USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume III > Part 80
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Howard C. Holdredge has never married and his niece, Miss E. Mabel Holdredge, keeps house for him. She was born Feb. 28, 1868, at Busti, N. Y., and is the sec- ond of three children born to J. Warren and Melissa (Corkins) Holdredge. J. Warren Holdredge was the oldest of the children born to Hilton and Amy (Case) Holdredge. He was born Jan. 9, 1835, married Melissa Corkins, in 1863, and died, Jan. 10, 1905; his wife passed away May 14, 1895, on the thirty-second anniver- sary of their marriage.
The Holdredge Family has been identified with the Universalist church since their settlement in Chautau- qua county. In conclusion, would say, Mr. Holdredge represents one of the best families in the county, a family that has always been active in the support of everything pertaining to the general good.
BYRON J. HOPKINS, one of the well known farmers of Westfield, Chautauqua county, N. Y., where he was born Sept. 19, 1859, is a member of a family which has resided in this region for a number of years, and a son of Ezra and Catherine (Johnson) Hopkins. The elder Mr. Hopkins also followed the occupation of farming all his life. He and his wife were the parents of
six other children : Grant, a graduate of the Silver Creek High School and Cornell University, and is now a teacher of veterinary science at the latter in- stitution ; Edwin R., a prominent physician at Silver Creek; Katherine M., now a teacher at the Westfield
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High School: Josephine. who resides with her brother, Mr. Hopkins, at Westfield; Emily, who resides with her brother, Dr. Hopkins, at Silver Creek; and Ida A., who became the wife of Lester Walcott, of Sherman, N. Y.
Byron I. Hopkins received his education at the local schools, of Westfield, and later at Eastman's Business College, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. After completing his studies he was employed by his father on the old Hopkins homestead. a farm of 400 acres, where he remained for a time. He then went to the oil district of Pennsylvania and worked for the Hazelwood Oil Company of Brad- ford. Pa., and the Carter Oil Company of Sistersville, W. Va. After about three years with these concerns, he returned home, and upon the death of his father re- ceived 138 acres of the old homestead farm, which he has conducted as a dairy ever since. He has met with a high degree of success in this enterprise and now main- tains twenty-two head of the finest pure-bred Holstein cattle. Upon this property Mr. Hopkins has built a substantial dwelling house and has remodeled the old barn and basement stable.
Byron J. Hopkins was united in marriage, Nov. 20, 1889, with Ella Adele Culver, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Austin B. Culver.
EZRA HORTON-No compendium such as the province of this work defines in its essential limitations will serve to offer fit memorial to the life and accom- plishments of the honored subject of this sketch, a man who was remarkable in the breadth of his wisdom on agricultural matters, his indomitable perseverance, his strong individuality, and yet one whose entire life had not one esoterie phase, being an open seroll, inviting the closest serutiny. There was in Mr. Horton a weight of character, a native sagacity, a far-seeing judgment and a fidelity of purpose that commanded the respect of all who knew him. A man of indefatigable enterprise and fertility of resource, he carved his name in the agricul- tural history of Chautauqua county, which owes much i its advancement to his untiring efforts.
Ezra Horton was born March 22, 1794, in Orange, N. Y., a son of Ezra and Hannah Horton. He received his carly education in the public schools of his period, and after laying aside his text books he took up the ag- riedtural work in which he continued until the time of his demie, which occurred June 20, 1874, at Ellery, N Y. When the War of 1812 was declared, Ezra Hor- ten was one of the first to offer his services to his coun- tr:, and he wa discharged, with an honorable mention irm Wa hington, D. C., for his distinguished service while rader fire. In politics, Mr. Horton was a staunch Der , ho hoigh he was urged to accept offices he .: roared for them, preferring to devote his time to In religious affiliations, Mr. H t . aa a Bapti t and both he and his family were i'd of the hurch of that denomination at Ellery, i'd ere prominent in all its social and business af-
Mr Harvin married (fir to), Jan 20, 1820, Sally Rey- wed, who did May 19, 1831. Mr. Horton married Kraft, April 20. 1233. Naomi Turner By his first triage two children were born: Charles Ross and Das d by hy roond marriage four children were born,
Mary Jane, born Jan. 12, 1835, died June 21, 1909; Mel- vina J., born May 22, 1837, died June 1, 1910; Emily A., born June 23, 1839; and Ezra A., born March 7, 1842. Emily A. Horton, third child of Ezra and Naomi (Tur- ner) Horton, is now residing at Bemus Point, and she is noted throughout Chautauqua county for her fine col- leetion of badges, which represents the insignias of nearly 125 societies.
