Lieutenant Theodore Schuyler Smith papers

Collection

Identifier: D.497

Staff Only

Biographical / Historical note

Theodore Schuyler Smith was born on January 11, 1894, the son of Theodore James Smith (1863-1943) and his first wife, Alice Schieffelin (1861-1894), a daughter of Sidney A. Schieffelin (1818-1894) and Harriet A. Schuyler (1836-1882). Theodore Schuyler Smith had a brother, named Sidney. His father Theodore James Smith went into the family nursery business becoming the vice president of W. & T. Smith Nursery, a large nursery with over 1,000 acres planted. The company was founded by his father Thomas Smith (1820-1895) and his uncles William Smith (1918-1912) and Edward Smith (1822-1895). William Smith, Theodore Schuyler's father's uncle, was the founder of William Smith College at Geneva, which eventually merged with Hobart College, becoming today's Hobart and Smith Colleges.

Schuyler, as Theodore Schuyler Smith, was called, lived in Geneva, New York between 1900 and 1910. He likely graduated from Hobart College, and then went into military service.

As World War I began, Schuyler joined Officers Reserve Training Camp at Madison Barracks, New York, which he was engaged in when the draft began. He began his active military service on November 17, 1917 as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Infantry, having taken basic training at Fort Niagara, New York. He then appears to be stationed with the 165th Depot Brigade at Camp Travis, Texas.

One source states that Schuyler served in France at Meuse-Argonne and Lorraine with the American Expeditionary Forces. His overseas duty lasted from June 20, 1918 to March 23, 1919, and he was honorably discharged on April 11, 1919.

Schuyler joined the family business, eventually becoming the company's treasurer. A and although business had slowed during World War I, it revived afterwards. By 1928, however, many new nurseries entered the market and competition increased. Theodore Smith continued the business until his death. There was a partial bankruptcy prior to this period. Under his son Schuyler, who had never expressed interest in being a nurseryman, the company continued to struggle until the remnants of the business were finally sold off to Dan Quigley in 1960.

In 1922, Schuyler married Helen Radney Sholes ( 1896-1988). Together Helen and Theodore had a son, Theodore Schuyler Smith, Jr. (1937-2015).

Schuyler died on December 8, 1966, in Geneva, New York, and was buried at Glenwood Cemetery. Helen died in 1988 and was buried beside him.

Scope and Contents

The Lieutenant Theodore Schuyler Smith Papers consists of one series: Correspondence. The majority of the letters in the collection date from May 15, 1917-September 14, 1918. Several of the letters are undated, but are presumed to fall within this date range. Items include: 24 letters written by Theodore Schuyler Smith to his mother, Mrs. Theodore J. Smith; 8 letters written to his father, Theodore J. Smith; 3 letters written to his brother Sidney S. Smith; 1 letter written to his sister-in-law Mrs. Dora Smith, wife of Sidney Smith; and 1 letter written to his Aunt, Mrs. H. H. Schieffelin, also of Geneva, New York. There is also 1 postcard, and one letter composed using cuttings from newspaper and magazine headlines.

Creator

Smith, Theodore Schuyler, 1894-1966 (Person)

Dates

Creation: 1917-1918

Language of Materials

English

Extent

.25 linear feet (1 box)

Access

The Lieutenant Theodore Schuyler Smith Papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.

Use

In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The Lieutenant Theodore Schuyler Smith Papers was purchased from Michael Brown, Rare Books Company, 2016.

Preferred Citation

[Item title, item date], Lieutenant Theodore Schuyler Smith Papers, D.497, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester