USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume II > Part 9
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grocery store in Westfield, and two years later sold it to such good advantage that he was able to build a handsome residence on Second street, Westfield. Next, he became a travelling salesman for Mr. Thompson, a dealer in clothing and men's furnishings, but that line was not so profitable as that which he had formerly handled; therefore he again took to the wagon and tcam. Eventually, he again became possessed of a store business of promising development; it was of general store character, located on Elm street, West- field, and was named the Fair Store. After developing it for three years, he moved to Main street, to his advantage. Next, he essayed to enter the house furnishing business, and had a well stocked store at No. 3 Main street, Westfield. This he moved to No. 19 Main street, and opened two other stores, one for men's clothing and furnishings, and the other a five- and-ten-cent store. The business grew to appreciable extent, and he employed seven clerks in it all of the time. He had leased the building for ten years, but eventually he rented the store to Miss Nellie Poole, so that he might be able to give his time to what seemed more profitable business. He opened a big clothing store in Westfield, and the business progressed encouragingly until Mr. Powers' health became poor. He had over taxed his strength, and upon the doctor's advice he transferred the active management of his business to others and purchased a farm. Within a year, he was able to sell his store business at a satis- factory figure to Carnahan Brothers and Shearer, who still conduct it, and he was thus able to give all his time to his farm. He remodelled the house, stocked the farm, planted much fruit, and gradually grew strong again, an achievement more satisfactory than all else. Between whiles, he acted as auctioneer, and developed, or could have developed, quite a satisfactory connection in that, for he was a convincing auctioneer, in fact has been one, to some extent, all his varied business life, and in the many lines he handled he became com- prehensively versed in general values. In July, 1917, feeling that he was physically well again, he traded his farm for a livery business in Westfield, and success- fully conducted that business for a while. He had a good knowledge of horses, having used them through- out his active life, so that the livery business was not a novel one for him to undertake. However, he event- ually saw a better business possibility in another activity, and recently disposed of his horses and livery equipment, and started to remodel the buildings with a view of using them for the purpose of a flour and feed mill. A recent news item in a local paper states that Mr. Powers would "install at once a new up-to-date complete mill . .. electrically driven, the plant being of the patent roller system." It stated that the capacity of the mill would be about fifty barrels daily, that custom grinding would be done: that the feed mill would have a capacity of a car load daily; and that the "renovating and dismantling, together with the building of the bins and platforms, and the installing of an elevator to hoist grains would start at once." The cutting indicates one thing clearly, that Mr. Powers is still actively enterprising. The grand opening of the mill was on April 8, 1920. Into his new business endeavor he is entering with courage, investing sub-
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stantially in what promises to yield good return; the building is on Market street, Westfield, is of two stories, cement, with steel girders.
And not only in business has Mr. Powers been active ; he has been a political factor of much consequence ; he has always been a staunch and convincing Repub- lican, and he has brought the party much support. And he has also held office at Albany; for two sessions he was on the State land survey, also nursery inspec- tor; and for two years, in later life, was justice of the peace at Westfield. He is very popular among agri- culturists; is trustee of the local Grange, director of the Chautauqua County Agricultural. Fair, and one of the best known men at its meetings.
Mr. Powers was married, in 1878, at Clymer, to Lucretia L. Haines, of Panama, Chautauqua county, N. Y. To them were born three children. Both sons served in the store with their father and began their business training under him. I. Irvine, who now travels for the United States Rubber Company; he married Leona Hewer. 2. John Calvin W., who went into commercial affairs in New York City, and now is president of the Swiss Watch Company, jobbers; he married (first) Minnie Simmons, now deceased, who bore him one child, a daughter, Ione Marie; his second wife' was Rowena Hopson. 3. Charles Murry, who died in 1901.
Mr. Powers is -a man of strong character, and pleasing disposition, his marked characteristics being cheerful optimism and abundant energy. He has risen to a satisfactory competence by hard work and cheer- fulness. Withal, he is a consistent Christian, a member of the Baptist church. The Powers have always adhered to the Baptist church, Mr. Powers' success is due in a great measure to the help and encouragement of his wife, who at all times has proved herself a true helpmate.
