History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume III, Part 34

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 34

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Mr. Alexander married, Sept. 20, 1871, at Blockville, N. Y., Mary Jones, born at French Creek, Chantauqua county, N. Y., March 14, 1854, died at the family home on Chautauqua avenue, Lakewood, May 15, 1920. Mrs. Alexander was the daughter of James Il. and Laura ( Sullivan ) Jones, her mother born in Clymer, Chau- taniqua county, N. Y., daughter of a Clymer farmer and minister. Two sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Alexander : Roy C., born Oct. 2. 1878, married Effie J. Peterson, in Jamestown, and they are the parents of two children : Emmett W. and Dorothy J. Alexander ; Seward G., born July 0, 1880, married Mabel J. White, resides in Warren, Pa., and they are the parents of a son, Donald M. Alexander.

Ele Giffone.

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BIOGRAPHICAL

ALVIN E. PETERSON-Now that the Swedes of Jamestown are believed to number about 20,000, the question of priority of settlement becomes one of in- terest. The pioneer actual settlers were two young women, both born in Sweden, who first went to Sugar Grove, Pa., with other Swedes who settled there. The two young women, Johanna Charlotta Johnson and Lisa Lena Anderson, left Sugar Grove in the summer of 1849, found employment in the nearby village of James- town, and became its first actual Swedish residents. One of these young women, Lisa Lena Anderson, born in Sweden, July 30, 1833, married, June 28, 1851, Otto Peterson, a farmer and tanner, born in Sweden, March 3, 1831, came to the United States and settled in James- town in 1850, and there died Nov. 24, 1903. His widow, Mrs. Lisa Lena (Anderson) Peterson, yet survives her husband, and is now (1920), at the age of eighty-seven, residing in Jamestown at No. 296 Harrison street. Among the twelve children of Otto and Lisa Lena (Anderson) Peterson was a son, Alvin E., eleventh child and second son.

Alvin E. Peterson was born in Jamestown, N. Y., Feb. 26, 1873, and is now (1920) a resident of the village of Celoron, and one of the prosperous business men of that popular lake resort. He was educated in the James- town public schools, finishing in high school, and from an early age has been a wage earner and business man. He has long been associated with the development of Celoron as a summer resort, and until its destruction by fire owned and managed the large amusement pavil- lion. He is now proprietor of a confectionery and ice cream parlor in the park and does a good business. He is a member of the First Swedish Lutheran Church, and in politics is an independent. He built his present residence in Celoron and has other real estate invest- ments in the village.

Mr. Peterson married, Sept. 23, 1908, Rev. Julius Lincoln, pastor of the First Lutheran Church of James- town, officiating, Jennie Maria Warner, born in Sweden, daughter of Ludvig and Maria (Ryd) Warner.

EARL JESTIE FOSTER, an enterprising young farmer who is succeeding well in the cultivation of his acreage in Ripley township, Chautauqua county, N. Y., has shown himself to be a worthy son of a worthy father, the latter, William Foster, having had responsi- ble and consequential connection with agriculture in Chautauqua county for many decades.

Earl Jestie Foster was born in the town of Westfield, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Sept. 6, 1877, the son of William and Julia (Bunville) Foster. He was edu- cated in district schools of Westfield and Brocton, Chautauqua county, and for a time in district schools of Erie county, N. Y. After completing his schooling, he resolutely applied himself to farming and has since continued to pass his entire time in agricultural pursuits with the exception of six years, three years working in the International Street Car Company, and three years in the Buffalo & Lake Erie Street Car Company, in Buffalo, N. Y. In 1915, he purchased a farm in Rip- ley township and he has since appreciably improved it. It is 63 acres in extent, quite enough in these days of highly paid and scarce help, and he has erected a new granary, silo, and milk house. He has about nine acres

of his land in vineyard, and has an additional acreage of other fruits, but his main farming is dairy, which means hard work, but consistently substantial returns.

Mr. Foster is a Republican in his political allegiance, and fraternally belongs to the Ripley branch of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is much inter- ested in the functioning of the Ripley Grange, of which he is a member, and he is interested in all matters per- taining to farming, Upon his farm he is adopting many modern methods, and is an observant student of agri- cultural developments. Religiously, he is a Methodist, which denomination he substantially supports.

Mr. Foster married, Feb. 20, 1901, Mary Homewood, of a well known Ripley family. . They have two chil- dren : Leigh, who now attends school; and Clara.

