USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume III > Part 74
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96
Clarence N. Taylor was united in marriage, Oct. 6, 1886, near Frewsburg, with A. Coralyn Thayer, a daughter of I. Warren and Lucy A. (Cowan) Thayer, old and highly respected residents of Carroll, where Mrs. Taylor was born, Dec. 10, 1863. To Mr. and Mrs. Taylor one child has been born, Lynn B., Oct. 13, 1893.
FLOYD F. YOUNG-Among the most successful and prosperous farmers of Poland township, Chautau- qua county, N. Y., where for a number of years he has been prominent in the general life of the community, should be mentioned Floyd F. Young, a member of a well known county family, and a son of Ira and Susan (Belote) Young. The elder Mr. Young was also prom- inent in this region and was engaged successfully in business as a millwright and sawyer.
Floyd F. Young was born at Newtontown, Pa., April 28, 1873, and as a child resided on his father's farm, where he enjoyed the advantages of the wholesome rural life which has been the early environment of so many of the greatest citizens of the country in times past. His education was obtained at the local public schools, where he showed himself to be an intelligent and industrious pupil and gave early signs of the qual- ities that have since given him the success he has achieved. Upon completing his studies at these insti- tutions, Mr. Young turned his attention to the serious business of life, and after working for a time for his father became the owner of a farm, which he began to operate on his own account. He has continued to cultivate this place with a high degree of success ever since, and is to-day regarded justly as one of the most capable agriculturists of the district, while his property is shown as one of the model farms hereabouts. In ad- dition to his farming activities, Mr. Young has also extended his interests to other forms of enterprise.
Floyd F. Young was united in marriage, Feb. 22, 1899, at Falconer, N. Y., with Rose M. Helmick, a native of Randolph, N. Y., born March 24, 1873, a daughter of
600
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
Owen Jasper and Lucinda (Lane) Helmick, old and highly respected residents of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Young are the parents of one child, as follows, Clarence Helmick, born Feb. 22, 1900.
WARREN M. MARKHAM-The Markham home- stead in Villenova, Chautauqua county, N. Y., now owned by Warren M. Markham, was first owned in the family by Mark Markham, who came to Chautauqua county from Broome county, N. Y.
Mark Markham was the father of Adelbert Mark- ham, who owned the homestead, and married Nellie Scott, of the town of Arkwright, Chautauqua county. They were the parents of Warren M. Markham, who for a long term of years abandoned farming, but later bought the homestead and settled down to the cultiva- tion of its fertile acres.
Warren M. Markham was born in the town of Ville- nova, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Jan. 21, 1881. He began his education in the district school, completed his studies in Forestville High School, and for eight years after graduation taught in the public schools. He then successfully passed an examination for admission to the United States railway mail service, secured an appointment as railway postal clerk, and continued in that service for twelve years. He then bought the old homestead. resigned from the service, and has since lived the quiet, contented life of a prosperous land- owning famer. The homestead is a fine property, well improved, with a modern residence and barns, and a source of pride to its owner. Mr. Markham is a mem- ber of the Patrons of Husbandry, the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows, the Daughters of Rebekah, and the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a Repub- lican.
He married, July 27, 1904, Grace L. Maxson, born in Villenova, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Jan. 2, 1884, daughter of James and Minetta (Crowell) Maxson, both her parents born in Villenova. Mr. and Mrs. Mark- ham are the parents of a son, Robert, born March 13, 1911.
JAMES ALEXANDER McDOWELL, of Sher- man, Chautauqua county, N. Y., who was born in the homestead in which he still lives, and whose father was one of the pioneer settlers, purchasing the present well- cultivated estate when it was only forest and wilder- ness, is one of the representative agriculturists of that section of the State, and has worthily followed in the pioneer efforts of his father, so that to-day he owns an improved valuable agricultural property, 161 acres in extent, 127 acres of which are within the boundaries of Chautauqua township, and the remainder in the town- ship of Westfieldl. And in local affairs, he has been honored by election to more than one office.
James Alexander McDowell was born Dec. 20, 1858, the son of James and Jane (Galloway) McDowell. Itis father purchased the present property of the family in 1X45, and the boy James A. in his youth had to journey daily to the Summer Dale District School, which was the nearest to their farm, which is pleasantly located, about three-quarters of a mile from the little village of Summer Dale, in a northerly direction. After leaving
school, he resolutely applied himself to the task of aid- ing his father in the winning of all their land from the forest. He has steadfastly followed agriculture through- out his life, and has farmed well, giving due heed to all that was practicable in the findings of scientific farmers. He is much interested in stock raising, and may be con- sidered an authority upon the subject, for he makes his living mainly by stock raising and dairy farming.
