Born: December 10, 1853
Died: June 13, 1930
Married: Maggie
Children: Bertha Goldsmith, Charles H. Goldsmith
Aaron Goldsmith leased the Milo Miller Store at 42 Main Street in 1890 and ran it for the next 43 years as A. Goldsmith & Son dry goods store. 1 He was one of the earliest customers for electric power from the Saranac Lake Electric Company.
Lake Placid News, June 20, 1930
LAST RITES HELD FOR AARON GOLDSMITH
Last rites for Aaron Goldsmith, Saranac Lake's oldest merchant, were observed at 10 o'clock Monday morning at St. Bernard's church in that village. Interment was in Pine Ridge cemetery. Business places in Saranac Lake drew their shades out of respect to this pioneer Adirondack merchant while the funeral cortege passed.
Mr. Goldsmith died last Friday night. He was 76 years old and was born in Frankfort-on-the-Main in Germany. Starting business in Saranac Lake in 1864, he lived to see that village reach its present status as one of the most thriving communities in the entire Adirondack region. For years before he opened his store Mr. Goldsmith travelled the entire North Country with a pack on his back. He was widely known and universally respected, both as a man and a successful merchant.
Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Lionel Miller, and one son, Charles H. Goldsmith, both of Saranac Lake.
Undated, unidentified news clipping
A. GOLDSMITH PAID TRIBUTE OF COMMUNITY
People of the whole community united in paying tribute to Aaron Goldsmith, Saranac Lake's oldest merchant and one of its most respected citizens, at solemn rites this morning at 10 o'clock at St. Bernard's church which followed prayers at the home at 42 Main street, at 9:30.
Shades were drawn in stores throughout the business district as the funeral procession moved to the church. The Rev. E. A. Gallagher, pastor of the Church of St. John, Lake Clear, was celebrant of the solemn requiem Mass, the Rev. Daniel E. Cahill, pastor of St. Agnes' church, Lake Placid, acted as deacon, and the Rev. Arthur C. Kenny, pastor of the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Mineville, acted as sub-deacon. In the sancturary were the Rev. B. A. O'Connell, acting pastor of St. Bernard's church, and the Rev. Edward Tetrault of St. Regis Falls.
The Gregorian Mass for the dead was sung by St. Bernard's choir, accompanied by Mrs. Frank Keaveny of Johnston, N. Y., at the organ. Soloists were Mrs. William Morrison of Lake Placid, who sang Roseweig's "Ave Maria", at the offertory, Frank Keaveney, who sang the Benedictus, and Mrs. Delbert Oldfield who sang as the recessional, "One Sweetly Solemn Thought."
Acting as bearers were E. Lee Gray, Fred T. Tremble, John Ryan, George A. Utting, William Munn, William Herron, John H. LaPan and William H. Gibney, all of whom had been closely associated with the deceased during the 50 or more years he lived in Saranac Lake.
Traffic was suspended as the cortege moved slowly to Pine Ridge cemetery where the burial service was read and the body was committed to its last resting place. The passing of Mr. Goldsmith is deeply mourned throughout the north country where his kindliness and good will gained him many friends.
Footnotes
1. Adirondack Daily Enterprise, Weekender, p. 2, November 6, 1993, "Profiling Milo Miller"
