USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume III > Part 68
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a woman of education and high character, a teacher by profession, literary in her tastes, an ideal wife and mother. She traced descent from historic New England families, and in Sinclairville took a deep interest in the village affairs which interested her husband. She was a member of the Baptist church. She died Jan. 21, 18So. and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery with her husband. Children: 1. Carrie Lucinda, born Aug. 23. 1864. died March 8. 1870. 2. Benjamin Tichnor, of further mention. 3. Fanny Laurenda, born Sept. 8, 1869. was a graduate of Sinclairville High School in 188 ;: Fredonia State Normal School, 1891 ; Cornell Uni- versity, class of 1896; taught at Mansfield Normal School. Mansfield. Pa., 1896-1901 ; married, July 10, 1901, Charles Henry Allen, of Detroit, Mich., where they now reside ; they are the parents of two children, Henry Sheldon, born June 18, 1903, and Alice A., born June 28, 1904. 4. Royal Bridgman, born April 25, 1872, died June 13. 1873. Mr. Sheldon married (second) Oct. 18. 1882, Sarah E. Billings, who survives him, a resident of Sinclairville.
Benjamin Tichnor Sheldon, son of Royal E. and Caroline L. (Bridgman) Sheldon, was born in Sin- clairville, Chautauqua county, N. Y .. Aug. 11, 1866. After completing the public school courses of study with high school graduation. he entered business life as an associate of his honored father, and became his partner, later the firm trading as R. E. Sheldon & Son. Finally, upon the retirement of the senior partner, the son succeeded him and continues sole owner of the business. He is a modern, energetic business man, like his father deeply interested in Sinclairville, its growth and prosperity. He served the village as president, trustec of Evergreen Cemetery, and acting superinten- dent. trustee of the Free Public Library, and since 1889 a member of the Congregational church, which he has served as trustee and superintendent of the Sunday school. and in his political action is an independent Republican.
Mr. Sheldon married, June 2, 1897, Nettie Langwor- thy Gage, daughter of Lloyd Glover and Emma (Lang- worthy ) Gage, a niece of Lyman J. Gage, of Chicago, once secretary of the United States Treasury, under President Mckinley. Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon are the parents of four children : Lloyd Edgerton, born Nov. 29, I&08: Carolyn Gage, born July 10, 1900, died Oct. 7, 1916: Fanny Cornelia, born May 4. 1902; Sarah Eliza- beth, born Oct. 27, 1905.
HERBERT JOHN GOUINLOCK-The valuable life of Herbert J. Gouinlock was cut short by what seemed at the time an injury of little importance, but complications caused his death about two weeks later. He was one of the largest grape growers of the Chau- tauqua Grape Belt, and at his home farm, west of Fre- lonia, conducted a very prosperous business. He was a son of Herbert J. and Helen M. (Tremaine) Gouinlock, his father born in Toronto, Canada, May 4, 1845, died in Frederia. N. Y .. at the age of twenty-six. Mr. Gouin- lock, Sr., was an artist with his pen, his skill in letter- ing only exceeded by his skill in lithographic engraving, hit expertnes at line engraving wonderful. He was als possessed of strong imaginative genius, and his designs were most artistic and beautiful. His services
were in demand by well known firms as a designer, for no one could so effectively vignette a design or portrait and give it the effect of a steel engraving. He was with the best known New York lithographing house, and later, while with a Buffalo house, visited Fredonia, N. Y., and while there died from the effects of lithographic poisoning.
He married Helen M. Tremaine, of the well known Tremaine family of Fredonia and Chautauqua county, N. Y., and they were the parents of a son, Herbert John, to whose memory this tribute of love and re- spect is dedicated.
John Gouinlock, grandfather of Herbert J. (2) Gouin- lock, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. He married there, Isabella Herbert, well educated, like her hus- band, and having the advantages of special tutors in Paris, she was accomplished as a musician and linguist, speaking several languages fluently. Shortly after their marriage, John and Isabella Gouinlock left Scotland and came to America, locating in Canada, where the husband was a professor of penmanship in Toronto College, having inherited a talent that was most pro- nounced in his family for several generations, and which he transmitted to his third child and only son, Herbert John (1) Gouinlock, the artist and lithographer. He also had two daughters, Georgianna and Alice.
