USA > New York > Monroe County > Gates > From the wilderness : town of Gates sesquicentennial, 1813-1963 > Part 7
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Another old home, which could tell many a story of bygone days, is this brick home at 2586 Buffalo Road. Now occu- pied by Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Goodberlet, it was built in 1875 by Charles Arm- strong who lived most of his life in Gates.
WESTGATE
We're All
PLAZA
Town of Gates 18134 1963 Sesquicentennial
Congratulations TO THE TOWN OF GATES
ON ITS SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION FROM THE MEMBERS OF THE WESTGATE PLAZA MERCHANTS' ASSOCIATION AND CHILI PLAZA, Inc.
ACHTER'S KEY DRUGS
RAFF'S WOMEN'S WEAR
AERO HARDWARE
STAR MARKET
ALTIER'S SHOES
SECURITY TRUST CO.
SIMON'S BABY FURNITURE & TOYS
ENDICOTT-JOHNSON
SPEEDY CLEANERS
FANNY FARMER
STYLE MANOR BEAUTY SALON
GATES CHEF'S SKILLET
TOT'N TEEN SHOP
HOUSE OF DESSERTS
WESTGATE BARBER SHOP
KNOBLER'S MEN'S & BOYS' SHOP
WESTGATE LAUNDROMAT
LOVE'S JEWELERS
WESTGATE SHOE SERVICE
MADEMOISELLE DRESS SHOPPE
W. T. GRANT CO.
MUSIC DEN
WHELPLEY & PAUL
NEISNER'S
NOAH'S ARK
F. WESLEY MOFFETT, Jr.
Dressed-Up For The Occasion.
We are proud to be a part of this historic event and happy to be hosts to much of the Sesquicentennial Celebration activity. We're all decked out for the occasion in Flags. Buntings, Buttons and Bows.
25 FRIENDLY MERCHANTS AND SERVICE STORES TO SERVE YOU BEST!
.....
CONVENIENT MALL SHOPPING CORNER CHILI AVENUE, HOWARD ROAD AND BROOKS AVENUE Parking for Over 2,000 Cars
The Mail Must Go Through
Carriedby
Gat
June 22,1963 Pony Express
Mail carrier for the town of Gates between 1903 and about 1930 was Millard A. Smith. With Mr. Smith in the buggy is his daughter, Irene, now Mrs. Alexander Kern of Buffalo Road, who often served as substitute carrier.
The opening of the Westgate Branch Post Office at Westgate Plaza, on June 22, 1963 culminated a colorful history of mail service in the town of Gates.
Earliest mail delivery in the town, as far as can be ascertained, was by stagecoach, probably about 1885 or 1890. Mail was dropped off at Lincoln Park, at a hotel which formerly stood at Fisher and Chili Roads and at Chili Centre. The first regular mail car- rier in the Town is believed to have been Theodore Sperry. His route covered the entire town. The dates of his service are not certain but about 1903 he re- tired and the route was taken over by Millard A. Smith who delivered the mail, first by horse-drawn wagon, and later in a Model T Ford. Mr. Smith's daughter, Irene, now Mrs. Alexander Kern, who still lives on Buffalo Road, was one of two substitute car- riers, although she was only in her teens at the time, and often carried her father's route if he or the other substitute carrier was ill.
Westgate Branch Post Office at Westgate Plaza opened for business on June 22, 1963.
Mail was delivered by train to Patrick Campbell's general store in Lyell Avenue near Mt. Read Blvd., where it was sorted. Some time later the station was changed to P. D. KANE'S store in Lincoln Park, and in 1931 the Coldwater Post Office was opened in the New York Central Railroad Station at Cold- water. The station agent also acted as Post Master.
Mrs. Kern recalls that the route was so long that half way around the mail carrier was met with a fresh horse. In those days the mail man not only delivered and picked up mail but also sold stamps and took money orders.
In 1920 Ellsworth C. Player was appointed to carry mail in Gates, Chili and North Chili. The pop- ulation was increasing and more help was needed. Working first from the Lincoln Park Station and later from Coldwater, Mr. Player covered a 55 mile route. Finally he worked from the Bulls Head Sta- tion. He retired in 1947 and died March 30, 1960.
Mr. Smith was followed by John Witzel who de- livered the mail by car to over 700 families between 1932 and 1952 when he died.
