Smith, Sr., James Henry husband of Maryanna A ‘Mamie'(Taber)
Burial Date: 1915, 02/23 Age: 69 Lot: 371 H
War: Civil War Co. D, 117th Ind. & Co. C, 140th Ind. Inf.
OBITUARY STERLING KANSAS BULLETIN 1915, 02/25
J. H. SMITH
J. H. Smith was born the 22nd of April, 1845, near Muncie, Indiana. At the age of 18 he enlisted in the Union Army in 1863, joining the 140Th Indiana Volunteers as a lieutenant under Captain Brady. After the death of Captain Brady, Lieutenant J. H. Smith was promoted to captain of his company. After the close of the Civil war he taught school and studied law. In 1870 he went to Sulphur Springs, Texas, to practice law. He remained at this point – nearly a year, when he was called home to Indiana on account of the death of his father.
He then came to Kansas in 1873 and located in Sterling for the practice of his profession. He was married to Mamie Taber on the 8th of March 1874. To this union were born six children, four daughters and two sons. Callie, the late wife of W. T. Brown; James, who resides with mother; May, Mrs. G. J. Brown; William, who died in 1907; Myrtle, Mrs. N. R. Fair, of Stafford; Lenora, Mrs. Dr. Gulick, of Denver, Colo.
1n 1885 the First National bank of Sterling was organized, and Mr. Smith was elected as president. This position he held until a few weeks ago, when he resigned and disposed of his stock. As a banker Mr. Smith went through all the hard times known to the early day bankers and businessmen of Kansas. He was always known as a safe and conservative banker. His connection with the bank gave him a wide acquaintance, and afforded him many opportunities to do good for the community and its citizens.
J.H. Smith was a man of strong physique and never knew what it was to be sick, as to speak. His late illness is the first time he ever took to his bed. He was a man exact in his ways, cautious in his dealings and conservative in his ideals; lenient to those in need and deserving. He was a man always willing to do his share for any benefit or improvement that would beautify or improve the city. J.H. Smith was always one of the first men to be asked for aid and always responded first among the citizens of Sterling. He loved his home and family, and often remarked that “a man’s home should be his castle.” He was very fond of flowers and his enjoyment was to work among them, and each year as these flowers bloom they will be a living memory in his honor.
Mr. Smith’s absence from our streets will be very noticeable, as one of his habits was to walk around the city. He often took long walks thru all parts of the city, and most every boy and girl in the community knew him personally. He was of a jolly disposition, and took a great interest in the little folks.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith were the first married on the townsite and home devotion was a foremost characteristic of him who has reached his long home.
Funeral services were held at the family home Tuesday afternoon, at 3 o’clock, in charge of the Masonic order, assisted by A. El Henry and a quartet. The remains were laid to rest in Cottonwood cemetery, where a son and daughter lie.
James Henry Smith
1846–1915
Birth 22 APR 1846 • Beshell, Delaware County, Indiana
Death 21 FEB 1915 • Sterling, Rice, Kansas, United Staes
James Henry Smith was born on April 22, 1846, in Delaware County, Indiana, his father, Abraham, was 38 and his mother, Nancy, was 30. He married Marianna A. Taber on March 8, 1874, in Sterling, Kansas. They had six children in 11 years. He died on February 21, 1915, in Sterling, Kansas, at the age of 68, and was buried there.
In print can be seen Maryana, was spelled Marianna A, and later Mary Anne, nicknamed ‘Mamie’
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