Histories

The Salamanca Inquirer [no date]

Memorial Address by T.H. Dowd

The following is the address of Hon. Thomas H. Dowd at the meeting of the Bar Association, County of Cattaraugus, held at the Court House in the Village of Little Valley, New York on the 12th day of April, 1926 at the exercises then held to commemorate the work of Hon. Hudson Ansley.

Hon. Hudson Ansley was born at Collins, N.Y., January 15th, 1838, son of Hudson Ansley and Maria Heaton Ansley; he was one of eight children. He was educated in the district schools in the neighborhood where he lived and at Gowanda and Fredonia. N.Y.

After completing his studies at Fredonia, he taught school for five years. In 1860 he began the study of law with Torrence & Allen at Gowanda, N.Y., and was admitted in June, 1863. On October 18th, 1861, he enlisted in the 64th Regiment New York State Voluntary infantry and was commissioned Regimental Hospital Steward and was discharged in 1862.

In July, 1863, he formed a partnership for the practice of law with the late Hon. Henry F. Allen of Gowanda, which continued until April 1864, when he removed to Salamanca and practiced law until 1872 alone, when he formed a partnership with Carey D. Davie which continued until 1890.

In 1891 with John J. Spencer, which continued until 1902, when his son, George H. Ansley became a member of the firm.

In October 1879 he was appointed Surrogate to succeed Hon. James D. McVeigh, appointment being made by Governor Lucius Robinson, attorney for the Senecas for about ten years, appointed by Governor Cleveland. He was appointed Postmaster of the Village of Salamanca by President Cleveland in 1893 and served as such for four years. During all his years he was a member of the minority party of the County of Cattaraugus and received every honor that the minority party could bestow upon him. He was elected Supervisor of his town on various occasions and served many years.

He was married on November 4th, 1863 to Alzina J. Hanford, who died in August 1919. One child, a son, George H. Ansley, who survives him, was born as a result of that marriage.

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He died at the home of his son, George H. Ansley, at Salamanca, on March 24th, 1926.