T Arthur Dexter

Ira A. Dexter Same Location for 34 Years
Ira A. Dexter, proprietor of Dexter's Cigar Store at 95 Main Street, Saturday will have completed 34 years in the cigar store business, all at the same location.
Mr. Dexter entered the business on July 2, 1904, and today he remarked that there are only a few of the places of business still going that were on Main Street when he started. "I have met many friends during those 34 years and I have nothing to regret," he stated this morning.
As a sideline during the four years from 1910 through 1913 he acted as manager of the Maccabee baseball team in the City League here.
He has always been interested in sports, as his five athletic children can testify.
Ten years ago on July 6 he suffered a fractured hip when he was struck by a car in front of his cigar store. At that time his oldest son, Arthur, conducted the business for him and has been in the store with him ever since.
Besides "Art," who was one of Cortland's outstanding basketball and baseball players, Ira has four other sons, all of whom followed athletic careers during their school days, Francis, now teaching at Allegany; William, living at Beacon-on-the-Hudson; Gerald, employed at the local Marine Midland Trust Company; and John, who has a cigar store of his own here.
Mr. and Mrs. Dexter, who reside at 60 Elm Street, are also the parents of three daughters, Mrs. Elliott Corcoran, Mrs. Lee Elliott, and Miss Mary Dexter, all of Cortland.
Mr. Dexter, who is 70 years of age, as employed 23 years at Wickwire Brothers before entering the tobacco selling business.