USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume III > Part 88
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Mr. Henning married, Oct. 21, 1879, Ida Scott, of Ripley, and they are the parents of one daughter, Ella, wife of Bert Waters, whose farm joins that of Mr. Hen- ning ; they have one child, Belma. The career of Charles L. Henning has been one of quiet force exerted for worthy ends and bringing a harvest of honorable successes. Could there be a better record?
JOHN WILLIAM WEBBER-A residence of fifty years in a county seldom fails to insure the recognition of a majority of its citizens and especially is this so when, as in the case of Mr. Webber, the man is num- bered among the prosperous and influential members of his community, and is counted on with confidence in any crisis or emergency. That this is true of Mr. Web- ber his friends and neighbors of Sherman have long since proved.
John William Webber was born March 20, 1862, at Youngsville, Pa., a son of William and Mary (Barber) Webber. When the boy was seven years old his par- ents moved to Chautauqua township, Chantanqua county, N. Y., taking up their abode on the farm of which he himself is now the owner. John William Webber attended District School No. 16, and when he grew to manhood remained on his father's farm, as- sisting in its management, and in the course of time becoming its possessor. The estate consists of 194 acres, about one-half of this being under cultivation. Every improvement on the place was made either by Mr. Webber or his father, and in 1910 the former built a saw mill which he now owns and operates in con- junction with the farm. This saw mill cuts about 40,000 feet of lumber annually, and over and above paying for his own and his sons' labor provides considerable money for wages. In politics, Mr. Webber has always adhered to the principles of the Republican party, and at one time, by the request of his fellow-citizens, served as school trustee. He belongs to the Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, and is a member of the Mount Pleasant United Brethren Church.
Mr. Webber married, March 4, 1891, Katharine John- ston, of Chautauqua township, and they are the parents of the following children: I. Inez, educated in dis- trict schools and Chautauqua High School; married Clyde Crandall, and has one child, Everett. 2. Munroe, educated in district schools and Chautauqua High School; married Mildred Johnson, and has one child,
Elinor. 3. Dorothy. 4. Otto. 5. Joel. The three last named were educated in the same manner as the eldest daughter and first born son. John William Webber is an honorably successful man, and has a record in which his children and grandchildren may well take laudable pride.
WILLIAM FREDERICK EGGERT-In any list of the most progressive Westfield farmers of the younger generation the name we have just written would stand very high. Mr. Eggert is a good citizen as well as an enterprising agriculturist, always taking a helpful interest in improvement of community condi- tions.
William Frederick Eggert was born March 7, 1884, on his father's farm in Westfield township, and is a son of Frederick and Albertine ( Marquette) Eggert. Mr. Eggert, who is now deceased, came, about 1880, from Germany, and his widow is now living on a farm near that of her son.
After receiving his preparatory education in district schools, William F. Eggert attended for a short time Union College, in the town of Westfield, and then de- cided to devote himself to agricultural pursuits. In 1913, he purchased the farm on which he now lives, an estate consisting of 178 acres, on which he has made many improvements to which he is constantly adding. He is also the owner of two smaller farms as well as a vineyard of twenty-five acres, situated on Main street, some distance from Westfield town. On his home farm he is now building a large modern residence of nine rooms. He has ten cows, five horses, and twenty hogs; also sixty-seven sheep-a new industry-and a large number of chickens. All his methods are modern, and the result of his use of them has proved eminently satisfactory. Politically, Mr. Eggert is a true Repub- lican and has served his townsmen in the office of collector. He belongs to the Grange, Patrons of Hus- bandry, and is a member of the Lutheran church of Westfield.
Mr. Eggert married, May 2, 1906, Clara M. Bussiger, of Buffalo, N. Y., and they are the parents of two chil- dreti, both of whom are now attending school: Arthur William and Carlton Deane.
As a farmer of the new school and a citizen help- fully active in public affairs, Mr. Eggert is making a record to which, as the years go on, he will add chapter after chapter of increasing interest.
HERBERT HENRY REID-The agricultural in- terests of Chautauqua county have no more aggressive representative among the younger generation of farmers than the citizen of Westfield whose name stands at the head of this article. Mr. Reid is public-spirited in re- gard to community affairs, always showing a helpful interest in promoting the general welfare.
