History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume III, Part 82

Author: Downs, John Phillips, 1853- , ed; Hedley, Fenwick Y., joint editor
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Boston, American Historical Soceity
Number of Pages: 688

USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume III > Part 82

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Mr. Walker married, March 16, 1884, Alice M., daugh- ter of Martin and Mary C. (Blakeney ) Knapp, and they are the parents of the following children: Edward Wil- liam; Horace; Zelda, married Clyde Frazier and had one child, Harold, now deceased; and Frances, graduated from Fredonia Normal School and is now a teacher.

In a quiet, forceful, unobtrusive way, Mr. Walker has done much toward the development and maintenance of all that is best in his community, reaping his reward in the gratitude and respect of his friends and neighbors.

FRANK WHEELOCK, who for many years has been one of the most successful farmers at Kennedy, Chautauqua county, N. Y., where he has been engaged in the raising of Holstein cattle with a high degree of suc- cess, is a son of Albert and Jane (Thatcher ) Wheelock, old and highly respected residents of Poland, where the former was also engaged in agricultural operations.

Frank Wheelock was born Aug. 29, 1876, in the town of Poland, N. Y., and for his education attended the local public schools. During the summer months he as- sisted his father in the work upon the latter's farm and there gained a wide knowledge and experience in general farming methods, which has stood him in good stead ever since. In the year 1904 Mr. Wheelock purchased his present farm in the neighborhood of Kennedy, and by unwearied energy and industry has brought it to its present high state of cultivation and productiveness. He is now regarded as one of the most progressive and sci- entific farmers in this region and raises Holstein cattle, which he disposes of in the local markets. He has always maintained a keen interest in public affairs, and is a staunch supporter of Republican principles and policies, his voice being influential in the councils of his party. He is a member of the local Grange and has done much in this capacity to advance the agricultural interests of the community.

Frank Wheelock was united in marriage, Oct. 29, 1902, in the town of Poland, Chautauqua county, N. Y., with Celia Sherman, a native of the town of Ellicott, born Jan. I, 1874, a daughter of Albert and Annis (Williams) Sherman, lifelong residents of Ellicott.

NELSA A. STONE, who has been prominent among the agriculturists of Ellicott township, Chautauqua county, N. Y., for many years and who is well and favorably known throughout the entire community for his public spirit, was born in Sweden, April 28, 1855. He is a son of Charles and Johanna (Stow) Stone, the former a farmer in his native land, where the son passed the early years of his life and attended the local schools for his

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education. At the same time he received practical in- struction in farming from his father, and when sixteen years old. in the year 18;1, came to the United States. The first four years of his residence in this country were spent in the town of Ellery, N. Y., but in 1880 he went to Salamanca, where he worked at the lumber business. In 1885, knowing of the great agricultural richness of the soil in Chautauqua county and the opportunities it of- fered to farmers, he came to this region and here devoted himself permanently to that occupation. In the year 1914 he settled on his present farm in Ellicott township, since which time he has been indefatigable in its cultivation and has succeeded in bringing it to its present high state of productiveness. He raises fine crops of various types and disposes of them to advantage in the surrounding markets, which are large and numerous in the locality. Mr. Stone is a staunch Republican in politics, but his personal superintendence of his farm has left him no time and he has felt no inclination to take part in public affairs. He has always displayed a public-spirited inter- est in the welfare of the community, however, especially in connection with its agricultural development, and is a member of Union Grange of Jamestown. In his re- ligious belief Mr. Stone is a Lutheran and attends the church of that denomination.

Nelsa A. Stone was united in marriage, March 24, 1870, at Jamestown, N. Y., with Lucinda Saddler, a na- tive of the town of Carroll, born June 20, 1851, a daugh- ter oi William and Sarah (Furlow) Saddler, of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Stone are the parents of two chil- dren, as follows: Myrtie, born Oct. 27, 1877, married, Sept. 9. 1896, Raymond Schofield, of Ellery, to whom she has borne one child, Beatrice; Florelle, born June 10, 1894, married, Aug. 17, 1915, at Ellicott, Albert Van- strom, to whom she has borne two children, Vivian and Alfred.

FLEURY JAMES WOLCOTT, one of the most successful of the younger farmers of Ellington, Chau- tauqua county, N. Y., is a native of Poland, N. Y., born Sept. 17. 1892, a son of Charles Harvey and Eva Louise ( Ireland ) Wolcott, old and highly respected residents of Poland, where the former was engaged in farming for many years.

