ERNEST H SMITH

Taken from Marengo Republican News, 11 Aug 1882

Died --At the residence of his parents, in Marengo, Thursday afternoon, Aug. 3rd, 1882, Ernest H. SMITH, of consumption, aged 28 years.  Deceased was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joel SMITH, of this village; as born in DuPage County, where they lived until about the year 1865, when his father purchased a farm about three miles northwest of Marengo, where he grew to manhood's estate.  Always of a studious and persevering disposition he was permitted to enter Cornell College, at Mt. Vernon, Ia., and in 1878 graduated with honors asa civil engineer.  Almost immediately after leaving college he commenced teaching school, and for a year was principal of the school at Osage, Iowa; finding that the confinement of the schoolroom was too much for his never strong physique, and about the same time his father's health failing, he, in
company with his brother, Warren, rented the home farm; but scarcely had he
commenced to work when he was again reminded of the weakness of his
constitution, could not endure the hard work necessary to a farmer's life,
and was compelled to give it up.  But not being contented to be without
something to do until he could regain his health, he formed a co-partnership
with William Lee, his former college chum, and started a book store at
Toledo, Iowa.  After doing a prosperous business for a few years he was once
more compelled to change his occupation on account of poor health.  Still he
would not give up and content himself to come home that his father and
mother, who were both able and anxious, might care for and watch over him
until he should recover a reasonable degree of good health.  In October last, when he had been out of the book store but a few weeks, he in company with J.W. Dillman, a practical printer, purchased the Toledo Times, Ernest assuming the editorial charge of the paper.  He entered into his duties as editor with a great deal of energy, which, in fact, was a characteristic with him;  whatever he did he put into it his whole mind and strength that it might prove a success.  In the late prohibition contest in Iowa he took a radical and strong stand for temperance and reform, and the editorial columns of his paper were teeming with sharp and pithy articles favoring the now adopted amendment.

Although his career in the large field of journalism was so brief, he
exhibited more than ordinary editorial ability for one so young, and had he
been spared for a few more years would doubtless have taken front rank with
the journalists of the day.

A few months ago he left Toledo to visit his parents, and while on the cars was taken very sick, which proved to be the beginning of the end, but he thought otherwise.  We called on him a few times; always finding him cheerful and apparently full in the faith that he would soon be strong enough to return to his field of labor.  He had been home but a short time, however, when the painful fact was forced upon his friends that his days on earth were few.  His sister, Mrs. Edith PRATT, of Toulon, was summoned to see him and remained to render what aid she could to strengthen Ernest and their parents in this hour of sorrow.

Miss Ida L. LOUGHRIDGE, of Toledo, to whom he was to have been married in July, also came to assist in caring for him and be at his side while he 
remained.  She had been here but a short time when it was deemed best that
they should not wait until the time chosen for their marriage, and on
Saturday, June 24th, they were married by Rev. J.K. Wheeler.

Ernest was a most excellent companion, always pleasant but not frivolous.  He was a firm believer in the remission of sins by the death of Jesus of Nazereth, an ernest worker in the Sabbath school, and for three years had been Superintendent of the Methodist Sabbath school, of which church he was a prominent member.  The members of the Sabbath school sent a very handsome floral design of roses and evergreen for the funeral, as a token of their love and esteem for their former Superintendent.

Called to lay aside his armor when every thing seemed so bright and promising, it ws a terrible blow for him, but he was willing that it should be so if it was the will of his God.  He was called to leave a father and mother, for whom he had hoped to be spared that he might lighten their sorrows and brighten their joys in their declining years; to leave his young bride in sore affliction, with whom he desired to journey through life that their sorrows and joys might be shared with one another; to leave a brother and two sisters, who are in great sorrow.

The funeral services were held at his father's residence last Saturday
forenoon, conducted by Revs. J.K. Wheeler and T.F. Borchers, and were
attended by a large number of neighbors and friends sympathizing with the
bereaved, and to pay their last sad tribute of respect to the dead.


Transcribed and submitted by: Lise Embley on 22 May 2002 who can be reached at lembley@mstar2.net and is researching this family.

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