USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume II > Part 51
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Edward Bergquist married, at the bride's home in Chandlers Valley, Pa., June 5, 1892, Eva Eugenia Lind- berg, born at Chandlers Valley, daughter of Gustaf Olaf and Anna Sophia (Swanson) Lindberg. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Bergquist began house- keeping in Jamestown on Walnut street, but later moved to a home which Mr. Bergquist had caused to be built on Cedar avenue. From there he moved to a larger home on Allen street, where Mr. Bergquist died. Later Mrs. Bergquist sold the Allen street home and bought her present residence, No. 12 Beverly place, James- town. To Mr. and Mrs. Bergquist have been born four daughters: I. Esther Edna, employed in the office of the Salisbury Axle Company. 2. Julia Elvira, married, Jan. 3. 1920, Ernest Sundquist, of Jamestown, who served eighteen months in the United States army dur- ing the World War, nine of these months being in over- seas service in France. 3. Alma Eugenia Caroline, mar- ried, Nov. 9, 1918, Rudolph Anderberg, who served in the United States army in this country during the World War; he died in Jamestown, N. Y., Dec. 16, 1918, five weeks after his marriage, being stricken with influenza and pneumonia. 4. Genievieve Ethelyn, a high school student.
SAMUEL BRIGGS-From 1873 until his death, thirty-five years later, Samuel Briggs was an honored resident of Jamestown, N. Y., a prosperous manufac-
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turer and highly esteemed citizen. He was a man of strict integrity and upright life, devoted to his home and family, very friendly and genial in nature, winning the friendship of all who knew him. His years, sixty, were well spent, and he passed to his reward with a record of usefulness and honor to be envied.
Samuel Briggs was born at Windhill, Yorkshire, England, Jan. 29, 1848, and died in Jamestown, N. Y., Jan. 27, 1908, son of David and Martha (Kendall) Briggs, his parents dying in Jamestown, Samuel Briggs had but limited educational advantages, having to make his own way in the world at the age of eight. From that age he attended school for half day sessions only, the other half day being spent in a worsted mill. His next employment was in a dye house at Saltaire, Eng- land, he then being twelve years of age and allowed under the English law to work full time. But he kept up his study at such times as he had opportunity. He became a skilled dyer, and was employed at that trade in England until 1872, when he came to the United States, locating in Manchester, N. H., where he became foreman of the dyeing department of a woolen mill. In 1873, he located in Jamestown, N. Y., which was ever afterward his home. He at once entered the employ of the Alpaca Mills (now the Jamestown Wor- sted Mills), as head of the dyeing department, advanc- ing to the position of superintendent, finally becoming a partner in the business as a member of the firm of Hall & Company. He retained his position as super- intendent after becoming a partner, holding that relation to the business as long as he lived, having full super- vision of the immense textile plant employing about one thousand hands.
Mr. Briggs won his way to position and a competence through his own meritorious efforts, and in the truest best sense was a "selfmade" man. He began at the bottom of the ladder, obtained his education largely through self study out of school, and filled every posi- tion so well that it was inevitable that promotion should follow. He was a good judge of human nature, and was always on the best of terms with the men in his employ, treating them with consideration and fairness. He took a deep interest in the welfare of his adopted city, her people and institutions, and bore his share of civic responsibility. He served for five terms in the City Council; aided in the organization of the Union Trust Company of Jamestown in 1894, and served as director and vice-president of this company until his death; was president of the Jamestown Brass Band Association; took a deep interest in the Anglo-Ameri- can Brass Band, composed largely of Englishmen; was a charter member of Chautauqua Lodge, No. 107, Sons of St. George; member of Mt. Moriah Lodge, No. 145, Free and Accepted Masons; chapter, Royal Arch Ma- sons; Dunkirk Commandery, Knights Templar, and later became a charter member of the newly consti- tuted Jamestown Commandery, No. 61, Knights Tem- plar, chartered Oct. 7, 1887, and during the years 1891 and 1892 served as eminent commander, and was one of the organizers of Past Commanders' Associa- tion of Jamestown. He became a member of the Mystic Shrine at Utica, N. Y., in Sept., 1887, and when Ismailia Temple was constituted in Buffalo, N. Y., demitted to that temple. In March, 1895, in company with a class
of seventy-two, he received the degree of Buffalo Con- sistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and later became a member of the Scottish Rite bodies in James- town, chartered Jan. 4, 1904, and was elected sovereign prince of Jamestown Council, Princes of Jerusalem.
