Nelson Smith (1837-1920)

CRAWFORD, CUMMINS, RUNNELS, SMITH

Posted By: Eileen Reed
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:53

August 2, 1837 --- December 1,1920

LINCOLN PIONEER CALLED

The Civil war veterans are fast being called one by one and to the ranks of the departed ones another has been called to that home not made by hands but eternal in the heavens.

Nelson Smith was born August 2, 1837, in Fayette county, Ind., being the tenth child of a family of twelve children of Jacob and Margaret (Runnels) Smith of English and Scotch ancestry. When nineteen years of age he came with his parents to Louisa county, Iowa. Mr. Smith received a common school education in the pioneer schools of Indiana and Iowa. After leaving school he engaged in farming until January, 1863, when he enlisted at Mr. Pleasant, Iowa, in the Union army of the Civil war, being a member of Co. K. of 4th Iowa cavalry. He participated in the battles at Georgetown, Miss., Selma, Ala., the capture of Montgomery, Ala., Columbus, Ga., and skirmishes too numerous to mention. He was honorably discharged from the service in August, 1865, at Davenport, Iowa.

After the war he returned to Washington county, Iowa, and purchased a small farm, where he engaged in farming. On November 3, 1868, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Mary Elizabeth Crawford. In March, 1876, they came to Webster City, and drove across the prairies to the present country home, where they have braved many hardships and disadvantages of the early settlers of this locality. He has seen and participated in the transition of an unsettled country and the progress of this community for nearly forty-five years.

To their union were born four children, William Everett of Clarion, Anna Jane (deceased), Frances Elizabeth (Mrs. Wm. J. Cummins) of Britt, and Ralph Perry of Clarion. All of whom excepting Anna Jane are left together with a loving wife and four grandchildren to mourn his departure from this life. He also leaves one brother, who resides at Pawnee City, Neb., but owing to poor health was unable to be present at the funeral.

Mr. Smith, who was 83 years, 3 months and 29 days of age, had enjoyed fairly good health until the Monday evening before his death when he showed signs of physical weakness which continued until Wednesday evening, December 1st when the end came at 6:10 o’clock. He was reared in the United Presbyterian faith in which he continued to live throughout his life.

The funeral services were conducted from the home Saturday morning at 10 o'clock with Rev J. F. Jamieson of the United Presbyterian church officiating and the remains laid to rest in the Evergreen cemetery.

"I go to life and not to death;
From darkness to life's native sky.
1 go from sickness and from pain
To health and immortality
Let our farewell, then, be tearless.
Since I bid farewell to tears;
Write this day of my departure
Festive in your coming years.”

***
[Transcriber’s Note: Obituary transcribed as published.]

Wright County Monitor --- Clarion, Iowa
December 8, 1920