USA > New York > Chautauqua County > Biographical and portrait cyclopedia of Chautauqua County, New York : with a historical sketch of the county > Part 46
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H ON. MILTON M. FENNER. We may look about us and often see a man who has gained prominence in business, politics, or upon his military record, but a man who has silvered locks and enjoys an extensive acquaint- ance with his fellow-men may turn his mind to meditation and scarce can count a quartette who have become eminent in all. Such however may be truthfully said of Hon. M. M. Fenner, who is the seventh child of a family of nine, born to Christopher C. and Lucinda (Fross) Fenner. He came into the world July 28, 1837, at the old homestead belonging to his father in South Stockton, New York. The ancestors on both sides were of English extraction-grandfather, Resolved W. Fenner, being a native of Rhode Island. He was a descendant of Rev. W. Fenner, a noted Puritan divine, from whom came Arthur, James, and James Jr., Fenner, all
of whom occupied the Gubernatorial chair in the State of Rhode Island between 1790 and 1845. Resolved W. Fenner went to Madison county, N. Y., in 1800, and there is a town in that county named in his honor. He came to Ellery, Chautauqua county, New York, in 1819 and remained there until he died in 1847. Rufus Fross was a native of Kinderhook, Columbia county, New York. From there he went to Litchfield, Herkimer county, New York, and married, and then came to the town of Chautauqua, this county, in 1810, locating on the farm where he resided until his death in 1846. He served in the war of 1812 and was present at the burning of Buffalo. Subject's father, Christopher C. Fenner, was born in Brookfield, Madison county, in 1801, and came to this county with Newell Putnam when six- teen years of age. Two years later the family came and took up a tract of land lying on Cassadaga creek. He united in marriage with Lucinda Fross, in 1826, and conducted his farm until his death in 1850. Of nine chil- dren born to Christopher C. Fenner, eight are yet living. Both he and his wife were hard- working and frugal in their habits and living, and possessed the highest sense of honor. No debt that they ever contracted remained un- settled and this motto, "pay everything you owe," was so firmly impressed on the minds of their children that the lesson was never forgot- ten. Hard work and privations caused the health of the father to fail before he reached that age when man should be his best, and this coupled with the large family of children and unfortunate financial ventures kept the family for many years on the verge of destitution.
M. M. Fenner inherited the seemingly untir- ing energy of his mother ; the ambition and strong integrity and strict honesty of both par- ents. He was but thirteen years of age when he lost his father, and was thrown upon his own resources. Being thius obliged to toil for a mere existence, he early acquired habits of in-
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M. M. Renner.
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dustry and economy, which have been potential factors in his life's success. For five years suc- ceeding his father's death he was either em- ployed working his mother's farm, or as a farm hand by the neighbors. The summer he was sixteen years old he worked four months for David Smith, of Stockton, and instead of losing any time, he made five extra days, working nights at " stents." From eighteen to twenty he worked the homestead in partnership with his brother, and acquired an interest in the per- sonal property. They cleared some "new ground," and followed dairying and stock-rais- ing. His early dreams were thinking of the time when he should have knowledge, and when prepared he entered Allegheny college, of Meadville, Pa., and attended its sessions, spend- ing the vacations at work to secure money for paying his way. Before he reached twenty-five he had taught seven terms of public and select schools in New York and Michigan, and found time to read and learn the preliminary course in the study of medicine. He then attended a Medical college at Cincinnati, Ohio, and ob- tained the degree of M.D. on May 22, 1860. Doctor Fenner first practiced in the city of Flint, Michigan, beginning immediately after he received his degree, but July 12, 1861, only a year after, his patriotism compelled him to give up his newly-established practice and en- list as a private in company A, 8th Michigan regiment, that was recruited by Col. William M. Fenton, ex-lieutenant-governor of that State. He was appointed hospital steward of the regi- ment and war correspondent for a couple of the leading State papers. Soon after getting into active service he was promoted to a second lieu- tenancy for valorous conduct, and was assigned to duty in Co. I, of the same regiment. They were under fire at the battle of Coosaw river, S. C., Jannary 1, 1862, and in April of the same year, the captain and first lieutenant, hav- ing resigned, he commanded his company dur- ing the siege that resulted in the fall of Fort
Pulaski. He commanded the outpost station at Spanish Wells, on Hilton Head Island, S. C., during the night attack and attempted burning of that place by the Confederates, March 12, 1863. In the latter part of May, 1862, he was appointed to service in the signal corps and as- signed to General Hunter's staff at Hilton Head. For meritorious conduct he was com- missioned first lieutenant, October 1, 1862. He was in the trenches at the fall of Fort Wagner, Charleston Harbor, in July, 1863. Col. Fen- ton said of him in a letter to Governor Blair of Michigan, dated May 14, 1863: " I take the liberty, although not now in service, of cordially recommending him (first lientenant M. M. Fen- ner) to further promotion. My connection with the 8th regiment and previous acquaintance with Dr. Fenner enable me to speak understandingly, and to say that in my opinion such an appoint- ment would prove advantageous to the service. His experience in the field as hospital steward of the 8th regiment, and subsequently as lieu- tenant in command of a company, and his effi- ciency in every position in which he has been placed, as well as his sterling moral virtue and irreproachable private character, entitle him to high consideration. He may be relied on as competent and worthy."
