Granville W. SMITH

SMITH, SAMSON, ROBINSON, ELLSWORTH, CARMAN, COLLINS, STURGEON, LEININGER, BRINKMAN, DRAHEIM, ENGLISH, HAHN, JORGENSON, MCGONIGLE

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 8/1/2012 at 11:40:56

November 27, 1885 --- April 7, 1966

Services Saturday

Funeral services for Granville W. Smith, 80, were held Saturday at 2 p. m. at the Eyler Funeral Home. Rev. Ozlan Mitchell, pastor of the Congregational Church officiated. Burial was in the Evergreen cemetery. Pallbearers were C. E. Brinkman, Newt Draheim, William English, Verlyn Hahn, Theo W. Jorgenson and R. S. McGonigle. Mr. Smith died unexpectedly Thursday at his home. He was born Nov. 27, 1885, the youngest of three children of Lulu and Jesse Smith. Lulu passed away when Granville was seven years old. Jesse married Lena Caroline Leininger, a cousin of Lulu. Granville married Eva Mildred Sturgeon November 4, 1908. This union was blessed with six children: Flora Kathleen, who died in infancy; Jean, Marjorie, Philip, Richard and Jesse. Granville Smith was a lifelong resident of Clarion. He probably knew more about Clarion and its people than anyone living today. He liked people and knew many personally. His father, having established the Smith Furniture store here in 1883, which continued for nearly 75 years through three generations, gave Granville a chance from the time he was a mere boy to know Main Street and its people. In Clarion's centennial booklet was a picture of him as a youth mingling with the people of the street, as he was a daily visitor at his father's store. As time wended its way and he grew into manhood, Granville became a partner with his father. Not only through his furniture store business, but as an embalmer his acquaintances throughout the county grew larger and his knowledge of the early history of Clarion and vicinity broadened. He saw Main Street make one change after another. His acquaintances were not limited to his business for he was a member of the Masonic Lodge; he served in each office of the Odd Fellow Lodge of which he was a member for 55 years; he was a charter member of the Rotary Club. For more than 50 years he was a member of the Congregational church and for many years was its treasurer. After the fire which almost destroyed the church, Granville served on a three-man committee in the supervision of repairing and rebuilding the church. He also found time to be an active member of the Clarion Chamber of Commerce and to serve on the school board for many terms. Mr. Smith continued being active in the furniture and undertaking business until 1939 when his son, Jesse, took over after working as an apprentice with his father for seven years. However, Granville's retirement was not too long for during World War II he again assumed active management until the war ended and his son returned. Granville enjoyed in latter years visiting with his friends in his home, and he love to reminisce for his memories of Clarion were strongly rooted in the Past.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Maude, Mrs. Jack Carman. He is survived by his wife, Mildred, one sister, Mrs. Dan Collins, Clarion, five children, Jesse of Marion, Phillip of Fayettevllle, Ark., Richard of Eugene, Ore., Mrs. John Robinson of Elmhurst, Ill., and Mrs. John Ellsworth of Omaha, Nebr., 17 grandchildren and one great grandchild. Members of the family who came from out of town were Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Smith Jr. and Sarah of Marion, Iowa; Richard K. Smith of Eugene, Oregon; Philip E. Smith of Fayetteville, Arkansas; Mr. and Mrs. John Ellsworth of Omaha, Nebr., Mrs. Jean Robinson of Elmhurst, Ill., Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Samson of Cedar Rapids and Mr. and Mrs. Granville Jesse Smith II of Iowa City.

Wright County Monitor -- Clarion, Iowa
Thursday, April 14, 1966