North Tonawanda History Museum © Goundry Street

As I follow the city directory of 1905, I recall many tales of old Goundry Street. Each house has its own story. Over the years, there have been tragedies -murder, suicide, and scandals, but not many such happenings.

Goundry Street flourished in an era gone by, never to return - when the Tonawandas was the lumber center of the world. It was an era of very large and some small lumber companies, an era of large elaborate wooden houses with bay windows, balconies, many Tiffany windows. The homes were cared for by two maids, a hired man took charge of the horses and cow.

A common sight was the individual hired man leading the family cow down the middle of Goundry Street at about 5 p.m. We youngsters knew the name of every cow - Bossy, Bessie, Clover, Daisy. Not every family had two maids and a hired man; we did not.

The street was paved with light red brick, which ended at Niagara Street. From there on, across Division Street, it was a dusty dirt road. Whiting had not been cut through. Most sidewalks were made of wood. There usually was a loose board, which would trip us up.

Along the Niagara River, from the Ferry Landing to Gratwick, were miles and miles of docks and lumber piles 14 feet high. The air was filled with the clean smell of fresh cut pine.

Goundry began at Manhattan Street. There stood Dodge and Bliss Saw Mill. The river was crowded with the tall masts of lake boats.

The east side of Manhattan Street was residential. At the southeast corner stood the large, square, austere- appearing house of A. C. Tuxbury, head of the Northern Lumber Company. That is where the Tuxbury family lived until they moved into their beautiful new home at the corner of Bryant Street. They had come from Saco, Maine. More about them later.

Across the street at 10 Goundry, was the ice cream company of George Thompson. His children were Baird, who died young, killed in an industrial accident; Myrtle, who was the musician and played for dances; Hazel, who married Colonel Wood of the U. S. Army; and then Fern, who married Louis Anastasi, a great football player for N.T.H.S. The grandfather, Oren Thompson, was a carpenter who built many of the houses on Bryant Street.

To go back to the corner of Webster Street — there stood the red brick bank of Frederick Robertson. There were offices upstairs and Mike Rech's barber shop in the basement.

The New York Central Railroad ran along Webster Street, the crossings guarded by gates and a watchman, one Mr. Sheehan, a guard, had a daughter, Melissa, who was in my grade at Goundry School.

The station stood about where the Marine Bank parking lot is now. On up the street was the coal office of H. A. Rose, later owned by J. J. Patterson Coal Co.

Around the corner, on Main Street, was the post Office Arcade, which ran right through to Webster Street. It housed the North Tonawanda Post Office and also the newsstand and cigar store of Mr. Sayler. Upstairs was the office of the Evening News, where Bessie Walkenshaw, and later Lodemna Rafter, were society editors, reporting in detail the many elegant parties and weddings of that era.

On the corner of Goundry and Main stood the impressive four story, red brick Hotel Sheldon, popular with lumber salesmen and bachelors who lived there. A ballroom was on the top floor. The top floor also had a club room where the Frontier Club met. This club was composed of prominent local businessmen, who gathered on Saturday nights to play cards. Stanley's Drug store and Robert McLeod's tailor shop occupied part of the ground floor on the Main Street side.

Behind the hotel was a large field, where a tented tabernacle was built for the revival meetings of the Reverend Jordan. It was called the Jordan Tabernacle. Marion Street did not extend that far.

A whole chapter could be written about how those nightly meetings during lent really did revive the town, with lusty singing by combined church choirs. “Brighten the Corner Where You Are” and “Bringing in the Sheaves” and many other lively tunes, not in our regular church hymnals, were on the program. In those days, people really did observe Lent — card playing, dancing and theatre-going were frowned upon. The revivals were a great safety valve and brightened up a long, dull winter.

One evening at the revival meeting, when the mister's helper came down the isle and urged people to go up front, one stopped at the side of young Levant Vandervoort and asked: “Young man, don't you want to be saved?” “Save the women and children first,” was the reply. That story went all over town, with mixed reaction.

Farther along was the Rand Building, where bank specialties were made. Next was the Home Telephone office, where Josie Smith was the “Hello Girl”, as we called her. Some families had two telephone systems, the Home and the Bell. Lots of people used the neighbors' phone.

Then came George O. Miller Plumbing Company at 101 Goundry. Then, the La Rose Candy Store, now Werkley's.

In the old Judd house at the corner of Oliver, was Strassel's Upholstery Shop. Later on, it was a millinery shop, where Merry Widow hats and large ostrich plumes were displayed in the front window.

Across the street was Hershell Spillman Merry-Go-Round works, world famous with hand carved horses, lions, etc. to delight children everywhere.

The organs came from the Barrel Organ Factory. After the government raised the tariff on organ works from Germany, Armitage Herschell built the organ factory in Martinsville. DeKleist bought it.

In the early l900s, 134 Goundry St. was Jennie Sullivan's Ladies Hairdressing Shop. It was either hers or her successors. Marcel waves were the latest style. She was more than busy before each large party.

138 was the plumbing shop of Mr. Walkinshaw. He was a fine, conscientious, Scottish craftsman. Many of his installations are still in good order after 75 years. The Walkinshaw family consisted of Mary, Bessie and Bob, who died of Tuberculosis at a young age. At that time, the family lived on Vandervoort Street. Later Mr. Walkinshaw built a new house at the corner of Christiana and Falconer. After the father died, Mrs. Walkinshaw became the first matron of the new DeGraff Hospital.

141 was the home of William L. Alt. We needed a new post Office, which W. G. Palmer was the prime mover in obtaining, during Woodrow Wilson's term. This was built on the old Alt property.

Under the intersection of Vandervoort and Goundry was the tunnel for the State Ditch, where we skated in winter and always yelled loudly to hear the echo from the vaulted ceiling. This open ditch branched off the Erie Canal, near Division Street, and flowed through people's back yards, where the water from many homes emptied until the city had it filled in. It used to flow into the Niagara River.

On the corner of Vandervoort stood a two-family duplex, the only one on the street.

Next door was the home of Cooke Oille, postmaster. There were two sons, Dale and Norman, the latter became city clerk. As postmaster, Mr. Oille was a political appointee. During our presidential election, some prankster pasted large pictures of the President and Vice President of the opposing party on the outside of Oille's front parlor windows the night before election. Imagine the surprise of the neighbors and the consternation of Mr. Oille when he woke up and found that apparently he was supporting the rival party on Election Day.

