USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume III > Part 48
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ot.solidation Coal Company, and for the next eighteen years was the with the Shawmut Coal and Coke Com- pany, traveling throughout the East and in Canada as salesman for the company's output. He is an author- ity on matters relating to steam coal, and when he formed partnership with Cornelius J. Moynihan, of Jamestown, manager of the Chautauqua Traction Company and other railroad interests, in 1916, it was with confidence that they would succeed as wholesalers of bituminous coal. The co-partnership took the trading name of the Pitts- burg & Freeport Coal Company and established offices in Jamestown. Mr. Thompson is an active member of the Jamestown Board of Commerce, and religiously is a R .nan Catholic, an earnest attendant at SS. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church at Jamestown.
Mr. Thompson married, at Renovo, Pa., Josephine A. Nicklas, of that place. They have two children : Mildred and Neil, both of whom are at school, the former attend- ing the Jamestown High School.
PAUL WALTER FREDRICKSON, prominent young citizen and business man, is a native of America, and a descendant of that sturdy race, the Swedes, which represents one of the most progressive types of people
in Chautauqua county, a man of education, sound citizen- ship, and a representative in the business life of the town of Stockton.
Paul W. Fredrickson, son of Alfred D. and Matilda (Anderson) Fredrickson, was born in Stockton, N. Y., Dec. 14, 1893. He was educated here in the district schools and later the Brocton and Fredonia high schools. He took a teacher's course at the Fredonia Normal School, from which he was graduated in the class of 1915, and shortly afterwards became the principal of the Cassadaga High School, Cassadaga, N. Y. He remained here for one year, and in 1916 went to New York City, where he became the principal of the grammar depart- ment of the Chelsea School, which is a branch of the Young Men's Christian Association Educational Depart- ment, this school being located in the Association's build- ing on West 23rd street. In August, 1917, shortly after the United States entered the World War, he enlisted and went to the Officers' Training Camp at Fort Niagara, N. Y., and there received an intensive military training. At Fort Niagara he was commissioned second lieutenant in the Field Artillery service. In December, 1917, he was assigned to Camp Travis, Texas, as an artillery instructor, and remained in this assignment until January, 1918, when he was transferred to the Aviation Section of the army. He had become very well equipped in the knowledge of military service, and was in command of various squad- rons at Kelly Field, Texas, and Vancouver Barracks, Washington. Because of his past experience in the lum- ber business, he was selected to oversee the cutting of spruce timber in the forests near Vancouver Barracks. for the use of airplanes. He was honorably discharged from service, Feb. 8, 1919, and shortly afterwards re- turned to his home at Stockton, where he joined his brothers, Delmar T. and Albin L. Fredrickson, in their manufacturing industry of basket making and other wood products, the firm being known as the Fredrickson Broth- ers, of which he has since been secretary.
Mr. Fredrickson is identified with the various town interests, being a justice of the peace and a member of the Town Board. Fraternally, he is a member of the Ma- sonic bodies and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In politics he is a staunch Republican, and in religion a member of the Stockton Baptist Church.
On Dec. 29, 1920, Mr. Fredrickson was united in mar- riage to Esther M. Waite, daughter of Frank O. and Rachel (Paterson) Waite, of Dewittville, N. Y.
DR. CHARLES E. GIBBS, son of George W. and Anna (Reid) Gibbs, was born in Sherman, N. Y., June 3, 1878. He attended the public schools of his birth- place, and after the completion of his general education entered the veterinary department of Cornell University, from which he was graduated D. V. M. in 1904. Im- mediately after passing the New York State Board ex- aminations, he began practice at Fredonia, where he has since continued. Dr. Gibbs is a member of Western New York Veterinarian Medical Association, and at one time was director of this organization. In politics he is a Democrat, but takes no part in the activities of the or- ganization, preferring to give his entire time to the duties of his profession. He affiliates with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
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Dr. Gibbs married ( first), Claudine L. Kidder, of Sherman, N. Y., now deceased. He married (second) Edith Bonquin Reynolds, of Fredonia, and they are the parents of nve children : Geraldine, Anna, Edward, How- ard and May.
