SMELSER, Jesse 1898-1931

SMELSER, ELMORE, BRAYTON, SMITH

Posted By: Judy Smelser Mitchell (email)
Date: 2/17/2004 at 19:14:43

Joint obituary in Waterloo Courier, 7 June 1931:

"FUNERAL TODAY FOR AARON and JESSE SMELSER: Son Dies Here Hour After His Father's Death in Iowa City”: Funeral services for father and son, Aaron Smelser, 64, and Jesse W. Smelser, 33, 314 Whittier, who died within an hour Friday evening will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday at O'Keefe & Towne Chapel. Rev. J. William Garrett, United Congregational Church and Rev. C.O. Loken, Burton Ave. Baptist Church officiating. Members of the fire department will attend in a body in respect for Jesse Smelser who for nearly ten years was a member of the department. Becker-Chapman Post, American Legion, will have charge of military committal services for younger Mr. Smelser.

Carcinoma claimed the lives of both father & son. Aaron Smelser who had been in ill health since he was gassed last July while working in a Newton, IA, foundry, died at 6:30 p.m. at University Hospital. Jesse died at 7:30 in Waterloo. He had been ill for the past six months. Jesse Smelser was enlisted for 3 months in the U.S. Infantry at a training camp near Columbus, MS. He was a member of Becker Chapman Post.

Aaron Smelser was born March 1, 1867 in Tenn. He moved at 18 yrs to Texas Co., Missouri, where he lived until moving to Waterloo. Since that time he has made his home in Waterloo, except for about a year in Newton, Iowa. He married Miss Elizabeth Elmore October 17, 1893 in Summersville, Missouri. His wife preceded him in death 11 years ago. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church which he joined in Tenn., but later attended Baptist church at Summersville.

Surviving are two sons, James Smelser of Newton, IA. and Clarence Smelser of Maxwell, IA.; and four daughters, Mrs. Orie Spicer, at home, Mrs. Stella Mooney 930 Dawson Street., Mrs. Etta Weilein of near Gilbertville and Mrs. Will Mahan, Coon Rapids, IA.; two brothers, Charles Smelser living in Missouri and David Smelser living in Michigan, and a sister Mrs. Elva Jones, Douthat, Okla. Three sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Cobble, Mrs. Emma Wright, and Mrs. Martha Farrow preceded him in death.

Jesse W. Smelser was born March 14, 1898 in Texas Co. Missouri where he lived until moving to Waterloo in 1920. He married Miss Elsie Mattingly, March 1, 1922 in Waterloo. He was a member of the United Congregational Church. Surviving besides the widow are four sons, William, Clarence, Eugene and Melvin, and a daughter, Genevieve all living at home.