Thomas Francis Smith 1874-1916

SMITH

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 5/23/2021 at 17:43:29

22 May 1916 - The Clinton Advertiser
page 8

As the shades of night were softly failing death entered the quiet and peaceful home of the Smith family and took from therein the one the least expected in the family to die.

Thomas Francis Smith was born in Grand Mound, Iowa, on the 22nd day of March in 1874, and died at his home in Blue Island, Ill., on Sunday evening at 8 o'clock, May 14, aged 42 years, 1 month and 23 days. Mr. Smith had been a patient sufferer for the past three years with diabetes. He bore his sufferings with true Christian fortitude and willingly submitted to the will of his Divine Maker. Mr. Smith was the son of James Smith, living southwest of DeWitt and was the youngest of six sons. Two brothers and his mother have preceded him in death several years ago.

He leaves to mourn his loss his wife and his aged father, James Smith, and three brothers, Michael E. Smith of Minnekahta, S. D., James W. Smith of North Dakota and John J. Smith at home, and two sisters, Nora A. Smith and Mary C. Smith at home, besides several other relatives and friends to mourn his loss.

For the past twenty-three years Mr. Smith was one of the most popular engineers on the Rock Island, running from Blue Island to Rock Island, also an esteemed member of Allouez council, Knights of Columbus, of Rock Island, Ill. No. 658, and W. S. Tinseman Division No. 815, R. of L. E. Several members of each order attended the funeral in a body. The funeral was held from St. Benedict's Catholic Church in Blue Island on Wednesday morning at 9 o'clock, requiem high mass being celebrated by Father Rush, who paid a glowing tribute to the deceased. The remains were laid to rest in Calvary cemetery in Chicago. The pallbearers were members of the R of L E and K of C and were James R. Settle, Claude R. Riddle, George Martzel of Blue Island, Peter Langan and Simon McMahan of Rock Island and Edward Stanton of Harvey, Ill.

Mr. Smith was an affectionate husband, loving son and brother, and a good citizen, and his family deeply deplore his loss. The many friends of the Smith family here join in extending their sincerest sympathy to those who are left to mourn his loss. COMMUNICATED.