A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany county, New York, Part 47

Author: Minard, John Stearns, 1834-1920; Merrill, Georgia Drew
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Alfred, N.Y., W. A. Fergusson & co.
Number of Pages: 1102

USA > New York > Allegany County > A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany county, New York > Part 47

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A. E. Cowles, son of William P. and Roxsy (Bronson) Cowles was born in Wellsville, Jan. 6, 1852. He was a nurseryman and farmer until 1872, when he accompanied James B. Bray, now of Waverly, to Sherman, Chautauqua county, to aid in establishing the Sherman Record. From that time he has been a printer, working later on the Wellsville Times, Wellsville Reporter and Olean Times. Jan. 20, 1875, he became foreman of the Allegany County Democrat at Wellsville. From 1880 until 1882 he was proprietor of a job printing office, and then pur- chased one-half interest in the Democrat with which he has since been connected. The pub-

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lishing house was Nichols & Cowles until 1887, when, after the death of Mr. Nichols, Mr. Cowles became sole owner. He had, however, practically entire charge of both paper and office from 1884. The Democrat has a circulation of about 2,000, is the only paper promulgating Democratic doctrines published in the county, and, under Mr. Cowles' able management, has become a power in local politics and a successful business enterprise. As evidence of this, in April, 1893, when retrenchment was the order of the day, the Democrat was enlarged to a 9- column paper. Mr. Cowles as an editor possesses a rare power of discerning, selecting and presenting " news," is a vigorous and trenchant writer and " ventilates " frauds and pretenders in a brilliant and effective manner. He is connected with many society organizations, and in Freemasonry is an esteemed member of lodge, chapter and commandery. He married Mar. 13, 1877, Ida McKune, and has one child, Edith.

Prof. Lewis W. Craig, A. M., was born in Farmington, Me., in 1855. He was graduated from Wesleyan University, Conn., in 1879, and received a prize of $150 for the best Greek scholarship. He taught Greek and Latin at the New Hampshire Conference Seminary and Female College at Tilton, N. H., for several years. He was later at Parish, Oswego Co., and taught the academy one year. In September, 1893, he came to Wellsville, and took charge of the Wellsville Union School and Academy. In 1883 he married Lizzie E. Stevens, A. M.

Alson Crowner, son of Joseph Crowner, was born in Washington Co., April 22. 1816. He came to Wellsville when he was 16 years old, and in 1847, married Mary M., daughter of William Wright, of Scio, where they resided a year then moved to Wellsville, and in 1852 he purchased a farm on Dike's Creek. Here he resided until his death, August 6, 1887. None of his 4 children are living. His widow, with her grandson, Floyd A. Crowner, the only male representative of the family, resides on the farm. Walter B., father of Floyd, married Delia Phillips. He died Dec. 4, 1892.

Joseph Crowner came to Wellsville in 1832 and purchased a farm of 300 acres, which has since been owned by the family, from a Mr. Wing, and for a time he occupied a log house. His son John Duane Crowner was born in Hebron, N. Y., in 1826, and was but a lad when the family came here. He married Anna M. Sexton (daughter of Albert R., who came to Wells- ville about 1858 and settled in Elm Valley,) and has 2 children, Linnie B. (wife of Elmer E. Matthews, resides at Newburgh-on-Hudson,) and Robert C., who married Mary O'Connor, and with his mother resides on the ancestral acres of the old homestead. Mr. Crowner was a prosperous farmer. He purchased many horses for the army during the late war, and was also the inventor and the patentee of the Crowner "Improved " Stump Extractor. He died Dec. 6, 1894.

G. Eugene Farnum, son of Carleton L., was born Nov. 9, 1845, at Plymouth, Luzerne Co., Pa., removed to Wellsville in 1848 and resided here until 1862 when he removed to Pinckney, Liv. Co., Mich., with his parents, enlisted in Co. B 26th Mich. Inft'y, Jan. 4, 1864, was wounded at Spottsylvania C. H. Va., May 12, 1864, was taken to hospital and served until close of the war as dispensary clerk, after the war was drug clerk for E. B. Hall for a period of 5 years, has been a member of the firm of C. L. Farnum & Son, insurance agents, for 15 years, is now stamp clerk of the Allegany County Local Board of Underwriters, and town clerk of the town of Wellsville. He married Mrs. Mary A. Henyon, daughter of Harvey A. Richmond, Nov. 9, 1881. They have 2 children, Inez G. born Dec. 28, 1887, and Gaylord Richmond Farnum born Jan- 17, 1891.

