xt7c599z0p5f https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7c599z0p5f/data/mets.xml Wilbur R. Smith Business College. Philemporium Society. 1913  books b92-77-27211884 English Transylvania Printing Co., : Lexington, Ky. : Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Smith, Wilbur Rush, 1853- Ancestry, life and reminiscences of Gen. Wilbur R. Smith, Lexington, Kentucky, many years an educator, official and honored citizen  / the inception of this book was by resolution from the Philemporium Society of the Commercial College of Kentucky University. text Ancestry, life and reminiscences of Gen. Wilbur R. Smith, Lexington, Kentucky, many years an educator, official and honored citizen  / the inception of this book was by resolution from the Philemporium Society of the Commercial College of Kentucky University. 1913 2002 true xt7c599z0p5f section xt7c599z0p5f 












                I/


         GENERAL WILBUR R. SMITH
Whilst Commissioner from Kentucky and a Juror of Award at the
     World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago. III., (1893)


 






           Ancestry,

Life and Reminiscences

               -OF--


Gen. Wilbur R. Smith



         Lexington, Kentucky



  Many Years an Educator, Official
        and Honored Citizen



TrHE INCEPTION .0 o THIS BooKc WAS BY RESOLUTION
              FnOll THE
         Philemporium Society



              -OF THE-
Commercial College of Kentucky University



        TRANgYLVANIA PRINTING .CO.
            LEXINGTON, KY.
                 1913



i


 





















Copyright Applied For.
A 11 Rights Reserved.


 












  Inception and Origin of This Book



      At a regular meeting of the Philemporium Society of the
 Commercial College of Kentucky University the following reso-
 lution was unanimously adopted:
                                              Study Hall,
                              Commercial College of Kentucky University.
                                            Lexington, Ky.

    WHEREAS, General Wilbur R. Smith, the honored and beloved Pres-
 ident of the Commercial College of Kentucky University, has responded
 to this Society's request by giving some "Reminiscences of his one-quarter
 of a century as an educator of thousands of voung men," and other inter-
 esting and instructive sketches, including different positions of honor and
 trust which he has filled;
    WHEREAS, Believing his successful career and life devoted to use-
fulness, if written and published, would be an incentive to higher and
nobler things in life, and worthy the emulation of all young men, and
believing such a book would be appreciated by his thousands of graduates
all over the worlti, therefore, be It
    Resolved, '[hat the Philemporlurm Society request General Smith to
grant the publication of his Biography and Reminiscences by a committee
representing this Society.
                              Signed)     R. N. HAMILTON, Jr.,
                                     President Philemporium Society.

                            THE REQUEST
General Wilbur R. Smith:-
    We, the undersigned committee, bog leave to present you, in this
formal manner, the accompanying resolution, unanimously adopted by the
Philemporiunm Society of the Commercial College of Kentucky University.
and sincerely trust that you will grant us the request contained therein.
    The comrcittee -appointed by the Society beg leave to suggest the
following persons. to assist in compiling and doing the stenographic work
in the publication:
   ,Miss Margaret Chapman, of Ohio:
   W. K. Routt, many years teacher in the Business Department;
   W. W. Smith, many years your teacher and secretary.
                            Very respectfully,
                               R. N. HAMILTON, President,
                               E. L. KINTER,
                                                         Cammittee.
                         REQUEST GRANTED
     After a conference with the aforesaid committee, composed
of teachers and students of his College, General Smith complied
with their request.
                                                     Lexington, Ky.
   The Editors of the publication have been associated with General
Smith as teachers In his College, or as recretary, for one-fifth to one-
quarter of a century, which close contact has given them ample oppor-
tunity to gain directly, or by Interviews and corespondence, the informa-
tion cantained in this book. These Interesting facts. though novelistic and
inspiring, from which valuable lessons may be learned, need no ornamental
rhetoric to emphasize their value.
                                          W. K. ROUTT,     Editors.
                                          W. W. SMITH ,     dt




 








TABLE OF CONTENTS



        (Each Chapter is Prefaced by Table of Contents.)

                       ORIGIN OF BOOK.
                          PREFACE.

                       CHAPTER I.
His Boyhood and Young Manhood days.
Ancestors, settled in Connecticut: 1628. See Bible record, 1744.
Paternal and Maternal Ancestors.
Member of-
      Sons of Revolution, Washington Society.
      One of the Charter Members of the Kentucky Society of
            Sons of the Revolution.
      Officer for years of Kentucky Society of Sons of the Revolu-
            tion.
      Triennial Delegate of Kentuckys Society at the meeting of
            the National Society of Sons of the Revolution.

