Harriet Smith (1852-1934)

SMITH

Posted By: Debra Scott Hierlmeier (email)
Date: 11/9/2008 at 15:57:16

MRS. CALEB SMITH 1852-1934

Harriet Peiffer was born near Herndon, Pa., May 20, 1852. She came to Iowa with her parents, Benjamin and Elemina Peiffer in 1854 when she was two years old. They traveled by ox team to the Ohio river, then by water on the Ohio, the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers until they reached Kanesville (now Council Bluffs). They located in Cuppy’s grove in Shelby county and here the child who later became Mrs. Caleb Smith grew up and here she lived for eighty years. There were eighty years of eventful change in western Iowa whch she was permitted to watch. For many years after they located their trading point was Kanesville, and they had only two families, the Cuppys and the Johnsons for neighbors. Mrs. Smith actually grew up with western Iowa.
In 1875 Harriet Peiffer was married to Caleb Smith and they farmed near Cuppy’s grove until 1889 when they moved to the farm north of Avoca which is still known as the Smith farm. In 1903, they moved to Avoca where they lived until death claimed them both. Mr. Smith passed away five years ago.
Two children, Lester and Laura, survive Mr. and Mrs. Smith. The other surviving relatives are grandchildren: Mrs. W. Morrison of Des Moines; Mrs. R.G. Peters of Avoca; Edwin Smith of Omaha; and Mrs. Carl Dahl of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; two great grandchildren and three brothers.
Of the five children of this hardy pioneer Peiffer family, the first death in eight-two years occurred in March, 1934, when Mrs. Fanny Swenning, Mrs. Smith’s only sister, passed away.
Funeral services were held at the family home in Avoca, Sunday afternoon, Rev Earl Emaly officiating.
The following friends from out of town attended the funeral services: From Harlan: Mrs. Jas. Dunlavy, Fred Lois, Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Peterson, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Campbell and son, Alvin; Mr. and Mrs. John Finley, Mr. and Mrs. Nels Juhl, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Nielsen, Mrs. C.P. Jensen, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Malick and daughter, Ethel.
Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Peiffer and Mr. and Mrs. Waldo Morrison, Des Moines: Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Swenning and Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Smith of Omaha; Mrs. Martha Dahl of Pittsburgh, Pa.,’ and Mr. and Mrs. FenMoore of Red Oak.

From the Scrapbooks of Bessie Gross Gustafsen
Source: Avoca Journal Herald