Harvey Smith (1915)

BILLIS, COCHRAN, HERMON, SMITH

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 12/12/2005 at 22:21:05

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, March 1915

Harvey Smith was born in Switzerland, Indiana, January 8, 1829 and died at his home Monday, February 22, 1915, aged 86 years, 1 month and 14 days. When a little boy he moved with his parents to Marion county, Indiana. It was in the county near Augusta, he was married to Cynthia Ann Cochran April 22, 1847. To them were born four children, two sons dying in early childhood and two daughters, Margaret E. Smith and Mrs. Mary Jane Hermon of Winterset who were with their father in his last illness to care for and comfort hime. The companion of his early manhood died in November 1857. He was married again to Rachael Billis in 1858. She died in 1908, a faithful consistent member of the Methodist church.

He came from Indiana to Jefferson township, Madison county in 1855 and has lived in Winterset the past thirty-three years. Uncle Harvey Smith (as he was known) was converted in 1859 at the Paton school house and joined the Methodist church which was later known as the Fairview M. E. church. In all his years he was true to his God, his church and every good cause.

In his last illness heart trouble prevented his lying in bed so he was confined to his chair. Just before he passed away, assisted by his son-in-law J. S. Hermon, he walked to the glass door as if desirous to see the outside world once more. The two daughters were helping him to return to his chair when heart failure occurred and he died peacefully in the arms of his son in law and two daughters.

The daughters were strongly attached to their father and with loving devotion cared for him. After the death of his wife, Rachael, his daughter Margaret maintained the home and gave loving care to him in his declining years. All who knew Mr. Smith loved him and believed him to be, as he was, a Christian man, clean citizen, and worthy of the respect always shown him by his friends and neighbors. "A good man has gone to his reward."

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