USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume III > Part 15
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John H. Tousley passed his childhood and early youth in his native town of Morrisville, and as a lad attended the local district schools, but abandoned his studies at an early age in order to learn the trade of carpenter, which he continued to follow until 1855. In that year he opened a bakery and confectionery store at Rushford, N. Y., but in 1864 removed from that town to James- town, where he engaged in the wholesale and retail bakery and confectionery business, opening an estab- lishment on East Third street. For a quarter of a century thereafter Mr. Tousley was successfully engaged in that business, and built up one of the largest estab- lishments of its kind in the entire region. He enjoyed an enviable reputation for integrity and fair business methods, and was one of the leading figures in the busi- ness world here.
John H. Tousley was united in marriage, Jan. 16, 1855, with Mary Elizabeth Parker, a native of Rushford, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Tousley celebrated their golden wedding, Jan. 16, 1905; the following 6th of December Mr. Tousley died. Mrs. Tousley survived her husband for a number of years, her death occurring Sept. 26, 1917. She was prominent in the social circles of the city, and was a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Tousley were the parents of three child- ren, as follows: 1. Charles, who died at La Junta, Colo., and who married Adeline Furlow, by whom he had one child, Doris. 2. John H., a successful merchant in Jamestown, where he married Mayme McGinn, by whom he has three children: John M., Howard J., and Laurence Charles. 3. Ruth C., who is well known as a public school teacher in Jamestown, where she has taught for more than thirty-six years.
EDWARD E. DUFFEE-A man of varied experi- ence, having been engaged in a great many widely diver- gent lines of business, Edward E. Duffce is what might
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be truly called a self-made man. From his boyhood up to the present time, his life has had very little playtime in it, for as soon as one occupation came to an end, another was at once adopted to take its place.
Edward E. Duffee, was born in Buckley, Schuylkill county, Pa., April 30, 1853, his parents, Neil Duffee and his wife, Nancy ( Schmidt) Duffee, living in the oil field regions at that time, his father being actively engaged in oil production. Neil Duffee is now deceased, as is also his wife.
Edward E. Duffee was given a good common school education, attending both grammar and high schools in Oil City, Pa., until sixteen years old, though he did not graduate from the high school. His first step on the business ladder was as clerk in the general department store of Sheppard, Son & Stone Company, where he continued for seven years. He then became interested in oil and in 1878 started prospecting and operating in that line in Clarion county, Pa., later going to Mckean field, continuing in the oil business from 1888 to 1891. In December, 1891, he went to Jamestown and opened a dry goods store in the Broadhead block, No. 16 South Main street, remaining there until 1899, when he moved to the New Arcade. Eighteen months later he moved again to the White block, where he carried on his busi- ness until 1906; then Mr. Duffee sold out and moved to Pittsburgh, going into the real estate business. In 1907 he returned to Jamestown, and in the spring of 1908 started to operate the Excelsior Furniture Com- pany, having built the factory for that purpose. After some time spent in this occupation, he sold his interests in the furniture line and bought a half interest in the dry goods business of Charles Samuels; seventeen months later he bought the other half, conducting the business alone. This proved very satisfactory, but a short time after the transfer was effected, the building caught fire and he was burned out. Three months later business was resumed, only to be destroyed by another fire in less than a year. But, like the Phoenix, Mr. Duffee's business arose from the ashes, and on Dec. 15, 1910, he opened his present store, the E. E. Duffee dry goods, cloaks, suits, carpets and drapery business, which has proven to be a most successful concern. Mr. Duffee is a Republican in political faith, and is interested in the work of his party, though he has seldom held any public office. At one time he was a member of the School Board, from 1906 to 1909. He is a Free Mason having passed through all degrees up to the thirty-second, and is a Knights Templar. In religion Mr. Duffee is a Presbyterian, he and his family attending that church.
Edward E. Duffee married Ella E. Vossard, in Oil City, Jan 11, 1887. They have four children : I. Oppo, now the wife of W. G. Eckman. 2. Floss G., who married William Gokey, Jr. 3. Fleda F., living at home. 4. Diege D., also at home. Mrs. Duffee is a very efficient, capable woman, and in addition to the care of her home and family, assists her husband in the store, the business having grown so large as to require constant supervision by one or the other of them. Mr. Duffee is ranked among the successful men of Jamestown.
