One of the Founders of Great Syracuse Industry Long in ill Health
Funeral on Tuesday Was Director of Crucible, One of Founders of Great Lakes Shipping
Wilbert Lewis Smith, 85, pioneer in the Syracuse typewriter industry and president of the board of L. C. Smith & Corona Typewriters, Inc., died at his home, 652 West Onondaga Street, last night.
He was one of four brothers who founded the L. C. Smith typewriter industry in 1889 and had been an industrial and civil leader of Syracuse since that time.
He was a director of the Crucible Steel Company of America and a vice president and one of the founders of the Great Lakes Steamship Company.
Mr. Smith had been in failing health for several years. A physician and nurse were in attendance at the time of death.
Funeral services will be at 2:30 P.M. Tuesday in the home. The Rev. Franklin P. Bennett, rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church of which Mr. Smith was a communicant, will read the service. Burial will be in the family mausoleum in Oakwood Cemetery.
Wilbert L. Smith was born Feb. 29, 1852, at Torrington, Conn. His parents, soon after his birth, moved to Lisle, Broome County. His father was Lewis Stevens Smith; his mother, Eliza Ann (Hurlbut) Smith. His father was a lumberman, tanner and merchant at Lisle. His ancestors originally were from England. His grandparents on the paternal side were William and Rebecca (Bissel) Smith.
On the maternal side were several officers in the Revolutionary War. Wilbert L. Smith received his education
in the common schools, and later at the State Normal School at Cortland.
He began his business career as a boy in the gun manufactory of his brother, the late L. C. Smith, of Syracuse, and became the superintendent of the plant. About the year 1885 he became interested in the typewriter.
and at once saw its possibilities. At his own expense he developed and brought together the inventions of several mechanics in the Smith Premier Typewriter. He eventually induced his brother to abandon the gunmaking plant, and to devote his time and capital to the making of typewriters.
Wilbert L. Smith was for many years an officer of the Smith Premier Company, and was in sole charge of production and was a director of the Union Typewriter Company (after the Smith Premier had been included in that organization.)
He built the typewriter plant at Syracuse for the Union Typewriter Company. In 1888 he and his brothers Lyman C, Monroe C. and Hurlbut W. organized the L.C. Smith & Bros. Typewriter company of which he became vice president. Upon the death of Lyman he became president of this concern, and devoted his attention principally to the company's interests until 1924 when he retired after L.C. Smith & Bros. Typewriter Inc. on Oct 31, took over the property, business and operations of the L.C. Smth & Bros. Typewriter Company. He remained however as chairman of the board.
Under Mr. Smith's direction the company moved forward to occupy an international position. There were 36 subsidiary companies of which he was a director. In 1926 he became chairman of the board of the L.C. Smith & Corona Typewriters, Inc.
He had other buisness interests. He was a director of the Crucible Steel Company of America, vice president of the Great Lakes Steamship Company, one of the organizers and later chairman of the board of the directors of the Syracuse Trust Company.
He was also chairman of the board of the National Bank of Syracuse before its merger with the Trust Company in 1918 and he was vice president of the Syracuse Trust Company before the consolidation. In addition, he was vice president of the Smith-Lee Company, Inc. of Oneida.
During the World War he served on a committee of seven, connected with the typewriter industry and turned his plant over to the government for war purposes.
He was a member of the Century Club, the Citizens and the Onondaga Golf and Country Clubs, and the Pontiac Fish and Game Club.
Surviving are his wife, the forrmer Louise L. Hunt, a native of Syracuse, two sons, Wilbert A. and Elwyn L. Smith, a sister, Mrs. Frederick W. Smith, one brother Hurlbut W. Smith and seven grandchildren: Marguerite L., Henrietta W., Jean W., Anette W., Elwyn L. Jr., Josephine E. and Wlbert L. Smith 2nd. All live in Syracuse.
