Jennie Smith nee Kaley was born in Vernon, Iowa, January 24, A.D., 1864, where she spent the first six years of her life. From there she went with her parents to Ottumwa where they resided for six years, thence to this place where she has lived until Tuesday morning at 6:35 she passed peacefully away. She was converted at the early age of 15 years and united with the M.E. church. She was married to Chas. W. Smith Dec. 26, 1882. **handwritten: and for more than 9 years his loving wife. There was always a cheerful greeting for Charlie) when he came home from his run. The love she bore to him has been reciprocated in the most unswerving fidelity and unbounded tenderness. About four years ago Jennie took sick with the disease that preys so gradually that flatters hope and baffles the utmost skill. During this time she has shown those traits of christian character that are worthy of a saint. Such patience in tribulation, such fortitude in weakness, such cheerfulness in all times was enough to convince men and cause angels to wonder at the grace of God manifested in her life. Her's was a love that "suffereth long and is kind;" that doth not behave itself unseemly, "is not easily provoked," "thinketh no evil," that bareth all things and endureth all things. She was never heard to murmur or complain, but in the hour of grief and pain, she leaned upon her God. Such a life cannot help but be a sermon to the community, a benediction to the home and everlasting inspiration to her companion. To those of us who have visited Jennie have come expressions of the brightest hope and unyielding faith in an eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, and often she has expressed to her pastor, "O I wish I could tell everybody about Jesus and his love." But to the father, mother, sister and husband was disclosed the many, many lessons of love and tenderness which will linger as long as time shall last and which eternity alone can reveal the value of. During these years of affliction all the soothing touches of a mother's hand, all the generosity of a kind father, all the administering of an affectionate sister and all the unbounded, unlimited attention and love that a husband could manifest, were freely bestowed. Today we follow all that is mortal of Jennie Smith to the grave. She has completed the circle in this life; we bore her body back to the scene of her childhood. These white habiliments of death before us are only faint emblems of the pure white soul that left the (Handwritten: body Tuesday morning to live).

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book G, Page 257, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA