A Father's Reflections: The Life
and Times of Devier James Smith
As told to my children in early 1894
Tell us about your childhood. Who was in your
family, where did you live, did you go to school, did you work, what
fun did you have?
My dear children, my early years were quite different from what
you might expect. I was born Devier James Lamphier in Jefferson
County, New York, in 1839. My birth parents remain a mystery
to me, but the Lord blessed me with wonderful adoptive parents who
became my true family.
Ranslow and Mary (Bell) Smith of Henderson, Jefferson County, took
me in as their own when I was an infant. They also adopted your aunt
Mary Jane, who was born around 1837. When I was about four years old,
we made the great journey west to Wisconsin when it was still a
territory - quite an adventure for a young boy! We settled in Dodge
County, in what is now Rolling Prairie between the towns of Burnett and Oak
Grove.
Father Ranslow was an industrious man - a farmer and innkeeper
with considerable property. By 1850, he owned $2,000 worth of real
estate, and by 1860, he had built that up to $7,800 in real property
and $930 in personal property. Mother Mary was a gentle soul from New
York, like Father.
I did attend school for several years, along with Mary Jane. As I
grew older, I worked as a farm laborer on Father's land and then
handled the horses at Father’s “Four-Mile Inn” in Rolling
Prairie, learning the value of hard work and the skills that would
serve me well throughout life. The Wisconsin frontier was a fine
place for a boy to grow up - plenty of space to roam, work to keep us
busy, and the satisfaction of helping build something from nothing.
What occupations did you have?
Throughout my life, I've worn many hats, as they say. I started as
a boy as a farm laborer working for my adoptive father, but I always had an
eye for opportunity and wasn't afraid of hard work.
In Wisconsin, I was both a farmer and helped Father with his
inn-keeping and livery business. When we moved to Iowa, I continued
farming and livery on my own land, but also got into the land speculation business -
something that was a thread throughout my career. In Missouri, I
farmed and expanded into cattle trading, which taught me about
markets and negotiation.
When we moved to Concordia, Kansas, I really found my calling in
the livery and livestock business. I ran a livery and sale stable,
traded cattle and horses. I was always looking for the next
opportunity.
In western Nebraska, I established the Blue Front livery stable with your
brother David in McCook. We also had a taxi service for several
years, sold hair tonic for a time at $2 a bottle, and I even patented
a harness rack in 1885 (Patent Number 331,565) showing that a man
can innovate even in a practical business. But I never lost my love
for the land – in 1885 I patented 320 acres in Wano, Kansas and
tried my hand at ranching.
What major life decisions did you make and how
did they work out?
The most important decision I ever made was marrying your dear
mother, Abbie Vaux, on April 4th, 1861, in Rolling Prairie,
Wisconsin. She has been my constant companion through all our moves
and adventures, and together we built a family I'm proud of.
Another crucial decision was when I petitioned the Wisconsin State
Senate in 1866 to legally change my name from Devier Lamphier to
Devier J. Smith. Father Ranslow's will referred to me as "Devere
J. Lamphear, Commonly called Devere J. Smith, my adopted son,"
and I wanted to honor the Smith name legally. Governor Lucius
Fairchild approved the act on March 21st, 1866, making me officially
the adopted child and legal heir of Ranslow Smith.
Perhaps the most significant decision was our constant willingness
to move west seeking better opportunities. From Wisconsin to Iowa in
1867, then to Missouri in 1873, then Kansas in 1878, and finally Nebraska in 1885, plus the
ranch in Wano, Kansas. Each move was a gamble, but each taught us
something and brought new opportunities. When we obtained the land in
Wano, I wrote in our family Bible about the "Spring Ranch"
and how I believed Kansas was "the grandest state in the Union,
and Cheyenne county the banner county in Kansas."
What were the hardest challenges in your life?
The hardest challenge, without question, was losing our precious
little ones. Our daughter Agnes Bell, whom we called "Aggie,"
was born on February 26th, 1868, but died on April 23rd, 1870, at
just two years old in Bedford, Iowa. Then our son Lucian H., "Lutie,"
was born on June 16th, 1875, but died on March 19th, 1878, at age two
in Concordia, Kansas. A parent should never have to bury their
children, and your mother and I carried that sorrow with us always.
