USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume II > Part 72
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He was born on a farm in the town of Westfield, Chautauqua county, N. Y., May 17, 1860, the son of Joseph and Abigal (Banker) Northrop. His father was a farmer, well known to the older residents of the town and township, and quite early in life the boy, John L., learned to do many of the minor tasks upon his father's farm. He was educated in the district school, and later attended the Westfield High School, but between times he did quite a lot of farm work for his father and, when he left school altogether, he gave his entire time to his father. He remained at home, taking over most of the burdensome tasks of the farm from his father, until he was thirty-three years old, when he married and went to the State of Kansas, where he bought a farm of 140 acres, which he worked continuously and successfully until 1919, when he sold the farm and returned to his home State and town. He purchased the Wilson farm, which had become generally well known throughout Chautauqua and contiguous counties because of its resort beach on Lake Erie. The farm is situated in Westfield township, Chautauqua county, and as an agricultural proposition is a valuable holding, the property being modern in every respect, with sub- stantial buildings, good woodland pasturage, and of its 103 acres, 85 acres are in cultivation. There is an extensive vineyard, and also a large apple orchard, and Mr. Northrop will probably find the farm well adapted to the purpose of a dairy farm. He is entering into the farming of it with the zest which characterized his farming in the county in the days of his early man- hood, and is happy to be back again among the asso-
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ciations of his youthful days. He has joined the local grange, and is renewing his interest in agriculture in Chautauqua county. Religiously, he belongs to the Presbyterian church, and attends the local church of that faith.
Mr. Northrop was married on May 10, 1892, in Westfield, to Rhoda Murphy, also of Westfield. She has been twice married, and her son, Merritt Murphy, by her first husband, spent most of his youth with his mother and foster-father, John L. Northrop, in Kansas. Since the age of sixteen Merritt Murphy has looked out for himself; he went to school in Cleveland, Ohio, and Chicago, 111. He is now an electrician, and in good business in Pittsburgh, Pa.
It is gratifying to note the renewal by John Lincoln Northrop of the long association of that family with agriculture in Chautauqua county. His father was much esteemed in the Westfield section of the county, and he is likely to improve the family record. He has always manifested worthy characteristics, such as invariably make for worthy, self-reliant, responsible citizenship, and has always been a producer. And since he returned to Chautauqua county, he has made many new friends, being a man of engaging personality, and an interesting conversationalist. He probably has no need to be particularly strenuous in his cultivation of the valuable farm he has acquired, but if he follows a marked characteristic of his earlier life, he will farm it with a will. And he will probably enter into the community activities of his part of the county, for he takes a keen interest in public affairs, and is a man of worthy public spirit.
DR. RAY JOSEPH WALKERMAN-Among the successful young dentists of Jamestown is Dr. Ray Joseph Walkerman, who is at present associated with Dr. Roberts in the Roberts building, in West Third street. Dr. Walkerman has a host of friends in James- town, being a native of that city and having lived there all his life.
Ray Joseph Walkerman was born in Jamestown, Sept. 29, 1893. His parents were Joseph M. Walker- man and his wife, Mary Devereaux, residents of James- town. The father was a native of Warren, Pa., who came to Jamestown and began the manufacturing of cigars, but later abandoned that to take up the lumber business. He was very successful in this enterprise, and has now retired from active labor. The boy received his early education in the parochial school of the city, graduating from it, and then entering the high school, from which he graduated in 1914. In the autumn of that year he went to Philadelphia to become a student in the dental college connected with the University of Pennsylvania, studying dentistry for three years and graduating as a doctor of dental surgery in 1917. Going to Warren, Pa., Dr. Walkerman entered the office of Dr. H. F. Clawson, continuing this asso- ciation from June, 1917, till November, 1918, when he left Dr. Clawson's office to enter that of Dr. Roberts at Jamestown. He is a capable, painstaking young man, and popular among the patients of Dr. Roberts.
When President Wilson called for volunteers, Dr. Walkerman offered his services and was appointed first lieutenant, receiving his commission as such Aug.
17, 1917, but he was not called upon to leave the city. His brother, Warren D. Walkerman, served for twenty- three months in the army with the 82nd Division of the 325th Infantry. Before joining the army, Mr. Walker- man had been a teacher of violin music. After the close of the war, Dr. Walkerman married, Nov. 20, 1918, Laura Koehl, of Jamestown.
