Bezaleel Smith

Notes:

His name, Bezaleel, is biblical. Bezaleel means "Is the Shadow of God," and he was the son of Uri, of the tribe of Judah, and one of the architects of the tabernacle. His charge was chiefly in all works of metal, wood and stone.

Said to have been married first to Lydia ALLIS.

Bezaleel married Lovinia Munson on 13 Aug 1787 in Whately, Franklin County, Massachusetts. Lovinia (daughter of Moses Munson and Abigail Munson) was born in Mar 1769 in Connecticut; died on 9 Mar 1837 in Conway, Franklin County, Massachusetts; was buried in East Whately Cemetery, Franklin County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Biography from FindAGrave:

Phineas was a son of Bezaleel and Lovinia (Munson) Smith of Whately, Massachusetts.

He married Electa Marsh on 15 Aug. 1814 in Whately. They were the parents of: Edwin G., Lovina M., Amelia, Elizabeth, Amanda E., Mary Jane, Julia L., Henry C., John Jay and Abigail M. Smith. Edwin, Elizabeth and Abigail all have memorials on FindAGrave.

Phineas served as a Sergeant in Capt. Southworth Jenkins' company, Col. Thomas Langley's regiment, Massachusetts militia in the War of 1812. His company was sent from Franklin County to Boston to defend against the attack of the British fleet that was then threatening the Massachusetts coast. He was honorably discharged on 15 October at Boston.

The family moved to Monroe county, New York, about 1816, and settled on a farm in the town of Ogden. Phineas and Electa, as well as some of their children, moved to Fairfax county, Virginia, sometime between 1850 and 1860, but evidently returned to New York within a few years as Phineas died in Bergen, Genesee county, in 1864.

(Research):

Census Listings:

1850 Census
New York, Monroe County, Ogden Town
Enumerated 23 Sept 1850
23-23
Phinias Smith 62 M Farmer 3150 Mass
Electa Smith 56 F Mass
Amanda E Smith 25 F NY
Julia L Smith 21 F NY
John J Smith 16 M NY
24-24
Edwin Smith 35 M Mass
Jane C Smith 34 F NY
Phinias Smith 11 M NY

1860 Census
not located

Phineas married Electa Marsh on 15 Aug 1814 in Whately, Franklin County, Massachusetts. Electa was born on 29 Aug 1794 in Whately, Franklin County, Massachusetts; died about 1883 in Van Buren County, Michigan; was buried in Covert Cemetery, Covert, Van Buren County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He married Sophia ELLIS (James Albury, Chris Bird) or Sophia ALLIS on 28 Nov 1812 (Charles R. Rotert "Rotert-Smith-Cooper" tree at World Connect).

Notes:

She married Francis BALL. (Chris Bird) of John ALLIS (Chris Rotert).

Notes:

She married Francis BALL. (James_albury@hotmail.com)

Notes:

Spencer Smith was the witness of the following will ca. 1832:

Harmon Whipple of Riga Will book 1; p. 349 Dated Dec. 28, 1832 Probated April 17, 1833 Mentions brother: Milton Executor brother: Milton Witnesses Phinebas Smith of Riga George Refield of Riga Spencer Smith of Riga

1850 Federal Census, New York, Monroe County, Riga (enumerated 26 Aug 1850)
#314-314
Spencer SMITH 54 M Farmer $3500 Mass.(?)
Mary SMITH 44 F New Hampshire
Benjamin F.SMITH 19 M New York
Morris M. SMITH 17 M New York
Mary A. SMITH 10 F New York
Sarah E. SMITH 6 F New York
Julia SMITH 3 F New York
Emeline TRUMBELL 17 F New York

1860 Federal Census, New York, Monroe County, Riga, North Chile N.Y. (enumerated 19 Jun 1860)
#23-25
Spencer SMITH 63 M Farmer $4000 $841 Mass.
Marian SMITH 52 F New Hampshire
Morris M. SMITH age 24 Farm Laborer $150 P/P New York
Mary Ann SMITH age 18 New York
Sarah E. SMITH age 14 New York
Julie T. SMITH age 12 New York

Spencer married Zelinda Allis about 1813 in Whately, Franklin County, Massachusetts. Zelinda (daughter of Samuel Allis and Hannah Dickinson) was born on 20 Mar 1797 in Conway, Franklin County, Massachusetts; died on 21 Apr 1830 in Whately, Franklin County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Spencer married Marian Trumbull before 1833 in New York. Marian was born about 1807 in New Hampshire; died after 1880. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He married Emily ELLIS (James Albury, Chris Bird) or ALLIS (Charles Rotert).