Mr. Briggs married, April 23, 1873, in Milton, N. H., Jane Newsome, born Sept. 4, 1846, in Bradford, York- shire, England, died Jan. 25, 1908, in Jamestown, N. Y., daughter of Abraham Newsome. Mrs. Briggs preceded her husband in death but two days, and both were buried in Lakeview Cemetery. She was a devoted wife and mother, a devoted Christian whose faith gloriously sustained her until the last. Husband and wife lived in the closest bonds of sympathy and love, her death hastening that of Mr. Briggs. They were the parents of three children : Martha Ann, a resident of James- town; Arthur Kendall, married Elizabeth Jagger, and resides in Jamestown; Alfred Newsome, married Helen Brown; is a wool merchant of Boston, Mass.
VERNON MATHEWS, who has been a prominent figure in the business life of Brocton, Chautauqua county, N. Y., for a number of years, is a native of the town of Chautauqua, born May 26, 1869, a son of Alvah and Amelia (Wood) Mathews, old and highly respected residents of that place; the former taught school in Brocton prior to his removal to Chautauqua, and after coming to Brocton to live he was a farmer by occupa- tion. He was a veteran of the Civil War, having served in Company H. 112th Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, and rose to the rank of sergeant, He and his wife were the parents of four children, as follows: George Martin, who is now employed as foreman by the Naboth Vineyard Company; Edward, who is a trav- eling field man for the same concern; Mary Edna, who makes her home with her father; and Vernon, of whom further.
Vernon Mathews was a mere child when his parents removed from Chautauqua to Stockton, and not long afterwards came to Brocton, where the major portion of his childhood was spent. He received his education at the public schools of the latter place, and later at the Westfield High School. Upon completing his studies at the latter institution, he secured a position as freight and express clerk with the Lake Shore Railroad Com- pany, and worked in that capacity for about three and a half years. He was then employed by Albert A. Fay, who was engaged in the coal and feed business, with which Mr. Mathews has been associated ever since. In the autumn of 1895, Mr. Fay erected a building meas- uring 30x60 feet, where he started a custom milling business, but three years later retired from active life, whereupon Mr. Mathews purchased his feed and flour enterprise. Later he sold his interests in the feed and coal business, as well as his real estate holdings, to the Naboth vineyards and was employed by the latter con- cern as a field man, buying and contracting for fruit and taking charge of the farm. In 1917, he was appointed a director and has held that office with the exception of two years ever since. About fifteen months after forming his association with the Naboth Vine- yard concern, he purchased once more the feed and flour business, together with the two-story building in
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which it was carried on, and has been in active man- agement of the establishment up to the present time. He has equipped his plant with all the most modern and up-to-date devices for carrying on the business, and recently changed the motive power from steam to gas, and from that to electricity. He is himself owner of a fine fifteen-acre farm, which he devotes to the growing of various fruits, especially grapes and cherries. Mr. Mathews is a conspicuous figure in the general life of the community, and is affiliated with a number of organ- izations, fraternal and otherwise, here. He has been a member of the local lodge, Knights of Pythias, for twenty years, and has passed through all the chairs of that body. He is also a member of Lake Shore Lodge, No. 851, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, in which he has held all offices up to that of senior warden ; Dun- kirk Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Dunkirk Council, Royal and Select Masters; Dunkirk Commandery, Knights Templar ; and Ismailia Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Besides these organizations. he is affiliated with the Sons of Veterans, of which he is now the secretary and has held all the various offices, also the Farm Bureau. In politics he is a Republican, and in religious belief a Methodist, attend- ing the church of that denomination at Brocton.
