A little history about Grandpa and Grandma Smith

Taken from geneology info sent to me by my cousin Geraldine Heinz

(daughter of Juanita Pottgen)

Lawrence Smith

Lawrence Smith was born to Mary Augusta and David Smith on April 7, 1890, in Salem, Missouri. Mary Augusta (Gusta) Fritts was married three times. She married her first husband, William E Giesler, on December 8, 1878, when she was 18. He died on October 23, 1881. They had one son, John Robert Giesler. Two years later, on December 6, 1883, she married David M. Smith. David and Gusta had four sons and one daughter. Their youngest son, Clarence died as a teenager, but their other four children lived to adulthood (Ralph Smith, Lawrence Smith, Virgie Smith and Arthur Smith). David died, but there are no known records for the date of death or where he was buried, although some say he was buried along the trail between Missouri and Oklahoma. Gusta married William Yancy Morelock on February 24, 1898. They had 2 children, Ava Morelock and Walter Morelock. Augusta died on November 18, 1926. William Morelock died on April 16, 1939. (Note: My mom (Gertrude) and Aunt Alvena said they both remember "Grandpa" Morelock saying to Grandma "I think your kids and my kids are all beating up on our kids." They got a big kick out of that.)

Aunt Alvena writes that Lawrence Smith was Scotch-Irish with black hair and blue eyes. He had black hair over most of his body. He was sick from childhood with excessive vomiting. He grew to adulthood as a tall and slender man until his later years when he reached 235 pounds. He was proud, honest, "high-strung," tender hearted, hard working, intelligent, interested in government and world news. He was affectionate to his wife and children when he was feeling well, but when he was in pain, he could be harsh. He was self-taught. He loved music and taught others to read music and taught them Christian hymns. He lead singing in church. He also taught himself how to play the organ and fiddle. He loved to play and dance the "Highland Fling." At one time he was said to be the strongest man in Lanes Prairie.

Louisa (Lula) Bunton

Louisa (Lula) Bunton was born to John Bunton and Martha Hussey on November 24, 1888. John Bunton was married two times. He married his first wife, Martha Hussey on October 27, 1886 and they had seven children; James, Myrtle, Sarah, Lula, Pearl, Thomas and Leda. John Bunton married his second wife Sarah Daniels on December 27, 1929. Evidently John Bunton left home for long periods of time and would not tell anyone where he had been. He had been gone for so long at one point and presuming he was dead, his wife Martha remarried, once on August 4, 1908 to S.H. Campbell. After Campbell’s death, she married John Bunton’s brother, Gail, in 1910.