184 was the home of George B. Vandervoort, partner in Humphrey & Vandervoort Insurance Co. Mrs. Vandervoort's maiden name was Fassett. There were two daughters Winifred and Beatrice. After attending Wellesly, Winifred married Stanley Rand. Beatrice attended Mt. Ida School, near Boston. She first married Samuel Black McCormick, but divorced him when he was convicted of forgery and passing rubber checks, as reported on the front page of the papers. Later she married Paul Roberts. They are all dead.

187 was the home of Orlando Potter and family, druggist on Webster Street. Son Doug had a hair-raising Halloween party when I was 10 or 11, which frightened us little girls almost to the point of hysterics. It took place in their pitch black attic. Some years later, Arch Smith's family lived there.

190 was the home of Mrs. Blakeslee of Albany and sons Charlie and Ned. She was the mother of Mrs. W. G. Palmer. Soon they moved back to Albany.

193 was the home of Frank Waggoner, lumber inspector at McLean Bros. Lumber Co. When his son Harry got married, they built him a home in their back yard, which was reached by a small wooden bridge over the State Ditch, which flowed right through their back yard.

207 was the home of Attorney Norman D. Fish. He later became judge; then moved to a home on Niagara Street, which Evan Davies had built.

208 was known as Kent place, one of the most beautiful mansions on the street. This was the home of Mrs. Alexander Kent. It was designed by Sanford White, architect. There was a world - wide scandal when Sanford White was shot by Harry K. Thaw in Madison Square Garden, which Mr. White had designed. The love triangle involved Evelyn Nesbett Thaw, Harry's wife. A movie was made based on this affair, “The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing.”

Mrs. George McDonald was one of the four daughters of Mrs. Kent. The McDonalds and daughter, Betty Kent McDonald, made their home with Mrs. Kent. The other daughters were Mrs. Pendennis White, Mrs. Urquart and Mrs. Costigan.

This was truly an elegant mansion, with porches and balconies, Tiffany glass windows, an imposing wide hall and stairway with niches for statuary, many large rooms and beautiful Victorian furniture and Oriental rugs.

Mr. Kent had attended the Chicago Columbian Exposition in 1892 and had brought many Oriental rugs from Mr. Costigan, a rug dealer. Mr. Costigan fell in love with one of the Kent daughters and they married.

The large grounds surrounding the house still contain many beautiful trees; one large copper beech and a pink chestnut tree are still there, also lovely lilacs. In an old apple tree was a tree house built for granddaughter, Betty Kent McDonald. Mrs. Kent was a Ransom, a famous name in New York State.

211 was the home of Timanus J. Wilson and his wife. A terrible tragedy befell the family when their three-year-old daughter, Isabelle, was burned to death. Her dress caught fire in an open gas grate. Their son died of some childish ailment some time later. After many years, the Wilsons moved up to 412 Goundry.

Charles Hewitt Sr. Married Ruth Barnard, just out of Vassar. They took over the Wilson house, or the one next door. Harlan Brush ran the Tonawanda Evening News, before Mr. Hewitt bought it. The Hewitts two sons were Barnard Hewitt and Charles Hewitt Jr., who married Ruby Loeswick.

215 was the home of Thomas E. Warner, newspaper man. He moved to the Colonial Apartments off Bryant.

About the time of World War I, Dr. Martin Nolan, his mother and two sisters lived at 213. He died overseas of Spanish influenza, when he was a member of Base Camp 23 in France. His brother, Gen. Daniel Nolan, was on the staff of Gen. John Pershing (Black Jack). Gen. Nolan visited his mother here as long as she lived.

217 was a small narrow two - story house, the home of Levant Vandervoort and his wife, who was affectionately known as Aunt Annie by the neighborhood children. Levant and brother, George, married two Fassett sisters. The Levant Vandervoorts had no children, but a nephew, young Levant, came to live with them. He was always getting into scrapes. The popular hangout for teenagers then was Charlie Scoville's Drugstore on Niagara Street in Tonawanda, later Fred Burtch owned it. One cold winter day, everyone was hanging around the large pot-bellied stove in the rear, when Levant put a large chunk of Limburger cheese on top of the red hot stove. In no time, the customers were driven out by clouds of ill smelling black smoke. Mrs. Scoville told Levant he could never enter her store again. Eventually, she forgave him. No one could hold a grudge against Levant for very long. He was always so much fun.

Levant Vandervoort's house, I believe, was made over more times than any other on our street. The Moss family bought it and enlarged the front room. They put in a fireplace and built a large glassed - in sun room on the east side. When Henry P. Smith III took over the house, he made many changes too. He later became our congressman from this district. He is a descendant of the famous Long sisters.

While the Vandervoorts lived here, they gave many lovely parties on their boat for young Levant - up the river to the Bedell House for supper and dancing - then a moonlight sail back home.

222 was where Frank McCoy lived. He also was appointed postmaster. His children were Fred (Muck), Myra, Frank Jr., and Dorothy. Frank Jr. was a victim of injuries received in World War I. Myra was a teacher.

226 was a yellow, clapboard story-and-a-half, with a veranda across the front. At that time, Dr. Allen T. Leonard with wife and daughter, Allene, lived here Mrs. Leonard died. Dr. Leonhardt also lived here, before he moved to Puerto Rico. Then Dr. Edward Koenig and wife, Dr. Caroline Koenig, took over the house, which later burned down. Dr. Leonhardt returned here and built a modern red brick office and home. Dr. Rose now has his office here.

229 was the home of the Rev. G. Sherman Burrows, rector of St. Marks Episcopal Church, which was then a small wooden building at the corner of Tremont and Marion, which did not extend through to Goundry then. There was Mrs. Burrows, who wrote lovely poetry under the name of “Angie Burrows.” She was very active in “The Academe.” They had one son, Allen Burrows, who married a daughter of Dr. Simson, again a descendant of the famous Long sisters. A small volume called “Day Dreams” contains the collection of Mrs. Burrows beautiful poetry. After they moved away, Mr. Burrows became head of DeLancy Episcopal Seminary. When he retired, he bought a beautiful old home on Lake Ontario, with natural woods extending to the lake; a place full of wild flowers and birds; a deeply peaceful place to enjoy the brilliant sunsets over the water and to feel close to nature.

