USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume II > Part 42
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Carl Stephen Berg, a well known meat dealer of Jamestown, N. Y., was born in Sweden, Dec. 21, 1848. He was the son of Axel Berg, who was a blacksmith by trade, and who lived and died in his native country.
Carl S. Berg obtained his early education in the town of his birth and when about the age of twenty
years he came to America, where he immediately found employment. Some time later he came to Jamestown and after remaining here for a time journeyed West to Ohio, and there located at Niles, where he obtained employment in the iron foundries there. He remained in Niles, Ohio, for a number of years and then returned to Jamestown, N. Y., and started in the meat business. He continued in this occupation up to the time of his death, which occurred March 20, 1890. Politically, Mr. Berg was a Republican, but never cared to hold office. In religious affiliations he was a member of the Swedish Lutheran Church.
On July 2, 1872, in Niles, Ohio, Mr. Berg was united in marriage with Amanda Catherine Nelson, who was born in Sweden, a daughter of Nelson Anderson. Mr. Anderson, after coming to America, changed his name to Nelson, by which he was afterwards known. Both he and his wife died in Fluvanna, on Chautauqua Lake. To Mr. and Mrs. Berg were born four children: I. Fred Axel, who resides at Meadville, Penn., where he holds a position in the steel foundry; he married Anna Wheeler, and they are the parents of two children, Eleanor and Anna. 2. Gustav Friedolf, who was horn in Jamestown in 1887; he received his early education in the Jamestown public schools, and after laying aside his text books, took up the plumber's trade, working at this until the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, when he offered his services to his country. After returning from the war, he accepted a position with the Bell Telephone Company and remained with them for some time. Later, however, he resigned his position and accepted one with the Watson Manufacturing Company, for whom he acted as salesman, with his headquarters at Cleveland. He was also stationed for some time at Detroit, Mich., where he remained until his death, which occurred at Detroit, Mich., Feb. 23, 1917, and he is buried at Lakeview Cemetery, in James- town, N. Y. Mr. Berg was a member of Mt. Moriah Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Western Sun Chapter, No. 67, Royal Arch Masons; Jamestown Com- mandery, Knights Templar; and the Ismailia Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Buffalo, N. Y. He was also a member of the Capt. Samuel W. Porter Post, No. 45, United States Volunteer Association, of Jamestown, N. Y. 3. Genieve, who was born in James- town, received her education in public schools; her death occurred April 10, 1913. 4. the Jamestown Alice E., who was born in Jamestown, and was edu- cated in the Jamestown public schools. Miss Berg later took a course in the Augustina Hospital of Chicago, Il1., from which she was graduated in 1908. She prac- ticed her profession there until the year 1913, when she came to Jamestown, N. Y., where she is acting as a visiting nurse.
In conclusion will say that Carl Stephen Berg was a true citizen, and interested in all enterprises which had for their base the moral and social improvement of the community, and he aided actively by his means and influence. Around his home he shed a benign influence, which was as a summer evening's glow upon the land which the morning and noon had brightened and blessed. When he died he left a record of which his family and friends are justly proud.
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NICHOLAS ROMER-In the far away kingdom of Denmark, Nicholas Romer, founder of the Romer Axe Company of Dunkirk, was born Sept. 25, 1836, son of Andreas Romer, a sea captain. Nicholas Romer spent his boyhood and early manhood in his native land, there was educated in good schools, and remained until he was twenty-three years and six months of age, when his ambitious nature drove him forth to seek his fortune in the United States. In 1860 he left Denmark and came to this country, settling in Jamestown, N. Y., where he found employment in the Jefford's Axe Factory, there mastering the details of axe manufacturing, a business he was destined to follow all the remaining years of his life. He filled the position of overseer of a department for some years, then accepted the superintendency of a new axe making plant in Buffalo by Francis Brothers. He superintended the installation of the machinery in the new plant, having personally supervised the manufac- ture of some of the important machines, then until 1876 was engaged as superintendent of the manufac- turing department of the company.