From such talented grandparents and parents came Herbert John (2) Gouinlock, born in Fredonia, N. Y., Oct. 13. 1870, died at his farm in the town of Pomfret, west of Fredonia, Jan. 22, 1921, just in the prime of his splendid powers. He was educated in the schools of Fredonia, and after completing his studies engaged in grape culture on a farm of twenty-five acres, situated on the North road in the town of Pomfret, three and one-half miles west of Fredonia. He made special study of grape growing in all its detail and proved the value of shallow cultivation, thus proving that the grape roots should be disturbed as little as possible. As time went on he prospered, and as he added to his special knowledge of the grape and its culture, he also added to his land holdings, and for thirty years the firm of Freeman & Gouinlock was one referred to as an author- ity on the grape and how to grow it profitably. His partner was his mother, and all through those years they worked hand in hand for the development of the grape industry in general, and their own vineyards in particular. To his original twenty-five acres additions had constantly been made, until Freeman & Gouinlock had one hundred acres of grape bearing vineyards, and another one hundred acres under cultivation and in wood lots. Their vineyards and farm were looked upon as models of skillful farming, and their products were noted for high quality. Their vineyards of Concord, Niagara and Worden grapes aggregated about 250 tons annually, and of the highest priced quality. Mr. Gouin- lock was a local director of the Pomfret branch of the Chautauqua & Erie Grape Union, a member of Forest Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and of the Citizens' Club of Fredonia.
Mr. Goninlock married, March 3, 1004, in Fredonia, Mabel Goate, daughter of the late William S. and Mary E. (Apthorpe) Goate, her parents coming separately from England, their native land, to Fredonia, N. Y., where they were married. Six children were born to
Hubert If Youlook
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Herbert J. and Mabel Gouinlock: Helen Mary, born March 1, 1905; Herbert John (3), born Sept. 30, 1906, died May 16, 1916; William George, born Sept. 3, 1909, died Sept. 12, 1910; Marjorie, born June 25, 1913; Dor- othy Mabel, born Oct. 14, 1917; Lucy Tremaine, born July 21, 1920.
A man of industry and thrift, Mr. Gouinlock held the entire confidence of his community who appreciated his labors to promote the best interests of the grape in- dustry, in which many of them were engaged. He met every requirement of good citizenship, and as son, hus- band, and father gave himself unreservedly to those he loved and cherished. His memory will long remain green in the town of Pomfret.
ALEXANDER J. ROOD, extensive cattle dealer, cheese manufacturer, and successful farmer, is one of the well known citizens of Sinclairville. The Rood family has been in Chautauqua county since 1835 and previous to that were residents of Wyoming county, N. Y., in the town of Pike. Wilson Rood, father of Alexander J. Rood, was born in 1818, in the family homestead there. When he had reached the age of seventeen years he came to Chautauqua county, locating in Charlotte township, where he found employment on a farm. He was an earnest, steady, young man, and within five years was able to purchase a farm in that township. His farm, which was situated in sec- tion 16 of the township, was known as the Straight Farm, and was of considerable extent, 300 acres, most of which, however, was wilderness when he purchased it. With the spirit of the pioneer, Wilson Rood reso- Jutely applied himself to the clearing of the land. In course of time he improved his property, and brought the land into productive cultivation. He lived and worked upon that farm until his death, in 1868, in the prime of life. He was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Sinclairville. Wilson Rood married, in Charlotte, Sally Chase, daughter of Stephen Chase. She was born near Rochester, N. Y., and died on the family farm in Char- lotte township. Her remains were also interred in Evergreen Cemetery, Sinclairville. Wilson and Sally (Chase) Rood were the parents of six children, who were all successful in life, namely: I. Alexander J., of whom further. 2. Clarissa, who is the widow of W. V. Luce, and resides in Cassadaga. 3. George, who is a farmer in Cherry Creek township. 4. Edgar, a physician in Westfield. 5. Chancy A., a physician in Brocton. 6. Mary, deceased, who married Fortis Pond.