Isaac W. Fassett, son of Philo, was born in Springfield, Pa., Feb. 1, 1815. In 1839 he married Cynthia P. Brown. He has been engaged in the lumber business for many years. In 1850 he came to Wellsville as superintendent of P. R. Brayton's lumber business, under a con- tract for 5 years at $1,000 per year. At the end of the time he purchased his employer's inter- ests and has continued the business since, and has purchased from one to three million feet of lumber per year. He owns about 1,000 acres. In 1870 he built the Fassett House which he conducted for a short time. He has been supervisor two years and has held other town offices.

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He has built more houses and blocks in Wellsville than any other man. He has been a Re- publican since the organization of the party. He ran for representative on the Whig ticket and received over 300 majority in his own town (a Democratic town), but being on the minority ticket he was defeated in the county. Of his 6 children 4 survive.

Patrick Fay, born in Ireland, in March, 1811, married Ann Kelley, emigrated to America about 1840, and worked on the Erie canal for a short time. They later resided in Friendship, and about 1844, Mr. Fay purchased a farm in Bolivar. He had a family of 10 children. He died Feb. 17, 1890, his wife, Dec. 20, 1883. John Fay, son of Patrick, was born in Bolivar, March 4, 1850. He was educated at the common schools of his native town. In 1880 Mr. Fay commenced producing oil, has 30 wells in Allegany oil field, and an interest in 12 wells in Corning, Ohio. In 1883 he married Hattie L., daughter of Lorenzo D. Strayer. His children are Cecil, Allen R., Edith I. and Howard D. In 1889 Mr. Fay removed to Wellsville. He is a member of Wellsville Lodge, No. 230, F. & A. M., has been master 3 years, and has taken the 32d degree in masonry.

George M. Fox, son of Samuel, was born at Fort Herkimer, April 16, 1843. In 1865 he came to Belvidere and has been continuously in the hotel business since. He kept the West- ern Hotel until 1877, then went to Duke Centre, Pa., where he remained 3 years ; he then kept Fox's Hotel at Buffalo for one year. Subsequently he was at Canaseraga for 6 years, and at Bolivar for a year. In 1893 he came to Wellsville and is now proprietor of the Fassett House. He married Esther A., daughter of Peter Dibble of Belvidere. Samuel Fox was born at Fort Herkimer, July 8, 1809. The grandfather of Samuel was born in Germany. George Fox, fa- ther of Samuel, was a farmer and born in this country. Samuel married Hannah Reese in 1829. For 34 years he owned several boats on the Erie canal, and was engaged in the foundry busi- ness. In 1865 he came to this county, purchased a farm, in 1867 bought a hotel at Belvidere which he conducted for many years. He has been a resident of Belvidere since. His surviving sons are Frederick J., born in Herkimer county, March 30, 1832, resides in Friendship, and George M.

