Published in the Ingham County Democrat on Dec 15, 1904 pg5, Col 3 - Death of Willard Smith - Willard Smith of White Oak, son of Robert & Amity Smith, was born Aug 27, 1832 in Courtland County, NY. He was the youngest child of a family of 13, 12 of whom grew to manhood and womanhood in the early days of Michigan pioneer life to which he came when he was 4yrs old & settled on a farm where he died Dec 3, 1904, having lived on the same farm for 68yrs. Of the original family tree that came to Mason the branches have fallen one by one until a single survivor, William H. of Iosco is sole representative of the family of 13 who came by team in 1836 to the wilds of Michigan. Sep 25, 1855, he & Gertrude Garner were married & to this union came 5 children: Jay, Mrs.E.A. Stowe, Mrs G.G.Carter, Hubbell S. & Marcus W., all of whom with the devoted wife were with him when he died except Jay who died in infancy, and Hubbell S. He was a member of Masonic fraternity & belonged to the Stockbridge Blue lodge and Howell Chapter Royal Arch. The funeral was held from the house the following Monday afternoon at 1pm, under the auspices of the Stockbridge Masons. Rev.Ostrander officiated.
