The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1883-02-24
GONE TO REST.
beath OF Ex-Governor VIM. T.. Smith at
milwaukee on the Night OF the 18th
short sketch of the Life of the Dis
tinguished Citizen.

Hon. VIM. Il. 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 10:40 o'clock on the night Of
the 18th, after an illness of five days.
His illness dated from Wednesday
evening, the 7tb, when, returning from
basmess, he complained Of severe pains
IN hls chest, high fever and other
symptoms OF an alarming nature. Dur
ing the evening be suffered q severe
chill, gradually growing worse until the
morning, when Dr.. Fox was summoned,
who pronounced the complaint a severe
attack OF pneumonia or acute iudamma-
ton of the lungs. He was found o be
in 81 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-
bic. The inflammation seemed to in a
measure subside, so thet the tempera-
ture was lower, and the outlook for a
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 q slight improvement
was noticeable.
Tuesday morning there was q change
for the worse, which gIew 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
1O4O last evening he passed away.
During the greater part OF his illness he
was unconscious and delinous, and did
not recognize the friends who stood
about the bedside at the last sal mo-
ment. The only moment of conscious
ness was about o'clock yesterday after
noon. When addressed by DR.. Fox.
who inquired as TO now he felt, he re-
piled, every badly"
At l0:40 there werG III 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, g.,
| and Miss Ida Smith, bis daughter, were
III adjoining apartments. Death came
wit ont pam, he gradually sinking into
| a stupor, and the pulse becoming faint
er, until the eyeids seemed to quiver,
and he was dead.
William f. Smith first saw the light in
Scotland on June IS, 1924, aud came to
America with has parents in early child
hood, livI far some years IN New
York and acquiring his education in the
public schools of that city. Prior to
1S49 he removed 10 Michigan, and in
that year came to Wisconsin, locating il
the town OF Fox Lake, where he engaged
in mercantile pursuits. After a success
| ful business career there he removed to
Milwaukee in 1872, and formed a copart-
nership with JuQsOn 4. 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 un-
| til 1877, when he withdrew, and ran for
| the office of governor on the republican
ticket, being elected by large vote. He
was elected to a second term as gov
| eanor III 1879. Prior to that time, how
ever, he had filed high official positions,
having been a member OF the state as
| semDly in 1851, . member of the state
| senate in 1858 9, and again In IS64-5.
In 1866 he was elected state treasurer,
| filling that office for four years, as he
did every other, with credit to himseli
| and honor to the state In 1871 he was
| again called to serve the people in the
assembly, and was then chosen speaker
In the past thirty years he has been
prominently identified with the political
history of the state and to his rare busi.
ness tact he united answering loyalty
and steadfast affiliation to principles
which gained for him the confidence anl
| esteem Of all with whom he came in con
| tact.
About March l, 1882, he became asso
ciated with H. NJ. Mendel and his eldest
son, Ira B. Smith, under the firm name
of Smith, Mendel & Co., engaging agaI
Ia the wholesale grocery business. o.
this firm be was a member at the time
Of his demise.