USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume III > Part 41
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Peter Valone, son of Louis and Louise (Polena) Valone, was born Sept. 4, 1884, in Palermo, Italy, and on June 10, 1899, came to the United States to visit an uncle in Buffalo, N. Y. His parents had shortly before returned to their home in Italy, but the lad was so well pleased with his new surroundings that he decided to remain in this country. He had attended school in Italy, advancing to the third elementary grade, and after coming to the United States he attended night school, also studying at home. From 1900 to 1906 Mr. Valone was employed in a leather factory at Couders- port, Pa., and he afterward sold life insurance there. His next venture was the opening of a grocery store, but in 1910 he came to Jamestown and there sold insur- ance for the Standard Insurance Company and the Great Eastern, also serving as sole agent and general agent for Chautauqua, Allegheny and Erie counties, representing the Pacific Coast Casualty Company. After a time he connected himself with real estate in- terests and is now at the head of a flourishing business, selling and renting houses and farms. His well ap- pointed office rooms are located at No. 118 East Third street, Jamestown, N. Y. In politics Mr. Valone is a Republican, but has neither time nor desire to become a candidate for office. He attends St. James' Italian Roman Catholic Church.
Mr. Valone married, April 17, 1904, at Coudersport, Pa., Minnie, daughter of Samuel and Mary Manuel, and they are the parents of the following children: Louis, Samuel, Louise, Mary, and Aliena.
In addition to his other attainments Mr. Valone holds the office of notary public, having passed an examina- tion in 1915. He is a fine type of the self-made man and i- highly esteemed and cordially liked. In his upward progress he has not only become a man of means, but has al.o won for himself many loyal and warmly at- tached friends. His success socially, and in a business way, is due in no small measure to his pleasing per- oral ty, honesty and close application to his interests.
WILLIAM R. BOTSFORD-When a young man of : cienteen, Mr. Botsford located in Jamestown, N. Y., where he is now the honored vice-president of the Bank of Jamestown. He came to Jamestown from Canada, although he is a native son of Chautauqua county, N. Y., and since the year 1877 that city has been his home. His business connections have been almost exclusively financial, and since 1903 with the
Bank of Jamestown as assistant cashier, cashier, and vice-president. He is a son of Myron H. Botsford, born in Cayuga county, N. Y., March 20, 1830, and Laura A. (Buck) Botsford, born in the town of Busti, Chautauqua county, N. Y., in 1831.
William R. Botsford was born in Kiantone, Chau- tauqua county, N. Y., March 18, 1860, but during his youth his parents moved to Belleville, Ontario, Canada, and there he received his education in public schools and the business college. In 1877, he located in James- town, N. Y., and became a dry goods clerk, entering the employ of De Forest Weld. Later he accepted a clerkship with the Chautauqua County National Bank, and through successive promotions became teller of that institution. Later he engaged with others in or- ganizing the Bank of Jamestown, was elected its first assistant cashier, and later cashier and vice-president. The bank was incorporated in 1903, and Mr. Bots- ford's service as assistant cashier, cashier and vice- president has been continuous.
From 1881 to 1894, Mr. Botsford was a member of Eagle Hose Company, Jamestown Volunteer Fire De- partment, and from 1887 until 1897 was an enlisted private of the Fenton Guards, Thirteenth Separate Company, New York National Guard. He is affiliated with Mt. Moriah Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, its treasurer for twenty-five years; member of Western Sun Chapter, No. 67, Royal Arch Masons; Jamestown Council, No. 32, Royal and Select Masters; James- town Commandery, No. 61, Knights Templar, of which he was commander in 1899; Jamestown Lodge of Per- fection; Jamestown Council, Princes of Jerusalem; Buffalo Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; and Ismailia Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. In politics he is a Democrat.
Mr. Botsford married, Oct. 24, 1901, Lucia C. Grif- fith, daughter of Fayette and Emily (Fox) Griffith, and granddaughter of Charles J. Fox, of further men- tion. Mr. and Mrs. Botsford are attendants of the Universalist church. The family home is at No. 855 Prendergast avenne, Jamestown.
(The Fox Line).
