SMITH, Thomas J.: Died 1906

SMITH, DUNLAP

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 10/11/2016 at 11:35:24

Thomas J. Smith.

The following account of the death of a former Van Buren county resident is taken from the Milton Herald and is a copy from the Geary Oklahoma Gazette:

"Thomas J. Smith, on of Geary's best citizens and old settler I these parts, died at his home in the north part of the city Friday at the advanced age of 73 years. Funeral services were conducted by Pastor J.S. Krobbell of the Mennonite church, Sunday afternoon. He was assisted in the services by Revs. Long and Peyton.

Thos. J. Smith was born in Augusta county, Virginia, August 14, 1832. Two years later he went with his parents to Logan county, Ohio, where they remained until 1853, when he located to Van Buren county, Iowa.

On April 19, 1856, Mr. Smith was married to Matilda M. Dunlap who survives him. To this union were born nine children, two of whom are dead.

In 1892 the family moved to Oklahoma, locating on the new prairie about three miles northeast of where Geary is now. His health failing, he and his family took up their residence in the city of Geary one year ago.

Besides his friends, who were legion, decedent left four sons and three daughters to mourn his loss. These near and dear relatives have the heartfelt sympathy of all in their hour of affliction."

Mr. Smith at one time resided at Lebanon, and was a son of the late Jas. Smith, a prominent county farmer.

**Handwritten: St. Line Dem. Wed. 14. Feb. 1906

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book G, Page 236, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA