JOHN F. SMITH

John F. Smith, one of the early settlers of Blair, passed away at his home on east Grant street Tuesday, May 2nd, 1933 as the result of a paralytic stroke which occurred April 26.

Deceased was born in Marietta, Ohio Feb. 26, 1851, where he lived until maturity. He came to Blair in 1876, and was married the next year to Phoebe Epley of Marietta, Ohio. Their entire married life, with the exception of six months in Ozawa, Iowa, was spent in Blair, and to them five children were born, four of whom are still living. Those surviving who, with the aged wife, grieve deeply over their loss are: Luther at home, Walter at Ft. Calhoun, Eva C. at home, Allen H. of Columbus, Nebraska and six grandchildren. He also leaves a brother, Jacob J. Smith, of Omaha and a sister, Mrs. Lena Schaffer of Marietta, Ohio.

The funeral services are to be held this Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock from the house with Rev. Reese of the Baptist church officiating.

Mr. Smith was a highly esteemed citizen, industrious, energetic and scrupulously honest. He was a member of the Presbyterian church and lived the part.

#2 May 4, 1933 - The Pilot-Tribune

JOHN F. SMITH, 82 VICTIM OF STROKE

RITES HELD ON THURSDAY AFTERNOON FOR WELL KNOWN BLAIR MAN

Seriously ill only seven days, following a stroke of apoplexy, John F. Smith, resident of Blair for the past 57 years, during most of which he was identified with business interests here, died at his home on East Grant street about ten o'clock Tuesday night, May 2.

Some time previously Mr. Smith had suffered a less severe stroke and although he had recovered reasonably well and had been able to visit town frequently in recent months, the second stroke paralyzed one whole side of his body and his recovery was despaired of from the time of its occurrence. Mr. Smith was 82 years, 2 months and 6 days old at the time of his death.

Mr. Smith was born February 26, 1851, on a farm near Marietta, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. He came to Blair in the year 1864 where he lived for one year. On May 5th, 1877, he was married at Marietta to Miss Phoebe Epler and the couple immediately located to Onawa, Iowa, for six months, and then moved to Blair, which had remained their home since that time.

Surviving Mr. Smith are his widow and four children, three sons and a daughter. They are Luther L. and Eva C. Smith, both of whom live at home; Walter W. Smith of Fort Calhoun, and Allen H. Smith of Columbus. Also numbered among the survivors are Jacob J. Smith, a brother, of Omaha, and Mrs. Lena Schaffer, a sister of Marietta, as well as six grandchildren. Mr. Smith was a member of the Presbyterian church uniting with that faith upon its organization in Blair.

Funeral services were held this(Thursday) afternoon at two o'clock from the home at 205 East Grant street, with Rev. Thomas Reese, pastor of the Baptist church officiating. Burial was in the Blair cemetery.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

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