France, Almina B. 1860-1909

FRANCE, SMITH, COMPTON

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 1/30/2010 at 17:45:02

Death of Mrs. France.

Mrs. Wm. H. France died at her home near Reasnor, about 4 0’clock, last Wednesday morning, November 24th. Although she had been in delicate health for some time, she nor her friends had any idea that her condition was serious. Less than a week before, she was in Newton, in her usual health, and was able to be about her home until within a day or two before the final summons came. Her death caused great sorrow throughout the neighborhood where she had lived from childhood, and where everybody knew and loved “Mina France.” In the happy home, where Thanksgiving Day has always brought joy and gladness in former years, this year there was the deepest sorry and mourning for the loss of the dear wife and mother.

Almina B. Smith was the eldest daughter of John J. and Mary A. Smith. She was born in Wood County, Ohio, March 21, 1860, her age at time of death being 49 years, 8 months and 3 days. Her parents moved to Iowa in 1864, when she was but four years of age, and all her after-life was spent in the neighborhood where she died. She was happily married to William H. France, April 2, 1884, and to them was born one son Loren W. who survives to comfort his father in the great sorrow that has bereft them of a precious wife and mother. She is also survived by one brother and one sister, Melvin B. Smith of Rock Valley, Iowa, and Mrs. Belle B. Compton of Newton. She united with the Methodist Protestant Church at the McKinney school house when she was 20 years of age, and retained her membership until transferred to the “church triumphant.”

She was a kind and loving wife and mother, a splendid neighbor and a devoted Christian, whose piety was of the “every-day-alike” kind. A wide circle of friends feel the tenderest sympathy for the bereaved husband and son.

Funeral services were held at Mt. Zion Church at 1 o’clock p.m. on Friday, November 26th, conducted by Rev. E. S. Brown of Newton, a large concourse of friends and neighbors being present. There were many beautiful flowers and the music was appropriate to the sad occasion. The interment was in Mt. Zion churchyard nearby. ~ Newspaper unknown.