USA > New York > The men of New York: a collection of biographies and portraits of citizens of the Empire state prominent in business, professional, social, and political life during the last decade of the nineteenth century, Vol. I > Part 42
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JOSEPH M. CONGDON
November, 1895, he again received substantial evi- dence of his popularity in his election to the office of district attorney of Cattaraugus county. He is now discharging efficiently the duties of this office,
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the term of service running for three years from Jan- uary 1, 1896. His firm is now styled J. M. & G. M. Congdon, his son Glenn having been taken into partnership.
One feature of Mr. Congdon's work in the legisla- ture is worthy of special mention. During his first
TIMOTHY E. ELLSWORTH
term in the assembly he became greatly interested in the codification of law. Year after year penal, criminal, and civil codes had been introduced, but had died in one house or the other ; and nothing more than this had been accomplished up to the end of Mr. Congdon's first year in the legislature. In his second year there, as chairman of the committee on judiciary, he was in a position to indulge his interest in codification, and to accomplish something where others had failed. During the first week of the session he introduced all three codes, and pushed them unremittingly through all the necessary stages of legislation until they were before the governor for approval. The penal and criminal codes were approved by Governor Cornell, though the civil
code was returned without approval after the adjournment of the legislature. This work placed Mr. Congdon in close connection with David Dudley Field, and a friendship was formed between the two men that lasted until the death of Mr. Field. Mr. Congdon naturally regards with much satisfac- tion his part in the work of codifying criminal law and criminal procedure.
Mr. Congdon has membership in vari- ous fraternal societies. He is a Mason, belonging to Phoenix Lodge and Go- wanda Chapter ; he is a charter member of Lodge No. 46, Ancient Order of United Workmen ; and he belongs to Gowanda Lodge, Knights of the Macca- bees.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY -- Joseph Miller Congdon was born at Na- poli, Cattaraugus county, N. Y., January 12, 1846 ; attended district schools and Randolph Academy ; was admitted to the bar in 1870 ; married Alice M. Jenkins of East Randolph, N. Y., May 24, 1871; practiced law at East Randolph and at Fredonia, 1871-75 ; was member of as- sembly from Cattaraugus county, 1880- 81; was elected district attorney of Catta- raugus county in November, 1895 ; lived in Buffalo, 1882-84, but has otherwise practiced law at Gowanda, N. Y., since September, 1875.
Timothy IE. Ellsworth is a law- yer. He is descended from New Eng- land stock. For generations the Ells- worths were a Connecticut family, and there the subject of this sketch was born, in the ancient town of East Windsor. His early training was received in public and private schools, and he took his bachelor's degree from the University of Rochester. He then studied law, and after his admission to the bar set- tled at Lockport.
When the Civil War broke out, Mr. Ellsworth raised a company of volunteers at Lockport, and became its captain. This company was attached to the 7th regiment, New York volunteer cavalry, and served till disbanded in 1862. Mr. Ellsworth con- tinued in the army, and was on the staff of General Wadsworth in the battles of Chancellorsville and Get- tysburg. He was honorably discharged in September. 1865, having attained the rank of major by brevet.
Resuming the practice of his profession at Lock- port, Mr. Ellsworth soon became known in legal
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circles and in public affairs. He was an ardent Republican, and a warm supporter of General Grant. Mr. Ellsworth held the office of collector of customs at Suspension Bridge, N. Y., during Grant's two administrations. In the conduct of political campaigns Mr. Ellsworth has been active ; and his availability, as well as ability, has been recognized by his party, which has three times elected him to the state senate. He has taken high rank in that body, and has served on its important committees, such as the committee on judiciary and the committee on rules. He is at present senator from the 45th district, and president pro tempore of the senate. As a legislator he is industrious, con- servative, and sagacious, and strives to give his constituents the best service in his power.
