USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume III > Part 19
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Charles L. Eckman received his education in the pub- tic schools of Titusville, Pa., and Buffalo, N. Y., and after 'n'shing his studies became a telegraph operator, continuing along this line for some time, then accepted a position as clerk in the Commercial Bank of Titus- ville. He later became an accountant for S. S. Bryan & Company of the same city. In 1894 he became suc- cessively, secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Breed-Johnson Furniture Company of Jamestown, and some years later Mr. Eckman, with his brother, J. A. Eckman, purchased the interests of the other mem- bers of the firm and the name was changed to The Erkman Furniture Company, of which Mr. Eckman is now the head.
Politically Mr. Eckman is a staunch Republican, but he has never cared for the emoluments of office. He is a member of the commission governing the O. E. Jones General Hospital, and was formerly on the Board of the Farmers and Mechanics Bank, but since the organ- ization of the American National Bank has been on its executive committee, which office he holds at the present
time. Fraternally Mr. Eckman is a member of the Masonic bodies ; a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; a member of the Norden Club, of which he was one of the founders and president for some time; was also the first vice-president of the Board of Commerce from its organization up to 1920; on the executive committee of the Manufacturers' Association ; on the Board of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce of New York; is the chairman for this district of the American Scandinavian Foundation of New York; and is a member of the Swedish Historical Society of Amer- ica. Ever since the Jamestown Furniture Market Asso- ciation was organized he has served as its treasurer. Mr. Eckman also had the high honor of being knighted by King Gustav V, of Sweden, receiving the degree, Royal Order of Vasa, First Class, in 1916. In religious affiliations Mr. Eckman and wife are prominent mem- bers of the First Lutheran Church of Jamestown, and are active in all its social as well as business affairs. Mr. Eckman is chairman of the Pension Committee of the Lutheran Augustana Synod for the Eastern States.
On Aug. 5, 1897, in Jamestown, N. Y., Mr. Eckman was united in marriage with Agnes Branney, a daughter of Caroline Branney. Mrs. Eckman is a woman of true refinement and culture and is very popular in the social circles of Jamestown. She is a member of the Board of Education of the city, secretary of the Visiting Nurse Association, also active in other organizations in James- town as well as elsewhere.
It can be said that the business career of Mr. Eckman has been one which he carved out for himself, his advancement being due to the exercise of his powers, and to the possession of an industry which his will never allowed to falter, as well as to a close study of business conditions and his utilization of opportunities which others might have employed had they as carefully sought the way to success. He is a man of progressive ideas, has been successful in his business, and has proved his ability as manager of an enterprise which calls for intelligence, tact and skill. He has long been one of Jamestown's representative citizens, ever ready to give practical aid to any improvement which he believes will advance the public welfare. He is, as all who know him can testify, a man of pleasing manners, and what is better still, he is equally well known as a man of experi- ence and trained mind. He is a most conspicuous example of the man who wins the confidence and respect of his fellowmen by strictly following the rules of life, both in a private and business way.
HENRY R. HOUGHTON-Prominent among the successful farmers of Chautauqua county, N, Y., is Henry R. Houghton, born in Lewis county, N. Y., April 24. 1849, the son of Thomas Bennett and Elizabeth ( Lamphier) Houghton, both old and highly respected residents of that region, where the elder Houghton followed the trade of painter, later turning his attention to farming.
