Mower County transcript., 1896-10-07

D. B. Smith died quite unexpect-
ed]y at his residence at 10 o'clock last
Wednesday evening, Sept. 80, 1896, OF
dropsy of the heart; While he had
been ill for two weeks with pleurisy
and heart trouble, he was able to
ride out only two days before his
death. He was dressed and sitting
up when he died.
He was born in Novi, Michigan,
Dec. 26, 1885. His father, Calvin
Smith Of revolutionary stock. was
native of Vermont. but had spent
most of his life in New York state.
The son grew up on farm, receiving
good common school education and
taking a two years course. at the
Ypsilanti state normal school. He
also took a thorough course in music,
which he afterwards taught as long
as he resided in Michigan. He taught
for five years, four of them as principal
in White Lake village, and then
bought farm in his native town and
In 1861 he married bis first wife,
Miss Jennie E. Simmons, of Livonia,
Michigan. Three sons we're the off
spring of this marriage, all of them
still living. These are Clayton J. and
Frank M. Smith, bicycle dealers in St.
Paul, and Judd E. Smith of Austin.
The first two were born in Michigan.
In Septem ber, 1871, Mr. Smith and
his family moved to Austin, where his
residence has since been. His wife
died here in the fall of 1874.
Mr.. Smith, the first year after he
came to this city, bought grain and
sold agricultural machinery in part
nership with e. P. Van Valkenb burgh.
After that he was in business alone.
He was proprietor of the Pioneer coal
yard for fourteen years and was also
an extensive dealer in agricultural
machinery. He was one of the organ
izers of the Austin Canning & Pre-
serving Co., and was it's president at
the time of his death. He had for
some time back also been bicycle deal
er here. Mr.. Smith was quite promi-
nent in other ways. In March, 1873, he
was elected president of our city coun-
Gil, position at that time cores
ponding with that of mayor now. He
stimulated the council to public i'm
provements of various kinds. The
public square was cleared off, fenced
and adorned with shade trees, and
other improvements were made. He
was reelected the next year. BE was
president of our school board for four
years, from 1885 to 1889. He was
president of the board of trade from
Jan. l, 1888 to Jan. l, 1883. He was
prominent in Masonic circles. it was
largely through his efforts that St.
Bernard Commandery, No. l3,
Knights Templar, of this city was
instituted in 1881. He was one Of the
charter mem bers of it and was Emf
nent Commander of it for the first
four years. He also organized the
Austin Council of Royal and Select
Masters. He was Past Grand Senior
Warden of the Grand Commandery of
Minnesota. He was also memb Der
of the A. o. U. W. -.'
Mr.. Smith was happily married the
second time to Miss Amanda Fleck of
Austin, Sept. 20, 1876, who survives
him. There are no surviving children
by the second marriage. -
! Funeral services were conducted at
the residence last Saturday afternoon
in charge of St. Bernard Commandery.
Rev. G. E. Wright gave an appropri-
ate address. There was very large
attendance. The bearers were past
commanders Eugene Wood, A.
Frederick, G. L. West, G. I. Johnson
and B. F. Farmer of St. Bernard and
Eminent Sir H. r. Wells of Malta
Commandery of Preston. The A. O.
y. w, lodge were part of the funeral
procession, also St. Bernard Com
mandery and other Masons, the mayor
and city council and a large number
of Others. The banks and business
houses generally closed during the
service. At the grave, n. Kingsley
acted as prelate and read the memo
rial record of the deceased. The full
knight Templar service was uSeds
Il Mr.. Smith will be missed greatly in
this community, where he has lived
i e. No nnk -, 80. N t..