History of Chautauqua County, New York, Part 83

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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In 1835 a larger and a faster boat was built by Captain Kellogg at the present repair docks, christened " Robert Falconer," and under the gallant captain successfully competed with the "Chautauque " until the latter was dismantled. The " Falconer's " name was soon changed to "William H. Seward," and later it was called " The Empire." She was in commission some years, until good roads had brought easier land transportation from Lake Erie, and stage lines were established, when, as she did not earn suffi- cient to warrant her running, she too was dismantled, and the hull run down the Chadakoin to the lower streams with an immense load of tanbark. She made the trip successfully, and was the largest boat that ever passed through the rapids to the Cassadaga.

In 1848 Capt. George Stoneman built a catamaran of two large canoes, named it "The Twins," used horses to propel it the first year, and a steam engine later. This made no regular trips. The " Hollam Vail," a small steamer built in 1851, was burned in 1852. Matthew P. Bemus about the same time built the " Water Witch," later called " Lady of the Lake." This was a very cranky boat and did not run long. In 1856 Captain Gardner built the " C. C. Dennis" at Mayville. It had fine machinery, an upright cylinder, and a walking-beam, also a dining room where meals were served. It had the fate of its predecessors in not making money, although it made trips quite regularly until the close of the season of 1861 when it was dismantled, and the machinery used for an Ohio river boat. In 1863 the ill-fated " Chautauqua " was built by James and Win .. T. Howell and Alfred Wilcox. She had several changes in ownership and was run until August 14, 1871, when the boiler exploded in Whitney's Bay, killing eight persons and wounding several. A screw propellor, the "Jamestown," was built in 1859 and run until 1875 when it was burned at Jamestown.

With the growth of Chautauqua Assembly came a demand for increased facilities for passenger transportation, and in 1873 was built the side-wheel steamer, "Col. W'm. Phillips," at Bemus Point ; in 1874 the " P. J. Hanour," (burned the same year) ; in 1875 the " M. A. Griffith " and the " May Mar- tin," (named for the wife of Dr. W. B. Martin, of Busti, one of the owners, whose fair hands often piloted her namesake through the tortuous windings of Chadakoin river). The same year was built the " Nettie Fox," a "stern-

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wheeler," which, passing through various ownerships, was enlarged and became the "Jamestown," the finest excursion steamer of the lake until it was burned in 1892. Boats now rapidly increased. Henry Harley first estab- lished a line of steamers plying regularly on and along the lake. In 1883 he sold his boats, " Mayville," "J. A. Burch," "Jamestown," " W. B. Shat- tuc," and "M. A. Griffith " to the "Chautauqua Steamboat Company," incorporated that year. The "Jolin F. Moulton " was added to this, the " Red Stack " line. Willard White soon purchased the fleet. He sold it in 1884 to George N. Burt, from whom A. N. Broadhead, F. E. Gifford and A. C. Wade (who originally formed the company) acquired the fleet by purchase. In 1890 there were two regular steamboat lines. Red Stack line, with the "Jamestown," "J. A. Burch,""W. B. Shattnc," "Mohawk," "Winona "; People's (Black Stack) line running the " Cineinnati " and " City of Buffalo," (with steel plated hull) ; and three independent boats making regular trips : " Robert N. Marvin," "Vincent," and G. J. Cornell." In 1892 the People's line was purchased by the Chautauqua Steamboat Company. This company now has a line of seven elegant boats which carry fully 250,000 passengers annually. Under the administration of "Commodore" T. E. Grandin, the popular superintendent, who has been on lake service since 1870 the traffic has been enormously increased. "Not one of the scores of thousands that have erossed these deeks has had reason to complain, and not an accident has occurred involving the life of any passenger during the many years he has had supervision of the fleet."

