History of Cattaraugus County, New York, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 50

Author: Franklin Ellis and Eugene Arns Nash
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Another important enterprise which owes its establish- ment to Mr. Barse was the organization of the State Bank, in 1870. The bank begun business in the summer of 1870, with a paid-up cash capital of $100,000, of which six-tenths was owned by Mr. Barse and his son, Mills W. Since that time the bank has been under his personal care and supervision, and has been so soundly and conservatively managed as to secure the unlimited favor and liberal patron- age of the best business element of the country. On the 1st of January, 1878, to accommodate its increasing busi- ness, and to conform to the popular desire for a uniform and national banking system, the capital stock was increased, and the State Bank merged into the Exchange National Bank, of which Mr. Barse is the president, and his son, Mills W. Barse, is the cashier and one of the directors.

The general good fortune that has attended Mr. Barse in most of his business transactions, while bearing on their ever- successful issue the imprint of good luck, was not in any way accidental. It was rather the necessary consequence of un- tiring industry, good management of his interests, and, above all, a firm, uncompromising spirit of personal honor and iu- tegrity. When he began trade, the speculative tendency which has so conspicuously marked the conduct of mercan- tile pursuits in this country of late years was comparatively unknown. Capital was limited, business principles few and simple, and the standard of individual rectitude severer than we find them to-day. Hard and persistent labor, diligence, punctuality in fulfilling engagements, were the prime-we might almost say the only-factors of success. These Mr. Barse possesses in a marked degree. From his embarkation in business to the present his name has continued a synonym for excellent judgment and fine business qualifications.

DR. ADONIRAM BLAKE

was born in Chittenden County, Vt., July 1, 1825. When about fourteen years of age, his parents removed to St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., and he attended the St. Lawrence Academy (now the State Normal School) at Potsdam, procuring his education with his own earnings. His father, John B. Blake, was a native of New Hampshire, from whence he emigrated to Vermont, and from there to St. Lawrence County, in 1839, where he died in 1840, leav- ing the duty of taking care of the widow and daughter incumbent upon his son, which duty the latter faithfully and cheerfully performed for three years.

After leaving school, young Blake removed to Orleans Co., N. Y., and studied dentistry at Allison, where he practiced that profession about three years. He then moved to Buffalo, and established a route which in- cluded Aurora, Sardinia, and Olean, and traveled that, visiting the places named, as a dentist for about fifteen years. In 1859 he made his permanent residence in Olean, where he formed a partnership with Nelson S. Butler in the dry goods business, and remained in that about two years. He then purchased the mercantile establishment formerly conducted by Fred. Eaton, in which he remained until 1864. During the latter year he purchased a hard- ware stock and commenced in that business, in which he is

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Photo. by Winsor & Whipple, Olean, N. Y.

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OLCOTT P. BOARDMAN, youngest son of Jehiel and Sallie (Hatch) Boardman, was born at Derby, Orleans Co., Vt., March 28, 1810, and at the age of four years his parents emigrated to and settled in Olean, N. Y., purchasing from Adam Hoops lot 1, section 5, town 2, range 4, of the Holland Land Company Survey, where his father com- menced to clear and make a home in the dense pine forest that then existed on the north bank of Olean Creek, where his boyhood was spent. He experienced all the hardships and privations of a wilderness home, which experiences had an admirable effect on his after-life and character. He obtained a limited education by attending the district school a few months now and then, as opportunity and circumstances would admit.

At the age of nineteen he engaged for one year as a clerk in the employ of Hon. F. S. Martin, who then kept the "Olean House" and was partner in a store of general merchandise.

His next engagement was with G. E. Warren, a lumber dealer, of Pittsburgh, Pa., during which he spent the spring and summer seasons in Pittsburgh, and the winters in the lumber districts of the upper Allegany, purchasing lumber. In 1832 he repurchased the old homestead (his father having lost title by the failure and bankruptcy of Hoops) from Frederick A. Norton, who had become land- proprietor of part of the "Hoops' Purchase" derived from the Holland Land Company.

He was married Oct. 3, 1833, by the Rev. Alexander Frazer, to Marcia P. Rice, second daughter of Luman Rice, of whom mention is made in the general history of the village. She was born at Homer, Cortland Co., N. Y., May 8, 1815.

