USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume III > Part 51
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ELIAL CARPENTER CATLIN-Born in the city of Jamestown, N. Y., where his years, forty-two, have been spent, Mr. Catlin carries all the dignity and privi- leges of a "native son," and in his ancestry claims a reflected prestige attached to early Colonial forbears. This branch of the Catlins trace to Theron Catlin, born in Vermont, who later in life purchased a farm in the historic Wyoming Valley of Pennsylvania and there spent the remainder of his life, a tiller of the soil.
One of the four sons of Theron Catlin (he also had four daughters) was Linus Catlin, born in Vermont, in 1799, who did not go to the Wyoming Valley with his father, but located in North Hudson, Essex county, N. Y., and lived a farmer until coming to Jamestown, N. Y., where he died, aged over ninety. He was an ardent Democrat, and a man of strong character and upright life. He married Sabrina Jones, and they were the parents of four children, including an only son, Ashbill R. Catlin. Mrs. Catlin was a daughter of Pe- letiah Jones, born in Schroon, Essex county, N. Y., and there married, reared a family and until death was a farmer.
Ashbill R. Catlin was educated in public schools and Jamestown Academy, and when selecting a life work passed by the family business of farming and chose mercantile life. In 1850, he opened a grocery store in Jamestown on Main street, which he success- fully conducted for about half a century. He was a man of clear mind and sound judgment, a good busi- ness man and citizen. He, like his father, was a Demo- crat in politics, and well liked. He married, Nov. 20, 1851, Ruth A. Southwick, daughter of Alwin South- wick, of the town of Busti, Chautauqua county, N. Y. They were the parents of six children, two of whom died young: the others were: Frank L., of further men- tion: Ada E., married John C. Palmer, an oil well supply dealer of Pittsburgh; John B., who became his
father's business associate; Agnes, married Charles W. Warrington, of Denver, Col.
Frank L. Catlin, eldest son of Ashbill R. and Ruth A. (Southwick) Catlin, was born in Jamestown, N. Y., Oct. 21, 1854, and died in the city of Denver, Col. He was educated in the Jamestown public schools, and began business life as a clerk in his father's grocery store on Main street. Later he engaged in business for himself at the corner of First and Main streets, there continuing until his removal to Denver, Col., where he engaged in business as a wholesale confec- tioner and there was living at the time of his death. He married, Oct. 13, 1875, Addie Julia Carpenter, born in Jamestown, daughter of Col. Elial Foote and Julia A. (Jeffords) Carpenter, and granddaughter of John and Phoebe ( Wood) Jeffords. Her father, Colonel Carpenter, was lieutenant-colonel of the 112th Regi- ment. New York Volunteer Infantry, and was mortally wounded at the battle of Proctor's Creek, May 8, 1864. Colonel Carpenter left three daughters: Belle E., now Mrs. Granden; Franc C., now Mrs. Brightman, and Addie J., now Mrs. Frink; all residents of Jamestown. Frank L. and Addie Julia (Carpenter) Catlin were the parents of an only son, Elial Carpenter, of further mention.
Elial Carpenter Catlin, son of Frank L. and Addie J. (Carpenter) Catlin, was born in Jamestown, May 24, 1878, and is now (1920) a resident and honored busi- ness man of his native city. He was educated in pri- vate schools in Jamestown, Bradford High School, re- ceiving his diploma from the county seat at Smethport, McKean county, Pa., and Jamestown Business College. He was a young man when he entered the employ of the American Railway Express Company as cashier of the Jamestown office, and that responsible position he filled most satisfactorily until 1912, when he was appointed agent at Jamestown to fill the vacancy caused by the death of the former agent, B. R. Hiller. He has now held that position eight years and has satisfied the demands made by the public and earned at the same time the approval of the company officials. Mr. Catlin is a man of pleasing personality and sterling character, and is highly esteemed by his many, many friends. He is a Republican in politics: member of Mt. Moriah Lodge, No. 145. Free and Accepted Masons; Western Sun Chapter, No. 67, Royal Arch Masons; Jamestown Council, No. 32, Royal and Select Masters; James- town Commandery, No. 61, Knights Templar: James- town Lodge of Perfection; Jamestown Council Princes of Jerusalem; Buffalo Consistory, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, and Ismailia Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
Mr. Catlin married, in Jamestown, N. Y., Nov. 7, 1898, Marion I. Phillips, born in Buffalo, N. Y., Oct. 2, 1879, daughter of Alvin and Olive (Howard) Phil- lips. Mrs. Catlin is a member of the Congregational church, Mt. Sinai Chapter, No. 132, Order of Eastern Star; Chautauqua Court, No. 38. Order of Amaranth: and of the Mothers' Club of Public School No. 7, in which she is very active. Mr. and Mrs. Catlin are the parents of a son, Elial Carpenter, Jr., born in James- town, Nov. 28, 1913.
