Person:Wales Higgins (1)

From Bob Smith

His father was born in Connecticut according to census records, perhaps Haddam. Wales supposedly was descended from Richard Higgins of Plymouth, MA and some of the Mayflower people. My great grandmother, Florence (Higgins) Smith, had a book I've inherited of Mayflower descendants with many margin notes handwritten in by someone.

Sometime after 1842, Wales and Mary moved to Scipio Twp., Wayne Co., Indiana, a very short distance west of the Ohio line and Hicksville, OH. Wales and Mary died there and are buried in the Springfield Twp. Cemetery between Harlan and Hicksville. Wales died 26 Mar 1897 and Mary 4 Jun 1890. I have pictures of them and will attach them to this letter.

From History of Wales Higgins and Related Family Members Who Lived in Erie County, Ohio and later in Springfield Township, Allen County Indiana, Feb. 1980, by Rosemary Marquart Dager, 109 Willow Run Dr. Monroeville, IN 46773

Wales' father born in Massachusetts, mother in New York state. Marriage about 1846. Listed 1850 Census in Erie Co., OH. Moved to Allen Co. about 1855, farm near Harlan in Springfield twp. Son, Morris D. ("Mose") Higgins born there 1856.

25 Nov 1857, Adam Driver, brother of Mary E. Driver, sold 40 acres to Wales on Worden Rd. NW Sect., SE 1/4, Sect. 24, Springfield Twp. Morris owned & farmed this land later.

Children of Mary Driver and Wales Higgins

Martha (not proven)

Charles H., born 11 Dec 1847 in Vermillion Twp, Erie, Ohio; died 04 Jan 1899 in Springfield Twp, Allen, Indiana. Louisa "Eliza" Castle, b: Apr 1853, married Charles 19 Mar 1871 in Allen Co. He was a farmer. They are buried in the Old Harlan Cemetery, Allen Co., Indiana.

James Edward, born 22 Jan 1849 in Vermillion Twp, Erie, Ohio; died 01 May 1918 in Little Black, Taylor, Wisconsin. 9 Mar 1873 in Defiance Co., OH, James married Ellenora Lucy Comparet. She was born 11 Oct 1852 in Ohio.

Sarah, born Nov 1851 in Vermillion Twp, Erie, Ohio; died 1906 in Allen Co, Indiana. Martin Bidlack, b: 7 Aug 1849, married Sarah on 5 May 1873. She is buried in Scipio Cemetery, Allen Co, Indiana

George Albert, born 23 Sep 1853 in Vermillion Twp, Erie, Ohio; died 20 Aug 1909 in Harlan, Allen, Indiana. Matilda C. "Martha" Faustknight, b: 7 Oct 1852, married George 20 Feb 1879 in Allen Co. George is buried in Scipio Cemetery, Allen Co, Indiana

Morris D., born 10 Jun 1856 in Springfield Twp, Allen, Indiana; died 25 Mar 1942 in Hicksville, Defiance, Ohio. His nickname was Mose. He married 28 MAY 1887 Alice A. Smith (Clement Smith's sister) b: 29 AUG 1855 in Wood, Ohio. Obituary in Ft. Wayne, Indiana newspaper indicates she fell in her home 3 Mar 1942 and fractured a hip; it led to her death.

From Bob Smith

Cousin Marion Powell, Lloyd's daughter, says that she was quite familiar with Uncle Mose because he would travel from Hicksville to Midland frequently to visit the family. One thing she remembers about Mose is that he was a HUGE feller. He was tall and built Quasi Moto fashion.

Mose lived the end of his life on the farm inherited from his father, Wales. A neighbor remembers Mose as a real boozer. Hardly thinkable that we could have such lineage, eh?

Ruth, born abt 1857 in Springfield Twp, Allen, Indiana. On 8 APR 1879 she married Elisha Bidblack.

Alice, born 25 Aug 1860 in Springfield Twp, Allen, Indiana; died 10 Aug 1883 in Allen Co, Indiana. Daniel Billman married Alice on 8 Mar 1879 in Allen Co, Indiana. She is buried in Scipio Cemetery, Allen Co, Indiana

Harvey E., born 05 Jun 1866 in Springfield Twp, Allen, Indiana; died 15 Jun 1900.

