Person:Gordon Way (1)

He was a jewler and watchmaker and owner of Way's Jewelers, 5 JacksonSt., Batavia, NY for 11 years. He was a member of Batavia Lodge #475F&AM. He was also a member of Batavia Presbyterian Church. He wasalso an inventor with seven patents.

Batavia Daily News, Jan. 24, 1941 Way's Modernized Jewelry Store Opens Tomorrow at 108 Main St. Since March 1935, Gordon M. Way has conducted a jewelry store at No.6 Jackson St., next to the Genesee Trust Company. He is now ready toserve his many friends and customers at the new modernized storelocated at No. 108 Main Street, where for 17 years the late George P. Thomas, conducted a sporting goods business. When the Jackson street store was leased, only half of the premiseswere occupied by the jeweler, the remaining part of the room beingsub-let. Later, as the business expanded, the complete store wasneeded for the jewelry trade. For the most part of the first two years, Mr. Way, specializing infine watch repairing, did all of the work at the bench, personally.Clock, optical, and jewelry repairing were also done. Whether the jobat hand was an inexpensive clock or a very high grade watch, greatpains and care were always taken so that the result must be asatisfied customer regardless of the monetary remuneration. As the volume of repairing grew into more than one could handle, anassistant became necessary. George D. Robinette, a graduate of theBuman Technical Institute, Lancaster, PA, and a certified watchmaker,being certified by the Horological Institute of America , Washington,is now employed. The very fine workmanship done by Mr. Robinette isproven by the continually-increasing amount of railroad watches thathe is servicing also by the many satisfied patrons wearing delicatebracelet watches that he has serviced. The Jackson Street jewelry store now know as Way's Jewelers hasrapidly become recognized for its dependable merchandise. Althoughspecializing in fine watches and diamonds, all other kindred lines arecarried. The practice of always carrying the best btainable merchandise in the respective price fields and selling atlowest possible prices has been maintained. Owing to the increase amount of patronage, an assistant becomenecessary. Miss Doris Schrader of Batavia, and graduate of the R.B.I., is now employed. Miss Scrader is a very capable clerk andbookkeeper. Her cheerful manner is noted daily by many customers. Itis anticipated that her connection with the firm will be enjoyed formany years. Mr. Way's birthplace was Brockport, being born on March 25, 1910,coming to Batavia with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George H. Way, at theage seven, later returning to Brockport, where he completed school.He graduated from the Watchmakers Institute in New York in April 1930,and since has constantly been affiliated with the jeweler's trade.Gordon Way is quoted as being "a Batavian at heart" He enjoys livinghere an highly prizes his pleasant everyday associations with peopleof this area. Mr. Way is very happy to be established in the fine city of Batavia,has no ideas towards every opening a store or stores in other cities.He pledges that he will endeavor to make his store as honorable as hepossibly can. Favors granted him are sincerely appreciated with theearnest hope that his store will always be proudly held in the mindsof the people of his locality. Mr. Way is affiliated with the Batavia junior Chamber of Commerce, amember of the Masonic Lodge F &AM, No. 475, and a member of the FirstPresbyterian Church. On August 2, 1935 he was married to Evlyn O.Wicks of the West Main St. Road, Batavia. They have a son, DeanEdward, four, and a daughter Diane Elizabeth, two. Their residence ison the South Main Street Road. It is a coincidence that the store nowbeing opened, previously operated by the late Mr. Thomas, was prior tothat time a automobile accessory store operated by the late EdwardWicks, father of Mrs. Gordon M. Way, and before that time a harnessbusiness was conducted by Oscar D. Hammond, Mrs. Way's grandfather.

1. ↑ Census records.
2. ↑ Donald Fox. Wicks family History.
3. ↑ Donald Fox. Wicks family History.
4. ↑ Donald Fox. Wicks family History.
5. ↑ Newspaper Article.
6. ↑ Donald Fox. Wicks family History.
7. ↑ Donald Fox. Wicks family History.
8.   Donald Fox. Wicks family History.
9.   Newspaper Article.
10. ↑ He died at Community General Hospital.