WELCOME TO FORGOTTEN BUFFALO & TOURS

Located in Buffalo’s Central Park Community, the Bayliss-Oshei house sits directly across from Burke’s Green on land that was originally the Lewis J. Bennett estate.  The Bennett House was the first home built in Central Park in the 1880's and demolished in the early 1930s. The large parcel of land that made up the Bennett Estate was divided into 12 separate Central Park residences.

William H. Bayliss purchased two of these lots at the corner of Depew & Beard to make up the 360 Depew Avenue parcel. He commissioned Buffalo architect Harvey Staring Horton to create plans for the current Tudor-style structure. A former President of the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects, Horton began his career with Carrere & Hastings in New York City and then worked with Buffalo architect George Carey before starting his own firm in 1916.

In 1935, 360 Depew Avenue would become the home to Bayliss, his wife Bessie Cowan, son James and daughter Mary Elizabeth. Bayliss chose the lots for the house because his wife, a deeply religious woman, wanted to be able to walk to Central Park United Methodist Church.

Born in Lockport, New York, Bayliss was the last of a family of eleven children. His father, John R., was a veteran of the Civil War. After graduating from high school, Bayliss became a salesman for W.H. Granger & Co., a New York wholesale grocer, traveling out of New York City and Brooklyn. He worked at this job for 20 years before entering business for himself. In the mid 1920's, Bayliss acquired the Fuller Canneries Company in South Dayton and later, the Tugwell-Wiseman Company, in Lewiston, New York. Both of these companies were in the vegetable and fruit canning industry.  Later, Bayliss would own a citrus fruit and juice company in Tarpon Springs, Florida.  In addition, the enterprising Bayliss acted as a business advisor for the Colonnade Company of Cleveland, was the President of the Bank of South Dayton and President of the Erie Lumber Company. After a short illness, Bayliss passed away in 1951.

In 1954, two years after the death of her mother Bessie Bayliss, Mary Elizabeth and her husband Robert Chittenden Oshei purchased 360 Depew from the Bayliss estate and made it their home for the next 55 years. Mary Elizabeth had graduated from the Buffalo Seminary and National Park College.  A graduate of Nichols School and Cornell University, Oshei was the son of Bernard F. Oshei, a brother of John R. Oshei, the founder of Trico Products. After serving in World War II and with the occupation forces in Japan, Oshei founded Fibron Products in 1949. The firm became a pioneer in the manufacturing of laminated wood for the cutlery and hardware industries. During its over 50 year history, Fibron supplied millions of knife handles to top US manufactures that included W. R. Case, Camillus Cutlery, Buck Knives and Western Cutlery.

Robert and Mary Bayliss Oshei raised five children at the home: Robert Chittenden Oshei Jr, William Bayliss Oshei, James Bayliss Oshei, John Chittenden Oshei and Mary Elizabeth Bayliss Oshei known as Memo. Robert Oshei passed away in 1999. Mary Bayliss Oshei would live in the home until her death in September 2009 at the age of 89.

Born in Buffalo in 1920, Robert Chittenden Oshei’s earliest paternal family history is traced to Ireland. Some of his ancestors left Ireland in the 1700s to work in what is now Austria. Francis Joseph Oishei was born in Austria in 1830 and married Adelheide Van Wildt of Prussia. They would have three children that included Charles, who would become Robert Oshei’s Great-Grandfather. Francis Oishei arrived in the United States in 1859 and eventually settled in Buffalo. Oishei owned & operated a number of saloons and eventually owned the Golden Gate Hotel at 160 Exchange Street at the time of his death in 1878. Charles married Julia Roffo, the daughter of John Roffo who is believed to be the first Italian to settle in Buffalo in the 1840s. Julia was also an early graduate of Nardin Academy. Eight children were born to Charles and Julia – John, Stella, Camilla, Bertha, Charles, Bernard, Florence and William. Oldest brother John R Oishei would go on to form the Trico Products Corporation in 1917.

As the family grew and matured, members chose to use variations in the spelling of their surname. In family documents, historical records and civic directories, the spelling of the Oshei name, with or without the use of the extra “i” may be found.

Bernard Francis Oshei was born in Buffalo in 1898. He was a graduate of Lafayette High School and attended the University of Buffalo Law School. Shortly after leaving school, Oshei joined the Trico Products Corporation where he eventually became vice-president. In 1937, he left Trico for the plastics industry and formed the Bernard F. Oshei Co. at 170 Florida Street. Oshei married Hortense Pratt Chittenden (nicknamed "Honey") and had two sons, Bernard F. Jr. and Robert Chittenden. Hortense Pratt Chittenden graduated from The Buffalo Seminary in 1914.  She passed away in 1922. Bernard Oshei died in 1948 at the age of 50.

Hortense Pratt Chittenden’s ancestry can be traced to Buffalo’s earlier settlers and most successful business leaders. She was the daughter of John Lorenz Chittenden and Amelia Frederica Lautz. John L. Chittenden was the grandson of Pascal Pratt who founded Manufacturers’ & Traders’ Bank (M&T Bank) in 1856 and was a charter member of the Buffalo Club.  Chittenden was also a direct decedent of pioneer Buffalo settler Captain Samuel Pratt. While on an expedition to Canada in 1801, Pratt made his way through the wilderness outpost what would become the Village of Buffalo. Sensing opportunity in this western town, he moved his family from New England to Buffalo in 1804 to become a civic and social leader.  

Robert Chittenden Oshei was born in 1920 and attended School 30, Nichols School and Cornell University. He married Mary Elizabeth Bayliss in 1941 and had five children - Robert Chittenden Oshei Jr, William Bayliss Oshei, James Bayliss Oshei (died 2006), John Chittenden Oshei (died 2008) and Mary Elizabeth Bayliss Oshei known as Memo. Mary Elizabeth Bayliss, daughter of industrialist William Henry Bayliss, was a graduate of the Buffalo Seminary, attended Pine Manor College and National Park College. After serving in World War II and with the occupation forces in Japan, Robert C. Oshei founded Fibron Products in 1949. The firm became a pioneer in the manufacturing of laminated wood for the cutlery and hardware industries. Oshei enjoyed sailing as a member of the North Shore Yacht Club in Bertie Bay Ontario, Canada. He was also longtime member of the Buffalo Club and an avid bowler on the Club’s inter-club team. Robert Oshei passed away in 1999.

Mary Bayliss Oshei was a sustaining member of the Junior League of Buffalo, a member of the Garret Club and past president of the Buffalo Seminary Graduates Association. She volunteered on the Junior Board of Buffalo General Hospital and was a life member of Central Park United Methodist Church. She died on September 23, 2009 at the age of 89. In 2010, surviving family members include daughter Mary (Memo), sons William Bayliss and Robert Chittenden and seven grandchildren.  

Bernard Francis Oshei was born in Buffalo in 1898, the son of Charles Oshei and Julia Roffo. He was a graduate of Lafayette High School and attended the University of Buffalo Law School. Shortly after leaving school, Oshei joined the Trico Products Corporation where he eventually became vice-president. His brother, John R. Oshei was president of the concern.

In 1937, he left Trico to form the Bernard F. Oshei Co. at 170 Florida Street. Oshei became a leader in the production of Bakelite, Durez, Tenite and Plaskon moulded products. These included ashtrays and toy novelties to parts for appliances and the automotive industry. During World War II, the company produced many items for the Army & Navy including plastic airplane parts and land minds.

Oshei married Hortense Pratt Chittenden and had two sons, Bernard F. Jr. and Robert Chittenden. Oshei died in 1948 at the age of 50.

After serving in World War II and with the occupation forces in Japan, Robert Oshei founded Fibron Products in 1949. The firm became a pioneer in the manufacturing of laminated wood for the cutlery and hardware industries. During its over 50 year history, Fibron supplied millions of knife handles to top US manufactures that included W. R. Case, Camillus Cutlery, Buck Knives and Western Cutlery.