History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume III, Part 40

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 40

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Dr. Sullivan married. Sept. 6, 1892, Margaret Sheehe, daughter of Timothy and Ann (Conway) Sheehe, of Dunkirk, and they became the parents of one child, R ma J., who died in infancy.

The professional record of Dr. Sullivan is incorpo- rated with honor in the annals of medicine, and his name is written on the grateful hearts of the many to whom he has carried health and healing.

ADAM PERCY CHESSMAN, banker and promi- nent man of affairs of Fredonia, N. Y., was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., Sept. 4. 1867, a son of Harry and Mary E. (Hersperger) Chessman. Harry Chessman was born in Brighton, England, in 1842, and when eight years old accompanied his parents to the United States, they locating in Pittsburgh, Pa. He was connected with the United States Pension Department practically all the active years of his life. He was a Democrat in poli- tics, an Episcopalian in religious belief, and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which organization he held local offices. His death occurred in the year 1890.

Adam f'ercy Chessman attended the public schools of his native city, and at the age of sixteen, having com- plead his studies, he accepted a position with the Penn- shania Pailroad, in the general car accountants divi- dr. and remained so employed until 1891. He was promoted to the position of assistant to the chief of this divi 'en. but was compelled to retire on account of ill heath In 1892, Mr ( he-man, in order to recuperate, Inom : chautauqua county, N. Y., and shortly afterward a copted a position with the Chautauqua Late Mil's, where He was employed until 1865. Ilis rest po it on war with the State Bank, Mayville, N. Y., and ke weried in the capacity of clerk until 1897, in which year be organized the firm of Scofield, Cipperly & the man, private bankers in Sinclairville, N. Y. In IMry). he organized the Sinclairville Canning Company,

and in to02 consolidated with the Fredonia Preserving Company and moved to Fredonia, N. Y. In 1906, he organized the National Bank of Fredonia, filling the offices of director and cashier from that time to 1920, when he was elected president, which office he still holds. Mr. Chessman is, without doubt, one of the fore- most figures in the banking circles of Fredonia, and his opinion is very often solicited on banking questions of the most delicate nature. He is a man of keen business foresight in all financial matters, and his personality is a stimulant in all banking matters with which he is identified. Mr. Chessman also takes a prominent part in the political life of the region, being a staunch Demo- crat in politics. He has served as president of the Chamber of Commerce, treasurer of the village. He is prominent in Masonic circles, having attained the Knights Templar degree, and is a member of the Citi- zens' Club of Fredonia. In religious belief he is a Methodist, but with his wife attends the Episcopal church.

Adam Percy Chessman married, at Mayville, N. Y., Sept. 11, 1895, M. Gertrude Bond, a native of Mayville, a daughter of Orlando Bond, a highly respected citizen of Mayville.

MOSES SMITH STEVENS-There is no charac- teristic element of our national development of which we have more just reason to be proud than the fact that in this country advancement can be secured through capability, merit, and labor, unhampered by cast or class, and that the majority of our strongest and best citizens are self-made men. Such a one was Moses Smith Stevens, who was a well known agriculturist of Charlotte township.

The Stevens family are of New England descent, and there were many pioneers bearing this name identified with the earliest settlement of Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont, and their descendants are widely scat- tered and have borne no inconsiderable part in the de- velopment of this nation. John Stevens, of Newbury and Andover, Mass., left three sons: Sergeant John Stevens, of Vermont, born in 1611, who left three sons; Deacon Stevens, of Amesbury, Mass., who was a saw- yer and husbandman, and a prominent citizen of the town, and who left three sons; another, John Stevens, of Amesbury, Mass., who left two sons. It is very prob- able that the subject of this review is a descendant of John Stevens, of Vermont.

David Stevens, father of Moses S. Stevens, was born in Lee township, Essex county, Vt. Here he grew to manhood, incidentally learning the trade of masonry. While still a young man he came to Chautauqua county and located in Chautauqua township, where he again followed his chosen occupation of masonry. Mr. Stevens soon purchased a tract of land, about forty acres, which he operated in his spare time. In 1880 he retired from active life and spent his last days with his daughter, Mrs. Burns, of Delaware county, N. Y. He died at the age of cighty-five years, and is huried in the Wal- ton Cemetery, in Delaware county, N. Y.

Mr. Stevens married (first) Polly Ward, of Mayville, N. Y., and they were the parents of five children: Moses Smith, of whom further; Loren, who died in Sinclairville; Lyscomb, who died in Bradford, Pa .;

Everett, At. Clase

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Thirza, who married (first) John Woodworth, (sec- ond) Horatio Burns; James, who died in Chautauqua township. Mr. Stevens married (second) Mary Hitch- cock.