He is a member of the local grange and has been for the last ten years. And he is a Republican who has taken some part in the bearing of national politics upon local conditions. He has held many public offices, has been a member of the Chautauqua township school board, has been collector for same township, and now is Republican committeeman representing his district upon the Chautauqua county committee of the Republi- can party.
Mr. McDowell married, Sept. 10, 1895, Pearl Greeley, of Summer Dale. They have two children : 1. De Emma, born April 18, 1899, and eventually married Khlar Hildum, of Titusville, Pa .; her husband, who is twenty-four years old, and fomerly was a railroad offi- cial, saw thirteen months of military service in France with the 312th Regiment, Headquarters Company, of the 78th Division. 2. Amber, daughter, born Aug. 4, 1902. Both children were educated in the Sherman High School. The family attended the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. and Mrs. McDowell are earnest members, as are also their children.
During the World War, Mr. McDowell worthily sup- ported all the projects which had for their object the prosecution of the war; he gave of his substance un- stintingly to the various funds, and he gave assiduously, in increased labor, to the national effort to increase the yield from the soil of America, so that the impoverished nations of Europe, or rather those which were our allies, might be sustained and held strong in the fight until the victory came. His effort, and that of every earnest, patriotic farmer, during the years of struggle, is worthy of good place in the national record, as the victory was not accomplished only upon the fields of France.
CARL O. LUNDGREN, who resides in Kiantone township, is a progressive, practical and enterprising farmer and stock raiser, owning and operating eleven and three-quarters acres of land near Jamestown. He was born March 27, 1873, in Sweden, and is the son of James and Marie Lundgren, both born in Sweden. James Lundgren, a carpenter by trade, was reared and educated in Sweden, and married there.
Carl O. Lundgren's early life was spent on his fa- ther's farm and his early education was received in the public schools of Sweden. In early life he was a car- penter. Upon coming to America he took up farming and continues this occupation at the present time. He is today regarded as one of the successful farmers of his township, having so capably directed his affairs that as the years have passed his labors have been rewarded with a very gratifying degree of prosperity.
Politically, Mr. Lundgren is a staunch Republican and has always kept well-informed on the questions and issues of the day, and gives to his party a stalwart support, but has never sought nor desired public office.
601
BIOGRAPHICAL
He and his family are members of the United Breth- ren church, and all are well known and respected. Mr. Lundgren is a public-spirited and progressive citizen and gives his loyal support to all men and measures that have for their object the general good of all the people.
Mr. Lundgren married, in Kiantone, N. Y., June 30, 1897, Bertha Crick, born in 1874, a daughter of Adel- bert and Margaret (Seekings) Crick, well known resi- dents of that place. To this union have been born six children, as follows: Mildred G., born March 25, 1900; Beulah M., born Oct. 31, 1903; Clifford O., born March 22, 1906; Doris E., born Jan. 31, 1908; Helen M., born March 19, 1910; and Vera G., born Jan. 9, 1912. A11 the above mentioned are attending school.
ALBRO LAWRENCE, who for many years has been prominent in the life of the community where he resides, Ellington, N. Y., is a native of Ellington, born May 28, 1856, son of Simon and Mary (Potwin) Law- rence, old and highly respected residents of Ellington, the former named having been the first white child born in the town of Ellington, and there was engaged in farming for many years. Simon Lawrence was a son of Simon and Hannah (Wilcox) Lawrence, who came to this region of New York State from Mt. Holly, Vt., in the year 1816, making the trip through what was then well nigh a wilderness, in an ox cart.
Albro Lawrence attended as a lad the common schools of his native town of Ellington, and proved him- self an industrious and painstaking student. He as- sisted his father in the management of the farm, be- coming familiar with the agricultural methods of that day, mowing out the corners of rail fences and swampy places with a scythe, following after the load of hay with a hand rake, and thrashing out grain with a flail, this being the way work was done prior to the intro- duction of machines. Mr. Lawrence is a stockholder in the Farmers' & Mechanics' Bank of Jamestown, has always maintained a keen and active interest in public affairs and is well known and influential in the local councils of the Prohibition party, with which he has been affiliated since 1884. In religious belief, Mr. Law- rence is a Free Methodist and attends the church of that denomination in Ellington.
