Infantry, a
farmer, and died at Clark's Corners. 4. Caroline
Melinda, born Nov. 13, 1842; she married Louis Rush,
and died at Fluvanna, Chautauqua county, N. Y. 5.
Egbert R., born March 13, 1845; resides in Jamestown,
X. V., and is engaged in the railroad business with the
Erie railroad. 6. Samuel A., born Sept. 13, 1847; died at
Clark's Corners, Chautauqua county, N. Y. 7. Hannah
E., born July 21, 1850; married Revell Parks and died at
Clark's Corners. 8. Abigail A., born Nov. 12, 1853, died
it Clark's Corners in early girlhood. 9. Clyne A., born
March 14, 1863; is residing in the State of Washington
ind is engaged in the lumber business.
David Josiah Clark obtained his early education in
he district schools of Poland township. After complet-
ng his education he assisted his father in the lumber
msiness, making his first trip on a raft down the river
t the age of seventeen. He continued in business with
:is father, making as many as three trips down the
iver with rafts, until the Civil War was declared. He
nlisted Aug. 2, 1862, in Company A, 112th New York
"olunteer Infantry, under Colonel J. C. Drake and
'aptain John F. Smith. He served until the close of
le war, being discharged with honorable mention from
Vashington, D. C, for bravery under fire at Raleigh,
I. C, being mustered out of service at Buffalo, N. Y.,
July 1, 1865. Mr. Clark participated in nearly every
battle that his company engaged in and was mentioned
twice for bravery. He was in the hospital for four
months with fever during the year 1863, but rejoined his
regiment and fought with them until the close of the
war.
After returning from the war he purchased from
his father about 250 acres of farm land and for some
time engaged in the agricultural business, but finding
this occupation rather slow and not suited to his liking
he sold back his land to his father and engaged in the
lumber business for himself, rafting it down the river to
the markets in Pittsburgh and Louisville. Later he took
up lumber contracting, delivering the logs to the saw
mills. Mr. Clark was for some time engaged in this
business for M. L. Fenton & Company, both in Chau-
tauqua county and South Valley township, Cattaraugus
county, N. Y. Later he engaged in the same line of
work for Lyman Mason, another well known lumber-
man of the Chautauqua county region, and was with him
for four years, when he went with the Wheeler &
Scudder, lumber manufacturers in South Valley, Cattar-
augus county, N. Y., and continued working for them
for nearly five years. Returning to Poland township,
Mr. Clark bought the Cold Water Creamery and was
for some time engaged in the manufacture of grade
butter. Seven years later he settled in Falconer and
with his son-in-law, P. B. Waite, conducted the Linden
House for seven years under the name of Clark &
Waite. In 1907 he gave up the hotel business and since
then has lived retired, making his home in Falconer,
Chautauqua county, N. Y. Mr. Clark is a member of
the H. C. Sturdevant Post, Grand Army of the Republic,
at Kennedy, N. Y., and is also a prominent member of
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Clark has
filled all the offices of both these organizations.
On Nov. 11, 1857, Mr. Clark married (first) Susan
Wheeler, daughter of John and Julia (Love) Wheeler.
Mrs. Clark's death occurred July 27, 1864, at Clark's
Corners, and she is buried in Myrtle Cemetery, Poland
township, N. Y. To Mr. and Mrs. Clark were born
two children, as follows: 1. Alfred, who died in infancy.
2. David Josiah, Jr., born April 25, 1S63: received his
early education in the public schools of Poland township
and Jamestown public school; taught four years in the
public school at Falconer, and is now engaged in teach-
ing; resides at Stillwater, N. Y. Mr. Clark married
(second) Sept. 24, 1865, Coralinn Hunt, born at Clark's
Corners, Aug. 7, 1848, daughter of Henry N. and
Cynthia M. (Ives) Hunt. To this union was born one
child, Bernice M., who became the wife of P. B. Waite;
they are the parents of one child ; they reside in James-
town, N. Y.
Mr. Clark is an intense lover of the out-door world
and particularly enjoys life in the woods whither his
business so often led him, delighting to fish and hunt
and being very expert in both these sports. He was
an unusually good athlete and spent as much of his
spare time as possible in pursuit of such pleasures,
the wholesome character of which no doubt accounts
for the excellent health which he has enjoyed through-
out his entire life. A man of unbounded generosity,
gentle and genial in his nature, Mr. Clark has gath-
ered around him a circle of admiring friends who
334
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
feel honored by his friendship and proud of his suc-
cess in life. His heart is ever in sympathy with the
unfortunate and his hand ever ready to contribute to
the alleviation of distress. His life is a happy illustra-
tion of the honor and rewards of business fidelity and
industry, when combined with high principles and un-
swerving honesty. As a business man his character is
unimpeachable and unclouded, and he adhered with
staunch consistency to sound, conservative and unques-
tionable methods. His name is known among the highest
circles of the business world as that of a man who can
be trusted, and with whom it was a satisfaction to
transact business. His life teaches the old and ever
valuable lesson that success comes only through tireless
industry, guided by a singleness of purpose. It
emphasizes also the priceless value of unswerving loyalty
to right, and the assured rewards of exemplary living.
THEODORE D. HANCHETT— Self-made in the
truest sense of the word, successful in his business
undertakings and aims, the career of T. D. Hanchett
is an apt illustration of the value of character in the
determining of the measure of success possible to
atiain. One of Jamestown's native sons, and through
his long connection with the manufacturing business
one of her best known manufacturers, educated in the
public schools, trained in business methods by James-
town manufacturers and in business in that city until
his death, he was emphatically a Jamestown man, a true
representative of that city, her institutions and her
citizenship. Industry, thrift and perseverance marked
his way through life, and to these qualities he added
business ability of high order and an honesty of purpose
that enabled him to avoid those business and moral pit-
falls that abound in a large city to trap the unwary.
He began life in a career of his own choosing, and
during his years of service for others gained the capital
and experience with which he later entered his own
business. He was an energetic worker and devoted to
his work, but when his day's labor was done his own
fireside claimed him, and there most of his hours "off
duty" were spent. He was most hospitable, loved to
entertain in his own home his friends in social games
and enlivening conversation, finding in such intercourse
the keen enjoyment that flows from a charitable heart.
No man attained higher reputation than he for honor-
able dealing, and in the business world his friends were
many. His promises or statements could always be
relied upon, for he held his word sacred, and his excel-
lent business judgment often enabled others to profit as
well as himself. He gave close attention to the details
of his large business, never dividing his energy, but
holding closely to the one line of commercial activity he
had chosen as his, that of manufacturer. Neither did
he seek to hold public office nor allow fads or amuse-
ments to distract his mind from the great business of
life, yet he was intensely public -spirited, every ready and
willing to aid a good cause.
Theodore D. Hanchett was born in Chautauqua
county, N. Y., Nov. 4, 1847, a son of William and
Eveline Hanchett. He came to Jamestown when but
one year old with his parents, and to the public schools
of this city is he indebted for his early education. Later
however, he took a course of study in the Jamestown
Academy, and after graduating from this institution in
1 861, he entered the employ of Allen & Grandin. He
remained with this firm for one year, but being offered
a better position with the Breed-Johnson Furniture
Company, resigned and entered their employ. In 1883
he entered the employ of Shearman Brothers, lounge
manufacturers, as foreman of the woodworking depart-
ment, a position which he held for five years, when he
left to assist in the formation of the Jamestown Lounge
Company. On Jan. 1, 1888, Mr. Hanchett, with Lynn
F. Cornell, Arthur H. Greenlund, and the late Hurley L.
Philipps, formed the Jamestown Lounge Company,
which was gradually developed into one of the largest
manufacturing industries of the city. The firm continued
as a copartnership until Dec. 11, 1899, when the com-
pany was changed to a corporation with the following
officers: H. L. Philipps, president; T. D. Hanchett, vice-
president; A. H. Greenlund, second vice-president; L.
F. Cornell, secretary and treasurer. In 1904 Mr. Han-
chett was elected president and held that office until he
retired from the lounge business in 1913, but at the time
of his death was president of the Pearl City Veneer
Company.
Mr. Hanchett was united in marriage with Charlotte
R. Lamson, July 10, 1S72. To this union were born four
children, as follows: I. Bertha V., born June 20, 1873.
2. Ralph Theodore, died in infancy. 3. Donald C, who
resides at home, and who married Caroline L. Stumpf,
a daughter of Henry Stumpf, a well known resident of
this city ; they are the parents of one child, Carolyn
R. 4. Lucie R., born March 11, 1890, who is the wife
of Marvin N. Gokey, of Jamestown, N. Y., and the
mother of one child, Robert Marvin Gokey.
In politics, Mr. Hanchett generally voted on the Demo-
cratic ticket, but he wore no party collar, the character
of a candidate and not a party emblem determining his
vote. He was also popular in fraternal circles and was
a member of the various Masonic bodies, including
Mount Moriah Lodge, No. 145, Free and Accepted
Masons, joining in 1883, and serving as master in 1892
and 1S93; of Western Sun Chapter, No. 67, Royal Arch
Masons, serving as high priest in 1894 and 1895 ; of
Jamestown Commandery, No. 61, Knights Templar,
serving as eminent commander in 1908; and of Buffalo
Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. He was
also a member of Ismailia Temple, Ancient Arabic
Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Buffalo. Mr.
Hanchett and his family were also members of the
First Baptist Church, they being prominent in all its
social as well as business affairs. Mr. Hanchett served
as a member of the board of trustees for many years,
and was loved and respected by all who knew him.
Mr. Hanchett gave of his best to his City, State and
Nation, and was one of the best known and most popular |
men in the community in which he lived, and when his
death occurred Dec. 18, 1914, it left a gap in the social :
world as well as the business world that cannot be filled.
He was a man of the most genial, open nature, and
that sort of cheeriness which one instinctively feels that
it flows from a charitable heart, a manly, courageous I
and gentle heart. It has been said of him by a friend
that people turn naturally to his kindly, sympathetic per- :
sonality as the flowers to the sunshine, and this indeed '
is an apt illustration of the manner in which strangers '
BIOGRAPHICAL
335
were impelled to make his acquaintance, and acquaint-
ance was speedily turned to the kind of friendship that
does not fail. The occupation that he had engaged in
brought him into contact with a great number of men
of every class and type, and acquainted him with the
motives that spring from human nature beyond the
range of many, making him at once tolerant of his
fellows and filling his memory with a thousand tales
ever at his tongue's end, which made his a most delight-
ful comrade. His home life too was ideal and he proved
himself no less a loving husband and father than a
true friend, a good neighbor and a model citizen. The
true grief of his fellow-citizens at his death is shown in
the following editorial which appeared in the Jamestown
"Evening Journal," Friday, Dec. 18, 1914:
The death of Theodore D. Hanchett, which occurred
this morning-, following an illness of some months'
duration, came as a sorrow to the business community,
and to the people of the community generally where
he spent his entire life in the activities that naturally
attend the life of a forceful man of affairs.
Mr. Hanchett was one of the incorporators of the
Jamestown Lounge Company, more than twenty-five
years ago, and was an important factor in that manu-
facturing plant during the years of its rise from a
small beginning into one of the great industries of
the city. He devoted his time and talents unsparingly
to its interests, and to him and his associates came
the knowledge and satisfaction of achieving more
than ordinary success in the strenuous competition
found in establishing a modern manufacturing indus-
try.
Always ready to do his part in that which had for
its sole object the advancement of the interests of his
home city or its people, he "was not one who sought
prominence in the affairs of the community. Ready at
all times to respond to the call of duty as he saw it.
he had no desire to pose as a leader or to win personal
praise for that which he did.
In addition to his attention to the affairs of the big
establishment with which he was concerned, Mr. Han-
chett was devoted to his family, to his church, and to
the Masonic fraternity, with which he was promi-
nently identified. There were few men in that fra-
ternity better grounded in the principles of Free
Masonry than he. He believed earnestly in its teach-
ings and exemplified in his life the high principles
which it tries to inculcate into the lives of all its
members. He had been master of Mt. Moriah Lodge,
F. and A. M.. high priest of Western Sun Chapter. R.
A. M„ eminent commander of Jamestown Commandery,
Knights Templar, and had been advanced to the thirty-
second degree in the mysteries of the order. He was
for many years a member of the board of trustees of
the First Baptist Church, and gave freely of his time
and support.
Such men as Theodore D. Hanchett are an honor to
the community in which they live, and are sincerely
mourned and missed when they depart. They live to
bless and to build up, not to destroy and tear down,
and the city of Jamestown is the better and the richer
because of the years that he spent here.
FRANK L. KOLPIEN— The subject of this review
:xemplifies in a remarkable degree not only the achieve-
iients of a man of great natural talent, but the wonder-
ful possibilities whereby a poor boy can attain distinc-
,:ion in the community in a short period of time. The
iuccess of Frank L. Kolpien, known in the business
.vorld of Dunkirk, N. Y., as the president and treasurer
)f the O'Donnell Lumber Company, in all his undertak-
ngs is so marked that his methods must be of interest
o the commercial world. He has always based his
msiness principles and actions upon strict adherence to
he rules that govern industry, economy and strict
ntegrity. His progressive spirit has made him a typical
\merican in every sense of the word, and he well
leserves mention in a work treating of the business
ife and substantial development of Chautauqua county.
Frank L. Kolpien was born in Westfield, Chautau-
qua county, N. Y., Oct. 30, 1868, a son of Frank and
Dora (Lahl) Kolpien. He received a meagre education
in the district school near Forsyth station, and later
supplemented this with a one-year course at Westfield
Academy. He left school at the age of fourteen as he
was obliged to go to work. For the first six years after
leaving school he worked among the farms and vine-
yards in the townships of Westfield and Ripley, and then
started his apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, work-
ing at this until 1S92, when he formed a partnership in
contracting with Herman Hutchinson, this partnership
continuing for a period of three years, at the end of
which time he established himself in the same business
and until 1907 carried on a very successful contracting
business of his own, employing on an average thirty-five
men at a time, and besides building two hundred resi-
dences in Dunkirk during these twelve years, he received
contracts for the following buildings: Schools Nos. 1,
2, 4, and 5; the temple for the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows; St. John's Lutheran church building;
Beacon light and keeper's building on the pier; St.
Hyacinth's Roman Catholic Church building; Weingort
Hardware Company's building; additions to the Dunkirk
Electric Light Plant; No. 4 Hose Fire House of the
local fire department. In 1907 he bought his present
business, the O'Donnell Lumber Company, of which he
is the president and treasurer. He employs thirty-four
people, has his own delivery equipment, and ships lumber
to Western New York, Western Pennsylvania, Eastern
Ohio, New York City, Washington, District of Colum-
bia, Cincinnati and Cleveland, Ohio. This business
which Mr. Kolpien has built up is of very great
value in the development of Dunkirk. A man of singu-
larly strong personality, he has exerted a deep influence
on his associates and subordinates, and, toward the
latter in particular, his conduct has ever been marked
by a degree of kindness and consideration which has
won for him their loyal support and hearty cooperation.
In politics Mr. Kolpien is a Republican, and has
served one term on the local Board of Health, but the
engrossing duties of his business take all his time and he
has never since consented to hold office. His church is
the Methodist Episcopal, and he has ever been an active
member working in its cause, at present serving on the
official board, and at the time of the erection of this
new edifice he was chairman of the building committee.
He affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows
and with the Masons, being a member of the Blue Lodge.
During the World War he did his share as a citizen,
giving of his time to serve on the various committees
for the Red Cross and the Liberty loans, and was also
a member of the Legal Advisory Board.
Mr. Kolpien married, Dec. 14, 1893, Alice Boiling.
Mr. and Mrs. Kolpien are the parents of three children :
1. Alton L., who, while attending the University of
Michigan, volunteered, April 17, 1917, and became
attached to the Michigan State Militia ; he was later
taken into the United States navy and was transferred
to the aviation corps, subsequently becoming instructor
of small arm fire at Wakefield, Mass., Norfolk, Va.,
Baltimore, Md., and Pensacola, Fla., where he was com-
missioned ensign ; he was then sent to Queenstown as
chief pilot, and served in this capacity until the end of
336
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
the war; he is still in the service, being on the inactive
list, but has returned to his studies at the university,
from which place he will graduate with the degree of
Doctor of Medicine in 1922. 2. Esther, a teacher in
Long Island. 3. Alma, now attending a seminary at
Louisburg, W. Va.,
Mr. Kolpien is in the best sense of the term a "self-
made man." He has made his way up the ladder of
success until he has become one of the most substantial
and influential citizens of the community, whose life
is inseparably identified with its general affairs. The
simple account of his life, however, and the various
activities engaged in, tell far more eloquently than any
formal praise of the remarkable powers possessed by
him, especially if it be remembered that his ardent,
enthusiastic nature will not permit his undertaking any-
thing which he is not prepared to do, any obligation
which he does not observe to the fullest. His labors
are great, but his powers are equal to their adequate
performance.
WILLIAM C. BRIGGS— Probably the greatest
compliment that can be paid a man is that he has made
himself a credit to his nation in the great commercial
world as well as a credit to the mercantile community
in which he lives. Public-spirited to the highest degree,
he is ever forward in encouraging enterprises which
can in any way advance the interests of Jamestown and
Chautauqua county. Such a man is William C. Briggs,
who by his honorable exertions and moral attributes
gained for himself all that a man could desire, friends,
affluence and position. By the strength and force of
his own character he overcame obstacles which to others
less sanguine and optimistic would have seemed unsur-
mountable. His fertile mind wrought many measures
for the ultimate good of the State, and as selfishness
was never considered a fault of his, the citizens of the
county have felt and will continue to feel the results
of his untiring efforts for some time to come. He is
rigidly honest in all his dealings with the business world,
and in fact in all his relations in life, and through his
geniality and sociability he has acquired numerous
friends from all walks of life. In the estimation of
those who know him, his calling and his competent
manner in handling weighty affairs entitle his biography
the same place in the history of Chautauqua county as
that accorded those who have been eminent in the up-
building of Chautauqua county.
William C. Briggs who, for a number of years past,
was treasurer and general manager of the Chautauqua
Towel Mills, but who is now living temporarily retired
at his home at No. 404 East Fifth street, Jamestown, N.
Y., was born in the town of Ellington, June 5, 1866, a son
of Carey and Martha Ann (Staples) Briggs. Carey
Briggs, son of Francis Briggs, was born in the State
of Massachusetts, and was an agriculturist by trade.
He married (first) Diana Gould, and the children by
this union were: Clara D., who resides in Jamestown
with her sister, Mrs. Arthur C. Wade; Frances, widow
of Arthur C. Wade ; Caroline, wife of Jerry Gifford,
both of whom are deceased. Mr. Briggs married
(second) Martha Ann Staples, and they were the
parents of three children, as follows : Martha May, who
resides in Jamestown; Charles, who died in infancy;
and William G, see forward.
William C. Briggs, whose name is the caption of this:
article, obtained his early education in the public schools:
of Ellington, and after graduating from the Ellington
school entered the high school of Jamestown, N. Y.,
being graduated from there with the class of 1888. Im-
mediately after leaving the Jamestown High School, he
began reading law in the offices of Cook, Fisher &;
Wade. However, after reading law one year, Mr.
Briggs decided that he preferred a business life to a
professional one at the bar, and accordingly he formed
a partnership in 1889 with Fred E. Hatch, under the
firm name of Hatch & Briggs, as druggists. Their 1
place of business was located upon Third street, James-
town, and there Mr. Briggs continued until 1902, when
he disposed of his interest in the business and joined
in organizing the Chautauqua Towel Mills, of James-
town. Arthur C. Wade, Mr. Briggs' brother-in-law, was
made president of the company, and Mr. Briggs was
elected to the office of treasurer. This position he held
until 1906, when he was elected general manager of the
company as well. Mr. Briggs continued to hold these
offices until 1919, when the business was sold out to a
new concern, and since that time he has lived retired.
Politically, Mr. Briggs is a staunch Republican, but
never could be induced to hold office, preferring to
devote his time and attention wholly to his home and
business affairs. In religious affiliations, Mr. Briggs is
a Methodist, and both he and his family are prominent
in the church of that denomination in Jamestown.
On June 23, 1892, Mr. Briggs was united in marriage
with Minnie Elizabeth Clement, who was born in
Centerville, Pa., Oct. 18, 1869, a daughter of Samuel and
Sarah (Thompson) Clement. Mrs. Briggs received her
education in the Jamestown grammar and high schools,
graduating from the latter institution with the class
of 1888. Up to the time of her marriage, Mrs. Briggs
was a teacher of Physical Culture and Elocution at the
Jamestown High School. She was a prominent member
of the Mozart and Browning clubs, a member of the
Agnes Home Association, a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, and the Clotho Society of that church.
Mrs. Briggs, who died at her home, Oct. 1, 1919, was a
woman of amiability and great mental attainments. Her
true refinement and sweet personality raised for her
a host of friends, and her death was mourned by all
who knew her. She was a wise counsellor, sympathetic
in difficulties, remarkable in comprehending a situation, 1
reasonable and sound in her judgment. She was splen-
didly loyal and devoted to her church, and for many
years she was the leader in all its good work. She was
a woman of large benefactions; not only did she help
substantially in all the departments of the church work,
so that she was often called affectionately the "good
angel" of the church, but her private charities were •
large. Hundreds if not thousands will rise up and call
her blessed. She was a lady of the old school, full of
dignity, sweetness and gracious womanhood. She be-
lieved in the great revelations of the gospel with all her
heart and her life was an illustration of their teachings.
Her memory is an inspiration and a benediction to all
who knew her, and her death called forth many beauti-
full tributes, among which was one tendered by the Rev.
and Mrs. Horace G. Ogden, who said in part :
A daughter of Jamestown, inheriting her best tradi-
tions, trained in her schools, moving in her best circles,
BIOGRAPHICAL
337
"'pressed of a great love of the beautiful, she sought
tmmmsm
'^ntnreraftei "ruth and all her years followed the
to those few who were pnyilegea to oe " to-day
of his loss, but congratulations that the great gift has
In closing this review of Mr. Briggs' life we may say
that in private life he is greatly beloved by all who
know him. Genial, whole souled and fond of a joke, his
manners are frank and kindly. His success in life
■as in no way changed him, and this is a principal
reason for his popularity. He fought his way to his
present position, earnestly and manfully, thus becoming
one of the best examples of a self-made man of our
times, and has not forgotten the difficulties that beset
his way This probably is the reason that a tale ot dis-
tress always finds him with a willing ear and a heart
readv to alleviate suffering in all forms in which it is
in his power to do so. His clean cut face clearly deline-
ates his forcible character, and his contemporaries are
glad to honor him as one of the leading citizens of Chau-
tauqua county.
PAUL De LANEY— Still a young man as years
are counted in the commercial world, Paul De Laney is
the present executive head and general manager of ihe
Paul De Laney Company, Incorporated, an enterprise
created through his initiative and ability, and since its
foundation he has been the inspiring, guiding and con-
trolling head. His training was received in that great
school of commercial methods— the Chicago dressed
meat industry— fourteen years close adherence to which
perfectly fitted him to conduct the manufacture of tood
Chau— 22
products which are prepared and sold under the trade-
mark, "American Maid," by The Paul De Laney Com-
pany, Incorporated, of Brocton, Chautauqua county,
N. Y.
Paul De Laney, son of Joseph R. and Sarah De Laney
(now deceased), was born in Princeton, Mo., May 2,
1877. He was educated in the grade and high schools
of Cameron, Mo„ class of 1894. Later he was a student
in Atchinson, Kan., pursuing advanced courses, com-
pleting his education in the year 1900. In 1001 Mr.
De Laney commenced his business career with the
Cudahy Packing Company of Chicago, in the capacity of
salesman He remained with that company fourteen
years during which time he gained the perfect confi-
dence of the officials of the corporation, which confidence
was expressed by the constant increasing of his respon-
sibilities and position. In 191 5 he organized The Paul
De Laney Company, Incorporated, for the manufacture
of quality food products, establishing the plant at Broc-
ton N Y., in the heart of the Chautauqua county grape
belt The'corporation has developed into a very import-
ant one its $2,000,000 capital being invested in a large,
modern' factory plant, with the latest and best equip-
ment where "American Maid" foods are prepared and
shipped to customers from coast to coast, including,
also export business. The offices of the company occupy
a separate building, and in the construction of both
office and factory full emphasis has been laid on the
features so essential to the rendering of efficient service,
viz light, sanitation, modern equipment throughout;
also a careful observance of all conditions that lead to
the general welfare of a people banded together to pro-
duce food products. Factory buildings are of steel, con-
crete and brick, their walls enclosing a floor space of
124,000 square feet. The value of the company s invest-
ment is shown by the amount of insurance carned-
$760,000. The average factory payroll of the company
numbers 240 men and women. The success of the enter-
prise, now (1920) in its fifth year, is due to its wise
management and the spirit of true cooperation with
which Mr. De Laney has inspired his associates.
In political faith Mr. De Laney is a Democrat. _ He
has taken little part in public affairs beyond exercising
the obligations of citizenship, having concentrated his
entire energies upon the fulfilment of his business
responsibilities. During the World War he was he
deeply interested, patriotic American aiding m all the
activities of that period, the various "drives^ receiving
his personal support and encouragement. He is inter
ested in other forms of business activity, and has bank-
ing connections in Chautauqua county and m Buffalo
In religious faith he is a Roman Catholic and a member
of the Knights of Columbus. His standing in the com-
munity is due not alone to his business prominence, but
Trie public-spirited interest shown in regard to any
matter concerning the public welfare.
Mr De Laney married. June 26, 1907. Elizabeth K
Rob ns, of Belfast, Me. Mr. and Mrs. De Laney are : the
parents of five children-one son Rh ode nek, and fo Ur
daughters: Devonia, Mary and Lillian Ruth (triplets) ,
and Pauline. The family home is in Brocton, Chautau-
qU Mr C0 D n e ty Laney has won his way to responsible position
through native ability, optimism, determination, and the
338
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
application of sound business principles. The manner in
which he has solved his problems and risen to success
should prove both an example and an inspiration to the
young man who would have a part in twentieth century
business life. '
ERNEST JOHN BAILEY, one of the leading
residents of Brocton, Chautauqua county N Y a
successful building contractor who has to his credit
many large contracts, has advanced far in material
wealth, and at the same time has held the sincere respect
of the people of the county who have known him under
all conditions. He has manifested commendable charac-
teristics is a man of distinct business ability, and has
exhibited a praiseworthy public-spirit, and a practical
desire to help on the wellbeing of the community in
general, and the poor and needy in particular. In busi-
ness enterprise, he has been very successful, and has
many consequential associations; he has for two decades
had a contracting business which has found employment
^ a c ° ns ' derable n «mber of men, has taken part in
the establishment and direction of other important man-
ufacturing concerns and is vice-president of the Brocton
Furniture Company.
Ernest J. Bailey was born in Charlotte Center Char-
lotte township, Chautauqua county, N. Y Oct 27 1868
the son of John J. and Barbara (Beha) Bailey, or
Ballay, as the family is known in France, wherein is
the original family seat. Ernest John Bailey is French
in both paternal and maternal antecedents, the paternal
me originating in Champagne, and his maternal ances-
tors being from Alsace-Lorraine, provinces of France
1 lie patronymic, as originally spelled, was Ballav and
the American progenitor of the branch of the Ballay
family to which Ernest John Bailey belongs was of that
name, and it is not clear why the name became changed
in spelling. It probably was wrongly written in real
estate deeds, to substantiate the title to which the heirs
took the Americanized version of the French patronymic
However that may be, the family in America has for
some generations been known by the name of Bailey
Ernest John Bailey was born on a farm, and in due
time attended the district school nearest to his father's
farm, after passing through which he seems to have
commenced working at farming occupations quite early
in his teens. By such work he accumulated sufficient
means to carry him through business college, where he
gamed the fundamentals of executive work which were
later of inestimable value to him in the management of
his own important enterprises. He perhaps had mapped
out his career well ,n advance, and knew the various
steps by which sound success would come. He apprenticed
himself to carpentry, serving an apprenticeship of five
years, and later for six years was a journeyman car-
penter, by which time he was thoroughly conversant
with most phases of building construction. By steadi-
ness of hfe, and by industrious continuance 'in work
during the years, he had by that time acquired some
financial means, sufficient at all events to induce him to
enter independently into business as a builder and con-
tractor He had come to Brocton in 1893, and had
forked as a carpenter upon many contracts in that
Mace, so that he was comparatively well known in the
n lage when he started in contracting business for him-
ielf in 1900. During the almost two decades to the
present, he has had very substantial success as a con-
tractor, and has to his credit the erection of manv
important buildings. Many of the fine residences of
that section of Chautauqua county have been built by
him, and among the buildings of public institutions anj
business corporations constructed by Mr. Bailey may b3
listed the following, all of which do credit to his
thoroughness as a builder: The Brocton State Bank
building; the Ahira Memorial Library building Broc-
ton ; the Crandall building, Brocton ; the Bailey building
which is a very hne structure, and used mainly by Mr'
Bailey for his own business offices; the Norquist Metai
Door Company plant, at Jamestown, a huge building-
additions to the American Loco Works, and to the
Atlas Crucible Steel Company plant at Dunkirk- con-
struction work for the Buffalo and Lake Erie Traction
Company, including the car barns at Fredonia, and all
the stations with the exception of two between Buffalo
and Erie, Pa ; the Court House at Mayville, Chautauqua
county; the Church of Christ at Chautauqua; the Chau-
tauqua High School; the Falconer High School- the
Jamestown Grammar School; the Sherman Library
the Armour Grape Juice Company headquarters at
VVestheld Chautauqua county; the gymnasium and
other additions to the Normal School at Fredonia; some
of the building of the Redwing Grape Juice Company,'
r-redonia; warehouses of same company at Fredonia-
the Memorial Hospital at Lilly Dale; the St Hedwig
Roman Catholic Church at Dunkirk; and the plant of
the Brocton Furniture Company ; in addition Mr
Bailey has also undertaken many important building
contracts outside Chautauqua county. He has during
the period given employment to an average of about
140 workmen. It may therefore be inferred that with
moderate success, he must have acquired an appreciable
degree of material wealth during the many years he
has spent m consequential business as a contractor As
a matter of fact, he has been universally successful, for
he knew his business thoroughly before committing
himself to independent work. And latterly, as a capit
talist, he has been brought into connection with many
other outside enterprises. He owns stock in many
manufacturing corporations in Chautauqua county;
Mr. Bailey ,s one of the largest stockholders of the
Brocton Furniture Company, of which he is vice-presi-
dent. c
Politically, Mr. Bailey is an independent Democrat,
but has been too busy with business affairs that needed
almost his undivided attention to have much time to spare
tor participation in political movements, and he has
never alkDwed himself to consider the thought of taking
public office. He has, nevertheless, always been closely
interested in local affairs, and has been ready to lend
his support to any worthy local project. Religiously, the
Ballays are Roman Catholics; that is to say, the French
K T Wa £ ° f V he R ° man Catho,ic faith - though
Ernest J Bailey has not followed in that church. In
fraternal affiliations, he has been faithful and is identi-
fied particularly with the Masonic order. He has risen
to the thirty-second degree in the order, and is a mem-
ber of the following: Blue Lodge of Brocton; the
£ h ap "-Council, and Commandery, of Dunkirk; the
Buffalo Shrine; and the Consistory of Jamestown, also
01 -buffalo.
On Sept. 12, 1900, Ernest John Bailey married Ruth
1
BIOGRAPHICAL
339
Hall Pettit, grand-niece of Ahira Hall, whose genealogy
will be found elsewhere in this historical work. To Mr.
and Mrs. Bailey have been born three children: Kath-
leen Elizabeth, now in high school; Angeline Sarah,
twin sister of the first-named, and also a high school
student ; Florence Edith, who also attends the local
school.
The business success of Ernest John Bailey has been
notable, especially so, bearing in mind that it has come
to him entirely by his own efforts, and he has a definite
place among the worthy Chautauqua county people of
his generation.
HENRY RAPPOLE— Nearly nine years have
elapsed since Henry Rappole, farmer, veteran soldier,
and public official, passed to his reward, but his memory
is green and will forever live in the history of his native
county and adopted city, for he served them both in
important position. The Rappoles came to Chautauqua
from Eastern New York, the first of the name, Adam
Rappole, coming to the town of Ellery, when vir-
gin timber covered most of the fertile farms of the
town. Adam Rappole was the father of Henry Rap-
pole, to whose memory this review of a worthy life is
dedicated.
Adam Rappole, born in New York State, came to
Chautauqua county after the close of the War of 1812,
and settled on a 100 acre tract of timber land in the
town of Ellery, his tract a part of the original Holland
Land Purchase. Adam Rappole built a house from the
logs felled on his own property, and in course of time
the forest fled before his axe, and cultivated fields fol-
lowed, and there he lived a general farmer and stock
raiser until his death in i860, at the age of sixty-six
years. He is buried in Bemus Point Cemetery. He mar-
ried Elizabeth Rice, and they were the parents of eight
children : Nancy, married Aaron Klock, and died in
the State of Illinois; John, died at the old homestead in
Ellery ; George, died in the State of Wisconsin ; Mary,
married William Rooker, of Ellery ; Electa, married
Orsenne Richards ; Frank, died in Iowa ; Henry, of fur-
ther mention ; and a child who died in infancy. Mrs. Rap-
pole, who was a member of the Presbyterian church,
died at the farm in Ellery, and is buried with her hus-
band in Bemus Point Cemetery.
Henry Rappole, youngest son of Adam and Elizabeth
(Rice) Rappole, was born at the homestead in the town
of Ellery, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Oct. 27, 1833, died
in the city of Jamestown, Jan. 25, 191 1. He attended
the county district schools of Ellery and spent his years
of minority on the farm as his father's assistant. After
attaining legal age he engaged in lumbering, rafting logs
down the rivers to mills below. Later he bought seventy
acres in Ellery township, which he improved and later
added to until he 112 acres, which he conducted along
the lines of general farming, also maintaining a dairy
department and raising stock. The even current of his
life was broken in 1862 by the War between the States,
1861-1865, and on Sept. 12, 1862, he enlisted in the
Seventh Company, First Battalion, New York Sharp-
ihooters, under Captain Arnold. Mr. Rappole was ap-
pointed corporal, then sergeant, but at the battle of the
Wilderness his misfortunes began, a shot so disabling his
left hand and arm that amputation was necessary. He
spent several weeks in the hospital, then was honorably
discharged and mustered out of the United States service.
With his empty sleeve, Mr. Rappole returned home,
and until 1879 engaged in farming. In that year he was
elected superintendent of the county poor for Chautauqua
county, an office he held for six years through five suc-
cessive annual reflections. In 1882 he sold his farm in
Ellery, and henceforth made Jamestown his home. He
was a member of the Jamestown police force for several
years, then was elected city treasurer, Oscar Price at
that time being mayor. He held the office of treasurer
three years, and then retired to private life, leaving a
record of efficiency and devotion to duty highly credita-
ble. Prior to coming to Jamestown he had served the
town of Ellery as assessor and collector of taxes, and in
every position held he gave to the duties involved the
most careful attention and to the fullest extent of his
ability served his constituency. He held exalted ideas of
citizenship, and in all things measured up to the full
standard of a man. He was a member of James M.
Brown Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of James-
town ; member of the Union Veteran Legion ; and in
religious faith connected with the Methodist Episcopal
church. He is buried in Lakeview Cemetery, Jamestown.
Henry Rappole married, in Mayville, N. Y., July 5,
1855, Celina Carpenter, born in Pittstown, Rensselaer
county, N. Y., died in Jamestown, April 18, 1920, at
the age of eighty-two years, ten months and twelve days,
daughter of Stephen R. and Prudence (Brownell) Car-
penter, her parents old settlers of the town of Ellery.
On July 5, 1905, Mr. and Mrs. Rappole celebrated the
solden anniversary of their wedding day, and six years
longer they trod life's pathway together ere their paths
separated, and the wife was left to walk alone. Mrs.
Rappole was one of the oldest residents of the city, a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the
Woman's Relief Corps. She was a woman of strong
Christian principle, and in the home which Mr. and Mrs.
Rappole erected and maintained so long, love and happi-
ness reigned. Their children were : Frances E., who
i lied in childhood; and Nora R., married Frederick L.
Bush, of Jamestown, representative of the Fleischmann
Compressed Yeast Company; they have a daughter,
Frances E., wife of William G. Ritzer, of Jamestown,
and they have a daughter, Eleanora Jane Ritzer.
Said the Jamestown "Evening Journal" editorially,
Jan. 25, 191 1 :
In the death of Henry Rappole another worthy vet-
eran of the Civil War has gone to his reward. Like
thousands of other gallant boys of fifty years ago,
Henry Rappole responded to the call of his country
for men to preserve the Union and defend the honor of
the Stars and Stripes. After serving faithfully through
the war and leaving a good arm on a Southern battle-
field, he returned to home and friends in Old Chau-
tauqua, where he had lived an honorable life, taken
his part in the affairs of the day, faithfully performing
the part assigned to him as citizen and public official.
As superintendent of the poor of Chautauqua county,
as a member of the local police force, as treasurer of
his city for a number of years, Mr. Rappole served his
fellow-citizens honestly and capably, leaving as a
heritage to his wife and daughter an untarnished
name, and to his comrade-in-arms the memory of a
courageous soldier, and a courteous and genial com-
panion.
DELOS J. EIGENBROADT— At the end of a
long and useful life covering a period of seventy-two
years, spent entirely in the village of Ellington, Delos
34°
J. Eigenbroadt passed away, leaving behind him the rec-
ord of a well spent life distinguished by industry and
integrity.
Prior to the Revolution Peter Eigenbroadt came to
this country, probably from Germany, and settled at
Palatine Bridge in the Mohawk Valley. His son, George
Eigenbroadt, a soldier of the Revolution, was the father
of Daniel Eigenbroadt and grandfather of Delos J.
Eigenbroadt, to whose memory this review is dedicated.
Daniel Eigenbroadt was born in 1810, and died in 1899.
He moved from the Mohawk Valley to Chautauqua
county in 1832, settled in the village of Ellington and
there started a blacksmith shop. He followed his trade
for several years, then added a general store business
to his activities, being assisted by his sons. Mr. Eigen-
broadt married (first) Phoebe Helmick, born in 181 1,
died in 1838. He married (second) Lovina Todd, born
April 14, 1819, died March 1, 1895, a member of the
Bela Todd family of Cassadaga, Chautauqua county,
N. Y.
Delos J. Eigenbroadt, son of Daniel and Lovina
(Todd) Eigenbroadt, was born at the homestead in
Ellington, Chautauqua county, N. Y., June 22, 1841, and
died at his home adjoining his store, Dec. II, 1913. He
attended the village public school and Ellington Academy,
but his education came largely through reading and con-
tact with the business world. In boyhood he worked in
his father's blacksmith shop and general store, the latter
business, however, making a stronger appeal to him he
eventually assumed the responsibility of the store man-
agement. Upon the death of Daniel Eigenbroadt, the
eldest son, Lafayette, took over the blacksmith shop and
Delos J. became owner of the store. He had entered the
business when a youth of sixteen ; he "marked his first
bill of goods," and at the time of his death in his seventy-
second year was regarded as one of the successful mer-
chants of Chautauqua county. He greatly developed the
business and became both widely and favorably known
as a man of enterprise and integrity. He built a brick
block with dwelling attached next door to the homestead.
Mr. Eigenbroadt was a Democrat in politics, but was
never actively identified with political life, regarding the
successful conduct of his private business as calling for
his entire attention. Yet he did not live selfishly and
was freely consulted by his neighbors on matters of
grave importance. He continued in business until the
last, and closed his useful life honored and respected by
all who knew him; his acquaintance was a very wide
one.
Mr. Eigenbroadt married (first) March 3, 1870, Au-
gusta H. Stockwell, who died in 1886, leaving an adopted
daughter, Belle Todd Sherman, who married Edwin D.
Lines, of Jamestown. Mr. and Mrs. Lines are the par-
ents of three children : Jessie Augusta, Stephen V. R.,
and Janet. Mr. Eigenbroadt married (second) Jan. 1,
1900, Clora Goulding, of Ellington, who survives him,
daughter of Burr and Sarah (Morse) Goulding. She
has no children, but since being left a widow has adopted
a daughter, Eleanor Colvin, born November 9, 1912. Mrs.
Eigenbroadt successfully conducted the business left to
her management until 1916, when she disposed of it to
the George B. Waith Company. She has proved herself
a woman of good business ability, and with it has a
public-spirited interest in her village. During the World
War period she was very active in support of the lib-
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
erty loan and other "drives," as town chairman of the
Fourth and Victory Loans, contributing a great deal
toward their success. She is widely known and highly
respected.
ABRAHAM WILSON DODS, M. D.— Fredonia
has no citizen whom she respects more highly than the
man whose name we have just written. Not only is Dr.
Dods eminent in his profession, but its engrossing cares
and widespread interests have never rendered him un-
mindful of the claims of his home community.
Abraham Wilson Dods was born Jan. 27, 1854, in
Dingwall, Scotland, a son of Thomas Palliser and Kath-
arine (Wilson) Dods, the former a farmer and land
agent. When Abraham Wilson Dods was one and a half
years old the family moved to Hexham, Northumberland,
England, where the boy attended district school from
four to eight years ; private grammar school until the
age of twelve ; private boarding school in Sunderland
until sixteen. He was then apprenticed to a farmer for
two years, and at the end of that time, in 1872, emi-
grated to the United States, settling in West Charlton,
Saratoga county, N. Y. After working for one year as
a farmer, Mr. Dods entered Fredonia Normal School,
graduating in 1875, in the classical course, and then spent
one year at Syracuse University, following this with
another year at the New York Homoeopathic Medical
College, New York City. He then matriculated in the
Chicago Homoeopathic Medical College, graduating in
1878 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. During his
last year he served as interne in Hahnemann Hospital.
It is eminently worthy of note that such was Dr. Dods'
desire for a medical education that, though a young man
with his way to make in a new country, he did not hesi-
tate to incur, in order to attain his ambition, an amount
of debt which would have appalled a man of less indomi--
table will power. In 1878 Dr. Dods began practice at
Silver Creek, Chautauqua county, remaining until 1884,
when he went to Scotland and took a post-graduate
course in surgery at Edinburgh University. In 1885 he
established himself at Fredonia, where he has continu-
ously practiced ever since, but now limits his work ex-
clusively to surgery, in which he has been extremely suc-
cessful, earning a most enviable reputation. He is sur-
geon at Brooks Memorial Hospital, Dunkirk, N. Y., and
holds the same position with the New York Central
Railroad Company.
Politically Dr. Dods is an inependent Republican.
During the World War he served the Home Defense
Reserve Corps as medical examiner for Dunkirk-Fre-
donia Draft Board, District No. I. He is a member of
the American Medical Society, the American Institute
of Homoeopathy, the New York and New England Asso-
ciation of Railway Surgeons, the New York State Medi-
cal Association, the New York State Homoeopathic Asso-
ciation, the Homoeopathic Association of Western New
York, the Chautauqua County Medical Association, the
Fredonia and Dunkirk Medical Association, and the
Volunteer Medical Service Corps. He affiliates wil
Forest Lodge, No. 166, Free and Accepted Masons,
Fredonia, and Westfield Chapter, No. 239.
Dr. Dods married (first) Dec. 12, 1878, Aura, daugh-
ter of John N. and Nancy (Le Barr) Porter, of Broc-
ton, N. Y., and they became the parents of three chil-
dren : 1. John Palliser, attended Fredonia public and
LJ^t/Um^T^.
BIOGRAPHICAL
34i
high schools, and then spent two years at Phillips Acad-
emy, Andover; in 1908 received from Cornell University
the degree of Mechanical Engineer, having worked his
way through the institution; was a member of the 'Var-
sity Crew, 1905-06; has been with Blue Book (automo-
bile) since 1908; in now western manager in Chicago;
married Annette Bruce, of Boston, Mass., and they have
two children, John and Annette. 2. Katharine Wilson,
educated in Fredonia grammar and high schools ; mar-
ried R. I. Mulholland, of Dunkirk; they have two chil-
dren, Marcia and Katharine. 3. Marcus, educated in
Fredonia grammar and high schools, Fredonia Normal
School, and the Peddie Institute; died in 1917, at the
age of twenty-seven. Mrs. Dods passed away in 1909.
Dr. Dods married (second) September 18, 191 1, Helen T.
Jones, of Fredonia.
In the character of Dr. Dods are combined the best
traits of the Scotsman with many of the distinctive
qualities of the American, acquired in the course of an
almost lifelong residence in the New World. When
Scotland sent Abraham Wilson Dods to the United
States she gave us the material for an eminent surgeon
and a public-spirited citizen, true alike to the land of his
birth and the country of his adoption. Would that old
Caledonia might send us many more of the same type.
MARTIN PRENDERGAST WHALLON— The
characters of a successful farmer and a faithful public
official are combined in Mr. Whallon, of Mayville, who
now holds the office of supervisor. This good citizen
■ takes a lively interest in all that concerns the welfare
1 of his community, and is active in its social and fra-
ternal circles.
Martin P. Whallon was born Jan. 17, 1870, in May-
ville, and is a son of William Murray and Martha (Pren-
dergast) Whallon, both members of families long resi-
dent in Chautauqua county and township. The education
of Martin P. Whallon was received in the public schools
of his native town which he attended until 1S87, when he
went to Wisconsin and entered Racine College, where he
took the regular course, but did not graduate, and then
for a time studied, under private tuition, the principles
of commercial law and business. In 1SS9 Mr. Whallon
returned to Mayville, where for five years be conducted a
wholesale harness establishment. At the end of that time
he decided to devote his entire time and attention to
agricultural pursuits, being the owner of two farms,
one of which he inherited from his father's family and
die other from his mother's. Mr. Whallon is perhaps
the only man in Chautauqua county who derives his land,
originally, from the Holland Land Company. A de-
tailed history of this organization may be found on
another page of this work. In the cultivation of his
farms, which he accomplished by the most enlightened
methods, Mr. Whallon was eminently successful and to
their management he still pays constant attention. The
deeds for the land are now in his possession. Politically
Mr. Whallon is a Republican, and in 1913 was elected
supervisor of his township. So satisfactory was the
manner in which he performed his duties that he is still
retained in the office, his present term expiring in 1921.
He affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
and is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church of
Mayville.
Mr. Whallon married, Nov. 20, 1894, on the grounds of
the Chautauqua Institution, Mary G., daughter of C. G.
and Alice (Porter) Herrick, and they are the parents
of one son, William, born July 6, 1897, who was edu-
cated in the public schools and high school of Mayville,
and in the late war enlisted in the army. He is now the
assistant of his father in the management of the farms.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Whallon is one of the most
attractive in Mayville. During his school days Mr.
Whallon was quite an athlete and he still takes a great
interest in fishing, hunting, baseball and all outdoor
sports.
Martin P. Whallon is one of the men who count in
his community, not only because he is a leading farmer
and the incumbent of a public office, but mainly because
in both these capacities he has sought to develop the best
interests of his township and to minister to the truest
welfare of his friends and neighbors.
SIMEON WILLIS PARKS, son of Simeon and
Elizabeth (Curtiss) Parks, was born in Wells, Vt., Sept.
18, 1810, and died in Jamestown, Aug. 21, 18S3. At the
age of fourteen years, he came to LeRoy, N. Y., where
for six years he made his home with his brother, Elisha
Parks. In 1830, a youth of twenty years, he moved to
Mina, Chautauqua county, where he became a clerk in
the mercantile establishment of J. R. & S. B. Keeler;
he remained in the employ of this firm until 1834, when,
having been licensed to preach, he resigned his position
and for four years traveled a circuit as a minister of the
Methodist Episcopal church. At the expiration of this
time, his health, never robust, became seriously impaired,
and he was forced very reluctantly to relinquish his office.
In 1838 Mr. Parks located in Jamestown, where the re-
mainder of his life was spent. From November of that
year until 1851, he was associated with Zalmon G. Keeler
in general merchandise business. He continued dealings
in general merchandise, clothing and furniture, part of
the time with partners and part of the time independently
until 1878, when he retired from active business lite. His
interest in public affairs was broad and sympathetic. In
1855 he was supervisor of the town of Ellicott. He was
greatly interested in educational work, and for many
years served as town school commissioner, and later ren-
dered valuable assistance in the organization of the pub-
lic schools, then known as the Jamestown Union School
and Collegiate Institute, and was frequently referred to
as the "father of the Union School system" in James-
town. He was a member of the Board of Education
from the organization of the school until 1878, and for
several terms was president of the board. Mr. Parks
was a man of culture, keen and progressive, and in many
ways was in advance of the thought of his time. He
devoted both his time and his talents to the great causes
of temperance and anti-slavery, and was often heard
upon the lecture platform in support of his views.
On June 26, 1838, Mr. Parks was united in marriage
to Anna Maria Carter, of Randolph, N. V., who died
Jan. 20, 1889. They were the parents of five children :
1'. Mary Elizabeth, married Robert T. Hazzard (de-
ceased) and resides at Lakewood. N. Y. 2. Charles Ed-
win, a resident of Jamestown, N. Y. 3. Annette Maria,
married C. Perry Harris (deceased) ; her death occurred
at Jamestown, Nov. 24, 1919. 4. Willis Simeon, died
May 6, 1881. 5. Ella Augusta, lives at the family home
in Jamestown.
342
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
SHERMAN B. VANDERVOORT, president of
the Vandervoort Supply Company, and Service Coal and
Coke Company, wholesale coal, of Jamestown, N. Y.,
which companies are leading ones in the line of building
supplies and coal, has lived in Jamestown practically
all his life, being only a year old when his parents moved
to that city. He was born in Buffalo, N. Y., Aug. 25,
1881, the son of Charles R. and Sarah A. Vandervoort.
Charles R. Vandervoort brought his family to James-
town in 1882, and has since been a constant resident much
respected and responsible. He has been identified with
the Broadhead Worsted Mills for many years.
Sherman B. Vandervoort received his academic educa-
tion in Jamestown schools, attending the grammar school
for the elementary grades, and eventually graduating
from the high school. He had decided to take up a pro-
fessional life, and as his natural inclination was to engi-
neering he took the technical course at the Allegany Col-
lege, eventually becoming a civil engineer. In 1907, as
elsewhere recorded in this historical work, he formed
business partnership with Walter Griggs, of Jamestown,
and as the Hollow Stone Company the partners began to
manufacture cement blocks. Mr. Vandervoort acquired
the interest of Mr. Griggs in the business and incor-
porated it under the name of the Vandervoort Supply
Company, an account of which follows. In 1916 was
formed the Service Coal and Coke Company, distributors
of anthracite and bituminous coal, of which Mr. Vander-
voort is sole owner; the business is strictly wholesale;
the enterprise has been very successful, and at the pres-
ent time (1920) is handling a large tonnage.
Mr. Vandervoort is an excellent business man, and
has many sincere friends in Jamestown. He is always
ready to assist, personally or financially, in any public
project having for its object the betterment of conditions
within the city, or the ultimate advancement of the city.
He belongs to the Jamestown Board of Commerce, and
the Jamestown Builders' Exchange, of which organiza-
tion he is secretary. Socially, he is a member of the
Jamestown Club, and of the Bradford Club, at Brad-
ford, Pa. He is an ardent sportsman, and interested in
the conservation of game, and as such is a member of a
sportsman's organization. Fraternally, Mr. Vandervoort
is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks; and religiously, he is an Episcopalian.
On April I, 1918, at Buffalo, N. Y., Mr. Vandervoort
married Lucile Baker. They have one child, Sherman
B., Jr.
of $5,000. The manufacture of cement stone was dis-
continued, and the company aimed to considerably develop
its business in building supplies. In 1912 the company
again moved its plant and supplies, locating at Monroe
and Clinton streets and Isabelle avenue, and in 1915 added
coal to its line of trading. Since then the company has
purchased the L. F. Shedd Estate, upon which is located
a large coal elevator, the only one in Jamestown, and with
their two yards the company now has the largest coal
yards in Western New York State. The Vandervoort
Supply Company has had satisfactory development, and
in 1916 its increased volume of trading caused its princi-
pals to increase its authorized capital from $5,000 to
$50,000, which may indicate the extent to which Mr. Van-
dervoort has developed the business since the direction
of its affairs passed, mainly, into his hands.
THE VANDERVOORT SUPPLY COMPANY,
Jamestown, N. Y., of which incorporated company Sher-
man B. Vandervoort is president, and C. R. Vandervoort
is secretary and treasurer, was established in 1907 as a
co-partnership under the name of the Hollow Stone Com-
pany to manufacture and sell cement blocks for building
purposes. The partners were Walter Griggs and Sher-
man B. Vandervoort, and they operated a plant on Cel-
eron road, Jamestown. In 1911 the plant was removed
to the Erie Freight House, on East Second street, and
in that year Mr. Vandervoort acquired the interest of
Mr. Griggs. The consequent reconstruction of the firm
brought many changes ; the company took on corporate
existence, under the trading designation of the Vander-
voort Supply Company, and with an authorized capital
EBBIE PIERSON SHORES— In the little village
of Irving, in the town of Hanover, in the extreme north-
eastern corner of Chautauqua county, E. Pierson Shores
was born, a son of Ebenezer Pierson Shores, his birth
occurring two months after his father's death, at Irving,
a little village on the railroad, and naturally the lad was
attracted to the tracks of the Lake Shore, and the con-
stant association implanted a desire to become a railroad
man, an ambition he realized; at the time of his death
he was a freight conductor on the Lake Shore & Michi-
gan Southern railroad, meeting instant death while in
the discharge of his duties. He was a man highly
esteemed by all who knew him and held the perfect con-
fidence of the railroad officials under whom he served,
always ready, willing and exact in the performance of
every duty assigned him.
Ebenezer Pierson Shores was a shoemaker by trade,
and for several years was postmaster of Irving, Chau-
tauqua county, N. Y., where he died in April, i856. H&
married Anna Insley Mott, who was born in England,
and at the time of her marriage to Mr. Shores was the
widow of Thomas M. Mott. She died at the home of
her son, Ebbie P. Shores, in Lackawanna, N. Y., and is
buried in the cemetery at Hanover Center. The family
were attendants of the Protestant Episcopal church.
Ebbie Pierson Shores was born in Irving, town of
Hanover, Chautauqua county, N. Y., June 8, 1866, and'
was instantly killed at Brocton, Chautauqua county, N,
Y., Aug. 19, 1918. His father's death antedated the birth 1
of his son by two months, and the absence of a providing
head of the family early threw responsibilities upon the
lad. At the age of fourteen he left public school to entei
the employ of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern rail
ioad as water boy with a section gang. Later, he became
himself a section worker, and in course of time was made
a section foreman. On Aug. 4, 1890, having gone
through a course of preparatory study, he passed sue
cessfully an examination in Buffalo, which qualified hirr
to act as railroad brakeman. He was a brakeman or
the eastern division of the Lake Shore & Michigat
Southern for twelve years until Nov. 25, 1902, when hi
was promoted to the position of freight conductor 01
the same division. For sixteen years he continued a coti'
ductor, with the exception of one year as passenger com
ductor, always running freight trains.
Mr. Shores met his death at Brocton, N. Y., instantl;
and without warning. His crew were making up hi
^=b. \^ Ao a^ c&JO
MR. AND MRS. E. P. SHORES
BIOGRAPHICAL
343
train, and duty calling him he crossed the railroad track
just in time to be struck by a rapidly moving" freight car,
which was being drilled into position in the train. He
was taken to his home in Silver Creek, and then laid at
rest in Glenwood Cemetery there. He was a member of
the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen, and the Lake
Shore Mutual Association, an attendant of the Protestant
Episcopal church, and faithful to every duty as he saw it.
Mr. Shores married, Sept. 26, 1893, Margaret E. Schnei-
der, daughter of John B. and Mary Ann (Zimmerman)
Schneider, of Syracuse, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Shores
were the parents of five children : Francella, married
Howard Armbruster, and resides in Dunkirk, N. Y. ;
Henrietta, married Stanley Boor, and resides at Silver
Creek; Harry; Ebbie John; and William N. Mr. Shores
was devoted to his family and was happiest in his home.
Mrs. Shores and the children are members of the Roman
Catholic church of Silver Creek.
AUGUST P. OLSON— This family name, origi-
nally Olsen, was changed to Olson by August P. Olson
after his coming to Jamestown, and so he always wrote
it. In later years his daughter, Ellen J., the talented
entertainer, reader, and impersonator of Shakespearian
roles, reverted to the original spelling, Olsen. August P.
Olson was for nearly half a century a resident of James-
town, N. Y., coming to that city a young man, thoroughly
skilled as a cabinet maker and worker in wood. About
1874 he entered Jamestown's business life as an exclusive
manufacturer of tables, and at the time of his death,
forty-five years later, was president of the Diamond
Furniture Company, and recognized as one of the able
business men of his city, and one who had materially
aided in its upbuilding. He was the son of Jens Olsen, a
farmer, located on the island of Bornholm, Denmark, at
the time of the birth of his son, August P. Many Danes
settled in Jamestown upon coming to this country and
there aided in creating a city of homes and manufactories.
Although upon first coming to the United States Mr.
Olson did not locate in Jamestown, he came a little later,
and from his coming until his death in 1919, made that
city his home and business headquarters. While he be-
came an intense and patriotic citizen, and served with all
the zeal of a native son, he never lost his interest in and
love for his native land.
August P. Olson was born on the island of Bornholm,
Denmark, Aug. 22, 1849, died in Jamestown, N. Y., Aug.
5, 1919. He obtained a good education in the Danish
schools, and learned the cabinet maker's trade, continuing
in Denmark until nineteen years of age. In 1868 he
came to the United States, locating in Titusville, Pa.,
where he was engaged at his trade until his coming to
Jamestown, where in 1874 he began business for himself
as a manufacturer of tables. His was the first exclusive
table manufactured in Jamestown, Mr. Olson's little plant
being located in the old Wood building that stood upon
the site of the later Warner building. Making tables of
a superior quality, the Olson tables quickly found a
place in the furniture market, and in 1878 Mr. Olson
found it advisable to admit a partner and enlarge the scope
of his business. He found the partner in the person of
John Love, also of Danish birth, and a man of fine
mechanical and business ability. The business was con-
ducted under the firm name of A. P. Olson & Company
tor many years, and through the good judgment, fore-
sight, and energy of the partners, was a success. The
slogan of the company was "best material and workman-
ship," and on that foundation a business was built that
has endured for nearly half a century, constantly increas-
ing in volume. The little plant was succeeded by a large
factory built at the corner of Taylor and Fillmore streets,
and when the business outgrew the resources of the two
men, the Diamond Furniture Company was incorporated,
but was controlled by Mr. Olson and Mr. Love. As a
corporation the business has continued its prosperous
course, and although the strong arm of the founder has
been withdrawn, Juhn Love, his able associate of forty
years standing, retains the office of vice-president,
although he has practically retired. But both men kit
able sons, whom they trained in the business, Louis A.
Olson and Henry F. Love, the former being trained in
the selling department, the latter in the offices of the com-
pany, and both contributed largely to the success of the
company.
Through their long business career as manufacturers,
Messrs. Olson and Love maintained the most cordial and
satisfactory relations with their employees, who, in turn,
were invariably loyal to the interests of their employers.
Each partner gave personal attention to the details of
his department and both being men of conservative nature
and inspired by a common interest, there was no friction
in the management, but the best of feeling always existed
between the two men. Early in the twentieth century,
Mr. Olson visited his old home in Denmark, and while
abroad informed himself as to the actual conditions in
foreign markets. He continued the active executive head
of the Diamond Furniture Company until his death.
Mr. Olson married, in Jamestown, Ida Johnson, born
in Gottenburg, Sweden, who died April 12, 1896, daugh-
ter of Jesse Johnson. They were the parents of three
children who, deprived of a mother's care when young,
found in their father a loving friend and tender, faithful
guardian. Children: 1. Louis A., who, after finishing
his education, became a travelling salesman in the em-
ploy of the Diamond Furniture Company ; he now resides
in Detroit, Mich. 2. Ellen J., who was educated in the
Jamestown public schools, and the Curry School of Ex-
pression in Boston, and became a public reader and enter-
tainer, covering in her varied repertoire a wide range of
subjects from the light sketch or ballad to Browning
and Shakespeare. The principal numbers in her reper-
toirs are: "Julius Caesar;" "The Merchant of Venice;"
"Much Ado About Nothing;" Browning's "A Blot in the
'Scutcheon ;" and Lovell's "Ingomer." She impersonates
the leading characters in these plays, and every recital is
given from memory, entirely without the use of notes.
Miss Olson married, May 8, 1913, Alfred Holmes, born
in Copenhagen, Denmark, who came to Jamestown, N.
Y., in October, 1909, and is an architect. They are the
parents of a son, Ernest L. Holmes. 3. Evelyn Isabel
Olson, who is a graduate of the Jamestown (N. Y.) High
School, class of 1906, and was her father's housekeeper
up to the time of his death ; she is now associated with
the Art Metal Construction Company and resides at the
old home, No. 63 Barrett avenue, Jamestown.
The Jamestown "Journal," at the time of the death of
Mr. Olson, said editorially :
Death has removed another important figure in the
development of the industries of Jamestown. August
P. Olson, the head of the Diamond Furniture Company,
344
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
who has been honest and earnest in his efforts for the
betterment of the conditions of the men in his employ,
and for the advancement of the best interests in
Jamestown as an industrial centre and a place of resi-
dence. The community has lost an earnest worker
and a good man in the passing- of A. P. Olson.
HENRY SALEM EDMUNDS, M. D.— There are
few names so well known in the medical profession,
especially among the younger and rising physicians, as
that of Dr. Henry Salem Edmunds, of Fredonia, Chau-
tauqua county, N. Y., who has established himself in
the forefront of his profession in this region and has
won the respect and admiration alike of his professional
colleagues and the community-at-large.
Dr. Edmunds was born Feb. 8, 1883, on a farm at
Sheridan, N. Y., and is a son of Walter A. and Minnie
E. (Daniels) Edmunds, old and highly respected resi-
dents of Sherman, where the former is the owner of
the Sherman Steam Mills, one of the largest concerns of
its kind in the western part of the State. The Edmunds
family is an exceedingly ancient one, not only in this
country but in the Old World, the members of the
family being able to trace their descent back to the
time of William the Conqueror, their ancestor having
come over with that Monarch from Normandy to Eng-
land in the year 1066, A. D.
The elder Mr. Edmunds located at Sherman, N. Y.,
when his son was about nine years of age, the latter
having begun his elementary education at the public
schools of Sheridan. He continued his studies at the
similar institutions of Sherman and graduated from the
High School there in the class of 1902, having been
prepared for college. He had by that time determined
upon the medical profession as a career in life, and with
this end in view entered the medical department of the
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, from which he
was graduated with the class of 1908, taking his medical
degree. He then entered the hospital in connection
with the University of Michigan, where he served for a
time as interne, and later held the same position at the
Shenango Valley Hospital at Newcastle, Pa. Upon
completing this period of apprenticeship, he returned to
his native region and began the practice of his pro-
fession at Sinclairville, Chautauqua county, where he
remained six years and made for himself an enviable
reputation. His next move was to Cassadaga, where
he practiced medicine until the entrance of America into
the World War. He volunteered his services in April,
1917, being one of the first physicians to do so, and
was commissioned on June 30, following. Dr. Edmunds
was then sent to Fort Benjamin Harrison, where he
studied at the Officers' Training Camp for five weeks,
and was then ordered to Kelley Field, San Antonio,
Tex., the famous aviation camp. After remaining four
weeks there, he brought his squadron to Mineola, L.
I., where after remaining three weeks they embarked
for England. Here they were quartered at South-
hampton until their removal to France, the unit landing
at Havre in that country. From Havre they were sent
1o Clermont, where Dr. Edmunds was appointed sur-
geon to the Seventh Aviation Center, where he super-
intended the building of the Base Hospital. He was
next appointed surgeon to the Officers' Training Camp
Hospital and for some time occupied the position of
chief surgeon at this post. From there he was sent to
Valbonne, in the neighborhood of Lyons, where he was
connected with the Valbonne Hospital, and still later
was sent to Advance Depot No. 1, in Isle-Sur-Tille.
At the latter place he superintended the construction of
a 1,000 bed hospital. He alsosawserviceonmany operating
teams and remained at this point until he himself became
a casual, having been gassed in March, 1918. He was
not, however, seriously injured on this occasion and was
soon at work again, but was once more gassed, Sept. 22,
1918, this time with almost fatal results, and was sent
to Base Hospital No. 17, at Dijon, where he remained
from Sept. 23, to Oct. 3. On the latter date he was sent
to Base Hospital No. 20 at Beau Dessert, where he was
also a casual. By this time, however, he was back in
active duty and so great was the press of work that it
was necessary for him to operate and care for the
wounded in spite of his own hurt, the hospital being
crowded at that time with the injured from the front.
He had charge of two of the largest wards in the hos-
pital and remained actively employed there until he was
finally sent back to the United States as adjutant in
charge of 2,500 wounded men. He landed at Hoboken,
N. J., Dec. 17, 1918, and was sent to the Base Hospital
at Camp Merritt, where he did Evacuation Hospital
Work, in charge of the sending out of the wounded men
to their various State hospitals when they were able to
be moved, although still a casual himself. Dr. Edmunds
was then sent to the United States Army Hospital No.
I, as a casual, and received a thirty-day furlough, and
spent the month of Jan. 6 to Feb. 6, 1919, at home. He
then reported back to Base Hospital No. 1 and was
honorably discharged from the army there on Feb. 15,
1919- He was sent, however, by the Federal Board
of Rehabilitation to New York City, where he remained
under observation until July 21, 1919. On Sept. I, 1919,
he came to Fredonia, and has here purchased a beauti-
ful house on Temple street. He has once more resumed
practice and has already won wide recognition for
himself. Dr. Edmunds specializes in surgery, in which
his work at the front has given him such wide experi-
ence, and he is familiar with all the latest surgical
methods, many of which have been developed purely as
a result of that experience. Dr. Edmunds is a member
of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics is an
independent Republican. He is affiliated with a number
of important organizations here, fraternal and otherwise.
He is a member of the American Legion, composed of
the veterans of the Great War ; Silivan Lodge, No. 303,
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Sinclairville;
Buffalo Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Council, Royal
and Select Masters; Commandery, Knights Templar;
Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic
Shrine; and Buffalo Consistory, Sovereign Princes of
the Royal Secret, and has taken his thirty-second degree
in Free Masonry. He is also a member of the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and holds the rank of
past noble grand of Cassadaga Lodge. Besides his
private practice. Dr. Edmunds holds the position of
medical examiner for the Mutual Life Insurance Com-
pany, the New York Life Insurance Company, the
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company of New York
City, the Prudential Life Insurance Company of New-
ark, the Order of Maccabees, the National Protective
League, the Northwestern Life Insurance Company,
and a number of beneficial companies in this region.
Dr. Edmunds married (first) Kathrine Francis, by
BIOGRAPHICAL
345
whom he had two children, Frances Helen and Mar-
garet. He married (second) Nov. 24, 1909, at Corry,
Pa., Mable A. Mead, a daughter of Dr. James and
Sada (Bushnell) Mead, old and highly respected resi-
dents of that place, where Dr. Mead died Dec. 13, 1918.
Two children have been born of this union, as follows :
Richard Mead and Dorothy.
HARRY BROWN THOMPSON— The Forestville
"Free Press," the medium through which Harry B.
Thompson has made himself best acquainted with Chau-
tauquans, was founded by Edward L. Husted in Febru-
ary, 1891, Mr. Husted having previously founded the
Sinclairville "Spectator." Twelve years later the "Free
Press" passed under the control of Harry B. Thompson,
who has successfully guided its destinies as editor and
publisher for seventeen years, 1903-1920. Mr. Thompson
began his career in journalism with the opening of the
present century, his early experiences as a reporter being
a fitting preparation for the post he has ably filled. He
is a son of De Hart and Orlantha (Brown) Thompson,
his father formerly a well known merchant of Sinclair-
ville, N. Y.
Harry Brown Thompson was born in Sinclairville,
Chautauqua county, N. Y., March 23, 1874. He was edu-
, cated in Sinclairville grade and high schools, Chamberlain
Academy, Randolph, N. Y., Alleghany College, Mead-
ville, Pa., and Erie Business College, Erie, Pa. He
was variously employed during his early manhood
years, but in 1900 entered upon his career as a journalist
as a reporter on the Randolph "Register," at Randolph,
N. Y. He spent three years as a reporter with the
"Register." then was for a time otherwise engaged,
but in 1003 became editor and publisher of the Forest-
ville "Free Press," a weekly publication founded in 1891
and conducted by Edward L. Husted through its first
twelve years of life.
The "Free Press" under the editorial and business
management of Mr. Thompson has steadily grown in
circulation and influence, and circulates freely in the
four townships of Arkwright, Villenova, Sheridan and
Hanover, while in Forestville it is a welcome visitor
in three-fourths of the village homes. It is an eight
page newspaper, appearing every Friday from a well
equipped printing plant, which also includes a job print-
ing department. In politics the "Free Press" is Repub-
lican. The local reporters and assistants are Mrs. H.
B. Thompson and Helen R. Barnard.
Mr. Thompson is also the head of another prosperous
business, writing fire, life, liability, theft, - auto and
tornado policies, known as the Forestville Insurance
Agency. This business was established in 1865 by S.
W. Reynolds and now represents such leading companies
as : The Hartford, Home, Aetna, Continental, Great
American, Globe: London, Liverpool and Globe, North
America, Phoenix, Franklin, Connecticut, Springfield
Fire and Marine, and the National Liberty. The busi-
ness of the agency has greatly increased under Mr.
Thompson's management and is the leading business 01
its kind in that section of the county. He is also inter-
ested in the Commercial and Improvement Association
of Forestville, which he serves as secretary.
Mr. Thompson married, at Auburn, N. Y., April 30,
1901, Elnora A. Coe, daughter of George and Sarah
Ann (Mixer) Coe, of an old Steamburg, Cattaraugus
county, family.
JOSEPH NELSON— The business which Joseph
Nelson and his brother Robert founded in Dunkirk, N.
Y., in 1850, under the trade name, Joseph Nelson &
Company, wholesale jewelry and silverware dealers,
is notable as the oldest in its particular line of all firms
in the United States operating under a firm name.
Joseph Nelson, after his brother's resignation from the
firm, continued the business until his retirement late
in life. His three sons-in-law, Henry F. Vander Voort,
James Lyman van Buren and J. Franklin Gilbert, were
taken into the business by Mr. Nelson during later years.
Mr. Vander Voort resigned from the business before
Mr. Nelson's death and went to Buffalo to conduct a
similar business of his own. After Mr. Nelson's death
the two sons-in-law, Messrs. van Buren and Gilbert,
continued the business until their own death and since
that year, 1916, the name of this well known firm became
extinct. This house operated all those years under the
same name, Joseph Nelson & Company. Joseph Nelson
built into warp and woof a name and reputation for the
house, and for himself a character beyond reproach.
Of ancient Scotch Covenanter blood, his Nelson fore-
bears fled from Scotland in the days of religious perse-
cution and settled in the North of Ireland, whence came
that famed Scotch-Irish people, so many of whom came
in early days to the American colonies. Joseph Nelson's
grandmother was a descendant of John Knox, Scotland's
great reformer. His parents were Joseph and Mary
Jane (Gilbert) Nelson, of Dromore. County Down,
and Banbridge, Ireland. Joseph Nelson, the father, was
a noted clock maker, his specialty the olden time "Grand-
father's clock," many of which were sent to the United
States. He was also a manufacturing jeweler, and
taught the business to his sons. His wife. Mary Jane
Gilbert, was the daughter of a divine of the Scotch
Covenanter church, Rev. Adam Gilbert, D. D., who
became a Presbyterian after the merger of the denomi
nations. Joseph and Mary Jane (Gilbert) Nelson were
the parents of four children : Robert, Ann, Joseph and
Gilbert. Robert and Joseph came to the United States,
as did their sister Ann, this review following the career
of Joseph.
Joseph (2) Nelson was born in Dromore, County
Down, Ireland, Aug 7, 1832, died in Dunkirk, N. Y.,
June 28, 1909. He obtained a good education, and from
an early age was allowed to become familiar with the
details of his father's business, displaying marked
aptitude. After the death of Joseph and Mary Jane
(Gilbert) Nelson,' their children. Robert, Ann, Joseph
and Gilbert, disposed of the jewelry business and all
other property pertaining to the estate and came
to the United States, arriving in Dunkirk, N. Y., May
4, 1850. The brothers at once established in business
along the same lines their father had so successfully
followed in Ireland and for several years they prospered,
but as retailers only. They then decided to become
wholesale jewelry dealers and dissolved partnership,
Robert establishing in Toledo, Ohio, Joseph continuing
under the firm name, Joseph Nelson & Company. The
latter built up a strong business house, admitting later
his sons-in-law, Vander Voort, van Buren and Gilbert,
but he continued himself the active head of the business
up to the time of his death.
For more than half a century he was a pillar of
strength to the First Baptist Church of Dunkirk,
although he was reared in the Presbyterian faith of
346
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
his mother. But he liberally supported all Christian
organizations and benevolences, and was most public-
spirited and progressive, supporting all forward move-
ments, civic and moral. He was devoted to his home
and family, belonging to neither club nor fraternity.
He was a man who won public confidence to an un-
usual degree, and when the time came to show him a
final mark of respect all business houses of the city
stood closed during the funeral hour.
Joseph Nelson married, in the town of Sheridan,
Chautauqua county, N. Y., June 29, 1858, Julia Ann
Bartholomew, born in Sheridan, Dec. 12, 1840, daughter
of Henry and Isabella (Patterson) Bartholomew, her
father of New England birth but from boyhood a resi-
dent of Chautauqua county. Joseph and Julia Ann
(Bartholomew) Nelson were the parents of four
daughters, as follows : I. Isabelle Bartholomew, married
John Franklin Gilbert, whom she survives (q. v.). 2.
Leah, married Henry Vander Voort, and has three
children : Hildegarde, Joseph Nelson, Henry Ferdinand
Vander Voort. 3. Julia, married James Lyman van
Buren, whom she survives (q. v.). 4. Josephine, died in
infancy. Mrs. Nelson, Mrs. Gilbert and Mrs. van
Buren continued their residence in Dunkirk after
widowhood. Mrs. Julia Ann (Bartholomew) Nelson
survives her husband, and resides at Dunkirk where she
is held in the highest esteem.
(The Bartholomew Line).
This surname was derived from the ancient Hebrew
or Syriac personal name Bartholmai, modified in Greek
and Roman spelling. Like the other names of Christ's
Apostles, Bartholomew came into use as a baptismal
name in every Christian country even before the use
of surnames.
The Bartholomew family in England appears to date
back to the origin of the use of surnames. The ancient
coat-of-arms : Argent a chevron engrailed between
three lions rampant sable. One branch of the family
bears this : Or three goats' heads erased sable. Crest :
A demi-goat argent gorged with a chaplet of laurel vert.
John, Robert and Richard Bartholomew were living
about 1550, in Warborough, Oxfordshire, England.
Robert and Richard were brothers, and from the fact
that John's son was an overseer of Richard's will it is
infered that John was a brother also. They were land
owners, church wardens and men of consequence in the
community. They frequently used the term, "alias
Martyn," after Bartholomew, presumably having adopted
the name of a maternal ancestor, as was frequently the
case, to secure an inheritance. Oliver Cromwell's name
is given in early records alias Williams, his maternal
ancestors being of the Williams family.
(I) John Bartholomew lived in Warborough, England.
He married there Alice Scutter, who was probably his
second wife.
(II) John (2) Bartholomew, son of John (1) Bar-
tholomew, married in Warborough, Margaret Joyes.
He was made overseer of his uncle Richard's estate in
1577. His four sons apparently all settled in the neigh-
boring towns of Oxford and Burford. Children : John,
baptized June 19, 1556, married Ales Vicarage; Row-
land, baptized Dec. 5, 1561, died 1587; Richard, twin of
Rowland, buried in Burford, April 29, 1632; William,
of whom further.
(III) William Bartholomew, son of John (2) Bar-
tholomew, was baptized in Warborough, Feb. 7, 1567,
and buried May 6, 1634. He settled in Burford, where
he was a mercer, a dealer in silks and woolens. His will
was dated April 25, 1634. He married Friswide, daugh-
ter of William Metcalfe, mayor of New Woodstock, a
neighboring town. She was buried in Fulbrooke, Dec.
10, 1647. Children : Mary, married, June 28, 1620, Richard
Tidmarsh; John, inherited his father's estate and busi-
ness, and died Nov. 15, 1639; William, of whom further;
Henry, born 1606-07, died Nov. 22, 1692, in Salem,
Mass.; Richard supposed to have died in London, or
on a return trip from London to Massachusetts ; Francis,
baptized in Burford, Feb. 13, 1613-14; Thomas, baptized
June 30, 1 61 6; Abraham, died in Burford, March 22,
1646-47; Sarah, baptized April 14, 1623.
(IV) William (2) Bartholomew, son of William (1)
Bartholomew, was born in Burford, England, 1602-03.
He received a good education. He went to London,
and married Anne, sister of Robert Lord, afterward his
next neighbor in Ipswich, Mass. Before September,
1634, he had entertained the famous Anne Hutchinson
at his London home. On Sept. 18, 1634, he arrived in
Boston, Mass., in the ship, "Griffin," in the same com-
pany with Anne Hutchinson, Rev. John Lothrop and I
others. He was admitted a freeman, March 4, 1634-35,
and at the same time was given permission to trade with
vessels at Ipswich, where he settled. He received
several grants of land there in 1635, and was deputy to
the General Court the same year, serving again iiv'i
1636-37-41-47-50. He was often on the jury, was com-
missioner, town clerk, assessor, selectman, treasurer of
the county, and often on important committees. He
removed to Boston about 1660, and in 1662 was overseer
of the mill of William Brown, of Boston. He is called !
a merchant of Boston. He died in Charlestown, at the •
home of Jacob Green, Jan. 18, 1680-81. His grave is*
in the Phipps Street Cemetery, Charlestown, near that I
of John Harvard, the founder of Harvard College. His *
wife Anne died in Charlestown, Jan. 29, 1682-83, andl
her gravestone is still standing. Children : Mary,
married (first) in Gloucester, Dec. 24, 1652, Matthew
Whipple, (second) Jacob Greene; Joseph, born about!
1638, resided in London, England, in 1693; William, off
further mention.
(V) Lieutenant William (3) Bartholomew, son of I
William (2) Bartholomew, was born at Ipswich, 1640-41, ,
and died in the spring of 1697. He learned the trade of f
carpenter, and settled first in Roxbury. He sold his
Roxbury land in 1676-77, and removed to Deerfield,
Mass., where he bought the home lot of Peter Wood-
ward. At the time of the raid of the Indians on Hat-
field, Sept. 19, 1677, he was there with his family. Hiss
daughter Abigail, aged four, was among the captives I
taken to Canada and was ransomed eight months later.
In 1679 he removed to Branford, Conn., where he wass
granted twenty acres of land, built a saw mill and kept 1
an ordinary inn. He was elected surveyor and fence
viewer. In 1687 the town of Woodstock requested himi
to build a mill in their town and offered him a grant off
land. He was commissioned ensign of the new Rox--
bury company, as Woodstock was then called, July 13,
1689, and in 1691 became lieutenant. In 1692 he was ■
the first deputy to the General Court from Woodstock.
He died in Woodstock, in 1697. He married, in Rox-
BIOGRAPHICAL
347
bury, Dec. 17, 1663, Mary Johnson, born April 24, 1642,
daughter of Captain Isaac and Elizabeth (Porter)
Johnson, granddaughter of John Johnson, who held
the title of "Surveyor of all ye King's armies in Amer-
ica." Her father was killed in the Narragansett fight,
Dec. 19, 1675, as he was leading his men over the
bridge (a fallen tree) into the enemy's fort. Children:
Isaac, born Nov. 1, 1664, died Oct. 25, 1727; William,
born Oct. 16, 1666; Mary, born Oct. 26, 1668; Andrew,
of further mention; Abigail, born Dec. 8, 1672, married
(first) Jan. II, 1691-92, Joseph Frizzel, (second) 1709,
Samuel Paine, died 1732; Elizabeth, born March 15,
1074-75. married, Nov. 21, 1699, Edmund Chamberlain ;
Benjamin, born about 1677; John, born about 1679;
Joseph, born about 1682.
(VI) Andrew Bartholomew, son of Lieutenant
William (3) Bartholomew, was baptized Dec. II, 1670,
sin Roxbury. He managed his father's mills in Branford
after the latter's removal to Woodstock, and after his
father's death owned and operated them in company
with his brother Benjamin. On Jan. II, 1711-12, the
iproperty was divided and Andrew bought large quanti-
ties of land in Branford, Wallingford and adjoining
towns. He removed to Wallingford before 1729, and
icontinued there the remainder of his life. He was a
leading citizen, and often held positions of trust. He
was admitted to the church there in 1701. He married
Hannah Frisbie, who died Feb. 2, 1741, daughter of
Samuel Frisbie, of Branford. Children: I. William,
born Feb. 2, 1699. 2. Susannah, born Feb. 4, 1701-02. 3.
Hannah, born Aug. 17, 1704; married, Nov. 19, 1724,
Joseph Barker. 4. Samuel, born Sept. I2J 1706, died
'795- 5- Daniel, born Oct. 16, 1708, died' Oct. .25', 1777-
0. Rebecca, born March 28, 1712; married, Oct. 10, 17.12.
Peter Hall; died Oct. 3, 1791. 7. Rev. Andrew, born
Nov. 7, 1714; graduated at Yale College, : 173 1 ; was
settled minister at Harwinton, Conn., Oct. 4, 1738, and
rontinued as pastor thirty-five years. 8. Timothy, born
Feb. 28, 1716-17, died April 27, 1749. 9. Joseph, of
Further mention. 10. John, born Feb. 8, 1723-24. 11.
Martha.
(VII) Lieutenant Joseph Bartholomew, son of
\ndrew and Hannah (Frisbie) Bartholomew, was born
n Branford, Conn., May 6, 1721, and died in -Walling-
ord, Conn., Oct. 27, 1781. He marched on the Lexing-
ton Alarm of April 19, 1775, and served eight days. His
ommission of lieutenant from the General Court placed
nm in command of all the men in town subject to
nilitary duty. He married Jan. 13, 1741, Mary Sexton.
Children : Hannah, Andrew ; Joseph, died young ; Jona-
han ; and Joseph, of further mention.
(VIII) Joseph (2) Bartholomew, son of Lieutenant
oseph (1) and Mary (Sexton) Bartholomew, was born
ti Wallingford, Conn., in 1748, and died April, 1821.
lis farm was on what was called "Whirlwind Hill,"
ow known as East Farms, in Wallingford, a large part
eing yet owned in the family. He married (first)
lartha Morse, who died about i78r ; married (second)
bout 1784, Damarius Hall, who died Nov. 6, 1819.
'hildren. first three by first wife: Isaac, married Lydia
'urtiss; Levi Moss, married (first) Lucy Ives, (second)
'amelia Potter; Joseph, of further mention; Samuel,
larried (first) Sylvia Hood, (second) Hannah, widow
f Stoddard Neal ; Ira, married Eunice Hall; Orrin,
tarried his second cousin, Emmeline Bartholomew.
(IX) Joseph (3) Bartholomew, son of Joseph (2)
Bartholomew, was born in Wallingford, Conn., settled
in New York State, first at Sheridan, where he was an
early settler. The tract of land he purchased was virgin
wilderness,- but he erected a log cabin, cleared a farm
and prospered. He lived and labored there the remain-
der of his life. He married, March 18, 1804, Julia
Howd. Children: 1. Eliza, married Harry H. Parker.
2. William, died aged nineteen years. 3. Polly, married
Harry Hall. 4. Sylvia Ann, married Ives Andrews. 5.
Stephen Decatur, died young. 6. Almori, died aged
nine years. 7. Henry, of further mention. 8. Joseph,
a prominent dry goods merchant of Dunkirk; married
(first) Cornelia Horton, (second) Elizabeth Pearson.
9. Nelson, built and managed the Dunkirk Opera House.
died unmarried. 10. William A., died unmarried. II.
Stephen Decatur (2), married Julia E. Allen.
(X) Henry Bartholomew, eldest son and seventh
child of Joseph (3) and- Julia (Howd) Bartholomew,
was born in Wallingford, Conn., June 7. l8j8, and died
in Dunkirk, N. Y., Nov. 3, 1871. He came to Sheridan,
N. Y., with his father, and for several years followed
farming. He then removed to Dunkirk, where he was
a successful manufacturer of boxes of various kinds.
In his later years he retired from business and returned
to Sheridan, residing on a farm of about 300 acres,
where his last years were spent, afterwards dying in
Dunkirk. He married Isabella Patterson, born in
Oneida county, N. Y., July 7, 1819, died 1854. Children:
A son dying in infancy, and three daughters, namely:
1. Julia Ann, married Joseph Nelson, (q. v.) 2. Mary,
married (first) William A: Post, a captain in the Civil
War, killed while employed on the' Erie railroad as
engineer; child, William A. (2) Post; she married
(second) Charles Van Wagner. 3. Helen Isabella,
married William L. Slater, of Dunkirk, how a resident
of Jamestown. -
JOHN FRANKLIN GILBERT— Although born in
Ohio, Mr. Gilbert spent his adult years in Dunkirk, N.
Y., where from the age of eighteen he-was connected
with one of the sterling business houses of the city,
Joseph Nelson & Company. He was a grandson of Samuel
and Susannah Gilbert, of Cornwall, England, who came
to the United States, he in 1846, and his wife in 1843.
Henry Gilbert, son of Samuel and Susannah Gilbert,
learned the' cabinetmaker's trade in Cornwall, England,
where he was born about 1815, He came to the United
States in 1842, settling first in Ravenna, going thence
to Loudonville, Ashland county, Ohio. In Loudonville
he was councilman and member of the School Board,
and about 1850 there married Elizabeth Sprague, born
in Loudonville, daughter of William Jasper and Rebecca
(Jones) Sprague. They were the parents of a large
family, their second child a son, John Franklin Gilbert,
whose career is herein reviewed.
' John Franklin Gilbert was born in Loudonville, Ohio,
June 30, 1854, and was there educated. At the age of
eighteen'he located' in Dunkirk, N. Y.. where he secured
a position in the wholesale jewelry house of Joseph
Nelson & Company. He rose rapidly to a responsible
position with that house, and until his death was closely
identified with it, it being one of the oldest in Dunkirk
and for many years the only wholesale house in the
city. After his marriage in 1896 Mr. Gilbert was ad-
348
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
mitted to a partnership, and from igio until his death in
1916 he was head of the firm. He was an excellent busi-
ness man, sterling in character, and universally liked
and esteemed. His life was a successful one, and his
years of manhood were years of usefulness. Mr. Gil-
bert was a member of the Masonic order, affiliated with
Dunkirk Lodge, No. 76, Free and Accepted Masons ;
Dunkirk Chapter, No. 25, Royal Arch Masons; Dunkirk
Council, Royal and Select Masters ; Dunkirk Com-
mandery. No. 7, Knights Templar ; and Ismailia Temple,
Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
Mr. Gilbert married, at Dunkirk, Oct. 15, 1896, Isabelle
Bartholomew Nelson, eldest daughter of Joseph and
Julia Ann (Bartholomew) Nelson, of Dunkirk (q. v.).
Mr. Gilbert died in Dunkirk, July 28, 1916, aged sixty-
two years and one month. Mrs. Gilbert survives her
husband. She is a member of the Church of Christ
(Scientist), having joined the Mother Church in Boston
in 1907, after experiencing a healing from a severe
nervous condition which had caused her great suffering
for years and baffled the best physicians of New York
and Paris. She was one of the organizers of the First
Church of Dunkirk; was for several years its First
Reader, and her example and influence has aided in
building up a strong church in Dunkirk.
JAMES LYMAN VAN BUREN— Although the
career of James L. van Buren closed at the age of
forty-three years, they had been from boyhood years of
constant activity, and he had attained unusual business
prominence and was one of Dunkirk's substantial and
highly esteemed citizens. He was a son of James Henry
van Buren, and a grandson of Henry Broadhead van
Buren, the last named a native of Pompey, N. Y., who
in 1825 located in Dunkirk, Chautauqua county, N. Y.
James H. and Henry B. van Buren, young men, estab-
lished a mercantile business in 1826 or 27, and were long
well known general merchants of Dunkirk. In 1827
they moved into the east store of a new brick block,
subsequently becoming interested in a line of boats
from Dunkirk. Henry B. van Buren was the first
insurance agent in the village, and there died, in 1872,
aged sixty-nine.
James Henry van Buren was born in Dunkirk in
1831, and there spent his life, and died Aug. 9, 1889.
He was associated with his father in the insurance
business and later became general agent for one of the
leading New York companies, a position he held for
over a quarter of a century, being one of the oldest
general agents in the State. He was also general agent
for the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company of Hart-
ford, for the State of New York. A Presbyterian in
religion, he served the church in Dunkirk as an elder,
and in his political faith was a Republican.
Mr. van Buren married, in 1856, Lydia Beecher Cole-
man, born June 8, 1837, died Oct. 8, 1872, daughter of
Trueman Rowley Coleman, born in Connecticut, later
a merchant of Ellicottville, in Cattaraugus county, treas-
urer of the county, 1846-47; moved to Dunkirk in 1854,
and established the Lake Shore Bank, of which he was
president until his death, Aug. 18, 1884. Mr. Coleman
married, at Ellicottville, April 21, 1831, Sophia M.
Beecher, and their fourth child was Lydia Beecher
Coleman, wife of James Henry van Buren. She was a
member of the Episcopal church.
James Lyman van Buren was born in Dunkirk, N.i
Y., April 8, 1867, died at his home on Central avenue,
in his native city, Feb. 26, 1910, and was buried in Forest
Hill Cemetery, Fredonia. He was educated at Dunkirkl
Academy, and at the age of nineteen began his business
career as a clerk in his father's insurance offices. Ini
1888 he had so developed as an underwriter that he was
admitted to partnership, and when a year later his
father passed away the son succeeded him as head of the
business and largely increased the lines carried, repre-
senting at one time eighteen companies, life, fire, accident
and liability. Finally he withdrew from the insurance
field and became associated with his father-in-law, Joseph
Nelson, of Joseph Nelson & Company, wholesale jewelers.
Mr. van Buren developed strong qualities as a merchant,
and to his energy and ability the success of the company
was in a large measure due. After the death of Joseph
Nelson the business was continued by Mr. van Buren until
his own death in 1910. He died in the prime of his splen-
did manhood, honored and respected by all who knew him.
As a mark of respect and a testimonial to the high
regard in which he was held by his fellowmen, the
business houses of Dunkirk were closed during the
hours of his funeral. He was a member of the Sons of
the American Revolution ; a director of the Board of
Trade, and of several other organizations of the city,
and a member of the Presbyterian church.
Mr. van Buren married, June II, 1890, Julia Nelson,
daughter of Joseph and Julia A. (Bartholomew) Nelson
(q. v.). Mr. and Mrs. van Buren were the parents of
six children : Josephine, married George R. Nixon, and
resides in Dunkirk; Nellie, married George Patterson
Crandall, of Westfield, N. Y. ; James Henry (2), a
merchant of Buffalo, N. Y. ; Joseph Nelson, engaged in
mercantile business in Buffalo, married Mary Mac Leod,
of Versailles, Ky. ; James Lyman, residing at home;
Robert, died aged two years.
The three sons served in the World War, James
Henry and Joseph N. in the Aviation Corps of the
United States army, and James Lyman in the navy..
Mrs. van Buren survives her husband and continues
her residence at the old home on Central avenue, Dun-
kirk, her aged mother, Mrs. Joseph Nelson, residing
with her.
SETH W. THOMPSON— In a review of his own
life and family written by himself and finished under
date of Jan. 5, 1914, he thus concludes :
This simple tale I dedicate to my posterity on Janu-
ary 5, 1914. my seventy-eighth birthday, and my wife
who is now here by me joins with me. She is now
seventy-five years old and we are enjoying life and
our faculties to a good degree for people of our age.
May the Good Father who gives us our life and all
manifold blessings bless and keep you always. My
abiding faith and trust is that in the great and eternal
future we shall all in some mysterious and wonderful
way which we cannot comprehend be united in another
existence.
Four years after writing the above, Mr. Thompson
was able to comprehend that "mysterious and wonderful
way," and but a year later husband and wife were
united in another sphere. Three of their children are as
follows : John F. and Charles C. Thompson, of New
York City, and Mrs. Carrie T. West, of Jamestown. In
this review of the life of Mr. Thompson his own
account will be relied upon for the facts.
BIOGRAPHICAL
349
Seth W. Thompson was a son of John and Pamelia
(Bush) Thompson, who about 1833 settled on a farm of
fifty acres within half a mile of Ellington Center,
Chautauqua county, N. V. The parents of JohnThomp-
son were born in Maine, but later lived in Madison
county. N. V., where his father worked at the carpenter's
trade. Later he went West to work upon the Erie canal,
and never returned to his family, being stricken by a
fever which proved fatal. John Thompson, a boy of
eighteen when his father died, and his youngest brother
Seth aided their mother, and they were able to keep
the family together, John remaining single until thirty
ycars of age, then taking his mother and two unmarried
sisters into his home. He married Pamelia Bush, about
1827. and began married life on a little farm of forty
acres in Madison county, N. Y., where they lived until
about 1834. when he sold his farm, and with his mother,
wife and three little daughters, $500 in cash, with his
household possessions loaded in a heavy wagon drawn
by a two-horse team, started West. Their journey of
perhaps 200 miles ended in the town of Ellington, Chau-
tauqua county, N. Y., where John Thompson bought a
farm of fifty acres on which was a log house and stable.
The pine timber had been almost entirely taken from the
tract, but by hard work he removed the stumps and pine
tops from a small amount of land, and the following fall
was rewarded by a good crop. His wife, a tailoress,
aided with her needle, and in course of time a certain
degree of prosperity was attained. In speaking of his
boyhood and his parents, Mr. Thompson writes :
We always had comfortable clothing and an extra
suit for Sunday and church, which was always at-
tended, although we lived on a farm four and a half
miles from the church. They were always generous
to the poor, and no one ever went from their door
Hungry, friend or stranger.
About 1840 the little farm was sold, and another of
150 acres was bought. Until 1851 the family, then con-
iisting of seven children, lived in the old log house, but
For several years had been getting lumber together, and
n 1851 a new frame house was finished. With this
louse completed the hardships of pioneer days may be
aid to have ended for the Thompson family, and the
ortunes of Seth W. Thompson will alone be followed.
Seth W. Thompson was born in the log cabin on
he home farm in Ellington, Chautauqua county. N. Y.,
n 1836, the fifth child of his parents. He was educated
n the district school, and in the winter of 1853-54 he
aught school in Ohio, four miles south of Madison, his
tarried sister, Frances Turney, engaging the school for
im. The next winter he taught the district school
.est of the old farm in the town of Ellington, the
ame school which he had attended when a small boy.
le taught in Chautauqua county each winter until that
f 1860-61, which was his last. His salary was from
16 monthly the first winter to $26 the last winter.
nd at all the schools except the last in the village of
Ellington, he boarded around. He was a successful
;acher, ever looking back upon the winters he taught
ith great pleasure.
During my school days in the winter of 1855-56, I
lade the acquaintance of Hiss Emma L. Pratt, a
prightly, hlack-eyed girl, with whom I fell in love,
he also taught several terms of school, her last term
eing in the Union School at Dunkirk, New York. On
ctober 2, 1S59, after nearly four years of pleasant
courtship, we were married. Our life has been a very-
pleasant one and we have been unusually favored in
many ways. We have now passed our fortv-first anni-
versary (they were marripd fifty-nine veafs ere death
dissolved this happy marriage). We have been fairly-
successful in business ventures, and wonderfully
blessed in our children who have always been and are
still to us a blessing which we cannot express, meas-
ure or weigh.
In May, 1861, John M. Farnham, the hardware merchant
of Ellington, offered Mr. Thompson a partnership, which
was accepted. In the fall of i8(>i he bought out a tin
and stove shop in Cattaraugus, N. Y., Mr. Thompson
taking charge of that branch, Oct. 28, 1861, and two
weeks later his wife, and son John, then fifteen months
old, arrived with their household goods. The next
year his father and mother joined their son in Cattar-
augus, and in 1866 they all moved into a fine house. In
1869 that house was sold, ami in December, 1S69, a
new house was occupied for the first time. In 1870,
through a combination of circumstances, the firm, S. W.
Thompson Company, sold out and a new partnership
was entered into with Henry Chaffee, Mr. Thompson
remaining in charge of the Cattaraugus store, Mr.
Chaffee taking charge of the firm's business in Randolph.
About 1872 the Cattaraugus store was sold, Thompson
& Chaffee then concentrating all their energy on the
larger, better store in Randolph, which later they sold
to Knapp & Son. Shortly afterward Mr. Thompson
sold his interest in a patent milk pan business in which
he had been engaged for some time, and he entered into
partnership with J. M. Farnham, who had been his first
partner in the tin shop in Cattaraugus. Mr. Farnham
was head of a large hardware business in Jamestown,
and after settling up his affairs in Randolph Mr.
Thompson joined him, his department being the manage-
ment of the office. Before removing his family and
irrevocably committing himself to the partnership, he
found that the business was not as he expected to find
it, and by mutual consent the partnership was not con-
summated. He returned to Randolph and some time
afterward he became partner in a hardware store that
bad been started after Thompson & Chaffee had sold
out. He conducted a prosperous business for six years,
then sold out and took a partnership in a tannery at East
Randolph, which he retained for about three years. He
was next interested with Amos Dow in a private bank-
ing business in East Randolph, the business being con-
ducted under the firm name, Dow & Thompson, bankers.
They continued a quiet, prosperous banking business for
four years, and in 1878 he exchanged his interest in the
bank for a general country store in East Randolph
owned by his partner, Amos Dow. Mr. Dow and he had
previously lost some money in the oil fields of Pennsyl-
vania through fire, but this loss Mr. Thompson recouped,
and during the eight years that he operated the general
store he added $15,000 to his capital through the profits
from the store. In 1880 Mr. Thompson toured Cali-
fornia, where his only brother and a sister were living,
and became enamored of the great West. In December,
iS v ^, his mother passed away, and in June, 1886, his
father passed away in his eighty-eighth year. The lad
promised his parents not to remove West so long as
they lived, and having ministered to them and provided
for their every need during their old age he could con-
sider a western removal with a clear conscience.
35°
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
Going West, he bought a tract of 600 acres of farm
land at Luverne, Rock county, Minn., and the next day
purchased an additional 160 acres. In May, 1887, he
sold his store in East Randolph and availed himself of
an offer to secure an interest in the First National Bank
of Luverne. His son Charles C. Thompson, then with
the Seaboard National Bank of New York City, was
given important position in the bank, and with his wife
and daughter, Carrie T., Mr. Thompson arrived in
Luverne, in September, 1887.
Although Charles C. Thompson had been elected
cashier at the age of nineteen, probably the youngest
man ever elected to that important office, he felt that
a small Minnesota town did not offer sufficient induce-
ments for the future, and after four years in Luverne
he accepted an offer to return to the Seaboard National
Bank, New York City, of which his brother, John F.,
was cashier. In Luverne, the only daughter of the
family, Carrie T., married Henry Brennan, a young
man from Smethport, Pa., they returning East. The
loss of their children decided Mr. and Mrs. Thompson
to return East, and within another year he sold the
home he had built in Luverne and his stock in the bank,
but retained his farms on which he had good tenants.
On his return he located in Newark, N. J., his son,
Charles C, who had returned to Minnesota in January,
1892, and brought back with him a bride, Emily Brown,
making his home with his parents. In August, 1892,
Mr. Thompson returned to Minnesota to look after his
farm interests, and stopping at Jamestown, N. Y., was
offered by his old friend, Mr. Charles Dow, a position
in the Jamestown National Bank. He removed to James-
town in the fall of 1892, and in March, 1893, moved
into a comfortable brick house on Lakeview avenue,
where he resided until death. His position at the
bank was in the loan department, his business being
to interview applicants for loans and to determine
whether they as individuals and the security they offered
were worthy. He resigned that position after four years*
service, and for two years held an interest in the
Southern Lumber Company, operating in Southeastern
Missouri. This was his last active connection with the
business world, although he had large private interests
in many enterprises. He was a man of quiet, domestic
tastes, and in his last years his home, garden, and family
ties had for him the greatest joy and brought him
unlimited happiness. His business life was a financial
success, and he saw his children all well settled and
leading useful lives. He had been instrumental in
starting several young men in business, and in his quiet
way had ever had a helping hand for others. From
whatever angle viewed, his life was a success, and he left
to posterity a name unsullied and honor untarnished.