They have one son only, Luman Olcott Boardman, born at Olean, Dec. 16, 1835; married at Ellicottville, Sept. 5, 1867, to Miss Emeline C. Bartlett, born at Olean, Sept. 7, 1837, daughter of Joshua N. Bartlett, Esq. They have had two children : a daughter, Marcia Rice, born at Olean, Sept. 3, 1868, living; a son, Olcott P., born at St. Cloud, Minn., Jan. 24, 1871; died Aug. 1, 1871. In the spring of 1870, Luman O. Boardman moved to Minnesota, where he extensively engaged in farming.

Having made extensive repairs upon the premises re-pur- chased from Norton during the season of 1833, all was destroyed by the notable tornado of March 20, 1834. With all his timber, of over two hundred acres, there was scarcely a tree left standing.

This catastrophe left him comparatively penniless ; but being neither daunted or discouraged, he rebuilt and repaired his premises, his parents, brother-in-law, and others re- siding upon it until 1849.

From 1834 to 1849 he was engaged in the lumber trade, residing a part of the time in the town of Portville, purchasing lumber and running to the Ohio River markets, -Pittsburgh, Pa., Cincinnati, O., and Louisville, Ky., being the most important ones,-and entirely supplied from the pineries of the Allegany River and its tribu- taries.

Then in 1849 he moved on to his homestead premises, repairing and making it his home, farming and continuing in active enterprises as had always been his custom, and filling various public offices of trust. In 1851 he was elected justice of the peace, and to other town offices at different times.

From 1849 to 1853 he was postmaster ; 1860-62, col- lector of tolls on Genesee Valley Canal, at Olean ; 1862- 66, assistant assessor of United States Internal Revenue.

In the fall of 1867, with Hon. H. Van Aernam, he made a partial tour of the " Northwest," purchasing considerable tracts of agricultural and pine-timbered lands in the State of Minnesota, situated on the head-waters of the " Red River of the North."

He was an early advocate of iron bridges (of which the town has three). The first one was built over Olean Creek in 1871, under his supervision as highway commissioner, at a cost of $5000.

Mr. Boardman has always maintained and advocated temperance principles ; has been a professed Christian and member of the Presbyterian Church nearly forty years ; is now in his sixty-ninth year, and, owing to an industrious and temperate life, bids fair to exceed the allotted span.

He is now one of the town assessors, and also a member of the board of education.

In the various stages of life, from his youth up, Mr. Boardman's career has been marked by an enterprising spirit of progress and development ; by a desire to promote the best interests of the town in which nearly all his life has been spent; by a firm and resolute will ; and by an individual rectitude and integrity that leaves him an un- tarnished reputation and an exalted position in the estima- tion of his fellow-citizens.

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HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.

still engaged, in connection with a large furniture business, which he added in 1875.

In 1874 he erected " Blake's Opera-House," at a cost of about $20,000. It is a fine building of brick, and is in every sense an ornament to the village and an enduring monument to the enterprise of its builder and owner. Its entire construction was superintended by Dr. Blake, and, as a result of his industrious supervision, it was completed and an entertainment given in it eight months from the time its foundation was laid. Dr. Blake has been actively engaged in building and real estate transactions from the time he first settled in Olean to the present, and has done much towards the material development of the place.

In the great fire of 1866 Dr. Blake lost $18,000, on which he had an insurance of but $7000, of which he owed $3500 for goods, etc. At the end of thirty days after the calamity he had paid up everything, dollar for dollar, and had but a small capital with which to commence business again. Notwithstanding this misfortune, Dr. Blake has succeeded in establishing himself on a firm basis.

On the 1st of September, 1858, he married Miss Anna M., daughter of George Bigelow, Esq., of Erie Co., N. Y. They have had four children, of whom but one-a daughter -survives. 1.

The general characteristics of Dr. Blake are his enterprise and personal integrity. He has always been faithful in the discharge of his business obligations, hence he enjoys an excellent credit and a good reputation as a successful bus- iness man. A fine illustration of the Opera-House can be seen elsewhere in this volume.

