Robert B. Smith 1839-1919

SMITH, BEESON

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 1/21/2019 at 09:36:58

13 November 1919 - West Branch Times

Robert B. Smith was born in Columbia county, Penn., June 12, 1839 and departed this life Wednesday morning, Nov. 5, 1919, at the advanced age of eighty years, four months and twenty-three days. He is the last of a family of eleven children, all of whom lived for a longer period than is commonly allotted to man, his father, Daniel Smith, living to be past 93 years of age.

The deceased, with his parents and brothers and sisters, came to Iowa in a covered wagon in 1854 and settled on the prairie in Cedar county about three miles east of West Branch. In the summer of 1861 he heard his country's call for volunteers and in company with other patriotic young men enlisted in Company G of the Second Iowa Cavalry on Sept. 19, 1861. During the war he reenlisted as a veteran and remained in the service until after the conflict was over and the Union was safe, and was honorably discharged just four years to a day from the date of his original enlistment. He was almost the last survivor of his company in the army. A history of his regiment and company shows that he was engaged in at least forty battles and skirmishes. Of these the most historic was that of the capture of Nashville by General Thomas, at which time the army of Hood was all but annihilated, and the one fought with greatest heroism and danger was the charge of Farmington where a detachment of the Second Iowa by crossing a narrow bridge leading over a swamp, with cannon fire active every fraction of a second, saved from complete destruction a companion regiment.

On February 25, 1868, at Oasis, Iowa, he was married to Ann Beeson Smith of Ohio who had come to Iowa the same year that the deceased came. Mr. and Mrs. Smith settled upon the farm which they still own, three miles southwest of West Branch. This farm was the scene of his active labors for almost a generation. To this union were born five sons: Ernest, who died at the age of five; Horace, who died infancy; Ralph J. Smith of Montezuma; Horton Smith of Des Moines and Oakley Smith of Chicago. In 1893 he moved with his family to Iowa City and there furnished his sons with the privileges of a university education. After his sons were married and settled in homes of their own, the deceased, with his wife, went to Montezuma and erected a home just across the street from his son.

Without warning of the knowledge of anyone, Mr. Smith passed away on board the Overland Limited in Wyoming. He and his wife were onroute to Pasadena, Calif., to spend the winter. He was in usual health and was looking forward to a pleasant stay in California, but the Death Angel came to him while in his sleep beside his loving wife.

The deceased is survived by his widow Ann B. Smith, and his sons, Ralph, Horton and Oakley.

Mr. Smith was a quiet, unassuming man, always loyal to duty, faithful in his promises, an unusual lover of his country and a good husband and father.

Owing to uncertain railway connections it was found necessary to hold the funeral services last Friday. These took place at the home of the deceased in Montezuma with Rev. Lloyd Lanning in charge.

Services were conducted in the Friends church in West Branch on Saturday afternoon by Rev. Lloyd Lanning, assisted by Rev. W. H. Wilson. The Civil War veterans attended in a body as a guard of honor. The floral offerings were magnificient. Interment took place in the family cemetery at this place near the old home of the departed.

Mrs. Smith expects to leave today or tomorrow for Pasadena, where she will spend the winter with her sister and brother who live there. Her son, Dr. Oakley Smith will accompany her.