USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume II > Part 2
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endeavor and all his weary years to the making of- let us say-the eye piece of a microscope, may be all very well for the microscope, but hardly broadening for the man, and it is refreshing to turn to the well- rounded men of the generation before our own who have excelled in the many varied departments of the city's business life. In business, as in every form of activity, there are hoth constructive and destructive forces. The competence built purely upon speculation, or upon the supression of renumerative industry in others, adds nothing to the permanent wealth of man- kind, and plays only a negative part in the history. The fortune whose basis is laid in the development of natural resources, whose capital is increased by en- larging the opportunities for general wealth, is on the positive side of civilization and counts among its lasting and beneficent influences. It is this creative quality that is the distinctive feature in the career of Charles Henry Gifford. He represented the most progressive element of a sturdy race whose activities have spanned and moulded a great transitional period in the world of modern industry. In his past undertakings he had been closely identified with the oil industry in the State of Pennsylvania and with the banking husiness of Jamestown, N. Y.
The Gifford family of Honfleur, Normandy, has the following coat-of-arms:
Arms-Gules, three lions passant, argent.
Crest-An arm couped above the elbow, vested or charged with two bars wavy azure, cuffed white, hold- ing in the hand a stag's head eabossed, gules.
Motto-Nothing without the Divinity.
The family of Gifford is of high antiquity and was seated at Honfleur, Normandy, three centuries before the conquest of England by Duke William the Con- queror. At the battle of Hastings, in 1066, "Sire Rundolph de Gifforde" was one of the Conqueror's standard bearers, and was rewarded by him with estates in Somersetshire and Cheshire, which were created into a barony, from which his descendants had summons to Parliament. In the reign of King Henry II., Sir Peter Gifford married Alice, daughter and heiress of Sir Grey de Corbuchin, with whom he had the Lordship of Chillington in Cheshire, which was the seats of the Dukes of Buckinghamn of this family. Sir Stephen Gifford was one of the barons accompany- ing Richard Coeur de Lion to the Holy Land, and was killed at the seige of Jerusalem; his son, Sir Stephen (2), was also wounded there. The family enjoyed great distinction at the English court for several centuries, and at one time five peerages existed in the family name. Baron George Gifford was made Earl of Buckingham by King Henry V., but joining the house of York against that of Lancaster, during the War of the Roses, and being one of the prime favorites of King Edward V., he was created Duke of Buckingham, and married the Princess Maud Planta- genet, cousin of the King. His son, George Gifford, Duke of Buckingham, was one of the favorites of the Duke of Gloucester, afterwards King Richard III., and being detected by that tyrant in the act of corres- ponding with the Earl of Richmond (Henry VII.), he was attained of high treason and beheaded by Richard's orders. The duke left several small children, but as they had been deprived of all their lands and titles, the
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BIOGRAPHICAL
king, Henry VII., found it more convenient not to restore them, and Humphrey Stafford, a powerful noble, having married the oldest daughter of the king, was created by him Duke of Buckingham. The Staffords followed the fate of their maternal ancestors, and the grandson of Humphrey was beheaded, and his family deprived of their vast estates. Of the sons of the last George Gifford, Duke of Buckingham, George con- tinned the first line and continually solicited Parliament and the Crown for his restoration, but from the power- ful opposition of his brother-in-law (Stafford), was always defeated. The Giffords, in the reign of King Henry VIII., and Queen Mary and Elizabeth, un- effectually put their claims before the English Parlia- ment, never, however, successfully. In the reign of James J., Sir Ambrose Gifford claimed before the House of Peers to be the Duke of Buckingham, and in the second years of the reign of King Charles I., his claims were disallowed on account of his poverty. Walter Gifford, son of Sir Ambrose Gifford, emigrated from England to Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630, and was the progenitor of the American branch of the ancient family.
A noted descendant of this family is the celebrated critic, Sir John Gifford, "Amster of the Rolls," who prosecuted, while attorney-general of England, the wife of George IV., (Queen Caroline) upon a charge of high crimes and misdemeanors.
So far as is known, no one has been able to directly trace the descendants of Walter Gifford, son of Sir Ambrose Gifford, mentioned in the foregoing genealogy.
