John Archibald Smith

John A. Smith was born on the 27th of December, 1873, a late Christmas present to his parents Donald C. Smith and Caroline (Ramsay) Smith.1 Interestingly, in the 1920 census John's parents are both listed as having been born in Maine. It doesn’t appear, however, that they ever left Prince Edward Island Canada, where they were born and died. They were married  in 1867. 2

John A Smith and Sarah J Dickson Smith - Thanks Aunt Geri!

Records of John's early years are limited, but we can piece together quite a bit.  His ancestry stretched back several generations on Prince Edward Island, and before that to Scotland.

According to the 1920 Los Angeles County California census returns, John entered the United States in 1890. The 1891 Prince Edward Island Canada census shows him still living at home. So his entry into the states may have been pretty soon after that census. Based on the oral history of the family that his “aunt” Agnes owned some apartment buildings in Boston in her later years, it may be surmised that at least part of his family made the trip south with him. No records of an aunt Agnes in either the Ramsay or the Smith families (or marriages) have been found in the Prince Edward Island literature, as of December, 2008. It is likely that he was in Massachusetts from the time of his entry to the United States (or shortly thereafter) until sometime around 1905 or so when he took his new wife Sarah Jane (Dixon) Smith, whom he married in Massachusetts in 1897, and his daughter Gertrude C. (born in 1899 according to the 1900 census where the family lived in Middlesex Massachusetts) to the Drumheller precinct of Spokane Washington, clear across the states. His motivation for such a move has not withstood the intervening years. 1900 Census found at Ancestry.com.

From NEHGS database comes proof that 1897 is the correct date for John and Sarah Jane Dickson's marriage and it was in Boston. The records give the answer to who her parents were! The correlation of a John A Smith in the former and Sarah J Dickson in the latter (Both in Vol. 471 page 258) is a great find. Full  Date  Occupation Family data Records seem to prove conclusively that James Dunlop (1900 census), the man who married John and Sarah, was of Presbyterian leanings. His church in was in Roxbury, well south of John and sarah's 1900 census location in 1904, 1908 and 1915. Presbyterian was John's religion, does this mean that Sarah was not Catholic or that she was but abandoned it for John's religion? Were her nascent catholic beliefs the cause of friction with her daughter Dorothy after Morgan's birth and Dorothy's divorce from Morgan?

From the same source (NEHGS) this June 1897 map of the houses and streets of Everett Massachusetts where John and Sarah Smith lived in 1900! The path of the 1900 census taker can be seen as he (the enumerator's name was Thomas Valentine) walked Southwest down Chestnut Place hitting house 1 & 3 (our Smiths) and moving counterclockwise to 4 and 2 before moving Northwest one block to Hall street where he did the same. Sanborn fire insurance maps are the most frequently consulted maps in both public and academic libraries and are large-scale plans containing data that can be used to estimate the potential risk for urban structures. This includes information such as the outline of each building, the size, shape and construction materials, heights, and function of structures, location of windows and doors. The maps also give street names, street and sidewalk widths, property boundaries, building use, and house and block numbers.

It is possible that some amplifying data has been found detailing more precisely when, and with whose help John A Smith was able to build a new life in Washington state.  This is not definite, but it is a strong possibility. Doubtful since they were in Spokane before 1903 birth.

One view of his wife Sarah Jane's ancestry was that she was born to a shopkeeper in the county of Roscommon, in the district of Athlone, Ireland, by the name of John Dixon, and his wife Mary Anne (Moore) Dixon. Born on the 15th of November in the year 1872, on Main Street, Sarah most likely accompanied her parents over from Ireland in 1893.3 Jane's possible Birth certificate. This version has been proven incorrect with regard to mother's name with discovery of marriage record above.

One researcher with Prince Edward Island ties has the Roscommon, Ireland birth location, but a completely different set of parents. See Ira Smith's version of the pedigree (also accessible from early Smith ancestry page). This version has been updated from previous versions, but Ira' source of surname of Jane's mother is uncertain.