Mr. Foster is an aggressive, optimistic, and skillful farmer, and probably has another generation of conse- quential connection with Chautauqua county agriculture still before him, and he will probably advance in mater- ial possessions as rapidly as he has during the last four or five years, for he is of the type that, having put his shoulder to the wheel, will hold to the task as long as the task exists. And Mr. Foster's task will probably last until old age, for he indicates in his work that farming pursuits are to him his hobby and pleasure, as well as his means of subsistence. He is reputed to be a good neighbor, and since he has been on his present farm he and his wife have made many friends, and have taken part in community movements. During the war he manifested a worthy patriotism, subscribing to the various loans and other funds raised for the needs of the government during that period.

CHARLES EDWARD BROWN is among the suc- cessful representatives of the agricultural interests of Chautauqua county. The appearance of his name wins instantaneous and appreciative recognition as that of an enterprising citizen of Ripley. He has long been active in the political life of his community, filling with credit numerous local offices, and is now holding that of deputy sheriff.

Charles Edward Brown was born April 27, 1863. on a farm in South Otselic, N. Y., and is a son of Win- sor and Lucy (Seldon) Brown. Charles Edward Brown attended the district schools of the neighbor- hood, and assisted in the labors of the farm, later find- ing employment in the cheese factory of which his father was the owner and which he conducted in con- junction with the management of his farm. In 1874 the family moved to Ripley, Chautauqua county, and there Charles Edward worked on the farm and attended school. At the age of twenty he engaged in the retail meat business, meeting with such success that he con- ducted his own establishment for thirteen years. At the end of that time he sold out, and with the capital which he had accumulated he purchased a farm, which he still cultivates. In addition to his work as an agriculturist, Mr. Brown has the ice business in Ripley village, where he has a very attractive home. During the busy season he employs as many as twenty hands. In politics Mr. Brown is a Republican, and has at different times been summoned by his fellow-citizens to fill many of the offices at their disposal. He has held that of deputy sheriff for thirteen years, his present term expiring in

CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY

1021. For twenty-five years he served on the School Board. being president of the board from 1917 until the present time (1920) ; and for thirty years has been con- stable, combining the office with that of probation officer. He affiliates with the Masonic fraternity, and attends the Methodist Episcopal church.

Mr. Brown married. Nov. 12. 1884, Lizzie E., daughter of Joel and Almira ( Staples) Colvin, and they are the parents of the following children: I. Carl K. W., edu- cated in the common schools and high school of Ripley and at Syracuse University, taking the degree of Bache- lor of Arts : he is unmarried. 2. Bessie Marie, educated in the same manner as her brother, including the libra- rian's degree : married Clarence O. Johnson and became the mother of one child, Marjorie: Mrs Johnson died Dec. 11. 1918, and Marjorie now lives with her maternal grandparents. 3. Almira, educated as above, but did not take a degree : married louis A. Pcase, of North East. Pa .. superintendent of the Buffalo and Erie Trac- tion Company, and they have three children, Charles Louis. Ruth, and Edith. 4. Florence Lucy, educated in Ripley grammar and high schools and at the New Haven. (Conn .. ) Normal School of Gymnastics, now physical training teacher in the Buffalo, N. Y., schools. 5. Elizabeth Winifred, now attending Ripley High School.

In all worthy ambitions Mr. Brown has been success- tul, and his children. with the advantages he has given them and the example he has set them, cannot fail to be g ed citizens and blessings to their respective com- munities.

DANIEL JAMES HARRINGTON, who for the last five or six years has been one of the most sub- stantial farmers in Chautauqua township, Chautauqua county, N. Y., farming an extensive acreage, cannot strictly be considered a native of the county, yet it is 'most due to him, for he lived in it for thirty-two of the first thirty-three years of his life, and his father owned a farm in Chautauqua county for more than hity years. The name Harrington can be found among the early records of Chautauqua township, Chautauqua county.

Daniel James Harrington had an interesting birth- place : he was born in an emigrant wagon, near Oregon Greve, now known as New Oregon, lowa, July 28, 1855. the son of James and Sarah ( Raynor) Harrington. His father had the sturdy spirit of the carly pioncers, and had left his Chautauqua county, N. Y., farm under rental. and had gone into the unknown, but supposedly rich western part of the United States, seeking for a bewer farm holding, and with venturesome spirit had taken His wife with him. Within a year of the birth of Ti. . .. 1 James, the Harrington family returned to Chau- "urua county, and the father did not again go west- sard He took up the cultivation of his own farm in Chargeona township, and farmed it until his death.