Herbert Henry Reid was born Jan. 22, 1884, on a farm in Westfield township, and is a son of Robert and Sally (Russell) Reid, the latter being now de- ceased. Mr. Reid is a farmer at Summerdale, Chau- tauqua township. Herbert Henry Reid received a district school education, and since leaving school has been engaged, for the most part, in farming, with the exception of a short time spent in working on the rail-
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way. In 1912, Mr. Reid rented his present farm, and in March, 1910. became by purchase the owner of the estate which comprises 140 acres. Of these about one- half are under cultivation. The care of a large and growing family prevents Mr. Reid from making as many improvements on his farm as he would like to, but he hopes some day to be the owner of an estate which will compare favorably with any in Westfield township. He now engages in general farming, also conducting a dairy. His stock includes cighteen cows, three horses, some hogs and a large number of chick- ens. In politics. Mr. Reid is a faithful Republican, but has never had time nor inclination for office holding. He has no fraternal affiliations, but attends the Metho- dist Episcopal church.
Mr. Reid married, Sept. 15. 1005, Vera Stoweln, of Chautauqua township. and they are the parents of the following children : Lawrence, Ethel, Walter, Alma, Lucille, May, Doris, and Lura. Of these, five are now ( 1921) attending school.
Herbert Henry Reid is a fine type of the self-made man. He has already done much and everything indi- cates that, as the years go on, he will accomplish still more. He is the type of man who helps to build up communities.
CHARLES WILLIAM NICHOLS, a native of Westfield, in which town he has lived throughout his life. has farmed practically all his life, and has had good success. He has the respect of his neighbors, and the confidence of all who have traded with him, which is satisfactory wealth for any man.
He was born on a farm in Westfield, Chautauqua county. N. Y .. March 23, 1869, the son of Charles John and Rachel ( Fisher ) Nichols. His father, Charles John Nichols, was born in Germany (Mecklenburg), but it does not necessarily follow that the family is of German origin: as a matter of fact Nichols is an English pa- tronymic, not a German, and the circumstances of the German birth of Charles John Nichols might well have been only because of the residence of his, sup- Dur sedly. English parents in Germany at that time. Be that as it may, Charles John Nichols was brought to this country by his parents when he was only seven se.rs old, and he has been a responsible farmer in Wwwold town hip for sixty years. He and his wife, Rachel ( Fi-her ) Nichols, live quite near their son, the farms almost adjoining.
Charles William Nichols was educated in district Fre1, after leaving which he busied himself with ta la upen the parental farm. With the exception of ix wir . derivo which he followed the trade of brick "adily followed agricultural occupa- a" hi- Nie and he owns a good property, upon i. le lis pe ted many improvements of value. 0 i. r- 1 w.l' ad.food for the purpose to which it y& dairy are seceral farming, and is well stocked. Mr Ni : 1 ia member of the local Grange, and is "," .. od P albo. all things that have to do with la fermer years, he took much active part Armament allair , although he has never sought nor a spend utic once In politics, be is an independent, : : « that the Gi thinker which will not pledge himself blindly to ny party His religious conviction
leads him into membership of the Methodist Episcopal body, and he has been a good supporter of the local church of that denomination.
On April 1, 1893. Mr. Nichols married Helen Trump, of a Westfield family of that name, and the marriage has been well blest, for they are the parents of a fine family, three sons and three daughters, namely: I. Nellie, who graduated at the Westfield High School, and married Deere Hunt, to whom she has borne one child, Allen. 2. Mary, who was educated in the district schools, and married Beers, a farmer; they have one child, Elinor. 3. Freida, who graduated from the Westfield High School, and from the State Normal School ; she has entered professional life, and has been a teacher for four years. 4. George, who was educated in the district school, and followed the examples set for him by his father and grandfather, and is now a skill- ful and energetic young farmer. 5. Raymond, educated in district schools, and now a mechanic in a Toledo, Ohio, plant. 6. Lawrence, who is still attending the district school.
The present prosperous condition of Charles Wil- liam Nichols has been the result of praiseworthy indus- try he has manifested, as well as of skillful farming. He has held steadily to his work, has always lived within his means, and has always endeavored to hold to the honorable mode of dealing. Consequently, he has prospered.
