SMITH, Leland Albert 1878-1954

SMITH, BURNS, STACY, LEACH, CREGO

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 9/9/2011 at 12:47:05

#1:

THE INTIMATE LIFE OF LELAND A. SMITH

By E.J. Scofield

Among the early pioneers coming to Mitchell County, Iowa, were James A. Smith and his wife Mary Alice (Crego) Smith, and they came to help build up this mighty Western Empire.

Six sons and one daughter came to bless this home, establishing in Osage, the second son being Leland A. Smith, born in Osage in 1878, attending our public schools, and also Grinnell College, and afterwards returning to Osage to enter the employ of his father in the operation of his lumber interests.

His grandfather, being a lawyer and teacher, and father, a brilliant and successful executive, these established a challenge to influence the future of Leland A. Smith.

Leland A. Smith continued in his father's employ until his marriage to Maude Stacy, at which time he joined his brother Fred Crego Smith in the operation of their own business at Spirit Lake, Iowa, remaining there until his father's death in 1918, when they disposed of their Spirit Lake holdings and moved to Osage, and here he became active in the management of the Jas. A. Smith Lumber Co. affairs, remaining in that capacity until the final disposition of the remaining yards, and then moving with his wife to California, where he bought a beautiful home, and was near his daughter, Mrs. William H. Burns and family.

None of us can appreciate the terrible shock when Lee's sudden death was announced, and we were stunned beyond words, and we felt so alone in our thoughts, and sorrow, and our God, and yet not alone for the still small voice of hope was saying to us:

"Let not your heart be troubled
"Ye believe in God, Believe also in me"

Of his immediate family, two brothers preceded him in death, Fred Crego Smith and Stanley P. Smith, and there now remains to mourn his death his widow and his daughter Mrs. Wm. H. Burns and grandson Lee Burns, three brothers: Merrill G. Smith of Charles City, Richard J. Smith of Beverly Hills, Lloyd G. Smith of Spirit Lake, and a sister Mrs. Robert L. Leach of Davenport, Iowa, and many relatives and friends.

Leland A. Smith was of a quiet disposition, and loved his home, and family, and was never so happy as when with them. He was a friend of the unfortunte and under-privileged ones of the community, and many charities benefited by his generosity. He was very generous in his gifts for the support and maintainance of the Congregational Church of Osage.

[ From a typed document at the Osage Public Library, 2011 ]
(KK)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#2:

SMITH, Lee 1878-1953

OSAGE, IOWA - Lee Smith, 75, died Saturday at his home in Beverly Hills, California, having suffered a cardiac attack while watching television. Funeral rites will be held in Beverly Hills. Osage friends have not, as yet, been notified concerning the time.

Lee was born in Osage in 1878 to the late Senator James A. and Mary Alice Smith. He graduated from the Osage schools, then attended Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa. He returned to Osage, where he assisted his father in the James A. Smith Lumber Company, continuing to be this employed until his marriage to Maude Stacy of Osage. The couple established their home in Spirit Lake, Iowa, where Lee Smith, in partnership with his brother, Fred, established the Smith Lumber Yards. They owned and managed the yards, expanding their business.

Upon the death of their father in 1918, the Smiths returned to Osage, there continuing in business for many years until selling their Osage business to the firm now known as the Annis-Ahrens Lumber Company.

Moved to Beverly Hills California, in 1951, to be near their only daughter and her family, wgere they have since lived.

Survivors include his widow; a daughter, Mrs. William Burns; a grandson, Leland, all of Beverly Hills; three brothers: Merrill of Charles City, Richard of Beverly Hills, and Lloyd of Spirit Lake; and a sister, Mrs. Robert L. Leach, Davenport, Iowa.

Deceased members of his family include two brothers, Fred and Stanley R. Smith.

[ From a typed document in the Osage Public Library. ]
(KK)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#3:

NOTES:

Leland Albert Smith

California Death Index 1940-1997
Name: Leland Albert Smith
Sex: MALE
Birth Date: 9 Apr 1878
Birthplace: Iowa
Death Date: 5 Feb 1954
Death Place: Los Angeles
Mother's Maiden Name: Crego
Father's Surname: Smith

(Credit: DM Scott)