USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume II > Part 44
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Young Merrill was educated in the local schools, graduating from the high school of East Randolph, later entering Chamberlain Institute, from which he gradu- ated in 1884. Not wishing to settle down to the under- taking business quite so early, the young man found employment with Merrick & Peke, dealers in horses and cattle. This firm sent him out West to visit the large western cattle raising districts and to buy up and to ship to them horses and cattle, the young man having a very good knowledge of live stock. Mr. Merrill made the trip on horseback, going through all the far west cattle states. He remained with Merrick & Peke seven years, returning East eventually, joining his father in the business at East Randolph. In connection with the work there Mr. Merrill opened an office at Falconer, N. Y., March 17, 1916, and this he makes his place of residence.
At Cherry Creek, N. Y., in 1892, Edwin F. Merrill married Emma L. Clark, a resident of Clark, N. Y. This town was named in honor of some of the original settlers of the place, the Clark family, ancestors of the
present Mrs. Merrill. Mr. and Mrs. Merrill have two children : Mildred E., wife of Charles Metcaf, and Marcus Clark Merrill.
Mr. Merrill is a member of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the New York State Embalmers' Association, also the Sons of Vet- erans. This last society Mr. Merrill joined because he honors the war record of his father who was a veteran of the Civil. War. Marcus Fenton Merrill served through the entire four years of the war with the 9th New York Cavalry, in Company E. In Oct., 1861, he went to the camp for soldiers at Westfield, N. Y., under Capt. B. J. Coffin, then was sent to the barracks at Albany, later to Washington, D. C., then to Camp Fenton Peninsula, and later returned to Washington, being mounted there. He immediately rode into Virginia and took part in the second battle of Bull Run. His regi- ment opened the hard fought fight at Gettysburg, and was in all battles up to the time of that bloody battle at Spottsylvania Court House in 1864. At one time Mr. Merrill was a tent mate and comrade of Daniel Peek, an old resident of Jamestown. Mr. Merrill was hon- orably discharged in the latter part of 1865. The son is naturally proud of his father's war record.
LUTHER A. FORBUSH-A veteran of the Civil War, and a well known, respected citizen of James- town, N. Y., whose life has been spent in his native Chautauqua county, Luther A. Forbush came to the close of his long life honored and respected by all who knew him. He was a son of Luther Forbush, born near Boston, Mass., who came to Chautauqua county, N. Y., a young man, and settled at Fentonville, where he engaged in lumbering until his death. He married Jane Jones, also born in the State of Massachusetts, who also died in Fentonville. Both Luther Forbush and his wife were members of the Unitarian church.
Luther A. Forbush was born in Fentonville, Chau- tauqua county, N. Y., July 26, 1837, and died in James- town, N. Y., Ang. 26, 1909. He was educated in the district school at Fentonville, and remained at home until Sept. 10, 1861, when he enlisted in Company C. 9th Regiment, New York Cavalry, one of the hard fighting units of the Union army. He was badly wounded by a ball which shattered his knee at the battle of Cold Har- bor, and in the latter part of the year 1862 he was hon- orably discharged as permanently disabled. He suffered a great deal from his wounded knee and ankle all through his after life, and was incapacitated from heavy employment. After recovery from his wound, Mr. Forbush became interested in the lumber business, and for a time operated saw mills, converting the stand- ing timber into manufactured lumber. Later he man- aged a hotel in Venango county, Penn., for seven years, and still later was engaged in the same business at Meadville and Crawford, Penn. Returning to Chau- tanqua county, he kept the hotel as Cassadaga for one year, removing to Jamestown in 1888. He there kept a boarding house for several years, then was appointed assistant overseer of the poor, an office he filled until his death, twelve years later. He is buried in Fenton- ville, the place of his birth. Mr. Forbush was a mem- ber of James M. Brown Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and of Encampment No. 95, Union Veteran
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Legion. He was a man of quiet, home loving tastes, temperate in all things, and a good citizen. In poli- tics he was a Republican.
Mr. Forbush married, Oct. 14, 1866, at Busti, N. Y., Martha Marsh, born in Warren, Penn., daughter of Grant and Catherine (Martin) Marsh. Mrs. Forbush is a member of the Woman's Relief Corps, the Union Veteran Legion, the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, daughters of Rebekah, and of the Methodist Episcopal church, Bible class, and Ladies' Aid Society. She continues her residence in Jamestown, at No. 617 Pine street. Luther A. and Martha (Marsh) Forbush were the parents of two children: James Henry, of further mention, and Cora, of further mention.
