USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume II > Part 54
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EDGAR PIERPONT PUTNAM-It is undeniably true that every one with a normally vivid imagination shudders at the idea of war and prays to be delivered from it, and yet it is equally true that there is scarcely one of us who does not feel the romantic thrill awak- ened by the firm, courageous, self-sacrificing figures of the men who have shown themselves worthy to com- mand during the turmoil of national emergency and who are at once directors of its conflict and its chil- dren. It is strange at first sight that such men, who one would think would be the very personification of stern, unpitying determination, are, as a matter of fact, very commonly the reverse, and that to such an extent that the usual characteristics of the elderly officer are the traits of mildness and gentleness, and we expect to find his knees the favorite playground of the children. The sight of so much human suffering in its grimmest form, some of which it had been their sad duty to inflict, seems to make them especially chary of in- flicting more, and anxious rather to increase the world's store of happiness in every innocent manner. Maj. Putnam is a figure well known and beloved in his community, a man who has dealt in the things of both war and in peace and not been found wanting in either. The family of which Maj. Putnam is a mem- ber is a very large one and of very ancient origin, and the lineage of a very large part of the Putnams of New England is traced to John Putnam, the immigrant, the ancestor of many prominent men in the United States.
The name comes from Puttenham, a place in Eng- land, and this perhaps from the Flemish word putte, "a well," plural putten, and ham signifying a "home," and the whole indicating a settlement by a well. Some
four or five years after the settlement of Salem, Mass., it became necessary to extend the area of the town in order to accomodate a large number of immigrants who were desirous of locating within its jurisdiction, and as a consequence farming communities were es- tablished at various points, some of them being at a considerable distance from the center of population. Several families arrived from England, founded a settlement which they called Salem Village, and the place was known as such for more than a hundred years. It is now called Danvers. Among the original settlers of Salem Village was John Putnam. He was the American progenitor of the Putnams in New Eng- land, and among his descendants were the distinguished soldiers, Israel and Rufus Putnam, as well as the man whose name is the caption of this article, Edgar Pier- pont Putnam, Rev. George Putnam, D. D., a celebrated divine of Boston, George P. Putnam, the New York publisher, and Judge William L. Putnam, of the United States Circuit.
Edgar P. Putnam was born at the town of Stockton, Chautauqua county, N. Y., May 4, 1844, a son of James R. and Maria L. (Flagg) Putnam, old and prominent residents of Stockton. He received his education in the local schools of Stockton, attending both the private and public institutions of that place. At the age of seventeen he laid aside his text books and entered the United States army, being a member of a cavalry regi- ment. In 1866, he became a deputy surveyor in Miune- sota, for the government, and continued in that position until 1873. Upon completing his term of service for the government, he returned to New York State and engaged in business as a druggist and book dealer, at Jamestown, N. Y. In 1884, Maj. Putnam was appointed postmaster of Jamestown, and in 1889 became county clerk of Chautauqua county. He con- tinued in this capacity until 1892, was then elected superintendent of parks for Jamestown, and is now commissioner of parks. Maj. Putnam also became interested in business and financial affairs of James- town and Chautauqua county, and has been director of the National Chautauqua County Bank since 1890. He was also a director of the Chautauqua County Tele- phone Company, a director of the Chautauqua County Trust Company, and a director of the Bank of James- town.
Maj. Putnam's military service began when he was but seventeen years of age, when he enlisted, Sept. II, 1861, as a private in the 9th New York Regiment of Volunteer Cavalry, Company D. Shortly afterwards he was promoted to the rank of corporal, and still later to the rank of sergeant, in the same company. In the year 1864, he was commissioned first lieutenant in Com- pany D, and in 1865 was raised to the rank of captain, Company 1. Upon leaving the service he was breveted major of Company I. Maj. Putnam saw active service during the Civil War and took part in all the battles of the Potomac and those engaged in by Sheridan's Cavalry Corps. He served on the staff of Maj. Gen. John W. Geary, of the 2nd Division, 12th Army Corps, during the battle of Gettysburg, July 1, 2, and 3, 1863, and received the Congressional Medal of Honor for distinguished service in action, May 27, 1864, when only twenty years of age. The official record states, of Maj.
Edgar Prosport Pustivan
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Putnam of Company D, 9th New York Cavalry, that at Crum's Creek, Va., May 2, 1864, while a sergeant, with a small force of men on reconnaissance, drove off a strong body of the enemy, whose force was far superior to his own, and then charged into another body of the enemy's cavalry, stampeded them and took twenty- seven prisoners. Maj. Putnam is the only person now living throughout all Chautauqua county to receive the Medal of Honor. Maj. Putnam was also wounded at the battle of Travilion Station, Va., on June II. 1864, and was again wounded in the battle of Five Forks, Va., April 1, 1865.
