River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1909-01-14
Deaths
JOSEPH NJ. SMITH.


Died, on the 18th day Of January
1909, at his residence in this city,
Joseph Morrin Smith, aged So
years, IL months and 20 days.
Mr.. Smith was born at Quebec,
Canada, Jan. 9, 1880. He was the
youngest of family of ten broth
ers. His early life was passed in
his native city. In 1874 he came to
River Falls and at first conducted a
private bank which he continued to
operate until in 1884, when in COM
pany with other citizens of the
place he organized the Bank of
River Falls. This institution, of
which he was cashier during its
whole existence, was very success
full for many years. 1t proved to be
a great convenience for the people
and it's methods were very generally
acceptable to the community. AT
the merger of the bank few years
ago with the Farmers aud Mer-
chants State Bank, Mr.. Smith re-
tired from active banking business,
but his health was poor and though
he bravely fought against the en-
croaches of disease and tried to
keep in business life, his constitu
ton proved too frail and he was
compelled to retire from active
work some years prior to his death.
In 1883 he married Miss Mabel
Strahl, by whom he had four sons,
Robert, David, Dean and Winfield,
all of whom survive him.
The direct cause of his death was
Justification of the heart. He came
of excellent ancestry. His father
was rector of the Quebec High
school from the time of it's founda-
ton until his death, a period of
about twenty years. He was a
teacher of more than ordinary abil-
ity and gave to his sons an excel
lent example of energy and fidelity.
The people of the city join in sym
patty with the family of the de-
ceased. He was a citizen whose
place it is difficult to fill. Mr..
Smith was first of all business
man. To him banking was Sec
ond nature. He loved the work,
was always painstaking and accu-
rate. Particular in all the details of
the work, he was in all respects up
right and honest.
The work of the day done, how
ever, he dropped the cares of BUSH
ness and devoted himself to the
happiness of his family. Few men
were more domestic in their habits
than he. AS soon as the hour of
leaving came he was accustomed to
go directly to his home, where he
found his most complete happiness
in the company of his wife and
children. Their interests and
pleasures were ever uppermost in
his heart and their maturer lives
have given proof of his fidelity.
Mr.. Smith was a generous, up
right man. He believed in giving
to every man his due and that the
true principle is receiving and CIV
ing that which is just. To the poor
he was a friend in need. He be-
lieved in his adopted city and was
ever ready to aid in the promotion
of that which he deemed for it's ad-
vantage, and as earnest in oppos-
ing that which seemed to injure it's
prospects.
The funeral was held on Sunday
last at the Methodist church. There
were present from abroad Robert
of Chicago and David Smith of
Grand Forks, N. D., sons of the
deceased, w. S. Smith of Appleton,
Wis; DR.. and Mrs. Radcliffe OF
Balsam Lake; Mrs. Bradfeld of La
Crosse; Mrs. VIM. McKinzie and
Miss Ethel Smith of Minneapolis;
all of whom were relatives.
The funeral services were con-
Quoted by Rev. Fred w. Harris, pas
tor of the M. E. church. A large
number of beautiful floral tributes
attested the esteem of many friends
and business acquaintance. The
pall-bearers were Messrs. V. E.
Bailey, w. G. Spence, c. N. Wiger,
Prof. L. H. Clark, F. H. Lord and
and Grin Lord. The remains were
laid to rest in Greenwood cemetery.