Notes:

Marie Doorneweed instead has her dying in Churchville, NY, which is also in Monroe County. (kathy@abcseamless-vegas.com).

Sarah married Thomas Wells Allis on 16 May 1823 in Conway, Franklin County, Massachusetts. Thomas (son of Solomon Allis and Anna Bull Dickinson) was born on 28 Aug 1798 in Conway, Franklin County, Massachusetts; died on 18 Mar 1867 in Cambridge, Lenawee County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He died on 9 Feb 1861 in Whately, Franklin, Massachusetts. History of Deerfield, Volume II, by George Sheldon, Published by E. A. Hall & Co., Greenfield, MA, 1896. p. 114 of Whately, Mass., 1829
http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/MAFRANKL/2003-02/1045926730

(Research):

Census Listings:

1850 Census
Massachussets, Franklin County, The Town of Whately
Stamped 72
135-150
Oliver Smith 47 M Laborer 10 Mass
Thankful S. Smith 43 F Mass
Lyman Smith 19 M Mass
William Smith 17 M Mass
Sophia Smith 15 F Mass
Mary Smith 14 F Mass
Reuben Smith 9 M Mass
Henry Smith 6 M Mass
Mariah Smith 3 F Mass

1860 Census
Massachussets, Franklin County, Whately, PO Whately
Enumerated 20 July 1860
Page 136
1096-1138
Oliver Smith 59 M Farmer 1800 700 Mass
Mary D Smith 24 F Mass
Henry D Smith 16 M Mass
Maria E Smith 13 F Mass

Oliver married Thankful Childs on 26 Mar 1829 in Whately, Franklin County, Massachusetts. Thankful was born on 13 Jul 1807 in Shelburne, Franklin County, Massachusetts; died on 1 May 1860 in Whately, Franklin County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Lydia married John Dickinson Allis on 18 Sep 1826 in Conway, Franklin County, Massachusetts. John (son of Solomon Allis and Anna Bull Dickinson) was born on 22 Jun 1801 in Conway, Franklin County, Massachusetts; died on 5 Jan 1863 in Conway, Franklin County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He married Sarah MEEKINS (Charles Rotert).

Notes:

He married Lydia SANDERSON, Lucinda ABERCROMBIE, and (Widow) Jane A. KIMBALL. (Charles Rotert).

Notes:

Biography from FindAGrave

Edwin was a son of Phineas & Electa (Marsh) Smith. He moved, with his parents, from Whately, Massachusetts, to Monroe county, New York, between 1816 and 1820.

He married, about 1838, Abbie Jane Dole, and they had two children: Phineas Munson Smith (b. 1839) and Georgia Ann Smith (b. c1841; d. young). Abbie died in 1841.

About 1854 Edwin married Achsa A. Sanford, and they had one child: Edwin P. Smith (b. 1855). Achsa died in 1857.

Edwin served as a bugler for Company B, 8th New York Cavalry, from Oct. 1861 until Apr. 1862.

After the war he moved to Michigan, settling eventually in Kalamazoo, where he worked as a butcher. He died in 1904 at the age of 88.


(Research):


Census Listings:

1850 Census
New York, Monroe County, Ogden Town
Enumerated 23 Sept 1850
23-23
Phinias Smith 62 M Farmer 3150 Mass
Electa Smith 56 F Mass
Amanda E Smith 25 F NY
Julia L Smith 21 F NY
John J Smith 16 M NY
24-24
Edwin Smith 35 M Mass
Jane C Smith 34 F NY
Phinias Smith 11 M NY

