smith census1

What better way to follow our family then to see the census results for each decade in the early twentieth century? The National Archives just opened the 1930 census results, and by law censuses from 1940 forward are unavailable for review. This document does not include all relevant census records for the family but does include those that might be of further interest. Other records will be added as time allows.

By 1900 most of our family relations could be found in and around Brule County, South Dakota. During 1900 you would have found our relatives in Smith Township, Highland Township or Kimball City in South Dakota. Relatives could still be found in Wisconsin.

*Brule County, SD in 1900*
Township or Community	Population of Brule County, SD in 1900
America township	329
Brule township	216
Chamberlain city (1)	874
Chamberlain township	204
Cleveland township	200
Eagle township	329
Grandview township	68
Highland township	148
Kimball city (2)	453
Kimball township	134
Lyon township	148
Ola township	233
Plainfield township	112
Pleasant Grove township	172
Plummer township	84
Pukwanna township	281
Red Lake township	137
Richland township	260
Smith township	99
Torrey Lake township	194
Union township (3)	202
Waldro township	95
West Point township (4)	222
Wilbur township	117
Willow Lake township	90
Total	5,401

(1) Chamberlain city, formerly in Chamberlain township, was made independent since 1890. (2) Kimball city, formerly in Kimball township, was made independent since 1890. (3) Union township was given as Township 105, range 69, in 1890. (4) West Point township was given as Township 105, range 70, in 1890.

Peter worked as a life insurance agent and Merida worked as a stay at home mom. The youngest children (Louis and Florida) could not read or write. At the time this census was taken Laura, Florida, Joseph D., Edgar and Francis were attending school. Mary did not attend school but was staying at home.

Merida Turgeon immigrated to America in 1883 and had been living in the county for 17 years. Merida stated she had eight children but only seven survived.

This census was taken on the first day of June, 1900. The extended Delire family lived in Kimball, South Dakota in Ward 1.

This census shows eight Smith children still living at home. By this time William had left the house for employment elsewhere.

Name	Relationship	DOB	Age	Where Born	Father BirthPl	Mother BirthPl
Delire, Peter G.	Head	April 1870	30	Iowa	Belgium	Austria
Delire, Merida	Wife	March 1865	35	Canada Fr.	Canada Fr.	Canada Fr.
Delire, Louis	Son	Sept 1899	8/12	South Dakota	Iowa	Canada Fr.
Turgeon, Mary	Step Daughter	Dec 1883	16	South Dakota	Canada Fr.	Canada Fr.
Turgeon, Laura	Step Daughter	Dec 1884	12	South Dakota	Canada Fr.	Canada Fr.
Turgeon, Florida	Step Daughter	Jan 1894	6	South Dakota	Canada Fr.	Canada Fr.
Joseph D.	Step Son	Dec 1886	13	South Dakota	Canada Fr.	Canada Fr.
Edgar	Step Son	April 1891	9	South Dakota	Canada Fr.	Canada Fr.
Francis	Step Son	Sept 1891	8	South Dakota	Canada Fr.	Canada Fr.

*Name*	*Relationship*	*Birthdates*	*Where Born*		*Occupation*
*Smith, John*	Head	Mar 1844	Ireland	1850	Farmer
*--- Susan*	Wife	Sept 1859	Ireland	1868
*--- Peter L.*	Son	Apr 1876	Wisconsin		RR Laborer
*--- Michael J.*	Son	June 1877	Wisconsin		Farm Labor
*--- Mary F.*	Daughter	Aug 1880	Wisconsin		At School
*--- Catherine A.*	Daughter	Sept 1882	Wisconsin		At School
*Maggie S.*	Daughter	May 1886	S. Dakota		At School
*John*	Son	June 1889	S. Dakota		At School
*Genevieve*	Daughter	Mar 1893	S. Dakota		At School
Elizabeth	Daughter	Feb 1895	S. Dakota		At School