Spencer B. SMITH

SMITH, EVANS, MCVICKER, CHRISTENSEN, DAVIS, BAKER, BARKER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/9/2014 at 16:14:58

November 9, 1890 --- July 29, 1949

HEART ATTACK IS FATAL TO SPENCER SMITH

Dies at McVicker Home Unexpectedly After Aiding With Farm Work

Spencer B. Smith, 59, died unexpectedly Friday night following a sudden heart attack. Mr. Smith died at the C. V. McVicker home, where he was assisting with the farm work, while Cassius McVicker is in Rochester, Minn. He had just walked into the home, when stricken, slumped to the floor, and death came before medical help could be called.

Mr. Smith was a lover of the game of baseball, also the interests of his two sons Spencer Jr. and Ellwyn. Spencer was playing with the Eagle Grove team at Humboldt at the time, and Ellwyn was in St. Louis, Mo., watching the St. Louis-Brooklyn game when notified. He immediately left the group he was with and came home by air.

A former manager of the Farmers Elevator at Nuel, Mr. Smith and his family had farmed the Allen place west of town for over twenty years. Mrs. Smith died a year a go last May. He Is survived by three children, Mrs. W. L. Christensen, Spencer Jr. and Ellwyn Smith, and one grandson Larry Dean Christensen of this city, also one brother and two sisters A. O. Smith of Mt. Vernon, Ind., Mrs. Joshua Davis, Shoals, Ind., and Mrs. John Baker of Paris, HI.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at 1:30 in the, Methodist church, conducted by the pastor Rev. Harrison G. Dawes. The Masonic rites were given by Bower Lodge. Burial was in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Fort Dodge.

Obituary

Spencer B., son of Albert and Jennie Barker Smith, was born November 9, 1890 in Martin county near Loogootee, Indiana. Until a young man of seventeen he resided in the community of his birth, attending school, which for the most part was taught by his father. During vacation time he assisted his father on the farm. At the age of seventeen he came to Wright county, working for about four years for Fred Allen, after tiling for a short time for Perry Musk. On February 19, 1916 he was united in marriage to Myrtle Evans. To this union three children were born, all surviving. They are Spencer B. Jr., Mary Ellen (now Mrs. W. L. Christensen) and Ellwyn, all of Eagle Grove. Soon after his marriage he was appointed as manager of the Nuel elevator where he served for four years. He then moved to the Allen farm which has been his home for the last twenty-eight years. He was interested in community affairs serving as a school director for some time. As a youth in Indiana he regularly attended the Methodist church and Sunday school. He joined Bower Lodge No. 464 A.F. & A.M. and was interested in the Masonic work.

Besides the two sons and one daughter he is survived by two grandchildren, one brother, A. O. Smith of Mount Vernon, Indiana, and two sisters, Mrs. John Baker of Paris, HI., and Mrs. Joshua Davis of Shoals, Ind., many other relatives and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his wife. Myrtle who passed away May 12, 1948, his father and mother, two brothers and two sisters also preceded him in death. He was a devoted husband and a father who was very much a companion to his children. He was especially interested in baseball, playing whenever he could as a young man, and encouraging his sons in their efforts. Every lover of this game in and around Eagle Grove knew and admired Spencer Smith.

Services were held at the First Methodist church in Eagle Grove at 1.30 p. m. Monday, August 1, 1949, with Rev. Harrison G. Dawes officiating. Interment was made on the family lot in Fort Dodge Memorial Park cemetery. A special Masonic service was held at the Wilson Chapel Sunday evening at 8 o'clock by Bower Lodge No. 464 A.F. & A.M. with A. J. Martin presiding, assisted by W. E. Warnes and Russell Blue. Solos were rendered by B. H. Moklebust who was accompanied by Mrs. Burdette Middleton.

Source: Paul Wilde