Smiley, Claudia (Mrs. William Ross), 1880-1934

SMILEY, RILEY, BIGLOW

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:33

From the Rock Valley Bee, January 18, 1933:

Death of Claudia Smiley

Claudia Rilley[sic] was born at Chapin, Franklin county, Iowa, December 4, 1880, and passed away at her home in Everett, Washington, November 6, 1934. She came with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. P. A. Rilley to Rock Valley, at the age of six months, where she grew to young womanhood and received her education in the Rock Valley Public schools.

She was united in marriage with Ross Smiley December 24, 1901. The family moved from Rock Valley 27 years ago and located in North Dakota, where they lived a few years and then moved to Montana, leaving Montana for Everett, Wa., 15 years ago.

She leaves to mourn her death, her husband and three children, Earle, Ruth, and Marie at home. Two sons preceded her in death, one in infancy and Lloyd, at the age of 6 years. She is also survived by her mother, Mrs. Alice Rilley, Des Moines; her twin sister, Maude Feuerhelm, Trent, S.D.; Anice[Alice?] Dennis, Omaha, Nebr.; Cora Howell, Gladbrook, Iowa; Carrie Buckley, Des Moines; Gladys Stone, Denver, Colo.; Blanche Craig, Kent, Wash.; four brothers, Mason, Highmore, S.D.; G. A., Canton, S.D.; Mort, Pierson, Mich.; Will, Omaha, Nebr. She also leaves two grand children.

She was a kind and loving wife and mother and counted her friends by her acquaintances. To know her was to love her and she will be sadly missed by all.

For ten years, Mrs. Smiley was a member and recorder of the Degree of Honor Lodge No. 48. She was also a member of Friendship Camp No. 3553 Royal Neighbors of America and a member of the First Presbyterian church of Everett.

Funeral services were held at the chapel of Challacombe and Fickle at 1 o’clock Friday afternoon, Nov. 9. Rev. Geo. T. Gunter conducted the services and burial was made at Evergreen cemetery, Everett.

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RESEARCH NOTES

A Washington Death Certificate Index on Ancestry.com has Claudia Smiley [Claudia Riley], age 53, died 6 Nov 1934 in Everett, Snohomish County, Washington, father Pitkin Riley, husband William.

FindaGrave.com has Claudia Smiley, born 1880, died 1934, buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Everett, Washington; husband William Ross Smiley (1873-1948); photo of their joint headstone. One daughter is listed, Ruth Marie Smiley (1919-2013).

The Sioux County marriage register for 1901 has groom Wm. Ross Smiley, age 29, resident of Rock Valley, a farmer, born at College Springs, Iowa, parents Wm. Smiley and Lizzie McMichael; bride Claudia Riley, age 22, resident of Rock Valley, born in Franklin County, Iowa, parents Pitkin A. Riley and Alice Biglow; married at Rock Valley, December 24, 1901.

The 1930 U.S. census for Everett, Washington shows William R. (56), Claudia (48), son Earl (17), and daughter Ruth (11); he is a laborer at a lumber mill.