Earl F. Smith

1895–1918

The 1918 Influenza Pandemic Hit Narberth

Earl Smith died of pneumonia October 8, 1918 at home in Narberth, while on furlough. It was ten days after Narberth's Patriotic Fete (PDF) and the Philadelphia Liberty Loan Drive parade that preceded one of the nation's most virulent outbreaks of influenza in which tens of thousands died.

Because he died while in military service during WWI, Earl was made an honorary member of the Narberth American Legion Post. His death was reported in Our Town October 10, 1918. Other page-one stories alerted readers that "all schools, churches and places of entertainment be closed until further notice" and official advice of "twelve safeguards against the spread of Spanish influenza".

Updated July 27, 2025.

U. S. Census

Census	Age	Race	Gender	Marital	Relation	Address	Immigrated	Birthplace	Father's	Mother's	As transcribed		Note
1900	5	White	Male	Single	Son	210 Elm Ter.		Pennsylvania	Pennsylvania	Pennsylvania	Earl F Smith	N. Essex
1910	14	White	Male	Single	Son	207 Elm Ter.		Pennsylvania	Pennsylvania	Pennsylvania	Earl F Smith	207 Elm

Census Households

Census	Name	Relation	Age	Own	Race	Marital	Birthplace	Business	Trade	Note
1900	John F Smith	Head	42	Rent	White	Married	Pennsylvania		Carpenter	At 211?
	Ella B Smith	Wife	35		White	Married	Pennsylvania
	Mildred S Smith	Daughter	7		White	Single	Pennsylvania		at school
	Earl F Smith	Son	5		White	Single	Pennsylvania
1910	John F Smith	Head	52	Own	White	Married	Pennsylvania	House	Carpenter
	Ella B Smith	Wife	48		White	Married	Pennsylvania
	Mildred S Smith	Daughter	17		White	Single	Pennsylvania
	Earl F Smith	Son	14		White	Single	Pennsylvania

Narberth Roll of Honor

Earl F. Smith on FamilySearch (census & other records; requires free account)

Earl F. Smith on Find a Grave