JOSIAH WILLIAM MORRIS, M. D .- There is no better known or more popular physician in the community than Dr. Josiah William Morris, of James- town, Chautauqua county, N. Y. Dr. Morris was born on a farm in Sterling township, Blue Earth county, Minn., July 6, 1859, a son of James and Christina (Harrison) Morris, the former a farmer in that region and both now deceased.
Dr. Morris attended the district schools of his home locality as a lad, and afterwards became a student at the State Normal School at Mankato, Minn. He studied only a short time at that institution, and then matricu- lated at Carleton College, Northfield, Minn., which he attended for three years, afterwards entering Amherst College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1885, taking his degree as Bachelor of Arts. In the meantime the young man had determined upon a pro- fessional career, and with this end in view entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, N. Y. There he took the medical course, and was graduated with the class of 1889, taking the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Dr. Morris came to Jamestown, N. Y., in the same year, and began practice here on July 6, since which time he has continued in active medical work. Dr. Morris has now a large
general practice, but has specialized to a certain extent in obstetrics, and has a large practice also in that line. He is now regarded as one of the leaders of his pro- fession in this region, and is well known as an authority in his specialty. Dr. Morris is now active in many departments of the community's affairs, and is a member of a number of important organizations here. He is affiliated with the Jamestown Medical Society, of which he was one of the founders, and three times its president; he was eleven years the secretary of the Chautauqua County Medical Society; and for four years was a delegate to the New York State Medical Society ; he is also a member of the American Medical Association. Dr. Morris was twice president of the Fourth District Branch of the New York State Medical Association previous to its union with the Medical Society of the State of New York in 1906. In politics he is an independent Republican, and although the demands made upon his time and energies by his professional activities prevent him from taking as conspicuous a part as he otherwise might in public affairs, he is always keenly interested and well informed on all general and local issues and performs to the full his duties as a citizen. Dr. Morris finds his chief recre- ation in gardening and devotes what spare time he has to this delightful avocation.
Dr. Morris was united in marriage, Oct, 14, 1890, with Mary Gray, a daughter of Dr. Henry and Sarah Ann (Kinnie) Gray, old and highly respected residents of Bloomfield, Conn. Dr. and Mrs. Morris are the parents of three children, as follows: 1. Dorothy Clift, born Sept. 7, 1892; she was educated at the Jamestown grammar and high schools, and afterwards studied for a short time at Mt. Holyoke College; she is at the present time taking a course as trained nurse at Syra- cuse, N. Y. 2. Henry Gray, born Oct. 19, 1895; he was educated at the public schools of Jamestown, and at Cornell University, from which he graduated with the class of 1918, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts; he is now studying medicine at the medical school connected with the same university, 3. Sidney Elderkin, born Aug. 1, 1898; he was educated at the Jamestown public schools, and on Sept. 30, 1917, entered the United States Marine Corps, serving in, that great body until recently, when he received his honorable discharge.
GILDEN RICHARDSON BROADBERRY, al- though at present in business as real estate agent and insurance broker in Jamestown, N. Y., should be considered first as a professional man, a musician, in fact, an authority internationally known on matters pertaining to music, for up until twelve years ago music was his sole profession. He holds the academic degree of one of the leading universities of England, studied music in one of the leading British conservatories, took post-graduate courses in music in many European centérs, and is a graduate of an American Conservatory of Music. After arriving in this country, lie soon established himself as an authority and an able writer 011 subjects relating to music. He has been musical writer and contributor to many American publications, and is known for his skill as an organist and a com- poser. Notwithstanding his present business activities
yours Sincerely S. H. Morris
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BIOGRAPHICAL
in Jamestown, Mr. Broadberry should be considered primarily as a professor of music.
He is of British birth, born in Nottinghamshire, England, May 20, 1862, the son of Henry and Frances (Brown) Broadberry, both of whom are now deceased. He located in Pittsburgh, Pa., in the year 1885 and, having decided to remain in the United States he set out to establish himself in practice in Pittsburgh as a teacher of music. He was organist of Pittsburgh Emmanuel Church for almost three years, of the Church of the Ascension for seven years, and of Calvary Episcopal Church for nine years. He was also assist- ant city organist of Pittsburgh under the great Fred- erick Archer, and for ten years was superintendent of music at the Western Pennsylvania Institution for the Blind, at Pittsburgh. He established a reputation as a well known musical critic and editorial writer, contributing to many publications, including a regular assignment on the "Pittsburgh Chronical Telegraph," and a term of four years as musical editor of the "East End News." He is at present organist and choir director of the First Presbyterian Church, of Jamestown, and for the last seven years has been musical editor of the Jamestown "Evening Journal," His reviews in this paper have created considerable interest in the community.
