Robert Smith was the son of Samuel and Mahala Severance Smith. He was raised on his father's farm about 3 1/2 miles East of Eastmanville, Ottawa County, Michigan right along the Ottawa River.

He was the Brother to Anna Mahala Smith Upton, Nelson Chase Smith, Elsvia Violetta Smith Lawton, Mary Elizabeth Smith Rathbun, Samuel Randolph Smith, Judson Gilbert Rosell Smith, George Washington Smith, Edith Lillie Smith Baldus, Edward Moses Smith, Daisy Smith and Charles Wilson Smith.

He was married to Julia Maria Patch on June 28, 1900 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.

Great Grandpa was a Medical Doctor who received his medical degree from Jenner Medical College of Chicago, Illinois in 1903. He and Julia moved to Nevada after he graduated.

He practiced medicine in the Mason Valley area and also lived and worked in Yerington, Lyon County, Nevada, from 1904 till his death in 1913. He also worked with the local Paiute Indian Tribe bringing them modern medicine. And was the surgeon and Doctor for the Ludwig Copper Mine, for the mine smelter over in Thompson and the local railroad. He also was the company Doctor for the Hobart Mills Lumber Company, located just north of Truckee, California.

He and Julia had two children, Harlin Delos Smith and Catherine Louise "Dolly" Smith Ward Sharrer.

Upon his arrival in Yerington he built a hospital and residence (where the family lived till about 1916) on Upper Main Street. It may well have been the first hospital in Yerington. It was a single story building that he named the "Artemisia Hospital." It burned down in 1928.

He and his Brother, Judson, were co-owners of the "Lyon County Pharmacy," on Main Street, next to the Lyon County Bank. Judson was a trained pharmacist, and a man who expanded his enterprises.

On July 8, 1912 he announced the purchase of the Eikner Sanitorium in Mason (the Mason Hospital) and he said in his newspaper announcement that he would conduct it as a first-class Sanitorium and hospital. Further that, "It is up-to-date and fully equipped for surgical and maternity cases. A first-class trained graduate nurse in charge." He continued, "I can be called from Lyon County Pharmacy store at any time, day or night."

He and his little family enjoyed traveling, fishing, camping and just plain visiting with their neighbors. They camped at Leavett Meadows in 1906, Lake Tahoe in 1909 and traveled to the McConnell and the Calumet Mines in 1909 and 1913 when photos were taken there. They and friends rode the Copper Bell Railroad to Wilson Canyon several times for picnics and pictures.

On June 25, 1910, Great Grandpa and Grandma cerebrated their 10th Wedding Anniversary by throwing a party at their home in "the south end of town" of Yerington for several friends. It was written up in the local "Yerington Times" newspaper. It was their paper anniversary and they all had a very good time.

They owned three cars over the years, two Cadillacs and a Studebaker which had one of the first self starters.

The family had at least three dogs, which showed up regularly in photos, "Teddy Dog," "Major," and "Scotty Dog."

He was on a trip to a Medical Convention when he developed a cold which turned into pneumonia quickly in Denver, Colorado. It is believed that his health was down from having worked hard days and nights during an epidemic just before his trip. He wired back to Yerington asking for his robe to be sent and he died before he could receive it. Grandpa Smith was 41 years of age when he passed away.

He was death was written up in "The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) of October 13, 1913. Telling of his career, his hospitals and the company's he was working for at the time.

According to his obituary in Grand Rapids, Michigan he was one of the leading physicians of Mason Valley, being the physician and surgeon for the mines, smelter and railroad of that district. The hospitals at Yerington and Mason were founded by him. He was a 32* Mason, a member of Hope Lodge, No. 22, F. & A. M.; Provonia chapter, No. 16, O. E. S. and I. O. O. F. No. 34, all of Yerington. He was also an active member of the Shriner Hospital of California for Children up until his death.

His funeral services were held at the home of his brother, Samuel Randolph Smith, 1021 Cass avenue, S. E., Grand Rapids, Michigan. His wife, Julia, both children, and all of his living siblings were in attendance.

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A Thank You to Great Grandma Julia for keeping all of these lovely important documents to help us not forget our family.

A special Thank You to Cousin Roger Sharrer, Grandson of Robert, Son of Catherine, for sharing copies of the family photos, and for all of his help in compiling this memorial and for sharing the families history with the City of Yerington for their 100 Year Celebration on May 18-19, 2007.

And a Special Thank You to Melody for taking the Headstone photos of the Family Plot for us.