USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume III > Part 27
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the founder's son, Samuel Kent, and his wife, Frances (Woodal) Kent; their son, John Kent and his first wife, Abigail (Dudley) Kent; their son, Rev. Elisha Kent, and his wife, Abigail (Moss) Kent, a minister's daugh- ter and granddaughter; their son, Elisha (2) Kent, and his wife, Ann Kent; their son, Elisha (3) Kent, and his wife, Alice (Flynn) Kent; their son, Archibald Kent, and his wife, Emeline ( Morgan) Kent; their son, Alba Morgan Kent, and his wife, Rose Elena ( Hall-Wetmore) Kent; their only child, Morgan Bostwick Kent, of James- town, of the ninth American generation of the family founded by Thomas Kent.
Alba Morgan Kent, son of Archibald and Emeline (Morgan) Kent, was born in Royalton, Vt., April 3, 1841, died at his home in Jamestown, N. Y., Sept. 21. 1914. He spent his early life in Vermont, acquiring an education and fitting himself for the battle of life. When a young man he went West, locating at Madison, Wis., there being in State employ as steward of the Wis- consin State Hospital. While holding that position he enlisted, Sept. 2, 1862, in Company G, 29th Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered in as second lieutenant. Later he was commissioned first lieutenant, and during the greater part of the last two years of his service was in command of the company. From the time he enlisted until honorably discharged Lieutenant Kent was absent but once on furlough (sixty days), and participated in every battle in which his regi- ment was engaged. This included the Vicksburg cam- paign from Port Gibson until the fall of Vicksburg; Red River campaign; seige of Mobile, and other opera- tions and battles. He held the rank of acting captain from April 2, 1863, and was mustered out of the service at Shreveport, La., June 22, 1865.
Soon after his return from the army, Lieutenant Kent became associated with his brother, Archibald F. Kent, in oil refining, and later moved to Corry, Pa., and or- ganized the Corry Wooden Ware Company, later the Corry Chair Company, a corporation in which he retained a lifelong interest. He also organized and operated the Corry Gas Works, and after conducting it several years went to Warren, there establishing the Warren Gas Company, which he also operated several years. He then returned to Jamestown, N. Y., where he became interested in the Jamestown Worsted Mills, of which he was a director until his passing. He was also a director of the First National Bank of Jamestown; had other important business interests and large land holdings.
One of the largest farms in the county is located in the town of Busti, south of Jamestown, and is popularly known as the Kent Farm. This estate, comprising about 1,500 acres, is largely Chapin Hall farm, but also includes the Bostwick farm and the Hastings farm, Mr. Bostwick being grandfather and Mr. Hastings an uncle of Mrs. Kent. For many years Alba M. Kent directed this estate and was deeply interested in its successful operation. The Kent Hotel at Lakewood, once the lead- ing hotel there, was built by Mr. Kent, who for several years directed its management. He never sought public applause, but made and always retained many warm, personal friends. His splendid war record was never paraded, and the public generally did not even know that he was a Civil War veteran. But he was recognized as an upright, public-spirited citizen, who did his full share
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in the upbuilding of his city. He was a member of James M. Brown Post, No. 285. Grand Army of the Republic, and on May ;, 1890, was elected a member of New York Commandery Military Order Loyal Legion oi the United States, insignia No. 7989. He was a mem- ber of the Jamestown Club, and an attendant as well as a warm friend of the Unitarian church. During his last years Mr. Kent was an invalid, and for two years pre- ceding his death he took no part in business, that duty devolving upon his business associate and only son, Morgan Bostwick Kent.
Mr. Kent married. June 12, 18;3, Rose Elena ( Hall) Wetmore, widow of Charles C. Wetmore, of Warren, Pa .. who died in Jamestown, June 25. 1912. By her first marriage, Mrs. Kent was the mother of Chapin H. and Susan Wetmore, who died in youth, and Charles D. Wetmore. now (1920) an architect of New York City, member of the firm of Warner & Wetmore. Mrs. Kent was a daughter of Chapin and Susan ( Bostwick) Hall, and a sister of Edward Hall. Chapin Hall was born in Ellicott, Chautauqua county, N. Y., July 12, 1816, and his wife, Susan Bostwick, was horn July 16, 1818, also a daughter of an early pioneer settler.