NEWSPAPERS .- The Jamestown Journal, weekly, was established by Adol- phus Fletcher in 1826. Jamestown was then a small hamlet, and the county had only about 20,000 population. . Mr. Fletcher was assisted in editing the paper by Hon. Abner Hazeltine and other lawyers, and from its start it had large influenee, and, for a local paper, a fair subscription list. Its life began during the troubled period of the anti-masonic controversy, and it was one of the most vigorous opponents of the ancient eraft. On national politics the paper stood with the Whig party, and throughout its history it has been an earnest advocate of protection to American industries. For 20 years the paper was conducted by the Fletcher family, J. Warren Fletcher, son of the founder, continuing its publication after his father left it. In 1848 it passed into the hands of F. W. Palmer, who learned the trade in Fletcher's office. Mr. Palmer had control of the paper for ten years, a portion of the time, F. P. Bailey, and, subsequently, E. P. Upham and S. C. Green were his part- ners, the editorial work devolving on Mr. Palmer. Mr. Palmer was a vigor- ous writer, who gave character to the paper, and, since leaving it in 1858, has held important editorial positions in Chicago and elsewhere, and during Harrison's administration, and until May, 1894, was public printer at Wash- ington. From 1858 to 1862 The Journal was published by C. D. Sackett and

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Coleman E. Bishop. After the death of Mr. Sackett, Mr. Bishop associated with himself his brother Prentice, who enlisted in the army, was wounded and died in 1865. The next year C. E. Bishop took as partner A. M. Clark, and in the summer of 1868 sold his interest to Mr. Clark, retaining the posi- tion of editor .* In 1867 the paper was enlarged, but was still a four-page paper. In 1868 the form was changed ; it now became a six-column eight- page paper. January 1, 1870, the Daily Journal was started by A. M. Clark. Soon after Mr. Clark associated with himself Davis H. Waite, who bought out Clark and was sole proprietor to May, 1876, when he went West and is. now (1894) governor of Colorado.

May 20, 1876, John A. Hall bought the establishment, consisting of an eight-page weekly and four-page daily paper, the office fixtures and good will. The office occupied the second and third floors of the building now owned by the Union Trust Company. Mr. Hall brought to the Journal not only busi- ness sagacity and enterprise, but a large intelligence, thorough acquaintance with politics, and uncompromising fidelity to what he believed truth. He had a forcible style of writing which caused his editorials to be widely read, and to be felt when false measures or wrong were to be rebuked. The paper was improved, the business enlarged, and the quarters on Main street became too cramped. A three-story brick building, 25x77, was built in 1878 on West Second street. When this was occupied it was supposed that its facil- ties would be ample for a generation, but in 1892 the business had so increased as to demand more room, and an addition equal to the original block was built on the adjoining lot, more than half of which is now used by the Journal. Hardly a year has passed but it has been necessary to add to the equipment or business facilities.

In 1880, Frederick P. Hall, associated with his father in the work of the paper from 1876, beame an equal partner in the business which now was con- ducted under the title of John A. Hall & Son. In March, 1879, the sub- scription list and good will of the Daily Democrat was bought, and that paper was merged in the Evening Journal, which for a little time was the only daily published in the place. Many dailies have been started in Jamestown in the past dozen years but none of them have achieved a success financially. In November, 1892, the plant of the Chautauqua Democrat, the Journal's oldest competitor, was purchased and the former paper absorbed by the latter. The Weekly Journal now became a semi-weekly, with large increase of cir- culation.

In 1886, after the death of John A, Hall, the " Journal Printing Company" was formed, consisting of Frederick P. Hall, the estate of Jolm A. Hall,

*Mr. Bishop was a trenchant writer, fearless and outspoken in his opinions-too much so perhaps in local matters. At the outset of the civil war the Journal stood firm on the side of the government, and then, and afterwards, did much to keep warm the patriotism of the county, and for the maintenance of Republican prin- ciples.

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Frederick W. Hyde and the late Walter B. Armitage, the two latter having been faithful employes of the old firm for a number of years. After the death of Mr. Armitage his interest, and also that of the estate of Jolin A. Hall, was purchased by Messrs. Hall and Hyde, and, in 1891, E. A. Brad- shaw became a partner. January 1, 1894, the establishment became incor- porated as the Journal Printing Company, and James A. Clary and William S. Bailey, employes for over ten years, became stockholders and directors with Messrs. Hall, Hyde and Bradshaw.

