USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume II > Part 55
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RALPH AHIRA HALL-Well known to his fel- low-citizens of Chautauqua county, and especially to his neighbors of Brocton, is a man who has identified himself with all the interests which make for the best good of his community-political, educational and religious-and in Masonic and social circles has ever been a factor of undisputed importance.
Ahira Hall, grandfather of Ralph Ahira Hall, settled in the town of Portland, Chautauqua county, in 1816, thus founding one of the old and leading families of Western New York.
Dr. James Ahira Hall, son of Ahira Hall, was born April 4, 1815, in New Hampshire, and received his early education in the Portland common school. In 1837 he entered Bowdoin College, receiving the degree
of Doctor of Medicine in 1839. After practicing for a time at Sedgwick, Me., he came to Brocton in 1844, and there passed the remainder of his life with the exception of a peroid of service in the Civil War. On Sept. 9, 1861, he enlisted in the Union army as surgeon of the 49th Regiment, New York State Volunteers, receiving his commission from Gov. Morgan. On Oct. IS, 1864, he was honorably discharged at Fort Porter, Buffalo, and was subsequently appointed surgeon in charge of the New York State Hospital in and about Washington D. C. Dr. Hall married, Jan. 1, 1840, Caroline H., daughter of John and Elizabeth (Allen) Herrick, of Brooklin, Me., and their children were: Ralph Ahira, mentioned below; Theodore F .; Helen A., wife of Milton C. Belknap; Alice C., wife of Frank J. Mericle; and Ada C., wife of Lewis D. Sullivan. Dr. Hall died April 8, 1865, at his home in Brocton.
Ralph Ahira Hall, son of Dr. James Ahira and Caroline H. (Herrick) Hall, was born June 5, 1844, in Sedgwick, Hancock county, Me. He attended local common schools, afterwards studying, in 1859-60, at Fredonia Academy. At seventeen he became a clerk in the service of John T. and William F. Green, of Sherman, and in 1870 he went into business for himself under the firm name of Hall & Thompson, the style becoming in 1871-72 Hall & Ball. From 1872 to 1881 he conducted a hardware business under the firm name of Ralph A. Hall, and in 1883-84 worked as traveling salesman for the wholesale hardware firm of Walbridge & Company, Buffalo. From 1885 to 1892 he engaged in private banking under the name of Dean & Hall, and in the latter year he organized the State Bank of Brocton. In 1891, he organized the Brocton Land and Improvement Company, the concern which pur- chased all the remaining property of the Harris Com- munity, some five hundred acres, which has since been parcelled out in vineyard tracts of five and ten acres each. In this enterprise Mr. Hall achieved one of his most signal successes. In 1900, he was instrumental in organizing the Brocton Fruit Juice Company, man- ufacturers of some of the finest native wines in the United States. Of this company he was treasurer from the time of its inception. For many years he has been largely interested in grape culture, and for a time served as treasurer of various grape-shipping com- panies. In 1911, he disposed of his interest in the State Bank of Brocton, having since its foundation continuously held the office of president.
In the sphere of politics Mr. Hall has always been faithful to the Republican party, but has invariably refused to become a candidate for any but local offices. He is president of the Ahira Hall Memorial Library, a splendid tribute to the memory of his grandfather. A history of this institution may be found on another page of this work. During the recent war Mr. Hall served as chairman of various loan committees, and was active in behalf of the Red Cross as well as in a number of other war activities. The fraternal affilia- tions of Mr. Hall are very numerous. He is a thirty- second degree Mason, affiliating with Lake Shore Lodge, No. 851, Free and Accepted Masons, of Broc- ton, and with Dunkirk Commandery and Chapter and Buffalo Consistory and Shrine, also with the Knights of Pythias, of Brocton. For over forty years he has
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been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is now trustee of the church of that communion in Brocton.
Mr. Hall married, Oct. 19, 1870, Mary Jane, daughter of Mark and Densy (Knickerbocker) Haight, and they are the parents of one daughter, Evelyn H., educated in Brocton grammar and high schools and at St. Mar- garet's Episcopal Seminary, Buffalo; married Water N. Clark, of Brocton, and has one child, Frances H. Mr. and Mrs. Hall expect to celebrate, in 1920, the golden anniversary of their marriage, an event which will call forth the warmest congratulations of their family and friends.
To the temperance cause Mr. Hall has ever given the staunchest support and firmest advocacy. He belongs to the Royal Templars of Temperance, and is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Throughout his career as a successful man of affairs he has given an example of true public spirit, inasmuch as he has caused his prosperity to rebound not to his own benefit alone but also to the welfare and happiness of his fellowmen.
