Elizabeth Farley

(March 26, 1836 - July 22, 1928)
Elizabeth Farley|b. Mar 26, 1836\nd. Jul 22, 1928|p185.htm|Peter Farley (Farland) Farley||p510.htm|Sarah Girton||p5248.htm|||||||||||||

Relationship=Great-grandmother of Rev. Don Emmet (Sr.) Smith.
Charts on which this person appears:
Leeson Smith, Sr. Descendants Chart
Rev. Don E. Smith, Sr. Family Tree
Marlin Smith (Son of LeRoy) Family Tree
Elizabeth (Farley) Smith
     Elizabeth Farley was born on Saturday, March 26, 1836 in Masslin, Ohio, daughter of Peter Farley (Farland) Farley and Sarah Girton.1 In some instances her name was misspelled as Elizabeth Feinley.

Elizabeth appeared on the census of July 27, 1860 in the household of Ephraim James. She is recorded as 24 years old, born in Ohio (Elizabeth was his adopted sister).3

On September 30, 1863, Elizabeth married Leeson A. Smith Sr., a widower, son of James Smyth. The ceremony took place at "Mr. James' residence" in Turkey River, Millville Township, Clayton County, Iowa. The residence most likely belonged Charles and Amelia James who lived on a neighboring farm to Leeson. Charles was Elizabeth's adoptive brother. Amelia was the mother-in-law of Leeson's niece, Malissa Smith Kolker. This was a first marriage for Elizabeth.1,4

Elizabeth appeared on the Millville Township, Clayton County, Iowa, census of June 21, 1870 living with her husband, Leeson A. Smith Sr.. Her given age was 34 years old and she was keeping house. Six children were living at home. The oldest three were her stepchildren; Henry was age 23, William was age 21, Charles was age 16. The younger three were her own; John was age five, Sarah was age three, Effie was eleven months old.5

The Millville Township census of June 1, 1880 shows Elizabeth in the household of her husband Leeson. She was keeping house at age 44. She was born in Ohio and her parents were born in Pennsylvania. Five of their children were also living at home: John was age 16, Sarah was age 13, Effie was age ten, Hannah was age eight, and Leeson was age six. John was at home, and Nettie and Effie were attending school. Three additional related Smith families are neighbors on the same census list. They were Charles (age 75) and Sarah Smith (age 52); Leeson's son William and wife Mary Smith, and family; and Charles (age 27) and Sarah (age 24) Smith, and family.6

The family was included in the 1885 Iowa state census in Mallory Township, Clayton County. The family members listed were Leeson and Elizabeth and their children John, Sarah, Effie, Hannah, and Leeson.7

On November 2, 1890, her son, John, married Sarah Louisa Minger.8,9

On March 11, 1891, her daughter, Sarah, married Daniel Chester Graybill.10

In 1896, her daughter, Effie, married Robert Butters.11

On August 20, 1898, her daughter, Hannah, married James H. Smith. He was the son of William and Harriet Frances Smyth and said to be her first cousin.12,13

Leeson and Elizabeth were still living in Millville Township at the time of the June 8, 1900 US census. By this point in time, Leeson had been in the United States for approximately 65 years and he had become a naturalized citizen. They had been married for 37 years and all five of their children were still living. He was 85 years old and she was 64 years old. Their youngest son, Leeson, was still living at home. He was 26 years old, single and was working on the farm.14

On June 26, 1900, her son, Leeson, married Susie Graybill.15,16,17

She became a widow at age 67 when her husband, Leeson, died on March 1, 1904 in Millville Township.18,19,20

She was one of the family members included in the 1905 Iowa state census in Millville Township. Her son, Leeson (Jr.) Smith was head of the household.21

At the time of the April 13, 1910 census, as a widow Elizabeth was living with her daughter Sarah Nettie Graybill and family on their farm in Millville Township.22

Elizabeth appeared on the Millville Township census of April 28, 1910 still living with her daughter, Daniel Chester Graybill. She was 74 years old. She was the mother of five children (all living at the time).23

At the time of the Millville Township census of February 18, 1920, she was still living with her daughter, Nettie and her family. Elizabeth was 83 years old.24

Elizabeth Smith died on July 22, 1928 in Turkey River at age 92.1 She was laid to rest in the Goshen Church Cemetery on Pumpkin Ridge near Turkey River in Millville Township, Clayton County, Iowa.25

Her obituary reads:
Elizabeth Farley Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Farley, was born on March 26, 1836, near Masslin, Ohio, and departed this life on July 22, 1928, at the ripe old age of 92 years, 3 months and 26 days.

