| Notes |
- Niagara Gazette - 8/18/1934
TONAWANDA. Aug. 18.-Charles
W. Rech. 74, father of Fire Chief
Grover Rech. died shortly before noon
today at his home, 447 Niagara street.
He was born In the town of Amherst
and came to Tonawanda, with his
parents, when a small boy and had
resided here ever since. His father,
Christian Rech, opened a general
store on the site now occupied by the
Tonawanda city hall when the city
was only a small hamlet.
Mr. Rech was one of the oldest
volunteer firemen in the Tonawandas.
He first became a member of
the Fire Department when the De-
Oraff Hose company, one of the first
fire companies organized here came
Into existence nearly 60 years ago
Later he became a charter' member
of tho Niagara Hose company and In
1879 was awarded a gold medal for
responding to the greatest number of
fire Alarms during that year.
Ho also served a.s a tax commissioner
for A number of years. Ho was
enticed In the grocery business And
later in the wholesale and retail
liquor business, retiring when prohibition
came into effect in 1918.
He is survived by two sons. Fred
and Grover: three daughters, Mrs.
O. A Warner and Mrs. Genevieve
Hedegen. All of Tonawanda. and Mrs.
H. M. Karcher. of Oswego; 18 grandchildren
and one sister, Mrs. Mary
Rose, of Tonawanda. The funeral arrangements
have not been completed
ALSO
North Tonawanda NY Evening News - 8/18/1934
Charles W. Rech, one of the best
known residents of the Tonawandas,
died shortly after 10 o'clock
this morning at his home, 447 Niagara
street. He had been in failing
health for some time but it
was only a few days ago that his
condition became alarming.
Mr. Rech was born on the Fries
road, town of Amherst, - 74 years
ago. He came to Tonawanda with
his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs.
Christian Rech, when a small boy
and had resided here since. Tonawanda
was only a small village
when he and his family located
here. His father opened a general
store on the site of what is nowthe
Tonawanda city hall.
One of Oldest Volunteer Firemen.
Mr. Rech was one of the oldest
volunteer firemen in the Tonawandas.
He was a member of the De-
Graff Hose company, one of the
first fire organizations promoted
here. When the company was disbanded
he became a charter member
of the Niagara Hose company,
one of the four fire units now in
Tonawanda. As a volunteer fireman
he won a solid gold medal in
1879 for answering the greatest
number of calls for fires. As a
token of esteem for his efforts as
a fire fighter he was presented a
solid silver trumpet, valued at
$1,549. The gift was made by the
late E. H. Rogers.
The deep interest manifested by
Mr. Rech in the fire departmenhas
been perpetuated by his son
C. Grover Rech, who is now chief.
an office which he has held for
many years.
Charter Member of Elks
Mr- Rech was also a charter
member of North Tonawanda lodge
No. 860, B.P.O.E. He also served
for a number of years as tax col
lector when Tonawanda was a vii
lage.
He was engaged in the grocery
business and later as a wholesale
and retail liquor dealer. When
prohibition went into effect he es
tablished the bakery which is nowoperated
by his son, Fred, and Paul
Scheetz under the name of Rech
& Scheetz, and retired from bust
ness.
Besides two sons, Fred and Gro
ver, three daughter, Mrs. C. A,
Warner. Mrs- Genevieve Hedegen,
all of Tonawanda, and Mrs. H. M.
Karcher, Oswego: 16 grandchildreli
and one sister. Mrs. Mary Rose,
Tonawanda, survive.
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1859 - 1934 (75 years)