USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume I > Part 110
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The Aerie has the honor of printing in this permanent record of its activities the list of one hundred sixty-nine members called into the service of their country :
Henning Anderson Gilbert L. Anderburg Carl Anderson Roy W. Anderson
Charles D. Johnson Gust H. Josephson Albert Keefe Donovan Koerner
445
FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES
Daniel B. Anderson Carl Martin Anderson Melvin Anderson Henry Anderson
Edwin W. Anderson
Paul H Lundquist
Edwin Lindell Edward K Langham Alfred T. Lindstrom Michael J. Lawler
Carl . Lunstead Clarence A. Lawson
Ralph E. Larson
Wilton A. Loun
Ivan Larson
Carl Lund Plinnie S. Larson
George W. McIntyre Thomas Moore
Alfred Miller
Roy E Miller
John F. Mason
Michael E. MoAuliffe
George H. Mitchell
Frank N. Nenno
Fred B. Nelson
Arthur L. Carlson
Carl W. Nelson
Emil A. Carlson
Clarence E. Nelson
Archibald E. Newton
TS. L. Norman
George A L. Peterson
Leslie E. Powers S. Emil Peterson
Frnest W. Peterson
Fric R. Pearson
Burlingame .1. Reed
Mathew Ranz
.A. Bartholdi Peterson
William F. Rahm
James C. Rugg
Albert Roman
Carl Stenander
Clarence E. Erickson Gunnard Eck
Fred J. Smith
Carl E. Stein
Albert Erlanson
Victor B. Seaburg
Milton W. Scharf
Ben Fieldhouse
Elliot L. Swanson
Jay D. Freeman
Harry J. Stuart
Charles G. Fornell
William G. Swanson
Frank L. Swanson
Claud A. Stone
William A. Funcheon
Joseph E. Stromgren
Anton G. Spetz
Robert K. Stone
Lester W. Scharf
James FF Stake
Cecil C. Stewart
Robert L. Studd
Carl Thornhlad
Clifford B. Turney
Andrew J. Trainor
William M. Wright
Harry V. Wolfe
Frank Ware
Frank Van Steenacker
Anton Hiegle Rudolph J. Y. Holmlund
Floyd A. Van Dusen Edward Wethli
George E. Herman Lewis R. Hendrickson
Frank S. Widmark
Edward H. Westrom
Carl A. Norlander
Henry G. Linberg
Herbert R. Johnson Earl Cook
Thomas R. Jolly
Everett D. Gifford
Leroy D. Norberg
B. E. Hopson
Arthur E. Hedberg
Roy O. Olson
Died or Killed in Service:
Harry W. Benson Nat Mcintyre
Clarence P. Leuthe Carl A. E. Schold
Clarence H. Anderson
T. Clyde MeGraw
The upbuilding of this Aerie and the creation and sus- taining of this Temple project has required leadership. It has been found that men from all walks of life may contribute their mite in making this type of a civic and fraternal center a distinctive success. Individuals have not been selected for worthy president because of their standing in any particular walk of life, but because of the conviction of the membership that the particular man
was required for the position. The rule which has pre- vailed in the selection of a president as the leader of the organization has been applied to the subordinate officers and to the many committees which conduct the affairs of the order. The following list of worthy presidents is indicative of the wide appeal which the order has made to those active in the labor, business and professional circles of the city: 1904, Frank H. Mott; 1905, Glenn P. Phillips: 1006, Frank E. Wallace: 1907, Arvid N. Lundquist ; 1908, Ernest Cawcroft; 1909, Dr. A. L. D. Campbell: 1910, Roy H. Cole; 1011, Ernest Cawcroft ; 1912, Ernest Cawcroft: 1913, Ernest Cawcroft; 1914, James S. McCallum; 1915, Robert H. Jackson; 1016, Louis E. Ruden : 1017, Louis E. Ruden ; 1918, John Jen- kins ; 1019, Elmer J. Wade: 1920, A. Fred Helgran.
The writer has refrained from the delicate task of selecting and crediting the relative contributions of vari- ous members to the success of this Brotherhood. But the success of any organization of this kind depends, in a large measure, on the secretary, just as the continued growth of a church is the work of its pastor.
