Nearing the age of 40, New York-born Robert Lavery arrived in Dawson in 1897, where he mined and worked as an accountant for Palmer Brothers. Among his earlier experinences, he once worked in Hawaii as a supervisor of a sugar plantation.

He married Marshia Latimer in Dawson and they came to Fairbanks in 1905. He died at 71 in 1931. The News-Miner said he was a "noble pioneer," who was misunderstood by many people because he wwas outspoken and would fight for his convictions.

He ran a grocery and general merchandise store in Fairbanks at the corner of Second Avenue and Cushman Street. It became known as "Lavery's House of Quality".

Lavery was a staunch Republican and was appointed to the board of trustees of the AACSM by Governor Scott Bone in 1921, on the recommendation of Judge James Wickersham, in hopes that a republican majority on the board could oust Democrat Charles Bunnell from the Presidency.  The political maneuver was not successful however and Lavery left the board four years later, having served the unexpired term of Dr. L.S. Keller of Skagway, who had resigned. He also served on the city council and as a national comitteeman for the Republican party.

The Laverys had four children: Robert, William and James and one daughter Helen Lucille, who married Lawrence William Meath of Fairbanks on June 18, 1938. His son Bill Lavery started Lavery Airways when he was 20 years old. Bill and his wife Sylvia operated the Airways for many years out of Fairbanks and later offered the first scheduled flights to Anchorage. Bill received the Order of Lenin for his part in a rescue off the Alaska coast of Russian settlers who survived after the Chukchi Sea ice crushed their ship.

With the money the Soviet Union awarded him for his heroism, Lavery bought a movie camera, reportedly the first in Fairbanks, with which he shot scenes of life in Interior Alaska.

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, May 28,2000

Robert Lavery – 1921-1925

1860- Born in New York

1897- Arrived in Dawson

1905- Married Marhsia Latimer in Dawson and moved to Fairbanks

- Ran a grocery store, Lavery’s House of Quality,  in Fairbanks at the corner of Second Ave. and Cushman St.

- Served on city council

- National committeeman for the Republican party

- Son Bill Lavery started Lavery Airways and offered the first scheduled flights to Anchorage.

1921-1925- Appointed to Board of Trustees of the Alaska Agrrcultural College & School of Mines by Governor Scott C. Bone

1931- Died at the age of 71

Credits: BOR Files