According to Ray Stich, a resident of West Side Drive, who worked at the Coldwater Station for eight years, the official business of the United States Post Office was transferred from Coldwater to Rochester on November 1, 1939. However the station func- tioned until October of 1962, even though 99% of Coldwater's residents were served from Rochester.
With the opening of the Westgate Branch Post Office, most of the town of Gates received a new zone number. Formerly żone 11, it became zone 24. North of Lyell Avenue to the Greece Town Line, it remains zone 6.
Pony Express Rider Wil- liam J. Elser delivers first mail to Westgate Branch Manager, Fred Baker.
E.N.K.GL ROCHE
.- 4
Town Supervisor. Frank F. Kipers purchases first stamp with a wooden nickel at the Westgate Branch Post Office on opening day.
Greetings to the large group of town residents who attended Post Office Dedication Ceremonies are extended by Supervisor Frank F. Kipers.
Frank E. Kipers, Town Supervisor, cuts the ribbon at the dedication of the Westgate Branch Post Office.
I-Y DRUGS
Part of the throng who were interested spectators at Post Office Dedication Ceremonies.
THUS
1
Doud Post Color Guard raises the flag at Post Office Dedication Ceremonies June 22, 1963.
POST OFFICE
ILI
Pictured at Post Office Dedication Ceremonies are the Sesquicentennial Keystone Cops and the Doud Post Color Guard.
--
A Letter
from Luther Burbank
HORTICULTURAL NOVELTIES. New Creations in Trees, Fruits and -٠ ١٠٠٠٠ |
Burbank's > Experiment + Grounds. LUTHER BURBANK. SANTA ROSA. SONOM . COUNTY CAI. IRANIH AT .. A
The fame of Luther Burbank, who established the Burbank Experiment Grounds in Santa Rosa, ('alifornia, where he produced hundreds of different varieties of fruits, vegetables and flowers, is known throughout the world. A prized possession of Everett Kennell, 585 Beahan Road, is a letter written by Mr. Burbank to Mr. Kennell's father, John Fay Ken- nell in 1893 relating to Gladiolus seed and bulbs used by Mr. Kennell as part of a program of Glad- iolus Hybridizing conducted on his Beahan Road farm. Dated February 19, 1893. the letter reads in part :
Fay Kennell, Esq .. Dear Sir:
Your favor with $2.25 received. Will send the seeds in a day or two and will risk the bulb too and if it freezes will send another. Also will send sample bulblets. You have sent $1.00 too much. What shall I do with it! I plant bulbs from Jan. Ist to June. March and April is about the best here. I dip in Oct.
Sincerely yours, Luther Burbank
As a result of this hybridizing program, Mr. Ken. nell's red Gladiolus, "Number 1900", was given top award at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo in 1900.
The Kennell family first settled on Fisher Road where John Fay Kennell was born. In 1885 he and his wife, the former Emma Pridmore, moved to Bea- han Road where they raised Gladiolus and whole- saled the bulbs to commission houses throughout the state.
After his father's death in 1908, Everett Kennell continued to live in the family homestead where he experimented with hybridizing Day Lilies He served as sole trustee of the Gates Common School District No. I from 1929 until 1935 and continued as a member of the school board until 1939. He retired from the East High School teaching staff in 1961.
A Famous Picnic Grove
Elser's Grove
For more than 25 years the largest, private picnic grounds in western New York, Elser's Grove was the scene of nationality, political, church, fraternal and shop gatherings.
From early morn to late evening the Grove re- sounded with an Irish jig, a Polish polka, singing of the Badischer Mannerchor, or the music of a park band. For the many in native dress, Elser's Grove was "the Fatherland" on this one day of their an- nual reunion.
Each group had its feature attractions, whether it was the "fussball" or curling of the Irish, the politicos' ringing declarations of "victory in No- vember", or the band music of the Germans. An annual event was the gymnastic performance of U.S. Olympic Star Doris Fuchs before the 10,000 gathered for the German "Deutschesfest".
If you liked a parade, none was more colorful nor flag-adorned than that of the Ukranians. Units from as far as Cleveland, Toronto, Syracuse and New York came to "sound off" and parade their colors. Parades and picnics brought greetings from the politicians, and among the many frequent vis- itors were Ken Keating, Judy Weis, Al Skinner. Gordon Howe and Bill Posner.
