Gertrude Emma Belknap

Gertrude Emma Belknap, 1855-1941: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/188201965/gertrude-belknap

Interview with Gertrude E. Belknap, 416 N Cayuga St, Ithaca, NY, April 1935, WPA Oral History Biographies, V16-1-7, courtesy The History Center in Tompkins County, Ithaca, NY.
“Horace Belknap, Miss Belknap’s father, came to Ithaca in the spring of 1866 from Syracuse and secured employment with Wilmot & Bostwick, who had. a barrel factory where the H. J. Bool Furniture Company is now located at 117 E. Clinton. The next year he brought his family here and they located on South Cayuga Street….
The Ithaca Directory for 1868 lists the firm of Bird (Lydia) and Belknap (Myra) [Almira] dressmaking and millinery. This was Miss Belknap’s sister who was located in the eastern end of Atwater’s Store. Miss Burrit was another milliner here then and these were the only three.
Later Mr. Dobrin came and located on Aurora Street next to the Ithaca Hotel. He manufactured hoopskirts and later sold women’s underwear.
Miss Belknap and Mrs. Bird used to go to New York City three times a year and on one occasion a salesman there urged them to take some women’s ready-to-wear dresses and muslin underwear back with them. They decided to try it though they were doubtful. This new line was very successful and sold well and thus Bird & Belknap may be credited with first introducing ready made women’s clothing to Ithaca.
Eventually the firm broke up as Mrs. Bird was getting old and Miss Myra Belknap went by herself and continued until her health failed.
At one time they employed twelve girls in their establishment.”