1
200
21
-
https://nthistory.com/files/original/4fe2e963e5d72a6a694e2d7fdda5ecda.jpeg
9e7b737c8ede1e5a8af15ee26162b5c0
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Pettit Creek
Description
An account of the resource
<img class="cover" src="https://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/98.jpg" alt="A 1908 map depicts the course of the State Ditch, which was originally Pettit Creek, and covered in 1925. The background photograph shows the mouth of the creek at the foot of Wheatfield Street." /> <span class="cover-caption">A 1908 map depicts the course of the State Ditch, which was originally Pettit Creek. The background photograph shows the mouth of the creek at the foot of Wheatfield Street.</span> From <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/609"><em>North Tonawanda Centennial Magazine, 1865-1965</em></a>:
<blockquote>A lazy little creek flowed into the river near the foot of what is now Wheatfield Street, just opposite the north end of Little Island. On its bank [in 1810] one of our earliest settlers built a log cabin and gave the stream its name. Even today old timers know where Pettit Creek was. It became the state ditch which was made into a storm drain and covered.</blockquote>
Partially because residents filled Pettit Creek with tin cans and dead animals, it was covered up in 1925 and converted into a culvert. Soon afterward, Durez (later Occidental) began polluting the waterway properly, with carcinogens and gases that killed fish and exploded basements. In the mid-1980s New York State sued Occidental for its abuse, and several cleanup efforts were undertaken.
People
A painting or photograph of a person and / or a brief biographical description.
Birth Date
1780
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Joshua Pettit (c1780).htm
Description
An account of the resource
One of the earliest residents of present-day North Tonawanda. Lived near the Niagara River at present-day Wheatfield Street. <span>Operated a public house? Gave his name to Pettit Creek which formerly ran through the Avenues. Builds a log house in 1809 (1936 TN atrticle). </span>First appears on <a href="https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH2C-PKH?cid=fs_copy">1810 U. S. Census</a> in Niagara County > Cambria Township, one adult male, one adult female, 2 young girls.<br /><br />An anecdote exists (source?) that during the War of 1812, on the night of 12/19/13, the men there heard noises coming down the Miltary (River) road. To put off the apparent enemy, they decided to roll a wagon repeatedly over the corduroy road, shouting military things, attempting to affect a great force of men there. It turned out to be other U. S. men. <br /><br />1820 census: Six children (2 girls and 2 boys under 10 and 2 teenage girls), and two adults (one male and one female). One person involved in agriculture. (A Mary Pickard listed separately).<br /><br />1830 census: a J Pettit in Clarence, young boys, one young girl and one 20-30 girl, maybe not same household?<br /><br />1840: No obvious matches in immediate area<br /><br />1830s+: <a href="https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9WN-56J3?i=28&cc=2078654&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3A76L7-FTZM">Grantor Index</a> of the Land assessment, Niagara, shows many transactions by and among the Pettits (Abraham, Lawton, Hiram, William O., Benjamin D, Jenme, Alexander, Enoch, Reuben, Curtis, George, John, etc.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1780
-
https://nthistory.com/files/original/97c925f649726b0bb82dd6b920c22ee4.jpg
5ff2c10c2360d6fa316cbd1f5a3fcc6e
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Sweeney Family
People
A painting or photograph of a person and / or a brief biographical description.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Sweeney, John (1786-).jpg
Description
An account of the resource
Born August 21, 1786, in Carmel, New York, John Sweeney was residing in Buffalo in 1813, when he joined the Geneva Volunteers as a lieutenant. He served in the blockhouse that was built to protect Tonawanda during the War of 1812. Wounded at the Battle of Queenston, he returned to Tonawanda in about 1815 to become one of the most prominent businessmen in the area, who was also active in land speculation and promoting the area.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
PHOTO: From the Historical Society of the Tonawandas image collection.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1786
-
https://nthistory.com/files/original/1c145b009e772390ea40a606d7efd1ca.jpg
9e7b737c8ede1e5a8af15ee26162b5c0
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Tonawanda Island
Description
An account of the resource
<img class="cover" alt="1853 illustration of Tonawanda Island, showing the Beechwater residence, and a ferry The Saratoga plying the waters of the Niagara River." src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/55e.jpg" /><span class="cover-caption">1860 illustration showing the southern tip of Tonawanda Island. The lavish Beechwater residence and a smaller building are seen to the left of a mysterious mound (Harper's Monthly Magazine, May 1860) </span><span>This small island in the Niagara River is today home to the N.T. (Water) Pumping Station, Taylor Devices, a booming feral cat population and (we expect) a very few skillful mice. But a mysterious structure at the south end of the island drew some of the earliest widespread attention to our area.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Burial mound left by Native Americans. Or giants.</strong><br /><br />Early European explorers notice a roughly 15 foot-high mound of earth near the southeastern end of the island. One explorer dates the peculiarity to the Native American Squawkie Hill phase (100-400 A.D.), which "included a religious aspect involving the burial of high-status individuals" (John Percy).<br /><br />Indeed, human remains are discovered within, though there is little consensus on who (or what) they were. In 1853, <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/557"><em>Gleason's Pictorial</em> reports</a> that resident Mrs. White (more on the Whites below) personally unearthed "the skull and bones of a human body, supposed to be an Indian chief...not...less than eight feet in stature." (The article adds vaguely that "Many other curiosities are found on the island.") An 1860 article in <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/2980"><em>Harper's</em> tells</a> of "several heaps of bones, each comprising three or four skeletons" found just under a circle of stones with indications of fire. Modern mysteriophile Mason Winfield poi</span><span class="text_exposed_show">nts to sensational accounts in frontier newspapers claiming at least two "very bizarre skulls" were excavated from the enclosure, with a "portentous, protruding lower jaw and canine forehead," and buried in a way inconsistent with the traditions of the locals. The skeletons are not confined to the great mound, either. Yet more human remains are found while digging the foundations for the Beechwater mansion, the <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/2326"><em>Tonawanda News</em> reports</a> in 1906.<br /><br />Across the Little River, on the mainland, <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/1565">evidence of</a> a Native American armory is discovered, with numerous broken flints and arrows.<br /></span><br /><br /><strong>Carney's Island? Not so fast!</strong><br /><br />The island's first European inhabitant arrives as early as 1791, one <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/1070">Edward Carney</a>, who hopes to "squat" his way into possession of the island. The property's value skyrockets however when <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/2352">Mordecai Noah's plan</a> to turn nearby Grand Island into a refuge for the world's displaced Jews gets underway around 1825, and the land is purchased at auction from the state by Samuel Leggate of New York City (<a href="https://www.lockportjournal.com/news/lifestyles/niagara-discoveries-tonawanda-island-stephen-white-and-his-magnificent-mansion/article_657aa96e-c9eb-54ca-8237-dc7dcc2e0afb.html"><em>Lockport Union-Sun & Journal</em></a>). <br /><br /><strong>White's Island and the Beechwater mansion</strong><br /><br />The plan to make Grand Island into a refuge for Jews, we know, fails, and the next speculators to turn their eyes to our little island are the moneyed men of the East Boston Timber Company in 1833. They are likewise most interested in the much larger prize of Grand Island, and harvest its white oak to build ships in New England. President Stephen White purchases Tonawanda Island as a headquarters and residence, and it becomes known as "White's Island."
