SMITH, Mrs. Maria: Died 1902

SMITH, DERBY

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 10/10/2016 at 10:13:23

THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 1902.
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 Vermont regiment, returning to his home on the day of her birth. On account 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.

EXTRACT FROM MRS. PERKINS' ADDRESS.

In many instances, death is clearly a messenger of mercy. We have all known of cases in connection with which we should not, we should not have prayed for death to stay away. There are sufferings that only death can heal, and when the grim messenger comes, though we choke with grief, we feel that relief has come.

"When frail Nature can no more,
Then the Spirit strikes the hour,
My servant Death, with solemn rite,
Pours finite into infinite."

I feel certain that the common thought of death is far too gloomy to be consistently Christian. I think we too rarely live up to our privilege of looking beyond the grave to the more real and vivid life of which our faith teaches us. Our funeral ceremonies not seldom press unnecessarily close to the hearts that sorrow, the fact of their bereavement. We should try at least, to think less of the still body, and more of the rejoicing spirit; less of the narrow cell in the grave yard and ore of the mansions in the Father's house. At the best, there is sadness enough, from the passing out of our lives for all the time that we are to continue here, of the person whom death has taken. We ought not to overlook the element of divine goodness, even in death.

The friend in whose honor we are gathered here to-day, had been in many ways the object of a heavenly Father's kindly care. Her years were many, as earthly life-times go. She had seen and experienced losses and bereavements, as all must who live, but life's duties had carried with them much of satisfaction and happiness, as she had performed them. Happily married in her young womanhood, she enjoyed the blessing of fifty one years of companionship with her husband before he was called away. Of the large family of children born of her, all lived to manhood, as has been said, and a majority survive her. She saw them take and well perform their parts in life, and knew the happiness which only a parent's heart can feel, when children grow up in virtue and honor, and become members of society and worthy citizens in this world or God's.

The end came with great suddenness and her children and friends had no time to prepare for it. But her passing from this world was unaccompanied by struggling or pain, and for that we have great reason to be thankful. She had lived her time, she had done her work, and God reached forth his hand and led her home.

"Farewell! Yet not farewell. We meet tomorrow!
For earth's quick fleeting years seem but a day--
That goes, how swiftly, with its joy and sorrow
Lost in the light of grand eternity."

**Handwritten: St. Line Dem. Thurs. 10 April 1902