JAMES BRACE ANDERSON-There is no figure better known in the agricultural world of Ellington, Chautauqua county, N. Y., than that of James Brace
Anderson, who has been for many years one of the most prominent farmers of the district and a man who, through his long career, has earned the high esteem and admiration of his associates and the community-at- large. Mr. Anderson is a son of Edwin and Catherine Ann (Crosby) Anderson, the former a farmer at Elling- ton, and a native of that place, where his birth occurred April 7, 1858. As a lad he attended the high school at Chamberlain, N. Y., and upon completing his studies at that institution took up the occupation of farming which he has followed ever since with a high degree of suc- cess. Mr. Anderson is also interested in the financial affairs of Ellington and Jamestown and is affiliated with the Jamestown National Bank. He takes a keen interest in local politics and is a strong supporter of the Republican party, of which he has been a member for many years. He is a member of the local grange and is well known as having done much to promote the farm- ing interests of the community. In his religious belief Mr. Anderson is a Methodist.
James Brace Anderson was united in marriage, June 18, 1884, at Salamanca, N. Y., with Cora Sarah Ewing, a native of that city, where her birth occurred Oct. 27, 1857. Mrs. Anderson is a daughter of Henry and Augusta Loraine (Willis) Ewing. Mr. and Mrs. Ander- son are the parents of the following children: Archi- bald, born Feb. 22, 1887, and died July 26, 1896; Sada Loraine, born Aug. 27, 1889; Harriett Louise, born March 19, 1892; Frank K. Henry, born Dec. 24, 1897, enlisted, Dec. 24, 1917, in Company I, 4th Regiment of Infantry, in the regular army of the United States, and served until May 28, 1919, with the American Expedi- tionary Force in France, a period of fourteen months in all, during which he saw action in three great battles of the war; and Emmons Edwin, born Oct. 30, 1901.
DELMAR T. FREDRICKSON, president of the Fredrickson Brothers Veneer Mill, Basket Factory and Saw Mill, was born in Stockton, N. Y., June 6, 1888. He was a son of Alfred D. and Matilda (Anderson) Fredrickson. Alfred D. Fredrickson is a farmer and a strong ally of the Prohibition party. Three sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fredrickson: Delmar T., of further mention; Paul W .; Albin L., whose sketch follows this work.
Delmar T. Fredrickson was educated in the grammar and high schools of his native place. After leaving school he served an apprenticeship to the plumber's trade at Buffalo, N. Y., later going to Kane, Pa., where he was employed in a glass factory for a short period. He then became associated with Charles A. Hall, who owned a large steam power plant for basket making. In 1912. together with Otto S. Bussing, Mr. Fredrickson bought this mill and the business was continued until 1919, when Paul W. Fredrickson and Albin L. Fred- rickson, brothers of Delmar T. Fredrickson, bought the Bussing buildings and added them to the already exten- sive plant, making this one of the largest enterprises of its kind in Chautauqua county. Logs are bought from nearby woodlands and the entire process of the making of the fruit baskets is done at this plant, where 85 men and girls are employed for this purpose. In politics Mr. Fredrickson is a Republican, and is a member of the Stockton School Board. He affiliates with the Inde-
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pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a member of the First Baptist Church, of Stockton, of which he is also a trustee.
On Sept. 25. 1015. Mr. Fredrickson married Pearl L. Johnson, of Johnsonburg, Pa., and they are the parents of one child, Lillian O.
ALBIN L. FREDRICKSON, vice-president of Fredrickson Brothers Veneer Mill, Basket Factory and Saw Mill. is a native of Stockton, N. Y., where his birth occurred Jan. 31. 1800. Mr. Fredrickson is the son of Alfred D. and Matilda (Anderson) Fredrickson.
The education of Albin L. Fredrickson was obtained in the schools of his native place, and after graduating from the Stockton High School he secured a position in the basket factory of Charles Hall, but remained there for a short time only, going thence to Jamestown. N. Y., where he served an apprenticeship as a metal cabinet- maker in the Art Metal Construction Company. He next established himself in the business of basket mak- ing and was thus engaged until July 19, 1918, when he enlisted in the United States Army. After being at Camp Dix for a month he sailed for France with Com- pany H. 346th Infantry. After eight months of service he returned to the United States and received his honorable discharge at Camp Upton, April 11, 1919. Upon his return to Stockton he became associated with his brothers, Delmar T., and Paul W., in Fredrickson Brothers Basket Factory and was made vice-president of the organization. Albin L. Fredrickson is a man of good judgment and business foresight, and he has done much towards making this enterprise one of the largest of its kind in this region. Although possessed of wide popularity and the respect and esteem of his fellow- citizens. Mr. Fredrickson has not taken any prominent part in local affairs nor has he entered politics. He affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with Lodge No. 851, Free and Accepted Masons.
