Obituary : Oscar Benton Smith

Oscar Benton Smith, son of Edwin and Josephine Smith, was born October 9, 1868, near Greenfield, Hancock County, Indiana, and passed away at the home of his son Merl near Horton, Kansas, Sept. 10, 1931, age 62 years, 11 months and 1 day. When just a boy of ten years he migrated with his parents, brothers and sisters to the prairies of the west locating seven and one half miles southwest of Centralia on a farm October 11, 1878, where he saw the open prairies become fields of grain. As he grew to manhood his circle of friends increased in numnbers and in respect and affection for him. He was married Dec. 25th, 1889 to Miss Elizabeth McDougal of near Centralia, where they lived on a farm until March 1921, when they moved to the present home in Centralia. To this union were born five children, four sons and one daughter. Two sons preceding him in death, Joseph Edwin and Carl Benton. Surviving children are Walter Robert, Gladys Fern Jenneret, of Centralia, and Merl Evan of Horton. Others left to mourn his departure are Mrs. Joseph Edwin Smith, 11 grandchildren, his stepmother, Mrs. Emma Smith; four sisters. Mrs. Rosa Bunn of Rainier, Oregon; Mrs. Mollie R. Thornton, Centralia; Mrs. Jennie Labbe, Onaga, Mrs. Julia Wright, Laramie Wyo.; three brothers, Walter J. Smith, Salina; Charles Smith, Forsythe, Montana; Wm. M. Smith, Seneca; and a host of other relatives and friends. In this home whose influence produced and developed the sterling qualitiess of industry and helpfulness, was the kind in which love, devotion to duty, and high ideals unite in the best and truest example for the development of sturdy character, and for this he is enshrined in the hearts of his children As we pause to think of the quiet, unobtrusive life of this our brother, he will appear to us as an upright citizen, a kind and obliging friend and neighbor, a faithful husband and affectionate father. "We only know that thou has gone, And that the same relentless tide, Which bore thee from us, still glides on, And we, who mourn thee, with it glide." Funeral services were held in the Methodist church in Centralia, Saturday, September 12, by Rev. Samuel Twombly of Fanning, Kans., assisted by Rev. L.C. Campbell of Centralia. Beautiful and consoling words were read from St. John 14th chapter. H.F. Hightower, Josiah Sams, L.D. Richardson, and L.C. Campbell sang the quartettes, "Sweet Is Thy Love," and "A Land Where The Light Never" [text missing]

Card of Thanks

We wish to thank our many friends for their kindness shown to us in our sorrow. Especially do we wish to thank the ministers for their kind words of comfort, the ones who furnished the music, and for the beautiful floral offerings. May God's richest blessings rest upon all.
Mrs. Oscar Smith and Children.
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