Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-02-21
DEATH OF EX-GOV. SMITH.
Another OF WiscOnsin's Distinguished
Citizens Passes TO Eternal Rest-ShOrt
sketch of the Public and Private Life
OF the Deceased.

Hon. VIM. E. Smith, ex-governor of
the state of Wisconsin, is no more. He
breathed his last, surrounded by friends
and relatives, at his residence in Mil
waukee at 1O:40 o'clock on the night of
the 18th, after an illness of five days.
His illness dated from Wednesday
evening, the 7th, when, returning from
business, he complained of severe pains
In his chest, high fever and other
symptoms of an alarming nature. Dur
ing the evening he suffered a severe
chill, gradually growing worse until the
morning, when DR.. Fox was summoned,
who pronounced the complaint severe
attack of pneumonia or acute lnHamma-
ton of the lungs. He was found to be
In condition which caused the greatest
alarm and doubts were at once enter
tanned of his recovery. He gradually
grew worse until Friday, when the
symptoms were somewhat more favora-
BILE. The inflammation seemed to in a
measure subside, so that the tempera-
ture was lower, and the outlook for
favorable result of the sickness was
greatly improved. On Saturday even
ing and Sunday, when visited by the at
tending physician, he was again worse,
but on Monday a slight improvement
was noticeable.
Tuesday morning there was change
for the worse, which grew more marked.
At 10 o'clock on the morning of the 18th
he was little worse than when visited
previously by the physicians. At 10
o'clock it became evident that he could
live but few hours, and the members
of the family were accordingly informed
of the near approach of death. From
this hour he gradually failed, until at
10:40 last evening he passed away. Dur
ing the greater part of his illness he was
unconscious and delirious, and did not
recognize the friends who stood about
the bedside at the last sad moment. The
only moment of consciousness was about
2 o'clock yesterday afternoon. When
addressed by DR.. Fox, who inquired as
to how be felt, he replied, Very
badly"
At l0:40 there were IL the room where
the dying man lay his two sons, Ira B.
and Grant A. Smith, DR.. Fox and the
two nurses. The other members of the
family, Mrs. Smith, wife of the deceased,
and Miss Ida Smith, his daughter, were
In adjoining apartments. Death came
without pain, he gradually sinking into
stupor, and the pulse becoming faint
er, until the eyelids ceased to quIver,
and he was dead.
William E. Smith first saw the light in
Scotland on June Is, 1924, and came to
America with his parents in early child
hood, living for some years. IN New York
and acquiring his education in the pub
lie schools of that city. Prior to 1849
he removed to Michigan, and In that
year came to Wisconsin, locating In the
town of Fox Lake, where he engaged In
mercantile pursuits. After successful
business career there he removed to
Milwaukee In 1872, and formed copart-
nership with Judson A. Roundy and
Sidney Hauxhurst, under the firm name
of Smith, Roundy & Co., engaging in the
wholesale grocery trade. OF that firm he
continued an active member until 1877,
when he withdrew, and ran for the office
OF governor on the republican ticket, be-
ing elected by a large vote. He was
6l6CUou TO SSCOuu TERM rs governor IL
1879. Prior to that time, however, he
had filed high official positions, having
been a member of the state assembly
IN 1851, a member of the state
senate IN 1853, and again in J864-5
In 1866 he was elected state treasurer
filing that Office for four years, as he
did every other, with credit to himsel
and honor to the state. In 1871 he wa
again called to serve the people in the
assembly, and was then chosen speaker
In the past thirty years he has beer
prominently identified with the poIitica
history Of the state and to his rare bust
ness tact he united answering loyalty
and steadfast utilization to principles
which gained for him the confidence ant
esteem of all with whom he came in con
tact
About March 1, 1882, he became asso
ciated with Fl. NJ. Mendel and his eides
son, Ira B. Smith, under the firm nam
of Smith, Mendel & Co.. engaging again
in the wholesale grocery business. o
this firm he was member at the TIM