Florence Violet, born 29 May 1869 in Harlan, Allen, Indiana; died 14 Jan 1939 in Midland, Midland, Michigan. She was married to Clement Buchanan Smith, b: 12 MAY 1857 in Akron, Ohio.

Florence's children

Harvey Eugene b: 20 Feb 1888 in Antwerp, Defiance, OH James Albert b: 19 Feb 1890 in Springfield Twp., Allen, IN Edward Leroy "Ted" Rev. b: 30 Nov 1891 in Scipio Twp., Allen, IN Ada Marie (infant)b: 12 Sep 1901 in Harlan, Allen, Indiana Lucy Mabel b: 25 Jul 1895 in Scipio Twp., Allen, IN Celia Reba b: 2 Jan 1897 in Scipio Twp., Allen, IN Lloyd Ivan b: 19 Aug 1903 in Scipio Twp., Allen, IN Perry Alvin b: 7 Jul 1906 in The Bend, Defiance, Defiance, OH Jesse Glennis "Red" b: 27 Aug 1908

From Bob Smith

Cousin Marion Powell, Lloyd's daughter, remembers her grandmother Florence very well. Clem & Florence lived there (at Lloyd's) for a while.

While Clem was a quiet character, Florence was the opposite. She was talkative and gregarious, joining and being active in organizations & clubs, etc. Marion says Flo was a large lady and VERY funny. Her language was constantly peppered with "folksy" phrases.

THE "GRANDMA FELL DOWN THE STAIRS" STORY Glenn G. Smith of Mesa, AZ, son of Ted and grandson of Clem & Florence, told me this story. Ted had a room in his house set aside exclusively for the visists of "Grandpa and Grandma". One morning the whole family was together at the breakfast table and were waiting for Grandma Florence to join them before they began eating. A door at one side of the dining room opened to the stairway and Vertie called up to Florence that they were ready to eat breakfast. All of a sudden there was the loudest clatter of noise you could imagine.

The farmhouse had no indoor facilities and bedpans were used. Florence, a VERY large woman, was bringing her chamber pot down to empty and fell all the way down the stairs. The door flew open and Grandma entered flying, as did the contents of the chamber pot, all over the breakfast table. Glenn said it is a hilarious story but rather scary at the time. Florence was not hurt, unless one considered her pride.

Clem and Florence were "super nice people". This sounds funny but is consistently the very first thing everyone says who knew them. The second comment is that they were "very religious". Clem was a quiet man; Florence was very gregarious and talkative.

The Smith men were known for having dynamite tempers. Clement was no exception. Although a quiet man, he flared quickly. Once, in a fit of temper, his son Ted (who ended up being a preacher), threw an axe at Clem. Clem, not seeming at all surprised, bent over, picked up the axe and threw it back at Ted.

Clem loved to get up at sunrise on a brisk morning, walk out onto the porch, throw up his arms and yell "YAAA-HOOOO!" He was a stone mason and built the stone Methodist church across the road from where he and Flo are buried. In 1935, Clem was found dead in bed by his son Lloyd.

The Smith's moved from the "St. Joe" farm in 1908. The women moved by train and Ted and Jim (Grandpa) travelled with the cattle on cattle car. The others, Lloyd, Harvey, Perry, Jesse, Clem, moved belongings in a covered wagon.

Their first move was to a farm on the Maumee River, near Defiance at The Bend. They only lived there a year or two, sold out and moved to Hope, Michigan and then to the 320 acre farm near Dale, Michigan in Tobacco Township, Gladwin County 2 1/2 miles from Beaverton. Their move to Michigan was prompted by the Guernseys being there. They owned a big sawmill and there was plenty of timber there. The move from Hope to Dale was to be close to a Dunkard church and closer to the Guernseys. At Hope they attended a Methodist church. They built a log cabin there. Later they sold the farm to the Guernseys, lifelong friends of Clem & Florence and the family from which both Ted & Lloyd's wifes (sisters) came.

