Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 97

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913; Gale, W. Shelden
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1388

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Hooper Warren-who has been mentioned else- where as editor of "The Edwardsville Spectator," and a leading factor in securing the defeat of the

scheme to make Illinois a slave State in 1822-in an article in the first number of "The Genius of Liberty" (January, 1841), speaking of that con- test, says there were, at its beginning, only three papers in the State-"The Intelligencer" at Van- dalia, "The Gazette" at Shawneetown, and "The Spectator" at Edwardsville. The first two of these, at the outset, favored the Convention scheme, while "The Spectator" opposed it. The management of the campaign on the part of the pro-slavery party was assigned to Emanuel J. West, Theophilus W. Smith and Oliver L. Kelly, and a paper was established by the name of "The Illinois Republican," with Smith as editor. Among the active opponents of the measure were George Churchill, Thomas Lippincott, Samuel D. Lockwood, Henry Starr (afterwards of Cincin- nati), Rev. John M. Peck and Rev. James Lemen, of St. Clair County. Others who con- tributed to the cause were Daniel P. Cook, Morris Birkbeck, Dr. Hugh Steel and - Burton of Jackson County, Dr. Henry Perrine of Bond; William Leggett of Edwardsville (afterwards editor of "The New York Evening Post"), Ben- jamin Lundy (then of Missouri), David Blackwell and Rev. John Dew, of St. Clair County. Still others were Nathaniel Pope (Judge of the United States District Court), William B. Archer, Wil- liam H. Brown and Benjamin Mills (of Vandalia), John Tillson, Dr. Horatio Newhall, George For- quer, Col. Thomas Mather, Thomas Ford, Judge David J. Baker, Charles W. Hunter and Henry II. Snow (of Alton). This testimony is of interest as coming from one who probably had more to do with defeating the scheme, with the exception of Gov. Edward Coles. Outside of the more elabor- ate Histories of Illinois, the most accurate and detailed accounts of this particular period are to be found in "Sketch of Edward Coles" by the late E. B. Washburne, and "Early Movement in Illi- nois for the Legalization of Slavery," an ad- dress before the Chicago Historical Society (1864), by Hon. William H. Brown, of Chicago. (See also, Coles, Edward; Warren, Hooper; Brown, William H .; Churchill, George; Lippincott, Thomas, and Newspapers, Early, elsewhere in this volume. )

SLOAN, Wesley, legislator and jurist, was born in Dorchester County, Md., Feb. 20,, 1806. At the age of 17, having received a fair academic education, he accompanied his parents to Phila- delphia, where, for a year, he was employed in a wholesale grocery. His father dying, he returned to Maryland and engaged in teaching, at the same time studying law, and being admitted to

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the bar in 1831. He came to Illinois in 1838, going first to Chicago, and afterward to Kaskas- kia, finally settling at Golconda in 1839, which continued to be his home the remainder of his life. In 1848 he was elected to the Legislature, and re-elected in 1850, '52, and '56, serving three times as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He was one of the members of the first State Board of Education, created by Act of Feb. 18, 1857, and took a prominent part in the founding and organization of the State educational insti- tutions. In 1857 he was elected to the bench of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, and re-elected in 1861, but declined a re-election for a third term. Died, Jan. 15, 1887.

SMITH, Abner, jurist, was born at Orange, Franklin County, Mass., August 4, 1843, of an old New England family, whose ancestors came to Massachusetts Colony about 1630; was edu- cated in the public schools and at Middlebury College, Vt., graduating from the latter in 1866. After graduation he spent a year as a teacher in Newton Academy, at Shoreham, Vt., coming to Chicago in 1867, and entering upon the study of law, being admitted to the bar in 1868. The next twenty-five years were spent in the practice of his profession in Chicago, within that time serv- ing as the attorney of several important corpo- rations. In 1893 he was elected a Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, and re-elected in 1897, his term of service continuing until 1903.

