USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume II > Part 76
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William Joseph Doty was united in marriage, March 16, 1893, with Martha Graves, a daughter of Orville W. and Florence (Lyon) Graves, old and highly respected residents of Panama, N. Y., where Martha Graves was born, Sept. 30, 1870. To Mr. and Mrs. Doty one child has been born, Marjorie, Aug. 21, 1905.
JOSEPH CARLSON, who has had appreciable business success since he came to Jamestown, N. Y., in 1903, has since that year been connected with local man- ufacturers and has had responsible position with the Alliance Furniture Company since its inception in 1905, was later superintendent of another local plant, and in 1916 was one of the organizers of the Advance Furni- ture Company, of Jamestown, since which time he has been one of the active heads of that company.
Joseph Carlson was born in Smoland, Sweden, March 19, 1880, and after receiving a good education in the schools of his native place, he decided to learn the trade of cabinet making. He was then sixteen years of age, and he worked at his trade in his own country for about seven years. In April, 1903, he came to America, and came to Jamestown, N. Y., where so many of his countrymen were. Soon after his arrival,
he found employment at his trade in the plant of A. C. Norquist Company, of Jamestown. Four months later he became an employee of the Union Furniture Com- pany, in whose plant he remained for two years. He was a skilled workman, and when the Alliance Furni- ture Company was organized in 1905, Mr. Carlson was appointed foreman of the cabinet department in the new plant, having charge of the second floor. lle also was elected to the directorate of the corporation, and became a substantial stockholder. In order to become conversant with the methods of manufacture in the large furniture factories of the Middle West, Mr. Carlson journeyed to Rockford, Ill., and there acquired much knowledge that later was of much value to him. He returned to Jamestown four months later, and was appointed superintendent of the Jamestown Cabinet Company, with which company he remained for two years. In 1916, he joined several other Jamestown men, well known in the furniture industry, in organizing the Advance Furniture Company, and since then has devoted almost the whole of his time to the affairs of the partnership, which is expanding satisfactorily.
Mr. Carlson is still a director of the Alliance Furni- ture Company, but he has not time to give to much else, for the development of the Company is keeping him busily employed. What little time he has to spare he gives to walking in the surrounding country, for purposes of health. He is a member of the Manufact- urers' Association of Jamestown, and by application to production in his own plant is doing something to increase the prosperity of the city.
Joseph Carlson, on Sept. 22, 1909, was married in Jamestown to Elim Rosenquist, of the Jamestown family of that name. She also is of Swedish anteced- ents. They have two children, Ingrid and Harry.
JOSEPH LOUIS CHILLI, M. D .- This is the name, as very many of the residents of Chautauqua county are fully aware, of one of her most successful physicians of the younger generation. Dr. Chilli's home is in Fredonia, but the field of his large and constantly increasing practice extends over an ever widening territory which embraces other portions of the county.
Joseph Louis Chilli was born Nov. 6, 1885, in Valledolmo, province of Palermo, island of Sicily, Italy, and is a son of Louis and Louisa (Moscata) Chilli, the former a farmer in Sicily and also in the United States, being a prominent man in the Italian circles of Chautauqua county. The earliest education of Joseph Louis Chilli was received in public schools of his native land, and when about eight years of age he was brought by his parents to the United States. He attended the public schools of Fredonia, afterward taking a college course at the State Normal School at Fredonia. Enter- ing the medical department of the University of Buffalo, he graduated in 1913 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Before graduating Dr. Chilli served as interne in Columbus Hospital, and in Erie County Hospital after graduation, both institutions being in Buffalo. In 1914 he began practice in Fredonia, and later spent six months in New York City, taking a post- graduate course in surgery. In this branch of his pro- fession he is particularly interested and expects, event-
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ually, to become a surgical specialist. He has an office in Dunkirk in addition to the one in Fredonia, and his large practice in not confined to his own nationality.
