Occupation: Farmer
Comments: Alva grew up in a Baptist church in Nebraska. Verna grew up in the
Christian Church.
Alva came to the Galt area in California from Nebraska in his teens and met Verna.
Alva & Verna were married in Hastings, Nebraska at his parents home.
Alva returned to help run Verna's parents ranch near Galt that he eventually bought and ran until his death.
Both active (from teens to death) in Galt Christian Church, held offices in
Church, worked all capacities.
Active in Four H Clubs and any local community affairs. Well known and
liked to break horses in younger day. Liked all farm animals and work. Had several special horses one was "Turvey".
Verna active in all church affairs, ladies aid, Colony Aid, 4-H leader for
Neighboring schools and area. A school mom to all kids.
A hard labor only farming cattle, horses, farm crops, bought & sold hay
land leveling, plowed fire guards around local railroads with a horse drawn plough.
Both loved everyone and loved by everyone. Always had time for anyone, friends, family, and neighbors, less fortunate. Never turned anyone away who needed a bed or food, whether they had jobs for them to do or not.
Neither had vacations- No money or transportation.
Alva never served in the military. He did haul hay.
They had chickens, rabbits, goats, horses, dogs, and cats on the farm. Mother horse's name was "Tippy" who was very gentle with all the kids.
Christmas Eve was special, cause Verna (grandma) always made something for all the grandkids, and Santa Claus would deliver and hand out the gifts for all of us. A couple of times she didn't make the gifts, I remember we all received a clown doll.
Verna love to sew, you show her a pattern in the Sears catalog and she could make the outfit, making a pattern out of newspaper! She crocheted, knitted, and love doing crafts from !iule ot'nothing. She was an excellent seamstress, liked to do quilts.
A good cook, could make a dinner out of nothing, and stretch foods further than anyone.
The bathroom was an outhouse outside or a pee can under the bed. If you spent the night, before breakfast Alva (grandpa) had you run around the house.
The corn patch was beside the house and when the ears were ready to pick the stocks were taller than us kids, but we loved going in the patch with grandma and picking the corn.
Clothes were washed in the wringer washer, first the whites, then colored, all in the same water until all the laundry was done.
No fancy home, but livable and family close knit, growing up. Every child taught respect, and to work at whatever needed doing. Family wore hand-me-down clothes, no money to buy.
Spouse: Verna Viola Linscott (Married 23-Apr-1916)
Children: Joseph Robert Smoot, Living Smoot, Richard Alva Smoot, Patricia EmmAdell Smoot, Kenneth Wayne Smoot, Merle Edward Smoot, Donald Leroy Smoot, Living Smoot, Living Smoot
Alva Edward's Heritage
Parents: Robert Ames Smoot, Emma Adeline Grauel
Siblings: Bert Raymond Smoot, James Orval Smoot, Walter Francis Smoot, Florence Emma Smoot, Elsie Adah Smoot