In April, 1863, he came north to Brooklyn, in response to an invitation extended by the Secretary of the Navy, passed an examination and received a commission as assistant surgeon, U. S. Navy, from Secretary Welles, in May, 1863, but owing to the active operations about Charleston, and the prospects of a fight, he de- cided to remain for a time in the army, which he did, until after the fall of Fort Wagner. Dr. Fenner was a member of Admiral Dahlgren's staff, and was on board the flagship in the naval night attack upon Fort Sumter. In the spring of 1864 he came north on a leave of absence, when, seeing a good opening at Jamestown, near his early home, he resigned his commission and be- gan to practice his profession, in which he was
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eminently successful. But when the speculation excitement in the oil regions broke out and was carrying everything before it, he, and many others from the vicinity of Jamestown, went down and spent the winter of 1864-65 in west- ern Pennsylvania. . Like many others he was unfortunate, and returned to Jamestown in the summer of 1865, with a light purse, but his heart was not heavy, and with renewed energy, he went to work to reclaim his scattered fortunes. The publication of "The Medical Progress " was one of his ventures, and large editions were distributed. In 1866 Dr. Fenner was ap- pointed city physician, and held that position until he departed from Jamestown.
On June 5, 1866, he married Georgiana Grandin, a daughter of Daniel H. Grandin, an extensive woolen manufacturer of Jamestown.
During the month of May he delivered the annual address to the Eclectic Medical society of the Thirty-second Senatorial District. Two years later, in the course of a similar address, given to the same society of the State of New York, he made this utterance, which was widely commented upon : "Liberality of principle, scope of thought and research, untiring energy and unswerving devotion are the requisites in the medical man to extended success in the treatment of all affections, both acute and chronic, simple and complex, ranging from an influenza to a grave typhoid, a simple ulcer to a scirrhous cancer, a bronchial cough to a grave consump- tion." In March, 1869, he disposed of his large practice at Jamestown, settled up his " oil re- gion losses," dollar for dollar, and in July of that year located at Fredonia, where he established his " People's Dispensary of Medicine and Sur- gery ;" resumed the publication of " The Medi- cal Progress " and soon secured a larger prac- tice than he had left. In 1870 the United States government appointed him examining surgeon, and in 1872 the Eclectic Medical so- ciety of the State of New York elected him its president. Dr. Fenner is a prominent lecturer
before medical societies, and a monographer of National reputation through his contributions to medical journals. He was one of the earliest promoters of the Dunkirk and Fredonia R. R., and has been its president, secretary, treasurer and manager.
Politically he is one of the most prominent men in western New York. He has always displayed an acute interest in the Republican party. His popularity is best shown by the fact that when first a candidate for office -- that of supervisor of the town of Pomfret, although the district for several years had given majori- ties for candidates of the opposite party-he was elected by a majority of one hundred and sixteen. The next year he was elected with a majority increased to two hundred and eighty- two, and at the following election, when run- ning for the Assembly, the Pomfret district swelled his majority to three hundred and ten, while the Assembly district made his total majority over his opponent two thousand five hundred and ninety-five, the largest ever given a candidate in that district. When the republicans again took control of the govern- ment, after Cleveland's administration, Hon. M. M. Fenner was appointed deputy collector of the port of New York, which position he is now filling with credit and honor. Although his duties in the office compel him to spend a great portion of his time in New York city, his fam- ily remain at their home in Fredonia, where his personal business interests are all located. Mr. Fenner is courteous, straightforward and cordial in his intercourse with men, and his affability makes him many warm friends. Industrious and painstaking in his business, he always dis- charges the most minute details of his work with the same care that characterizes his trans- actions of greater magnitude. The utmost sys- tem is observed in his office, and he has his large business so thoroughly under control that he seems to handle it with but slight effort. Among his business associates his word is as
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good as his bond, and his check will as readily pass current as the eash. Hon. M. M. Fenner is a bright example of the possibilities of an American youth who is possessed of sound sense and a determined and unconquerable will.
