History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume I, Part 88

Author: Downs, John Phillips, 1853- ed. [from old catalog]; Hedley, Fenwick, Y., joint ed. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Boston, New York [etc.] American historical society, inc.
Number of Pages: 649

USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume I > Part 88

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

STATE BANK OF BROCTON-In 1885, Herman J. Dean and Ralph A. Hall organized the firm of Dean & Hall, under the banking laws of the State of New York, for the purpose of doing a banking business in the village of Brocton. This firm continued until 1892, when the State Bank of Brocton was organized with a capital of $30,000, and was granted a charter by the banking de- partment, the State Bank of Brocton taking over the as- sets of Dean & Hall. The first officers of the bank were: Ralph A. Hall, president; Herman J. Dean, vice-presi- dent ; Lewis D. Sullivan, cashier; Brewer D. Phillips, assistant cashier. Mr. Phillips continued his connection with the bank until June, 1896, when he resigned to take the office of cashier of the Chautauqua County National Bank of Jamestown.

In 1919 the State Bank of Brocton increased its capital to $45,000, and at this date have deposits of $519.414.43, with total resources of $640,746.25. Mr. Hall continued as president until August, 1911, when he disposed of his stock to John R. Droney. The pres- ent officers are: John R. Droney, president; Lewis D. Sullivan, vice-president; Walter N. Clark, cashier ; Har- old R. Sullivan, assistant cashier.

THE UNION TRUST COMPANY OF JAMESTOWN WAS chartered January 12, 1894, with $100,000 capital ; E. B. Crissey, president ; Frank Merz, cashier. James S. Pat- terson succeeded Mr. Crissey in the presidency June 19, 1896, and held the office until his death, April 8, 1899. The next president, Frank Merz, the former cashier, has been continuously in office since.

The capital stock was increased to $300,000 by a stock dividend, from the carnings, October 24, 1914, of $200,- 000. A general banking business is transacted, and it has paid substantial dividends from the start, and has also laid up a surplus of $320,000. The present officers are : President, Frank Merz: vice-presidents, Frederick P. Hall, Arthur K. Briggs; cashier, Harry L. Briggs; treasurer, George R. Butts. The company is located in its own building at No. 211 North Main street.

LAVERN W. LAZELL & COMPANY-In 1897 the private banking firm, Lavern W. Lazell & Company, began business at Stockton, with a capital of $10,000. The first president, Mr. Lazell, held that office until his death in 1919, and no successor has since been elected. E. L. Dennison, the first vice-president, is still (1920) in office. C. E. Olson, the present cashier, has been connected with the firm since 1911, and since the death of Mr. Lazell has been the managing head. The office of assistant cashier is held by Melvin J. Olson. The last bank statement showed deposits of $103,092.01; re- sources, $117,854.21.

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK AT FALCONER was or- ganized in 1900; E. B. Crissey, president ; J. P. Clark, vice-president ; E. H. Sample, cashier. The capital is as at first, $25.000, and the bank is located in its own building, No. I East Main street, Falconer. The 1920 officers are: M. W. Neate, president ; A. D. Bush, C. A. Carlson, vice-presidents; E. H. Sample, cashier ; E. E. Sample, H. M. Cleland, assistant cashiers. Deposits, $587,200.73 : resources, $649.518.45.

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF RIPLEY began business as a national bank in 1902, but Ripley had a private bank as early as 1891. This private banking business was re-

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CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE

organized in 1902 as the First National Bank of Ripley, capital $25,000. The first officers of the national bank were: Edward A. Skinner, president; J. A. Skinner, vice-president ; J. W. Burrows, cashier. The present ( 1920) officers are: F. W. Crandall, president; E. D. Reagan, vice-president; J. W. Burrows, cashier; C. L. Barden and Mary E. Miller, assistant cashiers. The bank has deposits, demand and time, totaling $553.335-43, with resources amounting to $651.021.94. In 1913 the Bank erected a fine building on the corner of Main and Lake streets, which is occupied solely by the Bank.