During his course at the high school, young Walker- mian joined the Alpha Zeta fraternity, of which he is still a member. While at the University of Pennsyl- vania he joined the Xi Psi Phi fraternity, a secret society which was very popular among the students there. Dr. Walkerman is not an ardent politician by any means at present, but he is a faithful adherent of the principles of the Republican party.
ELIM E. HOLMBERG-No account of the leading men of Jamestown would be complete unless Elim E. Holmberg was included in the list. Prominent in business, helpful in civic work, and particularly active in the affairs of his church, Mr. Holmberg performs every duty in a most efficient manner, giving to each labor concentrated thought and able execution.
Elim E. Holmberg is a native of Jamestown, having been born there, Nov. 29, ISSI. His father, Gust. Holmberg, one of the pioneer Swedish settlers of Jamestown, was one of the founders of the Atlas Furniture Company, a man of ability and sterling worth, and a Christian in his every day life. Mr. Holmberg, in addition to his son Elim E., had two other children: 1. Edgar T., a consulting chemist, now residing in Cleveland, Ohio; he is a graduate of Ann Arbor University. 2. Myrtie, who married Berger Anderson of Jamestown. Gust. Holmberg spent the last five years of his life at Frewsburg, where his death occurred, in February, 1919. His first wife, Emma, is deceased, but his second wife, Hannah Holmberg, survives him.
Elim E. Holmberg was educated in the grammar and high schools of Jamestown, remaining only one year in the latter, then, desiring to begin a business life, he entered the Atlas works to assist his father, being placed in the packing room. He spent three years with this concern, and then obtained a clerkship in the shoe store of C. W. Swanson, remaining there as a sales- man until 1912, when the business became an incorpo- rated company and Elim E. Holmberg was made a mem- ber of it and also general manager, the corporate name being the Swanson-Holmberg Shoe Company, C. W. Swanson, president. It was a well known and very reliable store, having been established in 1892. The store started at No. 4 Main street. As the business grew they were forced to find larger quarters, and in 1918 moved to the present location, No. 12 Main street, which they remodeled, installing all new fixtures, etc., and a full line of shoes, manufactured by some of the best known and most reliable shoe manufacturers of the country, were added. Mr. Holmberg is now man- ager of the store.
Among the live men of the Board of Commerce in Jamestown may be found Elim E. Holmberg; he is interested in all things pertaining to the prosperity of his native city, and he is ever ready to assist in the furtherance of any suggestion for its advancement.
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One of his greatest interests is his church, the Swedish Zion Mission Church, of which he is a trustee and vice-president; here he spends most of his leisure time, occupied in the work of the mission and in the music of the services. This is his especial hobby, being a musician himself and thoroughly understanding the rendition of church music.
Mr. Holmberg married, in Jamestown, in 1904, Marina Larson, the daughter of Johan Larson, de- ceased, a former resident of Jamestown. Mr. and Mrs. Holmberg are the parents of one child, a daughter, Katherine, who is attending school at the present time.
GEORGE BISHOP MCEWEN, an energetic, enterprising and successful young farmer, who for seven years has owned and cultivated with marked success a farm of 112 acres in the neighborhood of Westfield, Chautauqua county, and has manifested strong and commendable characteristics during his years as an independent farmer, was born in the village of Westfield, Jan. 3, 1887, the son of Charles and Mary (Titus) McEwen. His father, for the greater part of liis life, was a merchant, and conducted a successful store business in the village of Westfield, but latterly he has retired to a farm in the vicinity, where he con- tinues to enjoy good health.
