Robert married MECKLE, Shirley A on 16 Aug 1947 in Lockport, Niagara County, NY. Shirley (daughter of MECKLE, Charles J) was born on 28 Jun 1923; died on 6 Apr 2009 in Lockport, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lockport NY Union Sun Journal - 7/21/1947

A series of parties has been
planned in honor of Miss Shirley A.
Meckle, whose marriage to Robert
Bewley will be solemnized Aug. 16 In
St. John's Rectory.
Among those entertaining will be
Mrs. William Bewley at her home;
Mrs. John Robison and Mrs. Oscar
Burgess at the latter's home; a picnic
supper at the home of Mrs.
Frederick Dreher; and a party given
by Miss Rosemary Shreder, a former
classmate, who will entertain
m mbers of Miss Meckle's graduation
class of Mt. St. Mary's School
of Nursing, Niagara Falls, at her
home in Buffalo.
Miss Meckle was honored at a
party July 14. given by Mrs. Joseph
R. Hemmer. and a rainbow bathroom
shower was given by Mrs.
Alexander J. Graham and Mrs.
Mason P. Smith at the latter's
home.

ALSO

Lockport NY Union Sun Journal - 6/21/1947

Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Meckle
of 15 Wilson Pkwy. announce the
engagement of their daughter, Shirley
Ann. to Robert William Bewley,
son of Senator and Mrs. William
Bewley, Carlisle Gardens.
The wedding will be solemnised
Aug. 16.

ALSO

Lockport NY Union Sun Journal - 8/18/1947

Vases filled with gradioli were arranged in the rectory of
St. John's Church, making an attractive background for the
ceremony performed there Saturday morning at 11 o'clock,
uniting in marriage Miss Shirley Ann Meckle, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Charles J. Meckle. 15 Wilson Pkwy.. and Robert William
Bewley, son of State Senator and Mrs. William Bewley, Carlisle
Gardens.
The Rev. Francis A. Clancy, DD,
pastor of the church, performed the
ceremony and the bride was given
In marriage by her father.
ATTENDANT WEARS ORCHID
The bride's gown of white imported
Swiss Organdy was fashioned
with decollete neckline, short puffed
sleeves and tight-fitting bodice falling
into a long, full skirt. Her Mary,
Queen of Scots, headdress was oi
the same material and she wore a
single strand of nearls. She carried
an arm bouquet of white roses tied
with a white organdy bow.
Miss Rosemary Shreder of Buffalo,
the bride's only attendant, wore
a gown of orchid starched marquisette.
She carried an arm bouquet
of yellow roses and wore
matching flowers in her coiffure.
Hem Holly acted as Mr. Bewiey's
beet man.
Mrs. Meckle. mother of the bride,
chose a cyclaman pink crepe dress,
completing her costume with black
accessories. She wore a corsage oi
rhubrum Mies. A gray crepe dress
with matching hat and complemented
with black accessories was
worn by Mrs. Bewley, mother of the
bridegroom. She wore a corsage of
gardenias.
BREAKFAST FOLLOWS
Following the ceremony, a breakfast
was served to the bridal party
and members of the immediate
families at Transit Valley Country
Club.
For traveling, the bride wore an
aqua crepe dress with brown acces-
sories and a corsage of white roses.
After Sept. 15, Mr. and Mrs. Bew-
ley will be at home in Hamilton,
where the bridegroom is attending
Colgate University.

