Leeson A. Smith Sr.1

(March 1, 1815 - March 1, 1904)
Leeson A. Smith Sr.|b. Mar 1, 1815\nd. Mar 1, 1904|p90.htm|James Smyth||p1300.htm||||||||||||||||

Relationship=Great-grandfather of Rev. Don Emmet (Sr.) Smith.
Charts on which this person appears:
Smith Family in Time
Leeson Smith, Sr. Descendants Chart
Rev. Don E. Smith, Sr. Family Tree
Marlin Smith (Son of LeRoy) Family Tree
Leeson Smith and his second wife, Elizabeth (nee Farley)
Photo courtesy of Dorothy Palmer
     Leeson A. Smith Sr. was also known as Leeson (Sr.) Smith. He was born on Wednesday, March 1, 1815 in Kiltegan County, Wicklow, Ireland, son of James Smyth. (The 1880 census entry for his daughter Effie records the country of his birth as North Ireland. His cemetery marker indicates that he was born March 1816.).3,4,5,6,7

Charles Smith (Grandson of Leeson Smith, Jr.) uncovered information that indicates that Leeson (Sr.) immigrated to the United States of America through the port at New York. He had sailed from Ireland on the Isaac Newton, an American ship, which had departed originally from Liverpool England. The ship arrived on June 8, 1837. The passenger list record states that he was 20 years old and was a baker. The index of the passenger list has misspelled Leeson's name as Leeson Smtih. An interesting side note is that the occupation of Thomas L. Smith (a brother or cousin of Leeson's who sailed on a later vessel) was also recorded as a baker. The biographical sketch of Leeson's life in the 1882 History of Clayton County, Iowa states that Leeson immigrated when nineteen years of age. Prior to settling in Iowa, he traveled quite extensively visiting Canada, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Illinois, Mississippi, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska and New York, finally settling on section 15, in Millville Township, Clayton County, Iowa where he owned 167 acres of finely improved land.8,9

Leeson married Mary A. in 1843.3,10

Leeson served as a private with the Iowa Mounted Volunteers in the Mexican War, on September 9, 1846 as a member of Captain Parker's company of Dubuque. Although not in perfect condition, his war uniform still exists and has been passed down through the generations and is now a treasured possession of Jerry Eberhardt, his great-great-grandson. We were fortunate to view it at Jerry's home in Iowa. There was a matching necktie which was stored with it but it didn't get into the frame of the picture. One item of special interest was that an extra unattached sleeve was also stored with the jacket. There is no known explanation for this extra sleeve.

Brevet Major Alexander Hooe, of the Regular Army, mustered Captain John Parker’s Company of Iowa Dragoons Volunteers into the service of the United States at Fort Atkinson, Iowa, September 9, 1846. Its term of service was for twelve months, unless sooner discharged. The company at once became part of the garrison at Fort Atkinson, of which it became an important adjunct, furnishing mounted men for scouting purposes, watching the movements of the Winnebago Indians, and endeavoring to keep them within the limits of their reservation. It was subsequently determined by the War Department, however, that the services of the company could be dispensed with, and an order was issued to muster out, by Brevet Major Hooe, at Fort Atkinson, Nov. 5, 1846.11,12,13,14
Leeson's uniform jacket from the Mexican American War. As you can see it has seen better days.


A land document dated March 1, 1850, and signed by Leeson indicates that he purchased "the South East quarter of the the South East quarter of Section Fifteen in Twonship Ninety-one North of Range Two West of the the fifth principal Meridian in the District of Lands subject to sale at Dubuque Iowa, containing Forty acres." The sale was a cash-entry at the Dubuque land office.15

Leeson appeared in the Millville Township, Clayton County, Iowa, US census of September 2, 1850 as head of household. His given age was 28 years old. He was a farmer. His real estate was valued at $200.00.. The household also included Mary, his wife. Her given age was 25 years old, although her actual age was about 33. Three children were living at home: Jane was age eight, Henry was age three, and baby William was age one year old.16

The Leeson A. Smith Sr. household was enumerated in the 1852 Iowa State Census in Millville Township. Four males and three females were living in the home. Of the residents, two were recorded as aliens. (Researcher's note: Most likely, this was in error as only Lesson was foreign born. Also note that the Samuel Beckett family was also in this census.) Additional findings indicated that there was one voter and one militia.17