JACOB HARDENBURG. A resident of Westfield town, who is probably as well known and as well liked as any other non-pub- lic man in the county is Jacob Hardenburg, who is a large land owner, farmer, grape-grower and live stoek dealer. His parents, Valkart and Susan (Miller) Hardenburg, are of German parentage, and came from eastern New York, where the former was born in 1798. They lived until 1833 in various eastern and central counties, Jacob Hardenburg being born at Charleston, Montgomery county, New York, September 8, 1825. Valkart Hardenburg (father) eame to Chautauqua county, in 1833, and lived in several of the numerous towns. He finally located in Portland town, where he still resides, and is now ninety-three years old. For one of his years this elderly gentleman is remarkably well preserved. His form is straight as an arrow and his step is elastie and brisk. He owns a small farm in the town of Portland and does all his own chores. The first dairy ever kept in this county, away back in 1833, was run by Mr. Hardenburg, and was located three miles east of Mayville. He freighted the butter to Buffalo in a wagon, and there mar- keted it. About ten cows constituted his stock. He married Susan Miller on October 4, 1818. She was born on May 3, 1796, and died in 1870. They had six children, three sons and three daughters.
Jacob Hardenburg first saw Chautauqua county in 1833, being at that time about seven years of age. He was reared on his father's farm and early taught to hold the plow. His education was received in the common schools, and then he settled down to a farmer's lifc. His home is a tract of one hundred and twenty
acres, only one mile east of Westfield. Another farm of two hundred and ten acres in the same town, two miles south, 'belongs to him, which is also occupied and operated by him. Grape- growing is a profitable business in a good sea- son, and Mr. Hardenburg devotes considerable attention to it, and is also a large trader in live stock for breeding and shipping purposes. Ja- cob Hardenburg is an excellent manager; be- fore entering upon a plan he carefully calculates it in all its aspeets, and then, like Von Moltke, pushes it through with energy to a successful termination. Good judgment is second nature to him, and a plan once conceived seldom fails.
His wife was Annette Hassett, whom he married in 1851. She was a daughter of John Hassett, who lived in Stockton town. Mr. and Mrs. Hardenburg have four children, two sons and two daughters: Earl, Henry, Elva and Flora. The first is living at home; Henry is a resident of Brooklyn, New York, but is in business in New York city. Elva married Delbert Arnold, and lives at De Wittville, this county ; and Flora.
Jacob Hardenburg is a member of two fra- ternal organizations, A. O. U. W. and the Knights of Honor, and is identified with the Republican party. Socially he is a pleasant gentleman, and, in business, of strict integrity.
M ILTON J. MUNSON, a prosperous, pro- gressive and intelligent farmer of Port- land town, is a son of Samuel and Polly (Hulburt) Munson, and was born in the town where lie now lives on the 23d of May, 1828. The Munson family trace their aneestry to England, although indigenous to American soil for nearly two centuries. The paternal grandfather, Samuel Munson, Sr., was born in the State of Connecticut, July 9, 1762, and at least thirty years later went from there to New Hartford, a place near Utica, Oneida county, this State, where he stayed until after harvest, in 1818. In the winter of 1818-19 lie
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started to take his family and make a home farther west. Coming by way of Buffalo, a trip of at least three half fortnights, with the cumbersome vehicles then in use, they turned south west and traveled for one week more. The town of Portland's general appearance pleased the party, and it was decided to go no farther. Securing a tract of land he entered heartily upon the task of clearing it up, and in a few years was the possessor of a fine farm. Mr. Munson served in the American army during the war of 1812, and was a gallant soldier. He died Feb- ruary 27, 1841, aged seventy-nine years. Sam- uel Munson, Jr., came to this county with his father. He was born in Oneida county in 1803, and when fifteen years later his father came to this county he was of sufficient size to be of great assistance. Being among the early set- tlers they were obliged to battle many priva- tions and put up with much inconvenience. When Samnel Munson, Jr., reached manhood he took a tract of fifty acres from the Holland Land Company and made himself a farm. He was a stirring, energetic man, and a lover of fine horses, in handling which he took great delight.
