History of Chautauqua County, New York, Part 88

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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Perhaps 150 Swedes belong to English churches in Jamestown. The church membership among the Swedes amounts to 4,720 at Jamestown, or thereabouts. The total number of Swedes in Jamestown is estimated at 6,500. This, however, includes those of the second generation.

The first secular society among the Swedes at Jamestown was organized in 1868, by about 12 Scandinavians. It was a literary and aid society, had about 60 members in 1871, and ended its career about 1872, many members leaving for other parts. Its name was " The Scandinavian Society."

The "Swedish Singing Society Brage" was organized in 1871. Its object was singing. A small circulating library of Swedish books was bought in 1873. This library was organized by the writer, and was the first of its kind among the Swedes here. J. T. Soderholm deserves much credit for afterwards increasing the collection by aid from the citizens. In 1877 the collection, then about 160 volunnes, was sold to Warren Swedes for about $165, and the organization disbanded in 1878.

The singing society " Freja " organized in 1872 disbanded in 1874.

The "Scand. Temp. and Benevolent Society" was organized in November, 1872, by C. A. Hult and 20 members. A circulating library was added in 1875, which now consists of over 100 volumes. This is a sick-benefit society which has done much good among its members. It has paid about $12,500 for sick aid and expenses. Membership in 1892 was 343. Its personal prop- erty is worth about $1, 150. It has had no less than 14 presidents, the first being the organizer and the present C. Adrian Johnson (1892).

The " Fenton Guards " was, and is, a military organization of Swedes,

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effected 1875 by Capt. J. P. Hollers. July, 1875, they were 76 strong with the organizer for captain, C. A. Hult first and F. I. Wallin second-lieutenant. In 1879 the company had 96 members and disbanded as a Swedish organiza- tion 1887-8. At this time C. A. Hult was captain, A. W. Ljungberg first and Gust F. Smith second-lieutenant.

The "Swedish Golden Cross Quartette" was organized 1877, had four members, gave a few concerts, and was disbanded the next year.

The "Amateur" society organized 1879 was a social club, had a small orchestra, was ended ISSI, and had at one time about 30 members.

" V'ega" was organized Dec. 28, 1880, and is "Council No. 375 of the American Legion of Honor." This is a life-insurance benefit order and had in 1892 about 63 members, nearly all Swedes. The order in the United States is 63,000 strong.

"Scandia" was organized June 29, 1883, by II young Swedes. This is a temperance lodge, and had, in 1892 83 members, personal property worth $500, and a fine hall. The order has had 18 presidents, the first P. M. Jolinson, the present, the efficient temperance worker, A. A. Anderson.

" Knights of Pythias" lodge 248, was organized by a few Swedes in 1886 ; it has now (1892) about 100 members and owns personal property of $1,000. This order has 6,000 members in this state alone.

" Linnea " Union 625, of the " Equitable Aid Union of America," was organized by 40 Swedes in 1887; it had in 1892 122 members. This is said to be the first Swedish lodge in this order in America.

"Svea," a temperance order, was organized in 1890 by 12 Swedes ; has now about 30 members.

"Evening Star," a temperance order, was organized in 1891 by II Swedes, and has now 25 members.

" Pacius," a singing society, was organized in 1891, and is incorporated ; it has a membership of 22 ; leader C. J. Berg. The society has given several successful concerts.

" Chautauqua Maenner Chor" was organized by 8 Swedish singers in June, 1892. It is a double quartette with J. A. Eckman as director. Has appeared on many public occasions very successfully.

The Swedes (with somes Norwegians and Danes) have organized no less than fifteen societies for various purposes, six of these are now extinct and nine living ; these nine societies had a membership of over Soo in 1892. Space forbids extended comment, but these secular societies have been a source of much good.

Since 1869 Jamestown has had . ten or twelve Swedish manufacturing . establishments, of which Johnson & Johnson (doors and blinds) was the old- est. Augustus Johnson is one of the most successful in this venture among

us. The most prominent now are the Lindblad Bros. & Co., 1870 ; C. A.

