Smith, George Arthur 1872 - 1957

SMITH, SANBORN, MERRIMAN, SIMMONS, RICE, MCCAUSTLAND, APPELMAN, CRAIG

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 10/23/2024 at 13:55:30

Clayton County Register, 18 July 1957.

The death of George Arthur Smith,, 84, occurred July 09, 1957, at his home following a brief illness. He had been in his usual fair health that day, but took ill following his evening meal and died around 10:00 p.m.

He was the second son of Thomas and Lizzie Smith, born Oct. 25, 1872, on a farm between Volga and Elkader. He was one of five children. A brother and a sister preceded him in death. Two brothers, Charles of Missoula, Montana, and Ernest, who resides on a farm near Volga remain and revere him in their memory.

Mr. Smith spent his boyhood days in and around Volga. He went to the country school and worked as was the custom in those early days. He did not care for farming. When the opportunity came, he entered the hardware business in this town, which he made his life work.

On April 14, 1897, he was married to Miss Ruth Sanborn. They have made their home in Volga, with the exception of four years, when they lived in Grinnell. They lived to celebrate their sixtieth wedding anniversary here about a year ago. Two children, Glenn of Grinnell, and Mrs. Walter (Winifred) Merriman of Cedar Rapids were born to them and survive, also four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

After nearly fifty years in business he sold out and retired due to advancing age. He built two residences in town during his business career.

Services were held Friday at the Methodist church at 2:00 p.m., with the Rev. J. W. Bearse, pastor, officiating. Burial was in the Hill Crest cemetery.

Casket bearers were: Albert Kunzman, L. C. Richards, Fred Gernand, Hugh A. Tenney, G. W. Crandall and Ted Leete. Flower bearers were Mrs. Fred Gernand and Mrs. Clifford Brandt.

Mrs. W. K. Oldfather, organist, accompanied Mr. and Mrs. Donald Whitford, vocalists.

Relatives from a distance who attended the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Smith, Grinnell; Mrs. J. Simmons, Cedar Rapids; Mrs. Willis Rice, Des Moines; Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Sanborn, Lime Springs; Mrs. Wm. Sanborn, Cresco; Mrs. E. McCaustland, Lime Springs; Mr. and Mrs. L. H. Appelman, Clermont; Harold S. Craig, St. Paul, Minn., Dr. and Mrs. John Smith, Arlington; Mr. and Mrs. Walter N. Merriman, Cedar Rapids