The Leeson A. Smith Sr. household was enumerated in the 1854 Iowa State Census in Millville Township. Four men and three women were living in the home. Among the residents, findings indicated that there was one voter and one militia..18

Leeson appeared in the Millville, Clayton County, Iowa, US census of 1856 as head of household. This census indicates that he was a farmer and had been in Iowa for 11 years.. The household also included Mary, his wife. She was recorded as 37 years old. Errantly, her birth location was recorded as Ireland. The five children in the home were Jane age 14, Henry age nine, William age seven, Ellen age five, and Ellen who was age three. Jane was shown to have been born in Missouri and the other four children in Iowa.19

On July 5, 1857, his daughter, Jane, married William Patterson.20,21

Leeson was a witness at the marriage of Mrs. Elizebeth Carter and Thomas L. W. (possible son of James) Smyth on March 25, 1858 in Millville Township.22

The July 23, 1860 census of Millville Township shows Leeson as head of household. His given age was 40 years old. He was still farming and his real estate value was now $800.00. His personal estate was valued at $350.00.. Mary's given age was 30 years old, although her actual age was about 43. (It is obvious that her age has not been calculated correctly. It has been the observation of this author that she may never have admitted her correct age to the census takers.) Five of their children were living at home: Jane was age 16, Henry was age 11, William was age nine, Ellen was age seven, and Charles was age five.23

Leeson became a widower when his wife, Mary, died on February 9, 1862 in Guttenberg, Clayton County, Iowa.24

Leeson married again September 30, 1863. The bride was Elizabeth Farley, daughter of Peter Farley (Farland) Farley and Sarah Girton. 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.25,26

On March 1, 1869, his daughter, Ellen, married John Bradt.27

Leeson appeared in the Millville Township census of June 21, 1870 as head of household. He was 56 years old. His real estate was now valued at $2000 and his personal estate was valued at $1200.. The household also included Elizabeth, his second wife. 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.28

On August 3, 1872, his son, William, married Mary Wiltse. Mary was the sister of Burnham Wiltse.29,30,31

About 1878, his son, Henry, married Sadie.32

Leeson appeared again in the Millville Township census of June 1, 1880 as head of household. He was still farming at age 64.. The household also included Elizabeth, his wife. 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.30

The Leeson A. Smith Sr. household was listed in the 1885 Iowa state census in Mallory Township, Clayton County. The family members included were Leeson and Elizabeth and their children John, Sarah, Effie, Hannah, and Leeson.33

On November 2, 1890, his son, John, married Sarah Louisa Minger.34,35

On March 11, 1891, his daughter, Sarah, married Daniel Chester Graybill.36

In 1896, his daughter, Effie, married Robert Butters.37

On August 20, 1898, his daughter, Hannah, married James H. Smith. He was the son of William and Harriet Frances Smyth and said to be her first cousin.38,39

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.40

On June 26, 1900, his son, Leeson, married Susie Graybill.41,42,43

Leeson died on March 1, 1904 in Millville Township at age 89 years.3,12,5 He was laid to rest in the Goshen Church Cemetery on Pumpkin Ridge near Turkey River in Millville Township, Clayton County, Iowa.44
Leeson's gravestone monument is shared with his second wife, Elizabeth.
Leeson's Gravestone Monument



His obituary in the Clayton County Journal reads:
"Mr. Leeson Smith Sr. died at his home in Millville township, on Tuesday, March 1st, 1904, at 12:30 o'clock a.m., after a short illness. Mr. Smith was born March 15th 1815, in Ireland and came to Millville in 1844, which has since been his home. He was married in 1863 to Elizabeth Farley, who with five sons and four daughters survive him. Henry of David City, Neb., William of Primrose, Neb., Charles of Edholm, Neb., John and Leeson of Millville, four daughters, Mrs. John Bratt of Salem, S.D., Mrs. D. C. Graybill of Millville, Mrs. R. Butters of Cottage Hill, and Mrs. Jas. H. Smith of Salem, S.D. He was laid to rest in the Goshen cemetery of March 3rd, amidst sorrowing relatives and friends."45,5

Leeson donated the land for the Goshen Church on Pumpkin Ridge near Turkey River, in Goshen Church on Pumpkin Ridge near Turkey River, Millville Township, Clayton County, Iowa.