Morgan Bostwick Kent, only child of Alba Morgan and Rose Elena (Hall-Wetmore) Kent, was born in Jamestown, N. Y., May 21, 1878. After attendance at Jamestown public schools he entered St. Paul's School, Concord. N. H., whence he was graduated class of 1897. He was at once entered as an employe of the worsted mills in Jamestown, and eventually became foreman of a department. He was his father's associate in business during his latter years, and since becoming owner of the estate has continued it along similar lines. Mr. Kent is a devotee of out-of-doors sports, automobiling, hunting and fishing particularly appealing to him. He gratifies his tastes to the full extent and is a genuine lover of true sport. He is a member of Mount Moriah Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Wester Sun Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Jamestown Council. Royal and Select Masters : Jamestown Commandery, Knights Templar ; Jamestown Lodge of Perfection; Jamestown Council, Princes of Jerusalem ; Buffalo Consistory, Ancient Ac- repted Scottish Rite. In politics he is a Republican, and in religious faith a member of the Church of Christ ( Scientist). His clubs are the Jamestown and Rotary. He is also an Elk.
Mr. Kent married (first) Sept. 30, 1902, Eleanor Poshwell. of Brookline. Children : Eleanor Rosalie, bin Oct. 7, 1993; Iuline, born March 13. 1005. Mr. Kent married (second) Iva E. Poor, and resides on Ea + Fourth street, Jamestown.
The old Kent home in Jamestown, long the home of Alha M Kent, at the corner of Fourth street and Pren- 'ergast avenue, has recently ( 1920) been sold to the two Feeling of the Scottish Rite of Masonry in Jamestown, the Lodge of Perfection, and the Council Princes of Ierusalem. The old home will be devoted to the uses of three berlins and to social purposes. Mr. Kent is a man of pleasing personality, whole-souled and gener- ous, a good friend and a good citizen.
GUSTAF FABIAN SELLSTROM-One of James- town's well known citizens, who, although born in a formen land, has contributed much to the life of this
city, is Gustaf Fabian Sellstrom. He was born in Wim- merby, Sweden, June 9, 1851, the son of P. Adolph and Johanna Maria (Berg) Sellstrom. In 1856 the elder Mr. Sellstrom died, leaving his widow with the care of three children : Fabian at the age of four years; Car! Adolph, and John Frederick, the two latter now deceased.
Gustaf Fabian Sellstrom, better known as Fabian Sellstrom, attended the schools of his native country. At seventeen years of age he, together with his mother and two brothers, came to Jamestown, where he secured employment in the plant of Jones & Gifford, furniture manufacturers. Leaving the furniture plant he went to Bradford, Pa., and remained there until 1877, being em- ployed during that time as foreman in a factory. Desir- ing to return to Jamestown, he secured a position as manager for Halliday & Benedict, meat dealers. In 1881 he formed a partnership with his brother, John Frederick Sellstrom, under the firm name of Sellstrom Bros., Meat Dealers, which continued until 1885, when through accidental death while hunting, John Frederick was taken away. Fabian Sellstrom bought out the inter- est of his brother's estate in June, 1885, and continued the business himself. Desiring a better location, he decided in May, 1886, to purchase the business of Drake Sessions on Third street, and for over a quarter of a century remained at this location. building up a large and successful business, being the largest retail meat dealer in Chautauqua county.
During these years he became interested in several of the manufacturing industries in the city, and became one of the strongest supporters of the Dahlstrom Metallic Door Company, this institution owing much to his loyal support during times of difficulties and financial stress. During the early period of organization he was com- missioned to handle several important business deals and problems of this concern. In 1912 Mr. Sellstrom sold out his meat business, retiring from active com- mercial life. He took active part, however, in the affairs of the Dalilstrom Metallic Door Company as vice-presi- dent and treasurer until 1918, when he retired entirely from active business. His interests in real estate and manufacturing concerns continue to keep him in touch with the business life of Jamestown. In politics, Mr. Sellstrom is a Republican, but in practice is an inde- pendent voter giving his support to the candidate he feels most nearly meets the requirements of the office. In fraternal life, he is a member of all the Masonic bodies up to and including the thirty-second degree, and also is a member of several social organizations.
