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from 1922-24 was a member of the executive committee. She has taught in the city schools of Iowa and Nebraska, and has done clerical work in the University of Nebraska, and in the office of the state superintendent of schools. At the present time she is a realtor. During the World War she was vice president of the Red Cross organization at University Place. She belongs to the First Methodist Church at University Place, the Parent-Teachers' Association, Lincoln Woman's Club, and the Young Women's Christian Association. Her fraternal and patriotic organizations include the Order of Eastern Star, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Daughters of Veterans, the Rebekahs, of which she is past noble grand, and the Patriarchs Militant Auxiliary of which she is secretary. She is also a member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union. Her hobby is gardening. Residence: Lincoln. (Photograph in Album).
Claude W. Smith
A prominent editor and publisher at Elwood, Nebraska, is Claude W. Smith, a lifetime resident of this state. He was born at Grant, Nebraska, December 1, 1889, the son of Charles F. and Jennie (DeVinny) Smith. His father, who was also an editor and publisher, was born at Charles City, Iowa, July 2, 1864, and died at Elwood, December 20, 1915; he served as president of the Madrid Exchange Bank and was postmaster at Elwood. His mother was born in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, March 18, 1868, and died at Elwood, in 1906.
Mr. Smith attended the Elwood grade and high school and entered the newspaper field with the Progress Printing Company at Holdrege, Nebraska. He remained there three years before locating permanently at Elwood in 1915. He has also been mechanical foreman of various newspapers, and is now editor and publisher of the Bellwood Bulletin.
On September 8, 1921, he was married at Elwood to Ellen Umberger who was born at New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, March 16, 1891. Mr. Smith was awarded first place by the Nebraska Press Association for the best newspaper published in Nebraska towns of less than 1000 population, in 1926. He is president of the Elwood Community Club, past president of the Southwest Nebraska Press Association, and is a member of the Nebraska Press Association.
He holds membership in the following Masonic bodies: past master of Elwood Lodge, Number 167, Valley Scottish Rite Consistory of Hastings, Nebraska, and the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and the Nebraskana Society. Residence: Elwood.
Clayton Halsey Smith
Clayton Halsey Smith, son of Halsey Riley and Nancy Maria (Arnold) Smith, was born at Norwalk, Iowa, October 24, 1867. His father was born at Cleveland, Ohio, November 26, 1836, of English and Irish parentage. He was a farmer and taught school one term in Michigan and twenty-four terms in Butler County. His death occurred at Bellwood, Nebraska, February 11, 1911.
His mother was born at Cleveland, June 4, 1840, of Irish and Dutch parentage, and died at Bellwood, January 9, 1889. She was a wonderful mother and active in church work.
Mr. Smith attended rural schools in Butler County. On December 1, 1897, at David City, Nebraska, he was united in marriage with Fannie May Applegate. She was born at Sehuyler, Nebraska, December 15, 1871, of Irish and Dutch parentage. To this union five children were born: Pearlie, October 8, 1898, who is married to Robert Runnion; Harlan, October 18, 1901; Auretha, March 4, 1905, who died April 5, 1910, who died May 11, 1911. Pearlie and Harlan are now residents of Douglas, Wyoming.
Clayton Smith is now a retired farmer, a resident of Nebraska sixty years. He has served two years as police judge and two years as township treasurer of Bellwood, Nebraska, and at present is mayor of Bellwood. He is a member of the Nebraskana Society, and the Independent Order of Oddfellows, and is a Protestant. Residence: Bellwood.
Daniel B. Smith
One of Nebraska's pioneer farmers is Daniel B. Smith who was born in Indiana, August 19, 1853, the son of Martin V. and Lucinda (Good) Smith. His father, who was a cooper by trade, was born March 19, 1818, and died December 1, 1862. His mother, whose ancestry was German, was born November 30, 1813, and died July 29, 1864.
Mr. Smith had been unusually successful in farming in Valley County, Nebraska, since 1868. He was affiliateed (sic) with the Methodist Episcopal Church of Ord, Nebraska, and in the past had held various township and county offices. He died at Ord on June 4, 1932.