Mrs. Addie Julia (Carpenter) Catlin married (sec- ond) Walter Porter Frink, born at Silver Creek, N. Y.,
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April 21. 1850, son of Albert and Martha ( Penhollow ) Frink, and grandson of Rev. John Frink, a devoted Bap- tist missionary preacher, who was well known in Western New York. Walter Porter Frink for a num- ber of years was with the Erie Railroad at Erie, May- ville, Corseys. N. Y .; later in Milwaukee, Wis., and afterwards returned to Chautauqua county, N. Y., locating in Jamestown, where he served the United States government under Postmaster Charles Wicks. Later he engaged in mercantile business at Lewis Run, Pa .. conducting a general store there for ten years. He then sold out and resumed business in Jamestown, con- tinuing until 1017, when he became connected with the American Railway Express Company in Jamestown, where he still continues. He is a Republican in poli- tics, member of the Baptist church, Mt. Tabor Lodge. Independent Order of Odd Fellows. and Knights of the Maccabces. The Frink home is on East Second street, corner of Phillips street, its site the old William Carpenter home, which has been in the family for more than roo years.
Mrs. Addie J. Frink was educated in Jamestown schools, finishing in high school. For many years she was a devoted member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, and during the ten years that she spent in Lewis Run, in the Pennsylvania oil region, she was very active in securing the erection of the church there in 1010. She became a convert to Spiritualism, and since 1910 has been very active in promoting that faith as medium, lecturer and president of the Spiritual Society of Jamestown. She has read and studied deeply the doctrine and faith, and from her study, her personal experiences, and those of others, she has arrived at a firm belief in Spiritualism, and from that belief derives deep joy and happiness.
REV. JAMES MARY CARRA was born in Quarg- nento. Province of Alexandria. Piedmont, Italy. Feb. II. 1870. He was a son of Dalmatius and Catherine Carra. He received his early education at the elemen- tary schools of Quargnento, the grammar and classical school of Sampierd, Arena, at Genoa, Italy. He then entered the seminary at Alexandria, where he com- fleted a theological course, and in 1895 he graduated from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas d' Aquino, at Genoa. He was ordained, Dec. 17, 1892, at Alex- andria.
Flis first appointment was as assistant priest at Marengo, Alexandria, where he remained from June, 1803, to July 1, 1804. At that time he became chap- lain of the City Hospital of Alexandria, and he served : - haplain there until Oct. 1. igot, a period of seven year and four months of faithful and untiring service. He wie next chaplain at Broni. Province of Pavia, ir m Oct. 1. 1991. to July 1, 1907. Then for a little more than a year he was chaplain of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart at Salero, where he continued until
In Stentor 100%, he came to the United States, where be filled a call +, t'e pastorate at Brant, N. Y., in te dicen of Buffalo, under Bishop Colton. After ser ing ar pa for at Brant for three months, he went " Me farm ] Church at Buffalo, as assistant priest,
and on March 1, 1910, in the same capacity to St. Lucy's Church, of Buffalo, a Catholic church of Ital- ian attendants. On June 8, 1910, he was sent to James- town, N. Y. Here he built St. James' ( Italian) Church. The congregation of the church at that time was ap- proximately two thousand, now the church has an at- tendance of four thousand Italians. Such an increase of membership in itself bespeaks the success of Dr. Carra's pastorate, which was one of faithful and de- voted performance of duties for the benefit of his brother men and parishoners.
During the Great War, Dr. Carra was commissioned first lieutenant chaplain. On Oct. 19, 1918, he went to Hoboken, N. J., where he received orders to leave for France, Nov. 16, 1918, but was detained by the can- cellation of his orders, after which Dr. Carra was assigned to port chaplain officer. While in Hoboken, he called on the wounded at St. Mary's Hospital, of that city, until his transfer to the base hospital at Camp Merritt, N. J. On March 8, 1918, he was assigned to the Italian line transport "America." He made one trip to Italy and France, returned, and was discharged from service, July 1, 1918.
