Greenwood’s Oldest Living Citizen, Say Hello to Irene Wallace Chaffee

Good day! As I spend my days relaxing and visiting with friends here at Updyke’s in Hornell, my mind wanders back to my time in Greenwood. I was born April 1, 1923 to John and Blanche Wallace on a farm on King Hill at the top of Christian Hollow. Mom was born on April 25, 1902 in Whitesville and Dad in 1888. And, I had one brother, Leo. He married Vivian Andrus. She was from Hornell and they lived there on Main Street across from Jeanette and Lew Cornell.

Along with working the farm, Dad had a team of horses and would pull oil wells in the marsh. If the snow was bad, he would bring us into school through the fields on a sleigh.

We remained on the farm until 1935 when Dad had a farming accident and lost his hand. I was 12 years old. We then moved into town above Carney’s store there on Main Street. Dad became a mail carrier and Mom took over running the telephone switchboard from right there in our home.

That's me 3rd from the left in the front row. As I grew up, I helped Mom out at times. All those crazy numbers there in the list. It told us which connector, then how many short and/or long rings to alert the correct person or family in town. The Stanley Murray family’s number at their house was 55F2 and at the station 55F1.

Blanche here. For you youngsters that never experienced this old timey phone system, I would put the connector into slot 55 and then proceed with one long ring to connect a call to Margaret at the station. Numbers with short rings included a Y, like 54Y2. So, say someone’s number was 54F1Y2, slot 54, one long followed by two short rings. That one must have been a multi-family party line.

John Murray here. When I was 14 and moved to my grandparents’ home up on Holt Street, I didn’t use their number, I ran a separate line from 55 to my bedroom and my personal phone number was 55F3. In a way, I guess that was my first experience working for a telephone company.

Blanche back. Every important event in Greenwood was probably initiated with a phone call and went through that old switchboard in our living room. When there was a fire, I had to flip a switch that set off the alarm. At first, it had to bring a truck from Canisteo and later, we had our own in town. When Morris Freeland was hurt and taken prisoner in Japan during WW2, that call was a heart breaker. I had to track Ori down at the hardware store, where he worked for Marjorie and Orville Matthews, to put that call through.

All the kid’s from outside of town would walk down from the school and call their parents when they needed a ride home. That meant lots of visitors at our house.

I remember mom writing up tickets for each long distance call and preparing bills for everyone at the end of each month. Papers sorted and spread all over the table.

Speaking of Marjorie Matthews, I took piano lessons from her. She taught piano and Orville built and taught violin. They were always playing at the Methodist Church.

I also babysat for the Lippert girls, Sarajean (Sally) and Suzanne (Sue). Their parents owned a grocery store there in town. I think you can see it in the picture for A History of Greenwood by Those Who Lived It. When I had a family, they returned the service and it continued to be passed as my boys babysat their kids. Don’t you just love how small towns work?

When I finished high school at good old GCS, I went on and attended the business school in Hornell while living at home in Greenwood. Lloyd and I knew of each other as youngsters; but, our age difference probably kept us from running in the same circles. It wasn’t until after I graduated that he came around to ask me out on a date.

Lloyd Chaffee, the suitor here. Yes, I was so nervous. I think I spent about 30 minutes just chatting away with Irene’s mother before I even asked to see Irene.

He finally did and I agreed. We walked downstairs to get in his car and low and behold, another couple had been sitting there the whole time just waiting. That couple was who is now known as Herm and Edith Wallace. They remained our closest friends.

After finishing business school, I started working as the secretary to the president of a woodworking company in Hornell. And, Lloyd and I married in 1943. By then, Mom and Dad had moved across the street in the brick house, next to the old Warriner house that JD and Peg Armstrong bought and fixed up. And, I went to work as the secretary to the owner of an ice cream and candy shop in Hornell.

Lloyd took a job in Niagra Falls and we moved away for a time. We lived and managed a boarding house four blocks from the falls. I remained there, managing the boarding house while Lloyd served in WWII. He will fill you in on those details when it is his turn.

Duane here. There is a Holiday Inn there now.

Upon his return, we moved into a house in Love Canal. I know what you are thinking. Who lives in Love Canal? Well, we did. We had our son, Gary there.

Gary here. I have been able to use the excuse of living at Love Canal to explain a lot. Ha Ha

We decided to move back to Greenwood and bought the hardware store from the Matthews in 1947. We set up housekeeping in the apartment next door to Mom and Dad over Dr Hardenburg’s (sp) office. And, Duane was born in 1949. The boys will share some tales when it is their turn too.

I managed the day to day activities in the store with the help of Ori Freeland for a time and then Pat Frank, Frans Teribury and Jim Fitzpatrick. I was able to do minor repairs to windows or rethread pipes right there. It was Lloyd’s job to go and do the bigger repairs in people’s homes.

We decided to build our own home. Sometime between 1947 and 1950, they tore down Carney’s store and we built our house right on its foundation. I have to brag a bit about Lloyd, he built that house almost single handedly and our cottage at the lake too. I will let the boys fill you in on our adventures there.

My father passed away in 1956. It was kind of a crazy thing. He somehow fell into the bath tub. One of those cast iron claw foot ones and injured his head. It seemed that he would be okay; he was up and talking to us all after Dr. Hardenburg checked him out. But, turns out, he wasn’t.

Duane here. I remember him sitting there all bandaged up but in good spirits. He looked straight at Gary and me and said “boys, don’t ever try to stand on your head in the bathtub.” I have never forgotten that.

Mom began boarding teachers from the Greenwood school in the late 50s. You may recognize a few of these gentlemen: Ray Duke, George Tubbs, Jay Bangs, Morrie Folts and later James DeMark.

Life was good. Lloyd and I ran the hardware store, raised our boys and enjoyed life in Greenwood just as all the other families, with dinners, church, and all kinds of town activities like birthday parties that included so many of the other young men in town.

Gary back. Speaking of dinners. My mom was an excellent cook. And, she was famous for her pies.

Duane, I have to add a vote for her chocolate chip cookies.

Gary again. Have to agree with that too!

In 1976, we decided to “retire”. We sold the hardware store to Duane and his wife Betsy. Lloyd continued with his mail route and helped out in the store when he was needed.

Duane here. Or maybe, just when Mom wanted him out the house.

I spent my days still helping out there or helping out with the grandchildren so that Betsy could be at the store.

I lost Lloyd in 2015. I miss him; but, he lived a long and contented life. I am the last of my Wallace family. Leo and his family are all gone. I remained in our home on Main Street until a fall on New Year's Day in 2018 with a hip injury put me in the hospital and then a rehabilitation center. Once I left there, I elected to stay at Updyke’s Willow Ridge Quality Care and gave up my house in Greenwood. I enjoy my time here. There are days that I think that I may be the only one here that is content to live this quiet life.

I get back to Greenwood from time to time. Duane and Betsy are still there. Maybe I will run into you some time.