USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume II > Part 64
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CLYDE G. WOOLEY-Founder and proprietor of the Jamestown Oil Company. This is an introduction which might have been dispensed with inasmuch as Mr. Wooley's name would have been instantly recog- nized as that of the man we have described. He has been many years identified with the oil industry, and is an undisputed authority in regard to all matters connected with its development.
Daniel D. Wooley, father of Clyde G. Wooley, married Anna Crandell. Mr. Wooley has for many years been numbered among the agriculturists of New York State, where he and his wife continue to reside.
Clyde G. Wooley was born March 8, 1870, at Brant, N. Y., and was educated in the common schools and high school of Silver Creek. Until his nineteenth year he was engaged in farming, but then went to Buffalo, where for three years he was employed in a retail grocery store. Aferward he spent twelve years on the road as salesman for a wholesale grocery house. Becoming interested in the oil industry, Mr. Wooley came to Jamestown, and in July, 1905, founded the Jamestown Oil Company. This concern is a sub- sidiary of the Warren Oil Company of New York, and was organized as an oil station, conducted by Mr. Wooley with the assistance of one team. Oil was supplied wholesale to stores and factories and shipped, guaranteed, in barrels. The station now has three trucks and four men. Later Mr. Wooley sold to Warren representatives, and the concern was incorpor- ated as the Jamestown Oil Company. It was purchased by the Warren Oil Company of Pennsylvania which is allied to the Warren Oil Company of New York. The Warren Oil Company of Pennsylvania deals in crude oil and refined, has its own pipe line in Kentucky, and operates more than 1,000 tank cars. The Warren Oil Company of New York has stations in all parts of the State and in twelve other cities. Mr. Wooley is a stockholder in the Warren Oil Company of Pennsyl- vania, but not an office-holder. With two exceptions Mr. Wooley has been continuously a resident in James- town since the organization of the company. The exceptions each involved an absence of one year, the first in the Oklahoma oil fields and the second in Galveston, Tex. In Oklahoma he was the owner of a refinery, and in both places he gained much valuable experience. In politics Mr. Wooley is a Republican.
He affiliates with the Masonic fraternity. The standing of Mr. Wooley in the business circles of Chautauqua county has long been fully assured and wholly un- questioned. He is truly the architect of his own fortune.
Mr. Wooley married, Sept. 5, 1894, Alta, daughter of Elias and Emaline Hogle, and they are the parents of one daughter, Frances E. Wooley.
RALPH WALDO TAYLOR-The family of this name of which this article is written is traced to Scotland. The Christian name of the immigrant to America indicates his Scotch name and probably Scotch parentage, but the name Taylor being an English name suggests that those who bear it are descendent more or less remotely from English fore- bears, and that this family began its existence under its present surname south of the Cheviots. Duncan Taylor, a native of Scotland, removed from Glasgow, Scotland, to Prince Edward Island, Canada, where he lived and died. His wife, Christena (Murray) Taylor, died in 1876, aged over ninety years. The following children were born of this union, the four eldest being born in Scotland : Duncan, Neal, Donald and William, twins; James went to California, John, Malcolm, Mary, and Alexander. All immigrated to different parts of the United States.
A descendant of this family, Aaron Taylor, who was the great-grandfather of Ralph W. Taylor, was one of the first settlers of Chautauqua county, who became a successful farmer, finally moved to Jamestown and lived on Buffalo street, near where the present City Pumping Station is located, and at the corner of Windsor and Second streets he had a still.
Ralph W. Taylor was born in Chautauqua county, near the old Assembly grounds, Nov. 10, 1883, a son of George A. and Ella (Widrig) Taylor. Mr. Taylor, Sr., a son of Franklin Taylor, was a prominent con- tractor and builder in Chautauqua county, and is now living retired in Chautauqua. Ralph W. Taylor received his education in the public schools and the Jamestown Business College. He graduated from that institution with the class of 1900. In 1901 he began his business career as collector for the J. C. & L. E. Railroad. His promotion was rapid, and he became cashier of the company, which office he filled until 1904, when ill health forced him to resign his position. However, some months later, he returned and accepted a position with L. F. Shed, with whom he remained one year. On Wednesday, Sept. 5, 1905, he accepted a position with the Bailey Jones Company as assistant book- keeper, which position he filled until August, 1907, when he accepted a position as traveling salesman for the same company, his territory being New York and Pennsylvania. In May, I911, he resigned his position to accept a position with the Atlas Furniture Company, as their secretary and treasurer. On May 24, 1917, Mr. Taylor bought the interest of Charles I. Moore. The company was reorganized and Mr. Taylor became president and chairman of the board of directors. Mr. Taylor's ability and thorough knowledge of the furniture business is recognized throughout the county, and he has filled many positions in different associa- tions. He was the first president, and he held the office for three years, of the Furniture Market Asso-
John W. Lenhart, M. D.
