The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-08-28
E. SMILE
DIED SUDDENLY
Former County Clerk of Washington
County and Prominent Citizen of Mont
pelier Passed Away While on Visit
to Old Home in Jeffersonville.

Melville E. Smile, who was for many
years county clerk in Washington coun-
ty and who was prominent In the af-
fairs of Montpelier for great many
years, died at Jeffersonville last evening.
As far as could be learned to-day, death
was due to heart disease and with prae-
tically no illness. He left Montpelier on
Wednesday to visit at his old home in
Cambridge. The body was brought to
Montpelier to-day and rests at the home
on State street.
The deceased was born in Cambridge
Aug 2l, 1874, a son of Earl and Matilda
Bolton tThurstonl Smile. He went to
Wisconsin in 1852, but after the death OF
his father, which occurred four years
later, Mr.. Smile returned to Vermont
He started preparatory course for col
lege in the Underhill academy, and in
1861 he entered the University Of Yer
mont, but was compelled to leave college,
because of poor health, in his sophomore
year. He clerked in a store for short
time, but in 1864 came to Montpelier and
began the study of law with Heaton &
Reed.
He was appointed deputy county clerk
in March, 1865, to December of the same
year, and later on did the same work at
other times. He was admitted to the
bar of Washington county March l6,
1865, and to the supreme court in 1868
and to the United States district court in
1871. In 1867 he was reporter of the
Senate, and in December of that year he
moved to Waterbury, where he continued
to practice law until 1874.
While residing at Waterbury he was
principal of the Waterbury graded school
in ls6s-69 and was states attorney from
December, 1868, TO 1870. In 1874 he
went to Michigan and was admitted to
the practice OF law in that state. The
following year he returned to Vermont
and took charge of the county clerks Of
flee, Mr.. Newcomb having been taken
i'll. He was appointed clerk of the coun-
ty in January, 1876, which Office he held
until March !, 1912, when L. C. Moody
was appointed TO succeed him, Mr.. Smi-
lie having resigned because of his ad-
vanced age.
He had held several Offices in Mont
pelier, including justice of peace, auditor
and member of the school board for five
years. For time he was a member OF
the executive board of management OF
the Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance Co
He also served for some years as city
Judge. He took considerable interest in
public affairs Of the city.
His experiences as county clerk were
many and varied, some pathetic and
some amusing. II was always delight
to hear him relate such experiences
Often when he had been working stead.
lily at his desk for a long time, he would
suddenly stop and relate some funny
story His was the faculty of seeing the
pleasant side of life, and it was an edu-
cation to listen to him
As clerk, he was often called upon to
decide many questions, some of which
involved the interests Of his friends, but
always his Judgment was rendered with
regard TO what he believed to be justice
notwithstanding the consequences.
To the young members OF the bar, he
was always helpful, and took great in.
terest in their welfare Many were the
occasions when kind and timely word
from him proved helpful to the young
attorney.
During his long public life, Mr. Smile
had the well-earned reputation Of being
kind and helpful to his friends and just
to all.
Mr.. Smile took deep interest in Hea
ton hospital and during the epidemic
last year was daily visitor at that in
stitution, rendering such assistance as he
was able He was elected director Of the
institution in January, 1908, to fill the
vacancy caused by the death of Hiram A.
Huse. He was elected president of the
board in 1906 and treasurer in March
1918, both Of which offices he held at the
time of his death
He was a trustee of the Montpelier
Savings Bank & Trust company, having
been elected in 1909. He was at one
time vice-president Of The American Fl
deity company and was president of the
Wood Art gallery at the time of his
death. He was member of lodge OF
Masons, the chapter and council in Wa
terbury, and past master Of the blue
lodge.
He was married May 20, 1870, to Ellen
daughter of Heman and Beulah Pinned
of Waterville, who, with one son, Mel.
vile L. Smile, jr., survives the deceased
in his own family.
The funeral will take place at 2:30
o'clock Saturday afternoon from his late
home, The family request friends to
omit sending flowers.