Syracuse, New York | Sunday, August 29, 1937 | Page 17
Funeral on Tuesday Was Director of Crucible, One of Founders of Great Lakes Shipping
Wilbert Lewis Smith, 85, pioneer in the Syracuse typewriter industry and president of the board of L. C. Smith & Corona Typewriters, Inc., died at his home, 652 West Onondaga Street, last night.
He was one of four brothers who founded the L. C. Smith typewriter industry in 1889 and had been an industrial and civil leader of Syracuse since that time.
He was a director of the Crucible Steel Company of America and a vice president and one of the founders of the Great Lakes Steamship Company.
Mr. Smith had been in failing health for several years. A physician and nurse were in attendance at the time of death.
Funeral services will be at 2:30 P.M. Tuesday in the home. The Rev. Franklin P. Bennett, rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church of which Mr. Smith was a communicant, will read the service. Burial will be in the family mausoleum in Oakwood Cemetery.
Wilbert L. Smith was born Feb. 29, 1852, at Torrington, Conn. His parents, soon after his birth, moved to Lisle, Broome County. His father was Lewis Stevens Smith; his mother, Eliza Ann (Hurlbut) Smith. His father was a lumberman, tanner and merchant at Lisle. His ancestors originally were from England. His grandparents on the paternal side were William and Rebecca (Bissel) Smith.
On the maternal side were several officers in the Revolutionary War. Wilbert L. Smith received his education
in the common schools, and later at the State Normal School at Cortland.
He began his business career as a boy in the gun manufactory of his brother, the late L. C. Smith, of Syracuse, and became the superintendent of the plant. About the year 1885 he became interested in the typewriter.
and at once saw its possibilities. At his own expense he developed and brought together the inventions of several mechanics in the Smith Premier Typewriter. He eventually induced his brother to abandon the gunmaking plant, and to devote his time and capital to the making of typewriters.
Wilbert L. Smith was for many years an officer of the Smith Premier Company, and was in sole charge of production and was a director of the Union Typewriter Company (after the Smith Premier had been included in that organization.)
He built the typewriter plant at Syracuse for the Union Typewriter Company. In 1888 he and his brothers Lyman C, Monroe C. and Hurlbut W. organized the L.C. Smith & Bros. Typewriter company of which he became vice president. Upon the death of Lyman he became president of this concern, and devoted his attention principally to the company's interests until 1924 when he retired after L.C. Smith & Bros. Typewriter Inc. on Oct 31, took over the property, business and operations of the L.C. Smth & Bros. Typewriter Company. He remained however as chairman of the board.
Under Mr. Smith's direction the company moved forward to occupy an international position. There were 36 subsidiary companies of which he was a director. In 1926 he became chairman of the board of the L.C. Smith & Corona Typewriters, Inc.
He had other buisness interests. He was a director of the Crucible Steel Company of America, vice president of the Great Lakes Steamship Company, one of the organizers and later chairman of the board of the directors of the Syracuse Trust Company.
He was also chairman of the board of the National Bank of Syracuse before its merger with the Trust Company in 1918 and he was vice president of the Syracuse Trust Company before the consolidation. In addition, he was vice president of the Smith-Lee Company, Inc. of Oneida.
During the World War he served on a committee of seven, connected with the typewriter industry and turned his plant over to the government for war purposes.
He was a member of the Century Club, the Citizens and the Onondaga Golf and Country Clubs, and the Pontiac Fish and Game Club.
Surviving are his wife, the forrmer Louise L. Hunt, a native of Syracuse, two sons, Wilbert A. and Elwyn L. Smith, a sister, Mrs. Frederick W. Smith, one brother Hurlbut W. Smith and seven grandchildren: Marguerite L., Henrietta W., Jean W., Anette W., Elwyn L. Jr., Josephine E. and Wlbert L. Smith 2nd. All live in Syracuse.
