The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1888-02-23
IN MEMORIAM.

Benjamin Franklin Smith was born at
GAINESVILLE, Muskingum County, Ohio,
January 18th, 1928, and died at Jackson,
Ohio, February I4th, 1888, aged 65 years
month, and day.
While he was young his parents re-
moved to Middleton, Jackson County,
Ohio, and became known and loved by a
wide circle of friends in that part of the
county Most of the life of the deceased
had been spent in Jackson County, his
father Francis Smith. having kept the
Isham House, and afterward the
American House, in this place. In
the year 1858, the subject of this skecth
was married to Miss Catherine Caldwell
of Chillicothe, Ohio, and their married
life was one long season of love and
tender sympathy. 1t seemed to be the
| aim of each to so study the disposition of
the other, as that the peace and enjoy
ment of the home might be complete.
The writer of this sketch had known
this couple intimately for generation,
and we do not now recall a home which
we took greater pleasure in visiting, or a
couple more thoroughly friendly and
sOciable. Being near neighbor to them
for years, we had ample opportunity for
learning their worth as citizens and
friends. Frank" and "Kate," as we
familiarly called them, were as much
like parents to us as mere friends. We
loved them both, and rejoiced IN the fact
that we always enjoyed their esteem.
Frank Smith was a good talker. man
of sound views, and filled with that
patriotic fire that led his father to a
glorious death on the field of battle. How
we shall miss the long conversations
with Frank Smith, the staunch friend
1t scarcely seems possible that this
familiar presence has been taken away
Yet we have been again reminded of the
utter weakness of human kind. "What
is man, that thou art mindful of him p
1 and wife, the peaceful home circle, the
warm-hearted friends; to-day, the weep
ing friends, the heart-broken widow, the
crape-decked casket, the funeral dirge!
Who can boast of the strength of man.
hood? We build hopes for tomorrow,
and tomorrow our friends may follow us
to the 'city of the dead" Wise, and happy,
is that man who, when he is called to
move out of the frail tenement of clay
which he has inhabited for few short
years on earth, has so builded that he is
enabled to take up his abode in a palace
furnished upon the Rock of Ages.
The death of Mr.. Smith was caused by
dropsy He was most intense sufferer
and the patient wife sustained herself
heroically in attending his every need
during his sickness. He had been unable
to lie down for some weeks, and was
propped up in chair. He could not hold
his head erect, and sat with bowed head
so prOpped as to render him as easy as
might be. In this position he died-pass-
ing away so quietly that his brother
Harrison Smith, who was sitting up with
him, did not know of his dying until he
| looked toward him and saw him corpse
The funeral was conducted at the M. E
Church at 10 o'clock on Friday, Rev. ]
E. Rudisill preaching the discourse, and
Rev. j. E. Tedford assisting. The remains
were encased in a beautiful casket, cloth
covered, having on top large silver plate
on which were the words cat Rest.
And thus Frank Smith was laid away
beside his kindred in the cemetery. Death
is a frequent visitor to this community
and we are all burying our loved ones
rapidly, as the days go on. But in all the
years of the future. we do not believe
that the changing scenes and influences
| Of fn fornrot r he
many excellent qualities of Frank Smith