Smith, C. Henry (d. 1948)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1948 Oct 28 p. 1

Birth date: 1875 Jun 8

text of obituary:

Hold Final Services For Well-Known Mennonite Historian

DR. C. HENRY SMITH DIED AT HIS BLUFFTON, OHIO HOME ON OCTOBER 18

Bluffton, Ohio. — Funeral services were conducted at the First Mennonite church here on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 21, for Dr. C. Henry smith, well-known Mennonite historian and for many years professor of history at Bluffton College. Rev. J. N. Smucker, pastor of the church, officiated.

Dr. Smith passed away at his home here on Oct. 18 of a heart attack. He had been in ill health for several months, and had undergone an operation at Lima Memorial hospital two weeks earlier. he is survived by his wife, the former Laura Yoder.

The books on Mennonite history written by Dr. Smith are widely used throughout the Mennonite constituency, and are recognized as authoritative in this field. Among them are “The Mennonites of America,” “The Coming of the Russian Mennonites,” “Menno Simons,” and “The Story of the Mennonites.”

Taught in Mennonite Schools

Dr. Smith was born at Metamora, Ill. on June 8, 1875, and attended the Illinois State Normal University. He received his A.B. degree from The University of Illinois and the masters and doctors degrees from the University of Illinois and the history at the Elkhart Institute, later served as dean of Goshen College, and had been professor of history at Bluffton College since 1913, the last two years as professor emeritus.

He was for many years active in church and civic affairs, having served as president of the Citizens National Bank here and the First National Bank at Pandora. At the time of his death he was a member of the Publications Board of the General Conference, and in recent years had given considerable time to editorial work on the Mennonite encyclopedia now being prepared.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1948 Oct 28 p. 5

text of obituary:

C. HENRY SMITH (1875-1948)

An Appreciation

C. Henry Smith, known widely and loved generally, passed away October 15. An active, fruitful, and complete life came to a close. He was a fine gentleman, a consecrated Christian, and a pioneer Mennonite educator and historian. It is fitting therefore that we pause for a moment to review briefly his life and contributions. Because of the nature of this column we will pay special tribute to his significance as a Mennonite historian.

The Mennonite obituary: 26 Oct 1948 p. 4; 9 Nov p. 5