235 was the home of William Achilles, wife and sons, Paul and William. Mrs. Achilles was a sister of Mrs. Adolph Kinzley of Vandervoort Street.

237 was the home of John McKenny. The three sons were Harold, Gerald and Eager. Mrs McKenny was very active in war work during World War I. She taught us to knit and sew. Later, the family moved to New York City. One of the sons became a dentist in California.

234 was the home and office of Dr. Frederick W. Bentley and children, Warren and Margaret, the latter married Calvin Gosch. Dr. Bentley's first wife was Nell Robertson, sister of Frederick, Wallace, Covert and James Robertson. Pauline VanVorhees was the doctor's second wife. She still lives at 234.

Across the street was the large, red brick Goundry Street School, which at one time housed the high school, too, before Felton School was built. The only library in North Tonawanda was in a small square wing of the school. We liked and respected our teachers. I remember Miss Alexander, Miss Jennie Smith, Miss McKeen, Miss Lena Bennett, Miss Cornea E. Rising, Miss O'Shea, Miss Payne, and most of all Thomas Morgan, principal and teacher of math and geography in sixth grade. Many teachers had 40 or more pupils, and kept them in order. They were disciplined by a switch in the principal's office when they needed it.

249 was the home of George Dailey, built about 1900. He was one of the first presidents of State National Bank. This house was later bought by Robert and Florence McClurkin. He was superintendent of Tonawanda Iron. She lived to be 90.

Next to the Goundry School was the library, built about 1903 or 1904, the gift of Andrew Carnegie of Pittsburgh. The town was very proud of its new library. Mrs. George Warren was head librarian for many years. Her children were Marsha and Don; the latter had the unique gift of being able to play almost anything by ear on the piano. Marsh, also musical, gave piano lessons.

257 was the large three story home of Benjamin L. Rand, a descendant of one of the Long sisters. His first wife was a Stanley; his second wife was Lucy Wakeland, secretary of the local YWCA. He lived to be 96 years old. His children were Benjamin G., Kathleen, Stanley, Josephine, Jeanette and Charles. Mr. Rand was at one time mayor of North Tonawanda. The family was very active in the Church of Christ, which was on the corner of Christiana Street and Payne Avenue. In those days, card playing and dancing was not allowed in the Rand Home. Things changed later on. Charles and wife, Emogene, took over the old home. Their children are Benjamin III, Catherine and Ted. There are no Rands left in town anymore.

261 was built by Lyman G. Stanley. The only child was Ethel, who married Ray H. Bennett, lumberman. Mrs. Stanley was Cornelia Payne, daughter of Civil War hero, Col. Stephen Payne, and sister of Lewis T. Payne, lawyer.

273 was the large red brick house at the corner of Payne Avenue, built about l880 by James DeGraff, one of the first bank presidents in town. His wife was Mary Simson, another descendant of the famous Long Sisters of Tonawanda. Their four children were Lydia, who married Charles Reston; LeGrand, who married VeNorma Crown; Louis and Thurman.

Louis DeGraff went to Medina, where he owned a stone quarry. He supplied the brown stone used in building the Connecticut Street Armory in Buffalo. Later he went to Scranton, Pa., and went into theater business. He died in Scranton. His daughter, Mrs. McKendrick, lives in Oakville, Ont.

LeGrand attended Lima College near Geneva, N. Y. His mother was a Methodist. I remember she organized little prayer meeting groups at her home to which my mother was invited. I remember the house as being rather dark with Mahogany woodwork, some stained glass windows, glittering chandeliers and parquet floors.

LeGrand DeGraff donated land and money to build DeGraff Hospital in memory of his parents. His wife, VeNorma Crown, was a devoted worker for the American Red Cross during World War I, and long afterwards. Mrs. John L. Nice followed her as chairman of the Red Cross.

264 was a small white house, the home of Charles I. Watson. Later the Edmonds lived here with their two daughters, Mary Edmonds and sister. Some years later, Mr. and Mrs. Patterson bought this house. They had a famous collection of antique furniture and jewels which they claimed had belonged to Russian nobility, Anyway, the jewels were kept in a glass cabinet and displayed to guests.

Next door lived Dr. Allen T. Leonard and his daughter, Allene. The side door led to his office. In time, he built a new home on the corner of Payne Avenue, where the Hamps now live. The entrance faces Payne Avenue.

293 at the southeast corner of Goundry, was the large turreted home of Charles Weston, owner of A. Weston and son Lumber Company. There were two daughters, Mary and Annette. The family moved to Buffalo about 1904. Mary Weston married George Phillips. Their son, George Jr., has been president of the Board of Trustees of DeGraff Hospital. He has devoted much time, talent and money to the hospital. Annette Weston married Don Dudley of Buffalo. He was drowned some years ago. She later married Dean Hill.

The Weston home was bought by Baron deKleist, who bought the Armitage-Hershell Barrel Organ Works in Martinsville. He came from Germany. Mr. Ehricht was manager and lived on the spacious grounds of the factory. The Baron had beautiful riding horses and dogs. The family brought an aura of old world nobility to the street. One daughter became very ill and died of TB. The son, August, married Louise Siefke and built a new home.

The deKleist Musical Instrument Company was bought by Wurlitzer about 1909 or so. Some people called them deKleist, some von Kleist.

To go back to the time that the Westons lived here - they had one of the first cars in town. Mary used to take us out in it. I recall Max Highland, son of their hired man, driving us out Sweeney to Shadrack ‘s pond to go skating. And in the spring, Mary would get us together to trek way out past the end of Goundry to Black Hannah's Woods. We climbed fences, ran through Mr. Haine's farm, tore our cashmere stockings, and muddied our high button shoes. Cora Jean Allan, Dorothy Palmer, Augusta Stradella, Ruth Peuchen and I found this a thrilling adventure. The thick woods were dark and spooky. Our spines would tingle when we would come upon the logs which we were sure were the remains of Black Hannah's cabin. She was an escaped slave. We always brought back bunches of Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Trillium, mayflowers, trailing arbutus and yellow violets.

After the Westons moved to Buffalo, Mary often came down to spend Saturday with her Grandmother DeGraff. She would call up her old friends to go down there and play. Her grandmother was most patient when we would go tearing from cellar up the back stairs to attic, playing hide-and-seek. No wonder we all loved her. After Mary stopped coming, we all missed her, she used to think up so many wonderful things for us to do.

