Obituary : Oscar Benton Smith
Oscar Benton Smith, son of Edwin and Josephine Smith, was born October 9,
1868, near Greenfield, Hancock County, Indiana, and passed away at the home
of his son Merl near Horton, Kansas, Sept. 10, 1931, age 62 years, 11 months
and 1 day. When just a boy of ten years he migrated with his parents,
brothers and sisters to the prairies of the west locating seven and one half
miles southwest of Centralia on a farm October 11, 1878, where he saw the
open prairies become fields of grain. As he grew to manhood his circle of
friends increased in numnbers and in respect and affection for him. He was
married Dec. 25th, 1889 to Miss Elizabeth McDougal of near Centralia, where
they lived on a farm until March 1921, when they moved to the present home in
Centralia. To this union were born five children, four sons and one daughter.
Two sons preceding him in death, Joseph Edwin and Carl Benton. Surviving
children are Walter Robert, Gladys Fern Jenneret, of Centralia, and Merl Evan
of Horton. Others left to mourn his departure are Mrs. Joseph Edwin Smith,
11 grandchildren, his stepmother, Mrs. Emma Smith; four sisters. Mrs. Rosa
Bunn of Rainier, Oregon; Mrs. Mollie R. Thornton, Centralia; Mrs. Jennie
Labbe, Onaga, Mrs. Julia Wright, Laramie Wyo.; three brothers, Walter J.
Smith, Salina; Charles Smith, Forsythe, Montana; Wm. M. Smith, Seneca; and a
host of other relatives and friends. In this home whose influence produced
and developed the sterling qualitiess of industry and helpfulness, was the
kind in which love, devotion to duty, and high ideals unite in the best and
truest example for the development of sturdy character, and for this he is
enshrined in the hearts of his children As we pause to think of the quiet,
unobtrusive life of this our brother, he will appear to us as an upright
citizen, a kind and obliging friend and neighbor, a faithful husband and
affectionate father. "We only know that thou has gone, And that the same
relentless tide, Which bore thee from us, still glides on, And we, who mourn
thee, with it glide." Funeral services were held in the Methodist church
in Centralia, Saturday, September 12, by Rev. Samuel Twombly of Fanning,
Kans., assisted by Rev. L.C. Campbell of Centralia. Beautiful and consoling
words were read from St. John 14th chapter. H.F. Hightower, Josiah Sams,
L.D. Richardson, and L.C. Campbell sang the quartettes, "Sweet Is Thy
Love," and "A Land Where The Light Never" [text missing]
Card of Thanks
We wish to thank our many friends for their kindness shown to us in our
sorrow. Especially do we wish to thank the ministers for their kind words of
comfort, the ones who furnished the music, and for the beautiful floral
offerings. May God's richest blessings rest upon all.
Mrs. Oscar Smith and Children.
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