Smith, Israel (1854-1912)

zoom

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1912

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by M.P.P.

With the passing of Mr. Israel Smith, our Church at Houndsworth, Birmingham, has lost one of its leaders, a man of high principle and noble life. A Primitive Methodist of the third generation, his father’s family founded the Primitive Methodist Church in Lyneham, Oxon, where our friend was born and reared until, in his nineteenth year, he came to Birmingham. He joined our Chapel Street Church, and for thirty-nine years gave to it unstinted devotion and service. 

As a class leader his service was unique. He led his people into the inner sanctuary of faith and life. Possessing a mind broad and spacious, a soul finely cultured, our brother was one of nature’s gentlemen. It was a means of grace to know Mr. Smith, an honour indeed to be his friend. 

Death opened to him the Gate of Life Saturday, April 20th. He was buried in the churchyard of St. James’ Church, Houndsworth, Friday, April 26th. The funeral service was conducted by Messrs. Lloyd, Putley and Tyzer and Rev. M.P. Pearce. May God comfort the bereaved ones!

Family

Israel was born in the spring of 1854 at Lyneham, Oxfordshire, to parents Timothy Smith, who worked the land (1861), and Ann Davis.

Census returns identify the following occupations for Israel.

• 1861 scholar
• 1881 labourer in iron works
• 1891 horse-keeper
• 1901 horse-keeper
• 1911 carter

He married Elizabeth Reeves (abt1853-1915) on 27 December 1874 at All Saints, Hockley, Warwickshire. Census returns identify two children.

• Anne Elizabeth (b1877)
• Alice Matilda (1879-1961) – a restaurant waitress (1901); married William Edward Whittle, a pen cutting tool maker (1911), in 1903

Israel died on 20 April 1912 at Handsworth, Staffordshire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1912/829

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

Note: Israel died at Handsworth, not Houndsworth as stated in the obituary.