Family/Spouse: Achsa A. Sanford. Achsa was born about 1820; died on 8 Nov 1857; was buried in Root Cemetery, Clarendon, Orleans County, New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Name: Julia L Anchmoody
Titles and Terms:
Event Type: Death
Event Date: 04 Mar 1911
Event Place: Worcester,,Massachusetts
Residence Place:
Address:
Gender: Female
Age: 83
Marital Status: Widowed
Occupation:
Birth Date: 21 Apr 1827
Birthplace: Ogden, New York
Birth Year (Estimated):
Burial Date:
Burial Place:
Cemetery:
Father's Name: Phineas Smith
Father's Titles and Terms:
Father's Birthplace:
Mother's Name: Electa Marsh
Mother's Titles and Terms:
Mother's Birthplace:
Additional Relatives:
Spouse's Name: Walter S Anchmoody
Reference ID: 373
GS Film number: 2396247
Frame Number:
Digital Folder Number: 4283284
Image Number: 00938

Citing this Record:
"Massachusetts, Deaths, 1841-1915," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/N4DP-FJX : accessed 04 Aug 2013), Julia L Anchmoody, 1911.

Notes:

(Research):

Census Listings:

1870 Census
Michigan, Van Buren County, Decatur Twp
Enumerated 16 Jun 1870
Stamped 313
24-24
Smith, J. Jay 35 M Carpenter $--- $1200 NY
Smith, N. Jane 30 F Keeping House Vermont
Smith, Electa A 12 F Va
Smith, Flora 10 F Va
Smith, Electa 76 None Mass
Wright, Frank 24 M Carpenter Ohio

Notes:

Avis (Smith) Benkelman said that her paternal grandparents were William Bert Smith, Sr. and Mary Chatman. However it appears that they were actually Benjamin Franklin Smith and the former Mary Ann Welch--Chapman being the name of her second husband.

Avis also indicated that her maternal grandmother, Sarah Cramer, "was a widow with two small children." However, there is no evidence that Sarah Cramer had been married more than once. Perhaps Avis was confusing Sarah Ann Cramer with Mary Ann Chapman. It was as the widow of Benjamin Smith, with two young sons, that she married Samuel Chapman.

A 28 year old Benjamin Smith, single and born in New York, can be found in Ionia County at the time of the 1860 census. He was living with the Knisel? or Knodsel? family. As the rest of his family is still listed in Riga, New York, it appears he moved to Michigan early, with his brother Morris, and later his mother Marian,following him to Michigan, probably sometime after his father died in 1864.

Even if this is not the same Benjamin Franklin Smith, we do know that he moved to Ionia County sometime before 1866, as his oldest son Elmer was born in Ionia County in January of that year. When he died of typhoid in the summer of 1869, his son Elmer was not quite four, and son Bert was just over a year old.

LaVonne Bennett, an extraordinarily competent and generous researcher from Ionia County, Michigan found the following records:

Ionia County Probate Court Record #187: The estate was valued at $4000. IONIA COUNTY SENTINEL publication of Probate of Will of B. Frank Smith August 2, 1869 and for three consecutive weeks thereon.

Partial listing of amounts paid out of estate: 1)$12.50 to Samuel B. Chapman 1-25-1870 in Odessa, due him from late Frank Smith 2)$100.00 to John El?l?et (Elvert? Elliott?) 3)$17.00 to Libbie ELVART 4)$9.15 to James J. Brown 1-30-1871, from Mrs. Frank Smith 5)$50.00, payment of 9-8-1866 loan from Betsey Johnson 6)$7.00, payment signed by Mary Ann Smith, of 8-8-1870 loan from J. G. Meyers 7)$6.75, payment by Franklin Smith of 5-1-1868 loan from James Wright 8)$2.50, paid by Mary A. Smith, in full account of savings of Frank Smith, to Martin J. Cox 9)$2.25 paid by Mrs. Samuel Chapman, in full account of all demands of R. B. (Rainson?) 10)$3.00 received from Samuel Chapman for Mrs. Mary Ann Smith, in full account of all demands up to date, Odessa, 6-5-1872, by HENRY SMITH 11)$11.92 real estate taxes paid 1-3-1870 by Mrs. Frank Smith, property west 1/2 of southeast 1/4, Section 22, Twp 5N, Range 7W, 80 acres. 12)$23.00, on11-4-1869, received from Mrs. Franklin Smith in balance account to date, L. D. & M. C. SMITH S(tore?) 13)$17.50 for B. F. Smith coffin purchased 7-7-1869, paid by A. A. SMITH 12-20-1870 to S. Merritt & Co. 14)$174.13 paid by Samuel B. Chapman 9-28-1872 and received by Mary A. Chapman 15)$43.00 + interest to S. A. Houghton, as payment for B. F. Smith note made 2-3-1869

Petition in file stating Mary A. Smith was lawfully married to Frank Smith and did love and cohabite with him until his death. Mary A. Chapman makes selection from estate inventory: 1 oxen $130, 1 cow, 2 heifers $35; (wheat $10?), household furniture $75.

