Ann B. Smith 1841-1924

SMITH, BEESON, BEAN

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 8/9/2018 at 07:59:52

29 May 1924 - West Branch Times

Ann Beeson Smith, daughter of John S. and Rachel Beeson Smith, was born in Meigs county, Ohio, February 28, 1841, and died at her home in Montezuma, Iowa, May 25, 1924, aged 83 years, 2 months and 26 days.

In February, 1850, the family moved to Jay county, Indiana, where on July 6th, 1854, the mother died leaving the father and six children. Joannah, aged fifteen, and Ann, aged thirteen, bravely accepted the mothership of that little motherless flock, and the lives of their brothers and infant sister Mary tell well a story of industry, patience and love.

In September of 1854 the family left Indiana and by covered wagon, traveled overland until they reached Cedar county, Iowa, their destination, about five weeks later. There, the father located his homestead midway between West Liberty and West Branch. At that time there was no Centerdale, no railroad, no highways, and but few settlers on all that broad and beautiful prairie. During the rigorous winters which followed, it was oft times a real battle to keep the bitter cold winds out of their one-roomed house, with its plasterless walls, but hope and faith kept the best ideals uppermost, and, together with unabated industry and frugality, finally won for this family a place of high regard and respect in that community.

From this home she was married on February 25, 1868, to Robert B. Smith, a pioneer from Pennsylvania, and a new home was set up on their newly purchased farm southwest of West Branch, now occupied by John Gilpin.

Deprived of schooling herself, Mrs. Smith nevertheless became a great reader and always found time to read The Youth's Companion, The Chatterbox and other interesting and wholesome books and magazines to her growing boys. Her ideals of life were high. Her love and faith in spiritual things grew with her during the years and her religious faith was that of the Society of Friends. Her love for the Sabbath was marked by the doing of things appropriate, and her loyalty to uprightness and service was pronounced. Among other goals held up by her for her children, she frequently recited to them this, her favorite quotation: "There is nothing so kindly as kindness and nothing so royal as truth"

In 1891 the Smith family left the farm and moved to Oregon on account of Mrs. Smith's health, but upon her complete recovery returned to Iowa in 1893 and took up their residence in Iowa City, where each of their sons was provided with a university education. In 1914 Mr. and Mrs. Smith went from Iowa City to Montezuma and designed and built the home where they lived until the husband and father was suddenly called by death while on the railway train enroute to California where he and Mrs. Smith were going to spend the winter. From this sudden shock which came to her unexpectedly and among total strangers, together with the long, lonely journey from Rock Springs, Wyoming back to Montezuma, Mrs. Smith never fully recovered.

To this union were born five children, Ernest and Horace, who died in infancy, and Ralph J. of Montezuma; Horton of Des Moines, and Dr. Oakley Smith of Chicago, who have each been frequently with their mother during her illness and are present here today.

Besides her children she leaves three grandchildren, thirteen nieces and nephews, a brother and a sister, Ellis D. Smith of West Liberty and Mary M. Bean of Pasadena, Calif., a cousin, Chas. E. Smith of West Branch, and as friends, all who knew her.

Brief funeral services were held for Mrs. Smith at West Branch, from the Friends church Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Walter Wilson and attended by a very large number of her old friends. At sunset she was tenderly laid in the beautiful City on the Hill.

Relatives who came from a distance were, Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Smith and daughter of Montezuma; Mr. and Mrs. Oakley Smith and two sons of Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. Horton Smith of Des Moines; Byron Beeson of Des Moines; Mrs. Lillie Lufborough, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Koster and Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Smith of West Liberty, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Siemmons, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Negus of Iowa City.