Obituary : Edwin Smith
Edwin Smith Dead
Edwin Smith died at his home in Centralia Tuesday afternoon. Mr. Smith was
one of the early settlers in this community and for many years lived on his
farm in Neuchatel township. Every one knew Edwin Smith and liked him. He was
a soldier in the civil war and a member of the G.A.R. Post. He has been in
poor health for a number of years. When he could no longer take care of his
farm he moved to town. He was always bright and cheerful and seldom
complained. During the past two years he has been confined to the house most
of the time. When he was able to be taken out he enjoyed it and it was a
great pleasure to him to meet and greet his friends. The funeral services
were held yesterday afternoon at the home. Interment in Mulberry cemetery.
Edwin Smith
Edwin Smith was born September 26, 1842, near Greenfield, Hancock county,
Indiana, and died April 5, 1921, at his home in Centralia, Kansas. His
boyhood and youth was passed at his parent's home among the dense forests of
Indiana, attending school with his brothers and sisters, and helping clear
away the forest growth to replace it with growing crops. When nearly twenty
years old, in response to a call by the President of the United States for
troops, he enlisted August 13, 1862 in Co. B of the 99th Indiana Infantry,
which was mustered in at Indianapolis. His was the usual life of the Civil
War volunteer; suffering from insufficient food and clothing; bivouacing
without shelter, often supperless, in the mud and rain after a hard day's
march, crossing rivers on pontoons; building corduroy roads; or being
detailed on foraging expeditions. His company was often sent forward on
skirmish lines, and was in the battles of Missionary Ridge, Dallas,
Jonesboro, the severe fighting near Decatur, and the desparate engagements
before Atlanta. He was with Gen. Sherman in the memorable "March to the
Sea," through the swamps of the Carolinas and the quicksands of Georgia,
and was honorably discharged June 5, 1865. He was married to Josephine
McCray on Sept. 14, 1865, and made his home in Indiana, Missouri and Indiana,
consecutively, until his arrival in Kansas in 1878. He located permanently
in 1880 on the farm seven and one-half miles southwest of Centralia, where,
about one year later his wife passed away, leaving to his watchful care four
children, one son having died in infancy. At Centralia, Kansas, January 23,
1883, he was united in marriage to Emma A. Lonsdale. Six children blessed
this union, but sorrow visited the parents in the loss of little Vera, two
years old, and baby Bertha, at the age of eleven months. After twenty-nine
years of usefulness, happiness and prosperity on the farm; years in which he
saw the open prairies become fields of grain; years in which his circle of
friends increased in number and in respect and affection for him; years in
which he saw his children leave him to establish new homes; his failing
health caused him to retire from the active life of the farm. In 1909, he,
with his wife and two children, Julia and William, who were still in the
home, located in the pleasant dwelling in Centralia where he resided until
his death. Our dear relative and friend was a man of unusally pleasing
personality. To him life was a joy, and his keen wit, cheerful manner,
clear judgment and kindly interest in others won friends without number. He
loved to read and was well informed on affairs of world, as well as national
interest. He was intensely interested during the World War, in all
pertaining to it, and it was a source of pride to him that a son and three
grandsons were in their country's service. He was a helpful member of the
Christian Church for nineteen years, his faith never wavering from the
teachings of his Christ. He was a kind husband, and a father who ever held
the love and respect of his children. During the years of his sickness and
the last weeks of his suffering he was most patient and ever thoughtful and
considerate of those who cared for him; especially so of his wife, who
omitted nothing which might add to his comfort, or relieve his pain. Of this
he was very appreciative, and even during his most intense suffering was
desirous that she should not be too greatly wearied. In the minds and hearts
of relatives and friends he will long dwell, his life to them a precious
memory of the good qualities, friendly cheer, and generous kindness of an
admirable character. Funeral services, conducted by Rev. Moore, of
Vermillion, assisted by Rev. Bussey, were at the home, where the number of
friends attending and the many floral offerings expressed the esteem in which
the departed was held. By his desire his body was borne by three sons and
three grandsons to its resting place in the Smith lot, Mulberry cemetery.
Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Emma A. Smith, and children, Mrs. Rosa M. Bunn,
Nocon, Montana; Chas. M. Smith; Howard Smith, Howard, Montana; and Mrs.
Mollie R. Thornton, Oscar B. Smith, Walter J. Smith, Mrs. Jennie M. Labbe,
Mrs. Julia M. Wright, William M. Smith, of Centralia, Kan.
Card of Thanks
To the friends who so kindly gave us their comforting aid in the home; to the
friends and organizations who expressed their sympathy by offerings of
beautiful flowers; to those who supplied sweet music at the funeral services;
and to those who, at the cemetery, gave their assistance and whose
thoughtfulness prompted the placing of inscriptions and decorations about the
grave, we are most heartily grateful.
-- Mrs. Edwin Smith and family.
[Meet the Family!]
[Obituaries]
Copyright © 1995-2003 by David Harper and Lynne Marie Stockman
All Rights Reserved
Designed and maintained by
Obliquity
Last modified on 1 January 2003
http://www.obliquity.com/family/obituary/smith02.html