FOURTH GENERATION


26. Mary Maria GRIFFEN (5)(1) was born on 30 Mar 1845 in Elba, Genesee, NY. She died on 30 Dec 1928. She was buried in Maple Lawn Cemetery, Elba, Genesee, NY. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mary's bachelor brothers, Hubert and Lewis Griffen, were remembered for their delighful banjo and violin playing the enlivened may a villiage event. In 1925 she was living with Hubert and Lewis.

She was married to Job Anthony STAPLES (son of Lyman STAPLES and Susan HARKNESS) on 12 Apr 1863 in Elba, Genesee, NY. (6) Job Anthony STAPLES was born on 17 Aug 1842 in Adams, Berkshire, MA.(4) He died on 27 Jul 1905. He was buried in Maple Lawn Cemetery, Elba, Genesee, NY. (4) Job made his mark in life and helped carve out the history of Elba. Few men in Genesee County enjoyed so wide a circle of friends and no citizen had experienced greater influence in the develpment of Elba. As a young man he began his arduous career as a lumberman, running an old-fashioned water saw mill. Soon after he became interested in stave, heading and lumber business in Elba. He built up a manufacting establishment on Mechanic Streeet which became the principal industry of Elba. His partnership was first with Gardner Tracy Southworth, under the name of Staple & Southworth. Subsequently, with his older brouther George, and later with his son, Nathan, the business was continued under the names of J.A. Staples & Co. and Job A. Staples & Son, until a partnership was formed with Albert A. Grinell of Oakfield.
In 1889, Job and Charles Andrews were operting a grocery and feed store on Mechanic Street. In April of 1890, the business was enlarged, building an addition upon the front of the store, bringing it flush with the sidewalk. But by July Mr. Staples left, moving into the A.U. Willis store on the east side of Main St. that was being used by A.L. Turner as a feed store (present site of the old Grange building). Staples & Son employed Evy Stephens in the store. He was replaced June 1891 by B.F. Moore. Louis Hundredmark was taken on in July 1894. In March 1898, Russell Crosby sold his grocery stock to Mr. Staples and retired owing to the pressure of other business.
In Mar 1899, Job purchased the property from the Willis estate and proceeded to make extensive repairs. The K.O.T.M. hall was held over the store which also recieved extensive immprovements. He had a cellar constructed under the building in May, George Kulp doing the mason work. Heavy rains caused the new wall to cave in. By July it had been redug and shorn up. The store was fitted up in January, 1902 with an acetylene gas plant to provide light to the store, Macabees Hall and club rooms.
Job suddenly took seriously ill at his store in March 1901 and was conveyed home. Dr. Lewis and Dr. Gray prounounced his ailment as heart failure.
In March 1903, He sold his grocery stock to Crosby & Ganshaw and retied permanently from active business due to ill health. Fire destroyed the building on the morning of Sept 15, 1903. At about 2am flames were discovered issuing from the rear portion of the building by a girl employed at the Hotel Swartz. The fire alarm was sounded at once and reaction was quick, but the flames had gained too much headway and were beyond control, attention was then directed towards saving W.A. Hundredmark's dwelling.
Everything in the Staples building was consumed, with the exception of the safe and a portion of the books and documents in the post office, including the carrier' desks. An attempt was made to save the general delivery, but the intense heat prevented any other removals. Gone was Mr. Ganshaw's grocery stock, the Maccabees Hall furnishings, all the Grangers belongings and the Gentleman's Club was a total loss. The pool tables, chairs and other furniture were all gone.
In response to a telephone message, two large wagons loaded with about thirty members of the Batavia Fire Dept. arrived to aid in the battle. The only thing that could be done was to contain the fire and keep it from the adjoining buildings. Afterwards, with their efforts relaxed, refreshments were available, including bakery stuff, lemonade and sausages provided by W.A. Hundredmark & Sons, the Raymond Brothers, the Burdett Brothers and John Swartz. Total loss amounted in excess of $6,000 with insurance covering the major portion of the damage.
In October a special meeting was called at the Swartz Hotel to vote on a proposition from Mr. Staples regarding the construction of a new building on the old site. The 26 by 60 foot hall, complete with kitchen and closets, an ante room and cloak room, would be leased to the K.O.T.M. for $200 a year for the term of five years. As soon as the contract could be drawn up, the building would begin at once. But the building was never constructed.

