Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1908-12-01


ushering in another day, came the call
that summoned Judson Mann Smith,
of this city, from his earthly home.
The end was not sudden or unexpected,
but a gradual decline consequent upon
old age. He was a man possessed of a
veryfugged constitution and his health
was always good and he was unusually
vigorous until few years ago when it
became necessary to undergo an opera
/ ton to relieve the painful condition of
| one of his eyes. a few years later, a
shock that seriously affected him was
the death of his beloved wife who passed
away Saturday, May 18th, 1907. His de-
cline since then has been noticeable to
his intimate friends and to those who
were closely associated with him daily.
About three weeks ago there was a
change, seemingly a development of
heart trouble, and it was apparent that
this good mans life was drawing to a
| close. While he was able to be up and
about he grew more feeble until Fri
day evening, when he was taken with q
severe chill and despite all human eff
forts, his condition momentarly grow
worse until he passed INFO his eternal
sleep. While not unexpected, the sad
announcement of Mr. Smiths death
came as shock 70 his relatives ald old
| friends and WAS received throughout
the community with expressions of the
| deepest sorrow.
For fully thirty years Mr. Smith was
an active, leading spirit in our city, and
this he continued to be until a few years
| ago when he shift. d the burdens of
| business affairs onto younger shoulders
Mr. Smiths long and varied exper-
fence; his knowledge of men and bust
ness affairs his good, sound sense and
practical turn of mind, made him a val
liable addition in shaping the business
growth of our young and growing city,
while his sterling christian character
was felt from the start in everything
that pertained to the betterment of the
religious and moral growth of Wausau.
1t would be impossible for the PILoT
in brief newspaper article to give its
readers, even in small degree, an idea
of what j. NJ Smith has accomplished
for Wausau during his life here in the
shaping of its religious and business
then it would fall far short of doing him
justice, for if there ever was a man
who worked without ostentation, it was
Mr.. Smith.
He carue here when constructing the
Wisconsin Valley road and was so inn
pressed with Wausau and the surround
ing country that he at once negotiated
for the tract of land which the
Wisconsin Valley Railroad company
owned in Marathon county, about 200,
600 acres He consummated the pur-
chase in February, 1875, and at once
made arrangements to bring his family
here and make Wausau his permanent
home. This he did and during all these
years his energies, in the main, have
been devoted to bringing settlers into
this county. He had lands cleared up
into farms, operated them for while,
and thus ascertained what the soil was
best adapted for and what could be
profitably raised. Ia this way he was
able to tell the settler just what to do
to be successful, and to Mr. Smiths well
directed efforts, more than TO any other
one mans, is the credit due that Mara
thon county has such splendid and
prospecting farming population today.
Mr.. Smith, in his religious beliefs
was Presbyterian, and at the time he
decided to make Wausau his perman-
ent home he became a member of and
took an active interest in the upbuild
ing of the First Presbyterian church of
this city. He was on the committee
appointed to look after the construc
ton of that DENOMINATIONS first church
in Wausau, and he was chairman and
chief advisor of that committee When
the congregation had outgrown that
house of worship, another, much larger,
was erected on the corner of Fourth
and Grant streets, and in this work NJ.
Smith was again one of the prime loov-
ers He was very ably assiste 1,rl his
religious work by Mrs Smith sho was
as energetic along various lines as her
husband was along others, and to!eth-
er they performed a work for which
our citizens will ever hohl hem in
grateful remembrance. Mr. Smith was
senior ruling elder of the First Presby-
terrain church from 1876 until the time
of his death. and trustee from 1876
until 1892, and was chairman of the
committees which built the first and the
present church of the congregation.
He was also, from an early day, valued
member of the Masonic fraternity.
Mir. Smith was at all times consistent
and believed in living the life, az nearly
as possible as that taught him by his
religion Kind hearted and sympa-
thetic, it was but natural that he should
have done much in charitable way. and
he did. OF his innumerable, kindly
and generous deeds, very few compare
lively, came to the public ear or his
wealth he gave literally to every worthy
cause and many man who came to
this section. poor and without friends,
has Mr.. Smith to thank, for getting $
start and for the help and encourage
ment which finally gained him independ-
cnce When one has rounded out his