Crosby County Biographies

J. Frank and Minnie Smith


Individual Photograph Not Available

Service

Biography

The Smith House of Crosbyton is a spacious commodious building of some thirty-two rooms all modern. A large yard of shrubs, trees and flowers surround it and add to its beauty. In the back yard are old relics. There are several wagon wheels more than seventy-five years old, one from old Fort Griffin in Shackleford County.

This hotel was built in 1921 and has been the scene of many social activities. Generous meals are served family style and the cooking done by the Smiths themselves is excellent. They are noted for the fine foods served. As the Smiths had cooked on ranches for cowboys they learned to cook for hungry people and their corn bread, steaks and sweet potato pie are especially delicious.

J. Frank Smith married Miss Minnie Shelton of Corsicana and came to Crosby County in 1901 as foreman for -N- Ranch. They lived at the rock house headquarters of the C.B. Livestock Company, which was located just below Silver Falls.

Mr. Smith moved to Bassett´s dairy just north of the new town of Crosbyton. They cut ice off a cement tank at first and stored it away for summer use; afterwards Bassett built an ice plant. Julian Bassett put in the biggest supply store in Crosby County. The butter was shipped from the dairy and the milk fed to hogs; a car of hogs was shipped every two weeks.

Mrs. Smith was the first woman resident of Crosbyton. Later the Smiths ran a rooming house, but built the Smith House and still keep it in operation. Many famous guests have registered in Mr. Smith´ book.

Source: "Through the Years, A History of Crosby County, Texas" by Nellie Witt Spikes and Temple Ann Ellis ©1951; The Naylor Company, San Antonio, Texas

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Burial Site

Crosbyton Cemetery
• Block 19
• Plot 8
• Lot

Site Map Location

Headstone Inscription & Sentiments

• Headstone Photograph

Additional Photos & Documentation

SMITH, J.Frank

Born: Apr 4, 1875 in Robinson Co., Texas

Died: Jun 12, 1953

Father: Fayette SMITH (Smith)

Mother: Mattie GARRETT (Texas)

Survivors: wife, Minnie; 1 bro, 2 sis (Stella Morrow, Emma Bristoe)

Came 1900. Worked for C.B.

Source: Adams Funeral Home

Transcribed by Bettye Odom

SMITH, Minnie Alice

Born: 5 Jan 1877 Navarro Co., Texas

Death: 9 Feb 1961 Lubbock County, Texas

Father: John R. SHELDON

Mother: Nan SANDERS

Religion: Episcopal

Survivors: 1 sis, 1 bro.

Came in 1900. Worked for C.B. Livestock.

Source: Adams Funeral Home

Transcribed by Bettye Odom

Obituary

• Mrs. Smith Dies This Morning

Mrs. J. Frank Smith, pioneer resident of Crosbyton and this area, died at 6:05 this morning in Crosbyton Clinic Hospital. She had been ill for some time.

Funeral services were pending at King Funeral Home awaiting arrival of relatives from Dallas. She and her late husband had operated the Smith House here for many years.

The Crosbyton Review, Thursday, February 9, 1961