Smith, R.J. 1873-1952

SMITH, GARY

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 1/31/2017 at 14:45:55

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register
May 26, 1952

SMITH, MONTE
ATTORNEY, DIES
THIS MORNING

Started Practice In
County in 1900; Also
An Abstractor

R.J. Smith of Montezuma, prominent attorney and abstractor in the county for the past 52 years, died suddenly of a heart attack at 7:35 a.m. today.

Following his graduation from SUI in 1899, Smith passed the bar examination the same year and established his law practice at Montezuma in 1900. In his long period of service to the county, he made many friends who are deeply shocked at his sudden passing.

Funeral arrangements are being held up pending the arrival of members of his family.

Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Addie Smith of Montezuma; a daughter Mary Frances, Mrs. Lauren H. Smith of Bryn Mawr, Penna.; two grandchildren, Richard and Robert Smith; and a brother, Dr. Oakley Smith of Chicago, Ill.

His parents, Robert B. Smith of Pennsylvania and Ann Smith of Ohio, came to Iowa in 1853. Records indicate that his mother was the first white woman to establish a home in Iowa outside of Dubuque.

R.J. Smith was born on a farm in Johnson County, near Iowa City, on May 24, 1873.

He married Addie G. Gary, a native of Cedar County in 1901.

A daughter Mary Frances, born of this union married Dr. Lauren H. Smith, prominent physician and lecturer at Bryn Mawr, Penna. They have two children, Richard and Robert.

Smith was active in the county and state bar associations and the state association of abstractors. He was also active in Republican politics and in Methodist church work.