History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume III, Part 26

Author: Downs, John Phillips, 1853- , ed; Hedley, Fenwick Y., joint editor
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Boston, American Historical Soceity
Number of Pages: 688

USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume III > Part 26

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LYDELL L. WILSON-A native son of Chautau- qua, Lydell L. Wilson is of the family of Wilson who came to Chautauqua from Pennsylvania. Mr. Wilson has spent his business life in lumber manufacturing and dealing and is one of the successful men of that busi- ness.

The Wilson family herein reviewed is of Scotch an- cestry, and the progenitor of the family was influenced to leave his home in Scotland by his kinsman, James Wilson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. This Mr. Wilson never reached the shores of America, but died on the voyage and was buried at sea. His widow landed with her children in Philadelphia, one of her sons, James, being then fourteen years of age. Mrs. Wilson was a woman of strong character and faced the burdens of widowhood in a strange land with a courage that never faltered. The boys of the family were ap- prenticed to useful trades, but the girls she kept with her until they married. In later years she married a sec- ond husband, a Mr. Reese, of Warren, Pa.

James Wilson, their son, was born in Scotland, and was fourteen years old when he landed in Philadel- phia. He married, in 1809, Elizabeth Porter, a Quak- eress, of English parentage.

They settled in Westmoreland county, Pa., and when their second son, James (2), was an infant, the family came on horseback to Chautauqua county, N. Y., each parent with a child and a camping outfit on the horse with them. They made camp their first night in Chau- tauqua county, on the banks of Cassadaga creek, under the shelter of clustering pines, and in the morning awoke to find a light snow had fallen during the night. James Wilson secured a grant of land in the town of Ellicott, on the hanks of the Chadakoin river. on the north side of the State road, there cleared land and built a house. He enlisted in the War of 1812, as a private in Captain John Silsbe's company, McMahan's regi- ment, New York Militia, and on Dec. 30, 1813, was wounded at Black Rock. Several years later he was granted a yearly pension of $48, which he drew until his death. James Wilson was engaged in buying and rafting pine shingles to Pittsburgh, piloting his own rafts. He was a very religious man, an exhorter in the Methodist Episcopal church and a good singer. He was leader of the choir in the Methodist church at Jamestown, now the Independent Congregational Church. He was granted two quarter sections of land

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for his war services and continued his activities in farming and lumbering until his death in 1866. His wife. Elizabeth (Porter) Wilson, was a true pioneer, strong and most courageous. She endured the dan- gers and privations of pioneer life and contributed largely towards her husband's success in life. They were the parents of five sons and four daughters, all of whom lived to a good age and were among the re- spected citizens of their community.

James Wilson, Jr., son of James and Elizabeth (Por- ter: Wilson, was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., in April. ISII, and died in Jamestown, N. Y., in Febru- ary, 1803. He was educated in the public schools of his native o unty, and in early life engaged with his father in the lumber business, also becoming an expert pilot of lumber rafts. He joined with his father in the pur- chase of timber lands in Indiana, converting the timber into lumber in their own mill and freighting it to a profitable market. He married, November, 1811, Maria S., daughter of Luther and Betsey ( MacConick) Lydell, and granddaughter of Luther Lydell, Sr., who came from England to America at the close of the Revolutionary War. He married Asenath Bill, a niece of Ethan Allen, who lived nearly to the end of her century of life, dying in her one hundredth year. They were the parents of four sons and two daughters, Luther, Jr., being their youngest son. Luther Lydell, Jr., came to Chautauqua county in 1832, and settled on a farm in the town of Poland, where he engaged heavily in cattle raising. John MacConick, grandfather of Maria S. Wilson, came with his father, James MacConick, and brother, William Mac- Conick, who served in the Revolutionary War. John MacConick enlisted as a minute-man in Captain John Nurting's company, Jan. 1, 1776, and was assigned to Col- 5.1 Prescott's regiment, and Sept. 4, 1779, enlisted and ser:el for nine months in Captain Hugh Maxwell's comrf-ny. Colone! John Bailey's regiment. He served ''r ughout the entire war and participated in the bat- tl -- of Harlem Heights, White Plains and Bunker Hill, He drew a Revolutionary pension until 1838. Ile mar- riel Abigail Hartson and lived in Exeter, Otsego county, N. Y., where he died. His son, William, was also in the battle of Bunker Hill. Children of James and Maria S. (L. dell) Wil-on: 1. Laura M., born Nov. 2, 1842, mar- rind Jame, McAllister. 2. Lillian W., born Feb. 27, 1847, married ( first) Myron John Lyons, (second) Charles Ralph Gibson. 3. Mary L., born June 8, 1850, married Charle- McAllister. 4. Ida M., born Aug. 21, 1852, mar- ried Tra wi- D. Steele (q. v.). 5. Jessie M., born May 9, Is ;. 6. Burton J., born May 9, 1857, married Laura Merz ;. Lsdell L., of whom further.