ANTONY MILITELLO, who at the present time occupies a position of prominence in the business world of Westfield, N. Y .. is a native of Italy, born in the Province of Palermo, Feb. 16, 1886. He is a son of Joseph and Josephine Militello, who were also natives of Italy, and who came to this country when Antony was but fourteen months of age. The elder Mr. Mili- tello preceded the family in its migration to the New World by a year, and came here on a sailing vessel upon which there broke out a severe epidemic and the ship underwent extensive quarantine. Eventually the gov- ernment permitted the ship to dock and the weak and suffering immigrants landed. Mr. Militello then went to Buffalo, N. Y., where he settled, and where the family later came and resided. In 1896, Joseph Mili- tello and his family returned to Italy, where Antony was educated, and in 1901, the family came back to America and returned to Buffalo.
Antony Militello, however, did not remain here for any great length of time. Leaving the family in Buf- falo, he came to Westfield and obtained a position with the United States Canning Factory. At this place a great misfortune befell the young man, he losing his left arm in an accident. When he had recuperated suf- ficiently, he was sent to school and graduated from the public and high schools here with high honors. Mr. Militello then accepted the position as interpreter with the Lake Shore & Michigan Central Railroad Company and in his spare time read law with James H. Pren- dergast. a prominent lawyer of Westfield. In 1909, he passed the examination for notary, and has since then donc a great deal of work in this line for the Italian people hereabouts. Mr. Militello was of an ambitious nature and had always been anxious to engage in a business enterprise of his own. Therefore, in 1908, he
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started the manufacture of cement blocks, bricks, etc., as well as concrete work. He has done a great deal of this grade of work here and has installed the founda- tion for the old Armour Grape Juice plant, furnished blocks for several stations on the Buffalo & Lake Erie Railroad, and traction blocks for the Milk Products Company's plant. Mr. Militello manufactures his blocks from Lake Erie gravel, and at the outset he had but one small machine for the manufacture of this commodity. His plant is now equipped with modern machinery and is capable of turning out 2,000 bricks and 600 blocks per day. Mr. Militello is also the owner of an up-to-date cider plant, and is preparing to erect a canning factory for fruit products on the Peacock estate, which he now owns. He also has a thirty-five acre fruit and grape farm on the Academy road.
Antony Militello was united in marriage with Jennie Pummaie, Sept. 2, 1914, and they are the parents of the following children: Josephine, Mary and Joseph. In his religious belief, Mr. Militello is a Catholic and at- tends the church of this denomination at Westfield, and liberally supports its charitable and philanthropic under- takings. He was the organizer, in 1902, and one of the presidents of the Star of Italy Society, and was one of the organizers of the Board of Commerce. He was also an organizer and the past president of the Republican Club here, and ardently adheres to all its principles and policies.
Mr. Militello is, in the best sense of the word, a "self-made man." Starting out in life after being af- flicted with the loss of an arm, he did not permit this handicap to discourage him, but set to work and con- quered the obstacles that stood in his path and overcame considerable difficulties, eventually reaching his goal. He is very popular with his employees, and is regarded here as a business man of the finest caliber, an honest citizen and a good husband and father, who enjoys the intimate intercourse of his family circle and personal friends.
CHARLES GROVE VAN DYKE, prosperous farmer of the Mayville section of Chautauqua county, N. Y., is a native of Chautauqua county, and has lived within it all the years of his life, fifty-six. His life has been one of steady, useful production, in which he has accumulated sufficient financial means to make his later life free from any consequential worry. And, by his public service, he has indicated that he is interested in the well being of his neighbors also. Public service in country districts in the main brings no financial re- turn, but often entails much labor, and the man who will accept office under such conditions indicates a commendable interest in his fellows, and an unselfish willingness to perform the public duties that have to be accomplished in every community. Mr. Van Dyke for many years was school trustee, and has also been collector of the district.