In politics Dr. Chilli is a Republican, and during the recent war was associated with various forms of activity, serving on the finance committee. He is a member of the Home Defence Corps. Among the professional organizations in which he is enrolled are the American Medical Society, the New York State Medical Association, the Chautauqua County Medical Association, and the Dunkirk-Fredonia Medical Asso- ciation. He belongs to all the local Italian societies, and is a member of the Roman Catholic church of Fredonia. Dr. Chilli's career has certainly opened under the most favorable auspices, and it is to be con- fidently expected that, as the years go on, he will become one of the "men of mark" in his chosen pro- fession.
FRANK F. PETERSON-Among the men who have made a success of their business life in spite of many handicaps, must be mentioned Frank F. Peterson. While he was still very young his mother was left a widow with a family of six children, three boys and three girls. All who were able to do so had to lend a land to help raise the family finances, so he had a very small opportunity in which to obtain an education. He has keenly felt this lack all through his life, but his quickness of intellect and natural aptitude have helped him over many hard places, where perhaps many others might have failed, even though given greater oppor- tunities in youth.
Born near Jamestown, N. Y., Jan. 8, 1873, Frank F. Peterson was from his infancy trained to love the life of the country, his father, Charles Peterson, being a farmer, who died while the children were quite young. The mother, Mary Peterson, was a smart, resourceful woman and brought up her children to be helpful and ambitious. Of her family of six sons and daughters she lost one child. She is also now deceased, but lived to see her children grow up to maturity.
At the age of seventeen, young Peterson went to the great stone works in Vermont to learn stone cutting, applying himself diligently, until at the end of three years he was a first class workman, understanding everything connected with the trade, lettering, carving, etc. For several years following this he travelled as salesman for the Kinsman Monumental Company, going through all the New England States, afterward travelling for a wholesale marble company all through the West. continuing in this line for six years. Then he came back to Jamestown and started in business for himself in a small way, the work prospered, and in 1917 the Peterson Monument Company moved into larger quarters, having built a fine brick building to meet the requirements of the large trade. The building, No. 206 Lafayette street is a two-story structure, equipped with all kinds of modern machinery, having all the up- to-date pneumatic tools for the use of the workmen he keeps employed, the large business evertaxing the capacity of the concern. They do all kinds of work from the stone in the rough to the beautifully finished monument with its fine lettering and carving. Mr. Peterson is very active in the Knights of Pythias,
having occupied every office. During his residence in Vermont he passed through all the chairs of his lodge. He is also a Free Mason, and a member of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. In politics he is a Republican, though not active in the party. The family attend the Presbyterian church.
At Glens Falls, N. Y., in 1912, Frank F. Peterson married Mable Carrie Burt, of that place. They have one child, Harry Burt.
DAVID JOHNSON COCHRANE, well known agriculturist of Chautauqua county, N. Y., having an extensive farm in the Westfield and Ripley townships of that county, has had a successful career in agri- culture. He has always been identified with conse- quential affairs, and has also found time to undertake some offices in the public administration, having been school trustee and collector of taxes in his township. He is a native of Chautauqua county, and comes of a family listed among the pioneers of the section. He was born in the old Cochrane homestead, near West- field village, on March 21, 1866, the son of William Nesbitt and Nancy (Johnson) Cochrane. Both his parents are now deceased, but in his day his father was one of the leading agriculturists of that part of Chau- tauqua county.
David J. Cochrane was educated in district schools, Nos. 4. and 5, and later at Westfield Academy. Since he left school he has farmed, and for twenty-four years he has farmed the property on which he now lives. It consists of ninety-eight and a half acres, and is situated in Ripley township, but just across the line in Westfield township, and adjoining the Ripley farm is another farm of which he is now the owner. That farm is eighty-eight acres in extent. The entire property is well improved, and in a high state of cultivation. There is an extensive vineyard, and commodious out-buildings for dairy and general farming. Mr. Cochrane is a skilful farmer, and endeavors to keep well versed in the developments of scientific farming; many of his im- provements are most modern in type, and he shows in his management of the farms that he is an agricultural student, as well as an operator.
Politically, Mr. Cochrane is a Republican; in the past he has taken much part in local affairs, and he has given loyal allegiance to the Republican party since his early manhood. He is popular and respected in his district, and has undertaken the responsibilities of some of the local offices, including that of collector of taxes. And in educational affairs, he has taken part, being a trustee of the schools.