Maj. Putnam has always continued the associations made by him during his service in the Civil War, and is a member of many military organizations, including the New York Commandery of the Loyal Legion, the Military Order of the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Military Order of the Veteran Legion, James M. Brown Post, Grand Army of the Republic, the Em- pire Society Sons of the American Revolution, of New York City, and the Army and Navy Club, of New York City. He is also a member of the various Masonic bodies, including Mount Moriah Lodge, No. 145, Free and Accepted Masons; Western Sun Chapter, No. 67, Royal Arch Masons; and Jamestown Commandery, No. 61, Knights Templar. In religious affiliations, Maj. Putnam and his family are members of St. Luke's Episcopal Church of Jamestown, and are active in all its social as well as business affairs. Politically, Maj. Putnam is a stanch Republican, and has been chairman of the County Republican Committee in five different campaigns of Chautauqua county.
On May 4, 1868, at Spring Creek, Minn., Maj. Putnam married (first) Angelia E. Lewis, and they became the parents of one daughter, Edna Pearl, born Dec. 18, 1875. He married (second) Feb. 27, 1878, at Jamestown, N. Y., Mary Eppie Mace, a daughter of William and Cornelia (De Land) Mace, old and prom- inent residents of this place. Mrs. Mary E. Putnam, is a lady of true refinement and culture, and is popular throughout Jamestown and Chautauqua county's social circles. She is a member of the Browning Society, a Daughter of the American Revolution, a member of the C. L. S .C., and a director of the board of managers of the Warner Home for the Aged.
In concluding this review of Maj. Putnam will say that his varied life, joined to his sterling and attractive | personality, has made him an exceedingly well known figure throughout the State. His circle of friends is without number and includes many of New York's most distinguished citizens. His simple yet strong nature endears him to every one whom he meets and quickly makes mere acquaintances devoted friends. He is a man who feels strongly the ties of family affec- tion, and might well serve as a model of domestic virtue and of the virtues characteristic of well-nigh all the relations of life.
LESTER DAVID BOWMAN, M. D .- One of the prominent physicians of Jamestown, Chautauqua county, N. Y., is a native of East Hickory, Pa., where his birth occurred July 12, 1871, a son of Thomas Jefferson and Nancy (Green) Bowman, old and highly
respected residents of that place. Thomas Jefferson Bowman was a merchant at East Hickory for a numher of years, and it was there that his death occurred. He is survived by his wife, who still makes her home at East Hickory. They were the parents of four children, as follows: Lester David, with whose career we are especially concerned; Glenni Franklin, who now resides at Pittsburgh, where he is an Ortho- dontist; Leona, who resides with her mother at East Hickory; Ellen May, who is a graduate of the Boston Conservatory of Music and now instructor of instrumental music at Lavender College, Greenfield, S. C.
The education of Dr. Bowman was secured in the public schools of Pennsylvania, which he attended until he had reached the age of fourteen, when he accom- panied his parents to Jamestown, and then at the high school in this city where he studied for three years. He then went to the Long Island College Hospital, where he studied medicine and from which he was graduated with the class of 1893, taking his degree of M. D. He then spent one year as an interne in the Eastern Dis- trict Hospital of New York, and upon completing this necessary preliminary work, went to Tionesta, Pa., in 1894, and there began the practice of his profession. In 1900 he took a post-graduate course in surgery at the N. Y. P. G. Hospital, after which he came to Jamestown and began practice here. Dr. Bowman specializes in surgical work, and has a very large practice in this city as well as in parts of Pennsylvania, having made for himself a splendid reputation in his specialty. He is a member of the Jamestown Medical Society, the Chautauqua County Medical Society, the New York State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. In addition to his medical work, Dr. Bowman has been very active in the general affairs of the community and is a prominent figure in the business and financial world here, holding the office of vice-president of the Swedish-American National Bank, and being a stockholder in a number of important industrial concerns, including the Empire Worsted Mills and the Interior Metal Furniture Company. He is an independent voter, and although greatly interested in local politics has never allied himself with any political party, preferring to exercise his own judg- ment, unbiased by partisan considerations on all public issues. In his religious belief, Dr. Bowman is a Con- gregationalist, and attends the First Church of that denomination at Jamestown, being a liberal supporter of the work of the congregation. He is also prominent in fraternal circles, and is a member of various Masonic bodies, including Mt. Moriah Lodge, No. 145, Free and Accepted Masons; Western Sun Chapter, No. 67. Royal Arch Masons; Jamestown Council, No. 32, Royal and Select Masters ; and Jamestown Commandery, No. 61, Knights Templar; and of the Order of Mac- cabees.
