USA > New York > Genealogical and family history of western New York; a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the building of a nation, Volume III > Part 13
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(IV) Dr. Francis Beattie Brewer, son of Ebenezer (2) Brewer, was born in Keene, New Hampshire, October 8, 1820, died July 29, 1892. He prepared for college at New- bury Seminary, Vermont, and Meriden Acad- emy, New Hampshire, later entering Dart- mouth College, from whence he was gradu- ated in 1843. He chose the profession of medicine and after a course of lectures at Hanover, New Hampshire, completed his stud- ies with Dr. Gerhard, of Philadelphia, and in 1846 received from Dartmouth Medical Col- lege his degree of M. D. He began the prac- tice of his profession at Barnet, Vermont, where his boyhood days had been spent. In 1849 he located in Plymouth, Massachusetts, where he continued in practice until 1851. In the latter year he moved to Titusville, Penn- sylvania, where he engaged with his father and brother in lumbering and merchandising, as a member of the firm of Brewer, Watson & Company. They owned several thousand acres of timber land on Oil creek and its trib- nitaries, which they rapidly cleared and con- verted into lumber. On their lands was an old Indian oil well. Dr. Brewer conceived the idea of using oil from this spring for an
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illuminant and lubricant. He worked a pump in this well and used the oil for these pur- poses in the lumber mills. This was years before Colonel Drake put down the first oil well, and entitles Dr. Brewer to the claim of being among the very first to direct attention to the value of petroleum and to move in an enterprise to develop its production. The first oil lease on record was made July 4, 1853, between Brewer Watson & Company and J. D. Augier. The first oil company organized was "The Pennsylvania Rock Oil Company" in 1854, of which Dr. Brewer was an incorpo- rator and a director. The company operated on the lands of Brewer, Watson & Company. Colonel Drake did not sink his well until Au- gust, 1859. Dr. Brewer was really the pioneer oil man, and the firm of Brewer, Watson & Company was the first to introduce petroleum in large quantities. They expended $750,- 000 in barrels before they realized a dollar, but later reaped an abundant financial harvest.
In 1861 Dr. Brewer moved his residence to Westfield, Chautauqua county, New York, where he at once became identified with the
business interests. He purchased consider- able farm and village property, and in 1864 joined with others in organizing the First National Bank of Westfield, of which he was the first president for ten years and a director the remainder of his life. In 1864 he joined in organizing the Townsend Manufacturing Company, in 1865 was chosen president, and in 1870, having become sole proprietor, the name was changed to the Westfield Lock Works.
In 1864 he volunteered his service as surgeon in the army, but being incapacitated for hard field work he was sent in 1865 by Governor Fenton to the Army of the Potomac as military state agent with the rank of ma- jor. He was on duty in the Carolinas and in the hospitals of Annapolis and Washington, looking after the condition and needs of the wounded soldiers from New York state. His public career was honorable and useful. In 1868 he was elected supervisor and for ten years served upon the board, three years as chairman. During this period he was also president of the village of Westfield. In 1872 he was a delegate to the Republican conven- tion at Philadelphia that nominated General Grant for the presidency. In 1873-74 he rep- resented the first assembly district in the state legislature, serving both years on the ways
and means committee. In 1874 he was ap- pionted by President Grant government-direc- tor of the Union Pacific railroad, which office he also held under President Hayes. In 1881- 82 he was a manager of the Buffalo State In- sane Hospital, appointed by Governor Cornell, and in 1886 was re-appointed by Governor Hill. In 1882 he was elected to the forty- eighth congress from the thirty-third district, comprising Chautauqua and Cattaraugus coun- ties. During his term he served on the com- mittee on pensions. He was formerly a Whig, but later gave strong allegiance to the Repub- lican party. He was a member of the Masonic order, and while at college became a com- municant of the Baptist church, a faith he ever adhered to. He was public-spirited and aided all enterprises that promised the ad- vancement of town interests. While he never sought office he never refused to serve his fellow-citizens as long as health permitted. Like his honored father his charities were numberless, and so thoroughly was he honored and respected that on the day of his funeral all the business houses of Westfield were closed.
Notwithstanding the just pride Dr. Brewer felt at the many marks of confidence which showed the esteem in which he was held by his fellows he ever regarded the ten years spent in Titusville prior to coming to Chau- tauqua county as the most conspicuous period of his service to science and civilization. His conception of the vast possibilities of petro- leum, which up to that time he alone seems to have grasped, was a source of great wealth to the nation. When chemical experts re- ported on the value of the oil submitted by him as samples, while unanimous as to its value, all declared it could not be found in paying quantities. Here Dr. Brewer's scien- tific knowledge and careful observation led him to an entirely different conclusion. His positive statement and indisputable argument, together with a large consignment of the oil itself gathered from the Indian oil spring convinced the New York gentlemen he was trying to interest that it could be found in abundance and that a fortune awaited their investment. In December, 1854, articles of incorporation were filed by the Pennsylvania Rock Oil Company with the recorder of New York City, and through the instrumentality of this company the dream of Dr. Brewer and his associates of placing a valuable and inex-
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haustible commodity on the markets of the world, was realized.
He married, in Haverhill, New Hampshire, July 20, 1848, Susan Hooper Rood, born in Gilmanton, New Hampshire, August 20, 1828, died in Westfield, New York, December II, 1896, daughter of Rev. Herman Rood, a min- ister of the Congregational church and a pro- fessor of learning. Children: I. Eben, born in Barnet, Vermont, May 14, 1849, died in Cuba, West Indies, June 14, 1898 ; he married Mrs. Elizabeth (Courtright) Lowry ; no chil- dren. 2. Francis B., of whom further. 3. Frances Moody, twin of Francis B., was born in Titusville, Pennsylvania, October 16, 1852, died April 16, 1886; she married, June 29, 1875, William C. Fitch, of Buffalo, New York : children : i. Francis Brewer, born April 15, 1876, died June 2, 1900. ii. Roger Stanley, born July 31, 1877, now captain in the United States regular army ; he married Ella Hill, of Danbury, Connecticut; no chil- dren. iii. Frances Elizabeth, born October 25, 1882, married Roy S. Pattison : child, Free- man, born August 8, 1910. 4. Dr. George Em- erson, born in Westfield, New York, July 28, 1861; graduate of Hamilton College and of the medical department of Harvard Uni- versity ; now practicing his profession in New York City and associated with Columbia Uni- versity and the staff of Roosevelt Hospital. He married Effie L. Brown ; children: Leigh- ton, born December 27, 1895, and George Emerson Jr., November 13, 1899. Susan Hooper (Rood) Brewer descended on pater- nal lines from a Scotch ancestor and on the maternal side from Welsh. Her great-grand- father, Azariah Rood, was a deacon of the Congregational church of Lanesboro, Massa- chusetts. His son, Thomas D. Rood, mar- ried Sarah Bradley, of New Haven, Connecti- cut. Their son, Rev. Herman Rood, D. D., married Frances Susan Moody, born 1799, died 1875. Their daughter, Susan Hooper married Dr. Francis B. Brewer.
(V) Francis Beattie (2), son of Dr. Francis Beattie (I) Brewer, was born in Titusville,, Pennsylvania, October 16, 1852. He attended school in Titusville, Westfield Academy, Union School and Saunders Institute in Philadelphia ; entered Cornell University, class of 1873, re- maining for two years; prepared for classical course with H. S. Dana, of Woodstock, Ver- mont : entered Dartmouth College, class of 1877, one year, and was at Yale, same class,
part of the year. After finishing his studies he clerked for a hardware firm in Chicago and was connected with the office of the Erie, Pennsylvania "Morning Dispatch." From 1878 to 1882 he was in the book business in Erie, junior of the firm of Allen & Brewer. After a short time as clerk and travelling salesman he became, in 1883, engaged in lum- ber, drainage and farm work at Ottawa Sta- tion, Ottawa county, Michigan. After re- claiming large tracts of swamp land his con- nection was broken by the death of his father. He then returned to Westfield, which has since been his home. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Westfield, and a Re- publican in politics.
He married, October 16, 1890, at Erie, Pennsylvania, Caroline Elizabeth Selden, born there February 23, 1855, daughter of Samuel Selden, born in Erie, 1821, died 1881, a manu- facturer. He married Mary Caroline Perkins, born in Athens, Ohio, 1821, daughter of Dr. Chauncey Fitch and Lydia (Lord) Perkins, both of Connecticut. Children: Mary Lydia, born 1852; Caroline Elizabeth, 1855; Edward Perkins, 1858; Charles Card, 1861 ; Samuel Fellows, 1864. Samuel Selden was a son of George Selden, born in Hadlyme, Connecticut, who married Elizabeth Card, of Troy, New York. George was a son of Samuel Selden, of Connecticut, a lieutenant in the revolution, son of Captain Samuel, who also served with Connecticut troops in that war. Children of Francis B. and Caroline E. Brewer : I. George Selden, born in Erie, Pennsylvania, October 8, 1891 ; graduate of Westfield high school, class of 19II ; now a student at Oberlin Conserva- tory of Music. 2. Francis, born in Westfield. New York, August 5, 1893. 3. Selden, born in Westfield, December 17, 1896; student with his brother at Westfield high school.
