Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-07-23
A GIFT OF $4,000.

Elisha y. smith Gives Mennshn, wis. a
Park and Library BuiIding---A Ma
tive of Brattleboro, who Remembered
This Town with $4,000 for the Home
for Aged and Disabled.
Elisha D. Smith, president of the Mena-
sha (Wis) Wooden Ware company, gave
the Brattleboro Home for Aged and Dis
abled 5000 four years ago, and he has re-
Gently made a more notable gift TO the city
of Menasha-a park of % acres valued at
S2j 900 and So, 600 for the erection Of a
public library building and its maintenance.
Mr. Smiths proposition regarding the gifts
was made to the city council the evening
of the l4th inst.
The Menasha Daily Breeze tells this sto-
nv of what followed when the fact Of the
Gift became generally known: "Never in
the history of Menasha was rejoicing more
genuine in its character than last night,
| Immediately after the special meeting of
the common council adjourned. The fire
bell rang out in merry peal, the bells in
| the church steeples added their tones, and
the steam whistles of the mills and factO-
| ries added their shrill notes to the general
| chorus Men, women and children ran
| from their houses to the centre Of the city,
and found on reaching Main street that
| the cause of the din was not fire but real
happiness. Men and boys paraded the
streets with tin horns, John Rosch or
chestra filled the air with saw tooth melo-
dy, rockets rent the air and red fire and
fire crackers we're in evidence everywhere"
In his address to the city council Mr..
Smith stated that he began buying land II
years ago with the intention of ultimately
using it as park. The park is to be con-
III 1 lv-e 81,
mayor, and the city is to appropriate $1,000
for improving and beautifying the park
the first FIVE years and not less than $500
per year after the first five years. No liz
uors are to be sold or given away in the
park, no gambling devices allowed there,
! and no entertainments to which an adj
mission is charged. There are strict rules
for the proper observance of Sundays in
the park. The city is to light the park and
! the surrounding streets, and to macadam
lie the streets The library building is to
be erected on one of the park lots within
year from the acceptance of the park by
the city.
Elisha D. Smith was born in Brattleboro
March 20, 1927. He attended school here
until Il, and then worked for year as
clerk in a general store. He was next en-
ployed for three years in a wholesale dry
goods house in Boston, and at the age of
q he engaged in business at Woonsocket
X. 1. He was married in that city in 1850
TO Julia A Mowry, and their wedding trip
was to Menasha, journey of ten days.
Mr.. Smith at first engaged in the mercan-
tile business in Menasha, and in 1852
bought out wooden ware company. There
were no railroads in Wisconsin at that
time, and for years Mr.. Smith worked hard
TO build up the business. The tide began
running in his favor more than 20 years
ago, and the concern has been making
money ever since then. The works con-
trolled by Mr.. Smith are now the largest
of their kind in the world. The Menasha
Breeze, in a sketch of Mr.. Smith, says:
"All through his hard struggle Julia
Mowry has been a faithful, helpful wife,
and has aided, in every way possible TO
her, his splendid achievement. In the ad-
vancing years of their life Mr.. and Mrs.
Smith are happy in their efficient children.
Charles r. Smith, eldest son, is one of the
leading business men in the Valley of the
Fox and lends his fine capabilities to the
successful operation of the Wooden Ware
enterprise; Henry S. Smith is also part
of the big institution, and is sturdy ener-
getic force in its success. Jane, the daugh-
ter is the wife of S. Elmer Smith, young
man of excellent business capacity now
holding good position with the Wooden
Ware company.
"Mr. Smith has never sought official
position. He has been too much engrossed
in business. In the years 1861 and 1862,
he was elected by his fellow townsmen as
president of the village, and guided the
affairs of the growing community success
fully in one OF its most trying experiences. "