Danke! ! Harrington received the whole of his school- ing i Chartinqua county district schools, and after- w .. das red his father in the operation of the parental farm In 1828. however, Daniel James flarrington war apen in lowa, and there acquired a farm of 77 irem which he farmed very successfully, and appreci- ably improved The lived in lowa until 1913, when he

was forced to return to Chautauqua county, N. Y., to care for his interests there. He therefore sold his Iowa farm, and took the management of the property be- queathed to him by his father, a farm of 170 acres in Chautauqua township, Chautauqua county, N. Y., later buying also the Crossgrove homestead farm, which adjoins the other, and is 125 acres in extent, so that he now cultivates and owns almost 300 acres of agricultural land, a big undertaking in these days of expensive and scarce help. The land is in good condition, and the improvements are mainly modern and quite adequate to the requirements of the acreage; they were built either by his father or by himself. Mr. Harrington has a fine herd of milch cows, all of which, with one excep- tion, were raised by him, and are from registered stock.

Mr. Harrington has ample means to follow his incli- nation in respect to the farms he owns, and he evidently intends to have fine cattle, which probably in the end will give ample return for the outlay. He is indefatig- able in his work, has taken practically no recreation, excepting in automobiling, for many years, and he prob- ably will continue to get increasing yields from his two farms, for he is an efficient farmer, Regarding his one diversion from agricultural work, his possession of a fine automobile may be attributed to his desire to meet the wish of his younger daughter, Della, to whom he is devoted, and who has remained at home with her parents.

In political allegiance he is a Republican, but has not taken prominent part in national politics. His own agricultural ties are so many and consequential, that he does not feel that he can afford the time necessary to participate actively in local affairs. He is, however, of markedly generous spirit, and where it has been possible to help local interests or movements by financial con- tributions he has been ever ready to co-operate in that way. And during the war just ended he contributed very substantially to the various funds raised by the government, and governmental agencies,

He has always manifested worthy characteristics of steadiness and self-reliance, and he early entered upon the serious responsibilities of life ; he was only twenty- one years old when he married Helen Smith, Dec. 24, 1876. They have two children : I. Edna, born in Chau- tauqua county, N. Y., married James Oliver, an ener- getic and successful young farmer in lowa. 2. Della, born in Iowa; she entered the teaching profession, but since the family returned to New York State she has remained at home.

Daniel James Harrington is continuing the long asso- ciation of the Harrington family with Chautauqua county and is making that association more conse- quential. He is a man of fine characteristics, and the regard for him by the people of the district will increase as the years pass, and the people of the township become more acquainted with his commendable qualities; and his farming of 300 acres is one of the appreciable agricultural enterprises of the county.

JACOB WILLIAM BELSON-For nearly half a century Mr. Belson has been numbered among the pros- perons farmers of Ripley, whither he came with a fund of experience gathered in other places. As a citizen he has always been quietly active and unobtrusively in-

n.a. Johnson, D.O.

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BIOGRAPHICAL

fluential for all that he deemed best calculated to serve the true interests of his community.

Jacob William Belson was born Nov. 14, 1850, in Great Yarmouth, England, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Pastel) Belson, who emigrated to the United States and settled in Norfolk county, N. Y. At this time Jacob William Belson was two years of age, and he attended the schools of Norfolk county until reaching his thirteenth year. As a youth he engaged in farming, sometimes in Michigan and sometimes in New York State. In 1870 he came to Ripley, where he purchased the farm on which he now lives. The estate comprises 115 acres and was wild land when Mr. Belson became possessed of it, all the improvements which it now boasts being his own work. He has fifty acres of grape vine- yard which he set out himself and an orchard which he planted. He not only cleared the land, but built the house and constructed the barns and outbuildings. For some years he has had a residence in the village of Ripley, but pays almost daily visits to his farm, giving the closest attention to all his affairs. In political principle Mr. Belson is a Republican, always voting with that party. In community affairs he has ever taken a helpful interest and at various times has served as school collector. His family are members of the Protestant Episcopal church.

Mr. Belson married, Feb. 6, 1876, Ellen Hardgener, of Ripley, and the following children have been born to them: Ann Elizabeth, wife of Harry Walker, a real estate man of Providence, R. I .; John; and Charles, married Rose Belson (no relation ).

During his long residence in Ripley, Mr. Belson has not only achieved material prosperity, but has won the cordial friendship of his neighbors and commanded the respect of the entire community.

