USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume II > Part 49
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Hjalmar Rosenquist
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business developed satisfactorily until, in 1904, W. S. Myers, wishing to retire, disposed of his interest to Fred Rockwell who, three years later, sold the share to his partner, Edgar E. Myers. In 1908, Mr. Myers took his sons, F. L. and J. F., into the business as part- ners, and in the following year the company erected a modern brick building upon the original site, and installed the latest machinery for the highest grade of laundry work. The motive power is steam, and the plant provides work for thirty people, and specializes in bundle work, such as shirts, collars, and the like. That the partners intend to conduct the service in thoroughly up-to-date methods is evidenced by their collection and delivery service, which is expeditiously accomplished by the use of four motor trucks, owned by the partners.
EDGAR E. MYERS who, with his brother, has conducted the Pearl City Laundry in Jamestown, N. Y., for twenty-five years, and by whose energy and enter- prise Jamestown has been provided with a domestic utility which yields labor for thirty people, and needs four motor trucks to cope expeditiously with the vol- ume of the local demand for the service, is a public- spirited and industrious man, who has earnestly endeav- ored to establish for the people of Jamestown as effi- cient a laundry service as they could reasonably hope for.
He was born in Woodcock township, Crawford county, Pa., Aug. 9, 1856, the son of John G. and Emmeline Myers, of that place, both of whom are deceased. His father, John G. Myers, had an agricul- tural property of some extent in that township, and the boy, after having attended the common school of the district until he was ten years of age, started to work on the parental farm. Until he was eighteen years old he remained at home, assisting in the work of the farm, but then and for several years thereafter hired out as a farm hand, later becoming a carpenter, working at that trade for several years, eventually, however, returning to the farm and there working until he had reached the age of thirty-five years. Then he went to Ashtabula, Ohio, where his brother was independently established as a laundryman. In that place he remained, assisting his brother in the operation of the laundry, until 1894, when they both came to Jamestown, N. Y., and in part- nership established the Pearl City Laundry of that place. Their success has been referred to hereinbefore, and comment regarding the laundry is also made in the industrial section of the historical record of Chautauqua . county. Mr. Myers is an interested member of the Jamestown Board of Commerce, and in his phase of industrial effort has contributed satisfactorily to the well being of the community.
Mr. Myers married (first) Roberta A. Winston, of a Crawford county, Pa., family. She died in Oct., 1891, having borne to him two children, sons, F. Laverne and J. Floyd. On April 8, 1894, Mr. Myers married (sec- ond) in Jamestown, N. Y., Minnie E. Woods, of Ash- tabula, Ohio. Mrs. Myers is still living, but there has been no issue to the marriage. Both sons of Edgar E. Myers by his first wife, Roberta A. (Winston) Myers, are partners with their father in the laundry business.
L. DELOS POWERS-A well known undertaker of the city of Jamestown, Chautauqua county, N. Y., is L. Delos Powers, a native of this State. He was born in the town of Harmony, Panama, N. Y., May 6, 1846, a son of Luther and Polly (Rundell) Powers, highly esteemed residents of the town of Harmony.
L. Delos Powers received his education in the com- mon schools of his native town. After finishing his education, such as the locality furnished in those days, he began work on the home farm. In addition to his farming, he was well skilled at painting, paper hanging, carpentry, and blacksmithing, in fact he was such a clever and handy man that he could do almost any kind of work for which he could secure the tools. He had learned the trade of cooper with G. A. Matson at Block- ville, with whom he remained from 1862 to 1867. He also worked at the trade of blacksmithing. At this same place he was appointed, in 1874, postmaster and elected justice of the peace. Thirteen years later, in 1887, he came to Jamestown, where he was engaged in the work of carpentry and painting until an accident occurred which incapacitated him for some time. While working on a factory being built by Birch & Hall, Mr. Powers fell about forty-five feet, and after this fall he never engaged in this kind of work again. He was employed in picture framing with L. C. Reed, later with Theodore Van Dusen, and while with Mr. Van Dusen he learned the undertaking business. In 1897 he formed a partnership with Mr. Henderson, and they engaged in the undertaking business under the firm name of Powers & Henderson, continuing for one year, until a severe attack of rheumatism compelled Mr. Powers to quit. But the next year he regained his health, and he started in the undertaking business on his own account, in which line of work he was very successful. He was at this time connected also with the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, and to date (1919) he has written nearly $2,000,000 worth of insurance. Mr. Powers is a Mason of high standing, and belongs to Mt. Moriah Lodge; Blue Lodge, No. 145; the chapter, the commandery, of which he was prelate; the inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, Mt. Taber Lodge, No. 780, has gone through all the chairs, and belongs to the camp and to the Daughters of Rebekah. For over twenty years he has been a trustee and also superin- tendent of the Sunday school of the First Methodist Church at Jamestown, and he is a strong advocate of prohibition.
