Wallace E. Smith ~ 1846-1910

SMITH, DUER, SANDFORD, MCCOMB, JUSTICE

Posted By: Volunteer - Rhonda Rankin Rowe
Date: 2/19/2002 at 10:25:19

W. E. Smith was born in North Hampton, Ohio, March 17, 1846 and when about five years old moved to Sheboygan County, Wisconsin. In 1863 he came to Van Buren County and in 1864 enlisted in Co. K, 45th Iowa Infantry in which he served until the close of the war.

May 5, 1872 at Bonaparte he was married to Miss Mary S. Duer and to them five children were born, one of whom, Wallace Jr., died March 5, 1880. The surviving children are E. C. Smith of Bonaparte, Mrs. Mary Sanford of Canton Ill., Elmer E. Smith of Oklahoma City, OK., and Roy M. Smith of Cedar Rapids, IA. The good wife and mother died May 27, 1897. There are also two sisters, Mrs. Finette McComb, who has been making her home with Mr. Smith at Bonaparte, and Mrs. H. S. Justice of Hutchinson, KS. There are four grandchildren.

When he first came to Bonaparte he was employed Meek Woolen Mills, part of the time as fireman and again as dyer. For the past twenty years he has been engaged in the lumber business here, having purchased a yard of W. H. Fridley near the present W. A. Packer residence. In 1895 he purchased the old pottery shop location on Front Street near the river and moved his business there where he has since been engaged and where by square dealing and upright citizenship he has made many friends.

He died suddenly Tuesday night of last week at his home after having spent most of the evening with friends and had not complained of being ill. Death came within a moments warning and while he was conversing with his daughter, Mrs. Sandord, who was here visiting with him.

Wallace Smith Jr. died in the same room in 1880 and Wallace Smith Sandford, age 16 months had died there in 1901, making three of the name Wallace to be taken from the same house and room.

He had lived 64 years, 7 months and 28 days; had always taken an active interest in politics, having always been a republican; was a prominent Mason, an Eastern Star, and a member of the Knights of Pythias, G.A.R. and Odd Fellows Lodges.

Funeral services were held at the home Saturday afternoon with Rev. T.L. Smith of the Baptist Church officiating, the service at the grave in the Bonaparte Cemetery being in charge of the lodges.

All surviving members of the family were present at the funeral except Mrs. Justice of Kansas