This community was shocked on the morning of May 1 by receiving a message from Smithfield that Clayton S. Rolph, cashier of the Farmers State Bank of that place had died the evening before of pneumonia. His sickness was only of a weeks duration and nothing was known of it here until the day before his death.

He was born at Portland, N. Y., September 30, 1866, and at the age of 17 with his parents moved on a homestead two miles north of Farnam, where he grew to manhood. His family were among the first settlers here and went through the usual hardships incident to settling a new country.

He was married September 22, 1891, to Miss Jennie Lazelle, who with her family lived on an adjoining farm.

He sold out his farming interests a few years ago and took a position in a general store and later in a drug store in Farnam. He was a candidate for county assessor three years ago, but was unsuccessful, but after the campaign, was offered, and accepted, the position of deputy county treasurer. This position he filled in a satisfactory manner that he had not trouble in getting captial to go in with him and organized the Farmers State Bank of Smithfield, Neb., which by his sterling qualities he has built up into a profitable bank. His many good features won him many friends in Smithfield and he was largely identified with the growth of that town the past two years.

“Clayton” as his numerous friends loved to call him was much liked and respected by everybody with whom he came in contact. He was always the same cheerful “Clayton,” of sterling honesty, cheerful disposition, a perfect willingness to help his neighbors and an ideal husband and father, so it an safely be said: Well done, good and faithful servant, go thou to thy reward.

He leaves a mother, two sisters, wife and son to mourn his loss. He will be doubly missed by his wife and son with whom he acted more as a chum than husband and father.

The funeral services were held in the Methodist church at Smithfield which was filled to overflowing with friends and neighbors desirous of paying their last tribute to the deceased. After the services there, the body, followed by a large delegation, was taken on the noon train to Farnam where it was met by his Farnam friends and members of the M. B. A. lodge, of which he was a member, who following the remains to the cemetery where he was laid away by the side of his father.

The floral offerings were very large and numerous, the casket being almost buried in flowers.

Always thoughtful of his family in life he had provided for present emergency by leaving them in comfortable circumstances financially.

He was taken off at a time when it seems as though he could not be spared. His life had always been an open book. No sown wild oats to regret, a life that had always been pure, with the wisdom and judgment only secured by experience, it seemed as though he was just in a position to extend the helping hand, he was always willing to do, when an All Wise Father called him home.

We do not know why this is so, but it is, and our earnest wish is that we may all be called to face our Master with as clean a record as our friend and brother, Clayton S. Rolph.&mdashFarnam Echo

The Clipper-Citizen, Friday, May 17, 1907