Expressman

Gilbert R Smith was the son of Isaac J Smith. He married a girl by Sarah A Jones and boy did it take the long way around research to find her parents who were Davis Jones & Lydia.I found her parents by flushing out the siblings listed in her obit but ultimately it was via her sister Rozina Jane who married William Tripp that revealed the parents. Gilbert & Sarah had 5 children - Antoinette, Henry, Harvey, Addie & Lydia.

According to the censuses, Gilbert was an "Expressman" for a time. An Expressman evolved from coach days when the driver would carry parcels and then the conductor of the train took on this task. As the rail system grew and the increase in volume that could be transported, the tasks were broken down and the Expressman became the security on the express car. They were charged with securing the gold, documents or currency on the car and the only person who knew the combination to the safe. With the increase of train robberies, many a time Pinkerton men would travel with the Expressman in the car for extra security.

In 1914, the work was phased out as a result of postal and parcel services.

Hudson Evening Register, Sat, 26 Jun 1915
Gilbert R Smith died this morning at the home of his daughter, Mrs A D Putnam, 10 South Sixth Street. He was in his 86th year and had been ill for several months. He was born in Half Moon, Saratoga County, where he spent most of his life, coming to Hudson six years ago where he has made his home since.  He is survived by his widow, two sons and two daughters, Mrs William Lewis of Schenectady; Harvey E Smith, of Terre Haute, Indiana, Henry Smith, of Cohoes; Mrs A D Putnam of Hudson; one brother, T M Smith of Windsor, Ontario, Canada and one sister, Mrs William Lasher, of Mechanicville. The funeral will be on Tuesday next at 2 o'clock at the home of Mr and Mrs A D Putnam. Interment at Hudson Cedar Park Cemetery.

courtesy of Dan - Find A Grave

Schenectady Gazette, Sat, 1 Mar 1919
Smith - Sarah A, at rest, wife of late Gilbert R Smith.
Funeral from her daughter's residence, Mrs William H Lewis, 828 Duane Avenue, Schenectady, 1 pm Saturday. In Waterford, surviving relatives, children: 2 sons and 2 daughters; Mrs A D Putnam of Hudson; Henry D Smith, Cohoes, NY; Harvey E Smith, Terre Haute, Ind; Mrs W H Lewis, Schenectady. Three sisters and one brother: Mrs W J Tripp, New York City; Mrs John Fellows, Menands, NY; Mrs James Kempland and Mr George E Jones, Cohoes, NY.