Job had purchased the lot adjoining Sylvester Wait (now the residence of Richard Dilcher) on Chapel Street, from A.U. Willis and erected his house and barn during April and May of 1874. The large structure contained many rooms which wereneeded for his large family.
In November 1900, Job had a narrow escape. Clad only in a flannel nightrobe, he attempted to light a match. the fire end of which flew off, ingniting his garment and enveloping him in flames. His wife sprang form the bed and rushed to her husband's assistance, putting out the fire, which had slightly burned him.
Mr. Staples was always heartily in favor of whatever made for improvement and the beautifying of the home, village, and community. As an officer having charge of highways, he left examples of good bridges and splendid roads. He was many times a Supervisor of Elba and held other offices of trust. He was an advocate of good schools and the champion worker for the incorporation of Elba into an established village. He initiated the construction of concrete sidewalks, scientific sewerage mains, and artistic street curbing and fostered other improvements. He retired from his active career on July 27, 1905.Job made his mark in life and helped carve out the history of Elba. Few men in Genesee County enjoyed so wide a circle of friends and no citizen had experienced greater influence in the develpment of Elba. As a young man he began his arduous career as a lumberman, running an old-fashioned water saw mill. Soon after he became interested in stave, heading and lumber business in Elba. He built up a manufacting establishment on Mechanic Streeet which became the principal industry of Elba. His partnership was first with Gardner Tracy Southworth, under the name of Staple & Southworth. Subsequently, with his older brouther George, and later with his son, Nathan, the business was continued under the names of J.A. Staples & Co. and Job A. Staples & Son, until a partnership was formed with Albert A. Grinell of Oakfield.
In 1889, Job and Charles Andrews were operting a grocery and feed store on Mechanic Street. In April of 1890, the business was enlarged, building an addition upon the front of the store, bringing it flush with the sidewalk. But by July Mr. Staples left, moving into the A.U. Willis store on the east side of Main St. that was being used by A.L. Turner as a feed store (present site of the old Grange building). Staples & Son employed Evy Stephens in the store. He was replaced June 1891 by B.F. Moore. Louis Hundredmark was taken on in July 1894. In March 1898, Russell Crosby sold his grocery stock to Mr. Staples and retired owing to the pressure of other business.
In Mar 1899, Job purchased the property from the Willis estate and proceeded to make extensive repairs. The K.O.T.M. hall was held over the store which also recieved extensive immprovements. He had a cellar constructed under the building in May, George Kulp doing the mason work. Heavy rains caused the new wall to cave in. By July it had been redug and shorn up. The store was fitted up in January, 1902 with an acetylene gas plant to provide light to the store, Macabees Hall and club rooms.
Job suddenly took seriously ill at his store in March 1901 and was conveyed home. Dr. Lewis and Dr. Gray prounounced his ailment as heart failure.
In March 1903, He sold his grocery stock to Crosby & Ganshaw and retied permanently from active business due to ill health. Fire destroyed the building on the morning of Sept 15, 1903. At about 2am flames were discovered issuing from the rear portion of the building by a girl employed at the Hotel Swartz. The fire alarm was sounded at once and reaction was quick, but the flames had gained too much headway and were beyond control, attention was then directed towards saving W.A. Hundredmark's dwelling.
Everything in the Staples building was consumed, with the exception of the safe and a portion of the books and documents in the post office, including the carrier' desks. An attempt was made to save the general delivery, but the intense heat prevented any other removals. Gone was Mr. Ganshaw's grocery stock, the Maccabees Hall furnishings, all the Grangers belongings and the Gentleman's Club was a total loss. The pool tables, chairs and other furniture were all gone.
In response to a telephone message, two large wagons loaded with about thirty members of the Batavia Fire Dept. arrived to aid in the battle. The only thing that could be done was to contain the fire and keep it from the adjoining buildings. Afterwards, with their efforts relaxed, refreshments were available, including bakery stuff, lemonade and sausages provided by W.A. Hundredmark & Sons, the Raymond Brothers, the Burdett Brothers and John Swartz. Total loss amounted in excess of $6,000 with insurance covering the major portion of the damage.
In October a special meeting was called at the Swartz Hotel to vote on a proposition from Mr. Staples regarding the construction of a new building on the old site. The 26 by 60 foot hall, complete with kitchen and closets, an ante room and cloak room, would be leased to the K.O.T.M. for $200 a year for the term of five years. As soon as the contract could be drawn up, the building would begin at once. But the building was never constructed.

