Surnames: Smith, Moody

----Source: NEILLSVILLE TIMES (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 12/04/1903

Smith, Walter H. #2 (11 AUG 1867 - 29 NOV 1903)

Walt Smith died at his home in Withee (Clark Co., Wis.) Sunday night, Nov. 29, 1903, of diabetes. He became unconscious at 2 o’clock Sunday afternoon, and so remained until the end.

He had been in excellent spirits up to a very short time before, was in attendance as member of the county board, and was about his affairs as usual. He had it in mind to take a trip to the coast this winter. He and Mrs. Smith spent a number of weeks here (Neillsville, Clark Co.) this fall, occupying the Lester Tilton home, for the purpose of receiving medical attention, as he had symptoms of diabetes and realized that he was in a precarious condition. But he was a man of so sunny and genial a disposition, so companionable, and so hopeful, that he did not enlarge upon his ailment, philosophically taking things as they came, and taking them cheerily.

A young man, cut down in the midst of his usefulness, with a legion of friends, prosperous, adored by the home circle, he had everything to make life pleasant. We doubt if he had an enemy in the world, for even in his political differences with men his impulse was to convince and win them rather than assail them. He had warm friends throughout the county, and especially here at Neillsville, where he was a frequent visitor.

Walter H. Smith was born in Manitowoc Co., Aug. 11, 1867, came to Clark Co. with his father’s family in 1879, living at Christie, Greenwood, Longwood and Withee successively, the residence at Withee having continued for twelve or thirteen years. He had been engaged in logging for some years, and was a partner with Tom Kerns in a logging contract when he died.

He died childless, survived by the wife, who, as Clara Moody, attended school here, and has the fellowship in grief of many here. Walt Smith was a man with all the best that the term implies.

The funeral took place at Withee yesterday afternoon, with interment there.