This was the home of John and Mathilde Thompson in 1910. John was a bartender for Ole Anderson in 1910. Ole Anderson and John Croon were early partners in the Lake Shore Hotel. Mrs. J. A. Thompson (Mathilde) advertised in the Bemidji Pioneer in 1911 that she would do child care for children up to ten years of age.
An eight-pound girl was born to Mr. and Mrs. Otto Ashby of Fowlds this morning at Mrs. John Thompson’s maternity hospital, 317 America Avenue. (Mar 18, 1913)
The Ladies Aid of the First Scandinavian Lutheran church will meet Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the home of Mrs. John Thompson, 317 America Avenue. (June 20, 1911)
By 1915, the home was owned by Arthur and Laura Smith. A. W. Smith was the representative for the Pierce Chemical company of Chicago which manufactured toilet articles, and soaps of every description. Mr. Smith moved to Bemidji about 1900. A news clipping from January 1910 said that he expected to make Bemidji a shipping point for the Pierce Chemical company but would fill orders at that time from 1313 Irvine avenue. There were three men out on the road taking orders for this company under the direction of Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith planned to open up town quarters for both office and jobbing purposes.
On Oct 21, 1918, a ten-pound daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Edgar R. Rich of Island Lake, formerly of Duluth, at the home of the grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. A. W Smith, 317 America avenue. At an auction on Aug 8, 1920, A. W. Smith purchased lots 36 and 37, block 3, of the Lake Park Addition but did not move there.
On March 8, 1921, a number of ladies surprised Mrs. Smith at her home at 317 America avenue, the occasion being Mrs. Smith’s birth anniversary. A delicious lunch was served at six o’clock. Music, conversation and a number of interesting diversions assisted in passing a very pleasant evening. The ladies presented Mrs. Smith a beautiful bouquet of American Beauty roses, as a token of their esteem for her.
The Smiths rented out rooms in the large house and ads appeared in the newspaper offering single rooms or a furnished flat for rent at this address. Some of the lodgers over the years were Mr. and Mrs. Ganter, Olga Wallin, Mrs. Nellie Cattien, Delbert and Leslie Campbell, Bertha Hendershot, Emma Moe, and Henry Smith.
When an officer of the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic visited Bemidji In 1922, Mrs. Smith hosted a dinner at her home.
“Mrs. Kittie Coyne of St. Paul, department president of the G. A. R. Circles, spent yesterday in Bemidji. A special meeting of the Circle was called by the president for 2:30 at the Moose Hall for the purpose of inspection. An interesting meeting was held and a short talk given by Mrs. Coyne on the Old Ladies’ Home at Anoka. Following the
business session the members of the Circle were escorted to the home of Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Smith, 317 America avenue, where a 5 o’clock dinner was served to about 22 guests
Bouquets of purple and white chrysanthemums were used as table decorations, and a very pleasant social time was enjoyed.” (Nov 7, 1922)
The Smiths continued to live at this address until the death of Laura Smith on July 20, 1947. A.W. Smith died three years later in 1950 and is buried at Greenwood Cemetery.