USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York > Part 95
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The interest taken in the freight rates that affect mercantile, manufactur- ing and investment interests of his native city is somewhat shown in the work of a committee, of which he was chairman, created January 12, 1885, at a public meeting of citizens. The work of the committee was great, impor- tant, systematically performed and produced favorable results.
Mr. Marvin was president of the First National Bank of Corry, Pa., from January 13, 1885, until September 16, 1887, at which time the bank went into the hands of a receiver. His father and uncle, William Marvin, were stockholders therein from an early date. When Mr. Marvin was elected lie consented to serve not to exceed six months. He was not a resident of Corry, and could devote only a part of his time to its interests. Influenced by inter- ested parties, and ambitious to overcome obstacles that had united with later complications to bring only the one ending, he was prevailed upon to serve the period of time he did. He has in his possession documents that relieve him from the stain of responsibility, but the end of time will be required to remove the sensitive feelings that are with him.
He was one of the corporators and once vice-president and now a director in the Lakewood Land and Improvement Co. ; director in and treasurer of the Preston Farming Co .; and corporator and director of the Wyckoff Har- vester and Reaper Co .; a trustee in the Lake View Cemetery Association, and a director in and once president of the Jamestown Street Railway Com- pany. In the formation of the city charter in 1885, he was chairman of the citizen's committee that had the work in charge, doing much of the labor in preparing the charter under which the city of Jamestown was incorporated. Mr. Marvin was the first to discover and report that Jamestown was entitled to the free system of mail delivery, and soon thereafter it was put into suc- cessful operation. The fact that he brought the first Columbian half-dollar to Jamestown will increase in historic interest. September 20, 1880, he organized a company and put in service the telephone exchange in James- town and vicinity. He was president of the company until November 28, 1882. He organized the first water company for the city. It was a company composed of strong financial men. Mr. Marvin was chosen president. Sub-
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sequently another company was formed which secured the contract for sup- plying the city with water and the principal purpose for which the first com- pany was organized was obtained. In 1873 Mr. Marvin with others formed a social club known as the "G. E. C. Club," now the Jamestown Club. It was composed of business men who met for social enjoyment and business discussions. Mr. Marvin was president from July 12, 1873, until March 4, 1891, with the exception of three months, and still holds his " diamond-tied " membership. He is a member of the Mt. Moriah lodge, F. & A. M., and of the A. O. U. W. Mr. Marvin is a " badged " honorary member of the 13th Separate Company N. G. S. N. Y., (Fenton Guards) and was chairman of the committee procuring its first 60 honorary members, comprising a mein- bership difficult to equal for like purpose. He has rendered assistance to this company in other ways during its periods of prosperity and adversity. Of interest is the event of the first appearance of a Governor of the State of New York and his staff in Jamestown, occurring on the occasion of a recep- tion held April 20, 1888, Mr. Marvin acting for the company in promoting this historic incident. Mr. Marvin is fond of books and of art. The selec- tion of art and reference works of the James Prendergast Free Library attest somewhat to his judgment and taste.
On February 6, 1890, Robert N. Marvin and Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Lucius B. and Mary (Henry) Warner, were united in marriage, and in their home may be found evidences of culture and taste. He and his wife are attendants at the First Presbyterian church and are among its contributors. Mr. Marvin was the representative of Col. Elliot F. Shepard of New York city in the purchase of the Field homestead, which was presented to the "First Presbyterian Church and Society of Jamestown, N. Y," as the "Shep- ard Memorial Manse." We quote from one of Col. Shepard's letters in the possession of Mr. Marvin : "I am only induced to buy this place on your recommendation." Much care and work were involved in the transaction, which were rendered with fidelity and as a labor of love. Mr. Marvin pos- sesses a genial and social nature, is now and has always been prominent in social life. His charities have been dispensed in an unostentatious mamer, but there are those who can testify to his helping hand ; and others there are who have procured and preserved their homes through his advice and aid, and the degrees of property interests is no barrier to those who feel welcome to seek his counsel and assistance. He has gained his position by his own efforts. Starting in life with a limited education and no property but good surroundings, lie has made a fair success, and has cultivated his tastes for the elevating influences of refinement and study of the fine arts and satisfied somewhat his desire for travel. He is familiar with nearly every grade of life, liis varied associations having given him experience with nearly all classes of society ; is a close analytical observer, a quick reader of character, readily
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adapting himself to his surroundings ; at ease in the humble home or the drawing room ; courteous and pleasant ; loyal to his friends ; deeply pained at being deceived. Firm in his integrity, a lover of truth and right, he enjoys the confidence and esteem of those to whom he is known.