He was married to Martha I. Williams at Glenrock, Nebraska; she was born in Cedar County, Missouri, April 22, 1856. Their children are: Olive, born January 5, 1874, who died July 2, 1892; Frank W., born November 19, 1876, who died May 24, 1912; Ethel, born September 4, 1879, who married Germain Hoyt; Myrtle, born July 19, 1881, who married Eden F. Thompson; Charlie, born July 5, 1883, who married Ida Easterbrook; Lottie, born April 5, 1885, who married Harvey Friend; Evet A., born September 25, 1887, who married Mae Moyer; Nina S., born January 3, 1890, who married Harry Keasey; Dorah P., born September 10, 1891, who married Elmer Hallock; Minnie V., born June 13, 1893, who married Bert M. Hardenbrook; and Mamie L., born December 4, 1895. Residence: Ord.
David Jackson Smith
A pioneer physician in Nebraska, David Jaskson (sic) Smith has been a resident in this state for the past 40 years. He was born at Washington, Pennsylvania, November 14, 1864, the son of David and Hannah (Snodgrass) Smith. His father, who participated in the Civil War, was born in Pennsylvania, April 17, 1827, and died at Claysville, Pennsylvania, January 21, 1884. His mother was born at Claysville, May 27, 1830, and died at Burnsville, January 19, 1887.
Dr. Smith attended the rural and normal schools of Pennsylvania, was a student at Iowa State University, and received the degree of Doctor of Medicine at the Omaha Medical College in 1898. He taught in a rural school in Polk County, Nebraska for eight terms, and since then has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession at Oseeola, Nebraska.
He holds membership in the Osceola Chapter of the Red Cross, the Community Club, the Order of Eastern Star, Masonic Lodge, and the Nebraskana Society. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the Nebraska State Medical Association, and the Young Men's Christian Association of Osceola. His social club is the Osceola Country Club and his favorite sports are golfing and fishing. He is affiliated with the First Methodist Episcopal Church.
On June 29, 1897, he was married to Rose Elizabeth Allen at Osceola. Mrs. Smith, who was a teacher before her marriage, was born of Canadian parentage at Osceola, November 24, 1873. They have two children: Veda, born April 4, 1898, who married Charles R. Stanton; and Ruth, an adopted daughter, who married Kenneth A. Cornish. Residence: Osceola.
Earl William Smith
Earl William Smith, superintendent of schools at Red Cloud, Nebraska since 1927, was born at Trenton, Nebraska, June 28, 1891, son of William Jarvis and Mary Frances (Rutledge) Smith.
William Jarvis Smith's father, James Smith of Andrew, Iowa, was a Forty-niner. William J. Smith homesteaded along Bova Canyon, Hitchcock County in 1886, and was known to early settlers as "Bova Bill". The family came to the United States from England before the Revolution, settling in the Carolinas. The Smiths on the maternal side of the family come from the Palmers of New England and New York, whose ancestors were colonial soldiers in the Revolutionary War.
Mary Frances Rutledge, wife of William Jarvis Smith, was born in Somerset, Ohio, September 24, 1858. They observed their golden wedding anniversary at Sharpsburg, Iowa, in October, 1927. She is of American prerevolutionary ancestry; a great grandfather having served in the Revolutionary War. Her father, William Rutledge, enlisted in the Civil War from Ohio. She was a pioneer in two states, Iowa and Nebraska.
Earl William Smith attended rural and village schools at Sharpsburg, Iowa, and was graduated from the eighth grade at Prairie Union Rural School in Hitchcock County, Nebraska in 1907. He attended the McCook and Trenton High Schools and was graduated from the latter in 1911. In 1914 he was graduated from the two year course at Peru Teachers College, and in 1925 received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Wayne State Teachers College. His Masters degree was awarded by the University of Nebraska in 1930. In 1931 Mr. Smith was awarded the service key of Phi Delta Kappa, honorary educational fraternity. He was president of the senior class at Trenton High School and a class officer of his senor class at Peru in 1914. He is a member of Phi Delta Kappa, and was a member of the college baseball team at Peru in 1914. He was for a time a student at Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa.
