Smith, Horace H. 1865-1948

SMITH, HAMILTON, SCHNEIDER, PERRY, DAVIS

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 8/5/2021 at 20:31:25

Funeral services for Horace Hamilton Smith, 83, were held Sunday afternoon at the Schultz Funeral home, with Rev. A.W. Ebert and Rev. Roscoe C. Jerrell officiating. Burial was in the City cemetery.

Mr. Smith died at his home, Thursday afternoon, Oct. 28, having suffered a coronary thrombosis attack several weeks ago.

He was born a son of Joshua D. and Pamelish Hamilton Smith in the then thriving little town of National, March 1, 1865. Five years later, the family purchased the John Vogt farm, where they resided for five years. They then lived in Farmersburg for two years, after which they purchased the Walter Garms farm, south of Monona, where Mr. Smith grew to young manhood.

He received his education in the rural school, Monona high school, and Upper Iowa university at Fayette. He taught five terms of rural school. He worked for two years in the store at Froelich, and when the late P.W. McClelland opened his clothing store in Monona, he entered his employ, unpacking the first box of goods. Two years later he purchased the hardware business of A.M. Davis, which he successfully operated for a long term of years.

He was married to Martha Schneider in 1891. Three children were born to them, Dayton (Dr. J.D. Smith) of Las Vegas, Nev.; Leslie, who was killed in the battle of Belleau Wood, France, during World war I; and Gretchen, now Mrs. E.M. Perry, of Nampa, Idaho.

Following the death of his wife, Martha, in 1915, he was married to Elizabeth E. Davis in 1918, who survives him.

While never aspiring to public office he was ever ready and anxious to serve his community to promote its welfare, and gave unsparingly of his [2 lines illegible] ... on its town council, and board of education.

During and after World war I, he was president of the Monona branch of the American Red Cross for a long term of years, after which he served as treasurer of the organization, and as a member of the executive committee. He was president of the Monona Cemetery association for 19 years and expended considerable effort in having the cemetery well cared for and kept beautiful.

He served the Monona State bank as director for 25 years, becoming its president in 1930. Since 1933, and until the time of his death, he served its successor, the Union State bank, as chairman of its board of directors.

He was a member of Northern Light Lodge, No. 156, I.O.O.F., for more than 50 years, and had served as its presiding officer.

For 40 years he was a regular attendant at the Methodist churc, negotiated the purchase of the present building site and parsonage, and acted as a member of the building committee when the church was constructed. All of this property wa spaid for in full before the church was dedicated.

He enjoyed traveling and used it for the purpose of education as well as recreation. He was a leader in community welfare, highly respected and admired because of his far-sighted wisdom, tolerance and fair dealing.

In addition to his wife, son, and daughter, he is survived by four grandchildren.

A quartet composed of LeRoy Eiffert, David Schlitter, Harlan Hass and Robert Peters, sang "My God and I" and "Near To The Heart of God," at the services. Ramon Hass was the accompanist. Pallbearers were: H.T. Orr, K.W. Rash, Lloyd Brownson, Harry Debes, Harvey Debes, Grover Miller, H.S. Rittenhouse and William Marfilius.

Those from out of town who attended the funeral servces were: Dr. J.D. Smith of Las Vegas, Nev.; Mrs. E.M. Perry of Nampa, Idaho; Mrs. F.J. Mundt of Madison, S.D.; Mr. and Mrs. DeWitt Smith, Marion; Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Douglas, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Douglas, Dr. and Mrs. R.F. Topliff, Mrs. Leighton Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Chamberlain, all of Postville; Mrs. Mary Smith and daughter, Ethel, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Pearson and Mr. and Mrs. George Brainerd, all of Hardin; Mr. and Mrs. R.G. Kinsley and Mr. and Mrs. JW. Allert of McGregor; Mr. and Mrs. F.M. Perry of Austin, Minn.; James Ulrich of Waterloo; Harry Klotzbach and Barbara and Barton of Cedar Rapids; and Mr. and Mrs. Will Baker, Mr. and Mrs. Will Beard, and Miss Bess Beard, all of Decorah.

~Monona Leader, Thursday, November 4, 1948