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TRANSCRIPTIONS of WILLS
LAST WILL & TESTAMENT of DAVID CRAVEN
David CRAVEN's last will & testament was written December 25, 1869. He died on or about December
27, 1869, and his will was recorded for probate on January 14, 1879 in Knox County, Illinois. David left
a wife, Elizabeth; a son, Thomas CRAVEN; a son-in-law, Squire Washington RICE, to inherit land in
Hamilton County, Iowa; a daughter, Elizabeth, to inherit land in Hancock County, Iowa; a daughter, Mary
(CRAVEN) NEELY, to inherit land in Hamilton County, Iowa; a son, Thomas; a son George. David's estate
included land in Ringgold, Taylor, and Adams Counties, Iowa.
Assignment of Interest in Real Estate
State of Iowa, Ringgold County
I, William C. SMITH, of the above named County and State, being first duly sworn, depose and say, that I am the sole
and only heir-at-law of George W. SMITH, single, deceased late of the city of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and I hereby
assign to my son Vernon V. SMITH, all my right, title and interest in the real property belonging to my deceased
son, George W. SMITH through inheritance by will of his grandfather G. W. VANCE, he, G. W. VANCE having willed the
share of his daughter, Martha J. (VANCE) SMITH, to his two grandsons, George W. SMITH and Vernon V. SMITH. And I
hereby authorize D. J. VANCE, administrator of the estate of G. W. VANCE to convey said real estate to my son Vernon
V. SMITH. Signed William C. SMITH. Subscribed and sworn to by William C. SMITH, before me and in my presence this
14th day of October, A.D. 1905. Signed J.E. HOLDEN, Clerk District Court.
NOTE: As best as I can tell:
William Clay SMITH (1842-1927) married Martha Jane (VANCE) SMITH, daughter of George Washington VANCE
(1811-1890) and Elizabeth Ann (MURDOCK) VANCE (1812-1883). Martha Jane was expecting the couple's fifth
child when she was killed in a buggy accident. Upon Martha's death, her father's estate would pass on down
to Martha's surviving children. The above statement by William Clay SMITH was to assert that
one of their sons, George Washing SMITH, was deceased and the the estate should pass on to their surviving son,
Vernon Vance SMITH. George and Martha's other children, Ammon and Mary Olive were deceased and not listed in
their grandfather [G. S. VANCE]'s will.
CHILDREN OF WILLIAM CLAY & MARTHA JANE (VANCE) SMITH:
1) Ammon Edward SMITH
Born: 01 Feb 1867, Caledonia, Ringgold Co. IA; Died: 25 Nov 1888, Colorado Springs, El Paso Co. CO
Ammon died of Rocky Mounty Spotted Fever and heart disease, age 21.
2) Mary Olive SMITH
Born: 02 Jan 1869, Caledonia, Ringgold Co. IA; Died: 28 Jul 1870, Caledonia IA
3) George Washington SMITH
Born: 23 Mar 1870, Caledonia, Ringgold Co. IA; Died: 28 Apr 1897, Ann Arbor, MI
George W. had a Master's degree in Law from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
4) Vernon Vance SMITH
Born: 06 Apr 1872, Mount Ayr, Ringgold Co. IA; Died 01 Jul 1970, Kearney, Buffalo Co. NE
Vernon was a policeman with the Kearney Police Department, serving until 1933
Vernon was a member of Buffalo County Board of Supervisors from 1933 until 1950
Daniel Jacob VANCE (1840-1923), administrator of his father's estate and Martha's brother, resided in Kansas.
Bedford Times-Republican
Bedford, Taylor County, Iowa
July 16, 1925
The courts of California are trying to locate Caroline HOWARD's heirs. She died about 3 weeks ago at Ellston,
Ringgold County, Iowa and has some land investments of value.
Transcriptions & notes by Sharon R. Becker
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