Smith, Mary Zita Frances 1897-1899

SMITH

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 2/23/2012 at 06:46:39

From the Alton Democrat of Dec 16, 1899 p.23

At noon on Wednesday last the angel of death invaded the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dr. Smith and took from them their little baby girl, Mary Zita Frances, aged two years. The little one had been sick for two and a half weeks with a complication of ailments. Scarlet fever first attacked the citadel of her sweet young life and diphtheria, followed later by croup, completed the work.

It is a trying hour for parents thus bereaved and yet the knowledge that they are the father and mother of an angel in heaven should bring solace to the aching heart. For after all He knoweth best who says, "Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

Owing to the nature of her sickness the last sad rites were performed on Wednesday evening at the house and the little one was buried in the Alton cemetery the same evening. It is superfluous to say the heartfelt sympathy of the community goes out to the parents in their hour of sorrow.

(From the Sioux county death records, Mary Zita Frances 2yrs 2 mo. 14 days died Dec 14, 1899 buried St. Mary’s Cemetery Alton IA. There is an account of the family in the Alton St. Mary’s church book. (In this book it is stated Mary Frances Zita was born 1894 and died 1896, which is contrary to this article in the Alton Democrat, or it could be a second child named the same??) In that family account in the church book the father was Dr. Ferdinand Smith born 1862 died August 1948. Mrs.(Anna) Smith was born 1864 – 20 Jan 1934. They are both buried in St. Mary’s. They had seven children Anna Mae and Alice were both nuns, Two sons Dr. Martin of Manning IA and Dr. Wilferd of Trinidad. Also, there was a daughter Olga born 1893. and Laura. )