Per petition for appointment of administrator, 7-6-1869, heirs listed were widow, Mary Ann Smith; Elmer Smith and Burtis Smith, sons of said deceased. All reside in County of Ionia, MI.

Another petition with date unreadable: Land assigned to Elmer and Burtis subject to dower rights of Mary A. Chapman.

LaVonne Bennett added "from (the) land description of B. Franklin's farm, it was on land on Musgrove Highway and has now (according to 1987 plat book) been subdivided into smaller parcels and some of my Carter relatives lived on the east side of his 80 acres."

(Research):

OTHER LEADS TO FOLLOW UP ON/POSSIBLE FAMILY CONNECTIONS

LaVonne Bennett noted that some of the names found on the above list are significant to future research---i.e. JAMES BROWN was found as both a creditor and a witness at Samuel and Mary A's marriage. Mary's mother's maiden name was given as Brown on Mary A.'s death record. HENRY and L.D. SMITH, also creditors, might they be related as well?

LaVonne also found, in her discarded Smith files (her mother being a Smith): HENRY SMITH b 1830, d 1-14-1885, age 54, 11, 10, marr Catherine Clark (1835-1915), dau Hattie b 1867, d 1925. There's a Lewis R. SMITH, Carpenter b 1843 in US, d 1-30-1914, father Thomas. Louis D. Smith was a merchant, b 182- in NY, marr Eliza A. Grosvenor, had son Kimball Robert Smith b 1849.

Benjamin married Mary Ann Welch before 1866. Mary (daughter of William Welch and Anna Brown) was born on 28 Dec 1840 in Michigan; died on 19 Jul 1921 in Lake Odessa, Ionia County, Michigan; was buried in Lakeside Cemetery, Lake Odessa, Ionia County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

1870 Ionia County, Odessa Township
106-105
Smith, Moses (sic) 35 M W Carpenter 500 100 NY
Smith, Cynthia 26 F W Keeping House Maine
Smith, FRANKLIN 7 M W NY attended school
Smith, Edith 5 F W NY
Smith, Anna 1 F W NY
Smith, MARIAN 63 F W New Hampshire

Living immediately next door to Morris Smith in Ionia County in 1870 was the following family, these appear to be Morris's two youngest sisters, that were listed with he and his parents on the 1860 Riga, Monroe County, New York census.
105 104
Sickles, Charles 26 Farmer 800 350 MO
Sickles, Sarah 25 Keeping House NY
SMITH, Julie 23 Keeping House NY

1880 Federal Census:
Morris SMITH Self M Male W 44 NY Carpenter MA VT
Cintha SMITH Wife M Female W 36 ME Keeping House MA MA
Frank SMITH Son S Male W 17 NY Carpenter NY ME
Eideth SMITH Dau S Female W 15 NY Servant NY ME
Anna SMITH Dau S Female W 11 NY At School NY ME
Gertie SMITH Dau S Female W 7 MI NY ME
Meriam SMITH Other W Female W 74 NH Keeping House NH NH
Source Information:
Census Place Odessa, Ionia, Michigan
Family History Library Film 1254584
NA Film Number T9-0584
Page Number 316C

"Morris M. Smith, Carpenter, b ca 1835 in NY, resided Odessa, d 12-9-1880, age 44 yrs, 11 mo, 28 days, of consumption, fa. unnamed, mo. Marrian, spouse Cnitha O., daughter Gertrude A. b 11-27-1872." (Courtesy LaVonne Bennett).

