USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume III > Part 77
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
David L. Arnold was united in marriage, April 29, 1896, with Alice Cheney, like himself a native of Bemus Point, born Dec. 9, 1878, a daughter of Mark H. and Mary (Bennett) Cheney. To Mr. and Mrs. Arnold four children have been born, as follows: Richard E., borri Nov. 16, 1897; Catherine E., born June 27, 1900, died Nov. 27, 1903; Esther, born April 3, 1904; and Ruth, born Aug. 14, 1900.
RALPH RAY BABCOCK-A man of enterprise, Mr. Babcock has, as a farmer, planted good seed and has seen a valuable harvest spring forth and ripen, through his activities in sowing. Mr. Babcock is a son of Samuel Russell Babcock, a farmer, and his wife, Ella (Carpenter ) Babcock, of Matthews Run, Warren county, Pa.
Ralph Ray Babcock was born at Matthews Run, Pa., May 20, 1881, and is now a farmer of the town of Har- mony, residing in the village of Ashville. He is a Re- publican in politics, a member of the Methodist Episco- pal church, and of Watts Flats Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Patrons of Husbandry.
Mr. Babcock married, Jan. 31, 1906, Frances Hildum, born in the town of Ellery, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Nov. 10, 1875, daughter of Chester A. and Loretta Jane
612
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
( Barney) Hildum, her father born in Cherry Creek, her mother in Ellery. Mr. and Mrs. Babcock are the parents of a son, Ronald Russell, born Feb. 4. 1910.
Mrs. Frances ( Hildum) Babcock through her mother, Mrs. Loretta Jane ( Barney) Hildum, is a descendant of the Revolutionary soldier, Luther Barney, who is buried in Ellery. Chautauqua county, N. Y. Luther Barney, born in Norwich, Conn., 1757, died in Ellery, N. Y., 1844: enlisted in 1776 as a private in the Connecticut militia raised to reinforce General Washington in New York. Later he enlisted in the navy, and in an en- gagement with the enemy was taken prisoner and con- fined on a prison ship. He was released at the solicita- tion of General Lafayette, but his brother, Edward Barney, was retained on the prison ship and died of small-pox while yet a prisoner. Mrs. Babcock is a teacher, having taught in several rural schools of the county and four years in Lakewood High School. She was graduated from Valparaiso College, Valparaiso, Ind., in 1003. with the B. S. degree. During the war, when a call came to do her bit, she again took up the profession to help the rural schools and is still serving in the capacity of teacher.
MARION L. BAGG, a farmer of Ellington, re- spected in that section of Chautauqua county because of his steady, industrious qualities and skillful farming, and because of his upright, manly life in general. was born in Ellington, where the family name of Bagg has been for many decades a familiar and respected one.
His birth date was June 6, 1885, and his parents, C. T. and Nellie (Terry) Bagg, had for long prior to that time been residents in Ellington. His father was well known in many other parts of the county, and in adjoin- ing counties, for he was a salesman, active, successful, and well liked.
Marion L. Bagg grew to manhood in the place of his nativity, and was given a good education in the public schools of Ellington, eventually graduating from the high school. Thereafter, he took resolutely to farming occupations. appreciahly improved his property, and now has a holding which brings him a very satisfactory return. He is interested in all questions pertaining to agriculture, and is a regular attendant at the county fair -. He also belongs to the local Grange, taking part in i's affa rs. By political allegiance, he is a Republican. He loyally followed President Wilson upon national questions that had bearing upon the recent war, realizing that he needed the whole-souled coopera- tin of all true patriots. And he contributed, to the limit of his means, to the funds promoted successively ring the progress of the war to meet the needs of the try. in me phase of the military operations.
I c. 1. 175, Marion L. Bagg was married. in the town of Poland, to Bessie Scars, daughter of P.f. T. and Nellie ( Welch) Scars. Mrs. Bessie Crear ) Bagg was born in Poland, Chautauqua county, '. 7. Aug. 16, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Bagg are the par- (' .i tw , children : Helen Lucile, born Dec. 30, .aCand Catherine Allene, born Aug. 0, 1918. Mr. and Mr. Bagg take good part in community affairs, having a Vedly feeling for their neighbors, and a happy out- 'ky opon life in general, so that they are much liked the community.
EDWARD BEERS, one of the prominent and pro- gressive farmers of Chautauqua county, N. Y., where he has pursued this occupation for a number of years, was born at Blooming Valley, Meadville, Pa., Dec. 4, 1863. He is a son of Henry and Emmeline (Smith) Beers, old and highly respected residents of that place.
