FORMER BLAIR MERCHANT DEAD

Jared J. Smith of Florence Passes at Age of 79, Remembered Locally

OWNED APPLE FARM

Jared J. Smith, remembered by cider residents here as J. J. Smith, pioneer Blair merchant, died at his home several miles north of Florence Saturday night after a prolonged illness. He was 79 years old. Death took him from exactly the spot on which his life in Nebraska began.

It was known as Red Apple farm, a monument to 50 years of labor. The 30 acre tract, purchased in 1900 from a portion of the fertile soil first acquired by his father, is noted throughout the United States as one of the finest fruit producing farms.

Mr. Smith, whose long and varied career in Omaha and Blair, carried him into the halls of education and commerce, as well as to the soil, was born in Centerville, Iowa in 1855. He came to Nebraska at the age of three in a creaking covered wagon.

His schooling, which was to be tragically interrupted before its conclusion by his father’s death, began in Omaha. He studied at the University of Nebraska law school and was valedictorian of his class. When 22 Mr. Smith returned to Omaha and became a school superintendent. Later, he served several years as a member of the Omaha board of education, then going to Winnebago as government Indian trader for the Omaha tribe.

A few years later he settled in Blair, operating the general merchandise store. While here he held the one strictly political position of his lifetime as member of the Blair city council.

Returning to Omaha, after spending several years in business here, Mr. Smith operated a yeast factory. He did not establish his home at Red Apple farm until 1908. Since that time the farm has occupied his entire attention.

His widow, together with one son and two daughters, survive. Mrs. Smith is also remembered by old Blair residents

Funeral services were conducted by the Masonic lodge at Florence Tuesday afternoon. Burial was in Omaha. p> ~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

FindaGrave # 73053779