James Henry Forbush, only son of Luther A. and Martha (Marsh) Forbush, was born at Fentonville, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Sept. 29, 1868, and died at Youngsville, N. Y., Aug. 4, 1916. He was educated in the public schools of Frewsburg, N. Y., and President, Venango county, Penn., and through the medium of the Scranton International Correspondence School became a well informed electrical engineer. He was in the employ of the Jamestown Electric Railway, then for seven years was superintendent on construction at Oil City, Penn., going thence to Butler, Penn., where he was electrician in the mills until his death, Aug. 4, 1916. He was a Republican in politics, and for several years a member of the New York National Guard. He was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose and of the Knights of Malta. He was buried from the home of his mother in Jamestown, the bearers being members of the Jamestown Lodge, Loyal Order of Moose. He was laid at rest with his father in Fentonville Ceme- tery.
Cora Forbush, only daughter of Luther A. and Mar- tha (Marsh) Forbush, married E. Benton Mong, an oil operator, and resides in Renfrew, Butler county, Penn. They have three children : Ralph Luther, Martha Gladys, James Benton.
JOSEPH RIEGER, M. D .- Among the physicians of Chautauqua county Dr. Rieger, of Dunkirk, has long been accorded the position of a leader. Over and above his professional distinction, Dr. Rieger bears an active part in the various phases of community life and is well known in social and fraternal circles.
Joseph Rieger was born Sept. 1, 1865, on a farm at Niagara Falls, N. Y., and is a son of Boniface and Elizabeth (Wagner) Rieger. The boy attended district schools and Lockport (N. Y.) High School, after which he began to work on the farm during the sum- mers and to teach in local schools in the winter months. For about seven years he continued this course of life, economizing his earnings in order that he might be able to defray the expense of his further education. Success crowned his endeavors, and the time came when he entered the Chicago Homoeopathic College, graduating in 1893 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. In 1894, Dr. Rieger began practice in Dunkirk and here he has ever since remained, con- stantly extending his professional connections and win- ning the sincere admiration and implicit confidence of his medical associates and the general public ..
In surgery and internal medicine, Dr. Rieger takes a special interest, and was for nineteen years surgeon for the Lake Shore Railway. He is now medical examiner for the Guardian (old Germania) Insurance Company and the Maryland Assurance Corporation, and has served for years on the medical staff of the Brooks Memorial Hospital. He belongs to the American Medi- cal Association, the American Institute of Homoeo- pathy, the New York State Medical Society, the New . York State Homoeopathic Society, the Western New . York Homoeopathic Society, the Chautauqua County , Medical Society, and the Dunkirk-Fredonia Medical Society, of which he is ex-president. He affiliates with the : Masonic fraternity-lodge, chapter, council, consistory, commandery and shrine, and also with the Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the Unitarian church. In politics, Dr. Rieger is an Independent Republican, taking an active interest in community affairs, and at one time serving a term as a member of the school board. He is a member of the Long Acres Country Club, and is treasurer of the Library Board of the city of Dun- kirk.
Dr. Rieger married, Aug. 27, 1903, Eliza C., daughter of Robert and Grace M. (Rogers) Jillson, of Syracuse, N. Y. Mrs. Rieger was the first chairman of the Re- publican Women's Committee, and in this capacity gives talks and delivers addresses throughout Western New York, and is now on the executive committee of Chau- tauqua county.
Dr. Rieger this year rounds out a quarter of a cen- tury of successful practice and scientific attainment. May the coming years be filled with results even larger and more beneficent than those of the past.
LOYE THAYER DURAND, an attorney-at-law in the city of Jamestown, N. Y., is one of the hustling young lawyers of that section. Among the many attor- neys there he stands well to the fore in his professional ability and business acumen. His handling of all legal matters with which he has been entrusted has given great satisfaction, and his future seems assured.
The early life of Mr. Durand was spent upon his father's farm in Frewsburg, N. Y., where he was born, Feb. 26, 1886. His father was Frank E. Durand, and his mother was, before her marriage, Carrie A. Hay- ward. They are both still living upon their farm.
