Mrs. Maria Smith

SMITH, DERBY, DAVIS

Posted By: Karen Bergquist Uhr, volunteer
Date: 10/29/2012 at 13:34:49

Passed from Earth
Sudden death of Mrs. Maria Smith Aged nearly 87 years. A Brief Biographical Sketch

Extract from funeral oration by Rev. C. E. Perkins-Music by Mr. and Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Duckworth

Mrs Maria Smith the mother of the writer, died suddenly at noon Monday. She had a few days'sickness early in the winter, but recovered, and except for lameness which made walking difficult, and which was accompanied by considerable pain, she had seemed as well as usual since her recovery.

She had a stroke of apoplexy as the clock was striking 12 Monday, April 7 and passed from earth life 30 minutes thereafter, aged 86 years, 7 months, and 9 days.

Maria Derby Smith was the daughter of Benjamin and Maria Derby and was born at Huntington, Vt., Aug. 28, 1815. In 1830 her parents removed to Jefferson County, New York, where deceased was united in marriage in 1835 to Eleazer Smith. In 1854 they moved to Illinois, where the latter died in 1886. She came to Keosauqua in 1893.

Grandma Smith was the mother of ten children, seven of whom are living, and all of whom lived to manhood and womanhood. Charles C. and W.H. Smith reside at Joliet, Ill, Dr. A.D. Smith resides in Morris, Illinois., Geo. F. Smith, Mrs. W. E. Davis, and Miss Emma A. Smith at Keosauqua and Frank Smith at Luther, Iowa. Lieut. Edwin R. Smith was killed at Petersburg, Va. and Peter B. Smith died in the army at Chattanooga, Tenn in 1864. Walter S. Smith died in Grundy county, Ill., in 1888. Mrs. Smith had at her death 15 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Grandma Smith was born just at the close of the war of 1812, her father who had been an adjutant
in a V...(illegible)nt regiment, returning to his hom..........the day....of moving at an early age to northern New York, which was then a new country, deceased did not have many educational advantages, but the younger members of her father's family were well educated and took leading parts in the world's affairs. One of her brothers was a prominent, perhaps we might say an eminent physician. His home was at Govenour, N. Y. where the late Governor Roswell P. Flower was raised and his wife was a sister of Governor Flower. Another brother was a merchant and large land owner. He visited this country many years ago with a view of establishing a bank.

Grandma Smith possessed a strong individuality. While she was a kind mother, she inspired her children with an ambition to try to do their full parts in the world.

Grandma Smith had from early life been a member of the M. E. church. However for many years past she had attended the Congregational church when her health would permit.

The funeral services were held at her late home yestereday at 2 o'clock. A very appropriate and excellent address was delivered by Rev. C. E. Perkins of the Congregational church. Very beautiful music was furnished by Mr. and Mrs. C.K. Miller, Hrs. H. E. Duckworth and Mr. Perkins. It seemed to us they never before sang so sweetly. The pall bearers were Messrs. M.O. Ketcham, G.W. Davidson, J.W. Burns, H. H. Disbrow, Col. Wilkin, Frank Johnston, the interment being in the Purdom Cemetery.

Source: Margaret Johnson Meek Scrapbook
Newspaper unknown