Henry R. Houghton received his education in the district schools of his native place, but was forced to leave school at the age of fifteen years in order to help his family, who were left without support about that time. Ilis father had enlisted in the Union army, in the Civil War, and there gave his life for his country,
Charles t. Esta a
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and his son took up the burden of caring for the family. In 1863, Mr. Houghton came to Ripley and began his life as a farmer, and has now one of the most prosper- ous and flourishing farms in this region. Mr. Houghton is prominent in social and fraternal circles here, being a member of the local lodge of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and the Scottish Rite bodies of this place. He is also past noble grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and a member of the encamp- ment as well as the local grange. He is a staunch sup- porter of the Republican party, and although he has never been desirous of holding public office has taken an intelligent and active interest in local public affairs as well as in the nation-at-large. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Henry R. Houghton was united in marriage at Ripley, Nov. 5, 1873, with Effie A. Rhinehart, a native of Ripley, a daughter of James and Jane (Sinder) Rhinehart, and they are the parents of three children, as follows: I. Leon Eugene, born Nov. 23, 1874; he was educated in the public schools of Ripley; married Lyda Mattice, a native of Canada, Nov. 26, 1895; they are the parents of two children : Harold E., born Nov. 16, 1895, enlisted in the United States Army in May, 1917, but was shortly afterwards killed in a railway accident at Erie, Pa .; and Hazel L., born March 3, 1898, now the wife of Harry Swab, to whom was born one child, Albert, April 10, 1918. 2. James Bennett, born April 6, 1881; was edu- cated in the schools of his native town; has always followed the occupation of farming; like his father he is prominent in social and fraternal circles in Ripley, being a member of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past noble grand, also past member of the Grand Lodge; a member of the local lodge of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, a member of Ripley Grange, No. 65, Patrons of Hus- bandry; is an active participant in the affairs of the Republican party, having been supervisor of elections for twelve ycars; he has held the office of township assessor for two years, his present term expiring in 1921; he attends the Methodist Episcopal church; James Bennett Houghton married Mary Elizabeth Marwood, of Franklin, Pa., Feb. 17, 1904; Mrs. Hough- ton was formerly a resident of Ohio, where her birth occurred ; three children have been born of this marriage, as follows : Ralph Marwood, born Feb. 20, 1905: Laura Jane, born Nov. 22, 1906; both being students in the local high school; Marjorie E., born March 15, 1910, a student in the public school here. 3. Elizabeth G., born Nov. 10, 1885; graduated from the Ripley High School and later graduated from Allegheny College; she taught school a few years; was married, May 29, 1912, to Joseph D. Piper, also a graduate of Allegheny College ; one girl, Marian Jane, was born from this union, Jan. 4, 1918; Mr. Piper, a resident of Derry, Pa., is an ordained Methodist minister, who was later made chaplain of the 137th Regiment, 88th Division, in the World War.
GEORGE GUION CROSBY, who has been prom- inently engaged in agricultural pursuits, and is also a dealer in cattle at Brocton, Chautauqua county, N. Y., is a native of this place, his birth having occurred in Portland township, April 9, 1881. Mr. Crosby is related
to several families which have long been prominent in this region, notably that of Douglas, the members of which have taken active part in many different callings hereabouts.
George G. Crosby is a son of Ransom and Mary (Hunt) Crosby, being one of five children, namely : Eugene, William, George Guion, Dr. Birdina and Lillian. As a lad Mr. Crosby attended the public schools of his native region. He was quite young when he began his business career, and for fifteen years was occupied variously. He entered into his present business of cattle dealing a number of years ago and later added farming to his occupation. At the present time Mr. Crosby manages a fine vineyard of fifty-eight acres and has done considerable to promote the grape-growing in- dustry in this part of the county. He also continues dealing largely in cattle, buying and selling on an aver- age of 200 head each year. He also dresses cattle for market, which he sells to local butchers, and does con- siderable private trade both in wholesale and retail dressed beef.
Mr. Crosby has always been keenly interested in the general life of the community, and is a member of several important organizations at Brocton. He is affiliated with the local lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Brocton Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons. In politics he is an Independent Republican, and in his religious belief a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, which he has supported liberally here.
GEORGE EDWARD SMITH, M. D., who has been one of the most prominent figures in medical circles at Dunkirk, Chautauqua county, N. Y., and has at the present time one of the largest practices in the city, is a native of Attica, Wyoming county, N. Y., his birth having occurred there May 13, 1863. His parents were Howard Powers and Philena (Nichols) Smith, the former for many years engaged in the business of cabinetmaker and carpenter at Rochester, N. Y. He afterwards became a contractor and builder and was very successful in this line at the same place. He and his wife were the parents of three children, as follows : George Edward, with whose career we are here especially concerned; Elizabeth, who died in infancy; and C. P., who became a prominent undertaker at Buffalo, N. Y., and resided at that place until his death.