286 was the home of John Mundie, who had a jewelry store on Webster Street, with a huge clock standing in front of the store. It had been the original home on the old Goundry family farm, just about the oldest house on the street. It was built before the Niagara Falls trolley line appeared on Payne Avenue. The Mundie family consisted of wife, Jeannie, and Sons Warren, named for his mother's family; Donald, who was killed in France in World War I, and Jimmy. Warren married Mildred Robertson, they had six children. After Mildred died, he married his cousin's widow, Mabel. Warren was a banker with Marine Midland. He died several years ago.

Next to Mundies lived the family of Thomas Charleton, lumberman. His children were William, who had four children; Ella, who married John Hunter; John, George, Mary (Mame) who married Dr. J. Albert Hobbie, and Reba, who married William Thompson. The Thompson children - Isabelle married Frank Smith; William married Miss McRae.

Later this house was bought by Harry Gosch of Creo-dipt Shingle Company. It was completely changed. The front porch was removed and a huge living room was built across the front. The entrance, changed to the side, opened into an imposing hall and stairway, over which hung a crystal chandelier. There were six boys and one girl, Barbara, who married the Herschell boy.

303 was the large home of Frank Batt for his family of 13 children. Genevieve (Mrs. Koch) was in school with me. Cecelia became a nun, she died early of TB. The family is pretty well scattered. Mr. Batt had a shingle mill. Beautiful quartered oak trims the interior of this large home. Sam Brown lived there for years and now the Pallottine Fathers have it.

304 was the home of the Yler family long ago. In addition to the father, there were Maurice and Edith, and also the aunt, Miss Howell, who was a milliner and took the trolley to Buffalo each morning. James A. White lived here briefly before moving to Buffalo to Oakland Place. During World War I, the Walter Jewell family occupied the home. The wife had been Miss Eilenberg. They soon moved to California.

309 was the beautiful and hospitable home of Stanley Cooper Peuchen. Mrs. Peuchen had been Mary Bowden of Toronto. There were six children: Ruth, Walter, Wilfred, Violet, Hilda and Helen. Ruth married Ashley Gale. Now a widow, she lives in Wilson. Walter married Frieda Rounds; Bill married Gladys Dillaway; Violet married George Gillespie; Hilda married Reginald Gillespie. Helen married William Comstock, who died young, and left Helen with three small boys, Bill, David and Pete. Helen died in San Diego several years ago. Pete is a sports writer on a San Diego paper. Violet and Hilda live in condominiums in Florida. Walt died. Bill lives in Wilmington, Del., and is an inventor, like his father. Mr. Peuchen produced the original cutting oil, which was so important in World War I, the first oil that enabled machinery to cut through steel. It was called “Tops Oil.” Mr. Peuchen's nickname was “Top”. The Peucnen home was always full of fun and gaiety. The New Year's dances were famous. There was a big ballroom downstairs, where Joe Armbruster's Orchestra and others kept it up till all hours.

324 was the large home, built by A. C. Tuxbury, head of Northern Lumber Co. The family had come from Saco, Me. There were three daughters, Edith, who married Charles Hill; Alice, who always walked with a crutch, and Leena. All went to Wellesly College. Mr. Tuxbury took the family on the Grand Tour of Europe, including Imperial Russia, which was almost unheard of in those days. Ordinary people just did not visit Russia. Mr. Tuxbury was president of the Board of Education, and a moving spirit in getting the new Felton School built. When he was defeated in the election to the school board, he moved his family to Montclair, N. J.. It was a great loss to this city. The Tuxburys were rather aloof, and did not entertain much, excepting the Academe.

The family of P. T. Large then bought the house, one of the most beautiful on the street, with many large rooms, carved mahogany woodwork, several Tiffany windows. Mr. Large was superintendent and later vice president of Buffalo Steel Company. There were six children. Preston Jr. and Hamilton both went to Harvard. Preston was married three times and had a daughter, Connie, by his last wife. He died in California. Hamilton married Beatrice Wheeler, a home economics teacher at Felton School. Fred went to Andover, Mass., where he was a famous football player. He married his high school sweetheart, JuLou Palmer. Frank married Marian Henderson of Buffalo. They had one son, Jack, who lives in Syracuse. Lottie married George Isbell, and Cora married Dr. Brennon. After an annulment, she later married a Mr. William. She is the only one of the six children still alive, and is in a home on Long Island.

George Thompson bought 324 sometime after the Larges and other occupants had moved away. Marguerite Thompson had become a registered nurse. During World War II, the call went out for nurses. She volunteered and became a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Nurses Corps. She soon was sent to France and was there in 1944 and 1945. During the Battle of the Bulge, many times she rode an Army truck up to the front lines. Back in this country, she resumed her nursing career and took care of Mr. DeGraff during the last year of his life when he was confined in the hospital bearing his family name. Although Marguerite is retired, she still takes care of her mother, Mrs. Maggie Thompson, who is in her late 90s - still the devoted nurse. The other members of the Thompson family were mentioned in an earlier article.

325 was the home of John Schulmeister. He had a department store down on Webster Street. Sammy and Ferdinand, and one other, were his sons. Ferdie became a well known movie theatre organist.

329 was the home of the Harry Fassett family. The wife had been a Booth, sister of Mrs. William Kibler of Tonawanda. Mabel Fassett taught at Felton School; Theodora married Dr. Robert P. Eagan, and. Stuart Fassett was the youngest.

332, a large home with its huge veranda; was built by Pascal Humphrey, head of Humphrey and Vandervoort Insurance Co. There were three sons and one girl. Sherwood graduated from Williams, married, and lived in Portland, Ore. After his wife died, he came home and married Fredericka. Larry married Helen Hostermann, who had taught at Elmwood School in Buffalo; Pearcey married Margery Lerch of Lockport. Pauline died of TB in 1919. Pearcey and Larry graduated from University of Pennsylvania. Pauline had attended National Park Seminary in Washington, D. C.

Mrs. Humphrey loved to entertain and gave many house dances for Pauline and her friends. John Skene usually played for these parties.

We lived next door. My young friends and I used to watch through the window as the elegantly gowned young ladies picked up their voluminous trains, placed their long white kid-gloved hands on their partners arm and waltzed or two-stepped to the strains of “Flora Dora,” or other enchanting music of the day. We yearned to grow up and go to dances. Now all the Humphreys are gone.

