History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume III, Part 55

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 55

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When the first railroad was built to Newark, N. J., Mr. Opdyke purchased twenty acres of land on the heights overlooking Newark and New York bays. There he made many improvements in the way of building and general development during the fifteen years that he there maintained his residence. He de- veloped wonderful discrimination, circumspection and judgment as a business man, had a seemingly inexhaust- ible command of resources and expedients in bending forces and mediums of details to his will, developed splendid executive and administrative talent, and by pre- cept and example he encouraged and aided the young men who came within the sphere of his benignant influ- ence. Ile found diversion and mental uplift and ex- pansion through his well directed reading and study, which touched and brought familiarity with the best in literature, including history, logic, philosophy and scientific subjects. He became a really scholarly man of high attainments and broad intellectual ken, and was distinctively a man of thought and action, as shown by the fact that men of learning sought his company and found profit in the same. In 1851, he

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wrote and published a most valuable work on political economy, and the same found distinctive favor among the most profound students on the subject, even in- cluding John Stuart Mill. The work was, however, in advance of the times and thus it did not meet with the general popular reception which was its due. In this volume Mr. Opdyke discussed the theory of wages, the value of land and other questions, and advocated many theories that today are accepted doctrines, among them being that of inconvertible paper money, in connection with which subject he described and recommended the currency system now in vogue in the United States. In the same work he discussed the question of slavery, and gave a logical argument on free trade, as close and strong as any demonstration in Euclid.

In 1854, Mr. Opdyke returned with his family to New York City, where he became president of one of the largest banks and a director in several important in- surance companies. He was a member of the New York Chamber of Commerce from 1858 to 1880, and was its president from 1867 to 1875. He was a staunch Democrat, was opposed to the extension of slavery in the climacteric period leading up to the Civil War, and his initial prominence in politics came in 1848, when he was a delegate from New Jersey to the national con- vention of the Free Soil party, at Buffalo. In this con- vention he served with Hon. Salmon P. Chase on the committee on resolutions, and to strengthen the party cause in New Jersey, he consented to became its can- didate for Congress. In 1856, he supported Gen. John C. Fremont, the Republican candidate for the presi- dency, and in the same year he was defeated as a can- didate for representative of the Murray Hill district in the New York Legislature, though two years later he was elected to the Legislature from this same district, his service in the Legislature embodying a strenuous opposition to the schemes of plunder which a certain contingent was attempting to force through the legisla- tive body. In 1859, he was the Republican candidate for mayor of New York City, but was defeated by his Democratic opponent, Fernando Wood.

In 1860, Mr. Opdyke was a delegate to the Repub- lican National Convention, in the city of Chicago, where he did most effective service in furthering the nomina- tion of Abraham Lincoln for the presidency. David Dudley Field and Mr. Opdyke cooperated with Horace Greeley to defeat the nomination of Seward, and effected the formation of the combination that named Lincoln as the party's candidate. Mr. Opdyke gave $20,000 to the carrying forward of the Lincoln campaign, and after election President Lincoln tendered him appointment as collector of the port of New York City, a position which he felt constrained to decline. The first public action taken by the New York Chamber of Commerce in support of the government at the inception of the Civil War was the adoption of a resolution that was offered by Mr. Opdyke, April 19, 1861, and he personally contributed liberally of time and money to further the cause of the Union during the dark period of the war.

In 1861, Mr. Opdyke was elected mayor of the City of New York, and his administration continued until the close of the fiscal year of 1863. He was active in the raising of troops and sending them to the front, and it was during his term as mayor that the historic