On March 20, 1915, Mr. Smith was married to Ulden Irene Tharp at Kearney, Nebraska. She was born at Surprise, Nebraska, June 15, 1894, and before her marriage was a teacher. Her ancestry is Welsh and Scotch-Irish. There are two children, Alice June, born June 14, 1916, at Thayer, Nebraska; and Robert Tharp, born February 23, 1918, at York.
An Independent Democrat, Mr. Smith is active in party politics, and has been a delegate to county and state conventions. He is the author of Provisions and Characteristics of a Superintendent's Handbook (1930), besides articles and comments on taxation reform. He has been superintendent of schools at Waterloo, Merna, Pierce, Wakefield, Hooper, and since 1927 at Red Cloud.
He is a member of the Congregational Church, the National Education Association, the Nebraska State Teachers Association, the Schoolmasters Club, the Red Cross, the Red Cloud Ad Club, the Lions Club, the Masons, the Nebraskana Society, the Nebraska Neihardt Club (president 1923), and was a member of the State Library Committee of the Nebraska State Teachers Association (1924-25). He enjoys golf and reading. Residence: Red Cloud.
Edward Alvin Smith
Edward Alvin Smith was born at Grand Island, Nebraska, April 30, 1876, the son of Walter and Sarah Jane (Garanger) Smith. His father, who was a pioneer farmer arid carpenter in Nebraska, was born at Ontario, Canada, June 8, 1836, and died at Grand Island, February 2, 1913. His mother was born at Columbus, Ohio, March 2, 1838, and died at Omaha, Nebraska, February 14, 1913: her ancestry was German.
Mr. Smith attended the Grand Island public schools and later was a student at normal college. A clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he has held the following pastorates: Fullerton, Nebraska, 1904; Wolbach, 1905; Greeley Center, 1906-07; Woodriver, 1908; Purple Cane, 1909-12; Omaha, 1913; Purple Cane, 1914-24; Plainview, 1924 to date.
He is a member of the Red Cross, of which he was formerly a director, was a member of the Parent Teachers Association, 1928-30, and was at one time a member of the Dodge County Pioneer Association. He holds membership in the Nebraskana Society and is a 4-H Club leader. His hobbies are mechanics and radio. During the World War he served in Young Men's Christian Association work, was chairman of the township committee, and took part in Liberty loan drives.
Mr. Smith is the author of various articles on rural life. He was married to Addye Dell Copple at Fullerton, October 18, 1905; she was born at Centralia, Illinois, April 2, 1885. They have a daughter, Dorothy, born August 18, 1912. Residence: Plainview.
Eugene Allcott Smith
Eugene Allcott Smith, banker and mortgage loan and trust executive, was born in Hennepin, Illinois, April 10, 1874, son of James Anderson and Irene (Dickerson) Smith.
The father, born in Ohio, August 4, 1846, died at Cedar Rapids, Nebraska, July 18, 1918. He was a real estate and investment dealer, a veteran of the Civil War, having served with the 44th Iowa Infantry. His grandfather came from Germany about 1806. The mother, born in Ohio, September 13, 1856, died at Cedar Rapids, July 9, 1917. She was an ardent member of her church, of Scotch descent.
Mr. Smith attended public school to the tenth grade and was graduated from Cedar Rapids High School. He has been the owner and manager of the E. A. Smith Mercantile Company, the Clark Mercantile Company, the Haxton Mercantile Company, and at the present time is president of The Farmers State Bank and The Farmers Mortgage and Investment Company. He is a Republican and has served as central Committeeman.
On June 18, 1901, he was married to Mary Louise (Kliese) at Belgrade, Nebraska. Mrs. Smith was born. in Evanston, Illinois, October 30, 1876, of German descent. Four children were born to them, three of whom are living, Carson, born August 20, 1903; Millard, born November 4, 1906, who married Helen Beal and died February 16, 1929; Doris, born March 27, 1908; and Helene, born April 4, 1910. Carson is vice-president of The Farmers State Bank, Doris is a school teacher, and Helene is a music teacher.
Mr. Smith is a member of the advisory board of the Salvation Army, a member and past president of the Commercial Club, a member of the Rotary Club, the Elks Club, and is a director of the Omaha Stock Show. He is an Odd Fellow, a Modern Woodman of America, and a Woodman of the World. His favorite sport is golf, while his hobby is club houses, fishing and hunting. Residence: Ogallala.
