Louisa J. (Hartsock) SMITH

HARTSOCK, SMITH, SHILTS, MCGRATH

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

Louisa J. Hartsock Smith

April 18, 1855 ---- October 15, 1922

Mrs. J. C. Smith
Louisa Hartsock was born at Grove City, Ill. Christian county, April 18th, 1855, and grew to womanhood. At the age of seventeen she was united in marriage to John C. Smith on May 1, 1872. To this union eleven children were born, eight of whom survive: Edgar, of Edinburg, Ill.; Harley, of Casper, Wyo.; Joe, of Eagle Grove, Iowa; Parker, of Burlington, Iowa; Ted, of Parsons, Kans.; Bertha Shilts of Algona, Iowa; Guy of Algona, Iowa; and Blanch McGrath, of Eagle Grove, Iowa. There are seventeen grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Louisa J. Smith lived the early part of her life in Christian county, Ill., and came to Iowa in 1895, when she and her husband located on a farm near Woolstock, Iowa, where they resided until 1900, when they retired, moving to Eagle Grove, Iowa, where she has made her home up to the present time. She was a member of the Methodist church for the past forty years and a member of the Eastern Star for the past twenty-one years. She died at the hospital in Algona, Iowa, Oct. 15, 1922, at the age of 67 years, 5 months and 15 days.

The last year of Mrs. Smith's life was filled with more trouble and misfortune than is the usual lot of an ordinary individual over a span of years or a lifetime. Her husband J. C. Smith, preceded her to the great beyond but a few weeks ago. Prior to his death he was bedridden and for months his death was expected at any time. But Mrs. Smith never lost heart or hope, patiently assisting in his care until she was incapacitated by a fall in which she sustained a broken hip. Even then she was never discouraged. The doctors held out no hope for her recovery after her fall but she did recover, regained almost the complete use of her limb and was able to get about unassisted. She possessed in abundance, unusual courage, rare fortitude and the ability to face adversity with calm serenity and cheerfulness seldom equalled and never excelled.

Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
October 19, 1922