Smith, William J. d. 1911

SMITH, ROSS, WHEELER, KNOUS, DILTON, STAUFFER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 1/1/2010 at 09:31:35

Death of Wm J. Smith

Wm J. Smith, an early resident of this county, died at the home of his daughter, Mr. Chas. Ross, southeast of Reasnor, Monday morning, August 28th, about 3 o’clock.

He has been sick since May 1st, not being able to be away from the home but once in four months.

Wm. J. Smith, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Azariah Smith, was born in Knox County, Ohio, May 13, 1834. When three years of age his parents moved to Putman County, Ohio, where he lived until 19 years old, when he came west of McLain County, Illinois, and three years later, on Sept. 27, 1956, was married to Miss Rebecca Wheeler, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Wheeler of Newton, Iowa. The same fall they came to Jasper County, settling in Adamson Grove, where they worked their way up and bought a home of their own. On Feb. 25, 1866, his wife died, leaving him with four small children, two dying soon after. Mrs. Chas. Ross, of Reasnor, and A. U. Smith, of Ouray, Colo., still survive him.

On Aug. 5, 1866, he was again married to Mrs. Rebecca Knous, and to them were born two daughters, Mrs. Rilla Dilton of Bernardo, New Mexico, and Mrs. Emma Stauffer of Mountain Air, New Mexico.

On March 1st, 1891, they moved to Labette County, Kansas, and on Feb. 23, 1903, his wife died and since then he has lived with his daughters, the last three years being spent with Mrs. Ross. Besides the four children he leaves fourteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren and a host of friends to mourn his loss.

He was converted and joined the church when a young man and has remained an earnest Christian worker ever since and his last words were: “It is alright.”

The funeral services were held at the Mt. Zion Church Tuesday at 2 p.m., conducted by Rev. Brown, of Newton, his pastor of thirty years ago, assisted by Rev. Seeds, of Reasnor. Many old friends came to pay their last tribute of respect to his memory, as he was laid to rest by the side of his first wife. ~ Newspaper unknown.