He died in Jamestown. N. Y., April 15, 1918.
Emma L. (Pratt) Thompson was born in Hinsdale,
N. Y., Dec. 15, 1838, and died at the Thompson home,
No. 609 Lakeview avenue, Jamestown, N. Y., April 30,
1919, daughter of Homer and Electa A. (Newcomb)
Pratt, who at the time of the birth of their daughter
were enroute from Madison county, N. Y., to Missouri.
Subsequently the Pratts settled in Ellington, Chautauqua
county, N. Y., where Mr. Pratt conducted a store until
his death in 1863. Mrs. Pratt died at the home of her
daughter, Mrs. Thompson, in Jamestown, in the spring
01 1893, aged eighty. Mrs. Thompson was educated ir.j
Ellington Academy, and for several terms prior to her!
marriage, Oct. 2, 1859, taught school. Mrs. Thompsor
was a woman of broad culture and charming manner:!
Essentially a home-maker, she found her greatest
enjoyment in the family circle. She was active in tht
work of the First Congregational Church, and was z
member of the New Century Art Club, Jamestowntji
Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, and
the Warner Home for the Aged. She was a gifted^
writer and had prepared many papers of note for the*,
various organizations with which she was connected.l;
During the war with Germany Mrs. Thompson was
an active Red Cross worker and rendered other patri-,
otic service.
Seth W. and Emma L. (Pratt) Thompson were the,
parents of two sons and a daughter: I. John F., born at
the home farm in Ellington, Chautauqua county. N.
Y., July 12, i860; he was educated in Chamberlain
Institute, Randolph, and Allegheny College (one term),
then began business life as a clerk with the private bank-
ing firm, Dow & Thompson ; he has continued in the
banking business ever since, having been teller of the
Bradford National Bank of Bradford, Pa., cashier of
the Seaboard National Bank of New York City, and in
1903 became vice-president of the Bankers' Trust Com-
pany, a position he resigned from four years later on
account of failing health; he then made his home on the
Island of Jamaica, British West Indies, where he*
bought 4,000 acres, and became deeply interested hv
tropical fruit farming ; he married, in 1880, Hattie Dow,
and they are the parents of five children. 2. Charles
C, born at Cattaraugus, N. Y., Aug. 16, 1868; he was
educated in the public school and Chamberlain Insti-
tute, but at the age of fourteen left school to take a posi-
tion in a bank at Bolivar, of which his brother John F.
was cashier; after two years with his brother he wenti
with his father in his store, later going to the Seaboard
National Bank, of New York City; he remained with
that bank until 1887, when he joined his father in
Luverne, Minn., where for four years he was cashier
of the Luverne National Bank, being but nineteen when
elected ; he then returned to the Seaboard National .
Bank in New York, filling the position of assistant
cashier until succeeding his brother as cashier, then 1
serving in that position until 1913, when he was elected'
vice-president; he married Emily Brown, of Luverne,:
Minn., and they are the parents of one son, Seth Waldo. 1
3. Carrie T., born in Cattaraugus, N. Y., Oct. 16, if<;o;
she married (first) in Luverne, Minn., Henry Brennan, 1
of Smethport, Pa., who died leaving five children : i. i
Mildred E. Brennan, married her cousin, John Stuart
Thompson, and has three sons, John D., Philip Brennan,
and Charles H. Thompson; ii. Ruth Marion Brennan,
married Fred E. Hatch, Jr., of Jamestown, and has three
children, Katherin T., Marjorie C, and Mildred Hatch;
iii. John Thompson Brennan, married Vivian Evans,
who died Oct. 26, 1918, leaving two children, John
Thompson (2) and Janet L. Brennan ; iv. Theodoria
Brennan ; v. Carolyn E. Brennan, both attending school. I
After the death of her husband, a prosperous business
man, Mrs. Brennan moved to her home in Jamestown,
N. Y., prepared for her by her parents, and was the
great comfort of their declining years, her home being
BIOGRAPHICAL
35i
near theirs. She married (second) Julius E. West, of
Jamestown, and they reside on Lakeview avenue, James-
town.
JAMES KNAPP— For more than a decade of the
last years of his life, James Knapp was an honored
resident of Jamestown, N. V., a man of wealth and
enterprise, highly esteemed by all who knew him. He
was always deeply interested in family history, and
during his lifetime carefully traced his own descent
from Nicholas Knapp, who came with Winthrop's
fleet in 1630. The family was transplanted from Con-
necticut to Chautauqua county, N. Y., in 1821, John
Knapp, grandfather of James Knapp, settling in the
town of Harmony in November of that year. James
Knapp married Ellen Lewis, of the Vermont branch of
'the Lewis family, who survives him, continuing her
(residence in Jamestown, she and her son, Lewis D.
■Knapp, the only survivors of the family.
(f) Nicholas Knapp was born in England, and died
iir Stamford, Conn., April 16, 1670. He settled in Water-
in 1630, and was there listed a proprietor in
■1636-37, and in 1648 moved to Stamford, Conn., where
three generations of his descendants in the branch
lived. His first wife Eleanor, the mother of all his
'children, died in Stamford, June 16, 1658. Their
children : Jonathan, Timothy, Joshua, Caleb, Sarah, Ruth
ind Hannah were born in Waterford. Moses and Lydia,
't is thought, were born after the removal to Stamford.
Descent to James Knapp is traced through Caleb, the
fourth son.
(II) Caleb Knapp, son of Nicholas and Eleanor
\napp, was born Jan. 20, 1637, and in 1648 was taken
:o Stamford with the family. His will is dated Oct.
1, 1674, and in it is named his wife Hannah, and
■hildren : Caleb, John, Moses, Samuel, Sarah and
iannah. Descent in this branch is through the second
on John.
(III) John Knapp, son of Caleb and Hannah Knapp,
vas born in Stamford, Conn., July 25, 1664, and there
pent his life. He married, June 10, 1692, Hannah
"erris, and they were the parents of five children :
lamuel, John (2), Hannah, Charles, Deborah. This
ne traces through John (2), the second son.
(IV) John (2) Knapp, son of John (1) and Hannah
Ferris) Knapp, was born in Stamford, Conn., Aug.
4, 1697. He married and among his children was a
on John (3).
(V) John (3) Knapp, son of John (2) Knapp, was
Dm about 1730, and settled in Danbury, Conn. In the
istory of Stamford he is named as having served for
23 days in the Revolutionary army, during the year
"76. He married Ruth Gregory, and they were the
trents of seven children : Samuel, Elizabeth, Jehu,
uth, John, Chloe and Levi. With John, the fifth child,
onnecticut ceased to be the family seat, he settling in
hautauqua county, N. Y.
(VI) John (4) Knapp, son of John (3) and Ruth
Gregory) Knapp. was born Nov. 17, 1767. In Novem-
r, 1821, he settled on lot No. 49 in the town of Har-
lony, Chautauqua county, N. Y., and is buried in
anama in the same town. He married Lois Wood,
«d they were the parents of ten children: Noah, who
(me to Harmony with his father in 1821, settled on the
adjoining lot, No. 41, and later inherited the homestead
farm; Lucy, married a Mr. Kilpatrick; Levi; Lucinda,
married a Mr. Haines, and lived in Panama; Nancy,
married a Mr. Joslyn ; John, who died in Auburn, N. Y. ;
Darius, of whom further; Orrin, who moved to
Michigan; Cyrus, who was killed by a falling tree;
Harriet, married Hiram Smith.
(VII) Darius Knapp, seventh child of John (4) and
Lois (Wood) Knapp, was born April 24, 1805, and died
Jan. 24, 1866. He was educated in the public school,
and spent his life as a farmer. He was a land owner
and a substantial citizen of Panama, Chautauqua county,
and held some of the offices of the town of Harmony.
He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and in
politics was a Republican. He married Polly Edwards,
born Nov. 3, 1807, and died Dec. 5, 1877, daughter of
Ebenezer and Sibyl (Seeley) Edwards. They were the
parents of five children: Ebenezer, died young; Elpha,
died young; Charles, born May 16, 1838, married Alice
Berry, and died Sept. 10, 1868; Mary, born May 31,
1840, married Henry C. Steward; James, of whom
further.
(VIII) James Knapp, youngest child of Darius and
Polly (Edwards) Knapp, was born at the farm in the
town of Harmony, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Sept. 23,
1841, and died in Jamestown, in the same county, March
20, 1910. He was educated in the public schools, and
spent his youth upon the farm, his father's assistant, and
after the death of Darius Knapp in 1866 he succeeded to
the ownership and management of the estate. He
resided in the village of Panama and there conducted
farming operations until 1889, when he moved to James-
town, which was his home until death, twenty-one
years later. In Jamestown he engaged in the real estate
business and in the care of his personal estate. He was
a capable business man, and to his inherited wealth
made substantial additions. He was kindly-hearted and
generous, public-spirited and deeply interested in public
affairs. He was a Republican in politics, and an attend-
ant on the services of the Baptist church. He was a
man of quiet domestic tastes, devoted to his home and
family, eschewing club and fraternity life. His life was
a useful and honorable one, and he passed away deeply
regretted. He is buried in Lakeview Cemetery.
James Knapp married, at Panama, Jan. 6, 1869. Ellen
Lewis, born in Panama, Oct. 24, 1846, who survives her
husband, a resident of Jamestown. Mrs. Knapp is a
daughter of Perrin Lewis, and a granddaughter of
Emos Lewis, born in April, 1773, and died April 26,
1861, a resident of Rutland county, Vt. His wife Eunice
was born in 1772, and died May 15, 1862. Their son,
Perrin Lewis, was born in Rutland county, Vt., April 2,
1803, and died Jan. 29, 1890. He was a cabinetmaker by
trade, and until 1832 resided in Vermont, then came to
Chautauqua county, N. Y., where he worked at his
trade and operated a farm. Perrin Lewis married
(first) Oct. 27, 1825, Emily Frances, born Nov. 30, 1806,
died Nov. 25, 1826. He married (second) Feb. 7, 1827,
Lury Cook, born Dec. 8, 1803, died Jan. 30, 1892,
daughter of Francis and Susanna Cook, of Hamburg,
Erie county, N. Y. Francis Cook died in 1810, leaving
a widow and seven children who lived in Hamburg.
During the second war with Great Britain the Cook
home was visited by the Indians and Lury was sent by
35^
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
her mother to obtain aid. She could not return, and
it was not until after the burning of Buffalo in 1814
that the Indians departed and the Cook family were
reunited. Perrin and Lury (Cook) Lewis were the
parents of the following children: Emily, died at the
age of eleven years; Cherlina, married (first) Dr.
John R. Bush, (second) William Walrodt; Martha,
married Moses Bush ; Eunice, died at the age of two
years; Alta, married Rev. Austin D. Bush; Eunice (2),
died young; William Henry, removed to Iowa; Ellen,
born Oct. 24, 1846, now the widow of James Knapp;
Charles Albert, moved to Michigan.
James and Ellen (Lewis) Knapp were the parents of
two children: 1. Lewis D., born in Panama, N. Y., Oct.
8, 1872; he was educated in the grade and high schools
of Jamestown, finishing at Jamestown Business College;
he engaged in the drug business in Jamestown for five
years, but has for many years devoted himself to the
management of the family estate; he is a Republican in
politics, and a member of the Baptist church. 2. Mabel,
born Feb. 28, 1874, died April 16, 1903; she was educated
in the Jamestown grade and high schools ; she became
the wife of Royal C. Burnham, Sept. 14, 1893 ; Mr. and
Mrs. Burnham had a son Kenneth, born Oct. 9, 1894;
they reside in Lancaster, Cal. ; she was a devoted member
of the Baptist church, and a woman of gentle, lovable
Christian nature.
DR. MATTHEW S. MOORE— Placed in these
pages as a memorial to Dr. Moore, this record has
especial value from the fact that the greater part of
its text is quoted from the writings of a close personal
friend of Dr. Moore's, the Hon. Oscar W. Johnson.
Many years have passed since Dr. Moore went in and
out of Chautauqua county homes on his missions of
ministration to bodily ills, but the influence of a life
such as his can never be lost, and the example of a
man who used his opportunities to a splendid end will
long stand as an inspiration and example to those who
follow him.
Dr. Moore's family has been prominent in the history
of South Carolina for a number of generations. His
grandfather, Richard Richardson, and in more recent
years his cousins, James Richardson, John L. Manning,
and Richard Manning, each served as governors of the
State. The family is connected by both blood and
marriage to George McDuffie, Wade Hampton, the
war governor of Reconstruction Days, the Pinckneys, all
of whom took prominent part in the early history of
the nation. His cousin, Angelica Singleton, married
the son of Martin Van Buren, and, the wife of President
Van Buren being then deceased, she presided as lady
of the White House during his administration.
Matthew Singleton Moore was born in Aiken, S. C.
He received his literary education at the University of
Virginia, and his professional education at Jefferson
Medical College, Philadelphia. He was an only child,
and his father died in infancy. He inherited about
7,000 acres of cotton bearing lands, which gave him an
income beyond his wants or desires, but this did not pre-
vent his practicing his profession, which he loved as a
means of alleviating human suffering.
At the commencement of the Civil War, he was
appointed surgeon of the First South Carolina Artillery
and was stationed at Fort Sumter from the surrender
of General Anderson to the close of the war. When the
war closed, his wealth had vanished; his plantations
were a barren waste; his associates and friends had
been scattered like leaves in the tempest ; the tax
gatherer made demands he could not meet; a large
family demanded protection and support. He resolved
to come North and prepare a new home for them. The
advice of Dr. Strong, of Westfield, an early friend, led
him to visit Fredonia in 1867. He called upon many
of our citizens, and with a characteristic frankness
told them of the part he had taken in the war, of his
desire, if they could welcome him as a man and
physician, regardless of the past, to cast his lot among
them. He asked no charity that he did not give. From
the hour of this meeting all were his friends. They
recognized a brave and magnanimous man, struggling
against adversity. If they thought he had erred they
knew he had never sinned against his own convictions.
In about two years he removed his family.
The incidents in the life of Dr. Moore are easily
written, but when we attempt to describe the man, as
he seemed to us, we feel inadequate to the task. In
head and heart he was an exemplification of true man-
hood. He was a man of broad and liberal culture,
whose thoughts and studies were not bounded by the
limits of professional investigation. His mind was
enriched by books and by a close observation of life
in many forms. The northern and the southern heart
had been opened to him; he had been tried by prosperity
and adversity. He was distinguished for his courtesy,
not the courtesy that is prescribed by rules, but that
which comes from the eye, that is quick to see, and
the heart overflowing with kindness and generous im-
pulses toward all humanity. As a physician he was the 1
acknowledged peer of the ablest in Western New York. .
His cheerful nature and genial sympathy endeared him
to every family he visited. His cheerfulness was won- ,
derful, and it did not desert him when he was con- 1
scious that disease was upon him and that "he was
walking in the valley of the shadow of death." He
said to the writer that he did not fear to die. that he
had been face to face with death until it had lost all
terrors, but he shrank from the long suffering and
helplessness which sometimes attended his disease and
which no human skill could alleviate. All this was 1
mercifully spared him, as in the twinkling of an eye '
death affixed its seal upon the features where his i
accustomed smile still lingered.
Dr. Moore had a heart large enough for the North
and the South and he loved them both, and after the 1
whirlwind of war had passed would have given his
life that they should remain "one and inseparable"
forever. He chose to sleep his last sleep among his
Northern friends, not forgetting, however, his child-
hood's home in the sunny South or the graves of gener-
ations of his kindred with whom he had once hoped tc
rest. He had as much of his practice and as man)
friends in Dunkirk as in Fredonia. At his funeral
services, which were held in the Protestant Episcopal
church, hundreds of families from both places were
represented, and the exhibition of sorrow was as
death had smitten one in every household. As
affections and sympathies and charities were broader
than any school, class or sect, so from all sources alike
came the tributes of respect to his true and loyal nature.
BIOGRAPHICAL
353
Surely in his earlier home, friends with tenderer hands
and warmer hearts could not have borne him to his last
resting place or felt a more assured hope that it will
be well with him hereafter.
Dr. Matthew Singleton Moore and his wife, Martha
Screven (Murray) Moore, were the parents of eleven
children: Matthew S., Jr., Elizabeth B., John I., Sarah
R., Arthur Rose; Samuel M.; Martha and Screven,
twins; Mary C, Burchell R., and MacDonald. Dr.
Moore died Jan. 6, 1884, aged fifty-six years.
Mrs. Moore is a descendant of John Hart, who came
from England to Pennsylvania with William Penri in
1682, and in 1683 married Susanna Rush, of Byberry,
near Philadelphia. John Hart was the eldest son of
Christopher and Mary Hart. From John and Susanna
Hart the descent is as follows: Their eldest son, John
Hart, married Eleanor Crispin; their fifth son, Oliver
Hart, married Sarah Brees, of Bucks county, Pa.; their
eldest daughter, Eleanor Hart, married Thomas Screven,
March 6, 1770, he a son of Thomas and Mary Screven,
of Charleston, S. C; their eldest daughter, Martha
Screven, married Benjamin Bonneau, Feb. 26, 1795;
their only child, Elizabeth Vanderhorst Bonneau,
married Samuel J. Murray, May 25, 1820; their fourth
child, Martha Screven Murray, born Dec. 18, 1826,
married Dr. Matthew Singleton Moore.
ARTHUR ROSE MOORE— For thirty-five years,
1885-1920, Arthur R. Moore has been engaged in the
practice of law in Fredonia, N. Y., having opened offices
there immediately upon his admission to the bar. The
years have brought him the rewards of his profession as
well as the esteem of his fellow-townsmen, and he is
most highly regarded both as a professional man and as
a citizen.
Arthur Rose Moore was born in Slateburg, Sumter
county, S. C, Jan. 1, 1855. He was named for a college
friend of his father, Dr. Arthur Rose, of Charleston,
S. C. He spent the first fourteen years of his life in
his native place, being urfrler the tuition of governesses
and private instructors. After coming to Chautauqua
county, N. Y., he attended Westfield Academy for two
years, then pursued the classical course at the State
Normal and Training School, Fredonia, for four years,
following his classical course with two years' study in
medicine in his father's office. But the medical pro-
fession did not appeal to him and he discontinued study
thereof to begin the study of law under the preceptor-
ship of Norris & Lambert, Fredonia, N. Y. He was
admitted to the New York bar at Buffalo in January,
1885, and at once began practice in Fredonia and so
continues to the present (1920). In February, 1885,
■ he was admitted to practice in the District Court of the
United States for the Northern District of New York,
and on Jan. 25, 1895, on motion of Senator David B.
Hill, of New York, was admitted to practice in the
Supreme Court of the United States. While his practice
is general in character, Mr. Moore has given particular
attention to probate, corporation and real estate law, and
has often- been appointed by the courts to important
receiverships which were managed and closed success-
fully and most satisfactorily. He is a member of the
Bar Association of Northern Chautauqua and New York
State Bar Associations, and is held in high esteem by
his brethren of the profession.
A Democrat in politics, Mr. Moore was elected to that
strongly Republican body, the Chautauqua County
Board of Supervisors, in 1886, representing the town of
Pomfret for one term. He was elected president of the
Fredonia Village Corporation in 1895, and while holding
that office was appointed by President Grover Cleveland
postmaster of Fredonia to fill out an unexpired term.
That appointment was made in March, 1895, and in Feb-
ruary, 1896, was followed by appointment for a full
term of four years. Upon the expiration of his term
in February, 1900, the Republicans not being able to
agree upon a successor, he held over until the end of the
year, about ten months. It being contrary to the law
to hold the office of postmaster in connection with any
other public office, Mr. Moore resigned his office of pres-
ident of the village, but the trustees refused to accept
it. The post office department ruled that inasmuch as he
had resigned he had complied with the law and advised
that he take no further action. He continued as village
president until the expiration of his term, then of course
declined reelection. In 1894-95, he was chairman of the
Chautauqua County Democratic Committee; from 1900
to 1907, inclusive, member of the board of managers of
the State Normal and Training School, Fredonia, secre-
tary-treasurer of that board, 1904 and 1905, and chair-
man, 1906-1907, inclusive. He is a member of the
Masonic order and a past master of Forest Lodge, No.
166, of Fredonia, having been master of that lodge in
1890-1891. He is a member and senior warden of
Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church of Fredonia.
Mr. Moore married, at Louisville, Ky., June 6, 1895,
Sally Doom MacLeod, daughter of John and Mary L.
(Doom) MacLeod, her father a prominent railroad and
bridge engineer. Mr. and Mrs. Moore are the parents
of five children : Matthew Singleton, who died July 23,
1913, aged sixteen years; John MacLeod, Arthur Rose,
Jr., Mary Elizabeth, Sally MacLeod.
From boyhood a resident of the village which has
ever since been his home and place of business, Mr.
Moore has won the confidence and good will of his
townsmen to a remarkable degree, and in return has
given them his best efforts as a professional man, a
public official, and is found in support of all movements
tending to Fredonia's good. Public-spirited, courteous
and efficient, he has a wealth of friends whom he loyally
serves as opportunity permits.
ZATTU CUSHING— A great deal of pioneer his-
tory centers around Zattu Cushing, born in Plymouth,
Mass., in 1770. His father losing his fortune by the
depreciation of Continental money, Zattu Cushing was
apprenticed to a Boston ship carpenter, with whom he
served his full time. He moved from Boston to Sara-
toga county, thence to Oneida county, N. Y.,
where he cleared a farm. In 1779 he was employed to
'build a vessel at Presque Isle, now Erie, Pa., and on
his way back to Oneida county he stopped over night
in the wilderness of Fredonia, and was so pleased that
he resolved to make the place his home. In February,
1805, he left Oneida county for this purpose with his
wife and children. Two sleds, each drawn by a yoke
Chau-23
354
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
of oxen, carried his family and worldly goods. They
were three weeks performing' the journey which now
is, by the flyer on the railroad, performed in seven
hours. They started from Buffalo on the ice to go up
the lake. At night a terrible tempest came unexpect-
edly. They feared to move, as there were points where
the ice was broken. The judge blew the old-fashioned
dinner horn at intervals, thinking it might attract some
settlers. Two men heard it, and taking it for a signal
of distress, came with lanterns and piloted them ashore
near the mouth of Eighteen Mile creek. Before day-
light the ice had receded miles from the shore. When
he reached Canadaway he found the lot he designed
for a home had been taken up by Thomas McClin-
tock, but fortunately he found a partly-built log house,
which made them a home for the winter. He drove
four cows, and brought a barrel of salt, a half-bushel
of apple seeds, and two men to assist in chopping. His
apple seeds were the germs of the oldest orchards in
Chautauqua. He procured potatoes for planting from
the Indians. Zattu Cushing was eminently a pious
man. His first thought when he came into the wilder-
ness was to establish a church. This he did with the
help of eight others, two of whom were women. Thus
the first Baptist church was organized, and services
held in his barn, which was the most spacious edifice
in the community. He was a licensed preacher, and for
years held regular meetings in the back settlements,
men coming for miles to listen to him.
Up to 1807 all the county was the township of Chau-
tauqua, with the town meetings at the Cross Roads,
now Westfield. Judge Cushing rallied all the voters
of his part of the county to go to Westfield, and they
voted the town meeting here. This caused the creation
of Pomfret. At its first town meeting he was elected
overseer of the poor. In 1808 he was appointed one
of the judges of Niagara county, of which Erie county
was a part, and tried and sentenced to prison the first
convict from Buffalo. At the organization of Chautau-
qua county in 1811, he was appointed first judge. Law-
yers from Buffalo would come and stay with him over
Sunday, and on Monday they would go on horseback
through the woods to Mayville. He served as a private
in the War of 1812. He was delivering a Fourth of
July oration when news came of the landing of some
British soldiers at the mouth of the Canadaway. For
a wonder, the orator hastened to the scene of danger
more rapidly than his audience. James Mullett and
Daniel W. Douglass in their haste undertook to ride
one horse, which fell with them and left them help-
less at the roadside. Seldom in the history of war
has the whole cavalry of an army been rendered use-
less by a single accident. The two heroes were covered
with mud instead of glory.
In 1817 a law was passed to aid agricultural societies,
which were to be organized at the court house in the
respective counties. Two or three days before the
time, the judge rode from house to house as far as
Cattaraugus creek and notified every man to rally for
Mayville. The judge headed the procession of several
hundred. There were not as many horses as men, so
some would ride a certain distance and tie the horse
to give the footman behind a chance. At the appointed
hour they emerged from the forest, filled the court
house, organized with Judge Cushing as chairman, anc
voted the "Fair" to Fredonia. Premiums remitted for
the purpose formed the nucleus for the Fredonia Acad-
emy Library.
In 1826, just after the opening of the Erie canal.i
Judge Cushing built, in company with others, a canal
boat within the limits of Fredonia, using the tools het
used to build the "Good Intent" at Erie thirty years -
before. The boat, named "The Fredonia Enterprise,",'
was drawn to Dunkirk by one hundred yoke of oxen,j
loaded with wheat by Todd & Douglass, and towed to
Buffalo by the steamer "Lake Superior." This was
the first wheat ever shipped from Chautauqua to the'
New York market.
In 1S16 the wife of Judge Cushing died. LTp to
that time many of the residents had never attended a 1
funeral in Chautauqua county. They came on foot I
and on horseback and with ox-teams from the remotest I
towns to pay the last tribute of respect to the dead.
In the hard season of 1816, blessed with ample
means, Judge Cushing would not sell his grain, but '
loaned it to be returned when harvests should come to
the borrower. When his family remonstrated with
him for indiscriminate benevolence, he told them it was
better to aid ten hypocrites than to turn away one that
was needy.
In 1822, after fourteen years of service, he retired
from the bench with the reputation of an upright, dig-
nified, and clear-headed judge. He was a peacemaker.
Men gathered around his deathbed for a council. His ; «
influence was not in his words as a preacher, but in
the heroic Christian life back of it. He died in 1839, ,
respected, honored, even reverenced, by his fellow-men.
Six hundred acres of land converted from the wilder- •
ness to cultivated fields attested his energy. . He was
an ardent patriot, but to him the vision of the great t
struggle to be waged for the life of the Republic, and i
in which the heroism of his grandson was to make the '
name of Cushing immortal in history, did not come, j
At the first term of court held after the death of :
Judge Cushing, Jan. 13, 1839, the bar of Chautauqua
county procured his portrait, as the first judge of
Chautauqua county, to be hung in the court house over-
the judge's bench. By vote of the supervisors of I
Chautauqua county, a group of photographs of his •
four heroic grandsons are now fittingly placed beneath
this portrait.
THE CUSHING BROTHERS— Dr. Milton Buck
ingham Cushing, son of Judge Zattu and Rachel (Buck-
ingham) Cushing, was born at Paris, N. Y., July 20, \
1800, and died at Gallipolis, Ohio, April 22, 1847. He
was a physician and a merchant, and an energetic,
clear-sighted, persevering business man of high char-
acter and vigorous intellect, influential and public-
spirited.
Dr. Cushing married (first) Abigail Browning Tup-
per, who died in Zanesville, Ohio, daughter of CoL
Tupper, grandson of Gen. Tupper of the Revolution; |
her mother, a daughter of Gen. Rufus Putnam. There
were three children born of this marriage: Benjamin
Tupper, a law partner of Salmon P. Chase, in Colum-
bus, Ohio, where he died at the age of twenty-five;
Edward Anselm, a physician, who died before reach-
■ ■
(%A>?i.
BIOGRAPHICAL
355
ing his twenty-fifth year; Rowena Sophia, married Asa
Brown, and died in Wilmington, N. C.
Dr. Milton B. Cushing married (second) in Colum-
bus, Ohio, Mary Barker Smith, of Boston, born in
n, Mass., Sept. 24, 1807, died at the home of her
only surviving child, Mrs. E. H. Bouton, in St. Joseph,
Mo., March 26, 1891. She was a daughter of Elisha
Smith, a lineal descendant of John Alden, and related
to John Adams, the Hancock, Madison and Phillips
families. She used to relate that her earliest recollec-
tion was of attending the funeral of her grandfather,
Josiah Smith, member of Congress, and said that the
carriage of President John Adams (a cousin) headed
the funeral procession. Seven children were born of
this second marriage of Dr. Milton B. Cushing.
The first son of Dr. Milton B. Cushing was Milton
Buckingham (2), born in Columbus, Ohio, April 20,
1S37, died in Dunkirk, N. Y., Jan. 1, 18S6. He was a
naster in the United States army, serving with
distinction. He married, in 1868, Ellen Delia Gros-
venor, who died in Dunkirk, May 31, 1898, daughter of
Thomas P. Grosvenor.
The second son, Howard B. Cushing, was born in
Milwaukee. Wis., Aug. 22, 1838, and killed in Arizona,
May 5, 1871, by Cachise, the noted Apache chief. He
was then a first lieutenant in the Third Regiment,
United States Cavalry. A monument was erected to
the memory of Lieut. Cushing by the citizens of Tuc-
son. Ariz.
The third son. Col. Alonzo Hereford Cushing, was
born Jan. 19, 1841, and was killed at the battle of
Gettysburg, July 3, 1863. His birthplace was Dela-
field. Wis. His father dying, the family came to Fre-
donia to live, and Alonzo H. was appointed to the
Military Academy at West Point through Hon. F. S.
Edwards, member of Congress of the Thirty-first Dis-
trict of the State of New York. He entered the acad-
emy July 1, 1857, and was graduated Jan. 24, 1861, as
second lieutenant, and commissioned first lieutenant,
Fourth Artillery, June 24, 1S61, breveted captain Dec.
13, 1863, for gallant and meritorious service at the bat-
tle of Fredericksburg, Va. He was made major May
2, 1863, for like service at the battle of Chancellors-
ville, Va.. and promoted to lieutenant-colonel July 1,
1863, for conspicuous gallantry at the battle of Gettys-
burg, Pa., where he was killed. After graduating, he
was first of his class ordered into the field, and was
assigned to the duty of instructing volunteer regiments
preparatory to the move on Manassas, in which move-
ment he commanded a section of a regular battery and
was with General McClellan as chief of ordnance on
General Sumner's staff, with the rank of captain, par-
ticipating in every battle of the Peninsular campaign.
For a time he was transferred to the Topographic
Corps, and while here he made a map of the Antietam
battlefield. His favorite arm of service was the artil-
lery, to which he was returned at his own request, and
was assigned to the command of Battery A of the
Fourth Regiment. His battery was placed under Gen-
eral Hancock in the Second Corps in the campaign into
Pennsylvania; and at Gettysburg, in the face of that
last wild charge of Pickett's division, he was placed
with Battery A at Cemetery Ridge, a crucial point on
the battlefield, with nothing to mask his position, men,
guns and horses standing out in bold relief against the
sky. After all his men had been shot clown and every
gun of his battery dismounted but one, he stood among
his dead and dying men, himself mortally wounded,
and with the foe not thirty feet away pulled the lanyard
and fired his last gun upon the charging columns of the
enemy, saying to an officer who was riding up with
reinforcements: "We will give them one more shot,
General We'bb," and fell back dead, his work of de-
fense accomplished, the tide of battle there turning
toward victory for the Union army.
The fourth son, William Barker Cushing, will have
further and extended mention.
The youngest and last survivor of this family, Mary
Isabel Cushing, was born in Chicago, 111. She mar-
ried, in Fredonia, N. Y., June 11, 1867, E. F. Gayle, of
Salem, Mass. She married (second) April 19, iS'81,
E. H. Bouton, of St. Joseph, Mo., but later of Chicago,
111. The other children died young.
When Dr. Milton B. Cushing died, Mrs. Cushing
was left with the care of five young children, and with-
out means. Nobly she responded to the task allotted
her, and her four sons, even when quite young and in
school, testified their appreciation of her labors by aid-
ing in furnishing the family purse outside of school
hours. She removed to Fredonia, N. Y., to be near her
husband's relations, and opened a school in her own
home on Green street. No words can express the great
nobility of her character; no mother was more faithful
to her fatherless ones; and no Spartan mother braver
in sacrificing her sons to her country's welfare. She
was a woman of refinement and culture, mentally and
morally strong, simple and unaffected in manner.
COMMANDER WILLIAM BARKER CUSH-
ING, U. S. N. — Three supremely great names in the
naval history of the American Republic are those of
John Paul Jones, Oliver Hazard Perry, and William
Barker Cushing. Cushing is as completely the repre-
sentative of the highest naval strategy and the type of
the greatest individual daring of the great Rebellion
as were Perry and Jones of the earlier naval wars.
William Barker Cushing was born in Wisconsin,
Nov. 4, 1842, youngest son of Milton B. and Mary B.
(Smith) Cushing. He was descended from an old
Puritan family of New England, his grandfather,
Judge Zattu Cushing, born in Plymouth, Mass., and
one of the leading figures among the pioneers of Chau-
tauqua county, serving its courts of justice from their
organization until 1824. Judge Cushing's son, Milton
B. Cushing, married Mary B. Smith, a near relative of
Rear Admiral Smith, and removed to Wisconsin,
where he died, leaving four young sons. Mrs. Cush-
ing returned to Fredonia so that her children might
enjoy good educational advantages, but after the close
of the Civil War, bereft of her sons, she went back to
the West, where she died March 26, 1891.
William Barker Cushing received his early education
at Fredonia, and in 1857 was appointed to the U. S.
Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., but resigned
March 23, 1861. In May of the same year he volun-
teered and was appointed master's mate on the U. S.
Ship "Minnesota," and on the day of her arrival at
356
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
Hampton Roads captured the "Delaware Farmer," a
tobacco schooner, the first prize of the war. He was
attached to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron
during the war, served part of the time on the South
Atlantic coast, and repeatedly distinguished himself
by acts of bravery.
He was commissioned lieutenant July 16, 1862, and
in November of the same year he was ordered to cap-
ture Jacksonville. Fla., intercept an important mail,
and destroy the New Juliet salt works. He captured
the mail, took prizes, and shelled a Confederate camp,
but was unable to cross the bar to Jacksonville. He
then served on the Blackwater and in the sounds of
North Carolina, where he distinguished himself upon
several occasions. During 1863 he added to his repu-
tation for daring bravery and good judgment by an ex-
pedition up the Cape Fear and Little rivers, and his
operations on the Nansemond. It is not possible to
givejn detail all of his brilliant exploits, distinguished
services and hair-breadth escapes. His most brilliant
exploit and which made world-wide his then already
national reputation, was the destruction of the Confed-
erate iron-clad ram "Albemarle" on the night of Oct.
27, 1864.
The "Albemarle" had successfully encountered a
strong fleet of Union gunboats and fought for several
hours without sustaining material damage. There was
nothing able to cope with her in the Sounds, and grave
apprehensions were entertained of the Union iron-clads
being able to prevent her from sweeping everything
before and shelling the principal Northern seaport
cities. Cushing volunteered to destroy her and van-
ish the nightmare of terror which her presence cast
upon the Union fleets. With a steam launch and a
volunteer crew who fully realized the importance and
danger of the mission upon which they were going,
he ascended the Roanoke river towing an armed cut-
ter. The river was lined with Confederate pickets to
«Tuard against just such an attack as this; but Cush-
ing's phenomenal good luck did not desert him. and he
was within a few yards of the "Albemarle" before he
was discovered. Casting off the boat he had in tow,
with orders to attack a picket post nearby, he drove
the launch straight at the hugh bulk of the iron-clad,
whose crew rushed to quarters and at once opened a
heavy fire on their advancing foe. The launch replied
effectively with her howitzer until Cushing reached
the raft of heavy Jogs which had been built around the
ram. Over this the launch was driven, and by the time
she received her death wound from the "Albemarle's"
guns, Cushing had coolly swung the torpedo boom
under the great ship's overhang and exploded the
charge. A large hole was blown in the iron-clad's side,
and she sank at her moorings.
Cushing left his sinking boat and swam down stream
a half mile, where he reached the river bank thoroughly
exhausted. When he recovered strength, he plunged
into a dense swamp, and after hours of tedious wading
came out on the shore of a creek where he found a
Union picket boat. He and only one other of his com-
panions escaped. For the sinking of the "Albemarle"
he received the thanks of Congress, and was shortly
afterwards elevated to the rank of lieutenant-com-
mander, his commission being dated Oct. 27, 1864.
At Fort Fisher he buoyed out the channel in a small
skiff and completed his work in six hours. In the
final assault on its frowning wall he led a force olv
sailors and marines from the "Monticello" in an attack!
on the sea front of the fort, and amid an unceasing
fire at short range which cut down his men in wind-
rows, he crossed one hundred rods of sand, rallied his 1
men, and gave such efficient support to the land forces
that before midnight the fort was surrendered.
During the war he received five commendatory let-
ters from the Secretary of the Navy, and at the close:
of the struggle was appointed to the command of the'
"Lancaster" in the Pacific squadron. In 1868 he was*
placed in command of the "Maumee." and for four:
years was attached to the Atlantic Squadron. On the
return of the "Maumee" to the United States, Lieut.-
Com. Cushing was advanced to the rank of commander,
to date from Jan. I, 1872, he being at that time the-
youngest officer of that rank in the navy. He was ■
allowed leave of absence, but his health, which had
been impaired by over-exertion, failed completely, and I
he died of brain fever in Washington, D. C, Dec 17
1874.
As during the Civil War, Cushing was noted for
finding opportunities for upholding the honor of the
navy and the flag, so in times of peace his intense pa-
triotism kept him ever alert to enhance the glory of his
beloved country. A notable instance occurred in No-
vember, 1873.
Cushing was in command of the U. S. S. "Wyoming"
at Aspinwall, when an urgent telegram was received
from the U. S. Consul at Kingston. Jamaica, telling of
the "need of a warship, and describing the capture, on
the high seas, of the steamer 'Virginius,' and the shoot-
ing as pirates of her captain and part of her crew at
Santiago de Cuba by order of the Spanish Governor-
General Burriel, and that more American lives were in
peril."
Believing it his duty to lose no time in representing
his government, Cushing sailed at once for the scene,
without waiting for orders, and arrived at Santiago,
November 15. The British frigate "Niobe" was in
the harbor. Her commander, Sir Lambert Lorraine,
had made an earnest protest to the Governor, demand-
ing that no more British subjects be shot. Gen. Bur-
riel had ignored the letter, and two days before Cush-
ing appeared, had shot twenty-eight more men, six- (
teen of whom were said to be British subjects. Imme-
diately upon Cushing's arrival, he despatched a letter
of protest to the Governor, and followed it up bv a
personal call, accompanied by some of his officers. Re-
fusing to take the general's offered hand, he looked him
squarely in the eye and demanded that not another
prisoner should be shot, for if any more executions I
took place, he would better remove the women and j
children, as he (Cushing) should bombard the town. I
Awed and impressed by the words and bearing of the
American officer, Gen. Burriel gave the desired prom-
ise — and kept it.
The following year a joint resolution (House Reso-
lution No. 88) was introduced in the American Con-
gress, "tendering the thanks of Congress to Sir Lam-
bert Lorraine of the British navy, for his humane and
generous interposition at Santiago de Cuba in protect-
/ .^
r"%.
J6a^ v
M fcfc ^ dtli
Sl. , J|
COMMANDER WILLIAM BARKFJ! Cl'SHIXG
America's Naval Hero from Chautauqua Coun:;
MRS. MARY I'. GUSHING
Mi>l 1 1 • i of t 'ommii ndi r i lushi
CUSHING MONUMENT, FRBDONIA
iTJV
BIOGRAPHICAL
357
ing the lives of the survivors of the Virginius expedi-
tion," etc. The Committee on Foreign Affairs, to
whom the resolution was referred, reported that upon
investigation they were pleased to add it was Com-
mander W. B. dishing, and not Sir L. Lorraine, who
had caused the executions to cease," and "your commit-
tee believe that said joint resolution ought not to pass."
"It fully appears that Capt. Cushing did his duty com-
pletely and gallantly in asserting the rights of the
American government and its citizens, and upholding
the honor of the American flag." Cushing, when only
a junior officer, received the thanks of Congress in
1S64 for the "Albemarle" exploit, but there were those
who felt he had earned it a second time — which, if
granted, would have been an unprecedented occurrence.
A few days after Commander Cushing's protest to
Gen. Burriel, the U. S. S. "Juanita," commanded by
Commander D. L. Braine, arrived from New York,
sent to adjust matters, and Cushing returned to his
station at Aspinwall.
That a hero's name and deeds are not forgotten, it
should perhaps be recorded that so recently as 1915
two notable events in remembrance of this gallant offi-
cer took place. The first was the launching of the
second torpedo destroyer to be called "Cushing," at
Quincy, Mass., his daughter, Marie, giving it the cher-
ished name. In the late World War the "Cushing"
was the flagship of the torpedo destroyer fleet sent to
England.
The second event in the same year was the unveil-
ing of a splendid granite monument by his younger
daughter, Katharine, at his 'birthplace at Delafield,
Waukesha county, Wis. The State of Wisconsin ap-
propriated a large sum of money and in connection
with the Waukesha County Historical Society erected
the stately shaft in a park of eight acres of the original
farm where Alonzo and William were born. Howard
was also born in the State, at Milwaukee, so the park
is called "The Cushing Memorial Park." As it now
belongs to the State Park System, it will be cared for
in perpetuity.
Commander Cushing married, Feb. 22, 1870, Kath-
erine Louise Forbes, daughter of Col. D. S. Forbes, of
Frcdonia. To them were born two daughters, Mary
Louise, and Katherine A. Mrs. Cushing, a woman of
taste and refinement, yet resides with her daughters in
her pleasant home in Fredonia.
The memory of William B. Cushing has been hon-
ored by the various Grand Army posts in Wisconsin
and other States of the LTnion named after him; while
on the water the seagoing torpedo boat "Cushing"
suggests by its character the daring of him for whom
the vessel was named. A thousand pens have written
of him and his deeds, and among the just and deserved
tributes recorded in honor of his achievements the
following are selected:
"A country and the navy may be proud of this most
adventurous of their heroes." "Cushing, by repeated
flaring and successful achievements, has rivaled the
fame of Paul Jones and Perry, and associated his
name with theirs in immortality."
"That intense earnestness of purpose, that wonder-
ful spirit of daring, and that supreme contempt of
death which characterized the heroes of the great
Rebellion, as well as the cool and deliberate calcula-
tions of its great leaders and master spirits, were
qualities possessed by Cushing in the highest degree:
while in addition to all this he was gifted with a mili-
tary ability, a futility of invention and all-powerful
will, which places him among the greatest naval
heroes of all time."
"No Cleopatra of ease ever lured Cushing from any
action of life and no thought of death ever cast a
shadow of fear upon any enterprise, however danger-
ous, which he had conceived. He was always in the
battle where the iron hail fell the thickest and his
place in the picture was where the blaze of the cannon
was the brightest."
ROBERT HOUGHWOUT JACKSON— In the
year 1913 Robert H. Jackson was enrolled among the
practicing lawyers of the Chautauqua county bar, he
having chosen Jamestown as a location and there set-
tled immediately after receiving his degree from
the Albany Law School. The subsequent years have
brought him success in his professional work, and he
is firmly established among the rising young men of
the Chautauqua bar. Robert H. Jackson is a son of
William Eldred Jackson, now deceased, who at the
time of the birth of his son was engaged in lumbering
and farming in Spring Creek township, Warren
county, Pa. The Jacksons were the earliest settlers in
Spring Creek township, Elijah Jackson, great-grand-
father, being the first settler. William E. Jackson
married Angelina Houghwout, of Farmington town-
ship, Pa., and shortly after the birth of their son, they
moved to Frewsburg, in the town of Carroll, Chautau-
qua county, N. Y., where William E. Jackson died,
and his widow yet resides (1920) as do Mr. Jackson's
sisters: Ella, now Mrs. Erie J. Springer, and Helen.
Robert H. Jackson was born on the farm cleared
by his great-grandfather in Spring Creek township,
Warren county, Pa., Feb. 13, 1892. He began his edu-
cation in the public schools of Frewsburg, finishing
with graduation from high school in 1009. He was a
student in Jamestown High School, and during that
period represented the school in several interscholastic
debates. He was graduated with the class of 1910,
and then began the study of law with Dean, Mott &
Armstrong, of Jamestown, and a year later entered
Albany Law School, Union University, whence he was
graduated LL. B., class of 1913. Immediately after
graduation he began practice at Jamestown and con-
tinued with great success unfil 1917, when he went to
Buffalo and became temporarily associated with Nor-
ton, Penny & Killeen, a leading law firm of that city,
representing many large corporation interests. Mr.
Jackson's work there was as trial counsel, represent-
ing principally the International Railway Company. In
this work he was very successful, but preferring the
more general practice and the environment of the
smaller city he returned to Jamestown in 1918 and
resumed practice as the junior member of the law
firm, Dean, Edson & Jackson. He enjoys the_ confi-
dence of a large clientele, among which are public util-
ity and industrial corporations. As a trial lawyer he is
a familiar figure in the courts of Western New York.
He is a member of the New York State Bar Associa-
tion, the Jamestown Bar Association, and the Buf-
falo Lawyers' Club. In business life he is a director
of the Bank of Jamestown, the Warren & Jamestown
Street Railway Company, and of several other cor-
porations.
In politics Mr. Jackson is an independent Demo-
353
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
crat and was formerly prominent in the activities of that
party. He served two terms upon the Democratic
State Committee, hut in 1918 declined to become a
candidate for reelection and has since taken no active
part in the party organization, though still an alert
and active participant in public affairs, but never a
candidate for any office. He was for one term the
Democratic member of Jamestown civil service com-
mission, resigning that honor in 1918. In that year he
was appointed by Mayor Carlson acting corporation
counsel. He is a member of the Moon Brook Country
Club, Jamestown Club, Benevolent and Protective
Order of Elks, and Fraternal Order of Eagles, having
served the last named one term as president. He is
deeply interested in literary, political and economic
questions, belonging to the University Club, also a
founder and the first president of the Saturday Night
Club. To both these organizations he has contributed
papers on various subjects and is a frequent, forceful
and eloquent public speaker.
Mr. Jackson married, April 24, 1916, at St. Peter's
Episcopal Church, Albany, N. Y., Irene Alice Ger-
hardt, of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson are the
parents of a son, William Eldred, born July 19, 1919.
ROBERT BURTIS BLANCHARD, M. D.— There
is no better known or more popular physician in
Jamestown, Chautauqua county, N. Y., than Dr. Rob-
ert Burtis Blanchard, of No. 8 East Second street, a
native of this city, where his birth occurred March 27,
1883. Dr. Blanchard is a son of Dr. R. Newland
Blanchard, and a grandson of Flint Blanchard, the
elder a well known agriculturist of Ellicott, Chautauqua
county. His father was one of the pioneer physicians
of Jamestown. He married Belle Burtis, who sur-
vives him, and continues to make her home in James-
town at the present time.
Dr. Robert Burtis Blanchard attended as a lad the
public schools of his native town, graduating from the
high school in the year 1902, where he was prepared
for college. He then attended the medical school of
the University of Buffalo, where he took the degree of
M. D. and was graduated with the class of 1906. Fol-
lowing his studies at this institution, Dr. Blanchard
acted as interne in the Erie County Hospital for one
year, and in 1907 began the practice of his profession
at Jamestown. Since that time he has developed a
large practice here and is regarded as one of the
leaders of his profession. Dr. Blanchard is promi-
nent in social and fraternal circles at Jamestown, and
is a member of various Masonic bodies, including Mt.
Moriah Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons: Western
Sun Chapter, Royal Arch Masons: and Jamestown
Council, Royal and Select Masters. He is also a mem-
ber of the Order of Eagles and was for some years
the physician of this society. He is affiliated with the
Jamestown Medical Society, the Chautauqua County
Medical Society, the New York State Medical Associa-
tion, and the American Medical Association. Besides
his private practice. Dr. Blanchard is medical examiner
for the John Hancock Life Insurance Company, the
Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, the
Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, the
Union Central Insurance Company, and the Bankers'
Life Insurance Company. In politics he is a Repub-
lican, and for eight years held the important post of
city physician of Jamestown.
Dr. Blanchard was united in marriage. June 25,;
1914, with Lorene A. Rogerson, a daughter of David
and Alberta M. Rogerson, highly respected residents
of Jamestown. Two children have been born to Dr.
and Mrs. Blanchard, as follows: Robert Burtis, Jr.,
Aug. 9, 1915; and Roger Newland, Dec. 18, 1917.
WILLIAM H. MARVIN— Son of a Chautauqua
farmer and reared on one of the fertile farms of the
town of Hanover, Mr. Marvin early felt the call of a
business life, and at the age of seventeen left the farm
for the shop, and since 1886 has been associated with
Forestville's commercial interests. Since 1898 he has
been in business under his own name and has built
up a solid, substantial trade. Furniture and under-
taking have been the lines followed, and under dif-
ferent firm names his has become the leading estab-
lishment of the town. William H. Marvin is a son
of Henry Floyd and Mary (Devinney) Marvin, his
father a farmer of Smith's Mills, Hanover, Chautau-
qua county. Mr. and Mrs. Marvin were the parents
of four children: Josephine, married Clark, of
Cuba, N. Y. ; Chester E., of Cuba, N. Y. ; Jennie,
married Daniel A. Dye, of Forestville; and William
H., of further mention.
William H. Marvin was born at Smith's Mills. Han-
over, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Jan. 3, 1869. He was
educated in the district public schools, and until Feb.
18, 1886, remained on the farm, his father's assistant.
He moved to Forestville, in his home town, on the
date mentioned, and at once found employment in the
furniture and undertaking business with F. D. Ellis.
For about a dozen years he continued an employee,
becoming very proficient, then in partnership with
Daniel A. Dye he began business on his own account,
under the firm name of Marvin & Dye. They pros-
pered abundantly and conducted the business until
1915, when Marvin & Dye sold their business to Bury
& Williams, of Springfield. Later, Mr. Marvin bought
the Williams interest, and in partnership Marvin &
Bury conducted the business until 1919, when he
bought Mr. Bury's interest, the business now being
known as William H. Marvin.
The farm has never been without its attraction for
Mr. Marvin, and he has been for several years an
extensive grape grower and general farmer. He is a
member of the Masonic order, holding the thirty-second
degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; member
of the Order of the Eastern Star, the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Protective
Order of Elks, and the Silver Creek Motor Boat Club.
In politics he is a Republican, and during the years
1916-17-18 he served as the duly elected sheriff of
Chautauqua county. In religious affiliation he is
connected with the Methodist Episcopal church. In
1920 he was elected president of the First National
Bank of Forestville, of which he was an organizer and
incorporator.
Mr. Marvin married, Sept. 7, 1898, in Forestville,
Alice L. Reynolds, daughter of Sylvester and Frances
(Gould) Reynolds, of Forestville.
'sa^uJ/1. ///^i<~>T^/
BIOGRAPHICAL
359
LAWRENCE WARREN WILTSIE— In 1875,
Mr Wiltsie was admitted to practice at the New
York bar and the same year he settled in Jamestown,
in his native Chautauqua county. There during the
forty years which have since intervened, he has con-
tinuously been engaged in the practice of his pro-
fession, his standing high with a large and influential
clientele Mr. Wiltsie is a descendant of an ancient
Dutch Colonial family founded in New Amsterdam
(New York), by Phillippe Martin Wiltsee. a soldier in
the Dutch army, who came in the ship "New Nether-
lands" with his wife, two children and two servants.
He was one of those detailed to build Fort Orange
(Albany), but when the Indians forced the first Colon-
ists at' Fort Orange to return to New Amsterdam,
Phillippe M. Wiltsee and his family settled at Waal
Boet N Y. Later he and his sons, Pierre and Hen-
drick were killed by Indians at Swaanendael. His
wife was Sophie (Ter Bosch) Wiltsee, born in Hol-
land who after the death of her husband is believed
to have returned to Holland with the younger members
of the familv. Descendants settled all along the Hud-
son Vallev'from New York to Albany, and thence
west along the Mohawk Valley, radiating eventually
through all Western New York counties, this branch
settling in Chautauqua county.
Mr. Wiltsie is a great-grandson of John Owens, a
soldier of the French and Indian War and the Revo-
lution, whose daughter, Elsie Owens, in 1806, married
George W. Fenton, the father of Rueben E. Fenton,
once Congressman, Governor of New York, and
United States Senator. John Owens was born in
Windsor, Conn., who, after his Revolutionary War
service, left New England, and in 1808 settled in the
town of Carroll, Chautauqua county, N. Y. He kept
a tavern in Carroll for the entertainment of lumber-
men and travelers all over the State road from Chau-
tauqua county into Pennsylvania. He also operated a
private ferry over the Conewango, and died in Car-
roll, Feb. 6, 1843, at the wonderful age of one hun-
dred and seven, probably the oldest citizen who ever
lived in the county. His military service was with the
English army under General Wolfe at the capture of
Quebec, and with Ethan Allen at the taking of Ticon-
deroga. He was a jovial, story-loving man, and his
house was very popular with the weary raftsmen who
sought his hospitality when tied up for the night.
Lawrence Warren Wiltsie, son of David and Jane
P. (Hadley) Wiltsie, was born at the home farm in
Carroll, Chautauqua county, N. Y., March 30, 1850, his
father a farmer and lumber dealer at Frewsburg. He
attended the public schools of Frewsburg, and the
Union School of Jamestown, later studied law, and on
April 9, 1875, was admitted to the New York bar at
Rochester. He opened law offices in Jamestown the
same year, rose rapidly in his profession, and is
rated one of the strong men of the Chautauqua county
bar. Mr. Wiltsie is a member of the Chautauqua
County Bar Association, the New York Bar Associa-
tion, Sons of the American Revolution, and is affili-
ated with Mt. Moriah Lodge, Western Sun Chapter,
and Jamestown Commandery of the Masonic order. In
politics he is a Democrat, and has been the party stand-
ard bearer in several campaigns, but the normal ad-
verse Republican majority is rarely overcome by a
Democratic candidate in Jamestown.
At Olean, N. Y., Oct. 31, 1883, Mr. Wiltsie married
Caroline P. Abrams, who died March 19, 1918. leaving
a son, David Hadley Wiltsie, born in Jamestown,
March 13, 18S8. He was educated in Jamestown grammar
and high schools ; Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter,
N. H.; Yale University, A. B., class of 1912; and the
University of Berlin, being a student there in 1914,
when the world was fanned into a flame of war
through the action of Germany. Mr. Wiltsie had a
hard time in getting out of Germany, but finally
reached England, his health seriously effected. He
returned to Jamestown, where he died July 3, 1920.
FRED VICTOR ANDERSON, an alderman of the
city of Jamestown, and assistant cashier of the Liberty
National Bank, is a native of Jamestown, born Jan. 1,
1886, a son of John A. and Emma C. (Abrahamson)
Anderson, both of whom are now living. The elder Mr.
Anderson is at the present time connected with the
firm of Abrahamson-Bigelow Company, the owners
of the largest department store in Jamestown, an asso-
ciation which has existed for many years.
Fred Victor Anderson received his education as a
boy in the local public schools, completing his studies in
the grammar grades and continuing for two years in
the high school. Being ambitious to begin the active
business of life, he then gave up his studies^ with that
institution and entered the Jamestown Business Col-
lege, where he took a commercial course and was grad-
uated in the year 1904. Upon completing his studies
there, he at once secured a position in the Bank of
Jamestown, where he remained for about thirteen
years, gaining in the meantime an intimate know-
ledge of banking and business methods generally. For
one year following his connection with the Bank of
Jamestown, Mr. Anderson was associated with the
International Flag Company, but retired from that
position in order to accept the offer made to him by the
Liberty National Bank to become its assistant cashier.
He has continued in this office ever since and has
made himself exceedingly useful to this concern. Mr.
Anderson has been exceedingly active in local public
affairs, and is a very prominent member of the Repub-
lican party in the county, his voice being heard in all
their councils. It was in the year 1917 that he was
elected to the Board of Aldermen of Jamestown and
still serves on that body, having proved himself a
most capable and disinterested public servant. He has
also participated prominently in the war work of the
community, and is chairman of the finance committee
of the Board of Aldermen, positions of great responsi-
bility for so young a man. In his religious belief Mr.
Anderson is a Lutheran and attends the First Luth-
eran Church at Jamestown. He possesses an unusual
talent for music, and at the present time is choir direc-
tor of the Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church, pos-
sessing himself a fine and well-trained baritone voice.
His love for music induced him to take a full course in
that art at the Jamestown Conservatory of Music, so
that he is thoroughly educated in this line, and for
three years was a member of the Presbyterian quar-
360
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
tette here. Mr. Anderson is a member of Mt. Moriah
Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and is now
passing through the chairs of this lodge. He is also
a member of Mt. Tabor Lodge, Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, of which he is past noble grand, of the
Northern Club, of the Scandinavian-American Founda-
tion (charter member), and a director of the Young
Men's Christian Association.
Fred Victor Anderson was united in marriage June
4. 1912, at Jamestown, with Elma E. Sandburg.
CARL FRANKLIN STRATFORD, the well
known and popular citizen of Jamestown, N. Y., where
he is secretary of the Young Men's Christian Associa-
tion, is a native of St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada, where
he was born, Aug. 31, 1889. He is a son of Eli T.
and Minnie (Moore) Stratford, his father having been
a railroad worker upon coming to the United States,
and was also engaged as a sub-contractor. While Carl F.
Stratford was still an infant, his parents moved to
Buffalo. N. Y., where the family resided for a num-
ber of years, and it was here that he received his pre-
liminary education, attending the grammar schools and
later the Buffalo High School. He was but twelve
years of age when he became interested in the Young
Men's Christian Association work, and after leaving
high school, Mr. Stratford continued his studies in the
schools of the Young Men's Christian Association,
identifying himself and becoming acquainted with all
the details of the work of this splendid organization.
Upon reaching the age of nineteen, Mr. Stratford was
given his first official appointment in the employ of the
"Association," namely, that of assistant at the Buffalo
Central "Y." He held this post for a period of two
years and then, upon reaching his majority, was ap-
pointed secretary of the Lackawanna branch of the
Young Men's Christian Association at Buffalo. Mr.
Stratford filled this post with exceptional skill, and it
was due to his able management and clear foresight
that the Lackawanna branch owes its rapid growth and
development. Mr. Stratford's next appointment was
that of membership secretary of the Young Men's
Christian Association at Erie, Pa., where he continued
his brilliant work. It was not long after receiving this
post that Mr. Stratford was sent to Kane, Pa., there
to take charge of the Young Men's Christian Associa-
tion work, and at this city he was given the position
of general secretary, a most deserving office. In Au-
gust, 1917, he came to Jamestown to accept the office
of general secretary of the "Y" here, and up to the
present Mr. Stratford can claim the honorable service
of eleven years with the Young Men's Christian Asso-
ciation. Mr. Stratford may be classed as a "miracle
man" with regard to the exceptional progress he has
made with the work entrusted to him. He has a strong
personality, and an ability to handle men, and at pres-
ent has no less than ten assistants who aid him in his
important duties connected with the "Y" work. The
Young Men's Christian Association building here is a
handsome edifice and has room for seventy-five guests.
It also conducts a summer branch on Lake Chautau-
qua. Mr. Stratford enjoys his works, especially that
branch which has always been so attractive to him,
namely, the Boys' Department, in which he takes a;
very active interest.
During the World War, Mr. Stratford served as
publicity director for Chautauqua county in all the
Liberty Loan drives: as campaign director for the
county in the United War Fund Campaign, and local
director for the Young Men's Christian Association
and Red Cross drives. In his religious belief Mr.
Stratford is a Presbyterian, and attends the church
of this denomination in Jamestown. He is a member
of the national organization of the Young Men's Chris-
tian Association workers. Mr. Stratford does not take
an active interest in politics, due to the exacting duties
connected with his important post at the "Y." Hej
is not affiliated with any party and may be regarded
as an independent voter, preferring not to ally him-
self with any political party whatsoever.
Carl Franklin Stratford married, at Buffalo, N. Y.,
Aug. 22, 1912, Edith Thomas, a resident of that place'
and a daughter of F. A. and Ida (Jefferies) Thomas,
old and highly respected citizens. The Thomas fam-
ily originally came from Rochester, N. Y. Mr. and
Mrs. Stratford are the parents of two children: Ruth
Thomas, and Thomas Alanson.
CHARLES A. JOHNSON, a well regarded and re-
sponsible citizen of Jamestown, N. Y., for more than
thirty-five years, and a leader among the Swedish peo-
ple of that place, has for thirty years been a director of J
the Atlas Furniture Company, tinder that name andl
under its former trading designation, the Swedish Fur-?
niture Company, and has been vice-president of the
company for twenty-four years. Charles A. Johnson
is quite a self-made man, as that term is known; the';
success which has come to him has been entirely by
his own efforts, by his resolute application to study,
even after he had begun his business life, and by his
honesty of purpose and moral integrity. He applied
himself steadily to honest production, and that pro-1
duction in due course brought an honest return. And ,
some of his outside associations indicate that he is a
man in whom others have confidence, and that in the
affairs of his fellow-citizens of Swedish antecedents
he has taken an active interest. He is a director ofi
the American National Bank, and is president and
director of the "Scandia," a Swedish newspaper.
Charles A. Johnson was born Feb. 23, i860, in
Sweden, and in due course attended the school of' his
native place. His father, now deceased, was Jonas I
Johanson, and on his father's farm Charles A. worked
during his boyhood. He remained near his parents
until he had reached the age of twenty-two years, but |
then decided to come to America, his brother having i
already gone, and, according to report, having sue- I
eessfully settled in Jamestown, N. Y. Therefore, I
Charles A. came, and upon arrival in America came to I
Jamestown, where ever since he has remained, inces- |
santly working, and for the greater part of the time
working amid associations of consequence or promise
to the city of Jamestown. He has taken appreciable
part in the maintenance of the city in continued pros-
perity during the last thirty years, for the companies
with which he has actively been connected, in respon-
&4-
BIOGRAPHICAL
361
sible capacity, have been steady producers, and steady
employers of labor, in the production of a commodity
which has been marketed almost exclusively outside
the city. Upon arriving in Jamestown, in 1882, he
began to work for the Jamestown Banding Company,
with which company he remained for five years. In
his early years, he was much handicapped because of
a poor understanding of English, and he saw that in
other academic and fundamental subjects his Swedish
schooling was deficient. Therefore, he assiduously
studied during the early years of his residence in
Jamestown, attending local night schools for the pur-
pose, but mainly studying at home. He was a young
man of alert intelligence, apt in most things, and he
soon became a skilled workman; and his private learn-
ing soon closed the gap in his knowledge of general
subjects. And by steady attendance at his work, and
consistent thrift, he was able to grasp other opportuni-
ties which came. In 1887, he acquired an interest in
the Swedish Furniture Company, which, under a later
reconstruction, became the Atlas Furniture Company,
under which name it now trades. Charles A. Johnson
has had charge of the finishing and shipping depart-
of that company for the last twenty-five years;
has been director for thirty years, since 1889; and has
been its vice-president since 1896; so that he has held
a sufficiently responsible capacity in the affairs of a
substantial industry of Jamestown. Mr. Johnson is a
member of the Norden Club of Jamestown, and of the
"Swedish One Hundred Member Society." For many
decades he has been an earnest member of the church,
and in Jamestown attends the Swedish Zion Church,
to which he has given due support.
Mr. Johnson was married, in Jamestown, in 1001, to
Hannah Collin. They have three children: 1. Lillian,
who is now a high school undergraduate. 2. Mildred,
who attends the elementary school. 3. Marion, who
also attends the public school.
THE ATLAS FURNITURE COMPANY of
Jamestown, now among the large manufacturers of fur-
niture in Western New York, was founded principally by
L. E. Erickson and Gustave Holmberg, and others, in
1883, under the corporate title "The Swedish Furniture
Company," Gustave Holmberg, president: L. E.
Erickson, secretary and treasurer. The original plant
of the company was located on East Second street,
Jamestown, but a fire destroyed that building and new
quarters were found on Harrison street, which were
occupied until 1887, when a plant was purchased in
Randolph, N. Y. At that time the capital stock was
increased and about fifteen new stockholders admit-
ted. The officially active members were and always
have been but few in number, and among them are
F. O. Strandberg, C. A. Johnson and L. E. Erickson.
At about this time the corporate name was changed to
the Atlas Furniture Company, F. O. Strandberg, pres-
ident ; C. A. Johnson, vice-president, and L. E. Erick-
son, secretary-treasurer; the latter died in 1905. Gus-
tave Holmberg relinquished active part in the new
organization in favor of the new members, his home
being too far from Randolph for him to continue
active in the management. The plant of the company
in Randolph was occupied four years, then sold, and
a large modern plant erected on the Allen street exten-
sion in Jamestown. This plant was enlarged as needs
required until 1910, when the Atlas Furniture Com-
pany purchased the nearby plant of the Liberty Fur-
niture Company on Blackstone avenue. The company
now (1920) employ about 200 highly skilled mechanics
and manufacture high grade bedroom furniture. The
present officers of the company are: President, Frank
O. Strandberg; vice-president, Charles A. Johnson;
secretary-treasurer, John A. Hagg. The directors
are: F. O. Strandberg, C. A. Johnson, Andrew Wal-
lin, Gustave Wallin, Carl Nelson, Andrew Venman,
Lester Strandberg.
The Atlas Furniture Company since its inception
has enjoyed remarkable success and prosperity. Its
products are well known in the furniture world and
dealers are supplied in all parts of the United States,
as well as some in foreign countries.
GEORGE WASHINGTON JUDE, one of the
most prominent and successful attorneys of James-
town, X. Y., where he has an office in the Wellman
building, is a native of Chautauqua county, his birth
having occurred there Feb. 22, 1867. Mr. Jude is a
son of Joseph and Mary (Graham) Jude, and a mem-
ber of an old English family, his ancestry having held
an important position in the community where they
lived. The elder Mr. Jude followed the occupation
of farming for many years in this region, and is now
deceased, as is also his wife.
George Washington Jude attended as a lad the dis-
trict country school, and at the same time assisted his
father with the work on the latter's farm. Later he
became a pupil of the Sugar Grove Seminary at Sugar
Grove, Pa., where he was prepared for college. He
then matriculated at Otterhein LTniversity, Westerville,
Ohio, from which he graduated with the class of 1891,
taking at the same time his degree as Bachelor of
Arts. After completing his general education, Mr.
Jude taught in Sugar Grove Seminary, and then went
to the University of Chicago, where he took a number
of special post-graduate courses. The following two
years were spent as a teacher in the same school, dur-
ing which time he determined to follow the profession
of law as a career, and with this end in view entered
the law office of Green & Woodbury, prominent attor-
neys of Jamestown, where he pursued his legal studies
to such good purpose that he was admitted to the
Chautauqua county bar in July, 1899. Mr. Jude had
during this time been obliged to engage in remunera-
tive occupations of one kind or another in order to
pay for his tuition in the various institutions of learn-
ing which he had attended. Upon his admission to the
bar, he opened a law office in Jamestown and since
that time has been active in the general practice of his
profession here. Mr. Jude has proven himself particu-
larly well qualified for his legal practice and has built
up for himself an enviable reputation, both on account
of his ability and the high standard of professional
ethics which he has maintained. He has now one of
the largest clienteles in the city and handles a great
ileal of important litigation in the region. Mr. Jude
is also active in the general life of Jamestown, ami is
a member of a number of important organizations here.
362
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
He is keenly interested in local politics and classes
himself as an independent Republican, having been
elected to a number of public offices on the ticket of
that party. Although entirely unambitious for politi-
cal preferment, he has held the office of judge of the
Police Court for one term and has served on the
Board of Education for three years. He also repre-
sented Jamestown in the State Legislature in 1913, and
in all these capacities has proved himself a most able
and disinterested public servant. Mr. Jude is a mem-
ber of Mt. Moriah Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted
Masons; Jamestown Lodge, Scottish Rite Masons;
Mt. Tabor Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fel-
lows; and the Sons of St. George.
George Washington Jude was united in marriage,
Dec. 29, 1902, with Lyda Pearl Boardman, a daugh-
ter of Alphonso M. and Alice (Kay) Boardman, old
and highly respected residents of Bradford, Pa. One
child has been born of this union, Robert Boardman,
Nov. 8, 1906.
JARED HEWES, well known as an agriculturalist
and man of affairs, is one of the prominent figures in
the agricultural, industrial, business and social life of
Chautauqua county. He has for thirty-five years been
a director and for thirty years secretary of the Patrons'
Fire Relief Association of Chautauqua county. N. Y.,
and has seen the growth of this association from a
small beginning to one carrying an outstanding insur-
ance at the present time amounting to $15,931,130,
insured on property exclusively within Chautauqua
county. And his identity has meant much to the
material increase in the Order of the Patrons of Hus-
bandry, as well as other things which he has been iden-
tified with.
Jared Hewes, son of Daniel H. and Abigail (Irwin)
Hewes, was born July 23, 1848, in Chautauqua county.
His birthplace was on the ground which was later
occupied by the well known Chautauqua Institution.
His father, native of the East, came from Saratoga
Springs, N. Y., and was amongst the first pioneers of
Chautauqua county, and here became a prosperous
farmer, stock dealer and butcher. He was prominent
in local affairs, being a supervisor of the town of
Chautauqua, and during the Civil War was an agent
for the United States Government, his duty being to
purchase horses for army service.
In his youth, Jared Hewes attended the common
schools of his town, after which he, with his brothers,
assisted his father in farming and the butcher busi-
ness. The meat business in which they engaged became
the well-known firm of Daniel H. Hewes & Sons, and
for many years supplied people on the Chautauqua
Grounds. When still quite a young man Jared Hewes
taught school for five winter terms, and by his con-
sistent effort he prospered, and as a result he acquired
a farm, about 1876, consisting of 50 acres of unim-
proved land and later added to this 150 acres. He
cultivated and did much to develop his farm, and thus
earned the reputation of being one of the county's
best know farmers. He remained in the pursuit of a
farmer for a number of years, and in 1918 sold his land
and established a home at Cheney's Point on Lake
Chautauqua.
The Patrons' Fire Relief Association was organized in
1877, and he being a member of the Patrons of Hus-
bandry insured his farm property in the association,
the first insurance he ever carried of any kind. Hei
took an active interest in this organization in connec-
tion with his farm work, and in 1885 was elected as
director, and in 1890 succeeded Walter C. Gifford as-
secretary. Both positions he ably filled until his retire-
ment in 1920. While Mr. Hewes was secretary, he-
originated an accounting system for the association's ;
records, which was one of the most simplified methods
that could be employed in the large field of insur-
ance. He devoted the greater portion of his time to
the duties of his office, and was a regular attendant at'
the meetings of the Patrons of Husbandry, attended
exclusively by farmers, and with them Jared Hewes
was one of the ardent workers. He represented the
Patrons' Fire Relief Association at the annual meet-
ings of the New York Central Organization of Co-
operative Fire Insurance Companies, and in 1919 was
chairman of the memorial committee. As a member of
the legislative committee of the New York State Cen-
tral Organization, which represented one hundred
twenty companies of the State, he did much to pro-
mote good understanding and relations in the insur-
ance world. Besides the foregoing activities, he was
able to identify himself with other important inter-
ests, being a director of the Bank of Jamestown upon
its organization in 1903 and until his resignation in
1920; director of Jamestown Metal Furniture Com-
pany from its organization until the sale of this com-
pany to the Art Metal Construction Company; an offi-
cer in the Federal Land Bank and the United States
Treasury Department as an appraiser of farms, with
headquarters at Springfield, Mass. He was one of the
organizers of the Chautauqua County Farm Bureau,
the third of its kind in New York State, of which he
served as president for five years. A Republican in
politics, Mr. Hewes represented the town of Harmony
in the Chautauqua County Board of Supervisors, 1890-
1895, inclusive, succeeding Loren B. Session, who held
the office continuously from 1873 to 1889; at numerous
Congressional, State, and County conventions he has
represented his party as a delegate. He was one of the
charter members of Stedman Grange, No. 241, Patrons
of Husbandry; the Harmony Farmers' Club, and an
attendant of the United Brethren Church of Chau-
tauqua.
Mr. Hewes married, in the town of Chautauqua,
N. Y., Dec. 27, 1871, Lorilla Wier, born April 17, 1846,
in Washington county, N. Y., died in Chautauqua
county, N. Y., April 7, 1915, daughter of Hiram and
Maria (Gifford) Wier, both of Washington county,
N. Y., and later of Chautauqua county. Two children
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hewes: I. Clara, born
April 23, 1873, educated in the district schools, May-
ville High School, and Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, N. Y.;
married Jesse E. Ford, of Harmony, and to this union
there are two children, Helen L., and Jared H. 2.
Walter W., born Sept. 23, 1S75, educated in the district
schools and Jamestown High School; married Edith
C. Cowles, and to them were born two children. Cath-
erine C, and Warren J.
Jared Hewes comes from a long line of descent; a
BIOGRAPHICAL
363
number of his forebears were amongst the first colon-
ists into America, his great-grandfather, George R. T.
Hewes, who died at the age of one hundred nine years
and two months, was the last survivor of the old Bos-
ton Tea Party, and Joseph Hewes was among the
signers of the Declaration of Independence.
JOHN SHIRLEY EDDY— The Eddys came to
the town of Harmony, Chautauqua county, N. Y.,
about 1830. from Rutland county, Vt.. settling on a
farm at Watts Flats, which John Eddy bought. He
left a son. Jonathan Eddy, born in Rutland county, Vt.,
who married Bessie B. Holbrook, born in Hamburg,
Erie county, N. Y., and they were the parents of John
Shirley Eddy, who lives on, owns and cultivates the old
homestead farm, bought from the Holland Land
Company by his wife's father, Lucius Button.
John Shirley Eddy was born on the farm at Watts
Flats, town of Harmony, Chautauqua county, N. Y.,
July 1, 1845, and resides near Panama, seventy-five
years later, a successful, substantial agriculturist. He
was educated in the public schools of his district, and
from youth has been familiar with farm labor and man-
agement. He is a member of the Patrons of Hus-
bandry, a Baptist in religious faith, and a Republican
in politics.
Mr. Eddy married, in Panama. Chautauqua county,
N. Y., Feb. 9, 1867, Mercy M. Button, born April 12,
1S47, in Panama, daughter of Lucius and Almira
(Lamb) Button, her parents born in Rutland county,
Yt. Mr. and Mrs. Eddy are the parents of four chil-
dren: 1. Lucius Button, born Feb. 18, i86g, married
Bertha Sherwood, and has three children: Shirley T.,
Neta, and Ruth. 2. Eugene R., born April 3, 1878:
married Inez Eddy, and has one child, Beth; the fam-
ily resides in the State of Washington. 3. Martin C,
born March 7, 1S81; farmer and resides on the farm
adjoining that of his father; married Eugenia Swart,
and has four children: Edith, Dorothy. Clemons, and
Robert. 4. Almira May, born Dec. 2, 1884: married
W. W. Towne, and has three children: Allison Hol-
brook, Bruce Eddy, Alma Marie Towne; they reside
in the State of Washington.
CHARLES EMIL ANDERSON, of the firm of
Anderson & Drake, and one of the best known dentists
in Chautauqua county, N. Y., where he has been in
practice for upwards of thirty years, is a native of
Sweden, his birth having occurred in that country,
May 6, 1864. His childhood was passed in his native
land, and he there began his education, attending for
that purpose the local public schools.
Dr. Anderson is a son of John B. and Marv Ander-
son, and when a mere lad was brought by them to the
United States, the family coming direct to Jamestown,
where he continued his education and was prepared for
college. He entered the Philadelphia Dental College
and there took the regular course in dentistry, gradu-
ating from that institution with the class of 1888, and
at the same time receiving his degree. He at once
returned to Jamestown and formed a partnership with
Dr. E. J. Swetland, under the firm name of Swetland
& Anderson, and here carried on his profession with a
high degree of success. This association continued
uninterruptedly until the year 1915, when Dr. Swet-
land retired from active practice. Dr. Anderson then
took Dr. L. R. Drake as a partner and the business
is still continued under the name of Anderson &
Drake. A large and high-class clientele has been
built up by this firm, which is now recognized as one
of the leading concerns of its kind in Jamestown, and
Dr. Anderson is personally the possessor of an en-
viable reputation both for ability and for the high
standards of professional ethics maintained by him.
Dr. Anderson has always been keenly interested in the
general welfare of his profession, and is a member of
the Jamestown Dental Society, the New York State
Dental Society, and the National Dental Association.
He is also a conspicuous figure in the general life of
the community, and affiliated with a number of impor-
tant organizations here, both social and fraternal,
among which should be mentioned, the Ancient Free
and Accepted Masons, Royal Arch Masons, Royal and
Select Masters, Knights Templar, and Ancient Arabic
Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. In addition to
these Masonic bodies, he is also a member of the
Jamestown Chamber of Commerce, and has been very
active in promoting the general material welfare of
the community in this capacity. His club is the Nor-
den, which claims a large and distinguished member-
ship among the numerous citizens of Swedish birth
and origin in these parts.
Dr. Anderson was united in marriage. June 26, 1889,
at Jamestown, with Henrietta C. Johnson, a daughter
of Gust. A. and Mary Johnson, of Jamestown. Dr.
and Mrs. Anderson are the parents of one daughter,
Sherleigh Anderson, who became the wife of D. H.
Mitchell, of Santa Paula, Cal.
T. HENRY BLACK— In reviewing the past history
of any individual it is often necessary to touch upon
their antecedents as bearing directly on the character
and make-up of the person described. Thomas Henry
Black, subject of the present sketch, is a well known
photographer and business man of Jamestown, N. Y.,
and has been prominently identified in his profession
for many years, being one of the leading photograph-
ers of Chautauqua county. He numbers among his
patronage many important personal, commercial and
landscape subjects of the city and surrounding coun-
try. The studio which Mr. Black conducts is known to
be one of the oldest in the county, being in existence
for many years before his coming to Jamestown in
1884. Originally this building was a hotel, but in
1871 it was remodeled into a studio, the entrance being
directly from the side street. In those days it was
operated by veteran photographers who made their
own photographic plates and paper, and, in fact, Mr.
Black lias a number of valuable negatives made by
these photographers that are marvels of workman-
ship. These negatives depict many of the residents
back in the early days of Jamestown's history. Mr.
Black had his photo taken in this studio many years
ago as a small boy in knee pants and it is treasured by
him as a unique souvenir of photography in those days.
Thomas Henry Black, son of Thomas and Eliza
(Gormley) Black, is a native of Toronto, Canada, born
364
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
Nov. 27, 1867. His father came from the North of
Ireland, likewise his mother, and it was in their native
land that the parents of Thomas Henry first met.
They were married in Ireland in 1863, and shortly
afterwards emigrated to Canada, locating in Toronto.
Thomas Black, the father, was a remarkably talented
man in many ways, and was widely noted as a land-
scape gardener, his services being frequently sought to
oversee the work of laying out large estates. He spent
a number of years in Toronto, and about 1871 he came
to the United States, bringing with him his family,
going direct to Titusville, Pa., during the oil excit
ment. His brother John had preceded him there, and
together they built a home for their respective families.
It was while living in Titusville that Mr. Black met
Henry Harley, then the country's oil king, and Mr.
Harley made a flattering proposition to him to go to
Long Point, on Chautauqua Lake, and take complete
charge of Mr. Harley's country estate at that place.
This commission was accepted, and in 1875 Mr. Black
and his family became residents of Chautauqua county.
While at Long Point, Mr. Harley gave him carte
blanche over the entire estate and during the following
nine years the development of horticulture and agri-
culture made of Long Point one of the model show
places and farms on the lake. It was here that his
son, Thomas Henry Black, spent his early boyhood,
and attended the district school at West Ellery, some
considerable distance from home. In fact, it was the
remoteness of Mr. Black's home from schooling facili-
ties that influenced him to come to Jamestown in 1884,
and so, with regret, his resignation was tendered to
Mr. Harley in that year.
The subsequent years were spent in Jamestown, with
the exception of a short period in the South as fore-
man over a large plantation, and in a part of this city,
then called Dexterville, he operated a successful truck
farm, and later managed the estate of the late Gov.
R. E. Fenton. At the time of his death he was engaged
by Frank Edward Gifford, president of the First Na-
tional Bank. Honesty, simplicity and a desire to serve
were the prevailing characteristics of this man, who by
earnest toil carved for himself an enduring place in
the hearts of all who knew him. His death, in 1890,
came as an extreme loss. Thomas and Eliza (Gorm-
ley) Black were the parents of nine children, of whom
Thomas Henry is the only surviving one.
Very early in life Thomas Henry Black showed a
remarkable talent for art, and was able to sketch in
freehand drawings objects of interest. He was never
tired of drawing pictures of scenery, and frequently
adorned the blackboard in the district school with
accurate reproductions of local scenes. In fact his
pencil was more frequently employed in drawing pic-
tures than in figuring sums, and as a result his lessons
were frequently neglected. As he grew older his
natural talent for drawing was augmented by his desire
to write, and had he received proper encouragement at
this period in life along these lines, he would have
later distinguished himself as an artist or a litterateur.
His parents, however, had other aims in view and so
after leaving school he went into business, drifting
from one thing to another in quest of his ideals until
finally he sailed into the harbor of photography, where
he anchored for life.
As has been stated, his boyhood days were spent on
the farm at Long Point. The year 1884 marked the
real beginning of his literary life, and on March 4,
1884, he began writing a diary and, remarkable as if
may seem, kept a constant record of his life for thirty--
five consecutive years. This practice gave him experi-
ence in writing so that he was able to contribute to)
various newspapers and magazines. In fact he was;
the editor of the first news publication in the old!
Jamestown Union School in 1886. In 1893 he was!
interested in newspaper work and got out a creditable
Chautauqua Lake edition to the Jamestown "Sunday
Sun."
Although Mr. Black never made use of his literary
ability as an asset, he is gifted with a poetic sense and
has written some creditable poems. These are char-
acteristics of the man which are not generally known,
but which serves to show his artistic and literary ten-
dencies.
Mr. Black's early training in his chosen profession
was with B. E. Prudden, one of Jamestown's best
photographers in those days. This was in 1893. In
1890 young Black's father died and he was left with his
widowed mother to battle with life's problems. Dur-
ing this time he essayed writing short stories and did
considerable newspaper work up to the time he began
traveling for the North American Portrait Company,
at that time a progressive and thriving enterprise of
Jamestown. For several years he represented this
house on the road. In 1893 he made his first venture
into business and bought out a third interest in the
Loucks Aristotype Company, of Jamestown, N. Y.
This company, composed of Tom, George and Will
Loucks, manufactured printing-out paper for the use
of photographers. Later in this same year Mr. Black
exchanged his interest in this company for the photo
studio which is still conducted by him. In 1895 he
conducted a branch studio in the village of Sinclair-
ville for over a year. In 1899 the big convention of the
Photographers' Association of American was held at
Celoron, N. Y., in which Mr. Black was prominently
identified, and he captured one of the prizes for good
workmanship. In 1905 Mr. Black traveled extensively,
visiting New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, and
other large cities in quest of experience in his chosen
work. The year 1914 marks a sad period in the life
of Mr. Black, as it was in this year he lost his mother,
a sainted woman, whose influence for good was felt
by all who knew her. This irreparable loss cast a
gloom over the events immediately after, and a series
of misfortunes attended every step. It was in the
latter part of this year that Mr. Black ventured into
the moving picture business while also conducting his
photo studio, but owing to mismanagement of those
he employed to run his moving picture business, this
venture came to grief. This, however, taught him a
lesson, since which time he has confined his entire time
and attention to his photographic affairs. As a result
he has succeeded in bringing the business to its pres-
ent high degree of success and efficiency.
Mr. Black is identified with numerous social organi-
zations of the city. He belongs to the Fraternal Order
of Eagles, the Loyal Order of Moose, the Benevolent
and Protective Order of Elks, and the Jamestown
Board of Commerce. During his early life in James-
I
BIOGRAPHICAL
365
town, he took an active interest in the Young Men's
Christian Association, just then starting; and in 1886
iivas confirmed in the Episcopal church, and was for
jseveral years librarian of the Sunday school.
Modest and retiring in disposition, earnest and con-
scientious in his work, it is but natural that he is get-
ting the recognition he deserves, and future history
jivill record the name of Black as among those who
worked and won. As an example of Mr. Black's liter-
ary efforts in his early days, the writer submits the fol-
low poems:
MOONLIGHT ON CHAUTAUQUA.
Pray come with me, those who have never tried
The sweet enjoyment of a moonlight ride
Upon Chautauqua, sparkling in the light
: Of Luna, lovely Goddess of the night.
The dipping oars so gently move the boat,
The silver moon reflected, seems to float
Beneath the clear calm surface of the lake
And sheds soft radiance o'er the rippling wake.
The quiet stillness, which o'er all prevails,
Embues our nature with responsive thrills.
We're lost in thought, scarce moves the oars apace,
And silence reigns supreme in every place.
What are our thoughts as o'er the lake we glide,
Surrounded by the peaceful eventide?
Are they of love, or hate, or philosophic lore,
1 if present, future, or of days no more?
Nay, none of these, we think of nature fair,
More lovely far than artist's pictures rare,
O, rapturous beauty of the silent night,
Clothed in voluptuous robes of pale blue light.
CHAUTAUQUA CHIMES.
Dedicated to the Bells at Chautaqua, in the year 188S,
>y T. Henry Black.
Chautauqua Chimes. Chautauqua Chimes,
Methinks I hear them now at times,
Filling my soul with melody.
Inspiring thoughts of poetry.
Hark! in the chambers of my brain
Again I hear that sweet refrain.
And with it happy thoughts of yore
Come drifting through my memory's door.
Blissful the walks beneath the trees.
Panned by the cooling evening breeze,
While clear the notes ring from the bells
In silvery tones the cadence swells.
AUTUMN.
Autumn is here, the time of year
When Dame Nature doth appear
In a twofold character.
Sad. though gay, she seems to say,
I'll rejoice, then die away.
The autumn breeze sighs through the trees
Adorned with many colored leaves,
Which, blown around, lie on the ground.
In every nook and corner found.
Rustling now beneath our feet.
Trampled in the muddy street.
Floating lazily through the air.
Suggesting sadness everywhere.
Flushed, though faded, there they lie.
The cymbol of a summer sigh.
The birds are gone, we miss their song
At eventide, and at the dawn,
As flying round from tree to tree
They filled the air with melody.
The crickets, too, which chirped all through
The summer days, have bid adieu;
Likewise the bee no more we see,
Nor the butterfly floating idly,
For silence reigns throughout the land,
Touched by autumn's withering wand.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN GLEASON— During his
lifetime A. Lincoln Gleason built up a higli reputation as
a breeder of pure Holstein cattle, as a dealer and ship-
per of live stock, and as the owner of Apple Grove
Farm, apples being a specialty with him for many
years. He was well known far and near as a thor-
oughly modern, progressive farmer, a reliable, ener-
getic business man and as a man of upright life and
high principles. He was a son of Rufus and Marie
Etta (Northrop) Gleason, his father a farmer who
came from Connecticut and early settled in Chautauqua
county, N. Y.
A. Lincoln Gleason was born at the home farm,
Open Meadows, town of Harmony, Chautauqua county,
N. Y., Aug. 1, 1866, and died on a farm in the same
town, May 21, 1920. He was educated in the public
schools, and adopted his father's calling, beginning his
farming and stock growing operations when a young
man. At his death at the age of fifty-four he was the
owner of a fine farm consisting of 250 acres of well
improved land, his apple orchard the most extensive
in the county. He was an enthusiastic breeder of Hol-
steins, his pure bred nearly white cattle being a prize
herd. He dealt heavily in live stock, and was one of
the best known shippers in the county. Apple Grove
Farm, named for its orchards, was equally well known
in the produce market, the annual shipment of fruit
being very large. Mr. Gleason was a member of the
Patrons of Husbandry, the Methodist Episcopal
church, and in politics a Prohibitionist.
Mr. Gleason married, Nov. 26, 1903, at Open
Meadows, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Johanna Peterson,
born in Denmark, March 28, 1882, daughter of Peter
and Johanna (Swanson) Peterson, her parents of
Swedish birth. Children: Ellen Maryetta, horn Sept.
16, 11104; Eva Hazel, born July 25, 1906; Ethel Mar-
tin, born March 7, 1908; Abraham Lincoln, Jr., born
Sept. 14, 1911; John Samuel, born Feb. 21, 1913;
Richard Norman, born Dec. 18, 1918. Mrs. Gleason
survives her husband and continues the management
of Apple Grove Farm.
JOHN EVELEN CANEEN, M. D., graduate of
the University of Buffalo, medical department, in 1883,
has passed many years of his professional practice in
Ripley, Chautauqua county, N. Y., even though from
1901 to 1918 he was in medical practice in Nebraska.
From 1887 until 1901, Dr. Caneen practiced success-
fully in Ripley, to which place he returned in 1918
to resume his practice.
John Evelen Caneen is a native of New York, born
in Cattaraugus county, Aug. 20, 1855, the son of
Thomas and Dollie (Cooper) Caneen. I lis lather was
a successful merchant, having extensive business in
that part of the State, and the son was given good
educational opportunities. For primary instruction he
attended the district schools, later taking a preparatory
course in the Rudolph Academy, and subsequently
entering the State Normal School, from which he grad-
uated in due course. Then he proceeded to the Uni-
versity of Buffalo, and became an undergraduate in
the medical department. After proper application to
the study of medical science for the requisite period.
3 66
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
he graduated, thus gaining the degree of Doctor of
Medicine. That was in 1883. He began to practice as a
general practitioner in that year at Cherry Creek,
Chautauqua county, N. Y., removing to Ripley in 1887,
and there practicing continuously until 1901, when he
went to Nebraska, there engaging in professional work
until 1918, when he returned to Ripley and resumed
his practice.
Dr. Caneen is well regarded in Ripley, and in Chau-
tauqua county generally, and during his earlier prac-
tice in this State had good place among his profes-
sional confreres. He has held membership in the
American Medical Association, the New York State
Medical Association, the Chautauqua County, New
York Medical Association, and the Nebraska Medical
Association. Religiously, Dr. Caneen is a Baptist, and
fraternally he belongs to the Odd Fellows.
Dr. Caneen married (first) Minerva Graham, of
Olean, N. Y., by whom there was issue, a daughter,
Ethel, who now is Mrs. George Mcintosh. He mar-
ried (second) Bertha S. Stilson, of Cherry Creek,
Chautauqua county, N. Y., to whom also one child
has been born, Dorothy Kathryne, who attends school
in Ripley.
FRANCIS GEER— At a ripe old age, Samuel Geer,
a pioneer of the Fredonia district of Chautauqua county,
N. Y., died, leaving a son Francis Geer, born in Fre-
donia, April 19, 1812, who died in Jamestown, Aug. 8,
1887. He grew to manhood at the home farm and
attended the district school, remaining his father's assist-
ant until coming of age, then learned the tanner's trade,
which he followed for several years. He then located
in Jamestown, where he learned furniture finishing and
became an expert in that line. He was well known in
the furniture trade, and continued in business in James-
town until his death. He was a member of the Baptist
church, and a Republican in politics, coming to that
party upon the collapse of the Whig party. He was a
man of quiet, domestic tastes, temperate in all his habits,
never using tobacco, and was of most correct, upright,
moral life. He is buried in Lakeview Cemetery.
Francis Geer married, in Jamestown, Julia Marsh,
born in Kiantone, Chautauqua county, N. Y., daughter
of Asa B. and Delia (Davis) Marsh. Mrs. Geer was
a member of the Baptist church, and a woman highly
esteemed. She died July 16, 1894, and is buried beside
her husband in Lakeview Cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Geer
were the parents of eight children : Judson Francis, a
Union soldier in the Civil War, who died in the army;
Theodore Orlando, also a soldier of the Union, who
died in the service ; Isadore, married Joseph Hegeman,
both deceased, she a teacher in Jamestown prior to her
marriage; Lester Clement, deceased; Delia Elmira, died
aged twelve years; Louise E., of further mention;
Emerson E., deceased ; Adalaide, a resident of James-
town ; Emma, died in youthful womanhood.
Louise E. Geer was born in Jamestown, N. Y., where
she was educated in the public schools, finishing with
high school graduation. After a special course in the
normal department, she began teaching in the Fairmount
public school ; she remained here for one year. This
was followed by a long term of service in the public
schools of Jamestown, N. Y. ; this was preceded by five
years with the school at Sinclairville, as well as ;
number of district schools. In 1888, she began hei
career as an educator in Jamestown, as principal of the
Central School, succeeding Mrs. Ella Lakin. For thirty
years Miss Geer continued head of Central School,
retiring in 1917, after forty years of able, faithful)
service as an educator. The good which has come to the-
youth who have come within her sphere of influence ass
teacher and principal cannot be reputed, but her friends
are legion, and she is rich in the love and respect off
thousands of former pupils.
Miss Geer continues her residence in Jamestown. She
is a member of the County and State Teachers' Associa-
tion and other societies, a communicant of the Baptist!
church since 1870, and a teacher in the Sunday school
for about the same period, and an interested Christian
worker. In 1912, she toured Europe, visiting the differ-
ent capitols and thoroughly enjoying the opportunities
offered to a lady of her culture and refinement to enjoy
the art treasures and senic wonders of the countries
visited.
NORMAN R. THOMPSON— The Thompsons came,
to the town of Stockton, Chautauqua county, N. V., at
an parly date, Abel Thompson erecting the first house in 1
the town. Newell C. Thompson, son of Abel Thompson,
and father of Norman R. Thompson, was born in Cen-
tral New York, in 181 1, and was brought to Stockton
by his parents in 1813. He married Samantha BaileyJ
and they were the parents of ten children, two of whom,
George M. and Norman R., are now (1920) residing in|
Jamestown, N. Y. Abel Thompson, upon coming toj
Stockton in June, 1812, purchased 100 acres of lot 29, ,
and 178 acres of lot 37, his land extending west beyonl
the creek and north to and including a part of the village t
of Delanti. His house was square, built of logs, withwl
a split log floor. In the spring of 1813, while the snowM
was yet deep and covered with a crust, he brought hisl
familv, using an ox team for the purpose. He died in 1
1831.
Newell C. Thompson, aforementioned, was a tailor byl
trade, a Republican in politics, held several town offices, 1
and died in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church.li
The children of Newell C. and Samantha (Bailey) II
Thompson were: Harriet C, became the wife of W. W.
Seeley; Byron W., a veteran of the Civil War, wounded. i
in battle, married Louisa Bissell; Frederick; Almedia; ]
Sarah J., died young; Ella M., became the wife of J
Samuel Riddle; Mary F., became the wife of Hiram 1
Hart; George M., married Harriet Miller; Eva; and l
Norman R., of whom further.
Norman R. Thompson, son of Newell C. and Samantha 1
(Bailey) Thompson, was born in the town of Stockton, I
Chautauqua county, N. Y., Sept. 10, 1837, and since 1
1883 has been a resident of Jamestown, his present home 1
(1920) No. 50 Allen street. He was educated in the
district school and Westfield Academy, and after a '1
short period as a farmer began teaching school, a pro- J
fession he only abandoned after teaching forty consecu- 1
tive terms. In March, 1876, he was appointed by J. P. \
Wickensham, Pennsylvania Superintendent of Public
Instruction to fill a vacancy in the office of County
Superintendent of Schools for Warren county, and for
two years continued in that office under appointment
<K^/ .
BIOGRAPHICAL
367
He was then elected by the people for a full term and
served until its close with efficiency and fidelity. In
1883 he moved to Jamestown, Chautauqua county, N.
V.. and until 1890 was engaged as a bookkeeper. In
that year he was appointed treasurer of the city of
Jamestown, an office he held continuously for eight
years. In 1899 Mr. Thompson was appointed to a
position in the office of the adjutant-general at Albany,
N. Y.. his duty the compiling of Civil War records of
New York State men. In that capacity he compiled the
officers' records for the work, "New Work in the Civil
War." He remained in that position for twelve years,
1809-1911.
When a young man of twenty-three years, on Aug.
21, 1861, Mr. Thompson enlisted at Stockton in the
Union Army to serve three years. He was mustered
into the United States service on Aug. 30 following, as
corporal of Company G, 49th Regiment, New York Vol-
unteer Infantry, and went to the front. Colonel Daniel
D. Bidwell commanded the regiment, and Captain
Jeremiah C. Drake commanded Company G. The 49th
was a fighting regiment, and with that command Mr.
Thompson saw three years of strenuous military life.
He was promoted to the rank of sergeant, Dec. 26, 1861,
was wounded in action at the battle of Antietam, Sept.
17, 1862, and at the battle of the Wilderness, May 12,
On July 30, 1864, he was promoted regimental
commissary sergeant, and on Oct. 18, 1S64, was honor-
ably discharged and mustered out at Buffalo, N. Y. Two
monuments mutely testify to the valor of the 49th, one
on the battlefield of Gettysburg, erected by the State
| of New York, another marks the "Bloody Angle,"
erected by the survivors of the regiment near Spottsyl-
vania Court House, Virginia, erected in 1902 by the then
surviving members of the regiment, Norman R. Thomp-
son being a member of the committee in charge of the
raising of funds. The monument was dedicated on Oct.
9, 1902. At the ceremonies attending the dedication of
the Gettysburg monument, July 2, 1893, Mr. Thompson
. was one of the speakers. He is an official of the Forty-
ninth Regimental Association, and in 1920 was one of
the thirteen survivors who attended the annual reunion
at Kennedy, N. Y.
Mr. Thompson is a member of James M. Brown Post,
No. 285, Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Union
Veteran Legion. He has recently been elected quarter-
master-general of the National Union Veteran Legion
for the seventh time. He is also a Master Mason of
Mount Moriah Lodge, Jamestown, and a member of
other beneficial and fraternal orders. In religious faith
he is liberal, and in politics a Republican.
Mr. Thompson married, Aug. 18. 1S68, Kate F. Swift,
daughter of Gordon and Hannah M. Swift ; the former
was born in Vermont, and the latter in Worcester, N.
Y., but later were residents of Chautauqua county, N.
Y., residing in Carroll and Jamestown. The only son
of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, Carl Gordon, born in 1870,
died in June, 1900.
This brief record reveals Mr. Thompson as a good
soldier and a good citizen. He has never sought prefer-
ment or public position, every honor which has been
conferred upon him coming unsought. He has won the
commendation of his superiors in office and rank, in
peace and in war, every duty having been ably and
honorably fulfilled. His long life has been a useful
one and he holds the confidence and respect of all who
know him.
CHARLES PETER DAHLSTROM— Western
New York, and particularly Chautauqua county, owes
much of its prosperity to the activities of a number of
distinguished citizens of Swedish birth or ancestry, mem-
bers of this nation having settled here in large numbers
during a considerable period. Among these distin-
guished citizens none is better known than the late
Charles Peter Dahlstrom, who was for many years
identified prominently with the industrial interests of
the community, and who as head of the Dahlstrom
Metallic Door Company of Jamestown won a position
high in the esteem of his fellow-citizens and did much
to promote the material advancement of the region.
The Dahlstrom family is of Swedish origin, and Mr.
Dahlstrom himself was born on the Island of Gotland
in that country, Sept. 4, 1872. He was a son of Lars
Peter Dahlstrom, likewise a native of the Island of
Gotland, Sweden, and a man of culture and education.
For many years he held a high rank in the Swedish
military organization, and acted as practical instructor
for the army. After his retirement from this position
he returned to his native land, to the old Ducker Farm,
which has been in possession of the family for over
two centuries, where he has since resided. He is a prom-
inent member of the Swedish Lutheran church. At one
time the elder Mr. Dahlstrom paid a long visit to his
son in the United States, but eventually returned to
Sweden. Lars Peter Dahlstrom married Jacobina
Strom, and they were the parents of the following
children: Olga, who became the wife of Captain Hjelmer
Osterman, to whom she bore two children, Ehrich and
Sbea; Charles Peter, with whose career we are here
especially concerned ; Andries Frederick, born in 1875,
died in 1907; Ervid, born in 1879, died in 1907; and
Laura.