draft riots occurred in the national metropolis. Mayor Opdyke had protested to Secretary Stanton against re- moving every regiment of the State Militia from New York City, but in vain. He was advised by friends to leave the city until the excitement, involving personal peril to the mayor, should subside, but he refused to leave his post of duty, and to meet the grave dangers incidental to the draft riots he called to his aid the heads of the police and militia departments, the governor of the State, General Wood, with his few soldiers in the harbor, and the marines in the navy yard. Through such cooperation the mayor was enabled to present a bold front during the three days of terror, the streets of the city having been as silent as though struck by plague save for the time when the mob raged, plun- dered, burned and murdered. The mayor's factory at Second avenue and Twenty-first street was destroyed by fire through the work of the mob, and his home at No. 79 Ffith avenue was twice attacked, Mrs. Opdyke having escaped through a neighboring house to a car- riage, in which George Opdyke awaited her, which was driven through a howling mob and at great peril to the affrighted occupants. Three days after Mayor Opdyke had wired Secretary Stanton for troops, three regi- ments arrived in the city, and the next day four other regiments appeared on the scene, so that order was re- stored without further trouble of a serious nature. The mayor labored twenty hours each day during the four days that the riot was in progress, directing and advis- ing the movements of troops after they had arrived on the scene, and in general assumed all responsibility. At the height of the riot, to appease the mob, the Board of Aldermen voted an appropriation of $2,500,000 for the relief of those who had been drafted. As mayor Mr. Opdyke refused to approve this ordinance on the part of the Council, and declared that the rioters should be conquered, not conciliated.

In 1867-68, Mr. Opdyke was a delegate to the conven- tion that effected a revision of the constitution of the State of New York, and in this connection he found most congenial work. He rendered valuable service, especially in connection with articles pertaining to canals, public schools and government of cities. In 1867, he retired from the drygoods business and, in company with his sons, engaged in the banking business. This firm advanced funds for the building of more than one thousand miles of railroad in different parts of the country. Most of the banks which took such a course became insolvent in the panic of 1873, and a New York morning paper announced the failure of George Opdyke & Sons, this statement having caused a run on the Op- dyke bank, which paid $500,000 in one day and thus weathered the storm. Mr. Opdyke and his sons made large financial sacrifice to sustain the railroads whose bonds had been sold to the public through them, and thus Mr. Opdyke kept his business honor and reputation unsullied, by bringing the railroad bonds back to par and thus avoiding loss to the bondholders. His strength was as the number of his days, and his integrity was an impregnable bulwark, the steadfast honor that de- noted the man as a man among men. During the last few years of his life Mr. Opdyke, honored by all who knew him, lived virtually retired, but he continued to make frequent contributions to the press on questions

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of public import. His religious faith was in harmony with the tenets of the Unitarian church, but he attended and gave liberal support to the Dutch Reformed church, of which his wife was an earnest member, and of him it has well been said that "he was tolerant of all things by intolerance."

On Sept. 26, 1829, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Opdyke to Elizabeth H. Strycker, and they became the parents of six children. Mr. Opdyke died June 12, 1880, survived by his wife.

George Francis Opdyke, son of George and Elizabeth H. (Strycker) Opdyke, was born at Clinton place, Newark, N. J., March 22, 1840, and as before stated, he was a resident of Jamestown, Chautauqua county, N. Y., at the time of his death. He attended the schools of his native city until he was fourteen years of age, when the family removed to New York City, where he com- pleted his studies. At the age of seventeen years, he be- came associated with the drygoods business conducted by his father, and in 1869 he became a member of the banking house of George Opdyke & Sons, with which he continued to be associated until 1880. In 1881, he estab- lished the banking firm of Opdyke & Company, and he continued as its able and honored executive head until 1885, when he retired from active business. He gained reputation as a banker of broad capacity, due conserva- tism and great circumspection, so that in the commercial and general business world his name became synony- mous of security and inviolable fairness, honor and in- tegrity. He was one of the representative bankers of the great national metropolis, and in his active career had to do with financial and industrial affairs of the broadest scope and importance.

In 1881, Mr. Opdyke removed with his family to the beautiful little city of Plainfield, Union county, N. J., where he continued his residence until 1909, when, for the purpose of seeking a place that might tend to im- prove his much impaired health, he removed to James- town, N. Y., where he passed the remainder of his life, a gracious, kindly and noble gentleman, a profound student and scholar, and a loyal citizen who commanded the high regard of all who knew him. In harmony with his earnest convictions, he allied himself with the Pro- hibition party, and he was specially active in the sup- port of its cause. He was a zealous member of the Baptist church, as is also his widow, who was his devoted companion in the exemplifying of the higher ideals of life and who has taken a deep interest in civic affairs and in church and benevolent work, though she has had no predilection for the activities of the general world of society. She is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution at Hudson, N. Y.