In Mr. Ellsworth's practice at the bar he has two partners, who with him form the firm of Ellsworth, Potter & Storrs. Aside from his law business he is connected with a number of banking and mercantile houses. He is president of the National Exchange Bank, and vice president of the County National Bank ; and a direc- tor in the Holly Manufacturing Co., the Niagara Paper Mills, the Traders' Paper Co., and the Hartland Paper Co. To these enterprises, as well as to his profes- sion and his public duties, he devotes himself with conscientious effort. He is a member of the Episcopal church, and of the Grand Army of the Republic.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- Timothy Edwards Ellsworth was born ut East Windsor, Conn., September 21, 1836 ; was educated at public and private schools, and graduated from the University of Rochester in 1857 ; was admitted to the bar at Rochester in 1858, and began prac- tice at Lockport, N. Y .; served in the Union army, 1861-65 ; married, on Feb- ruary 2, 1864, Orissa M. Shoemaker of Lockport, who died October 28, 1865 ; was collector of customs at Suspension Bridge, V. Y., 1870-18, and state sen- ator, 1882-85 ; was elected state senator from the 45th district in 1895 ; has prac- tired lato at Lockport since 1865.
Calilliam J6. Jackson is a self- inade man. Starting with nothing whatever, in a vnall country town, without advantage from family connection, and entirely dependent from the first on himself alone, he has acquired a substantial com-
petence, and established himself firmly among the leading men of his community. All this he has done in less than forty years of life. Tireless energy, keen business judgment, and strict integrity have been the main factors in his success.
Mr. Jackson's grandfather was a pioncer in Erie county, going thither early in the century from Vermont, and opening up a farm in Holland on some high land that still recalls his origin in the name " Vermont hill." There Mr. Jackson was born in March, 1858. His early years were as busy as his whole life has been, since he lost his father at the age of eight. His mother, left with limited means, worked with untiring zeal and energy, thereby helping and encouraging her five children to help themselves and each other. After working on a farm most of the time, and attending
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WILLIAM B. JACKSON
the district and a select school some of the time, William sccured a clerkship when sixteen years old in the general store of Morey & Stickney, Holland. He worked three months for nothing, merely to
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show what he could do, and several months more at a trifling salary ; but he gave his whole time to the business day and night, working as hard and as faith- fully as if the store had been his own. All this was duly appreciated by his employers, and in less than- two years Mr. Stickney surprised his youthful clerk by inviting him to become his partner. Mr. Jackson had only 8204, which he had saved from his earnings, but his character and reputation enabled him to borrow enough to form the partner- ship. On March 24, 1876, accordingly, when he had just turned his eighteenth year, the firm of Stickney & Jackson began its successful career. Five years later, on March 3, 1881, they purchased the general store of O. W. Childs at Protection, N. Y., which was carried on in connection with the store at Holland. The partnership continued seven years, during which Mr. Jackson made rapid prog- ress in establishing himself as a prosperous business man and respected citizen. In March, 1883, Mr. Stickney found it convenient to retire from the business ; and Mr. Jackson had so prudently con- ducted his personal affairs that he was able to buy out his partner, and become sole proprietor of the establishment that he had entered as a boy nine years before. Since the date mentioned Mr. Jack- son has carried on the business alone with entire success. His place to-day is one of the most com- plete country stores in western New York. In addi- tion to this enterprise Mr. Jackson has various out- side interests that require some of his business attention. He owns pine lands in Mississippi, farm lands in South Dakota, and suburban property in Buffalo, together with choice bits of real estate in Holland.
The proprietor of a general store in a small town has an excellent chance, if he have also the requisite ability, to make himself a power for good in the public affairs of the community. In the case of Mr. Jackson ability was not lacking, and for many years he has had something to do -- usually a good deal to do - with everything of much importance that has gone on in Holland. Beginning with the position of town clerk in 1580, he has been suc- cessively overseer of highways for three years, dur- ing which he was largely instrumental in bringing the roads of Holland to a high degree of excellence ; postmaster of Holland during Harrison's adminis- tration, 1889-93; and supervisor for the years 1895-96. He has also been Republican committee- man from his district for a number of years. In semi-public, non-political affairs he has been equally active, and many improvements in Holland are ascribable in large part to his efforts. In 1891 he
helped to organize the Holland Water Works Co., and has been president thereof from the start. In 1893 he interested himself in the establishment of a local bank, subscribing for a large block of the stock, and has been president of the institution from the beginning. He has been local treasurer of the Farmers' Fire Relief Association since 1887, and of the Rochester Savings and Loan Association for several years. He has also been treasurer of the Holland fire department since 1894, besides holding other offices that require much of his time. Mr. Jackson belongs to various fraternal societies, in - cluding the Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of the Maccabees, and Order of the Iroquois.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY-William Byron Jackson was born at Holland, Erie county, N. Y., March 20, 1858 ; attended district and select schools ; was clerk in a country store, 1874-16 ; married M. Zina Vaughan of Holland January 12, 1881 ; was town clerk in 1880, overseer of highways, 1887,-1888, and 1894, and postmaster of Holland, 1889-93 ; has been a member of the Erie-county board of supervisors since 1895 ; has conducted a general store at Holland since 1876 ; has been president of the Bank of Holland since its organization in 1893.