Charles Peter Dahlstrom passed his childhood in his
native land, and attended the public schools of Gotland
until he had reached the age of twelve years. He then
became a student in a school of technology at Stockholm,
where he completed his education. After graduation
from the latter institution, he served an apprenticeship
in the trade of tool and die-making, and immediately
afterwards, in the year 1890, came to the United States.
He was an exceedingly skillful mechanic and had made
a reputation for himself for inventive genius and the
skill he had in devising improvements on machinery
and the construction of new mechanisms adapted to
special uses. When he first came to this country he
settled in Buffalo and secured employment there at his
trade. After several years spent in that city, three of
which were passed as an employee of the Spalding
Machine & Screw Company, where he invented a num-
ber of devices and took out several patents, he went to
Chicago and worked in the same line in that city and in
Milwaukee. His old employers, however, valued his
services so highly that they persuaded him to return to
Buffalo and again enter their service. Mr. Dahlstrom,
however, was anxious to find new openings for himself,
and after a short period with the old concern, left them
a second time and went to Pittsburgh, where he was
368
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
given a position with the Westinghouse Electric &
Manufacturing Company. While thus associated, Mr.
Dahlstrom was brought to the attention of George
Westinghouse, the remarkable inventor and scientist,
and the two men formed a close personal friendship,
which continued until the time of the former's death.
It was in the year 1899 that Mr. Dahlstrom first came
to Jamestown, N. Y., and in this city he first entered
the employ of the Art Metal Construction Company,
with which concern he signed a five years' contract.
During his employment by this company, Mr. Dahl-
strom invented a metalic door, the great possibilities of
which he was quick to realize, so that on the expiration
of his contract he at once withdrew from his associa-
tion with the Art Metal Construction Company and
organized the Dahlstrom Metallic Door Company, of
which he was the head. At first the concern was a
small one, with a plant at Jamestown occupying but a
single floor of the old Gokey building, but his door met
with such instant favor among architects and builders
that his business grew by leaps and bounds. The Dahl-
strom Metallic Door is especially adapted for use in
high buildings and hotels, where its fireproof qualities
render it invaluable, since by its use fires may be con-
fined entirely to the room in which they started, thus
saving immense loss in life and property. It was not
long before Mr. Dahlstrom found it necessary to in-
crease his quarters, and with this end in view he erected
a four-story brick plant on Buffalo street, Jamestown.
At the time this building was first designed, it appeared
adequate to the needs of the company for some years,
yet so rapid was the increase of his business that even
before its completion extensive additions were planned
and begun. The Dahlstrom door has been adopted
almost exclusively by construction companies in this
country, and an enormous number of them are now
disposed of throughout the United States. Its advan-
tages have recommended it beyond the confines of this
country, however, and it is now extensively used in
Canada and even in Europe. The whole of this great
growth occurred under the direct management of Mr.
Dahlstrom himself who, up to the time of his death,
which occurred April 16, 1909, continued as its active
head, and it was his genius both as an inventor and
business man which is responsible for the enormous
proportions to which the concern has grown.
Mr. Dahlstrom always took a keen interest in the
public affairs of Jamestown, and was a Republican in
politics, but the tremendous demands upon his time and
energy made by the huge development of his business
interests rendered it impossible for him to take that
part in the general life of the community for which his
talents and abilities so admirably fitted him. He was,
however, exceedingly public-spirited and always dis-
charged to the full his duties as a citizen as well as
supporting liberally every movement undertaken for the
public wellfare. It has sometimes been held that men
possessing unusual inventive genius lack the practical
power necessary' to market the results of that genius
successfully, but certainly this theory has not been justi-
fied in many American inventors who have reaped
during their lives the fruit of their genius, and especially
was it not justified in the career of Mr. Dahlstrom,
whose invention was placed before the public so suc-
cessfully that almost over night it became a universal
public necessity. In addition to his inventive genius
and to his practical grasp of affairs, Mr. Dahlstrom
had another quality which undoubtedly played a part
in shaping his success. He was a man of most genial 1
and warm hearted personality and possessed in an un-
usual degree the power of making and keeping friends.:
Nowhere was this ability more conspicuously shown r
than in his relations with his employees, over whom he <
exercised a most extraordinary influence. The men;
who worked in his plant felt him to be their friend and
held him in the highest esteem and warmest affection.!
On the occasion of his death they petitioned to bet
allowed to refrain from work in order to attend his
funeral in a body, and otherwise showed the deep
devotion which they had for him. The factory of the
Dahlstrom Metallic Door Company was perhaps the
most important industrial establishment in Jamestown,
and was an important factor in the industrial develop'
ment of the community. Mr. Dahlstrom was also a
prominent figure in the social and fraternal circles of
the community, and was affiliated with Mt. Tabor Lodge,
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Jamestown
Lodge, Knights of Pythias. In his religious belief he
was a Lutheran and attended the First Lutheran Church
of that denomination in Jamestown.
Charles Peter Dahlstrom was united in marriage,
Oct. 20, 1900, at Jamestown, with Anna Elfrida Phillips
Petersen, like himself a native of Sweden, where she
was born at Stockholm, March 10, 1873, a daughter of
John Phillips and Matilda (Fagerstrom) Petersen. Mr.
Petersen was born in Sweden, May I, 1839, and died
Aug. 27, 1878. He was a stone mason by trade, highly
respected in the community where he dwelt, and a prom-
inent member of the Lutheran church there. He married,
in 1863, Matilda Fagerstrom, born Dec. 21, 1841, died
April 2, 1904. Mrs. Petersen was a woman of many
virtues and was a most devoted mother and wife. Mr.
and Mrs. Petersen were the parents of the following
children: Augusta, who became the wife of John Burk-
land. of Jamestown, N. Y., to whom she bore two
children, Margaret and Vivian ; Anton Phillips, who
married Augusta Ax, by whom he has had two children,
Burdette and Rose; Amanda, who became the wife of
Charles Johnson, of Jamestown, and the mother of two
children, Norman and Chester; Anna Elfrida Phillips,
who became Mrs. Charles P. Dahlstrom, as mentioned
above; and Alma, who was a nurse in the Women's
Christian Association Hospital of Jamestown ; she died"
April 7, 1919. These children of John Phillips Petersen,
after coming to the United States, dropped their family
name and are now known by their father's middle name
of Phillips. Anna Elfrida Phillips (Petersen) Dahl-
strom received her education at the schools of her native
city of Stockholm, and after coming to the United
States took a special course in English. She is a woman
of strong Christian character, and is a prominent figure
in the life of Jamestown, where she enjoys the highest
esteem and regard. Mr. and Mrs. Dahlstrom became
the parents of two children, as follows : Phyllis Matilda
Margarette, born July 13, 1901 ; and Frederick Phillips,
born Sept. 7, 1903.
xb£ jzLu^
BIOGRAPHICAL
369
HERBERT B. VINCENT— Long passed from
mortal view, Herbert B. Vincent lives in the memory
of his many friends in Jamestown, where his widow yet
resides. He was one of the men who, when clouds of
war broke over our land, rallied to the defence of the
old flag and maintained a government of free people.
He lived long and well, his record and his life unspotted.
His parents, Edward F. and Lucinda ( Boise) Vincent,
resided at Warren, Pa., on a farm, finally moving to
Hesperia. Mich., where Mr. Vincent, Sr., continued
farming operations until his death.
Herbert B. Vincent was born in Warren, Pa., Jan. 3,
1836, and died in Jamestown, N. Y., Feb. 14, 1905. He
was educated in the public schools of the district, and
upon arriving at a suitable age learned the harness-
maker's trade, worked at it several years, and established
a business of his own. Later he sold out and moved to
Spottsylvania Court House, Va., where he purchased
a farm which he operated for five years. He traded
off his Virginia property for a farm in McKean county.
Pa., locating there, where he remained for five years.
Here he "struck oil." He then traded this farm and
oil field for a farm in Chautauqua county. He lived in
Jamestown one year, then went to the farm for four
years, after which he moved back to Jamestown and
retired, residing there until his death.
Mr. Vincent enlisted in Company I, 109th Regiment,
New York Volunteer Infantry, Dec 2, 1861, serving
under Captains A. W. Alvord and S. R. Jones, Colonels
B. F. Tracy, and Coxlen, the regiment part of the 1st
Brigade, 3rd Division, gth Army Corps, Army of the
Potomac. Until April, 1864, Mr. Vincent was on guard
duty, later was engaged at the battles of the Wilderness,
-vlvania, Ann River, Cold Harbor, Bethesda
rch, Petersburg. Welden railroad. Reams Station,
tier's Run, and witnessed the surrender of General
Lee, April 9, 1865. On May 31, 1865, he was trans-
ferred to Company I, 51st Regiment, New York Infan-
try, Capt. W. W. Hatch, Col. J. J. Wright, and was
mustered out June 3, 1865. He was held at Washington,
D. C. and at Alexandria, Va., on special service,
finally receiving honorable discharge at Alexandria, July
_'5. 1865. All his after life Mr. Vincent retained a lively
interest in his war comrades and was long a member of
McKean Post, No. 347, Grand Army of the Republic
lof Smethport, Pa. He was also a member of the
Masonic order, and the Benevolent and Protective
Order of Elks. He is buried in Lakeview Cemetery.
I Mr. Vincent married, April 17, 1859, Julia A. Ogden,
jborn June 9, 1839, in Apalachin, Tioga county, N. Y.,
|daughter of Isaac and Julia (Jewett) Ogden, who yet
survives her husband, residing in Jamestown, active
land well preserved, her friends many and devoted to
'her. Children: 1. William, born Aug. 23, i860, died Nov.
'24, 1864. 2. Susan E., born Feb. 23, 1863 ; married,
April 2, T883, at Jamestown, J. A. Yerdon, and has a
son, Herbert B. 3. Robertine, born Aug. 16, 1865;
married, June 17, 1800, Daniel Bacon, and has three
children: Ivan Julia, born Sept. 4, 1892; Ellen, born Oct.
21, 1893, died Oct. 16, 1918; and Margaret, born Jan. 22,
1905. 4. Willard E., born Nov. 13, 1875, now engaged in
the drug business in Buffalo, N. Y. ; married Clemen-
tine Crum, of Indianapolis, Ind. 5. Edith, born Sept.
I, 1877, died Sept. 17, 1877. 6. Earl R„ born March
18, 1879; married Grace Waller, and resides in Indian-
apolis, Ind. He has one daughter Margarett.
DANIEL A. SULLIVAN, who was for many years
one of the most prominent figures in the lumber interests
of Chautauqua county, N. Y., and whose death at his
home in Jamestown, May 17, 1904, was felt as a severe
loss by the entire community, was a native of County
Cork, Ireland, where his birth occurred April 12, 1863, a
son of Michael and Susan Sullivan. He was but two
years of age when his parents removed with him to
England and settled in the town of Olewitch, where they
made their home for about four years. They had in the
meantime, however determined to come to the United
States, and in 1869 set sail for this country, and after a
long voyage reached the port of New York City. It is
probable that their destination had already been deter-
mined upon before leaving England, as they did not
tarry in the metropolis, but came on at once to the
city of Salamanca, N. Y., where they have since made
their home.
Daniel A. Sullivan was but six years of age at that
time, and His childhood and early youth were spent at
Salamanca, where he attended the local public schools
and obtained his education. He was still young, how-
ever, when he gave up his studies and went to the
village of Red House and there secured employment
with Daniel Griswold, who was one of the pioneer lum-
bermen of the region. Mr. Sullivan was sent to work as
a woodman in this region, and for a time worked in
that capacity for Mr. Griswold. He was exceedingly
ambitious, however, to become independent in business,
but realized that further education would be a valuable
asset to him before embarking on an enterprise of his
own. Acordingly, he became a member of Mr. Gris-
wold's household in Jamestown and there attended the
high school until he had qualified himself as a teacher.
Mr. Sullivan then was appointed to take charge of a
school near his old home at Salamanca, and taught in
that institution for one year. He was keenly interested
in his profession and decided to study further in order
i" perfect himself in that line. About this time, how-
ever, his attention was forcibly called to the great oppor-
tunities offered by the lumber business, and by the time
he had completed his course of study at the Fredonia
Normal School, Fredonia, N. Y., he had practically
decided to take up this occupation. For two years he
rafted lumber for a Mr. Quinn on the Allegheny river,
below Corydon, transporting the rough logs down that
stream to the southern market, where he disposed of
them for his employer. During this time he made the
acquaintance of Mr. Robert Carson, of Randolph, and
entered his employ, opening for him a general store
at Quaker Bridge. He also looked after the lumber
interests of Mr. Carson, and continued thus occupied
until the spring of 1S93. making his home at Quaker
Bridge in the meantime. In that year, however, he
severed his connection with his employer and came to
Jamestown, N. Y. Here he formed a copartnership
with C. A. Breed and D. D. Hazeltine. under the name
of the Union Lumber Company, and began operations
Cli.-m— 24
37°
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
here. In the year 1894 Messrs. Breed and Hazeltine
retired from the business, leaving Mr. Sullivan the sole
proprietor thereof, who continued it under the old name
until 1897. He then admitted M. D. Stone into the con-
cern as a partner, who remained with him until 1903,
after which Mr. Sullivan became once more the sole
proprietor of the company. His business developed to
large proportions under his exceedingly capable manage-
ment, and he was regarded as one of the most sub-
stantial citizens of Jamestown, his home there, which
was situated at No. 314 West Fifth street, being one of
the handsomest in trje place. He was very active in
the general life of the community, and was especially
prominent in Masonic circles, being a member of all
the Masonic bodies in the city. He was also affiliated
with the Jamestown Club, and was a director of the
bank in Jamestown for many years. The Masonic
bodies with which Mr. Sullivan was connected were
as follows : Mt. Moriah Lodge, Ancient Free and
Accepted Masons ; Western Sun Chapter, Royal
Arch Masons ; Jamestown Council, Royal and Select
Masters; Jamestown Commandery, Knights Templar;
Ismailia Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the
Mystic Shrine ; Buffalo Consistory, Sovereign Princes
of the Royal Secret; and the Jamestown Lodge of Per-
fection. He was also a member of Jamestown Lodge,
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Daniel A. Sullivan was united in marriage, May 9,
1888, with Mary Elizabeth Grunder, of Warren, Pa., and
they became the parents of two children : Irene S., who
resides at the family home at Jamestown, and Paul
Revere, who is mentioned at length below. Mr. and
Mrs. Sullivan were members of the Presbyterian church,
and are buried in Lakeview Cemetery here, the death
of the latter occurring Feb. 27, 1919.
Paul Revere Sullivan, only son of Daniel A. and
Mary Elizabeth (Grunder) Sullivan, was born at James-
town, Dec. 4, 1894. He attended as a lad the public
schools of this city, and later the Military Academy at
Poughkeepsie, N. Y., from which he was graduated with
the class of 1914. He then took a commercial course
at the Bryant & Stratton's Business College at Buffalo,
upon completing which he returned to Jamestown,
where he became interested in the automobile business.
He continued in this line until the entrance of the United
States into the great World War, when he enlisted as
a member of the Reserve Force Aviation Service, con-
nected with the United States navy. He served therein
until the close of the war, when he was retired with
the rank of ensign. Upon receiving his honorable dis-
charge, Mr. Sullivan reentered the automobile business
and has already met with considerable success in this
line. He is a Presbyterian in his religious belief and
attends the church of that denomination in Jamestown.
Paul Revere Sullivan married, May 10, 1919, at
Jamestown, Ursula Jones, a daughter of Cyrus E.
and Mary (Beebe) Jones, old and highly respected
residents of Jamestown.
At the time of the death of Daniel A. Sullivan, there
was printed a long obituary article dealing with his
life, in the course of which the following appears:
At the time of his death he was at the head of the
Union Lumber Company and his business abilities won
for him a recognized place among the lumber dealers
of the country. Just and honorable in his dealings.
generous and considerate to associates, gentle and
kind-hearted in his family relations, his death will'
be regretted by all who knew him, and his family will
have the sympathy of the community In their great
bereavement.
JOHN H. TOUSLEY— Among the prominent busi-i
ness men and merchants of Jamestown, Chautauqua
county, N. Y., the name of John H, Tousley, whose
death occurred Aug. 3, 1909, stands high. Mr. Tousley,,-
who had nearly completed his seventy-ninth year at thei
time of his death, was a native of Madison county, N,
Y., his birth occurring in the town of Morrisville, Dec:
28, 1827. The family is of old New England stock, andc
Mr. Tousley's father, William Tousley, was a native
of Connecticut and came to New York State in early
manhood. He located at Morrisville, Madison county,
where he followed the occupation of farming and was
also a successful blacksmith until the close of his life]
He married Charlotte Houghton, a daughter of John/
Houghton, who came from England as a young mani
and settled in this country before the Revolution. John
Houghton was impressed in General Burgoyne's army,
but eventually escaped and joined the Colonial troops-
and supported the American cause to the end of that
momentous struggle. William Tousley and his wife
were the parents of six children, the youngest of whom
was John H., of whom further.
John H. Tousley passed his childhood and early youth
in his native town of Morrisville, and as a lad attended
the local district schools, but abandoned his studies at ail'
early age in order to learn the trade of carpenter, which
he continued to follow until 1855. In that year he
opened a bakery and confectionery store at Rushford,
N. Y., but in 1864 removed from that town to James-
town, where he engaged in the wholesale and retail
bakery and confectionery business, opening an estab-
lishment on East Third street. For a quarter of a
century thereafter Mr. Tousley was successfully engaged
in that business, and built up one of the largest estab-
lishments of its kind in the entire region. He enjoyed
an enviable reputation for integrity and fair businesi
methods, and was one of the leading figures in the busi
ness world here.
John H. Tousley was united in marriage, Jan. I
1855, with Mary Elizabeth Parker, a native of Rushford,'
N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Tousley celebrated their golden
wedding, Jan. 16, 1905 ; the following 6th of Decembe
Mr. Tousley died. Mrs. Tousley survived her husbant
for a number of years, her death occurring Sept. 2(
1917. She was prominent in the social circles of th
city, and was a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church,
Mr. and Mrs. Tousley were the parents of three child
ren, as follows: 1. Charles, who died at La JunH I
Colo., and who married Adeline Furlow, by whom h:
had one child, Doris. 2. John H, a successful merchan 1
in Jamestown, where he married Mayme McGinn, b
whom he has three children : John M., Howard J.. an<
Laurence Charles. 3. Ruth C., who is well known as
public school teacher in Jamestown, where she h:
taught for more than thirty-six years.
EDWARD E. DUFFEE— A man of varied expen
ence, having been engaged in a great many widely diver-
gent lines of business, Edward E. Duffee is what mi
BIOGRAPHICAL
37i
be truly called a self-made man. From his boyhood up
to the present time, his life has had very little playtime
in it, for as soon as one occupation came to an end,
another was at once adopted to take its place.
Edward E. Duffee, was born in Buckley, Schuylkill
county, Pa., April 30, 1853, his parents, Neil Duffee and
his wife, Nancy (Schmidt) Duffee, living in the oil field
regions at that time, his father being actively engaged
in oil production. Neil Duffee is now deceased, as is
also his wife.
Edward E. Duffee was given a good common school
education, attending both grammar and high schools in
Oil City, Pa., until sixteen years old, though he did not
graduate from the high school. His first step on the
business ladder was as clerk in the general department
store of Sheppard, Son & Stone Company, where he
continued for seven years. He then became interested
in oil and in 1878 started prospecting and operating in
that line in Clarion county, Pa., later going to McKean
field, continuing in the oil business from 1888 to 1891.
In December, 1891, he went to Jamestown and opened a
dry goods store in the Broadhead block, No. 16 South
|Main street, remaining there until 1899. when he moved
ito the New Arcade. Eighteen months later he moved
again to the White block, where he carried on his busi-
ness until 1906; then Mr. Duffee sold out and moved
to Pittsburgh, going into the real estate business. In
■1907 he returned to Jamestown, and in the spring of
1908 started to operate the Excelsior Furniture Com-
pany, having built the factory for that purpose. After
some time spent in this occupation, he sold his interests
in the furniture line and bought a half interest in the
fry goods business of Charles Samuels; seventeen
months later he bought the other half, conducting the
business alone. This proved very satisfactory, but a
;hort time after the transfer was effected, the building
:aught fire and he was burned out. Three months later
jusiness was resumed, only to be destroyed by another
ire in less than a year. But, like the Phoenix, Mr.
}uffee's business arose from the ashes, and on Dec. 15,
910, he opened his present store, the E. E. Duffee dry
;oods, cloaks, suits, carpets and drapery business, which
ias proven to be a most successful concern. Mr. Duffee
s a Republican in political faith, and is interested in
he work of his party, though he has seldom held any
iublic office. At one time he was a member of the
School Board, from 1906 to 1909. He is a Free Mason
aving passed through all degrees up to the thirty-second,
nd is a Knights Templar. In religion Mr. Duffee is
Presbyterian, he and his family attending that church.
Edward E. Duffee married Ella E. Vossard, in Oil
Sty, Jan 11, 1887. They have four children: 1. Oppo,
ow the wife of W. G. Eckman. 2. Floss G., who
larried William Gokey, Jr. 3. Fleda F., living at home.
. Diege D., also at home. Mrs. Duffee is a very efficient,
apable woman, and in addition to the care of her home
nd family, assists her husband in the store, the business
aving grown so large as to require constant supervision
y one or the other of them. Mr. Duffee is ranked
mong the successful men of Jamestown.
Anderson, who has been for many years one of the most
prominent farmers of the district and a man who,
through his long career, has earned the high esteem and
admiration of his associates and the community-at-
large. Mr. Anderson is a son of Edwin and Catherine
Ann (Crosby) Anderson, the former a farmer at Elling-
ton, and a native of that place, where his birth occurred
April 7, 1858. As a lad he attended the high school at
Chamberlain, N. Y., and upon completing his studies at
that institution took up the occupation of farming which
he has followed ever since with a high degree of suc-
cess. Mr. Anderson is also interested in the financial
affairs of Ellington and Jamestown and is affiliated
with the Jamestown National Bank. He takes a keen
interest in local politics and is a strong supporter of the
Republican party, of which he has been a member for
many years. He is a member of the local grange and is
well known as having done much to promote the farm-
ing interests of the community. In his religious belief
Mr. Anderson is a Methodist.
James Brace Anderson was united in marriage. June
18, 188.4, at Salamanca, N. Y., with Cora Sarah Ewing,
a native of that city, where her birth occurred Oct.
27, 1857. Mrs. Anderson is a daughter of Henry and
Augusta Loraine (Willis) Ewing. Mr. and Mrs. Ander-
son are the parents of the following children : Archi-
bald, born Feb. 22, 1887, and died July 26, 1896; Sada
Loraine, born Aug. 27, 18S9; Harriett Louise, born
March 19. 1892; Frank K. Henry, born Dec. 24, 1897,
enlisted, Dec. 24. 1917, in Company I, 4th Regiment of
Infantry, in the regular army of the United States, and
served until May 28, 1919, with the American Expedi-
tionary Force in France, a period of fourteen months
in all, during which he saw action in three great battles
of the war; and Emmons Edwin, born Oct. 30, 1901.
JAMES BRACE ANDERSON— There is no figure
etter known in the agricultural world of Ellington,
'hautauqua county, N. Y., than that of James Brace
DELMAR T. FREDRICKSON, president of the
Fredrickson Brothers Veneer Mill, Basket Factory and
Saw 'Mill, was born in Stockton, N. Y., June 6, 1888.
He was a son of Alfred D. and Matilda (Anderson)
Fredrickson. Alfred D. Fredrickson is a farmer and a
strong ally of the Prohibition party. Three sons have
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fredrickson : Delmar T.,
of further mention; Paul W. ; Albin L., whose sketch
follows this work.
Delmar T. Fredrickson was educated in the grammar
and high schools of his native place. After leaving
school he served an apprenticeship to the plumber's
trade at Buffalo, N. Y., later going to Kane, Pa., where
he was employed in a glass factory for a short period.
He then became associated with Charles A. Hall, who
owned a large steam power plant for basket making. In
1912, together with Otto S. Bussing, Mr. Fredrickson
bought this mill and the business was continued until
1919, when Paul W. Fredrickson and Albin L. Fred-
rickson, brothers of Delmar T. Fredrickson, bought the
Bussing buildings and added them to the already exten-
sive plant, making this one of the largest enterprises of
its kind in Chautauqua county. Logs are bought from
nearby woodlands and the entire process of the making
of the fruit baskets is done at this plant, where 85 men
and girls are employed for this purpose. In politics Mr.
Fredrickson is a Republican, and is a member of the
Stockton School Board. He affiliates with the Inde-
3" 2
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a member of the
First Baptist Church, of Stockton, of which he is also
a trustee.
On Sept. 25, 1915, Mr. Fredrickson married Pearl L.
Johnson, of Johnsonburg, Pa., and they are the parents
of one child, Lillian O.
ALBIN L. FREDRICKSON, vice-president of
Fredrickson Brothers Veneer Mill, Basket Factory and
Saw Mill, is a native of Stockton, N. Y., where his birth
occurred Jan. 31. 1890. Mr. Fredrickson is the son of
Alfred D. and Matilda (Anderson) Fredrickson.
The education of Albin L. Fredrickson was obtained
in the schools of his native place, and after graduating
from the Stockton High School he secured a position in
the basket factory of Charles Hall, but remained there
for a short time only, going thence to Jamestown ; N.
Y., where he served an apprenticeship as a metal cabinet-
maker in the Art Metal Construction Company. He
next established himself in the business of basket mak-
ing and was thus engaged until July 19, 1918, when he
enlisted in the United States Army. After being at
Camp Dix for a month he sailed for France with Com-
pany H, 346th Infantry- After eight months of service
he returned to the United States and received his
honorable discharge at Camp Upton, April 11, 1919-
Upon his return to Stockton he became associated with
his brothers, Delmar T., and Paul W., in Fredrickson
Brothers Basket Factory and was made vice-president
of the organization. Albin L. Fredrickson is a man of
good judgment and business foresight, and he has done
much towards making this enterprise one of the largest
of its kind in this region. Although possessed of wide
popularity and the respect and esteem of his fellow-
citizens. Mr. Fredrickson has not taken any prominent
part in local affairs nor has he entered politics. He
affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows
and with Lodge No. 851, Free and Accepted Masons.^
On Nov. 15. 1919, Mr. Fredrickson was united in
marriage with Ellen Unsworth, of Jamestown, N. Y.
REV. JOHN EMMANUEL HILLBERG— Since
November, 1852, the date of its organization, the First
Swedish Methodist Church of Jamestown, N. Y., has
had twenty settled pastors, the first, Rev. Olof Hamrin,
serving the church from June, 1853, until July, 1854,
the rule of the itinerancy then limiting a pastor's term
to one year. The twentieth pastor of the church
preached his first sermon to the congregation in October,
1 91 7, succeeding Rev. Eric Philip Swan, who was pastor
from 1912 to 1917. The founder of the church, Pastor
O. G. Hedstrom, watched over the little congregation
until the arrival of its first stationed pastor, Rev. Olof
Hamrin. A history of the church published in the
Swedish language in 1912, commemorating its sixtieth
birthdav, gives photographs of its first nineteen pastors,
and of the first six all are dead except the fourth, Rev.
Bengt August Carlson, who served the church from
October 1866. until 1869. He is now living in Stockholm,
Sweden, and is in his eighty-seventh year. The present
pastor. Rev. John E. Hillberg, is a graduate of the
Southern Academy in Stockholm, Sweden, and of
Evanston Theological Seminary, Evanston, 111., his
pastoral work beginning in New York in 1895, was
broken by a term of five years as professor, and one ot
six years as editor-in-chief of a religious journal
"Sandebudet" (The Messenger). Since his return to
the ministry in 191 7, he has served the First Swedish
Methodist Episcopal Church of Jamestown with great;
acceptability.
The first church building erected by the First Church
was begun in 1857, on Centre street, and was dedicated,
to the service of God, Jan. I, i860. A Sunday school
was organized in 1872, and in 1898 that church buildingi
was removed to Chandler street, rebuilt, and on Sep
15 of that year was re-dedicated. In 1890 the present
beautiful structure was finished and dedicated, and
1894 the present parsonage, the third in order, w
erected. In 1919 a "Memorial Hall" was added to tl
property as a meeting place for the returning soldier
It is a beautiful room. Seventy-eight men had stars r
the service flag of the church. Three stars turn
golden. The church is finely furnished, and in
respects a worthy home for the large congregation
accommodates, the present membership being 700.
Rev. John E. Hillberg, twentieth pastor of the Fir
Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church of Jamest-w
"Forsta Svencka Metodist Forsamlingen," was born in
Malmkoping, Sweden, Dec. 9, 1873. son of Rev. John
and Emma Ulrika Oscaria (Molin) Hillberg, his fath
a clergyman. John E. Hillberg attended the publi
schools of Gothenburg and Stockholm, Sweden, and
a graduate of Southern Latin Academy, in Stockhol:
He then spent two years at the Institute of Technobj
in Stockholm, and three years with an engineering fi
in the same city, coming to the United States in 18
After coming to this country he studied for the minist
and in 1895 was graduated from the Theological Ser
nary, Evanston, 111. He was ordained a minister of t
Methodist Episcopal church in 1896, became a membe
of The New York East Conference, and began pastor,
work in New York State in 1895- His first chan:
at Mt. Vernon, N. Y., and between 1895 and 1006 1
was pastor in charge of Mt. Vernon, Bridgeport, Com
and Brooklyn, N. Y., at that time the largest Swedi
church in the denomination.
In 1006 he accepted a professorship in Swedish The
logical Seminary, Evanston, 111., and until 191 r filled t
chairs of history and languages at that institution. I
then resigned to accept a position as editor-in-chief
the Swedish religious paper, "Sandebudet" (T
Messenger), a post he ably filled until 1917, when
returned to the active ministry and was appointed to t
pastorate of the First Swedish Methodist Episcoj
Church of Jamestown. The church has progress
under his leadership, and each department is faithful
prosecuting its especial line of work.
Rev. John E. Hillberg married, in Worcester, Ma
June 7, 1897, Hannah Christine Lundgren, daughter
John and Edla Christine Lundgren. They have
adopted daughter, Emma Louise, born in Sweden, N
30. 191 1. During the summer of 1020, Rev. Hillbel
visited Sweden in the capacity of speaker for the Cho
Club of Chicago, then touring abroad. King Gus'
then conferred upon him the Knighthood of the Or
of Yasa. During the war he also paid a visit to s
country at the invitation of the government of Sweden.
He served our country in the World War as speaker
on the Bureau of Public Information.
T^W U^Vjr^^Lu
BIOGRAPHICAL
373
AXEL E. ANDERSON— As Jamestown is a center
for manufacturing, it follows naturally that shoe stores
in plenty may be found there. Among them is the shoe
emporium of Axel E. Anderson, at No. 10S Main street.
For more than twenty years Mr. Anderson has en-
deavored to keep the feet of the Jamestown people
comfortable and trimly fitted with foot-covering, and
that he has met with considerable success may be taken
as a fact as he was compelled to move from the
original place of business to a more commodious loca-
few years ago.
Mr. Anderson is a Swede by birth, but as he has lived
c mntry ever since his infancy his interests are
all American. Born Feb. I, 1S71, in Sweden, the child
met with a serious misfortune when only two weeks old,
his lather dying at that time. His mother came to the
United States with her baby, and having married for
the second time, the boy became known by the name of
ither, Anderson. His early education was
tied at the village school of Ellery, N. Y., taking a
course afterwards at the business college at Jamestown.
During the time he attended school young Anderson
ed at whatever his hands found to do, having a
morning paper route, delivering goods, etc.
When nineteen years of age the young man obtained
regular employment in the shipping department of the
Jamestown Lounge Company, remaining with them five
years, and in 1894 went with the Jamestown Desk Com-
pany, also as shipping clerk. A year later he accepted
a position with the Chautauqua Steamboat Company,
but after two years with that company he entered the
shoe store of J. F. Peterson as salesman. For four
he continued in Mr. Peterson's employ and then,
having learned the business, Mr. Anderson started a
shoe store of his own at No. 305 Main street. For three
years he conducted this alone, then the business having
grown rapidly, he felt the need of assistance, so in
1901 formed a partnership with Charles Sandburg. This
was a most satisfactory arrangement, continuing for
several years, but the trouble on the Mexican border
requiring the services of the National Guard, necessitated
the departure of Mr. Sandburg for the scene of action,
he being a member of the guard. Mr. Anderson bought
out his partner's share in the business and continued it
alone. Later Mr. Sandburg volunteered in the United
States army for the term of the World War, his rank
being that of major. Mr. Anderson was at that time
occupying his present quarters at No. 108 Main street,
having moved there after Mr. Sandburg entered the
firm in 1901. He has the agency for the Stetson shoe,
also the Justright shoe.
Mr. Anderson's political principles are those of the
Republican party, though he does not trouble himself
greatly with the trials and worries of politics. In
religious belief he is a Baptist, being clerk of the First
Baptist Church of Jamestown. He is affiliated with the
local lodge of the Order of Maccabees.
Axel E. Anderson married, in Jamestown, Dec. 29,
1892, Edith May Kingman, of that city, the daughter
of 1. Frank Kingman. To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson
two children were born: I. Grace Margaret, who was
educated in the public schools of Jamestown, later taking
a course in elocution at the University of Syracuse.
At the present time she assists her father in the shoe
store. 2. Wilton H., also educated in the public schools
of Jamestown and afterward went to the University of
Illinois, serving in the Student's Training Corps there.
The young man's ambition is to enter Colgate Univer-
sity at Hamilton, N. V.
As a citizen Mr. Anderson is highly respected ; as
a business man he has the confidence of his customers,
and he is a devoted husband and father.
H. RALPH WILLSE, M. D., graduate in medicine
of the Buffalo University, and for the last eighteen years
a well regarded and successful medical practitioner in
Westfield, Chautauqua county, X. Y., and widely known
throughout that section of the county, was born at
South Columbia, Herkimer county, N. Y., Nov. 30.
[875, the son of Dr. Hudson G. and Frances (Yrooman)
Willse. His father, Dr. Hudson G. Willse, is one of the
oldest practicing physicians in Western New York, and
is still in active practice at North Bay, N. Y., notwith-
standing that he is now more than seventy years old.
Dr. Hudson G. Willse is also a graduate in medicine
of Buffalo University, and it is noteworthy that his
entry into medicine came by his own resolute determi-
nation, for he had to work his way through Buffalo
University, graduating in 1883.
His son, H. Ralph Willse, in due course attended for
primary instruction the public schools of his native
place, and later became a student at the New Berlin,
X. Y., High School, graduating therefrom in 1893.
To prepare himself further for academic credits when
he ultimately took up the study of medicine, he took
post-graduate high school work for a while at Richfield
Springs, N. Y., but in 1896 he entered Buffalo University
as a medical student, and like his father also worked
his way through without outside assistance, and in 1900
was creditably placed among the graduates in medicine
of that year, receiving in due course the degree of
Doctor of Medicine. For one year prior to graduation
he was connected with a hospital, observing much
clinical work, and for one year after gaining his degree
he was resident physician of the Emergency Hospital,
of Buffalo. He was thus well fitted by actual experi-
ence in extensive and varied practice to enter confidently
into private practice, and as a general medical practi-
tioner he opened an office in Westfield, Chautauqua
county. X. Y., in 1901. Since that year he has been in
constant practice in that neighborhood, and now has a
very extensive practice. Dr. Willse is a member of
many professional organizations, of County, State, and
National operation; his college fraternity is the Alpha
Omego Delta : and he is a member of the Dunkirk
branch of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks,
and of the Westfield encampment of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows. Politically. Dr. Willse is a Re-
publican, but he gives his time and thought to pro-
fessional matters and not t<> political.
His wife, whom he married in Westfield, N. Y., April
21, 1903, was Lillian Day, daughter of Professor Day,
a well known educator in Canada, and founder of a
noted school, the Day Institute, in Toronto, Canada.
Dr. and Mrs. Willse have three children: Hudson Day,
born Jan. 26, 1904; Allen Ray, born Jan. 6, 1905;
Lillian Edith, born April 7, 1908. The family attend the
Presbyterian church at Westfield. and Dr. and Mrs.
Willse take appreciable part in community affairs.
374
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
ARCHIBALD D. FALCONER— The family and
village of Falconer have been closely associated for
many years, the village being named in honor of the
family which was founded in Chautauqua county, N.
Y., by Robert Falconer, a Scotch gentleman of means,
who arrived in Jamestown in 1817. He is remembered
in the Lake Chautauqua region by the steamer, "Robert
Falconer," which was one of the earliest steamboats to
be launched on the lake, and he was the man responsible
for the coming of the first Swedes to Jamestown. His
kind heart led him to adopt two little Swedish girls
whom he found with their parents in Buffalo, and after
they were safely sheltered in his home in Sugar Grove,
Pa., he brought their parents there and found them
employment. This family attracted others and from the
little Sugar Grove settlement came the two women who
were the first actual Swedish settlers of Jamestown.
Archibald D. Falconer, a twentieth century representa-
tive of the family, is a grandson of Robert Falconer,
and a son of William Falconer, whose business life was
spent in Kennedy in the town of Poland, Chautauqua
county, N. Y.
Robert Falconer was born at Inveraven, Scotland,
Dec. 22, 1780, and died at Sugar Grove, Pa., Oct. 25, 1852,
scion of an ancient and honorable Scottish clan. He
spent years of his minority in Scotland, and in the year
1800 he was graduated from Aberdeen University, his
object being to pursue a professional career in his na-
tive land. Having wealth at his disposal, he decided to
visit the United States, and he is first found located in
New York City, where he traded in cotton, shipping to
Liverpool and Glasgow raw cotton, his shipments be-
ing filled from Charleston, S. C, and New York City.
The War of 1812 seriously interfered with his ship-
ments, and after his marriage he retired from the cot-
ton business and came to Western New York, arriving
in Jamestown in 1817. Shortly afterward he took up a
large tract of land at Sugar Grove, Pa., but in 1819 he
came again to Jamestown and settled on the property
purchased two years earlier. Jamestown was his home
for ten years, and during that period he became identi-
fied with several enterprises, notably lake navigation,
and one of the earlier steamboats bore his name.
In 1829. Robert Falconer moved to Warren, Pa.,
where he engaged in banking, becoming the first presi-
dent of the Lumbermans' Bank of Warren. He remained
in Warren until 1840, then went to Sugar Grove, where
the last ten years of his life were spent. He was a
man of kindly heart, strong, upright character, and one
of the valued citizens of his day. He married, in 1812,
Eliza Elliot, who died in 1819, leaving three sons,
Robert, Patrick, and William T. Robert, the eldest,
located in Sugar Grove, Pa., where he became a prom-
inent lumberman. Patrick, the second, became a lawyer
and was a member of the law firm of Hazeltine & Fal-
coner. In 1843, his father needing his assistance in the
management of his business enterprise, Patrick Falconer
abandoned law practice, and until his death in Falconer,
Feb. 17. 1887, he was identified with the business interests
of the village and of Jamestown.
William T. Falconer the youngest son of Robert and
Eliza (Elliot) Falconer, was born in Sugar Grove, Pa.,
April 1, 1825, and died at Kennedy, Chautauqua county,
N. Y, Jan. 16, 1880, aged sixty-three. He was left
motherless when but two years of age, and was yet a
minor when his father died. He was, however, named
as an executor of the will, special legislation being
required to enable him to act. He was well educated,
and although not keen to be known as a money maker
conducted a large business in Kennedy, having grist
mills, lumber mills and a general store. He was ai;
large land owner, having over 1000 acres in the town off
Poland, where he located about 1850. He was free- -
handed and generous, his kindness of heart leading him 1
into business indiscretions, and he lost a large amount oft
money through endorsing paper for friends and I
acquaintances. He was the donor of sites upon which
to build the three churches of Kennedy, but was not all
member. In politics he was a Republican, and repre-|
sented the town of Poland in the Chautauqua County
Board of Supervisors during the years 1859-60-61-62-63.!
Mr. Falconer married Helen J. Dailey at Waterville,
N. Y., June 19, 1831, and she died at Jamestown, N.I.
Y., Oct. 31, 1904; she was a member of the Baptist
church. Mr. and Mrs. Falconer were the parents of two
sons: Archibald D., of whom further; and Frank M.,
born Sept. 10, 1872. died Jan. 12, 1901.
Archibald D. Falconer, son of William T. and Helen J.
(Dailey) Falconer, was born in Kennedy, Chautauqua
county, N. Y., Oct. 12, 1869. After graduation from
Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, Mich., he began the study
of law in the offices of Cook, Fisher & Wade, of the
Chautauqua county bar, and was later admitted to
practice. He opened offices in Jamestown, where he
remained until 1918, when he moved to his present
offices in the First National Bank building, Falconer.
He is a Republican in politics, a member of the Masonic
order, and interested in various other activities, busi-
ness and social.
Mr. Falconer married, Oct. 20, 1896, Abbie Lillian
Brown, a fellow student at Hillsdale College. They are
the parents of three children : Robert, Frank and
Catherine. The family home is at No. 32, Prospect
street, Jamestown.
EDWIN FORREST SAMPLE— As a contractor r
and builder, Edwin F. Sample is well known in thee
towns of Ellery and Jamestown, his life from boyhood I
having been associated with the building business, fol-
lowing in the footsteps of his honored father under 1
whom he learned the carpenter's trade. In social life!
and fraternity affairs Mr. Sample takes an active partt,
and lends his influence to all movements that tend to»!
uplift and advance the standard of right living. Edwin 1
F. Sample is a son of Hugh and Dorothy (Keil) Sample,
who were residents of Warren, Pa., that State being:
the birthplace of their son.
Hugh and Dorothy Sample came from Pennsylvania}
to Chautauqua county, N. Y., in 1874, when Edwin F.'
was but a young boy. They resided at several places <
in the town of Ellery and in 7884 located on a farm in 11
the town of Ellery. near the village of Ellery Center, |
and there established the family home. Hugh Sample
was a carpenter by trade, and in addition to the culti- ■
vation of his farm did a good deal of building in his s
section. Hugh Sample was a member of Company E, \\
Fifth United States Light Artillery, and was in many
engagements during the Civil War, being cited for his
c%? f ft J&
£2^-^c^
nr h rfj^
$5H> -'<&
?v y^^
BIOGRAPHICAL
375
brave conduct. The children of Hugh and Dorothy
(Keil) Sample were as follows: Lydia A.; Edwin F.,
mentioned below; Elizabeth L., Lona D., and Frank
T. The two oldest were born in Pennsylvania, and the
remainder were born in the town of Ellery.
Edwin F. Sample was born in Newmanville, Clarion
county, Pa., Jan. II, 1872. When very young his parents
moved to Chautauqua county and here Edwin F. attended
the district schools and acquired a good education. In
With he was taught his father's trade and became a
skilled carpenter, later adding to his activities the busi-
ness of contractor. His reputation as a reliable builder
is well established, and along the shores of Lake Chau-
:auqua there are many houses that stand as monuments
to his skill and integrity. He has executed contracts in
different towns of the county and in the city of James-
town, and he also built school house No. 13 in the town
pf Ellery. In connection with his building he specializes
in the asbestos "Century Shingle," which is fast attain-
ing popularity as a roofing material. Mr. Sample was the
first to introduce this shingle in this county and has
■since sold many carloads of them.
! Mr. Sample's home on the lake road in the town of
Ellery is surrounded by fruit orchards and gardens,
naking him quite eligible to the Patrons of Husbandry.
He is also a member of Jamestown Lodge, No. 105,
f _oyal Order of Moose, of which he is a charter member ;
Chautauqua County Historical Society ; the Saturday
>Iight Club; the Protective Home Circle; and was vice-
jresident of the Fluvanna Free Library Association,
ind now secretary, an institution which has added greatly
o the enjoyment and education of the younger genera-
ion as well as benefiting their elders. In politics Mr.
Sample is a Republican, and in religious affiliation a
nember of the Methodist Brotherhood.
Mr. Sample married, at Bemus Point, N. Y.. July 2,
002, Edith May Griffith, who died Nov. 27, 1910, the
inly child of Guy S. and Carrie (Messenger) Griffith,
>ld and highly respected residents of Ellery. Two
hildren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Sample in Ellery:
^azel A., born Jan. 8, 1904; and Merton R., born Sept.
18, 1906. Both are graduates of the Fluvanna public
chool and now (1920) are students of Jamestown High
school.
THE FLINT FAMILY— One of the founder-
amilies of Portland, Chautauqua county, is that repre-
ented in this generation by the brothers who own and
;eep in splendid production the bulk of the tract of
/ild land first owned by their grandfather, Abial Flint,
1 1817. The form, as it is today, is one of the best
laintained acreages in the district, and presents an
ltogether different appearance to what it did when the
'lioneer ancestor first set about the stupendous task
f winning it from the wilderness. Its present con-
ition represents the grit, the steadfastness, the resolute
ersistence in the pioneer work, despite hardships and
iscouragements, of three generations of the Flint
amily, and the place of respect the family holds in the
ommunity to-day is the result of useful lives well lived.
Abial Flint, the pioneer ancestor of the Chautauqua
ounty. N. Y., branch of the Flint family, was born at
Cast Windsor, Conn., Sept. 5, 1768, the son of Arkalis
nd Betsey (Elmer) Flint. He appears to have come
into New York State in early manhood, for it was in
Rome, Oneida county, N. Y., that he married, Sept. 26,
1802, Mary Brown, who was born in Coventry, Conn.,
Nov. 30, 1780. About the year 1S12 Abial Flint brought
his wife and family of three children into Chautauqua
county and settled at Priestville. About 1817 he bought
a tract of fifty acres of wild land in Portland and
moved his family to that land. He was by trade a
tanner and currier, and also a shoemaker, but the desire
to own his own home and sufficient land for the susten-
ance of his family proved irresistable, and he entered
upon the great task of clearing the wilderness from his
land with resolute purpose and cheerful spirit. His wife
ably and courageously assisted him, withstanding all
the rigors that came to them, both of them buoyed up by
the prospect of having eventually a home wrought by
their own hands from the wilderness. That was the
inspiration that softened all their labors, that gave them
renewed courage when all seemed dark, and when it
appeared that it would be barely possible that they could
live to the time when their tract would be sufficiently
cleared to afford them more than a sparse living. They
experienced most of the trials and hardships which
have been the lot of most pioneers, and they manifested
the same resolute spirit that has been shown by so many
of the great pioneers of this country. And notwith-
standing everything they prospered, and raised a family
of eight children in the original log house Abial Flint
built. For twenty-one years the family lived in a log
house, as it was not until 1833 that Abial Flint built a
frame house, their youngest child at that time being
ten years old. Mrs. Flint died fifteen years later, on
May 5, 1849, at the age of sixty-eight years, but her
husband lived to reach the venerable age of ninety-one
years, his death not coming until Jan. 15, i860. Both
were buried in Evergreen Cemetery, and were honored
as pioneers of the district, and as good people. They
were Methodists, of earnest spirit, and took part in the
formation of the first church, both being members of
the first class formed in Portland. Politically Abial
Flint was a Whig and in general was a man of strong,
upright character. He lived on his Chautauqua county
farm for forty-three years, and had the satisfaction of
seeing it mostly cleared and in cultivation before his
death. To those of this generation who consider farm-
ing an arduous occupation it must seem almost incon-
ceivable that men should voluntarily take upon them-
selves the life time task of excessively hard labor that
the clearing of a large acreage of wilderness must repre-
sent ; but it was by much valiant effort that practically
the whole of the present rich territories that comprise
the United States were won for civilization ; and much
of the stalwart and rugged characteristics of the pioneer
ancestors has descended to, and is evident in the suc-
ceeding generations of the old American families. The
descendants of Abial Flint, of Portland, have been
many but, in general, those descendants have done well
in life, the immediate family of Abial and Mary
(Brown) Flint reflecting in their lives the wholesome
ruprredness of their early life in the log house. The
eight children of Abial and Mary (Brown) Flint were:
1. Daniel E., born Aug. 22, 1805, and eventually married
Eliza Goddard ; he settled in Shipman, 111., in 1863. 2.
Mary B., born April 23, 1807, and married John Wilbur,
376
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
in Portland, Chautauqua county, subsequently going
with her husband to Elgin, 111., where he took a farming
property. 3. Jonathan T., born Nov. 30, 1809; married
Harriet Shumway, in Genesee county, N. Y., and
settled in Buffalo, in 1840. 4. Abial, Jr., born May 25,
1813; married Jane Cook, in Portland, Chautauqua
county, and settled in Missouri, in 1857. 5. Henry, of
whom further. 6. Harriet, born Oct. 6, 1816, and now
lives in Hanover, N. Y., having married James Wilson,
of that place. 7. John W., born Aug. 26, 1810; married
Lovina McGaffan, of Youngstown, N. Y., and eventually
settled in Brant, Erie county. 8. Caroline, born Dec. 3,
1823 ; married Ephraim Ballard, of Westfield, and
settled in Silver Creek, Chautauqua county.
Henry Flint, fifth child of Abial and Mary (Brown)
Flint, and father of the brothers, Virgil Henry and
Byron Herbert Flint, who now own the ancestral prop-
erty, was born Jan. 18, 181 5. He received such education
as was possible in that sparsely populated section in the
days of his boyhood, and after leaving school gave his
whole time to his father, to assist him in the cultivation
of the land already cleared, and in the clearing of the
remainder. Eventually he married Nancy A. Hall, of
another pioneer family of Portland, and they lived the
whole of their married life upon the Flint homestead,
which eventually passed into his possession. When
public improvements and the development of the town
made it necessary to run a street through part of the
Flint property, Henry Flint sold an acre, so that he
would not have divided land, and subsequently pur-
chased twenty-five acres of adjoining land from Charles
Van Gasbeck. To Henry and Nancy A. (Hall) Flint
were born thirteen children, a worthy family and char-
acteristic of the earnestness of their lives. The children,
in order of birth, were: 1. Helen. 2. Effie, who event-
ually entered the teaching profession. 3. Mary, who
married Mark Haight, of Portland. 4. Abial. 5. Carlos
Hall, who now lives in Fredonia. 6. Burnell, now de-
ceased, who went to South Dakota, and there married
Elsie Clark. 7. Julia. 8. Cora. 9. Virgil Henry, of
whom further. 10. Elmer, now deceased. 11. Hattie,
win. is a bookkeeper in New York City. 12. Byron
Herbert, of whom further. 13. Kate Irene.
Virgil Henry and Bryon Herbert Flint, ninth and
twelfth born children of Henry and Nancy A. (Hall)
Flint, have worthily continued in good cultivation the
ancestral home of the Flint family. The farm is one of
the best kept in the district, and well adapted to the
purpose, general and dairy farming, and grape growing,
to which it is put by the brothers. They are proving
themselves to be enterprising, progressive and up-to-date
farmers, have some good, pure-bred Holstein cattle, and
have about fourteen acres of grape vineyard, which
gives them good returns. The brothers are unmarried,
are industrious, and have executed many improvements
upon the property. The house, barn, and other build-
ings are modern, and were all built by them. They
interest themselves actively in public movements in their
community, and have very many friends, being generally
well regarded. They have reason to be satisfied with
their personal records, and with the place the Flint
family has in the founding and development of that
section of the county.
THE UNION FURNITURE COMPANY, whicl
today and for many years has been an industrial enter
prise of consequence to the city of Jamestown, N. Y
had its inception in 1903 in the enterprise of four mem
bers of the Nord-Norquist family of that city. Edwarc
C. Nord, x\ugust F. Nord, Alfred A. Nord, and F.
Norquist, all substantial business men of experience h
wood working, and the manufacture of furniture
formed partnership to enter into the manufacture of higl
grade dining room suites. They erected a factory build
ing, four stories in height, 250 feet long and 60 fee
wide, at No. 234 Crescent street, Jamestown, anc
equipped it with such modern machinery as they deemee
necessary and commenced to produce the line of furnii
ture proposed.
Satisfactory development came, and in 1904 the organ ;
izers sought corporate powers, eventually being emu
powered to trade under its original name of the Unioi 1
Furniture Company, by which name the enterprise haii
since been known. As the company developed markets
the original plant became inadequate for their opera
tions, and recently it was decided to erect a five-stor;
brick structure, which is now completed and has flooi
space of 100,000 square feet in addition to the 65,0a 1
square feet in its old building adjoining. The old a:
well as the new building is equipped with individua
electric motors and most modern machinery. Thi
results of these new installations will be for purposes
economy and safety. The motive power of the old an<
new plant is electric, which is developed on the com I
pany's grounds.
The succes's which has come to the Union Furniture
Company, at which steady employment is provided fo •
about 300 people, reflects credit upon the executives wh<
have directed its affairs since its original establishment
The present officials and stockholders are : August F '
Nord, president; Alfred A. Nord, vice-president; anc
Edward C. Nord, treasurer and secretary. The compan;
is represented on the Jamestown Chamber of Commerce
the Manufacturers' Association of Jamestown, and thi
Merchants' and Manufacturers' Association of Nev < |
York State. The product of this company has remaine<
the same, high grade dining room suites, and its marke
is in all parts of this country and the firm enjoys i |
well earned reputation in the furniture world.
AUGUST F. NORD, well known business man:
manufacturer, and president of the Union Furnitur'
Company, was born in Smoland, Sweden, July 2, 186E
His father was a farmer, and the boy grew up on th
farm assisting in the work at home. He attended th
common schools of the village and received a good
elementary education.
When he was twenty years old he determined b
come to the United States, having a brother, John Norc
in this country who had done well in a business waj
The young man went directly to Jamestown, N. Y., afte
landing, his brother being employed there in the carvin;
room of the A. C. Norquist Company. August F. Nop
entered the employ of the Norquist Company in th
finishing room, and continued with them for elevei
years, then became associated with the Nord Furnitur
r;
Z
H
O
m
H
—
>
O
BIOGRAPHICAL
2,77
Company on Second street, of which he was a stock-
holder, remaining there for three years, taking an active
part in the business. He then sold out his interest in
the firm to his brother, John Nord, in order to start
with his other brothers, Edward and Alfred, the Union
Furniture Company. In the beginning of the concern
Mr. Nord was made vice-president, but was later elected
president of the company. Besides his official position,
his share of the work of the corporation is to superin-
tend the output of the factory.
Mr. Nord is a member of the Norden Club and of the
Swedish Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is
greatly interested, being a steward of that church body.
He is a stockholder in the American National Bank,
and a member of the Republican party. Of a quiet and
reserved temperament, Mr. Nord has not become inter-
es'ed in the public life of Jamestown, though he is well
known among the Swedish residents of the city, having
many friends in their midst.
August F. Nord married Anna E. Sandburg, in 1894,
in Jamestown, and they have the following children: 1.
Alldor, born Nov. 15, 1S08; educated in Jamestown
public and high schools, and University of Pennsylvania.
2. Elsie, born Nov. 8, 1901 ; educated in Jamestown
public and high schools, now a student of Wellesley
I College for women. 3. Gladys, born July 10, 190s;
educated in Jamestown public and high schools, now
preparing for college. 4. Frances, born Feb. 9, 1912 ;
now attending Jamestown grade schools.
EDWARD C. NORD, who has been a resident in
, the city of Jamestown. N. V., for twenty-nine years, a
young man without much means and little education
at the time of his coming to this country, but by dint
of perseverance, study, industry, and natural ability as
a man of business, he steadily advanced in prosperity
until today he is among the leading citizens here. He is
one of the organizers of the Union Furniture Company,
' of which he has been secretary, treasurer and general
manager since its organization.
Edward C. Nord was horn in Sweden, May 9, 1871,
the son of Andrew M. Nord. He was given the public
1 school education customarily afforded to a boy of his
I station, and assisted his father on the home farm. In
1891 the family came to America, and settled in James-
town, where some of their relatives were. The Nor-
quists of Jamestown, so well known in the city, and so
successful in business during the last few decades,
belong to the Nord family, of Sweden, the name "Nord"
being the derivative, the termination "quist" simply
meaning "branch of."
For three years after coming to Jamestown, Edward C.
Nord found employment in the furniture factory of the
A. C. Norquist Company. Then he helped to organize,
and became a stockholder in the Nord Furniture Com-
pany, which opened a store on East Second street,
Jamestown, for the retailing of furniture and allied
lines. Edward C. Nord with his brother, John Nord,
conducted the store for eight years, and in 1903 he sold
his interests to his brother and in conjunction with
August F. Nord, Alfred A. Nord, and Frank O. Nor-
quist, formed partnership to establish a firm for the
manufacture of dining room furniture, thus was the
organization of the Union Furniture Company of James-
town. The history of the Union Furniture Company
as shown in a preceding narrative indicates the active
interest Edward C. Nord has taken in this company.
He has given most of his time to the affairs of his
company, and has taken interest in other movements
wherever time would permit, especially in the civic
welfare of Jamestown. He is a member of the James-
town Board of Commerce and the Norden Club.
Mr. Nord is identified with the following organiza-
tions as director: The American National Bank, of
which he was one of the organizers; Jamestown Marble
iron Company: Jamestown Mutual Insurance Company;
and he was on the board of the Vinculo Sugar and
fiealty Corporate m of Cuba, which had large holdings on
the island. He is a member of the Republican party in
which he is a firm believer. He has been a consistent
member of the Swedish Methodist Episcopal church,
Jamestown, since he came here, and has been one of its
trustees, for many years.
Mr. Nord married, in Jamestown, 1896, Rose H.
Ogren, of this city. They have three children: 1. Carol
B., born Jan. 16, 1899; educated in the Jamestown public
and high schools, now studying at the University of
Pennsylvania. 2. Olive H., born Sept. 10, 1902;
educated in the Jamestown public and high schools, now
preparing for college. 3. Helen E., born May 21, 1909;
now attending school in Jamestown.
ALFRED A. NORD, well known in the furniture
industry at Jamestown, and vice-president of the Union
Furniture Company, a busy corporation formed by
the Nord brothers, was born in Smoland, Sweden,
Feb. 18, 1875. The family lived on a farm and this son,
like the others, was brought up to assist in the farm
work, and here he attended the village school. When
Alfred A. Nord was sixteen years old he came to Amer-
ica, in company with his father, mother, and others of the
family. The boy went at once to Jamestown, where he
had brothers, and obtained employment with the New-
man Bed Spring Company; later he became employed
in the A. C. Norquist Company, in 1892, in the machine
department. Here he remained for a time and learned
the wood carving trade. He subsequently followed the
wood carving trade with the Atlas Furniture Company,
Empire Case Goods Company, and Jamestown Mantle
Company, and then returned to the A. C. Norquist Com-
pany. In 1902, he with his brothers, August F. and
Edward C, founded the Union Furniture Company, a
sketch of which appears herewith. It is much to Mr.
Nord's credit that while he worked at his trade he
studied evenings at the Young Men's Christian Associa-
tion night school where he acquired considerable learn-
ing. Alfred A. Nord was made vice-president and
has continued as such almost since the organization of
the company. His special part in addition to his official
duties is to oversee the output of the cabinet department.
Mr. Nord is a member of the Swedish Methodist Epis-
copal church of Jamestown, also a member of the official
church board. He is a staunch Republican in politics.
Mr. Nord married, in Jamestown, March I, 1005,
Esther Ogren, of that city. Of this union were born
four children: 1. Wesley Alfred, born April 2, 1907;
educated in the Jamestown public schools, now prepar-
ing for high school. 2. Jeanette Ester, born Sept. 12,
378
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
1908; now attending public school. 3. Kermit John,
born Jan. 26, 1913; now attending public school. 4.
Charles Lowell, born Feb. 4, 1916.
NATHAN E. BEARDSLEY, M. D.— Any history
of the medical profession of Chautauqua county would
be incomplete without the name of Dr. Nathan E.
Beardsley, who for nearly thirty years has been engaged
in the active practice of his profession at Dunkirk, N. Y.
Dr. Beardsley is prominently identified with the life of
his community, being respected and valued as a con-
scientious, public-spirited citizen, no less than an able
and devoted physician.
Nathan E. Beardsley was born March 23, 1867, in
Chautauqua county, N. Y., the son of the late Noah
and Esther M. (Randall) Beardsley. His primary
education was received in the public schools of South
Dayton, N. Y., and Gowanda High School, which latter
school he left at the end of his second year, to com-
mence the study of medicine with his uncle, C. C.
Johnson, a practicing physician at Gowanda, N. Y.
After a year and a half spent pursuing a course of medical
reading under the guidance of his uncle, he entered the
medical department of Buffalo University, from which
he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine
in 1890. After serving his intemeship of one year at the
Buffalo General Hospital, he entered upon the practice
of his profession in May, 1891, and has ever since, with
occasional intervals of absences, made his home in
Dunkirk, and there achieved his great professional suc-
cesses. He has done post-graduate work in the medical
universities of New York City, Bonn and Frankfort,
Germany, and has also attended the Heidelberg Univer-
sity. He belongs to the American Medical Association,
the New York State Medical Association, the Chautau-
qua Medical Society, and the Dunkirk-Fredonia Med-
ical Society. He is on the medical staff of the Brooks
Memorial Hospital, and is medical officer at St. Mary's
Orphan Asylum. In everything relative to the welfare
of his home city, Dr. Beardsley takes a keen and active
interest, and is an interested member of the Chamber of
Commerce. He is a Mason, affiliating with the blue
lodge, chapter, and commandery. He attends the Bap-
tist church at Dunkirk.
Dr. Beardsley married, April 12, 1892, Rose Coxe,
of Wyoming county, N. Y., and they were the parents
of a child, Ruth Esther, a school teacher of Redlands,
Cal. Mrs. Beardsley passed away May 5, 1910.
Strength of character, tenacity of purpose, breadth
of mind, and liberality of sentiment, these are the
qualities that have been strikingly manifested through-
out Dr. Beardsley's career. With a thorough knowledge
of human nature, tolerance of its weakness, and appre-
ciation of all that it has of good ; ardent and loyal in his
attachments, he numbers his friends by the legion both
in and out of his profession.
to Dunkirk, leaving his widow, Ernestine, with a family
to care for.
Otto E. Walter was but three years of age when his
father died, but his mother gave him all the advantages
of the public schools, which he attended until he was
fourteen. He then became an apprentice in the boiler
department of the Brooks Locomotive Works of Dun-
kirk, and after becoming proficient continued there as as
journeyman for several years. He left the locomotivei
works to accept an appointment as a member of the<
Dunkirk police force, on which he served for six years.;.
He again entered the employ of the Locomotive Works,;,
and later was promoted to the position of foreman off
the boiler department, a position he filled most capably
for nineteen years. Ill health then compelled him toi
resign his post to accept the lighter work of an inspector-
in the same department of the works, and in that position;;
he continued until his death. Mr. Walter was a member
of Dunkirk Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons ; the
Lutheran church, and in politics an independent Republi-
can. He was well known in Dunkirk and was highly
regarded as a man of honor, public-spirited and enter-
prising. He served under Charles J. Wirtner as a
member of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners,
was for a time assistant chief of the Fire Department,
and in all things measured up to all the requirements
of good citizenship.
Death came to Mr. Walter without warning, June 13,
1914. He with his brother-in-law, Frederick G Bird,
the latter's son, George Bird, and others, were on their
way to W.esleyville in an automobile when they suddenly
found themselves on the railroad track at Forsythe
crossing near Ripley, in front of a rapidly approaching
Eastern Express. There was no time to do more than
realize the danger before the train struck the car, Mr.
Walter, Mr. Bird and his son George, being killed in 1
the collision. Mr. Walter is buried in Forest Hill
Cemetery, Fredonia.
Otto E. Walter married, in Dunkirk, Millie Ludwig,
daughter of John and Elizabeth (Schulte) Ludwig, her
parents both bom in Germany, but old residents of
Dunkirk. Frederick G. Bird, brother-in-law of Mrs.
Walter, was born in Dunkirk and for many years was a 1
foreman in the Brooks and American Locomotive works
at Dunkirk and at Schenectady, N. Y., being general I
foreman of the Dunkirk works at the time of his death, ,
June 13, 1914. Mr. Bird married (first) Elizabeth 1
Paxton. mother of George Bird, who was killed with his
father and uncle. He married (second) Carrie Ludwig,
sister of Mrs. Walter, and they were the parents of a
daughter Mildred. Mr. Bird was a member of Dunkirk
Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons. Both Mrs. Walter
and Mrs. Bird continue to reside in Dunkirk.
OTTO E. WALTER— A native son of Dunkirk,
Mr. Walter had there passed the years of his useful
life, which began June 22, 1868, but closed with his
accidental death, June 13, 1914. Otto E. Walter was of
German parentage, his father dying soon after coming
MICHAEL J. RATKOWSKI— Among the promi-
nent citizens of foreign birth residing in the town of
Dunkirk. Chautauqua county, N. Y., where he has
become a conspicuous figure in the mercantile life of the
community, is Michael J. Ratkowski, a self-made man in
the best sense of the term, who by his own efforts has
attained a respected position and the high esteem of his
fellow -townsmen.
Mr. Ratkowski was born Aug. 27, 1873, in Poland,
QijAksCGUAA.
BIOGRAPHICAL
379
and is a son of Michael and Mary Ratkowski, residents
01 that country. The elder Mr. Ratkowski died about the
time of his son's birth, and shortly after, his wife came
to the United States bringing her child with her, then
but five years of age. They settled at Dunkirk, N. Y.,
and it was there that the earliest associations of the lad
were formed and there that he gained his education as
he grew older, attending for this purpose the parochial
school of St. Hyacinth's Catholic Church. His mother's
circumstances being none too good, he worked as a lad
on the fruit farms of the neighborhood picking fruit
completing his studies, he secured a position in
the local planing mill of Alcott, Ross & Skelley, and
worked in that establishment for three years. His next
position was in the grocery store of D. Scannell, where
he served successively as order boy, delivery man, and
was eventually put in charge of the delivery department
of the business. He then left Dunkirk for a time to
take a place as salesman for the wholesale grocery
house of W. H. Granger & Company, of Buffalo, and
was on the road for this concern about eighteen
months. From the time of his first employment as order
boy young Mr. Ratkowski had taken a keen interest in
his work, and up to the time of his resignation from
the Buffalo house had devoted himself with the most
commendable industry and ambition to learning the
'grocery business in all its branches, both retail and
wholesale. He was accordingly excellently well fitted
to engage in business on his own account, when on
March 26, 1909, having saved up sufficient capital, he
returned to Dunkirk and started a grocery store of his
own. It was not long before he had established an
enviable reputation for honesty and fair dealing, and
his enterprise rapidly grew in size and importance until
1918, when he opened another grocery store, which has
likewise prospered. His ventures having turned out so
well. Mr. Ratkowski decided to extend the realm of his
operations into allied lines, and in 1919 opened his
present meat market, also in Dunkirk. He now con-
ducts these three flourishing establishments and enjoys
a large and high class patronage throughout the city. In
addition to his private business, Mr. Ratkowski has
become interested in the Serv-us-Stores. a chain of
mercantile establishments dealing in groceries with
branches in Dunkirk and elsewhere, where a large and
growing business is done.
From early manhood Mr. Ratkowski has actively
interested himself in local affairs and has become an
influential figure in politics, being affiliated with the
Democratic party, of the principles and policies of which
he is a strong supporter. In 1920 he was elected fire
and police commissioner for Dunkirk for a two year
term, and is now discharging the difficult and responsible
duties of his office with an efficiency and disinterested-
ness which has commended him to all classes of the
community. In his religious belief he is a Roman Cath-
olic and attends St. Hyacinth's Church at Dunkirk,
serving the parish as a member of the finance committee.
He is a member of the local chapter of Knights of
Columbus and of the Order of Maccabees.
Michael J. Ratkowski was united in marriage at
Dunkirk with Florence Barbara Kosciuszko, a member
of one of the most distinguished Polish families, and
a daughter of Marcell and Staniszewska Kosciuszko.
Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rat-
kowski, as follows: Sophia. Mary'. Helen, Bernice, died
aged nine years; Stesia, Leon, Edward, and Agnes.
ARCHIE VINCENT PARLATO, D. D. S.—
Among the most popular and successful of the younger
professional men of Dunkirk, Chautauqua county, N.
Y., where he is engaged in the practice of dentistry,
is Dr. Archie Vincent Parlato, who has recently opened
a handsome office here. Dr. Parlato is a native of
Buffalo, where his birth occurred, Nov. 12, 1893. and a
son of Vincent and Frances (Barone) Parlato, of that
city, the former being engaged in agricultural pursuits
in the neighborhood. To Vincent Parlato and his wife
seven children were born, Dr. Parlato being the only
son. As a lad he was brought by his parents to this
region and attended the grammar and high schools of
Fredonia. After graduation from the latter institution,
he entered the Fredonia Normal College and was grad-
uated there in 1915. The young man had, in the mean-
time, decided to take up dentistry' as a profession, and
with that end in view entered the dental department of
the University of Buffalo as a member of the class of
1918. Shortly after the entrance of the United States
into the great World War, he left his studies to enter
the artillery forces of the United States army and was
sent to Camp Dix, where he remained one month.
He was then temporarily discharged in order to permit
him to complete his professional studies and returned to
the University of Buffalo, where he was graduated in
191S. He also served for six months as demonstrator
and instructor in pathology and bacteriology at the
same institution, and won an enviable reputation for
earnest interest in his work and good scholarship. He
reenlisted in the Medical Reserve Corps at the time
of his discharge from the artillery and held himself
ready to respond to his country's call to that branch of
the service. On Feb. 12, 1919, he opened his present
handsome office at Dunkirk and since that time has
been actively engaged in the practice of his profession
here. During this brief period, Dr. Parlato has built
up a large practice, which is steadily growing, and is
already to be numbered among the most popular dentists
of the place. Dr. Parlato is a Roman Catholic in his
religious helief and attends the St. Anthony Italian
Church of that denomination at Fredonia. He is a
prominent member of the local branch of the Order of
Knights of Columbus. He is a Republican in politics.
CLESSON ALLEN PUTNAM, a prominent citi-
zen of Brocton, Chautauqua county, N. Y., and one of
the organizers and owners of the Naboth Vineyards.
Incorporated, is a native of the town of Stockton, N.
Y., where his birth occurred April 5, 1864. a son of
Allen and Marilla (Smith) Putnam, old and highly
respected residents of that place.
Mr. Putnam as a lad attended the public schools of
Stockton and later, having determined to follow the
profession of teaching, entered the Fredonia Normal
School. He did not. however, follow out his intention,
but afterwards took a commercial course at the Cole-
man Business School of Newark, N. J. Thereafter he
was employed in the railway mail service for a number
3 8o
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
of years, until he met with an accident in the year 1902.
Upon returning to his native region from that city, Mr.
Putnam rented a fine 60 acre farm in Portland township,
Chautauqua county, which he cultivated for a time. He
then gave up this work, and in association with a number
of other gentlemen founded the Naboth Vineyards,
Incorporated. This nourishing organization was founded
in the year 1903 with Franz C. Lewis as president, Mr.
Putnam as secretary and treasurer, and Vernon Mathews
as vice-president. It was originally designed to manu-
facture grape and other fruit juices, but has since that time
been expanded into a cannery and packing establishment,
where all sorts of fruits are canned and packed as well
as many other farm products. A branch of the business
which has recently assumed large proportions is that
of the manufacture of tomato catsup. It was reorgan-
ized on April 1, 1919, with James R. Nicholson, presi-
dent, Mr. Putnam, secretary, and Franz C. Lewis as
general manager. Since this time it has carried on the
same line of business and increased greatly in size and
importance. The first building erected for the company's
plant measured 65 x 40 feet and was five stories in
height, but in 1908 two additions were made, both five
stories in height and measuring respectively 30 x 70
feet and 90 x 90 feet. There is included in this large
plant a complete steam power equipment as well as all
kinds of modern machinery and devices for the carrying
on of the work. At the present time about 150 men
are employed, and the products of the factory are sold
over the entire United States. Mr. Putnam is a Repub-
lican in politics, and a member of the Methodist Episco-
pal church. He is also affiliated with the Lake Shore
Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of which he
was secretary for several years, and with the local lodge
of Knights of Pythias.
Clesson Allen Putnam married (first) Nov. 27, 1893,
Persis Peek, of Portland township, a daughter of Ashael
and Ann Peek. Her death occurred in the year 1901.
On Jan. 4, 1914, Mr. Putnam married (second) Jane V.
Martin, of Brocton, a daughter of William and Lodeska
(Hall) Martin, of that place.
THE WELLMAN FAMILY— It is quite evident
that the Wellman family took its name from the city
of Wells in Somersetshire, England, which in turn
obtained its name from a well called St. Andrew's Well,
near the Bishop's palace, and from the fact that the
founder of the family had received from one of the
bishops charge of St. Andrew's Well, and had been
called at first John the Well-man, or William the Well-
man, which later became John or William Wellman.
The name has been variously spelled as Wellman, Well-
mane, Wellmon, Welman, Welmon, Welmin, Wilman,
Wilmon, Willman. Willmon, Willsman, Wellsman, and
Weelman. In America the practice of spelling this
name as Wellman began quite early and has increased in
practice until it is nearly universally used by all of the
family here.
The genealogy and history of the Wellman family
and its origin in the Old World has been made with
some success. Investigation in this country seems to
show that the early immigrant Wellmans were only
two in number, Thomas Wellman and William Wellman.
However, family recollection points to a third, in the
person of Barnabas Wellman. The name Barnaba:
has been carried through several generations and it i<
thought that a Barnabas may have been one of tht
immigrants, and if not at least one of the sons of
William Wellman. Thomas Wellman was in Lynn,;
Mass., as early as 1640. He bought land, lived and
died in Lynn End (now Lynnfield), Mass. William
Wellman was in Marshfield, Mass., as early as 1642, but'
moved that year to Gloucester, Mass., and thence in 1650^
to New London, Conn., and thence, a few years later, tol>
Killingworth, Conn., where he died. It was from Killing-;
worth, Conn., that the following Wellmans came.
There is a line of seven generations bearing the i-
name of Barnabas Wellman, but the first of whom there Pi
is any information was a Captain Barnabas Wellmi
a seafaring man, who made many voyages betwi
America and China. On one of these voyages he broui
home a set of china dishes, a picture of his ship on eai
and these were long preserved in the family, anothj
Barnabas Wellman, who represented the family in the
American kVyolutmn, and last, a Barnabas Wellman
who was an early settler in Chautauqua county, N. Y.W
Barnabas Wellman, the Revolutionary soldier, was
born Aug. 15, 1756, in Killingworth, Conn. According
to records, he was a drum major in the War of the
Revolution. His brothers and sisters were: Freelove,
born May 22, 1753; Molly, born March 13, 1755; Paul,
born April 15, 1757; and John, date of birth unknown.
Like Barnabas, his brothers Paul and John fought in the
Revolutionary army. He married and had the following
children: James, born Nov. 30, 1783; Homer, born
March 9, 1786; Barnabas, born Sept. 16, 1793, whose
sketch appears elsewhere in this work; Ford, of whom
further; Leander, born Oct. 14, 1801. There were also
two daughters named Millie, and Hannah.
Ford Wellman, son of Barnabas Wellman, was born 1
in Killingworth, Conn., Jan. 3, 1796, and at the age of >l
sixteen years, or in 1812, he was among the first : i
pioneers who came into Chautauqua county. He
followed the occupation of a farmer for many years, ,
and died in the town of Harmony. He married Sally
Patchin, by whom he had the following children:
Harriet, William Dighton, of whom further; Calvin M., .,
Phylander H, Sally, Alvira and Fidelia.
William Dighton Wellman, son of Ford and Sal'
(Patchin) Wellman, was born in the town of Busl
Chautauqua county, N. Y., Aug. 2, 1819. He follow:
the occupation of farmer a number of years, and lab
moved to Jamestown, where he resided until his deafl
Dec. 5, 1895. He was a leading member of the Repub-
lican party. He married Laura Louisa Martin, like him- -
self a native of Busti, N. Y., born Feb. 11, 1825, a; a
daughter of George and Laura (Hatch) Martin. i
William Dighton and Laura L. (Martin) Wellman were >
the parents of the following children : Warren Dighton, 1
whose sketch follows; Julia E., who married H. N.
Urmy, of Los Angeles, Cal., where they now live ; Elmer 1
Ellsworth, whose sketch follows ; and Arthur Martin,
whose sketch follows.
DR. WARREN DIGHTON WELLMAN, who has
for many years occupied a prominent place among the
active physicians of Jamestown, Chautauqua county, N.
Y., is a native of the town of Harmony, in this county,
BIOGRAPHICAL
38i
where his birth occurred Feb. 15, 1855. He is a son of
William Dighton and Laura Louisa (Martin) Wellman,
old and highly respected residents.
The childhood of Dr. Warren Dighton Wellman was
Ipassed in his native town of Harmony, where he
attended the local district schools. He was later a pupil
at the public schools of Sugar Grove, Pa., and still
later at the Jamestown Union School and Collegiate
Institute (now the Jamestown High School), where he
was prepared for college. He then entered the Roches-
ter Business University at Rochester, N. Y., from
which he graduated in 1877. Having in the mean-
time determined to follow medicine as a profession,
he young man entered the Electric Medical Institute
t Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he was graduated
ith the class of 1881, taking at the same time his
egree as Doctor of Medicine. He then began practice
t Sugar Grove, Pa., where be remained a number
f years, but in the spring of 188S removed to James-
own, where he has been practicing his profession ever
ince. In addition to his professional activities Dr.
ellman has also become interested in the business life
f the community, and is now the president and a
member of the well known firm of Wellman Brothers,
Incorporated, owners of the Jamestown Sample Fur-
niture Company. He is also a director of the Liberty
(National Bank, and is one of the most influential citi-
zens and business men of Jamestown. Dr. Wellman. is
a member of Mt. Moriah Lodge, Free and Accepted
Masons; the Protected Home Circle, the Jamestown
Medical Society, the Chautauqua County Medical Soci-
ety, the New York State Medical Society, and the Amer-
ican Medical Association. In politics he is a Republican.
Dr. Warren Dighton Wellman was united in marriage,
July 14, 1886, at Merritton, Ontario, with Dora Phelps,
! a daughter of Noah and Adeline (Loveland) Phelps.
Mr. and Mrs. Phelps were natives of New York and
'Pennsylvania, respectively, and the former was president
tof the Lincoln Paper Mill Company, and also engaged in
business as a lumberman in Ontario. Dr. and Mrs.
Wellman are the parents of two children, as follows:
'Clarice Louisa, a graduate of Simons College, Boston,
and Syracuse Lmiversity; Donald P., who is now a
student in the senior class of the University of Penn-
sylvania, where he is taking the usual classical course.
] ELMER ELLSWORTH WELLMAN, president of
,the Liberty National Bank, of Jamestown, Chautauqua
county, N. Y., and one of the well known financiers of
.the county, is a member of the old and prominent Well-
man family.
Elmer Ellsworth Wellman, son of William Dighton
and Laura Louisa (Martin) Wellman, is a native of the
town of Harmony, Chautauqua county. N. Y., and as a
lad attended the local public schools. Later he was a
student at the Tidioute High School, Tidioute, Pa.,
from which he graduated with honors. He was am-
bitious to begin bis business career, and shortly after
leaving school he secured a position as a traveling repre-
sentative for a Jamestown concern, in which he was
exceedingly successful, and finally secured enough
capital to engage, with his brother. Dr. W. D. Well-
man, in the retail drug business on his own account at
Sugar Grove, Pa. From the outset Mr. Wellman
showed himself to be a most capable business man and
this enterprise, which they continued to conduct for
some six years, was successful. He then came to James-
town, where they opened a retail drug store in 1888,
and conducted the same until 1916, a period of twenty-
eight years, during which time they had developed one
of the largest and best known drug establishments of
its kind in the city. In the latter year Mr. Wellman
sold his business interests and organized the Liberty
National Bank, which was opened for business, July 1,
1 i)i'>. Mr. Wellman being elected its president. This
bank has already made an important place for itself in
the financial interests of the community, and bids fair
to be one of the most prosperous organizations of the
city, under the capable management of its founder and
president. In addition to his banking interests, Mr.
Wellman is also a member and vice-president and treas-
urer of the firm of Wellman Brothers, Incorporated, of
which his brother, Dr. Warren Dighton Wellman is the
president. This concern is owner of the Jamestown
Sample Furniture Company, deals very largely in fur-
niture, and possesses a market for this commodity
throughout a very large territory and to cities within
a radius of hundreds of miles.
Mr. Wellman is a staunch supporter of the Republi-
can principles and policies ; although he is well known
and popular, he has consistently avoided holding public
office. He is prominent in fraternal and club circles
here, and is especially prominent in Masonic circles, in
which he has attained the thirty-second degree of Free
Masonry. He is a member of Mount Moriah Lodge,
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Western Sun
Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Jamestown Commandery,
Knights Templar; Jamestown and Buffalo Consistories;
and Ismailia Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of
the Mystic Shrine. He is also affiliated with the local
lodge of the Order of Eagles, with the Jamestown
Board of Commerce, and the Sportsman's Club, of this
city. In religious belief Mr. Wellman is a Presbyterian
and attends the church of that denomination at James-
town.
Elmer Ellsworth Wellman was united in marriage, Sept.
11, 1895, at Jamestown, N. Y., with Bertha Julia Fenton,
a daughter of Elliot A. and Helen (Leslie) Fenton,
both members of old and distinguished New York fam-
ilies. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wellman,
as follows : Robert Fenton, who is now attending high
school at Jamestown.
ARTHUR MARTIN WELLMAN, well known
business man and prominent member of the Wellman
Brothers' interests of Jamestown, is secretary of this
well known concern and general manager of the James-
town Sample Furniture Company.
Arthur Martin Wellman, son of William Dighton and
Laura Louisa (Martin) Wellman, was born Feb. 18,
1866, in Busti, Chautauqua county, N. Y. He was
educated in the district school at Harmony and Sugar
Grove Union School. He assisted his father at farm
work until he was about twenty years of age, and then
went with his brothers, Dr. Warren D. and Elmer E.,
as clerk in their general store at Sugar Grove, Pa.
When the two elder brothers came to Jamestown and
located their drug business here, Arthur M. Wellman
382
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
followed within a few months afterwards, and joined
his brothers in their new undertaking. The Wellman
business gradually increased, and in 1898 he was officially
taken into the firm partnership by his two brothers The
subsequent years following and up to the present time
Mr. Wellman has entirely devoted his time to the busi-
nesses conducted by the Wellman Brothers, of which
he is secretary, as well as being general manager of the
Jamestown Sample Furniture Company. He is also a
director of the Liberty National Bank, of which his
brother, Elmer E. Wellman, is president. Mr. Wellman is
of a retiring disposition and his club and fraternal life
is quite limited, being a member of the Masons Pro-
tected Home Circle, and the Rotary Club. He is a
staunch member of the Republican party.
He married, in 1001, Ada Orr, daughter of Austin J
and Elizabeth M. (Nichols) Orr, of Jamestown N Y
lo this union were born two children: Howard Q D
born May 3, 1902; and Albert A., born April 23, 1905.
The business romance of the well-known Wellman
Brothers of Jamestown, has been one of success from
its very inception. This success was brought about by
the consistent effort and practical views taken by the
three brothers in all the enterprises in which they en-
gaged. In 1888, when Messrs. Warren D., Elmer E and
Arthur M. Wellman located in Jamestown and started
the W ellman Brothers Drug Store, it was little thought
at that time that this enterprise was the nucleus of the
businesses which have followed and made the Wellman
name a record in Chautauqua county history. The drug
business prospered and as larger quarters were needed
the Wellman building was erected in 1898, at the corner
of West Third and Cherry streets, and this business
was conducted therein until their retirement from it in
1916. In 1910 more room was required to meet the
demand for rentals and a large addition was built on
Cherry street, adjoining the original Wellman building
These buildings now house the Liberty National Bank
the Wellman Brothers Store, Paquin Jewelry Store'
besides many suitable offices and the quarters of the
Jamestown Chamber of Commerce. The Jamestown
Sample Furniture Company conducted in this building
by Wellman Brothers is a very well known concern
among the furniture dealers and consumers, and the
business, like all other Wellman enterprises, is remark-
ably increasing its sales from year to year. The Liberty
National Bank, of which Elmer E. Wellman is president
has likewise enjoyed a prosperous era and much credit
can be given the Wellman spirit in this institution
ALFRED TRACY LIVINGSTON, M. D.-Lev-
mg, a Hungarian noble, came to Scotland in the train
of Margaret, Queen of Malcolm III of Scotland, about
1078, and from him sprang the ancient and noble family
of Livingston, a corruption of "de Levingstoune "
adopted as surname by William, grandson of Leving.
In America the name is an honored one, and in the State
capitol at Albany. N. Y.. their armorial bearings are
sculptured, a mark of public honor. Eight Livingstons
were in command of troops at the battle of Saratoga •
Chancellor Livingston stands chief among the chan-
cellors of New York and is honored with a full figure
bronze statue in the State capitol; William Livingston
was New Jersey's famous war governor during the
Revolution; and all are descended from Rev John
Livingston, a Non-Conformist clergyman of the twenty
tnird generation of the descendants of Leving thli
Hungarian noble, and the immediate ancestor of til
branch of the American family; Dr. Alfred T Livings
ton tracing from Rev. John Livingston through the,
latter s youngest son James.
John Livingston, the founder of this branch in Amen
ica, and a lineal descendant of Rev. John Livingston, of>
Scotland, came from the county of Monaghan, Ireland i
to Saratoga county, N. Y., about 1764. Later he move, ,
to Salem, Washington county, N. Y., and there died
He was called out several times during, the Revolution
and each time rendered the service required. His wife
who was a Miss Boyd, came with him from Ireland
The line continues through Dr. William Livingston |
son of John Livingston, founder, who was born at Still I
water, Saratoga county, N. Y, Feb. 15, 1768, died May 8,
1S60. He was a physician of Hebron, Washington
county, N. Y., and of Essex county. He came to Chau-
tauqua county, N. Y., in 1828, but returned after a few
years to Essex county. He was a leading physician of I
his day, a prominent Whig, and was four times elected
to the Legislature from Washington county He -
married (first) Sarah Tracy, and among their children
was a son, John Jay.
John Jay Livingston was born at Hebron, N. Y., Oct
19, 1798, died at Jamestown, N. Y., Aug. 3, 1890.' H<
came to Chautauqua county in 1830, but in 1832 went to
Venango county (later designated Clarion county), Pa.
where for fifty-four years he was a resident of Shippen.'
ville and Tylersburg. He was a surveyor and civi
engineer, and after attaining the age of eighty per
formed professional field work with his instruments fi
twenty-seven consecutive days. He was active to th
end of his years, ninety-two. He spent the last years o
his life in Jamestown at the home of his son, Dr Alfre
w,.- Li , vi , l ; gston ' He marrie d (third) Elizabeth Jan
Whitehill, born April 8, 1809, near Bellefonte, Pa dii
June 7, 1886, daughter of James Whitehill, a s'kille
smith who conducted a forge and foundry in Center
county, Pa., and later in Clarion county.
Alfred Tracy Livingston, only child of John Jay
Livingston and Elizabeth Jane (Whitehill) Livingston,
was born m Shippenville, Clarion county, Pa. April 1
1849, now (1920) living retired at his home at Driftwood
on the shores of Chautauqua Lake. He was educated in
the Jamestown public schools and academy and Alle-
gheny College, graduating from the latter in class of
1870^ He then began the study of medicine with his
brother, Dr. James B. Livingston, and later under Dr.
Benton, at Tarr Farm, Pa., going thence to the medical
department of the University of Buffalo, receiving his
M. D. with the class of 1873. He began the practice of
his profession in Buffalo, but in the autumn of the
same year accepted appointment as assistant physician
at the State Insane Hospital, Utica, N. Y., there remain-
ing five years. He spent the next eight years in Phila-
delphia, Pa., there establishing the first Home Hospital
for the treatment of mental disease. In 1886 he removed
to Jamestown, N. Y. In 1904 he purchased a fruit plan-
tation near Dorado, Porto Rico, where he spends half
of each year. He is a member of the American Med-
ical Association, New York State and Chautauqua
V
BIOGRAPHICAL
383
rounty Medical societies, and has written many papers
>n medical subjects. He is a member also of the Amer-
can Electro Therapeutic Society.
Dr. Livingston married (first) Jan. 16, 1879, Catherine
Packer, born May 13, 1853, died July 13, 1883. He
narried (second) June 21, 1899, Nellie Elizabeth
hallock, born Jan. 26, 1862, daughter of Rev. William
Mien and Clara M. (Hall) Hallock (q. v.). Dr. and
Vlrs. Livingston are the parents of a daughter, Clara
Elizabeth, born in Jamestown, May 5, 1900.
REV. WILLIAM ALLEN HALLOCK is an hon-
ored and devoted minister of the Congregational church,
who spent a part of his mature life in Chautauqua
ounty.
Through his mother he traced his descent to the
Pilgrims, counting five ancestors who came over in the
Mayflower." His father's family settled in Southold,
in 1640, Peter Hallock being the first of the name
n this country. Mr. Hallock's great-grandfather, also
lamed William, married Alice Homan, of Chilmark,
N'antucket, and about 1766 moved to Goshen, Mass. He,
,vith his two sons, Jeremiah and Moses, served in the
^Yar of the Revolution.
The Rev. Moses Hallock was graduated from Yale
ollege in 1788, and on the completion of his theological
studies was ordained pastor of the Congregational
thurch in Plainfield, Mass., which he served for forty-
five years. In addition to his ministerial duties, he
established in his home a classical school for boys in
which he fitted more than 300 for college. Among
were seven of the early missionaries, more than
clergymen, and others widely known including the
poet Bryant, Marcus Whitman, who saved Oregon,
and John Brown, of Ossowatomie.
His wife was Margaret (Allen) Hallock, of Chilmark,
Nantucket, a descendant of Thomas Mayhew, the first
nor of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, as well
ias a successful missionary to the Indians living on those
islands. Of the four sons who received their early
training in the home school, Rev. William A. Hallock,
D. D., was for fifty years at the head of the American
Tract Society; Gerard, for over thirty years editor of
: New York Journal of Commerce ; and Homan, a
[missionary printer, made the first Arabic type in Syria.
The remaining son, Leavitt H. Hallock, father of Rev.
William A. Hallock, was born in Plainfield, Jan. 21, 1798,
where he spent most of his life. He was a general
merchant, for some time a tanner, and a farmer. He
served several terms as justice of the peace, was post-
master, and in 1849 was elected to the Massachusetts
Legislature. He died Oct. 16, 1877, at the home of his
bori, Rev. Leavitt H. Hallock, D. D., in West Winstead,
Conn. In 1829 he married Elizabeth Porter Snell,
laughter of Ebenezer and Deborah (Porter) Snell, of
Cummington, Mass., her Aunt Sarah being the mother of
William Cullen Bryant. The children of this marriage
were twin daughters, Fanny and Eliza ; Fanny married
Rev. Henry M. Hazeltine, of Jamestown, where she
aied Jan. 10, 1920; Eliza married Rev. Thomas H.
Rouse, who was pastor of the First Congregational
Church of Jamestown from 1856 to 1868; Rev. William
A.. Hallock, born in Plainfield, Aug. 27, 1832 ; also a
younger brother, Rev. Leavitt H. Hallock, D. D., now
of Portland, Me.
Rev. William A. Hallock was graduated from
Amherst College, in 1855. He entered Yale Theological
Seminary, but owing to an accident was obliged to drop
his studies. A voyage on a sailing vessel to Constan-
tinople restored his health, and in 1859 he was graduated
from the Hartford Theological Seminary and accepted
the pastorate of the Congregational Church in Gilead,
Conn., where he remained for four years, until a rail-
road accident compelled him to give up his work. He
then moved to Jamestown and when his health again
improved preached acceptably in Kiantone, Frewsburg,
Sugar Grove, and Ashville. In 1877 he went to Con-
necticut, where he served the Congregational church in
Bloomfield for twelve years. He then returned to James-
town, N. Y., which he considered his home for the
remainder of his life, though much of the last years
were spent in Porto Rico. He died Sept. 4, 191 1, and
is buried in Jamestown. The funeral service was held in
Pilgrim Memorial Church, and was unusually impres-
sive, his brother, Dr. Hallock, delivering a beautiful
tribute of love and appreciation.
Mr. Hallock had a strong character. He was an able
pulpit orator, abounding in energy and enthusiasm.
The churches which he served prospered under his
leadership. In Jamestown, after retiring from active
ministerial work, he took a deep interest in the Sunday
school out of which grew Pilgrim Memorial Church,
and was for some years its superintendent. He gave
the site for the Young Men's Christian Association
building in Jamestown, and his portrait hangs in the
library. Mr. Hallock was active and impulsive, at
the same time showing an unusual perseverance in
carrying through any enterprise he undertook.
He married, Sept. 19, i860, Clara M. Hall, daughter
of William and Julia (Jones) Hall, born in James-
town, July 5, 1836, died Sept. 17, 1897. A son, William
Hall, born in 1864, died in 1894, after several years
study in Germany, where he had gone after completing
his college course at Amherst. A daughter, Nellie
Elizabeth, graduated at Smith College, and on June 21,
1899, married Alfred Tracy Livingston, M. D., of James-
town, who now (1920) has a summer home at Drift-
wood-on-Chautauqua, but spends the winters in Dorado,
Porto Rico. Dr. and Mrs. Livingston have one daughter,
Clara Elizabeth.
William Hall, father of Mrs. Clara M. (Hall)
Hallock, was born in Wardsboro, Vt., Aug. 17, 1793.
died in Jamestown, N. Y., July 6, 1880, having been a
resident there for sixty-four years, son of William and
Abigail (Pease) Hall, his father a Revolutionary soldier.
William Hall came to Jamestown in 1816 and became
one of the leading business men, a public-spirited citizen.
He married Julia Jones, daughter of Solomon Jones,
and they were the parents of: Colonel William C. J.
Hall; Rev. Elliot C. Hall; and Clara M. Hall, wife of
Rev. William Allen Hallock.
JOHN CHAMBERLAIN MASON— From boyhood
John C. Mason has been identified with the jewelry
business, serving an apprenticeship under his honored
father, Levant L. Mason, a wonderfully skilled jeweler
3«4
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
and engraver, and Jamestown's oldest merchant at the
time of his death in 191 1. In the course of time his son
succeeded him but not in the store which had been their
mutual business home for so long, John C. Mason mov-
ing a block further north to No. 305 Main street, his
present location. Not alone as a successful business
man is he known in Jamestown, the city of his birth,
but as a man of genial, social nature, gifted in mind,
a good entertainer, and versatile writer. Who does not
recall his minstrel shows with their burlesque of the
Board of Aldermen and other local characters, written
by Mr. Mason, full of pungent wit and humor, wit with-
out malice or sting, and humor clean and wholesome.
The ladies of the Warren Home for the Aged remember
his entertainments in their behalf, and in countless ways
Mr. Mason has added to the fund of humorous enter-
tainments. He is a son of Levant L. and Eunice
(Stevens) Mason, and a grandson of Belden B. and
Mercy (Whitcomb) Mason, who came to Jamestown
from Erie county, N. Y., in 1831.
Levant L. Mason was born at Clarence, Erie county,
N. Y., Dec. 25, 1826, died in Jamestown, N. Y., in 191 1.
His parents came to Jamestown in 1831, and that city
was ever afterward his home with the exception of the
years spent in Rochester, N. Y., learning the jeweler's
trade. He was engaged in the jewelry business in
Jamestown, occupying several locations before finally
purchasing the building at No. 217 Main street, where
he continued in business until his retirement after sixty
years of service. He served Jamestown as trustee and
village president; as a member of the Board of Educa-
tion for sixteen years ; and as secretary and superin-
tendent of the Lake View Cemetery Association from
1876 for more than a quarter of a century. For more
than half a century he was vestryman or warden of St.
Luke's Protestant Episcopal Church ; was a past master
of Mt. Moriah Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons (an
honor also held by his son, John C. Mason) ; was a
companion of Western Sun Chapter, Royal Arch
Masons; and a sir knight of Jamestown Commandery,
Knights Templar.
Levant L. Mason married, at Rochester, N. Y., May
10, 1850, Eunice Stevens, and on May 10, 1900, they
celebrated the golden anniversary of their wedding day,
their home during all of that period having been at the
corner of Lafayette and West Second streets. Mrs.
Mason died Dec. 7, 1903. They were the parents of
three children: John C, of further mention; Caroline,
married Henry S. Penfield; Lucy H., married Fred-
erick P. Hall, of Jamestown.
John C. Mason was born in Jamestown, N. Y., Oct. 5,
1851, and there spent the years of his minority. He passed
the grades of Jamestown's primary, grammar and high
schools, then served a regular apprenticeship to the
jeweler's trade under his father, with whom he re-
mained until attaining legal age, in 1872. In that year
he opened a jewelry store in Mayville, Chautauqua
county N. Y., there remaining seven years. The next
four years were spent in the jewelry business in Ran-
dolph, N. Y., then after an absence of eleven years Mr.
Mason returned to Jamestown and his father's employ.
They were associated in business at No. 217 Main street
for all the years which intervened until Levant L. Mason
retired, but not as partners, the son a salaried man, but
carrying the heavier responsibilities. During this period
John C. Mason perfected himself in the optician's an;
by a course in Cleveland and added that as a special
department of the business. Finally Levant L. Mason,
then an octogenarian, disposed of his stock at auction.
and retired, John C. Mason then moving to his present-
location, No. 305 Main street, where with new, fresh
stock and fixtures he opened a modern jewelry store
with an optical department. That was in 1910 and there
he still continues, well-established and prosperous. He
is a member and a former president of the Jamestown 1
Jewelers' Association, resigning that office in 1919. •
Honorable and upright in his business life, Mr. Mason
retains leading position in the business which has been
conducted in Jamestown under the Mason name for
over seventy years.
Social and genial in nature, Mr. Mason has long been
identified with leading fraternal orders and has recently
extended his connections by entering the Ancient
Accepted Scottish Rite of the Masonic order. He is a
past master of Mt. Moriah Lodge, Free and Accepted
Masons ; past high priest of Western Sun Chapter,
Royal Arch Masons; member of Jamestown Council,
Royal and Select Masters ; and Jamestown Commandery,
Knights Templar. He is also past exalted ruler of
Jamestown Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks. The partisan preferences of earlier years have
given way to a cooler view of matters political, and
"Independent" best expresses his present position. He
is a member of St. Luke's Protestant Episcopal Church.
Mr. Mason was for many years interested in local
amateur theatricals, his special field little plays of his
own composition, a burlesque on local politicians and
others, put on under the guise of a minstrel show. He
frequently recited at lodge and social entertainments
selections from humorous writings, but best pleased his
audiences by poems of his own, bringing out good-natur-
edly the traits, sayings and characteristics of the local
"Great or nearly Great." He was a good entertainer and
has not entirely outgrown the pleasures a good entertain-
ment affords. He has prepared for this work a chapter
on the Elks lodges of Chautauqua, and in a pleasing
manner shown some of the beauties of that order. His
recreations in his younger years were those of the out-
of-doors, trout fishing especially appealing to him.
Mr. Mason married, in Randolph, N. Y„ Caroline J.
Mason, of Schenectady, N. Y., a distant relative. They
are the parents of a son and daughter: William C,
married Harriet Staples and they are the parents of a
son, Charles ; Eunice Stevens.
ARTHUR WHITE SWAN— The business career
of Arthur W. Swan, cashier of the National Chautauqua
County Bank, of Jamestown. N. Y., began in a mercan-
tile house, but banking early attracted him and for
twenty-one years he has steadily pursued that branch
of business activity. The position he now ably fills
came to him through a series of earned promotions,
for he began at the bottom and has risen through merit
alone. He is a son of Daniel S. and Margaret E.
(White) Swan, of Randolph, Cattaraugus county. N. Y.
Arthur W. Swan was born in Randolph, April 8. (88o,
and there spent his youth and earliest manhood. He was
^1/ci
I
BIOGRAPHICAL
385
iucated in the public schools and at Chamberlain Insti-
ite, Randolph, and when school years were completed
e entered business life as clerk in a Randolph store.
