USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume III > Part 2
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William Elial Skinner, son of Elial William and Betsey ( Haight) Skinner, was born in Portland township, Dec. 31, 1876, and received his education in the public schools of Westfield, attending the high school there. After com- pleting his studies at the latter institution, he worked for a time on the building of the highway and later engaged in the manufacture of baskets, which he sold to the local grape growers to contain their crops. He con- tinued in this line for about five years and then became associated with his father in the latter's agricultural operations. The firm of E. W. Skinner & Son was formed and operated a splendid farm, formerly the old Taylor estate, oI about 300 acres, which had been inher- ited by the elder man. A portion of this property was later sold, but still later an additional 150 acres were secured and devoted to fruit culture and dairying. At the death of Mr. Skinner, Sr., the property was divided between his two children and at present Mr. Skinner has 80 acres of his share given over to cultivation of the vine and other fruits. Owing to his knowledge of the subject, and the manner in which he has kept his land highly cultivated, Mr. Skinner has met with great success as a grape grower, the product of his farm being of the best type, and he has shipped his grapes to many parts of the country for about fifteen years. Mr. Skinner, besides being an expert farmer and fruit grower, is a gifted musician. He is a delightful performer on the violin and an accomplished conductor, and has organized an orchestra from the native talent, with which he has toured the country and given many successful concerts. In politics Mr. Skinner is an ardent supporter of Dem- ocratic principles, as have been his forebears for many years, and has taken an active part in local public affairs. He has held the office of committeeman for the Second Election District for a number of years and is a force to be reckoned with in the politics of the county. He is a member of the Methodist church and a prominent Free Mason, having attained to the thirty-second degree of that order, and being affiliated with Lake Shore Lodge. No.
barry Dames
Kate a. James
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851, Free and Accepted Masons. He is also a member of the Farm Bureau.
William Elial Skinner married (first) Sept. 16, 1907, Bessie Scott, of Portland, a daughter of John Franklin and Cora (Phillips) Scott. Her death occurred June 14, 1918, and on July 30, 1919, Mr. Skinner married (second) Viola Beatrice Fuller, of Portland, a daughter of George W. and M. Berdena (Fay) Fuller, old and highly respected residents of that place.
HARRY JAMES-In the year 1847 John W. James came from England to the United States and located in the city of Philadelphia, Pa., where the ensuing years of his life were spent. There his son, Harry James, now one of the honored retired citizens of Dunkirk, N. Y., was born. For more than a quarter of a century, 1894-1920, Mr. James has been a resident of Dunkirk and so established himself in public regard that he has been called to many positions of honor and trust, in- cluding the highest civic honor that could be conferred, that of mayor. In every position to which he has been called by his fellow-citizens, Mr. James has displayed a breadth of vision and a keen public spirit which has in all cases made for the benefit of his city, and his place in public regard is one of honor and esteem. John W. James conducted a livery, sale and exchange busi- ness in Philadelphia, and there died. His wife, Harriet (Hayes) James, born in England, died in Irvington, N. J. They were the parents of four children, Clara (Mrs. Keitch) of Irvington, N. J., and Harry, of Dun- kirk, the only survivors.
Harry James, second child of John W. and Harriet (Hayes) James, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., March 5, 1853, and there attended public school until sixteen years of age. He then entered the William Butcher steel plant at Nicetown, Pa., near Philadelphia, going thence to the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, where he remained until another move took him to Scranton, Pa., where he was engaged with the Scranton Locomotive builders. After leaving Scranton he spent six and one half years with the Cook Locomotive Works in Paterson, N. J., going thence to the Richmond Loco- motive Works, Richmond, Va., where he remained until 1894. Those years of experience in locomotive works had given him an intimate knowledge of the locomotive construction, and in 1894, when he located in Dunkirk, N. Y., he was quickly employed by the Brooks Loco- motive Works as superintendent of their steam hammer department. He continued in that position for cight and one-half years, then in 1903 he resigned and has since taken no active part in business affairs, but has devoted much time to the public service. When the Atlas Crucible Steel Company of Dunkirk was organ- ized by Edward Burgess, Mr. James was one of the first to avail himself of the privilege of purchasing stock, having strong faith in the future of that now most important industry. This well illustrates his keen fore- sight and business vision and his willingness to aid in any enterprise that promises to benefit his city.
