History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume III, Part 52

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 52

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JOHN A. ECKMAN, president of the Jamestown Metal Desk Company, Inc., is a man of enterprise and ability, quick to see and grasp business opportunities, practical and progressive in his methods, conscientious in the performance of business transactions, hence the success he has achieved, ranking among the reliable and successful business men of Jamestown, and among the many self-made men of Chautanqua county.

John A. Eckman was born in Sweden, April 2, 1868, son of Nels P. and Sophia (Johnson) Eckman, the latter now deceased, who emigrated to this country when their sons, John A. and Charles L., were very young. The family settled in Titusville, Pa., where the father obtained employment in the refinery department of the Standard Oil Company, being made foreman, a position he retained for twenty-five years. He was a most skillful workman, and the company had such con- fidence in his ability that they sent him to Buffalo to assist in the construction of a refinery there in 1882. His knowledge of the subject covered all necessary points and made him a valuable man to the company. In later years when his son, John A., had become a successful business man, he left the Standard Oil people and be- came the engineer at the furniture factory of his sons.

John A. Eckman received his education at the grammar and high schools in Titusville, and began his business career by securing employment in the refinery depart- ment of the Standard Oil Company in Titusville. He remained with them for three years, having charge of a number of men who did rebuilding at one of their re- fineries. His next employment was in a furniture factory in the same city, where he gained a practical knowledge of all the details of manufacture, this being of great benefit to him in his subsequent carcer. In 1900, Mr. Eckman and his brother, Charles L. Eckman, bought out the furniture factory of Breed & Johnson, the oldest furniture building concern in Jamestown, which they have conducted successfully for many years under the firm name of The Eckman Furniture Com- pany. Early in 1920, John A. Eckman, realizing that metal was rapidly taking the place of wood in the man- ufacture of commercial furniture, concluded to devote his attention to the manufacture of metal office furni- ture, so he, with others, organized the Jamestown Metal Desk Company, Inc., of which he has since served in the capacity of president.

In addition to the extensive business interest men- tioned above, Mr. Eckman is the possessor of a natural talent for music, which would have asserted itself even

if he had not had the advantages of studying under the best masters in the country. In order to gratify the wish of his mother, who was a lover of good music, John A. Eckman devoted considerable time to the study of it, entering the Conservatory of Music at Rock Island, I11., where he took up the study of harmony, the theory and history of music, the mastery of both organ and piano playing, and also studying vocal music, re- maining at the conservatory for two years. He then accepted a position as organist of the First Lutheran Church of Jamestown, and gave private lessons in organ and piano playing for nineteen years, also making a specialty of pipe organ and voice culture. For five years he made periodic trips to Chicago, Il1., to perfect himself in all branches of his art at the Chicago Musical Col- lege. In 1904, Mr. Eckman established the Eckman Music Store, and as the business immediately became a success, it occupied more and more of Mr. Eckman's time, so he gradually gave up teaching and devoted him- self exclusively to the upbuilding of the largest music and supply house between Pittsburgh and Buffalo. Since becoming interested in the Jamestown Metal Desk Com- pany, he has disposed of his musical supply business, thus giving all his time to the former.

The following is an extract from an article on the Swedish people of Jamestown, N. Y .:

One would be at fault not to mention John A. Eck- man in this connection. From the year when he located here (1890) and became organist and choir- master in the First Lutheran Church, he has con- tributed in an eminent degree to the high class and excellence of music rendered in Jamestown. Besides what he did ex-officio in the church, he started in with organizing and directing the Chautauqua Maen- nerchor, which for some years appeared with suc- cess on many public occasions. Large choruses or choral unions sought him out as a leader. His most pretentious achievement along these lines was. maybe, the cantata which he composed in 1901, and brought out at the dedication of the grand organ of the First Lutheran Church.

The Orpheus and the Aeolian quartetts were under his leadership about that time. Under his direction the Swedish Glee Club made so great a progress that they, in 1899, dared to invite the American Union of Swedish Singers to hold their national conclave here two years later. At that event John A. Eckman was leader of the united local singers.

Mr. Eckman is president of the Eckman Furniture Company and director of the Liberty National Bank, member of the Chamber of Commerce of Jamestown, of the Order of Eagles, and of the Norden Club, of which he was secretary for the first four years after its organization. Mr. Eckman is not actively interested in politics, but votes the Republican ticket. He is a mem- ber of Holy Trinity English Lutheran Church, as is also his wife, and he is serving as a member of the council of the church.

