John M. Smith (1862-1889)

SMITH

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 3/1/2011 at 19:45:29

From Story County Watchman February 8, 1889

OBITUARY.--John M. Smith, son of Matthew and Margaret Smith, was born in Finvoy county, Antrim, Ireland, March 5th 1862. He came to this county with his parents in 1866, and to Iowa in 1875. He was the youngest in a family of seven children (all boys), one of which died in infancy. The others are all living. The father died in 1877 and the mother in 1880.

He attended Iowa College at Grinnell two years, and the Agricultural College at Ames one year. He also taught several term of school in this county, and was a member of the firm of Smith Bros. of Zearing. Some over two years ago his health broke down. In the spring of '87 he went to Colorado in the hope of regaining his health but without avail. Early this winter he went in company with his oldest brother to Rome, Georgia, whre he died on Jan. 29, 1889, aged 26 years, 10 months and 24 days.

He had many friends and was well thought of by those who knew him. He bore his sufferings with patience. He did all he could to get well, but was willing to die. The people of Rome, Georgia, where he spent his last days, showed him great kindness and sympathy and did all they could in the way of lending a helping hand. Two years ago he united with the Christian Church of Zearing. He was also a member of the I. O. O. F.

The remains were brought to Zearing where the funeral was held on Saturday morning, they were then taken to the cemetery at Nevada where those of his parents are interred.

B. H. NIEBEL.

From Story County Watchman February 22, 1889

Proceedings of Electric Lodge, No. 332, I. O. O. F., on the death of Brother John M. Smith.

WHEREAS, It has been decreed in the all-wise councils of the great, "I am," the upholder of the universe, that the notes which denote the dissolution of the earthly tabernacle have been heard and felt in our Lodge; that one of our number has been summoned to the land where our father have gone before us, the spirit of our brother, J. M. Smith, a member of Electric Lodge, has been called to join the Grand Lodge above. He departed this life, Jan. 29, 1889, in the twenty-seventh year of his age. Brother Smith united with our lodge by initiation, March 7th, 1885. During his residence among us, he has so amended himself to the community, and more especially to his brother Odd Fellows, by his kindness of heart, always ready to assist the needy, his mildness of disposition, his courteous affability of manner, modest but firm in defending and upholding the principles of our beloved Order; his integrity in all transactions; and by the unassuming modesty of his demeanor.

Th those who are bound to him by the closer and holier ties of kindred we can only offer our heartfelt sympathies in this their hour of affliction.

It is ordered that the Lodge be draped in mourning, and that the brothers wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days. It is ordered that the Secretary spread these minutes upon the records of the lodge, and that he furnish a copy to the family of the deceased.

F. S. NEWTON, Secretary & F. A. ALLEN, N. G.

N. R. CLIFT,
WM. SAPP,
R. A. DOOL,
Committee.

Zearing, Iowa Feb. 9th, 1889.