USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume II > Part 60
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The name of James Shaw McCallum sufficiently re- veals the fact that he is a descendant of Caledonian ancestors, hut of this it does not constitute the only or even the strongest proof. That is to be found in his force of character, his undisputed ability, and his ster- ling integrity, qualities which have made him a true type of a loyal American citizen.
WILLIAM C. DUKE-The history of the State, as well as that of the Nation, consists chiefly of the chroni- cles of the lives and deeds of those who have conferred honor and dignity upon it, whether in the broad sphere of professional work, or of public labors, or in the narrower, but not less worthy, one of individual activity. If the general good has been promoted, the man who
has brought about this state of affairs is most decidedly worthy of mention. Dr. William C. Duke is among those who have attained distinct prestige in the practice of medicine in Fredonia, N. Y., and his success has come as the logical sequence of thorough technical information, as enforced by natural predilection and that sympathy and tact which are inevitable concom- itants of precedence in the profession.
Dr. William C. Duke was born in Montgomery, Ala., Nov. 29, 1857, the son of Jefferson and Caroline (Mer- ritt) Duke. He attended the public schools of his na- tive city, and after graduating from the Montgomery High School he entered the medical department of the University at Louisville, Ky., where he was graduated in 1888 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He then practiced for a short time in the city of Louisville, later matriculating at the Jefferson Medical College, Phila- delphia, Pa., graduating from that institution in 1893. The following year 1894, he entered upon the prac- tice of his profession at Fredonia, N. Y., having chosen this particular place as the field in which he intended to carry on his chosen life work. Suc- cess has attended his efforts, and he is in possession of an extremely large and ever increasing clientele. Among the professional organizations of which Dr. Duke is a member are: The New York State Medical Society, the Chautauqua County Medical Society, and the Dunkirk- Fredonia Medical Society. He is a member of the Democratic party, and has held the position of healthi officer for several years. No good work in the name of charity or religion appeals to him in vain, his interests being broad and his entire nature opposed to narrow- ness. In religion Dr. Duke affiliates with the Episcopal church.
Dr. Duke married Mary Kilbourne, Oct. 3, 1888, and they are the parents of three children : Beryl, a gradu- ate of the Fredonia High School, now a nurse in Buf- falo, N. Y .: Lucille, a graduate of the Fredonia High School, now a nurse in Buffalo; Raphael, now attending the Vanderbilt University, where he is taking a scientific course.
The years that Dr. Duke has spent in Fredonia have been years of arduous devotion to the advancement of the medical profession, and tireless endeavor for the relief of suffering, and have placed him in the front rank of the community's physicians.
HERMAN KOCH-Now a veteran in years as well as in military service. Mr. Koch is rounding out an honorable life which began in Mecklenburg, Germany, seventy-eight years ago. Since 1858 he has been a resident of Dunkirk, N. Y., and from that city marched away with the gallant lads of Company H, Seventy- second Regiment, New York Volunteers, in 1861, to fight under the flag of his adopted country. Of all those brave lads who so gladly went forth that day to do battle for the Union cause, but two of Company H survive, Herman Koch, of Dunkirk, and Julius Jones, Jr., of Fredonia. Mr. Jones is seventy-six years of age, two years the junior of Mr. Koch.
Herman Koch was born Dec. 3, 1842. He attended school in his native town until fifteen years of age. In 1858, in company with an elder brother, Henry, he came to this country, sailing from Hamburg and landing in
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New York City. Having an uncle and cousins in Dun- kirk, N. Y., the boys made their way to that city. Her- man was employed in his uncle's store in Dunkirk until 1861, when he enlisted in Company H, Seventy-second Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, entering the service. Oct. 8, 1861. Company H was commanded by Captain S. M. Doyle, who fell at Malvern Hill; the regi- ment was under the leadership of Colonel W. O. Stev- ens. Company H left Dunkirk, Oct. 21, 1861, with 104 men, and of these but two comrades, Jones and Koch, as above noted, are living. Mr. Koch was then nine- teen years of age, hearty and healthy, well fitted for the hardships of a soldier's life. He was mustered out of the service with an honorable discharge, June 23, 1865. He was engaged at Williamsburg (his first big battle), the Seven Days, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Hatchers Run, Petersburg and the Wilderness. At the final fighting, which compelled the surrender of Gen- eral Lee at Appamattox, he was not present, having been wounded in the knee at the battle of the Wilder- ness, and for four months was confined in Howard Hospital, Washington, D. C. He was also for a time in the hospital at Philadelphia, Pa. After his recovery he was honorably discharged, and with that evidence of his soldierly efficiency he returned to his home in Dunkirk, where he now resides in honored retirement.
