Passing of Good Citizen

Large Congregation Gathers at Funeral to Pay Last Tribute to H.L. Smith

     "Hiram Lee Smith, son of George and Mary Smith, was born May 26, 1868 in Clark county, Missouri, and died at St. Anthony's hospital in Carroll on March 19, 1929 at the age of sixty years, ten months and twenty three days.  He came to Scranton about thirty-six years ago and has since that time made this community his home.  His life has been one of the noblest examples of industry, thrift and honesty to be found anywhere.  His passing leaves not only a broken home, but is the distinct loss of a highly respected and honored citizen of our community; an interested and faithful patron and official of our schools and a loyal and devoted Christian.  He became a member of the Church of Christ at an early age, and has not only been a member but an official of the same for almost a generation.  He has also served a full term of rich service as a member of the board of directors of the Scranton Consolidated school district, and has only recently (since his accident) been reelected for second term.  He was united in marriage to Estella Vorhies on Jan. 1, 1900 and to this union seven children were born, one having died in infancy.  The living children are: Mrs. Nina Grisso, of Scranton, Iowa; Merroll M. of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Mrs. Neva Walker, Mrs. Ardea Stevens, Dale and Leah, all of Scranton, Iowa.  He leaves to mourn his decease besides his devoted companion and loving children, also his aged father and brother, Jesse B., of Tucumcari, New Mexico; his brother, James W., of Owen, Wisconsin, and a sister, Mrs. Melissa Stewart, of Strickler, Arkansas; five grand children and a number of nieces and nephews, besides a host of admiring neighbors and friends.
     The funeral services were conducted on Friday, March 23rd at the Christian church in Scranton by the pastor, Rev. E.E. Griggs.  The public schools were closed for the services and an overflow gathering paid its last high and loving tribute of respect to an honored citizen who wrought well among them.  Interment was in the Scranton cemetery by the following pall bearers: William Dunivan, Chris LeGore, John MacDonald Sr., Newman Shaw, S.M. Hall and G.D. MacDonald."

From the obituary title to its subtitled and then on to the article,  I was awed by the kind words and tribute given to my great grandfather, Hiram. I was especially stunned to read that the public schools were closed for the services. My amazement could be because I am a retired teacher and can't imagine such a tribute, but that was long ago and life was different. I am so proud to be his great-granddaughter.  I think he would be proud to know he had at least three great-granddaughters who became teachers. Can anyone name them?

I also noticed a discrepancy in Grandpa Hiram's age from the second newspaper article to the third. The obituary is the correct age.