Another view holds that a John and Margaret were Sarah Jane's parents: "On a family group sheet submitted by Gertrude Clara Smith, sister of Dorothy or Dorothea Smith, she names John Dickson and Margaret Bingham as Sarah Jane's parents. I did find a couple by that name in the 1901 Ireland Census of Drumadonald, Down Co. John was age 61 and Margaret age 66 which would make them the right age to be Sarah Jane's parents. No proof since Sarah Jane was in America before then. There were only 4 Dickson families on the entire census and they were all grouped together at the very end of the roll of film I viewed. Interestingly, the census record showed their names as 'Dickson', but the actual record was signed 'Dixon' "- Geri Leighton Friday, December 06, 2002 1:23 PM   The problem with this is that in 1931, when Gertrude filled out the death certificate information, she didn't appear to know her grandparents' names. Additionally, from the LDS website, it appears as if the submitter was actually Erma L. Cowgill, likely a daughter of Gertrude. This above map of Ireland shows the Free State and the counties comprising Northern Ireland. Gertrude, Sarah's daughter, in her 1930 census return, states her mother was born in the Free State. The 1930 census return of the lady believed to be our Sarah J Dickson Smith states she was from Northern Ireland. Obviously, more research is needed.

In 1903, John and Sarah had a child who does not later appear with the family. Significantly, this narrows down the time for migration from Boston to Spokane Washington, where this birth took place to before 7 June 1903.

On the 26th day of September, 1906, Dorothy Marian Smith was born to the couple. They were to refer to her as Daisy for many years to come.

Getrude and Dorothea Smith c 1909

In July of 1909, according to the census conducted on the 24th of April 1910, the following year, a son was born to the Smith household. The record states the birth occurred in June 1909. The census is difficult to read, but the name appears to be an unusual one, Kirmit (From other records). This son is not to appear on the census of a decade later, and one wonders whether he was one of the many children who died in their early years at this period in our country's history. John's wife is named Sadie, it would appear. It is uncertain at this point, but it is presumed that this is a nickname for Sarah Jane as is Daisy for Dorothy. A bit of uncertainty exists why Dorothy would later make statements that Sarah Jane was not her birth mother. Dorothy's son was to have his middle name after Dorothy's brother Kirmit. NOTE: A Feb 2009 search of an Ancestry.com 1912 Spokane City directory showed no "Drumheller Precinct", "4th Ward", Jerome, or Virginia Streets. At this time, precisely where in Spokane the Smiths lived in 1910 census is still unknown.

Kirmet R Smith's 10 September 1910 death recorded in Washington death records (his birth was likely on or around 22 June 1909) - from Familysearchlabs.org

What the 1900 census, the 1903 birth, the 1906 birth, the 1909 birth and the 1910 census, with the addresses the records contain, all tell us is that John and Sarah moved around a lot and dealt with many changes in that first decade of the 20th century. Then, sometime in the winter of 1911/1912, John brought his family south to Los Angeles county California.4

According to oral history surviving in the family, John drove for Pacific Electric Railroad from San Bernadino to Santa Monica, where he lived. Before driving for PE, he "owned 1/2 of Dragon's Den, which burned down around 1914".5 Research undertaken by the Sierra Research Center, in cooperation with the San Diego Public Library (Coronado branch), confirms that on the evening of Tuesday, the 3rd of September, 1912, a huge fire roared unchecked into the night from Ocean Park (now part of Santa Monica). According to the Los Angeles Times of September 4th, 5th and 7th, thousands of people watched the horrendous blaze with horror. Among the many buildings and concessions destroyed along with Fraser's "Million Dollar Pier", was the "Dragon's Gorge", a building which contained a number of concessions such as a cafe, a roller coaster, an auto maze and others. The fire was believed to have been started from a cigarette thrown carelessly into a heap of bedding (arson?). According to the newspaper articles, the fire was so great that if the wind hadn't changed direction, all of Santa Monica itself was in danger of catching fire. At least 5 people died and scores were injured in the blaze. Literally hundreds were made homeless in an inferno which was estimated to cost (in 1912 dollars) three million. According to the L.A. Times of the next day:

"One of the most awe-inspiring sights of the conflagration was the burning of the Dragon's Gorge, a $200,000 amusement resort owned by Charles Hyle and others. The sight was far from spectacular to Hyle's eyes, as he had no insurance and watched $100,000 worth of his own property go up in flames. The gorge burned in the space of a few minutes. The painted canvas minarets and towers blazed up and sent millions of sparks flying out to sea. Floating out over the water they had the appearance of immense swarms of glow worms.

Just to the north of the Dragon's Gorge was one of the many 'refugee camps'. There were nearly a dozen of these scattered about Ocean Park, all of them filled with people keeping a jealous guard over the few things they had been able to save from the fire. Children were lying asleep on the sand, some of them covered with a few pieces of bed clothing, while others were wrapped in table cloths and rags to keep warm while they slept."6

map of Fraser park

pictures of Dragon's Gorge

Additional reports of  haunted history of Ocean Park and Dragon's Gorge can be found in a search through old Los Angeles Times newspaper articles.

Newspaper accounts of the blaze: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

John's attempt to become a businessman like his “aunt” in Boston had failed. While the city of Ocean Park immediately went ahead with new plans to build a new and better pier, it is doubtful that John had anything to do with it. That any oral history at all survives the generations indicates the severity of the situation for John and Sarah.

New Data (8Sept04) - John Archibould Smith's WW1 Registration papers! - From Ancestry.com!

According to the 1920 census returns, John and his wife were naturalized in 1909. This occurred most likely in Spokane, but as of yet, no records for a more precise date have been located.

John went to work for Pacific Electric as a machinist. He did this until his death on August 12th, 1920 of Uremia and a dilation of the heart. His wife Sarah and he had lived at 237 W. 62nd street. He had been in the hospital for three days and died early in the morning (2:30 am) of Aug 11/12. He had been 46 years old. His daughter Dorothy was a month and two weeks away from her 14th birthday.  Was he involved in this construction?

Map of Pacific Electric routes unknown how accurate during John's time   A representative train from the era

Dorothy was married to Herbert Morgan Harris on the 29th of August, 1924 under less than ideal circumstances.7 Her mother Sarah must have been a comfort to her in the pain which followed. But since Sarah's death certificate was filled out by a lady named Gertrude Cowgill ( her eldest daughter), one wonders how close their relationship was. How much had the death of her husband affected Sarah? She died on the 24th of October at 7:10 am of chronic Myocarditis, which she had had for 10-15 years, and a ruptured heart muscle which happened two days prior to her death. Unlike her husband, who was buried back in Spokane Washington, Sarah (Dixon) Smith was buried in Inglewood cemetery three days later. She was a little over two weeks shy of her 58th birthday. It is unknown whether she spent much time with her grandson Hubert Kirmet Harris (who would go through life as Jack Kenneth Leighton). He was only six years old when she died.

Probable Sarah Smith, widow of John Archibald in 1930 federal census - age of marriage (25 fits her 1897 marriage), age, widowed, location, 1910 fits well with 1909 (in earlier census) for naturalization date (if not "immigration" date specified on census), and place of birth all fit for our Sarah. Another look through California 1930 census returns shows few other Sarah Smiths who match any of these characteristics, and none match all of them as does this lady. Subsequent research into our Sarah's life before she married John in Boston match this woman's occupation, as well. After his death she found employment with a family who had locations in common with her (Canada and Ireland) and she returned to an occupation she knew about.