Ezra Harold Smith
Ezra Harold Smith was born in Clay County, Nebraska, January 8, 1873, the son of Neri and Esther (Faires) Smith. His father, who was a farmer, was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, June 9, 1844, and died at York, Nebraska, November 28, 1927; he served in the 43rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry for over three years, during the Civil War, His mother, an active church worker and a member of the Women's Reserve Corps, was born in Morgan County, Ohio, June 11, 1852, and died at York, July 27, 1923.
Mr. Smith received his education in the rural schools of Clay County, and then engaged in farming for several years. For 15 years he was employed by the Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company. Since 1910,
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when he became secretary-treasurer of the Harrison Nursery Company, he has been engaged in the nursery businss (sic) at York, acting as vice president for six years. For the past three years he has been president of this organization.
He is secretary-treasurer of the York Investment Company, is past president of the Nebraska Horticultural Society, and is past president of the Western Association of Nurserymen. Mr. Smith is prominent in practically all civic and educational organizations at York and holds the following positions: president of the Young Men's Christian Association, since 1928; treasurer of the American Red Cross for York County, since January 1, 1931; and president of the board of education, since 1929.
Mr. Smith has been a member of the board of education for 10 years, serving as vice president of the board for eight years, has been a member of the board of directors of the Young Men's Christian Association for 15 years, serving on the state committee of the latter for 12 years, and has been a member of the Cotner College board for 10 years.
A charter member of the Rotary Club, he served as president in 1926, and is still a member of that society. He is affiliated with the Church of Christ at York, and for the past 15 years has been an elder in the church. His hobby is church work and civic enterprise.
Mr. Smith is a Mason, and Shriner, and past master of Lodge No. 56; past patron of Grace Chapter No. 87 of the Order of Eastern Star; past president of the Nebraska Horticultural Society; and past president of the Western Association of Nurserymen. During the World War he served on the county fuel committee, was enlistment chairman of the Young Men's Christian Association, and was chairman of the county Red Cross drive. He is a member of the Sons of Veterans. His sports are golfing and fishing.
His marriage to Myrtle Edna Zook was solemnized in Clay County, Nebraska, on October 27, 1897. Mrs. Smith was born in Clay County, December 26, 1876. They have two children: Vivian L., born March 21, 1899, who married Barton A. Johnson; and Leslie R., born July 16, 1904, who married Ruth Margaret Moss. Leslie is pastor of Tabernacle Christian Church at Lincoln, and is a graduate of Cotner College and Yale Divinity School.
Mr. Smith is a member of the Nebraska State Historical Society and the York Country Club. Residence: York.
Frank G. Smith
Frank G. Smith was born at Gilson, Knox County, Illinois, December 25, 1864. Oscar F. Smith, his father, was a clergyman born in Indiana and who died at Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 1907. Esther A. (Lynn) Smith, his mother, was born at Galena, Illinois, and died at Atkinson, Illinois, September, 1893.
Mr. Smith was graduated from the high school at Annawan, Illinois, and later received the B. S. degree from Northwestern Normal and Scientific College. He was awarded his Doctor of Divinity at Grinnell, Iowa, and was ordained at Neponset, Illinois, December 5, 1892. He has held the following pastorates, Neponset, Illinois, for three years; Abingdon, Illinois, three and one half years; Peoria, Illinois, two and one half years; Dubuque, Iowa, three years; Chicago, ten years; and Kansas City, Missouri, six years. For the past twelve years he has been pastor of the First Central Congregational Church of Omaha.
A Republican, Dr. Smith served as a member of the Illinois legislature, 1911-12. He has lived in Nebraska for the past 12 years and has taken an unusually active interest in civic and religious affairs in Omaha.
On August 19, 1886, he was united in marriage with Alma F. Palmer at Prairie Centre, LaSalle County, Illinois. Mrs. Smith was born at Prairie Centre, May 3, 1863, and died at Omaha, June 23, 1930. There are two children: Leila B., born May 18, 1894, who married Robert F. Kirshner; and Xenophon P., born October 6, 1899, who married Irene Seery.