SMITH, (Dr.) Charles Gilman, physician, was born at Exeter, N. H., Jan. 4, 1828, received his early education at Phillips Academy, in his native place, finally graduating from Harvard Univer- sity in 1847. He soon after commenced the study of medicine in the Harvard Medical School, but completed his course at the University of Penn- sylvania in 1851. After two years spent as attending physician of the Alms House in South Boston, Mass., in 1853 he came to Chicago, where he soon acquired an extensive practice. During the Civil War he was one of six physicians employed by the Government for the treatment of prisoners of war in hospital at Camp Douglas. In 1868 he visited Europe for the purpose of observing the management of hospitals in Ger- many, France and England, on his return being invited to lecture in the Woman's Medical College in Chicago, and also becoming consulting phy- sician in the Women's and Children's Hospital, as well as in the Presbyterian Hospital-a position which he continued to occupy for the remainder of his life, gaining a wide reputation in the treat-

ment of women's and children's diseases. Died, Jan. 10, 1894.

SMITH, David Allen, lawyer, was born near Richmond, Va., June 18, 1809; removed with his father, at an early day, to Pulaski, Tenn .; at 17 went to Courtland, Lawrence County, Ala., where he studied law with Judge Bramlette and began practice. His father, dying about 1831, left him the owner of a number of slaves whom, in 1837, he brought to Carlinville, Ill., and emanci- pated, giving bond that they should not become a charge to the State. In 1839 he removed to Jacksonville, where he practiced law until his death. Col. John J. Hardin was his partner at the time of his death on the battle-field of Buena Vista. Mr. Smith was a Trustee and generous patron of Illinois College, for a quarter of a cen- tury, but never held any political office. As a lawyer he was conscientious and faithful to the interests of his clients; as a citizen, liberal, pub- lic-spirited and patriotic. He contributed liber- ally to the support of the Government dur- ing the war for the Union. Died, at Anoka, Minn., July 13, 1865, where he had gone to accompany an invalid son. - Thomas William (Smith), eldest son of the preceding, born at Courtland, Ala., Sept. 27, 1832; died at Clear- water, Minn., Oct. 29, 1865. He graduated at Illinois College in 1852, studied law and served as Captain in the Tenth Illinois Volunteers, until, broken in health, he returned home to die.

SMITH, Dietrich C., ex-Congressman, was born at Ostfriesland, Hanover, April 4, 1840, in boyhood came to the United States, and, since 1849, has been a resident of Pekin, Tazewell County. In 1861 he enlisted in the Eighth Illi- nois Volunteers, was promoted to a Lieutenancy, and, while so serving, was severely wounded at Shiloh. Later, he was attached to the One Hun- dred and Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry, and was mustered out of service as Captain of Company C of that regiment. His business is that of banker and manufacturer, besides which he has had con- siderable experience in the construction and management of railroads. He was a member of the Thirtieth General Assembly, and, in 1880, was elected Representative in Congress from what was then the Thirteenth District, on the Repub- lican ticket, defeating Adlai E. Stevenson, after- wards Vice-President. In 1882, his county (Taze- well) having been attached to the district for many years represented by Wm. M. Springer, he was defeated by the latter as a candidate for re- election.

