Summary Information
Smith Family Papers
1847-1990
Green Bay Mss 20; PH Green Bay Mss 20; M2002-010;
M2004-002
5.2 cubic feet (9 archives boxes and 3 flat boxes) and 137
photographs (1 archives box); plus additions of 0.9 cubic feet (2 archives boxes and 1
oversize folder), and 990 photographs and 553 negatives (1 records center carton, 2 archives
boxes, 3 card boxes, 1 flat box and 1 oversize folder)
UW-Green Bay Cofrin Library / Green Bay Area Research Ctr. (Map)Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)
Papers documenting the life of multiple generations of the Smiths, a prominent De
Pere family: principally Dominicus Jordan, his son-in-law B.F. Smith, grandsons A.G. Wells
and Horace J. Smith, granddaughters Addie and “Lizzie” Smith, and great-grandson
Robert C. (Pete) Smith. Included in the papers are the records of Jordan’s general
store, the business interests of A.G. Wells, records relating to B.F. Smith’s interest
in the lumber industry, and Horace J. Smith’s work as an attorney. Correspondence
files are extensive and include letters from Addie and Lizzie while attending Rockford
Female Seminary in the 1880s, letters from Horace while he was a student at the University
of Wisconsin, and correspondence from all five of Horace’s children during their
service in World War II. In addition, the many photographs include individual and group
shots, pictures of the family home on Broadway, and photographs of the store.
English
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-gb0020 ↑ Bookmark this ↑
Biography/History
In the spring of 1851, Dominicus Jordan (1796-1869), with his wife Keziah (1795-1872), and five children, Robert (1836-1858),
Woodford (unknown dates), Susan “Sue” (1831-1886), Martha (1826-1905), and Annie Maria (1833-1912), moved from Maine to De Pere, Wisconsin. Soon after
arriving in De Pere, Jordan opened a general store and also became involved in the lumbering
business. Their son Robert died at the age of 22 and Woodford had no children. Their
daughter Sue also remained single. Martha married William Field Jr. (1823-1883) and had one daughter,
Gracie, who died in 1861 at the age of 5.
In 1855, Annie married Benjamin Franklin “B.F.” Smith (1836-1914), a native of Canada who had arrived
in De Pere in 1851, accompanying his father who was looking for a new start after losing his
business to fire. B.F. got a job at a lumber mill and eventually bought out Dominicus
Jordan's store. B.F. later sold the store, and he and Jordan worked together in the lumber
industry from 1863 to 1866 after which B.F. opened another store on the same site as the
first. Over the forty years he operated the store, he also opened a lumber yard and a
grain elevator, and became involved in shipping. He was also active in the community as a
member of the Elks, the Masons, and the First Presbyterian Church. He retired in 1895 and
died on April 20, 1914. Annie Smith died on September 15, 1912.
B.F. and Annie Smith had three children survive to adulthood, Addie Belle (1859-1935), Sarah Elizabeth “Lizzie” (1861-1939), and Horace Jordan (1866-1937)
Addie and Lizzie attended Rockford Female Seminary in the 1880s and then returned to De
Pere. Addie married Allison George “A.G.” Wells in 1880, and the couple had two sons,
Hugo Smith (1883-1957) and Leland Allison (1892-1963). A.G. Wells (1855-1921) arrived in De Pere in 1872 and obtained a job as a
clerk in B.F. Smith's store. In 1879, he bought out Smith and, in addition to the store,
became involved in milling and in building and operating a grain elevator with his
father-in-law. Originally known as A.G. Wells & Company, in 1893 he reincorporated it as
The A.G. Wells Company. He died on August 14, 1921. His wife, Addie, was active in the
community as a member of the First Presbyterian Church, the Daughters of 1812, and several
other clubs and organizations.
Lizzie Smith also became a well-known figure in De Pere, serving as the town's
librarian for many years. Although she never married, Lizzie had many friends and
acquaintances around the country and was an integral part of the extended Smith and Wells
families, corresponding frequently with her nieces and nephew.
