Myron Smith was born at Elmwood, Illinois, August 24, 1842, and died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Orren W. and Edna (Smith) Wyatt, in Manning, Iowa, September 4, 1924, aged 82 years and 11 days.
Myron Chamberlain Smith passed his boyhood and youth at Elmwood, Illinois, enlisting at the age of nineteen in Company I. 77th Regiment of Illinois Volunteers. He was mustered into the United States service September 2, 1862, at Peoria, Illinois. A fall campaign was spent in Kentucky. Left for Vicksburg, December 20 under Sherman. Was at Arkansas Post January 1, 1863, and spent the rest of the winter with General Grant's Army at Young's Point, opposite Vicksburg. Left for the Siege of Vicksburg, April 1863. The fall of 1863 was spent in New Orleans and other points in Louisiana; crossed the gulf and spent most of the winter in Texas, returning to New Orleans, and took part in the Red River Campaign. He took part in the Investment and rapture of Forts Gaines and Morgan, on Dauphin Island and was there when Farragut passed the forts with his fleet on the way to Mobile August 5, 1864. In March 1865, the troops were again in motion to finish the capture of the defense of Mobile, Alabama. Lee's surrender soon followed and M.C. Smith was mustered out at Mobile, July 10, 1865, on account of general orders, which completed his three-year's service. After the war he moved to Des Moines County, Iowa, near Morning Sun, where he was engaged in farming. On October 1, 1868, he was united in marriage to Amelia J. Lotspeich. To this union were born six children. One son, Frank E. preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife, one son, Milo W. of Hubbell, Nebraska; and four daughters, Clara L. of University Place, Nebraska; Mrs. Marshall Moore of Fort Collins, Colorado; Mrs. John M. Van Scoy of Rippey, Iowa; Mrs. O.W. Wyatt of Manning, Iowa. There are also sixteen grandchildren and six great-grand-children.
Mrs. Emily Redfield, a half-sister also survives.
Mr. Smith moved to Randolph, Iowa, in 1881, and spent one year there. The family moved to Persia, Harrison County, Iowa, in 1882, where they resided until 1892, when they moved to Hubbell, Nebraska. In 1904, Mr. Smith retired from the farm and located at University Place, Nebraska, where he had since resided.
Mr. Smith came of sturdy New England parentage and was the last surviving member of the long-lived family of fifteen children. Ichabod Smith, his father was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, and was a pioneer in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Illinois. Of this family, Myron Smith was the eighth of the brothers and sisters to celebrate his golden wedding which event occurred October 1, 1918.
He was converted to the Christian faith during his service in the war, at New Orleans, under the ministry of Chaplain Newman, who was afterwards a bishop of the Methodist Church. He became a member of the Congregational Church. In 1869, after his marriage, he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, continuing as a faithful member, thereof until death.
While serving in the Army he made a thorough study of the Bible, practically mastering it. While his schooling was limited to the public school and academy, he possessed a rare mind, and was a deep and thorough student all his life. He had a practical interest in all public questions.
He took an active part for many years in the Grand Army of the Republic, a faithful attendant of the meetings of Belknap Post.
He had a profound Christian faith and exemplified in his daily life the teaching of Christianity. He lived a quiet and unassuming life, filled with kindness and good works. His influence in his home and community was a positive force for the highest ideals.
The last few months of his life were filled with intense suffering, which he met with the same fortitude and soldier bearing which characterized his whole life.
"His was the calm beauty of an ordered life.
Whose very breathing is unworded praise.
A life that stands as all true lives have stood.
Fast rooted in the faith that God is good."
A short religious service was held at Manning, Iowa, by Rev. Coates. The funeral occurred at 3 o'clock Sunday, September 7, at the First Methodist Church in University Place. Rev. A.J. Croft and Chancellor I.B. Schreckengast were in charge of the beautiful service. Cash D. Fuller, commander of the G.A.R. Post, paid a tribute to his comrade and Dean and Mrs. Witte, Stella Olson, and Milton Coffman sang the beautiful hymns, "Abide with Me" and "Lead Kindly Light." Sons of Veterans acted as pall bearers and members of the American Legion as escort, CONTRIBUTED.
Burial was in Wyuka Cemetery, Lincoln, Nebraska.
Apparently Myron and his wife were living in Manning for sometime - she died in Manning in 1932 and is also buried in the Wyuka Cemetery.