The Guernseys took out the old cabin and built a larger home of logs purchased from the wreckage of an old lodge at Mackinaw or somewhere in northern Mich. Later, Clem & Flo moved in to Midland and remained there their final years. In 1912, James Albert Smith moved from the farm to Defiance, OH and was a stonecutter for a few years before moving to Columbus and marrying Caroline.

Narrative by a son, Glenn G. Smith

I. THE PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH CLAN; V. Schmid & Tom (Schmid) Smith; CHRONOLOGY: 1825 - Smithville, Ohio. George Wesley (or Washington) born 1830 - Smithville, Ohio. Mary Ann Sapp born (was 1/4 American Indian) 1852 - George & Mary Ann married 1853-4 Martha ("Mert") born in Smithville 1854 - George & Mary move to Akron, Ohio. 1855 - Alice A. is born 1857 - Clement B. is born 1858 - Rose is born and they move to Wadsworth, Ohio where in: 1862 - Franklin A. is born; then they move to Cecil, Ohio, then to Indiana 1864 - Ella is born (Elna?). The family moves to Indiana around Harlan after the Civil War. A relative in or near Wadsworth served in the Civil War for a brief time. I believe it was an uncle of the children (brother of either George or Mary) 1869-70 George dies; Clem is left to run the farm with Mother and the Girls. Neighbor James Higgins worked part of the farm or was hired to work. Later, Morris worked at the farm and fell in love with Alice, Pa's sister. 1887 - Clem & Florence get married at Harlan, Indiana. Pa's farm is in Indiana, Springfield Twp. Mary Ann & son Frank - their address is Hicksville, Ohio, but the home is still in Indiana. 1888 - Ma (Florence) went to Antwerp or Cecil, Ohio and stayed with a sister and had Harvey Feb. 20, came home in March. The rest of the kids were born on the farm except Perry & Jess. He was born in Liberty Center just before they moved to Beaverton, Dale Twp., Gladwin Co., MI. 1910 - Move to Beaverton, MI 1912-13 Move to Hope, MI; Lloyd starts to school 1917 - Move to Midland, buy a Dow owned house. 1930-31 Clem retires from Dow @@ $50.00 per mo., rent out house, travel and stay with kids.

Gramma, Grampa Smith retired in 1931 and rented their house on Haley St. out. They lived with Lloyd and Grace and helped build Lloyd's house on Wackerly Rd; the original U.S. 10 near Stark Rd.

G.M. & G.P. traveled all over and stayed with Celia & Wilbur, Ted & Vertie, Lucy & Milton. Visited relatives in Ohio and Indiana. G.P. died in 1935 Sep 2nd. of a heart attack at Uncle Lloyd's house. He died in his sleep with his arms folded and knees up, the way he normally slept. He was buried in Dale cemetery. Lloyd bought four lots for $2.00. Gramma moved back to Haley St., they make 2 apts out of it; she lives in one, Perry & Lloyd built outside stairway on house.

1939 G.ma dies Jan 14th the nite Dempsey KO'd Joe Louis. Marion (Lloyd's daughter) is there that nite. Marion was her favorite (pretty smart and tough). I think she (Florence) liked Cora and Ardis a lot too.

I was 8 yrs old when G.P. died and was just getting over the measles so I didn't get to go to the public part of the funeral, so had to stay at Aunt Lucy's house in Mapleton. Everybody wound up there and things didn't wind down until late. It was the only time I remember seeing Uncle Frank and Uncle Mose. The only times I seen Robert and James were at the funerals.

I know that G.P. & G.M. visited their bro. and sis. in Ohio and Ind when G.P. retired. I do not have or can't remember seeing any pictures of their siblings except uncle Frank. I have one picture of Frank and one of his son whom I thought name was Frank, Jr. and so did my cousin Delvin. Maybe some of the other cousins have pictures. I would like to make copies. G.P. & G.M. would always be to our place when we butchered and so would Uncle Lloyd.

G.P. would come and go hunting with Dad (Ted) and so would Lloyd. Jess and Perry never did much hunting. Jess hunted and fished in Nevada but I don't remember it much in Mich only when they stayed with us and worked on the farm. Dad would take them hunting.

G.P. would always make the head cheese when we butchered and both of them would help make the sausage and can the links in glass jars. G.P. and Dad would make jerky from venison and then divide it. G.P. would always come at hay time and he would always work the stack; nobody could stack it like G.P.

G.P. was one of the best stone and brick masons in the country and also a good carpenter. He helped Lloyd build a house in Averil, MI and that was the house he died in. He died in his sleep.

My Dad said that the last stack G.P. stacked while we lived on the Riley farm 1935, G.P. said as he stood on the stack, looked toward the sky and said, "Ted, there is nothing between God and I and I'm ready to go.

G.P. was born in Akron, O., but they moved to Indiana shortly after. His father, George, at one time worked on the river or canal. He got into some kind of trouble and used the old Schmid name on the boats or barges. (note: This story is also attributed to Thomas Smith, George's father)

Aunt Grace (Lloyd's wife) told me about it once when Lloyd and Grace lived on Second St. in Midland. I used to stay at Lloyd's when I worked in Midland. Once when I worked at Harvest Baking and once when I worked for Fisher Sand and Gravel.

I have a picture of the auctioneer and Uncle Frank when he cried G.P.'s sale in Ohio when they moved to Mich.

When I was fourteen my father took me to a place he called The Bend on the Maumee River in Ohio. The farm was on the river or they farmed some land on the river. I always thought that was where Perry and Jess were born. It wasn't too far from Defiance or Napoleon, Ohio because we went to both of those places. Dad knew people there and had old friends there. My father was nineteen when they moved to Mich. I have a picture of Dad when he was seventeen all dressed up in a suit. I believe it was at G.M. Smith`s old home or at Uncle Mose Higgins' place; maybe Mose lived on the old Higgins farm in Ind. (he did). I believe G.P. Smith's father's middle name was Washington or Wesley; I'm not sure. The move from O. to MI. was quite a move, part by train and part by wagon. Took several days. I believe my father was working with Harvey on the railroad at the time or he went back to Ohio and worked for a time.

G.P. Smith helped lay the stone to build the Methodist church in Dale, Mich. He also built 2 stone houses on M-18 near Curtiss. I don't think they lived on the old Homestead too long they moved to Hope to be near the Sorgs. I believe they were from Indiana and maybe cousins or something. It was while they lived in Hope that a man and his son stole timber off G.P. homestead at Dale. When they found out about it my Dad went over, beat them within an inch of their lives. So my Dad and Jack Hughes went out west for a while until things cooled down. I don't know if G.P. approved or disapproved. Ted was tough and nobody messed with him. He was the tallest of the boys just a shade over six feet and weighed 185 pounds.

I can remember going to church with G.M. & G.P. at the Brethren church in Midland. G.P. wore suspenders or gallouses and hated it when you snapped them. G.P. Smith would threaten you a lot but never lick you. My G.P. Guernsey didn't threaten you, he just upended you and you got it on the spot. G.P. Smith had asthma and he would mix "mullin" in his tobacco and smoke it and some times he would chew Indian tobacco; it grew wild in Mich. I think when G.P. joined the Brethren church he shaved his beard off. The dunkards let it grow.

My G.M. Smith and Aunt Lucy made me a baby blanket and crochetted 18 different birds and the bird names in red and white. I still have the blanket.

None of the Smith children were church goers until later in life. My father was the first in 1924 with my mother, Aunt Grace and Bessie Snyder. Uncle Lloyd joined later maybe early 40's. I know there was a preacher by the name of Howison he liked and I believe he or his son officiated Uncle Lloyd's funeral.

The Smiths talked about their Penn. Dutch heritage. They always talked about going back to look for them but never did. As far as I know G.M. & G.P.'s families were mostly farmers, plain people, honest and hard workers. They had nine wonderful kids and even those who were far off were talked about and wondered about daily. Everybody loved to reminisce and look at the picture albums; everybody had one. Some of the names of people that G.M. & G.P. talked about were their friends back home in Ohio and Ind. were the Killians, the Russels, the Sorgs, the Whitmores, the Ruperts, the Drivers, Farnsworths, Wileys. [The Killians and Drivers were relatives.]