Wilber ffisk Dersons is still comfortably distant from the prime of life, but has already achieved business success and attained political distinction in a noteworthy degree. He was born in Delevan, Cattaraugus county, N. Y., and has lived there most of his life. In his youth he spent five years, however, on the western frontier, and graduated from the high school in Omaha, Neb.
Mr. Persons began his business career at the age of nineteen, as a telegraph operator on the Union Pacific railroad. After returning to western New York in 1876, he resumed railroad work, becoming assistant division superintendent of the Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia railroad (now the West- ern New York & Pennsylvania). Concluding that greater rewards awaited him in an entirely different calling -a conclusion amply justified by the result -- Mr. Persons purchased the Delevan Press in 1887, and thus embarked in the business of news- paper publishing. The venture prospered from the beginning, insomuch that he was emboldened two years later to establish the Review, at Holland, Eric county. The next year, 1890, brought into being the Censor of Sardinia, Erie county ; and in 1893 Mr. Persons purchased the Wyoming County Recer.l. Since the latter date he has conducted with increasing success the four weekly newspapers mentioned. They are published in places conveniently situated
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with reference to each other and to the general territory served, and Mr. Persons is able to handle with dispatch the numerous details of his business. The country covered by his papers is filled with intelligent, conservative, and prosperous people, who appreciate duly and support faith- fully such publications as Mr. Persons issues.
Mr. Persons has naturally become prominent in the social and political life of the communities with which he has connected himself. In 1886 he was elected justice of the peace on the Re- publican ticket over the fusionist repre- sentative of the normal majority. In 1891 he was a delegate to the Repub- lican state convention at Rochester, and in 1896 he was a delegate to the conven- tion at New York city. He is a Past Master of Arcade Masonic Lodge, No. 419. He also belongs to Springville Lodge, R. A. M., and to St. John's Commandery, K. T., Olean, N. Y. He is a Past Grand of Delevan Lodge, No. 616, I. O. O. F. Mr. Persons has al- ways taken great interest in everything relating to the welfare of Delevan. He is president of the Delevan Electric Light & Power Co. He was secretary of the building committee during the construction of the new Delevan Union School. He is superintendent of the Yorkshire Water Co.
In his home life and surroundings Mr. Persons is particularly fortunate, and his commodious and elegant dwelling in Delevan is a social center for many friends.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY -- Wilber Fisk Persons was born at Delevan, N. Y., November 24, 1858 ; lived in the West, 1870-16, graduating from the Omaha High School in June, 1875 ; married Alice Catharine Strong of Delevan June 2, 1880; was in the service of the Union Pacific railroad, 1875-76, and of the Buffalo, New York & Phila- delphia railroad, 1876-84; has conducted various weekly newspapers in western New York since 1887.
Adam L. Rinewalt has long been a factor in the newspaper world of western New York, and in the political and business affairs of Williamsville, where he has spent the greater part of his life. It may probably be safely asserted that in proportion to the number of its readers the journal of a small
community is more influential in molding public opinion than the great newspaper of a metropolis. The columns of the village paper are more thoroughly read, and more completely, because more leisurely, digested. The great dailies illustrate the well-known
WILBER FISK PERSONS
economic principle of the division of labor, and the work upon them is specialized to a degree that would surprise the uninformed. Each has its political editor, its financial editor, its news editor, its relig- ious editor, and its sporting editor. But the editor of a country newspaper must, to a certain extent, combine in himself all the varied functions of these writers. Therefore a successful editor of such a paper is naturally a man of parts, and a controlling influence in the lives and thoughts of his community.