1. BEWLEY, Charles W
2. BEWLEY, Robert Clark
3. BEWLEY, Ann Elizabeth
4. BEWLEY, Jean Marie

Notes:

Lockport NY Union Sun Journal - 6/15/1931

Former Assemblyman William
Bewley of this city is the subject
of another of the sketches prepared
by H. Katherine Smith, and published
regularly in tine Buffalo
Courier-Express. Mr. Bewleys story
appeared in yesterday's Issue of the
Buffalo newspaper, and was a s follows:
, °
It's as easy for a man to make
good in a small city as In a large
one." declared William Bewley. Mr.
Bewley has passed only three years
away from his home town of lockport.
His first Job was on t h e old
Peterson farm of that communly,
where his working day began with
the delivery of milk at 5 in the
morning and ended long after sunset.
Each position after that was;
a step upward, and now he Is treas-
urer of Bewley Brothers' cannery,
treasurer of Bewley Trueadale Con-
struction company, president of the
Market Street Garage Corporation,
and director of the Niagara County
Trust company.
-Mr Bewley, son of the late
Joseph Bewley, was born In 1878.
He attended the Lockport schools,
and following his graduation from
high school, took a business course.
Prefectng business experience to
farm work. Mr. Bewley left the
Peterson farm to Join the American
Express company, with which he
was associated for ten years. For
a time, he was cashier of the Lock-
port agency, and was subsequently
In charge of the Olean oftlce. He
had been In Olean only a abort time
when his brothers organized the
Lockport Canning company. Joining
them In this project, Mr. Bewley
supervised the building ot the
cannery, and managed It until he
and his brothers' purchased the
Mlddleport cannery, of which he
became treasurer. From 1913 to
1919 and again from 1928 to 1939
Mr. Bewley represented the Lockport
district in the State assembly.
Enjoyed Experience.
T h a t is great experience,'' he
reminisced. "It affords the type of
broadening contacts considered so
Important a factor In a college education.
It gives one a chance to
observe some of the nation's leaders
at the commencement of their
careers. During my first six years
in the legislature, I could actually
see Al Smith develop In forcefulness
and assurance. Although Mr. Smith
and I represented opposing political
parties, I was Impressed with bis
soclalablllty and unfailing readiness
to assist new members by explaining
to them technicalities of procedure.
But far more valuable than
the personal recollections Is the
knowledge of law and the confidence
In lawmakers that one gains
in a governing body such as t h e
State assembly.''
"In 1918, the Mlddleport eannery
was sold; and the following year,
Mr. Bewley accepted a position with
the General Motors Corporation.
For three years, be traveled
throughout the United States engaged
In field work In connection
with the system of employes'
bonuses. In 1923, he returned to
his old home town and repurchased
the Mlddleport cannery, of which
he Is treasurer and manager.
"His home is* the first house
to be erected in the Carlisle Oardens
development, opened by his
brother, Richard Bewley.
" *We Bewleys,' he said, *have always
believed In helping each other.
As soon as one of us got a start, he
would do what he could for the
rest. As a young man, my brothers'
confidence In me and readiness to
help me meant a great deal. Indeed,
I think that whatever we have
achieved has been done, not aa Individuals,
but as a family.'
"Mr. Bewley married Miss Blanche
L. Clark of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
They are the parents of a son,
Robert, seven years old.
In Welfare Week.
"Golf was formerly Mr. Bewley'
chief hobby; but for the past few
years, welfare work has claimed
the hours he used to pass on the
golf course. As chairman of the
widows' allowance committee of the
county welfare organization, he
visits in person a number of the
mothers who are given pensions in
order to keep their children in
home environment. Many an af-
ternoon he passes driving into the
rural sections of the county for the
purpose of interviewing the widows
and ascertaining the extent of each
one's need.
"'°No work has ever given me
greater satisfaction,' Mr. Bewley
commented, 'and the Joy upraised
by children and mothers when they
are told that they will not be separated
because of their poverty la
ample reward for all the time I
have given to it'
"Formerly, Mr. Bewley was active
In the Preventorium, an organization
for the prevention of tuberculosis,
which was taken over last summer
by the County Health association.
"Motoring and swimming are
among the recreations Mr. Bewley
and his wife and son enjoy together
From their home they can see Lake
Ontario, and many a summer after-
noon when Mr. Bewley returns from
the cannery, they finish the day
with a dip in its refreshing water
and a picnic on its wooded shore.
"A firm believer in the old admonition,
'See America first,' Mr.
Bewley has visited vrtualry all of
the places of Interest in the United
states, having made twelve trips to
the pacific coast. A steadfast Republican,
he reads with avidity on
subjects of political significance.
He has represented his district In
the college of presidential electors
and while in the assembly, he was
chairman for several years of the
labor and Industry committees. He
made the ecqualntance of such outstanding
labor leaders as James
Lynch and Samuel Gompers; and It
Is his opinion that such men as
these are sincere in their convictions,
reasonable in their demands
and ready to enter upon agreements
in a 'give and take* spirit.
Watches A ration.
"Mr. Bewley follows with interest
the developments in aviation. He
has flown only once, accompanied
by his wife and son.
" 1 want Bob to have a college
education,' he remarked in conclusion.
1 didn't have one, of
course, but people are taking life
easier now than In my young manhood.
They don't start out and
shift for themselves as we did 90
years ago, and a boy needs the experience
of college to put him on
his own.'
"Mr. Bewley Is a member of t he
board of directors of the Lockport
Y. M. C. A. and a promoter of both
the Boy and Girl Scout organizations.
His affiliations Include the
Lockport Rotary, the Niagara Country
club and the Lockport Board
of Commerce."

