Lawrence W. Smith, 89, father of two well known Harrisburg business men, Adolph and Oscar Y. (Cotton) Smith, died at 5:30 a. m. today at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Isaac Webb, of Pierson.
Mr. Smith, whose 89th birthday was celebrated last November, became ill seven weeks ago, and died of the infirmities of old age. He was a retired farmer and had since early manhood lived on a farm near McCormack in Pope County.
He was born in Iowa and married the late Louisa Barger of
Pope county as a young man. She died two years ago. Their children,
who were born and reared in Pope county, are very well known.
They are : Fred Smith, Gillman; Adolph Smith, Harrisburg; Carl
Smith, West Frankfort; Charles Smith, Evansville; Francis Smith,
Sesser; Oscar Y. (Cotton) Smith. Harrisburg; Mrs. George Webb
and Mrs. Isaac Webb, Pierson; and Mrs. Halsey (Etta) Minor, Pontiac,
Mich.
He also leaves 26 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. A good number of the younger generation of grandsons are in military service and it is not known how many of these will be permitted to attend his funeral, which will be held Saturday.
Mr. Smith was a Baptist by faith and had been active in the church and as a Sunday school teacher and officer until ill health forced him to discontinue these activities.
The body of Mr. Smith will lie in state at the Gibbons funeral home tonight, and will be taken to the home of his daughter, Mrs. Isaac Webb, in the morning, where it will remain until the time of the services. The funeral will be held at Bolden church in Pope county, Saturday at 2 p. m. The Rev. David Morse and the Rev. W. E. Dutton officiating and burial will be at Bolden cemetery.
Newspaper and date unknown
This obituary was entered as written. However, there are a few errors.
Changes 2/21/2000
Lawrence was born in Canoe Creek Twp, Rock Island Co., IL
Gillman is spelled Gilman
Lawrence died March 23, 1944
Bolden cemetery is spelled Boulden today
Additions
Lawrence was the son of Henry and Mary (Luke) Smith who resided
in the state of NY in 1840 and 1850, Rock Island Co. in 1860,
Webster Co., IA in 1880.
Lawrence's first wife was Permelia Moyers, his second wife Laura
S Barger and third wife Louisa S Barger
Submitted by Donna L. Smith
DSmith1216@aol.com