On Aug. 6, 1899, Mr. Cochrane was married, at Westfield, Chautauqua county, N. Y., to Isabella Rogers, of Westfield. They have three children: I. Frederick M., who was educated in the district school, and Westfield High School. 2. Elizabeth, who was afforded similar educational advantages. 3. William, who is still at school. All the children live at home with their parents, and have formed many friends in the neighborhood.
The Cochrane family is an old one in Chautauqua county, and it is gratifying that it can, as it should, be properly represented in the historical record of this
Carl V. Franzew
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generation of the county. The life of David Johnson Cochrane has been commendable in every respect, and has been worthy of the family record, and of the high standard successful agriculturists of the county have set.
ADAM HERSPERGER-The combination of agri- culturist and business man is, perhaps, a rare one, but when encountered is frequently found to exist in men of more than ordinary ability and force of character. That this is the case with the present postmaster of Mayville, whose name we have just written, those familiar with his record will unhesitatingly affirm. Mr. Hersperger has been a resident of Mayville during the greater part of his life, and is influentially identi- fied with her most essential interests.
Adam Hersperger, father of Adam Hersperger, now of Mayville, was born in 1820, and came in 1870 to Mayville, where he established the Chautauqua Lake Ice Company, being the first man to put up ice on Chautauqua Lake. He conducted the business until about 1888, when the concern consolidated with four other companies, forming the Consolidated Ice Com- pany, Incorporated. Mr. Hersperger was a Democrat, but had no desire for public office. He affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married Sarah Sidney Stratton, a native of Pittsburgh, and his death occurred April 5, 1895, his widow surviv- ing until October, 1902.
Adam (2) Hersperger was born Dec. 29, 1864, at Bellevue, Pa., and was in his sixth year when the family moved to Mayville, N. Y. There he attended a preparatory school, passing thence to the Mayville Academy, and later taking a course in Coleman's Business College, Newark, N. J. He then went to Pittsburgh and assisted in the cultivation of his father's farm and in the latter's business. He afterward spent five years on his father's farm in Ohio. At the end of that time he returned to Mayville and purchased the Chautauqua Lake Mills, of which he is still the owner. Always a Democrat, Mr. Hersperger has for years been active in the political arena, having served six years on the village board and one term on the school board. In March, 1917, he was appointed postmaster of Mayville, and is still the incumbent of that respons- ible position, fulfilling its duties with an efficiency and fidelity which have long since won the hearty approval of all good citizens. He affiliates with the Masonic order, and the Knights Templar, and as a former agriculturist belongs to the Grange. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Hersperger married, Aug. 3, 1899, Mabel Jane Wright, born near Pittsburgh, daughter of Oscar J. and Mary E. (Cumming) Wright, both of whom were natives of the same region and were there married. Mr. Wright was a merchant, being also engaged in the grocery business. He was a Republican, a veteran of the Civil War, and belonged to the United Presby- terian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Hersperger are the parents of the following children: Delma Holmes, Sarah Sidney, Adriene, Mary C., and Adam (3).
In reviewing his career, Mr. Hersperger can look back upon many years of varied usefulness as a private
citizen with the added satisfaction of feeling that now, as a government official, he is well and faithfully serv- ing the best interests of his entire community.
CARL V. FRANZEN, respected resident in James- town, N. Y., for the last fifteen years, and for almost ten years one of the responsible merchants of that city, is succeeding well, and giving honest service to an ever increasing circle.
