USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume II > Part 63
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81
Mr. Bixby is a Republican by political conviction, and at one time he took very active part in political affairs; for some years he was excise commissioner for the township of Chautauqua, and his popularity in the district would have elected him to other offices had he wished to stand for such. He is a good church- man, member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and during his life has been a substantial supporter of the churches at Mayville and Chautauqua. He is a prom- inent Mason, being identified with the functioning of local Blue Lodge, Chapter, and Knights Templar organizations, and he also belongs to the Royal Arcanum fraternity. During the recent war, he was a loyal and wholehearted subscriber to the various national funds raised for the purposes of the government in the prosecution of the war. Mr. Bixby has been a familiar figure in Mayville and Chautauqua for more than 40 years and he has been a factor of consequence in many of its affairs. He has many friends, and is generally well regarded in the district.
On Oct. 7, 1884, at Mayville, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Mr. Bixby was married to Alice Belden, of that place. To them have been born three children: I. Emily, born Sept. 7, 1885, received a good education, including the high school course; she is now at home with her parents. 2. Harry, born Oct. 7, 1889, educated in Mayville graded and high schools, married Mae Burrows; they have one child, a daughter, Evelyn. 3. Clarence, born April 4, 1892, was educated in May- ville graded and high schools, and eventually married Jane E. Dearing.
HOMER DWIGHT WHEELER-A farmer and merchant and a man of remarkable resourcefulness and energy is Homer D. Wheeler. With perfect confidence we risk the statement that when Mr. Wheeler's fellow citizens of Chautauqua read this description not one will
question its accuracy. Mr. Wheeler is identified with the fraternal interests of his community, and is always ready to "lend a hand" in any endeavor to promote improvement of conditions.
Homer Dwight Wheeler was born Oct. 19, 1863, on a farm in the town of Pomfret, N. Y., and is a son of Dwight and Josephine (Tarbox) Wheeler. Mr. Wheeler was a farmer, and he and his wife are now both deceased. The education of Homer Dwight Wheeler was received in the district schools of Pomfret, and he obtained his first employment on neighboring farms. He went to Bradford, Pa., in 1879, and worked in the wholesale produce business. In 1896, he came to Chautauqua, N. Y., and served the soda water, ice cream and other refreshments at the Chautauqua Assembly, this opportunity opening a new field to him in which, for about eight years, he reaped profitable results. He then began to get other concessions- groceries for 14 years and dry goods for nine years. Later shoes were added to the list. He is now the owner of a nearby farm of 168 acres, all under cultiva- tion and devoted to stock raising and general farming. The residence is spacious and attractive. In politics, Mr. Wheeler is a Republican. He affiliates with the Masonic order-Chapter, Council, Knights Templar, Shrine and Consistory, having attained to the 32nd degree. He also affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was formerly a member of the Universalist church, but is now identified with no de- nomination.
Mr. Wheeler married, Oct. 7, 1896, Annie, daughter of Wesley M. and Jane Ann (Irwin) Cornell. A full account of the Cornell family, who were among the early settlers of Chautauqua town and village, may be found on another page of this work. Mrs. Wheeler is her husband's partner in business. They are the parents of two sons: Wilton H., born Feb. 25, 1902, and Wesley, born Feb. 15, 1903. They are students of Chautauqua High School, and have been trained in self-reliance. In these lads the most cherished hopes of their parents are centered.
JOHN FREDERICK FOSS, M. D .- Among the citizens of Dunkirk, Chautauqua county, N. Y., are to be found distinguished representatives of financial, industrial, mercantile and especially professional life, whose careers have brought or are bringing credit as well as material advantage to this prosperous com- munity. Among the rising members of the medical profession there must be mentioned Dr. John Fred- erick Foss who, although he has been in active practice there but a short time, has already gained a wide and high reputation for his skill and knowledge of his subject and for his observance of the best standards of professional ethics and etiquette. Dr. Foss is a native of Dunkirk, his birth having occurred there, May 27, 1895, a son of John and Amelia (Will) Foss, highly esteemed residents of the city.
As a lad he attended the local public schools, gradu- ating successively from the grammar and high school grades and being prepared in the latter for a collegiate course. His attention was early directed to medicine as a profession and, accordingly, upon completing his general education, he entered the Medical School of
Y. Oscar Johnson
245
BIOGRAPHICAL
the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1918. For one year he served as an interne at the Western Pennsylvania Hospital at Pittsburgh, Pa., having previously passed the examinations of the State Board of Medical Examiners of Michigan. In January, 1919, he passed the similar examinations of the New York State Board, and in October of the same year opened liis present office at Dunkirk. Since that time he has been successfully engaged in general medical practice here, and is at the same time making a specialty of surgical work. He has already gained the favorable recognition of both his fellow physicians and the community-at-large, and his future career promises to be a brilliant and successful one. During the war he served as a member of the Medical Reserve Corps. Dr. Foss is a member of the Dunkirk and Fredonia Med- ical Society, the Chautauqua County Medical Society, the New York State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association, and during his college days joined the Phi Beta Phi fraternity. In his religious belief he is a Lutheran, and attends the church of that denom- ination at Dunkirk. Dr. Foss has a sister and brother who also reside at Dunkirk, the former, Miss Hilde- garde Foss, being a teacher in the local public schools, and the latter, Howard Foss, being now a student at the Dunkirk High School.
N. OSCAR JOHNSON, an enterprising, aggressive, and well regarded citizen of Jamestown, N. Y., one of the principle owners of the Anchor Furniture Company, a rapidly developing manufacturing industry of that place, is not a native-born American but, as has so often been manifested by naturalized Americans, he brings to his adopted country a zest for labor and a power to produce such as bears a commendable part in the continuance in prosperity of the Nation. But for tlie efforts of its naturalized sons, these United States would play not nearly so important a part as they do in the world of today.
N. Oscar Johnson was born in Sweden. Aug. 7, 1872, the son of Johan and Elizabeth Johnson. The former is still living. N. Oscar received a public school educa- tion in his native country, and until he was eighteen years of age took agricultural employment. He then came to the United States, and to Jamestown, N. Y. For a short while he found work in Gerry, N. Y., and later at Kiantone, N. Y. He was determined quickly to become Americanized-to throw off the handicap of a poor knowledge of the language, and a limited education. While at Kiantone, he gave his labor for his board only, so that he might be able to attend the local school. Subsequently he returned to Jamestown and took work in the local factories. Three years later he removed to Randolph, N. Y., and began to learn thie trade of cabinetmaking, and also continued to improve his general education, attending the Chamber- lain Institute. Three years later, he returned to James- town and found steady employment in the local furniture factories until 1902, when he decided to venture with his brother into independent business. The develop- ment of the Anchor Furniture Company since its estab- lishment by the Johnson brothers, in 1902, has been noted, and is creditable to both of them.
N. Oscar Johnson is a substantial supporter of the Swedish Zion Mission Church, which he and his family attend. In political allegiance he is a Republican, taking active part in local affairs: at present he is supervisor for the Third and Sixth wards of the city. He is a member of the Jamestown Board of Commerce. The place he holds in the industrial life of Jamestown is particularly commendable, especially having regard to his early handicaps. He is a man of alert mind, optimistic spirit, and is one of Jamestown's respected and reliable employers of labor.
Mr. Johnson married, Feb. 2, 1901, Emma .A. Ottander, of Jamestown, and they have four children: Doris M., who is now in high school; Norris O., also in high school; Arline E., and Dalmer W. The two last named both attend the graded schools in James- town.
THE ANCHOR FURNITURE COMPANY, which is one of the substantial manufacturing industries of Jamestown, N. Y., has had very satisfactory growth, and is the commendable result of the energy, industrial ability, and enterprise of the brothers, Jones E. and N. Oscar Johnson, who came to Jamestown from Sweden, in 1890, and after gaining a comprehensive understand- ing of furniture manufacture on a large scale, they formed business partnership in 1902, to establishi the Anchor Furniture Company. They began humbly, with five employees, but they were aggressive, able producers, and above all produced a high grade article, so that the business steadily developed until today the company finds employment for 65 people, and the factory, which is four stories in height, covers a floor space of 21,600 square feet. The company sends its product to almost every State in the Union, and also exports to Mexico in the South and Canada in the North. The plant is equipped with the most modern devices and machinery for wood working, the company is soundly established, and both partners are com- paratively young, so that there is every prospect that the Anchor Furniture Company will continue to de- velop and become of increasing importance to the city of Jamestown.
CLAUDE STEPHEN ARNOLD-In the twelve years during which Mr. Arnold has been a resident of Chautauqua he has so thoroughly intrenched himself in the confidence of his fellow-citizens that any form of introduction would be wholly superfluous. Active in business and also in politics, Mr. Arnold is intimately associated with a number of the interests most essential to the wellbeing of the community.
Claude Stephen Arnold was born March 14, 1877, at Hartfield, N. Y., and is a son of William H. and Mary Ellen (Hardburg) Arnold. Mr. Arnold, who was a farmer, died in November, 1918, and his widow is still living. While Claude Stephen Arnold was a young child his parents left the farm on which he had been born and moved into the village of Hartfield. His earliest education was received in local district schools and he afterward attended Westfield High School. Before leaving school he had been employed irregularly, but he now entered upon a course of steady industry. At the age of twenty, Mr. Arnold went to Mayville,
246
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
where for three years he was employed by Lewis Bixby, working as a machinist and also doing electric wiring. He then went into the same line of business for himself. Twelve years ago he came to Chautauqua Assembly, obtaining plumbing and hardware con- sessions. Three years ago he secured the garage con- cession and now has a flourishing trade, employing, during the busy season, as many as 22 persons. He does most of the plumbing, tinning and hardware busi- ness conducted on the Chautauqua grounds. The garage has ninety private stalls and will store 68 additional. He is also agent for the Buick, Overland and Oakland cars, and carries a full line of supplies.
Politically, Mr. Arnold is a staunch Republican, and for years has served as a member of the Chautauqua County Republican Committee. He affiliates with the Masonic order, Council, Chapter, Consistory, Knights Templar and Shrine, and has received the thirty- second degree. He was reared in the Presbyterian church, but is now connected with no denomination. The thing that people are saying about Mr. Arnold and which they will say oftener as the years go on is this : "He is an exceptionally fine type of the self-made man."
Mr. Arnold married (first) Mildred, daughter of Horace and Julia (Hanchett) Bixby, of Mayville, N. Y., and they became the parents of one son, Paul Lewis, born Nov. 2, 1903, and now attending the high school. Mrs. Arnold passed away on Nov. 26, 1903, and Mr. Arnold married (second) Sept. 8, 1906, Cecilia, daughter of George Wood, who is now his able assistant, con- ducting the store with remarkable success.
CHARLES F. FALLDINE, of Jamestown, has had quite a varied career, as concerns business occupations, having been at different periods engaged in farming, employed in the office of an electrical concern in Pittsburgh, worked in the oil fields, and at furniture making. A man of considerable experience in matters of this kind, one who has made good in the work his hands found to do.
Charles F. Falldine was born in Jamestown, March 21, 1875, his parents being Gust A. and Minnie (Swanson) Falldine. The boy's advantages in the line of education were exceedingly limited, attending the public schools for a short time only, because of his eagerness to get into some form of business. Young Falldine began his career at an early age by obtaining employment in the worsted mills of Jamestown, and would probably have remained there for some time, but his parents moved into Mckean county, Pa., very near the city of Jamestown, and the lad went with them, working on the farm. While so occupied he, realizing his lack of education, became a pupil at the business college in Jamestown, taking up a general business course, his nearness to the city rendering it possible to do so and yet assist his father in the farm work. After mastering this business training he accepted a position in the Gas, Light and Heating Company of Kane, Pa., later finding employment in the oil fields of Pennsylvania, and next in the timber district of that State, remaining in that form of work for three years. His next occupation was in the hardware store of Theodore Crowell. He continued his connection
with Mr. Crowell for a while, and then became inter- ested in the Crescent Tool Company with some other men, he being one of the organizers of that concern, and at the present time treasurer, with headquarters on Harrison street, Jamestown. Mr. Falldine's last venture was with the Period Furniture Company, of which he is president. He is an energetic, keen business man, his ambitious nature constantly urging him to fresh efforts. He has prospered, being generally successful in his undertakings. While living in Kane, Pa., Mr. Falldine joined the Free Masons, taking the third degree only. He is also a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Norden Club.
