USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume II > Part 39
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(VII) Daniel (4) Griswold, son of Daniel (3) Gris- wold, was born in the town of Perry, Wyoming county, N. Y., Feb. 18, 1830, and died Jan. 21, 1913, suddenly stricken at the Erie Railroad station in Kennedy, Chautauqua county, N. Y. Left motherless at the age of fourteen, he left home and shortly afterward began his long and successful business career. He obtained a good education, considering the times, and while yet a minor abandoned farm work and began buying man- ufactured articles, such as scythes, window sashes, doors, and such goods as were of ready sale to farmers and home builders. These he loaded on a flat boat and with the spring tides floated down the Allegheny to the Ohio, to the Mississippi, disposing of his stock at the towns and landings until reaching Memphis, when he had but little of his stock left. This business proved so profitable that Mr. Griswold continued in it for many years, making his last trip after the outbreak of the Civil War. He had a boat load of potatoes which were liard to dispose of in the North, but he found a good customer at Parkersburg, W. Va., the Union quartermaster there purchasing his entire cargo. He then sold the empty boat and returned to Chautauqua county, N. Y., and engaged in lumbering. In 1871 he moved to Red House, Cattaraugus county, N. Y., and two years later made his permanent home in James- town, there continuing his residence during the forty years left to him of life. He was engaged in the lum- ber business until his death, being senior member of
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the firm, Griswold & Townsend, with headquarters at Kiantone, Chautauqua county. In 1888 he bought the Prendergast tract, in connection with his brother-in- law, William Townsend, and in 1905 purchased the lum- ber business of D. L. Sullivan. He was also a large real estate owner, one of his properties being the Prendergast farm of 900 acres lying in Pennsylvania and New York, Mr. Griswold being a half owner. In 1881 he was elected a director of the Chautauqua County Bank, and on May 8, 1890, was chosen its president, a high position, which he held for several years. He was successful in all his varied activities, and one of the substantial men of his city.
In politics a Republican, Mr. Griswold took a deep interest in public affairs. From 1865 until 1869 he was supervisor of the town of Poland; in 1884 represented the town of Ellicott, and in 1886 was a member of the County Board of Supervisors from the city of James- town, the first to serve under the city charter. He was later a member of the Jamestown Board of Public Works, and in all the movements looking toward the city's improvement he took an active interest. He gave a good deal of his time during his last years to his farm in Poland, and was returning from a visit there when death overtook him in the Kennedy Rail- road Station. He was rugged in his honesty, fervent in his public spirit, a safe adviser, a good friend, hus- band and father, and wherever known was beloved and esteemed.
Daniel Griswold married, Nov. 18, 1868, Martha Townsend, who died July 21, 1910. daughter of John and Adelia (Hitchcock) Townsend, her father a farmer of the town of Carroll, Chautauqua county, N. Y. Martha (Townsend) Griswold was born at the home farm in Carroll, in 1837, was a graduate of Albany State Normal School, and both before and after her graduation from that institution taught in the Carroll schools. After her marriage and removal to James- town, she served for nine years on the City Board of Education, only retiring when her health forbade her longer continuing her willing, loving labor in edu- cation's cause. She was a member of the Fortnightly Club, the Daughters of the American Revolution, vice- president of the Chautauqua County Historical Society, a woman of fine executive ability, devoted to all worthy causes, and greatly beloved.
Mrs. Griswold traced her descent from Thomas Townsend, of County Norfolk, England, who, accord- ing to family records, came from England about 1637, and settled in Lynn, Mass. He was a cousin of Gov- ernor Winthrop, and believed to have been a relative of the first Lord Townsend, created by Charles II. He was a man of education, and beautiful specimens of his handwriting are preserved in the State House at Boston, in the office of the secretary of state. He married Mary Newgate (or Newdigate), who long sur- vived him. The line of descent from Thomas and Mary Townsend to Martha (Townsend) Griswold is through their son, Samuel Townsend, and his wife, Abigail (Davis) Townsend; their son, Jonathan Town- send, and his wife, Elizabeth (Waltham) Townsend; their son, Rev. Jonathan Townsend, a graduate of Har- vard, for forty-three years pastor of the church at Needham, Mass., and his wife, Mary (Sugars) Town-
send; their son, Samuel Townsend, a Revolutionary soldier, and his wife, Ruth (Tolman) Townsend; their son, William Townsend, and his wife, Rhoda (Hall) Townsend; their son, John Townsend, was born Jan. 28, 1797, died in 1860, and his wife, Adelia (Hitchcock) Townsend; their daughter, Martha Townsend, who married Daniel Griswold.