The Journal has always been active in furthering the best interests of Jamestown and Chantanqua county, and on account of its enterprise ranks as one the leading newspapers of its class in the country. It is the only men- ber of the " Associated Press of the State of New York," south of Buffalo and west of Elmira, and the best circulated newspaper on the lines of the Erie railway between these cities on the east, and Youngstown, Ohio, on the west. The establishment gives employment to 35 people, exclusive of carriers and correspondents.

The Chautauqua Republican was started in 1828 by Morgan Bates. Rich- ard K. Kellogg, Lewis C. Todd, Charles McLean, Alfred Smith and William H. Cutler were connected with its publication for varying periods until 1833, when S. S. C. Hamilton became proprietor, changed the name to The Re- publican Banner and soon removed the publication office to Mayville. The Genius of Liberty, an Universalist journal, was published here by Lewis C. Todd from 1829 to 1833. The Under Current, published by Harvey. A. Smith, had a brief existence in 1851 and 1852. The Jamestown Herald, started in August, 1852, by Dr. Asaph Rhodes, was sold a year later to Jos- eph B. Nessell, who removed it to Ellington, changed the name to The Lumi- nary and discontinned it three years later.

The Chautauqua Democrat, (weekly) was the successor of The Liberty Star, started by Harvey A. Smith, in 1847, in 1849 bonght by Adolphus Fletcher, and the name changed to The Northern Citizen. In 1853 John W. Fletcher became proprietor ; in 1855 the name was changed to the Chautau- qua Democrat. Adolphus Fletcher was then proprietor and James Parker editor. In 1860 A. Brooks Fletcher, son of Adolphus, became part proprie- tor, and A. Fletcher & Co., were publishers until October 1, 1862, when Davis H. Waite purchased the interest of Adolphus Fletcher. The Demo- crat was then published by Fletcher & Waite. In 1866 A. B. Fletcher bought out Waite. January 31, 1871, the office was entirely destroyed by fire, but no issue of the paper was missed. In August, 1872, Rev. Edward Anderson buying an interest, the firm became Fletcher & Anderson. A daily was then published as the Jamestown Daily Democrat. March 1, 1873, Mr. Anderson retired, and A. Brooks Fletcher published both the Daily and the Weekly Democrat until his appointment as postmaster in 1879, when he

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HISTORY OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, N. Y.

sold the Daily to the publishers of the Journal. He continued the Weekly until November, 1892, when that too was sold to the Journal.

The Morning News, established in 1885, was in 1890 made the property of the News Publishing Co., an incorporation with these corporators : John G. Wicks, E. R. Bootey, James I. Fowler, H. S. Elkins, M. G. Martyn, and a capital stock of $10,000. Various changes in the ownership occurred, but it has ever been Republican in politics. Benjamin S. Dean, a brilliant writer of force- ful editorials was its editor from 1885 to 1894, and made the New's a power in the county. In May, 1894, Messrs. Charles H. Winslow and John D. Whish, who had been connected with leading New York city journals, took possession of the News, and are continuing it as a Republican newspaper.

The All, a semi-weekly independent journal, was established September 24, 1891, by M. G. Martyn, with publication office in Baker block on Main street. It was made a daily evening paper December 7, 1891, and was con- ducted by Mr. Martyn until December 12, 1893, when he sold to Bowen Brothers & Maher. The present publishers are Bowen Bros. The office is No. 10 West Third street. The Saturday Times, a Democratic weekly, was purchased of P. K. Shankland by the publishers of The All, April 7, 1894, who still publish it. The Times was started as a labor-reform paper by Lyman J. Woodard in 1887, and named Every Saturday. Palmer K. Shank- land purchased it in August, 1890, changed the name to The Saturday Times, and its politics to Democratic.