ALSO

Niagara Gazette - 11/6/1953

LOCKPORT, Nov. 6 - A former
state senator and assemblyman,
William Bewley. 75, of Chestnut
Ridge Rd., Carlisle Gardens, died
unexpectedly at 5:10 a.m. today in
Lockport City Hospital of a heart
attack.
Mr. Bewley suffered a fainting
spell at his home about*5 o'clock
last evening when he fell and cut
his head.
He managed to get to the
telephone and called his nephew,
George W. Bewley, 1 Ambleside
Dr., who hurried to his home.
A physician and the fire de-
partment emergency squad were
called. An inhalator was used and
later Mr. Bewley was taken to
the hospital.
Mrs. Bewley, the former.Blanche
Clark, was visiting relatives in
Grand Rapids, Mich., when notified
of her husband's serious illness by
her son, Robert:W. Bewley, .Lock-.
port, by telephone. She returned
by plane early today in time to be
with other relatives at her husband's
bedside when be peacefully passed
away.
Served 18 Years
For more than half a century
Mr. Bewley was prominent in the
civic, business and political life of
the community and New York
State. He was in the Legislature
for 18 years and was in the canning
business for more than 30 years
serving Company's plant in Middleport
and renamed it the. Bewley
Canning Co. They sold the plant
in 1917.
Mr. Bewley re - purchased the
Middleport Canning Co. in 1925
and operated it until 1946 when
he sold out to the Monmouth Packing
Co., Asbury Park, N.J.
Lifelong Republican
While engaged in the canning
business Mr. Bewley still found
time to engage in politics-. A life-
Jong Republican, he was elected
to the Assembly.in the fall of 1913
from the First Niagara Assembly
District. He served as assemblyman
from 1914 through 1919 and
again in 1927-28. While in the
Assembly.he served on the Labor
Committee, one of the most impor-
tant in the lower house.
After ten years as a private citi-
zen Mr. Bewley returned to the
Legislature in 1938. This time as
state senator from the former 52nd
District, comprising Niagara and
Orleans counties.
He was elected to the Senate for
five successive two-year terms.
In 1939 Mr. Bewley served as
chairman of the Motor Vehicles
Committee of the Senate. The fol-
lowing year he became chairman of
the Taxation and Retrechment
Committee, serving in that capacity
until he was appointed chairman of
the high-ranking Banking Commit-
tee in 1947.
It was while chairman of the Tax-
ation and Retrenchment Committee
that Mr. Bewley headed the Tem-
porary State Commission on Assess-
ment and Review, which after sev-
eral years of study and many public
hearings throughout the state, draft-
ed construction legislation for the
clarification of the assessment pro-
cedure in the state.
Aided Child Welfare
During his years in the Senate,
Mr. Bewley introduced nearly 500
bills, of which about 100 were approved
and enacted into law.
Besides service as a legislator, Mr.
Bewley also served in a non-salaried
capacity as a member of the Niagara
County Board of Child Welfare.
He was appointed a member
in 1927. Two years later he became
chairman and serv.cd in that
capacity until the board's functions
wee absorbed by the Niagara Coun-
ty Welfare Department. In 1936
he was elected president of the New
York State Association of Boards
of Child Welfare.
For five years in the early 20s,
Mr. Bewley was traveling repre-
sentative for General Motors
Corp., assisting in administration
of the employe bonus system.
He was a lifelong member of
Christ Episcopal Church in Lower-
town and in previous years had
been affiliated with the Masons,
Shriners and other fraternal or-
ganizations.
He was married to Mrs. Bewley
in November, 1922, in Detroit.
Besides his widow and son, Robert
W. Bewley,- hs is survived by his
brother, George C Bewley, and
his sister, Mrs. C. Irwin Fisher,
Lockport, who was the former
Margaret Bewley. There are four
grandchildren.
Services will be held Monday at
2 p.m. at the family home. The
Rev. John S. Carrie, rector of
Christ Episcopal Church, will officiate.
Burial will be in Cold
Spring Cemetery.

