USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume II > Part 71
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
My dear children, pray for me and pray that we may all meet in heaven. Life is uncertain. We may never meet again, but if we ever meet again in heaven that will repay us all.
Our loss is your mother's gain I know. Therefore I am reconciled to my loss although it seems I have lost my all in this world. . My heart is so full I scarce know what I am writing. Your affectionate father, JAMES HILTON.
William Hilton married, Sept. 12, 1853, in Charlotte township, Fidelia Straight, born Sept 8, 1821, daughter of Hiram Straight, and their children were: Clarence W., born Aug. 22, 1855, killed by an accident March 12, 1873; Thomas E., mentioned below; and Nellie F., born Sept. 29, 1863, married Milton E. Stevens. William Hilton died Oct. 13, 1887, at his home in Charlotte township, and his wife also passed away on the farm. Truly excellent they were, beloved by many and respected by the entire community.
Thomas E. Hilton, son of William and Fidelia (Straight) Hilton, was born Aug. 20, 1860, in Charlotte township, and received his education in the local dis- trict schools. He was reared upon the farm and during his father's lifetime was always associated with him in its management. For many years he was its owner, devoting it to dairy farming and making extensive improvements. In 1900 he purchased the Knott farm, which was situated near the homestead, and this also he operated, engaging in stock-raising. For thirty years Mr. Hilton was the representative in Charlotte township of the firm of Wheeler & Company, manufac- turers of fertilizers, of Rutland Vt., and each year handled over 100 tons, which he sold in the county.
In politics, Mr. Hilton was a Republican and took an active part in community affairs, serving for fifteen
-
276
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
years in the office of assessor. He was a member of the Charlotte Center Grange, No. 669. Enterprising, progressive and personally popular, he was regarded as one of the representative men of the township.
Mr. Hilton married. Jan. 20, 1884, Elizabeth O. Howe, born at Forestville, Hanover township, Chau- tauqua county, daughter of Heber G. and Maria (Rock- well) Howe, and they became the parents of the following children : I. Glen E., born May 2, 1886, died Oct. 5, 1892. 2. Clarence Lee, born Jan. 3, 1888, and is now a farmer in the town of Arkwright; married Lela Simmons. 3. Thomas Earl, born Feb. 18, 1889, now lives in Sinclairville; married Bertha Turney, and they have one child, Richard Earl. 4. Frederick E., born Dec. 17, 1893, now a farmer on the homestead. 5. John H., born Oct. 13. 1903, also living on the homestead. These two younger sons now assist their mother in the management of the farm. Mrs. Hilton has always been a devoted wife and mother and with her husband the domestic affections were ever predominant.
On April 3, 1919, Mr. Hilton closed his long, useful and well-spent life, passing away on the home farm which he had done so much to make what it was. He was deeply mourned by the many who had learned to appreciate his sterling traits of character and his rare value as a citizen. He was an all-around man, a man who always counted, and in his community and in the circle of his personal friends he has left vacant a place destined never to be wholly filled.
HAROLD CURTIS WHITE-Prominent in city affairs, and a much respected citizen of Jamestown, Chautauqua county, N. Y., is Harold Curtis White, the popular and efficient city auditor, whose conduct of his responsible post has won him the respect and admi- ration of the entire community. Mr. White is a native of Harmony, N. Y., born July 23, 1890, a son of George W. and Kate E. (Badgley) White, old and highly respected residents of that place. Both of Mr. White's parents are living at the present time, his father being successfully engaged in business as a grocer at Lake- wood, in this county.
Mr. White began his education at the Lakewood public schools, to which place his parents removed when he was a small child, and later attended the Jamestown High School, from which he was graduated with the class of 1909 and where he was prepared for college. He then matriculated at the University of Pennsylvania, where for three years, in 1910, 1911 and 1912, he took a special course in accountancy, after which he returned to Jamestown and accepted a posi- tion of office manager for Charles Lindheck, who operated a large lumber and planing mill business. Mr. White gave such eminently expert service to his employer that he attracted the attention of the city authorities, and on March 4, 1918, was appointed audi- tor of the city of Jamestown, the post which he fills so efficiently at the present time. Mr. White is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Jamestown, and of Mt. Moriah Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and Mt. Tabor Lodge, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, both of this city. He enjoys the well earned reputation of being a most
energetic and capable young man, and it is safe to prophecy a brilliant future for him both in the matter of personal achievements and valuable public service.