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Ahlstrom, 1875 ; Chas. J. Norquist, 1876 ; A. C. Norquist & Co., 1881 ; and Atlas Furniture Co., 1883. These employ about 200 men. Since Andrew Brockman started in business (grocery) in 1867, there have been 95 Swede busi- ness men or firms in Jamestown. About 17 of these have closed operations, and in 1892 there were II groceries, to meat markets, two hardware, one dry goods store, and several shoe stores owned or operated by Swedes ; also two saloons and one whiskey store. Among the more successful business men have been F. A. Thomas, (deceased) J. T. Soderholm, Elof Rosencrantz, C. A. Hult, Olaus Lundquist, Chas. E. Morse, A. J. Peterson, C. A. Swanson and J. A. Hulquist, besides many others. July 9th, 1892, there were twenty- three female and seventy-eight male clerks among us at Jamestown, none of whom is more popular than John Winnberg and A. C. Anderson. In 1892 there were two lawyers, three doctors, six ministers, one dentist and one specialist among the Swedes. Of these Charles E. Anderson, the dentist, enjoys a lucrative practice, as does also Fred R. Peterson, the lawyer. The latter was born January 21, 1854 ; attended J. U. S. & C. I .; studied law, and was admitted 1885; held the village and city clerkships for five years from 1883 ; was elected supervisor 1892 ; is a fine lawyer and a gentleman.

Rev. Carl Otto Hultgren was born Dec. 25. 1832, in Hvena Parish, Kalmar Laen, Sweden. Came to the United States in 1853, and to James- town in 1863. He was ordained a Lutheran minister in 1864 ; married July 6, 1866 ; was called as pastor to the first Lutheran church here in 1864, which position he still occupies, being in 1892 the senior minister of the city.

The specialist referred to is Charlotte Bergman. She was born in Sweden in 1850 and educated for a teacher. Has been twice married ; came to the United States in 1889 and to Jamestown in IS91. Her taste for medicine was early developed, and she is the discoverer of the "Bacil Destroyer " and " Lung Restorer," known extensively even in Europe, and she discovered a " liquor cure " while in Sweden. She was the founder of the sanitarium near Lakewood, which lately passed into other hands.

The following is a list of Swedes who held political offices at Jamestown in 1892 : Supervisor, F. R. Peterson ; aldermen, Conrad A. Hult, Chas. E. Morse, John C. Swanson and A. C. Norquist ; chief of police, John Gelm ; policemen, Gust A. Falldin, Frank H. Crans and Simon Peterson ; constable, Chas. E. Johnson ; assessor, Oscar F. Johnson, and member board of educa- tion, Elof Rosencrantz.

Education .- Have the Swedes at Jamestown forgotten their numerous schools at home ? Have they forgotten to cultivate knowledge? Are they striving to acquire the new and current ideas in their adopted country ? Let us see. In 1873 the first little circulating library was organized in a secular society as we have seen ; in 1874 the M. E. church and A. W. Ljungberg started theirs ; in 1875 the Lutheran church and Scandinavian Temperance

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and Benevolent Society theirs ; in 1887 C. W. Grip and the Emanuel church theirs, and in 1890 the Mission church started their circulating library. There were in 1892 about 2,500 Swedish, (some English) books to be loaned from these libraries. Among the private collectors C. O. Hultgren has the largest Swedish library.

The first Swedish newspaper published at Jamestown was " Folkets Rost " (the People's Voice). This venture was organized by the writer in March, 1874. October 14, 1874, the first issue was published, and every week since, until now, there has been at least one Swedish paper issued at Jamestown. C. O. Hultgren, C. A. Hult, John Geli and others were the principal financial backers at the beginning. In 1884 the paper changed name, and was called " Vart Nya Hem " (Our New Home). In 1891 it was sold to " Vart Land" (Our Land) the present and only Swedish paper now published here. The editors have been : 1874 Nordenwall ; 1875 J. P. Hollers ; 1876 Albert Malm ; 1877 J. F. Nystrom, C. A. Hult ; 1884 Dr. Henschen and J. F. Hal- ler ; 1885 J. G. Loungren ; 1890 A. J. Lannes ; 1891 M. J. Englund, Helge Sandberg and O. W. Anderson. In 1876 "Vinkingen " (the Viking), a small satirical paper, was issued for a short time. In 1886 " Fridsbaneret " (the Banner of Peace), a little religious sheet, was issued and continued till 1889. In 1888 "Osterus Vaktare " (the Eastern Watchinan), a Lutheran organ, was issued, and was sold to the present publishing company in 1890.

Perhaps in this connection it may not be out of place to mention that for about 16 years or more, the writer has taught English and other subjects, privately, to his countrymen. The register shows that since October 20, 1880, to October 20, 1892, nearly 400 students have attended. Some of these have studied one term (three months) and others two, three and four. This work has been done mostly evenings. They have all paid for their instruc- tion (with a few exceptions). It may be urged that it is a matter of necessity for them to spend their time because they are compelled to learn a new lan- guage. The writer is inclined to believe that it is more of a matter of taste and education from home that causes them to study after a hard day's labor. At any rate none of the other citizens have shown the same interest for work of the same nature. The catalogues of the public schools are also well speckled with Swedish names.