As a lad. Edward Beers attended the local district schools. During his spare hours he assisted his father in the work on the latter's farm and also worked for other farmers and lumbermen in that region. Upon reaching man's estate he came to Chautauqua county, N. Y., and secured a position with G. D. Bates, a prominent lumberman of this region, with whom he remained for some ten years. Eventually Mr. Beers rented a farm made up of the properties of two dif- ferent farmers in this region, which he operated for a time, and in 1918 he bought the old Swartz property of ninety acres, containing a modern dwelling house and a fine barn. Here he engaged in general farming and dairying, disposing of his produce in the local markets of the surrounding communities. Mr. Beers is a well known figure in the general life of this place, and is a member of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Volusia Grange. Mr. Beers has always been an independent in politics, but in spite of the fact that he is not affiliated with any party he was appointed postmaster at Selkirk, Pa., near Warren City, as a young man, and continued to hold that responsible office from 1899 to 1903. He is keenly interested in the agricultural development of the community and his own farm may well serve as a model here.
Edward Beers was united in marriage, Dec. 20, 1886, at Spring Creek, Pa., with Rosa Christine Lillie, a daughter of James and Clandine (Havens) Lillie, of that place, and Crawford county, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Beers are the parents of the following children : P. A., who married Mary Nichols, by whom he has had one child, Eleanor: Bryan, a graduate of the agricultural course at the Westfield High School, from which he holds two certificates, and now engaged in farming near here: Robert, who was selected to attend the cat- tle judging contest at Alfred University in 1918, and received the first prize, the highest award in the State.
ROLLIN CLAUDE BENNETT, who has been for a number of years one of the figures in the agri- cultural interests of Portland township, Chautauqua county, N. Y., is a native of Clymer, where his birth occurred March 11, 1871. Mr. Bennett is a son of Rol- lin and Dora (Ross) Bennett, and is related on both sides of the house to families which have taken part in the history of this community. Both the Bennetts and the Rosses are old settlers at Clymer, where Mr. Ben- nett's paternal grandfather was born. On the maternal side the Ross family is descended from Joseph W. Ross, who came to C'lymer early in the nineteenth cen- tury and was the owner of lot No. 55 and a part of lot No. 56, purchased by him from the Holland Land Com- pany in August, 1825. The remainder of lot No. 56 was also purchased by him in the following April.
Rollin Claude Bennett was educated in the public schools of Clymer and attended the high school there. During his spare time he assisted his father in the work on the latter's farm and became practically famil-
613
BIOGRAPHICAL
iar with agricultural methods. He has ever since con- tinued in this line of work. In the spring of 1887 Mr. Bennett came to Portland township, where he was em- ployed on a number of local farms. About this time he was engaged in the study of grape culture, which is one of the largest industries in Chautauqua county. Mr. Bennett became manager of the famous Lake View Vineyard, which he conducted for a term of years, and in December, 1909, purchased his present farm of eighty- four acres. He moved on to this place early in 1910 and since that time has devoted himself to bringing it to its present state of cultivation. At the present time he has about thirty acres of fine vineyard. He also set out a fine orchard, consisting of about 400 trees. In politics he is a Democrat.
Rollin Claude Bennett was united in marriage, July 22, 1890, with Jane Case, a native of Hartfield, Chau- tauqua township, and a member of an exceedingly old family there. Her parents were Harrison and Jeanette (Locke) Case. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bennett, as follows: 1. Winnifred, the wife of Thomas Reynolds, of Westfield. 2. Guy Ross, born June 1, 1893; he married Grace McCoy, and they are the parents of one child, Byrum Guy Bennett. 3. Clyde Locke, born Jan. 1, 1896, who is now serving as a member of the United States Marine Corps, located anywhere in the world. 4. Glenn. 5. Dorothy Jean- ette, who died when not yet two days old.
CLARK EUGENE BENTLEY-Although the owner of a good farm in section 43 of the town of Cherry Creek, Chautauqua county, N. Y., which he bought in 1911 and upon which he resides, Mr. Bentley has long been a United States rural mail carrier, driv- ing a route from the Forestville postoffice for ten years and from Cherry Creek postoffice for nine years. He is a son of Eugene and Alice (Bloss) Bentley, his father a farmer of the town of Hanover, Chautauqua county, N. Y., at the time of the birth of his son, Clark E. He is a grandson of Truman Bloss, one of the pioneer set- tlers of Chautauqua county. He was born in Wethers- field Springs, Wyoming county, N. Y., Dec. 7, 1815, came to Chautauqua county about 1836, died Jan. 6, 1915.