He was born in Sweden, Feb. 24, 1884, and was educated in the public schools of his native place. He then learned the meat cutting trade, and worked in his own country for five years. In 1904, he decided to come to America, and arrived in New York City in the month of August. He came immediately to Jamestown, N. Y., where so many of his fellow-countrymen were, arriving in the city on Aug. 15. He found work in the furniture shops of Jamestown manufacturers, and later at the W. C. A. Hospital. In 1955, however, he found employment at his own trade of meat cutting with John Bowman, of Jamestown. With him he remained for eight months, and then went into the employ of Fabian Selstrom, remaining with him at meat cutting for five years. During that period he went to school again. His earlier education had been scanty, and of course the strange language handicapped him when he first came to America. As a matter of fact, he knew absolutely no English when he came. And he soon recognized the need of close application to study, not only of the language but of other subjects as well, if he would succeed in the new country. So he applied himself earnestly to study at home, and in local night schools. He was also of thrifty habits, and of com- mendable steadiness in general, and he saved money during the years he passed as an employee. In Deccm- ber, 1910, he had sufficient confidence in himself to take the responsibility of independent business, and in part- nership with Ernest A. Lawson he opened a meat shop at No. 3, Dexter street, Jamestown. Two years later, he purchased the share of Mr. Lawson, and has since conducted the business 'alone. Mr. Franzen is clean in his habits, has a neat, inviting, modern store, and by progressive and enterprising methods has developed a very satisfactory business. He is pleasant in manner, and devotes his entire time to his business. He is a member of the Jamestown Board of Commerce; belongs to the Norden Club; and is associated with local branches of the fraternal orders, Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Religiously, he is a member of the First Lutheran Church, of Jamestown.
On May 19, 1909, Mr. Franzen was married, in Jamestown, to Selma A. Nelson, of Jamestown. They have three children, namely: Marvin, Carol, and Gaylord.
HERMAN MATHIAS HANSEN, who has been in business in Jamestown, N. Y., for many years, and owns probably the most palatially fitted barber shop (Samuel's Hotel Shop), in Chautauqua county, is also a dealer in local securities. He has a very wide circle of acquaintances and friends, and his general popularity gained him election to the Board of Alderman of
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Jamestown. He also has been a member of the Chau- tauqua County Board of Supervisors, and by his zeal in public office, and his advocacy and furtherance of many city projects, has proved himself to be possessed of a sincere interest in the development of the neigh- borhood.
Herman M. Hansen was born in Bornholm, Den- mark, Nov. 3, 1877. His schooling was commenced while the family was still in Denmark, but he was only seven years of age when his parents, Powell and Christinia Hansen, decided to come to America. The arrival in America of the Hansen family was in 1885, in which year they also settled in Jamestown, N. Y. Herman M. was sent to the local schools, and continued therein until he was fifteen years old. Then he became apprenticed to James Quinlan, a local barber, and be- came proficient at the trade within a year, after which he worked as a barber in many local establishments. In 1901, he formed a business partnership with Joseph Innes, of Jamestown, and they opened a well fitted shop in the new Fenton building, on the corner of Main and Second streets, Jamestown. In 1904, Mr. Hansen became sole owner, developing a substantial connection. . He removed to No. 3 West Third street, where he remained for eleven years, and in 1913 acquired the barber shop at Samuel's Hotel, Jamestown, which establishment he has since operated, with increasing success.
In his years of good service to the community, he has acquired substantial means, and is financially interested in more than one local industrial company. His knowledge of local securities influenced him to become a stock and share broker. As such, he began to operate on Jan. 1, 1919. his dealings being mainly in the securi- ties of local corporations. Mr. Hansen has been a Republican, of staunch and active interest, since his early manhood, and he has taken some part in the local phases of national politics. But especially has he been interested in local affairs. For two years he represented the First Ward of Jamestown on the Board of Alder- men, and for one year he has served on the Board of Supervisors, representing the First and Second Wards.
Mr. Hansen married (first) in Buffalo, N. Y., Ang. 18, 1904. Ella May Johnson, of Jamestown; the demise of Mrs. Hansen occurred at Jamestown in 1910. She bore to her husband one child, Neil Fenton, born in 1909, and now attends school in Jamestown. Mr. Hansen married (second) in Chicago, Ill., June 23, 1915, Alice McGinnity, of Los Angeles, Cal.
JEREMIAH MAHLE-One of Chautauqua county's veteran agriculturists, Mr. Mahle has been for some years in the enjoyment of a well-earned period of repose among his friends and neighbors of Ripley. He is also a veteran soldier, having been one of that band of gallant young men who, in the dark days of the Civil War, rallied to the defense of the Union.
