Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1880-05-06
: Death Of Ex.senator r. /. Smith.

Death Of Ex-senator r. I. smith. I,
On Monday morning of this week,
Robert I. Smith, Of this city, died Of en-
largemsnt of the heart, after an illness Of
some tour weeks, during the last two
weeks Of which he suffered untold pain.
Some two years ago Mr.. Smith began to
be troubled with this disease of the heart,
and had several very sick spells previous
to tho last and fatal attack. He had all
the care and attention possible, loving
wife and many friends doing all in their
power to relieve him of pain and distress,
and to comfort him in his last hours. DR..
squires, of this city, was his regular
physician, but DR.. Rose and other ply.
siclans Of Faribault were called in as
counsel. On Wednesday Of last week an
operation was performed, which resulted
in taking away several ounces of blood
from the region of the heart, but 1t only
gave temporary relief. The next day or
two the physicians gave him up TO die.
A post mortcm examination on Tuesday
revealed the fact that his trouble was
enlargement of the heart.
The funeral was on Tuesday afternoon,
at 3 o'clock, the services at the house
being conducted by Rev. J. w. E ldridge.
The Odd Fellows and Mascns, Of which
orders Mr.. Smith was q member, then
took the remains in charge, and conveyed
them to the CEN etery, the members fol-
lowing, marching in twos behind the
Austin Cornet Band, which added much
smpressiveness to- the occasion by its
sweet music. At the grave the ceremo.
MES were conducted entirely by these
societies. Mr.. Smith had long been an
active Odd Fellow, and loved the order
with tender and devoted love, and the
Odd Fellows loved him in return as
could be plainly seen by The large attend
ance of the brethren at the funeral Sew
eral members of both orders came in
from neighboring lodges, as far away IS
Albert Lea. Grand Representatives Dye
of Winona, and Morrison Of Rochester,
officers of Odd Fellows Grand Lodge,
were also present. At the close Of this
article we append series of resolut ions
adopted by The Odd Fellows, at the
funeral Lodge on Tuesday evening.
Mr.. Smith was born in Rensselaer, coun.
~, N. Y, Nov. II, 1SS8-and was, there.
fore, nearly forty-ene years and six
months old at the time of his death.
Was Of remote German descent, and
received an academic education at Sand
Hill, N. Y, under Prot. Schram, of Yale
After leaving the academy he spent five
years In teaching at Ripon, Wis, and
Mendoza, ILL.,, and in 1857 removed to
Rochester In this state. Here he devoted
his attention mainly to real estate. In
1860 Mr.. Smith went to Colorado, and
engaged in mining. Returning in 1862
he enlisted in Company F, 9th MINI, al
Orderly Sergeant, remaining in the ser
vice one year, after which he settled in
Austin, engaging in the business Of pho
Biography. In September, 1868, he was
married to Miss M. Angie Piper, Of tn il
city. No children blessed their uni on
and Mrs. Smith is left alone 10 mourn hel
husbands death. In the spring of 1870
Mr.. Smith was elected City Assessor, an6
in the spring of 1864 Justice of the Peace
for the second ward. Both of these posi-
tons he filed with credit. At the Repub
lican county convention which met IL
this city in October, 1875, Mr.. Smith wa,
honored with the nomination and ir
November following the election to thu
position of State Senator, which place h.
held the two years provided by law. Fl,
was man of positive views on all public
questions, possessing social qualities of ,
high order, and he took high rank as one
of the most influential members of tn,
Senate. About q year ago he received
the appointment Of deputy Collector O
internal revenue for this district, witt
hcadqu arters at Mankato, and held tina
position until his appointment as post
master of this city IN March. This 10 .
short record of Mr. Smiths life interest
ing to the public. What more can ".
say? Good by, IKE"
WHEREAS, it is appointed unto all men t.
die, and
WHEREAS, in obedience to the mandate Of
death, our highly esteemed brother, r.
Smith, has gone hence to return ne more, ant
WHEREAS, He whose ways are inscrutable-
enemy Of all our race to achieve another tom
porary triumph, and to bear away anothe,
Resolved, That We will bow with humble sub
mission to the affective dispensation by which
be admonished thereby, that we hold life by
an exceedingly frail tenure.
Resolved, That in the death Of Brother Smith
our Order has been deprived Of the presence
companionship and counsel of one Of it's mos,
active and intelligent members, one whose
heart was ever in sympathy with human sui
fering and whose hand was always open tt
1oheye the distressed-a true friend and
Resolved, That We will cherish his memory
emulate his virtues and more faithfully devote
ourselves to the incubation and practice o.
those grand principles which he loved so well
principles which applied, make men social
benevolent and humane.
RESOLVED, That to the widow and the relatives
of the deceased we tender the expression O
an affectionate sympathy-assuring them tina
while We were powerless to avert the blow b!
which they have been so sorely smitten, w
will do all We may be able to assuage the pair
which that blow has occasioned.
Resolved. That this preamble and these res
Iolutfons be entered upon the records; tina
copies OF the same, suitably engrossed ant
impressed by the Seal of the Lodge, be pre-
sented by the secretary-one to the widow o
Bro. Smith, and one to each Of the severa
newspapers of the city with q request tha
the same be published in their columns.
\ RACINE CENTER.
! Fl. II. made flying trip to Austll
last week. After TIN, eh?