SMITH, John Tillman "Sorghum"

SMITH, BLACKBURN

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 6/28/2018 at 20:34:18

Obituary ~ John Tillman "Sorghum" Smith
July 09, 1852 ~ April 28, 1913

The Leon Reporter
Leon, Decatur County, Iowa
Thursday, May 01, 1913, Page 1

KILLED IN A RUNAWAY
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John T. Smith Received Fatal Injuries in a Runaway Accident at Van Wert Monday Evening.

John Tillman Smith was fatally injured in a runaway accident at Van Wert Monday evening, about 6 o'clock, receiving injuries from which he died about an hour later.

Monday evening Mr. Smith was driving his team hitched to a wagon, and when near the residence of E. O. Stearns the team became frightened at an auto standing in a yard and ran away. Mr. Smith was thrown from the wagon, and his clothing caught on the brake and he was dragged under the wagon for a distance of three and a half blocks, when the team ran into a tree and stopped. He received assistance at once, but died about an hour after the accident, a number of his ribs being broken and he received internal injuries which caused his death. He is survived by his wife and three children, all grown. The funeral was held from the home in Van Wert on Wednesday morning at 11 o'clock. [Interment was made at Van Wert Cemetery.]

Mr. Smith was a well known citizen of Decatur county, having resided here for many years. For a long time he was a resident of Eden township, where he engaged in farming and was perhaps known better by the name of (Sorghum) John Smith, from the fact that he was engaged in the molasses business and to distinguish him from others of the Smith families. Some years ago he removed from Eden township to a farm near Van Wert, where he was quite successful. A few months ago he moved to Van Wert.

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The Leon Reporter
Leon, Decatur County, Iowa
Thursday, May 08, 1913, Page 12

John T. Smith.
___________

Mr. John T. Smith was born July 9, 1852, and departed this life April 28,1913. He died at the age of sixty years, nine months and nineteen days.

Mr. Smith was born in Champaign county, Illinois, where he resided till he was about twenty years of age. He then came to Decatur county, Iowa, where he has since resided. He has proven himself a lover of the farm and farm life. He lived on the farm till March 1, 1913. At this time, he, with, his family, moved to Van Wert. He has been a hard worker and was not content without living the strenuous life. It was while at work that he met the injuries which caused his death. He lived but a short time after being injured.

Mr. Smith was married to Sarah Ann Blackburn Mrach 29, 1879. There has been born to the family three children: Fred T., Rosa and James. All the children and their mother were present at the funeral.

Mr. Smith joined the Baptist church when he was a young man. He has since maintained fairth in the Christ he confessed in his youth.

The funeral services were held in the Methodist church of Van Wert, conducted by Rev. Keast, who was assisted by Rev. Cornell, pastor of the Christian church. Interment took place in the Van Wert cemetery. Friends of the family showed their sympathy with the bereaved in this sad accident by largely attending the funeral services. The community is greatly grieved.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, April of 2018