On March 28, 1865, L. Delos Powers was married to Mary Jane Sweet, and in 1915 they celebrated their fiftieth anniversary. They are the parents of three chil- dren, as follows: 1. Edgar L., now assistant to his father ; he married Edith Robbins, and they have five children : Leslie E., Leland R., Marion, Emogene, Kleber. 2. Mary Emogene, wife of James H. Mason, lives in Jamestown; they have a daughter, Meave Lucile. 3. Ora L., married S. J. Frigault, lives at Jamestown, and has a son, Loren Delos. Mr. Powers is one of a family of nine children, only two of whom are living at the present time (1919).
Mr. Power's father was a farmer. He had two brothers who served in the Civil War, both of whom are now deceased: Orville R .; and Francis Gilbert, who
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fought with the 112th Company in the Civil War, and lived at Winfield, Kan. The career of Orville R. Powers could not be better told than to quote the words of tribute written by those who knew him.
A letter from Sergeant Day, of Lieutenant Powers' company, dated March II, on the field of battle, says :
Lieut. O. R. Powers was mortally wounded on the 7th inst. while bravely trying to form our company, which was retreating in great confusion. He was wounded in the right lung and lived thirty-six hours. I carried him from the field and took care of him till he died. * * * He was deeply loved by every mem- ber of our company, a more brave and noble man I never knew.
Lieutenant Powers' captain, Capt. Rust, details his death the same as above :
Shot in the breast, while nobly discharging his duty, cheering the men to action.
C. K. Judson, editor of the Freeport "Journal," says to the bereaved mother :
He was indeed a son of whom to be proud. Noble, generous, gifted, brave and manly-all loved him who knew him. . Of all the young men of my acquaintance, for none had I pictured a more bril- liant career than for him. In his profession he had already taken a high stand, and had a splendid oppor- tunity ahead. Had he lived-as a man of honor, a man of talents rare, a man of wide influence, he would have had few equals. . * Orville was a noble, a true, a virtuous young man and he has gone to his reward. Here in the West, as at East, he left scores of friends who loved bim.
Mr. Judson says also in his "Journal :"
From boyhood up, he was the favorite In whatever circle he moved. Naturally gifted, of warm, generous impuises, and guided always by a keen sense of honor and equal justice, he was universally esteemed and beloved, and worked his way to a position of influ- ence rarely attained by one so young-but a little over twenty-three years of age at the time of his death. His profession was that of the law, and in it, among the members of the bar at Ottawa and Men- dota, he was considered one of the most promising. The gallant, the noble, the gifted, the brave, the beloved son, the cherished brother, the dead friend, is fallen.
A beautiful trait in the character of the deceased was his deep filial affection. "Tell my mother," said the expiring patriot, "if I could see her before I die I should be happy."
The man with whom he studied writes to Mrs. Powers :
I have often heard him speak in the most ardent and devoted terms of his mother; and of veneration and respect for his father, and a determination never to add any more to the expenses of his parents in enabl- ing him to get his profession.
This beautiful picture of the character of the deceased needs but the finishing touch of his own correct and graceful pen in detailing the motives that led him to the steps that cost him his life. Here his virtues shine most gloriously. In a letter to his beloved mother, written April 17, 1861, he says :
Law and special pleading have no charms for me, when our country is on the verge of ruin. I wish to first find out whether we have any law, before I engage in administering it. * * * No one regrets more than I the necessity of a war between the North and the South. But the choice lies not with us now, they have inaugurated the fratricidal strife and our only ultimation is fight or ruin. God be judge between us. I feel it my duty as a lover of law and order, as a firm advocate of free government, as an American citizen, to do my duty to my country in this her time of need. I should think myself as unworthy and unde- serving the protection of the laws, and the blessings
of freedom, were I unwilling to do all in my power to protect and preserve them. My allegiance is due and owing to the Union as it is, and God helping me I will fight, and if must be, die in maintaining it unimpaired. We are forming a company of troops here, and I have enlisted. Of course I expect to come out safe and sound, but the chances are decidedly against it. I think as much of my life as any one probably, and would not foolishly throw it away. But God forbid 1 that I should seek to preserve it my any act of cow- ardice, or shrinking from my plain duty. I deplore . wars in every form, but there never was a more holy : cause than this for fighting to the death. If our
country comes out victorious over its traitorious ene- mies-as I have not doubt it will, I shall be happy to live and enjoy its benefits. But if she falls, torn and dissevered, disdained and dishonored, I am willing to ‹ fall with it. I have no desire to survive its ruin. * ored by any craven act of mine, but I'll fight for my * * Tell father the old name shall not be dishon- freedom and my country or fall in their defence. #
L. Delos Powers' grandson, Leslie E. Powers, went into the service of the United States in April, 1918. . About four weeks later, he was sent across and was orderly to a lieutenant in the machine gun company. He was in the battle of Argonne for three days, and saw much active service over there.
