USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume III > Part 86
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He was born in Mina, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Nov. 5. 1849, the son of William and Phoebe (Birch) Sinden, of that place. He was educated in the district school nearest to his father's farm, and was only eleven years old when the Civil War began. He saw his elder brother, James William, march off to war, and young as he was, he seriously thought of endeavoring to go also. However, that was impossible, and he had to continue his schooling. His soldier brother was a mem- ber of Company F of the famous IIIth New York Regi- ment, and eventually died of sickness at Pittsburgh. Another brother, Charles Edward, later took a farm at South Dayton, N. Y., where he still lives. Denied service during the Civil War, because of his youth, George H. Sinden, as a growing boy, still longed for military service, and eventually, when he had reached the age of nineteen years, enlisted at Buffalo in the Fourth Infantry. He was assigned to Company G and sent to Governor's Island, N. Y. During the following seven years he saw some adventurous service on the frontier, going from Lexington, Ky., to Frankford, thence to Paducah, Ky,, later to Little Rock, Kan., and eventually to Fort Sanders, Wyoming. Those districts were at that time practically on the outskirts of civiliza- tion, and Mr. Sinden would no doubt be much interested in visiting the localities in this day, and in noting the great change that has taken place in the meantime. He received his honorable discharge from the army in 1876, and returned to his native county, taking up work upon
his father's farm of 125 acres in Ripley. Upon that property, which since his father's death he has owned, he has lived ever since, and into it he has put the best effort of his years of vigor. Most of the improvements upon the farm were executed by him; he remodelled the homestead ; built a modern barn, commodious and sub- stantial; and in many other ways enhanced the value of the property and the productiveness of the land. He has worked the farm upon approved methods, intro- ducing many modern methods into his operations. He has always been keenly interested in all things that relate to agriculture, and has been one of the most active members of the local Grange, of which he is still overseer.
Politically, Mr. Sinden is a Republican, but he has not given national political campaigns the active sup- port he has at times manifested in local affairs. He has never sought political office, but might have been elected to many local offices had he so wished, for he is popular and respected in his district. He has always felt that he was better employed in attending to matters of production upon his farm than in matters of dis- cussion in the State, county, or local administration. He has, however, performed the duties of tax collector. Religiously, he is a Methodist, and has been a steady, consistent and conscientious supporter, both in personal work, and financial contribution, of the local church. And in community work he has always indicated a lively interest, in his younger days taking much part in social movements, and at all times he has shown a readiness to financially support all worthy community projects.
Denied, as he was, participation in the Civil War, he still was destined to give his country war service, not in military capacity, but in a capacity just as valuable and most practical. During the great World War just ended, at a time when the government sought to interest all patriotic American farmers in the purpose of the administration to, if possible, sustain the allies of this country upon the surplus yields of foodstuffs from American soil, Mr. Sinden entered with a will into the project, paying close attention to the prevention of waste upon his farm, and to the cultivation of every possible acre. The result of the combined effort of patriotic American farmers, and the effect it had upon the successful ending of the war, is well known; and every man who contributed to that result is entitled to individual record of that participation. Mr. Sinden also contributed, to the limit of his means, to the various national funds raised for the purposes of the Nation in the war. so that he may be considered to have done his part for his country during the war which was so stupendous that nations, not only national arm- ies, were called upon to fight.
In Ripley. Mr. Sinden married Mary Nockton, daugh- ter of Owen and Anna (Ireland) Nockton, of Ripley. Her parents were of British birth, her father having been born in Ireland, and her mother in England. To George Henry and Mary (Nockton) Sinden have been born four children, who in order of birth are: I. Le- vula, who married Fred West, a prosperous farmer at Cassadaga. N. Y. 2. Charles William, who married Hawkins ; since leaving school he has aided his father in the operation of the farm. 3. Velma, who
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married Gilbert Stetson, a well known farmer of Rip- ley. 4. Edith, who married Bert Haug, also an indus- trious farmer. Owen Nockton, father of Mrs. George H. Sinden, was at one time a tanner at Meadville, Pa., and Mrs. Sinden is one of the five children born to her parents, her sisters and brother being Margaret, Ella, Elizabeth. and Henry.
