The Tribune
Seymour, Indiana
Monday, March 17, 1924
Page 1

FORMER BANKER AT FREETOWN IS DEAD

Isaac Smith, Widely Known Resident of Salt Creek Township, Expires After Long Illness.

LONG SERVICE IN CIVIL WAR

President Freetown State Bank for Many Years-Served as Assessor of Township.

Isaac Smith, aged seventy-seven years, former president of the Freetown State Bank, and for many years active in business and political affairs in Salt Creek township, died at 5:45 o'clock this morning at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Walter Harbaugh, near Freetown. He had been ill for the last two and one-half years with paralysis and other complications. His condition became critical several days ago and his death was not unexpected.

Mr. Smith, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel R. Smith, was born July 20, 1846, at Freetown and lived there throughout life. His parents were pioneers of the township in which he was born. Mr. Smith attended the schools of the township and was a school teacher for ten years.

When war was declared between the North and the South, Mr. Smith enlisted in Co. H, 120th. Indiana Volunteers and served practically three years in the Union army. He saw much active service and in one engagement was wounded in the shoulder. A bullet was embedded so deeply in his shoulder that it could not be extracted and he remained in an army hospital for many weeks for treatment. He recovered and at the close of the conflict returned to Freetown.

Mr. Smith was president of the Freetown State Bank for many years, relinquishing that position about three years ago. He served as justice of peace in Salt Creek township for sixteen years and was assessor of the township for four years, having the distinction of being the only Republican ever elected to township office in Salt Creek township. He took an active interest in county and state political affairs and was closely affiliated with the Republican county organization many years.

Mr. Smith was twice married. He was married to Miss Cordelia Laughhunn in 1868, and to them was born one son, Henry, of Redding township, who survives. Mrs. Smith died in 1870 and 1871 Mr. Smith was married to Miss Hannah Spurgeon who died in January, 1919. Eight children were born to the second union, four of whom are dead. Surviving are two sons, Charles of Freetown, and James, of Waymansville, and two daughters, Mrs. Harbaugh, with whom Mr. Smith lived after the death of his wife in 1919, and Mrs. Bruce Brown, of Columbus. He also leaves fourteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, three brothers, O.H. Smith, of Carmi, Ill., Louis, of Kurtz, Hiram, of Bebee, Ark., and a sister, Mrs. L. M. Cross, of Carmi, Ill.

Mr. Smith was a highly respected citizen. With training characteristic of pioneer citizens, he was determined, courageous and persevering and overcame obstacles and hardship with a resoluteness that commanded the respect of everyone who knew him. He was a friend of everyone and found genuine pleasure in being of service to his neighbors and acquaintances. He was a trustee of the United Brethren church for many years.

The funeral will be conducted at 10:30 o'clock, Wednesday morning from the United Brethren church at Freetown by the Rev. Meade Reynolds. Burial at the Freetown cemetery.