Myrtie Moore Scrapbook

Myrtie Moore Smith's Scrapbook

Pam Davis has graciously agreed to share the contents of her Grandmother's scrapbook with us. There is a lot of information on Casnovia Township and its other residents to be found here. You may find a reference to your own family, and if not still gain knowledge of what life was like in the area for our ancestors. If you find a link to one of Pam's relatives, or just want to thank her for sharing, you can email her here-Pam Davis.
You can find more information on Pam's family here.

Post card showing Casnovia High School

Assorted Newspaper Clippings

Most of the clippings in the scrapbook do not include dates or reference what paper they had appeared in. They are still interesting and include information about the area in which they lived as well as the residents of the area. The first articles concern the owner of the scrapbook, Myrtie Moore Smith.

73 Attend Moore Descendant Meet
    The descendants of Samuel and Mary Moore, pioneer settlers of Casnovia Township and residents of Moon Lake and their families met at Bailey Community Hall on Sunday p.m., September 16 for a family reunion and dinner.
    Members were present from Battle Creek, Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Sparta, Kent City, Casnovia, Bailey and Fremont.
    Oldest was Mrs. Myrtle Smith, 76, from Muskegon; youngest was Jimmie Tibbie, 3 months, of Bailey. In all, 73 members were there, also, two visitors, Carl Pruitt of Great Lakes Bible College, Vestaberg and Miss Judy Tonnis of Fremont.

Mrs. Frank Smith Given Birthday Party
Mrs. E. E. Loomis assisted by Mrs. William Farwig, entertained at her home, 916 Riordan street, Muskegon Heights, Tuesday night in honor of the birthday anniversary of Mrs. Frank Smith.
Refreshments were served, a birthday cake centering the table, and covers were laid for Mr. and Mrs. Morton Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. Everett Smith and son, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Babcock and daughter, Mrs. Cilfford Cooper, Mr. and Mrs. Willard Gannon, Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Comstock, Frank Smith, William Farwig and children, Karleen Loomis, the honor guest who was showered with gifts and the hostess.

Mrs. Smith, 86, Dies Following Long Illness
    Mrs. Mertie Smith, 86, formerly of 580 Catawba St., died early today in the Sparta Nursing Home after a long illness.
    She was born Sept. 24, 1878 in Iowa and came to Muskegon as a young girl.
    She leaves one son, Gerald Smith of Grand Rapids; a daughter, Mrs. Morton Thompson of Muskegon; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Hessel Funeral Home in Sparta. Burial will be at Idlewild Cemetery.

Sparta Sentinel July 14, 1965-
Final Rites for Myrtie Smith
    Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon in the Hessel Chapel for Mrs. Myrtie I. Smith, aged 86, of 580 Catwaba Street, Muskegon, who passed away on Monday, July 12, at Sparta Nursing Home. She had been ill for the last seven years.
    A native of Iowa, Mrs. Smith had lived most of her life in the North-Kent-Muskegon area. She was educated at Half Moon Lake, and was married to the late Frank Smith on April 28, 1897.
    She was a member of the reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints of Muskegon.
    Surviving are one son, Gerald Smith of Grand Rapids; one daughter Mrs. Morton (Florine) Thompson of Muskegon; 8 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren.
    The elder William Farwig officiated at the services. Burial was in Idlewild Cemetery.

Smith- Mrs. Myrtie I. Smith, aged 86, of 580 Catwaba St., Muskegon, passed away Monday morning at the Sparta Nursing Home after a long illness. She is survived by one son, Gerald Smith of Grand Rapids; one daughter, Mrs. Morton (Florine) Thompson of Muskegon; eight grandchildren; 11 great-granschildren; five great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Hessel Funeral Home, Sparta, with Elder William Farwig officiating. Internment Idlewild Cemetery, Kent City. Friends may call at the chapel.

