Born Sylvanus Stephen Smith he changed the order of his name as he aged to Stephen Sylvanus Smith. His parents were Michael Harvey Smith and Mary Eliza Rouse He was the 5th of 11 children. born on 19 Oct 1882 in Mount Moriah, Brown, Indiana, USA

01 Mar 1885 at Age: 2 he is in Ottawa, Ottawa, Kansas
He living with his parents and his siblings Sylvester Dyson Smith 9, Bertha Estella Smith 7, Azariah Leonard Smith 4 and Martha Clemintine Smith 4 months. (His brother Jairus Jethro Smith born 21 Aug 1879 unfortunately didn't live long enough to make it into this census. He died 02 Oct 1880 in Mount Moriah, Brown, Indiana, USA where he was born.) His father was working as a farmer.

1900 finds him living with his parents in Jasper, Camden, Missouri, USA with 6 of his siblings. Azariah 19, Martha 15, Melvin Brice Smith 13, Jason Kenton Smith 10, Jaroud Benonia Smith 10, and Sarah Lena Jane Smith 5.

He married Alfreda Ewing on 23 Oct 1904 in Frederick, Tillman, Oklahoma.

In 1910 he is 27 and living in Odee, Meade, Kansas and despite being married he is not living with his wife Alfreda and his 3 young children George Stewart Smith 5, Leonard Bruce Smith 3, and Cora Ella Smith 1. Instead he is living in the house of his employer where he works as a servant

In 1915 he is living in Franklin, Allamakee, Iowa with his wife and 4 of his 5 children. Leonard Bruce Smith 8, Cora Ella Smith 6 Sylbert Carlyn Smith 3, and Arthur Milburn Smith 1. It can only be assumed that George Stewart Smith who would be 10 must have passed away before this census.

12 Sep 1918 he was living in Post, Allamakee, Iowa when he registered for the draft. He listed his occupation as a farmer and his wife as the person who would always know where he was.

The 1920 census finds him still in Post, Allamakee, Iowa working as a farmer accompanied by Alfreda, Leonard 12, Cora 11, Sylbert 7, Milburn 6 and Alice Helen Smith almost 2.

1925 finds him in Franklin, Allamakee, Iowa with Alfreda, Leonard 17, Cora 16, Sylbert 12, Arthur Milburn 10, Alice 6, and Ivan Charles Smith 3.

1930 he is still living in Franklin, Allamakee, Iowa with his wife Alfreda, Arthur Milburn 15, Alice 12, and Ivan 8, and
Goldie Pauline Smith 3

He continued living in Franklin, Allamakee, Iowa in 1935 according to the 1940 census

01 Apr 1940 he remained in Franklin, Allamakee, Iowa with his wife Alfreda and 2 sons Athur Milburn 25 and Ivan 18. Goldie passed away 05 Sep 1935.

He died 01 Jun 1954 in Postville, Allamakee, Iowa at the age of 71

(Bio by Kimberlee Watts)