In 1823 he married Polly (Shuff) Hul- burt, a widow, a native of Pompey, Onondaga county, New York. She was a woman of sterling character and Christian virtues. They had children : Hannah B., born January 31, 1826, died January 31, 1847; Harry S., a farmer of this town (sketch appears elsewhere); Milton J., and Alson N., living in Westfield town.
Milton J. Munson was reared on the farm and received his education in the common schools, after which he learned the carpenter's trade and followed it for fifteen years. In the spring of 1871 he moved on the farm lie now owns, where he has lived ever since without intermission. The place contains thirty-five acres and a fine house. Several acres are de- voted to grape culture. The location, only
two miles from Portland village, is central and convenient to shipment.
On February 11, 1849, Mr. Munson married Marian Hamlin, a lady of this town, who died January 12, 1873, leaving five children, one son and four daughters : Almy, married Frank Maginnis, who is a farmer in this town ; Ada, wife of E. H. Taylor, who is similarly employed and lives adjacent; Eva, lives in Brocton, where her husband, Dr. B. S. Swetland, is a practic- ing physician ; Edith, is the wife of Vale Lilly, a Portland farmer ; and Samuel. In 1879 Mr. Munson married, for his second wife, Julia Dodge, who died in 1882, leaving an infant son, Jay, now nine years of age. In January, 1885, he married Mrs. Sarah A. (Spencer) Hen- shaw, of North East, Pa.
In politics Mr. Munson is a republican, a courteous gentleman, a pleasant entertainer and a citizen in whom Portland may take pride.
J E. W. BISSELL, D.D.S., is a son of . Milton L. and Melissa (Rice) Bissell, and was born in the pleasant village of Owego, Tioga county, New York, January 23, 1867. The Bissells sprang direct from Puritan stock. The Cushmans and Bissells came over among the very first New England settlers. His grand- father, John W. Bissell, was a native of Green- field, Franklin county, Massachusetts. He was a hatter by trade, but branched out into other fields of business, and, with his superior and natural talent for accumulating money, he soon made a good fortune for those days. He then moved into Springfield, Mass., where he lived a life of ease and comfort until his death, at the age of eighty-four years, leaving a good for- tune for his children. He served a short time in the war of 1812. Milton L. Bissell was born in Massachusetts, and while a young man saw something of western life, but sub- sequently came to this county, where he has lived for about twenty-three years. He now resides on and cultivates a nice farm, and is
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a prosperous farmer. He was at one time engaged in business in Jamestown for about Fenton, was born in Connecticut, and became five years. Politically he is a republican, is a member of the Grange or Patrons of Hus- bandry, and has been Master and State del- egate of that organization. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., and is prominent in that order. He married Melissa Rice, an only daughter of J. A. Rice, in 1860, who was a native of this county. J. A. Rice (grand- father) still resides in the county, where he is an extensive farmer. His wife died in 1886. Mrs. M. L. Bissell is a member of the Pres- byterian church. They are the parents of two sons : John E. W. and Berne Burritt Bissell, the latter being fourteen years of age.
John E. W. Bissell was reared principally on the farm and received his earlier educa- tion in the common schools, supplementing it by a thorough course in the Jamestown pub- lic schools. After completing his course there he entered the well-known dental office of Rawson, Lenox & Swetland. Although there were changes in the firm, he worked there about one year and a half, then, going to Warren, Pa., as assistant for A. C. McAlpinc, and later entered the well-known dental in- stitution, the Philadelphia Dental college. While there Dr. Bissell was esteemed highly by the faculty as being an excellent student and a person of good habits, and one who excelled in good work. Graduating from that institution in 1890, he at once located in West- field, N. Y., and is building up an excellent practice, and is appreciated and esteemed by his fellow-townsmen.
M ARTIN L. FENTON, one of the leading lumber dealers of western New York and a member of the well-known lumber firm of M. L. Fenton & Co., of Jamestown, is a son of George W., Jr., and Mitta (Howard) Fenton, and was born in the town of Carroll, Chautauqua county, New York, February 1, Fenton.