During his four years of army life, Mr. Koch had saved every dollar possible from his pay and each month this was sent to his home in Dunkirk with the request that it be put in the savings bank to his credit. Upon his return he found that the money had been diverted from its intended purpose and that he had nothing in the way of capital to start business with. But he was stout-hearted and confident, and renting a store from his unele, he began manufacturing cigars and dealing in tobacco. He continued in that business eight years with little success, then sold out and entered the employ of the Brooks Locomotive Works, as store room clerk, a position he held many years until ill health compelled his resignation. He has for several years lived a quiet, retired life in Dunkirk, secure in the love and respect of all who know him, a good citizen and a good neighbor, a devoted husband and father. He is a member of Col. W. O. Stevens Post, Grand Army of the Republic, Dunkirk, the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics a Republican.
Mr. Koch married, in Dunkirk, March 2, 1868. Wil- helmina Sholtz, born in Germany, daughter of Fred- erick Seholtz. Mrs. Koch is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, a devoted Christian wife and mother. Mr. and Mrs. Koch are the parents of five children : I. Herman L., a resident of Dunkirk, a foreman on the Niekle Plate Railroad; he married Dora Coconmiller, and has a daughter Bessie. 2. Frederick, a resident of Essex county, N. Y., and a general foreman ; he married Clara Neihorn, and has a daughter Eveline May. 3. Wilhelmina, married Ernest Hyler, of Dunkirk. 4. Clara Henrietta, married James Wade, of Dunkirk, and has two children : Helen M. and Robert J. 5. Louis, resid- ing at home with his parents.
FRANK BARR MEDD, SR .- Among the promi- nent business men of Brocton, Chautauqua county, N. \. should be mentioned Frank Barr Medd, Sr., a native
of Lincolnshire, England, born Sept. 2, 1854. He is a son of Edward and Charlotte (Singleton) Medd, old and highly respected residents of that county, where the early childhood of the present Mr. Medd was spent.
Frank Barr Medd received his education at the schools of Norwich, England, and upon completing his studies there secured a position with Robert Straw, who was engaged in the dry goods business at Newark, England, with whom he served as an apprentice and learned the details of that line. Later Mr. Medd removed to Man- chester with James Rylands & Sons, James Rylands known in that region as the cotton king and by whon he was employed in a clerical capacity and as a sales- man. Mr. Medd left his native land and set sail for the United States on Jan. 11, 1883, and came to Rochester, N. Y., after having spent a short time in New York City, where he was employed in a large dry goods house. He was naturalized five years later (1888) at Rochester, N. Y. He afterwards traveled as an agent for a Rochester dry goods house, and still later took a position as salesman for a Pittsburgh dry goods Com- pany. Mr. Medd's next position was that of special salesman for H. B. Clafflin & Company, of New York City, and in this capacity opened up many of their accounts in various parts of the State. a work that he was well fitted to do as he was thoroughly well posted in the business and was regarded as having an experi- ence second to none in this line. It was in 1910 that he came to Brocton, where he was associated with the Beacon Store, a concern which dealt in men's and boy's furnishings and shoes. He has continued in this asso- ciation ever since and has developed a very large and remunerative business for the concern. Mr. Medd is a prominent figure in the social and fraternal life of this place, and is affiliated with the Masonic order, being a member of Lake Shore Lodge, No. 851, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, in which he has held the office of secretary and steward for several years; Dunkirk Chap- ter, No. 191, Royal Arch Masons; Dunkirk Council, No. 25, Royal and Select Masters; Dunkirk Commandery, No. 40, Knights Templar ; and Ismailia Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Buffalo. Mr. Medd is a Republican in politics and has been very active in working for his party, although he has never been ambitious to hold political office of any kind. He is one of the original members of the Broeton Chapter of the American Red Cross Society and served on sev- eral committees. When this chapter was surrendered and became a branch of the Dunkirk Chapter, he served as secretary for some time and did valuable service during all the various drives, both for this organization and other war purposes. He was chairman of the four- minute men in this district, and served on all the com- mittees of the liberty loan drives, as well as chairman of the speaker's bureau. Indeed too much cannot be said for his work in various war services here. In re- ligious belief Mr. Medd is an Episcopalian and attends church of that denomination at Brocton, serving as warden thereof. Mr. Medd started to England on a visit to his sister on July 14, 1914, sailing on the liner "Canadian" of the Leland Line, which was later tor- pedoed. He was in England at the time of the outbreak of the war and was held in that country for a consider- able period.
