USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume II > Part 6
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22
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
He was a Republican of the strongest kind, and had the courage of his convictions, as was proven, when, during the Civil War, and party spirit ran high, he laid low in the dust a "Copperhead" who talked too much. He was much interested in improvements, in the devel- opment of the country and in affairs of the times. He died at Ross Mills in 1871.
Margaret (Armstrong) Ross, daughter of John Arm- strong, who came from Belfast, Ireland, before the Revolution, was a remarkable woman, possessing physical and mental strength. As the wife of a pioneer, she did more than her part. She died in 1875, aged eighty-two years, leaving five children: Maryann Newton, Isabel Frew Carter, Laura Work Wayt, Emery Armstrong, of whom further; and Elliott Kim- ball Ross. Five children died in infancy.
Emery Armstrong Ross spent his boyhood as other pioneer children, attending district school during the winter, and "doing the chores," the one big holiday of the year being General Training, with its wonderful music of fife and drum, its drills, and its cider and gingerbread. His clothes were of homespun and linen, made by his mother from wool and flax raised on the farm, and his shoes were made by the traveling shoe- maker, who remained a week or so at each place, and who utilized the father's boot tops in making the chil- dren's shoes. The following extracts from the "Ross Family History," written by Emery A. Ross, give a good discription of those early days.
The nearest neighbors at this early date were at Work's Mills on the south, connected by the sled road, and Bucklins on the north, connected by a blazed trail, each three miles distant. For the bene- fit of the younger readers, I will explain that a blazed trail or foot path is made by blazing or hewing a patch of bark from the trees at intervals, as a guide for the settlers to go from one settlement to another. At that time there were only about half a dozen houses in Jamestown, that place not being settled until about two years after Worksburg, and six years before Father settled on the Cassadaga.
For the first few years it was a struggle against adversity, and at times it needed more than one dog to keep the wolf from the door. I have heard my mother say she had dug up the potatoes that were planted, cut the eyes out, replanted the eyes, and cooked the balance of the potatoes, ample proof that necessity was the mother of invention, in this case at least.
While they could get a limited supply of grain from distant settlements, they had to depend mostly for their supplies from Lake Erie which were transported from Van Buren Point over the portage by teams to the head of Chautauqua Lake, thence down the lake or outlet by canoe or barge. The supplies from Pitts- burgh came up the Alleghany by canoes and keel boats.
For hay, until they could get their land cleared, they had to depend upon what nature had provided, which was the tallest kind of grass in the shape of grand forest trees, maple, elm and basswood, the tender twigs of which made a very good substitute for hay.
I well remember in later years, 1839-40, when we had a great depth of snow and a long, tedious, cold winter, there was a great scarcity of hay, in fact,
there was none to be had, and my father and his neighbor kept their stock entirely on "browse" dur- ing the last part of the winter. The men would start out in the morning with their axes, put the oxen ahead, and cows and the young stock next, and start them through the deep snow for the woods, where they felled trees enough to make a full repast for the stock that day. The cattle would come home from the woods in single file, in their deep ditch like path, as full and plump as if they had been in a clover field.
I remember the autumn evenings, when the labors of the day were done, when the family gathered around the open fireplace, Father tipped back in his splint- hottomed chair, In his accustomed place against the
jamb in the chimney corner, his newspaper in one hand, a candlestick with a tallow dip in the other, inclined at a pitch of forty-five degrees towards the paper to get the full benefit of the uncertain light, the candle meanwhile, from its position, melting away and dripping in yellow drops from his fingers to the paper. When he came to a realizing sense of his con- dition, he would express his contempt by his usual expletives: "Hm, Zounds, give me the snuffers." And mother, whose busy hands were never idle, would have her wheel before the fire, and with measured tread and skillful hand would draw a thread of finest strand, which in turn was knit into stockings, or woven into flannels and dressed cloth for the family's winter wear; the older girls meanwhile knitting or mending, and the younger members of the family keeping the big fireplace well replenished with dry kindling to keep the room well lighted and warmed to a certain degree, which was necessary to make the wool run free, thus combining duty with pleasure, for who does not like to watch a cheerful fire? It was one of the pleasures of our childhood evenings. Often, as an accompaniment, the tin bake oven with its open front was before the fire, with its twin loaves of golden corn bread, half smothered in a bed of coals, and now and then we would raise the lid to see how comes on the baking bread, when the steam would greet us with an appetizing ordor. And the crane that o'er the fire swung, whereon the pots and kettles hung, in which was cooked the frugal meal of pork and beans or ham and veal. These were the happy days of youth, these were our happy days in truth.
While quite young, Emery A. assumed the manage- ment of the farm. He also did considerable rafting down the Cassadaga, Conewango, Alleghany and Ohio rivers to Cincinnati. When his father retired from the lumber business, he became actively engaged in it, and in 1872, in company with Thomas J. Skidmore and Hiram B. Jenkins, he built a steam saw mill to take the place of his father's water mill. This firm, E. A. Ross & Company, did a large business for twelve years, when Mr. Skidmore and Mr. Jenkins retired, and the firm took the name of E. A. Ross & Son-C. E. Ross. This firm controlled nearly all the timber in the Cassadaga valley from Moons and South Stockton to Falconer. A planing mill was added to the saw mill, and later the firm purchased a planing mill and wood mantel factory on the corner of Second and Winsor streets in James- town, which they enlarged and operated for a number of years. In 1894 the family moved from Ross Mills to Jamestown.
Mr. Ross favored every public improvement, and worked hard to promote the same. He was one of the first to become interested in putting through the Dun- kirk, Alleghany Valley & Pittsburgh Railroad. The first grading for this road was done on the Ross farm at Ross Mills, Oct. 3, 1867, and the well known "Old Grays" were the horses used in this work. In 1874, the post office was established at Ross Mills with E. A, Ross as postmaster. Mr. Ross was one of the first of his time to become interested in the making of good country roads, and worked hard to secure the same, being a true road master, He gave his men and teams freely for extra work upon the roads, and many a time, hoe or rake in hand, would go over the Falconer-Ross Mills road, filling up depressions and removing stones, In all work he aimed at perfection, and could not tolerate a poor job. In whatever he undertook he was an artist, and he was efficient in many lines of work. One of his strongest characteristics was patriot- ism. He elisted in the Civil War, but was rejected by the medical examiner. Although compelled to remain at home, he did his part in all ways possible. He was a lifelong Republican.
alfred & Hall.
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BIOGRAPHICAL
Although his opportunities for attending school were meager, he was educated in the true sense of the term, through extensive reading and travel. In traveling, of which he was extremely fond, he saw everything of interest. He had a well trained mind, quick and alert, remarkable judgment and foresight, a keen wit and sense of humor, deep sympathy for the unfortunate and suffering, and a pure heart. One man said of him, "He was the purest-minded man I ever knew." He loved all things beautiful or remarkable in nature or art, and was an interesting writer, being especially clever in writing rhymes and jingles. He was a member of the Chautauqua County Historical Society. While not a member of any church, he attended the Methodist church, of which Mrs. Ross is a member. He possessed a deeply religious nature, and the faith which helped him bear with patience a trying illness.
Emery A. Ross and Rhoda P. Norton were married in 1852. She died in 1858. In 1862 he married Anna M. Doolittle, daughter of Edward F. Doolittle, who was a descendant of one of the Mayflower Pilgrims, a pioneer lumberman, and a soldier in the Civil War. Her maternal grandfather was John Peters, a pioneer, student, teacher, and soldier in the War of 1812. He died at Ross Mills at the age of ninety-three. The children of Emery A. and Anna M. (Doolittle) Ross are: C. Edward, Clara C., E. Winfield and Warren. All are members of Clan Ross in America, an organization of men and women whose ancestors came from Ross- shire, Scotland, and which was formed in New York City in 1911. The grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Ross are: Vivien, Warren, Jr., Arthur K., and Anna Fern Ross.