Clark E. Bentley was born Sept. 8, 1875, and was educated in the public schools, attending high school at Silver Creek and Forestville. His early life was spent upon the home farm in Hanover, but later he entered the United States postal service as rural free delivery carrier and has since been in the service continuously. In IgII he became the owner of his present farm in the town of Cherry Creek, and since then has driven a route in that town. He is an independent in politics.
Mr. Bentley married in Corry, Pa., Jan. 16, 1901, Neva Bowen, born Dec. 14, 1875, daughter of Clark G. and Ida (Griffin) Bowen, her father born in Morrow county, Ohio; her mother a Pennsylvanian. Mr. and Mrs. Bentley are the parents of two children, both born in Forestville, Chautauqua county, N. Y .: Ralph Don- ald, born Oct. 3, 1901; and Ruth Fern, born Sept. 22, 1903.
HARLOW HENRY BREADS, a responsible farmer of the Westfield section of Chautauqua county, N. Y., is a native of that county, born on his father's
farm, which was near to that upon which he has lived for the last twenty-two years, near Volusia. And he has spent his whole life within the county.
He was born Ang. 4, 1866, the son of Isaac and Mary (Case) Breads. His father, Isaac Breads, and his uncles, John and William Breads, were formerly of Herkimer county, N. Y., but came with their families into Chau- tauqua county in 1862, and settled on uncultivated land, or mostly uncultivated, near Volusia, and thus took part in pioneer efforts within the county. When the Breads brothers first came into the Volusia section, it was sparsely populated, and there is now only one farmer living in the vicinity who was there when they came. Isaac Breads, father of Harlow Henry Breads, has been dead for many years, but his widow, Mary (Case) Breads, is still in good health, bearing in mind her age, and lives .il .. .. .
Harlow Henry Breads was educated in the district school nearest to his father's farm, and in due course took to agricultural occupations, at the outset assist- ing his father in the operation of the home property. Eventually he married, and settled upon a farm of 137 acres, which formerly had belonged to the Eddy family, one of the oldest of the pioneer families of Chautauqua county, and certainly of that section of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Breads have lived on the farm for twenty- two years, and she has lived on it longer, for she was of the Eddy family, and at the time of her marriage to Harlow H. Breads it was owned by hier mother, her father being dead. Mr. Breads has much improved the property, which is now a valuable dairy, stock and gen- eral farming estate. He is an active member of Lom- bard Grange, of which organization he has been past master; and he has been honored by more than one election to public office; he has been a trustee of the local schools for seventeen years, and at one time un- dertook the responsibilities of the office of constable for the district.
His marriage to Lizzie Eddy was on July 15, 1896. Mrs. Breads has for many years been particularly ac- tive in community affairs, and coming as she does from an historic family, she is naturally much interested in matters that pertain to the history of Chautauqua county. She has identified herself with the proceedings of the Chautauqua County Historical Society, and in her possession is a large collection of interesting his- torical relics, bequeathed to her by her father and other members of the Eddy family. Harlow H. and Lizzie (Eddy) Breads have one child, Ralph Herbert, who has grown to manhood and now is a veteran of the Great War: he was educated in the district schools, graduated from Westfield High School, and had taken earnestly to agricultural occupations upon his father's farm when the nation was declared to be in a state of war with Germany: as a whole-souled young patriot he enlisted when 20 years old; he saw war service in France, and later with the Army of Occupation in Ger- many, as a corporal; his return to the United States and to civilian life was quite recent.
While he was away, his parents did all they could to further the national cause, both by financial con- tributions to the various funds, and by personal service, to the Red Cross in the case of Mrs. Breads, and by closer application to farming in the case of Mr. Breads. The work accomplished by the American farmer in
614
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
bringing increased yield of foodstuffs to bolster up the ill-nourished allied countries while the struggle was proceeding had an inconsequential part in the final victory won, and the earnest American farmer who participated might well be satisfied with his share in the national accomplishment.
WILL F. BROWN, a well known farmer of Kian- tone town lup, his home being on section 11, was born Sept. 7. 1802. in Carroll township, a son of Eliphalet and Lyd:a Eveline (Martin) Brown, well known resi- dents of Kiantone township, and grandson of Charles Brown, who came to Chautauqua county from Massa- chusetts in 1818. He married Betsey Smith, daughter of Moses and Margaret Smith, and settled in Car-ati township, near Conewange and they were the parents of six chil.' ....: Eliphalet. of whom further; Charles, Elmia, Elvira, Warren and Harriet.
