DAVID SMITH
From
page 1 of the June 13, 1912 issue of The Sumner Press
Sumner, Lawrence County, Illinois
The
Death Messenger
Has Invaded Our Midst Calling
the Youth and Aged
Since
our last issue, two of our citizens have been called to their long home and are
no more with us in this life. On
Saturday morning about nine o’clock, David Smith, one of the oldest residents
of the county, closed his eyes to this mortal life after many weeks of
suffering. A few months ago Mr.
Smith was stricken with his last illness and grew rapidly worse.
His family and friends thought the end was near, but he rallied and lived
until last Saturday morning. He was
one of the best known citizens of this section of the county, had lived long
past the allotted span of human life. His
life story is well told in the following obituary used at his funeral service.
David
Smith was born December 25, 1827 in Clark County, Ohio, near Springfield,
residing in that state until the outbreak of the Mexican War, in which he
enlisted. His reminiscences of that
conflict were of special interest, as he was in the army when the region of
Mexico City fell into the hands of the American troops.
While in this war, Brother Smith received a wound that remained unhealed
till his death. His enlistment
occurred May 24, 1847.
Following
the war, Brother Smith came to Illinois, locating in Lawrence county, of which
he remained a citizen until his death. His
long residence gave him a familiar knowledge of local and general events.
His memory appearing clear, it was also of interest to hear him recite
pioneer movements, even those attending the early travel of his ancestors from
North Carolina in the early history of our national life.
Receiving
an honorable discharge from the military service on October 11, 1848, he
returned north and was married to Caroline Fox, October 2, 1854.
To this union were born eleven children, eight of whom – four sons and
four daughters – survive him, one daughter and two sons passing away in
infancy.
Brother
Smith lived in the neighborhood some six miles northeast of here for many years.
Following the death of his wife and remarriage to Mrs. Mary Lewis in the
autumn of 1897, he moved to Sumner, where he has since resided.
On the loss of his companion, he was wedded to Elizabeth Morgan, July 26,
1898, followed in the course of time by her passing from earth, when in 1902,
September 8, he was married to Clara E. Beck of Mt. Carmel, who survives him.
In
the years of Brother Smith’s early life he with his first companion united
with the Methodist Protestant church of their local community.
Unfortunately this membership was broken in the course of time and
Brother Smith appeared neglectful in personal spiritual matters until during his
last protracted period of illness he acknowledged his faith and trust in Christ,
obtaining much consolation from prayer and meditation on the heavenly promises.
Within the last few months he with his wife took membership with the
United Brethren church in Sumner.
On
June 8, the long pilgrimage of Brother Smith ended when he was eighty-five
years, five months, and thirteen days of age.
Realizing the end must be very near, he appeared to hope for the hour of
his release.
Funeral
services were held at Pleasant Hill
church Sunday morning, May 9th, conducted by Rev. Clarence Defur,
pastor of the Christian church of this city, and interment made in the Pleasant
Hill cemetery. The deepest sympathy
of the community is with the bereaved companion and family.
(Transcriber’s note: David Smith’s wives were Caroline M. Fox; Mary Etta Hoggins Lewis; Elizabeth McMahan Hampton, not “Morgan” as the obit states; and Clara E. Beck. The war wound that never healed was “chronic suppurating” and located on the “back hip.”)
David Smith and Caroline M. Fox Smith had the following children:
i. Laura Belle (15April1857-14May1930) m. David P. Stoltz
ii. Sarah Florence (1859-1918) m. Isaac K. Vanatta
iii. Alice A. (1864-1918) m. (1) Henry B. Couchman and (2) Mr. Westall
iv. Charles David (1867-before 1930)
v. William Milton (20July1870-16September1940) m (1) Mollie Heath and (2) Lena Burgenor
vi. Grace C. (1872-1935) m. Elmer Updike
vii. Egbert Abraham (1876->1940)
viii. Frederick A. (1879- )
ix. infant son
x. infant son
xi.
infant daughter
After discharge
from the army in 1848, David Smith joined his father, Abraham Smith, for four
years of business driving stage coach between Lafayette, Indiana and St. Louis,
Missouri, hauling passengers and goods. The
midpoint of the route was Palestine, Illinois on the west side of the Wabash
River and the two men would overnight at an inn owned and managed by McKendree
Fox and his wife.
David’s wife, Caroline, was the daughter of McKendree Fox.
David Smith was a member of the Board of Supervisors for Lawrence County, Illinois, in 1880s.
Information provided and transcribed by Sue Stine
9 Apr 2000