ALFRED ELLIOT HALL-The city of James- town is fortunate in having an unusually large number of highly respected, conscientious business men, whose records are worthy of being writ large upon the tablets of memory. One of these is Alfred Elliot Hall, whose demise took place on July 15, 1918, at Long Beach, Cal. A member of the prominent Hall family, for many years connected with manufacturing interests in the city, Alfred E. Hall held a bigh place in the regard of his associates, with a reputation for honest dealing and efficiency that would place him justly among the foremost citizens. His was a most modest nature, his particular dislike to being placed in a conspicuous position becoming almost an obsession with him, and yet his deep reading, travel and keen observation had so developed his mental ability that he should by right have been a leader among all men. He shrank from publicity, and nothing could induce him to enter politics, though his friends frequently had urged him to become a candidate for some public office, the only exception to this rule being that during the regime of Mayor Eleazar Green, Mr. Hall consented to be- come a member of the Common Council for a time, his name having been selected as one of the original members of the Board of Park Commissioners. He served for eight years on this board. The service was a most congenial one to him, and he proved to be an exceedingly useful member of the commission, as he gave much time to the study of improvements both in street and park works. With his usual thoroughness
he consulted the best authorities in regard to beauti- fying the city and rendering its streets more attractive. While very reserved and exceedingly careful in the choice of his intimate friends, he was at all times genial and agreeable in the wide circle of his chance acquaint- ances.
Alfred Elliot Hall was born in Jamestown, April 25, 1861, and had lived there all his life. He was the son of Major W. C. J. and Maria W. (Woodhull) Hall, for many years residents of Jamestown. Mr. Hall's early education was acquired in the local public schools, but after leaving the high school he continued studying advanced subjects in many lines, reading the works of the best authors upon whatever topic he might at the time be most interested in. In literature his selections leaned to the classics, though technical subjects seemed to claim most of his attention, his studies in that line taking him into so many fields that every one who had the pleasure of conversing with him was surprised at the breadth and depth of his knowledge. Mr. Hall was a very keen observer, very little escaping his atten- tion, and this with his extensive traveling made him a companion much to be desired.
In early manhood, Mr. Hall entered the worsted mills in Jamestown, founded by his grandfather, William Hall, and Major W. C. J. Hall, his son, being at that time superintendent of the mills; when he died Alfred E. Hall became assistant superintendent, serving, for a time as treasurer of the concern. After the death of his father he became part owner of the works and continued his connection with it until the end. He was also interested in the Art Metal Construction Company, and was a director and stockholder of the Gurney Ball Bearing Company; he was also connected with several other manufacturing interests of his native city. At one time Mr. Hall was a director of the National Chautauqua County Bank of Jamestown, and a director of the local Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation, one of his greatest interests being the work of the boys of that organization. He and his family have always been leading members of the First Congrega- tional Church, of which he was for many years a trustee. In the social line Mr. Hall was a member of the Lakewood Country Club, and at one time was affiliated with the University Club.
Mr. Hall was married in Jamestown, July 2, 1885, to Elizabeth H. McElroy, a native of Rochester, N. Y. She was the daughter of George and Elizabeth (Irwin) McElroy. The family lived in Jamestown,
Mr. McElroy being engaged in the boot and shoemaking business. His specialty was quite unique, that of making shoes for weddings, his fame as a producer of fine handsewed boots for brides and grooms extending into other sections of the State. The daughter, Elizabeth H., had many advantages in her youth. her early education in the grammar and high schools being supplemented by a course in the normal school, which fitted her for the occupation of school teacher, a position she held for four years prior to her marriage. In addition to this fundamental education she studied music and art, her taste in the former being of a high order, inclining greatly to the works of the composers known as classical. Mrs. Hall's home gives evidence of her artistic temperament and cultivated taste, while
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CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
her interests, outside of her home, are all in the line of improvement. She is a member of the Mozart Club, also of the Fortnightly Club, and is a great worker in the Congregational church. She is well known for her generous giving to all local charities, as well as her efforts to promote all undertakings for the welfare of Jamestown. Mrs. Hall has always been a devoted wife and mother, her life and that of her husband having been greatly saddened by the loss of two of their four sons, one having died in 1913 after reaching manhood. The shock of this prostrating sorrow brought about a gradual decline in Mr. Hall's health, which eventually caused his death. He had gone to California partly in the hope of regaining his strength.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hall are: 1. William McElroy, died in childhood. 2. Irwin Alfred, died after his graduation from Hamilton College. 3. Carroll Miller, who was educated at Cornell University, living at home. 4. Shirley McElroy, also educated at Cornell University; has a fine war record, having served as a member of the Red Cross in the canteen service of the French army, and was also assistant manager of the Metropolitan canteen service in Paris; he holds a captain's commission; he makes his home in Los Angeles, Cal. Mr. Alfred E. Hall had one sister residing in California, Mrs. Sophia H. Marshall, wife of Frank H. Marshall, at one time rector of the Epis- copal church in New Haven, but now an artist residing in California. Mr. Hall is buried in the family plot in Lakeview Cemetery, his body having been brought to Jamestown by his widow and his son Carroll M. Mr. Hall's death will be greatly felt in Jamestown, for he had ever been liberal in his gifts to every city institu- tion, while his donations to religious and charitable organizations have been regular and generous. He leaves behind him an untarnished name and a record of which his widow and children may well be proud.
