Nelson Smith was a grocer who lived at 1202 Denman Street from 1901 to 1904.
Early Life
Nelson Smith was born in the United States on June 30, 1854. He was married to Nancy, who was born in the United States on July 10, 1856.
To Vancouver
Nelson and Nancy arrived in Canada about 1900. Nelson established a grocery store and refreshment booth at 1208 Denman Street. He and Nancy lived at 1202 Denman Street.
In the fall of 1901, the city police charged Nelson with acquiring and selling unusual numbers of street car tickets. He claimed that he was buying the tickets from children, sometimes offering candy as payment.
When Nelson appeared in court, nobody from the street car company was there to present their case. The court dismissed the charges.
In 1903, Nelson was trying to buy the Crescent bathhouse on English Bay. The Crescent had opened in 1898, and it was a popular location for concerts, flower shows, and other social events.
No further information is available in relation to Nelson’s interest in the Crescent.
In February 1904, Nelson was selling the patent rights to a railway safety block system.
Nelson disappeared from the Vancouver directories after 1904. No further information is available for him or for Nancy.
Sources
Nelson Smith
“Canada Census, 1901,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KHVN-54R : 27 April 2017), Nelson Smith, Burrard, British Columbia, Canada; citing p. 8, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa; http://automatedgenealogy.com/census/View.jsp?id=36133&highlight=25&desc=1901+Census+of+Canada+page+containing+Nelson+Smith.
Nancy E. (wife of Nelson Smith)
“Canada Census, 1901,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KHVN-54T : 27 April 2017), Nancy E Smith, Burrard, British Columbia, Canada; citing p. 8, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa; http://automatedgenealogy.com/census/View.jsp?id=36133&highlight=26&desc=1901+Census+of+Canada+page+containing+Nancy+E.+Smith.