The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1867-04-25
History Of st. Adams.
by an old Resident.
PART XXIII.
Join SMITH


Was n native of Barre, in the State of
Massachusetts. He was born in the
year 1889, and came with his fathers
family when quite young, into this
country when the country was new
The family resided short time in the
easterly part of Swanton; but soon
removed to St Adams, where he stu
died law with his brother-in-law, Ros-
well Hutchins. He was admitted to
the bar in 1910, and soon afterwards
entered into partnership with Benja.
min Swift. This partnership contin-
ued until Mr. Swift was elected a rep.
resentatiye to Congress in 1927, a peri
Cd of about sixteen years. Some
years after he formed a partnership
with A. O. Adds But this connection
did not continue long. 1t was dissolv-
ed on Mr.. Smith being elected to Con-
gress in 1899 For several years pre-
vious he was States attorney for
Franklin county; and he represented
the town of ST. Adams in the General
Assembly several years in succession.
During the anti-masonic excitement
he was elected speaker Of the House
two or three times. During the in
surrection in Canada in 1878 he
took u decided stand in favor of the
insurgents, and thus became popular
with the sympathizers on the Vermont
side of the lines. He was elected to
Congress on the strength Of this excite
ment, in place of Heman Allen, the
opposition candidate, and the then
present incumbent. Mr.. Allen, while
in Congress, had rendered himself I'M
popular with his constituents by ia
yoring the neutrality law, which was
enacted while he was n member. ~
Two years later, Mr.. Smith was super
seeded by Augustus Young. In the
discharge of the duties appertaining
to theseseverai offices which he sue
cessively held by the vote of the peo-
pie, we are not aware that he in any
way disappointed the expectations of
his constituents. But it was in CON
nection with the railroads that his
services were most beneficial to this
part of the State. He early took a
deep interest in these roads-the
Vermont Central, and the Vermont
and Canada-and undoubtedly was
efficient in the location of the latter
road through st. Adams village, and
its termination at Rouse,s Point. No
event, since the first settlement of the
country has proved 50 beneficial to
the county OF Franklin, and to st. Al
bans in particular. as the Vermont and
Canada railroad Mr.. Smith UNI
doubtedly improved his own fortune
by the offices he held, in behalf of the
Companies, and also as trustee of the
bond holders, as we'll as by the pur-
chase of stock in the Vermont and
Canada road, while it was at a low
figure. But it has been said that he,
in common with others, incurred great
risks ia the construction and compile
ton OF the road. How that may be
we know not.
Mr.. Smith died suddenly of the heart
disease, in November, 1858. His
death was instantaneous, not ut
tering a word after lie was attacked
He had been in i'll health several years
previously. He was consistent mem
Der of the Congregational church in
st. Adams, and was undoubtedly sin
cere in his profession. As a public
man, and as citizen, he performed
his part in building up the village, anc
in donations to'promote its prosperity
His death was much regretted, anc
his presence has been missed in the
society and community in which, anC
for which his services were rendered
Yet business goes on as before Oul
distinguished men leave us, and W.
sorrow for their loss; but the loss il
soon repaired by those who succeed
them in the busy scenes of life. l
is seldom that the death of an indi
yidual materially changes the genera
aspect of society, or intercepts the i'm
proyements that are progressing il
the community where he dwelt. 1t i
difficult to predict what would, o
would not, have been done, if the in
dividual had not died. And in tn
case of Mr.. Smith, few will presume t
say that his death has occasioned an
result different from what would hay
occurred had he lived to the presen
time
The first physicians of any note wit
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