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ciation. He is president of the Interstate Furniture Manufacturers Association, and is a director of the National Alliance Case Goods Manufacturers Associ- ation. He is also a member of the governing board of the National Counsel Furniture Manufacturers Asso- ciation of Chicago, Ill. He is past counselor of the United Commercial Travelers Association of America. Mr. Taylor is a member of the Masonic order, hav- ing attained the thirty-second and Knights Templar degrees. He is past commander of the Jamestown Commandery, No. 61. He is also a member of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Mr. Taylor is entitled to membership in the Sons of the American Revolution, through the direct descent of his great-great-grand- father, Isaac Staples, who was a prominent farmer of Chautauqua county, who served in the Revolutionary War under General Washington, and who is buried at Lakeview Cemetery. Mr. Taylor is a member of the Jamestown Club. In religious belief he affiliates with the First Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is steward.
At Jamestown, N. Y., June 14, 1906, Ralph W. Taylor was united in marriage with Lena R. Moses, daughter of Frank S. and Belle S. Moses. Mr. Moses is one of the prominent retired business men of Jamestown. To the above union were born four children: Ralph Waldo, Jr., born July 10, 1908; Robert Lea, born Aug. 9, 1912; William Earle, born Sept. 4, 1915; and John Moses, born June 27, 1918. The first two named are attending the public schools of Jamestown.
In the foregoing review, it has been a pleasure to write of the career of a successful, self-made man. Peculiar honor attaches to that individual who, beginning the great struggle of life alone and unaided, gradually overcomes environment, removes one by one the obstacles in the pathway to success, and by master strokes of his own force and vitality succeeds in forg- ing his way to the front and winning for himself a position of esteem and influence among his fellow-men. Such is the record of Ralph W. Taylor.
JAMESTOWN TABLE COMPANY-In 1890 a partnership was formed between Charles W. Morgan and L. C. Jaggar for the purpose of manufacturing parlor and library tables. A four-story building including basement was erected and steam power in- stalled, and they gave employment to about 100 persons. In March, 1891, the first shipment was made of their product ; the business prospered, and in 1895 Mr. Jaggar bought the Morgan interests, and shortly after sold an interest in the company to Allen Falconer, the factory retaining the old firm name of the Morgan Manufactur- ing Company. This partnership continued until 1906, when Mr. Cyrus E. Jones bought out Mr. Falconer's interest, the business was incorporated under the State laws, and given the name of the Jamestown Table Company, with a capital stock of $60,000. The stock- holders at that time were: Charles I. Moore, James Tillson, Jr., Thomas E. Perkins, Fred H. Sears, Richard Peart, William S. Kingsley, and Oscar J. Perry. The officers elected were: President, L. C. Jaggar; vice-president, Charles I. Moore; treasurer, Richard Peart; secretary, Thomas E. Perkins; chair- man of the board of directors, Cyrus E. Jones. The
personnel of this firm remained the same until 1913, when L. C. Jaggar withdrew from the company and his interests were acquired by other members of the firm. New officers were elected, as follows: President, Charles I. Moore; vice-president, Thomas E. Perkins; secretary and treasurer, Richard Peart. Two years later Richard Peart withdrew from the firm, and the following year C. I. Moore sold his interests to Ralph W. Taylor. At that time James Tillson, Jr., removed to Jamestown from Grand Rapids, Mich., and became secretary and treasurer of the company, with Ralph WV. Taylor as president. In 1917, the company discon- tinued the manufacture of tables, and took up the man- ufacture of bed room furniture. In this they have been very successful, and their output is sent all over the United States. The business has continued to grow and is one of the most important manufacturing plants of Western New York. The company is a member of the Manufacturers Association of Jamestown, the National Alliance of Case Goods Manufacturers, and the Merchants and Manufacturers Association of New York State.
