Allison Woodville Smith

Allison Woodville Smith, for 54 years a part of the pioneer nucleus of Dallas county, died at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, at his home in Carrollton. His death came five days before his 73rd birthday. Business houses of the town he had watched from its prairie stage closed in tribute at the hour of his funeral.
The entire community paid final respect to its townsmen at 2:30 p.m. Monday at the First Methodist church, Carrollton, and funeral was conducted by his pastor, Rev. D. A. Ross assisted by Rev. C. B. Stanley of Union Baptist chruch and Rev. J. J. Morgan. Nephews were pall bearer: Dell Smith, Bill Smith, Paul Hardcastle, Claude James, all of Carrollton; Dell James and Lee Jackson of Dallas, Graden Jenkins of Dallas sang two beautiful selections. The floral offerings were profuse.
Burial was in Forest Lawn Burial Park where the casket was lowered by the grave of his youngest son. One of the longest processions in the history of the town gave evidence of the great number mourning the passing of the long tried citizen and friend.
All groups from farm and city alike paid tribute to his memory. The last few weeks of this life were filled with a stream of unspoken testimonials of appreciation as friends slipped by for what they know might be a last visit.
His pioneer hardihood and the virility of a sound life held off onsets of old age until a short time ago Again hope lifted as he left his bed for a short time but on Friday his sons were called again to his bedside they had attended closely for the past few months and on Saturday the end came peacefully.
Mr. Smith was born in Washington county, Tenn., Feb. 9, 1855. In 1872 he began the trek to Texas with his parents. He was attending Holston Institute with his brother L. P. Smith when the decision came to make the trip. The family settled near the present site of Carrollton.
He married Miss Ida Hardcastle of another leading pioneer family in 1882. Three sons were born.
They made their home near Hebron in Denton county and later moved to what was known as the old Jackson place north of Carrollton. In 1911 they built their present home in Carrollton and were linked in community ties and every civic enterprise.
The hospitality of the true early Texan marked the home and friends connected with every phase of town and city life found welcome always. For almost 10 years Mr. Smith had retired from active work. He was to everyone the genuinely lovable "Uncle Wood" of sunny disposition, kindly courtesy and still vigorous manhood. Everyman's name was good on his tongue and his name was good from every man's lips. The oldest and the youngest found him a ready companion. He leaves his widow to continue her home in Carrollton among cemented friendship ties and associations.
Earnest L. Smith and W. Earl Smith of Mexia are the surviving sons. Others are two brothers, Rev. L. P. Smith of Dallas., C. A. Smith of Carrollton; two sisters, Mrs. Fannie Jackson of Wichita Falls, Mrs. Jet Cox of Arlington; three grandchildren, E. L. Smith Jr., Earnestine and Earline Smith.

The Carrollton Chronicle - Friday, February 10, 1928
Submitted by Edward Lynn Williams