USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume II > Part 77
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Mr. Salhoff married, Nov. 26, 1913, in Westfield, N. Y., Bessie, daughter of Adison Jones, of Randolph. Harry F. Salhoff has been the architect of his own fortune, and has reared a noble structure resting on the sure foundation of trained ability and strict integrity.
JOSEPH R. LaPAGLIA, M. D .- Among the prominent physicians of Dunkirk, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Dr. Joseph R. LaPaglia stands high, his wide knowledge of the technique of his profession and sterling qualities as a man having recommended him to the community so that he has built up a large and high class clientele. Dr. LaPaglia is a native of Italy, having been born in the Province of Caltanisetta, March 4, 1894, a son of James and Mary (Amenta) LaPaglia, highly respected residents of that region before their emigration to the United States. This occurred when their son Joseph R. was a small child, and the family settled in the town of Fredonia, where Mr. and Mrs. LaPaglia still reside. They were the parents of five children, of whom Dr. LaPaglia is the eldest, the others being: Lawrence, George, Frank, and James.
The elementary education of Dr. LaPaglia was obtained at Fredonia, where he attended for some years the local public schools and later the famous State Normal School from which he graduated with the class of 1914. The young man, being of a very am- bitious nature, had determined upon a professional career, but owing to the circumstances of the family found it necessary to finance his own education to a large extent. Accordingly he entered the medical department of the University of Buffalo, and during
the summer vacations worked in the plant of the Fre- donia Preserve Company, thus earning a sufficient sum to pay for his tuition. After completing the usual medic^1 course, he was graduated from the University, June 20, 1919, and immediately afterward passed the examination of the State Board of Medical Examiners. Dr. LaPaglia had served as an interne in the Columbus Hospital of Buffalo, N. Y., remaining there for some eighteen months, when he secured the appointment as house surgeon at St. Mary's Hospital, Rochester, N. Y. He served in the latter capacity for six months, and then came to Dunkirk and opened an office in this city. Since that time Dr. LaPaglia has been engaged in the general practice of his profession, although he special- izes in surgical work to some extent. He is a member of the Italian American Medical Society of Buffalo Dr. LaPaglia felt strongly his obligation to the country of his adoption and to the great cause espoused by it upon its entrance into the World War and, although yet a student, enlisted, Dec. 13, 1917, at Fort Porter, Buffalo, in the Medical Reserve Corps. He was trans- ferred from there to the Student Officers' Training Corps, Company A, and was yet connected with that body at the time of the signing of the armistice. He was honorably discharged from the service, Dec. 16, 1918, and at once returned to his studies at the Univer- sity; Dr. LaPaglia is a Roman Catholic in his religious belief and attends St. Anthony's Church of that denom- ination at Fredonia. He is possessed of an unusually fine tenor voice and much musical talent, and is one of the tenors in the choir of that church. He is a member of the local chapter of the Knights of Columbus, and is well known in Catholic social circles here. He is a Republican in politics.
Dr. LaPaglia was united in marriage, Sept. 7. 1917, with Caroline Elardo, a daughter of Peter and Lucy (LoGrasso) Elardo, of Fredonia.
ERIC ELWOOD CARLSON, a young business man of Jamestown, N. Y., who during the last ten years has made rapid advancement in executive respon- sibility, and in the conduct of affairs of an important industrial corporation of Jamestown, although only thirty years of age, was recently, 1919, appointed office manager, treasurer, and member of the executive com- mittee of the Dahlstrom Metallic Door Company, having advanced from a clerkship to that responsible office in ten years from 1909. An office of that respon- sibility in the manufacturing company of the magnitude of the Dahlstrom Metallic Door Company's operation could only profitably be given to a man of proved and definite executive ability, and it must therefore be inferred that the business qualities of Mr. Carlson are good and sound, for there must have been many oppor- tunities of testing him, as to ability, during the ten years he has been in the employ of the Dahlstrom Company.
Mr. Carlson was born in Stockholm, Sweden, June 24, 1889, and is a son of P. A. E. and Marie Carlson, both respected Jamestown residents, of strong church affiliation, and steady life, P. A. E. Carlson being still able to steadily follow daily employment in the Dahlstrom plant, with which he has been connnected for many years.