'i he became an employee of the State Bank of
andolph and there found his true vocation. Three
:ars were spent in the Randolph bank, then, at the age
t twenty-two, he came to Jamestown and in 1902 be-
iine a clerk in the National Chautauqua County Bank,
hat was eighteen years ago and from clerk he has
sen through promotions to the cashier's desk, having
eld that position since 1916. He is a young man of
laracter and integrity, well versed in the principle of
te business he follows, and highly regarded in the
inking fraternity. In his younger years athletic sports
rongly appealed to Mr. Swan, but his out-of-doors
screation now is with rod and reel. He is a member of
fie Sportman's Club, and his holidays are usually spent
h Chautauqua Lake, and Mrs. Swan is as enthusiastic
bass fisherman as her husband. Mr. Swan is a mem-
er of the Jamestown Rotary Club and Chamber of
'ommerce, lending his influence and personal aid to
orward the work of these two organizations of business
len who are laboring for the advancement of local
tterests. He is a past master of Mt. Moriah Lodge,
"ree and Accepted Masons, and past chancellor com-
tander of Crescent Lodge, Knights of Pythias ; a
,iember of the First Presbyterian Church, and in politics
n independent voter.
Mr. Swan married, in Jamestown, Oct. 4, 1906, Sadie
I. Loucks, daughter of Wallace and Mary E. Loucks,
f Jamestown. Mr. and Mrs. Swan are the parents of a
on, Daniel A., born Aug. 16, 1907.
CLARENCE A. HULTQUIST— For about forty
^ars Clarence A. Hultquist has been a resident of
,amestown, and since 1903 has been numbered among
ie enterprising, prosperous merchants of that city,
sing proprietor of The Fair, a high-class variety store,
nd vice-president of the Jamestown Upholstery Com-
£ny, manufacturers of upholstered furniture. He is
;ne of the successful business men of Jamestown, which
as long been his home, and has contributed his full
dare to its development.
Clarence A. Hultquist was born in Sweden, June 25,
S64, and there spent his youth. Some of his relatives
ad come to the United States and had located in James-
>wn, N. Y., and he decided to join them. He arrived
pre in 1881, and after locating his relatives he found
Tiployment, spending three years with the Jamestown
Worsted Mills. Factory life held no attraction for him,
nd leaving the worsted mills he became connected
ith J. B. Collins, the founder of The Fair, a variety
:ore at the corner of Third and Main streets, James-
Jwn. There the young man found more suitable em-
loyment, and from that year until the present he has
een engaged in the field of retail merchandizing. He
egan as a clerk under Mr. Collins and continued with
im in constantly advancing position until 1903, when
Ir. Hultquist made his first venture as an independent
lerchant. For one year he operated a store on Second
reet, then opened his present establishment at No. 18
ast Third street, which he conducts under the same
ame as that of the old store in which he was so long
clerk. The Fair may properly be classed as a variety
Chau— 25
store as its lines are many, but perhaps crockery and
glass-ware best describe it. A wonderful line of toys
and games is carried, kitchen-ware of all kinds, the store
being well arranged and stocked with an abundance of
standard and seasonable goods. The volume of business
has steadily increased with years, and The Fair is con-
sidered one of Jamestown's foremost stores. vV'hen the
Jamestown Upholstery Company was organized by
former employees of the Jamestown Lounge Company,
Mr. Hultquist secured an interest which has been
increased, he having been vice-president of the company,
his son, Carl A. Hultquist, secretary, another son, Earl
O. Hultquist, treasurer. The company manufacture
upholstered furniture at their plant, No. 300 Crescent
street, Jamestown. Fred A. Nelson, one of the incor-
porators of the company, is president (1920). The
company is a conservative, well-managed corporation
with a modern factory plant, and has grown to a con-
dition of prosperity and reliability.
Although essentially a business man, Mr. Hultquist
has many outside interests, social, fraternal, and religi-
ous, which have brought him much into the public eye.
He is a member of the Norden Club, the Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks, the Swedish Brotherhood,
Knights of the Maccabees, and Lief Erikson Lodge, No.
26, Scandinavian Fraternal Association of America. He
is a long time member of the First Lutheran Church of
Jamestown and its present treasurer. In politics he is
a Republican.
Mr. Hultquist married, in Jamestown, Carlotta Matilda
Peterson, of Jamestown. They are the parents of
three children : 1. Carl A., secretary of the Jamestown
Upholstery Company ; residing at home with his parents.
2. Earl O., secretary-treasurer of the Art Metal Con-
struction Company and treasurer of the Jamestown
Upholstery Company; he married Marguerite Peterson,
and they reside at No. 105 Chandler street, Jamestown.
3. Bessie A., the only daughter, resides with her parents
at the family home No. 839 Prendergast avenue.
FRANK JOHN KANE, D. D. S.— Among the most
successful and prominent of the rising dentists of
Dunkirk, Chautauqua county, N. Y., is Dr. Frank J.
Kane, a native of that city, whose entire life up to the
present, save for the short period of his college career,
has been identified with its affairs. Dr. Kane is a son
of Daniel and Mary (Clifford) Kane, old and respected
lesidents of Dunkirk, who still reside there. The elder
Mr. Kane and his wife were the parents of four
children, Julia, Frank John, with whom we are here con-
cerned, Daniel and John.
Dr. Kane was born at Dunkirk, Feb. 26, 1894, and passed,
his childhood at the home of his parents in that city,
attending, when he became old enough, the public
schools. He passed through the grammar grades and
later entered the high school, where his general educa-
tion was completed and he was prepared for a collegi-
ate course. As a youth he was ambitious of a profes-
sional career, and accordingly matriculated at the Dental
School of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.
There he took the prescribed course and graduated with
the class of 1916, having established a reputation as
an intelligent and industrious student. In 1916 also he
passed the examinations of the state boards of Michigan
386
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
and New York, and for the following year was asso-
ciated with a prominent dentist of Detroit. It was in
1917 that he opened his own office at Dunkirk and began
the practice of his profession there. His office is one
of the most perfectly equipped in the city, having all
the most modern instruments and appliances for the
dental surgeon, and his own skill and knowledge is
generally recognized so that his practice has developed
in the three years of his activities here and is still grow-
ing rapidly. Dr. Kane has always interested himself in
the general life of the community and takes a prominent
part therein, being a member of a number of organiza-
tions of various kinds. He became a member of the
Phi Psi Phi fraternity during his college days, and
since then has become affiliated with the local chapter
of the Knights of Columbus of the third degree and
the American Preparedness League. In politics he is an
Independent, associating himself with no party but pre-
ferring to exercise his own judgement on all matters
of public issue without regard to partisan considerations
of any kind. He is a Roman Catholic in religious belief,
and attends the Church of St. Mary of that denomina-
tion at Dunkirk.
CHARLES L. ECKMAN— Throughout the length
and breadth of our country we find men who have
worked their way unaided from the lowest rung of the
ladder to positions of eminence and power in the com-
munity, and not the fewest of these have been of
foreign birth or descent. The more credit is due them
for the additional obstacles they had to overcome, and
the indomitable courage with which they have been
possessed. Financial affiairs have been especially bene-
fited by this influx of foreign ideas, and those of
Swedish birth or descent have earned distinction to an
even greater extent than those of other nations. An
example in point is the life of Charles L. Eckman,
of Jamestown, N. Y., who was born May 9, 1866, near
Kalmar, Sweden, a son of N. P. and Sophie Eckman.
Mr. Eckman, Sr., was a native of Sweden, but came to
this country in 1869 and was for many years employed
in the business of refining petroleum in Western Penn-
sylvania. He is at present living retired.
Charles L. Eckman received his education in the pub-
lic schools of Titusville, Pa., and Buffalo, N. Y., and
after finishing his studies became a telegraph operator,
continuing along this line for some time, then accepted
a position as clerk in the Commercial Bank of Titus-
ville. He later became an accountant for S. S. Bryan
& Company of the same city. In 1894 he became suc-
cessively, secretary, treasurer and general manager of
the Breed-Johnson Furniture Company of Jamestown,
and some years later Mr. Eckman, with his brother,
J. A. Eckman, purchased the interests of the other mem-
bers of the firm and the name was changed to The
Eckman Furniture Company, of which Mr. Eckman is
now the head.
Politically Mr. Eckman is a staunch Republican, but
he has never cared for the emoluments' of office. He is
a member of the commission governing the O. E. Jones
General Hospital, and was formerly on the Board of
the Farmers and Mechanics Bank, but since the organ-
ization of the American National Bank has been on its
executive committee, which office he holds at the present
time. Fraternally Mr. Eckman is a member of th
Masonic bodies ; a member of the Independent Order c
Odd Fellows; a member of the Norden Club, of whic
he was one of the founders and president for som
time; was also the first vice-president of the Board
Commerce from its organization up to 1920; on th
executive committee of the Manufacturers' Association
on the Board of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce c
New York; is the chairman for this district of th
American Scandinavian Foundation of New York; an
is a member of the Swedish Historical Society of Amer
ica. Ever since the Jamestown Furniture Market Asso
ciation was organized he has served as its treasurer
Mr. Eckman also had the high honor of being knighteG
by King Gustav V, of Sweden, receiving the degree,
Royal Order of Vasa, First Class, in 1916. In religious
affiliations Mr. Eckman and wife are prominent mem-
bers of the First Lutheran Church of Jamestown, and
are active in all its social as well as business affairs.
Mr. Eckman is chairman of the Pension Committee of
the Lutheran Augustana Synod for the Eastern States.
On Aug. s, 1897, in Jamestown, N. Y., Mr. Eckman
was united in marriage with Agnes Branney, a daughter
of Caroline Branney. Mrs. Eckman is a woman of true
refinement and culture and is very popular in the social
circles of Jamestown. She is a member of the Boarc
of Education of the city, secretary of the Visiting Nurse
Association, also active in other organizations in James-
town as well as elsewhere.
It can be said that the business career of Mr. Eckmar
has been one which he carved out for himself, his
advancement being due to the exercise of his powers
and to the possession of an industry which his wili
never allowed to falter, as well as to a close study of
business conditions and his utilization of opportunities
which others might have employed had they as carefully
sought the way to success. He is a man of progressive
ideas, has been successful in his business, and has proved
his ability as manager of an enterprise which calls for
intelligence, tact and skill. He has long been one of
Jamestown's representative citizens, ever ready to give
practical aid to any improvement which he believes will
advance the public welfare. He is, as all who know him
can testify, a man of pleasing manners, and what is
better still, he is equally well known as a man of experi-
ence and trained mind. He is a most conspicuous
example of the man who wins the confidence and respect
of his fellowmen by strictly following the rules of life,
both in a private and business way.
HENRY R. HOUGHTON— Prominent among the
successful farmers of Chautauqua county, N, Y., is
Henry R. Houghton, born in Lewis county, N. Y., April
24, 1849, the son of Thomas Bennett and Elizabeth
(Lamphier) Houghton, both old and highly respected
residents of that region, where the elder Houghton
followed the trade of painter, later turning his attention
to farming.
Henry R. Houghton received his education in the
district schools of his native place, but was forced to
leave school at the age of fifteen years in order to help
his family, who were left without support about that
time. His father had enlisted in the Union army, in
the Civil War, and there gave his life for his country,
^i^zC-tfw-^-^ «/^ C?<sf£
BIOGRAPHICAL
387
nd his son took up the burden of caring for the family,
n 1S03, Mr. Houghton came to Ripley and began his
ife as a farmer, and has now one of the most prosper-
ous and flourishing farms in this region. Mr. Houghton
5 prominent in social and fraternal circles here, being
member of the local lodge of the Ancient Free and
vccepted Masons and the Scottish Rite bodies of this
lace. He is also past noble grand of the Independent
)rder of Odd Fellows, and a member of the encamp-
lent as well as the local grange. He is a staunch sup-
,orter of the Republican party, and although he has
ever been desirous of holding public office has taken
n intelligent and active interest in local public affairs
is well as in the nation-at-large. He is a member of
le Methodist Episcopal church.
Henry R. Houghton was united in marriage at Ripley,
lov. 5. 1873, with Effie A. Rhinehart, a native of Ripley,
daughter of James and Jane (Sinder) Rhinehart, and
hey are the parents of three children, as follows: 1.
.eon Eugene, born Nov. 23, 1874 ; he was educated in
ihe public schools of Ripley; married Lyda Mattice, a
ative of Canada, Nov. 26, 1895 ; they are the parents
f two children: Harold E., born Nov. 16, 1896, enlisted
I the United States Army in May, 1917, but was shortly
fterwards killed in a railway accident at Erie, Pa. ; and
fazel L., born March 3, 1898, now the wife of Harry
. to whom was born one child, Albert, April 10,
2. James Bennett, born April 6, 1881 ; was edu-
in the schools of his native town; has always
allowed the occupation of farming ; like his father he
prominent in social and fraternal circles in Ripley,
■nig a member of the local lodge of the Independent
>rder of Odd Fellows, of which he is past noble grand,
Iso past member of the Grand Lodge; a member of the
>C3l lodge of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons,
member of Ripley Grange, No. 65, Patrons of Hus-
indry; is an active participant in the affairs of the
epublican party, having been supervisor of elections
>r twelve years; he has held the office of township
1 r for two years, his present term expiring in
hi; he attends the Methodist Episcopal church;
imes Bennett Houghton married Mary Elizabeth
arwood, of Franklin, Pa., Feb. 17. 1904; Mrs. Hough-
II was formerly a resident of Ohio, where her birth
curred ; three children have been born of this marriage,
follows : Ralph Marwood, born Feb. 20, 1905 ; Laura
ne, born Nov. 22, 1906; both being students in the
cal high school; Marjorie E., born March 15, 1910,
student in the public school here. 3. Elizabeth G.,
•rn Nov. 10, 1885 ; graduated from the Ripley High
:hool and later graduated from Allegheny College;
:e taught school a few years; was married, May 29,
12, to Joseph D. Piper, also a graduate of Allegheny
©liege; one girl, Marian Jane, was born from this
nion, Jan. 4, 1918; Mr. Piper, a resident of Derry, Pa.,
i an ordained Methodist minister, who was later made
caplain of the 137th Regiment, 88th Division, in the
'orld War.
to several families which have long been prominent in
this region, notably that of Douglas, the members of
which have taken active part in many different callings
hereabouts.
George G. Crosby is a son of Ransom and Mary
(Hunt) Crosby, being one of five children, namely:
Eugene, William, George Guion, Dr. Birdina and Lillian.
As a lad Mr. Crosby attended the public schools of his
native region. He was quite young when he began his
business career, and for fifteen years was occupied
variously. He entered into his present business of cattle
dealing a number of years ago and later added farming
to his occupation. At the present time Mr. Crosby
manages a fine vineyard of fifty-eight acres and has
done considerable to promote the grape-growing in-
dustry in this part of the county. He also continues
dealing largely in cattle, buying and selling on an aver-
age of 200 head each year. He also dresses cattle for
market, which he sells to local butchers, and does con-
siderable private trade both in wholesale and retail
dressed beef.
Mr. Crosby has always been keenly interested in the
general life of the community, and is a member of
several important organizations at Brocton. He is
affiliated with the local lodge, Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, and Brocton Lodge, Free and Accepted
Masons. In politics he is an Independent Republican,
and in his religious belief a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, which he has supported liberally here.
GEORGE GUION CROSBY, who has been prom-
i'ntly engaged in agricultural pursuits, and is also a
(aler in cattle at Brocton, Chautauqua county, N. Y.,
i a native of this place, his birth having occurred in
Lrtland township, April 9, 1881. Mr. Crosby is related
GEORGE EDWARD SMITH, M. D., who has
been one of the most prominent figures in medical circles
at Dunkirk, Chautauqua county, N. Y., and has at the
present time one of the largest practices in the city, is
a native of Attica, Wyoming county, N. Y., his birth
having occurred there May 13, 1863. His parents were
Howard Powers and Philena (Nichols) Smith, the
former for many years engaged in the business of
cabinetmaker and carpenter at Rochester, N. Y. He
afterwards became a contractor and builder and was
very successful in this line at the same place. He and
his wife were the parents of three children, as follows:
George Edward, with whose career we are here especially
concerned; Elizabeth, who died in infancy; and C. P.,
who became a prominent undertaker at Buffalo. N. Y.,
and resided at that place until his death.
George Edward Smith passed his childhood in a
number of localities in Western New York, including
his native town of Attica and the city of Rochester,
and obtained his education at the public schools of
Wyoming and Genesee counties. He attended the
Wyoming County Seminary for a number of years and
later the Attica High School, completing his elementary
education and preparing himself for college at the latter
institution. He had by this time determined upon a
medical career, and with this end in view matriculated
at the Medical School of the University of Buffalo,
from which he was graduated with his degree as Doctor
of Medicine with the class of 1886. He returned to New
York State and established himself in practice at Alex-
ander, where he also took an active part in public life
and held the office of town clerk in 1887 and 188S. After
a few years spent in Alexander he removed to Busti,
N. Y., and from there to Cherry Creek, where he
3 88
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
served as health officer. Dr. Smith first came to this
neighborhood in the year 1904, when he moved to Fre-
donia. where for a short time he continued in active
practice and held the office of town physician. Later he
opened his present office in Dunkirk and since that time
has been practicing there, being now recognized as one
of the leading members of his profession. Dr. Smith
has been prominent in the general life of Dunkirk and
is a member of many organizations, professional and
otherwise, including the Dunkirk and Fredonia Medical
Society, of which he was at one time president ; the
Chautauqua County Medical Society, of which he is now
second vice-president ; the New York State Medical
Society; and the American Medical Association. He is
also affiliated with the Masonic order and the local
chapter of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and
is past grand of the latter. He is a Republican in
politics, and always keenly interested in public questions,
but his professional duties prevent him from taking so
active a part in politics as his abilities fit him for. In
his religious belief he is a Baptist and attends the First
Baptist Church at Fredonia.
Dr. Smith was united in marriage, July 30, 1800, with
Lydia Ann Lowell, of Angelica, N. Y., a daughter of
Daniel D. and Lydia (Carpenter) Lowell, of that
place. They are the parents of one child. Chester Alan
Smith, who is now a student at Dunkirk High School.
FRANKLIN W. RICKENBRODE— As a farmer
of many years' standing and unusual success Mr. Rick-
enbrode easily holds a conspicuous place among the
agriculturists of Chautauqua county. His neighbors of
Ripley know him also as a public-spirited citizen, active
in community matters and greatly interested in fraternal
affairs.
Henry Rickenbrode, father of Franklin W. Ricken-
brode, was a farmer of Walton, Eaton county, Mich.,
subsequently moving to Ripley. He married Harriett
Kinch and their children were: Alice A., Franklin W.,
mentioned below ; William W., and Clara A.
Franklin W. Rickenbrode, son of Henry and Harriett
(Kinch) Rickenbrode, was born July 24, 1859, on his
father's farm at Walton. Eaton county, Mich., and was
six years old when the family moved to Ripley. There
he was educated in local schools, assisting in the labors
of the farm until he attained his majority. He then
entered upon an independent course of life and a few
years later, by going deeply into debt, he was able to
purchase a farm of fifty-six acres. This land he now
devotes to general farming and grape culture and has
extensively improved, having erected two large barns
and various outbuildings, all of the latest and best in
structure and equipment. In his residence, which is a
very fine old Colonial house, he has made no alterations
except such as were necessary in order to put it in
perfect repair. In addition to the care of his own farm,
Mr. Rickenbrode manages the homestead in which his
brother, his sister and himself each have an interest.
This farm, which consists of sixty-three acres, is also
kept in a good state of cultivation. Politically he is an
independent voter. He belongs to the Grange, Patrons
of Husbandry, affiliates with the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, being past noble grand of his own lodge
and in the Grand Lodge holds membership. His religious
affiliations have been and are with the Methodist Episco-
pal church.
Mr. Rickenbrode married, June 4, 1884, Ella F.
daughter of Albert G. and Clarrissa Tillinghast, and they
are the parents of one child, May Alice, educated in
Ripley, and now at home on the farm.
Franklin W. Rickenbrode is living a large life. Hi&
interests are many and he neglects none of them. He
has built up his own fortune and in doing so has ren-r
dered himself useful to his community, winning the!
sincere respect and cordial liking of his neighbors and
fellow-citizens.
FREDERICK PERRY HALL— In the year 1876'
the Jamestown "Journal" passed into the hands of John
A. Hall, whose previous political contributions to the
press under the pseudonym of Paul Pry had given him
some inclination toward a journalistic career, but who
was primarily interested in its purchase by his young-
est son, Frederick Perry Hall, then a mere lad of six-
teen years, who for a year or two previously had oper-
ated an amateur printing outfit. Taking his son into
his employ as the business manager, Mr. Hall, Sr.,
started the "Journal," which had been established in
1826, upon a successful career. He soon took the son
into a full partnership, the firm being known as John
A. Hall & Son until the death of the father in 1886.
Frederick P. Hall then associated with him Fred W.
Hyde and Walter B. Armitage, as copartners in the
firm of the Journal Printing Company, which was estab-
lished as a corporation in 1894 with Mr. Hall as its
president, general manager and principal stockholder.
The "Journal" from 1870 had both a daily and weekly
issue, the latter being changed to a semi-weekly in 1892
and a tri-weekly in 1 901. The "Journal" occupies its
own building at Nos. 12-14-16 West Second street. Its!
present officers are : Frederick P. Hall, president and
general manager; J. A. Clary, vice-president and man-
aging editor; Henri M. Hall, treasurer and business
manager ; and Levant M. Hall, secretary and advertising
manager.
Under the Hall management the "Journal" has grown
into closely intimate relations with Chautauqua county,
and the name Hall is practically synonomous with
"Journal" to Chautauquans, and is apt to continue to be)
for from 1906 a third generation of this family hns been
associated in the management. Mr. Hall has been rated
in public opinion more the publisher than the business
man, more the journalist than the manufacturer, the
banker, the public-spirited citizen, when the facts are
that he has long been identified with a number of other
successful enterprises in Jamestown, and a prominent
factor in its social, political, fraternal, philanthropic
and religious circles.
Frederick Perry Hall, youngest son of John A. and
Emily (Perry) Hall, was born in the town of Busti
Chautauqua county, N. Y., Nov. 8, 1859, and there spenl
the first twelve years of his life. In 1872, with hi;
parents, he moved to Jamestown, where he continued hi;
studies in the Jamestown Union School and Collegiate
Institute until 1876, when he gave up his schooling tc
enter the employ of his father, who on May 20, 1876
had purchased and taken over the Jamestown "Journal,'
soon becoming a partner with his father in the publi-
-^Isu+u FrrfitAJi^
BIOGRAPHICAL
389
cation of the "Journal," and after his father's death in
1886, the controlling factor in the paper. Mr. Hall has
devoted his business career to the conduct of this news-
paper which is recognized as one of the most successful
and influential papers in this end of the State. Recog-
nition of his standing among publishers is evidenced by
the fact that he has been honored by selection as presi-
dent of the New York State Press Association in 1894.
of the New York Associated Dailies in 1908, and a vice-
president of the National Editorial Association in 1909,
at the time its annual meeting was held in Seattle, Wash.
••as a member of the executive committee, vice-
president, and in 1901 president, of the New York State
Republican Editorial Association; has frequently been a
delegate to conventions of newspaper men, and was
named a member of the executive committee of the new
State Association of Publishers, formed in 1920.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Hall has aided in the up-
building of a strongly Republican community (Chautau-
qua being a banner Republican county) not alone
through the columns of the "Journal" but by personal
He was chairman of the County Committee in
1898-99, the county under his leadership rolling up one
of its largest Republican majorities, and in 1920, as
president of the Harding & Coolidge Club of Jamestown,
he was a directing factor in the effective campaign of
that year.
Mr. Hall's interests outside of the "Journal" have
many. He early became a director of the Union
Trust Company, which was established in Jamestown
u. was for years its treasurer and is now a vice-
president of that institution. He is also a director of
National Chautauqua County Bank. He is presi-
dent of the Chautauqua Abstract Company, and has
since the company was first organized and started
in business at Mayville, the county seat. In 1912, Mr.
Hall was invited to become president of the Salisbury
Wheel & Axle Company, a leading industry of James-
then at a critical period of its history on account
of lack of working capital to take care of its rapidly
expanding business. Through Mr. Hall's assistance the
affairs of the company were placed on a sound financial
basis, the plant largely expanded, and the business in-
creased from a production of a million dollars a year to
approximately five millions a year. In 1919 the plant
was sold to Eastern interests.
A bronze tablet in the Furniture Manufacturers' nine-
istory building at West Second and Washington streets
records the fact that Mr. Hall was one of a board
of five men which formulated the plan, secured the
finances, and built the splendid structure which con-
tributes much to the success of the furniture industry
in Jamestown- Mr. Hall has been the secretary and
treasurer of the company from its beginning.
Few men have taken a more interested, a more in-
fluential, or a more useful part in the various com-
munity interests of Jamestown than Mr. Hall. Since
1883 he has been a director of the Young Men's Chris-
tian Association, since 1887 a vestryman of St. Luke's
'Protestant Episcopal Church. He succeeded his father
as a trustee of Lakeview Cemetery Association, and
has been for several years president of the board. He
was appointed a member of the city's first Park Com-
mission and has ever since that time continued to have
a hand in the planning and maintenance of the parks of
the city. During the World War he served in a prom-
inent position on all Liberty Loan and war charity
drives, and is a member of the budget committee of the
Jamestown Community Chest, charged with fixing the
quota of all local charities in the annual appeals for
their support. He was by appointment of Governor Levi
P. Morton made a member of the board of managers
of the State Hospital for the Insane at Buffalo, and was
for a time its vice-presiderlt. He declined reappoint-
ment at the hands of Governor Roosevelt but did yield
to the request of the State Charities Aid Association to
accept appointment upon the board of visitors to the
State Hospital at Gowanda, a position he yet holds. Mr.
Hall holds all degrees of the York and Scottish rites
of Masonry up to and including the thirty-second, be-
ing a member of the various Jamestown units. He is
a member of the Jamestown Club and the Moon Brook
Country Club. In the intervals of a busy life, Mr. Hall
has travelled extensively in this country and abroad,
having made his first trip abroad with a party of four
other young men in 1878.
Mr. Hall, Sept. 12, 1883, married Lucy Mason, the
younger daughter of Levant L. and Eunice Mason, of
Jamestown. They have had five sons: Henri Mason,
of further mention ; Levant Mason, of further mention ;
Frederick Perry, Jr., of further mention; Charles Ed-
ward, born Feb. 22, 1000, died April 28, 1019; and John
Adams, born Feb. 2, 1903.
Henri Mason Hall, eldest son of Frederick Perry and
Lucy (Mason) Hall, was born in the city of Jamestown,
N. Y, Dec. 19, 1S84, where he has ever since made his
home. His education was secured in the Jamestown
public schools, from which he graduated in 1901,
Phillips Exeter Academy at Exeter, N. H., class of T902,
and Harvard University, A. B., 1906, A. M., 1907. En-
tering the office of the Journal Printing Company, pub-
lisher of the Jamestown "Journal," the day of his
return, after completing his course at Harvard Uni-
versity in June, 1906, he has ever since continued his
labors there. In fact, much of his summer vacations
for years previous had been spent in some department
of the newspaper work. He is now treasurer and busi-
ness manager of the company, being closely associated
with his father in the direction of the affairs of this
well known newspaper. Like his father, taking part in
newspaper publishers association work, he lias been
honored by selection as secretary-treasurer of the New
York Associated Dailies, a position he has held for two
years at this writing, and as a vice-president of the New
York State Press Association.
Mr. Hall took a prominent part in the organization of
the Jamestown Board of Commerce, was a member of
its first board of directors, continuing so to serve for
four years. In 1914, he was appointed a member of the
Jamestown Board of Health, a position he has ever
since held, and when in 1920 the taxpayers of the city
voted to conduct a Municipal Milk Plant, Mr. Hall was
appointed a member of the commission to erect and
operate the plant. In the political campaign of 1916,
Mr. Hall was chairman of the executive committee of
the Hughes-Fairbanks Club of Jamestown. For about
ten years Mr. Hall has been a trustee of the Chadakoin
39°
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
Boat Club and was its treasurer for seven years. He
has been president and trustee of the Jamestown High
School Alumni Association. He is a member of Mt.
Moriah Lodge, No. 145, Free and Accepted Masons;
Western Sun Chapter, No. '67, Royal Arch Masons;
Jamestown Council, No. 32, Royal and Select Masters ;
Jamestown Commandery, No. 61, Knights Templar;
Ismailia Shrine of Buffalo; Jamestown Aerie, No. 816.
Fraternal Order of Eagles; University Club, Moon
Brook Country Club. He was the excellent high priest
of Western Sun Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, in 1913.
He was one of the organizers and a charter member of
the Jamestown Rotary Club. He is a member of St.
Luke's Protestant Episcopal Church.
Henri M. Hall, on June 30, 1914, married Jessie
Phillips, the elder daughter of Brewer D. and Ida
(Moss) Phillips, of Jamestown.
Levant Mason Hall, the second son of Frederick
Perry and Lucy (Mason) Hall, was born at James-
town, N. Y., Dec. 25, 1886. He was educated in the
Jamestown public schools, from which he graduated as
president of his class in 1905, and at Williams College,
completing his course there for the A. B. degree in
June, 1909. He entered the employ of the Journal
Printing Company, Jamestown, N. Y., the same year,
and is now secretary of the company and advertising
manager of the newspaper. He is a member of Mt.
Moriah Lodge, No. 145, Free and Accepted Masons,
Western Sun Chapter, No. 67, Royal Arch Masons,
Moon Brook Country Club. He is a member of St.
Luke's Protestant Episcopal Church.
On Oct. 21, 1913, Mr. Hall married Mildred Griffin,
the younger daughter of Frank A. Griffin, then of Pitts-
burgh, Pa., and now of Jamestown, N. Y.
Frederick Perry Hall, Jr., third son of Frederick
Perry and Lucy (Mason) Hall, was born April 7, 1891,
at Jamestown, N. Y. Completing his studies in the
Jamestown public schools, from which he graduated
in 1910, he entered Cornell University, where he took
a mechanical engineering course, graduating with the
class of 1914. He entered the employ of the Salisbury
Axle Company, of Jamestown, where he is now the
chief engineer. He is a member of the Society of Auto-
motive Engineers, and of Crescent Lodge, No. 308,
Knights of Pythias.
On June 27, 1916, Mr. Hall married Helen Thompson,
the elder daughter of Samuel W. and Emily Thompson,
of Jamestown, and to them have been born Helen
Hayden, July 23, 1917, and Frederick Perry, third,
Jan. 1, 1920.
COMMODORE THEODORE EDWIN GRAN-
DIN — While American trade annals contain records
of many men who have been architects of their own for-
tunes, there has been no record more creditable by rea-
son of undaunted energy, well formulated plans and
straightforward dealings than that of Theodore Edwin
Grandin, in whose death Jamestown has sustained a loss
which will be severely felt for many years. It is impos-
sible to estimate at least during their lifetime the value
to a community of such men as the late Theodore Edwin
Grandin. The influence which they exert , ramifies
through all commercial, financial, and industrial life, ex-
tending itself to the entire social economy. Every man
from the toiling laborer to the merchant prince receives
benefit from them. Bold, aggressive, but cool and pru-
dent, farseeing but exact, prompt to the moment in- all
his engagements, holding his verbal promise as an abso-
lute obligation even in trifles. A natural negotiator, yet
a more keen listener and a looker than a talker, at work
early and late, always coming out right in practical
results, he belongs to that class of distinctively American
•men who promote public progress in advancing individual
prosperity, and whose private interests never preclude
active participation in movements and measures which
concern the general good. His entire life was devoted
to the performance of the duties devolved through his
associate business interests. He was justly ruiked
among the most useful citizens of Jamestown.
Theodore Edwin Grandin was born in JamestowH
Chautauqua county, N. Y., Aug. 9, 1S44, a son of Daniel
H. and Louisa (Waite) Grandin. Daniel Grandin, the
founder of the family in America, was born in 1694, on
the Isle of Jersey, and came to America when grown
to manhood, locating in Monmouth county, N. J., where
he made his home until the time of his demise. He mar-
ried Mary Thowkmorton. They had a son, Samuel, who
was born in Monmouth county, N. J., and died there in
1776. He married Susannah Johnson, by whom he had
nine children : Daniel, John, Mary, Samuel, Sarah, Abi-
gail, William, Susan, and Elizabeth.
John Grandin, son of Samuel and Susannah (John-
son) Grandin, was born in the town of Freehold, Mon-
mouth county, N. J., and died in 1833. He married
Catherine' Hunt, a daughter of Thomas Hunt. They
were the parents of the following children : Samuel
born in 1800, died in 1888; Anna Eliza, born in 1809,
died in 1877; Daniel H, of whom further; Almira, born
in 1816, died in 1844; Joseph Osborne, born in 1817, died
in 1850; Clara, who married Peter Yost.
Daniel H. Grandin, son of John and Catherine (Hunt)
Grandin, and father of Theodore E. Grandin, was born
in Monmouth county, N. J., July 2, 181 1. He was
educated in his native town and there grew to man-
hood. He came to Pleasantville, Pa., and there located
with his brother Samuel. With him he became the
owner of a large tract of land. He remained here
only a short time, then moved to Jamestown, N. Y.,
and formed a partnership with Daniel Hazeltine, and
with him became engaged in the wool manufacturing
business, continuing in this for some years. Later, under
the firm name of Allen & Grandin, their place of business
was situated at Brooklyn Square, the name now beingj
Roosevelt Square, where the new Gifford building stands!
In this occupation he was very successful, becoming the.
owner of several buildings. Later they took Jerome
Preston into the partnership, and the firm nanu- was
changed to Allen, Grandin & Preston, wool manufac-
turers. Later Mr. Grandin owned the Old Stone Mill
which was 'located on East First street, and there engage)
in the feed and flour business for some years, continuing
so engaged up to the time of' his death, which occurred
Sept. 2, 1893. His remains are buried in Lakeview Ceme-
tery. He married, in February, 1839, at Middleburg, N. Y.,
Louisa B. Waite, born there, a daughter of John Waite.
Her death occurred May 15, 1890, in Jamestown, N. Y.
\J (f ) LJr/'/ZAst cAaS-^
BIOGRAPHICAL
39i
To this union were born six children: I. Olive Cerelle,
married John W. Weller, and they were the parents of
three children : John Grandin, died in manhood ; Mary
Louise, secretary of the Associated Charities in James-
town, N. Y. ; Georgianna, married Edward Stevens, mer-
chant of Fredonia, N. Y. 2. Isabella, married A. Brooks
Fletcher ; both deceased. 4. Theodore E., of whom fur-
ther. 5. Samuel Sherwood, resides in Westfield, N. Y.
rence Merritt, died in June, 1917, in Buffalo.
Theodore Edwin Grandin, whose name is the caption
,,i this article, received his early education in the James-
town public schools, and after being prepared there fo.-
college entered the Clinton Liberal Institute, of Clinton,
X. Y. Upon concluding his studies at the institute and
returning home, Mr. Grandin entered the Grandin Grist
Mills, which his father had conducted for many years.
Later he accepted a position as salesman in the dry goods
store of Andrews & Preston, of Jamestown. He re-
mained with this firm some time, then became an operator
in the oil fields of Warren county, Pa. After returning
to Jamestown he became interested in steamboating, and
it was not long before he was one of the most prominent
captains of Chautauqua Lake. He owned and commanded
the first steamer, "Jamestown," on Chautauqua Lake. In
time he became the superintendent of The Red Stack,
one of the principal lines of steamboats on the lake, and
on account of his reputation as a commander of steam-
boats he was known throughout the remainder of his life
js Commodore Grandin.
Commodore Grandin took an active interest in ath-
etics and boating, as the quoted newspaper article will
ihow:
OLD TIME BOAT RACE RECENTLY RECALLED.
Captain T. E. Grandin rowed against time from May-
nlle to Jamestown. Picture of Athlete.
The Regatta against time heretofore mentioned took
jlace last Friday. Theo. E. Grandin, Lewis Smith, and
\. P. Kent left Mayville at 5 P. M. and three minutes
before S reached the boat landing at Jamestown. 22
niles in 2:57. This showing is considered by all judges
is a great feat.
Back in 1S68. on the 30th day of June, Captain Theo-
lore E. Grandin raced against time from Mayville dock
)n Chautauqua Lake to Jamestown steamer dock on
:he Chadakoin, a distance of 21 miles in a row boat.
Captain Grandin was a young athlete in those days
ind a skilled oarsman.
He accomplished the stunt in his skiff named "Rob
^oy" in just 3 hours, 9 minutes, and 30 seconds.
The race is called to mind by an excellent photo-
rraph taken of Captain Grandin in his skiff at the
■lose of the race. It has been presented to E. A.
irooks and in a handsome frame occupies a eonspic-
lous position in one of the windows at the store of
he Brooks News Company. Captain Grandin has
hanged much since the picture was made, but
cquaintances say that the picture "looks just as 'Ted'
lid in those bygone days."
In 1897 Mr. Grandin retired from the navigation busi-
ness, and engaged with his son in the operation of the
Did Stone Mill, which had been conducted by his father
or many years. On account of his health, however, he
ould not continue in this occupation, and in 1897 he
etired from business life altogether. He died at his
lome on Allen street, Jamestown, N. Y., Oct. 23, 1905,
.nd is buried in Lakeview Cemetery, Jamestown.
Mr. Grandin married, Nov. 5, 1873, in Jamestown, N.
{., Belle Emily Carpenter, born Feb. 20, 1851, a daugh-
er of Col. Elial F. Carpenter, whose biographical record
ollows. They were the parents of three children .
Frances Eileen, who died in infancy; Julia Norwood,
who died in childhood; and Daniel H., of whom further.
Daniel H. Grandin, only son of Commodore Theodore
Edwin and Belle Emily (Carpenter) Grandin, was born
in Jamestown, Nov. 25, 1S75. He received his education
in the public schools of Jamestown, and after laying
aside his text-books became associated with his father in
the operation of the Old Stone Mill. On account of his
father's ill health, Mr. Grandin took care of the active
part of the work, but upon the death of his father, he
assumed full charge of the business. The mill was
destroyed by fire in 1913, and in the same year he built
another, which was located in Falconer, N. Y. This mill
is one of the best of its kind, having been installed with
all the new improved machines. It is operated under
Mr. Grandin's supervision, and is one of the most suc-
cessful mills in Chautauqua county. Daniel H. Grandin
married Martha Townsend Griswold, a daughter of the
late Daniel and Mather (Townsend) Griswold. They
were the parents of two children: Daniel Griswold and
John.
Commodore Grandin was a member of the various
Masonic bodies, including Mount Moriah Lodge, No. 145;
Western Sun Chapter, No. 65, Royal Arch Masons ;
Jamestown Council, No. 32, Royal and Select Masters ;
and Jamestown Commandery, No. 61, Knights Templar.
In political affiliation Mr. Grandin is a staunch Democrat,
though in local affairs he voted for the men and measures
that were for the best interest of all the people.
Mr. Grandin's entire life had been spent in Jamestown,
and those who knew him — and his friends were many —
entertained for him the warmest regard. Of large and
liberal views in all matters of business, full of enterprise,
and believing much in courage and perseverance, he
could always be found in the van of every movement
looking for the accomplishment of real and practical
good. Of extensive acquaintance and very populai
socially, charitable to an extent altogether dispropor-
tionate to his means, unostentatious in everything, one
of the truest men to his friends that ever lived, and one
of the most lenient to his adversaries after the combat
was over, he was a man of whom any community migh'
be proud. While in his business career he had passed on
to a position of wealth and prominence, he had never
neglected the opportunity to assist a fellow-traveler upon
his way. his hand being often down reaching to aid one
to whom nature, fate or environment had seemed less
kindly. His life had, in a large measure, been an exem-
plification of his belief in the brotherhood of mankind.
He never allowed questionable methods to form a part
of his business career, while over the record of his entire
life there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.
Kindliness and appreciation of the good traits of others
had constituted salient features in his career, and his
life illustrates the fact of the Emersonian philosophy
that to have friends you must be one. When he passed
to a better world he left to his son and his children the
priceless heritage of an untarnished name.
WILLIAM CARPENTER, JR., late of James-
town, Chautauqua county, N. Y., where his death
occurred Jan. 2S, 1864, and where for many years he was
one of the most respected and influential citizens, was a
native of the city where he resided so long, the date of
392
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
his birth being Sept. 7, 1822. He was a son of William
Carpenter, Sr., a native of England, who was a victim
of one of the press gang crews of those days, and at the
age of fourteen was seized and placed upon a British
man-of-war and forced into service. Among many ad-
ventures that befell him in that service was the final one
that brought him to this country and made him a citizen
here. The vessel upon which he was an unwilling hand
was cruising in American waters, and at one time, when
off the coast of Maine, young Mr. Carpenter was sent
ashore to cut grass for the ship's goat. He went ostensi-
bly upon his quest, but never returned, disappearing into
the interior. For a time he lived in Maine, occupied with
such work as he could find, and eventually came to Chau-
tauqua county, N. Y., and there located at Dexterville
among the earliest settlers of the place. His experi-
ence at sea led him to seek employment on the great
inland waters of this region, and he was occupied for a
time as a master of the rafts that were floated down the
river to various points. He also drove the first stage that
ran between Mayville and Jamestown. He eventual!)
became himself interested in the lumber business and
operated along the Allegheny river, and he was one of
the builders and later the commander for some time of
the first steamboat to sail the waters of Lake Chau-
tauqua. The elder Mr. Carpenter was a very religious
man and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church,
and about middle age became greatly interested in the
cause of temperance, he and his wife touring Western
New York and Pennsylvania, delivering addresses upon
the subject and arousing great interest wherever they
went. While yet living in Maine, before coming to
Chautauqua county, he married Nancy Blake, by whom
he had twelve children, one of his sons being Col. Elial
Foote Carpenter, a sketch of whom follows, and another
William Carpenter, Jr., of this sketch. His death
occurred in 1869, while on a visit to his daughter at Oil
City. Pa.
The childhood of William Carpenter, Jr., was passed
in his native city of Jamestown, and it was there that he,
received his somewhat meagre educational advantages,
though with the customary ambition and industry of the
lads of the period, he made the most of his opportunities.
He began work at a very early age, and for years was
employed in the lumber industry in this region, which
was then at the height of its development. He also spent
some time during his early youth on a plantation in Ken-
tucky, where he occupied a position as a sort of super-
intendent and had many negro laborers under his direc-
tion. Upon returning to Jamestown, he began work in
the axe factory of his brother-in-law, Charles L. Jeffords,
the well known manufacturer of edge tools of James-
town, and while there was mortally injured by the burst-
ing of an emery wheel, from the effects of which he died
twenty-two hours later. Like his father, Mr. Carpenter
was a deeply religious man and a member of the Metho-
dist church, and his death was a truly Christian one. It
was shortly after his marriage that he became converted
through the preaching of the Rev. Mr. Peat, and from
that time to the close of his life he remained a devoted
member of the church. In politics Mr. Carpenter was a
Whig, and although he was keenly interested in local
affairs and fulfilled all his duties as a good citizen, never
was ambitious for political office and confined his activi-
ties to his private affairs. He was an affectionate hus-
band and father, and his personal relations with his
family and neighbors were above reproach in all par-
ticulars.
William Carpenter was united in marriage, March 10, 1
1846, at Jamestown, with Sybbel M. Jeffords, a native of
Mayville, Chautauqua county, N. Y., a daughter of John
and Phebe (Wood) Jeffords and sister of the late Charles
L. Jeffords, the axe manufacturer. Mrs. Carpenter sur-
vives her husband, and is one of the best known and ■
loved women of Jamestown, where she is popularly
known as "The Grand Old Woman of Jamestown." In
spite of her age, having recently passed her ninety-fourth
birthday, when many friends called to offer their con-
gratulations, she is enjoying good health and her facul-
ties are not greatly impaired. She still takes a deep
interest in the affairs of the community, as she ha>
always done. She is a member of the Methodist Epis-
copal church of Jamestown, and is a practical Christian,
putting into her everyday conduct the precepts of her
religion in a degree seldom seen, and performs her duties
with a cheerfulness and zeal which are a part of the
highest Christian life. She has been particularly devoted
to her children's welfare, and has reared them all to be
Christian men and women. To Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter
six children were born, as follows: 1. Charles Franklin,
who was killed at the age of five years, in an accident.
2. Elial Foote, mentioned below. 3. Phebe Wood, who
died March 9, 1908, was the wife of Nicholas U. Hiller,
deceased, and to this union were born two children : Clyde
and Elizabeth. 4. Mary Ida, who became the wife of
Alexander Hiller. 5. Charles Jeffords, mentioned else-
where in the work. 6. Julia W., who became the wife
of Bartie R. Hiller, who was the American Express
Company's agent for upwards of thirty years, and died
in Jamestown, April 18, 1912, his remains interred in 1
Lakeview Cemetery; they were the parents of one child,
Richard Carpenter Hiller, who is now employed with the
Erie railroad at Corry, Pa.
Elial Foote Carpenter, second son of William and
Sybbel M. (Jeffords) Carpenter, was born in Westfield,
N. Y., Oct. 6, 1849, and was educated at the Jamestown
public schools. He was but fourteen years of age when
his father met his death in an accident, and the circum-
stance forced him to give up his studies and go to work
at a very early age. He secured a position in his uncle's
axe factory, where his father had worked before him,
and there learned the craft of axe making. After a time 1
spent in that establishment, he withdrew from it and
started in the same business on his own account. He
met with success from the outset, and in 1881 organized
the Jamestown Axe and Edge Tool Company in associa- 1
tion with his elder brother, Charles J. Carpenter and 1
John Kofood. He was himself the most active partner
and worked with the greatest industry towards its de-
velopment up to the time of his death, which occurred
July 3, 1887, in the prime of his young manhood. Besides
his business activities, he was prominent in public affairs
in the city and for four years served on the Jamestown
Board of Aldermen, being at the time the youngest man
on that body. He was a member of the Unitarian church
and was a good Christian man who enjoyed the respect
and esteem of all his fellow-citizens. He was a mem-
ber of Mount Moriah Lodge, No. 145, Ancient Free and
O &-^*^ d&tytL Ccca ^^^Z^ct)
BIOGRAPHICAL
393
Accepted Masons ; Royal Arch Masons ; Royal and Select
Masters; and Knights Templar.
Mr. Carpenter married, Oct. 16, 1879, at Jamestown,
Florence R. Dawley, daughter of Samuel B. and Lucy
(Cook) Dawley, who survivies him, ami by whom
he had two children, Clara F. and Ethel 11 , the latter
becoming the wife of David C. Ward. Mr. Carpenter
was always especially devoted to his mother, who ten-
derly cared for him from childhood to manhood and
whom he held in the highest honor and consideration and
. 1 ted upon every important move in his career before
undertaking" it. Nothing could more con picuously illus-
ihe depth of his love and respect for his mother, or
. a clearer light on the manner of man that he was
th in the following letter, written shortly before his death,
which will form a fitting conclusion to this brief sketch:
Griswold House, Detroit, Michigan.
October 17, 1S84.
Mother: —
matter of writing you has been constantly be-
iill have been obliged to defer the pleasant
duty until the present moment, it being the first favor-
opportunity that has presented itself, and, al-
ii it may not reach you until my arrival, believe,
it will be none the less acceptable. Knowing
deep interest, anxiety and kind regard which you
r<>r your children's welfare, prompted by the
sincere and unfailing love of the self-sacrificing
v, which is my privilege and honor to possess
or which I will never cease to be grateful. Its
1 . has directed all my business transactions in
Urection of honesty and integrity. Surrounded as
i are with temptations, and at times debating in
our minds whether it is best or proper to do this thing
hat, apply the test of mother's approval or dis-
roval, be guided by it. and we will at all times be
I in the proper place, our conduct such as will
us in the estimation of the people, strengthen our
respect, and above all leave us with the pleas-
tlection of having done right.
So far this trip has been exceptional in one respect,
of affording me an opportunity to see and hear
some of the noted men of the day. Have had the pleas-
e of shaking hands with both James G. Blaine and
tl Logan, the former at Saginaw last night and
r it Cincinnati Saturday night. The prominent
ois which these men occupy ought to act as a
ig incentive to every man, beginning as they did
it the bottom of the ladder. In regard to business it
extremely dull, but the general opinion is that it
will revive a trifle after the November election. Have
had some good promises made me in regard to trade
for next season and hope in the near future that it
will turn out to have been one of the most profitable
trips I have made. I know, dear Mother. I have your
prayer and best wishes for success, and it strengthens
-timulates me to put forth every effort. We are
gaining steadily step by step and are doing better than
eat many in our line. Give my love to all. Say
nher Charlie that I offer an apology for not writ-
ing to him. but my time has been closely occupied and
that he will take the will for the deed and a promise
better in the future.
There are many things I wish to say to you but will
forbear with the exception of this one statement. I
fully realize our position and that our success depends
entirely upon ourselves, for we have as good a start
as any young men could have who haven't money. Of
se competition is sharp, but nothing worth hav-
ing in this world comes without an effort; if we would
' the crown we must bear the cross. I know we
I succeed in building up a large and profitable busi-
ness, and to that end let us put forth every effort and,
dear mother, may we all be spared to see your wishes
and ambition gratified, in that of seeing your two
honorahle and respected men and their efforts
ned with success in establishing with their own
hands a large and profitable business.
With best wishes and kindest regards to all. I am
vour affectionate son,
(signed) ELIAL.
COLONEL ELIAL FOOTE CARPENTER—
There are men whose memories are always green in the
minds of those who knew them; whose personalities are
so vivid that the recollection of them is fadeless ; men
of whom we cannot say, "They are dead," because their
life still throbs in the hearts that loved them. To this
class of men belonged Col. Elial Foote Carpenter, for
many years prominent in the commercial and social
circles of the city of Jamestown and State of New York,
and who still lives as one of the signal men in our coun-
ty's history whose name and record can never be for-
gotten by the people of Chautauqua county.
Col. Elial Foote Carpenter was born in Jamestown.
May S, 1826, the third son of William and Nancy (Blake)
Carpenter. He was reared in Jamestown and educated
in her public schools, and soon after leaving school went
on a visit to one of his sisters who resided in Kentucky.
Here he passed two years as manager of a large tobacco
plantation, but the cruel and inhuman treatment expected
by his employer to be shown to the slaves was more than
his nature could bear, and although offered large pay he
resigned his position and returned to Jamestown, where
he engaged in the lumber business, buying along the
Allegheny river and its tributaries, and rafting to Pitts-
burgh, Cincinnati and Louisville. He subsequently be-
came engaged in the manufacturing of axes at James-
town, and the breaking out of the war found him in the
oil fields of Pennsylvania.
Hearkening to his country's call to arms, he laid aside
his pursuits as a private citizen and enlisted, Aug. 16,
1861, in the 49th Regiment, New York Volunteers, and
upon the organization of the regiment was elected second
lieutenant of Company K. In April, 1862, he was pro-
moted to first lieutenant. He participated in the battles
of the Peninsular campaign under Gen. McClellan. LTpon
the organization of the 112th Regiment it was decided
that its staff officers should be men of tried ability and
military experience. Lieut. Carpenter was transferred
from the 49th to the 112th Regiment, made major, and
was soon after promoted to be lieutenant-colonel of the
regiment, and for some time prior to his death was in
active command. The first battle in which this regiment
was engaged occurred on Friday, Jan. 30, 1863, near
Suffolk, Va. From this time Col. Carpenter was at the
front almost constantly with his regiment, with the ex-
ception of four months passed in recruiting service, and
the hardships endured, the heroic achievements of the
112th, and the important duties they performed is part
of the history of that ever memorable struggle. After
the transfer of his regiment to the Army of the James,
Col. Carpenter was in constant command. At the battle
of Drewry's Bluff, near Bermuda Hundred, his regi-
ment was ordered to the right wing of the army to sup-
port Gen. Heckman, who was in desperate straits. This
was between four and five o'clock in the morning, and a
thick fog so obscured the vision that they had to grope
their way. When they arrived at the place where Gen.
Heckman's troops should have been, not finding them,
Col. Carpenter sent Lieut. Hedges forward to recon-
noiter ; he soon fell into the hands of the rebels. As he
did not return. Col. Carpenter, anxious about his fate,
putting spurs to his horse, rode forward to see what had
become of him. The fog was so thick that it was im-
possible to see objects clearly, but all at once Col. Car-
penter found himself within the lines of a rebel brigade,
who rose up on all sides of him and demanded his sur-
render. Instead of surrendering, he wheeled his horse
394
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
and retreated, at the same time ordering his men to fall
back. He was followed by a perfect shower of bullets,
one of which struck him in the side, passing through his
lungs, but he was saved from capture by his horse, which
bore him to the rear. He received all the care and atten-
tion it was possible to bestow upon him, but in vain; the
wound was fatal, and on the morning of May 18, 1864,
two days after he had received his death wound, his
spirit passed away from earth at a farm house where he
had been carried by his devoted followers.
On July 3, 1S48, he married Julia A. Jeffords, a daugh-
ter of John and Phoebe (Wood) Jeffords. To Col. and
Mrs. Carpenter were born three children: 1. Belle E.,
wife of Theodore E. Grandin, whose biographical record
precedes this. 2. Franc C, who married (first) Henry
Charles Blanchard, and (second) Frederick A. Bright-
man. (See following sketches). 3. Addie J., who mar-
ried W. P. Frink.
In religious affiliation, Col. Carpenter was a member
of the Methodist Episcopal church and was a sincere
Christian. Politically he was a Republican, but never
cared for office. Col. Elial Foote Carpenter was endowed
with those qualities which naturally constitute men lead-
ers, and by sturdy observation and careful examinatioi,
and application of principles he greatly overcame all the
disadvantages which he confronted, and made his life
useful and honorable, and his death universally mourned
and regretted. This is a splendid ideal. For years, to the
best of his ability and according to the light God gave
him, Col. Carpenter tried to follow it. Will men say as
much of the rest of us when we lay down our burdens?
And, if they should, should we not gladlv admit that he
was one of the first to follow it, and by the fame he won
and the example he set put us on the way?
HENRY CHARLES BLANCHARD— The Blanch-
ard family herein reviewed came to Western New York
from the State of New Hampshire about 1824, and
arrived in the town of Ellicott, Chautauqua county, ten
years later. Amos Blanchard, the founder, was born in
Antrim, N. H., in 1799, died June 16, 1891, at his farm
in Ellicott. Upon coming to Western New York in 1824,
he settled in Erie county, at Aurora, there residing until
1834, when he moved to Chautauqua county, purchasing
a large farm in the town of Ellicott, and for over hall
a century devoted himself to its improvement and culti-
vation. He -was a Democrat in politics, and an official
member of the First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown.
He married Eunice Flint and they were the parents of
seven sons and a daughter. Amos Blanchard was a son
of Caleb Blanchard, also born in the "Granite State," in
the village of Antrim, where his life was passed as
farmer and merchant. Amos Blanchard lived to the great
age of ninety-two years, and of these years sixty-seven
were spent in Western New York, fifty-seven being
spent in the town of Ellicott.
Henry Charles Blanchard, son of Amos and Eunice
(Flint) Blanchard, was born in Aurora, Erie county,
N. Y., Jan. 12, 1830, died Aug. 27, 1881, in Jamestown!
and is buried in Lakeview Cemetery. He studied medi-
cine under Dr. Gray, of Jamestown, and later entered
Dartmouth College, whence he was graduated. After
receiving his degree he began practice at Aurora, N. Y.,
but not long afterwards located in Buffalo, N. Y., where
he successfully practiced his profession for twenty years
He then returned to Jamestown, opening an office at No'
210 West Third street, his residence being on Chandler
street. He became a well known, influential citizen o*
Jamestown and was regarded as a skilled and successful
physician.
During the Civil War, Dr. Blanchard offered his serv-
ices to the government and served with distinction as atf
surgeon, attaining the rank of lieutenant-colonel and,
later colonel of his regiment, the 78th New York. Dur-
ing the war he served his country in manv hard-foughti
battles, and in one of the battles toward the end of tffl
war he was wounded; later received his honorable dis-
charge from the service. He was a Democrat in politic
and a Presbyterian in religion. Among his profession;
brethren and friends, his standing was high, his inte.
lectual attainments and ability as a physician bein,
recognized, and as a soldier he was one of the braves
of the brave.
Col. Blanchard married (first) Caroline Lamson, 0l
Detroit, who died a year after her marriage. He mar-J
ned (second) in June, 1880, at Jamestown, Franc C. Car-
penter, daughter of Col. Elial Foote Carpenter, and sis-
ter of Mrs. Belle Grandin and Mrs. W. P. Frink, of
Jamestown. Col. Elial Foote Carpenter was lieutenant-
colonel of the 112th Regiment, New York Volunteer
Infantry, and at the battle of Proctor's Creek was mor-
tally wounded and died the following night, May 8, 1864.
Col. and Mrs. Blanchard were the parents of Henry
Charles (2), of whom further.
Henry Charles (2) Blanchard was born in Tames-
town, N. Y., July 4, 1881, died in Paris, Okla., Sept. 1,
IQI3- He completed public school courses of studv with
graduation from Jamestown High School, and entered
Hobart College, whence he was graduated with honors.
Deciding upon his profession, he entered Rensselaer!
Polytechnic School, Troy, N. Y., whence he was gradu-
ated C. E. For eight years after graduation lie was
engaged in professional work in Jamestown in connec-
tion with the city engineering department. During a part
of that period he was engaged in the survey of the rail-
way between Jamestown, N. Y., and Warren, Pa. He
was also engaged on the survey for the steamboat land-
ings in the city and along the lake. He closed his work
in Jamestown and went West, being for a time in Coffey-
ville, Kan., going thence to Fort Smith in 1907, then
accepting a position as assistant to the citv engineer in
charge of street paving. Two years later (1909) he
accepted the call of the city engineer of Hugo. Okla.,
and there continued until his passing away.
In Hugo. Mr. Blanchard with Hiram Phillips, a con-
sulting engineer of St. Louis, laid the broad plan of the
city's splendid water works system, and it is due to Mr.
Blanchard's untiring activity, his tact and ability, that
the city^ has its water plant, for opposition was strong
and at times only his coolness and wise counsel prevented
an overthrow of all his plans. The plant was finally
completed at a cost of $265,000. He also built for Hugo
a $75,000 sewer system, and seven miles of paved streets,
costing $200,000, making Hugo the best paved city in
Oklahoma. This completed his life work, but in Hugo
these public works stand as monuments to his ability
and faithfulness. He was ill but a few weeks ; an opera-
tion becoming necessary, he was taken to the Aiken Hos-
.
Ate, &/*i*t*6c<*UJ/,/$
V^^aw^-a-^k.
^/Ctcvrvvn . ' . ( / v r &/t
W0$&m*~
*^^^-
U^d^ 0, (S^e^r^t
BIOGRAPHICAL
395
pital in Paris, Okla., and there died. He was brought
'to Jamestown and laid at rest in Lakeview Cemetery. He
was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order ot
the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the Free and
Accepted Masons.
j. Col. Blanchard (as he was always called) married, in
April, ioio, Helen Reinbold, at her home in Wichita,
Kan. They were the parents of two children, Helen and
Jane. Said the Hugo "Daily Husonian :"
Should a stranger have asked in Hugo what man is
beloved by his friends the answer would have
been "Colonel" Blanchard. With his sunny smile, his
ul greeting, a meeting with him on the street
was like a ray ot sunshine. Open and above board in
ill his dealings the respect of all was his, faithful and
true to his task, giving his ail to his work, admira-
tion of the man's character was involuntary. A faith-
ful husband, a loving son, a devoted father, in his
home life he was an example to be followed.
Mr. Blanchard's mother, Mrs. Frederick A. Brightman,
Df Jamestown, N. Y., was with her son at the last, and
with her daughter-in-law brought his body to James-
town for burial.
:. Franc C. (Carpenter) Blanchard, widow of Col.
C. Blanchard, M. D., survived her husband and
married (second) June 23, 1900, in J~rr^stown, N. Y.,
Frederick Allen Brightman, born in Clyn.^r, Chautauqua
county, N. Y., son of Joseph and Priscilla (Allen)
rightman.
FREDERICK A. BRIGHTMAN was educated in
he public schools of Panama. Chautauqua county, N. Y.,
it Fredonia State Normal School, and Albany Law
i$chool. He taught school in Chautauqua county for
il years after graduation from "Normal." He then
cgan the study of law under the preceptorship of Wal-
er Loran Sessions, an eminent Chautauquan, then prac-
icing in Panama. After his admission to the New York
ar. he began practice in Panama as a partner with Mr.
essions under the firm name Sessions & Brightman.
ater, when Mr. Brightman located in Jamestown, he
>racticed his profession with A. C. Pickard as partner
ind later with D. D. Dorns. Finally Mr. Brightman
ibandoned the practice of law, and for seventeen years
vas connected with the Art Metal Construction Company
if Jamestown. He is now and for several years has been
ssociated with the American Express Company in
amestown. He is a Republican in politics, a member of
le Methodist Episcopal church, and the Independent
rder of Odd Fellows.
MARVIN N. EVERETT— The name Everett is
■lerived. according to two noted authorities on English
lomenclature, Bardsley and Harrison, from old Eng-
ish, French and Teutonic word forms, the former trans-
ating them as boar plus brave, the latter as boar plus
ounsel. The name was originally doubtless a descriptive
itle designating its bearer as the possessor of staunch,
ggressive courage or keen sagacity. The first form was
vverard, the next change Evered, and then the final
d" was sharpened into "t" in Everett. A distinguished
ecord in civil, military, and religious callings has been
vritten in the family name in England, and its Ameri-
an history dates from 1636, when Richard Everett
ounded a numerous progeny in New England. The
Everett family herein mentioned, however, records its
first annals in this country at a later period, through
John Everett, though its origin traces back to the same
common ancestor in England.
Arms — Gules, a chevron paly of eight or and azure,
between three mullets argent; a bordure wavy of the
second.
Crest — A griffin's head sable erased gules charged
with three barrulets. that in the middle argent, the
other two or, over all a pallet wavy ermine.
Motto — Pestina lente.
(I) The first generation of this line of the Everett
family of whom there is record extant was a Rev.
E erett, a Presbyterian minister of England, who re-
maned in that country all of his life. The name of
johr + tradition in the family, and it is probable that
thL, . as the name he bore. He was the father of an
only child, John Everett, the immigrant ancestor, who
came to this country about 1770.
(II) John Everett, founder of his line in America,
was a young man of venturesome spirit and independ-
ent nature and did not come kindly under the strong
religious discipline of his father, the Rev. Everett. Con-
sequently, in early young manhood, he came to America
with two other youths of his own age, arriving in New
York about 1770. He followed the Hudson river north-
ward, and settled in Saratoga county, N. Y., this being
the first definite location of this branch of the Everett
family in America. According to family history, he
was a Revolutionary soldier, and fought in the Ameri-
can army in battles and campaigns in the neighborhood
of his home. Records show that John Everett is listed
as a private in Col. Malcom's regiment and in the Third
Regiment of Orange County Militia during the Revolu-
tionary War. John Everett married, and had two sons :
John, of whom further; and Daniel.
(III) John (2) Everett, son of John (1) Everett, the
immigrant ancestor, was born about 1705, in Saratoga
county, N. Y. He became a manufacturer of measures,
and his products were periodically shipped down the
Hudson river to New York City, where they were sold
in the open market. He was the owner of a substantial
business, and acquired title to considerable land in Sara-
toga county; two parcels were deeded to him in 1820
and 1836. He remained in Saratoga county many years,
then moved to Fulton county, N. Y„ locating at Cran-
berry Creek, where he died at the age of fifty-five years.
Mr. Everett married, in Saratoga county, N. Y., about
1822-23, Elizabeth Walker, of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. The
first pioneer families of Dutchess county, N. Y., in-
cluded the Walker family, the members of which were
well known and highly respected. Elizabeth (Walker)
Everett was a devout Christian, finding in religious
work and belief the inspiration for a life that, at its
best, lacked many of the comforts and pleasures of the
present day. To her family she was devotion itself,
and to them she transmitted her many excellent quali-
ties of mind and heart, a strong intellectuality, a love
of literature, and reverence for the word of God. She
was an ideal homemaker, spun the family garments, and
performed much of the work of the house herself, mak-
ing it a place where her family, relatives and their
friends, loved to gather. She died in 1881, at Falconer,
N. Y., where she had come is later years with her chil-
dren. John and Elizabeth (Walker) Everett were the
396
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
parents of eight children, as follows: I. John, of whom
further. 2. Marvin N., of whom further. 3. Benjamin,
died at the age of seventeen years. 4. Nelson, died at
the age of fifteen years. 5. Miranda, died at the age
of eighteen years. 6. Washington, married Mary
Adams ; he was a farmer by occupation, and also was
a Civil War veteran. 7. William, died at the age of
twenty-one years. 8. Melvin, a carpenter by trade, and
the only surviving member of the family; he resides
at Falconer, N. Y., and is unmarried.
(IV) John (3) Everett, son of John (2) and Eliza-
beth (Walker) Everett, was born in Saratoga county,
N. Y., Feb. 18, 1825. He worked at home with his
father, like his brother, Marvin N., and when a young
man removed to Chautauqua county, N. Y. He became
a builder of flat boats, in association with his brother,
Marvin N., on which they shipped various cargoes down
the Allegheny river to the Ohio river, thence to Pitts-
burgh, Pa., where their products were sold in the mar-
ket. He prospered in this enterprise, and later became
a manufacturer of sash and doors, and one of the most
prominent citizens of Falconer, N. Y.
Mr. Everett married Elizabeth Yaw, and to them were
born the following children : Martha F., who became
the wife of Jackson C. Meridith, a business man of
Jamestown; Walter R., whose sketch follows; John, Jr.,
married Jennie Young, by whom he had three children.
(IV) Marvin N. Everett, son of John (2) and Eliz-
abeth (Walker) Everett, was born at Maxon Hill, Sara-
toga county, N. Y., March 24, 1828, and died in James-
town, N. Y., Feb. 4, 1909, aged eighty years, eleven
months and twenty days, and was buried in Lakeview
Cemetery. His youth was passed in Saratoga county,
in association with his father, who was a manufacturer
of measures. In 1850, at the age of twenty-two years,
the young man left home and made his way westward,
finally locating at Worksburg, now Falconer, Chau-
tauqua county, N. Y. There, with his brother John
he engaged in the building of flat boats, which they
loaded with produce and sent down the Allegheny river
to Pittsburgh. In 1854 he sold his business interests
at Falconer to his brother, and spent the following six
years in the State of California, as a millwright in
Sacramento, and later located in Trinity county, where
he became a successful gold miner. In i860 he returned
to Chautauqua county, N. Y., and bought a large farm
in the town of Gerry, which he owned and conducted
for five years. In i86'> he married, and later went West
on account of his wife's health, locating in Kansas.
There Mr. Everett bought considerable land, and also
engaged in the brokerage business in Minneapolis, Kan.
After spending two years in Kansas, he again returned
to Chautauqua county, locating in the town of Gerry.
After the death of his wife he made his home in Fal-
coner, where he married again, in 1875, and in 1881
built a fine residence in Falconer, which he occupied
until 1895, then moved to Jamestown. In 1887 Mr.
Plverett drew plans and built the Hotel Everett on West
First street, Jamestown, at a cost of $50,000. This was
a substantial building of brick and stone, five stories
in height, well appointed, and one of the leading hotels
in its day. He continued owner of the hotel until 1892,
when he sold it and retired from active business.
Mr. Everett was very fond of mechanical work, a
genius in many ways, fond of scientific studies, and a
constant reader. He also at one time had quite an e;
tensive apiary, and was deeply interested in bee cultun
to which he devoted much time and study. Strict!
temperate himself, he strongly advocated the cause
temperance in the most pronounced way, and to his ir<
terest and generosity the building of the First Methci
dist Church of Falconer is due. The beautiful house O'
Main street, Falconer, was sold by Mr. Everett in i8g;;j
and a residence established at No. 105 West Second
street, Jamestown, where he resided until his death. H^
was a Republican in politics, and strictly adhered to thl
policies of his party. He was ever interested in thl
welfare of the community and gave much of his tinw
and material assistance to public-spirited movements. [
Mr. Everett married (first) June 23, 1866, Emily j
Perry, daughter of Ebenezer and Susan (Coil) Perry
He married (second) March 3, 1875, Viola D. Oburg
daughter of Oscar and Bebe (Wellman) Oburg. o:
Ashville, Chautauqua county, N. Y. Mrs. Everett suai
vives her husband, a woman of forceful character, busi
ness ability, and womanly virtues. She was always I
true partner and helpmate, and of real assistance to hei-
husband in his business undertakings. When his health
failed she assumed the management of the Hotel Everetl
and so continued until that property was sold. In 190
she occupied the Marvin House of twenty-one room
and in 1909 she bought the property from the heirs < f I
the Isabelle Marvin estate and has since operated it witi
success. She also built, adjoining the Marvin Hous i
a three-story brick block, the first story now
by the American Railway Express Company
Williamson Veneer Company. The upper
stitute the Lawrence Hotel. In addition to
erties, Mrs. Everett is the owner of other valuable re;
estate in Jamestown, where she is known and reco;
nized as a woman of rare executive ability. She is
deeply charitable impulse, and interested in all public
movements for the good of her community. She has 1)
host of friends and is highly esteemed. Mr. and Ma f
Everett were without children.
(Y) Walter R. Everitt, son of John (3) and Eliza I
beth (Yaw) Everett, the former spelling his nanj
"Everitt" and the latter "Everett," was born Marq
16, 1855, in Falconer, Chautauqua county. N. Y. H
was educated in the common schools in Falconer an
Jamestown High School. At the age of twenty year
he went to the State of Kansas, remaining for a yes
on account of poor health, then returned East, going ]
Bradford, Pa., where he engaged in the wagon mant
facturing business with a Mr. Larson. In those daj
there were no pipe lines to convey the crude oil foun
in the oil fields about Bradford and wagon making wa I
an allied industry, thus the wagons made by Mr. Evert I
were used to transport oil to market. A few years wer
spent here and then he returned to his native town, Fal-
coner, where he assumed the management of the affair
of his father's estate. In 1887 he built a large ware
house and grist mill in Falconer and took in as a part
ner, Wellington Warner. After Mr. Warner's death it
1899, Mr. Everitt sold the mill and retired from active
business life. He lived retired in Falconer until the
latter part of 1905, when he w-ent to San Diego, Cal,
to benefit his health, remaining a year and a half; he
then came East to look after some of his interests. He
left Falconer a second time for California and his health
\1&l $ 'rouM.
L
&M. &£*A
J.
BIOGRAPHICAL
397
ras seemingly improved by travel and change of climate ;
a 1908 lie became connected with a biological station at
,,a Jolla in a minor position. This station has since be-
ome the Scripps Institution for Biological Research of
he University of California. Here Mr. Everitt acquired
Inuch knowledge, training and experience in the study
\i biology, his duties at La Jolla being to collect and
[or molluscs, fish and various other marine ani-
nals. In the course of time it was recommended by Dr.
fitter, who was director of the station, that Mr. Everitt
ie transferred to the University at Berkeley. The
ecomrnendation was accepted by the faculty and subse-
uently he was with the department of zoology for
everal years. During his residence in California he
lade a large personal collection of things pertaining
igy and one of the finest assortments of sea shells
in this country. The shells are now being prepared
nd will be presented presently to the University of Cali-
ornia as the Walter R. Everitt collection. In 191 1 he
etumed a third time to Falconer and remained eight
ears, until Nov. 30, 1919, when most of his interests
ere were settled. He then decided to go to La Jolla,
!al., established a home and spend the remainder of his
fe. His health was apparently good and improved
rom its condition in earlier life, and his sudden death
rom heart trouble came as a great shock to his wife,
elatives and friends, Sept. 30, 1920, and later he was
aid at rest in Pine Hill Cemetery, Falconer, N. Y.
Mr. Everitt was a man of retired nature and did not
ldulge in fraternal or club life, being a great lover of
he home. His recreation was one of study, being a con-
jtant reader. He did considerable research work during
is leisure moments in the study and collection of marine
fe. He was a true student of nature, very fond of
avel, and a keen observer. Another of his favorite
astimes was to care for his garden, in which he did
uch to develop horticulture and agriculture. He was
str. >ng advocate of outdoor life, as has been shown by
is outdoor activities. In politics he was affiliated with
e Republican party, but independent and progressive
nth his vote, and in religion, while he was not a mem-
er of anv church, he most devotedlv lived a Christian
fe.
Mr. Everitt married (first) in 1895. Catherine Cryan,
f Dunkirk, N. Y. ; she died in 1002. He married (sec-
nd) in 1920, Mrs. Ada (Pew) Mayo, of Helena, Mont.,
aughter of George W. Pew. Mr. Pew was a graduate
f Cornell University and held life certificates as a
:acher in the States of New York, Wisconsin and
owa.
(The Oburg Line).
The name Oburg is one of old origin in Sweden, and
lany people bearing it are of high station in life ; this
i evidenced by the fact that several of Sweden's fore-
i"St citizens bear this name.
irg (Oberg) Arms — Or, two lozenges conjoined in
sable.
1 — Out of a tube or three peacock plumes proper,
6 with two lozenges of the shield.
Supporters — Two lions rampant reguardant or.
The life of Oscar Oburg. in which this narrative chiefly
eals, is one which bears out the traditions of the Oburg
amily. This line of the Oburg family of Sweden was
ounded in the LInited States by Peter Oburg, who was
lorn near Stockholm, Sweden, and lived there until 1849,
when he and his family emigrated to America, arriving
at New York City. From New York City he came to
Chautauqua county, N. Y., by the way of Buffalo and
Dunkirk, thence to Jamestown, mostly by boat and stage
coach.
Mr. Oburg married, in his native land, Margaret
, and to them were born live children before com-
ing here: 1. Caroline, married John Anderson, and they
lived near Sugar Grove, Pa., later at Red Wing, Minn.,
where they died. 2. Mary, died young, unmarried. 3.
Pontius, married Mary ; they went to Indiana,
where both died at an early age. 4. Oscar, of whom
further. 5. Frank, married Eliza ; he went to
Peoria, 111. ; during the Civil War he enlisted in the
army, serving for four years, taking part in many im-
portant battles.
Oscar Oburg, son of Peter and Margaret Oburg, was
born Feb. 25, 1833, near Stockholm, Sweden. At the
age of sixteen he came to this country with his parents,
and upon his arrival in Jamestown, N. Y., he found em-
ployment at the old Shaw Hotel in this city, which was
located at the corner of Main and West Third streets,
the site now occupied by the Prendergast block. The
Shaw Hotel was a regular stop for stage coaches, then
practically the only means of travel, a change of horses
being necessary at the hotel stables, and it was here that
the young man secured his first employment. Later
Oscar Oburg went to Ashville, Chautauqua county, N.
Y., where for some time he was engaged in the tailor-
ing business, having learned the trade in his native land.
He remained in this business for some time, subse-
quently becoming interested in the shoe business, which
he continued until after the Civil War, when he turned
his attention to farming, following this calling until old
age compelled his retirement. Mr. Oburg was a Re-
publican in politics, and was active on the local town
election boards ; a devoted member of the Methodist
Episcopal church of Ashville for more than sixty-six
years. He was greatly interested in church work, being
at various times steward, trustee, class leader, super-
intendent of the Sunday school, and filled various other
offices. He was a man of high religious character, kind-
hearted and beloved by all who knew him. From an
humble immigrant boy he arose to a station of high re-
spect and esteem in his community.
Oscar Oburg married, in Ashville, Feb. 27. 1S52, Bebe
Wellman, daughter of Barnabas and Pamela (Bullock)
Wellman. Mrs. Bebe (Wellman) Oburg, like her hus-
band, was a devoted Christian, affiliated with the Ash-
ville church from the age of fifteen years. Oscar Oburg
died at Ashville, April 9, 191 9, aged eighty-six years.
His wife died at Ashville, April I, 1918, aged eighty-
three years. Mr. and Mrs. Oburg were the parents of
six children, all born in Ashville, N. Y. : 1. Elon M.,
born Dec. 20, 1852 ; a farmer at Busti, Chautauqua
county. N. Y. ; married Mary Sherman. 2. Viola D.,
born Nov. 14. 1S54, who married Marvin N. Everett
(see Everett IV). 3. Minnie N., born Oct. 20, 1851,;
resides at the family homestead at Ashville; unmar-
ried. 4. Lelia C, born March 20. 1850: married (first)
John C. Walter, deceased: she married (second) Rollin
Lee, a business man in Ashville. 5. Abbie D.,
horn Jan. 3. 1861, who became the wife of
Charles Wellman. who is connected with a large indus-
try in Jamestown, N. Y. 6. Victor F., born April 9,
393
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
1863; a railroad man in Pittsburgh, Pa.; married Irene
Grunder.
(The Wellman Line).
It is quite evident that the Wellman family took its
name from the city of Wells in Somersetshire, Eng-
land, which, in turn, obtained its name from a well
called St. Andrew's Well, near the Bishop's palace, and
from the fact that the founder of the family had received
from one of the bishops charge of St. Andrew's Well,
and had been called at first, John the Well-man, or Wil-
liam the Well-man, which later became John or William
Wellman. The name has been variously spelled as Well-
man, Wellmane, Wellmon, Welman, Welmon, Welmin,
Wilman, Wilmon, Willman, Willmon, Willsman, Wells-
man, and Weelman. In America the practice of spelling
this name as Wellman began quite early and has increased
in practice until it is nearly universally used by all of the
family here.
Arms — Argent, on p. bend gules between two apples
vert, three mullets or.
Crest — A demi-lion argent holding between his paws
an apple as in the arms charged "with a mullet or.
Motto — Dei providentia juvat.
The genealogy and history of the Wellman family and
its origin in the Old World has been made with some
success. Investigation in this country seems to show
that the early immigrant Wellmans were only two in
number, Thomas Wellman and William Wellman. How-
ever, family recollection points to a third, in the person
of Barnabas Wellman. The name Barnabas has been
carried through several generations and it is thought
that a Barnabas may have been one of the immigrants,
and, if not, at least one of the sons of William Well-
man.
Thomas Wellman was in Lynn, Mass., as early as
1640. He bought land, lived and died in Lynn End
(now Lynnfield), Mass.
William Wellman was in Marshfield, Mass., as early
as 1642, but moved that year to Gloucester, Mass., and
thence, in 1650, to New London, Conn., and a few years
later to Killingworth, Conn., where he died.
There is a line of seven generations bearing the name
of Barnabas Wellman, the first of whom there is any
information being a Capt. Barnabas Wellman, a sea-
faring man, who made voyages between America and
China. On one of these voyages he brought home a set
of china dishes, a picture of his ship on each, and these
were long preserved in the family. Another was Barna-
bas Wellman, who represented the family in the Ameri-
can Revolution ; and last, a Barnabas Wellman, who was
an early settler in Chautauqua county, N. V.
Barnabas Wellman. the Revolutionary soldier, was
born Aug. 15, 1756, in Killingworth, Conn. According
to records, he was a drum major in the War of the
Revolution. His brother and sisters were: Freelove,
born May 22, 1753; Molly, born March 13, 1755; and
Paul, born April 15, 1757. He married, and had the
following children: I. James, born Nov. 30, 1783. 2.
Homer, born March 9, 1786. 3. Barnabas, of whom fur-
ther. 4. Ford, born Jan. 3, 1796. 5. Leander, born Oct.
14, 1801. There were also two daughters, Millie and
Hannah.
Barnabas (2) Wellman, son of Barnabas (1) Well-
man, was evidently born at Killingworth, Conn., Sept.
16, 1793- He is later recorded amongst the first settlers
of Chautauqua county, N. Y., locating in the town of
Ashville. He had a small farm there, but he was chiefly
occupied as a stone mason, and it is said he was a man
of strong character, very religious, and preached in the
village church in the absence of the local minister. He
was noted for his fine voice, which he used in connection
with his church work and local entertainments. He
was a kind-hearted man, reverenced by all, and known
to the townsfolk as "Uncle Barney."
Mr. Wellman married Pamela Bullock, born Sept. 14,
1798, daughter of Jonathan (2) and Dorcas (Tabethy)
(Cody) Bullock, and granddaughter of Jonathan (1)
Bullock, of English descent. Jonathan (1) Bullock was
resident in Kentucky, and it is believed that he later
went from there to Berkshire, Mass., where he married
Bebe Brown, and when their son was eight months old
the father left for service in the French and Indian War,
dying in the army from quinsy. Jonathan (2) Bullock
married Dorcas (Tabethy) Cody, daughter of Joseph
and Mary (Whitney) Cody, and migrated to Ontario
county, N. Y., about 1797. Children of Jonathan (2)
and Dorcas (Tabethy) (Cody) Bullock: Jonathan,
born Nov. 7, 1788, died at Panama, Chautauqua county,
N. Y., 1885; Bebe, born March 8, 1790, died at Sugar
Grove, Pa., 1878; William, born Aug. 6, 1794, died in
Busti, Chautauqua county, N. Y. ; Pamela, of previous
mention, married Barnabas Wellman, and died in Ash-
ville. Chautauqua county, N. Y., in 1S74; Joseph, born
April 18, 1803, died in Ontario county, N. Y., in young
manhood ; Alfred, Mary P., and Shubel, all died young.
Barnabas and Pamela (Bullock) Wellman were the par-
ents of nine children: 1. Henry, married Alvira Pierce,
a farmer of Three Rivers, Mich. 2. Malinda, died aged
ten years. 3. Alfred, married Theodia Covey; he was
a farmer living near Three Rivers, Mich. 4. Matilda,
died at the age of thirty, unmarried. 5. Barnabas, mar-
ried Harriett Phelps ; he was the owner of a lumber mill
at Cherry Creek, Chautauqua county, N. Y. 6. Delila,
married (first) Israel Millard, who died; she married
(second) Seymour Millard, an oil man at Titusville,
Pa., and a brother of her first husband. 7. Rachael,
married Alpheus Alexander, a farmer in Harmony,
Chautauqua county, N. Y. 8. Bebe, married Oscar
Oburg (see Oburg line). 9. Lucinda, married (first)
A. Herrick, who died; she married (second) Nathaniel
Smith, a farmer of Harmony, Chautauqua county, N. Y.
These children were all born in Ashville, Chautauqua
county, N. Y.
The Wellmans are a well known family in Chau-
tauqua county, N. Y., and number among the first rank
citizens. Among them are a number of well known
professional and business men, and this name stands
foremost in the community.
HENRY E. MOSHER, D. S. C— On that historic
morning of June 26, 1917, when the "First Contingent"
of America's famous First Division set foot on the soil
of France at St. Nazaire, Chautauqua county was rep-
resented in the person of Lieut, (later Capt.) Henry
E. Mosher, Company K, 28th United States Infantry.
Company K .was the first company to disembark, Capt.
G. A. Hadsell commanding them as they landed, with
(UjUtu^^m <w.
BIOGRAPHICAL
399
J. L. Dunn as first lieutenant, and Harry E. Mosher as
second lieutenant, Second Lieut. Hood attached to the
company being detailed in unloading. As a matter of
historic interest, Capt. Mosher sent home a photographic
copy of the following statement :
France, July 6, 1917.
Company K, 28th Infantry,
i certify that this organization landed from the
U. S. Transport Tenddores at about 10:00 A. M., June
26th. 1917, at St. Nazaire, France, and that it is the
first company of American soldiers ever in history to
land on European soil for service in war.
G. ARTHUR HADSELL,
Captain 2sth Infantry,
Comd'g Co. K.
The above statement is correct.
WM, L. SIBERT,
Major General, U. S. Army,
Comd'g'. First American Expeditionary Division.
Henry' E- Mosher, captain, Company K, 28th Infantry,
American Expeditionary Force, killed in action at Can-
tigny. May 28, 1918, first officer of his rank to set foot
on French soil in command of American troops for
service in war, and first soldier from Chautauqua county
to give his life in France in the service of the United
States, was born at Falconer, N. Y., June 18, 1892, one
of the twin sons of Stiles B. and Martha M. (Cook)
Mosher. He was educated in the Falconer public schools,
Jamestown High School, and at St. Braden's School
at Highland Falls. In 1913 he entered West Point,
where he spent one year. In October, 1916, he passed
an examination at Fort Slocum, and on March 22, 1917,
was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United
States Army, assigned to the 28th Infantry, and ordered
to Fort Leavenworth for a course of training in the
Army Service School. When his course was but half
completed his regiment was ordered abroad as part of
General Pershing's "First Contingent," landing in
France, June 26, 1917. Promotion came rapidly, to first
lieutenant in the summer of 191 7. and in February, 1918,
to captain, in which rank he had acted since the preced-
ing August. From July to October, the 28th Infantry,
as part of the First Division, was in training with the
French, the third battalion being stationed at St. Amand,
Meuse. During October and November the regiment
occupied the Sommervillier sector in Lorraine, and from
January to April the Ansauville sector, north of Toul,
. from which station it was called to relieve the French
and push back the German advance in the Montdidier-
Noyon sector.
Says the Regimental History:
The German offensive launched on March 21 has
reached such proportions as to call forth every re-
source at hand for checking it. It was at this time
that General Pershing placed at the disposal of Mar-
shal Foch the entire forces of the United States in
France. A survey of the American forces showed four
divisions whose training was considered complete
enough to allow of their taking an active part. The
First was chosen as the most fit to place at the point
of danger. The British and French had stayed the
German drive for the channel ports only after the
wedge had been driven down past Montdidier. At the
apex of this salient lav the village of Cantigny — taken
by the 2Sth Infantry on the morning of May 28 — the
first American offensive, which General Pershing char-
acterized in his report as "a brilliant action with elec-
trical effect." as it demonstrated our fighting qualities
under extreme battle conditions, and also that the
enemy's troops were not invincible.
It is significant of the standing of the regiment that
the 28th was given the place of honor among all the
regiments of the American Expeditionary Force, and
Capt. Mosher counted it the honor of his life that he
was chosen to lead his company in the assault.
"It was the memorable morning of May 28," wrote
a member of the company:
K Company of the 28th Infantry, commanded by
Captain Mosher, was on the left of the attack at Can-
tigny. Since 4 A. M. the counter batteries from the
5th, 6th and 7th Artillery had been smashing a path
for the planned advance of the infantry. Thirty min-
utes before this advance the trench mortars 'hurled
their load across No Man's Land. Then, at 6:45, sup-
ported by five tanks manned by Frenchmen, the Amer-
icans went over the top. The infantry got across with
few casualties, and commenced to dig in. The rais-
ing of earth works was observed from the air by the
enemy scouts, signaled to the German batteries and
then hell began. Six times the Germans counter-
attacked and six times were repulsed. Their lines were
but fifty and seventy-five yards away. After the first
counter-attack. Captain Mosher sent three messengers,
one after the other, with verbal messages to the bat-
talion commander. They never came back. Shell
from the enemy batteries was falling too accurately
fur that. So Captain Mosher decided to send another
message, this time a written one. Crawling up and
down the lines past his company in the shallow tempo-
rary trench he counted the casualties among his men.
Then, crouching behind the earthworks, just high
enough for protection against the enemy machine-gun
fire, he began his message to his commander. He
wrote the words "Have suffered — " and fifty feet be-
hind him burst a shell, a fragment of which struck
him in the back of his head and the pencil was
stopped.
Captain Mosher was a man of fine physique and bore
a dauntless spirit in a sound body. Inheritance as well
as training had fitted him for his career. He counted
among his ancestors John Vassal, a member of the Vir-
ginia Company who had commanded his ship in the
Meet which destroyed the Spanish Armada ; John
Adams, of the "Fortune," 1621, brother of Henry
Adams, from whom descended the presidential family:
John Abbey, of the "Bonaventure," 1634, a soldier in
King Philip's War; Hugh Mosher, of Salem, 1636,
friend and companion of Roger Williams in his exile;
Maj. Jonathan Bush and Capt. Thomas Abbey, of Con-
necticut, who served with Gen. Washington throughout
the Revolution.
Stiles Burt Mosher, father of Henry E. Mosher, was
born in Poland township, Chautauqua county, N. Y.,
March 27, 1851, and married, at Olean, N. Y.. Oct. 29,
1S79, Martha M. Cook, daughter of John Norbert and
Anna Kohley Cook. Stiles Burt Mosher was a son of
Ephraim Mosher, born in Oppenheim, Fulton county,
N. Y., May 8, 1802, died in Falconer, N. Y., Jan. 15,
1875. and Harriet Lucretia (Abbey) Mosher, born in
Guilford, N. Y., Sept. 3. 1816, died in Falconer. N. Y.,
Feb. 23, 1897, daughter of Henry and Eva (Ingersoll)
Abbey. Ephraim Mosher was a son of Peter and Mary
(Rarrick) Mosher, settlers in Fulton county, N. Y., in
1796.
Always characterized as a strict, courteous, and effi-
cient officer whose word was law, Capt. Mosher de-
veloped under stress of battle unusual qualities of lead-
ership and comradeship. An enlisted man who served
under him recounted how, after the company's objec-
tive was gained and the positions consolidated, he went
about commending and encouraging his men, adminis-
tering first aid to the wounded and comforting the dying.
Almost his last act was to drag a wounded private,
under heavy shellfire, to a place of safety. Letters re-
ceived by relatives from an officer of the 28th Infantry
say, in part :
4QO
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
I cannot express to you how infinitely cool and brave
were Ms actions as we advanced upon and attacked
the German trenches surrounding: the fortified town of
Cantigny. With his trench cane hooked over his left
arm he dealt death to five Germans, shooting them
down with his automatic as nonchalantly as if at tar-
get practice, and almost his last act was to drag a
wounded private through heavy shell fire to a place
of safety. His example was an inspiration to all his
officers and men. and we are filled with grief at his
going.
Lieutenant Samuel Parker, of the 28th Infantry, also
wrote :
I love and respect him above all other soldiers with
whom I have been thrown in contact during the great
war. He was a man and a soldier — every inch of him.
I have seen the influence of many officers over their
men. but I can honestly say that I have seen none
whose death was felt so keenly by every one that
knew him.
Capt. Mosher's name appears among those cited by
Gen. R. L. Bullard for conspicuous gallantry in action
during the operations connected with the capture and
defense of Cantigny. He was awarded the Distin-
guished Service Cross by Gen. Pershing, the citation
reading:
During a heavy bombardment near Cantigny, France.
on May 28th. 1918, he displayed heroic conduct and
utter disregard of his own safety while successfully
directing the consolidation and defense of the position
taken by his command. After succeeding in the
accomplishment of his task he was struck by enemy
fire and killed.
A third citation for "conspicuous gallantry in action
and especially meritorious services" was bestowed by
General Summeral, later in command of the First Divi-
sion.
Capt. Mosher and two of his lieutenants were buried
where they fell, later being removed to the French
civilian cemetery at Cantigny and still later to the
American cemetery at Villers Tournelles, Somme.
Eventually his body is to rest among his kindred in Pine
Hill in the village of Falconer, where the Henry Mosher
Post of the American Legion, formed by his boyhood
companions and schoolmates, commemorates the name
of Chautauqua county's first soldier to make the supreme
sacrifice in his country's service in France.
Thus passed Henry Mosher, Christian gentleman, and
soldier.
He was a captain born and bred. In years
Though yet a boy, he was a man in soul.
Led older men and held them in control.
In danger stood erect and quelled their fears.
When death calls such a captain, he but hears
As 'twere a distant bugle and the roll
Of far-off drums. We wrong him if we toll
The mournful bell. Give him our cheers, not tears!
Through deadly scorch of battle flame and gas.
Through iron hail and burst of shrapnel shell, —
Smiling as when we played at mimic wars, —
He was our leader. Is it, then, not well,
That he should lead before us to the stars?
Stand at attention! Let his brave soul pass!
(J. Brainerd Thrall in "The Outlook").
OBED EDSON — There are other rural counties in
New York State that have had a more thrilling history
to record than Chautauqua, but none which has had a
more faithful historian than Obed Edson. His passing,
in his eighty-eighth year, seems almost to close the
book of the pioneer history of the county, for there is
no man left who has anything approaching his knowl-
edge of it.
In the field of original historical research, Mr. Ed-
son had no superior in Western New York. The fruits
of his patient toil are fortunately gathered in perma-
nent form. He was an important contributor to
"Young's History of Chautauqua County," published a
generation ago, which deals especially with the early
settlers. He was the principal author of the county
history published in 1894 by W. A. Ferguson & Com-
pany, which contains the annals of each town and much
information regarding the geology and archeology of
the county, branches of science with which Mr. Edson
was thoroughly familiar, especially in relation to this j
region. He had reached the age of seventy, and was I
then, perhaps, at the zenith of his splendid intellectual
powers, when, in 1902, he contributed his "Annals of I
Chautauqua County" for the "Centennial History of 1
Chautauqua County." The annals comprise three hun-
dred and sixty pages of that work, and for them he
gleaned from the fruits of his historical studies the facts
most valuable for ready reference. Many special in-
dividuals and periods have since been covered in his
papers for the Historical Society and in his magazine
articles, so that the entire amount of his historical writ-
ings is very considerable in volume and will be priceless
in value to future Chautauquans. He well deserved the
title commonly bestowed on him of "county historian." j
When, in 1919, the history of Chautauqua county was
proposed, he gave it his hearty support and cooperation, !
and is the author of several chapters of the work, all
of which bear his name and may be considered his last ;
work for the people of his beloved county, in fact his j
valedictory, and in a way his monument, as he was an J
advisory editor up until the time of his death.
But it would be a mistake to remember Obed Edson
only as a historical student. This was his recreation, j
His profession was that of an attorney, and he was at J
the time of his death by many years the senior in serv-
ice of any member of the bar in the county, having
been admitted in 1853. He came of a pioneer family, ■
his father, John M. Edson, having removed to Chau-
tauqua county from Madison county in 1810. His father '
was a stepson of Maj. Samuel Sinclair. This family
settled at Sinclairville, where Obed Edson was born in
1832, and where he was laid at rest. There the boy went J
to school, later attending Fredonia Academy. Then, I
in 1851 he studied law in the office of E. H. Sears, and
to the little village he came home from the Albany Law ^
School to hang out his own shingle and to practice there
for sixty years, before taking up his residence with his
son, Walter H. Edson, at Falconer.
As a youth, Mr. Edson was a surveyor, and in 1850
served as a chainman on the New York & Erie railroad,
the year before its completion to Dunkirk and its memo-
rable opening by Daniel Webster. As late as 1867 he
ran the line of the Dunkirk, Allegheny Valley & Pitts-
burgh railroad down the Cassadaga valley and through
his home village. Sinclairville was in early days a com-
munity of more relative importance in the county than
it is to-day. It once aspired to be the county seat,
being located in the center of the county. Political con-
ventions were held there for many years. It numbered
many strong men among its citizens. From the hills
and valleys of the township of Charlotte, men have come
fete
^^*
dZ?*L &£
s^^V
BIOGRAPHICAL
401
who have made their names known beyond the limits
of the county.
Of the pioneer families of Charlotte, several belonged
to the Democratic party, among them the Edsons. Obed
Edson became naturally one of the Democratic leaders
in a strongly Republican county, and was steadfast in
his support of the candidates of that party. He was sev-
eral times nominated for public offices, for district attor-
ney in [865, f° r member of Assembly in 1873 and 1874,
and for State Senator at a much later date. His elec-
tion to the Assembly in 1874 from the old Second Dis-
trict gave him the distinction of being one of the two
Democrats elected from this county since the Civil War
period, the other having been the late Charles H. Cor-
bett, of Sherman, chosen in 1882. At that time both
Jamestown and Dunkirk were in the same district, which
Mr. Edson represented. That Assembly was Demo-
cratic and served during the first year of Governor Til-
den's administration.
Mr. Edson was uniformly kind and courteous in all his
personal relations. He retained until the last a keen
interest in public affairs. This and his frequent visits
with younger men, all of whom enjoyed his company,
kept him young at heart even when he was an octo-
genarian. So he approached the end of his days with
a contented mind, and was a welci me guest at many a
public gathering. His relation to the community in which
he lived was that of a genial sage. He had lived more
than his allotted time. He had lingered later than his
fellows, as some lone pine upon our wintry hills defies
the storm and the woodman's axe. We find at the close
of his "Annals of Chautauqua County" Bryant's familiar
lines, "To a Water Fowl," which seems to suggest a com-
parison with his own last days :
Yet stoop not, weary, to the welcome land.
Though dark the night is near.
And soon that toil shall end
Soon shalt thou find a summer home and rest.
Obed Edson, fourth in direct line to bear the name
Obed, was of the eighth generation of the family founded
in New England by Deacon Samuel Edson, of Warwick-
shire, England, who was a descendant of Thomas Edson,
the earliest identified male ancestor of the Edsons of
England and America. Thomas Edson was born about
1480, married Juliana Bustard, lived in Oxfordshire, and
died during the reign of Henry VIII.
Deacon Samuel Edson was born in 1612 or 1613, mar-
ried, at the age of twenty-five, Susanna Orcutt, who was
four years his junior, and immediately after his mar-
riage sailed with his bride for Mew England, arriving at
Salem, in July, 1630. In 1651 he moved to Bridgewater,
where he was one of the fifty-six original proprietors,
and may have been its first settler, at least was one of
the first. He was a man of intelligence, industry and
thrift, acquiring in course of time large property inter-
ests in land and mills. From 1676 until his death, July
10, 1692, he was in public office, and from 1667 until the
end of King Philip's War he was a member of the Coun-
cil of War, and from 1664, when he was elected one of
the first deacons of the Bridgewater church, until his
death, he filled that office. Of strong character, upright,
honorable life, he possessed great influence and was one
of the leading men of his town. His wife, Susanna, had
a happy disposition, modest deportment, dignified pres-
Chau— 26
ence and graceful manner. The characteristics of the
founder and his wife have been transmitted to their de-
scendants, and in Obed Edson the old Pilgrim had
almost a reincarnation. Susanna Edson died Feb. 20,
1699, and in the old burying ground at Bridgewater the
oldest monument of its kind is that standing over the
graves of Deacon Samuel and Susanna Edson.
Deacon Samuel Edson was succeeded in Bridgewater
by his son, Samuel (2) Edson, a prominent and highly
respected citizen and office holder, and a man of prop-
erty. He married Susanna Byram, and was succeeded
in time by his son, Samuel (3) Edson, the first of the
family to join the Established Church of England. He
married Mary Dean, and their fourth son was Obed ( 1 )
Edson, who was a sergeant in the French and Indian
War, taking part in several expeditions against the
French. He died in Richfield, N. Y., having gone there
in his old age it is believed to be with his son, Obed (2)
Edson. Sergeant Obed Edson married (first) Katurah
Willis, of Bridgewater, and they were the first of the
branch to settle in New York State.
Obed (2) Edson, like his father, was a soldier of the
French and Indian War, and for several years lived in
Lanesboro, Mass. Between 1790 and 1793 he moved to
what is now Richfield, Otsego county, N. Y., but then
a part of the town of German Flats, Montgomery county.
There he engaged in farming, and kept an inn in the local-
ity now known as Monticello. He was a man of much
natural ability, and a good musician. Prior to his death
in Richfield, May 9, 1840, at the age of ninety-three years
and seven days, he freed his only slave, "Ike," whom he
had long owned. Obed (2) Edson married Prudence
How, of Welsh descent, and they were the parents of a
son, Obed (3) Edson.
< Ibed (3) Edson was born during the residence of his
parents in Lanesboro, Mass. He then lived in Otsego
county, N. Y., at Cooperstown and Richfield, later mov-
ing to Eaton, Madison county, where he died Aug. 6,
1804, aged thirty-two years. He was a clothier by trade;
a member of the Masonic order; an Episcopalian, and
like his father a follower of the political teachings of
Thomas Jefferson. He was a man of education, a reader
of eood literature, and always a student. He married
(second) Fanny Bigelow, born in Colchester, Conn.,
daughter of Captain Elisha Bigelow, an officer of the
Revolution, as were two of his sons, a third serving as
a private. Her mother, Thankful (Bcehe) Bigelow,
whose ancestor served under Cromwell, died in Sinclair-
ville, Chautauqua county, N. Y., at the great age of
ninety-seven years. After the death of her husband, at
the age of thirty-two years, Fanny (Bigelow) Edson,
then a woman of less than thirty years, married (second)
Maj. Samuel Sinclair, with whom she and her children
came to Sinclairville, in 1810, the site then a wilderness,
but a village growing thereon later was named in his
honor. Mrs. (Edson) Sinclair was a woman of intelli-
gence and education, one of the Chautauqua mothers
who filled an important place in early county life, dying
in Sinclairville, Jan. 12, 1852, widely known and honored
for her many virtues and useful life. Maj. Samuel Sin-
clair, her second husband, was a soldiir of the First New
Hampshire Regiment, serving from the age of fifteen
until eighteen under his uncle. Col. Joseph Cilley. He
402
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
was at Valley Forge, Saratoga, Monmouth, and with
General Sullivan in his campaign against the Indians.
