Michael F. Smith, 1853-1926

SMITH, GAGE

Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 2/1/2011 at 18:14:12

Michael Franklin Smith was born at Beloit, Wis., January 12, 1853, and died January 29, 1926, aged 73 years and 17 days. At the age of 30 he was married to Candace Gage at Ottawa, Ill. They moved to Elkhart, Ind., where they lived about one year. From there they came to Lake township, Clay county, Ia., where they have lived ever since.

He leaves a wife and five children: Michael F. Jr., Mary Arsnieau, Elizabeth Grady, George E., and John Frederick. He also lost one little daughter, Rose Edna, at the age of 18 months. His wife and living children were all with him at the end except Mary Arsnieau of Seattle, Wash., who was unable to come.

Besides his family he leaves two sisters, Mrs. Rose Inman of Chehalis, Wash., and Mrs. Mary Connor of Rockford, Ill. Also five grandchildren.

When he was eight years old his mother died while his father was in the Union army. At the age of nine he started out in the world to make his own living; his brothers and sisters doing the same.

Mr. Smith has lived all his life since coming to Iowa on the same farm in Lake township, northwest of Ruthven, where he passed away.

The funeral was held at the home Tuesday afternoon at 2 p.m., conducted by Rev. W.O. Tompkins, with interment at the Dickens cemetery.

Source: Spencer Reporter, Spencer, Clay County, Iowa; February 3, 1926.