Vernon Mathews was united in marriage, June 14, 1893, with Elma Fay, a daughter of Albert A. and Katherine (Haight) Fay, old and highly respected resi- dents of Brocton.
MAJ. FRANK PERRY GOODWIN, M. D., whose office is at No. 312 Prendergast avenne, Jamestown, N. Y. and a son of Perry Wilbur and Jennie Goodwin, of Jamestown, was born Aug. 30, 1882, in Jamestown. Mr. Goodwin, Sr., was a manufacturer and banker, but is now the superintendent of Lakeview Cemetery, and a highly respected citizen of Jamestown.
Maj. Frank Perry Goodwin received his early educa- tion at the Jamestown public schools, and upon gradu- ating from these institutions entered the High School, completing the course in 1900. He had, in the mean- time, decided upon the medical profession as his career in life, and with this end in view matriculated at Cor- nell University, where he remained for a period of six years, winning the degree of M. D. in 1906. One year later he received the degree of A. B., and he remained at Cornell in the capacity of a teacher in the Anatomical Department of the University. He did not teach very long, however, but entered the Presbyterian Hospital in New York City as an interne, and remained here for a period of two years. It was not until 1909 that Dr. Goodwin began practice on his own account, special- izing in internal medicines. In 1910 Dr. Goodwin enlisted in the First New York militia, and upon the entrance of the United States in the great World War he volunteered his services at once, and was given the commission of captain on June 15, 1917. On Aug. 20, 1917, Dr. Goodwin was located at Base Hospital No. 23, and on Sept. 17, 1917, was sent with this unit to France. On Jan. 1, 19IS, he was transferred to the Medical Department, Langres, France, but was again sent back to Base Hospital No. 23. His next official post was at Mobile Hospital No. 39. While with this unit he saw much active service, participating in the
St. Mihiel battles and also those of the Argonne For- est. Captain Goodwin was again transferred to Base Hospital No. 23 for the third time, and on Nov. 14, 1918, was commissioned a major of the Medical Corps, United States Army, and transferred to the Hospital Center at Le Mans as consulting interne. On June 30, 1919, Major Goodwin and this unit were sent to Brest, France, the embarkation point, and returned from there to the United States. He received his honorable dis- charge on July 11, 1919, and is now retained on the reserve list, ready at all times to serve when necessary.
Maj. Goodwin is affiliated with a number of Masonic orders, among which should be mentioned Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Blue Chapter, Royal Arch Ma- sons ; Council, Royal and Select Masters; and Com- mandery, Knights Templar. Major Goodwin is also a member of a number of medical societies and associa- tions, among which should be mentioned the American Medical Society, New York State Medical Associa- tion, the Chautauqua County Medical Association, and the Jamestown Medical Association. In his religious belief Major Goodwin is a Methodist. In politics he is an independent Republican, but his exacting duties do not permit him to take that part in political life which his talents and abilities fit him for.
Maj. Frank Perry Goodwin was united in marriage, Feb. 15, 1909, with Clara Inez Knowlton, a daughter of W. A. and Rachel I. Knowlton. Mrs. Goodwin is a graduate of Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio, from which institution she received the degree of A. B. Major and Mrs. Goodwin are the parents of two children, as fol- lows : Betty, born Oct. 15, 1912, and Janet Ireland, born Jan. 11, 1917.
