Rowan County, NC - Charlie & Dora Smith

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                       CHARLIE & DORA SMITH

     Charlie Lee Smith was born in Rowan County, N.C. on June 3, 1892, the 
son of John William and Lula Victoria Christy Smith. His parents lived in the 
area that is now known as Corriher-Grange road. He attended Concordia Lutheran 
Church and also Corinth Baptist Church for night services. They walked or rode 
horses to church. His parents moved to Iredell County, Mooresville, N.C. on 
Church Street. Here the oldest boys worked in the textile mill at $0.25 a day.  
Charlie was ten years old at this time. Here he lost his mother who died from 
pneumonia. His father, John William moved back to Rowan County near the old 
Fleming school. Here all the children started to school. Mary Ann, John 
William's mother who they called "Granny", moved in with John to help with the 
children.
     Charlie bought a bay horse and rubber-tired buggy when he was dating.  
He traveled on state highway 152 to see Dora. The highway was only dirt at the 
time. Dora Mae Fulham was born in the Concord area on May 8, 1893, the second 
daughter of Sena Horten Tucker Fulham and Nathaniel K. Fulham. Early in the 
1900's, they moved to Mooresville, N.C. to Dixie Mill village which is now 
known as Cascade, a small village north of Mooresville. She and her family 
attended the Dixie Mission Church that met up-stairs over the general store.  
Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterians met together here. Dora Mae memorized a 
catechism for which she received a Bible. A new church was built and known as 
Jones Memorial Methodist in 1921 from Dixie Mission.
     Kate Smith Coggins, a cousin of Charlie Smith, introduced him to Dora 
Mae. After a short courtship they were married on Jan. 23, 1915. Their first 
home was in Rowan County near Corriher Springs known as the "old Sechler 
place". Their first child was born here on Mar. 7, 1916, a daughter named 
Bertie Lodeamer. They moved back to Dixie Village near Dora's family. Here, 
the second child was born, another daughter named Mabel Lucille. Charlie 
missed the farm and they moved back to Rowan County near Concordia Church 
where he helped Mr. Dave Upright farm. A third child was born here, a son, 
Daniel Lee on Aug. 21, 1920. Dora wanted to live near her parents so Charlie & 
Dora bought a small farm north of Dixie Village.
     One day while Charlie was at work, Dora was out doing the washing on a 
wash-board and boiling white cloths. She had Daniel tied in a rocking chair 
and told Bertie & Mabel to rock him if he cried. They rocked too hard and 
threw him into the burning fire place. He was severely burned on the head and 
face. He didn't have any major scars, only his hair didn't grow back in front; 
he was bald.
     On Feb. 8, 1923, another son was born, Ralph Erskine. In the mean time, 
Dora had been having serious heart problems. Lots of doctors came, but on the 
morning of Apr. 30, 1923 she said "Here, take the baby Charlie, I'm going" and 
she passed away. The baby was about three months old and the milk the doctor 
prescribed didn't work. Charlie's sister, Maggie, asked to help and took Ralph 
home with her to Kannapolis. We visited on week-ends. She kept him for about a 
year.
     Charlie hired housekeepers for about two years. He met and married 
Chloie Lee Knight. After about ten years there was a son from this marriage, 
Charlie Lee Smith, Jr., born on July 23, 19**. Chloie died from complications 
from birth on this date.
     Charlie and Chloie had bought a small tract of land on state highway 152 
about one mile into Rowan County.
     Charlie married Essie Upright, a school teacher on Dec. 22, 1945 and 
moved to Statesville Avenue in Mooresville. Essie died on Feb. 7, 1984.
     A daughter, Bertie, lived with Charlie until he passed away on Apr. 22, 
1987.
     Charlie, known as "Pops" by his children and grandchildren, out lived 
three wives and three sons. Daniel and Ralph died of heart attacks and Charlie 
Lee, Jr. was taken by a drowning accident in the Catawba River.

As related by Bertie Lodeamer Smith Hendren, Feb., 1990.
 
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This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by
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