Dr. Smith is a member of the Omaha Fellowship Club, the Omaha Chamber of Commerce, and the Omaha Rotary Club. He is a member of the Masons; Blue Lodge, Chapter, Commandery, Consistory, Shrine, and is Knight Commander of Court of Honor. He is affiliated with the Omaha Young Men's Christian Association. His local clubs are the University Club, Omaha Club, and Happy Hollow Club. He is also a member of Crystal Downs Country Club of Frankfort, Michigan. His favorite sport is golf. Residence: Omaha.
Frank Henry Smith
Frank Henry Smith, retired merchant, was born at Manlius, Illinois, July 18, 1854, son of William Homer and Philinda (Stickell) Smith.
The father was born in New York State and died at Galesburg, Illinois, April 11, 1864. He was a farmer and carpenter, the inventor and manufacturer of the first two-horse corn cultivator. His father was English and fought in the Revolution at the Battle of Sacketts Harbor at the age of 17. His wife, Philinda, died at Chadron, August 5, 1909. She was of German descent.
Mr. Smith was educated in the common school. He was a merchant for 15 years and is now retired. A Republican, he was elected county clerk of Loup County two terms. He is a member of Union Congregational Church at Antioch, the Odd Fellows and the Nebraskana Society. Since 1918 he has been a member of the Antioch School Board.
On January 19, 1881, he was married to Rosetta Fldelia Aldrich at West Bureau, Illinois. Mrs. Smith was born at Wyanet, Illinois, October 9, 1858, and was formerly a teacher. They have seven children, all of whom are living, as follows: Ethel, born April 11, 1882; Gerald A., April 7, 1883; Fred V., November 21, 1886; Fenner, February 15, 1889; Homer, April 6, 1893; Zilma, August 20, 1894; and Frank, December 12, 1895. There are 14 grandchildren living. Residence: Antioch.
George Murray Smith
George Murray Smith, lumberman and banker in Nebraska for many years, was born at Racine, Wisconsin, the son of John Spence and Mary Ann (Higgie) Smith. His father, who was a lumberman, was born at Dundee, Scotland, April 25, 1831, and died at Shelby, Polk County, Nebraska, May 14, 1901; he came to this country in 1852. His mother was born at Newbourgh, Scotland, July 18, 1841, and died at Shelby, May 17, 1920.
Mr. Smith was a member of the Smith Brothers Lumber Company for 39 years, and is now president of the First National Bank at Shelby, and is a director in that organization. Mr. Smith and his brother, Frank E. Smith, are pioneer settlers of Shelby. F. M. Leibee was the first business man to locate and the Smith brothers were next to come to Shelby. He is a member of Sesostris Temple of the Shrine, at Lincoln, holds membership in the Republican party, and is a Mason and Elk. His sports are hunting and fishing, while his hobby is reading.
On December 12, 1901, he was married at Shelby to Florence Lockard, who was born in Polk County, April 28, 1878. She is a member of the Eastern Star. Residence: Shelby.
Hervey Foster Smith
Hervey F. Smith was born at Silver Lake, Kansas, March 14, 1886. His father, Benjamin O. Smith, who was, born at Massillon, Ohio, February 29, 1856, was a school
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teacher and a farmer. His mother was born at Todd's Point Illinois, October 30, 1861.
Mr. Smith attended country school and was graduated from Baker University Academy in 1904. He received his A. B. degree at Baker University in 1908; was a student at the University of Chicago, 1909-10; and attended the University of Nebraska, 1929-30. Active in intercollegiate debating and oratory, he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon.
He has been engaged in welfare and boys' work for several years; was associated with the Intercollegiate Prohibition Association, 1908-12; was engaged in newspaper work, 1912-14; and since 1914 has been in the Young Men's Christian Association activities, and is now boys' work secretary of the Lincoln association; He is the author of Finding God in the Out of Doors (1925).
His marriage to Emma May Garman was solemnized at Decatur, Macon County, Illinois, June 15, 1910. Mrs. Smith was born at Bethany, Shelby County, Illinois, June 12, 1886. Her ancestry dates to William Penn and Daniel Boone. They have two children: Harold Edwin, born May 16, 1914; and Eleanor Hervene, born April 6, 1919.