He went to Boston, Mass., to study the mechanism of musical instruments in general, and of pianos in particular, and graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music with a grade of 100 per cent. Thus equipped, he undertook to talk pianos and to sell them. He succeeded well, and it was following this activity that he first came to Jamestown. Later, Mr. Broadberry saw more lucrative possibilities in real estate and in the writing of insurance, to which busi- ness activities he has since held. But he has by no means given up his main life study, music, upon which, however, he is not now dependent for a living. His association and cooperation with music lovers in Jamestown and vicinity have done much to give pleasure to city audiences. He was leader of the Thirteenth Separate Company Band, the band of Company E, 65th Infantry, New York Guard. The Company was Federalized soon after the outbreak of the war, 1917, but later another Company E was formed, which is now associated with the 74th Infantry. Mr. Broadberry organized the Company E Band, and has continued as its director. This is the official band of the Armory. Since coming to Jamestown, Mr. Broadberry has taken much active interest in civic affairs. He took a prominent part in the local war activities, and was of material assistance to the local branch of the Red Cross, being its secretary for more than a year. He gave his personal services unstintingly to the national cause, serving as committeeman on all local campaigns.
Politically, Mr. Broadberry is a Democrat and was for two years Democratic State Committeeman for the First Assembly District of Chautauqua county. Sufficient has been written to indicate that he is keenly and unselfishly interested in the affairs of the community in which he lives, even to the compilation of its history, in which he lends his active cooperation, for he is, in fact, one of the editors of this work.
LAVERN WINSOR LAZELL-There is now and then a man who after he has passed away lives in the minds of many, not only by reason of results accom- plished, but also in consequence of a singularly vivid and forceful personality. So survives the memory of the late Lavern Winsor Lazell.
Lavern Winsor Lazell was born in Stockton, N. Y., April 24, 1858, the son of Hiram and Wealthy Ann (Winsor) Lazell, pioneer residents of Chautauqua county. He was educated in the grammar school of his native place, and Jamestown Business College. When a young man he entered the drug store of his grandfather, Chauncey Winsor, and continued the busi- ness himself after his grandfather's death, and still later engaging in the hardware business in Stockton, In 1892 he went to Buffalo, N. Y., and there hecame identified with the firm of Wright, Jones & Company, house furnishings. After four years, Mr. Lazell returned to Stockton, and in 1897 established the private banking house of Lavern W. Lazell & Company, with a capital of $5,000 which was later increased to $10,000, with the following officers in charge: President, Lavern W. Lazell; vice-president, Mrs. Esther L. Dennison, of Jamestown, N. Y., sister of Mr. Lazell; cashier, C. Elmer Olsen; assistant cashier, Melvin J. Olsen.
The business talents of Mr. Lazell were above the average, and he steadily advanced to the position of prominence which he held at the time of his death. May 3, 1919. The flourishing condition of his business and its continued prosperity during the years of his con- nection with it testified to his sound judgment and un- tiring energy which he brought to the discharge of the duties of his responsible position. In politics he was a Republican, and several times served as village clerk. He was postmaster of Stockton for a number of years, his mother having held the position prior to his appoint- ment. He united with the Lafayette Baptist Church oi Buffalo in 1895, and was actively identified with the work of that denomination throughout the remainder of his lifetime. He was a member of the board of trustees of the Baptist church of Stockton, and a teacher in the Sunshine League, and also a member of the State committee of what is known as the Victory Move- ment. For many years he was treasurer of the Empire State Degree of Honor, and a member of the Stockton Lodge of Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Woodmen of the World.
On July 17, 1879, Mr. Lazell was united in marriage with Esto I. Crissey, of Fayette, Ia., and they became the parents of a daughter Ruth, wife of Clifford Pierce, Young Men's Christian Association State Secretary of Kansas. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Pierce: Marion Lazell, John Hamilton, Rachel Ann, Martha Crissey.
