Moses Smith  

From One Township yesteryears: Also among the early settlers at Maxinkuckee was Moses Smith, who came there from Fulton County in the ‘fifties. He was born in Scotland and came to America when he was seven years old. His wife’s name before her marriage was Mary Cole.

and of Sarah Ann Smith's hertiage is found from the One Township Yesterday's - Corwin:

Moses Smith operated a potter shop at Maxinkuckee. It was up on the hill. The kiln stood for years, then fell to ruin. The old building, however, still stand to this day. The owner was a very industrious man. He ha uled his clay for the pottery all the way from Ohio with an ox team.

Moses and Mary Cole Smith had four children. One of them died from a rattlesnake bite. There was a son named Moses, and a daughter, Sarah Ann.

Sarah Ann Smith was born in Fulton County, October 13, 1837, and died April 23, 1925, at the age of eighty-seven.

In 1859 she was married to Lewis C. Rector, who died in 1885.

There were eight children, three of whom preceded the mother in death.

Surviving her were three sons, Samuel of Osborn, Ohio, Nathan W. of Culver , and Dow, residing near the lake; two daughters. Mrs. George Garver of Argos and Mrs. F. M. Parker of Maxinkuckee; eleven grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren, besides a host of friends.

In 1889 she united with the Christian Church at Maxinkuckee.

It has been said of her: "Sister Rector was of Scotch-Irish descent, with a primitive instinct which took root, and has accomplished her share in laying the foundations of the commonwealth.

At an early age she was left with the cares of a home by the death of her mother.

In a little house, near the site of the Maxinkuckee Store, she was married. When not long in her new home the dark clouds of the Civil War threaten­ed to obscure her view of bright­ness. Her husband bade goodbye to her and the eldest son, Samuel. He went to the front; while he was in Camp Ellis a daughter was born, Elizabeth Ellis (Garver).

She kept the good faith and when the cruel war was over, the family moved to Ottumwa, Iowa, where they resided for a number of years. Returning later to Maxinkuckee, she spent the remaining years of her life there.

In the summer colony, she kept hotel. Her guest-friends were legion. As years advanced she was forced to give up this work she so much enjoyed, and accepted the care and companionship of her children. One of the finest tributes to the life of Grandma Rector was her love and interest in youth. No child knew her but loved her. She grew old graciously. Her love of the beautiful made her resence a bright spot wherever she was."

Rector Family Index