The Sunday Sun, an 8 page, 6 column, Sunday journal, was established June 29, 1884, by Louis F. Camp and Guy H. Fuller. They purchased the Jamestown Standard, a weekly Democratic paper, May 1, 1886, of P. K. Shank- land. From that time two editions have been published, a Sunday issue and a weekly one. Mr. Fuller purchased the interest of Mr. Camp January 1, 1891, and was sole proprietor until May 1, 1894, when George C. Van Dusen became a partner. January 1, 1893, the Sun was changed to a 7 column sheet of 8 pages and the next November it was made a 12 page illustrated journal. It circulates 5,000 copies. From the consolidation of the Standard with the Sun it has declared Democratic doctrines.

The firm of F. H. & W. A. White, " printers, publishers and stationers," publish directories of Jamestown, Lakewood, and Falconer. The first one was issued in 1883.

BANKS .- The Chautauqua County National Bank is the oldest bank of the county. (See page 328). The original charter was granted April 18, 1831, to " The President, Directors and Company of the Chautanque County Bank " as a safety fund bank. Thomas B. Campbell, William Peacock, Leverett Barker and Walter Smith were made commissioners to receive stock and inspectors of first election of officers, held June 24, (831, at the " inn " of Solomon Jones. The directors chosen were Leverett Barker, John G. Sax-

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ton, William Peacock, James Hall, Samuel Barrett, Jediah E. Budlong, Oliver Lee, Thomas B. Campbell, Daniel Sherman, Elial T. Foote, Alvin Plumb, Abner Hazeltine, Richard P. Marvin. Elial T. Foote was elected president. At this meeting $500 was voted "to construct a vault, and erect a bank building " on land just west of the present bank. This was a homely little brick building, one story high, built in close contiguity to Judge Prender- gast's residence. The vault was made of stone from the new quarry at Dex- terville, and its wrought iron door was brought from Holland. Arad Joy was the first cashier, salary $550. Later the president was allowed one cent for cach bill he signed. Meetings of directors were numerous, and were held at the inn before named, as its good entertainment and superior accommoda- tions were very attractive .. In January, 1832, R. P. Marvin, A. Hazeltine, T. B. Campbell, E. T. Foote were appointed to draft bylaws. These were mod- els of careful wording, elegant and precise language, and wise forethought, and are substantially now in force. Within six months from commencing business (January 13, 1832) the bank declared a dividend. In 1832 Fitch Shepard, father of Col. Elliot F. Shepard, was acting cashier for a few months. In 1833 the large increase of business forced the erection of a new building, which was much larger than the first one and fronted on Main street. This new building was burned in the fire of January, 1861, and immediately rebuilt. September 30, 1834, Robert Newland, then of Albany, was elected teller, and commenced his faithful service of 55 years. In 1835 Samuel Bar- rett succeeded Judge Foote as president. He hield the office until he died in 1872, when he was succeeded by Robert Newland, who retired in 1890. Daniel Griswold, the present president, succeeded him, elected May 8, 1890. On the expiration of its charter in 1859 the bank was reorganized as a state bank, and in 1865 it was made a national bank.

The vice-presidents have been Oliver Lee, Samuel Barrett, Leverett Bar- ker, Samuel A. Brown, Robert Newland, Samuel A. Brown, Daniel Griswold, F. A. Bentley. The cashiers in succession are Arad Joy, Aaron D. Patchin, Thaddeus W. Patchin, RobertNewland (from 1840 to 1860), Selden E. Marvin (who resigned in 1862 to become a soldier), Robert Newland, David N. Marvin (died in office in 1875), F. B. Farnham, George S. Gifford, Willis O. Benedict.

Able and most conservative citizens have been connected with this old and firmly established institution, and that it enjoys public confidence is attested by the fact that its individual deposits subject to check closely approximate $250,000. The capital July 18, 1894, was $100,000, the accrued surplus $65,000, and the undivided profits more than $15,000. The present officers are : Daniel Griswold, president ; F. A. Bentley, vice president ; W. O. Benedict, cashier ; C. H. Lake, assistant cashier ; Daniel Griswold, F. A. Bentley, Solomon Jones, E. P. Putnam, F. B. Bush, J. W. Johnson, Robert N. Marvin, Elliot C. Hall, Samuel Briggs, directors.

