Elizabeth “Bessie” Iola Smyre

Brief Life History of Elizabeth “Bessie” Iola

When Elizabeth “Bessie” Iola Smyre was born on 16 October 1875, in Catawba, North Carolina, United States, her father, Francis Shuford Smyre, was 30 and her mother, Susan Ellen Miller, was 23. She married Benjamin Lewis Westenbarger on 2 June 1892, in Conover, Catawba, North Carolina, United States. They were the parents of at least 5 sons and 1 daughter. She lived in Worth Township, Boone, Indiana, United States in 1920. She died on 10 July 1945, in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States, at the age of 69, and was buried in Glendale, Los Angeles, California, United States.

Photos and Memories (2)

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Family Time Line

Benjamin Lewis Westenbarger
1866–1947
Elizabeth “Bessie” Iola Smyre
1875–1945
Marriage: 2 June 1892
John Richard Westenbarger
1892–
Worth Doerman Westenbarger
1896–1975
Lewis Clinton Westenbarger
1902–1997
William Henry Westenbarger
1905–
Mary Ellen Westenbarger
1907–1984
Francis Martin Westenbarger
1913–1996

Sources (23)

  • B I Smyer in household of F S Smyer, "United States Census, 1880"
  • Bessie Iola Westenbarger, "California, County Birth and Death Records, 1800-1994"
  • Bessie I. Smyre, "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 "

World Events (8)

1876 · The First Worlds Fair in the U.S.

The First official World's Fair, was held to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. 37 Countries provided venues for all to see.

1877 · Last Troops Leave

In 1877, the last of the troops that were occupying North Carolina left.

1896 · Plessy vs. Ferguson

A landmark decision of the U.S. Supreme Court upholding the constitutionality of racial segregation laws for public facilities if the segregated facilities were equal in quality. It's widely regarded as one of the worst decisions in U.S. Supreme Court history.

Name Meaning

Variant of Smyer .

Dictionary of American Family Names © Patrick Hanks 2003, 2006.

Possible Related Names

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