In concluding this review, will say that Mr. Horton was a man of most generous nature, always giving to charitable interests and to measures that had for their objeet the public benefit. A self-made man, he was eminently practical in all that he did, possessing a good fund of that necessary quality, common sense, which is too often lacking in the business world. He laid his plans carefully and was then determined in their execu- tion. In business transactions his judgment was seldom, if ever, at fault, and his integrity was proverbial. If Mr. Horton had left nothing else than the record of his hon- orable life he would yet deserve to be called one of the honorable residents of Chautauqua county, for his in- fluence was ever upon the side of the good and beautiful. He was never known to take advantage of his fellowmen in any trade transaction, and at all times he managed his career according to the highest principles, and when he died he left to his children and their children the priceless heritage of an untarnished name.
CHARLES AUGUSTUS KESSEL, who for twenty years has owned and operated a farm near Mayville, Chautauqua county, N. Y., to which farm he retired from an active commercial business, has followed certain phases of farming with zest and enthusiasm, and has gained many friends since he came into the county.
He was born in Girard, Erie county, Pa., April 6, 1865, the son of John and Philapena (Epley) Kessel. His parents were of German birth, and in that country his father was a professional man, but in 1840, when he de- cided to emigrate, he forsook his profession, and soon after landing in the United States settled in Girard, Pa., where he became established as a grocer and barber. In later life he acquired a farm, to which he retired.
His son, Charles Augustus Kessel, was educated in the publie schools of Girard, Pa., and took up the same line of business effort as that followed by his father, per- haps with a little more enterprise. He continued in busi- ness as a barber for twenty-two years, and for the greater part of the time also had a news stand, and at the end of that time found himself, being of thrifty, steady habits, possessed of some money. He gave up his merchandizing business in Girard, Pa., and came into New York State, establishing a barber business, and he continued in the barber business for twenty years. He then bought a farm in Chautauqua county, in fact, the farm he still owns. That was twenty years ago, and in the interim he has very much improved the farm, planting new orchards, and erecting some substantial and com- morlious new buildings. He devotes his farm especially to fruit growing, set out his own vineyard, and to a large extent is a poultry farmer. He also has a small dairy, but mainly his enterprise, or what perhaps might more truthfully be called his hobby, is fruit growing and poultry. Ile has had good health since he took the farm, and enjoys the fine open-air life. He is fond of cows
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and horses also, and generally he has succeeded well in his farming. He is an active member of the Grange at Mayville and shows that he is interested in most things pertaining to farming.
The Kessel family belong to the Lutheran faith, and fraternally, Mr. Kessel is a member of the Mayville branch of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Indpendent Order of Rebekah; also Royal Arcanum, and Exempt Firemen's Association. In politics, he is an in- dependent, having an open mind upon many subjects, and definite convictions upon other subjects. Invariably, however, he is outspoken in his opinions, and is generally logical and well versed in his subjects of discussion.
On Oct. 24, 1888, in the same township of Chautauqua county, he married Margaret Hemeline. They have four children : 1. Leroy Charles, who was educated in May- ville High School; married Lyla Coon, and they have twin boys, Edward and Everett. 2. Alice, was educated in the same school as her brother ; married Rod Rowland, to whom she has borne one child, Charles. 3. Harry, now deceased, was similarly educated; he was in the employ of the L. S. & M. S. Railway ; was unmarried ; he was a young man of irreproachable character, con- sistent in word and deed, a loving and dutiful son, hon- ored and esteemed by all who were fortunate enough to be called his friend; his life was an example well worthy of emulation. 4. Donald, attending school at the present time,
Mr. Kessel is well regarded in the neighborhood in which he has lived for twenty years, during which time his neighbors have had ample opportunity of judging him truly. He has given indication that he is a man of commendable qualities, perhaps the most marked of which is his genuine hospitality. Men of hospitable mind are invariably those who naturally feel kindly toward their neighbors, and that is so in the case of Mr. Kessel.
JOHN LANNING-Francis and Arilla B. (Way) Lanning were living in the town of Busti, Chautauqua county, N. Y., in 1861, when war broke out between the States of the North and South, and on Oct. 3, 1862, Francis Lanning enlisted, and leaving his wife and infant son, marched away to the scene of conflict, never to re- turn. He was found dead in bed on Falley Island, the year of his enlistment, 1862.