THE BANK OF JAMESTOWN was chartered May 1, 1903, under the State banking laws, with capital of $100,000, which has since been increased to $250,000. The first officers were: Fred A. Bentley, president ; Charles W. Herrick, Mason M. Skiff, Charles H. Gifford, vice- presidents ; Wright D. Broadhead, cashier ; William R. Botsford, assistant cashier. The original board of di- rectors were: Charles F. Abrahamson, Frank O. An- derson, Arthur A. Amidon, Fred A. Bentley, A. B. Carter, J. Delevan Curtiss, S. Morelle Cheney, Theodore A. Case, Milton H. Clark, Edward E. Duffee, Daniel Eisenberg, Martin L. Fenton, Charles H. Gifford, Hi- lance M. Gage, Jared Hewes, Peter H. Hoyt, Charles W. Herrick, William J. Maddox, Burt F. Merriam, S. Fred Nixon, Edgar P. Putnam, Mason M. Skiff, Albert B. Sheldon and Daniel A. Sullivan. The sixty-ninth quarterly report to the Superintendent of Banks made June 30, 1920, showed capital stock $250,000, surplus $350,000, total resources $4.321,064.69, and deposits $3,698,116.66. The first president, Fred A. Bentley, died in August, 1904, and was succeeded by Brewer D. Phil- lips, September, 1904. The present officers are : Brewer D. Phillips, president ; Charles W. Herrick and William R. Botsford, vice-presidents; Lucian J. Warren, cashier ; Archie G. Johnson and Burt H. Ruland, assistant cash- iers. The bank began business at No. 216 Main street, and there remained for sixteen years, removing then to the handsome modern bank building which they had caused to be erected at the corner of Main and Second streets. The new building was formally opened June 23, 1919.

THE CITIZENS TRUST COMPANY OF FREDONIA was char- tered March 1, 1906, taking over at that time the busi- ness of the Citizens State Bank, organized August I, 1904, by Horace M. Swetland. The first officers of the Citizens' Trust Company were: Harlow J. Crissey, pres- ident ; Fred W. Case, vice-president ; Ernest M. Corey, cashier. The present officers are: E. L. Colvin, presi- dent; F. W. Case, E. N. Button, vice-presidents ; H. L. Cumming, cashier ; H. A. Francis and R. P. Ross, as- sistants. The company does a general trust company and banking business, and the last statement made at the close of business, June 30, 1920, showed deposits of dif- ferent classes aggregating $1,324,171.36; resources, $1,- 533.965.21.

THE NATIONAL BANK OF FREDONIA was organized as the Bank of Fredonia, January 2, 1906. In 1908 the bank was changed from a State to a National bank, under the name the National Bank of Fredonia, the original capital $50,000. The first officers were : Thomas Moran, president ; Richard Butcher and F. C. F. Sievert, vice-presidents ; Adam P. Chessman, cashier. On Janu- ary I, 1920, the capital stock was increased to $100,000, and the same month Mr. Moran resigned the presi- dency, his health having become greatly impaired. He was succeeded by the former cashier, A. P. Chessman, who had been one of the organizers of the bank and connected with it ever since organization. Mr. Moran is the present chairman of the board of directors. The bank is a member of the Federal Reserve system, and

transacts a general trust company business under the law authorizing Federal Reserve banks to do so in con- nection with a general banking business. The present officers are: A. P. Chessman, president ; F. C. F. Sievert and Albert F. French, vice-presidents; George S. Nich- ols, cashier. Deposits June 30, 1920, $906,574.81; re- sources, $1,202,608.55.

THE AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK OF JAMESTOWN was organized early in 1910 as the Swedish-American Na- tional Bank, with $100,000 capital, and opened for busi- ness June 1 of that year at No. 100 Main street. The first officers were: W. D. Broadhead, president ; J. D. Johnson, vice-president ; Charles A. Okerlind, cashier ; Harley F. Johnson, assistant cashier. Its first board of directors were: Alfred A. Anderson, Frank O. Ander- son, Dr. L. D. Bowman, L. M. Butman, Otto L. Bloom- quist, Wright D. Broadhead, Chas. L. Eckman, Chas. S. Grover, John D. Johnson, Carl A. Lundquist, Warner F. Liedblad, Edward C. Nord, Chas. A. Okerlind, Emil F. Peterson, John Winnberg, Elof Rosencrantz, Wm. R. Reynolds, John Westrom.