Harold Curtis White was united in marriage, May 20, 19II, while yet attending college, with Maie Ennis, of Philadelphia, a daughter of James H. and Sarah Ennis, old and highly respected residents of that place. To Mr. and Mrs. White three children have been born, as follows: Harold Curtis, Jr., Gordon Ennis, and Elinor Elizabeth.
HAROLD W. BATES, a rising young business man of Jamestown, N. Y., secretary of the Warren Ross Lumber Company, of Falconer, N. Y., has been a resi- dent of Jamestown for more than thirty years.
He was born in Stockton, N. Y., March 9, 1884, the son of Walter H. and Adele (Jones) Bates. His parents, however, removed to Jamestown four years after his birth, and in the graded and high schools of that town Harold W. obtained all of his academic education. Thereafter for eight years he was in the employ of the Erie Railroad Company, serving in the local freight office of that company. Subsequently, for six years, he assisted his father in the operation of the latter's cheese factory at Centralia, N. Y., the son undertaking the clerical work of the establishment. In February, 1913, Harold W. Bates entered the employ- of the Warren Ross Lumber Company, and proved his value as an executive. In 1917, he was made secretary of the company, which position he has since held. He is a man of conscientious steadiness, efficient and enterprising, as well as a methodical worker, and he is very well regarded in Jamestown. Politically, he gives allegiance to the Republican party, and although he does not take much part in National politics, he is keenly interested in local matters, and is an active member of the Jamestown Board of Com- merce. He is a Mason, of third degree, and belongs to the Alpha Zeta fraternity. Religiously he is a Presby- terian, and a regular attendant at the First Presby- terian Church of Jamestown.
In June, 1903, Mr. Bates was married, at Jamestown, to Georgia Smith, daughter of William W. Smith, an Erie Railroad agent for forty years.
CARL L. LIEDBLAD-A member of the Swedish colony in Jamestown is Carl L. Liedblad; though he is not a Swede by birth, he is, by descent and association, interested in the ways and traditions of Sweden, and he inherits the ability and perseverance of that race. In common with others who claim the land of the midnight sun as the home of their ancestors, Carl L. Liedblad is full of energy, ambition and determination of character that spells success.
Born in Jamestown, N. Y., Feb. 1, 1867, he was the son of Frederick and Marie Liedblad, both of whom are now deceased. He entered the grammar school of Jamestown, but his education was very limited, as he started to work at the age of ten years in the Broad- head mills. Some part of the time he attended school sessions, gaining what education he could in this inter- mittent way while working. After a time young Liedblad sought employment in the Breed Furniture
-
CLLiedblad .
277
BIOGRAPHICAL
Company, spending four years in learning the trade of finisher on furniture; then for a short time he was in the employ of Beaman, Breed & Phillips in their finishing department, but soon returned to the Breed Furniture Company. He had just at that time an opportunity to become forcman of the finishing room of Blanchard & Miller, so he left the Breed Furniture Company and for a time remained with Blanchard & Miller. Then he changed his location again to take charge of the finishing room of C. J. Norquist, and eventually returned to the Breed Furniture Company with a contract to oversee their finishing department. He remained with them for a long time, and then became the general superintendent of the Maddox, Bailey Company, remaining in that capacity for eigh- teen years. While there he assisted in organizing the C. W. Herrick Manufacturing Company, finally becoming the superintendent of the works, a position he held for one year, when he sold out his interest in it, having organized and incorporated the Acme Furniture Company, The president and general man- ager is Carl L. Liedblad, the vice-president and treas- urer is J. Ernest Johnson, while the secretary is Carl S, Liedblad, the son of the president. The com- pany was incorporated, April 1, 1916, as manufacturers of library tables, taborettes, pedestals, etc., and it has proved itself to be a well managed, successful concern; their floor space covers 1,300 square feet, and the machinery installed is the most modern of its kind. Thirty men are constantly employed. While a small factory, it is well equipped in every detail, being regarded as a busy, up-to-date concern.
