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Grace Mae Michael
1902 - 1990 (88 years)
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Name Grace Mae Michael Born 16 Apr 1902 Pilot Rock, Umatilla, Oregon, United States 
[1, 2, 3, 4, 5] Gender Female AFN 4ZVN-7R Died 14 Oct 1990 Walla Walla, Walla Walla, Washington, United States [6, 7, 8, 9, 10] Buried 17 Oct 1990 Mtn View Cem, Walla Walla, Walla Walla, Washington [11, 12] Person ID I1796 Wagner-Thomas | Hallmark Last Modified 11 Jan 2014
Father Elery Lee Michael, b. 13 Nov 1878, Pennsylvania, United States , d. 8 Jul 1953, Seattle, King, Washington, United States (Age 74 years) Mother Elsie Mae Wegner, b. 23 Apr 1880, Pilot Rock, Umatilla, Oregon, United States , d. 12 Nov 1934, Pilot Rock, Umatilla, Oregon, United States (Age 54 years) Married 27 Sep 1900 Pendleton, Umatilla, Oregon, United States [13, 14, 15, 16, 17] Family ID F553 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Family Edward Vern Smith, b. 7 Apr 1901, Browning, Linn, Missouri, United States , d. 28 Apr 1956, Walla Walla, Walla Walla, Washington, United States (Age 55 years) Married 12 Jun 1922 Pendleton, Umatilla, Oregon, United States [18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24] Children + 1. June Bernice Smith, b. 11 Aug 1923, Pilot Rock, Umatilla, Oregon, United States , d. 17 Jun 2002, Boise, Ada, Idaho, United States (Age 78 years)+ 2. Living Last Modified 22 Nov 2014 Family ID F537 Group Sheet | Family Chart
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Event Map 
Born - 16 Apr 1902 - Pilot Rock, Umatilla, Oregon, United States 
Married - 12 Jun 1922 - Pendleton, Umatilla, Oregon, United States 
Died - 14 Oct 1990 - Walla Walla, Walla Walla, Washington, United States 
Buried - 17 Oct 1990 - Mtn View Cem, Walla Walla, Walla Walla, Washington = Link to Google Earth
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Histories 
Autobiography of Grace Mae Michael Smith
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Notes - 1902 BIRTH: Oregon,Umatilla-Pilot Rock, Grace Mae Michael was born on April 16 on a farm near Pilot Rock [1902-1940 Autobiography by Grace Michael Smith] ~000-3041-8364: Grace Mae Michael born 16 Apr 1902, no place shown
1906-08 HISTORY: Oregon,Grant-John Day, family moved back to Pilot Rock in about 1908.
1908 HISTORY: Oregon,Umatilla-outside Pilot Rock: the family moved to one of Grace's grandparent's [probably the Pearsons, as they lived a ways out of Pilot Rock], began school in a little red school house about a mile from home... didn't have warm clothes... I was the youngest and the smallest, so was hard for me to keep up."
c1909-17 HISTORY: Oregon,Umatilla-Pilot Rock..."father bought a 3-bedroom house - felt rich. Had kerosene lamps, wood stove... not very good light; hard to pump the water outside... tea kettle... singing on the wood stove made the nicest music... when feet too cold, could open up the oven door and toast our feet. Father bought a freight business...a quarter of a mile from the train depot to the stores, but that seemed a long way."
1910 CENSUS: OR,Umatilla Co-Pilot Rock, 25 Apr, Dw84: Grace M Michael 7/OR, dau of Ellery G & Elsie M Michael
c1913 HISTORY: "...1 school, 1-9th grades...good enough grades, specially in spelling...I was sent to Pendleton to a spelling contest (6th grade)... My dad bought a piano, & I took lessons for awhile; had to walk a mile each Saturday."
c1914 HISTORY-Article in Walla Walla WA Union Bulletin [c1987]: "Early Campfire Girl - Thought we had an old-timer Girl Scout lined up as the girls were celebrating their 75th anniversay, but it turned out to be the "other" girls organization, Camp Fire Girls.