Mr. Lawrence married, July 4, 1880, in Sugargrove, Pa., Alida Phelps, who was born in West Turin, Lewis county, N. Y., May 19, 1857, came to Ellington when a child with her parents, William and Catherine (Ja- cobie) Phelps, old and highly respected residents of Ellington.
MELVIN FRANKLIN JOHNSON, who has lived in Chautauqua county, N. Y., for forty-two years, and for thirty-seven years has lived on the good farm he owns on Lake Road, in the township of Westfield, is an enterprising, progressive farmer, and has good place among the leading residents of that section of the county, being generally respected for his industry, his high moral character and public interest. He has reached a satisfactory competence in material wealtlı entirely by his own efforts, and has gained a wealth of respect by his upright, lionorable standard of life and business dealings.
Melvin F. Johnson was born in Union City, Erie county, Pa., Aug. 10, 1859, the son of Titus and Mary (White) Johnson. His great-grandfather, Obadiah Johnson, fought in the Revolutionary War and attained the rank of colonel. His father was a prosperous farmer of that section of Pennsylvania, and as a boy Melvin F. attended the district school nearest to his home, later attending the village schools of Union City. He was reared in the wholesome environment of farm life and a good Christian home, and long before he had closed his schooling and taken to the serious af- fairs of life, he had become familiar with most of the operations of farming, so that it was natural that he should take to farming pursuits eventually and seek to emulate his father. He has farmed steadily throughout his life since leaving school and for almost the whole of the time in Chautauqua county, N. Y. He left his native State when he was eighteen years old, and set- tled on a farm in Clymer, Chautauqua county, N. Y. He now lives on his own farm in Westfield. Some years ago he purchased additional acreage, adjoining his own. In the two farms, which Lake Road divides, he has more than one hundred acres, all well improved and productive land. The improvements consist of two complete sets of buildings, and he has an extensive vineyard of thirty-seven acres, which yields him a considerable quantity of grapes yearly. Both farms are managed by Mr. Johnson, and in addition to dairy farming, he keeps a large number of chickens. Alto- gether Mr. Johnson has prospered well since he came to Chautauqua county and may be considered to be representative of the substantial agriculturists of the county.
Mr. Johnson has not taken a very active interest in national politics, but has closely followed local affairs, and during his life has taken a share in the administra- tion of the public affairs of his township; by political allegiance he is a Republican, and has been a school trustee of No. 10 school for several terms, and at pres- ent is collector for that school. Religiously he is a Methodist, a member of the local Methodist Episcopal church, and a steady supporter of same. Mr. John- son is a member of the local Grange, and throughout his life has shown keen interest in agricultural mat- ters, and his methods of farming indicate that he has given close study to modern ideas of scientific farm- ing. He has always been most progressive, and ready to adopt any method that would be likely to bring greater productiveness from his farms. The home life of the Johnsons has been estimable, they have many friends, are very hospitable, and well liked.
The marriage of Melvin F. Johnson to Addie Bourne, of Westfield, was solemnized on Feb. 20, 1885. Mrs. Johnson's parents were among the early settlers of Westfield. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson three children have been born, one, a daughter, Mary Anna, who died in infancy. The surviving children are: Hattie May, who was educated in the district school of Westfield township, and eventually attended the Westfield High School ; she is the wife of Earl Saigeon, and they have three children: Earl Webster, Melvin Franklin John- son, and Lovina Ann; and Frances, who also was edu- cated in the district and high schools of Westfield, and has taught in Westfield public school.
602
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
TOWNSEND JACKSON-On Section 2, of the town of Ellicott, stood a building erected for a tavern and used as such for one year. In IS55 Townsend Jack- son bought the farm and tavern, and there resided until his death, when it became the property of his surviving children. Edward M. Jackson, of Youngsville, Pa., Louise A. (Jackson) Garfield. and Olive B. Jackson. The farm has been shorn of many of its acres, as the demand for lots and small tracts became insistent, until now the homestead is surrounded by but twenty of its original acres.
