The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-09-01
GEO. N. SMITH
Died SUDDENLY
PIONEER cAss COUNTY FARMER
AND LEGISLATOR HURRIEDLY
CALLED TO HIS MAKER WE'D
NEspAY AFTERNooN--A PRO-
GREssIvE AeRIcULTURALlsT.

Hon. Geo. H. Smith of Rush River
township dropped dead at 4 o'clock
Wednesday afternoon of heart failure
The deceased was on one of his
farms, known as No. S, and stopped
over to examine some grain when he
was stricken. Death came in less than
ten minutes.
Mr. Smith was one Of the Cass coun-
ty pioneers. He and his brother came
to Armenia in '7S and decided that was
the place they wished to make their
homes. That winter he returned east
and in the spring Of 70 returned to
North Dakota, where he had lived ever
since. He and his brother, Forester
H. Smith had big land holdings in both
North and South Dakota. The latter
lived in Brown county, South Dakota,
for many years.
Near Armenia and Garfield in this
county, Mr. Smith owned about 1000
acres of land. Rush River township is
generally credited with being about the
cream of Cass county and his holdings
were not excelled by those Of any 9TH
err farmer.
The deceased was one Of the kind of
farmers North Dakota can least afford
to lose as he was a firm believer in
crop rotation and diversification. He
didn't want his land in wheat more
than two years in succession If he
could help and never more than three
years. He was also strong believer
in thoroughbred livestock. His place
was famous for its high bred hogs and
sheep. He also raised all the horses
he needed for his large farms and had
nice dairy herd.
The home farm is noted for the
beauty Of its trees, some of which were
set out over thirty years ago and they
surround three sides of the farm
buildings, affording protection to the
residence, the stock and the fruit
trees planted inside.
The deceased served in the legisla-
| tive session of 81 and was one of the
leading members at the crucial stage
of the states formative period.
He was an officer of the township
almost ever since he assisted in it's
organization and the selection Of the
name from the stream which runs
through it. He was an active factor
| in the political and material develop
ment of that section of the county and
the state.
Mr.. Smith was unmarried. He
| leaves two brothers, Forester H. and
Avery M. The latter resides at Cas-
selton. C. Lee Clark of Casselton was
a brother law.
The deceased was 81 years old, hav-
| ing been born in Wyoming county,
New York, April /, 1S49. When quite
young his family removed to Kalama-
zoo county, Michigan, and located at
| Schoolcraft. He was educated at the
Kalamazoo Baptist college and at Par
sons business college in the same city
Mr.. Smith was intensely interested
in his farm work and had led an ex-
tremely active life. He was tireless
worker and believed in giving his per-
sonal supervision to a greater part of
the details of his farm. When re-
monstrated with recently about his
strenuous life, he announced that he
had just completed plans to take
things easier next year and intended to
rent all the farms but the home place.
His plans also contemplated devoting
1
to seed wheat growing, having taken
prominent position in both for many
years. He was extremely proud of
several medals and blue ribbons he
had won on corn, wheat, fax, timothy
and other grains.
George N. Smith was an honorable
man, builder a developer. genial and
kindly in his treatment of the large
forces employed by him and humane
to his animals. There were few en-
ployed on his large farms who didn't
leave the place his friend and anxious
to return another year. Some Of the
members of his harvesting crews came
year after year.
The funeral will not be held till Sun
day afternoon at o'clock as it will
be delayed till the arrival OF rela-
tives from the west. The remains will
be taken to Schoolcraft, Mich, for in
terment.