The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1899-10-12
GEORGE SMITH DEAD
Pioneer Wisconsin Banker Passes
Away as Reform Club in Lon
don Saturday Evening.
COUSIN OF MRS. VIM. M. FAIR

Report IF the Death Of the Pioneer Banker
Causes Much Sorrow in This City-,was
Well Known to the Early Settlers of
the City and at One Time Owned
Great Deal of Real Estate in This
County-A Man of Great wealth.
London, Oct. 8-George Smith, who
was better known here as 'Chicago
Smith" and who ranked as one of the
richest men in England, died late on
Saturday night at the Reform Club in
Pail Mall, which had been his home
for many years. Two friends were
present at his deathbed, and he re-
manned conscious until the last.
Mr.. Smith sustained a stroke of par
a1ysis year ago. He apparently had
recovered fully, but never left his
room afterwards. His wealth was
made largely through dealing in Chi
cago real estate while he was a banker
in that city in it's early days. He was
worth when he left there at least
$4,000, 900. He died at the age of %
years.
The announcement of the death of
George Smith was received with a
great deal of sorrow in this city. While
Mr.. Smith had never been a resident
Of this city in the early times, he was
greatly interested here and at one time
was heavy real estate owner in this
county. But of greater interest is the
fact that the deceased was a second
cousin of Mrs. William M. Farr. It is
reported that Mrs. Farr is the nearest
kin to the deceased banker and it is
probable that by his death the Keno
sha lady will become one of the heirs
to one of the largest fortunes ever
amassed. Mrs. Farr and Mr.. Smith
have been very close friends for many
years. Early settlers and financiers of
the city have many interesting stories
to tell of the early life of the deceased.
George Smith was born in the parish
of Old Deer, Aberdeenshire, Scotland,
on Feb. 10, 1903. He attended the col
1ege school of Aberdeen for two years,
and when 3 years old came to the
United States In 1884 he moved to
Chicago and engaged in the real estate
business. He became interested with
the firm Of Strachan & Scott, which in
1887 opened the second bank in the
city, the State Bank of Illinois, opened
in 1886, having been the first. On his
return from a visit to Scotland in
1887 Mr.. Smith brought some foreign
capital to the new town, having organ
lied in his native land "The Illinois
Land Investment company"
In 1889 Strachan & Scott, in company
with Mr.. Smith, obtained from the
Territory of Wisconsin charter for an
insurance company entitled '"The Wis
consin Fire and Marine Insurance
company" which received deposits
and issued certificates of stock for
hem. For fifteen years this company
continued to issue certificates,
which were taken in Milwaukee and
Chicago as currency in ordinary bust
ness transactions.
Later Mr.. Smith moved to Chicago,
where he was conspicuous figure in
the financial world. In 1856 Mr.. Smith
closed up his business in this country
and returned to Scotland, where he has
since resided. He has made frequen-
visits to this country since that time,
but his home has been in Europe. He
was never married and his vast for
tune will be divided by will among a
few surviving relatives.