USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume III > Part 37
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Mr. Jones was united in marriage, Dec. 5, 1888, at Rus- sell, Warren county, Pa., with Estelle French, who was born at Pine Grove, a daughter of Edwin H. and El- lenore (Jones) French, the former a native of Massachu- setts, who came to Pennsylvania as a small boy, and the latter of Warren county, Pa. Mr. French was engaged in a mercantile business at Russell, Pa., and also dealt in lumber. To Mr. and Mrs. Jones two children have been born, as follows: Helen Marie, who became the wife of Robert P. Hussey, of Falconer, to whom she has borne one child, Gwendolyn; Florence Aline, who became the wife of William F. May, of Falconer, to whom she has borne one child, Mary Genevieve.
GEORGE RAPPOLE-The narrowest part of Chautauqua Lake is at Bemus Point, a ferry there cross- ing the lake to Stow, in the town of Harmony. Eleven acres of this Bemus Point tract was formerly owned by Albertus W. Rappole, who started the ferry and was one of the early builders of the Bemus Point settlement, now a prosperous summer resort, and an incorporated village, with a permanent population reported by the State cen- sus of 1915 to be 270. The eleven acres he owned be- came valuable, and upon part of his holdings Mr. Rap- pole erected in 1893 the Columbian Hotel, a house of en- tertainment, containing forty-five rooms, built at a cost of $17,000. The hotel was well patronized in the sum- mer months, the balance of the little farm of eleven acres producing the fruits and vegetables which supplied its table.
At the Bemus Point farm George Rappole, now pro- prietor of the hotel, and an electrician, was born Oct. 13. 1881, son of Albertus W. and Velona (Stone) Rap- pole. He attended public schools, completing grammar grades, then became interested in electricity and adopted its application to home uses as a business. He completed a course of study with the International Correspondence School of Scranton, and spent four years in the business in the city of Buffalo, and became an expert electrician. In 1003 his father was killed. The management of the hotel then fell upon George Rappole, and to that duty he has devoted his summers, following his business of electrician during the balance of the year. The Colum-
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bian Hotel is a popular house and well patronized during the vacation period, Bemus Point being one of the most popular of the many lake resorts. In 1920 100 rooms were added thereto, 80 having baths connected with them. Mr. Rappole formed a stock company, took over the Pickard Hotel, now adjoining, also the McKinzey farm consisting of 109 acres, which was turned into golf links, also the Ferry property, and he is now the presi- dent and manager of the same, Clarence D. Held serving in the capacities of secretary and treasurer. Mr. Rap- pole organized and installed the first telephone service in the village, serving seventy-four subscribers, a busi- ness which he later sold to the Bell Telephone Company. He is also interested in the ownership of the Eagle Garage in Jamestown, and is a very successful business man. He is a Republican in politics; member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Board of Commerce, the Sports- man's Club, the Knights of Pythias, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and of the Free and Accepted Masons.
Mr. Rappole married, in 1903, Elizabeth R. MeLaugh- lin, daughter of Patrick and Fanny (Smith) McLaugh- lin, and they are the parents of two children : Albertus W. and George, Jr.
CHARLES JEFFORDS CARPENTER, late of Jamestown, Chautauqua county, N. Y., where his death occurred at his home, March 30, 1912, was for many years one of the prominent manufacturers and business men of the community and a public-spirited citizen. He was a native of Jamestown, born Nov. 20, 1857, a son of William and Sybbel (Jeffords) Carpenter, old and highly respected residents of this city.
He was a lad of only six years of age when his father died, and he was brought up by his mother who gave the greatest devotion and affection to her children, pro- viding them with the best education that her limited means could afford. After attending the local schools of Jamestown for a number of years, Charles J. Car- penter began at an early age to be regularly employed in order to assist in supporting the family, working in the axe factory in which his father had met his death and his elder brother Elial was already employed. The two brothers worked at this establishment for a time, and in 1881, having laid by a little capital, left their employer and formed a partnership with Charles Tew and John Kofod and began the manufacture of axes and other tools. This company did business under the style of the Jamestown Axe and Edge Tool Manufacturing Company, and was highly successful in the enterprise, a very large business being worked up with a market extending throughout the region. The business was continued uninterruptedly up to the time of Mr. Elial Carpenter's death and for a short time afterwards, but it was then sold by the brother, Charles Jeffords Carpenter, who had accepted a position with the American Express Company. This he continued to hold until he again took up mechanical work, at which he was actively engaged up to the time of his death.
