Herman Willis Smith (1877 - 1965)

Ancestors Descendants

Contents 1 Biography 1.1 Diary and Correspondence 1.2 Photo 1.3 Census 1.3.1 11 June 1880 1.3.2 16 Feb. 1892 1.3.3 5 June 1900 1.3.4 16 April 1910 1.3.5 1 March 1915 1.3.6 22 Jan. 1920 1.3.7 4 April 1930 1.3.8 17 April 1940 1.3.9 17 May 1950 2 DNA Confirmations 2.1 Paternal DNA Confirmations 2.2 Maternal DNA Confirmations 3 Sources 4 Acknowledgments

Biography

Herman Willis Smith was born on 1 April 1877 at Jasper, Steuben Co., New York. He appeared on the census of 11 June 1880 in the household of his parents, George Mortimer Smith and Mary Jane (Griffin) Smith, at Jasper, Steuben Co., New York.^[1] He lived with his parents circa 1884 at Jasper, Steuben Co., New York. He was educated circa 1889 at Gardner School, New York.^[2] He appeared on the census of 16 Feb. 1892 in the household of his parents at Jasper, Steuben Co., New York.^[3]

He, his cousin Oakley Pelton Miller, and their friend Rollin Hilborn made the local paper in 1893. (The three boys lived next to each other in the 1892 census.)

Elmira Daily Gazette

Three Jasper Boys on Trip

The Farmers' Weekly states that three Jasper lads, Herman Smith, Rollin Hilborn and Oakley Miller, three 16-year-old farmer boys. Left home on a Sunday night on foot for an extended tour around the world. Early Tuesday morning young Miller returned home physically exhausted and thoroughly disgusted with the trip. He stated that the boys walked through to Hammondsport during the night and were living high on two dollars of borrowed money when he "weakened" and started homeward. He had seen enough of the "elephant" for one day. No news had been received from the other boys as late as Saturday night.^[4]

The "trip" did not seem to have any long term complications as Herman Smith wrote in his diary:

24 Sep. 1898.

I visited with Aunt Martha and Oakley.^[5]

He was a laborer when he and his brother, Albert Roswell, appeared on the census of 15 June 1900 at Jasper, Steuben Co., New York.^[6] In August of 1900 he was looking for work and traveling around the towns near his home. He wrote:

August 19, 1900 Sunday

I went to S. S., met cousin Geo. Smith for the first time.

August 20, 1900 Monday

I left G. L. Smith's with Geo. this am came to Walton over to Delhi to Kingston House, had picture taken.^[5]A copy of the photo with George is in the images.

Herman left New York to "go west" on June 1, 1905.^[5] Some detail is available at: Watermelon Smith

Herman was always very interested in his family history. He made a point of writing letters and talking with anyone that would listen. In 1918 he wrote about seeing All Griffith.

Lurancy Almira Griffin (wife of James Wiltsie and age 83 at the the time of this event) pointed out a neighbor by the name of All Griffeth who came there from Virginia and said he was almost the exact image of my Grandfather Asa Griffin. Griffeth had brown hair, blue eyes, and sandy beard. He had a red haired son, and daughters who had brown eyes just like the red hair and brown eyes to be seen among my relatives to the third and fourth cousins. I saw him at church and did not know him but thought how much he resembled my Uncle R. B. Griffin. After church I heard a man talking and joking with some boys out side and the voice reminded me of my dead uncle so much that I went to see who it was and found it was Jacob Griffith.^[7]Note: Jacob is the brother of Henry Griffith, while Herman was convinced of a family connection, none has yet been found.^[8]

December 14, 1905. Thursday.

Came to Mrs. Riggs in evening, met Winfield Griffin here.

December 25, 1905. Monday.

I spent day at Mrs. Rigg's. Had fine dinner and good time. (He visited with James Riggs and Lura E. (Laura) Riggs.)

3 June 1906

I did some odd jobs in a.m. and rode my wheel from Jennings to Lenora where I am visiting Dick Diggins’s people. Dick's wife, Mary McDaniel is Uncle John Griffin's granddaughter.^[5]

Herman was a house painter when he and his brother, Leo, appeared on the census of 16 April 1910 at 642 N. 8th St., Garden City, Finney Co., Kansas. They were lodgers in the L. H. Hill home.^[9]

He married Anna Marie Husser, daughter of John Husser and Christiane Friederike (Hiller) Husser, on 28 Sep. 1910 at Kinsley City, Edwards Co., Kansas.^[10][11] Herman recorded the event this way:

September 27, 1910. Tuesday.

I bought cow $50. We sold melons for $18. Came to Kinsley in P.M. called on Marie. Took her and sister Matilda to Dr. Thompson’s address at the M.E. church.

September 28, 1910. Wednesday.

Attended A.M. session of Brotherhood Convention. Got marriage license $2.25. Bought shirt $1.50, got ready for wedding. Called at church, Hearld Thompson’s in P.M. went with Mr. Barton to John Husser’s home. Was married to his sister Anna Marie at 6 P.M. Had supper came on train to Garden City lodged at Hotel.

Marie got $100.00 from her parents. $5 from her brother Fred and set tablespoons nickel silver from Julia and Minnie. One set tablespoons sterling from John, silver teaspoons from friend Mrs. Meriman. Silver cream ladle from little niece 30 months old, Dorothy. Chinaware, three pieces of chinaware from friends. And beautiful doily (white) handmade by Mathilda. Fine linen tablecloth from my sister Esther of Greenwood N. Y, a rocking chair from brother Leo of Garden City. Towels etc. We sent one piece of wedding cake to my mother at Rathbone, N. Y. and to Caroline Husser Roth in Ky. One to Jesse Nelson in Mo. and to Emma Husser in Colo. Some to the Husser parents, brothers and sisters in Calif.

I was married in a suit of clothes purchased of Montgomery Ward March 1909 for $10. It contained two pairs of pants at that price. At wedding people thot it a nice new suit. I had it newly pressed and cleaned before wedding.

September 29, 1910. Thursday.

Mr. Judy brought us to the place so we are at home for the first time in our own home.^[5]

He witnessed the births of his sons, Nathaniel Avery Smith on 15 April 1912 and Philip Gordon Smith on 15 May 1913 at Garden City, Finney Co., Kansas.^[5]

Herman was told by family members that he should get other work. Their suggestions always bothered him. In this case Leo told him, but at other times others did as well. The clearest statement of his life's work was written:

June 6-15, 1913

I drive to town every night and care for Marie and baby come home do chores work in field some etc. days. Leo thought it his place to scold me seriously because I do not leave the farm, take the family to town and care for them better. I know I could not give them better care in town. The children would be in bad environment. My health endangered by the paint materials and I would have to quit my plant breeding work and work as a drudge without ambition.^[5]

Herman was very proud of this note.

Herman was interested in plants from the time he was a child. When he started farming in Kansas he met, talked to and wrote letters to everyone he could. He worked for years on dwarf sorghums. His papers contain several hundred pages of material on his work. His plant development was not a financial success. He often made drawings of what he was working on. One drawing done in 1913 is in the photos.^[12] Those he corresponded with included:Robert Earl Karper, Dr.Charles Frederick Clark.

He witnessed the marriage of his sister-in-law, Wilhelmina Emily Husser, and Dr. Charles Frederick Clark. Dr. Clark worked for the USDA and was one of many people that came to see Herman's work. Clark met Wilhelmina at the Herman's home. Herman wrote:

May 28, 1914. Thursday.

I went to R. R. with the horse to meet Minnie and Mrs. Cummings and children. They arrived from California about 6:30 A.M. We had them, Dr. Clark and Rev. and Mrs. Moore to dinner. Dr. Charles F. Clark M.A. B.S.A. Ph.D. and Minnie were married at 7:00 P.M. We served ice cream and cake after the ceremony. Day was very pleasant and pleasantly spent. {A newspaper clipping about the wedding lists Herman and Marie’s address as 505 5th Street, Garden City, Finney Co., Kansas.}^[5]

He was a farmer with a home library of 50 books when he and Anna Marie appeared on the census of 1 March 1915 at Garden City, Finney Co., Kansas.^[13]

He witnessed the birth of his son, John Albert Smith, on 7 Feb. 1916 at Garden City, Finney Co., Kansas.^[5]

Aaron Winfield Griffin visited on 7 March 1916 with Herman & Marie Smith.^[5] He was a farmer on a general farm when he and Anna Marie appeared on the census of 22 Jan. 1920 at Seward Twp., Seward Co., Kansas.^[14] He was a nurseryman doing plant breeding when he and Anna Marie appeared on the census of 4 April 1930 at Omaha, Boone Co., Arkansas.^[15] From about 1906 he worked selective breeding sorghums. His worked was noted by R. E. Getty in 1934.^[16] He developed the Boonemore Strawberry circa 1937 at Omaha, Boone Co., Arkansas. He wrote about them:

April 6, 1948. Tuesday.

