USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume II > Part 23
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William Bemus, in the spring of 1806, made the first settlement in Ellery at Bemus Point, near the Old Indian fields ; and in 1806 Thomas Bemus, son of William Bemus, made the first settlement in the town of Har- mony. William Bemus resided at Bemus Point, named in his honor, until his death in 1830. His wife, Mary (Polly) (Prendergast) Bemus, born March 13, 1760, died July 11, 1845, was the daughter of William Prendergast, who left Rensselaer county, N. Y., with her father, hus- band and family, in 1805, and followed their journeyings until reaching Bemus Point, after their return from the South. Her father settled in the town of Chautauqua, not far from the present Chautauqua Assembly, in fact a portion of his original farm is part of the association grounds. William Prendergast, his sons, daughters, and grandsons became the owners of a continuous tract con- taining 3337 acres, and nearly all of his thirteen sons and daughters became residents of Chautauqua county. Dr. William M. Bemus descends from Charles Bemus, the fifth son of William and Polly ( Prendergast) Bemus.
Charles Bemus was born in Pittstown, Rensselaer county, N. Y., Aug. 31, 1791, died at Jamestown, N. Y., Cet. 10, 1861. He came with his parents to Chautauqua county, and later resided on land bought by his father at Bemus Point. He was an officer of the American army during the Second War with Great Britain, rank- ing as first lieutenant, and in 1813 was a witness to the burning of Buffalo by the British and Indians. Charles Bemus married, Feb. 28, 1811, Relephia Boyd, born July 20, 1790, died Jan. 2, 1843. They were the parents of ten children, the youngest a son, Colonel George Hamlin Bemus, father of Dr. William M. Bemus, of Jamestown.
WILLIAM PRENDERGAST BEMUS, M. D .- A skillful physician, holding a commanding position among the professional men of his native county, where for thirty-eight years he practiced most successfully, was Wil- liam P. Bemus. A generation has lived since he passed to his reward, but his memory is still green in the hearts of the many who loved him and his name is yet con- stantly mentioned. It is recorded of him that he never
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attempted to collect a bill by legal means, and in the sick room he was so gentle and sympathetic that his very presence was a tonic. Yet surviving him, a resident of Jamestown, his widow, Sarah Elizabeth (Prather) Bemus, now an octogenarian, lives in retrospect for many years of hier happy wedded life, and in her active busy life is still dispensing joy and comfort. Mrs. Bemus is a daughter of Abram C. and Sarah ( McCalmont) Prather, both of Pennsylvania birth, both the Prathers coming to Franklin county, Pa., from the State of Maryland.
William Prendergast Bemus, son of Charles (q. v.) and Relephia (Boyd) Bemus, was born at Bemus Point, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Oct. 4, 1827, died Sept. 19, 1890. He studied in the Ellery District School, in Fre- cionia High School and under private tutors, becoming a well informed man for that time and locality. When he decided to study medicine he read with Dr. Shanahan. of Warren, Pa., going thence to Oberlin College, where he attended medical lectures. He then entered Berkshire Medical Institute, Springfield, Mass., that institution con- terring upon him the degree M. D.
After receiving his degree he practiced four years at Ashville, N. Y., going thence to Jamestown, where the following thirty-eight years of his life were spent in medical practice. His clientele was a very large once and the amount of the practice he did among those from whom no pay was expected was enormous. He never refused a call upon his professional skill, nor did he ever seek legal aid to collect a bill, but like the old-time family doctor he was very near to the hearts of his peo- ple and shared with them their joys and sorrows, was their adviser, friend and guide. His funeral was largely attended, the outpouring testifying to the deep love and respect in which Dr. Bemus was held.
Dr. Bemus married (first) in 1855, Helen O. Norton, who died March 7, 1874, daughter of Squire Morris Nor- ton, of Ashville, N. Y. He married (second) June 3, 1875, Sarah Elizabeth Prather, born in Venango county, Pa., Aug. 31, 1838, who yet survives him (1919), resid- ing in Jamestown, which city has been her home since Oct. 11, 1873. In youth Mrs. Bemus was a member of the United Presbyterian church, but after her marriage she became a member of St. Luke's Protestant Episcopal Church, of Jamestown. Helen L. Bemus, daughter of Dr. Bemus by his first marriage, married Fred E. Hatch, of Jamestown. By his second marriage an only child died in infancy.
(The Prather Line).
