J.M. SMITH WILL ADMITTED TO PROBATE

The will of James Mervin Smith, filed for probate Tuesday, was immediately admitted. Mervin D. Smith, a son, was appointed executor, without bond. The instrument provides a life estate for the widow, Belle Smith, with the provision that, at her death, the estate be placed in trust for the benefit of Paul L. Smith, an invalid son. The Smith farm in sections 15 and 16, Urbana township, will constitute the trust. Mervin D. Smith and Howard A. Smith are to act as trustees, without bond. At the death of the invalid son, the surviving children shall share the estate.

The others, beside Howard A. and Mervin D. Smith, are Rufus Smith, James Smith and Mrs. Blanche Carrier. The widow and executor are given authority to sell any portion of the estate necessary to pay debts. The estate is valued at $17,000 consisting of realty appraised at $16,000 and personal property at $1,000.312

1900 Federal Census - Urbana Township, Champaign County, Illinois
-Mervin, Head, born May 1854, age 46 - farmer
-Belle, Wife, born Aug 1863, age 36
-Rufus, son, born Mar 1887, age 13
-Howard, son, born Aug 1888, age 11
-Blanche, daughter, born Mar 1891, age 9
-Paul, son, born June 1894, age 5
-David, son, born Jan 1897, age 3
-Apperson, William, Uncle, born Apr 1850, age 50 - farm laborer

1910 Federal Census, Urbana Township, Champaign County, Illinois
-Jacob M., Head, age 55 - farmer
-Belle M., Wife, age 46
-Howard A., son, age 21
-Blanche M., daughter, age 19
-Paul L., son, age 16
-Mervin D., son, age 13
-James B., son, age 9

1920 Federal Census, Urbana Township, Champaign County, Illinois
-Jacob M., Head, age 64 - farmer
-Belle M., Wife, age 55
-Paul L., son, age 26
-David M., son, age 23
-James B., son, age 18
-Dunn, Ruth, niece, age 5

1930 Federal Census, Urbana Township, Champaign County, Illinois
-Jacob M., Head, age 75
-Mary H., Wife, age 65
-Paul, son, age 37
-David, son, age 33
-Dunn, Ruth, niece, age 15
-Smith, Mirvin, nephew, age 39

“Uncle Merv was a tough guy. When fairly young, he had gangrene develop in one leg. I don’t know the cause but the doctors decreed that the leg must be amputated. On the day that the leg was to be removed, Uncle Dave was guarding the door to the room while the doctor was getting ready. Granddad Bate was guarding outside the window. Merv told Grandfather that he was not going to let them cut off his leg. Granddad stood aside and allowed Merv to escape through the window. Merv survived, but he was lame and crippled for the rest of his life. He made up for it by becoming a darn good boxer on his gimpy leg. He disciplined his sons by requiring them to box him. One son, Jim, learned enough boxing to partially work his way through college by boxing professionally.”155