JOHN J. LENHART, M. D., fate of Bemus Point, Chautauqua county, N. Y., where his death occurred March 26, 1915, was for many years one of the most prominent physicians in these parts and enjoyed a reputation second to none for skill and the high qual- ities of manhood. He was a native of Westmoreland, Pa., born Sept. 10, 1844, a son of Peter and Catherine Lenhart, old and highly respected residents of that place.
As a lad he attended the public schools of his native region and was there prepared for college. A little later, having made up his mind to become a physician, he matriculated at the Eclectic College at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he took the usual medical course and was graduated. He pursued post-graduate study at the Allopathic College of Buffalo, and at the Polyclinic of New York. Upon completing his studies at that institution, he came to Bemus Point, where he opened an office and here remained in continuous practice of his profession until within a few years of his death. During that time he built up a very large practice in Bemus Point and the surrounding region, and was soon recognized as one of the leading physicians of the place. His strong character and cheerful personality were ideal for the sick room and acted with as much potency as his medicines themselves to bring about his cures, especially in the case of patients with nervous and hypochondriac complaints. During the last few years of his life, Dr. Lenhart withdrew from the active practice of medicine and spent his time in well earned leisure. Dr. Lenhart, besides his professional activi- ties, was always keenly interested in the general material wellfare of the community, and was promi- nently connected with the Union Trust Company of Jamestown. He was a Republican in politics, but his duties in other fields prevented him from taking part in a department of the community's life for which his many talents eminently fitted him, although he was without ambition for political preferment of any kind. He was a prominent Free Mason, being affiliated with the Lodge, Chapter, Council, and Commandery. In
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religious belief he was a Universalist and attended the church of that denomination at Bemus Point.
Dr. Lenhart was united in marriage, April 29, 1875, at Bemus Point, with Dora B. Baldwin, a native of Ellery, N. Y., and a daughter of Philander and Alcina (Copp) Baldwin, the former a native of Vermont, and the latter of Marcellus, N. Y. One child was born of this union, namely, Charlotte L., born July 25, 1877, at Ellery. She became the wife, June 1, 1912, at Bemus Point, of George Anson Johnson, to whom she has borne two children: Jane Isadora and John Lenhart. In the year 1881, Dr. Lenhart erected a fine hotel building at Bemus Point, which he operated successfully for about ten years, or until it was destroyed by fire in 1891. The following year he rebuilt a still more handsome building, containing fifty-two rooms, for the same purpose. This commodious hotel is filled every June by the rush of trippers to the lake, it being one of the pleasantest places on its shore.
CHARLES L. RICKENBRODE, of Ripley, N. Y., partner in the manufacturing enterprise established at Ripley twenty-five years ago, is of the younger gener- ation of the substantial business men of Chautauqua county, of which county he is a native.
He was born in Mayville, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Feb. 16, 1884, the son of William B. and Ma y A. (Wolf) Rickenbrode. His father has been an extensive fruit grower in Chautauqua county for many decades, and twenty-five years ago established the fruit package manufacturing plant at Ripley, of which business his son, Charles L., is now a partner. To William B. and Mary A. (Wolf) Rickenbrode have been born six children, two sons and four daughters.
Charles L. Rickenbrode was educated in the graded and high schools of Ripley, eventually graduating from the latter school. Having decided to enter commercial life, he took a business course at the Hearst Private School at Buffalo, N. Y., after graduating from which institution he took commercial employment in clerical capacity of minor consequence, continuing for two years, and then for six months was at the World's Fair, St. Louis, Mo., as representative of the Randall's Grape Juice Company, of Ripley, N. Y. Soon after his return from St. Louis he entered into partnership with his father, undertaking the commercial and office affairs of the manufacturing plant his father had been successfully conducting at Ripley. That most enter- prising business, which specialized in the manufacture of fruit baskets and packages, had been developed to an appreciable yearly output, as many as 1,200,000 baskets, of various sizes and shapes, being made at the plant during the course of a season, some of them most ingenious, economical, and convenient devices for the holding of fruit. Since 1905, Charles L. Rickenbrode has been connected with it, and has had good part in its satisfactory expansion of business. He is an alert, energetic, and enterprising business man, and has conscientiously and ably furthered his father's efforts. Latterly, the business has been more wholly conducted by the son, for the father is also an extensive fruit grower. Politically, Mr. Rickenbrode is a Republican, but has given his time mainly to the affairs of his own business. He is a popular and respected resident of
Ripley, and fraternally he is identified with the Benev- olent and Protective Order of Elks and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In general characteristics, he is a man of commendable industry and usefulness, and of steady, reliable, moral integrity.