                       CHAPTER II.
                   YOUNG MANHOOD DAYS.
Attending Public School, also his Father's College.
Keeping books for a Mercantile Firm, also for Flour Mill and other
      enterprises.
Receives instruction in Shorthand and other studies at spare time.
Endeavors to acquire a professional education.
Tribute to his Pastors and Teachers.
His Family.
Earning his first dollar.
Triumphantly meeting a crisis.
Letter of recommendation from his first employer.
Tribute to his Parents.
Beginning of his thirty years' Presidency of the Commercial College
      of Kentucky Universitvy.
Gives five hundred dollars to start a fund to build a gymnasium at
      Kentucky University.
Gives five hundred dollars for a Bowman Scholarship to perpetuate
      the name of Ex-Regent, John B. Bowman, with Kentucky
      University.


 




TrBI.F. OF CONTENTS



The beginning of a business publication formed in early days,
       which was awarded Medals and Diplomas of Honor from
       two, great World's Expositions.
His arrival in Lexington, a stranger.

                        CIIAPTER III.

                   RELIGIOUS PART OF LIFE.
Ancestors were churchmen, some deacons, over two hundred and
       fifty years ago.
Church activities: Teacher of Sunday School, Superintendent of
       Sunday School, Officer in Church.
Gratitude to his Pastors and Sunday School Teachers.
Having his old home pastor elected Chaplain of the National Asso-
       ciation of Mexican War Veterans.
Secretary in the evangelistic work at Lexington, Kv., of Dr. George
       F. Pentecost D. D.. and Maj. Hilton.
Chairman of Reception Committee of Kentucky Synodical Cen-
      tennial Anniversary of Presbyterian Church.
Promoter of Men's Church Club 'Brotherhood' of the Second Pres-
      byterian Church and some of the topics discussed at its
      meetings.
First meeting of the Presbyterian Brotherhood in National Con-
      vention at Indianapolis, Ind.
Articles signed by men of the Second Presbyterian Church for
      Brotherhood organization.
Reminiscence of how a great Revival was conducted.
On various occasions served as Chairman of annual meetings tend
      toast master at church banquets.
Presented with a seal ring by Brotherhood of Second Presbyterian
      Church.

                       CHAPTER IV.

                   A SUCCESSFUL EDUCATOR.
General Smith's College work for thirty-five years in edvc:atintg
      nearly fifteen thousand young men and women for a hiher
      and more lucrative field of usefulness.
He increased the earning power (salary and income) of his
      students nearly one million dollars annually.
His College visited by a member of the Australian Parliament, :nl'
      other distinguished men.



5


 




WILRTIR R. SMITH



Exercises of the Twenty-fifth Anniversary of his connection with
       Kentucky University, including distinguished speakers, Gov-
       ernor Bradley, State Superintendent McC`hesnev, and others.
 Presentation of Silver loving cup. A tribute paid him at; fL Len-
       tucky University Banquet by a graduate, who was afte r ward
       Dean of Law College of Transylvania University
 Change of name of Kentucky University, by State Legislative enact-
       ment, to Transylvania University and transfer of the Com-
       mercial College of Kentuckv University to General Smith.
 Resolutions offered and Sheffield pitcher presented him by Officers
       of Kentuckv University at their last meeting.
 Incorporating the Wilbur R. Smith Business College.

                        CHAPTER V.

               WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION.
Commissioner from Kentuckv to World's Columbian Exposition,
       1893. 'Appointed by Governor John Young Brown
Juror of Award at World's Columbian Exposition.
Reminiscences of World's Columbian Exposition, where he met
      many distinguished men.
Reception given at the Kentucky building of World's Columbian
      Exposition to Hon. John G. Carlisle, Secretary of the United
      States Treasury.

                       CHAPTER VI.

           UNITED STATES SENATOR W. 0. BRADLEY.
At the Centennial of Incorporation of Augusta, Ky.
Appointed Colonel in 1895, and served three years.
Adjutant General of Kentucky under Governor Bradley.
Christening Battleship Kentucky.
Various trips with Governor Bradley, meeting prominent people.
Accompanied Governor Bradley on a visit to President-elect
      William McKinley, Canton, Ohio.
Reception at Executive Mansion.
Camp Wilbur Smith.
Meeting General Alger, Secretary of War.
Reminiscence of mobilization of ten thousand troops at Camp
      Hamilton, Receptions, etc.
Governor Bradley entertains Generals of the U. S. Army and Staffs,
      at the Governor's Mansion.



6


 




TABLE OF CONTENTS



Important suggestions concerning the State Militia.  General
      Smith's resignation as Adjutant General.
Election of Governor Bradley as United States Senator.

                       CHAPTER VII.

               EFFORTS FOR FREEDOM OF CUBA.
Reminiscences of an U. S. Consul to Cuba influence Gen. Smith to
      champion her freedom in after years.
Promoter of the first mass meeting in the United States, advocat-
      ing Cuban freedom. Collecting funds for Cuban Patriots.
Securing the mobilization of the State troops at Lexington, Ky.
Requests Governor Bradley for a commission to raise a Regiment.
He visits Cuba.
Meeting General Gomez, Commander-in-Chief of the Cuban Army.
His visit to Morro Castle.
Visits Castle Atares. where Crittenden was shot by Spanish soldiers.
Meets Maj. James Bryant at Matanzas, Cuba.

                      CHAPTER VIII.

                  MEXICAN WAR VETERANS.
Made honorary Member of National Association of Mexican War
      Veterans and then their Seeretary and Treasurer. Planning
      and assisting in carrying out their annual programme at
      meetings in different cities.
Successful campaign for increase of Mexican War Veterans' pen-
      sions by Congress.
Presentation of Badge of Honor by the National Association of
      Mexican War Veterans.

                       CHAPTER IX.

         HEI.D MVANY POSITIONS OF HONOR AND TRUST.
Appointed by Mayors of Lexington, different Governors of Ken-
      tucky. and by the President of the United States to posi-
      tions of honor and trust.
In Social, Patriotic, Historical and Fraternal Societies.
Also in Banks and other organizations.
Member of Lincoln Centennial Celebration. Committee at Lincoln's
      old home.
An Odd Fellow and E. A. Mason.
In Financial and Banking Concerns.



7


 





WIr.llUR R. SMITH



Other positions.
Newspaper Editor.
Promoter of Press Club and Director of City Library.
Law and Order League.
Member of Board of Education.
Appointed one of the first Park Commissioners.

                       CHAPTER X.
                CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
Charter Member of Chamber of Commerce and for ten years its
      Director, Vice-President and President.
Entertains State Capital Removal Committee.
Promoter of Kentucky Centennial Exposition.
Presentation of gold-headed cane by Chamber of Commerce; Mayor
      Duncan making presentation speech.

                      CHAPTER XI.
                    SOCIAL SIDE OF LIFE.
Entertains distinguished men, including Justice John M. Harlan,
      of the United States Supreme Court, United States Senators,
      Governors and others.
Recipient of social courtesies by Governors and other distinguished
      men.
Personal Reminiscences on visiting his son at Phillins-Andover
      Academy and at Yale University.

                      CHAPTER XII.
                   NATIONAL UNIVERSITY.
University of the United States. Member of its Executive Com-
      Tnittee.
Its Object. Justice Melville W. Fuller, of the United States Su-
      preme Court, presiding.

                     CHAPTER XIII.
                  POSITIONS AND POLITICS.
Observation. Advice to Young Men.
Delegate to County, District, State and National Republican Con-
      Ventions.
Refused Apointments to Different Offices.
Held RJesonsible Positions Under Two Presidents. Two Co eronrs
      and Two Mavors, of Different Political Views.



8


 





                    TABLE O1 C(oxTENTS                    9

                      CHAPTER XIV.

            APPOINTED POSTMASTER AT LEXINGTON.
Appointed by Piesident Taft July 22, 1911.
History Making Epochs.
Inaugurating Postal Savings Bank.
Parcel Post.
Transmission of mail by Electric Interurban. Electric Automobile,
      and attempted by Aeroplane.
Historic Office.
Postmaster Uinder President Woodrow Wilson.
Extracts of Letters from ex-Postmaster General Hitchcock, from
      Postmaster General Burleson.




 







             ILLUSTRATIONS


                       PART FIRST.
 ILLUSTRATIONS OF EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF WILBUR R. SMITH
                      LEXINGTON, KY.

