The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-11-11
Ex-Governor J. Gregory Smith.


Reference is made in our editorial columns
to the loss which Vermont has sustained in
the death OF ex Governor j, Gregory Smith,
who passed away last Friday evening, at
his home in St. Adams. John Gregory
Smith has been called the most eminent
citizen in this state, and not without reason;
certainly no other man was better or more
widely known in the households of the
Green Mountain commonwealth. The be-
ginning of his end was last March, when he
was taken seriously i'll at New York, and
remained there for several weeks. Septem-
Der 16 he sought rest amid the Adirondacks,
but his health grew steadily worse until
last Friday evening" when he died of heart
disease.
John Gregory Smith was born in st.
Adams, July o. 1918, the son of John
Smith, who was born in Barre Mass, in
1888. The latter removed soon after to st.
Adams, became an eminent member Of the
Franklin county bar, and represented his
town in the legislature for nine successive
years. He was director in and the first
president of the Vermont Central railroad.
He was also a director of the Vermont &
Canada railroad, and was one of three men
to advance S350,000 for building the latter
road. Upon the completion of both roads,
in 1S49, the Vermont & Canada was leased
to the Vermont Central. In 1852 the former
road came into possession of the latter
being surrendered to a board of three trus-
tees of the first mortgage bonds, of which
JOnn Smltn was CHAIRMAN. In 1000 tneSe
trustees were appointed, by order of the
Franklin county court of chancery, receiv-
ers and managers of the roads,
John Gregory Smith received his early
educational training in the district schools,
and graduated from the University of Yer
mont in 1S41, subsequently graduating from
the Yale law school, and associating himself
with his father in the practice of law. In
1858 the elder Smith died, and the son sue
ceeded to the position of trustee of the YER
mont Central and Vermont Il Canada rail-
roads, his associates being Lawrence Brain
erd of St. Adams and Joseph Clark Of
Milton. The year 1872 ushered in troublou
times. The honor of President Smith was
attacked, charges were preferred against
the trustees and managers, and the legisa-
ture of that year appointed special COM
mittee, consisting of six senators and
representatives, to investigate the charges.
His biographer states that the legislature
entirely indicated Mr.. Smith and his
management.
In 1872 the legislature incorporated the
Central Vermont Railroad Company; Gov
ernor Smith was elected president, and con-
t1nued as such to the day of lis death. AT
that time the court OF chancery appointed
the Central Vermont Railroad Company re-
ceivers and managers of the Vermont Cen
trail and of the Vermont & Canada. Then
followed almost unlimited litigation in the
state and United States courts, in which
the sagacity and legal ability of Governor
Smith showed itself in a marked degree.
In 1882 the Consolidated Railroad Company
OF Vermont, as it is now known, was organ
lied; compromise was effected with the
bondholders and creditors of the other two
roads, by which all the franchises and prop
critics of the two roads came into possession
OF the new organization in exchange for a
new issue of bonds. The $3.50, 900 of pre-
ferred stock was taken by Governor Smith
and his immediate friends, and the COVER
nor held until his death the balance of
power. Governor Smith was pioneer in
the project of building a transcontinental
railroad, and it was largely through his in
f1uence that the Northern Pacific railroad
was granted charter.
1t was in his political life that Governor
Smith was best known to the people of Yer
mont. In 1858 go he was a senator from
Franklin county, and later was representa-
tive three successive years, being speaker
of the house during 1862. The republican
state convention of 1868 nominated him for
governor, and he was elected by $4,000
majority, receiving reelection in 1864
He was frequently called to Washington to
confer with President Lincoln and Secre-
tary OF War Stanton, and in the estimation
OF the president and the secretary his adj
vice and counsel were sought in common
with that of Andrew of Massachusetts, Cur.
tin of Pennsylvania and Morton of Indiana
He was present at the memorable confer
ence between Lincoln, Stanton and Grant
when the latter was selected to command
the armies of the Union.
AT the time the Northern frontier was
threatened he raised twelve regiments OF
infantry, thus saving the withdrawal OF
troops from the armies in the field.
Governor Smith was elected delegate-at.
large from Vermont to the national conven.
tons of 1872, 1880 and 1884, on each occasion
being made chairman of the delegation
On several occasions he has presided over
republican state conventions. Many op.
portunities for political preferment have
presented themselves to him since the war
but in each instance he has refused the
honor. In 1866, when senatorial vacancy
occurred by the death of Hon. Solomon
Foote, he was offered the appointment by
Governor Paul Dillingham;. Again, in 1886
the question arose as to his succeeding Sen.
ator Edmunds but the pc )uar prefe "ence
was so Enthusiastically in favor of the lat
ter that Governor Smiths friends did
not actively press his candidacy. His
position on the senatorial question the
past year is well known. At the time
OF his death he was president of the Weldon
National Bank, the Peoples Trust Com
pany, the franklin County Creamery Asso
citation, and director in many institutions
and corporations outside of railroad com
mittees.
John Gregory Smith in 1912 married Anr
Eliza, daughter of the late Lawrence Brain
erd of st. Adams He had five children
George Gregory, Edward Curtis, Annie b.
Julia b., and Helen l. all of whom sur
vive him. The only member of his fathers
family that survives him is a brother
Worthington G. Smith, now in his sixty
eighth year
The funeral was held Tuesday, at two p. NJ
The body was taken to the Congregations
church-of which he was one of the fore
most pillars and supporters-in the fore
noon, and il lay in state until the funeral
Rev. M. III. Buckham, president of thu
University of Vermont, was the officiating
clergyman.
School TaanlarS In Gassin.