On Nov. 15. 1919, Mr. Fredrickson was united in marriage with Ellen Unsworth, of Jamestown, N. Y.
REV. JOHN EMMANUEL HILLBERG-Since November, 1852. the date of its organization, the First Swedish Methodist Church of Jamestown, N. Y., has had twenty settled pastors, the first, Rev. Olof Hamrin, serving the church from June, 1853, until July, 1834, the rule of the itinerancy then limiting a pastor's term to one year. The twentieth pastor of the church preached his first sermon to the congregation in October, 1917, succeeding Rev. Eric Philip Swan, who was pastor iram 1912 16 1917. The founder of the church, Pastor O. G. Hedstrom, watched over the little congregation until the arrival of its first stationed pastor, Rev. Olof Hamrin A history of the church published in the Sue Ih language in 1912, commemorating its sixtieth birthday. gives photographs of its first nineteen pastors, and of the first six all are dead except the fourth, Rev. Br. . Argut Carlsen, who served the church from Och'er 1866 until 186). He is now living in Stockholm, Sucre and i in his righty-seventh year. The present pest r Pe . John F. Hillberg, is a graduate of the So thern Academy in Stockholm, Sweden, and of Evan ter. Theological Seminary, Evanston, Ill., his part ral work beginning in New York in 1805, was
broken by a term of five years as professor, and one of six years as editor-in-chief of a religious journal "Sandebudet" (The Messenger). Since his return to the ministry in 1917, he has served the First Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church of Jamestown with great acceptability.
The first church building erected by the First Church was begun in 1857, on Centre street, and was dedicated to the service of God. Jan. 1, 1860. A Sunday school was organized in 1872, and in 1898 that church building was removed to Chandler street, rebuilt, and on Sept. 15 of that year was re-dedicated. In 1890 the present beautiful structure was finished and dedicated, and in 1894 the present parsonage, the third in order, was erected. In 1919 a "Memorial Hall" was added to the property as a meeting place for the returning soldiers. It is a beautiful room. Seventy-eight men had stars on the service flag of the church. Three stars turned golden. The church is finely furnished, and in all respects a worthy home for the large congregation it accommodates, the present membership being 700.
Rev. John E. Hillberg, twentieth pastor of the First Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church of Jamestown, "Forsta Svencka Metodist Forsamlingen," was born in Malmkoping, Sweden, Dec. 9, 1873, son of Rev. John and Emma Ulrika Oscaria (Molin) Hillberg, his father a clergyman. John E. Hillberg attended the public schools of Gothenburg and Stockholm, Sweden, and is a graduate of Southern Latin Academy, in Stockholm. He then spent two years at the Institute of Technology in Stockholm, and three years with an engineering firm in the same city, coming to the United States in 1892. After coming to this country he studied for the ministry, and in 1895 was graduated from the Theological Semi- nary, Evanston, Ill. He was ordained a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church in 1896, became a member of The New York East Conference, and began pastoral work in New York State in 1895. His first charge was at Mt. Vernon, N. Y., and between 1895 and 1906 he was pastor in charge of Mt. Vernon, Bridgeport, Conn., and Brooklyn, N. Y., at that time the largest Swedish church in the denomination.
In 1906 he accepted a professorship in Swedish Theo- logical Seminary, Evanston, Ill., and until 1911 filled the chairs of history and languages at that institution. He then resigned to accept a position as editor-in-chief of the Swedish religious paper, "Sandebudet" (The Messenger), a post he ably filled until 1917, when he returned to the active ministry and was appointed to the pastorate of the First Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church of Jamestown, The church has progressed under his leadership, and each department is faithfully prosecuting its especial line of work.
Rev. John E. Hillberg married, in Worcester, Mass., June 7, 1807, Hannah Christine Lundgren, daughter of John and Edla Christine Lundgren. They have an adopted daughter, Emma Louise, born in Sweden, Nov. 30, 1911. During the summer of 1920, Rev. Hillberg visited Sweden in the capacity of speaker for the Choral Club of Chicago, then touring abroad. King Gustav then conferred upon him the Knighthood of the Order of Vasa. During the war he also paid a visit to said country at the invitation of the government of Sweden. Ile served our country in the World War as speaker on the Bureau of Public Information.
