Bacon Chapel Neighborhood.
Some Historical Events
7 March 1902
Editors SHELBINA TORCHLIGHT
ROBERT SMITH
Mr. Smith was born in
In addition to his own family he supported a sister of Mrs.
Smith’s, Mrs. Hall, a widow and her two children, a boy and a girl. His house was also the home, a good portion
of the time, of a maiden sister of Mrs. Smith, Miss Patsy Boyce, who is still
living with Mrs. Smith in Leonard,
Mr. Smith gave a small piece
of ground off the northeast corner of his farm for a school site and a
schoolhouse. This was the school that we
boys and girls, living west of the chapel attended when growing up. Mr. Smith was raised a Catholic, but not
being near a church of his faith, he became indifferent, and allow his family
to choose for themselves the religion of their inclination, hence none of the
family are Catholics. Mr. Smith was a
good neighbor and citizen and was respected by all who knew him. He was charitable and kind to his fellowmen
and did much in making the community what it was. He remained on the farm for over twenty
years. He then sold the farm to Patrick
Coats, and settled on a farm near Leonard, where he died several years ago,
after living to a good old age. Mrs.
Smith and Miss Patsy Boyce are still living and are keeping house in Leonard.
JOHN SMITH
This is Mr. Robt. Smith’s oldest son, who was born
while his father lived on Tingle’s Branch. John grew up on the farm and assisted in
improving the farm and building the home.
He received his schooling in the above named schoolhouse on his father’s
farm. After his majority he learned the
carpenter trade, and while he was a farmer, and raised a crop in crop season,
he worked at his trade in fall and winter.
He married soon after he became of age, but death robbed him of his
companion after a few years of married life, and he has remained single ever
since. One child, a boy, was left of
this union to cheer and comfort him in his lonesome life. The boy is now grown a young man of whom his
father and relatives are proud. John
Smith has preferred to remain single, that he could give his time and attention
to the comforts of his widowed mother, maiden aunt and the rearing of his boy,
some two years ago he went west and settled in Chinook, Montana, where he
followed his trade till this winter, he is improving a ranch near Chinook. John Smith made a profession of religion some
years ago and joined the M. E. Church, South, where he has lived a consistent
life. John is one of the firm, solid men, coming out of old Bacon Chapel
neighborhood.
ELEAZER SMITH
This is the second son of
Robert Smith. Eli as he was best known, was born on the home place, and there grew to
manhood. He assisted in the farm work,
and attended school at the schoolhouse that was on his father’s farm. Soon after he became of age he went west,
locating in
JAMES PATRICK SMITH
Is a third son, and was also
born and raised on the home farm. James
did such work as was necessary on the farm during crop making, and in winter
assisted in feeding and attending to the stock, and attending school at the
home school. This is the place he
obtained his education. He has farmed a
good portion of his life, and worked at the carpenter trade part of the time. For a number of years he has lived in
Leonard, and has been engaged in buying and shipping stock. He is now a justice of the peace of
ALONZO SMITH
This is Robert Smith’s fourth
son and youngest child. He, too, was
born and raised on the home farm.
Lonnie, as we called him, obtained his education in the old school house
that stood on one corner of his father’s farm.
He did his part of the work on the farm while growing up, planting,
cultivating and harvesting the crop, and in winter, chopping wood, feeding and
looking after the stock and going to school.
Lonnie followed farming for some time, and then learned the carpenter’s
trade, which he has followed for several years.
He is now in the furniture and undertaking business in Leonard, and is
the principal furniture dealer and undertaker of the northwestern portion of
the county. Lonnie is fast forcing his
way to the front as a leading businessman of his town. He is a Democrat, and a member of the
Christian church. Lonnie’s mother and
his maiden aunt, Miss Patsy Boyce, are living in a nice home, near his home in
Leonard, where he and his brother, James P., look after their wants and comfort
in their declining years. These good
ladies are well stricken in years, having reached their three score and ten,
and are enjoying the words of comfort and deeds of kindness from these worthy
men, boys of old Bacon Chapel neighborhood.