Wealth .- We have seen that there are perhaps 100 Swedes engaged in manufacturing and business enterprises, the other 6,000 and more, work for others ; work for farmers, merchants, mechanics, in factories. The assessment roll for Jamestown, completed May 2, 1892, shows that 950 Swedes were taxed ; that they owned 848 houses, and real estate of a market . value of about $1,200,000. This has been accomplished with two empty hands. This property has been gathered with no other capital than health, education and perseverance inherited in Sweden of fair resources, utilized in

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the United States of great resources. No further proof is necessary that the Swedes are industrious. Considering the time and all other circumstances, such as number, wages, etc., this record stands unparalleled in Chautauqua county, possibly in the state. It has thus come to pass that the Swedes are at least one of the causes that have made Jamestown the county metropolis.

There were nearly 1,416 Scandinavians registered in Jamestown for the presidential election of 1892. Of these, perhaps fifty were Danes, two or three Norwegians, and the remainder Swedes.

The Gustavus Adolphus Orphanage .- The Gustavus Adolphus Orphans' Home of the New York Conference, Jamestown, N. Y., was organized and incorporated in 1884. This home takes orphaned children, feeds them, clothes them, educates them and sends them into society at maturity. Though it is a Lutheran institution, many other believers are its friends and patrons. There were 56 children here in 1892. The Home owns 87 acres of land in East Jamestown, also a four-story brick building, barn, wood- shed, etc., worth about $40,000. About $36,000 have been received and $34,000 expended by this institution. Probably the most faithful worker for this home has been Aug. J. Lindblad. He was born Dec. 7, 1838, came to Jamestown in 1866, has been in partnership with his brother Olof and P. J. Bergquist since 1870 ; was a director in the Home from 1883 to 1891, and during all these years served as secretary, and no man knew his business bet- ter than he. The superintendents have been : T. (). Linell ; 1889, Martin J. Englund.

The Norwegians .- There are very few Norwegians at Jamestown ; they are not over a dozen. John A. Hall is said to have been the first comer, and to-day Oscar O. Olson is the most prominent among them. The latter was born in 1849, in Storhammar, Norway ; came to the United States in 1872 ; worked in a factory till 1882, since which time he has held a position as salesman in one of the leading clothing houses.

The Danes .- The first Dane came here in 1855, and he was M. P. Jacob- son. The departed C. C. Beck was one of the first, also. There was a firm of Danes who started in business in 1871, making furniture, but ceased. A. P. Olson & Co., 1876. furniture, are of this nationality. They have a fine factory and are doing well. Victor Holmes, the temperance advocate, is a Dane. He is engaged in mercantile business, and has a fine store on the principal (Main) street. The Danes have no church, are 300 or more in number, and in 1883 organized the society " Danmark," which now has So members. In 1891 " Harmonien," a singing society, was organized by 20 members. In 1892 " Danebrog," with 25 members, was organized. As to education, industry and general good behavior, the Danes are not inferior to the Swedes. The writer believes that the United States have no better

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adopted citizens within their territory than the Swedes, Norwegians and Danes, commonly known as Scandinavians.

There are probably 3,000 Swedes or more in Chautauqua county outside of Jamestown, and all told there are 10,000 in the county. Those outside of Jamestown have settled principally in Ellicott, Carroll, Kiantone, Busti, Ellery, Chautauqua, Harmony, Ellington, Pomfret and a few other towns. In 1892 the writer had circulars printed and sent into every town in the county. Had responses been given to the questions in these circulars many interesting facts would have been given. Only a few responded, and these have the writer's thanks.

Ten thousand of the descendants of that race that discovered America, founded Russia, conquered Normandy and England, were the last faithful defenders (under the name of Varingians) of the Roman Empire, who sacri- ficed the resources of their cold countries in the "30 years' War," who founded one of the original colonies in this republic, who are by blood related to the great Teutonic family, have taken up their home and abode in Chautau- qua county. They have left their old homes, where few have the say, for new homes where all have the say. Some Americans think it wrong for them to have newspapers, churches and societies among themselves. The answer to them is, that it is impossible to do without either for two generations. Education, habits and surroundings cannot be eradicated or changed by any agent except time. Steam and electricity cannot do it. Time alone can and is doing this work. The Swedes extend thanks to the Americans of this county for their general good will towards them ; and they are gratified at its general prosperity, and at the general activity, enterprise and sagacity of the people living within its boundaries. And the Swedes are contented to know that they have contributed their share toward the education of, and the general prosperity and welfare of Chautauqua county.