William married CLARK, Blanche L in Nov 1922 in Detroit, Wayne County, MI. Blanche was born on 15 Feb 1881 in MI; died in Jun 1976 in Lockport, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buffalo NY Evening News - 1/16/1924

LOCKPORT. Jan 16-Funeral services for
Joseph Bewley, 84 years old, father of form-
er Assemblyman William Bewley. of Detroit.
Mieh., will be held tomorrow afternoon at
the late residenee. 490 Market street, where
he died yesterday after a long illness. Mr.
Bewley waa bom in England and came to
this country when 25 years old, locating in
Lockport. He was a wheelright and pat-
ternmaker by occupation. In fraternal cir-
cles he was an Odd Fellow. For several
years he served as vestryman of Christ epis-
copal church.
Mr. Bewley leaves one daughter, Mrs. C.
Irving Fisher of New York city, and four
sons, William of Detroit, Mich., Richard,
Henry and George C Bewley of this city.

ALSO

Lockport NY Union Sun Journal - 1/15/1924

Joseph Bewley. 84 y e a r s old.
well known resident of t his city,
died this morning a t his home. No.
499 Market street, after an illness
of several weeks.
Br on In Wavertown, Cumber-
land, England, February 21. 1840.
Mr. B e w l e y spent his y o u t h there.
At t h e a g e o f 25 h e c a m e t o America,
remaining here one year,
when he returned home. On'December
31. 1867. h e married and
one year later returned t o Amer-
ica,, m a k i n g his home at He. 18
Dayton atreet, where h e lived for
many years.
A wheelrlght and patternmaker
by trade, Mr. Bewley was a life
member of t h e A m a l g a m a t e d S o
ciety of Engineers, Wheelwrights,
and Patternmakers of Carlisle,
England. ln fraternal circles he
was a life member of t h e H e a r t of
Oak Lodge. I. O. O. F.. o f Wigton.
England. He was a member of
t h e Christ Episcopal church, serving
aa vestryman under t h e Rev.
Dr. W i l l i am P. Faber. now Bishop
of Montana.
Mr. B e w l e y leaves one daughter,
Mrs. C. Irving Fisher of New
York; four sons. Richard. Henry
and George C. a l l o f Lockport and
former Assemblyman William, of
Detroit, Mich., also o n e brother,
Richard Bewley of Brythe. Ont.
The funeral will be h e l d at t h e
home, No. 490 Market street,
Thursday afternoon. a t 9 o'clock
Burial will be in Glenwood cemetery.

Joseph married HOWE, Mary on 31 Dec 1867 in England. Mary was born in Oct 1839 in England; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]