Townsend Jackson, son of Obadiah Jackson, of Eng- lish descent, and his wife, Sarah (Boreman) Jackson, of Holland descent, was born in the village of Roslyn, Long Island, N. Y., Aug. 16, 1824. died at his home in the town of Ellicott, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Nov. 24. 1001. He spent his early life in his native section of the State, then came to Chautauqua county, locating in the town of Ellicott, where he bought the farm pre- viously referred to and now the present home of his daughters, Louise A. (Jackson) Garfield, and Olive B. Jackson. In addition to his farming operations, he dealt in fine horses, not more for a desire for profit than for a genuine love for a good horse. He owned several during his lifetime, to which he became greatly at- tached, and the sale of them was often postponed. He was a man of strong and upright character, devoted to his family, and universally liked. He was successful in his undertakings, and an excellent business man. In politics he was a Republican; in religion a Quaker or Friend.
Townsend Jackson married, in Greenvail, Long Island, March 14, 1843, Margaret A. Nostrand, born Nov. 2, 1825, in Jericho, L. I., died March 25, 1903, at the farm in Ellicott, Chautauqua county, daughter of Epenetus and Eliza (Burt) Nostrand, of Holland de- scent. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson were the parents of six children, as follows: Sanford, deceased; Jones, de- ceased; Louise A., married Albert P. Garfield, of Busti; Epenetus N., deceased; Edward M., of Youngsville, Pa., and Olive B.
EMMIT DAVID HOUSE, a successful farmer of Westfield, N. Y., descends from an English family who came from England prior to the Revolution and set- tled in Chantanqua county, N. Y.
David House, father of Emmit D. House, of this re- view, was born June 27, 1832, and was reared on the farm in Chautauqua county which his Grandfather Flouse, who served in the Revolutionary War, pur- chased, improved and cultivated until his death in 1838. The boy David carly commenced work on the farm, and .pent his entire life sowing and reaping the harvest of his fields, together with the conducting of a fine grape vineyard. which he had cultivated. He was a Repub- lican in politics, but being of a modest and retiring nature. he cared not for political honors, although he was erer willing to advance the interests of his party y honest and legitimate means. He married, in 1860, Mary Anne Cadwell, daughter of Samuel Cadwell, of Portland, and they became the parents of nine chil- dren . Edwin M., James S., Nabby S., Nancy, Emmit
D., of further mention; Almedia A., Clara, Arthur J., Lydia A.
Emmit David House was born in Westfield, N. Y., Nov. 24, 1868. the son of David and Mary Anne (Cad- well) House. After receiving his education in the local schools, he became a farmer. In politics he is a Repub- lican, and as a true citizen he gives his influence and support to the furtherance of all good measures that conserve the interest of good government.
Emmit David House was united in marriage with Lizzie A. Noxon, who was born Dec. 21, 1868, the daughter of Matthew S. and Ermina (Weaver) Noxon. Matthew S. Noxon was born in Delaware county, N. Y., the son of Claudius and Loduma ( Farrington) Noxon, and when the boy Matthew S. was nine years of age he was sent to live with his uncle, Daniel M. Farrington, in Westfield. It was here that he was educated and later learned farming. He was a Republican in poli- tics, and was noted for his honesty and fair dealings. Mr. and Mrs. House have no children.
FRANK WILLIAM GIESLER, a family name known in Chautauqua county agricultural records since 1863, when his father purchased the farm he now oc- cupies, has shown himself to be a man of commendable characteristics and likeable nature. He has conse- quently many friends among his neighbors, and has had good success in his farming enterprises.
He was born in Brant township, Erie county, village of Farnham, N. Y., Oct. 14, 1856, the son of Adolph and Frederica (Hindenburg) Giesler. His father, Adolph Giesler, was a man of strong character and democratic tendencies; in fact, because of his dem- ocratic leaning he thought it advisable to leave Ger- many soon after the unsuccessful revolution in Ger- many, in 1848. He brought his wife to the United States, and in 1852 rented the farm in Farnham, Brant township, Erie county, N. Y., upon which their son, Frank W., was born, In 1863 Adolph Giesler acquired the first forty-five acres of the farm in Chautauqua county, now owned and occupied by his son, Frank W., the family home in Erie county being retained, while he gradually cleared his Chautauqua county tract and brought it into satisfactory cultivation. Eventually, the family moved into Chautauqua county, and in course of time Adolph Giesler added another fifteen acres to his holding.
