James S. Smith (1853-1918)

SMITH, BURKHART

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 10/5/2015 at 19:53:19

From Nevada Representative April 11, 1918

ZEARING BANKER PASSES AWAY

James S. Smith aged 65 years, cashier of the Zearing State Savings Bank passed away at his home Monday afternoon of pneumonia after weeks illness.

Mr. Smith was one of the best known bankers in the state having organized the bank of which he was an official sixteen years ago and been active in its management ever since. He was a man always active in politics and civic affairs of the community and will be sadly missed in the community and his home.

He was of Irish parentage, being born at Daily Money Ireland, in 1853, and came to America when thirteen years of age. For a while the family lived in Warren township and finally the deceased moved to Zearing thirty-five years ago, settled there and became engaged in the mercantile business. It was at Zearing that he married Miss Jesse Burkhart over thirty years ago and there were five children to bless that union, all of them being prominent in various walks of life today.

The oldest son, Leslie M., is in the service, being a lieutenant at Camp Dodge and the second son, Lawrence enlisted in the special machinists service, leaving for his new duties with the other Story County boys last Friday night. Another son, Donald is studying at Drake University and the other two children, Robert and Helen are still at home.

Mr. Smith was also survived by three brothers, Hugh of Lincoln, Neb., who was present at the funeral and Robert of Los Angeles and Samuel of Galveston, Texas, both of the latter being unable to get here for the final services.

The funeral services were held this afternoon from the Evangelical church of Zearing with the interment in the Zearing cemetery under the auspices of the Masonic order of which Mr. Smith was a member. The services were conducted by presiding elder Stauffacher of Cedar Rapids, both at the church and the grave.

So passeth another pioneer and good man from the community and to his bereaved family and friends we all unite in extending sympathy.