L' dell L. Wil'on was born in the town of Poland, Chau' . : 43 county, N. Y., April 5, 1859, son of James an ! Mor i Lydell, Wil on. He grew to manhood at L'e hoffe jsem, and obtained his education in the district h He varl; became int rested in lumbering, and during in early manhood spent two years in the Mich- igan kimler wood . lle was with the Hortson Mill for tw, prar , lo Chawalqua county, then leased a mill at Moon Station, N. Y . operating it until its destruction by fre in tede. He then filled his orders through the Hory or MGill, but in 1826 rebuilt his mill, and in 1888 ererted a new mill at Moon Station. In 1290 he moved to the town of Gerry, and upon lands leased from Levi

Pratt erected "The Wilson Mills," a modern saw mill plant with an annual capacity of 15,000,000 feet of man- ufactured lumber, most of which is shipped to James- town and Buffalo. Mr. Wilson is a man of strong busi- ness ability, is untiring in his industry, and through his own efforts has won success in the business world. He married, Nov. 10, 1880, Anna Booth, daughter of James Booth, of Buffalo. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are the par- ents of five children: Alice M., Mertie D., Willis L., Nellie S., and Delbert, who died at camp during the late war.

WILLIAM E. GOUCHER, D. D. S., of James- town, well known dental surgeon, was prominently iden- tified with his profession for a quarter of a century, be- ing in active practice here until his retirement in 1920. During those years he built up a large practice, and when he retired from active connection with the profes- sion he so long had graced, the news was received with genuine regret. He came fairly hy his professional in- stincts, being a son of Dr. Curtis N. Goncher, a phy- sician of Girard, Ohio, and later of Erie, Pa., where he died in 1893. The elder Dr. Goucher was a leader in his profession, a man of affairs, and held in high esteem by all who knew him. He was a veteran of the Civil War, giving four years to his country's service, holding a medical commission.

Dr. William E. Goucher, son of Dr. Curtis N. and Emily (Kincaid) Goucher, was born in Girard, Ohio, March 29, 1872, He was educated in Corunna High School, Orchard Lake Military Academy, and the Uni- versity of Michigan, entering the dental department of the last-named institution, whence he was graduated D. D. S., class of 1894. After graduating he became assistant to Dr. William Elgin, of Denver, Col., for six months, then associated himself with Dr. Assay, of San Jose, Cal., who was the secretary of the California State Board of Dental Examiners. Dr. Goucher had entire charge of Dr. Assay's practice while the latter served the commonwealth as examiner.

In the spring of 1896, Dr. Goucher came East, locating in Jamestown, N. Y., and in the fall of that year began practice in the Hall block at the corner of Main and Third streets. During the following years he built up a large practice, numbering among his patients prominent people of the county and surround- ing counties of New York and Pennsylvania. Dr. Goncher retired from practice in the spring of 1920, feeling that he had justified himself in his profession, and he also wished to devote more time to his business interests, which are located in Oklahomo and Ken- tucky. Dr. Goucher's oil holdings, which he has been interested in for a number of years, have developed to large proportions during recent years, the companies with which he is associated having some of the most prominent oil men in the mid-west field connected with them.

Dr. Goucher's life in Jamestown is marked with noted success, for not only was he a leader in his pro- fession but he has accomplished things in a civic way for the city which have proven a great public benefit. lle was the first man who talked, labored and by all honorable means sought to convince the Jamestown school authorities of the value a dental clinic would be

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to the health of the school children of the city, and was one of the dentists who volunteered to give a certain portion of their time to the work of the clinic without remuneration. So, too, he stood, the friend of every progressive movement looking toward a better, health- ier Jamestown. Dr. Goucher was first to suggest a mu- nicipal milk plant, having first brought it to the atten- tion of Mayor Carlson six years before it was finally endorsed by the people of Jamestown at a taxpayers' election.

Dr. Goucher was one of the founders of the James- town Dental Society, and in social and fraternal life connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Loyal Order of Moose, the Knights of Pythias, the Moon Brook Country Club, and in former years was a member of the Jamestown Club. Dr. Goucher is a member of St. Luke's Protest- ant Episcopal Church, and helpful in the various activ- ities of the parish. He has always taken a deep interest in out-of-door sports, and with gun, rod and reel has hunted and fished in the woods and waters famed among sportsmen throughout the United States and Canada. Automobiling is another of his favorite recre- ations, and he was for a number of years an official member of the national, state and local automobile asso- ciations, serving as the first director of the National Automobile Association from Western New York, and the Jamestown Association as its first president. For a number of years he was a director of the New York State Automobile Association.

