Chester Hambright Smith Sr (abt. 1891 - 1985)

Born about 6 Feb 1891 in McDonald, Tn

Ancestors

Died 9 May 1985 at about age 94 in Anchorage Ky

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Biography

Chester Hambright Smith, second child of John Wesley Smith and Harriett Leona Gabbert Smith, was born Feb. 6, 1891 in McDonald, Tn. He died in Anchorage Ky. May 9, 1985 and is buried in Pine Hill Cumberland presbyterian Church Cemetery, McDonald, Tn., Rev. Thomas Lass officiating. Chester was two years old when his Dad died July 1893 of pneumonia, and 12 years old when his mother died in 1903 in childbirth of her second marriage. After his father passed away Chester's mother worked at the resort hotel in Mineral Springs near McDonald. Chester went with her to the hotel each day and helped in the kitchen while she did her work. He said he helped by catching and killing chickens and he never liked to eat chicken after that!

After his Mother passed away Chester lived with his grandfather Gabbert for awhile then moved into the home of his uncle Joe and Aunt Jane Smith. Uncle Joe Smith never married. After his sister, Jane, married and moved to Texas, Joe and Chester Moved to Chattanooga, Tn. where Joe died. Chester worked for different firms in Chattanooga, among them the Chattanooga Linen Co. Feb. 8, 1914 Chester married Minnie Bell Davis, who was born Dec. 10, 1896 in McDonald, Tn. She died April 22, 1973 and is buried in Pine Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery, McDonald, Tn . Minnie was the daughter of Marion Davis and Louise Bradley Davis. She was the sister of Mary Jane Davis Wilson, Vina Davis Green, Luther Davis, Ada Davis Garner, Harrison Wm. Davis (who married Bessie Kelley), Leo Davis (who married Charlie Kelley) and Dora avis Boyd.

Chester and Minnie lived in Chattanooga, Tn. where he was a partner in the "Kelley & Smith Lunch" restaurant with John Houston "Abe" Kelley located at 13! E. 7th st., Chattanooga. In 1920 Chester loved his family back to Dry Valley, Bradley County, Tn. He had saved $2,000 and purchased his father's old home, the John Wesley Smith place. His Uncle Casel Luther and Aunt Delia Smith owned the William B. Smith home place across the road. Chester, Jr. said he was five years old when his family moved to Dry Valley. His brother, Glenn Allen Smith, was born there Jan. 13, 1921. Chester and Minnie were members of the Pine Hill Cumberland presbyterian Church of McDonald, Tn. which was organized Jan. 17, 1874 by Rev. A. R. T. Hambright who served as its first pastor. Chester's grandfather, Wm. B. Smith, was a charter member of the church.

In 1952 Chester moved in with his son and daughter-in-law, Glenn and Elizabeth Smith, who were living in Chattanooga. In 1956 Glenn and Elizabeth moved to Louisville, Ky. and Chester moved with them making that his home until his death.

Sources

Conversations with Chester H. Smith, Sr., Chester H. Smith, Jr., and Glenn Smith 1982 - 1983.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/151475516/chester-hambright-smith

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/KZJT-HPB