Inanie a.C. Fredrichon
It Ralph Willse, ML.
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AXEL E. ANDERSON-As Jamestown is a center for manufacturing, it follows naturally that shoe stores in plenty may be found there. Among them is the shoe emporium of Axel E. Anderson, at No. 108 Main street. For more than twenty years Mr. Anderson has en- deavored to keep the feet of the Jamestown people comfortable and trimly fitted with foot-covering, and that he has met with considerable success may be taken as a fact as he was compelled to move from the original place of business to a more commodious loca- tion a few years ago.
Mr. Anderson is a Swede by birth, but as he has lived in this country ever since his infancy his interests are all American. Born Feb. 1, 1871, in Sweden, the child met with a serious misfortune when only two weeks old, his father dying at that time. His mother came to the United States with her baby, and having married for the second time, the boy became known by the name of his step-father, Anderson. His early education was obtained at the village school of Ellery, N. Y., taking a course afterwards at the business college at Jamestown. During the time he attended school young Anderson worked at whatever his hands found to do, having a morning paper route, delivering goods, etc.
When nineteen years of age the young man obtained regular employment in the shipping department of the Jamestown Lounge Company, remaining with them five years, and in 1894 went with the Jamestown Desk Com- pany, also as shipping clerk. A year later he accepted a position with the Chautauqua Steamboat Company, but after two years with that company he entered the shoe store of J. F. Peterson as salesman. For four years he continued in Mr. Peterson's employ and then, having learned the business, Mr. Anderson started a shoe store of his own at No. 305 Main street. For three years he conducted this alone, then the business having grown rapidly, he felt the need of assistance, so in 1901 formed a partnership with Charles Sandburg. This was a most satisfactory arrangement, continuing for several years, but the trouble on the Mexican border requiring the services of the National Guard, necessitated the departure of Mr. Sandburg for the scene of action, he being a member of the guard. Mr. Anderson bought out his partner's share in the business and continued it alone. Later Mr. Sandburg volunteered in the United States army for the term of the World War, his rank being that of major. Mr. Anderson was at that time occupying his present quarters at No. 108 Main street, having moved there after Mr. Sandburg entered the firm in 1901. He has the agency for the Stetson shoe, also the Justright shoe.
Mr. Anderson's political principles are those of the Republican party, though he does not trouble himself greatly with the trials and worries of politics. In religious belief he is a Baptist, being clerk of the First Baptist Church of Jamestown. He is affiliated with the local lodge of the Order of Maccabees.
Axel E. Anderson married, in Jamestown, Dec. 29, 1892, Edith May Kingman, of that city, the daughter of J. Frank Kingman. To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson two children were born: I. Grace Margaret, who was educated in the public schools of Jamestown, later taking a course in elocution at the University of Syracuse. At the present time she assists her father in the shoe store. 2. Wilton H., also educated in the public schools
of Jamestown and afterward went to the University of Illinois, serving in the Student's Training Corps there. The young man's ambition is to enter Colgate Univer- sity at Hamilton, N. Y.
As a citizen Mr. Anderson is highly respected; as a business man he has the confidence of his customers, and he is a devoted husband and father.
H. RALPH WILLSE, M. D., graduate in medicine of the Buffalo University, and for the last eighteen years a well regarded and successful medical practitioner in Westfield, Chautauqua county, N. Y., and widely known throughout that section of the county, was born at South Columbia, Herkimer county, N. Y., Nov. 30, 1875, the son of Dr. Hudson G. and Frances (Vrooman) Willse. His father, Dr. Hudson G. Willse, is one of the oldest practicing physicians in Western New York, and is still in active practice at North Bay, N. Y., notwith- standing that he is now more than seventy years old. Dr. Hudson G. Willse is also a graduate in medicine of Buffalo University, and it is noteworthy that his entry into medicine came by his own resolute determi- nation, for he had to work his way through Buffalo University, graduating in 1883.