The bank is now (1920) located in its own building at 202-204 North Main street. The present officials are: President, Charles A. Okerlind, elected 1916; vice- president, Dr. Lester D. Bowman, elected 1914; cashier, H. F. Johnson, elected 1916; assistants, John A. Erick- son and Melin A. Okerlind. The present directors are : Alfred A. Anderson, Dr. Chas. E. Anderson, Andrew Benson, Dr. L. D. Bowman, Otto L. Bloomquist, Chas. L. Eckman, Adolf F. Johnson, Chas. A. Johnson, Carl A. Lundquist, Warner F. Liedblad, Edward C. Nord, Chas. A. Okerlind, Emil F. Peterson, C. A. Swanson, Curth A. Swanson, Hjalmar Swanson, John F. Westrom, and John Winnberg.

In September, 1919, the Comptroller of the Currency approved the application made to change the corporate name from Swedish-American National Bank to Ameri- can National Bank, and for an increase of capital to $200,000, the present combined capital, surplus and un- divided profits being $326,510, with total resources of $2,780,700.91. Deposits, $2,205,809.59.

THE CLYMER STATE BANK was chartered September 30, 1910, with a capital of $25,000, and opened for busi- ness the following November 2nd. The first officers were: William Tenhousen, president; Albert Neckers, Jr., vice-president ; H. F. Young, cashier. The present officers are: Albert Neckers, Jr., president; E. L. Caflisch, vice-president ; H. F. Young, cashier, Ruth M. Neckers, C. S. Kooman, assistant cashiers. The bank has deposits of $391,574.36; resources, $440,555.59.

THE SILVER CREEK NATIONAL BANK, "The White Bank on the Corner," opened its doors for business on Octo- ber 1, 1912, and has steadily grown in public esteem. The officers are: Jesse D. Denny, president; Charles C. Horton, vice-president; A. W. Guest, active vice-presi- dent ; A. J. Diefendorf, cashier ; C. F. Grievish, assistant cashier. Deposits, December 31, 1919, were $870,307.00; total resources (same date), $1,139,932.00; capital, $50,000. The bank is located in its own building, with modern equipment.

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF FORESTVILLE dates from September 13, 1913, when with a capital of $25,000 this next to the youngest national bank in the county was launched. The first officers were: J. C. Hutchin- son, president ; Albert G. Pierce, vice-president ; William E. Candee, cashier. After seven years of operation the 1920 report shows deposits of different kinds, totaling $316,735.95, resources amounting to $422,071.27. The present officers are: W. H. Marvin, president; W. F. Miller, Charles A. Reynolds, vice-presidents; M. P. Wilson, cashier ; Roscoe B. Martin, assistant cashier.

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371

CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY BANKS

THE SINCLAIRVILLE STATE BANK was organized Janu- ary 2, 1919, with $25,000 capital. The first officers are also the present ones: President, F. B. Putnam; vice- presidents, J. H. Cummings, W. G. Prentice ; cashier, E. F. Irvin. The last statement (June 30, 1920) shows de- posits of $177.497.78; resources, $208.596.40.

THE LIBERTY NATIONAL BANK, JAMESTOWN, was or- ganized in June, 1919, with a capital of $200,000. The bank is located in the Wellman Building, corner of Third and Cherry streets, and is a member of the Fed- eral Reserve System of Banks. The bank began busi- ness July 1, 1919, and the first annual report made June 30, 1920. showed deposits of $779,147.57, total re- sources of $1.327,410.03. The officers are: Elmer E.

Wellman, president; William R. Reynolds and Arthur B. Ottoway, vice-presidents ; James M. Dunbar, cashier ; Fred. V. Anderson, assistant cashier.

