Tessie Smith
Tessie
Olivette Smith belonged to the West Side Fortnightly Club and
it was through that organization along with the concerted effort
of the ladies from other clubs that started the Beloit Historical
Museum. They were young women with busy lives, and the job came
to be wholly that of Olivette, Mrs. Merton Smith. The museum
was located on the second floor of the Beloit Public Library,
then located at 241 West Grand Ave., now the location of the
Parkview Apartments.
Olivette was curator of the museum operation approximately forty
years and was well into her 80s when it became apparent that
she needed a helping hand as her sight and memory began to slip.
It was at that time that Daisy Chapin, who had retired from
the Beloit School System in 1954, took over and headed up the
Beloit Historical Society for the next fifteen years.
Olivette Smith was born September 9, 1876, in Grayslake, Illinois.
She married Merton Smith September 15, 1897, and they built
their home at 906 Kenwood Ave. in 1906. At that time the area
across the street was a cornfield and later became Vernon Ave.
playground. The Smiths had two sons, Cecil and Kenneth, who
each died at an early age, so “Ollie”, having no children
to keep her busy, was happy to take over the Museum. She was
a petite lady of 100 lbs. and never missed being on duty for
her appointed days.
Olivette was active in 2nd Congregational Church for many years
as a Sunday School teacher. She was also a fifty year member
of the Fortnightly Club, an early member of Treble Clef, and
a member of the Beloit Chapter of the Eastern Star. She died
June 10, 1969, at the age of 81. Mrs. Smith was inducted into
the Beloit Hall of Fame in 1995.