Charles L. Rickenbrode, at Buffalo, N. Y., on Oct. 30, 1908, was married to Alice E. Hannon, of Corry, Pa. She took active part in the woman's phase of war work in the home states while the war was proceeding, and her husband and she contributed unstintingly to the various funds raised for war purposes.
CHARLES WALFRED BERGLUND-To this name should be added: Organizer and first president of the Alliance Furniture Company of Jamestown. Further words are unnecessary, for Mr. Berglund, who passed away a number of years ago, was sincerely respected and cordially liked by the large body of his fellow-citizens to whom he was known by reputation and greatly beloved by the inner circle of his personal friends.
Claus W. Berglund, father of Charles Walfred Berg- lund, was a native of Sweden, and followed the trade of a carpenter and joiner. About 1873 he emigrated to the United States, settling in Jamestown, where he followed his trade and spent the remainder of his life. Mr. Berglund married, in Sweden, and the following children were born to him: Amanda, Victor, Charles Walfred, mentioned below; and Almeda. Mr. and Mrs. Berglund both died in Jamestown. They were members of the Swedish Lutheran church.
Charles Walfred Berglund, son of Claus W. and Mary Berglund, was born in Sweden, Dec. 24, 1871, and was about three years old when brought by his parents to the United States. Until his eleventh year he attended local public schools, and was then obliged to seek em- ployment to help eke out the meager family income. In later life he regretted that his opportunities for acquiring an education had been, of necessity, so extremely limited. His first position was in the furni- ture factory of the A. C. Norquist Company, and there he learned the trade of band sawing, also acquiring a competent knowledge of other branches of the furniture business. Early and late he worked at his trade, often continuing his labors at home in order to save money with which to go into business for himself. The time came when his efforts received their just reward, and he became the promoter and one of the organizers of the Alliance Furniture Company, being elected presi- dent of the corporation. This position he filled most satisfactorily to the close of his life. The corporation is now numbered among the leading manufacturers of furniture in Jamestown. Mr. Berglund gave much time and attention to the business and it was mainly owing to his unwearied industry and sound judgment that it grew into the large and prosperous concern which it now is.
In Jamestown and its institutions Mr. Berglund was always deeply interested, having an abiding faith in their possibilities. Anxious as he was to supply the deficiencies of his early education, he often spent his evenings at home in study, endeavoring to obtain a better command of the English language and a full knowledge of business requirements and qualifications.
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He was a broad-minded man, liberal in his views on both politics and religion.
Mr. Berglund married, Dec. 24, 1892, in Jamestown, Elizabeth Jenkinson, born in Erie county, Pa., daughter of William and Catharine (Cunningham) Jenkinson, and they became the parents of two children: Glenn W., educated in public and high schools; and Elester W., now a student. Both these children are at home with their widowed mother, who has always been devoted to her family and was ever a willing helpmate to her husband, working with him and encouraging him in his ambition to succeed. Having enjoyed superior educational advantages, she was able to assist him in his studies at home. Mrs. Berglund retains her hus- band's interest in the Alliance Furniture Company. She is a member of the Unitarian church, also belong- ing to the Church Guild.
On July 14, 1905, being then in the prime of his young manhood, Mr. Berglund passed away, leaving behind him the name of a good citizen and an honest, upright man, always faithful to high ideals. The loss to his wife and children was irreparable, desire for their happiness and welfare having ever been at the heart of all his endeavors and ambitions. Dying while still a young man, Charles Walfred Berglund left a worthy monument in the business which he founded and which continues to flourish. Truly his works follow him.
