History of Chautauqua County, New York, Part 59

Author: Edson, Obed, 1832-; Merrill, Georgia Drew, editor
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Boston, Mass. : W.A. Fergusson
Number of Pages: 1068

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E. A. Constr

الرع ساكبيرا.

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editor of the Buffalo Courier. Jennie M., the wife of W. Frank Jones, who is teller and assistant cashier of the Farmers' & Mechanics' Bank of Buffalo. William O., a graduate of Hamilton College, who is a prominent attorney in Chicago, doing business mostly for railroads and other corporations. Edward C., who was educated at the Syracuse Medical University, and who is a suc- cessful physician and surgeon at Hammond City, Indiana. Albert W., who recently graduated at the Philadelphia Dental College, and is just commenc- ing dental practice at Fredonia. Two daughters, Alice M., and Carolyn C., live with their parents.

Hon. George Barker, who has intimately known Mr. Johnson for nearly half-a-century, writes thus of him as a lawyer :

In many respects he has been a very able lawyer, and familiar with the elementary princi- ples of the law ; with the talent to apply the same in a practicable way to cases in hand for con- sideration. His clientage has been largely men of property engaged in business affairs, who sought his counsel because he was always guided in his judgement by plain common sense, and with clear conceptions of the principles of law and equity. Heexplored for the truth, and when the facts were well understood in his mind, his legal deductions were generally indisputable. In all matters of importance he desired opportunity to think and reflect. This characteristic doubtless produced the disinclination to often assume the duties and responsibilities of a jury lawyer. In the judgement of his contemporaries at the bar he is the strongest and most bril- liant in the preparation of briefs, after the record was made up, to be used in the higher courts in review of the judgements of the trial courts. In this class of work he has had few equals.

MAJOR ENOCH A. CURTIS.

The Curtis Family of New England from which Major Curtis descends comes from a long line of English ancestry who have in various generations been honored with prominent positions in church and state, and are and have been for many years entitled to bear arms. Among the carly settlers of New England the name appears and every generation has produced representatives especially conspicuous in some vocation, profession, civil or military office, and who were noted for their firmness of character, their ability, and their devotion to principle. The first of this family to come to Western New York was Rev. Enoch Curtis, a native of New Hampshire, who was for years a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. He made his home for some time in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and later resided in Cattaraugus county in this state where he died. The family has been identified with Chautauqua county for sixty years. Isaac C. Curtis, son of Rev. Enoch, coming from his native county of Tioga; Pa., to Jamestown with his young wife in the thirties to conduct lumbering, and subsequently moved six miles west into the unim- proved lands of Busti, purchased and developed a farm of 100 acres, and made this his home for twenty-two years, when, removing to Harmony, he lived there fifteen years, then went to Angola, Erie county, where he died, aged 72 years. He was an intelligent citizen, filling his part well in town and church matters, and strong in his Republican principles and Methodist faith. Mrs. Curtis, whose maiden name was Susan Hunter, was born in

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Potter county, Pa., in' June 1810, the daughter of Arnold Hunter, the first settler of Smethport. She died in Fredonia, March 15, 1893. She was a noble type of womanhood, and was highly appreciated for her mental powers which she retained as well as her physical vigor through her advanced years. Her children were Enoch A., Emeline (Mrs. Edwin Lewis, dec.), Lydia S. (dec.), Eliza (Mrs. John Woolley), Corydon J. and Watson H.

