Ethel L B. Smith was born at Green Oak, Michigan, July 19, 1858. Here she obtained her education and later taught school near by. In 1882 when her parents determined to brave the hardships of pioneer life in the west she decided to do likewise and accompanied them to Spink County, South Dakota. They located where there were no signs of human beings but the buffalo bones which evidenced the fatal shot of an Indian arrow. Miss Smith soon determined to take advantage of the homestead law and mounting her pony rode three miles nearer the Indian reservation where she found a desirable quarter section of land. She then turned her pony's face in the opposite direction and rode 39 miles to Ashton and filed her claim. Home again and next day a mansion 10 feet by 10 feet dotted the prairie. With the prairie for a floor, a bed, tableland stove were set up and she was a bonafide settler on Uncle Sam's land. As the settlers increased rapidly Miss Smith saw the need of a central location where all could obtain their mail. She applied to the Government at Washington for a postoffice and her application was granted and she was appointed post mistress. The prairie at this time was a bed of roses, so she named the postoffice Rose, and to this day she is known there as the Prairie Rose.

The office being a central location a general store, drug store, doctor's office, and blacksmith shop, were established with a total population of 26.

At this time Edwin C. Johnson likewise became post master at Beatia, six miles away. Miss Smith was ordered to get mail for both postoffices at Tetonke nine miles distant. Mr. Johnson then obtained his mail from postoffice at Rose. Thus,a friandship sprang up which ripened into a deeper feeling and on February 6, 1884 they were united in marriage at Huron, South Dakota.

Mr. and Mrs. Johnson continued to live at Rose until 1893 when they established their home in Black Earth where they have since resided. The shock of a fire which partially destroyed their home and the sudden death of her mother soon after, super-induced a stroke in 1926 which was followed by three more. The last proved fatal and at 9:00 o'clock of February 24th she answered the summons to come home, having attained the age of 73 years 7 months and 5 days.

She leaves to mourn her departure, her husband, one brother Berton E. Smith of Aberdeen, South Dakota, two sisters, Mrs. Fanny Perrin, Hartford Beach, South Dakota and Minerva Jenkins of this place. Three Brothers and a sister preceeded her.

The funeral took place Saturday, Febuary 27th from the Congregational church were she was a member. The funeral service was in charge of Rev. Edwin C. Johnson of Iowa City, Iowa assisted by Rev. Crouse.

Relatives attending from out of town were Rev. Edwin C. Johnson of Iowa City, Iowa, Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Perrin of Hartford Beach, South Dakota, W. A. Johnson and wife of Beaver Dam, Wis. and R, W. Hartwell and wife of Madison, Wis.

--Unknown newspaper of about February 27, 1932