William A. Smalley, son of Daniel and Nancy Mattix Smalley, was born in Harrison county, Kentucky, June 29th, 1841.
For months he had been a patient sufferer, and as the physical body slowly weakened, the spirit, weary with the conflict, left its tenement of clay and sought refuge in 'a house not made with hands eternal in the heavens,' on July 8th 1917, at his home near Ogden at the age of 76 years and 9 days.
His boyhood days were sent on a farm in Kentucky with a large family of brothers and sisters.
On September 1st, 1863, he was united in marriage with Nancy Douglas, and came to Indiana and settled near Connersville, where they began life's battles together. To this union were born eleven children, eight of whom, together with the mother, 12 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, one brother Ed, near Connersville, and several nieces and nephews, are left to mourn his demise. Two sons, Harley and Theodore, and one daughter, Emma Gillam, have preceded him.
He was closely attached to his home and especially so to the good faithful wife, who has been a helpmate in every sense of the word for 63 years.
He was a man who shirked no duty, and when his parents needed the help of a son he and his wife gave them a home as long as they needed it. Honesty, truthfulness, justice and moral rectitude were sacred to him, and he was ever found willing to do his full share in fostering these commendable traits of character wherever his influences could be effectually exerted. In 1893 he with his wife were converted, and united with the Presbyterian church at Ebenezer. He was happy in his faith in the Master and has said so many times that 'It was all well.' He [was] a good neighbor, a kind and helpful father and a loving companion.
'"Weep not that his toils are o'er
Weep not that his race is run.
God grant we may rest as calmly
When our work, like his, is done.
'Till then we would yield with gladness
Our treasures to him to keep,
And rejoice in the sweet assurance
He giveth His loved ones sleep."
