A Little Information About the Alex Rollie Smith Family

On February 3, 2014, Cynthia Burris messaged the Maple Hill page asking for information about her Grandfather, Alex Rollie Smith. I haven’t been able to find much, and I haven’t found anyone that remembers the Alex R. Smith family, but I’ll be happy to provide what I’ve learned from the US Census.

The 1930 US Census lists the following:
John Edward Smith – born 1890 – Nebraska – Family Head
Hattie E. Smith – born 1899 – Kansas –
Edna M. Smith – born 1919 – Kansas – Daughter
Laverne L. Smith – Born 1922 – Kansas – Son
Edward D. Smith – Born 1925 – Kansas – Son
Alex R. Smith – Born 1927 – Kansas – Son
The census indicates that John E. Smith is a farm laborer on the Horace G. Adams Ranch.

The 1940 US Census lists the following:
John Edward Smith – Born 1890 – Nebraska – Family Head
Hattie E. Smith – Born 1899 – Kansas –
Laverne L. Smith – Born 1922 – Kansas – Son
Edward D. Smith – Born 1925 – Kansas – Son
Alex R. Smith – Born 1927 – Kansas – Son
Raymond Smith – Born 1934 – Kansas – Son

Sometime between 1940 and 1945, the family moved to Walla Walla, Walla Walla, Washington where some members are shown on the 1950 US Census. Apparently, most of the family continues to live in the Northwest United States.

I found that John Edgar/Edward (I found both listed several times) Smith was born on November 9, 1890 in Barada, Richardson County, Nebraska. He was the son of Wesley A. and Rebecca Susan Smith who were farmers there.

Apparently John E. Smith (1890) was twice married. His first wife was Bessie Rae Heiser. They had one son, William Wesley Smith, who was born in 1913. I haven’t been able to find when they were divorced, but Bessie Rae later married Earl J. Weidner and they moved to Oregon State.

John E. Smith (1890) then married Hattie E. Smith and they were the parents of the five children shown above. The family moved to Washington State and John E. Smith died there on November 24, 1958 at Dixon, Walla Walla County, Oregon.

According to information I found, Alex R. Smith married Darlene Deloris Remus and they were the parents of four children: Deborah, Benjamin, Alex R. Smith, Jr., and Jody Smith. Since no US Census information beyond 1940 has yet been released, I have not been able to find much information about the Alex R. Smith family.

I’m hope that this information is helpful Cynthia. It would appear that the family didn’t live in Maple Hill, Kansas very long and that John E. Smith and perhaps others of the older boys were employed on the Horace G. Adams Ranch.

Good luck in your search! Nick Clark, Page Administrator.