Clement B. Jones, for many years city clerk, was the first and agreeable secretary in 1004; John G. Moynihan, now connected with the Internal Revenue Service of the United States, was the efficient secretary from 1905 until 1900. The program of the Brotherhood became so exten- sive that it was necessary in the latter part of 1900 to create the office of business manager and merge it with that of the secretaryship. Past President Frank E. Wal- lace, now supervisor at large of the city of Jamestown, became secretary and business manager in 1910 and con- tinties in that position until this day. The writer departs from the rule which he set for himself in the prepara- tion of this paper by paying credit to this modest, kindly, efficient man, without whose service and devotion the Eagle Temple project could not have withstood the strain of the World War period.
The board of directors of the Eagle Building Company during the period of the construction of the project was composed of the following : President, Ernest Cawcroft: secretary, Frank E. Wallace; treasurer, O. Nelson Rush- worth: James S. McCallum, Robert B. Blanchard, Charles A. Anderson, Arvid N. Lundquist, Fred R. Hemphill, Samuel Saxe, Roy H. Cole, Frank N. Curtis, John W. Wheelhouse, Asa Ackroyd. Building commit- tee : Ernest Cawcroft, Arvid N. Lundquist, Frank E. Wallace. Architects: Freeburg & Fidler. Contractor : Charles C. Haas.
The hoard of directors of the Temple elected by the bondholders and members under the deed of conveyance by the building corporation to the trustees of James- town Aerie is now composed of the following : Chair- man, Ernest Cawcroft; secretary, Frank E. Wallace; O. Nelson Rushworth, Charles A. Anderson, Fred R. Hemp- hill, Louis E. Ruden, Gust A. Anderson, James S. Mc- Callum, Elmer J. Wade, Arvid N. Lundquist, Asa Ack- royd, Morley J. Beal, A. Fred Helgran, Samuel Saxe, John Jenkins.
The officers of Jamestown Aerie consist of the follow- ing at the time of this writing in 1921: Past worthy president, Elmer J. Wade; worthy president, A. Fred Helgran; worthy vice-president, R. G. Owens; worthy chaplain, Walter P. Jackson ; treasurer, O. Nelson Rush- worth; inside guard, Michael D. Beaver ; outside guard, John W. Scofield; worthy conductor, George Schwob; assistant conductor, James W. Lydon ; trustees, Charles A. Anderson, Elmer J. Wade, Fred R. Hemphill ; physi- cians, Dr. F. C. Purcell, Dr. Edwin L. Hazeltine.
Those who read this story will now realize that this Temple has been made a success, during the first half decade of its existence, by the adoption of an inclusive instead of an exclusive policy in the conduct of the
Wilber C. Anderholt Bennie M. Anderson
Warren J. Barnes Harvey H. Beebe Earl R. Berg
Earle F. Brookens J. Ernest Beckstrand Henry S. Berggren Hugh W. Button Rudolph E. Bard E. Bertram Briggs Harry J. Briggs Harry W. Burgeson Carl G. Bergman
Ralph W. Benedict
Louis G. Bosin Henry R. Briggs Charles .A. Boehler Wallace Carlson
Frank O. Carlson
Oliver T. Carlson William J. Carlson George L. Clark Fred B. Cramer
Charles Carlson
Edward J. Crantz
Sawyer W. Clark
George Colier
Nels E. Dickson
Clinton E. Day Arthur P. Dean Carl E. Erickson Swan Elf Carl A. Erickson
Paul L. Fosberg Odysseus Ford
Ross L. Fisher John J. Guinnane David Grief
Frank Grimshaw
Arthur L Gordon
George Gustafson Edward L. Hazeltine
Ernest O. Holmberg Arthur G. Helgran C. P. Handron Millard W. Hubachek Earl R. Hall Harry H. Haag
Herbert Haglund C. Elwell Johnson Merton A. Johnson Rudoph W. Johnson Clayton O. Johnson Howard L. Johnson Carl A. Johnson
Harry R. Johnson Allen W. Jackson Roy T. Johnson
Knute C. Kihlstrom Marcus C. Kinney Charles A. Lund
Arthur C. Lofgren
Alexander Erickson
446
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
affairs of the brotherhood. Many groups of citizens have enjoyed the use of the dining room for dinners and discussions, and the parlors of the Temple as a forum for debate. During the early days of 1915 the Saturday Night Club, composed of Eagles and non-Eagles, was organized, and since that time this group, which meets in the parlors of the Temple during the winter time and which journeys by automobile to the Chautauqua Institu- tion, Point Van Buren, Lily Dale Assembly, and other points in Chautauqua county in the summer time, has pro- voked many incisive discussions of public problems. The Art Metal Fire Brigade, the printers of the city, and many groups interested in welcoming to their home city distinguished war correspondents like Frederick Palmer and S. Miles Bouton, have enjoyed the hospitality of the club rooms.