<blockquote>To cement his claim, White built a magnificent mansion at the southern end of the island. “Beechwater,” as White called it, was designed by Boston architect Samuel Perkins in 1835 for $18,000. The interior contained cherry, black walnut and marble embellishments (<a href="https://www.lockportjournal.com/news/lifestyles/niagara-discoveries-tonawanda-island-stephen-white-and-his-magnificent-mansion/article_657aa96e-c9eb-54ca-8237-dc7dcc2e0afb.html"><em>Lockport Union-Sun & Journal)</em></a></blockquote>
The Beechwater mansion <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/1565">boasts</a> "chimney pieces from Italy," surrounding pleasure grounds with "choice fruits, ornamental shrubbery and graveled walks," and was called the finest residence in Western New York at the time. Famous American lawyer and politician Daniel Webster (after whom Webster Street is named) <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/2326">visits Beechwater</a> on several occasions. Webster's son Fletcher is married to White's daughter Caroline there in 1836. <br /><br />Further plans of the East Boston Timber Company are thwarted by a poor economy. By 1840 the white oak of Grand Island has been cut down and floated away to New England. Stephen White dies, and his widow stays on. It appears Beechwater was offered as a summer resort for a time. <br /><br /><br /><strong>Lumber and industrial era</strong><br /><br />William Wilkeson purchases the property from the family in 1869, planting orchards and vineyards. In 1881, William Wilkeson sells the property to Smith, Fassett & Company, one of the many lumber concerns flocking to the Tonawandas. The natural harbor of the Little River make the island and opposite shore perfect for stacking, processing and shipping immense quantities of lumber, and North Tonawanda has become a major lumber market.<br /><br />Beechwater, Stephen White's mansion, coexists for a while with the great square piles of wood coming and going around it. Although said to still be largely structurally sound, the mansion is <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/2326">torn down in 1906</a>, as the "demand for lumber yardage makes its razing imperative." It had long been rumored to be haunted. Its fireplace, we believe, is preserved and cared for by the Historical Society of the Tonawandas.<br /><br />Later significant occupants o Tonawanda Island include the International Paper Company and the R. T. Jones Lumber company.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.lockportjournal.com/news/lifestyles/niagara-discoveries-tonawanda-island-stephen-white-and-his-magnificent-mansion/article_657aa96e-c9eb-54ca-8237-dc7dcc2e0afb.html">NIAGARA DISCOVERIES: <em>Tonawanda Island, Stephen White and His Magnificent Mansion,</em> Ann Marie Linnabery</a></li>
<li><a href="https://archive.org/details/pioneerhistoryof00turne/page/n6">Pioneer History of the Holland Purchase of Western New York, 1849</a></li>
<li>Percy, John. <a href="https://www.wnyheritage.org/product/buffalo-niagara_connections_a_new_regional_history_of_the_niagar/index.html"><em>Buffalo-Niagara Connections: A New Regional History of the Niagara Link</em>.</a> Western New York Heritage Inc. 2001</li>
</ul>
Relation
A related resource
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/92">International Paper Company</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/48">Lumber Scenes</a></li>
</ul>
People
A painting or photograph of a person and / or a brief biographical description.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Carney, James (1800-1881).jpg
Description
An account of the resource
From <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/606"><em>History of Niagara County 1821-1878</em></a> (1878):
<blockquote>James Carney was a pioneer in the town as early as 1819, locating with his father, Edward Carney, who was one of the earliest settlers in Avon, Livingston county, in 1791 on Tonawanda Island (for many years and now more frequently designated Carney Island). His object in settling was to gain a pre-emption right if the boundary line, when settled, left the island in the territory of the United States. In 1824 the State of New York caused a survey to be made, ordering an assessed valuation of $4.50 per acre. During the following year the island was ordered to be sold at public auction in the city of Albany, requiring one-eighth of the purchase money to be paid down. James Carney, furnishing the required amount, placed it in the hands of Judge Samuel Wilkinson to purchase at the sale, but speculation had been stimulated by the purchase that had been made on Grand Island, opposite, by the Jews, to found the " City of Ararat " and concentrate the scattered tribes of Israel; and Samuel Leggate, of the city of New York, became the purchaser at $23 per acre. Mr. Carney set out in the effort to attain, by buying and clearing land, the position of affluence he now enjoys at an age of seventy-eight years. At seventeen he was an ox-teamster in the employ of Porter, Barton & Co., slowly plodding through the woods from Lewiston to Schlosser. He was a subject of pioneer life, doing milling, floating a canoe down the river for a harbor in Porter's mill race at the Falls; returning by applying his shoulder to a setting pole in the way he had learned in propelling scow-boats from Schlosser to Black Rock, often loaded with three hundred and fifty barrels of salt.</blockquote>
<p>His <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/agenbyte/3816803472/in/album-72157604940790322/">headstone in Sweeney Cemetery</a> says he is "Born on the west bank of the Niagara River March 28, 1800" and dies August 8, 1881; two wives listed.</p>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1800
-
https://nthistory.com/files/original/c1ea4ea0b494cb7968d3019ab180edba.jpg
4ba6b17cece88932d45d432c37c5e168
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Payne Estate
Description
An account of the resource
The area north of Wheatfield Street and on both sides of Payne Avenue--formerly the farm and dwelling of early resident and major landholder <a href="http://nthistory.com/items/show/616">Colonel Lewis Payne</a>--was developed for residential use starting around 1914. Stanley, Bennett and Evans Streets stand where "Payne Hill" was knocked flat, its fill going to the Hi-Speed trolley embankment.<br /><br />Other portions were set aside for use in schools (the North Tonawanda High School and Colonel Payne school). <br /><br />The land for Payne Park and Memorial Pool is given in Edward Payne's 1938 will. A provision in the Payne Holding Corp. deed of June 14, 1938 states, "This, conveyance is made and taken upon condition that the land as above described shall be used and maintained as and for a public park to be known as Payne Park."
People
A painting or photograph of a person and / or a brief biographical description.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Payne, Colonel Lewis S. (1819-1898).htm
Description
An account of the resource
From <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/607"><em>Landmarks of Niagara County (1897)</em></a>:
<blockquote>Col. Lewis S. Payne was born in the town of Riga, Monroe county, N. Y., January 21, 1819, the son of Stephen and Ruth A. (Smith) Payne. The Payne family is of honorable New England ancestry and its founder in the New World was of Puritan stock. His paternal grandfather, Aepba Payne, was a native and lifelong resident of Massachusetts. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. His son, Stephen Payne, father of Colonel Payne, was born in 1790, in Hinesdale, Mass., settling in Monroe county when a young man. He died at the residence of his son, Colonel Payne, at North Tonawanda, February 11, 1880, in the ninetieth year of his age. Col. Lewis S. Payne was educated in the common school and High School in Monroe county. At the age of sixteen he became a clerk in a mercantile house in Tonawanda, and five years later he and a fellow clerk purchased the business in which they had been employed. Four years afterward the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Payne accepted a position as clerk in Buffalo, remaining there four years. In 1847 he built the first steam saw mill in North Tonawanda, which he operated for nine years, after which he engaged in the lumber business for several years.</blockquote>
<blockquote>In the fall of 1861 Mr. Payne, at his own expense, raised a volunteer company, of which he was made captain, and which was attached to the 100th N. Y. Vol. Regiment, later becoming a part of Casey's Division of the Army of the Potomac. The l00th N. Y. Regiment, with Colonel Payne leading his company, participated in the battles of Williamsburg, Seven Pines, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill among others. Later on he and his company made many daring expeditions from the vicinity of Charleston, and the information thereby gained was of great value to the Union cause. On the night of August 3, 1863, while engaged on Morris Island in intercepting communication with Fort Sumter, he was attacked by a superior Confederate force. A desperate engagement followed, in which Colonel Payne was wounded in the head by a musket ball, taken prisoner and conveyed to Charleston, where he was confined in the Queen Street Hospital Later he was removed to Columbia, S. C, and February 14, 1865, he was sent to Wilmington, N. C, where he was exchanged March 5. Soon after his imprisonment ended he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel.<br /><br />In 1840 Colonel Payne married Mary Tabor, of Ithaca, N. Y., and they have six children: Emily R., wife of George Crandall, of Will- iamsport, Pa.; Eugene R., who resides in Williamsport ; Ida, Mrs. George McCray, of Buffalo; Edward C, of Decatur, Ala.; Lewis C, a lawyer at North Tonawanda, and Cornelia R., wife of Lyman Stanley. Col. Payne is a member of Tonawanda Lodge No. 247, F, & A. M., and a vestryman of St. Mark's P. E. church. Politically Colonel Payne is an aggressive Democrat, and has served in nearly every office in tlie gift of his town. In 1850 he was elected clerk of Niagara county on the National Whig ticket and in 1859 was nominated for State senator in the Twenty-ninth New York district, but was defeated. In 1865 he was again elected county clerk on the Democratic ticket, and in 1869 was elected to the Assembly. In 1877 he was elected State senator from the Twenty-ninth district. In 1883 he was the Democratic can- didate for Congress in his district, but was unable to overcome the big Republican majority in his district. Colonel Payne has always stood high in the esteem of his fellow townsmen and ranks as one of the foremost citizens of Niagara county.<br /><br /></blockquote>
From Willard Ditmar's <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/1982">Meet Your Street</a> article on Payne's Avenue:
<blockquote>About 1854 or 1855, Col. Lewis S. Payne, a Civil War hero, purchased the old Anguish farm in the Town of Wheatfield at what is now the northwest corner of Payne's Avenue and Wheatfield Street in North Tonawanda. On Feb. 5, 1859, Col. Payne and 12 freeholders petitioned the highway commissioners of the town fo lay out a road from the Payne farm to Tonawanda Creek, half the distance of which was in woods and timbered land. This road, called Payne's Road, evidently stopped at the wooded section at Goundry Street, for on May 8, 1866. the Board of Trustees of the newly created village of North Tonawanda passed a resolution laying out a street from Sweeney's Lane (Sweeney Street) to the intersection of Payne's Road to be known as Forest Street. At a meeting of the Board of Trustees held on Dec. 1. 1868, the following resolution was unanimously adopted: "Resolved that the streets in said village known as Forest Street and Payne's Road, one road being a continuation of the other shall hereafter be known as Payne's Avenue and shall be known as Payne's Avenue from the northerly end of said road to the Tonawanda Creek." However, at a meeting of the trustees held on Aug 11, 1874, the board adopted the following resolution: That the name of the street heretofore known as Forest Street and now known as Payne's Avenue is hereby changed to the name of Mohawk Avenue and the said street is to be known as such.'" The name 'Mohawk Avenue" was, however, shortlived, for at a regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the village held on June 7, 1875, the following appears: "Resolved that the resolution passed by the Board of Trustees of this village on the 11th day of August. 1874, purporting to alter or change the name of Payne's Avenue to Mohawk Avenue, be and the same hereby is recinded (sic), annulled and expunged and that the said street be named, called and known hereafter as it has been for many years heretofore as Payne's Avenue." The ayes had it and the resolution was adopted.</blockquote>