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SMITH, George, one of Chicago's pioneers and early bankers, was born in Aberdeenshire, Scot- land, March 8, 1808. It was his early intention to study medicine, and he entered Aberdeen Col- lege with this end in view, but was forced to quit the institution at the end of two years, because of impaired vision. In 1833 he came to America. and, in 1834, settled in Chicago, where he resided until 1861, meanwhile spending one year in Scot- land. He invested largely in real estate in Chi- cago and Wisconsin, at one time owning a considerable portion of the present site of Mil- waukee. In 1837 he secured the charter for the Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Company, whose headquarters were at Milwaukee. He was really the owner of the company, although Alex- ander Mitchell, of Milwaukee, was its Secretary. Under this charter Mr. Smith was able to issue $1,500,000 in certificates, which circulated freely as currency. In 1839 he founded Chicago's first private banking house. About 1843 lie was inter- ested in a storage and commission business in Chicago, with a Mr. Webster as partner. He was a Director in the old Galena & Chicago Union Railroad (now a part of the Chicago & Northwestern), and aided it, while in course of construction, by loans of money: was also a charter member of the Chicago Board of Trade, organized in 1848. In 1854, the State of Wiscon- sin having prohibited the circulation of the Wis- consin Marine and Fire Insurance certificates above mentioned, Mr. Smithi sold out the com- pany to his partner, Mitchell, and bought two Georgia bank charters, which, together, em- powered him to issue $3,000,000 in currency. The notes were duly issued in Georgia, and put into circulation in Illinois, over the counter of George Smith & Co.'s Chicago bank. About 1856 Mr. Smith began winding up his affairs in Chicago, meanwhile spending most of his time in Scotland, but, returning in 1860, made extensive invest- ments in railroad and other American securities, which netted him large profits. The amount of capital which he is reputed to have taken with him to his native land has been estimated at $10,000,000, though he retained considerable tracts of valuable lands in Wisconsin and about Chicago. Among those who were associated with him in business, either as employés or otherwise, and who have since been prominently identified with Chicago business affairs, were Hon. Charles B. Farwell, E. I. Tinkham (after- wards a prominent banker of Chicago), E. W. Willard, now of Newport, R. I., and others. Mr. Smith made several visits, during the last forty

years, to the United States, but divided his time chiefly between Scotland (where he was the owner of a castle) and London. Died Oct. 7, 1899. SMITH, George W., soldier, lawyer and State Treasurer, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., Jan. 8, 1837. It was his intention to acquire a col- legiate education, but his father's business embarrassments having compelled the abandon- ment of his studies, at 17 of years age he went to Arkansas and taught school for two years. In 1856 he returned to Albany and began the study of law, graduating from the law school in 1858. In October of that year he removed to Chicago, where he remained continuously in practice, witlı the exception of the years 1862-65, when he was serving in the Union army, and 1867-68, when he filled the office of State Treasurer. He was mus- tered into service, August 27, 1862, as a Captain in the Eighty-eighth Illinois Infantry-the second Board of Trade regiment. At Stone River, he was seriously wounded and captured. After four days' confinement, lie was aided by a negro to escape. ' He made his way to the Union lines, but was granted leave of absence, being incapaci- tated for service. On his return to duty lie joined his regiment in the Chattanooga cam- paign, and was officially complimented for his bravery at Gordon's Mills. At Mission Ridge he was again severely wounded, and was once more personally complimented in the official report. At Kenesaw Mountain (June 27, 1864), Capt. Smith commanded the regiment after the killing of Lieutenant-Colonel Chandler, and was pro- moted to a Lieutenant-Colonelcy for bravery on the field. He led the charge at Franklin, and was brevetted Colonel, and thanked by the com- mander for his gallant service. In the spring of 1865 he was brevetted Brigadier-General, and, in June following, was mustered out. Returning to Chicago, he resumed the practice of his pro- fession, and gained a prominent position at the bar. In 1866 he was elected State Treasurer, and, after the expiration of his term, in January, 1869, held no public office. General Smith was, for many years, a Trustee of the Chicago Histor- ical Society, and Vice-President of the Board. Died, in Chicago, Sept. 16, 1898.

SMITH, George W., lawyer and Congressman. was born in Putnam County, Ohio, August 18, 1846. When he was four years old, his father removed to Wayne County, Ill., settling on a farm. He attended the common schools and graduated from the literary department of Mc- Kendree College, at Lebanon, in 1868. In his youth he learned the trade of a blacksmith, but

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later determined to study law. After reading for a time at Fairfield, Ill., he entered the Law Department of the Bloomington (Ind.) Univer- sity, graduating there in 1870. The same year he was admitted to the bar in Illinois, and has since practiced at Murphysboro. In 1880 he was a Republican Presidential Elector, and, in 1888, was elected a Republican Representative to Congress from the Twentieth Illinois District, and has been continuously re-elected, now (1899) serving his sixth consecutive term as Representative from the Twenty-second District.