The development of the Eagle Temple project is due to the fact that the leadership has convinced the member- ship that service is the law of collective success. An ex- clusive policy will be ruinous to the true purposes of the Eagle Temple. It has thriven and will continue to thrive by inviting a hundred young men every year to join its ranks. These young men prevent the creation of that intellectual and social rut so common to many organiza- tions. They give vigor and vision to the plans of the organization. Once the day comes that the Eagle Brotherhood fails to give an urgent invitation to the on- coming young man, however humble, to join its ranks, this civic project will have passed from a thing of spirit and purpose into planless bricks and mortar.
THE DUNKIRK EAGLES-Lake Erie Aerie, No. 1378, Fraternal Order of Eagles, was organized July 19, 1906. Charter members : Frank F. Stapf, Charles Nagle, H. L. Fox, S. E. Levandowski, P. E. Wade, H. H. Droege, A. Walton Damon, L. J. Haman, Leo Pfleger, A. K. Loeb, H. C. Stegman, George Ellis, E. M. Toomey, O. R. Naetzker, L. J. Schnour, Charles D. Loeb, C. H. Crisp- man, John J. Kane, William F. Frank, George Duem- sen, John C. Burton, F. W. Krohn, F. D. Driscoll, C. L. Schultz, Oscar Comenisch, James Stewart, Valentine Reading, George E. Hudson, Luke Reddy, L. Medler, William Ward, John Ward, Philip Ryan, George Delby, H. M. Brooks, George Shaler, Alfred Nelson, E. W. Walters, George H. Jones, Robert J. Datterweich, C. E. Merrick, R. H. Chisholm, Edward Clarke, J. F. Ahrens, K. J. Stickler, John J. Walters, William F. Barnes, Wil- liam Couhig, Chester Gawronski and B. F. Barnard.
The presidents from past to present : Charles Nagle, Leslie A. Pease, James P. Morrissey, Louis W. Foley, Fred M. Edmonds, William A. Husband, Burt Hopkins, Victor Rider and Thomas D. Jackle.
The membership is 200. The Aerie moved into their residence club house in 1908, having purchased it from the Madigan estate. It is situated at 418 Eagle street, and is one of the finest lodge and club rooms in Dunkirk. During the World's War, the Aerie had eighteen men in the service, but lost none of that number.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, JAMESTOWN COUNCIL-There are two active chapters of the Knights of Columbus in Chautauqua county-Council No. 926, located at James- town, and Council No. 929, located at Dunkirk.
The Jamestown Council was chartered October 30, 1904, with the following charter members: Michael Bar- rett, James P. Calahane, Joseph A. Chiado, Rev. Richard R. Coyle, William M. Fay, John Crowe, Albert Harris; William H. Harrison, Jr., G. C. Harrison, John H. Hays, E. T. Hopkins, Louis J. Isbell, Richard Lavery, M. L. Badhorn, E. B. Bergholtz, T. F. Bolton, Nicholas Folland, H. W. Boyd, C. M. Harrison, T. L. Lucey, Ed- ward J. McGee, Richard Mahoney, John J. Mahoney,
Joseph F. Thompson, Frank J. McCormick, Peter Mc- Kee, Thomas McNamara, A. J. Maharon, J. J. Ryan, John Mahoney, J. G. Moynihan, J. P. Mulhall, M. J. Murray, Rev. Luke F. Sharkey, F. E .Shearman, Michael Slavin, Bert Whatford, Charles Buckley, L. J. Dunn, J. A. Breen, A. H. Harrison, Martin Kinney, Thomas Ma- honey, Edward J. Marsh, John F. Moynihan, Edward F. Murphy, Robert Straughen, Joseph Trainor.
C. M. Harrison, formerly of Jamestown, New York, and now a resident of Dunkirk, was the first grand knight, being succeeded by Frank E. Sheaman and E. B. Bergholtz, who held office several terms each. Other members who have held the distinction of grand knight are: J. P. Thompson, F. J. McCormick, William H. Harrison, P. H. Garrity, A. J. Hurley, H. W. Boyd, G. M. Blackmon, Andrew Green, Dr. J. J. Mahoney.
