In the Civil War (1861 to 1865) eleven Southern states seceded from the U.S. and formed the Confederate States of America.
In the 1830s settlers began arriving in Iowafrom Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Indiana, Kentucky, and Virginia. Iowa became a state in 1846.
The 1890 census materials was lost in a 1921 fire.
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.
East Tennessee is part of Appalachia. At the end of the French and Indian War, colonists began drifting into the area. In 1769, they first settled along the Watauga River. During the Revolution, the Overmountain Men defeated British loyalists at the Battle of Kings Mountain. The State of Franklin was formed in the 1780s, but never admitted to the Union.
A. W. Smith, for sixty years a resident of Lucas county, died in Chariton on Monday, November 16, 1936 at the age of 86 years, 4 months and 12 days.
Funeral services conducted by Rev. Harry Secor of the Baptist church were held at the Beardsley Funeral Home on Tuesday afternoon at two o'clock and burial was in the Murray cemetery near Derby.
Allison Woodville Smith was born in Tennessee on October 3, 1850. He was united in marriage to Sarah Sowder of Peoria county Ill., on August 31, 1876. to this union six children were born, one of whom, a daughter, Mary Edna died at the age of 4 months and 4 days.
Those surviving are Mrs. Jess S. Smith of Derby; Charles Smith of Osceola; Mrs. Grace Beavers, Lamar, Mo.; Mrs. Carrie Clark, Ottumwa; and Lawrence Smith, Corydon.
Mr. Smith, with his wife and four children moved to Iowa in 1890 and located in Lucas county, and his home had been here since that time. He had been in good health until a few months before his death. He had been exceedingly patient during his illness. He was a kind, devoted and indulgent husband and father, and will be greatly missed in the family circle.
He leaves to mourn his death the children previously mentioned, fifteen grandchildren, six great grandchildren and four sisters and three brothers. Mrs. Nan Wilson, Woodburn; Mrs. Cora Downard, Des Moines, Mrs. Ellen Dickson [Dixon], Osceola; Mrs. Katherine Hoops of Oregon, George Smith, Red Oak, David Smith, Chanute Kansas, and Joe Smith of Wyoming [fails to mention Ida Hoops]. His wife preceded him in death over three years ago. His parents [Josiah Smith and Sarah Pitts], one sister, Mrs. Jane Frank of Liberty Center and two brothers [John and William] have also gone on before.
Tennessee was admitted to the Union on June 1, 1796. It was initially part of North Carolina.
Mrs. A. W. Smith for forty-three years a resident of Lucas county died at her home southeast of Derby on August 26, 1932, at the age of 79 years, 4 months and 18 days. Funeral services, conducted by Rev. M. S. Clark, were held at the Eden church on Tuesday afternoon, with interment in the Murray cemetery
Sarah Sowder was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, on April 13, 1853. She was united in marriage to A. W. Smith of Peoria county, Illinois on August 31, 1876. To this union five children were born. [for some reason it fails to mention Lizzie] One daughter Mary Edna, died at the age of 4 months and 4 days. Those surviving are Charles Smith of Osceola; Mrs. Grace Beavers, of Lamar, Mo., Mrs. Carrie Clark [wife of Robert Clark] of near Chariton; and Lawrence Smith of Corydon.
At the age of twenty three years deceased united with the Lutheran church at Pennsylvania Ridge, Illinois, and remained a faithful follower of the Lord until her death. She, with her husband and four children, moved to Iowa in 1890 and located in Lucas county, and her home had been here since that time. She had been in ill health for seven years, and for the past two years had been an invalid requiring constant care, but was exceedingly patient. She was a loving wife and mother and will be greatly missed in the family circle.
She leaves to mourn her passing her husband and the four children mentioned, fifteen grandchildren, six great grandchildren, one brother Frank Sowder of Bedford, three sisters, Mrs. Lydia Pennybaker of Sharpsburg, Iowa; Mrs. DeSinger of Monmouth, Ill.; Mrs. Jane Stuck of Eden, Illinois.
Chariton is the county seat of Lucas County, Iowa and is in Lincoln Township.