Potato Farming

Potato farming was a significant industry on Long Island in the early 1900s, particularly in the eastern part of the island. The region's potato harvests were so abundant that it was known as the “potato capital of the world.” The potatoes grown on Long Island were shipped to markets throughout the United States, where they were sold at roadside stands, markets, and grocery stores.

It's no surprise then that Strauss family members were attracted to potato farming. Sisters Lillian and Johanna “Jane” Strauss married brothers John and William Gozelski. They were sons of potato farmer Adolf Gozelski. Here's a photo of Adolf (in the driver's seat) delivering a load of potatoes to New York City.

William and Jane moved to Hornell, New York and later to Gainesville, New York and started their own potato farm that eventually expanded to 643 acres. Their sons William Jr, George, Peter, and Edwin (Joe) grew up in the potato business and all except William Jr had farms of their own in the area, farming on land that belonged to the family.

Years later, the sons got out of the business when their own sons and daughters went to college and sought other professions. The family still retains ownership of the land but rents it out to other growers. Most of the potatoes grown are used for potato chips.

John and Lillian Gozelski's daughter, Phyllis, married potato farmer Joseph Louis “Doey” Meyer in 1958. They moved to Cohockton, New York and started a potato farm that is now a 2,000 acre enterprise. The farm is run by their sons Joe and John.

George Gozelski, son of Bill and Jane, started a company called Ski's Potato Chips in Gainesville, New York. They manufactured potato chips, using their own potatoes, and delivered to customers across western New York State.

The entire family pitched in when they could. Linda Colgan O'Rear, granddaughter of Hedwig “Hattie” Strauss, worked there for a summer.

Ski's eventually stopped operating when there was not enough labor to keep up with the work involved with both farming potatos and manufacturing chips. Today, a Gainesville company run by the Marquart Family (neighbors of the Gozelskis) is now growing potatos on rented Gozelski land and manufacturing potato chips under the brand name New York Chips.