Livonia Arnold was born in abt. 1837 to Amos and Elizabeth (Edson) Arnold in Italy, Yates County, New York. Chances are that of Amos' and Elizabeth's fourteen children, she was the youngest, since she was the only one mentioned as a minor as of her father's death in 1856.

In 1853 she married Obadiah Smith, also a resident of Italy, and they moved to Cedar Springs, Kent County, MI shortly thereafter. They had five children: Omer Lafayette, Lillie O., Elizabeth Arnetta (Mrs. Charles Smith, called Liday), Alden Everett, and Lucy J.

During the 1880s, Livonia lived in a house owned by her son Alden's mother-in-law, Rachel (Roush) Bellman.  Her daughter Lucy, a music teacher, also lived with her for part of that time.

Though we have no death date, she appears to be in her 70's as of the time this photo was taken. She also appears in a photo with her great-granddaughter Idella Smith (b. 1896), who looks to be 7 or 8 at that time.