(I) William Gifford, who is the first Gifford whose line of descent we are able to trace in this country, was, according to Huntington's "History of Stamford, Connecticut," before the court of that settlement in 1647. The sentence of the court against him was that he be whipped at the court's discretion and banished. The supposition is that this William Gifford is the same William Gifford we find in Sandwich, Mass., and a member of the grand inquest at Plymouth in 1650. He continued to reside in Sandwich until his death, with the exception of five years between 1665-70, when he with George Allen and the sons of Peter Gaunt, all of Sandwich, together with others, settled and were the first proprietors of Monmouth, N. J., having purchased the land from the Indians, and to whom the Monmouth Patent granted, April 8, 1665. They, being adherents of the Quaker faith, suffered severely by fines and vexations suits, both in Massachusetts and New Jersey. William Gifford owned land in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. His Massachusetts possessions consisted of lands in Sandwich, Falmouth and Dartmouth. He gave by will to his sons Jonathan and James lands in Falmouth, Mass. He also deeded to his sons Robert and Christopher lands in Dartmouth, Mass., both of whom erected homesteads upon their estates. Robert continued to live in Dartmouth, while Christopher moved later to Little Compton, R. 1. Both have many descendants now living in Southern Massa- chusetts and Rhode Island. William probably deeded his Connecticut lands to his son John, who gave by will 100 acres of land in the colony of Connecticut to his son Samuel and 200 acres to his grandsons. He died April 9, 1687.
(II) Robert Gifford, son of William Gifford, was born in 1660, and died in 1730. He married Sarah, daughter of Stephen and Mary (Briggs) Wing; she was born Feb. 2, 1658, and died in 1725. They moved to Dartmouth, Mass.
(III) Jeremiah Gifford, son of Robert and Sarah (Wing) Gifford, was born in 1682, and died Jan. 15, 1771. He married Mary Wright, who died Mar. 12, 1-80.
(IV) Peleg Gifford, son of Jeremiah and Mary (Wright) Gifford, was born in December, 1719. He married, Feb. 19, 1740, Alice Cornell, who was born Mar. 14, 1726, and died in 1811, a daughter of William and Mehitable (Fish) Cornell.
(V) -- Gifford, son of Peleg and Alice (Cornell) Gifford, married and had issue.
(VI) Abiel Gifford, son of -Gifford, married Deborah Tallman.
(VII) William Gifford, son of Abiel and Deborah (Tallman) Gifford, was born Sept. 27, 1797, in Cam- bridge, N. Y., and died June 1, 1885. He resided for some time in his native town, and later moved to Mayville, N. Y., where he lived until his death occurred. He married Phoebe Cornell, who was born June 20, ISoo, and died April 12, 1888. They were the parents of five children: Edson, born Feb. 1, 1820; Horace, see forward: George, born Ang. 11, 1824; Joseph, born Sept. 18, 1826; James, born June 12, 1831.
(VIII) Horace L. Gifford, son of William and Phoebe (Cornell) Gifford, was born Oct. 19, 1821, at Cambridge, N. Y. In March, 1843, he married Rhoda L. Steward, a daughter of John and Eunice Steward, at Harmony, Chautauqua county, N. Y. He lived for some time in this city and later moved to Jamestown, N. Y. Mrs. Gifford was born March 13, 1822, and died April 9, 1894. To Mr. and Mrs. Gifford were born three children: Frank Edward, born Nov. 6, 1845: Charles Henry, see forward; William Stewart, born Jan. 25, 1856.
(IX) Charles Henry Gifford, whose name is the caption of this article, the son of Horace H. and Rhoda L. ( Steward) Gifford, was born Jan. 19, 1850, in James- town, N. Y., where he spent his early boyhood. He obtained his elementary education in the public schools of his native city, and after graduating from the James- town High School became a student at Fort Edward's Collegiate Institute and later at Russell's Military Academy, New Haven, Conn. Immediately after leaving the academy, he engaged in the milling business at Mayville, but later located in Rochester, N. Y., and engaged in the mercantile and manufacturing business for some years, returning to Jamestown in 1880. In company with his brothers, Frank E. and William S. Gifford, he purchased the manufacturing plant of the Cane Seat Chair Company on Taylor street, Jamestown, N. Y., which they successfully operated until the factory was completely destroyed by fire some years later. It was during this period that the Messrs. Gifford erected the Gifford building on the south side of Brooklyn Square, a building that stands as a monument to their loyalty to Jamestown, and it is today one of the principal buildings of Jamestown, N. Y.