He dies April 11, 1898.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1819
-
https://nthistory.com/files/original/8296be4fb78e1aed2c79170479a1e2c1.jpg
1e9c50ffe3c99cbad85dafbc6f689a89
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Gratwick (Neighborhood)
Description
An account of the resource
The White, Gratwick & Mitchell Lumber Company establishes a planing mill and substantial lumberyards along the Niagara River in 1879. They employ 450 men, mostly of German origin, who settle northeast of the facilities. The village’s main street is named after prominent area resident, investor, industry and education advocate Benjamin F. Felton. By 1884 there is a "neat frame" school house with one teacher and 30 pupils, built by Felton (school board president at the time). Gratwick is incorporated into the City of North Tonawanda in 1897.<br /><br />From the guidebook "<a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/608">North Tonawanda and Tonawanda</a>" (1891):
<blockquote>Among the pioneers in the wholesale lumber trade of this place was W.H. Gratwick, who, in 1870, purchased fifty acres from Hon. John Simson and B.F. Felton, adjoining the Niagara River, about two miles below the mouth of Tonawanda Creek, and started a lumberyard. A half dozen years later P.W. Ledoux built the sash, door, and blind factory, which a few years later was purchased by Parks & Son, who operated the same until its recent purchase by HoUister Brothers. Mr. Gratwick erected a large planing mill in 1879, and from that time forward the place has steadily grown until it now has about 1,000 inhabitants. The lumber and mill interests of Gratwick, Smith & Fryer, Touawanda Lumber Co., and Hollister Brothers will be mentioned on other pages. <br /><br />Augustus Miller. — After the lumber interests, the next manufactory of importance in Gratwick is the wagon shop at the corner of Oliver and Felton streets. This was built in 1887 by August Miller, and besides doing all kinds of blacksmith and iron repair work, puts up a quantity of wagons, trucks, and other new work. Mr. Miller employs from five to ten men and has added an important industry to Gratwick, in a line of diversified manufacturing for which there is much room for development. <br /><br />Churches, Schools, Etc. — A class of the Methodist Episcopal church was organized in Gratwick in 1887, and the membership, a short time afterwards, commenced the erection of a church, which with lot, is worth about $3,000. This Avas dedicated in 1889 and has been in charge of Rev. J.S. Duxbury up to the present writing. <br /><br />St. Peter's German Evangelical church was organized April 5, 1888, by Rev. Kottler and the house of worship erected the same year. Rev. Conrad Bachman, who was educated at the missionschool ot Basle, Switzerland, came to this charge in October, 1888, and teaches the parochial school. Some sixty families are connected with this church. <br /><br />Gratwick has a public school with about 100 pupils, a brass band, two hose companies, and other societies; numerous hotels, stores, coal offices, and abundance of saloons. It was made a part of North Tonawanda corporation the present year, since which it has been placed in connection with the water mains, has electric lights, and other corporation advantages. <br /><br />Riverside. — From Gratwick station to the corporation limits on the west is nearly a mile, and as the river presents a graceful curve and nice beach in this vicinity, it has been proposed to call the station which will probably be located one and a half miles below Gratwick, "Riverside." Last year the Riverside Land Co. was incorporated and purchased forty acres on the north side of the Erie railroad, mostly within the new corporate limits. The officers are H.E. Warner, Pres.; J.A. Kuck, of Buflalo, V.P.; Charles W. Archibald, of North Tonawanda, Sec, and L. Landauer, of Albion, Treas. <br /><br />Bluff Point. — E.A. Milliman, a farmer and contractor, of Wheatfield town, has been seven times appointed a deputy collector, which office he now holds. Mr. Milliman owns a handsome farm of 120 acres at Bluff Point, bounded on the west and south by the Niagara River. The river at this point has a clean gravel shore with high bluff, making a delightful place for a summer location. <em>Editor's note: <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/607">1878 illustration and modern photo</a></em><br /><br />G.F. Goerss, also a deputy collector, owns a fifty-acre farm near the mile line, which is handsomely located and will presently be within the radius of development. Last year he erected a dwelling in Gratwick. Mr. Goerss was born in Wheatfield and is an authority on real estate values. He has been supervisor, J.P., Justice of Sessions, and in 1887-8 a member of Assembly.</blockquote>
<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/browse?tags=gratwick">More items tagged "Gratwick" ></a>
People
A painting or photograph of a person and / or a brief biographical description.
Birth Date
1827-12-21
Death Date
1905
Birthplace
Barre, Worcester county, Massachusetts
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Felton, Benjamin F. (1827-1905).jpg
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1827
Description
An account of the resource
One of the most prominent early residents of North Tonawanda, Felton is born in Massachusetts in 1827. Early on he is involved in the manufacture of leather goods and stationary in Buffalo. For the next 15 years he was involved in the news business, apparently renting a franchise on New York Central and other lines for $40,000 a year. In North Tonawanda he became involved with real estate, and fostered the area's industrial growth, being an organizer of the Niagara River Iron Corp, which was succeeded by Tonawanda Iron and Steel. He supervised the creation of many streets, and Gratwick's Felton Street is named after him. He also spent 30 years as president of North Tonawanda's Board of Education. The former Felton School and its nearby orphaned athletic field, Felton Field, still bear his name.
Felton is Village President in 1891.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
His obituary
gratwick
-
https://nthistory.com/files/original/55ab5fd55778570394e78e22d62b18c6.jpg
c699c67eee36206faaa1cbe15ef07363
https://nthistory.com/files/original/b706a55096b9987811e0b07988890608.jpg
a8110091497bc58d862f4f585725a1cb
https://nthistory.com/files/original/7a59a102505d45dbf4d3e0e4215c12b9.jpg
ec0be5910c8a2984b0ed3c94aaaef811
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Allan Herschell Companies
Description
An account of the resource
<img class="cover" src="http://www.nthistory.com/files/original/0a8137a27b9978ab2f72819b2bd699cf.jpg" alt="" /> <span class="cover-caption">An 1894 Armitage-Herschell advertisement shows a not-at-all-dangerous-to-children-looking steam boiler and pulleys providing motive power to the company's signature device.</span>
<div>On gilded signs posted at its southern and northern entrances, North Tonawanda introduces itself to visitors as "The Home of the Carrousel." The still-ubiquitous fairground staple was not <em>invented</em> in North Tonawanda (some version of it had been around <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/dizzy-history-carousels-begins-knights-180964100">since at least the 12th Century</a>), but thousands were produced here and the highest levels of craftsmanship were attained here under the guidance of Scottish-born Allan Herschell.<br /><br /></div>
In 1872 (<em>Landmarks</em> says 1873), the Armitage-Herschell Co. begins as a small brass and iron foundry on Manhattan Street, comprised of Englishman <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/889">James Armitage</a>, and Scottish brothers <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/880">George</a> and <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/877">Allan Herschell</a>. The firm survives devastating fires in 1874 and 1875, and expands to a location off Oliver Street (whence comes the name, "Mechanic Street"), adding engines and boilers to their specialties. Youngest partner Allan sees a carousel while traveling, and recognizes ways it can be improved. By 1887, his "Improved Steam Riding Gallery" captivates the world, and people from India and France demand the modern amusement. The merry-go-round-makers at first import the accompanying band organs from the old European master-builders of Germany and France, but high tariffs decide them to instead import German organ maker <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/936">Eugene de Kleist</a> from England (de Kleist begins making organs at his <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/24">North Tonawanda Barrel Organ Factory</a> in 1893). They organize in 1890.<br /><br />James Armitage and George Herschell die in early 1900. The Armitage-Herschell Company is succeeded by Herschell, Spillman & Company, and the Allan Herschell Company. Allan Herschell dies in 1927. The latter company continues making amusements, including miniature trains, boats and airplanes (some of which can be played upon at the <a href="http://www.carrouselmuseum.org">Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum</a> in North Tonawanda) as late as the 1960s.<br /><br />There is a large Herschell family plot in Sweeney Cemetery.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/607"><em>Landmarks of Niagara County</em> (1897)</a></li>
<li><span class="_Tgc">“<a href="http://carrouselmuseum.org/site/about/allan-herschell">Allen Herschell History</a>.” <em>Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum,</em> 2014.</span></li>
</ul>
People
A painting or photograph of a person and / or a brief biographical description.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Herschell, Allan (1851-1927).jpg
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1851
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/607"><em>Landmarks of Niagara County (1897)</em></a>
Description
An account of the resource
From 1897 Landmarks of Niagara County:
"Herschell, Allan, vice-president of the house of Armitage-Herschell Co., was born in Scotland, Apr 27, 1851*, a son of John and Jessie Herschell, and came to America in 1870. He learned the trade of moulder in Arbroath, Scotland, and followed the same business for some years in this country, working in Buffalo, Toronto, Chicago and Boston. In 1873 he became a member of the company of Armitage, Herschell & Co., and in 1894 he made a trip over nearly all the eastern world for his house, visiting British India, Prance, Egypt, the British Isles and other parts; he also traveled over a great part of the United States and in both hemispheres introduced many of their machines. He was a charter member of Columbia Hook and Ladder Co., the first fire company organized in North Tonawanda, serving as its secretary for two years and president for one year. He was elected and served as trustee of North Tonawanda for three years; is a regular attendant and liberal contributor to the support of the Presbyterian church; is a member of the Masonic, Odd Fellows, and A. O. U. W. lodges, and is a thoroughly reliable and enterprising citizen in every way. In 1882 Mr. Herschell married Ida M. Spilman. and they have three children, Buela C, Raymond Le Roy and Margaret Caroline."
* Disputed by Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950, which has 1850. Gives his full name as "Allan Artaxerxes Todd Herschell," born in SAINT VIGEANS, ANGUS, SCOTLAND to John Herschell and Janet Christie.
