USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume III > Part 72
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GEORGE W. SMILEY, one of the best known and most highly esteemed residents of Ellicott township, Chautauqua county, N. Y., was born March 13, 1843, in the town of Fluvanna, N. Y., and has resided all his life in this locality. He is a member of an old American family, the members of which have estab- lished a remarkable record of patriotism in the various wars of the Nation. Mr. Smiley's great-grandfather, William Smiley, served in the American War for In- dependence which gave birth to the Republic, and his grandfather, Joseph Smiley, was a soldier in the War of 1812, in which war also a great-uncle, William Smiley, served and lost his life. Mr. Smiley him- self completed this record by taking part in the Civil War, serving through the last four years of that mo- mentous struggle. His parents were Asel and Char- lotte (Johnston) Smiley, respected residents of Flu- vanna, where the former was engaged in the wagon- maker's trade for many years.
The childhood of George W. Smiley was passed on his father's farm at Fluvanna, and he there learned the trade followed by his father, and gained a general knowledge of agriculture, while at the same time he
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attended the local district schools. Upon completing his studies at these institutions, he took up both farm- ing and wagon making as an occupation, and has fol- lowed them ever since with a high degree of success. During this time he served continuously for over twenty-five years as one of the four justices of the peace for the town of Ellicott. In course of time he inherited a part of his father's property, and today resides on the same old family homestead where his birth oc- curred seventy-seven years ago. Mr. Smiley is a man of strong character and rugged physical health, the latter, at least, a heritage of the wholesome outdoor oc- cupation that he has pursued so consistently throughout his life. His success has been entirely due to his own indefatigable industry and intelligent use of his oppor- tunities, and he well deserves the high regard in which he is held by his fellow-townsmen. Mr. Smiley was nineteen years of age when, in 1862, he enlisted in the 7th Company of the First Battalion of Sharpshooters, and as a member of that military unit he served to the end of the Civil War, participating in many major and minor engagements, and finally being mustered out of service, June 27, 1865. He has always kept alive his associations formed at that period, and is a greatly honored member of James M. Brown Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of Jamestown, N. Y., also of Union Veteran Legion, No. 95. of Jamestown, N. Y.
George W. Smiley was united in marriage, June 8, 1875. at Jamestown, with Estella Brockway, a daugh- ter of Newell and Abby (Lee) Brockway, the former a farmer of Chautauqua county and a veteran of the Civil War. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Smiley, as follows: Bertha E. and Asel N. Smiley.
OTTO KRAUSE-Among the prosperous and in- fluential farmers of Mayville, Chautauqua county, N. Y., none holds a higher place in the regard and affec- tion of his fellowmen that Otto Krause, with whose career we are here especially concerned, who is one of the influential citizens in these parts, and takes a very prominent part in the activities undertaken for the ad- vancement of the social weal. Otto Krause is a native of Germany, born Sept. 29, 1870, a son of Louis and Louise (Gabel) Krause, who were old and highly re- spected residents there.
Otto Krause received his education in the public schools of Germany, and after completing the neces- sary course, in these institutions set out to learn the trade of carpenter. He was engaged at this trade in many different cities of Germany, with great success, and it was not until 1892 that he had decided to try his fortune in the new world, which he did, coming to America in that year, and upon arriving settled at Buf- falo, N. Y., engaging in business there as a carpenter. Although Mr. Krause had made a considerable success in thi- line. he was compelled to leave Buffalo on ac- court of failing health, but later came to Mayville, where he obtained a position on a farm. Despite the fact that the compensation at this place was very mesgre Mr. Franse, through very frugal living, man- ·ped to lose up a moderate amount of money, and in 1/4 wa enabled to purchase a farm, consisting of 104 :-. Since taking possession of this place, Mr. Frau e has remodeled the barn and has made an un-
derground stable, as well as installed all modern im- provements in his residence. He added somewhat to the original structure, and the place is regarded here as a comfortable home. Mr. Krause is without doubt a "self-made man" in every sense of the term. He is a Methodist in his religious belief and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Summerdale, supporting the charitable and philanthropie undertakings of the congregation ardently. He is a Republican in politics.
Otto Krause was united in marriage, Oct. 2, 1899, with Margaret Beck, a native of Buffalo, and a daugh- ter of Fred and Pauline ( Maurer) Beck, old and highly respected residents here. Mr. and Mrs. Krause are the parents of the following children: Otto Fred, who is employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company; Louise, a student in the schools of Mayville; Freda, a student in the schools of Mayville; Clara, Louis and George.
