Smith, Melvin B. 1858-1943 & Emma Woods Family

SMITH, WOODS, NOGLE, NOGGLE, WELDRAY

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 12/29/2021 at 23:13:33

Smith, Melvin B. 1858-1943 and Emma Woods Family

The Smith Family and Farm

This story was taken from the ‘Rock Valley Records & Recollections’ book (pp. 62-63) written about 1976 in honor of the two hundredth birthday of our nation. It was a revision of the history written by Lottie Thomas in 1955. Story found on pages 62 and 63 It was transcribed for this BIOS by Beth De Leeuw of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society and some research notes were added.

Melvin Smith and Emma Woods were both born in Steubenville, Ohio. Here they were married, and here their first child was born and died in infancy. Melvin was a farmer and taught school during the winter months.

After a few years they moved to Ida County, Iowa where Zella, Pearl, Zoe, and Jesse were born. Zella, the only living member of these four children, now resides in Windom, Minnesota.

In the early 1880’s, the Smiths moved to a farm south of Rock Valley. Again Melvin farmed and taught school. Some years later their moved to Rock Valley, 1619 17th Street (Harold Roelof’s home), where they youngest child, Cecil, was born in 1893. While living in Rock Valley, Melvin was manager of the Hunting Elevator, which was located east of the present Co-op Elevator. This elevator was powered by horses which elevated the grain into the bins. Later he entered the hardware business where Valley Wood Works now is. Melvin was also manager of the first livestock sales company with Jim Thomas, and was in the hog buying business with Matt Walpole.

In the spring of 1898, the Smiths moved to a one hundred and forty acre farm one and one-half miles east of Rock Valley, which Melvin had purchased. Melvin bought the lumber from the old Rock Valley public school, which had been dismantled, to build a large barn on the farm. This barn was burned in a series of fires in Rock Valley in 1975. Part of the original house on this farm is still being used.

At one time, Melvin was a member of the Rock Valley public school board, and in more recent years his grandson, Judson Smith, also served on this board. For fourteen years, Melvin was county supervisor from this district and was serving when a new (the present) Sioux County Court House was built.

Mrs. Melvin Smith was musically gifted, and not only taught her children music, but also scholars from Rock Valley, Doon, and Hull. The Smith sisters, Zella, Pearl, and Zoe, were members of the first All Girl’s Band in Rock Valley. This band played at fairs throughout northwest Iowa and also Sioux City. They were considered the best in this part of the state. In the days when Rock Valley had a silent movie theater in the Opera House, Cecil Smith and Irene Long Hansen (sister of Mrs. Cecil Smith) played and sang on evenings when silent films were shown.

In 1919 Cecil Smith married Mabel Long, and they moved into a new house just north of the Melvin Smith home, on land which the Smiths had purchased from Quinn. Cecil farmed and carried mail. He began rural route delivery in 1920 and during the first eight years, he drove horses most of the time to get around the route since cars weren’t able to cope with the roads in those days. When necessary his wife, Mabel, substituted for him. The Smiths have a grandson, Roger Smith, who is a postal employee in Rock Valley. The Cecil Smiths now reside in Rock Valley at 914 Hilltop. They have two children: Leatha, Mrs. Dave Tibbetts, living in California, and Judson.

Judson Smith married Frances Anderson and they established their home on the Melvin Smith farm. Besides farming, Judson was also, until recently, associated with a farm implement business. Children of the Judson Smiths are Judson Roger (married to Dorothy Cornelius), and Robert (married to Nancy Landegent) of Rock Valley, Douglas of Onawa, Iowa; and Diane (Mrs. Tony Hinsch) of Rock Rapids.

In 1975 the Roger Smiths, and their two sons, Drew and Chad, moved to their new house on the Smith farm, making five generations of Smiths who have made their home on this farm.

Above submitted to the Rock Valley Book bay Cecil and Judson Smith

RESEARCH NOTES added by Wilma J Vande Berg
From a family report on ancestry.com Melvin’s parents were reported as John Julian Smith 1831-1908n and Mary Ann Nogle or Noggle 1830-1898. He married Emma Elizabeth Woods 1863-1929, on 2 Dec 1880 at Jasper Ia.

