Obit: Smith, Belle (? - 1935)

Contact: Crystal Wendt
Email: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Smith, Chandler, Schofield, Pierrellee, Young, Doty

----Sources: Neillsville Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 11 July 1935

Smith, Belle (? - 25 June 1935)

Mrs. Robert O. Smith, nee Belle Chandler, died at her home in Oakes, S. D., Tuesday, June 25, 1935, aged 68 years, one month and 17 days.

She was born at Westons Rapids, the first village in Clark County, Wisconsin; at one time a flourishing village situated two miles north of Neillsville, on Black River.

She was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Chandler who were among the first settlers of that locality. Her girlhood was spent at the hold home, receiving her education in the Neillsville schools. At a comparatively young age she was qualified and entered upon the duties of a teacher in rural schools at which work she made a marked success. Some of her former pupils and patrons still live in this county and remember her as a teacher and friend and will grieve to hear of her passing.

In 1888 she received an attractive offer from North Dakota to follow her vocation which she accepted and took up her residence in the new state.

On November 12, 1889, she was untied in marriage to Robert O. Smith and lived at Ludden, N. D., until 1905, when the family moved to Oakes, which since has been their home.

Four children were born to bless this happy prairie home and no pains where spared to give these children all the education available to make them useful citizens. Happiness and prosperity prevailed in this home many years until death removed the oldest son, Hugh, age 18, the result of an accident. Their daughter Sunie a graduate from the Aberdeen Teachers College, made a successful teacher. She married and went to California to reside where her life was taken in an epidemic. These deaths to untimely and unexpected were sorrow hard to bear, but the bereaved parents showed great Christian fortitude. Their daughter, Reva, is a college graduate, now married and resides at Green Bay, their son, Clark C., is a graduate of the Oakes High School, attended Chicago Universty and now is assistant manager of the St. Louis Division of the Standard Oil Compnya. He is married and lives in St. Louis.

In January of this year Mrs. Smith suffered a paralytic stroke, the effects of which she never over come, although she made a marked improvement. On June 1 a change for the worse was noted and she gradually grew weaker until she passed to her eternal reward.

She is survived by her grief stricken husband, two children, one brother, Carl Chandler, of Blanchardville and several cousins, among who are Dr. H. R. Schofield of Chicago, Mrs. V. T. Pierrellee and Gratia Young of Kansas City.

She was a member of Royal Neighbors, Eastern Star and Rebeka lodges, took a great interest and was valuable help in the Presbyterian church, Ladies aid and Missionary Society. She was always active and a hard worker for improvement of the community where she resided.

The funeral was held at the Presbyterian Church in Oakes Friday, June 28, conducted by Re. S. B. Doty. Interment in Oakes View Cemetery.

She had hosts of friends who will cherish her memory and deeply regret her departure.