Person:Francina Smith (1)

  Francina came from a close-knit Christian family.  It is believed that she was a school teacher before her  Marriage to Henry J. Francina was a versatile and talented writer, including columns for the Onaga Herald, and a book of original poems.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Harrison, Ohio, United States. 1850 U.S. Census Population Schedule
   FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MX3M-F8Z : 12 April 2016), Frances A Smith in household of George B Smith, Smyrna, Harrison, Ohio, United States; citing family 320, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
2. ↑ OBITUARY, Cardington Ohio Paper, March 1910
   Mrs. H. J. Smith - After an illness of several months duration, Mrs. H. J. Smith died at her home in this city last Saturday night. The cause of her death was tuberculosis of the blood. During the past month of her illness she was confined to her bed a great deal of the time.
   Francina Smith was born at Smyrna, Guernsey County, Ohio, on August 4th, 1845 and died March 19th 1910, aged 64 years, 7 months and 15 days. She was converted and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church at the age of sixteen and had been a faithful member and hard worker in that denomination until her death. She was loyal to Christ and the church, and was an earnest worker and teacher in the Sunday School for many years. She was a good, pure-hearted Christian woman, a loving wife and her husband trusted safely in her. She was a good and kind mother and kept herself young and maintained deep interest in all that pertained to the welfare and happiness of her family. She was kind-hearted and did all she could to relieve suffering and distress. When she could not go in person to those in sorrow and trouble she always used her pen and would send a message of cheer, sympathy and helpfulness. She was patient in her suffering and was upheld by her trust and confidence and hope of the future. The following extract from a letter to a friend in the hour of bereavement shows her confidence in a better world: "I often think of our bright Eternal home where we can wander at will through the celestial garden and see our precious loved ones rejoicing and praising the Redeemer of us all. I can imagine your dear children, and mine, bringing beautiful flowers and gathering around the dear ones who have gone before. But I want to see my Savior first of all. I want to kiss his feet and clasp them in my hands and praise Him for bringing me safely through this land of banishment into His presence."
   The deceased was united in Marriage to Mr. H. J. Smith on the 26 day of March 1868. To this union were born seven children, two of which died in infancy. There are left to mourn her departure three sons, B. G. Smith of Onaga, A. D. Smith of Marshall County, E. R. Smith of Menlo, Kansas and two daughters - Mrs. Grace Cummings of Marshall County, and Miss Pearl Smith of this city, and the husband, H. J. Smith. Besides these there are several grand-children and a host of friends.
   The funeral services were held at the ME Church in this city Monday afternoon at 2 O'clock conducted by the pastor, Rev. E. O. Johnson, and a large concourse of friends were present to pay the last tribute of respect to one whom they loved and admired. The interment was given in the family lot in the Vienna Cemetery beside the two children who has preceded the mother to the land of rest. The HERALD joins with the many friends of the bereft family in expressions heartfelt sympathy.
   
   Card of Thanks
   To the kind neighbors and friends who assisted us in the lingering illness of our dear wife and mother, and who spoke words of sympathy to us in our bereavement, and especially to those who assisted and contributed the beautiful floral offerings for the burial, we desire to extend our hearty thanks.
   H. J. Smith and Children.
   
   Kansas Historical Society Microfilm Roll O 106
   The ONAGA HERALD, June 2 4, 1897
   Sad Tidings.
   Last Thursday, Mrs. H. J. Smith, of Vienna township, received the sad intelligence of her mother's death, which occurred on the 12th instant, at her home in Edison, Ohio. The deceased was 78 years of age. She was known to many friends of the family in this vicinity and at Havensville who became acquainted with her during her visits with her daughter's family, and these, with all other of the numerous friends of the daughter and her esteemed family, will deeply sympathize with them in their sad bereavement.