DANIEL HAZELTINE.
Daniel Hazeltine was the founder of the textile-fabric industry in James- town and in western New York. He was born in Wardsborough, now Dover, Vt., March 9, 1795, and was descended, in the 7th generation, from Jolin Hazeltine, who landed at Salem, in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, in 1637, being, with his brother Robert, members of Rev. Mr. Rogers' colony from Devonshire and Yorkshire. His great-grandmother was Elizabeth Rawson, a direct descendant in the 3d generation from Edward Rawson, the first secretary of the Massachusetts Bay colony. His father, Daniel Hazel- tine, Sen., married Susanna Jones of Milford, Mass., and settled first in Wards- borough, Vt., and afterward in this county. Daniel Hazeltine, Jr., came to Jamestown in 1816. He had received a fair education, and in 1812 at the age of 17, upon the advice of his uncle Solomon Jones, then living here, he had become an apprentice to learn the manufacture of woolen goods. His brother, Judge Abner Hazeltine, graduated at Williams College in the class of 1815, and in the fall of that year settled at Jamestown. In May, 1816, Daniel Hazeltine, in company with Samuel Barrett, came to Jamestown where he started a small establishment for dyeing and dressing home-manufactured woolen cloths. He erected a small building 24x36 for this purpose and com- menced dressing cloth in October. In 1818 he built an addition to his fac- tory, and in 1823 he added weaving to his business. His factory, by a coin- cidence worthy of remark, was located where is now the west end of Broad- head & Sons' extensive worsted mills, and upon the site of his first factory he subsequently erected the "old stone mill," having at that time Robert Falconer for a partner. His home at this time was at the northeast corner of Third and Pine streets. In 1836 Mr. Hazeltine bought of Chandler & Winsor their property at the lower dam, commonly known in later years as "Piousville," and, after necessary improvements, commenced there in 1838 the manufacture of cloth. In 1853 he erected new buildings which are still occupied by the Jamestown Woolen Mills. Among his partners were Mr. Taber Wood, and, later, his sons William B., and George Hazeltine. In 1865 Mr. Hazeltine transferred his business to his sons, and later it became the property of Allen, Grandin & Co., and then of Allen, Preston & Co., and is now known as the Jamestown Woolen Mills.
October 1, 1818, Daniel Hazeltine married Mehitabel, daughter of Wil- liam Bemus, a soldier of the Revolution, and the son of Jotham Bemus, Sen.,
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who owned the battle ground of Bemus Heights, Saratoga county, and took part in the battle. Her mother was Mary (Prendergast) Bemus, one of the daughters of William Prendergast, Sen., of Pawling, N. Y., but born in Waterford, Ireland. To Daniel and Mehitabel (Bemus) Hazeltine were born five children : I. Wmn. B.,-who married Ist Cornelia Stowe, 2d Mrs. Phoebe Shedd, 3d Mrs. Kate Bemus, and died in 1890. II. Susanna, born April 8, 1822, married William Post ; died June 23, 1870; (had one son Daniel H. Post, who graduated at Williams College in 1874 and married Evelyn M. Newland 1883). III. Mary Ann, died in infancy. IV. Chloe, died in infancy. V. George, born Aug. 17, 1832, married Adeline Hastings who died in 18 -. He lives at North Warren, Pa., and has three children living.
Daniel Hazeltine died August 3, 1867, and his wife survived him over 22 years, dying Sept. 22, 1889. She was a woman of many strongly marked but worthy traits of character. Daniel Hazeltine was a man who never sought public life, and the only office he ever held was that of county superin- tendent of the poor. His kind heart, generous instincts and hospitable nature made him widely known, and he was everywhere spoken of by the kindly sobriquet of " Uncle Daniel." One who knew him well thus wrote :
Daniel Hazeltine when living was loved and respected by all classes of men ; he was con- sidered as an exemplar of a truly honest man, and of the true spirit of christianity. He was truly good without ostentation, religious, without bigotry ; his benevolence was bounded only by his means to aid the suffering and the needy ; and it is true that he used means that he needed himself in order to extend his charities to their utmost limit. He was one of the nine founders of the Congregational church in 1816. The church was the apple of his eye, he lived for its welfare and he continued to be one of its most useful and active members until his death. His last words were : "I have tried to follow Christ, on Him I rely."
