Alberta Alfaretta "Retta" (Richards) Smith

SMITH, RICHARDS

Posted By: Ann Bowler (email)
Date: 10/30/2011 at 12:03:34

“Emmetsburg Democrat”, January 9, 1901.
“Ruthven Items
The remains of Mrs. Smith were brought to this city from Fort Dodge Monday evening, She had been sick for some time. The remains were laid to rest Tuesday in the Methodist cemetery. The deceased was a daughter of Mrs. Richards, and sister to Mrs. Phoenix. Sympathy is extended to the sorrowful relatives.”

From the “Palo Alto Reporter”, January 17, 1901
“Obituary.”

“Alberta Alfaretta Richards was born March 2, 1853, in Johnstown, Rock County, Wisconsin, and came with her parents to Palo Alto county, Iowa, in October 1870, where she spent the remainder of her life, until about seven years ago when she moved to Spencer, Iowa, and about two years ago she removed to Fort Dodge. She was married to Samuel Smith August 7, 1875. Six children were born to them, four of whom are living to mourn the loss of a faithful, devoted, Christian mother: Emery, Stephen, Charles, and Zada. All were with her at the time of her death, excepting Stephen, the third son, who is serving his country as a soldier in the Philippines, where at his post of duty in that far off land, he will hear the sad tidings of his mother’s death.

She departed this life January 6, 1901, at her home in Fort Dodge, at the age of 47 years, 10 months and 4 days, She was converted and joined the Methodist Episcopal church in 1872, and since that time has lived a faithful and consistent Christian.

As a daughter she was devoted, respected and dutiful; as a sister, she was affectionate, condiderate and kind; and she was one of the best of mothers. Her memory will be cherished as sweet incense by the whole circle of her friends and loved ones, but by the children most of all, by the sisters and three brothers now surviving, and not least by the widowed mother who is waiting lonely and bereaved for the meeting of the loved ones on the other side, where she, with others gone on before, will wait for those who linger, to join them in the land of rest. May she and this daughter who has just passed over, not be disappointed by the absence of any loved ones when the final roll is called.

The remains were brought to this city Monday evening and funeral services were conducted from the M. E. church, in this city, at 2:00 p. m., on Wednesday, the body being laid at rest in Graceland Cemetery.--Ruthven Free Press.

Mrs. Smith was a sister of Mrs. J. R. Phoenix, of Ruthven, and is well known to the older settlers of this county. She was one of the pioneer school teachers of Palo Alto county, and was secretary of the first Teacher’s Institute ever held in the county. She has been a prominent worker in the Good Templars lodge and the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union.”