Morris married Cynthia F. Carleton about 1862 in New York. Cynthia was born on 23 Dec 1843 in Piscataquis County, Maine; died on 6 Jun 1918 in Woodland, Barry County, Michigan; was buried in Lakeside Cemetery, Lake Odessa, Ionia County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mary Ann is not listed with the rest of her family on the 1870 Ionia County census. It could be that she was married in New York, and remained there with her husband when the rest of the family moved. It is also possible that she did move to Ionia County, but was married prior to the census and is listed with her husband. It is also possible that she could have died.

Notes:

From Lakeside Cemetery Records:

Sickles, Sarah E. 24 yrs 11-28-1870

Family/Spouse: Charles T. Sickles. Charles (son of George Sickles and Nancy Lovina Chapman) was born on 24 Jul 1845 in Fredonia Township, Calhoun County, Michigan; died on 30 Dec 1922 in Temple, Clare County, Michigan; was buried in Lakeside Cemetery, Lake Odessa, Ionia County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

She was living with her sister at the time of the 1870 Ionia County census. It is not known what happened to her after that.

There are two possible candidates listed on the 1880 Ionia County census:

In Ionia Township is:

Julia GROOM 33 Div NY NY NY Living in a large hotel (Wm. Warfield was shown as the Hotel Keeper), and listed as a servant

And in Sarnac, Ionia County, is Hugh FARLEY 34 Can Tanner Can --- Julia FARLEY 33 NY NY NY

It is also possible that she died or that she left Ionia County prior to 1880.

Family/Spouse: Fannie Lena Messenger. Fannie was born on 20 Feb 1863 in Bergen, Genesee County, New York; died on 25 Sep 1950 in Oshtemo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan; was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The following obituary was emailed to me by LaVonne Bennett "LAKE ODESSA (MI) WAVE, Thursday, May 2, 1946, front page "ELMER SMITH DIED MONDAY---Funeral services were held at the Pickens chapel here Wednesday afternoon for the late Elmer Smith, 80, who died Monday Morning at his home in Charlotte. He was a half brother of Marcus Chapman who survives. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews. Mr. Smith, a former resident here, was born in Odessa township. The Rev. William B. Patterson officiated at the services, and burial was in Lakeside cemetery." His death certificate showed that he had spent 5 yrs in the Eaton Co. Infirmary.

LaVonne later emailed the following news item to me:

"While at the Saranac Library doing research today, I found: SARANAC ADVERTISER, MI, 9-19-1912: "Local News - Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Smith were in Ionia Monday."

It ain't much but it's evidence they lived a real life. Saranac's a very small town north of Lake Odessa, 5 mi west of city of Ionia, so I hope this is your Elmer..."

This might be another Elmer Smith, however, as no marriage record has yet been found. Additionally, it is noted on his death certificate that he was single, not widowed.

(Medical):arterio-sclerosis, senility A.M. Weber, D.O. Attending Physician

Notes:

According to Avis Smith Benkelman, her father, "William Bert Smith left the Catholic Church when he married. He attended Michigan State University, where he took agricultural courses. He worked as a dairyman in Odessa Township, Michigan. He later owned and operated "Farmer Smith's Dry Goods" in Grand Ledge."

Bert's residence at the time of this death was 501 Taylor in Grand Ledge.

The May 31, 1940 edition of the GRAND LEDGE INDEPENDENT printed the following obituary:

W.B. Smith, One-time Merchant Here, Dies

William Bert Smith passed away at the family home on Taylor Street, Friday morning after a week's illness. He lacked a month of being 72 years of age, having been born in Odessa Township, near Lake Odessa, June 20, 1868. Surviving are the widow, Ida, and two daughters, Mrs. Ben Benkelman of Cass City and Miss Ilo Smith of Lansing. The body was taken to Peters & Otto Funeral Home where services were held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. A.R. Gold officiating. Interment was made in the Lake Odessa Cemetery. Mr. Smith was well and favorably known in the city, where he had lived for a long time. He conducted a General Store in Grand Ledge for 22 years and was known as "Farmer Smith." After selling that out, he was employed in the highway department of the state for 15 years. He was affiliated with the Odd Fellow and Rebakah organizations and had been active in both for many years.

