USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume III > Part 75
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Mr. Fuller naturally was very closely interested in the progress of the war; he would have been so whether his sons were with the military forces or not, for he is essentially a patriot. And while his sons were with the forces, he did his best to cooperate in the national effort to the limit of his means by subscribing to the various funds raised for the purposes of the government in its comprehensive prosecution of the war, and in many other ways Mr. Fuller managed to do what he consid- ered to be his part in the struggle. He has lived an esti- mable life, has proved himself upon more than one occa- sion to be a man of high, moral character, and a citizen of worthy type, and he has the sincere friendship of all of his neighbors.
WILLIAM P. FRISSELL-One of the most pros- perous and successful farmers of Chautauqua county is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He owns and operates a fine farm and is engaged in general farming. He is a man of good business and executive ability, as well as a practical and progressive agricul- turist. He has met with gratifying success and today ranks among the substantial men of his community. Mr. Frissell was born in Cleveland, Ohio, July 10, 1861, a son of George C. and Marie (Perry) Frissell.
William P. Frissell received his early education in the public schools of Jamestown, N. Y., and after grad- uating from the high school accepted a position as a
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school teacher and taught in the country schools for nearly seven years. Some time later he bought a strip of land and began the occupation of general farming, in which he continues at the present time.
Since casting his first presidential vote, Mr. Fris- sell has never wavered in his allegiance to the Repub- lican party. Though he has never sought public office, when it was offered him he accepted and gave to his county. State and nation, long and faithful service. He was elected justice of the peace and was also trustee for a number of years. Fraternally, Mr. Frissell is a member of the Grange, and he is one of the most promi- nent and respected members. He and his family are also members of the Congregational church, and con- tribute liberally to its support.
Mr. Frissell married, Aug. 28, 1889, at Kiantone, Jennie W. Creal, who was born in Kiantone, N. Y., Sept. 23. 1869, a daughter of John and Adelaide (Cowan ) Creal, natives of that town. To this union have been born the following children: Kathleen, born Aug. 18, 1800, the wife of Ralph Robeson, of James- town. N. Y .; and Helen A., born Sept. 1, 1890, the wife of Rudolph Nordland. of Jamestown, N. Y.
Mr. Frissell is well known throughout the township where he has made his home, and by the possession of those qualities which in every land and clime command respect he has won many friends. His career has been one of unfaltering industry, and through strong purpose and diligence he has worked his way upward to a plane of affluence.
ALVAH I. DRAYTON-It has been recorded by the pioneers of Chautauqua county that when that sec- tion of Western New York State was first explored and settled. there were found covering it one of the most magnificent forests that the New World had to offer, providing in those days splendid hunting grounds for the aboriginal Indians and since then unsurpassed opportunities for the lumberman. Its fertile soil and favorable climate seemed especially fitted for this lux- uriant growth and produced groves of pine equal in quality and quantity to anything to be found. Although today large portions of the magnificent primeval forest have been cleared away to make room for the broad cul- tivated acres that are now one of the chief glories of the region, and the cultivation of which have made the county one of the most agriculturally flourishing in the country, there still remain great tracts of fine timber which are a vast source of wealth and provide occupa- tion for the hardy lumbermen there and enormous supplies of lumber for the world markets. Among those who have been engaged in the lumber business should be mentioned Alvah I. Drayton, a prosperous and re- spected citizen of Bemus Point. Mr. Drayton is a on of Evert E. and Elizabeth (Smiley) Drayton, and : the maternal side is descended from an old Bemus Point family, his mother having been born at that place Hi maternal great-grandfather, Israel Rush, settled at Bemu, Point in 1810. The elder Mr. Dray- ton in a native of Randolph, N. Y., and for twenty- .men sear conducted a successful livery business at Jeme town, although he also resided for a time at Be- my. Point He added farming to his other business. Alvah I. Draston was born Sept. 22, 1885, at Bemus
Point, Chautauqua county, N. Y., but most of his child- hood was passed at Jamestown, where he attended the local public schools. During his youth he gained a con- siderable knowledge of argiculture on his father's farm, but early in life his attention was called to great opportunities in the lumber trade, and upon reaching manhood he became actively interested therein, working for twelve years for two firms in Jamestown. He has never, however, given up agriculture entirely. He owns a portion of the farm which has been in the pos- session of his family for four generations, and for sev- eral years has devoted his attention to farming and gardening. Mr. Drayton has always been interested in local affairs and is a strong supporter of the same, al- though up to the present he has never taken an active part in politics nor sought public office for himself. In his religious belief he is a Universalist and attends the church of that denomination at Bemus Point, making his home also in this charming town.
