River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-02-22
Death of Ex-Governor Smith.
MILWAUKEE, Feb. 13.-Ex-Gov. VIM. E.
Smith died tonight, surrounded by his family
and friends

William Il. Smith was born in Scotland, June 10,
1924 and emgrated with his parents to the United
States in early Childhood The family located ~
New York city. where he acquired verv fair edu.
cation in public schools. Upon reaching the age OF
manhood, poung Smith came West and settled in
falkland county, Mich. His experiences in the Vol
VERNE State did not prove satisfactory. hence in
1S49 he removed to Wisconsin and set up as
merchant in the town of Fox Lake. His business
venture Drospered to such an extent that he soon
acquired a competence. Shortly after settling
down in Fox Lake, he interested himself in politics
and represented his district in the senate In 1851
Thereafter he was member of the State senate
in 1853 and 1859 and again in 1864 and 1860.
In the fall of $50 he was chosen state treasurer,
which office he held for second term, or
until 500 His election as state treasurer was fol-
lowed by his retirement from business in Fox Lake,
and after leaving thot office he crossed the Atlantic
with his family and spent some time in Europe
Gated and charming young lady, died of malarlal
fever in Rome. On returning to his old Wisconsin
home in 1871, he again entered the political arena
and aspired to become governor OF the State. Inc
powers that be in Washington, however
placed curb on this laudab,e ambition by Sc
curing the nomination and election of @. @. Wash
burn. Then the people OF his old Dodge County
district returned him to the State assembly, and he
presided the deliberations OF that body as
speaker. The year following he removed TO Mil
waukee, where he formed copartnershiy with q.
A. Roundy and Sidney Hauxhursi In the whole
sale grocery trade; under the firm name OF smith,
Roundy & Co Bat although this new business
venture prospefed from the outset, Mr. Smith
still INDUCED duies craving for political
honors, and still hoped TO become governor OF the
state. Accordingly he pitted himself against Har-
rison Ludington in 1875, and only withdrew his
name at the last moment when he found that Iud-
jngton had an absolute majority of the delegates Ia
the convention assembled. His turn came at last
ia 1877, when he was nominated without opposl
ton, aud elected by handsome plurality
over Judge James A. Mallory, Democrat. /
In 1879 no was again nominated and elected for
second term. simultaneously with his election as
the executive of the State government, he withdrew
from the grocery business, only to resume i IA
1882, by forming a copartnership with II. M.
Mendel and his son. Ira Smith. under the firm
name of Smith, Mendel IL Co. In addition to the
public positions mentioned above, Mr. Smith
served as one OF the directors of the State prison
from 1874 until ST. 1t can truthfuy be said
of him that he attained to tho highest po-
sition Of honor in the commonwealth or
Wisconsin through tine confidence which
comes from strict and long-tried integrity.
unswcrving loyalty, and unusual steadfastness to
TO party utilization. He has been man of rare tact,
good ability, and unbemished public and private
reputation, and always ranked as one OF the first
citizens of the State; whether judged as
magistrate, a politician, merchant, or cti-
zen in the walks Of private life, he has
been successful in every walk of life. winning the
warm friendship and high esteem OF everyone
with whom lie was brought in contact His long
geayce in the various legislative and executive de-
partments of The State government has identified
him with its political history almost uninterrupt-
edy for period of thirty years. The news OF his
sudden death will be received with feeling of uni
versal regret among all classes of people, alike rep
resentng as they do every shade OF political opin-
ion and belief