Fleury James Wolcott passed his childhood on his father's farm, where he was subject to those wholesome influences of rural life from which have sprung so many of the Foremost citizens of this country. As a lad he assisted his father with the work on the latter's place, and during the winter months attended the local district schools. Later he was sent to the Gerry High School at Gerry, N. Y., from which he was graduated, after es- tabli-hing an excellent record for scholarship and general good character. After completing his studies at the Gerry High School, the young man devoted his entire .im. toward assisting his father on his farm and there gained a wide knowledge of agricultural methods gen- orally. Later he purchased an excellent property near 1.Ilington, and since that time has devoted himself ex- clusively to the cultivation of this place, which has become under his careful superintendence one of the best farms in the district. Mr. Wolcott finds a wide market for the disporal of his produce among the local dealers at Ellington and Jamestown, and does a thriving business

in these two places. Mr. Wolcott is also prominently as- sociated with the Conewango National Bank of Ellington, and is well known as one of the substantial citizens of the region. Mr. Wolcott has always been a Republican in politics, and takes a keen interest in local affairs. He is a member of the local Grange at Ellington, and has done much to promote the agricultural interests and de- velopment of the place. In his religious belief he is a Methodist and attends the church of that denomination at Ellington.

Fleury James Wolcott was united in marriage, Sept. 14, 1916, with Ella Ida Vasburg, a native of Elco, Pa., born Aug. 13, 1893, a daughter of William and Josephine (West) Vasburg, old and respected residents of that place.

AXEL LEVIN-Among the many successful and prosperous citizens of Chautauqua county, N. Y., of Swedish birth or extraction, none more deserves mention than Axel Levin who, besides conducting agricultural interests in the neighborhood, has been conspicuous in local public affairs for several years. Mr. Levin is a son of Andrew and Martha (Olson) Levin, both natives of Sweden, who came to this country in the year 1886, the former finding employment as a roller in a Pitts- burgh steel mill, a trade he had already learned in his native land. The elder Mr. Levin is now retired from active life and makes his home with his son, the Mr. Levin of this sketch, at Busti.

Axel Levin was born Feb. 20, 1879, in Sweden, and be- gan his education in that country, coming to the United States with his parents in 1886. His father, having secured an excellent position here, it was possible for the youth to complete his studies as desired and this he did by attending public schools and the Mckeesport Business College, Pa. Upon his graduation from this institution he took up the same line of work as his father was en- gaged in and worked in the steel mill at Mckeesport, Pa., for ten years; also five years in retail furniture business as salesman at Mckeesport, Pa. He had always felt a strong fondness for a rural life, however, and believing that an excellent opportunity awaited an en- terprising man in agricultural activities, he gave up his position after saving up a considerable portion of his earnings. This capital he promptly invested in a farm in Busti township, his intention having been favorably attracted by the great fertility and favorable farming conditions of Chautauqua county, and here he has con- tinued in the same line of work ever since. The con- sistent and conscientious devotion of Mr. Levin to his chosen occupation has borne good fruit and he is now the owner of one of the finest and most productive farms in the region. Mr. Levin's alert and progressive mind has not rested content with winning success for himself in his private enterprise, but has led him to take part in the general life of the community of which he now is a valued member, his ability and public spirit soon making him prominent in its affairs. He has held for four years the important office of supervisor of the township of Busti, and during that period has rendered a high service to his fellow-citizens by his efficient management of their public business and won their universal regard. He is also prominent in social and fraternal circles and is a member of Youghiogheny Lodge, No. 583, Free and

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Accepted Masons, of Mckeesport, Pa., and of Busti Grange. In religion he is a Congregationalist and at- tends the Busti church of that denomination.

Axel Levin was united in marriage, July 9, 1902, at Jamestown, with Hedvig Hollenius, who is a native of Sweden, born April 3, 1884, a daughter of P. H. and Sophy Hollenius, of that country. Mr. and Mrs. Levin are the parents of five children, as follows: Ralph O., born Nov. 17, 1903; Gertrude B., born April 8, 1906; Carl, born Dec. 28, 1908; Earnest, born Sept. 20, 1913, and Margaret, born July 31, 1916.