DANIEL R. PRITCHARD-At Saybrook. Conn., Rev. Daniel Pritchard, father of Daniel R. Pritchard, of Fredonia, N. Y., was born in 1813, son of Abraham Pritchard. Daniel Pritchard, when a young man, went West and located in Ohio in that part known as the Western Reserve. There he remained several years, and hnally became a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. Under the law of the itinerancy, he was sub- ject to frequent removals, and during his many years in the ministry he filled various pulpits. He was stationed for a time at Mercer, Pa., coming thence to Chautau- qua county, N. Y., in 1847. For a time he preached in Randolph and Jamestown, settling later in Fredonia, where he spent the remaining years of his life. He retired from the ministry not long after locating in Fredonia, where he died April 18, 1900, and was buried in Forest Hill Cemetery. He was a man of deep piety, highly intelligent, and a devoted minister of the gos- pel. He married Mary A. Godfrey, born in Bennington, Vt., in 1815, died at Fredonia, N. Y., in 1885, daughter of Isaac Godfrey, who settled in Fredonia at an early day. Mrs. Pritchard was also a devoted Methodist, and was buried in Forest Hill Cemetery, where fifteen years later her husband was laid by her side. They were the parents of six children: Esther C., married Adison C. Cushing, whom she survives, a resident of Fredonia; John, died in Colorado; Daniel R., of fur- ther mention; Alisander, died in 1893; Lewis, a resi- dent of Pasadena, Cal .; Minnie, died in 1908, unmar- ried.
W. W. Petit
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Daniel R. Pritchard, son of Rev. Daniel and Mary A. (Godfrey) Pritchard, was born in Mercer county, Pa., June 11, 1847, and the same year was brought to Chau- tauqua county, N. Y., by his parents. His school years began in Fredonia public schools, and were completed in Fredonia Academy, after which he learned the printer's trade. After mastering "the art and mystery of print- ing" he established in business for himself in Brad- ford, Pa., then the center of the oil field of Pennsyl- vania, conducting a clothing store with marked success for several years. He later returned to Fredonia, where he established a coal and lumber business, wholesale and retail, having as a partner Joseph M. Woodcock. Pritchard & Woodcock built up a prosperous business, and although Mr. Pritchard acquired other important interests he continued to be Fredonia's coal and lum- ber merchant until 1913. After his Fredonia business was firmly established, Mr. Pritchard expanded his lines of business enterprise, and at Grand Valley, War- ren county, Pa., began lumber manufacturing. He con- ducted coal mining operations at Kittanning, Pa., which mine he operated for several years, then sold to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. His lumber interests in Warren county, Pa., and his coal and lumber yards in Fredonia, N. Y., he conducted most successfully until 1913, then sold them out and retired to the enjoyment of a well earned period of contented ease, for he had labored untiringly and unceasingly in his efforts to make his business profitable.
A Democrat in politics, Mr. Pritchard served as a trustee of the village of Fredonia, and as a member of the School Board, giving unsparingly of his time to village, civic and educational needs. He was one of the organizers and a director of the Citizens' Trust Com- pany of Fredonia; is a member of Forest Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; and a citizen respected and honored.
Mr. Pritchard married, in Laona, Mariette Bartlett, born in the town of Pomfret, Chautauqua county, N. Y., daughter of Samuel G. Bartlett, a well known farmer and cheese manufacturer of Pomfret, and his wife, Adeline (Doolittle) Bartlett. Mrs. Pritchard attends the Unitarian church. They were the parents of a daugh- ter, Mabel, who died April 8, 1918, wife of James M. Champlain, and mother of Mabel Louise Champlain, who is being brought up under the loving care of her grandparents.
WILLIAM W. PETTIT-Among the well known and influential citizens of Portland, Chautauqua county, N. Y., where he resided for many years, the name of William W. Pettit stands high as that of a man whose whole career was marked by a strict sense of honor and charity and by the most scrupulous regard for the rights and interests of his fellowmen. Mr. Pettit's death occurred May 31. 1899, after a long and useful life, and was felt as a great loss by the entire community. A son of James Jacob and Sarah (Hill) Pettit, of Perry, N. Y., where his own birth occurred Jan. 13, 1835, Mr. Pettit was a member of a family that has achieved wealth and distinction in several parts of the country, and exhibited in his character the sterling virtues which had characterized his forebears for many generations.
