Maurice Calvin Adkins “Morris” Smith and Mary Jane Bristow Smith
Came to the Verde Valley by covered wagon from Missouri in July 1887.
Birth 9 Jan 1827 Kentucky, USA
Death 16 Apr 1900 (aged 73) Camp Verde, Yavapai County, Arizona
Burial Squaw Peak Cemetery Camp Verde, Yavapai County, Arizona
Parents
Philip Pendelton SMITH Sr September 17, 1767 - September 16, 1863 (95)
Emelia Adkins Smith October 03, 1777 - March 03, 1868 (90)
Spouse
Mary Jane Bristow Smith 1842–1931
Children
James Segal "Bud" Smith 1861–1955
William Edward Smith 1864–1929
Armittie Dell "Mittie" Smith Hamilton 1865–1958
Julia Sherman Smith Mahan 1868–1922
Sarah Ellen "Sallie" Smith Thompson 1869–1960
Wyatt Adkins Smith 1872–1964
Maurice Calvin Smith 1879–1960
Hulda Susan Smith Dickinson Marshall 1881–1985 Frank Lee Dickinson's wife
Siblings:
Susannah Farr Fawcett
Alexander W Smith
Mary (Polly) Koger
John Middleton Smith
Jesse Bowen Smith
William D Smith
Pleasant Miller Smith
George Phinis Smith
George Preston Smith
Philip Pendleton Smith, Jr.
Hardy W Smith
Isaac Denton Smith
Benjamin David Smith
Jemima Oyler
John M Smith
Jonathan Lewis Smith
Martha Ellen McDonald
Benjamin David Smith
John Middleton Smith
William Turner Smith
John George Smith
Mr. Smith was a member of the Dunkard church.
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Maurice Calvin Smith - Some History.
Author Unknown. Transcribed from printed, typed pages by Bill Rowe
Maurice Calvin Smith, born in Missouri, was a Union soldier in the Civil War. He served Medical Corp Division.
After the war he settled in Missouri where he became a farmer and the community doctor. Since there was no doctor for a time, and Smith was very knowledgeable and experienced in medicine, he helped many people. He was married; I do not know the wife's name but of this marriage there was one son, “Bud”. When his wife died, he married Mary Jane Bristow, daughter of Lad Bristow. Mary Jane’s grandmother came from Ireland when just a little girl. Her name was Mary Ashinghurst. Mary Jane learned many ballads or “ditties” as they were called, about Ireland. She told of an interesting event…
While aboard the Immigration Ship, they were held at sea for several days before they could come into New York Port. There were many Immigrates who had left Ireland for the colonies. The ship was running out of fresh drinking water and some of the old ladies cried because they could not have their “Tay”.
Mary Jane and Maurice had four boys, and four girls. Bill Ed, Wyatt, Ben, and Maurice. Mittie, Julia, Sarah, and Hulda Susan. (note: Hulda married Frank Lee Dickinson and one of their children was Helen Dickinson-Moxcey) When the baby, Hulda Susan, was five years old Smith decided to move West. They joined a covered wagon train leaving Cedar County, Missouri, in April 1886 (correct year was 1887). Destination - Verde Valley in Arizona, as Bristow relatives were already there. Mittie, the oldest daughter, married to Creed Hamilton, stayed in Missouri. They traveled through Kansas, New Mexico, and Colorado, arriving in Flagstaff on the 4th of July. There they met a friend, Charles Mahan who was ranching near Flagstaff. The Smith family stayed there for the rest of the summer. In September they moved to the Verde Valley. Maurice C. Smith homesteaded a piece of land near the river, for farming, raising all kinds of vegetables and fruit. He built a house, and a part of the home is still standing, on the old Calloway Place.
Maurice Calvin Smith and Mary Jane lived a quiet, happy life in the Verde Valley, watching their children grow up and marry making homes for their families. In 1900 Maurice Calvin Smith passed away in the Army Hospital and was buried in the Squaw Peak Cemetery.
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APRIL 17, 1907. Frank L. Dickinson and M. C. Smith to Alonso Mason, deed to S. W. quarter of H. W. quarter of Her. 27, 1 N., 3 K., and S. W, quarter of N. W. quarter of Sec. 16 N.., 3 E. $1,500. (This may have been the sale of the store)
AUGUST 27. 1909
M. C. Smith, A. L. Dickinson, Frank Owenby & Sons and Arthur Dickinson have contracted 800 head of feeders to Z. W. De Camp the La Mars, Colorado cattle buyer for delivery by September 15th. Feeders are in good demand in Colorado and are bringing good prices.
April 20, 1917.
Frank L. Dickinson to M. C Smith Bill of sale. One-eighth interest in cattle and horses, near Ash Fork.
Frank L. Dickinson to M. C. Smith. One-half interest in property record ed in Book 99 of Deeds, page 96.
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Arizona Weekly Journal Miner,
Prescott, Arizona
Wednesday, May 2, 1900
Died - At his home near Camp Verde, Arizona, April 16, 1900, of la grippe, and old age, Morris A. Smith, a native of Kentucky, aged 63 years, 3 months and 7 days.
Deceased came to Verde valley in July 1887 and has made this his home ever since. He was the father of fifteen children, nine of whom are living here in Verde valley. He has sixteen grand children living in this community. His widow still survives him, and he is living with her married daughter, Mrs. Reanor Thompson.
She also has two other married daughters, Mrs. Frank L. Dickinson and Mrs. Lee Mahan living here, also her sons, one of whom is married.
Mr. Smith was a member of the Dunkard church, and Uncle Morris was a good husband and kind parent and did his best to make his family and friends feel like there was no place like home.
One of Verde's good citizens has gone to the great beyond, from whose borne no traveler returns. Peace to his ashes.
Transcriber's Note: Burial is at the Squaw Peak Cemetery, Yavapai County, Ariz.
Squaw Peak Cemetery in Camp Verde, AZ
Address: 4983 Winchester Trl, Camp Verde, AZ 86322
GEO coordinates: Latitude: 34.49576, Longitude: -111.83199
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