Dr. Bowman was united in marriage at Jamestown, N. Y., Oct. 11, 1894, with Lillian Cook, a daughter of Morris and Mary Jane (Hooper) Cook. Mrs. Lillian (Cook) Bowman graduated from the Jamestown high school with the class of 1881, and following her grad- uation she was a teacher in the grammar and high school for a period of fifteen years, and was a member
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of the Board of Education from 1904 to 1916. She is a member of the Fortnightly Society, Browning Society, and other local societies.
Mrs. Bowman is a decendant of John Tompkins, who came from Peekskill, N. Y., and settled in Ellery, Chautauqua county.
One child has been born to Dr. and Mrs. Bowman, Morris Lester, born Oct. 12, 1896, and was educated at the public schools of Jamestown, graduating from the high school in 1915, and at Amherst College, from which he was graduated in 1919, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He is at the present time taking a four-years' medical course at Harvard University. Young Mr. Bowman has been greatly interested in war work, and is an expert on various chemical aspects of war, the manufacture of gas, etc. He was placed in charge of the Chemical Warfare Board, stationed at Cleveland, Ohio, and held that very important post from Aug. 1918, to Jan. 1919, with the rank of first lieutenant. He is also an expert in the manufacture of German charcoal. Dr. Bowman is exceedingly in- terested in the cultivation of roses, and has made a specialty of horticultural work, specializing in this line, his place being devoted to many kinds of roses which he has grown with great success.
JOHN K. DERBY-The Derbys of Jamestown, N. Y., trace their descent from Phineas Derby, of England, who came to the American Colonies and settled in Vermont prior to the Revolutionary War. The sur- name Derby or Darby is of ancient English origin, derived from a place name. Many distinguished men of this name have figured prominently in the history of England and the United States.
(Il) Joseph Derby, son of Phineas Derby, was born in Vermont, and died in Warren county, Pa., March 14, 1837. He remained in Vermont until he reached man's estate, then moved to Genesee county, N. Y., where he married. After a few years spent in New York State, he moved to Warren county, Pa., where he followed his trade of stone mason in connection with farming. He married Elizabeth Kenyon, daughter of R. Kenyon, born in Rhode Island, but an early settler in Genesee county. To Joseph and Elizabeth (Kenyon) Derby were born the following children: John K., of further mention; Phineas, Silas Stephen, and William R., a resident of Warren, Pa., in 1891.
(III) John K. Derby, son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Kenyon) Derby, was born in the town of Clarkson, Monroe county, N. Y., Feb. 9, 1816, died in Jamestown, N. Y., Oct. 12, 1895, and is buried in Lakeview Ceme- tery. He obtained his education in the public schools of Clarkson, and upon arriving at a suitable age went to Rochester, N. Y., where he learned the painter's trade, in which occupation he continued for five years in that city. In 1836, he located in Jamestown, where for twenty-eight years he was engaged in business as a proprietor of a paint store, carrying all lines con- nected with his trade, and doing interior decoration. He was associated with his brother, Silas S. Derby, in business. The partnership was dissolved, and John K. Derby began an active career in real estate and building operations. Among many parcels of land he
owned was the plot now occupied by the Arcade build- ing. He erected many buildings in the city of James- town, and two steam yachts, with other crafts, in use on Lake Chautauqua. He cast his first vote for Martin Van Buren for president, but in later years became a Republican. He held the office of school commissioner in Jamestown, where he was held in the highest esteem. He was a prominent and influential member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Ellicott Lodge, No. 221, of which he was noble grand at the time of his death. He was also a member of the Wesleyan Methodist church, a faith in which he was early instructed by his parents.
Mr. Derby married (first) Dec. 13, 1837, Ruth Smith, of Busti, Chautauqua county, N. Y., and by her had two children, as follows: Ammi, who died at the age of thirteen months; and Edna, who was the wife of N. A. Arnold, and who died at the age of twenty- three years. Mr. Derby married (second) July 3, 1876, Louisa Antoinette Dill, who was born in Mt. Rose, Susquehanna county, Pa., Oct. 23, 1856, a daughter of Henry and Esther (Harding) Dill. By his second marriage he had one child, J. Frederick, who was born May 30, 1882, and died June 19, 1892.