                      CHAPTER I-.
                        EARLY LIFE.
 Wilbur ID. Smith (frontis-piece).
 View of Haddam, Conn., home of paternal ancestors.
 Ephraim Waldo Smith, Father of General Smith, with whom he
      was an educational co-worker for twenty-five years.
View of Higginsport, Ohio, childhood home and that of maternal
      ancestors.
The Old Love Homestead, owned by maternal ancestors and family
      continuously for more than one hundred and five years.
In consultation. Father, son and grand-son.
Exterior and interior views of home, at Lexington, Ky.
Banquet Hall, Mt. Vernon. Sons of Revolution on lawn in front
      of Washington's home. At the tomb of Washington.
Group picture of Wilbur R. Smith at the ages of four, eight, ten,
      twenty-seven and thirty-nine years.
Ohio Home. An "Old Kentucky Home."
Diploma received from his father, 1869.

                      CHAPTER il.
Hon. John B. Bowman, Regent of Kentucky Uoiversitv.
Ex-President H. H. White, of Kentucky Universitv.
"Ashland," home of Henry Clay.

                     CHAPTER III.
Ministers and teachers.
Group Picture. President of Brotherhood of Presbyterian Church,
      Moderator of General Assembly and for fifty years mission-
      arv to China. Pastors.
Exterior view of Second Presbyterian Church, Lexington, Ky.
Ministers of the Second Presbyterian Church During the Past 100
     Years.


 





II. I.USTIRATIONS



                        CHAPTER IV.
 Profs. E. W. and W. R. Smith and faculty and one hundred students
       who enrolled at their College in one month.
 Melodeon Hall and Carty Buildings where his College was located
       for nearly thirty-five years.
 Board of Curators of Kentucky University.
 Diploma of Honor from World's Exposition, New Orleans, L t.
 Text Book.
 Gold Medal from World's Exposition, New Orleans, La., 1884-85.
 Jurors of Awards at World's Exposition at New Orleans, La., 1884-
       -85.
Faculty of different Colleges of Kentucky University.
Diploma of Honor, World's Columbian Exposition, 1893.
Bronze Medal from World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, 1893.
View of Chapel of Kentucky University at the Twenty-fifth Anni-
       versary Exercises of Professor Smith's Presidency of its
       Conmmercial College.
Gov. Bradley, Lieut. Gov. Tillman, Pres. Milligan, Rev. Collis,
       State Supt. MeChesney, Speakers at the twenty-fifth Anni-
       versary of his College.
Facsimile of Letter from President Win. McKinlev.
Group Picture, including father, himself, and students from fifteen
      states.
Silver Loving Cup presented on the twenty-fiftC Anniversary Ex-
      ercises of his College Presidency.
Pitcher presented by Officers of Kentucky University.
Engrossed Resolultions presented Professor Smith by Officers of
      Kentuckv University, after more than thirty years their co-
      worker.
General Smith after thirty-six years, continuous service in educat-
      ing fifteen thousand young men and women.


                        CHAPTER V.
Governor John Young Brown of Kentucky.
Kentucky Building, World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, Ill.,
      1893.
Building at World's Columbian Exposition.
Jury of Awards, World's Columbian Exposition, 1893.
Administration an( u  Meahinery Hall, World's Columbian Ex-
      position, 1893.



al


 




WIT RUR R. SMITH



                       CHAPTER VI.
 United States Senator, William O'Connell Bradley, of Kentucky.
 With Governor Bradley and tovelve Colonels, the day following Col.
       Bradley's inauguration as Governor of Kentucky.
 Governor Bradley and four Generals, U. S. A., with their respective
       chief of staff, at the Executive Mansion, Frankfort, Ky.
At the Christening of the Battleship Kentucky, with Governor
       Bradley, Miss Christine Bradley and Governor Tyler,
       of Virginia.
General D. A. Collier and. Col. Wilbur Smith.
Camp Wilbur Smith-three views.
At Camp Hamilton with Gen. Breckinridge, Gov. Bradley and Gen-
       eral Alger.
With Governor Bradley and Staff, reviewing thousands of Spanish-
      American soldiers at Camp Hamilton.
At Camp Hamilton with Governor Bradley and Gen. Alger, Secre-
      tary of War.
 Eight members of Kentucky Legislature (1908) 'former Pu-
      pils of General Smith.
                      CHAPTER VII.
 Six Views in and Around Havana, Cuba.
 Cuba; Morro Castle; General Gomez, and Palace.
 Meeting Major Bryant in Camp, Matanzas, Cuba.
                     CHAPTER VIII.
Mexican War Veteran's Association (en. E. H. Hobson,
      Ex-Pres.. and Capt. W. S. McChesney, Pres., Respectively.
Presentation of Medal of Honor to General Smith, by Vice-Presi-
      dent McChesney, in behalf of the National Association of
      Mexican War Veterans, in the Governor's Office, Frank-
      fort, Ky.
The Medal of Honor presented by the National Association of Mex-
      ican War Veterans.
Mexican War Veterans. Group picture of Mexican War Veterans
      taken on steps of State Capitol, at Indianapolis, Ind.

