SMITH, Charles Wesley - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

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SMITH, Charles Wesley

Source: 1960s Area Obituaries – thanks to Covington Public Library (especially Brenda) for sharing these wonderful obits with us –p 126 -  hand dated10-21-1955

Mr. Charles Wesley Smith, retired carpenter and builder of the Veedersburg community died Wednesday morning after being in ill health for the past 2 ½  years. Mr. Smith was 83 and had retired from the building trade about 10 years ago. He was born in Corydon, Ind, May 10. 1872 a son of Martin and Kathryn Smith. They moved to the Veedersburg community when he was 7 years old. He was married to Anna Sarjent Aug 23, 1905. Surviving is the wife, two daughters, Mrs. Wilma Fisher of Veedersburg and Mrs. Jesamine Borst of Hillsboro and a son, Mr. F. Borden Smith of Veedersburg. He was a member of the Veedersburg Methodist Church and K of P Lodge. Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at the Parham Funeral Home at 2 o’clock with Rev. Donald Weaver officiating. Burial will be in the Rockfield Cemetery. – kbz


Source: 1950s Area Obituaries – thanks to Covington Public Library (especially Brenda) p 128– hand dated 4 Nov 1955


Charles Wesley Smith, son of Catherine Rosenbarger and William Martin Smith was born at Corydon, Indiana May 10, 1872.  He was the third child in a family of seven all of whom are deceased with the exception of one sister, Mrs. Almeda Kinser of Veedersburg.  When he was about 10 years of age, the family moved from Harrison County to a farm site north of Veedersburg near the present Shale Pit. His education was continued at both Sterling and old Mt. Nebo schools.  Since farm work was not to his liking, he early became associated with his uncle, Jacob Rosenbarger in the carpentry trade.   In this work he became very proficient and was soon doing his own contracting.  His specialty was cabinet work and many homes built in this vicinity stand as evidence of his handiwork.  He helped to build many buildings, among them the Bowers Sation, Sterline, Hillsboro and Dice schools and both the Methodist Church which burned and the one now in use. In 1893 he became a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge and remained a member to his death.  In 1898 he joined the military order of the lodge known as the Uniform Rank.  He greatly enjoyed this phase of the work and advanced to become Captain of the local company.  Aug 23, 1905 he was married to Anna Sargent. To this union were born three children, Mrs. Wilma Fisher of Veedersburg, Mrs. Jessamine Borst of Hillsboro and F. Borden Smith at home, all of whom survive.  In the early part of the century he bought the Veedersburg Handle Factory and operated it for several years.  Many local men were employed to turn native hickory into a variety of handles which were often shipped to far corners of the world.  All during his life, both Mr. and Mrs. Smith were interested in community betterment and especially in young people. Their home was for many years a scene of activity for both youth and adults.  Together with Mr. TW Armstrong, Mr. Smith built forms, casts and installed the first cement boulevard electric lights in Veedersburg. He continued active in his life of work until he retired a few years ago because of ill health. Death came as a peaceful release on the morning of October 19, 1955.  Surviving besides the wife, children, sister, nieces and nephews are two grandchildren, Michael Borst of Hillsboro, Mrs. Annabelle Ebert of Danville, Illinois and one great grandson, Derek Fisher, son of Robert K. Fisher who preceded his grandfather in death by only a short time. – kbz


Charles Wesley Smith born May 10, 1872 came to Veedersburg area and here attended Mt. Nebo school. Thus, this would have been in about 1882-1888 or so




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