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Frank Barr Medd was united in marriage at Corby, England, Jan. 27, 1877, with Lucy Burton, a daughter of John and Mary (Burton) Burton. Of this union the following children were born: I. Frank Burton, who married Bessie Dennison, and is now in business as a decorator at Brocton; he served in the Spanish-Ameri- can War with the Sixteenth Pennsylvania Regiment of Volunteers. 2. Lionel Augustus, who married Daisy Disbrow, of Erie, Pa., by whom he had two chil- dren, Elizabeth and Lionel A., Jr .; he is a graduate of the Pennsylvania Institute of Technology and gradu- ated from that institution as an electrical engineer ; he is now associated with the Chicago office of the West- inghouse Company, holding a high position there, and like his brother, served in the Spanish-American War; he enlisted in the Twelfth Regiment, Regulars, and was sent to the Philippines, where he served for some time as company clerk and was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant; during the great World War he was in charge of the electrical nitrate plant at Muscle Shoals, Ala. ; he is a member of the Masonic order, hav- ing taken the thirty-second degree in Free Masonry, and is affiliated with Pittsburgh Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. 3. George Harold, who married Clara Fife, of Pittsburgh : he is a graduate of the Pitts- burgh School of Technology, and is now following the profession of electrical engineer, being employed by the Edison Company in their house at Los Angeles, Cal. 4. Charlotte Mary, who is now employed as buyer for the Erie Dry Goods Company, of Erie, Pa., a concern which deals in cloaks and suits.
JAMES MARVIN YOUNG-A veteran of the Civil War and holder of the Congressional Medal awarded for bravery in action, John Marvin Young held a warm place in the hearts of his fellow-citizens of Jamestown and Chautauqua county, a place he held until his death. He was a native son, born in Chautauqua county, Dec. 4. 1843, son of Abner Elliott and Hannah (Robins) Young, his father a farmer and landowner.
James M. Young attended the district school and re- mained at the home farm until May 21, 1861, when he entered Company B, Seventy-second Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, his company under the com- mand of Captain James M. Brown. Later he was trans- ferred to Company C, 120th Regiment, New York In- fantry, and on Dec. 24, 1863, was again transferred to Company E, Seventy-third Regiment, New York fnfan- try. He was honorably discharged and mustered out of the service, June 27, 1865. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863, and was exchanged and returned to his regiment, Dec. 30, 1863. He was engaged in the battle of the Wilderness in 1864. Mr. Young made an excellent record as a soldier, and for bravery in action was awarded the Congressional Medal, as before stated.
After returning from the war Mr. Young located in Jamestown, there finding employment as a carpenter, a trade he followed for several years. He then accepted appointment to the Jamestown police force, and for twenty-five years served the city with faithfulness and zeal. He was a member of the Presbyterian church ; James M. Brown Post, Grand Army of the Republic;
and Jamestown Chapter of the Union Veteran Legion, and in politics was a Republican.
Mr. Young married, in Jamestown, in October, 1868, Mary Augusta Nunn, daughter of Russel and Harriet (Langworthy) Nunn, of Litchfield, Herkimer county, N. Y. Mrs. Young came to Jamestown, N. Y., in 1864, is still active, and continues her residence on West Ninth street. She is a member of the Presbyterian church, the Home and Foreign Missionary societies of the church, and is highly esteemed by her many friends. She preserves the medal voted her husband by Con- gress, and values it as one of her choicest possessions. She is the mother of three living children: George Ab- ner, now in the United States postal service in James- town; Harriet Alma, residing with her mother; and Herbert Arthur, an oil operator in the State of Kansas. A son, William H., died in infancy. Mr. Young was buried in Lakeview Cemetery.