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HISTORY OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, N. Y.

The First National Bank was chartered February 24, 1863, but did not commence operations until January 1, 1865. Heavy capitalists have been connected with this bank from the first. Alonzo Kent, Reuben E. Fenton, Orsell Cook, Sardius Steward and Galusha A. Grow were the original cor- porators and directors. Alonzo Kent was president from organization until July, ISSI, when he was succeeded by ex-Gov. Reuben E. Fenton, who held the office at the time of his sudden death, August 25, 1885. Frank E. Gifford was the next president, and is now in office. The First National Bank has always maintained unimpaired credit, and many of Jamestown's industries have been greatly aided by its fostering care. July 18, 1894, its capital stock was $153,300; its surplus fund $30,660; undivided profits $109,854.15 ; individual deposits subject to check $141,003.19. The present officers are F. E. Gifford, president ; William Broadhead, vice president ; Edward Morgan, cashier; J. W. King, assistant cashier; F. E. Gifford, Orsell Cook, William Broadhead, Edward Morgan, Lucius B. Warner, A. J. Peterson, directors.

The City National Bank was chartered February 14, 1864, as The Second National Bank, with a capital of $100,000. Thomas D. Hammond was chosen president, and George W. Tew, cashier. In January, 1869, upon the resignation of Mr. Hammond, William H. Tew became president. In March, 1875, the name was changed to the City National Bank, and, August 4, 1876, the new rooms on the southeast corner of Main and Second streets, its pres- ent location, were occupied. There is a savings department connected with this bank. The capital stock July 18, 1894, was $100,000, surplus fund, $20,000, undivided profits, $6,807.25, individual deposits subject to check $163,997.71. The present officers are Willis Tew, president ; M. L. Fenton, vice-president ; M. M. Skiff, cashier ; W. S. Cameron, F. A. Fuller, Jr., E. Rosencrantz, Willis Tew, J. J. Whitney, G. W. Tew, M. L. Fenton, H. W. Tew, M. M. Skiff, directors.

The Jamestown National Bank was incorporated in 1888 under the nati- onal banking laws with a paid-up capital of $100,000, and was opened for business March 5, 1888, at the corner of Main and First streets. The first officers were : Charles M. Dow, president ; C. H. Gifford, vice president ; M. M. Skiff, cashier ; C. M. Dow, C. H. Gifford, M. M. Skiff, Porter Sheldon, Shelden B. Broadhead, J. B. Ross, J. J. Vanderburgh, John T. Soderhohn, William N. Gokey. E. F. Dickinson was elected cashier October 2, 1888, and took Mr. Skiff's place on the directorate. The bank is now permanently located in perhaps the best location in Jamestown, on the southwest corner of Main and Third streets, in elegantly appointed banking rooms. A savings department is connected. The officers and directors include some of the most successful, honorable and prudent men of the community. The state- ment of July 18, 1894, gives its capital stock as $100,000, surplus fund $100-

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000, undivided profits, $5,019.72, individual deposits subject to check $1 37,- 601.19. It makes a specialty of collections and has an extended list of cor- respondents in all sections of this country and Canada. The present officers · are C. M. Dow, president ; S. B. Broadhead and S. W. Thompson, vice-pre- sidents ; E. F. Dickinson, cashier ; S. B. Broadhead, E. F. Dickinson, J. B. Ross, C. M. Dow, J. T. Soderlioli, W. N. Gokey, J. J. Vanderburgh, Porter Sheldon, S. W. Thompson, directors.

