Charles Chapin Smith 1830-1902

SMITH, ROTH, CRESAP, JEROME, EINFALT, LORTON, DOUD

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 10/19/2001 at 07:35:41

Born, in Warrington, Virginia, August 31, 1830, died May 2, 1902, at Chicago, Ill., Charles Chapin Smith, age to 71 years, eight months and 1 day. Services under auspices of the Masonic order: burial in Bonaparte cemetery.

Deceased removed to and located in Iowa when a young man and learn that tinner's trade with Mr. Roth in Farmington. In 1864 he removed to Bonaparte and a year later, or on January 22, 1865 married Maria Louise Cresap. To them were born two daughters and one son, one daughter dying in infancy.

For many years deceased was a merchant in our city dealing in hardware and after he disposed of this the family removed to California where nine happy years were spent in the land of sunshine. But long residence here had filled his nature with a love for this place and he returned and has since called Bonaparte home although a considerable time has been spent abroad. For some two and a half years he with the wife had been making his home with a daughter Jenny in Chicago and it was there that the end came so unexpectedly last Friday.

For many years deceased has been identified with the Masonic fraternity, and he derived much happiness from at the associations membership in this noble order brought to him. He joined Bonaparte Lodge No. 73 in May, '65 and was also one of the charter members of Lafayette Chapter No. 61, organized in 1870. This order that he loved in life, lowered the body of the dear friend into the tomb last Sunday with impressive ceremony and the duty was a sad one, indeed.

The body was accompanied to this city on Saturday by the grief stricken wife and daughter and was conveyed to the home of his son, where, amid a bank of flowers it rested until the saddened friends carried it to the last resting place in the cemetery here.

The funeral services were first conducted at the home and were in charge of Rev. Duty, who spoke soothingly to the bereaved ones and paid tribute to the friend of not only today but of boyhood, for they were boys together. After the conclusion of this service, the Masons, who attended in a body, took up the work and followed the car to the cemetery. After a short service the body was lowered into the tomb.

Owing to the shortness of notice, relatives were unable to be at the bedside or at the last rites. Mr. Smith had been a sufferer from asthma for over fifteen years, and it was this which ultimately caused his death. Barely a week had elapsed from the final attack until the soul had returned to its maker and only on Thursday was the case considered hopeless. Word was then dispatched to the relatives, followed the next day by the sad intelligence that life had ended. The father had expressed a desire to see his boy and Marsh is heartbroken that the wish could not be gratified.
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It was last year that the family was reunited in this city and another happy reunion had been planned for this week when little Charles Verle, son of Mr. and Mrs. M. J. Smith was to celebrate his birthday. But on the day in question the grandfather, for whom the little child was named, was laid to rest in his long sleep.

Mr. Smith had long hoped for the time when he with his family could again reside in Bonaparte and only the evening before the end it had all been arranged that a home would be made here in the near future.
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Many beautiful floral decorations accompany the remains, from Chicago friends.
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The father is sleeping in the ground that he has ever loved. Since coming here some fifty years ago, he has ever been partial to Bonaparte as a place of residence. He rests beside the daughter, Irene, who died many years ago.
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And old resident is gone and our city feels her loss keenly.
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Those left to mourn the loss are, a wife, two children, M. J. Smith of this city and Mrs. Jeannette Jerome of Chicago; two sisters in California, Mrs. E. J. Einfalt of Gilroy and Mrs. Hortense Lorton of San Matao [sic]; two brothers and one sister in Athens, Mo., J. W. Smith, Albert Doud and Emma Smith.
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We wish to thank the Masons as well as other friends for kindness during our bereavement.

Mrs. C. C. Smith and children.
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I am NOT related and am posting this obit for those who may find this person in their family history.