Charles J. Fox, the founder of this branch of the Fox family in Chautauqua county, N. Y., was of New Eng- land ancestry, son of Joseph Fox, of Rhode Island birth, who settled in the State of Vermont, and there lived until 1815, when he again moved, finding a home in Cayuga county, N. Y. Some years afterward he left Cayuga county and located in Spinner's Hollow, near Otto. Cattaraugus county, N. Y., going thence to Col- lins, Erie county, N. Y. His father, Joseph Fox, was an expert mechanic, and in 1832 was engaged in build- ing boats on the St. Clair river in Michigan. There he contracted that dread disease, cholera, and died. Joseph Fox married Olivia Everest, daughter of Jared and Hannah (Sellick) Everest, and they were the par- ents of three sons: Charles J., of further mention; Albert A., and Horace, residents of Chautauqua county. Mrs. Olivia ( Everest) Fox died at the residence of Mrs. Charles J. Fox, in Jamestown, Dec. 31, 1876, aged eighty-eight years, four months and twenty-five days,
Charles J. Fox was born in Middleboro, Vt., Feb. 17, 1810, and died in Jamestown, N. Y., March 26, 1876. In 1815, he was brought to Cayuga county, N. Y., by
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Peter Valores
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his parents, and in due course of time learned the trade of millwright, married, and until 1835 was working at his trade in the various parts of Western New York where he resided. In 1835, he was living in Collins, Erie county, N. Y., but in that year, with his wife and members of his father's family, he came to Chautauqua county, locating in the town of Carroll. After thirteen years spent there, engaged as a millwright, he moved in 1848 to the State of Pennsylvania, purchasing a tract of 2200 acres in Forest county. He became extensively engaged in the manufacture of lum- ber, and founded the town of Foxburg, now known as Lynch, where he built mills, homes for the workmen, a church, and maintained a school for the children of the village, holding the first sessions in his own home. He was for some time associated with Judge Ditmars Wetmore, of War- ren, Pa., in large timber tracts in Mckean county, Pa., they conducting a large business in manufacturing lum- ber. He was also a large owner in western lands, and was an authority on the value of standing timber values. During the oil excitement in 1865 he sold 1700 acres of his Forest county lands to eastern operators, retaining, however, the most valuable timber tracts. About that time he moved to Jamestown, purchasing the Alexander Sheldon home on Foote avenue, near Allen street, now (1921) the Women's Christian Asso- ciation Hospital. There he spent the remaining decade of life, and at its close was laid at rest in Lakeview Cemetery.
Mr. Fox was a man of strong character and sterling worth, temperate in all things, well known and highly esteemed. He was the owner of the then largest steam- boat on Chautauqua Lake, "The Nettie Fox," and she bore the distinction of being a strictly temperance boat, and the first of her class. In religious faith he was a Spiritualist, and strong in his convictions. He was openhanded, and generously gave to charity and all good causes. In politics he was liberal minded.
Charles J. Fox married, in 1832, Clarissa Mason, of Carroll, Chautauqua county, N. Y., born in 1815, daughter of Martin and Polly (Griswold) Mason, and granddaughter of Samuel Griswold and Benjamin Ma- son, both Revolutionary soldiers, Samuel Griswold enlisting from Salisbury, Conn. Charles J. and Clarissa (Mason) Fox were the parents of fourteen children: 1. Oscar. 2. Emily, of further mention. 3. Marie, married Erastus Lee. 4. Mercy, married George Hills. 5. Henry Brown, a soldier of the Civil War, who was killed at the second battle of Bull Run. 6. Almira, died young. 7. Franklin, a veteran of the Civil War. 8. James, died in Frewsburg, Chautauqua county, N. Y. 9. Mary Olivia, died in childhood. 10. Horace, resid- ing at Niagara Falls, N. Y. 11. Olive, married Well- ington Dunn, of Alexandria, Va. 12. Nettie, married Emerson Locke. 13-14. Albert and Alfred, twins, both deceased.
Emily Fox, eldest daughter of Charles J. and Clarissa (Mason) Fox, was born at Collins, Erie county, N. Y., and died in Jamestown, N. Y., August, 1914. She mar- ried (first) Fayette Griffith, who died in Warren, Pa. She married (second) Professor Henry Goff Breed, an accomplished musician, and for many years a teacher of both piano and pipe organ. He was organist of the
First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown, and long presided over that department of church worship. He died in Warren, in September, 1912, his wife surviving him nearly seven years. They were both laid at rest in Lakeview Cemetery, Jamestown. Fayette and Emily (Fox) Griffith were the parents of a son, Charles, an engineer, who died in Jamestown, in April, 1918, and a daughter, Lucia C., of further mention. Professor Henry G. Breed and Mrs. Breed were childless.