Mr. Drayton was united in marriage, April 10, 1913, at Jamestown, with Martenette P. Dunham, a native of Corry, Pa., born March 12, 1890, a daughter of Laverne and S. Pauline ( Phillips) Dunham.
ERNEST R. DIBBLE, progressive and enterprising farm owner of Westfield, and prominently identified with important agricultural organizations of the county, is a representative Chautauqua county farmer of the younger generation. He has been active in the work of the Chautauqua County Farm Bureau since its es- tablishment, and is one of the county's representatives upon the directorate of the Dairymen's League. He is still in the early prime of manhood, but he has lived a very active and useful life, and has come into prom- inence among agriculturists.
He was born in Portland, Chautauqua county, N. Y., March 22, 1878, the son of George E. and Miriam (Quilliam) Dibble. His father, who is still living, has lived his entire life in the county, and is a successful farmer. Ernest R. Dibble is one of nine children born to George E. and Miriam (Quilliam) Dibble, his broth- ers and sisters, in order of birth being: 1. Oliver H., who owned and edited a newspaper at Sinclairville, N. Y., for several years, later moving to St. Elmo, Ill., where he purchased the St. Elmo "Banner," which he edited until his death, which occurred at the age of thirty-three. 2. Lena, who eventually became Mrs. Scriven. 3. Newton, who is now a well known farmer at Chautauqua. 4. Clarence, who entered the United Brethren ministry, and has charge of a Pennsylvania church. 5. Mabel, who died at the age of seven years. 6. Alton, also a farmer in Chautauqua county. 7. Ray- mond, who graduated from Westfield High School and the Jamestown Business College, and held a responsi- ble position in Buffalo when taken with sickness which caused his death at the age of twenty-six. 8. Roy F., who took to academic life, and is now a member of the teaching staff at Columbia University, New York City.
Ernest R. Dibble, as a boy attended the district school of his native place, Portland, and after passing through that school attended the high school at West- field. Ile then went westward, for one year working at the printing trade in Illinois. Returning to Chau- tauqua county, N. Y., he bought a farm of forty-seven
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acres, which property he later sold to advantage. Later, for two years, he rented a property at Portland, giving up that place when he acquired an extensive farm of Jason Bigelow, a place of more than 120 acres, included in which was a five-acre grape vineyard. Ulti- mately, Mr. Dibble purchased the Weaver estate at Westfield, thereby acquiring a very good dairy and fruit farm, eighty-three acres in extent. He has proved himself to be an energetic, skillful farmer, and one who is ever alert to adopt into his farming modern meth- ods that have been proved successful in practice as well as in theory. And he has given much of his time to organization work among the agriculturists of the county. He is a man of intellectual mind, and has the confidence of his fellow agriculturists; he is a director of the Dairymen's League, and has been an active Granger for many years. In the work of the Farm Bureau he has taken close interest, especially during the time of the war, and has done much to make its sphere of work effective in his district. He is on the committee of that organization and during the war, when it endeavored to further the object of the Depart- ment of Agriculture and the Federal Government by en- couraging the farmers of the county to look closely into matters of production, so as to bring every possible acre into cultivation, Mr. Dibble was very active. Chautauqua county farmers as a whole did well in the matter of prevention of waste and in increased produc- tion during the years of national stress, and by such efforts had due part in the national result which en- abled the government to send abnormal supplies of foodstuffs overseas to help nations allied to our own through the trying time of famine and devastating war. And such results are due in great measure to such public-spirited and patriotic men as Mr. Dibble, who unselfishly gave of their own time to effect an improve- ment in the well being of their fellows. Mr. Dibble is a good organizer; that may be inferred by his election by his fellow agriculturists to a seat on the board of di- rectors of the Dairymen's League, which has effected great improvement in the condition of Chautauqua county dairy farmers.
Fraternally, Mr. Dibble is an Odd Fellow. By re- ligious conviction, the Dibble family belong to the United Brethren denomination, and a brother of Mr. Ernest R. Dibble is in the ministry.