In 1935 the largest gathering in the Towns' hist - ory came out to greet the expected arrival of Father Coughlin. More than 20,000 packed Elser's Grove, neighboring farms and brought traffic for miles around to a standstill. Father Coughlin and his "So- cial Justice" followers were at the peak of their pop- ularity.
In 1961 the picnics and their good times came to an end, as the grove made way for the Western Expressway. Where the politicians once stood to de- liver their speeches, traffic will soon speed east and west. The grove has yielded to the needs of a faster- moving age.
MR. BENE
Coiffures by Bené BEAUTY SALON
Congratulates the Town of Gates on their Sesqui-centennial Celebration
MISS CONNIE
6 Operators Mr. Bene Miss Connie Miss Kay Miss Mary Miss Lee Miss Ellie
Sesqui-centennial Special Permanents Half Price
Starting from
$15.00 on $7.50 complete
up
Hours : MON .- SAT. 9:00 to 5:30 TUES .- THUR .- FRI. Till 9 P.M.
1702 LYELL AVE. CL 4-1770
AMPLE PARKING
AIR CONDITIONED
CENTRAL TRUSTY
T
Toust
CENTRAL TRUST COMPANY
LYELL-MT. READ OFFICE 1370 LYELL AVENUE MEMBER F.D.I.C.
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ROCHESTER . n. Y.
No Appointment Necessary Week Days
Organizations
GATES-CHILI LIONS CLUB
O
L
TOMLATIO
16016
With a membership of business and professional men, the Gates-Chili Lions Club, founded in 1950, is one of 17,000 Lions Clubs in 118 countries through- out the Free World. While good fellowship and club social life are enjoyed, the Lions goal is Service to the Community as expressed in their motto, "We Serve."
The members have followed the lead of Lions International in directing their principal community activities toward the sight-handicapped. In the thirteen years of its existence the club has provided over 200 eye examinations for deserving residents, mostly children, of the two-town area. These examin- tions were generally followed with the fitting of eye glasses and frames.
In 1952 the club was a co-founder of the Roch- ester Eye-Bank and several years later helped in the establishment of the University of Rochester eye- research center through the donation of equipment. In recent years the members have collected and shipped more than 5,000 pairs of old glasses to "New Eyes For The Needy", an organization that dis- tributes glasses to persons in need throughout the world.
Other activities on behalf of the sight-handi- capped have been one-day sales of Blindcraft articles at Westgate Plaza, donation of braille typewriters and a braille watch, guidance for blind bowlers, col- lection and donation of used ice skates for students at the Batavia School for the Blind and financing of eye operations for deserving Town residents.
Community activities have included the now- traditional summer street dances with popular disc jockeys such as Boh Mills, Uncle Eddie Meath and Joe Deane as emcees, circus day for children, dona- tion of equipment to Town charitable organizations, help to children at the Rochester State Hospital, sponsorship of a Little League team, sponsorship of YMCA activities and aid to Town residents where needed and deserving.
Beginning in 1958 the Club chose an annual recipient of its "Outstanding Citizen" award, one who has given commendable service to the commun- ity over a period of years. Honored to date have been Mrs. William E. Elser, Mrs. Thomas B. Steckel, Mrs. Albert A. Shartran, Mrs. David J. Borlen, Alfred R. Marvel and Kenneth R. Kemp.
In 1961 the club received outstanding recogni- tion when one of its members, Lion Ev Russell, was elected Governor of Lions District 20-E, comprising an area of 16 counties and 62 clubs united in Lionism.
On the social side the Lions are noted for their annual clambake which draws approximately 500 members and guests each September at Logan's on Scottsville Road. They also sponsor annual golf and bowling tournaments and have special dinner- dance events such as "Polish Night" and "Irish Night."
Sixty-seven members strong, the Lions "roar" into the future in furtherance of their motto, "We Serve."
Daughters of Freedom
During 1942 at the time of World War II when the many men from Gates were serving in the armed forces of our country, a group of faithful wives, mothers and sisters formed an organization of serv- ice to the men who were stationed near Rochester.
The organization we know as the Daughters of Freedom formed and elected as their first officers, President: Mrs. Frank Leidecker; Vice-President, Mrs. A. Mance; Secretary: Mrs. Gordon Lord; Treasurer: Mrs. Ray Croucher; Historian: Mrs. Ed- win Hallett.
