Everett A. Smith - his early years of service to God

I wish I had asked my Grandfather how and when he came to his decision to become a member of the Methodist clergy but I did not.  He was always my Grandfather, the minister.  A strong man of faith who was the smartest person in the world who I knew. He seemed interested in everything which was current... current events, the state of religion, people.  He was a prolific reader about the government, news, business and religion.  He spoke with a strong clear voice and there was no doubt that he knew what he was talking about.

Everett 's father, Alvin died in 1925 when Everett was a mere 21 years old.  Certainly not enough time to have learned a life time of lessons from him.

This photo is of Everett and a coworker at an Automotive plant on Dort Highway in Flint in the late 1920's or early 1930. It appears that Everett worked in the Auto industry as his father did until shortly after Lucille died in January of 1931.

Everett and Lillian Losee had been married on August 28, 1923. Lucile was born on October of 1924.  This is of Everett, Lillian and Lucile was taken at 761 Whitherbee Street in Flint.  I would guess that it was taken in the spring of 1925.  I am not familiar with this address so I assume that it was a rental that they lived in in the early days of their marriage.  It might be interesting to see if I could find this house some day. They would later have a small home built on Term Street near the home built by Alvin and Cora and Uncle Frank.

Lucile died on March 21, 1931 at Hurley Hospital of strep before the days of penicillin.

 These two events were devastating to Everett. It was at this time that he decided to go to Albion College Seminary program to become a minister. He attended school for about a year. He lived in Albion while Grandma and Dad remained in Flint on Term Street.  I remember seeing notes which Grandpa sent to his wife and son while he was at school.  He spoke of his studies and how he missed his family reminding them that it was only for a short time and then they would be back together again. The notes were written on cards the size of postcards but looked more like recipe cards.  

After completed his training, he began his ministry at a Methodist church in Flint.

Everett's temporary license to administer communion, baptisms marriages and preach the gospel.

Everett's permanent License

Everett's second church was the Genesee Methodist church located in Genesee, Michigan.  He began to serve as pastor in September 1933 shortly before receiving his final credentials. 

This photo was taken of the Smith family while Everett was at the Genesee Church.  It is the church  was Harold's childhood church where he attended Sunday School and made many friends.

Genesee Church

Everett served the Genesee Methodist church for several years.  My Grandmother saved many items related to Grandpa ministry including a program from the Genesee Re-Dedication service in 1940. She also saved many newspaper articles. In one such article it states " The beautiful church and parsonage located in the quiet and thriving community of Genesee was built by the local citizens  in 1903 and dedicated to the Methodist Protestant Church.  This edifice which has served the community for 37 years underwent  an extensive redecorating and renovating program this summer and was rededicated in the name of the Methodist Church.  The work consisted of remodeling of the auditorium, redecorating of the church parlors, paint for the exterior of the church and parsonage and installation of a new heating system which included air conditioning."

 I did not realize that you could get air condition in 1940.  And in the days of internet and computers, it is sometimes hard to believe that these little news clipping she saved were the best vehicle of communicating in that day and age!  Everett was a very well liked minister and served the Genesee church and the surrounding community well.  

Bulletin saved from the Re-dedication Service - 1940

In 1936, Everett took on the pastoral responsibilities for the Richfield Center church while still serving the Genesee church. At the Richfield church like the Genesee church, Everett over saw major renovation projects while he was the pastor. The chancel renovation on the Richfield church was completed in the winter of 1940-1941. Renovations updates included new chancel chairs, drapery, pulpit lamp, flags, a cross and new candle holders for the alter. The Re-dedication services in Richfield was in 1941. The church was 60 years old. It was originally built in 1879.

Everett would be reassigned to the Marine City Church  on January 22, 1943.

This photo is of the Smith Family as they prepare to leave the area to go to Marine City.  Harold is now a teenager.

