USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume III > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96
Nathan C. Cobb was married, at Poland, Chautauqua county, Jan. 9, 1869, to Anne E. White, who was born on July 23, 1849, in Garland, Pa., the daughter of Joseph L. and Sophia White. Therefore, Mr. and Mrs. Nathan C. Cobb have had the crowning satisfaction of celebrating the fiftieth, the golden, anniversary of their wedding, upon which occasion their many friends and neighbors gave them some indication of the respect in which they are held in that section of the county in which they have lived through so many decades. To them have been born two children: Claude W., who was born Dec. 19, 1878; Oren J., who was born May 7, 1880.
During the recent World War, Mr. Cobb followed its progress with keen interest, and as was to be expected, his own war record had some influence in inspiring martial and patriotic ardor among the young men of the district whose turn had come to bear the national burdens in the fighting ranks. And in home production of foodstuffs, which were sovitally necessary to the cause, and in producing abnormal yields of which American farmers did so commendably, Mr. Cobb, although of late years not so vigorous as formerly, did all that he was able, following events day by day with an interest which, at times, made him long to be again in the thick of the fighting. Still his service during the rigors of three years of campaigning such as the patriots had to endure during the Civil War was a sufficient national service for one life, and has justly brought him honor since.
LUKE HAIGHT FAY, election commissioner of Mayville, Chautauqua county, N. Y., and a well known and popular figure in the general life of the community, is a native of Brocton, born Dec. 14, 1872. He is a son of Albert Appleton and Catherine (Haight) Fay, and a grandson of Captain Joseph B. Fay, one of the best known men in this region during his life.
Albert Appleton Fay was born in Elyria, Ohio, Oct. 2, 1884, his parents' name being Whitney, who died when he was a small boy. Soon after their death he came to Sinclairville, N. Y., and shortly after was adopted by J. B. Fay and came to Brocton, where he spent his life. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted in Com- pany D), 9th New York Cavalry, and served throughout the war, lxing discharged with the rank of sergeant; he was twice wounded in action. For twenty-one years Mr. Fay was one of the assessors of the town of Port- land, holding that position at the time of his death, which fully exemplified the confidence in which he was
325
BIOGRAPHICAL
held by his fellow-townsmen. At various times, since the organization of Brocton as a village, he served as one of the trustees and was elected to that office in the spring of 1920. For several years he was president and manager of the Chautauqua Grape Company, was a member of the Farm Bureau, and a charter member of Portland Grange, Patrons of Husbandry; James A. Hall Post, Grand Army of the Republic; J. B. Fay Camp. Sons of Veterans; and Brocton Lodge, No. 284, Knights of Pythias. Mr. Fay married, Dec. 11, 1867, Kate Haight, who with three children, Luke H., of further mention, George A., of Corry, Pa., and Mrs. Vernon Mathews, of Brocton, survive. Mr. Fay died May 15, 1920, and the funeral services were conducted by the Rev. S. M. Gorden, of the Methodist Episcopal church. The burial, in Evergreen Cemetery, was in charge of the Knights of Pythias, and eleven of his old soldier comrades acted as honorary bearers.
Luke Haight Fay secured his education at the public schools of Brocton and the Westfield High School. He then entered a business college at Erie, Pa., where he took a commercial course, and upon completing his studies there secured a position in his father's coal business. The young man remained there for about three or four years and then travelled to the West, settling for a time at the city of Des Moines, Iowa, where he was employed by the Edison Electric Light Company for a year. His next move was to Chicago, where he remained for a similar period in the wholesale department of Marshall Field & Company's great estab- lishment. Returning to the East he once more became affiliated with his father in the latter's coal business and continued this association for some five years. Mr. Fay in the meantime had become keenly interested in grape culture, and severing his connection with his father he purchased a fine vineyard of which he took up the cultivation. He remained thus engaged until 1917. when he was elected to his present position as tax commissioner of the township. At the present time Mr. Fay devotes his entire attention to the discharge of his responsible duties as a public officer, and has won the respect of his fellow-citizens of all political creeds and parties for the disinterested and impartial manner in which he has conducted his department. Mr. Fay is a member of Lake Shore Lodge, No. 851, of Brocton, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Chapter No. 191, Royal Arch Masons; Dunkirk Council, No. 25, Royal and Select Masters; Dunkirk Commandery, No. 40, Knights Templar ; and Ismailia Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also affiliated with Brocton Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor commander, and the Portland Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. In politics he is a Republican, and besides his present office has also held other public posts, being connected with the State Census office. He was also secretary of the Chautauqua Grape Com- pany for four years, an organization which cares for the marketing and selling of the product of the vineyards in this locality.