RALPH WARNER, a successful farmer of Broc- ton, Chautauqua county, N. Y., is a native of this region, his birth having occurred in Portland township, July 12, 1874. Mr. Warner is a son of Charles and Eleanor (Vandervoort) Warner, old and highly respected resi- dents of Portland township, where the former died Feb. 7, 1919. He is survived by his wife. The elder Mr. Warner was born in Portland township on the old family homestead, which is situated opposite the farm now oc- cupied by his son, in the year 1842. He was a son of one of the early settlers in this region who moved here about 1835. He was not one of the original patentees, but purchased his land in all probability from one of these, the former owner having been Mr. Dunn. The Warners were an old family in Connecticut and could trace their ancestry back before the Revolutionary War. The great-grandfather of the present Mr. Warner was Elijah Warner, a brother of General Seth Warner, of Connecticut, and he could trace his ancestry back to a family living at Hadden Hall in England at an early period.

Ralph Warner passed his childhood in his native place and attended as a lad Public School No. 4. Later he attended the grade schools at Brocton, and still later was a student at the Westfield Union School, where he com- pleted his education. Even as a child he was interested in agriculture and assisted his father in the work upon the latter's place. As soon as he had completed his studies at the Westfield Union School, he devoted himself en- tirely to this line of work, which he has continued unin- terruptedly ever since. Mr. Warner purchased his present farm in the year 1903, and continued also to own an interest in the family homestead. He has been ex- ceedingly successful in all his operations and disposes of the produce of his farm in the local markets. Mr. War- ner is a member of the local lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In religious belief he is very liberal, and has a firm faith in God and his Christ to save.

Ralph Warner was united in marriage, at Brocton, Feb. 18, 1903, with Maude Weaver, of that place, a daughter of T. C. and Elizabeth Weaver. They are the parents of two children, Eleanor and Isabel Warner.

JOHN LAHL, well-to-do and well-regarded farmer of Westfield, Chautauqua county, N. Y., where he has lived practically all his life, and has proved himself to be a helpful member of the community, was born in Germany, June 28, 1862, but was only three years old when he came, with his mother, to the United States. The voyage was made on a sailing vessel, and under con- ditions which made it quite venturesome. Accommoda-

tion was poor, and after nineteen weeks at sea, the voy- agers were no doubt relieved when they sighted the coast of America.

Soon after they had arrived in the United States, the Lahl family took up residence in Chautauqua county, N. Y., settling in Westfield township. It was in the graded school of Westfield that the son, John, obtained his edu- cation, and in due course grew to manhood. His father died while he, John, was still in early manhood, and during the life of his mother he remained near her. He purchased the Rexford farm in Westfield in 1890; it was a good farm of sixty-five acres, adapted to dairying and sheep farming, and since it came into his possession it has been very much improved, and as it is at present it is a valuable up-to-date farm, he having remodeled the house and barns, and effected many other improvements. Like most of the enterprising agriculturists of that sec- tion of Chautauqua county, he has apportioned some portion of his land to the cultivation of grapes ; he has a vineyard eight acres in extent, and in a good position, so that he gets satisfactory yield; and in his general farming has proved that he is a man of enterprising, energetic characteristics. He has always followed closely all movements relative to Chautauqua county agriculture, and has been a loyal member of the Westfield Grange for many years. He also belongs to the Dairymen's Leagne, and to the Chautauqua County Farm Bureau, and during the World War he cooperated patriotically with the objects of that bureau, and with the national Department of Agriculture, endeavoring to the best of his ability to prevent waste upon his farm, and to bring increased production.

Mr. Lahl has always manifested a markedly generous disposition, and has been a very hospitable neighbor. He is unmarried, but his sister, Mrs. Dora Kalpien, who is the mother of five boys and one girl, and is now a widow, lives with him. She is a good hostess, kind, generous, entertaining. In community work, John Lahl has throughout his life taken good part, having been at all times ready to help, by personal service or monetary contribution, to bring success to all worthy local projects in which he has felt interested. He is a man of good, conscientious Christian life, and for very many years has attended the local Methodist church, which he has steadily supported. Politically, he is a Republican, al- though he has not shown any inclination to desire po- litical office. In local political movements he has always been much more interested than in national, and upon some occasions has taken active part in local politics, especially in school administration has he been interested ; he has been school trustee for a number of years, and also collector of school taxes.

He is a man of fine presence, and his commendable, useful life and community interest have gained him a worthy reputation in the neighborhood, and he has many friends of long standing. He takes good place among the worthy, productive residents of Chautauqua county.