Cool about 40 to 45. Sun shining. 100 Boonemore strawberry plants came by mail from Henry Field’s summer home at Centerville, Mo. By mail. I went to John Albert’s place and fitted ground in A.M. went back in P.M. and set and watered the plants. Nice plants. Originated with me 10 or 12 years ago. Expenses oleo 55 cents.^[5]

While Herman could not be considered a financial success, he was not a failure either. During the 1930's and 40's he sold plants, had a small store in front of his home, did custom woodworking, making boxes for farmers and window sash and frames, he did custom saw sharpening. He had a business arrangement with the School of the Ozarks, the school would supply sugar which was rationed, and he and his family grew the fruit which they canned. The school paid for the canned fruit and sent a truck to pick it up. While other farmers lost their farms he was able to add some additional land.^[17]

He was at home when Nathaniel and Rose came to visit on 16 Sep. 1939 at Herman & Marie Smith's Home, Highway 65, Omaha, Boone Co., Arkansas. He was a farmer when he and Anna Marie appeared on the census of 17 April 1940 at Omaha, Boone Co., Arkansas.^[18]

He witnessed the death of his mother, Mary Jane (Griffin) Smith on 18 July 1940 at his home on Highway 65, Omaha, Boone Co., Arkansas. He witnessed the burial of his mother on 19 July 1940 at Rose Hill Cemetery, Harrison, Boone Co., Arkansas.^[19]

On on 3 Jan. 1941 Herman Smith received a letter from Frank Gannett stating that he was the nephew of Herman's second cousin's husband. Actually he was the nephew of the husband of Herman's first cousin 1 time removed.^[5]

He was a nurseryman in 1949 when he and Anna Marie lived in 1949 at 839 Main St., Riverside, Riverside Co., California.^[20] He was listed as a gardener, nurseryman when he and Anna Marie appeared on the census of 17 May 1950 at 837 N. Main St., Riverside, Riverside County, California. They were listed next to their son Philip and his family.^[21] He demonstrated to his grandson, Fred Smith, how he could sit backwards on the handlebars of a bicycle and ride it that way circa 7 July 1950 at Riverside, Riverside Co., California. Herman was 73 years old at the time. Fred remembered the event some 60 years later.^[22] Herman did not own or drive a car. He rode his "wheel" or bicycle everywhere, often twenty or thirty miles a day. He lived in 1955 at 711 Main St., Riverside, Riverside Co., California. While the street number is different, he was in the same house, the numbering system was changed.

Herman had a small nursery on both sides of Main St. He had a sign and sold some plants. He worked every day with his plants, often ten hours a day. He also had a plot at Al's and rode his bicycle there to take care of the plants. On 22 July 1955, age 78, he crossed the street about 1:30 in the afternoon, there was no crosswalk it was a country road, and did not see a car coming, the car was probably going 55 miles per hour. He was hit, and thrown up on the car, his head hitting and breaking the windshield. He suffered a fractured skull, broken ribs, punctured lung and a broken leg. He was released from the hospital later, not because the doctors thought he was healed but because he was so difficult to manage. He returned home and continued working with his plants.^{[23] [5]}

Herman died on 1 April 1965 at Californian Convalescent Hospital, Riverside, Riverside Co., California, at age 88 and was buried on 3 April 1965 at Olivewood Cemetery, 3300 Central Ave., Riverside, Riverside Co., California.^[24] His memorial has a photo of his headstone shared with Anna Mare and a link to that of their son, Philip.^[25]

Diary and Correspondence

Herman kept a diary most of his life. Many volumes are in my possession and I have transcribed much of it. He also exchanged letters with many individuals, some personal some related to genealogy and some for his plant breeding work. Some of those individuals and letters are connected in Herman Wills Smith - Friends and Acquaintances - Phil Smith

This diary entry is of note.

April 20, 1960 Wednesday

I fitted ground close west of lath house and planted about 125 more crepe myrtles. About every cutting sprouting but not yet rooting. Ate with Martha 52 cents and twice at home. Mrs. X census taker.^[5] It will be of interest to see what information was recorded.

Photo

Herman

The photo of Herman sitting in a chair, copy in images, was included in a photo album belonging to Diadama (Hudson) Griffin, and later to Mary Jane (Griffin) Smith, her daughter. The neat handwriting is Mary Jane's. The photo was probably taken the same time as one of Albert which Herman labeled as "age 12" or about 1887.

Census

11 June 1880

Jasper, Steuben Co., New York, USA.

