Reverend Joseph Edwin Smith

   Cause of his death was Cerebral Vascular Incident (stroke).

  General Notes:

The following are notes from Rebecca Smith Blackwell, great-granddaughter of Joseph Edwin Smith:
Joseph Edwin Smith got "the calling" for the ministry as a young boy. He recalled that fateful day in the following sermon excerpt: "The Lord is pleased to meet us anywhere. He received me at the church. In old Mt. Moriah Church, near Auburn, NC. All of the people had gone out of the church during a protracted meeting and were preparing to go home except old Uncle Calvin Pool. I remained seated on the bench where I had been a mourner for about two days. As he passed out he put his hand upon my head and (said) to me, "Can't you trust Jesus as your Savior?" I said, "Yes." I meant it and there Jesus saved me. I got up and went out of the house so happy. As I passed down toward the well, I passed old Mr. Gower and Mr. Troy Baucom walking together. Mr. Gower looked at me and said, "That boy's got religion," and I knew he was telling the truth." Rev. Smith went on to say, "Just before we left, Mr. Pool came down to the carriage and asked father to let me go home with his boys to spend the night. I went and at family prayers he gave me a place right by his side and prayed most affectionately for me. I was baptised by old brother Johnson Olive in Pool's millpond about the first Sunday in September, 1884. This was in Wake County, North Carolina." Uncle Calvin Pool married as his first wife Sally Maria Smith, daughter of Samuel A. Smith, brother of Joseph's great-grandfather, William A. Smith. Samuel's wife was Sarah Baucom, aunt of Troy Baucom (son of her brother Urias Baucom).

The notes following the entry for his wife, Mary Blanche Blackwell, contain a detailed summary of Joseph's education and career moves (there were many). Joseph Smith's sermon books and scrapbook are in the possession of his great-granddaughter, Rebecca Smith Blackwell. They contain numerous photographs, clippings, and memories collected by Joseph and his wife, Mary Blanche. In his youth, Joseph was the "spitting image" of his grandson, E.Vernon Smith, although smaller in stature. His photos graced many newpapers and advertising flyers whenever he visited a town in Indiana and gave a public sermon. As State Evangelist for the state of Indiana, he received reviews that praised his "pleasing personality which quickly wins, and (he) is a strong and effective preacher ... has an original way of putting things which, while at times exciting a ripple of amusement, drives home and clinches what he wishes to say.

He comes to the city highly recommended, both as a preacher and successful "soul winner" (Apr 15, 1909, Bedford, Indiana). In addition to being responsible for the construction of the First Baptist Church in Gary, Indiana (1908), Joseph did general construction work in his spare time. He and his sons built many homes in Gary.


The 1900 Federal Census for Sand Creek, Decatur Co., Indiana, District 58 records Anna Blackwell (Mar 1887-at school) living with her sister, Mary B. (April 1874) and her husband, Joseph Smith (Sept 1867-pastor) and family, Ralph (Aug 1893), Carl (Jan 1895), Roy (Apr 1897), and Vernon (May 1899).

The 1920 U.S. Census for Gary, Lake Co., Indiana, (ED# 118, page 218B) records Joseph E. (52 - NC/NC/NC) and Mary B. (45 - NC/NC/NC) Smith with children Roy P. (28 - KY), Elmer V. (21 - Indiana), Edwin (18 - NC), and Mary B. (12 - NC). Joseph is listed as a contractor while Roy is a Roller at a Steel Mill and Elmer is a Post Office Mail Carrier.

The 1930 Federal Census for Franklin City, Johnson Co., Indiana, District 6, page 102B, dated April 18, 1930 records Joseph (62) and Mary B. (56) Smith with daughter Mary B. (21) Smith living at 550 West Jefferson Street. Joseph is listed as a Baptist Minister. Interesting that daughter Mary B. Smith is listed as single while she was married on July 15, 1929 in Chicago.

  Noted events in his life were:

• Occupation: Baptist Minister.

Joseph married Mary Blanche Blackwell, daughter of John Pomphrette W. Blackwell Jr. and Sallie Green Wortham, on 13 Jul 1892 in Townsville, Vance Co., NC.¹ (Mary Blanche Blackwell was born on 17 Apr 1873 in Townsville, Vance Co., NC,¹ died on 19 Oct 1943 in Franklin, Johnson Co., Indiana and was buried in Calumet Park Cem, Gary, Lake Co., Indiana..) The cause of her death was Chronic Leukemia.