History

ASSOCIATION OF VOLUNTEER FIREMEN

SOUTHWESTERN

History

from a condensed submission by Sam J. Beckman, Secretary from 1946 – 1959

additions and consolidations submitted by SAVF Program Book Committee

August, 1908. Cattaraugus County held a Centennial celebration in Salamanca. Eugene B. Senear, Chairman of Firemen’s Day, invited fire companies of the county to take part in a parade, suggesting in his invitations that he was of the opinion that a County Association would be a good thing. Following the parade, several chiefs and other representative firemen held a meeting in the city hall, electing W.W. Hildreth, Little Valley, Chairman and Alex Wagner, Salamanca, Secretary. It was then decided to organize a Cattaraugus County Volunteer Firemen’s Association. Thomas Wilson, Salamanca, elected Pres*, Chief Eugene Shannon, Randolph, Secretary.; Chief Charles Miller, East Randolph, Treasurer. Salamanca was selected as site of the first annual convention.

May, 1909. Alex Wagner became Secretary and Marcus Clarkson, Treasurer. In June, the officers decided to invite Chautauqua, Allegany and some Erie County companies and form a three county association.

Aug. 4,5, 1909 – Salamanca. The 1^st Annual Convention and Parade of the Cattaraugus County Volunteer Firemen’s Association was held. Sixty fire companies and fifteen bands participated in the parade. At this convention the name was changed to the Cattaraugus, Chautauqua and Erie County Volunteer Firemen’s Association and Fredonia was selected as the site for the second annual convention. The officers elected were: W.W. Hildreth, Little Valley, Pres, Blair F. Simons, Fredonia, Sec.; and C. E. Hayward, Fredonia, Treas.

July, 28, 29, 1910 – Fredonia. At this convention the name was changed to the Tri-County Volunteer Firemen’s Association and Andrew W. Griffith, Jamestown became Secretary.

July, 3, 4, 1911 – Salamanca. Allegany County was taken into the Association and the name changed to Southwestern Association Volunteer Firemen of New York. New By-laws were adopted. Blair F. Simons, Fredonia, elected Pres., Joe E. Leach, Hamburg, Sec.; and C.E. Hayward, Fredonia, Treas.

1912 – Hamburg. Blair F. Simons, elected Pres.; Geo. B. Sanford, Silver Creek, Treas. This marked the beginning of legislative action by the Association.

…since that time, the Association has strived to meet and exceed the needs of the volunteer fire service in the “Clover Leaf District”.

From the Chronological History of the

SouthWestern Association of Volunteer Firemen