Smith - John L (Rev)
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 17 March 1899
Lafayette Courier: The remains of the late Rev. John L. Smith, of Valparaiso, were brought here this afternoon for interment. Short services were conducted at the grave by Rev. Samuel Beck, of Valparaiso, and Rev. J. T. McMullen, who paid beautiful tributes to the life of the deceased. The pallbearers were the following local clergymen: C. B. Wilcox, T. J. Bassett, George W. Switzer, C. B. Mock, C. A. Brooke, and Samuel Godfrey. - thanks to "S" for both of these
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 17 March 1899
Rev. John L. Smith, D. D., the oldest Methodist minister in Indiana, died Saturday evening at 5 o’clock at his home in Valparaiso. His death was caused by the infirmities of age. His health had been on the decline for some time and his friends and relatives were prepared for the announcement received Saturday evening.
John Lewis Smith was born in Brunswick County, Virginia, on May 24, 1811. In company with his parents, he went to Greene County, Ohio, in 1826. While attending a meeting at Union in 1827, he was converted. His first license as an exhorter bears the date of June, 1836, and the signature of Rev. William Sutton, preacher in charge, and his first sermon was preached at the home of Thomas Owen. He was licensed to preach in February, 1837, and was at once employed as a supply on the Wilmington circuit with Rev. J. Laws. From 1837 to 1840, he was variously engaged, sometimes traveling as a supply. During the winter of ’39-’40 he started on horseback for the then far west, visiting in Montgomery County, Indiana, where he was given an appointment as a supply at Munceytown. The Indiana conference of 1840 was held in the hall of the House of Representatives, at Indianapolis, where Mr. Smith was admitted and given Winchester circuit. The next year he was sent to Munceytown, now Muncie. From that time on until his death he was a prominent figure in Indiana Methodism. He served as pastor of the M. E. Church here and was presiding elder of the Crawfordsville district. He was founder of the Thorntown Academy and the author of a book on Indiana Methodism. He was married several times, his last wife being taken at Omaha in the groom’s 81st year. The funeral occurred at Lafayette Tuesday.