LAMBERT WHITNEY, M.D.,

was born at St. Johnsbury, Vermont, Oct. 10, 1812. After receiving his preliminary education at the public school of his native town, he commenced the study of medicine, and chose that as a profession, which he has successfully prac- ticed for upwards of forty years. His parents moved to New Hampshire when he was a youth, and it was there he began the study of the profession he has so long honored. After an interval of five years in his studies, and in June, 1833, he removed to Olean, and entered the office of Ed- ward Finn, M.D., and subsequently completed his office studies under Dr. Andrew Mead, a prominent pioneer phy- sician of this village, in the fall of 1836. He then went to Geneva and attended a course of medical lectures, and in January, 1837, he received his diploma from the New York State Medical Society. He immediately thereafter settled in Olean, and began an active and successful professional career. During the summer of 1837 Dr. Whitney became a member of the old Cattaraugus County Medical Society, and remained such as long as it retained its organization. He is also an honorary member of the present society.

In May, 1834, Dr. Whitney united in marriage with Miss Sallie Senter. They have had six children, -five sons and one daughter,-of whom three of the sons survive. Of these, L. S. and R. M. were the founders of the Olean Hub Factory, and one, the younger son, James O., is now a member of the firm of E. M. Jones & Co., of San Fran-

cisco, a long-established and influential fancy goods and notion house of that city.

In 1834, Dr. Whitney received the appointment of deputy sheriff, and served in that capacity one term, with satisfac- tion. In 1838 he was elected a justice of peace, and served in that office in all, twelve years. In 1853 he was chosen . to represent his town on the board of supervisors, and also

Photo. by Winsor & Whipple, Olean.

Lambert Whitening

occupied the same position the following year, owing to a tie vote between Warren Mills and J. L. Savage, the oppos- ing candidates. In 1860 the people of Cattaraugus County, having confidence in the doctor's integrity, elected him to the office of county treasurer, which responsible position he filled acceptably and well for three years. He now holds the offices of coroner of the county and of health officer of the corporation,-the latter a position of great responsibility and considerable discretionary power,-neither of which Dr. Whitney either neglects or abuses. He always sustains an independent deportment in the administration of official duties, and, being actuated by a desire to do the best possibly to be done for the taxpayers, they appreciate his worth, and insist on his retention in office.

In religion, Dr. Whitney is a Baptist, and for nearly half a century has been an active member of that denomination. His liberality in religious enterprises and his public-spirited activity in secular concerns are alike commendable, and through these qualities, and by reason of his general worth as a citizen, neighbor, physician, and friend, he enjoys a prominent position in the community, and the esteem and respect of all to whom he is known.

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HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.

JAIRUS BISSELL STRONG.

Although the subject of this memoir was not a native of the county of Cattaraugus, and, indeed, had resided there but a few years, his pre-eminently sterling and attractive qualities of mind and heart had endeared him to every per- son with whom he came in contact, and his early and sud -. den decease fell upon every heart with the crushing effect of a personal bereavement. It is a rare destiny, reserved to the select few among mankind, to be so endowed with gracious attributes as during life to win from all a brotherly love and confidence, and at death to leave a memory which all will cherish with a brother's tender and lasting sorrow. Mr. Strong was one of the favored few. Brief as was his career, dying as he did in his early prime, his life was a continuous benediction, evidenced and emphasized by the poignant and universal grief that shadowed and enshrined his grave.

Mr. Strong was born at Woodbourne, in the county of Sullivan (N. Y.), on the 13th day of September, 1834. He was an offshoot of genuine New England stock, his family being represented in the ante-colonial annals of Massachusetts by Elder John Strong, who, driven by religi- ous persecution from his English home at Taunton, settled near Boston, in 1630. The family, even in the mother- country, was an ancient one, boasting its coat-of-arms, which consisted of a mural crown, with an eagle volant and the legend underwritten, " Tentanda via est." Like most New England families, an irrepressible genius of enterprise im- pelled the young and ardent spirits of this Puritan house- hold to migrate into more promising fields of adventure, and as a result of this transplanting process some of them sought and found a home in the State of New York. Aus- tin Strong, the father of Jairus, was born at Ashland, in the county of Greene, in 1799, and his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Bigelow, was a native of the same place. The same spirit of piety and Christian zeal that prompted the ancestors to sacrifice their worldly ease and comfort and brave the perils of trans-Atlantic life actuated these their descendants, and from the earliest dawn of his intelligence they inculcated into the mind of their son those sentiments and principles of morality which so eminently distinguished the entire current of his history. With true New England fidelity and care they provided him also with a sound and liberal education, and sought by every means in their power to fit him for the intelligent and conscientious discharge of the duties and responsibilities incident to his approaching manhood. With what success their fostering care was attended, and with what affectionate and appreciative zeal he responded to it, was evidenced by the whole tenor of his pure and useful life.