The Prathers came from Maryland, Mrs. Sarah E. (Prather) Bemus, a great-granddaughter of Henry Prather, who lived on the Prather homestead farm, which was an original grant from the king. He mar- ried Elizabeth Hicks, of Danish parentage, and they were the parents of Thomas Hicks Prather, a soldier of the Revolution, who moved to Franklin county, Pa., thence to Venango county, where he dicd, Feb. 15, 1818. He married Elizabeth Crunkleton, Jan. 25, 1776, who died June 20, 1831, aged seventy-three years. They were the parents of Polly, Henry, Sarah, Ruhany, Abraham C., Rebecca, and Thomas H. Prather.
Abraham Crunkleton Prather was born in Franklin county, Pa., Sept. 19, 1786, died July 7, 1850. About 1798 his father took up a tract of timber land in Venango
county and with his sons rode to the new home. For a time the father remained with his sons, but after seeing them settled in their newly built log cabin rode away to return in the spring. The boys remained through the winter, but when the Indians raided their cabin and de- stroyed their crop in the spring they, too, returned to the old home. Abraham C. Prather later returned, bought the same tract, cleared the timber, finally having a well cultivated and well improved farm of 250 acres, situated in Cornplanter township, Venango county, Pa., Plumer the nearest post office. He operated a tannery, , and became one of the solid, substantial men of his town. During the War of 1812 he walked from Venango county, sixty miles, to the city of Erie, accompanied by his brother-in-law, James Ricketts, to enlist in the American army, both men carrying their own muskets. Kind and jovial in disposition, he was very popular with the neigh- bors, while his energetic, sterling business quality won him high standing as a man of efforts. He is buried at Plumer, Venango county, his wife resting by his side, suitable gravestones marking the place. He married, Feb. 7, 1822, Sarah McCalmont, born in Center county, Pa., Feb. 14, 1803, died Dec. 26, 1874, daughter of Henry Mc- Calmont, born in Miflin county, Pa., and granddaughter of John McCalmont, born in Ireland, Jan. 11, 1700, who came to the United States from the North of Ireland accompanied by his wife, a lady of Scotch parentage. Abraham C. and Sarah (McCalmont) Prather were the parents of ten children : 1. Henry M., born May 17, 1823, died Dec. 2, 1907 ; married Elizabeth Muss. 2. Julia Ann, born Feb. 19, 1825, died, unmarried, April 1, 1860. 3. Afary, born Oct. 20, 1827, died June 27, 1908; married Philip Hatch, also deceased. 4. John S., born Feb. 17, 1830, died at Cleveland, Ohio; married Anna Henry, also deceased. 5. Jane W., born May 18, 1832, died, un- married, Oct. 3, 1851. 6. George C., born May 16, 1835, died Oct. 3, 1851. 7. Sarah Elizabeth, widow of Dr. Wil- liam P. Bemus. 8. Abraham S., born Feb. 24, 1841, a vet- eran of the Civil War, a manufacturer of Jamestown. 9. Rebecca R., born Dec. 11, 1843; married John W. Mc- Clure. 10. Robert T., born Feb. 22, 1847, died Nov. 2, 1851.
WILLIAM MARVIN BEMUS, M. D .- Colonel George Hamlin Bemus, the last survivor of the children of Charles (q. v.) and Relephia (Boyd) Bemus, was born at Pine Grove, Warren county, Pa., May 1, 1831, died at Corry, Pa., Dec. 28, 1896. He attended the district school at Bemus Point, and Fredonia Academy in Chau- tauqua county, studied law under Madison Burnell, of Jamestown, and was admitted to practice at the New York bar. He practiced law in Jamestown, later went West, and in Minnesota practiced his profession and was elected judge of Winona county. When the Civil War began he was true to the tradition of his blood and, fol- lowing the example of his father, Charles Bemus, an officer of the War of 1812, his grandfather, William Bemus, a private, and his great-grandfather, Jothanı Remus, an officer of the Revolutionary War, he enlisted and went to the front. He left his family with his father- in-law in Meadville, Pa., prior to his enlistment in Com- pany F, 9th Regiment, Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, and served with that command until wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg, attaining the rank of first lieutenant.
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Ile was honorably discharged on account of injuries re- ceived in battle, but later he reënfisted and rose to the rank of colonel and commanded the 58th Regiment, Penn- sylvania Volunteer Infantry. He was engaged at the battles of Mechanicsville, Gaines Mills, Charles City, Cross Roads, Antietam and first Fredericksburg. During his military service he was aide to Generals Jackson and Seymour, and was the officer to whom the Confederate general, John H. Morgan, was delivered after his cap- ture, and by Colonel Bemus was taken to Columbus, Ohio, and turned over to the custody of United States authorities. He entered the service in May, 1861, and with the exception of the short interval elapsing between his honorable discharge, Feb. 17, 1863, and his second enlistment, served until the close of the war.