ALBERT HILLIER GODARD-To be in busi- ness for sixty years in one place, to build that business up from a small country store to one which is a sup- ply house to the section for miles around, even extend- ing sales into other states, and to stand so high in the estimation of all people that they look to him as a leader in public affairs, that is a record worthy of going down into the history of the town where such a man lived. This is what has been accomplished by Albert Hillier Godard in the seventy-five years of his life.
Born in a country village one and a half miles west of Mayville, N. Y., July 15, 1844, he was the son of Anson H. Godard, who founded the business which has built up the fortunes of three generations. Anson H. Godard was born in Rutland, N. Y., and his wife, Elsie (Moore) Godard, was born in Newfield, N. Y. They were married in Mayville and died there, the former in 1871, and the latter in 1863.
Albert H. Godard was first sent to the district school, later to the high school, and he also graduated from Bryant & Stratton Business College. When fifteen years old he left school and entered the flour and feed store which his father had established a few years previ- ously. In 1857, before the Erie Railroad was built through Jamestown and Corry, or the Pennsylvania Railroad through Mayville, the elder Godard was con- ducting a wholesale and retail flour and feed store in front of the Stone Vault, still standing on the Pedcock Inn grounds. He sold by wagon loads to parties as far away as Western Pennsylvania. In April, 1859, when the son was about to leave school, the father, as an inducement to keep the young man with him, decided to add a grocery store to his flour and feed business. So the two went to Buffalo and purchased a general line of groceries with the understanding that young Godard should assume all responsibilities in connection with its conduct. The venture was a great success and in Au- gust, 1865, Mr. Godard, Sr., purchased the corner build- ing, at that time occupied by Mr. Sixbey, and the busi- ness was continued at that location for two years. Then, in 1867, the father retired from active participation in the concern, and the son conducted it alone for a time, but soon formed a partnership with Orlando Bond, the firm being Godard & Bond. On Nov. 22, 1878, the entire
Aff Godard
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side of the street upon which their store was located was burned. Their loss was great, although they suc- ceeded in saving a great deal in the way of stock and books. They moved into the Firemen's Hall tempo- rarily, reopening business in 1879 in the building where the present store is located. This continued until May 25, 1906, when Mr. Bond retired from the firm, the partnership having continued for forty years, and the trade extending all over this part of the country. Al- bert H. Godard continued it, his stock extending into paints, cordage, sporting goods and electrical appliances. On April 22, 1919, Mr. Godard held a reception at his place of business from two until ten P. M. to com- memorate the sixtieth anniversary of the founding of the concern; no goods were sold that day, but all his friends and patrons were given a hearty handshake and light refreshments.
In the matter of politics, Mr. Godard is an inde- pendent Republican and votes on the National ticket. He has never sought nor held any political position. He has taken an active part as a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Godard has always been greatly interested in everything pertaining to Sunday school work and has taken an active part in it, being a member of the State Executive Committee for several years. Before the Chautauqua Assembly was started, Mr. Godard had been engaged in the conduct of the Chautauqua Lake Camp Meeting Association, acting in the capacity of financial secretary of it in 1873 and 1874. When the Chautauqua Institute was founded he was one of the trustees, and he and Dr. Vincent (now Bishop) are the only surviving members of the move- ment to make the Sunday school work a National Sun- day School Association. Having lived an honest, up- right life, clean in thought and deed, Mr. Godard has been blessed in many ways, activity far beyond what might be expected in a man of his years, appearing still young and energetic.
On April 15, 1875, Albert Hillier Godard was married to Libby Osborn, in Mayville. She was born in New York City, the daughter of Gustavius and Eleanor Os- born, and an adopted daughter of the late Judge Thomas A. Osborn, of this county. There is only one child of this marriage, Anson G., who is interested in his father's business, the third generation so engaged.
FRED LLOYD ARMSTRONG, one of the suc- cessful business men of Brocton, Chautauqua county, N. Y., where he is successfully engaged in the drug business, is a native of Eldred, Pa., born May 10, 1887. Mr. Armstrong is a son of Fred Lloyd, Sr., and Frances (Hatfield) Armstrong, the former a well known attor- ney of Eldred, Pa., where his death occurred. Mrs. Armstrong. Sr., survived her husband and is at present residing in their home town.