The Reorganized Church of the Latter Day Saints Founded Here in 1918
    Though the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints is not ranked among the largest churches in the community, it has played an important part in the spiritual and social life of the community since its founding 18 years ago.
    In response to a desire on the part of several people who worshipped God according to the customs of the Latter Day Saints faith, Elder A. Whitehead, pastor of the Latter Days church in Cadillac, came to Muskegon and established the church here in 1918. The church of today owes its existence to the untiring efforts of Elder Whitehead, who, through his evangelistic work among the people of Muskegon, founded the present organization.
    The church had been in existence for only a year when plans were made for a building, and on April 20, 1919, Elder A. G. Smith, president of the Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan district appointed the 12 officers of the Muskegon branch, with Elder Whithead designated as the first pastor. Until sufficient funds were raised for a church edifice, the congregation worshipped in a building at 49 E. Western avenue.The place of worship was later moved to East Walton street, where the congregation gathered until they were able to build their own church.

    Elder Was Carpenter     In the addition to be largely responsible for the organization of the local church, Elder Whitehead, a carpenter, spent most of his spare time in the actual construction of the church. In 1927 it was completed and dedicated.
    Elder Whitehead was continuous pastor of the church until his death September 11, 1934. Elder E. E. Loomis, who had served the church in the capacity of clerk when it was organized was appointed to fill the vacant pastorate, and was chosen pastor and president of the local church shortly after Elder Whitehead's death.
    Since Elder Loomis became head of the church in 1934, the congregation has grown from 194 to 228. Serving with him as members of the priesthood are: William White, William Bushor, Edwin Hittle, Robert Roberts, Ezra Swager, William Farwig, Vernon Swager and Charles Sheffer.
    The denomination of the Latter Day Saints, not to be confused with Mormonism, which faith grew from the Latter Day Saints religion, embraces faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; repentance; baptism by immersion for remission of sins; the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost; the resurrection of the dead and a belief in the eternal judgement.     Chruch Founded in 1830     The denomination was founded April 6, 1830 in Fayette, Seneca County, N. Y. Elders were ordained the sacrament was administered, and, for the first time, hands were laid on for the reception of the Holy Ghost. Joseph Smith, Jr. was the first president and prophet of the church. After Elder Smith's death in 1844, the church and its national development failed to expand, and the denomination became vitually dormant. The Reorganized church had its beginning out of the ruins of the original organization in 1853, when <unreadable> men were chosen apostles. <unreadable> 1860 and Soseph Smith, son <unreadble>
first Elder, was appointed p<unreadable> and seer of the new reorganization.
    The Reorganized church headquarters of which are in Independance, Mo., has shown marked development in the past decade. Churches have been established in most of the principal cities of the central part of the United States, and the combined congregations number in the many thousands.

Pictures accompanying article-

Funeral Services Held Here Monday For F. B. Smith
    Frank B. Smith, 68 of 916 Riordan St., Muskegon Heights, a former and well-known resident of Sparta, passed away Friday morning, January 30, following a lingering illness.
    Mr. Smith was born at Richfield Center, Lucas County, Ohio, son of Edwin and Jemima Smith and moved to Michigan with his parents at the age of eight years, settling west of Kent City. He was married to Myrtie Moore on April 28, 1897, living the greater part of his life in Sparta and vicinty. For the past year they had resided at Muskegon Heights.
    Mr. Smith was a thoughtful and kind husband and father, a congenial friend with an unassumiong, quiet nature, generous hearted and always ready to be of service. He will be remembered with love and respect by those who knew him.
    He is survived by his widow, Myrtle; two sons, Gerald of Grand Rapids and Elsworth of Sparta; one daughter, (Florine) Mrs. Morton Thompson of Muskegon; one brother, Floyd of Farewell, Mich.; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild; other relatives and many friends.
    Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at 2:30 at the Bettes Memorial Chapel, with internment in the Idlewild cemetery at Kent City, the Rev. William F. Farwig of Muskegon Heights officiating.

Frank B. Smith, 68, Dies in Muskegon
Sparta, Jan. 31.-- (Special)--
Funeral services will be held Monday at 2:30 p.m. for Frank B. Smith, 68 years old, who died Friday in Muskegon County Sanatorium, after a long illness.
Born in Richfield Center, O., Mr. Smith came to Michigan when eight years old, with his parents. He married Myrtie Moore on April 28, 1897. Surviving are the widow, two sons, Gerald of Grand Rapids and Ellsworth of Sparta, and a daughter, Mrs. Morton Thompson of Muskegon. There is a brother, Floyd of Farwell, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Service will be held at the Bettes funeral home.

On to next Scrapbook Page

Back to Home Page