Thursday November 10, 1921
Wray Rattler John J. Smith, one of the pioneers of this community, passed away at his home in this city last Friday November 4.
Funeral services were held at the Methodist Church, Saturday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Lucas, pastor of the M.E. Church, and burial was made in the Grandview Cemetery (
Wray).
He was born at Indianapolis,
Indiana, May 5, 1848. When a young man he moved to
Nodaway County,
Missouri where he resided for a number of years. In 1870 he was married to Miss Ann
Glaze. To this union six children were born, Martin E. of
Wray, Mary D. Lippincott of
Mansfield,
Washington, Robert E. who died in infancy,
Clark D. of
Wray,
Cora A. Robbins of
Denver, and William J. of
Wray.
He came to
Colorado in 1888, settling on a homestead out near the C12 ranch. He resided on this same farm from 1888 until five years ago, when with his family he moved to
Wray. He became a member of the Methodist Church about 40 years ago. He led an honest, upright life, and numbered his friends by the legion.
Some weeks ago, Mr. Smith decided to visit old friends and relatives in
Missouri and
Arkansas. He started on his journey eastward, but became critically ill when he arrived at Troy,
Kansas. He was brought home but continued to fail until the end.