The financial pressures were also constant. Every move meant
starting over, building new businesses, establishing credit and
reputation in new communities. When Father Ranslow died in 1873,
settling his estate took years - it wasn't finally resolved until
1885. During those years, we had to manage without that inheritance
while building our lives in Kansas.
The physical demands of frontier life were considerable too. I
wrote in our Bible in 1889 about being alone on the ranch while your
mother was in California and you children were scattered. The
isolation could be difficult, but I found comfort in reading the Holy
Bible and writing letters to family.
What was your biggest accomplishment?
My biggest accomplishment is the family we built together. Despite
the hardships and losses, we raised three children who have become
fine adults. Della, you've become a music teacher and married well to
Henry Carringer. David, you've taken over the livery business and
shown real business sense. And Matie, you too became a music teacher
and have made a good marriage to George Chenery.
Beyond family, I'm proud of the businesses I built and the way I
adapted to each new place and opportunity. From nothing, I built
livery stables, traded cattle, farmed hundreds of acres, and even
received a patent for my harness rack invention. I helped settle
three different states and left each place better than I found it.
What are you proudest of?
I'm proudest of the fact that I never gave up. Born without
knowing my true parents, I could have wallowed in that mystery.
Instead, I embraced the family that chose me and honored their name.
When faced with hardship, I moved forward. When we lost our little
ones, we grieved but continued building our lives.
I'm proud that I was able to provide for my family and give you
children opportunities. That you both learned music and became
teachers shows we valued education even on the frontier. I'm proud of
the honest living I made with my hands and my mind, never cheating
anyone but always looking for the next opportunity.
Most of all, I'm proud of the legacy of hard work, faith, and
family that I hope to pass on to you and your children.
How do you want to be remembered?
I want to be remembered as a man who worked hard, loved his
family, and helped build the West. I want to be remembered as someone
who faced challenges head-on and never lost faith in the Lord's plan,
even when that plan included sorrows I couldn't understand.
I hope people will remember that I was fair in my dealings,
innovative in my thinking, and always willing to help a neighbor. I
want to be remembered as a man who honored his adoptive parents by
living up to the Smith name and who raised children who will carry
forward the values of hard work, honesty, and family loyalty.
When I wrote in our family Bible that November day in 1889, I
said, "May we all praise the Lord forever is my prayer."
That's how I want to be remembered - as a man of faith who trusted in
God's providence through all of life's trials and blessings.
What advice do you have for your grandchildren?
My dear grandchildren, none of you I've had the joy to meet, and
others I may never see, but I want you to know these things:
First, never be ashamed of humble beginnings. I started life not
even knowing my birth parents, but I was blessed with adoptive
parents who loved me. Your circumstances at birth don't determine
your destiny - your character and hard work do.
Second, be willing to take chances and move when opportunity
calls. We moved from New York to Wisconsin, then to Iowa, Missouri,
Kansas, and Nebraska. Each move was scary, but each brought new
possibilities. Don't be afraid to leave what's familiar if it means
bettering your family's future.
Third, treat every person fairly and honor your word. In business,
your reputation is everything. I built livery stables and traded
cattle across multiple states, and my word was my bond. People knew
they could trust D.J. Smith.
Fourth, value education and culture. Even on the frontier, we made
sure your parents learned music and became teachers. Learning makes
you adaptable, and adaptability is essential in a changing world.
Fifth, hold fast to your faith. I've found comfort in the Holy
Bible through the darkest times. When we lost little Aggie and Lutie,
when I was alone on the ranch, when business was uncertain - faith
sustained me.
Finally, remember that family is everything. Love each other,
support each other, and never let distance or disagreements break the
bonds between you. The Smith name - the name I chose to honor my
adoptive father - should stand for loyalty, hard work, and love.
The frontier is closing, but America will always need people
willing to work hard, innovate, and build something better for their
children. That's your inheritance from me - not just whatever
property I leave behind, but the example of a life lived with
purpose, faith, and determination.
May God bless you all, and may you always make the Smith name
proud.
Your loving father and grandfather,
Devier James
“D.J.” Smith
McCook,
Nebraska
January 1894
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