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Family members began arriving early in the morning, including visitors from Texas, Maryland, Michigan, Louisiana, Massachusetts and Connecticut. Central and Western New York State were well represented. The organization's President, North Syracuse Mayor James Hotchkiss, came by boat on the Canal. More than half of those present were attending their first Hotchkiss Reunion. Traditionally, reunions have been held in Connecticut, home state of Samuel Hotchkiss who immigrated in 1642. A number of young people were present, underscoring the current popularity of genealogy - the second most active pastime in the country. In mid-morning, the group walked to the former office of the H. G. Hotchkiss Essential Oil Company. Anne D. Hotchkiss of Lyons, great-granddaughter of the founder, ran the Company until the 1980's when it was sold to the Leman Company of Indiana. Presented as a gift from Miss Hotchkiss, the office building now belongs to Wayne County and is managed by the Lyons Heritage Society. Currently, the building houses a museum displaying a number of exhibits depicting aspects of the peppermint industry with particular focus on Lyons. Society hosts Annette Harris and Rick Kelley conducted a tour of the exhibits. Reunion visitors had hoped to meet Anne Hotchkiss, but she was unable to attend due to a recent fall. However, she did thoughtfully provide souvenirs of the Hotchkiss business. During the return to the Legion Hall, Reunion attendees were treated to a talk on the history of the Erie Canal presented by Sharon Lubitow of the Wayne County Historical Society. She showed several early photographs of canal activities and an early map of the original canal route through Lyons. After a fine meal served by Willemsen Catering of Newark, there was a short business meeting and awards of door prizes, among them gift certificates from the Heluva Good Cheese Company of Sodus and Heritage Books, Inc., Bowie, MD. K. M. Davies Cold Storage, Williamson, donated tasty Crispin apples and a pair of wineglasses was received from Thorpe Vineyards, Huron. The Wayne County Office of Tourism provided brochures relating to local attractions and businesses. The invited speaker, Dick Kelley, generously donated cobalt blue Hotchkiss peppermint bottles, circa 1875, which were awarded to the person who traveled farthest (Texas) and the eldest guest (87) from Michigan. The featured presentation was by Dick Kelley of Lyons who, with his wife, Evelyn, provided an extensive display of peppermint bottles used by H. G. Hotchkiss and his brother Leman Hotchkiss, as well as several bottles attributed to Leman after he established a competing peppermint business in Phelps. Mr. Kelley's presentation reviewed the history of the peppermint industry in the United States and the significant role-played by Lyons where H. G. Hotchkiss was known world wide as the Peppermint King. Through his curiosity and interest in the peppermint business, Mr. Kelley has become an authority on the subject and the Hotchkiss Family Association recently made him an honorary member of the Association in recognition of his contributions to Hotchkiss family history. Copies of the Hotchkiss Family book were made available at the genealogy table where family members gathered to discuss mutual ancestors and to research ancestral connections. Additionally, there were displays of Hotchkiss memorabilia and items of interest, including Hotchkiss staplers, books, and photos relating to Major Jed Hotchkiss, well known civil war cartographer. By special arrangement, a tour of the Wayne County Historical Society Museum was given Sunday afternoon. The Reunion was a great success, and those who came noted their appreciation for the congeniality of the gathering and the visible cooperation of local people, businesses and government. Inquiries about the Hotchkiss family should be directed to Joan A. Johnson, Corresponding Secretary, 36 Beach Drive, Prospect, CT. 06712-1603 or Stuart E. Hotchkiss, VP, at stuh@localnet.com
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2002 |
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