HARRY WILLIAM BOYD, prominent business man of Jamestown, N. Y., where he operates a large undertaking business at No. 319 Washington street, is a native of this city, his birth having occurred April 19, 1880. He is a son of William Henry and Catherine (Casey) Boyd, old and highly respected residents of Jamestown. The elder Mr. Boyd was employed as a tool maker and machinist with the Art Metal Con- struction Company from the time of its founding, when it was known as the Fenton Metalic Company, until his retirement from business. He was a native of Silver Creek, Chautauqua county, N. Y., and his wife was born in Hornell, N.Y. They were the parents of two children, Harry William, with whom we are here especially concerned, and Grace Margaret, who became the wife of - Freeman, and resides at Jamestown. Mr. Boyd is a grandson of Robert Boyd, who for many years was a coppersmith at Jamestown.
The education of Harry William Boyd was obtained at Jamestown, where he attended the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Parochial School and the public schools. He afterwards was a student at the Jamestown Busi- ness College. In the year 1898 he started to work at the Art Metal Construction Company's plant, being employed in the stock room in a clerical capacity for about one year. He then secured employment with the Wells Fargo Express Company, working at first on one of their delivery wagons, but he made himself so valuable that he was rapidly promoted, first to the position of night clerk, and later to that of express messenger, which position he held at the time he left their employ in 1903. He was then salesman for Lindquist & Johnson, wholesale fruit merchants, until 1904, when he left them to enter the employ of Hender- son & Lincoln, undertakers, and worked for this firm
eleven years, and engaged in business for himself, Oct. 12, 1912. Mr. Boyd has built up a very large establish- ment at Jamestown, which is recognized as one of the largest of its kind in this region, and engages in business throughout the State. He is a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church, at Jamestown, and is active in the work of the parish. Mr. Boyd is prom- inent in the social and club circles, and is a member of Jamestown Council, No. 926, Knights of Columbus, of which he is past grand knight, and is serving his second term as secretary of this organization. He is also affiliated with Aerie No. 816, Order of Eagles, the Exempt Firemen's Association, and the Order of Maccabees.
Harry William Boyd was united in marriage, at Jamestown, N. Y., Feb. 16, 1905, with Florence Smith, daughter of John and Annie (Travers) Smith, of Jamestown. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd are the parents of two children, Coyle Anthony and Luke Howard.
EDWARD PHILLIP JOHNSON-One of the bright, younger business men of Jamestown is Edward Phillip Johnson, a druggist on Main street. He is ener- getic and reliable, his constant effort being to keep a thoroughly up-to-date stock and to satisfy his customers in every possible manner.
Edward Phillip Johnson was born in Jamestown, N. Y., March 9, 1883, the son of Andrew J. and Sophia Johnson; the former is still living, but Mrs. Johnson died some time ago. In the early years of his life young Johnson attended the public school in his native city, but by the time he had finished his first year in high school he had determined to study pharmacy, and with this end in view, gave up his school work and entered a drug store, studying and preparing himself for a course at the University of Buffalo. In 1904, the young man went to Buffalo and became a student in the College of Pharmacy, continuing his studies for a year and a half, after which, in 1906, Mr. Johnson passed the examination of the State Board of Exam- iners. After his return from Buffalo, he became a clerk in the store of Winnberg & Batcheller, remaining as such four years. In 1914 Mr. Johnson bought out Axel E. Johnson at the corner of Main and First streets, conducting the store, first with Glenn Phillips for a year, and later with A. C. Speer for two years, then with S. T. Bowers, with whom he is now connected in the drug business. In July, 1918, they removed to their present quarters, No. 21 Main street. The drug store of Johnson & Bowers is a popular one, and the business is rapidly growing, the public having full confidence in the proprietors. Mr. Johnson is a mem- ber of the National Association of Retail Druggists. Mr. Johnson is lined up on the Republican side of the political field, but he is not interested in politics.
On Sept. 20, 1905, Edward Phillip Johnson marricd, in Buffalo, Julia A. Caldwell, of that city. She died in Jamestown, July 23, 1919. They had one child, Lorraine, now attending school.
GARDNER D. WALKER-DAVID RIDER- Many of the older residents of Chautauqua county will undoubtedly recognize the first of these names as that
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of one of the loyal sons whom, in the dark days of the Civil War, she sent to represent her on the battlefield and who laid down his life in the service of his country. The other name is familiar to three generations of the county's citizens as that of one who spent his life among them, always maintaining a reputation which insured him the sincere esteem and cordial liking of his neighbors and associates.
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