Ferman John Smith

(September 2, 1904 - February 22, 1980)
Ferman John Smith|b. Sep 2, 1904\nd. Feb 22, 1980|p87.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
Ferman Smith
Ferman & Berdina
     Ferman John Smith was born on Friday, September 2, 1904 in the family's log home - on the "John Smith Farm" on Goshen Ridge, at Turkey River, Millville Township, Clayton County, Iowa, son of John Smith and Sarah Louisa Minger.1,2 Ferman John Smith went by the name of "Midge".3

He appeared on the Millville Township, Clayton County, Iowa, census of April 28, 1910 living at home with his parents. He was five years old.4

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, single, and had been attending school.5

At age 25, Ferman married Berdina Mildred Schrunk on Wednesday, March 5, 1930 at Dubuque County Courthouse, in Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa. Berdina was 20 years old. She was the daughter of William Henry Schrunk and Elizabeth Gertrude Torrey.1,2,6

Ferman and his wife appeared on the Millville Township census of May 3, 1930 in the household of his father-in-law, William Henry Schrunk.7
8
Ferman Smith and his grand daughter, Joanne Conley
Photo curtesy of Joanne Gebauer (nee Conley). Photo taken about 1953


Ferman is listed as a survivor in the obituary of his brother, Irvin Ralph Smith. In error, the obituary indicates that Ferman was living in Guttenberg, Iowa at the time; he was was actually living on the home farm on Goshen Ridge.9

Ferman died at eight o'clock in the evening on Friday, February 22, 1980 in Mercy Health Center in Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa, at age 75.2 He was laid to rest on Wednesday, February 27, 1980 in the Bethel Cemetery in Mallory Township (near Osterdock), Clayton County, Iowa. Services were conducted by the Rev. Ron Blix at the United Methodist Church at half past one o'clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, February 27, 1980. Pallbearers were Jim Jacobs, Roy Wachendorf, Danny Miller, Don Torrey, Duane Hagen and Eddie Benstine. Walter Miller and Rueben White were honorary pallbearers. Visitation was at the Tucke Funeral Home.10

He was survived by his wife, Berdina; one daughter, Mrs. John (Donna) Conley of Sherrill, and one son, Billie Smith of Guttenberg; six grandchildren; one great grandchild; one sister, Mrs. Grace Donnan of Guttenberg and two brothers, Emmet Smith of Dubuque and Ernest Smith of Missoula, Montana.3
View additional photograhs ~ John Smith Family, Smith Brothers.

Children of Ferman John Smith and Berdina Mildred Schrunk

  • Donna Dean Smith (living)
  • Billy Eugene Smith (living)

Citations

  1. [S62] Grace Donnan, Myrna Eberhardt, Jerry Eberhardt, "Jerry Eberhardt's Compilation of Family History Notes", Three generations of researchers (Garnavillo, Iowa). Hereinafter cited as "Jerry Eberhardt's Family History Collection."
  2. [S205] John Smith, "Family Group Sheet - John Smith", 1983. Hereinafter cited as "FGS."
  3. [S319] Lillian Penhollow Smith, Obit, Unidentified Newspaper Clipping.
  4. [S129] 1910 US Census, US Census Search, Heritage Quest Online, 1910 Iowa, Clayton, Millville Twp; Series: T624 Roll: 397 Page: 27.
  5. [S130] 1920 US Census, 1920 Iowa, Clayton, Millville Twp; Series: T625 Roll: 484 Page: 33.
  6. [S223] Interview with Donna Conley (, IA), by Susan Noyes, 2003, 2005, Ancestral chart filled out by Donna Conley.
  7. [S131] 1930 US Census, 1930 Iowa, Clayton, Millville; Series: T626 Roll: 649 Page: 206.
  8. [S363] Interview with Joanne Gebauer (Dubuque, IA), by Susan Noyes, 2003.
  9. [S321] Irvin Smith, Obit, Unidentified Newspaper Clipping.
  10. [S320] Ferman Smith, Obit, Unidentified Newspaper Clipping.
 


  • 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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    a tree without a root.

    — 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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    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.

    — Unknown
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    mostly sweet with a few nuts.

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  • Having a place to go – is a home.
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    Having both – is a blessing.

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    and every man is his own heir.
    He devises his own future,
    and he inherits his own past.

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