A service center was opened on April 4, 1943 in the Gates Town Hall. Here the ladies served delic- ious dinners every Sunday. The members and the men from home provided transportation to and from the "Gates Canteen". There was dancing and other recreation and many servicemen will remember the hospitality shown them by the people in Gates.
Although the need for the service center disap- peared, the Daughters of Freedom did not. They through their projects, have given gifts and of their time to servicemen at Batavia and Canandaigua Veterans Hospitals and veterans now hospitalized at the Rochester State Hospital. In 1961 they gave a television set to one of the wards at the Canan- daigua VA Hospital and for many years at Christ- mas and Easter they have given cigarettes and other gifts to servicemen in these hospitals and they have for many years placed flags on the veterans' graves in the cemeteries of our town.
The present officers of the Daughters of Freedom are: President: Mrs. Oscar Haase, Sr .; Vice-Presi- dent: Mrs. Frank Bertram; Recording Secretary: Mrs. Ben Berner; Financial Secretary: Mrs. William E. Elser and Treasurer: Mrs. Herbert Munns.
KEY'S DRUG STORE
2074 CHILI AVENUE - WESTGATE PLAZA
"Ready to Serve You and Your Doctor"
Open 9 A.M. to 10 P.M. Sundays 'til 8 P.M.
"We Serve"
LIONS
"We Serve"
L
INTERN
GATES-CHILI LIONS CLUB
Founded 1950
OFFICERS
President, JOHN HAFFEY
First Vice-President, HAROLD WOOD
Second Vice-President, DUANE NEU
Third Vice-President, WILLIAM FORBES
Secretary, WALTER SAYRE
Treasurer, JOHN SCHIFFERLI
Tail Twister, NICHOLAS BARNES
Lion Tamer, TED ACKERMAN Lion Tamer, WM. DUFFY
Director, JOHN BRIGGS
Director, JOE GAJEWSKI
Director, CHARLES HAVENS
Director, MELVILLE LOVE
PAST PRESIDENTS
JOHN BRIGGS HOMER BROWNLEE
DONALD DREHER
WILLIAM ELSER JAMES FRANK JOSEPH GAJEWSKI
CHARLES HAVENS
JOSEPH LaFONTAINE
MELVILLE LOVE EVERETT RUSSELL
TED THOMAS
FRED VAN COTT
HERMAN WOBSER
MEMBERS
Ralph Allen
Charles Dearcop
George McCoy
Joseph Shafer
Dr. Felix Balonek
Thomas Derleth
Reginald Mcfee
Samuel Smith
George Biesenbach Ben Berner Dave Briars
Vincent Florack
Robert Millard
Norbert Spitz
Frank Fogle
Carl Morgante
Michael Telesca
Robert Turcotte
Joseph Brongo
Dr. William Harris George Heinrich Harold Hook
Raymond Morris Lowell Nichols
Edward Ver Weire
Neil Bubel
Rudolph Vogel
Frank Carroll Costanzo Caruso
George Kingston
Albert Schnabel
Richard Young
George Clark
Frank Kipers
Harold Schnabel
Lawrence R. Veck
William C. Warren
Dennis Cooney Emmett Dailey
Walter Logan
Arthur Schott
Wilson Turner
Lawrence Brongo
Rev. Albert Geiger
Frank Mordenga
Edward Oehlbeck William Ross
Raymond Howell
George Wiedemer
American Red Cross
The Gates Branch of the American Red Cross was organized during the first World War for the purpose of giving "aid and comfort" to the boys of the town who were in the service of their country, and to their families.
The first meeting was held December 27, 1917 in the Grange Hall. The original officers were: Mrs. C. E. Dix, chairman; Miss Maude Becker, vice chairman; Miss Abby Pixley, secretary; Miss Fanny Field, treasurer.
In those days "Government Issue" was scant and the members pitched in with a will to knit socks, mufflers, sweaters, pajamas, etc. so that every boy who left for the war from Gates had a "comfort" bag.
All during the war years, and for many years after, the members supplied Red Cross Head- quarters with all manner of articles needed by des- titute families - both here and in other countries. Sewing groups were organized and at one time six sewing machines were in operation to turn out the necessary articles. In the year 1942, for example, the Gates branch supplied headquarters with: 4 blankets. 165 flannel shirts, 262 snow suits, 256 rompers, 350 dresses, 120 skirts, 63 baby shirts; 700 diapers, 22 overalls, 7 sleeping bags, 463 needle kits and 193 khaki bags.