Maj. Sinclair was one of the founders of the Masonic
lodge at Sinclairville, and of Forest Lodge, Free and
Accepted Masons, of Fredonia, the first in Chautauqua
county.
John Milton Edson, son of Obed (3) and Fanny (Bige-
low) Edson, was born at Eaton, Madison county, N. Y.,
July 30, 1801, and died in Sinclairville, Aug. 21, 1885.
He was but three years of age when his father died, and
nine when with his stepfather, Maj. Samuel Sinclair, his
mother, his brother and sister, he came to Chautauqua
county, in 1810, the family settling at what later became
Sinclairville. He obtained a fine education principally
through home teaching and reading, as there were no
schools then in his section. But in after life those who
met him never failed to be impressed with his large and
original views, and to feel a regret that a thorough edu-
cation had been denied him. But he was a thorough
woodsman, skilled in all the arts of the frontiersman, an
excellent rifle shot, a leader among the pioneers. He
was a noted athlete in his younger years, and greatly
interested in military life, holding the rank of lieutenant-
colonel of the Western New York Regiment, appointed
May 22, 1830. He was justice of the peace for the town
of Charlotte for fourteen years ; was supervisor three
terms; deputy United States marshal one term; judge
of the Court of Common Pleas, April 17, 1843, until July
1, 1847, when the court was abolished. He was the first
master of Sylvan Lodge, No. 303, Free and Accepted
Masons, of Sinclairville, his stepfather, Maj. Samuel Sin-
clair, the first master of the "Masonic Society" organized
there in 1810. He married, in 1831, Hannah Alverson,
born in Halifax, Windham county, Vt., June 3, 1804, died
Nov. 22 y 1878, in Sinclairville, N. Y. She was a daugh-
ter of Jonathan and Ursula (Church) Alverson, and in
1821 came with her mother to reside in the town of
Gerry, Chautauqua county. They were the parents of
two children : Obed (4) Edson, Chautauqua's "grand
old man," whose life is herein commemorated ; and a
daughter, Fanny Ursula, born June 4, 1834, married
Henry Sylvester.
Such were the antecedents of Obed (4) Edson, and
through the men and women named he received a rich
legacy, good health, strong physique, . worth, ambition,
quick intelligence, upright character, and love of the
right. His ancestors were unusually long lived, and he
fulfilled the promise of his youth in every particular, his
career transcending in usefulness and brilliancy that of
any of his race, and closely resembling that of his first
American ancestor, Deacon Samuel Edson, of three cen-
turies ago. Eighty-seven were the years of his life, and
until their very close he was "in the harness," death com-
ing to him quietly and gently at the midnight hour, while
he slept, his passing in keeping with the ideal life he had
long led.
Obed (4) Edson, only son of John Milton and Hannah
(Alverson) Edson, was born at Sinclairville, Chautauqua
county, N. Y., Feb. 18, 1832, and died at the home of his
son, Walter H. Edson, in Falconer, N. Y., Nov. 22, 1919.
He attended the public schools of Sinclairville, and was a
student at Fredonia Academy, there completing his school
years. He then pursued the study of law under the
direction of E. H. Sears, of Sinclairville, entering Albany
Law School in 1853, and gaining admission to the New
York bar, Aug. 8, 1853, he then being in his twenty-
second year. At the age of eighteen years he had been
engaged in land and railroad surveying and later he ran
surveys for railroads and county roads. But from 1853,
when admitted to the New York bar, he continuously
practiced his profession in Chautauqua county, and, well
trained in the law, an able advocate, an honest man, he
stood high among his brethren of the profession, and he
possessed the entire confidence of his clients, even his
adversaries feeling that they had no injustice to fear at
his hands. And at all times he was a polished gentle-
man of the old school, who would rather be of service
than cause offense to any man. At Sinclairville he was a
law partner with Judge E. F. Warren, later co-partner
with C. Frank Chapman, and subsequently was with his
nephew, Fred H. Sylvester.
Although not actively engaged in practice in the last
few years, he continued to give some time to his pro-
fession, and recently the local newspapers noted his re-
port as referee in County Court proceedings which was
entered just a few days before his eighty-seventh birth-
day. His historical researches, his early recollections,
and his wonderful memory for events, dates and details
made him a veritable encyclopedia of local information,
which was always open to his friends or the public. It is
not too much to say that the information he collected and
stored away in his records and his retentive memory was
often of much greater value to others than it was to
himself. He never attempted to commercialize his talent
for historical research ; to him it was a labor of love.
He took greater interest in it and gave it more atten-
tion than he did his profession. He was one of the
founders of the Chautauqua County Society of History
and Natural Science, and was its backbone through all
the years since its formation. He retained his interest
in the county historical society up to the time of his
death, and attended the annual meetings of that organi-
zation as long as he was able to do so.
Mr. Edson was a contributor to "The Continent," "The
Chautauquan," and other leading magazines, generally
upon historical subjects. He first gathered and collected
the facts respecting the expedition of Col. Daniel Broad-
head, which was sent against the Indians of the upper Alle-
gheny river by Gen. Washington during the War of the
Revolution to operate in conjunction with General Sulli-
van. Mr. Edson prepared a full history of this expedi-
tion, which was published as a leading article in the No-
vember number of the "Magazine of American History"
for the year 1879. He was the author of several local
histories, among which is a portion of "Young's History
of Chautauqua County," and all of that part of it which
relates to its Indian, French and early history. He lec-
tured before the Chautauqua Institute, and delivered the
historical address at Westfield in 1902, on the occasion
of the Centennial celebration of the settlement of Chau-
tauqua county. He made a similar address at the cele-
bration of the Centennial of the settlement of the city of
Falconer, and he delivered many addresses and lectures.
He was president of the Chautauqua County Historical
Society, member of the County and State Bar Associa-
tions, member of the Buffalo Historical Society, and
president of Evergreen Cemetery Association of Sin-
clairville.
BIOGRAPHICAL
403
Mr. Edson was a lifelong Democrat and prominent in
the councils of his party for many years. In 1S74 he was
elected member of Assembly from the old Second Assem-
bly District, defeating Harvey S. Elkins, Republican, by
two hundred and twenty-five majority, although the Re-
publican State ticket had one thousand majority in the
district. The preceding year he was defeated by only
seventy-two majority, his successful Republican oppo-
nent being John D. Hiller. Mr. Edson was the only
Democrat ever elected to the Assembly from the old
Second Assembly District, which then included both
Jamestown and Dunkirk. Beside his term in the Assem-
bly, he served several years on the Board of Supervisors
as the representative of his native town. He was for
nearly sixty years a member of the Masonic fraternity,
and served Sylvan Lodge, of Sinclairville, as master in
1862 and again in 1912 — just half a century later, as well
as several terms between those years. He was also a
member of Western Sun Chapter, Royal Arch Masons,
of Jamestown. During the ministry of the Rev. Dr.
James G. Townsend at the Independent Congregational
Church in Jamestown, Mr. Edson took an active interest
in the work of that church.
Mr. Edson married, at Sinclairville, May II, 1859,
Emily Amelia Allen, born at New London, Conn., Nov.
2 7> 1835, died in March, 1899, daughter of Caleb J. and
Emily E. (Haley) Allen. Her father, Caleb J. Allen, in
his youth, was a sailor on a Pacific ocean whaling ship,
but later located in New London, Conn., where he be-
came a hatter ; was mayor of New London, and also
represented that city in the Connecticut Legislature as
State Senator. Later he was a merchant of Sinclairville.
Obed (4) and Emily A. (Allen) Edson were the par-
ents of eight children : 1. Fanny A., born April 28, 1S60;
married John A. Love, now residing at Bellingham,
Wash. 2. John M., born Sept. 29, 1861, now living at
Bellingham, Wash. 3. Samuel A., born Sept. 15, 1863,
died Nov. 16, 1872. 4. Mary U., born Sept. II, 1865, died
Nov. 27, 1872. 5. Hannah, born Feb. 15, 1869, died Dec.
10, 1881. 6. Walter H., a sketch of whom follows. 7.
Ellen E., born April 21, 1875, died March 31, 1887. 8.
Allen O., born Sept. 3, 1880, died Jan. 16, 1882. John
Milton, the eldest son, is a well known ornithologist of
Bellingham. Wash., and has made many valuable contri-
butions to the literature of that science. He married
Alma B. Green, a former teacher in Chautauqua county
schools.
Such was the life and deeds of Obed (4) Edson, whose
years, eighty-seven, were spent entirely in Chautauqua
county. While he held various positions of public trust
and confidence, was a lawyer of high repute and identified
with many good movements; he was best known and will
be long remembered as a local historian. A monument
to his historical labors has been erected in every history
of Chautauqua county that has been written for the past
half century. Mr. Edson knew more about the early
history of Chautauqua county, and of conditions and
peoples connected with the Chautauqua lake region long
before the advent of the white man, than any other man
who has ever made a study of these things. Living a life
of activity and good works, modestly and quietly pursu-
ing the open road that lay before him, never making an
effort to avoid the responsibilities that came to him, nor
seeking honors that did not belong to him, he lived and
labored long beyond the allotted years of man, and goes
to his rest and reward with the respect and the love of
the people of Chautauqua county, the old and the young,
the rich and the poor, to a very marked degree.
WALTER HENRY EDSON— Since his admission
in February, 1898, Walter H. Edson has practiced at the
Chautauqua county bar continuously, and as a lawyer of
learning, sound judgment and integrity he occupies high
and honorable position. As a citizen, Mr. Edson is most
earnest, well-informed and public-spirited, always at the
service of individual or organization in aid of the cause
of education, religion or good government. His spirit of
helpfulness is well known and he is freely called upon
for platform service to enlighten and instruct audiences
seeking light upon perplexing questions of City, State
and National policy. His interest never lags and he gives
freely of himself to every worthy cause which needs an
advocate. He is a native son of Chautauqua, and
through his father, Obed Edson, of blessed memory, is
heir to a rich inheritance of county ancestry dating to
John Milton Edson, who came to the county in 1810.
He is a descendant of Deacon Samuel Edson, of War-
wickshire, England. (See ancestry in memorial review
of the life of Obed Edson). John M. Edson was a step-
son of Maj. Samuel Sinclair, founder of Sinclairville.
Through his mother, Emily A. (Allen) Edson, another
line of Chautauqua county lineage is established, her
father coming from New England to become a merchant
of Sinclairville. Walter Henry Edson is the sixth child
of Obed and Emily A. (Allen) Edson, and has always
been true to the county of his birth and is well known in
the county. His home was the abode of his honored
father during the latter's last years, and the association
between the two men was closer even than the natural
bond.
Walter H. Edson was born in Sinclairville, Chau-
tauqua county, N. Y., Jan. 8, 1874. He completed public
school courses of study with graduation from Sinclair-
ville High School in 1891, then pursued a general classi-
cal course at Cornell University, whence he was gradu-
ated with the usual bachelor's degree, class of 1896. He
read law under his father and attended the College of
Law, Cornell University, receiving his LL. B., class of
1897. From 1896 to 1898, he was a clerk in the law office
of Obed Edson, and upon his admission to the Chau-
tauqua county bar in 1898, formed a partnership with
Harley N. Crosby, now surrogate of Chautauqua county.
The firm Edson & Crosby opened a law office in Falconer,
March 1, 180S, and there continued a successful general
practice until Jan. 1, 1914, when the firm dissolved, Mr.
Crosby retiring, Mr. Edson continuing practice in Fal-
coner alone until Jan. 6, 1915, when he was appointed
assistant United States attorney for the western district
of New York, with headquarters at Buffalo. He gave
up practice at Falconer upon accepting the government
appointment, and gave his time exclusively to the duties
of his office until Nov. 13, 1918, when he resigned and
resumed private practice as a member of the law firm of
Dean, Edson & Jackson, Fenton building, Jamestown,
N. Y. On March 20, 1920, he was appointed special
assistant to the United States attorney and is still serv-
ing (Dec. 20, 1920) in that capacity. The law and his
public service has filled Mr. Edson's life to the exclu-
404
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
sion of business activities to a large extent, his only
important connection being with the National Chau-
tauqua County Bank, which he served as director, trust
officer and counsel. On Jan. I, 1921, he began service as
vice-president and trust officer of the National Chau-
tauqua County Bank of Jamestown, devoting his entire
time to that work. He is retained by other of the cor-
porations of Jamestown in a legal capacity and he ad-
ministers many trusts.
The politics of the Edsons has for generations been
Democratic, and Obed Edson was long prominent in
party councils. His mantle fell upon his son, and since
early life Walter H. Edson has been rated a party leader
and one of the strong men of the party. Chautauqua is
strongly, almost hopelessly, Republican, and official life
is but a dream to those loyal to the Democracy. But Mr.
Edson has always been a strong and loyal supporter of
the party and its great leaders. In 1912 he was one of
the eight Wilson supporters on the New York delega-
tion to the National Democratic Convention at Baltimore.
In Falconer, he was president of the Board of Educa-
tion in 1905, and as above noted held the office of assistant
United States district attorney for Western New York,
Jan. 11, 1914-Nov. 13, 1918, that appointment coming
from the fact that the Nation and State were Demo-
cratic in their executive departments.
During the Great War period, Mr. Edson was assist-
ant United States district attorney; he joined the army
and trained at Fort Niagara, N. Y., receiving a second
lieutenant's commission, Nov. 27, 1917. He was assigned
to duty with the 90th Division at American Lake, Wash.,
and served until Dec. 11, 1917, when he resigned and re-
turned to his post. He is a member of Cornell Chapter,
Delta Chi, and Sylvan Lodge, No. 303, Free and Accepted
Masons, of Sinclairville, a lodge of which his father,
Obed Edson, was a member for sixty years and of which
he was twice master, just a half century elapsing be-
tween his first term, 1862, and his second, 1912. John
Milton Edson, grandfather of Walter H. Edson, was the
first master of Sylvan Lodge, and his stepfather, Maj.
Samuel Sinclair, the first master of a "Masonic Society"
organized in Sinclairville in 1819. In religious faith Mr.
Edson is a Unitarian, affiliated with the First Church of
Jamestown.
Mr. Edson married, at Shumla. Chautauqua county, N.
Y., June 27, 1899, Florilla Belle Clark, daughter of Fran-
cis Drake and Isabel M. (Grover) Clark. Mrs. Edson is a
great-great-granddaughter of Maj. Samuel Sinclair and
his first wife, Sarah (Perkins) Sinclair. Mr. Edson is a
great-grandchild of Maj. Sinclair's second wife, Fanny
(Bigelow) Edson, widow of Obed (3) Edson, mother of
John Milton Edson, and grandmother of Obed (4) Ed-
son, father of Walter Henry Edson. Mr. and Mrs. Ed-
son are the parents of two children : Francis Drake and
Isabel E. Edson. The family home is in Falconer. Mrs.
Edson is a member of the Daughters of the American
Revolution.
WARREN BREWSTER HOOKER— With the
passing of the eminent Judge Warren B. Hooker, one
of the strong men of Chautauqua county retires from
earthly scenes, and with him passes some phases of
county political life with which politicians of the old
school alone are familiar. Judge Hooker began his pub-
lic career where other famous Chautauquans began, on
the Board of Supervisors, and was a recognized party
leader before Governor Black appointed him to the Su-
preme Bench in 1898. A member of Congress at the
age of thirty-four, he became an influential factor in
the National House of Representatives, and under
Speaker Reed was awarded a most important committee
chairmanship — Rivers and Harbors. He was four times
elected to Congress, and in his district during his long
period of public service he gathered around him a group
of men loyal in their Republicanism, but to their leader
as loyal and as true. It has been said of Judge Hooker
that he served his friends too well, but it is the testimony
of all the attorneys who practiced before him that he
was one of the most impartial judges who ever sat in
New York courts. Loyalty to his friends was a striking
characteristic of his whole life, but a friend was never
recognized as such in his judicial hearing, or the testi-
mony just quoted would not have been given. While he
was a politician of the most astute type, he was also the
gracious gentleman and the just judge. Those who knew
him best loved him most, and as friend and neighbor he
will long live in the hearts of his townsmen. They will
not recall the fact that he entered Congress unknown, but
by sheer force of personality became one of a small
group which dominated that body; nor that for fifteen
years he served with ability and integrity as a justice of
the Supreme Court of his native New York, but they
will remember that his great dominant trait was kindli-
ness, that his timely aid started many a Chautauqua boy
on a useful career, and that his long public career was
marked by countless favors to those who were less for-
tunately situated. "Were everyone for whom he has
done some loving kindness to bring a blossom to his
grave, he would sleep to-night beneath a wilderness of'
flowers." So it is not as the forceful politician of a
period when men gave and received hard blows in their
political controversies, nor as the just and upright judge
who almost held life, death and the future at his behest,
nor as the successful business man that Chautauquans
remember Judge Hooker, but as a friend whom they
mourn with a deep and a genuine sorrow, pride i" His
achievement being lost in sorrow at his passing.
Judge Hooker was a native son of New York, his
parents, John and Philena (Waterman) Hooker, com-
ing from near Brandon, Vermont, to Perrysburg, in
Cattaraugus county, N. Y., and there their son,
Warren B. Hooker, was born Nov. 24, 1856. He
died at his home in Fredonia, Chautauqua county, N.
Y., March 5, 1920, and is buried in Forest Hill Ceme-
tery. His education, begun in the public schools, was
continued at Forestville Free Academy, from whence he
was graduated, class of 1876. Choosing the profes-
sion of law, he studied under the preceptorship of John
G. Record, of the Chautauqua county bar, and until 1879
was a student in the latter's office in Forestville. In 1879
he was admitted to the bar, and until 1882 practiced law
in Chautauqua county, with offices at Forestville. In 1882
he went to the State of Washington, and for two years
practiced his profession in the city of Tacoma. He re-
turned to Chautauqua county in 1884 and at once estab-
lished law offices in Fredonia, that village continuing his
home until his death, thirty-six years later.
Until 1890 Mr. Hooker successfully practiced law in
<fo*,f*c/ /?.A
<r /&*.
<k
BIOGRAPHICAL
405
Fredonia, then gave himself wholly to the public service
as Congressman from the then Thirty- fourth New York
District. He continued in Congress through successive
reelections until November, 1898, when he was appointed
by Governor Black a justice of the Supreme Court of the
Eighth Judicial District to fill a vacancy. At the elec-
tion in November, 1899, he was elected to the same high
office for a full term of fourteen years. On Dec.
8, 1902, he was appointed by Governor Odell to the Ap-
pellate Division in the Second Department and went to
Brooklyn, where he served until 1909, then returned to
trial work in his own district. Upon the expiration of
his term in 1913 he retired to private life. He was, how-
ever, recalled to the bench late in the summer of 1919 as
official Supreme Court Referee by appointment, and dur-
ing the fall and winter heard a number of cases. The
last trial over which he presided was in Allegany county,
but two weeks prior to his death.
The record Judge Hooker made while on the bench
shows him to have been a diligent worker and most
anxious that nothing but justice should proceed from his
decisions. He was learned in the law, but never rendered
i ion until after deep search and profound study 01
law precedent and authority to fortify his own opinion.
Eminently just in this judicial decision, he was equally
n ited for his fairness and impartiality.
The fifteen years Judge Hooker spent upon the Su-
preme Bench came as a crowning honor to a life of public
service that began while he was yet a law student. A
Republican in his political affiliation, he was of the domi-
nent party, but his was a day of personal politics, and it
was necessary to success that a politician maintain a
strong organization loyal to him as well as to the party.
This Judge Hooker early learned, and he proved one of
the strongest of leaders of organized politics in his dis-
trict. He fought his political battles according to the
rules laid down by former leaders and by contempo-
raries; he asked no quarter, and gave and received hard
blows with equal equanimity.
His career in the public service began in 1878, the
lief ore he was actually admitted to the bar, when he
was elected special surrogate of Chautauqua county. He
held that position for three years. After returning from
the West. Mr. Hooker immediately beean taking an
acti e interest in public affairs, and in 1889 was elected
supervisor from the town of Pomfret. In 1800 he was
ted, receiving the support in thai election of both
g political parties, which was a compliment to his
efficient service. In the fall of 1890, when yet but thirty-
three years of age, he was nominated by the Republicans
of the Thirty-fourth Congressional District of New York
for representative in Congress. The district comprises
the counties of Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany.
His election followed by a majority of 5,726. He was
reelected in 1802 and again in 1S94, receiving in the latter
election a plurality of 15.300 votes. In 1806 he again re-
ceived the nomination and was again elected by the hand-
some plurality of 27,436. He was elected for the last
time in 1898. At the time he was elected for the first
time he was the youngest member of Congress. He was
nominated at that time over old and experienced men of
the party. His subsequent renomination by acclamation
was a compliment to his popularity and faithful service.
During the Fifty-fourth Congress, Speaker Reed named
Mr. Hooker chairman of the important Rivers and Har-
bors Committee. His bill passed by big majorities by
both houses of Congress, and over the President's veto
won for him many warm compliments. In one of his
appropriation bills during his term as chairman of this
committee, was included a generous appropriation for
the Dunkirk harbor with which most important improve-
ments were made. In 1898, before he had completed his
last term in Congress, Governor Black appointed him a
justice of the Supreme Court for the Eighth Judicial
District. This ended his political career, and upon the
expiration of this term in 1913, he practiced law and en-
gaged in business as a manufacturer of sand glass in
Pennsylvania.
Most of Judge Hooker's time after his retirement from
the bench was spent in Fredonia, where his genial nature
and pleasing manner won all hearts. He was sympathetic
and responsive to every reasonable appeal, and during
the last few years of his life took deep interest in the
affairs of Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church. He was
a member of the Masonic order, affiliated with Forest
Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Fredonia. In 1899
Hamilton College conferred upon him the honorary de-
gree LL. D.
Judge Hooker married, Sept. 11, 1884, Etta Elizabeth
Abbey, who survives him, youngest daughter of Chaun-
cey and Elizabeth (Chase) Abbey, her father one of
Fredonia's strong business men of an earlier day, bank
tit and eminent citizen, who died in 1894. Eliza-
beth (Chase) Abbey died March 28, 1855. Mrs. Hooker
is a member of Benjamin Prescott Chapter, Daughters
of the American Revolution, and of Trinity Episcopal
Church. She is of the eighth generation of the Abbey
family in America, descent being traced from John Ab-
bey, who was of Salem, Mass., Jan. 2, 138. Judge and
Mrs. Hooker were the parents of two children, born in
Fredonia : Sherman Abbey Hooker, secretary of the
Benjamin Franklin Institute, New York City; Florence
Elizabeth, married Eben D. Moon, of Elkhart, Ind., and
they are the parents of three sons: Warren DeWitt,
Eben DeWitt, Jr., and David Brownell Moon.
Two tributes from the press of Western New York
close this review of a valuable life. Buffalo "Times" (in
part only) :
Many years ago we were present in court when
Judge Hooker .sentenced to death a young man who
had been convicted of murder. The magistrate showed
more emotion than did the defendent. The carefully
restrained but distinctly evident sorrow of the Judge,
his pallor, his manifest sense of the tremendous and
n el cncholy responsibility he was wielding left an im-
pression which lias never been effaced. It was a
memorable example of human feeling in exercising the
powers of justice, and was consonant with the breadth
of vision Judge Hooker showed in afterward granting
that unfortunate young man a new trial.
It seems to us that this incident is more typical of
Justice Hooker than anything that could be conveyed
in an editorial of the conventional kind.
Jamestown "Journal" (closing paragraph):
And now, some years after the days of his activity,
when he goes to his long rest after a strenuous life,
when he has laid down the burdens which he courage-
ously bore so many years, we pay tribute to his genius,
and join with those who sorrow at his passing from
the realm of the living to take his place in the silent
chambers of the dead.
406
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
CHAUNCEY ABBEY— A quarter of a century has
elapsed since Chauncey Abbey walked Fredonia's streets,
but his memory is still green and monuments to his
memory are found on every hand. Nearly forty years
prior to his passing he organized with others the Fre-
donia Bank, a State institution, which later became the
Fredonia National Bank, of which Chauncey Abbey was
the able president during the last twelve years of his life.
Beginning life on a farm, he was very successful as an
agriculturist, and as the years passed he broadened and
expanded until his activities touched nearly every de-
partment of Chautauqua county life. His life was a
successful and a useful one, for it was not given up to
selfish ends or ignoble purposes. He prospered, but it
was not at the expense of others, and his wealth was
both rightly acquired and rightly used. Seventy-nine
were the years of his life, and from the age of eight
3 r ears he was a resident of Chautauqua county, and from
arrival at legal age a landowner.
This surname is variously spelled, Abbe and Abbey
being the commoner forms. The origin of the word as
a surname is self-evident, the first to bear it taking ad-
vantage of the nearness of his home to the abbey to
adopt that word as his surname. The family in England
bore arms : Gules, five fusils in fesse, between three
scallop shells. Crest : On a wreath of three colors of
the shield, gules and argent, an eagle's head erased or.
Chauncey Abbey traced his descent through six gen-
erations of New England ancestors to John Abbey, who,
tradition says, was of Norwich, Norfolkshire, England.
John Abbey was admitted an inhabitant of Salem, Mass.,
Jan. 2, 1636, and allotted an acre of ground "for an
house" and "three acres of planting ground." He had
other lands granted him in Salem, and is mentioned in
the Wenham records in 1643 ; was a constable in 1669,
and according to Savage was at Reading, Mass., in 1685.
He died about 1690, aged not far from seventy-four
years. His first wife, Mary Abbey, who died Sept. 9,
1672, was the mother of Samuel Abbey, through whom
Chauncey Abbey traced his descent.
Samuel Abbey was born about 1650, in Salem or Wen-
ham, Mass., died in Windham, Conn., in March, 1697-98.
He was a landowner and surveyor of Wenham, lived in
Salem Village, bought and sold several tracts of land in
Essex county, Mass., prior to Dec. 21, 1697, when he
was admitted an inhabitant of Windham, Conn. He
married, at Windham, Mass., Oct. 12, 1672, Mary Knowl-
ton, who survived him and married a second husband,
Abraham Mitchell. Descent is traced to Chauncey Ab-
bey through Ebenezer Abbey, son of Samuel and Mary
(Knowlton) Abbey.
- Ebenezer Abbey was born in Salem Village, Mass.,
July 31, 1683, died Dec. 5, 1758. He was of Norwich,
Conn., and Windham, Conn.' and in 1725 was a mem-
ber of the Hampton church. He is traced by his land
transactions, and may have lived at Mansfield, as he there
married, Oct. 28, 1707, Mary, daughter of Joshua Allen,
one of Mansfield's early settlers. They were the parents
of thirteen children, descent being traced in this branch
through the eldest child, Ebenezer Abbey.
Ebenezer (2) Abbey was born in Windham, Conn.,
July 27, 1708. He married Abigail, surname unknown,
Feb. 22, 1729, and they were the parents of seven chil-
dren, descent being traced through the sixth child, John
Abbey.
John Abbey was born in Windham, Conn., Aug. 23,
1743, died in Bellows Falls, Conn. He was a soldier of
the Revolution, serving with the Connecticut Line. He
married, April 27, 1768, Dorothy Bugbee, and they were
the parents of David Abbey, the founder of the family
in Chautauqua county, N. Y., and grandparents of
Chauncey Abbey.
David Abbey was born at Bellows Falls, Conn., in 1789,
died in Chautauqua county, N. Y., in 1876. He was a
farmer all his life, and owned land in various places.
He located in the town of Villenova (now Arkwright),
Chautauqua county, N. Y., in 1823, and there resided
many years. He married, in New England, Hannah
Woods, born in Bennington, Vt., daughter of Nathan
Woods, a Revolutionary soldier, and descendant of John
Woods, born in England about 1610, one of the first set-
tlers of Sudbury, Mass. David and Hannah (Woods)
Abbey were the parents of seven children: James
Parker ; Chauncey, mentioned below ; Abial, Hannah,
John, David, Jr., and a child who died young.
Chauncey Abbey, second son of David and Hannah
(Woods) Abbey, was born in the town of Virgil, Cort-
land county, N. Y., April 1, 1815, died in the village of
Fredonia, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Sept. 11, 1894. He
was eight years old when brought to Chautauqua county
by his parents in 1823, and until reaching man's estate
remained at the home farm in the now town of Ark-
wright. He was educated in the district schools, and
developed marked ability as a mathematician. In 1836
he left home and began life on his own farm, having
become the owner of a choice tract of 194 acres in the
town of Arkwright, near the village of the same name.
He gave particular attention to the improvement and
cultivation of his farm, and in course of time brought it
to the very highest condition of productiveness. He spe-
cialized in stock-raising and dealing, and in addition to
fertile fields, his farm was also noted for its fine stock.
He easily grew into leadership among the farmers of his
district, and that, in a community remarkable for its fine
farms and prosperous farmers. His cattle dealing began
when he was a young farmer anxious to increase his
income through other means than by actual cultivation of
the soil. It is related of him that after making some
small ventures he determined to go in heavier and went
to Ellicott to bid up the large herd of cattle Mr. Pren-
dergast annually placed upon the market. He looked so
young that Mr. Prendergast advised him not to buy, but
be satisfied with a farmer's gains, and not take a cattle
drover's risks. But the young man persisted and bought
the entire herd, clearing over a thousand dollars in the
transaction. Many times afterward he bought the Pren-
dergast herd, but was never again burdened with the
owner's good advice. For many years each farmer pro-
duced a herd of cattle for the market, and there was
hardly a farm in the county but Mr. Abbey sometime
visited and usually did some business. He imported
cattle from the West, principally to replenish Chau-
tauqua dairies, and found markets for his cattle at home
and abroad.
So heavy were his transactions and so abundant was
his capital that he became a purchaser of commercial
BIOGRAPHICAL
407
paper and other securities, becoming practically the
banker for entire townships, in which the highest form
of security known was Chauncey Abbey's word. He
became familiar with all forms of business, drew wills,
settled estates, acted as guardian and safeguarded the
investments of minors and others. He was literally con-
sulted by hundreds in matters of deep importance to
them, and the advice they sought was always freely
given. Besides his own home farm at Arkwright, which
he never sold, he owned and improved a farm in Ohio,
and several valuable Chautauqua county tracts, for he was
a firm believer in the future agricultural greatness of
the county and in the value of Chautauqua lands as an
investment.
While he was the best known financier in the county,
it was not until 1S56 that he formed regular banking
connections. In that year, with Stephen M. Clements
and others, he organized the Fredonia Bank under the
State laws, and in 1865 reorganized and incorporated it
under the newly enacted National banking laws as The
First National Bank of Fredonia. He was a heavy
investor in the stock of both banks, always a member
of their boards of direction, and from 1882 until his
death, in 1894, was president of The First National. He
was a member of the Presbyterian church, and in poli-
tics a Republican.
Mr. Abbey married (first) Elizabeth Chase, who died
March 28, 1855, aged thirty-eight years, daughter of
Stephen Chase, of Charlotte, Chautauqua county, N. Y.
They were the parents of four children : Hannah, died
young; Rubie Lavinia, a resident of Fredonia; Rosa E.,
married (first) Manly M. Sessions, (second) Herbert A.
Peirce ; Etta Elizabeth, widow of Judge Warren Brew-
ster Hooker, whose sketch precedes this.
The rise of Chauncey Abbey from farmer boy to
financier is well worth contemplation, and his character
proves difficult to analyze. He was ambitious, but not to
a degree unusual, and it is not easy to find the exact
characteristic which won success. He was a keen ob-
server of men. To the man struggling manfully with
adversity his strong arm was outstretched, but drones
and adventurers, wasters of fortunes and opportunities,
and betrayers of trusts never successfully applied to him.
He was a bold, energetic, self-reliant man, following
more than most men the suggestions of his own judg-
ment and conscience. He listened to others but decided
for himself. He generously aided every public enter-
prise to make men better and happier. He had the
frankness and geniality that attached to him his busi-
ness associates and neighbors. In a business career of
more than sixty years his integrity was never questioned.
He faithfully discharged every trust confided in him. He
was a wise man from the lessons of life and the book of
nature to him was ever open.
HARRY BENJAMIN HOPSON— The founder of
the Hopson line of this record was Sergeant John Hop-
son, the name appearing in early records as both Hopson
and Hobson, variations persisting to the present. Ser-
geant John Hopson was born in England in 1610, and
it is believed that he came to America in the "Globe"
in 16.15. probably accompanying his father, John Hop-
son, who settled at Rowley, Mass. Sergeant John Hop-
son located at Guilford in the Connecticut colony, and
there he died July 3, 1701. He was three times married,
his first wife, Sara, died Sept. 9, 1669; his second, whom
he married Dec. 3 (or 9), 1672, Elizabeth, died in 1683,
daughter of Edward Shipman, of Saybrook, Conn.; his
third, Elizabeth Ailing, daughter of John Ailing, of
New Haven, born Sept. 11, 1653. The children of his
first marriage were: John, born March 16, 1666, and
Francis, who died young; of his second: Elizabeth,
born Jan. 27, 1674, married Comfort Starr; and Abi-
gail, born Dec. 17, 1677, died young; of his third: Sam-
uel, of whom further.
(II) Lieutenant Samuel Hopson, son of Sergeant
John and Elizabeth (Ailing) Hopson, was born in Guil-
ford, Conn., Jan. 10, 1684, lived in that town all of his
life, and died Dec. 21, 1771. He married (first) Jan.
20, 1700, Mary Fowler, born about 1681, died Oct. 17,
1717, daughter of Judge Abraham Fowler; (second)
Ann Leete, daughter of Governor William Leete, of
Guilford, Conn.
(III) Samuel (2) Hopson, son of Lieutenant Samuel
(1) Hopson, was born in Guilford, Conn., Oct. 21, 1710,
and died in Wallingford, Conn., May 3, 1789. He grew
to manhood on the homestead in the northern end of
the town, and in 1760 moved to Wallingford, where he
engaged in agricultural operations for the remainder of
his life. He married, in Guilford, about 1733, Mercy
Collins, born in Guilford, Jan. 19, 1707, died in Walling-
ford, Conn. Children: Clement; Linus, of whom fur-
ther; Samuel, born July 29, 1738; Ashel, born April 12,
1743; Rue, born Aug. 12, 1745; Simeon, born Oct. 14,
1747; Alvanus, born April 9, 1752; and Avis.
(IV) Linus Hopson, son of Samuel (2) Hopson, was
born about 1736, in Guilford. He was in the Colonial
army during the Revolution, served at Boston, and rose
to the rank of lieutenant. He was for a time a resi-
dent of Wallingford, Conn., and later moved to Free-
hold near Albany, N. Y. He married, about 1766, Mar-
tha Shattuck, born in Middletown, Conn., April 15, 1746,
died probably in Freehold, Albany county, N. Y.,
daughter of Timothy and Desire (Hall) Shattuck,
granddaughter of Rev. Benjamin and Martha (Sher-
man) Shattuck, and Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Curtis)
Hall, of Wallingford, great-granddaughter of William
and Susanna (Randall) Shattuck, of Woburn, Mass.,
and Joseph and Elizabeth (Winship) Sherman. (See
Shattuck V). Children: Philo, of whom further; Lyman,
born May 30, 1769; Sherman, born June 19, 1772; Linus,
born Oct. 20, 1777; and Jason, born May 19, 1781.
(V) Philo Hopson, son of Linus Hopson, was born
in Wallingford, Conn., Nov. 16, 1767. He lived for a
time after his marriage in the place of his birth, then
moved to Chautauqua county, N. Y. From Chautau-
qua county he went to Virginia, and there all trace of
him was lost. He married, in Branford, Conn., Dec.
IT » I79I, Anna Norton, who died in Chautauqua county
in 1809. (See Norton XVIII.). Children: Stephen,
Linus, Lyman, Sarah, born in 1801, Harry, and Philo, Jr.
(VI) Lyman Hopson, son of Philo Hopson, was born
in Wallingford, Conn., in 1799. He was a lad of ten
years when the family moved to Chautauqua county,
locating near Hartfield, and in this vicinity he became a
land owner and farmer, his death occurring in 1853.
He married, in 1823, Nancy Barnhardt, born in Som-
408
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
erset county, Pa., in 1797, died in Hartfield, N. Y., in
1858, daughter of Peter and Molly (Boyer) Barnhardt.
Children: Martha, born in August, 1824: Amy Pris-
cilla, born Nov. 1, 1825; Eliza Ann, born in 1828; Nel-
son, of whom further; John and Peter (twins), born in
1836.
(VII) Nelson Hopson, son of Lyman Hopson, was
born in Hartfield, Chautauqua county, N .Y., June 27,
1832, and died Oct. 5, 1909, one hundred years after his
grandfather first came to Chautauqua county. He was
a successful and substantial farmer, and both he and
his wife were members and liberal supporters of the
Methodist Episcopal church of Mayville. Politically
he was a Prohibitionist, and did active work for the
party. He married, March 29, 1852, Marilla Fuller,
born Dec. 12. 1828, died at Mayville, April 8, 1913,
daughter of Joseph and Lydia (Lewis) Fuller. Chil-
dren, all born in Hartfield, N. Y. : Nancy Viola, born
March 17, 1853; Newell Philo, born Feb. 18, 1855:
Harrv Benjamin, of whom further; and Jane, born
Sept. 28, 1868.
(VIII) Harry Benjamin Hopson, son of Nelson Hop-
son, was born in Hartfield, Chautauqua county, N. Y.,
Sept. 14, 1857. He attended the district school
until his fourteenth year, when he entered the Fre-
donia Normal School, where his sister Nancy Viola
had graduated at an earlier date. The four children of
Nelson and Marilla (Fuller) Hopson all attended the
Fredonia Academy, and the daughters graduated from
the Fredonia Normal School. It has been characteris-
tic of the Hopson men to marry at an early age, and
Harry B. Hopson was no exception. In 1879 he mar-
ried Adelaide J. Gleason, oldest daughter of Charles
and Lucy Ann (Slocum) Gleason.
Mr. Hopson engaged in the wholesale ice business
at Mayville at about this time, and established one of
the oldest and largest businesses of its kind on Chau-
tauqua Lake, building three different plants, all at the
head of the lake. This enterprise came to employ more
men than almost any other concern, and the firm of
Hopson & Carlson, later known as the H. B. Hopson
Ice Company, has survived many other natural ice busi-
nesses of this region. In 1892 Mr. Hopson and his
brother purchased the old Sweet farm, a large grape
farm two miles east of Westfield. In 1903 he became
owner of the Prendergast homestead, a grape farm of
120 acres, on the east side of the main road of West-
field. He often delighted in telling his friends that
when a small boy he had driven by this beautiful home
with his father, and had resolved that at some time he
would own this place. The beautiful old house is of
splendid Jacobean architecture, and is situated on the
south side of the road facing Lake Erie, approached
through an avenue of magnificent old maples. It is
known as Rowan Place, from the English name of the
mountain ash trees found on the grounds in front of the
house. Here Mr. Hopson made his home until his
death in 1912.
Mr. Hopson was a staunch Democrat, and although
he did not care for politics, he filled many offices of
trust in the village of Mayville, then his home. He was
a communicant of St. Peter's Episcopal Church of
Westfield, and in the Masonic order was a member of
lodge, chapter, commandery, and consistory. He was
highly esteemed not only in his own community, but
throughout Chautauqua county and Western New York,
where he was well known. He possessed a magnetic
personality, which not only endeared him to his family
and his many loyal friends, but caused him to be highly
regarded in a large circle of acquaintances. Aside from
his business he was a man of many interests. He was
passionately fond of music and the stage, and always
felt himself fortunate to have lived in the days of Booth,
Barrett, McCullough, Clara Morris, and their contem-
poraries. From his mother's family, the Fullers, he
inherited a great love for fine horses, and preferred sit-
ting behind his little Kentucky bred pacer than driv-
ing an automobile. He enjoyed the reputation of being
the most genial and affable man among his friends, in
his clubs, and in fraternal organizations, but one of his
strongest characteristics was his independence and his
extreme aversion to all sham and pretense wherever
and whenever it was met.
Mrs. Hopson, who survives him, was educated in the
grammar and high schools of Mayville and afterward
took a course in elocution. She was a member of the
Episcopal church, and later adopted the Christian Sci-
ence faith, now (1920) being first reader in the Chris-
tian Science church in Westfield. She was a lady of
culture and refinement, a lover of nature and art, and a
member of Patterson Chapter, Daughters of the Amer-
ican Revolution. Children of Harry Benjamin and Ade-
laide J. (Gleason) Hopson, all born in Mayville: I.
Lucy Marilla, of whom further. 2. Sarah Rowena, born
Aug. 22, 1884, educated in the public schools of West-
field, Darlington Seminary, at West Chester, Pa., and
the Philadelphia School of Design; she married John
Calvin Powers, a business man of New York City, and
they reside in East Orange, N. J.: they are the parents
of one child, Mary Adelaide. 3. Maude Viola, born
July 30, 1886, educated in Westfield schools, Vila Con-
vent School, of Erie, and Painesville College for
Women; lives at home. 4. Harold Sherman, born Oct.
26, 1892, educated in Westfield schools and the Col-
lege of Technology, of Troy, N. Y. 5. Harry Benja-
min, Jr., born Dec. 28, 1897, educated in public schools
and St. John's Academy at Manlius, N. Y. : associated
with Doubleday, Hill & Company, of Pittsburgh; mar-
ried Margaret Belmont. 6. Charles Gleason, born May
29, 1900; attended Westfield schools, now a student in
the U. S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md.
(IX) Lucy Marilla Hopson was born March 2, 1882.
She is a graduate of Mayville High School and Buffalo
State Normal schools. She married Thomas W. Us- 1
borne, who was born in Westfield, N. Y., April 21, 1881,
son of William and Martha (Van Ness) Usborne. Mr.
Usborne attended the Westfield schools, and after grad-
uation from the high school entered the National Bank
of Westfield in the capacity of clerk. He rose to the
office of teller, and after twelve years resigned to accept
the cashiership of the National Bank of North East.
This responsible position he filled until 1912. He re-
signed in this year because of the death of his father-
in-law, and his appointment as executor and trustee of
the estate of Mr. Hopson. He has faithfully adminis-
tered this estate to the present time, to the complete
satisfaction of those most intimately concerned, and has
labored diligently in their interest. Mr. Usborne has
BIOGRAPHICAL
409
given much time and study to the breeding of Guernsey
cattle, and is first vice-president of the Guernsey Cattle
Association of Western New York. He is active in
many circles in Westfield, and is president of the Cham-
ber of Commerce, where his progressive beliefs and
ideas have resulted in benefit to his city, and vice-presi-
dent of the Western New York Guernsey Cattle Club.
He is a member of the Episcopal church. Mr. Usborne
showed a special aptitude for music when quite young,
and during his early school life it was with difficulty
that he was not permitted from neglecting his studies
to practice on various band instruments. During his
later school period he took up the study of music in
a serious way on his own account, devoting much time
to the study of music, musicians and harmony, and later
settled down to playing his favorite instrument, the
slide trombone, which instrument he has played ever
since, professionally and otherwise. Much to his re-
gret his other duties do not permit of his devoting as
much time to music as he would like. Mrs. Usborne is
a member and ex-secretary of Patterson Chapter,
Daughters of the American Revolution, of Westfield,
and is a charter member of the Ladies' Library Society
of Westfield. She is interested in civic affairs and cur-
rent events, inherits a talent for elocution from her
mother, and is fond of genealogical research, having
contributed valuable material to the family records.
(The Shattuck Line).
(I) William Shattuck was born in England, 1621, and
died in Watertown, Mass., Aug. 14. 1672. He married,
1642, Susanne , who died in Watertown, Dec. II,
1 8
(II' William (2) Shattuck, son of William (1) and
Susanne Shattuck, was born in Watertown, Mass., in
1653, and died Oct. 19, 1732. He married, 1678, Susanna
Randall, born in Watertown, Mass., died May 8, 1723,
daughter of Stephen Randall.
(III) Rev. Benjamin Shattuck, son of William (2)
and Susanna (Randall) Shattuck, was born in Water-
town. Mass., July 30. 1687, died in Littletown. Conn.
He graduated at Harvard, June 17, 1709. He engaged
to teach grammar school and taught until 17 1 5. He
studied Divinity and was ordained, and became first
minister of Littletown, Conn., Dec. 25, 1717. He mar-
ried, 1709, Martha Sherman, born Sept. 1, 1689, in Wa-
tertown, Mass., died in Littletown, Conn., daughter of
Joseph and Elizabeth (Winship) Sherman. Joseph
Sherman was a son of Captain John and Martha (Por-
ter) Sherman, the latter named a daughter of Rodger
and Grace (Colledge) Porter. Elizabeth (Winshii
Sherman was a daughter of Edward Winship, of Cam-
bridge.
(IV) Timothy Shattuck, son of Rev. Benjamin and
Martha (Sherman) Shattuck, was born in Watertown,
Mass., 1715, died in 1775-76. He lived in Littletown and
Middletown, Conn. He married, in Wallingford, Conn.,
Nov. 5. 1740, Desire Hall, daughter of Nathaniel and
Elizabeth (Curtis) Hall.
(V) Martha Shattuck, daughter of Timothy and De-
sire (Hall) Shattuck, born in Middletown, Conn., April
15, 1746, married Lieutenant Linus Hopson. (See
Hopson IV.).
(The Norton Line).
The Norton family of Norwich, of whom the late
Henry B., Timothy P. and William T. Norton were the
founders, is one of the oldest families of Connecticut.
Thomas Norton, the founder of the family in New Eng-
land, was born in the County of Surrey, England, and
was descendant in the fourteenth generation from
(I) Le Sieur de Norville, who came to England with
William the Conqueror, and was his constable. He
married into the house of Valois.
(II) Sr. de Norville married into the house of Barr.
(III) Sr.de Norville married into the house of Dol-
bermmonto.
(IV) Sr. de Norville married Auelina, daughter of
Neuil De Witt, of Raby.
(V) Sr. de Norville married Jorica, daughter of
Sieur Dumpre de Court.
(All Sr. de Norville, alias Norton, married the
daughter of Sir John Hadsooke.
(VII) Sr. de Norville. alias Norton, married the
daughter and co-heiress of Monseigneur Bassing-
bourne.
(VII I) Sir John Norton, alias Norville, married the
daughter of the Lord Grey de Ruthyn.
1 I X ) John Norton, of Sharpenhow, in Bedfordshire,
( X 1 John Norton, of Sharpenhow, married a daugh-
ter of Mr. Danie. She married for her second husband
John Cowper.
(XI) Thomas Norton, of Sharpenhow, married
(first) Elizabeth Merry.
(XII) Richard Norton married Margery, daughter
of Wingar, of Sharpenhow.
(XIII) William Norton married (first) Margaret,
daughter of William Howes. Among his children was
Thomas, of Guilford, Conn.
(XIV) Thomas Norton married, in 1625, Grace
Wells, and with his wife and children came from Ock-
ley. Surrey, near Guilford, England, to Boston, Mnsx,
11131). There he remained a short time, and while
there his wife gave the land on which the old South
Church was built. He joined Rev. Henry Whitfield's
company of the New Haven Colony, locating at Guil-
ford, where he spent the remainder of his life, and
where he died. He and his wife had four children:
Thomas, born about 1626, who settled in Saybrook,
Conn.; John, of whom further; Grace; Mary, who mar-
ried Samuel Rockwell.
(XV) John Norton, son of Thomas and Grace
(Wells) Norton, born in England, came to the New
World with his parents and located at Guilford, Conn.,
where he spent the remainder of his life, and where he
died. He married (first) Hannah Stone, and (second)
Elizabeth Hubbard. Children: John, born Nov. 18,
1666, died Jan. 10, 1667: John, born May 29, 166S;
Samuel, born Oct. 4, 1672, married Abigail Ward,
Jan. 25, 1693; Thomas, of whom further; Hannah, born
Feb. 4, 1678, married Ebenezcr Stone, Jan. 16, 1702;
Jeruiah, married Simon Leete; Elijah; Benjamin;
Martha.
(XVI) Thomas Norton, son of John Norton, was
born in Guilford, March 4, 167S. died in 1744. He
married. May 28, 1701, Rachel Starr, born 1681, at Guil-
ford, daughter of Comfort and Marah (Weld) Starr.
4io
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
Rachel (Starr) Norton, died Sept. 30, 1755. Children:
Rachel, born May 12, 1702; Thomas, of whom further;
Daniel, born Jan. 17, 1707; Reuben, born April 6, 171 1 ;
Leah, born April 3, 1715; Evin, born Nov. 8, 1718;
Timothy, born Feb. 3, 1721.
(XVII) Thomas (2) Norton, son of Thomas (1) and
Rachel (Starr) Norton, was born Oct. 4, 1704, died
Sept. 8, 1768. He married Bethiah , about 1724.
(XVIII) Thomas (3) Norton, son of Thomas (2)
and Bethiah Norton, married, May 29, 1761, Mercy
Tyler, born in 1737, died in Branford, Oct. 21, 1824.
Children: Mattie, born in Branford, Oct. 20, 1761;
Timothy, born in Branford, Dec. 18, 1762, died next
day; Thomas, Jr., married Sarah Potter, Nov. 16, 1789;
Anna, married Philo Hopson, Dec. 11, 1791, at Bran-
ford. (See Hopson V.).
(The Gleason Line).
The Gleason family herein traced was founded in
America by Thomas Gleason, who was born in North
Hampton, England, in 1607. Thomas Gleason located at
Cambridge, Mass., and there died in 1686. He married
Susanna Page, born in England, who died in Boston,
Mass. They were the parents of nine children.
(II) William Gleason, the seventh child of Thomas
Gleason, was born in Cambridge, Mass., in 1655, died
there Jan. 14, 1690. With his brothers, Philip and Na-
thaniel, he was a soldier in King Philip's War. He
married, about 1678, Abigail Bartlett, born about 1651,
who was a widow, and she was the mother of his seven
children.
(III) John Gleason, third son, of William Gleason,
was born in Cambridge, Mass., in 1683. He moved to
Hartford county, Conn., settling on the Connecticut
river, in the town of Enfield, where he died prior to
Aug. 23, 1717. He married, in Suffield, Hartford
county, Conn., Feb. 15, 1704, Hannah Woolworth, born
Feb. 10, 1 681, died in Suffield, in January, 1759, daughter
of Richard and Hannah (Higgins) Woolworth, of New-
bury, Mass. They were the parents of: John, of whom
further; Hannah, born Feb. 23, 1708; Mary, born Oct.
10, 1709; Elizabeth, born May 24, 1713.
(IV) John (2) Gleason, only son of John (1) Glea-
son, was born in Enfield, Conn., Jan. 13, 1706, and there
made his home. He married, about 1726, Sarah Rob-
bins. The following children were all born in Enfield:
John, born June 25, 1727; Deborah, born Jan. 27, 1731;
Ephraim, born June 4, 1733; Hannah, born Jan. 24,
1735; Asa, born April 4, 1738; Ariel, of whom further;
Hannah, born Dec. 24, 1747.
(V) Ariel Gleason, son of John (2) Gleason, was
born in Enfield, Conn., Jan. 24, 1743, and there resided
all his life. He married, about 1774, and was the
father of Ariel, Enoch ; Rufus, of whom further ; and
Elijah.
(YD Rufus Gleason, son of Ariel Gleason, was born
in Enfield, Conn., about 1777. He followed the occupa-
tion of miller, made his home in several places in Con-
necticut, and died in early manhood. He married, about
1796, Marian Granger, of Suffield, Conn., born May 27,
1776, daughter of Phineas and Elizabeth (Hall)
Granger, her father a soldier of the Colonial army for
more than four years during the Revolution, dying in
the service. She was a descendant of Launcelot and
Joanna (Adams) Granger through Samuel and Esther
(Hanchett) Granger, and Jeremiah and Thankful
(Hale) Granger. Rufus Gleason was the father of
seven children.
(VII) Rufus (2) Gleason, son of Rufus (1) Gleason,
was born April 27, 1808, in Salisbury, Conn., and died
in Mayville, Chautauqua county, N. Y., March 24,
1889. He settled in Chautauqua county in 1837. He
married, in 1829, Melissa Sherman, born June 10, 1809,
daughter of Robert and Tirzah (Smith) Sherman. Her
father was a cavalry officer in the War of 1812, and died
in Schoharie county, N. Y. Robert Sherman's widow
was born in Boston, Mass., her father serving through-
out the Revolution from Bunker Hill to the end of the
war. She moved to Mayville and made her home with
her daughter, Mrs. Rufus Gleason, at whose home she
died May 14, 1863. Children of Rufus (2) Gleason:
Albert, born in 1831; Charles, of whom further; Wil-
liam Sherman, born July 8, 1837; Adelaide Adelia, born
Jan. 25, 1841; Ellen, born Dec. 15, 1844; Francis, born
Sept. 29, 1848.
(VIII) Charles Gleason, son of Rufus (2) Gleason,
was born in Montgomery county, N. Y., July 1. 1833.
He resided in New York State for a time, later located
at Mantorville, Minn., and subsequently moved to Flor-
ida. He married at Mantorville, Minn., Oct. 11, 1858,
Lucy Ann Slocum, who was born at Linesville, Pa.,
Nov. 18, 184^, died in Westfield, N. Y., July 11, 1912,
daughter of George Washington Sherman and Rhoda
Cary Van Courtlandt (Mantor) Slocum. (See Slo-
cum VII.).
(The Slocum Line).
The branch of the family of Slocum through which
connection is made with the Gleason family was founded
in Rhode Island by Anthony Slocum, who was born in
Somersetshire, England, in 1590.
(II) The line continues through his son, Giles, who
was born in Somersetshire, England, in 1618, and died
in Portsmouth, R. I., in 1682. In 1655 he was a free-
man in Portsmouth. He and his wife were both mem-
bers of the Society of Friends. He married, in 1641,
Joanna Bailey, who was born in England in 1615, died
in Portsmouth, R. I., Aug. 3, 1679, daughter of John
Bailey. Giles and Joanna Slocum were the parents of
nine children.
(III) Eliezer Slocum, son of Giles Slocum, was born
in Portsmouth, R. I., Oct. 25, 1664, died July 30, 1727.
The following is a tradition that has come down through
the family: There came to the Slocum homestead a
maiden named Elephel Fitzgerald, daughter of the Earl
of Kildare. An English army officer had fallen in love
with her sister and the couple eloped to America,
bringing with them Lady Elephel. Elephel became em-
ployed in the household of Giles Slocum, father of
Eliezer, and the son fell in love with the fair stranger.
The young people were chided (she doubtless being a
Romanist) and were forbidden to continue their court-
ship. There are stories of this Portsmouth courtship,
which have found their way down through more than
two centuries, which hint at the incarceration of the
maiden in the smoke house. The youth scaled the roof
by night, crawled down the chimney, and rescued the
maiden. And so they were married and came to Dart-
mouth and lived happily ever after. Children: Meri-
BIOGRAPHICAL
411
bah, born April 28, 1689; Mary, born Aug. 22, 1601 :
Eliezer, born Jan. 20, 1693-94; John, born Jan. 20,
1696-97; Benjamin, born Dec. 14, 1699; Joanna, born
July 15, 1702; Ebenezer, of whom further.
(IV) Ebenezer Slocum, seventh child of Eliezer Slo-
cum. was born in 1704, and resided in Newport, R. I.
He married, Feb. 4. 1728, Bathsheba Perry Harper
Hull, born in Jamestown, R. I., daughter of Tristram
and Elizabeth (Dyer) Hull, a descendant of Rev. Jo-
seph Hull and William Dyer, whose wife, Mary Dyer,
was hung on Boston Common for her religious belief,
June 1, 1660. Ebenezer Slocum was the father of nine
children.
1 V I Samuel Slocum, fourth child of Ebenezer Slo-
cum. was born at Dartmouth, Bristol county, Mass.,
June 4, 1736. He located at Monkton, Vt., and there
died in [823. With his six brothers he was a soldier in
the Colonial army in the Revolution, having volunteered
from Tiverton, R. I. He married Ruth Hall, and they
were the parents of seven children. (See Hall IV.).
(VI) Samuel (2) Slocum, son of Samuel (1) Slocum,
was burn at Newport, R. I.. Nov. 15, 1785. He went to
Vermonl witli his parents and later in life journeyed
we^t to Nebraska, where his death occurred, having
also passed a period of time in Crawford, Pa. He
served in the American army in the second war with
Great Britain, and was in the action at Plattsburg. His
death occurred Nov. 3, 1865. He married, in Rhode
Island, in November, 181 1, Mary Gardiner Sherman,
born at Narragansett, Washington county, R. I., in
1791, daughter of Captain Henry (2) and Mary Eliza-
beth (Gardiner) Shermap. (See Sherman V.). They
were the parents of ten children, as follows: Henry
Gardiner, born Sept. 3, 1812; Samuel Elliot, born June
1, 181 5; Elizabeth, born Oct. 2, 1816; George Wash-
ington Sherman, of whom further; Fitzgerald, born
Nov. 15, 1820; Ruth, born Feb. 27, 1822; Ann Robin-
son, born April 29, 1825; Lucy Dailey, born 1827:
Amanda Sherman, born Aug. 7, 1828; Manley Leanidas,
born Oct. 23, 1832.
(VII) Judge George Washington Slocum, son of
Samuel (2) Slocum, was born in Monkton, Addison
county, Vt, Aug. 7, 1S1S. In 1834 he went with his
parents to Crawford county, Pa., and there married,
Sept. 30, 1841, Rhoda Cary Van Courtlandt Mantor,
who was born in Albany county, N. Y., Dec. 12, 1820.
In 1S54 they went west to the southeastern part of Min-
nesota, locating at Mantorville, the county seat of
Dodge county. In 1855 Mr. Slocum was appointed on
its first board of commissioners by Willis A. Gorman,
territorial governor. He was elected justice of the
peace in Mantorville in- 1858, holding that office for
more than twenty-five years: was for several years
clerk of the Probate Court, and was elected judge of the
County Court for a four-year term. He was a man of
importance and standing in the community. He died
March 24, 1004, in Washington. Pa., his wife's death
having occurred in Mantorville, June 25, 1865. They
were the parents of seven children, as follows: Lucy
Ann, married Charles Gleason. (See Gleason VIII.);
Frank Mantor, born in 1S43: Emma Josephine; Mary
Minerva: Augusta Eveline, born Sept. 29, 1850: Sam-
uel; Sara Lydia, born July 23, 1861.
(The Hall Line).
On the 8th day of the eighth month, 1638, the name
of William Hall was one of a list of fifty-nine persons
admitted inhabitants of an island on the coast of Rhode
Island, now called Aquidneck. In 1639, William Hall
was an inhabitant of Newport, R. I. On the 27th day
of the fifth month, 1644. a parcel of land in Portsmouth,
R. I., was granted to William Hall by the town. His
name was on the list of freemen, Portsmouth, 1655. Wil-
liam Hall sold, on the 6th day of the seventh month,
1654, to Richard Sisson, of Portsmouth, 1-300 of an
island called Canonicut, and 1-300 of Dutch Island. Wil-
liam Hall was commissioner to the General Court from
Portsmouth, in 1654-56-60-63, and he was deputy from
Portsmouth to the General Assembly in 1665-66-67-68-
72-73. In 1673 he was appointed on a committee for the
purpose of treating with the Indians about drunkenness,
and to seriously council them, and to agree on some way
to prevent extreme excess of Indian drunkenness. Five
chiefs are named, among whom is the name of the famous
Philip of Mount Hope, called King Philip, with whom
the committee should treat.
James Usher, genealogist, of No. 9 Murray street,
New York City, says :
We have the trans-Atlantic trace of William Hall,
clergyman. He is believed to he the same William
Hall who was a writer in London, and continued the
"Fab you Chronical" begun by Sir Thomas Moore. And
there is added authority to believe a connection existed
between William Hall and the Lord Chancellor's fam-
ily. William Hall, of London, went out of record there
in 1638. the same year that William Hall began record
in Rhode Island. Thomas Clement, a connection of the
Mores, was an original founder of Portsmouth. R. I.,
and was a neighbor of William Hall, and the adminis-
trator of his estate.
William Hall made his will on the 20th day of the
eleventh month, 1673. The will was probated on the
19th day of the second month, 1676. He married Mary
. Children: Zurill, William, Benjamin, Eliza-
beth, Rebecca, and Deliverance.
(II) Benjamin Hall, son of William and Mary Hall,
was born in Portsmouth, R. I. He was admitted free-
man of Portsmouth, April 30, 1678; was appointed jus-
tice, May 3, 1704, and 1709; was deputy to the Gen-
eral Assembly, May 6, 1701, and May 3, 1704, Feb. 25,
1706, and 1707, May, 1713, and 1714. He married, July
27, 1676, Frances Parker, daughter of George Parker,
of Portsmouth, R. I. Children: Mary, born April 3,
1678; William, born Aug. 19, 1680: Benjamin, of whom
further; George, born June 29, 1685; Nathaniel, born
June 20, 1689.
(III) Benjamin (2) Hall, son of Benjamin (1) and
Frances (Parker) Hall, was born June 17, 1682, in
Portsmouth, R. I. He married, in Portsmouth, R. L,
April 18, 1716, Patience Corey, daughter of William
Corey, of Portsmouth, R. I. Children: Martha, born
March 27. 1717; Frances, born April 4, 1719; William,
born March 27, 1721: Patience, born April 6, 1723; Re-
becka, born Jan. 5, 1726; Benjamin, of whom further.
(IV) Benjamin (3) Hall, son of Benjamin (2) and
Patience (Corey) Hall, was born in Portsmouth, R. L,
May 21, 1729. He married, in Portsmouth, 1749, De-
liverance Cornell. (See Cornell). Children: George,
born Nov. 24, 1749; Parker, born June 17, 1751: Pa-
tience, born April 5, 1753; William, born Nov. 24,
41-
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
1754; Ruth, married Samuel Slocum, son of Ebenezer
Slocum, April 17, 1778. (See Slocum V.).
(The Cornell Line).
Thomas Cornell, born in 1595, in Essex county, Eng-
land, died in 1655. He married Rebecca Briggs, born
in 1600, died Feb. 8, 1673.
(II) Thomas (2) Cornell, married , and died
in 1673.
(III) Thomas (3) Cornell, born in 1657, died in 1714.
He married Susannah Lawton.
(IV) George Cornell, born in 1676, died in 1752, at
Newport. R. I. He married three wives. The second
wife, Deliverance (Clark) Cornell, was daughter of
Governor Walter Clark, of Rhode Island, and Han-
nah (Scott) Cornell, daughter of Jeremy Scott.
(V) Richard Cornell, was born June 14, 17°9- I"
174S he was made freeman of Portsmouth. In 1749
he moved to East Greenwich and bought land two and
one-half miles east of the village. At close of eighteenth
century he bought two other parcels of land. He mar-
ried, at Newport, Mary Martin, of Portsmouth, R. I.,
Dec. 10, 1730. Mary Martin was daughter of Joseph
and Mary Martin. Children: Philadelphia, born Sept.
22, 1731 ; Deliverance, born June 18, 1733 (see Hall
IV.); Elizabeth, born Nov. 30, 1734; Joseph, born
April 16, 1737; Mary, born May 17, 1739; Sarah, born
July 12, 1740; Abigail, born July 6, 1744; Ruth, born
Sept. 9, 1748.
(The Sherman Line).
This line of Sherman traces to the Hon. Philip Sher-
man, who was born in Dedham, England, Feb. 5, 1610,
and died in Portsmouth, R. I., in 1687. In 1634 he came
to New England and settled first in Roxbury, Mass. At
the time of the Ann Hutchinson troubles in Boston,
about 1637, he took the popular side, but as Governor
Winthrop finally prevailed, he removed with others of
the same opinion to Rhode Island. Here the company
met Roger Williams, who advised them to purchase the
island of Aquidneck from the Indians. This purchase
was completed March 24, 1638, a regular government was
established July 1, 1639, with Coddington as governor,
and Philip Sherman as secretary. He frequently held
office in the colony afterward, and was consulted by those
in authority as a man of intelligence, wealth and influ-
ence. The early record of the settlement, prepared by
him, still remains in Portsmouth, and shows him to have
been a very neat and careful penman, as well as a man of
education. After his removal to Rhode Island he left
the Congregational church and united with the Society
of Friends. He is said to have been a devout but de-
termined man. He married Sarah Odding, daughter of
Mrs. John Porter.
(II) Eber Sherman, son of Hon. Philip Sherman, was
born in 1634, and died in North Kingston, Washington
county, R. I., in 1706. He and his wife Mary were the
parents of seven children.
(III) Eber (2) Sherman, son of Eber (1) Sherman,
was born in North Kingston, R. I. He married, about
1706, Martha Remington, born in 1683, daughter of
John and Abigail (Davis) Remington.
(IV) Henry Sherman, son of Eber (2) Sherman, was
born Jan. 14, 1724. He married, in 1747, Ann Higgin-
botham, born 1730, daughter of Charles and Mary Hig-
ginbotham, of Cranston, R. I.
(V) Captain Henry (2) Sherman, son of Henry (1)
Sherman, was born at South Kingston, R. I., March 31,
1759. He was a minute-man at the battles of Lexington
and Bunker Hill, and served throughout the Revolution.
In 1777 he was commissioned ensign in Colonel Sher-
burne's regiment, was later taken prisoner by the Brit-
ish at Paramus, five miles north of Paterson, N. J., and
in 1781 was returned to duty in an exchange of pris-
oners. He became a lieutenant in Colonel Green's
Rhode Island regiment, and was honorably discharged,
June 15, 1783, with the rank of captain. He was granted
a pension, April 13, 1813. He died at South Kingston,
June 7, 1830. He married Mary Elizabeth Gardiner, of
Kingston, R. I. Mary Gardiner, their daughter, born
1791, married Samuel Slocum. (See Slocum VI.).
FRANCIS D. STEELE— This branch of the Steele
family, well known in Jamestown and in the county gen-
erally, traces descent from Rudolph Stahle, a native of
Switzerland, of German antecedents. Rudolph Stahle
came to New York State at the age of twenty-one, and
was a resident of Livingston Manor on the Upper Hud-
son, in 171 1, when he responded to a call for volunteers
to march against the French and Indians. From Liv-
ingston Manor he moved to Schoharie county, and
thence to the Upper Mohawk Valley, where he was
granted large tracts of land. He owned considerable
land at German Flats, in 1755, his property being known
as the "Rudolph Staley Patent" as it is to this day.
Stahles were foremost in the early history of that sec-
tion of the Mohawk Valley, and in course of time the
name became anglicised as Steele. The children of
Rudolph Stahle that can be traced are three sons: Die-
terich, Adam, and Rudolph (2); and two daughters:
Elizabeth, and Barbara. The sons all fought in the
French and Indian War.
Dieterich Stahle, the eldest son, and his wife, Mar-
garetta, were the parents of a son, George, of whom
further.
George Stahle, son of Dieterich and Margaretta
Stahle, was a soldier of the Revolution. He married
Dorothea Schumacher. They were the parents of four
children: Elizabeth, born in 1777, married Jacob Totts;
Adam, born March 1, 1779; Rudolph, born Aug. 13,
1786, and Maria Barbara, born May 11, 1788.
Adam Stahle, son of George and Dorothea (Schu-
macher) Stahle, a soldier of the War of 1812, settled at
Sacket Harbor, N. Y. He married Elizabeth Dygert,
born April 3, 1783, daughter of Captain William Dyg-
ert, who served with General Herkimer at the battle of
Oriskany. They were the parents of seven children:
George, Dolly, William, Nancy, John Adam, Hiram,
and Abraham. In this generation the name in this
branch became Steele.
John Adam Steele, son of Adam and Elizabeth
(Dygert) Stahle, was born at Sacket Harbor, N. Y.,
Aug. 14, 1814, died in Jamestown, N. Y., Dec. 17, 1879.
He came to Beaver Dam, six miles from Corry, Pa.,
with his parents and helped clear the farm upon which
they settled. He had few school opportunities, and
when a lad of but fourteen years he left home and
a&am % Steele
jfrancts 2E>. Steele
3iames KUtlson, 3Jr.
£Parta 31. omison
BIOGRAPHICAL
413
walked to Jamestown. N. Y.. where lie obtained em-
ployment at fifty cents per day. His first work was dig-
ging a ditch, but he was used to hard work, and when
his employer, Mr. Barrows, inspected his first day's
work he was so gratified that he gave him a silver dol-
lar for his day's work instead of the half dollar prom-
ised. The lad did not remain in Jamestown, but re-
turned to the farm at Beaver Dam, near Corry, and
resumed work with his father and brothers at clear-
ing. Later he became very much discontented, and one
day while in the timber he intentionally broke his axe
ami again left home and walked the distance between
Corry ami Jamestown. This was in 1828, ami from
that time until his death he was a resident of James-
town. N. Y.
He found employment in the sash and blind factory
owned by Levi C. Barrows, with whom he remained
several years. Although he came to Jamestown with only
a dollar of capita!, he so thriftily managed his finances
that when opportunity offered to enter business for
himself he had the necessary capital. His first business
venture was as a partner with William Levi and James
Sprague in the foundry business. He continued a part-
ner in the Jamestown Foundry Company for thirty
years, then sold out his interest and purchased a tract
of land in Jamestown, North Side, containing 70 acres.
For ten years he cultivated that tract, then for a short
time again entered the foundry business. He came into
possession of the same foundry he formerly had, and
after disposing of all the machinery, he converted the
building into grist mills, known as the Brooklyn Mills.
He operated that mill for a short time in association
with his son, but continued to reside on his farm, where
he died in 1879 and was buried in Lakeview Cemetery.
Mr. Steele was a member of the Presbyterian church,
a Republican, a man of enterprise and progress, and a
good citizen.
He married Hannah M. Chapman, born April 25,
1815, died July 5, 1878, who rests with her husband in
Lakeview Cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. John Adam Steele
were the parents of two children: Albert, burn in 1845,
died 1858: Francis D., to whose memory this review
is dedicated.
Francis D. Steele, youngest son of John Adam and
Hannah M. (Chapman) Steele, was born in James-
town, N. Y.. June 4, 1846, died in the city of his birth.
Nov. 3, 1907, and was buried in Lakeview Cemetery.
He was educated in private schools and in old James-
town Academy, and after completing his school years
entered business life as his father's associate in his
various business enterprises. When the Brooklyn Mills
were started, Francis D. took charge of their opera-
tion, and after the death of John Adam Steele continued
them for several years. He was also for a time inter-
ested with Dr. Martin in the ownership and opera-
tion of the steamer "May Martin" on Chautauqua Lake.
He was also largely interested in the development of
real estate, laying out the 70-acre tract on the South
West Side into building lots, upon which he built sev-
eral houses. His home was on Fenton avenue, James-
town, and there he died. Mr. Steele was a Republican
in politics, a member of the Fireman's Association for
seven years, and an attendant of the Methodist Epis-
copal church. He was devoted to his home and family,
and was highly esteemed by his many friends.
Francis D. Steele married, Sept. 21, 1869, Tda M.
Wilson, daughter of James and Maria S. (Lydell) Wil-
son. (See Wilson line following). Mrs. Steele survives
her husband, a resident of Jamestown, residing on Church
street. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church, and a lady highly respected by all who know
her. Mr. and Mrs. Francis D. Steele were the par-
ents of two children: 1. Harry A., born July 7, 1876,
now connected with the Art Metal Works, Syracuse,
N. Y.; he is a member of the Masonic order and of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 2. Frances D.,
born Dec. 2, 1882, married William H. Miller, of Wil-
liamsport. Pa., now residing in New York City.
LYDELL L. WILSON— A native son of Chautau-
qua, Lydell L. Wilson is of the family of Wilson who
came to Chautauqua from Pennsylvania. Mr. Wilson
has spent his business life in lumber manufacturing and
dealing and is one of the successful men of that busi-
ness.
The Wilson family herein reviewed is of Scotch an-
cestry, and the progenitor of the family was influenced
to leave his home in Scotland by his kinsman, James
Wilson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
This Mr. Wilson never reached the shores of America,
but died on the voyage and was buried at sea. His
widow landed with her children in Philadelphia, one of
her sons, James, being then fourteen years of age. Mrs.
Wilson was a woman of strong character and faced the
burdens of widowhood in a strange land with a courage
that never faltered. The boys of the family were ap-
prenticed to useful trades, but the girls she kept with her
until they married. In later years she married a sec-
ond husband, a Mr. Reese, of Warren, Pa.
James Wilson, their son, was born in Scotland, and
was fourteen years old when he landed in Philadel-
phia. He married, in 1809, Elizabeth Porter, a Quak-
eress, of English parentage.
They settled in Westmoreland county, Pa., and when
their second son, James (2), was an infant, the family
came on horseback to Chautauqua county, N. Y., each
parent with a child and a camping outfit on the horse
with them. They made camp their first night in Chau-
tauqua county, on the banks of Cassadaga creek, under
the shelter of clustering pines, and in the morning
awoke to find a light snow had fallen during the night.
James Wilson secured a grant of land in the town of
Ellicott, on the banks of the Chadakoin river, on the
north side of the State road, there cleared land and built
a house. He enlisted in the War of 1812, as a private
in Captain John Silsbe's company, McMahan's regi-
ment. New York Militia, and on Dec. 30, 1813, was
wounded at Black Rock. Several years later he was
granted a yearly pension of $48, which he drew until
his death. James Wilson was engaged in buying and
rafting pine shingles to Pittsburgh, piloting his own
rafts. He was a very religious man, an exhorter in the
Methodist Episcopal church and a good singer. He
was leader of the choir in the Methodist church at
Jamestown, now the Independent Congregational
Church. He was granted two quarter sections of land
414
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
for his war services and continued his activities in
farming and lumbering until his death in 1866. His
wife, Elizabeth (Porter) Wilson, was a true pioneer,
strong and most courageous. She endured the dan-
gers and privations of pioneer life and contributed
largely towards her husband's success in life. They
were the parents of five sons and four daughters, all of
whom lived to a good age and were among the re-
spected citizens of their community.
James Wilson, Jr., son of James and Elizabeth (Por-
ter) Wilson, was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., in
April, 181 1, and died in Jamestown, N. Y., in Febru-
ary, 1893. He was educated in the public schools of his
native county, and in early life engaged with his father
in the lumber business, also becoming an expert pilot
of lumber rafts. He joined with his father in the pur-
chase of timber lands in Indiana, converting the timber
into lumber in their own mill and freighting it to a
profitable market. He married, November, 1841, Maria S.,
daughter of Luther and Betsey (MacConick) Lydell,
and granddaughter of Luther Lydell, Sr., who came from
England to America at the close of the Revolutionary
War. He married Asenath Bill, a niece of Ethan Allen,
who lived nearly to the end of her century of life, dying
in her one hundredth year. They were the parents of
four sons and two daughters, Luther, Jr., being their
youngest son. Luther Lydell, Jr., came to Chautauqua
county in 1832, and settled on a farm in the town of
Poland, where he engaged heavily in cattle raising. John
MacConick, grandfather of Maria S. Wilson, came with
his father, James MacConick, and brother, William Mac-
Conick, who served in the Revolutionary War. John
MacConick enlisted as a minute-man in Captain John
Nutting's company, Jan. 1, 1776, and was assigned to Col-
onel Prescott's regiment, and Sept. 4, 1779, enlisted and
served for nine months in Captain Hugh Maxwell's
company, Colonel John Bailey's regiment. He served
throughout the entire war and participated in the bat-
tles of Harlem Heights, White Plains and Bunker Hill.
He drew a Revolutionary pension until 1838. He mar-
ried Abigail Hartson and lived in Exeter, Otsego county,
N. Y., where he died. His son, William, was also in the
battle of Bunker Hill. Children of James and Maria S.
(Lydell) Wilson: I. Laura M., born Nov. 2, 1842, mar-
ried James McAllister. 2. Lillian W., born Feb. 27, 1847,
married (first) Myron John Lyons, (second) Charles
Ralph Gibson. 3. Mary L., born June 8, 1850, married
Charles McAllister. 4. Ida M., born Aug. 21, 1852, mar-
ried Francis D. Steele (q. v.). 5. Jessie M., born May 9,
1857. 6. Burton J., born May 9, 1857, married Laura
Merz. 7. Lydell L., of whom further.
Lydell L. Wilson was born in the town of Poland,
Chautauqua county, N. Y., April 5, 1859, son of James
and Maria (Lydell) Wilson. He grew to manhood at
the home farm, and obtained his education in the district
school. He early became interested in lumbering, and
during his early manhood spent two years in the Mich-
igan lumber woods. He was with the Hortson Mill for
two years, in Chautauqua county, then leased a mill at
Moon Station, N. Y., operating it until its destruction
by fire in 1885. He then filled his orders through the
Hortson Mill, but in 1886 rebuilt his mill, and in 1888
erected a new mill at Moon Station. In 1890 he moved
to the town of Gerry, and upon lands leased from Levi
Pratt erected "The Wilson Mills," a modern saw mill
plant with an annual capacity of 15,000,000 feet of man-
ufactured lumber, most of which is shipped to James-
town and Buffalo. Mr. Wilson is a man of strong busi-
ness ability, is untiring in his industry, and through his
own efforts has won success in the business world. He !
married, Nov. 10, 1880, Anna Booth, daughter of James
Booth, of Buffalo. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are the par-
ents of five children: Alice M., Mertie D., Willis L.,
Nellie S., and Delbert, who died at camp during the late
war.
WILLIAM E. GOUCHER, D. D. S., of James-
town, well known dental surgeon, was prominently iden-
tified with his profession for a quarter of a century, be-
ing in active practice here until his retirement in 1920.
During those years he built up a large practice, and
when he retired from active connection with the profes-
sion he so long had graced, the news was received with
genuine regret. He came fairly by his professional in-
stincts, being a son of Dr. Curtis N. Goucher, a phy-
sician of Girard, Ohio, and later of Erie, Pa., where he
died in 1893. The elder Dr. Goucher was a leader in
his profession, a man of affairs, and held in high
esteem by all who knew him. He was a veteran of the
Civil War, giving four years to his country's service,
holding a medical commission.
Dr. William E. Goucher, son of Dr. Curtis N. and
Emily (Kincaid) Goucher, was born in Girard, Ohio,
March 29, 1872. He was educated in Corunna High
School, Orchard Lake Military Academy, and the Uni-
versity of Michigan, entering the dental department of
the last-named institution, whence he was graduated
D. D. S., class of 1894. After graduating he became
assistant to Dr. William Elgin, of Denver, Co!., for six
months, then associated himself with Dr. Assay, of San I
Jose, Cal., who was the secretary of the California State 1
Board of Dental Examiners. Dr. Goucher had entire 1
charge of Dr. Assay's practice while the latter served 1
the commonwealth as examiner.
In the spring of 1896, Dr. Goucher came East,
locating in Jamestown, N. Y., and in the fall of that
year began practice in the Hall block at the corner of
Main and Third streets. During the following years
he built up a large practice, numbering among his
patients prominent people of the county and surround-
ing counties of New York and Pennsylvania. Dr.
Goucher retired from practice in the spring of 1920,
feeling that he had justified himself in his profession,
and he also wished to devote more time to his business
interests, which are located in Oklahomo and Ken-
tucky. Dr. Goucher's oil holdings, which he has been
interested in for a number of years, have developed to
large proportions during recent years, the companies
with which he is associated having some of the most
prominent oil men in the mid-west field connected with
them.
Dr. Goucher's life in Jamestown is marked with
noted success, for not only was he a leader in his pro-
fession but he has accomplished things in a civic way
for the city which have proven a great public benefit
He was the first man who talked, labored and by all
honorable means sought to convince the Jamestown
school authorities of the value a dental clinic would be
BIOGRAPHICAL
415
to the health of the school children of the city, and was
one of the dentists who volunteered to give a certain
portion of their time to the work of the clinic without
remuneration. So, too, he stood, the friend of every
1 progressive movement looking toward a better, health-
ier Jamestown. Dr. Goucher was first to suggest a mu-
nicipal milk plant, having first brought it to the atten-
tion of Mayor Carlson six years before it was finally
endorsed by the people of Jamestown at a taxpayers'
' election.
Dr. Goucher was one of the founders of the James-
! town Dental Society, and in social and fraternal life
1 connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Loyal Order of Moose,
the Knights of Pythias, the Moon Brook Country Club,
and in former years was a member of the Jamestown
I Club. Dr. Goucher is a member of St. Luke's Protest-
I ant Episcopal Church, and helpful in the various activ-
ities of the parish. He has always taken a deep interest
in out-of-door sports, and with gun, rod and reel has
hunted and fished in the woods and waters famed
among sportsmen throughout the United States and
Canada. Automobiling is another of his favorite recre-
ations, and he was for a number of years an official
member of the national, state and local automobile asso-
ciations, serving as the first director of the National
Automobile Association from Western New York, and
the Jamestown Association as its first president. For a
number of years he was a director of the New York-
State Automobile Association.
The chapter on Dental Surgery in this work from the
1 pen of Dr. Goucher gives the reader a clear idea of his
decided literary ability, his versatility and the wide
range of his reading and research.
Dr. Goucher married (first) in Buffalo, N. Y., Nov.
; ; 23, 1898, MaBelle Wade, who died May 12, 1915, daugh-
1 ter of Alfred and Ella Wade. He married (second) in
; ! Jamestown, N. Y., Feb. 14, 1917, G. Lemar Hurlbert,
I daughter of George F. and Arietta (Vandervoort)
■ Hurlbert. The family home is at No. 306 East Fourth
• street.
Dr. Goucher comes from a long line of ancestors, the
] line of descent tracing back to Colonial and pioneer
stock, who have distinguished themselves as true ser-
vants of this land. His mother was a great-grand-
■ daughter of Ensign James Wilson, who wintered with
General Washington at Valley Forge and served on his
: ' staff. On his father's side he is a direct descendant of
the Gouchers who built the first brass cannon for the
1 Revolutionary War, their factory being at Canaioharie,
f N. Y. One of the cannon manufactured by them was
■1 captured by the British and is now at the British Mus-
-1 eum in London, and has the name of the makers cast on
l , its side.
JOHN W. DOUBLEDAY— There are some lives
1 that, in their ceaseless, indefatigable energy, are the
J cause of wonder to their fellows, and might well serve
; as a model to those that would achieve success. The
1 men who are thus endowed undertake enterprises that
: would make the average man pause, apparently without
j fear of consequences, seeming impervious to the sting
1 of discouragement, meeting reverses, not with the usual
surrender of most men, but with the simple expedient
of trying again. The record of John W. Doubleday
shows him to be a man of that character. He is a
native of England, born there March 22, 1841, a son of
Henry and Mary (Phillips) Doubleday, both of whom
were natives of England and came to America in 1S49,
locating at Brooklyn, now New York City.
John W. Doubleday was but eight years old when he
crossed the Atlantic in a sailing vessel, landing in New
York, going at once to his new home in Brooklyn,
where he attended the public schools. He was ambi-
tious as a lad and soon found employment, his compen-
sation for his work being two dollars and fifty cents a
week, from which he had to pay two dollars per week
for board, and twelve cents for ferry fare. At the age
of sixteen he became a clerk in a large dry goods store
in New York City, where he continued until 1863.
However, he was not content, and that year he left for
the oil regions of Western Pennsylvania and became a
prospector. His operation in oil and gas proved re-
markably successful. In partnership with others, they
bought a gas plant for $49,000. The company was
formed, and Mr. Doubleday was elected secretary and
manager. Through his keen business ability and untir-
ing efforts, the business grew to such proportions that
they were able to dispose of the plant in a year and a
half for $410,000. In 1880 he withdrew from the oil and
gas fields, turning his attention to the manufacturing
industry. This year he came to Jamestown and at once
became interested in textile manufacturing and other
enterprises. In 1889 he, with Mr. J. S. Patterson, pur-
chased the controlling interests of the Jamestown
Woolen Spinning Company and continued thus until
1896, when the company was incorporated under the
name of The Empire Worsted Mills. The original
stock of this company was one hundred thousand, which
since its incorporation, through the shrewd business
management of Mr. Doubleday, has greatly increased
from one hundred thousand, with a large surplus, to
one million stock, with a large surplus. The plant has
been extensively improved by the erection of two four-
storied buildings of brick and stone, with brick dye
house, two weaving buildings, brick finishing plant and
storage building. The floor space now in use comprises
three hundred thousand feet, and boiler capacity in-
creased from one hundred horse power to thirteen hun-
dred. The corporation also owns the Acme Worsted
Mills, employing nearly two hundred people. Nearly
six hundred employees are on the pay roll of The
Empire Worsted Mills. The products of these two
mills have a distinct place in the textile market of the
world and are sold through the company's offices in
New York, Philadelphia, Boston and Chicago, with
annual sales from two and a half million to three mil-
lion dollars. Mr. Doubleday held the office of presi-
dent of the company until he retired from active busi-
ness in 1915, when he was elected president emeritus.
The other members of the corporation are: L. M. But-
man, president; W. D. Broadhead, vice-president, and
G. W. Berquist, secretary and treasurer.
Mr. Doubleday was also interested in the steel indus-
try. In 1889 he, with six others, organized the Du-
quesne Pennsylvania Steel Company at an investment
of one million five hundred thousand dollars. Mr.
Doubleday served as secretary of the company. This
4i6
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
enterprise, under Mr. Doubleday's management, also
proved a success, and in 1S92 it was sold to the Car-
negie Steel Company, and this is now one of its largest
plants.
Mr. Doubleday married (first) Maria L. Taylor, who
bore him three children: Mary, who is the widow of
E. D. Boyd, who resides in San Pedro, Los Angeles.
Cal.; William, who is a fruit grower and resides at
El Cajon, San Diego, Cal.; and Grace, who is wife of
Rev. Charles W. Harris, and resides in Montana. Mr.
Doubleday married (second) Nellie C. Thayer. By
this union there were three children: Ethelbert, de-
ceased; Edna, the wife of Rev. H. W. Georgi; Sybil,
the wife of Frederick W. Mix, of Jamestown.
Mr. Doubleday is a member of Petrolia Lodge, An-
cient Free and Accepted Masons, and the National
Wool Manufacturers' Union. In political belief he is
independent, voting for the man and measures which
are for the best interests of the people. Mr. Double-
day and his wife are members of the Baptist church.
They are much devoted to their family, and spend their
winters in Southern California, where they have a beau-
tiful home at San Diego.
The long and varied career of Mr. Doubleday has
displayed balance and abilities as varied as the scenes
in which they have been displayed, or the directions in
which they have extended, but more especially has it
been shown in those cardinal virtues of courage, hon-
esty, and industry, without which there is no lasting
achievement. He has been engaged during his life in
many occupations, and among many different classes of
people, but he has always proved himself a man among
men and naturally has always been accorded a high
place in their regard, and regardless of his large busi-
ness interests he has always shown himself a devoted
husband and father.
EMERY W. FENTON, who was for many years
prominent in the manufacturing interests of James-
town, N. Y., where his death occurred Aug. 9, 1909, at
his home, No. 1392 East Second street, was a member of
an old and distinguished New England family, which
was founded here in the early Colonial period.
(I) Robert Fenton, the first ancestor of this branch
of the Fenton family of which we have definite record,
appears first at Woburn, Mass., in the year 1688. It is
not known whence he came, but the probability seems
to have been that he was of Welsh origin and was one
of the early Welsh settlers in Massachusetts. He did
not remain in Woburn for more than a few years, but
went to Windham, Conn., where between May 30, 1693,
and April 19, 1694, he was received as an inhabitant of
the town. He located in the northern part of Windham,
which afterwards became Mansfield, and is believed to
have followed the trade of carpenter, as it was he who
built the first bridge across the Natchaug river. He was
one of the patentees of the town of Mansfield which
was set off from Windham and made a town, Oct. 20,
1703. In 1707 he became one of the proprietors of
that town, but left it prior to 1730 and located at Will-
ington, where he died at the home of a son. He married
Dorothy and they were the parents of the follow-
ing children : Robert, born Oct. 6, 1688, at Woburn,
Mass. ; Francis, born July 22, 1690, at Woburn, and was
one of the earliest settlers at Willington ; Samuel, born at
Mansfield; Bridget, born Aug. 14, 1695; Jacob, borni
April 5, 1698, and became one of the first settlers of
Norwich, Yt. ; Dorothy, born Sept. 4, 1700, and became
the wife of Samuel Slafter; Anna, born July 7, 1703,5
and became the wife of John Rigbe ; Violetta, born
Aug. 20, 1706, and became the wife of John Harris;
Ebenezer, mentioned below, and Abigail, a twin to
Ebenezer, born Aug. 29, 1710.
(II) Ebenezer Fenton, son of Robert and Dorothy
Fenton, was born Aug. 29, 1710, at Mansfield, and early
in life removed to Willington with his parents. He was
twice married and. his first wife, whom he wedded
Feb. 11, 1740, was Mehitable Turtle, a daughter of J ■na-
than Tuttle, and they were the parents of the follow-
ing children: Jonathan, born May 17, 1741 ; Ebenezer:
Jr., born April 15, 1743; Sarah, born Feb. 16, 1744;
Nathan, born Feb. 9. 174°; Solomon, born June 23, 1749
who served for seven years in the War of the Revolu-
tion and was first lieutenant in a company of the Second
Regiment in 1779; Lydia, born May 26, 1753, and became
the wife of Jacob Barrows; Elijah, born Aug. 8, 1754
Ebenezer Fenton married (second) Aug. 26, 1762, Lydia
Conant, a daughter of Malachi Conant, and they were
the parents of the following children : Nathaniel, borr
March 26, 1764; Jacob, mentioned below; Mehitable
born Jan. 18, 1767; Abigail, born Feb. 2, 1769; Robert
born May 24, 1771 ; Justin, born Sept. 14, 1772; Malachi
born April 9, 1776; and Robert, born Oct. 11, 1780.
(III) Jacob Fenton, son of Ebenezer and Lydie
(Conant) Fenton, was born Nov. 5, 1765, in Connecticut
and served in the Revolutionary War as a privat ■ ir
Captain Thomas Dana's company, which he joined Majj
23. 1 781. This company formed a part of General Davidl
Waterbury's State brigade and of the battalion whidfc
was ordered to be raised for the defense of the pos'<
at Horse Neck and places adjacent. It was commandec
by General Waterbury, who was also the commandei
of all the guards raised for the defense of the sej
crafts from Horse Neck to New Haven inclusive. Th(
force was composed of draft from the militia anc
amounted to a brigade of two battalions. In July i
joined General Washington, while he was in camp a
Phillipsburg, and for some time after was under th<
command of General Heath, on the Westchester line
Jacob Fenton came to Jamestown, Chautauqua county
N. Y., in the year 181 1, and established here a potterjl
kiln between what is now First and Second streets. anrf
manufactured all kinds of earthernware. He died iii
1822 at Jamestown. He married Lois Hurd, by whon
he had nine children, one of whom was William, mem
tioned below.
(IV) William Fenton, son of Jacob and Lois (Hurd
Fenton, was born in Connecticut, in 1796, and came til
Jamestown with his parents when fifteen years of age
Here he engaged in business with his father until tb
latter's death, when he continued to conduct it on hi
own account until 1826. He then admitted as a partner
Samuel Whittimore, and they moved the establishmen
to Fluvanna, N. Y., and remained in active busines
there for thirteen years, when the partnership was dis
solved. In 1839 Mr. Fenton returned to Jamestowr
where he continued to make his home until the close o
BIOGRAPHICAL
4^7
his life. He was prominent in local affairs and was
elected justice of the peace, an office which he held for
half a century. His death occurred in 1891, when nearly
one hundred years of age. He was a Whig in politics
during early life, but joined the Republican party
upon its organization and was very active in its councils.
He was also an active member of the Congregational
church. He married in 1816, Hannah Tracy, a daughter
of Elias Tracy, who served as a private in Captain
Thomas Wheeler's company and Colonel Chapman's
rtgiment in the Revolutionary War. William and
Hannah (Tracy) Fenton were the parents of fourteen
children, one of whom was Emery W., mentioned below.
(V) Emery W. Fenton, youngest son of William
and Hannah (Tracy) Fenton, was born March 23, 1836,
at Fluvanna, Chautauqua county, N. Y. When but
three years of age he was brought by his parents to
Jamestown and attended the local public schools of this
place for his education. When eighteen years of age,
Emery W. Fenton began his business career as an em-
ployee in a local pail factory and continued in its em-
ploy for a number of years. He then went to Corry,
Pa., and spent eight years at that place, working in a
woodenware factory. In 1869 he returned to Chautau-
qua county and located at Falconer, where he formed
a partnership with Samuel Sweet and engaged in the
manufacture of butter tubs. Later Mr. Sweet sold
out his interest and the business was conducted by E.
W. Fenton for several years. Later the firm of Fenton,
Robertson & Company was organized for the production
of fine furniture, and in this line Mr. Fenton continued
until his death. In addition to his industrial activities,
Mr. Fenton was always actively interested in public
affairs and was a leading Democrat. He took a keen
interest in the educational development of Jamestown,
and was a member of the Board of Education at Fal-
coner, it being largely through his influence that the
High School at that place was built. Mr. Fenton en-
joyed a reputation second to none for honesty and
square dealing, and it may be said of him that he made
the golden rule His motto.
Emery W. Fenton was united in marriage, Nov. 7,
1861, with Louise Myers, a daughter of Peter and Lucy
(Gould) Myers. Mrs. Fenton died Jan. 12, 1916, and
was buried with her husband at Pine Hill Cemetery,
Falconer. She was an attendant of the Congregational
church, was a woman of many Christian virtues and
much devoted to her home and children. Mr. and Mrs.
Fenton were the parents of three children, as follows :
Jennie, who died in early youth; Lulu E. and J. Grace,
both of whom reside at the old Fenton home, No.
1302 East Second street, Jamestown. They resided
with their parents and were greatly devoted to them
and their home life. Both are members of Elliot Chap-
. ter, New York Society of the Daughters of the Amer-
ican Revolution, of Falconer.
MORGAN BOSTWICK KENT, of Jamestown, is
a representative of an old English family founded in
New England about a quarter of a century after the
landing of the Pilgrims. He is a son of Alba Morgan
Kent, a descendant of Thomas Kent, born in England.
who came to Gloucester, Mass.. with his wife in 1643.
The line from Thomas to Morgan B. Kent is through
Chau— 27
the founder's son, Samuel Kent, and his wife, Frances
(Woodal) Kent; their son, John Kent and his first wife,
Abigail (Dudley) Kent; their son, Rev. Elisha Kent,
and his wife, Abigail (Moss) Kent, a minister's daugh-
ter and granddaughter; their son, Elisha (2) Kent, and
his wife, Ann Kent; their son, Elisha (3) Kent, and his
wife, Alice ( Flynn ) Kent ; their son, Archibald Kent,
and his wife, Emeline (Morgan) Kent; their son, Alba
Morgan Kent, and his wife, Rose Elena (Hall-Wetmore)
Kent; their only child, Morgan Bostwick Kent, of James-
town, of the ninth American generation of the family
founded by Thomas Kent.
Alba Morgan Kent, son of Archibald and Emeline
(Morgan) Kent, was born in Royalton, Vt., April 3,
1841, died at his home in Jamestown, N. Y., Sept. 21,
1914, He spent his early life in Vermont, acquiring
an education and fitting himself for the battle of life.
When a young man he went West, locating at Madison,
Wis., there being in State employ as steward of the Wis-
consin State Hospital. While holding that position he
enlisted, Sept. 2, 1862, in Company G, 29th Regiment,
Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered in as
second lieutenant. Later he was commissioned first
lieutenant, and during the greater part of the last two
years of his service was in command of the company.
From the time he enlisted until honorably discharged
Lieutenant Kent was absent but once on furlough (sixty
days), and participated in every battle in which his regi-
ment was engaged. This included the Vicksburg cam-
paign from Port Gibson until the fall of Vicksburg;
Red River campaign ; seige of Mobile, and other opera-
tions and battles. He held the rank of acting captain
from April 2, 1863, and was mustered out of the service
at Shreveport, La., June 22, 1865.
Soon after his return from the army, Lieutenant Kent
became associated with his brother, Archibald F. Kent,
in oil refining, and later moved to Corry, Pa., and or-
ganized the Corry Wooden Ware Company, later the
Corry Chair Company, a corporation in which he retained
a lifelong interest. He also organized and operated the
Corry Gas Works, and after conducting it several years
went to Warren, there establishing the Warren Gas
Company, which he also operated several years. He
then returned to Jamestown, N. Y., where he became
interested in the Jamestown Worsted Mills, of which he
was a director until his passing. He was also a director
of the First National Bank of Jamestown; had other
important business interests and large land holdings.
One of the largest farms in the county is located in
the town of Busti, south of Jamestown, and is popularly
.known as the Kent Farm. This estate, comprising
about 1,500 acres, is largely Chapin Hall farm, but also
includes the Bostwick farm and the Hastings farm, Mr.
Bostwick being grandfather and Mr. Hastings an uncle
of Mrs. Kent. For many years Alba M. Kent directed
this estate and was deeply interested in its successful
operation. The Kent Hotel at Lakewood, once the lend-
ing hotel there, was built by Mr. Kent, who for several
years directed its management. He never sought public
applause, but made and always retained many warm,
personal friends. His splendid war record was never
paraded, and the public generally did not even know that
he was a Civil War veteran. But he was recognized as
an upright, public-spirited citizen, who did his full share
4i8
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
in the upbuilding of his city. He was a member of
James M. Brown Post, No. 285, Grand Army of the
Republic, and on May 7, 1890, was elected a member of
New York Commandery Military Order Loyal Legion
of the United States, insignia No. 7989. He was a mem-
ber of the Jamestown Club, and an attendant as well as
a warm friend of the Unitarian church. During his last
years Mr. Kent was an invalid, and for two years pre-
ceding his death he took no part in business, that duty
devolving upon his business associate and only son,
Morgan Bostwick Kent.
Mr. Kent married, June 12, 1873, Rose Elena (Hall)
Wetmore, widow of Charles C. Wetmore, of Warren,
Pa., who died in Jamestown, June 25, 1012. By her first
marriage, Mrs. Kent was the mother of Chapin H. and
Susan Wetmore, who died in youth, and Charles D.
Wetmore, now (1920) an architect of New York City,
member of the firm of Warner & Wetmore. Mrs. Kent
was a daughter of Chapin and Susan (Bostwick) Hall,
and a sister of Edward Hall. Chapin Hall was born in
Ellicott, Chautauqua county, N. Y., July 12, 1816, and
his wife, Susan Bostwick, was born July 16, 1818, also
a daughter of an early pioneer settler.
Morgan Bostwick Kent, only child of Alba Morgan
and Rose Elena (Hall-Wetmore) Kent, was born in
Jamestown, N. Y., May 21, 1878. After attendance at
Jamestown public schools he entered St. Paul's School,
Concord, N. H., whence he was graduated class of 1897.
He was at once entered as an employe of the worsted
mills in Jamestown, and eventually became foreman of
a department. He was his father's associate in business
during his latter years, and since becoming owner of the
estate has continued it along similar lines. Mr. Kent is
a devotee of out-of-doors sports, automobiling, hunting
and fishing particularly appealing to him. He gratifies
his tastes to the full extent and is a genuine lover of
true sport. He is a member of Mount Moriah Lodge,
Free and Accepted Masons ; Wester Sun Chapter, Royal
Arch Masons; Jamestown Council, Royal and Select
Masters; Jamestown Commandery, Knights Templar;
Jamestown Lodge of Perfection; Jamestown Council,
Princes of Jerusalem; Buffalo Consistory, Ancient Ac-
cepted Scottish Rite. In politics he is a Republican, and
in religious faith a member of the Church of Christ
(Scientist). His clubs are the Jamestown and Rotary.