In Jamestown, June 7, 1888, Carl L. Liedblad married Augusta O. Carlson, of Jamestown. Of this marriage three children were born: 1. Ruby, now Mrs. Bloomburg. 2. Pearl F. 3. Carl S., born in Jamestown, Nov. 13, 1895. This son has been given every oppor- tunity to gain a good business education, having grad- uated from both grammar and high schools of James- town, later taking a special course in efficiency and character reading. He also learned the trade of furni- ture finisher in the factory of C. W. Herrick & Com- pany, which his father had helped to organize. He also was with the Marvel Furniture Company before going into the Acme Furniture Company with his father. This young man is a very active worker in the Young Men's Christian Association of Jamestown, and in the First Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church. Carl S. Liedblad belonged at one time to the Prohibition party, but is now an Independent in politics. His father is a Republican in his political adherence, and in 1888 and 1889 was inspector of polls. Carl L. Liedblad is a mem- ber of the Norden Club, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He, too, is a worker in the First Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church, all his family attending it.
While not an aggressive man, Mr. Liedblad believes in doing his bit in helping any movement for the advancement of Jamestown; he is a good citizen, a good employer, and a good husband and father. The Aeme Furniture Company is regarded as a reliable concern, their products being carried by retailers all over the country.
DR. CHARLES ELLERY ALLEN, the prominent dentist of Broeton, Chautauqua county, N. Y., where he has been engaged in practice on a large scale for a number of years, is a native of Farmington, Ontario county, N. Y., his birth having occurred at that place Jan. 31, 1877. He is a son of Ellery G. and Mary Jane (Briggs) Allen, old and highly respected residents of Ontario county, where the childhood and early youth of Dr. Allen were spent.
As a lad he attended the public schools of his native place and the Macedon Academy, being prepared for college in the latter institution. He then entered the Dental School connected with the University of Buffalo, and was graduated from there with the class of 1901, taking the degree of D. D. S. He then passed the examinations of the State Board of Examiners in the same year and came directly to Brocton, where he opened an office and has been praetieing ever since with a high degree of success. He is now regarded as one of the most capable dentists in this entire region, and enjoys a wide reputation on account of the high stand- ards of professional ethics which he has always main- tained. Dr. Allen is a member of Lake Shore Lodge, No. 851, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is pastmaster; the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor; and the Xi Psi Phi college fraternity, In his religious belief Dr. Allen is a Methodist, and attends the church of that denomi- nation.
Dr. Allen was united in marriage, June 27, 1906, with Dorothy L. Engert, of Lincoln, N. Y., a daughter of Henry and Lena (Busch) Engert, They are the parents of three children, as follows: Arthur E., Lucile M., and Dorothy M.
GLENN C. DARLING, enterprising and successful farmer at Conewango Valley, N. Y., and a representa- tive of the alert, intelligent and business-like younger generation of agriculturists, is a native of the county, and for forty years has lived in the section in which he was born.
He was born at Conewango, Oct. 8, 1878, the son of Charles B. and Mattie (Snow) Darling. His father was a farmer in Conewango for the greater part of his life, and there the boy was reared, attending the public schools of the place, and thereafter turning assiduously and intelligently to farming, first upon his father's farm. Ile now owns a good property, and has done much during the last decade to improve it. He has followed the developments of scientifie farming with elose interest, and has adopted many modern methods, having proved them to be practically good as well as theoretically good. Especially during the recent war did Mr. Darling apply himself assiduously to farming operations; then he had a two-fold purpose, chief of them perhaps being the desire to cooperate with the government in the endeavor to bring increasing yields of food stuffs from American agricultural lands, so that the starving and impoverished peoples of Europe might be sustained until the victory was won, and they could again bring their lands into good bearing. The American farmer, of loyal, patriotic heart, such as Glenn C. Darling, had an appreciable part
278
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
in the final victory. That part, in the separate individ- ualistic phase, did not appear to have a consequential bearing upon the national and international cause, but when seen in the aggregate the part of the American farmer in the Great War was certainly a consequential one. And not only in personal labor did Mr. Darling cooperate, but he subscribed liberally to most of the war issues, and his house was always open to the fur- loughed or returning soldier. Mr. Darling attends the Methodist church and bears his part in the mainte- nance of the local church.
Mr. Darling was married on March 22, 1910, to Arlouine I. McKee, daughter of William S. and May A. (Bush) McKee. She was born in Randolph, Jan. 29, 1889, and has borne to her husband one child, Glenn C., Jr., born Oct. 5, 1917. Mr. and Mrs. Darling have a comfortable home, are good neighbors, and are esteemed in the community. Mr. Darling, by his energetic methods, his commendable industry, and his skillful farming, has succeeded well and is popular among the people of the district.