The chapter on Dental Surgery in this work from the pen of Dr. Goncher gives the reader a clear idea of his decided literary ability, his versatility and the wide range of his reading and research.

Dr. Goucher married (first) in Buffalo, N. Y., Nov. 23, 1898, Ma Belle Wade, who died May 12, 1915, daugh- ter of Alfred and Ella Wade. He married (second) in Jamestown, N. Y., Feb. 14, 1917, G. Lemar Hurlbert, daughter of George F. and Arietta (Vandervoort) Hurlbert. The family home is at No. 306 East Fourth street.

Dr. Goucher comes from a long line of ancestors, the line of descent tracing back to Colonial and pioneer stock, who have distinguished themselves as true ser- vants of this land. His mother was a great-grand- daughter of Ensign James Wilson, who wintered with General Washington at Valley Forge and served on his staff. On his father's side he is a direct descendant of the Gouchers who built the first brass cannon for the Revolutionary War, their factory being at Canaioharie, N. Y. One of the cannon manufactured by them was captured by the British and is now at the British Mus- eum in London, and has the name of the makers cast on its side.

JOHN W. DOUBLEDAY-There are some lives that, in their ceaseless, indefatigable energy, are the cause of wonder to their fellows, and might well serve as a model to those that would achieve success. The men who are thus endowed undertake enterprises that would make the average man pause, apparently without fear of consequences, seeming impervious to the sting of discouragement, meeting reverses, not with the usual surrender of most men, but with the simple expedient

of trying again. The record of John W. Doubleday shows him to be a man of that character. He is a native of England, born there March 22, 1841, a son of Henry and Mary (Phillips) Doubleday, both of whom were natives of England and came to America in 1849, locating at Brooklyn, now New York City. .

John W. Doubleday was but eight years old when he crossed the Atlantic in a sailing vessel, landing in New York, going at once to his new home in Brooklyn, where he attended the public schools. He was ambi- tions as a lad and soon found employment, his compen- sation for his work being two dollars and fifty cents a week, from which he had to pay two dollars per week for board, and twelve cents for ferry fare. At the age of sixteen he became a clerk in a large dry goods store in New York City, where he continued until 1863. However, he was not content, and that year he left for the oil regions of Western Pennsylvania and became a prospector. His operation in oil and gas proved re- markably successful. In partnership with others, they bought a gas plant for $49,000. The company was formed, and Mr. Doubleday was elected secretary and manager. Through his keen business ability and untir- ing efforts, the business grew to such proportions that they were able to dispose of the plant in a year and a half for $410,000. In 1880 he withdrew from the oil and gas fields, turning his attention to the manufacturing industry. This year he came to Jamestown and at once became interested in textile manufacturing and other enterprises. In 1889 he, with Mr. J. S. Patterson, pur- chased the controlling interests of the Jamestown Woolen Spinning Company and continued thus until 1896, when the company was incorporated under the name of The Empire Worsted Mills. The original stock of this company was one hundred thousand, which since its incorporation, through the shrewd business management of Mr. Doubleday, has greatly increased from one hundred thousand, with a large surplus, to one million stock, with a large surplus. The plant has been extensively improved by the erection of two four- storied buildings of brick and stone, with brick dye house, two weaving buildings, brick finishing plant and storage building. The floor space now in use comprises three hundred thousand feet, and boiler capacity in- creased from one hundred horse power to thirteen hun- dred. The corporation also owns the Acme Worsted Mills, employing nearly two hundred people. Nearly six hundred employees are on the pay roll of The Empire Worsted Mills. The products of these two mills have a distinct place in the textile market of the world and are sold through the company's offices in New York, Philadelphia, Boston and Chicago, with annual sales from two and a half million to three mil- lion dollars. Mr. Doubleday held the office of presi- dent of the company until he retired from active busi- ness in 1915, when he was elected president emeritus. The other members of the corporation are: L. M. But- man, president; W. D. Broadhead, vice-president, and G. W. Berquist, secretary and treasurer.

Mr. Doubleday was also interested in the steel indus- try. In 1889 he, with six others, organized the Du- quesne Pennsylvania Steel Company at an investment of one million five hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Doubleday served as secretary of the company. This

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enterprise, under Mr. Doubleday's management, also proved a success, and in 1802 it was sold to the Car- negie Steel Company, and this is now one of its largest plants.

Mr. Doubleday married ( first) Maria L. Taylor, who bore him three children: Mary, who is the widow of E. D. Boyd, who resides in San Pedro, Los Angeles. Cal .: William, who is a fruit grower and resides at El Cajon. San Diego, Cal .: and Grace, who is wife of Rev. Charles W. Harris, and resides in Montana. Mr. Doubleday married (second) Nellie C. Thayer. By this union there were three children: Ethelbert, de- ceased: Edna, the wife of Rev. H. W. Georgi; Sybil, the wife of Frederick W. Mix, of Jamestown.

Mr. Doubleday is a member of Petrolia Lodge, An- cient Free and Accepted Masons, and the National Wool Manufacturers' Union. In political belief he is independent, voting for the man and measures which are for the best interests of the people. Mr. Double- day and his wife are members of the Baptist church. They are much devoted to their family, and spend their winters in Southern California, where they have a beaut- tiful home at San Diego.

The long and varied career of Mr. Doubleday has displayed balance and abilities as varied as the scenes in which they have been displayed, or the directions in which they have extended, but more especially has it been shown in those cardinal virtues of courage, hon- esty, and industry, without which there is no lasting achievement. He has been engaged during his life in many occupations, and among many different classes of people, but he has always proved himself a man among men and naturally has always been accorded a high place in their regard, and regardless of his large busi- ness interests he has always shown himself a devoted hushan 1 and father.

EMERY W. FENTON, who was for many years prom nor in the manufacturing interests of James- te wn. N. Y., where his death occurred Aug. 9, 1900, at his home, No. 1392 East Second street, was a member of an old and distinguished New England family, which was founded here in the early Colonial period.

(1) Robert Fenton, the first ancestor of this branch of the Fenton family of which we have definite record, appear- first at Woburn, Mass., in the year 1628. It is re: known whence he came, but the probability seems to have been that he was of Welsh origin and was one of the car . Welch settler- in Massachusetts. He did rct remain in Woburn for more than a few years, but wert to Windham, Conn., where between May 30, 1693, and April 19. 161. he ,was received as an inhabitant of the ! wn. Ile located in the northern part of Windham, ... . afterward, hec me Mansfield, and is believed to 1. . j " wed the trade of carpenter, as it was he who Fatter t bridge across the Natehang river. He was craft painters of the town of Mansfield which was cut off freen Windham and made a town. Oct. 20, 1703 In 1707 he became one of the proprietors of that *own, but left it prior to 1730 and located at Will- : ytor where he died at the home of a son. He married Doro'ly and they were the parents of the follow- ir : chiklren Robert, born Ort. 6, 1688, at Woburn,

Mass. ; Francis, born July 22, 1690, at Woburn, and was one of the earliest settlers at Willington ; Samuel, born at Mansfield; Bridget, born Ang. 14, 1695; Jacob, born April 5. 1698, and became one of the first settlers of Norwich, Vt .; Dorothy, born Sept. 4, 1700, and became the wife of Samuel Slafter; Anna, born July 7, 1703, and became the wife of John Rigbe; Violetta, born Aug. 20, 1706, and became the wife of John Harris: Ebenezer, mentioned below, and Abigail, a twin to Ebenezer, born Aug. 20, 1710.

(II) Ebenezer Fenton, son of Robert and Dorothy Fenton, was born Aug. 20, 1710, at Mansfield, and early in life removed to Willington with his parents. He was twice married and his first wife, whom he wedded Feb. 11, 1740, was Mehitable Tuttle, a daughter of Jona- than Tuttle, and they were the parents of the follow- ing children: Jonathan, born May 17, 1741 ; Ebenezer, Jr., born April 15, 1743; Sarah, born Feb. 16, 1744; Nathan, born Feb. 9, 1746; Solomon, born June 23, 1749, who served for seven years in the War of the Revolu- tion and was first lieutenant in a company of the Second Regiment in 1779; Lydia, born May 26, 1753, and became the wife of Jacob Barrows; Elijah, born Aug. 8, 1754. Ebenezer Fenton married (second) Aug. 26, 1762, Lydia Conant, a daughter of Malachi Conant, and they were the parents of the following children: Nathaniel, born March 26, 1764; Jacob, mentioned below; Mehitable, born Jan. 18, 1767; Abigail, born Feb. 2, 1769; Robert, born May 24, 1771 ; Justin, born Sept. 1.4, 1772; Malachi, born April 9, 1776; and Robert, born Oct. II, 1780.

