Flavel Smith
Flavel J. Smith was born in Berville, Michigan on June 9, 1845. His parents were Lewis and Sarah (Baker) Smith. He was orphaned as a child and began working at an early age. He worked on farms in the summer and in the Michigan woods in the winter.
He enlisted in 1861 when President Lincoln made his first call for volunteers. He was discharged two months later on account of his extreme youth (he was 16). However, when his brother, Garrison, had to return home to his sick wife, Flavel took his place in Company H of the Fourth Michigan Volunteer Infantry. He participated in the battles of Huntsville, Stevensville, Nashville, and Decatur. At the end of the war, he returned to Michigan where his brother took his place and was mustered out on October 19, 1865. Therefore, there is no record of Flavel Smith having served beyond those first two months.
He married May J. Hoyt on December 24, 1865. They had three children, Charles, Amy, and Edith. May died in 1902.
He opened a livery in Ortonville, which he operated for about ten years. While there, he also served as a justice of the peace and the sheriff of Oakland County. He moved to Petoskey in 1880, where he operated a livery and was in charge of the US mail. He was elected to the offices of city marshal and Emmet County sheriff. He resigned in 1898 in favor of his son, Charles. He enlisted in Company C of the 35th Michigan Volunteer Infantry for the Spanish-American War and was commissioned first lieutenant. At first the army said he was too old, being 53, but Governor Alger intervened on his behalf and he was accepted. He was appointed regiment quartermaster. Company C presented him with a sword on December 25, 1898. When he returned to Petoskey, he was again elected sheriff of Emmet County and served in that position for many years.
He married Alice Belle Sears (Cory) on August 10, 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were members of the Baptist church.
He was a member of the Masons, the Odd Fellows, and of Lombard Post No. 170, Grand Army of the Republic.
He enlisted in 1861 when President Lincoln made his first call for volunteers. He was discharged two months later on account of his extreme youth (he was 16). However, when his brother, Garrison, had to return home to his sick wife, Flavel took his place in Company H of the Fourth Michigan Volunteer Infantry. He participated in the battles of Huntsville, Stevensville, Nashville, and Decatur. At the end of the war, he returned to Michigan where his brother took his place and was mustered out on October 19, 1865. Therefore, there is no record of Flavel Smith having served beyond those first two months.
He married May J. Hoyt on December 24, 1865. They had three children, Charles, Amy, and Edith. May died in 1902.
He opened a livery in Ortonville, which he operated for about ten years. While there, he also served as a justice of the peace and the sheriff of Oakland County. He moved to Petoskey in 1880, where he operated a livery and was in charge of the US mail. He was elected to the offices of city marshal and Emmet County sheriff. He resigned in 1898 in favor of his son, Charles. He enlisted in Company C of the 35th Michigan Volunteer Infantry for the Spanish-American War and was commissioned first lieutenant. At first the army said he was too old, being 53, but Governor Alger intervened on his behalf and he was accepted. He was appointed regiment quartermaster. Company C presented him with a sword on December 25, 1898. When he returned to Petoskey, he was again elected sheriff of Emmet County and served in that position for many years.
He married Alice Belle Sears (Cory) on August 10, 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were members of the Baptist church.
He was a member of the Masons, the Odd Fellows, and of Lombard Post No. 170, Grand Army of the Republic.