Many a quilt was tied at the monthly meetings, and during one year. 1943. 2,720 hospital gowns were made by the branch and 31,846 surgical dress- ings completed. Other services included furnishing first aid kits and supplies to the school and pur- chasing eye-glasses for residents of the town who were financially unable to do so.
In later years the services were expanded to in- clude a water safety program, first aid and home nursing classes. The local branch also brings the Red Cross Bloodinobile to Gates twice a year and has recently instituted a transportation service to the Rehabilitation Center in Rochester.
The list of volunteer workers is a tremendous one and there is not room in this brief history to list them all. They have given generously of their time and energy. Their service to hospitals - to families and to individuals has been inestimable. They have played a great part in making the Town of Gates the fine community it is today.
RED CROSS OFFICERS
Present officers are: Chairman, Mrs. Albert Shartran: Vice Chairman, Mrs. Robert Little; Sec- retary. Mrs. Gordon E. Cole: Treasurer, Mrs. Leon Nickerson; Blood Unit. Mrs. Donald Bintz and Mrs. John Chuhay; Disaster Relief, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Russell: First Aid, Mrs. Philip Hochreiter and Mrs. Raymond S. Miller: Home Service, Mrs. Alvin I. Fisher: Nursing. Mrs. William Thorn and Mrs. David Fingar: Nutrition, Mrs. Robert G. Schroedl and Mrs. J. Francis Skelly: Publicity, Mrs. William Hasenauer and Miss Sylvia Diggs; Volunteer Serv-
ice, Mrs. William Ford; Water Safety, Mrs. Leo W. O'Leary; Loan Closet, Mrs. Gordon York; Edu- cational Relations, Mrs. John B. Cirelli.
S
Scouting
Scouting has been and will continue to be one of the finest national and world-wide organizations for the development of youth. We would like to com- mend all the boys and girls in the Town of Gates who are Scouts.
The very fine organizations which sponsor the Scouts and the numbers of the troops are as follows:
GIRL SCOUTS - OATKA DISTRICT
PINETREE NEIGHBORHOOD: Troops No. 78, 349, 360, 432, 583, 442 sponsored by Washing- ton Irving School P.T.A. Troops No. 559, 179, 685, 465 170 sponsored by St. Helen's Church.
DOGWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD: Troops No. 301, 378 sponsored by Gates Wesleyan Methodist Church; Troops No. 738, 876, 728, 763, 931, 768 sponsored by Thomas Edison School P.T.A .; Troops No. 758, 516, 637 sponsored by Harding School P.T.A .; Troops No. 107, 108, 495, 787, 760 spon- sored by St. Theodore's Altar Society.
BOY SCOUTS - OTETIANA COUNCIL
NORTH STAR DISTRICT: Troop No. 122 sponsored by Holy Ghost Church; Troop No. 103 sponsored by Thomas Edison School P.T.A .; Troop No. 124 sponsored by Harding School P.T.A .; Ex- plorer Post No. 272 sponsored by Gates Fire District Exempt Club No. 2 Firehouse; Troop No. 36 spon- sored by Church of the Epiphany; Troop No. 158 sponsored by Elmgrove Methodist Church and resi- dents of Elmgrove.
LONG HORN DISTRICT: Troop No. 205 spon- sored by Washington Irving School P.T.A.
BLACKHAWK DISTRICT: Troop No. 94 spon- sored by St. Theodore's Church.
May We Continue to Serve the People of Gates
The Carriage House
525 PAUL ROAD ID 6-5230
MEMBER
DOLOMITE
NYSCSA NYSBCA MEMBER
DOLOMITE PRODUCTS CO., INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
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Gates Little League
ometanty appreved by
AGUE
The Gates Little League was founded in 1955, about the time that this National boys program was growing by leaps and bounds throughout the world. The first year there were 186 boys playing on 4 major league teams and 6 minor league teams, sponsored by town merchants. The major league played at Washington Irving School and the Minor at Wash- ington Irving and Harding Schools.
1956 was marked by the tremendous increase in the number of boys wishing to play, the total was just under 500. The program was enlarged in order to accommodate everyone who registered and two new leagues were established playing at Doud Post and Russer field. The generosity of the late John Russer made possible the purchase of Russer stadium where there are three fields on one site. Major and minor ball as well as Pony League for boys 13 and 14 is played at Russer stadium. The graduates of the first year, who were now 13 played in this latter league as well as 14 year old boys who the year before were disappointed because the age limit was 12. The major and minor league was still maintained at Washington Irving.
