This is the only professionally-taken photo of the Smith family. It was taken in Sharon Springs, KS, where my dad taught. This was shortly before the family moved to Ness City where Daddy worked in the post office. Left to right: Bill, Daddy, Mother, Bob seated and Dick standing.
My Dad was 36, Mom was 33, Bill was 9 and Bob and Dick were 5. Daddy and Mother went by their middle names; Daddy so he wasn't confused with his father; and Mother - because she hated her first name.
William was a family name. My grandfather was William Henry Smith - called Henry; my father was William Hays Smith called Hays; Bill was William Hays Smith, Jr., called Bill by family and Smitty by everyone else. The twins were Robert Charles called Bob and Richard Henry called Dick. Mother had brothers named Robert and Charles. Henry came from Grandfather Smith - but I have no idea where the name Richard came from.
Bill had all the attention of our parents until he was about 4 1/2 years old when he was presented with twin brothers. I am sure Mother and Daddy were really busy with the twins. As they grew, they had each other and Bill didn't have anyone.
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