E'ichsiet Brown, son of Charles and Betsey (Smith) P.own. married Lydia Eveline Martin, and to them three children were born: Martin, Manley and Will F., the subject of this sketch.
Will F. Brown received his early education in the public schools of Jamestown, N. Y., and after graduat- ing from the Jamestown High School, took up the study of engineering, later accepting a position with the American Axe and Tool Company. In 1897 he resigned his position and took up agricultural pursuits, in which occupation he continues at the present time. In poli- tics Mr. Brown is a staunch Democrat, and he and his family are members of the Congregational church, He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Grange.
In Jamestown. N. Y., May 19, 1892, Mr. Brown was united in marriage with Effie C. Lukins, born Feb. 9. ING. a daughter of Philip H. and Lurilla (Du Bois) Luikin -. Two children were born of this union, as follows: Lurilla Eveline, born Oct. 23, 1893, and Phil- lip Eliphalet, born March 2, 1895.
Success has come to Mr. Brown as the result of strong purpose, unfaltering energy and earnest and honest endeavor, and his life is indeed exemplary in many respects.
ARTHUR JAY BUSH-Among all the farmers who-e act: ities have played so important a part in the development of Falconer, Chautauqua county, N. Y., ron" is better known or more successful than Arthur Jay Bus, who has been engaged actively in the rais- rg o k and farm produce in this region for many Mr Bish was born in Conewango, Jan. 23. [&-4. the son of Adelbart and Alta ( Jay) Bush, old and Haldy re ported citizens of that place, where the elder on, was engaged in farming operations.
1sur Ja; Bu h wa reared in the wholesome en- & the fam. for he spent his summer months any hi ist er with his work on his place, and . method and gained the experience ti foundation of his own success as a farrer He ape med the local public schools in the the god for le received hi early education, but as and progre sive youth he was not att felad thi :nd o later he became a student
in the Chamberlain Institute at Randolph, N. Y. After completing his studies at this institution, Mr. Bush devoted himself to helping his father for a time that he might round out his knowledge of agricultural meth- ods, and in the year 1900 he came into possession of his present property where he now applies his farming experience with great success upon his own account, so much so that his indefatigable industry has developed it into one of the model farms in this part of the coun- try, to so high a state of cultivation has he brought it. Mr. Bush has not, however, confined his activities to agricultural pursuits, but has taken a prominent part in local public affairs and has served the community as justice of the peace for several years with great faith- fulness, and has shown marked ability in his conduct of this difficult and important office. He has been a conspicuous figure in social and club circles here, and is affiliated with a number of important organizations. Mr. Bush is connected prominently with the First Na- tional Bank of Falconer, and in all business matters has shown a wide grasp of practical affairs. In his re- ligious belief he is a Methodist and attends the Wes- leyan church of that denomination at Falconer.
Arthur Jay Bush was united in marriage, Sept. 20, 1900, at Levant, N. Y., with Hattie Irene Clark, a native of Gerry, N. Y., where her birth occurred Nov. 21, 1878, a daughter of Benjamin and Jane (Chapman) Clark, both old and respected citizens of Levant, N. Y. To Mr. and Mrs. Bush have been born two chil- dren, as follows: Elton Clark, born April 27, 1903, and Lucile May, born July 31, 1905.
HAROLD CAMP-Among the younger progressive farmers of Ellery township, Chautauqua county, N. Y., there is none better deserving of mention, both on ac- count of his success in his chosen occupation and his public-spirited interest in the affairs of the community, than Harold Camp, whose life and career have always been associated with that place. Mr. Camp was born Aug. 11, 1807, in Ellery township, a son of Merrit and Lavina (Sherman) Camp. His mother died Aug. 23, 1807, when only twenty-four years of age, and the child, then only a few days old, together with his sister, Mary, born Jan. 24, 1896, was adopted by his grandfather, Wil- son Camp.
It was at the home of this grandfather that Harold Camp grew to manhood, and there he learned the rudiments of farming during the same period in which he attended school. Upon completing his education he took up agriculture as a permanent occupation, and continued to assist his grandfather in the work on the home farm until the death of the latter, May 24, 1919. His sister, Mary Camp, had in the meantime married Horton Risley, and gone to live with him in the Far West, so the elder Mr. Camp left his grandson the entire valuable property in Ellery township in his will. The young man has since that time conducted the farm on his own account and has met with notable success, dis- posing of his plentiful crops in the neighboring markets. Mr. Camp has always interested himself in local affairs and has made himself highly respected among his fel- low-townsmen for his intelligent participation therein. Hle is a Republican in politics, and although he has taken no active part therein or sought for public office
615
BIOGRAPHICAL
in any way, his opinion on the issues of the day are recognized as of a progressive conservatism which ren- ders them of value. He is a member of Union Grange, of Jamestown.
