John Pheasant Smith

John P. Smith died at his home in Smith Valley, Friday night, June 27, 1902, at 11.15 o'clock from paralysis. He had been afflicted for several years with heart trouble and was most of the time in a precarious condition. On the night preceding his death he had a paralytic stroke from which he did not rally. Deceased was born on the farm on which he died, January 23, 1838, hence was aged 64 years, 5 months and 4 days. He was a son of Levi (deceased) and Mary Smith. Arriving at manhood he married Miss Annie Miller who died in January, 1871. To them were born three sons and one daughter all of whom are living. They are Allison M., of Kansas, A. Bruce of Cromwell Township, Oscar G., of Pueblo, Colorado, and Mrs. Miles Miller, at Union Township. Subsequently Mr. Smith married Miss Jane Melcher, of Mapleton, daughter of the late Jonas Melcher, who with the following children survive him: Mrs. Jacob Hearn, Mrs. J. Luther Hetrick, Jonas, Walter, Samuel, Emma and Sadie, of Smith Valley, Charles of Shirley Township and Mrs. Seibert of Altoona. He is also survived by his mother, five brothers and two sisters. They are Samuel P., of Brady Township, Dr. George W., of Hollidaysburg, Isaac S., of Manhattan Kansas; E. Miles and Leonard K. of Union Township, Mrs. Belle Pheasant of Nebraska; and Mrs. John Bookhamer of Tyrone. The remains were interred Sunday afternoon in the Mountain View cemetery, services conducted by Rev. C. W. Bryer, being held at the house. After the services at the tomb the members of Latta Grove Grange, of which he was a member, sang a funeral ode.