David Smalley, David Smalley Family papers, 1865-2016

Summary

Creator:

Smalley, David, 1846-1911..

Abstract:

Family Papers, 1865-2015, and undated, are a genealogical history for the Smalley and Beemer families and also documents early history of the white settlement of Clare, Michigan.

Extent:

Approximately 4 cubic ft. (in 4 boxes, 5 Ov. folders)

Language:

English

Authors:

Collection processed and finding aid created by C. Anderson, Marian Matyn

Background

Scope and Content:

Family Papers, 1865-2015, and undated, is a genealogical history for the Smalley and Beemer families and also documents early history of the white settlement of Clare, Michigan. The collection contains many different formats including 3-dimensional objects, original documents, and printed material. Box 1 is legal sized, the rest are letter-sized boxes, Boxes 2-3 are .5 cubic foot boxes, and Box 4 is .25 cubic foot. The collection is organized according to original order. The folders are ordered so that you may recreate the binders that the documents were originally donated in. Besides this, the folders are ordered alphabetically. Box 1 (Legal) Includes: Mainly original documents which includes Tax Papers, Wills, Bank Papers, as well as Birth and Death Records. Most of this Box contains tax documents and related paraphernalia. Boxes 2-4 Include: history and genealogical study of the Beemer and Smalley families, including a focus on David Smalley and his time in the Civil War. Photographs, late 19th -20th centuries (Box 2, Folders 4/5; Box 3, Folders 2/5). An autograph book for Cordelia Smalley (Box 3, Folder 4). A rationing booklet with stamps intact (Box 4, Folder 2). A family history, as remembered by the donor (Box 4, Folder 2). There are multiple oversized and 3-dimensional objects, including Alice Smalley Beemer’s diploma from Central Normal School, 1909, a photograph probably of Alice Smalley Beemer printed onto cloth, a tinted photograph of what is probably the old centennial farm of the Smalley family, and the honorable discharge papers of David Smalley from the Civil War Union Army at age 18.

Box 1 (Legal) Includes: Mainly original documents which includes Tax Papers, Wills, Bank Papers, as well as Birth and Death Records. Most of this Box contains tax documents and the related paraphernalia.

Boxes 2-4 Include: A thorough history and genealogical study of the Beemer and Smalley families, including a focus on David Smalley and his time in the Civil War. Photographs dated back to the late 19th century into the 20th century (Box 2, Folders 4/5; Box 3, Folders 2/5). An autograph book for Cordelia Smalley (Box 3, Folder 4). A rationing booklet with stamps intact (Box 4, Folder 2). A family history as remembered by the donor (Box 4, Folder 2).

Oversized Materials: Multiple oversized and 3-dimensional objects. Some of which include Alice Smalley Beemer’s degree paper from Central Normal School dated to 1909, a picture of what we can assume is Alice Smalley Beemer printed onto cloth, which came to the archive framed, a tinted photograph of what is believed to be the old centennial farm of the Smalley family, and the honorable discharge papers of David Smalley from the Civil War Union Army at age 18.

Processing Note: 1 cubic foot of materials, including duplicates, blank documents, and books already a part of the collection, were removed and given back to the donor during processing. Six teacher’s books were separately cataloged.

Biographical / Historical:

Biography:

David Smalley (December 3, 1846-April 6, 1911): Born in Ohio, Smalley joined the Union army during the Civil War at the age of fifteen. He served in and was honorably discharged from Company B of the 74th regiment of Indiana Infantry. During his three years of service he was captured twice and held in Andersonville Prison. After his first capture he escaped with a large band of men but was forced to return due to near starvation. His second escape came with help from an unidentified black man. Smalley was discharged when he was eighteen after receiving permanent damage to his arm from a gunshot. After being discharged, Smalley moved back home, married Hannah Smalley, and moved to Clare, Michigan, to farm. During his time in Clare, Smalley gained much respect from the community, helping to build roads and houses across the entire town. He also served as Clare County’s first Township Supervisors.

Alice Smalley Beemer (December 4, 1886-December 17, 1968): Born in Clare County, Alice Smalley Beemer, the daughter of David and Hannah Smalley, graduated from Central Normal School in 1909 and taught for a few years afterwards. Alice married and later divorced Charles Beemer. She never remarried. There are a few references to reasons for this divorce that conflict within the collection, including the court documents and a personal anecdote from the donor. Alice’s mother expected her to take care of her sister, Cordelia.

Cordelia Smalley (May 1882-August 1947): Born in Clare County, Cordelia Smalley, the sister of Alice, suffered from a lisp and was thought to be very introverted. After a teacher made fun of her, Cordelia quit school. She never married, but had friends as documented by her autograph book (Box 3, Folder 4).

John F. Smalley: John F. Smalley was a brother of David and Abe Smalley. John was an accomplice to Abe Smalley and was well known during the time for being a shady character. After a train robbery and attempted bank robbery, John F. Smalley was shot dead by sheriffs who believed him to have murdered a fellow sheriff (Box 3, Folder 5).

Abe Smalley: Abe Smalley was a brother of John F. and David Smalley. Thought to be the brains and driving force behind John F. Smalley’s conversion to crime, Abe Smalley was never caught in connection with the train robberies. Their robbery of a train in Kendallville, Indiana in 1893 is described in the book, Murder and Mayhem in Grand Rapids. After his brother and a friend were caught, Abe Smalley escaped the state and was never heard from again. The collection holds a few ghost stories and news articles describing the event and how it was received during the time in Box 3, Folder 5. (This information is from the collection.)

Acquisition Information:

Acc#75785

Arrangement:

Arrangement is by original order (by binder and size).

Subjects

Click on terms below to find any related finding aids on this site.

Subjects:

Teachers -- Michigan -- Clare.
Teachers -- Michigan -- Clare County.
Train robberies -- Indiana -- History -- 19th century.
Brigands and robbers -- Indiana -- History -- 19th century.
Genealogy -- Michigan -- Clare.
Genealogy -- Michigan -- Clare County.

Names:

United States. Army. Indiana Infantry Regiment 74th (1862-1865), Company B.
Central Michigan University -- Alumni and alumnae.
Smalley family.
Beemer family.
Snell family.
Moll family.
Foster family.
Long family.
Smalley, David, 1846-1911.
Smalley, Cordelia, 1882-1947.
Beemer, Alice Smalley, 1886-1968,
Smalley, John F.
Smalley, Abe.

Places:

Clare (Mich.) -- History.
Clare (Mich.) -- Genealogy.
Clare County (Mich.) -- History.
Clare County (Mich.) -- Genealogy.
Kendallville (Ind.) -- History.