Gretchen Hoover Parsons (1889-1979)

{Compiled by “S”}

Gretchen was born August 7, 1889. Her parents were Dexter D. Hoover and Freddie F. Wilson. Dexter was a grocer in Welland. They lived at 97 West Main St. in Welland.

Gretchen attended Central school in Welland and the Welland High School.

Her grandfather was Elias Hoover (1823-1892). He was an early municipal councillor of the Village of Welland. He built the Dexter Hotel on Main St Welland.

Miss Gretchen Hoover entertained a number of young friends at her home on Tuesday night. The evening was spent in games, music etc. and a lunch was also served.

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[Welland Tribune  February 19, 1904.]

Miss Gretchen Hoover entertained the T.W.S.C. on Wednesday evening. A very enjoyable time was spent by all present.

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[Welland Tribune February 19, 1909]

Miss Gretchen Hoover entertained about thirty young friends on Friday evening last at progressive pedro and dancing. Favors were won by Miss Manie Brady and Mr Tom Bradley. Consolations going to Miss J. Chapman and M. Garner.

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[People’s Press February 23, 1909]

Burned By Explosion

Miss Gretchen Hoover, daughter of Dexter Hoover, West Main street, was painfully burned about the face and eyes on Tuesday night, the result of an explosion of gas. Miss Hoover was opening the door of the oven, when the gas shot out, burning her arms, face and hands, besides singing off her eyelashes.

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[The Tribune February 26, 1909.]

Miss Gretchen Hoover leaves this week for Buffalo, where she will learn nursing in the children’s hospital there.

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[Tribune 1909]

Farewell to Miss Hoover

On Wednesday evening about 25 young people met at the home of Miss Gretchen Hoover as a surprise, to bid her farewell before her departure to Buffalo to train for a nurse. The evening was spent in progressive pedro, singing and dancing; honors won by Miss Leona Rounds and Mrs John Garner; consolation prizes going to Miss Stella Roach and Mr Gordon Stayzer. Following that a gold and pearl umbrella was presented to Miss Hoover, the address being read by Miss Asher, as follows:

Dear Gretchen:

It is much pleasure that we are here to spend another delightful evening with you, but with much regret that we know you are about to leave us for some time. So we have taken advantage of this occasion to present to you this remembrance from the “Happy Bunch,” who wish you all the success that is possible in your undertaking and we hope that the showers which you encounter with this will remind you of the showered of good wishes that follow you from your old friends at Welland. “The Bunch”

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[Welland, April 21, 1909]

Miss Hoover responded in a very able manner, thanking her friends for the kind remembrance in so beautiful as well as useful gift.

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[The Tribune April 23, 1909]

In 1910, Gretchen lived at 196 Dupont St., Buffalo, Ward 21, New York. She was a trained nurse.

She was 5‘1“, with blue eyes, brown hair and fair complexion. (Refer to Gallery–People for photo of Gretchen Hoover Parsons)

April 10, 191 Gretchen married Lewis Willoughby Parsons. He was born in Toronto August 27, 1886. He was divorced in 1910, was a clerk living in Buffalo.

He served in the war February 26,1918 until March 23, 1919. He was severely wounded in action September  1918 and was discharged March 28,1919.

On November 30,1922 they had a son, William Dexter Parsons

PARSONS In Buffalo, On Thursday, 30th November, 1922, to Mr and Mrs L. W. Parsons. Gretchen Hoover, daughter of  Mr and Mrs D.D. Hoover, 97 West Main St, a son.

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[Welland Tribune & Telegraph Dec 5, 1922]

Mrs D.D. Hoover, 97 West Main Street, has left to spend a few days at Niagara Falls with her daughter, Mrs George Bradshaw, after which she will leave for Buffalo where she will visit another daughter, Mrs W.L, Parsons, also her son, Grant Hoover.

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[The Welland Tribune and Telegraph April 3, 1924.]

In 1920 Lewis W. Parsons was 33, living in Buffalo, was a yard foreman for a meat packing company.

On May 17, 1939 Lewis W. Parsons died. William Dexter Parsons was age 17. Gretchen continued her nursing career. She lived in Lancaster and in Florida. She died October 1979 in Monroe, New York.

William Dexter Parsons (Refer to his Photo in the Gallery– People)

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Quoted from Nancy Race “My dad’s name is William Dexter Parsons. Growing up he was known by Dexter. After high school he started using Bill.

My parents were married on October 16, 1948 in Rochester, NY. My mom is Mary Doron Parsons. She does not have a middle name. They have two children. Myself Nancy Ann Parsons;..My brother is David Lewis Parsons,..(My brother and I were adopted-so the blood line stopped at my Dad) My brother has been married but never had any children. I married  Stephen Edward Race. We have two kids.”

William Dexter Parsons died April 7, 2009 in Tucson, Pima, Arizona. He had served in the U.S. Navy.