Cornelius Aurlius Smith (1849–1896) & Mary Etta Reynolds (1845–1912)
A Partnership Rooted in Faith, Frontier Spirit, and Family
Cornelius Aurlius Smith was born on September 3, 1849, in Mexico, Oswego County, New York. He entered a world already in motion: his family, guided by pioneering resolve, would soon leave the familiar roads of New York for the wild and wide expanses of Michigan. Even as a child, Cornelius was part of that migration, learning resilience in the footprints of his ancestors.
In his youth, Cornelius rode the waves of westward expansion: the family moved from New York to Michigan between 1857 and 1860, placing them in Union, Branch County, Michigan, by the time of the 1860 census, still living with his parents and siblings. His boyhood must have carried echoes of new soil turning under plows and forests falling to ax, a world being reshaped around him.
Partnered in Life & Land
As a young man in 1870, Cornelius is listed in the census for Lyons, Ionia County, Michigan as a farm laborer. His proximity to the Reynolds family, who were neighbors next door, would soon spark the beginnings of a partnership that changed everything. It was there he met Mary Etta Reynolds, the spirited daughter of Francis H. Reynolds and Anice Freeman, born September 27, 1845, in Lyons, Ionia County.
Cornelius and Mary were married on July 4, 1871, in Lyons, with Fayette Shook officiating the ceremony and Charles and Ann Nash acting as witnesses.
Cornelius was then a young man of 21, Mary just shy of her 26th birthday were both standing at a crossroads of heritage and promise. Cornelius was not only a farmer but also a stagecoach driver and a traveling lay preacher, preaching in churches across Ionia County, where he and Mary first connected.
The couple made their home in Grant Township, Mason County, Michigan which was then still on the edge of wilderness. It was here they began their life together, laying down roots and cultivating both the land and family.
Growing Their Family Amid the Wilderness
Their firstborn, Francis Reuben Smith, arrived on October 30, 1871, but tragically passed away at just eleven months from inflammation of the brain. Family tradition holds that he may have been buried beneath the trees behind their homestead alongside two miscarried children — quiet companions in the shade of memory.
In July of 1874, they were blessed with a daughter, Sarah Anice Smith, born in Ludington, Mason County. Two years later, on October 30, 1876, Minnie Ardell Smith joined them in Grant Township, followed closely by twins Milton Cornelius Smith and Orton Aurlius Smith, born January 10, 1880. Their youngest son, Charles Elkani Smith, was born on April 13, 1882.
Cornelius took on greater responsibilities beyond the home. On February 23, 1871, he secured 160 acres in Grant Township; again on September 20, 1876, he obtained a land record in the same location.
A Life of Faith & Community
He also experienced a powerful spiritual turning point when he converted to the Christian faith in the winter of 1886, becoming a faithful class leader in the Wesleyan church under Rev. M. F. Rozell’s guidance.
Final Years & Lasting Legacy
After a life of devotion to his family, faith, and community, Cornelius passed away from an abscess of the throat on November 12, 1896. Though his suffering had been intense, family records recount that the end was peaceful. Funeral services were held at Chambers School House, conducted by Rev. Rozell, and he was laid to rest in North Victory Cemetery, Mason County—a stone-etched testament to a life lived fully.
Mary continued their legacy for 16 years afterward. She lived in Victory Township and is recorded in the 1900 census with sons Milton, Orton, and Charles still at home. By 1910, she was living with her sons Orton and Charles, both grown and caring for her tenderly.
On March 7, 1912, Mary passed away at home in Victory Township due to breast cancer. Her funeral was likewise held at Chambers School House under the care of Rev. B. C. Robbins. Mary was buried beside Cornelius in North Victory Cemetery, their life stories eternally intertwined.
Detailed Timeline
Cornelius Aurlius Smith
Birth: 03 SEP 1849, Mexico, Oswego Co, New York
1850 Census: 11 OCT 1850
Place: Mexico, Oswego, New York,
Note: Living with parents, Reuben and Sarah Smith. Franklin Wing (age 10) also lives with them but is listed last.
1860 Census: 02 AUG 1860
Place: Union, Branch Co, Michigan
Note: Living with parents, Reuben Earl Smith and Sarah E. Bump and siblings Delavan, Manvil, Hulda, and Welthy.
Moved to: Mason County, Michigan in 1865
Note: Living with parents, Reuben Earl Smith and Sarah E. Bump
1870 Census: 20 AUG 1870
Place: Lyons, Ionia, Michigan
Note: Farm Laborer. Living with Townsend family – next door neighbors to the Reynolds family and his future wife, Mary Reynolds.