Horace J. Smith attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison after
graduating from high school and received his undergraduate degree in 1887 and a law degree
in 1889. Horace became an abstract attorney in De Pere and was also active in various
community affairs. Smith enjoyed both travel and amateur photography which is reflected in
the collection. In 1897 he traveled to New York, and in 1898 and 1899 he spent several
months in California, writing letters home describing his travels.
In 1908, Horace married Catherine Carney (1888-1948), and they raised five children in the family home
at 302 N. Broadway. The Smith's four sons, Robert Carney “Pete” (1910-1970), Phillip B.
“Tiny,” Mark Woodford, and Roger Garvey, and their one daughter, Margaret Jane
“Bene,” all graduated from De Pere High School. Four of them attended the
University of Wisconsin, but with the advent of World War II not all were able to finish;
all five served in the war in various capacities and returned home safely.
Robert Carney “Pete” Smith married Barbara Lester (1917-2012) on July 10, 1941. While Pete
was away during the war, Barbara moved to Madison. Pete was discharged in 1943 after
becoming ill, and returned to Madison where he enrolled in law school at the University of
Wisconsin, receiving his degree in 1944. The couple returned to De Pere, where they raised
their children. Upon moving back to De Pere, Pete joined his mother at the family abstract
firm and remained with the family business until his death in 1969. Barbara later returned
to Madison.
Arrangement of the Materials
This collection was received in multiple parts from the donor(s) and is organized into 3
major parts. These materials have not been physically interfiled and researchers might need
to consult more than one part to locate similar materials.
Administrative/Restriction Information
Original Collection presented by Robert C. Smith, Madison, Wisconsin, 1955, and Barbara
Lester Smith, Madison Wisconsin, 1992-2002; Additions presented by Barbara Smith, Madison,
Wisconsin. Accession Number: M2002-010, M2004-002
Processed by Lisa A. Johnson (Practicum student), 2002.
Contents List
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Green Bay Mss 20
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Part 1 (Green Bay Mss 20, PH Green Bay Mss 20): Original Collection,
1847-19905.2 cubic feet (9 archives boxes and 3 flat boxes) and 137 photographs (1
archives box) The Smith Family Papers are divided into seven series: BUSINESS RECORDS, PERSONAL
PAPERS, SCHOOL RECORDS, NEWS CLIPPINGS, INVITATIONS, CORRESPONDENCE, and
PHOTOGRAPHS. The BUSINESS RECORDS (1853-1926) document some of the businesses in which the family
was engaged and include a fairly complete set of record books (1850s) from Dominicus
Jordan's general store; a cash ledger (1876-1882, 1925-1926); and receipts documenting
transactions between family members and business interests. The PERSONAL PAPERS (1847-1967) are arranged by family member and thereunder
chronologically and include the estate records of both the Dominicus Jordan estate and
the B.F. Smith estate, as well as various personal financial documents. Also included
are records demonstrating the community involvement of various family members, including
B.F. Smith, Lizzie Smith, Horace J. Smith, Robert “Pete” Smith, and Barbara
Smith. The SCHOOL RECORDS (1877-1944) consist of report cards, assignments, diary entries, and
yearbooks. The Rockford Female Seminary records document both Addie Smith Wells' and
Lizzie Smith's attendance at that institution. Horace J. Smith's and Robert C. Smith's
school records include both De Pere High School and the University of Wisconsin.
