Local History

MARIAN DEUEL

Dates of Interview:
June 22, 1984

Location of Interview:
Henrietta, NY

Interviewer:
Cynthia Goldstein

Length of Transcript:
16 pages

Biographical Summary
Marian T. Deuel was born on February 22, 1900 in New York City, NY.  Ms. Deuel graduated from East High School, and then worked for six years at Eastman Kodak Camera Works.  She married Irving Deuel in August 1923.  Marian Deuel then went on to become one of the first women in the Rochester, NY area to be involved in the newspaper business, as founding publisher of the South East Weekly Journal, which began in 1949, and the Henrietta Weekly, which started in 1960.  She was also the first woman member of the Henrietta Chamber of Commerce.  Marian Deuel died on February 20, 1997.

Interview Highlights
Deuel speaks about her involvement in the newspaper publishing industry, and the growth of the Henrietta Weekly from the Pinnacle News and 14th Warder.  Ms. Deuel reads newspaper articles from issues of the 14th Warder pertaining to the development of commerce, housing, and industry in Henrietta, as well as reports that highlight the political and social climate in the 1950’s relating to the growth in Henrietta from a rural to suburban community.

Interview Excerpt
“We talk of Henrietta as a boom town, just as they did of Brighton about 15 or 16 years ago.  Both are fine towns, where officials and the people must work together for the common good.  In neither town is there room for those who would ferment and stir up trouble.  Their sense of fairness and good neighbor attitudes must work out problems which will arise amicably.  America’s strong because there are little men, little business, and little towns all working together.  One President Eisenhower, millions of ordinary citizens like us.   One Eastman Kodak, millions of little business.  One New York City, millions of small towns and villages; each one important to the whole.  In the individual lies our greatness.” (p. 7)

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