Charles F. Falldine married, in Kane, Pa., Bertha Erickson, a resident of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Falldine have one child, Curtiss.
WILLIAM HENRY SCHARF-One of the lead- ing tailor shops in Jamestown is that of Jones & Scharf. They have a large clientele, some of them having been patrons of their shop since its establish- ment. The materials they carry are of the best quality and up-to-date in every way. The junior partner in the firm, William Henry Scharf, has been a resident of Jamestown for twenty-eight years, and has a fine repu- tation for his ability as a merchant tailor.
William Henry Scharf was born in Utica, N. Y., April 7, 1870, his parents being Ernest and Magda- lena Scharf, natives of Germany. Ernest Scharf now lives a retired life at Lyons, N. Y., but he formerly was a tailor and brought up his son William H. in the same line of business. The boy attended the public schools of Utica in the intermediate and advanced grades, graduating from the high school. When fourteen years old he entered the tailoring shop, attend- ing the Utica Business College at night. He learned the tailoring trade in his father's shop, and when about nineteen years old learned the cutting part of the busi- ness at night. On June 8, 1891, he went to Jamestown and obtained employment in the tailoring establishment of E. B. Smith, with whom he remained six and a half years. Following this Mr. Scharf went into business for himself in the Gifford building, remaining there only a short time, when he moved to Main street, going to No. 107 West Third street on Jan. 1, 1904. Here he carried on a very lucrative business for four years. In 1908 a new tailoring firm was started, Mr. Scharf being one of the organizers, the title of the new firm being Jones, Scharf & Lincoln. They purchased the Whitley store and conducted a fine establishment for three years, when Mr. Lincoln sold his interest in it to the other two partners, and the present firm of Jones & Scharf has continued the business. Mr. Scharf has charge of the merchant tailoring department. Mr. Scharf is a member of the Merchant Tailors and Designers Association, and also of the Norden Club. He is very active in Holy Trinity English Lutheran Church, of which he has been treasurer for the past twenty-five years.
At Utica, N. Y., William Henry Scharf was united in marriage to Jennie Werren, Aug. 22, 1894. Of this union three children were born: 1. Milton W., who is bookkeeper at the Monarch Furniture plant. 2. Lester W., assistant cutter in the Jones & Scharf store. 3.
F.F. Krewig D.V.M.
247
BIOGRAPHICAL
Kathryn Alice, who is attending school. She is only nine years of age, having been born June 9, 1910.
The two sons of Mr. Scharf have both been in the service of their country during the war with Germany. The elder, Milton W. Scharf, was with the 309th Machine Gun Battalion and was in the forefront of the fight in France, the 78th division, of which his battalion was a part, being in many of the severe battles. Young Mr. Scharf was in the St. Mihiel battle and was wounded at that time. The younger brother, Lester WV., enlisted July 1, 1918, in the United States Naval Reserve, and was sent to the Great Lakes training station. After a time he was assigned to service on the United States steamship "Iowa," and after being there for a time was transferred to the United States steamship "Howick Hall," a cargo ship. He made a trip to France and several trips along the coast. He served as a fireman on board the vessels to which he was assigned. On March 16, 1919, Mr. Scharf was mustered out of the service. William Henry Scharf has every reason to be proud of the war record of his sons; they offered their services and each did his bit in the great conflict.
DR. FREDERICK FRITZ KOENIG, who has been in Jamestown, N. Y., for only a short time, and who, since he came in 1918, has been engaged in the . practice of his profession, and is proprietor of the Jamestown Veterinary Hospital, is a man of good place among the leading veterinarians of the State of New York. He is a graduate of the New York State Veterinary College, Cornell University, and for nine years was a member of the faculty of that college.
