i. Robert Hooker, b. 1838, at Ellicotville, N. Y

He married 2 Julia Huggins, b. 1824, d. 1853.

Robert H. Shankland settled in the village early in 1835.  In the spring of that year, soon after his arrival, he purchased the Ellicottville Republican, which (with change of name to that of Cattaraugus Republican) continued under his management for twenty years.  Soon after his sale of this journal. In 1855, he commenced the publication of the American Union, of which, under the name of the Cattaraugus Union, his is still the editor. 

Mr. SHANKLAND is a native of Cooperstown, Otsego County, and a practical printer. He passed an apprenticeship in the office of the Freeman’s Journal at Cooperstown, under the proprietorship of Col. John H.  PRENTICE and Col. Wm. H. STONE. Afterwards he was employed in the offices of HARPER & BROTHERS and of the Courier and Enquirer in New York. During these and other engagements in the city, he became intimate with many whose names afterwards became famous; among whom were the four brothers HARPER,-- James, John, Wesley, and Fletcher, –Maj. M. M. NOAH, James Gordon BENNETT, James Watson WEBB, and Horace GREELEY. With the last named, he was most intimate. They stood together as journeymen at the case; and when in the last year of his life, the great editor had received the nomination for the first office in the people’s gift, he wrote in this wise to his old friend at Ellicottville: 

 “N.Y. Tribune, NY, July 23, 1872. 

ROBERT H. SHANKLAND 

One of the oldest living printers and newspaper publishers in western New York, and possibly in the State, is he whose name heads this notice. He was an associate of the late Horace GREELEY, of Cornelius WENDELL, afterwards congressional printer at Washington, of Edwin CROSSWELL, State printer at Albany, and others well known in the field of literature and journalism. 

 Robert H. SHANKLAND, son of Thomas and Rachel SHANKLAND, was born at Cooperstown, Otsego, NY, 1 Oct 1813. His father was taken prisoner by the Indians at the burning of Cherry Valley, and kept in captivity for two years, when he was bought by a British officer for two Indian blankets. Robert received a common-school education, and in the year 1827, apprenticed himself to the printing business in the office of the Freeman’s Journal, at Cooperstown, then edited by Col. John H. PRENTISS. Two years later, he went to New York City, where he clerked in a dry goods store for a short time, but this being not to his taste, he shipped as a sailor to the East Indies. After being out nine days, the vessel was driven back in distress; an experience which ended his career as a seaman. He next entered the book-printing establishment of J. & J. HARPER, New York (since and long known as HARPER Bros.), and there finished his apprenticeship to the “art preservative.” Subsequently, he was employed as a journeyman printer in the office of the Courier and Inquirer, of which Jas. Gordon BENNETT was city editor, and James Watson WEBB managing editor; also in the Methodist Book Concern and in WEST’s office in Chatham Street, working side by side with Horace GREELEY, both being engaged as compositors on a work by Professor BUSH.

Col. SHANKLAND has been honored with many offices of honor and trust. He has served as supervisor of his town, and was surrogate of the county for nine years. He was a presidential elector in 1844, being the youngest member of the electoral college. He held the position of State agent for the Onondaga Indians in New York, and for two years officiated as United States Indian agent during the administration of President POLK. He has always affiliated and acted with the Democratic party of which his paper is the recognized organ in Cattaraugus County. 

Connected as he has been for nearly a half century with the press of this county, it is eminently fitting that the portrait and life sketch of this veteran printer, editor, and publisher should have a place in these pages; and now at the age of sixty-five, he is still to be found at his post performing as of yore the varied duties connected with his business, with a constitution hale and hearty, and promising many years of future usefulness. 

Stephen Sharp was born May 8, 1845, in Oswego County, New York. According to the June 1890 United States Military Census, Stephen Sharp was a Private in the 110th NY Infantry in the Civil War and was mustered in August 6, 1863 and out September 1, 1865. In 1890, Stephen is listed as living in Dewitt, New York, Onondaga County, however his post office address is listed as being East Syracuse, New York, Onondaga County. There are no disabilities listed, nor any additional comments recorded on this document. Stephen Sharp married (?) March 24, 1874, and died December 4, 1910.