THE SEABURG MANUFACTURING COM- PANY, INC., a substantial industrial concern of Jamestown. N. Y., having a modernly equipped plant for the manufacture of the "Librola," a high grade phono- graph in library table form which is manufactured and sold complete to dealers all over the country, and a high grade line of library tables, pedestals and cedar chests, at Nos. 124-130 Steele street, Jamestown, is the enterprise of members oi the Seaburg family of James- town. The business was established in 1903, at No. 124 Steele street, by E. B. Seaburg, assisted by his sons. E. J. and A. H., and at the outset the small shop found employment for only twelve men. The fac- tory at present has seventy-five men on its payroll, and has widened its scope of manufacture, as well as market. The direction is practically confined to the Seaburg fam- ily. E. J. Seaburg is general manager, in direct charge of purchasing, selling, and correspondence ; his brother, A. H. Seaburg, is in charge of manufacturing, as super- intendent : V. B. Seaburg is representing the firm as salesman among the trade: another brother, O. T. Sea- burg, is assistant superintendent in charge of finishing and shipping, and three other members of the Seaburg family, namely, E. T., L. W., and R. H. Seaburg, are connected with the company. The management is very efficient, and the advancement has been steady and solid. The present substantial buildings were erected in 1914 and 1920, but the expansion of business has made further alterations and additions necessary and another building is being erected. One building, used as a dry kiln, of three stories, is advantageously planned, it being possible for cars of lumber to come right alongside and be dis- charged on to small trucks, and by means of a ten-ton elevator lifted to the three floors of the dry kilns and .from there to the cutting room, thus cutting out much unnecessary and costly handling. It is understood that it is the only plant in the country having a three-story dry kiln and at which such methods of handling are prac- ticed.
The business was re-organized in 1909, and corporate powers secured, under the above stated name. Since that year, the father, E. B. Seaburg, has acted practically only in an advisory capacity, and he is not among the present oficer of the corporation. They are: E. J. Seaburg, president and several manager ; A. H. Seaburg, vice- president and superintendent; V. B. Scaburg, vice-presi- det and branch sales manager ; O. T. Seaburg, secretary and a .i tant superintendent; E. T. Scaburg, treasurer ; 2.1 1. W. Semburg, assistant secretary, and all of the above with E. B. Seaburg and R. H. Seaburg, constitute the Ix ard of director -. The company is well represented on the Jamesown Board of Commerce, Jamestown Man- ufacturer-' \ ociation, and the Association of Manufac- "rer and Merchant of New York State.
JOSEPH A. BLOMQUIST-Active in the business world ( i Jame ton i, e pecially among the younger set, may te jo ind Je eth A. Blomquist, the secretary and
treasurer of the Level Furniture Company. Born in Poland, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Aug. 27, 1886, he is the son of August A. and Katherine (Lindquist) Blom- quist, the former a successful contractor of Faleoner, N. Y.
When young, Joseph A. Blomquist went to live with an aunt in Minnesota, and while there attended the gram- mar and high schools. His aunt lived on a farm so the boy was taught to assist in the work until he returned to New York State, this time living in Jamestown. Here he entered the Jamestown Business College, taking a two- year course in business training and office practice. In 1903, he obtained employment as a clerk in the office of the Jamestown Lounge Company, remaining with them four years, when, in October, 1907, he became book- keeper for the Level Furniture Company. Two years later, 1900, he was admitted to the firm as one of the partners and was made secretary and treasurer, a position he now holds. Mr. Blomquist is a member of the Board of Commerce and of the Norden Club. He is active in the work of the Young Men's Christian Association, being a member of the Epsilon Phi fraternity, a society which has been organized in connection with it. He is a Free Mason, belonging to the chapter. He attends the Pres- byterian church. Mr. Blomquist is greatly interested in everything connected with athletic sports; when a younger man he played football and basketball consider- ably, and out-of-door life is one of his recreations.
In Willmar, Minn., June 28, 1913, Joseph A. Blom- quist married Florence Porter, the daughter of Solomon Porter, the former treasurer of Kandiyohi county, Minn.
THE CURTIS MACHINE CORPORATION, the main offices and original plant of which are at James- town, Chautauqua county, N. Y., was, at the outset, a local enterprise, established by well known Jamestown men, but it now has many plants and controls the manu- facture of certain patented belt sanders, rubbing and carving machines, used in wood working. The basic patents were the property of Minneapolis men, but it was found necessary to take over the plants of other manufac- turers, who were infringing their patents, and the Curtis Machine Corporation, as at present constituted, represents the consolidation of the plants of the Lucas Machine Company, of Jamestown, N. Y., the Moore Carving Machine Company, of Minneapolis, Minn., and the Jan- sen-Peterson Company, of Cleveland, Ohio.