Mr. Rinewalt was born in Williamsville, where his parents were among the early settlers. He attended the district school and academy of his native town. At the age of sixteen he went to Beloit, Wis., where he learned the printer's trade, thus laying a practical foundation for the profession
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that was to be his life-work. He returned to New York state in his twenty-first year, and secured a po- sition with the Commercial Advertiser, Buffalo, then under the control of Matthews & Warren. He re- mained with them for nine years, when he established
ADAM L. RINEWALT
the Amherst Bee at Williamsville, which he has suc- cessfully conducted ever since.
Mr. Rinewalt is prominent in Williamsville not only as a newspaper man, but as a promoter of many commercial enterprises. He was among the first to urge the building of the Buffalo & Williamsville electric railroad, and he is one of the stockholders of the company, holding also the offices of director and secretary. He has been largely engaged in real- estate transactions, and is connected with creamery and other business enterprises. No man in the com- munity is more devoted to its interests. He has concerned himself especially with the public schools of the town, the establishment of waterworks, and other movements tending to the advancement of Williamsville.
Always an active Republican, Mr. Rinewalt has frequently been called upon to fill various positions connected with the organization of his party. Hle was elected collector of Amherst in 1881, and de- clined a renomination for that office. For nine years he was a trustee of the village of Williamsville, and during five of those years he was president of the village. In 1886 he was elected a school trustee. He has served continuously in that posi - tion since, and is now president of the board of education. During President Harrison's administration Mr. Rinewalt was postmaster of Williamsville. He has served on many occasions as a mem- ber of campaign committees. Mr. Rine- walt is a representative man among his fellow-citizens, who have time and again displayed their appreciation of his ser- vices to the community, and their con- fidence in his ability and character. He is a member of the Masonic order, and of several other fraternal organizations.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY -- Adam Lorenzo Rinewalt was born at Williamsville, N. Y., May 4, 1849 ; was educated in district schools and Williams- ville Academy ; learned the printer's trade at Beloit, Wis., 1865-70; worked at his trade in Buffalo, 1870-79 ; married Sarah Filena Bloker of Williamsville Sep- tember 18, 1878 ; was postmaster at Wil- liamsville, 1889-93 ; established the " Am- herst Bee" at Williamsville in 1879, and has conducted the same since.
ffrank E. Sessions has an in- teresting and honorable lineage. His great-grandfather, John Sessions, was of English descent, and was probably born in Massachusetts : his early history is obscure, but it is known that he lived for a time at the foot of the Green mountains in Vermont, and afterward moved with his son to the Empire State. This son, Schuyler Sessions, after clearing up a farm in Chautauqua county and tilling the same for a few years, joined again the westward tide of emigration, and settled on the prairies of lowa. One of his sons was Columbus Sessions, the father of our present subject. Mr. Sessions's mother was Cordelia French, the daugh- ter of Samuel French, who was born in Mass1. chusetts, but who became a resident of Chau tauqua county, settling in the town of French Creek.
MMEN OF NEW YORK-WESTERN SECTION
299
Frank E. Sessions was born at the head of Lake Chautauqua, shortly before the middle of the cen- tary. When he was five years old his father moved to Wisconsin ; and there, by traveling three miles each way every day, Frank was able to obtain such training as the country schools afforded. He con- tinted to attend the district schools of Fond du Lac county until he was fifteen years of age, when his attainments were such that he was able to obtain a position as teacher. He taught for seven years in the Badger State, reading and studying law himself all the time ; and engaged in the same occupation after his return to Chautauqua county. There he taught several terms in Sherman, French Creek, and the union-school district of Clymer Village.
Like a multitude of others, Mr. Sessions aban- doned teaching for the law. Ilis uncle, Walter L. Sessions, was a prominent attorney of Pan- wa, Chautauqua county, and in his of- fice Mr. Sessions began the study of law in 1869. His progress was checked by a business engagement in virtue of which he became superintendent of the tanning works at Clymer; but he persevered in bis legal studies so far as opportunity lærmitted, and gained admission to the lar in April, 1874. In the summer of 1876 he opened an office in Jamestown, and has since practiced his profession in that city. He was associated with Henry O. Lakin from 1878 until Mr. lakin's death in 1884, and with E. E. Woodbury for one year thereafter. He has otherwise practiced alone.