ISAAC A. SHEARMAN-At the first town meet- ing of the town of Busti, Chautauqua county, N. Y., which was held at the house of Heman Bush, March 2, 1824, Daniel Shearman was elected the first super- visor of the town and commissioner of schools. He was one of the early settlers of the town, and a brother of Isaac and Nicholas Shearman. All of these brothers bought land in Busti, but Daniel, son of Nicholas Shear- man, was the only Shearman of that old stock living in the town. The descendants of Isaac and Daniel Shear- man settled in other towns, Isaac A. Shearman, to whose memory this review is inscribed, being born in Ellicott, where he spent his life and died at the age of seventy-two, a man of strong character and sterling worth. This branch of the Shearman family is of New England ancestry, Gideon A. Shearman, father of Isaac A. Shearman, being born in Vermont. He mar- ried Aurilla A. Reade, and they came to Chautauqua county, N. Y., where their son Isaac A., was born. Through marriage this family traces to the Mayflower colony.
Isaac A. Shearman was born in the town of Ellicott, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Dec. 8, 1842, and died at his home in his native town, March 10, 1914. He attended the district school, and spent his youth as his father's farm assistant. On Aug. 5, 1862, he enlisted in the Union army, served with honor, and was honorably discharged at Washington, D. C., Aug. 28, 1865. After his return from the army, Mr. Shearman learned the car- penter's trade, and after his marriage in 1870 he began contracting for the erection of buildings, making that his business until the close of his life. He was a mem- ber of the Free Methodist church, and a Republican. His life was one of industry and he prospered through his own energy and ability.
Mr. Shearman married, in Mayville, Chautauqua county, N. Y., July 4, 1870, Lilla Nutt, born Aug. 5, 1852, daughter of Guy Irving Nutt, born in Busti, Chautauqua county, N. Y., and his wife, Adeline R. ( Dawley) Nutt, born in Busti. Mr. and Mrs. Shear- man were the parents of five children, as follows: Ar- della A., deceased; Charles A., deceased; Roy N., mar- ried Bessie 1. Frey, and has a daughter, Ruth Frances ; Ruth C., married Mark Barker, and has a daughter, Irene Ruhamah; Grace P., deceased.
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WORTHY A. ROLPH, painter and decorator of Celoron, came from a Stockton family long seated in that, the leading dairy town of Chautauqua county. He is a son of Worthy J. and Jane Elizabeth (Crandall) Rolph, his father born in Stockton, a farmer, and his mother born at Beech Hill, near Hartfield, Chautauqua county, N. Y. The family moved to Celoron prior to 1894, and there built a residence on Dunham avenue and Linwood street. Mrs. Rolph made her home there until her death, May 4, 1911, she bequeathing the prop- erty to her son, Worthy A. Rolph, who there yet re- sides.
Worthy A. Rolph was born in the town of Stockton, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Dec. 25, 1879, and was edu- cated in the public schools. After the removal of the family to Celoron, he learned the trade of painter and has followed it to the present time (1920). He is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics is a Socialist. Mr. Rolph married, Dec. 4, 1906, in Celoron, Ethel Star Penhollow, born Aug. 20, 1883, in the town of Clymer, N. Y., daughter of Win- field Scott and Patience E. (Silvernail) Penhollow. Mr. and Mrs. Rolph are the parents of four children: Bernice L., born Dec. 14, 1907; Lawrence Worthy, born Oct. 2, 1909: Helen Elizabeth, born March 14, 1912; and Lois Jane, born Feb. 8, 1914.
FRANKLIN CHARLES RATER, a native of Chautauqua county, N. Y., and the possessor of an extensive farm in the Ripley township of Chautauqua county, N. Y., even though his official postal address is listed in a rural free delivery route from North East, Erie county, Pa., has proved by his development of his present valuable farm, which fifteen years ago was very much impoverished in condition, that he is a skillful farmer, one possessed of enterprise as well as energy.
He was born in Mina township, Chautauqua county, N. Y., July 10, 1866, the son of Charles and Jane (Gil- born) Rater. He comes of an old Chautauqua county family, and his father, who is still living and still actively directs a farm, has owned a farm in the Ripley township for more than fifty years, and is generally esteemed in the neighborhood. The parental farm is about five miles from that of the son, who was only two years old when he was brought by his parents from Mina township to Ripley township, and with one exception, when in his early manhood, he returned to the township of his nativity for a few years to operate a saw mill in that place, he has lived all his life since his second year in Ripley township. His schooling was obtained in Ripley district schools, and practically all his life associations have been with people of that neighborhood.
The farm he now owns he bought in 1902: it was a big farm, more than 150 acres, but in very poor con- dition. Mr. Rater has brought about a remarkable improvement in the soil, has remodeled the house and barns, has built a silo, and in many other ways has improved the property with thoroughness and fore- thought. He set out a grape vineyard, twenty-two acres in extent, and has twenty-eight acres in other fruit; has rich pasture land and raises much wheat
and corn. He has some fine horses and twenty cattle. Altogether he has a valuable property, for which pos- session he may thank himself, for it was only by his own energetic labor and management, and his compre- hensive understanding of farming, that he was able to bring the land into its present high state of cultivation. He has not been able to get all the farm help that he would like and could find employment for, yet his average outgoing in wages for farm help is about $1,000 yearly. It will therefore be appreciated that his farm- ing operations are consequential. He is a member of Ripley Grange, and is much interested in all things that have any relation to farming. He is particularly interested in dairy farming and fruit growing. He and his wife attend the Presbyterian church, and fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, North East, Pa., and the Encampment, Erie, Pa. In national politics he is a Democrat; in local affairs has taken a somewhat active part and he might have been elected to many local offices, but he has been too busy in his farming enterprises to give the time necessary in such offices; he has, however, accepted the responsibili- ties and labors of the offices of school trustee and tax collector.
On Dec. 8, 1891, Mr. Rater married Minne Mar- shall, of North East. To them was born one child, Harry, who, however, died when only two years old.
Mr. Rater is well representative of the energetic, enterprising, and successful argriculturists of Chautau- qua county, of this generation, and by reason of the association of his family with the county for so long it is gratifying that record of his family can be made in the present work.
FRANK O. REMINGTON-The Remingtons came to Chautauqua county from Cattaraugus county, N. Y., William W. Remington being a farmer of the town of Dayton, where he married Emma Markham, also of Dayton, removing about the year 1800 to the town of Red House, N. Y. They were the parents of Frank O., of whom further.
Frank O. Remington was born in the town of Day- ton, Cattaraugus county, N. Y., July 24, 1867. He was educated in the public schools of the district, removing with his parents to the town of Red House, Cattarau- gus county, N. Y., where he grew to manhood. He married, in Salamanca, Cattaraugus county, N. Y., April 20, 1893, Jessie E. Vickery, born in the town of Salamanca, May 27, 1874, daughter of John T. and Clotilda E. Vickery; her father was born in Baldwins- ville, N. Y., her mother born in Randolph, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Remington are the parents of six children: I. Carey V., born Jan. 25, 1894. 2. Corolyn A., born Sept. 5, 1895, who became the wife of E. H. Le Bar- ron, who joined the United States army in August, 1918, and was honorably discharged in New York City, without seeing foreign service. 3. Arthur B., born June 12, 1897; he joined the United States army Sept. 18, 1918, saw service in a replacement camp (Wheeler) in Macon, Ga., receiving an honorable discharge be- fore going overseas; he was married Oct. 30, 1915, to Minnie Troutman, of Gowanda, and has three chil- dren. 4. M. Jay, born Feb. 8, 1902. 5. Carl A., born
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May 21. 1904. died Sept. 25. 1904. 6. Richard F., born Sept. 21, 1911. Mr. Remington purchased his present farm Sept. 15. 1904: it lies in section 12, South Dayton, No. 33. town of Villenova.
Frank O. Remington had relatives who were the early pioneers of Chautauqua county, his great-grand- father, Mayo, being killed by the fall of a tree as he was helping clear what now is Main street, Jamestown, Chautauqua county, N. Y.
CHARLES RAYMOND PUTNAM, one of the prominent citizens of Kennedy, is a native of Lavant, Chautauqua county, N. Y., where his birth occurred Sept. 14. 1886. Mr. Putnam is a son of Frank and Caroline (Morley) Putnam, old and highly respected residents of this region, where the former was a promi- nent newspaper man for a number of years.
