~ Biographical Sketch ~

     Irene Evelyn Smith was born on Friday, September 28, 1906 in the family's log home - on the "John Smith Farm" on Goshen Ridge in Turkey River, Millville Township, Clayton County, Iowa, daughter of John Smith and Sarah Louisa Minger.^1,2

She appeared on the Millville Township, Clayton County, Iowa, census of April 28, 1910 living at home with her parents. She was three years old.³

She was still living at home with her parents in Millville Township in 1920. According to the census which was taken February 23, 1920, she was 13 years old and had been attending school.⁴

At age 17, Irene married Wilbur Earl Hyde in July, 1924. They made their home on the Burton Wallis farm which was near Durango, Iowa (north of Dubuque).^1,2

The Turkey River section of the Thursday edition of the local newspaper reported, "Relatives here received the news that Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Hyde, of Dubuque, are the proud parents of a baby boy, born Oct. 18. Mrs. Hyde was formerly Miss Irene Smith, of this place. Congratulations."⁵ The same paper also noted that Irene's parents had come for a visit on the Sunday following the baby's birth.⁵

Irene died the following Friday, on October 28, 1927 in Durango area, Dubuque County, Iowa. She was 21 years old. Her death was only nine days following the birth of her son, Donald..^1,6 She was laid to rest on Monday, October 31, 1927 in the Goshen Church Cemetery on Pumpkin Ridge near Turkey River in Millville Township, Clayton County, Iowa.⁷

Upon her death, Irene's parents raised the infant boy. Her mother, Sarah, said at the time,"No one else shall have him." Wilbur and Irene's young daughter, Betty Lou, was raised by Wilbur's parents.⁸

A clipping of her obituary from an unidentified newspaper reads:

Mrs. Irene Hyde died at the home near Durango at the Burton Wallis farm Friday evening at 10:30 o'clock. She was born at Millville, Clayton County, September 28 1906, and was married to Wilbur Hyde in July, 1924. For the past two years she had lived near Durango [Iowa]. She was a member of the United Brethren church, Millville.

The remains were removed from the home to the residence of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Smith, at Millville, from where the funeral will be held to the United Brethren church Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Burial will be made in the adjoining cemetery.

The survivors are the husband, one daughter, Betty Lou, an infant Son, Donald Earl, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Smith, Millville, three sisters, Mrs. Edward Moser, Guttenberg, Mrs. Harry Smith, Turkey River, Mrs. Homer Donnan, Millville, four brother, Ervin, Turkey River, Emmet, Zwingle, Ernest, Bonita [the balance of the clipping was missing].²

Her daughter, Betty, married Charles Friedlin.⁶

On December 31, 1961, her son, Donald, married Ludena Rubel.^9,10