Ruth McEvoy Collection 24 - Genesee County

RUTH McEVOY COLLECTION 69
SUBJECT TEXT DATE
Smith, A. C. Smith Shoe Store.
At 47 Main Street, closing his shoe store - will sell. 2-24-1909
Smith, Al Stop at the State School impromptu. 8-16-1926
Smith, Alice Smith and a friend on a 3 months tour of Europe. 5-18-1903
First woman to take an office job - shook the business world. Went to work for
Holland Purchase Insurance Co. before 1875. Ruined her social status.
Thought working woman somehow not normal. She went to work with no
business training, but later took a business course. Several jobs later, worked
Alfred Wright, a perfume manufacturer in Rochester. He sold out to a
Philadelphia concern. She worked a couple of months for General Railway
signal Co. then retired. In 1927 was living with her brother, Herbert E. Smith,
4-13-1926
at 117 Washington Avenue. Next year he moved to 207 East Avenue. 4-13-1926
Obit. Sister of Herbert E. Smith. Daughter of Alva Smith. 4-22-1930
Smith, Mrs. Allie (Lela M.) Obit. 2-10-1977
Smith, Alva Married Sarepta Townsend. Children: Wilber Smith; Mrs. H. T. Cross;
Miss Vantia Smith.
Married Ceilia Colt. Children: Herbert E. Smith; Mrs. R. A. Griswold Miss Alice Smith.
Wilbur's son: William D. Smith - hardware merchant.
Herbert E.'s son: Herbert H. Smith - electrician.
Miss Smith of Rochester, buying all Alva Smith property - 3 lots face Washington -
some move central. 8-9-1895
(Alice Smith) Children: Alice Smith; Herbert E. - Herbert E. (gassed in the war),
Florence A. Nicholson.
Price of Alva Smith estate $10,900.
Lot 22 and 24 deeded to James P. Smith who turned over to Alva Smith in 1830.
Alva came to Batavia in 1815 to clerk for his brother James P., north side of
Main Street. Area burned February 15, 1850. (American H………) After the
fire, set up A. Smith & Co. dry goods. Boyd with him - with brother James
until 1843 when James retired; with David P. Warren until 1849. Then sold out.
Was in 1850 at 94 Main as A. Smith & Son. In 1861 built a brick sales room
140' deep. Wilber (the son) sold the building to E. N. Stone November 12, 1878.
Wilber died April 13, 1893. Alva gave up the business in 1868. Had branches
in LeRoy, Albion, Holley, Elba, etc. Had interest in Lay Planing Mill on Evans
Street and in Olmsted Lumber company in LeRoy. Died November 25, 1870.
Left his house on Alva to his Celia A. Smith. Children: Wilber; Julia; Alice;
Lavanlea; Colton B.; Celia; Hattie and Herbert E. Alice went into business -
inherited the house of Wilber's wife Eva Smith. Alva - Celia → Wilber - Eva →
Alice; Herbert E. No mention of the American Hotel.
Alva Place named for, whose house was on the corner of Seaver Place in 1921.
Seaver originally went back to Alva Place, later cut through to Washington Ave.
Miss Alice lived at 116 Washington in 1921. Past & Present column. Recently
sold to Emil Taggart. 4-17-1921
Past & Present column: on Alva Smith house, now Majestic Odd Fellows
Temple. Once was on Ganson's Lane - Dr. Ganson had a office on the
corner of what is now Main and Park Place. 8-10-1935
Article on the family due to taking down of the house - most recently the Majestic
Temple. Listed as beneficiaries: Wife, Celia A. Smith; children: Wilber; Julia; 3-1-1947
Lavantia (spelling?); Colton B.; Alice; Celia; Hattie; Herbert E. 3-1-1947
Smith, Alva C. Retiring from the job he has held for 29 years - for Mancuso Motors on West Main
Street. Worked for Burt W. Welch at the same address before that. Welch
urged him to stay when the business was sold. 3-14-1959
Picture of the Alva Smith & Son storefront ca. 1870 10-14-2000