Joshua. Kristi works at a computer shop in Charlotte, NC. Lynn Marie attended schools in Waterloo and Hudson. Lynn married Tom Schaefer in Rochester, MN. They have three children: Brandie, Eric and Brooke. They had one son, Cory, who is deceased. Lynn manages Joann Fabrics in Rochester. Kevin Earl attended school in Waterloo and Hudson. Kevin married Carol DeSalvo in Clearwater, FL. Kevin is in management at Stortz Ophthalmics, Inc. in Clearwater.

Earl works at Mannata Concrete in Waterloo. Eileen has worked at J.C. Penney Co. for 27 years in the alteration room. Earl and Eileen both enjoy camping and fishing. Earl enjoys hunting and driving horses for hayrides.

Smith, Eugene and Minnie (Headington)

(Jeanne W. Smith)

Eugene Letts Smith, youngest son of George and Harriet Smith was born 4 Apr 1871 in Bluffton Twp. and died 1 Apr 1951. He was married to Minnie Mabel Headington on 17 Apr 1902. Mabel (b. 25 Sep 1880) was the daughter of John and Lucy Headington. When she died in Decorah 12 Feb 1971, she was survived by three sons, Donald and George of Winneshiek Co.; Arthur Elmer of Riverside, CA; and a daughter, Hazel Sorenson of Decorah, as well as nine grandchildren and twelve greatgrandchildren. Two children, Henry Clay and Blanche Harriet, preceded her in death.

Eugene and Mabel lived on the original Smith farm homesteaded by his father, George. Their oldest son, Henry Clav (b. 1902) died tragically in a swimming accident on the Upper Iowa River 24 Jun 1923. The oldest daughter, Blanche Harriet, was born 15 Apr 1904. She was married 20 Jan 1934 to Donald Luren. Blanche died six years later 4 May 1940. One daughter, Phyllis Geanne, was born to the couple. She is married to Edgar Owen Benesh. They are the parents of four children: Diane Elaine, Susan Jeanne, David Edward and Thomas Donald. Diane and her husband, Mark Vanden Plas, are the parents of Katherine Alexis, Kelsey Amanda, Chantel Marie and Melissa Anne. Susan is the mother of Deanne Jeanne Siegfried. David and his wife, the former Mary Colleen Gable, are parents to Joshua David, Jennifer Colleen and Jonathan James. Tom and his wife, the former Tania Marie White, are the parents of Candice Marie, Ann Etta and Erica Rae. All of the Benesh family live in the Minneapolis area.

Donald Eugene, third child in the family was born 9 Oct 1907. He died 27 Dec 1982. He was married to Harriet Jean Johnson.

The fourth child and second daughter, Hazel Frances, was born 16 Aug 1909. She was married to Arnold Clarence Sorenson on 15 Jul 1934 and lived in Decorah until her death 29 Jan 1979. There were no children born to this marriage. Hazel had been trained as a nurse, but began working as a seamstress. She later branched out into draperies. Her handiwork could be found in some of the finest homes in Decorah.

The fifth child. George William II. was born 2 May 1917. He married the former Belva Bertha Manning on 15 Oct

Left to right: Horace Sherman Smith, Alba Fremont Smith, Arthur Elmer Smith and Eugene Letts Smith.

1939. They are the parents of five children, 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. George and Belva purchased property just across the road in Canoe Twp. and just south of the original Smith farm where they still reside. Their oldest son, William Eugene and his wife, the former Janet Beisbier, live on the original farm. That property has now been farmed by Smiths for over 140 years! Bill and Janet are the parents of Jacob and Casey. Farming with George and William is son-in-law, Timothy Hutchinson. He is married to George and Belva’s daughter, Dixie. Tim and Dixie live on an adjoining farm in Bluffton Twp. Tim and Dixie are the parents of Nicole, Brooke, Lee and April. Nicole is married to Paul Korsness and has two children, Kelsie Elizabeth and Dylan Paul. Gerald Vernon, second son of George and Belva, lives on the adjoining farm to the east in Canoe Twp. Gerald is the father of two daughters, Ember Leann and Heather. Ember has one son, Jacob Lee Broeker, and Heather has two children, John Paul and Jerrica Judy Zevick. Their third son, Ronald Arthur, lives in Potosi, Wl. He is the father of George William Smith III, Tamara Lorraine, Tina Marie and Terri Lee. George lives in Canoe Twp. and is married to the former Renee Timmerman. They are the parents of Justin, Kayla and Ethan. Tamara (Tammy) is married to Al Berens and lives in Monona, IA. She and Al are the parents of Amy Ann and Kristy Lorraine. Tina lives in Cresco, IA and is married to Mike Tupy. They are the parents of Joshua, Sara and Lisa. Terri and her husband, Charles Fitterer, live in Hutchinson, MN. Luann Belva, youngest daughter of George and Belva, died in infancy.

Youngest son of Eugene and Minnie, Arthur Elmer (b. 14 Jun 1919) lives in Hemet, CA. He is married to the former Ruth Gallagher. They are the parents of David Arthur, Barbara Ann, John Allen and Gary Anthony.

Smith Family

(Ruth Eleanor Smith)

The surname “Smith” does not suggest Norse heritage, but Dr. Axel Christian Rosenkrands Smith (20 Oct 1844-28 Oct 1917) traced his ancestry back to Andrew Lawrence Smith, a Scotsman who emigrated to Norway in the 1600’s. Andrew was a well-known artist who did painting and woodcarving. His most notable work being