-
https://nthistory.com/files/original/2d4f097e028441fa36b65ce1baa211cd.jpg
b12265cffafc72a92bda8f4e41767ec0
https://nthistory.com/files/original/2d17b6d98a0038edc92aa21c4ac495fd.jpg
233a0f7140b24b9cea3863609424b930
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Perew's Electric Man and Other Inventions
Description
An account of the resource
<img class="cover" src="../../../custom/cover/106.jpg" alt="The Electric Man appears to draw a car" /><span class="cover-caption">Perew's most famous invention, a patented, giant automaton known variously as the "Electric Man," "Peter the Great," "Christopher," and the "Frankenstein of Tonawanda," appeared to draw a car but was actually pushed by it. Photo: Granger Collection, c1900.</span> Louis Philip Perew (1862-1946) came to the Tonawandas at 17 in 1879 from Quebec. He came with his brothers and his father, a lake boat captain who settled on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a>. <br /><br />He was a boat captain like his father, but was best known as an inventor. In addition to his Electric Man (which underwent many changes over the years as he refined the technology and sought a market), Perew is credited with developing anti-torpedo technology, a <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/867">canal electric trolley system</a>, a cigar lighter, and a <a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US499800?oq=499800">new merry-go-round system</a>. His inventions met with varying degrees of sucess.<br /><br />He was associated with local merry-go-round makers <a href="http://nthistory.com/collections/show/100">Gillie, Goddard and Company</a>. He and Goddard were implicated in one of the most horrific events in the Tonawandas history: the double murder by a mob of a canal boat captain and his son over a labor dispute in October of 1895. Neither was ultimately convicted.<br /><br />In 1909 he is proprietor of the White Star Hotel. Perew was an avid boat racer and builder, and owned a gasoline cruiser and a yacht in 1910s. In 1916, after the Webster Street bridge was destroyed by ice, he was hired to construct a temporary pontoon bridge while the bascule bridge was being built. In 1925 he has a store at 152 North Niagara Street in Tonawanda. He is said to have had a "private zoo" with a "Russian wolf."<br /><br />Perew also owned several "disorderly houses" on <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/26">Goose Island</a> (he claims in the Cappola trial he bought them from a bank and had no idea they were disorderly). He runs afoul of the law quite often during Prohibition, and is involved in a very public bribery case against local police. Goose Island's bordellos and taverns would finally be closed down in the late 1930s. Perew lives all the way until 1946 at the White Star Hotel. The hotel's entertainments include square dancing nights and "Spanish dancing" girls. The address of the White Star Hotel? 46 Sweeney Street in North Tonawanda: the site of the present-day Alexander's Gentleman's Lounge.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<ul>
<li><a href="https://archive.org/details/TheStrandMagazineAnIllustratedMonthly/page/n6">An Electric Man, Strand Magazine (1900) - archive.org</a></li>
<li><a href="http://cyberneticzoo.com/walking-machines/1894-1914-electric-man-perew-american/">1894-1914 – Electric Man – Perew - cyberneticzoo.com</a></li>
<li><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=NXOdDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PT67&ots=h__RbBghkS&dq=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&pg=PT66#v=onepage&q=%22United%20States%20Automaton%20Company%22&f=false"><em>Robots in American Popular Culture</em> (pp 60-62).</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.buffalohistorygazette.net/2010/09/the-man-of-tonawanda.html">The Automatic Man of Tonawanda! Buffalo History Gazette</a></li>
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew</a></li>
</ul>
People
A painting or photograph of a person and / or a brief biographical description.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Perew, Philip (1862–1946).jpg
Description
An account of the resource
See also <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Louis_(Phil)_Perew">his Wikipedia entry</a>.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1862
-
https://nthistory.com/files/original/8304f183ad6dbddafea68455b3db50cd.jpg
1c9d45fbc517cf2f3dad6f93a451de4e
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Richardson Boat Company
Description
An account of the resource
From the <a href="http://www.richardsonboats.com/">Richardson Boat Owners Association website</a>:
<blockquote>In 1909 G.Reid Richardson founded the Richardson Boat Company in North Tonawanda, New York to build high quality boats at a fair price. History has shown that he was quite successful in this undertaking. Over the years many types of boats were produced including not only cruising vessels but sailboats, runabouts, racing boats and military craft during the war years. The Richardson Boat Company organized "Sailaways" where the owners of newly purchased boats were encouraged to congregate in North Tonawanda and join in a cruise down the Erie Canal to New York City. Sadly, Mr. Richardson passed away in 1937 and his wife Ethel took over management until 1941 when the company was sold to a group of local businessmen.</blockquote>
People
A painting or photograph of a person and / or a brief biographical description.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Richardson, George Reid (1879-1937).png
Description
An account of the resource
Founder of the Richardson Boat Company in 1909.
B. 19 December 1879
D. 17 February 1937
Full bio in The National Cyclopedia of American Biography, 1939 volume 27 , pg 479.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1879
person
-
https://nthistory.com/files/original/172598a53c5c3528a3e925e1ea35d463.jpg
4422d569c4e6b8fbd4446879f49f3ecd
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Buffalo Bolt, Roblin Steel
Description
An account of the resource
Formerly situated on Oliver Street near East Ave., this longtime employer got its start in Amsterdam, N.Y. in 1855. They moved to a small two-story brick at the corner of Clinton & Adams Streets in Buffalo, where the brilliant Orrin C. Burdict joined the firm, and began inventing many superior machines. They were known as Plumb , Burdict & Barnard for a time. Eventually they extended to Eagle Street. In 1897 they were forced to suspended activities as patent expiration hurt their business. Soon after R. H. Plumb, the senior partner, removed the machinery to North Tonawanda, using steam for a few years until Niagara Falls electricity prevailed. From: <em><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=uo5PAQAAMAAJ&lpg=PA225&ots=HsKZ916Mg0&dq=%22Buffalo%20Bolt%22%201855&pg=PA225#v=onepage&q=%22Buffalo%20Bolt%22%201855&f=false">History of the Bolt and Nut Industry of America</a></em> by W. R. Wilbur
People
A painting or photograph of a person and / or a brief biographical description.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Orrin C. Burdict, Buffalo Bolt inventor, portrait.jpg
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1880
person
-
https://nthistory.com/files/original/69708210afa93285d08a876e74978815.jpg
865a90826ab64715a7d7f60dc006942f
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Wurlitzer Manufacturing Company
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<em>Wurlitzer: 100 Years of Musical Achievement</em>. Rudolph Wurlitzer Company. Chicago, Illinois. 1956.
Description
An account of the resource
<img class="cover" src="../../../custom/cover/52.jpg" alt="The signature tower of the North Tonawanda plant and occasional headquarters." /> <span class="cover-caption">The signature tower of the North Tonawanda plant and occasional headquarters. Postcard, c.1940.</span> <span style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.7em;">Its iconic tower has presided over Sawyer's Creek and Martinsville for almost 100 years. The sprawling industrial campus left behind by the world-famous Wurlitzer Manufacturing Company produced merry-go-round organs, band organs, church organs, theater organs and jukeboxes that have left an indelible mark on the world, and on generations of North Tonawandans. </span><br /><br />Wurlitzer founder Rudolph Wurlitzer (1831-1914) was a German immigrant who (after stops in New Jersey and Philadelphia) landed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1854 at the age of 23. He worked for a bank, and down the street was a musical retail store. His father, Christian, was a successful music retailer in Germany, and Rudolph's experience told him the Ohio store's instruments were of poor quality, and priced too high. In 1856 he begins importing quality musical instruments from his family in Germany to sell at a profit in American retail stores. The business grows; Wurlitzer begins making instruments themselves for the U. S. military and for retail. The company branches out into "automatic" musical instruments, such as music boxes and player-pianos. Rudolph's three sons, Howard, Rudolph H., and Farny become involved along the way, and take on aspects of the growing family business.<br /><br />The youngest son, Farny, is sent to North Tonawanda to run the former <a href="http://nthistory.com/collections/show/24">de Kleist Musical Instrument Mfg. Co.</a> shortly after it is purchased by Wurlitzer in 1908. (de Kleist was building player pianos and band organs for Wurlitzer and others since 1893). Farny brings eccentric English inventor Robert Hope-Jones to the plant in 1910, initiating the worldwide success of the "Mighty Wurlitzer" theater organ, which provides sound for the silent films of the day, and entertainment in its own right. This business evaporates when sound comes to movies, and electrical sound amplification permits musical entertainment to be furnished to venues of all types much less expensively. <br /><br />When the Wurlitzer company finds itself overextended in the wake of the Great Depression, Farny fights to keep the North Tonawanda facility open. In 1934 he strikes a deal with Homer Capehart to manufacture his automatic phonograph, which becomes the iconic Wurlitzer jukebox. Under his leadership the company also produces a successful line of electronic organs for home use, and the North Tonawanda plant becomes the flagship of the Wurlitzer factories, with 3,000 employees. After his death in 1972, jukebox and organ production are phased out, leaving 200 employees in 1974. By 1975, all manufacturing at the North Tonawanda plant is stopped, and by August 1976, all company activities are removed to other locations.
People
A painting or photograph of a person and / or a brief biographical description.