Job had purchased the lot adjoining Sylvester Wait (now the residence of Richard Dilcher) on Chapel Street, from A.U. Willis and erected his house and barn during April and May of 1874. The large structure contained many rooms which wereneeded for his large family.
In November 1900, Job had a narrow escape. Clad only in a flannel nightrobe, he attempted to light a match. the fire end of which flew off, ingniting his garment and enveloping him in flames. His wife sprang form the bed and rushed to her husband's assistance, putting out the fire, which had slightly burned him.
Mr. Staples was always heartily in favor of whatever made for improvement and the beautifying of the home, village, and community. As an officer having charge of highways, he left examples of good bridges and splendid roads. He was many times a Supervisor of Elba and held other offices of trust. He was an advocate of good schools and the champion worker for the incorporation of Elba into an established village. He initiated the construction of concrete sidewalks, scientific sewerage mains, and artistic street curbing and fostered other improvements. He retired from his active career on July 27, 1905. Mary Maria GRIFFEN and Job Anthony STAPLES had the following children:

child+93 i. Nathan Elmer STAPLES(1) (6) was born on 6 Dec 1863 in Elba, Genesee, NY. He died on 20 Feb 1920 in Elba, Genesee, NY. He was buried in Maple Lawn Cemetery, Elba, Genesee, NY. Nathan recieved his education in the public schools and at Jamestown Academy, Chautauqua, NY. For several years he was employed in the management of mills at Oakfield and Elba, NY. In 1891, he became manager of a stave and heading mill at Boon, Wexford,Michigan( an extension of the family business). When the Cadillac Stave and Heading Co. was organized in 1892, he was made manager. He and wife Nellie are listed on the 1892 Elba census.
child+94 ii. George Kelley STAPLES(4) was born on 17 May 1866 in Elba, Genesee, NY. He died on 2 Feb 1935 in Elba, Genesee, NY. He was buried in Maple Lawn Cemetery, Elba, Genesee, NY. They lived in Buffalo, Sweden, and Brockport, NY.
child+95 iii. Emma Jane STAPLES was born on 17 Aug 1868 in Elba, Genesee, NY. She died on 1 Aug 1945.
child96 iv. Anna Ruth STAPLES was born on 13 Oct 1870. He died on 21 Jul 1872 in Elba, Genesee, NY. He was buried in Maple Lawn Cemetery, Elba, Genesee, NY.
child+97 v. Charles Job STAPLES(6) (1) was born on 27 May 1873. He was buried in Quaker Hill Cemetery, Elba, Genesee, NY.(6) In 1892 Charles was working in his father's store. He attended Amherst College in Mass. After granduating from Elba. While there he became a member of the Glee Club and toured Europe in 1894. He became a close friend of Calvin Coolidge who would later become President of the United States. Graduating in June 1896 after his 4 years of study, he took a position as assistant Principal in the Oneonta State Normal School. In 1899 he went to Cadillac, MI to become the bookeeper for the Staples & Sons lumber firm. In 1916 he was on the Progressive ticket as a candidate for the nomination of Lieutenant Governor. In 1923 he workded in the law offices of the firm of Mitchel & Staples in the Prudential building in Buffalo, NY.
child98 vi. Laurel E. STAPLES was born on 19 Nov 1875. She died on 12 Jul 1877 in Elba, Genesee, NY. She was buried in Maple Lawn Cemetery, Elba, Genesee, NY.
child+99 vii. Marion Maria STAPLES was born on 13 Jun 1878 in Elba, Genesee, NY. She died on 4 Sep 1953. She was buried in Maple Lawn Cemetery, Elba, Genesee, NY. Marion took voice culture in Rochester.
child+100 viii. Florence Ann STAPLES(6) was born on 7 Sep 1880. She died in 1970. She was buried in Maple Lawn Cemetery, Elba, Genesee, NY. Florence taught kindergarten in Buffalo, NY in 1899. She was tendered a position in Puerto Rico as a kindergarten teacher at a salary of $ 1,000 a year when she was only 19. Her parents decided that because of her age , she should not be that far away from home, unsupervised, as it was not proper and respectful for that time period.
child+101 ix. Cleveland Julius STAPLES was born on 9 Oct 1882 in Elba, Genesee, NY. He died on 1 Aug 1941 in Pulaski, TN. He graduated from Elba High School and attended the Brockport Normal School. Upon hhis completion of studies in Jan. 1900, he entered the Rochester Business University. He became a clerk of the court for a number of years in Pulaski, Tenn., studying law while being a stenographer.
child+102 x. Alida Belle STAPLES was born on 14 Jan 1885 in Elba, Genesee, NY. She died on 24 Sep 1936 in Brockport, Orleans, NY. She was buried in Lakeview Cemetery, Brockport, NY. In October 1906 she was employed as a bookkeeper with the Buffalo Milk Co. where her brother Charles was a secretary. In April 1916 she took the position of stenographer in the office of Larkin Co., Buffalo

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