Daniel and Martha (Townsend) Griswold were the parents of five children: Grace, Hugh, and Daniel, all of whom died in infancy; Martha Townsend, mar- ried Daniel H. Grandin, of Jamestown, their home the former Griswold residence on Prospect street, James- town, Miss Griswold remaining with her honored father until his death. She is a member of the Daugh- ters of the American Revolution, and of the Mozart Club. Harry T. Griswold, the only son to survive childhood, was born in Jamestown, N. Y., Jan. 24, 1882, there died May 15, 1919, and with his parents is buried in Lakeview Cemetery. He was educated in the Jamestown schools, and early began his business career under the capable direction of his father, becom- ing vice-president of the Union Lumber Company of Jamestown.
ALLEN ELWOOD BARGAR-One of the well known men about town is Allen Elwood Bargar, of Jamestown, an attorney-at-law, with an office in the Fenton building. He is popular among his brother lawyers and among his fellow lodge members, and has a fine war record, having served overseas from March, 1918, until April, 1919, and he is an all around good 1 citizen.
Allen Elwood Bargar was born in Sinclairville, N. Y., May 23, 1889, the son of George Bargar, in those days a farmer, but some years later he entered the industrial field of labor and is now so engaged. Both the parents of Allen E. Bargar are living at the present time.
Allen E. Bargar first attended the grammar school and high school of Chautauqua county, graduating in 1909. He then went to Oxford, Ohio, and for a time was a student at Miami College, but did not graduate from it, preferring to enter the law school of the Uni- versity of Buffalo in 1912. A year later he graduated and received his degree of LL. B. He then served his probationary period in the office of E. L. Falk, a lawyer of Buffalo, after which he was admitted to practice law at the New York bar, July 8, 1914. For a short time he remained with Mr. Falk, but in 1915 decided to locate in Jamestown. On Feb. 2, 1920, Mr. Bargar formed a law partnership with Lynn R. Van Vlack and Major A. Bartholdi Peterson. Their offices are at Nos. 604-605 Fenton Building, corner of Second and Main streets, Jamestown, N. Y.
Mr. Bargar is not married, and is not connected with any church, but the members of his father's family are all members of the Methodist church. For some years Mr. Bargar has been so interested in military affairs, and so engaged in business, that he has not become greatly concerned in politics, but always votes the Re- publican ticket.
Beneficial societies and legal associations come in for a share of Mr. Bargar's attention. He is a member of the Blue Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; also the
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Independent Order of Odd Fellows; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, No. 263, of Jamestown ; the American Legion; the Chautauqua County Bar Association; and the Jamestown Bar Association. He is also a member of Delta Chi, a legal fraternity.
During the World War, Mr. Bargar entered the service of the United States, Feb. 26, 1918, being assigned to Company B, 306th Machine Gun Battalion, 77th Division, located at Camp Upton. His training here only occupied five weeks, his battalion being sent to France, where they at once became located in the British front sector. Here, at Ypres, they were put through a course of intensive training which lasted one month; they were then ordered to Baccaret, in the Alsace-Lorraine sector, where his division held the line for over a month. This was followed by a season in the hospital. After this, Mr. Bargar was transferred to the headquarters of the Third Army Corps, and served with the army of occupation on the Rhine. Subse- quently he was returned to his original battalion. He saw continuous service throughout the Meuse-Argonne battle, from Sept. 15 to Nov. 11, 1918.
HON. LESTER FORREST STEARNS-As man in society finds the most important feature of his life is his relation with his fellow men, so in the upbuild- ing of a State perhaps the most salient features to be considered, and the foundation upon which they rest, is their progressive and commercial activity, as well as their financial status, and the qualities of their leading professional men and financiers, as well as their lead- ing merchants and manufacturers. What is true of the City, State and Nation is true of a county. The impor- tance therefore to a community is its representative professional and business men, who should possess the highest attributes of the race. And the fact that in their hands lie its destiny cannot be overestimated, and with them the fortunes of the County, State and Nation must rise or fall.