Fred Lloyd Armstrong attended the public schools of his native place and studied for a time in the high school there, giving up his studies at the last-named institution before completing them, however, in order to begin his business career. He then secured a position in a local drug store, but continued to study in his spare time with a view of entering college. His interest in his work suggested to him that he study pharmacy, and with that end in view he entered the department of phar-
macy at the University of Buffalo and graduated from that institution with the class of 1912, taking the degree of Ph. G. He then returned to active work, locating at Brocton, where he established his present business in the year 1915. In this he formed a copartnership with E. J. Bailey, who is himself the subject of extended mention elsewhere in this work, and the two young men built up a large and successful business here. Their establishment is situated on the corner of Main and Lake streets in the fine new Bailey building, the place being equipped for use as a drug store at the time the edifice was erected. The store is most ornate and impos- ing and is one of the finest establishments of its kind in the region, with tile floors, an onyx fountain, built-in wall cases with sliding doors, and very fine display cases. In fact it is equipped in the most modern manner and possesses everything necessary for the up-to-date phar- macist. Its owners justly claim that size for size it is as fine a drug store as may be found in any city in the United States. The active management of the business is in the hands of Mr. Armstrong, who is an equal part- ner therein. The establishment is a Rexall store, and conducts a large business, to handle which it is neces- sary to employ four clerks, the store being the only one for ten miles in any direction. Mr. Armstrong is also vice-president of the Mantona Remedy Company, In- corporated, manufacturing chemists of Brocton, of which C. W. Green, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work, is president, and C. N. Fleming, secretary. Mr. Armstrong, in addition to his activity in the business world, is also prominent in the general life of the com- munity, and is a member of a number of important fraternities and other organizations here. He is affiliated with the Masonic order, in which he has taken the thirty-second degree in Free Masonry, a member of the local lodge of Brocton, and Buffalo Consistory, Sov- erign Princes of the Royal Secret. He is also a mem- ber of the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias. and the National Association of Retail Druggists. In poli- tics Mr. Armstrong is a Republican, and in religious belief a Methodist, attending the Methodist Episcopal church of Brocton.
Fred Lloyd Armstrong was united in marriage, Dec. 20, 1910, at Andover, with Florence Hoffman, of Eldred. N. Y., a daughter of D. M. and Jennie Hoffman, old and highly respected residents of that town. They are the parents of one child, Florence Winifred.
DR. ALTON S. JOHNSON, one of the leading dentists of Falconer, Chautauqua county, N. Y., is a native of this place, his birth having occurred here, Feb. 15, 1893, and a son of Otto B. and Helen A. Johnson, old and highly respected residents of Falconcr, where Mr. Johnson was engaged in business as a miller up to the time of his death. Dr. Johnson, as a lad. attended the public schools of Falconer, where he re- ceived the elementary portion of his education, and was graduated from the high school there with the class of 1912. After preparation for college at the last-named institution, Dr. Johnson entered the school of dentistry connected with the University of Pennsylvania, at Phil- adelphia, where he studied his subject to such good purpose that he was graduated with the class of 1915, taking the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. Imme-
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diately upon completing his studies he returned to Fal- coner, where he established himself in the practice of his profession and since that time has built up a large and high class clientele in this place. At the present time Dr. Johnson is recognized as one of the most capa- ble representatives of his profession in this region, both by his professional colleagues and by the community- at-large. In addition to his professional activities Dr. Johnson is a prominent member in the social and fra- ternal life of Falconer, and is affiliated with Falconer Lodge, No. 130, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In his religious belief Dr. Johnson is a Methodist and attends the First Methodist Episcopal Church at this place.
Dr. Alton S. Johnson was united in marriage, April 21, 1912, with Mildred Sweet, a daughter of Oscar W. and Ella (Marsh) Sweet, of this place. To this union have been born two children: Evelyn R., born March 27, 1915; G. Roger, born Dec. 29, 1917.
DEHART E. LORD-For many years Dehart E. Lord, of Bemus Point, Ellery township, Chautauqua county, N. Y., has been a conspicuous figure in the busi- ness and industrial life of this section, and to-day en- joys a high place in the esteem and honor of his fellow townsmen who recognize the many abilities and sterling virtues that have marked his career. Mr. Lord is a native of the town of Leon, Cattaraugus county, N. Y .. born March 7, 1866, a son of Clark T. and Rosanna (Cooper) Lord, old and highly respected residents of the place.
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