My Genealogy Hound

LYMAN F. WEEDEN. The leading druggist and stationer of the village of Kennedy was born at Randolph, Cattaraugus county, September 19, 1837, and is a son of Joseph E. and Margaret (Waite) Weeden. The State of Connecticut gave to the world subject’s paternal grandparents, while the Waites were natives of Vermont. Caleb Weeden came from his early home and settled at Pike, Wyoming county, New York, about the year 1816, where he followed farming until his death. He took an enthusiastic interest in the local militia, and was captain of a company. The Baptist church numbered him among its most valued members, for his example of Christian devotion and generous liberality were worthy of emulation. He was twice married and reared a family of six children. Gresham Waite was a member of the family of that name which has become distinguished for legal learning. He was born about 1777 and married Miriam Lakin in 1803, soon after coming to Livingston county, this State. His wife bore him a family of six children, all of whom grew to man and womanhood. He was a farmer. Joseph E. Weeden was born in the old town of Norwich, Connecticut, July 27, 1809, and from there his parents went to Chelsea, Vermont, where they stayed four years, and again loading their personal effects into the cumbersome wagons, they drove across the country to western New York and settled at Pike, Wyoming county, New York. He studied law with Luther Peck, of that village, and was admitted to practice in the courts of that district in May, 1836, when he established a law office at Randolph, and is still living there, aged eighty-two years. Mr. Weeden was a member of the assembly during the term of 1846-47, having been elected upon the whig ticket, and has been justice of the peace and held other local offices. September 27, 1836, he married Margaret Waite, who bore him five children, four sons and one daughter. Joseph E. Weeden was one of the projectors and first trustees of Randolph academy, an institution that has gained prominence and popularity from its excellent and thorough course of instruction, and some of the most eminent men of the section call it their alma mater with pride. Mr. Weeden was a candidate for judge of Cattaraugus county, is temperate in his habits, philanthropic in his nature, and a broad, liberal-minded man.

Lyman F. Weeden spent his early days in Randolph and was educated in the academy. He began business life as a druggist and pharmacist in 1862, and conducted the business until 1867, and then for a number of succeeding years farmed and taught school in the winter. At present he is engaged in the drug and stationery business in Kennedy, Chautauqua county, N. Y., and through using the best and freshest goods in filling them, has secured a large prescription trade. Mr. Weeden is a democrat, and his popularity is best shown by the fact of his having been elected constable, road commissioner and assessor in the republican town of Randolph. He is now the supervisor of Poland town, which is also a republican district.

On the 6th day of May, 1863, he married Mary C. Benson, a daughter of David and Catherine (Pier) Benson, and they have a son and a daughter: the former, Austin E., was born January 14, 1869, and the latter, Louise A., was born March 12, 1871. Austin E. Weeden was educated at the public schools of Kennedy and the Jamestown business college, from which he graduated in June, 1889, and is now in the drug business with his father. Miss Louise attended the public schools and then entered the Jamestown high school. She is now a student of stenography and typewriting. Considerable attention has been given to her musical education.

Lyman F. Weeden was postmaster of Kennedy during the Cleveland administration, but partisanship caused his removal when the new President assumed control. He is an active democrat, and a potent factor in all political campaigns.