The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1868-09-17
OBITUARY.


1t is with feelings of profound sorrow we
are again called upon to notice the death of
one who was well known not only to the
citizens of this and the adjoining counties,
but throughout Pennsylvania, and to pay
small tribute to his memory. Gen. WM. r.
SMITH died at Quincy, H., on the 22d ult.,
''full of years and full of honors." He was
born at the Trappe, Montgomery Co., Pa,
on the 3lst day of August, 1877, and conse-
quently was nearly eighty-one years of age,
lie was the grandson of William Smith, u.
D., the first Provost of the University of
Pennsylvania. in Philadelphia, and by whom
Huntingdon was lai out. His father. Wm.
Moore Smith, an eminent lawyer of Phila
delphia, had been appointed to settle some
claims under jays celebrated treaty with
England, and accordingly in 1903 he accom-
panied him TO that country, where he re-
manned about year. After his return he
studied law in Philadelphia. and was there
admitted to the bar. Here he also married,
and IN 1903 removed to Huntingdon, where
by his talents he soon distinguished himself
in his profession, and during his long resi-
dence there was frequently called to fill pla-
ces of trust and responsibility. He repre-
sented that county for many years In our
State Legislature, both in the House of Rep
resentatives and Senate, and was one of the
most efficient advocates of or then projected
system of State improvements of canals and
railways. Ever devoted to literature. his
leisure hours were occupied in furnishing
contributions which are to be found scattered
in many of the publications of the day
Following the bent of his inclination, he
commenced in 1910 the publication of liter
aJy magazine called the Huntington Mnse
um," which was edited by himself and his
friend, the late Moses Canan. Esq. This
was considered at that day quite an enter
prise, as it was the first magazine published
west of the Susquchanna river which, how
ever, was only continued for about a year,
when it was suspended, owing to want OF
sufficient encouragement.
He was prominent member of the Ma
sonic order, and if we mistake not, was the
first Master of Mount Moriah Lodge" es-
tablished in Huntington.
In 1927 Gen. SMITH removed with his
family from Huntington TO the adjoining
county of Bedford, where he still continued
to practice his profession.
At the Presidential election in 1886 he was
chosen one of the Presidential electors for the
State, and in the following year was appoint
ed by President Van Buren, one of the Com
missioners to negotiate treaty with the
Chippeway Indians on the upper Mississippi.
Iu the tall of 1888 be removed with his
! family to Mineral Point, in the then Terrific
| ry of Wisconsin. Here his services were
| soon called into requisition as AdJutant
| General in organizing the Militia, and the
| duties of this Office he continued to discharge
| for several years. Elected as a member OF
| the first Convention to frame a Constitution
! for a State government in 1916. he took a
| leading and active part in its debates, but
| this Constitution failed in being ratified by
! the people, owing to some features in 1t con-
sidered to be objectionable. Subsequently
another Convention was called and COnstl-
tuition framed, which received the approba-
ton of the people in 1848, in which most of
| the State officers were made elective by the
people of the State. Under it Gen. SMITH
was elected to the Office of Attorney General
the duties of which he discharged satisfac-
| torily during his term of Office. Whilst en-
! gagged at the seat of government he projected
| the foundation of State Historical Society,
! which IS now in full! success aud may be
! considered firmly established. Already sew
eral thousand books, pamphlets and paint
| ings have been collected, and as President
of the Wisconsin Historical Society General
| SMITH was devoted to its interests until the
! day of his death. The Legislature of the
/ State having also directed that history OF
! Wisconsin should be written ere the material
/ now at manu- SDOuiU D0 lOSGJ OON. Il al WILL
in 1852, accordingly appointed Gen. SMITH
to execute the task. How laboIiOus'y he
applied himself to it is evinced by the two
volumes already published by the Legisla-
| ture in 1854.
As age advanced upon him he gradually
retired from the duties of his profession, and
spent his time in his library. surrounded by
his books, or enjoying the social conversation
of his friends. His reading extended through
| every branch of literature, and being gifted
with an extraordinarily retentive memory
and fine conversational powers, he gave a
| charm to the socia. circle, and afforded in
struction and pleasure to both young and old
! His mental faculties remained clear and un-
clouded to the last, and without disease he
sank to rest, merely from old age, surrounded
| by part of his family and friends. lie
| leaves large number of children and grand
children in this State, Illinois and Wisconsin
| His remains we're taken to Mineral Point
| Wis. and there Uttered by large concourse
| of relatives and friends, and Of the Masonic
order, of which he was during life an active
! and honored member. w.