Asahel C. Smith
Dated March 8, 1923.
“Many Friends Pay Tribute to Asahel C. Smith
Funeral Services for Veteran Held Saturday at M. E. Church
At the ripe old age of 84 years 9 months and 4 days, Asa C. Smith passed
away last Thursday at 9 a.m. a victim of pneumonia. Mr. Smith’s long residence,
his prominence in business, and community life, and his pleasant personality,
made each individual feel his loss keenly. In all his relations with his fellows as
teacher and public official, no one was ever heard to question his integrity or
the honesty of his purposes. In his daily walk in life he manifested those qualities
which commend.
The funeral services were held at the Methodist church, Saturday
afternoon at 2 o’clock. Rev. Young led in prayer following with an enology of
the deceased speaking of the pleasures which he had enjoyed through his short
acquaintance with Mr. Smith. Rev. Young used as his text two favorite passages
of the deceased.
Following the sermon Captain M. Brooks fulfilled a promised made to Mr.
Smith several years ago which he told Mr. Brooks as follows: Cap. When I am
gone the preacher will tell of my good qualities, and I want you to tell of my bad
qualities.
Mr. Brooks in a broken voice complied with the request stating that in his
intimate acquaintance covering a period of 44 years he was unable to recall a
bad quality and with tears streaming down his face he spoke to the dead body
of his comrade: ‘Asa, I have fulfilled your request.’
Favorite songs of the deceased were rendered by a male quarted
composed of Paul Beveridge, Dan Rhoads, Irwin Elliott and V. B. Rhoads.
Six grandsons acted as pall bearers as follows: Ray and Will Vernon, Jess
and Murl Preston, Dee Herdman, and Dale Rhoads
Interment, Woodward Cemetery.
Live Sketch,
Asahel C. Smith was born in Vermont, May 27, 1838 and died at
Woodward March 1, 1923, aged 84 years, 9 months and 4 days.
When he was about two years old the family moved to DeKalb Co., Ill,
settling near Sycamore, where he grew to manhood, acquiring a common
school education, and finishing at Roswell Dow Academy, at Sycamore.
He was married to Maria Holcomb January 1, 1860, at Sycamore, and
they lived in that vicinity till the spring of 1871, when they came to Iowa, settling
in Peoples TSP., Boone County.
In the spring of 1879 they moved to Ogden, Iowa, where his wife died
Nov. 19, 1897, leaving three daughters and one son, one daughter dying in
infancy.
He married Mrs. Emma Phillips, April 15, 1886, at Ogden, and to them were
born two daughters; They moved to Woodward in 1889, where he spent the
remainder of his life.
He united with the M. E. Church in 1891, and was a faithful and consistent
member during all the years following.
Altho well qualified to fill a chair in any ordinary college with credit to
himself, he was content to be only a modest teacher of county schools, and
many men and women here and in this community can never forget his
excellence in his chosen profession, and the high ideals he instilled into their
minds.
In 1861 he volunteered for service in the civil war, and serviced till
discharged for disability; Later he regained his health and again volunteered,
helping to organize a Company, and was made 1st Lieutenant, then Captain of
the Company.
He was an honored and active member of the local G. A. R. Post, and in
this connection it may be stated that his last effort in behalf of others was made
two days before his final illness began, when he delivered a patriotic speech to
the high school students on Washington’s birthday.
During his lifetime he filled many places of trust and honor with credit and
excellent ability; Also, he was assessor of the town of Woodward for 14 years at
a time in life when most men regard themselves too old for active labor.
He possessed a personality and mentality rarely equaled by anyone at
any period in this community, and had a storehouse of knowledge that all were
welcome to draw from as often as they desired for he was never too busy to
help any who called on him whether friend or stranger.
Pure of mind and thot, generous and charitable to the extreme, he died
as he had lived, rue to his high ideals, not rich in worldly goods but indeed rich in
the things that make for noble manhood, richer still in that he was loved and
honored most by them who knew him best.
He was a faithful husband and the kindest of fathers. He leaves his
devoted wife, five daughters, one step-daughter, one son, 18 grandchildren, 20
great grand children and a large circle of friends to mourn his passing.
Asahel C. Smith is gone in the flesh from our midst; His faults we bury with
his body; His virtues we shall never forget.
This community is better because he passed thru it”
This above document was typed by Janet E. Bryant (barijanet@gmail.com) from
a photocopy of the obituary that appeared in the paper. (Unfortunately, the
name of the paper is not known, but it most likely was the Woodward paper.) A
couple of typos were corrected, but otherwise it is as written. Photocopies of
the article will be sent to anyone who requests them.
A few added notes. Dorothy Vernon Bryant, his great granddaughter, said that
Asahel was involved in the Underground Railroad. However, this was not
mentioned until long after his death as feelings still ran high years after the Civil
War was over.