GLENN BADGLEY FLEEK, D. D. S., one of the most popular of the rising dentists of Dunkirk, Chautauqua county, N. Y., is a native of this State, having been born at Lakewood, N. Y., Nov. 10, 1890, a son of Frank and Julia Edith (Badgley) Fleek. His father was for many years a farmer by occupation, and he and his wife were the parents of two children: Glenn Badgley, and Helen Marion, who became the wife of Richard N. Thompson, of Fall River, Mass., a son of Dr. Thompson of that place, and attached to the United States Embassy at Santiago, Chili.
Dr. Fleek began his education at the public schools of Lakewood, where he continued until he had com- pleted his general studies and was prepared for college, graduating from the Lakewood High School with the class of 1909. He later entered the University of Buffalo, 1913, attending until 1916, going then to the dental school of the University of Maryland at Balti- more, Md., from which institution he graduated in 1917, taking the degree of D. D. S. He passed the ex- amination of the State Board of Examiners in Mary- land and also in New York State immediately after, and on June 9, 1917, enlisted in the United States Army for service in the great war. He was commissioned first lieutenant of the Dental Reserve Corps, Aug. 20, 1917, and on Sept. 28 following, was sent to Camp Dix and attached to the 307th Field Artillery Regiment, 78th Division. On Jan. 28, 1918, he was transferred to Camp Green, Charlotte, N. C., and assigned to a post with the 14th Machine Gun Battalion of the gth Brigade, 5th Division. On April 7, 1918, he was sent to Camp Merritt, N. J., one of the points of embarkation, and on April 12, 1918, sailed for Europe. He landed at Liverpool, England, and was sent on to Southampton, from which point he crossed the channel to Havre, France. In that country he was moved rapidly from place to place, being located at Bar-sur-aube and later on the St. Die sector at the front. He acted on de- tached service for one month with the 6th Regiment of Regular Infantry, known as "Pershing's Own Regi-
ment," and was present at the battle of Frappelle, the first engagement of the Americans on German soil. He also saw active service in St. Mehiel offensive and in the Argonne-Mcuse offensive, and was gassed at Madaleine Farm, south of Cunel. Returning to this country, he received his honorable discharge from the army, Aug. 12, 1919, at Camp Upton, and immediately, thereafter, came to Dunkirk and engaged in the practice of his profession. He was appointed to the School Dental Clinic here in October, 1919, and became asso- ciated in practice with Dr. E. L. Todd, himself the subject of mention elsewhere in this work.
Dr. Fleek is a conspicuous figure in social and club circles at Dunkirk, and is a member of the (local chapter) Xi Psi Phi, and of the (national) Theta Nu Epsilon college fraternities, and of Lakewood Lodge, No. 628, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church.
HENRY ARTHUR MONROE, who is the sole owner of the Westfield Fish Company, of Westfield, N. Y., and in that enterprise finds employment during the season for thirty-eight to forty men and from twelve to sixteen boats upon Lake Erie, and who is also part-owner of a substantial brick making plant at Westfield, N. Y., has had a very interesting career, and takes justifiable pride in the valiant deeds of his heroic father during the years when the latter was the captain of a steamer upon Lake Erie.
Simon Monroe, father of Henry A. Monroe, who was almost ninety years old when he died in 1918, was born on Christmas morning of 1828, and for the greater part of his life was a captain of vessels upon Lake Erie. It is said that he was the captain of one of the first steamers that disturbed the waters of the lake with its paddles; he certainly was the master of one of the first steamers .to ply across the lake; and during his many decades of service upon the often stormy waters of that lake he encountered many situations that tested his quality as a man of courage and resourcefulness. It is unnecessary here to record more than one of his many striking acts of heroism. That was in 1854, and was fittingly commemorated by the presentation to him, by the city of Cleveland, Ohio, of a massive gold and twenty-one diamond-jewelled watch, upon which, in appropriate place, were inscribed the following words: "For the heroic conduct of Capt. Simon Monroe, in the rescue of the crew of the schooner 'Omar', Dec. 4, 1854." That watch is now a family heirloom, and constantly worn by Capt. Simon Monroe's son, Henry A.
Henry A. Monroe was born in Erie county, N. Y., April 4, 1858, and as a boy attended the district schools of his native place. As he grew into his teens, and while still at school, Henry A. undertook many of the minor tasks of the home farm, working at them before and after school hours, and on Saturdays. Dur- ing vacations, he constantly worked. As he grew into manhood, however, his sturdy spirit and somewhat restless temperament drew him into more venturesome paths and parts. He was often on the lake with his father, and eventually he resolved to go West.