Christopher H. Frederick was born in Brehlitz, Prussia, Germany, May 12, 1832. When 14 he was apprenticed to a tanner of Meuselovitz without pay. After learning his trade he trav- eled, and worked in Berlin, Stettin, Poland (Prussia), and down the Rhine and back through the Netherlands, finally reaching Merseburg, Prussia. from whence he emigrated to Ameriea in 1854. After a stormy passage of 65 days he landed in New York on Christmas day without friends or money. He started west, stopped in Dunkirk, then went to Toledo, Ohio. Not finding work he walked back to Hamburg, N. Y., and obtained work in a small sawmill and tannery. During the winter he froze his hands and feet and was in a Buffalo hospital 6 months. In 1855 he went to work in the Schollkopf tannery, and six months after went to Canada but soon returned to Buffalo and went to Lockport where he married Katherine, daughter of Wen- dall and Mary (Sannack) Vollett, Sept. 17, 1857. She was born in Furfeld, Hessen, Germany, March 28, 1837. Mr. Frederick came to Wellsville Dec. 27, 1858, and became foreman of the tannery of A. S. French. He put on the beam the first side of leather " beamed " in Wellsville. When A. R. Hill became proprietor of the combined tanneries, Mr. Frederick became foreman of the Genesee tannery for 5 years, when his health failed. In 1870 he engaged in merchandis- ing with John Fuhs as Frederick & Fuhs in the old Bannister block on Main street. When Mr. Fuhs retired Mr. Frederick continued the business. He has served as overseer of the poor, excise commissioner 9 years, and trustee of the German Lutheran Church. His children are George W., John, William, Charles (died Dec. 27, 1881), Jacob, Christopher, Peter, Kather- ine, Amelia, Louis and Carl. All except John and Christopher reside in Wellsville. Mrs. C. H. Frederick, a most estimable wife and mother, died June 24, 1895.

Mrs. Addie Frisbey is a daughter of Benjamin Jefferson, who was born in Johnstown, N. Y., came from Lansing, Tompkins Co. to Wellsville about 1854, engaged extensively in lumber- ing, and built a sawmill where he cut large quantities of lumber. Before coming here he kept

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the famous Lansing Hotel for years and was also an extensive farmer. He married Sophia Earle and had four children. He died in 1880, his wife in 1882. Their son Furman came to Wellsville when a lad with his parents. He enlisted in the 14th Penn. Cav. during the Civil War and was killed at Harper's Ferry in 1862. Howard L. Frisbey, son of Sidney, was born in Andover, N. Y., Nov. 24, 1835. He was a merchant of Wellsville for over 20 years and died May 29, 1885. He married Addie, daughter of Benjamin Jefferson, Sept. 22, 1863, Their son, Fredell B., born Sept. 24, 1871, married Harriet Curry and, like his mother, resides in Wells- ville.

E. Mack Fulmer, Jr., son of Ellery, was born in Independence, Nov. 28, 1868. He was educated at the common schools. In 1889 he was clerk in a store at Andover, subsequently he was the head weigher for a coal company in Tennesee for 2 years. In 1894 in company with N. C. Burlingame he established the Wellsville Laundry, and in March, 1895, became sole pro- prietor. His great-grandfather, Joseph Fulmer, came to Independence in 1819, purchased a large tract of land, made the first clearing in that part of the town, and built a sawmill on Hem- lock Creek. He had 7 children. His son William, 20 years old when they came, married Zeruviah Parker. They had 5 children. William Fulmer was postmaster about 12 years. He used to take a bag of grain on his back and carry it to Angelica to mill, and with it would often carry a deerskin and trade it for groceries. He paid for his farm with the products of his dairy, selling butter for 12 cts. per pound and cheese for 6 cts. per pound in Bath. Ellery, son of William, born Jan. 21, 1846, married Kate A. Smith of Newfield, N. Y. They had 4 sons and one daughter. He was postmaster of Fulmer Valley 4 years.

Thomas Francis Fisher, son of John P. and Matilda (Jackson) Fisher, is of English birth and parentage. His boyhood and school days were passed in Rochester, N. Y. He came to Allegany county in January, 1861, and for 5 years was employed at the Genesee Flouring Mills in Wellsville. In March, 1866, he formed a co-partnership with H. G. White and purchased the dry goods and grocery business of Hiram L. Jones, continuing until 1877 when Mr. White sold is interest to T. F. Fisher who sold it to his brother Chas. H. Fisher. They continued the business as " Fisher Brothers " until 1883 when T. F. Fisher became sole proprietor. In Jan- uary, 1885, Ira E. Jones became his partner and as T. F. Fisher & Co. This firm has continued and is one of the leading mercantile houses of Wellsville. In 1868 Mr. Fisher married Eliza- beth S., daughter of Elijah and Susan Stowell, and has one son, William Edgar Fisher. In 1880 he erected a very pleasant and commodious residence on Main street (West). For 35 years Mr. Fisher has been a resident of this county and, progressive yet safely conservative, has always taken an active working interest in its affairs, religious, social and political. For 30 years he has been intimately connected with the commercial advancement of the town, has been a factor in educational matters as a trustee of the Academy and High school, also of the Library Association. He is a member of Wellsville Lodge F. & A. M. No. 230, Wellsville Chapter, R. A. M. No. 143, and St. John's Commandery K. T.