Moses Smith Stevens, son of David and Polly (Ward) Stevens, was born in Chautauqua township, Sept. 22, 1828, and died Ang. 28, 1920. He received his early education in the district schools of Chautauqua town- ship, and after completing his course of study took up the trade of masonry. He followed his trade, in partner- ship with his father, for some time, making his home in Sinclairville, but later moved to Charlotte Center, where he went in business for himself. He lived here for some years, and in 1860 located on the Straight Farm, a tract of forty-five acres of land, on section 24, in Charlotte township, which he purchased.

When the Civil War was at its height, Mr. Stevens, seeing that his nation needed his services, enlisted in the Union army, Aug. 27, 1862, in Company F, 154th New York Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Rice and Cap- tain Donnelly. Mr. Stevens participated in several bat- tles, among which was the battle of Chancellorsville, where he received a wound in the right shoulder, making him unfit for further active war service. They sent him to a hospital in the South, where he remained for about a year, and on July 4, 1865, at Trenton, N. J., Mr. Stevens was mustered out of the army with an honorable discharge, and also honorable mention for bravery under fire.

In politics Mr. Stevens was a Whig until the organi- zation of the Democratic party, and after that was always a staunch supporter of that party and its prin- ciples. Fraternally Mr. Stevens was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

On Dec. 10, 1851, Mr. Stevens was united in mar- riage with Mary Lavina Hoisington, who was born in Arkwright township, Chautauqua county, N. Y., June 10, 1830, a daughter of the late Daniel and Mary Hois- ington. Mrs. Stevens died May 5, 1904, and is buried in the Arkwright Cemetery, at Arkwright, N. Y. To this union were born six children: Gilbert; Milton E., whose biography follows, and the only living member of the family; Ida, late wife of Lamont Bradford, of Fredonia, N. Y .; Addison Alonzo; Moses S., Jr .; and Ella May.

There was much in the life of Mr. Stevens that com- manded the highest commendation and awakened un- qualified respect. In his business he manifested the typical spirit of the East, putting forth every effort in his power to accomplish what he had undertaken. In matters of citizenship he was always loyal, and his fidel- ity to the duties of home and friendship is unquestioned. His integrity stands as an indisputable fact in his career, and as one of the leading citizens of Charlotte township who has passed on, he well deserves mention in this work.

MILTON EMERY STEVENS-One of the most prosperous and successful farmers of Charlotte town- ship is the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He owns and operates a fine farm of about 130 acres on section 24, and is quite extensively engaged in general farming. A man of good business and execu- tive ability, as well as a practical and progressive agri-

culturist, he has met with gratifying results in his work, and ranks to-day among the substantial men of his community.

Milton Emery Stevens was born April 19, 1855, at Sinclairville, N. Y., a son of Moses Smith and Mary L. (Hoisington) Stevens (q. v.). He received his early education in the district school of Charlotte township, and completed his studies with a course at the Fre- donia Normal School. Immediately after finishing school, he accepted a position as teacher in the dis- trict schools in Charlotte township, continuing in this occupation for nearly twenty years. Incidentally he took up the masonry trade and continued in this for many years. Many of the cement bridges and culverts in and about Charlotte township were finished by Mr. Stevens under the supervision of the late Charles A. Willson, who was then road commissioner of Charlotte township. However, when Mr. Stevens' father retired in 1904, he took over the management of his father's farm, and has continued in this occupation ever since.

Politically, Mr. Stevens is a staunch Republican, hav- ing voted with that party since casting his first vote for President in November, 1876. Mr. Stevens is a mem- ber of the United Brethren church, and is prominent in all his business as well as social affairs.

On Oct. 18, 1881, Mr. Stevens was united in marriage with Nellie Hilton, who was born April 29, 1863, in Charlotte township, a daughter of William and Fidelia (Straight) Hilton. Mrs. Stevens died Dec. 5, 1915. To this union was born one child, Lula May, born in Charlotte, and who is now married to George T. Chase, a prominent agriculturist of Chautauqua county.

The following obituary was written by a dear friend at the time of the passing away of Mrs. Stevens:

MRS. NELLIE (HILTON) STEVENS. LIFELONG RESIDENT OF THE TOWN OF CHARLOTTE.

This community was stricken with grief Sunday evening when Mrs. Stevens died at her home here. All that loving hands could do was done, but in vain. The end came at six o'clock. Mrs. Stevens was the daugh- ter of William and Fidelia Hilton, and was born in Charlotte. She was fifty-two years of age and was married to Milton E. Stevens, Oct. 18, 1881, and to them one daughter was born. Her whole life was spent in her home town, and the whole community feel that they have lost a woman who can not be replaced in years to come. Her willing hands were always ready to help others in sickness and trouble. Besides the husband, one daughter, three grandchildren and one brother, Thomas Hilton, survive, also an aged father-in-law to whom she gave most devoted care. Funeral Wednes- day at the home, Rev. Esther Limberg officiating. Burial at Charlotte Center Cemetery.

Mr. Stevens is a man of cordial, genial manner, and unfailing courtesy, and, like his father, is most generous, giving liberally to charities and to others less fortunate than himself. Many a man in distress has found in him a friend, and because of his many sterling character- istics he has gained a host of warm friends who are found in all parts of Chautauqua county.

EVERETT H. PEASE-Now (1921), road com- missioner and town superintendent, Mr. Pease resides in the village of Cherry Creek, Chautauqua county, N. Y., but he has always been interested in agricul- ture and owns a good farm in the town of Cherry Creek. He is a son of Hiram G. and Sarah A. (Luce) Pease, his father born in Erie county, N. Y., his mother of an

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CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY

old and important family of the town of Charlotte, Chautauqua county, N. Y.

Everett H. Pease was born in the town of Cherry Creek. Chautauqua county, N. Y., Feb. 19, 1867. He was educated in the public schools, finishing in Sin- clairville High School. In addition to his farming oper- ations, Mr. Pease has devoted considerable time to the public service of his town and village, serving as trus- tee, member of the Board of Education, town road com- missioner, and in other offices. He is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, the Masonic order, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Baptist church, and in politics is a Republican.

Mr. Pease married, Dec. 26, 1888, at Cherry Creek, Eva E. Walker, born Nov. 3, 1867, in the town of Sanborn. Niagara county, N. Y., daughter of Ira N. and Mary E. (Hill) Walker, her father born in the town of Wilson. Niagara county, N. Y., her mother born in Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Pease are the par- ents of three children: 1. Rennie S., born Oct. 19, 1890, married Merle Dye, and has a daughter, Meriam M., born April 26, 1913. 2. Earl E., born May 21. 1892, married Delphine Benson, and has a daughter, Helen, born Nov. 9, 1917. 3. Marjorie, born March 19, 1907, who is now attending high school. Mr. Pease has a farm of 120 acres at Thornton, but makes his home in the village of Cherry Creek, and here he has a tract of eleven acres with attractive residence and grounds.

REV. MICHAEL FRANCIS HELMINIAK- There is no figure better known or more beloved in Dunkirk, Chautauqua county, N. Y., than that of the Rev. Father Michael Francis Helminiak, pastor of the Church of St. Hyacinth's at this place, and a man whose influence has long been felt towards bettering the con- dition of the members of the community here.

Father Helminiak was born at Buffalo, N. Y., Sept. 29. 1882. He began his education in the parochial schools of that city. He then entered Canisius College, Buffalo, where he took two years in the collegiate de- partment. In the meantime the young man had felt very strongly the call to the priesthood, and determin- ing to enter upon that high ministry became a stu- dent at St. Bernard's Seminary at Rochester, where he carried on his theological studies in preparation for his ordination. He was ordained to the priesthood at Buffalo, in the year 1907, by Bishop Colton, of the Diocese of Buffalo, and was at once appointed assistant at the Church of The Assumption at Black Rock, N. Y., where he remained for two years. He was then ap- pointed pa-tor of the Church of St. Stanislaus Kostka at Ro he ter, where he remained a year. He was next · lared in charge of the Church of St. John Kantius at Buffalo, and then of the Church of the Sacred Heart at Medira, N. Y. From there Father Helminiak was sent to, Dopra, N. Y., where he was made pastor of the birth of Ss Peter and Paul. On Feb. 12, 1916, Father Ifelminiak was appointed to his present charge the Poh b Church of St. Hyacinth's at Dunkirk, in e which time he has done much for the development and i provement of the parish and has made himself PrePh r pected and beloved, not only by his imme- diate congregation, but by the community-at-large, as a mar of pior and carne t life, and one who takes the

deepest interest in the welfare of his flock. At the pres- ent time he has as assistants in his parochial duties the Rev. Father John Melinski and Rev. M. Klukaczewski. Father Helminiak is associated with a number of reli- gious organizations here, and is now a member of the Knights of Columbus, of the fourth degree, and has served that organization as chaplain, besides being the head of the societies for men and women in connec- tion with the polish church here. One of the most im- portant works of Father Helminiak in connection with his activities of St. Hyacinth's parish is the develop- ment of the fine parochial school which includes eight grades and in which are carried on the most modern and up-to-date methods of teaching in both the Eng- lish and Polish languages.