In 1876, accompanied by his brother, John Romer, he went to Gowanda, N. Y., where he established the first axe manufacturing plant in that section of the State. The Romer brothers waxed prosperous in their business and continued in Gowanda until 1895, when they sold their plant to the American Axe and Tool Company and removed to the city of Dunkirk, N. Y., where Nicholas and John Romer were joined by An- drew Charles Romer, son of Nicholas Romer, and former secretary of the American Axe and Tool Com- pany. The Romer Axe Company was incorporated for the manufacture of axes in Dunkirk, Nicholas Romer, president and the leading spirit until his death in Dunkirk, Jan. 25, 1900. He was a selfmade man in the best sense of the word, and won high standing as a business man and as a citizen. He was an attend- ant of the Presbyterian church, and was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, his business, his home, his family and his church filling his cup of life to the brim. All men respected him, and his private life was most exemplary. He had, prior to coming to Dunkirk, been quite prominent in local affairs in Gowanda.
Nicholas Romer married, in Jamestown, N. Y., Oct. 28, 1861, Jane C. Lawson, who survives him, a member of the Romer Axe Company. Mrs. Romer is a woman of strong character and a devoted wife, a member of the Presbyterian church, and with her daughter, Jennie C. Romer, continues her residence in Dunkirk. Nicho- las and Jane C. (Lawson) Romer were the parents of three children: Andrew Charles, a sketch of whom follows; Jennie C., her mother's companion; Annie, died young.
JOHN ROMER, youngest brother of Nicholas Romer, and long his business associate, was born in Denmark, Nov. 25, 1841, and there grew to manhood. On Sept. 26, 1862, John Romer came to the United States and joined Nicholas Romer in Jamestown, ob- taining employment with him in Jefford's Axe Factory. From that time the brothers were inseparable, going
together to Buffalo with Francis Brothers' Axe Fac- tory, and thence to Gowanda, where as Romer Broth- ers they won success as axe manufacturers, and finally to Dunkirk, where they formed the Romer Axe Com- ) pany. The brothers were not long separated by death, John dying eight months later than his brother Nich- olas. Sept. 19, 1900. Both are buried in Forest Hill 1 Cemetery
John Romer never married, but always made his home with his brother, a deep affection existing be- : tween the two men, an affection which extended to . every member of the family. John Romer was a mem- ! ber of the Masonic order ; a Republican in politics; and an attendant of the Presbyterian church. He was a good . citizen, and left a record of uprightness and integrity. ,
ANDREW CHARLES ROMER -- The Romer Axe Company was reestablished in Dunkirk in 1895 by Nicholas, John and Andrew Charles Romer, and has since been one of Dunkirk's substantial growing indus- trial plants. When in 1900 both Nicholas and John Romer passed from earthly scenes, Andrew C. Romer assumed control and management of the business and for twenty years was its secretary-treasurer and its manager. Public-spirited and progressive, he was able to greatly advance both the interest of the Romer Axe Company and the public welfare of the city of Dun- kirk. He gave much time to public service and was unsparing in his efforts to serve his adopted city. He was a successful business man, and made a host of friends during his quarter of a century's residence in Dunkirk, friends who held for him the highest esteem and respect for both his ability and his manly attributes of character. He was the only son of Nicholas and Jane C. (Lawson) Romer, who at the time of the birth ( of their son were residents of Jamestown, N. Y.
Andrew Charles Romer was born Aug. 2, 1862, and died in Dunkirk, N. Y., Feb. 11, 1920. While he was a boy his parents moved to Buffalo, thence to Gowanda, N. Y., where in 1876, Nicholas and John Romer en- gaged in business under the name of Romer Brothers, manufacturing axes and edge tools. Andrew Charles Romer subsequently became a member of the firm. He made Gowanda his home until 1890, when the American Axe and Tool Company was formed, the Romer Brothers' plant becoming a part of that cor- poration. Andrew Charles Romer accepted a position in the office of the American Axe and Tool Company, with headquarters in New York City, and was made secretary of the company. In 1895 he resigned his posi- tion with the American Axe and Tool Company to join his father and uncle in the reestablishment of their business in Dunkirk under the name of the Romer Axe Company. For five years he was associated with his father and uncle, and in 1900 became managing head of the company which he had helped to organize, incorporate and develop. A man of sterling worth and strong business ability, Mr. Romer built up a substan- tial business upon a lasting foundation and prospered abundantly. During his reign as manager of the Romer Axe Company many enlargements and exten- sions were necessary to meet the demand for the products of the plant.