THE DUNKIRK TRUST COMPANY OF DUNKIRK is the last member to be admitted to the banking fraternity of Chautauqua county and began business June 26, 1920, with $250,000 capital, and surplus of $125,000. The of- ficers of the institution which, as a member of the Fed- eral Reserve System is under both State and Federal control, are: Elton D. Warner, president; Thomas J. Cummings, vice-president ; W. T. McCaffrey, vice-presi- dent and treasurer ; Robert R. Dew, secretary ; Chester Cooley, assistant secretary-treasurer.

STEAMBOATS OF CHAUTAUQUA LAKE. By T. Henry Black.

When a boy, living at Long Point, Lake Chautauqua, the writer became so interested in the steamers that he knew them intimately, and being somewhat of an artist he sketched in freehand drawings the then existing boats. He also conceived the idea of a brief description of each steamer, never thinking that later in life he would have the privilege of making his dreams come true. It was only when a representative of The Ameri- can Historical Society called at the studio for photos of some lake steamers to use in connection with a "History of Chautauqua County" that the devoting of a special chapter to the steamers was first considered. Fortunately a valuable collection of the old-time steamers had been preserved, which with those of more recent years have been drawn upon for illustrations. The history of means of transportation in use in any community is really a his- tory of the minds and methods of that community during any given period, and it is interesting to contrast the means used in transporting people and goods in each period with those of later years. On Chautauqua Lake the first mention of a boat to transport freight is of a hewn out log canoe, then came the horse-boat, next the sailing craft, and finally the steamboat.

It is difficult to give any detailed account of the first steamers, or boats, as the historians of the lake have been content to chronicle the fact of their existence. Had the art of photography been then developed to anything like its present perfection, it would have been possible to give a reproduction of the old log canoe, the curious horse-boat, and the first steamer. However, much has been done in later days to preserve the story and appearance of these boats, and herein some of the more famous boats are reproduced.

While Chautauqua Lake is the same to-day as when the Indian drove his birch canoe across its waters, to those whose lives have been spent along its shores it seems different with its hotels, parks, and trolleys, but its romance lingers, and its beauty appeals as well to the native son as to the tourist. At one time many of the boats bore Indian names-Hiawatha, Winona, Minne- haha, names conferred in tribute to the beautiful imagery employed by the Indians in selecting names, and particu- larly were they appropriate to the boats that plied the lake with the beautiful Indian name "Chautauqua."

To give in detail the history of each steamer which has appeared on the lake since the "Chautauqua" was built in 1827, would be to largely overrun the limits allotted to this subject. Nevertheless it would be a matter of most interesting nature, and would vividly recall facts and incidents of lake traffic well worthy of preserva- tion, for the boats of the olden time made history. In

those days the steamers furnished the only quick mode of transportation between Jamestown and Mayville, the railroad and the electric car being then far in the future, and the appearance of each new boat marked an epoch in county history. When competition between rival lines began, the desire for finer equipment and faster boats was generated, until a climax was reached about 1882, when Henry Harley, the oil operator, "Pipe Line Harley," took over the control and management of the Chautauqua Lake Navigation Company, which the following year became the Chautauqua Lake Transit Company. The opposing line was built and owned by the Burroughs Brothers, famous builders of Lake Chautauqua steamers. theirs the "People's Line." The "Cincinnati," "Buffalo," "Alaska," and others were contemporary, and races were run between the steamers, which rivaled in excitement and interest those on the Mississippi river in the olden days.

The first mention of any attempt to navigate Chautau- qua Lake with commercial intent was in 1806, when the big log canoe built by Robert Miles began to make lake history. The Miles' Canoe was in service as a freight carrier until 1824, when the bursting of a dam caused the destruction of this first of all lake boats of a com- mercial character. Keel and Durham boats which made trips between Chautauqua county points and Pittsburgh were often seen on the lake during that period, but they were built for another purpose, and lake travel was but an incident. The famous "horse-boat" was next to appear on the lake as a freight carrier, and that boat, steered by Captain William Carpenter, was a wonderful sight, although not a financial success nor a speed mar- vel. It is worthy of note that this Captain William Car- penter, an Englishman, drove the first mail coach between Jamestown and Mayville, was steersman of the "horse- boat," and when the first steamboat was put on the lake he was also a steersman.

