Mrs. Mary (Gibson) Smith 1815-1907

SMITH, GIBSON, GOFF, GODOWN

Posted By: Volunteer - Karen DaPra
Date: 10/12/2002 at 02:53:56

NONAGENARIAN PASSES AWAY
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Last Saturday, Aug. 17, 1907, occurred the death of Mrs. Mary Smith on the old Smith homestead in Des Moines township, this county, where she had lived since 1851. She was born in Pennsylvania in 1815, and had she lived until October 15, of this year, she would have been 92 years old. Her husband Wm. Smith died in 1883. She leaves four children, viz.: Sylvester Smith, of Scotland county, Mo.; Ellen Goff, of Ottumwa; Mrs. George Godown, who with her husband, for the last few years, has lived with her mother; and J. S. Smith, of Keosauqua. The funeral was held at M. E. church, near her home, on Sunday afternoon, and the interment was in the Hoskins cemetery.

Since the above was put in type the following obituary notice was received: Mary Gibson Smith was born in Milton, Penn, Oct. 15, 1815; was married to Wm. M. Smith Aug. 2, 1842; was converted in 1846; moved to Iowa in 1851, ever since residing at her late residence. To this union seven children were born, three having preceded her to the spirit world. She leaves to mourn her demise two sons and two daughters, also many friends and neighbors. She was a member of the Methodist Protestant church and was faithful unto the last. She had been sick several months but bore her sufferings patiently until God took her. She departed this life August 17, 1907, her age being 91 year [sic], 10 months and 2 days. Funeral services were held at the Mt. Zion M.P. church, Sunday, Aug. 18, at 3 p. m., conducted by Rev. A. D. Huff, assisted by Rev. Gilbert.

(Photocopy of this obit is located on page 66 of Obit Book A found in the Van Buren County, Iowa Genealogical Society's collection at the Keosauqua Public Library in January 2000. Name and date of newspaper not given.)

I am NOT related to this person and am posting it for those who may find him/her in their family tree.

[Original Post 29 January 2000]