• Smith, Geo. M age 31, b. PA Farmer.
• Mary J. wife age 34 b. NY.
• Albert R. son, age 5 b. NY.
• Hermon (sic) W. son, age 3, b. NY.
• Esther J. age 8/12 dau. b. NY^[1]

16 Feb. 1892

Jasper, Steuben Co., New York, USA.^[3]

5 June 1900

Jasper, Steuben Co., New York, USA.

• Smith, Albert R. b. July 1874 age 25 laborer b. NY.
• Herman W. bro. b. Apr 1877 age 23 b. NY, laborer.^[6]

16 April 1910

Garden City, Finney Co., Kansas.

• Hill, L. H.; Anna wife; 3 daughters.
• Smith, Willis age 33 single b. NY lodger painter, house painter.
• Smith, Leo age 21 single b. NY, lodger, apprentice plastering.^[9]

1 March 1915

Garden City, Finney Co., Kansas, USA.

• H Willis Smith 37.
• Anna M Smith 41.
• Nathaniel Smith 2.
• Phillip G Smith 1.^[13]

22 Jan. 1920

Seward Twp., Seward Co., Kansas, USA.

• Husser, Frederick W. head divorced age 41 b. NY Farmer General Farm in House #65
• Smith, Herman head married age 52 b. NY Farmer General Farm. in House #66.
• Anna M. wife age 46.
• Nathaniel son age 7.
• Philip G son age 6.
• John A. son age 3.^[14]

4 April 1930

Omaha, Boone Co., Arkansas, USA.

• Smith, Herman age 58 m age 33 b. NY, Nurseryman Plant Breeding.
• Anna age 56 m. age 37 b. KS.
• Nathaniel age 17 son b. KS Laborer Farm.
• Philip G. 16 son b. KS.
• John A. age 14 son b. KS.
• Parthy, Mary lodger age 18 b. IL.^[15]

17 April 1940

Omaha, Boone Co., Arkansas, USA.

• Herman W Smith 63.
• Anna Marie Smith 66.
• Philip G Smith 26.
• Mary Jane Smith 94.^[18]

17 May 1950

837 N. Main St., Riverside, Riverside County, California

• Herman H Smith 73 Head b. NY gardening nursery.
• Anna Marie Smith 76 Wife b. NY.
• Albert R Smith 76 Brother b. NY.^[21]

Obituary and Memorial Card.

DNA Confirmations

Paternal DNA Confirmations

• Paternal relationship is confirmed by a triangulated group consisting of third cousins: Philip Smith - GEDMatch ID: T618013, John B. Virnich - GEDMatch ID: A793652 and B. Johnson - GEDMAtch ID: T050575 sharing a common 7.1 cM segment on chromosome 6 from 157,459,176 to 162,430,964. Their common ancestral pair is Albert Smith and Louisa (Pelton) Smith

• Paternal relationship is confirmed by a triangulated group consisting of sixth cousins: Philip Smith and Kathy Klein, daughter of Lillian C. (Blauvelt) Urbanski and their sixth cousin once removed, Victoria Pelton, granddaughter of Donald Harrison Pelton; sharing a common 12.7 cM segment on chromosome 2 from 8,100,542 – 13,674,575. Their ancestors are siblings: Henry Pelton, Gideon Pelton, Peleg Pelton, sons of their common ancestral pair Thomas Pelton and Hannah (Avery) Pelton. Smith Blauvelt Pelton 3 Way DNA Confirmation shows documentation.

• Paternal relationship is confirmed by a triangulated group consisting of eighth cousins: Philip Smith and Shirley (Lindenberger) Hazelwood, and their eighth cousin twice removed, Catherine Petersen, granddaughter of John Sealy Whitman; sharing a common 27.8 cM segment on chromosome 16 from 14578171 – 49779455. Their ancestors are siblings: Edward D. Avery, Margaret (Avery) Morgan and Mary (Avery) Morgan, children of their common ancestral pair James Avery Jr. and Deborah (Stallyon) Avery. Smith Lindenberger Whitman 3 Way DNA Confirmation shows documentation.

• Paternal relationship is confirmed by a triangulated group consisting of Philip W. Smith and 7th cousin once removed Kimberly Mance, granddaughter of Agnes Marie (Robbins) LaNear and 8th cousin once removed John Maloney son of Mary Diana (Tosi) Maloney, sharing a 8.7 cM segment, from 82,831,421 to 95, 836,300 on Chromosome 5. Their ancestors are siblings David Tracy, Johnathan Tracy, and Hannah Tracy, children of the ancestral pair: Jonathan Tracy I and Mary (Griswold) Tracy. Smith Mance Maloney 3 Way DNA Confirmation shows documentation.