Obits added by Beth De Leeuw
OBITUARY OF MELVIN SMITH (1858-1943)
From the Rock Valley Bee, February 19, 1943:
M. B. SMITH IS SUMMONED TO GREAT BEYOND
Member 1st School Board – Co. Sup. 14 Years
Melvin Benton Smith, who came to Rock Valley a year before the railroad built through and who was a member of the first Rock Valley school board as well as representing this district on the board of supervisors for 14 years, died last Thursday afternoon at his home here at the age of 64 years, 10 months and two days. He was ill only a few days when the end came.
Mr. Smith was born at Leipsic, Ohio, April 10, 1858, and died February 11, 1943. When he was 12 years old he moved with his parents and two sisters, Belle and Mina, all of whom preceded him in death, to a farm near Reasnor, Iowa. Here he assisted his father on the farm. At the age of 20 he taught school for some time, later marrying his former pupil, Emma E. Woods. The marriage was solemnized at Hixon Grove chapel, near Newton, Iowa.
He and his wife moved later to Holstein, Iowa, and here three children were born – Delbert, the oldest child, who died at the age of 18 months; and Zella and Zoa. Later the family moved to a farm in Sioux county, the year (1878) before the railroad was built through Rock Valley. Here the three younger children were born—Pearl, Jesse and Cecil. His wife and daughter Pearl preceded him in death.
For several years he was engaged in the hardware business and later was manager of the Hunting elevator. He took an active interest in all civic affairs, having served on the first school board in Rock Valley. He served as city assessor, and for 14 years was a member of the board of supervisors of Sioux county.
After retiring from business in 1900 he moved to a farm one mile east of Rock Valley and in 1919 he returned to Rock Valley where he resided until his death. He became a member of Pioneer Methodist church March 26, 1893.
He leaves to mourn his passing two daughters—Zella Van Horssen of Bingham Lake, Minnesota, and Zoa of Rock Valley; two sons, Jesse and Cecil of Rock Valley; four grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Hosts of friends will miss the pioneer citizen.
Funeral services were held on Saturday afternoon at Pioneer Methodist church, conducted by the Rev. L. A. Rachuy. Music was furnished by a mixed quartet—Mrs. Gunnink, Mrs. Bosley, Mr. Gilbert De Zeeuw and Mr. Dick Wesselink, accompanied by Mrs. R. J. McNelly. Pallbearers were M. S. Huie, Frank A. Large, C. A. Walhof, Paul Collenbaugh, Fred Relander and A. Van Driel.
* * * * * * * * * *
Also in the Rock Valley Bee, February 19, 1943, “Bee Buzzes” column, by publisher G. E. Bowers:
The late Melvin B. Smith, one of Sioux county’s outstanding men, might have been county supervisor many years longer if he hadn’t helped along with the Hull-Perkins paving project some twenty years ago. At least, he told us once that he had made a mistake there and that was why he lost out the next time election rolled around.
In those days a peculiar law was in effect. It required that assessments be made on farm land for 1 ½ miles back from the paving, with the heaviest assessments, of course, on the land adjoining the new paved road. Now, the paving between Hull and Perkins was only two miles long but it affected all the farmers for 1 ½ miles back from each side of the slab and that was quite a few farmers, even in two miles, and all of them had their friends and relatives over the supervisor district….
Mr. Smith was one of the most competent and intelligent members of the board of supervisors Sioux county ever had. He possessed a remarkable memory and a great fund of common sense, together with a native shrewdness, developed from many years of dealing with all kinds of people. When he started his first campaign for election he went to one farmer west of town and said: “My name is Melvin Smith and I am running for county supervisor. I don’t care whether you vote for me or not but for heaven’s sake go and vote.” The two became fast friends in later years.
He appeared to be in good health a week before he passed beyond and the unexpected demise of this good man saddened a great many people, including the present writer. He will be missed by a host of friends.
* * * * * * * * * *
A similar obituary appeared in the Sioux Center News, February 18, 1943.
FindaGrave.com has Melvin Benton Smith, born 10 April 1858 at Leipsic, Putnam County, Ohio, died 11 Feb 1943 in Rock Valley; no parents given; spouse Emma E. Woods Smith (1863-1929); two daughters listed, Zoa Smith (1884-1948) and Pearl Smith (1885-1934).

RESEARCH Notes for Emma Woods Smith added by Wilma J. Vande Berg
An ancestry report done by other family members list Emma E. Woods born 1 Nov 1863 Cross Creek Jefferson County Ohio died 19 Oct 1929. Her parents were William Woods 1823-1892 Jasper Co. IA and Elizabeth Weldray 1827- 13 Feb 1913 Rock Valley, IA.
See her obit on our page as Woods, Elizabeth, Mrs. William 1827-1913.

