Sophia Virginia (Craven) Smith (1920)
CRAVEN, LAMSON, MORGAN, SMITH
Posted By: Mary Welty Hart
Date: 12/23/2006 at 12:58:35
The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, October 13, 1920MRS. SOPHIA V. SMITH
Sophia Virginia Craven was born in Louden county, Virginia, Sept. 9, 1836. Her parents, Samuel and Hattie Craven, moved to Illinois when she was 13 years old. She was married to James Smith in 1855 and the same year she came with her husband to Madison county, Iowa, and located in the vicinity of Peru.
A number of the Smith family came at the same time and there were the beginning of the Ebeneezer neighborhood, known as such because of the church of that name which they founded and of which for so many years they were the principal supporters. After the railroad was built along the Clanton valley the church was discontinued, the membership becoming the founders of the church erected at the new town of East Peru. Madison county Methodism owes much to old Ebeneezer, whose influence spread to all parts of the county.
Mrs. Smith was converted when abut 13 years old and throughout her long life enjoyed a bright religious experience. Her first husband, James Smith, enlisted in the service of his country at the beginning of the war of the rebellion. He gave what Lincoln termed "the full measure of devotion." He died from disease and wounds at St. Louis before the close of the war. She was again married at the close of the war to Fletcher Smith, a cousin of the first husband, and he passed away several years ago.
There were four children, two by the first and two by the second marriage, J. E. Smith, Hattie Morgan and W. F. Smith remain to cherish the memory of their devoted and loving mother. Olive, who became the wife of Dr. I. A. Lamson of Colorado, passed away in 1912. One brother remains, Henry T. Craven of Kansas City, who was present at the time of her death.
The funeral service was held at the home Friday afternoon. Rev. M. M. Cable and Rev. Jackson Giddens officiating.
Gravesite
Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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