He has otherwise evidenced his public spirit and holds rank with the progressive men of Dunkirk. He repre- sented Ward 4 in City Council for two years, and for a like period was a representative from Ward 3. In
1909 he was elected mayor of Dunkirk and gave the city an excellent administration. For two years he served on the Board of Water Commissioners, and was president of the board for one year. He also served the city as police and fire commissioner; was chairman of the Board of Assessors for two years, then resigned, and is now living a quiet, retired life, although deeply interested in public affairs. He is a Republican in political faith. Mr. James is a member of Irondequoit Lodge, No. 301, Free and Accepted Masons ; Dunkirk Chapter, No. 191, Royal Arch Masons; Dun- kirk Council, No. 25, Royal and Select Masters; Dun- kirk Commandery, No. 42, Knights Templar; Ismailia Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; a member of the Masonic Club and its chairman.
Mr. James married, June 27, 1876, Kate S. Stuart, of Philadelphia, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. James are attend- ยท ants of the Methodist Episcopal church.
CHARLES HENRY ZENNS-Fourteen years town clerk and seven times elected by acclamation. This is the record of the man whose name heads this article and it is, to say the least, improbable that it can be matched by few public officials either in Chautan- qua county or elsewhere. Mr. Zenns is still town clerk of Mayville, and has filled with credit other local offices of trust and responsibility.
Joseph Zenns, grandfather of Charles Henry Zenns, was overseer of the town of Mayville.
Xavier Joseph Zenns, son of Joseph Zenns, was of Mayville and filled the position of hotel clerk. He took an active part in community affiairs, serving as town constable. His wife was Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Lombard and Elizabeth (Hepple) Dornbarger, and they were the parents of the following children: Charles Henry, mentioned below; Joseph W., of Mayville. Mr. Zenns in now deceased.
Charles Henry Zenns, son of Xavier Joseph and Mary Elizabeth (Dornbarger) Zenns, was born May 3, 1881, at Mayville, and attended the grammar and high schools of his native town, graduating from the high school in 1899. Prior to this he had been occasionally em- ployed, but he now began work in earnest, obtaining a position as clerk in a store. In 1900 he established himself as a barber, a business which he still conducts, being the oldest representative of that calling, in point of service, that Mayville can boast. Always active in support of Republican principles, Mr. Zenns has been energetic in the public service. His remarkable record as town clerk has already been mentioned, and his next reelection will retain him in office until Dec. 31, 1921. For two years he served on the Village Board, and he has also held the office of assistant fire marshal. He affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, serving as recording secretary, and his religious mem- bership is in the Protestant Episcopal church.
Mr. Zenns married, Nov. 24, 1903, in the Protestant Episcopal church of Mayville, Helen, daughter of Solo- mon and Laura (Case) Tallman, and they are the parents of two children: William Tallman, born Sept. 2, 1904, now attending school; and Paul Donald, born Aug. 9, 1907.
In twenty years Mr. Zenns has had but two months
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vacation. He is the son and grandson of men who filled satisfactorily important community offices, and his own record more than maintains the high reputation of the family for honorable public service.
AARON HEYWOOD LEACH, representative of one of the oldest families of the Ellington section of Chautauqua county, has reached venerable age, and has long since reached a more than sufficient material com- petence, and a general respect in the community and county such as only a man of commendable and honor- able life could gain. Mr. Leach still lives upon the farm in Ellington upon which he was born, eighty-seven years ago and can tell much that is interesting regarding early conditions of living in that section of the county. His father was Joseph Leach, a carpenter and farmer, well known in his day in Chautauqua county ; his grand- father. Jacob Leach, was one of the pioneers.
Aaron H. Leach was born Oct. 1, 1832, and after passing through the graded school of the district he took up the occupation of farming upon his father's farm, and also did much work with his father as a carpenter. Mainly, however, his life has been passed in farming, to which he has given honest labor, for which he has received honest return. He has never expected to receive more than value for value, for he well knew that nothing could be stable upon any other condition. In farming, particularly, satisfactory return from the soil first demands adequate labor upon the soil; and so it follows that success in farming is a true indication of the industry of that farmer. Mr. Leach long since reached the point where he had accumulated means more than sufficient for his needs, and that accumulation came from his own hard but well directed labor.