We speak of Grace Smith, 305 Ash St, who has lived in the valley for nearly 40 yrs but who was reared in Pilot Rock, south of Pendleton. She recalled those early days and the coming of Camp Fire Girls to Pilot Rock.
'There was little for youngsters to do in the little town of Pilot Rock,' she says. 'The town has grown and sprawled all over now but in those days, it was pretty small. So, we were pretty excited when the Camp Fire Girls was started there.' This was 1914 and Smith was 12.
'We hadn't heard of the Camp Fire Girls then and the Boy Scouts were unheard of, too, I believe. I think it must have been one of the very first clubs org in town.' Belonging to the Camp Fire Girls and the activities proved of long recall, although she is now 85, Smith says. She also notes that the uniform was a prized possession for many years until she loaned it and the borrower failed to return it."
c1915 HISTORY: Oregon, Umatilla Co-Lehman Hot Springs "...for the summer, had a little store... a nice summer; we could hike, swim, really different from anything we had [done] before. We moved back near Pilot Rock, about 7 miles out of town."
1917 HISTORY: Oregon,Umatilla Co-Pendleton: "...lived with grandparents, Frank Michael... went to Catholic Sister High School [there was no high school in Pilot Rock then] - took a business course, oil painting & piano, never dated, Grandmother very strict... WWar I troops came thru town, train track went by our school, so someone would watch at the door, & we would all run for the windows & wave. We would feel so patriotic. Grandmother, my aunt, & I walked to the depot, which was at least 11 blocks, sang "Johnny Get Your Guns" & "Go There," waved our hankies, was so exciting."
c1918 HISTORY: OR,Umatilla Co-Pilot Rock, Pendleton: Summer at home, back to Pendleton for 2nd year of high school... 1st flu epidemic broke out,"Asian Flu." High school closed, back to Pilot Rock - 1st time anyone heard of flu. Everyone sick, a lot died. All in bed at home but dad, had 1 doctor, 1 nurse who went house to house, wasn't an antibiotic then. Back to Pilot Rock so her brothers could go to school, back to ranch in the spring..."
c1919 HISTORY: Oregon,Umatilla-Pilot Rock: "met the Smith family at another little red school house... went to Pendleton with dad, met Vern on the street, went to circus together. Pilot Rock fixed up a high school in the top floor of the best brick building... stayed with Grandmother Wegner that winter... very close to this Grandmother - told many stories of their life.. Vern & Leo went to school there, had to ride horseback at least 7 miles. The high school had a get acquainted dance, Smith boys were there, from then on, Vern was my date. By the middle of the year, we were engaged."
1919-1921 HISTORY: "...our engagement lasted 3 yrs. We planned twice to get married- even had a house & hauled winter wood from the mountains the last time, but not enough money."
1920 CENSUS: OR, Umatilla Co-out of Pilot Rk,Dw 17/19-Co Rd: Grace Michael 17/OR, dau of Elery L & Elsie M Michael
1922 MARRIAGE: Oregon,Umatilla Co-Pendleton: Grace Michael married Edward Vern Smith on June 12, 1922 (20 yrs old) at the Parsonage in Pendleton.
"Vern's family moved to Hermiston, bought small acreage... next spring Vern went to Hermiston, rented an acreage next to his folks... were married in Pendleton at the Parsonage... not a fancy wedding, but it meant as much to me. We had planned & waited so long. My mother, Vern's sister Ninetta, another sister Peggie & his brother Claude was with us. Peggie had given me a piece of white organdy & I made my dress, had a grey silk going away dress made over from an old old dress... no car, so left for Hermiston on an old open car stage..."
1922-23 HISTORY: Oregon,Umatilla Co-Hermiston: "Vern's father came to Hermiston after us... at our 1st home. My brother called it a peanut ranch... Vern planted 3 bunches of peanuts. I never did see anything from them..."
...our first home: 3 small rooms & 3 in the basement... a kitchen up stairs was at one time a glassed in porch... windows were bare, sent to Montgomery Ward for yards of curtain material at 9 cents a yard... sure helped the kitchen... I always had a few pillows & pictures to make the rooms more homey. We lived there about a year."