1839. His paternal grandfather, George W.
one of the pioneer settlers of Chautauqua coun- ty. He came first to near Sheridan Centre, but subsequently removed to what is now the town of Carroll, where be purchased, in March, 1810, lot 52 from the Holland Land company. He followed lumbering for several years, running his rafts to Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and St. Louis. He married Elsie Owen, a daughter of Ira Owen, who was a celebrated marksman and served in the war of 1812, and whose father, John Owen, served in the French and Indian and Rey- olutionary wars, and died in 1843, aged one hun- dred and seven years. Mr. Fenton died March 3, 1860, and his widow, who was born July 8, 1790, passed away February 26, 1875. Their chil- dren were : Roswell O., George W., Jr., Wil- liam H. H., John F. and Hon. Reuben E. Fenton, ex-governor of New York and ex- United States Senator. The second son, George W., Jr. (father), was born in 1812 in Carroll, where he has always resided and been engaged in lumbering and farming. He is a Baptist and republican, and married Mitta, daughter of Luther Howard. They have six children liv- ing and one dead : Thomas, of Frewsburg ; Welthy, the wife of Prof. George Georgi, of Jamestown; Martin L .; Ann E., widow of John Frew ; Laura, wife of C. A. Haynes, of Plainfield, N. J .; Lucy M., who married Dr. Prittle, of Detroit, Michigan ; and Alice, now deceased.
Martin L. Fenton attended Fredonia acade- my, and entered Union college of Schenectady, N. Y. He also attended a Cincinnati college for two years and was graduated from a com- mercial college in Buffalo, N. Y. Leaving school he and C. L. Norton, in 1860, engaged in the general mercantile business at Frews- burg, which they continued until 1864, when Mr. Norton was elected county clerk, and the store was conducted two years longer by Mr. In 1866 he came to Jamestown,
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where he was engaged for four years with H. W. Tew in a hardware store. At the end of that time, in 1870, he organized a lumber- ing company under the firm name of M. L. Fenton & Co., and they cut and ship from eight to ten million feet of lumber per year. He also deals largely in real estate, and prob- ably owns more houses in Jamestown than any one else in that city.
On March 19, 1863, he united in marriage with Alice Tew, daughter of William Tew, a prominent citizen of Jamestown. They are the parents of two children : Harry W., born June 13, 1873, and now attending school at Concord, New Hampshire ; and Gertrude, born June 27, 1888.
Martin L. Fenton is one of the largest tax- payers in the city of Jamestown, which he has made his home for over twenty years. He is a republican in politics and a member of the Jamestown Independent Congregational church, which was organized (by Dr. Town- send) in June, 1886.
one hundred and twenty acres of land from the Holland Land Company, which, at that time, was a veritable wilderness, untonched as yet by the transformning hand of the settler. His time and energies were devoted to the clearing, fenc- ing and general preparation of his farm for plow and seed. He saw the alternation of harvest and seed time for a period of seventy-nine years, when, on February 4, 1854, he was quietly laid to rest. Politically he was a devotee of the Re- publican party; religiously a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
He was joined in marriage to Deborah Tall- man, which union resulted in a family of nine children, five boys and four girls, all of whom are deceased except the subject.
John Gifford passed his childhood amid the wild scenic mountains and lakes of his native connty-in which it is difficult indeed to find a single spot totally devoid of interest. In this. connty, rieh in martial memories to the old set- tler and full of historic interest to the young, our subject also received his early education, which in those days was chiefly confined to " readin', 'ritin' and 'rithmetic"-the three R's of the primitive school. Upon leaving school he took up the occupation of farming and is at present engaged in that business on the old homestead. He is numbered among the intelli- gent supporters of the Republican party, and deems it one of the first and highest privileges of American citizenship to intelligently exercise his right of suffrage. Mr Gifford is a good citizen, generous, public-spirited and liberal to a fault ; he is well posted upon current events, " issnes and problems and endeavors to live with an intelligent, modern conception of life.
J OHN GIFFORD, who is the subject of this sketch, is one of the leading farmers living in the vicinity of Lakewood, Chautauqua county, New York. He is a son of Jeremiah and De- borah (Tallman) Gifford, and was born in Wash- ington county, New York, December 25, 1806. Like most citizens of western New York, he traces back his lineage to New England ances- try. Here, in New England, while it was yet dominated by the iron rule of Puritanism, was born Bial Gifford, onr subject's paternal grand- father. He pnrsned the vocation of farming and later in life migrated to Washington county, New York, where he died. Mr. Tallman (ma- John Gifford was married to Catherine Cor- nell, a danghter of Joseph Cornell, of Washing- ton county, New York. The result of this union was two children : Jeremiah, who was first married to Henrietta Alexander, by whom he had three children-Leroy, Irving and John. ternal grandfather) was also a native of the east. Subject's father was born in the State of Massa- chusetts and emigrated to Washington county, New York, in the year 1825; from thence hc removed to Chautauqua county, where he set- tled in the town of Busti. Here he obtained | He was married the second time to Caroline
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