Luke Haight Fay was united in marriage, April 30, 1903, with Mary F. Maginns, of Portland, N. Y., a daughter of Frank A. and Alma Maginns, old and highly respected residents of that place. Two children have been born of this union, as follows : Donald Whit- ney, aged eleven; and Dorothy Edith, aged five.
ORRIE ARTHUR OTTAWAY-Among its mem- bers of the younger generation the Chautauqua county bar has no representative who, in comparatively few years, has hecome more widely or favorably known than the citizen of Brocton whose name heads this article. Mr. Ottaway holds the office of justice of the peace for the town of Portland, and is prominently identified with the interests of the Masonic fraternity.
James Ottaway, great-grandfather of Orrie Arthur Ottaway, was the operator of a mill at Headcorn, England, and married Arabella -. For genera- tions the Ottaway family has been resident in the County of Kent. In 1823 James Ottaway emigrated to the United States accompanied by his brother Horatio. After six weeks' voyage they landed in New York and proceeded by sloop to Newburgh, going thence by steam and wagon to Buffalo. Leaving his family there, James Ottaway went in quest of land on which to erect a house for them and eventually took up a wild tract in Mina township, Chautauqua county. Nettles were growing on the land and this fact may have inclined him to its selection inasmuch as in England there was a tradition that the presence of nettles was an indication of fertile soil. He purchased a portion of lot 13 and built thereon a log cabin. His was the first deed of land in the eastern part of the town of Mina, and he was the first of the many Englishmen who settled in that region.
John E. Ottaway, son of James and Arabella Ottaway, was born June 20, 1827, on the homestead, in the town of Mina, and received his education in the common schools. In the course of time he purchased the farm from his father and devoted himself to its cultivation. Inheriting the literary tastes of his father, he availed himself of all the means of supplying the deficiencies of his education which came within his reach, thus becoming an extremely well-informed man. The numer- ous offices of trust which he held in his native town and county included that of supervisor. From the inception of the Republican party he was actively identi- fied with it, frequently representing his town at conven- tions. The confidence inspired by his character and abilities caused him to be often chosen as the executor of estates and the guardian of funds. For many years he was a director of the State Bank of Sherman. Mr. Ottaway married, Oct. 17, 1849, Sarah, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Hosmer) Boorman, both of whom were English and among the first settlers in the town of Sherman, having lived there since 1825. Mr. and Mrs. Ottaway were the parents of the following children : Osmer J., mentioned below; Arthur B., of Westfield; G. Frederick, of Mina; Susan A., wife of - - Jones, of Mina; and Cora E., of Westfield. On Oct. 17, 1899, Mr. and Mrs. Ottaway, surrounded by their children grandchildren and close friends, celebrated the golden anniversary of their marriage.
Osmer J. Ottaway, son of John E. and Sarah (Boor- man) Ottaway, married Ellen Hewitt, and they were the parents of Orrie Arthur, mentioned below.
Orrie Arthur Ottaway, son of Osmer J. and Ellen (Hewitt) Ottaway, was born Feb. 23, 1884, on the home- stead, in Mina township, and received his primary edu- cation in the local district school. When he was seven years old the family moved to the village of Sherman and he attended school there, afterward entering
326
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
Allegheny College. Meadville. Pa. His legal education was received in the law department of Syracuse Univer- sity, where he graduated in 1009 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. The following year Mr. Ottaway entered upon the practice of his profession in the office of Ottaway & Munson at Westfield, very shortly moving to Brocton, where he was associated with F. C. Lewis. Subsequently the partnership was dissolved, since which event Mr. Ottaway has practiced alone. Steadily and surely he has built up an enviable reputation, winning the implicit confidence of his professional brethren and the general public. Like his father, Mr. Ottaway has always supported the principles of the Republicans, and has never been known to fail in public spirit. He is now justice of the peace for the town of Portland. He was master of Lake Shore Lodge, No. 851, Free and Accepted Masons, also affiliating with the chapter, of Dunkirk, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Brocton, and the Knights of Pythias, also of Brocton, in which he holds the office of past chancellor, He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Brocton. Mr. Ottaway married, Nov. 8, 1911, Mabel, daughter of Tom and Lenora Culver, of Westfield, and they are the parents of one child, Elizabeth Mae Ottaway, who is now attending the kindergarten.