335 was built by Wilhelm H. Stradel1a, who was associated with the Northern Lumber Company. He had married Frances Gillette, daughter of Congressman Charles Gillette of Addison, N. Y.. She had attended Elmira College. Their children were Augusta, who married Alan Burke of Buffalo, and Charles, who graduated from Yale, married a girl from Detroit, and later became vice president of General Motors Acceptance Corporation, a very wealthy man. Augusta lost her only son in World War II. He was killed with the U.S. Marines on Iwo Jima. The Stradella family never really got over the tragic loss of this very fine young man.

338 was the home built about 1890 by Edward Evans, Mrs. Humphrey's father. My father bought it in 1901. He was Donald S. McLean of McLean Bros. Wholesale Lumber Co. We moved here from Albany, N. Y.
The house did not seem too large when we were first here; father and mother, William, Hugh A. and I - and Rose, our maid, who was with us for years. She was much like Rose in the B.B.B. play “Upstairs, Downstairs”. Father died in the Cadillac Hotel in Detroit in 1904. He had been ill with Cancer for years. William died in July, 1906, up in Canada. He had a ruptured appendix and was stricken out in the country, 50 miles from any hospital. After these tragedies, mother had to be both father and mother. We thought she was too strict with us, but she probably was right.

When I was 11 years old, I caught “nits” in my hair at Goundry School. All the children had them; Hugh caught them too. Mother cured us with kerosene and tar soap. It was an awful battle! As we grew to be teenagers, we used to have small house dances. John Skene played the piano and sometimes traps and a drum. Refreshments were usually chicken salad, ice cream and cake.

In winter, we often had sleigh rides in a rig hired from Billy Woods Livery Stable. We huddled under blankets on the straw-filled conveyance, the boys jumping off, running alongside, and then jumping on again. Sometimes they were bold enough to hold our mittened-hands. Then we would go to someone's home for hot oyster stew and some dancing.

Hugh was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. After high school I attended Miss Capen's school and was graduated from Smith College in Northampton, Mass. Hugh went into the automobile business, McLean Chevrolet on Main Street. He married Elizabeth T. Wert of Swarthmore, Pa. They have four daughters. Jean married Joseph H. Bostwick; they live in Wilmington, Del. Mary married George H. Thrush; they live in Chicago. Peggy married Stanley W. Caywood, they also live in Wilmington; and Catherine (Cantor) married William B. Eagleson, president of Girard Trust of Philadelphia. They have traveled to many parts of the world attending banker's conferences. There are eight grandchildren, four boys and four girls.

Mother lived to be 86. Hugh served with the 309th Field Artillery, 78th Division in World War I in France. I was in the Red Cross Motor Corps at that time and a long time afterward.

341 across the street from us, was the home of the W. G. Palmer family. There was JuLou, Dorothy, Charles and Wallace Jr. Mr. Palmer had a lumber mill on Oliver Street at the Railroad Crossing. The family came here from Albany. When the deKleist home at 293 was up for sale, Mr. Palmer bought it. They always had two colored maids. George Gilmore took care of the horse and later chauffeured the car. JuLou and Dorothy attended boarding schools. JuLou went to National Park Seminary, and Dorothy went to a girls' school on the Hudson. JuLou married Fred Large in 1911. Dorothy joined the American Red Cross and was in the Canteen Service in Paris in World War I. After the war, she married Charles Braden of Niagara Falls. Charles Palmer served in the Air Force. He was killed in a motor car accident in 1927. Wallace graduated from the University of Pennsylvania; then joined the advertising staff of Wrigley Gum Co. He died of cancer many years ago. All the Palmers are gone except JuLou Large who lives in a nursing home in Rochester.

346 was the home of Michael Batt. There were seven children; Norbert, Raymond, Irenus, Florence, Frances, Gertrude and Adelaide. Ray married May Hartnett; he died young. Gertrude married Jim Misner. After he died, she married a Mr. Leinert and lives in Buffalo.

When we were growing up, there was a vacant lot at the corner of Falconer. In winter, someone put up a high toboggan side. We had great fun sliding down - until my brother Hugh fell off the top and cracked his elbow. About 1907, John Mahar bought the lot and built a large home there, number 345. He had three children, Ed, who did not get along with his father and left home; Raymond went into the insurance business in Tonawanda. His son became a priest. Mildred married Oliver Murray. She was killed by a car on her way to mass. The mother, Mrs. John Mahar, died about 1914 after a long illness with TB. Father Mahar, I believe, is still alive. When the home was up for sale, Dr. Robert P. Reagan bought it. His first wife, Theodora Fassett, died here, leaving one son, Bobby. The doctor married again, Alice Collins, of Guelph. There are four children.

358 was the very large home of Lewis A. Kelsey, lumberman. There were four children, Everett, Earl, Dean and Maud. The boys all graduated from Cornell. Maud graduated from Vassar College. Everett married Elizabeth Farmer of Detroit and had two sons, Alfred and David. Earl married Eva Sweet, a very fine English teacher in Felton High School. Dean was a YMCA worker in China for many years. Maud married Dalton McClelland and lived in India for years. Her husband was head of the YMCA in all Asia and traveled a lot. There are three sons, all doctors, and one daughter. Maud, now a widow, lives in a retirement home in White Plains, N.Y. The old Kelsey home had a fireplace with elaborate carved wood in nearly every room on the first two floors. Mr. Kelsey had collected rare wood for 10 years before he built, and each room had a different kind of beautiful woodwork. When the house was turned into apartments, the new owner ripped out all those fireplaces and burned the mantels in the backyards. I hope the ghosts of all the lumbermen haunt that man. When we were in high school, Maud occasionally invited us over on Friday night to have a taffy pull or make molasses popcorn balls. If the sticky mess accidentally dropped on the kitchen floor, we would pick it up and eat it just the same. No one died from the germs either.

359 was the home of Guy White, lumberman. His wife was Mabel Scribner. Their son, Guy White Jr., called “Skip”, married Sally Hall of Youngstown. They had twins, John and Jean. Later, another son, Bob, was born. At one time, Jim Rand Jr., and wife Mirium, lived here. They had twins also, Marcel and Jamie, and a daughter, Mirium. Jim became head of Remington Rand., also Sperry Rand Co., and a multi-millionaire. He was listed among the top wealthiest men in the U.S. He had homes in New York, Cape Cod and Florida, and big yachts in the Bananas. He died in Freeport, Bahama Islands some years ago. His ashes were scattered over the Atlantic Ocean. “Sic transit gloria Mundi.”