He is also an Elk.
Mr. Kent married (first) Sept. 30, 1002, Eleanor
Rothwell, of Brookline. Children: Eleanor Rosalie,
born Oct. 7, 1903; Juline, born March 13, 1905. Mr.
Kent married (second) Iva E. Poor, and resides on
East Fourth street, Jamestown.
The old Kent home in Jamestown, long the home of
Alba M. Kent, at the corner of Fourth street and Pren-
dcrgast avenue, has recently ( 1920) been sold to the two
bodies of the Scottish Rite of Masonry in Jamestown,
the Lodge of Perfection, and the Council Princes of
Terusalem. The old home will be devoted to the uses
of these bodies and to social purposes. Mr. Kent is a
man of pleasing personality, whole-souled and gener-
ous, a good friend and a good citizen.
GUSTAF FABIAN SELLSTROM— One of James-
town's well known citizens, who, although born in a
foreign land, has contributed much to the life of this
city, is Gustaf Fabian Sellstrom. He was born in Wim-
merby, Sweden, June 9, 1851, the son of P. Adolph and
Johanna Maria (Berg) Sellstrom. In 1856 the elder
Mr. Sellstrom died, leaving his widow with the care of
three children: Fabian at the age of four years; Carl
Adolph, and John Frederick, the two latter now deceased.
Gustaf Fabian Sellstrom, better known as Fabian
Sellstrom, attended the schools of his native country.
At seventeen years of age he, together with his mother
and two brothers, came to Jamestown, where he secured
employment in the plant of Jones & Gifford, furniture
manufacturers. Leaving the furniture plant he went to
Bradford, Pa., and remained there until 1877, being em-
ployed during that time as foreman in a factory. Desir-
ing to return to Jamestown, he secured a position as
manager for Halliday & Benedict, meat dealers. In
1881 he formed a partnership with his brother, John
Frederick Sellstrom, under the firm name of Sellstrom
Bros., Meat Dealers, which continued until 1885, when
through accidental death while hunting, John Frederick-
was taken away. Fabian Sellstrom bought out the inter-
est of his brother's estate in June, 1885, and continued
the business himself. Desiring a better location, he
decided in May, 1886, to purchase the business of Drake
Sessions on Third street, and for over a quarter of a
century remained at this location, building up a large
and successful business, being the largest retail meat
dealer in Chautauqua county.
During these years he became interested in several of
the manufacturing industries in the city, and became one
of the strongest supporters of the Dahlstrom Metallic
Door Company, this institution owing much to his loyal
support during times of difficulties and financial stress.
During the early period of organization he was com-
missioned to handle several important business deals
and problems of this concern. In 1912 Mr. Sellstrom
sold out his meat business, retiring from active com-
mercial life. He took active part, however, in the affairs ,
of the Dahlstrom Metallic Door Company as vice-presi-
dent and treasurer until 1918, when he retired entirely
from active business. His interests in real estate and
manufacturing concerns continue to keep him in touch: I
with the business life of Jamestown. In politics, Mr. |
Sellstrom is a Republican, but in practice is an inde-
pendent voter giving his support to the candidate he:
feels most nearly meets the requirements of the office.
In fraternal life, he is a member of all the Masonic:
bodies up to and including the thirty-second degree, andl
also is a member of several social organizations.
During all these years of business life the constant!
aid and encouragement of his devoted wife meant ai
great deal to his achievements and progressive develop-
ment. On Aug. 3, 1882, at Jamestown, he was united in:
marriage with Emily Eugenia Lundberg. Mrs. Sell-
strom was born in Wester Gotland, Sweden, a daughter!
of John Eliason and Maria Christina Lundberg. Mrs.
Sellstrom came to this country as a young girl and has
been active in the community and church life of the city
of Jamestown. For a number of years she has been
president of the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Norden Club,
and has contributed much to the literary and educational
interest manifested there. Being greatly interested in:
equal suffrage, she was active in her energies for the
cause. She is also a member of the First Lutheran
^0^<~ -
7*
c^CjC^^.
BIOGRAPHICAL
419
Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Sellstrom were born four
children: Elmer W., May H., Lilla E. F., and V. Emily.
Lilla E. F. died in 1894 a t the age of four years. Elmer
W. received his early education in the public schools,
later attending Cornell University and graduating with
the degree of Civil Engineer in 1907. Leaving the uni-
versity he became associated with the Dahlstrom
Metallic Door Company, being active in the upbuilding
of that institution. He has been actively identified with
community work, serving in many capacities. He is a
member of all the Masonic bodies and past emminent
commander of Jamestown Commandery, Knights Temp-
lar. He is at present the president of the Jamestown
Rotary Club. May H. also attended the public schools,
graduating in 1904, and later taking up special work in
piano at the Sherwood Music School at Chicago. Upon
graduating from there she became one of Mr. Sher-
wood's able assistants. Later she was associated in the
music department of Miss Bennett's School for Girls at
Millbrook, N. Y. In 1917 she became the wife of Craw-
ford N. Bargar, to whom one child has been born. Mr.
Bargar has been long identified with the wholesale
grocery business in Jamestown. V. Emily was educated
in the Jamestown public schools, graduating with the
class of 1015, and the next year graduating from Dana
Hall at Wellesley, Mass. She also attended Simmons
College at Boston, and Smith College at Northampton,
Mass.. receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts from
the latter institution in 1920, and is now active in the
educational and social life of the community.
FRED H. GARFIELD— It is not always easy to
discover and define the hidden forces that have moved
a life of ceaseless activity and business success; little
more can be done than note their manifestations in the
career of the individual under consideration. In view
of this fact, the life of Fred H. Garfield, late of James-
town, N. Y.. affords a striking example of well defined
purpose with the ability to make that purpose subserve
not only his own ends but those of the corporation with
which he was associated and the good of his fellowmen
as well. Mr. Garfield long held distinctive prestige in
a calling which requires for its basis sound mentality,
supplemented by rigid railroad traffic training, without
which, one in that line of work cannot hope to rise
above the mediocre. Rising in the confidence and esteem
of the public, and in every relation of life, he never
fell below the dignity nor in any way resorted to
methods that invited criticism or censure. He was
essentially a man among men, having ever moved as
one who commanded respect by innate force, as well as
by superior ability, and his life and labors eminently
entitle him to representation among the representative
men in Chautauqua county.
The family from which Mr. Garfield is descended is
a very old and prominent one in this country, and are
descendants from Edward Garfield, who came from
England to Massachusetts in 1636. For more than two
centuries the Garfield family have been residents of the
American colonies, and our loved and martyred presi-
dent, James Abram Garfield, was a descendant from the
same line. ,
For more than a century they were residents of
Worcester county, Mass., and the first to come to Chau-
tauqua county, N. Y., was Samuel Garfield, familiarly
known as Deacon Garfield, who was born in Massachu-
setts at the place above mentioned, and in 1803 removed
with his father, Eliakim Garfield, to Windham county,
Yt. The father was a Revolutionary soldier, and served
with more than ordinary distinction under General
George Washington. Samuel Garfield married in the
"Green Mountain State." and in 1814 came to Chautau-
qua county, N. Y. ; he became a farmer in the town of
Busti and also did carpentry work. He possessed con-
siderable inventive genius, his first invention being
grain measures nested from a half-bushel down ; fol-
lowing this he manufactured scythe-snaths, and grain-
cradle handles, besides making a large number of rakes.
Immense quantities of these "crooked sticks," as they
were called in those days, were manufactured by him and
sold to the farmers of the county, besides many ship-
ments were sent down the Allegheny river to the
southern markets. He was the father of a large family,
among them being Benjamin, of further mention.
Benjamin Garfield was born in the town of Busti, N.
Y.. and became one of the successful land owners. In
1880 he moved to Salamanca and engaged in business.
He remained there for a time and then removed to
Bemus Point, Chautauqua county, N. Y.. latef removing
to Jamestown, N. Y., where he soon retired from active
business. Benjamin Garfield married Sarah Botsford,
and to them were born two children : Fred H., of further
mention ; and Charles B.
Fred H. Garfield was born Nov. 10, 1853, on his
father's farm, and here he passed his early life. He
received his education in the district schools, and later
in the public schools of Jamestown. It was while living
with his parents at Bemus Point that Fred H. Garfield
met the man who so largely influenced his future career
in the person of W. P. Shattuck, of Cleveland. Mr.
Shattuck was then general passenger agent of the
Atlantic & Great Western (now a part of the Erie Rail-
road system). His summers were spent at Bemus Point,
where he formed a strong attachment for Mr. Garfield,
then a young man, and they were much together. Mr.
Garfield being a lover of the big out-doors and nature,
and an intrepid hunter and fisherman, taught the art of
hunting and fishing to Mr. Shattuck, and this brought
them even closer together. Mr. Shattuck was struck with
the intelligence of the young man and offered him a place
as advertising agent for the Atlantic & Great Western
Railroad, with offices in Buffalo, N. Y. Mr. Garfield,
although but a young man of twenty-one years of age,
accepted and made his home in Bufifalo for several
years. From 1880 to 1888 Mr. Garfield was traveling
passenger agent for the same railroad, with which he
spent practically his entire life. In the meantime the
railroad had passed through several changes, finally
becoming the familiar N. Y. P. & O., the "Nypano."
In 1888 he was appointed division passenger agent at
Jamestown, and held that office continually up to the
time of his death. He witnessed the rapid growth of
the passenger and freight business as the busy city of
Jamestown grew up.
It may be truly said of Fred H. Garfield that the
Erie Railway Company secured his undivided ability
during all the years that he was connected with the great
transportation problem. Whatever he did was with the
420
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
thought and intention of benefiting the railroad and
those connected with it. No man outdid him in loyalty
to any company or corporation, and while he took part
in matters of public concern, and always maintained a
lively interest in the business and political life of James-
town and Chautauqua county, this was never done at
the sacrifice of any duty he owed to his company.
During his long term of service with the Erie as
division passenger agent he had immediate charge of
more than two hundred miles of the business of the
road, and in all his work he not only won and held the
confidence and respect of his superior officers in the
company, but he won and held the equal confidence and
respect of all the men in the passenger department over
which he had control. Mr. Garfield was more than a
division passenger agent, he was the firm friend and
close advisor of General Passenger Agent R. H. Wallace
and other men at the head of the great railway system.
They looked to him for advice in the management of
the road, and they regarded his judgment upon railway
interests as sound, and this might be said of many other
officials of connecting lines. He had wide influence in
railway circles, and with such influence his loyalty to
his home town was only second to that which he had
for the company to which he devoted his life. Mr.
Garfield passed away at his home, Aug. 31, 1908. His
funeral was attended not only by many friends from
Jamestown, Chautauqua county and vicinity, but by
prominent railroad officials from various parts of the
United States. Mr. Garfield was a member of the Benev-
olent and Protective Order of Elks, Order of Maccabees,
and Jamestown Club. In politics he was a Democrat.
On June 6, 1882, Fred H. Garfield married (first)
Mary Smith, a daughter of George Smith, who lived in
Wilson, Niagara county, N. Y. To them was born a
son, Robert Marvin. Mrs. Garfield died in May. 1890.
On Sept. 24, 1891, he married (second) Tena Mcintosh,
and to them was born a daughter, Alice M., and a son
Frederick M.
A lover of out-of-doors life, he was an ardent sports-
man, taking great pleasure in hunting and fishing, and
friends frequently came long distances to spend a few
days with him on Chautauqua Lake, or in the sur-
rounding forests in search of game, and such friends
never counted the day lost, whether successful or not
with rod or gun.
Mr. Garfield was of a most genial nature; he loved
his fellowmen and had confidence in them ; he would
always give willingly of his time and service, especially
for the interest and welfare of Jamestown. Many were
the calls made upon him as the representative of the
Erie road, especially in the matter of local enterprises
and local celebrations. He had many friends in business
and social life from near and far away. It is certain
that his death was mourned by all who knew him.
ADELBERT PHILO SIMMONS— For forty years
a merchant of Busti, postmaster under six presidents —
Grant. Hayes. Harrison. Cleveland. McKinley, and
Roosevelt— town clerk of Busti for a quarter of a cen-
tury, and a soldier of the Civil War, Adelbert P.
Simmons from every point of view was entitled to the
title of "Veteran." When finally he was laid at rest
in Lakeview Cemetery, Jamestown, the bearers were all
veterans of the Forty-ninth Regiment, New York Vol-
unteer Infantry, and the local Grand Army of the Re-
public men attended the funeral of their comrade in a
body, conducting at the grave the beautiful ritual burial
service of the order, James M. Conroe, commander; N.
R. Thompson, chaplain.
Adelbert P. Simmons was a native son of Chautauqua
count}-, born in the town of Portland, who enlisted from
Jamestown, Aug. 26, 1861, and was discharged, Sept. 17,
1864. He was in business at Busti, Chautauqua county,
from 1866 until 190', and resided in Jamestown from
1908 until his death in 1916, aged seventy-four years,
two months, four days. He resigned the office of po
master in May, 1907, after continuous service covering a
period of about forty years, and six administrations, one
of eight years being of political complexion differing from
his own, and he finally proving the falsity of that saying
about office holders that "few died and none ever resign."
He was a son of Philander and Mary A. (Waid) Sim-
mons, who at the time of the birth of their son, Adelbert
P., were living in Portland, but who moved to Jamestown
in 1855.
Adelbert P. Simmons was born in the town of Port-
land, Chautauqua county, N. Y., March 4, 1842, died at
his home, No. 3 Forest Park, Jamestown, N. Y., May
8, 1916. The first thirteen years of his life were spent
in Portland, where he attended the district school, but
in 1855 his parents moved to Jamestown, where he com-
pleted public school attendance and learned the chair
maker's trade. He continued at his trade in Jamestown
until Aug. 26, 1861, when he enlisted as a private in
Company K, Forty-ninth Regiment. New York Volunteer
Infantry, and on the following September 18 was mus-
tered into the United States service at New York City
He was in active service with his regiment, a part of the
glorious Army of the Potomac, was all through the
campaigns of that army until Dec. 18, 1863, and during
the Peninsula campaign, his tent-mate, Milton Lewis,
the first soldier to fall from Chautauqua county, was
killed at Warwick Creek, near Yorktown, Va. He in-
curred physical disabilities, and on Dec. 18, 1863, was
transferred from the Forty-ninth to the Thirty-sixth
Regiment, Second Battalion, Veteran Reserve Corps,
and placed on detached service at Washington, D. C,
as ward master in Harewood Hospital. He was honor-
ably discharged and mustered out of the service, Sept.
17, 1864, his three years' term of enlistment having
expired.
In 1866 Mr. Simmons opened a general store in the
village of Busti, Chautauqua county, and continued a
successful merchant until October, 1906, when he sold
his stock and goodwill to F. C. Whiting & Company of
Busti, and then retired. Under President Grant he re-
ceived his first commission as postmaster of the village,
and each recurring four years brought him a renewal
of that commission, no matter who the president or
what his politics until May, 1907, when he resigned the
office, and in January' following he moved to Jamestown,
his boyhood home, and the scene of the closing activi-
ties of his life. He was a Republican in politics, casting
his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864, President
Lincoln then a candidate for a second term. He served
the town of Busti as town clerk for twenty-five years,
was collector of taxes, registrar of vital statistics, secre-
BIOGRAPHICAL
421
tary of the Board of Health, and filled several village
offices.
Mr. Simmons always kept in close touch with his
old comrades of the army, and was a member of the
v "terans Union of Chautauqua County, serving as its
retary, and of James M. Brown Post, No. 285, Grand
rmy of the Republic, of Jamestown, of which he was
past commander. At Boston, Dec. 30, 1910, at the
National Encampment of the order, Mr. Simmons was
appointed aide-de-camp to the Grand Commander, J. E.
Gilmore. He was a member of the First Methodist
Church of Jamestown, and a man honored and respected
hy all who knew him.
Mr. Simmons married, Jan. 6, 1869, Florence E. Glenn,
daughter of William T. and Mary L. (Thompson)
j Glenn, of Phoenix, Pa., her father a Union soldier who
I gave his life for his country. Mrs. Simmons survives
her husband, and continues her residence in Jamestown.
She is a member of the Woman's Relief Corps, and of
the Methodist Episcopal church. Her only son, Frank
C. Simmons, was born in Milton, Armstrong county,
I Pa., Nov. 16, 1869, and educated in the public schools.
He was engaged in the mercantile business with his
father until 1906, and is now connected with the James-
town and Westfield Electric Railroad Company. He
married May Wilcox.
Such are the high lights in a life which was practically
lived in the same community and when at its close
the time came to pay the last tributes of respect, old
friends, business associates, Grand Army comrades,
church brethren, and neighbors testified by their presence
to the high regard in which Mr. Simmons was held.
Mr. Simmons was a man of quiet life and disposition,
very fond of his home and family, and in his public
life met every obligation of good citizenship. He fought
well the battle of life and left behind him an honored
name.
JOHN FRANK SMITH— As inspector of plumb-
ing for the Board of Health of Jamestown, John F.
Smith enjoys the distinction of being an official of a
progressive city government, and as a veteran of the
Civil War there is nothing more for the biographer to
add to show that he has served his fellowman. Mr.
Smith takes a leading part in the advancement of all that
promises improvement of conditions in his home town,
and is generally recognized as one of her foremost
citizens.
George W. Smith, father of John Frank Smith, was
born in England, and grew to manhood in his native
land, learning the trade of currier and tanner. As a
young man he immigrated to the United States, settling
in Lynn, Mass., where he worked at his trade until
:oming to Chautauqua county, N. Y., and taking up his
abode in Panama. There he conducted a tannery for
>ome years, and then removed to Jamestown, where he
:00k up painting and paper hanging, but some years
ater abandoned it for the shoe business in which he
was engaged on West Third street under the firm name
>f George W. Smith & Son. He was a Republican, and
tttended the Protestant Episcopal church. Mr. Smith
named, in Lynn, Mass., Sarah Bindley, who was, like
limself. a native of England, and their children were:
jeorge W.. died in infancy: William H., George M.,
Sarah H., Charles A., Albert M. ; John Frank, mentioned
below ; Abner D., Minnie, Caroline F., Julia A., Frederick
B. The parents of these children died in Jamestown.
John Frank Smith, son of George W. and Sarah
(Bindley) Smith, was born Feb. 25, 1846, in the town of
Panama. Chautauqua county, N. Y., and for a short time
attended school in his native place. When the family
moved to Jamestown he was still a boy, but his oppor-
tunities for acquiring an education were limited, and he
was but little over sixteen when he enlisted in Company
K, 49th Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, under
Colonel D. W. Bidwell and Captain Alonzo J. Marsh.
He participated in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chan-
cellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness and Spottsyl-
vania Court House, being wounded in the last engage-
ment by a shot which passed through both hips. This
was on May 10, 1864, and he was obliged to remain in
the hospital until Sept. 2, 1864, when he rejoined his
company and regiment in time to take part in the battles
of Fisher Hill, Opequon, Cedar Creek, and to help break
the line before Petersburg, April 2. 1865. He was
present at the Grand Review in Washington, and on
June 24, 1865, was mustered out.
( )n returning to Jamestown the young soldier learned
the trade of a machinist under the instruction of
Josephus Clark and followed it until 1872, when he
abandoned it for that of plumbing, conducting a success-
ful business until 1887, when he was appointed inspector
of plumbing to the Board of Health of Jamestown. He
has ever since continuously filled that responsible office,
being now in his twenty-fourth year. Nothing could
more conclusively prove that he is thoroughly master of
his business. In politics, Mr. Smith is a true Republican.
He is a member of James M. Brown Post, Grand Army
of the Republic, of Jamestown, and the Union Veteran
Legion, also belonging to the Protective Home Circle of
Jamestown. The Golden Rule is his motto and his
religion.
Mr. Smith married (first) in Jamestown, Sept. 8,
1868, Adele M., daughter of Adam and Mercy Mambert,
and they became the parents of one child, George M.,
who died in childhood. Mrs. Smith passed away in
1894, and Mr. Smith married (second) Dec. II, 1895,
Rose V. Baugher, of Titusville, Pa.
John Frank Smith has a varied and eventful record.
As soldier, business man and public official, he has
rendered faithful service and won an honorable name.
ALBERT FERDINAND SOCH, M. D., one of the
well known and capable physicians of Fredonia, Chau-
tauqua county, N. Y., is a native of the town of Hanover,
Chautauqua county, N. Y., having been born at this
place, March 24, 1S71, a son of Charles and Wilemina
(Brewer) Soch. The elder Mr. Soch was a farmer all
his life, and his death occurred at the age of seventy-
four years. Mrs. Soch is still living, having just passed
her eighty-sixth year.
Albert Ferdinand Soch received his preliminary edu-
cation in the district schools of his native place, and
after completing the elementary course went to work on
his father's farm, where he remained for a time, later
going to Boston, Mass. L'pon arriving at Boston, he was
given employment during the day, and utilized his even-
ings by attending the Boston High School. Through
422
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
very frugal living, the young man had managed to save
a considerable portion of his earnings, with a view to
entering college, and this he was enabled to do some
time later, having accumulated enough money to pay
for his tuition at the Phillips Exeter Academy, at
Exeter, N. H. Mr. Soch, however, was compelled to
continue working during his spare time in order to
defray other college expenses, and though many a young
man would have turned back if placed under such a
handicap, this was not the case with him and he con-
tinued in his course, graduating with the class of 1894,
and winning the affection and regard of his classmates
as well as his teachers. His next step toward his edu-
cation was taken when he went to Buffalo and entered
the medical department of the Buffalo University, from
which he graduated three years later with the degree of
M. D. After graduation, Dr. Soch spent several years
in hospital work, and was an interne for a time in the
Erie County Hospital. It was not until 1900 that Dr.
Soch came to Fredonia and there began the practice of
his profession, opening an office for this purpose. His
complete knowledge and capabilities soon recommended
him highly as an able practitioner, and his practice con-
tinued to grow until he can now claim one of the largest
hereabouts. In fact, Dr. Soch's services are so greatly
in demand that it has compelled him to give up his
ambition to become a surgeon, his duties being too con-
fining to permit him to continue his surgical studies.
In 1901 Dr. Soch was appointed on the medical staff
of the Brooks Memorial Hospital, Dunkirk, and he still
occupies this post.
Dr. Soch is a member of the A. O. D. College Medical
fraternity, the American Medical Society, the New York
Medical Association, the Western New York Medical
Association, the Chautauqua County Medical Associa-
tion, and the Dunkirk Fredonia Medical Society, and is
medical examiner for the Mutual Life Insurance Com-
pany, the John Hancock, Travelers', State Mutual,
Bankers' Life, Massachusetts Mutual, and Prudential
Life Insurance companies. He is also very prominent
in the social and club life here, and is a member of
Forest Lodge, No. 162, Ancient Free and Accepted
Masons, of which organization he is the junior warden,
and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being past
noble grand of the latter. In politics Dr. Soch is a
Republican.
Albert Ferdinand Soch was united in marriage with
Mary Elizabeth Hall, a resident of Hamilton, Ontario,
Canada, a daughter of James and Margaret (Brooks)
Hall. Mrs. Soch was formerly a trained nurse and
she met Dr. Soch while doing hospital work in Buffalo.
They were married June 27, 1900, and six children were
born of this union, four of whom are living, as follows
Hamilton H., who is now attending the high school at
Fredonia; Albert F., Jr., who also attends the high
school here ; Robert A., a pupil in the elementary school ;
and James W., who is in the kindergarten. The two
children who are deceased are: Dorothy, who was the
oldest child and died when she was seven years of age ;
and Charles L., who died in infancy.
JOHN EDWARD KASE— John Kase, father of
John Edward Kase, a long time resident of James-
town, N. Y., was born in Hesse, Germany, and there
grew to manhood. To avoid German military service
he came to the United States, finding employment and
a iiome in Carbondale, Lackawanna county, Pa. He
was a cabinetmaker by trade, and soon after locating
in Carbondale established a small furniture business in
connection with his shop. He prospered in business
as he became well known, and he continued a furni-
ture dealer until his death, which occurred at the home
of his daughter, Mrs. Burr, in Scranton, Pa. He
married Martha Seibold, also born in Germany, she
dying in Carbondale, Pa. Children: I. Theodore,
deceased, who was a real estate broker in Boston, Mass.
2. Julia, married Daniel Burr, a wholesale druggist of
Scranton, Pa. 3. John Edward, of further mention.
4. Edmund, a practicing physician of Philadelphia, Pa.
John Edward Kase was born in Carbondale, Pa.,
July 17, 1858, died in Jamestown, N. Y., Jan. 15, 1913-
He was educated in the public schools at Carbondale,
and after completing his studies became associated with
his father in the manufacture and sale of furniture, the
young man becoming an expert finisher of fine furniture,
making that branch his occupation for life. He contin-
ued with his father until 1879, and when he came to
legal age at once began his own career. For two years
after leaving home John E. Kase was employed as a
furniture finisher in a factory at Athens, Pa., going
thence to Waverly, N. Y., where he was in the employ
of the Hall and Lyons Company, furniture manufactur-
ers of that town, where he continued until 1888. His
business life in Jamestown began in that year with the
Morgan, Maddox Company of this city. Later he was
with the Maddox, Bailey Furniture Company, and still
later with the J. W. Maddox Table Company, and with
these companies he was employed as a furniture finisher
until his death in 1913. He was a good workman,
master of his branch of furniture making, his services
always being in demand. He was a Democrat in politics,
served as inspector of elections for many years, and was
well known in Jamestown.
Mr. Kase married, in Lackawanna county, Pa., Jan.
5, 1881, Emma E. Fuller, born in Matamoras. Pa.,
daughter of Simeon C. and Emiline (Stout) Fuller.
Mr. Fuller was one of the oldest and best known engi-
neers on the Erie Railroad. He made his home in Port
Jervis, N. Y., Carbondale, Pa., and later Susquehanna,
Pa., where he died in 1883. His wife later moved to
Jamestown, N. Y., where she died at the home of her
daughter, Mrs. Kase, in 1895. Children of John E. and
Emma E. (Fuller) Kase: 1. Blanche, died in child-
hood. 2. Ralph Stout, born in Waverly, N. Y., Jan. 24,
1886, was educated in the grade and high schools of
Jamestown, and later learned the printer's business,
becoming an expert in this trade ; he is now superintend-
ent of the printing department of the Travelers' Life-
insurance Company, of Hartford, Conn.; he married
Margaret Maharon, of Jamestown, daughter of Judge
John G. Maharon; Mr. and Mrs. Kase, Jr., are the '
parents of two children: June Mary and Betty June.
3. Veranice Fuller, born Feb. 15, 1891, died April t,
1901. 4. Simeon John, born in Jamestown, June 26,
1895 ; educated in the grade and high schools of James-
town, Mechanics Institute of Rochester, N. Y., receiving
from the Institute the degree of electrical engineer at
graduation, June 14, 1917; after the United States
^Vq^
BIOGRAPHICAL
423
entered the World War, he enlisted in the emergency
electrical department of the Coast Artillery' School at
Fortress Monroe, Va., his work that of an expert : he
was mustered out of the service, Dec. 26, 1918, and is
now with the Dudlow Manufacturing Company, Fort
Wayne, Ind. Mrs. John E. Kase is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church and Sunday school, the
Women's Christian Temperance Union, also the Home
and Foreign Missionary and Clothes societies, and the
American Legion Auxiliary.
ROXINA L. DAVIS, daughter of Ezra W. and
Margaret W. (Cass) Davis, settled in Chautauqua
county, N. Y., thirty years ago. She sprang from a
hardy line of staunch New England stock, the Davis
family coming from Vermont and the Cass family from
Xew Hampshire, the former named having made a dis-
tinctive record in the service of their country, and
have always occupied a prominent place in business.
Miss Davis, since settling in Chautauqua county
thirty years ago, has been actively engaged in business.
She was first associated with Wilson & Van Tuyl's
Hardware Store as bookkeeper, and when this company
went out of business she joined a new enterprise with
W. W. Wilson in the conduct of a tinsmith shop as a
silent partner. She then branched out in the real estate
line, a field in which she has made an eminent success,
having built nearly the entire street known as Wicks
avenue, West Jamestown. She also engaged in exten-
sive building enterprises in Yates county in the central
part of the State, both enterprises testifying to good
business acumen. Although her business career occupies
a large portion of her time and attention. Miss Davis
has not neglected her duty toward society, and has
always been active in charitable and social organizations.
She is a member of the Disciple church, and was one
of the first members of the Young Women's Christian
Association in Jamestown, being identified with that
association for the past quarter of a century. She
adopted and reared two children, namely, William C.
and Margaret C. Davis, the latter named now the wife
of William McKinley Loucks. Miss Davis has established
a reputation for sound business judgment and square
dealing with her associates that will stand for all time
to come as a tribute to her memory.
JOHN AUGUST JONES— A man of great self-
reliance and self-dependence of character, with deter-
mination to succeed in whatever he undertakes, John
August Jones very early in life gave evidence of the
sturdy independence which has helped him to gain the
comfortable competence which he now enjoys.
Born in the little town of Alsheda. Sweden. July 12,
1875, the boy spent his childhood on a farm, attending
the common schools until he was fifteen years old, when
he decided to come to the United States. Having rela-
tives in this country, he had heard of their continued pro-
gress in business and he felt the desire to emulate their
success ; so in 1890 the lad started alone, landing in the
United States and going direct to Jamestown, N. Y.,
where his friends were living. The career of John
August Jones may be said to have started at that time,
for he immediately applied for employment to the Gokey
shoe factory, where he remained for four years. At the
same time he began studying at night, attending the
evening classes at the Young Men's Christian Association
and making rapid progress in the various branches he
had chosen. In 1894 the young man changed his form
of work, becoming a salesman in the clothing store of
A. J. Peterson & Son, continuing with them for four
years, when he resigned. He now thoroughly under-
stood two branches in commercial business, shoes and
clothing, and in October, 1908, in company with William
H. Scharf and Luther L. Lincoln, bought out the cloth-
ing store of J. Whitley & Son. a long established con-
cern with a fine reputation, the new firm becoming
known as Jones, Scharf & Lincoln. In a short time Mr.
Lincoln sold out his holdings to the other two partners,
they carrying on the business. In 191 1 it became an in-
corporated concern, under the name of Jones & Scharf.
Inc., and at this time (1920) it still continues at No.
210 Main street each year showing increased prosperity.
Mr. Jones is greatly interested in civic affairs, being
active in the work of the Board of Commerce of James-
town and one of its board of directors. He is also con-
nected with the Swedish Brotherhood and the Norden
Club; he and his family are regular attendants at the
First Swedish Lutheran Church, which he serves as
treasurer.
In October, 1902, John August Jones married, in
Jamestown, Hannah C. Eckman, daughter of N. P.
Eckman, who resides in that city. Of this union four
children have been born : Helen. Ralph, Robert, Marie.
All but the youngest are now attending school, Mr. Jones
being very desirous that his children shall have every
advantage in life.
CLYDE HENRY SCHUYLER, D. D. S.— In the
short space of a year Jamestown has become thoroughly
familiar with the fact that this is the name of a. very
skillful and progressive member of the dental profession.
His fellow-citizens have learned to place great confi-
dence in Dr. Schuyler and to think no less highly of him
as a citizen than in his professional capacity.
Clyde Henry Schuyler was born Feb. 4, 1892, at
Frewsburg, X 1 . Y., and is a son of Henry C. and Leplia
(Moore) Schuyler, the former a farmer of that place,
where he is still living. Mrs. Schuyler passed away in
March, 1909. The earliest education of Clyde Henry
Schuyler was received in the public schools of the town
of Carroll, whence he passed to the Frewsburg High
School, graduating in 1912. For a year or two after,
he taught in the district schools of Carroll township in
order to earn the money wherewith to complete his
course of study. He then entered the University of
Pittsburgh for the purpose of studying dentistry, gradu-
ating in 1916 with the degree of Doctor of Dental Sur-
gery.
On Sept. 19, 1917, Dr. Schuyler enlisted in the Dental
Corps with the rank of first lieutenant, and was ordered
to Camp Sevier, S. C, taking charge of Dental Infirmary
No. 1, for seven months. He had under his command
twenty-nine commissioned officers, having charge in all
of fifty-four commissioned and enlisted men. On Feb.
11, 1919, he received an honorable discharge after which
he returned to Jamestown and opened his own office.
Already he has received gratifying proof of the wisdom
424
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
of his selection of a field of labor. If the first year of
practice may be accepted as an augury of the future, Dr.
Schuyler's career must unquestionably be one of success-
ful achievement. Politically Dr. Schuyler is a Republi-
can and a staunch one, but the demands of his profes-
sion leave him little time for participation in public
affairs. He belongs to the Psi Omega Dental fraternity.
WELCOME FRANKLIN ROSS, a Civil War
veteran of worthy military record, was one of the oldest
residents of the Conewango Valley, Chautauqua county,
N. Y. He was a hotel proprietor in that place from
1871 until his death, a record of forty-nine years of
steady public service, in which he gained the respect of
the majority of the residents of the district. He was
popular and respected, honored because of his patriotic
service, popular because of his whole-hearted manner,
and respected because of his steady life. His calling
was more than that of a keeper of an old-fashioned
country hostelry where housing for horse and man
could be had, and in his public service he was generally
respected. And when bereavement came to him in the
death of his adopted son, Robert H., who succumbed to
the rigors of military campaigning a few weeks after
the signing of the armistice, in 1918, he had evidence of
the respect in which he was held in the neighborhood
by the extent to which the residents gathered around
him at that time.
Welcome Franklin Ross was born in the town of New
Albion, Cattaraugus county, N. Y., April 13, 1843, the
son of Joseph F. and Lydia (Lewis) Ross, was educated
in the public school of his native place. The Rosj
family is of Scottish antecedents, although for four gen-
erations they have been resident in America. The Amer-
ican progenitor of the branch of the Ross family to
which Welcome F Ross belonged was William Joseph
Ross, who came from Scotland. His son, Joseph F.
Ross, father of Welcome F. Ross, was a farmer in
Cattaraugus county, N. V.
When the great call came to American manhood,
when the North and South sought to settle their differ-
ences of opinion by armed conflict, Welcome F. Ross
was still in his teens, notwithstanding which, he enlisted,
in 1862, as a private in Company B, 154th Regiment of
Xew York Volunteers, and he passed through all the
fighting in which that regiment was engaged until the
date of his discharge, June 23, 1863. His honorable
service during the time of national emergency brought
him good return in self satisfaction and in respect by-
others, and he had an honored place in the later
patriotic organization, the Grand Army of the Republic,
in the ranks of which association of veterans he rose
to the grade of captain. His record in Masonry was a
worthy one, for he affiliated with that fraternal order
for more than forty years.
On Jan. 1, 1865, Mr. Ross was married to Julia A.
Gardner, who was born in 1845. She came of two old
Cattaraugus county families, being the daughter of
Daniel and Laura (Crossfield) Gardner, both of whom
were born in Cattaraugus county. Mrs. Julia A. (Gard-
ner) Ross lived to celebrate her golden wedding, her
death not occurring until 10,16. The death of Welcome
F. Ross occurred Nov. 7, 1920, interment in the Cone-
wango Cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Ross were the parents
of four children : Jessie E., Maud J., Elva G., and Helen
B. Their family also included an adopted son, Robert
H., who went into the national military service, May 26,
1918, during the war with Germany. He was sent to
Camp Dix, N. J., for training, and in all probability
would have gone to France during the winter of 1918
had the war lasted so long. But the signing of the
Armistice, Nov. 11, 1918, rendered the sending of further
troops overseas unnecessary, and quick demobilization
of troops in home camps was commenced. Many of
the camps near the seaboard were overcrowded, because
of returning troops and of troops sent temporarily to
the camps for demobilization. Camp Dix, at which
Robert H. Ross was stationed, was one such, and al-
though his death did not occur while in the service, it
is thought that it was caused through the rigors of camp
life during the last month or so of his military service.
He was honorably discharged, Nov. 28, 1918, reached
home four days later, and died Dec 16, 1918, his demise
being the occasion of the manifestation of general and
sincere sympathy for Mr. Ross in his sad bereavement.
Still a life ending in national service in a cause so great
as was that of America in the late war was not lived in
\ ain.
PAUL B. WIQUIST— Among the most successful
of the younger merchants and business men of James-
town, N. Y., should be mentioned Paul B. Wiquist,
whose success in recent years in building up a large and
remunerative milk business there has given him a repu-
tation for enterprise and intelligence throughout the
community. Mr. Wiquist is one of the many figures
of Swedish parentage whose activities are contributing
to the material welfare of Jamestown, and is a son of
Otto and Alma (Nelson) Wiquist, both of whom were
born in Sweden. They came to the United States when
young and settled at Jamestown, where the iormer en-
gaged in business as a general clothing merchant and
was highly successful. They were the parents of ten
children, as follows : Paul B., with whom we are here
especially concerned ; David Earle, who was drafted into
the United States army during the late World War,
was sent to France, and saw much active service, being,
in the firing line until he received a severe wound in his
arm from which his death occurred July 21, 1919; Cecile,
who served in France as a worker for the Red Cross
Society for six months during the late war; Flavian
Floyd, Hilda. Edward, Margaret, Dorothy, Marion.
Paul B. Wiquist was born March 24, 1886, at James-
town, and attended the' public schools of that city. Ht
graduated from the local high school, and in 1904 began
his active business career. He has been successful f ron 1
the outset in his enterprise as a dealer in milk and now
supplies a very large number of people in this region
where his integrity and liberality have gained him thf:
esteem of all. His products are quite generally regarder
as being the best of their kind that can be procured
Mr. Wiquist is a prominent figure in social circles a:
Jamestown, and has always taken a keen interest in th<
welfare of the community where he dwells. He is ;:
member of the local Grange, and attends the Swedisl
Mission Church, of which he is a most libera! am
highly valued member.
Paul B. Wiquist was united in, marriage, June 25
*
'~C/}^ei.*>~7i^o
»?.%-
BIOGRAPHICAL
425
1905, ar Jamestown, with Freida Winkler, a native of
Buffalo, born Feb. 14, 1863, a daughter of August G.
Winkler, a native of Germany, and for many years a
cabinetmaker at Buffalo, and of Louise (Thomas)
Winkler, his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Wiquist are the parents
of two children, as follows : Howard Paul, born Dec.
_'< 1. 1006, and Gladys Louise, born Feb. 9, 1908.
SVEN EDWARD NELSON, one of the associates
in the automobile firm of Nelson & Nelson at No. 15
Harrison street, Jamestown, is regarded as one of the
rising young business men of this city. This firm makes
a specialty of acetylene welding, blacksmithing ami gen-
eral automobile construction work. He is a son of Nels
A. and Helene (Nelson) Nelson, the former a farmer
ir: Sweden, where he enjoyed considerable prosperity.
Sven Edward Nelson was born in his native land,
Dec. 4. 1880, and by the time he reached the age of
twenty years he had definitely made up his mind, and
accordingly, in the year 1901, set sail for this country
and soon after landed at the port of New York. He
spent several years in Wilcox, Pa., working at the trade
of blacksmithing, and in 1908 came to Jamestown, N.
Y., where there was already a large settlement of his
fellow countrymen, and here he iegan his business
career as a blacksmith. He continued to follow this line
for some time, but later took up the repairing of auto-
mobiles and soon developed a large and lucrative busi-
ness. He is now' associated with Nels Berger Nelson
under the firm name of Nelson & Nelson, and owns a
large and well equipped automobile repair shop at No.
15 Harrison street, where they transact a good sized
business. In politics he is a Republican, and in religious
belief a member of the Swedish Zion Church at James-
town.
Sven Edward Nelson was united in marriage, Oct. 14,
1910, at Wilcox, Pa., with Elin E. Berge, born in
Sweden, May t, 1884, a daughter of Albin and Josephine
Berge. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson are the parents of the
following children: Elizabeth D., born Nov. 21, 1911;
Lawrence Edward, born Feb. 11, 1913; Helen Josephine,
bom March 7. 1917; Robert Warren, born Nov. 5,1919.
PAUL STERRETT PERSONS, M. D., graduate
of the University of Buffalo, medical department, began
the general practice of medicine and surgery in his home
town, Ripley, Chautauqua county, N. Y., in July, 191 7,
after having pursued a post-graduate course in the
science and practice of surgery in the Massachusetts
General Hospital, and an interneship for the same pur-
pose in the Buffalo General Hospital. It is his intention
eventually to confine himself wholly to surgical practice,
to which branch of medical science he seems to be well
adapted. He is an enthusiastic young professional man,
of good family, and good college record, and he is in-
defatigable, careful and skillful in practice, so that in
all probability he will succeed, giving good service to
the community in which he has established himself.
Paul Sterrett Persons was born in Moorheadville,
Pa., May 21, 1891, the son of Charles Dietly and Mary
M. (Sterrett) Persons, the former now deceased, a
miller by trade, and the latter, who still lives in Ripley,
of an old Lancaster, Pa., Colonial family. Charles
Dietly Persons removed his family from Moorheadville,
to Ripley township. Chautauqua county, N. Y., when
his son, Paul Sterrett, was only five years of age, and
that township has since been the home of the family.
Paul S. obtained his elementary education in the Union
District School, later attending the Ripley High School,
and Westfield High School, from which he graduated
in 191 1.
He had decided to enter the medical profession, and
without delay became an undergraduate in the medical
college of the University of Buffalo. In due course,
in 1916, he was graduated therefrom with the degree of
Doctor of Medicine. For the purpose of special surgi-
cal research, he served an interneship in the Massa-
chusetts General Hospital before his graduation, and
for one year thereafter was an interne in the Buffalo
General Hospital, there also specializing in surgical
practice. And in the wide clinical opportunities of
those two large hospitals, he must have obtained more
than a general understanding of that branch of medical
science in which he hopes at some future time to special-
ize exclusively. Meanwhile, he is well regarded in Rip-
ley and is developing a satisfactory practice.
The Persons family is of Presbyterian affiliation, and
in politics Dr. Persons is a Republican, though he takes
no active part in political affairs. He is a Mason, belong-
ing to Westfield Lodge, No. 219, and Westfield Chapter,
No. 239; and his college fraternities are the Nu Sigma
Nu and the Theta Nu Epsilon. Professionally, he is a
member of the American Medical Society, the New
York State Medical Association, and the Chautauqua
County Medical Association.
On Oct. 11, 1917, Dr. Persons married Elizabeth T.
Mosser, then resident at Sligo, Pa., but formerly of
N. Y. Mrs. Persons is a trained nurse, and since their
marriage she has given her professional services to
her husband.
GEORGE ARTEMAS ROSS was born at Clymer,
N. Y., Feb. 18, 1883. His parents were Dr. Artemas
Ross, and Eva Evangeline (Bush) Ross. Dr. Ross,
who was a physician of good standing in Chautauqua
county, was a graduate of the University of Pennsyl-
vania, who after receiving his degree practiced one year
at Corry, Pa., going from that village to Clymer, where
he continued to practice for thirty years. He was a son
of George and Barbara Ross, who were among the
county's early settlers. On his mother's side, George
A. Ross is descended from an historic and nationally
prominent family, the Greeley family, one member of
which was Horace Greeley, an earnest advocate of the
abolition of slavery. United States Congressman from
1848 to 1849, and presidential candidate on the Liberal
Republican and Democratic ticket. Mr. Greeley was
perhaps best known as founder of the New York "Tri-
bune." The grandfather of George A. Ross was
William O. Bush, and his grandmother, Margaret
(Greeley) Bush, was a sister of Horace Greeley. In
the immediate family of Mr. Ross are two sisters, Mrs.
Freda Cornell, a Fredonia State Normal graduate, and
Miss Margaret Ross, a graduate of Allegheny College,
who is now instructor in English at Ticonderoga, N. Y.
George A. Ross received his education at Clymer
High School, Alfred Academy, Alfred Lhiiversity, and
Allegheny College. He spent five years in teaching;
one year at Findley Lake, one year at Clymer, and
426
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
three years as principal of Chautauqua High School.
He was for six years traveling salesman for the Stran-
burg Music House of Jamestown. Upon the expiration
of the term of Mr. Frank M. Potter, then postmaster at
Chautauqua, Mr. Ross, who is a Democrat, became a
candidate for the position. He received the loyal sup-
port of Chautauqua Institution officials, all of the
county's prominent Democrats, and was on Dec. 17,
1915, appointed by President Woodrow Wilson to the
position of postmaster- which he now holds. Mr. Ross
is a Free Mason, a member of Peacock Lodge No.
696, of Mayville.
George A. Ross was united in marriage to Mary Pearl
Ferguson, of Erie, Pa., June 29, 1904.
HENRY S. HOLMES, one of the successful man-
ufacturers of Tamestown, N. Y., is a native of James-
town, born Dec. 28, 1888, a son of M. C. and Margaret
(Ronne) Holmes, the former named the founder of
the business which is now operated by his son. The
elder Mr. Holmes died in the year 191 5, survived by his
wife, who makes her home at Jamestown.
Henry S. Holmes attended the local public schools as
a lad, and attended for a time the Jamestown High
School. He did not graduate from that institution, how-
ever, but matriculated at Ridgeley College, Ontario.
Canada, where he took the usual academic course.
Being ambitious, however, to begin business, he aban-
doned his studies before completing them and entered
the Jamestown Business College, where he took a com-
mercial course. Upon the completion of this, Mr. Holmes
was employed in his father's establishment and there
learned the business of manufacturing tents and awn-
ings. This business had been established by his father
in 1888, and the young man continued to work as an
assistant until the death of his father In 1915- He then
took over the business for himself, and during the in-
tervening years it has developed to very large propor-
tions under the capable management of Mr. Holmes.
At the time of its founding, Mr. Holmes, Sr., did all
the work of the establishment unaided, but at the
present time (1020") the plant is a very large one with
eleven thousand square feet of floor space, gives employ-
ment to fifteen hands, and has a market for its goods
throughout New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio, where
Mr. Holmes, Jr. has established agencies. He is regarded
at the present time as one of the most successful and
substantial business men of the community, and occupies
a high place in the esteem of his fellow business men.
In addition to his business activities, Mr. Holmes is
prominent in the general life of the community, and is a
member of a number of organizations including the
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the National
Tent and Awning Manufacturers' Association, and the
New York State Tent and Awning Manufacturers' Asso-
ciation, of which he is a director. In politics, Mr.
Holmes is a Democrat, but does not take an active part
in the political activities of the community, his time and
energies being entirely occupied in caring for his own
large business interests.
Henry S. Holmes was united in marriage, April 29,
1914, at Chicago, 111., with Annie Ridel!, daughter of
Frank R. and Susie (Whitelsey) Ridell. old and highly
respected residents of Oak Park, 111.
LYMAN P. HAPGOOD— As superintendent of
light and water, Mr. Hapgood requires no introduction
to his fellow-citizens of Jamestown. In the years dur-
ing which he has held this very responsible office he
has so devoted himself to the advancement of these
two extremely important interests of his community,
more especially the latter, as to merit and receive the
gratitude of the many who have reaped the benefit of his
strenuous fidelity.
Herbert L. Hapgood, father of Lyman P. Hapgood,
is of Athol, Mass., where he was formerly engaged in
the manufacture of match splints for old style matches.
He married M. Josephine Proctor, and they are the
parents of two sons: Lyman P., mentioned below; and
Frederick H., graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Insti-
tute, and now employed as civil engineer by the firm of
Hazen & Fuller, New York City; he was master engi-
neer in the Engineers' Corps, Water Division, at Camp
Dix; France, during the World War.
Lyman P. Hapgood, son of Herbert L. and M. Jose-
phine (Proctor) Hapgood, was born June 18, 1876, at
Athol. Mass. He received his education in the public
schools of his native town. For three years he studied
civil engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Tech-
nology at Boston, and in 1899 entered upon the practice
of his profession "as clerk in the Water Company of
Beyer & Beyer, of Athol, Mass. His choice of a pro-
fession dated from boyhood, when in his summer vaca-
tions he had worked with engineers who were employed
in his home town. This had given him an interest in the
work and eventually led him to make the profession his
own. In 1900 Mr. Hapgood was made superintendent,
and in 1906 the plant was sold to the town. He went to
Springfield, Mo., for the same firm and served as super-
intendent of their plant in that place until 1910. In that
year he came to Jamestown, N. Y., as assistant super-
intendent, and in 191 1 was made superintendent. In-
political principle and practice, Mr. Hapgood is a Repub-
lican. He is a member of the American Water Works
Association, and the New England Water Works Asso-
ciation. In fraternal life he is affiliated with various
Masonic bodies, member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter
and Commandery of Athol, Council of Jamestown, anc
the Shrine of Buffalo, also belonging to the Massachu-
setts Institute of Technology Alumni Association. Ht
was reared in the Unitarian faith.
Mr Hapgood married, May 7, 1007, at St. Louis, Mo.
Emma C. Barrett, daughter of P. J. Barrett, of Adams
Mass.
The promotion and improvement of the water suppl;
system has been Mr. Hapgood's life work. His admin
istration of his office entitles him to be regarded as :
public benefactor, and in Jamestown he is held in higl
esteem by his fellowmen.
FRANK JOHN THIES, who has been promine
for some vears in business circles at Fredonia, Chau
tauqua county. N. Y., where he is the owner of the J
C. Thies & Son Greenhouses and the Cherry Par!
Gardens, is a native of this county, his birth havin;
occurred on a farm at Arkwright, Sept. 9. 1879. Ml
Thies is a son of John C. and Minnie (Deitrichl Thies
the former the founder of the firm of florists of whic
his son is now the head. The elder Mr. Thies died 1
:n
n
r
—
-
-
«<
~
■n
>
73
-
> 7-,
Z
r.
o
<—,
>
I
a
m
n-
V.
in
■n
T1
•o
~
n'
tn
3
a
x
>
z
H<
8
BIOGRAPHICAL
427
1919, but his wife survives him and continues to make
her home in Fredonia.
Frank John Thies was little more than an infant
when his parents removed from Chautauqua county to
the West, and located on a farm in Nebraska, where the
lad attended the local district schools and was brought
up in the healthy environment of the western plains.
His parents remained in Nebraska for about seven years
and then returned to New York State, making their
home for a time at Laona, Chautauqua county, where
ycung Mr. Thies completed his general education at the
public schools. He then attended the Fredonia Normal
School. About this time, in the year 1889. Cherry Park
Gardens was established by his father on property which
had been badly run down through neglect of its former
owners and was indeed not entirely cleared of its
original growth of timber. There was no improve-
ments on the land at the time but the elder Mr. Thies,
assisted by his son, soon brought the land under culti-
vation and began there the fruit and flower culture
which has since been carried to so high a point of devel-
opment. A tract consisting of a little more than fifteen
acres was originally devoted to this purpose, but the
present Mr. Thies has found it more profitable to cut
the acreage to precisely fifteen acres and concentrate
his efforts in bringing them to a high state of cultivation.
Great improvements have also been made on this piace
and a fine mansion has been built, together with offices
and a number of large greenhouses. There are four of
these latter, No. 1 measuring 150 x 25 feet, No. 2, 150
x 28 feet, No. 3, 150 x 22 feet, and No. 4, 150 x 20 feet.
In addition to the delicate plants cultivated under glass,
there are also grown outdoors a great number of flower-
ing and fruit-bearing shrubs, and a large business is
done in this line. First class shipping and packing
rooms have been established and the 20.000 square feet
which are contained under glass are equipped with
modern furnaces and power rooms for the most ade-
quate carrying on of the large industry. In addition
to Cherry Park Gardens, Mr. Thies, who has succeeded
his father as sole proprietor of the business since the
latter's death, has a splendid fruit and vegetable farm
of twenty acres in the township of Fredonia, which he
also keeps in the highest state of cultivation. He all
together employs as many as seventeen hands during the
busy season, and grows about every known fruit, vege-
table and flower on his various properties, although he
specializes in carnations geraniums and tomato plants,
shipping these and his other products to every part of
:he State. Mr. Thies is well known in the general life of
:he community, and is a member of a number of im-
>ortant organizations here, including the South Shore
5rower & Shipper Association and the Florists' Club.
He is a Republican in politics and attends the Methodist
ipiscopal church.
Frank John Thies was united in marriage, June 21,
907, with Gertrude Neff. of Frewsburg, X. Y., a
laughter of Ed. and Eliza (Bouquin) Neff. old and
lighly respected residents of the town of Pomfret. Mr.
ind Mrs. Thies are the parents of two children : Laura,
iged ten, and John, aged two.
HARVEY W. PARKER, one of the leading farm-
ts of the Mayville section of Chautauqua county, N.
{., is representative of the worthiest agricultural effort
in Chautauqua county; he has risen to success from the
humblest of beginnings only by the most resolute appli-
cation to hard tasks. When he took the first portion of
his present valuable farming property, it had no improve-
ments and was covered with heavy second growth tim-
ber, which, little by little, with scarcely any help, and
only by dint of the hardest kind of work, often under
most discouraging conditions, he and his wife gradually
cleared. It was work such as the pioneers did, such as
his own father did when he first came into the county
in 181 8. At that time the land upon which Harvey W.
was eventually born was practically all virgin forest —
wilderness — and it was that worthy pioneer spirit which
enabled William Parker to keep doggedly on, at tasks
which seemed almost impossible of accomplishment,
until such time as he could realize that he owned a
cleared acreage of good agricultural yield. And an
effort similar to his was that of his son, Harvey W.,
sixty years later, although perhaps the circumstances
01" the son were even more discouraging, for when
Harvey W. Parker started to develop his first holding
it was under an incubus of debt ; he had to incur heavy
liabilities in making his first purchase, and his present
rich farm and fine buildings, plus that wealth which is
without price — a worthy family of seven children — rep-
resent the sum total of the life effort of two worthy
Chautauqua county people — Harvey W. Parker and his
wife. Anna (Stebbins) Parker, who was his stay, his
comfort, his encouragement, and also his co-worker,
through all the hard times and trials of their early years
upon the farm.
Harvey W. Parker was born Oct. 17, 1855, on the
farm which adjoins his present property, near Mayville,
Chautauqua county, N. Y. His parents, William and
Sarah (Davis) Parker, are both now deceased, but dur-
ing their lives were much respected by the people of
the neighborhood.
Harvey W. Parker, in his early years, attended the
district school to some extent, but very early in life he
was doing sundry light tasks upon his father's farm,
and as he grew in strength and stature, so his agri-
cultural duties grew in responsibility and in the physi-
cal effort necessary. He conscientiously and ably assisted
his father in the development of the family property
until he was twenty-three years old, by which time he
had become a good farmer, conversant with most of
the operations of a general farm, and possessed of a
strength and spirit such as to give him confidence that
he himself could accomplish the hard task of winning a
piece of land from the wild state. For a while he rent-
ed a farm nearby, but eventually purchased the first
forty acres of his present holding, going deeply into debt
to buy it. His early trials have already been referred
to, and not many of the farmers of this generation
would enter upon such tasks. As opportunity came,
he added to his acreage, until now he has a compact
estate of 122 acres of good land, properly improved.
His residence is an imposing one, commodious and sub-
stantial, which was necessary, for he and his wife raised
a large family. And all the farm buildings are
spacious and substantial. Every building on the place
was built by Mr. Parker, as was also every fence, and
the property is well fenced. About fifty-five acres are
in cultivation, and the remainder is rich pasture and
woodland, and upon one piece of property more re-
428
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
cently acquired is some virgin timber. Altogether the
farm is a well-balanced one, adapted well to the purpose
to which Mr. Parker has put it, dairy and general farm-
ing.
Mr. Parker is a member of the local Grange, and in
political allegiance is a Republican. He has been school
trustee, and he has been urged upon many occasions to
stand for public office, but he has consistently refused,
feeling that he could not spare the time from the re-
quirements of his own farm management. But he would
have probably succeeded, had he stood for public office,
for he is a man who is much esteemed in the neighbor-
hood.
On Dec. 16, 1879, Harvey W. Parker married Anna
Stebbins, who Jived on a nearby farm, and was of an
old Chautauqua county family. She was his constant
helpmate in all things until her death, which occurred
in 1903, and they were the parents of eight children,
seven of whom they reared. The deceased child, Francis
Leon, died in infancy. The seven surviving children,
in the order of their birth, are: 1. Fred, who was edu-
cated in the district schools of Chautauqua township,
and now has a farm of his own near Brocton, N. Y.
2. Grace, who attended the same schools as did her elder
brother, and also took the course of the training school
at Westfield, N. Y., eventually becoming a school teacher.
3. Grant, also educated in the district schools of Chau-
tauqua township, and now a farmer. 4. Bert, similarly
educated, and also a farmer. 5. Edna, who attended
the district school and is now at home. 6. George, also
at home. 7. Ruth, also at home. All the children at-
tended high school at Mayville after attending the coun-
try school.
The value of Chautauqua county, N. Y., from an
agricultural standpoint, has been developed by such note-
worthy efforts as those of Harvey W. Parker and his
father, William Parker. And Harvey VV. Parker has
given four stalwart sons to continue the development,
and all are in agriculture.
WESLEY G. BRONSON, who since 1912 has been
the owner of the extensive farm in Ripley township,
Chautauqua county, N. Y., upon which his parents
settled in 1835. They, Alvin and Maria (Hamm) Bron-
son, may be considered to have been among the pioneer
settlers, for their farm in 1835 was practically in its
wild state, unimproved.
It was upon this same farm that Wesley G. Bronson
was born, Sept. 27, i860, and he has lived in the dis-
trict practically all his life. For six years he worked
at farming occupations in Sherman township, and for
four years was similarly employed in Mina township
of Chautauqua county, but the remainder of his life
has been passed in Ripley township, and mostly in culti-
vating the farm upon which he was born. He was edu-
cated in the district school of Ripley township, and
afterwards took resolutely to farming operations upon
the parental farm. In 1912, the ownership passed to
him, he having purchased the share of the other heirs,
and he has since undertaken considerable improvements
upon the place. Every improvement, of course, was
put there either by his father or by himself, but during
the last seven years he has made rapid progress. The
150 acres, which is the extent of the. property, is now
a valuable holding, and during the years since he be-
came sole owner of it he has rebuilt barn and house
has built a large silo, and has laid out a large grape
vineyard. Upon the farm he maintains twenty cattle
and has some fine horses. He is progressive, energetic
and skillful in his farming, and his average yearly out-:
going in wages for farm help is $300.
In national politics Mr. Bronson has not taken much
part ; he is an Independent in national politics, and is
independent in most of his relations to political ques-
tions; he is a man who thinks for himself, and some
matters of national policies have been the subject of j
deep thought by him. In local administration, however,
he has always been very much interested, and has con-
sented to participate, to some extent, in the work of local
administration; he has held the office of school trustee,
and in many other ways has cooperated in community
affairs. Religiously he is a Methodist, member of the
local Methodist Episcopal church and a substantial
supporter thereof. During the recent war Mr. Bronson
proved himself to be wholly patriotic, contributing sub-
stantially to the national loans, and to the other funds
raised by various agencies of the government for the
purposes of the nation in the war.
On Aug. 23, 1888, Mr. Bronson married Lida Thorp,
of Jamestown. She is a woman of marked intelligence
and refined bearing, and it is of interest to note that in
her schooldays some of her playmates were boys who
later took prominent part in the affairs of Chautauqua
county, and of Jamestown, and some of them are the
historians on the editorial board of this historical work
of Chautauqua county. To Wesley G. and Lida (Thorp)
Bronson have been born seven children, as follows : 1.
Hazel, born July 16, 1889; was educated in the district
school of Ripley township ; married R. L. Waite, to:
whom she has born one child, Nelson. 2. Walter E. ;
born June 2, 1892; enlisted, Nov. 22, 1917, at Westfield,
N. Y., serving in first enlistment period at date of dis-
charge; appointed corporal, Feb. 13, 1918, in the Amer-
ican Expeditionary Forces ; worked at construction
work at Camp Dix, N. J., Camp Kelley, Tex., Camp
Seveir, S. C, and in England, reaching England, Aug. 23,
1918, serving until the close of the war; his discharge
paper says : "Character excellent, service honest and .
faithful;" he returned to the United States, Dec. II,
1918; married Alma Perdue. 3. Florence, born Feb. 8,
1894; educated in the district school of Ripley township,
and later a graduate of a business college; she is now
in commercial life, having a satisfactory position in Erie,
Pa. 4. Lillie, born Feb. 15, 1896; educated at the district
school, and now at home. 5. Harvey, born April 13,
1897; educated similarly, and now at home assisting his
father in the management of the farm. 6 Bernice, born
Aug. 16, 1899; similarly educated, and now at home. 7.
Alvin, born July 9, 1905 ; still at school.
Mr. and Mrs. Bronson have a worthy family, and
have a large number of sincere friends in the neighbor-
hood. They are very hospitable, and live the wholesome,
happy and comfortable life that comes by upright
actions, honest toil, and conscientious dealings.
JOSEPH BREADS, well-to-do farmer, and repre-
sentative of the responsible agriculturists of Chautau-
qua county, N. Y., has lived in the county since 1862.
BIOGRAPHICAL
429
and upon the farm he now owns, near Volusia, since
1868. He comes of a pioneer family of Chautauqua
county, for when his father and his brothers came to
that section of the county in 1862 it was mainly uncul-
tivated land, and there is only one farmer now living
in the neigborhood of Volusia who was there when the
Breads brothers settled in the vicinity.
Joseph Breads was born on the family homestead in
Oneida county, N. Y., Aug. 19, 1845. the son of William
and Sarah (Sims) Breads. His father had a farming
property in Oneida county and there the family lived
until Joseph was fifteen years old. and in the district
'schools of the neighborhood Joseph received his educa-
tion. About 1862, his father. William Breads, and his
^brothers, Benjamin and Isaac, who were also farmers
.in Oneida county, decided to remove with their families
to Chautauqua county. William Breads settled on a
1; rge farm of 300 acres near the one now owned by his
son, Joseph, and Benjamin and Isaac settled near him.
In the spring of 1868, Joseph Breads, son of William
is, came to the farm he now lives on with his
father, and in i8;o bought 80 acres. Joseph Breads is a
skilled agriculturist, and has developed the land until
it is now a valuable property, the fifty-two years of his
cultivation of it having brought him substantial return,
both in material possessions and in the respect of his
neighbors. He has a twin brother who also has lived
'in Chautauqua county most of his life, and has con-
ducted a general repair shop. And he has one sister,
Charlotte, who married and went to Australia, but he
has not heard from her for twenty years.
The Breads family are earnest Methodists, Joseph
Breads and his wife, Mary (Gossett) Breads, being
members of the Volusia Methodist Episcopal Church,
and good supporters thereof. Mr. Breads is a Repub-
lican in national politics, but has never held what
might strictly be called political office. He has always
been interested in the affairs of his own district, and
the neighboring community of Volusia, and has at
different times taken active part in its affairs ; he was
trustee of Public School No. 11, for some years; and
in the functioning of the Lombard Grange he has been
prominent; in fraternal and benevolent society move-
ments he has been interested, being a member of the
Westfield Blue Lodge of Masons and the Sherman, N.
Y., Encampment of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows.
During the World War, he worthily did his part, both
in contributing substantially to the various patriotic
funds, and in the closer application to the matters of
production upon his farm, which increased production
of foodstuffs by American farmers had such an import-
ant bearing upon the final victory which came. It is
now a matter of history, and generally recognized, that
the war was not won only in France. Those who labored
in the home countries had almost as appreciable a part
as had the armies in the field; certainly the question of
foodstuffs was at one time of such vital urgency that
but for the increased effort of the patriotic and hard-
working American farmer the outlook for the cause of
America and her allies would have been desperate.
Therefore, to the individual American farmer, who
had his share in the effort, is d'.ie a recording of that
share.
Joseph Breads was married, April 19, 1871, to Mary
Gossett, of Sherman, N. V., and they are now drawing
near to the golden anniversary of their wedding. Both
are highly esteemed in the neighborhood in which they
have lived for so many years. They have one child.
Flora. She received a good education, attending the dis-
trict school for the elementary grades, and then going
to Westfield to attend the high school at that place.
She eventually graduated, and some years later married
Henry Witt, a man of responsible position in industrial
life, being foreman in the tinners' department at the
American Locomotive Works at Dunkirk, N. Y. One
child, a daughter, Juva May, has been born to them.
Joseph Breads has lived an upright, industrious and
productive life, in which steadiness of purpose and in-
tegrity, both material and moral, have been marked
characteristics, and he has a definite place in the histori-
cal record of that section of Chautauqua county.
JOHN A. KLING— Mayville, N. Y., and Chautau-
qua county in general, seem to be regions where a
number of men of Swedish birth have elected to make
their homes. They have, upon coming to this country
from Sweden, established themselves here, and many
of them have successfully engaged in enterprises which
have not only benefited themselves, but the community-
at-large as well. John A. Kling, of this sketch, may be
mentioned as one of the successful men of foreign
birth to have settled here and a man whose integrity
and square business dealings have won for him a dis-
tinguished place in the esteem and regard of his fellow-
men.
John A. Kling was born in Sweden, July 31, 1868,
and is a son of Andrew Peter and Marie Kling. The
elder Mr. Kling was a contractor and builder of high
standing. John A. Kling received his education in the
schools of his native land, and in 1885, at the age of
seventeen, came to America. Upon arriving here, he
worked as a cabinetmaker, obtaining a position in the
establishment of Breed & Johnson, in Jamestown. He
did considerable work in the large factories hereabouts,
gaining a considerable amount of experience. He
accepted a position in the employ of Charles Norquist,
where he remained for two seasons. Here his work
consisted of making roll top desks. He later accepted
a position as foreman of the cabinet department of
John Benson & Son, proprietors of the Chautauqua
Desk Company, with whom he remained two years, and
then went with the Cadwell Cabinet Company. In the
latter establishment he was the superintendent, laying
out the work and estimating the cost of production, two
very important posts. He remained with these people for
a period of seven years, during which time he learned
a great deal and at the same time saved a considerable
portion of his earnings, with a view to some day be-
coming independent. About root he became superin-
tendent of the Randolph Furniture Company and re-
mained with these people for about ten years. At the
end of this time, having saved up enough money, he was
enabled to realize his long cherished ambition, and
began independently in business in a small way, organ-
izing a stock company at Mayville. N. Y., under the style
01 (he Chautauqua Cabinet Company, manufacturers ot
bedroom furniture. The officers of the concern are as
43°
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
follows : John A. Kling, president and treasurer, Arvid
J. Kling, vice-president, and Mrs. J. A. Kling secretary
The concern was incorporated in April, 1911, with John
A. Kling as president and treasurer, Edwin Hitchcock,
vice-president, and Anton T. Anderson, secretary. These
four gentlemen were also directors of the corporation.
They obtained the building of the Chautauqua Spring
Bed & Lounge Company, a three-story structure, 75 x
60 feet, and installed all modern machinery. The concern
now employs fifty to sixty hands, and they ship their
product to all parts of the United States. During the
recent World War the plant was turned into a war man-
ufactory and made airplane parts, magazine containers,
and hospital trays, with great success. In addition to
this enterprise, Mr. Kling is also actively interested in
the Brocton Furniture Company, of Brocton, N. Y.,
taking the management in 1915, and is also secretary.
The Chautauqua Cabinet Company and the Brocton
Furniture Company employ approximately 150 hands,
with a combined output of over three-quarters of a
million dollars. Mr. Kling has been a representative
of the Village Board of Mayville for four years, and
is a prominent member of the Republican party in this
region.
John A. Kling was united in marriage, Oct. 1, "1890,
with Anna Augusta Anderson, a daughter of Andrew
Anderson, a resident of Jamestown. To Mr. and Mrs.
Kling four children have been born, as follows: Arvid
J. ; Edith Augusta, who is deceased ; Holger, deceased ;
and Denold.
THE ALLEN FAMILY— More than a century has
elapsed since Elisha Allen, the first member of his
family to leave his New England home, journeyed west-
ward to Chautauqua county, N. Y. In all of the progress
and development of the early time and down to the
present, Aliens have figured in all important measures
or movements, and been identified with the county
through service in many fields. The paragraphs and
pages following contain extracts from a history of the
century in Chautauqua county showing the lives and
deeds of four generations of this branch of the Allen
family.
The New England progenitor, Captain Allen, of
Princeton, Mass., while serving as sheriff there, was
murdered by a prisoner he was guarding. His widow
moved with her family to Wardsboro, Vt., and there
Elisha Allen, son of Captain Allen, spent his youth and
early manhood.
Elisha Allen was born in Princeton, Mass.. in 1786,
and died in Jamestown, N. Y., in 1830. He married,
in early manhood, Juliette Holbrook, born in Stur-
bridge, Mass., in 1790, her family later coming to Chau-
tauqua county. Elisha Allen first came to Chautauqua
county in 1816, and in that year bought the property
on which stood the Jamestown House and the Gifford
House. He first came on a trading trip, and the same
year returned to his New England home. Tn 181 7 he
came again with his wife and two sons. He was a man
of forceful character and good business ability, and
wisely he invested the capital brought by him from
Vermont. For many years he kept the Allen House,
and just south of Jamestown he owned a farm which
later became the property of his eldest son, Augustus
Franklin Allen. Elisha Allen, in addition to his hotel
and his farm, was a merchant, and operated Durham:
boats on the lake and streams of Chautauqua. It was
Elisha Allen who built and operated the famous "horse-
boat" on Chautauqua Lake, described in this work, and
he had large lumbering interests. He prospered, and
when he passed away in 1830 he left a considerable
fortune for that period and place. The children of
Elisha and Juliette (Holbrook) Allen were: Augustus
Franklin, of whom further; and Dascum, born in 1815;
these two children were born in the East. Those born in
Jamestown were: Adaline, born in 1817, died in 1851;
Prudence Olivia, born in 1821, died in 1854; and Abner
Holbrook, born in 1823, died in 1849.
Augustus Franklin Allen, son of Elisha and Juliette
(Holbrook) Allen, was born in 1813 and died in James-
town, N. Y., Jan. 20, 1875. He was seventeen years of
age when the death of his father, Elisha Allen, left
him, the eldest son, head of the family. He met his
responsibilities in a wonderful manner, and within a.
year or two had with his brother Dascum formed a
mercantile and lumbering firm, which operated in Chau-
tauqua and Cattaraugus counties, N. Y., and Warren
county, Pa., very successfully until 1846. In 1848,
with Daniel Grandin, he formed the firm, Allen &
Grandin, woolen manufacturers, which operated until
1867, when it was succeeded by Allen, Preston & Com-
pany. Augustus F. and Dascum Allen had also exten-
sive real estate interests which continued mutual until
1865, when the brothers separated.
Colonel Allen was heartily in favor of bringing a
railroad to Jamestown and as early as 1851 he partici-
pated in the organization of the Erie & New York City
Railroad, which originally extended from the Little
Valley Creek to the Pennsylvania State line, and had
a capital of $750,000. The town of Ellicott and various
towns on the line of the road issued bonds, or in their
corporate capacity took stock in the road, as did many
private individuals. This company did considerable
grading on the line of the road, but failed as an organ-
ization, and was afterwards sold to the Atlantic & Great
Western Railway. It was mainly owing to Augustus F.
Allen's sagacity and good management that the greater
part of all the investments made by the different towns on
the line were saved to them in the transfer, and that the
line of the Atlantic & Great Western Railway was
finally completed through Southern Chautauqua with
very little cost to its citizens. Mr. Allen was for many
years a director of the Atlantic & Great Western Rail-
way, and of all the men who interested themselves in
opening up this section of the country by proper rail-
road facilities, none devoted so much time and energy
to the project as Augustus F. Allen, who clearly recog-
nized the necessity of better traveling and freight
accommodations to develop the interests of Southern
Chautauqua. He gave much time to the public service,'
and for seventeen years represented the town of Ellicott
on the Board of Supervisors, 1847-48, 1852, 1856, i860
to 1868, 1871 to 1874.
During the war period, 1861-65, he was chairman of
the County War Committee, and labored unceasingly
for the welfare of the soldiers at the front and their
families at home. In his early manhood, Augustus F.
Allen had been commissioned a colonel in the State
BIOGRAPHICAL
43i
militia, and during the Civil War was appointed
colonel of the 112th Regiment, New York State Vol-
unteers, for the purpose of recruiting, organizing and
equipping the regiment. In 1867 he was elected a mem-
ber of the State Constitutional Convention.
In tlie winter of 1S72-73, the building of the Buffalo
& Jamestown Railway was first agitated, and Colonel
Allen gave his best efforts to the inception and organi-
zation of that enterprise, the first public meeting on the
project being held at his office. His character and
personal influence inspired confidence in the project,
and although not completed until after his death, the
success of the road was largely due to his efforts.
In the fall of 1874, Colonel Allen accepted an Inde-
pendent nomination for Congress in opposition to the
r Republican candidate, Walter L. Sessions. Colo-
nel Allen was nominated in a district which under ordi-
nary circumstances gave from five to seven thousand
Republican majority, but with characteristic zeal he
waged his campaign, and after the most hotly-contested
campaign that the district had ever known he was elect-
ed by a large majority. But the arduous work of the
campaign, and the incessant labor of long years of
intense business activity, culminated in an attack of
brain fever, to which Colonel Allen succumbed on Jan,
20, 1S75.
Colonel Allen married, in 1836, Margaret Cook,
laughter of Dr. Robert Cook, of New York City. Eight
:hildren were born to them, two only surviving child-
lood : Alfred D. Allen, of whom further, and Mrs.
Charlotte Oliva Black, of whom further. Colonel
\llen built the family home on the corner of East Fourth
ind Spring streets, which is yet standing practically
unchanged, although it has passed out of the hands of
;he family. Through all the years they lived in this
louse Augustus F. Allen and his wife Margaret made
heir home a community center in the truest and best
lense. Here were received alike distinguished visitors
tnd the humblest neighbors with true and cordial hos-
ritality that brought happiness and cheer to many lives.
Colonel Allen became the owner of the farm just
■outh of Jamestown, which by the extension of the city
n now within its limits. Part of that farm Is now (1920)
n the hands of the fourth Allen generation, another
lortion now being Allen Park, deeded to the city in
008 by his daughter-in-law, Virginia M. Allen, in
nemory of her father-in-law and husband. Colonel
Ulen was loved by his contemporaries as a friend,
steemed by them as a neighbor, and honored as a
itizen. Energetic, progressive and public-spirited, he
erved well his day and generation, and left an honor-
ble record to his posterity.
Alfred D. Allen, son of Colonel Augustus Franklin
nd Margaret (Cook) Allen, was born in Jamestown, N.
'., in 1841, and died there in 1877, in his thirty-seventh
ear. After completing his education he, when quite
oung. became manager of his father's farm, lying
:>uth but near Jamestown. He was also for several
ears prior to his passing engaged in flour milling, his
lant known as the Dexterville Mills. From 1875 to
877 Albert D. Miller was associated with him in the
nlling business. It was at the Dexter Mills that the
rst "patent" flour was made in Jamestown. At the
Drner of East Third and Pine streets, Mr. Allen main-
tained a flour and feed store, the site of that store his
own birthplace. That property descended to his sons
and later passed out of the family name. Mr. Allen
was a good business man, and although cut off before
even reaching middle age he had accumulated a hand-
some competence from his business enterprises.
Mr. Allen married in 1869, Virginia M. Mahon, of
N'ew York, who survived her husband forty-two years,
d\ ing in Fort Worth, Tex., while traveling with her
son, Augustus F. Allen and family in the South. She
is buried in Lakeview Cemetery, Jamestown. They were
the parents of two sons who survived childhood :
Augustus F., named for his grandfather; and Alfred
D„ named for his father. Both are of further mention
in this review.
Charlotte Olivia Allen, daughter of Colonel Augustus
franklin and Margaret (Cook) Allen, was born in
Jamestown, N. Y., in 1848, and died in Alameda, Cal.,
Jan. 20, 1888. She was given all the advantages of
education, and her charming personality won her many
friends. In 1867 she married James Black, of New
York City, and they were the parents of a daughter,
Melita. Mrs. Black was widely traveled, her tours
covering Europe and Northern Africa, quite out of the
beaten tourists routes. From her travel she gained a
culture and a broad outlook on life, obtainable in no
other way. She resided several years in New York
City, and was there identified with charitable causes and
different organizations. After the death of her mother
in 1885, Mrs. Black's health failed and with her daugh-
ter she sought the mild air of California, making her
home in Alameda, where she died aged forty years.
After her death the old Allen homestead, corner of East
Fourth and Spring streets, Jamestown, so long the
abode of hospitality and good fellowship, was closed
and later passed out of the family.
Augustus F. Allen, eldest son of Alfred D. and Vir-
ginia M. (Mahon) Allen, was born in Jamestown, Sept.
7. 1873. He attended the Jamestown schools and
Harvard University, took up the study of law and
gained admission to the bar. He did not devote much
time to the practice of his profession, but upon his
return to Jamestown conducted extensive real estate
operations. The large tract of farm land on the south
side of Foote avenue and extending to the city line
was platted in building lots, and encouragement in
such practical form was given prospective home owners
that one of the most attractive residential sections
of the city was built up. The beauty of the local-
ity was still further enhanced by the gift of a
tract of land by Virginia M. Allen, the property being
given over to the park commission and by that body
greatly improved. It is now the principal park of
Jamestown and known as Allen Park.
As a young man Mr. Allen entered public life, in
which a wide acquaintance and a personality of magnetic
charm were his strongest assets. His first office was
supervisor of his district, and his first campaign was for
the Republican nomination, which was equivalent to an
election. The manner in which he secured this and his
subsequent election brought him into conspicuous notice
as a future factor in local politics. After a term as
supervisor, 1005-06, in which his record was generally
approved, he was nominated on the Republican ticket for
432
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
the New York State Assembly from the First Chautau-
qua District, and was successful in the ensuing election,
serving four terms 1907-08-00-10. Mr. Allen was a loyal
and consistent supporter of Governor Charles E. Hughes
in all of the constructive legislation sponsored by that
executive, regardless of the dictates of policy or of
party leaders. He was known in the legislature and
among his constituency as a strong adherent of Govern-
or Hughes and was close to the governor in much of
the important political action of the times. He was
honored by an invitation to join the governor's party in
a visit to the St. Louis Exposition.
Air. Allen left the Assembly to assume the duties of
postmaster of Jamestown, and his administration was
one satisfactory from every point of view. Upon his
retirement from office he became deputy election com-
missioner of the State with headquarters in New York
City, serving until with the change of party power a
Democratic successor was appointed. Since that time he
has given his time to his Jamestown properties and to
oil operations in the South, and in this line he has met
with great success.
Mr. Allen is a veteran of the Spanish War. Im-
mediately after the outbreak of war with Spain, in 1898,
he began the recruiting of a cavalry company in James-
town. This was speedily done, but about the same
time the 202nd Regiment was being formed in Buffalo,
and in order to get more quickly into the service Mr.
Allen discontinued his recruiting work in Jamestown
and enlisted as a private in this regiment. Many others
who had originally preferred the cavalry organization
followed his lead. Soon after the departure of the 202nd
from Buffalo, he became sergeant major of the regi-
ment, and when it was assigned to winter duty in Cuba
he was commissioned second lieutenant, a distinction
won through faithful, soldierly service. He served with
the 202nd until its return in the following year and
subsequent demobilization. Although Mr. Allen was
beyond the draft age in the World War, he sought
opportunity for service, and when the armistice was
signed he was making preparations to close up his
affairs and to enlist as a private for overseas duty.
Mr. Allen married Mrs. Helen Crane, of Buffalo, N.
Y. They are the parents of a daughter, Virginia M.
Allen, named after Mr. Allen's mother.
Alfred D. Allen, youngest son of Alfred D. and Vir-
ginia M. (Mahon) Allen, was born in Jamestown, N.
Y., in 1877. He was educated in Jamestown public
schools and completed his studies in the Berkeley
School, New York City. In 1906, he went to Okla-
homa and entered the hotel business and has operated
in Oklahoma, Illinois, and Texas. He is a veteran of
two wars. He served in the Spanish-American War in
the 46th United States Volunteer Infantry, and served
nearly two years in the Phillipine Islands. When the
United States entered the World War, he enlisted and
was commissioned a second lieutenant. He served with
the 35th Division in France and went through the hard
fighting that this division had without any serious
wounds.
WALTER RECORD — Three generations of Rec-
ords have left their imprint upon the history of Chau-
tauqua county, N. Y., to which the first of the name,
Israel Record, came less than a century ago. Israel
Record settled in the town of Sherman, in 1830, buti
later moved to the town of Hanover, where he ended
his years, eighty-nine, fifty-seven of which had beeni
spent in Chautauqua county, and nearly all of th« 1
the town of Hanover. He was one of the strong Demoi
crats of his day, and never surrendered an iota of his
confidence in the party of Jefferson and Jackson. His
memory was a wonderful storehouse of knowledge, and
and it is said that within a few days after President!
Cleveland's inaugural address was published he repeated
it verbatim and remembered it perfectly until he died.
Dates and places, laws and State constitutions, amend-
ments and the men who advocated them, were as
familiar to his memory when past eighty years of age
as to the eye of an ordinary man when looking at the
printed page of an open book, and when he once
asserted the correctness of a statement it was useless
to refer to a book for corroborative proof — he was al-
ways bound to be correct. The old pioneer left sons
who worthily bore his name, and one of these sons
John G. Record, practiced law for thirty-six years at th(
Chautauqua county bar, and in turn left a son, Waltei
Record, who after the privilege of association in law
practice with his honored father until the latter's death'
then assumed the business, and for another quarter ol
a century has maintained the high reputation the Recorc
name has always borne in the profession and in privatt
life.
The Records came to Chautauqua county from th<
Valley of the Hudson, where Rev. John Record, at
active minister of the Baptist church of Poughkeepsie
was later prominent in business, operating a grist mil
for several years. His son, Israel Record, born ii
Poughkeepsie, N. Y., Oct. 12, 1798, died in the village o:
Silver Creek, Chautauqua county, N. Y., July 16, iSS^
In 1830, with wife and two children, he came to the towR
of Sherman, Chautauqua county, and a few years late:
moved to the town of Hanover, where his entire afte:<
life was spent. He was a farmer and cattle dealer al
his active years, and a man universally esteemed. Hi
married Mary Gardner, born in Dutchess count-. X
Y., died in Perrysburg, Cattaraugus county, in 1880. aget
eighty-four years. They were the parents of eight chili
dren: Emily, married William Wood; Ursula, marriet
Norman Babcock, of Silver Creek; Laura, marrie*
William Parkman ; William K. ; John G., of furthe
mention; Walter; Cornelius; and Daphne.
John G. Record, son of Israel and Mary (Gardner!
Record, was born at Smith's Mills, in the town of Han
over, Chautauqua county. N. Y., Oct. 2, 1836. died at hi
home in Forestville, N. Y., Aug. 12, 1805. He was edu
cated in public schools, Middlebury and Wyoming acad
emies, his law studies beginning immediately after hi
graduation from Wyoming Academy. He studied la'
under the perceptorship of Sherman & Scott of th
Chautauqua bar, then practicing in Forestville. He wa
admitted to the Chautauqua bar in December. 1850. an
practiced his profession very successfully in Forestvill
until his death, thirty-six years later. In politics M
Record was a zealous Democrat of Jeffersonian view
always stood upon the platform of the old time genuin
principles of his party, and advocated honesty and ecor
omv in State as well as National affairs. In 1879. M"
l a^i
U^f
BIOGRAPHICAL
433
Record was elected supervisor of the town of Hanover,
and several times accepted nominations from his party
for other offices, in its plucky but hopeless tights against
the overwhelming Republican majority in Chautauqua
county.
Mr. Record married (first) in 1862, Mary Farnham,
of Forestville, who died in March, 1886, leaving four
children: Nellie, married I. K. Dye; Walter, of further
mention ; Charles F., and Ralph. Charles F. Record,
although a Democrat in politics, is serving in the capaci-
ty of postmaster of Forestville, having been appointed in
April, iqi6. Mr. Record married (second) Oct. 2, 1887,
Nora M. Hayward, of Versailles, N. Y., and they were
the parents of two daughters, Daphne and Mollie.
Walter Record, son of John G. Record and his first
wife, Mary (Farnham) Record, was born in Forest-
ville, Chautauqua county, N. Y., June 4, 1868, and there
yet resides. After finishing the full course of study
furnished by the Forestville schools, he studied law
under the able teaching of his father and in October,
1892, was admitted to the New York bar. He was at
once admitted to a partnership with his father, but that
association was dissolved, Aug. 12, 1895, by the death
of the honored senior partner. Since that date Walter
Record has practiced alone and has won high standing
at the Chautauqua bar. A Democrat in politics, Mr.
Record has allowed his name to be used as the party
candidate for Assembly and district attorney, not
through expectation of success or political ambition for
his party in so decided a minority, but party loyalty
alone induced him to accept the nomination. In local
affairs, where politics is forgotten, he has met with
better success, and has served as president of the village.
Mr. Record married (first) July 20, 1889, Nellie M.
Judd, who died Aug. 26. 1894. He married (second)
March 16, 1898, Minerva P. Strong. The family home
is in Forestville.
DARWIN RUSSELL CLARK, JR.— When Mr.
Clark left his father's farm in the town of Carroll, he
became an employ of the Lake View Cemetery Associ-
ation in Jamestown, where he now holds the position
of assistant superintendent. His choice of work was
most natural, for his great-grandfather, his grandfather,
and an uncle all were engaged in cemetery manage-
ment and care. He is a son of Darwin Russell and
Nellie A. (Bull) Clark, his father a farmer of the town
of Carroll.
Darwin Russell Clark, Jr., was born in Jamestown, N.
Y., Sept. 27. 18S2. He was educated in the district
schools of the town of Carroll, and later completed a
business course at Jamestown Business College. Until
about nineteen years of age, Mr. Clark was his father's
assistant at the farm in Carroll, and then came to James-
town, securing employment with the Lake View Cemetery
Association, and until the present year (1920) has con-
tinued his connection with the association, now being
assistant superintendent. For many years he has been
a notary public in and for the county of Chautauqua.
He is a Republican in politics, a member of the Wood-
men of the World, and of the First Methodist Episco-
pal Church of Jamestown. For many years Mr. Clark
was a member of Company E, 65th Regiment, New
York National Guard, and as cook served with Com-
Chau— 28
pany E., 74th Regiment New York National Guard, in
the service of the United States Government, on the
Mexican border under call of the president. His service
on the border extended from July 1, 1916, to Nov.
5, 1916, when by reason of Paragraph 33, Special Order,
264, Southern Department, 1916, he was finally mustered
out at Fort Hamilton, N. Y., with a full and honorable
discharge.
Mr. Clark married, in Jamestown, N. Y., Dec. 28, 1904,
Minnie Mary Akins, daughter of Frank Seymour and
Katherine Amanda (Heinemann) Akins. Mr. and Mrs.
Clark are the parents of five children : Frank Brooks,
born Sept. 7, 1905; Virginia Naomi, born July 1, 1908;
Lynn Russell, born Nov. 4, 1915; Nellie Katherine,
born Sept. 5, 1917; Barbara Akins, born Nov. 10, 1919.
The family home is at No. 52 Buffalo street, James-
town.
JOSEPH A. BERGWALL— The present satisfac-
tory standing of the Bergwall Printing Company among
the successful business enterprises of Jamestown, N. Y.,
is mainly the result of the continued efforts of its
founder, the late Joseph A. Bergwall, who was a prom-
inent publisher and citizen, and his two sons, Harold J.
and Milton E. Joseph A. Bergwall followed the business
as a printer in Jamestown for more than thirty years.
and at the time of his death was considered a dean in
his trade here.
He was a native of Sweden, his birth occurring there,
Aug. 17, 1870. He came to this country when a young
man, and in 1882 established himself, in a small way, as
an independent printer, setting up his plant in a base-
ment at the corner of Main and East Third streets,
Jamestown. Later, the business having increased to
large proportions, he moved to more spacious quarters
in the building of the American National Bank. Dur-
ing the course of time the printing plant changed loca-
tion several times, until 1912, when it finally became
established at its present address, the corner of West
Second and Washington streets. This final installation
must have been the source of much gratification and
pleasure to Mr. Bergwall when he realized how different
the new plant was in comparison to the humble begin-
ning he made thirty years previously In Jamestown. He-
then had but one hand press, and in the new plant there
were six presses of which two are cylinders and four
job presses, the latter being Linotype machines, and a
complete modern apparatus for binding and folding. In
1920 a building adjoining the one erected in 1912 by Mr.
Bergwall was acquired for additional space, and this
was converted into the press department of the plant.
This company now turns out all forms of magazine,
book and catalogue work, as well as considerable job
printing and book binding.
The Bergwall Printing Company, Incorporated, re-
ceived its charter of incorporation in 1910, and its orig-
inal officials were : Joseph A. Bergwall, president and
treasurer ; E. E. Carpenter, vice-president ; and Mrs.
Selma V. Bergwall, secretary. Following the death of
Mr. Bergwall, in 1915, the personnel became as follows:
Harold J. Bergwall, president; Mrs. Selma V. Bergwall,
vice-president; and Milton E. Bergwall, secretary and
treasurer.
Aside from the business activities in his own organ-
434
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
ization. Mr. Bergwall was prominently connected with
other interests and well abreast with the affairs of the
city.
He was a director and president of the Vart Land
Newspaper, a Swedish journal issued daily to a large
subscription throughout the section. When the city of
Jamestown was represented in the Interstate Baseball
League, Mr. Bergwall was one of the local club's strong-
est supporters and once its president. While not a
member of its official board, he was a stockholder in
the American National Bank of Jamestown and did
much to assist in the good will of this institution. The
Jamestown Board of Commerce was also benefited by
his affiliation, as he was one of its organizers. In club
and fraternal life, Mr. Bergwall was one of the found-
ers of the Norden Club, member of the Loyal Order of
Moose, Knights of Pythias, and various Swedish fra-
ternal orders. Politically, while he did not seek nor hold
public office, he was one of the strong supporters of the
Republican party and was active in the management
of the party's affairs locally. He and his family were
members of the First Lutheran Church of Jamestown,
and it can be said that Mr. Bergwall was truly a Chris-
tian.
Mr. Bergwall married, in Ja'mestown, Selma V.
Swanson, a native of Sweden. To them were born two
sons : Harold Joseph and Milton Earl, both of whom
appear in the following lines.
Mr. Bergwall was a man of good business foresight
and well regarded in business circles. He was always
interested in the welfare of Jamestown and aided in
movements of civic interest. In a social way he had
hosts of warm friends, and when his death occurred,
Sept. 25, 1915. it was a sad loss to the community-at
large.
HAROLD J. BERGWALL was born in Jamestown,
July 30, 1895. He was educated in the public and high
schools of that city. In order to equip himself ade-
quately for successful cooperation in the printing busi-
ness, he went to Pittsburgh, Pa., and there took the
printing and advertising course at the Carnegie Insti-
tute of Technology, graduating in 1917. The Bergwall
Printing Company was then mainly under the super-
vision of his mother, so Harold J. returned to James-
town immediately after graduating, and entered at once
into business. As a matter of fact, he was expert m
many printing operations long before he went to Pitts-
burgh for the special course, for it had been his custom
for many years, while still in school in Jamestown. I 1
work in his father's shop after school hours and during
vacation. In igi8 he became president of the company,
and because of his technical education and natural in-
clination, devotes himself mainly to the management
of the shops, leaving the commercial affairs of the com-
pany to his younger brother. Harold J. Bergwall is a
member of the Free and Accepted Masons. In church
activities he belongs to the First Lutheran Church of
Jamestown. He is fond of athletics, and his leisure is
mainly spent in boating and yachting during the season
on Chautauqua Lake, he being a member of the Chada-
koin Club.
He married, July 26, 1920, Florine A. Hooker, of
Jamestown.
MILTON E. BERGWALL was born in James-
town, Aug. 20, 1897. He was educated in the James-
town public and high schools, and in 1915, after gradu-
ating from the High School began to work steadily in the
Bergwall Printing plant Like his brother, he had
worked previously in the shop after school hours and dur-
ing vacations, so that he soon became expert. Such
knowledge has been of value to him in the later responsi-
bilities which became his share of the work. In 1919, he
was elected secretary and treasurer of the corpora-
tion, and attends to the commercial phase of its opera-
tion. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons,
and belongs to the Chadakoin and Norden clubs. He
attends the First Lutheran Church.
FREDERICK YALE TOY— Prominent among the
young business men of Jamestown and well known in
financial circles of Chautauqua county since his coming
here in October, 191 7, is Frederick Yale Toy. At the
time of his coming to Chautauqua county, Mr. Toy
was affiliated with Chandler & Company, bankers and
financial experts of New York and Philadelphia. His
first activities in the county were to aid in the organ-
izing of the Second Liberty Loan campaign under plans
of the local administration and those suggested by the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York in behalf of the
United States Government.
Frederick Yale Toy is a native of Philadelphia, Pa.,
born April 28, 1894, son of Thomas Browne and Carrie
Aiken (Yale) Toy. The elder Mr. Toy was for a num-
ber of years the owner of a large wholesale clothing
and men's apparel business in Richmond, Va. He re-
tired from his wholesale business in 1914 on account of
ill health, and gave his attention in a semi-active way
to his real estate and brokerage interests. During the
latter part of 1917 and until March 1919, he served over
seas as a secretary for the Young Men's Christian Asso-
ciation in France, afterwards returning to Richmond,
Va., where he is still residing. In the latter part of
1919, he assisted in organizing the trust department of
the First National Bank of Richmond.
Frederick Yale Toy passed his boyhood at German-
town, one of the suburbs of Philadelphia, where he at-
tended the local schools and the Germantown Academy.
He left the latter institution in 1907, accompanying his
parents to Richmond, Va., and there studied at the Rich-
mond Academy, graduating in 1910 with honors. It
was at this institution that he won a scholarship which
entitled him to a full course at Richmond College. In
the fall of 1010 he entered Richmond College where he
pursued a scientific course, and graduated with the class
of 1914 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. Mr.
Toy then received an appointment to the United States
Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., from Ex-Governor
A. J. Montague, of Virginia, and here he remained a
midshipman but one year and resigned on account of
physical disability resulting from a serious injury.
Later, when his health permitted, Mr. Toy secured a
position as assistant estimator with the Richmond
Structural Steel Company of Richmond. Va., remain-
ing with this concern for a time. In October, 1915, he
came to New York State and settled at Syracuse as
representative for Julius Christensen & Company, in-
vestment bankers of that city. In June, 191 7. he ac-
BIOGRAPHICAL
435
cepted a position as State representative with Chandler
& Company with headquarters at Syracuse, resigning
this position in December, 1917. Subsequently he be-
came associated with the Guaranty Trust Company of
New York as their correspondent with offices in James-
town, a position which he still continues very ably and
which identities him with the financial interests of Chau-
tauqua county. Mr. Toy has made a deep study on
finance and investments, and is regarded as an author-
ity on banking.
While he has given his undivided business attention
to matters of financial interest, at leisure he has in a
social way become well known in fraternal and club
life. He is a member of the Phi Kappa Sigma College
fraternity, the Rotary Club of Jamestown, the Guaranty
Club of New York. Mt. Moriah Lodge, No. 145, Free
and Accepted Masons, of Jamestown, and the local
lodge, No. 263, Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks. In religious belief, Mr. Toy is a Methodist, and
politically, a Republican.
Frederick Yale Toy was united in marriage. Sept.
15. 1917, at Washington, D. C, with Lena Child
Williams, a daughter of Robert Kenon and Lucy (Stith)
William- Mr. Williams is the Southern manager of
a large European cotton company of Scotland.
FRANCIS A. IRVINE, former city engineer of
Jamestown, and now affiliated with the Jorgenson
Plumbing and Electrical Company, is one of the well-
known young business men of the city.
Born in Tidioute, Pa., Sept 4. 1884, Francis A. Irvine
is the son of Oscar and Christine (Anderson) Irvine,
the former having been for many years a prosperous
builder of oil tanks in Tidioute, where he has been
living for many years. After acquiring a good funda-
mental education at the local grammar and high schools,
young Irvine entered Allegheny College, taking the
civil engineering course, graduating in 190S, his degree
being Civil Engineer. Upon graduating, about a year
was spent in concrete work at his home town, Tidioute,
after which he was appointed to the position of drafts-
man in the Pennsylvania State Highway Department,
Feb. I, 1909, with headquarters at Warren. He held
this position for a year and then accepted another posi-
tion, later becoming assistant division engineer in the
maintenance department of the Baltimore & Ohio Rail-
road System. He remained in the employ of the rail-
road for several years, until June 1, 191 5, when he
went to Jamestown, entering the Jorgenson plumbing
and heating establishment. A year later, June 20, 1916,
Mr. Irvine received the appointment of temporary city
engineer of Jamestown, and shortly after. Mayor Carl-
son of that city appointed him city engineer, a com-
mission he held until October, 1919. While holding the
office he advocated many improvements, such as open-
ing new streets, paving and repaying old ones, improve-
ments on parkways, and many other such suggestions.
In June, 1915. Francis A. Irvine was married to
Madelyn, daughter of Nels and Mary (Lawson) Jorg-
enson, at Jamestown. They have one child, Phillip
Marshall. Mr. and Mrs. Irvine attend Holy Trinity
English Lutheran Church.
Mr. Irvine has held membership for the last few
years in several of the Jamestown organizations, among
them being the Norden Club, Kiwanis Club, the Order
of Eagles, and the Greek letter fraternity of his college
days, Phi Delta Theta. While at Allegheny College,
Mr. Irvine took an active part in all athletic sports,
gaining quite a reputation in track meets. He was also
very greatly interested in music, being a member of the
College Glee Club.
GEORGE LIAS LOCKWOOD— Being the pos-
sessor of a well established business which stands well
in the front ranks of Jamestown's commercial life.
George L. Lockwood is prominent here and is known
throughout the city as a leading merchant. He was born
in Forestville, N. Y., Sept. 4, 1883, his father being
Melzar A. Lockwood, and his mother, Mary F. (Oliver)
Lockwood.
When George L. Lockwood was very young the fami-
ly moved from Forestville to Jamestown, and the lad
was entered as a pupil at the grammar school of that
city, later attending the high school. During the holidays,
Saturdays, and after school hours, young Lockwood
worked in a dry goods store, and after leaving school
became regularly employed by the Gokey Shoe Company,
where he remained for the following two years. After
that the young man went to Cleveland, Ohio, obtain-
ing employment with wholesale shoe dealers, the Cady-
Iverson Shoe Company, in their stock room. He only
remained in Cleveland one year, returning to his home
in Jamestown where his father, M. A. Lockwood, was
engaged in the harness business, his shop being at No.
106 East Second street. Two years after he had entered
upon this new field of labor, Mr. Lockwood, the elder,
tuck his son into partnership, extending the business
to embrace all kinds of leather goods. This was con-
tinued for some years, until 1907, when M. A. Lock-
wood retired from active business life and his son con-
ducted the enterprise alone. The harness portion of
it was abandoned, confining the stock exclusively to
leather goods, umbrellas, novelties and other goods of
that description. The firm had been known as M. A.
Lockwood & Son, but after the retirement of the senior
partner it was changed to George L. Lockwood, leather
goods and novelties, and has so continued; the business
was established in 1890, when the father moved to
Jamestown. In January, 1913, the business was removed
to No. 7 West Third street, where it is located at the
present time. Mr. Lockwood is a genial man, popular
among other men, and interested in public affairs. He
is a member of the Board of Commerce and of the
Jamestown Auto Club. He is also a Free Mason : with
his family he attends the First Methodist Church.
In Jamestown, Sept. 4, 1906, George L. Lockwood
married Lillian Gornall, daughter of William and Fanny
O. (Wilson) Gornall, residents of Jamestown. Mr.
Gornall was one of the founders of the Empire Worsted
Mills of Jamestown.
Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood have four children: Thomas,
Jean, George L., Jr., and Betty. Air. Lock-wood has a
very interesting family, their advancement in life being
his greatest ambition.
PAUL WALTER FREDERICKSON, prominent
citizen and business man, is a native of America, and
a descendant of that sturdy race, the Swedes, which rep-
436
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
resent one of the most progressive types of people in
Chautauqua county. He is a man of education, sound
citizenship and a representative in the business life of
the community, and is one of the foremost young men
in the town of Stockton, Chautauqua county, N. Y.
Paul W. Frederickson, son of Alfred and Matilda
(Anderson) Frederickson, was born in Stockton, Dec.