Mr. Carpenter was exceedingly active in the general life of the community of which he was a member, and took a prominent part in many of its affairs. During his youth he was not active in religious matters, but later
in life he was converted and joined the Methodist Episco- pal church of Jamestown, and became the superintendent of the Sunday school there. He also became a strong advocate of temperance and did much to promote the cause in this region. Mr. Carpenter was a member of a number of fraternal organizations, and was prominent in Masonic circles, being affiliated with Mt. Moriah Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Western Sun Chap- ter, Royal Arch Masons; Jamestown Commandery, Knights Templar; Ismailia Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Buffalo. He was also a member of the Jeffords Hose Company of James- town, and the Exempt Firemen's Association, and did much to advance the interests of the fire department.
Charles Jeffords Carpenter was united in marriage, Sept. 5, 1882, at Jamestown, to Jennie Young, born at Jamestown, Jan. 29, 1862, a daughter of James and Eliz- abeth ( Moody) Young, and a member of a well known family here. They were the parents of two children, as follows : I. Charles Raymond, who resides at James- town; married Olive Phillips, by whom he has had two daughters, Allene Estella and Donna Marion. 2. Allene, who became the wife of T. N. Nelson, the well known merchant tailor of Jamestown, to whom she has borne three children: Jane Elizabeth, Helen Allene, and Mary Louise.
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON-The Harrison family is one of the oldest in Jamestown, where they are well known and highly respected citizens. The first mem- ber of the family to be known here was Dr. James J. Harrison, a dentist, who was a native of Massachusetts, but who came to Jamestown prior to 1830. He was one of the early settlers of this section.
William H. Harrison, son of Dr. James J. Harrison, was born in Jamestown in 1830 in a dwelling house which stood on the site now occupied by one of the Jamestown banks, at the corner of Main and Second streets. Wil- liam H. Harrison married Mary Moynahan and among their children is William Henry, of whom further.
William Henry Harrison was born in Jamestown, April 30, 1871. His education was gained in the local schools of this city, but when fourteen years of age he left school and sought employment in the dry goods store of Hevenor Brothers in a minor position. Young Harrison remained with them until he was twenty years old; in the meantime he was promoted to the position of sales- man. On May 16, 1891, Mr. Harrison entered the em- ploy of A. D. Sharpe, the dry goods dealer, as a sales- man in the dress goods department, later being trans- ferred to the silk dress goods department in a similar capacity. He is now well identified with this company and is in charge of the purchasing department. Mr. Har- rison has always been to the fore in the matter of ren- dering service to his city. For more than twenty-one years he was a member of the Fenton Guards, having the rank of second lieutenant. When the Spanish-Amer- ican War broke out he enlisted, but as it was of so short a duration, he did not have an opportunity to leave the United States. Mr. Harrison is a member of the Knights of Columbus, being a past grand knight of that order ; he is also district deputy for the Catholic Mutual Benev- olent Association, and a member of the C. M. B. A.
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Council. Mr. Harrison and his family are all mem- bers of the Roman Catholic Church of St. Peter and St. Paul.
On July 10. 1895, Mr. Harrison married in James- town, N. Y., Mary Kennedy. Of this union six children were born: Catherine, Cecelia, Richard, Francis, Jose- phine. William H., Jr.
MARVIN H. KENT-A dealer in tires and auto- mobile accessories in Jamestown, N. Y., Mr. Kent has a good business and one with which he has long been familiar. He has prospered through close attention to business and through ability as a mechanic, he being an expert vulcanizer and repair man. He is a son of George Kent, of Cattaraugus county, N. Y., a farmer and teams- ter, and his wife, Louise ( Cook) Kent, of Cattaraugus county.
Marvin H. Kent was born in Perrysburg, Cattaraugus county, N. Y., Oct. 29, 1872. He was educated in the public schools of that section, worked on the farm in early life, then became interested in automobile work and for several years has been successfully engaged in that business. At his place of business in Jamestown he ministers to the needs of automobilists generally. He is a Republican in politics. Mr. Kent has prospered in business, and has acquired considerable real estate in the section in which he resides.
Mr. Kent married. Jan. 13, 1896, in Leon, Cattaraugus county, N. Y., Elvina Hamilton, born in Leon, June 1, 1888, daughter of Leroy and Susan ( Samuel) Hamilton. Mr. and Mrs. Kent are the parents of four children: 1. Herman, born June 30, 1897: he enlisted in the service of his country, and served in Company E, 108th New York Infantry, irom February, 1916, to Sept. 29, 1918, when he was killed in action. 2. Nellie, born March 12, 1899. 3. Leroy. born July 12, 1901. 4. Eva, born March 8, 1911.
ERNEST JOHN BAILEY, one of the leading residents of Brocton, Chautauqua county, N. Y., a suc- cessful building contractor who has to his credit many large contracts, has advanced far in material wealth, and at the same time has held the sincere respect of the peo- ple of the county who have known him under all con- dition -. He has manifested commendable characteristics, i- a man of distinct business ability, and has exhibited a praiseworthy public spirit, and a practical desire to help on the well being of the community in general, and the poor and needy in particular. In business enterprise, he ha been very successful, and has many consequential associations: he has for two decades had a contracting be-ine's which has found employment for a consider - able number of men, has taken part in the establishment and direction of other important manufacturing con- rerni, and is vice-president of the Brocton Furniture Compar y
Forte t J Bailey wa born in Charlotte Center, Char- lotte res. Fip. Chautauqua county, N. Y., Oct. 27, 1868. the soci John J and Barbara ( Beha) Bailey, or Bal- lay, a the family i known in France, wherein is the original family cat. lerne t John Bailey is French in both paternal and paternal antecedent, the paternal line origmating 1 Champagne, and his maternal ancestors
being from Alsace-Lorraine provinces of France. The patronymic, as originally spelled, was Ballay, and the American progenitor of the branch of the Ballay family to which Ernest John Bailey belongs was of that name, and it is not clear why the name became changed in spelling. It probably was wrongly written in real estate deeds, to substantiate the title to which the heirs took the Americanized version of the French patronymic. How- ever that may be, the family in America has for some generations been known by the name of Bailey.
Ernest John Bailey was born on a farm, and in due time attended the district school nearest to his father's farm, after passing through which he seems to have commenced working at farming occupations quite early in his teens. By such work he accumulated sufficient means to carry him through business college, where he gained the fundamentals of executive work which were later of inestimable value to him in the management of his own important enterprises. He perhaps had mapped out his career well in advance, and knew the various steps by which sound success would come. He appren- ticed himself to carpentry, serving an apprenticeship of five years, and later for six years was a journeyman car- penter, by which time he was thoroughly conversant with most phases of building construction. By steadiness of life, and by industrious continuance in work during the years, he had by that time acquired some financial means, sufficient at all events to induce him to enter inde- pendently into business as a builder and contractor. He had come to Brocton in 1893, and had worked as a car- penter upon many contracts in that place, so that he was comparatively well known in the village when he started in contracting business for himself in 1900. During the almost two decades to the present, he has had very sub- stantial success as a contractor, and has to his credit the erection of many important buildings. Many of the fine residences in that section of Chautauqua county have been built by him, and among the buildings of public institutions and business corporations constructed by Mr. Bailey may be listed the following, all of which do credit to his thoroughness as a builder: The Brocton State Bank building; the Ahira Memorial Library building, Brocton ; the Crandall building, Brocton; the Bailey building, which is a very fine structure, and used mainly by Mr. Bailey for his own business offices; the Norquist Metal Door Company plant, at Jamestown, a huge build- ing ; additions to the American Loco Works, and to the Atlas Crucible Steel Company plant at Dunkirk; con- struction work for the Buffalo & Lake Erie Traction Company, including the car barns at Fredonia, and all the stations with the exception of two hetween Buffalo and Erie, Pa .; the Court House at Mayville, Chautauqua county; the Church of Christ at Chautauqua; the Chautauqua High School; the Falconer High School ; the Jamestown Grammar School; the Sherman Library ; the Armour Grape Juice Company headquarters at West- field, Chautauqua county ; the gymnasium and other addi- tions to the Normal School at Fredonia; some of the buildings of the Redwing Grape Juice Company, Fre- donia ; warchouses of the same company at Fredonia ; the Memorial Hospital at Lillydale: the St. Hedwick Roman Catholic Church at Dunkirk; and the plant of the Brocton Furniture Company, and in addition, Mr.