The Curtis Machine Corporation, which was incor- porated on April 19, 1913, by Don Allen Curtis, of Jamestown, at first manufactured sand belt machines for wood working, but as other companies were taken over, each possessed of patents of allied kind, its product em- braced rubbing machines, sanding machines, carving machines, and bits of various kinds. The Lucas Machine Company was absorbed in August, 1013, the Moore Carv- ing Machine Company was taken over in the same month, and the Jansen-Peterson Company came into the con- solidation in September, 1913. The Jamestown plant of the new company was built in the fall of 1013, and com- menced operating in February of the following year. Prior to that, the machines were produced in a little plant on Taylor street, Jamestown. In January, 1918, the company met with a serious setback, being forced to close the Jamestown plant because of a disastrous fire by which
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it was almost gutted. The origin of the fire was never traced, but it caused suspension of work at that plant for three weeks. The present factory, which is 60 feet by 160 feet, and of three floors, is equipped with individual elec- tric motors, and with all the most efficient devices for the production, in high grade quality and great quantity, of the specialties of the company. During the World War, the company's facilities were in great part used for the manufacture of propeller cutting machines for the United States Government.
At the present Jamestown plant, which is on East Sec- ond street, the company finds employment for about seventy men. The original officials were : Fred M. Curtis, president ; Don A. Curtis, vice-president ; Frank G. Cur- tis, secretary ; and E. W. Curtis, treasurer. The president and treasurer is now E. W. Curtis; F. G. Curtis is vice- president ; E. A. Gibson is secretary. They are members of the Manufacturers' Association of Jamestown, of the Jamestown Board of Commerce, of the National Metal Trades Association, and of the Manufacturers' and Mer- chants' Association of New York State.
The success of the members of the Curtis family in this and in other local undertakings of theirs is gratifying to their many friends in that section of New York State, and to the city of Jamestown, which has benefited ma- terially by their successful business enterprises.
EDWARD W. CURTIS, president and treasurer of the Curtis Machine Corporation, manufacturers of pat- ented belt sanders, rubbing and carving machines, a consolidation of three corporations, with plants in James- town, Minneapolis and Cleveland, is a native of Elbridge, N. Y., where he was born Sept. 23, 1861, and has been a resident of Jamestown for more than thirty years.
He is the son of Alonzo M. and Louise (Gleason) Curtis. His father was a well known farmer in the town of Elbridge, Onondaga county, N. Y., where he was popular and highly respected. He held various town and county offices of honor, and reared his children under wholesome Christian conditions, but without any incen- tives to extravagance or the flimsy artificialities of mod- ern life. At the age of six years, Edward W. Curtis was being inculcated into the methods of performing several small duties on the parental farm, and during his school days he became proficient in most farming operations that were possible to a youth. He was educated, with his brothers, Arthur and Edward, the former now deceased, and his sister Jennie, who also is deceased, in the local schools of his native place, and later he also attended the Monroe Collegiate Institute. But when he had reached the age of fifteen years, he closed his schooling alto- gether, and assisted his father in the management of the farm. When he became of age, he went to Nile, Mich., and there worked in a local chair factory, and during the two years spent in that place became a proficient cabinet maker and wood turner. Then he took to rail- roading, and while so engaged, was injured. That was in 1886, and he then came to Jamestown, N. Y., and be- came connected with local furniture manufacturers. He travelled for many years, representing at first Phillips, Maddox & Company, and later the Empire Case Goods Company. In 1902 he engaged independently in the lum- ber business, doing much travelling and dealing exten- sively, as a merchant, in lumber and standing timber. In
IgII he took charge of the Jamestown branch of the Williamson Lumber Company of Baltimore. Two years later, however, he joined other members of the Curtis family in establishing the Curtis Machine Corporation, with which he has since been connected in executive ca- pacity. Since the death, in 1915, of his brother, Fred M. Curtis, he has been president, as well as treasurer, of the company, the development of which has been else- where written of in this volume. Mr. Curtis is an active member of the Jamestown Chamber of Commerce, and fraternally, he is a Mason, of thirty-second degree ; prominent in local lodges, Knights Templar and Shrine. Also he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is popular in Jamestown, and has proved himself to be a good business man, of sterling integrity and likable ways.
In 1902, Mr. Curtis married, in Jamestown, Ethel, daughter of Attorney John Weeks, whose record of public work has been written for this work. They have one child, a daughter, Louise, who now attends James- town High School.
