Jane Smith wife of Nathan Smith, and a Pioneer of Smithfield died at her home at Cleveland, Idaho, on February 6th, after an illness following a paralytic stroke which she received on January 23rd. Her ten living children were at her bedside when the end came.
Nathan Smith came to Smithfield in the year 18?? and maried Jane Sant October 3, 1861, just after his return from the Missouri River where he had been for a company of Saints. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were also Pioneers of Idaho. Jane Smith, or Aunt Jane as she was commonly called was the daughter of John Sant and Mary Shaw, and was born March 8, 1846 in Middlewich, Cheshire, England, and was baptized a member of the Latter Day Saints Church when 8 years of age. She in connection with her parents, brothers and sisters came to Utah in 1861. They sailed from Liverpool April 16, 1861 on board the Manchester, a Sailing vessel. They arrived in New York May 18th, and traveled from there by [garbled] to Florence, Nebraska, and from there crossed the plaines by ox teams, arriving at Salt Lake in the latter part of August. She came to Smithfield with her brother George Sant, who went back a distance of 150 miles to meet them. Her marriage to Nathan Smith took place on October 3rd.
They lived here for ten years, the removed to Idaho in 1871 where she passed through all the trials and hardships incident to Pioneer life. She was the mother of 12 children of whom the following survive her: William Smith of Cleveland, Idaho, Mary Low Bevan, Canada, Mrs. Margaret Griffiths of Smithfield, Utah, Mrs. Thos. Smith of Sharon, Idaho, Mr. George A. Smith of Cleveland, Idaho, Mrs. Alice Sant of Grace, Idaho. Mrs. Maria Prescott of Cleveland, Idaho, Mrs. Anna Anderson Perry, Idaho, Mrs. Sarah Sant of Thatcher, Idaho, a daughter Eliza Smith, and a son John Sant Smith preceded her on the other side. All of the living children which she reared to man and womanhood are faithful members of the church and respected in the respective communities in which they reside. 56 grand children and 16 great grand children also survive her.
During the two weeks of her sickness following paralysis, Mrs. Smith was a times unconscious, but during consciousness suffered greatly until relieved on Februry 6th, when she passed beyond. Everything loving hands could do was done for her, and all of her ten children were at her bedside when the end came.
Funeral services were held at Cleveland Ward Meeting house on February 9th. Bishops Coun. Ole Hansen conducted the services. A large attendance of relatives and friends of the deceased met to honor her on this occasion.
Opening song "Tho Deepning Trials." Prayer by Bp. Henry Larsen. "Rock of Ages" was the next song by the choir. The following speakers testified of the noble character of the deceased: Elders Wm. McGreager, James Hurd, Stake Pres. Mendenhall and former Bp. Henry Larsen who had been her Bishop for 14 yeas, and Bps. Coun. Ole Hansen.
In conformity with the wishes of the deceased her children and grand children sang, "I'll Praise My Maker." Closing song, "Shall We Meet Beyond the River." Benediction by Elder Jos. Perry. The body was brought to Smithfield on Saturday February 9th, and laid beside that of her husband Nathan Smith who died in 1908 (cemetery marker).
(Photograph of Jane Sant Smith with her brothers)