First published Nov. 17, 1983: As I browse through the oldnewspapers and history books, I note that the names coach factory online of certainpeople appear time after time as they serve their country andcommunity michael kors outlet in many ways. Such a name is Philander W. Bemis. Lt.Bemis came to Westfield to live after the close of the Civil War inwhich he served as one of the cavalrymen under the michael kors outlet famous Gen.
PhilSheridan. He was born in French Creek Feb. 5, 1842, grew up on afarm and attended public schools. When President Lincoln called forvolunteers at the breaking out of the rebellion, he was among thefirst that offered his services to his government and enlisted inCompany I, 8th Illinois Cavalry, having just moved to that state.Mr. Bemis was mustered out of service in the latter part of 1862,but re-enlisted in the 15th New York Cavalry and served until July17, 1865, when he was discharged on account of a gun shot wound inhis left arm and shoulder.
This was received at the Battle of FiveForks on the first day of April 1865, in a cavalry charge led bythe gallant General Custer. Lt. Bemis made an enviable war recordof which he was justifiably proud, as he served under Sheridan inall of that great commander's famous campaigns in Virginia, andparticipated in nearly all of the great battles of the Army of thePotomac. After he came to Westfield, he served five years asLieutenant in the 11th Separate Company, New York State troops.Since his michael kors bags Have flooding fears boyhood he was http://www.michaelkorsoutletbag-2013.com a member of the Methodist EpiscopalChurch, and was an official member of the Westfield MethodistChurch for 45 years, holding the office of Chairman of the Board ofTrustees for the entire time. Hand Sewing Needles
You may have noticed that one of thebeautiful Thiswill give us i stained-glass windows in the First United MethodistChurch of Westfield was given in his memory. He and his wife, theformer Jennie A. McCollum, whom he married coach factory Aug. 14, 1866, sang inthe Methodist choir for a number of years. Mr. Special Needles
Bemis was classleader, steward, superintendent of Sunday School and exhorter forthe church. In politics he was an earnest Republican and servedseveral years as a member of the Chautauqua County RepublicanCommittee, was active in the temperance cause, served several termsas town clerk of coach outlet online Westfield, and michael kors as a member of the Board ofEducation michael kors outlet online and was for many years a deputy sheriff. He was a pastmaster of Summit Lodge 219, Free and Accepted Masons. He wasconnected with the Chautauqua Assembly ever since it was organizedand had entire charge of the ticket department in which he handledfrom $30,000 to $50,000 every year. China Industrial Sewing Machine Needles
He was coach outlet store chief of police atChautauqua for many years. Philander W. Bemis was an active memberof the Grand Army of the Republic, and served on the staff coach outlet store online of thecommander-in-chief with rank of colonel and was also commander ofthe State of New York and was commander of the local WilliamSackett Post. Mr. Bemis was always proud of the fact that he wasmarshal in the great parade at the centennial coach outlet restrictions that s celebration of thesettlement of Chautauqua County held in Westfield June 25 and 26,1902.
Philander W. Bemis died June 10, 1912 leaving a widow, a sonErnest Bemis and a daughter Pearl (Mrs. Charles E. Persons).Several grandchildren also survived him, two of whom are MelvinBemis and Helen McLean who still reside in Westfield.
MarybelleBeigh is the current Public Historian for the Town and Village ofWestfield. Her office is located at 3 East Main Street inWestfield, N.Y, 14787 - inside Parkview Ice Cream Parlor. Herscheduled office hours are Monday through Friday 9 to 11 a.m.;other hours by appointment. Beigh can be reached at westfieldhistorian@fairpoint.net or by calling 326-2457 (office), 326-6171 (home) or 397-9254(cell).