REV. PETRUS LETOCHA-The large Polish population of Chautauqua county centers in Dunkirk, where they began settling prior to 1855, the second only to the Swedes in the order of their coming. In 1855 there were twenty-one Polanders in the county, and in 1900 there were 1,027 natives of Poland living in the county and many more descendants. In and around Dunkirk are evidences of the thrift and industry that distinguish these people; they are among the best farm- ers of the county, they give their children the benefit of all school advantages, are making rapid progress along the path of progress and make good citizens.
The Polish language, differing more radically from the English than any other of the continental tongues, ren- ders it difficult for them to acquire our language readily and this explains why they are unable to quickly assimi- late with the Americans in many respects. Polish soci- eties and Polish churches are a necessity, and it is through these agencies that the work of naturalization is has- tened. St. Hyacinth Roman Catholic Church was erected in Dunkirk in 1895, at a cost of $10,000, there then being eighty-five Polish families in Dunkirk. In 1902, St. Hedwig Church was erected to accommodate the Polish population in the Fourth Ward of Dunkirk. Father Schultz was the builder of St. . Hedwig, and to that church in 1911 came Rev. Petrus Letocha, the present pastor. The parish then numbered 2.200 souls, and during the years 1911-1920 that number has been increased to 3,200. The parish has grown in spiritual and material power during his pastorate, and on every hand are evi- dences of his untiring zeal as a priest and pastor. St. Hedwig's Parochial School, which started with 200 pupils, now has 436, divided into seven grades, taught hy eight sisters of the order. Petrus Letocha was born in Upper Silesia, Poland, Nov. 19, 1874, son of Simon and Kath- rine Letocha, his father a farmer. The lad grew up on the farm, but was given a good preparatory education, attending the equivalent of the American high school until 1890, when he came to the United States, a lad of sixteen years. He began his theological education, at- tending a university in Philadelphia, Pa., whence he was graduated, class of 1898. He was ordained a priest of the
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Roman Catholic church the same year by Bishop Mc- Quade, and was at once assigned to St. Stanislaus Church, Rochester. N. Y. His first parish was Our Lady Czes- torchowa. at Northumberland, N. Y., which he organized with an initial congregation of 280 souls. He left the parish in to11, thoroughly organized with church and school buildings and a congregation of 2,000 souls. In I. 11, Father Letocha was appointed pastor of St. Hedwig parish, Dunkirk, N. Y .. erected in 1902, and has there accomplished a wonderful work for the cause to which he has devoted his life and for the people he loves, his coun- trymen.
He is greatly beloved by his congregation and mingles with them freely in social intercourse as well as holding with them the closest priestly relation. He is a member of the Polish Union and the Polish National Alliance, and leads his people toward the goal of enlightened Amer- ican citizenship with a zeal equalled only by his devotion as a priest of the church.
JESSE POWELL-If those who claim that fortune has favored certain individuals above others will but investigate the cause of success and failure, it will be found that the former is largely due to the improvement oi opportunity, the latter to the neglect of it. Fortunate environments encompass almost every individual at some stage of his career, but the strong man and the success- ful man is he who realizes that the proper moment has come, that the present and not the future holds his op- portunity. The man who makes use of the "Now" and not the "To Be" is the one who passes on the highway of life others who started out ahead of him, and reaches the goal of prosperity in advance of them. It is this quality in Jesse Powell. who is identified in the business circles as a master plumber, that has led him to success.
Jesse Powell was born in England, July 7, 1876, and came to this country when he was but five years old, liv- ing in Quebec, Canada, with his parents, until he was twelve years of age, when they moved to Fredonia, N. Y. The bry lesse attended school in Quebec, and when the family moved to Fredonia he continued his studies for a short time until he was obliged to start out in the business world to carn his own living. He learned the plumber's trade with the Natural Gas and Light Company, working for them for eight years, when he commenced contracting in this particular line of business for himself, since which time he has done much work in Fredonia and has en- ployed a- many as ten people at one time in his business undertakings, having received the contract for the plumb- ing of the Baptist church, the Barker street school, the I'mon chocl, and also for the plumbing in seventy-five no idence of Fredonia. The fact that Mr. Powell is o therehighly occupied is largely due to the constant care ad consideration which he has bestowed upon the up- Wedding and maintenance of his business. In the atmos- phere that he creates there is no such thing as stagna- r. ier he i quick to act and he is in the habit of ac- emp" hing whatever he undertakes. Mr. Powell is an endescendent in politie , voting for the man rather than the war's ha repre vost lle is a Baptist in religion. Ile Belong to no lodge nor clubs, being too engrossed with bir matter'
Mr. Powell married, Ang. 7, 1900, Annie R. Ryman,
of Fredonia, and they are the parents of five children; Leo K., Jessemay, Amalyne, Wilda, Ryman.