SMITH, Giles Alexander, soldier, and Assist- ant Postmaster-General, was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., Sept. 29, 1829; engaged in dry- goods business in Cincinnati and Bloomington, Ill., in 1861 being proprietor of a hotel in the latter place; became a Captain in the Eighth Missouri Volunteers, was engaged at Forts Henry and Donelson, Shiloh and Corinth, and promoted Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel in 1862; led his regiment on the first attack on Vicksburg, and was severely wounded at Arkansas Post; was pro- moted Brigadier-General in August, 1863, for gallant and meritorious conduct; led a brigade of the Fifteenth Army Corps at Chattanooga and Missionary Ridge, as also in the Atlanta cam- paign, and a division of the Seventeenth Corps in the "March to the Sea." After the surrender of Lee he was transferred to the Twenty-fifth Army Corps, became Major-General in 1865, and resigned in 1866, having declined a commission as Colonel in the regular army; about 1869 was appointed, by President Grant, Second Assistant Postmaster-General, but resigned on account of failing health in 1872. Died, at Bloomington, Nov. 8, 1876. General Smith was one of the founders of the Society of the Army of the Tennessee.

SMITH, Gustavus Adolphus, soldier, was born in Philadelphia, Dec. 26, 1820; at 16 joined two brothers who had located at Springfield, Ohio, where he learned the trade of a carriage-maker. In December, 1837, he arrived at Decatur, Ill., but soon after located at Springfield, where he resided some six years. Then, returning to Decatur, he devoted his attention to carriage manufacture, doing a large business with the South, but losing heavily as the result of the war. An original Whig, he hecame a Democrat on the dissolution of the Whig party, but early took ground in favor of the Union after the firing on Fort Sumter; was offered and accepted the colonelcy of the Thirty-fifth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, at the same time assisting Governor

Yates in the selection of Camp Butler as a camp of recruiting and instruction. Having been assigned to duty in Missouri, in the summer of 1861, he proceeded to Jefferson City, joined Fre- mont at Carthage in that State, and made a forced march to Springfield, afterwards taking part in the campaign in Arkansas and in the battle of Pea Ridge, where he had a horse shot under him and was severely (and, it was supposed, fatally) wounded, not recovering until 1868. Being compelled to return home, he received authority to raise an independent brigade, but was unable to accompany it to the field. In Sep- tember, 1862, he was commissioned a Brigadier- General by President Lincoln, "for meritorious conduct," but was unable to enter into active service on account of his wound. Later, he was assigned to the command of a convalescent camp at Murfreesboro, Tenn., under Gen. George H. Thomas. In 1864 he took part in securing the second election of President Lincoln, and, in the early part of 1865, was commissioned by Gov- ernor Oglesby Colonel of a new regiment (the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Illinois), but, on account of his wounds, was assigned to court- martial duty, remaining in the service until January, 1866, when he was mustered out with the brevet rank of Brigadier-General. During the second year of his service he was presented with a magnificent sword by the rank and file of his regiment (the Thirty-fifth), for brave and gal- lant conduct at Pea Ridge. After retiring from the army, he engaged in cotton planting in Ala- bama, but was not successful; in 1868, canvassed Alabama for General Grant for President, but declined a nomination in his own favor for Con- gress. In 1870 he was appointed, by General Grant, United States Collection and Disbursing Agent for the District of New Mexico, where he continued to reside.

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 is 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.

SMITH, John Engene, soldier, was born in Switzerland, August 3, 1816, the son of an officer who had 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.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 97

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913; Gale, W. Shelden Publication date: 1899 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1388

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913; Gale, W. Shelden
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1388