George Edward Smith passed his childhood in a number of localities in Western New York, including his native town of Attica and the city of Rochester, and obtained his education at the public schools of Wyoming and Genesee counties. He attended the Wyoming County Seminary for a number of years and later the Attica High School, completing his elementary education and preparing himself for college at the latter institution. He had by this time determined upon a medical career, and with this end in view matriculated at the Medical School of the University of Buffalo, from which he was graduated with his degree as Doctor of Medicine with the class of 1886. He returned to New York State and established himself in practice at Alex- ander, where he also took an active part in public life and held the office of town clerk in 1887 and 1888. After a few years spent in Alexander he removed to Busti, N. Y., and from there to Cherry Creek, where he
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served as health officer. Dr. Smith first came to this neighborhood in the year 1904, when he moved to Fre- donia. where for a short time he continued in active practice and held the office of town physician. Later he « pened his present office in Dunkirk and since that time has been practicing there, being now recognized as one of the leading members of his profession, Dr. Smith has been prominent in the general life of Dunkirk and is a member of many organizations, professional and otherwise, including the Dunkirk and Fredonia Medical Society, of which he was at one time president; the Chautauqua County Medical Society, of which he is now second vice-president; the New York State Medical Society ; and the American Medical Association. He is also affiliated with the Masonic order and the local chapter of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is past grand of the latter, He is a Republican in politics, and always keenly interested in public questions, but his professional duties prevent him from taking so active a part in politics as his abilities fit him for. In his religious belief he is a Baptist and attends the First Baptist Church at Fredonia.
Dr. Smith was united in marriage, July 30, 1890, with Lydia Ann Lowell. of Angelica, N. Y., a daughter of Daniel D. and Lydia (Carpenter) Lowell, of that place. They are the parents of one child, Chester Alan Smith, who is now a student at Dunkirk High School.
FRANKLIN W. RICKENBRODE-As a farmer of many years' standing and unusual success Mr. Rick- enbrode casily holds a conspicuous place among the agriculturists of Chautauqua county. His neighbors of Ripley know him also as a public-spirited citizen, active in community matters and greatly interested in fraternal affairs.
Henry Rickenbrode, father of Franklin W. Ricken- bride. was a farmer of Walton, Eaton county, Mich., subsequently moving to Ripley. He married Harriett Kinch and their children were: Alice A., Franklin W., mentioned below ; William W., and Clara A.
Franklin W. Rickenbrode, son of Henry and Harriett ( Kinh) Rickenbrode, was born July 24, 1859, on his father's farm at Walton. Eaton county, Mich., and was six years old when the family moved to Ripley. There he was educated in local schools, assisting in the labors ri the farm until he attained his majority. He then en'ered upon an independent course of life and a few year- later, by going deeply into debt, he was able to fur das a farm of fifty-six acres. This land he now dates to general farming and grape culture and has extin- . "ly improved, having erected two large barns and various outbuildings, all of the latest and best in Structure and equipment. In his residence, which is a ATy . . .. . ld Colonial house, he has made no alterations ex, (' such as were necessary in order to put it in ;** ie repair. In addition to the care of his own farm, Mr schenbrode manages the homestead in which his :- "'er lo iter and himself each have an interest. The farm which consists of sixty-three acres, is also Von : " goed state of cultivation. Politically he is an dererdent feber He belongs to the Grange, Patrons ·i He Fa'dr. affhates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellow, being part noble grand of his own lodge and in the Grand Lodge holds membership. His religious
affiliations have been and are with the Methodist Episco- pal church.
Mr. Rickenbrode married, June 4, 1884, Ella F., daughter of Albert G. and Clarrissa Tillinghast, and they are the parents of one child, May Alice, educated in Ripley, and now at home on the farm,
Franklin W. Rickenbrode is living a large life. His interests are many and he neglects none of them. He has built up his own fortune and in doing so has ren- dered himself useful to his community, winning the sincere respect and cordial liking of his neighbors and fellow-citizens.
FREDERICK PERRY HALL-In the year 1876 the Jamestown "Journal" passed into the hands of John A. Hall, whose previous political contributions to the press under the pseudonym of Paul Pry had given him some inclination toward a journalistic career, but who was primarily interested in its purchase by his young- est son, Frederick Perry Hall, then a mere lad of six- teen years, who for a year or two previously had oper- ated an amateur printing outfit. Taking his son into his employ as the business manager, Mr. Hall, Sr., started the "Journal," which had been established in 1826, upon a successful career. He soon took the son into a full partnership, the firm being known as John A. Hall & Son until the death of the father in 1886. Frederick P. Hall then associated with him Fred W. Hyde and Walter B. Armitage, as copartners in the firm of the Journal Printing Company, which was estab- lished as a corporation in 1894 with Mr. Hall as its president, general manager and principal stockholder. The "Journal" from 1870 had both a daily and weekly issue, the latter being changed to a semi-weekly in 1892 and a tri-weekly in 1901. The "Journal" occupies its own building at Nos. 12-14-16 West Second street. Its present officers are: Frederick P. Hall, president and general manager; J. A. Clary, vice-president and man- aging editor; Henri M. Hall, treasurer and business manager ; and Levant M. Hall, secretary and advertising manager.