In New York City, March 1, 1881, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Opdyke to Ida Reed, who was born and reared in that city, and who is a daughter of Almet and Lena (Van Dusen) Reed. Almet Reed was born at Coxsackie, N. Y., April 1, 1810, and died in New York City, in February, 1880. His wife was born Der. 30, 1X12, and died in the year 1804. The Van Dusen family was founded in the United States about the middle of the seventeenth century, and it has been one of .pecial prominence in the history of the Hudson and Mohawk valleys of New York, while representatives of the narne were patriot soldiers in the War of the

Revolution. John Van Dusen, of the sixth generation of the family in America, was born at Claverack, N. Y., in 1779, and became one of the successful business men and influential citizens of Columbia county, and who was engaged in business at Johnstown for more than forty years. In 1820 he established the Good Hope Flour Mills, which he operated many years, and he also was an extensive dealer in real estate. He was held in implicit confidence and esteem in the community, served as clerk of Livingston township, 1805-12, and as township supervisor. 1812-20. In 1823, he was a mem- ber of the State Legislature, and he was an officer in the State Militia for many years. He was one of the or- ganizers and a director of the National Hudson River Bank, at Hudson, and was a consistent member of the Dutch Reformed church. He died on his farm at Greenport, Columbia county, N. Y., May 26, 1863, and he was the grandfather of Mrs. Opdyke, widow of George F. Opdyke.

George F. and Ida (Reed) Opdyke became the par- ents of two children, Wilbur Francis, who was born at Plainfield, N. J., in 1881; and Dorothea Van Dusen, who was born at Plainfield, March 31, 1889, her death having occurred April 20, 1910. Concerning Dorothea V. D. Opdyke the following estimate of appreciation has been written :

She was always guided by high ideals, was a gra- cious and accomplished young woman devoted to her home and her friends and active in church work.

Wilbur Francis Opdyke acquired his early education at Plainfield, N. J., and thereafter attended the Mo- ravian School for Boys at Nazareth, Pa. Later he took special courses, along scientific lines, in the college at Colorado Springs, Col., and the University of Nevada, at Reno. He is now sales manager of the Crescent Tool Company, Jamestown, N. Y., of which corporation he is a stockholder. Dec. 6, 1907, recorded his marriage to Lula E. Cheney, of Jamestown, who is a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Chautauqua county. Mr. and Mrs. Opdyke have two children, George Francis, who was born at Lyons, Ga., Nov. 21, 1908, and who is of the fourth generation of the Opdyke family to bear the name of George; and Frank Wilbur, who was born at Jamestown, N. Y., Jan. 7, 1911.

ASA CHENEY-In judging of the strength and vitality of any community it must always be to the great rural and agricultural population that we turn as a final criterion, knowing that if its character is sturdy and strong the society must be sound at heart. With such an assurance to base our judgment upon, there is certainly everything to give one the liveliest optimism if we turn our attention to the agriculturists of Chau- tauqua county, N. Y., whose strong, conservative pro- gressiveness displays all that we like best to associate with the idea of Americanism. One of the finest examples of this fine class of men was Asa Cheney, a most suc- cessful farmer, who lived in the vicinity of Bemus Point, Chautauqua county, for many years, until his death, Oct. 25, 1906. He was a highly respected and admired figure in the community. He came of a family that is old in the traditions and history of this country. (1) William Cheney, immigrant, came from England

Cathrine (Grifith) Chener

Asa Cheney -

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in 1635, and settled in Hull, Mass., with his wife, Mar- garet Cheney, and three sons : John, William, Thomas, of whom further.

(II) Thomas Cheney, youngest son of William and Margaret Cheney, served as a soldier in King Philip's War. He married, Jan. 11, 1655, Jane Atkinson, in Rox- bury, Mass., and among their children was William, of whom further.

(III) William (2) Cheney, son of Thomas and Jane (Atkinson) Cheney, was born in Roxbury, Mass., June 30, 1663. He married, in Roxbury, Rebecca Newell, and among their children was Ariel, of whom further.

(IV) Ariel Cheney, son of William (2) and Rebecca (Newell) Cheney, was born in Roxbury, Mass., May I, 1695. He married, in Pomfret, Conn., May 3, 1720, Maria Waldo, and among their children was Daniel, of whom further.

(V) Daniel Cheney, son of Ariel and Maria (Waldo) Cheney, was born in Connecticut, Dec. 25, 1728. He married, June 23, 1757, Zerviah Paine, and among their children was Jonathan, of whom further. After the Revolutionary War, Daniel Cheney migrated to Pitts- town, N. Y., and from there to Chautauqua county early in 1807.

