"Signed, Sealed, Delivered"

I have enjoyed "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" a program on Hallmark about the dead letter office.  I found on familysearch.org a family story as good as any on Hallmark.

Our family relationship: The first cousin of Camilla SMITH WOOD (1926-1999) is Virginia SMITH ALLRED (1906-1998) she is the subject of this story. Virgina is daughter of (Ike) Isaac Samuel SMITH (1878-1936) and Lula Annie YEATES SMITH (1884-1969).

Virginia recieved a "dead" letter from her mother 43 years after it was mailed.  The letter was written and mailed 28 July 1936 by Lula from Logan, Utah to Washington, D.C. with a 3 cent stamp.  It was found in the Altlanta, Georgia Dead Letter Office and found its way to Carmichael, California 43 years later in 1979. The family had moved from the return address 22 years earlier. The letter arrived  10 years after the death of the Virgina's mother.

 "Signed, Sealed, Delivered"

Thanks rosaliaannbrown1 for sharing family history. 

Mother Lula in center flancked by her Smith daughers 

 Virginia, Ruth, Mother Lula Annie, Mary Jean, Lu

granddaughter Virginia and mother Lula pictured in 1910

Engagement Announced: Amy Smith and Henry L. Isaksen

News of Salt Lake Social Events

Pictured Center: Amy Smith

Engagement Announced

Miss Amy Smith, who on May 26 in the Salt Lake Temple, will be married to Henry L. Isaksen.

Salt Lake City, The Desert News, Monday, May 11, 1942

Smith - Isaksen Married in the Salt Lake Temple on May will be Miss Amy Smith and Henry L. Isaksen, who will make their home in Geary, lnd., after a short honeymoon. The bride-elect is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. Ensign Smith of 1160 Parkway Avenue. She ls a former Brigham Young University student. Also a former student at the Provo high School and a graduate of San Jose State College. Mr. Isakson ls a son of Mr. and Mrs. Martln J. Isaksen of Mountain View, Calif. He recently returned from the Northern Slates Mission.

Isaac Smith Obituary - The Logan Republican Tuesday March 31, 1914

Isaac Smith. Early Settler of Logan, a Victim of ' Ureamic Poisoning
A Devoted and Enthusiastic Worker of His Church Has Been Called to Reward

Funeral Services Will Be Held in the Tabernacle Wednesday. Isaac Smith, one of the beat known citizens In northern Utah and southern Idaho, died at his residence In this city yesterday morning at G:20 &. m. following an Illness of a few weeks, of rheumatism and ureamic poisoning. While Mr. Smith has been falling In health for several months, It has never been known even by his family associates that his condition was so critical. Funeral services, have been arranged for Wednesday at 2 p. m. In the Logan tabernacle.
Isaac Smith was born In Brigham City, December 31, 1857. Ho was ' the son of Samuel Smith and Sarah Jane Ingraham, natives of England. The early part of his life was spent in the of his birth where he grow to be an Industrious, hard working citizen. He held many positions of responsibility In his youthful days. In the year 1877 ho married Harriet -Camilla Ensign, daughter of M. I.. Ensign and Mary Dunn. At the April conference ho was called on mission to Great Britain, and departed m Lie .fifth of May, the same year. After a most successful mission ho returned home In April, 1880.
In the spring of 1881 he removed to this city to clerk In the wholesale department of the Z. C. M. I. June B, 1884 when the Logan First ward was divided Into throe wards, Isaac Smith was appointed bishop of the Seventh ward, with Nils P. Llndelof and Ephraim Mlkelsen as his coun- selors. During his labors with the Z. C. M. I. Mr. Smith was Invoice clerk, had charge of the grocery, hardware and crockery departments and later the clothing department. He was on the road as general sales man for about five years, after which he ran a brunch store for the Institution on Main street. August 3, 1890 he was sustained as second counselor to Orson Smith, president of the Cache stake, and was set apart by Apostle Franklin D. Richards. In February, 1891 ho was given tho management of tho Logan branch of the Z. C. M. I. which position he held, until the institution closed out Its business In 1897. Isaac Smith served as counselor to President Joseph Morrell and to Apostle Merrill both of whom were presidents of the Cache stake. Ho succeeded President Joseph Morrell as president of the Cache Stake and served in this position from 1906 to 1911. At tho present time he was engaged In a produce, cold storage and fee business. , Isaac Smith Is survived by two families,
one lives In Logan and the other in Rlverdale, Idaho. Besides his wife, Mrs. Camilla Smith, there are the following children", Dr. Isaac S. Smith, W. It. Smith, Wesley E. Smith, Sarah Ann Lewis, Theron E. Smith, Leona E. Smith, George E. Smith .Malcolm W. Smith, and Ruby E. Smith.
The family which survive Mr. Smith at Rlverdale are Mrs. Elizabeth Fuhrlman Smith, his wife and the following children; Jacob I. Smith, Joseph F. Smith, Welland Smith, Ingraham Smith, Elva Smith and Oliver Smith.