HARRY SPURR, who was the efficient and ener- getic superintendent of the Ferncliff Worsted Mills at Falconer, N. Y., came to Jamestown in 1914, made many friends in the city, and was well regarded by business men with whom he came in contact.

He was born in Bradford, England, Dec. 11, 1871. He attended the public schools of his native town from the age of four until he had reached about twelve years, at which time it was then legally permissible to go to work in England. He divided his days between school and work, attending school in the morning, and going to the mill in the afternoon. When his academic schooling ended, he was able to work full time and eventually became an expert operator, of practical ex- perience in all departments of worsted and spinning mills. He received advancement to the responsibility of overseer some years before he left England. He came to America in 1905, landing in Boston, Mass., going to Lawrence, Mass., where for a while he was connected with the American Woolen Mills. Later, he was over- seer in the George C. Moore mill at North Chelmsford, Mass., and there remained for eighteen months, after which he held a like capacity in the Star Worsted Mills at Fitchburg, Mass., eventually being promoted and placed in charge of No. 2 Mill of the same place. As assistant superintendent of the plant, he remained in Fitchburg for eight years, and then spent three months in Canada, as superintendent of the Guelph Worsted Spinning Company's plant. In 1914, he came to James- town, N. Y., as assistant superintendent of the Odsonia Worsted Mills, owned by the Cleveland Worsted Mills Company, of Cleveland, Ohio. In 1917, he was ap- pointed superintendent of the Ferncliff Worsted Mills, Falconer, N. Y., which plant is also owned by the same Cleveland corporation, and there he remained until his death, July 19, 1920.

Special reference is made in the following sketch regarding the Ferncliff plant, but it may be stated here that when Mr. Spurr was made superintendent, work went forward and much success was made under his management. Ile had the ability to get production without driving, and was universally popular among the operatives. His death came as a sad loss to his people and friends in and out of the worsted industry.

In functions of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, Mr. Spurr had honored place. Ile was a member of Manchester Unity, having passed through all the chairs, and was past grand master of the Sons of St.

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George, affiliated with the Shakespeare Lodge of Fitch- burg, Mass., of which he was its past president. When a young man, in England, he was much interested in military affairs; he served in the volunteer forces, which are about equivalent to the National Guard forces of this country, and rose to the rank of gun sergeant, serving three years in infantry units, and six years with an artillery battery.

Mr. Spurr married (first) in 1895, at Bradford, Eng- land, Amy Walker, who died in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1903, without issue. He married (second) at Lawrence, Mass., in 1906, Edith Warrener, of Bradford, England. Children: Harry, Jr., born March 30, 1911, and Edith, born Feb. 21, 1912, both born in Fitchburg, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Spurr and family attended the First Metho- dist Episcopal Church of Falconer. Mr. Spurr was a man of strong character and served in the high order of life. He was dutiful in his spiritual, moral and ma- terial life, and was a man well thought of by his neigh- bors and fellow-workers. He lived in Falconer but a few years, but sufficient to become established in the confidence of his townspeople, and his death was a loss to all who knew him.

THE FERNCLIFF WORSTED MILLS, at Fal- coner, N. Y., is now a branch of the Cleveland Worsted Mills Company, having been acquired by that corpo- ration in May, 1914, but formerly it was operated by local capital, being organized in 1900 by local men. As now equipped, the plant is a modern one, with full installation of machines best adapted to the lines in which it specializes. The products are worsted yarns and cloths, and the manufacture of serges. Embraced in the equipment are three sets of worsted drawing, 4840 spinning spindles, 2132 twisting spindles, and 44 looms. There is a steam plant of 335 horse power, with three boilers; and in addition the plant uses a large amount of electric power from the Jamestown Lighting and Power Company. The mills find employ- ment for 175 people. The plant was efficiently managed by Harry Spurr until his death, July 19, 1920, and since that time by Henry Foster.

FRED SAMUEL STOW-The Stows are all doubt- less descendants of that thrifty old Puritan, John Stow, who came to Boston, Mass., from Maidstone, County Kent, England, in 1684, with his wife, Elizabeth, two daughters, and four sons, two of whom, Samuel and Thomas, settled in Middletown, Conn .; Nathaniel in Concord, Mass., and John in Malden, Mass.

