Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume I, Part 99

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913; Church, Charles A., 1857-
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 724

USA > Illinois > Winnebago County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume I > Part 99

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SMITH, John Corson, soldier, ex-Lieutenant- Governor and ex-State Treasurer, was born in Philadelphia, Feb. 13, 1832. At the age of 16 he was apprenticed to a carpenter and builder. In 1854 he came to Chicago, and worked at his trade, for a time, but soon removed to Galena, where he finally engaged in business as a contractor. In 1862 he enlisted as a private in the Seventy-fourth Illinois Volunteers, but, having received author- ity from Governor Yates, raised a company, of which he was chosen Captain, and which was incorporated in the Ninety-sixth Illinois Infan- try. Of this regiment he was soon elected Major. After a short service about Cincinnati, Ohio, and Covington and Newport, Ky., the Ninety-

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sixth was sent to the front, and took part (among other battles) in the second engagement at Fort Donelson and in the bloody fight at Franklin, Tenn. Later, Major Smith was assigned to staff duty under Generals Baird and Steedman, serv- ing through the Tullahoma campaign, and par- ticipating in the battles of Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. Being promoted to a Lieutenant-Colonelcy, he rejoined his regi- ment, and was given command of a brigade. In the Atlanta campaign he served gallantly, tak- ing a conspicuous part in its long series of bloody engagements, and being severely wounded at Kenesaw Mountain. In February, 1865, he was brevetted Colonel, and, in June, 1865, Brigadier- General. Soon after his return to Galena he was appointed Assistant Assessor of Internal Revenue, but was legislated out of office in 1872. In 1873 he removed to Chicago and embarked in business. In 1874-76 he was a member (and Secretary) of the Illinois Board of Commissioners to the Cen- tennial Exposition at Philadelphia. In 1875 he was appointed Chief Grain-Inspector at Chicago, and held the office for several years. In 1872 and '76 he was a delegate to the National Republican Conventions of those years, and, in 1878, was elected State Treasurer, as he was again in 1882. In 1884 he was elected Lieutenant-Governor, serv- ing until 1889. He was a prominent Mason, Knight Templar and Odd Fellow, as well as a distin- guished member of the Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and was prominently connected with the erection of the "Masonic Temple Build- ing" in Chicago. Died Dec. 31, 1910.

SMITH, John Eugene, soldier, was born in Switzerland, August 3, 1816, the son of an officer who liad served under Napoleon, and after the downfall of the latter, emigrated to Philadelphia. The subject of this sketch received an academic education and became a jeweler; in 1861 entered the volunteer service as Colonel of the Forty-fifth Illinois Infantry; took part in the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson, in the battle of Shiloh and siege of Corinth; was promoted a Brigadier- General in November, 1862, and placed in com- mand of a division in the Sixteenth Army Corps; led the Third Division of the Seventeenth Army Corps in the Vicksburg campaign, later being transferred to the Fifteenth, and taking part in the battle of Missionary Ridge and the Atlanta and Carolina campaigns of 1864-65. He received the brevet rank of Major-General of Volunteers in January, 1865, and, on his muster-out from the volunteer service, became Colonel of the Twenty- seventh United States Infantry, being transferred,

in 1870, to the Fourteenth. In 1867 his services at Vicksburg and Savannah were further recog- nized by conferring upon him the brevets of Brig- adier and Major-General in the regular army. In May, 1881, he was retired, afterwards residing in Chicago, where he died, Jan. 29, 1897.

