USA > New York > Cattaraugus County > Dayton > Historical and biographical history of the township of Dayton, Cattaraugus County, New York : comprising the villages of Cottage, Wesley, Markham, Dayton, South Dayton, and Fair Plain > Part 12
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WILLIS M. PERHAM.
Willis M. Perham, an enterprising business man and a prominent and progressive general merchant of Dayton is a son of Paul and Lucy (Lafferty) Perham, and was born September 4, 1858, at Springville, N. Y. He came from sturdy Vermont stock. He came to Dayton in August, 1879, and embarked in the grocery business. For five years he was in the flour and feed trade. He now carries a general line of groceries, furniture, dry goods, jewelry, harnesses, robes, blankets, etc., and enjoys a good trade. Mr. Perham is an active, progressive and honor- able man and fully understands the requirements of his many patrons. He married July 31, 1881, Emma W. Silleman of Dayton. To them have been born seven children: Eva May, born May 24, 1882; Maude Isabelle, born April 14, 1884; Chas. Herbert, born January 31, 1886, died Novem- ber 18, 1889; Minnie Jennie, born October 6, 1888; Ruth Juva, born May 13, 1892; Claude Anson, born July 28, 1894, died February 22, 1895; Ella Vera, born October 7, 1898. Mr. From a Photo 1898. BABY ELLA VERA PERHAM. Perham is an enterprising man who has reached his position in the business world through his own efforts and few men are held in higher esteem than he and his estimable family by their neighbors and acquaintances.
BASEBALL AT DAYTON IN 1859.
A Base Ball Club has been organized at Dayton Station, consisting of the following persons: William C. Barnhart, J. W. Badgero, W. G. Ingraham, Wm. W. Blair, Almond Jolls, Jerome Jolls, D. Merrill, N. M. Allen, L. D. Bartlett, Benj. Hurd, Hartson Blair, E. C. Bartlett, A. H. Atwell, James S. Shaw .- Gowanda Reporter, Friday September 2, 1859.
The matched game of base ball spoken of last week as coming off at Dayton, was commenced on Saturday afternoon, and the first game played, resulting in favor of the Cottage boys by 4 tallies. The second game was not played through. The Angola club was invited by "Cottage to supper, and Cottage was invited to supper by Angola. -- Angola insisted on their right to extend the invitation to supper to Cottage, because Cottage was ahead as far as the game had gone, and both clubs, together with their umpires and tallymen sat down to the table, which was loaded with all the delicacies of the season. The supper was gotten up by Mr. D. P. Bensley, of the Dayton Hotel .- Gowanda Reporter, Friday, October 7, 1859.
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FAMILY OF WILLIS M. PERHAM.
From a Photo 1896.
Tomorrow (Saturday ) the trial for superiority in playing baseball, between the Angola Base Ball Club and the Cottage players is to come off 'at Dayton. -Gowanda Reporter, Friday September 30, 1850.
MR. AND MRS. FRED. D. SHARPE.
FRED D. SHARPE.
Fred. D. Sharpe is probably the most extensive dealer in fresh and salt meats, fish, oysters and poultry who transacts business in the town of Dayton. There is nothing in the line of meats which cannot be found at his completely equipped market at all seasons. Mr. Sharpe was born December 8, 1858, in the town of Villenova where he remained until 1888, when he removed to Smith's Mills and opened a meat market. This he conducted for four years when he sold it and came to Dayton in January, 1892, and embarked in his present business. In the fall of 1897 he was appointed town clerk, succeeding A. R. Young, who resigned to accept the position of Postmaster. In February 1898, he was elected and re-elected again in 1899, and is at present the accomodating clerk of the town. He married December 8, 1881, Lizzie Kanner of Marilla, Erie Co., N. Y. Their children are Floyd H., born December 7, 1882; Morton L., November 12, 1888; Ray C., June 1, 1891; Lodema, December 9, 1892; Florence M., June 8, 1895; Alta M., January 3, 1898, who died April 26, 1899; Elton F., March 9, 1899. All are at home except Floyd H., who is a bookkeeper and stenographer, employed at Jamestown. Mr. Sharpe is a son of Harrison Sharpe of Villenova, who was born in the town of Hanover, Chautauqua County, N. Y.