Printed in the June 2, 1919 issue of the "Degree of Honor Journal" are the following resolutions on the death of Lavern W. Lazell, which were unanimously adopted :
Whereas, In the fulfillment of the law of being, and that "will that ne'er was frustrate of its end," our friend and associate, Lavern W. Lazell, has laid down the burdens of life, and
Whereas, The Empire State Degree of Honor, whose treasurer he has been during the many years, feels a peculiar loss, and
Whereas, We, the official representatives of that body, believe that it is fitting to bear testimony to his great worth; therefore, be tt
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Resolved. That in the death of Lavern W. Lazell we have suffered a loss which can only be conpensated by the memories of his kindly and intelligent counsels in the many problems of the past, and by a firm adher- ence to those principles and examples which his life ever manifested; and be it further
Resolved, That we pledge ourselves to his memory, and to our best efforts to make the Empire State Degree of Honor express the purposes which he ever sought in the discharge of his duties to the organi- zation; and be it further
Resolved. That these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of the board of directors, and that an engrossed copy thereof be presented to the family of the deceased.
LUTHER RAWSON DEAN-The Dean family is a line which became numerous in England soon after the Conquest, and the valley of Taunton Dene, with which it is closely identified, is one of the most charm- ing in England. Fuller's "Worthies" tells of a proverb current among the inhabitants of this valley which ex- presses the local pride in it as a place of birth. The proverb runs: "Where should I be born else than in Taunton Dene?" In most ancient times the forms Den or Denc were the common ones for the name, which is now written Dean or Deane. It made its appearance in England soon after the introduction of surnames, being of Saxon origin, and would appear to be derived from the Saxon word den or dene, signifying a valley or wooded place, something very different from glen, which would signify a valley between hills. A den or dene is ground that sinks suddenly from the common level of the country and cannot be seen until the beholder is close upon its borders. The word is preserved in the proper forms of certain valleys in England, as Taunton Dean, Castle Eden Dean, etc. It is probable, as is set forth by many students of early English nomenclature, that the name was first given to estates that were situ- ated in the vicinity of denes, and that from the estates the name, by an easy transition, passed to the owners of such properties. From Dene or Den have arisen the two surnames which in later times have become entirely distinct, Deane or Dean, and Denne. The coat-of-arms is as follows :
Deane (Dean) Arms-Gules, a lion couchant guard- ant or, on a chief argent three crescents of the field.
Crest-A demi-lion rampant or, holding between his paws a crescent gules.
Although the name as a family cognomen is of Saxon origin, it has been borne by some families that were of Norman extraction. In English annals the first person of the name was Robert de Den or de Dene, who, ac- cording to Berry's "Genealogy of Kent," was "pincerna, butler, or sewer" to Edward the Confessor, and the estates that he received in England were of great im- portance. In the roll of knights of the eighth year of Edward II., now in the Harleian Collection of the Brit- ish Museum, are mentioned five of the name: Sir Wil- liam de Dene of Essex; Sir Henry de Dene, of Dene, Northamptonshire: John de Dene, of Huntingdonshire ; John de Dyne or Deyne, of Oxfordshire; and John de Dene, of Leicestershire. Many individuals distinguished in the history of England have been of this name. Probably of the Gloucestershire family and a Dene of Dene in the Forest of Dene, was Henry Dene, Arch- bishop of Canterbury and Lord Chamberlain in the reign of Henry VII. Sir Richard Deane was mayor of London in 1629. Admiral and Maj .- Gen. Richard Deane
was the famous regicide who lost his life in the engage- ment with the Dutch fleet under Van Tromp in 1653, and Sir Anthony Deane was comptroller of the navy in 1666-68.
John Deane and Walter Deane, brothers, came to America in 1637. Others of the same name, but so far as known not related to these brothers, were already in the New World or came soon after. John and Wal- ter Deane disembarked at Boston and remained for a time at the capital of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. For a year or more they were residents of Dorchester, then with some of their neighbors moved farther south in Massachusetts and established at Cohanet, the town afterward named Taunton. In common with the Deane brothers, numerous other early settlers of Taunton came either from Taunton, England, or from the neighboring village of Chard. One of the early Colonial documents says that the new settlement was called Taunton "in honor and love to our dear native country."
