Saturday, April 27, 2019

Zachariah Smith 1838-1914

Zachariah Smith was born 5 May 1838 in Port Byron, Cayuga, New York, the son of Solomon Smith and Mary Bloss.

Picture posted on Find-A-Grave:



Prior to 1847 Zachariah, his parents and siblings moved to Michigan, settling in Branch county. The history of Union City can be found here. Solomon Smith purchased 40 acres in section 34.



1850 Federal Census - Union City, Branch, Michigan. Family consists of Solomon, 43, farmer, born New York; Polly, 43, born New York; Morilla J. [Marilla], 16, born New York; Covilla [Cecila], 13, born New York; Zachariah, 11, born New York; John, 9, born New York; Philip, 7, born New York; James, 5, born New York; and Coly Ann, 3, born Michigan.


1860 Federal Census - Union City, Branch, Michigan. Family is Solomon, 53, farmer, born New York; Polly, 53, born New York; Lovilla [Cecelia], 24, born New York; Zachariah, 22, farm laborer, born New York; John, 20, farm laborer, born New York; Philip, 18, farm laborer, born New York; James, 15, farm laborer, born New York; and Colann, 13, born Michigan.


The 1860 farm schedule shows father Solomon having 34 improved acres, 6 unimproved acres, cash value of farm $1,200, value of implements $5; 2 horses, 3 milch cows, 6 other cattle, 15 swine, value of livestock $36; produced 100 bushels wheat, 150 bushels corn.


Zachariah registered for the draft to the civil war. He is white, 25, farmer, single, born New York.



In Oct 1866 Zachariah is listed on the IRS tax list, second collection district, state of Michigan. He owes 10 cents for unassessed penalty.


Zachariah married Harriet Elizabeth Filson on 20 Nov 1867 in Branch county.


Harriet was born 22 Feb 1844 in Elyria, Lorain, Ohio, the daughter of William Filson and Harriet E. Smith.

Their first child, Emery S., was born 13 Mar 1869 in Union. His birth wasn't recorded until 14 Jun 1870 and he is listed as Emma S., female.


1870 Federal Census - Branch, Michigan. Zachariah, 32, works on farm, has $300 in personal estate, born New York; Harriet E., 25, keeping house, born Ohio; Emery S., 1, born Michigan.


It is most likely that Zachariah and his brothers are working on their father's farm. 1870 farm schedule - line 13, Solomon Smith has 40 acres improved, farm valued at $1,500, implements $75, no wages paid; 2 horses, 3 milch cows, 2 other cattle, value of livestock $300; produced 92 bushels fall wheat, 50 bushels corn; 32 bushels oats, 20 bushels buckwheat.



Son Solomon Truman was born 15 Oct 1872 in Union City. Record not found. Tombstone gives birth as 24 Oct 1871.

Son James Henry was born 11 Mar 1873 in Union City.


Son Hiram Horace was born 19 Jan 1875, record not found. [He gives his birth as 19 Jan 1874 on his draft registration.]

Son George Edward was born 25 Jul 1877



1880 Federal Census  not found

Zachariah moved his family north to Walton Junction in Fife Lake township, Grand Traverse county. A history of Walton Junction can be found here.

From the Traverse City Record Eagle 17 Dec 1955



Daughter Bertha was born in 1 Sep 1880 in Walton, Grand Traverse county, record not found [date from her death record]

1881 Map of Walton



Daughter Alice Bell was born 26 Mar 1884 in Walton, Grand Traverse county, record not found.


Mother Mary [Polly] died 10 Mar 1891 in Union City, Branch county. [Date from stone]

Father Solomon died 9 Mar 1892 in Union City, Branch county.



They are buried in Riverside cemetery.



1900 Federal Census - Fife Lake township, Grand Traverse, Michigan. Family consists of  Zachariah, born May 1838, 62, married 32 years, born New York; wife Harriet E., born Feb 1844, 56, 8 children born, 7 children living, born Ohio; sons - Solomon T., born Oct 1871, 28, born Michigan, top loader at lumber woods; Hiram A., born Jan 1876, 24, born Michigan, teamster; and George E., born Jul 1877, 22, born Michigan, teamster; daughters - Bertha A., born Sep 1880, 19, born Michigan; and Allis B., born Mar 1884, 16, born Michigan.



Traverse Bay Eagle - 8 Mar 1901 tells of Zachariah being on jury duty for the April term.


Traverse City directory - Walton - 1901 lists Zachariah as a carpenter and sons Emery, Hiram, James and Solomon as laborers.

 

Daughter Bertha was married to John Dingman on 1 Apr 1903 in Montesano, Chehalis, Washington.





Traverse City directory - Walton - 1904 - Zachariah and sons are laborers.


Daughter Alice Bell was married to John Everling on 14 Jun 1904, Fife Lake township, Grand Traverse, Michigan.



Traverse City directory - Walton - 1905 - Zachariah and sons are laborers


Traverse City directory - Walton - 1907 - Zachariah and sons are laborers




Son Hiram was married to Eunice Fellows on 20 Apr 1909 in Cadillac, Wexford, Michigan


Traverse City directory - Walton - 1909



1910 Federal Census - Fife Lake township, Grand Traverse, Michigan. Listed as living on Union Street - Zachirah, 71, married once for 41 years, born New York; Harriet E., wife, 66, born Ohio, 8 children born, 7 children living; Solomon T., son, 39, born Michigan, laborer at odd jobs. Sons James and Emery and their families live nearby.



Traverse City directory - Walton - 1911 - Zacharias [Zachariah] and sons are laborers



Traverse City directory - Walton - 1913 - Zachariah has no occupation, his sons Hiram, James and Solomon are laborers



On 18 Sep 1913 tragedy struck Zachariah's family. Son George Edward was murdered in Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan.





The Times Herald (Port Huron) of 19 Sep 1913







Lansing State Journal 20 Sep 1913





Grand Rapids Press 22 Sep 1913



Lansing State Journal 27 Oct 1913



Zachariah died 29 May 1914 in Walton, Fife Lake township, Grand Traverse county.



Daughter Bertha died 20 Oct 1914 in Olympia, Thurston, Washington




Traverse City directory - Walton - 1915 [information is gathered in the prior year, before Zachariah's death]. Zacharias, no occupation; sons James and Solomon are laborers.



Son James registered for the draft on 12 Sep 1918 in Pontiac, Oakland, Michigan. He is described as tall, medium build, blue eyes, brown hair.




Son Hiram registered for the draft on 12 Sep 1918 in Cadillac, Wexford, Michigan. He is a farmer, described as medium height and build, blue eyes, light brown hair.




Harriet died 11 Dec 1918 in Pontiac, Oakland, Michigan and is buried in Walton Cemetery in Grand Traverse county.





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