Reviewing the life activities of George Henry Sinden, they show him as a man of stalwart, courageous pur- pose. oi earnest, patriotic spirit, of energetic, steady, industrious inclination, and of thoroughness in his actions. He is widely known among agriculturists of that section of the county, and generally respected. His seventy years of connection with Chautauqua county have been such as to make his place a good one in this historical record of worthy Chautauqua county men.
MELFORD STEVENS-For twenty years, 1900- 1920, Mr. Stevens has been superintendent of the Lake- wood Ice Company, a Jamestown corporation with of- fices in the Bank of Jamestown building and plant on the shores of Lake Chautauqua, near Celoron. Mir. Stevens is of German birth and parentage. He left his native land and made his home in the United States, becoming a resident of Chautauqua county, N. Y. He is a son of John Stevens, who lived and died in Ger- many, as did also his wife.
Melford Stevens was born in Germany, March 30, 1857. He there attended public school until coming to the United States. He was variously employed until 1000, when he became superintendent of the Lakewood Ice Company, a position he yet most acceptably fills ( 1)21). He married, in Oil City, Pa., Anna Nelson, born in Denmark, Jan. 25, 1854, daughter of Lawson and Hannah Nelson, both born in Denmark. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens were the parents of two daughters, one deceased. The family home is on Jackson avenue, in the village of Celoron.
CLIFTON D. HOLLENBECK, who for many years has been successfully engaged in agricultural op- erations in Ellicott township, Jamestown, Chautauqua county, N. Y., and who is one of the well known and highly estremed citizens of the community, is a native i the prighborhood where he is dwelling at the present He is a son of Daniel and Delia ( Williams) H Wmobek. the former a native of Germany, from which country he came at an early age to the United states and settled in this region, marrying a lady who ra. bern here. He was in turn a son of an earlier Daniel Hollenbeck, who was the founder of the family in this e utery, and a pioneer settler of Ellicott town- ship.
Clifton D. Ilellenberk was born on his father's farm, .r1 13. : 70, and during his childhood and youth divided! Hi time between attending the local public I I and working at less difficult jobs about the meg'a " He thu learned two lessons at once, and for archation from the Jame 'own High School for % up the agricultural pursuits of his forbears as his own creer in hie. From 1827 until i866, a period of per year he spent in the State of Washington. Ile Meester of : on farm in Ellicott township,
Jamestown, the high state of cultivation and productiv- ity of which is the direct result of his indefatigable industry and expert knowledge of his work. Mr. Hol- lenbeck has given liberally of his time and energy to the public life of Jamestown, and has served his fellow- citizens with disinterestedness and devotion as assessor of the township of Ellicott. He is a member of Mt. Tabor Lodge, No. 780, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Jamestown, and of the local Grange. Mr. Hollenbeck attends the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Jamestown, of which his wife is a member.
Clifton D. Hollenbeck was united in marriage, March 10, 1897, at Jamestown, with Minnie Strunk, like him- self a native of Ellicott township, born Aug. 3, 1872, a daughter of William Frank and Edna A. (Parker) Strunk, who were born here May 7, 1840, and Sept. 19, 1845, respectively. The Strunk family is an old one in this neighborhood, and Mrs. Hollenbeck's grand- parents, William and Jane ( Vanbleek) Strunk, were old and highly respected residents of Ellicott. Mr. and Mrs. Hollenbeck are the parents of two children, as follows : F. Parker, born April 18, 1905, and Edna B., born Nov. 30, 1909.
FRANK M. ADAMS, who is well known as a fruit grower in the region of Fredonia, Chautauqua county, N. Y., and an active and public-spirited citizen, is a native of that town, born on the old Adams homestead, Sept. 29, 1860, a member of one of the old pioneer families of the county.
