John Smith (1828-1914)

John Smith was born in Vigo county, Ind., on March 5, 1828, and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Alvin Baechler, in this city, January 26, 1914, at the advanced age of 85 years, 10 months and 21 days. He had been gradually failing for a number of years, and a shock to his nervous system caused by a fall several months ago was the immediate cause of his death.

When but a lad seven years of age in 1835, Mr. Smith came with his parents to what is now Yellowhead township and settled on a farm near Sherburnville, where he resided for many years and became known to all as one of the most progressive farmers of those days. Being one of the pioneers of the county he knew the privations that early settlers encounter. Eight years after the family came here, his father died, leaving him, the eldest son, as the head of the family, and this duty was fulfilled with credit to himself.

Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Jane Britton on November 2, 1851, and to this union ten children were born, seven daughters and three sons. Two of these are deceased, the remaining ones being Daniel, Darius and Ansel, of near Sherburnville, Mrs. M.E. Dickey, Santa Ana, Cal., Mrs. Nancy Hayden of Chino, Cal., Mrs. Sarah Hayden, of Providence Forge, Va., Mrs. Lucy Zartman, of Galveston, Ind., and Mrs. Alma Beachler, of Momence. He also leaves 33 grand-children and 21 great-grand-children. His wife died on November 22, 1906.

Mr. Smith united with the Christian church at Sherburnville in his early youth and lived a consistent Christian life. He was a kind and loving husband and father, an obliging neighbor and a good citizen. After the death of his wife Mr. Smith made his home with his children, the last few years residing in this city.

During the Civil war Mr. Smith did not enlist as a soldier, but did noble service as a patriotic citizen. Upon two occasions he and his brother, William, made two trips to the south with car loads of provisions, clothing, etc., for the boys in blue, who hailed them with an enthusiasm that is beyond words. Their last trip was to Memphis, Tenn., in 1863, and there are in Momence and surrounding country today men who shared in the things brought to them on the field of battle by Mr. Smith, and they have nothing but words of praise spoken with deep feeling for his memory.

Mr. Smith was a member of Momence lodge F. & A.M. and Island Park Camp Modern Woodmen of America, being the oldest Woodman in the order. Funeral services were held from the Christian church at Sherburnville on Thursday forenoon, conducted by Rev. Benway, of the Baptist church. The Masons had charge of the services at the grave.

Those who attended the funeral from a distance were Mr. and Mrs. R.D. Zartman, of Galveston, Ind.; Isabel Smith and Floyd S. Hayden, of Chicago; Blanche Hathaway, of Roanoke, Ind.; A.G. Britton, of Anna, Ill.; Jesse Stowell and family and Mr. and Mrs. Will Belshaw, of Shelby, Ind.; and Mrs. T.H. Dyer, of Kankakee. -- Momence Press Reporter.