In 1957 another division was added for 15 and 16 year old boys and the other leagues remained as they were in 1956.
In 1958 the group joined in the National Lassie League for girls 10 to 15. These girls played a form of slow pitch softball. There are about 180 girls each year playing in three leagues, all at the high school field.
This program runs each year with a Board of Directors approving the expenditure of about $5,500 per year which is raised from sponsors and from townspeople in an annual fund drive held each June. The program has been accepted by the youth and by the townspeople each year both from a registra- tion point of view and from a financial point. There are 46 teams operating, using 11 diamonds almost every night in the week. In 1957, the Babe Diderickson Memorial Award was established. Each year the award is given to an athlete who has fought courageously and successfully to overcome illness or an injury. This award and the individual that receives it can be looked to by our youth as an example of what he or she should be as they mature and face lifes' problems and realities. The winners of this award, all of whom have personally attended the annual banquets have been George "Specs" Toporcer (blind), Herb Score, Vick Wertz (polio), Red Schoendienst, Jim Piersall (nervous breakdown) and Robin Roberts.
The boys and girls are given a trophy at the end of their eligible time in the program as an award and memento for having participated in the program.
This handsome trophy, bearing the inscription, "Babe Didrickson Zaharius Memorial Award - For Outstanding Inspiration to Youth," is awarded annually to a deserving athlete whose name is inscribed on the scroll.
B
VIC. WERTZ, Recipient - 1958
Arrow Asphalt Paving Co. 71 HOWARD ROAD Rochester 6, New York
GRAY'S BARBER SHOP 350 CRESTWOOD BLVD. Rochester 24, New York
WARNER'S LIQUOR STORE
20 HINCHEY ROAD
Rochester 24, New York
PORTLAND PARK DEVELOPMENT, Inc. AND MITCH BUILDERS
38 COOPER ST.
ROCHESTER 9, NEW YORK
WILL BUILD
CCO
YOUR PLANS
OR
OURS ...
NOW BUILDING IN GATES AND IRONDEQUOIT
CALL - RALPH - JOE - STEVE
Congress 6-5333
Hopkins
7-5419
Hopkins
7-1822
"The Building of Each Home Personally Supervised“
ST
Gates Grange No. 421
Gates Grange No. 421, Patrons of Husbandry, was organized in the Sabbath Room of the old Pres- byterian Church on Oct. 25, 1877 by DistrictDeputy L. A. Palmer of Wheatland, N. Y. Unfortunately the charter was destroyed when the hall burned in 1915 and the State Records of Grangers from 400 to 600 have also been lost. As nearly as can be ascertained from charter members there were 31 in attendance from whom the following officers were elected :-
Worthy Master, Reuben L. Fields; Worthy Over- seer, G. B. Sperry; Worthy Secretary, J. E. Baker; Worthy Lecturer, A. K. Thurston; Worthy Steward, Alonzo Handy; Worthy Assistant Steward, Edwin Munn Pixley; Worthy Chaplain, John Lewis Pixley; Worthy Treasurer, W. S. Perry; Worthy Ceres, Mrs. J. C. Curry; Worthy Flora, Mrs. Frank Cowker; Worthy Pomona, Mrs. Alonzo Handy; Worthy Lady Assistant Steward, Mrs. J. E. Baker; Worthy Gate Keeper, C. H. Rowe.
The first application for membership was by Mrs. Fanny Pixley on Sept. 21, 1876, the 1st candidates to be initiated were Mr. and Mrs. Knollin on Nov. 14, 1876. Although Fanny Pixley was the 1st appli- cant she was not initiated until March 6, 1879.
The 1st Grange Picnic was a union picnic with the Chili Grange, held in 1879. Time and place not recorded. On June 22, 1881, we find that the grange chose by ballot one member to serve in conjunction with one member of Gates I. O. G. T. The two elected to choose a third person to act on committee to secure a site and build a new Hall. The site pur- chased was just west of Gates Presbyterian Church (Fred Becker's store). The building was 2 stories 20 by 60 ft. to be known as Union Hall and the 1st Grange session was held there Jan. 5, 1882. The 1st Grange Anniversary and reunion recorded was on Oct. 25, 1882.
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