His father's feeble health and failing eyesight compelled this son, at the age of nineteen, to assume the entire finan- cial charge and oversight of an extensive tannery, and this was his introduction to a business which he followed through his whole career, and with conspicuous success. The respon- sibility thus devolved upon him at this early age was a heavy one, but he confronted it with the cheerful courage that formed so prominent a trait of his character, mastered the theory, practice, and details with singular ease and effi-

ciency, and evinced a capacity for business that settled the question of his prosperity at the outset. With no taint of the rashness or presumption that often detracts from the usefulness of young men placed in positions of authority and trust, his modesty was equal to his merit, and from the first he won the affection and confidence of his men.

In 1858 he was married to Helen G., the only daughter of Gideon Howard, Esq., then residing at Tanner's Dale, in the county of Sullivan, a lady greatly admired and beloved, who, after having for nineteen happy years filled his house- hold with the radiance of her love, survived to bless their offspring with a mother's tender care. Three interesting children were the fruit of this auspicious union.

He remained at Black Lake, where his father's tannery was located, till 1864, when he removed to the village of Allegany, in the county of Cattaraugus, and there carried on an extensive tannery until the time of his death. In the summer of 1877 his business was for a time suspended by the destruction of his establishment by fire, but with characteristic enterprise, while the ruins were still smoking, he commenced the work of reconstruction, and his affairs were again in full and successful operation at the time of his decease. Nor did he confine his attention to this one enterprise. The oil development in that vicinity opened attractive opportunities of investment, of which he availed himself with signal judgment and success.

Although his principal place of business remained located at Allegany, he removed his residence to the village of Olean, in 1875, purchased an elegant mansion and grounds, and gratified his own taste and that of his neighbors by beautifying and adorning them. And there, surrounded and made happy by such an aggregate of blessings as rarely falls to the lot of man, and with the seemingly auspicious promise of their continuance for many years to come, he was, on the 18th day of February, 1878, in a moment and with hardly a moment's warning, without the opportunity of gathering the children around him for his benediction or commending his spirit to God who gave it, summoned away from his agonized and awe-struck family and friends forever.

Mr. Strong, though by no means a politician, took never- theless a warm and intelligent interest in political and gov- ernmental questions, and was indeed thoroughly conversant with the current of events. He was naturally and often, without any intrigue or suggestion on his part, designated for posts of honor and trust. He was several times elected to the office of supervisor of the town of Allegany during his residence there, and was in 1875 elected on the Demo- cratic ticket to the office of county treasurer, although the usual Republican majority was over fifteen hundred, a posi tion he continued to fill with singular ability and efficiency to the time of his death. Indeed, to every trust he was true and faithful; and yet, though never sacrificing or com- promising the slightest requirement of duty or honor, he so bore himself in all the varied transactions of an active life that acquaintance with him at once and irresistibly quick- ened into a strong and lasting regard. There was indeed in his demeanor something singularly winning. His frank, fresh, open countenance, his hearty and contagious laughter, his genial, whole-souled manner, his quick and generous sympathy, and, in fine, all the emanations of the man, were

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HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.

combined into a potent but gentle force that captivated every one who came within the sphere of his influence.

His capacity for disseminating a wholesome hilarity and of calling into active and competitive play the social forces and proclivities around him was unrivaled. He breathed an atmosphere of jocund and healthy merriment. From him there radiated a fervent joyousness that imparted warmth to the coldest heart and kindled a cheerful smile on the visage of despondency itself. His life was a perpetual jubilee, without, however, a taint of cynicism or heartless levity. But it was in the gracious light of his domestic life, in his benignant character of husband, son, and father, that all his noble and tender qualities put forth their fullest and most delightful exercise. Upon his family he lavished a boundless wealth of provident and devoted love, and more precious far than mere earthly riches was the memory of his rare and splendid nature,-a legacy that profusion cannot waste and time cannot destroy.

ANSEL ADAMS.

For more than forty years the subject of this sketch has resided in Olean, and in that time has witnessed its transi- tion from a small hamlet to a prosperous and flourishing village, and by his industry and enterprise has assisted not a little in effecting this change. A period of business ac-

Photo. by Winsor & Whipple, Olean. ANSEL ADAMS.

tivity extending over more than half a century, of which four-fifths has been passed in his present place of residence, entitles him at least to a brief mention on the pages of the history he in his life and character has helped to make.