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In the Western states he spent about ten years, returning however, eventually to the scenes of his early days. In 1908, he was in Barcelona, N. Y., and there formed a partnership with another business man of the place, and entered into the making of cement bricks. The partners installed a suitable brick making plant, and as the years passed developed their enterprise into a substantial business of considerable extent and reason- ably profitable returns. About 1890, he also started independently another enterprise, which now is one of the oldest fishing enterprises of any consequence upon Lake Erie. He is the sole owner of the Westfield Fish Company, which for many years has exported its catches to many widely separated sections of the country, and has done extensive trading. That may be appreciated from the fact that a fleet of 8 or 9 fishing trawlers is operated by the company, during the season, finding employment for from thirty-eight to forty men. The company is not an incorporated one.
Mr. Monroe is very popular is his section of the county; he is a staunch Democrat in his political con- viction and affiliation and he has done much, at various times, to further the cause of the party he follows. It has been stated that he acted as delegate, at least twenty times, at conventions of the party. And in the functions of the Dunkirk branch of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks he has taken active part He and his brother are enthusiastic sportsmen, and in years gone by liked nothing better than, when oppor- tunity offered, to take a gun and go into the woods. He treasures a conspicuous Elk watch charm, made of two teeth of an elk killed by his brother during one hunting trip.
Henry Arthur Monroe married, March 2, 1891, at Barcelona, N. Y., Ellen Vear, who was of Canadian birth. To them have been born four children: I. Caroline, who is married to Harold Brownell, and has one child, Robert Lee Brownell. 2. Nelson H. 3. Simon F. 4. Harry C. All the sons were given good educations such as would fit them for successful busi- ness careers; for the elementary grades they attended the grammar school, later proceeding to the high school, and after graduating therefrom, taking a course of commercial study at a business college. The three boys now participate in the work and management of the enterprise established by their father.
Mr. Monroe is a man of strong personality, and manifests much of the rugged characteristics of his respected father; and his extensive travel, with the con- sequent independence and variety of life and associa- tions, has developed in Mr. Monroe a broadness of view, and an ability to readily see the viewpoint of others, which makes him an entertaining conversation- alist, and a man whose opinions are not fettered or biased by the inconsequential little details that are but minor factors. These he drops by the wayside, and concentrates his thoughts upon the main factors that count, and so is able to arrive at a logical decision upon the subject matter in hand. Such is invariably the experience of men of action who succeed in life; their minds are not befogged by the pettiness of life; they see the main direction and they act. Mr. Monroe is quite representative of the enterprising, substantial men of affairs in Chautauqua county, N. Y.
ROBERT I. PARK, influential citizen, man of affairs and owner of the St. Elmo Hotel here, one of the finest and most up-to-date structures of its kind hereabouts, is a native of Harmony, Chautauqua county, N. Y., born Nov. 25, 1873, a son of Nehemiah and Helen Mar (Wade) Park, both deceased. The elder Mr. Park came to Chautauqua county in the year 1875, and engaged in the livery business, which he followed during his entire life.
Robert I. Park attended the public schools of Chau- tauqua county for his preliminary education, and after graduating from these institutions matriculated at the Jamestown Business College. After completing the course there, he took possession of his brother's bakery, in 1894, the latter having died in that year, and operated this place with considerable success. Mr. Park then purchased a half interest in the grocery establishment of Rice & Ensign, and the firm then conducted business under the style of Rice & Park. At the death of the senior partner, Mr. Park conducted the business alone for two years longer, and at the end of that time dis- posed of same at a profit, and obtained a position in the post office as assistant postmaster. He occupied this post for 12 years, and then purchased the St. Elmo Hotel, which he now conducts with splendid success. The original structure, which is now but a part of the St. Elmo Hotel, was erected by Mr. Park's mother in 1895 and operated in a small way. At first it was the residence of the Park family, but was later conducted as a hotel and was one of the first hotels at Chautauqua. In 1906, they added the annex of 14 rooms. In 1909, two dinning rooms, one for the upstairs part of the house, and the other for the lower portion, were added, as well as an additional 15 rooms. Mrs. Park's sister purchased the hotel at this time, and in 1915 a smoking lobby and a parlor of 100 feet dimensions were added, and further enlargements were made by adding more rooms to it, making a hotel of 70 in all. Modern im- provements were installed in each and every depart- ment, and the main dinning room was enlarged to such enormous proportions that it can accommodate 175 guests, while the one located at the corner of Vincent and Pratt avenues can accommodate 150 guests. Mr. Park, of this sketch, purchased the hotel from his sister, Agnes J. (Park) Lewis, a few years ago, and is at the present time its sole owner, and carries on this business in a very profitable way and to the entire satis- faction of its patrons. He is a very capable and effi- cient manager, and is at all times seeking new metheds for the improvement of the St. Elmo. At the present time the St. Elmo Hotel is one of the finest of its kind here and can claim a vast patronage, not only from the immediate community, but from all parts of the country. It is the stopping place for all the travelers who traverse this region. Mr. Park is very prominent in social and club life of the region, and is a very prominent figure in the Masonic Order, being a mem- ber of the Peacock Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Westfield Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Jamestown Council, Royal and Selected Masters; Jamestown Commandery, Knights Templar; Buffalo Consistory, Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret; and Ismailia Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member and the president
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THE ST. ELMO CHAUTAUQUA, NEW YORK
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of the Board of Education, he having held this office for upwards of ten years. In politics Mr. Park is a Republican, and in religious belief a Methodist.