Bishop Adams, paternal grandfather of Frank M. Adams, was a native of Massachusetts, and came from that State in early days to Arkwright Hills, but looking down upon Lake Erie he decided to go thither and ascertain if there was any better land there, not so hilly and rolling, so he traveled through the forest, encountering many Indians, but they were friendly and sent one of their number to guide the party to the lake, and upon arriving there the Indian told them there was good hunting and fishing there. Mr. Adams pur- chased from the Holland Land Company 320 acres, paying for the portion that was partly cleared $15.00 per acre, and for the remainder, $6.00 per acre. He earned the money for same by cutting down the trees, burning them in one large fire, saving the ashes, which hie converted into lye and took to Buffalo, N. Y., on an old flat hoat, built by an old minister and himself, the former having come there to find a place to rear his family of nine boys, two of whom died with consump- tion. He started a school which was located about one and a half miles from their home, and the boys went to school barefooted, carrying their shoes and stockings with them, putting them on after reaching the school house. They grew into manhood, became a strong lot of men, and after laying their father to rest, they sold out and went West. David Adams, father of Frank M. Adams, then a boy of twelve years, went to school with them. He often received letters from the boys after they settled in the West, which seemed far away then, but was only in Cleveland, Ohio, where they started a lumber mill, built a large barge and took the lumber to Buffalo, the greater part being white oak, which was used to build boats and railroad ties. The region was
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at that time a complete wilderness, and through the almost endless forests ranged the Seneca Indians, the most western of the Five Nations of the Iroquois, which were unquestionably the bravest and fiercest of all the tribes of savages with whom the white settlers came in contact. Nothing, however, daunted these hardy pio- neers, who made it their task to clear the great forests and turn the fruitful country into prosperous farms, a brush with the natives being a frequent incident in the day's work. Bishop Adams took his part in this labor and cleared ninety-eight acres of his tract, the remainder being uncleared, and later he left this for another tract of virgin forest consisting of ninety-one and one-quarter acres located at Pomfret, now Fre- donia. This, with the aid of his son, he also cleared, and the fruitful farm which resulted from their labors remains in part in the possession of their descendants.
David Adams, son of Bishop Adams, received his schooling, as aforesaid, and accompanied the family upon their removal to Pomfret, where he grew to man- hood, devoted his time and energy to agriculture, and eventually inherited the old farm. He was a man of mature years when the Civil War broke out, and al- though he had a family dependent upon him, he enlisted in the Union army and played his part in the great struggle. David Adams married Mary E. Woodcock, who bore him four children, as follows : Florence, Mar- vin Bishop, Eva; and Frank M., of further mention.
Frank M. Adams passed his childhood upon his father's farm, attended the local public schools during the winter months and assisted with the work on the home farm in the summer months and vacation time. He afterwards was a student in the Fredonia Normal School, from which institution he graduated. Since that time he has devoted himself to the cultivation of fruit, especially grapes, and has met with a notable de- gree of success in his occupation, being now the owner of one of the finest places in this section. Mr. Adams has always been a staunch member of the Republican party, and has been a factor in local affairs, although he has never held office, being quite unambitious for po- litical distinction. He is a member of the Society of the Sons of Veterans.
Frank M. Adams was united in marriage, May 4, 1880, with Sarah E. Van Whey, of Fredonia, N. Y., daughter of Charles Van Whey, of Fredonia. Mrs. Adams died Feb. 14, 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Adams adopted a daughter, Mildred, who is now ( 1921) fifteen years of age.
JAMES DELOS STEVENS, respected and respon- sible farmer of Gerry, Chautauqua county, N. Y., comes of a family which has earned place in the historical records of Chautauqua county, N. Y. He is a brother of the young patriot, Joseph Robert Stevens, whose body now lies with those of other national heroes upon French soil, he having made the supreme sacrifice upon the field of battle where America reached her greatest fame, at Chateau-Thierry, thus ending a life which had been full of good promise and much nobility of char- acter.
