Information from Second Souvenirs, by Francis C. Waid, 1890, pp. 165-188 Extracts from his diary 1886. December 30--The funeral of my revered friend, George Smith, took place today, services being held in Blooming Valley Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. Henry Delemater officiating. I was anxious to attend, but absence from home and not returning in time prevented me. On May 17, this year, I had a settlement with Mr. Smith, and he handed me a receipt for which I thanked him with the remark that I had never taken a receipt before from a man of his age. The Pennsylvania Farmer, in speaking of his death says: "Mr. George Smith, one of the oldest men in Crawford County, died Wednesday at his home near Blooming Valley, at the advanced age of ninety-seven years." The death of two other neighbors which occurred last spring I will here also make mention of, the deceased being Mrs. Mary Smith (Robert Smith's wife), and Mrs. Eliza Roberts. Mr. [sic, Mrs.?] Smith died May 25, and is interred in the Smith Burying Ground. Robert Smith, son of William Smith, resides on the old farm once owned by his father, in Mead Township, within about half a mile of our farm, and where I was taken when an infant to be weaned. William (or "Uncle Billy" as I learned to call him) was a good neighbor, and I think I speak the truth when I say that his family and my father's were on most friendly terms, each member of both families imitating the noble example set by their respective heads. Some writer says we should "reverence that which is best in the Universe, and that which is best in ourselves," so I may be pardoned if I refer to an incident of my days of infancy, wherein is illustrated a trait of my character that I am happy to say has not deserted me in all these years. I will relate the occurrence as I have frequently heard it from my parents and others. When the time came for my twin brother and myself to change our diet (that is to eat bread and butter), in order to relieve our mother, who was in rather poor health, and somewhat encumbered with household duties, my mate was selected to be sent to Mr. Smith's. Being so peevish and cross, however, as to mar not only his own happiness but also that of the entire household, he was soon brought home, myself being sent in his place, on trial, and I am pleased to say that it is recorded I was very peaceable, quiet and good-natured. Now this may be giving me more credit than I deserved at the time, or even now, though I can conscientiously say that I have struggled through life in the interests of peace, and in the words of the apostle, to "study quiet." This good characteristic I claim I have inherited from my parents, and it was so visable in my father's life that I was encouraged to cultivate in myself this noble trait. I have often found myself mentally reviewing my many venerable acquaintances who have passed away, and selecting from among them the, to my mind, most peacefully inclined. William Smith had the reputation of being one of the most peaceable men in this community. My acquaintance with him began in my childhood, and with uninterrupted friendship remained up to the day of his death, January 12, 1858. Along with some relatives and dear friends I was present with him at his parting hour, which was one of peace; and I was reminded of the Scripture saying: Great peace have they which love Thy law, and nothing shall offend them. Mrs. Eliza Roberts died June 19, in her sixty-fourth year, and is interred in Greendale Cemetery, at Meadville. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as is her husband, David Roberts, who resides about two miles from our place, on the road leading from Hatch Hill to Meadville. Mrs. Roberts was the second daughter of William Williams, one of the early settlers in this section of the county, whose farm on State Road, two and one-half miles east of Meadville, is now owned by Mr. Judd and Hartwell Williams. The date of William Williams' settlement in the county I can not record, but his name appears in a list of tax-payers previous to 1810. Mrs. Eliza Roberts, I believe, always lived in this community. I remember going in my boyhood with my brothers and the Smith boys to pick cherries on the Williams farm, for in those early days farmers who had plenty of fruit allowed their neighbors to help gather it on shares, and we boys found as much enjoyment in it as we have nowadays in an excursion. If I am not mistaken, my acquaintance with Mr. and Mrs. Roberts had its commencement several years previous to the noted revival meetings held at State Road Methodist Episcopal Church, nearly throughout the entire winter of 1850-51, where many were brought out of darkness into light, some 200, as estimated, having been saved at that time. During my father's last illness David Roberts and his wife called occasionally to see him; and at one visit, when it was thought my father's mind was failing, as David was shaking hands with him, my mother asked him: "Do you know who it is?" "Yes," replied my father, with a smile of recognition, "I think I do know David Roberts. I would know him if I should not see him for a thousand years." It is well to ever bear in mind that words spoken, good or bad, wise or foolish, often live after us; it is not essential that they should be written or printed to be preserved, for when once engraved on memory's page, they will be more enduring than brass, and will be certain to have their influence on the minds and lives of those who come after us. In governing our tongue we should endeavor to excel, for it is an attribute that in itself is most excellent. Reader, did you ever think that "life and death are in the power of the tongue, and they who love it eat the fruit thereof." How very bitter the fruit of sin; how good the fruit of peace. December 31, 1886--The closing day of a year that has been to Eliza and me, in many respects, a most eventful one. Lewis Slocum (a neighbor) and family, together with my wife and myself, by previous arrangement with Lewis, went to Mosiertown fo pay a visit to the Slocum family--three brothers and one sister of Lewis--including C. R., Robert, Lewis and Caroline (Cochran), all heads of families and life-long acquaintances and old school-mates. This was found to be a most pleasant and profitable way of ending the year 1886, and we feel that the doings of yesterday and today will leave a lasting impression on our memories. I could recall many pleasant scenes and happy hours of bygone days, when similar gatherings occurred at the homes of our parents; and this reunion of today, at the home of C. R. Slocum, was enjoyed, not only as a family gathering, but as a reproduction, so to speak, of the real unbroken friendship possessed by our parents, and inculcated on their children. The evening was spent at Hon. S. Slocun's, and C. R. then remarked that he was fifty-two years old on December 10, the day after my son Guinnip's daughter was born. In my youth and earlier manhood I question if I spent as much time visiting during the holidays as I have this season. Some people transpose the maxim "Business first, pleasure afterward" to "Pleasure first, business afterward;" but in eases of emergency, and until I can get through the rush of both, I can couple them--make a good running team of them, as it were, as I had to do this time, for I have several days' business and pleasure in various ways before me.