Scattered report cards are also included for Phillip, Margaret, and Mark Smith while
they attended elementary school. The NEWS CLIPPINGS (1858-1992) include newspaper and magazine articles pertaining to
family members. These principally date from World War II and later documenting the
family's involvement in the war, although there are some earlier clippings such as the
obituary of Dominicus Jordan's son, Robert. The INVITATIONS (1868-1941, undated) consist of invitations to weddings, anniversary
celebrations, and birthday parties and are arranged chronologically. The CORRESPONDENCE (1849-1990, primarily 1849-1950)) is the largest series and is
arranged chronologically. Much of the correspondence is among family members although
there is some with friends and acquaintances. Some of the early correspondence relates
to the Jordan family's life in Maine prior to their move to Wisconsin. Many of the
letters were written between the parents and their children or between siblings when
family members were away at school, and both home life and school life are richly
detailed. Both Addie and Lizzie Smith wrote home frequently during the years they spent
at Rockford Female Seminary, and Horace also described in detail his experiences as a
student in Madison. The years 1897 through 1899 contain letters written by Horace Smith
describing his travels east and west, providing accounts of the scenery and the many
interesting people he encountered and experiences he had. The bulk of the wartime
correspondence was written to Catherine (Carney) Smith from her five children while
serving in the armed forces. There are also letters from Robert “Pete” Smith
to his wife Barbara. The war time correspondence is particularly rich in terms of home
front activities, rationing, personal perceptions regarding wartime events, military
life, and the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The PHOTOGRAPHS are arranged by family member or location and thereunder
chronologically and consist of both individual portraits and group shots. Included are
two sets of photographs depicting Horace J. Smith and Robert “Pete” Smith
from birth to later life. In addition to the family photographs, there are photos of
A.G. Wells' store and the family home at 302 N. Broadway. Photographs from a scrapbook
depict a cottage (1916), as well as photos of Gracie Field, the daughter of William and
Martha (Jordan) Field who died suddenly during childhood. Photocopies of the photographs
have been kept with the collection. The original photographs are in the Visual Materials
Archive in Madison.
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Series: Business Records
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Dominicus Jordan's General Store
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Box
10
Folder
1-3
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Daybook, 1853-1857
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Box
11
Folder
1
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Journal, 1856-1857
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Box
11
Folder
2
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Ledger, 1856-1858
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Box
1
Folder
1
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Cash Ledger, 1876-1882,
1925-1926
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Box
1
Folder
2
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Receipts
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Box
1
Folder
3
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B.F. Smith
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Box
1
Folder
4
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A.G. Wells
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Series: Personal Papers
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Box
1
Folder
5
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Dominicus Jordan Estate papers, 1847-1892
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B.F. Smith papers
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Box
1
Folder
6
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General, 1858-1914
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Box
1
Folder
7
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Estate Ledger, 1914-1936
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Box
1
Folder
8
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Estate papers, 1931-1936
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Box
1
Folder
9
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Elizabeth Smith papers, 1933,
undated
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Horace J. Smith papers
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Box
1
Folder
10
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General, 1893-1937
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Box
9
Folder
3
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Notary Public Certificate, 1889
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Box
1
Folder
11
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Scrapbook, 1889-1906
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Box
1
Folder
12
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Financial account book, 1863-1865, 1884-1887
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Box
1
Folder
13
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Robert C. Smith papers, 1929-1959
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Box
1
Folder
14
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Margaret Smith papers, 1940s
: Includes class notes from Great Lakes Naval Training.