Birth Date
1831-01-30
Birthplace
Schöneck, Saxony (Germany)
Death Date
1914-01-14
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Wurlitzer, Rudolph.jpg
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1888
Description
An account of the resource
(1831–1914) Rudolph Wurlitzer emigrates from Germany to Cincinnati, Ohio in 1853. Coming from a long line of instrument makers, he soon recognizes that with his family connections, he can provide instruments at a lower price and of higher quality than those being offered in America. The business develops, and his sons (Howard Eugene, Rudolph Henry, and Farny Reginald) join the effort. (It is his son Farny Wurlitzer who will head the North Tonawanda Wurlitzer plant for many decades). He dies in 1914 in Cincinnati.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<ul>
<li>Palkovic, Mark. <em>Wurlitzer of Cincinnati</em>. Charleston, South Carolina: The History Press, 2015.</li>
<li>"Wurlitzer Family". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2015. Web. 27 Nov. 2015 <http://www.britannica.com/topic/Wurlitzer-family>.</li>
</ul>
-
https://nthistory.com/files/original/0cc186660c5ee13b525aa1191c161d03.jpg
e8b3f15332f4ebc1a6add947791a0371
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Allan Herschell Companies
Description
An account of the resource
<img class="cover" src="http://www.nthistory.com/files/original/0a8137a27b9978ab2f72819b2bd699cf.jpg" alt="" /> <span class="cover-caption">An 1894 Armitage-Herschell advertisement shows a not-at-all-dangerous-to-children-looking steam boiler and pulleys providing motive power to the company's signature device.</span>
<div>On gilded signs posted at its southern and northern entrances, North Tonawanda introduces itself to visitors as "The Home of the Carrousel." The still-ubiquitous fairground staple was not <em>invented</em> in North Tonawanda (some version of it had been around <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/dizzy-history-carousels-begins-knights-180964100">since at least the 12th Century</a>), but thousands were produced here and the highest levels of craftsmanship were attained here under the guidance of Scottish-born Allan Herschell.<br /><br /></div>
In 1872 (<em>Landmarks</em> says 1873), the Armitage-Herschell Co. begins as a small brass and iron foundry on Manhattan Street, comprised of Englishman <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/889">James Armitage</a>, and Scottish brothers <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/880">George</a> and <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/877">Allan Herschell</a>. The firm survives devastating fires in 1874 and 1875, and expands to a location off Oliver Street (whence comes the name, "Mechanic Street"), adding engines and boilers to their specialties. Youngest partner Allan sees a carousel while traveling, and recognizes ways it can be improved. By 1887, his "Improved Steam Riding Gallery" captivates the world, and people from India and France demand the modern amusement. The merry-go-round-makers at first import the accompanying band organs from the old European master-builders of Germany and France, but high tariffs decide them to instead import German organ maker <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/936">Eugene de Kleist</a> from England (de Kleist begins making organs at his <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/24">North Tonawanda Barrel Organ Factory</a> in 1893). They organize in 1890.<br /><br />James Armitage and George Herschell die in early 1900. The Armitage-Herschell Company is succeeded by Herschell, Spillman & Company, and the Allan Herschell Company. Allan Herschell dies in 1927. The latter company continues making amusements, including miniature trains, boats and airplanes (some of which can be played upon at the <a href="http://www.carrouselmuseum.org">Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum</a> in North Tonawanda) as late as the 1960s.<br /><br />There is a large Herschell family plot in Sweeney Cemetery.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/607"><em>Landmarks of Niagara County</em> (1897)</a></li>
<li><span class="_Tgc">“<a href="http://carrouselmuseum.org/site/about/allan-herschell">Allen Herschell History</a>.” <em>Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum,</em> 2014.</span></li>
</ul>
People
A painting or photograph of a person and / or a brief biographical description.
Birth Date
1848
Birthplace
Leeys Mill, Scotland
Death Date
1900
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Herschell, George C..jpg
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1897
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/607"><em>Landmarks of Niagara County</em> (1897)</a></li>
<li>"George Christian Herschell Dies." <em>Tonawanda News</em> 12 January 1900. Microfilm.</li>
</ul>
Description
An account of the resource
Treasurer to Armitage-Herschell. Republican, trustee of the North Presbyterian Church, and a member of Sutherland Lodge.
From 1897 Landmarks of Niagara County:
"Herschell, George C, has been a factor in the growth and development of North Tonawanda since 1872. and is prominent both in public and business life. He was born in Scotland. December 2, 1848, and came to America in 1869. He learned the trade of machinist in Scotland and pursued it both in the old country and the United States until 1873, when the firm of Armitage, Herschell & Co. was formed. He is treasurer of the Armitage-Herschell Co., which was incorporated in 1890, and has been extremely successful and which contributes in no small degree to the prosperity of the Twm Cities. Mr. Herschell is treasurer of the Board of Water Commissioners of North Tonawanda and has been since its organization ; he was one of the organizers of the Tonawanda Natural Gas Co. and is its treasurer. He is a prominent Republican and his voice is always influential in the councils of his party. Socially Mr. Herschell is a member of the Masonic fraternity and a member and trustee of the Presbyterian church. July 20, 1882, he married Charlotte B. Wilson of Bufiralo, and they have four children; Jessie C, James W., Walter G. and Mary Esther. Mr. Herschell's parents were John and Jessie (Christie) Herschell, natives of Scotland, who came to America in 1870. Mr. John Herschell was for many years a prosperous coal merchant and contractor in Scotland and was also engaged in business in this country for some years before retiring from active pursuits."
From his January 12, 1900 obit in the Tonawanda News (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/agenbyte/4080732833/sizes/o/in/set-72157607434615416/">link</a>):
"Mr. Herschell was born in Leeys Mill, Forfarshire, Scotland, 52 years ago. Here he lived until 1869, when he crossed the Atlantic Ocean with his brother, Allan Herschell. After reaching this country they worked at the machinist trade in different places until they arrived in North Tonawanda in 1872. Together they opened a blacksmith shop on Manhattan Street. After their shop burned twice they formed a partnership with Mr. James Armitage and began a business which has rapidly grown since, becoming one of the leading concerns in the Twin Cities. Mr. George C. Heschell was chosen treasurer of the firm a few years later, which position he had faithfully filled until his demise."
Some political, religious and fraternal details follow.
-
https://nthistory.com/files/original/82cb780048e124b66b66710669cfdab2.jpg
f57aa153541426e32ec24df25df56389
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Allan Herschell Companies
Description
An account of the resource
<img class="cover" src="http://www.nthistory.com/files/original/0a8137a27b9978ab2f72819b2bd699cf.jpg" alt="" /> <span class="cover-caption">An 1894 Armitage-Herschell advertisement shows a not-at-all-dangerous-to-children-looking steam boiler and pulleys providing motive power to the company's signature device.</span>
<div>On gilded signs posted at its southern and northern entrances, North Tonawanda introduces itself to visitors as "The Home of the Carrousel." The still-ubiquitous fairground staple was not <em>invented</em> in North Tonawanda (some version of it had been around <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/dizzy-history-carousels-begins-knights-180964100">since at least the 12th Century</a>), but thousands were produced here and the highest levels of craftsmanship were attained here under the guidance of Scottish-born Allan Herschell.<br /><br /></div>
In 1872 (<em>Landmarks</em> says 1873), the Armitage-Herschell Co. begins as a small brass and iron foundry on Manhattan Street, comprised of Englishman <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/889">James Armitage</a>, and Scottish brothers <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/880">George</a> and <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/877">Allan Herschell</a>. The firm survives devastating fires in 1874 and 1875, and expands to a location off Oliver Street (whence comes the name, "Mechanic Street"), adding engines and boilers to their specialties. Youngest partner Allan sees a carousel while traveling, and recognizes ways it can be improved. By 1887, his "Improved Steam Riding Gallery" captivates the world, and people from India and France demand the modern amusement. The merry-go-round-makers at first import the accompanying band organs from the old European master-builders of Germany and France, but high tariffs decide them to instead import German organ maker <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/936">Eugene de Kleist</a> from England (de Kleist begins making organs at his <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/24">North Tonawanda Barrel Organ Factory</a> in 1893). They organize in 1890.<br /><br />James Armitage and George Herschell die in early 1900. The Armitage-Herschell Company is succeeded by Herschell, Spillman & Company, and the Allan Herschell Company. Allan Herschell dies in 1927. The latter company continues making amusements, including miniature trains, boats and airplanes (some of which can be played upon at the <a href="http://www.carrouselmuseum.org">Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum</a> in North Tonawanda) as late as the 1960s.<br /><br />There is a large Herschell family plot in Sweeney Cemetery.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/607"><em>Landmarks of Niagara County</em> (1897)</a></li>
<li><span class="_Tgc">“<a href="http://carrouselmuseum.org/site/about/allan-herschell">Allen Herschell History</a>.” <em>Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum,</em> 2014.</span></li>
</ul>
People
A painting or photograph of a person and / or a brief biographical description.
