Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-09-02
Hon. Joseph o. Smith.

Of Skowhesan will be the occasion Of
deep sorrow to a large circle Of sin
cere and devoted friends all over
Maine. 1t has been given to few men
TO serve our, State longer or in more
responsible positions than Mr.. Smith.
and both as an official and as a citi-
zen he commanded the confidence and
respect of all who came in contact with
him.
He was a man of clear mind and
sound judgment whose views never
failed to have weight in party councils
and with those who went to him for
advice. His tendencies were all con-
sentative. He reached his decisions
only after calm and careful thought.
hut having once made up his mind as
TO the right course to pursue he adj
nered with courage and tenacity TO his
convictions. A citizen of the finest type.
community in which he resided, and
whose interests he had deeply ut heart.
but also in every section Of Maine. for
there was no town within its limits in
which he could not number his friends,
his long and honorable career as
IN official. a joui nalist, and n member
of the Republican State Committee
having brought him in personal con-
tact with representative men from
every Tart of the State.
To the members OF the newspaper
fraternity the death of Mr.. Smith will
be special blow. He was for years
a regular attendant upon the meetings
Of the Milne Press Association, of
which Re was an honored member. ans?
q writer whose clearness and force
ranked him as one of the strongest
members of the profession in our State.
Mr.. Smith was born in the town OF
1889. lie was educated in the common
schools and at HOultOn Academy, now
Hicke: Classical Institute, and for sew
cral years devoted much Of his time to
teaching. He enlisted in 1863, and
received n commission as a lieutenant
In the 18th Maine Infantry in April
1865. From 1866 to 1872 he was en-
pIoyei in mercantile pursuits. Since
1878 ne has been engaged in the print
No
editor of the Somerset Reporter.
In politics Mr.. Smith was a stall
wart Republican. and neither he nor
the paper he so ably edited. ever wav-
cred in the steadfast support accorded
Republican candidates and policies.
lie was a loyal man. devoted to the
principles lie espoused. and entirely
without sham or pretence. He was
secretary of the Republican State Com
mittec from 1876 to 1880, when Hon.
James -. Bla was it's chairman, and
served as Il member OF tina. organiza-
ton Ger Somerset county from 1890 to
1902.
II" was recognized among party
workers 3s an able and careful organ
izer. keeping in close and constant
touch with the Republican leaders and
giving personal attention to every de-
tail of the work. To mis- indefatlga Bile
efforts the Republican party in Som
'rsct county has been largely indebt-
cn for the substantial ma Jorities it has
been able To roll up during the past
decade.
Mr.. smith YVES member OF the
Maine House OF Representatives. from
the town OF HOdgdon. where he then
resided. in 1869. and 1870. and was as
*istant clerk of that body in 1872 and
1879. He was chief clerk in the secre-
tary OF States Office for two years
ending January. 1877. deputy secretary
of state four years ending. january,
1881. secretary OF State. ISSI-4 inclus-
I've. and insurance commissioner of
Maine for period OF nine years end
Ing January. 1894
Mr. Smith was man of scholarly
tastes, and in 1895. received the hon
orary degree of A. NJ. from Colby Uni
versity
He was strongly Identified with the
interests and activities of his home
town being deacon of the Bethany
BAPTIST church, director of the Sec
ond National Bank. n member of Rus
sell Post. G. A. r.. and of the various
local Masonic bodies.
In his death the State Of Maine loses
one of her foremost citizens. a man
loved and admired by his friends, and
honored by all who knew him.