Frederick F. Koenig was born in Rockville, Conn., June 16, 1883, the son of William and Frances Koenig, both of whom are still living, and are respected residents of Rockville, Conn. Frederick F. Koenig received his academic education in the grammar and high schools of Rockville. He was even in his youth much interested in agriculture, and was of that temperament which refuses to be satisfied with a lesser degree than the complete accomplishment of that to which the hand has been put. He was not content to follow farming occupations in the manner of the past and earlier generations; he wished to have knowledge of the scientific developments of this generation relating to agriculture, and while he worked in the old fashioned way on vegetable, dairy, and tobacco farms in Con- necticut, from his thirteenth to his nineteenth year, he meant to become a graduate ultimately of a good agricultural college. He did eventually go to such an institution, the Connecticut Agricultural College, and at that college he was eventually graduated in June, 1905. For a while thereafter, until the fall of 1906, he laid his hand to any agricultural occupation that came, working chiefly as herdsman. But he pro- ceeded to Ithaca in September, 1906, and there en- rolled as a student at the New York State Veteri- nary College of Cornell University. Three years later he received the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, and was invited to join the faculty of the college. As Assistant Professor of Veterinary Medi- cine, he remained at Cornell University for nine years, during which time he had opportunity for exhaustive
research in the branch of medical science he had elected to follow, and became well known among the leading veterinarians of the State. While at Ithaca, he was meat and dairy inspector for five years. He is con- nected with many professional organizations, including the New York State Veterinary Medical Association, the Western New York Veterinary Medical Association, the Society of Comparative Medicine, at Cornell Uni- versity, and the Southern Tier of the Veterinary Medical Association. He was elected a member of Sigma Xi in 1916, and at the Connecticut Agricultural College he was a member of the College Shakespeare Club. His college fraternity is the Alpha Psi. Dr. Koenig also belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Dr. Koenig was married on Dec. 26, 1912, at Ithaca, N. Y., to Anna M. Knight, daughter of John Knight, of Ithaca. They have one child, Marie, born Dec. 4, 1913, and now attends school in Jamestown.
CAPTAIN SAMUEL A. BROWN, JR .- To his fellow-citizens of Jamestown, Captain Brown is known not only by his military reputation, but also as a mem- ber of the insurance firm of Horton-Brown Insurance Agency. In the annals of the recent World War his name is endearingly inscribed as that of a gallant and faithful officer.
Samuel A. Brown, Jr., was born Dec. 17, 1894, in Jamestown, and is a son of Samuel A. and Carrie (Peters) Brown, the former, superintendent of mails in the Jamestown post office. Mrs. Brown died March 16, 1919. The early education of Samuel A. Brown, Jr., was received in local public schools, and in 1911 he graduated from Jamestown High School. Afterward he became a clerk in the service of the Clark Hard- ware Company, of Jamestown, retaining the position until signs of war began to appear on our national horizon. In February, 1916, Mr. Brown (as he then was) enlisted in Company E, 65th Regiment, under Captain Charles A. Sandburg (now Major Sandburg) and Colonel Thurston, and went to the Mexican border, where he remained nine months. When the United States entered the World War, Mr. Brown, at the call of President Wilson, again responded to the summons to take up arms, this time in Company E, 74th Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, and went to Camp Wadsworth, S. C., where he entered the officers' training school. There he was commissioned second lieutenant, May 5, 1918, and embarked with his company for France, May 18, 1918, sailing from Newport News. The most notable event of Lieutenant Brown's service abroad was the breaking of the Hin- denburg line on Sept. 29, 1918. In recognition of his gallant conduct on that ever-memorable day, he was commissioned first lieutenant, later receiving his com- mission as captain. He left France on Feb. 28, 1919, landing in America on March 6, 1919, and reaching home just in time to attend the funeral of his mother who passed away ten days later. On March 31. 1919, he was honorably discharged at Camp Upton.
After his return to Jamestown, Captain Brown was admitted to membership in the well known insurance firm of Horton Brothers, now Horton-Brown Insur- ance Agency. He thus took his place as a business
248
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
man in his home community. His political princi- ples are those advocated and supported by the Re- publican party. Personally Captain Brown is very popular, and looks like a real soldier, retaining the military bearing acquired during his term of service. He belongs to Ira Scott Spring Post, American Legion, and is a member of the Congregational church.
Captain Brown married, June 12, 1919, Edna, daugh- ter of Walter B. and May (Putnam) Horton, the former a member of the insurance firm to which Captain Brown was recently admitted.
The career of Captain Samuel A. Brown, Jr., has opened most auspiciously. He has made an honorable military record, and is now enrolled among the business men of his home town with every prospect that, in the years to come his name will be invested with merited distinction.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.