Under the Hall management the "Journal" has grown into closely intimate relations with Chautauqua county, and the name Hall is practically synonomous with "Journal" to Chautauquans, and is apt to continue to be, for from 1906 a third generation of this family has been associated in the management. Mr. Hall has been rated in public opinion more the publisher than the business man, more the journalist than the manufacturer, the banker, the public-spirited citizen, when the facts are that he has long been identified with a number of other successful enterprises in Jamestown, and a prominent factor in its social, political, fraternal, philanthropic and religious circles.
Frederick Perry Hall, youngest son of John A. and Emily (Perry) Hall, was born in the town of Busti, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Nov. 8, 1850, and there spent the first twelve years of his life. In 1872, with his parents, he moved to Jamestown, where he continued his studies in the Jamestown Union School and Collegiate Institute until 1876, when he gave up his schooling to enter the employ of his father, who on May 20, 1876, had purchased and taken over the Jamestown "Journal," soon becoming a partner with his father in the publi-
Frederick P. Fall
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cation of the "Journal," and after his father's death in 1886, the controlling factor in the paper. Mr. Hall has devoted his business career to the conduct of this news- paper which is recognized as one of the most successful and influential papers in this end of the State. Recog- nition of his standing among publishers is evidenced by the fact that he has been honored by selection as presi- dent of the New York State Press Association in 1894, of the New York Associated Dailies in 1908, and a vice- president of the National Editorial Association in 1909, at the time its annual meeting was held in Seattle, Wash. He was a member of the executive committee, vice- president, and in 1901 president, of the New York State Republican Editorial Association ; has frequently been a delegate to conventions of newspaper men, and was named a member of the executive committee of the new State Association of Publishers, formed in 1920.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Hall has aided in the up- building of a strongly Republican community (Chautau- qua being a banner Republican county) not alone through the columns of the "Journal" but by personal work. He was chairman of the County Committee in 1898-99, the county under his leadership rolling up one of its largest Republican majorities, and in 1920, as president of the Harding & Coolidge Club of Jamestown, he was a directing factor in the effective campaign of that year.
Mr. Hall's interests outside of the "Journal" have been many. He early became a director of the Union Trust Company, which was established in Jamestown in 1894, was for years its treasurer and is now a vice- president of that institution. He is also a director of the National Chautauqua County Bank. He is presi- dent of the Chautauqua Abstract Company, and has been since the company was first organized and started in business at Mayville, the county seat. In 1912, Mr. Hall was invited to become president of the Salisbury Wheel & Axle Company, a leading industry of James- town, then at a critical period of its history on account of lack of working capital to take care of its rapidly expanding business. Through Mr. Hall's assistance the affairs of the company were placed on a sound financial basis, the plant largely expanded, and the business in- creased from a production of a million dollars a year to approximately five millions a year. In 1919 the plant was sold to Eastern interests.
A bronze tablet in the Furniture Manufacturers' nine- story building at West Second and Washington streets records the fact that Mr. Hall was one of a board of five men which formulated the plan, secured the finances, and built the splendid structure which con- tributes much to the success of the furniture industry in Jamestown. Mr. Hall has been the secretary and treasurer of the company from its beginning.
