SMITH, Leonard Ross (1885-1916)

SMITH, WAGNER, ALBAUGH, VANAUSDELP, PEEBLER

Posted By: Jane Adams (email)
Date: 4/30/2006 at 16:06:01

Admin. note: Jane transcribed abbreviated versions of both obituaries; in May, 2014, complete transcriptions were provided by Sherri Meck (shlymeck@att.net) who is a relative.

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The "Batavia News"
July 20, 1916
Page 4, Column 3

ROSS SMITH KILLED BY LIGHTNING

L.R. SMITH, a highly respected and well known young man, aged 35, was struck and killed by lightening (sic) yesterday afternoon during the rain storm. Mr. SMITH was helping with the hay harvest at the Orval James farm and was near a window in the mow of the barn. Mr. SMITH was an exemplary young man, a prominent farmer residing four miles southeast of Batavia, and his death has saddened the entire vicinity. Mr. SMITH leaves a wife and three children, besides other relatives and many friends. He is a brother of Chas. F. SMITH, also of Des Moines township. Mrs. SMITH is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.H. WAGNER of this city.

Mr. SMITH was taking hay from the fork in the mow and had walked to the door to throw the trip rope to the man on the hay wagon, when the lightening (sic) struck. He fell from the door to the hay wagon below and on to the ground, the lightning striking him on the head and body, tearing his clothing and shoe from one side. Death was instant. Mr. James and a neighbor, also working in the haymow were stunned by the flash, but were not injured.

As we go to press, the funeral arrangements have not been completed.

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The "Batavia News"
July 27, 1916
Page 1, Column 3

OBITUARY

Leonard Ross SMITH was born September 7, 1885, and died July 19, 1916, aged 30 years, 10 months and 12 days. He was united in marriage November 30, 1904, to Nellie Ollie WAGNERr. To this union were born three children, one daughter and two sons. He and his wife united with the church of the Brethren September 24, 1911. He was an active working christian from the first, and much interested in the activities of the church, was a teacher of the young people's organized class, also leader in the song service. He was elected to the office of deacon in the fall of 1913.

He leaves to mourn his departure, a faithful wife, one daughter, Evelyn, aged 11 years, and two sons, Claude, aged 7 years and Harold, six years; one brother, Chas. F. SMITH of Batavia, one half brother, Amos G. SMITH, Shields, Kan., and two half-sisters, Mrs. D.S. ALBAUGH, of Anekny (sp), and Mrs. Wm. VANAUSDELP of Batavia. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, five brothers, one half brother and two sisters. His mother passed away May 14, 1916, over whose death he was much depressed.

He met his death by a stroke of lightning while helping a neighbor, Orval James, putting up hay. He was instantly killed. In his death the wife has lost a faithful husband, the children a loving father, the church an active working member, and the community a good neighbor and citizen.

Funeral services were held at the Brethren church, southeast of Batavia, Saturday, July 26, at 2 o'clock, conducted by W.N. Glotfelty and J.H. Price, which was attended by a very large concourse of relatives, between five and six hundred people viewing the remains. Interment was in the Brethren cemetery.

**Nellie's mother was a PEEBLER, of which I research that lineage.**