Smyrna times., 1891-01-14
Death of VIM. P. smithers.


As with the strong oaks that grow in
greater vigOr in trunk and branch and
leaf and Overtop their fellows of the
forest, there comes a season eventually
of decay and death, so it is with man
whatever may be the mental or physi-
cal strength, nature has fixed its ulti-
mate limits that will nor knowledge
can overcome. Such was VIM. P.
Smithers, who had passed his four
score, retaining his usual ability for |
social enjoyment and to pursue busi-
ness, and who, when nature asserted its |
right, yielded about midnight on Sun
day after twelve weeks struggle in the |
unequal contest, having reached the
age of 81 years, 8 months.
There had been no perceptible
change in his mental grasp, vivacity
and love of humOr, or ability to engage
in business up till the sickness which
set in last October, and which proved
fatal. The nature of the disease was
such as to make him prefer almost en-
tire quiet, but the condition, as is stated
by his friends, was one of soul repose,
that rest, inward communings and
peace that comes of perfect assurance.
The deceased was born and raised on
what is known as the Jenkins farm"
between Camden and Dover. His first
business on reaching manhood was that
of deputy Sheriff under DIR. VIM. Bur-
ton, who was afterwards Governor.
After this he filled the place of Clerk
for his brother, Joseph Smithers, who
was PrOthOnOtary for Kent County.
Having a very receptive mind, he ac-
quired many points of law which were
continually added to thereafter, and
gave him fund of legal knowledge
but very seldom attained outside ofthe
profession practicing it for a liveli-
hood.
In the year 1884 he married Miss
Anna Joyce, half sister to Bassett
Ferguson, of Blackbird, and Mrs. Wm.
Sharp. of this place. For health con-
siderations he had to make a change in
his business, a change that took him
out of the current of his natural adcp.
liability, and hence the success that
might have been otherwise attained.
But for this, it is more than probable
that he would soon have studied law
in theory as he had already the practi-
cal knowledge of its bearing, and been
admitted to the bar.
From the sedentary life incident to
Office work he contracted a chronic
dyspepsia that no remedy seemed to
reach, aud which followed him in a
measure all his lite. At the direction
of his medical advisers "tO get out into
the open air of the country" he went to
farming in 1889 near Dover where he
lived a number of years. In 1854 he
lost his first wife, five years thereafter
marrying the widow of VIM. Dawson
and residing on that farm, near Ken
ton until he moved to this town in
1872 Here his attention was given to
cOnveyancing, selling real estate, Sc,
making for himself comfortable liv-
ing, and enjoying a contented and
happy life.
Five children were the fruit of the
first marrige, four of whom are living
the only child of the second marriage
who grew up in this town, and had
never been disassOciat ed from her par
ents, was privileged to exercise those
filial duties which affection inspires in
cases of affiiction, but which circum
stances do not always admit of with
many.
AllusiOn has been made above only
to the mental traits of the deceased
To stop here would be an injustice, fol
it would give a one sided life, and such
was in no way his conception of his
duty to himself and his obligation tc
his creator. An analysis of his life
would show that he laid much more
stress on the moral and religious side
than on its mental and business sue
cesses. He was from an early period
an active member of the Methodist
Church, thoroughly versed in its the.
ology and ready in a quiet way to
show his loyalty to all its requirements
by sharing in its duties. In different
periods of his membership he filed the
various Offices of trustee, steward
class-leader &c, and in prayer his pc.
) titiOns were characterized by breadth
OF conception of the relation between
sovereign and subject that many do moi
reach up to.
He took great interest in public
measures affecting the state and ma
ton, and always had a decided opin
ion, with arguments to back it. II
politics he was Wing and afterward.
Republican, and believed in the prin
ciples he espOused religiously.
To the mass of people he will be re
membered for his infinite humor
which he retained until his last illness
His fund of anecdOte was remarkable
never exhausted. aud always read,
to give point and zest in social dis
course.
His brother, Andrew Smithers, o
Dover, is the only surviving member
Of family of eighteen children. Tn,
funeral occurred to-day. The friends
of the deceased met at the house at Il
O'Clock where services were conducted
by Rev. Mr.. Wilson; interment il
GlenwOod Cemetery.