Obit: Smith, Mathias M. (1826 – 1905)

Contact: Michelle Melcher
Email: michelle@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Smith, Thomas

----Source: Fairchild Observer (Fairchild, Wis.) 12/14/1905

Smith, Mathias M. (26 FEB 1826 – 2 DEC 1905)

M.M. Smith Dead
Father of F.A., J.W. and F.M. Smith.

Mathias M. Smith was born Feb. 26, 1826 at Litchfield, Herkimer Co., N.Y. Coming with his parents to northern Ohio in 1846, he was married De. 25, 1852 to Elizabeth M. Thomas, whose brothers F.N. and Willard H. were among Osseo’s well known merchants in an early day. In 1854, with his wife and son Fred A., he came west, coming to Milwaukee by boat, and completing the journey overland by covered wagon, locating on a farm in the town of Ithaca in Richland county, Wis., where in partnership with his brother, Jas. B. Smith, he resided until about 1889, when the children having all grown up and separated, the parents left the farm and moved to Sextonville, Wis., where they spent several years quietly on a small place raising berries, etc., until coming to Osseo to reside in 1898. He died at his home in Osseo, De. 2, 1905 at 1:35 pm, being not quite eighty years old.

Mr. Smith’s death came as a shock to the community although he had been ill for some time. Just before dying he was apparently getting better and expectations for his death had given place to hope. The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon from the house and in honor of his memory the business houses of Osseo closed for an hour.

From a published family history and reminiscences in 1884, these words of his occur: “Here our children have grown up and we have worked to give them good educations but the thirty-one years have not been all circus days. I sometimes think I would like to try it all over again.”

This characteristic expression is quoted to show the loving interest he always took in the welfare of his family, who will always hold in memory, his many acts of self-sacrifice and devotion.