Widow Loses Court Fight to Recover Insurance

The Salt Lake Tribune Mar 3 1933

Widow Loses Court Fight To recover Insurance

A directed verdict of no cause action Thursday ended the suit of Mrs. Laura Wood to recover $1,500 indemnity from the Beneficial Life insurance company for the death of her husband, John Andrew Wood.  

The defense contended Mr. Wood, who died June 19, 1932, had allowed the policy to lapse through nonpayment of premium.  The company declared payments were due April 3 of that year and that the policy lapsed May 3 for nonpayment. Trial was conducted before Judge Oscar W. McConkie. 

Joseph NEWMAN

Salt Lake Daily Tribune

Publication: Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America

Date: July 27 1877

Joseph Newman

born: May 20, 1809 Willenhall, S, England

died: July 21, 1877 Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah

Ancestral Chain: BR, Lark, Kirt DeMar WOOD, John Andrew WOOD, Sarah Jane GIBSON, Ann Elizabeth NEWMAN,Joseph NEWMAN and  Elizabeth HUGHES. 

Elizabeth HUGHES NEWMAN 

born: 16 Sep 1811 Lanehead, Alrewas, Staffordshire, England

died: 4 Jun 1907 Holladay, Salt Lake, Utah

Obituary: Eliza COLE CRESSALL HAWKES 1840-1905 from The Salt Lake Tribune Mar 5 1905

Ancestry Chain: CR, Lark, Camilla SMITH, Amy Ella HAWKES, Herbert Henry HAWKES, Francis HAWKES and Eliza COLE. 

Eliza COLE CRESSALL HAWKES 1840-1905

Mrs. Eliza C. Hawkes a pioneer of this City who came to Utah forty-three years ago, was buried at 1:30 o'clock today.  Pneumonia caused her death, resulting from a cold which was contracted while on a recent visit in Idaho.  Mrs. Hawkes was 65 years of age, a woman well thought of and hightly valued by her church.  she had been twice married.  Her first husband was Cole Cressel [Paul Cressall], whom she married in England, and by whom she bore [an infant daughter and] a son, C.C. Cressel [Cressall] of this city, but whom she abandoned for the gospel's sake, coming to Utah as a Latter-day Saint, with her little son.  In 1852, and taking up her residence in Logan.  Here she met and married Mr. Hawkes, and to them were born nine children, four boys and five girls, all of whom survive her but Francis, who died when but a child.  The funeral occurred at the Second ward meeting-house this afternoon, bishop Anthon Anderson being in Charge.  

In the News 1978

Lillie lived to be 97 years old.

Ancestry Chain: great-grandmother Lillie Belle LYTLE 1887-1985, Garland Lee REASOR (twin), MRR, BR.

In the News 1978 Lillie Belle LYTLE REASOR

"Queen for a Day"

Lillie Belle LYTLE REASOR
Ancestry Chain: great-grandmother Lillie Belle LYTLE 1887-1985, Garland Lee REASOR (twin), MRR, BR.

AFTER 16 YEARS, THE HOUSE

"And when their subfloor had been laid in place (Mrs. Smith hammered it down while her husband sawed) they danced there in the moonlight and fell in love again."

Farm Home and Garden, The Salt lake Tribune, Sunday, June 19, 1949 Section H Page One

And its owners, Mr. and Mrs. Ensign Smith, grandparents,
who wanted a place so much they put it up themselves. See page 8.
-page 8-

click on image to enlarge
This article was mentioned to in the post Grandma's Kitchen.

Myrle says: I was 15-16 years old in Jr. High. I held a wall for dad and it fell on me because I wasn't strong enough to hold it all by myself. We also had a fire the Christmas of that year. I was 16 and laying on the floor and saw smoke coming from the eves from a board that wasn't yet placed. Dad said, " No, it it just the smoke swirling around," but I insisted and he got up looked in the attic and sure enough it was on fire. I guess the fireplace hadn't been sealed off completely and the hot coals moved into it. The fireman broke mom's tile on the hearth and she cried. We were blessed it was caught in time and there was just minor damage. I was there until I went to BYU, the fall of l951 at the age of 18. Mom sold the house in l969. Dad died in the Fall of l967.

Ensign SMITH building the foundation

Salt lake Tribune Negatives: 4-12-1949

Nov 1957 Letter to the Editor

Police watch over home appreciated

Editor's note: To commemorate the 150th year of continuous publication, The Deseret News is reprinting some of the letters to the editor published through the years.

It seems good sense to all of us that it is far better to work to prevent a crime than spend all of our effort in punishment after it occurred.
I am writing this to give our city police department a very sincere pat on the back for their policy of trying to check some crime before it can happen.
I was out of town for a few weeks last summer and I notified the police department before leaving. Everyday of my absence the police drove by my house and checked it to prevent vandalism before it got started. Yes, it took some of their time but it's likely that such a policy as this has helped to prevent crime in the city.
I, for one, say thank you, officers, for this fine work in making Salt Lake City a better place to live.

Kirt D. Wood

Nov. 27, 1957

Dr. Camilla S. Wood, RN, Ph.D.

Professor of Nursing Brigham Young University

History by Camilla Smith Wood written Spring 1991

A brief spiel of my professional and family life. I am Camilla Smith Wood, R.N., M.S., Ph.D. and a Professor of Nursing at Brigham Young University, College of Nursing. I was born Oct. 23 1926 at Galt, California. I am one who is soon to retire. I'm going to retire from BYU but not from life as I have a long list of activities that need attention very soon.

age 20 Camilla Smith Wood - RN 1947 - Salt Lake County General Hospital Nursing Program.

I [Camilla] was licensed as an R. N. when I was 20 years old. I received my B.S. in Education from the University of Utah at the same time that I graduated from the Salt Lake County General Hospital Nursing program. That was in June 1947 when I celebrated my first wedding anniversary and BYU College of Nursing was not yet born. I immediately became a Head Nurse on a Medical Unit at the Salt Lake County General Hospital, and later worked on a medical unit at L.D. S. hospital.

age 20 Camilla S. Wood - BS 1947 U. of U.

I [Camilla SMITH WOOD] and Anita Owens started from scratch the first practical nursing program in Utah at the Salt Lake Area Vocational School in the old Troy Laundry Building in Salt Lake in 1949. We developed the curriculum, purchased the equipment, oversaw the remodeling of the area assigned to us, recruited the students, developed the clinical areas, and taught the entire calendar year program. After teaching in this practical nursing program for a few years I went to work as evening supervisor at the Veterans Hospital on the Psychiatric Units. This was to save baby tending money. I only had to hire a baby sitter for a few hours every day for my four daughters [Gaye, Lark, Denise, Corinne], just between when I went to work and 5:00 p.m. when my husband got home from work. When, my oldest, turned five and started Kindergarten I went back to the Vocational School as the Director of the Practical Nurse Program, because I needed to see my children every day and I wanted week ends off with my family.

 The first practical nursing program in Utah at the Salt Lake Area Vocational School

Picture used in Vocational School Publication - Camilla Smith RN seated with baby Gaye Wood 

After a few years as director of this practical nursing program. I realized I needed more education. I wanted to get a M.S. in Med. Surg. Nursing, but couldn't bear the thought of moving to Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. As a family we had spent 6 week in Maine where I went to the University of Maine in Oreno. On our way to Maine we stopped off in Cleveland and I visited with the professors in charge of the Master's program. Instead of going to Cleveland I became one of four student in the first class of the first Masters program at the University of Utah. I received my M.S. in Psychiatric Nursing in August 1960 from the University of Utah with over 100 quarter hours of work. (One of my class mates commented, "they think we should take every class offered by the University.") I also had another child, our first boy [Wesley] in February of 1959 making five children. I went to school until I went into labor and went right back after delivery. I hired an older lady to come into the house to tend my first son and [his four older sisters].

Camilla S. Wood - MS 1960 U. of U. - mother of five.
Thesis "A Study of Nursing Personnel Perceptions of Hostile Patient Behavior"

I began teaching Psychiatric nursing in the undergraduate program at the U of U College of Nursing. During this time I worked for free one afternoon a week at the Community Mental Health Center seeing patients. Dr. Norman Anderson, a noted Psychiatrist went over the tapes I made during my sessions with patients to help me become a better therapist. Dr. Anderson is my friend to this day as he felt I was a 100% successful therapist.

During this time the Dean, Mildred Quinn felt that the College of Nursing faculty needed to know more physiology and Dr. Ivan Lytle of the Dept. of Biology was hired to give a physiology workshop to the faculty during the summers. I took this workshop and realized I wanted to work in physiology and not psychiatry.

Under the tutelage of Hazel Macquin [U. of U. Head of the Department of Nursing Education 1943-1948 and firat Dean of the College of Nursing 1948-1954] I applied for and obtained a fellowship for doctoral study from the U.S. Public Health Service. I did talk with my family about going back to school. My young son, Wesley thought it would be better if I went to cooking school and not get a Ph.D. in physiology.

Dean Mildred Quinn insisted I quit my job, even though I was eligible for sabbatical leave since I had been teaching for six years. I had no job. was a full time doctoral student and a mother of five children, when I found out I was pregnant [with my sixth child.]

My husband and I decided I should start the doctoral program anyway and if it was too difficult I would take time out. He was a good husband, father and mother to our 6th child a son [Jonathan] who was born between my second and third quarters. I should also thank my obstetrician Dr. Day who started me in labor before Christmas that year so that I would have time to recuperate before going back to school.

WOOD children 1 Dec 1968

I started my program in June of 1966 and finished it by passing my final orals on Dec 23, 1971. Dr. Ivan Lytle was my initial chairman and I had a committee of six. Since Dr. Lytle had left the University and was at the University of Arizona at the time of my final orals, Dr. John Spikes was my Chairman, with Dr. Wiley from the Medical School, and Dr. Choules , Dr. Lytle, Dr. Gray and Dr. Hathaway all from Biology Dept. I felt like I was performing before a large hostile audience. This was because Dr. Lytle who had flown to my orals from Arizona was taken to Idaho to land because of fog at the airport. He had to travel back to Salt Lake on a bus and missed my final orals.

My Ph.D. was obtained by my being in school full time (year round) for five and one half years. By the time I had finished I had a teaching major in math, chemistry and physics plus a Ph.D. in Biology. I also passed reading tests in two languages, German and French. Since our family was dependent on two incomes, my husband being a teacher we were heavily in debt by the time I finished. I had taken out school loans every year to pay bills. In October 1970, Dean Mildred Quinn took pity on me and hired me back at the College of Nursing, I had only a few assignments and I finished up my research. Marilyn Hammond (my first cousin) who was working on her Masters degree at the U. of U. College of Nursing was a great help to me in finishing up my research. She assisted in collecting saliva samples from infants in the Salt Lake Valley. I thought I would be finished in 1970, but my committee thought I should collect more samples, which I did and finished in 1971.

Dr. Camilla S. Wood - 1971 Ph.D. U of U - mother of six
Molecular and Genetic Biology Dissertation “Factors Affecting the Development of Secretory Immunoglobulin A in the Saliva of Human Infant.”

My Dissertation was “Factors Affecting the Development of Secretory Immunoglobulin A in the Saliva of Human Infant.” This was done at a time Immunology was just being discovered. Because of this I traveled to New York University in Buffalo to work in the laboratory of Dr. Thomas B. Tomasi. I needed to know that the techniques I was using were appropriate to isolate and test for Immunoglobulin A., and they were.

In the Mountainwest News

Brigham Young University, College of Nursing Dean Elaine Dier, retiring Dean Maxine Cope, Dr. Camilla S. Wood (Associate Dean), 1979

In August 1973 I was recruited to BYU College of Nursing by Dr. Maxine Cope. I came with the understanding that we would start a Masters Program and that I would be the director. The program was started and we had our first graduates in August 1976. Sue Harris and Ruth Amesquita were our first graduates. We prepared Nurse Practitioners in Family, Cardiovascular, Ontological and Neurological Nursing. Sue Harris did a project in which she initiated a group of Geriatric Clinics throughout Utah County, the first one was in Springville, Utah. These clinics are still functioning [1991]. We also developed the Nursing Clinic in the Taylor Building on campus. This clinic was opened and initially run by myself, Patricia Isaacs, Sue Harris and a Graduate Student. During this time I was also the Physiology Editor of the Nurse Practitioner Magazine and contributed 15 papers.

Physiology Editor of the Nurse Practitioner Magazine 1977

(Physiology editor Nurse Practitioner Mag., Seattle, 1974-82)

Before we moved into the Kimball Towers I had a laboratory in the Widtsoe Building, in this laboratory I did research and had the help of graduate students as well as input from the Zoology faculty there. I also taught the physiology course to the undergraduate students offered by the Zoology Department.


When we moved into [the Kimball Tower] I had the opportunity to develop the physiology laboratory here. I also wanted time to do more of my own research and so I stepped down from being the director of the graduate programs, and Dr. June Leifson took over.

