Frederick Thomas Smith

Notes:

Altoona Mirror
(Clipping stamped Jan 18, 1943)

Frederick T. Smith, whose parents live at 1012 Third avenue, has completed his recruit trainign at the Bainbridge naval training station, Md. Smith has been advanced to the rating of seaman second class and will attend service school for further specialize training.

Altoona Mirror
(Clipping stamped April 1, 1944)

Altoona Boy was Abord U.S.S. Portent

An Altoona youth, Seaman Frederick Thomas Smith, aged 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. John T. Smith of 1012 Third avenue, was serving aboard the U.S.S. Portent, large minesweeper, which was announced as lost in the Mediterranean by the navy department in the stock edition of the Altoona Mirror yesterday and also today's edition.

The young sailor's family was notified on the evening of Feb. 4 that he was missing in action and the announcement was published in the Altoona Mirror on Feb. 5. Since the announcement that he was missing the family has no further word from the Navy Department.

Seaman Smith held the rank of quartermaster third class and had been overseas since February, 1943. He entered the service Oct. 20, 1942, and earlier had been employed as an apprentice in the Juniata boiler shop, where his father is employed.

The U. S.S. Portent was a 700-ton craft and normally carried a crew of 100 men. Her commander, Lt. Howard C. Plummer of Beaumont, Tex., was reported to be safe. No information was given as to the number of casualities on the ship.

Altoona Mirror
(Clipping stamped January 31, 1945)

Q. M. 3/c Frederick T. Smith

Quartermaster Third Class Frederick Thomas Smith, aged 20, has been declared dead, after having been continued in the status of "missing in action" since the sinking of the U. S. S. minesweeper Portent int he Mediterranean area on Jan. 22, 1944, according to a letter from the navy department received yestrday by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John T. Smith.

The Portent was sunk by an underwater explosion while patrolling off the beachhead at Anzio, Italy. Many ships and small craft were in the vicinity at the time of the explosion and quickly came to the rescue of the survivors. The navy department letter reads: "Your son was reported seen aboard the ship shortly before the explosion occured. To date no information had been received which establishes the fact that he survived the explosion. In view of the lenght of time that has elapsed and the strong probability that your son lost his life followint the explosion, the secretary of the navy has directed that his death be presumed to have occurred on Jan. 23, 1945, which is the day following the expiration of twelve months in the missing status."

The young sailor's family was notified on Feb. 4 that he was missing, the information being published in the Altoona Mirror on Feb. 5. Frederick was born on Aug. 18, 1923, at Trenton, N. J., a son of John and Rose (Kwapil) Smith and came to Altoona nineteen years ago with his parents. He was graduated from Altoona High school in the class of 1940, was keenly interested in and an expert at swimming, as well as active in the student craftsman organization at the High School.

His father, employed in the Juniata boiler shop, resides at 1118 Eleventh street, and his mother at 1012 Third avenue. A brother, Harry T. Smith, left Monday for the navy, reporting at Pittsburgh, while a sister, Rose M., a private nurse at Jefferson hospital, Philadelpia, is entering the navy nurse corps in the near future. Another sister, Marian, attendes Altoon Senior High school.

Frederick was a member of the Eight Avenue Methodist church.

http://extras.altoonamirror.com/soldiers/archieves/SmithFrederick.pdf

Notes:

He enlisted into the U.S. Army near the end of the First World War to find employment to support his family. While serving in Germany, he met the woman who became his second wife, however, and did not return to Sabine County, but instead settling in Pennsylvania. He eventually moved back to East Texas with his second family, settling in Beaumont.

(Research):

Census Listings:

1910 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 4
Enumerated 3 May 1910
SD 2 ED 134 Sheet 10B
152-156
Smith, John T Head M W 19 M1 3 Tx Tx Tx Farmer
Smith, Lockie P Wf F W 19 m1 3 1/1 Tx Tx Tx
Smith, Henry M Son M W 2 S Tx Tx Tx

1930 Census
Pennsylvania, Blair County, Altoona City, Ward 13
Enumerated April 3, 1930
ED 7-37 SD 17 Sheet 4A Stamped 132
Ninth Avenue
520-78-90
Smith, John M W 30 M Tx Tx Tx Boilermaker P R.R. Company Shop
Smith, Rose Wf 34 M 25 Czechoslovakia Czechoslovakia Czechoslovakia/Slovak
Smith, Rose Dtr 8 S Germany Tx Czechoslovakia
Smith, Frederick Son 6 S NJ Tx Czechoslovakia
Smith, Harry Son 2 3/12 S Pa Tx Czechoslovakia
Smith, Marion Son (sic) 1 4/12 S Pa Tx Czechoslovakia

John married Rosa "Rose" Kwapil before 1922 in Germany. Rosa was born on 10 Sep 1895 in Czechoslovakia; died on 16 Jan 1981 in Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The John T. Smith Tree on Ancestry.com instead shows the location of her birth as Liepa, Austria.

http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/852439/person/-2038753879

SSDI:

Rose Smith
SSN: 182-22-2229
Last Residence: 77703 Beaumont, Jefferson, Texas, United States of America
Born: 10 Sep 1895
Died: Jan 1981
State (Year) SSN issued: Pennsylvania (Before 1951)

Notes:

Informant on his Texas Death certificate, an image which can be seen on his FIndAGrave memorial page, shows his usual occupation as farmer, and the informant was his namesake son.