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JAMES E. BIXBY.
A member of the Cattaraugus County bar in successul practice in Dayton, was born there October 3, 1861, and is a son of William H. and Hattie A. (Wellman) Bixby. He was educated in the district schools and in the public schools of Galesburg and Bloomington, Ill., and Hornellsville and Waverly, N. Y. At the age of sixteen he entered the employ of the N. Y. L. E. & W. R. R. Co. and the B. & S. W. R. R. Co. as a clerk and telegraph operator at Dayton. After serving two years in this capacity he left the employ of the railroad companies and entered the law office of Allen & Thrasher. He pursued the study of law the usual period and was admitted to the bar in April, 1883 at the age of twenty-one years. He was then admitted to partnership with his tutors, the firm being Allen, Thrasher & Bixby, which
JAMES E. BIXBY.
continued until 1886, when Mr. Allen withdrew and the firm became Thrasher & Bixby. This firm continued two years, since which time Mr. Bixby has practiced alone. He owns a printing establishment and a farm which he carries on in connection with his law business. In August, 1888, he married Alice M., daugher of Hon. W. S. Thrasher of Dayton. In political matters Mr. Bixby is a republican, he has held the office of assessor, besides other positions of honor and trust. He takes a deep interest in educational matters and everything pertaining to the welfare and interest of his village and town.
WILLIAM. E. EGGLESTON.
There is probably more genius necessary to properly run and manage a hotel than in almost any other business, as the work brings the proprietor in direct contact with characters and dispositions seldom found and not often
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displayed outside the house or the hotel. Mine Host, Eggleston, of the popular Dayton Hotel bearing his name, seems to be possessed, of this characteristic in a large degree. He is always genial, and his welcome, which is cordial, genuine and sincere, flows from a considerate interest in the welfare and comfort of his kind. He was born October 27, 1850, at Ballylangford, County of Kerry, Ireland, and came to America in May, 1863, locating at Buffalo where he found employment with the Lake Shore Railroad Co. He worked for six years in a roller mill at Buffalo and at Syracuse. In 1869-70 he helped to lay the second track on the Lake Shore Railroad, after which he went to Memphis, this state, and opened a boarding house. This he conducted for six months and then came to Dayton, where he was employed as a stone cutter on the tunnel. After the completion of the B. & J. R. R. he had charge of the section between Dayton and Pine Valley for two years. He then purchased the Sisson House at Dayton, changing the name to the Dayton House. This he successfully conducted until 1889, when it was destroyed by fire. He then built his present hotel which is the admiration of every citizen. It is an excellent building three stories and basement, 78 feet front by 31 feet wide with a wing 40x31, heated by steam, well lighted, electric call bells in every room, nicely arranged and well furnished throughout. The table is the equal of the best, the service is good, and every convenience is in use for the comfort of the guests. Mr. Eggleston married June 23, 1873, Jane B. Hannon of Angola, who is an excellent and painstaking landlady.
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HOTEL ECCLESTON
HOTEL EGGLESTON, DAYTON,
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MRS. WILLIAM E. EGGLESTON.
WILLIAM E. EGGLESTON.
H. BURT INMAN.
HI. Burt Inman was born at Cottage, May 16, 1842. When he was ten years of age he moved with his parents to Winthrop, Ill., and resided there for three years, when he returned to Cottage, and was living there when he enlisted in the war of the rebellion on September 15, 1861. He enlisted as a private in Co. H, 44th N. Y. Vols. and was in the following battles: Yorktown, Manassas, Antietam, Shepardstown, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Middleburg, Gettysburg, Bristoe Station, Rappahannock, Weldon R. R., Spotsylvania, Aldir, Big Bethel, Old Hampton, and Laurel
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H. BURT INMAN.
