SMITH, Alonzo 1849-1949

SMITH, SONGER, WALTHER

Posted By: Betty Hootman-Volunteer
Date: 3/23/2014 at 17:05:17

Alonzo Smith Dies At The Age Of 99

The following account of the life of Alonzo Smith is taken from the Keokuk Gate City. One very important part of his life is not mentioned in this story, Mr. Smith told a few years ago of his childhood and said that his father died a few years after his birth, and he and his mother were living with her parents. The country around their home was in turmoil due to the war, he ran away, and was with Sherman’s army near Washington, D. C. at the end of the civil war. A soldier by the name of Patterson took a liking to Mr. Smith, who told that he was an orphan, kept him with the army until the end of the war and brought him to Bloomfield after the war where he was reared.

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Alonzo Smith of Farmington had a strong desire to live to be 100. He almost did that---he died Thursday at the age of 99 years and 7 months. Insurance companies say that is nearer 100 than 99 so Mr. Smith, as far as insurance circles are concerned, was 100 years old. Technically he achieved his desire, although he probably didn’t know it.

A Gate City worker asked his son, Harry smith, owner of the Smith hotel, Farmington, to what his father attributed his longevity. The son thought for a moment and then without hesitation, he replied, “keeping busy.”

That takes a little explanation. Actually, Mr. Smith, the centenarian, did keep busy all but about two of his 99 years. Those two were his last two. He broke his hip at age 97 and had been bedfast since that time.

Born in North Carolina

Alonzo Smith was born in the picturesque little village of Fayette, North Carolina, Dec. 25, 1849. Throughout his nearly 100 years, Mr. Smith had to compete with Christmas for his birthday gifts. But Alonzo Smith was not a jealous man. If it were either a birthday gift or a Christmas present, Alonzo Smith appreciated it, deeply. He was that kind of man.

Smith came to Bloomfield when he was 15 years old. He grew to manhood there and for many years operated a thriving business. He was married to Dora Songer in 1877 at Bloomfield. She preceded him in death in 1903. Three children were born, two surviving him, Harry of Farmington and Mrs. George Walther of Des Moines. There are also seven grandsons. One granddaughter preceded him in death.

35 Years In Farmington

Thirty-five years ago, Smith came to Farmington and since that time, Farmington has been his home. Mr. Smith had a faculty of adjusting himself happily to his surroundings. His son paid a sincere tribute to him when he said that in all the years the older Mr. Smith had lived with him (Harry), there had never been a clash between Granddad and grandchildren. Harry thought that remarkable and it was. Mr. Smith, the elder, had apparently decided years ago that the best way to get along in life was not to express one’s self too vociferously. He never did.

Mr. Smith’s plan of life---long life, was “keeping busy”. After he left the livery business, he had other enterprises which always kep0t him occupied.

In late years his pride centered in gardening. He was conceded to have one of the most attractive, well planned and generally best gardens in Farmington. Even at the advanced age of 96, he produced one of the many fine gardens of his long career. Smith loved working with the soil. He loved to see vegetables come up from his own efforts, plus the cooperation of Mother Nature, the elements and the Divine Providence. When he tired of gardening he went fishing. That was his hobby, if it could be called such. He spent many hours at the sunset of his life at those two pastimes.

If there is any question as to how Alonzo Smith lived to be 99 years old, almost 100 and to seemingly enjoyed every minute of those years, there is a simple answer. He accepted life as it came, he turned sorrow into joy as best he could, he took things “easy”, he enjoyed worki8ng with Mother Nature and he never failed to relax on the shady banks of the river “just fishing”. It was good for his nerves. Alonzo Smith never was troubled with nerves.

He was a man highly respected and was affectionately known to everyone as Grandpa Smith. Although his passing will be mourned he will leave an abundance of pleasant memories.

Funeral services were conducted in the Smith Hotel parlors Saturday at 2:00 by the Rev. John S. Ellis. Interment in the Bloomfield cemetery.

Source: Scrapbook of Unknown Origin, page 118