Smith, Allen Hiram 1850-1911

SMITH, BAILY

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/3/2015 at 21:08:38

Akron Register Tribune
Thursday, March 9, 1911

AKRON PIONEER SUMMONED

While the seriousness of his condition had been generally known for several
weeks, announcement of the death of A. H. Smith at his home in this city early
Monday morning was not received by his many acquaintances with a sense of
shock, for he had been able to be out of doors a little only a few days
previously and there was hope that he might regain much of his former health
and strength. Heart and stomach trouble were forces of years standing, and a
severe cold followed by pneumonia affecting one of his lungs contributed to
his serious illness.

The best of care and medical attention successfully warded off for a time the
encroachment of these afflictions, but last Saturday it was apparent he had
taken an unfavorable turn, pneumonia enveloping in the other lung. From this
time he failed quite rapidly until the final summons came, seemingly without
pain and as peacefully as sleep in life.

Allan Hiram Smith was born in St. Joseph County, Michigan, February 11, 1850,
and died March 6, 1911, at the age of 61 years and 22 days. At the age of
fourteen he came to Waterloo, Iowa. On April 24, 1870, he married Julia E.
Baily. Two years later, in 1872, they came to Portlandville, now Akron, and
homesteaded east of here, in Portland township. They have since resided in
this community. To them were born two children--a son, who died in infancy,
and a daughter, Mrs. Olive T. Hammer, of this city. In 1886 they took into
their hearts and home an adopted son, Leonard G. Smith, who is now in Los
Angeles, California.

After residing the required time on the homestead, Mr. and Mrs. Smith became
citizens of Akron and have taken an important part in its religious, business
and social growth and upbuilding from its earliest days. He has conducted a
real estate and insurance business. In the earlier days he was Constable for a
period of about fourteen years. For a number of years he has served as justice
of the peace of Portland township and as a member of the Akron school board,
being president of the board at the time of his death.

In these positions of public trust, he was assiduous to duty, and particularly
was he concerned in the welfare of the public schools. A staunch republican, he
always took an active and prominent part in the political affairs of the town
and county. He joined the local Masonic fraternity in the early 80's and was a
charter member of Vesper Chapter, Eastern Star. His personal life was clean
and upright to a degree that insured the high respect and esteem of his
fellowmen. Akron and its past and present citizens are the better for his life
here and his genial presence will be sadly missed.

Besides the bereaved wife and the children referred to above, immediate
relatives surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Rhoda Thompson, of Waterloo, Iowa,
and Mrs. Mattie Booth, of Shelton, Conn.; one brother, D. F. Smith, of Green
Bay, Wis., and eight grandchildren, the children of Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Hammer,
of this city. To these the community tenders its sympathy.

The funeral was held Wednesday afternoon in the M. E. Church, in which Mr.
Smith held membership many years. The local Star and Masonic fraternities
attended in a body. The Masons escorted the remains of their departed brother
from the home to the church, the casket being borne by M. S. Mills, A. C.
Jenkins, C. W. Fetterman, L. F. Root, W. W. Rose and B. F. Wintersteen. Rev.
W. G. Smith in an excellent sermon, paid fitting tribute to the deceased,
administered condolence to the mourning ones and drew from his text arguments
for the better way of living. A quartet, Misses Webster and Bernard and
Messrs. Pardun and Williams sang beautifully, one of the selections by them
rendered, "Sweet Bye and Bye," being and old favorite of Mr. Smith's. There
were many live floral offerings. The Masons conducted their solemn and
impressive burial service at Riverside cemetery.

The schools were dismissed for the afternoon and the business places closed
during the funeral hour as a mark of respect.

Out of town relatives present at the funeral were Mrs. Rhoda Thompson and Mrs.
Ida Nestor, of Waterloo, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. L. L. Willard and son, Elmer, of
Colton, S. D.; Allen Spencer, of Lemmon, S. D., and A. H. Brandhorst, of
Hudson, Iowa.