|
a.
|
Note: I have found Herb living in Indiana with his Dad in 1900 and 1910. On June 5, 1917 he registers for the WW I draft board. He gives his occupation as a farm laborer in Benchland, Mt working for John W. Nelson. He is single and he spent 5 years in the Illinois National Guard with the rank of Private in what appears to be "Co. D 4th" which I take to mean Company D. However, I contacted the historical section of the Illinois National Guard and Lieutenant Colonel James B. McCabe, who answered my query, couldn't find any record of Herb serving in the Illinois Guard. He said that there were a half dozen Herb Smiths but none that matched the birth date or middle initial for grandfather. In 1920 he is single and living in Benchland, MT (ED 88, Sheet 3A) - School District #76. He is working as a salesman selling "general merchandise". He is boarding with George H. Gorham, a merchant also selling "general merchandise".
In 1930 he is enumerated with wife and son in Basin Center, Judith Basin County E.D.22. He is the postmaster at the post office.
In 1940 he and Pauline and their son, Victor, are living in Benchland. His occupation is listed as being a truck driver for a road project and Pauline is a bartender in a beer hall.
Born in Bronson, Kansas; Grew up in Boswell, Indiana; Apparently, was a bit rebellious as a youth and took off and joined the merchant marine (?) and traveled to Brazil and other lands, collecting - amongst other things - exotic beetles. Became a cook in the Navy in WW I. Sailed out of New York on the U.S.S. Edgar F. Luckenbach as a baker, 1st Class. The picture above, likely taken in either 1917-1918 with a good friend, shows him wearing a hat from the USS Northern Pacific - a transport ship. After the war he managed a grain elevator in Benchland, Montana and ran a garage/mechanic shop next to the general store and post office, all owned by he and his wife, Pauline. Member, along with his father, of the "The Improved Order of Red Men", a secret fraternal order. Also, a member of Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the American Legion, Stanford, MT. post. According to Carolyn Smith, he was very quiet and soft spoken. Although not well educated, he was smart and could add sums of numbers in his head and was an excellent mechanic.
An application for a headstone after he passed away show that he is interred in Lewistown Protestant Cemetery. The application gives his WW1 enlistment as June 19, 1917 and his discharge as 11/1/1919.
|
