Obituary of Josephine Forsythe Smith - December 31, 1891

Green Bay Advocate.

"My country, may she be always right, and right or wrong, my country"
Thursday, December 31, 1891

Death of an aged Lady

At 10:20 P.M. Monday December 14th, Mrs. Josephine Smith peacefully closed her eyes in death at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Louis Bender, in this city. Mrs. Smith was born in Montreal, Canada on August 31st, 1822, consequently at the time of death was 68 years, 3 months and 13 days old. When she was about six years of age the family removed to New York City where they remained about three years. On October 2, 1832, she with her parents left on the Maringo and sailed for Green Bay arriving here on the 7th of the same month. The Maringo was accompanied by sailing vessels Ausilet and White Pigeon, with three regiments of soldiers for duty at Fort Howard. In 1838, she removed to Prairie du Chien where she shortly afterward married John Snavely, an orderly sergeant in the 1st United States Calvary. In 1840 she and her husband returned to Green Bay and remained a short time, after which they moved to Detroit where they remained until the break out of the Mexican War. Mr. Snavely was an officer in the 5th regiment, under Col. Wm. Chapman. She accompanied her husband to the war and remained with him until it was over. They then returned to Green Bay and settled here. Her husband died in 1848 and after a widowhood of nearly two years, she married Michael Smith on May 6th, 1850. Since then she has constantly made her home in Green Bay and vicinity. Her late husband, Mr. Smith died in December 1877. Mrs. Smith was a most devout Christian woman, and her kindly disposition won for her a warm place in the hearts of all. She leaves four sons, Geo. Snavely; Frank C. Smith; R.A. Smith, Green Bay, and O.W. Smith, Marinette, and two daughters, M r s. Louis Coffin, Little Sturgeon and Mrs. Louis Bender, Green Bay to mourn the death of a fond and devoted mother. She also leaves two brothers, Andrew and Jerome Forsyth of Bay Settlement. The funeral took place from the Cathedral Thursday, Dec. 17, Rev. Father Lon officiating. The pal bearers were John Hagerty, H.P. Huffman, Wm. Morand, Phillipp Klaus, Jos. Wing and T. Jeffrey. The interment was in Allouez cemetery.

Submitted by: Jan R Dorn