HENRY W. WATSON, CLARA WATSON-
Henry W. Watson was born at Minster, County of Kent, England, Sept. 17, 1839, son of Henry and Fanny (Watson) Watson. His father died when he was very young, and at the age of nine years he began work as a "crow boy." He attended the parish school on part time until twelve years of age, then became a full time worker, continuing until the age of fifteen, when he shipped on board the British man-of-war, "James Watt," serving three years in the navy during the Crimean War. After his discharge from the navy, he was em- ployed on an English farm for two years, his wages being two shillings per day. From boyhood he had been possessed not only of a desire but a determina- tion to come to the United States, and that desire was accomplished on May 28, 1859, when he landed in New York City, after a four weeks' voyage on a sailing ves- sel from London; his cash capital was $1.50. He made a friend on the ship who aided him by the loan of money to get to Mentor, Ohio, from whence he came to New York State, settling in Busti, Chautauqua county, in 1861, where he was employed on a farm by Oren Stoddard. In 1862 he enlisted for the Civil War in the Seventh Company, First Battalion, New York Sharpshooters, attached to the 112th Regiment, New
York Infantry. He saw hard service with the Army of the Potomac, fighting in the battles of the Wilder- ness, Spottsylvania, Laurel Hill, North Anna, Cold Harbor. Petersburg, Mine Run, and innumerable small battles and skirmishes, and was present at General Lee's surrender at Appomattox, having safely escaped all serious war perils. He was mustered out of the United States service with his regiment in Washington, D. C., in June, 1865, and honorably discharged at Elmira, N. Y., June 17, 1865.
Through a comrade-in-arms, Mr. Watson was led to locate in Jamestown, N. Y., in 1865, and there he engaged in carriage manufacturing on a small scale with his subsequent father-in-law, Eliphalet Mitchell. His struggle for a foothold in the business world was strenuous and protracted, but the foundations were securely laid upon which the prosperity of the present Watson Manufacturing Company rests. In 1867 he started in business for himself on Second street. In 1888 he admitted his son, William W., to a partnership under the firm name, The Watson Manufacturing Com- pany, and they are still associated in business. In 1889 the business was removed to its present location, and in 1905 the firm was incorporated, Henry W. Watson, president, William W. Watson, secretary, treasurer and general manager. For fifty-five years, 1865-1920, Mr. Watson has been identified with Jamestown's business interests, and the product of the Watson plant is known throughout the United States and Canada, as well as in foreign countries. This is a wonderful record of a life begun under the severest handicap, and to young men and women Mr. Watson gives this advice from his more than half century of business experience: "If well, don't be afraid of hard work; don't shirk; don't get discouraged at trifles; economize; save while young ; start a bank account, and add to it little by lit- tle ; make every day count."
Although of English birth, Mr. Watson has a true appreciation of the spirit of American citizenship, and testifies : "I have always rejoiced that I came to the United States." He became a naturalized citizen in 1866, and has always taken a deep interest in public affairs. He is now one of the oldest business men in Jamestown, and while he has always been a manufac- turer, the product of his plant has varied from carriages to inside blinds, and since 1910 to window screens, metal office, bank and vault furniture, the plant now employing nearly 400 workmen. Mr. Watson is a mem- ber of James M. Brown Post, No. 285, Grand Army of the Republic; Elliott Lodge, No. 221, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is a past grand; and is an Independent in politics.