Charles H. Fisher, son of John P. and Matilda (Jackson) Fisher, was born Nov. 29, 1843, in Budley Saltern, Devonshire, Eng. In 1863 he came to Wellsville from Rochester, N. Y .. and was employed as a clerk for "Hoyt & Lewis" in their dry goods and grocery store for 10 years. After that he went into merchandising for himself and ranks as one of the foremost business men of the town. He married Sarah F., daughter of Dwight and Mary (Dunham) Goodrich and their children are Walter G. Clark, Julius H. Fisher, and Madge E. Fisher. Mr. Fisher is a Congregationalist in his religious affiliations.

Dwight Goodrich, born in Hartford, Conn., May 25, 1813, came to Wellsville in 1834 and engaged in the lumber business with Norman Perry. In 1841 he married Mary, daughter of James and Huldah Dunham. They had 5 children : Sarah F. (Mrs. C. H. Fisher), Mary A. (Mrs. Texas Angell, of Hailey, Idaho), Charles P., of Elmira, Edwin D., of Eaton Rapids, Mich., and Jessie A. (Mrs. W. J. Glenn, of Cuba). Mr. Goodrich died in 1883, his wife died in 1895. Mr. Goodrich was engaged in merchandising for some years, and was town clerk for

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several years. He was a member of the M. E. Church and was the first superintendent of the first Sunday school held in Wellsville.

Edwin Bradford Hall, son of Eben Hoyt Hall, was born in Fairfield, Conn. His mother was a descendant of William Bradford of Plymouth colony ; his father a descendant of Doctor David Hall who came in 1640. He is related to the Booths of Bridgeport and Stratford, and the Hoyts of Danbury ; attended public and private schools in Bridgeport and was clerk in his father's store until the fall of 1851, when he formed a partnership with Clark Bradford of Tyrone, N. Y., and in the spring of 1852 Bradford & Hall came to Wellsville with a stock of drugs, medicines and general merchandise. In about a year Hall purchased Bradford's interest in the business and bought the ground upon which his present store stands. In 1856 he built his store in " Union Block " and moved into it. He married Miss Antoinette, daughter of Hon. E. J. Farnum ; they have one daughter Mrs. J. M. Carpenter. In 1867 his store was burned and was rebuilt the next year. Of all the merchants in Wellsville forty years ago Mr. Hall is the only one still in business. For a number of years he has been collecting fossil retic- ulate sponges from the Chemung Group in this vicinity, until he now has the largest collection in the state. A new species discovered by him is the Dictyophyton Halli, in his honor the name is given. His best specimens are in Albany at the present time from which engravings are being made for Doctor James Hall's forthcoming work on Dictyospongide of the Devonian and Carboniferous Formations.

Julius Hoyt was born in 1827 in Greene, Chenango Co. After " clerking " several years he came to Wellsville in 1851 and engaged in general merchandising until March, 1893. He married Martha Hoyt of Chenango Co. Their surviving children are Herbert W., William J., Carroll L. (dec.) Mr. Hoyt has been a deacon of the Congregational church since 1858. Mrs. Hoyt died March 6, 1888. Herbert W. Hoyt was graduated from Rochester University in 1889, and, in 1892, graduated from the Homeopathic Medical College of Boston and is now a physician of Rochester. Carroll L. Hoyt was graduated from Cornell University in 1892 as a mechanical engineer and went to Scranton, Pa. He died in January, 1895, at Rochester, N. Y. William J. Hoyt resides in Wellsville. He married Reta Butler and has 3 children, Herbert, Marion and Carroll.