The son attended the grammar and high schools of Frewsburg, graduating from the latter in 1904, after which he prepared himself for teaching school with the idea of gaining funds sufficient to enable him to enter college, his desire being to become a lawyer. He began teaching in 1905, continuing it for two years, when he entered the law offices of Arthur C. Wade, then whom there was no better lawyer in that section of the State. After a season of preparation with Mr. Wade, the young man entered the Albany Law School. Here he most diligently applied himself to achieve the neces- sary knowledge to graduate, which he did in 1910, when he received his degree of Bachelor of Laws. In Sep- 1ember of the same year he was admitted to practice law at the bar of the State of New York. Mr. Durand immediately returned to Jamestown and again entered
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the office of Mr. Wade, where he remained for some time. Mr. Wade died in 1914, and then Mr. Durand began the practice of law alone, and has so continued to the present time. He is also associated with Frank H. Mott and Lee L. Ottaway, with offices at No. 526 Wellman building. Mr. Durand is proud of the fact that he helped largely in gaining his education by util- izing his ability to teach. An education thus gained is generally more highly appreciated by its owner.
In politics Mr. Durand is a Republican, and in 1919 was elected supervisor of the township of Carroll. In religion he is a Methodist, attending the First Metho- dist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association, the Jamestown Bar Asso- ciation, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which organization he is a past noble grand of the local lodge. Mr. Durand is not married.
CHARLES IPSON, who has been a resident of Jamestown, N. Y., since 1866, and for almost half a century has been responsibly identified with important manufacturing interests of that place, has by his life, both in its moral and productive aspects, earned good place among the most representative, responsible, and useful residents of Jamestown and Chautauqua county, N. Y. His manufacturing activities, so long continued, have been of extensive proportions; his church service has been sincere and substantial; and his interest in proper city government, and sanitary hygenic environ- ments for the people of the community, has been evi- denced on many occasions during the twenty years of his participation in the direction of the Board of Health of Jamestown. Many important dispositions were made by that body during Mr. Ipson's participation in its deliberations, and, in particular, one law relating to the disposal of garbage was so efficacious in practice that the Jamestown system found favor and adoption by the municipal authorities of two of the principal cities of the United States. For the enactment of that law Mr. Ipson was mainly responsible, and his instrumentality in bringing it into effect is generally conceded.
Charles Ipson is not a native-born American; he was born in Bornholm, Denmark, Aug. 16, 1846, the son of Hendrik and Caroline (Greenlund) Ipson. His father, Hendrik Ipson, comes into famous note in Danish history as the discoverer of Portland cement, without which so much of our underwater construction would have been impossible. Hendrik Ipson, it is under- stood, had experimented for many years, and in 1840 evolved the formula by which a limey substance would mass, and become like stone under water. Fortifica- tions, which were built in Copenhagen harbor in the early fifties of the last century, are standing yet, but the discovery of the Portland cement process, how- ever, brought little financial advantage to Hendrik Ipson, who perhaps was of that nature to which money is not the possession of greatest import. Many of the greatest inventors, authors, philosophers, of past generations, passed their lives in comparative poverty, and appar- ently oblivious of that state. Their lives were given to their work, and material advantage was not of such consequence to them as the successful culmination of their thought. Perhaps Hendrik Ipson was such an one.
At all events, his financial state was not such as to cnable him to give his son, Charles, more than a public school education. And even while at school Charles Ipson gave his father assistance in the work at the factory. Later, Charles Ipson became apprenticed to a cabinet maker. From 1863 to 1866 he served as a sol- dier, but by the laws of the island of Bornholm, exist- ing at that time, his services were only required to pro- tect that island, and during a considerable period of that time, he was allowed to continue his work in the factory.
In 1866, Charles Ipson decided to leave Bornholm and find more stable conditions and a greater return for his labor in the vast opportunities of America. He crossed the ocean in that year, and settled in Warren, Pa., where for a while he worked at his trade, cabinet mak- ing. In the same year he came to Jamestown, N. Y., since which time he has been a resident. For about six years he followed his trade under different employ- ers in Jamestown, and then he became identified with the present company, or rather with a predecessor of the concern as at present constituted, for during the half century of its operation the trading name has many times been changed. The present extensive plant oper- ates under its corporate name of H. P. Robertson Com- pany. For forty-seven years Charles Ipson has been identified with it, and has worked through the entire plant, from the most humble capacity to that of his present responsibility, that of vice-president and super- intendent. His character is well indicated by his length of service; no manufacturer in Jamestown holds so enviable a record of service with one company. He is still active and vigorous, although his son, who is now assistant superintendent, relieves him of much of the detail of the plant.