                      CHAPTER IX.
Facsimile of Commissions of Wilbur R. Smith, from Pres-
      idlent Taft also from Governors Bradley, Brown and Wilson.
Exterior view of UJ. S. Government Building, Lexington, Ky.



12


 





ILLUJSTR-ATIONS



                       CHAPTER X.
Lexington Chamber of Commerce Banquet.

                       CHAPTER Xl.
Justice Harlan, of the United States Supreme Court, with
      Governor A. E. Willson, leaving General Smith's home,
      after a dinner given in their honor.

                      CHAPTER XII.
Hon. Melville W. Fuller, Chief Justice of the  United  States
      Supreme Court.

                      CHAPTER XLII.
National Republican Convention. Philadelphia, Pa.

                      CHAPTER XIV.
Corridor United States Post Office, Lexington, Ky.
William Howard Taft, President of the United States.
Postmaster Wilbur R. Smith, with thirteen of his graduates. em-
      ployed in the Post Office and U. S. Collector's Office.
Illustration of ETpoehs in Post Office during Gen. Smith's
      Administration as Postmaster.
National Association of Postmasters of offices of the First Class, at
      annual session at Atlantic Citv, N. J., August 26, 1912.
President Woodrow Wilson. tinder whose administration Generai
      Smith was continued as Postmaster.


 








                           --:PREFACE:-


                                          By

                        REV. E. G. B. MANN

                          Minister, Lecturer and Editor

                                    A Graduate.

   It is a pleasure to write a forewortl for this book which is in-
tended to set out something of the character and work of one of
Lexington's most prominent and useful citizens, General Wilbur
R. Smith.
   The writer's acquaintance with him began while a student in
the "Commercial College of Kentuckv ITuiversity" more than
thirty years ago, when General Smith's father, Prof. E. W. Smith
was in charge of the school and Wilbur R. was a star professor in
the same institution and wasg then beginning to be a moving genius
in the management of its affairs.
   The elder Professor Smith was then beginning to drop the
reins of the institution, but his able and ambitious son seized them
firmly and guided the institution to a glorious success.
   Wilbur R. Smith had the dash and spirit of a conqueror from
the very first and regarded obstacles as only stepping stones on
which he "mounted to higher things."
   The Commercial College had high standing in its class of
schools, when he took charge of it, but it was still problematical
from a financial point of view, and had only a limited patronage,
but he has made it known nation-wide, has brought it to large
financial success, and sent its. students to positions of prominence
and efficiency in many parts of the IUnited States and other
countries.
   The institution is now known as the Wilbur R. Smith Business
College and is one of the best known colleges of its kind in the
world and has contributed its share of influence in making Lexing-
ton famous as one of the greatest educational centers of the South


 