ELMER WILLIAM CARLSON-One of the lead- ing jewelers in Jamestown, Elmer William Carlson, is a native of the United States, though of Swedish parentage. Though in business for himself for less than two years, he has met with more than ordinary amount of good fortune and the outlook for the future is most encouraging.
Born in Jamestown, Aug. 23, 1874, Elmer William Carlson enjoyed the advantage arising from a good public school education, being a graduate of the grammar and high schools of his native city. With this as the groundwork for a business education, the young man went to Peoria, Ill., entering Bradley's Horological Institute and taking a course in engraving. After graduating in this branch of instruction, he returned to Jamestown, entering the jewelry store of L. L. Mason and served for four years as an apprentice in that business. Following this he was employed by several different jewelers, and then went to Scranton, Pa., where he remained for two years, having been engaged during that time in the same line of work. Then coming back to Jamestown for the second time he obtained employment in 1910 with S. E. Anderson, a jeweler, continuing there as a salesman for nearly eight years; then he bought out the business, February, 1918, and reopened the store under the name of E. W. Carlson, jeweler. Mr. Carlson is a Republican in politics, though not an active participant in any way. He is interested in various social and beneficial asso- ciations, among them being the Order of Eagles, the Protective Home Circle and Insurance Society, of which he is the local accountant. He is also a member of the Norden Club.
In 1899 Mr. Carlson married Jane Hilda Gustavson, in Jamestown, N. Y. They have three children: Doris May, Irene Jeannette, Lois Elmer.
M. WATSON RIPLEY-The late M. Watson Ripley, who was numbered among the progressive and successful agriculturists of Chautauqua county, was a representative of a family, the members of which were
noted for uprightness of character and all the attributes that make for worthy manhood and womanhood. He was born at West Ellery, Chautauqua county, N. Y., June 19, 1851, son of Refine H. and Celestia (Manley) Ripley, the former named a native of Massachusetts, removing during his boyhood, with his parents, to Chautauqua county, N. Y., they locating in the vicinity of Ellery, where Refine H. Ripley followed the occupa- tion of farming throughout the active years of his life.
M. Watson Ripley attended the schools of his district, and when arriving at a suitable age followed in the footsteps of his father, devoting his attention to the cultivation of the soil, thereby acquiring a comfortable livelihood. In 1873, his father, Refine H. Ripley, pur- chased a farm located at Bemus Point, the property consisting of 85 acres, which was later transferred to M. Watson Ripley, who erected a commodious frame house, in 1911, at the present time (1920) occupied by their daughter, Mrs. Howard E. Thompson. Here Mr. Ripley spent the remainder of his days, improving and beautifying the grounds, esteemed and honored by all with whom he was brought in contact. Mr. Ripley was a member of the Order of the Maccabees, and he and his wife were active and consistent members of the Methodist church at Bemus Point.
Mr. Ripley married Jennie Southwell, a native of St. Catherine, Ontario, Canada, but at the time of her marriage a resident of Buffalo, N. Y. She was a daughter of Richard and Catherine Southwell. They were the parents of one child, Nellie, born May 27, 1888, who became the wife of Howard E. Thompson, of whom further. The death of Mr. Ripley occurred at Bemus Point, April 12, 1915, aged sixty-four years, he having survived his wife two years, her death occurring on April 24, 1913.
Howard E. Thompson was born in Chautauqua county, N. Y., July 31, 1887, son of Quincy and Alice (Vincent) Thompson, old and highly respected resi- dents of that section of the State, where the former for many years followed agricultural pursuits. Howard E. Thompson attended the local schools, later supple- menting this study by attendance at the Jamestown Business College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1912. His first employment was as book- keeper and stenographer for the Erie railroad, in which capacity he served until March, 1913, when he became connected with the Rural Free Delivery, continuing in that service until his death, which occurred Feb. 23, 1918, at the early age of thirty-one years, thus terminat- ing a career which was full of promise. By his marriage to Nellie Ripley, aforementioned, one child was born, Howard Ripley Thompson, May 19, 1916, at Bemus Point. Since the death of Mr. Thompson, his widow makes her home on the farm formerly owned by her parents, the house being delightfully situated on the shore of the lake.