1923 HISTORY-CHILD #1: OR,Umatilla Co-Pilot Rock: "..next spring, Vern got a job in a garage at Pilot Rock. Ever one knew all about ever one there, called all by first names... a friendly town."
"My folks moved bk to Pilot Rock, so when we left Hermiston, we moved in with them. I was expecting my first baby, who was born Aug 11, 1923, a baby girl, who we named June Bernice.
That fall we moved on a ranch to work...We stayed there a year, then back to Pilot Rock."
1924 HISTORY: "After we had just been married for 2 years, we found out he was diabetic..."
1923-33 HISTORY: "Vern decided to shear sheep with his brothers in law, so that was our life for about 9 years-shear sheep through the spring & work wherever he could through the rest of the year. It was always a struggle, but we seemed happy & didn't have too many worries.
Trips to Montana were nearest we ever had for a vacation, did see a lot of country & it always was nice... children always had a lot of fun... had an umbrella tent, camp stove, always quite comfortable... had to worry abt wood ticks & rattlesnakes with the children, but we got through it without anything serious... came back thru Yellowstone Park 1 yr, Glacier Park another..."
1930 CENSUS: OR,Umatilla-Pilot Rock: Dw 47/47: Grace Smith 28/OR (PA,MO), wife of Vern Smith
1933 HISTORY-CHILD #2: OR,Umatilla Co-Pilot Rock: "June & I always went to Montana in June with Vern, to shear, but the last yr I got pregnant & March 17, 1933, had a baby girl, Janice Mae. Ever one in Pilot Rock said she was the prettiest baby there.. she was a good baby, after 10 years it seemed so nice to have more family."
1934 HISTORY: WA-Spokane, then OR-Pendleton:"Vern started shearing sheep again & somewhere he picked up a typhoid bug. Ran a temperature for awhile...time to go to Montana, he thought he would get over soon. We got to Spokane, he got so sick, we had to put him in a clinic & that is where they found out it was typhoid... there a week, then back to Pendleton in an ambulance, in the hospital for 2 weeks, then home... with typhoid & diabetes, another struggle all summer... stayed with him in the hospital & took care of him.
Vern rented a little meat market.. it was such a hassle, after 2 yrs we moved to Milton Freewater & he worked in a meat market... salary $100 a mo: $25 on a car & $75 rent & whatever else besides paying on doctor bills... big change in our lives."
c1938 HISTORY: [1st yr high school] "June had a good voice, turned out for choir. Music teacher put her in accapella choir... went down to Penneys to look for material. Didn't have money that week but had 4 yards of red taffeta at 98 cents a yard layed away, until the next week. By that time I didn't have much time to get it done-didn't even have a pattern. I had made over so much of the girls & my clothes, I figured out a pattern & had it ready. Her teacher thought it so pretty, she had to model it at a style show in Home ec. I was told June was the best dressed girl in school. I was always thankful I was blessed to sew, as I never had to feel ashamed of my girls' clothes, even through our sickness & lack of money. I always canned fruit & vegetables, so we always had plenty to eat.
That summer, we moved 3 times before we finally got settled. Each time we moved a big old piano & range stove, which had to be plumbed each time & different stove pipe, not easy in those days."
1938-1939 RELIGION: OR,Umatilla Co-Milton-Freewater: "Vern, June & myself was baptized Feb 5, 1939, Milton Freewater Christian Church. ...we went to the house of Br Hiatt & there was confirmed a member of the Church. Br & Sr Vause said "Would you like to come to our place to eat?" They had a big kettle of chili beans, so went & ate with them, & that sure made a happy day for us... membership quite small, every one had 1-2 jobs...had a lot to learn & get used to, wasn't just a Sunday Church. The Welfare program: we all had to take part - sowing, planting gardens, & getting the vegetables canned, but that all seemed so important working together."