No word of eulogy could be added to this. An honest man, patriotic citizen, kind neighbor, devoted christian. The whole community mourned with unfeigned regret when his life of kind and gentle good deeds was ended.
ROBERT NEWLAND.
One of Jamestown's leading citizens during many years was Robert New- land, who was for over 57 years connected with the Chautauqua County Na- tional Bank, and was for 18 years its president. His personal character, liis public services and his acts of benevolence made him widely known and universally respected and beloved. Robert Newland was born. in Albany January 24, 1809, and was the son of David Newland, a native of Dumfries, in Scotland, who was born in 1773, and at the age of 18 emigrated to America and settled in Albany, where, on December 3, 1803, he married Jane McHarg, who, like him, was of Scotch parentage. She was the daughter of John and Grace (Kelly) McHarg, and was born in Saratoga county. David New- land had a long and honorable mercantile career in Albany, where he died in 1855, at the age of 82 years. His widow, who survived him about
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eleven years, was also an octogenarian at the time of her death. To this couple were born six children : Margaret, Robert, Isabella, James, David and John. Margaret married William Seymour and died in 1878 ; Isabella mar- ried Richard P. Marvin, (see page 796). James died August 6, 1815, and Jolin June 6, 1836. David survived until September 20, 1882. The home of the family in Albany in 1805 was on Broadway (formerly Market St.) and according to Harpers Magazine for March, 1857, was a quaint brick building of the Dutch style of architecture. At that time, and for a considerable time afterwards, the name was spelled with a final "s, " Newlands, which is un- doubtedly the correct orthography. The omission of this letter in his signa- ture by Robert Newland was unintentional and imperceptible, and grew out of the haste and frequency with which he had to affix his name to bank papers.
Robert Newland in his childhood and youth enjoyed the ordinary advant- ages of education afforded by the time, and, among other schools of the city, he attended the well-known " Boys Academy," where he received a prize at the end of one of the terms for his industry and advancement. On quitting school lie entered his father's store as a clerk, where he remained until he was nearly twenty-five years of age. During this period he became interested in the fire department, and was a member of the Eagle Engine Company of Albany.
In 1834 Mr. Newland left Albany and came to Jamestown to take a posi- tion in the Chautauqua County Bank, which had been established less than three years. His connection with the bank was continuous until his death on October 3, 1891. (For a detailed history of this pioneer banking institu- tion see pages 706-7). Mr. Newland first acted as a clerk and book-keeper, and, on May 20, 1840, was appointed cashier, succeeding Thaddeus W. Patchin. After twenty years of service as cashier Mr. Newland was pro- moted to the vice-presidency, being succeeded as cashier by his nephew, Gen. Selden E. Marvin, now of Albany. In 1862 Mr. Marvin, having resigned to enter the army, Mr. Newland again became cashier. In 1872 he was elected president, upon the death of Maj. Samuel Barrett, who had held the office for 37 years. Mr. David N. Marvin, another nephew, followed Mr. Newland as cashier. After 18 years service as president, Mr. Newland resigned the office in 1890, though he continued as director until the time of his death, and he occupied his desk and continued his service to the bank until within a few weeks of that sad event. He may be said to almost liter- ally have " died in the harness." During these 57 years of continuous ser- vice Mr. Newland was a striking example of the ideal business man. Punc- tual, painstaking, industrious and watchful, his name became the synonym of business integrity and lofty character in all the region round about. To his executive ability and careful judgement the bank owes much of its pros- perous career, while to his liberal policy toward the infant industries of the
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place and its varied business enterprises is due much of the growth and pros- perity of the city. In his private life he endeared himself to all classes of people by his upright character and liberal, though unostentatious benevo- lence. As was well said of him : "Young men found him a faithful friend, public enterprises a wise and liberal promoter, the poor and needy a gener- ous benefactor." Upon his death testimonials from those whom he had secretly aided with his purse and wliose business plans he had forwarded by his advice, influence and personal assistance, were numerous and heartfelt.
