Volume 12 , Issue 43

Grace Ward Smith

As seen in the image on the left that I found on Ancestry.com for Grace Ward Smith, this 1920 U.S. Federal census shows the Harry C. & Florence Ward family of five living in Alva, Woods county, Oklahoma at the residence of 507 Choctaw Street.

Harry C. Ward was listed as 43 years of age, born in Ohio; Florence, his wife, 38 years of age, born in Indiana. They had three children: John (16 years, born about 1904, in Oklahoma), Grace (8 years, born about 1912, in Oklahoma) and Louis (6 years, born about 1914, in Oklahoma).

I sent a copy of the 1920 U.S. census to Tracy and she replied, "That is them! I even looked up the address. When I was 14 years old my dad (Billy Ward Smith) and I lived in that house for about 6 months. She (Grace) never told me she grew up in that house! Thank you so much!

Tracy also said, "Awesome! I have been on line trying to find genealogy and history about that side of my family. I found her parents names but no birth or death certificates. I would love to find some photos or family members who have photos, information going back farther. Graces' son, my dad, Bill Smith died 1988 at age 45. My brother Steve lives in Oregon with his wife and 2 daughters. I live in Florida with my son who is 6. Any recommendations as to where to search online? Thanks so much for responding to me."

This is what NW Okie has accumulated so far concerning Grace Ward Smith and her legacy in Northwest Oklahoma as reported in The OkieLegacy Ezine, Vol. 9, Iss. 39, 2007-09-28. We asked our readers who was Grace Ward Smith? Many of you northwest Oklahomans might remember her as an attractive brunette, secretary-manager of the Alva Chamber of Commerce back in 1958. Others remembered her as a first cousin and other might remember her run for Alva Mayor and loosing by 6 votes.

Grace had a dream for Woods County in Northwest Oklahoma. It was to make Woods County a tourist attraction. It was also about this time that Grace brought camels to the Little Sahara south of Waynoka, Oklahoma.

The feature on Grace Ward Smith and Waynoka camels stated, "It was prior to April, 1958 tour that Grace Ward Smith arranged through the Alva Chamber for purchase of a pair of camels from the Al G. Kelly-Miller Brothers Circus, Hugo, Oklahoma. One of the camels was named Nellie and gave birth at Waynoka's Little Sahara.

"The dromedary (single hump) cost $1,300, and a double hump camel cost $1,000. both were females, and were quartered through the past winter at Oklahoma City's Lincoln Park zoo.

"Members of the Waynoka Saddle Club raised $200 to fetch the animals back to Woods county, and they were kept at the "Little Sahara's" oasis pasture, three miles south of Waynoka. Feed was donated by ranchers residing in the area."

It was also about this time that Alva moved to have 10 acres of sand dunes set aside as a state park. Lute Murrow, Dacoma legislator from Woods county, and Ben Easterly, Alva state senator for Woodward and Woods counties, had promised legislation toward this end.

April 19, 1959 -- Grace Ward Smith was quoted in The Oklahoman, article concerning the invasion of the Sheiks' of Waynoka and Camels that roam the sand dunes as attraction for second year of special tours to Northwestern Oklahoma. Mrs. Smith stated, "I can foresee Alva as the starter city for one of the largest tourist businesses in the nation. One day, air-conditioned buses will leave Alva on schedule to take visitors on a swing through our country."

Grace Ward Smith Resigns Chamber of Commerce, October 19, 1960. On October 19, 1960, the Alva Chamber received notice of Grace Ward Smith's resignation to Phil Ruch, chamber president, effective November 15, 1960. It seems that Alva was loosing this Grace Ward Smith, go-getter, energetic secretary-manager of the Alva Chamber of Commerce to Elk City, Oklahoma. Grace accepted a similar post at Elk City, where the chamber recently lost its manager to Enid, Oklahoma.

Ruch expressed his regret at the loss, but assured Grace Ward Smith that her Alva colleagues would not wish to hamper her advancement. Grace was also treasurer of the US 281 Association. Grace also promoted construction of a new chamber building in Alva and the educational fun tours that brought more than 2,000 school children to Woods county in 1958 & 1959.

We also found on Ancestry.com the Russell Family Tree that shows Grace Ward & Ray Williams Smith and their son, Billy Ward Smith. Is this the same as the Grace Ward Smith from Alva, Woods county, Oklahoma?

If anyone remembers Grace Ward Smith, Tracy (Smith) Preston's grandmother, Tracy would love to hear from you. Tracy says that her grandmother once once ran for mayor of Alva, Oklahoma and lost by only 6 votes. If you have pictures or stories or documents, Tracy would love to hear from you. You can contact her at the following EMAIL: TracyAmazon@hotmail.com.   |  View or Add Comments (3 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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