Few men have taken a more interested, a more in- duential, or a more useful part in the various com- munity interests of Jamestown than Mr. Hall. Since 1883 he has been a director of the Young Men's Chris- tian Association, since 1887 a vestryman of St. Luke's Protestant Episcopal Church. He succeeded his father as a trustee of Lakeview Cemetery Association, and has been for several years president of the board. He was appointed a member of the city's first Park Com- mission and has ever since that time continued to have
a hand in the planning and maintenance of the parks of the city. During the World War he served in a prom- inent position on all Liberty Loan and war charity drives, and is a member of the budget committee of the Jamestown Community Chest, charged with fixing the quota of all local charities in the annual appeals for their support. He was by appointment of Governor Levi P. Morton made a member of the board of managers of the State Hospital for the Insane at Buffalo, and was for a time .its vice-president. He declined reappoint- ment at the hands of Governor Roosevelt but did yield to the request of the State Charities Aid Association to accept appointment upon the board of visitors to the State Hospital at Gowanda, a position he yet holds. Mr. Hall holds all degrees of the York and Scottish rites of Masonry up to and including the thirty-second, be- ing a member of the various Jamestown units. He is a member of the Jamestown Club and the Moon Brook Country Club. In the intervals of a busy life, Mr. Hall has travelled extensively in this country and abroad, having made his first trip abroad with a party of four other young men in 1878.
Mr. Hall, Sept. 12, 1883, married Lucy Mason, the younger daughter of Levant L. and Eunice Mason, of Jamestown. They have had five sons: Henri Mason, of further mention ; Levant Mason, of further mention ; Frederick Perry, Jr., of further mention; Charles Ed- ward, born Feb. 22, 1900, died April 28, 1919; and John Adams, born Feb. 2, 1903.
Henri Mason Hall, eldest son of Frederick Perry and Lucy (Mason) Hall, was born in the city of Jamestown, N. Y., Dec. 19, 1884, where he has ever since made his home. His education was secured in the Jamestown public schools, from which he graduated in 1901, Phillips Exeter Academy at Exeter, N. H., class of 1902, and Harvard University, A. B., 1906, A. M., 1907. En- tering the office of the Journal Printing Company, pub- Jisher of the Jamestown "Journal," the day of his return, after completing his course at Harvard Uni- versity in June, 1906, he has ever since continued his labors there. In fact, much of his summer vacations for years previous had been spent in some department of the newspaper work. He is now treasurer and busi- ness manager of the company, being closely associated with his father in the direction of the affairs of this well known newspaper. Like his father, taking part in newspaper publishers association work, he has been honored by selection as secretary-treasurer of the New York Associated Dailies, a position he has held for two years at this writing, and as a vice-president of the New York State Press Association.
Mr. Hall took a prominent part in the organization of the Jamestown Board of Commerce, was a member of its first board of directors, continuing so to serve for four years. In 1914, he was appointed a member of the Jamestown Board of Health, a position he has ever since held, and when in 1920 the taxpayers of the city voted to conduct a Municipal Milk Plant, Mr. Hall was appointed a member of the commission to erect and operate the plant. In the political campaign of 1916, Mr. Hall was chairman of the executive committee of the Hughes-Fairbanks Club of Jamestown. For about ten years Mr. Hall has been a trustee of the Chadakoin
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Boat Club and was its treasurer for seven years. He has been president and trustee of the Jamestown High School Alumni Association. He is a member of Mt. Moriah Lodge, No. 145. Free and Accepted Masons ; Western Sun Chapter, No. 67, Royal Arch Masons; Jamestown Council, No. 32, Royal and Select Masters; Jamestown Commandery, No. 61, Knights Templar ; Ismailia Shrine of Buffalo; Jamestown Aerie, No. 816. Fraternal Order of Eagles: University Club, Moon Brook Country Club. He was the excellent high priest of Western Sun Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, in 1913. He was one of the organizers and a charter member of the Jamestown Rotary Club. He is a member of St. Luke's Protestant Episcopal Church.
Henri M. Hall. on June 30, 1914, married Jessie Phillips, the elder daughter of Brewer D. and Ida ( Moss ) Phillips, of Jamestown.
Levant Mason Hall, the second son of Frederick Perry and Lucy ( Mason) Hall, was born at James- town, N. Y., Dec. 25, 1886. He was educated in the Jamestown public schools, from which he graduated as president of his class in 1905, and at Williams College, completing his course there for the A. B. degree in June, 1909. He entered the employ of the Journal Printing Company, Jamestown, N. Y., the same year, and is now secretary of the company and advertising manager of the newspaper. He is a member of Mt. Moriah Lodge, No. 145. Free and Accepted Masons, Western Sun Chapter, No. 67, Royal Arch Masons, Moon Brook Country Club. He is a member of St. Luke's Protestant Episcopal Church.
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