J. J. Smith Dead.

OBITUARY J. J. SMITH.

Died December 16, 1906, in Omaha, Neb., John J. Smith, in the 83rd year of his age.

The subject of the above notice was born in Pennsylvania in 1825 and in early life moved to Ohio where he married Elizabeth Hooper. His first wife who died forty five years ago, born him three children. All are now dead but one, Mrs. Mary Cowgill of Burlington. Mr. Smith married again, his second wife being Abigail Needler, to this wife one child was born. Mrs. Ida Stockwell of Omaha, Neb. His second wife died in Ohio about a year ago, where she had gone on a visit. Mr. Smith by occupation was a cabinet maker, also dealing in furniture and undertaking. In 1870 he moved to Burlington, Kan., which has been his home ever since. During the civil war he went to the army as a member of the 135th regiment, Ohio volunteer Infantry, and among his papers we find a “certificate of honorable service” stating that the services of himself and comrades were distinguished by remarkable events. In the valley of the Shenandoah, in the operations on the James River, around Petersburg and Richmond in the battle of Monocacy and in the intrenchments of Washington. This certificate is signed by Abraham Lincoln and Edward M. Stanton. In early life Mr. Smith united with the Methodist church and in his daily walk and work through life showed that he was an earnest consistent Christian gentleman. Of late years because of impaired health and hearing, he was not a regular attendant at church, yet his faith was strong. While his quiet manner might cause some to think him to be very conservative, yet in fact he was very radical in his religious and political beliefs and a man who hated shams and deceit with all his heart. “Uncle John” as he was familiarly called was a great lover of Kansas and her institutions, and in his death the state has lost a loyal son, and Burlington one of her best citizens.