Alert, alive and progressive, Mr. Powell justly merits the success he has achieved. Happily gifted in manner, en- terprising in business methods, he is personally liked most by those who know him best, and his natural attainments, together with his exceptional ability, seem to give promise of a brilliant future.
WILLIS L. EDDY-On the old Eddy homestead, near Watts Flats, in the town of Harmony, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Willis L. Eddy was born Feb. 21, 1855, son of James and Dorcas Eddy, his father a farmer.
He attended the district school, then was a student in the Jamestown public schools, finishing with high school. While from youth Mr. Eddy has been familiar with farming operations, he taught school for ten years, hold- ing a teacher's certificate at the age of sixteen, and has been prominently identified with the business interests of Panama village, where he has his home. For six years he has been interested in the Panama Creamery, and for fifteen years conducted a mill and lumber business in the village, and is one of the substantial men of the town. In politics Mr. Eddy is a progressive Republican, and in re- ligious faith a member of Harmony Baptist Church at Panama. He is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, and a man of sterling character, highly regarded by his townsmen, of genial, friendly nature, progressive, of well trained studions mind and well informed.
Mr. Eddy married, at Pittsfield, Warren county, Pa., April 4, 1883, Mary A. Meade, daughter of Filmore and Caroline Meade, her father a farmer of Pittsfield. Mr. and Mrs. Eddy are the parents of a son, Lynn W., born June 12, 1888, and two daughters, Ruth H., born Dec. 21, 1889, and Grace C., born June 5, 1903.
DON ALLEN CURTIS-There is just outside the city of Jamestown, yet within its confines, a unique estate, practically a sheep ranch. It covers many acres of land, and has at the present time over 600 head of sheep. It is located at the east end of Jamestown, and on this thor- oughly up-to-date farm Don Allen Curtis is enjoying life in his own way, leading an active, healthy existence near to nature's heart, his interpretation of the "back to the farm" idea taking a rather extensive form, albeit quite conducive to health and enjoyment of the beauties to be found in nature.
Don Allen Curtis was born in Elbridge, N. Y., April 23, 1876. He is the son of Alonzo Mead and Electa Ade- laide ( Townsend ) Curtis. Of this marriage six children were born: 1. Heman D., at present residing in the State of Wyoming. 2. Fred M., deceased. 3. Frank G., also living in Wyoming. 4. Don Allen. 5. Jessie W., who married Edward W. Scowden, and is living at Frewsburg. 6. Caroline, married Henry G. Rask, of Jamestown.
In his carly boyhood, Don Allen Curtis attended the district school at Elbridge and later the high school at Jordan, N. Y., working on his father's farm after school and on Saturdays, continuing this after leaving school. At the age of nineteen, he moved to Jamestown and started to work, in 1895, in his brother's chair factory as night watchman at nine dollars a week. Ile also
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learned the chairmaking trade, working after a time during the day, remaining so employed for a year and a half. When he left he had acquired the cabinetmaker's trade also. He then obtained a position as traveling salesman for the Randolph Furniture Company, of Ran- dolph, N. Y .; this was followed by a like position with the Star Furniture Company of Jamestown, after which Mr. Curtis was engaged by the Morgan Manufacturing Company of Jamestown on a commission basis. He remained with this concern for five years, being contin- ually on the road, saving his earnings and investing them in the furniture factory. About this time the Lucas Machine Company was formed, he being active in its or- ganization. It became an incorporated concern, taking in the business of the brother for whom he had formerly worked and also buying out several machine corpora- tions. They all became consolidated under the one corporate name, the Lucas Machine Company, Mr. Curtis being made treasurer and salesman. He only remained in this connection one year, in 1913 becoming interested in the oil business, buying stock in Wyoming concerns. Shortly after, the New York Oil Company was formed and Don A. Curtis was elected president of it; later it became a corporation. In November, 1917, the Empire State Oil Company was established with headquarters in Casper, Wyoming, and an office in Jamestown. Mr. Cur- tis was chosen vice-president of this company. On April 10, 1919, he resigned his office as president of the New York Oil Company, and since that time has not been at all active in the affairs of the company.
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