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HISTORY OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, N. Y.

CHAPTER LXVI. JAMESTOWN IN 1883. BY C. R. LOCKWOOD, ESQ.

S UBSTANTIALLY what Jamestown was in 1883 there are many now living who well remember. Others who participated in the contests then rife have passed hence, leaving for us legacies of goodwill and fortunate example. Such men as the Allens, Baker, Barrett, Hazeltines, Barker, Hall, and hosts of others whom memory preserves, did not live in vain, for their works were fresh to the mind and plain to the view. It is about impossible to accurately describe Jamestown at that time; but its prominent features may be so delineated that they who then lived will readily recognize the picture.

MAIN STREET .- In the fall of 1883 Main street, from the Outlet north to about midway between Third and Fourth streets, was the principal busi- ness place of Jamestown. Mostly built up with brick, it afforded quite a variety of stores, offices and other convenient places ; but was already much too small for the demand, and some of our people had begun to look for other localities. The dry-goods trade was confined between Second and Third, but our grocers were, some two or three, doing business on East Sec- ond and Third streets. High rents had driven the smaller establishments from Main street, and they had located in different parts of the village. North of the business places referred to on Main street, on either side thereof, were residences of rather old style built of wood, as was also the Episcopal church on the corner of Fourth and Main. This, our first Episcopal church, has recently been removed to make room for the new and elegant church constructed by the generosity of the late Mrs. Prendergast. On the opposite side of the street, on the corner of Main and Fifth, once stood the old and our first Congregational church. Here was the christian home of Judge Hazeltine ; but, years before 1883, it had yielded to the ravages of time, and the lot became vacant, but since then has been utilized, and now supports the beautiful brick residence of Mr. George W. Tew, who for some years was president of the City National Bank. Opposite this, and on the corner of Main and East Fifth streets, is the site where Hon. Orsell Cook and family so long lived. It subsequently was the property of Mr. E. C. Mayhew, who owned it in 1883, and there he resided at the time of his death. For this

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place we have a remembrance that cannot fade except through the decay of age ; for therein we slumbered the first night of our sojourn in Jamestown. This was August 24, 1849, at which time we fixed our home with the then lawyer Cook, whose office we entered for the purpose of reading law. Right across Fifth street, on the corner of Main and Fifth, was the well-remen- bered residence of Mr. Freeman ; and west from that, just across Main street, was the home of our old and faithful printer, Adolphus Fletcher ; but this, too, had been changed, and in 1883, was occupied by a new house, in which the Lewis family then resided. Here Mr. Robert Lewis died several years since ; the place is still held by his surviving widow and daughter for a home.

It is unnecessary to proceed further over into the regions which were once familiarly known as " Africa," so well remembered as being a " refuge " for the black man from the horrors of slavery, and a secret abiding place from the terrors of his master. The name speaks its own origin, but has lost its material significance in the triumph of freedom over slavery ; and, prior to 1883, its colored occupants had rapidly vanished. At the time referred to, old dilapidated dwellings were making way for new ones, while, as it were, the advance of civilization was converting hovels of poverty into man- sions of elegance and homes of industry.

In thus referring to Main street as it once was, we are reminded of the old and familiar residence of Hon. Samuel A. Brown. His home was the large wooden structure just north of the Prendergast block. We remember this and the office that stood near by, in which this honored and earnest friend to Jamestown did so much hard labor. "Wal and then," we cannot pass him by, for he became and will remain a fixture in all we have. One of the solid blocks of Jamestown's reputation, his memory will live as part and parcel of its history. Before 1883 this home became the property of Dr. Ormes, whose surviving family or estate still owns it. Many are the events and characters we might refer to, to revive our recollections of what Main street used to be ; but a full and complete history is not within the purpose of these remarks, and we leave its further records of interest and fading evidences of primitive reality to more retentive niemory and abler hands.

THIRD STREET .- In the year 1883 what is known as West Third street, which commences at Main, possessed no business places save and except the Sherman House and perhaps a small store in the Prendergast block. Along westerly on the street to the " Lowry House," building had com- menced to revive somewhat ; but the residences were mostly of ancient styles and many years old. The many changes thereon wrought during the II years last past will be more particularly noticed hereafter. East Third street, being the remaining part of " Third " street, was built up with solid brick to Pine street, and business places had become established on either

