Hezekiah Smith
SMITH--On Feb. 2, 1871, at his residence, near Smithland,
Shelby Co., Ind., Rev. Hezekiah Smith, in the 87th year of his age.
The subject of this notice was born near Augusta, Ga., July 17, 1784. He in early life removed with
his parents to Hamilton Co., O. When but a lad he went to Lexington, Ky., to learn the saddler's trade. While
there he professed religion and was baptized by Elder Bainbridge into the fellowship of the Baptist Church
in that place, in the seventeenth year
of his age. Upon the completion of his apprenticeship he returned to Ohio and united with the Duck Creek Baptist
Church. He soon united with the Bethel Baptist Church on Donald's Creek, Clark Co., O. This Church soon licensed
him to preach, and in 1824, at the call of the same church, a council convened and ordained him to the work of
the ministry. He was very active in preaching the gospel wherever opportunity offered. His sphere seemed to be
that of an evangelist rather than a pastor, and in that capacity he preferred to labor. He went everywhere preaching
the gospel, and many were led to Christ through his untiring labors and
faithful presentation of gospel truth. He never shunned to declare the whole counsel of God. The Bible was his
text book, and this he daily studied and consequently became "mighty in the Scriptures." He was truly
a Bible preacher.
His moral character was always above reproach. One man said to the writer, "I have known Father Smith
for more than forty years, and no man could ever say anything against his Christian character." He was a
consistent Christian. He was a man of strong positive convictions. He
deliberately and carefully made up his decisions on all moral questions, and then fearlessly and persistently advocated
them. He was always in the van in all moral reforms. The great aim and effort of his life seemed to be to elevate
society, and to do this by leading the people to Christ.
The last eighteen years of his life were spent in peace on his farm in Shelby Co., Ind., with his companion, who survives him, and with whom he lived over sixty years, surrounded by most of their children. He went down to the grave like a shock of corn fully ripe, and all felt that a good man had gone to his blessed reward. His
funeral sermon was preached by the writer from Rev. xiv.13. [His wife's name was Sarah Drake.]
THE SHELBY REPUBLICAN, a newspaper of Shelby Co, IN, May 10, 1871.
Submitted by Jean Hehn. Obtained by Sue Stine with the assistance of Maurice Holmes.
SMITHLAND--was laid out by Hezekiah Smith, October 28, 1851, containing sixteen lots 4 rods by 10 rods--1/4 acre
each. Variation of surveyor's compass needle 5 degrees 45 feet.
From the History of Shelby County, Indiana, Chicago: Brant & Fuller, 1887.
Submitted by Jean Hehn.
Based on the map on page 32 of Atlas of Shelby Co., Indiana, Chicago: J.H. Beers & Co, 1880, Dr.
H. Smith lived on the corner of Wood St. and Independence St. on the south-west corner.
Submitted by Jean Hehn. Visit Jean's SMITH
homepage.
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