1940 CENSUS: WA,Walla Walla Co-Walla Walla: Anc Img 4 pg 2B,4-4,Dw 43-404 Elm Street: Grace Smith age 37 born Oregon, 8th grade, sorter for fruit warehouse, wife of Edward Smith
c1940-DRIVING: "I learned to drive the car enough to go up the back alley to visit a friend but never got a driver's license... drove Janice to birthday party but not so good coming home... that was my last driving experience."
1940 HISTORY: WA,Walla Walla Co-Walla Walla: "We lived in Milton Freewater for 2 1/2 yrs... meat market was sold, so hunting for another job. We went to Church that Sunday & Vern had $1.75--all the money we had. He decided to pay it as tithing, went home, hadn't been home very long,l a call came from Walla Walla wanting a meat cutter, so Vern came over & got the job. Then it was house hunting & moving again. We finally found a house & had to move in January."
[lived on Elm Street, re Janice-dau]
1940 HISTORY: "...the church was having a Gold & Green Ball... a big event--several girls chosen for Queen & June won... in LaGrande Stake, all queens go there to compete. June chosen, so all of Walla Walla people felt very proud & honored." [Gram was tired & didn't finish her family story - intended to do more later]"
1941 HISTORY as Written in by Pam Wagner: "David & June were married & lived with Grandad & Grandma in their home, 813 W Willow St in Walla Walla. Pam Bernice born, had problems with milk... tried different types of milk. Gram spent a lot of time working with me. Later, David & June moved into their own apartment."
HISTORY: Grace was a talented and gifted seamstress. She could make her own patterns for clothing she would see in the stores and made them for her daughters and granddaughters. She worked for Sorenson Tailoring in Walla Walla.
1947-1960s HISTORY: She later became a seamstress in the tailoring department at Gardner & Co Dept Store in 1947, continuing there until the early 1960s. She was also a seamstress for Sparks Cleaners and Holiday Clearners, but continued to sew out of her home.
1956 DEATH of husband: WA-Walla Walla: Edward Vern Smith died 28 April 1956, buried Mtn View Cemetery.
1956-c1985 HISTORY: WA-Walla Walla: Lived in apartment in home with daughter Janice Hankla. Grdau Pam lived with her until married in 1962, then Dianna a couple of years, then Jill. Many good memories of living with Gram for each of the granddaughters.
c1985-c1990: WA-Walla Walla: Lived in apartment in north Walla Walla [get address], where she baked pies, etc. for neighbors in complex, then moved to a more needed care facility, the Odd Fellows Home, where she lived until her death.
1990 DEATH,BURIAL: WA,Walla Walla Co-Walla Walla, Grace Mae Micheal Smith died Oct 14, 1990; buried beside husband at Mountain View Cemetery in Walla Walla on Oct 17.
- 1902 BIRTH: Oregon,Umatilla-Pilot Rock, Grace Mae Michael was born on April 16 on a farm near Pilot Rock [1902-1940 Autobiography by Grace Michael Smith] ~000-3041-8364: Grace Mae Michael born 16 Apr 1902, no place shown
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Sources - [S165] Family Rcds: SMITH, Grace Michael.
Grace Mae Michael was born April 16, 1902 in Pilot Rock, Umatilla Co, Oregon to Elery Lee and Elsie Mae Wegner Michael
Family group sheet in brown Book of Remembrance in Grace Smith's brown suitcase - [S160] Oregon,Umatilla Co-Pendleton: 1986 Michael Family Tree.
Grace (Michael) Smith, dau of Ellery Michael [no date or place shown]
Date: 1986 - [S138] Obituary: Washington,Walla Walla: Union Bulletin newspaper.
Grace M Smith... Mrs Smith was born April 16, 1892 in Pilot Rock to Elery and Mae Wegner Michael
Date: 16 October 1990 - [S177] Family Rcds: POUND, Iva Wegner Royse.
Grace Mae Michael born Apr. 16, 1902 [no place shown]
1955 letter from Iva to Mary Marks, Eads doc #87b - [S248] Family Rcds: HALLMARK, June B Smith.