DR. DARWIN CLARE PERKINS, one of the popular and successful physicians of Jamestown, Chau-, tauqua county, N. Y., is a son of Truman Horton and Carrie Ione (Andrews) Perkins, old and highly respected residents of the town of Alexander, Genesee county, N. Y.
It was at that place that Dr. Perkins was born July 28, 1879, and his childhood was spent there. His father was a Methodist Episcopal minister, and the lad was the recipient of an excellent education as well as enjoying splendid home influences which made for culture and enlightenment. As a lad he attended the grammar and high schools of Alexander, and was graduated from the latter institution in 1895. He then took a special course in the arts, and at the same time studied medi- cine, it having been his decision, made while he was little more than a lad, to adopt the latter as a profes- sion in life. He studied for five years on these various subjects, working his way through the various institu- tions which he attended. Dr. Perkins then took the full medical course at Cornell College, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1906, win- ning his degree as Doctor of Medicine at the same time. Still later he took special studies in maternity! cases at the Metropolitan Hospital in New York City, and having completed these, came to Jamestown, where he began practice in the same year. Dr. Perkins has specialized in obstetrics, and now does a very large amount of work in this line. He enjoys a wide reputa- tion for skill in his branch of the medical science, and is recognized as one of the leading obstetricians in this part of the State. In addition to his medical activities, Dr. Perkins participates largely in the general life of the community, and is a member of a number of promi- nent organizations here, including the New York State Medical Society and the American Medical Associa- tion. He is also affiliated with the Order of Eagles, and is a well known figure in social circles. In politics Dr. Perkins is a staunch Republican, but has not taken an active part in local politics, as the demands made upon his time and energies by his profession have rendered that impossible. In spite of his enormous practice, Dr.
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THE JOHN E. JACKSON PLACE OF BUSINESS ON MARKET STREET JAMESTOWN, N. Y.
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Perkins consistently takes time for rest and recreation, believing that by a sufficient amount of relaxation he is enabled to do his best work. He is especially fond of fishing and automobiling, but enjoys in a large degree out-door sports.
Dr. Perkins was united in marriage at Pembroke, N. Y., Oct. 4, 1900, with Margaret Zwetsch, a daughter of Philip and Margaret (Weimer) Zwetsch, of Pem- broke, and they are the parents of two children, as fol- lows: Dorothy Evelyn, born June 27, 1907, and Mar- garet Ione, born Oct. 22, 1911.
JOHN E. JACKSON-The bearer of this name is well known not only in his home town of Jamestown, but also among the farmers of the vicinity. As the pro- prietor of a flourishing flour and feed business he is brought much into contact with this valuable class of the population who, like his friends and neighbors in Jamestown, esteem him equally as a business man and a citizen.
John E. Jackson was born Oct. 1, 1863, in Sweden, and is a son of John and Frederica (Hammer) Jack- son. He was educated in elementary schools of his native land and at the age of fourteen began to work in a milling plant where he learned the miller's trade which he followed as long as he remained in Sweden.
In 1887 Mr. Jackson emigrated to the United States and settled in Jamestown, where he found employment in the factory of the Johnson Sash and Door Com- pany and there learned the carpenter's trade. After remaining one year he obtained a position as miller with the Brokelins Mill Feed Company, eventually resigning in order that he might be free to go into business for himself. In partnership with his brother Peter he leased a mill and became a retail feed and grain dealer. After a time they erected a building on Forest avenue, but it was not long before they deemed it best to sell cut. Mr. Jackson's brother then went West and he himself purchased a lot on which he erected a four- story brick structure, 40x90 feet, with a four-story addition, 34x90, at 46-48 Market street, having a grain elevator. In February, 1908, the building was finished and in it he has ever since conducted a large, prosperous and constantly growing retail flour business, the four- story addition being erected in 1916.