In Frankfort, Mich., Oct. 30, 1906, John A. Eckman married Edvena Johnston, a resident of Frankfort, daughter of Nels A. and Sophia ( Peterson) Johnston.

CLAYBURN JAMES CULVER, well known mer- chant of Ellery, Chautauqua county, N. Y., and one of the youngest business men in the county, is a member of a family well known in the life of the community, and a son of James and Grace (Hayes) Culver, the former for many years engaged in business at Ellery.

Clayburn James Culver was born in Ellery, April 6, 1892, and as a lad attended the public schools of his

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native place, gaining there an excellent general educa- tion. He also attended the Jamestown High School and Jamestown Business College. When a mere youth he be- gan to show the sense of practical affairs that has since characterized his career, and it was shortly after com- pleting his studies that he entered the business world by the opening of a mercantile establishment at Ellery. From the outset his venture prospered, and he is now the pro- prietor of a very successful general store, which enjoys a large patronage in the surrounding communities. He has made it his policy since beginning his business to exhibit the strictest integrity in all his dealings and to provide his patrons with the best possible service and the highest grade of goods on the market. His reputa- tion has grown constantly in consequence, and he now enjoys the complete trust and confidence of the com- munity-at-large. In politics, he is a Democrat, and in 19181919 he was town clerk in Ellery. He is a notary pub- lic, and he has the confidence of his townspeople in the arrangements of many important legal matters requiring a seal. During the World War he served on all the committees for the Liberty Loans, Red Cross and United War Work Service. He is also prominent in social and fraternal circles at Ellery, and is a member of Sylvan Lodge, No. 303, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and Bemus Point Lodge, No. 585, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In his religious belief Mr. Culver is a Bap- tist, and he and the members of his family attend the Ellery church of that denomination.

Clayburn James Culver was united in marriage, April 28, 1914, at Mayville, N. Y., with Doris M. Benson, a native of Jamestown, N. Y., born Aug. 27, 1894, a daugh- ter of Junius H. and Mary A. (O'Brian) Benson, the former a town clerk of Ellery for twelve years. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Culver, as fol- lows : Dorothy Grace, born May 23, 1916, and Catherine Lucille, born May 4, 1918. Mrs. Culver is prominent in local affairs in Ellery and is serving as town clerk, being elected to this position and taking office Jan. 1, 1920. Previous to this she was deputy town clerk for several years. She is a member of Sunset Rebekah Lodge at Bemus Point, and Mecca Chapter of the Eastern Star at Jamestown.

JAMES HUNT PRENDERGAST-There is no name so prominently connected with the city of James- town, Chautauqua county, N. Y., as that of Prendergast, for it was from James Prendergast, the founder alike of this flourishing community and of the well known family in the region, that it derives its appellation.

(f) The immigrant ancestor of the Prendergasts in America was William Prendergast, a native of Ireland, born in the town of Waterford, Feb. 2, 1737, and who came to this country as a young man and, after many wanderings in New York State and other parts of the colonies, eventually settled in the town of Chautauqua, where his death occurred, Feb. 14, 1811. He was a son of Thomas and Mary Prendergast, highly respected citi- zens of Waterford, of which place they were lifelong residents, and displayed in his own person the strong and hardy virtues so characteristic of the race from which he came. Upon coming to America, William Prendergast settled at Pawling, Dutchess county, N. Y., where he was engaged in the occupation of farming for

many years. He continued to reside at Pawling until he had attained an advanced age, when he determined once more to renew his travels and seek a new home in the great western wilderness, then so little known to any but the most hardy pioneers. The courage and hardihood of this old gentleman, then considerably past the span of three score years and ten allotted to human life, in thus venturing forth into the inhospitable wilds, was remarkable enough, but even more so is the fact that he not only successfully accomplished his quest but took with him his entire family, save a few members, and himself led the expedition in its wanderings which extended through a number of weary years. The party consisted, besides its extraordinary leader, of his four sons, five daughters, several sons-in-law, numerous grandchildren, and a slave, Tom, and their intended des- tination was the State of Tennessee. There were twenty-nine persons in all and they traveled in canvas wagons, some of which required four horses to draw them. Through New York and Pennsylvania they made their slow and difficult way until they arrived at Wheel- ing, W. Va., where they embarked upon flat bottomed boats on the Ohio river and followed that stream to Louisville. Here they landed and proceeded once more through the forest to a point near Nashville, where it was their intention to locate. What befell them there gives point to the amazing courage and strength of mind of the entire party, but especially of their leader. Weary with long travel, hoping confidently for rest at this, their intended destination, they nevertheless found conditions so bad that a permanent settlement was not to be thought of. Instead of weakly despairing and submitting to fate, these true pioneers did not even make a temporary residence, but once more embarked upon their wanderings, turning their faces to the North again, but this time towards the unsettled regions tying about the eastern end of the Great Lakes. Through Kentucky, Ohio, and Pennsylvania they went, until late in the autumn of 1805 they reached the little set- tlement of Erie. Here the women and younger mem- bers of the family were placed for the winter, while William Prendergast and his sons went on to Canada, still seeking for a satisfactory site for a home. The winter of 1805-06 was spent in that country, but the following spring they returned to the United States and eventually settled in the township of Chautauqua, Chautauqua county, N. Y., where William Prendergast and his sons purchased land on the shores of Lake Chautauqua in the vicinity of Mayville and the famous Chautauqua Assembly grounds. The holdings of the various members of the family amounted in all to about 3,500 acres, and the family became established there as one of the most prominent and wealthy in the district.

William Prendergast married Mehitable Wing, born March 20, 1738, died Sept. 4, 1812, daughter of Jedediah and Elizabeth Wing, of Beckman, N. Y., and they were the parents of the following children: Matthew, men- tioned below; Thomas, born Sept. 15, 1758, died June 3, 1842; Mary, married William Bemus, of Ellery, Chautauqua county, N. Y .; Elizabeth, died unmarried, Ang. 20, 1824; James, mentioned below; Dr. Jedediah, born May 13, 1766; married Penelope Chase: Martin, born April 22, 1760, married Martha Hunt; John Jef- frey; Susanna, married Oliver Whiteside; Eleanor,

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died aged thirteen years; Martha, died unmarried, Dec. 9, 1849, aged seventy-four years; William, a major in the War of 1812; Minerva, married Elisha Marvin.

(II) The founding of the city of Jamestown was the result of a chance expedition of James Prendergast, one of the sons of William Prendergast, and it was from his given name that that of Jamestown was taken. Shortly after the family had settled on the shores of Lake Chautauqua, a number of their horses wandered away into the forest and could not be found. It was a great loss to the pioneers, and James was directed by his father to seek them. It is difficult to-day to imagine how great a task was involved in this apparently sim- ple order, or the courage required for a young man to venture out alone into the wilderness. The youth, how- ever, never thought of questioning the matter, and was soon of his way after the runaways. He first bent his steps to the South, continuing until he reached an Indian encampment on the outlet of the lake, where he was im- mensely impressed with the possibilities of the region which was covered with one of the most magnificent growths of pine timber in the country. Fortunately, from long wandering in the wilderness, he had grown familiar with the savages and their ways and quickly won the friendship and trust of the members of this especial village, who not only cast no obstacles in his way, but aided him to find his strayed horses. With the Indians he traveled through the valleys of the Conewango and Kiantone, where the Indians had planted their corn for centuries, and gained some idea of the extent of the splendid pine forests. He was successful in his quest for the horses, but had inci- dentally found something much more valuable than them, which was to make his fortune later on. Indeed, he realized the possibilities even at that time and con- ceived the idea of founding a settlement. Some time afterward he secured, in association with his brother, whom he had persuaded to join him, 1,000 acres of land and this became the site of Jamestown, Mr. Prender- gast locating there in the early autumn of 1809, in com- pany with an employee, one John Blowers. The War of 1812 followed shortly after with its threat of inva- sion from Canada, and the early life of the little town was decidedly precarious, but the efforts of James Pren- dergast, who would not be discouraged, finally won over all the difficulties and the flourishing community was established.