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Box
1
Folder
15
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Barbara Smith papers, 1941,
1967
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Other family papers
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Box
1
Folder
16
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Diary entries, January
1927
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Box
9
Folder
1
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Family tree
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Box
15
Folder
6
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Miscellaneous
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Series: School Records
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Box
1
Folder
17
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Elizabeth Smith, 1877-1878,
undated
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Box
9
Folder
2
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Elizabeth Smith Rockford Female Seminary Diploma, 1881
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Box
2
Folder
1
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Rockford Female Seminary, 1878-1881, 1891, 1938
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Box
2
Folder
2
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Rockford Female Seminary Notebook, 1879
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Box
2
Folder
3
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Horace J. Smith, 1873-1889
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Box
2
Folder
4
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Robert C. Smith, De Pere, 1928,
undated
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Box
2
Folder
5
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Robert C. Smith, University of Wisconsin, 1929-1944, undated
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Box
2
Folder
6
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Phillip Smith, 1930s
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Box
2
Folder
7
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Margaret Smith, 1925-1928
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Box
2
Folder
8
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Mark Smith, 1920s-1930s
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Series: News Clippings
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Box
2
Folder
9
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1858, 1918-1992
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Series: Invitations
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Box
2
Folder
10
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1868-1941
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Box
2
Folder
11
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Undated
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Wedding Invitations
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Box
3
Folder
1
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1874-1890
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Box
3
Folder
2
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1891-1900
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Box
3
Folder
3
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1901-1941, undated
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Series: Correspondence
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Box
3
Folder
4-7
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1849 March-1879 April
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Box
4
Folder
1-6
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1879 May-1885 June
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Box
5
Folder
1-6
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1885 July-1889 April
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Box
6
Folder
1-4
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1889 May-1896 January
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Box
7
Folder
1-3
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1896 February-1899 December
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Box
7
Folder
4-8
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1902 June-1939 August
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Box
8
Folder
1-7
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1939 September-1942 February
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Box
13
Folder
1-7
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1942 March-1943 September
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Box
14
Folder
1-6
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1943 October-1945 July
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Box
15
Folder
1-3
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1945 August-1990 March
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Box
15
Folder
4
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undated
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Box
15
Folder
5
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Incomplete, undated
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Series: Photographs
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Photocopies
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Box-folder
12-1
Item
1-2
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Gracie Field
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Box-folder
12-2
Item
3-5
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B.F. Smith
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Box-folder
12-3
Item
6-12
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Addie Smith
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Box-folder
12-4
Item
13-21
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Elizabeth Smith
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Box-folder
12-5
Item
22-28
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Horace Smith
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Box-folder
12-6
Item
29-32
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Hugo Wells
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Box-folder
12-7
Item
33-34
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Leland Wells
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Box-folder
12-8
Item
35-38
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Hugo and Leland Wells
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Box-folder
12-9
Item
39-40
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Catherine Smith
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Box-folder
12-10
Item
41-48
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Phillip, Margaret “Bene,” Mark, and Roger Smith
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Box-folder
12-11
Item
49-62
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Robert C. Smith
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Box-folder
12-12
Item
63-74
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Robert C. and Barbara Lester Smith and Family
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Box-folder
12-13
Item
75-85
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Extended Family
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Box-folder
12-14
Item
86-113
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Scrapbook
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Box-folder
12-15
Item
114-121
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A.G. Wells' Store
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Box-folder
12-16
Item
122-128
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Family Home - 302 N. Broadway
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Box-folder
12-17
Item
129-137
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Group and Miscellaneous
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PH Green Bay Mss 20
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Originals
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PH Box-Folder
1-1
Item
1-2
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Gracie Field
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PH Box-Folder
1-2
Item
3-5
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B.F. Smith
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PH Box-Folder
1-3
Item
6-12
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Addie Smith
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PH Box-Folder
1-4
Item
13-21
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Elizabeth Smith
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PH Box-Folder
1-5
Item
22-28
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Horace Smith
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PH Box-Folder
1-6
Item
29-32
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Hugo Wells
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PH Box-Folder
1-7
Item
33-34
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Leland Wells
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PH Box-Folder
1-8
Item
35-38
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Hugo and Leland Wells
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PH Box-Folder
1-9
Item
39-40
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Catherine Smith
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PH Box-Folder
1-10
Item
41-48
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Phillip, Margaret “Bene,” Mark, and Roger Smith
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PH Box-Folder
1-11
Item
49-62
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Robert C. Smith
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PH Box-Folder
1-12
Item
63-74
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Robert C. and Barbara Lester Smith and Family
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PH Box-Folder
1-13
Item
75-85
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Extended Family
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PH Box-Folder
1-14
Item
86-113
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Scrapbook
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PH Box-Folder
1-15
Item
114-121
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A.G. Wells' Store
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PH Box-Folder
1-16
Item
122-128
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Family Home - 302 N. Broadway
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PH Box-Folder
1-17
Item
129-137
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Group and miscellaneous
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M2002-010
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Part 2 (M2002-010): Additions, circa 1880-1935
915 photographs and 553 negatives (1 record center carton, 1 archives box, 3
card boxes, and 1 flat box)
: Photographs, circa 1880-1935, created and collected by Horace J. Smith and consisting
of portraits of family and friends and views from his trips throughout North
America.