The qualities of foresight, sound judgment and aggressive energy by which Mr. Ottaway's ancestors were distinguished "on both sides of the sea" have thus far contributed to his success in his chosen profession and now open before him a most promising future.
WILLIAM WESLEY COLE, M. D .- For twenty- six years a practicing physician of the town of Hanover, located in the village of Silver Creek, Dr. Cole was one of the best known men of the town. He came to Chau- tauqua county from Baldwinsville, in Onondaga county, was a native son of the Empire State, and spent his years (sixty) within her borders. He was a physician of learning and skill, highly esteemed by his brethren of the profession, and devoted to his work as a healer of human ills. He was of a family inheriting medical tastes, and one of four brothers, all doctors : Dr. George Cole, of Conneaut, Ohio; Dr. E. E. Cole, of Manlins, N. Y .; Dr. P. A. Cole, of Cleveland, Ohio; and William Wesley Cole, whose memory this review perpetuates.
William Wesley Cole was born at Sand Lake, Rensselaer county, N. Y., Feb. 17, 1859, and died at the German Deaconess Hospital, April 8, 1919. Though poor in health, he continued to look after his practice until a few days before his death, when blood poisoning developed from a slight injury to his hand. He went to the hospital for treatment, hut his condition was such that he considered his case almost hopeless from the first, and arranged his business affairs accordingly. He grew to manhood in Rensselaer county, there completed his public school study, and began reading medicine. He completed professional study at Cleveland Medical School, whence he was graduated M. D., class of 1891, and the same year began practice in Baldwinsville, N. Y. Two years later, in 180)3, he came to Chautauqua county and located at Silver Creek, where his remaining twenty-six years of life were spent in successful medical practice. He had a large practice in his village and town, and was universally esteemed. While he gave to
his profession the strength of body, physical and mental, he was fond of farm life, and became an enthusiast on grape culture and the owner of a farm of 87 acres. Friendly and social by nature, Dr. Cole was interested in all village activities, and in all that went to make village life enjoyable and profitable. He was a member of Silver Lodge, No. 757, Free and Accepted Masons; a charter member of Silver Creek Lodge, Odd Fellows; and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Dr. Cole married (first) Emma Cranse, who died in Baldwinsville, N. Y., leaving a son, Harold Wesley Cole, who died aged twenty-one. Dr. Cole married (second) at Silver Creek, N. Y., J. Belle Morrison, daughter of Frank Morrison, of Scotch descent, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Cole died at Silver Creek, Aug. 2, 1896, and is buried in Glenwood Cemetery, Silver Creek. They were the parents of a daughter, Daphne Bell, who was an infant when her mother died. She had the loving care of a devoted father, and attended the public schools until completing fifth grade work, when she became a student at Holy Angels Academy, Buffalo, where she completed her education. She is a member of the Roman Catholic church, and was her father's devoted associate until the latter's death. Miss Cole married, Sept. 16, 1917, J. Harry Wilde, of Jamestown, N. Y., who was a member of Company E, which left Jamestown under command of Captain, now Major, Charles A. Sandburg, and went overseas with the 27th division, American Expeditionary Forces, to take part in the war between the United States and Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Wilde are the parents of a son, Cole Wesley Wilde, born Nov. 18, 1919. Dr. Cole married (third) Ina Mereness Van Schoonoven in July, 1898. She now resides in Syracuse with a niece, Mrs. Dr. George Retan. The funeral of Dr. Cole was from his home, on Main street, and in charge of the Masonic fraternity, brief remarks being made by Rev. H. H. Bair, of the Methodist church. He was buried in Baldwinsville.
LAMONT ALLEN JEFFERDS, a prominent figure in the industrial life of Brocton, Chautauqua county, N. Y., where he has been engaged in the manu- facture of furniture for a number of years, is a native of Randolph, Cattaraugus county, N. Y., where his birth occurred Nov. 7, 1878, a son of Owel and Emma (Hard- ing) Jefferds, his parents now making their home in New York City, where the elder Mr. Jefferds is the assistant cashier of the Seaboard National Bank.
