Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1919-02-11
Col. Abram w. Smith.

Col. Abram w. Smith, one OF the MOI
popular and best beloved Of the states
men Of Kansas, long known ~ th
"Grand Old Man." swooned In his chat
and died suddenly of heart diserse at hi
home in Topeka on Jan. I'd. In the lon
roster OF eminent men who have gon
from Maine to the West none hav
shown more loyalty to duty, and NOR
distinguished ability, and none have beel
more popular with the higher, iDfuentis
classes, and yet been In close alignmen
with the heartbeat and pulse.beat o
the common people. < q
He was born in Hiram, Maine, Oct
18th, 1S43, being one of the Youngest o
nine children OF Mr.. and Mrs. Ransom
Smith. He passed bis boyhood ant
youth upon the farm. He was educated
In the common schools and at the ag'
of II he went to Pennsylvania ant
worked az cooper. He enlisted In Co
B, 1st Battalion, 10th Regt. q. 8. Infan
try, and was made sergeant. He wa
in ell the general battles in which tn,
Army Of the Cumberland took part, ant
in September, 1858, he was taken prison
or at Chickamauga. Hepassed about {
year and half in Libby, Danville an(
Andersonville prisons, going barefootet
fourteen months. he was mustered on
of the service June I'd, 1885. I'VE not,
here that his father was Lieutenant
commanding q company In the brie
Aroostook War, and bis brothers jacob
and Ransom E. served In the civil war
and his mother was q member of tn,
Wentworth family of national reputa
tion.)
After the war he worked in Pennsyl
vauia as cooper some time, then wal
employed at Johnstown, Penn, as fore
man of Cambria Iron Works.
In 1857 he was married to Miss Vir
ginia Berlin of Adams County, Pennsyl
vania, who survives him. He leaves also
one son and FIVE daughters. One sor
died In 1902. Col. Smith was worthy
and prominent member of the Methodist
church some forty years. He was also Q
Mason of the 32d degree.
About 80 years ago be went to Grove
land township, Mcpherson County, Kan.
sas, and engaged In farming in which be
was successful. For many years be was
president of the Kansas Board of Agri.
culture, and was serving as its treasurer
when he died. In 1893 he was president
of the commission having charge Of the
Kansas department at the Worlds Fair
at Chicago. he also served one term as
Department Commander, in Kansas, OF
the G.. A. r. He was elected to the
Kansas House of Representatives five
times, in 1887 serving ss speaker of the
house. In 1892 Col. Smith was candidate
of the Republican party for governor.
The Democrat and POpulist parties unit.
ed against him, with an apparent, and
uudoubted majority in the canvass OF
II 900 votes. he was leader OF lead
ers, and led one of the most tremendous
campaigns ever known in Kansas. He
was defeated. but by majority of only
5000 votes. His popularity is evinced by
the fact that In 1900 his name was first
on the ticket for presidential electors, and
he received 1000 votes more than any
other name On the ticket. During Presi-
dent Tsft's term, Col. Smith served as
U. s. Pension Agent at Topeka, for the
states of Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma,
Iowa, Colorado and New Mexico.
He was a man impressive, tall and
muscular, of erect, military bearing,
genial and magnetic, and was said to
have been one of the most eloquent men in
the West. His lecture on "The Romance
of the War" was commended by U. s..
Senators, governors and judges of Kan.
sas.
In the summer of 1917, after an alb
sence of 50 years from Maine, he revisit.
ed bis native town and received q cordial
and enthusiastic public reception. He
also delivered an eloquent address at
Kezar Falls. 1t was pathetic scene
when at last he stood In the front door
way of his native home, the last of bis
fathers family, scanned every feature of
the beautiful landscape, lingering long,
as If be would photograph 1t upon his
memory forever, and babe 1t his last
farewell.
With his face to the front, and his armor bright,
And his life work nobly done,
He has passed from sight to the mansions bright,
And his starry crown has won.
Faithful friend and Masonic brother,
farewell.
LLEwELLYN A. WADswoRTH,
Hiram.