She was left motherless at the age of 18 months. At the age of 3 she was adopted by Wm. and Mary James. When 14 years old, her foster parents moved by the way of the canal and the Great Lakes to Janesville, Wisconsin. They were shipwrecked in Thunder Bay, Lake Superior [was actually Lake Huron], and taken off at Sugar Island, and two days later were picked up by a larger vessel, and finished their journey.

Three years later her foster mother died, after which she came to Dubuque, Iowa, to make her home with her foster brother [Ephriam James]. A few years later she came to Turkey River, Iowa, where she met and married Leeson Smith who proceeded her to the spirit world by 24 years. To this union were born five children, John Smith and Mrs. D. C. Graybill, of Turkey River, Iowa, Mrs. Robert Butters, of Graf, Iowa. Mrs. James Smith, of Bayard, Neb., and Leeson Smith, of Adrean, N. Dak.

In her last illness she was tenderly cared for by her daughters, Mrs. D. C. Graybill and Mrs. Robert Butters. She leaves to mourn her departure, besides her children, 3 stepchildren, 27 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

She was converted early in life and united with the church and lived a faithful Christian life, until God said, "It is enough, come enjoy the things laid up for you from the foundation of the world." She can truthfully say with Paul of old, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, henceforth there is laid up for me a crown."

The funeral was held on Wednesday afternoon with interment in the Goshen cemetery. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Hulse of Fairview. The funeral was very largely attended by relatives and friends from far and near.1,26

Children of Elizabeth Farley and Leeson A. Smith Sr.