Dorothy (Smith) Holland in 1930 census! - found 08Feb04 at Ancestry.com Amplification on who the head of the house was  -  Frances B Markey with husband William in 1920 census

Dorothy Marian Smith Leighton's social security application

Dorothy Smith with husband Roland Leighton

From L.A. Public Library, these Los Angeles directories A B C D with Smith and Markey. 1911-1922 John Smiths, latter two also have Sarah Smiths. Dorothy Smith, Roland Leighton, Frances Markey in latter volumes. Bolded are confirmed "ours": 1911 B cvr * 1912 cvr * 1913 cvr intro * 1914 B cvr * 1915 cvr1916 * 1918 cvr * 1920 B C cvr * 1921 cvr * 1922 B C cvr * 1923 cvr * 1924 cvr * 1925 Frances Markey (widow) cvr * 1926 Dorothy and John N Holland  (not ours) C cvr * 1929 - Wm H Markey Dorothy Holland B cvr * 1930 cvr info * 1931 Dorothy Holland cvr * 1934 - Roland and Dorothy Leighton cvr * 1935 - Roland and Dorothy Leighton zoom * 1936 cvr

By matching the above Los Angeles city directories acquired at the LA Public Library in January with the LA voting records (Republican in every one) on Ancestry.com we find Sarah Jane (Dickson) Smith after the death of John A. She was living with her daughter Gertrude and her husband. This doesn't illuminate why she and Dorothy didn't get along (other than the fact that Dorothy was of the opposite political party for every return we have), but it does shed some light on how Sarah fared and where she lived, and worked for a while as a machine operator, it seems. It is interesting to compare Sarah's stable addresses with Dorothy's various addresses (and marriages) for the same period. Sarah: 1922 1924 1926 1928 1930 * Gertrude: 1922 1924 1926 1928 1930 1932 1934

Dorothy Holland in 1928 California voting records with "Nana" Frances Markey living on Miramonte street in Los Angeles

William Holland's Ancestry.com birth record (22 June 1928) - note Dorothy's maiden name given as Markey, not Smith: what happened to Mr Holland? Jean Leighton has stated Bill's father was James, so 1926 directory of John N probably not ours. 1926 voting record shows this Dorothy as a Republican (and so, she is probably not ours) Was Bill's blindness a motivation for abandonment? His memorial card from Jean Leighton's files.

Dorothy Holland in 1930 California voting records with "Nana" Frances Markey living on Miramonte street in Los Angeles - it would seem that Dorothy was living with 'nana' from 1928 until her marriage to Roland in or after 1931.

Dorothy Leighton in 1932 California voting records - she and Roland do not appear in any further voting records until these below, probably due to depression and extreme poverty

1938-40 California Voter lists (both Roland, a fireman, and Dorothy are listed as Democrats)  2 - Santa Barbara

1942-44 California Voter lists (both Roland, a fireman, and Dorothy are listed as Democrats  2 - Santa Barbara

Dorothy (Smith) Harris - Holland - Leighton - Robbins tombstone, obituary, and cemetery

Aunt Geri has sent some memories of Dorothy and her life but it does not yet seem appropriate to post most of these on the internet. This on her relationships is an exception.

Listing of earthquakes - difficult to tell which impacted Roland Leighton by destroying eggs and bankrupting him.

Some information on Gertrude C Smith Cowgill and husband William

Sources:

1. Death certificate of John A. Smith filed in the state of California.

2. Letter to Jean Leighton of 20 March 1962 from the Division of Vital Statistics of the Province of Prince Edward Island, Canada. Passed down within the family.

3. Birth certificate acquired from Ireland on the 24th of March, 1962 by Jean Leighton and passed down in the family; 1920 LA Calif. census returns.

4. Based on the death certificates of both John and Sarah Smith and the timing of the fire of September 1912.

5. Based on Notes taken by Jean Leighton during her genealogical studies in the 1960's and passed down within the family.

6. Los Angeles Times newspaper Sept 4th, 1912 page 6, far right column.

7. Covered more extensively under Elmer Morgan Harris' biography.

 

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