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Bailey has undertaken many important building con- tracts outside Chautauqua county. He has during the period given employment to an average of about 140 workmen. It may therefore be inferred that, with mod- erate success, he must have acquired an appreciable de- gree of material wealth during the many years he has spent in consequential business as a contractor. As a matter of fact, he has been universally successful, for he knew his business thoroughly before committing himself to independent work. And latterly, as a capitalist, he has been brought into connection with many other outside enterprises. He owns stock in many manufacturing cor- porations in Chautauqua county ; Mr. Bailey is one of the largest stockholders of the Brocton Furniture Com- pany, of which he is vice-president.
Politically, Mr. Bailey is an independent Democrat, but has been too busy with business affairs that needed almost his undivided time to have much time to spare for partici- pation in political movements, and he has never allowed himelf to consider the thought of taking public office. He has nevertheless always been closely interested in local affairs, and has been ready to lend his support to any worthy local project. In fraternal affiliations, he has been faithful and is identified particularly with the Masonic order. He has risen to the thirty-second degree in the order, and is a member of the following: Blue Lodge of Brocton; the Chapter, Council, and Command- ery, of Dunkirk ; the Buffalo Shrine; and the Consistory of Jamestown, also of Buffalo.
On Sept. 12, 1900, Ernest John Bailey married Ruth Hall Pettit, grand-niece of Ahira Hall, whose genealogy will be found elsewhere in this historical work, To Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have been born three children : Kath- leen Elizabeth, now in high school; Angeline Sarah, twin sister of the first-named, and also a high school student; Florence Edith, who also attends the local school.
The business success of Ernest John Bailey has been notable, especially so bearing in mind that it has come to him entirely by his own efforts, and he has a definite place among the worthy Chautauqua county people of his generation.
HARRY RICHARD LEWIS, one of the promi- nent attorneys of Jamestown, Chautauqua county, N. Y., and a much respected citizen of the community, is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, born June 23, 1854. He is a son of Richard and Jane (Hatch) Lewis, old and highly respected residents of Jamestown.
Harry Richard Lewis attended the grammar schools of Cincinnati, and later the Woodward High School of that city, where he was prepared for college and from which he graduated in 1872. He then attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in that State, where he took a three years' classical course. He was then transferred to the law school of the same university and graduated with the class of 1876, receiving the degree of LL. B. He spent a probationary period of one year in the law offices of Cook & Lockwood, prominent attorneys of Jamestown, and in 1877 was admitted to the Chautauqua county bar, and engaged in practice here on his own account. Since that time Mr. Lewis has developed a large general practice and has been successful in his profes- sion. Mr. Lewis is a member of the Jamestown Bar
Association, and is also affiliated with a number of Ma- sonic bodies, including Mt. Moriah Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Western Sun Chapter, Royal Arch Masons ; Jamestown Commandery, No. 61. Knights Templar.
Mr. Lewis married (first) Frances Adams, a daugh- ter of Charles P. and Cornelia (Crane) Adams. To this union seven children were born, as follows: I. Frances, who was educated at the grammar and high schools of Jamestown, and became the wife of Claude K. Ahlstrom, of Jamestown. 2. Richard, who was educated in the public schools of Jamestown, and is now at the head of a large mercantile business at Norwich, Conn. 3. Cor- nelia, who was also educated in the public schools of Jamestown, and became the wife of Fred H. Balcom, of Jamestown. 4. Charles Adams, who was educated in the public schools of Jamestown, and later at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, from which he graduated with the degree of Chemical Engineer; at the present time he holds a very responsible position in a large industrial plant at Buffalo, N. Y. 5. Harry Richard, Jr., who stud- ied in the Jamestown public schools, and later at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he received the degree of Chemical Engineer; he is now prominently associated with a large manufacturing concern at Shelby, Ohio. 6. Bryce, who received the degree of Mechanical Engineer from the University of Michigan; he now holds an important position in a Detroit manufacturing plant. 7. Jane, who was educated in the public schools of Jamestown, and at the Leland Powers School at Boston, from which she was graduated with the class of 1917; she is now very successful in her career as an actress, being now in a large stock company at Schenectady, N. Y. All Mr. Lewis's children have been successful and have entirely justified their father's large expendi. ure of time and money in securing them the best possible education in their chosen subject. The first Mrs. Lewis died in the year 1910. On May 19, 1919, Mr. Lewis mar- ried (second) Harriet Woodford, of Jamestown, N. Y.