He has been a Republican for many years, and had he wished it he could, upon many occasions, have been elected to public office, for his standing in the community has always been good, and his friends are widely spread and many. But apart from intelligently and independ- ently exercising his voting privilege, he has not taken much part in national politics. In local matters, how- ever, he has always been interested, and in his younger days took active part. The affairs of the community to him have always been the affairs of his own home, and he has ever been ready to further, financially or hy personal service, any local project which he thought might tend to benefit his neighbors, or the affairs of his community. In church matters he was for many years very active. He has been a consistent churchman all his life, and has steadily supported the local church of the Congregational denomination, of which he is a member. At various times, he has also contributed to the support of other churches.
The recent war was a subject upon which Mr. Leach showed that his interest was whole-souled. Many times during the dark days of 1917 and carly 1918 he probably wished he could go back in age five or six decades, for the thrill of patriotism made him wish to be with those vigorous, valiant, younger patriots in France.
Mr. Leach's private life has been estimable. He married, Sept. 2, 1868, in Winfield, Herkimer county, N. Y., Martha Jane, daughter of Jacob and Hester Ann (Goodier) Leach. To the union came two children :
1. Charles G., who was born on Feb. 21, 1875. 2. Hester A., who was born on April 6, 1879.
His long life, and long association with the agricul- turists of Chautauqua county, makes the writing of this record for the current history a pleasure, for his biography certainly should have place in it, representing as he does a worthy generation of Chautauqua county agriculturists now almost all gathered to their Maker. Bearing in mind his venerable age, Mr. Leach is still vigorous, and the clearness of his mind and cheerfulness of thought are definite indications of a steady, healthy life, one in which the canker of selfishness and discon- tent did not enter.
WILLIAM ARAH PUTNAM, M. D .- The Put- nams of Chautauqua county trace from John Putnam, who was a settler in Salem, Mass., as early as 1634, and through John Putnam, the Pilgrim, they trace through sixteen generations of English ancestors to Simon de Puttenham, the first of the name who is of definite record in England. The town of Puttenham is mentioned in the Domesday Book, and the parish of Puttenham is in Hertfordshire. The coat-of-arms to which American descendants of the line are entitled is thus described :
Arms-Sable between eight crosses, crosslet fitchee, argent a stork of the last, beaked and legged gules. Crest-A wolf's head gules.
Abner Putnam, the founder of this branch of the Chautauqua county family, was a son of Captain William Putnam, born in Sutton, Mass., Jan. 7, 1755, his wife, Submit (Fisk) Putnam, born Aug. 20, 1768. Their son, Abner Putnam, was born in Buckland, Mass., July 28, 1794, died in the town of Stockton, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Aug. 27, 1862. He married, in Buckland, April 28, 1818, Vesta Mallory, born Feb. I, 1795, died May 18, 1872, daughter of Hiram Mallory, born March 5, 1776, and Hannah Mallory, born Aug. 20, 1768. In the year 1818, Abner and Vesta (Mallory) Putnam came from Buckland, Franklin county, Mass., and settled in the town of Stockton, taking up land just south of where the Cassadaga railroad station now stands. Abner Putnam was a cousin of Captain Andrew Putnam, who came to Stockton in February, 1817. His son, Worthy Putnam, was an early and successful teacher, county superintendent of schools, and lawyer. Abner Putnam died in 1862, his widow continuing her residence on the homestead until 1873. They were the parents of six sous and four daughters, all of whom survived their parents. This review follows the career of the youngest son, Edwin Putnam, and that of his son, Dr. William A. Putnam, of Forestville, Chautauqua county.
Edwin Putnam, son of Abner and Vesta (Mallory) Putnam, was born at the farm near Cassadaga, in the northeastern part of the town of Stockton, Chautauqua county, March 24, 1828, died at his farm near Waite's Corners in the town of Charlotte, Sept. 9, 1889. He was educated in the district schools, and so well im- proved the advantages of those early schools that he afterwards taught in them for several terms. He, however, early in life engaged in farming, an occupation and business which he followed all his life. In 1856
William A. Putnam.
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he went to Wisconsin and spent a year on a farm at Janesville, but the next fall he returned to Chautauqua county. He then, with a young man, David Peebles, equipped a "prairie schooner" and drove through Brown county, Kansas, where they located claims, built a log cabin and spent the winter. The next spring Mr. Put- nam returned to Chautauqua county, intending to return West with his family, but instead decided to sell his Kansas land and purchase a farm in Stockton. The political disturbances in Kansas with the ravages of the "border ruffians" undoubtedly aided in bringing about this decision, but whatever the reason it was sufficiently strong to keep him in the East. He bought 75 acres on Cassadaga creek from the Holland Land Company, lying about two miles south of the lakes, a property which he owned all his after life, and now is owned by his daughter. He was always interested and active in town affairs, often serving as school trustee, path master and assessor, also for two terms filling the important office of justice of the peace. He was a Whig in politics, but after the stormy political times which swept that party out of existence he joined with the party of Abraham Lincoln and ever afterward voted with the Republican organization.