Another family of Rands moved into this same house, Benjamin G. Rand and wife Edith, who was prominent in musical circles here and in Buffalo. They had three children. Bob, and a son, Whitford, who was drowned in the canal when he rode his bicycle too near the edge. The daughter, Helen, called “Honey” Rand, married a Mr. McConnell and lived in Mt. Lakes, N. J. They later moved to Louisiana. She died young. Bob Rand is living in Fredonia, N. Y. Edith and Ben died in Florida.

Crossing the street, we come to the lovely home of John Oelkers, who had a large grocery business down on Webster St., at the corner of Tremont. I have the happiest memories of this hospitable home, always full of young people, fun and warmth. The children were Heidi, who married Stuart Cramer, and Carl, who married Florence Stevenson. Carl was graduated from the University of Michigan and became city engineer. Evelyn married Richard Pendleton; Dorothy died young. Elsie, a talented organist, wed Mr. Van Wiggeren, and Margaret married Mr. Collar.

When we were young, we used to play “Run-a-Mile” and such games and hide in the loft of Oelkers barn. Evelyn was always interested in drama, even as a youngster. She would produce plays for us children. Mrs. Oelkers was a lovely mother. I never heard her raise her voice to the children; she disciplined with love for her family.

378 was the home of James Sweeney Thompson, whose wife was a Scribner, sister of Mrs. Guy White and Mrs. James Rand Sr.

As girls, the Scribners had attended a private girls' academy on Grant Ave., located about where the Grant St. School now stands. The former academy became the home of R. T. Jones Lumberman, when the Jones family moved here from Elmira, N.Y..

Mr. & Mrs. Thompson had one child, Geneva. Mrs. Thompson was in frail health most of the time, and did not go out except for a drive. They had a beautiful carriage and a smart team of horses driven by a coachman. Geneva attended St. Margaret's Episcopal School on Franklin and North Streets in Buffalo. She was always very beautiful and glamorous. Being an only child in a quiet household, naturally she gravitated to the lively crowd at Oelkers next door, where Mrs. Oelkers gave her a loving welcome. I can see her running across the lawn to be with the young people next door. I used to see her at Pauline Humphrey's dances and parties and elsewhere. She always had elegant clothes, made by Mrs. Stern who sewed at Thompsons weeks at a time.

Geneva had many suitors, but fell in love with Peter A. Porter Jr. and was married at home by the Rev. G. Sherman Burrows. I believe Dr. Regester of St. Paul's Cathedral, Buffalo, was there, too.

Mr. Porter came from a distinguished Niagara County family. His father was the Honorable Peter A. Porter, congressman from this district. Among his ancestors was Brigadier General Porter, hero in the war of 1812.

Geneva and her husband stayed in the Thompson home, except for the summer months when they occupied their place at Narragansett in Rhode Island. They gave many lavish parties and balls, at which Hoe Arbruster's Orchestra played nearly all night. The colored lights in the beautiful garden, which extended back to Christiana Street, attracted much attention. Mr. Porter had the iron fence and gates put up.

Long after Mr. & Mrs. Thompson died, the Porters moved to the Campanile Apartments in Buffalo. They were well known in Buffalo society. When Peter died, the bulk of the money had dwindled. Geneva suffered a broken hip, and spent her last years in the Carleton Nursing home, alone as far as relatives were concerned.

Long ago, Mr. Thompson had a hired man named “Shorty,” a cockney from England. He was barely 5 feet tall, with a big mustache, and he smoked a very smelly pipe. He lived upstairs over the barn, which became a hang-out for the high school boys.

Shorty had been in the British Navy, and regaled the boys with endless yarns of his adventures at sea around the world. One day the boys took him to the Gayety Burlesque Show in Buffalo. They sat way up in the balcony. Shorty had brought his spy glass with him and would stand up and focus his glass on the dancing girls on stage much to the embarrassment of the boys. Of course, everyone in back yelled at him to sit down. The boys loved it all. I do not know when Shorty passed from the scene, but there are many who will not forget him.

373, for many years, was a large vacant lot at the corner of Niagara and Goundry. There Tom Charleton had a fine vegetable garden and there his cow was tethered. The lot was bought by John Edwards, who kept account for Robinson Brothers Lumber Co. The Edwards' built a large colonial house with a verandah in front. They had no children, and Mrs. Edwards used to entertain us girls. I remember being invited there to a “thimble party.” We all brought our fancy work in sewing bags and spent the afternoon on the front verandah sewing - usually followed by refreshments.

At one of these parties, Lottie Large sat down in the porch swing, not knowing that someone's embroidery scissors had been left there. The scissors pierced her rear. Someone had presence of mind enough to call Dr. Caroline Koenig, who came in a hurry. She stopped the bleeding and sewed up the wound, we all went home. Lottie recovered.

After John Edwards died, his wife moved to Buffalo and the house was bought by Farney Wurlitzer and much enlarged. The verandah was replaced with tall white colonial pillars, the solarium and fountain added. The side lawns became a beautiful garden, with Italian fountains, marble benches, rare flowers and shrubs. They gave many lovely parties there, and at their summer home at Niagara-on-the-Lake.

After the Wurlitzers moved to a new brick home on Leicester Road in Deerhurst Park, the house became the Town Club of the Tonawandas, Mr. Wurlitzer practically gave it to the club for a very small sum. He stipulated that the garden was to remain a garden, and not be turned into a parking lot. It is still a beautiful place enjoyed by many. It is a far cry from Tom Charleton's cow pasture.

394, a large wooden house, was the home of Frederick Robertson, banker. His first wife was Clara Rand, sister of George, James and Benjamin L. Rand. The four children were Fred Jr., who attended Wesleyan College in Connecticut; Wallace, who went to Cornell; Mildred, who attended Dana Hall near Boston, and Ruth. In the winter of 1912, the house caught fire and burned. Ruth was just a young girl. She sat at the phone alerting the fire department, then rolled up the Oriental rugs, threw them out and got out. The house was completely destroyed. Soon Mr. Robertson built a new large red brick modern house, with an enclosed glass porch on the Goundry side. The front entrance was on a lower level facing Niagara Street. Having the front at the side was a new idea then. Fred. Jr. and Wally served in France in World War I. Fred spent a year in France with the Medical Corps in the 76th Division U.S. Army at Mar-sur-Allier. Wally was with the Motor transport for one year in France.