In conclusion will say that the position in the com- munity held by Mr. Derby is indeed a difficult one to convey in terms of his achievements and still more so by a mere list of the extensive business operations that he engaged in and the enterprises with which he was associated. An eminent divine has somewhere re- marked "that the things men do are greater than what they are," and although perhaps we may feel dis- inclined to apply the proposition quite so broadly there can be no doubt that it is eminently true of some characters, and especially true of Mr. Derby, for he stood for something in the community far more im- portant than any concrete accomplishment, he stood for probity and progression, as well as energy and integrity in business relations, and for a conscientious fulfillment of the duties of citizenship, for virtue in the domestic relations, and for a sterling manhood that may well serve as a model for the youth of his own and other communities. He was engaged during his life in many occupations, among many different people, and classes of people, but he always proved himself in every sense a man among men, and was instinctively accorded a high place in their regard. His family life was not less worthy than those other rela- tions of business in which he distinguished himself, and he showed himself to be a loving father and a devoted husband.
ARGYLE WARREN RUMSEY-President of the Westfield Mineral Bath Company, and the enter- prising manager of the house known as The Rumsey, of Westfield, N. Y., has developed a palatial property which, with its magnificant surroundings, well kept lawns, spacious grounds, shaded drives, and comfort- able summer homelike accomodations, is becoming widely known to tourists and automobilists as a de- lightful stopping place along the New York-Chicago icute. The historical old mansion has long been a landmark in that district, and Mr. Rumsey, with
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characteristic enterprise and thoughtfulness, has trans- formed it into a place for public call such as cannot be found anywhere in that section of the country.
Mr. Rumsey is not a native of Chautauqua county, but he has lived within its boundaries ever since he was three years of age, that is for fifty-five years. He was born in the town of Waxahachie, Tex., Aug. 8, 1861, the son of Argyle Zalmon and Mabelia (Bliss) Rumsey, both natives of Westfield, and both deceased. For a number of years prior to the Civil War, Argyle Zalmon Rumsey was in Texas, where he was engaged in mercantile business, but previous to that was in the leather business in Westfield. Shortly before his death, he sold his business, taking notes in payment thereof, but when the Civil War broke out the State confiscated the notes and the family never collected on same. Mr. Rumsey died in 1862, when Argyle Warren Rumsey was less than a year old. He left his widow and her two sons, Argyle W. and Walter B., the latter now also deceased, in poor circumstances, and for a while Argyle W. was cared for by his grandfather who, however, was not wealthy, and as the lad grew, he helped his mother and brother to gain a livelihood from the small farm at Westfield, which his grand- father left to them.
Argyle W. Rumsey was educated in the public schools of Westfield, graduating from the Westfield High School in 1878, which was very creditable to him, for it had been necessary for him to work before and after school, on Saturdays, and through vacations for many years before graduating, in fact it may be con- sidered that his work days really began when he was only twelve years old. After graduation, he applied himself vigorously to farming and stock raising, and he followed that occupation with good success until about 1905. Mr. Rumsey is a man of marked intelli- gence, and although in his first years of agricultural labor he followed the farming methods of previous days, he soon observed the advantages of modern methods and applied them successfully upon his farm. He studied cattle breeding and at one time had some very valuable blooded stock upon his farm, which he exhibited at all the important State fairs and exposi- tions in the United States; he also developed an exten- sive vineyard.
In 1905 Mr. Rumsey sold his farm and purchased the old Dickerman mansion, which in its day was one of the finest and most imposing residences in Western New York. The house was built by E. H. Dickerman, and its lofty, spacious rooms, and its fine location, standing as it does in the center of five acres of well laidout and well wooded grounds, indicated that the property was well adapted for the purpose for which Mr. Rumsey finally used it. After occupying the place as a home for several years, and having discovered the valuable properties of the mineral wells on the place, he conceived the idea of turning it into a mineral springs resort, and later added the hotel, which he named The Rumsey, this being necessary to accomo- date the guests who came for the baths. The mineral wells have the same medicinal value attached to them as have those of Mt. Clemens and Detroit, Mich. Mr. Rumsey's thoughts and ingenuity have been constantly concentrated upon the desire to make The Rumsey the
finest and most comfortable house of its kind in the district, and judging by the patronage he receives from the travelling public, and by the additions he has made to the house from time to time, he has succeeded in his endeavor. It has commodious parlors, reading rooms, and lounges; there is also a fine garage, and situated as the property is on the main tourist route between New York and Chicago, it is a distinct and pleasurable service to the travelling public, and the reputation it has gained for its fine cuisine and com- fortable accomodations indicate that it has been developed by Mr. Rumsey into a valuable hotel and bath property. Mr. Rumsey's energetic ability has aided very materially in the success of the Rumsey bath business. Very extensive additions are soon to be made.