And in the June 6, 1940 edition of THE LAKE ODESSA WAVE-TIMES a similar item ran:

BERT SMITH DIES

William Bert Smith, a resident of Lake Odessa about 40 years ago, died at his home in Grand Ledge on May 24. He was born in Odessa township on June 20, 1868. He is survived by the widow, Ida, and two daughters, Mrs. Ben Benkelman of Cass City and Miss Ilo Smith in Lansing. The funeral was held on the Sunday following, and interment ws made in Lakeside cemetery here. During the last few years of his residence in Lake Odessa he was in the retail milk business. He conducted a general store in Grand Ledge for 22 years and was known as "Farmer Smith." After selling that business, he was employed in the highway department of the state for 15 years. He was affiliated with the Odd Fellow and Rebekah organizations and had been active in both for many years.

(Both copies are courtesy of LaVonne Bennett)

The following Indenture was "made this fifteenth day of December in the year of our Lord 1937 between Avis A. Benkelman and Ilo C. Smith, as their sole and seperate estate of the first part, and William B. Smith and Ida A. Smith, husband and wife of the second part, Witnesseth, That the said parties of the first part, for and in consideration of the sum of One and More Dollars to them in hand paid by the said parties of the second part, the receipt of whereof is hereby confessed and acknowledged, do by these presents grant, bargain, sell, remise, release, and forever Quit-Claim unto the said parties of the second part, and to their heirs and assigns, Forever, all that certain piece or parcel of land situate in the City of Grand Ledge in Ingham County and State of Michigan, known and described as follows: Lot Two (2) of Block Fifty Eight (58) on Lamson's Addition to the City of Grand Ledge, Michigan according to the recorded plat thereof. Together with all and singular the hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining: to have and to hold the said above described premises to the said parties of the second part, and to their heirs and assigns, to the sole and only proper use, benefit, and behoof, of the said parties of the second part, their heirs and assigns, Forever. In Witness Whereof, the said parties of the first part, have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first written above. Signed, sealed, and delivered in the presence of Mrs. Carl Plato, J.M. Hoag." It appears that although Bert and Ida transferred their home jointly to their daughters, they continued to live in it, at least until Bert's death in 1940. It is assumed that Avis and Ilo eventually sold their parents home, as neither returned to live in Grand Ledge after graduating from college.

(Research):

Census Listings:

1900 Census Michigan, Ionia County, Odessa Twp 5 June 1900
#48/50
Smith, Bert W Head W M June 1868 M 2 yrs Born Mi, Parents born NY MI Dairyman Rents farm
Smith, Ida Wife W F Dec 1867 M 2 years, Mother of 0 children born Ohio, parents VA, PA

1910 Michigan Census, Eaton County, Oneida Township
Taylor Street
#154-160
Elliott, Agustus Head M W 70 M1 49 years Born VA Parents born GB/Irish Occupation Real Estate
Elliott, Sarah Wife F W 74 M1 49 years Mother of 7 children, 4 living Born PA, both parents PA
Elliott, Charles M W 41 single Does not read or write
-161 Smith, William Head M W 42 M1 12 years Born Mi, both parents MI Occupation: Merchant
Smith, Ida Alice wife F W 43 M1 12 years, Mother of 2 children
Smith, Avis A D F W 9 years born MI
Smith, Ilo D F W 3 years born MI

1920 Census Michigan, Eaton County, Oneida Township 15 Jan 1920
501 Taylor Street
#357-366 Elliott, Augustus E Head M W 81 M Born VA Parents born Ireland (Irish)
Elliott, Sarah A Wife F W 86 M Born PA, both parents PA
#358-367 Smith, William B Son in law M W M Born MI, Father born NY, Mother Canada/English Occupation: Merchant, General Store
Smith, Ida Alice Dtr F W 53 M
Smith, Avis A G/D F W 18 years born MI
Smith, Ilo G/D F W 13 years born MI

1930 Census Michigan, Eaton, Grand Ledge, ED 16
501 Taylor Street
Smith, William B Head O 4500 M W 62 M@31 Mich Mich Mich Sign Dept Mich State Highway Employed Not a Veteran (Owns Radio, Not living on a Farm)
Smith, Ida A Wife H F W 64 M@32 Ohio Va Pa No Occupation
Elliot, Charles W Brother in Law M W 62 S Ohio Va Pa No occupation

William married Ida Alice Elliott on 11 May 1898 in Odessa Township, Ionia County, Michigan. Ida (daughter of Augustus E. Elliott and Sarah Ann Cramer) was born on 13 Dec 1866 in Seneca County, Ohio; died on 27 Jan 1946 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Lakeside Cemetery, Lake Odessa, Ionia County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

At the 1900 Census, he was living in Odessa Township with his wife, Mary, who was born in January 1874, in Ohio. Her mother was born in Pennsylvania and her father born in Ohio. There were no children listed in the household, although the census indicated that they had been married six years, and that Mary was the mother of one living child.

