Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-07-14
ELISHA D. SMITH
Died i'm Menasha, Wis, Friday
of Appendicitis.

He was Native Of BrattItborO and
Had Given $4,000 TO the BrattleborO
Home for A ged and Disabled and $780,
900 in n PARK and Library to Mem
asha.
Elisha D. Smith, u, president of the
Menasha (Wis) Wooden-Ware company,
who gave the Brattleboro Home for the
AGED and Disabled its first real impetus
by a donation of $4,000 six years ago, died
at his home in Menasha Friday nightaf-
ter a short illness with appendicitis. The
news of his illness was received in Brat
tleboro Saturday by Thomas K. Fessen-
den. nephew of Mr.. Smith, in letter from
Mr.. Fessenden's sister, Mrs. Geo. l.. Bor-
den of Oshkosh. On Monday Mr.. Fessen-
den received news of Mr. Smiths death.
Mr.. Smith was reported to be the wealth
lest citizen of Menasha, accommodating his
fortune through pluck and persistence,
first in the mercantile business and after
ward in the manufacture of wooden ware.
He was rated as millionaire.
Mr.. Smith was born in Brattleboro
March 20, 1927, and was a son OF Major
and Mrs. Henry Smith, his father coming
to Brattleboro from Hadley, Mass, in
early life. Major Smith was for many
years landlord of the old Brattleboro
House, which stood where Crosby block
now stands. He also served for several
years as sheriff of Windham county and
as postmaster of Brattleboro.
Elisha D. Smith was one of nine chill
dren He attended the common schools
of Bratteboro until he was II years old,
after which he spent year as clerk in
general store. He was next employed for
three years in wholesale dry goods house
in Boston, and at the age of Il be en-
gagged in business in Woonsocket, X. L.
He was married in that city in 1850 to
Julia A. MCwry, and their wedding trip
was to Menasha, journey of 10 days.
Mr.. Smith at first engaged in the mer-
camille business in Menasha, and in 1852
he bought out a 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 works
are now the largest of their kind in the
world.
In sketch published before Mr. Smith s
death the Menasha Breeze said: "All
through his hard struggle Julia Mowry has
been a faithful, helpful wife, and has aid
ed, in every way possible to her, his spen-
did achievement. In the advancing 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 success
full operation of the Wooden-Ware enter
prise; Henry S. Smith is also a part OF
the big institution, and is sturdy energet-
ic 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 never sought official position
and he declined many honors which were
extended to him. In the years 1861 anC
1862 he was elected president of the village
of Menasha, and he guided the affairs o.
the growing community in one of its mos
trying experiences.
In 1897 Mr.. Smith made his most nota
BILE gift to the city of Menasha-a park o.
90 acres valued at $25 900 and $25, 900 fol-
public library building and its mainte
nance. When the fact of the gift wa
made known there was great demonstra
ton in the city, in which the entire popu
lation participated.
Mr.. Smith visited his native town sever
al times after he went West, his last yisi
being in the fall of 1896 when he camt
with the body of his sister, Mrs. H. B
Simpson, who died in Bradford, Mass
Besides Mrs. Smith and three children
Mr. Smith leaves sister, Miss Elzabetl
Smith of Menasha, who is the only lvinj
member of the family. The burial was il
the family lot in Menasha