In matters relating to church service, Charles Ipson has a worthy record. He was probably the principal factor in the founding of the Danish Congregational Church of Jamestown. He has worked unceasingly for its success since it was first established, and has given liberally to its support. He is a deacon emeritus of the First Congregational Church, where he has served as deacon for twenty-five years, and has also been its trustee for a long period. In so many ways he has, during his long life, manifested his interest in his fel- lows, and his willingness to stretch forth a helping hand to those less fortunate. He was one of the organizers of the Danish Benefit Association, and was its first president, and in many ways that cannot find detailed reference herein he has indicated the charitableness of his nature. He is a Republican, but has not given much of his time to the furtherance of national poli- tics. In local matters, however, and in the bearing of national politics on local conditions, Charles Ipson has taken keen and active interest. For twenty years he was a member of the Jamestown Board of Health, resigning from that body in 1914. During that period much sanitary good to the community was accomplished by the board, including the present garbage law, of which Mr. Ipson was the "father." Its effect upon the general health of the community cannot of course be ganged with any certainty, neither is it necessary to do so, for it certainly was a good sanitary measure, pro- ductive of much good, especially to the younger genera-
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tion. Mr. Ipson's interest in the young people of the community, and in the affording of all possible facilities for their proper education, was indicated by the part he took, in 1890, in instituting a night school system, it then being established in his own home where the night school was held for several years.
Charles Ipson has had a long married life. In 1922 he and his wife will celebrate the golden anniversary of their wedding, for Charles Ipson was married to Sophia Hintze, at Jamestown, May 14, 1872. They have two children : Mabel, who was educated in the Jamestown schools, and lives in the parental home; and John H., who received a like education, and is now secretary and assistant superintendent of the H. P. Roberston Com- pany.
JOHN P. GELM-Among the class of citizens in past days who added to the growth and importance of Jamestown, who became prominent by the force of their own individual character, and who stood in the front rank, was John P. Gelm. But few men have lived in Jamestown that have left a brighter record for every trait of character that constitutes real great- ness, and the record of his life is well worth preserv- ing, furnishing instruction for the coming generation. His name ever stood as a synonym for all that was enterprising in business and progressive in citizenship, and his industry and energy, his courage and fidelity to every responsibility and trust, is shown in his career, and his death at his home, Dec. 28, 1918, removed a figure from this community which was not only promi- nently identified with its affairs, but was one of those who had been justly recognized as one of the most popular sheriffs and business men of Chautauqua county.
John P. Gelm was born in Sweden, May 8, 1840, a son of Andrew P. and Sarah Gelm. Andrew P. Gelm, with his family, came to America in 1851, and settled in Chandlers Valley, Warren county, Pa., where he fol- lowed the agricultural business. Later he moved to Jamestown, where he engaged in the carpentry trade. He continued in this occupation until his death, which occurred in that city.
John P. Gelm, whose name is the caption of this article, received his early education in the district schools of Sweden, and at the age of eleven years was brought to America by his parents. He then con- tinued his education in the public schools of Chandlers Valley, Pa., and after completing his studies worked for a time upon his father's farm. Later he went into the oil fields of Pennsylvania, and there became an oil producer. After continuing there for some time he removed to Jamestown, N. Y., where he made his home for a number of years. During his residence in James- town he was elected chief of police. This office he held for six years, and in that time the city saw a large decrease of criminal offenses committed in Mr. Gelm's territory. For some time Mr. Gelm was a proprietor of a hotel in Bradford, Pa., which was known as the Ridell House. He also kept a hotel in Atlanta, Ga., for a number of years. He was interested in the meat business and kept a meat market in Jamestown for seven years. In 1892 Mr. Gelm was elected sheriff of Chautauqua county, and at that time he removed to Mayville, N. Y., which is the county seat. Mr. Gelm
served in the capacity of county sheriff for one term. Throughout the county he had a reputation for being a fearless, honest, and good natured man, one who did his duty as he saw it, and one who would accomplish what he undertook. Politically Mr. Gelm was a staunch Republican, and that party found in him an able assist- ant. Fraternally he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a Knight of Pythias, and a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Gelm and family were also members of the Swedish Lutheran church.