    Wilbur R. Smith has become not only one of the most suc-
cessful business men of his adopted eity, blat has been for years a
leading figure in the councils of his political party and a prominent
worker and officer in his church.
    Governor -Rradlev honored hint several years ago by giving him
a place on his staff. and President Taft appointed him -o the posi-
tion of Postmaster at Lexington, which position he is filling at
present with distinction and satisfaction to the public.
    If we are to look for ancestral impress directing the thought
and purpose of a descendant. loyalty to church, home and country
we find it undimmed by descent in the subject of this sketch. Al-
lowr me to sav that General Srmith's ancestry is the very best.
While each section of the country claims its prominent people in
its upbuilding, and refers with pride to their ancestors as states-
men, financiers, etc., the fame of General Smith's ancestors is in-
teresting as prominent and God-serving people. He is a descendant
of the Daniel Brainerd family (grandmother being Esther Brain.
erd.)  Daniel Brainerd was a deacon of the church two hundred
and fifty years ago, so was his son, all along clown the course of time
we find them to have been church people and ministers-General
Smith, himself being a church deacon.
   Of this Brainerd family, fourteen were ministers, four mic-
sionaries, i)a Id Brainerd being the first American Missionary;
twenty-nine were graduates of Yale; four were graduates of Har-
vard; twelitv-nine were inventors: also soldiers in all the American
wars. The same can be said of the Hubbard, Love, and Kanarys,
of both paternal and maternal ancestors. each family had two or
more ministers thereof.
   General Smith shows the same high regard his ancestors had
for education and religion by gradiiating his own children from
the best colleges and universities and setting before them an ex-
ample of loyalty and devotion to the church.
   "By their fruits shall ye know them" is a true standard of esti-
mate... Judged by that standard, the life of General Smith is very
worthy and commendable, and I am. sure the reading of this book
will be calculated to give hope and inspiration to all its readers.
   The writer of this preface subscribes himself a friend and ad-
mirer of General Wilbur .R. Smith.

                                E. G. B. MANN.
May 30, 1913.



PREFACE



1.15


 
This page in the original text is blank.


 











         General Wilbur R. Smith

  Many years an Educator, Official and Useful Citizen.


               (Ancestry, Sketches and Reminiscences)

                         CHAPTER I

                CITLDIIooD AND EARLY YEARS.
   BIRTH AND PARENTAGE, DISTINGUISHED ANCESTRY AND
                   SPLENDID E;:kTVJRIlMENTS
                           PATERNAL
Father-Ephnaim Waldo Smith. Educator and Lecturer, Business man.
Great-grand-father-William Smith, Sr.-Colonel in the Revolutionary Wair.
Grand-mother-Hannah Hubbard Smith. See Hubbard History.
Great-grand-mother-Esther Brainerd Smith. See Genealogy of Brainerd
     Family.
                           MATERNAL
Mother-Margaret Love Smith. An educated Christian lady.
Grand-father-Alexander Love. Scotch-Irish Presbyterian.
Great-grand- father-William Kanary. German-French. See family Bible
     record of 1744.

God-serving antecedent,-Deacons, holding other places in church work I5
    the Congregational-Presbyterian Church for nearly 250 years-Scotch-
    Irish Presbyterians-Brothers and Sisters-Home in Ohio-Death of
    parents.

W   rJLBITR RUSH     SMITH    was born October 23, 1853, at
V   V    Higginsport, Ohio, a beautiful village of nearly one thous-
       and people, situated about forty miles east of Cincinnati,
Ohio, on the banks of the Ohio river, surrounded by a rich agricul-
tural district, and named after General Robert Higgins, of Revolu-
tionarv War fame..
    The village was often visited by General Ulysses S. Grant,
when a boy, afterwards President of the United States, and his
companions, General A. V. Kautz and Admiral Daniel Ammen;
also Rear Admiral Albert Kautz; the first two received their ap-
pointment to the United States Militarv Academy, West Point,
N. Y., and the latter two to the United States Naval Academy,
Annapolis, Md., from the congressional district in which this vil-
lage was located, and their lives were incentives to emulation to
the village boys of old Brown county.




 



















































I



0: Y








of V



:'iH    



-



   C-;



    NOTE,-General Smith and family have found mniuch plaslire in vis- Y
iting this old and historical town; also the home of Rev. Cleveland, the z
ancestor of President Cleveland; Rev. David Brainerd, the first Awmoricat. C
missionary, and Rev. David Fields, father of the famous Fields brothers.




 











































   PROFESSOR EPHRAIM WALDO SMITH
Father of General Smith and with whni hle waIs an educational
           c(-worke r for twenta-five !ears.


 
This page in the original text is blank.


 



ANCESTRY AND EARLY LIFE.



