Mrs. Jackson Smith 1846-1916

SMITH, STILLMAN, LOWE, NESMITH

Posted By: AMK (email)
Date: 9/10/2010 at 11:00:52

Obituary of Mrs. Jackson Smith

Mary Abigal (familiarly called Mate) Stillman, daughter of John and Mary Nesmith Stillman, was born at McDonough, N.Y. April 7, 1846. She came to Iowa with her parents in the spring of 1855 and settled with them in Center township, this county, where she later taught several terms of school. She married Jackson Smith, a resident of that township, Oct. 19, 1869, living with him on his farm until 1878, when they removed to Waukon, where they have since resided, where she died April 5, 1916, at the age of 70 years, lacking two days.
She is survived by her husband, two daughters, Ethel and Theo, three sons, Arthur W. Of Stockton, Ill.: Boyd W. of Waukon, and Ray S. of Traer, Iowa, and one brother, Dr. A.T. Stillman of Waukon. Two sisters and two brothers preceded her in death. Mrs. Laura A. Lowe died April 20, 1911, and Emma V. died in infancy. The brothers were both soldiers of the civil war. Linus P. Stillman died at Emmetsburg, Iowa, April 11, 1887. John J. Stillman was killed at Fort Donelson and was the first soldier from Allamakee county killed in battle. The G.A.R. Post in Waukon is named for him.
While these simple dates and statements are the ordinary facts of a woman's life, this life was far from an ordinary one. Mrs. Smith was loved and honored wherever she was known. To her neighbors she was an unfailing source of comfort, advice, and entertainment. Her keen mind and sound judgment made her a valuable counsel. Many found time to "drop in" at her home for consultation with her and to heed her wise advice so often veiled with some whimsical twist of speech which so endeared her to every one.
The Woman's Literary Club was one of her chief interests and pleasures. There, among congenial spirits, many of them her girlfriends, she found some expression for her studious inclinations and strong intellectuality, and for her love for the good in literature and history.
Next to her home her church was nearest to her heart. A member of the Methodist church since early girlhood, the advancement and righteousness of the church were her dearest interest. In Sunday school she taught for years. The prayer meeting which she attended as long as strength lasted always missed her after she failed to come. Just last week a friend said, "Mrs. Smith always made the most helpful prayer, one that made me better just to hear." In the Missionary Society, now flourishing, she has the answer to her prayers and efforts for so many discouraging years when she was one of the faithful few who held on to the one idea and hoped for greater things. The Sunday service was her great delight, and until her body failed to take her there she was in her place an interested worshipper. To the last the welfare of the church was her prayer.
Among the large circle of relatives she is missed more than all. Her kindness, loyalty and genuineness were proverbial. Her never failing sense of humor and delightful power of expression were a constant source of enjoyment, and her quaint sayings are often quoted. Her power of loyalty and love was intense. In her home who may speak of that sacred place and relationship? It was a model in the community and there she displayed her choicest characteristics, unstintedly, and without ostentation, unknown to all without that loved and loving circle. Her most anxious thoughts, her most interesting personality there found its freest expression. She lived her religion every hour of her cheerful life even during the last two years of constant physical suffering. Even when racked with pain her constant assurance was, "It is all right. Everything is all right."
Funeral services were conducted Saturday afternoon at the home and at the Methodist Church by Revs. J.A. Young and VanNice. The church was filled with mourning relatives and friends and there was a profusion of beautiful flowers and floral emblems. Burial took place in Oakland Cemetery.

Allamakee Journal
Column 3 Page 3
Wed 12 April 1916
Vol L No 24