During the great World War, Mr. Dibble keenly followed its progress, and more than once keenly felt the desire to set aside his useful but somewhat prosaic home work and take up arms for the great cause. That, however, was not possible because of the selective draft, which could not consider for military service men of his age; however, in the dark days of 1918, when the administration decided to extend the scope of the selec- tive draft, Mr. Dibble readily registered with the authorities of the federal body. He also registered for war service in 1917, under the laws of the State of New York. However, there was fortunately no need of calling into military service men of his age, but in many other ways he showed whole-hearted patriotism, and loyally subscribed to the various funds raised by the government and other organizations for the pur- poses of the war. It is of interest to note, in connec- tion with national service, that James Quilliam, an
uncle of Ernest R. Dibble, was one of the patriots of the Civil War, and met his death on the field of battle.
On March 8, 1905, Mr. Dibble married Stella, daugh- ter of Charles J. and Jennie (Smith) Merriam, of Port- land, Chautauqua county, N. Y. To them have been born two children: E. Carlton, a high school student; Edith N., who also attends the Westfield school.
Ernest R. Dibble has, during the last two decades, lived a useful, public-spirited and productive life within the county, and has made very many friends throughout the county, and especially in his home district.
ELLIS STEWART BUTTON-This branch of the Button family in Chautauqua county came from Gas- port, Niagara county, N. Y., but since 1912 Ellis S. Button has resided on his farm on Shady Side road, and at his cottage and summer store at the lake side at Beechwood. He has been successful both as a farmer and as a merchant, his standing in his community being of the highest. Ellis S. Button is a son of Arnold But- ton, born in Clinton county, N. Y., and his wife, Sabra (Root) Button, born in Utica, N. Y.
Ellis S. Button was born in Gasport, Niagara county, N. Y., Sept. 25, 1874, and there attended public school. After coming to Chautauqua county he engaged in farming, and in November, 1911, bought a farm of 113 acres on Shady Side road in the town of Busti from Daniel Sherman. On March 1, 1912, he moved to his purchase, but through the sale of building lots the acreage of his farm has been reduced. He also has a home on the lake at Beechwood, keeping a store open there during the summer months. He is a Republican in politics, a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, and of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Button married, April 14. 1898, in Gasport, N. Y., Mary Ida Silsby, born May 16, 1869, daughter of John D. and Alice (Kelton) Silsby, her father a min- ister of the Orangeport Christian Church. John D. Silsby was a veteran of the Civil War, enlisting at the age of sixteen. He was shot through the left lung in battle and left for dead. The Confederates carried him off the field and left him in a barn, and there he laid for a week with little food and no medical atten- tion. His father, who had been notified that his son had been killed, came in search of the body, and when about to give up in despair entered the barn and there found the boy nearly ready to succumb. He was taken home and nursed back to a life of usefulness and health, becoming a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Button are the parents of three children: Frances, born Feb. 24. 1899; Melicent Alice, born June 9, 1904: and John Arnold, born May 24, 1909.
ALBERT M. BURNETT, one of the leading farm- ers of Chautauqua township, and one of the most re- spected, comes of an old Vermont family which, through his father, has had connection with Chautauqua county, N. Y., for almost three-quarters of a century, and his own personal record, in industry and public-spirited- ness, has been commendable. For more than thirty years he has been one of the school trustees of his township; and he has farmed extensive acreages of Chautauqua county land for a longer period.
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He was born in the Burnett homestead, which is within easy distance of his present home, in Chautauqua township. Chautauqua county, N. Y., March 20, 1851, the son of Martin D. Burnett, who had come into Chau- tauqua county six years previously, and who was des- tined to remain in the county for sixty-two of his ninety years of life. Martin D. Burnett was born in Vermont, in 1819, and died in Chautauqua township, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Nov. 22, 1007. He established the Bur- nett homestead farm in Chautauqua county, in 1845, when he came with his wife and four children and settled in Chautauqua township. Altogether there were eight children of the generation of the Burnett family to which Albert M. belongs, six of whom still survive. The children of Martin D. Burnett were: 1. Lucy Maria, born in Shaftsbury, Vt., April 10, 1840. 2. Helen Sophia, born in Shaftsbury, Vt., Feb. 8, 1841. 3. Andrew, born in Shaftsbury, Vt., Dec. 8, 1842, died March 18, 1843, aged three months. 4. Catherine, born in Shaftsbury, Vt., Aug. 27, 1844. 5. Edward, born in Chautauqua township, N. Y., June 5, 1849, died Jan. I, 1870. 6. Albert M., regarding whose career more will be written later. 7. Rosamer, born in Chautauqua township, N. Y., April 25, 1856. S. John, born in Chautauqua township, N. Y., May 21, 1864. The Bur- nett homestead farm, which is a well-improved farm of 183 acres, has not yet been divided among the heirs of Martin D. Burnett, but that fact does not very ma- terially affect Albert M. Burnett who, early in man- hood, became an independent farmer, and now owns an agricultural property much larger than that owned by his father.