(VI) Jonathan Cheney, son of Daniel and Zerviah (Paine) Cheney, was born in Connecticut, March 10, 1769. He married Amy Cole, and among their children was Calvin, of whom further.

(VII) Calvin Cheney, son of Jonathan and Amy (Cole) Cheney, was born in Pittstown, N. Y., Dec. 29, 1800. He married Lydia Bly, and their children were: Spencer, Asa, of whom further, Abel, twin of Asa, Joshua, and William.

(VIII) Asa Cheney. son of Calvin and Lydia (Bly) Cheney, was born in Ellery, N. Y., Aug. 13, 1826. His childhood was spent in the home of his parents, and he gained his education in the Jamestown Academy. He acquired his first knowledge of farming by assisting his father in the work upon his farm, and after gradu- ating from the Jamestown Academy he began farming on his own account, becoming in time the owner of one of the finest farms on the main road between Bemus Point and Jamestown, one-half mile west of Belleview school house. This he cultivated with a high degree of success, disposing of his products in the local mar- kets, and he became one of the substantial farmers of the community. His success was due entirely to his indefatigable industry, intelligence and knowledge of agricultural methods, and no one deserved more than he the esteem in which he was held by his fellow-citizens. Mr. Cheney gave much of his time to activities of public benefit, and took a prominent part in local affairs, dis- playing a public-spirited interest in the welfare of the community. He served his fellowmen in a number of · official capacities, among these offices being supervisor of the town for seven years. He did much to advance the agricultural interests of Bemus Point and the sur- rounding region, and was an active member of Union Grange, Jamestown, for many years. He was inter- ested in financial institutions of Jamestown, among them being the National Chantanqua County Bank, Bank of Jamestown, and the Farmers and Mechanics Bank. In his religious belief, he was a Universalist, attending the church of that denomination in Bemus Point, where he

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was regarded as one of the prominent members of the congregation, and was a trustee of the church for eighteen years.

Asa Cheney was united in marriage, March 21, 1850, in the town of Ellery, with Catherine Griffith, daughter of John and Tryphena (Bemus) Griffith, both well known and highly regarded residents of Ellery in their time. The Griffith family was among the pioneer fami- lies of Chantanqua county, likewise the Bemns family, and it was near the present Cheney homestead that both families settled originally. Bemus Point and Griffith's Point on Lake Chautanqua were the sites of their homes, and these places were named after their founders. Mrs. Catherine (Griffith) Cheney, who still resides at the old Cheney homestead, is one of the remarkable women of the county at the present time. She is in her ninety-fifth year, and is possessed of faculties which are most un- usual for her years. She manages much of her business affairs, and in November, 1920, in her ninety-fourth year, voted for Warren G. Harding in the presidential elec- tion. She has always been abreast of the times, and in 1889 was the first president of a woman's organization in the promotion of suffrage in Ellery township, and at the last election she saw her hopes fulfilled in Na- tional Suffrage for women. She is a member of the Union Grange of Jamestown, and Chautauqua county and New York State bodies of the Patrons of Hus- bandry. She was a delegate at one time to a State Con- vention of the Grange. She has always been interested in church, educational and historical matters, and is an ardent member of the Chautauqua Historical Society. Ophelia Griffith, sister of Catherine (Griffith) Cheney, was born in the town of Ellery, March 30, 1837, and died in the house in which she was born, April 13, 1920.

Mr. and Mrs. Cheney were the parents of the follow- ing children : 1. Frank W., born Feb. 26, 1852; married Delia Palmer ; children: Rolin K., Frank W., Jr., and Lula. 2. Mark H., born July 22, 1853; died Sept. 18, 1907; married (first) Mary Bennett; child, Alice ; married (second) Frances Ingerson; children: Minnie K. and Ralph E. 3. W. Beecher, born Aug. 6, 1854; un- married. 4. Miles E., born Oct. 11, 1855, died Sept. 27, 1890; married Harriett Foster ; no issue. 5. Morris P. born March 14, 1858; married Anna Weaver ; children : Gerald G., Ruth L., and Hazel E. 6. Martha, born May 3. 1860, died Dec. 19, 1916; unmarried. 7. Jennie, born March 31, 1862, died Sept. 30, 1865. 8. Lillie, born July 12, 1863, died May 8, 1864. 9. Alta, born April 12, 1866, died April 3, 1867. 10. Eva K., born Dec. 8, 1868, died July 25, 1915: married Russell D. Rexford; children : Herbert C., Arthur T., and Helen. 11. John C., born Sept. 29, 1871; married Edith Bates; children: Asa B. and M. Agnes.