After retiring from the manufacturing business, Mr. Gifford became interested in banking, and was one of the first directors and vice-president of the James-
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CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
town National Bank, which was later merged with the old Chautauqua County Bank. After relinquishing his interests in this bank, Mr. Gifford became identified with the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank of Jamestown, and was for some time president of that institution. When the Bank of Jamestown was organized, Mr. He was a Gifford was one of the incorporators. member of the first board of directors and a vice-pres- ident of the bank, positions which he held at the time of his death. Mr. Gifford was also closely identified with the First National Bank of which his brother, Frank E. Gifford, is the president. He was also secre- tary, treasurer and general manager of the Allen Square Company, owners of valuable property in the business district of Jamestown, N. Y.
Mr. Gifford was a devoted member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, to which he gave freely of his time and talents. When the Memorial Church was erected, he was a member of the building committee and was a generous contributor to the support of the church all his life. He was for many years treasurer of the church and also one of the wardens and vestrymen. In all the activities of the church, whether social or business, the Gifford family were one of the first to be called upon and one of the first to respond when there was work to be done. Mr. Gifford was a member of the James- town Club ever since he became a resident of James- town, and he was always ready to do his part towards furthering the interests of that social organization. He was for many years a member of the governing board of the club and was for a great length of time its vice- president.
Mr. Gifford married, June 19, 1872, Grace Curtis, a daughter of Phillip Horace and Cathro (Mason) Curtis, of Rochester, N. Y. To this union was born one child, Kathro Grace, who died in childhood, in Rochester, N. Y.
Mrs. Gifford, together with her husband, always took a deep interest in all that would tend toward the better- ment of the social life of the community. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gifford possessed the priceless gift of making those who visited their home welcome. The Gifford home was one of the most delightful, entertaining and hospitable in Chautauqua county, and it has been the scene of many interesting social events, which will always bring pleasant memories to the members of the family as well as to all the guests,
In concluding this article on the life of Mr. Gifford will say that through all the varied responsibilities of life he acquitted himself with dignity, fidelity and honor, and won the approbation and esteem of opponents as well as friends. His large experience and great energy have been displayed in all enterprises that he had undertaken, and yet he was conservative, calculating and safe in all his business transactions. He was a man of strong and clear convictions, which are the result of independent thought and careful study. He was a man of culture and refinement which, coupled with his courteous and genial manner towards friends, had secured for him a high place in the affection and esteem of his large circle of acquaintances. His heart was ever in sympathy with the sorrows of the unfor- tunate, and his hand was ever ready to help them in their difficulties. Many of his acts of kindness will
never be known. Many too, are the young business men to whom he gave the benefit of his years of ex- pcrience, and his words of encouragement were held by them as well as many others to be a great value.
Of the influence of such men as Mr. Gifford it is very difficult, if not impossible, to speak. Of the im- pression which his character and personality made upon those who knew him is shown in the beautiful tributes which appeared in the local papers when his death occurred, April 29, 1914:
THE VESTRY OF ST. LUKE'S CHURCH.
Charles Henry Gifford, for thirty-four years vestry- man of St. Luke's Church, Clerk of the Vestry, Treas- urer of the Parish and finally Warden for nineteen years, departed this life, April 29, 1914. Single hearted devotion to his church marked his life. To think of him is to think of the Church he loved and served. A tower of strength to his Rector, wisdom in Council and deep knowledge of affairs of St. Luke's Vestry, an unfailing example to the congregation, a genial com- panion, a trusted friend to all he knew, kindly of heart, true to his home, forgetting himself in ready thought for those about him, his place cannot be filled. The members of the Vestry of St. Luke's Parish place on record this witness of their loss and tribute of affection, and the heartfelt prayer and confidence that. to the suffering wife and bereaved brothers of God our Father will grant the comfort which cometh from above, and that peace which neither the world, nor death, nor the grave can take away. LAID WINGATE SNELL, Rector, WM. F. ENDRESS, Junior Warden, GEO. C. MEREDETH, WILLIAM SYKES, F. P. HALL. F. J. SNOWBALL, JAS. L. WEEKS, GEO. B. COOKE GEO. CHATFIELD, H. S. RODGERS, WILLIAM N. BROADHEAD.