Albert M. Burnett was educated in the district school of Chautauqua township, later proceeding to Mayville, and taking the high school course in that place. After leaving school he assisted his father in the cultivation of the home farm until he was thirty years old, by which time he had married, and desired to establish himself independently. He therefore, in 1881. purchased a farm of seventy-five acres near that of his father, and that fart has been the nucleus of his present large holding, for as he has prospered, and as opportunity came, during the succeeding years, Al- bert M. has added to his farming possessions until he now has 275 acres, mostly rich land, in splendid condition. Every improvement upon the farm has been erected by or under the direction of Mr. Burnett, and as his property now is, it is adequately supplied with outbuildings and conveniences.
Albert M. Burnett has demonstrated definite capabil- ity as a farmer and in his general life has shown com- mendahly strong characteristics. He has succeeded in life by his own praiseworthy industry, steadiness and well-directed enterprise. He is interested in all things relating to farming, and has adopted upon his farm many of the modern methods. llc is an active member ( i 'he local Grange, and politically is a Republican. He has not, however, felt able to give much of his time to political matters, of national scope, though he has alway been interested in matters pertaining to his county and community. In educational matters, he has long been active, and has held the position of school tri tre in his district for more than thirty years.
On Feb. 8, 1878, Mr. Burnett married, in Chautau-
qua township, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Sarah Slay- ton, of Ashville, N. Y. They have three children: 1. Edward Clyde, born May 7, 1883, was educated in the district and Mayville High School, and has since taken manfully to tasks upon his father's farm. 2. Leonard Bird, born Nov. 30, 1885, educated in district and high schools, as was his elder brother, and eventually the husband of Mary Van Cise; they have two children, Albert Perry and Alice. 3. Albert Sprague, born April 8, 1889, received a high school education, and eventually married Daisy Quilliam; they have two children, Ar- lene and Marion.
Albert M. Burnett has had a good career of useful- ness, and is well representative of the best standards of Chautauqua county agriculturists. And his long residence in Chautauqua township has brought himn many friends, who have admired his stable qualities. He has been a man of responsibility and worthy life since his early manhood.
JOHN ALFORD LARSON-Later than the year 1900, John A. Larson, now a prosperous farmer of the town of Busti, Chautanqua county, N. Y., came to the United States with his wife Margaret and four chil- dren, the eldest, Oscar Adolph, then about eleven years of age. That son, twelve years later, enlisted in the United States navy during the war with Germany, and for more than two years served under the flag of his adopted country. The second son, Henry John, enlisted and saw a year's service in the marines, he too con- tributing "his bit" to his adopted country's defense.
John A. Larson was born in Sweden, June 1, 1866, was educated in good sehools, and there spent nearly forty years of his life engaged in farming. Upon arriv- ing at the proper age he was called to the colors and passed four years in the Swedish army. After coming to the United States, he became a land owner of the town of Busti, Chantanqua county, N. Y., and there now resides. He is a member of the Swedish Lutheran Church, and in politics a Republican.
Mr. Larson married, in Sweden, Dec. 30, 1801, Mar- garet Wesslen, born Oct. 26, 1871, daughter of Carl A. and Catherine Helen (Olson) Wesslen. Mr. and Mrs. Larson are the parents of eight children, the first four born in Sweden, the last four in Chantanqua county, N. Y .: I. Oscar Adolph, born Oct. 26, 1894, enlisted in the United States navy, June 2, 1917, was in the serv- ice at the United States Naval Station at Key West, Fla., and elsewhere, until honorably discharged and mustered out at Norfolk, Va., Sept. 2, 1919. 2. Eva Dorothy, born Sept. 16, 1806. 3. Henry John, born April 30, 1898, entered the United States service, June 13, 1918, was sent to Camp Custer for training, served with the marines and was honorably discharged in Bos- ton, April, 1910. 4. Karin Charlotte, born May 9, 1900. 5. Alford Roland, born Jan. 14, 1904. 6. Lillian Alvira, born July 1, 1906. 7. Ella Violet, born Ang. 18, 1908. 8. Margaret Jane, horn June 22, 1911.
