Tombstone Tuesday - January 22, 2013 - Alvin Smith

Alvin O Smith was my great grandfather.  Born in Roanoke, Indiana on December 18, 1873. Alvin was the second son born to James W and Oella Denney Smith. On 24^th of December, 1892, he married Cora May Crites in Uniondale, Wells County, Indiana.

Alvin Smith - 1892

Cora and Alvin Smith around the time of their wedding 1892

They began their family in rural Indiana near Fort Wayne.  They had two sons, Everett Alton and James Fredrick.  Alvin worked for area farmers delivering milk to the local creamery's in Indiana.  In around 1917, the Smith's moved to Burton, Michigan.  Alvin had hoped that he and his sons would be able to get work in the new automotive industry as it began to flourish.  There were new factories opening every day which supported the growing Flint auto industry.   He began working at the GM factory in about 1918.   Alvin died on January 25, 1925 while working on the line in the Flint factory.

Cora, Lucille Alvin on January 18, 1925

This photo was taken the day before Alvin died during a visit to Indiana to see Alvin's mother Oella and Cora's parents, John and Amanda Crites.

Tombstone Tuesday - January 15, 2013 - Dora Belle Smith Jackson

Dora Belle Smith was the 4th child born to James W. Smith and Oella Denney.  She was born in 1877.  Dora married William Havey Jackson on June 30, 1893 in Wells County, Indiana. They had three children; Oscar H born 1895, Charles W born in 1899 and  Ruth born in 1903.  Charles W. died on May 6, 1901. 

This photo is of William Harvey, Oscar and Dora Belle (Smith) Jackson. The photo was one of several dozen which belonged to my grandparents and is one of the photos which my grandmother, Lillian, had my grandfather Everett identify for me.  It is my teenage handwriting on the back of the photo.   It must have been taken before Charles was born in 1899.

This photo is a four generation photo showing Dora holding her grandson, Loydell  Malone, Ruth Malone (her daughter is standing) and Oella Smith.  Loydell was born on May 17, 1923.  The photo was likely taken the summer before Oella died in November, 1925. It was taken in the Fort Wayne, Indiana area.

This last photo is at Frank Smith's house on Term Street. Frank and Alvin (my GGrandfather)built house next to each other in Burton, Michigan. It is of Dora (Smith) Jackson, Francis W. Smith and Della (Smith) Sparks during a visit to "Uncle Franks's House" in  Burton, Michigan. (My grandfather Everett told me many years ago.) It is the three living children of James W. and Oella( Denney) Smith.  Dora died on January 15, 1953, Francis died on  May 20, 1955,and Della on  December 9, 1957. 

Tombstone Tuesday - January 8, 2013 Hannah Robart McGoogan

Hannah Robart McGoogan was my great great great grandmother. She was born on February 10, 1832.  She married William McGoogan on the 18th of August 1853. They had five children; Amanda, Ina Alice, George, Arebella, Elizabeth.  She died on January 2, 1905.