George W. Smith (1902)

SMITH, BONSAL, WALTON

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler, Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/31/2014 at 10:26:10

Earlham Echo – Earlham, Iowa
October 16, 1902

George W. Smith was born in Highland county, Ohio, November 4, 1810. Died at the residence of his son Eli in Dallas county, Iowa, October 2, 1902, aged 91 years, 10 months and 28 days.

On November 10, 1834 he was united in marriage with Mary A. Bonsal. To this union was born eight children, three of whom died in childhood, two in adult life. In the year 1843 he moved with his family to Iowa, settling in Mahaska county; came to Dallas county in 1856, where he lived till the date of his decease. In the year 1860 death again entered his home, taking the companion of his youth. On February 25, 1863, he was married to Polly Walton, with whom he lived until death claimed her in 1896.

He was a life member of the Friends church, being converted quite early in life and nurtured in the lap of the church, his interest for the welfare of the church was unbounded. His broad intellect and strong convictions reinforced by a large experience and a sunny genial nature made him an ardent expositor and defender of the faith. He filled very efficiently many of important positions of the church, being an Elder until superannuated by the feebleness of age.

In his late illness which was of but short duration, he bore his intense suffering with great patience and no favor rendered, however small, but received some expression of genuine gratitude of a true Christian spirit. He often spoke of his readiness and longing desire to go home and wondered why he tarried here so long, but on the second of October, nineteen hundred and two, at two o’clock in the morning, the summons came. His stewardship rendered, his wish granted, the welcome of the waiting loved ones heard, his soul fled, leaving tenantless the form of once loved father, to wait ‘neath the clods of ---.

He leaves one son, two daughters, with grandchildren, great grandchildren and a circle of relatives and friends to mourn his loss.

Transcriber’s note: Burial was made in the Bear Creek cemetery, Dallas county, Iowa.