Lucia C. Griffith, only daughter of Fayette and Emily (Fox) Griffith, and granddaughter of Charles J. and Clarissa (Mason) Fox, was born in Warren, Pa. She completed public school courses with graduation from high school, and then became an accomplished musician under the instruction of her stepfather, Professor Henry Goff Breed, she being a teacher of the piano in Warren and Bradford, Pa., and in Jamestown, N. Y., for several years, and all her life has continued her love for her art. She is a member of Jamestown Chapter, daughters of the American Revolution; the Mozart Club, and the Red Cross Society. During the World War, she was deeply interested in the Red Cross work and was supervisor of the knitting department of Chau- tauqua County Chapter.
EDWARD COOK BURNS, C. E., was born in the city of New York, son of Barclay J. and Isabella (Cook) Burns, and when three years of age was taken, a motherless lad, into the home of his grandmother who was living in Jamestown, N. Y. From Jamestown he later went West, became a graduate civil engineer, and was engaged in professional work for corporations and the government. Finally, in 1885, at the age of forty, he returned to Jamestown, where until his death, twenty-nine years later, he was engaged as a consulting engineer, his services always in demand. Mr. Burns was a man of strong character and high ideals, giving to work his very best thought and action. His work reflected his integrity of character, and nothing cheap or poorly done went out under his name. With well stored mind, kept so by constant reading and study, he was fully abreast of the times in all that pertained to his profession, and was very progressive in his own ideas. Considerate and courteous, he made many friends by whom he will long be remembered. To those nearest him his pleasing personality, his kindliness and thought- fulness, bound them closely to him, and his chief wish seemed to be to add to their pleasure and lighten their burdens.
Edward Cook Burns was born near the corner of Broadway and Chambers street, New York City, Jan. 30, 1845, and died in Jamestown, N. Y., Oct. 29. 1914, after a year's illness. His father, Barclay J. Burns, was engaged in publishing and newspaper work at the time of the birth of his son, and three years after his birth his mother, Isabella (Cook) Burns, died. Edward C. Burns was then taken to Jamestown, N. Y., where he attended private schools. Later he was sent to Pat- terson Preparatory School, Detroit, Mich., going thence to the department of civil engineering, Univer- sity of Michigan, whence he was graduated, Civil En- gineer, class of 1868. Three of his close friends at the university were C. H. Bezinberg, Alfred Noble, both
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later presidents of the American Society of Civil En- gineers: and Charles E. Brush, the inventor of modern electric lighting.
Mr. Burns had been employed during his summer vacations from 1865 to 1867 as assistant with the United State Lake Survey. In August, 1868, he was appointed levelman on the Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis Railway. remaining in that position until January, 1869, when he was made division engineer. From May to December. ISto. he was employed as assistant engineer on the Central Railroad of Iowa, and from April to July. I8;1. as division engineer on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Minnesota Railroad. Mr. Burns then returned to the East as engineer in charge of the exten- sion of the Pittsburgh, Bessemer & Lake Erie Rail- road. remaining until May, 1872, when he was ap- pointed assistant engineer in charge of the construction of the Buffalo & Southwestern Railroad from Gowanda to Jamestown, N. Y .. under General Robert Ewing. From April, 1873, to August, 1874, Mr. Burns served as acting superintendent of the Jamestown Gas Light Company. In the latter named month, he returned to the Buffalo & Jamestown Railroad as assistant engi- neer, which position he retained until June, 1875. From 18;7 to 1885. he was employed as United States assistant engineer in river and harbor improvements at various places. including such important works as the con- struction of the Sault Ste. Marie canal, the improve- ment of the St. Clair Flats canal, the dredging of the Livingston channel, etc. In 1885, Mr. Burns returned to Jamestown, N. Y., where until his death he was engaged in private practice as a consulting engineer. He was connected with many of the principal construc- tion enterprises in Jamestown and the surrounding country, having served as engineer of the Board of Public Works from 1894 to 1898. He was also one of the Conewango Swamp drainage commissioners, and had charge of the construction of its line for the Chau- tauqua Traction Company. He was always in demand throughout the vicinity as an expert in the design and construction of highway and railroad bridges, and had planned and supervised the construction of the old and new boat landing bridges and also the new Winsor bridge, the latter two having been his last important work before ill health compelled him to give up active practire. Mr. Burns became a member of the Ameri- can Society of Civil Engineers, July 5, 1882, and con- tinued until his death. He was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity, and of the Masonic order, holding the thirty-second degree, Ancient Accepted Scott: h Rite.
