Connecticut western news., 1882-10-11
IPhilmont (N. Y.) Sentinel, Sept. POL
 Obituary.
HIRAM K, SMITH.

from our midst one of our most esteem ed c1tlzens, MT. Hiram K. Smith, who died about 10 o'clock last Friday even ing, after protracted illness. The funeral services were held in the M. E. church in this village on Monday at lOI o'clock. A large number of rela- tives were in attendance, who with the many sympathising friends who assem- bled filled the church. A pillow of flowers with the form of an anchor in the centre, which was arranged by some of the ladies connected with the church, rested on table, and beautiful wreath of flowers, sent by MT. Southerland of Ghent, was placed upon the cloth-cov- cred casket. The service was very i'm pressive. The choir sang Jesus lover of my soul, and Rock of Ages,' favor ite hymns of the deceased. The pastor, Rev. B. F. Barlow, preached from the words, repeated by the departed only a few hours before the lamp of life was extingulshed: And heard voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead, who die in the Lord, from henceforth; Yea, saith the spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them The pas tor was followed by Rev. M B. Snyder who made few feeling remarks.
 The remains were conveyed to West Taghkanic, where very impressive ser vices were held in the M. E. church of which MT. Smith was formerly mem- Der. When the procession arrived at Taghkanick, the scene presented was abundant manifestation of the great es- teem In which MT. Smith was held in the hearts of the people in that vicinity. Over two hundred teams were about the church yard and along the highway, people having come from many miles around, some even from Hudson About SIX hundred people were assembled at the church to pay the last tribute of re- spect to one they had known and loved for many years. The church was beau tlfully draped about the alter, and there was an elaborate display of flowers, prin- clpally the work of the Sunday school class of which he was teacher for a long time. Remarks were made by the pas tor of the church, Rev. s. J. McCutch- con, and Revs. B. F. Barlow and M. B. Snyder of this village The remains were inferred in the cemetery near the church.
 Hiram K. Smith was the son of John K. Smith, and was born at Taghkanic, where he spent the greater portion of his life. He was one of family of ten chlldren-seven sons and three daugh- ters-and the first one to die. His moth CT died when he was about eighteen years old, and his father died about three years ago. He would have been 49 years old on Sunday last, had he lived.
 MT. Smith was self-made man. At the age of sixteen he commenced teach ing school, teaching in the winter season and prosecuting his studies in the sum- mer season for several years. His studies were completed at the Hudson academy under the tuition of Prof. Snyder He then taughtin the district in which he liv- ed at Taghkanic eleven successive years at different times. In the spring of 1869 he was taken quite ill, similar to his late illness and was confined to his bed through the summer In the fall he was elected to the office of school commis- s1oner.' At the expiration of the term three years-having recovered his health he commenced teaching again In 1874 he was engaged to teach the school in this district, where, with the exception of one year at Mellenville he taught un- til last fall, when, after commencing the winter term he was soon obliged on &C., count of his feeble health to take rest, expecting to return to the school in a few weeks. Little did he or his friends then think that his days of usefelness were so near at an end. About the hol- ldays he went to his father-in-law' at Ashley Falls, Mass, but instead of i'm proving, his health failed, so that at times he was confined to his bed On the 26th of last June he came to the If 111o4 lage, but he gradually failed and was in short time confined to his bed, Every thing was done that medical skill could devise, or living friends suggest to ale vlate his sufferings, but after struggle of nine months with consumption, he died in great triumph
 In June 1868 he was married to Miss Mary Decker, daughter of MT. Jacob Decker of Ashley Falls, Mass. He was 8 kind and afectionate husband, and his devoted companion has the sympathies of large circle of friends in her great bereavement As teacher he possessed unusual ability, and wherever he taught he made an impression for good upon the minds of his pupils, and it was seldom that word or complaint was uttered against his teaching or government. In his native town and in the Sunday school connected with his church.
 In early life he experienced religion and united with the M. B. church at West Taghkanic. When he came to Philmont to live he removed his mem bership to the M. E. church in this viii lage. His was always quiet and retiring character, and in his death the church and community have sustained the loss of a good man. On the 12th of last June he wrote from Ashley Falls to his pastor in this village the following beau tiful words: Summer has come from her eternal chambers in the South, and her feathered orchestra is daily calling to her, exhibiting of wondrous beauty spread upon our hillsides and mountains and In our valley. But from my win dow can catch only 8 strain of the bursts of song, and only glimpse of the 1 cheer of the sweet fields.
 Watching and waiting, trusting and pleading, there is ripping sound of waters from the River of Life, breeze from the purple mountaing of Bulah Land, @ sweet simple faith that this | broken body, this wasted form will put | on immortality and be forever with the Lord''
 The closing scenes of his life were very affecting. In the afternoon of Fri day he realized that the end was near, and calling his friends about his bedside gave each a parting word, and said among other things that he hoped none of John K. Smiths children would miss of heaven. He gave direction for his funeral and suggested to his pastor the text of his funeral sermon. He was conscious until he died, and these were among his last words: ''I am almost to the river, and it is all we'll"