JOHN WILLIAM GREENWOOD-Among those who devote their time and energies to agricultural pur- suits and are meeting with success in their chosen occu- pation is numbered John William Greenwood, who
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owns a large farm in Kiantone township, Chautauqua county, N. Y. He was born in Great Horton, England, Nov. 8, 1865, a son of T. Holder and Sarah (Stanis- torp) Greenwood, both natives of England.
John William Greenwood came to this country, July 10, 1886, and settled in Jamestown, N. Y. His educa- tion was received in England, and after laying aside his text books he accepted a position in a worsted mill. Later he purchased land and engaged in farming, in which occupation he still continues. Mr. Greenwood affiliates with the Republican party, having been a staunch supporter of its principles since he cast his first presidential vote. He is also popular in social circles, being a prominent and representative citizen as well as a genial, pleasant companion.
On Dec. 24, 1888, in Jamestown, N. Y., Mr. Green- wood was united in marriage with Annie Withers, born Oct. 27, 1867, a daughter of James and Sarah (Watson) Withers. Mrs. Greenwood's father and mother were both natives of England, her father having been born Feb. 19, 1842, and her mother, Jan. 3, 1844. Mr. and Mrs. Greenwood have four children, as follows: Henry P., born May I, 1890; Fred, July 10, 1891; William, Aug. 1, 1894; Margaret Elizabeth, Sept. 17, 1908.
GEORGE S. COWLES-"Hill Crest Farm," owned since the year 1900 by George S. Cowles, is a well located tract of 149 acres in Section 18, town of Har- mony, Chautauqua county. Mr. Cowles is developing "Hill Crest" as a high grade dairy farm, his herd of twenty-five fine Holstein cattle all being registered, and at the farm several pure blooded calves are giving promise for the future. Mr. Cowles is a farmer bred and born, and from youth has been familiar with the care and handling of live stock. He is a son of Archibald W. Cowles, born Oct. 9, 1840, a farmer of North Har- mony, and his wife, Martha Jane (Taylor) Cowles, born Aug. 6, 1846, in Harmony, also the birthplace of her husband.
George S. Cowles was born at Open Meadows, town of Harmony, Chautauqua county, N. Y., July 21, 1870. After completing public school study, he supplemented the knowledge thus gained by a short course of study at Cornell University, then began the business in which he has since been engaged, dairy farming. In 1900 he purchased his present farm, "Hill Crest," and devoted the acres thereof to general farming and the upkeep of his herd of Holsteins, one of the best in the county. For ten years Mr. Cowles conducted a creamery very successfully, but since 1903 has devoted himself entirely to the management of his own dairy farm. He is a Republican in politics, and has served his town as asses- sor. He is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Ebenezer Methodist Church.
Mr. Cowles married, Oct. 7, 1897, in Harmony, Emma G. Blanchard, born in Harmony, daughter of Charles and Helen (Flanders) Blanchard, her parents born in Harmony. Mr. and Mrs. Cowles are the parents of six children: Mary E., born Sept. 28, 1898; George H., born Ang. 30, 1902; Ivagene, born Dec. 30, 1903; Mil- dred, born March 16, 1906; Dorothy H., born May 30, 1908; Ruth L., born June 30, 19II.
FRANK C. MYERS-Among the prominent citizens of Kennedy, Chautauqua county, N. Y., where he has been engaged in agricultural operations for a number of ycars, and taken an active part in public life, should be mentioned Frank C. Myers, a native of the town of Randolph, N. Y., born April 12, 1871, a son of William C. and Mary (Carter) Myers, old and highly respected residents of this place.
Frank C. Myers attended as a lad the public schools of his native place and later the Chamberlain Institute, from which he was graduated with the class of 1891. Mr. Myers had already considerable training in general farming methods under his father, who was a well known agriculturist in the region, and in the year 1895 he became the possessor of a valuable farm property in the neighborhood of Waterboro, which he has ever since continued to operate with a high degree of success. Here Mr. Myers raises various farm products and spe- cializes in dairying, disposing of his produce in the neighboring markets. In this way he has built up a lucrative business, and is well known as one of the sub- stantial citizens hereabouts at the present time. Mr. Myers has also participated most actively in the general life of the community, and has always been especially interested in educational matters. He is a Republican in politics, and has always staunchly supported his party. He served as a member of the School Board at Kennedy for fourteen years, has been a member of the Election Board, has also been a justice of the peace for a number of years, and has won a well deserved repu- tation for the impartiality of his decisions. He is a member of the Grange, and he attends the Methodist church at Kennedy.
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