SMITH, Joseph, the founder of the Mormon sect, was born at Sharon, Vt., Dec. 23, 1805. In 1815 his parents removed to Palmyra, N. Y., and still later to Manchester. He early showed a dreamy mental cast, and claimed to be able to locate stolen articles by means of a magic stone. In 1820 he claimed to have seen a vision, but his pretensions were ridiculed by his acquaintances. His story of the revelation of the golden plates by the angel Moroni, and of the latter's instruc- tions to him, is well known. With the aid of Martin Harris and Oliver Cowdery he prepared the "Book of Mormon," alleging that he had deciphered it from heaven-sent characters, through the aid of miraculous spectacles. This was published in 1830. In later years Smith claimed to have received supplementary reve- lations, which so taxed the credulity of his fol- lowers that some of them apostatized. He also claimed supernatural power, such as exorcism, etc. He soon gained followers in considerable numbers, whom, in 1832, he led west, a part settling at Kirtland, Ohio, and the remainder in Jackson County, Mo. Driven out of Ohio five years later, the bulk of the sect found the way to their friends in Missouri, whence they were finally expelled after many conflicts with the authorities. Smith, with the other refugees, fled to Hancock County, Ill., founding the city of Nauvoo, which was incorporated in 1840. Here was begun, in the following year, the erection of a great temple, but again he aroused the hostility of the authorities, although soon wielding con- siderable political power. After various unsuc- cessful attempts to arrest him in 1844, Smith and a number of his followers were induced to sur- render themselves under the promise of protection from violence and a fair trial. Having been taken to Carthage, the county-seat, all were dis- charged under recognizance to appear at court except Smith and his brother Hyrum, who were held under the new charge of "treason," and were placed in jail. So intense had been the feeling against the Mormons, that Governor Ford called out the militia to preserve the peace; but it is evident that the feeling among the latter was in sympathy with that of the populace. Most of the militia were disbanded after Smith's arrest, one company being left on duty at Carthage ..

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from whom only eight men were detailed to guard the jail. In this condition of affairs a mob of 150 disguised men, alleged to be from Warsaw, appeared before the jail on the evening of June 27, and, forcing the guards-who made only a feeble resistance,-Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were both shot down, while a friend, who had remained with them, was wounded. The fate of Smith undoubtedly went far to win for him the reputation of martyr, and give a new impulse to the Mormon faith. (See Mormons; Nauvoo.)

SMITH, Justin Almerin, D.D., clergyman and editor, was born at Ticonderoga, N. Y., Dec. 29, 1819, educated at New Hampton Literary and Theological Institute and Union College, gradu- ating from the latter in 1843; served a year as Principal of the Union Academy at Bennington, Vt., followed by four years of pastoral work, when he assumed the pastorate of the First Bap- tist church at Rochester, N. Y., where he remained five years. Then (1853) he removed to Chicago to assume the editorship of "The Chris- tian Times" (now "The Standard"), with which he was associated for the remainder of his life. Meanwhile he assisted in organizing three Baptist churches in Chicago, serving two of them as pastor for a considerable period; made an ex- tended tour of Europe in 1869, attending the Vatican Council at Rome; was a Trustee and one of the founders of the old Chicago Univer- sity, and Trustee and Lecturer of the Baptist Theological Seminary; was also the author of several religious works. Died, at Morgan Park, near Chicago, Feb. 4, 1896.

SMITH, Perry H., lawyer and politician, was born in Augusta, Oneida County, N. Y., March 18, 1828; entered Hamilton College at the age of 14 and graduated, second in his class, at 18; began reading law and was admitted to the bar on com- ing of age in 1849. Then, removing to Appleton, Wis., when 23 years of age he was elected a Judge, served later in both branches of the Legislature, and, in 1857, became Vice-President of the Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac Railway, retaining the same position in the reorganized corporation when it became the Chicago & Northwestern. In 1856. Mr. Smith came to Chi- cago and resided there till his death, on Palm Sunday of 1885. He was prominent in railway circles and in the councils of the Democratic party, being the recognized representative of Mr. Tilden's interests in the Northwest in the cam- paign of 1876.

SMITH, Robert, Congressman and lawyer, was born at Petersborough, N. H., June 12, 1802;

was educated and admitted to the bar in his native town, settled at Alton, Ill., in 1832, and engaged in practice. In 1836 he was elected to the General Assembly from Madison County, and re-elected in 1838. In 1842 he was elected to the Twenty-eighth Congress, and twice re-elected, serving three successive terms. During the Civil War he was commissioned Paymaster, with the rank of Major, and was stationed at St. Louis. He was largely interested in the construction of water power at Minneapolis, Minn., and also in railroad enterprises in Illinois. He was a promi- nent Mason and a public-spirited citizen. Died, at Alton, Dec. 20, 1867.

