SMITH, Thomas P. (1813-1888)

SMITH, JONES, MATTINGLY, RIDENOUR

Posted By: Kathy Weaver (email)
Date: 11/11/2018 at 14:56:12

Malvern Leader
Malvern, Mills County, Iowa
Thursday, April 26, 1888

Death Of Mr. Smith

After an illness of something like three months, Thomas Peter Smith died at his home in Malvern, on Tuesday last at about 10 o’clock a.m. “Uncle Peter,” as he was familiarly called, was a well-known figure in this community where he resided so many years. Despite the fact that he had been sick so long and with a disease that at his age gave little promise of recovery, his death was quite unexpected to his neighbors and friends, as at the last he sank rapidly. His son, Presiding Elder W.T. Smith, of Council Bluffs, and his daughter, Mrs. Ridenour, of Clarinda, were promptly notified and arrived on the first train, accompanied by Mrs. Smith and Mr. Ridenour. The funeral occurred yesterday at 11 o’clock from the Methodist Church.

Thomas P. Smith was born in Baltimore, Md., Sept. 24, 1813; died in Malvern, Iowa, April 24, 1888. He was thus in his 75th year. He spent his early life in the city of his birth. In 1834 he came West settling in Springfield, Ill. He lived there about eighteen years. In 1837 he was married to Miss Sarah J. Jones. Four children were born in this marriage, two of whom are still living. In 1851 his wife died in St. Joseph, Mo. In 1858 he was married to Miss Susan Mattingly, who survives him. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. F, Twenty-fifth Missouri Infantry, and served in the army for one year, when, on account of broken health, he was granted a furlough and sent home. He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church over fifty years ago, and has been identified with this organization ever since. He has lived in Malvern nearly fourteen years. Father Smith had a generous heart. No one was ever turned empty away from his door.