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In the proud list of her citizens known and honored throughout the State and Nation for integrity, indus- try, and stability of character, Chautauqua county has no cause to be other than well satisfied with the record of its prominent citizen who is the subject of this review, the Hon. Lester F. Stearns, who is still engaged in the practice of law in Dunkirk, N. Y.
The methods with which he has attained the higher position which he to-day holds in the estimation of his fellow citizens well attest his qualities of mind and heart; courageous, cheerful, clear of judgment, with a brilliant legal mind, alert to opportunity, untiring in energy, masterly in organization, he has carved out in enduring granite his success.
The purpose of biography is to set forth the salient features of a man's life, that we may learn from the record that which makes his history worthy of being preserved and emulated. In the career of Mr. Stearns it is characterized by high ideals of life's purposes, and a continued endeavor to follow these ideals.
Mr. Stearns was born July 27, 1855, a son of Craw- ford and Lovisa (White) Stearns. The Stearnses and Whites are of English descent, and the grandfathers (Benjamin Stearns and Joel White, spoken of else- where in these volumes) came from New England to
this country early in the eighteenth century, where they followed farming.
Mr. Stearns grew to manhood on the farm and com- pleted his education in the Forestville Academy. Im- mediately after his graduation he taught school, con- tinuing thus for two years. He then went to the Brad- ford oil district, where he remained for one year, hav- ing supervision and oversight of a large tract of oil territory. After returning from the oil fields, he resumed teaching, which he followed until 1879, when he commenced the study of law with Julius A. Par- sons, of Forestville. He then came to Dunkirk, where he was for some time with Holt & Holt, but completed his legal studies with Chester B. Bradley, at that time district attorney. He was admitted to the bar in 1882, and in June of that year opened a law office at No. 221 Central avenue, where he remained until he moved to the new Platt building at No. 311 Central avenue in 1896. He remained there until he in company with Judge Warren B. Hooker, erected the new Stearns building at No. 338 Central avenue, where he is now pleasantly located, having the most pleasant and com- fortable suite of rooms in the city, and enjoys a large law practice. He is well known throughout the State of New York as an excellent trial lawyer, being uni- versally successful in the many important litigations which he has had in charge.
In 1883 he was nominated special county judge, but declined the nomination, and in the following year was elected special surrogate, in which capacity he served for three years. In 1886 he was nominated district attorney after a sharp political contest and was elected that year. His record in the discharge of the duties of that office, in which he was unusually suc- cessful, and the conviction of criminals was such that the Republicans of Chautauqua county in 1889 gave him a unanimous renomination. In 1891 he was elected city attorney of the city of Dunkirk, which position he successfully filled for six years, during which time many of the most important improvements in the city of Dunkirk were made, he having the entire legal supervision over the same. In this time he also suc- cessfully defended a number of important cases for the city. He is an ardent and active Republican in politics, and is the recognized Republican leader in the city of Dunkirk, and one of the important leaders of the Republican party, not only in Chautauqua county, but in New York State. In 1892 he was elected one of the two delegates from this Congressional dis- trict to the National Republican Convention at St. Louis, which first nominated William McKinley to the presidency, and went to that convention as an ardent McKinley man. Previous to this he had a most pleas- ant personal acquaintance with President Mckinley, and in 1897 President Mckinley cordially tendered him the position of third assistant postmaster-general and urged him to accept the same. However, for business reasons, he was obligated to decline. He continued in active practice of his profession up to Oct., 1899, when as the choice of the State organization he was ap- pointed state tax commissioner by Governor Roose- velt. This appointment came at the beginning of the administration of the famous Special Franchise Tax Law, which was adopted by the Legislature at a spe-
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cial session at the urgent instance of Governor Roose- velt, and in the successful administration of that law by the board of which he was a member, he had very much to do as the legal member. It was largely his work which brought about the successful termination in the Court of Appeals of those cases decided in that Court involving the constitutionality of the Special Franchise Tax Law. His work in that capacity was so satisfactory that in Feb., 1903, he was reappointed by Governor Odell, and his nomination and appoint- ment were confirmed by the Senate without reference. In 1905 Mr. Stearns became chairman of the board, but declined reappointment.