JOHN FRANCIS RHINEHART, for nineteen terms a teacher in Chautauqua county schools, and lat- terly a substantial and successful farmer in the Ripley section of the county, is a man well known and respected in the neighborhood, and prominent in many phases of its public affairs, having been school trustee and collector, justice of the peace, and assessor. He is an active granger and a charter member of the local branch of the Odd Fellows order. His life of sixty-five years has been lived wholly within the county, and since early manhood he has been connected, for at least part of his time each year, with worth-while agricultural production.
He was born in Ripley, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Aug. 23, 1854, the son of James and Jane (Sinden) Rhinehart. His mother was of English birth, but for years had been resident in Ripley. His father was an old Ripley resident, respected and prosperous, having a good blacksmithing business, and owning a good farm in Ripley. Their children, John F. and Effie, attended the Ripley schools. John F. Ripley was an apt pupil, and of studious inclination, and eventually he entered the teaching profession, which he followed for nineteen terms in Ashville and Chautauqua county schools. How-
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ever. he was characteristically a man of energy and ac- tion, as well as of vigorous intellect, and each summer he devoted his time to occupations upon his father's farm. Finally. his father purchased from Thomas Sinden a rich iarm oi 200 acres at Ripley, and ultimately it passed into the possession of John F. Ripley, since which time he has lived there and devoted himself wholly to its management. It is a rich farm, having fine modern buildings, and Mr. Rhinehart has proved that he is a skillful farmer. He has a large herd of cattle, and as a dairy and general farm the property has brought him substantial return.
His education, his general ability, his likable disposi- tion, and his estimable, general character, have brought him preferment to many positions of honor and responsi- bility in the local administration, and in political matters he has been a factor of some consequence in his district. He has for very many years given staunch allegiance to the Republican party in national politics, and he might have held many more offices in the local administration than he has undertaken had he so wished, for he has always been well regarded in the district. He has been assessor of Ripley, and has also been justice of the peace, to which judical office he brought an impartial mind and a firm resolve to administer justice rightly, so far as he was able, and that he was able has been manifested upon many occasions, his findings being such as would have brought credit to a higher court. He has always been thorough and conscientious in all that he has under- taken, and in general has been able rapidly to assimilate knowledge, and there is every reason to suppose that soon after he was appointed to judicial office he rapidly became well versed in the fundamentals of law. He is a man oi clear mind and logical thought, and has a good know- ledge of men, so that as a justice he was well placed in the public service. He has also been interested actively in educational affairs, as might have been expected of a man of his academic inclinations and earlier associations ; he has been a school trustee for many years, and has also undertaken the duties of collector of taxes. Fraternally, he is associated with the Odd Fellows organization, and is one of the charter members of the local body. And he has been a member of Ripley Grange for many years, actively interesting himself in its functioning and con- tinuance in usefulness.
Mr. Rhinchart married (first) Rose B. Stone, of a well known Ripley family. They were married on April 18, 1876, at Ripley, and to them were born three chil- dren : 1. Myma, who married Baxter, who for many years has been connected with railroad administra- tions. 2. Murray, who was well educated, primarily in Ripley schools; he eventually entered professional life, a, a civil engineer, and is now connected with the Nickel Plate Railroad Company. 3. Ross, whose history is very similar to that of his elder brother, he also being a civil etvincer, and also connected with the same railroad. Mf: Phinchart married (second ) Mertie Williams. She was born in Wisconsin, and they were married in Octo- ber. 1 02
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