Smith Hatch

Most of Smith's growing up years were spent on his father's ranch on the Southeast side of the Koosharem Valley. He learned the lessons of dealing with animals, especially buck sheep. On one occasion, his older sisters found him staggering toward the house and covered with black. On investigation, they found that he had been the target for a buck and had been knocked down. Every time he would try to get up the buck would hit him again.

He went to school in Koosharem and became a good student. He was especially good at math. When he completed the available schooling in Koosharem, he went with his sister, Pearl, to Manti and finished high school there.

He married Bessie in the Blue Room of the Manti temple. Three children were born as they lived in Manti. They then moved to Logan where Smith attended U.S.U.. Next they moved to Salt Lake City and finally settled in the Koosharem Valley. Smith had been to aircraft school in San Diego and worked at Hill Air Force Base, repairing planes during World War II.

In Koosharem, Smith worked for the Forest Service, was a guard for the Fish Lake Cabin Association, grew a garden, was a mechanic, had chickens and cows. For years he showed movies in the amusement hall on Friday nights for the people of the Valley. Bessie was his ever-present help-meet. Smith taught his children a love and respect for the great outdoors.

Smith and Bessie were faithful church workers, serving in many posisiton is the ward. They taught their children principles of industry and righteousness.