Porter Ruby SMITH

Claude Victor
Sept 23, 1875 - Mar 12, 1892
Porter Ruby
1845 - 1902

Death of Porter R. Smith

Porter R. Smith died very suddenly at his home in this city at about 5 o'clock. p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17, 1902. The deceased was in his usual health and seemed to be unusually good spirited that day. At the time, he was in the sitting room with his wife, she was reading and he remarked to her that he would make a calculation of some proposition and began figuring. A moment or two later Mrs. Smith noticed that his spectacles fell from his face to the floor and directing her gaze upon him, discovered that something was the matter with him. She rushed to him and tried to get him to the bed but he fell upon the floor and neighbors were called who carried him to the bed and Dr. Parrish called, who pronounced the case apoplexy (unconsciousness or incapacity resulting from a cerebral hemorrhage or stroke). Nothing could resusticate [sic] him and he died shortly afterwards. The funeral took place on Tuesday morning from the Christian church to Forest cemetery conducted by Rev. W.P. Nason and assisted by Rev. M.B. Horton, and attended by a large number of friends and relatives. His son and daughter, of Des Moines were among the relatives from a distance in attendance.

Porter Ruby Smith was born on Jan. 26, 1845, in Randolph county; came to Adair in 1851; joined the C.P. church in 1868; married Miss Sue C. Kirk Sept. 17, '69. Seven children were born to this union, four of whom are living and three are dead. At the time of the death of his son, Charles, in 1892, who was (as was also his mother) a member of the Christian church, and at the funeral Mr. Smith joined the Christian church in which church faith he died.

"So live that when thy summons comes To join that innumerable host Which moves to that mysterious realm, Where each shall take his chamber in the silent hall of death, Thou go not like the quary slave, scourged to his cell But soothed and sustained by an unfaltering trust. Approach thy grave like one who draws the drapery of his couch around him and lies down to pleasant dreams."

Two of the four living children are the daughters, Misses Pearl and Ruth, and the other two are, a son Carl, and daughter, Mrs. Ada Williams, both married and living in Des Moines.

These with the mother are left to mourn his untimely death. Mr. Smith was one of the oldest printers in Northeast Missouri having followed this avocation for nearly forty years. He was at the time of his death foreman of this office and had been for nearly a year past, and had been connected with the paper as printer and foreman during a score or more years in the past. He had worked at the case during many winters in Jefferson City and also in Ottumwa.

He was a big and tender hearted man, honest and industrious, meaning at at all times to do the right as he saw it. His death created considerable comment among the craft here, with whom he stood in high esteem. Peace to his ashes.

Kirksville Democrat
Kirksville, Missouri
August 22, 1902

Children:
Earl Ruby Smith (____ - 1882)
Claude Victor Smith (1875 - 1892)


Obituary.

Claude Victor Smith died at the residence of his father Porter Smith, in Kirksville, Mo., March 12, 1892, after an illness of only thirty-six hours.

Claude was stricken down in the morning of life, being only 16 years, 5 months and 18 days old. Seldom has it become our duty to chronicle the death of so promising a youth. In November 1890, he became a member of the Christian church and continued a consistent member of the same until the day of his death. He took a deep interest in the study of the Bible and was a regular attendant at the Sunday school. He was industrious, obedient to his parents, and a general favorite with the young people among whom he associated. He always made a confidant of his mother, thinking that he could not go wrong while following her counsels. Shunning all sorts of immorality, he always sought good company.

The funeral services took place last Monday, at 2 p.m., at the Christain [sic] church in the presence of a very large audience, it being estimated that 800 persons were present.

The sermon was preached by Prof. G.H. Laughlin from the text--"If a Man Die Shall he Live Again?" Job. 14:14 God be with you till we meet again" was beautifully rendered by the choir at the close of the service.

Weekly Graphic
Kirksville, Missouri
March 18, 1892

Parents:
Porter Ruby Smith (1845 - 1902)
Sibling:
Earl Ruby Smith (____ - 1882)
Claude Victor Smith (1875 - 1892)

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Record #: 785977

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