John Lanning, son of Francis and Arilla B. Lanning, was born at the home in Busti, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Nov. 13, 1860, and is now (1920) a prosperous, influential farmer of his native town. He was educated in the public school of Busti, and early began the making of a career, for he never knew a father's loving care and helping hand. He has always been a farmer and in 1904 moved to the farm of 242 acres, which he owns in Busti, and has since that year resided there. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, the Patrons of Hus- bandry, and the Knights of the Maccabees. In politics he is a Republican.
Mr. Lanning married, in Garland, Pa., Aug. 17, 1884, Lizzie Baker, born March 9, 1864, in the town of Carroll, Chautauqua county, N. Y., daughter of William C. and Malvina M. (Edmunds) Baker. Mr. and Mrs. Lanning are the parents of ten children : 1. Mattie A., born Aug. 6, 1885. 2. William H., born June 3, 1887. 3. Edgar J.,
born June 28, 1890, enlisted in the United States Army, April 29, 1918, went overseas with the American Expe- ditionary Forces, spent one year in France and was in the battles of the Argonne, Meuse Valley, St. Mihiel; was wounded, Oct. 23, 1918, and honorably discharged, May 15, 1919. 4. Aaron A., born May 23, 1892; enlisted in the United States Army, Nov. 23, 1917, served eighteen months at St. Mihiel and the Argonne, Meuse battles ; honorably discharged May 22, 1919. 5. Fred L., born Nov. 3, 1895; enlisted, May 26, 1918, and served nine months in camp; honorably discharged Jan. 8, 1919. 6. Charles D., born July 11, 1897. 7. Malvina R., born March 4, 1900. 8. Ruth E., born Sept. 26, 1905. 9. Clara A., born Jan. 4, 1908. 10. Aurilla B., born May 15, 1912. The home farm is in section 40 of the town of Busti.
WILLIAM FREDERICK LUPEAN, a native of Chautauqua county, N. Y., and for almost twenty years a respected, responsible, and enterprising farmer in Chautauqua township of that county, has had good suc- cess in his farming, and now owns a well improved farm of 120 acres.
He was born in Dunkirk, Chautauqua county, N. Y., March 23, 1875, the son of Frederick and Minnie (Schutt) Lupean. In the paternal line, the Lupeans of Chautauqua county probably constitute a branch of the French family of Lupean, but data is not available to confirm the connection. In the maternal line William Frederick Lupean is connected with a German family, his mother, a Schutt, having been brought from Ger- many to the United States and to Dunkirk, N. Y., in 1845, when she was only two years old. She is still living and is comparatively active, notwithstanding that she is seventy-six years old.
William Frederick Lupean attended the public school of Dunkirk, but when the family removed to Summer- dale he attended the school of that place until he had passed through the grades. He then took to agricultural employment in the neighborhood. For about ten years he worked for wages, and in 1900, having accumulated sufficient capital to enter independently into farming enterprises, he purchased a farm of 120 acres in Chau- tauqua township, and the intervening nineteen years to the present have been well spent by him in developing his property, which is a well improved farm, Mr. Lupean having erected modern silos, cow barns, chicken houses and in other ways given sure indication that in the nine- teen years during which he has tilled the farm he has had good return for his labor, which has been unstint- edly given. He has some fine cattle and horses, and as a dairy and general farmer has shown himself to be efficient and enterprising.
He is an interested member of the Mayville Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, and takes enthusiastic interest in all things pertaining to agriculture. He has a com- prehensive understanding of the modern methods of sci- entific farming, and in his dairying has adopted many of the principles of feeding, with good results. Mr. Lu- pean is a Republican, but he has not taken an active part in national political movements; in local affairs, how- ever, he has always taken much interest, being willing to further, financially or by personal services, any worthy
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local project. He has not held local office, excepting in connection with the school administration; he is now trustee of School District No. 18. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Mayville, which, with his family, he attends and which he faithfully supports. During the World War, in more than one way, he mani- fested his patriotic spirit, contributing to the best of his financial ability to the various funds raised for the purposes of the nation in the war, and furthering all local projects which had relation thereto.
Mr. Lupean married. in the town of Chautauqua, N. Y .. Feb. 23, 1808, Nellie Ellen Wright, who was born in Pennsylvania. of English parents, her parents having come to the United States in 1850, settling first in Penn- sylvania, and later coming into New York State and into Chautauqua county. Mr. and Mrs. Lupean have two children. t. Mildred Bessie, graduate of the Mayville High School: became the wife of Donald Deering, a farmer, and they have one child, Frances Ellen. 2. Alice Julia, a student.