Charles Raymond Putnam attended as a lad the local public schools. Upon completing his studies at an early age, Mr. Putnam secured a position with the local telephone company and was rapidly advanced until he reached the position of wire chief. Prior to entering the service of the United States, he was em- ployed as automobile salesman for the Eagle Garage Company, Jamestown, N. Y. Mr. Putnam, at the time of the entrance of the United States into the great World Conflict, became a candidate for a commission in the Second Reserve Officers' Training Camp, Aug. 27. 1917, and was given the rank of second lieutenant three months later. He was sent to France with the 90th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and on Feb. 28, 1919, was commissioned first lieutenant for meritorious services in that country. He was wounded in the great battle of the Argonne Forest, Nov. 8. 1918. three days before the signing of the armistice, while serving with the 179th Brigade Headquarters as liaison officer. Mr. Putnam also acted as intelligence officer with the 179th Brigade, and as aide-de-camp to Brigadier-General J. P. O'Neil, from Nov. 1, 1918, until April 17, 1919, being honorably discharged from the service on the latter date at Camp Dix, N. J. Mr. Putnam is a member of the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a well known figure in social and fraternal circles here. In his religious belief he is a Protestant.
Charles Raymond Putnam was united in marriage, April 17, 1909, at Kennedy, N. Y., with Fern Campbell, a daughter of Levi and Sophronia ( De Jean) Campbell. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Putnam, as follow .: Charles Campbell, Jan. 29, 1910, and Evelyn May, Dec. 24. 1912.
JASON EDWARD PRATT, well-to-do farmer of the Mayville district of Chautauqua county, N. Y., has lived hi- entire life of fifty-six years in the county, a life which for about forty years, in fact, ever since he leit -chool, has been passed in steady, productive labor. And in return for that consistent labor he has accu- mulated a monetary competence to make his remaining days comfortable, and when he feels so disposed, leisur- able. And he comes of one of the oldest families of the conn'. Hi, grandfather, Rufu, Pratt, comes into the early hi tory of Mayville, for he was a Methodist Epis-
copal minister in different places in Chautauqua county for many years.
Jason Edward Pratt was born in Mayville, Chautau- qua county, N. Y., Feb. 21, 1864, the son of John Gal- loway and Sarah Cordelia (Franklin) Pratt. His mother, who was born in 1838, is still living, and is re- vered by a very large circle of friends. His father, however, died in 1914, but during the youth and early manhood of Jason E., was a building contractor, under- taking important contracts in the vicinity of Mayville. Many of the finest residences in the Mayville district were built by John Galloway Pratt.
Jason E. Pratt was educated in the Mayville schools, and eventually became apprenticed to carpentry, and for fifteen years thereafter worked at that trade, mainly upon contracts undertaken by his father. In 1900, he acquired the farm upon which he has since lived, and in its cultivation and management has since passed his days industriously, profitably and happily. His farming property, which is 80 acres in extent, is a good one, suitable for dairy and general farming, and for years it has yielded hay, corn, cattle, dairy prod- ucts and hogs satisfactorily. He has also raised many horses upon the farm.
Mr. Pratt is enthusiastic in matters pertaining to farming, and is an interested member of the Chautauqua County Farm Bureau, the New York State Dairymen's League, and the local Grange. Politically, he is a Re- publican, but of independent mind. He has very defi- nite opinions upon certain political issues. Mr. Pratt is an earnest member of the Mayville Episcopal Church, and a substantial supporter thereof. And dur- ing the war, he generously supported the various war funds raised for the needs of the nation. And in an- other way, he substantially aided the cause by applying his entire efforts during the time of stress to gain, if possible, an increased yield in food stuffs from his farm- ing property. The part the American farmer, of ear- nest, loyal heart, played in the war is now national history of distinct credit to the nation, and every farmer who had part in the abnormal yield is entitled to receive a written record of that success.
Jason E. Pratt was married, May 7, 1885, to Mary Effiedene Bond, daughter of Ferando and Ellen (Rhu- bottom) Bond. She comes of a very old Chautauqua county family, one of her great-grandfathers having been Solomon Potter, who with a team of oxen came along what now is the Lake road and got as far as what is called Hunts Hill at Potter Cemetery, and found a large tree across the road and could go no farther, but with the philosophical placidity of a typical pioneer, Solomon Potter pitched his tent near the wagon and settled permanently in Chautauqua county. He was a man of stalwart type, and many were his achievements that were unusual. Once he walked to Vermont and back and in those days such travel would not consist merely of walking, the gun having to be constantly handy.