Hill. On May 8, 1864, he was wounded and suffered the amputation of his thumb. Before the close of the war he had been promoted to the rank of Color Corporal. He was given an honorable discharge at Albany, October 11, 1864. In June, 1870 he married Harriet I. Hooker, a daughter of John and Philena Hooker, who was born July 13, 1846, and to them have been born six children : Clyde H., July 23, 1871; Ward P., September 24, 1875; Harvey B., July 12, 1879; Dora A., October 17, 1880; John R., September 13, 1885; Bessie P., June 17, 1887. Clyde and Dora became successful school teachers. Ward died March 28, 1892, at Dayton; Harvey has worked
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1
BABY INMAN.
MRS. CLYDE H. INMAN.
CLYDE H. INMAN.
on the U. S. Deep Water and Lake Survey for the past three years. John and Bessie are still in shool. After his marriage he has resided successively in Warren Co., Pa .; Perrysburg, N. Y .; Butler Co., Pa., and at Dayton, N. Y. He has resided at the last mentioned place since 1877. He has held several town offices such as assessor, collector and highway commissioner. He was also on the School Board that secured the admission of the school at Dayton Village into the University of the State of New York. January 1, 1901, he was appointed as Deputy Sheriff for the 3rd Division of the Supreme Court at Buffalo, N. Y.
CLYDE H. INMAN.
Clyde H. Inman, the son of H. Burt and Harriet I. Inman was born at Freehold, Warren Co., Pa., July 23, 1871. Up to the time that he was twelve he attended the public schools of Pennsylanvia. At that time his parents moved to Dayton and he entered the school of which he afterwards became the principal. He completed his education at the Gowanda High School and at Fredonia Normal. During 1889 and '90 he taught in District No. 10 of the Town of Dayton. He then spent three years in the employ of the Erie Railroad during which time he was married to Minnie B. Merrill, daughter of Albert J. Merrill, a life-long resident of the town. During 1894 Mr. and Mrs. Inman taught the public school at Cottage and continued to teach the same for three years. He then was employed as Principal of the Dayton Union School and the primary department was given to his wife. He was retained at Dayton until the end of 1900, when he was obliged to resign and leave the school room entirely on account of bronchitis. At the present time he is in the employ of the King Richardson Company of Springfield, Mass., as an organizer for the Home Correspondence School of that place. To Mr. and Mrs. Inman has been born one child, Merrill B., born January 26, 1900. Mr. Inman is a member of several fraternal organizations and has had the honor of passing the chairs in the K. O. T. M., I. O. O. F. and the I. O. G. T. He is a gentleman of sound Christian principles, and magnificent physique.
JAMES RICE.
James Rice was born at Carlemont, Mass., March 13, 1813. His parents were Artemas Rice and Asenath Adams and he was the eighth of a family of eleven children. At the age of twenty-one he left home, going first to New Jersey and from there to Gowanda (or Lodi as it was then called) where his older brother, Hart, lived. He learned the cabinet-makers trade, working in the shop of Alfred Johnson. November 1, 1836, he married Eleanor Howe and the following spring they moved to Clear Creek, Chautauqua County, where they lived until 1846, he working at his trade. Two children were born to them here, Harriet A. (afterwards Harriet A. Bixby ) and James Hart who died in his fourth year. In 1846 they moved back to Gowanda, and in 1849 Mr. Rice and eight others were stricken with typhus fever which had been brought to Gowanda by a passenger from an ocean vessel. Mr. Rice was the only one of the nine who recovered. Early in the spring of 1851 the family
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MRS. JAMES RICE.
JAMES RICE.