Grace Mae Michael was born 16 Apr 1902 in Pilot Rock,Umatilla,Oregon to Elery Lee Michael and Elsie Mae Wegner Michael
Family group sheet in blue Bk of Remembrance in Grace Smith's brown suitcase - [S133] Family Rcds: WAGNER,Pam Hallmark.
Grace Mae Michael Smith died in Walla Walla,Walla Walla Co, WA on 14 Oct 1990
Date: October 1990 - [S138] Obituary: Washington,Walla Walla: Union Bulletin newspaper.
Grace M Smith, 88, a resident of the Odd Fellows Home, died there Oct. 14, 1990. The funeral will be 2 pm Wed at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Bishop Ken Hatch, Third Ward of the Mormon Church, will officiate. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery, 2120 S. Second Ave.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Mormon Missionary Fund or the American Heart Association through Herring Funeral Chapel, 315 W Alder St.
Mrs Smith was born April 16, 1892 [no! 1902] in Pilot Rock to Elery and Mae Wegner Michael. She attended schools in Pilot Rock and Pendleton.
On June 12, 1922, she married Edward Vern Smith in Pendleton. The couple moved to Walla Walla in 1939, as her husband worked as a meat cutter for the Ninth Street Market. Mr. Smith died in 1955 [no! 1956].
For several yrs Mrs Smith worked for Sorenson Tailoring in Walla Walla. She later became a seamstress in the tailoring department at Gardner & Co Department Store in 1947, continuing there until the early 60s. She was also a seamstress for Sparks Cleaners and Holiday Cleaners. She retired from the Holiday Cleaners but continued to sew out of her home.
Sewing was her main interest, as well as talent. She was also known for her skills as a gook and enjoyed cooking for family and friends.
She was a very active member of the Mormon Church, served as president of its Relief Society and was a Sunday School teacher.
Mrs Smith is survived by two daughters, June B Hallmark of Boise and Jan Hankla Griffiths of Walla Walla; 15 grandchildren; 52 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Three brothers preceeded her in death.
Date: 16 October 1990 - [S181] Washington,Walla Walla Co-Walla Walla: Funeral Program.
Grace M Smith, April 16, 1902-October 14, 1990, Funeral Services held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Wed. Oct 17, 1990, 2:00 pm, Bishop Ken Hatch, Conducting. Program: Bob Bromps, prayer, Carolyn Hafen, soloist-'The Test,' Eulogy-Dr Robert Wagner, Speaker-David Hafen, Solo by Jack Stoddard, 'Abide with Me Tis Eventide,' Benediction-Steve Hallmark, Dedication of Grave-David Hallmark. Pall Bearers: Chad Zier, Paul Wagner, Kirt Naylor, Michael Hallmark, Lester Smith, Scott Wright. Vault Internment at Mountain View Cemetery.
Date: October 1990 - [S248] Family Rcds: HALLMARK, June B Smith.
Grace Mae Michael Smith died 14 Oct 1990 [no place shown]
Family group sheet in blue Bk of Remembrance in Grace Smith's brown suitcase - [S422] Internet: Ancestry.com.
Grace M Smith dd 14 Oct 1990, Walla Walla, age 88, estimated birth year about 1902, residence: Walla Walla; gender: Female, SS#542-16-9489, Certif #028719
Washington Death Record 1940-1996 - [S133] Family Rcds: WAGNER,Pam Hallmark.
Grace Michael Smith buried beside Vern at Mountainview Cemetery in Walla Walla, WA on 17th October 1990
Date: October 1990 - [S138] Obituary: Washington,Walla Walla: Union Bulletin newspaper.
Grace M Smith... Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery, 2120 S. Second Ave.
Date: 16 October 1990 - [S165] Family Rcds: SMITH, Grace Michael.
