Saturday, December 15, 2018

David Elijah Smith - A Real Character

Was a Very Interesting Man

What do we know about David Elijah Smith?  We know that he was born in Arkansas City, AR as the 10th and last child to Thomas H Smith and Agnes Arnold on September 8, 1858.

David Elijah Smith was a man with rugged, masculine, handsome looks.  Some have said that his looks were a mix of Tom Selleck and Sam Elliot.  My Grandpa, Fred Burke Smith, used to say that his Daddy was a big, red headed, Irishman.

David Elijah Smith and his son Frank
Dave married C J Long on January 23, 1881 at the age of 23.  I don't have any details about C J, but I know that their marriage didn't last for very long and they didn't have any children together.

D E Smith married M F McGill in Paris, Logan, Arkansas, on September 18, 1884 according to the Arkansas County Marriages Index for 1837-1957.

Dave and Margaret "Tinny" McGill Smith had the following children. 


Robert Carriston 1885-1972, known as Carriston, died at age 87
Frank Thomas 1893-1971, died at age 78
Adalai H 1894-1966,  died at age 72
Augusta Caroline, 1900-1981, known as Callie, died at age 81
Fred Burke, 1903-1990, died at age 87
Charles Hilliard 1905-1979, died at age 54
Ralph W 1906-1941, died at age 35

Fred Burke was my Grandfather.  He lived to be the oldest out of all of his siblings other than his brother, Carriston.   My Grandpa was the last one to pass away out of all of his siblings.


David Elijah remarried for a third time at the age of 63, October 14, 1921, the following year after my great grandmother, Tinny passed away.  I don't think this marriage lasted very long.  They did not have any children together. I don't remember my Grandfather ever mentioning this marriage.


Dave was a socialist who ran for office once under the socialist ticket.


Dave was a savvy businessman who obtained a business loan to obtain equipment for his farm. 

David Elijah was my Great Grandpa.

Another thing we know about David Elijah Smith.  He liked to be married.

He was living with his son, Charles when he passed away on May 20, 1933 at the age of 75. 

More to come about David Elijah later.  He was quite a character of course.  How could he not be coming from this line of Smiths?

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