Happy Hunting,

Jan

Tombstone Tuesday - March 19,2013 - Elizabeth M Carrier

Elizabeth M. (Densmore) Carrier was born in Darlington, Ontario  on August 24, 1856. She was the first child born to John and Sarah (Reynolds) Densmore.  She married David Carrier in 1878.  They had seven children , four daughters and three sons. The children were Carrie E., Albert Jay,  Adal Mary, George Clarence, David Lloyd, Ruth J. and Mildred E.  David died sometime after the 1910 Census was taken.  In 1920 Census, Elizabeth is listed as a widow who is living with her adult son, Albert and several of the daughters. She lived the remaining days of her life with her son Albert Jay in the Detroit area.  She died on March 24, 1945.

This photo is from my Grandmother photos.  She and Andrew are on the right in the back row and the smaller children are Ray, Robert and Andy. It is my belief that this photo is of  Addie's Aunt Elizabeth and her family.  I have through the years hoped to be able to make a connection to this family to see if they can help me identify who is in this photo but so far I have not. It is an awesome photo. Maybe some day I still will!

Happy Hunting,
Jan

Tombstone Tuesday - March 12, 2013 - Branson Smith

Branson Smith was the 5th child of James and Susannah (Overly) Smith.  He was born on Darke County Ohio on September 3, 1839.  At the age of  about 8 years old the family left Darke County and moved to the Fort Wayne Indiana area.  His brother, William left  Fort Wayne and settled in Madison County, Indiana in 1860 where he met and married Hannah Jane Kinnamon.  Branson soon followed his brother to the area where he met and married  Emily Kinnamon, Hannah's sister  in around 1864.

Emily and Branson Smith had 7 children ; Charles(1865), Dora(1867), Ida(1869), George(1871), Thomas(1874,and twins, Flora(1877), Cora(1877).  Emily died in 1881.  Branson married  Cynthia E. Whetsel on May14, 1885.  He and Cynthia had two children; Harry (1889) and Ernest(1896)

Everett Alton Smith

Everett Alton Smith was my grandfather. He was born in Uniondale Indiana at the home of his grandparents home on August 16, 1904.

Everett's baptismal photo from 1904 or early 1905 taken in Indiana.  His Grandmother was a life long member of the Uniondale Indiana M E Church so it is likely that is where he was baptized  and where his parents, Alvin Oliver Smith and Cora May Crites were married.

Everett at about 2 years of age - 1906

James Fredrick and Everett at Uncle Fred baptism in 1907.

James Fredrick and Everett Alton Smith - 1910

Grade school photo of Everett with his class probably about 1910.

Everett is in the back row 5th child from the right. I can not identify the school for sure.   It is likely a Jefferson Township, Wells County, Indiana school.

James Fredrick and Everett Alton - 1912

Alvin and his family moved to Burton Michigan around 1920.  Alvin believed there was a better life for them in an area where the Auto Industry  was booming.  The Smith families are found on Term Street in Burton in 1920 Federal Census and by then Francis, Alvin's brother, and his family are there too.

Everett is no longer in school in 1920 but there is no job listed either.  I had been told by Grandpa that he attended high school in Roanoke, Indiana.

Lillian's 17th birthday in 1922

This photo was taken on Lillian's 17th birthday.  It was at about this time that Everett Smith and Lillian Losee meet.

I can not be certain how long Everett worked for the Stromberg Autotmotive supply company.  This is an interesting photo.  It appears that it is a vendor booth setup under a large test.  Obviously being a salesman was not what grandpa  wanted to do with his life.

Lillian and Everett had Lucelle in October 1924 and my father Harold in August of 1928. Lucille tragically died in March 21, 1931. I do not know if it was this event or just a change of heart but Everett decided to go to college to become a minister. He attended Albion College in Albion Michigan.

Will continue with the story of Grandpa's ministry days in the next blog.

Happy Hunting!

Jan

Tombstone Tuesday - March 5, 2013 - Everett Alton Smith

Everett Alton Smith was born on August 16, 1904.  The was the first son born to Alvin Oliver and Cora May Crites Smith.  He was born in Uniondale, Indiana at the home of Cora's parents, John and Amanda (McGoogan) Crites  He married Lillian Violet Losee on August 28, 1923 in Flint Michigan by Joel B. Gass.  Everett died on March 8, 1978 in Detroit, Michigan of heart failure.