U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: --------------------------------------------------------------------- Obituary: Smith, Clarence L. (1850-1905) --------------------------------------------------------------------- SOURCE: The Pittsburgh Press newspaper obituary, Feb 12, 1905 NEWS FROM WEST VIRGINIA Genuine and widespread regret was felt throughout West Virginia upon receipt of the news that Brigadier General Clarence L. Smith had died at Fairmont last Sunday. General Smith was the son of the late Hon. Fontaine Smith, who was prominent as a Union man in forming the reorganized government of Virginia at Wheeling in 1861. He graduated from the West Virginia University and entered upon the practice of his profession, the law, at Fairmont. Entering politics, he was elected circuit clerk of Marion county. Later associated with Messrs. McKinney and Ohley, he became editor of the Fairmont Index. In 1886 he was appointed by Governor Fleming a regent of the West Virginia University, and also was a colonel on the Governor's staff. General Smith's identification with the National Guard is well known. He was colonel of the First regiment prior to the breaking out of the Spanish-American war, and volunteered for service among the first, becoming lieutenant-colonel of the First West Virginia Volunteers, and later colonel. Since the war he continued in the Guard, and for several years was the brigadier general in command. General Smith's wife was Mrs. Watson, of Fairmont. The deceased was as well known as any man in West Virginia and universally esteemed for many admirable qualities of mind and heart. General Smith's funeral took place in Fairmont Wednesday afternoon from the Methodist Protestant Temple there. The State Guards from Clarksburg, Morgantown and Fairmont were in line; also the Masonic and Odd Fellow lodges, of which he was long a member. His funeral was the largest ever seen in Fairmont. The General is survived by a wife and two sons. Many could not be accommodated with seats, twice as many more could not secure entrance into the church. Never in the history of public funeral services in Fairmont did so many people attend as were present at the last ceremonies over the body of the commander of the National Guard of West Virginia. The First regiment, of which General Smith was a former commander, and of which regiment he was lieutenant colonel in the Spanish-American war, sent three companies to render military honors. Companies H, K, and L fired three volleys over the coffin and buglers blew taps after the Masonic ritual had been solemnized at the grave in Woodlawn Cemetery. Preceeding the public ceremonies at the church and at the grave, private services were held in the Smith residence, which were attended by the immediate members of the family and close friends. The weather was miserable. Those who gathered about the grave, and there were fully a thousand, were wetted to the skin by the ceaseless downpour. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Death Register, Marion County WV 1905, Page 53, 381 C. L. Smith died 5-Feb-1905 at age 55 occupation: Lawyer born: Caroline County, VA Marriage Register, Marion County WV 1879, Page 72, Line 49 Clarence L. Smith (age 29) married Margaret V. Watson (age 29, widow) date of marriage: May 21, 1879 He was born in Caroline County, VA She was born in Marion County, VA Both are current residents of Fairmont, Marion County WVa --------------------------------------------------------------------- 1880 Census, Marion County WV ED:86, Page No. 11 Lines 31-33, Dwelling 100, Family 101 SMITH, Clarence L. (age 29), Clerk Circuit Court, Va-Va-Va ", Margaret V. (age 28), wife, Keeping house, Va-Va-Va ", Earl H. (age 3/12) born March, son, WV-Va-Va 1900 Census, Marion County WV ED: 52, Sheet 15B Lines 63-68, Jefferson Street Dwelling 267, Family 306 SMITH, Clarence L (head) b. June-1850, mar-21-yrs, Va-Va-Va, Editor of paper ", Margaret V (wife) b. Jan-1851, 4-children/2-living, WV-WV-WV ", Earl H. (son) b. Mar-1880, WV-Va-WV ", Clarence E (son) b. Jul-1885, WV-Va-Va ", Fountain (father) b. Jun-1824, widow, Va-Va-Va DODD, Vicie (servant), b.1885, WV-WV-WV --------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other obituaries for Marion County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/marion/obits.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------