DeGraff, LeGrand Simson (1871-1960).per

DeGraff, LeGrand Simson (1871-1960).per

From Niagara County, Vol II - Biographical, pp 461-2:

LE GRAND S. DE GRAFF, business man and philanthropist, has been one of the vital forces in the advancement of North Tonawanda, practically throughout the period of his residence here, which began some thirty years ago. His large interests and very evident qualifications for leadership would of themselves entitle him to a foremost place in all the activities of the community, but he has endeavored sincerely to merit the confidence and esteem which his fellow citizens have so long manifested for him, and many substantial achievements for the good of the town, whether undertaken as business enterprises or from the impulse of public spirit, have been so conducted as to win their unqualified regard.

Mr. DeGraff was born March 30, 1870, in Tonawanda, N. Y., and has passed all his life in the Tonawandas, coming from his birthplace to North Tonawanda in 1889. He belongs to a family of sturdy Dutch stock, founded in this country by his grandfather, John M. DeGraff, who came to America from Amsterdam, Holland, and settled at Amsterdam, N. Y. James H. DeGraff, father of LeGrand S. DeGraff, was born at Orville, N. Y., and came to Tonawanda in 1856. He was a banker and also had large timber interests in Michigan, having his land cut over and bringing the logs in large rafts to North Tonawanda. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Simson, was from Tonawanda and a descendant of pioneer settlers of that place, her grandfather, Robert Simson, moving his family to that point from the vicinity of Harrisburg, Pa., in the year 1807. The journey was made in the old-time Conestoga wagons, drawn by oxen, and four days were required to cover the last few miles between Batavia and Tonawanda. James H. DeGraff and wife had two sons and one daughter: LeGrand S.; Lewis A., who makes his home at Scranton, Pa.; and Mrs. Charles Weston, of Buffalo.

LeGrand S. DeGraff acquired his education in the public schools and the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, N. Y. He has been associated with the business of A. Weston & Son, wholesale lumber dealers, almost from the time of his arrival in North Tonawanda, and within five years of the beginning of this connection became general manager for the firm, in which capacity he continues. Principally through his efforts the business has retained its position as one of the largest and most successful of the kind in western New York. The firm of A. Weston & Son, of which he is manager, has at present 6,000,000,000 feet of standing timber in California and Oregon. They have a large export business besides making extensive shipments to all parts of the United States east of the Mississippi river.

Mr. DeGraff carries many responsibilities besides those of general manager for A. Weston & Son, so large and numerous have his principal business interests become. He is president of the State National Bank of North Tonawanda; president of the Rochester Box & Lumber Company; director of the Niagara Falls Power Company, the Lagoon Lumber Company of California, the Little River Redwood Company, the Cottoneva Lumber Company, the Elk Lumber Company of Oregon, the A. Weston Lumber Company of Olean, N. Y., the Export Lumber Company of Boston, Mass., the Bathurst Lumber Company of Bathurst, New Brunswick, the Hope Lumber Company of Canada, the Tonawanda Power Company, and the American District Steam Company of North Tonawanda, N. Y.

Nineteen years ago Mr. DeGraff was married to Ve Norma Crown, daughter of Augustus M. Crown, of Tonawanda, N. Y. Both Mr. and Mrs. DeGraff devoted a great deal of time and energy to war work during 1917 and 1918, Mr. DeGraff serving as a member of the Draft Board of his city and Mrs. DeGraff as chairman of the local Red Cross organization. He was a heavy contributor to every project aimed to insure the winning of the war, placing his means and services without stint at the call of the country. He holds membership in many social organizations, chief among which are: The Buffalo Club, the Buffalo Country Club, the Ellicott Club, the Buffalo Yacht Club, the Niagara Falls Country Club, and the Bankers’ Club of New York. Fraternally he is a Mason, affiliated with Sutherland Lodge in North Tonawanda. In political principle Mr. DeGraff is a Republican, but he has never mingled in party affairs or had any desire for office.

The DeGraff Memorial Hospital at North Tonawanda, the only institution of its kind in the Tonawandas, owes its existence to Mr. DeGraff’s interest and generosity, and was named in honor of his father. The great need for the establishment of a hospital in one or the other of the “Twin Cities” had been apparent for many years, but means for its erection and maintenance were lacking, and various efforts to raise the necessary funds proved unsuccessful. Mr. DeGraff thereupon undertook the task, and after obtaining what subscriptions he could himself, supplied the required remainder to erect and equip the building, which is located on Tremont Street, North Tonawanda. Its management is vested in a board of trustees, including a representative appointed by each of the three local banks, and the mayors of Tonawanda and North Tonawanda.

With the completion of the structure and its proper furnishing Mr. DeGraff turned the institution over to the city, where it has been highly appreciated. Its reputation is so high that frequently patients desiring admission have to be turned away because the accommodations will not permit, and a great work has been accomplished in the community through this medium. Maj. John A. Rafter, M. D., has been superintendent at the hospital ever since it was opened. The citizens of North Tonawanda take great pride in the reputation which the hospital has acquired.

1871