Catherine Reed (Smoot) Hartsook (1924)

BELL, HARTSOOK, LAIDLEY, NEWELL, SCHOENENBERGER, SMOOT, WIGHT

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 12/3/2010 at 10:23:59

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, August 7, 1924
Page 1

MRS. WM. HARTSOOK IS CALLED HOME

Was Daughter of Early Pioneer in Lincoln Township

Mrs. Catherine Smoot Hartsook, wife of William Hartsook of Lincoln township, passed away on last Friday at her home at the age of 80 years, having resided in that vicinity since early girlhood. For many years she had been an invalid from rheumatic ailments, but bore her affliction with remarkable Christian fortitude. Mrs. Hartsook, who was a daughter of James W. and Jemima Smoot was born in Knox county, Illinois, on July 11, 1844. When a small girl the family moved to this county.

In 1860 she was married to William Hartsook, who at the age of 96, survives his faithful helpmate and loving companion of pioneer days. In 1910 they celebrated with friends and family, fifty years of married life. Perhaps no family in that vicinity has had a wider influence nor good. A long life, marked by unselfish devotion to duty, the care and Christian training of a family of nine children, the dedication of heart and home to everyone in need, cannot be appraised at its full value.

Funeral services were held at the home near Winterset on Sunday afternoon. A vast concourse of friends and neighbors joined in paying the last tribute of respect to one whose life yielded a blessed influence. Burial was made in the Winterset cemetery.
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The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, August 7, 1924
Page 2

Catherine Reed Smoot, eldest of the five children of James and Jemima Wight Smoot, was born in Hendersonville, Knox county, Illinois, July 11, 1844. When she was 11 years of age, her parents moved to Madison county, Iowa, and settled on a farm in Lincoln township. Here, on the 20th day of March, 1860, she was married to William Hartsook, also of Lincoln township. They began housekeeping on the farm which has been their home for more than 64 years. Nine children were born into this home and grew to maturity. Far and near, the home was known for its hospitality and industry. Both the husband and wife bore an active part in the life of the community—in the work of church and school.

Since its organization in their community, both have been members of the Christian Union church. Both were charter members of the Lincoln township organization of the Grange, the Grange Hall having been built on their land, and still remains, built into a cottage.

During her active years, Mrs. Hartsook was intensely interested in the current history of her time, eager to read and to discuss politics and events. She was energetic, practical, resourceful and of strong personality, a type of the pioneers who made the middle west what it is today.

Fifteen years ago, she was stricken with sciatica and during most of the intervening time has been confined to an invalid’s chair. The suffering only rounded out her character in sweetness and gentleness and patience, and she had long been ready for her Master’s call. She fell asleep in the early morning of the first day of August, 1924, having lived 89 years and 21 days.

Remaining to mourn her are her husband, William Hartsook, well along in his 96th years; her children: Andrew W., of Des Moines, who has been with her to care for her for many months; James W. of Greenfield, Fred P. of Winterset, Bertie Ellen, or Mrs. F. E. Bell, who lives on the home place; Sarah Ellen, or Mrs. Newt Newell of Howard, Kansas; Grace Adaline, or Mrs. R. T. Schoenenberger of Winterset, and Ben B., of Lincoln township. Two children preceded her in death, Elida at the age of 20, and George B. at the age of 26. There are 16 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. There is also her sister, Mrs. Adaline Laidley of Earlham; her brother, Albert P. Smoot of Earlham; and Mrs. Allie Smoot of Centerville, the widow of her brother, William who died in May of this year. There are many other relatives and friends.

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