Benjamin Long Rand

North Tonawanda is a city with a history rich in stories of the people who lived here. From the first recorded settler in 1809 till the present, many individuals and families contributed to the developing fabric of what we affectionately refer to as “NT.” Although many remained here, over the years, the changing economy of the nation drew many others away. As a new museum of the history of this city, we have enjoyed becoming acquainted with many “former NT’ers” as they all seem to call themselves—even after decades of living elsewhere, all of whom still have a deep attachment for North Tonawanda.

The Rand family, particularly the three sons of Calvin Gordon Rand and Almira Hershey Long Rand, played a prominent role in the community and business life of the city in the 19th and 20th centuries. The three sons, Benjamin Long Rand, George Franklin Rand, and James H. Rand, have often been referred to as “the greatest success stories to begin in North Tonawanda.” Their influence and leadership in the banking and industrial fields continued into the second and third generations and beyond. Although family members are still active in Western New York and other parts of the nation, sadly for North Tonawanda, the family now falls into the category of “former NT’ers.”

Calvin Rand was the youngest son of Dr. James Rand of Batavia. Calvin and Almira met while she was a student at Oakfield seminary. Almira was one of the six daughters of Benjamin and Mary Hershey Long of Tonawanda, who lived in what is now known as the “Benjamin Long Homestead.” After their marriage in 1862 the couple settled on 200 acres of land in what is now the Town of Wheatfield. They built a brick home on River Road, naming it “Forrest Home.” In more recent times, the property was known as “the Hird farm.”

Calvin served as a teacher at a brick school house on River Road near the Demler property. Calvin also worked his land, planting apple and peach orchards. The Rands became the parents of eight children while living in “Forrest Home,” including the three sons. Calvin died in 1872, unfortunately prior to the beginning of the amazing careers of his sons. Calvin and Almira were interred in Sweeney Cemetery. The family monument is visible at the northeast corner of Payne Avenue at Thompson Street, just behind the cemetery fence.

Benjamin was the oldest son. While he was growing up, he hauled grain in an ox cart from the farm to a Black Rock grist mill. Ben also cut wood for locomotives used to construct the Erie Railroad line from Buffalo to Niagara Falls. He did many manual labor type jobs in his early years. Ben married Kate Stanley in 1879, and they had six children. Their home was at 257 Goundry Street.

The Lyman G. Stanleys lived next door at 261 Goundry. Mrs. Lyman Stanley was Cornelia R. Payne, daughter of Civil War hero, lumberman, and community leader, Colonel Lewis S. Payne. She was the sister of Lewis T. Payne, a lawyer. Banker James DeGraff and his family were at the corner of Payne at 273 Goundry. Charles Weston, the lumberman, built his home across Payne Avenue at 293 Goundry. The Rands and these families were closely related in business as well as their personal lives.

Ben served two terms as North Tonawanda Mayor, from 1915 to 1918, and was involved as cashier with James DeGraff and Edward Evans in the State Trust Bank, which was organized on May 1, 1883. Evans had previously helped to organize the earliest banks in the village of North Tonawanda, founding the first permanent banking business on June 1, 1872, which was succeeded on May 1, 1877, by Evans, Schwinger & Co. When State Trust Bank was organized, it had a paid up capital of $100,000! On May 1, 1886, Evans and Ben’s brother James were also involved with the formation of the Lumber Exchange Bank, with Evans serving as President, Joshua S. Bliss, another lumberman, Vice President, and James H. Rand as cashier. In 1889 the capital of this bank was doubled and in 1890 Mr. Evans was succeeded as President by James Sweeney Thompson, another Goundry Street resident who was also a lumberman as well as a banker. The Lumber Exchange Bank discontinued business in April 1897. Ben Rand later had his own bank on Webster Street in the building which later housed Cramer Hardware, but which began as Kent Hall or the Good Templar’s Hall. That building was owned by Alexander G. Kent, also a lumberman—and a resident of Goundry Street.

The Benjamin Rands were charter members and active in the Church of Christ at the corner of Christiana Street and Payne Avenue and contributed significantly to the church. He was Sunday School Superintendent for fifty years and an elder of the congregation for the rest of his life. In later years, this edifice housed the Church of the Nazarene, then fell vacant. It is now being restored and remodeled into a private residence.

Kate Stanley Rand died in 1929. Ben’s second wife was Lucy Wakeland, who served as secretary of the YWCA. In later years, Ben and Lucy lived at 261 Goundry.

While still in the banking business, Ben was associated with his brother James in the Rand Ledger Company. He enjoyed the manufacturing business so well that he was soon working full time with the Rand Company. He was a member of the Board of Education and was actively identified with the development of local gas, telephone, water and transit companies. A very prominent citizen, he was made a life member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He was also one of the original Fort Niagara restoration sponsors.