John Graves
John Graves was born on July 28, 18771, in Bennington, New York, son of Jacob Greff and Maria Zehler. He grew up on the family farms in Bennington and Sheldon, with a brief interlude when the family moved to Iowa. In the late 1800's, John lived with his aging mother and father and continued to operate the family farm. The 1900 Census, shows John living with his mother, his father having died than two months earlier113. Later that same year, John, along with his mother, moved to Lancaster, New York, where he began work as a blacksmith for the New York Central Railroad, in the company shop in Depew, New York40.
On September 13, 1904, John married Clara Amelia Schwartz at St. Mary's of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church in Lancaster40. Clara was born on April 29, 1879, the daughter of Joseph Schwartz and Gertrude Link. Clara grew up on her family's farm in Lancaster, one of eight children. In 1900, Clara was living with her mother and working as a seamstress120. Following their marriage, John and Clara settled in the village of Lancaster. John continued to work as a blacksmith for the railroad and Clara continued as a dress maker. In 1910, they were living at 22 Albany Street, Lancaster121, and by 1920 they had moved to 10 Brady Street122. In both cases they owned their home free of mortgage. Around 192040, John began building a new home for his family and, in 1930, they were living at 49 Park Boulevard123.
In 1930, when the railroad shop in Depew was closed, John transferred to Albany, New York and continued to work for the railroad in their Albany shop. During the week, John stayed with his nephew, Raymond Martin, and his family. On weekends, John traveled home to be with his family, who remained in Lancaster. He retired in 1943 and returned to Lancaster. John and Clara's daughter Hilda, who remained single, helped care for them as they aged. Clara died on August 13, 1945, and John died on September 8, 1965.
The children of John and Clara are:
Fourth Generation
| i. | Clarence Joseph Graves | Clarence was born on December 30, 190540, and he on died June 9, 193940. Clarence married Fridoline Barbara Bolender. |
| ii. | Norbert John Graves | Norbert was born on February 22, 190718, and he died on October 10, 198118,40. Norbert married Evelyn D'Aprile. |
| iii. | Leona Gertrude Graves | Leona was born on April 5, 190918, and she died on May 31, 2008 18. Leona married (1) Leo J. Kieffer and (2) George W. Drennen. |
| iv. | Hilda Marie Graves | Hilde was born on September 21, 191418, and she died on January 20, 200318. Hilda remained single. |
| v. | Marion Clara Graves | Marion was born on June 14, 191618, and she died on November 14, 199618. Marion married Edward N. Sandel. |
Clarence Graves:
Clarence Joseph Graves was born on December 30, 190540, in Lancaster, New York, the first child of John Graves and Clara Schwartz. Clarence grew up with his family in Lancaster. After graduating from St. Mary's High School, he attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, where he completed a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering40.
In the mid 1930's, Clarence, along with a partner, founded Trojan Rectifier and Equipment Company, which made rectifiers, power supplies and other special electrical equipment40. Then, on June 7, 1937, Clarence married Fridoline Barbara Bolender at St. Mary's of the Assumption, in Lancaster40. Fridoline was born on December 27, 191040, the daughter of John P. Bolender and Bertha Kieffer. Their marriage, unfortunately, was short; Clarence died in a tragic auto accident on June 9, 1939. His wife survived and eventually remarried. They had no children.
Norbert Graves:
Norbert John Graves was born on February 22, 190718,40, in Lancaster, New York, the second child of John Graves and Clara Schwartz. He grew up with the family in Lancaster. Shortly after graduating from St. Mary's High School, Norbert began work as a machinist for a machine tool works123.
On February 15, 1937, Norbert married Evelyn D'Aprile at St. Mary's of the Assumption, in Lancaster40. Evelyn was born on January 2, 1908, in Depew, New York, the daughter of Peter D'Aprile and Lucretia ______18,40. Evelyn's parents immigrated from Italy in 1902122. Norbert and Evelyn settled in Lancaster, where Norbert pursued his career as a machinist. Norbert died October 10, 198118,40, and Evelyn followed on October 29, 198618,40. They had no children.
Leona Graves:
Leona Gertrude Graves was born in April 5, 190918,40, in Lancaster New York, the third child of John Graves and Clara Schwartz. She grew up with the family in Lancaster. After graduating from St. Mary's High School, Leona worked as a clerk for an electric light works, until her marriage.
On August 26, 1933, Leona married Leo J. Kieffer at St. Mary's of the Assumption, in Lancaster40. Leo was November 10, 1902, the son of George Kieffer and Laura Casey40. Leo and Leona settled in Lancaster, where Leo worked as an auto mechanic and where they raised a family of three sons. Leo died on November 25, 196240.
On August 25, 1967, Leona married a second time to George W. Drennen. George was born on February 25, 190918. George and Leona continued to live in Lancaster. George died in September, 1978 18, and Leona died on May 31, 200818.
Hilda Graves:
Hilda Marie Graves was born on September 21, 191418,40, in Lancaster, New York, the fourth child of John Graves and Clara Schwartz. She grew up with the family in Lancaster, where she graduated from St. Mary's High School. Hilda remained single and lived with her parents. She earned a living performing office work, an occupation she pursued for thirty-five years. During this period, she also cared for her parents as they aged. Hilda was active in her church and with her family.
Hilda died on January 20, 2003 18.
Marion Graves:
Marion Clara Graves was born on June 14, 191618,40, in Lancaster New York, the fifth child of John Graves and Clara Schwartz. She grew up with the family in Lancaster, where she graduated from St. Mary's High School. On April 17, 1941, Marion married Edward N. Sandel at St. Mary's of the Assumption, in Lancaster40. Edward was born on August 3, 1915, the son of Edward A. Sandel and Alfreda Schatke40. Edward and Marion also settled in Lancaster. Edward earned a B.S. degree in Accounting at St. Bonaventure University and was employed as an accountant with Liberty Bank in Buffalo, New York, a position he filled until his death40. Edward and Marion raised a family of three children.
Edward died on June 24, 197118, and Marion died November 14, 199618.
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