George B. McEwen was educated in the Westfield public schools, but he apparently had his career well planned soon after he closed his school-days, for he soon thereafter took industriously to farming occupa- tions, and also to industriously accumulating his surplus earnings. His nature was fortunately free from the artificial inclinations of some modern boys, and he therefore did not squander his early and slender earn- ings foolishly in things that were of no consequence; therefore, when only twenty-five years old, he was in a position to purchase, with his own money, a farm of appreciable size, 112 acres, near his home, and to still have available a sufficient sum of money to enable him to operate the acreage to advantage. He was embued with the energy of youth, and with the fervour of a devoted husband and father, for he had married when he was only twenty years of age, and he applied himself to the development of his property with the zest of a man wholehearted in his task. The farm was not in good condition when he purchased it, but by hard work and skillful farming he has improved the land until it is now a valuable holding. He is well representative of the younger generation of Chautauqua county agri- culturists, who farm with the steadiness of the older generation but with much more enterprise. He has been a close student of scientific farming, but has not rushed heedlessly into costly experiments in that line, although he has adopted in his farming many modern methods of proved practicability. Of his acreage, he has 85 acres in good cultivation and the balance wood- land and pasture, and he has a good farm for dairy and general purposes. He has four horses, and a fine herd of 25 cattle, and his average outgoing in wages to hired help is $500 yearly. He has a ten acre grape vineyard, has rebuilt his residence and barn, and has erected a large capacity silo. Altogether, he has profited well by his cultivation of the farm he owns, and has a good future of usefulness before him.
Mr. McEwen married, May 6, 1906, Mabel Case, of Chautauqua, N. Y. They are devoted to each other, and have two fine children: Clarence and Earl, who are both in school, and growing sturdily.
Reviewing the life of George Bishop McEwen, there are manifested many finc characteristics; a worthy steadiness of purpose indicated in his early working years, when he thriftily saved; a trueness to the highest mission of mankind, when he so early in life took the responsibilities of the wedded state; and a courageous stability, when he assumed the responsibilities of an extensive farm when still quite a young man. And he has proved himself to be a man capable of conse- quential affairs, and he governs his actions by a high moral standard. He will, in all probability, prosper both in friends and material possessions as his life proceeds.
LESTER H. SKINNER, superintendent of the Crandall Panel Company of Brocton, Chautauqua county, N. Y., and himself the inventor of many modern devices used in the manufacture of panels, is a native of this place, born April 8, 1869, a member of a family that has long resided in the region. Mr. Skinner is a son of Albert and Matilda (Mills) Skinner, and a grandson of Daniel and Harriet Skinner, the latter old and highly respected residents of Norwich, Chenango county, N. Y. Albert Skinner was born at that place, Christmas Day, 1817, and came as a child to Portland, Chautauqua county, with his brother, Chester Skinner, with whom he made his home until he reached the age of nineteen years. He afterwards became prominently identified with the affairs of the community of Brocton, and resided for twenty-eight years in the same house on North Dill street with his family. He married, Jan. 1, 1842, Matilda Mills, of Brocton, and they were the parents of five children, as follows: Helen, born April 29, 1844, became the wife of Amariah Russ; Albert L., born Jan. 16, 1846, married Julia Evans; Alfred, born June 14, 1849, died Jan. 6, 1852; Harriet M., born Ang. 7, 1856; and Lester H., with whose career we are here especially concerned.
Lester H. Skinner passed his childhood at his father's home on North Dill street, now Lake avenue, Brocton, and attended the grammar schools of the neighborhood. Upon completing his studies at these institutions he secured a position as boy with Crandall & Lowell, manufacturers of panels, and has continued associated with the business ever since. He displayed great alert- ness and intelligence in learning the details of the busi- ness, and was rapidly advanced from one position to another until he was appointed foreman at an early age. It was about the year 1900 that he became superintend- ent, partner and stockholder of the large plant, and con- tinues to hold the office of superintendent at the present time (1920), the duties of which he discharges with great efficiency. From early youth Mr. Skinner has taken keen interest in the technical construction of machinery of all kinds, and has shown a marked inventive genius, a genius he has turned to very practical results since attaining manhood. As his knowledge of the manufacture of panels became larger, he also came to appreciate the inadequacy of the mechanisms used for the purpose, and turned his
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thoughts to improving the same. He undertook many experiments in this direction, and has through a period of years perfected many devices which have at once greatly improved the process and reduced its expense. He has also performed the same service for the craft of basket making, another product of the Crandall Panel Company, and has in many ways rendered himself of great value both to his employers and to the indus- trial interests of the place. Mr. Skinner is a conspic- uous figure in the general life of Brocton, and is affiliated with a number of the important organizations here, including the local lodges of the Knights of Pythias, of which he is the inner guard; the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is warden; the Order of Foresters, and the Order of Rebeccas. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church.