Dr. Carra is a third degree member of the Knights of Columbus, at Jamestown, N. Y., and belongs also to the Holy Name Society and to the Bellini Club of Buffalo, N. Y. In connection with his church, Dr. Carra has a school and convent. Three hundred and twenty-five pupils attend the school, and seven sisters are at the convent there. He has done much to build up the section of his parish through his church. The average number of marriages per ycar is ahout fifty, while the number of baptisms is almost 200. In connec- tion with his church are the following societies: St. Sebastian Society, Holy Name Society, Christopher Columbus Society, the Italo-Americano Mutual Bene- fit Society, and St. James' Club. Besides the many additions and improvements which Dr. Carra has ac- complished in his present diocese, he has to his other material results the Church of Our Lady of Loretto, at Falconer. The congregation in this recently new church averages about 150 Italian families.
GEORGE N. TOMPKINS, for many years a suc- cessful and enterprising merchant at Gerry, Chautau- qua county, N. Y., and a man of prominence in the public affairs of that district, having been town clerk, supervisor and postmaster for many years, is one of the well known citizens of Chautauqua county.
George N. Tompkins is a native of Gerry, born Nov. 8, 1874, the son of Nathaniel and Martha ( Hale) Tomp- kins, well known and respected residents of Gerry, where Nathaniel Tompkins operated a farm until his retirement. As a boy, George N. Tompkins attended the local public schools, and eventually joined his father in farming. Later he operated a creamery and general store in Gerry, success attending his enter- prise, and still later he became prominent in the politi- cal life of Gerry. In politics, he is a member of the Republican party. In the local administration, he has for many years been town clerk, supervisor and post- master. Upon his retirement from the postmastership, Mrs. Tompkins passed the civil service examination
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and succeeded her husband in the office. For a number of years Mr. Tompkins held membership in the local grange. He is also identified with the Masonic order.
On Jan. 24, 1894, Mr. Tompkins married, at Gerry, Blanche Harris, who was born in Ellicott, Chautauqua county, N. Y., May 20, 1874, daughter of Eugene D. and Ophelia (Sears) Harris, and a descendant of an old Chautauqua county family. To Mr. and Mrs. Tompkins has been born one child, Hubert D., July 4, 1898; educated in the district school at Gerry and Jamestown High School; during the World war was in training at Geneva, N. Y., at the Students' Army Training Camps. Mr. and Mrs. Tompkins took active part in many local movements of patriotic purport, and they subscribed unstintedly to the several funds pro- moted to meet the needs of the war, in its many phases. They indefatigably labored for the cause in the phase of the national effort allotted to patriotic men and women for execution, and in cheering the young soldiers of the district upon their departure, in making articles for their comfort and well being while they were away, and in properly welcoming them upon their return home.
CHARLES JOHN ANDERSON obtained his edu- cation and his training in the business that has formed the basis of his signal success in his native Sweden. He came to the United States as a young man of eighteen years, in 1880, and in the time intervening has come to occupy an important place in the business and industrial interests of Western New York.
Charles John Anderson was born in Frodenge, Kal- mer Lan, Sweden, June 21, 1862, son of Eric and Frederica (Jones) Anderson. Eric Anderson came to the United States in 1871, and for a short time stopped at Jamestown, N. Y., soon proceeding to Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where he became a foreman in a coal mine. From Wilkes-Barre he went to Kinzua, Pa., and there was employed as railroad foreman in charge of 175 men. Subsequently, he engaged in farming in Warren county, Pa., and died there at the age of sixty-three years. Upon coming to the United States, Eric Anderson left his family in Sweden. In 1880, his son, Charles J., followed him to this country, locating in Jamestown, N. Y., and the following year he sent for his brother, August L. Two years later, in 1883, the mother and two daughters of the family crossed the Atlantic and joined Eric Anderson on his farm at Sugar Grove, Warren county, Pa.
Charles J. Anderson attended school and learned the shoemaker's trade in Sweden, and for two and one- half years after settling in Jamestown, N. Y., he re- paired, made, and sold shoes in a little shop owned by him. At the end of this time, forming a partnership with C. W. Gripp, he opened a shoe store on East Second street, near the site of his present store. Dur- ing his three years' partnership with Mr. Gripp they moved their business to No. 103 East Second street, one of his present locations, and after purchasing Mr. Gripp's interest he continued to conduct the enterprise alone. Mr. Anderson extended his shoe store interests, at one time owning and operating five stores, including establishments in Jamestown, Falconer and Mayville, N. Y., and Bradford and Warren, Pa. Disposing of
all excepting his Jamestown store, this was his sole connection in this line until 1906, when he purchased another store, No. 223 North Main street. Both of these Jamestown stores are popularly patronized, and the lines carried uphold the reputation for reliability built up through forty years of shoe experience.