ROYAL MARSH BATES, a prominent attorney of Jamestown. Chautauqua county, N. Y., where he has an office in the Wellman building, is a native of this city, born April 2, 1886. Mr. Bates is a member of an ancient Scottish family, the House of Argyle, and is a descendant of John Althouse Bates, who came from England and settled near Grimsby, Ontario, many years ago.

Charles W. Bates, father of Royal M. Bates, was born in Canada, and was the first member of the family

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to locate in the United States, to which country he came as a young man. He was engaged in busi- ness at lamestown. N. Y., for a number of years and was a prominent member of the community. Before coming to this country he was associated with military service in Canada, and after settling in Jamestown became a state officer of the Order of Maccabees. He is an Episcopalian in religious belief, and a Republican in politics. Mr. Bates mar- ried Mary Marsh, a native of Illinois.

During his childhood, Royal Marsh Bates attended the public schools of Jamestown, and graduated from the High School with the class of 1905. After com- pleting his studies at that institution, where he was prepared for college, he matriculated at Syracuse Uni- versity, where he took up the study of the law and was graduated in 1909 with the degree of LL. B. Shortly afterwards he was admitted to the bar of Chautauqua county, and coming to Jamestown, established himself in legal practice. Since that time Mr. Bates has consistently followed his profession and has established himself as one of the leading at- torneys of the community, gaining the respect and confidence, not only of his professional colleagues.

but of the community-at-large. Mr Bates is a Republican in politics, but has never taken an active part in public affairs and is quite without ambition for political preferment of any kind. In 1911 he joined the New York National Guard and continued a member of that organization until 1915. At the present time he is a member of the Jamestown Bar Association, the Lawyers' Club of Buffalo, the Jamestown Club, the Jamestown Chamber of Commerce, the local lodges of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Order of Maccabees, the Syracuse Alumni Association, and the Phi Delta Theta College fraternity. In his re- ligions belief Mr. Bates is an Episcopalian and attends the church of that denomination at Jamestown.

Royal Marsh Bates was united in marriage, Dec. 21, 1910, at Auburn, N. Y., with Alace M. Searing, a native of that place. a daughter of Adolphus H. and Sarah ( Mekerl: Searing, both of whom were born in New York State and who now make their home at Auburn. Mr. Searing is a prominent attorney and county judge at ,hat place, and is a well known Republican and a member of the Masonic Order and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. and Mrs. Bates are th . parents di two children, as follows : Wilmot S. and Sarah Louise.

GUSTAF FABIAN SELLSTROM-One of James- town's well known citizens, who, although born in a foreign land, has contributed much to the life of this city, is Gustaf Fabian Sellstrom. He was born at Wim- merby, Sweden, June 9, 1851, the son of P. Adolph and Johanna Maria ( Berg ) Sellstrom. In 1856 the elder Mr. Sell trom died, leaving his widow with the care of three childre : (. taf Fabian, at the age of four years: Carl Adolph and John Frederick, the two latter now deceased.

Go-tai Fabian Sellstrom, better known as Fabian Sells- trom, attended the schools of his native country. At .whiteen year of age he, together with his mother and two brother , came to Jamestown, where he secured employment in, the plant of Jones & Gifford, furniture

manufacturers. Leaving the furniture plant he went to Bradford, Pa., and remained there until 1877, being em- ployed during that time as a foreman in a factory. De- siring to return to Jamestown, he secured a position as manager for Halliday & Benedict, meat dealers. In 1881 he formed a partnership with his brother, John Fred- erick Sellstrom, under the firm name of Sellstrom Bros., meat dealers, which continued until 1885, when through accidental death while hunting, John Frederick was taken away. Fabian Sellstrom bought out the interest of his brother's estate in June, 1885, and continued the busi- ness himself. Desiring a better location, he decided in May, 1886, to purchase the business of Drake Sessions on Third street, and for over a quarter of a century remained at this location, building up a large and suc- cessful business, being the largest retail meat dealer in Chautauqua county.

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History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume III, Part 55

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