Craft Masonry in Cattaraugus County, New York - Onondaga and ...

Republican. He married, 28 Jun 1899, Maud Louise Fenton, born in Randolph, 1Jan 1875, d/o George W. and Loraine (Dockstader)
Fenton, of Randolph. Children: Robert Fenton, b. 13 Nov 1907, and Loraine Permelia. 17 Sep 1910.
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Frederic Fredrikson, a farmer of Sweden, married Caroline Anderson. Children: 1. Wilhelmena, married Carl Carlson. 2. Matilda. 3.
Eric, of whom further. 4. Carl Frederic, married Emma Peterson; children: Levi, Stanley, Alvin.
Eric Fredrikson, son of Frederic and Caroline (Anderson) Fredrikson, was born at Smadgebaran, Sweden, 18 Apr 1863. He was
educated in the schools of his native town, and in early life worked at farming. On arriving at a suitable age he was apprenticed to
the carpenter's trade, which he later discarded for the finer trade of cabinet-maker. He was an expert workman and in 1887, with no
other capital than his mechanical ability, he sailed for the United States. He landed at Castle Garden, New York City, with little
money. He made his way to Jamestown, NY, where he knew many of his countrymen had settled. He arrived in Jamestown with but
fifty cents remaining in his pockets, having made the journey from Sweden entirely alone, with no knowledge of the English
language. After his arrival at Jamestown he worked at odd jobs for two weeks, then learning there was a furniture factory in
operation at Randolph, Cattaraugus county, he went to that village and secured employment at his trade. He worked there in the
cabinet-making department for five years, then was made foreman of the factory, holding that position from 1892 until 1900. In the
latter year he located in Salamanca, having entered the employ of the Salamanca Furniture Company as foreman of their works. In
course of time he became a stockholder and was elected a director of the company. In 1909 he sold his interests in the Salamanca
Furniture Company to Charles R. Gibson, and in association with John Walrath, William H. Hazard and others, organized the
Sterling Furniture Company, with works at Salamanca. The officers of the new company are: John Walrath, president; William H.
Hazard, vice president ; Eric Fredrikson, treasurer and general manager; Walter O. Fredrikson, secretary. The company is now
(1911) in successful operation, manufacturing a medium grade of dressers, chiffonniers and dining tables. They employ about one
hundred men and operate their factory continuously. Mr. Fredrikson is a member of the Masonic Order, belonging to Cattaraugus
Lodge, No. 239; Salamanca Chapter, No. 266, and Salamanca Commandery, No. 62, Knights Templar. He also belongs to the
Woodmen, the Home Circle and the Travelers. In 1892 he became a naturalized citizen of the United States, and is a supporter of
the Republican party.
He married, 12 Jan 1889, Helina Solderholm, born 30 Jul 1867, d/o John Soderholm, born in Sweden in 1839, died in Jamestown,
NY, 10 Oct 1898. He was a manufacturer in Sweden; came to Jamestown, where he first engaged in the hardware, later in the
grocery business. He was an active Republican and a member of the Knights of Pythias. He married Christina Westerlund, of
Norrkspring, Sweden, born 1844, died in Oct 1896.
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James Gibson (5), son of James (4) Gibson, was born in Leroy, NY, 29 Feb 1828, died at Eaton Rapids, Michigan, in 1901. His
father died when he was five years of age, and his mother, who was a Miss Williams prior to her marriage, moved with her parents
to Delaware county, Ohio, where her father had purchased a large tract of wild land in the western reserve. After attending the
district school for a few years, James Gibson engaged in the railroad contracting business, becoming in time one of the leading men
in that line of work. He built sections of the Delaware & Columbus, the Illinois Central, living at Cairo, Illinois, for a time, and later
moving to Michigan, where he contracted on the lines of the Detroit & Milwaukee, the Lansing & Saginaw, Grand Trunk, Michigan
Central, Michigan Southern and other railroad lines, contracting for the construction work. He came to Western New York with the
Buffalo & Jamestown railroad as superintendent of construction over part of the line. He was a member of the Baptist church, and
was a Republican in politics. He married Eliza Ann Morrison, born in Delaware county, Ohio. Children: 1. Charles Ralph, mentioned
below. 2. James Horace, who met a tragic death, having been murdered in 1874. 3. Barney A., a resident of Williamsport, PA. 4.
Willard M., who served as engineer in the United States navy and was on the United States steamer, "Roger," while on its search for
the "Jeanette" or the survivors of the "Jeanette," which was on an expedition under Captain De Long in search of the North Pole; the
vessel was burned off the north coast of Siberia and Engineer Gibson served gallantly in rescuing the crew. After his resignation
from the navy he accepted a position with the Westinghouse Company and while in their employ installed the lamps on the Brooklyn
Bridge. He married Eva Windurs. He was killed by his gun while hunting in Iowa, in Apr 1887. 5. George A., deceased. 6. Lucius O.,
a practicing physician of Laurium, Michigan. 7. Emma Eliza, deceased.
Charles Ralph Gibson, eldest son of James (5) and Eliza Ann (Morrison) Gibson, was born in Orange, Delaware, OH, 12 Aug
1849. He attended the public school, acquiring a practical education. He began his active career with his father in railroad
construction in the western part of the United States, and later engaged in business on his own account, being awarded the
contracts on the Buffalo and Jamestown construction work, also serving as superintendent of construction. In 1875 he opened a
wholesale liquor store in Jamestown, NY, and two years later established a branch at Salamanca, the latter becoming of such great
importance that in 1881 the Jamestown store was discontinued and the business centered in Salamanca. Mr. Gibson has been in
successful business operation there for 35 years, during the greater part of that period acting as sole proprietor. He admitted as
partner, Howard Edward O'Donnell. and later his son, Willard A. Gibson. A prominent feature of their business is an extensive mail
order department to dealers. In addition to this successful business enterprise Mr. Gibson is serving in the capacity of vice-president
and director of the Salamanca Trust Company, and director of the Salamanca Furniture Company and of the Veneer Panel
Company. He was one of the organizers of the first Universalist Society in Salamanca, and liberal in his support of erecting their
church edifice. He is an Independent in politics. He was actively interested in the organization of a fire department for Salamanca,
was chosen the first chief and filled that office five years. He holds membership in the lodge, chapter and commandery of the
Masonic order in Salamanca; Ismailia Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Buffalo; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of
Salamanca, and the Royal Arcanum. Mr. Gibson is an energetic, capable man of business, upright and honorable in his dealings,
also public spirited and generous, always ready and willing to contribute to every worthy enterprise. This brief resume of Mr.
Gibson's many spheres of activity and usefulness proves the broadness of his mental vision, and whether considered as employer,
official business associate, churchman or clubman, he is found true to himself and true to his fellows.
Mr. Gibson married, 14 Nov 1877, Lillian (Wilson) Lyons. She was a charter member of Salamanca Chapter, Daughters of the
American Revolution, also historian. She also organized the Salamanca Federation of Women's Clubs. She is progressive and
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