     His parents, Ephraim  Waldo Smith and Margaret Love
Smith. were among the most prominent in that section and
foremost in educational work, deeds of benevolence and were devout
members of the Presbvterian Church. The session book, page four,
of the Presbvterian Church at Higginsport, Ohio, has recorded that
E. W. Smith and wife wvere received into that ehurch May 16, 1852.
     In the veins of his ancestors coursed a noble strain of blood;
with them the aristocracy of mind predominated.. In all the walks
of professional life, as well as in the pursuits of agriculture, and in
financial enterprises for generations, they were leaders. These
splendid people fought not only for the establishment of this Na-
tion, but gave up their lives that it might be perpetuated. General
Smith is possessed of that courage of conviction that is his by right
of inheritance through the long line of ancestors for centuries past.
    His ancestor, George Smith, settled in Haddam, Connecticut,
in the year of 1628, and died a few years following. A tomb-
sLone marks 'the last resting place of him and his family in the old
village burying ground. Geo. Smith's sons were, mostly, seafaring
men. Hon. Cephas Brainerd in 1894, in an address in the Congre-
gational Church, in Haddam, Connecticut, stated that this Smith
family originally came from Hertford-shire, England.
    His father, Ephraim Waleio Smith, came from old Revolution-
arv-Puritan stock. and was born July 24, 1820, and reared at
Haddam, Conn. His grandfather, William Smith, Jr., was born
July 22, 1780, and died December it, 1870. His grandmother,
Hannah Hubbard Smith. was born February 10, 1777, and died
April 19, 1847. He is a great grandson of Colonel William Smith,
who was one of the guard of honor to General Washington on a
trip from Boston to New Haven, during the Revolutionary War.
Lieutenant, afterwards Colonel William Smith, was born in Had-
dam, Connecticut, 1'748, and married Esther Brainerd, October 13.
1767, and died May 20, 1824
    "Whose son art thou, young man" Saul's question concern-
ing David, whose heroism caused the King to feel an interest in
knowing something of the brave young shepherd's antecedents, is
a question constantly repeated. A man distinguishes himself and
we at once seek to know what were the forces of heredity that help-
ed to make him what he is.
    General Smith's ancestry of Brainerd, Hubbard, Smith and
Love-Kanalr, were among the oldest and most prominent of the
New England families and beyond the Atlantic. While each sec-
tion of this country has its well known families, yet few families
have an unbroken line of ancestors for' two and one-half centuries,
and more. each generation having borne honored names.



19




 

























  A
  _2
  .4



  I-.





















  Cs




-4)


 





ANCESTRY AND EARLY LIFE.



     Esther Brainerd Smith, General Smith's paternal great
grandmother was born November 8, 1747, and died Febuary 10,
1816.
     From records and books of genealogy of the Brainerd family,
of Connecticut, we find that Deacon Daniel Brainerd, the great
grandfather (six generations removed), was born in England, about
1640, and died at Haddam, Conn., April 1, 1715. He was one of
the first settlers -and owners of Haddam, Conn. He and his son,
Deacon James Brainerd, were Deacons of the Congregational
Church, of Haddam.     Rev. David Brainerd, of this same family,
was the first American Missionary.
     Hannah Hubbard was the maiden name of General Smith's
grandmother. A more elaborate reference is made to the Hubbard
familv in the family record, of which family came Senator Henry
Spencer of Haddam, Conn., Nancy Yale, and other cousins.
     His father attended    an ac-demv     at  Middeltown, Conn.,
and settled in Brown County, Ohio, at Clark's Mill, in 1840,


                             BRAIN ERD
   Origin of Name. Lineal Descent. Illustrious Records for Centuries.
   (From the Genealogy of the Brainerd Family in America 1649 to 1908.)
     The origin of the name Brainerd (page 13). The late Dr. Bradley,
of New Haven, sought the origin of names in the meaning of words. He
was said to be versed in 16 different languages and traveled in Europe and
Asia. In his manuscripts on Patrinomatology it is said he searched Eng-
land for the name of Brainerd, and concluded that it was from a Celtic word,
noble-Brained. The name Brainard is said to be common in France on
the border of Germany and the two different ways of spelling the name,
Brainerd and Brainard, are the French and German ways. In the early
history of England the Bralnerds settled therein.
     Ester' Brainerd (pages 64-65, par. 4) (Herber3, James', Daniel'), of
Haddam, Middlesex Co., Conn., married, Oct. 13, 1767, Lieutenant William
Smith, son of Daniel and Martha Smith, of Haddam. Ile was lieutenant of
militia, serving In that capacity at Roxbury. He formerly had a powder
horn with Roxbury drawn on it. Mrs. Ester (Brainerd) Smith died Feb.
10, 1816, aged 68 years.  Lieutenant William Smith died in 1824, aged 78
years, in Haddam, Conn.