(II) Returning to the direct line of descent to James Hunt Prendergast, we come to Matthew Prendergast, eldest child of William and Mehitable (Wing) Pren- dergast, who was born Aug. 5, 1756, at the town of Pawling, Dutchess county, N. Y. He did not take part in the wanderings of the family, which eventually located them in Chautauqua county. He remained in- stead in Eastern New York and resided in Washington county until well advanced in years. He then rejoined his relatives, coming directly to the town of Chautau- qua, where his death occurred, Feb. 24, 1838. His com- ing to Chautauqua took place in 1807, and he was the first supervisor of Chautauqua county after it was fully organized in the year 1811. He was appointed justice of the peace in 1808, serving in that office for many years, and was also associate judge of the county. He died at his pioneer home at Chautauqua at the age

of eighty-three, after a long and useful life. He mar- ried (first) in Eastern New York, Abigail Aikin, and (second) Anna Hunt. He and his first wife were the parents of two children, both of whom were born in Washington county and accompanied him to the West: Lillian, who became the wife of Jared Irwin; Dr. Wil- liam, mentioned below. By his second wife he also had two children, James and Arthur.

(III) Dr. William (2) Prendergast, only son of Judge Matthew and Abigail (Aikin) Prendergast, was born Feb. 28, 1791, at Pawling, Dutchess county, N. Y., and when sixteen years of age came with his father to Chautauqua county, where his death occurred March II, 1857. He studied medicine as a lad, and when still very young served as a surgeon in the War of 1812- 1815. Later he practiced the medical profession at Mayville, N. Y., and was for many years a well known practitioner and highly respected citizen. His uncle, Dr. Jedediah Prendergast, settled at Mayville, in 1811, where he practiced medicine, and Dr. William Pren- dergast was his successor. Toward the latter end of his life he retired from practice and spent the remainder of his days on his farm in Chautauqua township. He owned at the time of his death about 1,000 acres of farm land. He was a Whig in politics, and a member of the Episcopal church. He married, in 1815, Elizabeth Prendergast, a daughter of Martin Prendergast, and they were the parents of one child, Martin, mentioned below.

(IV) Martin Prendergast, only child of Dr. William (2) and Elizabeth (Prendergast) Prendergast, was born at Mayville, Chautauqua county, N. Y. For many years he was a clerk, but later, inheriting the old home- stead, he spent there the reminder of his life in farming. He was well known in his town, and for fifteen years acted as supervisor. He was a Republican in politics, and a man of high character. He married Phoebe Holmes, born March 3, 1823, died Jan. 3, 1899, a daugh- ter of Seth W. Holmes, of Oneida county, N. Y., who emigrated to Erie county, N. Y., and settled near Buf- falo. He spent some years in California, where he was a successful speculator, and later came to Mayville, N. Y., where most of his after life was spent. He was prominent in Chautauqua county, and held the post of sheriff thereof prior to 1849. His wife was Sarah (Stone) Holmes. To Martin and Phoebe (Holmes) Prendergast five children were born, as follows: Mar- tha, born Aug. 26, 1842, married, Jan. 20, 1869, William M. Whallon, to whom she bore one child; John H., mentioned below; William, born May 13, 1848, died April 21, 1852; Helen, born June 4, 1850, died unmar- ried, May 2, 1911 ; Dr. William, born March 20, 1854, graduated with the degree of M. D. from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1883, and located at Mayville, where he is the third Dr. Prendergast to practice successfully here.

(V) John H. Prendergast, eldest son of Martin and Phoebe ( Holmes) Prendergast, was born in the town of Chautauqua, N. Y., Nov. 5, 1844. He received his edu- cation at the Mayville schools, and followed agriculture as a means of livelihood. He owned a farm at Chau- tauqua, whereon he resided, although he is now retired from active life, and lives at Westfield, N. Y. He is a Republican in politics. He married, Feb. 23, 1876, An-

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toinette Hunt, born May 13, 1841, died Sept. 5, 1913, a daughter of James M. and Rhoda Ann (Hewes) Hunt, and they became the parents of one child, James Hunt, mentioned below.