After being mustered out of the service with his regi- nient at the close of the war, Colonel Bemus returned to Pennsylvania and located in Meadville, where he practiced law and engaged in the public service, being for two terms a member of the Pennsylvania House of Repre- sentatives. During many of the last years of his life he was practically an invalid, his wounds received in the army never ceasing to be a source of pain and suffering. He resided in the last years with his son, Dr. William M. Bemus, of Jamestown, but died at the home of his son, Dudley Bemus, in Corry, Pa., and was buried at Mead- ville.
He married Julia Prendergast, who survived him, and they were the parents of three sons: William M., of further mention; Dudley, of Corry, Pa .; and George Prendergast, who died in 1886. Colonel Bemus was a man of education and culture, genial and kind in disposi- tion, and greatly beloved by all who knew him. His manners were those of the old school and his courtesy like his kindness was unfailing.
William Marvin Bemus, son of Colonel George Ham- lin and Julia (Prendergast) Bemus, was born in Mead- ville, Pa., Sept. 2, 1855, his father a practicing lawyer of that city. After finishing public school study with high school graduation, he entered Allegheny College at Mead- ville, going thence to the University of Pennsylvania, whence he was graduated M. D., class of 1878. While at medical school Dr. Bemus was chairman of the class executive committee, and of the twenty-two members he is the last to survive. After a year spent as interne at Blockley Hospital in Philadelphia, he began the prac- tice of medicine in Jamestown, N. Y., in association with his unele, Dr. William Prendergast Bemus, one of Chau- tauqua's eminent professional sons. Unele and nephew practiced together until the retirement of the former. the younger man continuing a most successful profes- sional career until the present, 1920, a period of forty- one years, a longer term of continuous practice than that of his uncle, who retired after thirty-eight years of prac- tice. For many years Dr. Bemus was surgeon to the Erie Railway Company, and during the Spanish War was a surgeon in the United States Volunteer Army, ranking as major. He was also consulting surgeon to the Sis- ters Hospital in Buffalo, meeting the demands of these positions in addition to the responsibilities of his large private practice. For several years he has largely con- fined himself to the treatment of diseases of the spine, his success as a specialist being marked. He is a member of the Jamestown Medical Society, Chautauqua County
Medical Society, New York State Medical Society ( for- mer vice-president), and of the American Medical Asso- ciation. He is the author of several valuable papers on medical subjects which have been read before these learned societies and published in the medical journals. At the one hundredth anniversary of the settlement of Chautauqua county held at Westfield in 1902, he deliv- ered an address in the Presbyterian church on "The Med- ical Profession," and he frequently appears on public platforms.
A member of St. Luke's Protestant Episcopal Church, Dr. Bemus has long served the parish as vestryman, and is a veteran member of Mt. Moriah Lodge, No. 45, Free and Accepted Masons. Through his patriotic ancestors, Major Jotham Bemus and his son, William Bemus, he gained admission to the Sons of the Revolution, and has served the Jamestown Chapter as vice-regent and regent. Through his own military service he gains membership to Samuel L. Porter Post, No. 45, Spanish War Vet- erans, of which organization he is a past commander. He is also affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Knights of Pythias, also chaplain of the Ira Low Spring Post, American Legion.
Dr. Bemus married, April 18, 1881, Mary Barrows, of Jamestown, and they are the parents of two sons: I. Selden Barrows, a sketch of whom follows. 2. William Marvin (2), educated in Jamestown grade and high schools, Bellefonte Academy, Pennsylvania, and Penn- sylvania State College; he served in the World War as first lieutenant of Company F, 807th Pioneer Infantry, went overseas and with his regiment participated in the battles, engagements and skirmishes of the Meuse and Argonne offensive movements of 1918; he was honor- ably discharged from the United States service at Camp Upton, L. I., N. Y., July 10, 1919; he is now traffic man- ager of the Salisbury Axle Company at Jamestown; he married Emily Bradford Cady, of North Adams, Mass., in January, 1920; she is a lineal descendant of William Bradford, the first governor of Plymouth, Mass.
