Jasper F. Smith

Jasper F. Smith

Jasper F. Smith, son of Rev. Jason B. Smith and Matilda C. Franklin Smith, was born in Livingston Co., Kentucky November 9 1842. Died: February 6, 1930 at 9 a. m. in Verden, Oklahoma, age 87 years, 2 months and 27 years.

He was converted and united with the Methodist church in young manhood. Was married to Frances Sophia Lambert at Grantsburg, Johnson Co., Illinois, September 24, 1868 by Rev. William H. Scott, pastor of M. E. church at that place.

To the union was born ten children: Tommie, Fannie, Snowdrop and Ralph who died when small and Mrs. W. E. Morgan, the oldest child who died July 9, 1928. He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Gussie Stull of Verden and Mrs. Anna M. Gentry of Oklahoma City; and three sons, Jason B. and Fred Smith of Verden and Frank Smith of Amber, Oklahoma. He is also survived by 19 grandchildren: Mrs. Gertie Bayless of Olmstead, Illinois, Elmer and Clyde Gentry, Mrs. Florence Jones, Mrs. Mildred Adams, all of Oklahoma City; Mrs. Alice McArthur of Peiora, Arizona, Mrs. Alta Mae Hargrove and Miss Flora Morgan of Chickasha; Charles F. Smith of Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas; Norma, Anna and Dorothy Smith of Amber; Merle, Ralph, Thelma, Harold, Maxine, Arlene and Bobbie Gene Smith of Verden; and six great grandchildren; Elnora, Dick and Reubena Hargrove of Chickasha, Betty Joan Adams and James C. Gentry of Oklahoma City and Pauline McArthur of Peoria, Arizona.

Mr. Smith served his country in the Civil War under his father, Captain Jason B. Smith as 2nd duty Sergeant in the 1st Battery, Co. K. 1st Illinois Light Artillery Volunteers. He was honorable discharged at Nashville, Tennessee December 11, 1864 after having served 3 years and 75 days. Mr. Smith was the brother of Col. Thomas Hobson Smith who was buried at Metropolis, Illinois.

On August 4, 1902 Mr. Smith, with his wife and children left their friends and relatives in Southern Illinois and with teams and wagons made the overland trip to Indian Territory. They arrived at their new home four miles north and one mile east of Verden, September 3, 1902. In March 1919 they retired from active farm life and moved to Verden where they resided until his wife was called to the great beyond January 26, 1925.

Mr. Smith spent the following two years on the farm north of Verden with his son Fred and family. In September, 1927 Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Stull came to Verden from Metropolis, Illinois to make a home and care for their father here.

Mr. Smith has made many friends whose kindness are very much appreciated and will never be forgotten by his children.

Funeral services were held in the Methodist church of Verden, Saturday February 8, at 2 p. m. Rev. Robert Hedrick officiating, assisted by the Masons.

"In the valley of the shadow,
Where your soul is bowed today
In deepest sympathy, dear friend,
I enter, if I may.
Though words avail so little,
I long to say to you,
That in your sorrow,
My heart is heavy too.
But when in days to come, we too,
Shall reach the unseen land,
Where bitter partings are no more,
Perhaps we'll understand."