SMITH, Fred Crego 1876-1951

SMITH, BROWNELL, ST CLAIR, LEACH, CREGO

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 9/6/2011 at 18:07:50

Thursday evening our community was greatly grieved to learn that one of our leading citizens, and most esteemed, Fred Crego Smith, had suddenly passed away. It did not seem to his friends that such could be the case, as he had been about in his usual good health, right up to the last.

Fred Crego Smith was born in Osage, Iowa, on June 6, 1876, and passed away in his home here in Osage on January 11, 1951. He was the oldest of seven children, the son of James A. Smith and Mary Alice Crego Smith, the other children being: Leland A. of Osage, Stanley R. (deceased), Jessie (Mrs. Robert A. Leach) of Davenport, Richard of Beverly Hills, California, Lloyd of Spirit Lake, and Merril of Charles City.

Mr. Smith was a graduate of the Osage High School in 1895, of Grinnell College in 1900. He lived his entire life in Osage, except for seven years at Spirit Lake, Iowa, where he was engaged in the lumber business with his brother Leland A. So he was a life-long resident of Osage, as his father was before him.

Mr. Smith was married to Nellie E. Brownell on April 8th 1902, and to this union were born two children, Lawrence Brownell Smith, and Dorothy Brownell Smith (Mrs. Robert M. St. Clair) and these with other kindred, and a host of friends, remain to mourn his passing.

His significant business and executive ability was soon recognized as shown by the fact that he was very active in the retail lumber business being President of the Jas. A. Smith Lumber Company, and an official in Smith-Hovelson Lumber Company, Smith-Thielen Lumber Company, The Royal Lumber Company, and Superior Lumber and Coal Company, and in all of these he gave unstintingly of his strength and business ability.

Not only was he recognized in these business activities, but his ability was further recognized, and he was for many yeras a valued member of the Board of Trustees of Grinnell College, a member of the Osage School Board, a Director in the Iowa Lumbermen's Association, a Trustee of the Congregational Church, and a Director of the Osage Farmers National Bank. He was a 50-year Mason, a Knight Templar, and a Shriner.

Mr. Smith's life has been a busy life, and a happy one. He loved children and was never so happy as when his grand-children were with him.

He loved people, and many a well-managed charity benefited by his generosity.

He was a friend of the under-privileged. Many a young man has received his college education through his sponsorship, and a host can now rise up and call him blessed.

The last rites were held Sunday afternoon at the Congregational Church in Osage, in charge of his pastor, Rev. Donald Bourne, and committal services were held at the Osage Cemetery.

[ From a typed document written by E.J. Scofield, at Osage Public Library, 2011 ]