SELDEN BARROWS BEMUS-Among the most successful of the younger business men of Jamestown, Chautauqua county, N. Y., is Selden Barrows Bemus, vice-president of the Philo Burt Manufacturing Com- pany, and a prominent figure in the general life of the community.
Mr. Bemus, son of Dr. William Marvin and Mary ( Barrows) Bemus, was born in Jamestown, May 9, 1884. As a lad he attended the public schools of his native city and continued therein until he had completed three years of the high school course. He was then sent to Tome Institute at Port Deposit, Md., just outside the city of Washington, D. C., from which he was graduated with the class of 1906. Immediately after, he returned to Jamestown and became connected with the Philo Burt Manufacturing Company. He learned all the details of the business and rose rapidly in position until he was elected vice-president, Oct. 24, 1913. He is now active in the management of this important concern and is recognized in the business world here as one of its most capable members. Mr. Bemus is active in the city's life and affairs and is a prominent figure in social and club circles, holding membership in many organizations. He
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is a member of the Jamestown Board of Commerce, and was president of the Business Builders' Club, which is associated with the Board of Commerce, a member of the Rotary Club, and is affiliated with various Masonic bodies, including Mt. Moriah Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Western Sun Chapter, Royal Arch Masons ; Jamestown Council, Royal and Select Masters; James- town Commandery, No. 61, Knights Templar, of which he is a past commander ; and Ismailia Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a Re- publican in politics, and an Episcopalian in religious belief, attending St. Luke's Church of that denomination at Jamestown, and a member of its choir. Mr. Bemus has been associated a number of years with the local military organization, enlisting, in January, 1906, as a private in Company E, 65th Regiment, New York Na- tional Guard. He was promoted in rank, being made corporal in 1911, and passing through the various non- commission grades was commissioned a first lieutenant, Jan. 23, 1918, and captain, Oct. 15, 1919. He received a full and honorable discharge from service, Oct. 7, 1920. Captain Bemus is a remarkable shot with the rifle, and from 1906 to 1911 took many prizes for his skill. In 1907 he was ranked as a sharpshooter, in 1909 as a dis- tinguished expert, and in 1919 he qualified as sharpshooter on the new National Guard course.
Selden Barrows Bemus was united in marriage, April 7, 1915, with Jane A. Bentley, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred A. (Blanchard) Bentley, old and highly re- spected residents of Chautauqua county. Mr. Fred A. Bentley was for years vice-president of the Chautauqua County National Bank and later founded the Bank of Jamestown. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Selden B. Bemus : Evelyn Newland, who received her name in honor of Evelyn Newland Post, and a son, Selden Bentley Bemus. Mr. and Mrs. Bemus reside at No. 9 West Sixth street, Jamestown, and during the summer months at Lakewood in the old Bentley home- stead on the Ashiville road. Mrs. Selden B. (Bentley) Benus, like her husband, comes from a long line of de- scendants. Her ancestors settled at Lakewood in May. 1810. The homestead was built in 1837.
RANSOM JAY BARROWS, a successful manu- facturer in the city of Jamestown, was born in that city, May II, 1879, a son of Ransom Jonathan and Minerva (Williams) Barrows, lifelong residents of Jamestown.
Ransom J. Barrows obtained his education in the public schools of Jamestown, including the high school, but did not complete his studies there on account of the breaking out of the Spanish-American War, in which he served during the period of hostilities. Upon his return to Jamestown, he became associated with the Philo Burt Manufacturing Company, a sketch oi which follows. He was first employed in this concern, but is now a half owner of the business and holds the office of secretary and treasurer. Mr. Barrows is a director of the Bank of Jamestown and has become associated with a number of industrial concerns of this city and elsewhere, among which are the Salisbury Axle Com- pany, the Peru Auto Parts Manufacturing Company of Peru, Ind., the Norwalk Auto Parts Company of Norwalk, O., of which he is secretary, the Precision Engineering Company, of which he is a director.