His early childhood was passed in his native town, but while yet very young his parents removed to the West and settled at Kenosha, Wis., and it was there that his education was received and that he grew to manhood. Upon completing his studies at the local schools, Mr. Pettit secured a position on the railroad and, as he dis- played great aptitude and intelligence in his work, was rapidly advanced until he became an engineer. About this time the Civil War between the North and South broke out, and heeding the need of his country and the call of his president, Mr. Pettit enlisted in Company D, ist Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, for three months, after which he reenlisted, this time in the 84th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Because of his mechanical skill and experience, he was detailed to oper- ate a locomotive on the railroad line between Mem- phis, Tenn., and Charleston, S. C., and thus took part in the exceedingly important service of transporting troops and supplies to and from the front. He per- formed his appointed function so well that he was pro- moted in rank, and at the time of his discharge from the army at the close of hostilities held a commission as first lieutenant. He returned from active service in 1865, and came to Chautauqua county, N. Y., settling at Portland, where the remainder of his life was spent. He took an active part in the general life of the com- munity, and soon gained that position of influence in local affairs and of esteem in the hearts of his fellow townsmen that he ever afterwards maintained.
William W. Pettit was united in marriage, Sept. 20, 1864, at Portland, with Laura E. Reynolds, of that place, a daughter of Richard and Ruth ( Hall) Rey- nolds, and a member of a prominent family mentioned at length below. To Mr. and Mrs. Pettit five children were born, as follows: I. Frederick R., born Jan. 23, 1866, died Feb. 20, 1870. 2. Henry W., born Dec. 6, 1867, now a prosperous farmer on the family home- stead at Portland; married (first) Sept. 16, 1896, Liz- zie Ogden, whose death occurred June 3, 1914, and (second) in 1917, Clara Becker, of Boston. 3. George R., born Oct. 15, 1869; married, Oct. 1, 1896, Isabell Kibbe, by whom he has had two children: Marion R., born Feb. 6, 1900, and William K., born Dec. 19, 1902, and is now a prosperous farmer on the family home- stead. 4. Edith S., born Dec. 29, 1871; married (first) March 14, 1900, Edward H. Bradley, of Tallapoosa, Ga., whose death occurred Feb. 22, 1903, to whom she bore cne son, Frederick P., born Dec. 3, 1901, died May 28, 1902; married (second) Sept. 2, 1908, Homer Francis. 5. Ruth Hall, born Jan. 31, 1875, married, Sept. 12, 1900, Ernest J. Bailey, of Brocton, N. Y., a contractor and builder of Brocton, to whom she has borne three daugh- ters : Kathaleen and Angaleen, twins, born Aug. 21, 1902; and Florence E., born Oct. 22, 1904.
The Hall family, from which Mrs. Pettit is descended on the maternal side, is an old one in New Hampshire, and is descended from James Hall, who was born in that State in 1757. He married Huldah Cooper, born in the year 1755, and they were the parents of the follow- ing children : Abigail, born 1777; Sarah, born 1779; Dillie, born 1782; Ahira, mentioned below; Chloe, born 1787; Huldah, born 1789; James, born 1792; A. Sherman, born 1794; Carleton, born 1797; Albina, born 1800; Lyman, born 1803.