Men value most highly and utilize best, as a rule, the things that come to them with difficulty ; and Mr. Sessions has improved to the utmost the general and legal education that he acquired so hardly. His thoroughness and accuracy en drawing up legal papers, and his gen- vral vigilance in guarding the interests of those who entrust their litigation to him. were soon observed and duly appre- Dated : and for many years he has enjoyed an extensive and a lucrative pro tice. His professional ability was tingly recognized in 1880, when Gov- unor Cornell appointed him special omity judge of Chautauqua county. His work in that capacity was so well done that at the end of his appointive term he was elected to the une office for three years. In 1895 he was elected att allerman from the 1st ward of Jamestown, and
was made chairman of the finance committee. In April, 1896, he was unanimously elected president of the city council, and still holds the position. He has always been a public-spirited citizen, and has given his time freely to various movements promot- ing the welfare of his city. He has taken an active part in the organization and management of the Jamestown Permanent Loan and Building Associa- tion, and has been for several years the attorney and a director of the institution. The association was organized in November, 1881, and by means of it hundreds of families in Jamestown have obtained comfortable dwellings of their own.
Mr. Sessions is a Mason, belonging to Mt. Moriah Lodge, No. 145, F. & A. M. He is a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Jamestown, having served the society for many years
$
FRINK E. SESSIONS
as treasurer, superintendent of Sunday school, and otherwise. In political life he has acted with the Republican party. He has always been an enthusi- astic "Chantanquan," joining the first Normal class
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in 1874, and graduating with the first Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle class in 1882. Mr. Sessions is a devoted student of history, and his private library is remarkably complete in its collec- tion of standard works on this fascinating subject.
OLI'ER S. VREELAND
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY-Frank Edgar Sessions was born at Chautauqua, N. Y., May 22, 1847 ; was educated in the common schools of Wiscon- sin ; taught school, in Wisconsin and in Chautauqua county, N. Y., 1862-69 : studied law and engaged in business, 1869-74, and was admitted to the bar in the latter year ; married Julia R. Bush of Jamestown, N. Y., June 1, 1876 ; was appointed special county judge in 1880, and elected to the same office for a term of three years in the same year ; has practiced law in Jamestown since 1876 ; has been an alderman of Jamestown since 1895.
Oliver S. Vreeland, who is now serving his second term as county judge of Cattaraugus county, is a native of the neighboring county of Allegany,
and has always lived in western New York, with the exception of four years spent in college. Notwith- standing the constant movement of our population from the East to the West and from the country to the city, there are still many men who have spent their lives in a single locality, and have risen to prominence among those who have known them from boyhood. Thi- happy combination of change and per manence prevents alike stagnation and instability, and adds greatly to the strength of a community.
Judge Vreeland was born in the vil lage of Cuba somewhat more than fifty years ago. His education, begun in the district schools, was unusually thorough, including two years' study at Oleau Academy, a year at Rushford Academy. and two years at Alfred University. He then took a four years' course at the University of Michigan, graduating from that institution in 1869 with the degree of A. B. In 1876 his alma mater con. ferred upon him the degree of A. M.
Having decided to enter the legal pro- fession, Judge Vreeland read law fo! three years in the office of the late E. D. Loveridge of Cuba, and in January. 1872, he was admitted to the bar. He was somewhat older at this time than most men beginning legal practice ; and he had thus the advantage of greater maturity of mind and a more intimate acquaintance with men and affairs. Il!> knowledge of law, moreover, had been gained under an excellent master, as Mr. Loveridge was an able attorney, and one of the most prominent members of the Allegany-county bar. The opportunities for pro. fessional advancement afforded by his native villas: were meager, and Judge Vreeland determined : . begin work as a lawyer in the neighboring town of Salamanca. Accordingly, in the April following 1 ::- admission to the bar, he opened an office there m partnership with Hudson Ansley. The new firm was successful from the first, and soon built up ar extensive clientage in Salamanca and the surround !- ing country. In 1879 the connection was dissolved. and from that time Judge Vreeland practiced alone
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