PETER CADY, a native of Saratoga county, N. Y., where his birth occurred Dec. 1, 1829, was a son of Calvin and Polly Cady. He came to Jamestown, Chan- tauqua county, N. Y., when a young man, and was here engaged principally as a farmer and gardener. He was one of the ardent members of the local grange, Patrons of Husbandry, a staunch Democrat and an ardent admirer of Horace Greeley. Mr. Cady was a man of affairs and had many friends. He was one of the repre- sentative citizens of his city and did everything possi- ble to advance the welfare of his community. He was a member of the lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

Mr. Cady married Helen Sherwin and they were the parents of two children, as follows : Willis C., of whom further ; and Nellie C., born April 9, 1861, died April 21, 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Cady adopted a daughter, Mary L., born Oct. 17, 1857, who became the wife of Albert C. Brunson, to whom she has borne four chil- dren : Grace, Lulu, Florence, and Ruth.

Undoubtedly one of the most venerable and deeply beloved figures in the life of Jamestown is that of Mrs. Cady, who after a long and active career is now (1920) living in the home with her son, Willis C. Cady, at Jamestown. Mrs. Cady was born Feb. 25. 1838, in Jamestown, and as a girl had the usual educational advantages for the time, attending the local public school and the Old Jamestown Academy. She is a

member of the old Sherwin family of this region, a daughter of Milton and Flora (Griffith) Sherwin, highly esteemed residents of Jamestown, where the former named was engaged in business as a carpenter and pattern maker for many years. Mrs. Cady is a Methodist in religious belief, and she and the members of her family attend the Methodist church at Falconer, in which she still takes an active part, as well as in other organizations. She graduated from the Chautau- qua Literary and Scientific Circle at Chautauqua in the class of 1915.

Willis C. Cady, only son of Peter and Helen (Sher- win) Cady, was born in Jamestown, N. Y., Oct. 28, 1859. He was educated in the district and high schools of Jamestown. In early life he was engaged in the occu- pation of farming, and later followed the wood working trade. In 1895, after the death of his father, he ac- quired a small farm in the town of Ellicott, and since then has followed the occupation of gardening thereon. He is a member of the American Mechanics Associa- tion, and in politics is a Democrat, but acts independent- ly in casting his vote.

Mr. Cady married, in Frewsburg, N. Y., Sept. 21, 1882, Nellie Fox, by whom he has one daughter, Bertha Nellie, born May II, 1883, now the wife of Lee W. Swart, of Washington, D. C., and they are the parents of one child, Leslie Swart.

NELSON AUGUSTUS JOHNSON, D. O .- Among the many prominent men of Swedish origin who have made Chautauqua county their home, no name stands higher than that of Dr. Nelson Augustus John- son, who has been active in medical circles here for a number of years and who has built up a large practice in his profession and a reputation of the highest order during that time. Dr. Johnson was born in Sweden, March 3, 1866, a son of John Nelson and Clara (Nel- son) Johnson, the former a farmer in Sweden, where his death occurred. The elder Mr. Johnson and his wife were the parents of the following children: Anna M., who resides in Sweden; Carl J., who came to this country and settled at Rutland, Vt., Elizabeth, who resides with her mother at Rutland, Vt .; Alfred, who is employed as a foreman in the carpentry department of the New England Butt Company, a concern known all over the world, with headquarters at Providence, R. I .; Nelson Augustus, with whose career we are here especially concerned.

Dr. Johnson obtained his elementary education in the grammar schools in his native country, and when old enough engaged in farming there and also secured a position in a grist mill, where he remained for three years. After his father's death. when twenty years of age, he came to the United States, his mother coming later, and for a time worked in the iron mines in Essex and Clinton counties, N. Y. He was advanced to the position of foreman of a slope and held this post for five years. He then served an apprenticeship in a machine and tool-making establishment and followed this occupation for about fifteen years. The young man was, however, exceedingly ambitious and was deter- mined upon a professional career, with which end in view he entered in 1904 the American School of Osteo- pathy, at Kirkville, N. Y. He was graduated with the