Obituaries added by Beth DeLeeuw.
OBITUARY OF EMMA SMITH
From the Rock Valley Bee, November 1, 1929:
Mrs. M. B. Smith Answers Summons
Mrs. Melvin B. Smith, a pioneer resident of Rock Valley, passed away in the hospital at Sioux Falls at 11:15 o’clock Monday evening, aged sixty-five years eleven months and twenty-eight days. Mrs. Smith had not been well for some time. A few days before her death she was taken to the Sioux Falls hospital, in hopes that the best medical skill there could help her, but in spite of all that they could do for her she passed peacefully away.
Mrs. Smith was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, Nov. 1, 1863. When she was two years old her parents moved to Jasper county, Iowa, where she received her education and grew to womanhood. She was united in marriage with Melvin B. Smith at Hixon Grove Chapel on December 2, 1880. In 1885 she came with her husband to Sioux County. They settled on a farm near Rock Valley, and four years later moved to town where they have since resided.
Mrs. Smith was a member of the Methodist church and had been an active worker in the church since childhood. She was a talented musician and gave music lessons in this vicinity for the past forty years. During this time she has given lessons to 800 pupils. She was a woman who was highly esteemed by all who knew her and loved by those who knew her most intimately. She was a kind and loving wife and mother, and her place in the family circle can never be filled.
She leaves to mourn her death, her husband, M. B. Smith, two sons, Jessie J. Smith and Cecil M. Smith, and three daughters, Zoa and Pearl Smith, all of Rock Valley, and Mrs. Peter Van Horsen, of Bingham Lake, Minn., all of whom were with her during her last sickness.
Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at two o’clock at the home in Rock Valley and at the Methodist church, and the remains were taken to Valley View Cemetery. The bereaved relatives have the sympathy of many friends in Rock Valley and vicinity.
* * * * * * * * * *
From the Alton Democrat, November 8, 1929, Rock Valley news:
Mrs. Melvin B. Smith, a respected pioneer resident of Rock Valley, was taken to Sioux Falls on Oct. 21 to the McKennan hospital to undergo an operation for cancer with the confident hope that relief might be obtained, but all that medical skill could do was of no avail and on Monday night Oct. 28, 1929 the celestial chariot swinging low, conveyed her liberated spirit to the blissful regions of immortality.
Mrs. Emma E. Smith, nee Woods, was born in Steubensville, Ohio on Nov. 1, 1863 and at the time of her demise had attained the age of 65 years. In 1865 she came to Jasper county, Iowa with her parents where she grew to womanhood and formed the acquaintance of Melvin B. Smith which ripened into mutual esteem and on Dec. 2, 1880 they were married at the Hixon Grove chapel. Six children were born to this union, one dying in infancy. In 1885 the family came to Sioux county and settled on a farm in this vicinity and four years later moved to Rock Valley where they resided until her demise. She was a member of the Methodist church from which funeral services were conducted. Burial took place in Valley View cemetery.
Besides her husband and five children she also leaves three sisters and five brothers to mourn her death.
* * * * * * * * * *
The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Smith, Emma E., b. 1863, d. 2 Nov 1929, Valley View Cem Rock Valley (an evident error in death date, since her death was reported in the Nov. 1 Bee).
FindaGrave.com gives her death date as 28 Oct. 1929, and includes a photo of her headstone, which just says “Mother Emma E. 1863-1929.” It gives her parents as William Woods (1823-1892) and Elizabeth Welday Woods (1827-1913); lists several siblings; and gives her husband as Melvin Benton Smith (1858-1943).

OBITUARY OF CECIL SMITH (1893-1984)
Rock Valley Bee of Oct 3, 1984
Cecil Smith, 90, of Rock Valley, died Thursday at the Hegg Memorial Hospital in Rock Valley.
Services were held at 2 p.m. Monday in the Pioneer United Methodist Church in Rock Valley.
The Rev. Ron Johnson officiated. Burial was in Valley View Cemetery.
Mr. Smith was born Oct. 17, 1893, in Rock Valley. He attended Rock Valley High School. He married Mable Long June 30, 1915, in Rock Valley. He farmed and was also a rural mail-carrier for 43 years. He was a member of the Pioneer United Methodist Church. The couple moved to the Valley Manor Nursing Home at Rock Valley in April of this year.
Survivors include his wife; one son, Judson of Rock Valley; one daughter, Letha Tibbetts of Redlands, Calif.; seven grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.

