Martin D. Smith 1866-1917

SMITH, JEBSEN

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

25 May 1917 - The Clinton Advertiser page 8

Welton, Ia., May 25--Martin D. Smith was born August 7th, 1866 in Schleswig, Germany, and died at his home near Welton, Iowa, on May 16th, 1917, after one week's illness. Mr. Smith came to America when seventeen years of age, stopping first in Michigan, where he worked for two years in the woolen mills. He then came to Jackson county, Iowa, and worked as a farm hand. For nine years he lived near Andrew. Here, in 1893, he was married to Miss Annie Jebsen. To this union seven children were born, five boys and two girls. He also leaves two brothers and one sister. He joined the German Lutheran church about seventeen years ago and has since been a faithful communicant of that church. He came to Welton eight years ago, purchased a stock farm west of town. By his constant application to business he has left to his wife and children a good farm home, well stocked.

Mr. Smith was a genial, neighborly citizen. He was interested in the things that would tend to better the morals of the community and safeguard the youth.

He had won many friends during his stay here in Welton as was attested by the large crowd who gathered at his late home on Friday, May 18, to pay their last tribute of respect for him.

Brief services were held at the home, J. H. Hurley, pastor of the S.D.B. church, read a few verses of Scripture and spoke in English, and Rev. G. Viehe, the German Lutheran pastor, offered the closing prayer in German.

More than 70 auto loads followed the remains to Maquoketa, where they were joined by a large crowd from Andrew, making in all about 200 autos in the procession.

The services in Maquoketa were conducted by his pastor in German, and the body was laid to rest in the Maquoketa cemetery.

The singing, both at the home and in Maquoketa, was by members of the Seventh Day Baptist choir of Welton. The floral offerings were many and beautiful. The pall bearers were Henry Schmidt, Henry Peters, Louis Toedt, Charles O'Connell, Henry C. Schmidt and John Schneden.