William V. Smith (1829-1918)

SMITH, WHITINGER, STRATTON, DAVIS, SCOTT

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 3/5/2022 at 15:54:52

From Nevada Representative April 25, 1918 (page 1)

COUNTY'S OLDEST SETTLER DIES

WHILE SON IS BEING BURIED, WILLIAM V. SMITH PASSED AWAY AT HOME OF SON AT IOWA CENTER

While friends and relatives were at the cemetery performing the last sad rites over the body of Abe Smith of Maxwell, aged 88, William V. Smith passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J. Scott of Iowa Center on the old Homestead where he had lived and labored so many years.

Mr. Smith was a man of eighty-eight years when he died and was born in Indiana. He came to Story County over sixty years ago and has since that time spent his life at the little town of Iowa Center. For years he took a prominent part in all the activities of the county an the older residents can recall when he was for years the official mail carrier between Nevada, Iowa Center and Maxwell, in fact he even was prominent before the town of Maxwell was as important a community as it is today.

For the past fifteen weeks he has been bed ridden principally due to old age and in fact ever since the death of his wife, six years ago there has been a slow decline in his health but he never complained nor gave up till he was forced to. Since the past week he has been unusually low and finally death mercifully came in the form of dropsy, just as the last remains of his son Abe was being interred in the little cemetery at Iowa Center. In fact the aged man did not know of his son's fatal illness and death, as he was unconscious practically since Sunday night, which is just the time that his son suffered the fatal stroke.

Mr. Smith is survived by a son, Emmett and three daughters, Mrs. W. B. Stratton of Nevada, Mrs. J. J. Davis of Glidden and Mrs. John Scott at whose home he died.

The funeral arrangements have not been completed as we go to press.

From Nevada Representative April 29, 1918 (page 5)

OBITUARY

WILLIAM V SMITH

William V. Smith was born in Marion Co., Indiana, November 16, 1829 and departed this life in Story Co., Iowa April 24, 1918 at the age of 88 years, 5 months and 8 days.

He was united in marriage with Susannah Whitinger at Millersville, Indiana, Dec. 1, 1853. To this union 6 children were born, two sons and four daughters. In the year 1855 he with his wife came to Iowa and settled in Story county on a farm four miles east of Iowa Center, and four years later bought and moved onto the farm one-half mile east of Iowa Center where they resided for many years. Later they removed to Maxwell, where he lived until the death of his wife which occurred July 19, 1911. After that time he made his home with his daughter Mrs. John Scott who has made many sacrifices that his last years might be pleasant. For many years he has been a member of the United Evangelical church at Iowa Center, although on account of failing health he has not been permitted to attend the services for some time. He was always interested in the church's welfare.

For many months he has been a patient sufferer but was never heard to murmur or complain. He leaves to mourn this loss, three daughters, Mrs. J. L. Davis of Glidden, Iowa, Mrs. John Scott of Iowa Center and Mrs. W. F. Stratton of Nevada. There are fourteen grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren also one brother, Jack, of Indiana, besides many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, one daughter and one son. His son, Abe Smith of Maxwell died Monday, April 22 and the funeral was held Wednesday of this week. He was a kind an loving husband and father and will be greatly missed in the home.

Funeral services were conducted by D. C. Busenberg and C. E. Lookingbill in the church at Iowa Center, Friday, April 26, 1918 at 2 p. m., burial took place in Iowa Center cemetery.