Alexander J. Rood, eldest son of Wilson and Sally (Chase) Rood, was born in the parental homestead in Charlotte township, March II, 1846. He obtained his schooling in District School No. 8, of Charlotte, and at the old academy at Fredonia, N. Y., after which he took to farming with resolute purpose, finding ample oppor- tunity for hard work in the operation of his father's extensive farm. So employed, he remained with his father until the latter's death, when he inherited the 300 acres, which he continued to improve. He still owns that property, and it has been an appreciable factor in his successful career. In 1882 he entered the cheese manufacturing business, purchasing the interests of an already established factory, which he has conducted ever
since. This has become a good sized business enterprise, the plant being capable of manufacturing thirty forty- pound full cream cheeses per day, otherwise 1,200 pounds. In 1889, Mr. Rood decided to move into Sinclair- ville, which would be a handier center for the commer- cial phase of his agricultural enterprises. In 1900, he en- tered into partnership with Burt Putnam, and since that year these two well known men have been busily and extensively engaged in cattle dealing, the partnership being known, under its trade name of Rood & Putnam. In 1889, Mr. Rood built the house in which he has since lived, one of the finest in Sinclairville, and he has taken close interest in public movements within the vil- lage since that year. He was one of the organizers of the Sinclairville State Bank, in 1918, and is a member of its directorate. He is a trustee of the village, and an active member of the local Grange. In national politics, he is a Democrat. Fraternally, he is a Mason, a mem- ber of Sylvan Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, Sin- clairville, and the Blue Lodge, and he attends the Epis- copal church in Sinclairville.
Mr. Rood married, Nov. 28, 1872, Annette Tozier, daughter of Orange L. and Harriet (Humphrey) To- zier. She was born in Sheldon, Wyoming county, N. Y., and in the maternal line is granddaughter of Dustin Humphrey, member of an old Connecticut family. Mr. and Mrs. Rood are the parents of three children: I. Flora R., educated in public and high schools, and Fre- donia Normal School; married Ernest Irvin, cashier of the Sinclairville State Bank. 2. Clarissa, who was sim- ilarly educated in Sinclairville schools and Fredonia Normal School ; married Samuel F. Moran, a lawyer of New York, to whom she has borne six children, Ruth, Flora H., Frances, Patricia, Virginia, and William. 3. Carl Alexander, who received his education in the public and high schools of Sinclairville, and the Uni- versity of Michigan, from which he graduated in 1907, with the degree of LL. B. and soon thereafter was ad- mitted to the bar and is now practicing in New York. He married Lillian Cahill, and they have two children, Carlton and Wilson, twins.
THE STERLING HARDWARE AND ELEC- TRICAL CORPORATION is a well known James- town corporation, successors to the Bernhard Hardware Company. Their store on East Second street is com- pletely stocked with the latest developments of it line, and had its inception in the enterprise of three sub- stantial business men of Jamestown, Adolf Rosencrantz, Charles Bernhard and John Carlson, who established the business, March 7, 1905, with the stated object of retailing general hardware and other lines. The busi- ness developed very satisfactorily, but various changes in the constitution of the firm have been made since its inception. Shortly after its incorporation, Martin Gunnarson became connected with it, and he has been its head ever since. In 1916, a reconstruction occurred and the officers then and since have been: Martin Gun- narson, president; Hjalmar Sandberg, vice-president and treasurer ; and George O. Sandberg, secretary and manager.
Mr. Sandberg is an efficient manager, and since the reorganization in 1916, the volume of business has been
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more than doubled, many new lines being added. Three of the substantial specialties of the corporation are furnaces, stoves, builders' hardware and electrical sup- plies. This company does a big volume of wholesaling and retailing each year.
GEORGE O. SANDBERG, who of recent years has been one of the principals of a leading Jamestown firm of merchants, the Sterling Hardware and Electrical Corporation, of which he is secretary, as well as man- ager of its up-to-date and fully stocked store on Second street, is a native of Jamestown, born Sept. 12, 1897.
He was educated in local schools, attending the grammar school for the elementary grades, and later becoming a student at the Jamestown High School, of which ultimately he became a graduate, having special- ized in the commercial course. Soon after graduating, he entered the employ of the Davidson Shoe Company, as clerk, which was not altogether a new experience for him, for he had worked for the company, after school hours and on Saturdays, for some years before he left school. When the Bernhard Hardware Com- pany was reorganized in March, 1916, under the name of the Sterling Hardware and Electrical Corporation, young Sandberg took a certain interest in it, and a year later was appointed manager of the store, and elected to the executive office of secretary. He is a member of the Jamestown Board of Commerce, and of the Chautauqua County Fair Association. Mr. Sandberg regularly attends the Swedish Mission Church of Jamestown, of which he is a member.
Mr. Sandberg was married, in Jamestown, Aug. 21, 1918, to Elsie M. Hedman, daughter of August Hed- man, of Jamestown. Mr. and Mrs. Sandberg are the parents of a son, George O., Jr.