(III) Jacob Fenton, son of Ebenezer and Lydia (Conant) Fenton, was born Nov. 5. 1765, in Connecticut, and served in the Revolutionary War as a private in Captain Thomas Dana's company, which he joined May 23, 1781. This company formed a part of General David Waterbury's State brigade and of the battalion which was ordered to be raised for the defense of the post at Horse Neck and places adjacent. It was commanded by General Waterbury, who was also the commander of all the guards raised for the defense of the sea crafts from Horse Neck to New Haven inclusive. The force was composed of draft from the militia and amounted to a brigade of two battalions. In July it joined General Washington, while he was in camp at Phillipsburg, and for some time after was under the command of General Heath, on the Westchester line. Jacob Fenton came to Jamestown, Chautauqua county, N. Y., in the year 1811, and established here a pottery kiln between what is now First and Second streets, and manufactured all kinds of earthernware. He died in 1822 at Jamestown. He married Lois Hurd, by whom he had nine children, one of whom was William, men- tioned below.

(IV) William Fenton, son of Jacob and Lois (Hurd) Fenton, was born in Connecticut, in 1796, and came to Jamestown with his parents when fifteen years of age. Here he engaged in business with his father until the latter's death, when he continued to conduct it on his own account until 1826. He then admitted as a partner, Samuel Whittimore, and they moved the establishment to Fluvanna, N. Y., and remained in active business there for thirteen years, when the partnership was dis- solved. In 1839 Mr. Fenton returned to Jamestown, where he continued to make his home until the close of

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his life. He was prominent in local affairs and was elected justice of the peace, an office which he held for half a century. His death occurred in 1891, when nearly one hundred years of age. He was a Whig in politics during early life, but joined the Republican party upon its organization and was very active in its councils. He was also an active member of the Congregational church. He married in 1816, Hannah Tracy, a daughter of Elias Tracy, who served as a private in Captain Thomas Wheeler's company and Colonel Chapman's regiment in the Revolutionary War. William and Hannah (Tracy) Fenton were the parents of fourteen children, one of whom was Emery W., mentioned below.

(V) Emery W. Fenton, youngest son of William and Hannah (Tracy) Fenton, was born March 23, 1836, at Fluvanna, Chautauqua county, N. Y. When but three years of age he was brought by his parents to Jamestown and attended the local public schools of this place for his education. When eighteen years of age, Emery W. Fenton began his business career as an em- ployee in a local pail factory and continued in its em- ploy for a number of years. He then went to Corry, Pa., and spent eight years at that place, working in a woodenware factory. In 1869 he returned to Chautau- qua county and located at Falconer, where he formed a partnership with Samuel Sweet and engaged in the manufacture of butter tubs. Later Mr. Sweet sold out his interest and the business was conducted by E. W. Fenton for several years. Later the firm of Fenton, Robertson & Company was organized for the production of fine furniture, and in this line Mr. Fenton continued until his death. In addition to his industrial activities, Mr. Fenton was always actively interested in public affairs and was a leading Democrat. He took a keen interest in the educational development of Jamestown, and was a member of the Board of Education at Fal- coner, it being largely through his influence that the High School at that place was built. Mr. Fenton en- joyed a reputation second to none for honesty and square dealing, and it may be said of him that he made the golden rule his motto.

Emery W. Fenton was united in marriage, Nov. 7, 1861, with Louise Myers, a daughter of Peter and Lucy (Gould) Myers. Mrs. Fenton died Jan. 12, 1916, and was buried with her husband at Pine Hill Cemetery, Falconer. She was an attendant of the Congregational church, was a woman of many Christian virtues and much devoted to her home and children. Mr. and Mrs. Fenton were the parents of three children, as follows : Jennie, who died in early youth; Lulu E. and J. Grace, both of whom reside at the old Fenton home, No. 1392 East Second street, Jamestown. They resided with their parents and were greatly devoted to them and their home life. Both are members of Elliot Chap- ter, New York Society of the Daughters of the Amer- ican Revolution, of Falconer.

MORGAN BOSTWICK KENT, of Jamestown, is a representative of an old English family founded in New England about a quarter of a century after the landing of the Pilgrims. He is a son of Alba Morgan Kent, a descendant of Thomas Kent, born in England, who came to Gloucester, Mass., with his wife in 1643. The line from Thomas to Morgan B. Kent is through

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History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume III, Part 26

Author: Downs, John Phillips, 1853- , ed; Hedley, Fenwick Y., joint editor Publication date: 1921 Publisher: Boston, American Historical Soceity Number of Pages: 688

Author: Downs, John Phillips, 1853- , ed; Hedley, Fenwick Y., joint editor
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Boston, American Historical Soceity
Number of Pages: 688