Nancy Ann (Keeney) Smith (1839 - 1923)

Born 17 Apr 1839 in Ray County, Missouri, United States

Ancestors

Wife of James Luna Smith — married about 1858 in Oregon, United States

Died 22 Jan 1923 at age 83 in Creswell, Lane, Oregon, United States

Biography

Birth and Early Life

Nancy Ann Keeney was born on 17 April 1839 in Ray County, Missouri, United States to Isley Keeney (1811-1842) and Elizabeth Keeney (1815- ).

Sibling

1. John Keeney was born about 1837 in Ray County, Missouri, United States.

Her father died when she was 3 years old. Her grandfather and two of her uncles died at the same time due to a tuberculosis outbreak in the family. Her paternal grandmother made the decision that all of them would take a wagon train to Oregon. The train was the largest of that year to go on the Oregon Trail. It was led by her uncles Elias and Capt. Jonathan Keeney. She and her mother and brother went with them.

Marriage and Family

Nancy married James Looney Smith(1837-1907) in 1858.

Children of the Smith-Keeney Marriage

1. James Shepard Smith was born on 9 April 1858 in Linn County, Oregon, United States. He married Millie Olive Davis (1862-1948) c. 1880. James died on 29 January 1929 in Lane County, Oregon, United States.
2. George Washington Smith was born on 18 October 1860 Brownsville, Linn, Oregon, United States. He married Alice Mary Lewis (1870-1908) c. 1889. George died on 31 March 1907 in Lane County, Oregon, United States.
3. Martha L. Smith was born on 8 November 1862 in Linn County, Oregon, United States. She married B. W. Cave before 1880. Martha died on 28 July 1902 in King County, Washington, United States.
4. Abraham Lincoln Smith was born on 25 March 1866 in Linn County, Oregon, United States. He died before 1900.
5. Isley Anthony Smith was born on 1 January 1868 in Linn County, Oregon, United States. He married Mary Elizabeth Drury (b. c. 1875- ) on 14 May 1897. Isley died on 2 October 1922 in Lane County, Oregon, United States.
6. Mary Elizabeth Smith was born on 13 March 1870 in Linn County, Oregon, United States. She married Jesse Franklin Holbrook (b. 1856-?) on 18 July 1886. Mary died on 5 June 1935 in Umatilla, Oregon, United States.
7. Estella Smith was born about 1873 in Linn County, Oregon, United States . She died before 1900.
8. Lelia May Smith was born on 7 August 1879 in Linn County, Oregon, United States. She married 1) Henry Burton Robinett (1880-1959) on 12 February 1899 in Lane County, Oregon and 2) Mr. Heilmann. Lelia died on 25 February 1933.
9. Unnamed Smith was born and died before 1900.

On 21 June 1900 she and James were living in Fall Creek, Lane, Oregon by themselves and she reported that she gave birth to 9 children and 6 were still living.

Death and Burial

Nancy died on 20 June 1923 in Creswell, Lane, Oregon, United States at the age of 84. She was buried in the Creswell Pioneer Cemetery, Creswell, Lane, Oregon. Find A Grave: Memorial #68505786

Sources

• 1860 United States Federal Census on 19 June in Linn County, Oregon.^[1]
• 1870 United States Federal Census on 29 August in Harrisburg, Linn, Oregon. ^[2]
• 1880 United States Federal Census on 17 June in Harrisburg, Linn, Oregon.^[3]
• 1900 United States Federal Census on 21 June 1900, Fall Creek, Lane, Oregon. ^[4]
• 1911 U.S. City Directories for Nancy A. Smith, widow of James, in Eugene, Oregon.
• 1921 U.S. City Directories for Nancy A. Smith, widow of James L., in Eugene, Oregon.
• County Court of the State of Oregon for Lane County Petition by daughter Lela Hileman for help in settling her father's estate after her mother's death on 20 June 1923.
• 1904 Last Will and Testament of James L. Smith on 18 December in Creswell, Lane, Oregon, lists wife, Nancy Ann Smith as the executrix and names children: J.S. Smith, G.W. Smith, Isley Smith, Mary E. Holbrook, Lela Robinett. Martha died before this & her share goes to her only child Della McCue.
• Oregon Death Index, 1898-2008 for Nancy Ann Smith.
• Find A Grave Index.
• Oregon, Early Oregonians on Oregon Secretary of State website. Gives both James and Nancy Ann. See [1]

Footnotes

1. ↑ 1860: Smith, James 22, farmer, head; Nancy 21, wife; James 2, son. they live between Elias Keeney family and Silas Keeney family.
2. ↑ 1870: Smith, James L. 34, farmer, head; Nancy A. 32, wife; James S. 12, son; George W. 9, son; Martha L. 8, daughter; Abraham 4, son; Isley 2, son; Mary E. 6 months, daughter.
3. ↑ 1880: Smith, James L. 44, farmer, head; Nancy A. 40, wife; Caves, Martha L. (married now to Caves) 17, daughter; Abraham 14, son; Isley 12, son; Mary E. 10, daughter; Estella 7, daughter; Nichols, Robbie Bell 4 months old (born in January), granddaughter. Don't know whose daughter this is, but Martha is the only one old enough to have had her.
4. ↑ 1900: Smith, James L. 64, farmer, head; Nancy A. 62, wife.