Jeremiah Mahle was born March 17, 1844, on a farm in Clarion county, Pa., and is a son of Helvin and Frances (Rickenbrode) Mahle. He attended the dis- trict schools, and was employed on neighboring farms, in ore mills and in various other ways until he reached the age of eighteen when he responded to the call to arms, enlisting in Company G, 155th Regiment, Penn-
sylvania Volunteers. He was attached to the Fifth Army Corps and served until the close of the war, being the only one of six cousins, all soldiers in the Union army, who lived to return home, sound, the others laying down their lives on the battlefield or dying of disease contracted while in service, excepting Paul Mahle, who was wounded in the hip at the battle of the Wilderness, a cripple for life: he is still living. Throughout the war Mr. Mahle served as a private, participating in twenty-seven regular engagements and many skirmishes, including Chancellorsville, Peters- burg (where he wittnessed the famous Croler fight), Fredericksburg, Gettysburg (where he was exposed to the celebrated Picket charge), these were some of the battles, not forgetting the Wilderness. The only injury lie ever received was loss of hearing in the left ear caused by the bursting of a shell over his head. At the time of General Lee's surrender he was ill in the hospital, and on May 31, 1865, he was mustered out.
On returning to his home in Pennsylvania, Mr. Mahle at once resumed work on the farm. In 1875 he came to Ripley, where he purchased a farm and made it his home for thirteen years, moving then to Ripley village and engaging in the furniture and undertaking business. In 1910, after thirty-two years' experience, he disposed of the business and retired. His time as since been devoted to looking after his private interests In politics Mr. Mahle is a staunch Republican, but has never carcd to become a candidate for office. He belongs to the Grange and affiliates with the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Eastern Star. He is a member of the Presby- terian church.
Mr. Mahle married, May 16, 1872, Ella Henlon, of Pennsylvania, and they are the parents of one child, Grace Elizabeth, born March 17, 1880, a member of the first class graduating from Ripley High School in 1898; then entered the Boston (Mass.) Conservatory of Music, graduating in 1904; is now a piano teacher, and more recently became interested in photography, first as an amusement, but now as a paying business. Miss Mahle is also her father's able assistant in the management of his affairs.
The memories of Mr. Mahle's long life cover a period of the utmost importance in our national history, the decade immediately preceding the Civil War and the more than half a century which has followed it. He has witnessed two great wars, the first, in which he participated, rendering possible the part played by our country in the second, the ever memorable world conflict.
HARRY F. SALHOFF-It would be hard, indeed, to find a man more successfully enterprising than the citizen of Fredonia whose name heads this article. Mr. Salhoff, as the active member of the well known firm of Ahrens & Salhoff, carries on a large contracting business, taking at the same time an earnest interest in the progress and welfare of his home town.
Harry F. Salhoff was born Aug. 15, 1892, on a farm in the town of Pomfret, about two miles from Fre- donia, and is a son of Lewis and Minnie (Spietz) Sal- hoff, both of whom are now living in Fredonia, Mr. Salhoff having retired from the activities of a farmer's
Eric & Carlson.
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life. Harry F. Salhoff attended local district schools and Dunkirk Academy, but left at the age of thirteen and began to work on the farm, continuing to do this until he was seventeen. He then went to Fredonia, where he was employed by his brother Louis, why was a contractor, and with whom he remained until attaining his majority. At this period in his life Mr. Salhoff found himself in circumstances which justified him engaging in business for himself. There could be no stronger nor more conclusive proof of the reputa- tion which the firm, young as it is, has already estab- fished than the fact that a bank loaned them a sub- stantial amount on their word alone, and over and above this gave them time in which to pay for their plant, including a planing mill and other buildings.
The firm, organized by Mr. Salhoff, was styled Ahrens & Salhoff, contractors and builders and dealers in masons' supplies. Frederick C. Ahrens, a carpenter, is the outside foreman, and the management of the business rests with Mr. Salhoff. He introduced elec- tricity into the plant and otherwise modernized it, and from the very beginning the firm has advanced literally "by leaps and bounds," employing forty men in the summer and twenty in the winter. The plant covers 25.000 feet of floor space. The firm has built many of the most modern residences in the neighboring country, and conducts a flourishing and constantly growing business. In national affairs Mr. Salhoff is a Republi- can, but in local matters he votes independently. He affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Fredonia and belongs to the Board of Commerce.
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