Children of Leeson A. Smith Sr. and Mary A.

Children of Leeson A. Smith Sr. and Elizabeth Farley

Citations

  1. [S132] 1860 US Census, US Census Search, Heritage Quest Online.
  2. [S170] Letter from Dorothy Palmer to Family Historian Jerry Eberhardt, Jan 28, 1983; Digital image on file Susan Noyes' Research Compilation (Prescott, Yavapai County, Arizona, USA).
  3. [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."
  4. [S62] Grace Donnan, Myrna Eberhardt, Jerry Eberhardt, "Jerry Eberhardt's Compilation of Family History Notes", Three generations of researchers (Garnavillo, Iowa). , DSC01249. Hereinafter cited as "Jerry Eberhardt's Family History Collection."
  5. [S168] Obituary - Leeson Smith, Sr., Clayton County Journal, Guttenberg, IA, March 1904, p. 8. Hereinafter cited as Clayton County Journal - Obituary.
  6. [S131] 1930 US Census, 1930 Iowa, Dubuque, Concord Twp.; Series: T626 Roll: 653 Page: 36.
  7. [S16] Cemetery Marker/Gravestone , Goshen Cemetery, Millville Township, Iowa Hereinafter cited as "Cemetery Marker."
  8. [S359] Information aquired from Charles Smith (Casa Grande, AZ), interviewed by Susan J. Noyes, Oct. 17 2006, Nov. 23-25, 2007. Copies on file in Susan Noyes' Research Compilation (Prescott, Yavapai County, Arizona, USA), "New York, 1820-1850 Passenger and Immigration Lists" (NAMO, M272-4; Registre Veritas, Vol. 17. P. 476, no. 249).
  9. [S34] Monona, Iowa Reprinted by: Monona Historical Society, 1882 History of Clayton County Iowa (1401 North Fares Ave, Evansville, Indiana 47711: Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Company, 1882, Reproduction by: Unigraphics, Inc., Republished 1975), p. 1018
    . Hereinafter cited as Book - 1882 History of Clayton Co.
  10. [S34] Monona, Iowa Reprinted by: Monona Historical Society, 1882 History of Clayton County Iowa (1401 North Fares Ave, Evansville, Indiana 47711: Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Company, 1882, Reproduction by: Unigraphics, Inc., Republished 1975), History of Clayton County, Iowa Book 1882. Hereinafter cited as Book - 1882 History of Clayton Co.
  11. [S34] Monona, Iowa Reprinted by: Monona Historical Society, 1882 History of Clayton County Iowa (1401 North Fares Ave, Evansville, Indiana 47711: Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Company, 1882, Reproduction by: Unigraphics, Inc., Republished 1975). Hereinafter cited as Book - 1882 History of Clayton Co.
  12. [S63] Interview with Jerry Eberhardt (Garnavillo, Iowa), by Susan Noyes, 2003, 2005.
  13. [S183] Patent Deed, Leeson Smith (Sr.), Clayton County Registrar's Office, Courthouse, Elkader, Clayton County, Iowa, USA. Hereinafter cited as Patent Deed, Leeson Smith (Sr.).
  14. [S346] Roster and Record of Iowa Soldiers in Miscellaneous Organizations of the Mexican War Indian Campaigns, War of the Rebellion, and the Spanish-American and Philippine Wars together with Historical Sketches of Volunteer Organizations, Vol. VI, Miscellaneous (Emory H. English, State Printer, E. D. Chassell, State Binder: Published by authority of the General Assembly, under the direction of Brig. Gen. Guy e. Logan, Adjutant General., Des Moines, Emory H. English, State Printer, E. D. Chassell, State Binder, 1911). Hereinafter cited as Iowa Soldiers in Miscellaneous Organizations of the Mexican War.
  15. [S432] Bureau of Land Management - General Land Office Records, online http://www.glorecords.blm.gov, United States. Bureau of Land Management, General Land Office Records. Automated Records Project; Federal Land Patents, State Volumes. http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/. Springfield, Virginia: Bureau of Land Management, Eastern States, 2007. (Document Number:      10106; Authority: April 24, 1820, Sale-Cash Entry (3 Stat. 566); Leeson Smith, SESE, Sec 15,Twp 91-N, Range 2-W,Meridian 5th PM, Iowa, Clayton Co.; Accession Number: IA1220_.473, Issue Date: 1 Mar 1850, )
    http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/PatentSearch/Detail.asp. Hereinafter cited as Bureau of Land Management - GloRecords online.
