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Title: Hoton A. Smith Wagon Shop, Blacksmithing, Steele (ND)
Dates: 1900-1916
Collection Number: 00526
Quantity: 19 items
Abstract: Images of Benjamin H. Smith and sons Hoton and George, their wagon and blacksmith shop, and home in Steele (ND).
Provenance: The State Historical Society of North Dakota acquired this collection from Hoton A. Smith in October 1967.
Property Rights: The State Historical Society of North Dakota owns the property rights to this collection.
Copyrights: Copyrights to materials in this collection remain with the donor, publisher, author, or author's heirs. Researchers should consult the 1976 Copyright Act, Public Law 94-553, Title 17, U.S. Code and an archivist at this repository if clarification of copyright requirements is needed.
Access: This collection is open under the rules and regulations of the State Historical Society of North Dakota.
Citation: Researchers are requested to cite collection title, collection number, and the State Historical Society of North Dakota in all footnote and bibliographic references.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH – Benjamin H. Smith
From the Steele Ozone, Thursday June 14, 1923
Benjamin Hoton Smith was born in Oneida County, N.Y. on May 14, 1854. He was married to Emma Higby in 1883. Soon after their marriage they moved to North Dakota settling in Kidder County, being one of the first families to settle in the county. Four children were born to this union: Hoton, Nellie, now Mrs. J. D. Reeves of Aberdeen, S. Dak., George B., and Addie, all of who survive the father. The call of the husband and father is the first death to visit the home, and a sad one at that.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH – Hoton A. Smith
from the Steele Ozone, January 14, 1970
Funeral services were held on Tuesday Jan. 13th at the Steele Presbyterian Church for Hoton A. Smith, 84, Steele pioneer who died at the Missouri Slope Lutheran Home in Bismarck on Friday Jan. 9th, 1970. He had lived at the home the last two years.
Hoton A. Smith was born at Steele on May 15, 1885 the son of Benjamin H. and Emma Smith. He spent most of his life at Steele and until a few years ago operated a blacksmith and woodworking shop here. He also handled hardware and machinery repairs, glass and paint. He had taken over this business upon the death of his father in 1923, and it had been the only original business in Kidder operated by the same family.
Hoton had a lifelong interest in Indian artifacts and was well known throughout the state for his collection of Indian arrowheads and bone work which he disposed of a few years ago to the Chieftan Motel at Carrington, where it is on display. He was a lifelong member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, joining in 1909 and held many offices in the organization including Chancellor Commander in 1918. He received his education at the Steele school and attended the Steele Presbyterian Church. He was an active member of the Steele Volunteer Fire Department and was otherwise active in community affairs.
Survivors include a brother George of Minneapolis; two sisters, Mrs. J. D. (Nellie) Reeves of Denver, Colo., and Mrs. John W. (Addie) White of Pineville, Oregon and many nieces and nephews.
PHOTOGRAPHS INVENTORY
00526-01 Hoton A. and B. H. Smith in B. H. Smith Wagon Shop, Blacksmithing, Steele (ND) 1916
00526-02 Hoton A. Smith, B. H. Smith, George B. Smith, and ___Dixon, in front of B. H. Smith Wagon Shop, Blacksmithing, Steele (ND) 1900
00526-03 Hoton A. Smith, B. H. Smith, and ___Dixon, in front of B. H. Smith Wagon Shop, Blacksmithing, Steele (ND)
00526-04 Orra Hurd and Nellie Smith at desks in office, Steele (ND)
00526-05 Nellie Smith, Mr. and Mrs. B. H. Smith, and Hoton A. Smith at H. B. Smith home, Steele (ND)
00526-06 B. H. Smith home and shop, Steele (ND)
00526-07 George B. and Hoton A. Smith in auto garage, Steele (ND) 1916
00526-08 P. J. Lyons Agricultural Implements and old Kidder County Courthouse, Steele (ND) pre-1900
00526-09 B. H. Smith home, Steele (ND)
00526-10 Hoton A., George B., and B. H. Smith, at B. H. Smith home, Steele (ND) 1900
00526-11 Louis Dornacker, Helen Marsh, Etha Poole, Carrie Smith, Hoton A. Smith, Nellie Smith, Jenny Stanley, Edna Willey, Martha Stanley inside a home, Steele (ND)
00526-12 B. H. Smith, Sarah Smith, and Minnie Smith portrait, Steele (ND)
00526-13 B. H. Smith in a band uniform with trombone, Steele (ND)
00526-14 Mr. and Mrs. B. H. Smith, Hoton A. Smith, George B. Smith, Nellie Smith, Addie Smith, Robert Higby, Rachel Higby, and George Higby, Steele (ND) 1910
00526-15 George Higby, Nellie Smith, Rachel Higby, Robert Higby, Addie Smith, George B. Smith, Hoton A. Smith, and Mr. and Mrs. B. H. Smith, Steele (ND)
00526-16 Hoton A. Smith, George B. Smith, and Chris Karpen, inside Wagon Shop, Steele (ND) 1913-1914
00526-17 Hoton A. Smith and Horace Hardy beside car strung with game ducks, Steele (ND)
00526-18 B. H. Smith inside his Wagon Shop, Steele (ND)
00526-19 Hoton A. Smith with car and game birds aiming his gun, Steele (ND) 1900
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