Since early in the 80’s I have been busy doing research, publishing and working on developing a Doctoral Program in the College of Nursing. I spent at least four summers working on the doctoral proposal only to have it turned down by the University. I guess that is my one big failure, not being able to start a Doctoral Program here at the College of Nursing before I retired. The other big sadness in my life was the death of my husband [Kirt DeMar Wood] on Thanksgiving Day 1987. He was a good husband and was as interested in my success as I was. Since his death life has been harder and very lonely.

Dr. Wood working in the lab abt 1980

Looking on the bright side, I have been active and contributed to the University by being on the Pre-med, library, research and excellence in the 80’s committees. I helped set up and was the first Director (now Associate Dean) of the graduate program, I helped develop the Nursing clinic, and the numerous geriatric clinics in Utah County, I helped to plan the College of Nursing as it now is and developed the physiology laboratory. I have been active in research and have published 19 papers and 11 abstracts in peer reviewed journals. I helped to write a software program to run the amino acid analyzer in the laboratory and to calculate the amino acid values of samples run on the analyzer. I have presented many papers both to the public and to a scientific audience on the components of human milk. I was President Elect and am now President of the BYU Chapter of Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society. I have 3 more papers in the mill and hope to have them published soon.

In a way I feel guilty because I am retiring when I could still contribute meaningfully to the research base and the knowledge of nurses in the field of infant nutrition. However since I have been active in nursing since I was 20 years old (and that is 45 years) I would really like to use my dwindling energy in doing all those things I have not had time to do. I would like to spend time with my children and my 25 grand children and [my] great grandchildren, pursue my hobbies of knitting, gardening, genealogy, and just sleep in the mornings.

As one of the former leaders in nursing in the state of Utah, my advice to the faculty is, when you are young get your Ph.D. in an area you are interested in but one in which you can contribute to the knowledge base of nursing. Develop your research area early and build on it, it takes many years to become a known researcher. Work with others, do not be afraid to ask others to help you, even others outside of nursing. Help to develop the field of nursing for others, it will always help you. Work to develop a Doctoral Program in Nursing here at BYU, this will help BYU College of Nursing to become recognized as a leading program in nursing in the United States. We are all in this together, your fellow faculty are your mentors and friends, treat them as such and work together to make a great College.

 Dr. Wood featured in New World of Discovery, Brigham Young University Research Division Event and Brochure.

Nov 1976 Utah Newspapers 

[After retiring from Brigham Young University in 1992 Dr. Camilla S. Wood served an L.D.S. Genealogical mission in the England Manchester Mission. She died 23 Feb 1999.]

Dr. Camilla S. Wood - RN, M.S., Ph.D.
and a Professor of Nursing at Brigham Young University, College of Nursing.
(Retired 1992)

Dr. Wood wrote her Professional History in response to a request after being featured as one of six Research Scientist at Brigham Young University. 

Who’s Who in the West, 1992-1993 ,23rd edition.

WOOD, CAMILLA SMITH, nurse physiologist, educator; b. Galt, Calif., Oct. 23, 1926; d. [23 Feb 1999;] [p.] George Ensign and Amy Ella (Hawkes) Smith; m. Kirt DeMar Wood, June 11, 1946 (dec. 1987) [died Nov. 26 1987]; children: Gaye, Lark, Denise, Corinne, Wesley Kirt, Jonathan Brett. BS with honors, U. Utah 1947, MS, 1960, PhD, 1972. RN, Utah. Asst. Prof. Coll. Nursing U. Utah, Salt Lake City, 1960-66, teaching assoc. dept. biology, 1970, assoc. Prof. Coll. Nursing, 1971-73; assoc. Prof. Coll. Nursing Brigham Young U. , Provo, Utah 1973-74; Prof. Brigham Young U., Provo, Utah 1974-; mem. Utah Profl. Rels. Com., Salt Lake City, 1960-66; presenter Internat. Auxology Conf., Exeter, Eng., 1988, La Leche League, U. Utah 1987, Internat. congress Nurses, Seoul, Korea, 1989, Physiology editor Nurse Practitioner Mag., Seattle, 1974-82; contbr. articles to profl. jours. Mem. ANA, Utah Nurses Assn. (bd. dirs.. 1975-77), Am. Physiology Soc., Sigma Xi (pres. Brigham Young U. chpt. 1990-91), Phi Kappa Phi. Republican. Mormon. Office: Brigham Young U Coll. Nursing 470 SWKT Provo UT 84602

Ella Smith - Leader in the DUP (Daughters of the Utah Pioneers)

Ella in white feather hat. / Ella behind dolls. / Ella back row third from right. / Ella closeup /

My grandmother Ella had a closet full of hat boxes

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