Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Smith, Chester R. 1899
************************************************
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:
Marilyn Ransom mlnransom@chartermi.net August 3, 2010, 3:38 pm

The Ionia Daily Standard, Wednesday, October 18, 1899
Chester R. Smith was released from a hopeless bed of suffering at 10:30 last 
night.  It was nearly two months ago that he was compelled to quit work, and 
it was evident almost from the first that his days of usefulness on earth were 
over; he early showing symptoms of softening of the brain, which complicated 
with stomach trouble, carried him rapidly downward.  The first news of his 
hopeless sickness caused a shock of surprise, as he was apparently in the full 
strength of a vigorous maturity, and had exhibited no symptoms of physical 
weakness to cause apprehension.  It is now recalled, however, that he had 
complained of pain in his head, more or less, for the previous six months, but 
he had kept steadily and faithfully about his business, and it was not 
regarded as cause for alarm.

He was born in Cayuga county, N.Y., July 19, 1848.  When only about fourteen 
years old his father, Jacob Smith, moved to Oakland county, this state, and 
about 1863, to Boston, this county.  Deceased was married there July 3, 1873 
to Miss Ella L. Cronkite, and continued to reside in South Boston until 1883 
when they took up their residence in this city, which has since been their 
home.  For the last nine years he has been an officer of the State House of 
Correction, where his faithful attention to duty has caused him to be retained 
through successive changes of administration.  

He leaves a wife and two children; W. Walter and Miss Elizabeth.  Their eldest 
died in childhood.  He also leaves three brothers: Munson and Harrison of 
Stanton; and one sister, Harriet F., widow of Webster Cilley, of Lowell.

Deceased possessed to a high degree the qualities of a good citizen.  He was 
honest, industrious, quiet and unobtrusive, but sympathetic and helpful in his 
neighborly relations, affectionate in his family—trustworthy and faithful in 
all his duties, possessing a high degree the confidence and respect of his 
associates and acquaintances.

He was a member of the Wabasis tent K.O.T.M. and of the Court of Honor, having 
$1,000 insurance in the former and $2,000 in latter for benefit of his family.

The funeral services will be at family residence, Harter street, at 9:30 
Friday morning, conducted by Rev. C. Mendenhall, chaplain of the State House 
of Correction.  Interment will be in South Boston cemetery, in the 
neighborhood where he lived before coming to Ionia.  Friends desiring to view 
the remains can do so from 5 to 8 Thursday evening.

Subsequent Publication:  The Ionia Daily Standard, Friday, October 20, 1899

The funeral services for Chester R. Smith took place at the family residence, 
Harter street, this morning, conducted by Chaplain Mendenhall, of State House 
of Correction, who spoke from the text, “Now we see as through a glass, 
darkly.”  The discourse was an admirable one for the occasion and he spoke of 
the conscientious fidelity of deceased to his duties as an officer of the 
state institution as most praiseworthy.  The music was by Mr. Thane Benedict 
and Miss Greta Benedict, the selections being appropriate and excellently 
rendered.

The attendance was quite large, including a number of officers from S. H. of 
C., and representatives from the Maccabees and Court of Honor, each of which 
societies furnished an escort of honor.  The bearers were A. W. Sayles, Jerome 
Walker, H. L. Haight and Harry Jennings, officers of S. H. of C.  The 
Maccabees furnished bearers to serve at the burial at South Boston cemetery, 
and a detail for the ceremonies at the grave.

The floral tributes were quite numerous, including beautiful pieces from the 
two beneficiary societies above named, from officers of S. H. of C. and family 
friends.


File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/obits/s/smith7644nob.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/

File size: 4.3 Kb