came to Dayton to board the workmen who were building the Erie depot at that place. They moved into the house vacated by Asahel Allen and which stood near where the present home of Hon. Norman M. Allen stands and the only other buildings in the place at the time were a red house near the present residence of Leonard O. Hall and some temporary board shanties which were used as boarding houses for the gangs of men at work in the construction of the Erie road. The railroad was completed and its opening formally celebrated May 15, 1851, and a few weeks after the highway called the "Gravel road" was completed by Porter Welch from Dayton to Gowanda, following the route long afterward adopted for the line of the Buffalo and Jamestown Railroad. In June, 1851, Mr. Rice was appointed postmaster at Dayton and the post-office was kept in the depot until the following year when Mr. Rice having purchased a lot opposite the depot put up a building upon it for a store and dwelling and the post-office was moved in there. In 1856 Henry Granger was the agent of the Erie Railroad at Dayton and was taken suddenly insane. At the request of the railroad officials Mr. Rice took charge of the station temporarily until a successor to Mr. Granger could be secured. His administration was so entirely satisfactory that he was urged to remain and did so holding the position for twenty-five years or upward, when he was succeeded by his son Chester W., who was born at Dayton in 1854, and was the youngest of his three children. After taking this position Mr. Rice learned telegraphy, being confined in reading however to the old Morse "register."' It was many years before a younger generation demonstrated that the written record could be dispensed with, and the "sounder" finally and entirely displaced the old Morse "register." Mr. Rice was never a strong man physically and the educational advantages of his youth were very meager. He was, however, possessed of sterling qualities of heart and brain that left their impress on all who came in intimate contact with him. He was quiet and unassuming and the intervals were short and
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far apart in which he was not lending a helping hand to some one whose burden he believed to be greater than his own. Sham and pretense he detested and his influence was always exerted for progress and improvement in the affairs of his town. One of his most marked characteristics may be said to have been faithfulness-faithful to all the duties and trusts that came to him; faithful to his employers; faithful to his friends; faithful to his beliefs. He died November 2, 1884, in the 71st year of his age.
Eleanor Howe Rice was born in the town of Wells, Vermont, February 19, 1816. She was the youngest of the thirteen children of Jaazaniah Howe and Louis Stevens. The father was a soldier in the Revolution having entered the army at the age of seventeen. The family moved to Lodi in 1827, where some of the older children had preceded them. The journey was made by canal and occupied about two weeks, the limited means of the family preventing the use of the swift packet boat which would have hurried them through in about ten days. In November, 1836, she was married to James Rice and thereafter her history is that of the faithful wife and mother. She survived her husband until September 15, 1900, and at the time of her death was in her eighty-fifth year and the last surviving member of her family, her sister Delia, having died two years before at the advanced age of ninety-two. After Mr. and Mrs. Rice came to Dayton their location near the railroad depot made an opportunity for the frequent excercise of a quiet hospitality to many friends who were delayed in traveling and the friendships and acquaintances so made and renewed were among the chief sources of gratification and pleasure in their long and quiet country life.
HARVEY FOSTER.
Harvey Foster was born in the town of Otto, N. Y., October 9, 1834. He is a son of the pioneer family of Joseph Foster. The days of his minority were spent at home helping to clear the land that his father had taken from a grant of the Holland Land Co. His educational advantages were limited to a few months training during the winter in a district school kept in a log school house near the site of his father's farm. Soon after gaining his majority he commenced to work for his brother, Edward Foster, in what was known as Tub Town, manufacturing washtubs. This business however became unprofitable on account of the more modern improvements for such work and the business was discontinued. Mr. Foster then moved to Illinois taking up the occupation of farming, but returned to New York in 1859. He then engaged in the carpenter business until his marriage to Emily Newcomb in 1862. Of this union six children were born all of which are now living. George S. and B. Frank, successful farmers; Harry J. of Buffalo, engaged in railroading; Walter L., an attorney of Dayton, and Helen and Clara of Dayton. In 1863, he then in partnership with William Newcomb purchased the Newcomb homestead which they worked together for about two years then Mr. Foster purchased the interest of his partner and continued the business alone. After fifteen years he resold the farm to Simon Newcomb and purchased another farm situated about a mile north of Dayton Village where
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he has since resided. Mr. Foster was one of the family of eight children his father came from Washington County to Collins, N. Y., in the year 1817, but later taking up an original grant of land from the Holland Land Company in the town of Otto. Mr. Foster's mother, Esther Wheeler, came from Saratoga Springs, in 1820, marrying Joseph Foster in 1822. Of the children four are living, Edward Foster of Collins, N. Y .; Sheldon Foster of Otto, N. Y. ; Harvey Foster of Dayton, N. Y .; and Emily Foster of Cattaraugus, N. Y., and four are dead; Albert Foster, Jane Foster, Minerva Foster, Delia Foster. Mr. Foster has been an entirely successful farmer, his farm of three hundred acres shows thrift and energy in every detail. In public
HARVEY FOSTER.
life he has always taken a deep interest and has been a life long republican, casting his first ballot for John C. Fremont. He is a member of no fraternal organization except the Grange, in religion he is a devout Methodist, having served as trustee and class leader for many years. At the time that the church was rebuilt he was one of the building committee and did a great deal for raising the necessary funds. His high moral conduct, his extreme integrity, self-reliance and industry coupled with exhaustless energy and acute judgment are the strong characteristics of his manhood, and the elements of his success.
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MISSES HELEN AND CLARA FOSTER.
WALTER L. FOSTER.
PHILO A. MARKHAM, WIFE AND DAUGHTER. .
PHILO A. MARKHAM.
P. A. Markham, a resident of Dayton Village, was born August 27, 1837, at Windsor, Broome County, N. Y. His schooling was obtained at the district school which was located at a considerable distance from his home. At an early age he engaged in farming and lumbering. July 28, 1862, he enlisted as corporal in Co. B., 154th N. Y. Vols. He lost an arm in the battle at Rocky Face Ridge, Georgia. He was discharged on account of wounds November 2, 1864, at Louisville, Ky. He came to Dayton in about 1844, settling near Markham, since which time he has been a merchant, agent, etc. He was married April 17, 1862, at Forestville to Julia Blackney of Dayton. They have one child Ida, born September 12, 1869, she married Dr. W. W. Jolls of Dayton, August 14, 1895, and at present they reside at Orchard Park, N. Y. They have one adopted daughter Mamie May, who resides at home. Mr. Markham's father, Wm. Markham, was born in Broome County in 1815, and came to Dayton in 1844, where he died in July, 1896. His mother Susan (Hoag) Markham, was born in 1810 and died in 1894. Their children were, Philo A., Perthena, Sylvanus, Phoebe, Aaron, Adelbert and Alvin. Mrs. P. A. Markham was born in Perrysburg, January 26, 1842. She has carried on the millinery business at Dayton for twenty-five years and now carries a good line of goods for the business. Her father, Chas. Blackney, was born in Sharon, Conn., January 19, 1797, and died at Dayton, April 17, 1894. He came to Dayton in 1854 and settled south of Cottage, removing later to Dayton Village, where he died. Her mother Fanny (Loomer) Blackney was born April 22, 1806, in Vermont and died at Dayton, May 23, 1888.
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MR. AND MRS. JAMES ASHDOWN.
JAMES ASHDOWN.
James Ashdown, a gallant defender of his country's flag and successful in the pursuit of peace is prominent in the fraternal affairs of the village of Dayton. He was born in England, December 27, 1844, and came to America in 1856, locating in Cayuga County, where he remained until he enlisted in the service July 21, 1862, in Co. B., 111th Reg. After the close of the war he returned to that county where he remained until the spring of 1867, when he removed to the town of Dayton. He now conducts a boot and shoe business at Dayton Village. In fraternal matters he has always been a leader. He has been Commander of Merrill Post, No. 637, for four terms, Commander of the Maccabees for one term, and their financial record keeper since 1888. Mr. Ashdown married June 13, 1866, Mary Parker of Dayton. They have two children, James born January 1868, resides at North Collins, and Byron born April 15, 1869, a resident of Salamanca. Mr. Ashdown was a son of William Ashdown, who was born in England, and died at Wesley in 1876. His mother was Sarah (Nash) Ashdown, also born in England, and she died at Ripley, February 22, 1895.
IT is almost as presumptious to think you can do nothing as to think you can do everything .- Brooks.
CULTIVATE consideration for the feelings of other people if you would not have your own injured. Those who complain most of ill usage are those who abuse themselves and others the most.
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GEORGE FRANCIS.
MRS. GEORGE FRANCIS.
GEORGE FRANCIS.
