USA > New York > Chautauqua County > Biographical and portrait cyclopedia of Chautauqua County, New York : with a historical sketch of the county > Part 69
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92
Albert A. James was reared in the State of Connecticut, where he also attended the common schools. He spent his youth as a farmer boy and later was apprenticed to a cabinet maker, which business he worked at a few years and then returned to farming, which for the last forty-two years, has been his exclusive occupa- tion. He owns a farm of eighty-three acres, votes the Democratie ticket and devotes con- siderable time and energy to the interests of politics. At the time of the civil war he was proselyted from the whig party. At the age of twenty-four years he was captain of a compauy of militia in New York State.
On January 21, 1836, he was united in marriage to Betsey Near, by whom he had five children : Marilla, wife of Victor M. Dewey, a postal clerk of Kansas City, Missouri ; Almeda, wife of Jacob Daly, a farmer living near Carthage, Cattaraugus county, New York ; Hannah, living with her sister; Harriet, wife of Harry Brownell, a farmer of the town of Hanover ; and Susan, wife of Frank Irish, a gardener of the town of Hanover, Chantauqua county. Upon the death of his first wife, he was united in marriage to Naney Mizen, widow of Henry Mizen, who bore him one child, Frank, now deceased.
C ARLETON M. JONES is a son of Milton and Eliza (Jackson) Jones and was born in Broeton, Chautauqua county, March 19, 1840.
His grandfather, John Jones, was a native of Unadilla in cast central New York, entered the war of 1812 and was killed at the battle of Black Rock. His marriage resulted in the birth of three sons aud two daughters, one of whom, Elizabetli, married Mr. Howell, the first postmaster at Brocton. Mr. Howell was a colonel in the late civil war, a prominent mem-
566
BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
ber of the Knights Templar, and died in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Grandfather Joshua Jackson was one of the oldest settlers of the town of Portland, Chautauqua county, and owned a large tract of land, upon which now stands the greater part of Brocton. He was a general business man and operated a tannery for a number of years. In politics his creed was decidedly democratic, there being a period in the history of the town of Portland when he and his two sons constituted the entire demo- cratic party of that town. He was a great ad- mirer of Gen. Jackson. His wife was a Miss Sherman, the daughter of a prominent and wealthy family of Chicago. Milton Jones (father) was born in Unadilla, Otsego county, New York, and removed to Chautauqua county, about 1830 to Salem Cross Roads. He was a wagon-maker and general mechanic by occupation and died in Ripley, New York, (where he removed in 1859) in the year 1864. His political bent was democratic, and relig- iously he was a member of the Baptist church. He married Miss Eliza Jackson, died in 1877, who bore him four children, two of whom died young. Antoinette, the other sister of the subject, but who is now dead, was the wife of R. P. Russell, an oil operator of Bradford, Pennsylvania.
Carleton M. Jones was educated in the com- mon and high schools and commenced life as a farmer, so continuing until 1885, when he en- gaged in the business of handling agricultural implements, wagons and general machinery. This business claims his attention to-day, in which, through energy and close application, he has quite an extensive trade. He also owns a farm of seventy-six acres, fifteen of which are under grape culture. Politically lie is a dem- ocrat.
Carleton M. Jones was united in marriage to Mrs. Maggie. Connelly (née Reckinbrode.)
L AFAYETTE JENKS is a son of Obadiah and Melinthia (Mason) Jenks and was born in Essex county, New York, December 30, 1818. The Jenks have lived in the New England States for at least two centuries. The grandfather of subject was a native of Ver- mont, but his ancestors had gone up there from the home of Roger Williams. James Jenks was born in the " Green Mountain State" and from there came down into Essex county, New York, where he died. He was a miller and farmer by occupation ; was married to a Miss Tripp and had seven children. Benjamin Mason, who was the other grandfather, also came to Essex county, where he died. Obadiah Jenks was born in the " Green Mountain State " and was brought to Essex county, New York, when thirteen years old. He was given a superior education for the times and later occupied the dignified position of school-teacher, which, in those days, was one of great honor but of small emoluments, and he abandoned teaching to learn carpentering and afterwards discarded the latter for farming. About 1837 or 1838 he came to the town of Poland and purchased a piece of land and, making a farm of it, lived there until he died, when eighty years old. He married in the home of his youth when about twenty-two years of age, taking for his wife Melinthia Mason, who bore him seven children, three of whom are yet living : Lucinda is the widow of Eli Taylor ; Lafayette and James M., who makes his home in Ellington town. Originally, Mr. Jenks was a democrat of the Jeffersonian type, but at the inception of the Republican party, he transferred his allegiance to it and clung to its principles through life. He entered the war of 1812 as a private and soon after was promoted to be a captain and was engaged at the battles of Plattsmouth and Champlain. His business relations were open and straightforward through- out his life and his departure from earth was mourned and regretted.