(Research):

Census Listings:

1910 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 2
Enumerated 25 and 26 Apr 1910
SD 2 ED 132 Sheet 6B
106-106
Smith, Hillis Head M W 41 M1 20 Tx La Tx Farmer
Smith, Sallie Wf F W 37 m1 20 3/3 Tx US US Farm Laborer Home Farm
Smith, Hillis Son M W 12 S Tx Tx Tx Farm Laborer
Smith, Bertie Dtr F W 7 S Tx Tx Tx Farm Laborer

1920 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 4
Enumerated 12 and 13 January 1920
SD 326 ED 171 Sheets 6A and 6B
119-120
Smith, Obadiah H Head M W 52 M Tx La Al Farmer
Smith, Sarah E Wf F W 48 M Tx Tx Tx
Smith, Obadiah H Son M W 22 S Tx Tx Tx Farmer
Smith, Bertie E Dtr F W 16 S Tx Tx Tx
Smith, Lockie P Dtr-in-law F W 29 M Tx Tx Tx
Smith, Mathew H Grandson M W 11 S Tx Tx Tx
Smith, Madie M Granddtr F W 9 S Tx Tx Tx
Smith, J. T. Grandson M W 6 S Tx Tx Tx
Smith, Hazel M Granddaughter F W 1 7/12 S Tx Tx Tx
Smith, Clifford Boarder M W 46 M Ga Ga Ga Foreman Lumber Mill
Smith, Clifford Boarder M W 24 S Tx Tx Tx Nightwatchman Lumber Mill
Smith, Nathan O Boarder M W 17 S Tx Tx Tx Laborer Lumber Mill

Obediah married Sarah Elizabeth "Sallie" Mason. Sarah (daughter of Napolean Bonaparte Mason and Mary Bethany "Susan" Terry) was born on 7 May 1872 in Sabine County, Texas; died on 31 Jan 1955 in Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas; was buried in Fairmount Cemetery, Yellowpine, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Name: Sarah Elizabeth Smith
Death Date: 31 Jan 1955
Death Place: Beaumont, Jefferson, Texas
Gender: Female
Race: White
Death Age: 82 years 8 months 24 days
Estimated Birth Date:
Birth Date: 07 May 1872
Birthplace: Sabine County, Texas
Marital Status: Widowed
Spouse's Name:
Father's Name: N.B. Mason
Father's Birthplace: Texas
Mother's Name: Susan Terry
Mother's Birthplace: Texas
Informant: John Thomas Smith
Occupation: Housewife
Place of Residence:
Cemetery: Fairmont, Texas Cemetery
Burial Place: Fairmont, Texas
Burial Date: 01 Feb 1955
Additional Relatives:
Film Number: 2114330
Digital Film Number: 4165420
Image Number: 3205
Reference Number: 3077
Collection: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976


(Medical):See attached sources.

Notes:

Grandson of Benjamin Garlington and Caroline Cynthia Vick of Newton County, Texas.

SABINE COUNTY REPORTER
June 1, 2005
Fairmount Cemetery marker dedication set

"Edward Smith served as a postmaster in Fairmount. He was also an ordained minister serving area churches for 31 years, including a tenure at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church located not far from Fairmount Cemetery."

SABINE COUNTY REPORTER
January 18, 2006
All Things Historical by Bob Bowman

Edward Smith deserves his own place in history. Born in Vernon Parish, LA, in 1845 he moved to Newton County, Texas with his parents as a small boy. When he reached 18, he enlisted in the Confederate Army to fight in the Civil War. When federal naval forces approached the Texas coast, Smith and others in his company pushed through the East Texas swamps to reinforce Lieutenant Dick Dowling and his Texas forces at Sabine Pass. With only 40 men, they helped beat back an invasion by federal troops. The battle, the only one ever fought on East Texas soil, saw Smith, Dowling and fellow soldiers outnumbered 100 to one. Despite overwhelming odds, the Texans had no deaths or injuries while the federal force of 27 ships had about 400 mend injured, captured or killed. The Texans were so fierce that the battle lasted only 45 minutes. Following the end of the Civil War, Edward Smith came home to Fairmount, served as its postmaster for 25 years, and became a Baptist preacher. He and his wife and many of their 13 children are buried in the Fairmount cemetery. So are his parents and his wife's mother. His descendants have another story of his bravery. Edward and his dogs were cornered by a bear in the woods near his home. Edward scrambled up a tree and when the bear started climbing after him, Edward whipped otu his pocketknife and slashed the bear's head and paws, while to dogs nipped at the bear's heels. After the dogs started to chase the bear, Edward was able to climb down and run home.

