SMITH, Joseph J. (1860-1940)

SMITH

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 3/31/2020 at 23:41:38

Joseph J. Smith
(January 23, 1860 – February 12, 1940)

Ida County Pioneer Record, Ida Grove, IA, Thurs., Feb 15, 1940, p.1, col.2
J. J. Smith, 80, Dies on Monday: Resident of Ida County For 52 Years; Funeral Held Today (Thursday)
Arthur, IA – J. J. Smith, 80, well known resident of Ida County for fifty-two years, passed away at his home in Arthur, Monday, noon, Feb. 12 following a ten days illness of influenza and pneumonia. Joseph J. Smith was born near Akron, Ohio, on Jan. 23, 1860. When he was eight years old his father died and the family moved to Will County, Ill. March 8, 1882 he was united in marriage to Alice Bucks, at Plainfield, Ill.. To this union six children were born, five of whom are living. In 1888 Mr. and Mrs. Smith moved to Ida County, where they were engaged in farming until 1912, when they moved to Arthur. In recent years Mr. Smith was active in insurance work.
Active Worker
Mr. Smith has always been deeply interested in the religious life of the community. He joined the Arthur Methodist church soon after moving here. For over fifteen years he worked untiringly as Sunday School Supt. And always tried to impress upon the minds of the children whom he loved to help, the truths of life as taught in the Bible. He took unusual interest in the children’s Easter and Christmas entertainments. He was president of the Board of Trustees almost continuously since joining the church, and as a steward and trustee was always anxious the finances of the church be met in full. He took special pride in helping to keep the church property in good condition. In private life Mr. Smith was always thoughtful of his friends, always willing to lend a hand when help was needed and in bereavement was ever ready to speak words of comfort and cheer. He had lived more than his three score years and ten and leaves a record of unusual activity and a clean life lived for his family and friends. He leaves to mourn his widow, two sons, Lester and Raymond, both of Windom, Minn., three daughters, Mrs. C. M. Kane, Trochu, Alberta, Canada; Mrs. J. F. Bartlett, Escanaba, Mich., and Mrs. Arnold Andrews, South Milwaukee, Wis. Also thirteen grandchildren, five great grand children, and one brother, Wilson F. Smith, Plainfield, Ill.
Funeral services will be held this (Thursday) afternoon at 2:30 from the Arthur M.E. Church, Rev. Dale of Dows, conducting assisted by Rev. Graubner. “He lived his busy life from year to year with forward face and unreluctant soul, not hastening to nor turning from the goal, nor mourning for the things that disappear in the dim past, nor holding back in fear; thus he grew old, but never lost life’s zest, knowing the road’s last turn would be the best.”