James D. Stevens was born July 28, 1887, the son of Charles Morris and Frances Henrietta (Sweet)
Stevens, who in later life lived in Gerry, Chautauqua county, N. Y. Charles Morris Stevens, father of James D. Stevens, was born May 19, 1857, and for nineteen years was connected with a business enter- prise in the oil fields of Pennsylvania, making his home during that period at Bradford, Pa. Eventually he purchased a farming property in Gerry, and retired from the oil business. Thereafter, he lived in Gerry until his death, Jan. 25, 1911. Charles M. and Frances Henrietta (Sweet) Stevens were the parents of seven children : 1. Alice Ann, born June 21, 1883. 2. Morris L., born Jan. 30, 1885. 3. James Delos, of whom fur- ther. 4. George Allen, born Aug. 23, 1889. 5. Charles V., born July 18, 1891, was in the military forces of the Nation during the European War, being called to the colors, July 10, 1918, and assigned to the 338th Machine Gun Battalion, and as such prepared to take his part in the thickest of the fighting, which fortu- nately ended in 1918. 6. Lee Lovell, born Jan. 21, 1893. 7. Joseph Robert, who gave his life to the cause, born Oct. 25, 1896; he did not wait for the selective draft; he was unencumbered, and full of martial ardor and patriotic spirit, and on July 5, 1917, enlisted in the regular army of the United States, becoming a mem- ber of Company I, 23rd Infantry; was with one of the earliest divisions sent overseas, and took part in the earliest European fighting in which American troops were engaged; it was at the famous battle of Chateau- Thierry, July 15, 1919, when the untried American forces met the experienced veterans of the victorious German army in the last terrific drive it made, the drive which was to take it to Paris, and to victory, and his was one of the arms which fought and held, and finally threw back the astonished and stupified Germans ; that, the turning point of the five-year struggle, was a battle which will ever stand out among those of the Great War, will stand out not only in American history, but in the histories of the countries of Europe that were effected thereby ; and the Roll of Honor, commencing first with those brave patriots who laid down their lives in that supreme test, and continuing with those who were fortunate enough to be alive when the fighting ceased, will be a roll such as any American family will be proud to think that it has representation therein. Joseph Robert Stevens, however, was among those who gave their lives in that great battle, and his body now reposes in an American cemetery upon French soil, to which cemetery in the succeeding generations count- less Americans will make journeys, to honor the heroes of their own Nation, buried in that sacred spot.
James Delos Stevens, elder brother of Joseph Robert Stevens, and third child of Charles Morris and Frances Henrietta (Sweet) Stevens, was educated mainly in the public schools of Gerry, eventually graduating from the Gerry High School. He assisted his father in the op- eration of the family farm, and at his father's death took over the full management of it. He has taken a good part in the public affairs of the community, and he and his wife have entered wholeheartedly into the various phases of community life. They are well re- garded, and of enviable repute. Mr. Stevens is an earnest Methodist, and a loyal member of the local church, substantial in his support thereof. He is closely
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identified with the local Grange, and in political mat- ters is a Republican. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
On June 20. 1010. at Jamestown, James D. Stevens married Ellen, daughter of August and Elizabeth (Fon- dant Berggier. of Jamestown. She was horn Ang. 14, :N)5, and their marriage has been blessed by the birth vi ene child. James M., born May 10, 1917.
During the World War, James D. Stevens was in- tensely interested in its progress, and loyally took his share of the financial burden it brought ; and when the hear :- blow came in the death of his brother, he and his brothers and sisters bore the pain with fortitude, rec- ognizing that in that end the life of one of their own family had been completed nobly, and in the most famous battle in which the American Nation has had part.
JOHN D. COSTIANES, who is now in independent business as a confectioner at No. 7 Main street, James- town. N. Y., an enterprising young man, was born in Zoupena, Greece. April 15, 1800. He was educated in Grecian schools, equivalent probably to the high schools ci this country, and when seventeen years of age came to America to join his father, who was in business as a fruiterer and confectioner at Newcastle, Pa. After a while John D. Costianes left Newcastle and went to Whee'ing. W. Va., where his uncle was established in a business somewhat similar to that of his father. He remained with his uncle for some time, learning the business. For a while he attended the high school at Greenville, Pa .. and later, for five years, was in business in S. Marys. Pa. In 1017. he came to Jamestown, N. Y., and in August of that year joined his uncle in estab- 'ishing a confectionery business at No. 7 Main street. In April. 1919. he acquired his uncle's interest in the local business, and since that time has conducted it independently. He is an American citizen, and gives indication . f making a success of his Jamestown enter- prise.
Mr Costianes was married, in Pittsburgh, Pa .. May 1. 1916, to Antoinette Zabutare. They had two chil- dren. one now living, Angeline.
