William was very involved in several family businesses with his father and brothers, including Rahtgens and Smith Lumber Co., (and Chandlery), Smith Brothers Seafood, Port Lavaca Channel and Dock Company, Smith Ullrich Dredging Company, and hunting and fishing guide services. Will was also in the Port Lavaca Fire Department, several bands and baseball teams.
Title on postcard reads "First Out Goodrik Concert Band of Pt. Lavaca, Tex. at Kamey, Tex. 7/4/10". Stanley Smith (possible) in front row, 4th from right holding a trumpet. Owen Smith (?) front row just to left of drums holding a clarinet. The trumpet player looks like Will Smith to some family members.
Victoria Advocate, Dec 14, 1979
Will, bottom right, 1910. Also pictured Charlie Clemets, Clark Blesdoe? and Jim Lockner?
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William H. Smith, Jr., passed away June 3, 1948.
Mary Louise's First Communion
Was her future marriage to William ever in jeopardy?
William continued working in various family businesses.
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William Henry Smith Jr. and Mary Louise Gramann
William Henry Smith, Jr., was born December 29, 1883, in Indianola, Texas (28°33'N 96°31'W), to parents William Henry and Alice Ellen Smith. Mary Louise was born June 28, 1891, in Victoria, Texas (28°47'N 97°00'W) to parents Henry Charles and Mary Anna Gramann.
Both Mary Louise and William were grandchildren of Germanic immigrants who settled in the Texas Coastal Bend rather than moving inland where their Verein or Castro land grants were promised to be. Both had family roots in the grocery business. Both families were close and interconnected.
Will (right) with his 3 brothers
Will and Mary Louise were married on April 23, 1919, in Victoria, Texas. The Victoria Daily Advocate ran this article on April 24, 1919.
Mary Louise (Gramann) Smith passed away December 13, 1979.
The family house is depicted here after the 1945 Texas hurricane. The house is still in use today, but not by family members.
Mary Louise and William had four children:
- Mary Louise, b. 1922; d. 1998
- William Gramann., b. 1923; d. 2002
- Joseph Henry, b. Dec. 28, 1926; d. 1974
- Kathryn/Catherine Anne (Nancy), b. 1928; d. 2016
Babe, Anne and Mary Louise
Will and brothers working on engines, props and wheels
Will at West Texas Military Academy, San Antonio
Life in the Gramann home in Victoria was known to be filled with music, the arts and numerous social events. Mary Louise had an art studio in Cuero prior to their marriage and continued to paint and design china patterns after marriage.
Victoria Socials from The Victoria Advocate
about Mary Louise Gramann