THE BROTHERHOOD OF ST. ANDREW.
As a lasting tribute to the memory of the late Charles H. Gifford. the Brotherhood of St. Andrew in- scribes upon its records this token of esteem and admi- ration. Mr. Gifford's devotion to St. Luke's Church was widely known and felt. His presence and activity at church services made a splendid example of quiet and unassuming churchmanship. The welfare of the church was always uppermost in his mind, and his unfailing kindness and generosity could be felt rather than observed.
His Christian faith and manly fortitude will forever constitute a force of deepest inspiration to his fellow- churchmen. It is with heartfelt regret that the Broth- erhood causes these lines to be inscribed to the mem- ory of one whose character and work cannot be too highly praised. W. M. VAN SANDT, President. RUDOLPH SANCTUARY, Secretary.
THE MEN'S CLUB OF ST. LUKE'S CHURCH.
At a meeting of the Men's Club of St. Luke's Church, held Wednesday evening, April 29, 1914, the following resolution was adopted:
Resolved, That in the death of Charles H. Gifford, our faithful Senior Warden, the parish as well as the community has suffered an irreparable loss. By his unfailing presence, by his wise counsel, he has indeed been a pillar of strength to St. Luke's Church.
To his family and relatives our deepest sympathies go out in the loss and sorrow which have been laid upon them.
In bowing to the will of the Divine, we draw new life and new inspiration from the contemplation of his character, which represents a life well lived. WM. E. ENDRESS, CHAS. B. PERSELL, JOHN C. MASON. Committee.
TRIBUTE TO AN ASSOCIATE.
Resolution of the Board of Directors of the First National Bank:
Charles H Gifford departed this life at his home on West Fifth Street. in the city of Jamestown. New York. on the 29th day of April, 1914, at the age of sixty-four years. The day preceding his death he was about the
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BIOGRAPHICAL
city and attending to his business in usual health, with every promise of enjoying life and living for years to come. Early in the morning he was strieken with neuralgia of the heart and died before medical aid could he secured.
It is difficult to conceive of a more profound shock to any community than that which was felt in this city yesterday morning, when the news rapidly spread from one to another that Charles Gifford had gone. Mr. Gifford was a universal favorite in every society in which he movod. He possessed the most kindly dispo- sition and charming personality. He had a smile and a cordial greeting for everyone with whom he came in contact. During his entire life he was ever mindful and considerate of the feelings of others, and it may be truly said of him that he always strove to avoid doing or saying anything that would cause another discomfort or distress. He was a mild man- nered man with a gentle and affectionate nature, and carried life and light and cheer into every circle in which he moved. Those who knew him best were his closest friends, and to know him was to love and respect him.
For many years Mr. Gifford has been an active busi- ness man in this city, being associated with many busi- ness interests. He was scrupulously honest, one of his chief characteristics was to render to everyone his own. Among his business associates he was the same genial, gentle and affectionate man that he was in all social intercourse. He had quick and keen perception, and always possessed ideas of his own regarding busi- ness matters and presented them with elearness and with the force of his own character, but in so doing he never disregarded, nor was he intolerant of the opin- ions of others. He was successful in husiness, and in this success was the product of intelligent effort and honest and fair dealing. Every business interest with which he was connected feels to-day a most serious Juss because of his untimely death.
Mr. Gifford's home life was a model. He was a loving and affectionate husband and a fine neighbor. Many years ago he met with the loss of his only child, a loss from which he never fully recovered, and his life since that sad event has been largely devoted to the comfort and happiness of his loved and loving wife, and to making their home as bright and as cheerful as possi- ble. He was especially fond of children, and children who were acquainted with him were unusually fond of him. One of the best things that can be said of any man is to say that all the children and young people Who knew him loved and respected him, and this can be truly said of our friend and business associate who has so recently left us.
In his social intercourse and in his elub life he was an exceptional favorite. His devotion to St. Luke's Church, of which he was a member for many years, was highly appreciated by that parish, upon which his character was stamped as it is upon this community.
In every walk of life in which he moved his death has left a void most difficult to fill. Few men could have been taken from this community whose death would be so sincerely mourned, and whose loss would be so keenly felt, and while we shall miss him so much, yet his life and character still remain with us and will exert an influence for many years to come.
This banking association, of which he was a director. has lost a most valuable co-worker. This board of directors has lost a true and valuable friend, a loss which cannot easily and readily be repaired.