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CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY

class of 1906 with the degree of D. O., and in the same Year passed the examination of the State Board of Ex- aminers. He then came to Fredonia and opened an office here in the month of July, 1906, began the prac- tice of his profession and has remained actively engaged ever since. In 1900 he opened another office at Dunkirk, N. Y., extended his practice largely, and now enjoys a splendid reputation both for skill and for the high standards of professional ethics which he has main- tained throughout the region. Dr. Johnson is a promi- nent figure in the general life of Fredonia, and is a member of many fraternal organizations in this place. He is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Royal Arch Masons, Knights Templar, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Sovereign Princess of the Royal Secret, and has taken his thirty- second degree in Free Masonry. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Atlas Club of the American School of Osteopathy. In religious belief Dr. Johnson is a Methodist and attends the church of that denomination at Fredonia. He is active in church work and has held a number of offices in connection with the congregation, including those of steward and superintendent of the Sunday school, and financial secretary of the official board. He is a Re- publican in politics, and a strong advocate of prohibition. Dr. Johnson was united in marriage at Plattsburg, Clinton county, N. Y., April 29, 1897, with Alice V. Hilton, of Dunkirk. a daughter of William and Mary (Frizzell) Hilton, old and highly respected residents of that place. They are the parents of one daughter, Florence Dorothy.

EMMET HAMILTON ROSS-Prominent among the young professional men of the city of Jamestown is Emmet Hamilton Ross. As an attorney of law, Mr. Ross stands well ahrcast in the Chautauqua county bar, and is a member of the well known law firm of Rice & Ross, with offices at Suite 200-Squier's Court, in Jamestown.

Emmet Hamilton Ross was born in Rochester, N. Y .. Oct. 14. 188;, son of William and Louise J. (Nye) Koss. His parents for a number of years resided in Rochester, where they were well known and highly respected; later they moved to Jamestown. Enmet 11 :. milton Ross attended the public schools of Roches- ter until the family came to Jamestown, in 1901, and Fere he completed his grammar school education. He entered the Jamestown High School and graduated with honors in 1907 as president of the senior class. Posides bring well identified as a student at high school, Mr. Pers was prominent in athletics. After leaving High - hool he matriculated in the law department of the Vibany Law School, Albany, N. Y., and two years later, ei ! *** , was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Law 1 year later, in 1910, he was admitted to the New Y rk State bar and began the practice of law in the city of Jamestown, where he has since been identified.

Mir Ross' Erst venture in the legal world was in partnership with the well known late James L. Weeks. This partnership continued for seven years, up to the 'ime of the death of Mr. Weeks. In tors, Mr. Ross yined Joseph F. Rice and this law firm has been known a Pice & Ross, and has acquired a large and well estab- li- hed practice in Jamestown and throughout the county.

Their former address was in the Chadakoin building, but on Dec. 1, 1920, they acquired ownership of Squier's Court adjacent to the previous address. Squier's Court contains many suitable offices and some commercial space, and in a section of it is located the well equipped law office of Rice & Ross.

Mr. Ross is prominent in a number of other things outside of his profession, being vice-president of the Sportsmen's Supply Company, Inc., of Jamestown, N. Y., formerly a member of Company E, 74th Infantry, which served on the Mexican Border in 1916, member of the Delta Chi, College fraternity, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles at Jamestown. In the matter of poli- tics, Mr. Ross does not take an active part, but is a firm believer in the principles of the Republican party.

He married, in Jamestown, April 10, 1912, Anna Frances Britton, daughter of Edward R. and Ella (West) Britton.

CHARLES WILLIAM HERRICK-A native son of Jamestown, Mr. Herrick has attained position in the business world of his city as financier and manufacturer, being first vice-president of the Bank of Jamestown, and president of the C. W. Herrick Manufacturing Com- pany of Falconer. He is a son of Anson L. and Eliza- beth A. (Devoe) Herrick, his father a farmer.

Charles W. Herrick was born in Jamestown, N. Y., Nov. 19, 1867, and there has spent his years, fifty- three. He was educated in the public schools, and after graduation from high school completed his school term with a course at a Bryant & Stratton Business College. At the age of nineteen, he became an employee of the Chautauqua County National Bank, and for ten years, 1886-1896, was connected with that institution. In 1003, when the Bank of Jamestown was organized, Mr. Herrick was one of the incorporators, being elected vice-president, also chairman of the executive com- mittee, offices he has held until the present, 1920. He holds intimate connection with the manufacturing inter- ests of the city as president of the C. W. Herrick Manufacturing Company, a corporation engaged in manufacturing furniture, with their plant at Falconer. Whether considered as banker or manufacturer, Mr. Herrick measures np to all requirements and has always met every demand made upon his business sagacity. Mr. Herrick is affiliated with both rites of the Masonic order, being a member of Mt. Moriah Lodge, chapter, council, and Jamestown Commandery; he holds the thirty-second degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; and is a noble of Ismailia Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. His clubs are the Rotary, Jamestown, Sportsman's, and Moon Brook Golf. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown, and president of the board of trustees.

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History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume III, Part 34

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