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side thereof. Where the Woodford block stands, just across the alley from M. L. Fenton's block, was a blacksmith's shop in 1883, and will be remem- bered as the place of business of Woodford & Dunn. Further east, but adjoining the Woodford block, is what was once known as the Garrity property ; and then comes the Horton block. On this last named locality once stood "Allen's opera house," the first opera house Jamestown ever had. Here was where A. E. Allen took his early lessons in the opera business, and cultivated his wonderful taste for shows. He was the builder of this opera- house and its almost constant manager down to its destruction by fire. At the time referred to (1883) this Garrity and opera-house property was vacant. It will be remembered that the Taft & Davis blacksmith shop stood on the corner formed by East Third and Spring streets, that being the corner of the lot on which stood " Allen's opera house "; that this shop was a stone struc- ture and was destroyed at the time of the burning of the opera house. The Horton Bros. block now ornaments this locality. Just across the street and on the easterly side thereof (the corner formed by East Third and Spring streets) stood the residence of Mr. I. D. Taft. This was a small whitewood dwelling, and therein Mr. Taft and family resided for many years. This dwelling yet remained in 1883 and down to 1890, when it was removed. Passing along this street, we remember that in 1883, where now stands the new M. E. Church, then stood the former home of Mr. D. P. Wescott ; and that, at the time referred to, the M. E. church owned and occupied the now Independent Congregational church, which stands in the angle formed by East Second and Chandler streets. Many other old and familiar land marks might be referred to for the purpose of calling to mind the actual situation of East Third street in 1883; but which since have been so changed that memory hardly recognizes them. Believing, however, that we have suffici- ently minuted the evidences of former days for the purpose of this work, we shall leave the remainder to individual recollection, and enlarge our picture of 1883 by references to other parts of our then village.

SECOND STREET, like Third street, is divided into two parts, known as East and West Second streets. At the time referred to West Second street was mostly built up, and then, as now, extended only to Cherry street. Ou the southerly side of this street was the old and well known residence .of Mr. Dascum Allen and family. This residence stood on a part of the grounds now occupied by the " new Allen block," and remained there until after 1883, when it was removed to make place for the new block. On the westerly side of Cherry street, and but a short distance from the home referred to, once stood the house owned by Mr. Samuel Barrett. This was an old wooden building, at some time painted white. This structure was standing in 1883 ; but since then has been removed in anticipation of being superseded by another and better one. The hotel formerly known as the "Jamestown

C. B. Sellwood

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House," for many years occupied the corner formed by West Second and Main streets, on the south side of the former, in 1883 it had been abandoned as a hotel, but as a "landmark " of ancient days we refer to it with great pleasure.

To now look at East Second with a remembrance of what it was in 1883, or thereabouts, one would hardly recognize it as the same ; and, with the view of more clearly seeing it as it was, let us, so far as possible, forget its present appearance. Of course, the old dilapidated and worn out "Burch block," then stood where it now does and presented externally about the same appearance. Its rents have been increasing, while its outward tumbling aspect would almost terrorize any one not familiar with its condi- tion. Unequalled for business locality and too poor for insurance, this pro- perty affords a wonderful example of human tenacity to " hold on " so long as it pays. The old "Tew block," on the opposite corner of Main and East Second streets, also remains, as do other brick buildings, between this block and the alley just east. Potter's alley is an aged landmark. On the north side of East Second street, east of this alley, and between it and the small Bush building on the corner of East Second and Pine streets, in 1883 was a row of diminutive wooden structures, in which was a meat inarket, printing establishment, etc. These buildings, after two or three unsuccessful efforts, took fire and burned down. The present " Bush " block was soon erected. The opera house block, on the opposite side of the street, was built in 1881, on the ground that years before had been known as the "mill-house " lot, that is a lot which had for years been occupied by the miller who attended the gristmill located on East First street, now (1893) known as "Grandin's mill." Wellington Griffith, for many years miller in this gristmill, resided in the small white house on this lot. We also remember the board woodshed and small garden just west of the house. The association's between this mill and house will remain in the memory of many Jamestowners while life lasts. Viewing this picture of olden times, we behold on the oppos. side of this street, where now stands the new Vandergrift brick block, the former abode Mr. Dickinson, who was so long principal of the Jamestown academy. In the year 1883 this lot was about six feet higher than the surface of the street. It was there where Mr. S. S. Cady so long lived and finally sold out to Mr. Thurston, who, in turn, sold to Ahrens & Weeks, through whose efforts the present beautiful block was erected. We well remember the tumbling struc- tures on the southerly side of this street on easterly from Gron Bros. livery barn, and also the aged Palmniter home, which occupied the corner of Second and Spring streets, where, during the year 1893 has been built a spacious brick block of stores. And so we might continue to describe the former buildings along this street, but which have passed away since 1883, making room for others. Indeed, East Second street has been for several years last past, and

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History of Chautauqua County, New York, Part 88

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