The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-01-23
MRS. FRIEND W.
SMITH SR.. HAS
PASSED AWAY
Death of Wife of President
of Smith & Egge Go.
Causes Widespread
Grief 9
A LIFE OF NOBLE CHARITY
Slight Illness Took Sudden
Turn for Worst-The
End Was Peaceful

1.-THE stream that border 'Better-Land'
Is near, and we can almost toss
A pebble to its waters clear
And soon We'll gently step across
"But when the border stream is cross
And we have reached the farther
shore
It cannot be, we are not lost
To all our loved ones-evermore.''
SO runs part Of little poem pen
ned by Friend William Smith to his
beloved wife one year ago, on the
9th anniversary of their wedding
day. Today the verses have proved to
be sadly prophetic, for Mrs. Smith
has departed for the shores Of Better
Land leaving widespread grief not
only among the members of her own
family, but In the entire city as we'll.
Had she lived another month, Mrs.
Smith and her husband would have
had the happiness of observing anoth-
er wedding-aniversary, surrounded by
their family. but Fate had not ordain-
ed it that way. An illness, at first
slight. suddenly took a serious turn,
and before the grief stricken family
could realize 1t, Mrs. Smith had peace
fully passed into the beyond. Her
death occurred early Saturday even
ing.
Mrs. Smith was an exemplar Of the
noolest type OF womanhood; her life
was INCREASINGLY devoted to sympa-
thetic, unostentatious charity. Her
death leaves an irreparable void, but
the beauty Of her example and the
depth Of her kindliness will live in
the memories of all who knew her.
Mrs. Smith, whose maiden name was
Angelina Amelia Weed, was born on
May 3, 1888. the daughter Of Zerah
Weed. q prosperous farmer and man
ufacturer residing in the Stony Hill
district, Bethel. Her mother was
Zilpha Northrop Weed a native Of
Rldgef1eld. From both father and
mother the daughter inherited, those
Deaut1fuL L4Qualities Of character which
endeared her to all in later life.
Slxty-hve years ago Mr.. and Mrs.
Weed took up their residence in
Bridgeport, then village Of little
more than 5000 Their home was
located on upper Main street, near the
Bronson Hawley estate. Their daugh-
ter was educated in Bridgeport and
among her schoolmates were many
women afterward prominent in the
culture and charity of the city.
Mr.. and Mrs. Smith were welded on
February %. 1893, Friend w. Smiths
father, the Rev. Friend w. Smith, Of
fciating at the ceremony, together
with Rev. Edmund S. James. brother
Of the late Bishop James. The cere-
mony took place In the Beaver Street
Methodist church Of which Mr.. and
Mrs. Smith were, members for manY
years.
Later they joined Christ Episcopal
church and were confirmed there
during the late Rev. Beverly War
ner's rectorship, by Bishop Williams.
Mrs. Smith was prominent in the
affairs of Christ church and was al
ways an active member of the Bridge
port Ladies' Charitable society, an or.
ganization ovr 100 years old. perhaps
the Oldest Of its kind in the state.
For many years she served as pres
ident of this society. During her lat
or years. a slight deafness caused her
to deem It advisable to resign from
the presidency, but she retained her
on the board Of mana
gers and continued to show unabated
interest and enthusiasm in {urthering
the work of the organization. As
the last annual meeing in January she
assisted in receiving with the other
members Of the society. Her un-
failing enthusiasm for charitable work
was shown on this occasion by the
very large subscription list filled by
her personal efforts.
Mrs. Smith was unfailingly of the
most. kindly and sympathetic dispo
sition and gave her personal atentioA
to the needs OF the poor
Of Bridgeport. She was active in this
respect until the approach Of her last
Illness which first manifested itself
about two weeks ago in the shape OF
a slight cold.
This developed into bronchitis and
odema of the lungs and despite the
utmost resources of modern medical
science, resulted fatally. The END
came on Saturday night, at 9:15
o'clock, Mrs. Smith sinking into death
as into peaceful slumber, surround
ed by the members of her family. She
was attended in her last illness by DR..
F. B. Downs and DR.. Charles Gard
ner.
Surviving, besides her husband, who
IS president Of the Smith q Egge
Company, ana one OF
the most prominent and highly hon
bred citizens of Bridgeport, are the
following children: Friend w. Smith,
IT., the we'll known patent attorney:
Charles Esmond Smith, superintendent
Of the Smith & Egge Co.; Oliver
Cromwell Smith. secretary and trea-
surer of the Smith & Egge COM
ice H. Jackson.) There are also the
following grandchildren: Miss Sophie
Smith Miss Julia Smith, Friend WI
Smith III, Miss Esther Jackson and
Miss Doris Jackson.
The funeral will take place tomor-
row afternoon at o'clock from her |
ate residence, 1872 Lafayette street. |
where Mr.. and Mrs. Smith have lived /
for over 35 years. The Rev. E. j. |
Craft, rector of Christ Episcopal |
church will be the officiating clergy
nan and the burial will be in the |
family plot in Mountain Grove ceme- |