ANDREW M. WARN, now manager of the Martin estate in the town of Ellicott, Chautauqua county, N. Y., was born in Sweden, June 16, 1855, and there spent his youth. Upon coming to the United States he located in Jamestown, which has ever since been his home. During

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the first month of street car operation in Jamestown he drove one of the cars. and from 1876 until 1882 he was a member of the Fenton Guards, that well known military company, having in its early days been an organization whose privates and officers were all Swedes. Mr. Warn was a member of the Jamestown police force for several years, and was eligible to promotion to higher rank on the force, but declined the office, and later resigned to engage in farming. He is now (1920) manager of the Martin estate in the town of Ellicott, a position he has held for fourteen years. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Baptist church.

Mr. Warn married, in Detroit, Mich., March 20, 1879, Harriet Wilson, born in Scotland, April 4. 1857, dangh- ter of William and Harriet Wilson, both natives of Scot- land. Mr. and Mrs. Warn are the parents of three daughters: 1. Alice Grace, born Jan. 12, 1880; married Allen Cass, and they are the parents of : Willard, Doro- thy, Morris, Mabel, Ruth, and Allen Cass. 2. Pearl Sunbeam, born Jan. 7, 1885; married Charles Hagelin, and they have two children : Harriet and Daniel. 3. Ruth Naomi, born March 27, 1887; married George Wescott, and they are the parents of Georgia and Carl Wescott.

JOHN G. HEDIN, whose energy and intelligence have made him one of the most respected citizens of Ellery township, Chautauqua county, N. Y., and who. is regarded by all as one of the most successful farmers oi the neighborhood, is a native of Sweden, born June 24, 1866. He is a son of Andrew Otto and Anna (Abra- hamson) Hedin, also natives of Sweden, where for many years he was engaged in agricultural operations. The elder Mr. Hedin came to the United States in the month of April, 1872, leaving his family in the old country while he sought a home and support for them in the new. Two years later, having established himself as a farmer in this region of Chautauqua county, N. Y., he sent for the remainder of the family, who then came across the ocean to join him here.

John G. Hedin was but eight years of age when he accompanied his mother to the New World in 1874, and practically all of his education was received in the com- mon schools of his adopted home, his natural alertness of mind and intelligence, as well as his diligence at all tasks, making him an apt student in spite of what was at first the disadvantage of the unfamiliar tongue. During the vaca- tion periods he spent his time in learning agricultural methods, and eventually he engaged in that occupation on his own account. It was in the year 1906 that he became the owner of his present fine farm property, which he las ever since kept at the highest point of cultivation and broditisay, hit indu try meeting with the success that i. d. er:( . Mr. Hedin has always been an active par- t: ifant in the general life of the community in which te has the end to dwell, and he now occupies a high place " the atrum and confidence of his fellow townsmen. Ho i a Republican in politics, and a member of Bemus Point bøder. No =25. Independent Order of Odd Fel- low and of Union Grange, No. 241, Patrons of Ilus- Fardry. In religion belief he is a Lutheran and attends the chirch of that denomination.

John G Helin wa urited in marriage, Jan. 26, 1898, at Jamestown, N. Y., with Selma Moline, a native of

Sweden, born Jan. 22, 1877, a daughter of J. A. and Anna (Stone) Moline, of that country. Mrs. Hedin came to the United States in the year 1893, when but sixteen years of age, her parents remaining in their na- tive land, where they still reside. To Mr. and Mrs. Hedin three children have been born, as follows: Flor- ence E., born Oct. 20, 1898; Griffith M., born July 23, 1900 ; and Anna G., born April 30, 1906.

VICTOR G. GUSTAFSON, one of the most pro- gressive and successful among the younger farmers of Falconer, N. Y., where he is now raising the highest quality of products on a large scale, is a native of Swe- den, his birth having occurred at the town of Skenninge, March 22, 1851. Mr. Gustafson comes of good old farm- ing stock, and is a son of Mr. and Mrs. L. Gustafson, the former a man of standing in his native land, where he was engaged in agricultural operations for many years.

