Biographies:  Robert Percy "Uncle Bob" Smith, 1972, Winn Parish, LA.
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From:  March 22, 1972 Winn Parish Enterprise-News American

Uncle Bob Smith's 100th Birthday Wish Granted

It was a birthday wish come true for Uncle Bob (Robert Percy) Smith when
the day dawned beautifully Sunday, March 19, allowing 400 to 500 of his
friends and relatives to join him in celebrating his 100th birthday.

The friends and relatives arrived at various times throughout the day,
butmost of those came in time to see Uncle Bob cut his three birthday
cakes, all baked especially for the Sikes centurian.

Highlights of the day were the taking of pictures and the cutting of the
three cakes, one made by a great grandaughter, marilyn Cruse of Olla; a
three-tiered confection topped with a farm scene brought by a
granddaughter, Bonnie Hubbard of Bossier City; and the third cake, shaped
like a Bible, made by a friend, Mrs. Marie Holloway of Sarepta.

Mr. Smith is the father of eight children, all still living, and six of
them attended his 100th birthday celebration.  They were:  Joe, Walt, Ora,
Clarence, and Eugene, all of Sikes, and Mrs. Etta Medford, Overton, Texas;
the other two, unable to attend because of ill health, are Daniel Smith,
80, of Winnfield, and Mrs. Cora Townsend of Joyce.

Mr. Smith has one living brother, P. W. Smith of Sikes, and one sister,
Mrs. Bob (Beulah) McCarty of Monroe.  His brother is 97 and his sister 82
years old.

In addition to fathering eight children, Uncle Bob has 30 grandchildren, 66
great grandchildren, and 18 great-great grandchildren.  

Mr. Smith's father, John Franklin Smith, lived to be 99 ® years old.  Uncle
Bob was one of seven children.  At the age of 18 ® he married Mary Lou
Thornton and reared his eight children.  After her death, in later years he
married Cora McCartney, who passed away in 1968.  

The youngest of his eight children is Eugene Smith, 65, of Sikes, and the
eldest is 80 year old Daniel Smith of Winnfield.

Uncle Bob moved to his present home in 1899.  He said he paid $ 1.25 per
acre for 160 acres and homesteaded an additional 40 acres.  Having acquired
a sawmill when he was 28 years old, he cut and milled the lumber and
erected the house that he still lives in.  He also hand-rived the shingles
to roof it and has lived in this house for the past 73 years.

Mr. Smith credits his longevity to hard work and being particular of what
he eats and drinks.  

Uncle Bob's birthday falls on March 23, but he always celebrates on the
Sunday nearest the day.

This was the 18th year that the community has joined in Smith's birthday
celebration by bringing their basket lunches to his home near Sikes for the
special occasion.