Bio Bite: Leon Leslie Smith

By Eilene Lyon Leon Leslie “Bill” Smith (1898–1985) Leon “Bill” Smith was born in Sprague, Washington, where his maternal grandparents lived. He attended school to the 8th grade. His interests lay in hunting, fishing, and motorized vehicles. Bill drove a truck for his father’s delivery business and a gravel truck for road construction projects. Around... Continue Reading →

February 15, 2023 39

Bio Bite: Dora Ada Smith

By Eilene Lyon Dora Ada Smith Trout (1894–1978) After the Smith family moved to Cunningham, Washington, in 1898, they struggled to survive. “The years the family spent on the farm … left many emotional scars as far as Ada was concerned. She never tired of telling about how poor the family was on that farm.”... Continue Reading →

February 14, 2023 37

Bio Bite: Harry Edward Smith

By Eilene Lyon Harry Edward Smith (1892–1976) Born in Missouri, Harry traveled with the family to a hardscrabble farm in Cunningham, Washington, then to Meyers Falls near Colville, and finally, Moscow, Idaho. There he married Callie L. Trout in 1917. Harry and Callie had two sons, Don and Wes. Though both boys married, neither had... Continue Reading →

February 13, 2023 35

Bio Bite: Clara Bell Smith

By Eilene Lyon Clara Bell Smith Blaylock (1890–1954) Clara Bell was born in Lafayette County, Missouri. She married Floyd N. Blaylock, a farmer, in Colville, Washington, when she was just 17. Clara Bell and Floyd had only one child, Ruby. Sadly, Ruby had a heart defect and died before her 18th birthday. Her death nearly... Continue Reading →

February 12, 2023 36

College Boy

Week 3: #52Ancestors – Out of Place By Eilene Lyon My grandfather, Laurence M. Smith aka Smitty, was the only one in his family to attend college. He earned his degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Idaho in 1931, which eventually led to a very successful career with the Army Corps of Engineers.... Continue Reading →

February 11, 2023 34

The Pioneer Association

Week 2: #52Ancestors - Favorite Photo By Eilene Lyon Before I began researching my family, I knew nothing about my great-grandmother, Clara P. (Ransom) Davis. She died in 1953, well before I came along. I had never been to Moscow, Idaho, prior to 2013, even though three generations of my ancestors are buried there and... Continue Reading →

February 7, 2023 36

Missing Person

Week 1: #52Ancestors – I’d Like to Meet By Eilene Lyon It seems to happen to women, mostly. They reach adulthood and suddenly vanish. Marriage and death are the typical culprits. One of these missing women on my tree is the sister of my 3rd great-grandmother, Abigail (Bedford) Jenkins. Because Abby is one of the... Continue Reading →

February 4, 2023 47

Bed to Bench

Week 40: #52 Ancestors – Preservation By Eilene Lyon Back in the early 20th century, my great-grandparents, Clara Pearl (Ransom) and Sterling Price Davis, pooled their resources and bought a farm near Moscow, Idaho. I’ve written about this beautiful property several times before. The current owner, Kathy, who bought the property from Clara and Sterling’s... Continue Reading →

December 31, 2022 31

On a Personal Note

By Eilene Lyon Here we are, winding down another year, and I must take stock. My blogging output has been down a bit as it took a back seat to my book-writing. I completed the final manuscript for Fortune’s Frenzy at the end of August, and it will be released next summer. Almost immediately after... Continue Reading →

December 22, 2022 42

Myricopia