Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 78, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 April 1915 — Obituary of John W. Smith. [ARTICLE]

Obituary of John W. Smith.

John Warner Smith was bom in Remington, Indiana, Oct. 31, 1874, and when 7 years of age came with his parents to Rensselaer, where he attended the public schools until his parents moved to Chicago when he was 13 years of age. Two years later his parents returned to Rensselaer and continued to make this city their home, but John remained in Chicago and there learned the painting and paperhanging trade. On July 4, 1897, he was married to Miss Bertha Day, of Champaign, 111., and to this union two children were hpm, Floyd and Marie. Marie died June 18th, 1914, after a long illness. Floyd is left to comfort his mother in her hours of sorrow. John W. Smith was the youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. William Smith. His mother still lives and his father died only last January. He also leaves four brothers and one sister, namely, Ben Smith, of Zurich, Mont., Edward Smith, of Chicago, William Smith, of San Pierre, Theodore Smith, of this county, and Mrs. Hirom Day, of Rensselaer. John’s health began to fail about three years ago and in an effort to regain it he moved to Globe, Ariz., but there the health of Marie failed and hoping to restore her to health they returned here, but she continued to fail and finally passed away last June. Soon after that time John was compelled because of his health to give up work altogether and he weakened gradually until three weeks before his death when he was unable to leave his bed and finally the end came Friday nighj, March 26th. Deceased was an industrious and frugal man and a good husband, father and citizen. He was a man of strict honesty and integrity and had a kindly manner that made him many close friends and his funeral was largely attende' by lodge friends and citizens of this city. Dr. Cumick paid high tribute to liis citizenship at the funeral service and spoke comforting words to the sorrowing ones. The body was laid to rest in Weston cemetery beside the grave of his daughter.