Lamont Allen Jefferds passed his childhood at his native place and there attended the local public schools for a time. When his parents removed to New York City he accompanied them and attended the public schools of the Metropolis until he was sent to the Chamberlain Institute at Randolph, N. Y. After completing his gen- eral education at the latter institution, he entered the New York Commercial School of New York City, where he was prepared for a career in business. He then entered the employ of the New York Telephone Com- pany, where he worked in a clerical capacity for five years, and was then given a position in the Seaboard National Bank, in which his father was an officer. There he remained for another five years, and then became associated with the Farish-Stafford Company, where he
USBConroy 1
327
BIOGRAPHICAL
was employed for six years longer. At the end of that period, having gained a wide knowledge of business methods generally and of banking in particular, he left New York City and returned to his native place, where he took a position in the Randolph Bank. His next asso- ciation was with the department store of T. E. Adams Company at Randolph, where he was connected with the retail department for two years, after which he entered the services of the Randolph Furniture Works as assist- ant to the secretary-treasurer. After three years spent there in learning the business of manufacturing furni- ture, Mr. Jefferds was offered the position of assistant manager of the factory of the Brocton Furniture Com- pany of Brocton, N. Y., and came to this place on Feb. I, 1916, to take up his new task. Since that time he has continued in that capacity and has done much to advance the interests of the important concern with which he is associated. He has made himself of the greatest valne to his employers, and everything points to a brilliant future for him in the line of business that he has chosen. Mr. Jefferds has always taken a public-spirited interest in the general life of the communities where he has dwelt, and is a conspicuous figure in the social circle of Broc- ton. He is a Republican in politics, and a Methodist in religious belief, attending the Methodist Episcopal church of Brocton.
Lamont Allen Jefferds was united in marriage, Sept. 16, 1907, at Randolph, N. Y., with Tillie M. Shean, of that town, a daughter of Michael W. and Bridget ( Mc- Mahon) Shean. Two children have been born of this union, as follows : Milton Lamont and Donald Francis.
FRED E. MORSE-The dual interests of real estate and insurance are perhaps more closely connected than any others with the progress and prosperity of most communities. Certain it is that they play an important part in the life of Chantanqua county and equally cer- tain is it that they have no more successful nor aggres- sive representative than the citizen of Fredonia whose name stands at the head of this article. Mr. Morse is helpfully identified with other essential interests of his home town, and is a figure of prominence in Masonic circles.
Fred E. Morse was born Feb. 29, 1856, in the town of Stockton, Chantanqua county, N. Y., a son of Hiram P. and Mary A. (West) Morse. Mr. Morse was by trade a blacksmith. Fred E. Morse attended local schools and assisted his father in the latter's work until the age of eighteen. He then went into business for himself as a carriage painter and blacksmith, but was forced by fail- ing health to abandon the undertaking. He then moved on a farm in Stockton, remaining until May 20, 1892, when he came to Fredonia and opened a saddlery and hardware store, later taking over a grist mill. The next occupation to which Mr. Morse turned his attention was the one in which he was destined to score his greatest success-insurance. His first association with it was in connection with the Prudential Life Insurance Company, with which he remained for ten years. At the end of that time he engaged for himself in the same line of busi- ness, meeting, as the years went on, with an ever-increas- ing measure of success. His business now consists of two departments : Real estate, in which he has a partner ; and insurance, including all kinds, which he conducts by
himself. He represents the following companies: Bos- ton, Scottish, Union, Franklin, Republic, Standard, and Equitable Life. The vote and influence of Mr. Morse are always given to the principles advocated by the Re- publican party, but he takes no active share in the work of the organization. He affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Fredonia.
Mr. Morse married, Jan. 6, 1880, Adda May, daugh- ter of Edward and Melinda (Berry) Sprague, of Laona, N. Y., and they are the parents of the following children : I. Harry P., married Clella Bartlett, and they have three children, Gerald, Donald, and Thomas. 2. Myrtle, wife of Leonard Carr; they have two children, Dorothy and Gerald. 3. Berdena, wife of Arthur Hunt. 4. Clara. 5. Marion.
The career of Fred E. Morse furnishes a lesson in the advantage of seeking the occupation for which one is best fitted. He persevered in the quest and on trying real estate and insurance was soon convinced that he had found his place. The public has long shared, most thor- oughly, his own conviction.
WILLIAM BERNARD CONROY, president of the Conroy-Buchanan Lumber Company, of Jamestown, N. Y., is a man of pleasing personality and energy of character; quick to note the possibilities of a business transaction and equally quick to detect any effort to de- frand or misrepresent.
