Ernest Sumner Smith

(March 9, 1902 - February 16, 1987)
Ernest Sumner Smith|b. Mar 9, 1902\nd. Feb 16, 1987|p81.htm|John Smith|b. Aug 31, 1864\nd. Mar 1, 1960|p77.htm|Sarah Louisa Minger|b. Jul 25, 1868\nd. Aug 22, 1940|p78.htm|Leeson A. Smith Sr.|b. Mar 1, 1815\nd. Mar 1, 1904|p90.htm|Elizabeth Farley|b. Mar 26, 1836\nd. Jul 22, 1928|p185.htm|John Minger|b. Sep 7, 1827\nd. Aug 25, 1908|p92.htm|Elizabeth Hassig|b. Aug 30, 1834\nd. Mar 19, 1922|p93.htm|

Relationship=Grandson of Leeson A. Smith Sr..
Relationship=Uncle of Rev. Don Emmet (Sr.) Smith.
Charts on which this person appears:
Leeson Smith, Sr. Descendants Chart
Ernest & Grace Smith 50th Anniversary
     Ernest Sumner Smith was born on Sunday, March 9, 1902 in the family's log house - on the "John Smith Farm" on Goshen Ridge, in Turkey River, Millville Township, Clayton County, Iowa, son of John Smith and Sarah Louisa Minger.1

He appeared on the Millville Township, Clayton County, Iowa, census of April 28, 1910 living at home with his parents. He was eight years old and had been attending school.2

He was still living at home with his parents in Millville Township in 1920. According to the census which was taken February 23, 1920, he was 17 years old and single.3

At age 23, Ernest married Grace G. Hutchins on March 4, 1926 at the First Presbyterian Church, in Missoula, Missoula County, Montana. Grace was 17 years old. They continued to live in Missoula throughout their marriage.4 Ernest Sumner Smith was an employee of the Mountain Bell Company about 1940 in Missoula, Missoula County, Montana.

Ernest is listed as a survivor in the obituary of his brother, Irvin Ralph Smith. Ernest was living in Missoula, Montana at the time.5 Ernest Sumner Smith was retired in 1965.4

In 1971, Ernest lived in Milltown, Missoula County, Montana.4

A newspaper article appeared in the local paper of Milltown, Missoula County, Montana, on February 29, 1976 mentioning Ernest and Grace: A 50th wedding reception was held at the home of their daughter Alvina.6

Ernest is listed as a survivor in the obituary of his brother, Ferman John Smith. Ernest was living in Missoula, Montana at the time.7

He became a widower at age 80 when his wife, Grace, died on June 10, 1982 in Missoula.8

Ernest died on Monday, February 16, 1987 in Missoula at age 84.1 He was laid to rest on Thursday, February 19, 1987 in the Sunset Memorial Park in Missoula, Missoula County, Montana. Funeral services were held at the Squire Simmons & Carr Funeral Home on Thursday at 1:00 P.M. with Rev. Kent Kinney officiating. Recorded music selections were The Old Rugged Cross and Amazing Grace. Pallbearers were David Mason, Joseph Devlin, Spencer Bryant, Tom Armstrong, Rick Lundgren, and Randy Lundgren.1
9
Ernest & Grace Smith
Photo curtesy of Joanne Gebauer

View additional photograhs ~ John Smith Family, Smith Brothers.

Children of Ernest Sumner Smith and Grace G. Hutchins

  • Alvina M. Smith (living)
  • Evelyn W. Smith + descendants b. 10 Mar 1929, d. 31 Dec 2006

Citations

  1. [S190] Ernest S. Smith, Funeral Card, November 27, 1963, Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa.
  2. [S129] 1910 US Census, US Census Search, Heritage Quest Online, 1910 Iowa, Clayton, Millville Twp; Series: T624 Roll: 397 Page: 27.
  3. [S130] 1920 US Census, 1920 Iowa, Clayton, Millville Twp; Series: T625 Roll: 484 Page: 33.
  4. [S30] Unidentified Newspaper Clipping viewed by Susan J. Noyes. Date about 1947.
  5. [S321] Irvin Smith, Obit, Unidentified Newspaper Clipping.
  6. [S62] Grace Donnan, Myrna Eberhardt, Jerry Eberhardt, "Jerry Eberhardt's Compilation of Family History Notes", Three generations of researchers (Garnavillo, Iowa). , See 50th anniversary announcement. Hereinafter cited as "Jerry Eberhardt's Family History Collection."
  7. [S319] Lillian Penhollow Smith, Obit, Unidentified Newspaper Clipping.
  8. [S198] Grace G. Smith, Funeral Card, June 12 1982, Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa.
  9. [S363] Interview with Joanne Gebauer (Dubuque, IA), by Susan Noyes, 2003.
 


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

  • "Nor long shall any name resound
    Beyond the grave, unless't be found
    In some clerk's book; it is the pen
    Gives immortality to men."

  • A good life lasts for several generations.

  • In all of us there is a hunger, marrow-deep,
    to know our heritage, to know who we are
    and where we come from.

    — Alex Haley
  • To forget one's ancestors
    is to be a brook without a source,
    a tree without a root.

    — Chinese Proverb
  • Family faces are magic mirrors.
    Looking at people who belong to us,
    we see the past, present, and future.
    We make discoveries about ourselves.

    — Gail Lumet Buckley
  • In every conceivable manner,
    the family is a link to our past,
    a bridge to our future.

    — Alex Haley
  • What greater thing is there for human souls
    than to feel that they are joined for life – to be with each other
    in silent unspeakable memories.

    — George Eliot
  • Some people come and go in our lives.
    Some stay forever.

  • We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors,
    we borrow it from our children.

    — Native American Proverb
  • The memories we give may a lifetime live in the heart
    of those we hold so close.

    — Unknown
  • Families are like fudge . . .
    mostly sweet with a few nuts.

    — Unknown
  • The family is one of Nature's masterpieces.

    — George Santayana
  • Having a place to go – is a home.
    Having someone to love – is a family.
    Having both – is a blessing.

    — Donna Hedges
  • Every man is his own ancestor,
    and every man is his own heir.
    He devises his own future,
    and he inherits his own past.

    — Fredrick Henry Hedge