14. 1893. He was educated here in the district schools
and later the Brocton and Fredonia high schools.
He took a teacher's course at the Fredonia Normal
School, from which he was graduated in the class of
191 5, and shortly afterwards became the principal of
the Cassadaga High School, Cassadaga, N. Y. He re-
mained here for one year, and in 1916 went to New York
City, where he became the principal of the grammar de-
partment of the Chelsea School, which was a branch
of the Young Men's Christian Association Educational
Department, this school being located in the Associa-
tion's building on West 23rd street. In August, 1917, short-
ly after the United States had entered the World War
he enlisted and went to the Officers' Training Camp at
Fort Niagara. N. Y.. and there received an intensive
military training. At Fort Niagara he was commission-
ed as second lieutenant in the Field Artillery Service.
In December, 1917. he was assigned to Camp Travis,
Tex., as an instructor, and remained in this assignment
until January, 1918. when he was transferred to the
Aviation Section of the Army. He had become very
well equipped in the knowledge of his command, and
was in charge of various squadrons at Kelly Field, Tex.,
and Yan Couver Barracks, Washington. He was honor-
ably discharged from service, Feb. 8, 1919, and shortly
afterwards returned to his home at Stockton, where he
joined his brothers. Delmar and Alvin L. Frederickson.
in their manufacturing industry of basket making and
other wood products, the firm being known as the Fred-
erickson Brothers, of which he has since been secretary.
Mr. Frederickson is identified with the various town
interests, being a justice of the peace and a member of
the Town Board. Fraternally he is a member of the
various Masonic bodies and the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows. In politics he is a staunch Republican,
and in religion a member of the Stockton Baptist Church.
FREDERICK YOUNG— For many years Mr.
Young has been a resident of Celoron, Chautauqua
county, N. Y., and in 1914 erected his present brick
residence on Ninth street. During his years in the
county he has steadily pursued his trade and is a well
known contractor. He is a son of Martin Van Buren
and Elizabeth (Dunn) Young, his father born in Medina,
N. Y.
Frederick Young was born in Hartland, N. Y.. Dec.
20, 1867. He was educated in the public schools. His
father was a mason by trade, and when Frederick
arrived at a suitable age he devoted his attention to
learning a branch of the same trade, becoming an expert
bricklayer. Since coming to Chautauqua county he
has worked at his trade as a journeyman and a con-
tractor. He has invested in Celoron property, and in
1903 erected the building for himself that stands next
to his present residence. When he built his first house
he adopted the "pay as you go" plan, and when it was
completed everything was fully paid for. Mr. Young
has served as trustee for the village of Celoron for
three years, he has also served as fireman in the city of
Jamestown for about eight years. He is a Republican
in politics, a member of the United Brethren church
and of the Protected Home Circle.
Mr. Young married, in Jamestown, N. Y., April 21,
1895, Ella Pryde, born April 5, 1874, daughter of Daniel
and Ellen (Day) Pryde, of Mercer county. Pa., her
parents born in Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. Young were
the parents of three children: 1. Floyd Franklin, born
Feb. 2, 1896; entered the United States army, July 22,
1918, saw eight months' service overseas with the
American Expeditionary Forces and was honorably
discharged, May 14, 1919. 2. Maude Leona, born Sept.
6, 1898. 3. Arthur Elmer, born April 5, 1904.
HENRY MARVIN LUND, a young and enter-
prising business executive connected with the Linquest
Electrical Company of New York, who has proved him-
self to have a comprehensive knowledge of electrical
work, and also an honest desire to give good and effi-
cient service, is a native of Chautauqua county, N. Y.,
born in the city of Jamestown, Feb. 6, 1887. If his
parents. James and Charlotte Lund, were still alive,
they would have been gratified to realize that their son
lias advanced so substantially and so rapidly.
Henry M. Lund was educated in local grammar and
high schools, and when only fourteen years of age
began to work, his first employment being with the Amer-
ican Aristotype Company, which was a branch of the
Eastman Kodak Company. Two years later, he entered
the service of the Bell Telephone Company, at James-
town, and that may be said to have been his introduc-
tion to things electrical ; he started as errand boy, but
gradually became proficient in construction work, the
installing of telephones and such like phases of electri-
cal work, and he remained with the Bell Telephone
Company for four years, giving much time, in his spare
hours, to the study of the science of electrical mani-
pulation, and thus he became very proficient in wiring
operations. After leaving the employ of the Bell Tele-
phone Company, he was with Hansen, the electrician,
for a short while, leaving his service in order to take
the position of electrician with the Chautauqua Electric
Company, where he remained for three years. After
this he was for one year with the Jamestown Electric
Company, in like capacity. In ion, he entered into part-
nership with the Linquest Brothers and Fred J. Sutton,
the outcome of which is the present Linquest Elec-
trical Company of Jamestown. The operations of this
tirm in Jamestown and throughout the county have
developed a business of considerable magnitude and of i
satisfactory return. Mr. Lund is secretary of the cor-
poration and he has the supervision of all store and
fixture work undertaken by the company. Mr. Lund is
an energetic man who takes interest in all manly sports,
and in certain activities of the life of Jamestown. He
has been particularly prominent in various Masonic
bodies and the Shrine. He was past master of the
Council in 1916, and is past patron of the Order of the
Amaranth.
On Aug. 7, 1908. Mr. Lund was married m Jamestown,
to Gertrude, daughter of Charles Wills, of Jamestown.
Aggressive, active and thorough in his undertakings.
(^£<^"<^Cty /u>X*^
BIOGRAPHICAL
437
Mr. Lund is of the type that instills confidence in his
co-workers; he has the ability of concentration, of being
able to work both rapidly and skillfully, and to concen-
trate his attention upon a task until it has reached sat-
isfactory completion. And with steadiness of purpose,
and consistent enterprise, he will in all probability in
the future come even more prominently into the affairs
of his native city.
town. Mr. and Mrs. Sutton are the parents of one
child, a daughter, Virginia, born June 27, 1913, and
has recently commenced to go to school.
FRED JOHN SUTTON, treasurer of the Linquest
Electrical Company, one of the leading firms of elec-
trical contractors in Chautauqua county, has manifested
commendable traits in his business advancement. He
started as a farm boy, then became a grocery clerk,
after which he was a machinist, and then, with the
firm resolution to fit himself for commercial affairs,
he left his trade and entered a commercial college.
Fred J. Sutton was born in Stockton, Chautauqua
county, N. V., Jan. 16, 1884, the son of William and
Emma Sutton. The elder Suttons still live at the home-
stead in Cassadaga, Chautauqua county, where both are
much respected and have very many friends. As a boy,
Fred J. Sutton attended the public school of Stockton,
after which he assisted his father in the operation of the
home farm. When he had reached eighteen years,
Fred J. took employment in a local grocery store, as a
clerk, and remained so employed for several years.
Eventually, he entered the machine shop of the Ameri-
can Locomotive Works, at Dunkirk, this county, and
worked for three years as machinist. Then came the
turning point in his business career ; he decided to leave
his work and trade and go to Jamestown, and there
become a student at the Jamestown Business College,
with a view to gaining proficiency in the commercial
phase of business. He found it required much strength
of will and steadfastness of purpose to continue in his
resolution under the conditions he had to carry through
in order to remain at school until he had graduated,
so he worked after school hours. After graduation, he
immediately obtained a position as bookkeeper with the
Jamestown Shale Paving Company, in the employ of
which firm he remained for six months, thereafter tak-
ing a like position with the Chautauqua Electric Com-
pany, remaining for one year. After this, for three
years, he was with the Hansen Electric Company. In
I c; 1 1 , he joined the Linquest Brothers and Henry M.
Lund, the four forming business partnership to con-
stitute a firm of electrical contractors, which firm, as
i 1 : now is, is the well known and successful Linquest
Electrical Company, of Jamestown. Of that corpora-
tion. Mr. Sutton is treasurer, and has direction of the
commercial phase of the business. All the partners are
young, alert, and enterprising, each skilled in his depart-
ment, and all bent upon making the company the best in
its line in the county and contiguous territories. Mr.
Sutton is interested in the activities of Jamestown.
Among the business men of the city he is well placed
and recognized as a capable young executive. He is
one of the charter members of the Jamestown Rotary
Club, belongs to the United Commercial Travelers'
Association, and in fraternal affiliations is identified
with the Eagles and the Masonic bodies.
Mr. Sutton was married in Jamestown, June 23, 1909,
to Mildred, daughter of Charles J. Moffette, of James-
AUGUST FREDERICK NELSON— Jamestown
has no citizen more enterprising than the one whose
name heads this article. As a large real estate holder,
as manager of the local G. R. Kinney Company's store,
and as stockholder in this corporation, which is the
largest shoe retailing organization in the world, he has
become quite prominent in the mercantile life of the
community. In a public capacity, Mr. Nelson stands
among the front rank citizens for his public spirit in
municipal affairs, having been a member of the local
Board of Health for many years and its secretary. He
has recently been appointed secretary of the Milk Ser-
vice Commission of this city, this body being the first
municipal Milk Service Commission appointed in the
United States, functioning for the purpose of distribut-
ing milk and milk products by direct municipal owner-
ship and control.
August Frederick Nelson was born Jan. 1, 1876, in
Sweden, the only child of Gustaf A. and Margare 1
(Johnson) Nelson. At the age of three and a half
years he was brought to the United States by his parents
who settled first in Antrim, Pa., removing thence to
LaSalle, 111., and eventually making their permanent home
in Buffalo, N. Y. August Frederick Nelson attended the
grammar schools of that city. After leaving school he
worked for various people, and during leisure hours he
acquired an education by self-study. In 1904 he came to
Jamestown and leased a store in the Fenton building,
at the corner of Second and Main streets, in which he
established himself in business. In 1907 he opened a
retail shoe store, which included a repairing department
equipped with modern machinery and giving employ-
ment to several men. The venture proved successful
and he became the head of a large and constantly grow-
ing business. In October, 1919, he disposed of this
business and interested himself in the G. R. Kinney
Shoe Company, assuming management of this local store.
While building up his trade in the shoe business he be-
came interested in real estate, and is now the owner of
many business blocks, tenements and dwellings, having
purchased and developed various properties from an
investment standpoint. He has built many fine blocks
and remodelled others. Opposite the Jamestown High
School he has built a brick block with .stores, havin all
modern improvements; on Winsor and Second streets he
has erected five stores, and on East Seventh street he
built several houses, and improved others elsewhere.
In the sphere of politics, Mr. Nelson is very active
on the side of the Republicans, rendering valuable ser-
vice as a speaker. For many years he has been a mem-
ber of the Board of Health and for about nine years
has served as its secretary. The careful study he has
made of preventative medicine peculiarly fits him for
service in the health department. He has been a mem-
ber of the Board of Commerce. His only club is the
Norden Club of Jamestown. He affiliates with the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, having passed the chairs
and during 1918 held the rank of noble grand, and is
a member of the Encampment.
Mr. Nelson married, at Niagara Falls. April 2-, 1800
43§
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
Mary, daughter of Joseph X. and Emma A. ^Waldman)
Boehler, of Hamburg, Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson
are the parents of the following children: I. Augustus C,
born March 17, 1898, educated in the public and high
schools of Jamestown, and Albany Law School. 2. Nor-
man F., born Oct. 24, 1902, educated in the public
schools of Jamestown. 3. Elbert V., born Sept. 16, 1913,
now attending the graded schools of this city.
Most emphatically Mr. Nelson is a self-made man ;
he has acquired by his own efforts a knowledge of sub-
jects taught in high schools and colleges, and has read
with appreciation the works of English and American
scientists, as well as many other books of standard
literature. In any community he would be a valuable
man, and his fellow-citizens of Jamestown have evinced,
on many occasions and in various ways, their thorough
appreciation of his sterling character and fine abilities.
CARL A. ANDERSON, business manager of the
Jamestown store of the J. G. McCrory Company, owners
of five and ten cent stores throughout the United States,
has been a resident of Jamestown for fourteen years,
and during that time has created a good impression,
being considered, by those who know him, as a good man
of business, as an efficient store manager, and as a
man of marked community interest
He was born in Sweden, May 17, 1879, the son of
Magnus O. and Anna H. Anderson, who came to this
country from Sweden, settled in Utah, where Mr. An-
derson acquired a farm, which he operated until his
death ; his widow resides in Utah at the present time
(1920).
Carl A. Anderson was educated in the public schools
of his native place, and when nineteen years of age
came to this country. He immediately went West, to
Omaha, Neb., and appears to have early grasped the
desirability of taking a commercial course of study. He
attended the Omaha Commercial College, and in due
course became a graduate, which was creditable, bear-
ing in mind that he had so recently arrived in the
country, and that the language would have been a
serious handicap to him in his study. While at school
he also worked, finding employment In a packing house
in Omaha. After graduating from the commercial col-
lege, he was a checker in the packing house for a year,
and then went into the employ of the McCrory Com-
pany, as assistant manager of their Omaha store. He
held that position for nine months, and then received
appointment as manager of their store at Anderson,
Ind. After a service of eleven months at that place,
he was called to Jamestown, N. Y., to assume
direction of the store interests in that city. The
McCrory store, which was opened in 1889, in the new
Warner block, Brooklyn Square, was managed for a
few months after establishment by Mr. J. G. McCrory
himself, and the center was considered an important
one for the company, and demanded the services of a
proved manager. Hence, in 1005, Mr. Anderson was
called to it and has since remained. In August, 1906,
it was removed to its present location, Nos. 207-209 Main
street, Jamestown, and for a time the two stores were
maintained in operation, Mr. Anderson having the di-
rection of both. Eventually, however, the Jamestown
business of the company was concentrated in the new
store, and the original store was closed.
It is almost needless to say that as a store manager
Mr. Anderson is a success; that might be inferred from
the fact that he has been in the employ of, and in
managerial capacity with such a corporation as the J. G.
McCrory Company for so long. Men who rise to the
position of manager in stores of such a corporation
necessarily do so by ability only. And continuance in
office indicates that no mistake was made in the choice
of manager. Such corporations have so many men to
choose from, and do business upon adaptability and
merit only, that appointment is practically a certificate
of amply demonstrated efficiency.
Outside business hours, Mr. Anderson has given his
time unselfishly to community affairs. He is an ardent
member of the First Baptist Church, Jamestown, and
interests himself actively in Sunday school work, being at
present assistant superintendent. Fraternally, he be-
longs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and
is a member of the Chautauqua Encampment.
On Oct. I, 1908, Mr. Anderson was married to
Carrie M. Howe, of Jamestown. Ttiey have five chil-
dren: Lowell, Maxine, Burdett, Irene, and Kermit.
GILBERT THOMAS BOUCK— As a builder ot
small boats for lake use, Mr. Bouck is well known in
Celoron, Chautauqua county, N. Y., where his yard is
located. He is of Canadian birth, son of John F. and
Elizabeth (Fader) Bouck, who at the time of the birth
of their son were living at South Mountain, Province
of Ontario, Canada.
Gilbert T. Bouck was born April 22, 1859, and ob-
tained his education in the schools of his native place.
He learned the ship carpenter's trade, at which he has
worked all his active life, and in Celoron established a
yard where he builds small boats and transacts a general
business in that line. Mr. Bouck is a man well liked
and esteemed, a member of the Masonic order, the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Protected Home
Circle, and the First Baptist Church. In politics he is a
Republican.
Mr. Bouck married, Dec. 14, 1880, in St. Lawrence
county, N. Y., Arzetta Smith, born Dec. 12, 1863, daugh-
ter of Harrison and Laura Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Bouck
are the parents of two children : Mabel, born Sept. 28,
1882; and Alvin, born Feb. 28, 18S4.
REUBEN R. WILLIAMS, for more than fifty
years a resident in Conewango Valley, Chautauqua
county, N. Y., and for long well known throughout the
county as a prosperous farmer and stock raiser, and as
an extensive dealer in cattle, was born in Leon, Cattar-
augus county, N. Y., March II, 1867, the son of Norman
D. Williams, formerly of Otto, N. Y., and Rebecca
L. (Ross) Williams, who was a native of Leon. His
father possessed a farm in Leon, and there Reuben R.
was born.
After passing through the grades of the district school
nearest to his home, Reuben R. Williams entered the
Ellington High School, and eventually graduated there-
from, after which he entered seriously into farming
pursuits. He resolved to become a skilled farmer, and
BIOGRAPHICAL
439
throughout his life has followed the developments in
scientific farming with keen interest and comprehen-
sive understanding, and has been particularly interested
in modern methods of stock raising and dairy fanning.
As a judge of cattle, and an extensive dealer in them,
as well as an extensive raiser, he has gained an enviable
reputation, as well as substantial success, and probably
the subject in which he is most keenly interested, and
upon which he can talk with the authority of an expert,
is the raising and care of cattle. He is a member of the
local Grange. Politically, he is a Republican, but
throughout his life has manifested much more interest
in agriculture and stock raising than in national political
issues. And he has never sought political office. He has
felt, with one exception, that the proper management of
his farm was of greater consequence to him than even
the most far-reaching political issue could ever be. The
one exception was the World War, just ended so suc-
cessfully, and even in that issue he felt that attention to
production on his own farm was vital both to him and,
in its degree, to the cause. He gave his son to the
cause, as an American soldier, and he fought at home
to win for the country and its allies his portion of that
increased production of food stuffs the government
stated that it relied upon the farmers of this country
to furnish for the sustenance and continuance in the
fight of its allies. And in the various financial cam-
paigns to raise necessary national funds during the war,
Mr. Williams took his due share, and when his son also
returned safely from the inferno of the battlefields of
France, it was with gratification and sincere thankful-
ness that he looked back upon the contribution of his
pown family to the success gained by the forces of
Right, against the breakers of international law and
honor, who threatened to bring the entire world into its
heartless dominion.
Reuben R. Williams was married at Conewango, N.
,Y., March 16, 1893, to Amy Mason, born May 2, 1873,
: daughter of George J. and Josephine (Cowen) Mason,
»They are the parents of eight children : George M., born
:Jan. 22, 1894; Helena J. born Aug. 18. 1895 ; Jesse P.,
•born Aug. 9, 1897; Florence R., born Aug. 15, 1S99;
iCora M., born June 13, 1903; Laura M., born Feb. 7,
I1909; Vincent G., born Feb. 8, 1914; Margaret P., born
April 21, 1919.
I Jesse P. Williams did not wait to be drafted; when
war was declared, or rather when President Wilson
declared this country to be in a state of war, he re-
' solved to enlist as soon as ever he could close his
business and private affairs, and on July 26, 1917, he
jecame a member of Company H. 49th Infantry, at Syra-
' :use. Eventually, he was sent to Camp Merritt, N. J.,
md sailed for France, July 23. 1918. just after the
commencement of the historic counter-drive which
cept the Germans on the run. and eventually accom-
ilished their defeat. Young Williams was in France
'or six months, returning to America in February, 1919.
nd being honorably discharged, Feb. 15, 1019.
neers. Baker street, Jamestown, received that name as a
tribute to his grandfather, Colonel Henry Baker, who
was one of the first settlers and acquired extensive real
estate holdings in the locality, and even to this day a
copy of his deed is attached to transfers of real estate
once belonging to the Baker family. Baker Park, the
first park in the city of Jamestown, was a gift of
Colonel Baker.
Scott Baker was born in Jamestown, Aug. 18, 1876,
the son of Charles S. and Katherine (Heffernan) Baker.
He attended the Jamestown public schools, and after-
wards passed through the High School, graduating there-
from in 1895. To properly fit himself for a business
career he pursued the full course of study at the James-
town Business College. His first employment was in
the local freight office of the Erie Railroad Company,
where he was well-grounded in clerical work. Later,
he entered the employ of the Atlas Furniture Company.
of Jamestown, and still later was connected with the
Bailey Table Company, in each case in executive capac-
ity. He evidently was a reliable executive, for in the
spring of 1904 he was offered the secretaryship of the
Star Furniture Company of Jamestown. Since that
year he has been connected with that important man-
ufacturing company, latterly as treasurer, and has taken
due part in its development. Mr. Baker's well ordered
life, both in business and private affairs, has brought
him a host of sincere friends in Jamestown, and his
success is all the more gratifying to the historian to
note becaise of the early association of the Baker fam-
ily with the city of Jamestown.
He is a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, a di-
rector of the local Young Men's Christian Association,
a member of the Norden Club, the Kiwanis Club, Satur-
day Night Club, Moon Brook Country Club, and Mount
Moriah Lodge. No. 145, Free and Accepted Masons.
Although he does not very actively interest himself in
political affairs, he took prominent part in furthering
the cause of the Progressive party during the years of
its existence. Primarily, he attends to the affairs of his
business and to the maintenance of his home circle in
comfort and wholesome Christian spirit.
Mr. Baker married (first) in 1895, at Jamestown.
Blanche Fisher, who died Jan. 17, 1914. On March 17,
1015. he married (second) Bernice A. Lawson, of Sugar
Grove, Pa. He has four children, all born to his first
wife. Thev are: Ruth E., Margaret T., S. Sheldon,
Scott F.
SCOTT BAKER, well regarded citizen of James-
own, N. Y., one of its representative men. and treas-
rer of an important manufacturing industry of that
lace, comes into Jamestown history in another notable
onnection, for he is of the family of one of its pio-
ALTON E. HAZELTINE, who was a city con-
tractor in Jamestown, Chautauqua county, N. Y., and
also is a prosperous farmer in the county, is a native of
Chautauqua county, born in Jamestown, the son of one
of the honored veterans of the Civil War.
Alton E. Hazeltine was born May 4, 1867, a son of
Daniel C. and Margaret Jane (Robbins) Hazeltine. His
father was a blacksmith by trade, but during the Civil
War had a notable record as a member of the famous
Ninth New York Cavalry. Alton E. Hazeltine received
a good education in Jamestown schools, passing from
the graded school to the high school of the city. He
satisfactorily graduated from that school, and then
entered business. For many years he was a contractor
in Jamestown, in partnership with another well known
440
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
Jamestown man of business, and acquired substantial
means. But his inclination has led him into farming
pursuits, and as a man of keen business intuition and
alert intelligence, he has seen the advantage of and has
adopted many modern methods of scientific farming,
to his material advantage, while many a farmer of the
old school has continued on in the old way while ponder-
ing over the problem. And he has found much delight
in farming, as well as profit, and has many friends
among the leading agriculturists of the county.
Politically, Mr. Hazeltine is a Republican ; fraternally,
he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows
and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He
is well known in Jamestown, and is also very popular,
and had he wished for public office he probably might
easily have secured election. He has never, however,
shown any indication that he would favorably consider
the question of standing for office; in fact, he has more
than once made it clear that political office has no attrac-
tion for him, and would not in the slightest influence
his decision upon any vital question. He, however, is
an earnest Christian, and has been a member of the
Congregational church for many years.
On July ii, 1894, Mr. Hazeltine married Jennie W.
Wills, born Oct. 6, 1867, daughter of Christopher Wills.
They have one child, Robert L. Hazeltine, born Dec. 3,
1903.
During the progress of the recent World War, Mr.
Hazeltine took keen part in many of the home activities
connected therewith. He subscribed to the various
funds promoted to further some phase of the nation's
activities, and upon his farm he did his share in further-
ing the effort of the American farmers, as a class, to
farm more closely, so as to bring an increased yield
of foodstuffs, which increase the nations of Europe
stood so desperately in need of. So much has been
written about the glorious achievements of the young
Americans who went into the actual field of battle, that
one is apt to overlook the less spectacular, but in reality
very consequential part played in the final victory by the
American farmer and others who worked in the national
cause at home. In its comprehensive aspect, the part
taken by the American farmer has been recorded; in
the individual aspect, the part of the individual Amer-
ican farmer might well be recorded whenever oppor-
tunity occurs. In all his business activities, Mr. Hazel-
tine has ever held to the truest surety of success —
honesty. He has endeavored always to do to others as
he would expect to be done by, and thus he has gained
general respect as well as material success.
EMMETT PARD BARMORE, prosperous and
respected farmer of Gerry, Chautauqua county, N. Y., is
representative of the enterprising younger generation of
successful agriculturists of the county. He has a good
property, farms it energetically, but intelligently, and is
ever ready to introduce modern methods which have
been demonstrated to be an improvement upon the
methods of former days. And he takes an active in-
terest also in public and community affairs, and partic-
ularly in school and church work. He is a trustee of
the local school board.
He is a native of Chautauqua county, N. Y., the
Barmore family having had residence within its borders
for at least four generations, including that of his
children. And he is enthusiastic in all matters that have
reference to the county and its advancement; and
certainly, in his productive farming, he is well carrying
through the part of one resident to maintain the county
in substantial prosperity. His birth date was March 3,
1881, and place of birth, Gerry, where his parents,
Frederick V. and Rachel O. (Shepardson) Barmore,
had lived all their married life and where his father had
been born. He received the customary public school
education of the time, and after leaving school took to
farming occupations upon his father's farm. He has re-
mained at farming ever since, and always in or near
the place of his birth. Mr. Barmore is a Prohibitionist,
although a Republican in politics, but is not a blind
follower of any party. And upon certain questions of
national politics he has, in the past, been outspoken in
his opinions. During the recent World War, Mr. Bar-
more followed the progress of national affairs with in-
tense interest; he was a substantial contributor to the
various funds which were raised, in the form of loans
or subscriptions, to meet the purposes of the nation in
the prosecution of the war. Mr. Barmore has prob-
ably a generation of productive effort in agriculture
still before him, but up to now he has done commendably,
and has proved himself to be a good patriot, a good
citizen, and a good neighbor.
Mr. Barmore married, at Gerry, June 5, 1906, Mildred
Ostrander, who was born in Gerry, April 7, 1888, and
also comes from a family long resident In the county,
her parents, Orville and Lana (Fargo) Ostrander,
having also been born in the county. To Mr. and Mrs. Bar-
more have been born three children : Merritt, born May i
24, 1908; Harriet Oneita, born May 22, 1910; Elwood 1
O., born March 25, 1915.
KLOID STANLEY RICE, a prominent and pros-
perous farmer of Ellington, where he has been en-
gaged in agricultural pursuits for a number of years,
is a native of this place, his birth having occurred Jan.
9, 1891. Mr. Rice is a son of Charles H. and Myrtle C
(Carpenter) Rice, respected residents of Ellington, where
the former is also a farmer.
Mr. Rice attended the Ellington public schools and
was graduated from the high school here with the class
of 1909. His childhood was spent on his father's farrr
where he became familiar with farm work, and he later
purchased farm property of his own in the vicinity oi
the former place. Since that tme he has devoted hi;
attention to dairying and apple growing and dispose;
of this, his produce, in the surrounding local markets
He has already built up a large and substantial business
and is known as one of the substantial citizens of the
place. Mr. Rice, in addition to his farm activities, ha;,
taken a considerable interest in the business operation:
of the community, and is associated with the Conewangcj
Valley National Bank of Conewango Valley. Mr. Rio
has also been prominent in public affairs and wa
elected in the year 1917 to the office of justice of th
peace, which he continues to hold at the present time
Mr. Rice is a member of the local Grange of Ellington
and has been active in promoting the general agricul
tural interests of the region. In his religious belief, he i
^sfrfeO . &? ^0-~-^oj ,
BIOGRAPHICAL
441
a Congregationalist and attends the First Congrega-
tional church in Ellington.
Kloid Stanley Rice was united in marriage, Aug. 24,
1918, with E. Frankie Johnson, a native of Sheridan,
N. V., where her birth occurred July 10, 1892, a daughter
of William E. and Cora E. (Aldrich) Johnson, Mr.
Johnson a native of Sheridan, Chautauqua county, N. Y.,
and Mrs. Johnson a native of Hamburg, Erie county, N.
Y.
FRANK MATHEWS EVANS, D. D. S.— In view
of the fact that he is now postmaster of Fredonia, and
ex-president and ex-trustee of the village, the public
might almost be expected to become unmindful of Dr.
Evans' professional standing were it not that the skill
which has brought relief to so many does not allow them
to forget it. Dr. Evans is influential in Masonic affairs,
and a figure of prominence in the social circles of his
home town.
Frank Mathews Evans was born Oct. 29, 1876, on his
father'* farm near Boston, N. Y., a son of John and
Mary (Hatch) Evans. Mr. Evans is now deceased, and
his widow resides at Springville, N. Y. Frank Mathews
Evans attended local district schools, passing thence to
Springville, N. Y.. High School, from which he was
graduated in igoo. It was Mr. Evans intention to study
for admission to the bar, but in 1900 he obtained a
position at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo,
and while there was induced by the prediction of a
clairvoyant to turn his attention to dentistry. Accord-
ingly, he worked his way through the dental depart-
ment of Buffalo University, being obliged to take lour
years for a three years' course, and in 1905 graduating
with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. After
working one year in a dentist's office, Dr. Evans came
to Fredonia in August, 1906, where he has built up an
extensive and lucrative practice.
As a staunch supporter of the principles of the Dem-
cratic party, Dr. Evans has been for many years a
prominent political worker, and before coming to Fre-
donia was well known as a campaign orator, taking the
stump as a supporter of William J. Bryan. After serv-
ing as president and trustee of the village, he was ap-
pointed in April, 1916, postmaster of Fredonia, and his
administration has been, as his fellow-citizens can
testify, fully satisfactory in every respect. He affiliates
with the Masons of Fredonia, the Elks of Dunkirk, and
is a member of the Citizens' Club of Fredonia. He
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of his
home town.
Dr. Evans married, Dec. 6, 1905, Mabel, daughter of
Randolph and Sarah McWilliams. of Pittsburgh, and
they are the parents of the following children : Stanley,
Mendal, Charles, and Arthur. All these are in school with
the exception of the youngest who attends the kinder-
garten. Dr. and Mrs. Evans first met while the former
was employed at the Pan-American Exposition in Buff-
alo. Frank Mathews Evans is, most emphatically, a
man who counts in his community and always on the
side of progress, reform and enlightened government.
one of the representative, responsible and industrious
residents of that section of the county, was born in
Poland, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Oct. 25, 1875, the
son of George Frank and Eunita (Page) Williams.
His father, who by trade was a carpenter, was well
known in the district and erected many buildings in
that section of the county. He was an industrious, un-
assuming, steadygoing man and had many sincere
friends.
Earl R. Frisbee, who has taken the name of Myron
Frisbee, who adopted him when he was two years old,
and with whom he remained until his marriage,
went to the Ellington public school in his boyhood,
and he had not advanced far into his teens when he was
in full work, from morning until night, taking any
honest labor that offered. Eventually he became estab-
lished as a blacksmith and farrier at Conewango Valley.
As such, during the long period he has been at the forge
and anvil, he has come into close contact with most of
the agriculturists of the neighborhood, and he is gener-
ally held in high regard. And his business has steadily
prospered. In political allegiance, he is a Republican,
but he has shown, on more than one occasion, that he is
a man of original thought, and that he will not follow
any party platform blindly. And although he has taken
some part in political activities, he has never accepted
political office. He does not belong to any fraternal
societies, secret orders, nor other organizations of that
type, but throughout his life, since he reached adult age,
he has been an earnest Congregationalist, conscientious
in his observance of Christian duties and principles.
Mr. Frisbee married, March 9, 189S, at Cherry Creek,
Chautauqua county, N. Y., Edna M. Hinds, born March
7, 1875, daughter of Thomas P. and Mary M. (Arnold)
Hinds. They have two children : Eunice Bell, born
May 13, 1903; Myron George, born July 21, 190S.
During the terrible war just ended, Mr. and Mrs.
Frisbee took proper and enthusiastic part in the various
movements promoted to further the cause, and they
contributed substantially to the several patriotic funds.
EARL R. FRISBEE, who has been in independent
business as a blacksmith in Conewango Valley, Chau-
tauqua county, N. Y, for so many years, and who is
PETER E. LARSON— There have been few ele-
ments in the general life of Jamestown, Chautauqua
county, N. Y., so highly valued as that supplied by the
large population of Swedish birth or extraction that
have made that city their home, members of which have
engaged in well nigh every form of activity in the
region and become successful financiers, manufacturers,
business men, merchants and farmers. Among these
there is no name better known than that of Peter E.
Larson, who conducts a successful business in the city.
Mr. Larson is a native of Sweden, born March 23,
1S61, a son of Peter and Anna (Krestena) Larson, the
former an agriculturist in his own land. He was a
young man when he came from Sweden to the United
States, and it was on July 13, 1883, that he first came to
Jamestown to make his permanent home. He had al-
ready received a thorough training In agriculture as a
lad on his father's farm, as well as an excellent educa-
tion in the schools near his native town in Sweden. He
is engaged in the sale of milk and cream, and is a
much respected figure in the business life of the com-
munity. In his religious belief, Mr. Larson is a Sweden-
442
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
borgian and attends the church of that denomination
at Jamestown.
Peter E. Larson was united in marriage, December,
7, 1887, with Sophia Grieph, a daughter of John and Anna
S. (Erepon) Grieph, old and highly respected residents
of Jamestown, and they are the parents of eight chil-
dren, as follows: 1. Walter, born Sept. 22, 1888, was
educated and grew to manhood in Jamestown; he was
drafted into the United States Army, Sept. 30, IQI7,
and was sent to Syracuse, N. Y., for his preliminary
training ; from there he went to France and saw active
service in the terrible closing campaigns of the World
War, taking part in no fewer than five battles. 2.
Plenney S., born March 15, 1891 ; he was also drafted,
entering the army, July 20, 1918, and three days later,
upon his acceptance by the board, was sent directly to
Europe, where his training took place; he remained six
months abroad and was honorably discharged from the
service, Feb. 4, 1919. 3. Elmer E., born Nov. 24, 1892; he
received his education in the Jamestown schools, and
upon completing his studies secured a position in the
post office in Washington, D. C. ; his death occurred in
Jamestown, March 8, 1916. 4. Anna S., born Nov.24, 1894,
died in early infancy. 5. Ruth E., born April 2, 1896. 6.
Harry R., born Sept. 30, 1898; he enlisted in the United
States navy, Jan. 8, 1918, and was assigned to the task
of carrying our troops to France, crossing the Atlantic
no less than eleven times. 7. Esther A., born Feb. 2,
1900. 8. May Dora, born May 9, 1901.
JACOB H. JONES— Many years ago, David Jones
came from Wales, Great Britain, and found a home in
Prince Edward county, province of Ontario, Canada.
There his son, Thomas Jones, was born, and spent his
life, and there Jacob H. Jones, son of Thomas Jones,
and grandson of David Jones, the pioneer settler, was
born. Thomas Jones married Rachel Yerex and both
died in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. They were mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the father
was a lifelong farmer.
Jacob H. Jones was born near Pictou, the capital of
Prince Edward county, province of Ontario, Canada,
Aug. 24, 1849, and there he passed the first fifteen years
of his life. He had limited school opportunities and
at a very early age became a farm worker. This con-
dition roused dissatisfaction in his breast, and he re-
solved to leave home, which at the age of fifteen he
did, having as a companion a boy but little older than
himself, Levi Carr, neither having any amount of money.
The boys made their way across the border and
reached the United States safely, continuing across New
York State until Jacob H. made his way into Chau-
tauqua county, and found employment with Asel Burn-
ham, a farmer of the town of Arkwright. He received
$20 monthly as wages, and he was in the employ of
different farmers of that section. During the follow-
ing winter he attended district school No. 8 in the town
of Charlotte. In 1867 he entered the employ of Nelson
Chase, whose son-in-law he later became. After some
years he went West to the State of Iowa, bought a
farm near the Minnesota boundary, and became a grain
grower and a manufacturer of cheese, a trade he had
learned in Chautauqua county. After three years in the
West he sold his farm and business and returned East,
going to the oil fields at Bradford, Pa., there remaining
one year. His next move was to return to Charlotte,
Chautauqua county, N. Y., there purchasing a farm in
the Chase neighborhood known as the Crampton Farm,
containing 120 acres. Mr. Jones engaged in stock rais-
ing and dairy farming very successfully until 1893, then
leaving the farm he came to Jamestown and opened up
business in the Broadhead building, on what is now
Roosevelt square, as a wholesale dealer in butter, eggs,
and other produce. He continued that business very
successfully for eight years, then sold out and later
opened a wholesale fruit business in the Gifford block,
which he conducted for two years. He then moved to
a location at East Second and Winsor streets, taking in
his son Earl C. as a partner, and operating as J. H.
Jones & Son, and conducting a retail grocery for five
years. Mr. Jones, Sr., then retired from the firm, and
bought a tract of ten acres of fertile land which he
has since cultivated as a market garden, supplying the.
local market.
A man of whole-souled generous impulse, Mr. Jones
is greatly liked and esteemed in his community, and is
a citizen beyond reproach. He is a Democrat in politics,
but neither seeks nor desires public office. He is a
member of Sylvanus Lodge, No. 303, Sinclairville, and
his religious creed is the Golden Rule. Honorable and
upright in all his dealings, he is a good exempli
tion of the value of that rule and of its practicability.
Jacob H. Jones married, in Charlotte, Chautauqua
county, N. Y., in 1875, Celinda Chase, born in that
town, daughter of Nelson Chase, and a sister of Albert
N. Chase, of Charlotte. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are the
parents of five children : 1. Jennie, married E. Jay
Harris, superintendent of the Watson Manufacturing
Company of Jamestown, and they have three children :
Marion, Rachel, and Wilbur. 2. Earl C, now with the
Watson Manufacturing Company, formerly his father's
business partner; he married Mildred Flagg, and has
two chilldren, Flora and Roger. 3. Clara R., who re-
sides in Vancouver, British Columbia. 4. Jessie, died
young. 5. Frances Victoria, married J. A. Carlson, a
farmer of the town of Ellicott, Chautauqua county, N.
Y., and has a daughter, Virginia Mary Carlson. The
Jones home is at No. 40 Flagg avenue. Jamestown.
HERBERT DEYO TERWILLIGER— Five years'
residence in Fredonia has fully established Mr. Ter-
williger in the position of one of her leading business
men and most public-spirited citizens. As head of the
well known firm of Terwilliger & Salzer, and as the
present incumbent of the responsible office of city trus-
tee, he requires no introduction in a work of this
character.
Herbert Deyo Terwilliger was born March 17,
1883. on a farm in Broome county, N. Y., and is a son
of John and Elizabeth (Adams) Terwilliger. Mrs.
Terwilliger passed away in 1917, in Binghamton, N.
Y.. and Mr. Terwilliger is still living in that place. The
education of their son was received in local district
schools and at the Binghamton High School. Without
waiting to graduate he entered, at an early age, into the
serious work of life, finding employment in a candy
factory, where he remained two years. He then became
an orderly in the Binghamton City Hospital, his desire
BIOGRAPHICAL
443
being to study medicine and graduate as a member of
the medical profession. Lack of funds frustrated his
ambition, but he entered Bellevue Hospital, New York,
graduating there, and also at the Mills Training School,
in 1904, with the degree of R. X., having worked his
way through these institutions. He passed in the same
way through the Renard School of Embalming, gradu-
ating in 1909. Going then to Binghamton, N. Y., Mr.
Terwilliger became an undertaker and furniture dealer,
combining the two lines of business until the spring
of 1914, when he moved to Fredonia, and formed a
partnership with E. J. Salzer under the firm name of
Terwilliger & Salzer. They conduct a large furniture
store, at the same time carrying on a business as funeral
directors.
In civic affairs Mr. Terwilliger has long taken a very
active part, and in various forms of war work was an
acknowledged leader. In politics he is a Republican,
and is now serving his second term as trustee of the
town of Fredonia. He affiliates with Eastern Light
Lodge, No. 126, Free and Accepted Masons, of Greene,
N. Y. ; with the Chapter of Greene; and with the Con-
sistory and Shrine, of Binghamton. He has attained
to the thirty-second degree. He also affiliates with
Chautauqua Lodge, No. 382, Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, of Fredonia; Grape Vine Lodge, No. 81, Mac-
cabees, in which he is recorder ; and belongs to Fre-
donia Grange and Citizens' Club. He occupies a seat
on the Board of Commerce. His religious membership
is in the Episcopal church of Fredonia, in which he
i holds the office of vestryman and treasurer.
Mr. Terwilliger married, March 10, 1903, in "The
Little Church around the Corner," New York City,
Josephine Alice, daughter of Gustavus and Pauline
(Bowers) Russ, whom he met while serving in Belle-
vue Hospital. Mrs. Terwilliger is a graduate of that in-
stitution and also of the Renard School of Embalming,
and is now her husband's very valuable assistant in his
business. Most emphatically is Mr. Terwilliger a self-
made man and, equally emphatically, is he a man with a
record to be proud of.
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the
Grange.
Guy W. Milspaw was united in marriage on Christ-
mas Day, 1901, at Falconer, N. Y., with Jennie A.
Bedient, a native of that town, bom May 8, 1872, a
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Erwin Bedient, of Falconer.
To Mr. and Mrs. Milspaw six children have been born,
as follows: Ray H., born June 19, 1903; Ina B., born
25, 1905; Irwin W., born Oct. 15, 1909; Harry M.,
born May 15, 1911; Hazel B., born Oct. 14, 1913; and
Lynn G., born July 7, 1916.
GUY W. MILSPAW, who has been recognized as
one of the most substantial and influential citizens of
Cherry Creek, Chautauqua county. N. Y., for a number
of years, is a native of the town of Ellington in the
same county, a son of William and Martha (Magee)
Milspaw, old and highly respected residents of the
latter place. The elder Mr. Milspaw was also born at
Ellington, in the year 1847. and there for many years
conducted extensive farming operations and was highly
successful. He married Martha Magee, a native of
Ohio, born in 1845, and one of their children was Guy
\Y. Milspaw, with whose career we are here concerned.
Guy W. Milspaw was born Oct. 22. 1875, and passed
his childhood in his native town of Ellington, where he
attended the local public schools and was finally gradu-
ated from the high school there. Since that time Mr.
Milspaw has been engaged successfully in the milling
and feed business at Cherry Creek, where he also makes
his home. In politics he is a Republican, but although
his talents and abilities amply fit him to hold public
office he has never been ambitious for political prefer-
ment of any kind, choosing rather to exert his influence
as a private citizen. He is a member of the local ledge
SANDERS M. THAYER— No record of the suc-
cessful men of Jamestown, Chautauqua county, N. Y.,
would be complete without mention of Sanders M.
Thayer, who has for many years been engaged in the
occupations of farming and contracting, and who has
now reached a well assured place in the general esteem
of the community. Mr. Thayer is a native of the town
of Ellicott, N. Y., born Oct. 15, 1858, a son of Manley
and Mary L. (Be wen) Thayer, the latter a native of
Portland, N. Y. The elder Mr. Thayer was a farmer
and builder, and founded the double business of agri-
culture and contracting that has been carried on so
successfully by his son.
Sanders M. Thayer passed his childhood and early
youth in his native region, and after completing his
studies at the local schools, which he attended for a
number of years, served a period of apprenticeship
under the direction of his father. Eventually, upon the
death of the elder man, he took over the prosperous
business developed by the latter, and since that time
has consistently carried on the same, in the conduct of
which he has displayed unusual ability as an organizer
and executive, and is now regarded as one of the most
substantial citizens of Jamestown, which has always been
the scene of his activities. As a farmer he has shown
a progressive conservatism which has been productive
of the most gratifying results, combining in the culti-
vation of his farm his own practical experience and that
of his agricultural forbears with the more theoretical
knowledge evolved by modern science. The same char-
acteristics have marked him in his contracting enter-
prises, his shrewd grasp of practical affairs being, per-
haps, an inheritance from his old Scottish ancestry,
it being from that sturdy stock that the Thayers are
sprung. He has always exhibited a public-spirited inter-
est in the general welfare of the community, especially in
connection with its agricultural development, and is
one of the most intelligent and active members of the
local Grange. Another characteristic derived from his
Scottish forbears is his strong religious convictions and
beliefs, and he is one of the stanchest members of the
Methodist church of Jamestown.
Sanders M. Thayer was united in marriage, Oct. 15,
1888. at Jamestown with Jessie Denslow, an native of
that city, born Aug. 30, 1861, a daughter of Willard T.
and Laura Jane (Smiley) Denslow, who were born
respectively in Batavia and Ellicott, N. Y. Mr. and
Mrs. Thayer are the parents of two children, as follows :
Ralph E., born June 27, 1889, married Isabel Morgan,
by whom he has had three children : Ross, Ralph, and
Ruth; and Robert L., born Oct. 17. 1896, married
Alvida Swanson, by whom he has had two children :
Robert, and William.
444
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
ANDREW PAUL JONES— At the age of sixty-
eight Andrew Paul Jones was called away without
warning, his death the result of an accident on the Erie
Railroad at Celoron, Chautauqua county, N. Y. His
widow, Anna Sophia (Morgan) Jones, yet survives him,
her home also the home of her youngest son, Charles
Russell Jones, a cabinetmaker and official of the village
of Celoron. The excellencies of the boats built by
Andrew Paul Jones brought him local fame, and he is
yet spoken of as a builder of good boats and as a good
citizen. In his own line of mechanical work the son,
Charles R., emulates the example of his father, and in
his modern home in Celoron are many articles testi-
fying to his expertness as a worker in wood.
Andrew Paul Jones was born in Sweden, March 31,
1842, died in the village of Celoron, Chautauqua count>,
N. Y., Oct. 12, 1010. He became a skilled mechanic, and
for several years after coming to the United States
he was engaged with his brother as a carriage builder,
continuing in that business in Jamestown from 1870
until 1892. He then opened a boat livery at Burtis Bay
on the shore of Chautauqua Lake, which he conducted
until his accidental death, eighteen years later. During
the Civil War, Mr. Jones enlisted and served one year
in the United States navy. He allied himself with the
Republican party, the Grand Army of the Republic of
Jamestown, and the Swedish Methodist Episcopal
church..
Mr. Jones married, in Jamestown, in 1878, Anna
Sophia Morgan, born Aug. 31, 1847, in Sweden, daughter
of Charles and Mary (Larsen) Morgan. Mrs. Jones
continues her residence in Celoron. She is the mother
of two sons: 1. Clayton M., born Oct. 2, 1879, a mem-
ber of the Chautauqua county bar, practicing in James-
town, his law office in the Fenton building; he married
Aimee Cedarquist, and has two children: Marietta and
Clayton M., Jr. 2. Charles Russell, born Nov. 5, 1884,
was educated in the public schools and graduated from
the Jamestown High School and after finishing his
studies learned the cabinetmaker's trade, which he still
follows ; he has taken a deep interest in Celoron village
affairs, and has served as tax collector, village trustee,
assessor, and for the past three years treasurer of the
Celoron Hose Company ; he built the home in Celoron,
now occupied by his widowed mother and himself.
ELMER C. GIFFORD— The auto industry, that
most flourishing and aggressive of modern enterprises,
has no more energetic representative in Chautauqua
county than the citizen of Jamestown whose name the
biographer has just written. Mr. Giflford in influentiallv
associated with the financial interests of his community
and is well known in fraternal and social circles.
Elmer C. Giflford was born Jan. II, 1874. in Busti,
Chautauqua county, N. Y., and is a son of Charles D.
and Clementine J. (Hitchcock) Giflford. The death of
Mr. Gifford occurred in 1903, and in 1918 Mrs. Gifford
passed away. The education of Elmer C. Gifford was
received in local grammar and high schools and was
supplemented by a course at the Jamestown Business
College. Until the spring of 1916 he worked on the
Gifford homestead. This farm was purchased from the
Holland Land Company and is devoted to general dairy
work and the breeding of cattle. The estate originally
consisted of 200 acres, but has been reduced by the sale
of nine farms, leaving only about 40 acres for the use'
of the owners.
In 1916 Mr. Gifford engaged in the auto business as
agent for the Interstate Company. In May of the samei
year he bought land and, in association with Albert Gj
Johnson, erected a building containing a showroom and
service station. The venture proved successful and
Mr. Gifford, in association with L. B. Parker, now con-
trols the agency for the Buick, Chevrolet, and Haynei
automobiles, and the Case tractor and Stewart trucks, for
Jamestown and the surrounding territory. Mr. Gifforc'
has been for sixteen years a director of the Farmers
and Mechanics' Bank.
In politics Mr. Giflford is a Republican, but has nevei
been active in public affairs. He is a member of the j
Auto Dealers' Association of Jamestown, belongs to th<
Grange, and affiliates with the Knights of Pythias. Hi;
only club is the Rotary.
Mr. Giflford married, Sept. 20. 1899, Pearl Terry
daughter of Jay Terry, and they are the parents of thre(
children: Louise, Charles, and Corydon. Mr. Gifforc
has one sister, Mrs. Marion G. Martin, of Jamestown
Elmer C. Gifford has certainly proved a most valuabb I
reenforcement to the auto interests of Chautauqu; I
county. Undoubtedly he will do much to make the in |
dustrv flourish in Western New York.
EMMETT W. ALEXANDER— Hugh Alexander
grandfather of Emmett W. Alexander, of Lakewood, N
Y., came to Chautauqua county from the State of Ver
mont and settled in the town of Harmony. There h
followed the occupation of farmer and there his son
Daniel Alexander, was born, who settled on a farm a;
Blockville, in Harmony, and there spent the remainde
of his days. He married Charlotte Scofield, also born iil
the town of Harmony, and they were the parents o
Emmett W. Alexander, now of Lakewood, N. Y.,
merchant and an esteemed citizen.
Emmett W. Alexander was born at the home farr
in Blockville, Harmony, N. Y., June 10, 1850. He re
ceived his education in the public schools of his horn
town. He began his business career as a farmer, bi::
later became a contractor. He settled in the village o-
Lakewood, where he is engaged in business as a reta
coal dealer. He is a Republican in politics, a member o
the Methodist Episcopal church, and for twenty-ninj,
years. 1801-1920, has been a member of Lakewoo
Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. AJexandT married, Sept. 20, 1S71, at BlockvilK
N. Y., Mary Jones, born at French Creek, Chautauqu
county. N. Y.. March 14. 1854, died at the family hom
on Chautauqua avenue, Lakewood, May 15, 1920. Mr
Alexander was the daughter of James H. and Laur
(Sullivan) Jones, her mother born in Clymer, Char
tauqua county, N. Y., daughter of a Clymer farme
and minister. Two sons were born to Mr. and Mr
Alexander: Roy C, born Oct. 2, 1878, married Effie
Peterson, in Jamestown, and they are the parents c
two children : Emmett W. and Dorothy J. Alexandei
Seward G., born July 9, 1880, married Mabel J. Whit
resides in Warren, Pa., and they are the parents of
son, Donald M. Alexander.
BIOGRAPHICAL
445
ALVIN E. PETERSON— Now that the Swedes of
Jamestown are believed to number about 20,000, the
question of priority of settlement becomes one of in-
terest. The pioneer actual settlers were two young
women, both born in Sweden, who first went to Sugar
Grove, Pa., with other Swedes who settled there. The
two young women, Johanna Charlotta Johnson and Lisa
Lena Anderson, left Sugar Grove in the summer of
1849, found employment in the nearby village of James-
town, and became its first actual Swedish residents.
One of these young women, Lisa Lena Anderson, born
in Sweden, July 30, 1833, married. June 28, 1851, Otto
Peterson, a farmer and tanner, born in Sweden, March
3, 1831, came to the United States and settled in James-
town in 1850, and there died Nov. 24, 1003. His widow,
Mrs. Lisa Lena (Anderson) Peterson, yet survives her
husband, and is now (1920), at the age of eighty-seven,
residing in Jamestown at No. 296 Harrison street.
Among the twelve children of Otto and Lisa Lena
(Anderson) Peterson was a son, Alvin E., eleventh
child and second son.
Alvin E. Peterson was born in Jamestown, N. Y., Feb.
j6, 1873, and is now (1920) a resident of the village of
Celoron, and one of the prosperous business men of
that popular lake resort. He was educated in the James-
town public schools, finishing in' high school, and from
an early age has been a wage earner and business man.
He has long been associated with the development of
Celoron as a summer resort, and until its destruction
by fire owned and managed the large amusement pavil-
lion. He is now proprietor of a confectionery and ice
cream parlor in the park and does a good business. He
is a member of the First Swedish Lutheran Church,
and in politics is an independent. He built his present
residence in Celoron and has other real estate invest-
ments in the village.
Mr. Peterson married, Sept. 23, 1908, Rev. Julius
Lincoln, pastor of the First Lutheran Church of James-
town, officiating, Jennie Maria Warner, born in Sweden,
daughter of Ludvig and Maria (Ryd) Warner.
EARL JESTIE FOSTER, an enterprising young
farmer who is succeeding well in the cultivation of his
acreage in Ripley township, Chautauqua county, N. Y.,
has shown himself to be a worthy son of a worthy
father, the latter, William Foster, having had responsi-
ble and consequential connection with agriculture in
Chautauqua county for many decades.
Earl Jestie Foster was born in the town of Westfield,
Chautauqua county, N. Y., Sept. 6, 1877, the son of
William and Julia (Bunville) Foster. He was edu-
cated in district schools of Westfield and Brocton,
Chautauqua county, and for a time in district schools
of Erie county, N. Y. After completing his schooling,
he resolutely applied himself to farming and has since
continued to pass his entire time in agricultural pursuits
with the exception of six years, three years working
in the International Street Car Company, and three
years in the Buffalo & Lake Erie Street Car Company,
in Buffalo, N. Y. In 1915, he purchased a farm in Rip-
ley township and he has since appreciably improved it.
It is 63 acres in extent, quite enough in these days ot
highly paid and scarce help, and he has erected a new
granary, silo, and milk house. He has about nine acres
of his land in vineyard, and has an additional acreage
of other fruits, but his main farming is dairy, which
means hard work, but consistently substantial returns.
Mr. Foster is a Republican in his political allegiance,
and fraternally belongs to the Ripley branch of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is much inter-
ested in the functioning of the Ripley Grange, of which
he is a member, and he is interested in all matters per-
taining to farming. Upon his farm he is adopting many
modern methods, and is an observant student of agri-
cultural developments. Religiously, he is a Methodist,
which denomination he substantially supports.
Mr. Foster married, Feb. 20, 1901, Mary Homewood,
of a well known Ripley family. They have two chil-
dren : Leigh, who now attends school ; and Clara.
Mr. Foster is an aggressive, optimistic, and skillful
farmer, and probably has another generation of conse-
quential connection with Chautauqua county agriculture
still before him, and he will probably advance in mater-
ial possessions as rapidly as he has during the last four
or five years, for he is of the type that, having put his
shoulder to the wheel, will hold to the task as long as
the task exists. And Mr. Foster's task will probably
last until old age, for he indicates in his work that
farming pursuits are to him his hobby and pleasure, as
well as his means of subsistence. He is reputed to be
a good neighbor, and since he has been on his present
farm he and his wife have made many friends, and have
taken part in community movements. During the war
he manifested a worthy patriotism, subscribing to the
various loans and other funds raised for the needs of
the government during that period.
CHARLES EDWARD BROWN is among the suc-
cessful representatives of the agricultural interests of
Chautauqua county. The appearance of his name wins
instantaneous and appreciative recognition as that of an
enterprising citizen of Ripley. He has long been active
in the political life of his community, filling with credit
numerous local offices, and is now holding that of deputy
sheriff.
Charles Edward Brown was born April 27, 1863, on
a farm in South Otselic, N. Y„ and is a son of Win-
sor and Lucy (Seldon) Brown. Charles Edwaru
Brown attended the district schools of the neighbor-
hood, and assisted in the labors of the farm, later find-
ing employment in the cheese factory of which his
father was the owner and which he conducted in con-
junction with the management of his farm. In 1874 the
family moved to Ripley, Chautauqua county, and there
Charles Edward worked on the farm and attended
school. At the age of twenty he engaged in the retail
meat business, meeting with such success that he con-
ducted his own establishment for thirteen years. At the
end of that time he sold out, and with the capital which he
had accumulated he purchased a farm, which he still
cultivates. In addition to His work as an agriculturist,
Mr. Brown has the ice business in Ripley village,
where he has a very attractive home. During the busy
season he employs as many as twenty hands. In politics
Mr. Brown is a Republican, and has at different limes
been summoned by his fellow-citizens to fill many of the
offices at their disposal. He has held that of deputy
sheriff for thirteen years, his present term expiring in
446
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
1921. For twenty-five years he served on the School
Board, being president of the board from 1917 until the
present time (1920) ; and for thirty years has been con-
stable, combining the office with that of probation officer.
He affiliates with the Masonic fraternity, and attends the
Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Brown married, Nov. 12, 1884, Lizzie E., daughter
of Joel and Almira (Staples) Colvin, and they are the
parents of the following children: I. Carl K. W., edu-
cated in the common schools and high school of Ripley
and at Syracuse University, taking the degree of Bache-
lor of Arts; he is unmarried. 2. Bessie Marie, educated
in the same manner as her brother, including the libra-
rian's degree; married Clarence O. Johnson and became
trie mother of one child, Marjorie; Mrs Johnson died
Dec. II, 1918, and Marjorie now lives with her maternal
grandparents. 3. Almira, educated as above, but did
not take a degree; married Louis A. Pease, of North
East, Pa., superintendent of the Buffalo and Erie Trac-
tion Company, and they have three children, Charles
Louis, Ruth, and Edith. 4. Florence Lucy, educated
in Ripley grammar and high schools and at the New
Haven, (Conn.,) Normal School of Gymnastics, now
physical training teacher in the Buffalo, N. Y., schools.
5. Elizabeth Winifred, now attending Ripley High
School.
In all worthy ambitions Mr. Brown has been success-
ful, and his children, with the advantages he has given
them and the example he has set them, cannot fail to
be good citizens and blessings to their respective com-
munities.
DANIEL JAMES HARRINGTON, who for the
last five or six years has been one of the most sub-
stantial farmers in Chautauqua township, Chautauqua
county, N. Y., farming an extensive acreage, cannot
strictly be considered a native of the county, yet it is
almost due to him, for he lived in it for thirty-two of
the first thirty-three years of his life, and his father
owned a farm in Chautauqua county for more than
fifty years. The name Harrington can be found among
the early records of Chautauqua township, Chautauqua
county.
Daniel James Harrington had an interesting birth-
place; he was born in an emigrant wagon, near Oregon
Grove, now known as New Oregon, Iowa, July 28, 1855.
the son of James and Sarah (Raynor) Harrington. His
father had the sturdy spirit of the early pioneers, and
had left his Chautauqua county. N. Y., farm under
rental, and had gone into the unknown, but supposedly
rich western part of the United States, seeking for a
better farm holding, and with venturesome spirit had
taken his wife with him. Within a year of the birth of
Daniel James, the Harrington family returned to Chau-
tauqua county, and the father did not again go west-
ward. He took up the cultivation of his own farm in
Chautauqua township, and farmed it until his death.
Daniel J. Harrington received the whole of his school-
ing in Chautauqua county district schools, and after-
wards assisted his father in the operation of the parental
farm. In 1888, however, Daniel James Harrington
was again in Iowa, and there acquired a farm of 77
acres, which he farmed very successfully, and appreci-
ably improved. He lived in Iowa until 1913, when he
was forced to return to Chautauqua county, N. Y., tc
care for his interests there. He therefore sold his Iowf
farm, and took the management of the property be-
queathed to him by his father, a farm of 170 acres ir'
Chautauqua township, Chautauqua county, N. Y., later
buying also the Crossgrove homestead farm, which
adjoins the other, and is 125 acres in extent, so that he,
now cultivates and owns almost 300 acres of agricultural-
land, a big undertaking in these days of expensive andi
scarce help. The land is in good condition, and the"
improvements are mainly modern and quite adequate to
the requirements of the acreage ; they were built either
by his father or by himself. Mr. Harrington has a
tine herd of milch cows, all of which, with one excep-
tion, were raised by him, and are from registered stock.
Mr. Harrington has ample means to follow his incli-
nation in respect to the farms he owns, and he evidently
intends to have fine cattle, which probably in the end
will give ample return for the outlay. He is indefatig-
able in his work, has taken practically no recreation,
excepting in automobiling, for many years, and he prob-
ably will continue to get increasing yields from his two
farms, for he is an efficient farmer. Regarding his one
diversion from agricultural work, his possession of a
fine automobile may be attributed to his desire to meet
the wish of his younger daughter, Delia, to whom he
is devoted, and who has remained at home with her
parents.
In political allegiance he is a Republican, but has
not taken prominent part in national politics. His own
agricultural ties are so many and consequential, that
he does not feel that he can afford the time necessary to
participate actively in local affairs. He is, however, of
markedly generous spirit, and where it has been possible
to help local interests or movements by financial con-i
tributions he has been ever ready to co-operate in that
way. And during the war just ended he contributed
very substantially to the various funds raised by the
government, and governmental agencies.
He has always manifested worthy characteristics of
steadiness and self-reliance, and he early entered upon
the serious responsibilities of life; he was only twenty-
one years old when he married Helen Smith, Dec. 24, 1
1876. They have two children: 1. Edna, born in Chau-
tauqua county, N. Y., married James Oliver, an ener-
getic and successful young farmer in Iowa. 2. Delia, 1
born in Iowa ; she entered the teaching profession, but I
since the family returned to New York State she has !
remained at home.
Daniel James Harrington is continuing the long asso-
ciation of the Harrington family with Chautauqua
county and is making that association more conse-
quential. He is a man of fine characteristics, and the
regard for him by the people of the district will increase
as the years pass, and the people of the township become
more acquainted with his commendable qualities ; and
his farming of 300 acres is one of the appreciable
agricultural enterprises of the county.
JACOB WILLIAM BELSON— For nearly half a
century Mr. Belson has been numbered among the pros-
perous farmers of Ripley, whither he came with a fund
of experience gathered in other places. As a citizen
he has always been quietly active and unobtrusively in-
??A(k>&n* xr7< < «$* O.
BIOGRAPHICAL
447
flucntial for all that he deemed best calculated to serve
the true interests of his community.
Jacob William Belson was born Nov. 14, 1850, in
Great Yarmouth, England, and is a son of John and
Elizabeth (Pastel) Belson, who emigrated to the United
States and settled in Norfolk county, N. Y. At this time
Jacob William Belson was two years of age, and he
attended the schools of Norfolk county until reaching
his thirteenth year. As a youth he engaged in fanning,
* netimes in Michigan and sometimes in New York
State. In 1870 he came to Ripley, where he purchased
the farm on which he now lives. The estate comprises
IIS acres and was wild land when Mr. Belson became
possessed of it. all the improvements which it now boasts
being his own work. He has fifty acres of grape vine-
yard which he set out himself and an orchard which he
planted. He not only cleared the land, but built the
house and constructed the barns and outbuildings.
For some years he has had a residence in the village
of Ripley, but pays almost daily visits to his farm,
giving the closest attention to all his affairs. In political
principle Mr. Belson is a Republican, always voting with
that party. In community affairs he has ever taken a
helpful interest and at various times has served as school
collector. His family are members of the Protestant
Episcopal church.
Mr. Belson married, Feb. 6, 1876, Ellen Hardgener,
of Ripley, and the following children have been born to
them : Ann Elizabeth, wife of Harry Walker, a real
estate man of Providence, R. I, ; John ; and Charles,
married Rose Belson (no relation).
During his long residence in Ripley, Mr. Belson has
not only achieved material prosperity, but has won the
cordial friendship of his neighbors and commanded
the respect of the entire community.
PETER CADY, a native of Saratoga county, N. Y.,
where his birth occurred Dec. 1, 1829, was a son of
Calvin and Polly Cady. He came to Jamestown, Chau-
tauqua county, N. Y., when a young man, and was here
engaged principally as a farmer and gardener. He was
one of the ardent members of the local grange, Patrons
of Husbandry, a staunch Democrat and an ardent
admirer of Horace Greeley. Mr. Cady was a man of
affairs and had many friends. He was one of the repre-
sentative citizens of his city and did everything possi-
ble to advance the welfare of his community. He was
a member of the lodge, Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
Mr. Cady married Helen Sherwin and they were the
parents of two children, as follows: Willis C, of whom
further; and Nellie C, born April g, 1861, died April
21. 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Cady adopted a daughter.
Mary L. torn Oct. 17, 1857. who became the wife of
Albert C. Brunson, to whom she has borne four chil-
! dren : Grace, Lulu, Florence, and Ruth.
Undoubtedly one of the most venerable and deeply
beloved figures in the life of Jamestown is that of Mrs.
Cady, who after a long and active career is now (1920)
living in the home with her son, Willis C. Cady, at
Jamestown. Mrs. Cady was born Feb. 25. 1838, in
Jamestown, and as a girl had the usual educational
■ ?dvantages for the time, attending the local public
school and the Old Jamestown Academy. She is a
member of the old Sherwin family of this region, a
daughter of Milton and Flora (Griffith) Sherwin,
highly esteemed residents of Jamestown, where the
former named was engaged in business as a carpenter
and pattern maker for many years. Mrs. Cady is a
Methodist in religious belief, and she and the members
of her family attend the Methodist church at Falconer,
in which she still takes an active part, as well as in
other organizations. She graduated from the Chautau-
qua Literary and Scientific Circle at Chautauqua in the
class of 1915.
Willis C. Cady, only son of Peter and Helen (Sher-
win) Cady, was born in Jamestown, N. Y., Oct. 28, 1859.
He was educated in the district and high schools of
Jamestown. In early life he was engaged in the occu-
pation of farming, and later followed the wood working
trade. In 1895, after the death of his father, he ac-
quired a small farm in the town of EHicott, and since
then has followed the occupation of gardening thereon.
He is a member of the American Mechanics Associa-
tion, and in politics is a Democrat, but acts independent-
ly in casting his vote.
Mr. Cady married, in Frewsburg, N. Y., Sept. 21, 1882,
Nellie Fox, by whom he has one daughter, Bertha
Nellie, born May 11, 1883, now the wife of Lee W.
Swart, of Washington, D. C, and they are the parents
of one child. Leslie Swart.
NELSON AUGUSTUS JOHNSON, D. O.—
Among the many prominent men of Swedish origin
who have made Chautauqua county their home, ho name
stands higher than that of Dr. Nelson Augustus John-
son, who has been active in medical circles here for a
number of years and who has built up a large practice
in his profession and a reputation of the highest order
during that time. Dr. Johnson was born in Sweden,
March 3, 1866, a son of John Nelson and Clara (Nel-
son) Johnson, the former a farmer in Sweden, where
his death occurred. The elder Mr. Johnson and his
wife were the parents of the following children: Anna
M., who resides in Sweden ; Carl J., who came to this
country and settled at Rutland, Vt., Elizabeth, who
resides with her mother at Rutland, Vt. ; Alfred, who
is employed as a foreman in the carpentry department
of the New England Butt Company, a concern known
all over the world, with headquarters at Providence, R.
I. : Nelson Augustus, with whose career we are here
especially concerned.
Dr. Johnson obtained his elementary education in the
grammar schools in his native country, and when old
enough engaged in farming there and also secured a
position in a grist mill, where he remained for three
years. After his father's death, when twenty years of
age, he came to the United States, his mother coming
later, and for a time worked in the iron mines in Essex
and Clinton counties, N. Y. He was advanced to the
position of foreman of a slope and held this post for
five years. He then served an apprenticeship in a
machine and tool-making establishment and followed
this occupation for about fifteen years. The young man
was, however, exceedingly ambitious and was deter-
mined upon a professional career, with which end in
view he entered in 1904 the American School of Osteo-
pathy, at Kirkville, N. Y. He was graduated with the
448
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
class of 1906 with the degree of D. 0., and in the same
year passed the examination of the State Board of Ex-
aminers. He then came to Fredonia and opened an
office here in the month of July, 1906, began the prac-
tice of his profession and has remained actively engaged
ever since. In 1909 he opened another office at Dunkirk,
N. Y., extended his practice largely, and now enjoys a
splendid reputation both for skill and for the high
standards of professional ethics which he has main-
tained throughout the region. Dr. Johnson is a promi-
nent figure in the general life of Fredonia, and is a
member of many fraternal organizations in this place.
He is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted
Masons, Royal Arch Masons, Knights Templar, Ancient
Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Sovereign
Princess of the Royal Secret, and has taken his thirty-
second degree in Free Masonry. He is also a member
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the
Atlas Club of the American School of Osteopathy. In
religious belief Dr. Johnson is a Methodist and attends
the church of that denomination at Fredonia. He is
active in church work and has held a number of offices
in connection with the congregation, including those of
steward and superintendent of the Sunday school, and
financial secretary of the official board. He is a Re-
publican in politics, and a strong advocate of prohibition.
Dr. Johnson was united in marriage at Plattsburg,
Clinton county, N. Y., April 29, 1897, with Alice V.
Hilton, of Dunkirk, a daughter of William and Mary
(Frizzell) Hilton, old and highly respected residents
of that place. They are the parents of one daughter.
Florence Dorothv.
EMMET HAMILTON ROSS— Prominent among
the young professional men of the city of Jamestown is
Emmet Hamilton Ross. As an attorney of law, Mr.
Ross stands well abreast in the Chautauqua county
bar, and is a member of the well known law firm of
Rice & Ross, with offices at Suite 200 — Squier's Court,
in Jamestown.
Emmet Hamilton Ross was born in Rochester, N.
Y., Oct. 14, 1887, son of William and Louise J. (Nye)
Ross. His parents for a number of years resided in
Rochester, where they were well known and highly
respected ; later they moved to Jamestown. Emmet
Hamilton Ross attended the public schools of Roches-
ter until the family came to Jamestown, in 1001, and
here he completed his grammar school education. He
entered the Jamestown High School and graduated
with honors in 1907 as president of the senior class.
Besides being well identified as a student at high school,
Mr. Ross was prominent in athletics. After leaving
high school he matriculated in the law department of the
Albany Law School, Albany, N. Y., and two years later,
in 1009, was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of
Law. A year later, in 1910, he was admitted to the New
York State bar and began the practice of law in the city
of Jamestown, where he has since been identified.
Mr. Ross' first venture in the legal world was in
partnership with the well known late James L. Weeks.
This partnership continued for seven years, up to the
time of the death of Mr. Weeks. In 1918, Mr. Ross
joined Joseph F. Rice and this law firm has been known
as Rice & Ross, and has acquired a large and well estab-
lished practice in Jamestown and throughout the county.
Their former address was in the Chadakoin building, j
but on Dec. 1, 1920, they acquired ownership of Squier's
Court adjacent to the previous address. Squier's Court
contains many suitable offices and some commercial
space, and in a section of it is located the well equipped .
law office of Rice & Ross.
Mr. Ross is prominent in a number of other things
outside of his profession, being vice-president of the:
Sportsmen's Supply Company, Inc., of Jamestown, Nj
Y., formerly a member of Company E, 74th Infantry,
which served on the Mexican Border in 1916, member r
of the Delta Chi, College fraternity, and the Fraternal 1
Order of Eagles at Jamestown. In the matter of poli-
tics, Mr. Ross does not take an active part, but is a
firm believer in the principles of the Republican party.
He married, in Jamestown, April 10, 1912, Anna
Frances Britton, daughter of Edward R. and Ella
(West) Britton.
CHARLES WILLIAM HERRICK— A native son
of Jamestown, Mr. Herrick has attained position in the
business world of his city as financier and manufacturer,
being first vice-president of the Bank of Jamestown,
and president of the C. W. Herrick Manufacturing Com-
pany of Falconer. He is a son of Anson L. and Eliza-
beth A. (Devoe) Herrick, his father a farmer.
Charles W. Herrick was born in Jamestown, N. Yj
Nov. 19, 1867, and there has spent his years, fifty-
three. He was educated in the public schools, and after
graduation from high school completed his school term •
with a course at a Bryant & Stratton Business College.
At the age of nineteen, he became an employee of the
Chautauqua County National Bank, and for ten years,
1S86-1896, was connected with that institution. In
1003, when the Bank of Jamestown was organized, Mr.
Herrick was one of the incorporators, being elected
vice-president, also chairman of the executive com-i
mittee, offices he has held until the present, 1920. Hej
holds intimate connection with the manufacturing inter-
ests of the city as president of the C. W. Herrick
Manufacturing Company, a corporation engaged in
manufacturing furniture, with their plant at Falconer.
Whether considered as banker or manufacturer. Mr.
Herrick measures up to all requirements and has always:
met every demand made upon his business sagacity.
Mr. Herrick is affiliated with both rites of the Masonic .
order, being a member of Mt. Moriah Lodge, chapter,
council, and Jamestown Commandery ; he holds the
thirty-second degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish
Rite; and is a noble of Ismailia Temple, Nobles of the:
Mystic Shrine. His clubs are the Rotary. Jamestown,
Sportsman's, and Moon Brook Golf. He is a member 1
of the First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown. and v
president of the board of trustees.
Mr. Herrick married, in Jamestown, N. Y„ June 7, '
i8g4, Gertrude E. Proudfit, daughter of William H. and
Ellen E. (Hall) Proudfit, her father one of Jamestown's
veteran business men, her mother of the eminent Hall
family of Jamestown and Chautauqua county.
This brief review reveals Mr. Herrick as a man of
energy and ability, interested in the social and religious
activities of his city as well as in its material side. All
good causes appeal to him and he is always ready to
"lend a hand." To his interest and careful supervision
the chapter on "Banks" in this work is due.
^^^^^^C^i^^
BIOGRAPHICAL
449
WILTON H. DeLANEY, well known dry goods
merchant of Jamestown, and considered an expert in
this business, had many years of experience in merchan-
dising before becoming the president of the well known
concern, DeLaney & Throop, Inc., at Nos. 14-16 North
Main street, Jamestown. Wilton H. DeLaney is a
native of Stockton, Chautauqua county, N. Y., born
March 20, 1858, son of Jonathan and Maryette (Howard)
DeLaney. The elder Mr. DeLaney was a well known
resident of Stockton, where he kept a general store, and
was a justice of the peace before his removal to Cherry
Creek in this county.
Wilton H. DeLaney attended the village schools of
Stockton and later Cherry Creek, this being followed
by a course at Randolph Institute, Randolph, N. Y.
When he was but eighteen years of age he had a firm
desire to start out and earn his own livelihood, and
connected himself in a line of business which afterwards
proved him to be one of the leaders of the mercantile
life of Jamestown. His first attempt was at Panama,
N. Y., where he clerked in a general store for one year,
alter which he was in the employ of DeForest Weld
in the latter's stores, first at Bradford, Pa., and then at
Jamestown, N. Y., where he remained until about 1884,
when Mr. Weld went out of business. Following this
he became connected with the well known merchant,
A. D. Sharpe, in whose employ he remained for a period.
The subsequent fourteen years were spent respectively
with the old merchants, Scofield & Adams, later changed
to Scofield & Dinsmore, whose interests were disposed
to Jones & Audette, after the death of Mr. Dinsmore.
It was in the year 1904 that Mr. DeLaney, after work-
ing diligently in the pursuit of merchandising, particu-
larly of dry goods, felt himself experienced enough to
embark in this endeavor himself; he formed a partner-
ship with the late Henry W. Throop, and with a small
capital started a dry goods store at No. 16 North Main
street. The small beginning prospered, and five years
later they added two more floor spaces above the street
floor, one being directly over the original address, No.
16 North Main street, and the other over an adjoining
store at No. 14. A few years later, in 1917, they further
expanded and took the adjoining floor space on the street
at No. 14, thereby giving them spacious quarters in which
to conduct their growing business. The building has
been remodeled and improved, and now it has a double
store with basements ; first and second floors, at Nos.
14 and 16 North Main street, making it the second
largest dry goods store in Chautauqua county. The title
in 1917 become DeLaney & Throop, Inc., Mr. Throop
being the president until his death, Aug. 2, 1920, and Mr.
DeLaney secretary and treasurer. After Mr. Throop's
death, Mr. DeLaney succeeded to the presidency, and
R. M. Stewart, a long time employee, became secretary
and treasurer.
As a business corporation, DeLaney & Throop have
a most excellent reputation as conservative merchants
of high standing. Their customers number among the
well known families of Chautauqua county, and the
mark of quality can truly be placed upon the goods
handled by this concern. This firm now conducts a
large, general dry goods business and is a shopping
center for Jamestown and the surrounding country.
Mr. DeLaney married, in Jamestown, June 16, 1887,
Chau— 29
Harriet, daughter of G. C. and Loretta (Butler) Smith.
Mr. Smith was a well known resident of this city, a
veteran of the Civil War, being commissioned a captain
near the close of hostilities. Mr. and Mrs. DeLaney
have one daughter, Florence L., now the wife of Henry
L. Beakes, a chemist of Louisville, Ky.
Aside from his own business, Mr. DeLaney has been
active in the general affairs of the city. He is one of
the Exempt Firemen of Jamestown, member of the
Chamber of Commerce, the Fraternal Order of Eagles,
and the various Masonic bodies. Politically he is a
Republican, and has always taken an interest in the
political situation as a voter, but has not sought office.
A. FRED HELGRAN, who for almost twenty years
has been a responsible enterprising merchant and con-
tractor of Jamestown, as one of the principals of Carl-
son & Helgran, and latterly as the head of A. Fred
Helgran & Son, painters and decorators, and wholesale
and retail dealers in wall paper and like commodities,
has had well merited success. He is a native of James-
town, has lived in it for almost fifty years, and has many
times manifested his sincere interest in the development
of the city.
He was born on March 10, 1871, the son of John and
Hilda Helgran. The Helgran family is of Swedish
origin, and has had honorable part, with other industrious
residents of Swedish origin, in the development of James-
town. His father, John Helgran, industriously worked
in the city almost until his death, and gained many true
friends. His mother, Hilda Helgran, is still living in
Jamestown, esteemed and respected as a good Christian
woman of charitable spirit.
A. Fred Helgran attended the public schools of James-
town. When he finally put aside his academic studies,
and definitely entered business life, he was fifteen years
old. He engaged with the Jamestown Lounge Company,
learning the upholstering business. With that company
he remained for fourteen years, until 1900, when he ven-
tured into independent business. He, in partnership with
another Jamestown man, C. F. Carlson, established the
firm of Carlson & Helgran, undertaking to trade as
wholesale and retail merchants in paint, oils, wall paper,
and allied commodities of interior decorating, and also
to work as painting and decorating contractors. The
partnership was maintained in successful operation until
May 1, 1916, when Mr. Carlson died. Mr. Helgran soon
thereafter purchased the interest of the relatives of his
deceased partner in the business, and soon afterwards
he took his son, A. Gordon, into business partnership,
and caused the firm name to be changed to that of A.
Fred Helgran & Son. As such it has since been con-
tinued.
Mr. Helgran is a business man of commendable appli-
cation to and concentration upon his business, and the
keynote of his success has been his consistent, persistent
effort, and close attention to grade of workmanship.
Politically, he is a member of the Republican party, and
has taken some part in local political activities. For
four years he was alderman of the fourth ward, and now
is supervisor of the fourth and fifth wards. He is a
director of the Norden Club, of Jamestown, and also
of the Eagle Temple. Religiously, he belongs to the
45Q
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
Lutheran church, and attends the First Lutheran Church
of Jamestown.
His wife, Mary Louise Helgran, whom he married
in Jamestown, has borne to him three children, all of
whom have given satisfaction to their parents by their
lives. The children, in their order of birth, are : I.
Hazel, who is married, and lives in Jamestown. 2. Ches-
ter, who is an able executive, and is secretary and treas-
urer of the Chautauqua Cabinet Company, of Mayville.
3. A. Gordon, who is a member of the firm of A. Fred
Helgran & Son, and also a veteran of the Great War ;
he was in France for nineteen months, a member of the
First (Regular) Division, which probably was the most
famous of all the American divisions.
in direct line for a commission when the armistice was
signed. In his religious belief Dr. Lodico is a Roman
Catholic and attends the Italian Church of St. Anthony
at Fredonia, while in politics he is an Independent. He
is also a member of St. Anthony Club. Dr. Lodico
is unmarried.
LOUIS JOSEPH LODICO, D. D. S., who in spite
of his youth and the comparatively short time that he
has been established here is already regarded as one of
the leading members of the dental profession at Fre-
donia, Chautauqua county, N. Y., is a native of Buffalo,
born Dec. 29, 1896. Dr. Lodico is a son of Frank and
Mary (Siragusa) Lodico, who resided at Buffalo for a
number of years, but afterwards removed to Fredonia,
where they now make their home.
Louis J. Lodico was but three years of age when he
was brought by his parents to Fredonia, and since that
time has continued to reside there, taking an active part
in its general life since he has reached maturity. As
a lad he attended the public schools of Fredonia, and
completed his studies at the high school of the Fredonia
State Normal School. In the meanwhile, however, the
youth had determined upon a professional career, and
with this end in view, after his graduation from the
Normal School in 1915, matriculated at the Dental De-
partment of the University of Buffalo, where he pursued
his professional studies until 1918, when he was grad-
uated with the degree of D. D. S. In the same year
he also passed the examinations of the New York
State Examiners, and at once returned to Fredonia
and opened a handsome office at No. 7 East Main street
and engaged in active practice. It was not long before
the community began to realize the ability and skill of
the young dental surgeon who had come amongst them,
and his patrons rapidly and steadily grew in numbers,
so that at the present time his clientele is a large one
and still is increasing uninterruptedly.
Dr. Lodico is prominent among his professional col-
leagues, by whom he is respected and honored for his
technical knowledge of his subject and his native skill,
as well as for the close observance which he consistently
gives to the etiquette of the profession and his high
code of ethics. His career seems assured for the future,
and such success as he has already won or may win in
time to come is entirely deserved and the result of his
own indefatigable efforts and earnest devotion to the
work he has taken up. There is no advance in dental
science with which he does not keep abreast, and his
constant endeavor is to keep himself familiar with its
most modern theory and practice. During the interval
between his graduation from the University and the
close of the late war, Dr. Lodico offered his services to
his country in that gigantic struggle. These were
accepted, and after his recommendation for the army he
was undergoing a course in the training school and was
LEONARD J. FIELD has for years been one of
the leading furniture merchants of Jamestown, N. Y.,
executive of the Field and Wright Company, successors
to the Aldrich Furniture Company, and once prominent
in the city administration. He was born in Gerry, N. Y.,
Dec. 19, 1867, son of Myron and Lucy B. (Thompson)
Field, both of whom are now deceased. His father,
Myron Field, who had an agricultural estate at Cherry
Creek, and followed farming industriously, was a man
of steady purpose, strong character, and fixed convic-
tions. He was one of the pioneer Prohibitionists of his
section of the State, and courageously expressed his
opinions long before the subject was received with the
present favor accorded to it; in fact, at a time when
only a man of courageous spirit, and the most unbending
Christian principle, would raise his voice in a public
place in its favor. His mother, Lucy B. (Thompson)
Field, was a woman of superior education, and prior to
her marriage was a school teacher.
Leonard J. Field attended local schools, and acquired
a good education. After attending the Cherry Creek
High School, he took a course at the Fredonia Normal
School. He had reached the age of twenty-one years
before he closed his years of schooling and entered upon
a business career. His first employment was in the capac-
ity of bookkeeper for the furniture firm of H. M. Gage,
on Third street, Jamestown, and as such he remained for
six years, when he was appointed manager of the Aldrich
Furniture Company, Main street, that company also
being owned by Mr. Gage. He was manager of that
branch for eight years until the death of Mr. Gage, soon
after which occurrence he took even greater respon-
sibility. He took part in the organization of a com-
pany, which, when incorporated, took over the business
interests of a large part of Mr. Gage's estate, and there-
after conducted it under the corporate name of the
Field and Wright Company. The incorporators were :
Leonard J. Field; Mary M. Field, his sister; Judson S.
Wright, and John J. Beustrom, both substantial James-
town business men. The present officials of the corpora-
tion are: H. T. Wilson, president; L. W. Brainard, vice-
president; Leonard J. Field, treasurer and general man-
ager; and M. M. Field, secretary. The business is a
substantial one, handling furniture and rugs of all grades,
crockery and allied commodities, and having extensive
salesrooms. By those who know, it would hardly be
considered an extravagant statement to state that the
success of the Field and Wright Company has been
due in great measure to the business ability and enter-
prise of Mr. Field.
Mr. Field is a man much interested in the prosperity
of the city, and cooperates in all ways within his power
and means to aid in its development, but in later years
has not taken an active part in public affairs because of
impaired health. Mr. Field is interested in the cause of
Prohibition, and manifests in this and in many other
ways much of the estimable character of his father.
JOSEPH C. WELLARD
>
O
X
O
<:
rr
co
H
m
>
O
BIOGRAPHICAL
45i
And although in general political campaigns he has not
taken conspicuous part, he has been outspoken in his
efforts to further the cause of Prohibition, which met
with such signal national success in the year 1919.
During the years 1908 and 1909, Mr. Field was a mem-
ber of the Jamestown Board of Aldermen, representing
the first ward.
His rise to important place in business life, and to
a post of honor in the affairs of the community, is com-
mendable and noteworthy, seeing that it came wholly
I as a result of a resolute purpose, consistently main-
tained. Mr. Field is a member of the First Methodist
Episcopal Church of Jamestown, and substantial in his
support thereof. He is also a member of the James-
town Board of Commerce.
On Oct. 17, 1895, at Utica, N. Y., Leonard J. Field
} was married to Florence L. Hebron, daughter of Har-
vey Hebron, of that place. They have three chil-
dren: 1. Helene Mara, who married D. Niel Fleek, of
Jamestown. 2. Jeanette Francis, wdio has finished her
academic schooling, and having marked musical ability
is now studying the piano and pipe organ at Allentown,
j| Pa. 3. Lois Minnie, who is still a student at Jamestown
schools.
ERNEST CAWCROFT was born at Lawrence,
Mass., April 29. 1881. He is a son of Aquilla Cawcroft,
who now resides at Cassadaga, Fla., and Elizabeth
(Carden) Cawcroft, deceased.
Mr. Cawcroft attended the Jamestown public schools
and the New York University. He toured North Araer-
I ica, Central America and Europe for various magazines.
He was admitted to the New York Bar in 1907, and
formed a co-partnership with William L. Ransom, now
of the firm of Whitman, Ottinger & Ransom, of
New York. He has practiced law at Jamestown, N. Y.,
since he was admitted to the bar.
Mr. Cawcroft has acted as special counsel for the city
of Jamestown in connection with various charter and
ordinance provisions. He was nominated for State
treasurer of the Progressive party of New York in
1912; in 1916 was elected Republican presidential elector
on the Hughes ticket; and in 191 5 was appointed deputy
treasurer of New York State. Mayor Samuel A. Carl-
son named him as corporation counsel of the city of
Jamestown in 1918, and he has been the legal advisor
of the city of Jamestown since that time. During the
fall of 1918 he was special counsel to the Lmited
States Shipping Board in connection with the legal or-
ganization of the various shipping towns created on
the coast by that board. In addition to his professional
activities, Mr. Cawcroft has been connected with many
business and civic enterprises. He initiated the building
of the Eagle Temple, which is the civic center of James-
town, and is now the chairman of the board of directors
of that institution. He is a member of the board of
trustees and on the executive board of the Chautau-
qua Institution. Mr. Cawcroft is a member of: The
Jamestown Bar Association ; the New York State Bar
Association; the American Bar Association; the Young
Men's Christian Association; Jamestown Club; Amer-
ican Academy of Political Science ; a thirty-second
degree Mason; a director of the Jamestown Board of
Commerce ; and is interested in many other fraternal,
social and civic welfare bodies.
JOSEPH CHARLES WELLARD, respected and
prosperous farmer of Ripley township, where he has
lived for seventy-two years, is one of the worthy and
representative agriculturists of Chautauqua county.
Although blind for the last thirty years, he has con-
tinued cheerfully pursuing a useful life of industry and
productiveness, has undertaken many public duties,
and has lived honored and respected among his neigh-
bors.
He comes of one of the pioneer families of Chautau-
qua county, and was born on a farm in the town of
Mina, this county, Sept. 5, 184S, the son of Joseph and
Polina (Geer) Wellard. Seven weeks after his birth,
his parents removed to the farm upon which he has
ever since lived, that is, for more than seventy-two
years. His mother died when he was quite young, and
a worthy uncle came to superintend the operation of
the farm, and to care for and rear the children, includ-
ing Joseph C. The children were all educated in the
Ripley township district schools, after passing through
which, Joseph C. took resolutely to farming, manfully
helping his uncle. Joseph C. Wellard was thirty-seven
years old when, in 1885, his uncle died, and during the
twenty or more years in which he had steadily farmed
since the close of his school days he had accumulated
some material wealth, sufficient to enable him, after the
death of his uncle, to acquire the farm upon which he
had been reared and had worked for so long. Since
that time the property has remained his, and he has
materially helped in its cultivation for the greater part
of the time, notwithstanding that four years after he
purchased the farm he had the crowning misfortune
to lose his sight altogether. He is fortunate in having
a worthy son who with filial faithfulness stayed near
his father, and of late years has taken the entire burden
of the farm management from his father's shoulders.
Mr. Wellard's eyes were weak even in his early days,
but to have completely lost sight when still in the prime
of vigorous manhood must have been a very great
misfortune, one very hard to bear. He bore the calam-
ity cheerfully and determined that it should not end his
usefulness nor undermine his general health. That
was thirty years ago, and he is still in good health and
still maintains the farm in successful cultivation, thanks,
it must be admitted, to the loyalty and labor of his son,
who is a skillful and energetic farmer.
Mr. Wellard has been a Republican in politics for
the greater part of his life, and at times has shown
much interest in national politics. During the World
War he felt the loss of his sight more keenly than per-
haps at any other time, for he longed to be able to
read all the news that the papers printed of the
momentous happenings of those days. He has always
been interested particularly in local affairs, and has held
some local offices including those of school trustee and
collector, which offices he has held several times. Of
course all matters pertaining to farming are of interest
to him, that having been his life long occupation, and
bearing in mind his physical handicap he is particularly
well informed on most subjects. For many years he
has been a member of the local grange, and in his
younger days took active part in its functioning. He
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a
consistent supporter of the local church. Throughout
452
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
his life he has manifested worthy characteristics such as
would emanate from the wholesome thoughts of a con-
scientious Christian, and as a neighbor he has been ever
ready, where possible, to lend a helping hand and ever
ready to receive his neighbors with open-hearted hos-
pitality. He is a good conversationalist, and his con-
pany is appreciated.
Mr. Wellard was also blessed by another loyal loved
one, as well as his son, during his many years of sight-
lessness ; his dear wife was more than a companion to
him, so that, as is so often the case, he has had blessings
to compensate for misfortunes. To go back to the year
of his marriage is a stretch of forty-six years, for it
was on Sept. 10, 1873, that he married Mary Hubbard,
of Sherman, Chautauqua county. Her death occurred
March 20, 1903. Five children were born to them, but
only three still live. The five children, in the order of
birth, were: 1. Mary Jane, who was educated in the
district school of Ripley township, married (first) Willis
Urch; they had two children, Mildred, and Nelson;
Mr. Urch died Jan. 5, 1919, and she married (second)
Thomas Urch. 2. Flora, who died when only three
months old. 3. Henry D., who was educated in the dis-
trict school of the township, and afterwards stood man-
fully at his father's side, ready to assist him in all
things ; he lives on the farm, and of late years the
entire management has devolved upon him ; he mar-
ried Rua Whitford, and they have two children, Blos-
som and Jesse. 4. Nellie Polina, who duly passed
through the local school, married Clyde Wilson ; died
in 1901, leaving one child, Nellie, who married Edward
Albrecht. 5. Nancy, educated in the local district
school ; became the wife of Ernest Scott, to whom she
has borne four children : Virgil, Kenneth, Helen and
Cecil.
The life of Joseph Charles Wellard has been one of
upright, manly endeavor and commendable fortitude in
misfortune. He accepted with good cheer the will of
destiny, and by his many spheres of usefulness since has
demonstrated that the will to accomplish is the greater
part of the task to be accomplished. He has lived
through practically three generations of Chautauqua
county life, and for more than fifty years has been a
producer. He is therefore worthy of note in the present
historical record of worthy sons of Chautauqua county.
And in any case, he would be so deserving by reason of
the association of his family with the early pioneer
efforts within the county.
DR. ELMER AUGUSTUS JONES, M. D.— One
of the physicians of distinction in the city of Jamestown,
Chautauqua county, N. Y., who holds a place of high
esteem, is Elmer Augustus Jones, M. D., whose reputa-
tion as a physician and as a man is valued in great degree
both in the circles of the medical profession and in the
realm of citizenship. He was born in Chandlers Valley,
in the State of Pennsylvania, Feb. II, 1872, a son of Au-
gustus William and Carrie Louise (Lawson) Jones. His
father was the owner of a saw mill and lumber busi-
ness in Chandlers Valley for many years, but later in
life engaged in the grocery business in North Warren,
Pa., where he and his wife still reside. Mr. and Mrs.
Augustus W. Jones are the parents of three children :
Dr. Elmer A. Jones, of whom further; Alice Carrie,
the wife of H. D. Wade, an oil operator, who lives at
Warren, Pa. ; and Dr. Claud William Jones, a dentist
of Corry, Pa.
The elementary portion of Dr. Elmer A. Jones' educa-
tion was acquired at the local public schools of Chandlers
Valley, and he next attended the Sugar Grove Seminary,
where he took the usual preparatory course and gradu-
ated in 1893. Having decided upon the career of a medi-
cal doctor as his life's work, he entered the University of
Buffalo, at Buffalo, N. Y., where he pursued the study
of medicine, resulting in his graduation with honors
therefrom in 1896 with the degree of Doctor of Medi-
cine. That same year he passed the New York State
board examinations which entitled him to the privilege
of the general practice of his profession. He came
almost immediately to the city of Jamestown, and here
he began in active practice as a physician on his own"
account. His residence in Jamestown has covered a
period of almost a quarter of a century, and here his time
has been devoted to unrestricted and faithful service in
behalf of those whom he was able to serve both as a phy-
sician and citizen.
Dr. Elmer A. Jones is a member of the Jamestown and
Chautauqua Medical societies, the American Medical As-
sociation, and various others. Fraternally, he is affiliated
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Mt. Tabor
Lodge, No. 780, of Jamestown, and the Knights of
Pythias, Lodge No. 248, of Jamestown. He was a mem-
ber of the Medical Corps of the 113th Separate Com-
pany, National Guard New York, during the Spanish-
American War. During the recent World War, Dr.J
Jones gave much of his time to the various war activi-t
ties. He was on the reserve list for medical service and
rendered what aid he could to his country. In his politi-
cal faith, Dr. Jones is a Republican. He and his family
attend the First Congregational Church, of Jamestown.
Four years after his removal to Jamestown, N. Y., Dr.
Jones was united in marriage, Dec. 30, 1900, to Helen B.
Selander, of that city. Dr. and Mrs. Jones are the par-
ents of two children, as follows : Everett William, born
March 14, 1907; and Margaret Helen, born April 25,
1909.
CLARE A. PICKARD, one of the prominent attor-
neys of Jamestown, Chautauqua county, N. Y., and also
a conspicuous figure in the business life of this com-
munity, is a member of a family which has for four 1
generations taken an active part in the affairs of this ■
region. He is a grandson of the late Major Henry Pick-
ard, who was one of the pioneers of the town of Ellery,
where he settled on Pickard Hill as early as 1816. Major 1
Pickard's father, John Pickard, was also one of the
early settlers in this part of the country.
Alonzo C. Pickard, father of Clare A. Pickard, was
born Feb. 17, 1838, at Ellery, N. Y., and was the son of
Major Henry and Maria (Vanderwarker) Pickard.
Alonzo C. Pickard attended the local schools until he
reached the age of eighteen years, after which he studied
at the Meadville Academy, and later matriculated at
Allegheny College. At the outbreak of the Civil War,
however, he left college to enroll in the Allegheny Col-
lege Volunteers, afterwards Company L, of the 10th
Pennsylvania Reserves. He later became a member of
the 112th Regiment of the New York Volunteer In fan-
<5^
r-
.Ttzjtr
BIOGRAPHICAL
453
try, where he was commissioned first lieutenant, and sub-
sequently brevated major for gallantry in the field. He
was seriously wounded in the Battle of the Wilderness,
and after his recovery was assigned to court martial duty
in Washington and later was made judge advocate in
Alexandria, Va. After his discharge from the army, in
1865, he returned to Western New York, where he taught
school for several years. He was school commissioner
for two terms, and for several years supervisor of his
town. He commenced the study of law with the late
Judge Cook, and continued, subsequently, with John G.
Wicks. After his admission to the bar he engaged con-
tinually in the practice of his profession until the time
of his death, in 1910. He married, June 16, 1865. Rozilla
Flagg, a daughter of Captain Madison Flagg, of Stock-
ton. They became the parents of three children : Clare
A., of whom further; Ray F. ; and Fern, who became
the wife of E. W. Stevens.
Clare A. Pickard was born Sept. 9, 1866, at Busti,
Chautauqua county, N. Y. As a lad he attended the
Frewsburg Union School, from which he was graduated
in 1882. He displayed unusual aptitude as a student and.
like his father, began his career in life as a school
teacher, being employed in several different schools in
Chautauqua county. In 1885 he gave up his work in
order to enter the employ of the Remington Typewriter
Company at Pittsburgh. In this work he displayed much
business ability and made himself of such value to his
employers that he was appointed manager of the Rem-
ington Company's offices at Cleveland, Ohio, and later at
Wheeling, W. Va. He remained with this concern for
about four years and then located at San Francisco, Cal.,
having been sent to that point by the New York Life
Insurance Company as metropolitan manager. Here
also Mr. Pickard made a marked success and continued
to fill this responsible post for about seven years. In
1895 he returned to the East, having severed his connec-
tion with the New York Life, and settled at Jamestown.
Before going to the West, Mr. Pickard had taken up
the study of law and, upon returning to Jamestown, he
resumed his study of this subject, which he pursued to
such good purpose that he was admitted to the practice
of law in June, 1898. He then opened offices in the El-
licott building and engaged in the general practice of his
profession, meeting with a high degree of success from
the outset. Later he changed his location to the Well-
man building, where his headquarters are at the present
time. He conducts a large legal practice, making a spe-
cialty of corporation and business law. He has engaged
in the trial of many cases, some of which have been
among the most important held within the county. In Feb-
ruary, 1920, he took into partnership Hugh V. N. Bodine,
formerly of Friendship, N. Y., who is now associated
with him under the firm name of Pickard & Bodine. Mr.
Pickard is a member of the Jamestown Bar Association,
the New York State Bar Association, and the Lawyers'
Club of Buffalo.
In addition to his law practice, Mr. Pickard has actively
engaged in many business enterprises in Jamestown and
Chautauqua county. He has been a member of the board
of directors of a number of important business con-
cerns. During the participation of the United States in
the great World War, Mr. Pickard served his country
efficiently and well in the responsible office of United
States Food Administrator for Chautauqua county.
Mr. Pickard is prominent in fraternal circles, especially
in the Masonic order, in which he has taken the thirty-
second degree in Freemasonry, and is a member of :
Mount Moriah Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons ; West-
ern Sun Chapter, Royal Arch Masons ; Jamestown Coun-
cil, Royal and Select Masters ; Jamestown Commandery,
Knights Templar; Ismailia Temple, Ancient Arabic
Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine ; and Buffalo Con-
sistory, Sovereign Princes of the Royal Secret.
Clare A. Pickard married, Feb. 25, 1896, Rachael Giles,
a daughter of Benjamin and Rachael (Longshore) Giles.
To Mr. and Mrs. Pickard were born three children, as
follows : Clarence Giles, who is now a student at Ham-
ilton College, with the class of 1921 ; Rachael Long-
shore, a high school student with the class of 1922 ; and
Rozilla Putnam, aged ten years.
HENRY LEWORTHY— Were Mr. Leworthy to
be classed according to his business, "antiquarian" would
be his classification, for his storerooms at No. 32 West
Main street, Fredonia, are filled with old furniture, pic-
tures, curios, engravings, silver, pewter, china, glass and
brass, a veritable "Curiosity Shop." But the character
of the man varies greatly from the classification, for in
heart, spirit and deed he is progressive, alert and help-
ful. He radiates kindliness and helpfulness, and "Ye
Olde Booke Shoppe" is a favorite resting place for both
town and country folk. Nearly half a century ago he
first made Fredonia his abiding place, and there are few,
or rather none, in the village or town who do not know
him. He is a native son of Chautauqua, born in the town
of Villenova, of English-Irish parents, his father, Wil-
liam Beer Leworthy, of North Devon, England, and his
mother, Mary Jamison, of Waterford, Ireland. They
were married in the village of Johnson Creek, Niagara
county, N. Y., in 1855, lived in Chautauqua county,
1855-60, Niagara county, 1860-67, then in the State of
Michigan until the husband's death, in 1878. Mrs. Mary
(Jamison) Leworthy died in Michigan, in 1904.