Seymour Johnson, whose daughter Mary married James Macken, was for years a prominent citizen. Mrs. Macken gives us this concerning her people : " My father and mother were mar- ried in 1845 at the home of my grandfather John M. Brown, one of the pioneers of Chemung Co., and the owner of large parcels of land upon which the city of Elmira now stands. They began housekeeping in a house that stood upon the corner of Church and Main streets in that city, now occupied by Trinity church. In 1850 they removed to Wellsville, my grandfather having some years previously purchased large tracts of land in Allegany and Potter counties. Previous to this my father had attained considerable celebrity as a lawyer and stump speaker in Elmira. Ill health however sent him into the wilds of Allegany where he entered into the lumbering business with his father, Nathanael Johnson, and uncle, Henry Johnson of Afton, Chenango Co. My grandfather retired after a few years, but at the time of the death of my father he was still interested in certain business concerns with the late Henry Johnston. My impression is that the old plank road to the Eleven Mile was owned by a stock company of whom my father (Seymour Johnson) was the largest owner and the promoter. He had a great many teams drawing thousands of feet of lumber over it daily. Although he never lost his interest in public affairs or politics, he withdrew as much as possible from participation in them, his immense business interests requiring his constant attention, yet he was elected supervisor as often as it was possible to get his consent to act. He died at the early age of 49, leaving a fortune in embryo that would undoubtedly have made him the richest man in Allegany county." Mrs. Amanda Brown Johnson died in Hornellsville Nov. 15, 1893.

David S. Jones, son of Lewis, was born Oct. 16, 1831, in Chautauqua, N. Y. His grand- father, Israel Jones, was a native of Coleraine, Mass., and died in 1808. Lewis, son of Israel,

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was born Feb. 12, 1800, and in '18 located in Alfred, where he was a cabinetmaker, studied medicine and had some medical practice. In December, '28, he removed to Hartfield, Chau. Co., and practiced law 10 years, then removed to McLean and was in practice there 10 years. In '50 he came to Wellsville, engaged in lumbering, and Sept. 18, '55, his buildings were burned. He was a deputy sheriff for over 20 years, holding the office until his death Jan. 28, '76. July 25, '25, he married Lucy Stillman, who died May 20, '82. Two of their 5 chil- dren are living. David S. Jones came to Wellsville with his father, April 28, '50, and was 19 years of age, and has been a farmer, a merchant and a manufacturer of lumber. In '78 he established his present business that of undertaker. He married Jane P. Warfield Dec. 29, '53, at Groton, N. Y. They have 6 children.

Henry Ketchum, a native of Yonkers, when a young man came to Wellsville and married Anna E., daughter of Thomas Elwell. They removed to Corning when Mr. Ketchum died in '81. Mrs. Ketchum died Dec. 11, '93. They had one son, Earle E., who was born Feb. 18, '69, came to Wellsville in '89, and is engaged in business as a mileage broker and dealer in transportation.

Joseph B. Macken came to Wellsville from West Bloomfield, Ontario county, in '52, and died here Oct. 15, '81. His wife died March 27, '89. Mr. Macken manufactured wagons and carriages, giving employment to a number of skilled workmen, and was a prominent and much respected citizen. Of his large family of boys James, Dr. Merritt, Chauncey B., and Frank reside in Wellsville. James Macken, born in West Bloomfield, Jan. 6, '43, enlisted in May, '61, in Co. C, Ist. L. I. Inf. Vols., a regiment raised by Henry Ward Beecher, and of this organization Co. C was the foundation. Mr. Macken served until his term of enlistment expired and then re-enlisted at Brandy Station, Va., in Co. C, 65th N. Y. Vols., serving until the close of the war and being honorably discharged by order of the War Department. He served in all but one of the engagements in which the Army of the Potomac participated, and was promoted from private to orderly sergeant. He married Mary, daughter of Seymour and Amanda (Brown) Johnson, resides in Wellsville, and is an extensive oil operator.

