Winfield Scott Smith (1850-1917)

SMITH, HUCKELL, SHERK, NELSON

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 2/22/2022 at 22:23:11

From Nevada Representative June 26, 1917 (page 1)

SUDDEN DEATH OF W. S. SMITH

PIONEER RESIDENT OF STORY COUNTY DIED OF HEART FAILURE SUNDAY--SHOCK TO COMMUNITY

Winfield Scott Smith, aged sixty-six years, passed away suddenly at his home on North ine street about noon on Sunday last.

Mr. Smith had not been in the best of health for some time, being troubled with illness of the stomach but was not considered in a serious condition. In fact, on Sunday morning he was about the home for a while and when he complained regarding his stomach, a physician was called who left him resting comfortably. Just after dinner, as his daughter, Mrs. Edna Nelson and husband drove up, it was noticed Mr. Smith was breathing heavily and before medical aid could reach his bedside he has breathed his last, surrounded by the member of his family who had been hastily summoned. The cause of death was given as heart failure, being superinduced by the complaint of the stomach from which he had been suffering for sometime.

The deceased was a pioneer resident of Story County coming to Milford township at the age of eighteen years, in 1868, from Mount Vernon, Ohio, where he was born, with his parents. On March 3, 1878, Mr. Smith married Miss Laura H. Huckell at St. Johns, Kans., and the newly married couple made their home at that place for nearly three years, returning to Story County at the end of that time and since making their home here.

About twenty years ago Mr. Smith came to Nevada settling here and becoming prominent in the affairs of the community, serving as City Marshal, a member of the city council and as a justice of the peace for many years.

During his residence in this community Mr. Smith raised a splendid family, who together with his widow are left to mourn him. He leaves three daughters, Mrs. John L. Sherk of Belle Plain, Mrs. Fred W. Nelson of Nevada and Miss Vivian Smith of this city, and one son, Harry W. Smith of Des Moines. Lester Smith, another son passed away three years ago.

There are also left five grand children and three brothers, L. H. Smith of Central Point, Oregon, Eugene Smith of California and Daniel P. Smith of Hood River, Oregon.

The funeral services were held this (Tuesday) afternoon from the Memorial Lutheran church of which the deceased was a member, the services being conducted by the pastor, Rev. Fred Ross Shirck who made a hurried trip from Chicago, where he was attending a session of the Lutheran Synod, to enable him to perform the last rites.

The services at the grave were in charge of the Odd Fellows lodge of which Mr. Smith was a member.