Franklin's occupation was listed as carpenter. He and his wife divorced prior to 1910. At the time of that census, Franklin was living in Woodland, Barry County with his widowed mother and his sister, Gertrude, along with a 14 year old Forrest Smith. It appears that Forrest was his one. At the time of the 1920 census, he and his sister Gertrude were still living together in Woodland. Forrest appeared to be living with his mother in in Grand Rapids.

News items from Lake Odessa Wave newspaper 3-06-1930 - Woodland - Mrs. William Snyder of Blanchard is helping care for her brother, Frank Smith, who is ill.

Liber C, page 242: SMITH, Frank W. died 3-8-1930 in the village of Woodland, MI, of a cerebral hemmorhage. He was 66 years, 10 mo, 20 days of age, a carpenter. He was a divorced widower. His parents were given as Morris SMITH of NY and Cynthia CARLETON of ME.

(Email from LaVonne Bennett on 14 Feb 2001 detailing the results of her visit to the Barry County Courthouse in Hastings, Michigan).

It is POSSIBLE that he remarried before he died, as LaVonne Bennett found the following:

I ran across this today while looking for a client's newspaper obits: "THE LAKE ODESSA WAVE, MI, Thursday, December 6, 1928, front page: "MRS. FRANK SMITH PASSES - Mrs. Frank E. Smith of near Woodbury died last Sunday morning after a long illness. The funeral was held Tuesday at two o'clock at the Lutheran church. Burial was at Lake Side cemetery. Mrs. Smith was a sister-in-law of Mrs. Levi Deeg of this village."

(Email from LaVonne Bennett on 26 April 2001)

(Research):Census Listings:

1920 Federal Census
Michigan, Barry County, Woodland Twp, District 64
North Main Street
13-13
SMITH, Frank E Head O M W 56 D New York New York Maine Carp
enter House
SMITH, Gertrude A Sister F W 47 S Mich New York Maine Correspondent Newspaper

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Sept. 29, 1881 Ionia Sentinel

Odessa-This Monday morning Miss Edith Smith, living half a mile south of the Center, was burned in a frightful manner. It seems some meat had been left in the oven over night, and not knowing or thinking of it, she was getting breakfast with the oven shut up. Smelling something, she opened the door, and the flames burst out, striking her so as to burn all the upper portion of her dress entirely off. Her arms, hands, face and hair also suffered severely. She had been away all the season at work and had just came home on account of the illness of her mother. (Courtesy of John R. Waite jrwgen@mvcc.com) LaVonne Bennett notes this might have been another Edith Smith, as she has in her files an Edith Smith Ousterhout born 1861)

LaVonne Bennett found both this snippet of news in the Lake Odessa Wave newspaper:

March 6, 1930 - Woodland - Mrs. William Snyder of Blanchard is helping care for her brother, Frank Smith, who is ill. (Blanchard is in Isabella County. According to census records, Edith Smith and her husband William Snyder lived in Rolland Township, Isabella County, for many years).

Edith married William A. Snyder about 1884 in Michigan. William was born in Jan 1863 in Indiana; died after 1930. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lake Odessa Wave newspaper 3-27-1930 - Woodland - Forrest Smith of Grand Rapids spent the past week with his aunt Miss Gertie Smith.

(Research):Census Listings:

1920 Federal Census
Michigan, Barry County, Woodland Twp, District 64
North Main Street
13-13
SMITH, Frank E Head O M W 56 D New York New York Maine Carp
enter House
SMITH, Gertrude A Sister F W 47 S Mich New York Maine Correspondent Newspaper

1930 Federal Census
Michigan, Barry County, Woodland Twp, District 24
14-14
SMITH, Gertrude Head O 1500 R F W 56 S Mich NY Me Laundress