The Leworthys are an old Devonshire family ; the
little village of Charles, about nine miles distant from the
city of Barnstable, has been the family home for about
four centuries. In the village church, visited by Mr.
Leworthy while on tour abroad, the register dates back
to 1531. In that record the sixth marriage entry is that
of John Leworthie and Englishe Bright, the date June
28, 1547. On the largest of the five bells in the old
church tower he found the inscription : "Given to the
parish by George Leworthy, Gentlemen, in 1733, during
the pastorate of John Rosier." John Leworthy, great-
grandfather of Henry Leworthy, was an English soldier
and fought under Wellington at Waterloo.
Henry Leworthy was born in the town of Villenova,
Chautauqua county, N. Y., Aug. 2, 1856. He was taken
by his parents to Southern Michigan in 1867, but in 1869
returned to Villenova and entered the employ of his
uncle, Edwin Leworthy, a merchant in the village of
Hamlet. In that country store he developed a taste for
mercantile life and there remained until 1875, when he
became a student at the Fredonia State Normal, con-
tinuing until 1878. In that year and for twelve years
454
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
thereafter, he was a clerk in the Jesse K. Starr store in
Fredonia, leaving in 1890 to become a partner with Bert
Kelden, they trading as Belden & Leworthy, dealers in
groceries and crockery. The partnership existed until
1908: Mr. Leworthy then served as town assessor for a
time. At the failure of Dorset Brothers he bought their
drug and grocery business, soon closing out the drugs
and later selling the grocery stock to the firm of Annas
& Dorset.
In the spring of 1918 Mr. Leworthy opened "Ye Olde
Booke Shoppe" at No. 32 West Main street, and there
continues, a dealer in books and antiques. He has a won-
derful collection of old china, that having long been a
specialty with him, and he possesses some pieces of great
historical interest and value. His collection of antique
furniture is remarkable and includes pieces rare and
valuable. He is considered an authority, especially upon
old china, and has given little addresses upon the subject
to gatherings of persons interested in the ceramic art.
Mr. Leworthy is interested in the preservation of local
history and has aided in the gathering of material for
this present work. Anything historic in books, pictures,
china or furniture, possesses a peculiar interest for him.
and their collection and arranging is his favorite recrea-
tion. He has been an official member of the First Metho-
dist church of Fredonia for over forty years, and is an
active, interested member of the County Committee of the
Young Men's Christian Association. All good works
appeal to him and his time is freely given to helpful
church or association work. During the World War
period, 1917-18, he gave himself unreservedly to war
work of various kinds and was one of the enthusiastic
"drive" workers.
Mr. Leworthy married, Sept. 2, 1885, Arabelle Wheeler,
daughter of Dan and Mary A. (Kirkland) Wheeler. The
Wheelers and Kirklands were early settlers of the town
of Hanover. Mr. and Mrs. Leworthy are the parents of
two sons: 1. Ralph Hall, born Nov. 5, 1890; a veteran
of the World War, serving with the 306th Machine Gun
Battalion. Six weeks after leaving Fredonia he was in
Northern France, where his outfit engaged in many
historic battles, and fought up to the signing of the
armistice. 2. Henry K., born Aug. 15, 1896; also a vet-
eran of the World War, a member of the First Division,
Third Battalion, Naval Militia, of the State of New
York. Three days after President Wilson's declaration
of a state of war existing between the United States
and Germany he was in active service, serving from
Easter Sunday, 1917, until July 1, 1919. During this time
he crossed the Atlantic ocean twenty-eight times.
The Leworthy brothers are the authorized agents for
the Ford Automobile Company for the city and town of
Dunkirk.
LEVI LUCE — Among the prominent merchants of
Ellington, Chautauqua county, N. Y., is Levi Luce, a
native of this place, where his birth occurred Aug. 14,
1874, and a son of Joseph and Lucy (Simons) Luce, the
former a prominent farmer of these parts for many
years. Levi Luce obtained his education at the public
schools of Ellington and the Ellington High School.
Upon completing his studies at the latter institution, Mr.
Ellington began his business career by opening a general
store, and met with notable success from the outset.
Since that time Mr. Luce has developed a large and suc-
cessful business and his establishment is regarded as one
of the finest of its kind in the community to-day. Mr.
Luce has not confined himself to the carrying on of his
private business but has become affiliated with a number
of important financial institutions in this region. He has
always taken a keen interest in public affairs and at the
present time holds the office of justice of the peace at
Ellington, where he has established an enviable record
on account of his just and impartial treatment of all
who come before him in that capacity. Mr. Luce is a
Free Methodist in his religious belief and attends the
church of that denomination at Ellington.
Levi Luce married, Feb. 7, 1900, at Ellington, Minnie
Pritchard, a native of this place, where her birth oc- 1
curred March 23, 1876, and a daughter of Amos and
Anna (Wilcox) Pritchard.
CHARLES HENRY WIBORG, well known law-
yer and prominent in various activities of civic, fra-
ternal and club life of Jamestown, is a native of this city,
having been born here Oct. 30, 1873, son of Jacob N.
and Christine (Ahlstrom) Wiborg. The elder Mr.
Wiborg was a native of Sweden and was among the first
settlers of this nationality to come to Chautauqua county.
He was engaged for many years in the manufacture of
pianos, being connected with the Ahlstrom Piano Com-
pany of Jamestown. To Mr. and Mrs. Jacob N. and
Christine (Ahlstrom) Wiborg were born five children :
Charles Henry, the subject of this sketch; Jennie M.,
deceased ; Florence W., who became the wife of T. H.
W. Meredith, of Jamestown ; Lillian, who became the
wife of H. H. Roberts, also of this city; and Leonard, ;
deceased.
Charles Henry Wiborg has spent his entire life in 1
Jamestown, having been educated in the public schools
and Jamestown High School, graduating from the lat-
ter in 1893. As a youth he determined upon law as a |
profession and accordingly entered the law offices of
Green & Woodbury, prominent attorneys of Jamestown,
where he read law for two years. He then matriculated
at the law school of Cornell University, from which he J
was graduated in 1897 with the degree of LL. D. He
began general practice in his profession on July 29 of;
the same year in Jamestown, and for a time was in part-
nership with C. D. Babcock. In 1904 this association
was discontinued and since that time Mr. Wiborg has;
practiced alone, with offices in the Fenton building.
Mr. Wiborg is a man of much versatility and has been :
identified with many important movements of Jamestown
and the county, and is widely known. During the great'
World War, his patriotic endeavors were appreciated in
the various campaigns of the Liberty Loans, the Red
Cross, Young Men's Christian Association, and the
United War Work Drives. In every movement of this
kind he gave much of his time, and was a most active
and energetic worker. Mr. Wiborg may be considered an
expert in creating a sentiment of good fellowship and
cheer in the many things he has been asked to give his
leadership to. He has been in much demand as a cheer
and song leader at many public banquets and other func-
tions held by the civic, church, fraternal and club organi-
zations in this city and all over the county.
n
JLttoi Hucc
0S}rs. 3Ltt3t Huce
BIOGRAPHICAL
155
Mr. Wiborg is eminently a strong community figurer
and public-spirited. In all his activities he never loses
sight of the interest and promotion of good fellowship
among his fellow-citizens.
The review, herewith, gives a number of the affiliations
in which he has been prominent. Politically he is a
staunch Republican. At the present time he is an acting
judge of the City Court; transfer tax appraiser for
Chautauqua county since June, 1916; member of the
New York State Motor Federation ; Legislative Com-
mittee, and has done much for the advancement of good
roads and road regulations ; member of the Jamestown
Bar Association, of which he has been secretary and
treasurer since 1906. His fraternal and club organiza-
tions are : The Ancient Free and Accepted Masons,
being a member of its Blue Lodge, chapter, commandery
and shrine ; he is one of the organizers and was one of
the first directors of the Rotary Club; member of the
Norden Club; the Jamestown Automobile Club, of which
he was secretary in igi 5 ; the Chadakoin Boat Club, of
which he has been commodore for nine years ; trustee for
twelve years of the Jamestown High School Alumni As-
sociation ; and member of the First Methodist Episcopal
Church of Jamestown.
BRAINARD T. HARKNESS— A residence of forty
years in Jamestown has made the name we have just
written so familiar to a majority of her citizens as to
render wholly unnecessary any introductory clause or par-
agraph. Not only is the name of Mr. Harkness familiar,
but any mention of it is always greeted with respect,
inasmuch as it is the name of a veteran of the Civil War
and an upright, public-spirited citizen.
The following is the "Mayflower" lineage of the Hark-
ness family :
(I) Edward Doty, came in the "Mayflower" in 1620.
He married, Jan. 6, 1634, Faith Clark, born 1619, prob-
ably a second wife, daughter of Tristram Clark.
(II) John Doty, son of Edward and Faith (Clark)
Dory, was born at Plymouth, Mass., 1639. He married,
about 1667, Elizabeth Cook, born in 1648, daughter of
Jacob Cook, born in Holland, who was a son of Francis
Cook, who came in the "Mayflower," 1620.
(III) John (2) Doty, son of John (1) and Elizabeth
(Cook) Doty, was born at Plymouth, Mass., Aug. 24,
1668. He married, February, 1692, Mehitable Nelson,
born April 5, 1670, daughter of John and Sarah (Wood)
Nelson. John Nelson, born 1647, was son of W. Nelson,
who came early to New England, and married Martha
Ford.
(IV) John (3) Doty, son of John (2) and Mehitable
(Nelson) Doty, was born at Plymouth, Mass., Feb. ?,
1700. He married, July 8, 1724, Lidiah Dunham, born
1704, daughter of Elisha and Johanna Dunham. The
Dunhams were early at Plymouth.
(V) Ebenezer Doty, son of John (3) and Lidiah
(Dunham) Doty, was born 1727. He married, June 12,
1750, Mary Whiting.
(VI) Amaziah Doty, son of Ebenezer and Mary
(Whiting) Doty, was born at Plymouth, Mass., May 17,
1756, died at Cazenovia, N. Y., Jan. 24. 1833. He mar-
ried, 1779, Bertha Hamlin, of Barnstable, Mass. They
moved to Lee, Mass. ; fifteen years later they moved to
Bennington, Vt. ; a short time thereafter they moved to
Granville. N. Y., then to Chenango county, N. Y., and
about 1813 to Cazenovia, N. Y.
(VII) Mary Doty, daughter of Amaziah and Bertha
(Hamlin) Doty, was born at Lee, Mass., June 20. 1786.
She married, at Granville, N. Y., November, 1805, Jacob
Harkness.
(VIII) Henderson Harkness, son of Jacob and Mary
(Doty) Harkness, was born in Granville, N. Y., 1816.
He was twelve years old when his parents moved to
Salem, Washington county, N. Y., where they were
pioneer settlers. Henderson Harkness was a farmer all
his life, owning and operating for many years a farm in
Salem township. Later he moved to North Greenwich,
N. Y., where he also engaged in farming, settling, when
he retired from active life, in the village of Greenwich,
where he passed the remainder of his days. Mr. Hark-
ness married Sarah Ann Bishop, of Lyons, N. Y., and
both he and his wife passed away in their home in
Greenwich. They were members of the Methodist Epis-
copal church. Mrs. Harkness was born in Dutchess
county, N. Y., daughter of William and Sarah Ann
(Dunning) Bishop. Mr. and Mrs. Harkness were the
parents of five children : Julia, Brainard T., Edward,
Sarah, and William.
(IX) Brainard T. Harkness, son of Henderson and
Sarah Ann (Bishop) Harkness, was born July 3, 1845,
in Salem, Washington county, N. Y., and was reared to
farm life, acquiring his education in Salem school. While
still a boy he exchanged the quiet environment of the
country for that of the camp and the battle field, enlist-
ing, Dec. 26, 1861, for a term of three years, in Company
D, 4th Regiment, New York Heavy Artillery, under Cap-
tain Jones and Colonel Doubleday. On Dec. 28, 1863,
he reenlisted, as a veteran, as corporal in the same com-
pany and regiment, and participated in the battles of the
Wilderness and Spottsylvania, receiving, May 19, 1864,
at Spottsylvania, a wound in the left knee which sent
him to the field hospital and later to the Lincoln Hospital
in Washington. Later he was sent to the hospital at
Davids Island, Long Island Sound, and finally to the hos-
pital in Albany, N. Y., whence he was transferred to the
Veteran Reserve Corps, April 15, 1865, received his dis-
charge at Indianapolis, Ind., Oct. 3, 1865.
On returning home, Mr. Harkness learned the black-
smith's trade in Greenwich, and followed it in that town,
later going to Cambridge, N. Y., where he engaged in
general blacksmithing on his own account for a period of
ten years. In 1879, Mr. Harkness came to Jamestown
and established himself as a blacksmith on Second street,
but at the end of a year obtained a position as black-
smith and iron worker in the Jamestown Worsted Mills,
which were then under the superintendency of the late
Samuel Briggs. Mr. Harkness has now, for forty years,
been continuously employed by this corporation, which is
one of the oldest in Jamestown. In politics, Mr. Hark-
ness is a staunch Republican. He belongs to James M.
Brown Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of James-
town, in which he has filled many offices, including that
of post commander.
Mr. Harkness married, Feb. io, 1875, in Jamestown,
Effie B. Tefft, a native of that place, daughter of Benja-
min Franklin and Harriet (Hanchett) Tefft, grand-
456
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
daughter of Benjamin Cottrell and Margaret (Nelson)
Tefft, and great-granddaughter of Asa Tefft, a Revolu-
tionary soldier. Her grandfather served as a soldier in
the War of 1812, and her father served in the Civil War,
was quartermaster sergeant in Company E, 21st New
York Cavalry, discharged Sept. 9, 1869, at Camp Collins,
Col. Mrs. Harkness is a niece of Lathrop L. Hanchett,
justice of the peace, and the late Theodore D. Hanchett,
of Jamestown. Mr. and Mrs. Harkness are the parents
of a son and a daughter: Louis Tefft Harkness, super-
intendent of the Automatic Registering Machine Com-
pany of Jamestown, who married Myrtle Guild ; and
Harriet M. Harkness. Mrs. Harkness is a woman of
culture, devoted to household ties. She is a past presi-
dent of the Woman's Relief Corps. The beautiful fam-
ily home, which was built by Mr. Harkness some years
ago, is situated on Winsor street, Jamestown.
If to make a good record as soldier, citizen, and busi-
ness man is to succeed, Brainard T. Harkness must cer-
tainly be counted a successful man, especially as, over and
above the causes for congratulation already mentioned, he
has won the high respect and warm regard of his neigh-
bors and fellow-citizens.
HARVEY FRANKLIN JONES, the well known
business man of Falconer, Chautauqua county, N. Y.,
is a native of Pine Grove, Warren county, Pa., bom
April 14, 1859, a son of Jehu P. and Harriett (Herrick)
Jones, old and highly respected residents of that place.
The elder Mr. Jones was a farmer by occupation, and
died about twenty-five years ago. He was a native of
Pine Grove township, as was also his wife, and he was
for many years well known as a leading Republican
there. Harvey Franklin Jones is a great-grandson of
Isaiah Jones, who took part in the Revolutionary War
and served under General Washington. He was a man
of unusual ability, and could speak the Indian language,
so that he became a well known figure in the dealings
of the early Americans with their savage neighbors.
The early life of Harvey Franklin Jones was passed
in his native region, and it was there that he gained his
education, attending the local district schools for this
purpose. While still quite a youth, however, he aban-
doned his studies and secured a position on a neighboring
farm, working for a time both for his father and for
other agriculturalists in the region. Upon attaining his
majority, Mr. Jones secured a position with E. H.
French, of Russell, Pa., who was engaged in the feed
business there, and remained with him for two years.
Desiring to be engaged in business on his own account,
Mr. Jones then took charge of the mill at Kinzua, War-
ren county, Pa., which he operated for about five years.
While he resided in Kinzua, Mr. Jones held the office of
constable for the township and discharged the duties of
this office for three years. He then removed to McKean
county, Pa., where he worked for the firm of French &
Pickett, who conducted a large lumber business in that
region. For two years he was superintendent of that
concern, and in 1896 came to Falconer, N. Y., and en-
gaged in the meat business, founding the City Meat
Market on Main street. For two years he continued in
this enterprise, with a high degree of success, by him-
self, and then admitted as a partner E. L. Elderkin, an
association which continued for three years longer. At
the end of that period, Mr. Jones sold out his interest in
the business and formed the Falconer Milling Company,
Inc., of which he was elected the president and manager,
an office which he continued to hold until 1900. In that
year, Mr. Jones was elected to the office of town clerk
of Ellicott, and served the community in that capacity
for a period of eleven years. He is a staunch Republican
in politics, and in addition to his post as town clerk has
also served as assessor to the town of Ellicott, and was
twice elected a trustee of the village. In 1912 Mr. Jones
sold his interest in the milling business and entered the
grocery business, opening an establishment at No. 67
West Main street. Still later he repurchased his old mill-
ing concern at Falconer, to which he was again elected
president and general manager, an office that he con-
tinues to hold at the present time. Mr. Jones attends St.
Luke's Episcopal Church at Jamestown, and has been
active in supporting the work of the parish, liberally sup-
porting its philanthropic and benevolent undertakings.
Mr. Jones was united in marriage, Dec. 5, 1888, at Rus-
sell, Warren county, Pa., with Estelle French, who was
born at Pine Grove, a daughter of Edwin H. and El-
lenore (Jones) French, the former a native of Massachu-
setts, who came to Pennsylvania as a small boy, and the
latter of Warren county, Pa. Mr. French was engaged
in a mercantile business at Russell, Pa., and also dealt in
lumber. To Mr. and Mrs. Jones two children have been
born, as follows : Helen Marie, who became the wife of
Robert P. Hussey, of Falconer, to whom she has borne
one child, Gwendolyn; Florence Aline, who became the
wife of William F. May, of Falconer, to whom she has
borne one child, Mary Genevieve.
GEORGE RAPPOLE— The narrowest part of
Chautauqua Lake is at Bemus Point, a ferry there cross-
ing the lake to Stow, in the town of Harmony. Eleven
acres of this Bemus Point tract was formerly owned by
Albertus W. Rappole, who started the ferry and was one
of the early builders of the Bemus Point settlement, now
a prosperous summer resort, and an incorporated village,
with a permanent population reported by the State cen-
sus of 1 91 5 to be 270. The eleven acres he owned be-
came valuable, and upon part of his holdings Mr. Rap-
pole erected in 1893 the Columbian Hotel, a house of en-
tertainment, containing forty-five rooms, built at a cost
of $17,000. The hotel was well patronized in the sum-
mer months, the balance of the little farm of eleven acres
producing the fruits and vegetables which supplied its
table.
At the Bemus Point farm George Rappole, now pro-
prietor of the hotel, and an electrician, was born Oct.
13, 1881, son of Albertus W. and Velona (Stone) Rap-
pole. He attended public schools, completing grammar
grades, then became interested in electricity and adopted
its application to home uses as a business. He completed
a course of study with the International Correspondence
School of Scranton, and spent four years in the business
in the city of Buffalo, and became an expert electrician.
In 1903 his father was killed. The management of the
hotel then fell upon George Rappole, and to that duty
he has devoted his summers, following his business of
electrician during the balance of the year. The Colum-
BIOGRAPHICAL
457
bian Hotel is a popular house and well patronized during
the vacation period, Bemus Point being one of the most
popular of the many lake resorts. In 1920 100 rooms
were added thereto, 80 having baths connected with
them. Mr. Rappole formed a stock company, took over
the Pickard Hotel, now adjoining, also the McKinzey
farm consisting of 109 acres, which was turned into golf
links, also the Ferry property, and he is now the presi-
dent and manager of the same, Clarence D. Held serving
in the capacities of secretary and treasurer. Mr. Rap-
pole organized and installed the first telephone service
in the village, serving seventy-four subscribers, a busi-
ness which he later sold to the Bell Telephone Company.
He is also interested in the ownership of the Eagle Garage
in Jamestown, and is a very successful business man. He
is a Republican in politics ; member of the Sons of the
American Revolution, Board of Commerce, the Sports-
man's Club, the Knights of Pythias, Fraternal Order of
Eagles, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and of
the Free and Accepted Masons.
Mr. Rappole married, in 1903, Elizabeth R. McLaugh-
lin, daughter of Patrick and Fanny (Smith) McLaugh-
lin, and they are the parents of two children : Albertus
W. and George, Jr.
CHARLES JEFFORDS CARPENTER, late of
Jamestown, Chautauqua county, N. Y., where his death
occurred at his home, March 30, 1912, was for many
years one of the prominent manufacturers and business
men of the community and a public-spirited citizen. He
was a native of Jamestown, born Nov. 20, 1857, a son of
William and Sybbel (Jeffords) Carpenter, old and highly
respected residents of this city.
He was a lad of only six years of age when his father
died, and he was brought up by his mother who gave
the greatest devotion and affection to her children, pro-
viding them with the best education that her limited
means could afford. After attending the local schools
I of Jamestown for a number of years, Charles J. Car-
penter began at an early age to be regularly employed in
1 order to assist in supporting the family, working in the
[ axe factory in which his father had met his death and
I his elder brother Elial was already employed. The two
brothers worked at this establishment for a time, and in
i83i, having laid by a little capital, left their employer and
formed a partnership with Charles Tew and John Kofod
and began the manufacture of axes and other tools. This
company did business under the style of the Jamestown
Axe and Edge Tool Manufacturing Company, and was
highly successful in the enterprise, a very large business
being worked up with a market extending throughout
the region. The business was continued uninterruptedly
up to the time of Mr. Elial Carpenter's death and for a
short time afterwards, but it was then sold by the
brother. Charles Jeffords Carpenter, who had accepted a
position with the American Express Company. This he
continued to hold until he again took up mechanical work,
at which he was actively engaged up to the time of his
death.
Mr. Carpenter was exceedingly active in the general
life of the community of which he was a member, and
took a prominent part in many of its affairs. During his
youth he was not active in religious matters, but later
in life he was converted and joined the Methodist Episco-
pal church of Jamestown, and became the superintendent
of the Sunday school there. He also became a strong
advocate of temperance and did much to promote the
cause in this region. Mr. Carpenter was a member of a
number of fraternal organizations, and was prominent in
Masonic circles, being affiliated with Mt. Moriah Lodge,
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; Western Sun Chap-
ter, Royal Arch Masons ; Jamestown Commandery,
Knights Templar; Ismailia Temple, Ancient Arabic
Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Buffalo. He was
also a member of the Jeffords Hose Company of James-
town, and the Exempt Firemen's Association, and did
much to advance the interests of the fire department.
Charles Jeffords Carpenter was united in marriage,
Sept. 5, 1882, at Jamestown, to Jennie Young, born at
Jamestown, Jan. 29, 1862, a daughter of James and Eliz-
abeth (Moody) Young, and a member of a well known
family here. They were the parents of two children, as
follows: I. Charles Raymond, who resides at James-
town ; married Olive Phillips, by whom he has had two
daughters, Allene Estella and Donna Marion. 2. Allene,
who became the wife of T. N. Nelson, the well known
merchant tailor of Jamestown, to whom she has borne
three children : Jane Elizabeth, Helen Allene, and Mary
Louise.
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON— The Harrison
family is one of the oldest in Jamestown, where they are
well known and highly respected citizens. The first mem-
ber of the family to be known here was Dr. James J.
Harrison, a dentist, who was a native of Massachusetts,
but who came to Jamestown prior to 1830. He was one
of the early settlers of this section.
William H. Harrison, son of Dr. James J. Harrison,
was born in Jamestown in 1830 in a dwelling house which
stood on the site now occupied by one of the Jamestown
banks, at the corner of Main and Second streets. Wil-
liam H. Harrison married Mary Moynahan and among
their children is William Henry, of whom further.
William Henry Harrison was born in Jamestown, April
30, 1871. His education was gained in the local schools
of this city, but when fourteen years of age he left school
and sought employment in the dry goods store of
Hevenor Brothers in a minor position. Young Harrison
remained with them until he was twenty years old ; in
the meantime he was promoted to the position of sales-
man. On May 16, 1891. Mr. Harrison entered the em-
ploy of A. D. Sharpe, the dry goods dealer, as a sales-
man in the dress goods department, later being trans-
ferred to the silk dress goods department in a similar
capacity. He is now well identified with this company
and is in charge of the purchasing department. Mr. Har-
rison has always been to the fore in the matter of ren-
dering service to his city. For more than twenty-one
years he was a member of the Fenton Guards, having
the rank of second lieutenant. When the Spanish-Amer-
ican War broke out he enlisted, but as it was of so short
a duration, he did not have an opportunity to leave the
United States. Mr. Harrison is a member of the Knights
of Columbus, being a past grand knight of that order ;
he is also district deputy for the Catholic Mutual Benev-
olent Association, and a member of the C. M. B. A.
458
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
Council. Mr. Harrison and his family are all mem-
bers of the Roman Catholic Church of St. Peter and St.
Paul.
On July 16, 1895, Mr. Harrison married in James-
town, N. Y., Mary Kennedy. Of this union six children
were born : Catherine, Cecelia, Richard, Francis, Jose-
phine, William H., Jr.
MARVIN H. KENT— A dealer in tires and auto-
mobile accessories in Jamestown, N. Y., Mr. Kent has a
good business and one with which he has long been
familiar. He has prospered through close attention to
business and through ability as a mechanic, he being an
expert vulcanizer and repair man. He is a son of George
Kent, of Cattaraugus county, N. Y., a farmer and teams-
ter, and his wife, Louise (Cook) Kent, of Cattaraugus
county.
Marvin H. Kent was born in Perrysburg, Cattaraugus
county, N. Y., Oct. 29, 1872. He was educated in the
public schools of that section, worked on the farm in
early life, then became interested in automobile work
and for several years has been successfully engaged in
that business. At his place of business in Jamestown he
ministers to the needs of automobilists generally. He is
a Republican in politics. Mr. Kent has prospered in
business, and has acquired considerable real estate in the
section in which he resides.
Mr. Kent married, Jan. 13, 1896, in Leon, Cattaraugus
county, N. Y., Elvina Hamilton, born in Leon, June 1,
1888, daughter of Leroy and Susan (Samuel) Hamilton.
Mr. and Mrs. Kent are the parents of four children: 1.
Herman, born June 30, 1897 : he enlisted in the service of
his country, and served in Company E, 108th New York
Infantry, from February, 1916, to Sept. 29, 1918, when
he was killed in action. 2. Nellie, born March 12, 1899.
3. Leroy, born July 12, 1901. 4. Eva, born March 8,
1911.
ERNEST JOHN BAILEY, one of the leading
residents of Brocton, Chautauqua county, N. Y., a suc-
cessful building contractor who has to his credit many
large contracts, has advanced far in material wealth, and
at the same time has held the sincere respect of the peo-
ple of the county who have known him under all con-
ditions. He has manifested commendable characteristics,
is a man of distinct business ability, and has exhibited
a praiseworthy public spirit, and a practical desire to
help on the well being of the community in general, and
the poor and needy in particular. In business enterprise,
he has been very successful, and has many consequential
associations; he has for two decades had a contracting
business which has found employment for a consider-
able number of men, has taken part in the establishment
and direction of other important manufacturing con-
cerns, and is vice-president of the Brocton Furniture
Company.
Ernest J. Bailey was born in Charlotte Center, Char-
lotte township, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Oct. 27, 1868,
the son of John J. and Barbara (Beha) Bailey, or Bal-
lay, as the family is known in France, wherein is the
original family seat. Ernest John Bailey is French in
both paternal and maternal antecedents, the paternal line
originating in Champagne, and his maternal ancestors
being from Alsace-Lorraine provinces of France. The
patronymic, as originally spelled, was Ballay, and the
American progenitor of the branch of the Ballay family
to which Ernest John Bailey belongs was of that name,
and it is not clear why the name became changed in]
spelling. It probably was wrongly written in real estate
deeds, to substantiate the title to which the heirs took the
Americanized version of the French patronymic. How-
ever that may be, the family in America has for some
generations been known by the name of Bailey.
Ernest John Bailey was born on a farm, and in due
time attended the district school nearest to his father's
farm, after passing through which he seems to have
commenced working at farming occupations quite early
in his teens. By such work he accumulated sufficient
means to carry him through business college, where he
gained the fundamentals of executive work which were
later of inestimable value to him in the management of
his own important enterprises. He perhaps had mapped
out his career well in advance, and knew the various
steps by which sound success would come. He appren-
ticed himself to carpentry, serving an apprenticeship of
five years, and later for six years was a journeyman car-
penter, by which time he was thoroughly conversant with
most phases of building construction. By steadiness of
life, and by industrious continuance in work during the
years, he had by that time acquired some financial means,
sufficient at all events to induce him to enter inde-
pendently into business as a builder and contractor. He
had come to Brocton in 1893, and had worked as a car-
penter upon many contracts in that place, so that he was
comparatively well known in the village when he started
in contracting business for himself in 1900. During the
almost two decades to the present, he has had very sub-
stantial success as a contractor, and has to his credit the
erection of many important buildings. Many of the fine
residences in that section of Chautauqua county have
been built by him, and among the buildings of public
institutions and business corporations constructed by Mr.
Bailey may be listed the following, all of which do credit
to his thoroughness as a builder : The Brocton State
Bank building ; the Ahira Memorial Library building,
Brocton ; the Crandall building, Brocton ; the Bailey
building, which is a very fine structure, and used mainly
by Mr. Bailey for his own business offices ; the Norquist
Metal Door Company plant, at Jamestown, a huge build-
ing ; additions to the American Loco Works, and to the
Atlas Crucible Steel Company plant at Dunkirk ; con-
struction work for the Buffalo & Lake Erie Traction
Company, including the car barns at Fredonia, and all the
stations with the exception of two between Buffalo and
Erie, Pa. ; the Court House at Mayville, Chautauqua
county; the Church of Christ at Chautauqua; the
Chautauqua High School ; the Falconer High School ;
the Jamestown Grammar School; the Sherman Library;
the Armour Grape Juice Company headquarters at West-
field, Chautauqua county ; the gymnasium and other addi-
tions to the Normal School at Fredonia; some of the
buildings of the Redwing Grape Juice Company, Fre-
donia; warehouses of the same company at Fredonia;
the Memorial Hospital at Lillydale; the St. Hedwick
Roman Catholic Church at Dunkirk; and the plant of
the Brocton Furniture Company, and in addition, Mr.
BIOGRAPHICAL
459
Bailey has undertaken many important building con-
tracts outside Chautauqua county. He has during the
period given employment to an average of about 14°
workmen. It may therefore be inferred that, with mod-
erate success, he must have acquired an appreciable de-
gree of material wealth during the many years he has
spent in consequential business as a contractor. As a
matter of fact, he has been universally successful, for he
knew his business thoroughly before committing himself
to independent work. And latterly, as a capitalist, he has
been brought into connection with many other outside
enterprises. He owns stock in many manufacturing cor-
porations in Chautauqua county ; Mr. Bailey is one of
the largest stockholders of the Brocton Furniture Com-
pany, of which he is vice-president.
Politically, Mr. Bailey is an independent Democrat, but
has been too busy with business affairs that needed almost
his undivided time to have much time to spare for partici-
pation in political movements, and he has never allowed
himelf to consider the thought of taking public office.
He has nevertheless always been closely interested in
local affairs, and has been ready to lend his support to
any worthy local project. In fraternal affiliations, he
has been faithful and is identified particularly with the
Masonic order. He has risen to the thirty-second degree
in the order, and is a member of the following: Blue
Lodge of Brocton; the Chapter, Council, and Command-
ery, of Dunkirk: the Buffalo Shrine; and the Consistory
of Jamestown, also of Buffalo.
On Sept. 12, 1900, Ernest John Bailey married Ruth
Hall Pettit, grand-niece of Ahira Hall, whose genealogy
will be found elsewhere in this historical work. To Mr.
and Mrs. Bailey have been born three children : Kath-
leen Elizabeth, now in high school ; Angeline Sarah,
twin sister of the first-named, and also a high school
student ; Florence Edith, who also attends the local
school.
The business success of Ernest John Bailey has been
notable, especially so bearing in mind that it has come
to him entirely by his own efforts, and he has a definite
place among the worthy Chautauqua county people of his
generation.
HARRY RICHARD LEWIS, one of the promi-
nent attorneys of Jamestown, Chautauqua county, N. Y.,
and a much respected citizen of the community, is a
native of Cincinnati, Ohio, born June 23, 1854. He is a
son of Richard and Jane (Hatch) Lewis, old and highly
respected residents of Jamestown.
Harry Richard Lewis attended the grammar schools of
Cincinnati, and later the Woodward High School of that
city, where he was prepared for college and from which
he graduated in 1S72. He then attended the University
of Michigan at Ann Arbor in that State, where he took
a three years' classical course. He was then transferred
to the law school of the same university and graduated
with the class of 1876, receiving the degree of LL. B.
He spent a probationary period of one year in the law
offices of Cook & Lockwood, prominent attorneys of
Jamestown, and in 1877 was admitted to the Chautauqua
county bar, and engaged in practice here on his own
account. Since that time Mr. Lewis has developed a large
general practice and has been successful in his profes-
sion. Mr. Lewis is a member of the Jamestown Bar
Association, and is also affiliated with a number of Ma-
sonic bodies, including Mt. Moriah Lodge, Ancient Free
and Accepted Masons ; Western Sun Chapter, Royal
Arch Masons: Jamestown Commandery, No. 61, Knights
Templar.
Mr. Lewis married (first) Frances Adams, a daugh-
ter of Charles P. and Cornelia (Crane) Adams. To this
union seven children were born, as follows: 1. Frances,
who was educated at the grammar and high schools of
Jamestown, and became the wife of Claude K. Ahlstrom,
of Jamestown. 2. Richard, who was educated in the
public schools of Jamestown, and is now at the head of
a large mercantile business at Norwich, Conn. 3. Cor-
nelia, who was also educated in the public schools of
Jamestown, and became the wife of Fred H. Balcom, of
Jamestown. 4. Charles Adams, who was educated in the
public schools of Jamestown, and later at the Worcester
Polytechnic Institute, from which he graduated with the
degree of Chemical Engineer ; at the present time he
holds a very responsible position in a large industrial
plant at Buffalo, N. Y. 5. Harry Richard, Jr., who stud-
ied in the Jamestown public schools, and later at the
Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he received the
degree of Chemical Engineer ; he is now prominently
associated with a large manufacturing concern at Shelby,
Ohio. 6. Bryce, who received the degree of Mechanical
Engineer from the University of Michigan; he now
holds an important position in a Detroit manufacturing
plant. 7. Jane, who was educated in the public schools of
Jamestown, and at the Leland Powers School at Boston,
from which she was graduated with the class of 1917 ;
she is now very successful in her career as an actress,
being now in a large stock company at Schenectady,
N. Y. All Mr. Lewis's children have been successful
and have entirely justified their father's large expenditure
of time and money in securing them the best possible
education in their chosen subject. The first Mrs. Lewis
died in the year 1910. On May 19, 1919, Mr. Lewis mar-
ried (second) Harriet Woodford, of Jamestown, N. Y.
JOHN FRANCIS RHINEHART, for nineteen
terms a teacher in Chautauqua county schools, and lat-
terly a substantial and successful farmer in the Ripley
section of the county, is a man well known and respected
in the neighborhood, and prominent in many phases of
its public affairs, having been school trustee and collector,
justice of the peace, and assessor. He is an active
granger and a charter member of the local branch of the
Odd Fellows order. His life of sixty-five years has been
lived wholly within the county, and since early manhood
he has been connected, for at least part of his time each
year, with worth-while agricultural production.
He was born in Ripley, Chautauqua county, N. Y.,
Aug. 23, 1854. the son of James and Jane (Sinden)
Rhinehart. His mother was of English birth, but for
years had been resident in Ripley. His father was an
old Ripley resident, respected and prosperous, having a
good blacksmithing business, and owning a good farm
in Ripley. Their children, John F. and Effie, attended
the Ripley schools. John F. Ripley was an apt pupil,
and of studious inclination, and eventually he entered the
teaching profession, which he followed for nineteen
terms in Ashville and Chautauqua county schools. How-
460
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
ever, he was characteristically a man of energy and ac-
tion, as well as of vigorous intellect, and each summer
he devoted his time to occupations upon his father's farm.
Finally, his father purchased from Thomas Sinden a rich
farm of 200 acres at Ripley, and ultimately it passed into
the possession of John F. Ripley, since which time he has
lived there and devoted himself wholly to its management.
It is a rich farm, having fine modern buildings, and Mr.
Rhinehart has proved that he is a skillful farmer. He has
a large herd of cattle, and as a dairy and general farm
the property has brought him substantial return.
His education, his general ability, his likable disposi-
tion, and his estimable, general character, have brought
him preferment to many positions of honor and responsi-
bility in the local administration, and in political matters
he has been a factor of some consequence in his district.
He has for very many years given staunch allegiance to
the Republican party in national politics, and he might
have held many more offices in the local administration
than he has undertaken had he so wished, for he has
always been well regarded in the district. He has been
assessor of Ripley, and has also been justice of the. peace,
to which judical office he brought an impartial mind and
a firm resolve to administer justice rightly, so far as he
was able, and that he was able has been manifested upon
many occasions, his findings being such as would have
brought credit to a higher court. He has always been
thorough and conscientious in all that he has under-
taken, and in general has been able rapidly to assimilate
knowledge, and there is every reason to suppose that soon
after he was appointed to judicial office he rapidly became
well versed in the fundamentals of law. He is a man
of clear mind and logical thought, and has a good know-
ledge of men, so that as a justice he was well placed in
the public service. He has also been interested actively
in educational affairs, as might have been expected of a
man of his academic inclinations and earlier associations ;
he has been a school trustee for many years, and has also
undertaken the duties of collector of taxes. Fraternally,
he is associated with the Odd Fellows organization, and
is one of the charter members of the local body. And he
has been a member of Ripley Grange for many years,
actively interesting himself in its functioning and con-
tinuance in usefulness.
Mr. Rhinehart married (first) Rose B. Stone, of a
well known Ripley family. They were married on April
18, 1876, at Ripley, and to them were born three chil-
dren : 1. Myma, who married Baxter, who for
many years has been connected with railroad administra-
tions. 2. Murray, who was well educated, primarily in
Ripley schools ; he eventually entered professional life,
as a civil engineer, and is now connected with the Nickel
Plate Railroad Company. 3. Ross, whose history is
very similar to that of his elder brother, he also being a
civil engineer, and also connected with the same railroad.
Mr. Rhinehart married (second) Mertie Williams. She
was born in Wisconsin, and they were married in Octo-
ber, 1902.
The home of the Rhineharts in Ripley is a fine one,
and has ever been open to their friends. In earlier years
Mr. Rhinehart took much part in social and community
movements in the town, and has very many friends. His
record of more than sixty years is an enviable one, his
life having been given to useful, public service, and to
consequential production in his native county.
NEWTON LINCOLN— Filling more than one
minor public office with credit, Mr. Lincoln is, perhaps,
more thoroughly identified with that of county librarian
than with any other. In each one, however, his name is
synonymous with talent and fidelity, and his fellow-citi-
zens of Mayville congratulate themselves on having se-
cured his services. Newton Lincoln was born Nov. 21,
1866, on his father's farm at Summerdale, N. Y., a son
of Harrison and Adeline (Dickerson) Lincoln.
Newton Lincoln received his education in district
schools and at the Mayville High School, being then for
a time employed in a hotel. For four years thereafter he
was engaged in farming, going then to Michigan and
spending five years on his grandparents' farm. Return-
ing to his home in Mayville, he was quietly employed
for thirteen years in hotels there and in Jamestown, N. Y.,
and in 1904 obtained a position in the surrogate's office.
He is now deputy clerk to the Surrogate's Court of the
county. In 1910 he was appointed librarian and still re-
tains the office, being devoted to its duties, which he finds
thoroughly congenial. He has charge of between five
and six thousand volumes. Cataloguing and similar
duties he attends to personally. So highly is his work
appreciated that he is frequently complimented on its ex-
cellence. From 1887 to 1900, Mr. Lincoln was a Demo-
crat, but has since been allied with the Republicans. His
favorite recreation, in the few leisure hours which atten-
tion to duty permits, is gardening, the cultivation of flow-
ers and vegetables alike affording him enjoyment.
Mr. Lincoln married, Oct. 30, 1892, in Mayville, Annie,
daughter of John and Elizabeth Lundquist, and they are
the parents of the following children: 1. Edna, graduate
of the Mayville grammar and high schools, and the Nor-
mal School, Fredonia, N. Y., class of 1913. 2. Margaret,
graduate of the Mayville grammar and high schools,
and Fredonia Normal, class of 1913; married Floyd A.
Baker, of Erie, Pa. 3. Ruth, also a graduate of the
Mayville grammar and high schools, and of Jamestown
Business College ; now a legal stenographer in Buffalo.
4. Robert B., in school. 5. Molly, also in school.
The people of Mayville have reason to wish that Mr.
Lincoln may long continue to retain the office of librarian,
in which he has for so many years given them an exam-
ple of exceptional efficiency.
A. MORELLE CHENEY— The Cheneys are of
an ancient English family and in Chautauqua county date
from early settlement days. The family in New Eng-
land trace to either John or William Cheney, both of
whom came from England in 1635, and lived in Roxbury,
Mass. The Cheneys of Chautauqua county are descend-
ants of William Cheney. The first of the Cheneys in
Chautauqua county was Ebenezer, a soldier of the
French and Indian, and Revolutionary wars. He came
first in June, 1808, stopping overnight at the Cross Roads
(Westfield) while journeying elsewhere. He was so
taken with lands on Lake Chautauqua that he made a
selection and in the early summer of 1810 located perma-
nently, taking land at what is now the village of Kian-
tone, and there died, Aug. 12, 1828, aged sixty-seven
years.
A. Morelle Cheney, a son of Joshua and Mary (Gif-
ford) Cheney, grandson of Calvin, and great-grandson
of Jonathan Cheney, was born in the township of Ellery,
&C 7h c^^cMaS^^^^
BIOGRAPHICAL
461
Chautauqua county, N. Y., Aug. 7, 1857, and the farm
upon which he was born, at now Bemus Point, he owns
and upon it makes his home. He has developed the farm
to a high state of productiveness, causing it to yield
bountifully. He was educated in the public schools,
Jamestown Union School, and Collegiate Institute, class
of 1879. He has developed strong ability as a man of
affairs, and has important business interests in Jamestown,
He was one of the incorporators of the bank of James-
town and since its organization has been a director and
member of the executive committee of the board.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Cheney was continuously
in county office from 1905, when he was elected super-
visor of his own county, until the expiration of his term
in 1917. He has served on many important committees of
the board of supervisors. During the building of the
court house at Mayville, he was chairman of the com-
mittee on public buildings and to him is largely due the
credit of a county court house, completed with the
amount appropriated therefor. In 1904 Mr. Cheney was
elected to the State Assembly and served on the follow-
ing committees : Revision, Taxation and Retrenchment,
and Affairs of Villages. In 1913 he was again elected to
the Assembly, polling 3,612 votes against his opponent's
3.537- He was again elected in 1 91 5, receiving 4,753
votes against 1,72s for his opponent. He was appointed
in that session a member of the following committees :
Electricity, Gas and Water Supply, Taxation and Re-
trenchment, and Revision. He is a member of Union
Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, and of Bemus Point
Lodge, No. 585, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Cheney married, in Falconer, N. Y., Jan. 28, 1892,
E. Maude Tracy, daughter of Oscar and Jemima (Lent)
Tracy. Mr. and Mrs. Cheney are the parents of three
children : M. Allene, born Feb. 2, 1893 ; Lucile M., born
May 22, 1896; and A. Morelle, Jr., born July 4, 1902.
FRANK W. BULLOCK— Among the class of citi-
zens who have helped to add to the development and im-
portance of Jamestown and Chautauqua county, none
have become more prominent by the force of their own
individual efforts than Frank W. Bullock. He was born
in Busti, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Feb. 2, 1874, a son
of DeForest and Nettie (Blackmar) Bullock. Mr. Bul-
lock. Sr., was a farmer and occupied the old homestead
of ninety acres at Busti, which was formerly owned by
Grandmother Marietta Shattuck, who came here in an
ox-cart and located on this farm, in April, 1819, more
than a century ago. Mr. BulIock"s grandfather, Alvin,
was a well known farmer and cattle buyer, and also dealt
in agricultural implements, mowing machines, reapers.
etc. This farm is now in the possession of Mr. Bul-
lock, the subject of this review, who has improved and
is making a fruit farm of it.
The early education of Frank W. Bullock was secured
in the schools at Busti and the Sugar Grove Seminary at
Sugar Grove, Pa. Later he took up a course in elec-
trical engineering with the International Correspondence
School, of Scranton, Pa. At the age of seventeen he
accepted a position with the electric light plant at Lake-
wood, and during this time he received practical experi-
ence in power plant operations and the repairs of genera-
tors and other electrical apparatus. He worked in all
branches of the trade and in this he received the practical
knowledge which served him so well in the years that
followed. He was with this company three years when,
Oct. II, 1894, he accepted a position with the Jamestown
Electric Lighting and Power Company. For four
months he did the inside wiring for the company and then
was promoted to operating engineer in the power house,
continuing thus until 1900, when he was made superin-
tendent, a position which he still holds, as well as being
the superintendent for the Western New York Electric
Company. He is a stockholder and director of both the
Jamestown Lighting and Power Company and the West-
em New York Electric Company.
Mr. Bullock takes great interest in his work, as he has
been much engaged in machinery and the science of elec-
tricity since his childhood. He is a member of the Ma-
sonic order, having attained the Knight Templar degree,
of which he is past commander, having filled the office of
commander in 1912. He is also a member of the Buffalo
Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He attends the
Methodist church, of which he is a member of the offi-
cial board. He belongs to the Board of Commerce of
Jamestown, and the National Electric Light Association
of New York City.
At Jamestown, April 7, 1900, Mr. Bullock was united
in marriage with Cassie, daughter of Alvero and Alice
(Foster) Mathews, of Jamestown. Mr. and Mrs. Bul-
lock are the parents of a son, Frederick, who is attend-
ing the public schools of Jamestown.
Mr. Bullock's thorough business qualifications, his
knowledge of electricity and motive power, as well as his
energy and strict integrity in business relations, have won
for him the warm personal regard he merits.
THE JAMESTOWN LIGHTING AND POWER
COMPANY— In 1886, the old Jamestown Electric
Light and Power Company was incorporated, and in 1902
the present company was incorporated, under the name of
the Jamestown Lighting and Power Company and the
former company was merged into the new one. The
purpose of the company was to supply electric light and
power to citizens, manufacturing plants, and other insti-
tutions in Jamestown, Ellicott and Celoron. The old
plant was situated at Nos. 9 to 11 Race street, on the
west side of Brooklyn Square of Jamestown, N. Y.
In 1909, Messrs. A. N. and S. B. Broadhead, bought
out the Jamestown Lighting and Power Company, and a
new sub-station was built during the years 1910 and 191 1
at No. 1 01 Washington street, and power was also ob-
tained from the Jamestown Street Railway Company. The
current is generated at the Jamestown Street Railway
Power Company's power plant, located at the boat land-
ing in Jamestown. This current from the power house
is delivered to the sub-station at No. 101 Washington
street and is transformed to the proper voltage for direct
and alternating current. The general offices of the com-
pany are situated at No. 316 North Main street. The
company is incorporated under the New York State laws
with the following officers : President, A. N. Broadhead ;
vice-president, S. B. Broadhead ; treasurer and secretary,
Eric Sundholm; superintendent, F. W. Bullock. In 1916,
this company purchased the Falconer Electric Light plant,
462
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
and current is now furnished to Falconer and town of
Poland.
In 1 91 1, the Western New York Electric Company,
which is relatively close to the Jamestown Lighting and
Power Company, was organized and incorporated with
the following officers : President, A. N. Broadhead ;
vice-president, S. B. Broadhead ; secretary, W. R. Rey-
nolds ; treasurer, Eric Sundholm ; superintendent, F. W.
Bullock. Power and light is now furnished by this com-
pany at Jamestown to both sides of Chautauqua Lake
which includes the towns of Lakewood, Bemus Point,
Busti, Harmony, Chautauqua, Ellery and Ellicott.
CLARENCE DAVID JACKWAY, although now
living at Huron, Ohio, is a native of Chautauqua county,
N. Y., and is part owner of a substantial fishery enter-
prise centering at Barcelona, Chautauqua county, which
business for the last decade or so has found steady em-
ployment for about thirty men.
He was born in Barcelona, N. Y., Sept. 7, 1875, the son
of John and Adeline (Fisher) Jackway. The Jackway
family is of British origin, both parents of Clarence D.
having been born in England, where his father followed
the precarious and perilous occupation of fishing. To
better his condition John Jackway came to America, and
settled at Barcelona, and upon Lake Erie followed his
original occupation, fisherman. He was the father of a
large family, Clarence D. being one of eleven children
born to his parents, and they were all young when his
father died. The elder boys had to work for a living,
and to provide sustenance for the mother and the younger
children as soon as that great calamity came to the
family.
Clarence D. Jackway was adopted by an uncle soon
after his father's death, the uncle becoming responsible
for the boy's wellbeing until he attained his majority. But
as Clarence D. grew into manhood, he was drawn into
the alluring and adventurous occupation followed by his
father, and although, until 1908, he did not confine him-
self to fishing, most of his years of labor since he
reached man's estate have been passed in undertakings
perilous and otherwise, profitable and otherwise, upon
Lake Erie. In 1908, he formed business partnership with
a man of his native place, and he and his partner, Her-
man Lart, then established the Barcelona Fish Company,
which soon became a flourishing business. It developed
steadily until at the present time the partners own and
keep in constant use during the season eight fishing
schooners and other boats, finding employment for thirty
men. Mr. Jackway undertakes the commercial phase of
the company's affairs, and his partner, Herman Lart,
supervises the operation of the boats. Both are sub-
stantial men of industry, who have succeeded by the
adoption of good and logical business methods, but
mainly by applying themselves industriously to that
business.
Mr. Jackway married, April 14, 1898, Arras Wilson, of
Fredonia, N. Y. They have three children : Floyd Wil-
liam, Ethel Irene, Ruth Margaret. The children are all
being educated in Huron, Ohio, which is now the home of
the family.
Clarence D. Jackway is a member of a Huron, Ohio,
lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows ; and
politically he is a Republican, but of independent mind.
He has fixed convictions upon certain national subjects,
and does not hesitate to follow those convictions even
though they might temporarily draw him from his gen-
eral allegiance to the Republican party. In general char-
acteristics, Mr. Jackway is a man of outspoken frank-
ness, but of pleasing disposition. His success in life is
noteworthy, especially when one considers the handicaps
of his early days.
ROBERT LIVINGSTON NEWTON— One of the
leading representatives of Irving, N. Y., is Robert Liv-
ingston Newton, who has been a resident of this com-
munity for nearly fifty years and to-day is the owner
of extensive farm lands which cover 250 acres.
Henry Newton, father of Robert Livingston Newton,
was a farmer and mill owner during his lifetime. He
married Harriett Lothridge, and they became the parents
of six children: Sarah, wife of George H. Potter;
Henry ; Frances, wife of Albert Avery, of Battle Creek.
Mich.; Melinda; Robert L., the subject of this review;
and Lora, all now deceased, except Robert L.
Robert Livingston Newton was born June 26, 1844, at
Irving, N. Y. After attending the district schools and
graduating from the academy at Fredonia, N. Y., he
learned the trade of miller with his father who ran the
Irving Mill. This mill was burned in 1858 and was re-
built and destroyed again by fire in 1861. After a year
his father bought the Laona Mill, and a little later Rob-
ert L. bought it from his father, selling it in 1869 and
buying a farm of 100 acres at Laona, where he built a
large brick house. This he sold in 1874, and then moved
to Irving, N. Y., where he bought a large grist and saw
mill which later was destroyed by flood. Mr. Newton has
resided in Irving, N. Y., since 1874, and to-day is the
owner of a farm consisting of 250 acres on which are
grown all kinds of vegetables together with fruits and
grapes. By means of this occupation Mr. Newton has
become very prosperous, and is a well known figure in the
community. Politically Mr. Newton is a Republican,
giving to public affairs the interest and attention de-
manded of every good citizen. He is a member of St.
Andrew's Episcopal Church. The best proof of his cap-
able management is furnished by the history of his busi-
ness career, but his countenance and personality seem to
make this record appear quite a matter of course.
Mr. Newton married, Dec. 19, 1866, Harriett Moore,
daughter of William and Flora (Rood) Moore, and they
are the parents of three children : Melinda, wife of
George P. Newton, of Cleveland, Ohio; Carrie, widow
of W. F. Nash; Katherine, wife of A. C. Barbeau, of
Silver Creek, and mother of two children, Katherine and
A. C, Jr.
Throughout his career Mr. Newton has been animated
by the spirit of progress, and he has furnished a true pic-
ture of the man who creates and adds to the wealth of
nations while advancing his own interests.
FRANK GUSTAVE NORDSTRUM— The domi-
nant characteristics in the life of Frank Gustave Nord-
strum have been ambition and determination to progress ;
progression, advancement, onward and upward being
/
Robert 3L. iReloton
BIOGRAPHICAL
46.3
words that unconsciously filled his thoughts from early
boyhood until years after he had attained his majority.
Born in Sweden, Sept. 17, 1861, Mr. Nordstrum was
thirteen years old when he came to America, coming to
join his father who was a worker in Antrim, Pa. The
elder Nordstrum had come to this country some time
before, sending for his family, a wife and ten children,
after he became located in his new environment. The
boy found ready employment in the coal mines in An-
trim during the working hours, and at night he studied
constantly to make up for the forced neglect of an early
education. This strenuous form of living was continued
until the lad reached the age of twenty -one, when he left
the mines and hired out to a farmer for the sum of ten
dollars a month and board, with the privilege of attend-
ing the local school. This only continued for six months,
when he went into the blacksmithing business, continuing
in that for several years, when he had an opportunity to
work for a railroad as foreman of a construction gang.
At the end of six months, Mr. Nordstrum went West,
settling in De Moines, Iowa, where for five years he was
salesman and later assistant manager of the store of F. L.
Harbeck, a furniture dealer of that city, continuing his
studies as before.
After leaving the employ of Mr. Harbeck, Mr. Nord-
strum returned East, going to Mansfield, Pa., where he
entered the State Normal School, remaining for one
term ; then he went to Buffalo, N. Y., and remained for
a year as salesman for D. E. Morgan & Son, dealers in
furniture and carpets. He then found an opening in the
Iroquois Hotel to act as timekeeper, having the oppor-
tunity of devoting his spare time to the study of the
jewelry trade, which he determined to settle upon as his
future method of earning a living. For a year he re-
mained at the Iroquois Hotel, then in 1891 went to Wal-
tham, Mass., where the Howard and Waltham watch
companies conduct their large factories for the manufac-
turing of watches. Here he paid Zalg Brothers fifty
dollars to allow him to learn more of the details of the
jeweln business, working there for a time and else-
where, wherever an opportunity in that line occurred. In
1896 he was in Oswego, N. Y., and rode from that city
on a bicycle to Jamestown, where he intended going into
business for himself. Taking a little store at No. 12
East Second street, Mr. Nordstrum entered upon the
career of which he had dreamed for years; he under-
stood every smallest detail of the work and he gave his
customers such satisfaction that in three years the busi-
ness grew to such a flourishing condition that it was
necessary to enlarge his facilities, so he moved to Main
street into larger quarters. This store soon proved too
small for his constantly growing trade, so he bought out
the jewelry business of Fred Fuller at No. 213 Main
street, enlarged the store to accommodate his large stock
ind furnishings, and entered upon the most successful
ra of his long and patient preparation. Mr. Nordstrum
las the largest jewelry store in Jamestown, and one of
Jie finest in the western part of New York State. His
idvancement is well deserved, for the best years of his
ife were spent in overcoming the paucity of advantages
n his youth and in fitting himself by constant application
tor his later occupation.
True to the inborn love of everything connected with
che country of his birth, Mr. Nordstrum finds his pleas-
ure in associating with others of his nationality, being a
member of the Norden Club, and of the Swedish Brother-
hood. He is also connected with the Order of Eagles,
and with the local lodge, No. 24X, Knights of Pythias.
He and his family are members of the Presbyterian
church.
In 1893 Frank Gustave Nordstrum married May Fran-
ces Bacon, a resident of Wellsboro, who died in April,
1916. Of this marriage two children were born: 1.
Frances Albertine, who married Raymond Bates Bush,
of Kennedy, N. Y., a chemist, at present connected with
the Nestle Food Company of New York City ; Mr. Bush
is a graduate of Cornell University. 2. Chester, now a
student in the medical school of the University of Buf-
falo. Mr. Nordstrum enjoys the respect and confidence
of his fellow-townsmen, and he is devoted to the inter-
ests of Jamestown and its inhabitants.
SAMUEL P. KIDDER— Upon the farm which he
now owns in the town of Kiantone, Chautauqua county,
N. Y., Samuel P. Kidder was born, April 18, 1868. Upon
the same farm, which was then included in the town of
Carroll, his father, Samuel (2) Kidder, was born Oct.
12, 1823, and in 1816 his grandfather, Ezbai Kidder, first
settled on the same farm, one hundred five years having
since elapsed, and during those years the farm has not
been out of the possession of the family. The farm was
originally 300 acres in extent, bought from the Holland
Land Company. The Kidders were originally from Dud-
ley, Mass., and there Samuel ( 1 ) Kidder was born.
Later he moved to the State of Vermont, where he en-
gaged in farming until his death in January, 1805. He
married Zilpah Bacon, and they were the parents of four
sons and three daughters. One of these sons, Ezbai Kid-
der, was the founder of the branch of the family of
which Samuel P. Kidder is representative.
Ezbai Kidder was born in Dudley, Mass., in 17S7, and
died at his farm in Kiantone, Chautauqua county, N. Y.,
in 1X70, a nonagenarian. In early childhood he was taken
by his parents to their new home in Wardsboro, Vt., and
there he spent the years until 1813, coming to Chautau-
qua county in that year. He did not remain, however,
but returned to Vermont, coming again to Chautauqua
county in 1816, and settling on the farm in Carroll, now
Kiantone, upon which his grandson, Samuel P. Kidder,
resides. He was a carpenter by trade, and in addition
to clearing, cultivating and improving his own acres he
did a great deal of carpenter work in Kiantone and Car-
roll, erecting many of the frame houses and barns in his
section. At the first town meeting held in Carroll, March
6, 1826, he was elected commissioner of highways. In
1838 he was supervisor of Carroll, and when Kiantone
was set off he was elected supervisor of that town at the
first election held Feb. 21, 1S54. He was a member of
the Congregational church at Jamestown, and in politics
a Whig, later a Republican. Ezbai Kidder married, in
1824, Louisa Sherman, who died Nov. 14, 1867, daugh-
ter of Noah and Laura (Hubbard) Sherman, her father
born in Wardsboro, Vt., her mother in Brimfield, Mass.
The children of Noah and Laura Sherman all came in
after years to the "Holland Purchase." Ezbai and Louisa
(Sherman) Kidder were the parents of a son Samuel, of
further mention, and three daughters.
464
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
Samuel (2) Kidder was born at the Kidder homestead,
then in the town of Carroll, Oct. 12, 1825, and died there,
Oct. 18, 1898. He was his father's helper from youth,
and in the winter months attended the district school.
Later he was a pupil at Jamestown Academy, and devoted
himself to additional reading and self-improvement, be-
coming a well-informed man. He was the owner of a
farm left to him by his father, which is well adapted to
general and dairy farming. He was also the owner of
considerable land in Jamestown. He was originally a
Whig in politics, but later became a Democrat. He
served the town of Kiantone three terms as assessor and
three terms as supervisor, 1886-87 and 1890. His father.
Ezbai Kidder, was the first supervisor of the town, and
his son, George C. Kidder, held the same office, 1910-17,
eight terms. Samuel Kidder was a member of the James-
town Congregational Church. He married, Oct. 17, 1854,
Elnora Partridge, daughter of Joel Partridge, of James-
town. Samuel and Elnora (Partridge) Kidder were the
parents of ten children: 1. Ida, married W. C. Parker.
2. Willard, a farmer of Kiantone, married Anna Miller.
3. J. Edward, died aged eighteen years. 4. Henry E.,
married Grace Sherrod, and removed to Knoxville, Tenn.
5. George C, a farmer of Kiantone, married Lillian Van
Duzee. 6. Dora. 7. Samuel P., of further mention. 8.
Mary L. 9. Fanny E. 10. Jay H.
Samuel P. Kidder, son of Samuel and Elnora (Par-
tridge) Kidder, was born at the homestead in Kiantone,
Chautauqua county, N. Y., April 18, 1868, and yet resides
upon the old farm. He was educated in the public
schools, finishing at Jamestown High School, and when
school days were over he became his father's farm as-
sistant. He later took the burden of management upon
his shoulders and now owns the old farm. He conducts
general farming in connection with dairy farming, and
is one of the prosperous and substantial men of his town.
He is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, and of the
Congregational church. In politics he is a Democrat.
Mr. Kidder married, in Bradford, Pa., Oct. 25, 1894,
Flora Wyman, born in the town of Carroll, Chautauqua
county, N. Y., Oct. 25, 1873, daughter of Frank and Kate
(Van Arsdale) Wyman. Mr. and Mrs. Kidder are the
parents of six children: 1. Ruth M., born March 22,
1896. 2. Ralph W., born Dec. 26, 1897. 3. M. Elnora,
born Jan. 9, 1900. 4. Samuel F., born Aug. 5, 1909. 5.
Elliot H., born April 29, 1913. 6. Eunice L., born Sept.
18, 1916.
JAMES E. HANSON— The old proverb tells us
that "a rolling stone gathers no moss ;" in many cases
this is true, but there are exceptions to every rule, and
one of these is James E. Hanson. Before settling himself
in business, Mr. Hanson was interested in many different
occupations, almost always in the line of electrical appli-
ances, in various parts of the country, in each case gain-
ing fresh experiences which in the aggregate made up
a complete knowledge of the business which he finally
made his life work, that of general electrical work.
While the Hanson family was really of English birth,
the parents of James E. Hanson came to this continent
in 1878, and lived for a time in Canada, eventually going
to Rhode Island. At the present time James Hanson,
father of James E. Hanson, is living in Youngstown,
Ohio. The son, James E. Hanson, was born in England,
March 15, 1875, and was three years old when he arrived
in Canada. While very young he attended the schools in
the town where the family lived, but later, when they
went to Rhode Island, the boy obtained employment in a
cotton mill and worked there for some time. In 1888,-
James Hanson, the father, went to live in Jamestown;
N. Y., and the son again attended school for a short'
period, this time at the Central Branch School of James-
town. This was followed by employment in the Broad-I
head Worsted Mills, he remaining there for a few
months, and then working at various odd employments
until finally he became much interested in electricity. Im
1892, when seventeen years old, young Hanson went toi
Saratoga Springs, N. Y., and entered the employ of the-
Union Electric Railway, going later to Troy with the
Gilbert Car Works. Following this he obtained a posi-
tion with the New York Central Railroad in the lighting
and power department, gaining considerable practical ex-
perience thereby. Later Mr. Hanson went to Washing-
ton, D. C, and while there was in the employ of the
Glen Echo Electric Railway Company for a short time.
When he returned to Jamestown, N. Y., in 1895, he was
employed by J. C. Stearns & Company, contractors of
Buffalo, who had the contract for building St. Luke's
Protestant Episcopal Church. When this was finished
the young man went to Falconer, N. Y., with the Amer-
ican Manufacturing Company in their shipping depart-
ment. This not being in his line of work, he only re-
mained there a short time, when he returned to electri-
cal work, this time with Sooliday & Miner, they having;
the contract to wire the city hall. After the conclusio:
of this job, he worked for his father who was superin
tendent of the municipal lighting plant, the son continu
ing in the commercial department for two years. Agai:
the desire for a change sent the young man to Chicago ti
enter the service of Richards & Meecham, electrical con-
tractors, where he gained still further experience in his
chosen pursuit.
It was in the latter part of 1897 that he returned to
Jamestown and formed a partnership with M. W.
Vaughan, as Hanson & Vaughan, on East Second street,!
in a short time taking Mr. Vaughan's brother into the
business, the name being changed to Hanson & Vaughan
Brothers. Near the end of the first year, Mr. Hanson
withdrew from the firm to do electrical work for the
Gokey Electric Light Plant on several buildings then in)
course of construction, among them being the Burnharm
Brothers' building, the Sherman House (since destroyed
by fire), the Jamestown Brewery, and the residence of
Samuel Briggs. After the completion of these contracts,
Mr. Hanson went into partnership with David Maloney,
the firm being Maloney & Hanson, this continuing for 1
three and a half years, then Mr. Maloney severed his con-
nection with the firm to enter the Home Telephone Com-
pany and Mr. Hanson continued the business alone for
two years. Then E. P. Barley joined with him, the part-
nership being known as the Hanson Electric Company
electrical contractors and suppliers for the wholesale anc
retail trade. This continued for a year. Then Mr. Han-
son carried on the business for several years, until 1913
when Edwin W. Shier became his partner, continuing for
three years, since which time Mr. Hanson has conducte<
the affairs of the Hanson Electric Company at No. 30
Main street. Mr. Hanson began at the very bottom o:
^.Jo,
oftC
OM,%n^cA^
BIOGRAPHICAL
465
his line of work, learning every detail in every form of
labor, and may now be considered a past master of elec-
trical construction. Mr. Hanson is much interested in
public affairs in Jamestown, being an active worker in
the Chamber of Commerce; he is a member of the local
lodge of Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and
of the beneficial order of Knights of Pythias. At one
time he was a member of the Fire Department of James-
town.
In Randolph, N. Y., Sept. 1, 1903, Mr. Hanson married
Anna B. Murray. They have three children : James E.,
now at school; Paul M., at school; William J. Mr.
Hanson is regarded among his associates as a "hustler"
in business, and as a man who thoroughly understands
the work he has in hand.
ALTON DELISLE JOBES, D. C— At the time
Dr. Jobes took his degree at the Universal Chiropractic
College, that institution was located in Davenport, Iowa,
but it now has become an incorporated body of the State
of Pennsylvania, and is located at No. 1940 Fifth avenue,
Pittsburgh. This school of drugless therapy attracted his
interest, and since 1915 he has been its successful advo-
cate in Fredonia, his present seat of practice. Mrs. Jobes
is also a practitioner of the drugless methods in associa-
tion with her husband.
Alton D. Jobes, son of William and Caroline (Ayling)
Jobes, was born near the village of North East, Erie
county, Pa., Aug. 14, 1859. His father was a farmer of
that section at the time of the birth of his son, but soon
after moved to Lottsville, Pa., where he lived until the
time of his death, which occurred in the summer of 1865.
Alton D. Jobes attended the public schools in Lotts-
ville, also the South Lancaster Academy, in South Lan-
caster, Mass. During his youth and manhood, he was
variously employed, farming, lumbering, etc., and later
on was engaged as a jeweler, doing watch, clock, and
jewelry repairing in Conneautville, Pa., but finally en-
tered the Universal Chiropractic College of Davenport,
Iowa, whence he was graduated Doctor of Chiropractic.
He located in Fredonia in 1915, and is there well estab-
lished in practice. He is a member of the Seventh Day
Adventist church, and in politics is a Prohibitionist.
Dr. Jobes married, Dec. 30, 18S5, Hattie V. Johnson,
of Fredonia. They are the parents of two children: 1.
Lottie Evelyn (Jobes) Kaelin, of Takoma Park, Wash-
ington, D. C. ; was educated in the schools of Michigan,
and Mount Vernon Academy, Mount Vernon. Ohio, also
a graduate of the Jamestown Business College. Mrs.
Kaelin and her husband hold lucrative positions in the
Review & Herald Publishing Company, at Takoma Park,
Washington, D. C. 2. Vernon LeRoy Jobes, who was
educated in the public schools of Pennsylvania, and Cedar
Lake Academy, Cedar Lake, Mich. ; married Mary
Knapp, of Corydon, Pa., and has two children : Theo-
dore, and Ariel ; he is an expert machinist in garage
work, and is located in East Randolph, N. Y.
JOHN W. WITHERS, who comes of a worthy
British family, and has for so many years lived in
Chautauqua county, N. Y., in the Kiantone township of
which he has a well-improved farm, is a citizen of high
moral character and commendable traits in general, and
Chau— 30
is highly regarded in that section of the county. He
was born Jan. 29, 1869, in England, the son of James and
Sarah (Watson) Withers, the former at one time a
miller, but later a farmer, having in his later life fol-
lowed his natural inclination for agricultural pursuits.
John W. Withers was educated in Appleby, England,
and with his parents came to this country in 1882. They
at first settled in Busti, but eventually John W. Withers
acquired a farm in Kiantone township, and there he has
lived for thirty years, during which time he has mani-
fested a comprehensive understanding of farming and a
marked interest in community affairs. He is a man of
upright character, and has definite and fixed convictions
upon many subjects, regarding which there has been
much elasticity of opinion among less conscientious men.
He has endeavored to live in strict accordance with his
reading of the Bible, and his general understanding of
right and wrong, good and bad. He is an ardent church-
man, a member of the local Presbyterian church ; in poli-
tics he is a resolute, outspoken Prohibitionist. Fra-
ternally he belongs to the Ancient Order of United
Workmen.
During the war, he was intensely interested in the
progress of national affairs, in fact, as a man of British
birth, he was interested in the struggle long before this
country entered into it, and he showed by his actions that
he was whole-heartedly patriotic. He subscribed as much
as he was able to the war funds, both to the loans and to
other funds which were for the purposes of the nation in
some phase of its war aims. As a loyal farmer, he
sought, to the limit of his ingenuity and energy, to co-
operate with the Department of Agriculture in a national
endeavor to bring into profitable bearing every acre of
agricultural land that was possible, and thus, by increas-
ing production and preventing waste, be able to send to
the impoverished allies of the nation foodstuffs that they
stood sorely in need of. The result of that national effort
by patriotic American farmers is of course well known
in the aggregate, and it has its proper place of honor in
the national historical records of the war period, and it is
generally well known to what an appreciable extent the
sending of foodstuffs by this country to Europe affected
the prospects of the combatants. But a proper recording
of the individual effort of every American farmer has
not been possible in the comprehensive national records,
and must be left to compilation of local history such as
this. Mr. Withers, as an earnest man of English birth,
probably felt the awfulness of the calamity which had
befallen his homeland long before this nation was drawn
into the struggle, and probably felt his own helplessness
even more keenly, so that when the opportunity did come
to aid in the good cause it must have been a relief to him,
and it is but proper that record should be made of his
share in the combined effort of nations, not only armies,
to hold back and finally defeat the domineering aims of a
cruel and unrighteous autocracy which sought to hold
sway over all the nations of the earth.
John W. Withers married, July 12, 1S04. Jennie B.
Osborn, the marriage ceremony taking place in Busti,
Chautauqua county, N. Y. Mrs. Jennie B. (Osborn)
Withers was born in Warren county, N. Y., and was a
daughter of George F. and Roxana (Stultz) Osborn, her
father being of English birth, and her mother of Dutch.
Her father was a veteran of the American Civil War,
466
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
and belonged to a regimental unit which was sent in 1864
to the Federal capital at Washington, D. C, to garrison
it at a critical period, and there he was honorably dis-
charged at the termination of hostilities. Mr. and Mrs.
Withers are the parents of one child, a daughter, Annie,
born Dec. 12, 1907.
PARK L. STARR is a prominent and well known
farmer of the town of Gerry, where he was born and has
spent most of his active life. He comes from the pioneer
stock of Western New York, known for its activity and
rugged energy. His father and mother were both born
in the town, and both were descendants of the earliest
settlers, when Gerry was known as Little Vermont, a
designation that honored the State from which many of
the early settlers came. Mr. Starr has taken an active
interest in the affairs of his town and county ever since
attaining his majority, and has successfully filled the
offices of assessor and of town and county supervisor,
being repeatedly elected to these positions by the votes
of his fellow-townsmen and women. His public service,
like his private service, has been performed for the good
of the community, in a painstaking way that has won for
him the confidence and respect of the people of his com-
munity.
Park L. Starr was born in the town of Gerry, May 7,
i8£6, the son of Henry and Mary T. (Fargo) Starr. He
spent his boyhood life upon the farm of his father, at-
tending the common schools of his neighborhood and
securing the foundations of an education which he has
built upon by practical observation, experience and a line
of reading that has kept him in touch with the affairs of
the day at home and abroad. His father, Henry Starr,
served the town of Gerry in the same capacity as the son
is now serving, in the office of supervisor, for many
years, and until the infirmities of age demanded rest and
retirement from public activities.
While engaged in business off the farm, the early train-
ing of Park L. Starr enabled him to take hold of the
farm and manage and develop it at the death of his
father, adding more modern equipment than the old time
farmers were accustomed to. During the recent war,
Park L. Starr did his full share with the farmers of the
State and Nation to meet the requirements placed upon
agriculture by the government at Washington, and in the
interests of the people of the entire World. He also re-
sponded to every - call for funds to prosecute the activities
of war, and he served as one of the great army of work-
ers behind the men in the trenches wherever opportunity
called and health and strength permitted. As a practical
farmer, Mr. Starr long ago became identified with the
work of the Patrons of Husbandry and is a member of
Gerry' Grange.
Mr. Starr was united in marriage at East Aurora, Erie
county. N. Y., June 10, 1890, to Lillie Rose Monchow,
who was born at Marilla, Erie county, N. Y., March 1,
1869, the daughter of Herman Augustus and Melissa
Phcebe (Stedman) Monchow. To Mr. and Mrs. Starr
has been born one son, Troy Scranton Starr, Sept. 10,
1904, at Marilla, Erie county, N. Y.; he is now a student
at Falconer High School.
Park L. Starr represents the type of farmer and busi-
ness man who is safe and sane in the transaction of his
own business and that of the public : the kind of citizen
that is at the foundation of honest Democratic govern-
ment, dependable in public service or the privacy of his
home. His public services have been recognized by his
continued election to public office. He is a Republican by
inheritance and by inclination, and at every State or Na-
tional election he has given the best service that he could
to the cause of the Republican party and its candidates.
FRANCIS E. HARRIS— Although his older broth-
ers, Oscar and Gilbert Harris, came earlier to Chautau-
qua county, N. Y., Francis E. Harris did not arrive
until 1852. He was a son of Jonathan and Lucy (Mil-
ler) Harris, and a grandson of John Harris, who served
as a private in the Revolutionary army when only a lad
of fourteen years. Jonathan and Lucy (Miller) Har-
ris were natives of Vermont, living in Halifax and Ben-
nington, that State, many years before coming to Chau-
tauqua county, N. Y. Jonathan Harris was a carpen-
ter and farmer in Vermont and later in New York.
They were the parents of seven children: I. Oscar, a
farmer in later years in Chautauqua county, N. Y.,
where he died. 2. Gilbert, a soldier of the Union
army, killed at the battle of the Wilderness. 3. Francis
E., of whom further. 4. Malinda, who is now (1921)
one hundred years old; lives at Ripley, N. Y., the
widow of Addison Burton. 5. Mandana, deceased, was
the wife of Lucius Correll, of Portland, N. Y. 6.
Maria, died in young life in Portland, N. Y. 7. Vic-
toria, deceased, was the wife of Joel Stratton, of Spar-
tensburg. Pa. Jonathan Harris married (second) Jane
Bruce, of Bennington, Vt., and they became the par-
ents of four children: Jennet, Reuben. Mary and Ed-
win. These four children were born in Vermont, and in
later life resided in various parts of this country and
Canada, where their death occurred.
Francis E. Harris was born in Marlboro, Vt., Nov.
29, 1830, died Aug. 12, 1890, at his home in Ellicott,
Chautauqua county, N. Y. He obtained few educa-
tional advantages in his youth, a fact he deplored all his
later life, as at the age of eleven he was hired out to
the farmers of his neighborhood by his father and they
seemed to have no interest in the motherless lad save to
get all the work possible out of him. Later he learned
the carpenter's trade, and so rapidly did he advance
that at the age of seventeen he was a contractor of
building and an employer of men of his trade many
years his senior. In 1852, he came to Chautauqua, still
single, but four years later married Lydia H. Crandall,
and settled down to the life of a farmer. He had broth-
ers and sisters living in Chautauqua county when he
came, and it was that fact which influenced his coming.
From 1852 until 1856, he was employed as a carpenter
and builder, but the life of an agriculturist claimed him
after his marriage, his farm being located in the town
of Ellicott. He was a man of splendid qualities, sound in
judgment, and sought by his neighbors for counsel and
advice. Honorable and upright, he was respected and
esteemed in life and deeply mourned in death.
Francis E. Harris married, in 1856, Lydia Helen
Crandall, born at Kinderhook-on-the-Hudson, Colum-
bia county, N. Y., but when four years of age was
brought to Chautauqua county, N. Y., by her parents,
BIOGRAPHICAL
467
Stephen and Christiana (Benjamin) Crandall. From
Albany the Crandalls, father, mother and nine chil-
dren, came West to Buffalo by boat on the Erie canal,
consuming about two weeks in the journey. Lydia H.
(Crandall) Harris was a true helpmeet, devoted to her
home and family, and from early life a member of the
Baptist church of Brocton, N. Y. She died Oct. 8, 1918,
in the village of Falconer. N. Y. Francis E. Harris
was a Universalist in his religious faith, and in poli-
tics a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Francis E. Harris
were the parents of six children: Cora, Ida, Rollin
Arthur, Gilbert D., (see forward); Jennie May,
died in early childhood ; and Flory Belle. Flory
Belle prepared at Jamestown High School, en-
tered Cornell University, then after graduation spent
a year in post-graduate study, specializing in Romance
languages: she has taught in New York and New Jer-
sey cities, also two years in California, and is now a
teacher of Spanish and French in New York City; she
is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolu-
tion, and of the Unitarian church.
Cora Harris, a graduate of Fredonia State Normal
School, taught several years, and is the author of a
volume of child stories entitled "Half a Hundred
Stories." She is a Daughter of the American Revolu-
tion, and a member of the Unitarian church.
Ida Harris married Andrew J. Petersen, in i8g2, and
died Aug. 15, 1919, leaving two children, Francis and
Ruth.
Rollin Arthur Harris, Ph. D., was born in Randolph,
N. Y., April 18, 1863. He received his early educa-
tion in the public schools and high school of James-
town, N. Y. In 1881, he entered Cornell University,
receiving the degree of Ph. B. in 1885. He remained at
Cornell, taking up graduate work in mathematics and
physics. In 1886-87, he was a fellow in mathematics,
and in 1888 he received the degree of Ph. D. From
1889 to 1890, he was a fellow in mathematics at Clark
University, Worcester, Mass., where he pursued special
studies in mathematics and lectured on mathematical
subjects.
Mr. Harris entered the Tidal Division of the United
States Coast and Geodetic Survey as computer in 1890,
through the United States Civil Service. After becom-
ing familiar with the work, he began the preparation
of a publication into which would be gathered the tidal
information scattered in various journals and memoirs
and in which the methods of tidal reduction and predic-
tion would be coordinated. Dr. Harris threw himself
into the work with enthusiasm. Because of his splen-
did training in mathematics and his ability, he was spe-
cially fitted for the work, and the result, as embodied
in the "Manual of Tides," which appeared in six parts
in various reports of the superintendent of the Coast
and Geodetic Survey, between the years 1884 and 1907,
has placed our country well at the front in that branch
of scientific enquiry. Taken as a whole the "Manual of
Tides" is a monumental work of some 1,200 quarto
pages of text and plate containing a large amount of
original contributions in a field cultivated by the most
brilliant mathematicians.
The "Manual of Tides" has received the recognition
it merited from scientists the world over, the eminent
French mathematician, Henri Poincare, in his "Meca-
nique Celeste," subjects the various tidal theories to
searching analysis and sums up by saying that "it ap-
pears probable that the final theory will have to borrow
from that of Harris a notable part of its essentia!
features." Dr. Harris published a number of articles in
"Science" and other scientific journals on mathematical
and tidal subjects. Mention should also be made of
"Arctic Tides," a monograph published by the Coast
and Geodetic Survey in 191 1, which is a classic of its
kind.
Personally, Dr. Harris was a man of modest bearing,
somewhat reticent, but possessed of a pleasing sense of
humor. He was an indefatigable worker with a high
conception of the obligations of the scientist. He was
a member of scientific societies, both local and national.
His loss will be felt by his friends and colleagues of
the Coast and Geodetic Survey, and by the many scien-
tific men, engineers and explorers in many parts of the
world, who brought their problems to him and received
the benefit of his wide knowledge in a peculiarly
abstruse branch of science. He died Jan. 20, 1918, of
heart disease, death coming suddenly. He married
Emily Doty, of Ellicott, Chautauqua county, N. Y.
Gilbert Dennison Harris was born at Jamestown, Oct.
2, 1864. He there graduated from high school, in 1882,
going thence to Cornell University, whence he was
graduated Ph. B., class of 1886. He was connected as
assistant with the Arkansas Geological Survey, 1887-88;
United States Geological Survey, 1889-92; Texas Geo-
logical Survey, 1892-93; and during 1894 was engaged
in geological research in England and Northern
France. He was assistant professor of paleontology and
stratigraphic geology at Cornell University in 1894-
1909; professor of the same since 1009; director of the
Louisiana State Geological Survey, 1899-1909; editor
and proprietor of bulletins of "American Paleontology,"
Vols. 1 to 6; editor and proprietor of "Palaeonto-
graphica Americana," Vol. 1; special geologist to the
Louisiana Sulphur Company, 1917: geologist to various
salt and oil companies, 1909; paleontologist to Pear-
son's Oil Company, of Trinidad, 1919; and is yet a
professor at Cornell. He has specially investigated for
economic purposes the oil, sulphur and salt fields, and
scientifically investigated the geology and paleontology
of the tertiary formations of the Southern States and
Central America. He is a member of de la Societie
Geologique de France since 1895; life fellow of the
Geological Society of America since 1899; member of
Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi. In politics he is a
Republican, and in his religious views liberal.
Mr. Harris married, Dec. 30, 1890, Clara Stoneman,
and they are the parents of: Rebecca, graduate of Cor-
nell, 1913, A. B., Phi Beta Kappa and other university
honors.
JEREMIAH J. SULLIVAN, M. D.— More than
thirty years of active practice have so firmly intrenched
Dr. Sullivan in the confidence and affection of his fel-
low-citizens of Dunkirk and of many far beyond the
limits of his home town that the appearance of his
name will be instantly greeted with admiring and cor-
dial recognition. Distinguished in his profession, Dr.
Sullivan is also highly esteemed as a citizen, ranking
among the foremost in his community.
Jeremiah J. Sullivan was born Dec. 1, 1862, in Byron,
Genesee county, N. Y., a son of Michael and Julia
468
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
(Cashman) Sullivan, the former a small farmer who
worked for the railway. Jeremiah J. Sullivan attended
the public schools of his birthplace, passing thence to
the high school of Akron, N. Y., and then entering the
medical department of the University of Buffalo. In
1887, he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine, hav-
ing served during his last year as interne in the Erie
County (N. Y.) Hospital. Immediately after gradua-
tion, Dr. Sullivan began practice in Dunkirk, where he
has ever since been continuously engaged in the general
work of his profession and in surgery. He is medical
examiner for the New York Life and Metropolitan Life
Insurance companies. Among the professional organi-
zations in which he is enrolled are the American Medi-
cal Association, the New York State Medical Associa-
tion, the Dunkirk-Fredonia Medical Association, and
the Chautauqua County Medical Society. At the time of
its fpundation and for a number of years after, he was
a member of the staff of Brooks Hospital. He has been
for thirty years house physician to St. Mary's and Holy
Cross colleges, both of Dunkirk. In public affairs, Dr.
Sullivan has never actively mingled, though always tak-
ing a helpful interest in all that he deems vital to the
welfare and progress of his home town. He belongs to
the Knights of Columbus, and is a member of St.
Mary's Roman Catholic Church.
Dr. Sullivan married, Sept. 6, 1892, Margaret Sheehe,
daughter of Timothy and Ann (Conway) Sheehe, of
Dunkirk, and they became the parents of one child,
Roma J., who died in infancy.
The professional record of Dr. Sullivan is incorpo-
rated with honor in the annals of medicine, and his
name is written on the grateful hearts of the many to
whom he has carried health and healing.
ADAM PERCY CHESSMAN, banker and promi-
nent man of affairs of Fredonia, N. Y., was born in
Pittsburgh, Pa., Sept. 4, 1867, a son of Harry and
Mary E. (Hersperger) Chessman. Harry Chessman
was born in Brighton, England, in 1842, and when eight
years old accompanied his parents to the United States,
they locating in Pittsburgh, Pa. He was connected with
the United States Pension Department practically all
the active years of his life. He was a Democrat in poli-
tics, an Episcopalian in religious belief, and a member
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which
organization he held local offices. His death occurred
in the year 1890.
Adam Percy Chessman attended the public schools of
his native city, and at the age of sixteen, having com-
pleted his studies, he accepted a position with the Penn-
sylvania Railroad, in the general car accountants divi-
sion, and remained so employed until 1891. He was
promoted to the position of assistant to the chief of this
division, but was compelled to retire on account of ill
health. In 1892, Mr. Chessman, in order to recuperate,
removed to Chautauqua county, N. Y., and shortly
afterward accepted a position with the Chautauqua
Lake Mills, where he was employed until 1895. His
next position was with the State Bank, Mayville, N. Y.,
and he served in the capacity of clerk until 1897, in
which year he organized the firm of Scofield, Cipperly
& Chessman, private bankers in Sinclairville, N. Y. In
1899, he organized the Sinclairville Canning Company,
and in 1902 consolidated with the Fredonia Preserving
Company and moved to Fredonia, N. Y. In 1906, he
organized the National Bank of Fredonia, filling the
offices of director and cashier from that time to 1920,
when he was elected president, which office he still
holds. Mr. Chessman is, without doubt, one of the fore-
most figures in the banking circles of Fredonia, and his
opinion is very often solicited on banking questions of
the most delicate nature. He is a man of keen business
foresight in all financial matters, and his personality is
a stimulant in all banking matters with which he is
identified. Mr. Chessman also takes a prominent part
in the political life of the region, being a staunch Demo-
crat in politics. He has served as president of the
Chamber of Commerce, treasurer of the village. He is
prominent in Masonic circles, having attained the
Knights Templar degree, and is a member of the Citi-
zens' Club of Fredonia. In religious belief he is a
Methodist, but with his wife attends the Episcopal
church.
Adam Percy Chessman married, at Mayville, N. Y.,
Sept. 11, 1895, M. Gertrude Bond, a native of Mayville,
a daughter of Orlando Bond, a highly respected citizen
of Mayville.
MOSES SMITH STEVENS— There is no charac-
teristic element of our national development of which
we have more just reason to be proud than the fact
that in this country advancement can be secured through '
capability, merit, and labor, unhampered by cast or
class, and that the majority of our strongest and best
citizens are self-made men. Such a one was Moses
Smith Stevens, who was a well known agriculturist of
Charlotte township.
The Stevens family are of New England descent, and
there were many pioneers bearing this name identified
with the earliest settlement of Maine, Massachusetts,
and Vermont, and their descendants are widely scat-
tered and have borne no inconsiderable part in the de-
velopment of this nation. John Stevens, of Newbury
and Andover, Mass., left three sons: Sergeant John
Stevens, of Vermont, born in 161 1, who left three sons;
Deacon Stevens, of Amesbury, Mass., who was a sav-
yer and husbandman, and a prominent citizen of the
town, and who left three sons; another, John Stevens,
of Amesbury, Mass., who left two sons. It is very prob-
able that the subject of this review is a descendant of
John Stevens, of Vermont.
David Stevens, father of Moses S. Stevens, was born
in Lee township, Essex county, Vt. Here he grew to '
manhood, incidentally learning the trade of masonry.
While still a young man he came to Chautauqua county
and located in Chautauqua township, where he again
followed his chosen occupation of masonry. Mr. Stevens
soon purchased a tract of land, about forty acres, which
he operated in his spare time. In 1880 he retired from
active life and spent his last days with his daughter,
Mrs. Burns, of Delaware county, N. Y. He died at
the age of eighty-five years, and is buried in the Wal-
ton Cemetery, in Delaware county, N. Y.
Mr. Stevens married (first) Polly Ward, of Mayville,
N. Y., and they were the parents of five children:
Moses Smith, of whom further; Loren, who died in
Sinclairville; Lyscomb, who died in Bradford, Pa.;
lf-Zjjffli'f\UCo
CclA^
BIOGRAPHICAL
469
Thirza, wlio married (first) John Wnodworth, (sec-
ond) Horatio Burns; James, who died in Chautauqua
township. Mr. Stevens married (second) Mary Hitch-
cock.
Moses Smith Stevens, son of David and Polly (Ward)
Stevens, was born in Chautauqua township, Sept.
22, 1828, and died Aug. 28, 1920. He received his early
education in the district schools of Chautauqua town-
ship, and after completing his course of study took up
the trade of masonry. He followed his trade, in partner-
ship with his father, for some time, making his home in
Sinclairville, but later moved to Charlotte Center, where
he went in business for himself. He lived here for some
years, and in i860 located on the Straight Farm, a tract
of forty-five acres of land, on section 24, in Charlotte
township, which he purchased.
When the Civil War was at its height, Mr. Stevens,
seeing that his nation needed his services, enlisted in the
Union army, Aug. 27, 1862, in Company F, 154th New
York Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Rice and Cap-
tain Donnelly. Mr. Stevens participated in several bat-
tles, among which was the battle of Chancellorsville,
where he received a wound in the right shoulder,
making him unfit for further active war service. They
sent him to a hospital in the South, where he remained
for about a year, and on July 4, 1865, at Trenton, N. J.,
Mr. Stevens was mustered out of the army with an
honorable discharge, and also honorable mention for
bravery under fire.
In politics Mr. Stevens was a Whig until the organi-
zation of the Democratic party, and after that was
always a staunch supporter of that party and its prin-
ciples. Fraternally Mr. Stevens was a member of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
On Dec. 10, 1 85 1, Mr. Stevens was united in mar-
riage with Mary Lavina Hoisington, who was born in
Arkwright township, Chautauqua county, N. Y., June
10, 1830, a daughter of the late Daniel and Mary Hois-
ington. Mrs. Stevens died May 5, 1904, and is buried
in the Arkwright Cemetery, at Arkwright, N. Y. To
this union were born six children: Gilbert; Milton E.,
whose biography follows, and the only living member
of the family; Ida, late wife of Lamont Bradford, of
Fredonia, N. Y. ; Addison Alonzo; Moses S., Jr.; and
Ella May.
There was much in the life of Mr. Stevens that com-
manded the highest commendation and awakened un-
qualified respect. In his business he manifested the
typical spirit of the East, putting forth every effort in
his power to accomplish what he had undertaken. In
matters of citizenship he was always loyal, and his fidel-
ity to the duties of home and friendship is unquestioned.
His integrity stands as an indisputable fact in his
career, and as one of the leading citizens of Charlotte
township who has passed on, he well deserves mention
in this work.
culturist, he has met with gratifying results in his
work, and ranks to-day among the substantial men of
his community.
Milton Emery Stevens was born April 19, 1855, at
Sinclairville, N. Y., a son of Moses Smith and Mary L.
(Hoisington) Stevens (q. v.). He received his early
education in the district school of Charlotte township,
and completed his studies with a course at the Fre-
donia Normal School. Immediately after finishing
school, he accepted a position as teacher in the dis-
trict schools in Charlotte township, continuing in this
occupation for nearly twenty years. Incidentally he
took up the masonry trade and continued in this for
many years. Many of the cement bridges and culverts
in and about Charlotte township were finished by Mr.
Stevens under the supervision of the late Charles A.
Willson, who was then road commissioner of Charlotte
township. However, when Mr. Stevens' father retired
in 1904, he took over the management of his father's
farm, and has continued in this occupation ever since.
Politically, Mr. Stevens is a staunch Republican, hav-
ing voted with that party since casting his first vote for
President in November, 1876. Mr. Stevens is a mem-
ber of the United Brethren church, and is prominent in
all his business as well as social affairs.
On Oct. 18, 1881, Mr. Stevens was united in marriage
with Nellie Hilton, who was born April 29, 1863,
in Charlotte township, a daughter of William and
Fidelia (Straight) Hilton. Mrs. Stevens died Dec. 5,
1915. To this union was born one child, Lula May,
born in Charlotte, and who is now married to George T.
Chase, a prominent agriculturist of Chautauqua county.
The following obituary was written by a dear friend
at the time of the passing away of Mrs. Stevens:
MRS. NELLIE (HILTON) STEVENS.
LIFELONG RESIDENT OP THE TOWN OF
CHARLOTTE.
This community was stricken with grief Sunday
evening when Mrs. Stevens died at her home here. All
that loving hands could do was done, but in vain. The
end came at six o'clock. Mrs. Stevens was the daugh-
ter of William and Fidelia Hilton, and was born in
Charlotte. She was fifty-two years of age and was
married to Milton E. Stevens, Oct. IS. 1881, and to them
one daughter was born. Her whole life was spent in
her home town, and the whole community feel that they
have lost a woman who can not be replaced in years to
come. Her willing hands were always ready to help
others in sickness and trouble. Besides the husband,
one daughter, three grandchildren and one brother,
Thomas Hilton, survive, also an aged father-in-law to
whom she gave most devoted care. Funeral Wednes-
day at the home, Rev. Esther Limberg officiating.
Burial at Charlotte Center Cemetery.
Mr. Stevens is a man of cordial, genial manner, and
unfailing courtesy, and, like his father, is most generous,
giving liberally to charities and to others less fortunate
than himself. Many a man in distress has found in him
a friend, and because of his many sterling character-
istics he has gained a host of warm friends who are
found in all parts of Chautauqua county.
MILTON EMERY STEVENS— One of the most
prosperous and successful farmers of Charlotte town-
ship is the gentleman whose name introduces this
sketch. He owns and operates a fine farm of about 130
acres on section 24, and is quite extensively engaged in
general farming. A man of good business and execu-
tive ability, as well as a practical and progressive agri-
EVERETT H. PEASE— Now (1921), road com-
missioner and town superintendent, Mr. Pease resides
in the village of Cherry Creek, Chautauqua county,
N. Y., but he has always been interested in agricul-
ture and owns a good farm in the town of Cherry Creek.
He is a son of Hiram G. and Sarah A. (Luce) Pease,
his father born in Erie county, N. Y., his mother of an
4/0
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
old and important family of the town of Charlotte,
Chautauqua county, N. Y.
Everett H. Pease was born in the town of Cherry
Creek, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Feb. ig, 1867. He
was educated in the public schools, finishing in Sin-
clairville High School. In addition to his farming oper-
ations, Mr. Pease has devoted considerable time to the
public service of his town and village, serving as trus-
tee, member of the Board of Education, town road com-
missioner, and in other offices. He is a member of the
Patrons of Husbandry, the Masonic order, the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Baptist church, and
in politics is a Republican.
Mr. Pease married, Dec. 26, 1888, at Cherry Creek,
Eva E. Walker, born Nov. 3, 1867, in the town of
Sanborn, Niagara county, N. Y., daughter of Ira N.
and Mary E. (Hill) Walker, her father born in the
town of Wilson, Niagara county, N. Y., her mother
born in Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Pease are the par-
ents of three children: 1. Rennie S., born Oct. 19, 1890,
married Merle Dye, and has a daughter, Meriam M..
born April 26, 1913. 2. Earl E., born May 21. 1892,
married Delphine Benson, and has a daughter, Helen,
born Nov. 9, 1917. 3. Marjorie, born March 19, 1907,
who is now attending high school. Mr. Pease has a
farm of 120 acres at Thornton, but makes his home in
the village of Cherry Creek, and here he has a tract of
eleven acres with attractive residence and grounds.
REV. MICHAEL FRANCIS HELMINIAK—
There is no figure better known or more beloved in
Dunkirk, Chautauqua county, N. Y., than that of the
Rev. Father Michael Francis Helminiak, pastor of the
Church of St. Hyacinth's at this place, and a man whose
influence has long been felt towards bettering the con-
dition of the members of the community here.
Father Helminiak was born at Buffalo, N. Y., Sept.
29, 1882. He began his education in the parochial
schools of that city. He then entered Canisius College,
Buffalo, where he took two years in the collegiate de-
partment. In the meantime the young man had felt
very strongly the call to the priesthood, and determin-
ing to enter upon that high ministry became a stu-
dent at St. Bernard's Seminary at Rochester, where he
carried on his theological studies in preparation for
his ordination. He was ordained to the priesthood at
Buffalo, in the year 1907, by Bishop Colton, of the
Diocese of Buffalo, and was at once appointed assistant
at the Church of The Assumption at Black Rock, N. Y.,
where he remained for two years. He was then ap-
pointed pastor of the Church of St. Stanislaus Kostka
at Rochester, where he remained a year. He was next
placed in charge of the Church of St. John Kantius at
Buffalo, and then of the Church of the Sacred Heart at
Medina, N. Y. From there Father Helminiak was sent
to Depew, N. Y., where he was made pastor of the
church of SS. Peter and Paul. On Feb. 12, 1916,
Father Helminiak was appointed to his present charge
of the Polish Church of St. Hyacinth's at Dunkirk,
since which time he has done much for the development
and improvement of the parish and has made himself
greatly respected and beloved, not only by his imme-
diate congregation, but by the community-at-large, as
a man of pious and earnest life, and one who takes the
deepest interest in the welfare of his flcxrx. At the pres-
ent time he has as assistants in his parochial duties the
Rev. Father John Melinski and Rev. M. Klukaczewski.
Father Helminiak is associated with a number of reli-
gious organizations here, and is now a member of the
Knights of Columbus, of the fourth degree, and has
served that organization as chaplain, besides being the
head of the societies for men and women in connec-
tion with the polish church here. One of the most im-
portant works of Father Helminiak in connection with
his activities of St. Hyacinth's parish is the develop-
ment of the fine parochial school which includes eight
grades and in which are carried on the most modern
and up-to-date methods of teaching in both the Eng-
lish and Polish languages.
HARRY SPURR, who was the efficient and ener-
getic superintendent of the Ferncliff Worsted Mills at
Falconer, N. Y., came to Jamestown in 1914, made
many friends in the city, and was well regarded by
business men with whom he came in contact.
He was born in Bradford, England, Dec. 11, 1871.
He attended the public schools of his native town from
the age of four until he had reached about twelve years,
at which time it was then legally permissible to go to
work in England. He divided his days between school
and work, attending school in the morning, and going
to the mill in the afternoon. When his academic
schooling ended, he was able to work full time and
eventually became an expert operator, of practical ex-
perience in all departments of worsted and spinning
mills. He received advancement to the responsibility of
overseer some years before he left England. He came to
America in 1905, landing in Boston, Mass., going to
Lawrence, Mass., where for a while he was connected
with the American Woolen Mills. Later, he was over-
seer in the George C. Moore mill at North Chelmsford,
Mass.. and there remained for eighteen months, after
which he held a like capacity in the Star Worsted Mills
at Fitchburg, Mass., eventually being promoted and
placed in charge of No. 2 Mill of the same place. As
assistant superintendent of the plant, he remained in
Fitchburg for eight years, and then spent three months
in Canada, as superintendent of the Guelph Worsted
Spinning Company's plant. In 1914, he came to James-
town, N. Y., as assistant superintendent of the Odsonia
Worsted Mills, owned by the Cleveland Worsted Mills
Company, of Cleveland, Ohio. In 1917, he was ap-
pointed superintendent of the Ferncliff Worsted Mills,
Falconer, N. Y., which plant is also owned by the same
Cleveland corporation, and there he remained until
his death, July 19, 1920.
Special reference is made in the following sketch
regarding the Ferncliff plant, but it may be stated here
that when Mr. Spurr was made superintendent, work
went forward and much success was made 