The brother with whom Mr. Jackson went into busi- ness and who is now in business for himself in Port- land, Ore., is not his only brother. The others are Charles, who is a milk dealer in Jamestown, and Axel, now in Denver, Col. The sisters are Miss Ida Jackson, now living in California, Mrs. Minnie Anderson, of Cleveland, Ohio, and Mrs. Hulda Peterson, of James- town. Another sister, Mrs. Alma Swanson, died at Jamestown.
In politics Mr. Jackson is a Republican, but has never taken any active part in public affairs, though always ready to "lend a hand" in the improvement of community conditions. Ever since coming to the United States he has been a member of the Swedish Mission.
Mr. Jackson married Anna C. Benson, and they are the parents of a son and a daughter : Marvin William, who attends school and is already the assistant of his father, with a full knowledge of the business; and Linnea Dora.
John E. Jackson is a fine type of the self-made man. Would that Sweden would send us many more like him !
MERRITT S. CARLTON, who on May 23, 1918, acquired the substantial jewelry business of H. L. Rick- enbrode at Westfield, and later the business at Water- town, and has since given indication that he will be one of the representative retail business men of Chautauqua county, has had a wide experience as a jeweler, watch engraver and repairer.
Merritt S. Carlton was born in Poultney, Vt., on May 30, 1891, the son of Fred R. and Mary (Scott) Carlton. His parents were well circumstanced and of good fam- ily. Merritt S. was given good educational facilities, passing through the graded and high schools of his native place, and then taking a commercial course at the Troy Conference Academy. Entering commercial life, he was for a while a clerk in a hardware store, but having decided to qualify as a jeweler, watch engraver and repairer, he proceeded to Philadelphia, and there entered upon the course of the Philadelphia College of Horology and Engraving. Since then he has followed his trade, gaining much experience in employment as a jeweler at Bay Shore, Long Island, and at Ithaca, N. Y. Eventually, he entered into independent business as a jeweler in his home town, Poultney, Vt., but after a dis- astrous fire in Dec., 1917, he did not attempt to rebuild his Poultney business, but soon went to St. Augustine, Fla., with the Greenleaf and Crosby Company. He returned North, and on May 19, 1918, came to live in Westfield, Chautauqua county, N. Y., and there pur- chased the jewelry business then owned by H. L. Rick- enbrode, of Westfield. This he conducted until May 12, 1920, when he disposed of this business to G. L. Thomas and bought a much larger one, an old estab- lished jewelry store at No. 107 Court and No. 106 Arsenal streets, Watertown N. Y., May 22, 1920, for- merly owned by W. S. Quencer, who established the business in 1892.
Mr. Carlton is a man of courteous bearing, obliging and honest, believes that good workmanship is good business, even though the present return may not repre- sent its full value. Poor workmanship he would not countenance under any consideration, and as the years pass, the people he serves will generally become aware of that. Politically, Mr. Carlton is a Republican; and by religious conviction, is a Baptist. He attends the local church of that faith, and loyally supports it. Fra- ternally, he is a Mason.
Mr. Carlton is entering interestedly into the public and community life of Westfield, and is generally recog- nized as an alert business man whose service is based upon the dictates of a conscientious Christian spirit, and a high standard of business and moral integrity.
MURRAY H. DAVIS, justice of the peace at Fal- coner, Chantanqua county, N. Y., and the holder of public offices of responsibility and honor for more than thirty years, has a public record worthy of note in a history of the county in which he has spent his entire life. He and his father were mainly responsible for the incorporation of the village of Falconer, and
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they were instrumental in bringing about the charter by which Jamestown became a city. The numerous offices he has filled in public life are detailed hereinafter, and they include the highest honors of the community in which he lives. His administration of his present judi- cial office has been marked by an understanding of law and an impartiality of finding such as would "grace a higher court than that of justice," stated a prominent county official. A recent number of a current local periodical stated the following regarding the justice of the peace, or as he is popularly called, Judge Davis :
As to police protection, Falconer has at the present time as good, if not better service than Jamestown could give. Our untiring and efficient justice of the peace, Murray H. Davis, maintains a police court right in the heart of the village which is second to none.