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M2004-002
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Part 3 (M2004-002): Additions, 1853-1985
0.9 cubic feet (2 archives boxes and 1 oversize folder) and 75 photographs (1
box and 1 oversize folder)
: Additions consisting of family correspondence, legal documents, business records, and
personal finance information. The legal documents include wills, deeds, and land
contracts of several family members while the business records relate to the law
practice of Horace Smith. Included also is documentation of the Horace Smith family's
personal finances, principally during the Depression, and consist of bills, loans, and
correspondence. The photographs include members of the Smith family and acquaintances
and many are unidentified.
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Correspondence
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Box
1
Folder
1
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Jane Lester, 1939-1948
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Box
1
Folder
2
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Dominicus Jordan, 1865
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Box
1
Folder
3
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Barbara Lester Smith, 1949-2002
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Box
1
Folder
4
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Addie Smith Wells, 1924
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Box
1
Folder
5
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Annie Smith, undated
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Box
1
Folder
6
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Catherine “Carney” Smith, 1937,
undated
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Box
1
Folder
7
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Horace Smith, 1921-1937
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Box
1
Folder
8
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Sara Elizabeth “Lizzy” Smith,
1896-1940
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Box
1
Folder
9
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Robert Smith, 1937, 1944
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Centurion Calendar
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Box
1
Folder
10
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Correspondence to Robert Smith, 1953-1954
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Box
1
Folder
11
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Correspondence from Robert Smith,
1953-1954
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Box
1
Folder
12
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Legal agreement with Agent, January 25,
1954
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Box
1
Folder
13
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Models
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Box
1
Folder
14
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“Gadget of the Month Club” information
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Box
1
Folder
15
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Patent Application Materials, 1954
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Business Records
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Box
2
Folder
1
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Dominicus Jordan, 1853-1866
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Box
2
Folder
2
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Annie M. Smith, undated
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Box
2
Folder
3
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B.F. Smith, 1869-1915
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Box
2
Folder
4
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Horace J. Smith, 1897-1936
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Box
2
Folder
5
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Sara Elizabeth Smith, 1896
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Legal documents and personal finances
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Box
1
Folder
16
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Cash book, 1908-1913
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Box
2
Folder
6-7
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Daily Ledger, 1919-1936
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Box
2
Folder
8
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Deeds and Patents, 1858, 1907
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Box
2
Folder
9
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Invention drawings
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Box
2
Folder
10
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Law School Notes, 1933-1944
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Box
2
Folder
11
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News Clippings, 1905-1992
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Box
2
Folder
12
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Promissory Notes, 1914-1937
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Box
2
Folder
13
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Securities held and owned by M.E. Carney, December 16,
1930
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Box
2
Folder
14
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Special Events, 1894, 1939, undated
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Box
1
Folder
17
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Medals and pins
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Photographs
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PH Box
3
Folder
1
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Unidentified photographs, ambrotype, and daguerreotype
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PH Box
3
Folder
2
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Miscellaneous photographs
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PH Box
3
Folder
3
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Smith family photographs
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PH Box
3
Folder
4
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Marston family and related photographs
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PH Box
3
Folder
5
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Law School related photographs
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Oversize Folder
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Class photo
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