SMITH, Samuel Lisle, lawyer, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1817, and, belonging to a · wealthy family, enjoyed superior educational advantages, taking a course in the Yale Law School at an age too early to admit of his receiv- ing a degree. In 1836 he came to Illinois, to look after some landed interests of his father's in the vicinity of Peru. Returning east within the next two years, he obtained his diploma, and, again coming west, located in Chicago in 1838, and, for a time, occupied an office with the well-known law firm of Butterfield & Collins. In 1839 he was elected City Attorney and, at the great Whig meeting at Springfield, in June, 1840, was one of the principal speakers, establishing a reputation as one of the most brilliant campaign orators in the West. As an admirer of Henry Clay, he was active in the Presidential campaign of 1844, and was also a prominent speaker at the River and Harbor Convention at Chicago, in 1847. With a keen sense of humor, brilliant, witty and a mas- ter of repartee and invective, he achieved popu- larity, both at the bar and on the lecture platform, and had the promise of future success, which was unfortunately marred by his convivial habits. Died of cholera, in Chicago, July 30, 1854. Mr. Smith married the daughter of Dr. Potts, of Philadelphia, an eminent clergyman of the Episcopal Church.

SMITH, Sidney, jurist, was born in Washing- ton County, N. Y., May 12, 1829; studied law and was admitted to the bar at Albion, in that State, in 1851; came to Chicago in 1856 and entered into partnership with Grant Goodrich and Will- iam W. Farwell, both of whom were afterwards elected to places on the bench-the first in the Superior, and the latter in the Circuit Court. In 1879 Judge Smith was elected to the Superior Court of Cook County, serving until 1885, when he became the attorney of the Chicago Board of Trade. He was the Republican candidate for

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Mayor, in opposition to Carter H. Harrison, in 1885, and is believed by many to have been honestly elected, though defeated on the face of the returns. A recount was ordered by the court, but so much delay was incurred and so many obstacles placed in the way of carrying the order into effect, that Judge Smith abandoned the con- test in disgust, although making material gains as far as it had gone. During his professional career he was connected, as counsel, with some of the most important trials before the Chicago courts; was also one of the Directors of the Chi- cago Public Library, on its organization in 1871. Died suddenly, in Chicago, Oct. 6, 1898.

SMITH, Theophilus Washington, Judge and politician, was born in New York City, Sept. 28, 1784, served for a time in the United States navy, was a law student in the office of Aaron Burr, was admitted to the bar in his native State in 1805, and, in 1816, came west, finally locating at Edwardsville, where he soon became a prominent figure in early State history. In 1820 he was an unsuccessful candidate before the Legislature for the office of Attorney-General, being defeated by Samuel D. Lockwood, but was elected to the State Senate in 1822, serving four years. In 1823 he was one of the leaders of the "Conventionist" party, whose aim was to adopt a new Constitution which would legalize slavery in Illinois, during this period being the editor of the leading organ of the pro-slavery party. In 1825 he was elected one of the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court, but resigned, Dec. 26, 1842. He was im- peached in 1832 on charges alleging oppressive conduct, corruption, and other high misdemean- ors in office, but secured a negative acquittal, a two-thirds vote being necessary to conviction. The vote in the Senate stood twelve for convic- tion (on a part of the charges) to ten for acquittal, four being excused from voting. During the Black Hawk War he served as Quartermaster- General on the Governor's staff. As a jurist, he was charged by his political opponents with being unable to divest himself of his partisan bias, and even with privately advising counsel, in political causes, of defects in the record, which they (the counsel) had not discovered. He was also a member of the first Board of Commission- ers of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, appointed in 1823. Died, in Chicago, May 6, 1846.

SMITH, William Henry, journalist, Associ- ated Press Manager, was born in Columbia County, N. Y., Dec. 1, 1833; at three years of age was taken by his parents to Ohio, where he enjoyed the best educational advantages that

State at the time afforded. After completing his school course he began teaching, and, for a time, served as tutor in a Western college, but soon turned his attention to journalism, at first as assistant editor of a weekly publication at Cincin- nati, still later becoming its editor, and, in 1855, city editor of "The Cincinnati Gazette," with which he was connected in a more responsible position at the beginning of the war, incidentally doing work upon "The Literary Review." His connection with a leading paper enabled him to exert a strong influence in support of the Govern- ment. This he used most faithfully in assisting to raise troops in the first years of the war, and, in 1863, in bringing forward and securing the election of John Brough as a Union candidate for Governor in opposition to Clement L. Vallandi- gham, the Democratic candidate. In 1864 he was nominated and elected Secretary of State, being re-elected two years later. After retiring from office he returned to journalism at Cincinnati, as editor of "The Evening Chronicle," from which he retired in 1870 to become Agent of the West- ern Associated Press, with headquarters, at first at Cleveland, but later at Chicago. His success in this line was demonstrated by the final union of the New York and Western Associated Press organizations under his management, continuing until 1893, when he retired. Mr. Smith was a strong personal friend of President Hayes, by whom he was appointed Collector of the Port of Chicago in 1877. While engaged in official duties he found time to do considerable literary work, having published, several years ago, "The St. Clair Papers," in two volumes, and a life of Charles Hammond, besides contributions to periodicals. After retiring. from the management of the Associated Press, he was engaged upon a "His- tory of American Politics" and a "Life of Ruther- ford B. Hayes," which are said to have been well advanced at the time of his death, which took place at his home, at Lake Forest, Ill., July 27, 1896.