  16. [S127] 1850 US Census, US Census Search, Heritage Quest Online, 1850 Iowa, Clayton, Millville Twp, Series: M432 Roll: 182 Page: 133.
  17. [S419] 1852 Iowa State Census.
  18. [S418] 1854 Iowa State Census.
  19. [S380] 1856 Iowa State Census, Iowa, Clayton, Millville; p. 18 (via Ancestry.com).
  20. [S295] Jane Smith & William Patterson entry, Marriage Registration Elkader, Clayton Co. Crt House, Iowa, No. 1-123, 1857, Clayton County Registrar's Office, Courthouse, Elkader, Clayton County, Iowa, USA. Hereinafter cited as Clayton Co. IA, Marriage Reg.
  21. [S296] Jane (Smith) Patterson Sturdwent Lathrope ~ Private possession photo, Dorothy (Kenyon) Palmer History Collection (, Manchester, Delaware County, Iowa). Note added to the back of the photograph, as written by Nettie (Smith) Graybill, reads as follows: Jennie Smith Lathrope. This is Grandpa Smith's daughter by his first marriage. She married Bill Patterson first. They had son, Joseph. He was a preacher. He visited Goshen in 1920, also had service in the church at night while here (think one week service). She [Jennie] also married Sturdwent, had 2 daughters also by Patterson. Joe lived at Decatur, Illinois, last I knew. Then [Jennie] married Lathrope. (Grammar was edited and punctuation added by researcher as necessary for ease of reading. SJN).
  22. [S338] Interview with Evelyne Wyehrich (Cypress, California), by Susan Noyes, 2006.
  23. [S132] 1860 US Census, US Census Search, Heritage Quest Online, 1860 Iowa, Clayton, Millville Twp, Series: M653 Roll: 315 Page: 986.
  24. [S16] Cemetery Marker/Gravestone , Goshen Church Cemetery, Turkey River, Iowa Hereinafter cited as "Cemetery Marker."
  25. [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.
  26. [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.
  27. [S12] Family History Library, Online: FamilySearch.org, LDS Research Center . FamilySearch™ International Genealogical Index v5.0; North America. 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.
  28. [S123] 1870 US Census, US Census Search, Heritage Quest Online, 1870 Iowa, Clayton, Millville Twp, Series: M593 Roll: 383 Page: 420.
  29. [S377] Carolyn Givan, Smith Family History (Publish Date: July 1998), Smith Family Tree. Hereinafter cited as Smith Family History.
  30. [S124] 1880 US Census, www.FamilySearch.org, 1880 Millville, Clayton, Iowa, FHL Film: 1254333, NA Film #: T9-0333, Page: 498C.
  31. [S283] Mildred Irene "Wiltse" Renken, "The Story and Origin of the Wiltse Family Tree, 1590-1966" (Typewritten document, Albion, Nebraska, Fall 1966). Hereinafter cited as "Wiltse Family Tree & History."
  32. [S126] 1900 US Census, US Census Search, Heritage Quest Online, 1900 Nebraska, Butler, 3-WD David City, Series: T623 Roll: 918 Page: 181.
  33. [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.
  34. [S205] John Smith, "Family Group Sheet - John Smith", 1983. Hereinafter cited as "FGS."
  35. [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.
  36. [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.
  37. [S126] 1900 US Census, US Census Search, Heritage Quest Online, 1900 Iowa, Dubuque, Concord Twp.; Series: T623 Roll: 430 Page: 119.
  38. [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.
  39. [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.
  40. [S126] 1900 US Census, US Census Search, Heritage Quest Online, 1900 Iowa, Clayton, Millville Twp; Series: T623 Roll: 425 Page: 26b.
  41. [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).
  42. [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.
  43. [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.
  44. [S173] Clayton County Genealogical Society / Box 866 Elkader - Iowa 52043, Our First One Hundred Sixty Years, The History of Millville 1833-1993 (Elkader, Iowa 52043: Compiled by Francis Behrend and Oakland Becker, 1993), p. 154. Hereinafter cited as The History of Millville 1833-1993.
  45. [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."
 


  • 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