Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1900-09-24
JUDGE SMITH IS DEAD.
Galesburg Jurist. Formerly OF
Rock Island Circuit,
Passes Away.
THE END GAME IN COLORADO
Sketch of the Life of the De.
ceased. Who Had Many
Friends Here.

Judge Arthur A. Smith, of Gales
burg. well known in this city, died at
Manitou, Col. last Friday night. Two
months ago Judge and Mrs. Smith
went 10 Manitou, largely on account
of his health. He was then somewhat
weak. Letters received a month ago
indicated that he was feeble. The
death, from all that is known in
Gaiesburg, is thought to have been
due to a,gradual decline, fastened,
perhaps, by lung trouble, from
which he had long been e sufferer.
Judge Smith was one of the most
widely known and highly respected
of Galesburg citizens. He was born
in Batavia. Claremont county, Ohio,
May 20, 1899. The family removed
to Illinois in the fall of 1910 and set
tied in Knox county. Arthur attended
school and performed farm werk. He
made the best of his early advantages.
The farm on which he spent his boy
hood was near Victoria. In 1S48 he
entered the preparatory department
of Knox college, and graduated from
the college with high honors in 1853.
He then began studying law under
Abraham Becker. an attorney of OF
sego county, N. Y, and year later
entered the office of Hon. Julius Man
ming, a. Peoria, where he completed
his studies.
Admitted to Bar
He was admitted to practice in 1855.
He opened his first law office in Gales
burg, and continued practice until the
breaking out of the civil war. With
Gen. A. e. Harding, of Monmouth. he
organized the SD regiment illinois
volunteers, Gen. Harding being
elected colonel and Judge Smith lieu
m ustered in at Monmouth, Aug. 81,
1862, and was immediately ordered to
Forts Henry and Donelson. He served
during the war with distinction. par
actively in a number of
important engagements. He was
finally assigned to the command of
the district of the Tennessee with
headq uarters at GAINESVILLE. This po-
sition he held until the close of the
war, when in 1865 he was mustered
out and breveted with the rank and
title of brigadier general.
With these we'll earned honors. Gen. |
Smith returned to his bone in Gales |
burg, but soon thereafter left for |
Tenn, on business VEN
ture with w. A. PETER. afterwards |
United States senator for Kansas. He |
left Clarksville in 1866, owing to /
the luminosity toward northerners and
to Galesburg, where he re-
sumed his practice of law
On the Bench 80 Years.
He continued in this until 1867, |
when Gov. Oglesby appointed him
circuit Judge. to I'LL the upexpired
term of Judge John S. Thompson. In
June. 1867, he was elected to the same
position, and for five consecutive
terms he received the almost unani-
nous suffrage of the people for that
'ffice. For the long period of 20 years
he sat on the bench as circuit Judge.
It was during this time that he be-
,ame so well known here, Rock Island
being one of the counties of the dis
riot. On account of i'll health he re-
igned two years before the expiration
If his last term. His record on the
bench was one of the highest charac-
er. But few of his decisions were
eversed. The attorneys and people
like had the highest confidence in his
.bility and integrity. On the bench
he Judge was noted for his fair
less and impartiality. When he re-
ired it was with the esteem of all
itizens without regard to party.
In the Legislature.
In politics he was epublican. In
S61 he was a member of the legisla
ure. He was a member of Post As,
I. A. &. member of the Loyal Le-
ion and U. V. T.. aud for 90 years
yas a mem Der of the board of trustees
Knox college.
Judge Smith had important bust
ess interests in Galesburg. He was
or several years a stakeholder and
irector of the Galesburg National
ank. He was a stakeholder of the
armers' and Mechanics bank there.
lie was one of the early promoters and !
-as a director of the Purington Paw
~ Brick company.
Judge Smith was married in 1855 1
, Mary Delano. whose death and the I
cath of one child occurred the follow
lg Year. He was again married, =
CIV. II, 1856. to Mary K. Benner. of s
alesburg. whom he leaves with these z
1ildren: Blanche V. Lewis, of Salt :
axe City; Arthur A, attorney-at- :
W; Dewitt. Chicago; Loyal. Chicago.
nd Benner *, Salt Lake City. =
The remains will be sent to Gales ;
lrg for burial. h