Murray H. Davis was born Dec. 21, 1859, at Kiantone, Chautauqua county, N. Y., the son of Gilbert L. and Adeline (Van Namee) Davis. He comes of a family which for more than a century has had residence in Chautauqua county, and his ancestry traces back to a pioneer family of the State of Vermont. His great- grandfather, the Rev. Paul Davis, came to the town of Carroll, Chautauqua county, N. Y., from Vermont, 1811, and resided in Carroll until his demise, which occurred in 1826. His maternal great-grandfather, Consider Ben- son, was also a pioneer of that section of New York State. He followed farming at Carroll, and shouldered a flint-lock musket during the Second War with Eng- land. He died at Falconer, April 3, 1855. Simeon C. Davis, grandfather of Murray H. Davis, and son of the Rev. Paul Davis, was born at Wardsborough, Vt., Oct. 15, 1788, and lived on the paternal acres, indus- triously farming and also learning the trade of mason until he became of age. Thereafter he worked at his trade in the locality until 1811, when he came to Chau- tauqua county, N. Y., settling at Carroll, and inter- mittently followed farming and masonry for twenty- two years. He married (first) Lydia Tobey, Aug. 11, 1814, and (second) Betsy P. Benson, Sept. 22, 1822. His first wife died Jan. 19, 1822, having borne to him four children : Simeon C., Jr., Mary, Joseph D., and John T. His second wife also bore him four children : Lydia A., Susan P., Gilbert L. and Josiah. Simeon C. Davis was a Whig of strong personality, and religious fervour. He was highly esteemed in his locality, and elected to many local offices of honor. Throughout his life he was an ardent Baptist, and during the Sec- ond War with England gave the Republic military serv- ice. He organized a regiment of home guards, or at least aided in the organization, and the troops-prac- tically all youths-did effective service in guarding the frontier at Plattsburg, Vt. He died in Carroll, Chautau- qua county, N. Y., May 12, 1836.
Gilbert L. Davis, son of Simeon C. and Betsy P. ( Benson) Davis, was born in Carroll, Chautauqua county, N. Y., June 14, 1828. He received such aca- demic education as was then possible in the schools of the district, and as he grew up took some part in the tilling of the parental estate. He also underwent an apprenticeship in carpentry. Later in life, he erected many residences and buildings in Falconer, N. Y., but his principal occupation, as well as his hobby, was farming. He eventually, in 1875, removed to the village of Falconer, N. Y., residing there until his death in 1909.
Gilbert L. Davis took an active part in public affairs, and was one of the Republican leaders in his district. For fifteen years he was a justice of the peace, and especially did much to promote an improved educational system for the village of Falconer, of which he was one of the founders. By religious conviction, he was a Congregationalist and attended the local church, sup- porting it both by his personal services and liberal con- tributions. On June 22, 1847, he married Adeline Van Namee. They had three children: 1. George G., born May 9, 1848, died Nov. 2, 1885; he became a physician, graduate of the medical college of the University of Michigan, and practiced his profession in Frewsburg, N. Y., for fifteen years. 2. James A., who died in 1861, aged twelve years. 3. Murray H., of whom further.
Murray H. Davis received his elementary education in the graded schools of his locality, and then entered the Jamestown High School, from which he duly grad- uated. Taking up business life, for a year after leav- ing school he assisted his father in the operation of the farm, and after the family removed to Falconer, his father and he did considerable business as building con- tractors. This brought them into real estate operations, and by their enterprise in purchasing land, building resi- dences, and then selling the property, did much to develop the neighborhood of Falconer. After the death of his father, Murray H. Davis continued to deal in real estate, but also took a very active part in public affairs. He has been in public office almost continuously since he became of age. His father and he were the prime movers in securing the city charter for James- town, and Murray H. was the first town clerk of Elli- cott, an office he held for several years. He was over- seer of the poor for fifteen years; was town assessor, county officer of the poor for several years, and presi- dent for eleven years. He served on the county com- mittee for several years; was twice elected to the vil- lage board, has been its president twice, and was trus- tee of the board for four years. His father and he organized the Union Free School, and at his father's death, Murray H. was appointed to succeed him as jus- tice of the peace, which judicial office he has since administered, with much credit to himself. He is a member of the Methodist church, is a staunch and active Republican in politics, and fraternally belongs to the Odd Fellows order.
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