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In addition to his private interests, Mr. Romer served the city of Dunkirk in various ways, and ever with the same efficiency and zeal which he displayed in purely personal affairs. For a number of years he was a member of the Board of Education and was much concerned in the building of the last addition to the high school, always taking a deep interest in edu- cational affairs. He was a director of the Lake Shore National Bank, and an active member of the library and hospital boards. He was a member of the Masonic order and a past master of Gowanda Lodge. He retained his lively interest in all that concerned the welfare of Dunkirk until the end of his useful life, leaving a record of unselfish interest that is an ex- ample to those who are entrusted with responsibility in public or private fife. He is buried in Forest Hill Cemetery, Fredonia.
In 1889 Mr. Romer married Mary E. Jacobs, daugh- ter of David E. and Eliza Rhodes Jacobs.
GEORGE WILBERT COTTIS, M. D., F. A. C. S., graduate of Cornell University, and for some time professorially connected with the medical department of that university, has had notable surgical experience, including special post-graduate study of surgery amidst the vast clinical opportunities of Bellevue Hospital, New York, and a practice of seventeen months with a British division on the French front, during some of the hardest periods of fighting of 1917-1918. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and Dr. Cottis evidently enjoys the esteem of his professional confreres throughout the State, for he is one of the vice-presidents of the New York State Medical So- ciety.
Dr. George Wilbert Cottis was born in Canada, March 18, 1880. the son of Charles and Jessie (Mim- mack) Cottis, both of whom are deceased. His father was in the insurance business in Canada, and in the public schools of that dominion the son, George Wil- bert, received primary instruction. His schooling was continued at Bergen, N. Y., to which place the family had moved, and in 1898 he graduated from the Bergen, N. Y., High School. After further preparatory study, he entered the medical college of Cornell University, from which he was graduated in 1904, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. For two years prior to his graduation, and for one year thereafter, Dr. Cottis was on the teaching staff at Cornell University Medi- cal College. After leaving Bellevue Hospital, New York City, Dr. Cottis established himself in general practice, but because of the trend of his research he specialized in surgery. At first he opened an office in Batavia, N. Y., but in I911 removed to Jamestown, N. Y., in which city he has since practiced, with the exception of seventeen months of hard and very valu- able surgical service with the British Expeditionary Forces in France, mention of which army service is briefly made hereinafter.
Although still a young man, professionally speaking, Dr. Cottis has a distinct place in State medicine. As a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and as third vice-president of the New York State Medical
Association, he holds honored place among the leaders of medicine of the State. He is associated with other national and local medical organizations, including the American Medical Association, the Central New York Medical Association, the Chautauqua County Medical Society, the Jamestown Medical Society, and the Buf- falo Academy of Medicine. He has been a member of the Jamestown Hospital Commission, and gives much of his time unselfishly and without financial return to consultant needs of local hospitals. Fraternally, Dr. Cottis belongs to the Omega Upsilon Phi. Although he takes much interest in national politics, he does not take active part, and is quite independent in his views. His interest in local affairs, however, is indicated by membership in the Rotary Club, and by many other activities in civic affairs.
The war record of Dr. Cottis is one that should be given permanent place. Notwithstanding that he was married, and that his growing practice and other pro- fessional ties might have been sufficiently justifiable deterrents, Dr. Cottis did not even wait for this coun- try to declare war before offering his services to the cause of the Allies. In Nov., 1916, he applied to the British government, and in April, 1917, was sent to London, England, and there commissioned on May II, 1917, receiving appointment as first lieutenant in the Royal Army Medical Corps. He was sent to the French front, and assigned to the General Hospital, No. 22, of the British Expeditionary Forces. Three months later he was transferred to the Belgian front, and remained there during the Paschendaele battles. Until Dec. 10th of that year, Dr. Cottis remained strenuously at work in that sector, in constant danger all the while, the fighting being fierce and continuous. He then returned to General Hospital No. 22, being transferred on Jan. 1, 1918, to General Hospital No. 24, at Eples, France. He served as operating surgeon in that hospital until May 29, 1918, when he was sent to a sector near Rheims, where at that time the fight- ing was particularly bitter. However, before Dr. Cot- tis could reach the spot, the sector had been captured by the Germans. Thereafter, Dr. Cottis' assignments were many and exciting. He was attached to the Ninth British Army with the French forces, which fell back to Chateau Thierry. Shell fire made the hospital un- tenable, and evacuation became necessary. The medi- cal force was next established at Dormans, and that, in turn, had to be evacuated because of shell fire. Thereafter, Dr. Cottis was attached to a temporary French hospital, which was constantly under fire, and the location of which constantly changed until the retreat reached Epernay, where the Germans were held. Two days later, shell fire again caused the re- moval of the hospital. The medical unit retired to Sezanne, France. Notwithstanding the transitory na- ture of the hospital and the constant danger, Dr. Cottis may be said to have been operating practically day and night, the pressure of casualties being so heavy. After a further two weeks' service with the French at the Sezanne hospital, he was recalled to his original Brit- ish unit, Hospital No. 22, where the pressure was again fierce. That hospital was the first of the Brit- ish hospitals at the front to be bombed by the Ger-
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mans, and Dr. Cottis's quarters were riddled by shrap- nel. Good work under difficult conditions, however, brought Dr. Cottis promotion to a captaincy. How- ever, he was desirous of coming under the American flag, seeing that it was also now upon the battlefield. A transfer to the American Expeditionary Forces, however, could only be effected by resignation of his British commission. He accordingly resigned, and while waiting for appointment to the American forces, risked the submarine danger and returned home so that he might attend to certain pressing private matters. Then came the Armistice, making further military service unnecessary. Dr. Cottis then resumed his civilian practice of medicine in Jamestown, and he might well have been satisfied with the war service, which was entirely voluntary.