THE ACTIVE FURNITURE COMPANY-In June. 1916, several of the men of Jamestown, who had learned the furniture making trade, got together and established on a working basis the Active Furniture Company. These men were Nestor Munson, who was elected president of the company; Oscar Newgren, vice-president: O. R. Johnson, the secretary and treas- urer. The plant was located on Steele street, and here, with twelve men employed, they met with such sue- cess that in August, 1918, they bought the Jamestown Window Sereen Company's plant at Jones and Gifford avenues, and moved their factory to the newly pur- chased location. The present working force is thirty- five men, and the power used in the plant is steam. The product is a high grade of parlor and library tables, and phonograph cases, most of their employees being expert workmen. The company incorporated in 1916 under the laws of the State of New York, and at the last election of officers the following men were cho-en: Carl Richard Carlson, president; Charles A. Johnson, fir t vice-president; George Jacobson, second vice-president; Oscar R. Bard, secretary, treasurer and general manager. The Active Furniture Company, Inc .. is a member of the Manufacturers' Association of Jamestown, and is well regarded in commercial cireles.
CARL RICHARD CARLSON-Like many other men of the Swedish population in Jamestown, Carl Rich- ard Carlson is engaged in the manufacture of fine furniture, and like many of them he came from the little town of Smoland, Sweden, where he was born March II, 1885, the son of C. J. and Emma ( Peterson) Carlson. The father was a farmer, and trained the boy in the work about the place, sending him to the public school during the time of its sessions. When old enough the lad obtained employment in a door factory, working there until he was twenty years old, when he came to America. When Carl Richard Carlson arrived in this country he immediately went to Jamestown, N. Y., en- tering the employ of the Anchor Furniture Company. This was in 1905, and he remained in this factory for almost nine years, leaving it to accept a better position with the Superior Furniture Company, working on a band saw. Two years later, in 1916, he joined the newly organized Active Furniture Company as a member of the firm, and in 1918 was elected president of it in addi- tion to being superintendent of the entire factory.
Mr. Carlson is identified with several of the local as- sociations of Jamestown, among them being the fra- ternal society of Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Lief Erickson Association, and the Thule Order of Vasa. Unlike most of his countrymen, Mr. Carlson has never married, but he has hosts of friends among the Swedish families of Jamestown.
OSCAR R. BARD-During the twenty-three years that Oscar R. Bard has been a resident in this country, he has acquired much and varied information in con- nection with manufacturing pursuits, owing to the fact that he has been engaged in several different kinds of business.
He was born in Smoland, Sweden, Jan. 28, 1882, the son of John Bard, a non-commissioned officer in the Swedish army, having served for twenty-five years in that capacity.
Oscar R. Bard was hrought up on a farm, in the work of which he was daily occupied, attending the village school part of the time, receiving a good ele- mentary education. When the boy had reached the age of fourteen years, he determined to try his fortune in the United States, having relatives here who had done well in many lines. Oscar R. Bard landed in New York City in May, 1806, and at once went to Falconer, N. Y., where his brother resided. For the first three months the lad attended school so that he might gain an in- sight into American ways, then very shortly after ob- tained work in the Jamestown Mantel Company, which is located in Falconer. For ten years he remained with this concern, learning the trade of cabinetmaker, and then, having an opportunity to better himself, went to Warren, Pa., and entered the employ of the Bennett Piano Company in their cabinet making department. Two years later he returned to Falconer and entered into a partnership with his brother, Charles S. Bard, making a specialty of furniture and office fixtures. For several years he continued in this line, leaving it to go into the retail shoe business with Vietor Johnson on Second street, the firm name being Johnson & Bard.
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For seven years they operated this store, then became interested in the monumental works of August Gustaf- son on North Main street. He entered into partner- ship with him as the Gustafson & Bard Monumental Works of Jamestown. Mr. Bard is still connected with this business. In 1918 he became interested in the Active Furniture Company and was made the secretary and treasurer of that company, positions he now holds, in addition to that of general manager of the plant.
Oscar R. Bard married, in Jamestown, June 28, 1910, Edith Holm, daughter of John and Louise (Anderson) Holm, residents of that city. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bard: 1. Genevieve, who is attending school in Jamestown. 2. Evelyn, also at school; and Elsie. Mr. and Mrs. Bard are members of Immanuel Lutheran Church, and he is president of the Sick Bene- fit Society of the church.
WILLIAM HOMER RATER-Among the repre- sentative men of Chautauqua county this good citizen of Sherman enjoys an undisputed standing. As one of the most prosperous farmers of his township, and as the incumbent, for a number of years, of various local offices of trust, Mr. Rater is much in the public eye.