Syracuse, New York | Sunday, August 29, 1937 | Page 17
One of the Founders of Great Syracuse Industry Long in ill Health
Funeral on Tuesday Was Director of Crucible, One of Founders of Great Lakes Shipping
Wilbert Lewis Smith, 85, pioneer in the Syracuse typewriter industry and president of the board of L. C. Smith & Corona Typewriters, Inc., died at his home, 652 West Onondaga Street, last night.
He was one of four brothers who founded the L. C. Smith typewriter industry in 1889 and had been an industrial and civil leader of Syracuse since that time.
He was a director of the Crucible Steel Company of America and a vice president and one of the founders of the Great Lakes Steamship Company.
Mr. Smith had been in failing health for several years. A physician and nurse were in attendance at the time of death.
Funeral services will be at 2:30 P.M. Tuesday in the home. The Rev. Franklin P. Bennett, rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church of which Mr. Smith was a communicant, will read the service. Burial will be in the family mausoleum in Oakwood Cemetery.
Wilbert L. Smith was born Feb. 29, 1852, at Torrington, Conn. His parents, soon after his birth, moved to Lisle, Broome County. His father was Lewis Stevens Smith; his mother, Eliza Ann (Hurlbut) Smith. His father was a lumberman, tanner and merchant at Lisle. His ancestors originally were from England. His grandparents on the paternal side were William and Rebecca (Bissel) Smith.
On the maternal side were several officers in the Revolutionary War. Wilbert L. Smith received his education
in the common schools, and later at the State Normal School at Cortland.
He began his business career as a boy in the gun manufactory of his brother, the late L. C. Smith, of Syracuse, and became the superintendent of the plant. About the year 1885 he became interested in the typewriter.
and at once saw its possibilities. At his own expense he developed and brought together the inventions of several mechanics in the Smith Premier Typewriter. He eventually induced his brother to abandon the gunmaking plant, and to devote his time and capital to the making of typewriters.
Wilbert L. Smith was for many years an officer of the Smith Premier Company, and was in sole charge of production and was a director of the Union Typewriter Company (after the Smith Premier had been included in that organization.)
He built the typewriter plant at Syracuse for the Union Typewriter Company. In 1888 he and his brothers Lyman C, Monroe C. and Hurlbut W. organized the L.C. Smith & Bros. Typewriter company of which he became vice president. Upon the death of Lyman he became president of this concern, and devoted his attention principally to the company's interests until 1924 when he retired after L.C. Smith & Bros. Typewriter Inc. on Oct 31, took over the property, business and operations of the L.C. Smth & Bros. Typewriter Company. He remained however as chairman of the board.
Under Mr. Smith's direction the company moved forward to occupy an international position. There were 36 subsidiary companies of which he was a director. In 1926 he became chairman of the board of the L.C. Smith & Corona Typewriters, Inc.
He had other buisness interests. He was a director of the Crucible Steel Company of America, vice president of the Great Lakes Steamship Company, one of the organizers and later chairman of the board of the directors of the Syracuse Trust Company.
He was also chairman of the board of the National Bank of Syracuse before its merger with the Trust Company in 1918 and he was vice president of the Syracuse Trust Company before the consolidation. In addition, he was vice president of the Smith-Lee Company, Inc. of Oneida.
During the World War he served on a committee of seven, connected with the typewriter industry and turned his plant over to the government for war purposes.
He was a member of the Century Club, the Citizens and the Onondaga Golf and Country Clubs, and the Pontiac Fish and Game Club.
Surviving are his wife, the forrmer Louise L. Hunt, a native of Syracuse, two sons, Wilbert A. and Elwyn L. Smith, a sister, Mrs. Frederick W. Smith, one brother Hurlbut W. Smith and seven grandchildren: Marguerite L., Henrietta W., Jean W., Anette W., Elwyn L. Jr., Josephine E. and Wlbert L. Smith 2nd. All live in Syracuse.
Syracuse, New York | Sunday, August 29, 1937 | Page 17
Funeral on Tuesday Was Director of Crucible, One of Founders of Great Lakes Shipping
Wilbert Lewis Smith, 85, pioneer in the Syracuse typewriter industry and president of the board of L. C. Smith & Corona Typewriters, Inc., died at his home, 652 West Onondaga Street, last night.
He was one of four brothers who founded the L. C. Smith typewriter industry in 1889 and had been an industrial and civil leader of Syracuse since that time.
He was a director of the Crucible Steel Company of America and a vice president and one of the founders of the Great Lakes Steamship Company.
Mr. Smith had been in failing health for several years. A physician and nurse were in attendance at the time of death.
Funeral services will be at 2:30 P.M. Tuesday in the home. The Rev. Franklin P. Bennett, rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church of which Mr. Smith was a communicant, will read the service. Burial will be in the family mausoleum in Oakwood Cemetery.
Wilbert L. Smith was born Feb. 29, 1852, at Torrington, Conn. His parents, soon after his birth, moved to Lisle, Broome County. His father was Lewis Stevens Smith; his mother, Eliza Ann (Hurlbut) Smith. His father was a lumberman, tanner and merchant at Lisle. His ancestors originally were from England. His grandparents on the paternal side were William and Rebecca (Bissel) Smith.
On the maternal side were several officers in the Revolutionary War. Wilbert L. Smith received his education
in the common schools, and later at the State Normal School at Cortland.
He began his business career as a boy in the gun manufactory of his brother, the late L. C. Smith, of Syracuse, and became the superintendent of the plant. About the year 1885 he became interested in the typewriter.
and at once saw its possibilities. At his own expense he developed and brought together the inventions of several mechanics in the Smith Premier Typewriter. He eventually induced his brother to abandon the gunmaking plant, and to devote his time and capital to the making of typewriters.
Wilbert L. Smith was for many years an officer of the Smith Premier Company, and was in sole charge of production and was a director of the Union Typewriter Company (after the Smith Premier had been included in that organization.)
He built the typewriter plant at Syracuse for the Union Typewriter Company. In 1888 he and his brothers Lyman C, Monroe C. and Hurlbut W. organized the L.C. Smith & Bros. Typewriter company of which he became vice president. Upon the death of Lyman he became president of this concern, and devoted his attention principally to the company's interests until 1924 when he retired after L.C. Smith & Bros. Typewriter Inc. on Oct 31, took over the property, business and operations of the L.C. Smth & Bros. Typewriter Company. He remained however as chairman of the board.
Under Mr. Smith's direction the company moved forward to occupy an international position. There were 36 subsidiary companies of which he was a director. In 1926 he became chairman of the board of the L.C. Smith & Corona Typewriters, Inc.
He had other buisness interests. He was a director of the Crucible Steel Company of America, vice president of the Great Lakes Steamship Company, one of the organizers and later chairman of the board of the directors of the Syracuse Trust Company.
He was also chairman of the board of the National Bank of Syracuse before its merger with the Trust Company in 1918 and he was vice president of the Syracuse Trust Company before the consolidation. In addition, he was vice president of the Smith-Lee Company, Inc. of Oneida.
During the World War he served on a committee of seven, connected with the typewriter industry and turned his plant over to the government for war purposes.
He was a member of the Century Club, the Citizens and the Onondaga Golf and Country Clubs, and the Pontiac Fish and Game Club.
Surviving are his wife, the forrmer Louise L. Hunt, a native of Syracuse, two sons, Wilbert A. and Elwyn L. Smith, a sister, Mrs. Frederick W. Smith, one brother Hurlbut W. Smith and seven grandchildren: Marguerite L., Henrietta W., Jean W., Anette W., Elwyn L. Jr., Josephine E. and Wlbert L. Smith 2nd. All live in Syracuse.
Syracuse, New York | Sunday, August 29, 1937 | Page 17
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