Eldon Lot Smith was born in Central 4 September 1919, the third son of James Martin Smith and Winnie Elizabeth Bigler. Eldon attended school grades first through third in Safford, fourth through eighth in Central, ninth through eleventh in Pima, and twelfth through thirteenth at the Gila Academy. After schooling, Eldon worked for his father on the ranch at Trip Canyon.
During the 1937 Pioneer Day Celebration in Thatcher, Eldon met Vera Pearl Cheney. Their courtship led to a wedding in Clifton 14 June 1938. After their marriage, they made their first home in a little green lumber house next door to his parents.
Eldon started farming early in 1939 and with his brother Omer, purchased the 33-acre Brigham Cluff farm on Webster Road. They moved into the house on their wedding anniversary 1939.
At age 26 Eldon joined the Army, leaving his wife and three children. He served fourteen months and served in the 2nd Division known as the famed "Indianhead Division." He was wounded in action at Helensthal, Germany 5 February 1945 and received the Purple Heart Medal.
Among Eldon's interests was his love of fine animals. He raised Quarter horses and improved their speed as years went by. Two of his most famous horses included a bay "V.F. Traveler", and a black filly, "Central" which won Graham County futurity in about 1956. Eldon and Vera were active in the 4-H livestock program and encouraged their children in this area. When the Arizona National Livestock Show in Phoenix was first organized, Eldon was a charter member.
In 1956 the Smith family moved to Chino, California where Eldon worked on the Rex Ellsworth Horse Ranch. They lived there two years and returned to Central. They also lived in Safford and Mesa, but returned to Central.
Eldon was a life-long missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in attitude and desire. He served two stake missions and sent six sons on full-time missions. He served as a teacher from early youth as well as Sunday School Superintendent, Elders Quorum President, YMMIA President, Ward clerk, BSA Cub Master, and teacher development leader.
Vera and Eldon have traveled in the United States, Mexico, and Europe. A highlight was a visit to the Holy Land in November 1977. On their return from this trip, it was discovered that Eldon had chronic lymphatic leukemia. He died of the disease 7 December 1980 and was buried in the Central Cemetery.
Twelve children were born to this union, two stillborn and two died in infancy, leaving 7 sons and one daughter to raise: Harvey Eldon, William Clay, David Martin, Vernon Leon, Joseph George, Nephi Regan, Melanie Pearl (Farr), James Ervin, Eldon Lot II.
(A Century In Central 1883-1983, Pages 203-204.)
View online birth certificate.
During the 1937 Pioneer Day Celebration in Thatcher, Eldon met Vera Pearl Cheney. Their courtship led to a wedding in Clifton 14 June 1938. After their marriage, they made their first home in a little green lumber house next door to his parents.
Eldon started farming early in 1939 and with his brother Omer, purchased the 33-acre Brigham Cluff farm on Webster Road. They moved into the house on their wedding anniversary 1939.
At age 26 Eldon joined the Army, leaving his wife and three children. He served fourteen months and served in the 2nd Division known as the famed "Indianhead Division." He was wounded in action at Helensthal, Germany 5 February 1945 and received the Purple Heart Medal.
Among Eldon's interests was his love of fine animals. He raised Quarter horses and improved their speed as years went by. Two of his most famous horses included a bay "V.F. Traveler", and a black filly, "Central" which won Graham County futurity in about 1956. Eldon and Vera were active in the 4-H livestock program and encouraged their children in this area. When the Arizona National Livestock Show in Phoenix was first organized, Eldon was a charter member.
In 1956 the Smith family moved to Chino, California where Eldon worked on the Rex Ellsworth Horse Ranch. They lived there two years and returned to Central. They also lived in Safford and Mesa, but returned to Central.
Eldon was a life-long missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in attitude and desire. He served two stake missions and sent six sons on full-time missions. He served as a teacher from early youth as well as Sunday School Superintendent, Elders Quorum President, YMMIA President, Ward clerk, BSA Cub Master, and teacher development leader.
Vera and Eldon have traveled in the United States, Mexico, and Europe. A highlight was a visit to the Holy Land in November 1977. On their return from this trip, it was discovered that Eldon had chronic lymphatic leukemia. He died of the disease 7 December 1980 and was buried in the Central Cemetery.
Twelve children were born to this union, two stillborn and two died in infancy, leaving 7 sons and one daughter to raise: Harvey Eldon, William Clay, David Martin, Vernon Leon, Joseph George, Nephi Regan, Melanie Pearl (Farr), James Ervin, Eldon Lot II.
(A Century In Central 1883-1983, Pages 203-204.)
View online birth certificate.