He was born on the family homestead, in the town of Ripley, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Oct. 21, 1863, the son of Lister and Alpha (Grove) Van Dyke. His father was a farmer, and as a boy Charles G. attended the district school. As soon as his school days were over, he took industriously to farming, and has worked
at such occupations ever since. Twelve years ago, he purchased the farm he now owns, near Mayville, Chau- tauqua county. It is sixty-eight acres in extent, about thirty acres of which is arable land, and the remainder pasture. It is a well-balanced dairy farm, and Mr. Van Dyke has instituted many improvements, which include dwelling house, barns, milk house, hen houses, and other structures, all built by the present owner. He is a good farmer, and has a well kept and produc- tive property. Mr. Van Dyke is a member of the local Grange, and belongs to the Mayville Lodge of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows. He has been a Republican throughout his life, and has, when possible, interested himself actively in national political move- ments insofar as they pertain to his own order and community. He is popular and well regarded in his district, and has held many local offices, including that of school trustee and collector.
On Nov. 21, 1895, Charles G. Van Dyke married Elizabeth , of Buffalo, N. Y. They have two children : I. Ella, who was educated in Mayville and district schools; married Lyle Raynor, who follows industrial occupations, and at present is serving as factory foreman; they have two children: Robert and Elinor. 2. Morris, who received his education in May- ville and district schools, and eventually entered the employ of the local railroad company; he married Bes- sie Moore, and they have one child, Donald.
Mr. Van Dyke is a self-made man; has acquired the means he now enjoys entirely by his own industrious efforts ; and has lived an earnest, upright life. He was much interested in the prosecution of the war, and bore his share of the financial burdens caused thereby. He also entered zealously into the national endeavor, by farmers, to bring increasing yields from their agricul-
tural holdings, to circumvent the threatened famines in allied countries. That national effort was successful, as is now nationally recorded in United States history, and when the consequences were so portentous, Amer- ican farmers who participated in the national effort might well take comfort from the knowledge they now have of the appreciable part their combined effort had upon the final satisfactory ending of the war.
LOUIS VERNON GILBERT, an earnest, manly, young farmer in the Mayville section of Chautauqua county, N. Y., operates a dairy farm of 100 acres. And judging by the production during his first year of man- agement of the farm, he will succeed. He is an in- telligent, enterprising. and optimistic young man who has taken early to the things that count in life, and has left the artificialities of modern city life to others who find attraction in such. They do not fit in with his sturdiness of purpose.
He was born in Hart, Oceana county, Mich., April 24, 1899, the son of Charles and Nora ( Milajean) Gil- bert. His father, who was a farmer, is now dead, but his mother is with him in Chautauqua county now. His early school days were passed in Hart, Mich., where he attended the graded public schools. When he was twelve years old, the family came to Chautauqua county, N. Y., and settled in Westfield, and in the high school of that place Louis Vernon finished his schooling. He
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graduated in 101;, but for some years before that he had been doing considerable work, of a farming nature, at every opportunity. After closing his schooling in 101;, he went to work in the vineyards of the neigh- borhood, and in the following year. 1918, took the farm he has since operated. It is 100 acres in extent, and suitable for dairy and general farming-quite an undertaking for a much older man. But young Gil- bert is proving himself capable of it, and is supported by his wife, Hazel ( Shaw ) Gilbert, whom he married, Aug. 12, 1018. She is of Erie, Pa. The farm he now owns and operates is one upon which he worked in 1015, while still at school. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church, Mayville, and give indications of possessing steadiness in Christian work which will hold them to the church.
HERBERT MORRISON CARPENTER-The Carpenters were early settlers and land owners of the town of Harmony. Chautauqua county, N. Y. Josiah Carpenter, from Rensselaer county, N. Y., in 1808, bought about 1,000 acres in township 1, range 12, southwest of Ashville. In 1809, his son, James Carpenter. with his young wife, settled on this purchase. building his log cabin near the banks of Goose creek, which in that year rose to the dimensions of a river and imprisoned the family, who, however, escaped on a raft made of cordwood. Josiah Carpen- ter came in 1811, there then being but one house in what is now the village of Ashville. He settled on lot 64 of his original purchase, with sons, Daniel B., Isaac, Josiah, Jr., and Timothy. One of his daughters mar- ried Oliver Pier, son of Levi Pier, a great hunter who, it is said, paid for his land in Harmony with the bounty money received from the county on wolf scalps.
Morrison Carpenter, father of Herbert Morrison Carpenter, was born in the village of Blockville, town of Harmony. Chautauqua county, N. Y., April 1, 1816, and there resided until his death. He married Sarah Wright, born in England, in 1826.