Mr. Smith is a member of the Association of Boys' Work Secretaries, and in 1926 served as president of the Nebraska Employed Officers Association of which he is still a member. He holds membership in the Hiram International Club. He is a Mason. Politically, he is an Independent Republican, is affiliated with Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. Residence: Lincoln.
Hugh E. Smith
Hugh E. Smith, prominent rancher of Box Butte County, was born at Knoxville, Iowa, November 23, 1879, and has resided in Nebraska since March, 1910. He is the son of Bennett and Lily E. (Jones) Smith, both natives of Iowa. His father died there in 1881. He was a farmer. His mother was born April 9, 1861, and is Scotch on the maternal side.
Upon his graduation from the public schools of Knoxville, Iowa, Mr. Smith attended Knoxville High School where he was a member of the football team in 1901. Before coming to western Nebraska he was associated with the firm of Culver and Company, clothiers, for a period of seven years. He is now manager of his own cattle ranch.
While a resident of Knoxville, Iowa, Mr. Smith was a member of a fishing club situated in the beautiful Des Moines River, called the Mandalay Club. Upon his removal to Nebraska, his fellow clubmen promptly dubbed his ranch the Mandalay and it is so called by all their friends.
On February 28, 1908, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Mary Ann Tucker at Knoxville, Iowa. Mrs. Smith was born at Marysville, Iowa, April 2, 1884, and is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution through an ancestor, Thomas Fears. For three years Mrs. Smith served as leader for the Haekeri Pig Club, a girls 4-H Club. Both she and Mr. Smith served as chairmen of their precinct on various committees during the World War. They have one son, Adrian Bennett, born July 28, 1913. He was graduated from Alliance High School in 1931, was a member of the Glee Club for three years and played on the basketball team his second year.
Mr. Smith is a Republican. He is affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church of Alliance. Residence; Alliance.
James Joseph Smith
James Joseph Smith, who has been a practicing physician at Heartwell, Nebraska, since 1904, was born at New Lexington, Nebraska, February 14, 1875. His father, Michael Thomas Smith, a farmer, was born near New Lexington, September 20, 1848, and died at Sutton, Nebraska, December 29, 1906. His mother, Alice (Dean) Smith, whose ancestry was Irish, was born at New Lexington, June 19, 1847, and died at Heartwell, October 10, 1931.
Dr. Smith was graduated from the Sutton High School in 1896 and received the Doctor of Medicine degree at Creighton University in 1904. He is a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church, is serving on the local school board, and holds membership in the Nebraskana Society and the Modern Woodmen of America.
He was united in marriage with Catherine Joyce at Fairfield, Nebraska, May 31, 1905. Mrs. Smith, who is of Irish descent, was born at Streetar, Illinois, December 29, 1880. Their children are: Nellie, born August 19, 1906; Mary, born July 31, 1908; Catherine, born January 9, 1913; and James, born November 17, 1915. Dr. Smith is a member of the Democratic party. Residence: Heartwell.
James W. Barnum Smith
James W. Barnum Smith, physician and surgeon, was born at Kimball, New York, March 2*, son of Joseph Henry and Mary Catherine (Barnum) Smith.
Joseph Henry Smith was born in Ontario, Canada, May 7, 1842, and died on his farm at Kimball, Nebraska, February 6, 1925. He was a pioneer physician and surgeon of Albion, coming there by stage coach in the fall of 1879, before railroad had been built. He practiced medicine at Albion continuously until failing health prevented. He was English; both father and mother were descended from the Tupper family.
Mary Catherine Barnum was born at Kendall, New York, August 25, 1845, and died at Albion, August 30, 1880. A teacher, she held a life certificate from the State of New York. She was a direct descendant of Thomas Barnum, the 15th son of Sir Francis Barnum, who was born in Kent, England in 1625. Thomas Barnum came to America in 1640 and is the original forebear of the Barnum family, in America.
Dr. Smith attended schools in Albion and was graduated from high school there in 1898. He received his medical degree from the University of Nebraska, where he was active in football.