Dunkirk Council, No. 929, received its charter Decem- ber 4, 1904. Frank E. Murphy was the first grand knight, and Mark F. Lally is the present grand knight. Dunkirk Council has purchased a large tract of land in a central location and intends to commence building operations immediately.
The Knights of Columbus in Chautauqua county were particularly active during the recent World War on the many drives conducted by the cooperating fraternal and other societies for the benefit of the soldiers at the front.
The following members of the Jamestown Council served in the military forces of the government during the war: William Garrity, John Blood, William Blood, George Burns, Thomas Clarke, Rev. James Carra, James W. Corkery, Leo Corkery, Leo F. Colwell, Arthur Dun- derdale, Leo Engle, Dr. John Ferrin, William Foley, Thomas McKee, James Lawrence Mahan, Harry Mc- Ginn, Daniel Rogers, John VanKirk, Edward Welshofer, Gordon Woods, Leland Fox, James H. Gerrity, James Gilroy, Dr. Walter Girvin, John J. Guinnane, Jr., Domi- nic F. Guinnane, Rev. James Howley, Harry Irwin, Robert Illig, Andrew B. Johnson, Herman Marsh, James Moran, John W. Moynihan, Dr. James J. McCulla, Arthur Mullen, George Paul, Earl Stahley, Henry Weiser, Wayne Thayer.
The following made the supreme sacrifice: John Blood, Robert Illig, William Foley. PATRICK S. GUINNANE.
DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA-Court St. Gertrude, No. 92, National Order of the Daughters of Isabella, of James- town, is, as its name implies, a branch of an organiza- tion nation-wide in its scope, one of the most prominent among women's societies in the country.
The Daughters of Isabella was founded some sixteen years ago by the Knights of Columbus of Utica, New York, as an auxiliary to that council. However, the Knights who instituted it were men of vision who soon came to a realization of the need for a national organiza- tion of Catholic women. So taking the Utica society as a nucleus, an independent national organization was per- fected, other courts were established, the name was changed to the National Order of the Daughters of Isa- bella, and today, from that modest beginning with but a handful of Catholic women enrolled, the order is repre- sented in nearly every State in the Union, with a mem- bership of many thousands. The national headquarters are still maintained at Utica, New York. Mrs. Genevieve H. Walsh, of New York City, is the supreme regent of the order, and Mr. M. F. Kelly, of Utica, one of its founders, the national secretary.
The objects of the organization are the same for Catholic womanhood as those of the Knights of Colum- bus for Catholic manhood-namely, the advancement of Catholic interests, the betterment of its members, spiritu-
ang
1
C.
GENERAL JOHN MCALLISTER SCHOFIELD
Lega
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447
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS-DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA
ally and intellectually, and the practice of charity in its broadest sense ; in fact every need of Catholic women's organizations throughout the world.
There is no insurance connected with the order, merely a small death benefit, and any practical Catholic woman between the ages of eighteen and sixty is eligible for membership. The advantage of this wide range of ages will be quickly seen, as the experience of the older mem- bers is invaluable in the conduct of the business of the organization, while the younger members, with their enthusiasm and necessarily somewhat different view- point, act as an excellent balance.
Court St. Gertrude was organized November 11, 1908, through the efforts of Mrs. E. B. Bergholtz, Mrs. R. E. Caskey, Miss Elizabeth D. Calahane, Miss Margaret T. Calahane, Miss Mary B. McCormick and Miss Mary H. Isbell. These women had some years before joined the order at Meadville, Pennsylvania, and were so impressed with its worth that they determined to bring it into their home city. The court was instituted with a membership of thirty, which has since increased to 250. The officers elected on the night of its organization were: Rev. Father Coyle, chaplain; Mrs. M. L. Barrett, grand regent ; Mrs. J. A. Hughes, vice-regent ; Miss Margaret M. Moynihan, prophetess ; Miss Mary M. Woods, his- torian ; Miss Gertrude L. Davis, financial secretary ; Miss Mary A. Maharon, treasurer; Miss Anna F. Whalen, monitor ; Miss Bertha Marsh, sentinel; Miss Margaret M. Moynihan, pianist ; Miss Mary B. McCor- mick, lecturer. Trustees: Mrs. J. P. Buckley, Mrs. W. H. Tyler, Mrs. J. W. Briggs, Mrs. C. J. Harrison, Mrs. E. M. Schlaudecker, Mrs. M. Kinney.