The "horse-boat" was built in 1824 by Elisha Allen, and was little more than a scow with a cabin on one side for passengers and stables for eight horses on the other. There were small paddle wheels on either side, and a large wheel in the center connected by gearing with the shaft of the paddle wheels. This center wheel was put in motion by four horses, and they furnished the entire power, each team of four horses being kept at work one hour. The trip from Jamestown to Mayville consumed ten hours when everything went well, but it was not un- common for a round trip to consume a week. The boat gave way the second year to the schooner "Mfink" and to scows with sails, which competed for the freight business between Mayville and Jamestown.

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CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE

In 1827 Alvah Plumb formed a company and built the first steamboat for Chautauqua Lake, a staunch boat, built of the best white oak timbers by a ship carpenter named Richards, from Buffalo. The steamboat was launched from the yards on the outlet in May, 1827, the event being duly celebrated. All the usual launching con- ventions were observed, even to the breaking of a bottle of currant wine on the boat's bow as the words "I name thee Chautauqua" were uttered. The boat was soon fin- ished and painted, a figure of a woman's head and bust placed on her bow, and machinery installed which was brought from Pittsburgh by Phineas Palmeter and an engineer named Starring. The last of June the "Chau- tauqna" made her trial, and the first trip to Mayville was made July 4, 1827, Captain John T. Willson in com- mand. Captain Willson was captain for one year, then was succeeded by Captain David S. Walbridge (later Congressman from the State of Michigan). After him came Captain Phineas Palmeter, who was succeeded by Captain George W. Kellogg, and he by Captain James Hill. In 1835 the "Robert Falconer," a larger and faster boat, was built and commanded by Captain Kellogg, was run in opposition to the "Chautauqua," which was under the command of Captain Hill. The "Robert Falconer" was later named the "William H. Seward," and still later the "Empire."

In 1848 Captain George Stoneman (father of General Stoneman) launched "The Twins," a curious boat, being two large canoes fastened side by side a few feet apart and planked over. "The Twins," propelled by horse power, occasionally carried freight between Mayville and Jamestown, and in 1851 the "Hollam Vail" was built. She ran one season, and in the fall of 1852 burned at her dock. The "Water Witch," built about 1852 by M. P. Bemus and others, was a failure, and either sank or was burned at her dock. The "C. C. Dennis," a large boat with the best equipment of any boat on the lake for many years, was built in 1856 by Captain Gardner. She was run for several years, until the close of 1861, when the machinery was removed, and the hull of the boat taken to a spot on the outlet, where it was allowed to decay. Captain James Murray, when he first came to James- town, was connected with the operation of the "C. C. Dennis." He was afterward owner and captain of the second steamer to be named "Chautauqua," and was in command when her boiler exploded, with a sad loss of life.

The "Chautauqua No. 2" was built in 1863 by the Howell brothers and Alfred Wilcox. She passed through various ownerships until in August, 1871, she blew up, with the loss of eight lives, while taking on wood at Whitney's Landing, about six miles from Mayville. The "Post Boy," owned by Peter Colby, first appeared on the lake in 1867. She burned in 1869, her name having been changed to "A. R. Trew" after her purchase by Alfred Wilcox.

Charles Brown and Ray Scofield built the "James- town" in 1869. Charles G. Maples bought Scofield's interest and commanded her in 1870. The "Jamestown" was rebuilt and enlarged and fitted with a screw pro- peller after her purchase by Captain T. H. Grandin. In the fall of 1875 she burned at her dock in Jamestown.

The "P. J. Hanour," built for Beck & Griffith in 1874, was commanded by Fred W. Griffith, and burned in the fall of the same year. Captain Griffith then built the "M. A. Griffith," which he ran during the season of 1875. Her upper works were destroyed by fire at the same time the steamer "Jamestown" was destroyed, but she was rebuilt.