William Homer Rater was born Dec. 11, 1862, on a farm in the town of Mina, Chautauqua county, N. Y., a son of Julius and Sarah (Hitchcock) Rater. Mr. Rater, who is now deceased, was a farmer. The Rater family, in honor of whom Rater's Corner, a settlement in Ripley township, received its name, is of German origin, and has been many years resident in Mina town- ship.
The education of William Homer Rater was re- ceived in the district schools of Mina township, that is, his earliest education, for when he was but six years old his parents moved to Ripley township and there he attended the district schools. After a time the family returned to Mina township and the boy resumed his attendance at the old schools. He was soon obliged to leave, however, on account of the death of his father which made it necessary for him to seek em- ployment. At first he worked on farms in the neigh- borhood, receiving for compensation board and cloth- ing, but it was not long before he began to render as- sistance valuable enough to command money payment. In 1889, Mr. Rater rented his present farm and in about a year bought 100 adjoining acres. Some four years after he purchased the farm on which he now lives, which comprises 161 acres, thus becoming the owner of 261 acres. He has improved the estate to a great ex- tent, rebuilding the house, erecting a barn and con- structing a workshop, chicken houses and similar out- buildings. He has forty cows, four horses and 250 chickens. He devotes the land to general farming, also conducting a fine dairy. Among his most valuable possessions are two automobiles, a large powerful tour- ing car and a roadster. Since 1917 Mr. Rater has been a director of the Chautauqua County Farmers' Milk Producers' Association; also a director of the Sherman Telephone Company for five years. In the sphere of politics, Mr. Rater adheres to the Republican party and is now serving as school trustee and school collector, offices which he has held many times before. He affiliates with Olive Lodge, No. 575, Free and Ac-
cepted Masons, of Sherman, Chapter, of May- ville, and Dunkirk Commandery. He belongs to the Grange, and is a member of the Community Church, both of Sherman.
Mr. Rater married, Nov. 23, 1905, at the Presbyterian parsonage, Sherman, N. Y., Minnie, daughter of Gar- ret and Hannah Gabriel, and they are the parents of two children : Ida May, now attending school, and Sarah Louise, an infant.
William Homer Rater is, most emphatically, a man who has made his own way in the world and in doing so has made for himself a record in which his children, in after years, may justly take pride, for he has achieved his success by persistent industry, indomitable energy and methods strictly and invariably honorable.
CHARLES C. WILSON occupies a position of trust and responsibility in the commercial life of James- town. He was manager of the large lumber plant which was founded and successfully carried on by his father, John T. Wilson, until its disposal, Nov. 1, 1919. The John T. Wilson Estate, dealers in lumber, rough and dressed, sashes, interior trim and doors, was one of the best known concerns in Jamestown in its time. John T. Wilson died May 10, 1910, his wife having died April 4, 1903. He left three children: I. Anna, who became the wife of A. S. Dunham, of Jamestown. 2. Jennie, who became the wife of Frank W. Cadwell, also of Jamestown. 3. Charles C., of further mention.
Charles C. Wilson was born in Jamestown, Oct. 3, 1864. He obtained a substantial education in the public and high schools of his native city, after which he took a course at the Bryant & Stratton Business College in Buffalo, N. Y. At the age of nineteen, he entered his father's plant as bookkeeper and to assist in the management of the ever increasing business. John T. Wilson at his death had left his business in the form of an estate, his son, Charles C., being made executor and manager of it, and from 1910 until its settlement, Dec. I, 1920, he personally conducted all its affairs. Mr. Wilson is a genial man, much interested in many of the organiza- tions of Jamestown, having a social trend. Fraternally he is a thirty-second degree Mason; Knights Templar, and belongs to the Shrine; member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he is a past trustee. His clubs are the Jamestown and Sportsmen's. He is a vice-president of the Jamestown Malleable Products Company, and a director of the First National Bank of Jamestown.
In January, 1890, Charles C. Wilson was united in mar- rige with Mary Hall, daughter of Erie and Jennie ( Mar- vin) Hall, of Jamestown. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson one child has been born, Marvin C., in Jamestown, April 27, 1897. He was educated in the grammar and high schools of his home city, and the University of Pennsylvania. He entered the service of the government during the late war, being attached to an officers' training school at Camp Mead, Maryland, from May, 1918, until he was honorably discharged, Dec. 23, 1918. He had been com- missioned a second lieutenant during his service, but was retained for duty in this country. After being mustered out of service, he returned to the University of Pennsylvania, where he pursued a course of execu- tive training in the Wharton School of Finance, from
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