In the business, social and political affairs of the city of Dunkirk, Mr. Stearns is a prominent figure and is consulted upon all matters pertaining to the growth and welfare of the city, always being active in his efforts to promote the same. He is a member of the various Masonic bodies, including Dunkirk Lodge, No. 767; the chapter; Dunkirk Commandery; and is also a member of Ismalia Temple, Buffalo, Elks Lodge, Masonic and Shorewood Country clubs, of Dunkirk.
On July 16, 1889, at Dunkirk, N. Y., Mr. Stearns was united in marriage with Mary H. Hiller, a daughter of Police Justice Orville M. Hiller, of Dunkirk, and Abi- gail (O'Connell) Hiller, also of Dunkirk. To this union have been born four children, as follows: Har- old Crawford, Lester Orville, Helen L., and Roger Vinton, sketches of whom follow.
In conclusion would say that although the influence of Mr. Stearns upon the community, due to the part he plays in the political world, is a great one, it is by no means the sum total of that which he exercises, or perhaps even the major portion of it. This is rather the result of his character as a man, a character which coupled with a strong personality, such as that pos- sessed by Mr. Stearns, could not fail to have its effect upon all those with whom he came in contact. At the base of his character, as it must be at the base of all characters, is the fundamental virtues of courage and honesty, and to these he adds not only other virtues, but the graces of personality and manner, which make him at once a valuable citizen, a charming companion, and a faithful friend.
HAROLD CRAWFORD STEARNS-However democratic the institutions and ideals of a community may be, there is always one kind of aristocracy that remains, that must remain, and that is the aristocracy of worth. It is, of course, the very essence of democ- racy that it should be so, that it should utterly replace all other aristocracies whatsoever, and a stickler for the accurate use of terms might justly quarrel with us for this application of the term aristocracy, and yet there are times when worth seems a family inheritance, that father and son rise consecutively to positions of prominence and power with a regularity that could scarcely be surpassed under the old system of primo- geniture. To any one who is familiar with the family records of America many a case will occur readily to mind, where many a successive generation, abilities and talents are handed down with such regularity that son will succeed father, winning his own place of distinction in the community in an almost unbroken line from
earliest Colonial times to the present. There is some- thing remarkable about the versatility of talent, the adaptability to conditions that such families display, enabling members of the family, eight and even ten generations apart, to win each his own laurels amid cir- cumstances so widely dissimilar. No better example of such a family can be found than the Stearns family of New York, nor of such a worthy scion than Harold C. Stearns, the eminent young author and educator.
Harold C. Stearns was born in Dunkirk, N. Y., Aug. 8, 1890, a son of Hon. Lester F. Stearns (q. v.). He received his early education in the public schools of Dunkirk, and after graduating from the Dunkirk High School, went to Phillips Academy, Andover, where he graduated with the class of 1911, and finished his course of study at Yale University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1915, with the degree of A. B. Soon after graduation he accepted a position as an instructor of English in Phillips Academy at Andover, Mass., in which occupation he continues at the present time. Fraternally Mr. Stearns is a member of the K. O. A. (Phillips Academy), The Boston Authors Club, The University Club of New Haven, Conn., and the Yale Club of New York. Mr. Stearns is also a member of the Unitarian church.
Mr. Stearns is possessed of marked literary taste and ability, and his leisure hours, aside from his educational duties, are devoted to literary pursuits. He has written several books which have attracted wide public atten- tion, and among them are "Interludes" (a book of verse) published by J. T. White & Company, New York, 1918. He is editor of "The Andover Book of Graduate Verse," published by the Yale press, 1919. He has also contributed to the "Anthology of Magazine Verse," for 1919, published by Small, Maynard & Com- pany, Boston, Mass., and to various American maga- zines and educational journals. He is also associate editor of "The Phillips Bulletin," Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass.
Mr. Stearns' influence for right ideal and progress is wide spread. As a teacher he has not only had the highest respect of his pupils, but as a school adminis- trator in an age of transition he has had the confidence of not only many men of eminence who are co-workers in the same field, but also a large circle of warm, per- sonal friends. Happily gifted in manner, disposition and taste, enterprising and original in ideas, person- ally liked by those who know him best and as frank in declaring his principles as he is sincere in maintain- ing them, Mr. Stearns' life has been rounded with suc- cess, and although still a young man he has received the marked appreciation of the men whose good opinion is best worth having, and one of the younger citizens of whom Chautauqua county can well feel proud.