Birth Date
1843-03-09
Birthplace
England
Death Date
1900
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Armitage, James.jpg
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1897
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/607"><em>Landmarks of Niagara County</em> (1897)</a>
Description
An account of the resource
From <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/607"><em>Landmarks of Niagara County</em> (1897)</a>:
<blockquote>James Armitage was born in England, March 9, 1843, and came to America in 1864. He learned his trade of machinist in the old country and followed it in Buffalo and Williamsville, until he became a member of the firm of Armitage, Herschell & Co. in 1872. March 14, 1870, he married Kate Murray of Buffalo, and they have four children living: Mrs. Clarence Hoover, James Armitage, jr., Elizabeth and Anna. They are all members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Armitage has been a steward for many years. Mr. Armitage is a Royal Arch Mason, and is universally esteemed for his sterling integrity and honor, as well as for his well known business ability.</blockquote>
-
https://nthistory.com/files/original/187c26071fe10772af2df8f3b0c86c9a.jpg
2a5d29948450798a101d17086d3314da
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Rojek's Dairy, Stan Rojek and Park Manor Lanes
Description
An account of the resource
Andrew and Pauline Rojek immigrated to the US in 1905 from present-day Poland. They were were carpenters and dairy farmers, eventually establishing Rojek's Dairy at 125-129 12th Avenue. (Andrew would also continue his contractor career). Son Stan Rojek was born in 1919, and he realized the dream of many a North Tonawanda boy by being signed to play shortstop for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1939. His locker, as luck would have it, was right next to color barrier-busting Jackie Robinson's locker, and it is said Stan was one of the first players in the Dodgers' clubhouse to accept the future legend. Shortly after his baseball career ended (around 1952), Stan returned to North Tonawanda to help with the family dairy. But he was not done with sports: In 1961 Stan and his brothers (Ted and Tony) purchased Manor Lanes bowling alley at 895 Payne Avenue (today the Salvation Army). Stan called in some "major league" favors for the alley's grand opening that August, snagging New York Yankee HOF manager Joe McCarthy to roll out the first ball. The brothers ran the bowling alley while continuing to operate the dairy. Today, "Rojek Field" on Walck Road pays honor to the major leaguer, just a few blocks from the 12th Avenue home that started it all.<br /><br />Some more insight into Stan's baseball career from <a href="https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/stan-rojek/">an article by Edward Veit</a>:
<blockquote>Late in the afternoon of September 22, 1942, propelled by a Lew Riggs single, pinch-runner Stan Rojek rounded third base and scored a ninth-inning run that sent the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Giants into extra innings. A five-feet-ten, 170 pound shortstop, appearing in his first major-league game, Rojek found himself in the midst of one of the all-time great pennant races. Three seasons would pass before Rojek got another taste of major-league baseball. <br /><br />Stanley Andrew Rojek was born on April 21, 1919, in North Tonawanda, New York, located on the Niagara River between Buffalo and Niagara Falls. His parents were Andrzej (later anglicized to Andrew) and Apolonia Rojek. Andrew, a house carpenter, a building contractor and lastly a dairy farmer, was born in Wylawa, Galicia (now part of Poland) and had immigrated in 1905. Stan was the second of three boys and had an older sister, Julia. <br /><br />After graduating from North Tonawanda High School—where he also played basketball—Rojek played semipro baseball in Western New York. He attracted the attention of Brooklyn scout Dick Fischer and subsequently signed with the Dodgers in 1939. Stan was assigned to the Class D PONY League in Olean, New York, just eighty-four miles south of his home. Rojek hit .320 in Olean, then worked his way through the Brooklyn farm system. He was with the Class C Dayton (Ohio) Wings in 1940 and the Class B Durham (North Carolina) Bulls in 1941. Promoted to Montreal, the Dodgers top farm team, in 1942, he hit .283 and was named to the International League All-Star team. He was a late September call-up to Brooklyn, but got into just the one contest. <br /><br />The next baseball game Stan Rojek played was a pick-up game in 1943 at the US Army’s Keesler Field in Mississippi. Rojek, like many major and minor leaguers, had been called to serve in World War II. Stan was prime material for the war effort, twenty-four-years-old, single, and in great physical condition. <br /><br />By July 1945 Rojek was in the Pacific, at Isley Field on Saipan, and playing for the 73rd Bomb Wing Bombers, whose roster included major leaguers Sid Hudson, Tex Hughson, and Mike McCormick. Rojek led the players on the 20th Air Force tour of the Pacific Islands with a .363 batting average and had three home runs. <br /><br />“The wars years may have retarded the chances of some young players, but I am one of the fortunate,” he told The Sporting News. “I am leaving the Army a better player because I had the experience of playing with and against seasoned major league stars. I played more than 200 games in the Army, and I didn’t do badly.”1 <br /><br />Discharged in December 1945, Rojek looked forward to returning to Brooklyn and earning the starting assignment at shortstop. Unfortunately for him, he was a member of one of the few teams where he could not compete for that role. The Dodgers had future Hall of Famer Pee Wee Reese firmly entrenched at short. Rojek served as his backup, getting into just 45 games, hitting .277 (13-for-47). <br /><br />The right-handed-hitting Rojek made his first major league hit an important one. On May 8, 1946, pinch hitting for pitcher Les Webber, Rojek singled off Reds southpaw Clyde Shoun to drive in the first run of an eventual ninth inning, four-run rally. He stayed in the game to play second base in the bottom of the ninth and had another single in the tenth. Brooklyn and St. Louis famously posted identical records in the ’46 campaign, and Rojek appeared in the first major league playoff game. Stan pinch hit for Kirby Higbe in the top of the fifth inning and drew a free pass. It was his last contribution of the season. <br /><br />Rojek played in only thirty-two games in 1947, but he started more games than the previous year, filling in for the injured Reese at short and for Eddie Stanky at second. He also played nine games at third. From August 24 through September 1, Rojek was the starting shortstop for all ten games. The Dodgers were 7-3 in that span and Stan batted .314 with six RBIs and made no errors in the field. Overall, he committed only two errors in 116 chances (.983) and hit .263 (21-for-80). He showed very little power, though, managing only one extra base hit. <br /><br />Stan did not appear in the 1947 World Series but did receive a full share, $4,081, of Brooklyn’s allotment. In November, with the winter meetings and the minor league draft looming, Branch Rickey was looking for roster flexibility. One of his first moves was to shed Rojek and first baseman Ed Stevens. The pair were sold to the Pittsburgh Pirates for a reported $50,000. <br /><br />Initially Rojek’s Pirates teammates called him “Reject” because he had been dumped by the Dodgers. He also was called “The Happy Rabbit” because of his projecting front teeth, his attitude, and his quickness in scurrying around shortstop. <br /><br />The way was cleared for Rojek to secure the everyday shortstop role, when three weeks after his transfer to Pittsburgh, the Pirates shortstop Billy Cox was traded to Brooklyn. With regular work, Rojek flourished. He played shortstop in all of the Pirates’ 156 games as Pittsburgh rose from last place in 1947 to fourth place in 1948. He had twenty-nine errors in 766 chances for a .962 fielding average, slightly better than the league average. He led all shortstops with 475 assists and his ninety-one double plays were second only to Reese’s ninety-three. <br /><br />New Pittsburgh manager Billy Meyer called Rojek “a pennant-winning shortstop.”2 The leadoff hitter for 153 games, Rojek, who hit .290 with twenty-seven doubles, five triples, four homers and fifty-one RBIs, led the league in plate appearances (713) and at-bats (641). He finished third in the National League in hits (186) and stolen bases (24). Impressively, he finished tenth in the vote for the National League Most Valuable Player. It was by far his best season as a major leaguer. <br /><br />Rojek probably got much satisfaction in 1948 from the Pirates defeating the Dodgers thirteen times in twenty-two games. On July 25 he had eight hits in nine at-bats as Pittsburgh and Brooklyn split a doubleheader; overall, he hit .323 against his old mates and slugged .444, each well above his season average. Yet in 1949 his offensive statistics declined sharply. On April 27, against the Cardinals, Rojek, who had two hits and scored two runs in the game, was twice hit by a pitch. The second one, in the ninth inning, was a beaning by pitcher Ken Johnson that sent Rojek to the hospital. <br /><br />Rojek said after the beaning he was never the same. He said his teammates “noted that I was just a fraction of a second hesitant in my swing. It wasn’t that I was afraid. It was just my reaction wasn’t there anymore. And you need every fraction of a second you can get in trying to hit a round ball with a round bat, especially if that ball is thrown some ninety-plus miles per hour.”3 His batting average fell to .244 for the year, and in 1950 he batted .257 in seventy-six games while being platooned with twenty-three-year-old Danny O’Connell. <br /><br />Branch Rickey, who had moved from the Dodgers to the Pirates and had cut Rojek’s salary, had promised to give the fun-loving infielder a raise if he married. Stan wed Audrey Moeller, but Rickey failed to pay up, and in May 1951 traded him to the Cardinals for outfielder Erv “Four Sack” Dusak and first baseman Rocky Nelson. <br /><br />Rojek batted .274 in fifty-one games for the Cardinals, backing up Solly Hemus. In January 1952 the Cardinals sent him on waivers to the St. Louis Browns. With the Browns he played in only nine games, the last one on May 13—his last game in the major leagues—before being sent to Toledo of the American Association. After the season, the Browns sent Rojek to the Dodgers in a deal that brought Billy Hunter to St. Louis. It was not quite full circle for Rojek—he never played for the Dodgers, and spent 1953 through 1955 as a part-time infielder for Dodgers farm clubs in Mobile, Montreal, and St. Paul. <br /><br />After the 1955 season, the thirty-six-year-old Rojek retired from baseball and joined his brothers Anthony and Theodore in the family’s dairy business in North Tonawanda. In 1961 the three brothers opened Rojek’s Park Manor Bowling Lanes. Hall of Fame manager Joe McCarthy, a resident of the area, rolled the first ball. Family members said the bowling alley idea more than likely came from Stan Musial, who visited Rojek often. “They were two Polish guys talking and laughing,” commented Rojek’s nephew, Jim Rojek. The brothers operated the bowling alley for twenty-five years. <br /><br />In June 1977 North Tonawanda renamed Payne Field, a city ballpark, Stan Rojek Field. Rojek is also enshrined in the Brooklyn Dodgers Hall of Fame. Stan and his wife were divorced during the 1980s, according to nephew Jim, and she moved to Florida. <br /><br />Rojek suffered a stroke in 1995. He died on July 9, 1997, in North Tonawanda. He was survived by a son, Bart, a daughter, Betty Valek of Southington, Connecticut, and five grandchildren. Rojek is buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Tonawanda.</blockquote>
People
A painting or photograph of a person and / or a brief biographical description.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Stan Rojek (1919-1997).bio
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
https://www.niagara-gazette.com/news/local_news/journey-through-history-stanley-rojek-from-fighting-in-wwii-to-fighting-mlb-s-color-barrier/article_59bcad84-31a7-11e7-9deb-0330c815fea3.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCk4XSIXydc
https://buffalonews.com/news/stanley-a-rojek-78-dies-shortstop-played-for-four-major-league-teams/article_4c561fe1-0437-5dff-b354-bca7b09658ce.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stan_Rojek
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1919
-
https://nthistory.com/files/original/dd3938c60950636f760850c569067369.jpg
9e7b737c8ede1e5a8af15ee26162b5c0
People
A painting or photograph of a person and / or a brief biographical description.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Sikora, Stephen J.
