Milton J. Smith, 1832 - 1914

SMITH, ROFF, ELSTON, WICKWIRE, SULLY

Posted By: IAGenWeb Volunteer
Date: 7/4/2013 at 08:53:05

The Spirit Lake Beacon December 4, 1914 p. 1

Milton J. Smith

SMITH. At his home at Okoboji, Iowa, on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 26, 1914, aged 82 years and three months.

The following obituary has been furnished for publication.

Milton J. Smith was born in the town of China, Wyoming Co., N. Y., August 26th, 1832 and died Nov. 26, 1914; his age at the time of his death being 82 years and three months.

One of the five children, his boyhood and young manhood were spent in his New York home, where he attended, and later, taught school. He also taught several terms in Canada, in the vicinity of Niagara Falls.

In the spring of 1858 he came to Iowa, in company of his sister, Mrs. Wickwire, coming by rail to Dubuque, thence by steamer to Mankato, and thence across country by any conveyance that was available. Their parents came the following fall. A cabin was built upon the present Fort Dodge Point, which was the family home for several years. The ten years that followed were crowded with the stirring incidents of pioneer life. Of the hardships and privations that are the common lot of the pioneer, there were many. There were Indian scares and grasshopper raids, there was the lack of money and of the comforts and luxuries of life in an older place, but there was a wealth of cheer and hospitality about the fires of those log cabins. A hand of fellowship developed from their common needs and dangers that more than atoned for all else. And so as the weight of years darkened the scenes of later life, the memories of the old pioneer days grew brighter and dearer.

In August 1861 he enlisted in the Sioux City cavalry and served for three years, four months as quartermaster sergeant, a position more laborious than lucrative. His company served on the frontier in the campaign against the Sioux Indians and formed a part of Gen. Sully’s force in the expedition up the Missouri river in 1863 which terminated in the battle of White Stone Hill.

In 1870 he was married to Nettie Roff, and in 1874 a new home was built near the Okoboji bridge. In this home built of the native oak which grew on the shores of the lake that he loved, he spent the remainder of his life, a period of forty years.

As long as his health permitted he took an active interest in the Social and civic development of his community, always a loyal citizen and a good neighbor. His influence was ever for the advancement of righteousness and his life was clean, simple and kindly.

In 1876 he became a member of the Masonic order, which he affiliated with at the time of his death. During the past six years his health has been steadily failing, his final sickness a resultant of previous sickness and suffering.

He is survived by his wife who has stood by him through his suffering with loyal care. He leaves one brother, H. A. Smith, of Okoboji, one sister, Mrs. A. Wickwire of Chicago, a daughter, Mrs. F. Elston, a son Roy Smith, both of above live near the old place, and five grand children. Our pen will not write what in his death we have lost, but in his life we have gained a new vision of the beauty of life of tender sympathy and sterling integrity.

Funeral services were conducted at the home by Rev. F. H. Gamel of Spirit Lake, Sunday November 29th. Service at the cemetery was in charge of Twilight Lodge No. 239 of Spirit Lake.