The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-11-07
VETERAN PATRIARCH,
JOHN SMITH, DIES
Passes Away After Fifty-six
Years of High Service in
Church.

John Smith. the sixth presiding patri-
arch OF the Mormon church and con
spicuous among the venerable pioneers
who played unusually active roles in the
founding and development of the church
In the days OF Its birth and infancy, died
at his residence. 263 South First West
street, last night at II 80 o'clock The
end came suddenly after Il brief Illness
of SIX days, and was the direct result of
pneumonia. His condition was not re-
garded as alarming until yesterday. when
nc weakened rapidly, passing away after
an admirable fight for life, with the odds
OF age against him.
The patriarch was 10 years old lie
had acted In the honorcd position for
more than 56 years. 1t is estimated from
records kept that he administered be
tween $4,000 and 10000 patriarchal bless
lnGs during that period Perhaps no
man has been SO widely known and loved
by many generations among members
OF the church. Few central figures In
spiritual affairs OF Mormonism have re-
ccivod such universal esteem and tribute,
Children at Bedside.
When the end came the patriarch was
surrounded by his. five surviving children.
II. F. smith of Provo. Mrs. Lucy Davis
Of Preston, Ida. d. G.. Smith of River
ton, Joseph Smith OF louisville and 4.
L. Smith of Salt Lake. DR. c. L. Will
cox. the family physician. was in con-
stant attendance. and remained at the
patients bedside until the heht was
ended. President Joseph +. Smith Wis
tied with the patriarch shortly after noon
and was notified at once after death
came.
Besides the fvc children. Patriarch
Smith is survived by twenty seven
grandchildren Arrangements for the
funeral ceremonies have been placed en-
trely In the hands OF President Joseph
II. Smith. and in all probability the
! vt-iIi n al rb.
Through all the years OF his service TO
tile church Patriarch Smith had been in
possession OF vigorous health and WAS an
have led so active a life.
Signs OF Illness were first noticed last
"Wednesday. whom the patriarch returned
from Preston, Ida. He had apparently
contracted slight cold The following
day Or Wilcox was summoned. and after
careful investigation announced some in
dication OF pneumonia. slight but per-
sistent hcmorrhasc OF the lungs was no
tlced but the patients condition was not
considered critical.
Asks for ''the Boys
Yesterday n change for the worse
caused family members some apprehen
sion and DR. Wilcox was almost con
stantly a the sick mans side, and rem
dered all possible assistance. Gradually
the patient grow weaker. until the re-
suit was apparent. The esteemed
churehman tough, strongly against
dsdtn. pul "SS eventually i0rCcG 10 ClVG
up. His last words. as the family
grouped about his bed. were Call the
boys in; I'll have to give up Stimu-
lants were occasionally administered
durinC the day TO keep up heart action.
Strong hope and faith in his recovery
were held until the end
John Smith was born In Kirkland. Lake
county. Ohio; September 22. 1892. lie was
rusha BardcD Smith. Joseph Smith. the
Mormon prophet and founder OF the
church. was his uncle. tfis mother died
In 1887, and his father was killed al the
time of Joseph Smiths death al Carthage
prison. With other members OF the fam
rs, he lived at Far West, Quincy. Nau-
VOC and other places where the follow
ers Of the church resta blished their COM
mupities In early days.
He performed missions abroad and
crossed the plains many times at the
verts he had led from across the Al
lantic. I:
He gas leader of the pioneer band
Of is4S. and WAS then but sixteen years
self n member Of the Battalion OF
Life Guards" which protected the set
tiers from the attacks OF maraudjng In
diars.
At thc age Of Il. Feb lS. 1855. he
was appointed presiding patriarch by,
President brigham Young. Others as
sisting in the ceremony were Hcber c.
Orson Pratt. Wilford Woodruff. George
4. Smith and Lorenzo Snow
The office % presiding patriarch. Is the
ONLY position IN the Mormon church that
Is handed down from father TO son by
right OF lineage The. first TO hold the
office was Joseph Smith, senior, father
Smith. father Of the deceden,. followed,
Asabel Smith and John Smith both sen
Tor sons OF Hyrum preceded the late
patriarch
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