Sunday, November 20, 2016

William Keywis Smith and Mary Katherine Russett

William Keywis Smith was born in Hart, Oceana county, Michigan, in March of 1872 according to his death. His wife, Mary Katherine Russett was born 10 Mar 1878 in Fountain, Mason county.

William and Mary's first child, Lillie Mary, was born 29 Jan 1897 in Fountain, Mason county, Michigan. Her baptism is recorded in the records of Immaculate Conception Church (now St. Kateri Tekakwitha Church) in Peshabestown as having taken place on 31 Dec 1915. Residence is listed as Rapid City. It is unknown if she married and/or when she died.

#2) Robert Peter was born 8 Feb 1899 in Fountain.

The 1900 Federal Census for the family has not been found.

The 1907 Durant Roll Field notes give his father as Kay-wis (#3 on page 56) while his mother is Waw-said-caw-no-quay (#16 on page 52)



While the Durant Roll Field Notes give Mary's parents as Charlie Joe and Lizzie Case, other records (including her marriage) give her parents as William Russett/Billy Joe and Nancy/Theresa Green. Mary calls William and Nancy Russett's other children Alice and George her brother and sister.


#3) Wallace was born 3 Jan 1902.
#4) Mattie was born 22 Dec 1903
#5) Anna Mae was born 21 May 1906 in Freesoil.
#6) Alden B. Carl was born 20 Oct 1909 in Freesoil

The 1910 Federal Census has not been found.

#7) Cora was born 6 May 1911.
#8) Moses was born 10 Aug 1913.
#9) Theresa was born 15 Jan 1916, She died 18 Feb 1916 in Clearwater township, Kalkaska county.



Several of William and Mary's children attended Holy Childhood Boarding School in Harbor Springs.

Holy Childhood Students - quarter ending:
31 Mar 1916 - Robert, 16, Wallace, 13, (Katie, 10) and Martha A., 12
30 Jun 1916 - Robert, 15, Wallace, 13, (Leo, 8) and Maggie, 12
None of the children attended for the Sep 1916 - Jun 1917 school year.
30 Sep 1917 - Cora, 8, Anna, 11 and Maggie, 13
31 Dec 1917 - Cora, 6, Annie 11, Maggie, 13
31 Mar 1918 - Cora, 6, Annie, 11, Maggie, 13
30 Jun 1918 - Cora, 6, Annie, 11, Maggie, 13
The children in parentheses are surnamed Smith, but are not William and Mary's children



#10) Eleza was born 7 Mar 1917.

Wallace died 5 May 1918 in Hayes Township, Otsego county. He is buried in the Mancelona cemetery.




Mattie died 5 May 1918 in Hayes Township, Otsego county.



Moses died 30 Apr 1919 in Excelsior, Kalkaska county. Buried in the Mancelona cemetery.





Eliza died 2 May 1919 in Kalkaska county.


#11) Wallace (second child with this name) was born 17 Jan 1920 in Blue Lake Township

The 1920 Federal Census Mancelona, Antrim county, has the family living in lumber camp 31. William K. is 47, a laborer in the lumber woods, Mary, wife, 43; Robert P., son, 21, laborer in the lumber woods; Anna, daughter, 13; Alden, son, 11; Cora, daughter, 8.


William and Mary were married 16 Mar 1921 in Darrah, Kalkaska county, Michigan. William is 49, a woodcutter, born in Mason county, son of Smith Kaywis. Mary is 44, a housekeeper, is also born in Mason county, daughter of William Russett and Nancy Green.


Cora died 10 Jul 1921 in Clearwater township, Kalkaska county.




#12) Moses (second child with this name) was born 7 Jan 1922. He was their last child.

1930 Federal Census of Hayes township, Otsego county lists Will, 58, laborer at wood camp; Mary, wife, 53; Elden, son, 21; Wallace, son, 10; Moses, 8, son and Mabel, 10, daughter. Mabel is actually Mabel Ransom, daughter of Emma Wesley and Nelson Ransom. Not clear why she was raised by the Smith family.


William died in 22 Nov 1934 in Hayes township, Otsego county of lobar pneumonia, secondary cause TB.


Elk Rapids High School Yearbook - 1937



The 1940 Federal Census finds the family living in the village of Elk Rapids, Antrim county. Mary K., 63, widow; Alden, son, 30, woodman at pulp wood forest; Wallace, son, 20, woodcutter at pulp wood forest and Moses, son, 18, woodcutter at pulp wood forest.


On 22 Oct 1944 son Moses was killed in action in Italy, while serving in Company C, 362 Infantry Regiment. (Follow link for more information)

Photo of Mary Smith with son Alden and great-granddaughter Nancy Wilson, taken in Kewadin in late 1950s.


Mary died in Traverse City, Grand Traverse, Michigan on 7 Jun 1965, and is buried in Kewadin.


Mary's obituary was published in the Traverse City Record Eagle on 8 Jun 1965, listing four surviving children (Anna, Robert, Alden and Wallace) and counting 10 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great-grandchildren.


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