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Ahira Hall, fourth child and second son of James and Huldah (Cooper) Hall, was born Dec. 21, 1784, at Croydon, N. H., where his parents were then residing. As a young man he removed to Charlotte, Vt., later removed to Nassena, N. Y., where he was residing in 1812, when he was drafted into the United States army for service in the War of 1812. As it was impossible for his wife and three small children to remain at Nas- sena, a very lonely and remote place, where they were in danger from the Indians, they buried a large part of their effects, which were afterwards discovered by the savages and appropriated to their use, and taking what they could carry with them left the town. Mrs. Hall returned to her father's home while Mr. Hall went on to the front. After the expiration of his term of service, he returned for his family and went with them to the Holland land purchase in Chautauqua county, N. Y., arriving at the tavern of Daniel Barnes in Oct., 1816, after a journey through the wilderness of forty- one days. They settled on a farm. now owned by E. S. Moss, about a mile southeast of Brocton, at what for many years was known as Salem X Roads. Mr. Hall, who was a man of great ability, soon came to occupy a place of prominence in the affairs of the youthful com- munity, and held a number of offices in the gift of his fellow townsmen. In early life he was a Universalist in religious belief, but later became a Methodist, as did his wife and twelve children. He was a Republican in politics. His death occurred Feb. 24, 1858, and that of his wife, Dec. 18, 1863.
Ahira Hall married, Oct. 18, 1807, at Charlotte, Vt., Laura Palmer, a native of that town, born Sept. 13, 1790. They were the parents of the following children : I. Ezra, born in 1808, died in early infancy. 2. John Palmer, born June 15, 1809; married, Oct. 24, 1841, Jane Ann Miller, and died Ang. 2, 1871. 3. Albina, born Oct. 17, 1810, died Oct. 2, 1878; married (first) Oct. 13, 1835, Nancey Quigley, of Portland, N. Y .; he mar- ried (second) Belle Sterritt, of Sterrettania, Pa .; she died May 7, 1920. 4. Ruth, mentioned below. 5. James Ahira, born April 14, 1815; served as a surgeon during the Civil War; married Caroline Herrick, Jan. 1, 1839, and died April 8, 1865. 5. Laura Ann, born Oct. 17, 1817; married, Nov. 25, 1841, Charles Fay, and died Jan. 17, 1881. 6. Samuel P., born April 1, 1820; married, March 14, 1848, Miranda Kip, and died July 16, 1906. 7. Ralph H., born Nov. 3, 1821 ; married, March 29, 1852, Caroline Hall, and died Sept. 13, 1909. 8. N. Altheda, born Feb. 21, 1824; married, May 20, 1845, Henry Flint. 9. Livia P., born Nov. 28, 1826; married, Jan. 7. 1852, John T. Green. 10. Lodoiska, born Oct. 1, 1829; married, April 2. 1862, William Martin, and died July 7, 1880. 11. Sarah M., born March 24, 1831 ; married, Oct. 7, 1865, Jolin D. Merrit, and died Aug. 20, 1906. II. Lura Janc, born Feb. 11, 1833; married, Sept. 3, 1867, F. D. Ellis, and died Oct. 23, 1894. 12. Chloe, born May 8, 1835, died Dec. 4, 1836.
Ruth Hall, eldest daughter of Ahira and Laura (Pahner) Hall, was born June 14, 1812. She was four years of age when her parents removed to Portland, N. Y., and on April 20, 1838, she married Richard Rey- nolds. Her death occurred June 29, 1906. They were the parents of two daughters, as follows: Laura E., born July 8, 1840, who is mentioned above as the wife
of William W. Pettit; and Jane Ann, born Jan. 12, 1842, married, Dec. 29, 1875, Garrett F. Ryckman, who died April 18, 1909.
SAMUEL J. WOODWARD-In compiling a bio- graphical history of Chautauqua county, or in fact of any county in the Union, the import of the Civil War and its beneficent effects on the entire population of the civilized world is vividly brought to our minds, and at the same time comes the thought that it is impossible for us to pay too much honor to those men, who so willingly took up arms in defense of the Union, and who by their bravery and valor on the field of battle and by their untiring efforts and unswerving integrity and moral character in the years following, not alone pre- served the Union of the United States of America, but thereby made it possible for those who came after to take part in establishing the liberty and freedom of the entire world.
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