During all these years of business life the constant aid and encouragement of his devoted wife meant a great deal to his achievements and progressive develop- ment. On Aug. 3. 1882, at Jamestown, he was united in marriage with Emily Eugenia Lundberg. Mrs. Sell- strom was born in Wester Gotland, Sweden, a daughter oi John Fliason and Maria Christina Lundberg. Mrs. Sellstrom came to this country as a young girl and has been active in the community and church life of the city of Jamestown. For a number of years she has been president of the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Norden Club, and has contributed much to the literary and educational interest manifested there. Being greatly interested in equal suffrage, she was active in her energies for the cause. She is also a member of the First Lutheran
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Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Sellstrom were born four children : Elmer W., May H., Lilla E. F., and V. Emily. Lilla E. F. died in 1894 at the age of four years. Elmer W. received his early education in the public schools, later attending Cornell University and graduating with the degree of Civil Engineer in 1907. Leaving the uni- versity he became associated with the Dahlstrom Metallic Door Company, being active in the upbuilding of that institution. He has been actively identified with community work, serving in many capacities. He is a member of all the Masonic bodies and past emminent commander of Jamestown Commandery, Knights Temp- lar. He is at present the president of the Jamestown Rotary Club. May H. also attended the public schools, graduating in 1904, and later taking up special work in piano at the Sherwood Music School at Chicago. Upon graduating from there she became one of Mr. Sher- wood's able assistants. Later she was associated in the music department of Miss Bennett's School for Girls at Millbrook, N. Y. In 1917 she became the wife of Craw- ford N. Bargar, to whom one child has been born. Mr. Bargar has been long identified with the wholesale grocery business in Jamestown. V. Emily was educated in the Jamestown public schools, graduating with the class of 1015, and the next year graduating from Dana Hall at Wellesley, Mass. She also attended Simmons College at Boston, and Smith College at Northampton, Mass., receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts from the latter institution in 1920, and is now active in the educational and social life of the community.
FRED H. GARFIELD-It is not always easy to discover and define the hidden forces that have moved a life of ceaseless activity and business success; little more can be done than note their manifestations in the career of the individual under consideration. In view of this fact, the life of Fred H. Garfield, late of James- town, N. Y., affords a striking example of well defined purpose with the ability to make that purpose subserve not only his own ends but those of the corporation with which he was associated and the good of his fellowmen as well. Mr. Garfield long held distinctive prestige in a calling which requires for its basis sound mentality, supplemented by rigid railroad traffic training, without which, one in that line of work cannot hope to rist above the mediocre. Rising in the confidence and esteem of the public, and in every relation of life, he never fell below the dignity nor in any way resorted to methods that invited criticism or censure. He was essentially a man among men, having ever moved as one who commanded respect by innate force, as well as by superior ability, and his life and labors eminently entitle him to representation among the representative men in Chautauqua county.
The family from which Mr. Garfield is descended is a very old and prominent one in this country, and are descendants from Edward Garfield, who came from England to Massachusetts in 1636. For more than two centuries the Garfield family have been residents of the American colonies, and our loved and martyred presi- dent, James Abram Garfield, was a descendant from the same line.
For more than a century they were residents of Worcester county, Mass., and the first to come to Chau-
tauqua county, N. Y., was Samuel Garfield, familiarly known as Deacon Garfield, who was born in Massachu- setts at the place above mentioned, and in 1803 removed with his father, Eliakim Garfield, to Windham county, Vt. The father was a Revolutionary soldier, and served with more than ordinary distinction under General George Washington. Samuel Garfield married in the "Green Mountain State," and in 1814 came to Chautau- qua county, N. Y .; he became a farmer in the town of Busti and also did carpentry work. He possessed con- siderable inventive genius, his first invention being grain measures nested from a half-bushel down; fol- lowing this he manufactured scythe-snathis, and grain- cradle handles, besides making a large number of rakes. Immense quantities of these "crooked sticks," as they were called in those days, were manufactured by him and sold to the farmers of the county, besides many ship- ments were sent down the Allegheny river to the southern markets. He was the father of a large family, among them being Benjamin, of further mention.
Benjamin Garfield was born in the town of Busti, N. Y., and became one of the successful land owners. In 1880 he moved to Salamanca and engaged in business. He remained there for a time and then removed to Bemus Point, Chautauqua county, N. Y., later removing to Jamestown, N. Y., where he soon retired from active business. Benjamin Garfield married Sarah Botsford, and to them were born two children : Fred H., of further mention ; and Charles B.