Edward married Mary Jane Smith about 1865 in Sabine County, Texas. Mary (daughter of Obediah Jackson Smith and Elizabeth Chapman) was born on 17 Jun 1847 in Louisiana; died on 11 Nov 1926; was buried in Fairmount Cemetery, Yellowpine, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Also shown as born in Alabama.

Notes:

Married:
On the 1870 Sabine County, Texas census, Edward and Mary Jane Smith also had unnamed 1 month old twins.

Notes:

"He was the son of William and Judith Mason. Was a member of Hood's Brigade in the Civil War and was Sheriff of Sabine County for several years." (White and Toole, p 36). His application for a confederate pension shows that he "was made a prisoner at Chr. Dec 3, 1863, discharged 1865." He further stated that he was born in Sabine County, and had been a resident for all of his life, "except for the war." He showed his P.O. as in Milam, and indicated he was a farmer. He served from 1861-1865 in Company I, 1rst Texas Regiment, Infantry as a private. He made his application on July 9, 1909 before County Judge J. H. McGown and witnesses W R Davidson and T B Davidson. They both testified that they served in the same company.

Billy Fussell and Bobby Wood, great-grandsons write that "N. B. and his brother Marquis De Lafayette Mason both served in Hood's Brigade, enlisting on April 1, 1862, in San Augustine. L.M. (that's the way he is listed in his war records) died from wounds received at the battle of Chickamauga Sept 19-21. N.B. was captured and taken as prisoner of war to Camp Douglas a notorious Prison Camp near Chicago, Illinois. He remained there until the end of the war and was exchanged at New Orleans on May 23,1865. He came home and married his brother's widow, Mary Terry Mason, and together they had 13 children."

(Research):

Census Listings:

1880 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Fifth Precinct
Enumerated 3 and 5 July 1880
Page 26B SD 1 ED 86
225-225
Mason, Napoleon W M 42 Farmer, Sheriff Tx SC SC
Mason, William W M 13 Son Works on Farm Tx Tx Ala
Mason, Mary W F 22 Wf Keeps House Ala Ala Ala
Mason, Lafayette W M 12 Son Works on Farm Tx Tx Ala
Mason, John T. W M 11 Son Works on Farm Tx Tx Ala
Mason, Dora W F 10 Dtr At School Tx Tx Ala
Mason, Sarah W F 7 Dtr Tx Tx Ala
Mason, Pattie W F 5 Dtr Tx Tx Ala
Mason, Tilden W M 4 Son Tx Tx Ala
Mason, Pearl W F 4/12 Feb Dtr Tx Tx Ala
Grice, Elbert B W 25 Servant Works on Farm Tx Tx Tx
Thomas, Henry B M 18 Servant Works on Farm Tx Tx Tx

1900 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 7
Enumerated 13 Jun 1900
SD 8 ED 69 Sheet 8B
129-129
Mason, N B Head m M Feb 1839 61 M 35 Tx Sc Ala Farmer
Mason, Mary B Wf W F Jun 1847 52 M 35 13/12 Ga Ga Ark
Mason, James P Son W M Oct 1882 17 S Tx Tx Ga Farm Laborer
Mason, Robt L Son W M May 1888 12 S Tx Tx Ga Farm Laborer
Mason, Mellie Dtr W F Jan 1880 10 S Tx Tx Ga Farm Laborer
Mason, Napolean B Son W M Nov 1893 6 S Tx Tx Ga
Hines, Spence Servant B M may 1836 Wd La La La Farm Laborer

1910 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 4
Enumerated 30 Apr 1910
SD 2 ED 134 Sheet 9A
124-128
Mason, Napolean b Head M W 71 m1 44 Tx Sc Ala Farmer
Mason, Mary B Wf F W 63 m2 44 13/12 Ga G a Ga
Mason, Napolean B SOn M W 17 S Tx Tx Ga Farm Laborer

Napolean married Mary Bethany "Susan" Terry about 1865. Mary was born in Jun 1848 in Georgia; died about 1923 in San Augustine County, Texas; was buried in Mason Cemetery, Milam, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

In her transcription of the Mason Cemetery, Kay Parker McCary writes that she was married first to Marcus DeLafayette Mason, who was killed in the Civil War. He was a brother of her second husband, Napoleon Bonaparte Mason. The 1880 census shows her as born in Alabama, but in 1900 and in 1910 it was shown that she was born in Georgia.