Though devoid of all ambition for public place, he was the high ideal of the citizen who believes that the public is entitled to a share of his labors for the general good, and he refused no trusts that were committed to him by his fellow citizens, though he never sought them. His interest in public affairs, and especially in the local advancement and growth of civic enter- prises, was constant and unselfish. He was one of the original directors of the Erie & New York City R. R. Co., (now known as the " Erie system ") ; he was an assistant chief engineer in the Jamestown Fire Department ; lie was for several terms one of the village trustees, and, for a time, was village president. From their incorporation until his death he acted as the treasurer of the Lake View Cemetery Association, and of the James Prendergast Library Association. In these, and other positions of public trust, he was a faithful, self-sacrificing and efficient public servant. In politics Mr. Newland was always a consistent and conscientious Republican from the organization of the party, and always kept abreast of the times in political and general reading. He possessed a marked taste for works of art, and found much pleasure in securing a large and valuable collection of engravings, etchings and water colors, as well as a large library of works upon general and art subjects. These cultured tastes added greatly to the enjoyment of his declin- ing years. For a long period of years Mr. Newland was a regular attendant upon the services of the Presbyterian church, and was one of the trustees and a liberal supporter of that body. He also contributed, it is believed, to the erection of every church building in the place, and to the support of every religious society.
On January 21, 1847, Mr. Newland was married to Miss Evelyn Patchin, daughter of Dr. Aaron D. Patchin of Hoosic Falls, N. Y., and a sister of Mr. Aaron D. Patchin, the second cashier of the Chautauqua bank. Mrs. Newland, who was a woman of cultured intellect and kind heart, died on June 17, 1887. By this union there were two children-a son, Frank, who died in infancy, and a daughter, Evelyn M., the wife of Mr. Daniel H. Post, of Jamestown. The family home was first in the Chautauqua bank building at the corner of Main and Second streets, and afterwards at the corner of Pine and Fifth streets, where his daughter and her husband still reside.
Late in the summer of 1891 Mr. Newland was stricken with a fatal ill-
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ness, which was borne bravely and without complaint, and, on the morning of Saturday, Oct. 3, of that year he painlessly entered into rest. His death caused wide-spread and unaffected grief. Upon the day of his funeral unu- sual honors for a private citizen were paid to his memory; the board of supervisors of the county adjourned, the public schools of the city were closed, . business was suspended, and all classes of citizens united in attending the simple services. In the funeral cortege were representatives from many pub- lic bodies, and a throng of sorrowing citizens followed him to his grave. In spite of a singularly reserved and modest nature, and of a great reticence of speech, few men have been better known, or have had a wider circle of admirers and friends. As was well said of him while living: "There is probably no one in the community in which he lives who deserves or pos- sesses in a greater measure the respect, confidence and esteem of those who knew him." And now that this simple, dignified and manly character has vanished from among them, there is ever a human heart-throb in the utter- ance of his fellow citizens when they mention the name of that strong, inflex- ible yet helpful business man, that liberal-handed, kind-hearted gentleman, that reserved, yet sympathetic friend-Robert Newland.
WILLIAM BROADHEAD.
Successful manufacturers are public benefactors, and merit the gratitude and praise of their countrymen. The nation that produces the most in pro- portion to its numbers will be the most prosperous and the most powerful. The United States possess all the natural advantages for the attainment of a result so desirable, and it is the part of patriotism to turn these advantages to the best account, to differentiate the industries of the people, and to give employment to all classes of mind and capacity. The citizens of Jamestown have great reason to congratulate themselves that circumstances early brought Mr. William Broadhead to become identified with the place, for through and by him the principal factors of its present and future prosperity have been inaugurated, employment has been given to hundreds, and to such an extent that he can justly be termed a benefactor of the entire community.