The line herein followed is traced through Samuel Stow, son of John Stow, the emigrant.

John (2) Stow, son of Samuel Stow, married Eliza- beth Brigham.

Manassah Stow, son of John (2) and Elizabeth (Brigham) Stow, was born in 1731. He married Dinah Morse, in Marlboro, Mass., and they were the parents of eleven children.

John (3) Stow, son of Manassah and Dinah (Morse) Stow, was born in Southboro, Mass., in 1763. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, enlisting when only seventeen years old, as shown by the records in the Revolutionary War archives of the Commonwealth

of Massachusetts. He married (first) Patty Gibbs, in 1783; she died in Framingham, Mass., in 1790; of the three children born of this union, Manassah Stow, mentioned below, was the only one who attained matur- ity. John Stow married (second) April 2, 1794, Sarah Healy, and there were nine children of this marriage, all of whom but one, who died in childhood, came to Chautauqua county, N. Y., about 1818, settling in the southern part of the county. The surviving members of the family were as follows: Sarah, the eldest daugh- ter, married, in 1818, in Worcester, Mass., Adolphus Fletcher, the founder of the Jamestown "Journal;" they came to Ashville, Chautauqua county, N. Y., for their wedding journey, making the trip with an ox team. Hannah, the second daughter, married Daniel Carter, and lived in Poland, N. Y. John, married Chloe Gid- dings, and was the owner of farms in Harmony and Busti, N. Y., the village of Stow being named for him. Nathaniel Healy, married Eliza Partridge, and lived in Ellicott, N. Y. Lois Maria, married Harvey Gold- thwait, and also made her home in Ellicott, N. Y. Bayman, married and lived in Ellington, N. Y. Abram, married Susan Putney, and lived with his brother, Elmer, who never married, on a farm in Levant, N. Y. John Stow, the father of these children, died in Busti, N. Y., in 1837, and is buried in Ashville, N. Y., his grave being marked with a Revolutionary War tablet in commemoration of the services he rendered his country in its hour of need.

Manassah (2) Stow, son of John (3) and Patty (Gibbs) Stow, was born Sept. 28, 1788, and died May 22, 1844. He was a printer by trade. In 1810, he went to sea as a common sailor, later becoming captain, navigator and explorer on the north and southwest coasts of America; he kept a journal of all his voyages, which at the pres- ent time is in a good state of preservation. He married, Nov. 19, 1817, Militiah Thayer, and they were the parents of eight children.

Samuel (2) Stow, son of Manassah (2) and Militiah (Thayer) Stow, was born in Orange, Mass., Feb. II, 1832. He was reared and educated there, and subse- quently moved to Chautauqua county, N. Y., taking up his residence in the city of Jamestown. He possessed the same spirit of adventure as his father, and was one of the many daring men who braved all danger in mak- ing the overland trip for gold to California in 1849. After returning to Jamestown, N. Y., he engaged in business, then in farming. He married, May 22, 1854, in South Williamstown, Mass., Emily Dickinson, born in South Williamstown, Mass., Oct. 22, 1832, and they were the parents of five children: William Dickinson, born April 16, 1855; Elizabeth Worthington, born Nov. 28, 1856, died Aug. 8, 1881; Fred Samuel, mentioned be- low: Mary Emily, born Dec. 18, 1863; and George Edward, born Feb. 2, 1868, died Aug. 15, 1892.

Fred Samuel Stow, second son of Samuel (2) and Emily (Dickinson) Stow, was born in Jamestown, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Oct. 31, 1860. He was edu- cated in the public schools of that city. He has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, and is the owner of a good farm in the town of Ellicott in that part served by Rural Free Delivery Route No. 76. He is one of the successful farmers of that town. Mr. Stow has never married.

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PETER VALONE-The real estate interests of Chautauqua county have no more aggressive repre- sentative than they possess in this energetic citizen. Despite the fact that Mr. Valone has not yet completed his tenth year as a resident of Jamestown, he has long been recognized as one who endeavors, in all he under- takes. to further the welfare and progress of his com- munity.

Louis Valone, father of Peter Valone, is a native of Italy, and in that country follows the calling of a farmer. being also interested in the grape industry. He married Louise Polena and they became the par- ents of three sons, one of whom, Peter, is mentioned below, and one daughter. A number of years ago Mr. and Mrs. Valone visited the United States, but returned to their own country, where they are still living.

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History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume III, Part 40

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