His son, H. Ralph Willse, in due course attended for primary instruction the public schools of his native place, and later became a student at the New Berlin, N. Y., High School, graduating therefrom in 1893. To prepare himself further for academic credits when he ultimately took up the study of medicine, he took post-graduate high school work for a while at Richfield Springs, N. Y., but in 1896 he entered Buffalo University as a medical student, and like his father also worked his way through without outside assistance, and in 1900 was creditably placed among the graduates in medicine of that year, receiving in due course the degree of Doctor of Medicine. For one year prior to graduation he was connected with a hospital, observing much clinical work, and for one year after gaining his degree he was resident physician of the Emergency Hospital, of Buffalo. He was thus well fitted by actual experi- ence in extensive and varied practice to enter confidently into private practice, and as a general medical practi- tioner he opened an office in Westfield, Chautauqua county, N. Y., in 1901. Since that year he has been in constant practice in that neighborhood, and now has a very extensive practice. Dr. Willse is a member of many professional organizations, of County, State, and National operation; his college fraternity is the Alpha Omego Delta; and he is a member of the Dunkirk branch of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and of the Westfield encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politically, Dr. Willse is a Re- publican, but he gives his time and thought to pro- fessional matters and not to political.
His wife, whom he married in Westfield, N. Y., April 21, 1903, was Lillian Day, daughter of Professor Day, a well known educator in Canada, and founder of a noted school, the Day Institute, in Toronto, Canada. Dr. and Mrs. Willse have three children : Hudson Day, born Jan. 26, 1904; Allen Ray, born Jan. 6, 1905; Lillian Edith, born April 7, 1908. The family attend the Presbyterian church at Westfield, and Dr. and Mrs. Willse take appreciable part in community affairs.
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ARCHIBALD D. FALCONER-The family and village of Falconer have been closely associated for many years. the village being named in honor of the family which was founded in Chautauqua county, N. Y .. by Robert Falconer, a Seotch gentleman of means, who arrived in Jamestown in ISI ;. He is remembered in the Lake Chautauqua region by the steamer, "Robert Falconer." which was one of the earliest steamboats to be launched on the lake, and he was the man responsible for the coming of the first Swedes to Jamestown. His kind heart led him to adopt two little Swedish girls whom he found with their parents in Buffalo, and after they were safely sheltered in his home in Sugar Grove, Pa .. he brought their parents there and found them employment. This family attracted others and from the little Sugar Grove settlement came the two women who were the first actual Swedish settlers of Jamestown. Archibald D. Falconer, a twentieth century representa- tive of the family, is a grandson of Robert Falconer. and a son of William Falconer, whose business life was spent in Kennedy in the town of Poland, Chautauqua county. N. Y.
Robert Falconer was born at Inveraven, Scotland, Dec. 22. 1780, and died at Sugar Grove, Pa., Oct. 25, 1852, scion of an ancient and honorable Scottish clan. He spent years of his minority in Scotland, and in the year 1800 he was graduated from Aberdeen University, his object being to pursue a professional career in his na- tive land. Having wealth at his disposal, he decided to visit the United States, and he is first found located in New York City, where he traded in cotton, shipping to Liverpool and Glasgow raw cotton, his shipments be- ing filled from Charleston, S. C., and New York City. The War of 1812 seriously interfered with his ship- ments, and after his marriage he retired from the cot- ton business and came to Western New York, arriving in Jamestown in 1817. Shortly afterward he took up a large trart of land at Sugar Grove. Pa., but in 1819 he eame again to Jamestown and settled on the property purchased two years carlier. Jamestown was his home for ten years, and during that period he became identi- fied with several enterprises, notably lake navigation, and one of the earlier steamboats bore his name.
In 1x2). Robert Falconer moved to Warren, Pa., where he engaged in banking, becoming the first presi- dent it . Lumbermans' Bank of Warren. He remained In Warres until 1840, then went to Sugar Grove, where the 1 -t tin years of his life were spent. He was a man oi kindl; bear, strong, upright character, and one of the va hed citizens of his day. He married, in 1812, Il za Eliot, who died in 18to, leaving three sons, P Wert, Patrick, and William T. Robert, the eldest, 1 .' 'i. Sigar Grove, Pa .. where he became a prom- . lin berr .r. Patrick, the second, became a lawyer .: d . al a member of the law firm of Hazeltine & Fal- In 1213. hi- father needing his assistance in the i'm. meine , enterprise, Patrick Falconer « pra ture, enl until hi death in Falconer, identified with the business interests . i .hall. . and of Home town.
Watlean 'T Fale der the youngest son of Robert and F'sz: (1.Net) beleener, war born in Sugar Grove, Pa., April 1 225 and died at Kennedy, Chautauqua county. N Y. Br. 16. 1/20, aged ixty three. He was left
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