William Broadhead was born in Thornton, Yorkshire, England, February 17, 1819. When but a lad he was apprenticed for a year to learn the trade of a weaver, and then began working in the smithy with his father and con- tinued with him until he became of age. Believing that the prospects for an honest, industrious young man were better in this country than in Eng- land, Mr. Broadhead emigrated to America in January, 1843, going first to Busti, where his uncle, the Rev. Jolin Broadhead, was living. Seeing that Jamestown offered a much more favorable opening for a good mechanic, he sought employment here and found it in the shop of Safford Eddy. But Mr. Broadhead was too ambitious to remain long a day laborer. Ever on the
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lookout for something more profitable, he soon found a partnership with Adam B. Cobb, whose daughter, Lucy, he had married in 1845. This marriage has proven to be a most happy one, and the parties still continue in the enjoyment of that domestic bliss which ripens old age with the fullness of family association and home love. The firm of Cobb & Broadhead, scythe snath manufacturers, continued nine years, when it was dissolved, Mr. Cobb continuing to make snaths and grain cradles, and Mr. Broadhead purchasing an axe factory began to manufacture axes and forks.
When his eldest son, Shelden B., was about twenty years old, Mr. Broad- head opened a clothing store, taking this son into partnership with him, and a few years later he gave his younger son, Almet N., an interest. Under the firm name of William Broadhead & Sons their business increased rapidly, until they soon had the largest merchant tailoring establishment in the county, drawing patronage from Dunkirk, Warren, Salamanca, etc.
In 1872, Mr. Broadhead, accompanied by his wife and eldest daughter, visited his native place, to find the little village developed into a thriving manufacturing town. His early interest, awakened when as a boy he learned to weave at a hand-loom, was rekindled by the signs of prosperity and suc- cess due to these mills, and he returned to Jamestown thoroughly impressed with the feasibility of establishing a mill for the manufacture of dress goods. While he had by industry, economical habits (never having used tobacco in any form, and being most temperate in all things), close attention to business and successful investments in real estate acquired considerable property, he felt that so large an undertaking required more capital than he could com- mand, and so he proceeded to interest some of his moneyed townsmen in his project, and the result was the formation of the firmn of Hall, Broadhead & Turner ; Mr. William Hall to assist Mr. Broadhead in furnishing the money. The alpaca mill erected by the firm continued for one year and a half to be owned by them, when Mr. Broadhead retired. A short time afterwards lie built a mill for the manufacture of similar cloths, having for partners liis two sons. When the mill was fully established, William Broadhead & Sons turned their entire attention, for the time, to the manufacture of ladies' dress goods. (See The Broadhead Mills). Their salesmen traverse nearly every state in the union. As Mr. Broadhead foresaw, these mills have contributed immeasurably to the growth and prosperity of the city. Much of the rapid increase in population is due to their continued demand for skilled workmen. The good wages and steady work have attracted hither family after family of intelligent and industrious English people, who have proved themselves most acceptable citizens. "Wm. Broadhead & Sons have ever since been car- rying on business in different lines and in gigantic enterprises. Almost an isolated instance in the history of one's life we here find father and sons a unit in purpose and business. Of habits of industry, sobriety and respecta-
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bility, this copartnership was recognized as among the most substantial ele- ments of local prosperity and promising importance. Their success has been a constant commentary upon their good management and the good will that pervaded the establishment. Fairly well educated for business life, these sons were more than an experiment, they were successes from the first. Interested in each other's welfare, and both feeling it a duty to guard well their father's interests, they were bound by the strongest of earthly ties, and are exemplifying in conduct what they proposed in words." Mr. Broadhead is politically an ardent Republican and a strong protectionist, believing that policy to be even more necessary for the welfare of his workmen than for his own interest, from his knowledge of the condition of the mill hands in Eng- land under free trade.
In his native town Mr. Broadhead belonged to the Wesleyan Methodist church, and was a superintendent of the Sabbath-school. On settling in Jamestown he joined the Methodist Episcopal church, as the nearest like the Wesleyan. During the exciting period before the civil war, when the Meth- odist Episcopal church took a stand in favor of slavery, a number of staunch abolitionists, among them Mr. Broadhead, left that church and formed a Wesleyan society. When after some years, the church building having been destroyed by fire, the organization was given up, Mr. Broadhead became a member of the First Congregational church, where he is an active member, contributing liberally to its support. To Mr. and Mrs. Broadhead have been born six children : Shelden Brady, who married in 1870 Mary Woodworth ; Herwood, who died at the age of seven years ; Almet Norval, who married in 1886 Margaret Allen Bradshaw ; Mary T., who married in 1878 Adna H. Reynolds, Jr., and died in February 1894 ; Stella Florine and Mertie Minutia.
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