The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-10-21
Saint John SnnitI, .

dUio ior his luuustry, IOIeCASb anu uaDlts Vi
economy and thrift
Four considerable rivers run through or skirt
his native town. The Great Androscoggin,
the Ellis, Concord, and Swift rivers, on sll OF
which are mill sites, and on their margins
stood a valuable timber growth. 1t is not
strange that the lad early became employed in
driving the rivers" and was finally an ex-
pert ''riverman." This business required a
cool head, in the breaking of jambs of logs,
holding the river back, which was pushing
with immense power One misstep or one mo-
ment's delay would oVerwhelm him in the roll
ing, tumbling and boiling mass of logs and
rushing water. For several years river and
mill work were Mr.. Smiths regular employ
ment. He followed the noble Androscoggn to
its lower falls at Topsham, where he worked in
sswmills during the intervals between the
annual running of the logs. This dangerous
and exciting employment invariable drew him
to the head waters to start the "drive." When
he arrived ct manhood he heard of the extern
sive numbering at Mirimach, N. B., where he
went and pursued for while his early employ
ment.
When he was about % years old Mr.. Smith
concluded that this was rather a limited bust
ness for him, and in pursuance of design to
engage in trade he came to Portland
and went into the extensive grocery
store, wholesale and retail, of Capt. Alphe-
US Shaw on Middle ST., opposite the foot of
Free street-not for salary, but to learn the
business Here he found John B. Brown, then
about twenty years old, and also Alvin Higgins
from Gray, now millionaire In New York
City, These two had served regular znercan-.
tile apprenticeship at the business, and they all
boarded in Capt. Shaw's family. This was be-
fore porters were employed to open and sweep
out stores-nether did coal fires then keep the
counting-roomu warm all night; but 1t was the
"boy's" duty to build the wood fire, commence
! ing by striking light with flint and steel. All
groceIs then sold liquor in large or small guam
titles, and the early arrival in town of the lum-
] Der teams, made it necessary to have the stores
open in winter before light. 1t should be men
/ toned that Capt. Shaw was the first grocer who
Quilted the liquor traffic in Portland, from prin-
| ciple.
In this store and under these circumstances
commenced the acquaintance of two men who
were afterwards, leading business men of the
| town. In 1926, Mr.. Smith from his small
earnings had saved $10O0-Mr. Brown, five
| years his junior, was working for small
salary, and had not accumulated much. They
were merchants in embryo, and concluded that
they could as well sell their own goods as Capt.
Shaws. "Morton's Block" on the corner of
Congress and Brown Streets, had been built
one year. One of the stores had not been oc-
cupied, which they concluded to lease, and Mr..
Brown gave his note to Mr.. Smith for $500 of
the $1000-"S NTH and Brown" became a firm,
and, grocery store was opened on the faith of
the partners, and the thousand dollars as
capital. From this small beginning, has grown
two gigantic fortunes. Mr.. Brown paid his
mole at maturity and has preserved it as
memento of his first business venture. The
partnership continued eleven years, when in
1887, Mr. Smith sold to Mr. Brown his interest
in the store, but for years afterwards they
owned real estate in company; and now the
douglas farm, through which st. John Street
has been opened, is held in the name Of Smith
and Brown, having never been divided.
At this time the Eastern land speculation
had begun to wape and Mr.. Smith found him.
self largely involved 10 it, ard for three
years he devoted bis time to extricatng himself
not without much anxiety for the result,
which was finally favorable.
Mr.. T. c. Hersey and his brother Thomas, were
doing large business in the "Market house,
(cld City Hall bailding) now occupied by Ken
dali g. Whitney. Thomas Hersey died of con-
sumption, and the senior brothers health was
precarious-he accepted Mr.. S NTH as a partner
in 1S41, under the old name Of ''P. G. aersey
& Co. Mr.. Herssy has always expressed
gratitude to Mr.. Smith, saying that he saved
his life, By his voluntary assumption Of the out
door labor at the lumber yard and wharf which
was very arduous at inclement seasons Mr..
Smith had been injured to exposure, and had
hardy consttution-He retired from the firm
In 1853.
He had long been director in the Oasoo
Bank, and was chosen president OF that inst-
tuition annually for several years. He was the
protector of The First National Bank, aud was
its frat president. He was also prominent in
the promotion of the project of railroad connec-
tion between the city and Canada, and was q
director in the company.
Mr.. Smith accumulated a large estate; more
than double the valuation Of all the property,
real and personal, of his native town. A large
number of bis buildings were destroyed in the
fire of 1866, which he Immediately rebuilt 10 an
improved style. He built the extensive wharf
now owned by the Boston & Maine Railroad,
for which the company paid him $4,000.
About 1881, Mr.. Smith married Miss Mary
Holmes, ward of Capt. Shaw's, whom the
writer remembers as lady possessing rare wit
and beauty She died during the second year
of their married life. The present Mrs. Smith
was Miss Susan, a daughter of James D. Hop
kius Esq.;a member of the Cumberland Bar,
who died in 1910, aged IS. In his "Oourts and
Lawyers of Maine," Mr.. Willis says of him,
"Mr. Hopkins was for several years leading
member of the bar, and had more business than
any other member, in the early part of this
century. For Industry and patient labor, he
was pattern to young men who are seeking
preferment in life.' A lady at my elbow re-
freshes my memory of Mr.. Hopkins and his
three motherless daughters, who were constant
attendants with us at old ST. PauPs church, on
what is now Pearl street, more than half CEN
tury ago.
His tribute to the memory of his two wives
(the first Of whom died within three months of
their marriage) as expressed in their epitaph,
is model of elegance. 1t commences thus
I auote from memory. "God hath Withdrawn
the spirits, and here mingle the ashes of the
wives of James d. Hopkins" These are the
closing words "a monumental stone is not
the memorial of their virtues. They are
recorded in the heart of husband"
Mr.. Smith has been confined to his house for
several years. From defect in mis- vision, he
stepped into an excavation 10 the sidewalk on
Free street, since when, 1 think he has not
been cut. Besides widow he leaves two sons,
her children, who are amply qualified to man.
age their large inheritance. W. G.
The funeral of Mr.. Smith took place from
his late residence on Spring street, yesterday
afternoon at 8 O. clock. The services were con-
Quoted by Rev. Dr. Hill of the First Parish
church. The remains were placed in heavy
black walnut casket with few ornamentations
and the features looked very life like. There
was very large attendance of the most promi-
nent business and professional men in the city.
The pail bearers were Messrs J. B. Brown, 7.
G. Hersey Ezra Carter, Joseph Walker. Chas
Barrett and H. J.. Libby. The First Parish