OSCAR E. ANDERSON, one of the founders, and the present president of the Monarch Furniture Com- pany and vice-president of the Marvel Furniture Com- pany, two promising and rapidly expanding industrial interests of Jamestown, N. Y., is becoming well placed among the able and enterprising manufacturers, of
279
BIOGRAPHICAL
the younger generation, of that place. He is not yet forty years of age, and directs some manufacturing concerns that might easily become of appreciable im- portance to the city.
Oscar E. Anderson was born in Sweden, Oct. 16, 1880, and is the son of Andrew and Lise Anderson, who have been respected residents of Jamestown for many years, Andrew Anderson having prospered, so that he is now able to take his remaining years easily, in comfortable retirement. Oscar E. Anderson passed his school days in Sweden, but he was only twelve years old when he had to close his schooling, and take to the more serious and arduous affairs of life. His father was a farmer, and from the time he left school until he was fifteen years old he assisted his father in the tilling of the land, and in other farming labors. Then, however, he felt the call to the greater opportun- ities of this continent, to which some of his relatives had preceded him. He reached Jamestown, N. Y., in 1895, and readily found employment in the furniture factories of the city, his first employers being the Empire Furniture Company. Later he worked for the Marvel Furniture Company, of Jamestown, and all the while was perfecting himself in knowledge of the English language, and generally adding to his former scanty knowledge of fundamental subjects. He industriously applied himself to his labors in the factory during the day, and at night assiduously followed the educational courses of the Jamestown Young Men's Christian Association. Within a com- paratively short time, he was sufficiently Americanized to give his employers confidence that he could success- fully represent them as a traveling salesman. That he was a successful salesman is quite evident in the fact that for eight years he represented the Marvel Furni- ture Company in that capacity. He travelled exten- sively, and remained at such occupations, for the Marvel Furniture Company, and other Jamestown manufacturers, until 1913, when he, with Marcus J. Norquist, founded the Monarch Furniture Company, to enter into the manufacture of dining room furniture. Mr. Anderson's connection with the development of the affairs of the Marvel Furniture Company has been long, appreciable, and appreciated. That is indicated by the fact that he is still a leading official of that company, being its vice-president. He is a member of the Norden Club of Jamestown, and has other local affiliations which show him to be a man interested in his fellows, and in the well being and advancement of the city in which he labors in productive enterprises, now substantially based.
Oscar E. Anderson was married in Jamestown, in November, 1908, to Antonia Selstrom, a daughter of Anton Selstrom, a successful manufacturer, of Swedish origin, for many years prominent in industrial circles in Jamestown. To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have been born three children: Elizabeth Caroline, who attends school; Oscar E., Jr., Marie Carrol.
THE MONARCH FURNITURE COMPANY, of Jamestown, N. Y., was founded in October, 1914, by two well known local men, Oscar E. Anderson and Marcus J. Norquist, their purpose in establishing the company being to enter extensively into the manufact-
ure of dining room furniture. Both men had had considerable experience in wood working, and Ameri- can methods of manufacture, and were of good standing in the city. They established their plant in a building of East Second street, formerly occupied by Munson & Johnson, and at the outset employed about twenty- five people. In less than three years the business had so substantially developed that, for better methods of handling, the partners sought corporate powers from the State. And soon thereafter the plant was trans- ferred to the Monarch Furniture Company, Incorpor- ated, of which Oscar E. Anderson became president, with Frank O. Anderson as vice-president, Milton Scharf as secretary, and Alfred A. Anderson as treasurer. Since the founding of the business, the volume of the company's trading has doubled, which is a satisfactory state of affairs, and the future looks so promising that the company is planning to build a four-story addition to the plant. The company is represented on the Jamestown Board of Commerce, and the Manufacturers' Association of Jamestown.
JOHN LINCOLN NORTHROP, successful agri- culturist, native of Chautauqua county, N. Y., but only recently returned to the county from Kansas, where for twenty-eight years he owned and operated a farm of 140 acres, now owns the well known Wilson farm, with its resort beach on Lake Erie, which is within casy distance of the place of his birth. He has been an energetic farmer since early manhood, and now, having prospered well, has returned to the scenes of his boy- hood, and finds many old friends still in the neighbor- hood.
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.