Fred went into banking and married Helen Payne. After she died, he married Dorothy Allen Drewes. They live in Wurlitzer Park.

Wally was in the automobile business. He and Kay moved to Bradford, Pa. Mildred married Warren Mundie, banker with the Marine Bank. They had six children. Ruth married Milton Praker, lawyer. They were divorced and she married a Mr. McCoull, who died. She is still living.

397, at the southeast corner of Niagara Street, was the home of William Mills. The Mills' huge lot covered half a city block. They had many fruit trees, chickens, a large vegetable garden, and a well with good spring water. Mr. Mills was associated with William Kerr in the Tonawanda Iron Works on River Road. He also was one of the owners in Lake Boats with LeGrand DeGraff. Mrs. Mills had been graduated from Ohio University. Her father was a close friend of Mark Twain and had gone on the trip to Europe with Twain, which resulted in the book “Innocents Abroad.”

Elizabeth and Louise Mills were graduated from Bryn Mawr. Ann went to Wellesley. The only son, William, graduated from West Point among the highest 10 in his class. He was in General MacArthur's Army in World War II, and, as an engineer, preceded the General when the U.S. Army regained the Philippine Islands. He is now retired, a high ranking officer.

Elizabeth obtained her Phd. in Spanish at the University of Mexico. She had taught in Central and South America, as well as a short term at Felton School. She was with the U.S. Army in Germany at the end of World War II.

Louis married Charles Crane Jr., and lived in California for many years. When he died, she retired and now lives in Seattle, near her son, Charlie. Son Billy Crane lives in Pittsburgh.

Ann married Harry Long of Buffalo. They had a home in Long Beach, Ont. After his death, she went to Oxford, Ohio. Elizabeth now makes her home with Ann. They were always a cultured and interesting family; unfortunately there are no more Mills on Goundry.

The Joseph Volk family bought the Mills house. They attained nationwide fame when their fourth set of twins arrived. They had one son first, making nine children in all.

Homer Mye bought the house on the corner. He served in Intelligence in World War II, in Egypt, Sicily, and other places in the U.S. Army, under General Eisenhower.

400, Dr. Comstock's house, long ago was the last one on the street. Beyond was an open field, which extended to Division Street, where football games were played.

I recall the great excitement when Buffalo Bill himself brought his Wild West Show and performed here, about 1902 or 1905. I had never before seen so many real Indians and their small brown and white spotted horses which they rode bareback. The whole town turned out for the show, filling the street and sidewalks. Tickets were 25 and 50 cents for reserved seats. We sat on bleachers out under the open sky, not under a tent.

Young Fred and Wally Robertson had a lemonade stand on the corner and did a thriving business. Their mother finally came out to wash the glasses which the boys had been using over and over again. That show was not at all like the modern Ringling Brothers' Circus, which is quite tame compared to Buffalo Bill's Show.

Beyond Division was Goundry Extension, a dirt road and a few houses. First on the left was the home of Abe Gray. There were four sons; Walter, Howard, Glen and Robert. Howard met a very tragic fate.

Boat parties on the Niagara River were popular. Mrs. Humphrey and Mrs. Clendenan gave a party for the latter's niece, Ruby Adams from Toronto. There was a double-decked barge towed by another boat which took the party up to the Bedell House on Grand Island, and then home by moonlight. There was dancing on the upper deck for Pauline Humphrey's crowd of young people. Ruby started to come down the ladder to the deck below. She caught the heel of her slipper, lost her grip, and fell into the river. Howard Gray, her escort, plunged in after her. They both sank below the surface of the dark water. The boat circled and used lights to no avail. Within about 10 days, the bodies were recovered below the Falls. My mother and Father were guests on that boat party and never forgot the horrible tragedy.

Glen Gray went on to Oberlin College, where he became a great football star. After college, he started a small country bank. He was out hunting one fall day and was accidentally shot and killed by another hunter. There still is a Glen Gray award in high school.

Across the street is the home of Robert Collins, rural mail carrier. I remember the two-wheeled cart. He always stood up, driving his horse on the rounds. There was a sort of canopy which partly shielded him from the bitter cold weather. He had a ruddy healthy look from all that fresh air.

The Collins Children were Bessie, David, Helen and Anna Ruth. The latter still lives in the same family home. Bessie married Fred Roginson; Helen died young.

Beyond them lived Thomas Patterson, who worked at Adam, Meldrum and Anderson in Buffalo. He had a very beautiful stepdaughter, Georgia Brereton. There were two Brereton boys, Arthur and Jack.

Next door was the Christy family. Anna Christy worked at the North Tonawanda post Office until she retired. There also was Jessie Christy, who married Mr. Crowell, and sisters, Edith and Margaret and two brothers.

Opposite lived John Brown, his wife and daughter, Alice, who was in my grade at Goundry School. Next door to Gray's house lived Lee Duncan and wife. He was a mail carrier for many years.

Farther along the street was the family of Joe Wilson. There were Joe, Jean, Charlie, who married Eunice Jones, daughter of Arthur Jones, the florist- and Marjorie and Ted.

Beyond them lived the George O. Miller family, son George and also Edna Sutton, who was the sister of Mrs. Miller. Edna married a Mr. Grigg from Lockport who was well-to-do. When she died, she left money to the North Presbyterian Church where she had long been a devoted member.

Across from Gray's house was the home of John F. Shad. He drove a horse and black cart on which the sign “Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co.” in large gold letters was painted. Going from door to door selling coffee and other groceries as well as tea, he was a familiar sight on our street. This was years before the famous A&P Market was established, here.

The last house on the left was the home of Frederick Rhordanz and family. There was Cora, who married William Gosch, Winifred and a son, Wilbur.

That was the end of the old Goundry Street long ago. Beyond lay farm land and Black Hannah's woods.

About 1909 or 1910, new houses were being built on Goundry, beyond Dr. Comstock's at 400. Will Kelsey built a large yellow brick and clapboard home at 412. Besides his wife, there was Edward, who went to the West Coast, and Robert, or Bob, as he was known. Mr. Kelsey had a lumber business down on River Road. This house was later the home of Timanus G. Wilson. It now houses many apartments.