Politically, Mr. Rumsey is a Republican, but has given more time to the affairs of fraternal and benevo- lent organizations than to political activities. He is a prominent Mason, being past master of the Westfield Blue Lodge, and also belongs to Westfield Chapter and Dunkirk Commandery. In functions of the Westfield Lodge of the Knights of Pythias order he has taken active part for many years, being past chancellor com- mander. He was also past district deputy of that order.
Mr. Rumsey married, at Ripley, N. Y., in 1892, Almira M. Ross, who was born at Sherman, Chautau- qua county, N. Y., and comes of a well known Chau- tauqua county family.
FREDERICK B. BROCKWAY-Among the pio- neer families of Ripley, N. Y., is the Brockway family; they, with several other substantial settlers, first developed the wilderness, making productive farms of the hitherto unused country, conducting the affairs of the little settlement and bringing it eventually into a delightful home town.
Frederick B. Brockway, one of the descendants of the original Brockways, was born in Ripley, July 20, 1854. He was the son of the Hon. Charles B. Brock- way and Lois Anne (Bostwick) Brockway, his wife. They were farmers, owning and cultivating the land upon which they lived. The boy was educated in the common schools of Ripley and grew up there, living there all his life, and dying there at the age of sixty- two years, Oct. 6, 1916. As a young man he attended the Allegheny Commercial College at Meadville, Pa., hut was a farmer during the greater part of his life. Mr. Brockway was always active in everything pertain- ing to the welfare of his native town, prominent in its political life, highly respected and greatly liked by his townspeople. Mr. Brockway, his father and his grandfather had each in his turn been supervisors of the town, and Frederick B. Brockway being a member of the Board of Supervisors for the years 1893 and 1894, and again in 1899. He was also superintendent of the highways for six years. His father was on the Board of Supervisors for ten years and chairman of the hoard in 1867 and 1868. He was also justice of the peace for quite a number of years.
Frederick B. Brockway married Emma C. Cushman, the daughter of Leverett and Ann (Wilson) Cushman. Leverett Cushman was a farmer in Sterrettania, Erie
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county, Pa., and conducted a dairy as well. Mr. and Mrs. Cushman were the parents of eight children: Danford R., Loren B., C. C., H. F., Mrs. E. A. Cushing, Mrs. H. E. Gardner, Mrs. Emma C. Brock- way, the wife of Frederick B. Brockway, Mrs. B. M. Satterlee. The Cushman family was originally a Con- necticut family, but later went to live in Erie county, Pa. Leverett Cushman was a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Brockway had four children: I. Byron B., born in Ripley, Dec. 24, 1878, and died Nov. 10, 1913; he was educated in the public schools of Ripley and in the high school of Westfield, and later entered the Case School of Applied Science, at Cleveland, Ohio; on Dec. 20, 1899, he entered the employ of Cuyahogo Telephone Company of Cleveland, occupying several minor positions until he became assistant engineer and later was appointed superintendent of equipment, remaining as such until 1906, when he went to the Winton Motor Company in the experimental depart- ment, where he was advanced rapidly until he was electrical engineer and assistant to the mechanical engineer; he was a bright young man, very capable in his line of business; he was a member of the Lake- wood Yacht Club, of which he was secretary for two years, serving on many committees; he was also editor of the club paper, the "Barometer," and it was due to his efforts that the paper became a regular monthly issue; during Byron B. Brockway's residence in Cleve- land he was connected with the Cleveland Naval Re- serve for a number of years; he married, June 14, 1905, Bertha S. Sapp, by whom he had one daughter, Jean Brockway. 2. Mrs. May Cushman Dugan, was the wife of a prominent lawyer of Beacon, N. Y .; she made her home there until her death, June 24, 1912. 3. Charles B., born Sept. 27, 1884, and died in infancy, Feb. 4, 1886. 4. Frederick B., Jr., born in Ripley, Aug. 13, 1887, died Oct. 21, 1918; he was educated in the grammar and high schools of his home town, later becoming a student at Oberlin College, at Oberlin, Ohio, after which he returned home and started to operate a farm, making a specialty of the dairy; in politics Frederick B. Brockway, Jr., was, like his father, a Republican; he was a member of the Royal Arcanum and of the Dunkirk Lodge of Elks; he married Annie McNee, of Ripley, April 29, 1916; they had one child, Richard Stuart Brockway. Mrs. Fred- erick B. Brockway, Sr., is still living at her home in Ripley, N. Y.
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