ARTHUR BENNETT CARRIS should be included in any list of the successful farmers of Chautauqua county, N. Y., his farm at Ripley being one of the most modern and efficently conducted among the many splen- did farms of this region. Born in the town of Ripley, Sept. 24, 1872, the son of Alonzo D. and Ellen ( Hough- ton) Carris, he is a member of a family that has long been prominent in the county. His grandfather, Dewitt Carris, was the owner of a farm of 214 acres in this neighborhood, which was purchased by him at an early date. Eighty acres of the old homestead were dis- posed of by his wife after his death, but the major part of it is still in the possession of the family. The children of Dewitt Carris and his wife were as fol- lows: Alonzo D .: Frank, who resides at Rochester; Charles, who removed to Connecticut; and Electa J., who became the wife of W. S. Clark, of Hornell, and is now deceased.
Alonzo D. Carris, father of Arther Bennett Carris, resided on the family homestead, was engaged in agri- cultural pursuits all his life, and his death occurred there. He married Ellen Houghton, and they were the parents of five children, as follows: Arthur Bet- nett; May, who became the wife of Len. Platt, of North East, Pa .; Emma, who became the wife of Cal. Smith, of Ripley; Edgar, who is now engaged in farm- ing at Ripley, and Rena, now Mrs. Harry Brooks, of Erie, Pa.
Arthur Bennett Carris received his education at the local public school, and upon completing his studies at this institution assisted his father in working the latter's farm. At the time of the death of the elder Mr. Carris, he inherited 134 acres of the old family homestead which he has continued to cultivate and operate as a farm ever since. Mr. Carris has been eminently successful in his farming activities, and conducts his property as a general farm and dairy, maintaining fifteen head of the finest Holstein cattle, the product of which he disposes of in the local markets. Besides this he devotes about nine acres to the cultivation of grapes and another four acres to fruit trees of different varieties. Upon his place there is a handsome modern dwelling house, as well as all the necessary farm buildings, including a large barn and garage. He occupies a position of prominence in the neighborhood, and is highly esteemed by his fellow-citizens generally. In politics Mr. Carris is a Democrat, and in religious belief a Methodist. He is affiliated with a number of important organizations in the region, and takes a keen interest in the affairs of the community, especially in connection with its ag- ricultural development. He is a prominent member of the South Ripley Grange, in which at one time he held the office of master. He is also affiliated with the Farm Bureau of the Dairymen's League, and at present serves in the capacity of fire director in the Relief Association.
Arthur Bennett Carris was united in marriage, Jan. 5, 1898, with Eunice McDonald, of Ripley, a daughter of John and Mary McDonald, old and highly respected
residents of this place. They are the parents of the following children: Ellen, who resides with her par- ents; Lloyd, now a student at District No. 8 School; and Donna, also a student at the same school.
GEORGE WILLIAM CHACE, well-to-do farmer of North East, Pa., with residence in Ripley township, Chautauqua county, N. Y., is a native of Corry, Pa., born Oct. 31, 1870, son of Edwin and Emma ( Pitt) Chace.
The parents of George W. Chace removed to Mina township, Chautauqua county, N. Y., when their son was three years old, and he gained a practical educa- tion by attending the Mina and Ripley district schools. At an early age he began his active business career, working as machinist and at other odd jobs in the vicinity of his home, finally serving an apprenticeship at the trade of carpenter, which he followed for a long period of time, his efforts meeting with a certain degree of success. In 1899, having accumulated sufficient cap- ital, he purchased his present farm, consisting of 145 acres, and during the intervening years he has improved his property to a great extent, and ranks among the progressive farmers of that section of the State. His residence, well, garage, and out-buildings are modern in every respect, and he has erected a large silo capa- ble of holding sixty-five tous. He has set out two vineyards (grapes) which yield abundantly. His farm is an experimental farm for the Chautauqua County Farm Bureau, in which he holds membership, and it is well adapted for that use. His stock consists of four horses, twenty-two cows, two hogs (sufficient for home use), fifty chickens, etc. Mr. Chace is a great believer in the use of power for lightening farm labor, and is the owner of three gas engines, using them for water, irrigation, in the cattle barn, and for other minor uses. Mr. Chace is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church of Ripley, and of the local Grange, Pa- trons of Husbandry.
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.