An American Family History

Allison Woodrow (Woody) Smith was born in October, 1853 in Meigs County, Tennessee. He was the son of Josiah Smith and Sarah Pitts. His first name probably came from the Alison family in Sullivan County where his parents were raised.

He was age nine at the time of the 1860 census. His name was spelled Allimon. 

About 1865, he and his family went by flatboat down the Tennessee River from Tennessee to Tazewell County, Illinois. About three years later they moved on to Chariton, Iowa.

He was listed as Ellison age eighteen in the 1870 census. He was living at home with his family in Benton Township, Lucas County, Iowa.

He married Sarah Mahalada Souders (Sowder) August 11, 1876 in Peoria, Illinois. Sarah was in born Juniata County, Pennsylvania on April 13, 1853. Her parents were William and Harriet Souders.

Charles and Sarah's children included:
Sarah E. (Lizzie) Smith (1878, married Jess S. Smith),
Charles Edward Smith (February, 1881, married Ella Furrer),
Florence Grace Smith Beavers (January, 1885, married Oren Thomas Beavers),
Carrie Bertha Smith Clark (April, 1889, married Robert E. Clark), and
Lawrence Allison Smith (February, 1893, married Lela G. Schwilck).

They also had a daughter Mary Edna Smith who died when she was four months old.

When the rest of the family moved on to Iowa, Woody remained in Illinois. At the time of the 1880 census his household was living in Rosefield Township, Peoria County, Illinois. It consisted of Alison W. age 28, Sarah age 25, Lizzie age 2 and Woody's sister-in-law Emaline Sonders (sic) age 12. 

They followed the rest of the family to Iowa in 1890. At the time of the 1895 Iowa State census, the family was living in Washington Township, Wayne County, Iowa. The household consisted of Woodie age 45, Sarah age 42, Lizzie age 15, Charles age 13, Gracie age 11, Harry age 6, and Larence age 2. Carrie was incorrectly listed as Harry. 

In 1900 the family was still in Washington Township. The household consisted of A. W. who was born in October 1853, Sarah who was born in April, 1855, Carrie who was born in April, 1889, and Lawrence who was born in February, 1893. Their daughter Grace was a servant in another household. Woody was working as a farm laborer.  

In 1910 they were still in Washington Township. A. W. was 58, Sarah M. was 55. Carrie was 21, and Lawrence was 17.  In 1920 and 1930 they were in Warren Township, Lucas County, Iowa. 

Sarah died August 26, 1932 in Derby. Allison died on November 16, 1936. He was burried at Murray Cemetery.

Meigs County is located in East Tennessee and was formed from Rhea County in 1836. In 1819 the legislature took over part of the Cherokee Nation which was on the south east bank of the Tennessee River and this is the land that became Meigs County.

Children of Josiah Smith, Sr. and Sarah Pitts Elizabeth Jane Smith Frank Allison Woodrow Smith Nancy Ann Smith Wilson Mary Ellen Smith Widaman Dixon David Henry Smith Josiah Allen Smith John Smith George Washington Smith William Smith Ida Belle Smith Hoops Sarah Catherine Smith Hoops Charles Elmer Smith Cora Edna Smith Downard

February, 1881