In the development of the industrial and the business life of the locality, Mr. Anderson has taken active part, and has acquired holdings in varied lines. He is president of the Elite Furniture Company of James- town, was the 'organizer and now financially interested in the Jamestown Car Parts Company, is a director of the Johanson & Hultberg Tool Company of War- ren, of the United Oil & Gas Company, of War- ren, Pa., and the Jamestown Metal Desk Company. Mr. Anderson also conducts a steamship ticket agency in Jamestown, representing several trans-Atlantic lines, including the Swedish-American, Scandinavian- American, Norwegian-American, White Star, Cunard, Anchor and International Mercantile Marine companies. He is a member of the New York State Shoe Dealers' Association, and once was a director in that organiza- tion. Mr. Anderson is a Republican in political faith, and for several terms filled the post of supervisor. His fraternal organizations are the Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks, Loyal Order of Moose, the Knights of Pythias, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His club is the Norden of Jamestown. He has long been a devoted member of the First Swedish Lutheran Church of Jamestown, and for twelve years served the congregation as trustee.
Charles John Anderson married, April 8, 1886, Louise Lawson, of Busti, N. Y., daughter of John Lawson. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are the parents of a daughter, Mabel A.
Mr. Anderson has made for himself a responsible position in the business life of Jamestown. His repu- tation for uprightness and dependability has been earned through years of earnest effort and strict ad- herence to customs of fair dealing. His many connec- tions require a large share of his time, but when oppor . tunity offers he enjoys out-of-door recreation, particu- larly fishing. There are few departments of the life of his city to which he has not contributed something of influence and of helpfulness.
COLUMBUS C. HAZARD-The town of Ellery, Chautauqua county, N. Y., was Mr. Hazard's birth- place and here he has spent his long and useful life. He is one of Ellery's prosperons and contented farm- ers, a man who has borne his share of community responsibility and faithfully performed every trust re- posed in him. He is a son of Caleb and Hannah (Newbury) Hazard, and grandson of Sylvester and Anna Hazard. Sylvester Hazard, the pioneer in Chau- tanqua county, was a farmer in Delaware county, and he and his wife came here with some of their children, others being born in Chautauqua county. Their children were: Caleb, Mary, Lucy, David, Arnold, Aldrich, Phoebe, Henry, Mercy, Robertson, Betsey, William. Caleb Hazard, the eldest son and father of Columbus C. Hazard, was born in 1807, and came with his parents to Chautauqua county in 1818. He
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was a carpenter and joiner in early life, but later be- came a farmer. He was prominent in local affairs, and at one time served his town as highway commissioner. Caleb Hazard and his wife were the parents of the following children: Laura A., Algernon D., Columbus C. and Americus D.
Columbus C. Hazard was born in the town of Ellery, Chautauqua county, N. Y., June 17, 1850. He attended the district school in his youth and grew to manhood on the home farm. When the time came to choose his own occupation he continued in the same line, and his business life has been mainly spent in farming. In politics a Republican, Mr. Hazard served as highway commissioner for one term of two years, and for about twelve years has been assessor for the town of Ellery, his term not expiring until 1923. This endorsement of his fairness and good judgment coming from his neigh- bors and friends of a lifetime is a splendid testimonial. The only limit to his tenure of office will be his physical ability to perform the duties pertaining thereto, so well has he performed these duties in the past. Early in its history, Mr. Hazard became a member of Ellery Grange, No. 353. Patrons of Husbandry, and has for many years been one of its leading members. He has filled all the chairs. including that of master, holding that office for three years. For about fourteen years he has been a director of the Patrons Fire Relief As- sociation and is still serving in that capacity. He is also a past worthy grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and affiliates with the Chautauqua County Branch of the New York State Farm Bureau.
Mr. Hazard married, Sept. 10, 1877, Eliza Rathbun, born March 8, 1859, near Willoughby, Ohio; died Feb. 3, 1920, in Ellery: daughter of John B. and Asenath Rathbun. Mr. and Mrs. Hazard are the parents of four children : 1. Ivah C., born April 13, 1880; married Elton Mans, of Ellery; children : Harold, Jessie and Izora. 2. Bessie Belle, born Oct. 14, 1883, died at the age of eight and one-half years. 3. C. Mabel, born Aug. 9, 1885: married Henry Wilson, of Ellery; chil- dren: Mildred and Flossy. 4. Cassius C., born April 29. 1895; he enlisted in the United States army, Nov. 4. 1917, and was assigned to the mechanical repair de- partment: he was sent overseas with the American Expeditionary Forces, and most of his service abroad was with the American postoffice at Nevers, France; he was honorably discharged in March, 1919, and re- t'irned to his home: he married Ruby Brown, of Falconer.