OBITUARY OF MABEL SMITH
Sioux Center News of May 16, 1990
MABEL SMITH
Mabel Smith, 96, of Rock Valley died Monday, May 7, at Valley Manor Nursing Home in Rock Valley.
Services were at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 10, at Pioneer United Methodist Church in Rock Valley with the Rev. Ron Johnson officiating. Burial was in Valley View Cemetery.
The former Mable Long was born February 11, 1894, in Sanborn. She moved to Rock Valley as a child and graduated from Rock Valley High School. She taught country school until her marriage to Cecil Smith June 30, 1915, at Rock Valley. She was a substitute rural mail carrier from 1926 to 1929. The couple moved to Valley Manor in April 1984.
She was a member of Pioneer Methodist Church since April 4, 1915.
Survivors include a son, Judson of Rock Valley; a daughter, Letha Tibbetts of Gig Harbor, Washington; two sisters, Irene Hansen of Rock Valley and Lois Goldsmith of Sequim, Washington; seven grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

OBITUARY OF JUDSON SMITH (1918-1955)
Judson M. Smith, 77, of rural Rock Valley died Wednesday, June 21, 1995, at Hegg Memorial Hospital in Rock Valley.
Services were Saturday at the Pioneer United Methodist Church in Rock Valley with the Rev. Ron Johnson officiating. Burial was in the Valley View Cemetery.
Mr. Smith was born Jan. 25, 1918, in Rock Valley, the son of Cecil and Mabel (Long) Smith.
He graduated from Rock Valley High School in 1936.
He married Frances Anderson May 20, 1938, in Rock Rapids. The couple farmed on the Smith Homestead farm east of Rock Valley, which was homesteaded in the 1890s.
He was in partnership with Matt Huisman in the Allis Chalmers dealership from 1954 to 1973.
Mr. Smith served on the Rock Valley Community School board for 23 years, beginning in 1958. He also served on the Iowa Irrigation Board for 15 years and the Sioux County Zoning Board.
He was a member of Pioneer United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife; three sons and their wives, Roger and Dorothy and Robert and Nancy, all of Rock Valley and Douglas and Dee of Sioux City; a daughter, Diane.Olson of Sioux City; a sister, Letha Tibbets of Redlands, CA; 12 grandchildren and three-great-grandchildren.
Rock Valley Bee 1995-06-28.

OBITUARY OF FRANCES SMITH
Northwest Iowa Review, February 26, 2005
Rock Valley - Frances Smith, 86, Rock Valley, died Saturday, Feb. 19, at Hegg Memorial Health Center in Rock Valley.
Services were Tuesday, Feb. 22, at Pioneer United Methodist Church in Rock Valley, with the Rev. Jerry Robertson officiating. Burial was at Valley View Cemetery in Rock Valley, under the direction of Porter Funeral Home in Rock Valley.
Frances Smith, daughter of Andrew & Kate (Erickson) Anderson, was born Dec. 2, 1918, in Doon. She married Judson Smith on May 20, 1938, in Rock Rapids. They lived east of Rock Valley. She was a Shaklee distributor for many years. Mr. Smith died June 21, 1995. She continued to live east of Rock Valley, until moving to Valley Manor Nursing Home in Rock Valley in April 2001. She was a 50 year member of Pioneer United Methodist Church in Rock Valley.
Survivors include three sons, Roger & Dorothy Smith of Rock Valley, Robert & Nancy Smith of Rock Valley, and Douglas & Dee Smith of Sioux City; a daughter, Diane Olson of Emerson, NE; 12 grandchildren; a brother, W.E. "Speck" & Barb Anderson of Rock Valley; three sisters-in-law, Dorothy Anderson of Hawarden, Martha Anderson of Doon, and Letha Tibbetts of Yucaipa, CA, and a lifelong friend, Mildred Klein of Rock Valley.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Judson Smith; and four brothers, Ivan Anderson, Elmer Anderson, Adolph "Stub" Anderson, and Jim Anderson.

No picture of the Smith family was found in the local archives, if anyone has a picture please scan and upload to our page coordinator.