The material success Mr. Pratt has gained is all the more commendable seeing that it was entirely as the result of his own initiative and industry. Mr. Pratt still attends closely to agricultural affairs, and when he needs recreation he finds pleasure in automobiling.
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ALBERT NELSON AND FAMILY
THE ALBERT NELSON STOCK FARM NEAR JAMESTOWN, N. Y.
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CLAYTON LECLAIR POLLEY-Panama, once the leading village and business center of the town of Harmony, Chautauqua county, N. Y., was the ancient home of the Polley family, and there Clayton L. Polley, his father, Eugene Polley, and his mother, Ella (Tan- ner) Polley, were born.
Clayton L. Polley was born Jan. 30, 1880, and at the age of seven moved to Jamestown, N. Y., where he attended the public schools. At the outbreak of the war with Spain he enlisted in Company E, 65th Regi- ment, New York Volunteer Infantry, his term of en- listment beginning June 15, 1898, and terminating the same year. On Sept. 9, 1899, he again enlisted, this time in the 46th United States Volunteers, and was sent to the Philippines; he served with his regiment until they left for the United States to be mustered out, when he took his discharge, later joining the Military Police of Manila, Philippine Islands, where he spent several years, six of them in the police department of the city of Manila. He returned to the United States in 1907, and was in the office of the Secretary of War for a year. He was then appointed deputy United States marshal for Washington, D. C., and served several years, finally resigning and returning to Chautauqua county, N. Y. In 1912 he bought the farm in the town of Busti upon which he now resides. He is a Repub- lican in politics.
Mr. Polley was married in North Clarendon, Pa., Dec. 15, 1910, to Mae E. Glidden, born in Panama, Chautauqua county, N. Y., May 7, 1885, daughter of Frank M. and Ella Jane (Osborn) Glidden, her father also born in Panama. Mr. and Mrs. Polley are the parents of two children: Luella Glidden, born Oct. 9, 19II; Alberta Glidden, born Nov. 4, 1914.
ALBERT NELSON, one of the most successful of the dairy farmers of Chautauqua county, N. Y., where he has been actively engaged in this occupation for a number of years, is a native of Sweden, and a prominent member of the large group of men of Swedish birth or parentage who have settled in this region and done so much to advance the material interests of the com- munity. Mr. Nelson is a son of Charles and Char- lotta (Johnson) Nelson, and was born at his parents' home in Sweden, March 31, 1872. His father came to the United States with his family in the year 1884, and they became respected and esteemed residents of Cat- taraugus county, N. Y., Mrs. Nelson passing away July 29, 1920.
Albert Nelson was but twelve years of age when he made the trip to this country, and for the short period of seventeen days attended the public schools of his adopted home, and although his school days were short, he educated himself by study and reading. His family had been for many years engaged in farming operations, and the lad gained his first knowledge and experience in his future work while yet a boy. Thereafter he engaged in the same line on his own account, and has ever since continued therein with a notable degree of success. It was in the year 1911 that he became the owner of his present fine property in Ellery township, and in 1915 he moved to it; he at once proceeded to bring it to a high state of cultivation, and has made it one of the model farms of the locality. He has im-
proved the place and erected a number of buildings in order to more adequately equip it for the uses of dairy- ing. In 1914, he built a large and modern barn for the housing of his herds, and his dairy buildings contain all the latest devices and implements for the sanitary handling of the milk and other products. His success has been uninterrupted, and in 1915 he erected a very handsome brick residence on his property. Mr. Nel- son has also taken a public-spirited interest in the gen- eral life of Ellery township, and is well known socially and fraternally in the region. He is a member of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a Methodist in religious belief, attending the church of that denomination at Ellery.
Albert Nelson was united in marriage, May 21, 1898, at Salamanca, with Mary Olive Carlson, like himself a native of Sweden, where her birth occurred Jan. 27, 1877. She is a daughter of Olaf and Matilda (Mag- nusson) Carlson, of Sweden, and was but three years of age when she accompanied her parents to America. In 1831, the Carlson family settled at Falconer, N. Y., and there Mr. Carlson continued in the occupation of farming, which he had followed in his native land. Mr. and Mrs. Carlson only lived in Falconer six years after coming to the United States, and at the present time (1920) Mr. Carlson lives in the town of Ellington. Mrs. Carlson died July 30, 1920. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson are the parents of two children, as follows: Clarence A., born in Busti, May 3, 1900, and Olive Marie, born in Jamestown, June 22, 1914.
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