Obituary: Susan Matilda Ragan, b. Blount Co. TN, May 9, 1849

NEW HAMPTON TRIBUNE
Susan M. Ragan, daughter of Darby and Esther Ragan, was born in Blount Co. TN on May 9, 1849 and departed this life Aug 8, 1930 at the home of her daughter Matilda A. Noble, New Hampton, aged 81 yrs 2 mos 30d. She came with her parents to Harrison Co. MO in 1851, where she spent the greater part of her life. She was united in marriage to George W. Smith in the year 1868. To this union 12 children were born, four of whom preceeded her in death, namely Nancy A. Smith, Andrew T. Smith, Lueititia B. Crabtree and Alva C. Smith. Left to mourn her are Wm. L. Smith and Elbert O. [C.] Smith both of Wichita, KS, Sarah E. Townsend of St Louis, James Manford Smith of Huntingston, WV, Della S. Graves and Letha A. Ritterback, both of Springfield, MO, Dee V. Smith of Crane, MO and Matilda A. Noble of New Hampton, MO. The husband and father passed away at Springfield, MO, Dec 31, 1909, aged 88y 2m 1d. She joined Cumberland Presbyterian Church at age 14y. Short services were held by T(?)harold Northup of Martinsville, MO at the Floyd Noble home next to the Willow Row church on Aug 9, and the body was taken to Springfield, MO, where the funeral was held at the Mt. Comfort church, and she was laid to rest beside her husband in the cemetery nearby.

Lum's Dad

Although from a quick glance at the census records, I was fairly certain that George Washington Smith (b. Oct 1847, MO) was the father of Elbert Columbus (Lum) Smith (b. 1878, MO), I like to double-check. Here's my data.

1. Children (with birthdates) of George W. and Susan M. Smith (combining names from the 1880 [Washington, Harrison, MO] and 1900 [Franklin, Greene, MO] census data for the couple)

William L. 1870
Andrew T. 1872
Lutice O. 1876
Albert C. 1878
Sarah E. 1879
Manford 1881
Lethia 1886
Vinson D. 1889
Alva C. 1892
Matilda A. 1895

2. In examining the 1900 census, one discovers some interesting neighbors of George W. and Susan. These are:

Andy Smith 1872
Leticia Crabtree 1876
Albert C. Smith 1878

These three children of George and Susan, apparently old enough, have married and set up households adjacent to George W.'s farm.

3. A [E]lbert C. Smith is listed as married to Etta G. that very year on the 1900 census, in agreement with the family history information (and Etta's obituary) that Elbert Columbus Smith married Etta Gertrude nee Groves.

4. In addition, there exists a book, "The Grand River Trail, Clinton and Dekalb counties, 1833-1979," which pictures George W. and Susan Smith along with 11 of their 12 children. One son is listed as Elbert.

5. Other details, such as parents' places of birth and dates, are in full agreement. (...something found rarely in census data, but it's nice to have such a tidy picture.)

I have much more information for both generations of Smiths. If anyone is interested in knowing more or has information to share, please leave me a comment.