Mr. Gelm was married, in Jamestown, Nov. 4, 1869, to Ellen A. Berg, who was born in Sweden, a daugh- ter of Samuel and Cora (Benerstedt) Berg. They came to America in 1852, settled in Jamestown, and engaged in furniture manufacturing until his death. To Mr. and Mrs. John P. Gelm was born one child, George E., born Nov. 2, 1870. He received his early education in the Jamestown schools, and after graduating from the Jamestown High School, entered Annapolis Col- lege, Maryland, from which he was graduated with the class of 1894. After leaving college, he soon worked his way to the position of first lieutenant in the navy, in which position he remained until 1917, when he was made captain of the battleship "Kersage." He is now located in Washington, D. C., attached to the United States Naval Observatory. Captain Gelm married Margorie Eloise Cooke, and they are the par- ents of one child, Margorie Eloise. They are residing in Washington, D. C.
Great as were the achievements of John P. Gelm in the business world, and notable as was his official career, he deserved more perhaps and even greater distinction on account of the character of the man he was and the fundamentally healthy and wholesome relations which he held in his private life with all his : fellows. Mr. Gelm was essentially a domestic man, and found his keenest pleasure in his home which so well expressed the ideals of culture and refinement for which both he and Mrs. Gelm stood. Among his friends and acquaintances and even business associates he was recognized as one of the most congenial com- panions, and a man who would do full justice to the rights and interests of others, and when he died he left to his distinguished son, and his child, the price- less heritage of an untarnished name.
OSCAR BURDETTE LINQUEST-The name of Oscar Burdette Linquest holds a prominent place ; among the successful men of Jamestown, Chautauqua county, N. Y., where he has been engaged in business as an electrical contractor for a number of years, Mr. Linquest is a native of Columbus, Pa., born Nov. 1, 1881, a son of Alfred and Alice (White) Linquest, old and highly respected residents of that place, where the former was engaged in the occupation of farming up to the time of his death in 1900.
As a lad Mr. Linquest attended the public schools of his native town, and after two years at the Columbus High School, came to Jamestown with his brother. Walter Levi Linquest, and started his business career by securing a position as electrician with the local trac- tion company. He spent four years in the employ of the company, rising rapidly in position until, at the
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close of that time, he was chief electrician of the road. His next position was with Hanson & Company, elec- trical contractors of Jamestown, where he remained a similar period and became thoroughly conversant with every kind of commercial electrical work and was well grounded in general business methods. In the month of April, 1912, he found himself in a position to realize a long cherished ambition to become independent, and formed an association with his brother, Walter Levi Linquest, Fred Sutton and Henry Lund, and opened a store and shop on East Second street, where they began business as electrical contractors on their own account. From the outset the business was success- ful and it was not long before they were operating a very flourishing concern and doing a large local busi- ness. Three years after their first venture, in April, 1915, the concern was incorporated under the name of the Linquest Electrical Company, Inc., with Mr. Lin- quest as president, an office that he continues to hold up to the present. They now do a very large business throughout the region, and are justly regarded as one of the most capably managed and progressive con- cerns of the kind hereabouts. The store and shop is modern in every particular and equipped with the latest types of machines for the repair of apparatus, especially electric motors, in which they specialize. The establishment is now located at No. 300 Main street, and it is there that they handle all sorts of engineering problems and contract for many large and intricate jobs. In addition to his business activities, Mr. Linquest is an active participant in the general life of the community and is keenly interested in local public affairs. He is a member of the Jamestown Chamber of Commerce, and has been active in stimu- lating business enterprises in this locality through the agency of that valuable organization. He is also a member of the National Electrical Contractors' Asso- ciation and the local lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons. In his religious belief he is a Baptist and attends the First Church of that denomination at Jamestown, taking a prominent part in the work of the congregation. He is keenly interested in music and at one time was connected with one of the local bands or orchestras, but recently has been obliged to give up active work with that organization owing to the pressure of his business.
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