THE BLACKSTONE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, the oldest concern in the United States : a."¿ washing machines for domestic use, is one of lame man's elde t and largest industries. It is also ''ro'le ' einen in this country making washing ma- hir d peste use, having a trade that extends ver it ofly al' par's of the United States but the a ald as we" The concern was established in 1871 triat . Wilhan. A Blackstone and George V. Black- . .. The pre et cores are: William Ml. Blackstone,
IFn P. Miomthan, secretary, and Andrew I J.t.d treamrer
ORRIN MINER JONES, one of the most progres-
dl trong the younger farmers of *t.Mia nuts, N Y .. is a native of
i Mmer. For March 11, 1887, a son of Edgar
The elder Mr. Jones was
, and for many years was
the owner of the old Jones homestead, a farm of 160 acres.
About the time of the present Mr. Jones' birth, this region was infested with a terrible plague of grass- hoppers which damaged the crops so greatly that the family decided to remove to the West. Accordingly, when he was a lad of about three years of age, they took up their abode in the State of Missouri, where the father continued his agricultural pursuits with success, and it was in the West the son received his education, attending for this purpose the local public schools. Upon completing his studies at these institutions, he assisted his father with the work on the farm and re- mained thus occupied until he had reached the age of twenty-two years, when he purchased a farm for him- self, consisting of forty acres of excellent land, and there carried on general and dairy farming and main- tained a herd of thirty-five fine Durham cattle. Here he remained until June, 1919, meeting with notable success in his enterprise. and then purchased a farm of 137 acres at Chautauqua. He is now engaged in the development of this fine property as a dairy farm, and has a fine herd of fourteen Holstein cows which supply him with milk and other dairy products for the sur- rounding markets. He is an expert farmer and well posted in his calling, keeping himself abreast of all the very latest advances in agricultural methods and theory. He is also actively interested in local public affairs, especially in connection with education, and for four years held the position of director of the School Board, while a resident in Wisconsin. He is a Repub- lican in politics, and is an ardent advocate of the princi- ples of that party.
Orrin Miner Jones was united in marriage, Aug. 24, 1010, with Margaret Jane Wallett, of Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are the parents of the following chil- dren : Edna Jane, now a student at school; Lucille Mar- garet and Vernon Margaret.
CHESTER RICHMOND SHULTES, successful farmer, owner of a good agricultural property at Chau- tauqua, of which place he is one of the responsible residents and substantial taxpayers, is not a native of Chautauqua county, but he may be considered to be among the representative agriculturists of the county, of the older generation.
lle was born in Springville, Erie county, N. Y., June 16, 1848, the son of and Eliza (Weeden) Shultes, the former a farmer of that place. Chester R. was educated in the district school nearest to his home, and afterwards spent many years industriously farming the paternal acres. Eventually, he bought a farm of his own, seventy acres in extent, and for many years lived there. Ultimately, however, he came to reside in Chau- tauqua, this county, having sold his old farm to advan- tage, and in 19to purchased the Edward Coleman farm in Chautauqua township. The farm is a good one, 133 acres in extent, and well adapted to general and dairy farming. and Mr. Shultes, having been a farmer all his life, and a man of comprehensive knowledge of things relating to agriculture, has so directed its operation that he has had good return on his investment.
In general characteristics he is a man of commenda- ble thoroughness, and of independent original thought.
John & bostiones
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BIOGRAPHICAL
Upon certain questions, he has evidently delved deeply into fundamentals, for his expressed views indicate a wide knowledge and understanding. He is a Socialist of the true type, which has nothing in common with the forces of disorder by which the designation, socialism, has been brought into disfavor. The true socialism is, and for long has been, practiced in most rural com- munities, and is based on good fellowship, and in kindly interest one in another. In such actions of community well-being, Mr. Shultes has always been prominent, ready and willing at all times to help forward any project that might promise good results for his own community. In his younger days he was active in per- sonal services in such projects and he has always been known for his generous hospitality. Mr. Shultes has been an active member of the local Grange, which in its functioning fulfils some of the fundamentals of
socialism. As a steady successful producer, who is keeping in good cultivation a substantial acreage of agricultural land within the county, and contributing more than the quota of one man to the maintenance in progressive effort of Chautauqua county, he comes into place among the worthy and responsible workers of the county and by his consistent life and fellow feeling has gained many friends among his neighbors, and the general respect of the people of the community.
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