SMITH, William M., merchant, stock· breeder and politician, was born near Frankfort, Ky., May 23, 1827; in 1846 accompanied his father's family to Lexington, McLean County, Ill., where they settled. A few years later he bought forty acres of government land, finally increasing his holdings to 800 acres, and becoming a breeder of fine stock. Still later he added to his agricultural pursuits the business of a merchant. Having early identified himself with the Republican party, he remained a firm adherent of its prin- ciples during the Civil War, and, while declining

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a commission tendered him by Governor Yates, devoted his time and means liberally to the re- cruiting and organization of regiments for serv- ice in the field, and procuring supplies for the sick and wounded. In 1866 he was elected to the lower house of the Legislature, and was re-elected in 1868 and '70, serving, during his last term, as Speaker. In 1877 he was appointed by Governor Cullom a member of the Railroad and Warehouse Commission, of which body he served as President until 1883. He was a man of remarkably genial temperament, liberal impulses, and wide popu- larity. Died, March 25, 1886.

SMITH, William Sooy, soldier and civil engi- neer, was born at Tarlton, Pickaway County, Ohio, July 22, 1830; graduated at Ohio University in 1849, and, at the United States Military Acad- emy, in 1853, having among his classmates, at the latter, Generals McPherson, Schofield and Sheri- dan. Coming to Chicago the following year, he first found employment as an engineer on the Illinois Central Railroad, but later became assist- ant of Lieutenant-Colonel Graham in engineer service on the lakes; a year later took charge of a select school in Buffalo; in 1857 made the first surveys for the International Bridge at Niagara Falls, then went into the service of extensive locomotive and bridge-works at Trenton, N. J., in their interest making a visit to Cuba, and also superintending the construction of a bridge across the Savannah River. The war intervening, he returned North and was appointed Lieutenant- Colonel and assigned to duty as Assistant Adju- tant-General at Camp Denison, Ohio, but, in June, 1862, was commissioned Colonel of the Thirteenth Ohio Volunteers, participating in the West Virginia campaigns, and later, at Shiloh and Perryville. In April, 1862, he was promoted Brigadier-General of volunteers, commanding divisions in the Army of the Ohio until the fall of 1862, when he joined Grant and took part in the Vicksburg campaign, as commander of the First Division of the Sixteenth Army Corps. Subsequently he was made Chief of the Cavalry Department, serving on the staffs of Grant and Sherman, until compelled to resign, in 1864, on account of impaired health. During the war General Smith rendered valuable service to the Union cause in great emergencies, by his knowl- edge of engineering. On retiring to private life he resumed his profession at Chicago, and since has been employed by the Government on some of its most stupendous works on the lakes, and has also planned several of the most important railroad bridges across the Missouri and other

streams. He has been much consulted in refer- ence to municipal engineering, and his name is connected with a number of the gigantic edifices in Chicago.

SOMONAUK, a village of DeKalb County on the C., B. & Q. R. R .; in farming district; has some fac- tories, a bank and a weekly paper. Pop. (1910), 591.

SNAPP, Henry, Congressman, born in Livings- ton County, N. Y., June 30, 1822, came to Illinois with his father when 11 years old, and, having read law at Joliet, was admitted to the bar in 1847. He practiced in Will County for twenty years before entering public life. In 1868 he was elected to the State Senate and occupied a seat in that body until his election, in 1871, to the Forty- second Congress, by the Republicans of the (then) Sixth Illinois District, as successor to B. C. Cook, who had resigned. Died, at Joliet, Nov. 23, 1895.

