Beaverton Historical Society Gladwin County Obituary/Death Notice
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Obadiah B. Smith
OBADIAH B. SMITH INJURED BY AUTO
NINETY YEAR OLD VETERAN THROWN UNDER CAR
Obadiah B. Smith, a long time resident of Gladwin,
civil war veteran 90 years old, while riding on M-30
with his son-in-law, John Fick, who was driving, about
6 p.m., on the return trip from Bay City, was the
victim of an auto accident, which in all probability
will prove fatal.
The car, which was a Ford, was said to be moving at
a rate of 70 miles an hour. It was keeping the road
with uncertainty, and near Earl Shumway's place in
Buckeye it suddenly left the highway and turned over
in an eight-foot ditch. The car was badly injured,
Fick little hurt and Mr. Smith rendered unconscious.
Dr. Coulter was called and found the injured man hurt
internally and with many external bumps and injuries.
Mr. Smith has been unconscious since the accident, with
no hope of survival.
Upon reaching the residence Fick, crazed with poor
whiskey, caused some trouble, and Sheriff Paxton was
called, and found him with three quart bottles of
whiskey in his possession, which was taken before
Justice Straley, charged with driving while
intoxicated, and fined $60 and given 10 days in jail,
which he is serving, and his driver's license revoked
for six months.
Mr. Smith, on the 10th day of October next, would
be 90 years of age. He served in the war five years,
three months and 13 days and had the papers and
discharges showing his enlistment and honorable
dismissal from service. He enlisted from Dewitt in
Clinton county and came back to it when he was
discharged. He saw service in most of the confederate
states, was in 13 battles, marched with Sherman to the
sea, and in the service of his country had many
experiences of a trying and strenuous kind.
Shortly before enlisting he was employed on a farm
at $6 per month. This assured the writer, was very
good wages. His discharge papers described him as five
feet 10 inches in height, weighing 170 pounds.
Mr. Smith came to Gladwin county in the 70's,
before its organization. He was here when its first
officers were elected and he mentioned with interest
all of the first officers elected, including Sheriff
Ells, Simmons and Parker. In the early days he drove
team for Busch and Lane.
He had seen more than 50 years of life in Gladwin
county. From a wilderness of forest he had seen
Gladwin county grow and develop. He had keen interest
in political affairs and discussed doings of the day
politics.
He was one of the few G.A.R. men to remain to draw
a pension of $100 per month, and at the time this
pension was allowed a letter from the department
stated that he was 166 in this class.
Later Mr. Smith died at 2 a.m. today.
{Note: Actual Recorded Date of Death is: unk. Name: Obadiah B. Smith}
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Personal Information
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Death Date
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Burial/Final Location
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Service
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unk
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unk
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Yes
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Publication Information
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Pub. Date
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Publication
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Pub. Page
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9/17/1931
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Gladwin County Record, Gladwin, MI
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P:1 C:2
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Transcription Information
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Date
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Transcribed by
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Source Media
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January 2005
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Tom Ladner
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Microfilm
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