The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-01-21
JOHN B. Smith is At REST
Impressive Services Held at the Resi-
dence in DunmOre.
BEAUTIFUL FLORAL TRIBUTES

DunmOrc Was in Mourning Over the Loss
Of Her Most Distinguished Citizen.
Sermon Delivered by Rev. DR.. viii.
iams-Intcrmcn in DunmOre.
The funeral of John p. Smith. presi-
dent of the Erie and Wyoming Valley
Railroad company, and general super
intendent of the Pennsylvania Coal
company, was held Saturday afternoon
at the family residence in Dunmore.
Business in that town was practically
suspended and the mines and shops of
the Pennsylvania company closed In
order that employees and others might
by their presence pay last tribute to
one so highly esteemed, prominent and
respected.
Mr.. Smiths extreme popularity and
the grief which his death caused was
evidenced in the large throng and the
gloom which hung over it. The house,
humble for one who had reaped so great
business success, was so densely oc-
cupied that even standing room was
not available and a crowd of nearly
1000 PERSONS were gathered about the
exterior and along adjacent streets.
Many men conspicuous in business and
finance and laboling men, all friends of
the deceased, Were present from Scran-
ton, Avoca, Pittston, Wilkes-Barre,
Carbondals and smaller towns up and
down the valley.
Dunmore Lodge of Odd Fellows and
the Young Mems Temperance society,
q h. iaI, ,h nd
employees of the Pennsylvania Coal
company We're present in distinct bodies
and accompanied the remains to the
cemetery.
The Remains Viewed.
Between 10 and - o'clock the remains,
which reposed in a rosewood casket,
were viewed by hundreds of friends,
and so great was the demand for a
last look upon one SO beloved that the
privilege was continued until during
the hours of the funeral. The room
wherein the body rested and other
apartments contained a mass of eX-
quisite and costly floral remembrances
The services We're conducted by Rev.
j. w. Williams, pastor of the Dunmore
Presbyterian church, of which deceased
was a member, assisted by Rev. n. G..
Parke, ID. D., of Pittston; Rev. S. c..
Logan, d. D., of Scranton; Rev. G. Par
son Nichols, d. D., of Binghamton,
n. Y.
The pall-bearers We're: Honorary
pall-bearers-A. r. Mitchell, of Wilkes
Barre; Hon. Joseph A. Scranton, w. F.
Hallstead, James A. Linen, George l..
Dickson, Colonel II. NJ. Boies, William
r. Storrs, Il. N. Willard, N. Y. Leet,
NJ. D., b. Fl. Throop. NJ. D., William
II. Richmond, Scranton.
Active all-bearers-James Archibald,
w. W. Scranton, A. II. Vandling, Will
lam T. Smith, Scranton; Andrew Bry-
den, Pittston; A.. II. McClintock,
Wilkes-Barre.
Impressive Services.
Services We're opened by the singing
of Il Would Not Live Always by Mrs.
G.. DUB Dimmick, Miss Tillie Thomas,
S. b. Bulkley and T. r. Thomas, choir
of the Dunmore Presbyterian church.
Rev. DR.. Williams offered prayer and
then preached an euloglstic sermon
from Psalms xiii, 6, Surely goodness
and mercy shall follow me all the days
of my life and will dwell in the house
of the Lord forever" He made refer
ence to the early life of Mr. Smith, his
indefatigability of purpose in over
coming obstacles and charitable dis
position. Excerpts from his remarks
and bearing upon Mr.. Smiths person.
ality and character are as follows:
The life and character of John b. Smith
stand in bright and bold relief admired
and beloved by all who knew him. We
mourn today the loss of no ordinary
man. His record stands before the world
and 1t is on every tongue to say how good
how benevolent, how kind and faithful he
has been. He was a man of intrepid
spirit, strong in purpose, brave and cour-
ageous, and into his work he cast that en-
ersy and skill and wisdom which assured
success. He was a man of great under
takings, and never seemed to doubt the
success of his labors. His perception was
keen and strong, and in all his work he
seemed to be gifted with IA keen insight
that saw the end and the successful issue
from the beginning. He took up his
work with an earnest spirit of perseyer-
ance as one who felt that a divine trust
had been committed to him. and let come
what may, he would execute 1t to the best
Of his ability.
His Devotion to Duty.
The important and onerous duties of his
station were discharged with self-sacrific-
ing devotion, unflagging diligence and
great fidelity. His vigorous intellect, his
wonderful executive ability, his firm will
and his native power to command men
gave him the ability to carry forward his
chosen work through many channels to a
successful completion. To know what has
been the result Of Mr.. Smiths life work
We need but to look along this valley and
see the development of industries, the
large corporations of which he was the
head. and the many and varied improve
ments both small and great. 1t may be
truly said that Mr.. Smith was conserva-
tive, by being careful in action yet under
his steady conservatism there was also a
gradual development, a spirit of progress
and tmprovement--the town of Dunmore
owes much to his generosity and benevo-
lence. lie did much to improve and in
crease the social, educational and indus
trial facilities of the people.
He was u leader and commander of rare
ability, and this whole community ire
spective of creeds and nationalites, have
already voiced the sentiment that they
have lost in him a powerful and intrepid
defender of its best interests. He has
left an impress upon society OF Such Il
nature that undoubtedly his influence
will be perpetuated as long as his namo
shall be remembered. one of the noblest
traits of his character was very much
akin to that of our Divine Redeemer; he
was friend to the poor and the working
man. He was q hard worker himself; lie
hated idleness, and that one who was will
ing to work he was willing to help. And
for this cause hundreds. yea, thousands
are ready to rise up and call him blessed.
He was strong to bear others burdens.
The wants and needs of the poor he re-
leved by most substantial sympathy.
To the benevolent institutions about us he
was a liberal contributor. Surely we
must say, in the words of sacred truth,
"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the
least one of these, my brethren, ye have
done it unto me-"
Closing the Services.
Rev. Drs. Nichols, Parke and Logan
h,pt "A