Lafayette Jenks was one of those lads who
0
567
OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY.
were taught to work while young, although his early education was not neglected. Both the public and select schools were attended. He Icarned farming from his father and came from Essex county to Poland, Chautauqua county, where he has since lived.
In 1847 he was married to Harriet Bab- cock, of this town, and they had three children : the youngest, Charles S., is dead ; of the other two, Alfred L. is a spice merchant in Buffalo, New York. He married Emily Preston and has one child, Wilmer; and A. Frank, a lawyer of Jamestown, who married Florence Sheldon and has two children-Leonora and Anna.
Politically Mr. Jenks is a radical and straight-out republican, who takes a deep in- terest in party elections. He is a member of the Baptist church, holding the position of deacon. Educational matters also receive some of his attention, his opinion being, that the strongest bulwark of the nation is the intelli- gence of her sons.
Alfred L. Jenks received an academic and business education, which fitted him for the eminent position he now occupies in the busi- ness world. A. Frank Jenks graduated at the University of Rochester, where he enjoyed the distinction of being prize orator. Later he read law with Senator Teller, of Colorado, and was admitted to the bar of Arapahoe county, in that State.
Charles S. Jenks was twenty-four years old when he died and had been educated at James- town in the academic and business courscs. For some time he had been associated with his old- est brother in the spicc business at Buffalo, but spent most of his time on the farm. He was married to Mary Frost and left her a widow with one little daughter, Mabel. She is now teaching school at Sinclairville.
R OBERT M. JOHNSTON, a well known farmer and grape culturist, of the town of Westfield, is a son of Samuel and Margaret
(McKee) Johnston, and was born in County Down, Ireland, August 4, 1841. Both his father and mother are natives of the same place, the former coming to America in 1848, leaving his family behind; he located in this town, where he has ever since lived, and until a few years ago was engaged in farming and butcher- ing; but having reached the age of eighty years he abandoned active business and is now taking life quietly. He married Margaret Me- Kee, who is now seventy-five years of age, and belongs to the Presbyterian church. She came to America a few years after her husband, and with her came onr subject, then a boy in his teens.
Robert M. Johnston was reared until eighteen years of age at his father's home in the town of Westfield, and was educated at the common schools. He learned butchering with his father, and followed the business for some time. In 1859 he went to California where he found employment at his trade, and worked for one man for over five years. He then returned to Westfield and embarked in the same business for himself, but for the past eight years has been engaged in farming and grape growing, and now owns one hundred and seventeen acres of land, twenty-five acres of it being a vine- yard.
In 1870 he married Margaret McGee, a daughter of James McGee, of Westfield, and he has a family of four children, one son and three daughters : Lena, Samuel, Catherine and Isabel.
Robert M. Johnston is a republican, but is liberal in his ideas, and does not permit parti- sanship to dictate to his conscience. He belongs to the Equitable Aid Union, and is an honest, industrious and successful man.
A ARON HALL is one of the men to whom the city of Jamestown is greatly indebted for handsome structures, in which the citizens feel a just and honest pride. He is a son of
-
568
BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
Jacob and Eliza (Woodburn) Hall, and was born in Sharon, Otsego county, New York, March 9, 1830. His paternal grandfather, Aaron Hall, was a native of Connecticut, emi- grated to Otsego county, this State, and thence to Chautauqua county. About 1832, he began farming on a large scale in the town of Char- lotte, this county. He married a Miss Platner, by whom he had six daughters and two sons. Mr. Hall's maternal grandfather, David Wood- burn, was an early settler of Cherry Valley, this State, residing there during the Revolu- tionary war, being a farmer by occupation. He married a Miss Lewis, and had four sons and four daughters. The father of Mr. Hall was born in Otsego county, about 1800, and re- moved to Chautauqua county, in 1830, and located in Charlotte, where he resided until his death. He was a farmer and owned two hun- dred acres of land. In politics he was first a wlig and then a democrat, and in religious matters was a member of the Methodist church. He married Eliza Woodburn and had twelve children, ten of whom reached maturity. Of the sons, Henry P., is a physician with a large and lucrative practice in Jamestown ; Homer was an architect in Cairo, Illinois, where he was killed by a sunstroke, in July, 1890.
