Aletha Belle Beatty

Aletha Belle Beatty was born December 20th, 1902... the eldest daughter of Harry Edward & Nora Belle (Adams) Beatty. She grew up in Indiana, PA and was very active in the community. Newspaper articles at the time show her in elected roles as archivist for The Dames of Malta, president of The Young Women's Missionary Society of the Presbyterian Church, and frequent host and player in the Women's Bridge Club. She was awarded first honors in the Class of 1919.

Sometime in the 1920's she started working for Alex Stewart at his hardware store in Indiana, PA employed as a bookkeeper. Alex just happened to be the father of famed actor Jimmy Stewart! During her early years at the store Jimmy was just starting out in acting so he often worked at his father's store as well. Jimmy's grandfather J. M. Stewart also worked there, so it was a real family affair there. Aletha spent her entire working career there until she died in 1953. When Jimmy won his only Academy Award, it was in the front window of this store that his father proudly displayed it.

J.M. Stewart & Co. Hardware - 1931

 

(L-R) Robert Brady, Clair Doty, J. M. Stewart, Aleatha Beatty, Alex Stewart, Walter Wiggens, George Little, Jimmy Stewart

 

 

Aletha with brother Reed - 1939

Aletha, cousin Alice, and sister Meredith
 - early 1920's