Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Smith, Lewis R. 1914 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Sandy Heintzelman sheintz@iserv.net March 26, 2011, 11:13 am Portland Observer, 6 Feb 1914 Came Here in 1855 Lewis R. Smith Had Resided in Portland and Vicinity for the Past 59 years. Death Ends Long Illness Final Summons Came Friday Evening at Spinney Sanitarium; Remains are Buried in Portland. After two years of failing health, during which time his case had been regarded as hopeless, Lewis R. Smith, a resident of Portland for 59 years, died suddenly at the Spinney sanitarium, in Smyrna, last Friday evening. Charles VanHorn, a lifelong acquaintance of Mr. Smith, was with him when the summons came. The remains were brought to Portland on the noon train, Saturday and taken to the home of Mrs. Katherine Smith, a sister-in-law, where funeral services were conducted Tuesday morning at 10:00 o’clock, by Rev. W. W. Slee, of the Methodist church. Interment was in Portland. Mr. Smith’s affliction was bladder trouble from which he had been a terrible sufferer for the past two years. Although his case had long been considered hopeless, Mr. Smith did not lose courage and went to the Spinney sanitarium only about a week preceding his death, where he expected to gain permanent benefit. His death was extremely sudden. Deceased was a member of a family of eight children, only two of whom are now living. These are Charles C. Smith, of Portland, and Wm. T. Smith of Pine Castle, Fla. George R. Smith, for many years a local jewelryman, was one of the brothers. Born at Oaks’ corners, near the village of Phelps, N.Y., April 13, 1842, Mr. Smith was in his 72d year when removed by death. He came to Portland with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thorn Smith, in 1855, the family settling on a farm east of the village now occupied by Jos. Williams. Upon reaching the age of 21 Mr. Smith left the parental home to shift for himself. For three years he worked as a farm hand at various places in this community, and in 1867 he settled in the village, where he followed the occupation of a carpenter for many years. The houses now occupied by Mrs. Katherine Smith, Mrs. Agnes Gunn and Miss Frances Case are examples of his ingenuity in this line. About 25 years ago Mr. Smith engaged in the grocery business here, and was active in this line until about 13 years ago, when he retired to a life of comparative ease. He never married, but appeared to enjoy his manner of living fully as much as the average man enjoys the hours spent with his family. Mr. Smith derived as much pleasure from the automobile purchased a couple of years ago as a youngster gets from a mechanical toy. For many years, Mr. Smith had devoted his winters almost entirely to trapping and hunting, and it is doubtful if Portland has ever contained a man more familiar with the traits of Michigan wild game. Mr. Smith had accumulated a modest fortune, which enabled him to spend his declining years in comfort. ---- Chas. VanHorn, who accompanied the remains of Lewis R. Smith to Portland Saturday, returned to the Spinney sanitarium at Smyrna, Monday, where he is taking treatment for rheumatism. ---- Those from out of town who attended the funeral of Lewis R. Smith Tuesday were Mr. and Mrs. O. C. Lungerhausen, of Mt. Clemens, the latter a niece of Mr. Smith; Thorn Smith, of Detroit, and Harry Smith, of Lansing, nephews of deceased. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/obits/s/smith11021nob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/ File size: 3.8 Kb