Aaron Hall is a contractor and builder, be- ginning in Westfield, this county. In 1862 he came to Jamestown and built some of the most costly and attractive buildings, among theni being the residence of ex-Governor Fenton and the Central school. He always drew his own plans and has always been recognized as a very tasteful and competent architect. Politically he is a demoerat, was highway commissioner in Elli- cott for twelve years, and is a member of Elli- cott Lodge, No. 169, I. O. O. F., of Jamestown.
Mr. Hall married Martha Parkhurst, a daughter of Hiram Parkhurst, of Chautauqua county. Their union has been blessed with one child, a son, Morgan W., who is in busi- ness with his father.
p ETER HAAS, a well known and highly respected citizen of Jamestown, is by trade a mason. His parents were George and Mary (Dick) Haas, who gave him birth in Germany, on September 14, 1827. His grandparents and father were farmers, who lived in Germany all their lives.
Peter Haas was twenty-four years of age when he decided to quit the fatherland and come to America which he reached in 1851. His first home in this country was at Watertown, Jefferson county, this State, where he remained one year. Deciding that he could improve he then went to Erie, Pa., which at that time was considered far west and remained there two years. In 1854 he went to Silver Creek, this county, where he remained until 1861, when he came to Jamestown and with the exception of six years spent at Warren, Pa., where a daughter resides and one year in the United States army, has lived here uninterruptedly since, following his trade.
He married Elizabeth Dick and to this union have been born ten children, seven of whom are living : Liesbec (dead) ; Frances, wife of Wil- liam Lavery, a mason residing in Warren, Pa .; Hattie, wife of Frank Lilly, a machinist re- siding in Stockton, this county ; Lincoln (dead); William, a mason, at home ; Elmira (dead) ; George, also a mason ; Mary, Charles and Nel- lie at home.
In 1864 Mr. Haas enlisted in the 9th regi- ment, N. Y. Cavalry, and going to the front took part in the engagement at Winchester, was present at Lee's surrender and assisted in the paroling of prisoners at Mount Jackson. He was honorably discharged and returned home when the war closed and resumed his work with hammer and trowel. In addition to his trade, Mr. Haas is conducting a grocery business on North Main street. Politically he favors the Republican party and is a member of the Luth- eran church.
569
OF. CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY.
₿ ENJAMIN L. HARRISON was born in the town of Stockton, Chautauqua county, New York, on March 1st, 1841, and is the son of George S. and Mary (Springer) Har- rison. His parents were natives of Madison county, New York, where his father was born in 1810 and practiced medieine. From Madison county the elder Harrison had removed to the State of Ohio, from which State he came to Chantauqua county in 1825 and continued the practice of medieine over a range of territory comprising Cassadaga, Stockton and Sinclair- ville for about forty-four years. He died at the age of seventy-eight, was a demoerat in polities, a man of moral and upright life, but with no particular denominational adherenee, and in Free Masonry had been advaneed to the degree of Master Mason. He was of English descent.
Benjamin L. Harrison was reared and spent his life upon his father's farm on the banks of Lake Cassadaga. He received his education through the common sehools, Ellington academy and at the University of Michigan, which latter institution he attended one year with a view to fit- ting himself for the profession of medieine. He then went South, where he engaged in teaching school until the outbreak of the civil war, when he returned to Sinclairville and re-eommeneed farming, since which time he has become a very successful and progressive farmer in the town of Gerry. He is a democrat in polities and has served as alderman in the eity of Dunkirk and is likewise a Mason of high standing.
In April, 1862, Benjamin L. Harrison united in marriage with Luey Pitman, a daughter of Abner Pitman of the town of Charlotte. Only one ehild has been the result of the marriage- Louis P., of the Brooks' Locomotive Works, Dunkirk, New York.
N' EWELL P. HOPSON, a business man of extended experience and at present en- gaged in grape growing on a large scale, is a son of Nelson and Marilla (Fuller) Hopson and
was born in Chautauqua town and county, Feb- ruary 18th, 1855. Nelson Hopson was born in this county in 1832 and has always lived in Chautauqua town, followed farming and made it a sueeess. He is now in his fifty-ninth year and belongs to the Mayville Methodist Episeo- pal church. Politically he is a prohibitionist and takes more than a passing interest in ini- proving the strength and standing of the third party movement. He married Marilla Fuller, who is also a native of this county, is now in her sixty-second year and is a member of the same church to which her husband belongs.
