RANDOLPH SMITH

The Waterville Telegraph, Friday, Nov. 24, 1916, Pg 1

VOL. XLVII, No. 27

 Death of Randolph Smith.

    After an illness extending back for nearly five years when it commenced, Randolph Smith, an old and well known resident of this city, passed away at 8:30 o’clock Friday morning, November 17th in the seventy-forth year of his age.  Although seriously ill and a great sufferer he came down town early every day and to a certain extent attended to his duties as city clerk until some four or five months ago when he was obliged to give up and stay at home.  From that time he gradually became weaker, and his disease, tumor of the bladder, finally caused his death.  He kept up his official work as long as he could, because it made him somewhat forget his physical condition.

  Mr. Smith was one of our best known citizens, having resided in the city and township for a little more than forty-five years, nearly if not quite forty of which were spent in this city.  He always took a prominent part in all local affairs, having served as township trustee for several terms and also as a member of the city council.  At the time of his death he was city clerk and police judge and also a justice of the peace to which office he was re-elected for another term at the recent election.  In all of his official positions he was prompt and faithful in the performance of all the duties required of him.  As a citizen and as an official he will be greatly missed in the community.

  He believed in fraternity and was one of the most active working members of several lodges in town.  He was a charter member of two, the Oddfellows in 1873 and the Knights and Ladies of Security in 1894.  He was a member of the Masonic and A. O. U. W. lodges for more than thirty years, and in addition held membership in the G. A. R. Post, and Fraternal Aid Union and Rebekah lodges.  In all of them he had filled nearly every elective office, and was always willing and ready to take any position that might be necessary.  During the last few weeks of his illness some member of the Masonic or Oddfellows lodges spent the night with him in company with the nurse.

  He was born in Hamburg, Germany, January 28, 1843, and came to America when he was a boy only fourteen years of age.  He located in Iowa and at the commencement of the Civil War in 1861 enlisted in company A, 24th Iowa infantry, and served for three years when he was discharged for disability received in the service.  He was married to Miss Orinda Pratt at Lyons, Iowa, Sept. 14, 1866, and a few days over two months ago they observed the fiftieth anniversary of the event.  After their marriage they lived in Iowa and Illinois for a few years, coming to Kansas in 1871, and settling on a homestead in this vicinity, a few years later, moving into this city, where they have lived since.  He is survived by his wife and two grandsons, Fred H. Murphy and wife, of Wilson, Kans., and R. S. Murphy, of Moreland, Kans., to whom the sympathy of all friends is extended.

  The funeral services were held at the home at 2:30 p. m. Sunday, Nov. 19th, and the large attendance of friends and the numerous and beautiful floral offerings were an evidence of the standing of the deceased in the community in which he had lived so long.  The sermon was preached by Rev. I. B. Heisey, a former pastor of the Waterville Lutheran church but now of Chapman, Kans., from the text, James iv., 14:  “What is Your Life?”  After the church service, the remains were escorted to Riverside Cemetery and laid to rest with the impressive ceremonies of the Masonic fraternity.

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CARD OF THANKS

  To the members of the Oddfellows and Masonic lodges, and to those of the A. O. U. W., K. & L. of S., G. A. R., Rebekah and Fraternal Aid Union orders, and to all our many friends who have given their sympathy and assistance, and especially to Dr. G. I. Thacher for his constant care and attention during the illness of our deceased husband and grandfather; we desire to express our sincere and heartfelt  thanks for all their kindness.

                                                            MRS. ORINDA R. SMITH.

                                                            MR. AND MRS. FRED H. MURPHY.

                                                            R. S. MURPHY.