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The Carlson family came to America in 1892, when Eric E. was only three years old, and settled in James- town, N. Y., in the public schools of which Eric E. received his academic education. He attended the grammar and high schools, but was forced to go to work carly, and was denied the opportunity he sought of qualifying for a commercial career. However, difficulties, in the way in which they are met, give the truest indication of character. Eric E. Carlson set his mind on becoming a graduate of the Jamestown Business College, and after working steadily for thirty months he had earned and saved sufficient to pay for the business course, which he thereupon took, graduat- ing in 1909. His subsequent advancement in business life was rapid. In August, 1909, he entered the employ of the Dahlstrom Metallic Door Company, as a clerk. He steadily advanced from responsibility to greater responsibility, until the year 1918, when he was elected assistant treasurer of the company, and office manager. In 1919, he was elected treasurer and office manager, and given a seat on the board of directors of the company. Mr. Carlson's success came, mainly, by a determination to become an expert in his line. He was not content in knowing that he had become conversant with and capable of accomplishing such affairs as were, from time to time, entrusted to him for accom- plishment: he wanted to know the methods of other offices. He closely studied business methods at his plant and at others, and took a correspondence course in modern business. Hence, he made it clear by his execution of the work of his office in the Dahlstrom plant that he was fitted for even greater responsibility. In addition to being on the directorate of the Dahls- trom Metallic Door Company, he was formerly a director of the Norden Realty Company, of Jamestown, and is now a member of the Norden Club. He is a member of the Swedish Mission Church, Jamestown,
Mr. Carlson was married, in the Swedish Mission Church, Jamestown, in June, 1912, to Thelma E. Swanson, daughter of Malcolm Swanson, a retired manufacturer of Jamestown. They have one child, a son, Eric Elwood, Jr., born Jan. 7, 1919.
CARL OTTO PETERSON, the popular owner of Otto's Restaurant, No. 15 East Second street, James- town, N. Y., has been in many occupations since he first came to Jamestown, in 1896. He has successively been a wood worker in a local furniture factory, an operator of Chautauqua Lake hoats, a hospital orderly nurse, a business college student until graduation, a railroad clerk, a restaurant worker, a restaurant part owner, and finally the able manager owner of a well patronized restaurant.
Mr. Peterson was born in Sweden, Feb. 16, 1877, the son of Swen Gustaf Peterson, now deceased. He was given such public school education as was custom- ary for boys of his station, and after leaving school assisted his father in the work upon the farm until he had reached the age of nineteen years. Then, in 1896, having heard that so many of his countrymen had pros- pered in America, and especially in the furniture factories of Jamestown, he came to America, and to Jamestown, where he found steady employment in the furniture factory of the Norquist Brothers of James-
town. He remained with the Norquists for three years, and then spent one summer upon the Lake Chautauqua boats. In the winter, and for four years thereafter, he was an orderly nurse for the Women's Christian Association Hospital. For nine months thereafter he was an employee of the Buffalo General Hospital, return- ing eventually to Jamestown, and subsequently going to Chicago. There, for two years, he was a railroad clerk. He was naturally much handicapped, during his earlier years of American residence, by a scanty knowledge of the English language, and he gave much time to private study, and eventually had saved sufficient money to take an educational course. He enrolled as a student at the Jamestown Business College, and applied himself assiduously to the business course, eventually graduat- ing. He returned to Sweden to see his parents, whom he could not induce to come to America. Upon his return, he came to Jamestown, which he looked upon as his home town, at least, his American home town, and then formed business connection with Mr. Swanson, the restaurant owner. Mr. Peterson was naturally a good man of business, and well able to readily adapt himself to changed conditions of occupation. He later formed a partnership with Ben Howard, in acquiring the Puritan Lunch House, on Third street. Four months later he sold his interest to his partner, Mr. Howard, and soon afterwards purchased an interest in the business conducted by Mr. Swanson, the partners trading under the firm name of Swanson & Peterson. Eventually, Mr. Peterson opened up, inde- pendently, in 1914, the restaurant at No. 15 East Second street, since known as Otto's Restaurant, and he has never regretted that enterprise. He is a man of cheer- ful disposition, and has very many friends in James- town. He is active in the functions of local branches of many fraternal organizations, including the Odd Fellows, Maccabees, and Eagles. Politically, he is a Republican, and by religious conviction is a Methodist, member of the Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church of Jamestown. He is unmarried.