Mr. Burns married, Oct. 3, 1872, Mary Graham, Hugh'er of Major Thompson Graham, of Mercer, Pa. Mr. Burn. survives her husband with one daughter, I abella S therland Burns. They reside in James- town
J. HAROLD SWANSON-Among the young news- paper fen et the city of Jamestown, is J. Harold -wn r (ry d'itor of the "Morning Post."
J. Herold Swanton was born in Jamestown, Chau- 'a que inty, N. Y., Nov. 19, 1884, the son of John A. and Charlotte ( Hultberg) Swanson. He received his
education in local grammar and high schools, graduat- ing from the high school in 1904 as president of his class. In the summers of 1902 and 1903, while still a student, Mr. Swanson was employed as a reporter by the "Post," and in the winter of 1904-05 he did gen- eral reporting for the Jamestown "Journal." During the summers of 1904 and 1905 he was the "Post" cor- respondent at the Chautauqua, N. Y., Assembly, and was also a member of the reportorial staff of the "Chau- tauqua Assembly Herald." In 1905 and 1906 he was a student in the law school of Cornell University, and in March, 1907, having returned to Jamestown, he became a reporter for the "Post," his work including courts, politics and city hall. In May, 1913, he became city editor. During the World War, Mr. Swanson served as secretary of the Home Defense Council and also as a member of the entertainment committee, assisting with the farewell dinners and home-coming receptions in honor of Jamestown soldiers and sailors. In April, 1918, he was appointed by Mayor Samuel A. Carlson a member of the Municipal Civil Service Commission. In politics, Mr. Swanson is a Republican, and he is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church; James Hall Camp, Sons of Veterans; Norden Club; and Eta Chapter, Alpha Zeta fraternity.
Mr. Swanson married, Jan. 8, 1910, in Jamestown, Elizabeth O. Peterson, daughter of Augustus S. and Mary (Johnson) Peterson, late of the town of Carroll, Chautauqua county, N. Y.
AARON GOODIER ANDERSON, prosperous and respected farmer of Ellington, N. Y., road commis- sioner for twelve years, and now superintendent of highways in the state administration, is a native of Chautauqua county, in which he has lived his entire life of fifty-eight years.
Aaron Goodier Anderson was born in Ellington, this county, March 20, 1854, son of George S. and Alma (Leach) Anderson. After receiving a good education, including the high school course at Ellington, Aaron G. Anderson entered upon agricultural occupations, helping his father in the management of his large farm. Eventually, he took a farm for himself, and for the remainder of his life to the present has consistently held a farming property, and given a good deal of his time to its cultivation. That, however, has not been his only industrial undertaking. He has been an active man in public affairs of his town for many years. He is a loyal and influential Republican, and has given the party good active service, both in State and National campaigns, in his district, and he has undertaken some technical offices in the county administration. He is at present superintendent of highways, and for twelve years he has been a road commissioner. He is a man of high, moral character and rigid purpose, and his acts are governed by the strict principles of the Free Methodist church, which he has attended for many years.
Mr. Anderson married, at Ellington, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Dec. 3, 1887, Mary Shaw, who was born May 22, 1859, in Quincy, Mich., daughter of George Ilarrison and Julia (Christy) Shaw. Mr. Shaw was well known as a farmer in Michigan and later followed
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this occupation in the town of Ellington. To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were born two children: I. Clair L., born Dec. 23, 1889; now married and has a child. 2. George S., born Sept. 5, 1891. 3. Clauss, born March 17, 1893, died June 10, 1893.
George S. Anderson left home with good courage and cheerful spirits, May 26, 1918, for the military training camp, where he was assigned to the 469th Motor Truck Company, and soon afterwards was sent to France, where he saw much actual front zone service. His European service extended over four countries within the war zone: France, Germany, Lux- emburg and Belgium. He remained in the occupied territory of Germany long after the signing of the armistice; in fact, he did not leave France for home until June, 1919, and was ultimately honorably dis- charged from an American demobilization center, July 2, 1919.
Aaron G. Anderson has ever taken a keen interest in all matters of National import, and he followed the progress of the war very closely, not only because of his son's association with it, but otherwise. He took active part in the various home activities pertaining to Liberty Loans, Red Cross work, etc., and subscribed to the limit of his means to the various funds raised for the several purposes of the war. He is a man whose record has always been open and has had the respect of his fellowmen. He has earned a consider- able degree of esteem from those who know him and his numerous friends are spread over the county.