Be it Resolved, That this brief memorial be spread at length upon the minutes of the Board of Directors and a copy furnished to the heart-broken and grief- stricken wife.
CHARLES H. GIFFORD MEMORIAL.
We. the Board of Directors of the Bank of James- town, are called together to take suitable action on the sudden death of our associate, Charles H. Gifford, whom we all mourn.
Mr. Gifford was one of the Incorporators of this bank, and at our first meeting was made a director and elected vice-president, and a member of the Exee- utive Committee, which offices he has filled contin- uously
We desire to express our appreciation of his falthful services, and his devotion to the best interests of this institution, and our sense of our irreparable loss, which we his associates sustain. His advice and coun- sel were of the highest value and his genial personal- ity endeared him to all. We extend to his family in this hour of their hereavement our sincere sympathy. Resolved, That this brief tribute be spread on our records and the secretary of this Board be directed to furnish a copy to Mrs. Gifford.
May 2, 1914.
MEMORIAL.
Action taken by the Jamestown Club on the death of Charles H. Gifford:
The sudden and unexpected death of Charles H. Gif- ford came as a great shock to the citizens of James- town, New York. In the commercial life of the eity with which he has been so long connected and in which he bore such a conspicuous part, he was known not only as a sueeessful business man, but a man of honor, one who had achieved success hy habits of industry. good judgment and strict integrity. No one was ever heard to say that he accumulated a dollar dishonestly or by taking advantage of the necessities of his fel- lowmen. In the church with which he was so actively identified he will be greatly missed. Contributing gen- crously at all times to its support, he brought to its service the benefits of his husiness experience and judgment and qualities of head and heart that made him from every standpoint one of its most useful as well as best loved members.
The Jamestown Club is a social organization where men meet on a plane of perfect quality and disinter- ested friendship. He had been a member of this organ- ization for nearly thirty-five years, and during much of the time had been one of its officers. His business experience and sound judgment were of great benefit to the organization during all these years, but far bet- ter than that, the membership of his club has heen enriched by the nobility of his character, his morality, his tenderness, his loving kindness, his broad humanity and the memory of these will never die. We will not forget his genial presence, his kindly smile, his warm and hearty hand-clasp. He was in all the walks of life a Christian gentleman.
He sympathized with human frailties and human sufferings. He felt that the man who scatters flowers in the pathway of his fellowmen and lets into the dark places of life the sunshine of human sympathy and human helpfulness is following in the footsteps of the Master. He believed that "we rise, who raise others. and he who stoops above the fallen stands ereet."
Death in whatever form comes as a shock to those who are bereaved, but when it takes a strong man in the fullness of his powers, with prospeets of years of happiness and usefulness, and without the slightest warning, it seems to come with a double foree. We reverently bow our heads to those whose heart throes have been so rudely snapped by the stroke that was ladened with the acutest grief; bitter as is our cup of chastening. it cannot be compared with that of the family circle whose brilliant and loving light has been extinguished. They miss, as no other mortals can, the eheering voice of our absent friend and brother. Yet across the abyss of grief we gently clasp the hands of those stricken ones and in this hour of their greatest sorrow whisper in their ears soothing words of com- fort, "he is immortal."
Beyond times whirl we brightly see, The stars shine through the cypress tree: Not hopeless pass our dead away, For we shall view the breaking day, Across the mournful marbles play.
JEROME B. FISHER, ARTHUR C. WADE, CYRUS E. JONES, Committee.
THOMAS JEFFERSON FENTON-The name of Fenton has distinction in Chautauqua county as that of one of the pioneer families, and in the Empire State as that of one of her eminent sons, Reuben E. Fenton, governor, 1865-1869, one of the most notable representatives in Civil War times, a rival of Horatio Seymour for the office of governor, and competitor within party lines of Senator Roscoe Conkling. The family in Chautauqua county was founded by George W. Fenton, born in New Hampshire, Dec. 30, 1783, and there grew to man's estate. At the age of twenty- one, he left home, and by way of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh reached Louisville, Ky. Later he taught school in Pennsylvania, finally settling in the town of Carroll, Chautauqua county, N. Y. He married in Carroll, in 1806, Elsie Owen, daughter of John Owen, a soldier of the French and Indian War, and of the
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