Herhert M. Carpenter was born in Blockville, Har- mony. Chautauqua county, N. Y., March 10, 1849, and there was educated in the district school. He made farming his business and pursued his calling with such success that he is now living a retired life of content- men+ and ease. He is the owner of two good farms but. with the exception of his poultry raising, he has no active business interest. In religious faith he is a Seventh Day Adventist, is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, and in politics a Democrat.
Mr. Carpenter married, Jan. 13, 1874, in Jamestown, Eliza N. Jennings, born April 8, 1846, in North Panama, Chautauqua county. N. Y., daughter of Luther Stephen Fuller and Tirza ( King) Jennings, her father born in C'attaraugn -. her mother in Onondaga county, N. Y. Mr and Mr Carpenter are the parents of five children : I Corrude Pauline, born Feb. 3. 1875, deceased. 2. Ange ine Lucille, born Oct. 16. 1876. married Philip Menge, born in France 3. Buddington Jennings, born Jan 25. 1970, married Eliza Stetson. 4. Herbert Floyd, ber. Der G. 1881, married Irene Irish. 5. Dorothy E'za b ra May 12, 144). married Carl Perry Milks.
CHARLES DANIEL BALL-Among the success- ful farmers of Chautauqua county, N. Y., should be mentioned Charles Daniel Ball, who has made a model farm of his 100 acres at Westfield. He was born at Arkwright, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Sept. 26, 1874, the son of Joshua J. and Lucy ( Burnam) Ball.
He had the great advantage which belongs to those who spend their youth in the healthy and invigorating atmosphere which pervades life on the American farm. He received his early education at the public schools of his native town, and spent his summers on his father's farm, acquiring that detailed knowledge of farm life and agricultural methods that only experience can pro- vide. He later attended the Fredonia Normal School to complete his education, after which he worked for some time on a farm, to perfect his training in his chosen occupation and then, feeling himself competent to be his own master, bought a farm of twenty-six acres at Arkwright, which he worked for some years as a general produce and dairy farm. Later he sold this land and removed to Westfield, where he bought the farm belonging to George Wright, which consisted of 100 acres. Since that time Mr. Ball has remained on this land, improving it in many ways, such as remodel ing the house and farm buildings, and has added to his arable land by clearing ten acres of bush, Besides general produce, Mr. Ball has thirteen head of cattle, fine graded Holsteins, and his dairy farm is known throughout the county, not only for the quality of its products, but also for its excellent management. Mr. Ball is a staunch supporter of the Republican party, and has taken an active interest in local public affairs, having been inspector of elections for the years 1918 and 1919. He is a member of the Dairymen's Association of Sheridan, and of the Woodmen of America.
Charles Daniel Ball married, at Stockton, Ella Kel- ley, daughter of Albert and Angeline (Scrivin) Kelley, and of this marriage were born three children, as fol- lows : Gerald A., who is now assisting his father in the running of the farm at Westfield; Thelma Irene, who is now at school; and Marian Lucy, also a student.
ARTIE VANDE WARK-When in 1861 the seeds of dissension and secession, sown by both Abolitionist and Secessionist, bore legitimate harvest, men from all sections rallied around the flag of the Union, and after four years of civil war the edict went forth that this nation "should not perish from the earth." Among the men who wore the blue was John Vande Wark, of the town of Carroll, Chautauqua county, N. Y. Later came another crisis in the affairs of our Nation, but with a foreign nation, Spain. A son of the Union veteran was ready then as was his sire in 1861, and for two years he wore the uniform of the United States volunteer.
Artie Vande Wark, son of John and Ella ( Pangborn) Vande Wark, was born at the home farm in the town of Carroll, Chautauqua county, N. Y., April 19, 1877, and there attended the public schools. He chose farm- ing as his occupation, and with the exception of his military service of more than eighteen months he has always been engaged in farming. Hle is now the owner of 135 acres of fertile farm and grazing land, well stocked and improved, upon which he resides, the farm
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located in section 57, town of Cherry Creek. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the United Brethren church. He enlisted in the American army during the Spanish-American War period, and served until honorably discharged.
Mr. Vande Wark married, at Cherry Creek, Juliette Peterson, daughter of John and Ida ( Hickok) Peterson, her father born in Sweden, her mother in Randolph, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Vande Wark are the parents of a daughter, Lorena Margaret, born Aug. 11, 1919.
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