This name came to the United
FORNESS States from Germany, which country had long been the
family home. The original settler of the family was John Forness, who came at an early day.
(II) Joseph, son of John Forness, was born in Elso, Germany, in 1802. He came to the United States and settled on a farm in Erie county, New York, five miles from Buffalo. He served in the Black Hawk war and re- ceived a soldier's warrant for one hundred and sixty acres of land. In 1854 he located in
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the town of Allegany, Cattaraugus county, New York. He was a member of the German Catholic church and a Democrat. He married, in Buffalo, in 1836, .Tina Bart, born in Ger- many in 1812. Children, all born in Buffalo except the last : Barbara, 1837; John, 1840; Frederick W., of whom further; Joseph, 1845; Mary, 1847; Theresa, 1849; Anthony, 1851; Victor, 1853; Peter, born in Allegany, 1855.
(III) Frederick W., son of Joseph For- ness, was born in Buffalo, New York, in 1843. He was educated in the public and parochial schools. He was eleven years old when his father moved to the farm in Allegany, where he grew to manhood, working on the farm and in the lumber woods. In 1863 he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Eighty- eighth Regiment, New York Volunteer In- fantry, Colonel McMahon, attached to the Fourth Brigade, General Griffin : Fifth Army Corps, General Warren, Army of the Poto- mac. He served throughout the entire war and was on the firing line at Appomattox when General Lee surrendered. He was hon- orably discharged September 20. 1865. In 1908, at the great parade in Salamanca, Mr. Forness represented an army surgeon on the float showing an old-time recruiting officer examining candidates for enlistment. It was one of the most striking features of the parade. After the war was over he returned to Allegany county and engaged in lumbering for a time. After his marriage he entered the employ of the Singer Sewing Machine Company, and for thirty-seven years repre- sented them in Cattaraugus county. In 1909 he engaged in the automobile business with his son. He has been very successful in his business enterprises, and is a highly regarded man of his town. Politically a Democrat, Mr. Forness has represented his town and party four years as commissioner of highways. twelve years as commissioner of excise and five years as school trustee. He is a member of the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association. and Post No. 565, Grand Army of the Re- public, of Allegany, of which he was senior vice-commander.
He married, in Allegany in 1866, Mary Reller, born in Hamburg, Erie county, New York, in 1846. Children: I. Caroline, born 1869 : married, in 1892, Lewis Rietz ; children : Raymond, born 1893, and - -, 1895. 2. Frederick W., of whom further. 3. Frank A .. of whom further. 4. Charles, born 1875 ; mar-
ried May Hirt; children: Geneva, Herbert and Ruth. 5. Andrew, born 1877; married Grace Stickle, of Salamanca. 6. Emmeline, born 1879: married, 1902, Frank Carls, of Alle- gany ; children: Harold and Rosemond. 7. Mae, born 1882; married, 1906, Charles Die- terman : children : Dorothy and Charles. 8. Harriet, born 1885; married, 1910, George Stein. 9. Colletta, born 1887.
(IV) Frederick W. (2), eldest son of Fred- erick W. (1) Forness, was born in Allegany, Cattaraugus county, New York, December 20, 1872.
He was educated in the district school and at St. Bonaventure College. After com- pleting his studies he learned the trade of marble cutter. After working at this he estab- lished a marble yard at the village of Alle- gany, where he had a very successful and profitable business which he sold in 1902. He has a garage in the village. and buys. sells and exchanges automobiles, and also a garage and the largest automobile agency in Olean, selling one hundred and twelve cars in 1911. He is also a member of the firm of Forness Brothers of Salamanca, New York. He is of the young, progressive, public-spirited type of citizen, always ready to lend a hand in all charitable and public affairs. He has been very successful in business, but his success has been earned by hard work, untiring energy and a strict adherence to upright, honorable business principles. He is an enthusiastic horseman and delights in the ownership of several speedy travellers, four of his children being supplied with saddle horses, and each being an expert rider. He has served the village of Allegany three terms as president. twice being the nominee of both tickets, his first election being on the ticket of the Peo- ple's party. During his administration the village system of water supply was installed and many miles of concrete sidewalk laid. He also lent his influence and aid to the establish- ment of the "state highway" between Allegany and Olean, a great boom to the farmers and horsemen of that section of the country. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Knights of Columbus, also the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Olean. In politics he is an Independent. sup- porting the candidates that best represent his principles.