(VI) James Hunt Prendergast, a prominent attorney of Westfield, Chautauqua county, N. Y., and a con- spicuous figure in the commercial and industrial life of the region, is the only child of John H. and Antoinette (Hunt) Prendergast, and was born at Chautauqua, N. Y., Jan. 2, 1878. As a lad he attended the Union School at Mayville and proved himself an apt and intel- ligent pupil, graduating therefrom in June, 1896, with honors. The following autumn he entered the Hawley Preparatory School at Buffalo, from which he was graduated two years later, after being prepared for col- lege. He had become interested in the profession of law and decided to make it his career in life, with which intention he matriculated at the Law School of Cornell University. Here he continued his fine record as a student and was graduated with the degree of LL. B. in 1902. In June, 1902, he was admitted to the bar, and about a month later came to Westfield, where he has ever since practiced. At Westfield he formed a part- nership with Gerald G. Gibbs, of Sherman, N. Y., and continued to practice law with him until 1904, when the partnership was dissolved. For a time thereafter he practiced by himself and then formed an association with James Robinson Douglas, engaging in law and general insurance business. This he continued for a short time, and later he practiced his profession alone. Besides his large law practice, he has other large inter- ests. In November, 1912, Mr. Prendergast, with others, bought the charter of the Buffalo Cooperative Live Stock Insurance Company and changed its name to the Chautauqua County Cooperative Live Stock Insurance Company, being elected president, and Edward N. Skin- ner, secretary and treasurer. The board of directors of this prosperous concern include Messrs. Prendergast, Skinner, and W. T. Nicol, of Westfield; Perry A. Wolf, of Ripley; and E. J. Bailey, of Brocton. Mr. Prendergast has engaged largely in industrial enter- prises, and is connected with a number of important concerns of this character in this county. In associa- tion with Henry A. Monroe, he manufactures on a very large scale cement bricks, blocks and tiles. They in- vented a brick making machine which is one of the best on the market. With John H. Kolpien, he formed the Westfield Manufacturing Company, and is now engaged successfully in manufacturing road grading machines. His enterprises to-day form an important i:ctor in the business life of the community, and Mr. Prendergast is justly regarded as one of Westfield's most substantial citizens. Among other connections he was rine of the directors of the State Bank of Mayville. Mr. Prendergast has always been a staunch supporter mit " principes of the Republican party. He has held a number of offices in the community, and since 1904 ha been a member of the town board. In 1905, he was ele. tel ; vice of the peace and has continued to hold that offi e up to the present time. Ife was a member of the County Committee from 1910 to 1918, secretary from 1913 10 1915, and its chairman from 1915 to 1917. He i' a prominent member of the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of lilks, and a past exalted ruler of Dun-

kirk Lodge, No. 922. In addition to his business inter- ests, Mr. Prendergast is the owner of several valuable farms in the vicinity, including the old homestead at Chautauqua, consisting of 125 acres and a fine fruit farm at Westfield.

James Hunt Prendergast was united in marriage, June 17, 1908, at Westfield, with Clara S. Fay, a native of this place, a daughter of John R. and Emma J. (Neill) Fay, old and highly respected residents here. To Mr. and Mrs. Prendergast one child was born, James John, May 22, 1912.

ARTHUR BOORMAN OTTAWAY-Eminent in his profession, sterling in his citizenship, and upright in character, Arthur B. Ottaway, of Westfield, and judge of Chautauqua county, is perhaps the county's best known son. Since 1879 he has been associated with the courts of the county as practitioner, district attorney, and judge, and whenever a candidate for the suffrages of the citizens of the county he has never been denied. Judge Ottaway is a son of John E. and Sarah (Boor- man) Ottaway, and a grandson of James and Arabella Ottaway.

For generations the Ottaway family lived in Kent county, England. Prior to 1823, James Ottaway had operated a mill at Headcorn, England, but being de- sirons of bettering his condition, he joined the tide of emigration to America in 1823, six weeks being con- sumed in the voyage across the Atlantic. At New York he boarded a sloop for Newburgh, N. Y., where he purchased a team and wagon and journeyed with his wife and children across the State of New York, finally reaching Buffalo, then a village of a few hundred in- habitants. Here he left his family and sought for land about Buffalo and along the Canadian frontier. Failing to find what he desired, he journeyed to Chautauqua county over the Buffalo & Erie Road to Westfield, from Westfield to Mayville, and from Mayville over the Waterford road to Mina. In a trackless forest he found nettles growing. Farmers visiting his mill in England had told him that this was an indication of a fertile soil and here he resolved to locate. He purchased a portion of lot 13, built a log cabin and commenced life in the wilderness. Like all other portions of the town his tract was heavily timbered, and his home was literally hewed from the forest. His was the first deed of lands in the castern part of the town of Mina. He was the first of many Englishmen that came into that section, and his house was the rendezvous of those that followed. His latch string was always out, and many of his countrymen partook of his hospitality until log houses could he erected upon chosen sites.

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History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume III, Part 52

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