Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-11-12

on he became the master spirit OF the Yer
mont Central railroad interest. To the
ability, tact, energy and wisdom with which
he carried the road through its various
troubles, crises, litigations and sinbarrass-
ments to its present position as one OF the
strong and leading corporations OF New
England constituting with its leased roads,
the Rutland, Ogdensburg, New London and
Northern, Canada Atlantic, Burlington and
Lamols aud other roads, a railroad system
Of nearly thousand miles in extent, it
would be difficult to do justice in the limits
of an article like this. An adequate account
of his railroad administration would form a
most interesting history and we trust it will
be written by some pen worthy the task.
Governor Smiths railroad enterprises
were not confined to to the Vermont Cen
trail and its connected roads. He was one
of the projectors ami pioneers Of the North
ern Pacific railroad During the war, he
with Hon. II. d. Rice of Maine, and b.
2. Cheney Of Boston, became the purchaser
of the original charter OF that road, and
in 1867 he was one Of twelve leading rail-
road men and capitalists, including the
presidents of the Erie, Pennsylvania, and
Chicago and Northwestern roads, an our
townsman, r. Ii. Garfield. who formed
syndicate, which procured surveys, located
the road, procured an extension Of the
chartor and in connection with Jay Cooke
and Frederick Billings, who became ascot
ated with them later, furnished capital
enough to construct nearly 500 miles Of the
road from Lake Superior west. During
this period Governor Smith was for soma
years the president of the Northern Pacific,
and though the failure Of Jay Cooke & Co.
caused u suspension of the enterprise, and
it was carried to completion by other men,
his name will forever bo associated with
that great transcontinental railway.
Gov. Smith, it need not be said, wa' an
ardent republican, and held intimate rela-
lions with MANY OF the leaders OF the party,
including Presidents Grant Garfield, Arthur
and Harrison, Mr.. Blaine and others Of the
| foremost statesmen Of the United States
and oil Canada. His able craftsmanship of
the Vermont delegations in the national
conventions of 1850 and 1884 will be re
called by many, as well as the fact that he
repeatedly presided at our republican State
conventions. The fact has recently been
made public that tho appointment as United
States senator, to succeed Senator Foote,
VA rendered him by Gov. Dillingham; in
ltG', and wa, declined by him At otncr
t.iN,s Ae was as our readers remember,
prominently talked OF ior United States
senator; but ne never permitted nj, name
to be presented to tao Legislature for that
office, nor to tho people for any elective Of
flee, since his retirement from he governor
ship.
He took an active interest in tho great
agricultural and dairy G.ttrs-t a. y state
and was himself an exteu,.>' ,rm b, OWL
inE the largest and finest Try in
Franklin county and gen t, ne cream
cry the milk OF 80 COWS. II, a, at times
an officer in several ayrc1 ur associations,
was president of the Lake Ca captain Yacht
club, and interested IA various social and
business organizations, anl always inf1u-
entail and valuable in all such associations.
Gov. Smith received the honorary de-
gree of l.. l.. d. from the University in 1871
He was n membsr OF tho Congr egational
church of st. AbaN3 AMI its most libsral
supporter. lie made many unostsntatious
Dul SeutTOuS uOdtNObn 10. publIO .'uI PpScS
aud charitable objects. H. recently gavo
$1,000 for rem lde.ing tue Congregational
church el'tice, and in 1883 presented the
village of st. Adams with an elegant foun-
tain for its park, costing $1,000. John
Gregory Smith was particularly happy
in his domestic relations and his home was
ono OF the most attractive in Vermont.
He married Ann Eliza, daughter OF the late
Hon. Lawrence Brainerd, an anti-slavery
leader in Vermont, in 1872. Five children
blessed their union, George Gregory and
Edward Curtis and Annie B., Julia Is. and
Nellie L., all OF WHOM survive him. The
latter was married to Rev. d. Sage Mack
ay, pastor of the St. Adams Congrega-
tional church. in 1870 Julia was married
to Oliver Crocker Stevens, esq of Boston ;
George married Miss Lewis OF Boston, and
Edward, Miss Jamas Of O gdeusburg, N. Y.
Governor Smiths funeral will take place
on Tuesday afternoon, next and President
Buckham will olliciate upon tho occasion,
which will undoubtedly call together
: numerous gathering OF prominent citizens
| of Vermont.