J. E. Smith Early Settler Died Sunday-Veteran Implement Dealer and Settler of 1878 Answers Call

James R. Smith, aged 84 years, 4 months and 4 days, passed away last Sunday at the Court View Hospital following a fall which resulted in a broken hip. He had been in failing health for over two years following a stroke from which he never fully recovered.

He was born in Enniskillen, Ireland and when a young man of twenty-one came to this country, settling in Ohio where he continued his residence for five years. He came to Blair in 1878 and secured employment in the Blair foundry operated by William Sharpneck.

In 1883 he severed his connection with the foundry and went into the implement business. He continued in the implement business until 1928 when he retired.

In 1881 he was married to Miss Nellie E. Stewart and to them two children were born, both of whom are still living, Mrs. Florence Smith Laing, of Blair and Grover Smith of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The wife died December 8, 1931, and the deceased has since that time made his home with the daughter, who has made his last days comfortable and happy.

He was a man of exemplary habits and a reputation for fair dealings that was earned through years of business in this community and was well deserved. He was a Mason of long standing and just last year was presented with the fifty year badge for faithful services.

Besides the son and daughter he leaves a sister living in Burlington, Iowa and a brother Ed, living at the home in Blair and a grandson, Richard, in Minneapolis.

Funeral services conducted by the Masonic organization were held Monday afternoon at 3 o’clock from the Bendorf Funeral Home and interment was made in the Blair Cemetery beside his wife who had passed on before him.

The son Grover, of Minneapolis was present at the last sad rites as were two of his business associates.

#2-February 18, 1937- The Pilot Tribune- James R. Smith

JAMES R. SMITH, 84, EX-MERCHANT DIED HERE SUNDAY

RETIRED IMPLEMENT DEALER, WELL KNOWN IN COUNTY IS DEAD…BLAIR RESIDENT IRELAND NATIVE

FUNERAL SERVICES HELD MONDY FOR LONG TIME BLAIR RESIDENT, WHO IN EARLIER DAYS WAS A BLACKSMITH AND MERCHANT.

James R. Smith, 84 of Fourth and Grant Streets, resident of Blair since 1878, died in a hospital Sunday after an illness. Retired for a considerable number of years, Mr. Smith at one time was a blacksmith and implement dealer here. He was well known over Washington County, once having served a term as County commissioner.

Son of Richard and Florence A. Smith, he was born at Enniskiln County Fermanagh, Ireland October 10, 1852 and grew to manhood there. He attended the Irish schools, but did not learn the blacksmith trade until after coming to the United States.

The Smiths came to Burlington, Iowa, in 1882 the father being a gun maker of considerable skill. Coming to Blair nearly 60 years ago, James Smith established himself in the blacksmith business near the site of the present post office building, and ten years later opened an extensive implement shop just east of the present Blair Auction House. He was joined in business by his brother, Ed, who before coming here had been a gun maker, a trade he had learned in Ireland from his father.

Mr. Smith was married to Miss Nellie H. Stewart, a native of Canada, in 1882.

His wife died December 8, 1931, after a long illness. Surviving Mr. Smith are a son, Grover I. Smith of Minneapolis; a daughter, Mrs. Florence Laing of Blair; a brother Ed of Blair; and a sister Mrs. Flora Hood of Burlington, Iowa.

Funeral services were held Monday at 3 p.m. at the Bendorf funeral Home, the Rev. Thomas J. Reese of first Baptist church in charge. Interment was in Blair cemetery.

Members of the local Masonic lodge gave their funeral ritual, Mr. Smith having been prominent in affairs of the lodge for more than half a century, attaining the rank of Knight Templar before his death.

Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clipping on file at the Blair Public Library.

Find a Grave Memorial # 117307062