Born in Irvington, Pa., July 7, 1870, the son of John D. and Ellen M. (Merchant) Conroy. The latter is still living, but the father died some time ago. It was from his father that Mr. Conroy inherited his business ability, for the elder Conroy was engaged in mercantile pursuits for many years. The boy's education was gained first at the district school and afterward at the Youngsville High School. After that he secured employment with the Western, New York & Pennsylvania Railway Com- pany as station agent and telegraph operator, remaining thus occupied for seven years; in 1900 he decided to make a change and entered the employ of the Indiana Lumber Company, continuing with them for two years. In 1902 Mr. Conroy saw an opportunity for advance- ment with the Mead Speer Lumber Company of Pitts- burgh, Pa., and remained there for four years. By that time he felt himself capable of conducting a business of his own, and going to Jamestown he became a member of the above mentioned company.
Mr. Conroy is greatly interested in all affairs pertain- ing to Jamestown. He is a Free Mason, having passed through the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Commandery and Scot- tish Rite; he is a member of the First Congregational Church, as are also his wife and children. In politics he is an independent voter, choosing the man he considers best for the office. He is nothing of a politician, for busi- ness occupies too much of his time to leave room for such a diversion.
William Bernard Conroy married, Feb. 6, 1903, Annie L. Thompson, of Plumer, Pa. Of this union three chil- dren were born: Allen Thompson, Mary Louise, Har- old William, deceased.
Mr. Conroy started his career with no other capital than experience and a determination to succeed, and now he is head of a thriving business which is growing more successful each year.
328
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
EDWARD LOWRY BUCHANAN, the treasurer oi the Conroy-Buchanan Lumber Company, is like his partner a self-made man, bringing to the company only honesty of purpose and a willingness to work for the building up of the business. That they have succeeded in this is conceded by all who know the partners and their standing in the community.
The parents of Edward L. Buchanan were David A. and Mary Jane (Fetterman) Buchanan, residents of Titusville, Pa., where their son was born July 6, 1871. David A. Buchanan died several years ago, but his wife still survives him. He was a farmer and also conducted a butchering business. The son, Edward L., was edu- cated in the district schools of Venango county, Pa., afterwards entering the Clarion State Normal School, from which he graduated in 1895. He taught school for four years after graduating, and previous to that had also taught school. Desiring to advance in life, Mr. Buchanan secured a position with the Oil Well Supply Company of Oil City, Pa. After three and a half years with this company he resigned to accept an opening with the Model Milling Company of the same city, where he remained for a year and a half, going then into the office of the Citizens Traction Company. When his stay there came to an end, he and Mr. Conroy decided to enter into busi- ness together, forming the firm known as the Conroy- Buchanan Lumber Company in 1907.
Mr. Buchanan is an upholder of the tenets of the Pro- hibition party and votes that ticket at election time. He is a congregationalist in religion, his wife and children attending the First Congregational Church of James- town : he is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being connected with the local lodge.
On Jan. 2, 1899, Edward Lowry Buchanan married Finora A. Thompson of Plumer, Pa. Of this marriage two children were born : Mary Isabel, 1902; Arthur Thompson, 1917. Mr. Buchanan and Mr. Conroy are not alone business associates, but are connected by mar- riage, having married sisters.
CONROY-BUCHANAN LUMBER COMPANY, William Bernard Conroy, president; Edward Lowry Buchanan, treasurer ; Margaret Thompson, secretary.
In 1907 two young men arrived in Jamestown with the intention of starting in business, one coming from Pitts- burch, Pa., where he had been connected with the Mead Speer Lumber Company, and the other coming from the Oil Well Supply Company of Oil City, Pa. These men, Willard Bernard Conroy and Edward Lowry Buchanan, had both been trained by several years employment in wood products business, so they felt fully capable of conducting a hardwood and veneer concern. They entered into partnership in the spring of 1907, continu- ing it until the following autumn, when they made an incorporated company of it, with the officers above men- tioned a> members, under the corporate name of the Conroy-Buchanan Lumber Company. From the very beginning they were most successful, buying their goods in carload consignment, and selling them all over New York State and through the Ohio Valley. Both men act as buyers and personally attend to the sales in their individual territories, and as they only handle fine, reli- able good , and both young men, have the confidence
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.