THOMAS ROBERT WRIGHT, who was for a great many years one of the popular and influential farmers di Mayville, N. Y., and whose death at this I lace wa felt a a severe loss to the entire community, was a on of Robert Wright, who was born in Grant- ham, Lincolnshire, lengland, Nov. 23, 1835. Robert Wright resided at his native birthplace until the death oi h', mother and then went to live with his aunt in London, remaining there for a period of two years. He later went to Antwerp, Belgium, and from there migrated to thi country with his father in 1853, com- ing at once to Spring Brook, Erie county. Ilere they remained for about six years and in 1859 moved to Westfield. Robert Wright married, Sept 6, 1866,
Mahala Sarah Dibble, and of this marriage one child was born, Thomas Robert Wright, with whose career we are here especially concerned. Robert Wright's death occurred at his home in Portland, Feb. 15, 1910.
Thomas Robert Wright, son of Robert and Mahala Sarah (Dibble) Wright, was born at Westfield, April 27, 1869, and resided in this vicinity for practically his entire life. For his education he attended the West- field Union School and Academy and then engaged in the occupation of farming with' his father, which they both carried on successfully, their farm being one of the finest in the region, both having cultivated it to perfection, making it second to none in the region. At the death of the elder man, Mr. Wright became the sole possessor of the old homestead and continued his operations.
Mr. Wright married, Dec. 30, 1903, Emma I. Meade, who survives him with their three children: Josephine C., John Robert, and James Thomas. An extract from the local press, given below, and written at the time of Mr. Wright's death by George S. Kent, an intimate friend of Mr. Wright's, well shows the character of the man and the esteem in which he was held through- out the entire region.
Born of a hardy and worthy ancestry that has helped develop this section of Chautauqua county and given to us several generations that represent our best type of character and citizenship. As a lifelong friend and neighbor I can truthfully say that his life represents the fulfillment of good purposes and principles, abso- lute fairness in his business relations with all, and a thoughtful kindness of purpose and action that en- deared him to his neighbors, friends, and all who knew him in the everyday walks of life. With a quiet, unassuming manner, he met the duties and hardships of life with a devotion, energy and perseverence that knew no failure. Circumstances from his youth up threw unusual responsibilities upon him and he met them bravely and uncomplainingly. He was unaggres- sive in his nature, yet firm in his convictions of right or wrong. His creed seemed to he as well represented by the Golden Rule and its fulfillment as the best of us succeed in approximating in this life. As a friend from his childhood I knew of no word of his that ever left a sting or an unpleasant memory. Kindness and consideration were preeminently a part of his nature. It seems sad, indeed, that so worthy a life should be cut off at the zenith of its usefulness. * * * His love and care for his mother, who survives him, and who lived with him, showed the true nobility of his nature, and is a worthier monument to his memory than sor- rowing words can here express.
MRS. VIOLA T. (HUNTINGTON) SPRAGUE, a well known resident of Ellington, Chautauqua county, N. Y., where she is now residing, was born at Ran- dolph, N. Y., Feb. 3, 1851, a daughter of Wesley and Nancy (Stephenson) Huntington, old and highly re- spected residents of that place. Mrs. Sprague as a child attended the local public schools of Randolph, where she established a fine record as a student. Alter completing her studies, she opened a dressmaking es- tablishment in that place, in which enterprise she met with a notable degree of success, and which she fol- lowed for several years, her customers numbering many from among the wealthy residents of the town. About the year 1876 she removed to Ellington and has become one of the well known women of this town. She is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, the Literary Society, the Methodist Aid Society, and is also a member of the Methodist church in Ellington. She was united in marriage, Oct. 12, 1876, at Elling-
J. a. Echuan . -
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ton, with Titus Spragne, a prominent agriculturist of Ellington, a son of Josiah and Elizabeth (Miles) Sprague, of Ellington. Mr. Sprague married (first) Melissa Brown, and by this marriage there were three children: Charles and Edna, died young; and Elva, born March 15, 1870, became the wife of Lee Dixon, a woolen manufacturer of Philadelphia. Children of Mr. Sprague by his second marriage: Archie, born Nov. 6, 1877, now connected with the engineering de- partment of the Brooks Locomotive Company of Philadelphia; Arlie, born Feb. 4, 1882, died Jan. 13, 1920, who was the wife of Herbert Gates, a well known farmer of Ellington; Harry, born July 31, 1885, now superintendent of public schools at Summit, N. J.
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