Robert I. Park was united in marriage at Harmony, N. Y., June 23, 1909, with Mary Gertrude Pringle, a native of this place, a daughter of Homer and Gertrude (Brown) Pringle, old and highly respected residents here. To Mr. and Mrs. Park two children have been born, as follows: Helen Gertrude and Mary Agnes.
JOHN LOVE-Now retired from active participa- tion in the management of the Diamond Furniture Company, of Jamestown, N Y., although its vice- president, Mr. Love reviews a long and active life, spent mainly in Jamestown and in the business from which he recently retired. His connection dates from the year 1878, when August P. Olson, who for four years had been manufacturing tables on a small scale in Jamestown, offered Mr. Love a partnership in his growing business. Both young men were of Danish birth, both excellent mechanics, and the outlook seemed so favorable that Mr. Love accepted ; they form- ing the firm, A. P. Olson & Company, exclusive man- ufacturers of tables. That was the beginning of the large business now conducted by the Diamond Furni- ture Company, and of a lifelong friendship between the two men which was only terminated by the death of Mr. Olson, Aug. 5, 1919. The history of the Diamond Furniture Company and its predecessor, A. P. Olson & Company, is the history of August P. Olson and John Love, for they were its founders and builders, and its development was the work of their entire business lives. Like the character of its builders the company is strong and reliable, quality and integrity outweighing consideration of quality or profit.
John Love was born on the Island of Bonehelm, a possession of the Kingdom of Denmark, lying in the Baltic Sea, Dec. 5, 1848, and now, at the age of seventy- one years, is an honored resident of Jamestown, N. Y. His parents, Andrew and Gertrude (Hanson) Love, were residents of Bonehelm Island for many years, and there died. John Love passed the first twenty years of his life in his native land, there obtaining a good education and learning the cabinet maker's trade. In 1868, he came to the United States, sailing from Cop- enhagen, the capital of Denmark, via Liverpool to New York. From New York he journeyed westward to Titusville, Penn., the trip consuming four days. At Titusville he found employment at his trade, and there remained until 1872, when he removed to Jamestown, N. Y. There for six years he was employed as a journeyman by George Martin and others, but in 1878, he formed a partnership with August P. Olson, and from that time until his retirement in 1919, he was engaged in the extensive manufacture of tables, as a partner in the firm, A. P. Olson & Company, and as vice-president of its successor, The Diamond Furni- ture Company of Jamestown.
The firm built a factory at the corner of Tay- lor and Fillmore streets, Jamestown, and there man- ufactured a few styles of tables which became recog- nized as the standard with the result that the out- put grew in thousands annually. Later the great
factory of the incorporated Diamond Furniture Com- pany, 50x180 feet, four stories high, was built. In every phase of their business Messrs. Olson and Love were eminently successful, both men conservative, painstak- ing in details, and giving their personal attention to the work of their departments. In course of time the office management came under the direction of Henry F. Love, son of John Love, and long an associate in the business. There were never any contentions between the partners, both being men of good judgment and actuated by a sincere desire to promote their mutual good. So with their employees there was never friction nor strife, but a spirit of loyalty existed seldom found. When the business was incorporated as the Diamond Furniture Company, Mr. Love was made vice-president, his present position, his son, Henry F., being secretary-treasurer and general manager. Mr. Love built a fine residence on the Lakewood Road, and is now spending the evening of a useful and honorable life retired, after an active connection of forty-one years with the same business in the same city with but one change of firm name. Mr. Love is a Republican in politics, a member of the English Lutheran church, which he serves as trustee, and has always ranked with the progressive, enterprizing men of his city, and while striving earnestly for his own business success has always been ready to aid in the development of his adopted city.