SNOW, Herman W., ex-Congressman, was born in La Porte County, Ind., July 3, 1836, but was reared in Kentucky, working upon a farm for five years, while yet in his minority becoming a resident of Illinois. For several years he was a school teacher, meanwhile studying law and being admitted to the bar. Early in the war he enlisted as a private in the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteers, rising to the rank of Captain. His term of service having expired, he re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-first Illinois, and was mustered out with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. After the close of the war he resumed teaching at the Chicago High School, and later served in the General Assembly (1873-74) as Representative from Wood- ford County. In 1890 he was elected, as a Demo- crat, to represent the Ninth Illinois District in Congress, but was defeated by his Republican opponent in 1892.

SNOWHOOK, William B., first Collector of Customs at Chicago, was born in Ireland in 1804: at the age of eight years was brought to New York, where he learned the printer's trade, and worked for some time in the same office with Horace Greeley. At 16 he went back to Ireland, remaining two years, but, returning to the United States, began the study of law; was also employed on the Passaic Canal; in 1836, came to Chicago, and was soon after associated with William B. Ogden in a contract on the Illi- nois & Michigan Canal, which lasted until 1841. As early as 1840 he became prominent as a leader in the Democratic party, and, in 1846, received from President Polk an appointment as first Col- lector of Customs for Chicago (having previously served as Special Surveyor of the Port, while

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attached to the District of Detroit) ; in 1853, was re-appointed to the Collectorship by President Pierce, serving two years. During the "Mormon War" (1844) he organized and equipped, at his own expense, the Montgomery Guards, and was commissioned Colonel, but the disturbances were brought to an end before the order to march. From 1856 he devoted his attention chiefly to his practice, but, in 1862, was one of the Democrats of Chicago who took part in a movement to sus- tain the Government by stimulating enlistments; was also a member of the Convention which nominated Mr. Greeley for President in 1872. Died, in Chicago, May 5, 1882.

SNYDER, Adam Wilson, pioneer lawyer, and early Congressman, was born at Connellsville, Pa., Oct. 6, 1799. In early life he followed the occupation of wool-curling for a livelihood, attending school in the winter. In 1815, he emi- grated to Columbus, Ohio, and afterwards settled in Ridge Prairie, St. Clair County, Ill. Being offered a situation in a wool-curling and fulling mill at Cahokia, lie removed thither in 1817. He formed the friendship of Judge Jesse B. Thomas, and, through the latter's encouragement and aid, studied law and gained a solid professional, poli- tical, social and financial position. In 1830 he was elected State Senator from St. Clair County, and re-elected for two successive terms. He served through the Black Hawk War as private, Adjutant and Captain. In 1833 he removed to Belleville, and, in 1834, was defeated for Congress by Governor Reynolds, whom he, in turn, defeated in 1836. Two years later Reynolds again defeated him for the same position, and, in 1840, he was elected State Senator. In 1841 he was the Demo- cratic nominee for Governor. The election was held in August, 1842, but, in May preceding, he died at his home in Belleville. His place on the ticket was filled by Thomas Ford, who was elected .- William H. (Snyder), son of the pre- 12, 1825; educated at McKendree College, studied law with Lieutenant-Governor Koerner, and was admitted to practice in 1845; also served for a time as Postmaster of the city of Belleville, and, during the Mexican War, as First-Lieutenant and Adjutant of the Fifth Illinois Volunteers. From 1850 to '54 he represented his county in the Legis- lature; in 1855 was appointed, by Governor Mat- teson, State's Attorney, which position he filled for two years. He was an unsuccessful candidate for the office of Secretary of State in 1856, and, in 1857, was elected a Judge of the Twenty- fourth Circuit, was re-elected for the Third Cir-

cuit in '73, '79 and '85. He was also a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1869-70. Died, at Belleville, Dec. 24, 1892.

SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' HOME, a State charitable institution, founded by act of the Legislature in 1885, and located at Quincy, Adams County. The object of its establish- ment was to provide a comfortable home for such disabled or dependent veterans of the United States land or naval forces as had honorably served during the Civil War. It was opened for the reception of veterans on March 3, 1887, the first cost of site and build- ings having been about $350,000. The total num- ber of inmates admitted up to June 30, 1894, was 2,813; the number in attendance during the two previous years 988, and the whole number present on Nov. 10, 1894, 1,088. The value of property at that time was $393,636.08. Considerable appro- priations have been made for additions to the buildings at subsequent sessions of the Legisla- ture. The General Government pays to the State $100 per year for each veteran supported at the Home.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume I, Part 99

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913; Church, Charles A., 1857- Publication date: 1916 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 724

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913; Church, Charles A., 1857-
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 724