Centennial of Pioneer Store is Celebrated.
The Ithaca Journal, Aug 12 1924, P. 5. Col. 3, with photo of William Andrus Church
"William Andrus Church Given Pleasant Surprise Party in Honor of 100th Anniversary of Well-Known Bookstore and Printing Establishment.
William Andrus Church, proprietor of the Andrus & Church book and stationery store on East State street, was given a surprise party at the First Congregational church last night, commemorating the centennial anniversary of the founding of one of the first printing establishments in this city.
The business was established by Ebenezer Mack and William Andrus, grandfather of Mr. Church, on August 11, 1824, and was conducted for a number of years under the firm name of Mack & Andrus. Mr. Andrus came to this city as a traveling auctioneer and established his headquarters with Mr. Mack, who then conducted a small printing shop where Rothschild Bros. store is located. In 1824, the two men established a bookstore and printing shop, combined, which gradually expanded.
In later years the firm shifted about considerably but Mr. Andrus retained his share in the business. During the 100 years of business the titles have been as follows: Mack & Andrus; Mack, Andrus & Woodruff; Andrus, Woodruff & Gauntlett; Andrus & Gauntlett Company: Andrus, McChain & Company; Andrus, McChain & Lyons, and Andrus & Church.
When William Andrus, Sr., died on December 23, 1869, his share of the business went to his son, William Andrus, jr., who continued the business for 65 years. The latter died on December 18, 1917, when Mr. Church, who was named after his grandfather, William Andrus, acquired the business.
-- Three Generations Attend --
Members of the family and employes of the firm were present at the gathering last night, among them being T. E. Hankins of 404 South Albany street, who has been associated with the firm for 32 years. Three generations were represented, there being four grandchildren, five great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren of William Andrus, sr., present. Miss Florence S. Andrus, who is also a grandchild, was unable to attend.
The grandchildren were William A. Church, Misses Catherine and Minnie Andrus of this city and Edwin F. Church of Elmira; great grandchildren, E. Fayette Church of Brooklyn and Mrs. Harry A. Ward and Mrs. Hugh D. Reed of this city, Miss Elsie Wick and Miss Carolyn Wixon of East Aurora; great-great grandchildren, H. Schuyler Ward and William Church Reed of this city.
During the evening solos were sung by Alfred Brigham of Utah, a student at the Conservatory of Music. He was accompanied by Dr. Fred Church. The party was arranged by Mrs. Church and was a complete surprise to her husband. The 40 people who attended the gathering were presented an excellent photograph of Mr. Church together with a card bearing the dates August 11, 1824-1924, and the names of the three men who have been prominently associated with the firm since it was established.
Mr. Church today received numerous congratulations from his many friends about the city."