Frank William Giesler received a district school edu- cation, and since has given his time mainly to agricul- tural occupations. At the outset he assisted his father in the operation of the home farm, and did some car- pentering. During the years 1873-74, he worked as such in Sheridan, returning to the farm in 1875, and remaining with his father until he married in 1881, soon after which he went to work in the shops at Dunkirk, Chautauqua county. However, in 1888, he returned to the farm, and since that time has steadily worked it, a period of thirty-two years of productive, profitable labor. After the death of his father, he purchased an additional fifteen acres, so that his holding is now seventy-five acres in extent, a well-improved property, embracing vineyard, stock, and chicken farm. Mr. Gies-
603
BIOGRAPHICAL
ler maintains sixty acres in cultivation, and the re- mainder is in pasture, with some timber. He has erected some modern conveniences, including a thirty- ton silo, and has some fine cattle and horses. His grape cultivation is also quite extensive.
In political allegiance he is a Republican, but has not followed actively national politics, but in local affairs he has always taken much interest, especially in educa- tional matters. He is at present clerk of school dis- trict No. II. He and his wife have taken good part in community life, and they have many friends. Mr. Giesler has also taken active interest in the local Grange, of which he has for very many years been a member. Religiously, he is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church, and attends St. Peter's Church, at Westfield, contributing loyally to its support.
On Feb. 24, 1881, Mr. Giesler married Frederica Nieman, of Ripley, N. Y., and to them have been born three children: I. Emma, who was educated at the district school, and at Westfield High School; later married William Keopka, of Summer Dale, Chautauqua county, and they are the parents of four children : Fredia, Frances, Herman, and Edna. 2. Rosa, who was educated in the district and Westfield high schools, and has since lived at home. 3. John, who received educa- tional advantages similar to those afforded his sisters; eventually married Hattie Neill; they both live with his parents, and he ably assists his father in the operation of the family agricultural estate.
Altogether, Frank William Giesler has had a satis- factory and successful career, made so mainly by his own energy and steadfastness of purpose. He has always worked hard, but it has been intelligent, well- directed labor, and he has consequently had good return materially for the labor expended. And he has had a certain and gratifying return in the respect in which he is held by his neighbors and many friends through- out the county.
GEORGE W. FULLER, esteemed and prosperous farmer, with a good agricultural property in Kiantone township of Chautauqua county, N. Y., had the honor of seeing two sons leave home for national service in the military forces during the recent war, and had the supreme gratification of welcoming them both home again, after the termination of the war.
George W. Fuller was born in Ellery, Chautauqua county, N. Y., May 7, 1851, the son of John W. and Sarah M. (Buell) Fuller. His father was a farmer, and as a boy George W. attended the graded school of his native place. Thereafter he spent his years of in- dustrial effort mostly in farming operations, for a while assisting his father in the management and opera- tion of the family property, but eventually branching out for himself and taking upon his own shoulders the responsibility of a farm, and also a family. He gave indication of the possession of commendable, reliable traits, and was business-like as well as energetic in his farming, and so he gradually prospered. He has for very many years been a staunch Democrat in national politics, although he did not enter actively into national political work; in local affairs he was not necessarily a Democrat; he followed the dictates of common sense and voted for the man whom he thought was best fitted
for the responsibilities of the office. He sought no office for himself, although had he done so he would in all probability have secured one or more, for he has always been well respected and popular in his own community. And he was ever ready to aid in any way he thought possible any local project which he considered might prove advantageous for the community. For very many years he has been a member of the local grange. He is a conscientious Christian, and has given matters of reli- gion and theology deep study.
Mr. Fuller was married, Dec. 22, 1881, in Kiantone, to Mary L. Perry, daughter of Clinton and Satira (Sherman) Perry, also of Kiantone. She was born in Kiantone township, Nov. 20, 1858. Her father was a whole-souled patriot, for when she was only three years old he left home to join the Union forces and did not return home again until the Civil War had been won, passing through three years and nine months of severe campaigning. To George W. and Mary L. (Perry) Fuller have been born six children: I. Perry, born June 16, 1884; married Grace Grou, and they have one child, Louise. 2. Carl J., born June 27, 1886. He married Ethel Hale, and they have one daughter, Elmira A. 3. Phoebe A., born Dec. 5, 1888; she married Frank Thayer, and became the mother of his three children : Margaret, Kenneth, and Priscilla. 4. Ezra, born May 18, 1890; saw nine months' of military service in Amer- ican stations during the European War. 5. John W., born Feb. 10, 1896; a veteran of the Great War; he entered the United States army, Nov. 21, 1917, and was assigned to the battery of Heavy Artillery, which eventually became part of the First Division; with that unit he served in France and Germany, and returned home safely in August, 1919, being honorably discharged on the 22nd of that month from an American demobili- zation center. 6. Henry B., born Sept. 13, 1901.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.