Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-01-26
Obituaries.

liens are rapidly thinning, with startling fre-
quency the announcement goes through the COM
munity that another OF the venerable fathers or
mothers Of generation rich In eminent charac-
tiers, has gone over to the majority. Sunday
morning. the 23d instant, the name OF Oramel
Hopkins Smith was added to the frightening roll
Of departed citizens whose lives have added honor
and distinction TO the annals Of Montpelier. Mr..
Smith was born in Thetford, Vermont, October
10th, 1898. lie received common school educa-
ton, and, choosing the legal profession, COM
menced the study Of law In the office OF General
Fletcher in Lyndon. About the year 1920 he
came to Montpelier, entered the law office OF
Judge Prentiss and was admitted to the bar Of
Washington county, March 16, 1926. lie re-
manned in Judge Prentiss' office two years after
his admission to practice. With well formed
habits Of industry, and mind stored and dis
ciplined by faithful application to general as
well as legal studies, he commenced the practice
of law under auspices which his subsequent hon
orable and successful career amply fulfilled. In
the earlier years Of his professional life he re-
peatedly served as assistant clerk In the Vermont
house OF representatives, and in 1895 and 1896 he
was clerk pro tenn Of that body. lie was state at
torney for the county OF Washington for the three
years ending 1874, and was elected q state sena-
tor in 1s45, and reelected in 1876. For twenty
five successive years he was a Justice Of the
peace, declining a reelection when his increasing
physical infrmities rendered 1t impossible longer
to discharge the duties Of that office. For forty
years he was q prominent and conscientious
member and constant attendant upon the services
OF the Congregational church in this village.
Durinp a quarter of a century he led its choir
convincing proof of the natural amiability of his
disnosit,on as vell az M his muscal ability. In
the nractice Of b,s profeason the marked charac-
teristics Of the man were strikipely DISPLAYED
Fverv case entrusted To his care he prosecuted
with an industry that never tired. a perseverance
that was indefatigabe. n resolution that never
ainched. a faithfulness that never betrayed a
trust. vigilance that never slept and an ardor
that made a clients cause so much his own that
he sometimes not only furnished the legal SER
vices for its prosecution but the money also. OF
his professional ability and intelligence, the fact
that his name appears in the court records for
twenty-five years preceding 1860 as counsel for
| plaintiff or defendant in nearly all the warning
cases of those days is conclusive proof. In July,
1860, he received an injury at White River juno
ton that would have removed from active life, II
| indeed 1t had not ended fatally, man not gifted
with an invincibe will and an iron constitution.
Arising at midnight in the hotel without light
to take an early train north, he fell, and, striking
| a wardrobe on the BACK OF MS neck, every
physical power from his neck downwards was
instantly paralyzed' put MS vocal organs anu
| every faculty OF the mind renamed In active
play. 10 Dr. Dlx 0roSoy 3 REMARK 'na' III
had about one chance IN one hundred ior recovery,
he promptly rephed, "ke tna' cnance'
lie was brought 10 Mon'peher ana IN 'ne course
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