Since May 14, 1903, Dr. Smith has been in active practice at Albion. He is a Republican, a member of the Albion Congregational Church, the Commercial Club and the Lions Club.
A Mason, he is a member of Albion Lodge No. 78, the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and is past master of that Lodge. He is a member of Scottish Rite at Omaha, the Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Y. M. C. A. and Parent-Teachers Association. During the late war, he was chairman of the Medical Advisory Board of his local country and assisted in Red Cross drive. He is a life member of the Red Cross.
Among his professional organizations are the Boone County Medical Association, which is a component part of the Nebraska State Medical Association, and the Missouri Valley Association. Dr. Smith's favorite sport is golf, while his hobby is fur farming.
On December 14, 1905, he was married to Julia L. Martin at Albion. Mrs. Smith was born at Maxwell, Nebraska, November 14, 1880, of Scotch-Irish and English descent. She was a stenographer and bookkeeper before her marriage. They have three children, Chauncey M., born October 4, 1906, who was graduated from Kemper Military School at Boonesville, Missouri, and is now attending the University of California; Lydia L., born November 3, 1908, who will graduate from the University of Nebraska in 1932; and LeRoy James, born February 3, 1919, who is in the eighth grade at the Albion Public School. Residence: Albion.
* In book Who's Who in Nebraska, 1940 - birthyear is given as 1877.
Leon Osmer Smith
Leon O. Smith was born at Milledgeville, Carroll County, Illinois, January 17, 1889, the son of George James and Ida May (Wood) Smith. His father, who was a farmer, was born in Bradford County Pennsylvania, October 25, 1863, and died at Paullina, O'Brien County, Iowa, August 13, 1927. His ancestry was Irish.
His mother was born at Milledgeville, May 2, 1864. She is descended from the English family of Fitch, members of which came to Connecticut in 1638.
He was graduated from the high school in 1906 at Paullina; was awarded the A. B. degree at the University of Iowa in 1916; and the A. M. degree in 1918. He was a student at Iowa State College in 1913; was undergraduate assistant in English at the University of Iowa; and was elected to membership in Phi Delta Kappa.
Mr. Smith was superintendent of schools at Batavia, Iowa, 1910-12; at Keosauqua, Iowa, 1912-14; and at Onawa, Iowa, 1914-17; was a member of the faculty at Kearney State Teachers' College in the summer session of 1920; was on the faculty of the University of Montana, 1922; taught at the University of Wyoming, 1923; the University of Washington, 1924; San Diego State Teachers' College, summers of 1925-26; and Creighton University, summers of 1928-29-30. He has been assistant superintendent of city schools at Omaha since 1918. He is the author of One Hundred Fifty Questions and Answers on the Constitution; The High School Library; and Score Card for High School Libraries. He is editor of the book review department of the Nebraska Educational Journal.
He was married to Maude Alice Sumner at Fairfield, Iowa, June 12, 1912. Mrs. Smith, who was born at Cicero, Indiana, January 21, 1891, is a writer. Her ancestry is English and German. Two children were born to their marriage, Sumner, born December 29, 1915, who died August 5, 1928; and Carol, born May 9, 1930.
During 1909 and 1910 Mr. Smith was captain and commissary of the cadet regiment at the University of Iowa. He is a member of the National Educational Association and the Department of Superintendence; the Nebraska State Teachers' Association, of which he was president of Omaha District in 1928; and is a member of the legislative committee of the Nebraska State Teachers' Association.
He is a member of the Omaha Chamber of Commerce; Ak-Sar-Ben; and the Professional Men's Club of which he is president; is a life member of the Iowa State Historical Society; a member of the educational committee of the Omaha Young Men's Christian Association; the Nebraskana Society. He is affiliated with the First Unitarian Church of Omaha and is chairman of the board of trustees of this institution. He likes to hike, while his hobby is reading. Mr. Smith spent three summers as manager on the Chautauqua platform. He is a Republican. He holds membership in the Masonic Lodge, Royal Arch, Knights Templar, and Order of the Eastern Star. Residence: Omaha.