Major Enoch A. Curtis, oldest child of Isaac and Susan (Hunter) Curtis, was born in Busti, July 19, 1836. Until 1862 his life was passed on the farm, at school, in teaching, and in working at his trade of carpenter and. builder. These quiet days were not to last, the clouds of civil war burst over the country, and one day while Mr. Curtis was at work, Governor Fenton and Colonel A. F. Allen rode up from Jamestown and Governor Fenton said they had come to urge him to recruit a company for the army, and added that he would accompany him to hold meetings and make speeches at them all if Mr. Curtis would do this. The three had a long consultation. Mr. Curtis did not make a decision then, and Governor Fenton bade him goodby saying he would come again for his answer. The result was that Mr. Cur- tis enlisted July 13, 1862, in the 112th Regiment, at once began recruiting, and, August 12, 1862, he was commissioned captain of Company D., which he commanded in the various skirmishes and battles in which his regiment was engaged and in the fearful struggle at Cold Harbor, June 1, 1864, he received such severe wounds as to unfit him for further military service. He was honorably discharged September 13, 1864, and June 27, 1867, he was brevetted major by Governor Fenton for "gallantry at the battle of Cold Harbor." As a soldier and officer his record stands high. He had the love and esteem of his company, and as a line officer he is spoken of as being a strict disciplinarian and a model commander. Upon recovery from his wounds Major Curtis devoted himself to architecture. After a thorough course of study he established his residence and office in Fredonia. Pos- sessing mathematical skill and artistic taste cultured by experience he had all the qualities for success which has come to him in no unstinted measure. He soon took high rank in his profession, and many of the beautiful resi- dences and public buildings of Western New York and Pennsylvania are exemplifications of his idea of beauty and its harmonious combination with the practical and useful. Among the buildings where his architectural designs and plans were adopted after comparison with those of numerous competitors we mention Oleanyacademy ; Belmont Union School building ; Fredonia Town Hall and " The Columbia"; First National Bank block, the Oil Exchange, and the Presbyterian church of Titusville; Oil Exchange, Bradford : National Transit Company's buildings, Grace M. E. church, City Hospital, City Hall, Oil City ; the residences of George V. Forman, at Olean, Benjamin Brunded and Joseph Seep of Titusville, Reuben G. Wright of

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Westfield. These are but a few of the many beautiful structures showing his taste and skill.

He married September 8, 1853, Jennie E., daughter of Morris and Olivia (Kent) Norton, of Harmony. Their children are Isabel (Mrs. Frank Chat- sey) and Edith. Mrs. Curtis is vice-president of the Woman's Christian Association of Fredonia.

During his residence in Fredonia, Major Curtis has not only occupied himself with the details of an exacting profession, but has been one of the leaders in social life. His executive ability and taste are called upon in mat- ters of public entertainment and display, and he is one of the men of progress in the advancement and improvement of the community. To these ends his time and money are given, and when enlisted in a canse he is persistent in carrying it to success. He has been president of Fredonia village and was one of the first to agitate and most tenacious in securing the village water works system. His public spirit has been prominently shown in the build -. ing of the " Columbia," erected at a cost of $50,000, of whichi lie was the de- signer and architect, and is half-owner. This hotel is as beautiful as a dream, and there is no building better adapted to its purposes from Buffalo to Erie. Major Curtis is much interested in Grand Army work. Joining the order in 1885, he has been the popular commander of his post (E. D. Holt Post, No. . 403) in 1887, 1888, 1889, 1890 and 1892. He is a member and has been president of the Chiautanqua County Veterans' Union, and also commander of Northern Chautauqua Encampment, and a frequent delegate to state and national soldiers' meetings. He lias a warm heart for the old soldiers, and it is said by a comrade, " that a needy soldier will receive aid from him sooner than from any other man in town."

True to his word, loyal to his friends, his community and his country, of sterling worth and character, Major Curtis is one of the best representatives of Fredonia's business men.

HON. MILTON M. FENNER .*

We may look about us and often see a man who has gained prominence in business, politics, or upon his military record, but a man who has silvered locks and enjoys an extensive acquaintance with his fellow-men may turn his mind to meditation and scarce can count a quartette who have become eminent in all. Such however may be truthfully said of Hon. M. M. Fenner, who is the seventh child of a family of nine children born to Christopher C. and Lucinda (Fross) Fenner. He was born July 28, 1837, at the old homestead belonging to his father in South Stockton, New York. His ancestors on both sides were of English extraction, his grandfather, Resolved W. Fenner, being a native of Rhode Island, and a descendant of Rev. W. Fen- ner, a noted Puritan divine, from whom came Arthur, James, and James Jr., * From Cyclopedia of Biographies of Chautauqua County.