So faithfully did these women discharge their duties and such harmony has prevailed in the court, that changes in the personnel of the officers have occurred only through resignation, removal from the city, or death. The woman who on that first night was prevailed upon to accept the office of grand regent, Mrs. M. L. Barrett, has never been allowed to resign her office, and under her leader- ship Court St. Gertrude maintains a standing second to one in the order. Mrs. Barrett represents the Court it State conventions, and from there has frequently been ·lected delegate to the national convention, where her opinions and suggestions carry great weight.
During the late war (1917-18) the efforts of the court vere directed almost entirely to raising money for war purposes and providing articles for the comfort of the oldiers. Three chaplains were outfited for overseas ervice ; $200 donated to the drive of the local council of he Knights of Columbus; $700 to the fund raised by he National Council of the Knights in its "Everybody Welcome, Everything Free" war service, in addition to enerous contributions to the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Young Men's Christian Association, and other organiza- ions engaged in war relief work.
The charity committee of this court is very active. Cooperating with the Associated Charities of the city, nder the leadership of Mrs. Elizabeth Buckley, splendid esults are accomplished. The court is also interested in ivic matters, and is always ready to take part in any movement which has for its object the betterment of the ty.
One warm June evening in 1919 the famous Paulist Choir, brought to Jamestown through the efforts of this organization, delighted a capacity house at The Samuels. The court has also staged several amateur plays in a very creditable manner. Nor are the members unmind- ful of their own social needs as a court family. Once a month a social mecting is held, which takes the form of a literary, musical, or dramatic evening, or is spent in the enjoyment of games.
The officers for 1920 are: Rev. David J. Ryan, chap- lain ; Mrs. Al. L. Barrett, grand regent ; Mrs. J. A. Fox, vice-regent : Miss Cecilia Garrity, prophetess : Miss Eliz- abeth A. Gibson, historian; Miss Cecilia J. Harrison, financial secretary ; Mrs. E. Margaret Blood, treasurer ; Miss A. Marie Briggs, monitor ; Miss Elizabeth D. Cala- hane, sentinel; Miss Elizabeth G. Corkery, pianist; Miss Mary M. Woods, lecturer. Trustees: Mrs. N. J. Foland, Mrs. Roy Hambleton, Mrs. E. M. Schlaudecker, Miss Alice Scallon, Mrs. J. P. Moynihan, Mrs. P. H. Garrity. Charity committee : Mrs. Elizabeth Buckley, Mrs. Mark Berry, Miss Ella Crowe. Program committee: Miss Gertrude I. Davis, chairman; Mrs. J. A. Fox, Miss Mary M. Woods.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, DUNKIRK COUNCIL -- Dunkirk Council, No. 920, was instituted December 4, 1904, with the following charter members: H. G. Wagner, P. E. Wade, J. J. Sullivan, M. D., Jeremiah J. Sullivan, T. E. Sheehe, William J. Shechan, J. D. Murphy. F. E. Mur- phy, J. J. Mulcahy, G. B. Monroe, C. R. Monroc, P. F. Meister, J. T. McParland, F. J. McParland, J. McNa- mara, J. J. Madigan, F. S. Stegelske. A. J. Langan, N. L. Kinn, Harry A. Imber, H. G. Hayes, William J. Graff, T. Fitzgerald, Jr., William Egan, D. Schmatz, M. J. O'Donnell, J. W. O'Brien, Rev. Paul Nussbaum, C. P., R. Mulholland, J. Mechan, C. J. McCarthy, J. G. Maidel, Jr., W. J. Madigan, M. J. Lennertz, D. F. Madi- gan, M. F. Lally, J. T. Kornprobst, E. J. Keehn, G. M. Hoefler, A. M. Gonnelly, D. F. Gancy, E. H. Fernandez, T. B. Donovan, Michael J. Donovan, John Dean, M. A. Callagee and W. H. Brophy.
Past grand knights to the present time have been: F. E. Murphy, T. J. Cummings, J. M. Hoefler, Dr. W. J. Sullivan, S. J. Karin, George J. Till, H. J. Hayes, R. H. Galbraith, C. M. Henderson, P. J. Schwartz, M. F. Lally. The council numbers 531 members; to the present time, there have been thirty deaths. The council was repre- sented by 141 men in service during the World War.