Mr. Barrows has always been keenly interested in public affairs and a staunch supporter of the policies and principles of the Republican party. He served for eleven years in the Volunteer Fire Department of the city, as a member of Ellicott Hook and Ladder Com- pany, of which he became foreman, and a like number of years as a member of the New York National Guard. He has held a number of offices in Jamestown; was a member of the Board of Health, and was appointed to the position of chief of police, April 15, 1918, doing much to improve the police department. This position was accepted as a civic duty during the war period, and while he had no especial desire for the position he fulfilled the duties with efficiency and entirely for the benefit of that community. Mr. Barrows Is prominent in the Masonic order, having taken the thirty-second degree in Free Masonry. He is a member of Mt. Morialı Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; Western Sun Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Jamestown Council, Royal and Select Masters; Jamestown Com- mandery, Knights Templar, of which he is a past com- mander; Ismailia Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and Buffalo Consistory, Scottish Rite Bodies. He is also president of the Jamestown Club, and for two years held the same office in the Jamestown Automobile Club, and for one year was president of the New York State Motor Federation, of which he is now chairman of the executive committee. Mr. Barrows is one of the prominent citizens of Chau- tauqua county, and is justly regarded as an important factor in the life of the entire community. He is, in the best sense of the word, a self-made man and the future holds out to him a brilliant promise of further achievement.
THE PHILO BURT MANUFACTURING COM-
PANY-The history of the Philo Burt Manufacturing Company is a most interesting one, having started from a beginning, which appeared limited in its scope, as an aid to the medical profession, to one which stands quite prominent in the medical appliances industry. By con- sistent effort and demonstration of the device invented by Mr. Philo Burt Sheldon, it has been proved to the medical world and the public to be a genuine success. As a concern which has helped to advance medical science, it has been rewarded with a material success and is now numbered among the prominent manufacturing com- panies of Jamestown, employing numerous people. The present officers of the company are : William M. Bemus, M. D., president ; S. B. Bemus, vice-president; R. J. Barrows, secretary and treasurer.
PHILO BURT SHELDON, the inventor of the Philo Burt Appliances for Spinal Curvature and kindred ailments, deserves the genuine gratitude which has come to him from thousands of men, women and children benefited and in many cases cured. He suffered from a severe curvature of the spine for thirty years. His con- dition was such that he was bent almost double and with great difficulty walked with canes. He resorted to the usual method of correcting this trouble. In turn he used plaster of paris casts, steel braces, leather jackets and nearly every known form of support. Although he spent
Bishop John D. Vincent
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hundreds of dollars he got very little relief and no cure. With intelligence and determination, born of his sad experiences and suffering, he set about making an appli- ance different from anything he had ever seen or worn. He made use of all good features of the old style jackets and braces and united them with advanced original ideas of his own. The result was that he enred himself and invented an appliance which has everywhere deeply im- pressed the medical fraternity and has brought the joy of health and strength back to thousands of deformed people. Mr. Sheldon attained the object which scientific men had been trying to reach for decades; an appliance with an even, continuous lifting support and extension to a weak and deformed spine.
The Philo Burt Appliance was invented to be com- fortable to wear, easily adjusted as the deformity is gradually overcome, removable at any time for the pur- pose of cleanliness, examination or treatment, the pres- sure so distributed that the proper support is afforded but no irritation is felt at any particular point. In wearing no inconvenience is experienced, either in working or exercising. The muscles are allowed free action, thus preventing atrophy from disuse. It is the most comfort- able and satisfactory appliance for the support of a curved or weakened spine ever devised. In inventing this appliance Mr. Sheldon also realized the need of braces for stooped shoulders, weak back and weakened abdomi- nal muscles. He designed an appliance for each of these troubles which became universally successful. In count- less instances they have demonstrated their superiority over all other braces made for the same purpose.
Mr. Sheldon knew from personal experience what the people who were afflicted with spinal troubles really needed. First determining the right principles and then combining them with rare inventive skill, he was able to devise appliances which have made his name favorably known to physicians and sufferers from spinal troubles the world over. It is honest conviction and belief, born of long experience and close observation, that for every case of spinal trouble, weak back and stooped shoulders, the Philo Burt Company makes an appliance which will bring relief at once or in time much benefit.
The many advantages of the Philo Burt Appliances have been clearly demonstrated in the successful treat- ment of over 45,000 cases, covering every known form and condition of spinal trouble. The appliances are being worn by patients of all ages, from fifteen months to eighty-five years, located in every State in the Union and in nearly every foreign country.
The Philo Burt Company is in possession of thousands ot letters, received from people telling of benefit and cure and constituting indisputable evidence of the merit and efficiency of the Philo Burt method. They are ahle to point to actual cases for a verification of any statement and can show case records covering every detail of the benefit and cure and these sworn and subscribed to before a notary. During the business existence of over twenty years, every case that has come to them has received carnest, careful consideration, and each appliance made has been given the best possible attention in its construc- tion. This reputation for service and the recommenda- tions given by patients, physicians and surgeons, have contributed very largely to the success attained. It is evident that they are conducting a beneficent work.
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