Maternal DNA Confirmations

• Maternal relationship is confirmed by a triangulated group consisting of Jack Bowerman GEDmatch A087088, Jason Yoerg GEDmatch A462725, and Philip Smith GEDmatch T618013 sharing a common 11.5 cM segment on chromosome 14 from 58,327,312 to 71,975,528. The common ancestor pair is Elnathan Griffin (1724) and Patience (Burr) Griffin (abt. 1728)

• Maternal relationship is confirmed by a triangulated group consisting of Daniel Ardoin GEDmatch ID: T722446, Aimee Kathleen (Hollembeak) Donecker GEDmatch ID: A774581, and Philip Smith GEDmatch ID: T618013 sharing a common 10.3 cM segment on chromosome 8 from 139,808,143 to 145,358,471. The common ancestor pair is Elnathan Griffin (1724) and Patience (Burr) Griffin (abt. 1728).

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Year: 1880; Census Place: Jasper, Steuben, New York; Roll: 934; Family History Film: 1254934; Page: 404D; Enumeration District: 184; Image: 0003. 1880 US Census. Geo. M. Smith.
2. ↑ Canisteo Times: Boyd's Corners Picture in Times Stirs Memories of H.W. Smith, Arkansas, March 1936. Collection of Phil Smith.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} "New York, State Census, 1892," index and images, FamilySearch 1892 NY Census: accessed 02 Apr 2014), George M Smith, Jasper, E.D. 02; citing FHL microfilm .
4. ↑ "Three Jasper Boys on Trip." Elmira Daily Gazette 1893. Elmira, NY. p. 6.
5. ↑ ^{5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13} Diary of Herman Willis Smith 1883-1965. Collection of Phil Smith.
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} Year: 1900; Census Place: Jasper, Steuben, New York; Roll: 1164; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 0099; FHL microfilm: 1241164. 1900 US Census. Albert R Smith.
7. ↑ Herman Willis Smith. History of the Ancestors of my Children as far back as I have been able to learn. 1918. Collection of Phil Smith.
8. ↑ Phil Smith
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1} Year: 1910; Census Place: Garden City Ward 3, Finney, Kansas; Roll: T624_439; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 0041; FHL microfilm: 1374452. 1910 US Census. L H Hill.
10. ↑ Marriage Certificate for Herman W. Smith and Anna M. Husser. Collection of Phil Smith.
11. ↑ Anna Marie Husser and Herman W. Smith, The Kinsley Graphic, Kinsley, Kansas, USA, 29 Sep 1910, Thu. Page 1. Copy in images.
12. ↑ Review of Herman's papers by Phil Smith.
13. ↑ ^{13.0 13.1} Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1925. H Willis Smith.
14. ↑ ^{14.0 14.1} Year: 1920; Census Place: Seward, Seward, Kansas; Roll: T625_550; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 227; Image: 670. 1920 US Census. Fredrick W Husser.
15. ↑ ^{15.0 15.1} Year: 1930; Census Place: Omaha, Boone, Arkansas; Roll: 65; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 0023; Image: 467.0; FHL microfilm: 2339800. 1930 US Census. Herman W Smith.
16. ↑ Technical Bulletin 410, U. S. Department of Agriculture. Experiments with Forage Crops at Hays, Kansas. 1913 to 1928. By R. E. Getty. Page 21.
17. ↑ Review of Herman's papers by Phil Smith.
18. ↑ ^{18.0 18.1} Year: 1940; Census Place: Omaha, Boone, Arkansas; Roll: T627_120; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 5-24. 1940 US Census. Herman W Smith.
19. ↑ Mrs. Mary J. (Griffin) Smith, The Letter Box. Author: H. W. Smith. 1 Aug. 1946. Copy in Mary Jane (Griffin) Smith photos.
20. ↑ U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 Herman W Smith.
21. ↑ ^{21.0 21.1} Herman H Smith 1950 United States Federal Census
22. ↑ Fred Smith e-mail to Philip W. Smith 2011 Dec 18.
23. ↑ Personal knowledge of Phil Smith. I am the one that heard the car crash and ran to tell my parents that "Grandpa was hit." I saw him return home.
24. ↑ Herman Willis Smith, Record Type: Certificate of Death, Collection of Phil Smith
25. ↑ Find A Grave Memorial# 136281631 Herman W Smith

Acknowledgments

• Thank you to Phil Smith for creating WikiTree profile Smith-43626.