John P. Smith Printing Company papers

The John P. Smith Printing Company was begun in Rochester in 1873 as a part-time business by John Peter Smith, with a capital of $13.98. By 1875 it had become a full-time business, and thereafter grew rapidly. The first premises were at 271 Brown Street. In 1883 it moved to 66 State Street. In 1886, they also added a bindery operation and expanded to 76-84 State Street. In 1887, the business moved to the Mechanics Savings Bank Building on Aqueduct Street; but the sale of the building the following year led to the purchase of a building at 72-74 Exchange Street, at the corner of Aqueduct. After one attempt to incorporate the business in 1893, it was incorporated in 1903. The firm produced job printing, made blank books, and also printed books; printing was done in both German and English. John P. Smith died in 1922. He was succeeded in the company by his son, Frank John Smith. Frank J. Smith was born in 1886, and educated in parochial schools and the Mechanics Institute. He entered the business in 1902, worked in all areas, and was made treasurer in 1916. He was elected president of the firm in 1922 upon the death of his father. Frank Smith was active in industry and community organizations. He was president of the United Typothetae of America in 1929-30 and again in 1933-35. He was also president and director of the Rochester Typothetae. He was U.S. and Canadian representative at the Congress of Printers of the World in London in 1929, and was chairman of the National Graphic Arts Association. He was active in the Rochester Centennial Exposition, the Rochester Automobile Club, and the dedications of the Bausch Memorial and Veterans' Memorial bridges. He was president of the Rochester Post of the Army Ordnance Association, a national network of manufacturers organized to support national defense in the event of war. During World War II he served as a civilian coordinator of army ordnance. Frank Smith married Alma Mock, daughter of J. Ernest Mock, the Rochester photographer, and they had three children: John Peter, Paul Francis, and Jacqueline Ann. Smith was a devout Catholic layman. He died on June 12, 1949.