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Smith and Case business ledger

 Collection — Volume: 1
Call Number: RH MS E206

Overview

Ledger of accounts for hardware business Smith and Case Company, organized by Horace J. Smith in Ottawa, Franklin County, Kansas in 1866. The ledger provides documentation about work performed and costs, as well as names of local businesses and indivdiuals with whom the company worked.

Dates

  • Creation: 1866 - 1867

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

No access restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Spencer Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials.

Biography of Horace J. Smith

Horace Jeremiah Smith was born January 27, 1838 in Susquehanna County, Pennslyvania, the youngest of five surviving children born to Horace and Marilla Smith. In 1856 Horace moved to Oregon, Ogle County, Illinois, entering the Mt. Morris Seminary. While living in Illinois, he served four years as deputy circuit clerk to his brother Mortimer W. Smith and was then elected in 1860 as county treasurer.

Smith started service in the Civil War as first lieutenant of Company K in the 92nd Illinois Infantry. He was made captain of Company B within 6 months of service. He served the remainder of the war in a variety of capacities before mustering out in 1865 in Chicago.

In 1866 Smith moved to Ottawa, Franklin County, Kansas, then only newly opened to Euro-American settlement after the Ottawa tribe sold part of its land to found Ottawa University. Smith opened the first hardware store in Franklin County and operated it for four years.

In 1872 Smith helped establish the Ottawa Savings Bank. He served as its cashier for several years and then bought a controlling interest in the First National Bank, taking charge there as cashier until 1884 when he became bank president. He remained the bank's president until retiring in 1902.

Smith served in several political offices, including as a member of the Kansas House of Representatives, mayor of Ottawa and on its city council, and as a sate senator. He also held positions in several fraternal and service organizations, including the Grand Army of the Republic, the Masons, Knights Templar, and the Elks.

Smith married Mary F. Ward in 1867; Mary had come to Ottawa in 1865 for a teaching contract. Together they had five children who survived to adulthood: Minnie, Nellie, Grace, Jay Ward, and Horace Jean.

Horace J. Smith passed away December 2, 1906.

Extent

1 volume ; 33.65 x 21 cm

Language of Materials

English

Physical Location

RH MS E206

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchase, Mrs. Hudson's Fine Books and Papers, 2015.

Processing Information

At some point after its use as a business ledger, the volume appears to have been used by a child for drawing and pasting in visually interesting cards. Some information in the ledger is therefore difficult or impossible to read.

Source

Title
Guide to the Smith and Case collection
Subtitle
Smith and Case business ledger
Author
Finding aid prepared by mwh. Finding aid encoded by mwh.
Date
2016-06-27
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Finding aid written in English.
Finding aid permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/10407/2423208216
Preferred citation
Smith and Case business ledger, RH MS E206, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas.

Repository Details

Part of the University of Kansas. Kenneth Spencer Research Library Repository

Contact:
1450 Poplar Lane
Lawrence KS 66045-7616 United States
785-864-4334