Marriage: 04 JUL 1871, Lyons, Ionia Co, Michigan. To Mary Etta Reynolds.
Note: Fayette Shook was the Justice of the Peace. Charles and Ann Nash were the witnesses.
Note: Cornelius and Mary were pioneers, settling in Grant Township when that section was a wilderness. Cornelius drove a stagecoach and was a traveling lay preacher. He was preaching at a church in Ionia County when he met Mary Etta Reynolds, who would later become his wife.
Birth of Son: 30 OCT 1871
Name: Francis Reuben Smith
Place: Grant Twp, Mason Co, Michigan
Note: Died at 11 months of inflammation of the brain. He may be buried in the grove of trees behind the old house on the Smith homestead. Mary had 2 miscarriages and they are both buried there as well.
Birth of Daughter: 05 JUL 1874
Name: Sarah Anice Smith
Place: Ludington, Mason Co, Michigan
Land Record: 20 SEP 1876
Place: Sec 18, Township 20-N, Range 17-W, Mason Co, Michigan
Note: 160 Acres
Birth of Daughter: 30 OCT 1876
Name: Minnie Ardell Smith
Place: Grant Twp, Mason Co, Michigan
Birth of Son: 10 JAN 1880
Name: Milton Cornelius Smith
Place: Grant Twp, Mason Co, Michigan
Birth of Son: 10 JAN 1880
Name: Orton Aurlius Smith
Place: Grant Twp, Mason Co, Michigan
1880 Census: 19 JUN 1880
Place: Grant Twp, Mason Co, Michigan
Note: Living with Wife, Mary, and children Sarah, Minnie, Orton, and Milton. Living next door to his parents, Reuben and Sarah.
Birth of Son: 13 APR 1882
Name: Charles Elkani Smith
Place: Grant Twp, Mason Co, Michigan
Baptism: 16 MAY 1886 Wesleyan church, Mason Co, Michigan,
Note: by Rev. Rozell Cornelius converted to the Christian faith in the early winter of 1886 under the efforts of Rev. M. F. Rozell, at that time pastor of the Freesoil circuit. Cornelius was the class leader for Diamond class for 6 years, performing the duties of his office in a faithful and Christian-like manner, until stricken down with the sickness which finished his earthly career. He was a zealous worker in the church; his chief aim was the welfare and advancement of the cause.
Death: 12 NOV 1896
Note: Died of an abscess of the throat. His suffering was intense at times, but the pain finally left him and the end came easy and peaceful. No death record on file at the Mason County Courthouse.
Burial: North Victory Cemetery, Mason Co, Michigan.
Obituary: AFT 12 NOV 1896
Note: Have. The funeral was conducted by his former pastor, Rev. M. F. Rozell who preached the funeral sermon (Deuteronomy 4:22). Funeral services conducted at the Chambers school house.
Click here to see parents: Reuben Earl Smith and Sarah Bump
Mary Etta Reynolds
Birth: 27 SEP 1845 Lyons, Ionia County, Michigan
Name Variation: Etta
1850 Census: 12 SEP 1850
Place: Lyons, Ionia Co, Michigan
Note: Living with parents, Francis H. Reynolds and Anice Freeman. Siblings Charles and Almira are also in household. Francis’s nephew, Oscar, and his family are living next door.
1860 Census: 13 JUL 1860
Place: Lyons, Ionia Co, Michigan
Note: Living with parents, Francis H. Reynolds and Anice Freeman. Siblings Charles and Almira are also in household.
1870 Census: 20 AUG 1870
Place: Lyons, Ionia Co, Michigan
Note: Living with parents, Francis H. Reynolds and Anice Freeman and brother, Charles.
1900 Census: 07 JUN 1900
Place: Victory Township, Mason County, Michigan.
Notes: Sons Milton, Orton, and Charley are living in household.
1910 Census: 19 APR 1910
Place: Victory Township, Mason County, Michigan. Living with her sons, Orton and Charles. Orton is now the head of household.
Death: 07 MAR 1912 Died of breast cancer at her farm, Victory Twp, Mason County, Michigan
Obituary: AFT 07 MAR 1912
Place: Mason Co, Michigan
Note: Funeral was held at the Chambers School House in North Victory Twp. Service was conducted by Rev. B. C. Robbins of Freesoil.
Click here to see parents: Francis H. Reynolds and Anice Freeman
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