The Deans of New York are descendants of the old New England family, members of the line herein re- corded being among the settlers from Connecticut and Rhode Island who came to Dutchess county, N. Y., about 1740, the Deans, Brights, Adees, Abbotts, and others. In Colonial and Revolutionary times the fam- ily had representatives of well merited prominence, Captain Gilbert Dean serving in Hammond's Westches- ter regiment during the war, entirely outfitting a com- pany at his own expense. Sergeant John Dean, his nephew, served for two years in the same regiment. Captain Gilbert Dean was a son of Isaac Dean, born in 1698, died in 1784, of the family of Dean of Stoning- ton, Conn. Isaac Dean had come to Philipsburg, N. Y., about 1740, and became one of the large leaseholders of the Philipse Manor, also being justice of the peace and under sheriff of the county about 1750. He married Mary Gardiner, who died about 1752, and who, at the time of her marriage, appears to have been living at Cohasset, Long Island.
Luther Rawson Dean was a grandson of Gilbert and Abigail (Rogers) Dean. Gilbert Dean, his father, was born at Pleasant Valley, Dutchess county, Aug. 14, 1819, died in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., Oct. 12, 1870. His grand- father, and granduncle, Dean, were both in the battle of White Plains, in the Revolution. On his mother's side he was of Huguenot origin, of a family who came to this country early in the seventeenth century. In his school days it was said of Gilbert Dean that "he could swim farther, run faster, jump higher than any boy of his inches." He was fitted for college partly at Amenia Seminary and was graduated from Yale College in 1841. After graduation he studied law and was admit- ted to the bar in Litchfield county, Conn., afterward in New York, in May, 1844. He was a lawyer in Pough- keepsie, N. Y., for a time, and then became a member of the law firm of Beebe, Dean & Donohue. He was a representative in Congress from Dutchess and Putnam counties in November, 1850, and again in 1852, resigning after three years' service to accept the office of justice of the Supreme Court of New York for the second judicial district, appointed by the Governor in June, 1854, to fill the unexpired term of Judge Barculo. He served until January, 1856, being a judge of the Court of Ap- peals the last year. In November, 1862, he was elected
L.R Dran
DEAN ( Deane )
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THE L. R. DEAN RESIDENCE BROCKTON, N. Y.
Emma Conel Deane
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BIOGRAPHICAL
to Assembly from New York City, and in January, 1863, when the session began, he was the Democratic candi- date for the Speaker's chair. Mr. Dean contributed largely to periodical literature, mostly by critical articles. "He was an acknowledged political leader, a lawyer of high repute, of great industry, and readiness in emergency, and very successful in his cases; a skilful and strong debator; a judge of rapid and just intuitions, and stainless impartiality ; in his family and with his friends, jovial, free, and of most amiable dis- position." He was a communicant of the Presbyterian church.
Judge Dean married (first) Sept. 2, 1841, Amelia Smith, of Sharon, Conn., daughter of Seabury and Har- riet (Lockwood) Smith, and a descendant of Henry Smith, who came from Norfolkshire, England, in 1636, was the first minister in Wethersfield, Conn., and died in 1648. Seabury Smith, her father, was a direct de- scendant of Henry Smith, who came from Norfolkshire, England, and died in 1648. Seabury Smith was also a direct descendant of Cotton Mather. Judge Dean was the first graduate of the Yalc class of 1841 to marry, and his wife died Sept. 6, 1850. He married (second) Mary Stewart. She was the youngest daughter of Alvan and Keziah (Holt) Stewart. Alvan Stewart, son of Uriel, was a descendant of an ancestor who was in the siege of Londonderry, Ireland, in 1689. Alvan Stewart was an eloquent lawyer, a strong temperance advocate, and pioneer abolitionist, whose home in Utica, N. Y., was twice mobbed by sympathizers with slavery. His wife was a descendant of Nicholas Holt, who came to America from Ramsey, England, in 1635, and settled in Andover, Mass., where he was one of the ten original members of the First Church. Her mother was a granddaughter of Colonel Clyde, a Revolutionary hero, and was also of the lineage of Matthew Thorton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
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