The Farmers & Mechanics Bank was incorporated under the laws of New York, February 5, 1891, with a paid-up capital of $100,000. It transacts a general business, receiving upon favorable terms the accounts of corporations, merchants, manufacturers and others. Its officers are experienced bank offi- cials. The bank is located in the Gifford Building, Sonth Main street. The undivided profits, July 24, 1894, were $12,908.16. The officers are Charles H. Gifford, president ; F. T. Powell, vice-president ; W. R. Botsford, cashier ; F. T. Powell, R. M. Wise, C. H. Gifford, H. L. Phillips, W. S. Gifford, C. C. Wilson, W. A. Blackstone, James Knapp, W. A. Hallock, directors.

The Union Trust Company, a state banking institution with a savings department, commenced operations January 15, 1894, with a capital of $100,- 000. The officers are E. B. Crissey, president ; J. S. Patterson, treasurer ; Fred P. Todd, secretary ; P. C. Houston and Samnel Briggs vice-presidents ; Frank Merz, cashier. This company is an authorized depository for trust and other funds, and can act as trustee, administrator, receiver, etc. It has safe deposit vaults where boxes can be rented.

SOCIETIES .- Mount Moriah Lodge (old No. 297, new No. 115) E. G.I. M .- In 1816 brethren petitioned the Grand Lodge of New York to establish a lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in Ellicott. The application was not acted upon for nearly a year, but September 4, 1817, a charter was issued to Mount Moriah Lodge, No. 297. The charter is still in the possession of the lodge, and is well preserved. It is signed by DeWitt Clinton governor of state as grand master, and Martin Hoffman as deputy grand master. The charter members were Phineas Stevens, Heman Bush, Solomon Jones, Asahel Andrews, Gilbert Ballard, David Boyd, Jediah E. Budlong, Paul Davis, Horatio Dix, Pearley Fairbank, Elial T. Foote, Oliver Higley, David Hatch, Benj. Jacobs, Win. Pier, Theron Plumb, Joseph Waite. The first officers were Heman Bush, W. M. ; Solomon Jones, S. W. ; Theron Plumb, J. W. ; Phineas Stevens, S. D. ; Pearley Fairbank, J. D. ; David Hatch, treasurer ; Horatio Dix, secretary ; Wm. Pier, S. M. of C. ; Asahel Andrews, J. M. of C. ; Oliver Higley, tiler. The lodge suspended operations in 1830. E. T. Foote, the first secretary, had the charter framed and the records and proceedings securely bound, and in September, 1870, when he was the only surviving member of the original lodge, presented them to the lodge, with the injunc- tion that they carefully preserve them as furnishing the only early history of

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Free Masonry in Jamestown. Bro. Foote was an ardent mason and an upright man. He died in New Haven, Conn., November 17, 1877, in his 82d year. From the history compiled by Bro. Foote we extract :

Forest Lodge at Fredonia (then Canadaway) in Pomfret was the first lodge in Chautauqua county, and, I think, the first organized west of Buffalo in the state. In 1816, a number of brethren in the Frank settlement, among whom were Brothers Heman Bush, Theron Plum, Asahel Andrus, Stephen Frank, David Hatch, and Brothers Solomon Jones and David Boyd on the Stillwater in Ellicott, sent a petition to the Grand Lodge of New York, praying for a charter for a lodge in Ellicott, with Heman Bush as Master, Solomon Jones as senior warden and Theron Plumb as junior warden. In 1816 I visited at my father's in Sherburne, N. Y., and there received the three first degrees of masonry, and thus, I believe, I became the first resi- dent master mason in Jamestown. It was about a year after the Frank settlement brethren had petitioned for a lodge, and no charter had been received. I connnenced a correspondence with R. W. G. M. Dewitt Clinton and found the charter would be issued as soon as it was recom- mended by the lodge at Fredonia. I procured the recommendation, and the charter was for- warded to me. A number of masons had settled in Jamestown or vicinity, among whom were F. T. Foote, Horatio Dix, Gilbert Ballard, Phineas Stevens, Jediah E. Budlong, Joseph Waite, William Pier, and Pearley Fairbank, Benjamin Jacobs, Solomon Jones and Oliver Higley.

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History of Chautauqua County, New York, Part 83

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