Thurman Amon Smith
For over 50 years Thurman Amon Smith has been prominent in civic and professional affairs in Nebraska, and has been a leader in various reform movements in the state. He was born at Warrenburg, New York, January 13, 1877, the son of Edwin B. and Anna L. (George) Smith. His father, who was a rancher and pioneer settler in Blaine County, Nebraska, was born in Vermont, August 14, 1858, and died at Taylor, March 27, 1929; he operated a hotel at Brewster, Nebraska, for a time, and served as county clerk of Blaine County for several years. His mother, an active church and Sunday School worker, was born at Lake George, New York of Scotch-Irish parentage.
Mr. Smith attended rural school and later was a student at Franklin Academy. He was a teacher in the public schools for 7 years, was prominent in religious movements for the Methodist Episconal Church for a time, and for twelve years has been the editor and publisher of the Taylor Clarion. During the campaign to vote Nebraska dry he managed and edited a Woman's Christian Temperance Union newspaper, the Search Light in Cherry County, Nebraska. He is the owner and manager of the Pavilion Apartments at Taylor.
During the World War Mr. Smith was foreman of the Antioch News published at Antioch, Nebraska. During his resident there his son, Myrthe was drowned, and following a breakdown in his wife's health he moved to Taylor. He is a member of the Commercial Club, the Red Cross, the Nebraska Press Association, and the Fraternal Aid Union. He is affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Smith's hobby is good books, and he owns a private library of unusual quality.
On October 26, 1902, he was married to Laura Elnor Hoyt at Brewster, Nebraska. Mrs. Smith is a talented artist in oil painting. The six children born to their marriage are: Sidney C,, January 23, 1904, who married Bessie Shelton; Myrthe C., August 7, 1905, who died November 13, 1918; Theodore H., November 11, 1909; Ivan L., July 28, 1907, who married Ellen Coleman; Ava L., November 26, 1911, who married Dr. J. I. McGregor; and Hazen E., March 15, 1915. Residence: Taylor.
Vance C. Smith
Born at Kearney, Nebraska, June 17, 1893, Vance C. Smith is the son of C. C. and Hannah M. (Carson) Smith. The father was born at Palm, Iowa, December 29, 1849, and died at Eddyville, Nebraska, April 8, 1923. He was a farmer of Scotch-Irish ancestry, for several generations in America. His wife, Hannah, was born in Richland, Iowa, January 21, 1858 the daughter of Albert Carson. She has been a Sunday School teacher since early womanhood.
Vance C. Smith attended public and high school at Kearney, and afterward was a student at Kearney Normal School for two years graduating in 1914. He was business manager of the annual, secretary-treasurer of his senior class and active in football and track in college.
For a year and a half Mr. Smith was principal of the Holbrook School, was superintendent there four years and has been superintendent of Elwood schools for the past nine years. In addition he has farming interests.
On December 27, 1921, he was married to Mabel Eunice Peterson at Gretna. Mrs. Smith, who is a teacher, was born at Gretna, May 24, 1897, the daughter of Chris A. and Jessie (Grell) Peterson. They have two children, Elinor Jean, born October 15, 1927; and Robert Elwood, born November 12, 1931.
Mr. Smith is a Democrat. From December 10, 1917 until January, 1919 he was a private of aviation, and served five months in England with Aircraft Acceptance Park No. 1. He is a member of the American Legion, the Community Club, the Parent Teachers Association, the Nebraska State Teachers Association and the Nebraskana Society. He is affiliated with the Elwood Methodist Episcopal Church and is a Mason. His hobbies are reading and mechanics. Residence: Elwood.
Villiers Deaver Smith
Villiers Deaver Smith, who is engaged in the insurance and real estate business at Beaver City, Nebraska, was born there, September 26, 1889. His father, Charles Edward Villiers Smith, who was a banker and stockman, was born at Aspley Guise, England, July 26, 1855, and died at Beaver City, Nebraska, October 1, 1930, having lived in America since 1875. His mother, was born at Stockport, Ohio, October 15, 1861, and died at Beaver City in October, 1927. She was Mary Lucretia Deaver, daughter of Charles E. and Sarah (Forsythe) Deaver. Mr. Smith was graduated from the Beaver City High School in 1909, and in 1914 received the Bachelor of Arts
