Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-02-24
A Pleasant Evening.

tanned at his attractive home on Winthrop
street, the directors of the First National
Bank and the trustees of the Augusta Savings
Bank, with Mr.. Smith as the special guest
There were present at this gathering Mr.
VIM S. Badger, president of the Saving,
Bank. Hon. ARENAS Libbey, Mr.. Thoma,
Lambard, Judge Samuel Titcomb. Mr. j. II
Manley, trustees of the Savings Bank; Mr.
d. A. Cony, Mr. Oscar Holway, Mr. Jane,
". North, Mr.. Lendall Titcomb, directors Of
the First National Bank; Mr.. Thomas Lam
bard being director in the First Nationa
and trustee in the Savings Bank. The com
pany sat down at seven O'Clock at a table
laden with choice viands, enjoying for al
hour and half the generous hospitality OF
Mr. and Mrs. Hichborn. After the wants Of
the inner man had been beautifully supplied
the company adjourned to the parlor and Mr..
Hlchborn, in behalf of the gentlemen pres
ent, in few well-chosen and timely remarks
commenting the characteristics of Mr..
Smiths life, presented him an elegant etching
framed in oak, and fine oak
easel. as slight token of their
esteem and appreciation. Mr.. Smith
vas taken completely by surprise, but happily
and with much feeling replied TO Mr.. Hich-
born. The company were afterward enter
tanned with many "reminiscences of the olden
days, given by Mr.. Smith in his usual interest
I'M NNbap h. tod -
was with a feeling of obligation to Mr.. HIGH
born for the agreeable evening given them,
which cemented and bound these friends to-
gether with greater admiration for the man
whom they were there to honor. This even
ing Mr.. Smith, at the vestry of the Univer-
salist church, is to entertain his many friends
in that society, with whom he has been con-
spieuously identified nearly all his life.
This it seems to us, is fitting occasion to
slightly review the long and eventful life of
Mr.. Smith and his close connection with our
goodly city.
Mr.. Smith was born in Wiscasset and at
the early age of 8 l-2 years he began to learn
the art of printing in the Office of the late
John Dorr publishers of the Lincoln Intelli-
Berry & Co., then publisher of the Augusta
Age. In 1885, in connection with the late
George Robinson of Augusta, he purchased
the Age. Mr.. Robinson died in 1910, and
was succeeded by George NJ. Weston. Mr..
Smith remained one of the publishers of the
Age until 1874, when he retired from the
publishing business. During all the years
of Mr. Smiths connection with the Age, it
was the principal Democratic paper in the
State, and, although markedly partisan, dis
played great vigor and ability. In 1880 Mr..
Smith was appointed Register of Probate for
this county and held that office four years.
In 1854 Mr.. Smith obtained from the legisla-
ture charter for the State Bank, whose
stock was subscribed by his personal friends,
the late Col. George w. Stanley was its
president. From 1894 until the present tiIle
Mr.. Smith has remained in the banking bust
ness He was the cashier of the State Bank
until it wound up its affairs in 1864, and was
the first cashier of the First National
Bank holding that position until
1868, when he voluntarily resigned.
The Augusta Savings Bank was incorporated
in 1913. Mr.. Smith was one of the incor-
porators, and is today the only survivor of
their number In 1851 he was elected
treasurer of the institution and with
the exception of a few years, in which
his duties as cashier of the First National
Bank neccssitated REIMBURSEMENT, has held
that position to the present time. When Mr..
Smith assumed the treasurers office the de
posts of this bank amounted to seventy-one
thousand dollars; today they exceed five
millions.
No citizen has taken greater interest in
the common schools system of the State than
has Mr.. Smith, and the most liberal appro-
priations for educational purposes have always
received his personal advocacy. He was one
of the prime movers in the organization of
the Village School district in Augusta, in
1885: was elected clerk of the district until
1915, and has since for most of the time been
one of the Directors of our schools. The
school system of Augusta has been perfected
and its superior excellency is largely due to
his labors He has long been connected with
the Independent Order of odd Fellows, and
has held many high positions in that order.
For more than a quarter of century he has
been actively interested in the Forest Grove
Cemetery, and has been very efficient in i'm
parting an attractive and beautiful aspect to
this silent city of the dead" The Lithgow
Library is favored with his ser
vices and the Howard Benevolent.
Union has had his assistance for many
years. In politics Mr.. Smiths views have
been as positive and precise as his action has
been consistent and courageous. He is
pronounced Democrat, and has been one of
the most judicious and influential of party
managers.
Such characteristics as Mr.. Smith has,
have naturally induced his elevation to I'M
portaut positions of trust and honor. In every
one of these he has illustrated the virtues of
probitv and faithfulness. The younger MEM
beers of society are particularly drawn to him;
they know and feel that he is their friend,
and therefore resort to him for counsel and
help In all things pertaining to the welfare
of the Young he is most deeply interested,
and is tireless in effort to crafty their every
reasonable desire. Their attachment TO him
is obvious to every spectator and in itself
constitutes one of the most convincing testi-
monials to the worth of its object. In the
discharge of his duties as treasurer of great
savings institution his devotion has been I'M
tagging The many and great interests de-
pendent upon his judgment and integrity
have been managed with cousummate pru-
dence and skill. These facts, together with
his unvarying kindness to the thousands who
have come in personal contact with him,
have made his name familiar household
worl in this section of the State.