Dot was born to George F. and Anna Householder Smith. She was an only child, and appears to have been much-spoiled, if the old pictures of her in ribbons, bows and the latest little-girl fashions tell the tale. Her father worked in a saw mill, and then in one of the Pennsylvania steel mills as technology changed. She was a third-generation American on her mother's side, as her great-grandfather emigrated from Germany, and her great-grandmother came from France. However, at that time in the early 1800s, the border between France and Germany wavered back and forth. On her father's side, the Smiths emigrated in the mid-1800s from Germany.
Dot is a bit of a mystery woman. As far as is known, she married William Edwin Wright., Jr. when they were both very young, about 1920. They moved to California in 1930, and had a daughter, Marilyn Marie. By the end of that year, Dot was on her way back to Pennsylvania, for some inexplicable reason, leaving baby Marilyn with William. Dot explored a singing career, and was popular on a local radio station. She became a nurse--apparently after realizing that singing wouldn't pay the bills.
Dot corresponded regularly with Marilyn, but they would never be close. William was a bit of a rogue, but finally settled down with the woman his grandchildren would know as "Gram". Mabel was the mother Marilyn sorely needed.
Dot would marry Rayfield Cavanaugh in Pennsylvania, and spent many years in the hills of Pennsylvania-eventually getting indoor plumbing. The couple was devoted to each other. After Ray died, Dot moved to Wisconsin to spend her waning years near her daughter.
Dot's cheerfulness never faltered-she always had a smile on her face and a quiet demeanor. In her final years, she lived in a nursing home, confused at times, her favorite subject for discussion was "bran". As long as she had plenty of bran cereal in the morning, she was thrilled for the day.
Dot is a bit of a mystery woman. As far as is known, she married William Edwin Wright., Jr. when they were both very young, about 1920. They moved to California in 1930, and had a daughter, Marilyn Marie. By the end of that year, Dot was on her way back to Pennsylvania, for some inexplicable reason, leaving baby Marilyn with William. Dot explored a singing career, and was popular on a local radio station. She became a nurse--apparently after realizing that singing wouldn't pay the bills.
Dot corresponded regularly with Marilyn, but they would never be close. William was a bit of a rogue, but finally settled down with the woman his grandchildren would know as "Gram". Mabel was the mother Marilyn sorely needed.
Dot would marry Rayfield Cavanaugh in Pennsylvania, and spent many years in the hills of Pennsylvania-eventually getting indoor plumbing. The couple was devoted to each other. After Ray died, Dot moved to Wisconsin to spend her waning years near her daughter.
Dot's cheerfulness never faltered-she always had a smile on her face and a quiet demeanor. In her final years, she lived in a nursing home, confused at times, her favorite subject for discussion was "bran". As long as she had plenty of bran cereal in the morning, she was thrilled for the day.
Dot was born to George F. and Anna Householder Smith. She was an only child, and appears to have been much-spoiled, if the old pictures of her in ribbons, bows and the latest little-girl fashions tell the tale. Her father worked in a saw mill, and then in one of the Pennsylvania steel mills as technology changed. She was a third-generation American on her mother's side, as her great-grandfather emigrated from Germany, and her great-grandmother came from France. However, at that time in the early 1800s, the border between France and Germany wavered back and forth. On her father's side, the Smiths emigrated in the mid-1800s from Germany.
Dot is a bit of a mystery woman. As far as is known, she married William Edwin Wright., Jr. when they were both very young, about 1920. They moved to California in 1930, and had a daughter, Marilyn Marie. By the end of that year, Dot was on her way back to Pennsylvania, for some inexplicable reason, leaving baby Marilyn with William. Dot explored a singing career, and was popular on a local radio station. She became a nurse--apparently after realizing that singing wouldn't pay the bills.
Dot corresponded regularly with Marilyn, but they would never be close. William was a bit of a rogue, but finally settled down with the woman his grandchildren would know as "Gram". Mabel was the mother Marilyn sorely needed.
Dot would marry Rayfield Cavanaugh in Pennsylvania, and spent many years in the hills of Pennsylvania-eventually getting indoor plumbing. The couple was devoted to each other. After Ray died, Dot moved to Wisconsin to spend her waning years near her daughter.
Dot's cheerfulness never faltered-she always had a smile on her face and a quiet demeanor. In her final years, she lived in a nursing home, confused at times, her favorite subject for discussion was "bran". As long as she had plenty of bran cereal in the morning, she was thrilled for the day.
Dot is a bit of a mystery woman. As far as is known, she married William Edwin Wright., Jr. when they were both very young, about 1920. They moved to California in 1930, and had a daughter, Marilyn Marie. By the end of that year, Dot was on her way back to Pennsylvania, for some inexplicable reason, leaving baby Marilyn with William. Dot explored a singing career, and was popular on a local radio station. She became a nurse--apparently after realizing that singing wouldn't pay the bills.
Dot corresponded regularly with Marilyn, but they would never be close. William was a bit of a rogue, but finally settled down with the woman his grandchildren would know as "Gram". Mabel was the mother Marilyn sorely needed.
Dot would marry Rayfield Cavanaugh in Pennsylvania, and spent many years in the hills of Pennsylvania-eventually getting indoor plumbing. The couple was devoted to each other. After Ray died, Dot moved to Wisconsin to spend her waning years near her daughter.
Dot's cheerfulness never faltered-she always had a smile on her face and a quiet demeanor. In her final years, she lived in a nursing home, confused at times, her favorite subject for discussion was "bran". As long as she had plenty of bran cereal in the morning, she was thrilled for the day.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