Eldon Lot Smith was born in Central 4 September 1919, the third son of James Martin Smith and Winnie Elizabeth Bigler. Eldon attended school grades first through third in Safford, fourth through eighth in Central, ninth through eleventh in Pima, and twelfth through thirteenth at the Gila Academy. After schooling, Eldon worked for his father on the ranch at Trip Canyon.
During the 1937 Pioneer Day Celebration in Thatcher, Eldon met Vera Pearl Cheney. Their courtship led to a wedding in Clifton 14 June 1938. After their marriage, they made their first home in a little green lumber house next door to his parents.
Eldon started farming early in 1939 and with his brother Omer, purchased the 33-acre Brigham Cluff farm on Webster Road. They moved into the house on their wedding anniversary 1939.
At age 26 Eldon joined the Army, leaving his wife and three children. He served fourteen months and served in the 2nd Division known as the famed "Indianhead Division." He was wounded in action at Helensthal, Germany 5 February 1945 and received the Purple Heart Medal.
Among Eldon's interests was his love of fine animals. He raised Quarter horses and improved their speed as years went by. Two of his most famous horses included a bay "V.F. Traveler", and a black filly, "Central" which won Graham County futurity in about 1956. Eldon and Vera were active in the 4-H livestock program and encouraged their children in this area. When the Arizona National Livestock Show in Phoenix was first organized, Eldon was a charter member.
In 1956 the Smith family moved to Chino, California where Eldon worked on the Rex Ellsworth Horse Ranch. They lived there two years and returned to Central. They also lived in Safford and Mesa, but returned to Central.
Eldon was a life-long missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in attitude and desire. He served two stake missions and sent six sons on full-time missions. He served as a teacher from early youth as well as Sunday School Superintendent, Elders Quorum President, YMMIA President, Ward clerk, BSA Cub Master, and teacher development leader.
Vera and Eldon have traveled in the United States, Mexico, and Europe. A highlight was a visit to the Holy Land in November 1977. On their return from this trip, it was discovered that Eldon had chronic lymphatic leukemia. He died of the disease 7 December 1980 and was buried in the Central Cemetery.
Twelve children were born to this union, two stillborn and two died in infancy, leaving 7 sons and one daughter to raise: Harvey Eldon, William Clay, David Martin, Vernon Leon, Joseph George, Nephi Regan, Melanie Pearl (Farr), James Ervin, Eldon Lot II.
(A Century In Central 1883-1983, Pages 203-204.)
View online birth certificate.
During the 1937 Pioneer Day Celebration in Thatcher, Eldon met Vera Pearl Cheney. Their courtship led to a wedding in Clifton 14 June 1938. After their marriage, they made their first home in a little green lumber house next door to his parents.
Eldon started farming early in 1939 and with his brother Omer, purchased the 33-acre Brigham Cluff farm on Webster Road. They moved into the house on their wedding anniversary 1939.
At age 26 Eldon joined the Army, leaving his wife and three children. He served fourteen months and served in the 2nd Division known as the famed "Indianhead Division." He was wounded in action at Helensthal, Germany 5 February 1945 and received the Purple Heart Medal.
Among Eldon's interests was his love of fine animals. He raised Quarter horses and improved their speed as years went by. Two of his most famous horses included a bay "V.F. Traveler", and a black filly, "Central" which won Graham County futurity in about 1956. Eldon and Vera were active in the 4-H livestock program and encouraged their children in this area. When the Arizona National Livestock Show in Phoenix was first organized, Eldon was a charter member.
In 1956 the Smith family moved to Chino, California where Eldon worked on the Rex Ellsworth Horse Ranch. They lived there two years and returned to Central. They also lived in Safford and Mesa, but returned to Central.
Eldon was a life-long missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in attitude and desire. He served two stake missions and sent six sons on full-time missions. He served as a teacher from early youth as well as Sunday School Superintendent, Elders Quorum President, YMMIA President, Ward clerk, BSA Cub Master, and teacher development leader.
Vera and Eldon have traveled in the United States, Mexico, and Europe. A highlight was a visit to the Holy Land in November 1977. On their return from this trip, it was discovered that Eldon had chronic lymphatic leukemia. He died of the disease 7 December 1980 and was buried in the Central Cemetery.
Twelve children were born to this union, two stillborn and two died in infancy, leaving 7 sons and one daughter to raise: Harvey Eldon, William Clay, David Martin, Vernon Leon, Joseph George, Nephi Regan, Melanie Pearl (Farr), James Ervin, Eldon Lot II.
(A Century In Central 1883-1983, Pages 203-204.)
View online birth certificate.
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