Description
An account of the resource
Taken from the <a href="http://ampoleagle.com/sikora-holds-special-place-br-in-hearts-of-local-residents-p6942-202.htm">Am-Pol Eagle</a>:
<blockquote>Stephen Sikora holds a special place in the hearts of the people of North Tonawanda. Besides the Post, the city of North Tonawanda named a street after the war hero, Stephen J. Sikora Drive.<br /><br />Stephen was born to Frank and Stella Sikora of North Tonawanda. The Sikora family operated a bar and restaurant on 685 Oliver St. aptly named, Frank Sikora’s Restaurant. They were parishioners at Our Lady of Czestochowa Church and very active in the parish. Frank was chairman of the ground breaking committee when the new church was built and had the honor of turning the first shovel of dirt for the new building.<br /><br />As a boy, Stephen was active in the church as well as Boy Scout Troop 76. Growing up on Oliver Street, he attended Felton Grammar School and North Tonawanda High School. Sikora was an excellent student and made the honor roll in high school. Following his graduation from high school, he joined the Navy in 1939.<br /><br />With the outbreak of World War Two, Stephen was assigned to the USS Colhoun (DD-85) as a Machinist's Mate Second Class. In July of 1942, the Colhoun left Hawaii for Noumea, New Caledonia as part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. The Colhoun was given two responsibilities, the first was to be a high-speed transport and second as an anti submarine vessel.<br /><br />On Aug. 7, 1942 with Stephen aboard, she proved herself as a highspeed transport vessel by landing the 1st Marine Raider Battalion onto the island of Tulagi in the first day of the Battle of Guadalcanal. For the rest of the Guadalcanal Campaign the Colhoun would act as a transport for the first part of the day and then in the afternoon as an anti-submarine ship.<br /><br />On Aug. 30, 1942 the Colhoun ported at Kukum and unloaded supplies for the U.S. Marine Corps stationed on Guadalcanal. After she finished unloading, she went out and began her anti-submarine patrols for the day. In the afternoon, an alarm went out as Japanese aircraft were spotted. <br /><br />Using the clouds for cover, the air formation targeted the USS Colhoun and dropped three bombs. Two splashed in the water, but the third “blew the after davits down and forward, blocking the after engine room hatches, and starting a fire from the diesel oil spilled by the boat”.<br /><br />The crewmen attempted to return fire but the planes hid in the clouds, avoiding the return fire. The Imperial forces made a second run at the Colhoun, this time dropping five or six bombs. This attack knocked down the foremast, blew three gun mounts clear off the ship, blasted a lubrication pump in the after engine room through the bulkhead and into the forward engine room and destroyed the deck house. After this second attack the order was given to abandon ship.<br /><br />There were a number of surviving and missing men and initially Stephen was only listed as MIA. For days, then weeks, the Sikoras held out hope that their son would be found safe, washed up on a beach or in a prison camp. But after a year, the Navy officially declared Stephen J. Sikora killed in action. <br /><br />With this designation, Stephen Sikora became the first man from North Tonawanda killed in the War and the second to be killed from the Tonawandas; CPL Gerald W. Hamann from Tonawanda lost his life a month before Stephen in July of 1942. <br /><br />On Dec. 15, 1945 American Legion Post 1322 was dedicated and selected Stephen Sikora as their “patron”. The first meetings of the Post were held in the Dom Polski on Oliver until they could secure a home of their own. In May of 1950, the post opened its new and current home at 950 Payne Ave., North Tonawanda.</blockquote>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1945
-
https://nthistory.com/files/original/17fc98232e0bb38714bc89948cc2c098.jpg
0f19f9f326e63753c967d7e4396bd79b
https://nthistory.com/files/original/0ad69191619dc30b009b735280675c67.jpg
a1b98c4aae698608e83e9bdbbc8b4ec3
https://nthistory.com/files/original/354942445fb1571042fb2b4644a1280b.jpg
9d3a98fe5a44602af3ccba27d3d7cc7d
https://nthistory.com/files/original/c2f5937187c991fd81daef4f3df05cc1.jpg
427162ddc259f8035f1169724b1fbefd
https://nthistory.com/files/original/4c5e1161cd0cc04842270c0e2b320b4a.jpg
ebb6695c78045b72e67def1e09801e33
https://nthistory.com/files/original/5dfc8135b9136b684d491cccd7b05481.jpg
869c4aed4b6cccb0eafbfe6492bbb560
https://nthistory.com/files/original/b7274b45535e0091b2c276953d6d4980.jpg
c2e7efc7dce0609c140fa3ee676cc93c
https://nthistory.com/files/original/c83ce8d521db54c5a135c4a1faf40934.jpg
625d31ab2a398be080ea8b795c0dd6dc
People
A painting or photograph of a person and / or a brief biographical description.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Long, Benjamin.jpg
-
https://nthistory.com/files/original/a82e03e5575c3686b0d00f087adac2df.jpg
663859529a83c42062371d62a78a6ce0
People
A painting or photograph of a person and / or a brief biographical description.
Birth Date
1896-08-21
Birthplace
Batavia, NY
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Ramsay, William "Pop".jpg
Description
An account of the resource
William "Pop" Ramsay may be familiar to current residents as the gentleman after whom Walck Road's "Ramsay Field" is named. Mr. Ramsay serves in the U. S. Navy during WWI, and by 1919 is the "physical director" of the North Tonawanda YMCA. That same year he establishes the first playground at Felton Field on Tremont Street (<a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/59">Felton High School</a> was just on the other side of Sweeney Cemetery, on Bryant). In 1931 he becomes city Director of Parks & Recreation. In 1947 he advocates for the establishment of the <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/collections/show/104">Memorial Pool</a> in Payne Park. By 1965 he and his group of five assistants are responsible for the care of 18 ballparks, 6 large picnic parks, 17 playgrounds, 7 skating rinks, 1 hockey rink, and 2 swimming pools around the city.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/609"><em>North Tonawanda Centennial Magazine, 1865-1965</em></a>
baseball
sports
-
https://nthistory.com/files/original/48ea4c6d12cfedecc22e962abe9be9ef.jpg
9e7b737c8ede1e5a8af15ee26162b5c0
People
A painting or photograph of a person and / or a brief biographical description.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Vandervoort, William.jpg
Description
An account of the resource
From <em><a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/606">History of Niagara County, New York, 1821-1878</a></em> (1878):
<blockquote>William Vandervoote located in 1825, occupying a log house, the only one that then existed. He had in view the transaction of mercantile business, and the purchase of staves and oak timber for the Boston market. The first public house, called the Niagara, was completed by him in 1828, and burnt in 1844. Mr. Vandervoote subsequently purchased of the Holland Company seventeen hundred acres of land, and sold to the Prussians the tract including the largest part of their possessions, on the Tonawanda creek and in its vicinity. He was a partner in a store established by the Boston Company, then floating in the full tide of prosperity, on Grand Island. He established the first bank in the place in 1836. His mother and his sister Sarah located with him, the latter of whom occupied a brick residence erected by her brother, the first of the kind in the place.</blockquote>
From <em><a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=pvIMAQAAMAAJ&rdid=book-pvIMAQAAMAAJ&rdot=1">Biographical sketches of Representative Citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts</a></em> (1901):
<blockquote>He was the son of Michael Vandervoort, and the descendant of an early Dutch settler who arrived in the colony of New Amsterdam about the year 1640.</blockquote>
-
https://nthistory.com/files/original/c1d0869d1b29b08f41e6ea5b14b49686.jpg
9e7b737c8ede1e5a8af15ee26162b5c0
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Sweeney Family
People
A painting or photograph of a person and / or a brief biographical description.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Sweeney, James (1794-1850).jpg
Description
An account of the resource
From <em><a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/606">History of Niagara County 1821-1878</a></em> (1878):
<blockquote>James Sweeney located first in Buffalo in 1811. As one of the proprietors in the original purchase of the land upon which the village of North Tonawanda has been erected, he located on it in 1828, and built the first frame dwelling. The clearing of the land was commenced for the purpose of furnishing timber for the Buffalo pier, and to prepare the way for the sale of village lots. He pursued a liberal policy in advancing his individual interests, or those of others whom he sought to interest in becoming citizens. The lots for the first Methodist church, built in 1837, and the first school-house, were donated by him. Not alone in these generous public benefits was he conspicuous as a citizen. As the advance of landed property added to his means, his benefactions increased, and he aided worthy objects wherever aid was needed. He worked earnestly to extend the benefits of local schools, manifesting the interest he felt by furnishing books and often clothing to destitute children, placing them in a condition to be benefitted by them. Leaving to posterity the legacy of a respectable name as a valuable citizen and man of integrity, he died January 13th, 1850, aged 57. His son John, who died in the midst of a career of business enterprises, managed the building of the first railroad depot, and was the first, and for several years the station manager at this point. He caused the first dock to be built on the creek, next to the bridge, afterwards extending it 250 feet along the bank of the creek in the direction of the river; employing Elijah V. Day to supply the foundations and planking. He built the first and only grist-mill, which was afterwards destroyed by fire. Colonel John Sweeney built a saw-mill on the dam at the present position of the waste gates, the only one existing in this section of the country.</blockquote>
-
https://nthistory.com/files/original/9bbb874110ec8a77c33d78691ef9680d.jpg
630fe0570190a6c041086089f182e01d