Mr. Watson married, Nov. 14, 1866, Clara Mitchell, daughter of Eliphalet Mitchell, then Mr. Watson's busi- ness partner. In 1916 they celebrated their golden wed- ding anniversary. For many years Mr. and Mrs. Wat- son have been identified with Jamestown activities. Mrs. Watson is best known through her connection with spiritualism, she having been identified with that cause for many years as a lecturer and writer of force and ability. Full ministerial rights, conferred upon her many years ago by the "Friends of Human Progress," have brought her in contact with the public through the lecture platform, weddings and funeral services, and
Henry. W. Watson.
Mr Clara
Watson
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BIOGRAPHICAL
she is one of the best known women in Western New York. Not alone in and for spiritualism has her voice and pen been used, but her articles in defense of right and justice have been read by thousands. Regarded sometimes as radical in expressions, her writings are conceded to be always striving towards justice.
Mr. and Mrs. Watson are the parents of one child, a son, William W., born in Jamestown, Feb. II, 1868, who is now secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Watson Manufacturing Company. Receiving his education in the Jamestown public schools, he early as- sociated himself with his father in the carriage manu- facturing business, and in 1887 was admitted a partner, and when the business was incorporated succeeded to his present position. His ability, energy and enthusi- asm have been valuable assets of the business, and he ranks as one of Jamestown's strong business men. He married, Aug. 30, 1894, Kittie Leper, daughter of Ed- ward G. and Loraine (Root) Leper, of Jamestown. Mr. and Mrs. Watson are also the foster parents of Clara M. Allen, niece of Mrs. Watson, and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Allen, both of whom passed away in the early childhood days of their daughter. In 1895 Miss Allen was married to Harry J. Le Boeuf, of Jamestown.
Mrs. Watson, since espousing the cause of spiritual- ism. has been especially prominent as a speaker and writer, and has been affiliated with both the State and National spiritualist organizations as a worker and offi- cer. Since receiving her ordination she has actively pursued her sacred calling. She has used her pen freely in behalf of many questions of interest and reform, and is ranked as one of the leading women in the cause of spiritualism. She was the first woman in Western New York to be given ordination papers grant- ing full ministerial rights and privileges. Mr. and Mrs. Watson have been affiliated with Lilydale Spiritualist Assembly since its inception in 1879, and Mrs. Watson has been a speaker upon its rostrum for many years.
Mr. and Mrs. Watson are both advanced in years, Mr. Watson an octogenarian, admitting eighty-one years. Mrs. Watson seventy-five, both retaining their mental faculties unimpaired, and are blessed with the love and respect of a wide circle of friends.
ELIPHALET MITCHELL was born in Vermont, April 2, 1815, of ancient Colonial family, and died May 24, 1901, at his home in Jamestown, N. Y. He was a man of good education, and in his younger years was a school teacher. When a young man he came to Chau- tauqua county, locating in Jamestown, where he engaged in carriage manufacturing on Second street, his son- in-law, Henry W. Watson, being at one time his part- ner. He was well known in Jamestown outside of busi- ness circles, his fine voice and interest in music bringing him much into public view. He married, April 17, 1839, Sophronia Slayton, of Ashville, Chautauqua county, N. Y. Herewith is appended a more intimate sketch of Mr. Mitchell written by his daughter, Mrs. Clara Wat- son, at the time of his death:
On the evening of May 24, 1901, father retired in his usual good health, and the following morning it was found that the white robed angel had passed that way; the earthly form was locked in the stillness of that
wondrous sleep we call death. His age was eighty- six years and one month. For several years prior to his passing away he had been a summer resident at Lilydale Assembly. In early life he accepted the Christian religion, but found its tenets and doctrines too narrow and circumscribed to satisfy the longings of his aspiring mind, and later espoused the cause of spiritualism.
Father had music in his soul, melody in his nature, and rhythm in his understanding; and in the days of manhood's prime his voice of wonderful range, sweet- ness and power, thrilled the listening ear and the re- sponsive soul. Many years he was a teacher of music in the old-fashioned singing school, also leader of various church choirs. and singing much at both tem- perance meetings and political gatherings. He loved books and lived in the atmosphere of the uplifting tendency that comes from the reading of good litera - ture and the study of the great problems of life that confront the thoughtful mind. He was genial and cheerful in temperament, yet thoughtful and medita- tive.
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