Francis Cadwin was born in Cayuga County in 1795, came to Hamburg, removed thence to Leon and finally settled at Perrysburg, where he died, aged 75 years. His father Roswell, a native of Connecticut served in the war of 1812, and died in Cayuga County. Francis married a daughter of Simeon Francis, by whom he had seven children, of whom George was born in Ham- burg, May 7, 1831. He went with his parents to Leon in February 1840 where he remained until December, 1878, when he removed to Dayton. In 1899 he sold his property to Dr. C. Howard and removed to Buffalo where he now resides. He married December 18, 1856, Mary White, who was born August 18, 1832, in the town of Berne, Albany Co., N. Y. They have one daughter, Lydia P., born June 8, 1869, she married June 26, 1890, Maurice O. Briggs and they reside in Buffalo. Mr. Francis enlisted in 1861 in Co. K., 64th N. Y. Vols. and served fourteen months. He has al- ways been reliable and carried out his portion of every contract to the letter.
LYDIA P. (FRANCIS) BRIGGS.
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MR. AND MRS. WILL E. MERRILL. WILL. E. MERRILL.
Will E. Merrill belongs to one of the oldest families in the town of Dayton. His parents were Albert J. and Nancy R. (Blakesley) Merrill (see elsewhere) and he was born August 17, 1859, in the town of Dayton upon the farm where he now resides. His grandfather, Anson C. Merrill, was one of the first settlers of the town. He was a hard working economical man and knew fully the representative value of a dollar. He lived in stirring pioneer times and was fully acquainted with all those experiences which are a part of every pioneer's life. Will E. Merrill's childhood days, youth and manhood years have all been passed upon the old homestead around which cling many pleasant memories. His early education was acquired in the same school which he now helps to support. He has always followed the occupation of a farmer and is the present owner of one of the best farms in the town. On February 28, 1900, he married Hattie Dutton, daughter of Nelson Dutton, another pioneer resident of the town. His life is one of independence, contentment, and peaceful labor tempered with the benediction which comes to an honest, conscientious life.
FREEMAN MILKS.
Jonathan Milks was the first to settle a farm in the southern part of the town of Dayton. He was born in Washington County in 1800, and died at Dayton at the age of eighty years. His wife Margaret died here at the age of sixty. Their children were John, Benjamin, Jonathan, Prince W., Luke, Mary, Barbebee, Sarah, and Deborah. Benjamin Milks married Elida Miller and their children were Leonard, Charles, Cordelia, Betsey, Garrett, Joanna, Deborah, Gilbert and Freeman. The latter was born at Dayton July 22, 1831, married October 23, 1856, Joanna, youngest daughter of Eber and
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THE LATE FREEMAN MILKS. MRS. FREEMAN MILKS.
Martha (Kimball) Franklin of Leon. She was born July 24, 1836. He died at. Dayton, December 9, 1900. He was an extensive farmer, owning a good farm of 200 acres, besides real estate interest in Buffalo. Mrs. Milks still survives him.
RESIDENCE OF MRS. FREEMAN MILKS.
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MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM W. NEWCOMB.
WILLIAM W. NEWCOMB.
William W. Newcomb, one of the leading and industrious farmers of Dayton, was born March 21, 1838, on the old homestead where he now resides He is the son of Simon Newcomb, a pioneer resident of the town. Mr. Newcomb received a limited education in the schools of his day but made the most of his poor advantages. When sixteen years of age, he left home to make a start in life for himself. He married September 22, 1867, Mary E. Fluker, who was born August 8, 1844, the only daughter of John and Betsey (Watters) Fluker. Mrs. Newcomb's parents were early settlers of Villenova, coming from England, and purchasing of the Holland Land Co. 100 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Newcomb resided there for sixteen years during which time they added 150 acres, making the homestead 250 acres, of which they are the present owners as well as other property. In 1884 they moved to their present home. They had four children. One son Johnnie S., born May 11, 1869, he died May 19, 1888, and three daughters, Welma N., Emma M. and Eva E. The two latter are now attending the Gowanda High School taking a preparatory course for the Normal. Mr. Newcomb is a modest, industrious citizen, who is in prosperous circumstances through his own efforts.
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