CHARLES AUGUST ERICKSON-Among the numerous nationalities that have gone to make up the population of Chautauqua county, N. Y., there is none that has played a more conspicuous part in the general life of the community or contributed a higher type of citizenship to the body politic than the men of Swedish birth and parentage, who have settled here in such great numbers. An excellent example of this fine class of men is to be found in the person of Charles August Erickson, who for some years has resided in this region, and during that time has followed agriculture as an occupation with a high degree of success. Mr. Erickson is a native of Sweden, born Jan. 1, 1869, a son of Carrell M. and Christiantia ( Peterson) Erickson, lifelong residents of Sweden, where the former was a prosperous farmer.
Charles A. Erickson attended the schools of his native land, and in 1888, when nineteen years of age, came to the United States and settled in the town of Poland, N. Y. After two years spent at that place he removed to the town of Carroll, N. Y., where he resided for eighteen years. After first coming to this country, Mr. Erickson attended school at Levant, N. Y., where
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he completed his general education and perfected his study of the English language. In the meantime he had become the owner of a farm and there put into use the knowledge of farming he had gained in Sweden by aiding his father in the operation of the old family homestead farm. About twelve years ago he removed to Jamestown, where he purchased his present property and has ever since cultivated this with a marked success that has made him one of the recognized agriculturists of the place. His property is situated well within the city limits, and his home address is No. 316 Fluvanna avenue, Jamestown. Mr. Erickson has always taken an intelligent interest in the general welfare of the agri- cultural affairs of the region, and is a member of the local Grange. He attends the Swedish Mission Church at Jamestown, and is one of the active members of the congregation.
Charles August Erickson was united in marriage, Feb. 26, 1898, at Jamestown, with Hulda F. Johnson, like himself a native of Sweden, born March 24, 1873, a daughter of John A. and Johanna (Nelson) Johnson, of that country. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Erickson, as follows: Paul M., Dec. 10, 1898: Harold G., July 7, 1903: Dorothy Evelyn, Nov. 17, 1905: and Charles Levern, Jan. 11, 1911.
JOHN A. MACKOWIAK-That Dunkirk's busi- ness men of the younger generation are enterprising and energetic, the entire community is fully aware, and it is also aware that not one among them excels, in the possession of the qualities we have mentioned, the citizen whose name heads this biography. Mr. Mackowiak is not only a good business man, but is quietly and helpfully ready to do his part in all that makes for progress and improvement.
Michael Mackowiak, father of John A. Mackowiak, was a native of German Poland, and at the age of twenty emigrated to the United States, settling in Dunkirk, N. Y. In 1902 he established, in association with a partner, a general furniture business, and in 1904, having purchased his partner's interest, he began to enlarge the scope of the concern. He married Stanis- laws Zagorska, and their children were: John A., mentioned below; Frank, James, Cecilia, Paul, Helen, Louis Felix, and Peter, deceased. All the living sons are now active in business. Mr. Mackowiak died in October, 1918, and his widow is still living.
John A. Mackowiak, son of Michael and Stanislaws (Zagorska) Mackowiak, was born Jan. 4. 1883, in Dun- kirk, N. Y., and received his education in the local public and parochial schools. He early hecame a wage earner, working until 1913 at the trade of a machinist. Then, seeing the advantage of adding another depart- ment to his father's business, he studied embalming, passing the examinations in the same year and also establishing the department. It has been very success- ful, still constituting a prominent feature of the busi- ness. After the death of his father, Mr. Mackowiak became the owner of the entire concern which is now in a very flourishing condition, the son having maintained and extended what the father had founded and built up. The store and stock have both attained large propor- tions, the latter including everything necessary for housekeeping, and sales being made either for cash or
time payments. The political principles of Mr. Mac- kowiak are those of the Republican party, and he is actively interested not only in the general welfare, but also in all that concerns the well being of his Polish fellow-citizens. He belongs to the Polish National Alliance, the Polish Falcon Society, and all the Polish charitable and service organizations. He is a member of St. Hyacinth's Roman Catholic Church, and the Young Men's Society connected with it, in which he holds the office of treasurer. He is also enrolled in the Roman Catholic Union.