Mr. Lupean is still in the active prime of manhood, and in all probability will be a factor of consequence in that section of the county for many years to come, but his record up to the present has shown him to be a worthy native of Chautauqua county. He is aggressive, energetic, and enterprising in his business, and manifested worthy qualities of stability of purpose and of honor in his activities since early manhood, so that he has many sincere friends.
DUDLEY MECUSKER-There are very few farmers in Ellery, Chautauqua county, N. Y., who have made a more complete success of their operations than has Dudley Mecusker, who has for many years been engaged in this line of work. Mr. Mecusker was born in Gerry, N. Y., Oct. 2, 1846, and is of Irish descent on the paternal side of the house, his father, Patrick Me- cusker, having been born in that country. The elder Mr. Mecusker came to the United States with his parents when but seven years of age, and for many years made his home in Gerry, where he was a prosperous farmer. He married Phoebe Becker, a native of Ellery township, and one of their children was Dudley Mecusker, with whom we are here especially concerned.
Mr. Mecusker continued to live in his native town of Gerry until he had reached the age of eighteen, and during several years attended the common schools of the place. Upon completing his studies there he removed to Bemus Point, Ellery township, and here took up farm- ing as an occupation. It was in the year 1882 that he purchased the farm that he now lives on, and since that time has been most actively engaged in cultivating it and bringing at to an extremely high state of productiveness. He has, besides his agricultural activities, been keenly in'ere ted in the general life of Bemus Point and James- tout and for many years has been identified with the management of the Bank of Jamestown, of which he is today one of the oldest living stockholders. He has also participated to a large extent in local public life, and for ten year. ørved in the responsible office of tax assessor for the town of lellery, di charging its duties with jus- Per and impartiality, Peeping always the best interests of the community at heart. He is also well known in social circle at Bemu. Point and chrwhere, and is a
prominent member of the local Grange. In his religious belief he is a Methodist.
Dudley Mecusker was united in marriage, Feb. 25, 1874. at Ellery, with Edna Strunk, like himself a native of Gerry, born July 10, 1854, a daughter of Walter and Dolly ( Peterson) Strunk, natives of Ellicott and Ellery townships, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Mecusker are the parents of two children, as follows: Walter, born Aug. 4, 1879, married Florence Bartlett; and Glen, born Jan. 27, 1888, married Margaret Curtis, by whom he has had one child.
RALPH THOMAS MEE-Among the successful farmers of the prosperous agricultural region of Chau- tauqua county, N. Y., should be mentioned Ralph Thomas Mee, who has been actively engaged in dairying in the neighborhood of the town of Falconer for a number of years. Mr. Mee was born in Levant, June 20, 1889, a son of Thomas and Hattie E. ( Morley) Mee, old and highly respected residents of that place, the former was born July 1, 1845. in Leicester, England, and the latter, Jan. 12, 1860, at Buffalo, N. Y. The elder Mr. Mee like his son, was engaged in farming operations, and he and his wife were the parents of four children, as fol- lows : Ralph Thomas, with whose carcer we are here especially concerned; Stanley, who enlisted in the United States Navy during the recent European war and was in training on the Great Lakes for seven months; Lou- ise and Edith.
Ralph Thomas Mee was reared in that wholesome en- vironment in which the finest and strongest element in our citizenship has its training, the environment of farm life and labor, for as a lad he assisted his father with the work upon the home place and gained there the splendid physical health which he now enjoys, as well as special training in the occupations which he has since followed on his own account. This work he followed as a lad during the summer months, and in the winter at- tended the local public schools and there gained his edu- cation. Upon completing his studies at these institu- tions, he devoted himself more entirely to helping his father for a time, and he then became the owner of a farm which he has since conducted with a marked degree of success. His energy and knowledge of agricultural methods have brought his property up to a high point of cultivation, and his crops are always of the finest char- acter. He justly enjoys the reputation of a progressive and capable man, and holds a high place in the esteem of his fellow-citizens throughout the region. Mr. Mee is a staunch Republican in politics, and takes a keen and intelligent interest in local affairs, but his agricultural interests have prevented him up to the present from taking that active part in public life that his talents un- doubtedly fit him for. 11e is connected prominently with the First National Bank of Falconer, and in all his business relations has shown a wide grasp of practical affairs. In his religious belief, Mr. Mee is a Methodist and attends Wesleyan Church at Falconer.