Elery Michael of Umatilla County and May Wagner of Umatilla County were by me United in Holy Matrimony, According to the Ordinance of God and the Laws of the State of Oregon at Pendleton on the 27th day of September 1900. Witnesses: J. E. Pollock and Miss Ella Michael, married by John Uren, Paster M.E. Church of Pendleton
Copy of original Marriage Certificate & family group sheet in brown Bk of Remembrance in suitcase belonging to Grace Michael Smith
Date: 27 September 1900 - [S160] Oregon,Umatilla Co-Pendleton: 1986 Michael Family Tree.
Ellery Lee md [no name shown], children: Grace, Ted, Floyd, Elbert [no dates or places shown]
Date: 1986 - [S177] Family Rcds: POUND, Iva Wegner Royse.
Elsie Mae Wegner md Elery Michael (date unknown), 4 children: Grace Mae Michael, Chester Lee, Floyd Lowell, Elbert Russell [no place shown]
1955 letter from Iva Pound to Mary Marks, Eads doc#87b - [S230] Oregon: State Marriage Rcds.
Elery Michael md Elsie Wegner 17 Sep 1900, Pendleton OR
Umatilla Co OR MG Rcds - [S248] Family Rcds: HALLMARK, June B Smith.
Elery Lee Michael md Elsie Mae Wegner 27 Set 1900 [no place shown]
Family group sheet in blue Bk of Remembrance, now in brown suitcase, belonging to Grace Smith - [S165] Family Rcds: SMITH, Grace Michael.
His family moved to Hermiston & bought a small acreage, so the next spring Vern went to Hermiston, rented an acreage next to his folks, so we really made plans, so on June 12, 1922, (20 yrs old), we were married in Pendleton at the Parsonage.
Edward Vern Smith married Grace Mae Michael on 12 June 1922 in Pendleton, Umatilla Co, Oregon.
This Certifies that Edward Vern Smith of Umatilla Co and Grace Michael of Umatilla Co were United in Marriage at 506 East Alta-Pendleton. According to the Ordinances of God and the laws of Oregon, on the 12th day of June in the year of our Lord 1922. Signed Rev. G. L. Clark, Pendleton, Ore. Witnesses: Mrs. J. A. Porter and Mrs. E. L. Michael
From autobiography of Grace Michael Smith, written in her hand; also family group sheet & copy of certification of marriage in brown Bk of Remembrance in her suitcase
Date: 1986 - [S160] Oregon,Umatilla Co-Pendleton: 1986 Michael Family Tree.
Grace Michael md to Mr Smith, 2 daughters: June, Janice Smith [no dates or places shown]
Date: 1986 - [S138] Obituary: Washington,Walla Walla: Union Bulletin newspaper.
Grace M Smith... On June 12, 1922, she married Edward Vern Smith in Pendleton
Wife, Grace Michael Smith's obituary
Date: 16 October 1990 - [S177] Family Rcds: POUND, Iva Wegner Royse.
Grace Mae Michael md Edward Vern Smith, June 12, 1922, two daughters: June and Janice Smith [no place shown]
1955 letter from Iva to Mary Marks, Eads doc #87b - [S165] Family Rcds: SMITH, Grace Michael.
This Certifies That Edward Vern Smith of Umatilla Co. and Grace Michael of Umatilla Co. were United in Marriage at 506 East Alta, Pendleton. According to the Ordinance of God, and the laws of Oregon, On the 12th day of June in the year of our Lord 1922. Signed by Rev. G. L. Clark of Pendleton, Ore. Witnesses: Mrs. J. A. Porter and Mrs E. L. Michael
Copy of a page from wedding book, perhaps - now in Bk of Remembrance in Grace's brown suitcase - [S248] Family Rcds: HALLMARK, June B Smith.
Edward Vern Smith md Grace Mae Michael 12 June 1922 in Pendelton,Umatilla,Oregon
Family group sheet in blue Bk of Remembrance, now in brown suitcase, belonging to Grace Smith - [S138] Obituary: Washington,Walla Walla: Union Bulletin newspaper.
...Edward Vern Smith... On June 12, 1922, he was married in Pendleton to Grace Michael.
Edward Vern Smith's obituary
Date: 30 April 1956
- [S165] Family Rcds: SMITH, Grace Michael.
