NAME: Smith, Jesse (m. Celina C. Gregg)

OBIT: Manson Journal, Manson IA, 12 Jul 1911 p. 8, Col. 2 & 3

News of his death reached Manson Monday morning - Another Old Settler Called Home
 Manson friends and old neighbors were surprised and pained Monday morning, when they heard that a telegram had been recevied from Clifford Smith of Dickinson, N.D. announcing the death of his father at his home near that place.
 There were no particulars regarding the sad affair, except the bare announcement. Two or three years ago, two of his boys went up into that country to start a home, Clyde and Ralph, we believe. The boys did so well that Jesse concluded to go also, as well as all of the members of the family that were in a position to do so.
 A year ago the family embarked for their new home. Those who comprised the little colony were Jesse and wife, Jennie, Pearl and Fay, Mrs. Maggie Swan and husband, and the boys, Clyde, Ralph and Clifford. They all took up claims, we believe, including the girls, Jennie worked in a store and soon after married, the other girls teaching school. The families were all doing well. Jesse worked one of the claims and a letter from him a short time ago said that he had a fine crop. The only drawback was the long distance from town, forty miles. This perhaps cut little figures except in case of sickness. It may have been this long distance to a physician that was the cause of his death. We sincerely hope that it was not.
 The little colony of boys and girls and the old folks, although starting over in life again, were as happy as could be. The death of the father will prove a terrible blow to the mother and children.
 The family were devoted to each other. The more there were of them the greater seemed to be the "Tie that binds."
 The other children 13 in all, we believe, are Mrs. Clayton Brown of Fort Dodge, and Mrs. Carrie Fisher of Eldora, Iowa and three dead.
 Mr. Smith was a half brother to Barney McLaughlin of Lincoln Township and we believe, has another half brother, Clifford, of Texas and two half sisters in Ill.
 The deceased enlisted in the Union army early in the war. Although he never was in a battle, yet he did his duty as it was assigned to him, and was ready at all times to have gone to the firing line if he had been called upon. He was a member of the G.A.R. and was one of the organizers of the Alee Post.
 He was born in Alleghaney County, Pa., in 1839. He would have been 72 years old the 22nd of Aug. He was married soon after receiving his discharge in 1867 to Miss Selina Gregg. They moved to this vicinity in 1867, and settled upon a homestead in Sherman Township. The writer remembers the place well, because it was from his farm that the Bacon farm in Twin Lakes Township, then Sherman, was stocked with willows, which the owner has been fighting ever since, but which at the time was a God send, because it produced both wood and shade in a few years.
 We believe there were thirteen children in all born to this union, two dying of diptheria when they lived upon the farm, the old Eunisee place. Ray, one of the jolliest of boys that ever lived, died from the effect of an operation a few years ago at Fort Dodge.
 The family lived in a good many places, in this and other counties, during their life. Mr. Smith was always a hustler, and was when younger, one of the prominent auctioneers of this part of the country. He owned three farms south of town, a farm near Laurens and hardware business at Carroll, a hotel at Fort Dodge and then settled in Manson for a second time, in the western part. After braving all the hardships of this country when it was new, suffering everything that the old settlers suffered to make it an inhabitable country, when his children grew up, he considered it his duty to go with them to another new country, assist them to start as he did forty years before: but the flesh was weak, although the mind was still young and active and you know the rest. He did what he considered was the best for his children and his family, but they are left to mourn.
 Mr. Smith was a good citizen, an indulgent father and a loving husband. We doubt if any man was more revered and loved by his family than the deceased and his death while coming at the end of the allotted life of man, will be most sincerely mounred by all.
 Manson and Calhoun County friends extend to them their heartfelt sympathy.
 The body will arrive in Manson Thursday and burial will be the same day at 2:30 p.m. from the M. E. Church. Both the G.A.R. and W.R.C. will take part in the ceremony, and Rev. Case will preach the funeral sermon. The body will be laid to rest in the family burying lot in Rose Hill.