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Fenner, all whom occupied the gubernatorial chair in the State of Rhode Island between 1790 and 1845. Resolved W. Fenner went to Madison county, N. Y., in 1800, and there is a town in that county named in his honor. He came to Ellery in 1819 and remained there until he died in 1847. Rufus Fross was a native of Kinderhook, Columbia county, New York. From there he went to Litchfield, Herkimer county, married and came to the town of Chautauqua in 1810, locating on the farm where he resided until his death in 1846. He served in the war of 1812 and was present at the burning of Buffalo. Christopher C. Fenner was born in Brookfield, Madison county, in iSor, and came to this county with Newell Putnam when sixteen years of age. Two years later the family came and took up a tract of land lying on Cassadaga creek. He united in marriage with Lucinda Fross, in 1826, and conducted his farm until his death in 1850. Of their nine child- ren eight are now living. Both he and his wife were hard working and fru- gal in their habits and living, and possessed the highest sense of honor. No debt that they ever contracted remained unsettled and this motto, "pay everything you owe," was so firmly impressed on the minds of their children that the lesson was never forgotten. Hard work and privations caused the health of the father to fail before he reached that age when man should be his best, and this coupled with the large family of children and unfortunate financial ventures kept the family for many years on the verge of destitution. .

M. M. Fenner inherited the seemingly untiring energy of his mother ; the ambition and strong integrity and strict honesty of both parents. He was but thirteen years of age when he lost his father, and was thrown upon his own resources. Being thus obliged to toil for a mere existence, he early acquired habits of industry and economy, which have been potential factors in his life's success. For five years succeeding his father's death he was either employed working his mother's farm, or as a farm hand by the neigh- bors. The summer he was sixteen years old he worked four months for David Smith, of Stockton, and instead of losing any time, he made five extra days, working nights at " stents." From eighteen to twenty he worked the homestead in partnership with his brother, and acquired an interest in the personal property. They cleared some " new ground," and followed dairy- ing and stock-raising. His early dreams were thinking of the time when he should have knowledge, and when prepared he entered Allegheny college, of Meadville, Pa., and attended its sessions, spending the vacations at work to secure money for paying his way. Before he reached twenty-five he had taught seven terms of public and select schools in New York and Michigan, and found time to read and learn the preliminary course in the study of med- icine. He then attended a medical college at Cincinnati, Ohio, and obtained the degree of M. D. on May 22, 1860. Dr. Fener first practised in the city of Flint, Michigan, beginning immediately after he received his degree, but

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July 12, 186r, only a year after, his patriotism compelled him to give up his newly-established practice and enlist as a private in company A, Sth Michi- gan regiment, that was recruited by Col. William M. Fenton, ex-lientenant- governor of that State. He was appointed hospital steward of the regiment, and war correspondent for a couple of the leading state papers. Soon after getting into active service he was promoted to a second lieutenancy for val- orous conduct, and was assigned to duty in Co. I, of the same regiment. They were under fire at the battle of Coosaw river, S. C., January 1, 1>62, and in April of the same year, the captain and first lieutenant having resigned, he commanded his company during the siege that resulted in the fall of Fort Pulaski. He commanded the outpost station at Spanish Wells, on Hilton Head Island, S. C., during the night attack and attempted burning of that place by the Confederates, March 12, 163. In the latter part of May, 1862, he was appointed to service in the signal corps and assigned to General Hun- ter's staff at Hilton Head. For meritorious conduct he was commissioned first lieutenant, October 1, 1>62. He was in the trenches at the fall of Fort Wagner, Charleston harbor, in July, 1863. Colonel Fenton said of him in a letter to Governor Blair of Michigan, dated May 14, 1563 : " I take the lib- erty, although not now in service, of cordially recommending him (first lieut- enant M. M. Fenner) to further promotion. My connection with the Sth reg- iment and previous acquaintance with Dr. Fenner enable me to speak un- derstandingly, and to say that in my opinion such an appointment would prove advantageous to the service. His experience in the field as hospital steward of the sth regiment, and subsequently as lieutenant in command of a company, and his efficiency in every position in which he has been placed, as well as his sterling moral virtue and irreproachable private character, entitle him to high consideration. He may be relied on as competent and worthy." In April, 1863, he came to Brooklyn, in response to an invitation extended by the Secretary of the Navy, passed an examination and received a commission as assistant surgeon, U. S. Navy, from Secretary Welles, in May, 1863, but owing to the active operations about Charleston, and the . . prospects of a fight, he decided to remain for a time in the army, which he did, until after the fall of Fort Wagner. Dr. Fenner was a member of Admiral Dahlgren's staff, and was on board the flagship in the naval night attack upon Fort Sumter. In the spring of 1864 he came north on a leave of ab- sence, when, seeing a good opening at Jamestown, near his early home, he resigned his commission and began to practise his profession, in which he was eminently successful. But when the speculation excitement in the oil region broke out and was carrying everything before it, he, and many others from the vicinity of Jamestown, went down and spent the winter of 1864-5 in western Pennsylvania. Like many others he was unfortunate, and returned to Jamestown in the summer of 1865, with a light purse, but his heart was not