Newell P. Hopson was reared in the town of Chautauqua, spending his youthful days upon his father's farm. He acquired such education as the district sehools eould impart and was then sent to the Fredonia Normal school for a higher education. After leaving sehool he engaged as a elerk in a grocery store and staid in Fredonia two years and from there went to Mayville and spent a like period as a salesman of pianos and organs for five years. Following this, Mr. Hopson began dealing in stock, prior to 1890, buying and shipping large quantities. The last named year was spent in Canada, where he ran an iee business, but the fall of that year saw his return to the United States, and, in partnership with his brother, Harry B. Hopson, bought a farm of eighty aeres, two miles east of West- field on the main road, which they are trans- forming into a large and magnificent vineyard.
He was wedded to Jennie Munger, a daughter of G. W. Munger, who lives in the town of Portland, in 1879 and they have two very bright and promising sous : Harry M. and C. Wilson.
Mr. Hopson is an enthusiastic demoerat and delights in his party's sueeess. In business matters he is enterprising and of strict probity.
E DWIN R. HOPKINS, M.D., a resident physician and surgeon of Silver Creek, and the surgeon of the Western New York and
30
570
BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
Pennsylvania railroad, is a son of Ezra and Catherine (Johnson) Hopkins, and was born at Westfield, Chautauqua county, New York, May 21, 1849. The Hopkins are of New England descent and were early settlers in the colonies of Connecticut and Rhode Island. Among the members of one of the Hopkins families of southern New England was one who came to Otsego county, where one of his descendants was the father of Ezra Hopkins, whose son, Dr. Hopkins, is the subject of this sketch. Ezra Hopkins was reared and learned the trade of blacksmith in his native county of Otsego, from which he removed to Westfield, where he now resides. He is now seventy-three years of age and after coming to this county was engaged in farming for several years. He married Cath- erine Johnson, who was a native of Ohio.
Edwin R. Hopkins attended the Westfield academy and after the completion of his full academic course he entered the office of Dr. J. M. Brown, of Westfield, as a medical student. After reading at Westfield he went to Buffalo, where he studied for two years with Dr. Julius F. Minor, professor of surgery in the medical department of the University of Buffalo, and during that time was resident physician of the general hospital where he had the benefit of ac- tual practice in both medicine and surgery. He then entered the medical department of the University of Buffalo from which he was grad- uated in February, 1877. In November of the same year, he opened an office at Silver Creek, where he has remained ever since in the active practice of his profession. He has made a specialty of surgery in which his services have been in constant demand and in which he has been very successful.
Dr. Hopkins owns a vineyard of thirty-eight acres, kceps about fifty head of fine Hambletonian horses and has a steady demand for his yearling colts at one hundred dollars per head. He has been the surgeon of the Western New York and Pennsylvania Railway for five years and is a
member of the Chautauqua County Medical so- ciety and vice-president of the alumni of the medical department of the University of Buffalo.
H' ENRY R. GAY is a son of Rodolphus and Anna (Loomis) Gay, and was born in Herkimer county, New York, on April 4, 1805. His grandfather, Ephraim Gay, was a native and life-long resident of the State of Connecti- cut, a typical New Englander in life and a farmer by occupation. In political faith he be- longed to the Federalist party. Together with his two sons, Harvey and Henry, twins, he en- tered the Revolutionary struggle, he as a pri- vate and the boys as drummers. They took part in many battles, and through the favorable turn of fortune's wheel, were again permitted to return to civil life. Grandfather Gay was married and had a family of one daughter and threc sons. Maternal grandfather, Ephraim Loomis, was also a native of Connecticut and took part in the Revolutionary war. Rodolphus Gay (father) was born in Connecticut, where he lived until after his marriage, when he changed his fortunes to the State of New York, Herki- mer county, about 1790. Here he reared his family and calmly met his death. He was a farmer by occupation, a democrat in politics, aud at one time was captain of a company of New York State militia. By his marriage with Anna Loomis he had four daughters and three sons.
Henry R. Gay was united in marriage to Clara A. Tennant, a daughter of John Tennant (see sketch of Tennant), by which union were born the following children : Laura N. (born August, 1828), married first to Isaac Palmer (deceased), at the time of his death a native of Illinois, to whom were born five children- Galon, Frank, Alice, Clara and Etta. Laura N. was married the second time to John Ward ; Ira R. (born May 5, 1830), married to Diana Mason, a daughter of Hezekiah Mason, of Rip- ley, New York ; Edith, wife of Allen Bartlett
571
OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY.
(deceased), an employee of the clerk's office at Buffalo, New York ; Berthia, wife of Moses Smith (deceased), a merchant at State Line, New York ; Cassius, married to Julia Fessen- den, an ice manufacturer of Carthage, Missouri; Ira, a farmer, and Frank H. Alonzo, born in Ripley, February 8, 1841, a telegraph operator now located in Chicago, Illinois.
Henry R. Gay received a scanty cducation, took up the work of and became a farmer. He removed to Chautauqua county, town of Ripley, April 15, 1833, where he has since resided. Through hard work and unremitting energy he has succeeded in acquiring a good farm and con- siderable personal property. Politically he is a democrat and has filled with credit a number of town offices.
H ORACE N. GROVER is a son of Luke and Isabel (Foster) Grover and was born in Orleans county, New York, May 5, 1824. Seth Grover, his paternal grandfather, was a native of New Hampshire, but spent his last days in Vermont. Grandfather Alpheus Fos- ter was born in Massachusetts, where he also lived and died. Both grandparents were typi- cal New Englanders, strict moralists and social- ly conservative. Luke Grover, father of Hor- ace N., was born in New Hampshire, first mi- grated into Vermont and then in 1830 into Chautauqua county, New York, where he died February 5, 1877. He was a farmer of good standing and influence in the several neighbor- hoods in which he lived, and in politics was both democrat and republican, latterly attaining to considerable prominence in political circles.
Under the Republican party he has credit- ably filled the offices of superintendent of the poor and town supervisor about four terms.
Horace N. Grover acquired his education through the common schools and commenced life as a farmer. This he followed constantly until he came to the town of Ripley-March, 1884-since which time he has held the office
of justice of the peace. He is a warm support- er of the Republican party, and, besides justice of the peace, has been a member of the cxcisc committee of the county, justice of the sessions, and has held other offices at the hands of his party. He is a member of the Free and Accept- ed Masons of Sherman. In 1863, June 25th, Mr. Grover became a captain of Co. I, 67tlı regiment, New York Infantry, and went to the front. He was in the service, however, only about thirty days when he returned to take up the pursuits of the civilian. He is a good citi- zen, enjoys the public confidence and has made a very efficient officer. As a man of honest purpose, high aim and charitable disposition, lie ranks among Ripley's best citizens.
Horace N. Grover was united in marriage to Miss Julia Melhuish, a daughter of Robert Melhuish, and is the father of seven children : George, married and living at Westfield; Har- vey, met with an accident resulting in his death while young; Nettie ; Ida; Frederick ; Frank; and Albert.
H ARRY E. GOODELL, a live and encr- getic merchant of Irving, New York, is a son of Henry M. and Jennie (Boyle) Goodell, and was born in Erie, Erie county, Penna., November 15th, 1863. He is of New England ancestry, his grandfather, Harry Good- ell, having been a native of Connecticut, from whence he emigrated to Cattaraugus county, village of Cottage, about 1832. Thence he removed to Nashville, Chautauqua county, af- terwards to Ruggtown and later to Irving, where he died. He was a shoemaker by trade, which he pursued throughout his life; in politics, a democrat ; in religion, a member of the Baptist church. His marriage to Lucinda Weaver, who still survives at the age of ninety-two, resulted in a family of eleven children-four sons and seven daughters. Mr. Goodell was born in 1797, and died at the age of eighty-eight. Grand father Edward Boyle was a native of Ireland, County
572
BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
Donegal, and emigrated to America, locating in Jackson, Michigan. His death took place in Detroit. He reared a family of five children, who all lived to mature age. Henry M. Goodell, (father) was born December 11th, 1833, in the village of Cottage, Cattaraugus county, New York. He was first a farmer, then a railroader, then an express messenger, and is at present a clerk in his son's store. He united in mar- riage with Jennie Boyle, who is now deceased, and had one son, Harry E.
Harry E. Goodell received a limited educa- tion, and when but a mere boy, commenced his career as a cash boy, in Erie, Pennsylvania. Here he remained one year, when he removed to Irving and opened a five cent store, his en- tire stock in 1879 being valued at ten dollars. Since that time he has remained in the village of Irving, and, little by little, has added to his business until at the present time lie is the owner of the leading general store in the place. He now carries a stock of general merchandise valued at four to five thousand dollars, and has a large and increasing business. In addition to his increasing mercantile interests, he is part owner of fourteen acres of grapes, and owns other valuable real estate in the town. Politically, Mr. Goodell is a democrat, and was postmaster at Irving for four years, under appointment of President Cleveland. He belongs to the Free and Accepted Masons of Silver Creek, Silver Lodge, of which he is a member in good stand- ing
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.