Edwin Putnam married (first) Sept. 15, 1853, Harriet Irons, daughter of Rev, Arah and Mary ( Miles) Irons, and granddaughter of William Irons, born Jan. 27, 1767. Rev. Arah Irons was born Aug. 13, 1803. His wife, Mary (Miles) Irons, was born Jan. 24, 1807, died Jan. 14, 1880. Mrs. Harriet (Irons) Putnam died Sept. 5, 1859, and in 1861 he married (second) Mrs. Electa A. (Montague) Waite, and purchased the "Waite Farm" near Waite's Corners in the town of Charlotte. There he resided until his death, over a quarter of a century later, in 1889. By his first marriage Edwin Putnam had two children, both of whom survive him : William Arah, of further mention; and a daughter, Mary Elvira, born Feb. 20, 1857, married Oct. 28, 1880, William H. Roberts. By his second marriage there were two boys: George E., and Edwin D., both of whom died in childhood.
William Arah Putnam, only son of Edwin Putnam and his first wife, Harriet (Irons) Putnam, was born at the farm near Cassadaga, town of Stockton, Chau- tauqua county, N. Y., July 11, 1854. After courses of public school study and a course at Fredonia Normal School he entered the medical department of the Uni- versity of Buffalo, whence he was graduated M. D., class of 1884. After graduation he practiced his pro- fession at Smiths Mills and Westfield for several years, continuing until 1897, part of that time practicing in association with Dr. Edgar Rood, a graduate of the University of Buffalo, class of 1890. In 1897 Dr. Put- nam moved to Smiths Mills, going thence to Forest- ville, in the town of Hanover, where he is yet in suc- cessful general practice. He has been health officer of the town of Hanover for fourteen years, and is highly regarded as a skilled physician and a public-spirited citizen. He is the owner of a good farm which is largely devoted to dairy farming and fine cattle. He is a member of Hanover Lodge, No. 152, Free and Accepted Masons, and is a Republican in politics.
Dr. William A. Putnam married, Oct. 24, 1878, Mary A. Ames, born Jan. 6, 1857, daughter of David Hardy
Ames, born in Hancock, N. H., May 24, 1817, died Nov. 30, 1891, and his wife, Clarissa Ann (Edson) Ames, born Feb. 8, 1816, died Nov. 11, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Ames were married in Batavia, N. Y. Mary A. (Ames) Putnam is a granddaughter of David Ames, born Dec. 22, 1786, died in 1848, married, July 23, 1812, Sally Hardy, born Dec. 8, 1791, died Nov. 27, 1879. Dr. and Mrs. Putnam are the parents of two children: Edwin David Putnam, M. D., and Harriet Adeline Putnam.
Edwin David Putnam was born at Cassadaga, Stock- ton, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Jan. 17, 1880. He was educated at Westfield Academy, whence he was gradu- ated, class of 1898. That was the year war was declared against Spain by the United States, and the young man on July 7, following graduation in June, enlisted at Buffalo in Company K, 202nd Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry. He was with that command suc- cessively at Camp Black on Long Island, Camp Meade in Pennsylvania, and Athens, Ga., going thence to Savanah enroute to Cuba. The 202nd was one of the first regiments from the United States to arrive in Havana after its evacuation by the Spaniards, and were later stationed at Guanajay, in Pinao del Rio province, Cuba, and in the spring of 1899 returned to the United States via Savannah, where they were mustered out and honorably discharged, April 15, 1899. In October, 1899, the young veteran entered the medical department of the University of Buffalo, whence he was graduated M. D., class of 1903. After serving a term as interne at Buffalo General Hospital and one year in Erie County Hospital, he began the private practice of medicine at West Seneca, continuing three years until 1908, when he formed a partnership with his father and located in Forestville, N. Y. He married, Dec. 14, 1912, Helen P. Lunt, of Dunkirk, N. Y., daughter of Alfred H. and Dora (Popple) Lunt. They are the parents of a son, Alfred Lunt, and a daughter, Mary Jane. Dr. Edwin D. Putnam is a member of the Masonic order, holding the thirty-second degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, member of the Chautauqua County and New York State Medical societies, member of the Silver Creek Motor Boat Club, Omega Psi fraternity, member of the school board and politically a Democrat.
