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Located in Buffalo’s Central Park Community, the Bayliss-Oshei house sits directly across from Burke’s Green on land that was originally the Lewis J. Bennett estate. The Bennett House was the first home built in Central Park in the 1880's and demolished in the early 1930s. The large parcel of land that made up the Bennett Estate was divided into 12 separate Central Park residences.
William H. Bayliss purchased two of these lots at the corner of Depew & Beard to make up the 360 Depew Avenue parcel. He commissioned Buffalo architect Harvey Staring Horton to create plans for the current Tudor-style structure. A former President of the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects, Horton began his career with Carrere & Hastings in New York City and then worked with Buffalo architect George Carey before starting his own firm in 1916.
In 1935, 360 Depew Avenue would become the home to Bayliss, his wife Bessie Cowan, son James and daughter Mary Elizabeth. A deeply religious woman, Bayliss chose the lots for the house because his wife wanted to be able to walk to Central Park United Methodist Church.
Born in Lockport, New York, Bayliss was the last of a family of eleven children. His father, John R., was a veteran of the Civil War. After graduating from high school, Bayliss became a salesman for W.H. Granger & Co., a New York wholesale grocer, traveling out of New York City and Brooklyn. He worked at this job for 20 years before entering business for himself. In the mid 1920's, Bayliss acquired the Fuller Canneries Company in South Dayton and later, the Tugwell-Wiseman Company, in Lewiston, New York. Both of these companies were in the vegetable and fruit canning industry. Later, Bayliss would own a citrus fruit and juice company in Tarpon Springs, Florida. In addition, the enterprising Bayliss acted as a business advisor for the Colonnade Company of Cleveland, was the President of the Bank of South Dayton and President of the Erie Lumber Company. After a short illness, Bayliss passed away in 1951.
In 1954, two years after the death of her mother Bessie Bayliss, Mary Elizabeth and her husband Robert Chittenden Oshei purchased 360 Depew from the Bayliss estate and made it their home for the next 55 years. Mary Elizabeth had graduated from the Buffalo Seminary and National Park College. A graduate of Nichols School and Cornell University, Oshei was the son of Bernard F. Oshei, a brother of John R. Oshei, the founder of Trico Products. After serving in World War II and with the occupation forces in Japan, Oshei founded Fibron Products in 1949. The firm became a pioneer in the manufacturing of laminated wood for the cutlery and hardware industries. During its over 50 year history, Fibron supplied millions of knife handles to top US manufactures that included W. R. Case, Camillus Cutlery, Buck Knives and Western Cutlery.
Robert and Mary Bayliss Oshei raised five children at the home: Robert Chittenden Oshei Jr, William Bayliss Oshei, James Bayliss Oshei, John Chittenden Oshei and Mary Elizabeth Bayliss Oshei known as Memo. Robert Oshei passed away in 1999. Mary Bayliss Oshei would live in the home until her death in November 2009 at the age of 89.
Bayliss-Oshei House, 360 Depew Avenue
Backyard of 360 Depew Avenue
The Bayliss-Oshei House in 2010
Bayliss-Oshei House in 2010
Fuller Canneries Company in South Dayton
After graduating from high school, William Bayliss became a salesman for W.H. Granger & Co., a New York wholesale grocer, traveling out of New York City and Brooklyn. He worked at this job for 20 years before entering business for himself. In the mid 1920's, Bayliss acquired the Fuller Canneries Company in South Dayton and later, the Tugwell-Wiseman Company, in Lewiston, New York. Both of these companies were in the vegetable and fruit canning industry.
Fuller was known for locally grown peas, beans tomatoes and tomato juice.
William Bayliss' Fuller Canneries Co., South Dayton, New York
William Bayliss' Fuller Canneries Co., South Dayton, New York
William Bayliss' Fuller Canneries Co., South Dayton, New York
William Bayliss' Fuller Canneries Co., South Dayton, New York
The South Dayton buildings of the former Fuller complex in 2010.
The Fuller site in 2010. The small pine trees in the vintage photos have grown to obscure most of the building. The building was last used for food processing in the mid 80s.
B. F. Oshei Inc. - Moulders of Synthetic Plastics
Bernard Francis Oshei was born in Buffalo in 1898, the son of Charles Oshei and Julia Roffo. He was a graduate of Lafayette High School and attended the University of Buffalo Law School. Shortly after leaving school, Oshei joined the Trico Products Corporation where he eventually became vice-president. His brother, John R. Oshei was president of the concern.
In 1937, he left Trico to form the Bernard F. Oshei Co. at 170 Florida Street. Oshei became a leader in the production of Bakelite, Durez, Tenite and Plaskon moulded products. These included ashtrays and toy novelties to parts for appliances and the automotive industry. During World War II, the company produced many items for the Army & Navy including plastic airplane parts and land minds.
Oshei married Hortense Pratt Chittenden and had two sons, Bernard F. Jr. and Robert Chittenden. Oshei died in 1948 at the age of 50.
B. F. Oshei factory located at 2671 Main Street
Factory floor of B.F. Oshei, Inc.
Factory floor of the B. F. Oshei Inc.
An adult game produced by B.F. Oshei prior to WWII
Bakelite ashtray produced for Chicago's Palmer House
stamped back of bakelite ashtry
Another style of Bakelite ashtray produced by B. F. Oshei.
stamped back of Bakelite ashtray
Fibron Products
After serving in World War II and with the occupation forces in Japan, Robert Oshei founded Fibron Products in 1949. The firm became a pioneer in the manufacturing of laminated wood for the cutlery and hardware industries. During its over 50 year history, Fibron supplied millions of knife handles to top US manufactures that included W. R. Case, Camillus Cutlery, Buck Knives and Western Cutlery.
170 Florida Street, Buffalo, New York - Former home of B.F. Oshei Co. & Fibron Products
170 Florida Street still adorned with the Fibron name in 2010.