Lester H. Skinner married (first) Melissa Aley, of Parkers Landing, Pa., a daughter of John and Clarice (Webster) Aley, and they were the parents of the following children: 1. Aline, who became the wife of Ralph Horton, of Dunkirk, to whom she has borne one child, Warren. 2. Albert LeRoy, who now operates a large vineyard at Fredonia; married Florence Haver- land, by whom he has had one daughter, Mary Jane. 3. Irene, who became the wife of Earl Ayling, of Sin- clairville, to whom she has borne one son, Richard. The first Mrs. Skinner died Sept. 5, 1897, and Mr. Skinner married (second) June 1, 1898, Clara Aley, a sister of his first wife. Three children have been born of this union, as follows: 4. Viola, born Aug. 9, 1900, now a student at Brocton school. 5. Myrtle, born June 16, 1905, now a student at Brocton school. 6. Norman Edward, born Sept. 26, 1908, is now a student of Brocton High School.
ELIAS A. TEFFT-Most of the older residents of Falconer are aware that this is the name of one who lived among them for a number of years, an energetic worker and a good citizen. Mr. Tefft was engaged in the lumber industry and belonged to that now fast- diminishing band of heroes composed of veteran soldiers of the Civil War.
Elias A. Tefft was born Sept. 20, 1847, in the town of Poland, N. Y., and was a son of Henry and Amanda (Hall) Tefft. The boy grew up on a farm, acquiring such education as the local school afforded, and in September, 1862, having then barely completed his fifteenth year, enlisted in Company A, 112th Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, for three years' service. On Oct. 17, of the same year, he was detached to the 7th Regiment, Massachusetts Light Artillery, and in March, 1865, rejoined his former company. His com- manding officer was Captain John F. Smith, of James- town. Mr. Tefft saw hard service, always acquitting himself as a brave and faithful soldier.
After the close of the war, Mr. Tefft returned to Poland and for some time led the life of a farmer, later moving to Sheffield, Pa., where he associated himself with the lumber industry. Still later he spent three years in the West, at the end of that time return- ing to Chautauqua county and settling in Falconer, where he found employment in the saw and lumber mills. In the sphere of politics, Mr. Tefft was true to
the principles of the Republican party, and as an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic, always kept in touch with his old companions in arms. The "Golden Rule" was his religion and the governing force in his daily life.
Mr. Tefft married, in Falconer, Jennie Taylor, born in Gary township, daughter of John and Hannah (Wall) Taylor, and they became the parents of two sons: 1. Byron H., now employed by the Lynndon Mirror Company, of Falconer; married (first) Charlotte Wright, and (second) Nina Burson; there are two children, Gerald Alton and Howard Allen. 2. Bartlett D., who resides with his widowed mother. Mrs. Tefft, who has always been devoted to her hus- band and children, attends the Methodist Episcopal church.
While still in the prime of life, Mr. Tefft received the summons to depart, passing away on May 4, 1888, leaving many sincere mourners, for he had many warm friends and was respected by the entire community. Elias A. Tefft was a true type of the loyal American. On the battle field he helped to defend the integrity of the Union, and after the return of peace he played the part of an industrious, public-spirited citizen. His record is one in which his children and grandchildren may well take a just and laudable pride.
OTTO WILLIAM WIQUIST-One of the success- ful merchants of Jamestown, Chautauqua county, N. Y., where he maintains a large an class tailoring establishment, at No. 9 Main stı )tto William Wiquist, who has been for many years prominent in the life of the community.