https://nthistory.com/files/original/10c0855bb4d44bad9fc30906b1993b67.jpg
0e8636c93d6292415d8a19be015db1b1
https://nthistory.com/files/original/727a8d250538e25c9f125440ebcb93e9.jpg
1122904101cbb7f66715b29c8be33767
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Gratwick (Neighborhood)
Description
An account of the resource
The White, Gratwick & Mitchell Lumber Company establishes a planing mill and substantial lumberyards along the Niagara River in 1879. They employ 450 men, mostly of German origin, who settle northeast of the facilities. The village’s main street is named after prominent area resident, investor, industry and education advocate Benjamin F. Felton. By 1884 there is a "neat frame" school house with one teacher and 30 pupils, built by Felton (school board president at the time). Gratwick is incorporated into the City of North Tonawanda in 1897.<br /><br />From the guidebook "<a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/608">North Tonawanda and Tonawanda</a>" (1891):
<blockquote>Among the pioneers in the wholesale lumber trade of this place was W.H. Gratwick, who, in 1870, purchased fifty acres from Hon. John Simson and B.F. Felton, adjoining the Niagara River, about two miles below the mouth of Tonawanda Creek, and started a lumberyard. A half dozen years later P.W. Ledoux built the sash, door, and blind factory, which a few years later was purchased by Parks & Son, who operated the same until its recent purchase by HoUister Brothers. Mr. Gratwick erected a large planing mill in 1879, and from that time forward the place has steadily grown until it now has about 1,000 inhabitants. The lumber and mill interests of Gratwick, Smith & Fryer, Touawanda Lumber Co., and Hollister Brothers will be mentioned on other pages. <br /><br />Augustus Miller. — After the lumber interests, the next manufactory of importance in Gratwick is the wagon shop at the corner of Oliver and Felton streets. This was built in 1887 by August Miller, and besides doing all kinds of blacksmith and iron repair work, puts up a quantity of wagons, trucks, and other new work. Mr. Miller employs from five to ten men and has added an important industry to Gratwick, in a line of diversified manufacturing for which there is much room for development. <br /><br />Churches, Schools, Etc. — A class of the Methodist Episcopal church was organized in Gratwick in 1887, and the membership, a short time afterwards, commenced the erection of a church, which with lot, is worth about $3,000. This Avas dedicated in 1889 and has been in charge of Rev. J.S. Duxbury up to the present writing. <br /><br />St. Peter's German Evangelical church was organized April 5, 1888, by Rev. Kottler and the house of worship erected the same year. Rev. Conrad Bachman, who was educated at the missionschool ot Basle, Switzerland, came to this charge in October, 1888, and teaches the parochial school. Some sixty families are connected with this church. <br /><br />Gratwick has a public school with about 100 pupils, a brass band, two hose companies, and other societies; numerous hotels, stores, coal offices, and abundance of saloons. It was made a part of North Tonawanda corporation the present year, since which it has been placed in connection with the water mains, has electric lights, and other corporation advantages. <br /><br />Riverside. — From Gratwick station to the corporation limits on the west is nearly a mile, and as the river presents a graceful curve and nice beach in this vicinity, it has been proposed to call the station which will probably be located one and a half miles below Gratwick, "Riverside." Last year the Riverside Land Co. was incorporated and purchased forty acres on the north side of the Erie railroad, mostly within the new corporate limits. The officers are H.E. Warner, Pres.; J.A. Kuck, of Buflalo, V.P.; Charles W. Archibald, of North Tonawanda, Sec, and L. Landauer, of Albion, Treas. <br /><br />Bluff Point. — E.A. Milliman, a farmer and contractor, of Wheatfield town, has been seven times appointed a deputy collector, which office he now holds. Mr. Milliman owns a handsome farm of 120 acres at Bluff Point, bounded on the west and south by the Niagara River. The river at this point has a clean gravel shore with high bluff, making a delightful place for a summer location. <em>Editor's note: <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/607">1878 illustration and modern photo</a></em><br /><br />G.F. Goerss, also a deputy collector, owns a fifty-acre farm near the mile line, which is handsomely located and will presently be within the radius of development. Last year he erected a dwelling in Gratwick. Mr. Goerss was born in Wheatfield and is an authority on real estate values. He has been supervisor, J.P., Justice of Sessions, and in 1887-8 a member of Assembly.</blockquote>
<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/browse?tags=gratwick">More items tagged "Gratwick" ></a>
People
A painting or photograph of a person and / or a brief biographical description.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Gratwick, William H..jpg
Description
An account of the resource
From <a href="http://buffaloah.com/a/archs/rich/richgrat/">Buffalo as an Architectural Museum</a>:
<blockquote>[William H.] Gratwick was born in Albany, NY. After he learned the lumber trade, he came to Buffalo in 1877 and founded the lumber firm of Gratwick, Smith & Fryer Lumber Co. with offices in Buffalo, Tonawanda, and Detroit. He was also the managing owner of six lake vessels and president of the YMCA.<br /><br />The William H. Gratwick House stood at 776 Delaware Avenue at the northwest corner of Delaware and Summer. It was Richardson's last commission, according to his biographer Mariana Van Rensselaer, before he died in 1886. A heavy, brownstone Richardsonian Romanesque building, it was finished by the firm that continued Richardson's practice --Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge.</blockquote>
From <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/606"><em>History of Niagara County 1821-1878</em></a> (1878):
<blockquote>Extensive, as are the other yards and docks, astonishment is still further excited upon the premises of W. H. Gratwick & Co., one and a half miles down the river on the Central railroad. The office for the transaction of their business could not be more conveniently and comfortably arranged for employees and customers. W. H. Gratwick, formerly residing in Albany, is now a resident of Buffalo, acting as the local representative of the firm at that point ; the other members associated are Robert S. Fryer, in Albany, under the name of Gratwick, Fryer & Co., and Edward Smith, in Michigan, representing the firm of Smith, Gratwick & Co. The capital they employ in the prosecution of their business is $500,000 ; in the various localities and departments they employ four hundred and fifty men. They own a tract of 31,000 acres of pine land in the northern part of Michigan, where they have two mills that annually turn out 28,000,000 feet which is transported inbarges to Tonawanda and forwarded by rail and canal to eastern markets ; they deal exclusively in their own production. Their docks have a river frontage of 803 feet, with a water slip, doubling the means of storage, and an additional dock in the rear, 600 feet long; in all, 2,200 feet. Tramways have been built for wagon roads, and tracks to receive the cars from the Central and Erie railroads, to be loaded directly from vessels or piles on the docks. The docks, 300 feet out in the river, reach thirteen feet depth of water, sufficient to float the largest craft on the lakes. The cost of land, docks and buildings was $25,000. The stock on hand of planed and dressed lumber averages from 4,000,000 to 8,000,000 feet, with a proportionately large supply of shingles and laths. About four years since, Gratwick & Co. became the pioneers in occupying lots far down the river, an example that others have thought worthy of imitation.</blockquote>
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Photo: <em>A History of Buffalo, Delineating the Evolution of the City</em> By Josephus Nelson Larned, Charles Elliott Fitch, Ellis Henry Roberts, Progress of the Empire state company, New York, pub Published by The Progress of the Empire state company, 1911 (page 228).<br /><br />http://buffaloah.com<br /><br />http://www.gratwick.com/
gratwick
-
https://nthistory.com/files/original/65ebc5ea172dbbd5e6907bad0696e34d.jpg
b24f6eeb5b353625dd314d970e9efa86
People
A painting or photograph of a person and / or a brief biographical description.
Birth Date
1823-07-04
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Judd, Garwood L..jpg
Description
An account of the resource
Attorney Garwood L. Judd has an <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/645">impressive residence</a> at the southwest corner of Goundry and Oliver in 1875. From <a href="http://www.nthistory.com/items/show/606"><em>History of Niagara County 1821-1878</em></a> (1878):
<blockquote>Garwood L. Judd was born at Augusta Centre, Oneida county, N. Y., July 4th, 1823. He studied law and was admitted to the bar, after having received a good education. Shortly after his admission, he was- admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the United States as a proctor and advocate in admiralty. He was married to Maria A. Pryne, eldest daughter of Francis P. Pryne. He practiced at Frankfort, Herkimer county, till 1853, and then removed to North Tonawanda, where he has since resided. He has been a justice of the peace in Wheatfield twenty-four years in succession.</blockquote>
Wife Maria Augusta Judd dies in late September 1893 (<a href="http://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2011/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News%201893%20Jul-Jul%201894%20Grayscale/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News%201893%20Jul-Jul%201894%20Grayscale%20-%200201.pdf">Article at fultonhistory.com</a>).
-
https://nthistory.com/files/original/450394e7000ca6a0e067e935dff83b4f.png
ad2a60aec1f1eba4ff1365300d247371
People
A painting or photograph of a person and / or a brief biographical description.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Fassett, T. S..jpg
Description
An account of the resource
Biographical and Portrait Encyclopedia of Niagara County, 1892
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Larry J. Smith
person