LESTER ORVILLE STEARNS-At this time, in compiling a history of Chautauqua county, N. Y., or in fact of any county, the import of the great World War, and the effect upon all civilized countries, is vividly brought to our minds, and at the same time comes the thought that it is utterly impossible to pay too much honor to those men who so willingly took up arms, not only in defense of their own Nation, but to overthrow the great military autocracy of Europe,
A. L. Odell
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and make possible not only a league of all nations, but give to the entire world peace, enjoyment of life, lib- erty, and the pursuit of happiness. Among those names inscribed upon the Roll of Honor none are more worthy of mention than Lester Orville Stearns.
Lester O. Stearns was born in Dunkirk, N. Y., Dec. 28, 1893, a son of Lester F. Stearns (q. v.). He re- ceived his early education in Phillips Academy, and after being prepared for college entered the Detroit University, from which he was graduated, completing his course of study at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich. After laying aside his text books, Mr. Stearns accepted a position with the Atlas Steel Com- pany, which continued until he volunteered for service in the French army in June, 1917, and since his return has been with the American Radiator Company. Dur- ing the war, Mr. Stearns served with the American Field with the French army, in the Mallet Reserve, as ambulance and ammunition driver. When the United States entered the war, Mr. Stearns enlisted in the American army, at Soissons, France, Oct. 1, 1917, which was at the end of his service with the Mallet Reserve. During his enlistment he engaged in the battle of Cambrai Hoi, 1917, and the battle of Mal, Massoin Chemin Des Dames, Aug. and Sept., 1917. He returned to America, Nov. 23, 1918, and received his honorable discharge. In fraternal circles, Mr. Stearns is also popular, being a member of Dunkirk Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and of various other fraternities. In religious affiliation he is a Uni- tarian.
Mr. Stearns' thorough business qualifications, his ex- ecutive ability, and his strict probity in all his business relations, have met with that return of warm personal regard and financial success which such distinquishing qualities richly merit.
HELEN L. STEARNS was born in Dunkirk, N. Y., Sept. 9, 1900, a daughter of Hon. Lester F. Stearns (q. v.). She received her early education in the pub- lic schools of Dunkirk, N. Y., and after graduating with high honors from the Dunkirk High School en- tered Smith College, at Northampton, Mass., where she is noted for her high averages and her popularity. She is a member of the Telescopian Club, and various other societies of the college. She is also a member of the Unitarian church.
ROGER VINTON STEARNS was born in Dun- kirk, N. Y., Jan. II, 1902, a son of Hon. Lester F. Stearns (q. v.). He received his early education in the public schools of Dunkirk, N. Y., and after gradu- ating from the Dunkirk High School entered Phillips Academy, at Andover, Mass. Mr. Stearns is one of the brilliant scholars of that institution, and he is the leader in all the social circles, as he is in the school room. He is a member of the K. O. A. (Phillips Acad- emy), the Choir Glee Club, Mandolin Club, is manager of the tennis team, and is also business manager of the "Phillipian," a magazine.
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HENRY LOUIS ODELL-While "the race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong," the invariable law of destiny accords to tireless energy,
industry and ability, a successful career. In the late Henry Louis Odell, of Jamestown, N. Y., we beheld a man whose intense and well directed activity, coupled with his recognition and utilization of opportunities, gained him distinct prestige in public life and won for him the esteem and respect of his fellowmen. His activities were always along lines resulting in progress and improvement, and his worth in the community has been widely acknowledged by those among whom his active years were passed. Association with him meant elevation and expansion, for his interests were always in touch with those broadening processes which bring a wider, higher knowledge of life, and enable the in- dividual to place a correct valuation upon the things which go to make up life's activities and interests. He was one of the strong, because one of the best balanced, the most even and self masterful men, and so well acted his part in both business and private life that James- town was enriched by his example, his character and his labor. He inherited his sterling qualities from a long line of distinguished ancestors upon paternal and maternal sides.
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