Ansel Adams was born at Oak Hill, in the town of Dur- ham, Greene Co., N. Y., July 16, 1804. He is the son of Thomas and Anna (Thorp) Adams, who were old and respected settlers of that county.

Mr. Adams was married to Miss Ruth A., daughter of Benjamin and Laura (Hickox) Nichols, on the 4th of

March, 1835, and three years afterwards, namely, in the spring of 1838, they removed to Olean, where they have since resided.

In 1839, Mr. Adams was chosen one of the vestrymen of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church of Olean, and for the past fourteen years has been its senior warden. From his arrival here he has been one of the most active and zealous members of that church.

After an extended mercantile career, Mr. Adams retired on a well-earned competence, and is now, though past the allotted "threescore years and ten," enjoying remarkable good health, which is greatly attributable to a moderate and regular mode of life. He is generally respected as an up- right man and a good citizen.

REUBEN O. SMITH.

Born in Bath, Steuben Co., N. Y., Feb. 22, 1823, Reuben O. Smith was the fourth of seven children. His father, Henry Smith, was a native of Dutchess Co., N. Y., but attained his majority in Bradford Co., Pa., where he mar- ried Anna Spaulding, and immediately settled in Bath, where, 'midst privations known only to the pioneers of that time, this honored father and mother reared their seven children and hewed a home from the then unbroken forest.

With a firm belief in and willing obedience to the divine command, " by the sweat of thy brow shalt thou eat thy bread," their home became, from principle as well as by the necessities of the time, one of industry and economy, from which went forth this family of sons and daughters thoroughly prepared by precept and example for the ex- igencies of responsible life, but with slight inheritance save a knowledge of useful labor and the rich and wise counsels of a revered father and saintly mother.

Through the district school of that day, with a few months at the Athens (Pa.) Academy, Reuben O., dissat- isfied with the unremunerative farm labor of that period, with the consent of his parents, obtained a situation as clerk in a store at the village of Avoca, in his native county, and after three years' clerkship at this and one or two other situations, at progressive salaries of thirty, sixty, and ninety dollars per annum, he obtained a more satisfac- tory situation with Henry Brother at Bath, with whom he remained two years, and then, at the urgent solicitation of this honored and respected merchant, who he remembers with nothing but pleasure and gratitude, and with him as a partner, he entered upon his mercantile life at Painted Post, N. Y. This copartnership continued a successful business for seven years, when it was dissolved by mutual consent.

Becoming a partner in a large lumbering firm in 1854, he went to Williamsport, Pa., where under his personal supervision was constructed one of the largest water-mills ever built in the country.

Retiring from this firm in 1856, he soon after took up his residence in Olean, where, in 1852, he and his younger brother, Erastus H., had established the firm of Smith Brothers. This firm was dissolved in 1859 by the retire- ment of Erastus H. on account of failing ; health, since

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HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.

which, as sole proprietor or with former clerks raised to a partnership, he has continued in business at Olean.

The advent of this firm caused a revolution in the then existing methods of business in that village. It was a new departure. Hitherto credit, and that long continued, had been universal. No one thought of paying for goods when they were bought. Credit was the idol, the ledger its temple, the merchant the high-priest, the people the votaries, who at this shrine paid burdensome tithes. A new era in business opened. Goods were offered over the counters of this young firm at prices so low as to attract universal attention, and it is safe to say that during the first two years eighty per cent. of all cash paid in this vicinity for merchandise was paid to this firm. But the old merchants were not disposed to sit quietly by and see their business slip from their hands. Intrenched behind ample capital, and a thorough knowledge of the country, they accepted the gage of battle, clinging, however, to the old methods. It was no struggle between pigmies. The strife was prolonged and bitter, and as a consequence prices were greatly reduced. The public enjoyed the fight and benefited by its results. One by one the old firms were forced from the field, and of all who were in the dry-goods trade when Smith Brothers commenced business in Olean not one, nor the representative of one, remains at this writing. But this conflict resulted in making Olean a centre of trade, and in giving the village an impetus that has placed it among the most important in Western New York.

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History of Cattaraugus County, New York, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 50

Author: Franklin Ellis and Eugene Arns Nash Publication date: Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author: Franklin Ellis and Eugene Arns Nash
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: