The Early Years in America

Very soon after Carter Salem’s arrival in America we can only assume he traveled amongst groups and friends who were also of Lebanese decent.  Carter’s Salem’s Great Grandfather Yuseff Mouffrage was married to Oujaney Dewan.   Oujaney Dewan already had relatives in Western New York.  We also know that Carter was directed to meet up with Solomon (Joseph) Dewan who was already in America.  Carter also met acquaintances in Utica, New York related to the George family.  We believe these friends and others drew him to Lackawanna, New York where Grandpa finally settled.

Carter Salem’ s brother Joseph Salem arrived in the United States two years later and joined Carter in Lackawanna, New York.

World War I-

Carter Salem volunteered for service in World War I.   The War started in August of 1914 and continued until November 1918.   The United States maintained neutrality and did not join the war efforts until April 2, 1917.  It is known that Carter Salem did serve in France during the war.  During June of 1917 the United Sates sent a small AEF (Armed Expeditionary Force) but it wasn’t until the summer of 1918 the United States sent large numbers of troops to France.  Therefore, at this time, we can only estimate that Carter Salem served in France between late 1917 through the summer of 1918.

The Successful Businessman-

Grandpa gravitated towards merchandising and retailing.  It was said that Carter and his brother Joseph had their business beginnings as door to door salesmen.

Grandpa’s first store was opened near the lower end of Warsaw Avenue, on Wood Street in Lackawanna, New York.  The store was located one the main floor and Grandpa donated the second floor to the original St. Michael’s church.  

The store then moved to a newer and larger location on the corner of Warsaw and Electric Avenue.  This move took place in the early 1920’s, probably around 1921 to 1923. Both Carter and Joseph built most of the building located at 1626 Electric Avenue. The sign on the storefront read “Salem Bros.”   Both Carter and Joseph’s family lived in one apartment upstairs above the store.   As their families grew Joseph moved to the other apartment.  It was said that during these years Grandma Salem learned to cook for groups of twenty or more on a regular basis.

Grandpa then decided to open a second store location.   Sometime during 1938 to 1939 he rented storefront space from the owner of the Hotel Lackawanna.  This was known as the Ridge Road location (721 Ridge Road).  A newspaper article, dated January 31st, 1963, recounted news of a fire that took place at the store.   The article referred to the store as “Salem’s Store”, a women’s apparel store.

Both stores operated jointly until the mid 1960’s.  Additionally, during that period Grandpa also engaged in a joint partnership for another store.  This retail location was known as “Melas” (Salem spelled backwards) was also located on Ridge Road in Lackawanna, New York.

The Successful Familyman

Carter Salem married Mamie Thomas of Olean, New York on February 20, 1920.   Mamie was also of Lebanese decent and was American born.    She was five years younger than Grandpa and was born on October 2, 1898.  It was said that Joseph (Sam) Dewan served as a mentor for Carter Salem during his early years in the United States.  It was also said that Joseph (Sam) Dewan introduced Carter to Mamie Thomas.  The introduction that led to their marriage could be considered the start to what some might consider an arranged marriage.

Carter and Mamie Salem had six children, four boys and two girls.  Their children listed in birth order are Carter II, Nelson, Betty, Jeannine, Eugene and Edward.   

Mamie Salem was quite busy raising six children.  They would always have friends, visitors and relatives stopping by the store and they would almost always stay for Grandma’s great cooking.  She had always told Grandpa that she would love to have a small cottage, on Lake Erie.  We were assuming the cottage would allow her and the family to get away from the hustle and bustle of the store and Lackawanna.  Sometime between 1930 and 1932 Grandpa purchased 24 acres of farmland in Blaisdell, New York.  He built a farmhouse about a mile off the road.  He and the family would spend summers there.   I guess Grandma got away from the busy store life but never got the small cottage on Lake Erie!   She did, eventually, have a street named after her and the family.  “Salem Drive” which was once the site of the Salem Family Farm is located in Blaisdell, New York today.  

During the 1950’s Grandpa sold the farm and the property and purchased 11 acres on Newton Road, Hamburg New York.  Grandpa built his home there sometime around 1957.  His son’s Carter and Nelson built their homes on the same 11 acres sometime around 1958 and 1959 and Jean (Salem) McDonough also built a home there during the  early 1970’s.