MRS. J.F. SMITH -- PEARL DUNCAN

SMITH, DUNCAN

Posted By: Nancee Seifert (email)
Date: 3/11/2010 at 10:18:16

Decatur County Journal
Leon, Iowa
Thursday, May 7, 1914

Mrs. J.F. SMITH died at her home in Leon, Iowa, April 21, 1914, after a
lingering illness of almost a year. She was the daughter of Squire and
SARAH DUNCAN and was born July 3, 1880, near Goldendale, Klickitat County,
Washington, the patrons being among the earliest inhabitants of the country
west of the Rocky Mountains and experienced many thrilling adventures of
early pioneer life.

When a girl of sixteen years, her dear invalid mother died, leaving her with
her father and brother, to care for the home. After a time elapsed, Miss
PEARL went to live with her only sister, in San Francisco, Cal. It was here
that she met, and later was united in marriage to J.F. SMITH, who had now
completed a four years' cruise around the world, as chief electrician on the
U.S. Battleship Buffalo, in the United States Navy. Soon after their
nuptial they journeyed to Walnut, Iowa, Mr. SMITH's parental home, and
shortly after commenced their first home life in Omaha, Nebraska, where Mr.
SMITH was employed in an electric plant.

In 1909 Mr and Mrs. SMITH came to Leon to make their permanent home, they
having purchased a half interest in the electric light plant here, forming
the Leon Electric Co.

Mrs. SMITH was an amiable lady, and endeared herself to all who knew her.
Among the first in benevolent and social activity, ever ready to assist the
helpless and cheer the lonely, expressing by word and deed a Christian
spirit. In social life she was one of the most congenial, companionable,
happy and cheerful ladies it was ever my good fortune to know; always aiding
with enthusiasm any enterprise that was for the welfare or pleasure of
others, forgetting self in doing her duty and doing good.

At the early age of twelve years she became a member of the Presbyterian
Church and has ever walked in the path that leads to eternal life and joy,
where pain and suffering are not known. She had prepared her household as
for a journey, knowing the departure would be forever. Smiling each day in
pain and weakness until the last sleep came at six in the evening, the close
of day, a beautiful life, like the fading of a fair lily, only to rise again
to the life eternal.

Mrs. SMITH is survived by her husband who did all that could be done to
restore her to health, and failing in that made every effort to give all the
comfort and care, in the last declining days. A little son, aged seven
years, JOHN FRANCIS, will sadly miss a mother's love and care. She was a
dear kind mother. A sister, Mrs. ALICE HUCKINS, now of Alameda, Cal., two
brothers, F.G. DUNCAN, of Cle Ellem, Wash., and S.A. DUNCAN, of Portland,
Oregon. The latter brother was with her three weeks during the last days
and assisted in caring for the dear sister, as only a loving brother could.

The funeral services were held at two o'clock, April 23, at the Methodist
Church, Mr. SMITH's father, mother, two sisters, brother HARRY and wife, of
Omaha, Neb., being present. The O.E.S., the P.E.O., and the Fifteen Club,
of which orders Mrs. SMITH was a member, attended the services in a body.
The hymns were sung by Mrs. Dr. Bowman, Mrs. Shular, Dr. Rowell and Prof. O
M. Gass, Mrs. Van Werden, pianist. Rev. G.J. Fansher, Pastor of the M.E.
Church officiated. The sympathy of the community goes out to those bereft
and all feel the loss of this good woman whom to know was to love.

All the truly great and good, all the pure and holy and excellent from this
world, and it may be from every part of the universe, are constantly tending
toward Heaven. As streams are tending to the ocean, so all these are
tending to the ocean of infinite purity and bliss. The progress of time
does but bear them on to its blessedness; and us, if we are holy, to be
united to them there. Every gem which death rudely tears away from us here
is a glorious jewel forever shining there. Every dear Christian friend that
goes before us from this world, is a ransomed spirit, waiting to welcome us
in Heaven.

Interment in the Leon Cemetery. -- MRS. SALLIE VARGA.
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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
March 10, 2010
iggy29@grm.net