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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chautauqua County, New York published by John M. Gresham & Co. in 1891. These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary. Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more. There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.
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FRANK EDWARD GIFFORD, a son of Horace H. and Rhoda (Steward) Gifford, was born November 6, 1845, at Wrightsville, Warren county, Pennsylvania. His paternal grandfather was William Gifford, one of the pioneers of Chautauqua county, and one of its most respected citizens.
Frank E. Gifford received his education, after the common schools, at the Fredonia Academy, and at Fort Edward, New York. He developed marked business tastes early in life, and at the age of sixteen began a career for himself. During the war he held a responsible position in the quartermaster’s department at Albany, N. Y. After business ventures in New York City and elsewhere, he returned, in 1870, to Jamestown, where his family all reside, giving his attention to the Jamestown Cane-seat Chair Works. In 1880 he, with his brothers Charles H. and William S. Gifford, bought the entire plant, and F. E. Gifford became president of the company, which office he still holds.
On June 29, 1881, Mr. Gifford was married to Miss Josephine Fenton, daughter of Governor R. E. Fenton, of New York. To them have been born two children. Governor Fenton died August 5, 1885, leaving a large estate, of which Mr. Gifford was executor. He succeeded Governor Fenton to the presidency of the First National Bank of Jamestown, and still retains the office.
Mr. Gifford is a democrat politically, a man of large ideas and wide influence.
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This family biography is one of 658 biographies included in Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chautauqua County, New York published in 1891.
View additional Chautauqua County, New York family biographies here: Chautauqua County, New York Biographies
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