This is a handwritten memoir by Stephen Grabin (1896-1973). Stephen was born 26 May 1896 in Eynon, PA and married Anna MATALA about 1919. A copy of the original was given to Diane by one of her cousins.
Started to work in 1908 at Raymond Breaker, in 1910 at Slope Mines opening doors, in 1912 driving mules in Riverside mines, running cars to 1914.Got job as labor loading coal in Heading for John Chickhock, Eynon man. 6 months later I got miners certificate so I went mining. Second moner. We had 2 shifts, 3 men each. One day about 1 am going to chamber Mr George Dando. William Roadway was about to enter the cage to take us down to for foot opening they said 2 men was killed in air way next to our heading rope broke 2 loaded cars ran down the slope we were driving turned in to the airway switch and this the last day for me in the mines.
I left for Kansas City Missouri.
I landed in automobile training school Sweeney's School.
Returned to Eynon in 1916, Mr Bill lynott took on Olyphant ?? ford agency. He asked me if I would work for him. I took the job servinceing cars for them and he had the Blue Bird was king machine. I serviced good many in Olyphant Residence Homes.
In 1917 war broke out. I went with the Batch of Selective Service men I landed in Agusta Georgia, joined up with Co A 103 Engineers Regiment 1928 Division. In May 1918 shipped over seas.
Landed in England, crossed English Channel to France to defend Marnes were holding the chattatorry* seet at Marnes River in France. We had actual warfare ended up in Metz Nov 1918. Shipped home in May 1919.
Went to work for Lynott Motors
In 1919 June I went to ford motor company detroit for 6 month worked all through the plant came home worked for lynott end of dec 1921
I received oldsmobile franchise dealership in 1922 for eynon. and in 1937 through 1939 in Peckville main st
in 1945 I got dealership for River St Olyphant then transferred to Main St 301 + Lincoln St Blakely where it is at this time still selling oldsmobiles.
in 1955 I purchased old mine rock ground was used as a rising slope to underground to bring coal out.
we cleared the rock dump made a corner lot for our used cars + parking. In 1959 put up steel building for our new cars to store + repair shop.
6th day 1961 Dec received progress award proudly presented to GRABIN'S OLDSMOBILE PECKVILLE PA by the SCRANTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE for contributing to the attractiveness and general appearance this award recognizes the faith the recipient has shown in our community presented this 6th day of december 1961, president R L Justin, Secretary S F Kozmerski, Chairman Neil Trama
*This is Chateu-Thierry on the Marne River in France.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Daniel GRABIN made this car with his own hands at his garage in Olyphant - this photo as the first thing I posted on this blog. It was featured in the newspapers at the time, however below is the original of the photo that appeared in those papers, with Daniel at the wheel outside his garage.
I now have the article itself, and have transcribed it underneath.
Caption: UNIQUE SPORTS CAR - Danny Grabin, 108 River St., Olyphant, sits in his flashy "firetruck red" sports car. The car is unique because the Olyphant man built it himself.
The Scrantonian
Sunday, Nov 13, 1955, p18
Homemade Job Is Eye-Stopper
By Joseph X Flannery
One look at an automobile and the average person can tell what make and model it is. But even afte a second look it would be pretty hard to put a name on a car owned by Danny Grabin, 108 River St., Olyphant. This flashy "firetruck red" sports care is unique because he made it himself.
***
Starting with a beat-up 1942 model automobile with more rust than paint, Mr. Grabin has fashioned an eye-stopper that in some ways is years ahead of its design. A mechanic by profession, Mr. Grabin harbored a dream for some time to own a flashy sports car. But price tags of more than $3,500 would never let the dream become a reality.
***
So three years ago he decided that if he couldn't afford to buy a sports car, he would make his own.
Starting with the 1942 model car, he tore it down to the frame and then began to rebuild it piece by piece. The roof of the old car was converted into the rear assembly for the new car. He used standard fenders, but the only way he could get the kind of doors he wanted was to make them himself.
On thousand working hours later, Mr. Grabin has a car that has cost him approximately $500. But it is still not exactly what he wants, so the work will be carried on until the mechanic's idea of perfection is achieved. This will include putting a convertible top on the presently topless vehicle.
When he started the project in 1952, he used designing lines that have since been incorporated into standard autos. For instance, he rounded the line at the top of the doors.
Though the car has the traditional sports car bucket seats in front, there is a seat for three passengers in the rear. This gives his homemade car an advantage over other sports cars.
Because of the extra passenger space, Mr. Grabin decided to put a convertible cover on the vehicle. With the cover, he figures, he can use the car more frequently.
Mr. Grabin also plans to install a V-8 engine in the car to replace the present straight-8.
***
One sidelight of this home-made auto was the red tape required to obtain a title. In addition to details about its construction, Mr. Grabin had to send photographs of it to the Department of Motor Vehicles before it was decided how it would be classified. Because of the fenders and grill, it was finally listed as a 1948 Oldsmobile roadster.
But this is an entirely arbitrary name and year. For instance, the sweep-back windshield is a 1955 model, frame is 1942 vintage. The fenders came from 1948 and 1950 models, and the grill dates back to 1948.
A better name for the car would be a Danny Grabin Deluxe.
I now have the article itself, and have transcribed it underneath.
Caption: UNIQUE SPORTS CAR - Danny Grabin, 108 River St., Olyphant, sits in his flashy "firetruck red" sports car. The car is unique because the Olyphant man built it himself.
The Scrantonian
Sunday, Nov 13, 1955, p18
Homemade Job Is Eye-Stopper
By Joseph X Flannery
One look at an automobile and the average person can tell what make and model it is. But even afte a second look it would be pretty hard to put a name on a car owned by Danny Grabin, 108 River St., Olyphant. This flashy "firetruck red" sports care is unique because he made it himself.
***
Starting with a beat-up 1942 model automobile with more rust than paint, Mr. Grabin has fashioned an eye-stopper that in some ways is years ahead of its design. A mechanic by profession, Mr. Grabin harbored a dream for some time to own a flashy sports car. But price tags of more than $3,500 would never let the dream become a reality.
***
So three years ago he decided that if he couldn't afford to buy a sports car, he would make his own.
Starting with the 1942 model car, he tore it down to the frame and then began to rebuild it piece by piece. The roof of the old car was converted into the rear assembly for the new car. He used standard fenders, but the only way he could get the kind of doors he wanted was to make them himself.
On thousand working hours later, Mr. Grabin has a car that has cost him approximately $500. But it is still not exactly what he wants, so the work will be carried on until the mechanic's idea of perfection is achieved. This will include putting a convertible top on the presently topless vehicle.
When he started the project in 1952, he used designing lines that have since been incorporated into standard autos. For instance, he rounded the line at the top of the doors.
Though the car has the traditional sports car bucket seats in front, there is a seat for three passengers in the rear. This gives his homemade car an advantage over other sports cars.
Because of the extra passenger space, Mr. Grabin decided to put a convertible cover on the vehicle. With the cover, he figures, he can use the car more frequently.
Mr. Grabin also plans to install a V-8 engine in the car to replace the present straight-8.
***
One sidelight of this home-made auto was the red tape required to obtain a title. In addition to details about its construction, Mr. Grabin had to send photographs of it to the Department of Motor Vehicles before it was decided how it would be classified. Because of the fenders and grill, it was finally listed as a 1948 Oldsmobile roadster.
But this is an entirely arbitrary name and year. For instance, the sweep-back windshield is a 1955 model, frame is 1942 vintage. The fenders came from 1948 and 1950 models, and the grill dates back to 1948.
A better name for the car would be a Danny Grabin Deluxe.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Death of Harry Wasilchak (1894-1929)
15 Jan 1929
JESSUP DAIRY OWNER IS KILLED IN MOTOR CRASH
"WASILCHAK'S CAR PLUNGES OVER 15-FOOT BANK ON MONTDALE ROAD - FOUND BY PASSERBY
Harry Wasilchak, thirty-eight, of 208 Hand-street, Jessup, proprietor of the Jessup Dairy, was instantly killed last night about 10 o'clock when the truck he was operating plunged over a fifteen foot embankment on the Montdale Road.
The wrecked truck and Wasilchak's body were found by Charles Brown, of Peckville, as he passed along the highway in his automobile. Constable Ralph Hunt, of Chapman Lake, was notified and he made an investigation.
The body was removed to the Turko morgue, where it was examined by Deputy Coroner Murray Finkelstein. Wasilchak, who is survived by his widow, and four children was widely known throughout the mid-valley."
Monday, March 22, 2010
Michael Shanley's grave
Following from my previous post on Michael Shanley, I have been looking forhis grave for some time. He was buried at the St Patrick's Cemetery, Olyphant - the cemetery itself is not down in the town, but up on the hill to the north, off Route 6.
After many searches, and with the advice of Uncle Frank Shanley, I decided to have one more trudge around the cemetery at Christmas (while Hilarie stayed warm in the car). My strategy was to look at every headstone with a 'Veteran' flag affixed to it, and after trudging in the freezing cold for some time I finally found it.
I'm a little confused about the two headstones. The 'stone' at the bottom is actually iron. It appeared to be quite old, though it's difficult to imagine it is one hundred yeras old. The upper stone seems very new.
After many searches, and with the advice of Uncle Frank Shanley, I decided to have one more trudge around the cemetery at Christmas (while Hilarie stayed warm in the car). My strategy was to look at every headstone with a 'Veteran' flag affixed to it, and after trudging in the freezing cold for some time I finally found it.
I'm a little confused about the two headstones. The 'stone' at the bottom is actually iron. It appeared to be quite old, though it's difficult to imagine it is one hundred yeras old. The upper stone seems very new.
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