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heavy, and with renewed energy, he went to work to reclaim his scattered for- tunes. The publication of " The Medical Progress " was one of his ventures, and large editions were distributed. In 1866 Dr. Fenner was appointed city physician, and held that position until he left Jamestown.

In May, 1866, he delivered the annual address to the Eclectic Medical society of the Thirty-second Senatorial District. Two years later, in the course of a similar address to the Eclectic Medical Society of the State of New York, he made this utterance, which was widely commented upon : " Liberality of principle, scope of thought and research, untiring energy and unswerving devotion are the requisites in the medical man to extended suc- cess in the treatment of all affections, both acute and chronic, simple and complex, ranging from an influenza to a grave typhoid, a simple ulcer to a scirrhous cancer, a bronchial cough to a grave consumption." In March, 1869, he disposed of his large practice at Jamestown, settled up his "oil region losses," dollar for dollar, and in July of that year located at Fredonia, where he established his " People's Dispensary of Medicine and Surgery ;" resumed the publication of "The Medical Progress " and soon secured a larger practice than he had left. In 1870 the United States government appointed him examining surgeon, and 1872 the Eclectic Medical Society of the State of New York elected him its president. He now holds member- ship in the New York Eclectic Medical Society and Western New York Eclectic Medical Society. Dr. Fenner is a prominent lecturer before medi- cal societies, and a monographer of National reputation through his contri- butions to medical journals. He was one of the earliest promoters of the Dunkirk and Fredonia electric railway, and has been its president, secretary, treasurer and manager. He was also prominent in the erection of Fredonia's model hotel " The Columbia," in which he owns one-fourth interest, and is a zealous advocate of all local progressive movements. Dr. Fenner married June 5, 1866, Georgiana, daughter of Daniel H. Grandin an extensive woolen manufacturer of Jamestown. She died September 5, 1881. April, 1883, he married Florence E. Bondeson of Jamestown. They have one son, Milton M.

Politically he is one of the most prominent men in western New York. He has always displayed an acute interest in the Republican party. His popularity is best shown by the fact that when first a candidate for office- that of supervisor of the town of Pomfret, although the district for several years had given majorities for candidates of the opposite party-he was elected by a majority of one hundred and sixteen. The next year he was elected with a majority increased to two hundred and eighty-two, and at the following election, when running for the Assembly, the Pomfret district swelled his majority to three hundred and ten, while the Assembly district made his total majority over his opponent two thousand five hundred and ninety-five, the largest ever given a candidate in that district. When the

letras L Predator

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Republicans again took control of the government, after Cleveland's admin- istration, Dr. Fenner was appointed deputy collector of the port of New York, which position he held with credit and honor from January 1890 until Angust 1891, when he resigned on account of pressure of private business. Dr. Fenner is courteous, straightforward and cordial in his intercourse with men, and his affability makes him many warm friends. Industrious and painstaking in his business, he always discharges the most minute details of his work with the same care that characterizes his transactions of greater magnitude. The utmost system is observed in his office, and he has his large business so thoroughly under control that he seems to handle it with but slight effort. Among his business associates his word is as good as his bond, and his check will as readily pass current as the cash. Hon. M. M. Fenner is a bright example of the possibilities of an American youth who is possessed of sound sense and a determined and miconquerable will.

SIR CHARLES L. WEBSTER.

