Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1910-04-21

Kent Jakeway resumed his school
work April Is in the Union school.
We regret TO learn that Miss Jane
Close has departed this life ut her home
in Greenville. She was cousin of the
late Mrs. l.. Il. Brooks, also formerly n
frequent visitor here.
Another sad message received, this
time from the south, that Mrs. Gertrude
Rice has lost her young husband, far
from her parents home, George Stevens
and wife, now of Fort Benton, Montana.
The stricken young wife is left with
two small children. All of her family
were Grattan people, except her father
and husband, her mother being a daugh-
ter of the late Henry Green and wife.
j. M. Giflin had the misfortune to
fall on the cellar steps last week, either
dislocating or fracturing one OF his
shoulders.
w. j. Lessiter and the Misses Kittie
and Bernice Lessiter visited George
Written and wife at their new home
in Moseley Sunday, finding them well
and happy with more trade than eX-
pected at first. A surprise farewell
party was given the retiring merchant,
Mr.. Gleason, April IA.
Mrs. l.. M. Carl was gaining nicely
last week; also Miss Edith Smith, the
teacher boarding there and who was
very i'll, has resumed her school in the
Talbert district.
Our gladness that fraction of Oak
field had gone "dry" by the repairing
of that troublesome sink hole, last week,
just over Grattan's north line, lasted
until The heavy rain Saturday night,
when the new filling gave way, again
stopping travel. The road is closed and
it's over the hills and across lots, as for
months, until something else is done.
Regular communication of Grattan
+. IL A. NJ. lodge April %, also of Venus
Chapter .. f.. ;. April 30, when Mrs
Clara Eldrege, the w. G.. Matron, eX-
poets To be with the Chapter, also A.
A. Weeks, w. NJ. and w. T.. of Grand
Rapids Chapter o. f. =, organized
several months ago i'm North Grand
Rapids.
Nehemiah Smith, who passed TO our
"Father's house where many mansions
be" April 10, was born i'm Vermont
sept. 2, 1914, removing to New York
state with his parents when small
boy, where he resided until he reached
manhood's estate and had chosen Miss
Betsey True of New York state as his
brlde-true indeed TO the marriage VOW
and willing TO share with him the then
perilous adventure of removing to the
wilderness, in what is now known as
Grattan township, at that date, 1914,
not even named. In little Shanty
with a quilt for its first door they dwelt
until the log house of pioneers was built.
She never returned but once TO visit
her dear old eastern home, and that in
her early married life, when travelling
had many dangers unknown today,
going alone as Mr.. Smith could not
leave home. After prosperity came a
fine new house was erected and happy
children played around. This ever
faithful, tender husband saw his COM
panion wayer in her household work
of early morning and going TO her relief,
she expired in the strong arms that fain
would have kept her if possible from
every earthly ill. The sorrow of this
sudden parting remained To the end of
his long life, at the advanced age of %
years, . months and days. To this
worthy couple were born four sons and
one daughter, Ellen, who became in
time Mrs. l.. PiXley, who passed on be-
fore, also one son in infancy, the living
descendants being three sons, George,
Albert and Will Smith, thirteen grand
children, fourteen great grandchildren
and one great great grandchild. The
Ashley church, for many years his
spiritual place of worship, was filled TO
overlooking April II with the relatives
and old friends, the Rev. Il. Ii. Carey
officiating in the last services, choosing
as his text, "Thou shalt be missed be-
cause thy seat will be empty Sam.
20; last clause of 18th verse-after which
the flower covered casl<et was placed
beside that of his beloved wife in the
Ashley cemetery. We who feel assured
that we shall know each other there,
believe also that the reuniting of loved
ones is joy that mortal tongue cannot
tell, for Gle that overcometh shall in
herit all things" and there shall be no
more death, sorrow or weeping in the
city OF our God.