Across Whiting, which had now become a street, a large mysterious mansion was constructed. It was Tudor in style, and stood far back behind a thick tall hedge. We did not know the owner, Edward Farmer, who had come from New York City to head the Niagara Silk Mills, a new factory, near the corner of Sweeney and Webster Sts. Everything about the house and its owners intrigued us keenly. Mrs. Farmer had a French maid who would take her mistress for a walk down Goundry at midnight. There was a large solarium housing tropical plants, birds, and a fountain on the east side. How we youngsters longed to see the inside of that mansion.

Once we did get there. I think it was the niece, Bethel Farmer, who took us there one day after school. She attended Felton just like the rest of us. We were awe struck by the huge wide stairway with carved teak banisters, ending in carved dragons. On the landing was a huge mirror in a gold leaf frame. The house was filled with Oriental art and beautiful rugs. In the garden were stone Japanese or Chinese lanterns, a pond with white ducks, and winding paths bordered by exotic plants. They entertained strange out of town guests who cavorted around the garden in kimonos or other Oriental garb. We had never seen anything like it before in this town.

After the Farmers broke up, he went back to New York City. She married young Bistany, the son of the well-known rug dealer. During World War I, Ed Spillman bought the house for his wife and step-daughter, Josephine Sanborn. Eventually the house was deserted, fell into ruin and was torn down.

Across Goundry, at Whiting, Hugh McLean Jr. built a spacious red brick home. The yard was very large and extended back to Tremont Street. Mr. McLean married Ida Werry, a Canadian, and they had two children, Hugh III, and Ida Margaret. Hugh III married Arline Moll, and Ida Margaret married Martin Teal from Lockport. The Teals now live in Gasport and have a daughter, Anne Hugh and Arline have a son, Hugh, and a daughter, Janet. The son is married and managed a hotel at Lake Tahoe, Calif. Janet married Peter Nixon and lives in Johnstown, N. Y.

Jim Thompson was a very close friend of Hugh McLean. They both loved hunting and fishing. Mr. Thompson maintained a hunting lodge in Canada where the two went every fall. They had an Indian guide, and Mr. Thompson had two huge black hunting dogs. One was called “Shaniga.”

I remember when Uncle Hugh brought home a black bear which they had shot. We were given some of the steak. It was the toughest meat we ever ate, even after being cooked for hours and hours on our big coal-burning kitchen range. It must have been a pretty tough old bruin. It had a very strong taste and smell.

Another of Uncle Hugh's friends was LeGrand DeGraff. He had a yacht. The Jemima II, off the coast of Florida. Once when they were fishing there Uncle Hugh hooked a large sailfish. When he was slowly reeling it in, along came a big barracuda which bit the sail fish in two. All my uncle got on the hook was the heads

Next door to McLeans, August de Kleist built an attractive modern house. Later, Cleo Boyd bought it. He lived to be more than 90 years old. After he and his wife died, Bill Gosch bought the home and now lives there.

A Mr. Cramer built the next house. He was a younger brother of Mrs. Al Spillman. When it was for sale, it was bought by St. Mark's Episcopal Church as a parsonage. The Rev. Canon Alexander Corti and family occupied it for many years. Now the Rev. Thomas lives there.

Gus Mayers had a small house next door. George Yianilos built a snug red brick home. He and his brothers owned the chain of Sugar Bowl stores. They had come from Greece in their youth and had prospered. Mr. Yianilos was a faithful supporter of the Greek Orthodox Church at the corner of Delaware and West Utica in Buffalo.

George and Polly Rasch built a pretty white house near Division Street, when they were first married. George died suddenly of a heart attack. She married David Howard.

To return to the corner of Whiting Street - Dr. John C. Kinzly built an attractive home and office on the spot which used to be the corner of Mr. Farmer's garden. Next door Everett and Elizabeth Kelsey built a new house with lots of windows. Their sons were Alfred and David. The door knobs in the house were unique. They were four feet above the floor level so the little tots could not reach them.

I think that the Williams built 448, later C. C. Hoover bought it. Then Dr. Thomas, who married Martha von Kleist, lived there. Then Hoover took it over again. Now James A. Hoover and wife occupy it.

Next door is a square white house built by Dow Vroman. He and his wife wanted the old Root home farther down the street. So the Roots and Vromans exchanged houses.

Later, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hewitt Sr. bought it. He owned and published the Tonawanda Evening News. Charles Jr. took over the paper at his father's death. Charles Jr. suffered a tragic death at his country place in East Aurora, leaving Ruby and four children. The young widow took over the paper, became owner and publisher very successfully. She has received much recognition, both in the state and nationally. Now the paper has passed into other hands.

Walter Witte built a modern house next door to Hewitts. There were two children, Karen and Walter Jr. William McCarthy built on the same side of the street.

The last house was built by Mr. Less - near where the old high speed trolley line used to be. Now the embankment is gone, and the new Memorial Highway, with its night and day zooming traffic has cut across and made Old Goundry a Dead End.

Article: Transcribed from a collection of "Try To Remember" articles developed by the Historical Society of the Tonawandas, which appeared in the Tonawanda News from 1976 - 1978, by Melville J. Batt. This collection was provided by Melville's son, Douglas Batt.

I've enclosed a check from our US account. Please send a North Tonawanda Ethnic Heritage Cookbook to our Hong Kong address. Consider any unused part a donation.

Nice www site! Perhaps you would consider having a category for NTHS grads to post comments, by year of graduation. Good way to announce things like reunions, trying to locate old friends, new address, place photos, etc.

I grew up at 397 Goundry Street - part of a very large family - and have very fond memories of NT.

In response: March 23, 2006

Dear Ken,

As a board member of the NTHM, I received an email that enclosed your email and I just had to respond!

I too, grew up on Goundry Street (The Panes at 341) and among my fond memories of course is your family...All the twins!...I had a crush on your brother Tyler, used to sit next to him on the school bus, although he was on the shy side, when he got talking he was very interesting. Remembering your Mother either as a nurse or a mom, always smiling with a wave when walking past your home, till your parents moved.

I now live in 341 with my family, and my sister Lisa and her family live in Father Sam's house next door to Bill and Lois Gosh.

Just wanted to let you know your family is still part of the neighborhood in our hearts.

Thanks for the Memories,

Marilyn (Pane) Lasky