He married, January 1, 1894, Bird Merrill. Children : Emily Marguerite, Marion Belle,
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Doris Winifred, Bessie Kathleen, Robert Mer- rill and Francis.
(IV) Frank A., second son of Frederick WV. (1) Forness, was born in Allegany, Cattar- augus county, New York, April 2, 1875. He was educated in the public schools, and after completing his years of study began learning the marble cutting trade, working for a short time only. He was a hustling, energetic busi- ness lad and at the age of fourteen, in 1889, was engaged with his father and brother in the music business, with stores in Olean and Salamanca. The firm was Forness & Sons. He continued in the music store until 1897, when he went to Northern Pennsylvania to engage in the oil business. He returned to Cattaraugus county in 1898, and with his brother Frederick W. as partner openel a piano and music store at Salamanca, New York, trading as Forness Brothers. His store is completely fitted and stocked with the lead- ing makes of all kinds of musical instruments, having also repair and tuning departments. He has of late taken the selling agency of some of the leading makes of automobiles and has been successful in placing many cars on the road. He is a member of the Roman Catho- lic church and of the fraternal orders: Knights of Columbus, Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks. Royal Arcanum, Moose and the Knights of the Maccabees. Politically he is a Democrat. He inherits the Forness push and energy and while still young in years is considered one of the successful business men of his village, now serving as a village trustee. He has earned the respect of his associates and conducts his business on the principle of the "square deal."
He married, November 20, 1901, Jessie M. Wheeler, born May 6, 1878, only child of Or- ville E. and Ann (Quigley) Wheeler. Child : Gerald B., born August 20, 1902.
The ancestor of the Sigel family
SIGEL of Olean was William Sigel, a German farmer, who lived in Wurtemberg. Germany, during the early part of the last century, and whose son. John Ja- cob, is mentioned below.
(II) John Jacob, son of William Sigel, was born in Wurtemberg. Germany, in the year 1834. He was reared and educated in his na- tive land, and there learned the trade of in- terior decorator. He came to the United States in 1854, when twenty years of age, and
contracted at his trade, becoming very success- ful and a master of the art of interior deco- ration, making his residence in Buffalo, New York. He married Julia, daughter of An- drew Klocke, of Prussia, having first met her on the voyage over from Germany. Children : I. John, married, Louise Wertzel; children : William, Fred, Carrie, Josephine. 2. Jose- phine, married Edward Sturm ; children: Ed- ward, Henry, Jacob, Tillie, Julia. 3. Cather- ine, married Gehard Thurman; child, Ger- trude. 4. Henry, mentioned below. 5. Louie, married Anna Fitzpatrick ; children: Morgan and Alleen. 6. Casper, married Minnie Platt ; children : Glen and Genevieve. 7. Annie, married Dascom Allen ; children : Claude and Dascom.
(III) Henry, son of John Jacob and Julia (Klocke) Sigel, was born in Buffalo, New York, March 2, 1863. He received his educa- tion in the public schools of that city and at St. Mary's parochial school. He began his active business career as a cash boy in a de- partment store. He later learned the trade of undertaker, in which line of work he was en- gaged in Olean for seven years, from 1880 to 1887. Among other things he is interested in the operating and producing of oil in the Pennsylvania fields, and is actively connected with the Pittsburgh, Shawmut & Northern rail- road in the capacity of claim, real estate and tax agent. In the year 1907 he organized the Olean Brewing Company, erecting a fine brew- ery and manufacturing a high grade of goods for the local trade. The officers of the com- pany are as follows: Henry Sigel. president ; John T. Howard, vice-president : Joseph Kaye, treasurer ; Colonel J. M. Homer, secretary. The company has a capital of $150,000 and the plant occupies extensive buildings at Barry and Green streets, constructed of Shawmut pressed brick, and covering about two and a half acres. The office building is entirely sep- arate and is elegantly furnished. The brew- ery, one of the finest in the country, is fitted with the most modern machinery and is oper- ated by electricity and gas ; there is a modern ice plant with a capacity of eighty tons a day, finely equipped to supply the commercial and family trade. In connection with the brewing plant is a thoroughly appointed bottling estab- lishment and when in full operation the works have a capacity of thirty thousand barrels of "Olean Beer," as it is known. The establish- ment is under the supervision of Colonel James
hi ..
