St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-18
BY T. NJ. NETsoS.
Article ILFILL.


Bod in Indiana in 1927, Nj. Smith stud
led law, and then was elected auditor OF
Warwick county, Of that state, when about
twenty-five years of age, and served three
years; came to st. Paul in 1853 in the capac-
itv Of private secretary Of Gov. German and
territorial librarian, which position he held
up TO 1858. In 1856 he was appointed
county treasurer, and was subsequently
elected TO the same position, and
continued in the Office twelve yeaIs.
In 1860 he entered the banking
house Of Dawson 81 Stevens, where he has
been one Of the firm ever since, or twenty
i've years. though the name has been
changed from time to time.
OFFICES HELD.
He was private secretary of Gov. German;
territorial librarian; county treasurer twelve
Tears; alderman two years, and president Of
ne council, and is now serving on his
second term as alderman and president Of
the council from the fourth ward. He is also
member Of the legislature Of 1885.
REAL ESTATE.
Mr.. Smith has bought aud sold great deal
Of real estate in this city, land It's the old story
he originally paid, some pieces going from
5000 TO $50, 900 and upwards. In 1853 he
purchased two lots on Fort street, I20 by $50
his present residence-which cost him 81
900; worth now $50, 900; then be secured
two lots in the rear OF tie former ones,
fronting on Oak street, 12O by $50, for which
he paid $500; worth 5000; in 1861 he
bought the lot corner Of Cedar and Fourth
streets-where the foundation for the new
club house has been built-75 feet front;
cost 5000; worth $50, 600; lot corner of
Sixth and Robert streets, 90 by 100 feet,
FOR which he gave $1,000; worth
$40. 900; a corner lot OF Market and Fourth
streets, fronting the park, for 50, 900; worth
$4,000; in company with Mr.. Dawson, he
bought in 1871, about fifty acres 10 what is
now known as . part Of Woodland park,
paid $500 per acre, or In the aggregate, 500
600; worth now $4,000 per acre, or $780,
600; secured several acres Ia Sunson's addi-
ton for 1890 per acre; worth 81. 900 per acre;
in 1856 purchased fourteen acres in Wikin
ard Hey woods outlets, with a good house
thereon, for $1,000; property worth
nov $4,000, and very unexpectedly
10 himself and to his pre-con-
ceived notions, he holds this property yet
and when he stops to think over the matter,
be gets frightened at his own temeIity.
PERSONALLY,
Mr. Smith Is a very popular man, and al |
most every office he has held Except that Of /
treasurer has been thrust upon him. When |
holding the latter position he was quite lib /
eral with his funds, giving to churches. !
schools, aud other charitable objects, aud /
very likely also for political purposes, so that |
when he came out Of office at /
The end Of twelve years, be only /
had $4,000 in real estate, and with this capi- |
tai aud a few hundred dollars in cash, he be- |
came partner With VIM Dawson, giving his |
NOTE 10 Dawson for the capital he furnished, |
$4,000, aud this is the way be commenced /
the banking business, in which he has been |
engaged for quarter Of a century. Mr.. /
Smith las always been q Democrat. but when |
ne ran for office the Wings invariably helped 4
him through, and in one case he came out
ahead Of all his party friends, being the only
candidate on the Democratic ticket elected
lie is man OF medium size: well con-
structed; rather cool in his temperament:
cautious: very pleasant In his mauuers:-
somewhat uon-commital vet with nerve
sufficient Do decide when IL Is necessary: ex-
ceediugy social In his nature; literally dis
posed; Hud-hearted. and popular with all
classes. He married sister OF Gov. Cor
m1u and has one sen, nov grown TO man
hood. he IS a careful, prudent, solid, wor-
NV valuable citizen, member Of the pres
snt legislature, now in session.
Nm. b. McGRonrY.
Capt. McGrorty was born in Ireland In
lse5; came to America in 1914; settled in
New York city aud was employed in several
commercial houses and as & commercial
ira clrr until the year 1888, whom he came
% s.. Paul. On arriving here be purchased
the lot on the corner Of Robert and Fourth
streets, now occupied by the building Of the
German National bank, erected a stone store
On IL, and engaged in the grocery business,
aud soon after entered politics, aud took an
active part in the ranks Of the Democratic
party.
OFFICES.
As the result OF his political career, be was
elected alderman OF the Second ward iu 1856.
Tor three years was county commissioner
for three years; a member Of the coustitu-
ioual convention Ia 1857; a member OF the
legislature 10 1855 aud appointed United
States luartcrmaster 10 1854 which position
he hcld al the time OF his unfortunate death.
RAILROAD CONTRACTOR.
soon after the passage Of the s., 900, 600
loan bill, and when Selah
Chamberlain began "a construct railroads.
in this state, Mr.. McGror,y took heavy rail
road contracts, and OF course relied upou the
COOL faith Of the state 20 sustain the con
tractors, bat when the bonds we're repudiated
bis entire property went by the board-he
lost everything
REAL ESTATE.
Mr. hcGrorty's lot on the corner OF Fourth
and Robert streets, cost him in 1853. $500: |
worth now $4,000; be paid 81. SOC in 1856. i
Tor one hundred feet % Jackson street !
Eherc be formerly resided; worth now $50
DO he erected large stone residence
on this property sud lived here for some
lime, but sold il 20 y. W. Hlitson, where Mr.. {
Aii'son resided until his fsmiy moved into I
his new mansion on S. Anthony bill. +
WAR DEMOCRAT.
Captain McGr0vty was strong Dourl,s Z
Democrat aud 90 he election OF Abe Lin. Z
solu aud the secession q South Carolina. he v
entered hcA riily into the Unioa tpoveme,. 8
and urged the vigorous prosecution o. he 5
Sar he carried out in practice xhst \
be taught in theory. aud entered 2
ne army, Firth Minnesota Rerjmeut1 in Q
1861, and served With Ersat credit on Gov. @
auooard's stas when Colonel, and slso when
S1gadieF General in The Geld. and was es-
peciaiiy mentioned oY General Hubbard in =
his reports of battles to The Adjutsnt General.
Tor brave aud mertorous conduct Was AZ
pointed United States Qg4r;eraasssr ana u
captain b. President Lincoln, September. :
1854. aud to Decen Der, Of the same wear =