Harriet Adeline Putnam, only daughter of Dr. William A. Putnam, was born at Cassadaga, Stockton, Chautauqua county, N. Y., March 4, 1882. She was educated at Westfield Academy, and now resides at the family home in Forestville.
MYRON A. WHITNEY-There are, perhaps, few residents of Chautauqua county and more especially, those living in the vicinity of Sherman, who will not recognize this name as that of one by birth and ancestry a Chautauquan. In addition to being a leading agri- culturist, Mr. Whitney has always been actively identi- fied with community affairs, invariably giving his influence for the advancement of all that he deemed calculated to further the truest interests of his friends and neighbors.
Orange Whitney, grandfather of Myron A. Whitney, came in 1829 to the farm on which his grandson is now living, then almost a wilderness, but having a fine rich soil. On the northwest corner of his land Mr. Whitney
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reared a dwelling for his family and this was their home for a number of years. Eventually it was destroyed with the exception of the old fashioned fire- place which remained standing until a few years ago.
Myron A. Whitney was born July 1, 1847, on the farm purchased and cleared by his grandfather, and was a son of George Orange and Janett (Taft) Whitney. He received his education in the Park Hill and Mount Pleasant district schools. In course of time he succeeded to the ownership of the ancestral farm which originally comprised 150 acres. Additions made by Mr. Whitney have increased this to 193, 9112 of these being in Chau- tanqua township, while the others lie in Harmony town- ship. Mr. Whitney engages in general farming and has in addition a fine dairy. About half the acreage is under cultivation. The improvements are modern. Mr. Whitney has an average of five horses, thirty cattle, thirty-six sheep and one hundred chickens. He has con- structed most of the present improvements, and the estate is in every way in very fine condition. In the sphere of politics, Mr. Whitney is an independent voter and at one time held the office of school trustee. He belongs to the Grange and to the Chautauqua County Farm Bureau. His religious membership is in the Methodist Episcopal church of North Harmony.
Mr. Whitney married. Sept. 12, 1872, at Jamestown, N. Y., Mary A., daughter of Benjamin and May A. (Hayward) Wood. The Woods are farmers in Chau- tanqua county and old settlers in Harmony township. Mr. and Mrs. Whitney are the parents of two daughters : 1. Mabel, educated in the district schools and Sherman High School; married Leon Austin, a prosperous farmer of Sherman, and has two children, Lenore and Audry. 2. Blanche Jeanette, educated in the same manner as her sister : married Herbert Bliss, of Sherman, and has two children, Hazel and Esther Jeanette.
Myron A. Whitney is a member of a family which for nearly a century has been resident in Chautauqua county and has aided materially in the development of its agricultural interests. He himself has most ably followed this example and in doing so has made a record which adds a worthy chapter to the annals of his prede- cessors.
NATHAN C. COBB, native of Chautauqua county, N. Y., a respected and prosperous farmer of Kennedy, that county, for very many years, and a veteran of worthy Civil War record, has hy his life brought to himself an appreciable measure of esteem in the neigh- borhood, and at various times has been elected to public office in the administration of that part of the county. He is now in his seventy-seventh year, having been born on Nov. 22, 1843, in Poland, Chautauqua county. His parents were Richmond and Maria (Fairbanks) Cobb, the former a substantial farmer within the county for the greater part of his life. Nathan C. was edu- cated in the common schools of his native place, and he was only eighteen years old when he joined the Union forces of the Civil War. He enlisted Aug. 31, 1862, in the Ninth New York Cavalry, as a member of Company C, and during all the severe fighting in which that dashing regiment had a glorious part from that time until the end of the war, Nathan C. Cobb partici- pated, being mustered out with honor, June 3, 1865.
Thereafter, until the present, he has been an industrious farmer, living his life independently and taking his share in the public burdens of the county of his nativity.
Mr. Cobb has been popular in his own district, has been interested, and at times has taken very active part in local as well as national politics, in-so-far as they bear upon local conditions. He has for many years been staunch in his allegiance to the Republican party, and has been a factor of some consequence in its affairs in the Kennedy district. Of local offices, he has held those of constable and collector very effectively for several years. And for many years he has been interested in the functioning of the local Grange, of which he is a member.
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