Manhattan Girl's Foot Race
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Bertha B. "Mom" Ronzone, was born on April 16, 1885 in a small town near Des Moines, Iowa to James W. and Sarah Bishop. She came west with her family and settled in Fowler, CA, where she received her early education. She married A.B. Ronzone who had come to California to prospect for gold.
They were married on December 12, 1901; setting out the following spring aboard a ship bound for Alaska. Blown off course in a fierce storm, they arrived in Nome three months later than anticipated only to find Mr. Ronzone's partner had sold their business establishment and left with both partners' money. Their daughter, Amy [The girl racing in the post card], was born in Alaska, where they stayed for two years.
Tales of the Nevada mining boom lured them to Manhattan. It was there Bertha began taking in the miners' laundry to help supplement the family income. It was soon evident the miners were in need of socks and clothing. On a trip to Oakland to visit her mother [which is where our card is mailed to], Bertha made her first investment in the Ronzone store of the future. She bought, on sale, socks of odd sizes and shipped them to her daughter, Amy, to sell in Manhattan. The miners did not care if the socks did not fit and bought them anyway.
The socks were so successful that Bertha turned to the idea of opening a general store to further accommodate Manhattan's urgent clothing needs. Lacking funds, she arranged to meet George Wingfield, future Nevada banker, whom she had known in Alaska. At their meeting in the Mizpah Hotel in Tonopah, "Mom" discussed her lack of funds with Mr. Wingfield who promptly wrote her a check for $500.00 as a loan.
They were married on December 12, 1901; setting out the following spring aboard a ship bound for Alaska. Blown off course in a fierce storm, they arrived in Nome three months later than anticipated only to find Mr. Ronzone's partner had sold their business establishment and left with both partners' money. Their daughter, Amy [The girl racing in the post card], was born in Alaska, where they stayed for two years.
Tales of the Nevada mining boom lured them to Manhattan. It was there Bertha began taking in the miners' laundry to help supplement the family income. It was soon evident the miners were in need of socks and clothing. On a trip to Oakland to visit her mother [which is where our card is mailed to], Bertha made her first investment in the Ronzone store of the future. She bought, on sale, socks of odd sizes and shipped them to her daughter, Amy, to sell in Manhattan. The miners did not care if the socks did not fit and bought them anyway.
The socks were so successful that Bertha turned to the idea of opening a general store to further accommodate Manhattan's urgent clothing needs. Lacking funds, she arranged to meet George Wingfield, future Nevada banker, whom she had known in Alaska. At their meeting in the Mizpah Hotel in Tonopah, "Mom" discussed her lack of funds with Mr. Wingfield who promptly wrote her a check for $500.00 as a loan.
She opened her first store in Manhattan in 1917. However, in 1923, the Manhattan boom was over and the family moved to Tonopah where they re-established the business in the Elks' Building. News that Boulder Dam was to be built brought Ben and Bertha to Las Vegas in 1929 where they opened a new store on Carson Street, selling women's and children's wear. As the town grew during the dam construction period, Ronzone's kept pace. In 1935, the business moved to 209 Fremont and then expanded twice in the next few years.
In 1943 the Ronzones purchased Gray, Reid and Wright department store in Reno, which her daughter and son-in-law operated for the family corporation until retirement about 1964. In 1968 the family opened another store on Maryland Parkway in Las Vegas in the new and modern Boulevard Mall.
Bertha believed in "prayer, faith and determination." She believed her success was due to these three qualities. Through her own initiative and hard work, she became the head of the largest privately-owned merchandising enterprise in the state of Nevada, extending from north to south.
During commencement ceremonies at Nevada Southern University (now UNLV), she was named as a "Distinguished Nevadan," one of the highest honors the state can bestow. She was chosen as "Nevada's Golden Rule Pioneer Mother" in May, 1959.
Interested in education for herself and for her community; Bertha also served as a member of the School Board in Tonopah.
Bertha Ronzone was still active in store activities until her death in Las Vegas on November 5, 1969.
1. “Bertha Bishop Ronzone by Watkins, Nevada Women’s History Project
2. United States Census
3. “Nevada Postmark Catalog” by Gamett & Nelson
In 1943 the Ronzones purchased Gray, Reid and Wright department store in Reno, which her daughter and son-in-law operated for the family corporation until retirement about 1964. In 1968 the family opened another store on Maryland Parkway in Las Vegas in the new and modern Boulevard Mall.
Bertha believed in "prayer, faith and determination." She believed her success was due to these three qualities. Through her own initiative and hard work, she became the head of the largest privately-owned merchandising enterprise in the state of Nevada, extending from north to south.
During commencement ceremonies at Nevada Southern University (now UNLV), she was named as a "Distinguished Nevadan," one of the highest honors the state can bestow. She was chosen as "Nevada's Golden Rule Pioneer Mother" in May, 1959.
Interested in education for herself and for her community; Bertha also served as a member of the School Board in Tonopah.
Bertha Ronzone was still active in store activities until her death in Las Vegas on November 5, 1969.
1. “Bertha Bishop Ronzone by Watkins, Nevada Women’s History Project
2. United States Census
3. “Nevada Postmark Catalog” by Gamett & Nelson