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M. Homer as manager, and Brewmaster Con- rad Buehl, who has been engaged in this busi- ness for nearly twenty years, and whose father before him was an expert in the art of beer making. From thirty to forty skilled men are employed under them, and in the manufacture of the product only the best of malt, hops and rice are used, and the purest of water and yeast. The result is a beer of the highest pos- sible quality, pure, wholesome and delicately flavored. All of the officers of the company are men of prominence and high social stand- ing in the community, closely identified with the commercial, financial and public life of the city.
Mr. Sigel took up his residence in Olean, New York, in 1878, and for many years has been active and prominent in its public af- fairs. In 1887 he became connected with the police department, remaining until 1891, when he was appointed by W. B. Hughes to the position of under-sheriff, and he acted in this capacity up to 1894, when he was the candidate for the office of sheriff and was elected, serv- ing from 1895 to 1898, and at the expiration of this term he again became under-sheriff, under W. H. Hazard. He discharged the duties of the office of sheriff with fidelity and impartiality, year by year constantly growing in public estimation. At the age of twenty- one years he attended the state convention at Buffalo as delegate and voted for Warner J. Miller for governor, and also acted in the same capacity in the convention that nominated Theodore Roosevelt for the governorship. He is an ardent advocate of the principles of Re- publicanism, and is an earnest and consistent member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church.
Mr. Sigel is one of the most substantial and enterprising citizens of Olean, wielding an influence for good in the community. By his own honorable exertions and moral attributes, he carved out for himself friends, affluence and position, and by the strength and force of his own character has overcome obstacles which to others less hopeful and less cour-
ageous would seem unsurmountable.
His
mind is ever occupied with projects for the advancement and welfare of his adopted city. Fortified with a keen, resourceful mind. ex- cellent judgment and rare foresight, his en- ergy is inexhaustible. Scrupulously honorable in all his dealings with mankind, he bears a reputation for public and private integrity, and being sociable and genial, he has a wide
circle of friends. He responds liberally to all calls for charity, giving of his time and means for the alleviation of distress. When he en- lists in a cause he never withdraws from the conflict until the trouble ends, and it is due to his force and resource very largely that the vaccination trouble in Olean was brought to a close. He could occupy a prominent posi- tion in political leadership were he so disposed, but he would rather devote his time and atten- tion to other lines of activity.
Mr. Sigel married, August 19, 1884. Mary E. Lang, born August 10, 1864, daughter of Nicolas and Phillysine Lang. Children : Clara Frances. Florence Marie, Dolores Marie.
The name of Eaton is of Welsh
EATON and Saxon origin and is a place name. In Welsh "Aw" means water and "Twyn," a small hill ; Awtyn, pro- nounced Eyton, "a small hillock near the
water." In Saxon "Ea" means water and "Ton" town. The name of the family is spelled in various ways: Eton, Etton, Eyton and Eaton in the early days, but the latter spelling became generally used several genera- tions before the first of the family came to America. The coat-of-arms of the English family is: Azure fret on a field. Crest : An eagle's head erased sable in the mouth a sprig vert. Motto: Vincit Omnia Veritas."
(I) Banqui Thane. of Lochabar, A. D. 1000. (II) Fleance, son of Banqui, married Guenta Princess, of North Wales. (III) Alan Fitz Alan married Amiera (IV) William Fitz Alan married Isabel de Say. (V) Robert de Eaton was son of William Fitz Alan. (VI) Peter de Eaton was son of Robert de Eaton. (VII) Sir Peter de Eaton married Alice
(VIII) William Eaton married Ma- tilda (IX) Sir Peter de Eaton mar-
ried Margery (X) Peter de Eaton
was son of Sir Peter de Eaton.
(XI) John
Eaton was son of Peter de Eaton. (XII) Peter de Eaton was son of John Eaton. (XIII) Humphrey Eaton was son of Peter de Eaton. (XIV) Georgius Eaton was son of Humphrey Eaton. (XV) Sir Nicholas Eaton, son of Georgius, married Katerina Talbott. (XVI) Louis Eaton, son of Sir Nicholas, married Anna Savage. (XVII) Henry Eaton, son of Louis, married Jane Cres- sett. (XVIII) William (2) Eaton was son of Henry Eaton.
(XIX) William (3), son of William (2)
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Eaton, married Jane Hussey. He died before 1584, and his widow died that year, leaving a will dated August 27, 1584, and proved De- cember 29, following. She left instructions to be buried in the church yard of St. James, at Dover, England, where the family lived. She named her son-in-law, James Huggenson, executor, and gave directions for the educa- tion of her sons John, Peter, and Nicholas, and her eldest son, William. One of the daughters married Allen, and Barbara Allen administered her father's estate a few months after her mother's death.
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