Ralph Thomas Mee was united in marriage, Aug. 31, 1910, at Falconer, with Berle Sweet, a native of Fal- coner, born Nov. 0, 1880, a daughter of Oscar W. and Ella ( Marsh) Sweet, lifelong residents here. To Mr. and Mrs. Mce two children have been born, as follows : Gretchen E., born July 2, 1911, and Ralph Thomas, Jr., April 18, 1910.
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FRED HENRY NEWELL, one of the leading farmers of Chautauqua county, N. Y., aggressive and capable, and successfully farming more than 300 acres of good land, is still in his early prime of manhood, but has been a factor of consequence in agricultural affairs in the Westfield and Sherman districts of the county.
He was born in Mina, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Oct. 14, 1881, the son of Milton Gerry and Ida (Ottaway) Newell. His father, who died in 1918, was one of the substantial farmers of the county; he operated 284 acres in Westfield township for fifteen years prior to his death. His widow is descended from an old English family, the Ottaway family having prominent record in Kentish his- tory of former centuries. Judge A. B. Ottaway, one of the advisory board of editors of this historical work, is of the same family, and Mabel Ottaway, wife of Fred Henry Newell, also comes from the same stock, she, however, being only very distantly related to Mrs. Ida (Ottaway) Newell, her mother-in-law. Further data regarding the Ottaway family will be found elsewhere in this volume.
Fred Henry Newell, son of Milton Gerry and Ida (Ot- taway) Newell, was educated in the district school of Mina, N. Y., and from the time he left school until the present he has farmed continuously and for the whole of the time extensively. At the outset, he aided his father in the management of the latter's big agricultural hold- ing. In 1903 he went with his father into the manage- ment of the 284 acres the latter owned in Westfield township, but four years later, upon his marriage, he bought his present farm in Westfield. It is 160 acres in extent, and adjoins his father's property, 150 acres of which he has since his father's death rented from the estate; so that it may be appreciated that Fred H. Newell is one of the worth-while agriculturists of the county. He has abundant energy, enterprising optimism, and is an able manager. He has a comprehensive un- derstanding of scientific farming, and has adopted many of the proved modern methods, especially those relating to the care and fecding of stock for dairy purposes. He is constantly improving his farms, has fine modern buildings, and his stock includes a fine herd of forty cows. He has applied himself manfully to big undertakings and has proved himself to be capable of handling them.
Mr. Newell is an active member of Sherman Grange, and in national politics is an independent Democrat. In local affairs he votes for the best man, irrespective of party.
There are six other children of Milton Gerry and Ida (Ottaway) Newell. They are his two sisters, Ena and Clara, and his brothers, Faye, Warren, Jesse and Loan. In the order of birth they should be placed as follows : Ena, Fred H., Faye, Clara, Warren, Jesse and Loan.
On Oct. 16, 1907, Fred Henry Newell married Mabel Ottaway, a very distant relative. They have a fine home and are very hospitable.
JOHN OAKES, one of the progressive and success- ful farmers of Westfield, Chautauqua county, N. Y., is a native of this place, his birth having occurred here April 1, 1852, a son of Reuben and Minnie (Cosgrove) Oakes, old and highly respected residents here. The elder Mr. Oakes was also a prominent farmer of West- field, and he and his wife were the parents of the fol-
lowing children: John, with whose career we are here especially concerned; James, who is engaged in farm- ing at Westfield; Clarence, born March 4, 1885, died Jan. 2, 1910, as the result of an accident caused by a falling tree; Rhoda, who became the wife of Claud Gree- ley, of Westfield.
John Oakes received his education at Westfield, at- tending the local public schools for this purpose, and during his spare hours worked on his father's farm, and thus gained a wide knowledge of agriculture. For one year after completing his studies he filled a position as clerk in a local grocery store, but this occupation did not appeal to him and he determined to return to farm life. Accordingly, he purchased a farm of 170 acres at Chautauqua, where he operated a large dairy, but nine years later he resold this property, and in March, 1911, purchased 165 acres of land near Westfield of a Mr. McCartin. This property, which had originally been owned by the Harrington family, had been greatly run down and Mr. Oakes not only had to bring the land up to a higher degree of cultivation, but also had to remodel the house and farm buildings. Today, however, under his expert direction, it has become one of the finest places in the county and is now operated by him as a dairy. Here he maintains twenty head of the finest Hol- stein cattle, as well as four horses, which are required to do the work of the place.
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