The "May Martin," a stern-wheel steamer, was built in Jamestown in 1875 by Dr. W. B. Martin of Busti, and Frank Steele of Jamestown. She was built for excursion

parties, and could then navigate the outlet as far up as the railroad station. Other boats of that period were the "A. R. Trew," "M. A. Griffith," and the "P. J. Hanour." The "J. M. Burdick," a small steam yacht, owned in Mayville, was chiefly used in the upper lake for pleasure parties. The "C. J. Hepburn," a steam yacht, was also owned in Mayville, and used as an excursion boat.

The "Nettie Fox" was built in Jamestown in the spring of 1875 for C. J. Fox and Captain Robert Jones, by Isaac Hammutt, of Pittsburgh. She was the first stern-wheel steamer on the lake, and was run on strictly temperance principles, no liquor being sold or kept on board. She was one hundred and seventy feet in length, with main, boiler, hurricane, and promenade decks, and a ladies' cabin with staterooms. After being remodeled .t that time.

In 1873 the "Colonel William Phillips" was built at Bemus Point, and owned by Captain William H. Whit- ney. She was a side-wheel boat, the only one on the lake in 1875, she was renamed "Jamestown."

The "Josie Bell," built in 1875, a pleasure boat fifty- five feet in length, had the honor of carrying President Grant from Jamestown to Fair Point in August, 1875. The "Nerens" conveyed the President from Fair Point to Mayville. Other small boats of that period were the "Hettie Hooker," owned by Fox & Lytle; the "Oliver Hepburn ;" and the "Lotus," all owned in Mayville. The "W. B. Shattuck" was built by A. Shattuck in 1879, the year of the great Courtney-Hanlan fiasco, when Court- ney's boats at Mayville were put out of commission the night preceding the race which was to have decided the rowing championship of the world. The recent death of Mr. Courtney (1920) recalls that deeply regretted event, which is yet a matter of argument in the sporting world. The race was to have been rowed on Lake Chautauqua, and was awarded to Hanlan, Courtney, without racing boats, being unable to appear.

The "Fearless," "Derby," "Olivia," "Hettie Hooker," and "Allaquippa" were all boats of the period 1875-1880. Following, in 1880, was the "John F. Moulton," built by G. A. Wegeforth, and later remodeled and renamed the "New York." The "J. A. Burch," built by Burroughs Brothers, was later named "Hiawatha," and renamed the "Chicago;" she was finally destroyed by fire. Then came the "Alaska:" "Captain True;" "The Mystery;" the "Henry Hurley," built by Cornell & Wilcox, and later called "Columbia ;" the "Cincinnati," built by Burroughs Brothers in 1880-81; the "G. J. Cornell," built in 1882; the "R. N. Marvin," by Robert Cooper & Sons in 1881 ; the "City of Buffalo," built by Burroughs Brothers in 1889; the "City of Cleveland," by the same builders in 1891-92, she the last large steamer to be launched on the lake. The third steamer to bear the name "City of James- town" was built in 1910.

A number of smaller steamers in the early days of navigation worthy of mention were the steamer "Nydia," owned by George Munroe, built in Jamestown in 1887; steamer "Dispatch," Johnson and Peterson, built in 1881 ; steamer "Goldie," owned by Major Stevens, built in Buffalo in 1884; steamer "Wooglin," built at Mayville, rebuilt in 1885; steamer "J. H. Lytle," owned by Horace Fox, built at Mayville in 1885; steamer "Mabel," owned by Henry Fry, built at Mayville in 1885, Captain Fred J. Vancise ; stcamer "Alert," owned by Ben Firman and George Munroe, built at Jamestown, in 1888.

In 1879, A. M. Kent brought the steamer "Waukegan" from Pittsburgh for service on Lake Chautauqua. She was the first all steel boat on the lake, her speed twenty miles per hour. A fast boat, brought from the seacoast, was the "Greenhurst" (later the "Louise"), a boat de-

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History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume I, Part 88

Author: Downs, John Phillips, 1853- ed. [from old catalog]; Hedley, Fenwick, Y., joint ed. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1921 Publisher: Boston, New York [etc.] American historical society, inc. Number of Pages: 649

Author: Downs, John Phillips, 1853- ed. [from old catalog]; Hedley, Fenwick, Y., joint ed. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Boston, New York [etc.] American historical society, inc.
Number of Pages: 649