In the words of an old philosopher " All men who have done anything of value ought to have recorded the history of their lives." Few men have made sneh impress upon their generation as did Charles L. Webster. Born in Charlotte, September 24, 1851, he inherited the best qualities of his New England ancestors, the earliest of whom were among the leaders of Plymouth Colony. Coming to Fredonia when five years old the only schools he attended were those of this village ineluding the Academy and Normal school. He acquired knowledge ahnost by intuition. From boyhood he pre- ferred working with tools to the participation in the sports of his companions. When sixteen he made a model of a full-rigged ship, technically perfect in detail and proportion. When the sunken Lawrence, the historic flag-ship of the gallant Perry, was raised from its long submersion in the waters of Lake Erie, he obtained some of the heavy timbers, and with artistic skill soon transformed them into an elegant cabinet. Receiving a present of one hun- dred dollars on attaining his majority, he invested it in a telescope, and by his own efforts and examination of the lieavens acquired a practical knowl- edge of astronomy. Without a teacher he became an accomplished eivil engineer and for some time engaged in land and railroad surveying. These incidents illustrate his thoroughness and application. He was a great reader, became well versed in historical and scientific literature, and acquired a clear, graphic and vigorous style of writing. He was apt in drawing contracts, which were noticeable for their concise and exact expression.

In 1870 Mark Twain, (Samuel L. Clemens) delivered his celebrated lec- ture on the Sandwich Islands in Fredonia. He reached the village at night . and left town at the close of the lecture, but was so impressed by the charac- ter of the audience, that, when some time after, his sister, Mrs. Moffett,

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wished to locate in the state, he advised her to go to Fredonia. She made her home here and September 28, 1875, Mr. Webster and her daughter Annie were married. This marriage was the means of bringing about that acquaintance and friendship with Mr. Clemens which culminated in the most brilliant partnership known to the annals of the publishing trade of America. Mr. Webster's abilities demanded a metropolitan field for their exercise, and removing to New York in 1881, he formed with Mr. Clemens, the publishing house of Charles L. Webster & Company in 1884. The phe- nomenal success of this house is well-known, but it was largely due to the energy, aptitude and attention of Mr. Webster. He personally knew the details of every department of an establishment transacting a business of over a million dollars annually. He originated a system of speedily placing enormous editions of their publications which amazed competitors. The preeminent business ability of Mr. Webster was shown in the marvellous power he had of inducing notable personages to write volumes for his house to publish. He contracted for the publication of " The Personal Recollec- tions of Gen. U. S. Grant," and in 1885 he went to Europe to arrange for its publication in England, Germany, France, Italy and Holland. In 1886 he arranged in Rome for the publication of " The Life of Pope Leo XIII" and had the entire charge of the publication and sale of the work in Italy, Spain, France, Holland, Germany, England and the United States, and the Pope was so pleased with him and his labors that he decorated him a Knight of the Order of Pius VII. While in Rome Mr. and Mrs. Webster were honored by a private interview with the eminent pontiff in the Vatican. Mr. Webster retired from business in rsss, his health broken by his energetic activity, and great expenditure of nerve force, and resumed his residence in Fredonia where he died April 26, 1891.

"Time, talents and purse were always freely given. There was not a parti- cle of false, aristocratie pride about him. The rich and the poor were all alike to him, he was social with everybody, and to his close friends he seemed more attached than ever, the same " Charley " as of old. And it is for those qualities of warm hearted friendship and as a genial companion, and enthu- siastic champion of whoever and whatever he thought in the right, that he is most tenderly mourned in Fredonia. He was highly gratified with his manimous election as president of the village, in which office he did much laborious and efficient service, not for the honor but because it was a mani- festation of the confidence and regard of the community of his boyhood. Those who knew him best, loved and admired him most, and while his death, as a publie-spirited, prominent citizen, is a sad loss to the village, it is along the avenue, where he lived, and among the associates he met in the stores and shops, and with whom he daily walked through our streets, whence comes the sorrow which gauges best the true worth of the man."-Censor.

BAlten

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CHAUNCEY ABBEY.

BY O. W. JOHNSON, A. M.

I purpose to write a brief sketch of the life of Chauncey Abbey, who was tenderly borne by his business associates and friends to his final rest in For- est Hill cemetery, in Fredonia, September 14, 1894. His life had been long, active and useful, and he had well earned the place he has taken among the honored dead.

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History of Chautauqua County, New York, Part 59

Author: Edson, Obed, 1832-; Merrill, Georgia Drew, editor Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Boston, Mass. : W.A. Fergusson Number of Pages: 1068

Author: Edson, Obed, 1832-; Merrill, Georgia Drew, editor
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Boston, Mass. : W.A. Fergusson
Number of Pages: 1068