Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1890-01-07
Death OF Capt. ob1 smith.


Captain John T. Smith, one Of the Oldest
and most prominent Citizeus IL tllis portion az
the State, died at his home In ddIeWav. this
county, on Sunday, Decenlber q Of parody
IN the S5th year OF his age. He was born N
that village and his entire life Vas spent there
IN early NE ne engaged In mercantile pursuits
and took au active interest in the lIffs Of tle
village and county. For many wears he filled
the office OF magistrate, aud prior to the late
war sat rs a member of the County Court nm
der the law then In existence In the early
fotties Captain Smith commanded the Smith.
neld bines. at that time considered one of the
best drilled companies of the 55th Virginia Reg.
lment- Deceased was also a member of ths
Masonic Order, Odd Fellows and knights q
Pythias. He was . knight Templar Maso5
for probably httS years, and an Odd Fellow fo
nearly that length OF time. He entered Pythia5
KnighthOod at it's inception, and was, at the
time of his death. the oldest member of that
order For twenty consecutive years he held
the office OF Grand Master OF Exchequer OF the
Grand Lodge OF West Virginia. ceasing only be-
cause of the inhrtpities consequent upon his adj
vaneed age For his faithful service In that ofiee
he was voted q gold medal by the Grand Lodge
When the Improved Order of Red Men flour.
ished in this section about the year 1854. Capt
Smith took great interest in 1t and at one time
held the important office of Grand Saehem Of
all the tribes in the United States. He was
also member of the State Convention at
Richmond, in 1861. when Virginia was voted
out of the Union. he opposed the ordinance
of secession.
The funeral services were held last Tuesday.
the several societies 10 which he belonged par
ticipadng. The remains were followed 10 their
last resting place in the Masonic Cemetery By
. large concourSe of relatiVes and friends.
Revs. Hodge and Wilson officiating previously
aS the Union church. At the grave the Ma
sonic ceremony was performed, and all that
was mortal of au flonored citizen was laid to
rest in the family lot by the side of his wife,
who preceded him to the grave thirty years
ago. Services both at the church and at the
grave were of the most impressive character.
For number of years past, deceased was
greatly Interested in religious affairs. attend
ing church regularly and aiding all movements
of that nature freely. During the closing days
of his life IL was an especial pleasure of his 20
listen to the Word. and the presence of his
minister at his sick bedside comforted him
greatly. He lived an honest, conscientious
life and died without pain.
Five sons and one daughter survive h i'm,
the oldest. ]. Rufus Smith. of Berkeley Springs
having held the Office of Grand Keeper of Re-
cords and Seal for the same length of time
that the deceased held that of Master of Ex-
chequer. Another son, James s., also q X. of
p. was made member at the same time. when
scarcely of age. being the youngest Knight who
ever took the degree. Another son. Henry NJ.
Is at present telegraph editor of the Cincinnati
Enquirer; Otto. who resides at Springfield.
Ohio; Geo. w. who resides at Aiiddleway. and
Mrs. s. Bart Watson. who resides on farm
near the village. Another son. Lafayette. died
something over a year ago, leaving q widow
aud family of interesting children. All the
surviving family were present at the burial of
their aged and loved parent.