Victor G. Gustafson passed his childhood and early youth in Sweden, and there attended the local public schools until he had completed the course of study to be had there and graduated from the high school. Upon reaching the age of twenty-seven years, he left his native land and came to the United States, the tales of which country had long fired his imagination and convinced him of the great opportunities to be found here. Landing in the port of Philadelphia, Pa., he came shortly after to New York State and settled at Jamestown. He secured positions in the several furniture works in that city, and there made himself so useful to his employers by his industry and intelligence that he was rapidly advanced in position until he filled a responsible post in the large plant and had gained a wide knowledge of the business of manufacturing furniture. He remained for fourteen years connected with that concern and then, having in the meantime saved up a considerable proportion of his earnings, found himself in a position to gratify a long cherished ambition and become his own master. His early life had confirmed in him a taste for rural life and occupations that was probably inherited from his fore- bears, and accordingly he purchased a fine farm in the neighborhood of Falconer, N. Y., and removed his home there. Since that time he has been engaged in farming and has brought his place to the highest kind of cultiva- tion so that it is already, under his capable management, one of the finest farms in the neighborhood. Mr. Gus- talson met with a notable success in his enterprise from the outset, and is now looked upon by his fellow-towns- men as one of the cleverest agriculturists hereabout. He has developed large markets for his products in this re- gion, and docs at the present time a very large and remunerative business. Mr. Gustafson, although he has never taken an active part in politics, nor had any am- bition for public office, has always been keenly interested in public questions of the day, both local and national, and has always discharged his duties as a citizen to the full. In religious belief he is a Protestant and attends the Swedish Mission Church at Jamestown, N. Y.

Victor G. Gustafson was united in marriage, Sept. 4, 1886, at Jamestown, N. Y., with Jennie Olive Anderson, born in Sweden, Feb. 27, 1865, a daughter of Frederick and Mary ( Johnson) Anderson. Mr. and Mrs. Gustaf- son are the parents of fourteen children, as follows : Ernest Edward, born March 7, 1888; Paul, born Dec. 19,

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1889; Agnes, born Nov. 17, 1890, died June 1I, 1901; Victor E., born Oct. 26, 1892; Jennie, born Aug. 4, 1894; Arvid, born July 21, 1896; George, born Aug. 19, 1898; Margaret, born Aug. 20, 1900; Flovia, born Aug. 10, 1902; Lorena, born July 6, 1904: Milton, born July 16, 1906; Evelyn, born Oct. 6, 1907; Iva, born March 8, 1909; Genevieve Elizabeth, born and died March 30, IQII.

CLAUDE D. TRASK-The Trasks of Busti herein recorded are descendants of the Trasks of Rhode Island, an ancient and prominent family. Eben Trask, great- grandfather of Claude D. Trask, was born in Rhode Island, Jan. 12, 1754, and there married, in Smithfield, Huldah Reed. In the year 1800 he moved to Oneida county, N. Y. He had a large family of children, one of whom, Elijah, settled in the town of Busti, Chautauqua county, N. Y., he the father of Silas Trask, and grand- father of Claude D. Trask. Silas Trask was born in Busti, and there spent his life, a cooper by trade and a farmer. He married Clarissa Way, and they were the parents of Claude D. Trask, now a farmer of the town of Busti.

Claude D. Trask was born in the village of Busti, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Jan. 10, 1862, and was edu- cated in the public schools. He spent his youth on the farm, but later located in Jamestown, where he spent eighteen years of his life, then returning to the town of his birth, where he owns and cultivates a good farm. He is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, the Meth- odist Episcopal church, the Knights of the Maccabees (Jamestown), and in politics is a Republican.

Mr. Trask married, in Busti, Dec. 4, 1895, Mary A. Banks, born in England, March 14, 1865, daughter of John and Sarah Banks. Mr. and Mrs. Trask are the parents of a son, Alba B., born Jan. 12, 1901, who re- sides at the home farm with his parents.

AUGUST HANSON, who, with his industrious sons, has successfully developed some good farming property in the Gerry district of Chautauqua county, N. Y., where the family has become prosperous and re- spected, is a native of Sweden, although he has lived the greater part of his life in this country. Since he came to the United States, and to Chautauqua county, August Hanson has had a worthy record of honest, industrious and productive effort, and for long has enjoyed a repu- tation for integrity, both moral and material. He has raised a worthy family, and his sons have indicated that they possess much of the commendable characteristics which have carried him, despite many discouragements in early life, to substantial, financial competence.

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History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume III, Part 82

Author: Downs, John Phillips, 1853- , ed; Hedley, Fenwick Y., joint editor Publication date: 1921 Publisher: Boston, American Historical Soceity Number of Pages: 688

Author: Downs, John Phillips, 1853- , ed; Hedley, Fenwick Y., joint editor
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Boston, American Historical Soceity
Number of Pages: 688