Col. Stephen Moore was born at New Brunswick, N. Y., Feb. 12, '21. His father, Stephen Moore, was captain of a militia company. Colonel Moore married Ellen Smith, and had 7 children. He conducted merchandising, and at the first call for volunteers for the northern army he raised a company for the 3d regiment, and was made captain. They enlisted for 3 months, and at the expiration of that time he came home, organized a regiment and was com- missioned lieut. colonel of the 11th Regt. N. J. Vols. Col. Moore had charge of the rebel prisoners at Elmira. He remained at the head of the regiment until the war closed, and then had charge of the Freedmen's Bureau at Newbern, N. C. Colonel Moore was later in the hotel business. He located in Wellsville in '76, was proprietor of the Fassett House for 4 years, the Moore House 2 years, and the Commercial House for 3 years. He died Aug. 29, 1891. His widow resides in town; her sons are Thaddeus C. and Stephen.

Albert D. Morrow, son of William and Emily (Mays) Morrow, was born at Freedom, Venango Co., Pa., in '58. In '75 he was employed by the Pipe Line Co. to inspect oil at Parker's Landing. In '82 he came to the oil field of Allegany county as foreman of District No. 13 at Wellsville. He is now residing in Andover. He married Minnie, daughter of David and Phebe (Millard) June. They have 3 children, Emily E., William D. and Lydia L.

Joseph S. Norton, son of Francis, was born April 6, 1837, at Belmont. His father, Francis, son of John, born in Sandy Hill in Washington Co. in 1802, married Harriet Scott, and, in '31, moved to Belmont, where he was a lumberman and a leading business man who enjoyed the esteem of all. He held most of the town offices, was town superintendent of schools and super- visor many years, was an active Presbyterian and helped to build the first church of that faith in Belmont. He married Harriet Scott in Sandy Hill. They had 9 children. He died Aug. I, '61, his wife in '68. November 9, 1869, Joseph S. Norton opened a drug store in Belmont, which he conducted 22 years. He then passed 17 years in traveling and selling school books,

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coming to Wellsville in '81 ; since '90 he has been in insurance and brokerage business. He was president of Belmont 5 years, deputy collector of U. S. internal revenue in '66-7, and for several years was chairman of the Republican county committee. He has been twice married ; first to Mary W. Cleves, second to Clytie M. Brown.

George R. Nobles, son of Darius and Cornelia (Leonard) Nobles, was born Oct. 14, 1849, in Tioga Co., Pa. His grandfather, Asahel Nobles, emigrated to Tioga Co., Pa., from Wales, engaged in farming on the same farm now owned by his son Darius, who still resides there. He was a soldier of 1812 and was at the battle of Fort Erie. In '72 George R. came to Wells- ville, entered the hardware store of Anderson, Otis & Co., remained 3 years as clerk, then traveled 3 years for Pratt & Co., of Elmira. In '75 he was employed by L. C. Hakes in the store, then went into the hardware business under firm-name of June, Nobles & Co., for about 3 years, when on account of failing health he retired from the firm. He was on the police force for 2 years and has been deputy sheriff since 1887. Mr. Nobles is known as a " criminal officer," and of the 1,000 and more persons he has arrested, not one escaped. Since '91 he has been deputy U. S. marshal. He is a Republican and has taken an active part in politics. He is a Freemason, an Odd Fellow, and a member of the K. O. T. M. He married, June 29, 1875 Julia Brown, and has twin daughters, Carrie and Clara.

Frederick S. Osborn, son of Sheldon, was born in Owego, N. Y., April 27, 1832. He mar- ried Maria Leonard and had one son Wesley. Mr. Osborn is a farmer, a merchant and deals in hay and agricultural implements. He has been postmaster at Elm Valley since the post- office was established in '86. His mother, Huldah (Wooding) Osborn came to Andover and settled at what was then "Shoemaker's Corners," now Elm Valley, and was the landlady of the hotel there for several years. Loring Leonard settled at Elm Valley, March 4, 1837. He mar- ried Eunice Evans. Of their family of 5 sons and 6 daughters 3 are now living. Mr. Leonard died April 25, 1876, his wife Oct. 6, 1877.

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A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany county, New York, Part 47

Author: Minard, John Stearns, 1834-1920; Merrill, Georgia Drew Publication date: 1896 Publisher: Alfred, N.Y., W. A. Fergusson & co. Number of Pages: 1102

Author: Minard, John Stearns, 1834-1920; Merrill, Georgia Drew
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Alfred, N.Y., W. A. Fergusson & co.
Number of Pages: 1102