Dr. Cottis married, Oct. 6, 1906, Eliza Fancher. She also holds the degree of Doctor of Medicine, having graduated as such. in 1905, from Cornell University. Mrs. Cottis assists her husband in his professional practice, being his anesthetist. In many other ways also, Mrs. Cottis has indicated that she is possessed of strong character and marked talent. She was active in all local affairs connected with the war, and took prominent part in the women's work thereof. She is at present a member of the City Hospital Commis- sion. Dr. and Mrs. Cottis have two children, Dorothy and Ralph Howard.
THOMAS GILBERT ARMSTRONG-For forty years prior to his death, Thomas G. Armstrong was a resident of Jamestown, N. Y., and of him it was written that from youth he wore "the white flower of a blameless life." His connection with the Erie Rail- road as supervisor of the Meadville division was long continued, and during those years his relations with the men over whom he had charge, as well as with the officials of the Erie and the traveling public, were most cordial, his straightforward dealings and sturdy hon- esty of purpose winning him universal respect.
Thomas G. Armstrong was a descendant of Scotch ancestors, belonging to the Clan Armstrong, famed in song and story for courage and patriotism. Scott in the "Lay of the Last Minstrel" makes the chieftan say when about to assemble the clans for some daring enterprise :
Ye need not go to Liddisdale For when they see the blazing hale Eliots and Armstrongs never fail.
The family tradition is that the name was originally bestowed upon a Highland chief for his great courage and physical powers. Another and better authenti- cated tradition is that the name Armstrong is derived from the following circumstance: "An ancient King of Scotland, having his horse killed under him in battle, was immediately remounted hy Fairbaim, his armor bearer, who took the King by the thigh and placed him in the saddle, although heavily weighted with armor. For this timely assistance and feat of strength the King amply rewarded him with lands on the border, gave him the name Armstrong, and as- signed him for a crest: An armed hand and arm, in
the left hand a leg and foot in armor couped at the thigh all proper.
George Armstrong, a descendant, of the North of Ireland, was born there, and in 1846 came to America with his wife and family and settled in the province of Ontario, Canada. He was a farmer by occupation, and a member of the Protestant Episcopal church. The tract of land at Listowel, Ontario, Canada, was an extensive one, and there the family home was erected. The wilderness in time gave way to the fields, and several farms were carved out of the original tract owned by George Armstrong and his sons, who there lived the remainder of their useful life. George and Eleanor (Harper) Armstrong were the parents of nine children: William, a farmer of Listowel, Canada: Mary, married Robert Faulkner; Isabella, married a Robert Stewart: Susan, married a William Dickson; Eleanor, married Robert Moore; Amelia, married Don Wright; Christopher, married Isabelle Myerscroft; Thomas Gilbert, to whose memory this review is dedi- cated; George, born in Ontario, Canada. The other children were all born in Fermanagh, Ireland.
