My Genealogy Hound

JONATHAN H. SLOCUM is one of seven children born to James B. and Maria (Hall) Slocum, and first saw the light in what was then Carroll, now Kiantone town, Chautauqua county, New York, on August 16, 1840. His grandfather, Jonathan Slocum, was a native of the Mohawk Valley, this State, but moved to, lived and was married in Vermont, to Esther F. Bowen, a daughter of that State, by whom he had one son and three daughters. He gained a livelihood by farming, and died at his home. His maternal grandfather, Azariah Hall, was also a native of Vermont, but went to Kiantone where he married Maria Orr, followed farming and reared a family of one son and two daughters. James B. Slocum (father) was an only son, and in 1829 he left his Vermont home, and striking into the almost unknown forests, forced his way through them and settled at Kiantone. Of a pushing disposition, he soon established in business, owning and operating a stage line from Dunkirk, this State, through to Warren, Pa., following very closely the present line of the Allegheny Valley & Pittsburg R. R. This line required a great many horses with which to run it. Later he owned and conducted a hotel at what was then Carroll village, this State, and in addition to this he had a farm which he personally managed, and continuing to branch out engaged in the cattle, lumber and general merchandise business during the high tide of Ohio river rafting. He married Maria Hall, whose father came from Vermont, and they became the parents of seven children, three sons and four daughters. He died at Kiantone.

Jonathan H. Slocum was reared at Kiantone, and inherited a great deal of energy from his father. When still a young man the mantle of his father fell upon him which he tried to sustain, but when the bells of war were ringing he relinquished the chase for the American dollar, and joining the 7th regiment of N. Y. sharpshooters, on August 9, 1862, he went with them to the front and served gallantly in the battles of Deserted Farm, Wilderness, was at the siege of Suffolk, and in several skirmishes until he found himself in the hospital. Remaining there for some time with poor prospects of an early recovery, he received his discharge on February 17, 1864. After returning home and recovering his health, he again took up his business, that of stock-dealing and lumbering, which he followed until 1868, when he disposed of his active business and bought a farm in Kiantone. Later he kept a hotel at Frewsburg for a year, and then entered the mercantile business in which he continued until 1876. On March 2, 1889, he removed with his family to Jamestown, where they now reside on Warren street. Mr. Slocum has had a busy life, and has made many friends. Politically, he favors the Republican party, but he thinks more of his family and a quiet life now than he does of the world.

He united in marriage with Eliza I. Phillips, a daughter of Aaron J. Phillips, who resided at Busti, this county. He was a native of Westmoreland, Vermont, but came to Chautauqua county and married Aurelia Carey, by whom he had two daughters: Eliza J. (Slocum), and one whose name is not given. Mr. and Mrs. Slocum have had six children, of whom but four are living, three still at home: James M.; Aurelia, wife of George Hopkins, a farmer, residing in the town of Ellicott; George; Gertrude and Richard (both dead); and J. Mamie.