Mr. Wiquist was born in Sweden, July 18, 1858, on a farm belonging to his father and as a lad attended the local public schools until he had reached the age of thirteen years. He was then apprenticed to a tailor in order to learn the craft, and continued to work in his native locality until nineteen years old. He then left home and went to the city of Stockholm, where he remained four years similarly occupied. In 1881, being convinced of the great opportunities that awaited a young and enterprising man in the great republic of the Western Hemisphere, he left his native land and came to the United States, an act the wisdom of which has been amply justified by his success here. At that time there was a considerable Swedish colony at Jamestown, and it was to this place that the young man came directly upon his landing in America. He naturally sought for employment at his own trade, and it was not long before he was given a position in the tailoring establishment of A. W. Whitely & Sons, of Jamestown. Five months later he left this concern and went to Chicago where, however, he only remained about a year, after which he continued his travels in the State of Missouri, working at the trade of tailor all the time for his support. In 1883 he returned to Jamestown, N. Y., and went to work as a tailor for Hotchkin & Pendleton. During this time it was Mr. Wiquist's ambition to engage in business on his own account, and this he was eventually able to realize when, in 1885, he formed a partnership with J. Emil Johnson. of Jamestown, and opened a tailoring business at the point which is now occupied by the Arcade building,
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under the name of Wiquist & Johnson. Their estab- lishment was removed in 1889 to the Broadhead block, where larger and more adequate quarters were provided, and there the successful course of the firm was con- tinued. The death of Mr. Johnson occurred in 1906, and Mr. Wiquist took over the business and has since conducted it alone with a very high degree of success. It was in 1900 that the establishment was removed to its present location at No. 9 Main street, Jamestown, and it is now regarded as one of the most progressive and substantial houses of its kind in the entire com- munity, while Mr. Wiquist's reputation for integrity and square dealing is second to none. Mr. Wiquist has also been a prominent figure in the general life of the community outside business circles, and he is a member of various social and fraternal organizations, including the Norden Club, the Order of Maccabees, the Swedish Hundred Society, the Swedish Brotherhood, and Bethista Sick Benefit. He joined the Swedish Mission Church in 1881, and is liberal in support of its work in Jamestown. He was also a member of the Hospital Commission for ten years. In politics Mr. Wiquist is a Republican, but he has not been very active in public affairs, giving much of the largest share of his time to the conduct of his business interests.
Otto William Wiquist was united in marriage at Jamestown, in 1883, with Alma A. Nelson, a daughter of Alfred Nelson, who was engaged in the occupation of farming at Kane, Pa. Mrs. Wiquist's death occurred Sept. 4, 1916. They were the parents of the following children: Flavea, who became the wife of Francis Corkary; Paul, married Freda Winkler; Cecil, who in 1919 was serving with the Red Cross Society in France; Margaret, who resides with her father: Floyd, who is now assisting his father in the latter's establishment; Edward, who is also in his father's store: Dorothy, who attends the high school at Jamestown; Marion, also at school; David E., who served with Company M, 312th Regiment Infantry, 78th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in France, where he went with his unit in June, 1918; he was wounded, Nov. 1, 1918, during the fighting in the Argonne, was sent home to the United States in February, 1919, and died the following July 21, the direct cause of his death being an operation rendered necessary by his wound.
DR. FREDERICK WILLIAM NISSON-Prom- inent among the younger set of dentists in Jamestown is Dr. Frederick William Nisson, located in the pro- fessional building. He is greatly liked by his patients, having a kindly, sympathetic manner in dealing with their aching teeth and in the extraction of teeth.
Dr. Nisson is a native of Jamestown, having been born there Feb. 14, 1893. He is a son of William F. and Lucy (Carrier) Nisson, both of whom are living at the present time. The elder Nisson was at one time engaged in the real estate business, but gave it up several years ago and is now a traveling salesman for a milling plant.
After accomplishing all the studies in the grammar school and graduating from the high school (class of 1913), young Nisson entered the Dental College of Buffalo University, graduating as D. D. S., May 2, 1916, after which he passed the customary examinations
of the New York State Dental Board a few weeks later. For the next six months he practiced in Syra- cuse, N. Y., but returned to his home in Jamestown late in the fall of 1916 and entered upon practice there, continuing it until the United States entered into the war with Germany. There was an immediate call for dentists, so Dr. Nisson volunteered his services, and on Sept. 30, 1917, received his commission as first lieutenant in the army, being assigned to duty at once. From October, 1918, he was engaged in regular dental work at Camp Mcclellan, Ala., until he was given his honorable discharge, Feb. 2, 1919, after which he returned to Jamestown, where he was appointed school dental surgeon by the school board, Feb. 17, 1919.
Dr. Nisson is a Republican, but with the exception of the dental work of the schools has never held any public position. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and active in his lodge. He is also affiliated with the Greek letter fraternity, Alpha Zeta.
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