Thomas Gilbert Armstrong, son of George and Elea- nor (Harper) Armstrong, was born in Ireland, Dec. II, 1835, and died in Jamestown, N. Y., March 30, 1907. He was eleven years of age when brought to the Province of Ontario, Canada, by his parents, and there he grew to manhood. He attended the public school, and remained on his father's farm until 1859, when he came to the United States, which was ever afterward his home. From 1859 until within a few years of his death, Mr. Armstrong was actively engaged in railroad construction and operation, and during the earlier part of the Civil War he was working on the construction of the Rock Island & Arkansas Rail- road. He came to the Erie Railroad in 1863, on the construction of the Franklin branch, and later was transferred to the work of the company at Salamanca, N. Y. In 1871 he was appointed roadmaster of the Meadville division of the Erie, a post he efficiently filled until his health failed, a few years prior to his death. He made his home in Jamestown in 1871, and there ever afterward resided. He won the promotions which came to him through merit, and at the time of his death was among the oldest Erie employees in point of years of service.
While living in Salamanca, Mr. Armstrong aided in organizing St. Mary's Protestant Episcopal Church, and in Jamestown was vestryman, warden, and for twenty years superintendent of the Sunday school. While a man of naturally strong and manly character, his church associations were ennobling, and his life was marked by his Christian devotion. He wielded a strong influence for good among his associates, and fraternized with them in the Masonic order. He was a Democrat in politics. He was true to every obliga- tion of life, and his memory is warmly cherished in the city which for forty years was his home.
Thomas G. Armstrong married, at Meadville, Penn., Feb. 28, 1865, Ruth Hale Parker, born in Sugar Creek township, Venango county, Penn., Feb. 13, 1844, daughter of George W. and Mary Jane (Canon) Parker, and granddaughter of William and Ruth (Doughty) Parker. William Parker was born Jan. 27,
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1772, died March 3, 1844. He was a farmer of Arm- strong county, Penn., but later, in 1818, settled in Sugar Creek township, Venango county. His wife, Ruth (Doughty) Parker, was born in Lancaster county, Penn., in 1772, died Aug. 27, 1831. Their son, George WV. Parker, was born in Armstrong county, Penn., March 29, 1813, died at the homestead in Venango county, Oct. 6, 1889. He was a farmer of Venango county all his life, having been brought to Sugar Creck township by his parents when but five years of age. His farm property, lying within the Venango oil belt, became very valuable, and he became one of the prosperous, respected and influential men of his sec- tion. He was a Democrat in politics, and held many of the township offices. In religious faith he was an Episcopalian. George W. Parker married Mary Jane Canon, born July 17, 1816, died July 30, 1894, daughter of John and Margery (Dean) Canon, and granddaugh- ter of John Canon, a colonel in the Revolutionary War. Mr. and Mrs. Parker were the parents of six children: William C., born March 31, 1842, died Aug. 7, 1888; Ruth Hale, now widow of Thomas Gilbert Armstrong, and a resident of Jamestown, N. Y .; Mary G., born March 9, 1846, died April 30, 1909; Charles B., born in 1848; Henry R., born in 1850; and Jennie, born in 1859, wife of James Howard Pennell, of Alliance, Ohio.
Children of Thomas Gilbert and Ruth Hale (Parker) Armstrong: 1. Nettie Jane, for thirty-three years a teacher in Jamestown public schools, and for many years principal of the South Side grammar school. 2. Mary Belle, who died in childhood. 3. Ruth Eleanor, married Dr. William H. Langheim, a physician for many years, working under the auspices of the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian church. 4. George Thomas, deceased, a graduate of Cornell Uni- versity Law School, class of 1897, and a successful lawyer; he married, in Jamestown, Oct. 4, 1900, Eliz- abeth O. Breed, and left children: Priscilla, Ruth and Elizabeth Breed Armstrong. 5. Belle Amelia, married Howard Smith Kelsey, of Olean, N. Y. 6. Grace Parker, a teacher in government service in the Philip- pines prior to her marriage to Bernard Walker, whom she survives, a resident of Jamestown.
BENJAMIN SIMEON DEAN, who has been for many years one of the leaders of the bar of Chautau- qua county, and one of the prominent attorneys of Western New York, is a native of the town of Ran- dolph, Cattaraugus county, N. Y., where his birth occurred May 10, 1860. He is a son of Philo Norman and Rosella S. (Fisher) Dean, the former a native of Lockport, N. Y., and the latter of Wardsboro, Vt. Mr. and Mrs. Dean, Sr., were married at Randolph, N. Y., where they had both removed while young, and where the former was engaged in a mercantile line of busi- ness, operating a retail shoe store and also manufac- ture boots and shoes.
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