Citations

  1. [S35] Aged Mother Called By Death Sunday, Obituary was probably from a Guttenberg newspaper, Clipping was among Jerry Eberhardt's research, no reference date was given. Hereinafter cited as Elizabeth Farley Smith's Obituary.
  2. [S425] 1925 Iowa State Census, Microfilm of Iowa State Censuses, 1925 obtained from the State Historical Society of Iowa via Heritage Quest. Ancestry.com. Iowa State Census Collection, 1836-1925 [database on-line, image no. 35 of 78]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2007.
  3. [S132] 1860 US Census, US Census Search, Heritage Quest Online, 1860, Iowa, Dubuque, Dubuque, Series: M653 Roll: 320 Page: 632.
  4. [S315] Leeson Smith & Elizabeth Farley entry, Marriage Registration Elkader, Clayton Co. Crt House, Iowa, Clayton County Registrar's Office, Courthouse, Elkader, Clayton County, Iowa, USA. Hereinafter cited as Clayton Co. IA, Marriage Reg.
  5. [S123] 1870 US Census, US Census Search, Heritage Quest Online, 1870 Iowa, Clayton, Millville Twp, Series: M593 Roll: 383 Page: 420.
  6. [S124] 1880 US Census, www.FamilySearch.org, 1880 Millville, Clayton, Iowa, FHL Film: 1254333, NA Film #: T9-0333, Page: 498C.
  7. [S417] 1885 Iowa State Census, Provo, Utah, USA, Ancestry.com, Ancestry.com. Iowa State Census Collection, 1836-1925 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2007. Original data: Microfilm of Iowa State Census 1885 obtained from the State Historical Society of Iowa via Heritage Quest.
  8. [S205] John Smith, "Family Group Sheet - John Smith", 1983. Hereinafter cited as "FGS."
  9. [S337] John Smith & Sarah Minger Marriage License, 29 Oct 1890, Darlene Julson's Compilation of Family History Notes, Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa, USA. State of Iowa, Clayton Co., Record No. 122.
  10. [S269] D. C. Graybill & Nettie Smith entry, Marriage Registration Elkader, Clayton Co. Court House, Iowa, 1891, p.154, Clayton County Registrar's Office, Courthouse, Elkader, Clayton County, Iowa, USA. Hereinafter cited as Clayton Co. IA, Marriage Reg.
  11. [S126] 1900 US Census, US Census Search, Heritage Quest Online, 1900 Iowa, Dubuque, Concord Twp.; Series: T623 Roll: 430 Page: 119.
  12. [S19] Leeson Sr. / James / William / & Families, Leeson Smith Sr. Family Bible, Years covered: 1800s - 1948; Present Owner: Present owner is unknown (Jerry Eberhardt has copies of family pages). Hereinafter cited as Smith Family Bible.
  13. [S150] Smith Family Web Site, online URL is on file. Hereinafter cited as Smith Family Web Site on MyFamily.com/Ancestry.com. Note: Unverified information, added here only as a suggestion as I continue researching this family line. Please conduct your own research before quoting it as fact.
  14. [S126] 1900 US Census, US Census Search, Heritage Quest Online, 1900 Iowa, Clayton, Millville Twp; Series: T623 Roll: 425 Page: 26b.
  15. [S358] Information acquired from Richard Smith (Greeley, Colorado), interviewed by Susan J. Noyes, Sept. 28 2006. Copies on file in Susan Noyes' Research Compilation (Prescott, Yavapai County, Arizona, USA).
  16. [S270] Leeson & Susie Smith will (13 Jun 1950), Recorded will of Leeson & Susie Smith, Clayton County Registrar's Office, Courthouse, Elkader, Clayton County, Iowa, USA. Hereinafter cited as Will of Leeson & Susie Smith.
  17. [S399] Leeson Smith & Susie Graybill entry, Marriage Registration Elkader, Clayton Co. Crt House, Iowa, No. 3, page 128 #448, Contributed by Charles Smith, 2007, Clayton County Registrar's Office, Courthouse, Elkader, Clayton County, Iowa, USA. Hereinafter cited as Clayton Co. IA, Marriage Reg.
  18. [S24] "Family Genealogy Notes", Approx. 1978, Roxie (Smith) Geeting (Bowler, Wisconsin); Repository: Susan Noyes' Research Compilation, Prescott, Yavapai County, Arizona, USA. Hereinafter cited as "Smith/Neuendorf Family Research Notes."
  19. [S63] Interview with Jerry Eberhardt (Garnavillo, Iowa), by Susan Noyes, 2003, 2005.
  20. [S168] Obituary - Leeson Smith, Sr., Clayton County Journal, Guttenberg, IA, March 1904, p. 8. Hereinafter cited as Clayton County Journal - Obituary.
  21. [S422] 1905 Iowa State Census, Ancestry.com. Iowa State Census Collection, 1836-1925 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2007. Original data: Microfilm of Iowa State Census 1905 obtained from the State Historical Society of Iowa via Heritage Quest.
  22. [S129] 1910 US Census, US Census Search, Heritage Quest Online, 1910 > Iowa > Clayton > Millville Twp; Series: T624 Roll: 397 Page: 27.
  23. [S129] 1910 US Census, US Census Search, Heritage Quest Online, 1910 Iowa, Clayton, Millville Twp; Series: T624 Roll: 397 Page: 27.
  24. [S130] 1920 US Census, 1920 Iowa, Clayton, Millville Twp; Series: T625 Roll: 484 Page: 30-31.
  25. [S281] Goshen Cem List, Clayton Co. IA, online URL on file. Hereinafter cited as Goshen Cem List, Clayton Co. IA.
  26. [S132] 1860 US Census, US Census Search, Heritage Quest Online, 1880, Iowa, Dubuque, Dubuque, Series: M653 Roll: 320 Page: 632.
 


  • A family history
    leads to the satisfaction in really knowing who you are
    and from when you came.

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    Beyond the grave, unless't be found
    In some clerk's book; it is the pen
    Gives immortality to men."

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    and where we come from.

    — Alex Haley
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    — Chinese Proverb
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    Looking at people who belong to us,
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    We make discoveries about ourselves.

    — Gail Lumet Buckley
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    the family is a link to our past,
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    — Alex Haley
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    than to feel that they are joined for life – to be with each other
    in silent unspeakable memories.

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    Some stay forever.

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    we borrow it from our children.

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    of those we hold so close.

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    mostly sweet with a few nuts.

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