Mr. Love married, in Jamestown, in 1872, Marine M. Koffed, born on the Island of Bonehelm, Denmark, who died in Jamestown, Dec. 11, 1917, and is buried in Lakeview Cemetery. She was a member of the English Lutheran church, and a woman of strong character, devoted to her home and family. Five of their six children died in infancy, the only survivor, a son, Henry F. Love, one of Jamestown's progressive business men, long associated with the Diamond Furniture Company, of which he is secretary-treasurer and general manager.
LUCIUS JONES, JR .- In 1920 Mr. Jones, a retired veteran soldier and farmer of Fredonia, wrote con- cerning Company H, 72nd Regiment, New York Vol- unteer Infantry: "We left Dunkirk, N. Y., Oct. 21, 1861, with 104 men and at the end of the war, July, 1865, there was just five of use came back; some were killed, some died, and some were discharged, our company losing as many men in action as any company of the regiment. There is now only two of us left, Herman Koch, of Dunkirk, N. Y., and myself. I am now seventy-six years old and weigh 178 pounds." Mr. Jones is now living retired in Fredonia, after an active life, which, with the exception of four years of army life, has been spent in Chautauqua county, engaged in farming. At Petersburg, April 2, 1865, he was hit by a fragment of shell on his left side and reported killed. But he was only unconscious and revived before his comrades had carried him to a place of hurial. For his services, and on account of his disabilities from disease, his government granted him a pension in 1879, to date from July 9, 1865, the date of his discharge from the army. Since 1890 Mr. Jones has lived in Fredonia, and "about all I do is to work my little
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garden." Lucius Jones, Jr., is a son of Lucius and Jane (Dunn) Jones, who at the time of the birth of their eldest child was living in Dresden, Ohio. His brothers and sisters are: I. Alice, born Oct. 13, 1836, died at East Gainesville, Wyoming county, N. Y .; she married, in December, 1869, John Yeomans. 2. Albert, born near Nashville, Chautauqua county, N. Y., June 21, 1840, died July 2, 1902, leaving two children : Miles A. and Alice Jones. 3. Helen M., born March 24, 1842, died July 8, 1863. 4. Lucius, Jr., of further mention. 5. James D., born at Forestville, Chautauqua county, N. Y., March 16, 1849, died at Belton, Mo., Jan. 13, 1908, leaving three sons: Lucius, Reuben, and Byron Jones. 6. William C., born at Forestville, N. Y., July 21, 1851, died unmarried, July 11, 1918. 7. Miles R., born near Nashville, N. Y., Aug. 11, 1856, never married. The brothers were all farmers during their active years.
Lucius Jones, Jr., was born near Nashville, Chautau- qua county, N. Y., March 23, 1844, now (June, 1920) and for thirty years past, a resident of Fredonia in his native county. He attended the district public school until sixteen years of age, and during his hours out of school, which were many, he as well as the other six children of the family aided in the farm and dairy work. Lucius Jones, Sr., owned a farm of 480 acres upon which he kept a herd of sixty cows and a large flock of sheep. The milk from the herd was all made into butter and cheese at the farm, so every member of the family had to lend a hand at milking and other tasks incident to the operation of farm and dairy. Young Lucius remained at the home farm until 1861, and as he did not like the duties he had to perform he took advantages of the opportunity the war offered to escape. He enlisted in Forestville, August, 1861, in Company I, 49th New York Regiment, but when the captain sized him up he advised him to "run home to his ma," as he was too small. His father obtained news of his son's efforts and promised him a good thrashing if he repeated the performance. Lucius, Jr., remained at home until Oct., 1861, then again went to Dunkirk and enlisted in Company H, 72nd Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, known as the 3rd Regiment, Sickles Excelsior brigade. His company commander, Capt. S. M. Doyle, sent the boy back to his home to obtain his parents' consent to his enlistment, which, much to the young soldier's surprise, was given, he expecting instead the promised thrashing. As soon as the company's ranks were full, they were sent to Wash- ington, D. C., where their guns and equipment were issned them. Later the regiment went into winter quarters in Maryland, forty miles from Washington, and were put through a hard course of drilling and military instruction. In the spring, with the Army of the Potomac, the 72nd went with the large fleet of trans- ports to Fortress Monroe, and early on the Sunday morning following their arrival saw the "Merrimac" and later the "Monitor" come into the harbor. The transports were quickly shifted to a place of safety so Mr. Jones could only tell by the smoke and occasional glimpses that the two sea monsters were engaged in death grapples. The regiment went into camp up the York river and later was at Yorktown, which the Confederates evacuated. There Mr. Jones
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