FRANK W. MEERDINK-Until the year 1890 Mr. Meerdink, now a prosperous merchant-miller of North Clymer, Chautauqua county, N. Y., followed the occu- pation into which he was inducted in boyhood, farming. He was the son of a Chautauqua county farmer, and faithfully remained at the home farm during his years of minority, in fact, he was twenty-three years of age before he changed his occupation. In North Clymer he was long a member of the mercantile and lumbering firm, Meerdink Brothers, but for seven years has been in sole control. He is not only known as the successful business man, but also as the public-spirited citizen who, during the quarter of a century, 1895-1920, has given much time to the public service and to com- munity affairs. Frank W. Mcerdink is a son of Garrett Meerdink, a farmer of the town of Clymer, and a vet- eran of the Civil War, serving in Company D, 112th Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry.
Frank W. Meerdink, son of Garrett and Hannah M. Meerdink, was born in the town of Clymer, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Sept. 29, 1867. He there obtained his education in the public school. He grew to manhood at the home farm, and was his father's assistant until leaving to engage in business for himself. From farm- ing he turned to a lumber mill, and from 1890 until 1895 drove a team hauling logs and lumber for that mill. In 1895 he formed a partnership with his brother and as Meerdink Brothers they operated a store and saw mill at the village of North Clymer. In 1901, they added a grist mill and conducted business under the same firm name until 1913. In that year the firm dis- solved, Frank W. Meerdink continuing the grist mill
and mercantile business very successfully to the present date, 1921. A Republican in politics, Mr. Meerdink has served the village as postmaster, beginning in De- cember, 1895, as deputy, and two years later was appointed postmaster, holding the same from December, 1897, until December, 1914. He was then out of the office until March, 1919, when he was reappointed and is still serving. He was also a member of the school board during the period of township law. He is an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and deeply interested in Sunday school work, serving that department of the church as superintendent. He is highly regarded in his community and possesses the respect and friendship of a very wide acquaintance.
Mr. Meerdink married, in Clymer, Chautauqua county, N. Y., June 20, 1895, Mary E. Damcot, daugh- ter of John H. and Jane Damcot. Mr. and Mrs. Meer- dink are the parents of a son, Doyle E., born July 30, 1913. The family home is in the village of North Clymer.
BENJAMIN OTTO SCHLENDER, son of Henry and Mary (Slade) Schlender, was born in Angola, Erie county, N. Y., in 1875. After graduation from the Angola High School, he entered mercantile life and until 1907 was a merchant of Angola. He then located in the village of Sheridan, Chautauqua county, where he resumed business and continued a merchant until a serious illness caused him to sell his store and engage in a less confining business. He has since been engaged as a shipper of produce, and is now (1920) associated with the Erie Grape Union in Westfield, N. Y. He is a director of the Silver Creek National Bank of Silver Creek, N. Y., has other business interests, and is now serving his second term as Sheridan's representative on the Chautauqua County Board of Supervisors. He is a Republican in politics, a member of the Unitarian church of Dunkirk, and affiliated with the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Schlender married, in 1899, in Angola, N. Y., Olive D. Roberts, born in Angola, in 1876, daughter of Adelbert and Ida (Platte) Roberts. Mr. and Mrs. Schlender are the parents of two daughters, Evelyn and Kathryn.
Mrs. Olive D. (Roberts) Schlender is a graduate of Angola High and Buffalo Normal schools, and for two years before her marriage taught school. She is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Unitarian church of Dunkirk. Through her patriotic ancestry she has gained membership in Major Benjamin Bos- worth Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, of Silver Creek: is a member of the Saturday Study Club of Sheridan; the Women's Literary Club of Dun- kirk, and for two years was first vice-president of the Western New York Federation of Women's Clubs. Mrs Schlender contributed to this history of Chautau- qua county her article on "Books and Authors," read before the Chautauqua County Historical Society at the annual meeting at Mayville in 1920.
CLAYTON T. BAGG, a resident of Ellington, N. Y., is a native of that town, born Dec. 5, 1860, son of Allen and Allison Bagg, the former named having fol-
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lowed the occupation of farming during the active years of his life.
Clayton T. Bagg attended the Ellington Union School, acquiring a practical education that prepared him for the active duties of life. He followed farming as an occupation for many years, and in 1910 accepted the position of a traveling salesman for the Grandin Milling Company, Jamestown, N. Y., in which capacity he is serving at the present time (1921). He is a Re- publican in politics, served as superintendent of docu- ments, New York State Senate, 1001-02. and as post- master of the New York Senate, 1903-04-05-06. He is a Congregationalist in his religious belief.
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