Mrs. McElfresh Came To Kansas With Pioneering Parents
Harriet Isabelle Hays, eighth child of Mitchell E. and Harriet Bowen Hays, was born October 3, 1875 in Bremer County, Iowa and departed this life September 9, 1963 at her home in Smith Center, at the age of 87 years, 11 months and 6 days, following an extended illness.
When only two years old, she came to Smith County, Kansas in a covered wagon with her parents and the other seven children to the farm which her father homesteaded one mile south of Smith Center. There she grew to womanhood and later met and married Lawrence C. Weltmer on September 22, 1895. To this union four children were born: George Floyd, Alice Belle, Charles Lawrence and one son who died in infancy.
On April 21, 1902 her husband passed away. She and the children carried on the farm work for four years until January 24, 1906 when she was united in marriage to Francis M. McElfresh. She was a devoted mother to his children, Jessie Florence, Elmer Alvin and Harold Johnny, as well as to her own. The family resided on a farm five miles southwest of Smith Center.
Mr. McElfresh passed away September 16, 1947, after which she continued living on the farm with her son, George. In 1954 they moved to Smith Center.
She was converted and baptized in the United brethren church located in Banner township. She attended First Presbyterian church in Smith Center in later years and until her health failed.
Mrs. McElfresh was a charter member of the Spring Creek Ladies Aid, the neighborhood club of her community. Aunt Belle as she was familiarly known by many will be sadly missed by a large circle of acquaintances.
She is survived by the six children: George Weltmer of the home, Alice B. Sells and Charles Weltmer of the city; Jessie Maddocks, Pawnee City, Nebr.; Elmer McElfresh, Hoyt, Kansas; and Harold McElfresh, Newberg, Oregon, their husbands and wives; 13 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and three great, great grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Prudie Hays, Brush, Colo.; one brother-in-law, J. C. Farmer of Smith Center, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Memorial services were conducted from Simmons chapel in Smith Center Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 2 p.m. by the Rev. Don Mueller.Lawrence Kern was vocalist, Clarence Hinshaw, Wayne Hommon, John Larson, Bernard Brink, Otto Naumann and Henry Kuhlman were pallbearers. Interment was in Fairview cemetery.
Smith County Pioneer, September 12, 1963, page 3