Fred H. Garfield was born Nov. 10, 1853, on his father's farm, and here he passed his early life. He received his education in the district schools, and later in the public schools of Jamestown. It was while living with his parents at Bemus Point that Fred H. Garfield met the man who so largely influenced his future career in the person of W. P. Shattuck, of Cleveland. Mr. Shattuck was then general passenger agent of the Atlantic & Great Western (now a part of the Erie Rail- road system). His summers were spent at Bemus Point, where he formed a strong attachment for Mr. Garfield, then a young man, and they were much together. Mr. Garfield being a lover of the big out-doors and nature, and an intrepid hunter and fisherman, taught the art of hunting and fishing to Mr. Shattuck, and this brought them even closer together. Mr. Shattuck was struck with the intelligence of the young man and offered him a place as advertising agent for the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad, with offices in Buffalo, N. Y. Mr. Garfield, although but a young man of twenty-one years of age, accepted and made his home in Buffalo for several years. From 1880 to 1888 Mr. Garfield was traveling passenger agent for the same railroad, with which he spent practically his entire life. In the meantime the railroad had passed through several changes, finally becoming the familiar N. Y. P. & O., the "Nypano." In 1888 he was appointed division passenger agent at Jamestown, and held that office continually up to the time of his death. He witnessed the rapid growth of the passenger and freight business as the busy city of Jamestown grew up.
It may be truly said of Fred H. Garfield that the Erie Railway Company secured his undivided ability during all the years that he was connected with the great transportation problem. Whatever he did was with the
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thought and intention of benefiting the railroad and these connected with it. No man outdid him in loyalty to any company or corporation, and while he took part in matters of public concern. and always maintained a lively interest in the business and political life of James- town and Chautauqua county, this was never done at the sacrifice of any anty he owed to his company. During his long term of service with the Erie as division passenger agent he had immediate charge of more than two hundred miles of the business of the read. and in all his work he not only won and held the confidence and respect of his superior officers in the company, but he won and held the equal confidence and respect of all the men in the passenger department over which he had control. Mr. Garfield was more than a division passenger agent, he was the firm friend and close adviser of General Passenger Agent R. H. Wallace and other men at the head of the great railway system. They looked to him for advice in the management of the road. and they regarded his judgment upon railway interests as sound. and this might be said of many other voicials of connecting lines. He had wide influence in railway circles, and with such influence his loyalty to bis h ire town was only second to that which he had for the company to which he devoted his life. Mr. Garfield passed away at his home, Aug. 31, 1908. His funeral was attended not only by many friends from I. mestown. Chautauqua county and vicinity, but by prominent railroad officials from various parts of the United States. Mr. Garfield was a member of the Benev- olent an 1 Protective Order of Elks, Order of Maccabees, and Jamestown Club. In politics he was a Democrat.
On June 6, 1882. Fred H. Garfield married (first ) Mary Smith, a daughter of George Smith, who lived in Wils n. Niagara county, N. Y. To them was born a so:, Robert Marvin. Mrs. Garfield died in May. 1890. On Sept. 24. 18 ,1. he married (second) Tena McIntosh, and to them was born a daughter, Alice M., and a son Frederick M.
A lover of out-of-doors life. he was an ardent sports- man, taking great pleasure in hunting and fishing, and frien 's frequently came long distances to spend a few days with him on Chautauqua Lake, or in the sur- rounding forests in search of game, and such friends never counted the day lost, whether successful or not with rod er gun.
Mr. Garfield was of a most genial nature; he loved h. feil: ( and had confidence in them; he would . Iways give willingly of his time and service. especially i - the nearest and welfare of Jamestown. Many were a 's rade upon him as the representative of the !. . pr Falls in the matter of local enterprises allbrote ns. 11- had many friends in business 11 at his it m near and far away. It is certain Er death wa megrued by all who knew him.
ADELBERT PHILO SIMMONS -For forty years
('1.
i. pre ident MeFinley and
the Civil War, Allbert P.
wry point of view was entitled to the When finall . he was laid at rest
# Conpery Jamestown, the bearers were all
veterans of the Forty-ninth Regiment, New York Vol- unteer Infantry, and the local Grand Army of the Re- public men attended the funeral of their comrade in a body, conducting at the grave the beautiful ritual burial service of the order, James M. Conroe, commander ; N. R. Thompson, chaplain.
Adelbert P. Simmons was a native son of Chautauqua county, born in the town of Portland, who enlisted from Jamestown, Aug. 26, 1861, and was discharged, Sept. 17, 1864. He was in business at Busti, Chantanqua county. from 1866 until 190., and resided in Jamestown from 1908 until his death in 1916, aged seventy-four years, two months, four days. He resigned the office of post . master in May, 1907, after continuous service covering a period of about forty years, and six administrations, one of eight years being of political complexion differing from his own, and he finally proving the falsity of that saying about office holders that "few died and none ever resign." He was a son of Philander and Mary A. (Waid) Sim- mons, who at the time of the birth of their son, Adelbert P., were living in Portland, but who moved to Jamestown in 1855.
Adelbert P. Simmons was born in the town of Port- land, Chautauqua county, N. Y., March 4, 1842, died at his home, No. 3 Forest Park, Jamestown, N. Y., May 8, 1916. The first thirteen years of his life were spent in Portland, where he attended the district school, but in 1855 his parents moved to Jamestown, where he com- pleted public school attendance and learned the chair maker's trade. He continued at his trade in Jamestown until Ang. 26, 1861, when he enlisted as a private in Company K, Forty-ninth Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, and on the following September 18 was mus- tered into the United States service at New York City. He was in active service with his regiment, a part of the glorious Army of the Potomac, was all through the campaigns of that army until Dec. 18, 1863, and during the Peninsula campaign, his tent-mate, Milton Lewis, the first soldier to fall from Chantanqua county, was killed at Warwick Creek, near Yorktown, Va. He in- curred physical disabilities, and on Dec. 18, 1863, was transferred from the Forty-ninth to the Thirty-sixth Regiment, Second Battalion, Veteran Reserve Corps, and placed on detached service at Washington, D. C., as ward master in Harewood Hospital. He was honor- ably discharged and mustered out of the service, Sept. 17, 186.4, his three years' term of enlistment having expired.
In 1866 Mr. Simmons opened a general store in the village of Busti. Chautauqua county, and continued a successful merchant until October. 1906, when he sold his stock and goodwill to F. C. Whiting & Company of Busti, and then retired. Under President Grant he re- ceived his first commission as postmaster of the village, and each recurring four years brought him a renewal of that commission, no matter who the president or what his politics until May, 1907, when he resigned the office, and in January following he moved to Jamestown, his boyhood home, and the scene of the closing activi- ties of his life. He was a Republican in politics, casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. President Lincoln then a candidate for a second term. He served the town of Busti as town clerk for twenty-five years, was collector of taxes, registrar of vital statistics, secre-
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Cet Joch M.A.
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tary of the Board of Health, and filled several village offices.
Mr. Simmons always kept in close touch with his old comrades of the army, and was a member of the Veterans Union of Chautauqua County, serving as its secretary, and of James M. Brown Post, No. 285, Grand Army of the Republic, of Jamestown, of which he was a past commander. At Boston, Dec. 30, 1910, at the National Encampment of the order, Mr. Simmons was appointed aide-de-camp to the Grand Commander, J. E. Gilmore. He was a member of the First Methodist Church of Jamestown, and a man honored and respected by all who knew him.
Mr. Simmons married, Jan. 6, 1869, Florence E. Glenn, daughter of William T. and Mary L. (Thompson) Glenn, of Phoenix, Pa., her father a Union soldier who gave his life for his country. Mrs. Simmons survives her husband, and continues her residence in Jamestown. She is a member of the Woman's Relief Corps, and of the Methodist Episcopal church. Her only son, Frank C. Simmons, was born in Milton, Armstrong county, Pa., Nov. 16, 1869, and educated in the public schools. He was engaged in the mercantile business with his father until 1906, and is now connected with the James- town and Westfield Electric Railroad Company. He married May Wilcox.
Such are the high lights in a life which was practically lived in the same community and when at its close the time came to pay the last tributes of respect, old friends, business associates, Grand Army comrades, church brethren, and neighbors testified by their presence to the high regard in which Mr. Simmons was held. Mr. Simmons was a man of quiet life and disposition, very fond of his home and family, and in his public life met every obligation of good citizenship. He fought well the battle of life and left behind him an honored name.
JOHN FRANK SMITH-As inspector of plumb- ing for the Board of Health of Jamestown, John F. Smith enjoys the distinction of being an official of a progressive city government, and as a veteran of the Civil War there is nothing more for the biographer to add to show that he has served his fellowman. Mr. Smith takes a leading part in the advancement of all that promises improvement of conditions in his home town, and is generally recognized as one of her foremost citizens.
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