John C. SMITH

SMITH, HARTSOCK, MCGRATH, SHILTZ

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:47

25 March 1847 ----- 26 August 1922

John C. Smith was born in Washington county, Indiana, March 25, 1847. He was the son of George M and Sarah Smith.

In 1860, when 13 years of age he moved with his mother to Worth county, Mo, where he lived for two years. At the end of that time they moved to Iowa, locating in Marion county. After a brief residence here they again moved, locating in Christian county, Ill. In 1896 he moved to Wright county, where he has since made his home.

On May 1, 1873, he was united in marriage to Louisa J. Hartsock and to this union eleven children were born, eight of whom survive. Those living are Edgar of Edinburg, Ill., Harley of Casper, Wyo., Joseph and Parker of Eagle Grove, Ted of Parsons, Kan., Bertha Shiltz of Algona, Guy of Algona, Blanche McGrath of Eagle Grove.

Mr. Smith had been in ill health for the past five years and was operated on a number of times. He suffered greatly but with great patience. He passed away at his home in Eagle Grove, Iowa, at noon August 26, 1922 at the age of 75 years, 5 months and 1 day.

Besides the children already mentioned he leaves his wife, sixteen grandchildren and one great grandchild, to mourn their loss.

He was a member of the Methodist church for more than forty years, also a member of the Masonic lodge for twenty-eight years.

The writer of this obituary has ministered to many dying people but no one has ever shown such a happy and even hilarious trust in God as this man. Always ready to tell of the assurance which God gave him and happy in anticipation of departing and being with Him.

Among the messages which he left for the people were these:

Live for God now. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. Read your Bible.

His last words spoken in a whisper to his pastor, while he pointed heavenward, were, "My faith in God is well founded".

Services were held in the Methodist church on Monday at 2:30. W. G. Muhleman, his pastor preached. The sermon, using as his text the words found in Num. 23:10

Interment was made in Rose Hill cemetery.

EAGLE GROVE EAGLE --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
August 31, 1922

source -- Paul Wilde