Mr. Mackowiak married, in Dunkirk, Agnes, daugh- ter of Frank and Mary Welka, of Dunkirk, and they are the parents of three children: Leonard, Edwin, and Richard.
VACIL D. BOZOVSKY, M. D .- Twenty-one years of continuously active practice has firmly intrenched Dr. Bozovsky in the respect, confidence and affection of the people of his home community and has given him a high reputation not only throughout the county, but from end to end of the western and northwestern portion of the Empire State.
Vacil D. Bozovsky was born June 19, 1866, in Bul- garia, the son of Demetrius and Ansatasia (Bochukoff) Bozovsky, both deceased, the former named having followed the trade of tailor. Vacil D. Bozovsky attended local public schools, afterward studying at the Gymna- sium in Phillipopolis, Bulgaria, a complete course in that institution being equal to about two years in college in the United States. Upon the completion of his term there, he emigrated to the United States, locating in Fredonia, N. Y., where he entered the State Normal School, for the purpose of learning the English language, and to prepare for the study of medicine. In 1890 he matriculated at the University of Michigan, and four years later received therefrom the degree of Doctor of Medicine. While a student he served in the University Hospital, and immediately after graduation began practice in Monroeville, Ohio, remaining until 1897, in which year he went abroad, visiting the prin- cipal hospitals in London, Paris, Berlin, Vienna and Berne. Upon his return to the United States, lie spent several months visiting the various hospitals of New York City. On Feb. 10, 1899, Dr. Bozovsky began the active practice of his profession in Dunkirk, N. Y., and in addition to his large private practice he serves as a member of the surgical staff of the Brooks Mem- orial Hospital, for five years held the office of president of the Tuberculosis Committee of Dunkirk, and is now (1920) a director (appointed by the State) of the New- ton Memorial Hospital at Lillydale, N. Y. Among the professional organizations in which Dr. Bozovsky is enrolled are the American Medical Association, the New York State Medical Society, the Chautauqua County Medical Society, which he served in the capacity of president, and the Dunkirk-Fredonia Med- ical Society, which he also served in the capacity of president. He affiliates with the Masonic lodge of Dunkirk. The career of Dr. Bozovsky, which is now in its zenith, is a record of devotion to the cause of medical science and to the relief and healing of suffer- ing humanity.
Dr. Bozovsky married (first) Louise M. Wilcox,
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daughter of Walter and Julia (Parker) Wilcox, and they became the parents of four children: I. Carol M., born in Monroeville, Ohio, graduated from Dunkirk High School, and is now in her junior year (1919-20) at Syracuse University. 2. Clara Louise, born in Fre- donia, N. Y., attended Dunkirk High School, passing thence to Oberlin College, and is now (1920) pursuing special studies in music in New York City. 3. Elizabeth K., born in Dunkirk, N. Y. 4. Vacil W., born in Dunkirk, N. Y. The mother of these children died in August, 1917. Dr. Bozovsky married (second) Sept. 1, 1919, Mary E. Wright, daughter of David and Mary E. (Canoune) Wright, the former named a prom- inent lumber merchant and an old resident of Dunkirk, N. Y. Both parents of second wife have been dead for a number of years.
ALBERT PETERSON, who has been a resident of Jamestown, N. Y., for more than fifty years, and is one of its most substantial merchants, is one of the oldest directors of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank of that city. And in so many ways, during his long residence within the city, he has shown characteristics, the sterling quality of which has gained him the sincere respect of the residents of a large section of the com- munity.
He was born in Busti, N. Y., Sept. 22, 1857, and is of Swedish ancestry. His parents were John and Anna S. Peterson, who were both born in Sweden. John Peterson (father) had an agricultural property in Busti, and he industriously farmed it. But he also interested himself much in public affairs, and was prominent in local politics.
Albert Peterson received a good education, attending Jamestown schools, and graduating from the grammar and high schools of the city. He worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-one years old, when he took work in a bed-spring factory on Brooklyn square Jamestown. He remained so employed for several months; eventually he entered as a clerk for another local man, Mr. F. C. Conant, owner of a general grocery store on Hemlock road. This business was sold, ultimately, to the Metcalf Brothers, but Mr. Peterson held connection with the store for a further eighteen years, in the capacity of clerk. In 1898, he formed a business partnership with A. William Carlson and opened a retail grocery and green goods store in the new Gifford building, Brooklyn square, Jamestown, the partners trading under the firm name of Peterson & Carlson, Mr. Peterson being the directing head. Three years later, in 1901, Mr. Carlson sold his interest to Mr. Peterson, who has since conducted the business to considerable advantage. The business, which is now known under his name, Albert Peterson, is one of the best in its line in the vicinity, and has appreciably added to the personal possessions of Mr. Peterson since its establishment. Success has come to Mr. Peterson by giving good honest service, and by refusing to handle low grade lines, even though the financial advantage might be enticing. Reliability of merchan- dise has been the main bulwark in his success. Mr. Peterson is a member of the Jamestown Board of Com- merce, and a director of the Farmers' and Mechanics'
Bank of Jamestown. Of that well established financial institution he is one of the oldest directors. Fraternally Mr. Peterson belongs to the order of Maccabees and he attends the First Baptist Church of Jamestown.
Mr. Peterson was married, in Jamestown, in 1879, to Ida C. Carlson, daughter of P. M. Carlson, of James- town. They have one daughter, Ella M., who married Captain (now Major) Charles A. Sandburg, who served with great distinction during the European War, returning to Jamestown laden with honors, amongst other decorations awarded him being the American Distinguished Service Cross, and the French Croix de Guerre.
NELS E. BERGSTROM, who has a good farming property in the Kiantone township of Chautauqua county, N. Y., and has been successful in operating it, is a native of Sweden, born Sept. 15, 1852. His parents were John F. and Catherine Bergstrom. His father was a farmer in Sweden, and while attending the public school in his native place during his boyhood, Nels E. Bergstrom also, between times, before and after school hours, and on holidays, learned many of the funda- mentals on farming, while helping his father in the operation of the home farm.
When he reached manhood, he was for two years in the military forces of Sweden, but eventually he was influenced to emigrate to America, to which country so many of his own friends and countrymen had already gone, and were succeeding in business or pro- fessional life. He left his homeland in 1882, and upon his arrival in the United States proceeded to James- town, and there found no difficulty in securing employ- ment. In his early years of American residence he was somewhat handicapped by having only a scant knowledge of the English language, and for a time he found it necessary to give much time to study. How- ever, he always managed to keep in good employment, which as a rule is generally readily obtainable in this country by men of industrious habits, and by those who are not afraid of honest toil. Mr. Bergstrom has always been energetic, and has always been willing to give value for value. He consequently prospered by his labor, and eventually acquired a good agricultural property in Kiantone township, Chautauqua county, N. Y. He has worked the farm for seven years, and has shown himself to be a skillful farmer, and by his mode of living, and his general dealings with the people of the vicinity, has indicated that he is a man of con- scientious Christian character. Politically, he is a Republican; he does not, however, interest himself actively in political matters. But in local matters he has shown a good spirit, readily supporting any worthy local project. And during the war, he proved himself to be a loyal American, in many ways striving to help on the cause, and contributing to the various war funds to the limit of his means. Nels E. Bergstrom is a member of the Lutheran church, and throughout his life in America has been a consistent supporter of churches of that denomination. He has exhibited com- mendable traits in his dealings with people of the county, and has proved himself to be a worthy citizen. Mr. Bergstrom was married in Sweden, Nov. 8,
albert Peterson
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ISSI, to Charlotte Peterson. They are the parents of three children: 1. Carl Edwin, born Sept. 3, 1882; married Edna Clyne, who has borne him one child, Edwin Leonard. 2. Eric, born Dec. 4, 1885; married Alice Kelly. 3. Edith Elizabeth, born Nov. 13, 1896; her husband, Elliot Hallberg, was a veteran of the Great War, having joined the United States army, Sept. 27, 1917, and been assigned to Company I, Ist Battalion, 153rd Depot Brigade, as a member of which unit he served throughout the war, being honorably discharged Feb. 15, 1919; they have one child, Dorothy Charlotte, who has lived all her life in Chautauqua county, N. Y.
FRANK T. SAMUELSON, well known merchant of Gerry, Chautauqua county, N. Y., and popular and respected in that district, in the public affairs of which he has had prominent part, is a native of Chautauqua county, and although young in years has reached commendable success in business, and a good place in public life of his own community.
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