The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1902-07-22
WALKED TO CANTON
IN THE EARLY DAYS
Was Prominent In Catholic
Church Circles and ldentt-
fled With the City's Ear
Iy Llfe-.6iosraphy. .,.

Mrs. Margaret Smith, believed to be
the Oldest woman in Canton, died
Saturday morning at the home Of her
daughter. Mrs. Stephen Zuger, who re-
sides at ZIG South Walnut street.
Mrs Smith was aged 90 years and 6
months and had been resident Of
Canton for about so years. DR.. E. o.
Portman, her attending physician, at
tributes her death to natural infirmi-
/. ties. The deceased had been i'll ever
since February, but had been confined
to her bed only six weeks. The de-
ceased had never been sick in her life
until about two years ago, when she
was taken with grip and since that
time her health gradually failed.
Mrs. Smith was born in Inhousen,
Elsass, Germany, on February "a, 1910,
and in 1853, she married Anthony
Smith. The couple then concluded to
come to this country. The journey
from Germany to New York consumed
66 days and was full of hardships.
ENTERED CITY ON FOOT.
From New York Mr.. and Mrs. Smith
made the trip down the Erie canal,
over Lake Erie, and by way of the
Ohio canal to Massillon and by foot
to Canton. At that time Mrs. Smith
had two sisters living in this city.
Anthony Smith her husband, who was
employed in the Aultman works, died
about "a years ago.
When Mr.. and Mrs. Smith came to
eCanton the town was very small and
ssthere were but two churches located
In the city, the Lutheran church and
the st. Johns Catholic church.
Mrs. Smith first resided in East Tus-
earawas street but shortly after re-
moved to the present home Of her
daughter, in South Walnut street,
where she has resided ever since. At
that time there was only one other
house on Walnut street which was
known as Canal street. There was a
movement on foot to run the Ohio ca
nal down Walnut street and work
had already been begun on the ditch
but 1t was afterwards abandoned.
Mrs. Smith was one of the charter
members Of st. Peters Catholic
church. Prior to Joining the st.
Peters church she afiliated with the
st. Johns Catholic church. For
about 30 years Mrs. Smith never fall
ed to attend the morning mass at the
Catholic church and until about two
years ago she was a regular attendant
at the church services. Besides be-
ing a member Of the church she was
a member Of the altar society, which
is an organization Of the church.
MANY GRANDCHILDREN.
She is survived by four children, Ed
ward Smith, of Mansfield; George
Smith, Of Canton, an employe of the
Berger works; Jacob Smith, OF the
Berger works, and Mrs. Stephen Zuger,
the wife of Stephen Zuger, Of South
Walnut street; by four great grand
children, Robert and Helen Zuger,
Gladdis Smith, Martin Smith and
James McQuern and by eleven grand
children. Two sisters, Mrs. Jacob
Winterhalter and Mrs. Joseph Winter
halter, both Of whom are deceased,
formerly lived in this city.
Mrs Smith, while understanding
English fairly, preferred to speak her
native tongue. Until few years ago
her hearing and vision were splendid
and she was able to read without
spectacles.
Mrs. Smith was very proud of her
old age and attributed it to good
habits and hard WORK.
The time of the funeral has not yet
been decided upon but the services
will be held at the st, Peters Catholic
church and the interment will take
place at st. Peters cemetery.