G.M. was very active in the church, the ladies aid, baking the unleavened bread and boiling the mutton for the communion meal. The Brethren and Dunkards at the whole communion meal. I have Grandma's prayer covering or one of them they were little white net-like caps. One time G.M. fell downstairs at our house when we lived in Coleman with the bed pot it created no small havoc in the dining room and no one ever let her forget it. She was spared injury, thank goodness.

It was said that someone joined a church - Quaker or something, that didn't believe in war in order not to be inducted; I believe it was the Civil War?

When the depression hit in '29 we moved from Detroit to Midland. We stayed at G.M. for a while then we moved across the field to Ashman St. We had a lot of stuff stored in a trailer and left it there until we moved to Mills or Coleman, I can't remember which place was first. I know we lived in Mills twp. on the Cordy West farm when Velma (Lloyd's daughter) was born because I remember Uncle Lloyd came racing into the yard and Dad yelled what was it? and Lloyd said its a girl. Dad said that's all right, the next one will be a boy and it was (Wesley); he was born on Grandpa Guernsey's birthday in July.

I think Marion (Lloyd's dau.) was G.M. Smith's favorite. I know Marion sure love her a lot. Marion was probably the prettiest baby in the Smith family. Marion and I was pretty close; we played together a lot, really she was quite tough and I was about eleven or twelve before I could lick her. I think Marion was with G.M. the night she died. According to Delvin G.M. died the night Jack Dempsey knocked out Joe Louis. Delvin was partly raised by G.M. and G.P. Everybody loved Del; he would come and stay with us on the farms and help out. He talked us into going to Armada, MI where Uncle Wilbur and Aunt Celia lived to pick cherries for 2 weeks. We had a lot of fun and I made enough money to buy a real baseball bat. It was less than 50 cents and probably used more as a chalice than a bat because of my two older sisters.

G.M. and G.P. never owned a car or learned to drive but managed to be where they wanted to be when they wanted to be there. The train was still the major public carrier and everyone used it. The bus became a major carrier in the '40s.

G.P. never lost an argument if it wasn't going his way he just kicked out of the house.

OLD BOOKS

In Glenn's Aug. 1990 package of letters, narratives and maps, he included several old books which are revealing due to inscriptions on the front and back covers. (1) "Dodd's Thoughts in Prison and Other Miscellaneous Pieces" by Rev. William Dodd, LL.D. with the life of the author, Cooke's Edition, Embellished with Engravings; London: printed for C. Cooke, No. 17, Paternoster Row and sold by all the booksellers in Great Britian and Ireland. No published date; after 1777. Inside front cover, the signature "V. Schmid" which looks like V. Fchmid. Inside back cover, "This is Pa's book give to Vertie", written by Glenn. "Pa's G. Grandfathers Pa" written by Florence, as an explanation of the signature on the front cover. "When Granmpa S. died Mother Smith gave to Vertie for Ted and also a small gold watch. 1935", written by Glenn.

(2) Hymn Book of the Methodist Protestant Church, Ninth Edition, Baltimore, 1849. Inside front cover written very lightly in pencil: "Wm Sherman Smith to George Smith", assumed that George is George W., Clem's father. We don't know who Wm. Sherman Smith was; maybe a brother of George W

(3) Grimm's Fairy Tales, translated from the German by Lucy Crane and done into pictures by Walter Crane. New York; the F. M. Lupton Publishing Company No. 65 Duane Street. No publishing date. Inscribed inside front cover, probably by Vertie: "This book belonged to Ted's Grandma Smith (would be Mary Ann Sapp Smith) given to her by a friend or relative." in black ink.Underneath that, in pencil: "to C.B. Smith from Mother". Under that: Miss Emma Pickardy...Stentorg (?nearly illegible?) Mich. July 4, 1813 (1893?)"

1. ↑ Researcher Bob Smith (Driver).