The council rooms are at present at the corner of Main and Third streets. A land site was purchased last year, and a new edifice will soon be erected. It will be one of the most modern in the country, planned to accommodate its large and growing membership for years to come, comprising council chambers, reception rooms, auditorium, library, gynasium, swimming pool, bath rooms, bowling alleys, billiard rooms, etc.
DISTRICT ORGANIZATION, KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS-The Fiftieth New York District of the Knights of Columbus comprises the councils of Jamestown, Dunkirk, Sala- manca and Allegany. District deputies have been : Wil- liam Fitzgerald, of Olean; Thomas P. Heffernan, of Dunkirk ; Michacl J. Enwright, of Allegany ; and H. J. Hayes, of Dunkirk.
MILITARY HISTORY.
Chautauqua county was settled in 1802, and was made county in 1808. As fast as the settlers came in they ere required to report at New Amsterdam, now Buf- lo, for military drill, at least twice a year, as this
county was at first a part of Genesee county and then a part of Niagara county for nearly all purposes until 1811. It was an enormous task, and the project of form- ing a new military company, independent of Niagara
448
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
county, was earnestly discussed for one or two years when the settlers were few, but did not culminate until 1808, after the bounds of the county became defined.
Immediately after the bill was passed forming the county, March 11, 1808, in answer to a petition, an order was made for the formation of a military company for the county, the bounds of the county being the same as at present. Each man by law was to be personally "warned out," necessitating more than a hundred miles travel by those designated for that duty, and largely through an unbroken forest. The point designated for the meeting was the ancient Cross-roads, now Westfield, at the log tavern of Mrs. Perry, formerly Mrs. Mc- Henry, on the west side of the creek, near the monu- mental stone now standing there. This was in May. Cross-roads was then the hub of he county, while James- town was several miles down the creek, and Fredonia was well scattered over a wilderness territory. There was a general attendance ; hardly a man liable to do military duty was absent. Under the direction of a major of a regiment east of Buffalo, the company was legally formed with ninety men and a full set of officers. The names of some of the officers are not distinctly remembered, though it was the opinion of David Eaton, of Portland, who was present and was elected a sergeant, that the first captain was William Prendergast, of Mayville, who was already a captain of a company in the Niagara militia. He was a medical student with an uncle in Canada, but returned to this country for permanent residence in 1811. He was made a major probably in the fall of 1812 or the spring of 1813. Major Prendergast was specially efficient as an officer at the battle of Black Rock later on, and was a conspicuous target for British soldiers on account of the white horse he rode, but though his clothing was literally riddled by bullets, he was not wounded. He was made lieutenant-colonel, March 22, 1816.
The first lieutenant of this company it seems certain was James Atkins, a merchant recently settled in town and a very popular man. James McMahan was second lieu- tenant, and rose to the command of a regiment. The ensign has fairly escaped this bit of notoriety. David Eaton was elected a sergeant, and Joseph Thayer a fifer. A letter from the Adjutant-General's office says that no scrap of evidence exists in that office in regard to this early military move in Chautauqua county, and later gives as a reason for this that all military records up to 1812 were sent to Washington and have never been re- turned, and that they were destroyed by fire when the capitol was burned in 1814.
John McMahan was made a lieutenant-colonel in 1809 or 1810. James McMahan was made a captain in the fall of 1809 or the spring of 1810, and David Eaton a first lieutenant at the same date. John McMahan was made a colonel in the spring of 1814, and was lieutenant- colonel to that date, and was made a brigadier-general March 22, 1816. James McMahan was made a major on April 6, 1815, and a colonel in 1816.
Of this first company, John and James McMahan were competent officers and discharged well every duty. Lieu- tenant Eaton in speaking of the men of this first company said: "They came to the meeting on horseback or on foot, mostly on foot, over the few almost impassable roads, and many of them through the forest with no roads at all. Most of thein appeared in the homespun of the early settler, with hats, boots or shoes that served them in tasks of every-day life, or with such boots or shoes only as nature provided, and with a musket that came down to them from their Revolutionary sires, possi- bly a rifle, one or more of a very early date, or a huge staff, the nearest to a weapon that they possessed, and a hat of straw of homemake."
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