A Wilson Family Tree

Notes for Abiel Leonard Smith Jr.



From "Obituary Record of Graduates Deceased During the Year Ending July 1, 1928" (Yale University, New Haven, CT, 1928; obtained from http://mssa.library.yale.edu/obituary_record/1925_1952/1927-28.pdf):

Abiel Leonard Smith, B.A. 1915.

Born February 1, 1891, in Paris, France.
Died June 30, 1928, in Bronxville, N. Y.

Father, Brigadier General Abiel Leonard Smith, U. S. A., retired; United States Military Academy 1878; served in campaigns against the Indians 1878-1886 and in Spanish- American War; former chief of Supplies Division of the Quartermaster Corps, New York City; attended Army War College 1914; son of Joseph D. and Martha (Leonard) Smith; descendant of Joseph Smith, who came to this country before the Revolution and settled in Virginia. Mother, Florence (Compton) Smith; daughter of Charles Elmer and Emily (Little) Compton; descendant of Governor John Winthrop of Massachusetts.

St. Joseph (Mo.) High School and Phillips-Andover Honors in English Sophomore year, second dispute appointment Junior year; first dispute appointment Senior year, member Freshman Football Team and Alpha Delta Phi.

Reporter for New York Times 1915-17; tried to enter service several times, but rejected because of heart murmur; finally accepted May 25, 1918, and assigned to 2d Pioneer Infantry at Camp Wadsworth, S, C.; went overseas with that unit June 30; promoted to Sergeant immediately after his arrival in France; transferred to 302d Infantry October 4, 1918, to 163d Infantry November 10, and to Transport Corps December 3; returned to United States with a hospital detachment February 1, 1919, debarking at Newport News, Va , February 11; was given his discharge at Fort Riley May 20; again reporter for New York Times 1919-1920; secretary to Henry H. Curran, '98, president of Borough of Manhattan, 1920-22; with New York Evening Post since 1924, as Albany correspondent until 1927 (though he covered presidential news during summer of 1926) and since then as Washington correspondent; member Christ Episcopal Church, Bronxville

Married January 8, 1920, in Glen Ridge, N. J., Margaret Pemberton, daughter of Harvey Berg and Kathryn (Pemberton) McLean. Children: Abiel Leonard, 3d, Kathryn Pemberton, and Harvey McLean.

Death due to Hodgkin's disease; had been in ill health several months Buried in Sleepy Hollow (N. Y.) Cemetery. Survived by wife, two sons, daughter, father, two sisters, Mrs Mason Shoup, of St Joseph, Mo, and Mrs. John Hawkins, of Lake Forest, Ill , and a brother, Major Charles C Smith, U S Cavalry.


Note: Some of the information in these pages is uncertain. Please let me know of errors or omissions using the email link above.    ...Mike Wilson

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